The Safe Breakers' Gang — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

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But when it comes to dealing with the fly-cops, you and me would dispose of ’em for good when he would only try to intimidate or bribe ’°em. Why, I s’pose he has more cops in his hire, round in different cities and towns, that we’ve any idea of. That’s how he goes round and breaks into the safes and bank-vaults right in the teeth of the cops, and when there are dispatches sent ahead to tell ’em to look out for him.” Ham, as the second speaker was called, spoke admir- ingly. And, as it is needless to add, he stated what Quimby Hall set down mentally as one of the most 1m- portant points which the three detectives had yet obtained. If members of the local police force in various cities and towns were in reality in the hire of Jules Jepworth, or secretly in fear of his vengeance, then it was no won- der that he went and came unscathed when, supposably, the greatest precautions had been taken for his capture. “Why is he so particular about never having aman put out of the way for good?” the rufhan called Jimmy inquired. * He is cranky on that point.” “ Afraid that there’ll be a general rush to catch him ?” “No. He is afraid of nothing. I’ve heard him say that he wouldn’tran forall the cops in New York, so far as being afraid of the penalty the law could inflict on him. | But he is that proud of his record for always beating the cops, and never failing to carry out a plan that he makes, that he would sell his life dear rather than get inside of prison walls. Oh, Jules is a queer customer, and that is all there is to it! get onto his ways, and he is jest as much an aristocrat in his line as Vanderbilt is in the railroad business.” “Well,” said Ham, after a pause, “we have one of the sharpest of the fly-cops here, and we have got to do some- thing with him. What shall it be?” ‘Keep him safe till we hear from Jules.” “And inthe meanwhile the cops will be hunting for him, and after us thick as flies. Lucky for us if they don’t find him, and get us in limbo within a week.” ‘’ Within a week!” echoed the other, with a laugh. “Yos, and likely less time than that.” “ Well, I rather think we shall bave the cops around in less time that that, if nothing more is done. But you may bet your life that Jules Jepworth ain’t the man to wait a whole week for things to take their course. Why, he will tell us what to do, and it will be done within twenty-four hours.” “Then we’re only to provide for the safe-keening of our game for a few hours?” “That is all.” As the reader may be assuerd, Quimby Hall was an in- terested listener to every werd uttered by these two men. It was clear for one thing that they were both trusted followers of the chief of the safe-breakers’ gang. Without a doubt, they were adepts themselves in the science of blowing open safes, and in the use of the jimmy, the punch-drill, or the sledge-hammer, to say noth- ing of the various novel and ingenious tools for safe- breaking invented by Jules Jepworth himself. The “sandwich” of the “three H’s” felt that it was almost an honor. even, to be captured by such famous and expert gentry in the lawless art. “But they may find out that they bave caught a Tartar, as it were,” was the silent reflection of the prisoner. The latter had not ventured to stir, and he began to feel the intense discomfort of maintaining one position for such a protracted period, to say nothing of the necessity of keeping his eyes tightly closed when he could see light shining upon their lids, and knew that a peep through the lashes would reveal to him the faces of his captors. Venturing to move his hands slightly, he for the first time found that they were fettered with handcuffs. This dixcovery aroused him also toa consciousness of unusual weight resting upon his ankles, and he concluded that they algo were manacled. ’ ’ +, . “ . “1, © Bas 4 " * F . a” + oo . & & (thos i td ye a { <A tk al | «SA 4 . Pa ‘ a a aca . ey _ AE 4 4 > * - idee P 7 ‘ c3 . * 2 - a es | The common sort of toughs can’t ever) “They’ve got me, sure!” he thought. that he was wholly at their mercy it rendered him yet more anxious to maintain the appearance of unconscious- ness until] it should be prudent to awaken. But he was not to be permitted to choose his own time | in this matter. | _ He heard one of the men approach him, and the pext moment he felt the toe of a heavy boot thumping his ribs in a manner which was in no wise marked by gentleness. _ Quimby stirred and groaned iu response to this attempt, as he felt bound to do upon more than one consideration, - Causing his eyelids to quiver, and, attempting to draw up his limbs, he feigned a slow return to consciousness. “Wake up, my daisy!” ordered the gruff tones of Jimmy, while the heavy boot emphasized the command by a stronger kick. “You—you’ll break my ribs!” muttered Quimby, slowly opening his eyes. _ To his surprise, the face that looked down into his was -half-hidden by a mask. The eyes gleamed exultantly ; the chin, which was visible, was broad and heavy, with a dark, stubbly beard. | Glancing past this man who stood over him, the detec- ‘tive saw another leaning against the stone wall of the place. He was taller than Jimmy, and stoop-shouldered, | while his eyes were duller, and his chin smooth-shaven. He also wore a half-mask. Both had the general air of highwaymen, with their top- ‘boots and belts, with revolvers stuck conspicuously in the latter. “You've snoozed long enough, just for the love-tap that I gave you,” said Jimmy, decisively. 3 — Quimby tried to sit erect; but with his limbs hampered he found it impossible to do so, especially since his head seemed to spin under the effort. “Better lie still and keep calm,” suggested Ham, who also advanced to take a better survey of their prize, as ‘though it were some curious animal which they had caught. “Perhaps your advice is good, since 1 can’t do other- wise,” Quimby coolly retorted. | “One thing you are to set your mind at rest upon,” said ‘Jimmy, while he allowed one hand to rest carelessly upon his revolver. ‘There isn’t the slizhtest use in your think- ing of getting away, or of making a noise that will bring friends to help you. There is no one near enough to hear who would lift a hand to pull you out of the tangle that you have tumbled into.” / ~ «“T don’t count on any outside help,” said Quimby. | « So you will find it to your advantage to keep as quiet ‘as possible, and wait till something turns up in your favor.” “ And if there shouldn’t anything turn up—what then ?” “Keep waiting!” said Jimmy, with a smile that showed his white teeth. “ And suppose I shouldn’t choose to be so submissive as ‘vou desire—what then ?” | “ This !” | And the hand of the safe-breaker rested significantly ‘upon a weapon at his belt. _ “We'll leave you for a short time, and take the risks of your making a row,” Jimmy added, with an indifference that indicated very little apprehension of betrayal through bah outcries or efforts which their prisoner could make. Without another word, the two men went out by way of — ‘a narrow door, fitted in the rocky wall of the small, cel- lar-like room. “Well, I’m in a pickle this time, and no mistake,” Quimby exclaimed, when he wag alone. “And the ques- ‘tion is, in what part of North America this cellar is located, and whether I’ve got to stay and take the chances of being discovered by a second Columbus! Ha! what now 2” For the door at that moment softly opened, and a light, And realizing ' a . ~ ® * ¥ oe oe ~ 1 a~3.4> i -_ Vesieh re 7 aT 2 an aan. 7, a “4 _- , 4 ae CF e sy i aes Ce Me a ~_ <= = Ln G ‘ a ay DS . as graceful form entered and advanced silently toward him. CHAPTER XVII. THE “HEAD-LIGHT” OF THE “THREE H’s.” Two of the most active members of the famous detec- _ tive firm known as the ‘‘three H’s,” were, at nearly the Cad cAAg * e wd 7 * nd a tee 4 € ut ® eget ‘ + ® * ie cd 4 * a [ ‘ = ly bs ——_:* \ | 2 | | f ae! se f | \p- | 4 | | a | ie 3 - ° . f 7 “ a ff de > ee | ( a ft ee re 2 a =