The Boy Soldier; Or, Garibaldi's Young Captain — page 246: what you’re looking at

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

240: eee aa THE) BOY SOLDIER; OR, GARIBALDI’'S YOUNG CAPTAIN. Barney saw Captain Tom stroll into the Casino, and a short time afterwards he: perceived Matty, dressed up stylishly. in a borrowed silk dress and mantle, enter the same establishment, “All right,’ said Barney, ‘‘ske’s up to snuff, and has got the ‘ straight tip.’ I’m off to the public, to have a pipe anda pint.. If Matty don’t cop his coin, I’ll break her head.”’ . ) Now Matty, it must be confessed, had received the “straight tip,” from one of. the prigs, and knowing, it to.be Barney’s desire that, she should decoy and ,rob the young officer, she resolved, to; act as she liked in the matter. 5y art' When, therefore,’ she entered the Casino, she singled out Captain Tom, who was lounging athis ease and smoking a fragrant havanah, Matty touched ‘him lightly on the shoulder, and. made herself known. , , At first Tom could scarcely believe that she was the same girl, whose part he had taken but an hour _ or two before. | ‘‘ And what brings you here?” he asked. **T am come to warn you,” “ Warn me?’ . ‘‘ Yes, don’t look so surprised: I have something important to tell you,” “ What is it?” ‘Barney; the wretch who has made me his slave, © the same who attempted to strike you, is a thief.” ‘I know it by his looks.” ‘‘He has followed you here, and is bent upon getting you robbed,” ‘ int 3 _ “Oh, indeed,” said Tom, laughing, ‘ then he had better mind what he is about, for he will not find it child’s play, \to interfere with me.” “ I know it,” said Matty, ‘‘ but he is. not alone,” ‘* How many of them are there, then ?” “‘ Two well-known thieves besides himself,”’ “ The more the merrier, then,” said Tom, laugh- ing ; ‘‘ where are they?” “They are outside somewhere, and will dog your footsteps when you leave this place.” “ They will,eh?. Then I am much obliged for your telling me of it, forewarned is forearmed you know,” ‘Be advised by me,” said Matty. ‘What do you propose?” ‘‘ When the ball is over, come home with me,”’ * Go home with you?” “ Yes, if only for five minutes,” ‘ But, why?” ‘‘ When Barney supposes you are asleep, he will enter the room and. try to rob you.” “All right, my girl, I will,” said Tom ; “I should like to serve the rascal out.” “And so should I,”’ said Matty ; “ more than that I should like to see him transported, for I have learned to hate him like a serpent ; he is not only a thief, but I have heard whispers among his pals that he is in the employment of the police, and has turned informer in a murder case,’’ ‘‘ A murder case |” said Tom. “Yes, in a murder case,” said the poor unfor- tunate Matty. “ Why do,you change colour so?” ‘Oh, nothing,” said Tom, ‘ But what murder case 2” “Well, I don’t know for certain, you see, but I have heard more than once, that he knows a great deal more than he likes to say about the murder of old Ford,” __ ‘Old Ford,” said Tom, jumping from his seat as if shot., “ Old Ford, did you say ?” “Yes ; do you know anything about it ?” ‘' Why, he; was my uncle,” “You don’t mean that |” said Matty, in surprise, ATT eC! w, “ Merciful heayen !” said Tom ; “ how strangely and wonderfully these things come about, Was there any robbery connected with it?” ‘“‘T heard there was,’’ said Matty, ‘‘ but of course don’t know ; but there must have been money in the matter, or else how could Barney have lived so long without work ?” ‘“And do you think that this wretch you call Barney really had anything to do with the murder ?”” “No; but he had some hand in the robbery, I haye, heard, and was concerned in something that happened to a runaway lawyer named Flint.” -Tom was astounded. He did not tell his. thoughts to the poor girl beside him, For some time he remained quiet and spoke not a word, ‘His heart was too full for speech, He treated Matty handsomely, however, and gave her a sovereign. As he did not feel inclined to dance himself, Matty picked up a partner, and was soon enjoying herself in a waltz. ; It had been a long time since the poor unfor- tunate girl had worn such fine clothes as she then had on, and, although they were borrowed, she felt vain enough to exhibit herself on that occasion to the best advantage. Matty was not long in finding a partner to dance with ; a respectably-dressed man, with luxuriant whiskers and moustache came forward, and they waltzed together in fine style, ‘“Who is that handsome youth you have been talking to over there ?” he said. “He’s a foreigner. A naval officer.” “‘T thought so. Got plenty of money, I suppose?” “He seems to have.” “You've got a fine ‘catch’ in him to-night, Matty.” ‘* Matty ; do you know me then?” “Of course I do, but you don’t know me.” ““Let me have a good look at you,” said the girl, laughing. ‘“‘Oh you may look as much as you like, Matty, you'd never know me.” “Come, tell me your name then.” *‘T will, on one condition.” “ Name it.” “Don't rob him.” he Me rob him, I never robbed any one in all my ife;4 “How comes it then that the last gentleman who saw you home complained of being drugged and robbed ?” “Barney did it. I knew nothing about it. I wish Barney was swinging on a gallows,” ; 2 So he will one of these days ; he’s getting there ast, ‘““Who are you, then?” “Tl tell. you... A friend, Matty,” *T don't know that,” But I'll prove it,” 6 How 2 “Give me your word that you will not let that young gentleman drink too much to-night,” “I will.” ‘ Promise to treat him likea true gentleman, and allow no one to interfere with him.” T will,” “Will you take him home ?” . Yes, if you like ; but what’s your name?” Gale, detective Gale,” said her partner, in a whisper, In a moment afterwards he left her, and dis- appeared among the crowd, A Eomicbooks C@