Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 521 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 burning to make the first play. I won't fall a dollar. He shali know that unless he pays our price, he will be strip of his wealth, if he does not enter the Bastile on the Hudson, You did your work to-day, Dan Despard; I will do mine to-night!” The cab rattled on, out of one street and into - anotuer. It was moving up-town and toward a district inhabited by the wealthy. It pulled up at last in front of one of a num- ber of fine houses, and Thalia got out. ‘‘Remember! Nota cent less than one hun- dred thousand, cash in hand,” said Despard, in a low voice, his fingers at the woman’s wrist. ‘Pll not forget!’ The succeeding moment Thalia tripped lightly up the stone steps and rung the bell. Despard watched her from the darkness of the cab that waited. In a little while the door of the mansion open- ed and shut. balia was inside! ‘- ’'d like to see her play,” exclaimed Despard. ‘+ Sut I have no fears. Thalia is the coolest and shrewdest woman in New York, Merle Mallot will soon find this out!” CHAPTER IX. IN THE TRAP, EXPEOTING no visitor at that hour, much less one like the person who had just rung his bell, Merle Mallot was at bis desk in the library. When Hetty, the housemaid who replied to the ring, told him that a woman desired to see him, he gave orders for his visitor to be admit- td. A’ moment later Merle Mallot stood face to face with Thalia, whom he now saw for the first tine. ‘* Well, madam,” began the ex-merchant in a business-like voice, ‘* what can [ do for you?” Thalia threw a rapid glance around the room, as if to make sure that they were alone. ‘““You need not fear to talk,” continued Mal- lot, interpreting the look as he caught it. ‘* We are quite alone here, and will not be disturbed.” ‘‘Thanks! Il have called on private business, and you will appreciate my desire that we have no eavesdroppers,” and Thalia smiled. ‘Private business! What can this woman want?” thought the merchant. ‘*Some time ago, Mr. Maliot, you lost some papers, which, I believe, you consider impor- tant,” resumed the woman, Merle Maliot started. ‘* What do you know about them?” he cried. *¢ Nothing, perhaps; a good deal if necessary,” was the reply. ‘‘ You know that [lost some papers. This tells me that you also know something about them,” ‘‘That depends,” answered Thalia, in the mysterious manner she had assumed. ‘* When people lose anything of value to them, they ardently desire its return, As I have said, Mr. Mallot, { a1 here on business, What are you willing to pay for the return of those papers?” Merle Mallot looked into Thalia’s face till his look became a stare. He had, seen enough of humanity to know that his visitor was as cool and calculating as she was beautiful. Her intensely black eyes betrayed her character, which he could read far enough to show that he was dealing with no or- dinary person. ‘‘ This woman comesdirect from the man who robbed me,” passed thrcugh the merchant’s brain. ‘‘She is the go-between through whom Angus Brazrdon hopes to rake the golden chest- nuts from the fire. Dve said [ would listen to w® compromise from him; but I must have those papers. I must get them back!” ‘‘ Are you authorized to negotiate with me?” he asked Thalia. “Tam. I came hither for that purpose.” ‘“ The papers are not so very important ” said Mallet, assuming an air of indifference. ‘‘I can get along very well without them.” ‘‘ Tt all lies with you,” was the quick response. ‘< You are the purchaser. Do as you think best. The papers will not be destroyed, however.” The last remark, spoken for a certain purpose, seemed to bring the New York nabob to terms, “ What do you think they are worth to me?” he asked. “A right nice little figure. Ishould say about one hundred thousand dollars,” Thalia named the amount in an off-hand man- ner, as though sbe were familiar with large sums. “My God, woman! Do you want to bank- Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. ‘*On the contrary, [ wish to keep you from bankruptcy,” was the calm reply. ‘‘ The sum I have named is not large compared with your well-known resources, You are worth a million at least, and can afford to buy the papers men- tioned a while ago,” ** 7 don’t want them at that figure,” said the merchant. ‘' I can’t rob my child to purchase a few old papers which really amount to noth- ing.”’ Ouick as thought almost a smile appeared at Thalia’s lips, and her eyes seemed to get a new light as she leaned toward Merle Mallot, ‘* A few old papers which amount to nothing, eh?’ she repeated, while she looked him in the face. ‘‘ You know better than that, Merle Mal- lot. You wouldn’t have the history of those pare brought to light for ten times the sum I ave named. If you say you will not purchase at the price mentioned, our business is conclud- ed, and the next move will follow.” ‘* What will the next move be?” ‘The production of the person mentioned most prominently in those papers.” Merle Mallot moved uneasily in his chair. **{ do not understand you,” said he. ‘‘ Need I make it plainer? Then, let me say that the child, Florette, is alive.” ‘* Impossible!” cried Mallot, losing color de- a his secret resolve to do nothing of the ind, ‘Wait and see,” smiled Thalia. ‘*‘ You are likely to have served on you within a short time a legal paper which will drag you into the courts, and then the reporters will get to sharpen their pencils over a romance in real life. I did not think you wanted the past opened, Merle Mallot, Florette is ready to step forward and claim her own, and you know how much that is to-day. I thought you would be in a purchasable mood, but you want litigation, I see. It shall be yours since you seek it. I have no choice,” ‘* Have you the pee with you?” **Oh, no,” laughed Thalia. ‘They are too valuable to bring to you before a bargain has been struck.” The merchant bit his lip. The woman was too much for him, ‘¢ You won’t buy, so I will go,” she went on, leaving her chair. ‘I won’t come aguin,Mr. Mal- lot. You have been givenachance, F lorette will appear on the scene now.” ) ferle Mallot saw Thalia standing before him with the dignity of a queen. ‘*T don’t want to be robbed,” he exclaimed. * You ask too much, entirely too mucb, for the pers. ** Not a dollar less will be taken.” ** He sent you to me, did he not?” ** Of whom do you speak?” ‘*) mean the young thief who violated my confidence before he had been six months in my employ!’ said Mallot, bitterly. ‘*“T came from no ack person,” repeated Thalia. ** 1s it possible?” ‘* 1 came from the papers—from F lorette,” she went on, ‘‘[f | buy the former at your price, will the latter never appear?” ‘* She will never bother you.” ‘* Tf we can’t agree to-night, she will push her claim, will she?” ‘‘To the end!” came sternly over Thalia’s lips. “*This is no child’s play, Merle Mallot. The girl wi!l be recognized by those who often saw her mother, and the papers, which I am surprised you never destroyed, will complete her cause. It all liesin your bands, Listen to compromise and live unmolested; refuse, and have the past aired in the New York courts.” **T call this black-mail,” exclaimed Mallot. ** T think I need not let myself be frightened out of one hundred thousand dollars.” Thalia did not lose her temper. come,” she said calmly. daughter, has*more than trebled itself. You have used it as the stepping stone to immense wealth. Do you want this in the c urts, Merle Mallot?) Do you want several otzer dark tricks exposed to the ssarching light of justice? I ask vou whether you want an old man, once called Jerry Dunn, to mount the stand?” Merle Mallot started up with acry he could not suppress. {¢ was Thalia’s last shot, and she had kept it in the locker until it was needed. There was now not a vestige of color on the merchant’s face, and the woman, standing off, watched him with triumphant eyes. **You see we are not unprepared for the at- “Very well; if you want exposure, it shall | ‘““The money which , vour first partner left to you in trust for bis , Ac I ‘can have all of you sent’: up for burg- ry! ‘* With the papers and Florette in our hands?” laughed Thalia, ‘‘ Now, you would not that, Mr. Mallot! I think we hold a hand equal to any you can obtain. The girl is very eager to get her own, and she wants to see the doors of Sing Sing open for a certain person. So she says, Merle Mallot. There will be enough left for your own child,” ‘* Enough till you come again.” ‘‘ We sell you the papers. We give the game “pe? to you, for one hundred thousand, cash in and, ‘To be paid where and when?” . ‘‘ Within twenty four hours and at a place that will be designated hereafter.” ‘‘ Give me a little time for reflection,” begged Mallot. ** How much do you want?’ ‘* Several hours at least.” ‘Take them. Insert your decision in one of the morning pepers in a * personal’ addressed to ‘ Business.’ If you accept the proposition, say, ‘ Accepted,’ and sign anything you wish to the personal. If you decline, insert nothing in the paper. We will then know that you throw out a challenge. You will do this?” Mallot made a faint reply in a voice entirely pol his natural tones, and Thalia drew ack. ! A minute later she said good-night to the pale merchant, and he fell back in his chair, while she went down to the eager and impatient man, waiting for her in the carriage at the curb. ‘In God’s name, has it come to this?’ croaned Maliot, as he staggered across the room to the window while the vehicle moved into the street. ‘Is the girl alive, and have they found Jerry Dunn whom | have not seen for seventeen years? LTamin their power unless [ can over- throw the gang. What can my boy spotter do against this infamous league? I dare not tell him about the past, Gods, no! I must have the papers! Give me them, and [ll laugh at the foe. Where is my young fox?” At that moment the bell rung, and Mallot looked breathless toward the door while he waited for the visitor, It opened and revealed Dodger Dick. | ‘** Look here,” cried the merchant, seizing the boy instantly. ‘‘I must have my papers with- in twenty-four-hours.” CHAPTER X. NIGHT WORK. ™ ‘‘WITHIN twenty-four hours?” echoed the wharf detective, looking into Merle Mallot’s face still without color. ‘Something has happened.” ‘‘' Yes, something has happened,” responded the ex-merchant through his teeth. He did not choose to give the Dedger the par- ticulars of Thalia’s visit, though the boy waited several minutes for him to say something about it. ‘“Yon’ve had a visitor, Mr. Maillot,” finally said Dick. ‘* Ah, do you know?” **T guess I can see some things when my eyes are open,” grinned the dock shadow, ‘ Did she know very much?” ‘‘She knows a good deal. wait for her below?” sé Yes.” ‘* Was it occupied?” ‘6 Tt was.” éé By whom Q ‘ The merchant’s voice as well as his looks be-~ trayed his eagerness. ‘* A man waited for her in the vehicle,” con- tinued the Dodger, : ‘Was it Argus Brandon, my thief nephew?” ‘It was not!” exclaimed the boy. ‘The man was the woman’s companion in the scheme, When she entered the cab sbe whispered several words of congratulation, and away they went, Look here! did you let that New York serpent carry her point?” ‘‘T did not and she never shall! I wish you had followed them, They will go back to my papers, and to a certain gi they claim to have in their possession. want tbose papers within twenty-four hours. Put them in m hands, and I can defy the league against me. was hasely threatened to-night and in my own ~ house, too. Do you think you can win the bat- tle within that time?” : Dodger Dick was shrewd enough to see that Merle Mallot was keeping something back. ‘‘T can’t tell you till I know something atout the woman’s visit. You must have given her some Se ae te for why did she say to the man in the cab: ‘To-morrow’s paper Didn’t a carriage snr nnetineyelllsnnenei Ine nnn npUEREERREEnRRUEnnReenemeeet entlieeneneeneeeeeteeeeeenenetened Entel ————————————————————————————————————_—————————————____________________________________________________IK—KX—K—__________ a) 4) iy & ° J a F . 3 . a ; y C am ~ » __- ! » - — 3 si . % e* = i) 2 the victory,’ What does that mean?” comicbool _ pupt me?” cried Merle Mallot. tack,” the continued. fe ea 2 a” ee ee ae