Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 534 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

D It’s the vexation of I sup- for a thousand dollars. waiting here, all night, that’s my burt. pose there’s no help for it, however!” Nor was there. The boat that had taken Hastings and Sylvan ashore, returned, and was reboisted to its crane, Dick and Jolly sat ou deck all night, feeling anything but comfortable over the fact that they had again suffered defeat, when their game was within their easy grasp. After undergoing quarantine inspection, the next morning the Gallant raised anchor, about ten o’clock, and steamed along through the har- bor, to her pier, where she discharged her cargo of human freight. CHAPTER XIV. SYLVAN IN A NEW ROLE. | A MELBOURNE morning paper contained the following paragraph: ‘**“MURDER!! ** PATROL-OFFICER HAYES FATALLY STABBED; ASSASSIN ESCAPES! ‘Shortly after sunset, last evening, the steamship, Gallant, from ’Frisco, anchored off Quarantine, to await the customary sanitary and custom inspection, before comtng to her pier. ‘‘ Later in the evening, one of the sbip’s boats landed two passengers on thé pier, and returned to the ship, The passengers landed, were a smooth-faced, well-dressed elderly man, and a black-clad woman, who was heavily vailed. ‘* As the couple were about to leave the pier, they were intercepted by Officer Hayes, who politely informed them tbat he should have to take "ohn into custody, until the Gallant had passed inspection the next day. ‘*At this the male passenger grew furious, and drawing a knife, he plunged it in the officer’s breast, Then, he and his companion fled, each taking a different direction. ‘*Tt was quite dark, at the time the tragedy occurred, and there were comparatively few persons in the vicinity of the pier; so the strange couple had no difficulty in making their Sigg ‘*'When Hayes’s body was found by officer Keogh life was extinct. An alarm was imme- diately sent out, and in a short time every offi- cer on the force was on the lookout for the murderer. Up to the hour of going to press no tidings of an arrest have been received,” When the passengers of the Gallant arrived in Melbourne, they found the people of the city in a very excited state of mind, It did not take Dick and Jolly long to find out what the cause of the commotion was, and they scarcely felt surprised when they found that Hastings had added another to his list of crimes, “ ** Well, you can bet it will go tough with our man, if he falls into the bands of these Austra- lians, for their ways and methods are somewhat similar to those of our wild West people. So Sylvan went one way and Hastings the other, eh? Well, ’'m glad of that. I hope the girl has cut loose from that accursed villain for good,” Dick said. | During that day the two friends wandered aimlessly about the quaint Australian metrop- olis, with nothing to do but to see what was to be seen. j Where to look for either Sylvan or Hastings, of course they did not know, and there was nothing to do but await the investigation of the olice. : Before leaving the Gallant Jolly had, by the use of an alkaline soap, washed the black stains from his face and hands, and resumed his better attire, so that he now looked like himself once more. Dick had likewise undisguised himself. Puring the day they visited several jewelry stores, and finally Dick succeeded in disposing of his diamonds advantageously, receiving for them the comfortable sum of fifteen bundred dollars, which, in fact, they were well worth. Everybody in Melbourne was greatly exer- cised over the murder of Officer Hayes, and it was evident the police and local detectives were doing their best to run down the murderer, During the afternoon Dick paid a visit to the chief of police, and, introducing bimself, was cordially received, To the chief he gave a detailed account of what he knew about Hastings’s infamous career, and it proved to be data which the chief highly appreciated. < Oh! we'll nab the rascal before many hours nave elapsed,” the official assured, ‘‘and if we do, you can rest assured we’ll make short work Ce Eo Sea sy — eadwood Dick’s of him. My force is composed of as wide-awake a set of men as ever did police duty, and they are familiar with every haunt in the city. Hayes was one of my most valuable men, and you can rest assured that no effort will be spared to hunt down the assassin.” ‘* Do you think he is still in the city.” ‘*T haven’t a doubt of it, The outlying patrol squads were the first of all to be notified to look out for him. I am certain he could not have eluded their vigilance. He has most likely taken refuge in some of the lower quarters of the city.” ‘Have you offered a reward for his cap- ture?” ‘*' Yes: one hundred pounds. If I find it ne- cessary, the city authorities will increase it.” After chatting for a considerable length of time, Dick took his departure, receiving a cor- dial invitation to call again, That day passed, and several others followed, without any new developments being made, Each day Dick and Jolly wandered around the city. in hopes of finding some clew to Hastings’s whereabouts, but each day they were unsuccessful, Gradually public interest in the case began to lag, but the policemen were vigilant and watch- ful—ceaselessly on the alert. In the mean time, after a shott delay, during which the captain of the Gallant was fined a thousand dollars, and discharged, the before- mentioned steamship started for ’Frisco. The captain returned with her, but it was only as a passenger. Blackthorn and Nicodemus Noodle, who had been turned over to the Melbourne authorities, were fined and sentenced to five days’ imprison- ment. Luckily, they had the money to pay their fines, or they would have got a much lon- ger term. On the fifth of their stayin Melbourne, Dick and Jolly were treated to a surprise. It came in the shape of an enyelope directed to ** Mr. Richard Bristol,” at the hotel where they were stopping. Strangest of all, the envelope bore the post- mark of Adelaide, ‘A clew at last, ll wager!” Dick said, ‘ for the directions are ina female hand, and who else can this be from, but Sylvanf” With great eagerness he tore open the envel- ope, and took out—a card. A card, and nothing more, containing the fol- lowing, printed in red ink: ? * DE LONG'S CONSOLIDATEL CONTINENTAL CIRCUS ADELAIDE, ADMIT ONE!” Well, now, what does this mean?” Dick de- manded, staring at Jolly in astonishment. ‘Who in blazes could have sent me this? I don’t know any one in Adelaide no more than I know the man in the moon, and I’m sure I don’t know him.” Jolly laughed. “I see it all,” he said. ‘‘ Your lady love is anchored in a circus, in Adelaide, and not wish- ing to say So in so many words, has sent you the ticket as a pointer!” ‘* But, what would she be doing in a cireus ?” * Blest if [ know. What do you say—shall we go to Adelaide and find out? ‘* Both of us must not leave here. Blackthorn and Nick are out of jail to-day, you know, and their every movement must be watched. By that method we are most likely to stumble upon the hiding-place of Hank Hastings!” ‘*Oh! very well, then; Pll stay behind,” Jolly replied. ‘‘I had nearly forgotten that two is company, Where three isa crowd. Of course, I should awfully hate to be present when you next meet your sweetheart!” ‘¢Oh! dry up!” Dick retorted. ‘No one has intimated that she is my sweetheart!” Resolved to solve the meaning of the card, Dick took the very next train for Adelaide, where he arrived in time for the evening per- formance. ; He found the circus to be a concern that di- vided its time each yeur between Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, and a few other less import- ant towns. It was, in reality, a mixture of every day circus and vaudeville performance, there being no pretensions of a menagerie, except a few snakes, monkeys. and a fat woman in the inevitable ‘‘ museum.” Procuring a programme, Dick Bristol entered ie anes and succeeded in getting a front seat. alleg and the ‘‘ grande entree” of gayly caparisone Death Hunt. rformance commenced with a crash of. music from brazen-throated wale stale 1s -— men and women on horseback. Then came a painful spell of tumbling, leaping, and other acrobatic exercises, Consulting his programme, Dick saw that the principal event cf the evening was a high-wire walking act, viz: ‘* ExTRA:—SpPeCcIAL ENGAGEMENT—FOR A FEW NIGHTS ONLY. MADEMOISELLE LEONORA! THR QUEEN OF THE SLACK WIRE, Who, without balance-pole, walks a slack wire sus- pended Fifteen Feet above the ground!” ‘*T wonder if Mademoiselle Leonora is Syl- van?” Dick mused, ‘1 see no other act on the bill that she would be likely to take part in.” At Jast the acrobats took a rest, and ’mid a blare of music, Mlle. Leonora, attired in tinseled skirts and tights, bounded out into the ring. A regular little fairy, she looked, and while the crowd cheered ber vociferously, Dick saw that she was indeed Sylvan! Seizing a rope, she was drawn up to the lofty perch, attached to a center-pole, The tent boasted of two center-poles, some: twenty feet apart, and at an elevation of fully fifteen feet, the wire was stretched from one pole to the other. After the band had softened its blatant strains, in a measure, Sylvan put out one dainty foot i ap the wire, which proved to be quite Then, kissing her finger-tips to the audience her second foot followed the first, and she stood suspended in mid-air, with nothing but the swaying wire to keep her there, Then, slowly, carefully, she advanced, step by step, maintaining her balance by the move- ments of her arms, At times the wire swaved fearfully, and the audience held their breath, fearful lest she lose her oe and be precipitated to the ground, } Across the wire she walked, and then back- ward to the perch, ber starting-point. Then she was lowered to the ground, and,. kissing her hand to the audience, left the arena. amid a thunder of applause, Just before the performance ended, an usher handed a letter to Dick. Opening it, he read the following: “Dear MR. BristoL.:—Did I surprise you? I hope T pleased you, rather. I am doing well here, and shall remain until you have fulfiiled your mission, and are ready to také me back to ’Frisco. Iam sorry I cannot see you acme ges but I cannot, “hen you are ready to leave Australia, you can come forme. Hoping you are well, I remain, * Affectionately yours, SYLVAN.’” “Pp, §.—Hastings is hiding somewhere in Mel- bourne, but I do not know where. Thave cut loose from the monster, forever. I found out that be had 1obbed you of over twenty thousand dollars, and f ot fifteen of it away from him without his knowing it. You shall have it when next we meet, I hope it will not be long. SYLVAN.’ “Pp. S. No, 2.—When you come tof me, if you ever do, ask only for Mile. Leonora. That is the only name I go under here, af So Dick was forced to go back to Melbourne without an interview. It caused him no little regret, for, despite the unfavorable story of her past life, he was daily growing to think more, and more of her. CHAPTER XV. THE END OF THE HUNT. Wen Dick arrived back in Melbourne, he found Jolly anxiously awaiting his arrival, ‘“ Well, what’s the news?” was asked, after they had shaken hands, ‘Well, I think I’ve tracked the wolf to his lair!” Jolly replied, ‘‘I am not certain, but in- dications point that way. How did you come u ”) “ Well, all told, ’m about nine dollars out!” ‘What? Didn’t you see your charmer?” “Tsaw Sylvan, but didn’t get a chance to speak to her. She’s doing the slack-wire act. She sent me a note, however, saying that Hast~ ings was lying in hiding, somewhere here, but she didn’t know where. She also wrote that she had recovered fifteen thousand of what he robbed me of. But, let’s hear of your move- ments?” ‘Well, I got omto the trail of Blackthorn and the nigger, soon after they were let out of jail, and tracked them to a cheap hotel in the slums, I was made up as a suspender-selling Sheeney, — so, after they had registered, I registered, “T heard Blackthorn say to the nigger: Well, you go and find if he’s there, as the note says, an’ then come and tell me, an’ I'll go an’ oe ) iv '} =