CHAPTER XIV.
MICKY MAGUIRE'S DISAPPOINTMENT.
Micky Maguire waited until Dick was actually on the way to thestation-house, and then started for Pearl Street to acquaint Gilbertwith the success of his machinations. His breast swelled with triumph atthe advantage he had gained over his enemy.
"May be he'll keep his 'cheerin' reflections' to himself another time,"thought Micky. "He won't have much to say about my going to the Islandwhen he's been there himself. They won't stand none of his airs there,I'm thinkin'."
There was another pleasant aspect to the affair. Micky had not onlytriumphed over his enemy, but he was going to be paid for it. This wasthe stipulation between Gilbert and himself. The book-keeper had notpromised any definite sum, but Micky, in speculating upon the propercompensation for his service, fixed upon five dollars as about what heought to receive. Like many others who count their chickens before theyare hatched, he had already begun to consider what he would buy with itwhen he had got it.
Now, only the day previous, Micky had noticed hanging in a window inChatham Street, a silver watch, and chain attached, which was labelled"GENUINE SILVER, ONLY FIVE DOLLARS." Since Micky had been thepossessor of a blue coat with brass buttons, his thoughts had dwelt morethan ever before on his personal appearance, and the watch had struck hisfancy. He did not reflect much on the probable quality of a silver watchwhich could be sold for five dollars, and a chain thrown into thebargain. It was a watch, at any rate, and would make a show. Besides,Dick wore a watch, and Micky felt that he did not wish to be outdone. Assoon as he received his reward he meant to go and buy it.
It was therefore in a very cheerful frame of mind that Micky walked upin front of Rockwell & Cooper's store, and took his stand, occasionallyglancing at the window.
Ten minutes passed away, and still he remained unnoticed. He grewimpatient, and determined to enter, making his business an excuse.
Entering, he saw through the open door of the office, the book-keeper,bending over the desk writing.
"Shine yer boots?" he asked.
Gilbert was about to answer angrily in the negative, when looking up herecognized his young confederate. His manner changed, and he said, "Yes,I believe I'll have a shine; but you must be quick about it."
Micky swung his box from his shoulder, and, sinking upon his knees,seized his brush, and went to work scientifically.
"Any news?" asked Gilbert, in a low voice.
"Yes, mister, I've done it," said Micky.
"Have you managed to trap him?"
"Yes, I left him on his way to the station-house."
"How did you manage it?"
"I grabbed an old fellow's wallet, and dropped it into Dick's pocket. Hepulled it out, and while he was lookin' at it, up came the 'copp' andnabbed him."
"How about the man from whom the wallet was taken?"
"He came up puffin', and swore Dick was the chap that stole it."
"So he was carried off to the station-house?"
"Yes; he's there safe enough."
"Then we shall have to carry on business without him," said Gilbert,coolly. "I hope he will enjoy himself at his new quarters."
"Maybe they'll send him to the Island," said Micky, beginning hisprofessional operations upon the second boot.
"Very likely," said Gilbert. "I suppose you've been there before this."
"Wot if I have?" said Micky, in rather a surly tone, for he did notrelish the allusion.
"No offence," said Gilbert. "I only meant that if you have ever beenthere, you can judge whether your friend Dick will enjoy it."
"Not a great deal," said Micky; "but you needn't call him my friend. Ihate him."
"Your enemy, then. But get through as soon as possible."
Micky struck his brush upon the floor to indicate that the job wasfinished, and, rising, waited for his fee.
Gilbert took from his pocket ten cents and handed him.
"That's for the shine," he said; "and here's something for the othermatter."
So saying, he placed in the hand of the boot-black a bank-note.
Micky glanced at it, and his countenance changed ominously, when heperceived the denomination. It was a one-dollar bill!
"It's one dollar," he said.
"Isn't that enough?"
"No, it isn't," he answered, sullenly. "I might 'ave been nabbed myself.I can't afford to work on no such terms."
Micky was right. It certainly was a very small sum to receive for takingsuch a risk, apart from all moral considerations, and hisdissatisfaction can hardly be wondered at. But Gilbert was not of agenerous nature. In fact he was disposed to be mean, and in the presentinstance he had even expected to get the credit of being generous. Adollar, he thought, must seem an immense sum to a ragged boot-black. ButMicky thought differently, and Gilbert felt irritated at hisingratitude.
"It's all you'll get," said he, roughly.
"Then you'd better get somebody else to do your dirty work next time,mister," said Micky, angrily.
"Clear out, you young blackguard!" exclaimed Gilbert, his temper by thistime fully aroused. "Clear out, if you don't want to be kicked out!"
"Maybe you'll wish you'd given me more," said Micky, sullenly picking uphis box, and leaving the office.
"What's the matter?" asked Mr. Murdock, who happened to come up just asMicky went into the street, and heard the last words of the altercation.
"Oh," said Gilbert, carelessly, "he wasn't satisfied with his pay. Igave him ten cents, but the young rascal wanted more."
As he said this, he turned back to his desk.
"I wonder whether Gilbert's going anywhere," thought the head clerk. "Inever knew him so extravagant before. He must be going out thisevening."
Just then it occurred to him that Dick had been absent longer thanusual, and, as he needed his services, he asked, "Has Richard returned,Mr. Gilbert?"
"I haven't seen him."
"Did he go out at the usual time?"
"Yes."
"What can have detained him?" said Mr. Murdock, thoughtfully.
"He's probably fallen in with some of his old friends, and forgotten allabout his duties."
"That is not his way," said Mr. Murdock, quietly, as he walked away. Heunderstood very well Mr. Gilbert's hostility to Dick, and that thelatter was not likely to receive a very favorable judgment at his hands.
Five minutes later a boy entered the store, and, looking about him amoment in uncertainty, said, "I want to see Mr. Murdock."
"I am Mr. Murdock," he answered.
"Then this note is for you."
The clerk felt instinctively that the note was from Dick, and, notwishing Gilbert to hear the conversation, motioned the boy to follow himto the back part of the store.
Then he opened and read the note quickly.
"Did Richard Hunter give this to you?" he asked.
"No," said Tim Ryan, for that was his name. "It was the 'copp' thatarrested him."
"I suppose a 'copp' is a policeman."
"Yes, sir."
"Were you present when he was arrested?"
"Yes, sir."
"Do you know anything about it?"
"Yes, I seed it all."
"You saw the wallet taken?"
"Yes, sir."
"Did Richard take it?"
"You mean Dick?" said Tim, interrogatively, for Richard was to him astrange name.
"No, he didn't, then. He wouldn't steal. I never know'd him to."
"Then you know Dick?"
"Yes, sir. I've knowed him ever since I was so high," indicating a pointabout three feet above the floor.
"Then who did take it, if not he?"
"Micky Maguire."
"Who is he?"
"He blacks boots."
"Then how did it happen that he was not arrested?"
"Micky was smart enough to drop the wallet into Dick's pocket as he wasstandin' before a shop winder. Then he got out of the way, and Dick wasnabbed by the 'copp.'"
"Is th
is Micky of whom you speak a friend of yours?"
"No; he likes to bully small boys."
"Then why didn't you tell the officer he had arrested the wrong boy?"
"I wanted to," said Tim, "for Dick's always been kind to me; but I wasafraid Micky would give me a beatin' when he got free. Then there wasanother reason."
"What was that?"
"It's mean to tell of a fellow."
"Isn't it meaner to let an innocent boy get punished, when you mightsave him by telling?"
"Maybe it is," said Tim, perplexed.
"My lad," continued Mr. Murdock, "you say Dick has been kind to you. Younow have an opportunity to repay all he has ever done, by clearing himfrom this false charge, which you can easily do."
"I'll do it," said Tim, stoutly. "I don't care if Micky does lick me forit."
"By the way," said Mr. Murdock, with a sudden thought, "what is theappearance of this Micky Maguire?"
"He's rather stout, and has freckles."
"Does he wear a blue coat, with large brass buttons?"
"Yes," said Tim, in surprise. "Do you know him?"
"I have seen him this morning," said Mr. Murdock. "Wait a minute, and Iwill give you a line to Dick; or rather it will not be necessary. If youcan get a chance, let him know that I am going to call on him thisafternoon. Will you be at the station-house, or near it, at sixo'clock?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then we can arrange about your appearing as a witness at the trial.Here is half a dollar for your trouble in bringing the note."
"I don't want it, sir," said Tim. "I don't want to take anything fordoing a good turn to Dick."
"But you have been prevented from earning money. You had better takeit."
But Tim, who was a warm-hearted Irish boy, steadfastly refused, and leftthe store in quest of Henderson's hat and cap store, having also a noteto deliver to Fosdick.
"So that was Micky Maguire who was here a little while since," said Mr.Murdock to himself. "It seems singular that immediately after gettingRichard into trouble, he should have come here where he was employed.Can it be that Gilbert had a previous acquaintance with him?"
The more Mr. Murdock reflected, the more perplexed he became. It didcross his mind that the two might be in league against Dick; but then,on the other hand, they evidently parted on bad terms, and this seemedto make such a combination improbable. So he gave up puzzling himselfabout it, reflecting that time would clear up what seemed mysteriousabout the affair.
Gilbert, on his part, could not help wondering on what errand Tim Ryancame to Mr. Murdock. He suspected he might be a messenger from Dick, butthought it best not to inquire, and Mr. Murdock did not volunteer anyinformation. When the store closed, the head clerk bent his stepstowards the station-house.
Fame and Fortune; or, The Progress of Richard Hunter Page 14