Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 396 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

‘was hard that he should have been suspected on general principles. So Hardy had admitted to himself more than once, but now he wondered whether he was to fall into a nest of information when he least expected it. He did not show the interest that he felt, but simply nodded and said: ** Of course.” ‘‘ Well, there’s a man golng to meet this snoozer I just laid out, and [ want an old reliable, whose word would count for some- thing when they put him on the stand to be around and hear what he tells him. Then _ we'll run them both in.” ‘But that’s all dough. Paddy the Piper <<“ ony ca ~ -%§ _— — ‘=; “< * es as _ wouldn’t help to rope in a pard to save his &g own neck, and if he would he couldn’t, for __- you’ve just knocked him silly. He won’t be able to talk for an hour.” | * That's all right. So much the better. He py LU do the talking for him. Ferd will put us += ina box, and []l put you in another, and if the cove knows the difference, you'll have a chance to find it out. That’s my game. ow, if you’re willing to back me up, give us your hand on it clean through. 1J’ll show — - Sab y ; er tv © _ 7 _ aa ~~) 4 % > ~~ heard of you before, and I’m willing to take _ - you on trust.” «Tt’s an elegant game, if nothing interferes - to spoil it in the playing. I must havea word with Ferd, though, or she won’t take much stock in you. As for your friend, he’d ‘i : ae you how we do such things out West. Is it bee a go?" ihe “Tf you can do as you say—yes. I’ve ig * a fd ee * a . better go home. Two of us are better than ie _adozentorun this thing, and he’d only be _. inthe way if the shooting began.” * ** There must be no shooting,” Hardy an- ___ swered, hastily. ‘‘And for this gentleman + +—Major Blaine—I have particular reasons re _ for having him along.” (ae ‘‘Exactly. Kind of suspects there’s some- | thing not altogether straight about me. | ‘You're fooled cn that, but maybe you're «right in another way. I can work two men _--— +better than one, anyhow. He won’t be in . much danger, either, if I do all the heavy | work, Will try it on, anyway.” _ —. +“Just you make a clear case, and I will | ‘be around to grab. But here we are. Go ahead if you think you can make satisfac- tory arrangements.” “That's right. Wait here three minutes, then come in and follow wherever they offer to put you. I'll square things.” Off went the man on bis errand, leaving Hardy and Blaine, a most impatient pair, | ia tae standing watching and waiting. ae CHAPTER XXVII. AND ALL CONCERNED FIND THEMSELVES Mae ie. IN A HOLE. al WueEn the two strolled into Ferd’s they did not appear to create any excitement. a - Though in the five minutes’ grace their ad- vent had apparently been prepared for. A waiter beckoned them aside and led them straight to a room that was small enough to be only a stall. «Will bring your orders in,” said the man, _ with a wink, departing as noiselessly as care- - ful steps with list-slippered feet would al- 4 ‘ _ low. ee _ **ither one way or the other we'll know something before we get through,” whisper- ia eg major, after a glance at his surround- a Do you think they have planted us here to get us out of the way; or are we going _ to get to the bottom of a wonderful mys- pe oY tardy raised his hand. _ Say nothing. Our friend, the waiter, will - doubtless be back in a moment. After he has gone we can look and listen; but the less we say the better, I think this is a revela- _ —He already had his eye on a spot in the wall which seemed go mark an opening left - ormade fora purpose. When the waiter had left the steaming oysters that had evi- _ dently been ordered by their mysterious part- a fay ga his sub investigations, and i ‘0 that his suSpicion was correct. _ Through the peep-hole he could obtain a limited view of a room, and what seemed strangest to him was that the room was evi- - dently in an adjoining house. He had been Ape: doing Ferd Hale the rankest kind of injustice. “SS ta Lhe. a4 ' » x4 L< v d ae . a : ‘ i me * 7 a4 “7? | at wh g = il ne ~, = . \ —— —— - ——_ - “= 3 ~~ . a - — . —. é : L ae ad ° - so 4 rd b a , pr” es $ —— / —— ED <P 7 et - oe = _ - —_—— The Piper Detective. Instead of being in league with the thieves he seemed to be assisting the police. While Hardy looked, some one entered, and he could hear voices quite plainly. ‘*Arrah, thin, it’s yersilf, come at last. D’yez think I’ve nothin’ ter do but wait till yousthroll in? An’ yedidn’t want ter know me whin it warall roight. Fur two cints Oi’d bu’st yer jaw, comin’ here wid anew set ov heavy harness on, thryin’ ter look like anither mon. What did yez do wid ther girrul?” ‘‘My friend, you evidently mix matters, and take me for some one else. I know nothing about any girl; and I certainly had no intention of meeting you here when I came in. I met you here the other night, Tll admit; and from what followed I am inclined to believe that you sold us out. If so I am only glad that we acted cautiously. If the knowledge that we hold your neck in our fingers is not enough to keep you straight I can’t see that we have any use for you.” ‘‘An’ it’s you that charges me wid sellin’ yez out. Sure ther boot’s on ther other leg, if it’s anywhere.” At the very opening of the conversation Hardy looked bewildered. Unless sight and hearing befooled him, the two were General Rawle and the Simon-pure Paddy the Piper. And if one was a fraud, which one was it? Or might it not be both? Rawle’s voice re- called him from his speculations. *‘It will do no harm to tell you that the man who took your place died suddenly, and that he has been known and wanted under the name of Craig Clayton. I’ve done you a good turn, anyway.” ‘Craig Clayton?” answered the supposed Irishman. ‘‘ Who is he?” ‘You should know—unless you’ve lost the notch-stick with which you keep the ac- count of your private graveyard. But that is neither here nor there. I wanted you to meet the friends, and see if we couldn't come to an understanding. Unfortunately there | was a hitch in the programme, and it is not so certain when they can be got together again, unless you can explain how it was that some one came in your place, and was posted in all the points and signs I had given you. J believe in you; but there are others who do not.” ‘‘Sure, an’ it’s thim ez can’t see a hole ina ladder. It worn’t meas give it away. Av ez don’t belave it fale av me schkool. oight here is where ther spalpeen hit me ther whack ez laid me out.”’ He laid his finger on the back of his head, and bent toward the general in an insinuat- ing manner that could hardly be resisted The chief of the Gilt Edge Gang bowed for- ward, extending his hand as if to examine the spot. As he did so the little man lengthened out, slinging his right fist and shoulder in one ter- rific blow, that drove the other back as though he had been shot, and scarcely had he touched the floor when the pretended Paddy the Piper, active as a cat, leaped upon him, and attempted to snap the handcuffs on his wrists, as he had done with the other. Hardy could not restrain himself, but ut- tered an encouraging cry. He had heard enough to convince him, and had no doubt but that with such positive information to work from, evidence could now be unearthed that would convict the general and utterly destroy the gang. He made his outcry, however, before he had got out of the wood. The two had passed from the range of his vision. Now he heard a rush of feet in the room beyond, a muttered curse or two, the sound of several blows, and then all was darkness and silence. It was any money and no takers that the chief had once more made his escape from the toils of justice. Captain Hardy had been nervously anxious all along, for he feared a pitfall of some kind. He was in haste to have it over, and yet dreaded the arrival of the catastrophe. The truth was it was hurried somewhat. Though the evident object of the detective was to lead the other to a full confession, he had suddenly become aware that the two were pot alone. Fearing HCN he pre- cipitated matters, hoping to get the handcuffs on before there could be any interference. _ He did not take into account the hardness of the skull at which he was striking. Van tJ * art . ; - } fee ‘ ." : $e ‘ . i f A. . ; J< MENS MEERA Nay et ea OG fhe 4 . , a » oe" 5 ® Z ) “4 - ae tN fey a wi NS - ay - m . i iP 7 - Tse hn ie 4 wey SP ee) Bak 38 _ #. res / Rr eat << iar a> 4 ’ f LLL LL LL —— ee ¢ eo Tyler knew better than to use anything less solid than a slung-shot, and if he ever had a chance to make a second trial the detective would know better, too. The wrists writhed from his grasp, and the hands caught at him. At the same time there was a rush and the lights went out, while blow after blow was aimed for his de- fender’s head. Hardy boiled over with impotent wrath. He threw himself at the wall, but that was solid enough. Minutes were precious, and he knew of no way of getting into the room without going out, and boldy entering the next house. He called on Blaine to follow him, and rushed to the door. ‘‘What’s the matter? wrong?” The questioner was the natty waiter who had ushered them into the room. There was no time for lengthy explanation and not much for consideration. Hardy only gave a hasty glance to identify the man. ‘‘ Everything has gone wrong. They’ve found out the man that brought us here, and are killing him in the next house. Can we find our way in?” **T told him so!” ejaculated the waiter, in a short, sharp way, that seemed to betoken that he was not altogether unprepared forthe intelligence. ‘‘ This way, quick. I can put you right in, but I’m afraid we'll be too late. Are you heeled?” ‘*Of course,” replied the captain, holding up his revolver. ‘*Then shoot first and reason with them afterward. Follow me.” Drawing a pistol from his hip pocket and iving a little tug at Hardy’s coat collar, as if to start him in the right direction, the man darted away, the others keeping close in his wake. He led the way along a little hall, and bounded up a narrow flight of stairs, ‘*Come on!” he cried, as he threw open a door and plunged into a dark and narrow passageway. Hardy and the major were close behind— they would have sworn they were right at his heels. oA i them.they heard a sound as of a pistol-shot, muffled by intervening walls, and the noise spurred them on. ‘“‘Hurry, hurry!” said Hardy, breathlessly ; and just then there was a sharp click, and with scarcely time for a cry of alarm he plunged downward in the darkness. Captain Hardy stepped right into the trap; but the major failed to follow. At the snap he halted, and on the instant knew there was treachery. His revolver came out, ready cocked, and he partially wheeled as he gave a step back- ward. His impulse was to retreat, at least to a known standing-ground. But Blaine was none of the men who de- sert their friends in danger. He stayed; but instinctively crouched close to the floor. Just in time was he, for a heavy blow from a cudgel came whistling down over him. His unexpected movement saved him, for his assailant overreached himself, and in so doing was carried a step forward by his own momentum, his knee touching the shoulder of Blaine when he crouched. The major recognized his chance, and _ be- fore the other could recover he had complet- ed his wheel, grasped him around the knees, and with a quick, powerful heave had flung him clean over his head. To Blaine’s surprise there was no instant- aneous crash; but the explanation suggested itself at once. There was an open pitfall, and the traitor had followed Captain Hardy into it. What its nature was, and whether either or both of the men were killed, was what he wanted to know. Detective Brad- ley, or whoever the man might be, who had led them into such a scrape, might look out for himself, if indeed he was in any danger. lt looked rather as though the whole affair had been pre-arranged, toinveigle Hardy and himself into danger. | | He listened, but could’ hear no sound of footsteps, and was inclined to think that he was alone, and that perbaps it was the work of the one man. At any rate, as he was unable to move safe- ly in the dark he was willing to run the risk of being seen by others who might carry on the attempt against his life. Holding in one hand his revolver, that he had momentarily COMICcboo iS ake | Anything gone iar. cS; —__ _ » J } aa ™ . ee : = fad | | | fy y ‘ é : ~~ | 2. | a4