Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 398 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

"i * -* ea! — aoe a} = , } ing was to be heard save his loud snoring and | _ the far-off rumble of the elevated road. The new-comer carried a sachel in his hand, and was dressed in a long dark-blue coat, trow- sers of a dark material, a silk hat and a heavy chinchilla overcoat. He wore a full beard and mustache, both of which were tinged with gray, while his hair, originally coal-black, was now streaked with threads of silver. Rapping heavily on the counter, he aroused the boy, who rose slowly and walked to the bar, and surlily asked: ‘Well, what does yer want?” “T havea friend who told me to meet him him here,” replied the stranger in a deep voice. ‘Ts there any one but you about?” ‘*Nary one.” ‘But I am sure my friend must have been here.” ‘* 'W’ot’s his name?” ** Mr. Colton.” ** Hain’t been here.” ‘*'You know him, do you?” ‘‘ Seen him oncet, when his bugey broke down in front of ther shop, and I held his horse, The feller w’ot was with him called him Colton, an’ when he tipped me a fiver, *twa’n’t likely as how I war a-goin’ fur ter furgit him.” ‘Very strange,” muttered the stranger. “TI cannot understand it.” ‘‘T kin,” chuckled the boy. * And how?” ‘¢ Wot’s ther use 0’ playin’ any games on me, say, Mr. Colton? Does yer take me fer a Con- necticut detective, an’ think I don’t know noth- in’? The disguised man started and seemed for a moment entirely discomfited at his recognition but, curbing himself with an effort, hea dressed the boy in milder tones than he had yet used, at the same time tossing a twenty-dollar billon the counter. “Take that for yourself, Ted, and now tell me, how did you recognize me?” ‘¢ Bf I had met yer outside, captain, 'd never had ’a’ known yer; but, seein’ as how ther bell over ther front door always rings when any duffer opens it, I knew yer pelin't ’a’? come in thet way. Naterally, in conserkence, yer must ’a’ come from up yonder, an’ it couldn’t be aot pg but Captain Colton, Esquire; d’ye tum- e? “Shut up, you young idiot!” whispered Col- ton, for he it was, as a step was heard outside end the door being thrown open, the bell jan- gied loudly. The new-comer was a man of forty or forty- five, short, thick-set, brawny, and possessing one of the most singular countenances that ever mortal wore. That he was the proprietor of the place was evident from the manner in which he entered, and walked behind the bar. Turning, he looked intently at the man who was Still leaning against the counter, but evi- dently thought him a stranger, and paid no fur- ther attention to him until Colton spoke and invited the proprietor to join him in a social ‘‘Don’t care *f I do, see’n’ as its pretty cold. ‘© Wot'll it be?” And the two glasses being filled, they clinked tumblers and drank to each other’s health. ‘Your boy there told me you would not be back until after dark,” said Colton, evidently desirous of continuing the conversation. “Didn't expect ter be back, but I remember- ed thet I had ter meet er feller here about this time, so I came right up.” “T expected to meet a gentleman here, at about this hour, too,” and pulling out his watch, he glanced at it and added: ‘After two o'clock! Strange he has not shown up. Do you know a Mr. Colton?” “Craig Colton? Should think I did! ‘Me ’n’ him’s pertikler chums.” _ ‘Well, he’s the person J am waiting for.” ‘Givin’ me a breeze or is this on the level?” ‘Tt is on the dead level.” ‘“‘ Maybe it’s all O. K., but—” ‘Oh. of course it’s all O. K.,” and resuming his natural voice Colton continued: “The test is sufficient. If you didn’t recog- ii I don’t fear those whom I am going to visit. le ner - ~ * Semele "Maer Kid-Glove Kit and Pard. 3 SLA TT ES FA RR ES you to go with me. You can either shut up the shop, or leave itin charge of Ted. Wemay need it in the future.” * All a te I kin git ready in a minnit,” “Tl take Ted with me and send you word, if I decide to go, in ample time for you to meet me at thedepot. The train leaves about six o’clock, I think.” ‘* Which way are ye bound, Cap?” ‘* West.” ‘* Ter Colorado?” és Yes. ”? ‘‘Ennything new about ther mine?” ‘‘Not much, but [ hope to learn something soon after I get there. Ted,” turning to the boy; ‘you jump ere and put on your: mes- senger’s suit. Skip, now, and see how fast you can be.” And as the boy hurried out of the room, he again turned to the proprietor: ‘Lock up when we are gone, and go up-stairs and fix yourself up. ‘Shave and put on your black broadcloth suit, the one I sent up yester- day. Take off your beard, mustache, every- thing, and when you are dressed, take the of down-town, and meet me at the Grand Union, Bring your, sachel with you, and get a room, saying you want to write for a few hours.” And the boy returning, Colton left the saloon, followed by Ted, who carried his sachel, and, walking over to Third avenue, reached the sta- tion and took the train down-town. CHAPTER IV. AN INTERVIEW. He had, at the foot of the steps, been accost- ed by a newsboy, who called out: ““ Telegram, extry, all about the murder,” and purchasing one, had thrust it in lis pocket. Once seated in the car, he unfolded it and glancing at the head-lines soon found the item of which he was in search. ‘““MYSTERIOUS MURDER! “4 WELL-KNOWN LAWYER STABBED LAST NIGHT! ‘* Found dying in his office at eleven o'clock to-day ! **No CLEW TO THE ASSASSIN. ‘‘This morning, about eleven o’clock, Postman Charles L. Jordan, while on his r-unds, having a registered letter for Mr. Curtis Bentley, whose office is, or was, No. 4. Blank Building, rapped on the door and tried the handle, but found the door locked. ‘‘Supposing that Mr. Bently was out, he was about to leave, when bis attention was attracted by a gurgling groan, which seemed to proceed from the inside of the room, Looking through the key- hole, he saw a body stretched on the floor, and, thinkiog something serious had happened, immedi- ately went in search of assistance, soon returning with Policemen Calter and Bright, who broke down the door and entered the office. ‘‘Mr. Bentley was found lying on the floor, the carpet which covered it being soaked with the blood which gushed from a gaping wound in the side. The wounded man was unconscious, and an ambu- lance being summoned, the patient was taken to the hospital, where the physicians say that he cannot live for more than a few hours. “There is not the slightest clew to the murderer, and the police are completely at fault. Patrolman Kelley, whose beat extends down Broadway, was sent for, and states that he saw a cab drawn up to the sidewalk, and then drive rapidly off. This was about two A. M., but he was so far awa unable to distinguish the person who stopped and entered the carriage. ‘Tt will be seen, by reference to another column, that a eab-driver was accidentally thrown from bis seat and instantly killed, early this morning. It is possible, although scarcely So ar ay that he may be the same who was seen by Patrolman Kelley. ‘‘The police are searching for the missing driver, and may obtain valuable information later on.” Here the article ended, and as he finished it Colton quietly folded the paper and tossed it on the seat beside him, apparently having no fur- ther interest in its contents. Shortly after the train stopped at the Forty- second street station, and Colton, taking the shuttle train, rode to the Grand Central Depot, and there, calling a cab, ordered the driver to hurry to the Windsor. Before leaving, however, he had given instruc- tions to Ted to go to the hotel where Jim Jor- dan was to meet him and there remain until he CC that he was | ad evidently | “Tf you Paver and taking a case from his pocket, he drew from it a handsomely engraved card, bearing the name: ‘Mr. EDWARD WORTHINGTON,” which he handed to the clerk, who in turn gave it to a bell-boy, who hurried off with the bit of pasteboard in his hand. In a few minutes the messenger returned, and approaching Colton, requested him to walk up- stairs. Declining the use of the elevator, Colton fol- lowed his guide to the first floor, where, at the end of the hall, and overlooking Fifth avenue, Barton had taken up his abode. In answer to a knock, a voice called out: ‘Come in!” and, turning the knob, the visitor entered. The sole occupant of the room, a handsome young fellow of twenty-four or five, advanced to meet him, the card in his hand. ‘‘Mr. Worthington, I suppose.” ‘Yes, sir. And you, I presume, are Mr. Bar- ton?’ “Yes,” returned the other, laughingly; “ at least that is what they call me here, but out West my friends all call me Kit. But pray sit down.” ‘‘Thank you; I will. I musta for calling, perfect ae p23 that I am, but—” ‘¢‘ Offer no excuses, sir, I beg you. If I canbe of any assistance, pray command me.” “You are about to return to the West?” ‘¢T leave this evening, at six.” ‘‘-You go by the Pennsylvania route, I sup- pose, or do you take another line?” “The Pennsylvania, as I must stop in Chicago for a day or two.” “Tt was regarding this western trip that I wished to see you. ‘‘T am totally unacquainted with Colorado, and wished to get a few points concerning the locality of a certain town called—let me see, what is that place? The—The Gulch, ah, yes, that is it.” ‘‘That is precisely my destination.” ‘* Indeed?” ‘* Yes, sir. ‘“In the neighborhood of The' Gulch are loca- ted all of my interests in the State.” “Well, well! I am more fortunaté than [had hoped to be.” “Do you contemplate going there?” ‘‘T had intended starting for the place to- morrow night.” ‘‘ Advance your journey twenty-four hours, and if you do not mind delaying a short time in Chicago, we can make the trip together.” ‘‘You are more than kind, and I will gladly do as you suggest. I am thinking of purchas- ing certain property out there and am anxious to inspect it before closing. Do you know the ‘ Faithful’ mine?” ‘‘ Very well, and if you have an opportunity to purchase it, and the price is not too high, you could not do better than to visit it, when you will certainly be satisfied and will undoubtedly close, I once knew the man who owned it,” and here the speaker’s brow darkened, ‘‘ but I did not know it was for sale.” ‘“ A Mr. Colton, I suppose you mean, at least that was the name given me by parties down- town. They told me he had gone abroad to re- main indefinitely, and wished to dispose of all his American interests.” ‘“Tn that case I understand. Then,” as the logize to you | other rose, ‘‘ I will see you this evening?” “On the six o’clock train from Jersey City | Pennsylvania depot.” “ Exactly.” The two shook hands, Barton entirely uncon- | scious of the other’s identity, and Colton left, chuckling over the success of his first move in ' this great game of life and fortune. CHAPTER V. A TRAP. A QUARTETTE of persons were seated, two days after the occurrences mentioned above, in the restaurant of one of Chicago’s leading hotels, chatting gayly. It was getting dark and the lights glistened overhead and on all sides of the elegantly deco- rated dining-room, being reflected in varying learned what room he secured, and then, leav- | tints and hues a thousand-fold in the cut-glass of ‘“Well! Fry me over a slow fire, captain, ef ing the sachel, to come to the Windsor to meet | the crystal chandeliers. I knowed yer! That’s ther best yer ever did; him. | The party consisted of. Kit Barten and bi shake!” ' On arriving at his destination, Colton, bidding | wife, Mr. Edward Worthington, who woul ae ‘I knowed him in a minnit!” broke in the | the driver await him, entered the hotel, and, go- | have been recognized, had his disguise been re- e | shrill voice of the young imp, who was standing | ing to the office, inquired if Mr. Barton had yet | moved, as Craig Colton, and a sleek, smooth- as near, grinning at his employer’s amazement. left the city. faced gentleman, who had become known to the ‘‘ Not yet, sir; he goes this evening. Do you gy ie 4 ap) two former, as the Rev. Mr. Elkhart. wis send up a car ‘Well, Cap, w’ot’s the word?” Although but acquaintances of a little more ‘“‘I may go away this evening, and will want / Cc