Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 419 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

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A grizzled old sea-dog, whom Blount imme- diately guessed to be Shackleton, sat upon the end of an overturned boat, smoking a short clay pipe which appeared to be as ancient as its owner. The old man surveyed the rider with the ut- most unconcern as he came up, never taking the trouble to remove tbe pipe from his mouth. Upon the grass by the side of the house, spread out apparently to dry, was a broken mast with a sail attached. Blount’s heart beat quickly as he recognized the object, for there wasn’t any doubt in his mind that it was the mast and sail which had belonged to the boat. ‘* How are you?” said the sailor, as he pulled in his steed and halted at the edge of the place. ** Towdy?” grunted the old man, ‘“* Had quite a storm last night?” ** Dunno,” responded the other. Shackleton possessed keen eyes, despite his years, and had noticed the glance of satisfaction which had appeared upon the rider’s face when he caught sight of the mast and sail. **T am in search of a boat which was blown ’round Saudy Hook in the gale last night.” **W’ot do you come here for? Why don’t you go over yander to the beach? You ain’t green enough, are ye, to think a boat could travel over tne land into this bere ‘water, no matter how big the blow?” in Oh, that is all right; I know where the boat “Oh, you do?” “Yes, she lies up at Galilee,” *““Woot are you a-wasting yer time a-chin- ning round here ’bout yer boat if you know whar she is? Why don’t you goand git her ana not waste yer breath?’ **The boat had a mast and sail in her when she came round the Hook last night, but when she came ashore this morning she was floating keel upward with only the stump of the mast left; the mast itself and the sail were gone.” “ Ay, ay, that’s the way things allers go ina blow.” “That’s the mast and sail yonder.” **You lie, you son of a sea-cook!” cried the old man, laying his pipe down and rising to his feet in a sudden fit of rage. ‘‘ Don’t you dare to come here and say that I know anything "bout yer blamed old mast and sail! How dol know that you ever had sich a thing? and as for that ere rag and bit of timber, why, I’ve owned it for a year!” Blount understood at once the kind of man that he had run across, and he had been an offi- cer aboard ship too long not to know how to take care of such a customer, e sailor was a man weighing a hundred and fifty peace. tough as a pine-knot, and knew how to “‘ handle himself” as well as any bully that ever played cock of the walk in the forecastle, Without a word he dismounted from his horse, walked quietly up to the abusive Shackle- ton, and before that worthy comprehended what the ranger was up to, had him by the throat and shook him, as a terrier shakes a rat, until his teeth fairly chattered. “Tm a liar, am I?’ Blount observed, and then he gave the old ruffian another shake, “‘and you’ve had that almost new canvas a year, you scoundrel?” and he tightened his grip on the other’s throat until Shackleton’s knees ag > Nessa him. isc iank Gia ‘ ) &—gug—gug-” ga e old wrecker almost in A , Then, satisfied that he had taken some of the insolence out of him, Blount let go his hold and the old fellow stumbled back and fell in a sitting posture on the boat. His face for a moment was a study—fear and were strangely blended. As soon as he here have blazes do you mean a-comin the law on you, seeif I don’t! Do you s’pose we. | you kin come here and choke me like a blamed | and think that I am a-going to stand it! Not much, if I know myself—not if my name is Peter Shackleton. I’ll make you sweat for _ choking me afore you're a day older, and don’t you forget it, neither!” *Yoa mustn’t be so free with that ugly tongue of yours. I do not allow any man to eall me a liar with impunity!” the sailor an- swered. ‘‘I know this mast and sail has not been in your possession four-and-twenty hours, and I can easily bring witnesses to prove it, too!” “Blast that measly Tom Hodges and his son!” old Shackleton muttered. ‘‘ Isee’d the two a-spy- ing round here this morning. Darn my skin! i! I don’t git even with them for it! Why didn’s i ll their crabs and mind their own busi ness The Bat of the Battery. whom Shackleton referred was the man who had put him on the scent. ‘* But as far as the mast or sail is concerned | I don’t want either of them,” Blount remarked, | ‘“‘T am in search of information concerning the girl who came ashore at the same time as the mast and sail.” The old man assumed an air of ignorance, but the sailor fancied he detected aslight twinkle in his eyes. “A gal?” ** Yes, a young girl who was in the boat when it was blown around Sandy Hook, and who, when the boat upset, saved herself by clinging to the mast and so was borne ashore.” ‘* Waal, nobody see’d no young gal spread out here to dry, did they?” old Shackleton asked, assuming a humorous tone, ‘* Where is she—you rescued her, I suppose?” asked the sailor, coming at once to the point. ‘*W’ot do you ax sich a question for?’ re- sponded the old man, sulkily, ‘‘ You know all bout it, in course. The sailand mast is yourn, and I pulled the gal onten the water, and mebbe killed ber arterwards. It’s a wonder you don’t bring that up ag’in’ me, you're so mighty smart!” ‘*Oh, Ido not pretend to know everything, my friend, but as the body of the girl bas not come ashore, it is reasonable to suppose that she iid not perish when the boat was capsized, and is [ bad an idea that she might have been saved by using the mast and sail as a support, when I (ind those articles in your possession, I assume that it is not impossible you may know some- ‘hing of the girl.” ‘* Waal, mister, ’ll own up to them things; { found ’em on the beach, but thar wasn’t no gal with them.” Blount would have been apt tio believe that he was On a wrong scent had there not heen some- hing about the old man’s manner which made nim suspect he was not telling all be knew about the matter. ‘“But you found her, though, for all that?’ he replied, fixing his eyes sternly on the old ras- cal’s face. ‘*Oh, yes, of course I did! and I’ve got her here, hid right under this ’ere boat,’ and he rapped the wood with his hand, then he laughed hoarsely. ‘‘Say! you ’pear to be mighty anx- ious ’bout this here gal! Don’t you want to hire me to look for her?’ Blount drew a long breath; the secret of the old man’s stubborn denial was revealed. He wanted to make some money out gf the matter. “You shall be paid for your trouble, of course,” * Now you're talking! How much?” ** Well, any reasonable sum.” ‘Wot do you call a reasonable sum? that’s the p’int on which thar mey be a big difference of opinion,” observed the old man, with a grin, ‘*Oh, I will leave that to you.” ‘* Flow does a thousand dollars strike you?” ‘* A thousand dollars!” cried Blount in amaze- ment at the outrageous demand, ‘*'Thatis w’ot I said; a thousand dollars; and I reckon from w’ot you say ’bout the gal she would be cheap at double the money.” Now, as Blount hadn’t said a word about the girl’s looks or qualifications, these words con- vinced him that the old man did know some- thing of her, but of course such a sum asa thousand dollars was out of the question. ‘You are crazy, old man! If you were to say five or ten dollars now I might employ you to search for her.” ‘* Bah! what is five or ten dollars to a gen- tleman like me!” he exclaimed. ‘It will take a thousand to make it worth my while.” ‘*Oh, we can’t trade,so I'll search for her myself.” Blount retraced his steps to where his horse stood and mounted him, ‘Try all you like, and if you can’t find her, then call on me with the money, and [ll see what I kin do.” “Oh, you’re an old rascal, and I don’t be- lieve a word you say!” Blount cried, as he gal- loped off. his was merely done to throw the wrecker off his guard, for Blount was convinced that the man did know something of the girl. What he wanted now was time to summon the banker from New York, Again the electric wires were brought into play and a full account telegraphed to Mr. amardale, The chase was getting interesting, for the sailor believed the end was near. CHAPTER XX. TURNING THE TABLES, STRAIGHT for Phenix’s heart was the blow aimed, and the stroke was given with all the power that dwelt in the assassin’s frame. It seemed as if a miracle alone could save the life of the human sleuth-bound. But Phenix was one of those men who by means of brains and courage work miracles, The glittering, bodkin-like dagger, sharp as a razor, penetrated the cloth of the coat and then, encountering a solid substance beneath, snapped in twain, close to the handle. Biount guessed that one of the parties to. With a shrill cry of alarm the assassin re- — ? coiled, for she realized immediately that a sur- prise ‘was in store for her, Phenix smiled: he had suddenly reenvered the use of his muscles, and tke sleepy, stolid look which his face had worn, disappeared as if by magic, **Qh, you devil! you have tricked me!” sie cried, in bitter anger. ‘*] was Irving’s comrade, but I do not think I am destined to share Irving’s fate,” Phenix remarked, speaking in the most matter-of-fact way, and just as if nothing uncommon had oc- curred, ‘*'What manner of man are you? And by what. miracle have you escaped?” The woman had wrought herself up to a fear- ful pitch of excitement; ber face was distorted with passion, and she trembled in every limb. *‘Oh, I’m the ordinary kind of man—haven’t any more brains than the law allows, or else I never should have tumbled into this trap so. stupidly. Ihad an idea ei wouid try the same game on me that had been so successful with poor Irving, but you see that is where l wronged you; I didn’t give you credit for being as smart. as you are. Il own up! You fooled me most beautifully this time. I hadn’t the least suspi- cion that there was anything crooked about the matter, and 1 walked into the snare with my eyes open, never dreaming of danger; but the moment I swallowed the wine I knew twhat was up, although when the stuff is administered in thet way there is hardly any perceptible taste toit. It was an old acquaintance, and I recognized it. It must bave been a pretty good-sized dose, judging from the speedy man- ner in which it floored my esteemed friend, here,” and he glanced at the hotel clerk, who lay back in the easy-chair as senseless as a log. “But I am an old opium-eater. Years ago, when trouble nearly drove me crazy, I found relief in that lethe-producing drug, and became so used to it that 1 could take without harm a quantity large enouzb to almost kill a dozen men; but before I became an absolute slave a tide of fortune set in, and little by little I bave weaned myself from its use; and now you will under- stand why the dose failed. I saw I was ina trapand I determined to turn the tables on you, and I flatter myself that lL have performed that little job in a superior manner. Believing me to be helpless in your power, you threw off the mask, and during this short interview I have | learned more about you than I could have found out by myself in a month, even if [ had had great good-luck.” ¥ “Ob, you are a very devil!” the woman hissed, fiercely, and she brandished the useless we2pon in the air, as though meditating another stroke. M2 e ou cannot deceive me—you wear a breast- plate! And this was the truth. During one of his European trips Phenix had purchased a shirt of mail made of the once famous Milan steel; it — consisted of a series of rings curiously linked toge'her, and was proof cgainst the point of any knife that was ever forged, and in fact the istol-ball that would make an impression upon it would have to be discharged from a superior weapon. ‘“Oh, no, Ihave been dipped in the famous spring which made a]! the old-time heroes in- vulnerable to either steel or lead,” Phenix an- swered, rising, and at the same time producing a pair of handcuffs from his pocket. he recoiled and her eyes fairly flashed fire as she caught sight of the fetters. ‘* Come,” he said, ‘‘hold out your wrists so I can snap on the bracelets. You have played a bold game—played it deuced well, too, but the end has come, The woman burst into a hollow laugh, and never in all his experience did Phenix li.ten to merriment more strained or unnatural. ‘“Upon my word, Phenix, you area terrible fellow!” she exclaimed. ‘If I bad had an idea of what kind of a man you really are, should have thought twice before I attempted to entrap you. Of course I knew you by repu- tation well enough; I knew that you had made some marvelous captures and that of all the man-hunters in the country the bold souls under the ban of the law dreaded you far more than any of the rest, but although I guessed you were far superior to your fellows, yet, as I flat- tered myself that I had more brains than all the detectives put together, I did not feel any doubt in regard to the result when I determined to measure strength with you, Irving was sup- osed to be a very king of detectives, and the nowledge that he had been put upon the trail was always enough to make the boldest crimi- nal take heed, but skillful as be was, I en- ra and slew him without the least trouble.” : ‘*Let me warn you,” Phenix hastened to say at this point, ‘‘ to be careful how you speak, for as an officer of justice, 1am bound to tell you as an bonest man that any disclosures you may make to me will surely be used against ”? ‘““Oh, what do I care?” exclaimed the woman apparently reckless. ‘‘I have played a bol game and for a time laughed to scorn all the efforts of the authorities to trap me, and GVOCKS Eom > é *- | 7 : ei ‘ Ae! « bars FR OR Me Oo ne gt. a atte - i Og on — —s sie +