Chapter 11
CHAPTER XI. IN WHICH BEN GIVES AN EXHIBITION OF NERVE Help! the cry struck on Ben's ears just as he was coming out of an office building on Wall Street. He and a dozen passers-by who had stopped and looked around at the cry saw a husky-looking man snatch a big pocketbook from a well-dressed boy whom he had knocked down in the middle of the street
and start to make off toward Pearl Street. Ben saw at once that a robbery had been committed and dashed after the thief. The ruffian saw him coming and realized he could not elude him by speed alone.
He reached into his hip pocket and snatched out a small bulldog revolver. His purpose was to intimidate the boy, but Ben wasn't taking any bluffs of that kind. He leaped for the crook and lighted on his back.
The two went down in the street and Ben grabbed a hand which held the weapon. Blast you! cried the robber. What do you mean by botan in? Just to put a spoke in your little game, that's all, replied Ben grimly.
He wrenched the revolver away and slipped it into his pocket. As a crowd began to gather about them, an officer appeared on the scene. Just then the boy who had been assaulted and robbed forced his way forward. He was rubbing his eyes, which were smarting and inflamed from particles of cinnamon, a handful of which had been thrown into his face by the crook.
Fortunately, the man's aim had been poor, and only a very small part of the red dust had taken effect. Have you got him? he cried in eager tones. Sure, I've got him. Why, hello, Tom, is that you? Ben?
So you were the victim, eh? Unfortunately, yes, but it's all right if you've got the pocketbook there. He's got it in his hand under him. Say, officer, he added as the policeman made a lane for himself, take charge of this man, will you?
He robbed a friend of mine here, but I downed him before he got very far. A dozen bystanders verified Ben's statement, and Tom's brief story clinched the matter. The bold thief was handcuffed and marched off to Old Slip Station, and Tom and Ben went along at the head of the crowd, which, of course, attracted a good bit of attention in the line of march.
The boys were glad when the man was locked up and they were permitted to go their way. The police, of course, took charge of the pocketbook. There's $28,000 in money and checks in that wallet, said Tom to his chum. I must get it back as soon as I can, so as to let the boss know what has become of it. It was lucky I came on the scene when I did,
otherwise the rascal might have gotten away with his plunder. Not another person made a move to head him off. It's funny, replied Tom, but some of the most daring thefts on the streets owe their success to the fact that people hesitate to interfere. Not long ago, a man was held up on 23rd Street,
beaten and robbed within sight of a hundred people, and within reach of a dozen more, and the thief allowed to get away scot-free. You wouldn't fancy it could be done, would you? Well, hardly.
How do your eyes feel? None too good. I'm glad to say I escaped most of this stuff. I'm glad to hear it. Well, so long.
I'll see you this afternoon after three. And the chums parted in front of Parsons and Northrop's. Ben, on reaching his office, explained to Mr. Kibosh the cause of his delay. "'It was a nervy thing for you to do, Ben,' said Nathan, regarding him admiringly. "'I dare say your name will be in all the morning papers.'
"'I can't help that, sir. I don't think I did more than my duty.' "'Well, you did that nobly. I didn't know at first that it was my chum, Tom, who had been assaulted. Seeing that it was, I'm naturally glad I was on hand to save him from having to report such a big loss to his employers. You ought to be grateful to you. Oh, that's nothing.
I'd expect him to do the same by me under like circumstances. When Ben came out of the private office, he ran into the broker's office next door and took a look at the indicator. He found a number of transactions recording sales of Kansas Central and found that the price had stiffened to $34.
I guess I made no mistake buying on that tip, for I see I am $2,000 ahead in 24 hours. It would take me quite a while to make that amount at ten dollars a week. I tell you, New York is a town to make money if you know how to pull the strings. Thoroughly satisfied with himself, Ben walked back to his post in the reception room
and began to build a few air castles around the anticipated profits of K.C. These dreams were rudely intruded upon by his employer's bell. Take this letter to the National Trust Company on Broadway, said Mr. Kibosh. All right, sir, replied Ben briskly. "'He got his hat and hurried away on his errand.
"'Glad tomorrow is decoration day,' he said to himself. "'I like a holiday once in a while. "'Tom and I will take in the afternoon game at the polo grounds. "'We'll have to go early as there's sure to be a fierce mob there.' As he spoke, he accidentally butted into a couple of well-dressed youths
who were strolling through the crowd. "'Hello!' exclaimed one of them, catching sight of Ben's face. "'If it isn't Ben Bailey!' Ben stopped and looked at the speaker, for his voice sounded familiar. One glance was enough to show him that he was face to face with Percy Norcross and Oscar Updike,
who were on a holiday visit to New York. They were evidently astonished to see Ben dress so nicely and with such an alert business-like air about him. Even Percy hauled in his horns a bit, for he was curious to hear how the former storeboy of Rivermouth was getting on in the metropolis. "'What are you doing?' inquired Oscar with none of his old insolence.
"'Working in Broad Street,' replied Ben pleasantly. "'Who for?' chipped in Percy. "'A big grain broker.' "'What do you do?' asked Oscar with interest. "'I'm the messenger.'
"'Oh, you run errands,' said Percy with one of his old-time sneers. "'That's no disgrace, is it?' asked Ben sarcastically. "'Seems to me, Percy Norcross, you'd rather insult an old acquaintance than to treat him decent. If you can't treat me halfway politely, why, we part right now.' "'Hold on!' cried Oscar, detaining Ben as he was about to proceed on his way.
"'Percy don't mean anything. Where are you bound now?' "'I'm going up to the National Trust Company in the next block.' "'Well, we're stopping at the Grand Union Hotel. Come and see us after dinner, will you? We want somebody to steer us around the city. You've been here long enough to know all the ropes.
It won't cost you a nickel. I'm afraid I'm not well enough acquainted with society to take the responsibility, for that is evidently what you're after, replied Ben, who didn't care to go around with them. You ain't afraid, are you? put in Percy with a covert sneer. You'll have to excuse me as I'm in a hurry, replied Ben.
Goodbye. The two boys looked after him in a dissatisfied way. "'He's got mighty uppish since he came to New York,' snorted Percy. "'Seems so. All the same, he looks uncommonly prosperous,' said Oscar. Then they walked on.
End of chapter 11
