Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 413 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

-_—e CO EOE POPE LO é i i a we ~ae ‘Galea ee ; so - ‘ * . e@ ’ . | . ‘“? (tf od a = " oe : . = 2 os - , ore F f } az? ' * ‘“« Jerusalem! what if we were at the beginning of anew game? Butit cannot be. There is no resemblance that I can see, It’s not worth thinking about. She knows, an’ she must tell! I am going to get a grip on the Dragon League if I have to do that which I have never done in all my wild career. The stake is worth the game, Hello, Foxy! Back a’ready?” Foxy had made a short trip and stood before the Raven, ready for orders. *‘ This fell out of the girl’s bosom,” said Foxy, tossing his companion a piece of paper. Raven Rob caught itand began to read, ‘‘ Heavens! she was on her way to decoy Captain Coldgrip into Papa Pangborn’s!” he ex- claimed med, ‘* Kloss?” ** Yes—that Burt, you say?’ ‘‘Tsaw her leave the house,” answered Foxy, girl! She came from Bowery itively. ‘Ah! don’t you see the game? The whole gang isinto it! Papa Pangborn writes the mes- sage an’ gives it to Burt for delivery to the giri,” ‘“‘ Tt is plain to me now,” Foxy answered, ‘““We spoiled the girl’s mission. Jupiter Pluvius! I wish I had let her go on.” “Why?” “She would have succeeded in gg! 3 the Gotham Sleuth into the old man-trap. e want him out of the way, an’ here Bowery Burt was utting himthere. This is exasperating, Foxy. f we could. get this message to the detective—” ‘* We can!” ‘* But it says that the bearer is a girl, an’ that she will accompany Captain Coldgrip to Papa Pangborn’s.” “That is just what will be done,” decided Foxy, showing his teeth with a grin, ‘* You re- collect how I used to act women parts on tho va- riet stage?” sé es.’ “Well, I haven't forgotten my_schooling. Give me ihe note, Rob. Bowery Burt’s pro- gramme shall be carried out, after all.” ‘“By you, Foxy?” demanded the Raven, in amazement, ‘By me an’ no one else!” was the response, and the smooth-faced fellow’s eyes twinkled wickedly. ‘‘ Let me show you a hoodwinking ame that will discount the one Bowery Burt had in hand, Captain Coldgrip goes to Papa Pangborn’s as certain as fate. I make an excel- lent girl.” ‘‘ Look out for the cold hand, Foxy,” said the Raven. ‘*T’ll keep an eye on that. We can’t afford to miss this chance of silencing the dangerous en- emy.” CHAPTER VI. WEASEL AND FERRET, Tur ‘“‘dangerous enemy” seemed in a fair way to be silenced, for, while the two villains were coolly plotting his destruction, he was the tenant of a small room not many blocks away. Captain Coldgrip had a new case in hand, and it been given nim by Ferguson Fowler, the millionaire banker, whose somewhat startling return to reason has already been mentioned. He was the only occupant of the room which was on the second floor in the middle of a block _ of buildings. ‘¢‘T haven't done much yet, but I think I have icked up a thread,” he said tohimself. ‘‘ Fow- er wants this business finished at once; he has no patience; he wants his papers and his dragon back; he can’t wait a minute, he says. ell, he may have to wait days.” After a while a slight, timid knocking at the door behind the city sleuth attracted his atten- _ tion. He crossed the room and opened the door. ‘Ah! what is it, my girl?” ho said to the per- | son who stood before him, “JT have a letter for you,” was the reply, and the ogg who looked like a girl of seventeen, plainly dressed and not unhandsome, slipped across the threshold. ‘*Tet me have it,” and Claude Coldgrip ex- tended his band. . ‘Are you alone?” asked the girl, glancing about the room. ‘* Perfectly so. Give me the letter.” The detective’s caller produced a piece of pa- per somewhat crumpled and extended it. - * Aha!” ejaculated the man-hunter, and the girl saw his eyes get a sudden glitter when he lanced at the signature. . ‘* Are you to eo back with me?” he asked, -. looking at the girl. : The: “sé Yes.” ag . ‘“Tt is not necessary. I may not go for some “7 think it is very important,” was the an- __ swer. ‘* Papa said so when he sent me here, and Bese” i I don’t think he would want to fool you. ae ‘* What do they call you?” * ws ‘‘Madge.” | ¥ . . “ i.e ‘* What is your other name?” ‘*[ never had any. I’ve always been Madge, Teuess. You'll go down to Papa Pangborn's with me, won’t you? I don’t like the streets at - Captain Coldgrip in N ET css ————— qe GE — — Seem Naa — —— tM oe, : : this time; but, then, I don’t want you to think me afraid.” Captain Coldgrip smiled. He did not know why any one who lived with ie Pangborn should be afraid of the streets of New York, even after dark, While he knew that the old Jew was not strictly honest, he had never caught him in any mean action; therefore, Madge, who lived with him, ought not to fear the journey back. “Pll go with you!” said Captain Coldgrip at last. ‘* Dll see what the old fellow wants, any- how. He claims to have information about Ja- capo, the old chemist who used to have a good trade in dangerous pastilles: but I fear Papa Pangborn ison the wrongscent. Are youready, Madge?” ‘‘Ready when you are.” The two left the room together and faced the cold wind that swept the street below. There was a victorious glitter in Madge’s eyes whenever she looked at the detective, ‘*Raven Rob thought I couldn’t play it, but ain't I doing it glorious?’ passed Madge’s lips. ‘‘ They say there are some foxes that can’t be caught at all; but I don’t believe it. Here Pve got the boss reynard of Gotham in a deadly snare, and he doesnt suspect. When you want a cool game played, come to Foxy Funk. He’s the winning trump—always'” If Captain Coldgrip had heard these words which were one mentally at his side, he might have given Madge, his companion, a close scru- tiny. O We don’t want a car, eh, Madge?” laughed the detective. ‘No car for me!” said the masquerading vil- lain, and he seemed to draw back from a ride in the well-lighted car which would give the city sleuth-hound an opportunity to study his face. Claude Coldgrip knew the location of Papa Pangborn’s three-story quarters. They were not far from his own room, and a se minutes’ walk would land him at the Jew’s loor. As square after square was measured, Foxy’s eyes shot gleam after gleam. He was in his element, and in fancy he saw the detective beyond Papa Pangborn’s thres- hold, and, of course, in one of the many man- traps the infamous building contained. “We can’t do anything against the Dragon League while the captain is at large to hunt for the banker,” said Foxy. ‘‘ All’s fair in love and war, they say, and this is war.” War it was, and war to the knife! **'We’re almost there, Macge,” said Captain Coldgrip, glancing down at his companion, as they turned another corner. ‘‘ Papa will be waiting for us, eh?” ‘** He don’t sleep much, seems to me,” was the reply; and then the pretended girl laughed: ‘*Isn’t Papa Pangborn a queer one?” ‘*Q@ueer in many ways,” said the detective. ‘*When did you come to him? You weren’t there three weeks ago.” ‘*T came two weeks ago to-night.” ‘*The city has always been your home?” “* Always.” ‘And you don’t know any Madge?” ‘* Madge—Madge!” simpered Foxy; and he wondered what Captain Coldgrip would give to know that he was playing a game against his life. At last, by looking down the street they were now traversing, Foxy imagined he could see Papa Pangborn’s quarters. His heart gave a great leap at the dis- covery. The goal was almost won! A few steps further on, and he saw the Jew’s house, and at the same moment almost he met a man on the street. There was nothing uncommon about the meet- ing, for Foxy had met scores of le since leaving the detective’s room; but this last r- pe caught hiseye as none of the others had one. It was Raven Rob, and Foxy saw in the quick glance, that his partner was astonished at his success, ‘*T wonder what the Raven thinks now?” ejaculated Foxy. ‘“‘He thought I couldn’t hoodwink the fox I’ve got in tow. It takes a keener eye than Claude Coldgrip carries in his head to penetrate the disguises | have at my p sa a I'll make you set up the champagne when we meet again, Raven Rob, and you’il elevate your estimate of -Foxy’s shrewdness. Ha, ha! old fellow—the weasel has caught the ferret!” Raven Rob, who was seen for a moment only had already disappeared. “py go bail if I would walk ten squares with that cold hand loose at my side!” he had exclaimed, after leaving Foxy and the detective. ‘‘ But Foxy isin earnest in the game on hand. He is taking Captain Coldgrip to certain doom, for Bowery Burt would send no decoy out if he had not completed arrangements for the Gotham ferret’s destruction. I owe you one, Foxy!” Meantime, the detective and his companion had nearly reached Papa Pangborn’s house. The exterior of the bu Iding was not very pre- possessing. The lower story windows were fur- name but / ew Y * ae | ' 7 ; Se Ne a > - 7 J . 2 e \ eS . “7 nished with shutters which were seldom opem even in the daytime, and the upper story lights were heavily curtained within. Just before Captain Coldgrip reached the step, a boy rushed past him. At the same time he felt something thrust in- to his hand. A saw the boy, but not the strange action. ‘* Wait—just one moment,” said the detective, iy then be stepped toward a street lamp near y. Foxy opened his eyes for genuine astonish- ment when he saw Captain Coldgrip unfold a piece of paper. ‘** In Beelzebub’s name, where did he get that?” exclaimed the disguised decoy. ‘‘It can’t be that he has been warned? No! it must be the message I carried to him—Bowery Burt’s. He wants to take another look at it before be pokes his head into the death-trap.” Foxy’s eyes might have leaped from his head. if he could have looked over the ferret’s shoulder at the one line which had been hastily scrawled on the paper he had just unfolded. The detective himself was wonder-struck. The one sentence was brief and told it all. “The person with you is Foxy—a man spy!” Captain Coldgrip took in the whole message at a glance. He exhibited no signs of excitement, although vet warning was enough to send a thrill through im. He appeared to be reading a letter long enough to have been the one with which Foxy had beem decoying him, This encouraged the watching weasel to think that it was Bowery Burt’s letter. At last the detective came toward him, He betrayed himself by no emotion. “The play is won,” said Foxy to himself. ‘¢ This is the boss game of my eventful life.” The next moment Captain Coldgrip said with a smile: ‘* Well, here we are, Madge, my girl, at the house of Papa Pangborn. Now, if you will get the door open, we will greet the old fellow in- side,” With glittering eyes Foxy mounted the two steps and jerked the brazen knob of the bell, for Papa Pangborn was aristocratic enough to site his visitors announce their arrival by the modern bell. There was a far-away silvery tinkle beyond the door. : At the sound TYoxy’s eyes got a new gleam that seemed to set them dancing; as for Captain. Coldgrip’s eyes at that moment—they glittered! A minute’s silence followed the dying tinkle of the bell; Foxy grew impatient. He had his mind made up. He knew that the ballway beyond the door was never well lighted, and, borg | in the dis- guise which he thought was safe still, he expect- ed to escape from the house before Papa Pang- born could discover the deception. ‘‘ Here comes Papa,” said the detective, as footsteps were heard beyond the door, and then the knob turned and the door itself was opened. by some one on the inside. ‘* Walk in,” said Foxy to his companion. ** No, you go first!” and the hand of Captain. Coldgrip fell like a hammer upon the villain’s shoulder. Foxy started back and uttered anexclamation of terror. ‘The jig was well played, but it is up, Foxy- Madge!” hissed a voice at his ear, as he was lifted bodily from the steps. ‘‘ Jupiter Jingo!” cried the thunderstruck de- coy. ‘* Shut the door! For heaven’s sake, don’t. throw me into that trap!” ‘““Oh, yes, Foxy. In you go!” laughed the city ferret, and the next instant he threw the decoy above his head and then hurled him with crushing force into the house. | ‘‘ Tl] see you later, if the devil preserves you!” were the words Captain Coldgrip sent after his victim. ‘‘ You can shut your docr, Papa Pang- born, I guess the mask you’ve worn has been pulled away !” The detective heard a strange cry inside, and the next moment the door was shut in his face. ‘‘What was it?—what did he do?” cried the man, who bounded to the old Jew, who stood like a statue of fright in the hall. “‘Holy Abrabam! I vas nearly ccad!” was the reply, and Papa Pangborn’s face did not be- lie his assertion. ‘‘ Dat man-ferret come, but holy heaven! he throw Floss like a bullet through the house!” ‘Floss! Curses on him! he didn’t do that, did he?” ‘*Go an’ look. Joseph’s goat! scheme?” The man who tnrned from Papa Pangborn and went toward a dark object lying in the hall was Bowery Burt of the Dragon League. He set his teeth hard as he bent over Cap- tain Coldgrip’s victim. " ‘ ehosaphat! Papa, come here!” he suddenly cried, The old Jew tottered forward. a” “ Look!” said Burt, looking up and pointing: to Foxy. “This isn’t Floss, buta man! I sents I am not myself, Bowery. who put dot man onto der GOMmichboo G cS