Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 970 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

i; : ead ‘ -. «My a. a 4% a : VS Sag EL SMT ORS 0 ARE ree cle» G Ahoy Abe, the Dock Sharp. eccentric boy always showed to all he ad- | he referred me to you, sir, as one who was likely ** Hey, Nibsey ; come here, will yer?” Old Grasshopper looked, but did not obey. ‘* Say, be you deef, gineral?” pe It was so evident that the deformed ’long- shoreman intended wholly to disregard the address that Parson Joe rose and spokein his customary dignified way. f : beg your pardon, sir; but can I speak with ou Old Grasshopper paused and looked up into the face of the sport. A close observer would have said that he found something there of far more than passing interest, for he seemed to lose sight of the question in gazing at the ques- tioner, Suddenly he aroused with a slight start, ‘* Certainly, sir; certainly.” ‘** Your name, I believe, is—is—” ‘*Old Grasshopper.” The sport had hesitated to speak the uncom- plimentary sobriquet, but the ’longsboreman gave it without the least sign of annoyance. ** You are the gentleman I wish—” ** Never mind the polite palaver; I’m Old Grasshopper, ‘longshoreman. Call me that, an’ leave off the flourishes. What do you want?’ The question was straight to the point, and Parson Joe answered: ** Do you know a man named Peter Glass?” “*T may.” ‘*Tam referred to you for information con- cerning him,”’ ** Why don’t you go to him?” **T would like to get my pointers in some other way—in brief, of you.” ** Well, what is it?” ** Do you know the, man?” Joe repeated, im- patiently. ‘Yes; by sight.” ** What do you know of him?” ** No good. He is to you what a jackal is to a lion,” bluntly explained Old Grasshopper. ** The jackal eats the meat the lion leaves, after the latter has killed his prey, you know. Glass could not exactly be called a sport, though he hauls in his living out of the dregs, and by doing the dirty work of sport, so called. He is a horse- tout, a fleecer of the ignorant, and about every- thing that is low and mean.” ‘* All this I know; but what of the man as a private citizen?” Joe asxed. ‘** Don’t know,” ‘Tt must be that you do know, and I have enough faith in your dislike of him to speak out frankly. Am I not safe in doing it?” The ’longshoreman’s keen gaze became keener, as he evidently tried to read the sport’s mind. Then he promptly returned: Yes, Say on!” **Some time ago,” began Parson Joe, ‘‘ I hap- pened on a man down on Long Island who was dying. He was one of the many New York men who have been wrecked by a passion for the races. He was middle-aged, and held a fair- ly good position, where he handled his employ- er’s money, fully trusted. ** Hehad been playing the races for some time and the thirst grew so maddening that he had taken the firm’s money to follow his passion. Always losing, he had got into a deep hole. He then misappropriated a large sum, deter- mined to retrieve his losses or break on the _ wheel. **He again lost! **He did not return home, but, worryin himself ill, was dying among strangers when found him. What he said to me need not be told in full; I will only relatea part. ‘* This poor wreck told me of a man named Peter Gjass, who had cruelly wronged another man named Hiram Bentley. The latter was a gentleman, and far removed in all ways that were noble from the wretched horse tout and blackleg. ‘*My informant had aided Glass slightly without having any clear idea of what the game was, and never suspecting the villainy that was afoot. ‘He never did learn just what it was, but “say enough information to be aware that G had not only been able to seize upon Bentley’s money, but had wrecked the latter’. life. ‘*Dying, he was more miserable than ever over the matter, and he exacted from me a promise that 1 would investigate and try to right the wrong. ‘He managed to write a note to Glass which pe iaev just enough to put the latter on the defensive, though it was ostensibly to recom- —s me as @ man who would like to help Glass, or pay. © Fie had but a vague idea of the man, and ey AS. . “+s ~ * Tn ee < : - y « P \ Ae Y ae wt Big , : a Pale F" if. y LQ A ait4 is” we is i ., ~* -* to know a good deal about Glass.” Parson Joe ceased and looked inquiringly at Old Grasshopper. ‘* What do you expect to do?” the ’longshore- man demanded, brusquely, ‘‘ First of all, learn just what crime Glass committed against Bentley.” ** Are you going to ask him ?” ‘*T did have an.idea of doing this, if other means failed.” ‘* He probably would confess,” was the dry comment, ‘* That is not it; I was going to try and biuff him,” ** What do you want of me?” ‘-Did you ever hear of Bentley?” cé No,” ‘*Do you know enough of the tout’s ways to be able to put me on the track?” Old Grasshopper was curt to the degree of incivility, but Parson Joe’s patience seemed to have impressed him at last. He assumed a thoughtful air, and somewhat more amiably answered : ‘* At‘present I know nothing, but it may be I can learn something by investigation, This is a matter that don’t concern me, and I don’t know why I should trouble myself about it; but,” he added, with a peculiar curl of the lips, ‘*l am a man who likes to oblige. I will make inquiries and see what I can learn.” hoy Abe felt that this was not a promise given in sincerity, but the sport’s face showed Be signs of disappointment. He seriously re- plied: ‘*Do so, if you please, and remember I stand ready to reciprocate the favor in any way you may name, Til give you my address, and os to hear from you as soon as you learn any- thing. Due arrangements were made, and then Par- son Joe nodded to Abe, and they left the ’long- shoremen’s resort. They went a block in si- lence, with the sport engaged in deep meditation. Suddenly he remarked: ‘“‘This seems to have been time thrown whey ‘* Why so, mister?” ‘Old Grasshopper has not panned out well, He has not been sincere, or tried to help me. Is he honest, in a general way?” ‘*T never heerd otherwise.” ' He played with me, cat-and-mouse fashion. IT hope nothing from him. In fact, I have an idea that he knows far more about this casethan he dares tell,” Abe nodded his satisfaction; it pleased him to see that Joe was not to be deceived, ‘*T hope you'll learn all, mister,” he de- clared. ‘Is that man really a ‘longshoreman?”’ was the next, and abrupt, question. ‘* Yes; though I can’t say I see him doing much work, now [ think of it.” ‘‘ He is more than that. He has a keer intel- lect. Ican’t fathom him, and am not ready to say whether he is saint or sinner, but he’s a brainy fellow.” The sport spoke ina manner which indicated more and weightier thoughts than he expressed, but did not linger, Hesoon announced that he was going to leave, but Abe interrupted: sy Ret mister, don’t I see you ag’in?” a hy, certainly; any time you wish. Call around |” ‘‘ But I don’t mean that. Why not keep me in this game? Folks say I’m more knowin’ than the average ijjit, I’d like ter strap on my sword an’ eyeglasses an’ fight et out with you, shoulder ter shoulder,.”’ “‘T think you may yet have a chance, You impress me as one who is to be trusted, and I I will give you a chance,ifI can, I like your style.’ ‘ Thankee, boss!” Abe felt more flattered than he cared to own, and, presently, saw Parson Joe go away with the sincere hope that he would be called upon to give further help. ‘* ‘Leven o’clock,” commented the Dock Sharp, when againalone. ‘' Guess I'll git a wiggle on an’ go home,” He started, meditating upon the strange events of the night, but not sufficiently engaged in thought to be oblivious of what was transpir- ing around him. Thus it was that, as he neared an adjacent street-corner, he suddenly came to a stop. There, engaged in earnest conversation, he saw Peter Glass and Captain John Twiss, ‘** Hil” he breathed, ‘* the vampires hey met! Say, b’gosh! I'll drop on them an’ git onter their game!’ , at Te ¥ ee f CHAPTER VII. IN DANGEROUS COMPANY. | Anoy ABE was small of stature and light of foot, and he at once formed the plan of getting near enough to Twiss and Glass to overhear the subject of their rapt conversation. Circumstances were in his favor, They stood under a fixed awning, the outer side of which had heavy supports, and he used the latter as cover while he stole safely along the curbstone and approached them. This strategic move was successful, and he was soon where he could listen. ‘‘We must not shut our eyes to the danger,” Glass was saying. ‘*‘This Parson Joe is a man to be dreaded, and we don’t know how much he has got on to. Anyhow, he is shrewd enough to get right down to the meat of the matter.” ‘* Hadn’t I better make sail at once?” asked Twiss, nervously. ** And leave me to fight it out alone?” ** You forget that the danger would be Jess.” ** To you, yes!” ** But Elise would be out of sight.” ‘** She ought to be, now, anyhow.” ** Hush!’ The captain looked around nervously, as if afraid other ears might hear. ‘* Well, she still lives, so let us talk from that standpoint, You are the man who has the most to gain out of this, and lam not disposed to let you evade your share of danger.” ‘* Do you approve of the Brown Bet being left at that pier, after what has happened? Why, man, our only safety depends on lying low. Whoever fixed that skeleton scene in the cabin knew our past !” ‘* Your past, you mean,” Glass amended. ** But don’t fly off ata tangent, I admit all you urge. The skeleton tableau speaks with a voice of thunder. Who could have done it?” T wiss shook his head gloomily. ‘*T don’t know.” **He was accurate in all—even to the poker ‘hand’ of four queens and an ace,” ‘* Fatally accurate,” the captain agreed. ‘*Tt brings up old scenes, messmate; scenes we don’t want the world to know. J seem to hear the wash of the waves; see the dancing lights of the old ship, the forms of the players, the gliding form of one man, knife in hand—” , ** Silence!” cried John Twiss, almost furious- ly, in a husky whisper,. *‘ Don’t let even the wind have those scenes from the past, To busi- ness, man; to business! Elise lives, and some one knows how a certain man died. We are in danger. What can we do to protect our- selves?’ **T must have time to think, This story of the skeletons in your cabin comes so unexpected- ly that I don’t know what to do,” ** Something must be done, or we are doomed.” é¢ True }”? ** Put your wits to work, for I depend on you to work us out of the pinch, After all we have done and dared it would be something terrible to lose, now.” “* Pll fix it out, See! a patrolman is coming; let us moveon,” They went, and Ahoy Abe promptly walked around the block the opposite way, He saw them separate, and stale iy Captain Twiss for further survey, followed that person to the Brown Bet. . Then, satisfied that no further work could be done that night, the Dock Sharp went home and retired. Before going to sleep he reviewed the events of the evening. “* Say, old hoss,” he muttered, addressing him- self familiarly,.‘* you hev tumbl nest o’ snakes, Twiss, Glass.& Co, are about as p'izen as they make them, an’ they’ve not only done a heap o’ mischief in the past, but are u ter more. Elise is in danger, an’ the more think of it, the moreI suspect it was Mister Cap’n J. Twiss, Esquire, who sawed that gang- plank, Else why did he send his crew away? HKlse why didn’t he try ter help her when she fell inter the dock? Oh! he’s a corker, J. Twiss is! Then there’s the captive in the Glass house, Is if man, mortal, monster or machine? Who an’ w’ot? Two legs, or four, or none? Fish, flesh or fowl? Or—or—” The course of speculation had grown erratic and disconnected, It now ceased. Ahoy Abe was asleep. He s'ept, and slept to dream wild dreams in which the other charactersin this narrative took strange parts; but he awoke clear-headed and alert. 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