Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 437 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

PS passed inside and closed the door after | m. A little cautious investigation showed that the room was only about eight feet by twelve, and, was unfurnished. He at once devoted his attention to listening, and was delighted to find all in his favor. Between him and the other room was only tightly at that. wall-paper on the other side he woulda have a view of the other room, and bis resolution was at once made. He drew his pocket-knife, thrust the blade through a crack and cuta slit in the paper. A ray of light at once penetrated his quar- ters. He peered through. Two men were visible, and he at once recog- Se There was an air of sincerity about a yet es | place | e, he was as little to be | fellow said, and Dorgan was inclined to confidence in him, Deep Duke, the Silent Sleuth. -_— -—- --— i, | trusted in general as a rattlesnake, but he could | though some sort of a carpet was on the floor, it have no love for Peters since the adventure in — | the cellar, when Abe and Dorgan so nearly lost | | their lives, The above conversation had been carried on | 1d. so guardedly that there was no reason to sup- | an ordinary partition, and the boards did not fit | pose they had been heard, but Duke would not | | stop then to ask why Abe was acting the spy. | urther search revealed the fact that only for | Too much of what was being said in the next | room had already been lost. ‘** Abe,” be said seriously, ‘Sif you are all you | pretend-——and we ought not to be enemies after our adventure together the other day—you | ought to be willing to stay here by me, behaving nized them; they were Brown and the private | detective, Levi Peters. Dorgan felt then that i / he had made no mistake in letting either man | go free. If nothing disastrous occurred, some- thing pe tyes was likely to come of this inter- view. e listened eagerly. ‘* He is pretty sure to be in, ain’t he?’ Brown ‘‘T should say so,” Peters answered, ‘*T want to see him at once.” ‘*You have been working for him, haven’t you?” ‘* Never mind,” said Brown, cautiously. ‘* ’'m not the party to tell tales out of school.” ‘‘He is a sly rat, the old man is,” ‘* People need to be sly in this world.” ** Rather.” ‘*1’m afraid you are too sly.” ** How so?” ‘* You are a detective, and, square as you pre- tend to be, I don’t trust you any too much,” Dorgan did not hear Peters’s reply. He had something else to engage his attention just then. From the time when he settled down, and ceased making noise, he had heard another sound near him. Something seemed moving close at hand, and, when he tried to convince himself that the noise was due to rats, he heard another sound which was very like human breathing. He had turned his head and looked sharply, and, gradually, he made out the shape of a dark figure. The breathing came from that quarter, and Dorgan realized the truth. There was an- , other person in the little room with him, and between him and the door! CHAPTER XXXI. HEMMED IN BY ENEMIES, THe detective was by this time fully on the ‘alert. Hecould not expect to find a friend in ‘ the dive, so the person in the little room with bim must be set down asanenemy. More than Lhis, the unknown was aware of Dorgan’s pres- ence, and that he was acting the spy on those in the next room, There was nothing but trouble and danger to expect from such a | erson, but the detective re- mained as cool as ever. It was in the un- known’s power to raise his, or her, voice in shouts which would soon alarm the gang, but Dorgan did not proposo to let him creep out and give the alarm secretly. If necessary, this person must be dealt with vigorously. He muffled his revolver under his coat as much as possible; and pulled back the hammer. Despite his precaution a distinct double click followed, however, and he lost no time in bring- ing matters to a crisis. ith a Jight spring he gained the unknown’s side, and then, seizing him with one hand, he thrust the revolver against his head with the other. ‘Silence! Utter one word and you are a dead man!” he said, in a low, but thrilling, voice. He did not propose to alarm the whole house by firing the revolver, but it was well to make his threat as sweeping as possible. Somewhat to his surprise there was no resist- ance on the part of the unknown, but in the same cautious manner the latter replied: ‘‘Hol’ on! Hol on, boss! I ain’t no inten- tion o’ makin’ a rumpus. Don’t shoot! Put u that barker afore it goes off an’ gives me a pi in the brain-pan.” ‘‘ What are you doing here?” ‘‘*Bout the same you be, I guess.” ‘‘ What do you mean?” “Ef I ain’t wrong you’re the man who wos in the suller with me, an’ went inter the sewer.” ‘‘ What! are you Abe Benlow?” ‘‘ Pm that ’denticle chap.” ‘‘ And alive, after all.” ‘Ruther. { went inter the sewer, an’ had the wu’st time on record, but ’ve come up smilin’.” | ; ‘‘What are you doing here? Is this one of ‘your dives?” ‘Not much! No, sir—I tracked ’em hyar.” “Tracked whom?” ‘« Peters an’ Daddy Posey.” “Well, why are you in this closet?” « Playin’ the spy, like you be.” | | | idly drumming upon the glass with his fingers. like a man, and willing to chip in with meif we | got discovered.” ** Boss, ['ll do all that with pleasure. I am hankerin’ ter get square with Peters. I visited | Sam Loonsby’s old ark yesterday an’ knocked | him silly; now, I’m arter Peters. Only give me | the chance, an’ I'll stick ter you like a brother.” ‘* It’s a bargain,” Dorgan did not want Abe as a “‘ brother,” but he had much rather bave the big rough for, than against, him just then. The elliance pleased him, Once more he turned his attention to the next room, but conversation had ceased. Peters was reading a paper, and Brown sat by the window ‘** Who are they waiting for?’ he cautiously asked of Abe. ‘* Dunno—wish I did. I know Daddy Posey took Peters here to see somebody—kut you don't know Daddy.” ‘Yes, Ido; Isaw him at Loonsby’s. What use can he be to Peters?’ ‘* Haven't a ghost o’ an’ idee, an’ that’s why I come in hyar; hoped ter see who Peters wanted ter see,” ‘¢ Where is Daddy Posey?” ‘¢ Dunno; down in ther bar-room, most likely.” ‘* How wou.d it work to capture him and try for an explanation?’ ‘*T’'m ’feared ’twould be no good. mum old chap, an’ hard ter squeeze.” There was a brief silence, and then Abe added: ‘*Say, I hear that Professor Woodside acci- dently shot hisself t’other day. How is he Daddy isa now?” Dorgan looked sharply at his companion, ‘** You keep well-informed as to Woodside, don’t you?” ) “T try ter.” **T will make it worth your while to tell me all you know about him.’ ‘Great Scott! I don’t know nothin’ more than I tol ye in the suller. He was in Charles- town prison with me; that’s all I know,” ‘*' You are sure he’s the same man?” ‘*T’m certain onit, Now, boss, give me credit fur this. When I spoke out in the suller I thought we was both gvuin’ ter Kingdom Come on the gallop, but I’m tellin’ the truth in cold blood now. Give me credit, won’t yer?” Dorgan had to smile at this naive argument, but he told Abe they would settle the matter later, and asked him to be silent for the present. Guardedly as they spoke, they might be over- heard, Half an hour passed without change in the next room. Peters and Brown waited, but their man did not come, They said but little, and that little showed that they were afraid of each other. Clearly, they were not comrades, though then on friendly terms, The delay annoyed Dorgan, who saw time assing away at arate which bade fair to make it useless for any of them to wait. Indeed, Peters and Brown several times referred to the lateness of the hour, and seemed reluctant to re- main longer. The men in the closet were keeping very quiet, and had begun to feel somewhat secure in their hiding-place, but they were not destined to es- cape without some excitement. Several times some one had passed through the hall, but they had become accustomed to this, though the fact that there was no way to fasten their door was not to their liking, That it was dangerous was soon shown. There was another sound of steps in the hall, and then the door suddenly opened and a man stood there, light in hand. A curious sight was presented to his gaze; there sat Dorgan and Abe on the floor, like a pair of Turks, and he gazed at them in blank Ms ieah Then a suspicious look flashed over his ace, ‘* What the blazes be ye doin’ here?” he de- manded. ‘*This is our room,” Abe replied, before Dor- gan could frame a suitable reply. ‘* The dickens it is!” se Yes.” **Seo hyar! that won’t work. We don’t let to go and comeas I see fit? this room,-an’ I never seen either 0’ you afore.” ‘* We’re new parties.” ‘“*T should say so! Look hyar, be you tramps | this house is here, or spies?” ’ ‘“T ain’t no tramp, you big loafer!” began Abe, angrily, but the stranger interrupted him: Oe aS ‘‘ Then you’re spies. I reckon I know how ter deal with the likes 0’ you!” He slipped two fingers inside his mouth, and Duke knew that a shrill whistle would in a mo- ment more go ringing through the building. This must be prevented at all hazards; it might | mean ruin to them. Quick as a flash the detec- tive sprung forward, tore down the man’s hand and thrust forward a revolver. ‘* Silence!” he exclaimed, in a low, but ener- getic voice. ‘Don’t dare to make a row orl will fire!” Unfortunately for him the man was not one who seared easily. In an instant he sent out one foot against the thin partition which divided the closet from the room in which Peters and srown were, and the force knocked one board from its place as though a cannon-ball had hit 'it, It fell in the other room, while at almost | the same moment the stranger’s voice rung out loudly: ‘** Here, this way! He got no further. Help! There's a spy—” It was not a time for _ parleying, and as Dorgan’s band closed over his throat, Abe add.d his mite by hitting the fellow a blow so tremendous that be was knocked out of Dorgan’s grasp and extended at full length on the floor. There was a rattling in the next room which showed that Peters and Brown were astir, ‘We ve got ter git!” cried Abe. ** Come on, then!” They dashed from the room together. ‘*Pard, we’re in the swim tergether?”’ ques- tioned Abe. ‘* Sure.” ‘* All right. gosh!” His sturdy bravery gave the detective a bet- ter opinion of him, and be had no chance to ex- press it then. They were at the top of the stairs, and a commotion all along the floor showed that that part of the house was aroused. The rest would be in a very short time. Down the stairs they went quickly, but when neur the foot, the “ office” door was opened and out poured half a dozen men, Enough light shone on the scene to show the rival parties each other, and the gang blocked the way. ‘‘ Hallo!” cried the man at the front, ‘* what’s the row up there?” ‘Two men in a fight,” said Duke, promptly. ** Who are they?” ** Don’t know.” ‘¢ Wal, who in thunder be you?” ‘¢ We were up there visiting a friend.” *‘ Don’t ye b’lieve it!” shouted a voice at the head of the stairs, and down came their former adversary. ‘‘ They’re blamed spies—don’t let ’em escape!” Dorgan sprung aside, placed his back to the wall, and drew a revolver. ‘‘T don’t want any row here,” he coolly said, ‘* but I will make it hot for whoever molests me. Keep off!” ‘Me, too!” cried Abe Benlow. “I’m a fight- in’ man, ev’ry inch, an’ ll chew up whoever treads on me.” ** Hold on!” ordered a new voice. a word here. I know that man!” Duke looked around quickly. Peters had Then we'll fight our way, b’- ‘* Give me come ve gh down-stairs, and now stood with — e one finger leveled at the peril-surrounded ad- venturers. ‘“They are spies, and I can swear to it,” he added. ‘‘That man is Duke Dorgan, the de- tective!” CHAPTER XXXII. DEEP DUKE CALLS ON DADDY POSEY, DARK, fierce and hostile were the glances bent upon Deep Duke and Abe, but the detective did not show the least sign of fear. He had faced danger a good many times before, and though it was clear that these men were his natural enemies—natural, because they hated any one who represented the law—he faced them coolly. ‘Another thing—he determined, then and there, that Levi Peters should go with him to prison. | ft He had allowed the man freedom with the hope that he would injure, more than help, his owm cause, and Duke believed he had done it. . If, however, his visit of the evening was incon- _ nection with the Woodside case, it was time te wes oa to a halt. He might be learning toe much, Clearly, the proper way was to get Peters behind the bars, and then devote atten- — tion to Daddy Posey. This old vagabond, erstwhile deemed so insi a: nificant, now assumed more imposing form. had guided Peters to the dive to see somebody. Who was it? This was what Duke wished lmow, and when Peters was out of tie way he | could pay attention to Daddy Posey. and fearless as ever, he had an answer Bol ready to Peter’s last dramatic revelation. ‘Yes, I am Duke Dorgan!” he cooliy rep lied. | ‘What of it? WhodaressayI have notaright ~— I do that, nit date 3 va Now, if the masterof — and I call your attention to the fact tha able to care for myself. T want to say a word to him.” ‘‘ Wal, I’m him,” said one of the gang. “Good! Spoken like a man. ell, friend, you and I need not have trouble, tie ‘4 4 iS GOMiG 25