Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 907) (1894 12 11)
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wit GN Ven yn 9 ee 4, . Maal Hatallalallalig \ ) @. ; \ alalalalalal ys sia) Q wy WU ‘ SN AWW , 2 W.ORR=Co > me ot al it Ti Vil a Tee nV gS aS Ui ee rel AY a FORA Wiel pratt cotaae ul Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Copyrighted 18%, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price i Y y No, 907. a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents. Vol. V. ali an | i111] Hil =| MM yu Dy OWDER JOHNNY CNAG-STRIKE. [ S BY JO PIERCE, ‘AUTHOR OF ‘‘ BASEMENT BERT,” ‘‘ FIFTH AVENUE FRED,” ETC., ETC. Os CHAPTER I, A LOST BAG OF GOLD. THE sound of a revolver-shot ecnoed through the Kinglike Hotel. Reddy Rush- er, the beil-boy, threw up his head with a start. “« Hil” he cried, excitedly, ‘‘ some o’ them terrors have murdered each other, sure Ht | pop!” ; ROBBED!” ECHOED THE COOK. ‘YES, CLEANED OUT OF TEN THOUSAN ) 3st"? Reddy was a trifle incoherent, but preci, PTH gellar Garlic RES e PTEONEAND OUL SEs on — V) iff Y, < Z STi iii By Lif DG ee we ttt jj LE ZL E: Le «¢
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2 “ sion was not to be expected at such a crisis. He had been traversing the ball with a hap- py-go-lucky air, but his. lassitude was all rone now. He rushed up the second and ast flight of stairs with nimble fect. * As he progressed he had ample subject on which to found his suspicion of foul play, though somebody seemed to be still very much alive. Vociferous yells sounded ahead of him, but whether of pain or fear he did not decide, ** Crickey!” he added, ‘‘I'll bet ct’s that hayseedy chap who has Number 97. His lungs seemed pretty good fer yellin’, I re- member,” The door of the room from which the sounds proceeded was closed; but Reddy did not let that stop him. He flung himself aguinst it, and, as it was not locked, it flew open quickly. He then had view of the whole scene, but he saw only one man, a tall, lank*person, who was literally dancing with excitement or something clse. Reddy was quite as much excited. Tis eyes gleamed, and he looked around every- where. Then he turned a reproachful gaze upon the man, ** Say, Ulster County, where's the corpse?” he demanded. ** Help, help!” cried the man. ‘* W’ot fer, Uncle Sam?” ‘*T am lost, lost!” ** Never mind; we will find ye ef et takes a whole ‘lectric battery ter do et. Where’s the dead man?” ** What dead man?” ** Ain’t nobody killed?” ‘** Not as I know of.” ‘“‘Then you are a base deceiver!” cried Reddy. ‘*Here I hey my mouth all made up ter see a murdered man, an’ you go an’ spile the whole lay-out. Say, Uncle Sam, go an’ kill somebody, will ye, jest ter git in- ter the game?” - ** My name is not Uncle Sam. Tam Israel Robbins, of Ulster county—” ** Yes, I know that. Was you hollerin’ ter the folks at home, jest now? Did they hear ye?’ ‘* Boy, Iam robbed!” exclaimed Robbins. “ W'ot of ?” : “A bag of gold!” ‘* Now you talk biz, an’ sorter git a gait on. Who did it?” ‘*‘ T only know I am robbed—” Isracland Reddy were not advancing as fast as was to be hoped for, but, just then, the night clerk and the porter and the cham- bermaid rushed to the scene, quite as much alarmed as Reddy had been by the late ring- ing shouts. The Kinglike Hotel stood on the Bowery, and was not a place which rivaled -the Fifth Avenue in magnifiéence and kindred good things, but it was not aresortof known law- breakers, and its proprietor tried to make it quiet and respectable. The night clerk was now in charge, and the first words he heard dumfounded him, ** Robbed!” he echoed, ‘‘ What’s that?” ‘Just what I want to know,” answered Israel, rushing around the room. ‘‘ He’s got em!” suggested Reddy. ‘*My gold, my gold!” moaned Robbins. ‘*Guess you swallered et, by accident,” commented Reddy, with a skeptical smile, ‘*Tell me all about this,” directed the clerk. ‘‘ We want this mystery solved,” “So do I, by gum!’ exclaimed Israel. **Have I slaved all these years, keepin’ city boarders every summer in Ulster county, only ter be robbed now? Oh, oh!” He threw up his chin and pulled frantic- ony at his hair, and the bell-boy shook his ead, **He’s got. a knocker-out drink, fer sure, or else ct's the ginooine jim-james has got him,” The clerk was a business man, and he re- turned to business. Israel Robbins was a guest!of the house, and, though he was a Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. gold!” ———— nl = left his ship in Australia, set out for the dig- gings, struck it rich an’ got this gold. Now, now—oh! it is all gone, an’ I am ruined, ruined!” Israel began to tear about the room wildly again, and the elerk had to take him in hand and quiet him. The investigation was pro- ceeded with. Eunice Jones; the chamber- maid, was again summoned and questioned, but she declared she had not even heard the sounds made by Israel, having been in an- other part of the hotel. She had seen no ener or anything that looked like rob- ers. The clerk said nothing on what now seem- ed to him the most important point of all, and one which worried him. If the thief had gone out by the street door, he had un- doubtedly seized the chance when the clerk “Wal, I took a shot at him as I woke | deserted the office to see what was the mat. up.” ter with Israel. It would not do to suggest ‘*Then it seems we have a thief in. the | this, so the clerk kept still. hotel!” exclaimed the clerk. | A search amounted to nothing; the bag of ** Or clse this gent dreamed ali this!” added | gold remained unfound. Reddy, doubtfully. : Mr. Robbins finally quieted’ down, and ** Dreamed it? Would a dream have stole | was left in his room by the others, who my gold?” demanded Robbins. wended their way toward the office. ‘*Maybe you only dreamed you had a ‘*IT wonder he don’t demand the presence watch,” suggested the boy. of the police,” remarked Eunice, the cham- **hayseed” person, as Reddy had declared, they were hound to protect him. The clerk asked for an explanation, and received it. ‘‘ What time is it? Just twelve, eh? Wal, I went. ter bed before nine—I always do that —and I slept good until I was aroused by somebody prowlin’ in my room. I was seared for I had the bag of gold, and up I got. I was too late; I didn’t ketch the thief; 1 didn’t see him, an’ I didn’t hear him. He must have slipped out powerful careful while I was risin’, But he went—he did, an’ he took my money with him. Ten thousand dollars all in gold, and put up fn a pretty bag with a blue ribbon to it, by gum!” . ; *“Slipped out careful, did he?’ inquired Reddy. ‘‘ Then when did that revolver shot come in?” ' “Now, Reddy, you dry up!” ordered the ! bermaid. ‘‘He don’t knaw enough,” replied the He did not speak very harshly. Reddy | clerk. ‘ ‘*] don't believe he ever had a bag of gold.” snapped Reddy, ‘* Yes, he did,” answered Eunice. ‘‘I saw was the son of Washington Rush, the pro- prietor of the hotel, and a privileged charac- ter. His role of bell-boy was purely a fiction on his part, though he did fill that position | it, for he had it in his lap when I went in to for the fun of the thing when he felt like | make.the bed. He took out a handful of the it. The hotel was .not of the aristocratic { little lumps and showed it to me. Oh! he sort and the guests usually had to wait on | had it, fast enough.” themselves. Now und then Reddy waited on Reddy immediately. manifested fresh in- them, and he proudly called himself ‘‘ Bell- | terest. He was not favorably impressed boy 4.11-44.” > ; with Israel, and had been inclined to doubt Israel was not to be pacified, and the only | all he said.. But now that it was proved thing was aninvestigation. The clerk looked | the gold had been there, matters seemed very scrious. very different to the sharp-witted lad. ‘*T suppose you want the police in?” he ‘Ten thousand in gold dust!” he mut- slowly suggested. | tered. ‘‘ Crickey! that’s a pile of the stuff! ‘*No, I don’t!” declared Israel, quickly. | Wouldn’t I like ter hev seen et? Say clerk. -‘*T don't have no faith in them fellers; they | Briggsey, I hereby apply fer a posish as , -| chambermaid, so I kin see all the gold that The clerk seemed very much relieved, and | our country jays bring in.” so he was. Whatever his own opinion of ‘“‘T don’t understand this robbery,” mur- the police, he did not like to advertise the |} mured Briggs, soberly. hotel asa place where a robbery had taken | ‘‘ Where is the boy?” inquired Eunice, are frauds.” place. fi ** What boy?” ‘‘How much money did you say you ‘* Why, the one he had with him, to be had?” he pursued, sure,” “Tle was alone; there was no boy with him,” answered the clerk. ‘* Many people don’t have so much gold ‘*Indeed there was a boy with him!” coin as. that.” : stoutly persisted the maid. ‘“ This very “Tt wasn’t in coin; it was dust—gold-dust ; evening I heard him and the boy talking for right from the diggings, un’ ten thousand | a long time, in that room,” dollars’ worth of it.” ‘Reddy, were you in there?” demanded ** Did you dig it in Ulster county?” asked | the clerk Reddy, suspiciously. ‘Not by a long shot!” No 4-11-44 in “Tt was brought from Australia by Jobn | that royal chamber!” Robbins, my cousin.” **Very strange that if any boy was with ** Ab! another of our guests?” him I did not see him enter or Jeave.” Yes.” s “There was a boy with him until an hour ‘* Where is he?” ago,” reassured Eunice, “In his room, I suppose. ‘*Where is he now? Did he rob the old near here.’ . man? Why didn’t Robbins mention him? ** Number 108,” added the bell-boy. This is queer!” muttered Briggs. **Go and call him, Reddy,” requested the clerk. CHAPTER II. The boy went, but soon returned with the REDDY TURNS DETECTIVE. announcement; , ‘* WE will see about this!” So spoke the clerk, and.he turned and *‘ He ain't there; his room is empty.” ** What!” cried Israel. ** Jack gone? Say, | went back to Israel's room. He found the © old man still up. by gum! maybe it was him who stole the “Say,” began Briggs, abruptly, ‘‘ where’s “You say he brought it from the dig-' that boy?” gings—” “The sassy brat who was with you?” ‘* Yes, but I bought it an’ paid cash for it ‘* No, the one you had with you, this even- —ten thousand dollars, by gum!” ing.” ‘* As Lremember your cousin, he did not | ‘*The one I— Why,” replied Robbins, look like thief. Wasn’t he a bluff, solid- | looking very innocent, ‘I ain’t had no boy looking man in sailor clothes?” with me” “Yes; that’s him. He was a sailor— ‘*No boy in this room?” Hearty Jack Robbins, they call him. He ‘No, sir! What d’ye mean, say? ‘*Ten thousand dollars, all in gold,” re- } plicd Isracl. He had one
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room and you talked with him a whole hour ; —that’s what I mean!” ** Who says all that stuff, say?” “'The chambermaid,” a **Say, there will have to be a new likker ie law passed next meeting o’ the Assembly, Ef chambermaids have got ter swillin’ lik- ker“ so they letr things that ain’t so, il’s time ter call a halt on the demon, drink, It is, by gum! There wa’n’t no boy here; } I ain’t seen no boy; there ain’t been nobody ; with me; that’s a dead-sure fact, Mister , Clerk.” 4 Briggs could say no more. He did not a. want to call the lodger hard names, or anger him, lest he should see fit to call in the police. Silenced, but not convinced, he let the matter rest, for the present, Israe] suddenly reached for his hat. **T’m goin’ out,” he announced. ‘It seems likely ter me that the thief will spend ia some 0’ that money right near here. He was b prob’ly hard up, an’ he will want ter make a a raise, quick. I will go an’ see ef I kin trace ° or trap him,” e) He continued preparations, but Briggs did not wait forhim. The clerk went out with ia a dissatisfiell expression. ‘ **T don’t understand this,” he muttered. ** Eunice isn’t the person to make mistakes, commonly, and I don't believe she has, now. Has this Ulster county greenhorn lied to me?- Af he has, maybe he lied about the loss of money, too, By Jupiter! if I catch him i lying a theft onto this hotel wheu there ain’t ' no cause for it, I will just break him all to a pieces! [ll smash him!” ‘This was strong language, but Mr. Briggs felt it was justifiable. hen he reached the q office he found Eunice and Reddy still there, Bd He explainied the situation, and Eunice, be too, waxed indignant, ‘a ““He calls me a liar, does he? Now, he " can’t do that; I will just face him and—” Ee ,..‘‘Gently, Eunice! Don't. get excited. i, Nobody doubts your ‘veracity. May it not + be that you were mistaken—” ° : a “Not much! ‘I say the boy was there, A and I will swear to it.” bs “That Uncle Sam isa gallus chap,” put a in Reddy. : ; se ‘‘T doubt him, myself. Now, he is going, 1 out to investigate on his own hook, he says; ie =] he’ll soon be down here.” R | “Say, Briggsy!” exclaimed Reddy, “‘ there’ He has got somethin’ in his head, he has. You just hold yer hosses an’ let me go out, too, I'l just shadow old Ulster, an’ mebbe get a point or two on this blind game.” ‘* It’s late, Reddy.” «* Yes, an’ you had better set down in the office an’ take a nap, Briggsy. Late hours i is bad fer the human carkiss. Hi! I hear old Ulster’s number fourteens on the stairs. So-, is something in this. long!” » ; $ . With this Reddy slipped out*of the door. | **Queer lad!” commented Briggs. ‘‘ He a oH will make or break, one of these days,” 7 “‘No wonder people have mutilated his = surname of Rush, and call him Reddy, the Ae Rusher,” added Eunice. Oe Unconscious of these comments, the boy 3 pS had gone well beyond the outer door and i waited for his man. When Robbins came | out Reddy had to smile, for the lodger wore | <a * a long coat, which made his tall form look § —_.s even taller, and on his head was a rusty silk pert hat with a new mourning band around it, | oo “while in his hand was a big cane. This was : hy his ustial attire, but he labored under the , 4 impression” that he was dressed as well as | any of the rich men of New York; out of ae date in every respect though he was. He started off down the Bowery. ‘Now, to shadow old long-legs!” mur- mured Reddy, Two blocks were passed. ‘Say, he is out ter find his lost money; he ist” added the follower, with fine scorn. Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. had got late. nothin’, That is the way ter find lost money. Oh, yes!” Mr. Robbins certainly did not have the air of a thief-seeker, and Reddy was sharp enough to see it. He did more—he followed where the man from Ulster county went, and did it, with skill and a manner of inno- cent abstraction which would have served him well if anybody had taken more than a casual look at him. _ He was not long kept in idle pursuit, for, suddenly, Robbins paused in his walk and almost literally pounced upon another man, The latter had been walking along in bliss- ful ignorance of Israel's proximity. He was a comparatively young man, and a full- fledged sport, if appearances went for any- thing. He had an immaculate suit of light colored clothes, wore a hat as tall as Israél’s, but fully in style, and had a buttonhole bouquet of vivid hue. Onthe Bowery he no doubt passed as a blood of first class, though Fifth avenue would not have put such a verdict upon him, He fitted the Bowery; he would not have fitted Fifth avenue, Israel held him fast, and Reddy noticed that the older man immediately began to talk like a race-horse. “They know each other!” decided the bell boy amateur. ‘* Well, it is a gallus ac- quaintance fer my man from Grasstown.” The sport stood still and listened. ‘*Robby pounced on him in an excited way, an’ l’ll be shot ef he ain’t got Mr. Sport worked up, too. They both look as ef they was scared about something. That's queer, with two such moral gents!” Reddy’s mind ran actively, and his curi- osity kept pace with it. When the men turned briskly, with the evident intention of going somewhere on important business, 411-44 was not slow to follow again. The course was along a side street. : ‘* Hi! but ain’t Ulster a good judge o’ men an’ things! He has picked out jest the gent who can help him git his cash back—I don’t think!” Whatever Robbins’s object was, he seemed to be well satisfied with his company, for he_ and the sport went on for two blocks before pausing. Then they entered a side door next to a saloon and disappeared. , Reddy now did a rash thing. If he had been prudent he would have risked less and seen less. He took chances in his usual reckless way, and, giving them a little time, entered the same door, himself. He thought it good detective strategy, but it was simply a big risk. He found himself in total darkness, ‘*Don’t like this!’ he admitted, ‘‘but ef they kin travel here, I kin. Up I go!” Steps above directed him a little, and he mounted the stairs. By the time he reached the top all was still, and he yet had the darkness to combat. Which way was he to 0? He was studying this point when he heard voices very distinctly. “Trot out the kid!” ordered somebody. ‘* Here he comes,” ‘* Well, here he is, do with him?” ‘‘T want to go home!” came in a mourn ful tone, which was plainly that of a small boy—one smaller than Reddy, it seemed. “Don’t whimper!” . E: “But 1 am afraid of you, and I want— “*Stop his mouth!” The order was impatient, rather than angry, and it was not likely that it was car- ried out severely, but the small voice ceased to be heard. Reddy nodded his head wisely. ; ‘“«Them crooks have got a kid in limbo!” he soliloquized, wrathfully. ‘‘?’m a good mind ter goin an’ walk all over their collar- Now, what are we to ‘ is wy SO aw! “Mean? Why, that a boy was in this very | ‘‘ Goes as if he was invited to a weddin’ an’ : buttons—but no real detective would be so Don’t never look at nobody or ; sudden. I'll go slow.” ‘Well, what’s to be done?’ demanded an- other person, who, plainly, was the sport. **Come aside and we will talk it over,” an- swered Robbins. There was a sound of fect moving on the floor, and Reddy heard nomore. He wrink- led his brow in a scowl, “Hang your caution! But I'll git hock with you!” he commented, Ten minutes passed, and then there was a new sound. The men had returned to their former position. **Come, boy!” directed the sport. ‘* Where?” was the response. “ With us.” **T don’t want to. go. So there, now!” **Dry up! Come!” There was another sound, now; that of a struggle; but it was soon over. Reddy heard the panting breathing of some one he judged was the other boy, and his wrath grew even greater, ‘Them snakes are using their muscles ter No, I don’t, an’ I won't do the kid dirt!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ So they will abduct him? Wal, maybe, an’ then, again, maybe somethin’ else! They will come out; this hall is dark, an’—” The Rusher doubled ap his fist, and the sentence was left unfinished. He had, how- ever, arrived ata decision, which was reck- less even for him, The door opened, He had sight of Rob- bins and the sport, and in the grasp of the latter he saw the unknown boy, a pleasing youth in appearance, and not over seven years old. **Hurry!” urged Israel. ‘‘Go along, and we will soon have it over,” asserted the sport. | ‘‘Let me go!” panted the captive. ‘*Hush your racket, or 1 will squeeze your neck for you.” The door closed and the party started away. Where they were going Reddy did not know, but he was there, now, with a purpose; They had not seen him, but he had studied his situation well, and he now leaped at them like a young wlld-cat, He was bound to help the strange boy, and his efforts were directed to that end, He smashed into the sport with force which nearly knocked him off of his feet, and this wholly loosened his hold on the cap- tive. “Skip!” cried the rescuer. Nobody could say what might have been the result if there had been a light. All was dark, and this is what happened. There was a general collision, and Reddy was knocked down. He fell on top of ‘somebody else; another person fell on him, and the Rusher could not tell which pair of arms belonged to him, nor which to the others, so tightly were all-mixed up. ; He found the location of his fists in a short time, however, and he shot them out: in zealous blows upon whatever he could find. “Skip!” he again ordered. The mass of flesh around him wriggled in a business way, and as he realized that his companions would soon be on their feet, he made an effort, himself, and rose, All this while there had been disorder around him, but, now, the voice of the sport rose to some purpose: ' ‘Block the stairs; don’t let anybody pass!” CHAPTER ITI. ADVENTURES THICKEN, Reppy did not know where the other, boy was, but he knew it was time to look out for Number One. He made a forward dive to- ward the.stairs, as he thought, and found clear way. He raced along unopposed, but did not find the stairs, ““Crickey! I’ve gone wrong!” was his thought, — . wa 4 vy ono a eee,
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~ much ig . you!” declared the tough. Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. It dawned upon him that whoever had been in the room had blown out the light, and that he was there. How was he to get out? The sport and Robbins were both talking behind him, and he dared not go that way. Nothing being left him but to move on, he did so, Still in the dark he found an- other door and pushed through. ‘‘Poktrish as a tomb!” he thought, ‘* but a real detective would do just this.” He suddenly caught sight of a gleam of light at one side, and as all of New York could not be wicked, he decided to make a break in that quarter and see what would come of it, He found a door and pushed it open. He saw another room beyond with a single occupant—an old woman who sat ata table with something spread out in front of her. She was examining it closely, but Reddy was not disposed to let time go to waste. ‘*Ma’am,” he cried, ‘‘I want ter git out!” The old woman did not stir, and he saw no sign that he was heard. He tried it again. **How can | get out?’ Still the old woman bent over the table, and he advanced none at all in his business. ‘*Deef as a perleccman when he is told a saloon is open on Sunday. Shall I punch her in the twenty-fifth rib? Hi! there’s footsteps in the hall. Vl skip!” — Reddy’s.eyes were sharp, and, believing his enemies were close after him, he took in the whole scene and acted with celerity. He dodged into a closet at one side. It was not the kind of arefuge he wanted, for it left him penned up, but anything was better than capture, He pulled the door to, and just then the other door opened. In walked a man whose appearance was such that Reddy had no trouble in sizing him up immediately. ‘*A tough from Tougbhville!” he murmur- ed, looking out of his lair. - The new-comer was certainly all that the Rusher claimed, unless his looks did him great injustice. He hada face seamed and scarred, and hard of aspect, and his whole manner was of the swaggering, bull-dog sort. years old, but he looked as if he was well advanced in crime, This man came to the table at once and brought his fist down on it with a resounding thump. ** Wake up!” he almost shouted. The old woman stirred and fixed a pair of water eyes on him. ‘ ‘‘ Ts it you, deary?” she asked. ‘* Who in thunder do you think et is?— Rothschild?” ** No, no, deary; but I was thinkin’—” ‘“You are always thinkin’. Stop et! Let up on et! Checse et! Your head is as thick now as a barrel. Do some more thinkin’ an’ et will get solid. How’s things?” ‘* Nicely, deary; nicely. He has been here, an’ he left this.” She flaunted a bill before his eyes, and he, as well as Reddy Rusher, caught sight of a greenback on the paper. Reddy under- stood then what had so held the old woman’s attention, The tough snatched the bill. “Hi!” he cried, ‘‘a fiver! struck et rich.” , { it He gave et to me; he wanted his secrets *‘Hully gee! but we kin keep ’em at that rate all correct. This fiver will buy good ‘beer, So Hearty Jack has been with you?” “Yes, deary.’ ‘“He is willin’ ter pay fer keepin’ our ‘ Say, you've - mouths shut, eh?” **He has to,” croaked the old woman. “He don’t want ter, an’ he says he ain’t got “Stuff! Moll Dunn, ef you let him cram that lie down your neck I will land one on In brief, he was less than twenty-five. a ——— ‘*Don’t fear, Johnny; don’t fear! Can the mother of a lad like you be too soft to look out for herself?” ‘* Wal, you are quite a hustler fer cash, I will admit. Don’t let Hearty Jack muzzle you, though. Have you heard any rumpus | in the house to-night?” ‘*Not a sound, Johnny.” Reddy grinned. The -old woman was not deaf, but she seemed to have the faculty of sinking out of life, as it were, so fully that / she might as well have had no ears. Her hopeful son tossed the bill back on the table. ot ‘* You may keep et, old woman,” he said. ‘* Has business been good to-night?” He pulled two watches and a purse out of his pocket. ‘*Glue yer eyes on them!” he directed, ‘*Ho, ho! Where did you get them, Johnny?” ‘“Where do you suppose? A gang of Dutchmen had a chowder party to-day, and when they got back ter the city they marched up Eighth aveny with music. Ha, ha! I didn’t lose tie chance ter prove m name good, an’I salted the guys who fol- lered the percesh,” The fellow struck an attitude and sung in a hoarse voice something which seemed to be an original composition: ‘* My name is Chowder Johnny, I feed on greenhorn money; When chowder parties as A the street, I yank the purses cool an’ neat; As long as guys are on the sod, An honest man may have his wad!” Moll clapped her hands. ‘* Beautiful, beautiful!” she exclaimed, ‘« Johnny, you are a born poet, an’ you ought ter git appointed fer this deestrick. Keep et up, my lad, an’ you'll be equal ter your father,” ‘‘Heo’s in Sing Sing, I believe.” Ah! but he was a noble mau, an’ he never got ketched while his eyes held out. A noble man, an’ a born thief!” : ‘** My lamps are good, an’ I mean ter keep them so, Moll, lam goin’ter bed. Secthat you don’t make no noise around here.” Johnny walked into another room and dis- appeared. Moll returned to her adoration of the bank-note, while the Rusher shook his head. He had passed all his life in a rough vicinity, but he was impressed with the be- lief that, Chowder Johnny and his mother were a little ahead of the average in wicked- ness and moral depravity, he wondered. ‘‘ That is the name by which Isracl Robbins called his cousin that he ac- cused ©’ robbin’ him of his bag of gold. Moll said Hearty Jack had a secret which he pee her to keep. I seem ter be gettin’ deep nter this game. Yes, an’ I am deep in trouble, too.” h Reddy wished to leave the house, but he wus not sure he could do it. Moll was in the way, and it was, he feared, hoping for too much to expect her to be oblivious again. ‘* Wonder where Israel, the other feller an’ the kid are?” This question wis so potent in the Rusher’s mind that he became more and more unwill- ing to remain in captivity, and decided to make a stir for liberty at once, Moll brooded over the bill and delighted her eyes by looking atit. He concluded to start cautiously, and runif he had to. Out of the closet he stepped—‘‘ soft and steady,” he thought. ; Moll did not raise her head, so on he went teward the door, but with eyes fixed on the old woman. ‘The Rusher reached the door; his hand on the knob turned it! the way wasclear! He passed out into the hall and closed the door after him. hee “Hi! that was rich luck!” he thought. ‘Now ter git out!” ~ 3 ** What’s all this talk about Hearty Jack?” , He was now again in the dark, but he re- membered the way and pressed or with care- until he reached the front hall. This done, he proceeded down the stairs, and soon the: street was reached in safety. The only person in sight was a small boy, who had a quantity of roasted chestnuts in a. big tin dish, Acting on s,sudden ‘mpulse, the Rusher accosted him. ‘* Say, how long have you been here?” he asked, ebruptly. ‘* Sence six o'clock,” was the business-like reply. ‘* Sven anybody leave this house lately ?” ‘*-Yes; two men an’ a boy.” ‘‘ Hi! that so? Which way did they go?” ‘‘Down that way,” and the boy pointed. away from the Bowery side. ‘‘ How long agot” “Bout half an hour.” This wus enough; there was no use of pur- suing. 2 ‘“‘ Gimme five cents’ worth 0’ chestnuts,’” he directed. ‘The purchase made, he ambled off home- ward, eating nuts and thinking. “Tve got inter this thing up ter my waist,” |he meditated. I ain’t on,ter all o’ et, by along shot, Be Israel an’ Hearty Jack both crooked? Who is the boy? What do -they want ter do with him? What is the mystery of all this? Crickey! but I'll find out ef I can; I'll jest pipe the whole lot o” them until I get onter it. I will’ so!” This resolution quickened his pace, and he held his head proudly erect, wondering how it would seem to see newspaper articles con- cerning Reddy Rush, detective! If the ar- ticles were as big as bis ambition he would surely make a sensation, — ry Reaching the hotel, he was about to try te pass Briggs quietly, when Eunice came fly- ing down in an excited way. ** Oh!” she cried, breathlessly, ‘‘ they arc at it up in Robbins’s room again!” ‘¢ What now?” demanded Briggs. “T don’t know, but there is somebody with Robbins, and a row is on. Oh!I do fear there will be murder done,” ‘«T will see about this!” exclaimed Briggs, angrily. “So will I!’ and Reddy sped along by the clerk’s side. : They had enough to hasten them, for, as. Eunice had said, there was certainly a “* row on” in the room filled by Israel Robbins, What was it? CHAPTER IV. HEARTY JACK, THE SAILOR, WHEN the upper hall was reached the noise was still vociferous, and Reddy Rusher turned a gloomy face toward Briggs, ‘* Nobody ain't killed yet!” he lamented. Reaching Israel’s room, he flung the door open, — ‘‘ Hi! the sailor chap!” escaped Reddy’s lips. : aN man was there in full sailor dress, and, as he was another of the guests of the hotel, they did not need an introduction, It was Isracl’s assumed cousin, ; Despite this, there did not seem to be any — kinsman-like good will, at that moment. Hearty Jack was sad of face, if not frighten- ed, and Israel looked angry and wild-eyed. *« What’s gvin’ on?” demanded Briggs, |. sharply. _ Israel leveled his long finger at Jack. “TLut man is a thief!” he exclaimed. ‘“No, no!” protested the sailor. — ‘‘ He is; he has stole my bag af gold—” ee No, no!” , ‘* And I demand that you make him give it back.” “*T did not touch—” . Ae Isay you did! You did, youdid! You 1 ah BF 7 ; . Thus far the cousins were having it all te themselves, but Briggs had come there to re- _ store order. +
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eager ese HL bos 9 : Pte ae, gle e MEA Reg oe - ting one half of the truth. dealing Dee Israel. _— : nes as J fa, —— a Pal “ en al a en OO Pere ued + Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective, ee 5 . “*Shut your mouths, both of you!” he ordered, warmly. ‘‘I won’t have any more of such nonsense. If you try it I will fire both of you out of the window. You hear me? Now, settle down and talk like human be- ings. Weare not deaf. Talk low!” Hearty Jack had-not been talking loud at all, so the reproof hit only Israel.. But, he did not mind it. His nerve was equal to anything. Nevertheless, he moderated his voice, and, again pointing an accusing finger at the sailor, he added: “‘There’s the thief!” ** How do you know? What grounds have ‘you for the accusation?” “He has none,” declared Hearty Jack, quickly. ‘‘I am innocent.” ** Was there a bag of gold?” ** Yes, “ Did you bring it from Australia?” ** Yes.” ‘*How much was it worth?” ‘*Ten thousand dollars,” hurriedly put in Israel. **Has your cousin a tongue?” ** Why, of course—” **Then let him speak for himself, I have hheard your story. You can talk all you wish, later on. Where were you, to-night, Hearty Jack, when this robbery took place?” The sailor’s eyes sought Israel’s face, as if he did not dare to answer unaided, but Israel said nothing. Jack was just as anute. “Can you prove an alibi?” Briggs. «* 1 am innocent.” ** Nonsense! You weary me. Were you Gn the hotel? Did you hear the racket that Robbins made, when he found out the stuff was gone?” “‘'No. 1 was not here.” “* Have you been here this afternoon?” ae Yes.” “« Did you see the boy?” Jack's eyes wandered to Reddy. “What boy?” _ ** Not this one; the one who was in Rob- bins’s room.” : “There was no boy in my room!” assert- ed Israel, with spirit. ‘If that gol-darned cchambermaid of yours says so, she jest lies, pursued _ She does, by gum!” Briggs was confident that he was not get- Israel was not fairly with him, and Hearty Jack was silent from reasons not easy to under- stand, though it was plain that he stood very much in awe of Israel. Whether this was'due to the accusation of theft, or something else, was not to be under- stood, but Briggs knew there was a mystery back of it all. _ He let. part of the inquiry drop, but the matter of the bag of gold interested him. ‘Hearty Jack, you are poorly clad. You do not look like a rich man, How does it happen you carry ten thousand dollars wa, _ around with you in gold and otherwise? Why did you, # sailor, go to the diggin’s? Did you de placer mining?” Mr. Briggs was not a miner, himself, and ihe did not Know what terms were common to the Australian mines, but he fished around _ in his memory and found a term he had often heard applied inthe West. he West. Jack immediate- ly look bewildered and turned his gaze on “What does all this amount to—” The man from Ulster county began hur- hi * viedly, but Briggs cut him short with sharp emphasis. sl Sa “Tam talking to your cousin, sir. An- swer me” Hearty Jack wiped his brow. ‘* This—this is trivial!’ he muttered. ‘‘I have no mind to talk of such things, sir. \ _ Please excuse me; I am all broken up.” “J may as well buck against a rock,” t thought Briggs. Then he added, aloud: ‘* Well, we will drop this for a while, on one condition, I want no more rowing in this room. If I have another call to come here I will pitch the two of you out of doors, See?” It was strong language to guests, but nei- ther resented it. Jack meekly said that he saw. ‘*Go to your room!” The sailor looked at Isracl’ Israel nodded, and Jack shuffled off as directed. Ina few minutes both doors were closed, and Briggs was at liberty to go down to the office. He went. followed by Reddy. ‘* Wal, that’s gallus!’ freely commented 4-11-44, **T have a good mind to call in the police and ask them to arrest both of that precious pair.” Briggs was angry, and meant all he said. ‘‘ Rearty Jack seems innocent.” ‘* He is accused of robbery, and don't meet the charge like an honest man. If he is in- nocent why did he squirm so when I tried to question him?” ‘* He is dead afraid of Uncle Sam,” ‘*T ghess that is correct enough.” ‘* Don’t you be rash, Briggsy, but jest let them fellers have plenty o’ rope. Somethin’ will come o’*this,” Reddy spoke confidently, but, at the bct- tom of it all, was simply his desire to play the role of hotel detective. He did not see any daylight, but was eager to investigate and find out the facts. ‘* Why,” he mused, as he finally lay on his bed, “ bein’ Bell-boy 4 11-44 is nothin’ compared ter being a detective I'll hey them stuffs out o’ their hole or gointer mine, I will, sure pop, an’ then—” And then things grew dim around Reddy and he was asleep, He was up in the morning bright and early, despite his exertions of the previous night. Having dressed and left his room he descended to the kitchen. As the son of the proprietor he had full run of the house, of course, but. he found somebody there who was not supposed to have such liberties, “* Israel Robbins!” He stopped short as he saw the man from Ulster county, and the words barely passed his lips. Israel did not see him in return, but, attired in his long coat and tall hat, and armed with his cane, he was making himself known to the cook, ‘Yes, I do want a bite, Can’t stop to wait fer breakfast, but don't let me put you out. Give me a bile o’ somethin’ handy— apple pie an’ a few doughnuts will do—an’ I’ll be off. You see, I’ve been robbed of a pile o’ money, an’ I must git it back.” ‘* Robbed?” echoed the cook, ‘* Yes, Cleaned out of ten thousand’ dol- lars.” i The Rusher grimaced. **He’s givin’ her that old chestnut!” mut- tered the boy, in disgust. “Dear me, sir; I hope it wasn’t in this house?” responded the cook, “But it was,” replied ([srael, thumping his cane on the floor, ‘It was done right CHAPTER V. REDDY FOLLOWS A CLEW, THE man from Ulster county had detected the scoffing tone of the speaker, and when he saw whoit was he grew angry. ** So you are here!” he snapped. ‘I ain’t in Hoboken,” coolly replied Reddy. ‘*Wal, you jest git out o’ here, or I'll lay this cane over your back. Understand?” ‘* You won’t do nothin’ of the sort, an’ ef you try et I’llcall a porter an’ have you chucked outer the dive. See?’ Reddy threw his hands up like a profes- sional, and the cook could not avoid laugh- ing. Israel was evidently half inclined to keep his threat, but he knew he was dealing with the son of the proprietor of the house, and he wisely decided not to be too rash. He abruptly turned to the cook again. ‘* May I have some doughnuts?” he asked, meekly, ‘““Do you feed yer summer boarders on them things?” inquired Reddy. ‘‘ They are glad to git them,” ‘‘We don’t keep ’em in stock. You will have ter go ter the Fifth Avenue Hotel ter git such delicacies, or back ter Ulster county. You kin afford quail on toast, I reckon, fer ef there’sa robber on the earth, it’s aman who takes summer boarders, I’ve heard,” here, an’ I am goin’ out to play the part of a_ detective, an’ I'll bet you a new gown I get it back, by gum!” Isracl was really interested in his own story. He was getting the attentive audience from the cook which he had not been able to .command elsewhere, and he was disposed to be generous in promises to such a model woman He did not notice that the Rusher had appeared on the scene, but the latter was there, and grimacing behind the country- man’s back. Israel was suddenly made aware Of apart of this fact. ‘ “* Hi!” Reddy broke in, ‘‘ you will make a rattlin’ detective, you will. You'll find the bag of gold—I don’t think!” Israel turned abruptly. *” : de>: A ie : ope POW COMI eS cy i ‘*Never mind the boy,” soothingly added the cook. ‘‘ He don’t mean any harm, lam sorry, but I can’t give you a lunch here. Breakfast will be ready in a few minutes, now,” ‘‘Hang your city ways!” muttered Israel, ‘you put on too many airs!” He turned away and walked from the kitchen. He would not bave been in so much haste, but be was not disposed to be friendly with Reddy, and if the boy was to be there he did not want to remain, ; ‘* Well, that’s a queer old®chap!” exclaim- ed the cook, j ‘Susie, 111 bet a hat he came ter make love to you.” ‘He didn’t succeed, if he did. 1 guess he’s got all he can attend to now. He says the mourning band on his hat is for his wife, who died lately, and that he has a pretty young housekeeper in place of her.” ‘‘] pity the housekeeper. She must—” The Rusher stopped short and made a dive for something on the floor. He picked upa card. ‘* Whose is this?” he asked, ‘‘ Yours?’ ‘‘No. The old man must have dropped it.” ‘“Sure?” ‘« Either you or he, for the floor has just been swept, and it was not there a moment ago.” en Guess Ulster dropped et out 0’ his long- tailed gown.” : Reddy was studying the card closely. It had a name printed on it, and he read thoughtfully. **Mayo Montgomery. or ‘* There ain’t no way for you to find out.” ‘“*T ain’t so sure o’ that. His address is given here, Mayo Montgomery! Wal, that’s a romantic name. Et would jest fit a sport—” Reddy stopped, meditated for a moment, and then thrust the card into his pocket. ‘‘T reckon I will keep this thing,” he added. Tike weet ‘The man may come back for it.” ‘Say, ef he does, tell him you ain't seen et, will ve? Will ye?” bats 4 The Rusher took on a pleading tone, and the cook gave the promise. Reddy sat down to think upon his new acquisition’ He was not sure it meant anything, but, having mentioned that the name fitted a ‘sport, he had thought of the fancy person he had seen with Israel, the previous night. “T believe I will look inter this,"he re & eS I wonder who he ogy 1"
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sumed. ‘‘I want ter press my detective case hot. The lost bag o’ gold is a puzzle all around, an’ then there is the small boy that Israel and the sport hev gotin limbo, They carried him off last night, an’ they must have him somewhere now. Wonder ef I kin git the kid out o’ hock?” Reddy was several years older than the captive boy, and, in view of that fact, he was assuming an air of maturity which his stature hardly justified, Presently he went up-stairs to see what the Ulster county man was doing. Israel sat idle until he had his breakfast; then he sat down and continued in idleness, Plainly, he was doing a good deat of think- ing on some subject. A little later he was asked to step into the private oftlce and see the proprietor of the hotel, and he went, though without any great evidence of alac- rity. ; ‘*Now’s my time!’ murmured Reddy. ‘‘Pop Rush isa great chinner, an’ he will keep Israel until noon, ef Is. will set an’ lis- ten. Now’s my time, by crickey!” Feeling to see that he had the card, he left the hotel. His course was east of the Bowery, and he marched along with agile feet. In due time he reached the address given on the card. He found a brick house, neither better nor worse than its neighbors, and one which told no tales. He wished it would; he wanted to know if Israel’s sport companion was there, and he did not know how to do it. He meditated for awhile, and then slapped his hand on his leg. ‘“*T have et!” he exclaimed, He marched off to a well-known dry-goods store, and entered with an air of confidence. Finding the proper counter he directed: . ‘Show me a smokin’ cap.” The clerk regarded him with a covert smile, S . ‘** Turkish?” he asked, “IT don’t care whether et’s Turkish or Chinese, but jest trot et out sorter sudden, That’s what you're paid fer, ain’t et?” The clerk was vexed with the result of his attempt to dally with his customer, but he then attended strictly to business, Reddy selected a cap for a dollar, which he believed amply good enough for his ends, and it was soon wrapped up and in his possession. He never had been kept short of money, and he paid for it without reaching the bottom of his pocket. This done, he left the store and bent his steps again toward the house, where, accord- ing to the card, Mr. Mayo Montgomery lived. He rung the bell with calm con- fidence, and nodded coolly to the maid who answered the summons, ** Parcel fer Mr. Montgomery, ter be deliv- _ered in person,” he announced. ** Second floor, front.” ‘* Thank ye; you can go,” Reddy’s coolness in disposing of the girl was refreshing, but he did not wait to see if she obeyed his direction. He mounted the stairs and found his way tu the room indi- cated. He knocked; a voice bade him enter; he opened the door and passed over the threshold, ; ee A man was there, and, as he had hoped, he saw the sport who had been with Israel the previous night. As the boy had not been seen by his present companion then, he was not recognized now. ‘*Mr, Mayo Montgomery?” asked Reddy. ‘“‘That’s my name,” “Parcel fer you.” “Parcel for me?” repeated Montgomery. **] did not expect any.’ ; **T reckon et’s a present.” ‘Oh! that alters the case. You can go—” ‘*] was ter wait an’ see ef there was an answer.” “‘Oh! Sit down, then.” a3 Montgomery was equipped with a house- Give it here, eee Se coat of gorgeous pattern, but he was without Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. ‘‘ Suppose it was a case where you would pp a smoking cap, and Reddy felt that he had | be asked to keep a still mouth and not be hit it rich in selecting the present. He watched while Mayo undid the parcel, © The sport stared blankly at the contents. ‘‘say, what’s this jigger?” he asked, ‘Looks like a church contribution-box,” suggested Reddy, with fine sarcasm. ‘*T should say it did, but it seems to bea cap of some sort.’% Mayo tried it on, and then removed it and surveyed it again, ‘“Men have fads,” he pursued, ‘‘but I never knew any of my friends to wear things like this. A regular smoking cap, if I size it up correctly. A queer thing, by Jove! Give me a black mustache and a little lamp- black on the cheeks and I would look like a Turk. Say, boy, who sent this jigger?’ ‘* Dunno, sir!” ** A man?” Reddy had been intending to tell of a mys- terious man in the case, but something in Mayo’s manner changed his plan. Mayo ap- ree to be willing to hear a negative re- ply. “*T don’t think it was. Another boy give ittome, an’ I understood—I aint positive about this—that he said et was a female wo- man who give et to him. Dunno much about it. I was jest ter bring et ter you, an’ as I got my price I wasn’t pertic'lar about no more.” Mayo was gratified. Plainly, he had an idea as to the donor, and his suspicion point- ed to a woman—some special woman.’ He asked a good many questions, and Reddy had to tell just where he had met the un- known boy, and what the latter looked like. Allthis gave no more light to Mayo, but it helped the Rusher on somewhat, The latter had not been kept standing all this while. Mayo had Jighted a cigar, fixed the cap on his head and sat down. He talk- ed about his new acquisition until the subject was exhausted, and then came a lull. Reddy had been quietly taking in all the features of the room. He was somewhat dis- appointed because there was not a bag of gold on the table anda captive boy on a chair in the corner—that was the way he had planned it—but he was in the lair of the lion and he hoped for something yet. — —_——— CHAPTER VI. REDDY AS A “‘ HIRED MAN.” Mayo allowed conversation to.flag, but he kept his gaze fixed on his companion’s face. There was that in his gaze which gave the Rusher a theory. ‘* He's studyin’ of me!” thought the quick- witted boy. Presently the sport aroused from his ab- straction, Ina quiet way he began to speak of general matters, but Reddy was shrewd enough to sce that all he said drifted in one direction, and that was to ‘‘ size up” the boy who had brought the present. In brief, the Rusher thought that Mayo wished to know whether he was a very conscientious person, or inclined to be tough. Reddy had an object to attain, and he did not let Mayo remain in ignorance. Without over-doing the pretense, he assumed ways and opinions that seemed to mark him down asa free and easy city youth who had no re- gard for honor or law. This evidently pleased Mayo, and he final- ly remarked: ~ .‘* You don’t seem to be very busy.” ©The bank where I am cashier shut up last week,” answered Reddy gravely. ‘‘ We had so much money we had ter fight deposi- tors away.” ; . ! “Out of a job, eh?” ‘* Yes, unless I take the presidency o’ the ter do that.” ** Do you want to make a dollar?” ** Yes, or two of them.” Broadway Cable Road. They are coaxin’ me SS too thin-skinned?” ** With a dollar back of it?” “é Yes. ” ‘«The job an’ the money would jest about fit my case,” iota Reddy assumed a swagger as he said this, and Mayo laughed lightly. ‘‘T guess you are all right,” he remarked. ‘¢Come with me and [ll see if the dollar can be found.” He discarded his new cap for a tall hat, and they left the house. Thus far all was going finely, and the Rusher trotted along by Mayo’s side with all the coolness in the world. He was free from fear, and eager for adventure. Their journey took them across the Bowery, and still further. Reddy had hoped it would be to the house where he had fol- lowed Israel the night before, but it was not so. Several blocks’ distance. from that edi- fice they paused, Mayo fitted a key and they entered a house, He led the way straight to a room on the third floor, and then walked into a room, with the Rusher at his heels. ; Reddy had a discovery awaiting him. The room had an occupant, and 1t was none other than Chowder Johnny. _ “Vm gettin’ inter the swim!” thought the adventuresome boy, with exultation. Chowder Johnny was not a polite man, usually, but he now hustled around with alacrity and set a chair for Mayo, and made him welcome in a rough-and-ready fashion. The sport lost but little time. ‘How is everything?” he asked, quickly. ‘Fine! replied Johnny. ‘Do you like your new quarters?” ‘‘ Boss, they are great.” ** And your mother?” “Moll is dreamin’ over her greenbacks. She don’t kncw much else when she sees the green,” * And your cousin?” : Mayosmiled as he asked the question, and Johnny grinned in like amusement as he an- swered: ** All quiet, boss.” . ‘* Does he take it easy?” ‘‘He whimpers and whines a bit, but he ain’t made no racket.” “Tt will be all right, no doubt. You want to attend to him well, my man. No more chowder parties while this job is on.” ‘‘The Dutchmen an’ the jays kin parade safe as long as I have this lay-out!” declared Johnny. ‘‘I suppose me pal, Petey Glynn, will howl when he hears I have shook the chowder game, but biz is biz. De tickers an’ leathers are good ter see an’ feel, but nothin’ compared with a house-lay. Be- sides, some jay is liable ter pull a gun on a chowder racket.” Ay Reddy was a son of New York, and as he knew of the practice of toughs in robbing the people who became mixed up ia the re- turning pleasure parties, he found nothing enigmatical about this, Neither did Mayo, and this address passed. without comment. ‘‘ Johnny,” pursued the sport, “I have brought the boy to do your errands, if we can agree with him.” aie The tough fixed a scrutinizing gaze upon, Reddy. The latter’ did not have the face of a prospective dude. It was a rough, rugged face, and his red hair was just them very much tumbled and unprepossessing. Johnny looked his fill and then nodded. ‘* He’s all right.” “You are to keep him just as an exrand boy, you know, so that you can send word to me at a moment’s warning, if necessary.” ‘T remember w’ot you said before,” ‘* Here is the boy I promised. The ques- tion is, will he take the position?” Reddy was cautious enough not to be too ° hot to say yes, ‘and he allowed them te sound » a ee ar: oe. —
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— a ee Lu a Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. him to their fill before they were fully con- vinced, themselves. When it was done his duties were explain- ed, and they were simply to remain in the house under good pay and run errands when called upon. * This sorter divorces me from Pop Rush an’ the hotel,” mused the Rusher, ‘‘but a detective can’t be too much bound up in home-ties. Iam with ’em!” This decision made he announced it, and he formally enrolled for the duties of his new task. Why he was wanted he did not yet know, but he felt sure he was about to enter upon a striking era. ‘*Et's the first time I’ve been a, hired man,” he modestly remarked, ‘‘ but I am willin’ ter rise in the world, ef I don’t get too high fer the good 0’ my neck!” This was said to impress his companions, and if succeeded to acharm. Both men laughed loudly, and they felt sure they had a fine aid in the new recruit, “* Now,” added Mayo, presently, ‘‘I will take you into the next room., It will be your own quarters. Of course there are other persons in the building, but you are to have nothing to do with them. Do not go near them, or let them come near you. In the room next to you isan old woman, She has rather a quarrelsome husband, when he comes home drunk, and a sharp tongued daughter who will scold some, probably; and then there is a whimpering boy. You willignore all of these people.” ‘* All right, boss.” Reddy answered cheerfully, but he did not putall his thoughts into words., It oc- curred to him that all of the persons men- tioned were myths except the old woman and the boy. ‘*T am on the track!” he thought, jubi- lantly. ‘*I1l hev them out o’ their holes, by crickey !” Mayo rose and opened another door. ‘Walk inand make yourself at home,” he directed. ‘‘ Johnny andl will stay here and have a smoke.” The Rusher went, and the sport closed the door and retreated. Reddy was alone. He looked around—he was in a very ordinary-looking room, and he experienced a feeling of disappointment. “Ts this all I am to strike?” he wonder- ed. ‘* Where is the red-hot fun I am longin’ fer?” Suddenly he bent forward, listening, and then went closer to one of the walls. He pats his ear close to the plaster and listen- ed, Voices were audible beyond. “T don’t like you, and I won't sit near ou!” It was a boyish tone. ‘“Oh! come, now, deary, don’t be foolish. Come to Mother Moll, an’ I will give you some candy, some time.” i was a woman’s voice, and Reddy did not need the name to enable him to place it. *Crickey!” “he exclaimed. | rum pled. it allaway. But when get clear I will have it back—yes, I will, or I'll fix them.” ““T'm dead onter et!” chuckled Reddy. ‘“The kid is there, an’ I will—” ; He stopped short, ran to the door next to the room where Mayo and Chowder Johnny were, and then grew startled of face. ‘Israel has come!’ he added, excitedly. **Crickey! I shall be done up, now, The jig is up, ef he sees me!” CHAPTER VII. THE RUSHER’S TIGHT CORNER. THERE was ample ground for this sudden | fear, for Israel Robbins was there. Reddy had learned to know his voice well, and he it was who had joined Mayo Montgomery. “Yes,” added the Rusher, ‘ he is right in {the swim with Mayo, and now Mayo has ! took in a new boy, Old Ulster will want ter see him. When he does there will be a live. so Moll will hear ye. Kin you slide out, anyhow?” ** No,” “Ts the door fastened on the other side?” ‘* Yes; it is locked.” Reddy shook his head. The room he was in had no door which led to the hall, and he could not pass out by way of that where Mayo and his allies were. He looked sharp- ly at Mother Moll, wondering if he could beat her out in a struggle, ‘Won't you let me out?” repeated Hugo, ‘*Ts there a key in your room?” ae Wear ‘“ Where?” ‘She has it; and Hugo pointed to Moth- er Mol, “Oh! ef I was in there!” thought Reddy. “I'd git that key or make Moll sick, by crickey |” * Hurry up “She will y*? warned Hugo. ‘ ly time in this section, an’ R. Rugh, Esquire, | ketch us, sure.” may git the worst of it.” Reddy's eyes turned toward the third room. ‘* Wonder ef there is any possibility of my bein’ able ter run the kid out, right quick?” It was a bold scheme, but it was rendered | doubtful y the fact that guardians were all around, Dropping thought of Israel for awhile, Reddy went to the door which led to the other room, He tried it softly but found it was locked. “ Got left! Now fer the next!” Above the door was a transom, and the Rusher dragged a chair forward, mounted upon it and explored further. He had no difficulty in tilting the transom a bit, and | then he obtained view of the room. He saw Mother Moll—he saw more. A boy was with the old woman. Ie was small of stature and of a different rank in life than the Bowery boy—that was clear. He had on what had but recently been good clothes, but they were now soiled and i Ile seemed to have seen hard times. Reddy thought chiefly of the boy, himself. Ile saw a bright face, but not a happy one, just then. The younger boy looked unhappy enough and it was not to be won- dered at, Reddy thought. The young stran. ger, too, was doubtless. less quelified by training to endure such things, than arough- | and-ready boy would have been. Mother Moll was busy, and Reddy let no time go to waste. He put an arm through the transom and waved it widely. Luck was with him, and the motion was speedily observed by the other boy. He looked; he grew puzzled; he glued his gaze to the arm; he was long in perceiving the face above it. When he did he was even more perplexed, j , Fearful that he would do something to at- tract attention, Reddy tried to impress the need of silence upon him. He did this by means of facial contortions which were simply marvelous, The Rusher nearly screwed his mouth off his face in doing ‘Chowder | it, but he judged, finally, that he bad ac- Johnny’s mother is in there, an’ the mys- | complished his object. “He next motioned terious kid is with her, 1 am onter the | the boy to come closer, trail like a perleeceman after an Hyctalian’s apples!” Again the voices. “You are a mean old Woman! 1 didn’t know a woman could be so mean, These men have stolen me away and shut me up, and now you go ‘and help them, You are awful mean; you are.” - “Say, deary, why did they steal you?” “They want my money.” ‘‘Money—money? Have you got money?” and Mother Moll's voice grew eager. ‘* Yes. I have, and that is why they do this. Ihave studied it all out. They want to rob me,” | ; ‘*Deary, deary, let me see the money!” quickly requested Moll. _- ‘‘T haven't got any here; they have taken | The young stranger looked apprehensively at Mother Moll, but her habit of sinking into nothingness was upon her, and she was ig- et of the whole affair. He came to the door. Reddy was full of fear, himself, but he framed a question. ‘* Kin you write?” , The boy shook his head. ‘* Not much,” he replied. ‘*But you kin whisper?” “ce Yes. ” ‘Do et gentle. W'ot's yer name?” ‘** Hugo Westingly.” “ Don’t say it again; you may hurt yer back teeth. Be you a captive?’ ‘““Yes. Oh! won't you let me out?” “Gently, my friend, gently. Don’t yell ! \ “ Kin I get through this transom?” ‘*T don't know.” **T’'ll find out.” The Rusher was prepared ‘for decisive ac- tion. Gone were all his plans for secrecy and cunning. He decided to risk all in an attempt to secure the key from the old wo- man, ‘The transom was small—so was he, THe believed he could wriggle through the opening, and he made the attempt. The table raised him well up, and he swung himself clear, and was in for the venture. He hung in mid-air, half in one room and half in the other, As he writhed he kept a sharp watch on Mother Moll, and in this hé had company in Hugo. The latter was very much alarmed, it seemed, and he watched the woman with bated breath. Reddy did not find his task an easy one, and even he, knowing Moll as he did, was surprised that she did not hear his move- ments ‘ Little by little he wormed on his way, and the task proved not to be too much for him. At last he was more than half through, and it only remained to drop. Here he was at a loss for a moment, but a motion to Hugo led him to bring a chair, Into this the adventurer dropped lightly. Moll was still crooning over something which may have been the five-dollar bill she so worshiped. The Rusher considered it little less than wonderful that the previous conversation with Hugo had not been overheard. He wanted to talk more now, but it was risky. Hugo was all eager expectancy, but Reddy was 2 little at a loss, How was he to get the coveted key? Doubtless Moll had it, but the job of get- ting it away looked bigger now he was on the scene. He put his mouth close to Hugo’s ear. ‘Be you good on a scrap?” ‘* A—a what?” ‘ Serap—fight.” ‘¢7—J don’t know.” ‘*We may hev ter find out. Now, I’m goin’ ter sneak up back o’ the ole dame an’ try ter get the key on the dead q. t. Ef she tumbles an’ gits rusty, jest you swing ter her weazen, will ye?” ‘ ‘*T don’t understand.” ‘Ef she yelps, swing yer arms around her 2 an’ hold on ter ape See?” ae ves,” ‘* Come on, then!” s Bending low and moving with all possi- ble caution Reddy advanced on his prey. Moll continued to bend over the table, and her back was fully toward them, Softly, slowly with cat like motion Reddy crawled nearer. . He saw nothing to alarm him, and he planned with his usual free- . dom, There was soon chance to do more, — He reached the critical point, and then paused, Ares
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‘e , and the boy choked down asob. De in the jail.” 8 ee — He had detected the old woman’s pocket wideiy flapping, ani his hand stole toward it. His fingers touched the cloth. A little more of good luck and the key would be— Thump , thump, thump! It was a knock at the door, and the Rusher stopped short, alarmed at last, Somebody was seeking admittance, and he did not need to be told who it was. *: Oh!" gasped Hugo, Reddy’s wits did not desert him. It would never do to be found there, and he took steps to avoid it. Theold woman turned her eyos toward the door, and just then Reddy dropped and disappeared beneath the table. He turned a resolute face toward Hugo, made a motion calling for silence on the part of his new acquaintance, and then dropped the table cover behind him, As this cloth was of good size, he was wholly hidden. Thump, thump, thump! Again came the knock, and Mother Moll came into life. She rose, shuffled to the door and produced the coveted key. With this she unlocked it, and Israc] Robbins walked in. He took a rapid survey of the room, but Reddy, peering out of his ambush, Delieved there was no suspicion in the man's faee. Israel nodded to Moll *“‘ How goes it?” he asked, ** All right, deary,” she croaked. *« Like your new quarters?” “‘ Yes, deary.” “* And the boy?” Robbins turned upon Hugo. The latter shrunk away, and Israel laughed harshly. ‘Why, the little fool is scared ’most to death. See! He trembles like a jellyb ag. Never have seen him so scared, Boy, what's got hold of you, all at once?” Huge tried to speak, but he could not. ic remembered Reddy under the table, and _ it was because he had a friend near, and fiope and despair were in the balance that he was 80 broken up’ now. **Lost all your ‘pluck, ain't you?” pur. sued Robbins. ‘‘ Rather think [ will eat you up, eh? Seen any signs of it? Come, boy, speak out! What ails you?” CHAPTER VIII. LIVELY WORK FOR THE RUSHER. Reppy watched and listened from his covert. He was well aware that Hugo's ex- treme agitation. rose from the fact that he was under the table and he feared the boy would not prove equal to the task of keeping the secret. Hugo’s intentions were good, but it was a severe test for one so young. “TI don’t know what does ail me,” an- ‘swered Hugo, feebly. ** Has anybody hurt you?” 4é No.” ** Have you seen any signs that you are ter be hurt?” ‘“‘T want to go away!” suddenly, shrilly declared Hugo, “1 don’t like here, and I don’t like any of you. Let me go.” “ There, there! Don't break that way or sve shall have to tie your mouth up sv you can't speak at all. You shall go in due time.” ; _ ** You are not my friend. Where is Hear- ty Jack?" ** Oh, you want him, do you?” “Yes. He was—he was good to me,” ** We will let you go to him lateron. We don’t want you to doanything to harm your- self—” ** You don’t talk sense!” asserted Hugo, with an abrupt return of spirit. ‘* You want to be kind of sensible if you say any- _ thing to me.” ** Well, well, my young peacock!” mutter- ed Israel, surprised. Fe past , “You are a low, mean man, but you can't fool me. If you had your rights you would ate bigge a Pease el " oe” Pi fe: spade .: Tsrael stared hard, and then a half-smile | a cheerful, ‘‘I will, deary!” crossed his face. ‘‘I guess the less I say to such a plucky rooster as you, the better it will be for me.” He turned to Mother Moll. She had re- lapsed into oblivion, but he punched her in the ribs and brought her back to life. ‘‘Ts everything goin’ wal, old woman?” he added. ‘“‘ Lovely, deary; lovely!” ‘See that you don’t get forgetful. You know why I took the youngster away from your neighbors in the otber house—they didn’t attend to business. I had Mayo Mont. gomery -hire this place and bring you an’ Chowder Johnny an’ the boy here, an’ now I want you ter be sharp and faithful.” ‘«T will, deary,” Just then there were footsteps again, and Chowder Johnny came in hastily, Reddy could see him distinetly, and he noticed that the tough looked flustrated. He swept a quick glance around the room, taking in all visible things, and winding up by looking, as it seemed, under the table. The Rusher grew worried. Why did he look there? Wuas discovery at hand? ‘*Did you want anything in here?” ab- ruptly asked Johnny, turning his gaze uvon Israel. ‘** Only to speak with yer mother ” ‘* Et’s a good bit pleasanter in de front room,” pursued Johnny, rapidly. ‘* Come in there an’ we will hev a game o’ poker.” ‘*T don’t play no cards,” “T'll give ye a butt ter smoke, boss.” _ “T don't smoke, either; it gives me a head- ache the next mornin’, Never mind, Mr, Dunn; I'd jest as soon set here,” Israel carried out his idea by taking a seat. Chowder Johnny did not relish this new de- parture, He scowled, and the worried look did not leave his face. Then, without say- ing more, he came close to the table and kicked the cover back somewhat. ‘The jig is up!” thought Reddy, He prepared to make a rush for freedom, but Johnny did not seize him as he expected. Instead, the tough kicked the ccver again and continued to look uneasy. ** What bug is gnawin’ at his brain?” won dered the Rusher. ‘‘ Ef he keeps up, his antics, he will show my legs up in public,” Johnny did not try it again, but walked over near Israel and sat down, himself, The man from Ulster county did not appear to see anything unusual in all this, and he be- gan to talk good naturedly. He had a poor listener—Johnny made irrelevant replies, and frequently looked under the table Reddy grew more and more puzzled. He did not understand the tough. It certainly seemed that his presence was known to Johnny, but, if this ‘was so, why didn’t he make the fact known? ** All jangled up!” murmured the Rusher. ‘*T hope he will let the cover alone, now; he will make me visible, by crickey!” | It was rare good luck that the intruder had not been seen before, but, now the kick- ing was done with, he was well screened by the unusual length of the cover. “Ef et ain’t me, what is he interested in, A here?” wondered Reddy, looking back of im. Before this he had not explored the re- cesses of his covert with his eyes, but he did sonow. He could see a small box tLere, but it was an innocent-looking thing of puste- board, and it did not seem possible that it could be the object of interest. Jolnny’s gaze wandered from one to the other of the persons visible, and then he ad- dressed Israel: “Do yez want the kid any more?” ** Moll, take him off to bed. He needs a nap.” Mrs. Dunn was used to being ordered around by her son, and she obeyed now with ee eee ee Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. — She took Hugo and went. This done, the tough pula ee up and began to talk rapidly to Robbins, but the latter had dropped in only on an inves- tigating tour, and he did not long delay. Rising, speedily, he announced his intention of going, and Johnny did not stop him. ‘Say to Mayo that I will see him again in a-few hours,” added the man from Ulster. ‘* He lay down to take a nap when I came in here, and I will not disturb him.” Israel departed, and when Johnny had watched him out of sight he hastened to fasten the door. Next, he went to the door through which Mother Moll had gone with her charge, and secured that in the same way. Closed in, he shot a swift glance around the room. * ] guess I am clear now,” he remarked. With this he made a forward movement toward the table. ‘*T'm in fer et!” thought Reddy. It did seem that his time for discovery had come, for Johnny bent and ran his hand un- der the table. Tbe Rusher was not inclined to hasten his own fate, and he shrunk closer to the wall. ** You jest lay fingers on me,” he thought, ‘fan’ there will be « prodigious pullin’ 3’ hair around these diggings!” The tough did not try to follow the move- ments of his hand with his gaze, but he fished around and finally grasped the paste- board box. He pulled it out, Reddy breathed casier, He did not know what the box contained but he had rather it would be seized than himself. Chowder Johnny rose and stood erect. ‘** Bully fer our side!” muttered the boy in ambush, all of his nonchalance returning. Johnny went to the table and set the box down. Then he walked first to the north door and then to the south, and listened at- tentively at each, manifesting a degree of caution very surprising in one of his rough- and-tumble nature. ‘* Jim-crickey!” murmured Reddy, ‘‘ w’ot is eatin’ the galoot? He acts as ef he hada bean in his gullet,” Johnny trotted back to the table. Then he hurriedly took off the cover of the paste- board box. “Aha, you beauties!” he muttered. The Rusher lifted his head as high as he dared. He wanted to do his share of secing, The tough appeared to gloat over his prop- erty, Whatevér it was. His coarse face was the picture of delight, and he writhed in bliss. x “Glorious!” he exclaimed; ‘‘ glorious!" ‘* Wot the dickens has he got?” wondered Reddy. ‘‘ When such a rounder gits eller- quert it means something.” The Rusher rose so far that if Johnny had chanced to look that way he surely would have seen him. Prudence was lost sight of in the desire to learn all about the mystery of the tough’s emotion. é Johnny plunged his hand into the box. ‘‘ Glorious!” he repeated, ae He raised his hand. “Oh!” gasped Reddy Rusher. From Johnry’s palm had slowly fallen a rich, yellow ribbon of sand, and the spy was quick to understand it. ‘**Gold!” he murmured. Quick of comprehension it had rushed over him in an instant that he had found more than he was, looking for. Johnny’s extreme caution; his association with Israel, and the fact that the man from Ulster les had lost a bag of gold now became welde in the spy’s recollection. He believed he could have told Israel where his missing gold-dust was. MeN EN se Johnny did not spend much time with the treasure thus exhibited. He had not brought it out because he wanted to gloat over It, but the presence of Israel in the room bad led him to fear the gold might have been ee ee eee ee as ni a SY ,
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) Oe < - A Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. meddled with. Now he ceased to gaze and “went again to the door to listen and see if the way was clear. “Can I] git that yeller stuff?” wondered Reddy. ‘‘EfIcan lay hold of it an’ skip it wiil bearich snap. I'll try it!” CHAPTER IX. REDDY HAS TROUBLE. THE Rusher had no idea of how he was to carry out his plan, but luck opened the chance. A sudden racket in the room to which Mother Moll and Hugo had gone told that something was wrong there, and Johnny grewangry. | ‘* Cheese it!” heexclaimed. ‘‘Ifthat keeps up Mayo will be in here ter see w’ot is up, an’ I don’t want him nigh the dust.. Et must be stopped!” The tough hurried to the connecting door, et unfastened it and threw it open. ina} **W’ot in thunder be you at?” he growled. |. **Want the perleece down on us? Ef you ‘ad don't hush yer noise I’ll be in an’ smash both o’ ye. Sec?” NY , He was half way through the door. Red- dy was half way out from under the table. as He had seen his chance and improved it. ty Slipping out, he ran to the table with light ‘ steps and grasped the treasure. He saw ; that a bag was inside the box, and he ignored r the latter. ' ~——«C Catching up the bag, only, he gave one hi twist to the string and made for the door Fiee which led to the hall. He unlocked it quick- ly and carefully enough, too, but there was an alarming click. ; Johnny wheeled about. He saw the boy, and he saw the bag in his hand. The tough stirred into life at once. ; lee An angry cry escaped his lips, and he res rushed in pursuit. Yo d _ Reddy banged the door to in the pursuer’s face, but he could not stay to lock it, even Wie ai: if the key had been on his side. He had _ nly one way open to him, and that was to make use of every moment to flee. ‘Of course he wanted to reach the street, ‘but he found that, instead of the’ straight ‘way usual to city houses, the space was pe- euliarly divided and broken up. Crooks and turns were before him, and he could not _ pause to solve the tangle—unless he kept on rapidly the heavy hand of Chowder Johnny _ would be upon him—he could only run and trust to luck. Grasping the bag tightly he did run, and with all possible’speed. Through two door- ways he went in succession, but the last at- , tempt brought dismay. He was ina regu- lar room, and he knew he was astray from his proper course. He looked back of him; _ Chowder Johnny was in hot pursuit. ie Reddy tore open one more door, Al! was darkness beyond, but the part nearest to a x ee ee ——— eh ee ae 4 : - ss : * oe a) fice * Eat = Me os) Bey s ag him showed that he was ina kind of store- room, + Big boxes and boards were all about athe the place. <h Vad hod t It was not inviting for one who wanted to reach the street, but he had to go there, He peice went. 7 Ny - Johnny reached the door and then paused. -__ -His marked prey had disappeared, but it did not appear to trouble him. Instead, his ‘troubled face cleared. w re __ “DPve got you now,” he remarked, confi- ae _ dently. ‘‘ You can’t pass out 0’ this hole, _-an’_the sooner you give up, the better, See?” ‘ __ Reddy said nothing, He had crawled in behind a huge box, and there he nestled down, , “No way. out,” repeated Johnny. ‘‘ Will “a you give in?” $ , _ Reddy was silent. He gripped the bag and longed for chance to act once more, He ~ did not see the chance, however, and he was _ worried even while doggedly determined to fight it cut to the end. | _ Johnny continued to talk, He wanted to conquer without more trouble, and he used $$$ ——$——$—$ arguments to that effect. His game did not | trap. The Rusher was not yet out of dan- appear, nor did he get an answer, and he finally became impatient, ‘* Keep et up, ef you will!” he snapped. “T'll fix ye!” He fell back and closed and locked the door. **R. Rush, you are in fer et!” muttered the boy. ‘‘ Ef you don’t slip yer cable right soon you will be set on. Git out!” He left the box and tricd to reconnoiter, This was not easy, for the closing of the door had shut off the last gleam of light, and when he moved he stumbled over boxes and boards, ‘* Wal, this is a pretty go!” he admitted. “Et takes a cold, calm nerve ter like this sit!” ‘He was still moving aimlessly when the door reopened. The gleam of a lamp dis- pelled the darkness somewhat, and Reddy used his eyes in a hurried attempt to see what was about him. He found that the room had no window, and no door except that where Johnuy stood. He was penned in fully. The tough held the light well up and look- ed around. He could not see the boy, but his expression was confident. He relocked the door, pocketed the key and started to search, ‘*‘T'll have you ina jiff!” he declared. He peered behind one box after another, and gradually neared the boy. The latter decided that he would have to yield. He could not ran, nor could he oppose his strength to Jonny's successfully. Since it must be so he decided to make his submis- sion dramatic He rose behind the box. ** Here I be, boss!” he announcea. Johnny saw him, and his eyes gleamed, ** Aha!” he cried, *‘ I’ve got ye!” Just then the floor seemed to sink under Reddy. He dropped down. He disappear- ed from the view of the tough, and, when the latter pressed forward a little more, there was only a yawning gap in the floor. He was alone in the room. He stood dum- founded. He realized that he was looking at a trap of which the dvor had fallen, but he was amazed to see such a thing. “ He’s gone!” cried Johnny, ‘‘an’ the gold has gone with him!” The Rusher certainly was gone, but not a great ways. He was quite as much amazed as his enemy when he fell. He had grasp- ed wildly to try and get a hold somewhere, but had failed. He brought up witha shock, ficnee not with force sufficient to injure im. ‘*A firm floor was under him, but where he was he did not know. f ‘*Guess this is a well,” he mused, ‘‘an’ I shall drown or get smothered with foul air, Where’s the water, an’ where is the gas?” Ile did not feel the one or smell the other, and he grew more hopeful, He felt wooden walls on two sides of him, and there was an open space elsewhere, ‘*‘T’ll hustle on before Jack gits his claws onter me again.” He started, but suddenly paused. “Say, where’s that bag o’ gold?” he ex- claimed. It was not in his hand, surely, and he went back as far as he could go and began to feel for it on the floor, iy “T’ve lost it, by crickey! blamed thing here, an’ I kin feel the whole floor, Now, that’s p‘ison! thing gone ter?” ' Remembering that he had «,match he struck it and used his eyes, The bag was not visible, and, surely, had not come down the trap with him as far as the floor. “Hil” suddenly yelled somebody above, ‘‘come up here, or 1 will graft a windin’- and beheld Chowder sheet onter ye!” Reddy glanced up I Johnny. The tough was peering down the na No sign o’ the Where has the , from the Rusher could not say, The fact Lo ger, but his audacity returned and a mocking smile came to his sharp face. ‘Git a grip on yer cable afore ye go round the curve!” he tantalizingly advised, ‘‘ Poke a nickel in the slot!” ‘*Come up here, or you’ll git done up!” shouted Johnny. ‘*Oh! git yer shoes half soled; your feet show.” With this sneering retort Reddy turned away. He did not fail to remember that if he had come down Johnny could do the same, and he had due respect for the ruffian’s muscle, if not for his brains. He had decided that the way was clear for » retreat if he was not molested, and he went without delay. ; At the end of the hall he found another door, and this yielded to his touch. Just as he unclosed it there was a heavy ‘‘ thump” behind. He looked back; he saw Chowder Johnny. The tough had leaped down the trap, and was in pursuit. “Look out!” he yelled. ‘‘I’m comin’! You sneakin’ spy! I'll do ye up right quick, Hold on!” CHAPTER X. BAD FOR HEARTY JACK,’ CHOWDER JOHNNY was enraged, and Red- dy knew he would fare hard if the tough laid hold of him, He did not intend to be thus caught, and he hurriedly closed the door behind him, and scud for safety. It was alla matter of whether anybody got in his way, he believed, and for the time being the way was clear. Johnny’s steps sounded heavily in the rear, but it*was soon over. ‘The Rusher passed another door, and he was near the ’ street. He ran out and stood on the side- walk, Once there, allof his audacity returned, and he paused to see if Dunn was coming. Johnny reached the door, - ‘* Hi!” called out the boy. ‘‘ Be you go- in?’ my way? Ef so, jump on, fer the cable is runnin’, Take a brace, old man!” r The pursuer looked up the street. Then he weakened. No policeman was to be seen, but there were several other persons, and in the light of day he dared not follow and pre- cipitate a conflictagainst a boy. fe shook his fist at Reddy and returned into the house. ‘* Acts as ef he was mad about somethin’,” commented the Rusher, grimly. I can’t im- agine w’ot et is, Hope I ain’t said nothin’ ter hurt his feelin’s,” For awhile tbe boy indulged his exhilara- tion, apd then he came down to business, He Samay away, ee carefully. ‘* How be I ter proceed next? is all in there, but I can’t pick et alone. Shall 1 callin a cop? The game is ihere, as aforesaid, but et ain’t ripe fer pickin’, } The game big kinder hate ter spring the trap until all o’ the Baa i victims is inter it. I guess I’ll go ter Briggsy, an’ see w’ot he saysaboutit, Tain’t got much faith in the opinion of a cop, no- how. They are too, gallus,” With Briggs looming up as a signal light, Reddy set off. He went several blocks with springy steps, and then something else at- tracted his attention, . “* Hearty Jack, by ginger!” It was the sailor, but there was more than his face and form to keep the boy’satten- — xe tion. He saw something peculiar about the ~ man from Australia, pai ¥ ‘*Crickey! he acts as ef he was bein’ Kg chased—” Reddy stopped short. Hearty Jack dodged th AG: into the door of an undertaker’s shop. ‘‘ Wal, that’s cheerful, by gum! Wonder = tg ef he’s goin’ ter order his own coffin, or— Hi! there goes a female woman, too!” Ni heae. Certainly a well-dressed lady bad abruptly gone the same way, though where she came
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a ce . / > 10 Re SS ean RASC hires Se te 4 RedAAd ee ee at HLS a Grr one Ss rosa dma : . = sae “d : ane . that she went quickly after Jack was em- phasized by the additional fact that she ap- peared to be excited about something, and Reddy was not proof against such an at- traction. He entered the undertaker's also. _ The good citizen whose business it was to bury people had risen with cheerful atten. tion, and was now awaiting orders, perhaps anticipating from the flood of customers, that there had been an accident of far-reach- ing nature. - Instead of having notice paid to hitn he saw Hearty Jack look around as if eager to find a hole out of which to dodge, while the lady marched straight up to him, her man- ner threatening and unfriendiy. : ‘*®o I have found you!” she exclaimed. ‘“Ye-es,” faltered Jack. “Why did you run away from me?” , **T—] didn’t knuw you.” ‘‘T believe you speak falsely.” **No, no, madam,” “‘ You acted like it, but we will let it drop. Why haven't you been to see me?” ‘*[—I only got in this morning on a ship,” muttered Jack. ‘*What a whopper!” commented Reddy, audibly, but the chief speakers were too much engrossed to hear him. ‘‘ Where have you left my child?” pursued the lady. Reddy grew more interested. ‘* What's all this comin’?” he wondered. ‘‘ He—he is at a hotel,” explained Jack. ** What hotel?” ‘¢T don’t know its name.” ** How is that?’ “1 left hiny there, and now I-can’t find my way back to it.” “It is as I suspected!” cried the lady. ‘‘You have played me false, though for what reason 1 know not. My child! what have you done with it?” she imperiously added. A more uncomfortable appearing person than Hearty Jack it would have been hard to find. He squirmed as to body, and his face worked strangely. All the while, too, his eyes wandered with that unprepossess- ing suggestion that he was looking for a. hole to dodge through, He might be a bad man or he might not, but he was a badly frightened and. very much distressed man, The undertaker was shaking his head in displeasure at having such a scene in his shop, but Reddy pressed closer to the pair and wondered if the immediate future was going to bring him into the game. He sus- pected it would. Hearty Jack was seen to retreat again, but was stopped by the wall, and the la@y con- fronted him. ‘* Answer me!” she commanded, “‘I—you— What did you say?” gasped Jack, ‘* Where is my child?” “*T don’t know.” ** How is that?” ‘“We missed the ship, and I lost him be- fore we sailed from, Australia.” M- _ You just said he was in the city, at a hote).” : *«1—I lied!” “You left him in Australia, did you?” ‘* Yes.” ‘* You are positive?” ‘*T regret to say, I am.” ‘*Then why did a paper publish in the list of arrivals on the vessel by which you wrote ou would come, but which reached New ork well ahead of time, so that I missed it when it came—wby did the list of arrivals say, among others, John Robbins and child, Hugo Westingly?” ‘*It must—it must have been a misprint.” The first anger of the lady had subsided, but, mixed with every evidence of grief, there was now a resolution in her manner which told of calm purpose not to be passed by lightly by Hearty Jack, hc ** Enough!” she exclaimed. ‘‘ Your fic- tions grow too ridiculous to be endured. Give me no more of them. Whereis Hugo?” ‘*T don’t know, madam.” ‘‘Wal, I’m the nickel-in-the-slot-machine that does know!” With this remark the Rusher pressed fur- ther forward and stood in front of the lady. **You—you— Do you know?” she cried, with excited manner. ‘‘] do, for a certainty; you can gamble on that.”’ ‘Where, oh! where is he?” ‘*Gobbled! Kidnapped by Jacky, here, the old humbug!” ‘No, nd; it is not true; I swear that it is’ not!” declared the sailor, with warmth. ‘“Then who did doit? Where does Israel come in? How about Chowder Johnny?. Who put the kid under key? Jack, you jest open yer mouth wide an’ sing yer high- est octaves, or you will land in the Tombs. See? I’m onto you, you son of a sea-cook!” This was not all intelligible to the lady, but she had heard enough to wish to know more. ‘‘ Boy,” she continued, excitedly, “ speak out at once, If you cun tell where he is you shall be well paid.” “One jiff. W'ot’s the name o’ that lost kid ?”. ‘*Hugo Westingly.” “T thought so. Hearty Jack, you villain, why do ye lie so like pison?” sternly de- manded Reddy. The sailor shook his head helplessly. ** Speak!” directed the lady. ‘* What.can you tell of the child?” ‘ ‘Wal, he’s been floatin’ around a good it—7 ‘* Where is he now?” ‘Shut up at Chowder Johnny’s.” ** Where?” ‘*At Chowder Johnny’s—though, fer that matter, I. guess Mayo Montgomery runs the roost, an’ Johnny is only a passenger, Guess et must be Mayo’s sneakin’ hole.” , ‘‘T don’t know the persons you speak of, and all thisis unintelligible to me. If the child is in trouble, who is responsible for it?” ‘Ask Hearty Jack.” ‘‘ No, no!” declared the sailor, ‘It was not my fault. Blame me if you must for my misfortunes, but do not claim too much vil- lainy for me. Spare me in this!” ‘“Can you lead to where Hugo is?” asked the lady. ECR, ** Do so, then.” ‘Be you his friend?” ‘‘T am bis aunt—more, he is parentless, and I am his all. Lend the way!” ‘Call a cop, first. Et means a scrap, sure as you live. Sev?” CHAPTER XI, REDDY ACTS AS CHAMPION. Tue lady looked a little startled. ‘If a policeman is needed the child must be with desperate persons,” she replicd. *‘ So he is, mum!” asserted the Rusher. ‘*Men ot women?” ** Both!” **T do not like—” She fell into thought for a moment, and then suddenly aroused, ‘I will go alone and demand my child, They dare not refuse me. If, however, I am baffled, a policeman shall be called in. Lead the way atonce,” —* ‘*T will, an’ [ had jest as soon have the es left out o’ the game. It’s like this—” Reddy stopped short, and then added, abruptly: ‘*Hi, there! Hearty Jack has taken a skip!”, . ‘* Yes,” added the undertaker, ‘‘and I want all of you todothe same, This is not a police-station nor a hall of oratory, by thunder.” ‘* Let’s go, mum,” advised Reddy. ‘* This IR Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. aS wo 2 oo * : PO Sages | gallus galoot ain't got manners enough ter be polite to nobody but a corpse. Come on!” ‘*But Jack—where has he gone?” ‘“‘T reckon he is now goin’ down the Bowery so fast you could play golf on his coat-tail.” The lady turned her gaze wonderingly up- on Reddy for a moment, a new creation to her, and_he was not always intelligible at that, but she was impressed with the belief that he was honest, and that was the main point. She had moved toward the door, and when she discovered that Jack had gone out of sight she decided to let him drop wholly for the time. Again she urged the Rusher to lead the way to Hugo West- ingly. Reddy obeyed. He was anxious for an- other try at his own enemies, and just reck- less enough to walkin on them with no com- panion but a woman. He believed she would keep them from doing him harm, and as fora policeman, the boy had not forgotten that he aspired to be a great detective, himself. If an older head than his came into the game he would be an inferior in the case. He thought he had just as soon go alone with the lady. It was not a long journey to the house, and it was presently in sight. Reddy surveyed it closely. Would they meet with a recep- tion which would prove what le already sus- pected—that they were exceedingly rash? The Rusher had been busy explaining, and his companion knew she had no pleasure trip ahead of her, but she was surprisingly calm. Ce Reddy rung the bell, and, after some de- lay, Mother Moll appeared, ““Mum,” quoth the Rusher, ‘‘ we've come * from Israel Robbins, Esquire. We have a message fer the kid.” ‘““ W’ot kid?” apathetically asked Moll. ** Hugo,” ‘“« Gone!” calmly answered ‘Moll. “What?” « Gone!” “Now, see here!” exclaimed Reddy, ‘*don’t you go ter givin’ us no lies, We ain’tin the mood fer it. Trot out that kid or we will have the whole perleece force onter your back, by crickey!” ‘« Boy,” replied Moll, with cool contempt, “‘ ¢o home ter your mother, an’ let her spank you an’ put you to bed.” “Ef 1 goter bed et won’tybe in Sing Sing, like some people I know,” retorted the Rush- er. . ‘“‘ Be calm,” urged the lady. ‘ Madam, if you will produce the boy you have here I will pay you well for it.” She exhibited her purse, and Moll’s dull eyes brightened for a moment, but the light was transient. ‘‘Deary,” she replied, ‘‘ 1 wish I could. earnit, but they have taken the boy away. Somebody—perhaps it was this boy—scared them, an’ the other boy was hustled out o’ the house right quick.” ‘‘ Must have b2en,” snapped Reddy, unbe- lievingly. ** All donein ten minutes. It didn't need no more. Mayo Montgomery had charge of 46,77 f ‘« What has he got ter do with this case?” ‘* He isin it for the money of it, I guess. Anyhow, he is helpin’ them. He is an old band at crookedness, an’ he has plenty o’ places where he can hide people. Won't you pay me fer tellin’ you of this?” . The Rusher was all too much afraid that Moll was speaking the truth, but he did not admit it. “Old gal,” he pursued, “‘ we will take a walk through your place an’ see w’ct we kin find. See?” Come an’ welcome, ‘You will find et as Isay—I wish et was otherwise. I would like,” and Moll’s eyes strayed te the purse, “to accommodate the sweet lady.” She found him -°
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The tour of the premises was made, but it did no good. Even suspicious, alert Reddy was compelled to believe that Hugo had been spirited away. ‘They talked with Moll, and were informed that after Reddy’s escape, Chowder Johnny gave the alarm, and Mayo had promptly harried Hugo off. Where he went Moll did not know. She was left alone by the gang, as Johnny accompanied Mont- gomery There was no help for it, and the investi- gators left the house. Moll was given a small sum for her aid, though not with Red- dy’s consent, Once outside the Rusher earnestly: “* What next?” ‘© Alas! what can I do?” ‘* Find that kid.” ‘Tt seems impossible. every turn—” ‘“Mum, I am with ye now,’ Reddy, throwing his head well up. **Can you aid me further?” : **Sure! Jest you rest easy, an’ we will snag that gang assure as mud, All we need is time,” ** But we don’t know where they are,” ** We kin find out,.an’ don’t you doubt et, Iam a husiler from Gowanus Bay, mum, an’ when I dig my toes iuter the pave the fire flies. But I don't know what all this is about. Jest loocydate, will ye?” ‘“‘My name is Mrs, Prentice. broke forth I am baffled at reminded I lately had a married brother in Australia. He and his wife both died, and a_ son was left alone in the world. Of course, this was Hugo. I was his only relative, and, as he had nobody in Australia to care for him, arrangements were made for him to come here, Of course, I was very glad to have it so, for he was likely to be very dear to me as my brother's son,” “The kid is a corker!” declared Reddy, warmly, re “Now there was in Australia‘a sailor named John Robbins. My brother had done him some great service, and Robbins seemed very grateful. He volunteered to bring Hugo here, and it seemed a very good chance, indeed. 1 agreed to it, knew when the vessel was due, but it reached New York so much ahead of time that oe plan to meet it at the pier was fruitless. I missed it and I missed Hugo,” **T should remark.” ‘I had absolute proof that Robbins and Hugo arrived by the vessel, and I thought the child would be brought tome. He was not, and it finally dawned upon me that Robbins was playing me false. I have been looking for him, aided by the fact that I had once seen him before. To-day I caught sight of him, as you know.” “Yes,” Mrs. Prentice suddenly lost her calmness. hee Why, why, has Robbins done this?” she cried, tremulously, | ‘Et is queer, by crickey !” ‘‘T would not have believed him so bad.” ‘* Maybe his trolley is twisted,” “What?” ; ““T mean, maybe he is crazy,” “‘That is possible. He acted very odd when I spoke to him.” ‘He acted ter me as if he was scared sil-, ly,” replied Reddy, with bluff wisdom, ‘I uess the kink is in his soul, not his trolley. ay, do you know Isracl Robbins? “Israel Robbins? No. Who is he?” “A cousin of Jack Robbins’s.’ **T never heard of him.” “‘Nor the Mayo Montgomery who was entioned at Mother Moll’s?” 66 No » a! 9 didn’t know but et was some old "grudge that was at the bottom of it.” ‘*The whole matter is unexplainable to “* Blackmail, very likely.” «Then why don’t I hear of it?” Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Dstective, p 2 “The time ain’t ripe.” | where he had met with his late adventures, ‘«Tell me what you mean by mentioning and he reached that point in due time. He these other men.” | had banked everything on the probability It would have made a long story, if toldin that, in a house of that kind, the street door detail, but Reddy soon gave her an idea of | would not be kept locked, and with this. the part that me been played by Israel and | hope in his mind he tried it. He was not Something impelled him to avoid | disappointed. The coor answered readily to his touch. It opened, and he saw a dark hall. ‘*That’s the stuff!” he commented. ‘‘L don’t see no obstruction—in fact, I don’t see ; nothing but the dark,” With the recklessness of his peculiar na- ture he boldly entered, Despite the darkness he was not at a loss to keep the right course, and by moving carefully he found the place where he had fallen in due time. He reached up as far as he could. ‘‘ Here’s the trap,” he murmured. ain't took away the hole in the floor.” Even then he found comfort in a little joke, but he did not let it delay him. He had brought along a very small dark: lantern, and as this was lighted he had only to move the slide. He then saw the opening in the floor above. The door of the trap was closed, but this was just what he wanted, He peered upward. The walls of the trap were rough and unfinished, with ends of lathes protruding here and there, ‘*T’ve got ter climb,” There was ample hold for his strong fin- gers and toes, and he began promptly, first. Mayo. D mention of the bag of gold, and he said nothing about it. ‘* Poor Hugo has fallen into the hands of a gang of sharpers,” exclaimed Mrs. Pren- tice. ‘‘lt is all a scheme to do iniquity, though I know not just how.” ‘One thing we do know,” cried Reddy, with animation, ‘‘ we are goin’ ter git onter the trail o’ them crooks, an’ we will do them up equal-toa Fifth Avenue roast. Give us yer hand, mum; we will be pals in this, an’ the pestiferous gang has got ter be licked like sixty. We'll do it!” CHAPTER XII. THE TRAIL GROWS WARM, Ir was several hours later, and Reddy was seated in the hotel engaged in deep thought. It was about all he could do then, Israel Robbins had not been seen on the premises since morning, and where he was the Rusher did not know. Now, Reddy was thinking. That meanta good deal. When Reddy meditated “he threw his whole energy into it, and pass- ing guests who were wont to jest with the ready-tongued son of theyhotel-keeper now “They received no reply. > thrusting the lantern into his pocket. When ‘‘/’d like ter know,” ran the current of | he had gone far énough the lantern, was. his thoughts, ‘’ where that bag o’ gold is. | again pulied out and he commenced the There must be about a million dollars inter | search. et, an’ that ain’t no small sum, by crickey!” Carefully he peered into the recesses. He The whole case was fascinating to the boy, but the gold took the strongest hold on him. Money is fascinating to anybody, but Reddy gave all his interest to this par- ticular sort of money, It was in ‘‘dust’”’—yellow, sand-like, un- coined dust—and it was all the more attrac- tive because of that fact. It glittered before his eyes all the time. It was to him a treasure of monumental na- ture —rich, strange, romantic, thrilling. Nothing in the shape of coin would have in- fluenced him thus, but he saw coin often, and dust—never before. He wanted) to sce it again. ‘“ When I fell down the trap,” he mused, ‘*T lost my grip on the bag. I hunted fer it afterwards, but it wa'n't on the floor, I’m dead sure it didn’t fall on the floor above. Then, by crickey! it must have lodged some- where as I tumbled, an’ it’s ‘probably there now.” This ve a of thought could have but one result y ith such a person as Reddy, and he finally ganounced his decision. “Tm goin’ ter look fer that bag 0’ gold!” He rose promptly. He had had his sup- per, and nothing remained to be done but to go. He started. Briggs, the night-clerk, saw him. ‘Going out, Reddy?” “Yeas oy ‘* Was it a bag o’ sand?” ‘* Where?” ; ‘Yes, yes; that was it. Did you find et? “T want ter git onter a game o’ marbles | Did you see et? Did you—” with Scrappy Syms. He beat me like thun- “The sport took it awsy.” der, the last time, an’ I'll lay him out cold| ‘‘ What sport?” when we git at it aguin. Et was only luck | ‘‘Deeny Logan. He came an’ hunted fer before, Briggsy, he can’t’ play fer rotten | it, an’ then took it off.” ? saw cobwebs, but ncthing of the bag of gold. His hopes fell many degrees. ; ‘** Shoot the luck!” He did not give it up at onze, but when he had hunted a few minutes longer he had to admit that he was beaten, The bag was. not there, ‘‘Somebody has been ahead o’ me an” swiped et, s’pose Chowder Johnny was. the pill that done it.” is Suddenly he heard a small voice below im. ‘“‘ Be you huntin’ fer rats?” ; Reddy started so violently that he nearly fell, but when he recovered his balance he Jooked downward. He sawa very small girl to match the voice, . ‘* Be they squeakin’?” she added. The Rusher was not too’stupid to see that. the innocence of the child had Jed her to look upon the whole matter with lack of sus- picion, and he seized upon the chance, ‘* They ain’t squeakin’ now, but I seen the tail o’ one big feller whiskin’ out o’ sight. He had a blue ribbon ti€éd on his tail, an” must hev been a dude.” ‘“‘Dear me! That is funny.” “‘ Yes, so et was. Do you live here?” “Yes. Don’t you?” “Why, sure, Did you find anything near here ter-day ?” chestnuts. He’s got a fish-bone in his swal-| “ Bless me!” muttered Reddy, ** what new ler.” crook has the trail took?” , ‘« How is that?” ‘* Was it your sand?” asked the girl. ‘‘He aint steady; he plays ‘good some- eWwad.7. ; times, but his style is ginerally jerky. See?” ; ‘‘Then you go right to Deeny, an’ make Biiggs did not ‘‘see” fully, but, believ- | him give it up. I would!” ing the pampered son of the house was off on} ‘‘ Where kin I find him?” . a trivial errand, he let him go. The Rusher | ‘He belongs ter the band-ball club. over went, | by Jakey’s, You know where that is, don’t. ‘Hi, hi!” he chuckled, “that Briggsy isa , ye?” good feller, but he is precious slow. He | couldn’t ketch flies.” — “ti club has its courts.” , Reaching the street the boy walked off ‘You go there an’ you will find him. He rapidly. His course was toward the house’ plays the game, an’ they do say he isa ® ‘«] guess so; I know where one hand-balh — ge on Se "> z eae ht A —— 3 ote seers = ~~ .—-—-- sie ns i =e ef an — pe Aa "ee lee
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m4 b> Reddy Rusher the Bell-boy Detective. - = pe Fe ge hoe corker. He*beat Timmy, the blacksmith, dast week.” The Rusher had never become interested in the game of hand-ball, and did not know just how much of a feat it was to beat Tim- my, the blacksmith, but the girl’s manner indicated that Deeny Logan must have done himself great honor. ‘‘ How did he happen ter, find the bag?” asked the Rusher, ‘* We children had it ter play with, but he «ome an’ said he would give us a dollar fer it, as he wanted ter .mix some mortar ter build a chimbly with; an’ Jimmy Costello, he sold it to him. I think it was mean. Jimmy swiped all the dollar, an’ we kids lost the sand,” ‘‘ Wal, here’s a fifty-cent bit fer you. So- long!” Reddy had descended from the trap, and he now moved quickly out of the house. If the girl’s mother came she would not ‘think so lightly of a strange boy on the premises. ‘Who's this Deeny?” wondered the Rush- er, as be walked off. ‘Kin it be he was sent by Mayo Montgomery? 1 wouldn’t think Chowder Johnny would let him inter ithe game, but Johnny ain’t likely ter know no sport like Deeny is said ter be. Anyhow, I'll jest look in on the hand-ball fellers, I — weckon I am interested in the game.” It was not far to his destination. He was not at all sure he would be admitted, but the intended to try. Deeny. - CHAPTER XIII. THE BAG OF GOLD AGAIN, Reppy reached the pvint aimed at and avas pleased to find nobody on guard. He entered, and was in the midst of the festivi- ties, _ He saw a kind of bar-room which seemed to be doing a good business, and in front of it were numerous men who were drink- ing, smoking, talking and laughing loudly, Among them moved a fat German whom the Rusher believed to be the ‘‘ Jakey” who kept the place. Suddenly there was a rush to one side, ac- «<ompanied by the announcement, ‘* They are going to begin again!” Reddy did not know what they were go- ing to begin, but he went with the crowd, and, for the first time, saw a hand-ball court. Four athletic fellows began to play with vim, and the boy was interested for awhile, but he soon gave it up. ‘Et ain’t in it with base-ball!” he de- cided, Then he thought of the players. He in- quired their names, but none of them was the wanted Deeny. The Rusher did not dare to inquire for him direct, so he began to move around. He soon saw another door ‘than that through which he had entered. Men were going up and down, and he finally decided tu go too. He did so, and, reaching the upper floor, found himself in a region where several small rooms opened one out of the other. Tables and chairs were all around, and men were engaged in card- "playing, and having what they regarded as a general good time. ** Regular club-rooms,” murmured Reddy. *‘T wonder ef Deeny is here? I'm afraid ’'m on a no-g trail.” : The club-rooms were plainly of the free- and easy pattern, and nobody accosted Reddy, or seemed to notice him, It was in his favor that three or four youths were present, ‘The Rusher surveyed these other boys. “Guess I shall have ter ask one o’ them about Deeny. I. hate ter do it, fer— Hello!” His musings had been suddenly interrupt- ed. His roving gaze became fixed, and his eyes expanded. ** Mayo Montgomery, by ginger!” He wanted - to see Mayo it was, surrounded by a group of other clubmen who were laughing and talk- ing with him. The spy did not let grass grow under his feet, but moved close to the ; groun. He gained position and listened. ‘*Come, Deeny,” urged one of the party, ‘*‘ give us a show for our money. Try Pete a go,” “ Not to-night,” replied Mayo. ‘“‘T know youcandohimup. If youdon’t, you will, at least, rub him sharp. He will know he has been*in a horse-race when you are done with him.” ‘*T am not dressed for it.” ‘*Rats! Shake your silk dress and go in. You did up Tommy, the blacksmith, easy. Try Pete.” ** Yes, goin, Deeny!” voiced the crowd, Reddy had made a discovery, The sport might be Mayo Montgomery in public, but he was only Deeny Logan in private. More, the Rusher bad, it seemed, found the man who had taken possession of the bag of old. ‘*Crickey! Iam onter his nibs now, an’ I'll make him run all through the stretch, Wonder where he has hid the bag?” _ It seemed foolish to suppose that the trea- sure was on Deeny'’s person, but Reddy un- consciously began to use his eyes to that end, Then he observed something which impress- ed him as peculiar, On one side of the sport’s coat there was a decided protuber- ance, On this spot the*boy’s eyes become glued. Something was in Mayo’s pocket. What? ‘* See that hump?” murmured Reddy, ab- sently. If the Rusher had been one of the regular detectives he aimed to equal he would not have suspected any man under such condi- tions of carrying a bag of gold in his pocket, ‘but Reddy was not a professional}, ; He believed he bad found the location of the treasure: , ‘*Crickey! don’t I wish I could swipe that lump?” be muttered. : Mayo’s friends were growing emphatic. They were rough-and-ready fellows to whom no joke was too harsh, and they finally grew tired of his refusals to play a game of hand- ball for their amusemen “I say, boys,” cried one, ‘‘ what’s to be done with a bloke who won’t be social? Deeny won’t play. What shall we do?” ‘* Make him play!” ‘Carry him to the alley!” ‘* He says he’s dressed too stiff. Take off his gown!” ‘ The last suggestion took well with all, and they pounced upon the sport with loud laughter but violent hands, While a part of them held him fast the rest stripped off his overcoat, “Here!” he yelled, growing alarmed, it seemed, ‘‘none of that, Let me have my coat!” For answer, ‘one of his rough friends toss- ed the garment backward, perhaps thinking somebody would catch it. He was right; somebody did catch it. Reddy made a for- ward leap and caught the cont as it flew. A fresh yell of rage escaped Mayo’s lips. He had the best of reasons for not wanting to lose sight of the garment, and he did not intend to, either, Exerting all of his strength he tore himself loose from his friends and shot away to secure the coat. | Reddy had only one thought when he secured hold of it, and that was to get the ‘‘hump” which he had marked down as the bag of gold. He might have kept the one and dropped the other, but he did not think of that. Holding to both he’ scud for the outer door. ¥ If he had possessed a clear road he might have won in a gallop, but the first thing he did was to run forcibly into a man who accidentally got in his way. The shock | nearly took him off his feet, and when he recovered his balance much of valuable time © had been lost. Thus, when he finally found a clear way again, and ran toward the door, he found Mayo already in his path. ‘*Orickey! I’m in fer it!” Reddy was rattled for a moment, but it was soon over. He could not go where he wanted to, so there was only one thing to do —go where he could. Another open door furnished the means, and he shot through. ‘‘Thief, thief!” bawled Mayo. ‘‘Ginger! it’s escape or perleece cell now,” exclaimed the amateur detective. ‘I prefer to escape.” The prospect was not bright when he saw a flight of stairs ahead of him, but it was the one chance and he took it.. He ran up with fleetness which left his pursuers in the rear for the time being. At the head of the stairs he found an at- tic, but this was not in any degree a place of safety. ‘s No show fer restin’ the sole o’ my foot here!” he admitted after a quick glance around, ‘*I must try it further,” ‘Further,’ meant up another flight of steps, but, this time, it was only a ladder, and he knew this would take him to the roof, ~ He dashed .up the steps; he reached the top; he unfastened the hook of the scuttle; he shoved up the door and the way was openabove. He crawled to the roof. By that time the pursuers were in the at- tic, and he knew he must do something to check them. He heid the scuttle half-way up and glared down at his foes. ‘‘Keep away!” he shouted, ‘‘ or there will be a vacant chair among your angels. Keep away!” Hie was not obeyed. Mayorushed up the steps, and Reddy did the only thing remain- ing for him to do. Just when the sport’s head rose above the roof he dropped the door. It fell; it caught Mayo on the head, and he dropped down the steps. “Jiminy!” exclaimed Reddy, ‘‘ef I’ve done him serious mischief 1 sball git salted. Ain't there any way out 0’ this?” Clinging fast to. the coat he ran forward to reconnoiter. Disappointment awaited him. The club-house building was of brick and had a flat roof, but those next to it were old, wooden affairs, and the roofs were slop- ing. ve I might jump,” mused the adventurer, ‘*but.I guess I should land a deceased Rusher on the flaggin’, I don't like et, by um!’ He hovered on the edge, coat in hand, un- certain what to do, There was a respite be- hind him, but he knew it would be only brief. He must escape quickly or not at all. Again he surveyed the sloping roof be-. fore him, ** Desperate chance. man could do et safely. have ter— Hi!” c The scuttle was raised, and a head appear- — ed above the roof he was on. His former work had given his enemies due respect for his prowess, and the new investigator was careful, but when be saw there was no dan- ger, he leaped up fully. - ** Come on!” he cried. ‘* Here’s the kid!” Several other men followed him. ‘«« Ketch the young villain!” ordered one. They moved forward, ‘* Stop!” cried Reddy. ** Stop, is it?” — . * That’s jest w’ot it is,” *« How will you stop us?” ‘© Maybe you think you kin stop me?” ‘*Wedothat.” , ‘* Maybe, too, you want this coat?” es ” Only an Injy rubber 1 reckon I shall ‘ * Wal, don’t you try tergitit. Don’t you ; come a step nearer. f you, do I will | ee?” Jame off the roof an’ take the coat with me. 3
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= -- | «he dropped the coat. ran along. Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective, 13 CHAPTER XIV. WHAT BECAME OF THE BAG OF GOLD, Tue Rusher’s manner was such that the men paused. They believed he would keep his threat and leap, and they were not so much stirred up, but they considered what they believed would be the result. “Don't get the fool in the head boy,” cautioned one. ‘‘If you jump you will land dead on the ground beiow.” ** Yes, an’ you won’t get the coat,” retort- ed Reddy. *“ Com: here and give up—” ** Not much!” ~ “ Don’t be a fool!” ** Don’t you get gay. I am runnin’ this endo’ the restaurant. Keep out o’ the kitchen!” Reddy’s courage was rising, as he saw that they were not inclined: to drive him to desperate courses, but the scene suddenly changed. <A shout at the rear of the group was followed by the appearance of Mayo Montgomery, who did not seem much the worse for his recent fall.: ** Why do you lose valuable time?” he snapped. ‘‘ 1 will not delay here. Let the fool jump, if he will.” The sport dashed forward; and Reddy’s resolution was made. Quickly he turned his back on the crowd and then disappeared from the roof. ‘* He’s jumped.” ‘* He has gone to sure death.” ‘* That's the last of him.” ‘Skip, or we shall be witnessess to his death!” - Nobody was witness to what was happen- ing to Reddy. He had taken the dangerous leap, and without one safeguard. Using what precautions he could, he dropped to the second roof. He touched it, and then shot down toward the back yard. He tried to slacken his speed all he could, and in a measure he was successful, but it appeared, even at that, as if the roof was greased and all prepared for his fall. } He reached the eaves, There he hung for a moment, and his chance came to him. He saw the water- pipe connecting with the eaves-trough, and He had just time to hang to the pipe and stay his fall. Often he had swung from a like pipe for _ the fun of the thing—he now swung for his life. Getting a good grip he pointed his toes earthward and slid.” " i Electricity seemed to run through his _ hands, but he held fast and went bravely down. He reached the yard. He released his hold and stood on the earth, ‘“‘Crickey!” he exclaimed, am still in the swim,” ~ He was, and the coat was at his feet. “Dye got the prize—but w'ot ef the bag o’ gold ain’t inter it?” He made a dive for the coat, ran his hand *“IT guess I into the pocket and brought out a well-re- membered thing. ~ ‘Hi! here’s the gold, sure-pop! Jiminy! - Treckon the Rusher ain't done up yet.” He could see one of the men at the edge of the roof of the brick house, but he did not delay to see more, Keeping close to the wall, so he could not be seen in return, he ._ “TJ wonder how I am ter git out o’ this yard—Hello! luck is still with me.” _ This was, indeed, the case, for a gap. was presented in the line of houses where one had been pulled down to make room for a new structure. An open space was now _. there, and Reddy hurried out te the street, He had, of course, left the coat behind him, but the bag of gold remained, and he * tucked it under his coat and hastened to get out of the vicinity, He was still excited af- _ ter his adventure, but when he recovered a | ci seed u feeling of exultation took possession oy RS Im. that bag “Tye got than thirty Pretty as a picture, and the way she can ' a dive for the bag of gold. Tkat, too, was. of gold, by crickey! ' an’ I’m goin’ ter hang to it. cious! ain't this a snap!” He was soexhilarated that he could hardly keep from shouting his joy. The bag of gold had taken.full hold on his mind, and his young blood bounded like fire in his veins, ‘Why, I’m as rich as all the Vanderbilts combined, I reckon. There must be a mil. lion of this stuff, I guess, an’ that makes me the richest man in New York.” He paused to cut a pigeon-wing, much to the disgust of a patrolman who chanced to be near, *‘ Here!” growled the guardian of the night, ‘stop that monkey biz an’ get along home. Your old man will lick the dust out 0’ you!” ‘“*Ha, ha, ha!” laughed Reddy, merrily, ‘‘ you don’t know how much dust I hev got, Mr. Copper.” He was not inclined to explain, and _ his nimble feet soon took him home. Avoiding the gaze of Clerk Briggs stairs to his own room. "Then he locked the door and sat down to look at his treasure. He handled the dust and let the light shine on it, and chuckled and laughed in his glee. Never had he had such an experience before, and he gloried in his possession. ; ‘“A million, ef there is a cenv!” he de- clared. ‘‘ Why, I'll go ter see every base ball game that’s played, next season, an’ I’ll give the New Yorks a five-dollar bit o’ dust every time they lick the tripe out o’ the other fellows. I'll bribe them so nobody else will be champs. IT’ll— But hold on— hold on!” The Rusher had suddenly grown grave of expression. “*This gold ain’t mine!” He turned this melancholy fact over in his mind, and then added: ‘1 don’t know whose it is, but I ain’t got no right to it. Israel may hev bought et from Hearty Jack, or he may not; but it ain't mine. By crickey! I’ve got ter give up my dreams o’ bliss—the stuff ain’t mine, an’ that settles it. No puddin’ fer me!” It was much to the credit of the boy that he was honest under such temptation, but even when hope fled he did not lose sight of the gold. “Pil find out jest whose et is,” he de- cided, Another period of meditation, and then he tucked the bag again under his coat and went into the hall. To Israel Robbins’s door he walked, and when he heard some- body stirring within he opened the door regardless of ceremony. Israel was there, but looking in anything but a happy frame of mind, ; He stared at Reddy, saying nothing, ‘* Hullo, boss!” cheerfully began the Rush- Jiminy gra- er. ‘*Hfullo!” growled the man from Ulster county. ** How’s biz?” ** Vilel¥ eA ee ain’t comin’ your way, eh?” e Oe. ‘* Wal, I reckon you have recovered yer lost bag 0’ gold?” ‘*No, I have not!” cried Israel, angrily. ‘*No? Why, that’s bad.” ‘Bad? It’s villainous. I’ve slaved fer years keepin’ city boarders in the summer, up home, an’ saved up some money, an’ now all is goin’ wrong with me. First, my wife died last summer right when we had the boarders there—mighty inconsiderate of her—an’ the fat was in the fire; but I got a housekeeper—” "ei : Israel’s gloom suddenly dissipated, and a smile stole over his face. He chuckled and added: “Say, you orter see that housekeeper o' mine! She'sadandy! Why she ain’t more urs old, an’ she’s a corker! he mounted the |_ | Where would it be safe? | gled down. stint them upstart boarders is jest good fer sore eyes. The more money they pay fer their keep, the more she would stint the table. It cost me forty-seven dollars. ter bury my wife, but even at that I guess. I made money by her dyin’; my new daisy saved so much, He, he! them city boarders: was as poor in flesh as rails when they left us! He, he!” ‘“Mr. Robbins, you seem ter be a corker,”” ‘¢T have been, but 1 shall never take no more pleasure in this world, That bag 0” gold—oh! oh!” and Israel doubled up and twisted surprisingly. Reddy looked hard at him, ‘‘Be you sick, boss? Shall I git some: pain-curer fer you?” “The pain is deeper than any drug kim go; itisof my heart, The gold; the bag 0” old!” ene Say, Uncle Sam, where did you git that dust?"‘ ‘ Bought it of Jack Robbins,” ’ “Sure?” =* Yes,” ; ‘Queer that a sailor should hev suck stuff ” ‘* Hearty Jack turned miner; that’s how,’” ** An’ you was presented with it by him?” ‘*No, no; I bought it, boy. Paid tem thousand dollars for it.” Reddy had tried to catch his companion, but he had not succeeded. Israel hung close to his original story. “ Kin you prove that it was a fair bargain? Kin you prove that the dust is yours?” *T have proved it; I told you it was mine.” “* Got any witnesses ter the sale?” ‘‘ Witnesses ain't necessary; my word is good in the case, an’ my word is enough.” Reddy shook his head. Much as he dis- liked Israel, he would have handed the gold over if there had been proof; but, instead of furnishing such evidence, Robbins showed a disposition to dodge even a frank talk on the subject. ‘* He don't act like an honest gent,” mused the Rusher, ‘‘an’ he don't get no points onter me, I'll hang ter the dust!” CHAPTER XV. | REDDY WATCHES FOR EVIDENCE. Tue Rusher did not consume much more time with Israel. Ending the interview ina way calculated to make the man from Ulster county think he had dropped in out of pass- ing curiosity, the boy returned to bis own room. : ‘“No use ter chin with that Turk,” he muttered, in disgust. ‘*He is wedded ter his idols, Issy.is; an’ the idols are Hottentot. hobos. . He's a bad egg with a fringe o' blue vitriol on eat yee I won’t bother with him, an’ when I make my grand detective scoop he will get railroaded ter Sing Sing. That’s Issy’s size.” Reddy was all prepared to go to bed—all but placing his treasure for the night. Like © all persons who have large sums of money, .| he now began to experience worry. hat was he to do with the bag of How could he secure it from thieves? psy He prowled around his room for a long *; time, trying to settle this question, but with- out arriving at any satisfactory decision, and he finally took it into bed with him. _ ‘“*T reckon somebody will murder tne for: . it before mornin’,” he muttered, as he snug- see ef they come.” He did lie awake for awhile—just about. ten minutes. Then our amateur. detective slipped off to sleep in the fashion of boy- hood. He slept all night in safety. When, . he woke it was day, and he looked around © wonderingly. ‘I’m alive, sure as you guns!” Amazement over this fact kept him mo- tionless for a moment, bus’ he speedily made ld? “Till lay awake fer awhile an’ — —
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FS PE I os ath ; See. Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. secure, and his wonder grew. Where were the thieves he bad expected? He did not see them in the room, and the vague notion that he might, have killed a dozen or so of them in his sleep was dissipated by the fact that he found no bodies to prove it. On the whole, he believed that the night must have been uneventful, and that no rob- bers had tried to get at him. He rose; he had his breakfast; he left the hotel. He had an appointment with Mrs. Pren- ‘tice, and he kept it with fidelity in all ways. An exchange of notes showed that there was no news on either side, but the Rusher had left his treasure concealed in his room, and it lay heavily on his mind all the time. It was the check to the happiness other- wise to be had ‘* Wal, mum,” he said, presently, ‘‘ w’ot is the programme fer to-day?” **T don’t know. J wish you could advise me.” ‘* You want ter find the kid, eh?” ** Poor Hugo! I do, indeed.” ‘ ‘**T’ll try fer et, mum, an’ I may git thére. I ge nid way is ter shadder Old Ulster,” se hb a ** He will be goin’ ter the hidin’-place.” **Do you think so?” e.** Why, cert.”’ * Carry out your plan, if you think best.” “T will.” Reddy did it. Leaving Mrs, Prentice shortly after, he returned to the hotel. He was just too late to catch Israel, for the lat- ter had put on his tall hat and long coat cand gone out. Here was one check, and the irritation of the situation was added to by the fact that the man did not return until the middle of the afternoon. ‘* Guess I’ve clean lost my graft,” solilo. quized the Rusher, ‘‘ but I will sorter hang ter Issy’s coat: tails an’ see w’ot will come of Mr. Robbins sat in the main room for two hours, evidently doing some earnest think- ding. Then he went out again. So did Reddy. Israel walked away to the west of the Bowery. So did Reddy. ‘* Uncle Sam, I'm after you like a case of smallpox. Weave,on an’ let me shake a foot on yer trail,” directed the boy, as he carefully avoided attracting Robbins’s at- tention. The pursued man was not suspicious, and the chase was not difficult. Israel had some definite object, and he went along withn _Swinging stride for some time, but there was finally an abrupt change. Israel darted across the street ‘* Hi! there,” cried Reddy, ‘‘ w’ot is up?” His feet and his gaze alike followed Israel. ‘‘Crickey! there is Hearty Jack again! Robby is after him! Hi! now Jack sees him —he scoots! Wal, you’rein fer it now!” Jack was ‘‘in for it.” He had tried to ‘slip quietly away, but his course was not a happy one, He had tried to make use of an alley, but when it was too late he saw that a hand-cart was standing there, blocking the whole passage. ‘ The sailor was cornered. Israel had pursued him hotly, and Reddy, his wits working .quickly, was not far be- hind. It oceurred to the boy thas there would be a talk in the alley, and if he could get to cover he could overhear it. He moved pian Bele He pursued sharply until he reached a doorway which opened from the alley, and then dodged into it and i was secure from observation, and where he could listen to all. The man from Ulster began warmly. *‘T’ve got you now, you sneak!” he ex- claimed. \ Hearty Jack stood helpless and hopeless. ‘* I’ve been lookin’ fer you, an’ I’ve found you, pursued Israel. “se Tes. ” - - ‘Yes? Is that the way for a man oO brains ter speak? clod!” “IT wish I was one!” muttered the sailor. “‘Oh! do you? Wal, go an’ get a pistol an’ make yourself so.” ‘‘IT may do so, yet.” . ‘*No danger. Men who talk that way al- ways live to be a hundred, John Robbins, where is that bag of gold?” “1 don’t know.” **'You lie!” Hearty Jack made a gesture of weak re- monstrance and said nothing. **] don’t understand all the travels o’ that gold,” admitted Israel, ‘‘but you either stole it, last night, or had it stole.” **T know nothin’ of it.” - *€Oh! come now, don’t be foolish. You took it from Mayo’s hands—I don’t know that you know Mayo, but you took it. You sent in a boy to swipe it, an’ then you got away with it, somehow: I don’t know how. But you were in the game, for nobody else would think of it,” **T know nothin’ of what you talk about.” “Don’t you? Come off!” **T tell the truth. I have not seen it since it was first lost.” Do you think I will believe Why, you are like a ** Bah!” “If this man Mayo had it, why don’t you go to him? Who is he? How came he by ros ** Wal, you see he’s a friend o’ mine, an’ a man give him the bag o’ gold on the street— queer circumstance, but Mayo thinks he was pursued by officers, an’ shook the dust for safety. The blamed business is making a pile o’ trouble, anyhow.” *‘Tsrael Robbins, why don’t you return that gold to its rightful owner? Why will you persist in so many lies? You say you bought itfrom me, Thatis false, as we well know—’” ; ¥ ‘‘Hush, hush!” cautioned Israel, looking arvund nervously. ; ‘“‘T am fast getting into a frame of mind where Iam reckless enough to face the rod of terror you hold over me an’ tell all I know—” . ** Don’t do that!” hastily cried Israel. **T had just as soon.” ** Do you want to go to prison?” Hearty Jack bit dt gi at his nails. **T begin to think I don’t carearap. I am not a rascal, an’ it don’t come éasy to me to see the innocent suffer as they are doin’.” ** Jack, you are a fool!” declared Israel. “You just feather your own nest an’ let outsiders look out for themselves.” “‘Tam in a fine way of featherin’ my nest when you threaten to send me to prison, and chase me as if I-was a wild animal.” **Say, Jack, you just tell me where that gold is an’ I will divide with you—” ‘** Never!” cried the sailor, ‘‘I do not know what has become of it—your sus- picions are wholly wrong—but if 1 did know I would not aid you to commit this “wrong, even if you could offer me all the wealth in New York. I am unfortunate, but 1 am not the villain you would make me!” Jack’s voice rung out clearly and his eyes flashed as he uttered these manly words. Reddy Rusher could hardly aypid a shout of admiring approval, but just then there was a turn of the tide. A man pushed past Reddy and stood near the others, It was Mayo Montgomery. ‘*Robbins!” exclaimed the sport, ‘‘ you want to do this cur upat once. I'll help! Wade in, now!” | Evidently the gentleman of flashy look did not approve of delay, for without more ado, he rushed at Hearty Jack. ‘*T]l smash you!” he declared. It was a headlong attack, but the sailor i ee a i i aS a had been in many a fight, and he quickly threw himself into position. He aimed a swinging blow and took Mayo neatly on the jaw, but it fell a little short and the crook was still in the ring. He knew how to use his own fists, and he threw up his hands with the skill of an old campaigner. He and Jack began to exchange blows with fierce rapidity. CHAPTER XVI. THE RUSHER CLOSES IN. Reppy was a little dazed by this new turn of affairs “ By crickey!” he exclaimed, “‘1 guess.a policeman is needed here!” é Acting on this sudden notion he ran to the entrance to the alley and looked up and down the block, but no blue-coat was in sight, In fact, chance had made the whole region singularly deserted by all but the one party. , He looked at them again, and saw that Hearty Jack and Mayo, well matched in science, were having a lively fight, while Israel, wholly lacking in science but full of venom, was hanging on the outskirts and secking for a chance to strike Jack a coward- ly blow. bs ‘Jiminy crickets! I guess there is room fer me there!” added Reddy, his soul swell- ing with indignation, He ran forward and leaped like a cat ypon Israel’s back. ‘‘l’m in this scrap, you p’ison snake!’’ he cried. Israel knew it. His neck was closely en- circled, and the boy was shutting off his breath. He could not see his assailant enough to recognize him, but he did know it was a boy who had seized him. ‘**Leave me be!’ he howled, shaking Red- dy as a dog would a cat. ‘*Not fer Susan!” retorted the Rusher. **T’ll hit you a clip, you brat!” ** W’ot will be doin’ then?” ‘*Get off my back!” ‘« You get off the earth!” : Reddy was laughing gleefully, but it was not at all funny for the man from Ulster. He pranced around wildly, but the small object on his back stuck like a burr, ° ‘‘ Balance yer pardners!” sung out the Rusher. ‘‘ Have a ginooine old Ulster-coun- ty dance, Issy!” They were having adance, but not in a way to Robbins’sliking. It was the old story, of a small antagonist who could not be got at, and he struggledyin vain. Reddy was there, and he stayed. ' In the meanwhile Jack and Mayo were hav- ing it hot and heavy, but all things have an end. Jack had been stirred out of his moody self into an alert fighter, and he had been watching for a crain chance. It came, and he caught Mayo a blow under the chin which absolutely lifted the sport and sent him flying through the air, He would have fallen to the flagging, if there had not been a softer place awaiting him. His head took Israel Robbins full in the stomach, and the result was that the country- man, Mayo and Reddy all went down in a heap, with Israel at the bottom. The Rusher was not less quick-witted than usual, and he squirmed out of the tangle readily, but Mayo came up slowly and Israel lay gasping like a landed fish, : The blow in his stomach had literally taken all his breath away. 3 He gasped and writhed until he seemed likely to die of the blow, but nature assum- ed sway at last and he found his wind and his voice. ‘* Murder, murder!” he groaned. i, ‘* Who is dead?” asked. Reddy, laughing gleefully. ** My stomach, my stomach!” ‘Does it ache? Better have it pulled.” “Tama dead man.” - wor Poe ae % cae ees: ~
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= _ ** Where is Hugo?” Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. 15 ‘** Not much; though you may yet be a dead rascal, No man about you!” scoffed the Rusher. Mayo wasup and nursing his hurts. He had seen enough of Jack and his system of fighting, and all the sport wanted was to get away. He caught Israel and pulled him to his fect. The sailor was standing inactive, and all this was hopeful for Mayo’s plans. “Get out of here!” he exclaimed to Israel. ‘“* We've got a bit ter say about that,” put in Reddy. ‘‘ Drop on them again, Jackey. You lick them while I go fer a cop.” ““T want no part of them,” answered Jack, ‘But we now—” ‘é No.” ‘* Let me call a perleeceman—” ‘“‘ Not fer the world; let them go!” hasti- ly responded the sailor, Reddy’s face fell. He had planned on ending the carcer in crime of the precious pair, and it wasa fall in his desires He was not allowed time to think further on the subject; Mayo was all awake to the possibili ty of such trouble, and he caught Israel and pulled him out of the alley. The Ulster Countyite went wiilingly, and with a slight lessening of the pain in his stomach. ‘‘ Say, do you see that?” cried Reddy. ** What?” asked Jack. ‘* They have skipped.” ae Yes.” “*'Yes? You say it cool.” **] don’t know that Iam ambitious to have them stay here an’ hammer me,” Reddy gave up the plan defiantly and came closer to the sailor. ‘‘Say,” he added, earnestly, ‘‘be you a rascal or an honest man?” Jack’s gaze fell, **T try ter be honest.” ‘“Then how kin you eat out o’ the same dish with Is, Robbins an’ that waxed-mus- tache dude?” “If. you imagine I am in with them you make a big mistake. Didn't you see them fight me, just now?” “Yes, but you was chummy with Ulster a little while ago.” “Never!” declared the sailor, ‘‘ We have been together, but not because 1 wished it. Israel sought my company, though not as a friend He was my bitter enemy.” *« John, where is Hugo Westingly?” The sailor started. He made no reply, and the Rusher continued: ‘* John, that kid is bein’ hunted fer by his friends. You brought him over from Aus. tralia, an’ then you deserted him—” ** No, no!” “*Then how was it?” * That scoundrel, Israel Robbins took him kin stop their monkey biz ‘away from me.” “Why did you let him go?” Again Hearty Jack was silent, **Come, John, speak out!” “‘T can say nothin’.” «* John, the taker is as bad as the thief.” ‘* Boy, Iam not the scoundrel you think me. Iam unfortunate, and the hand of Is. rael Robbins ison my throat.” “Put your hand on bis throat!” swiftly advised the Rusher. fs ‘‘ Wisely said, but I am helpless. ir why?” “*T cannot tell you.” **I do not know. Poor child! I would ive anything to see him restored to his riends, Jt.is shameful—it is infamous that he is thus used.” _- «What has Israel against him?” **Nothing.” ~ ¢ “Then why is all this buckin’ ag’inst him?” 5 “IT cannot explain. Boy, I am a most un- _ fortunate man, an’ at the mercy of the same wretch who is abusin’ the child, Mercy!” | horses—see?—big, load. bitterly added Jack. ‘‘It is a word of which Israel knows nothin’!” Reddy was silent. He saw the uselessness of seeking to get more out of his companion, and he could not feel hard against Jack. In every way the sailor showed that he was full of regret at the situation. He meditat ed for awhile, and then pursued: ** Mister, that kid is ina darned bad fix, an’ if you kin help him I wish you would—” .*T only wish I could!” cried Jack. ‘ But I can’t; I can’t!” It was the last real effort on Reddy’s part, but he talked with the sailor unti: the latter gave his present address and promised a give his aid if such a thing became possi- ble. “Tt may ruin me,” he announced, ‘ but I will take the chances.” Jack was anxious to get away, and he did not delay longer, Reddy allowed him to de- part, and then hastened to Mrs. Prentice with the latest news. Naturally, she was eager to see the sailor, herself, and she set out for his address, The Rusher did not go with her. The im- pression was strong in his mind that there could be gains made if he was- on the alert, and he started on a general trip to try and locate either Israel or Mayo. He did not happen on them, but he did the next best thing—he ran upon Chowder Johnny. The tough was striding along the street, and too much occupied to notice Reddy. The latter was more observing, and he fell in behind Johnny and followed briskly. * Ef the Dunn gang is still in possession 0’ Hugo I’m goin’ ter hev that kid out o’ limbo!” he thought, resolutely, : Several blocks had been made when a coach passed him and drew up in front of a house. Johnny, too, paused, and then ad- dressed some words to the driver that Reddy did not hear, ‘All right,” replied the driver. Johnny entered the house. ; The Rusher acted on an impulse and walked up to the driver. : ‘Goin’ ter take somebody away from here?” he asked. oe Yes, ” coAV OT” “Costs money ter know that,” laughed the driver, “Tam mum,” CHAPTER XVII. REDDY'S FINE STRATEGY. Tue Rusher pulled a dollar out of his pocket. ‘* Here’s the money!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Now, teli me.” The driver looked first at the dollar, and then at Reddy. ““Why, boy, I wouldn’t take your cash,” he answered, good naturedly. ‘If you care to know, it’s a party I am to take. Two Two men and a boy says the order. Cab wouldn’t do.” Reddy’s eyes brightened. ‘Mister Man, be you honest?” Reddy asked. ‘“‘T claim to be.” ‘Ef you will drive that load where I say Tl give you ten dollars now, an’ you kin help the law. Is ita go?” ‘Say, what’s up?” “That kid is a captured kid, an’ enemies are hot ter ruin him. It may be they will kill him. Be you willin’ ter be party ter sech a deed?” ‘‘Not much! I have a kid o’ my own at home, an’ 1 wouldn’t do harm to anybody else’s boy for all of New York.” ’ ‘Bully fer you, old man! Now, take that party ter my father’s hotel an’ you will save one kid from great damage. Is it a go?” i The driver was not ready on on such scant testimony, Lut he Was prepos- i sessed by Reddy’s looks and manner, and he asked questions in rapid succession. He received replies to all, and the result was | that an understanding was reached. The driver knew what was required ot him and why it was asked, This done, Reddy rushed off and went to a telephone office. He asked for his father’s hotel, and soon had communication with that point. He opened up briskly, ‘« Hello, hello!” ‘‘ Hello!” was the faint answer. “Ts that you, Briggsy?” “é Yes. ” ‘*] am Rush, junior. Say, Briggsy, git two policemen an’ have them wait until | come,” ‘“What—what’s that?” quoth Briggs, over the wire, evidently rather stunned, ‘‘T hev ascheme ter nab Israel an’ Mayo in their crookedness. I am goin’ ter bring them in a cab, an’ there will be a fight. The hotel will all be wrecked ef you don’t do as Isay. Will you get the cops?” **Reddy, you are jokin’—” ‘*Say, Briggsy, did I ever git gay?” ‘“No, but—” ““Then you mind! Will you have the cops?” ‘** Yes, but I want you to explain—” ‘**Can’t stop. Git them cops or there will be murder done. Murder, Briggsy; put that in yer pipe! Good-by!” Reddy shut off and hung up the trans- mitter. - This done, he paid his bill and rushed out of the office. He looked up. the street. ** Jest in time!” he exclaimed. The coach was coming. A plan had been laid for him to ride, and he did. his part nobly. The driver barely slackened his speed, and the Rusher mounted to the box. **You’re a cuckoo!” declared the driver. ‘‘Nimble as a goat. I'll bet a dollar my fares ain’t the least idee my load has been’ added to. I pulled my blanket around so as ter prevent their lookin’ up this way much.” ‘* Boss, is your orders the same?” ~ | ‘«Thirty-fourth street ferry? Yes. They think they are on their way ter Long Island, I reckon, but they don’t know we have auned ter stop at your hotel on the way. ucky it is right on our line.” Reddy was not inclined to let his voice be oi much, but he had a few questions to ask, “Have you got the kid?” §. Yee ‘An’ two men?” 1 Wea: ** Describe them!” It was done, and Reddy was sure that Israel, Mayo and Alugo were, in the coach. He could not help being a little nervons, He had played a bold and novel game, bat there: was a possibility that it would fail. Thus far the kidnappers were unsuspicious, If they woke up, or Briggs did not keep his contract, they were liable to miss their dramatic denouement. The driver kept his horses going briskly, and they finally reached the Bowery. The “fares” had lowered the window curtains, and all was quiet in their quarter. * Will it work?” was Reddy’s constant in- terrogatory, of himself. — ; They neared the hotel. eagerly. He could not see any policemen; he could not see Briggs. He seemed to have no friend on the watch. ; “Kin ct be that Briggsy has played me false?” muttered Reddy. , “Ts that the place?” inquired the driver. “Yes. Pull up at the door,” The direction was obeyed, and Reddy leaped to the sidewalk, =~ af Just then the door of the hotel opened, Briggs and two policemen came out, The Rusher: grew exultant. His face beamed, Hecould hardly repress a yell of The Rusher looked
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(] | 4 b gon ee SEs a eS mrt 4 mY a +e an ao b. ini ery ti wi, | ie |, BE y: Wa i i? (PT ey =... re ne a ra a ’ 16 Reddy Rusher, the Bell-boy Detective. triumph. He leveled an unwavering hand at the coach door and fixed a firm glance on the blue-coats, ‘Officers, there is your prey!” he an- nounced, with dignity. ‘Ef you let them ‘escape you will lose the biggest rascals in New York. Watch both sides; don’t let them get clear.” The window-curtain of the cab was sud- denly raised. The face of Israel Robbins appeared. He looked; he saw where they were; his expression became alarmed, “Drive on!” he sharply commanded. ‘* Help, help!” It was a small, shrill voice from the coach, and it simplified matters a good deal. Briggs had been looking wholly un- certain whut to do, and not sure that Reddy was acting wisely; but the whole case was altered by the cry. ‘‘Help, help!’ repeated the small voice. ‘‘Save me; save me!” Hugo stiuggled into view. ‘“‘ Destruction!’ cried Mayo Montgomery, fromthe coach. ‘‘ Silence the kid or the jig is up!” : The policemen had been doubtful and skeptical, but they were so no longer. They pressed closer to the coach and one of them held up a warning hand to the inmates. “ ‘No row here,” he cautioned. ‘‘ You are our pang and resistance will only make a bad case worse. Yield!” : Israel Robbins dropped back in the coach, his face paling with cowardly fear. Mayo was a Villain, but he was no craven. ““What’s this?” he blustered. ‘‘ What do you mean by stopping gentlemen when they—” ‘Help, help!” repeated Hugo, feverishly. _ ‘These men are stealing me, Help!” ‘** Done up!” With this brief comment Mayo gave up the game. Ue turned to the further side of the coach and leaped out. He hoped to find a clear road on that side. He did not find it; Reddy had been awake to all possibilities. He was there, and he leaped cat-like upon the back of the crook. There he hung like a young giant. ‘Come in out o’ the wet!” be cried. Mayo struggled furiously, but the driver hastened to Reddy’s aid and the crook was helpless. One of the policemen gave his as- sistance, too, and the last hope of the law- breaker fled. Not yet did anybody but the Rusher know what was the meaning of the trouble, but the others knew enough to act wisely and rapidly. Both Mayo and Israel were taken into custody. eat was lifted to the sidewalk, “ All of you,” directed one of the officers, ‘¢ will now go to the station and explain—” ‘* Hugo, Hugo!” The former speaker was interrupted by an earnest cry, and as Reddy turned he saw the small boy clasped in Mrs, Prentice’s arms. Near her was Hearty Jack. ‘* Hil” cried the Rusher, ‘‘have you got in under the umbrella, old man?” ‘“‘T have resolved to tell the truth,” an- swered Jack, ‘‘ though it send me to the cell of a prison.” : For a time speech was too rapid and ex- cited to be coherent, but Briggs suggested that all go to the hotel, and they went. Mayo and Israel were helpless in the hands of their captors. Mrs, Prentice embraced Hugo again and again. . “‘ What is the meaning of all this?” de- manded Briggs. ‘That man,” quickly replied Jack, point- ie ing to Israel, ‘‘ has been the cause of it all. I came to this country, my old home, as the uardian for the time of Hugo Westingly. sracl met me, and forced me to give the boy up. He frightened me into it. Two - years ago I committed a crime here when full of the devil’s drink, whisky, I killed, or badly injured one Morgan Petts. I thought it had blown over, and I ventured to come here, risky though it was,” He paused, glanced at the officers and added:, ‘‘] am confessing all, and you can do with me as you will. I expect Sing Sing. When Israel threatened me with prison, knowing all as he did, he scared me. It was dread of prison that has made me act as I did. Iam nota villain at heart.” ‘* But, why has Israel done his part?” in- quired Briggs. ‘‘That is easily explained. Hugo's father was a miner, and he left his sona quantity of gold-dust, the value of which was fixed at ten thousand dollars, Nobody here knew of this gold, but I brought it safely, intend- ing to hand it over to Hugo here, It was this gold that made Israel sell his soul—it is this gold that has made all the trouble.” “Did Israel buy it of you, as he said?” ‘‘No, no; never! He stole it from me, but it was stolen from him—” ; Isracl lifted his head for a moment, ‘Stolen by Chowder Johnny—may my curse light on the traitor. I Latied. this very hour that he it was who took it.” ‘* Where is the gold now?” “‘ Nobody knows.” “Stop yer cable-car!” coolly directed. Reddy. ‘‘ Ef I don't produce that dust in five minutes I am a 4-11-44 liar!” With this he fled up the stairs. All wait- ed for him, and Mrs. Prentice continued to caress her nephew, but Reddy did not ex- ceed his limit, He returned, bearing the famous bag of gold! “Here is the jim-hickey!” he announced, | ‘‘ I’ve sorter been keepin’ of it, but my cus- tody is done, Hugo, old chappy, here is yer | yeller sand. Idon’t want it; all I want is ter be a great detective.” ‘* By Jove! I guess you have done it!” exclaimed one of the policemen, admiration in every tone, are a corker!” “Oh! I didn’t do much,” modestly re- turned Reddy. ‘‘It was easy fer a profes- sional like me. Now, gents and ladies, le’s we all go inter Pop Rush’s dinin’-room an’ have a fed on quail on toast, I'll pay the bill fer all but them measly crooks.” ‘‘Let nobody think of eating or drinking until yonder scoundrels are lodged in prison!” urged Mrs, Prentice. srael suddenly roused to life and pointed to Mayo Montgomery. “‘He wags at the bottom of it all!” cried the Ulster county man. ‘‘ He planned it all. Yes, an’ he urged me on to-do it, so he could get a share,” Mayo fixed a look of contempt on his ally in evil-doing. ; ‘* Coward!”’ was his sole comment. ‘*T guess all is clear now,” cheerfully com- mented the Rusher. ‘‘ Isracl learned that a bag of gold had been brought here by Jack. He told Mayo, an’ Mayo tempted him, an’ he fell. They bulldozed Jack, and he didn't dare kick; but Chowder Johnny stole the gold on the sly, an’ a general hunt has been on ferit. All is lovely now, and Hugo has ten thousand in cold gold. Hearty Jack, ef ou are ter be done up fer assaultin’ that forgan Petts, I am sorry.” ‘‘He need not fear,” quickly replied a policeman, ‘‘ Petts recovered from his wound, and is now in Sing Sing, on a long sentence. There’ is nobody to molest Jack, here, and as he seems to deserve well, I reckon all of us may as well keep mum.” **We will!’ declared Reddy. Jack; he’s a good one! Hugo looks kindly at him, too, Call the hunt off, with damage ter nobody but Mayo, Israel and Chowder Johnny. I guess they are likely ter git hurted some.” Reddy proved to be a good prophet. _Is- rael, Mayo and Chowder Jobnny were put | on trial, and all received due sentences to “T like |, | prison. Robbins was a coward when om trial, but his craven ways saved him in no degree. He was given a long term. The three men are companions in Sing Sing. Hearty Jack was forgiven by everybody, and went to sea agains happy man at his good luck and escape from the clutches of the city buzzards. = Mrs. Prentice and Hugo, now re-united to stay so, were duly grateful to Reddy the Rusher, but-the Bell-boy was cool and phil- osophical in the midst of his renown, as be- ! came a true Vidocq. ‘Oh! it wasn’t so very much ter do,” he asserted. ‘‘ You see, I am a detective, an’ it comes natural ter me ter gobble sech crooks. They belong in Sing Sing, an’ I give them a ticket home, Ef you need any more help, jest call on Reddy Rusher—that’s me!” THE END. Next Haur-DIMeE Lrsrary, No, 908. New York Nat’s Double; THE UNKNOWN THREE ' BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. A: other center-shot story, in which the Boy Police strike the trail of a very dangero’s * gallows. bird ’*—a very genius of da ler/e, the terror of de_ | tectives and secret service exp rts‘ and while un. covering the subtly covered trail there suddenly , appears on the fi ld of operations Nat's Very Counte part —to baffle and confuse and mystify the situation. ' What comes oxt of the complica ions is a story the brilliant author has told in a way thay none wil “Tf I catch onto this, you | forget. Don’t miss it! ee aL naE Enea eeE nanan INT, Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY J0 PIERCE, Horse-King. Ferryman Detective. gy rT rei River Nat, the Pier fO8 W ak : r 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck B 689 anise penty Odd Pardy or; The Keener’s Huge Hustle. 887 The Bi 0 f 846 Buck, the New ¥ ork Sharper. fee FX pe ay ene Avene ia Seo The Bont-Club Mascots Bas van Deck’ Donble Den? Street Arab’sa Blind. 886 The Five Points Lodging Wouse Janitor. ‘ elective. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 905 Dandy Nugget, the Bo~ Shadow; or, Captain Maseot, the Navob King. > . C. Harbaugh. ire u is, 906 Satety Sam, the Cyele Sport; or, High Hustling at Silver City. By J. C, Cowdrick 907 Reddy Rusher, Johnny’s Cool Jig. By Jo Pierce, . 908 New York Nat’s Doubles or, The Unknown Three. By | Col. P, Ingrsham. Pir 909 Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. By 7. J- Flanagan, dwoed Dick, Jr., at Tip-Top; or, Gold, Guns the . wis Pena poet pport. "By Edward L. Wheeler, , A New lssne Every Tuesday. pats oe The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all news PB gma or sent by aren receipt of six each, < “P" HEADLE, AND ADAMS, Publishers, Bell-Boy 4-11-443 or, Chowder —