Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 434 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. a But, tell me all about it, lease; I am so anx- ious to hear all the particulars,” ** T dor.’t now, exactly, where you could find | ‘“Not Terrol Taylor? Not the man I wed? him, io-cay, sir, for he don’t often stay long in | Then, in the name of mercy, who are you?—for au, one place. I expect maybe he will come | you are his very image!” out to see me, soon, however.’ ‘*My name is Carter, ma’am—Carrol Carter. So he gave them to her. He began at the be- ginning, and told her everything. ‘* There’s another thing in Mr. Carter’s favor,” she said, when he had finished, ‘If you have | the letter Terrol wrote me, compare the writing ‘Ti with that of Mr. Carter and you will find the two are essentially different.” e ‘*Good! Capital! When he comes, I want to | There has been some remarkable mistake here; see him. Perhaps he may be able to give me | I have been taken fora man I never saw or much of the information I desire,” heard of. Mr. Beak has told me the story of ‘* Does not Mr. Gilbert know where his brother | your singular experience, and I voluntarily is?” came here to let you see for yourself that I am ** He denies all knowledge of him, but I some- | not the gentleman you are looking for. If, as I The comparison was made, and it was proven times fancy he is lying. You see, Gilbert is & | suppose, you love this Terrol Taylor, your wo- | that she was right. The chirography of each | cute one”—with a knowing wink—‘“‘ and he is | man’s instinct ought to tell you that I am not | was wholly dissimilar. - fishing to step into my shoes when I step out. | he.” ‘*T see—I see!” Beak commented. ‘‘ It does | look as if I had got hold of the wrong man. By the way, I told you about the challenge Spider found, Bit neglected to show it to you. Here it is. See if you recognize the writing—there might be such a possibility, you know, for it is rather an odd hand.” He thinks I don’t know it but I do. He hopes, by playing loving and attentive grandson to me, that Ll will will him all I have got, but 1 won’t. He’s Morgan, clean vut and out.” ‘* Does Mark know he has a brother?” The old man scratched his head. Hazel arose to her feet, with a sobbing moan, and walked unsteadily to the further end of the room, where she stood a few minutes gazing out of the window. Beak and Carter retained their respective po- sitions. ** No, I think not!” he said. ‘‘I believe I did not tell him that. He does not know it, unless he has obtained the information from another source.” Leaving the mansion, they entered a private coupe, drawn by a dashing span of bays, and driven by a liveried coachman, and were soon Finally she returned, and paused near the ac- cused Carrol, and with her wildly staring eyes gazed into those of his. Her face was deathly, her every nerve seemed drawn to its utmost tension. ** You say you are not Terrol Taylor?” she de- manded, Hazel no sooner set cyes on the writing than she uttered a little cry of surprise. ‘You recognize it?” ‘*T should say so!” It is the writing of Gilbert Guion!” Yes?” ‘* Positive. I would know it anywhere.” ‘** And so Gilbert Guion—” ————— re ‘*T am not,” ‘* Never was?” ** Never—never!”’ ‘* Never saw me before?” being whirled away into town. Reaching Broad street, they turned to the northward, and continued on, on, on, until they finally turned in Germantown avenue. = : = 2 : — - . _ — PS. i Le i =e #. a . 4 - =. = -_—— - ~~. ~ - > _™ The detective did not finish the utterance, but | arose briskly. ‘*T must be going,” he said. ‘‘ I’ve work todo, ~~ — “- “% A tbe ta an. é x eb, —- a - ; g* -* ae ~<* * _~- ~ . ° ° we as + é . fl ae > ee Se oe) S4 > ee er j 7 4 a a PE led ' s : a oo’ a nt _—, <7 <— By this time Nellie had turned decidedly pale and was very nervous, but the old man appearec absorbed in thought, and did not notice it. Still the conveyance rolled on, square after uare, until it drew up before the residence of Harrington Hurst. Nellie’s face was by this time white with pal- lor, and she put her handkerchief to it, and pre- tended to cough, that Mr. Guion might not take note of the fact. ‘*'You will remain here, my dear,” the old gentleman said, getting out of the vehicle. ‘I will not be gone long.” “Thank God!” Nellie uttered, under ner breath, as the old gentleman entered the man- sion. ‘* Oh! I wasso afraid he would have asked me to enter thathouse! No! I never could have done it. I should have dropped dead on the steps. And, what can Mr. Guion want there? Dear me! I am trembling likea leaf. I wish— I wish I was a thousand miles from here!” CHAPTER XI, NO THOROUGHFARE! THE face of Detective Jim Beak was that of a ni Ripe man, as he and Carrol Carter Ww rapidly toward the hotel where Hazel Hurst was stopping. This was a strange case he was engaged upon, and one with but precious little light to work in. He did not know what to make of the man who was walking beside him. Carter was the biggest conundrum he had ever struck in his life. In due time they reached the hotel, and Beak sent up his card. The waiter soon returned, saying that Miss Alden would see them in her room. Accordingly they were shown up and entered, Beak preceding. Hazel ran joyously forward to meet him, not seeing that there was a second person until Car- ter had closed the door behind him, Then she shrunk back with a startled cry, her gaze fixed upon Carter’s face until it seem- ed as if she meant to look him through and through, her face white as death, her whole | frame quivering as if with an ague-fit. Carter stood calm and erect, his arms folded across his chest, and returned the stare as with a defiant interest. For a minute, a pin’s drop could have been heard. Then Beak said: ** Miss Hurst, do you recognize this man?” Hazel gave a sobbing gasp; and sunk back upon the sofa, burying her face in her hands. ‘‘My God have mercy—yes, ‘tis he!” she moaned. “‘Oh! Terrol! Terrol! Terrol !” Wild-eyed and pallid, she arose, tottered across the carpet, and sunk upon her knees be- fore him. “Oh! Terrol, why do you gaze at me so strangely? Do you not knowme? Have you so soon forgotten me?” Nie age lady, Ido not know you,” Carrol re- ied, fore in my life!” ‘* Never saw me?—never saw me? Oh! how / ean you say that?” ‘* Because, dear lady, I am ing the hol truth. My name is not Terrol Taylor, nor did ever bear that name.” ** As God is my witness, I never saw you | ** Not to my knowledge.” ‘‘ Never met me at social gatherings within the past six months?” ‘*mphatically no. I have not moved in so- ciety, and it has never been my good fortune to meet a lady of the high social position which I understand you occupy.” ‘** Will you swear to this before God?” ‘** 1 swear to it before God, as I expect marcy hereafter!” ** That will do. may remain.” | ‘* Allow me,” Beak said, stepping forward. ‘* Before you go will you kindly write your name and address on this card, Mr, Carter?” ‘* Certainly, sir.” There was a@ pen and ink in the room, and sit- ting down at a table Carter executed the detec- tive’s request. It was a fine style of chirography, both easy and graceful, showing plainly enough that he had not attempted to disguise his hand, ‘* And now, Mr. Beak,” he said, rising to de- part, ‘‘I trust that you are satisfied that I am not the man you want and that you will be hon- orable enough not to let your unjust suspicion get to my wife’s hearing.” ‘*T am not inclined to express an opinion yet sir. At all events, until rove you guilty I shall say nothing to mar the pleasant scene I witnessed to-day. Good-day, sir. I presume you can be found if wanted?” “T can. Good-day, Miss Hurst, and to you, Mr. Beak!” and with a courteous bow Carrol Carter departed. Beak took a turn up and down the room be- fore he ventured to look at Hazel who had be- come seated on the sofa, When he did look at her he saw that she was a great deal more composed but still white, and evidently suffering intensely. He went and sat beside her and ventured to take one of her fair hands in his—an act she did not repulse. ‘* Miss Hurst, you cannot imagine how deeply I sympathize with you in your trouble,” he said. ‘*I see you are a greater sufferer than you are willing to admit.” ** No!” she said, slowly. ‘‘Iamnot. I ama great deal braver than I was. I realize that I have been very weak and foolish and have re- solved to be so no longer. You, sir, are very kind, and I am most grateful.” ‘* Speak not of that. Tell me—tell me: what of the men I brought here?” ‘* He is not Terrol Taylor!” ‘*Not? Are you sure—are you satisfied on that point?” ‘*'Yes,I am. At first I was sure it was Ter- rol, but now I am satisfied to the contrary, not- withstanding the fact that the two men are very counterparts of each other. Two human beings could not be more alike as regards mere personal appearance,” ‘‘Ah! Was your decision based in your be- lief of Carter’s veracity?” ** Not wholly. There were several things which I consider in his favor. First, he spoke like aman who was telling the truth; second, his voice was finer than Terrol’s; third, his hands were not nearly so small or white as Ter- rol’s, No, Mr. Beak, I cannot believe, now, but what you have got hold of the wrong man. You may go. Mr. Beak, you and plenty of it, perhaps.” “You will call again?’ Hazel asked, putting her hand detainingly on his arm, and lcoking Bape his face. ‘‘I donot feel so afraid when I know that one so brave and good is near at hand.” ‘* Yes, I will come whenever I have a moment to spare, Miss Hurst. Aw revoir.” And he bowed himself out of her presence. *“So noble and kind!” Hazel murmured. ‘* How different men are. If it were not for my unfortunate marriage with Terrol, I almcst be- lieve I could— but stop! What am I saying? Tis too late for me to have any thoughts of ag else but misery end despair.” ak went direct to his cffice, bis brows knitted almost into a scowl. Sitting down at his takle, ke proceeded to make out a concise memorancum of the case in all its points,as well es he could, considering what data he had thus fear gathered. Then he ran it carefully over and devoted a straight hour to deliberation and reflection. He formed a clearer idea of the intricate case and gradually developed his pe Carrol Carter was not Taylor. He was pretty sure on that point. But who was Taylor, and where was he? This was a question most important to an- swer. ‘T’ve an idea that my best move is togo tothe house on Oxford street, and see whatI can learn there,” he finally decided. ‘‘ This man Gilbert Guion is evidently laying a strong game, and for big stakes, and 1 shall haveto ply my knit- ting-needles fast and judiciously to get abead of him. Let me. see. é appears to be playing three distinct games. First, he seeks to make Hazel Hurst his wife, and exercises a stron power over her father; second, he wants Carro Carter and Myra Morton to be married, and his wishes have been complied with. Third, he wants to fight a duel with Terro] Taylor at the sea-shore. Hang me if 1 can see into it all yet.” ‘Nor I, by jingo!” cried a voice, and the Spider dodged into the office with a blacking-box swung over his shoulder. ‘Shine ’em up, Jamesy ; give you a patent-leather shine for the small sum of half a danas nickel-—five cents— ther twentieth part o’ a dollar. Whoop-la! put out your quoits, heer, an’ let me go fer ‘em! ‘** For I ain’t Morgan the pirate, A-sailin’ on the sea! An’ if I don’t make Jakey irate, You may ekin me fer a flea!’ he sung. tee CHAPTER XII. HURST’S REVELATION, Mr. Guion’s summons, at the door of the Hurst residence, was answered by a colored | hall-boy. ‘Is Mr. Hurst in?” was the inquiry. ‘Yes, sah. Step into de parlor, sah. What is de name, sah?” ‘*Tell him an old acquaintance wishes to see him. That will be quite sufficient.” And Christopher Guion walked into the par- lor with a step much firmer than could have been expected of a man of his age. 7 In a few minutes Mr. Hurst made his appear- ance, He paused a few feet from where Mr. Guion was sitting, and gave him an inquiring glance; So - ay — —— : 2 <? . ‘' a] 1 a 0 ( , " ( we = 900kKsS.con oks.com a. > ‘5 . . , \ ’ ~ edhe, eee . heaped ho wl 00, : a inad |