Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 284 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 ** You sold his estate of The Retreat?” ‘*T did, sir,” and Mr. Mordeeai wondered to what all this tended, though there was that about his visitor which prevented his treating his questions as impertinent. ‘* Well, Mr. Henry Mordeeai, I wish you to listen distinctly to what I have to say.” “ Certainly, sir.” ‘Some time ago, just when Brandt the Buc- caneer made his escape from on board the Sea Marauder, where he was in irons, a person called into your office to purchase the estate of the Retreat. ‘‘Do you remember the circumstance?” **] do, sir,” and Mr. Mordecai was becoming a trifle nervous under the eagle eyes of his visitor. “The person was a man-about my size, but with gray bair and beard, and gave his name as Henry Smith?” ** Yes, sir.” “ And to him the property was sold?” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘‘There was a mortgage upon the property for sixty-five thousand dollars,.and it drew an illegal interest, which ran it up twelve thousand dollars more, making seventy-seven thousand dollars, and you consented to give a clear deed for the place for one hundred thousand dollars in cash?” , ‘ ‘*May I ask what is all this to you?” said Mordecai, beginning to lose his self-control. “Simply a matter of justice, sir, for you led Mr. Basil Branch to beliove you realized but three thousand dollars over all mortgages, in- terests and expenses, and paid that sum to him, 8 from him the remaining twenty thou- san _——-- =. ‘“How dare you make such an accusation against me, sir, when my character is above re- proach?’ and Henry Mordecai turned livid with rage, while he clutched his chair as though about to strike the insulter down. But Merle answered, with the utmost calm- ness; _‘* You are one of those harpies who are con- sidered honest until they are caught stealing, and I pronounce you a fraud and a robber.” “This to me?” and the agent raised the chair. , "Oh, yes! and more too, for you shall dis- gorge the property you have stolen from Basil ranch.” ‘By Heaven! [ll call my clerks from the outer office, and have you thrown into the street!” ** Don’t do it, Mr. Henry Mordecai, for if you do T'll send you to prison.” The man was cowed by the youth before him, and he gasped forth; ‘Who are you?” ‘* At present I am known as Merle Monte.” ‘* Merle Monte! The one whom they call the Boy Prince?” ‘ Yes,” ‘* Phe capturer of the sea pirates?’ continued Mordecai, in a low tone. _ “Ves: and the capturer of a land pirate—one Henry Mordecai, Esquire.” aa) y od " ‘ Without noticing the ejaculation, Merle went on tosay: “You asked me who I am, and I have told you; but let me also tell you that I was dis- uised with a gray beard and wig when I came ere to see you, and, as Henry Smith, bought the Branch plantation and slaves, ‘* Now that you know me, Mr. Mordecai, you will see the propriety of instantly writing a draft on the bank, in the name of Basil Branch for the sum of twenty thousand dollars, of which you defrauded him.” “Tl not do it, for that was my commission.” ‘““No, it was what you stole; for you know oe had no idea of selling the place, but of mak- g it your home, until you found you could rob the owner of the neat little sum of twenty thou- sand dollars, in addition to the other sums you have stolen from him. ‘‘ Now, sir, write that draft.” “‘T will not.” . Merle stepped to the door, and almost in- aa he returned and Mezrak accompanied At sight of the slave, Henry Mordecai trem- bled, yet uttered no word. _ k,” said Merle calmly, ‘Mr. Henry Mordecai intends writing a draft in favor of Mr. Basil Branch, and I wish you to go in the yacht and carry it to The Retreat.” ae master.” s say to Mr. Branch that Mr. Mordecai made a trifling mistake in settling with bim, and if he has any business to transact again, my SS eS a ea a er et eee ee ee re ee oe Ne : ; The Sea Marauder. a ee advice to him is not to make Mr. Mordecai his agent.” ‘* Yes, master.” ‘* Now, sir, you can draw up the draft, and my slave will deliver it.” ** No, sir.” ‘* Well, sir, you must take the consequences. ** Mezrak.” ** Master.” ‘* Seize that man and carry him to prison.” Mezrak instantly sprung upon the alarmed agent with the agility of a cat, and while he held one hand over bis mouth, to prevent out- cry, began to put irons on him with the other with an expertness that was remarkable. The man was now as pallid as death, and Merle said: ‘* My slave will allow you to speak, and you need utter but one word, ‘*But if you cry out to give an alarm you shall clie. ‘* Now, sir, will you write that draft?” Mezrak removed his hand and the trembling wretch gasped forth: “ Yes \”? ‘¢ Take his irons off, Mezrak!” The order was obeyed. ‘‘ Now sit there at your desk, Henry Morde- ost and write the draft, and the matter ends ere. “rou will not let Basil Branch prosecute me! al ‘‘ Nor do so yourself?” ie 3 No.” The man sighed deeply at having to disgorge the amount he had looked upon as his own, and wrote the draft, which Merle glanced over and handed to Mezrak, while be said: ‘“‘Go in my yacht, Mezrak, and say to Mr. Murell that as Mr. Branch and his family are coming to tbe city in a few days, to remain and bring them down. ‘“Yes, master; but Mezrak will return at once?" Yes; take a small boat in tow and return in i Mezrak then departed, and Merle turned once more to the agent, who was white with sup- pressed rage. ‘“Mr, Mordecai,” he said, “‘ Mr. Branch is m friend, and I warn you now to drop the little Ue you told me, believing me to be Mr. Smith, hat you had of marrying some day his daugh- ter Pearl, as you had in some way found oat that she would inherit a fortane in England. ‘« Good-afternoon, sir,” and Merle’s visit to the fraudulent agent had ended. CHAPTER XIV. MERLE RECEIVES A VISIT. Tue third day after his return from The Re- treat, Merle Monte was seated in his library after dinner, engaged in reading, when a slave entered and said: ‘* A man to see you, master.” ‘* Who is be, Benedict?” ‘‘I dono know, master; but he says it is im- portant that he should see you.” “Ask him to come in,” returned Merle; and soon after a little old man, with gold spectacles and a dress that looked the shabby-genteel, en- tered the library. He bowed several times to Merle, and said ob- sequionsly: ‘**T bope I see you, sir.” ‘*T am sure that you do, if your eyesight,” answered Mer ‘* Well, sir, [did not wish to intrude u great Persian prince, as men call you; truth is, I have come to do you a favor.” ‘Tt is kind of you indeed; but how can you serve me, my friend?’ and Merle seemed really amused with his visitor. ** You have a yacht, sir?” “*T have.” ** The schooner Dragon?’ ‘* That is her name?” ‘* Once known as the Gold Ship?” “True.” ‘On account of your having carried your treasure—your vast inheritance—about the seas in her?’ “ Yes, if was so reported.” “Your Gold Ship was constantly hunted by pirates who wanted your treasure, and cruisers who looked upon you as a pirate, ** True, my friend.” ‘‘One of those pursuers was the schooner Sea Marauder?” * It was,” “ Loe that arch pirate, Captain Pierre?” ‘es ex,” * Youu captured the schooner?’ ou have not lost e, with a smile. n the ut the **T did.” ‘‘ But not her captain, sir?” ‘You are mistaken there, my inquisitive friend, for I did capture her captain, but he escaped, yet whether he is alive or dead, I do not know.” ‘**T can tell you.” You?” “Yes; old man that I am, I can tell you whether yon de Pierre is alive or dead.” ‘‘ Well, what is your price, old gentleman, for the information?” ‘‘Bah! 1 want not your gold,” said the visi- tor, in a tene of disgust. ‘* Pardon me, but as I have to pay fer every- thing I get, I thought yeu bad a price on your knowledge.” ‘* You mistake me, for I came to remder yeu a service, and I wish no pay for it.” ** Again I ask your pardon.” “Granted, Sir Prince; but now te the Sea Marauder.” ‘* He still lives, I suppose?” “ He does.” ‘* Where?” ‘*In the city.” ** New Orleans?” ‘¢ Ves, Sir Prince.” ‘You know this?’ a I do.” ‘* How know you it?’ ‘‘L saw him last night.” ** Indeed?” “Truth, and I talked with him, and mere, [ engaged to get him a crew to cut yeur vesse! out.’ ‘‘ Hal” and Merle half sprung to his feet, ** You did this?” ‘* Yes, for a purpose.” ‘‘ And what was your purpose?” ‘‘To capture bim and a few other precivus doves of a like feather with him.” “Ah! then be is plotting to seize my vessel, and again turn to piracy?” ‘* Yes, in part.” ‘‘ How do you mean?” ‘‘He knows that the Sea Wolf has gone to sea, and that the Mexican cutter, the brig and his vessel, are not in sailing trim; but that your: schooner is, ‘‘He knows that you keep a large crew on board, and thatit willtake a heavy force of men to seize ber; but be says itis worth it, as you have not yet secured the treasure from the bold, for he has kept a spy upon every movement of the Dragon, and that be will be amply repaid by getting your gold and gems. ‘‘ Then he will pay off his men, or give them the schooner, if they wish to keep up piracy, while be lands at some port with his wealth ara lives like a prince.” ‘‘ This is a fine little plot of Captain Pierre,” sneered Merle. ; ‘‘ It is indeed, Sir Prince, and that is nof al,” ‘‘ What, more, old gentleman?” “Yon, air,” “Tell it me, I pray you.” “Well, sir. he has certain feelings of revenge against Basil Branch and his wife.” ‘ be] “You know this, Senor Monte?” ‘“Well, sir, he intends to capture Miss Branch.” ‘‘ By beaven! but my friend, you do tell me news,” ‘‘T knew that I would, but such is bis inten- tion; to kidnap Pearl Branch, and by dr gging her down gain his revenge upoo her parents.” . ‘(My dear sir, you render me a great favor, and as you look not in the very best of circun. stances, and old age is creeping upon you, you amust pardon me if I in return make you a little reseat asa souvenir, so tell me frankly what can do for you!” ‘‘ Head this villain Pierre Dupont off in his deviltry, Merle Monte, and you repay me. ‘‘See! do you not know me?” ‘‘T do not, I confess.” “Tam Little Belt,” was the low reply. CHAPTER XV. BELLE DENHAM’S PLOT. ‘‘ Miss DenwAM!” and Merle Monte sprung to his feet, the picture of amazement. ‘Yes, 1 am Belle Denham, Merle.” ‘‘In that disguise?” ee Yes. ” ‘“ When I left DA, at the Retreat two days ago, the guest of Mr, Branch and bis iamily?” ** You did.” “7 thought you had given up disguises with i | | ’ P-~> the death of Brandt, the Buccaneer?” <S (C (E(0) EGomicboo Wy ge