Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 426 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

— rc ee : - 10 would come this way to-night, and I’ve been watch- ing for you for nearly an hour. Oh! isn’t it awful about the murder?’ ‘‘Werry!”? Sam assented. ‘ There is a myst’ry about that thing, an’ a deep one, too, or my sena- torial brain ain’t in workin’ order. Where is Gril Guyandotte?”’ “That is the very thing I came to see you about. Are you my friend?” “Are I? Well, I guess. Youand I are too good lookin’ to be enemies. Fer instance, jest size up my Henry Clay phiz, and tell meef I look like a sweet- scented sardine as wouldn’t fight his finger-nails off fer a purty little dame like yourself.”’ ‘Then, if you do like me, I will tell you some- thing,”’ Floss said, with childlike simplicity, ‘* Gril Guyandotte wishes to see you.”’ ‘* Wants ter see me ?”’ “* Yos:”’ “*What fer?” ‘*He will make that known when you meet him. He is hiding, but Sam, it was not Gril who killed Frank Jamison.” “How do you know?”’ **i do n°t know, more than that I believe his word next to Gospel. Although to the world a Gypsy and at one time in the wrong, he has now reformed his habits, and leads a life without a blemish, To him mother and I are indebted for many kind- nesses.”’ ** Keerect! Where is he?”’ * You will not give him up?” ‘*Not if he is a friend of yours—nix-ee/ So lead ahead, I’m on the war-path, gunnin’ for points, and all I want is a kok at Grilly, to size him up, Where is he?”’ **Come with me and I will show you.’ They walked down the road, until they came to a large cornfield, in the vicinity of the barn where the murder had been committed. Climbing over the fence, they walked down one of the aisles, until they came to one of the center fur- rows, following which they soon came to where Gril Guyandotte sat upon the edge of a corn-hill, his jetty, gieaming eyes distinguishable in the dark- ness. When, by a touch on the arm, Sam Slabsides was made aware that he was near the Gypsy, he opened the cap of his lantern, and caused a flood of light to descend in the pa h ahead. The light was so suddenly produced, that Gu-an- dotte sprung to his feet, with an unintelligible ut- terance, “It is J, Gril!’ Floss said, whereupon the Gypsy assumed a Jess defensive attitude, ‘*Is this the boy?” he demanded, scrutinizing Sam, keenly. “This is the identical chap,’’ Sam responded good-naturedly. ‘‘lam Samuel Slabsides, te slab- sided future senator from Slumgullion. What der yer wanter interview me about?” ‘A matter of importance.’’ Guyandotte replied. ‘Sit down, and turn that light lower, I see your broadcloth will stand dirt.”’ Both Sam and Floss became seated upon the corn- hills, and with the lantern in the furrow between them, the trio made rather a weird group. , * Yes, my togs hev made the acquaintance of dirt, before this, ef [know anything about it,’’ Sam said. *°Tain’t bin one o’ my misfortunes ter sleep on the soft side of a mattress, very lately. Good everyday hemlock barn floor has stood in fer me, wi’ once in a while a sprinklin’ o’ hay, fer sheets, But ther river is clear 0’ bcats—so sail ahead. What der yer want with me?” “IT wanted to have a talk with you, regardin’ the murder of the young feller. A warrant has been is- sued for my arrest, has there not?” **I believe there has; anyhow there’s bin some tall huntin’ for you for the most o’ the day.”’ “So Iam aware. But they didn't find me, nor they wouldn’t have taken me alive, if they had. For I had no hand in the murder, and I don’t intend to be hauled up for it.”’ ‘* You didn’t commit the murder?”’ *“*T did not.”’ ‘* Well, then, what are you hidin’ fer?” ‘* Because, eee having pointed toward me, from the simple fact that one of the Jamison brothers quarreled with me, | deemed it necessary not to ex- pose myself. Being a Gypsy, and consequently one of a class of people that are none too well thought of, [ was fearful that were I to be caught lynch-law might be brought into play.”’ ‘““Mebbe it would. The people aire up on their dignity. You kin bet yer life, an’ i wouldn’t ive bets fer the murderer’s chances, when he’s ound.’ ‘*That was what I presumed. So I kept out of gent. Have you any idea who committed the mur- er?” ‘**Dunno as I have, in partic’lar,—that is, none that I’d want to sling around loose, jest at present.”’ “Still, you have an idea?” **Mebbe.”’ ‘‘And so have I, my young friend. I want you to take me by the hand and believe that 1 am your friend. and then we will set to work together, to bring to justice one of the worst villains that was ever a disgrace to society. Will youdoit? ITamno murderer, although up toa coupl: of years agol led a wild and not altogether an honest life. Two years ago I changed my habits and although I still remained a Gypsy, I have since led a life beyond To the truth of this statement, Floss, here. will certify.” ‘** Yes, Gril is telling you what is so,” Floss said. “He has been very kind to mamma and !.” “That settles it, then,” Sam said. “Ef you say a He's the very chap I wanter see, , Sam Slabsides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, so, thet’s all ther insurance I want, youbet! Soput er thar, mister, an’ ef Sammy Slabsides can do ye any good, he’s yer mutton, ev'ry stew.”’ “Good!” Gril Guyandotte cried, putting out his hand, and warmly shaking tnoat of the younger Bo- hemian. ‘ You'll lose nothing by accepting of my frieudship, Idon’t suppose you have any idea that I have been cognizant of your every movement, for the past two months, and that at no time has our Gypsy camp been more than twelve or fifteen miles away from you?” **Git out!”’ “Itis true. I have had spies keep track of your route, from day to day, and report to me at night and we have arranged our route according’ 3 ‘ “Ye don’t say so! An’ what hev ye done that er?’’ **So as not to lose track of the blind beggar, Felix Jacobi,” Sam gave vent to a prolonged whistle of sur- prise. ‘*D’ye know him?” he demanded. ‘““Not as a personal acquaintance, nor does he know me. I know of him, however, and of the man who was the cause of his ruin,”’ ‘** Then, you’re the very hairpin I want to see—jest the werry old pompadour pin. Kinder struck me I hadn’t got ther luck ter start gunnin’ ’thout hittin’ a bird. So you know ther story o’ Felix’s misfor- tunes, do you?”’ “Yes. Doyou?”’ 3 fe Yes, IreckonI do. At any rate he told me about ‘‘In the main, he no doubt told you a correct story. But there are some parts in which, I dare say, he erred.”’ “Dunno "bout that, I’m sure, spoke dictionary facts.”’ ‘** Of course, but even the most truthful of often make sad mistakes. Now, where is man ?”’ ‘*That’s the very thing I want to know. He’s missing, and I'll bet he’s met with foul play.”’ Sam then went on and narrated the circumstances relating to Jacobi’s mysterious disappearance. ** Floss has told me of this,”’ Gril said, when Sam had finished, ‘‘ard I agree with you that some secret disposal has been made of Jacobi. Are you aware that his enemy and the direct cause of all his Mah: lives scarcely more than a stone’s throw from ere, ‘* You mean Milo Mitchell?”’ se Yes. 9 ** Kerect. Felix ginerally eople, he old I know where he lives, He’s known around these ’ere parts, as Judge Jamison.” ‘Exactly. And on Jacobi’s hard-earned money he is playing off gentleman. I know it, now, but until yesterday I had no idea of his whereabouts, I then saw him driving through the lane, but he didn’t see me. Last night, I paid him a visit and we had a little talk, during which I gave him several little reminders that I was not any too friendly to- ward him. Finally, he made me an offer of money, if I would put Felix Jacobi out of the way. I al- lowed I would accept ic, though at the time I had aoe the slightest idea of doing anything of the ind,”’ ‘Then, it don’t look as if Jamison had had a hand in Felix’s disappearance, after all.”’ ‘** Don’t deceive yourself, on that point. Knowing that Felix was in the vicinity, and ascertaining that he was not with you, I naturally took the cue that something had happened. So, last night—previous to the alarm of the murder—I visited Jamison at his home, and made known to him t' at Jacobi was in the neighborhood, bent on revenre. I sized up his surprise—rather, his assumed surprise, and came to the conclusion that he was not so inuch surprised as he let on to be, Floss, here, had previously told me of her meeung with you and of your missing Felix, and of course it did not require much thought, on my part, to lead me to suppose that Mitchell had be- come apprised of Jacobi’s coming, and adopted stringent measures to provide for his summary dis- posa €4. Sam whistled again. ‘*Say. lookee here!’ he ejaculated, ‘* be youacol- lege professor, or a walkin’ dictionary? Them jaw- breakers 0’ yourn don’t correspond wi’ yer profes- sion,” Guyandotte smiled. ‘“‘T was not always a Gypsy,’ he assured. ‘‘ Once upon a time 1 moved in the society of upper ten- dom, but it did not benefit me, for it was the cause of my making a move that took me down hill, un- til I did not amount to much in the eyes of honor- able people. Once down—and, you will do well to remember it, my boy—it is a hard thing to rise, And thus it was, with me, I was ashamed to make the effort, after once going asiray. Sol joined the Gypsies and am now the leader of the party camped in the lane—a more respectable set of wanderers than whom it would surely be hard to find, “Since [ have reformed, I have undertaken to right the wrong that I was party to, several years ago. With that view, I never wholly lost track of Felix Jacobi, after he was blinded. I believed that sightless though he was, he would eventually find Milo Mitchell, and I was not wrong, After many wearisome miles of wandering, he came so near to the lair of his enemy that I was able to lay my eyes upon that enemy, And having done that much, itis my intention Lo bring matrers to a just ending. Re- cognizing your assistance to Jacobi, asa airy, it is an honor to know you, and therefore I propose that we work hand in hand. to the end of seeing that the fearful outrage visited upon Jacobi by Milo Mitchell be avenged, ‘*Keerect, old stockin’ ! for a home run!” Sam declared. That's where you hit me *'Tain’t often I tackle onter hullsale partnership, but when I do, E freeze faster than a Cape May crab. So go ahead wi’ yer talkin’ masheen, an’ let’s heer what ye think is ther best thing ter be did, under the circum- stances, I’m wi’ yer fer any kind 0’ sport, from a torchlight parade, to a funeral procession!” And Sam turned the light of his lantern a little brighter, and waited for Guyandotte to proceed, CHAPTER XII. MORE MYSTERY. ‘“* WELL, I do not know exactly what plan of action to advise, just yet,” Guyandotte said, after some deliberation, *‘ because we neither of us know just where Jacobi is, or what has happened to him. If we were positive, as regards these points, it would be a far easier matter for us to lay our plans.” “That’s so. I’ve got it fastened ter my noddle, tho’, that Jacobi is hid ’round the haunted house remises, and I sha’n’t give up that opinion until "ve made the trap another ‘vestigation. I was goin’ there when I met Floss.”’ “ Are you not afraid to go there alone?” ‘*‘Nixee! I’ve got a revolver, an’ ef ther ghosts come foolin’ around, I’ll give em plumbago by the ounce,”’ “Floss was tellin’ me about the ghosts and their vocal manifestations. That’s all nonsense. There is no such thing as ghosts!”’ ‘* That’s what I thought, until cne of ’em hit me a sockdolager alongside me jaw; then 1 changed my tune from A to B-flat, which was purty near bein’ flat—fer when I looked ter see who had struck me, I couldn’t see no one,”’ ‘So Floss told me. But there is no such thing as aghost. It stands to reason that the manifestations at the mansion are wholly human, and your idea that Felix is a prisoner about the premises is quite lausible, In order to make a positive move against filo Mitchell, with any degree of success, we will have a great deal to contend with. In the first place, we will have to locate Felix Jacobi, and, in doing so, use the utmost caution, in order that I be not discovered, nor that Jamison’s suspicions be aroused that we know of Jacobi’s whereabouts, lest he put the poor old fellow entirely out of the way.”’ aim hep you don’t think he has caused him ter be cilled?’ ‘*No, The terrible job he did out west must nat- uralty have preyed so upon his mind that he would hesitate to actually commit murder. It is far more probable that Jacobi is held as a prisoner.”’ **But where?”’ ‘That's fer us to find out, if wecan. It appears: quite likely that, as he disappeared up at the mar- sion, he isn't far out of that neighborhood now.”’ “It looks that way, Iknow. But Floss and I ran- sacked the place from top to bottom, without find- ing anything.”’ “Even so, but that does not gainsay that another search might not result in a discovery. There is likely some secret apartment or other arrangements, that, if SROnGHenY, examined, would explode the ghost business. If I toought I woulda not bein dan- ger of being discovered, now.” ‘*Dunno how that would be. You’ll have to run your own risks. There might be some one up at ther old ghost-trap, an’ ag’in there might not.” “JT think Pll go along with you anyhow, Iam armed, and not afraid to face the music, if it comes to that. Floss, you had better go back to the camp.” . pr No, lam going with Sam,” the girl said, spirit- edly. “Yas. Floss an’ Tis pards,” Sam spoke up, ‘‘ an” I want her ter go along.” So the trio set out. A considerable part of the way to the foot of the bluff, on top of which was located the mansion, could be traveled by way of the cornfield, not neces- sitating getting out into the highway. The night was retry. dark, however, and when they left the cornfield there was not much danger of their being seen. ‘“Who do you think killed Frank Jamison?” Sam asked of the Gypsy, as they hurried along. “Well, if I were to express any opinion, I shouldn't hesitate to poirt my finger at Milo Mitchell. I hear that both were rivals fora girl’s hand in RBTMARe, and Mitchell is a man who hates to be balked. and I don’t think he’d hesitate at any crime, where a pretty woman was concerned.” ‘It struck me be might know es much erbout it But how’s er feller ter fasten it would accompany you as any one else, onter him?” ‘*Tt will not be an easy matter, [can assure you. He has power and influence, and we have neither. Were he to get me into jail, he would center all his power against me, to secure my conviction, you may rest assured,” They resched the base of the bluff in due time, end toiled up the precipitous path to the level above. Though the deserted mansion loomed up grim and forbid.ing, the gloom was not as dense as on the pre- vious night, and there was no lightning or thunder to d to the uncanniness of the situation, “Now, then, ef the screechin’ will begin, we'll try an’ keep our hair from stan’in’ on end!” Sam Slabsides declared, grimly. ‘So sail in, Mister Ghost, an’ split yer bugle from ear to ear.” They cautiously approached the house, which presented the same appearance as on the previous night. When they stepped upon the veranda, Sam paused to light his lantern, Floss keeping by his ide, as though she deemed him her natural protece or,