Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 434 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

Ae St SS: eee © ee ** How many have you in your family?” | ‘* My family, direct, is composed only of my daughter and myself. Then, I have a housekeep- er, an elderly English lady; and two other ser- vants, but they are of unimpeachable character, and have long been in my employ. A personal friend of mine, Mr. Gilbert Guion, has a room in the second story, and gets his meals at the yestaurants. He is also above suspicion, being a suitor for my daughter’s hand, and a wealthy bachelor.” | ‘‘ This neéd not necessarily make him above | suspicion,” Beak said, dryly. ‘‘ We detectives | are not very particular whom we suspect, as long as we eventually get ourman. Was Guion jn his room at the time of the robbery?” | ‘‘No. He never gets in, evenings, until late.” ** What was this document you have lost, sir?” | Harrington Hurst hesitated, grew red in the | face, and was evidently not over anxious to im- part this information. **Must you know this?” he demanded, eying the detective rather distrustfully, ‘*Certainly!” Beak responded. ‘I should have a fine time finding the paper, indeed, with- out knowing what it was.” ‘*So you would! So you would! But—but you see, it is an important family secret, and I —I don't know—” **’You don’t know whether you can trust me or not?” ‘** Well, I—I—you see—” ‘*T see,” Beak assured. ‘‘ In seeking a detec- tive’s assistance, you haven’t the confidence that ou can rely on his integrity. Very well, sir. ou had better give your case to the policegge- tectives.” ‘“‘No! no! that would never do, at all. I would rather trust you than them. But, you must promise not to give away what I tell you.” ‘‘T very rarely make promises, sir. If what vou have to say concerns the case, you can de- pend upon my silence.” ‘* Ah! thatis right. Then, I will tell you how it is. You see, some three months ago, m daughter, a very beautiful girl, (but like all girls not yet having arrived at an age of dis- cretion) contracted a marriage with a young fel- low, who had neither profession, social recogni- tion, nor employment. When my daughter showed me the marriage-certificate, you may well believe I was thunderstruck, for I never en- tertained a suspicion that she would so lower herself, and bring disgrace upon me. “*I had also, by a strong obligation, previous- ly pled her te another man, and was in duty bound to keep my pledge. So, I was in a bad fix. After ee ae my daughter a severe lecture, she repented her folly, and I secured the certificate and made pretense to destroy it. Fool I was, that I didn’t do it! I placed it in my secretary, and locked it up. ‘*T then hunted the man my child had mar- ried, warned him never to lay claim to my daughter, as there was in fact no marriage, the person who had performed the ceremony—a per- ambulating minister—having no authority to perform it at al., ‘‘ He defied me, and we qonsselod Finally he stated that he would remain in the background for a few months, by which time my daughter would be of age, when he would remarry her in spite of me.” ‘What are your objections to this match?” **In the first place, the fellow is poor, and has no occupation; in the second place, my daughter is too far above him, in cotta station, for me to think of ep hin her to live with the worthless beggar, and in the third place, she is promised to another. But this has nothing to do with the burglary.” ‘*That remains to be found out. So this marriage-certificate was stolen and nothing ? | | | “* Nothing. There were five hundred dollars in the same desk, but it was not touched,” ‘¢- Your daughter, then, is legally married?” ** Curse it, lam afraid so. But the certificate once more in my hands, it cannot be proved that she ever was married, as the man who tied the knot has disappeared.” ** Do you know where he is?” “ No >" Beak looked at the ex-speculator as if he rath- er doubted his word. ** What is your daughter’s name?” ** Hazel.” ** What is her husband’s name?” ‘ ‘The fellow is known as Terrol Taylor. There’s no certainty whether that is his right name or not, for his antecedents are very ob- scure. re ‘¢ Where does he live?” Beak asked, not betray- ing the surprise he felt. sss st ee ‘* That is hard to tell. He is generally to be found hanging around a saloon at Ninth and Sansom streets.” ‘* Has your daughter ever seen him since her marriage?” ‘**No, indeed! She has been forbidden to leave the house except in my escort.” ‘* Ah! Has Taylor been in the vicinity?’ ** Not that [ am aware of.” ** What is the name of the man to whom you have promised your daughter?’ ** Gilbert Guion, who rooms in m ‘** What is the pay to be in case tificate?” ‘You are supposed to know your terms. I will not :top at a few dollars as long as I get the document,” ** Do you think Terrol Taylor has the paper?” ‘‘How am I to know, or guess? It disap- peared so mysteriously that I can form no opin- ion. ru Perhaps your daughter has possessed herself yg ‘** No; she labors under the supposition that I destroyed it immediately after she gave it to me. Tken, too, she was in the dining-room when I entered it and still there when I left it.” Then Hazel Hurst, clearly, had bad no hand in the theft. ** Does Gilbert Guion know of this marriage?” Beak demandec, ‘* Why do you ask!” ‘*‘for reasons best known to myself. If you want me to handle your case you must answer my ¢ uestions,.” ‘Yes, he knows about it. ‘** Does he know Terrol Taylor?’ ** He knows of him?” ** Are they on good terms?” **T don’t think they bear any great degree of love for each other. But, why do you ask these wy ura questions? You understand that the unfortunate marriage of my daughter must not be suspe ** Certainly! free with what I hear. five dollars, sir.” “What |” “Five dollars.” ** Why, what in the world do you mean?” and Hurst looked his amazement. ‘*T said five dollars,” Beak answered, calmly, ‘** because that is what it will cost you, in ad- vance, in case I do not find the certificate, which I rather despair of doing.” ‘¢ And in case you do recover it—?” “* Five hundred!” ‘Cheap enough! But, Ill go you still better. Place the original certificate in my hands and I will give you five thousand—do you hear—five thousand !” ** Very well; I will see what I can dofor you!” ** But, understand—no one must suspect your game. No one must get a hint of the burglary, or that my Hazel was ever married!” “I will try and comply with your wishes, One more question. Does Hazel respect Gilbert Guion enough to marry him?” The retired broker shrugged his shoulders, ‘* ‘Well—well, sie professes not to,” he said, ** but that’s all folderol. She will come to her senses, in time.” And, then, after they had exchanged a few more words, Hurst took his departure, CHAPTER IV. THE SPIDER’S TRAIL. AFteR Harrington Hurst had taken his depar- ture, Jim Beak remained in his office for some time, in a deep study. ‘Funny case, this,” he said, ‘‘and I hardly know where to begin on it, dashed if I do, If the old chap hadn’t made such a liberal offer, I'd let it go, for something about it don’t look on the square **Hazel Hurst is legally married to a man named Terrol Taylor, but the old man is trying to break the marriage, on the quiet, and then make her marry a man named Gilbert Guion. That would be bigamy outright, no matter whe- ther the certificate is found, or not. The gir] is kept literally a prisoner, for fear she will see Taylor. Then, too, the parson who performed the ceremony has disappeared. ge this may prove a highly-interesting case, yet. Tay- lor has been challenged to fight a duel on the beach near Atlantic City, by ‘Unknown.’ That may have some connection with this case, Plainly, I shall need to find Taylor, and size him He left his office, locking the door behind him. Gazing up and down the street he saw Spider, the newsboy, approaching, whistling, merrily. **Hillo!” he saluted, as he came up, ‘‘ what house,” find the cer- of cted by any one?” I am notin the habit of being This job will cost you Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. a —_—_——_ eee eee ear aaceeeeenaneeeenee rar renrnrneeee sesssssssesssssss sssssssssssssssssesssessesssesssssessssssssssssssseseesessesstsessp-nstse did old pepper tongue have to say, Jamesy, thet he wer’ so purtickler about we?” **Oh! he intrusted me with a case, that’s ull.” ‘* Did he? That’s good, perwidin’ thers any show in it fer me. What kind of a case was et? ‘‘ A show case,” Beak smiled, ‘Come along with me, Spider. Do you know any of the hung- ers-about up at Ninth and Sansom?” ‘* Guess 1 know purty nearly every mug that’s fermilyer, ’round them corners, ’specially ’mong ther guys an’ hoss-jockeys, an’ sports. I take a turn w? a box, on days 0’ hoss sales at ther bazaar ” ‘*Good! Did you ever hear of Terrol Taylor, down there—the man that the letter-writer chal- lenged to fight a duel?” Spider removed his apolog scratched his head, thoughtfully. ‘““Terrol Taylor?’ he soliloquized—‘‘let me see. There’s Toby Taylor, the old hoss-jockey— an’ Jim Taylor, the big policeman—” ‘* Neither Toby nor Jim, but Terrol Taylor.” “Then, l’m not onter yerman. Holdup—yes Iam, too! There’s another feller called Taylor, w’at eats at er cheap restaurant, an’ then comes an’ picks his ‘eeth in front of ther Conternental Hotel. Oh! he’s a gallus cove; you bet!” ‘* How do you know his name is Taylor?” ‘‘Heerd a couple o’ gamblers call his name, from cross the street, once, an’ he nodded ter ’em,’ ‘* Did he join. them?” ‘‘No. He kept right on pickin’ his teeth.” ‘* Would you know him if you were to see him again?” ‘*'You bet!” ‘‘' Then we will saunter up that way. Id like to see this man.” ‘* Ain’t yer goin’ ter take me inter partner- ship, Jim?’ Yer kno’ I’ve helped you a heap, afore now.” ‘Oh! Tl use you, never fear.” ‘* But, ain’t yer goin’ ter put me onter ther racket?’ ‘“Not just now. Time enough for that, by- and-by.” ‘Dunno "bout that. Two heads are better’n one, ef one is a sheep’s head.” They walked along in silence, until] they reach- ed one of the corners of Ninth and Sansom streets, where Spider believed they would find Terrol Taylor. A number of people usually are collected in the vicinity, some of whom are business or eins men, and some are idlers of question- able character. ‘Well, do you see your man?’ asked Beak after his partner had taken a sharp look about him, “No, I don’t light onter him yet, but he’ll be about, before long. He ginerally stands,over yonder, where he is conspiceros to all ther wo- men that pass.” ‘* He’s a masher, eh?” ‘‘Dunno’s he’s ’zactly that, for I never see’d him say anything ter any of the girls, but ’pears kinder like ter me as how he’s mashed on his- self,” They waited a few minutes longer, and then, leaving Spider to keep watch, Jim Beak sauntered up as far as the post-office, and back, As he returned a woman was standing at the corner of Ninth and Walnut, below where he left Spider, and Spider was standing before her, evidencing that they were engaged in conversa- tion The woman was deeply vailed, and dressed in black, but her pretty figure made it apparent that she was still quite young. She looked up and down the street, at quick intervals, and appeared to be considerably dis- tressed about something. Beak halted at Sansom street, refraining from approaching any nearer, but in great curiosity to know what his young pard wassaying to her; for Spider was making queer gestures, and evi- dently working his talking machine, to its full- est capacity. Finally the woman turned away, and disap- ared from view around the corner, Spider astening back toward his friend. ‘Who was that woman?” Beak demanded, ‘Dunno, Purty gal, though; could see that through her vail.” ‘What did she want?” ‘““She wanted to know which of the wharves long the Delaware a person would be the least : liable to be seen upon after dark.” ; ‘‘Ha! She means suicide.” ‘** Guess she does, fer she peared as nervous as "hay a cat in er tub o’ hot water. I axed her what she wanted to know for, and she said she wanted 1 to sit alone and watch the boate on the river. ‘2 .< of a hat, and cpoo . a . Oy : ve “Fr : Zr oi.) eS com » NJ ya N s < a a pt