An Amateur Fireman
TextCHAPTER VI.
AN OBSTINATE DETECTIVE
Dan was in a fine temper when Seth finally released his hold, and after understanding that it would be useless to pursue the fugitive he turned upon his partner savagely.
"A nice kind of a chump you are! Let a feller burn your house down, an' then pay him fifteen cents for doin' it! After that, when I make up my mind to give him the dose he needs, you turn against me to help him! I s'pose that's what you call bein' a chum of mine?"
"That's exactly what it is, Dan," Seth replied soothingly. "After you've cooled off a bit you'll be glad I didn't let you pitch into a feller who wouldn't raise his hands."
"He didn't 'cause he don't dare."
"If a feller had any spunk about him he would dare to do all he could while somebody else was thumpin' him. Jip feels bad for what he did to us, an' would stand still to let you pound him; but it couldn't have done you any good, Dan. You don't want to get the name of bein' a bruiser."
"I'd be willin' to take 'most any kind of a name rather'n let Jip Collins off without so much as turnin' a hair on his head!"
"That's the way you feel jest now 'cause you're off your base; but wait a couple of hours, an' then you'll talk different."
"I won't if I live to be twice as gray-headed as ever Methuselah was, for it's a downright shame to let him go with money in his pockets after tryin' to kill us."
"He was hungry."
"It would do him solid good to starve to death."
"He turned in the alarm, an' if he hadn't done that we'd been burned to death."
"I notice he didn't do it till the fire got a mighty good start, an' then I reckon it was only 'cause he grew scared. If you're so 'fraid of gettin' your name up for fightin', you might er stood still and let me have a whack at him. I don't see how that could have hindered your slippin' into the Department. I wouldn't be quite so mad if you hadn't given him the money."
"He was hungry, Dan, an' I'd do that much for the biggest duffer in the town."
Dan made no reply to this remark; but with his hands plunged deep in his pockets walked swiftly away in the direction of City Hall as if his one desire was to be free from his partner.
Seth was not minded to let him go while in a temper, but at the same time he knew full well that it would be useless to attempt to stop him with words, therefore he followed without further remark, biding his time until the proper moment should come when the "soft answer" could be given.
Without looking to the right or the left Dan continued on, much as if bent on running away from his partner, until ten minutes had elapsed, when he halted suddenly, wheeled about and addressed Seth with his usual friendly manner:
"There's Sam Barney over by that alley!"
Glancing in the direction indicated by Dan's outstretched finger, Seth saw the would-be detective moving cautiously along, looking stealthily around, and otherwise behaving as if he had suddenly taken leave of his senses.
"Do you s'pose he's countin' on findin' Jip Collins in that fool way?"
"I reckon he thinks he's doin' the detective act in great shape," Dan replied with a laugh, all traces of ill-humor having vanished. "He says a feller in his line of business has to keep his eyes open every minute, an' sneakin' along in that style is what he 'most likely calls bein' wide awake."
Sam had arrived at the corner of the alley, and instead of walking boldly in to make a search, was standing where he might be partially screened by the building, craning his head forward for a single glance, and then drawing it back suddenly, repeating these movements about every thirty seconds with great regularity.
Dan gave full rein to his mirth, for this method of playing the detective seemed to him very comical; but Seth checked him whenever his laughter became boisterous.
"If he sees us pokin' fun at him we won't be able to make any kind of a trade, an' I don't want to stir the feller up till things are fixed."
"What things?"
"I want him to promise that he won't go prowlin' 'round the town after Jip Collins."
"See here, Seth, are you countin' on keepin' that racket up?"
"If you mean am I goin' to give Jip a lift by tryin' to keep that imitation detective quiet, I'll say 'yes.' We both have got good reason to be mighty ugly because he burned us out; but it's all over now, an' he's sorry. Let's give him one more show – you an' I – an' if he goes wrong after this I won't say a word against your doin' whatever you like."
The lines on Dan's face hardened as if he was determined nothing should turn him from his purpose of punishing Jip in such manner as he believed the latter's misdemeanors warranted; but after one glance at his partner the anger vanished.
"Go ahead, Seth, an' fix it up to suit you; I'll do what I can this time, even if it does rub against the grain. It ain't because I'm feelin' sorry for Jip; but jest to please you."
"So long as you do what I ask it don't make very much difference whether it's for Jip or me, an' you won't be sorry, old man. Now we'll tackle Sam, an' see if we can make him behave himself for a spell."
"I reckon you'll find that a mighty hard job. He's stuck on the detective business as bad as you are on gettin' into the Department, an' this is the kind of a case he don't get a whack at very often. I s'pose he thinks that catchin' Jip would put him way up on the top notch."
Seth did not spend any time arguing the matter with his partner; but called loudly to the would-be detective:
"Hi! Sam! Come over here a minute!"
Master Barney pretended not to have heard the summons, although the words rang out clear and distinct above the noises of the street; but continued his grotesque manner of reconnoitering the alley, and again Seth shouted:
"Come over here, Sam! There's no need of your bobbin' 'round in that style, 'cause nobody is in the alley except a couple of little kids, who wouldn't be very much frightened if you walked right up on 'em."
This time Sam turned, affected to be greatly surprised at seeing these acquaintances, and then crossed the street, apparently in an ill-temper.
"Don't you know any better'n to break up what a feller's fixin'?" he asked angrily as he stood before Seth and Dan. "I was doin' some mighty fine work, an' you've spoiled it all by yellin' so loud. Now the folks in there know I'm 'round, an' won't so much as show theirselves."
"Do you reckon they believe you're a detective?" Dan asked, trying in vain to check his mirth.
"Of course I do!" Sam replied hotly. "Folks have heard of me before this, an' it stands me in hand to keep out of sight all I can."
"Who did you think was in the alley?" Seth asked.
"I'm lookin' for more'n one in this town, an' counted on finishin' up two or three little jobs in the detective line before I lighted out to nab Jip Collins."
"Do you know where he is?" and Seth appeared disturbed.
"What kind of a detective do you allow I am if I don't know that? I've got it all figgered out, an' most likely I'll take a spin over to Philadelphy to-night. If I do, you'll see him in court to-morrow mornin'."
"Oh, has he gone over there?" Dan asked with a great show of interest, pursing his mouth into shape for whistling to prevent an outburst of laughter.
"That's about the size of it; but he needn't think he can run away from me."
"Look here, Sam," and now Seth spoke in a serious tone; "Jip didn't try to hurt anybody but Dan an' me, an' we don't want you to bother him. We're willin' to give him a fair show, 'cause he'll take a big turn after this."
"I can't help what you want," the detective replied obstinately. "When I know that a feller has been burnin' up houses it's my business to run him in, an' I'm goin' to do it."
"What is it to you, so long as we're satisfied?" Dan asked sharply.
"See here, ain't I a detective?"
"I ain't so certain of that," Master Roberts cried promptly.
"I guess other people know it if you don't, 'cause I've had more'n one case in this town. Now, so long as that is my business I'm bound to take up anythin' I hear about, an' – "
"Other detectives don't do that; they wait till the chief sends 'em out, or somebody hires 'em."
Dan's reply staggered Sam for an instant; but he soon bethought himself of what seemed to be the proper answer, and replied:
"That would be all right if I was on the force; but so long as I ain't it stands me in hand to work my way along, same's Seth's tryin' to do in the Fire Department. If I can catch Jip Collins and send him up the river, it'll be a big feather in my cap."
"Would you be willin' to send a feller to jail so's you might get ahead in the business?" Seth asked reproachfully.
"Course I would."
"Ain't there anythin' we can do to stop you from tryin' to run Jip down?"
"You might talk till you was black in the face, an' then I wouldn't let up."
Understanding that it was useless to hold any further converse with this obstinate detective in the hope of turning him from his purpose, Seth motioned to Dan, and set off down-town without a word to Sam by way of adieu.
"I'll be in Philadelphy to-night, an' to-morrow mornin' Jip Collins will be in the lock-up!" Master Barney shouted vindictively, and, glancing back, Dan saw him approaching the alley once more with cautious steps, as if it were beneath his dignity as an officer of the law to move in any other fashion.
"It'll be all right if he goes to Philadelphy," Dan said sagely; "but I'm mightily afraid he won't get money enough to buy a ticket on the cars."
"I don't believe he ever thought of goin' there till we talked with him, an' then only said it to let us believe he knew where Jip was. Sam ain't any kind of a detective; but he can make a lot of trouble for Jip."
Seth was disturbed in mind because of the possibilities that Master Barney would work mischief for Jip Collins, and Dan shared in such forebodings, although in a much less degree.
The two were walking on in silence, each trying to devise some plan whereby it would be possible to divert the amateur detective from his purpose, when they suddenly came face to face with Bill Dean.
"Hello, where are you fellers goin'?"
"To work."
"Kind-er late this mornin', eh?"
"Yes; but we'll make up for it by pluggin' in all the harder after we begin."
Bill hesitated an instant as if hardly daring to say that which was in his mind, and then asked in a meaning tone:
"Seen anybody in partic'lar this mornin'?"
"Yes, we saw Jip, an' then run across Sam Barney," Seth replied.
"I suppose Sam still holds to it that he'll pull Jip in?"
"Yes, an' he counted on findin' him in Philadelphy, 'cordin' to his talk."
"Look here, Seth, you've got good reason to make it hot for Jip after all he's – "
"I wouldn't do a thing to hurt him, an' stand ready to give him a lift if he needs it."
"You're straight as a die, Seth Bartlett, an' I'll bet you won't be sorry for lettin' up on him, for I'm thinkin' Jip will run different after this."
"I hope so; but he ain't out of the woods till somebody sets down on Sam Barney. We've been tryin' to make him stop; but he won't, 'cause he thinks it'll give him a big name if he arrests Jip. He's up by Sweeney's Alley bobbin' round like a jumpin'-jack."
"Say!" Dan cried, as a sudden and what seemed like a happy thought came into his mind. "Sam says Jip is in Philadelphy; now, s'posen all hands chipped in enough to buy a ticket for him to go there? He'd never get back, 'cause he don't earn a dollar in a month, an' Jip wouldn't be bothered."
This plan appealed strongly to both Seth and Dan, and the latter asked as to the probable cost of such a scheme.
This was a question neither of the boys could answer, and after some thought Master Dean agreed to make the necessary inquiries without delay.
"Dan an' me will ante up a nickel apiece to get rid of him, an' in case you don't have to pay too much, the other fellers who wouldn't want to see Jip sent to jail ought'er put in the balance."
Master Dean was quite as eager to aid Jip as was Seth, and without waiting to discuss the matter further started off on his errand of mercy.
Then the partners were at liberty to set about the work of the day; but it was now so late that they could not expect to earn very much money.
"We'll come out mighty slim for supper, I'm thinkin'," Dan said grimly. "You've got to knock off in time to meet 'Lish Davis at three o'clock, an' the trade in evenin' papers won't be much more'n begun by then."
"You needn't go up with me if you don't want to – I can meet you after the day's work is over."
"But I do want to go; I wouldn't miss knowin' what the driver has got to say, not if I went without supper an' breakfast too."
"I could tell you all about it."
"Yes; but I want to hear for myself," Dan replied decidedly, and thus the matter was concluded.
Seth worked industriously once he was in that section of the city where certain rights he claimed were respected by his brother artisans, and although the majority of the fraternity were fully occupied in discussing the question of what Sam Barney might succeed in doing, he refused to spend any idle time, however much interest he felt in the matter.
Dan also attended strictly to business, regardless of the many temptations to remain idle, and at two o'clock in the afternoon the partners had earned as much as would suffice to provide them with food during at least two days; but the question of lodgings yet remained to be settled.
"We'll go up now to see what Mr. Davis wants, an' then we must hustle for lodgin's. There'll be no more hangin' 'round Ninety-four's house after dark, 'cause it looks too much as if we was beggin'," Seth said as he met Dan, who reported that it wouldn't pay to buy another stock of papers that day.
Master Roberts made no reply to this remark.
He secretly hoped that it might be possible for them to sleep in the engine-house one more night at least, and believed Seth was foolishly sensitive about the matter.
According to his views on the subject, there was no good reason why they should not go even so far as to ask the firemen for a shelter, more particularly since they appeared to be so well disposed toward Seth.
The two boys arrived in the vicinity of the engine-house ten minutes before the time set, and Seth insisted that they should not present themselves until the hour named, consequently both lounged around near by until the clock struck three, when they marched boldly up to the open door.
The driver was on the lower floor as if awaiting their arrival, and greeted Seth in a manner both familiar and kind:
"So you've come, have you, Amateur? I was beginning to think you'd struck a business rush, and I shouldn't see you before to-morrow."
"You said we was to come at three o'clock, so I waited 'round till then."
"Afraid to get here ahead of time, eh?"
"I thought it was best to do as you told us, though we've been loafin' outside for ten minutes."
Mr. Davis chuckled audibly, as if in the statement was something very comical, and not until after several seconds had elapsed did he speak, when it was to ask:
"Well, what have you two kids done about finding a place where you can sleep?"
"We're goin' to hustle lively after we leave here. We had to earn a little money first, an' it was pretty late when we got down-town, so we couldn't do any huntin'; but you can make certain some place will flash up before dark."
"I wouldn't wonder if it did, Amateur, I wouldn't wonder if it did. What made you late in getting down-town? I thought you left here earlier than usual."
"So we did, sir; but we met Jip Collins, an' – "
"The kid who started the fire in the lumber-yard?"
"Yes, sir, an' he's mighty sorry for what he did."
Then Seth repeated what had been said by the repentant boy, and gave a detailed account of the interview with Sam Barney, all of which appeared wonderfully amusing, not only to 'Lish Davis, but to all the men on the floor.
"And are you allowing to adopt this 'ere kid who is setting himself up as a firebug?" the driver asked when Seth had concluded the story.
"I'd like to give him one more show, for I don't believe he'll go wrong again, an' if we can get Sam Barney so far away that he can't come back, it may be done."
"But what about us? We're bound to give up all such information as we may happen to run across, and it's a serious matter to keep a close tongue on anything of that kind."
"Have you got to get Jip arrested?" Seth asked in alarm.
"It's our duty, and I ain't so certain that he's reformed."
"But you never can know till he's been given a chance, an' it would be mighty tough if he had to have it put down against him when he grows up, that he's been in jail."
"I grant you all that, Amateur, yet the law says man or boy must pay the penalty for arson, and it wouldn't be fair to make an exception in his case."
"What do you mean by arson?"
"That's the name given to the crime of setting fires, and when the trick is played in the night, in a building where people are living, it costs the criminal a good many years of his life."
'Lish Davis was speaking very seriously now, and Seth literally trembled with apprehension for Jip.
"Ain't there anything I can do to help the poor feller out of the scrape?" he asked in a tone which told that the tears were very near his eyelids.
"That's what I can't say right on the spur of the minute; but I'll think the matter over, and it may be we'll see a way out if you're dead sure he won't try any more such games."
"I don't believe he will, 'cause he's feelin' mighty bad, an' promises to be straight after this."
"I've thought all along that he ought'er be sent up for startin' the fire," Dan said with an air of exceeding wisdom; "but Seth has been makin' such a row about givin' him another chance that I had to hold my tongue."
"I wouldn't be surprised if the amateur was nearer in the right than you are, Daniel, though the officers of the law may look at the matter in a different light. However, the young reprobate hasn't been caught yet, even if that keen-eyed detective of yours is on his track, and we'll drop the subject for a spell. What I wanted to see the amateur about was lodgings."
Dan's eyes sparkled, for he felt certain they were to be given quarters in the engine-house, and Seth looked really distressed.
"What's the matter?" 'Lish Davis asked in surprise as he noted the expression on the boy's face. "It don't seem to strike you right because I'm thinking of where you'll find a shelter."
"I'm 'fraid it'll seem like as if Dan an' I were beggin' for a bed. We can find one after a spell, an' it wouldn't be any new thing if we knocked around the streets a few nights."
"Now, don't distress yourself on the score of begging," the driver said with a hearty laugh. "I've come to know how thin-skinned you are on that point, and ain't counting on giving either of you the value of a pin. But it so happens that a friend of mine lives in the next block, and he's got a room in his attic that he's just dying to let. I was telling him about you kids, and he'll make what I call a fair trade."
"Do you mean that we're to hire a reg'lar room?" Seth asked in surprise.
"Why not, if it comes cheap enough? Now, this 'ere place I'm speaking of ain't very swell, and I don't allow he could let it to any but boys like you. He'll give a lease of it, with bed and such furniture thrown in as his wife can scare up, for fifty cents a week. By blacking Ben Dunton's and my boots five mornings a week you'll have the price earned, and it'll pay a heap better than skinning 'round the streets, likely to be moved on by a policeman a dozen times 'twixt sunset and sunrise."
Seth looked suspiciously at 'Lish Davis.
The possibility of hiring a "reg'lar room" at such a low price had never before entered his mind, and he feared there might be something in regard to the transaction which was being kept a secret from him.
"Now, then, Amateur, what are you staring at? Do you think I'd give you any fairy story about the place? You'd better have a look at it before thinking it's a very big bargain," and the driver leaned back in his chair laughing heartily, although Seth could not understand what had so excited his mirth.
"We'll be mighty glad to get lodgin's at that price," Dan said promptly, and Mr. Davis handed him a card, on the back of which was written an address, saying as he did so:
"Go to that place, and ask to see the room 'Lish Davis was talking about. If it suits you, take it, and if it don't there's been no great harm done."
"You're mighty good to think of us in this way," Seth said, feeling almost ashamed because of his previous mistrust.
"Yes, I reckon I am; but we'll hope it don't spoil me," and again the driver gave way to his mirth.