The Safe Breakers' Gang — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

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No. 194. “T never saw you before——” he began. “And you may never see me again—but you must do as I require if you would save the money,” was the sharp retort. * Well, if I consent to do that?” “T don’t propose to have my back scorched by any of that bloke’s torches!” was his mental resolution. By a quick, precise movement, he thrust his short body forward, and in less time than is required for us to state the fact, he was ensconced in the small square excava- Sie of » "y 4 “You will remove the cash and conceal it upon your | tion. person—all except the specie, of course, which would be| There was room within to turn himself, and without too heavy. And please to lose no time.” waiting to explore the passage farther, he turned about “But, as I say, [do not know you. That badge which |and took a cautious upward peep, to observe the develop- you wear is all right, and I have confidence in the famous | ments above. detectives there named. But how dol know that you are| Just as he didsso the first fagot was extinguished, and the one whom you represent yourself to be?” ihe saw the second come flaring down. “T have shown you all the proofs I, have at hand, and| It struck precisely at the spot where he was lying buta you must take my word for the rest. There is no reason|moment before. for you.to doubt me; and besides, I assure you that if; At the same instant he heard acry of astonishment you do not comply with my request the attempt to secure ‘come simultaneously from the lips of Jules Jepworth and that money will succeed. I have no one here to help me Tad Silsby. defeat the safe breakers, and there is no time to get help. | “Good land !” gasped the latter. Come, open the safe!” | | “He isn’t there!” said the harsh voice of the chief of Still the book-keeper besitated. the safe breakers. ; . Quick as a flash, Rexford Hunt turned to the safe, | ‘But he must be there—he has shifted his position, and turned the knob to and fro with a practiced hand, and in| our eyes are blinded by the light from the torch!” Jep- another moment the astounded book-keeper saw the heavy worth added, in the next breath. door swing open. | “(Qan’t see hide nor hair of him, though,” returned Tad. “Now, will you take out the money, or shall I?” the! ‘Get another fagot—get a dozen of them, and light detective asked, facing the other with a smile. them all! Jf he is there, and of course he is, we will soon “How—how did you do it?” faltered the book-keeper. make him squeal! Quick, for we have little time to lose! “No matter—only this is a pretty slim safe to put so It will soon be broad daylight, and then I must be out much money in. You might as well tie it up in a stocking of sight !” . ‘ « : a o> Pas ‘ > ‘ > - " “ > » ~ — = ~ - - = * « » >: a ‘ é< - “ -*% ¢ . 7) _— . ~~ ‘- ° > , . ad 7 why 4 a ~ 2 on ~ “: % Aad of a - -@ . « . > a iL *s— - m — ak a 3 ‘ , = = - ah Pe ®. —_ . a - 4 ~* . - Ps “ . S 1 i ~ * T t-0 = = : - — <. ane >» 8 ante > A . ead 4 -% re a " 4 : Pie ® oie - : . ~.- A . bn > > - ‘ef .. o Veg , wing! - . Oo — ° yt + ee ad : nd —~ Sa os A , - < ad se i ~-. - ae = * ~*~ —_ —— o~ o +X. oe ty woe Cae or~>, Te a > ie >>. = » 2 fe Se own te a as to use a safe with the combination of which everybody is familiar !” “Then you knew the combination ?” “T eouldn’t have opened the door so quickly if I hadn’t known it.” Tad had already started to obey. And in the meanwhile Kirk Hyde could see the fierce face of the noted safe- breaker bending above the top of the nit. “A pretty chance to wing him—only it would be too much like murder!” thought Hyde, while he fingered a weapon. Tad Silsby’s face reappeared. “ Here are yer fagots,” he said. “Tight them, fast as youcan. Hand a part of them here! We will soon have a bonfire at the bottom of the pit that will make him cry for quarter !” Jepworth worked rapidly, and was soon lighting and throwing down fagot after fagot. But Tad worked with “}Iow came you by if?” “Tt was given in the telegram which I intercepted from one to another of the safe-breakers’ gang.” “Then there is a traitor in the office !” “Quite likely. But that isn’t to the point. take care of that money, or shall I?” “J will. But this is a state of affairs that J] never dreamed of. To think that our combination is common property among the crooks of New York !” less effect. The book-keeper removed the funds, and taking the| It was clear that he did not fancy the idea of endanger- advice of the detective, he concealed them upon his|ing a human life in that way. person. | It was going a little too far, even if there were a pros- But he looked pale and nervous when he had finished pect of financial independence ahead in return. the process. “Come, what are you doing? Why aren’t you throwing” “What next?” he asked, in a voice which could not|down some fire? Take hold, or I’) pitch you down to keep keep at asteady note. _ the other one company !” “Go into the rear office and conceal yourself. Then | “Cant do it!’ muttered Tad, but not ina voice in- wait and listen. Don’t get nervous. I will stay here and tended for the ears of the other. _ capture the crooks !” Jepworth again bent over the pit to see if the blazing — The “head-light” of the “three H’s” spoke with a confi-| brands revealed the game which he was trying to smoke © dence which was contagious, and the book-keeper obeyed | out. him without objection. Bang! Scarcely had he done so, however, before he heard the| A pistol report from the bottom of the well. And at the rear door softly open, and the two men enter! same time a bullet whistled past the safe-breaker’s face What was to be the outcome? and twitched the brim of his nat! “ Maledictions !” he gasped, recoiling from the opening. “Thought I could do it!” muttered Kirk Hyde, still. — clutching his smoking weapon and gazing up atthesky, ~~ which was now brightening with dawn. ee," “What in blazes was it?” exclaimed Tad Silsby, whose face grew suddenly pale. a “A pistol-shot—that’s what!” i And Jules Jepworth took off his broad-brimmed hat and stared at the bullet-hole which had been made withinan 4 inch of his left ear. ee “Wired at ye, did he?” ae “Yes! And it looks as if he meant to finish me. Thisis warm work! I have met men with sand before, but this | one takes the cake! See here—I don’t like to take life, but I had rather do anything than be beaten. We haven"}/aaa five minutes of time in which we are secure. I must get J out of sight at once,-or run the risk of haying all the — police in the city about my ears. But I have got to take some risks for the sake of winning, in this little battle. | You will help me, or I’ll find a way to make you, tor you + have gone too far now to retreat, since you would be ‘arrested as quick as I would if the cops were to get onto - PY ¥. j a ‘he a ’ > -- at | WR FL Pad an oe cl ee ea I ve 17 al AY sertT ws 7 ete ala, Will you - _- < ‘ea 4 J a tf eF “ +. Ts. “ —- = - - — pes oe 3 a 3 - r ms, - gp ata ‘1 ne + or ae p : - a < * o heme . ak a tet 4 * - — “<—, Te, Lad ‘or ane ae o* = » & M we * * » et mh = ale -. aoe » _ . angle — —— i TGE at ae eee ~ " - ‘ - 3 Pegs aes = = 4” ‘ ro ee Pe ’ ie 4 “3 \ ek ‘aa 7 = - ue — 4 - : ¢ ‘oma a a > -f « hy r ~ 7 : . . os * , : - ‘a: ~ CHAPTER XVIII. A CLOSE SHAVE. The reader will remember that Kirk Hyde, the “ tail- ender” of the “three H’s,” was in a most critical situation at the bcttom of the pit into which he had been precipi- tated. He could almost feel the gaze of the invincible king of safe-breakers fixed upon him. At the same time he real- szed that his enemy was on the point of throwing down another fagot, with the deliberate purpose of testing the genuineness of his pretended insensibility. The first fagot’ still hissed and flared at the bottom of the pit, and by its light the detective made a most won- derful discovery. | Right in front of him, at the very bottom of the pit, was an excavation in the earthen wall. Its depth could not be estimated, since the light shone Pine gal a onky for. & yard or more, and all was darkness beyond. +. |. But/he did not stop then to estimate final chances. Pee Me hy Aw aes be ages ye Wie” Fa, Noirs y. Ar a ia = ‘> '- . - hi nn Me ~ . e é ae a” 7. 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