Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 544 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

= - On To this the young man assented, although be well knew that little sleep would visit his eyes, Uncle Si dropped asleep soon after retiring, but not so with the detective. He sat in his chair by the open window all night long, and divided his time between smokingand meditating. He was trying to form some plan of operation for the work ahead, but it was a most difficult thing todo. That the variety singer was really Sloat’s daughter, there seemed no reason to doubt, else why had she fainted at sight of him? Surely the old man was not so homely in ap- arance as to have frightened her, for the foot- ight favorites are not proverbially a very timid race, Naturally, the old man must have recognized her, and she him. It remained then a foregone conclusion that Edna Earl, the vocalist, was the farmer’s unfortunate daughter Stella. But, why bad she hastened from the theater, after recovering from her faint, and not sought to find her parent, whom she had not seen tor seven years? ‘ Was she afraid to meet him? It would seem s », So many and varied were the detective’s thoughts, that he at last grew tired of thinking, and glad he was when day once more dawned, bright and rosy. Old Si was canis soundly, so putting on his hat—for he had not otherwise undressed—he stole from the room and went down-sta'rs, Sockdolager was an early-rising town, most of the miners being abroad as svon as it was daybreak, to get a before-breakfast_ ‘' bracer,” As on the preceding morning, Vidocq saun- tered idly through the camp, and enjoyed the refreshing air. He scrutinized the various habitations he passed, and sought to determine which one might shelter Miss Ena Earl, the vocalist; but this seemed a hopeless quest, and after a somewhat extended walk he returned to the hotel for breakfast, which he found in wait- ing for him, most of the guests having already eaten, Breakfast over, Vidocq held a long conversa- tion with Uncle Si, upon the piazza, the result of which seemed highly satisfactory, for the old farmer greatly brightened up, and was more cheerful, after the detective arose and re-entered the hotel, Later on Vidocgq left the hotel, and sauntered leisurely toward the more prominent tent of Mile. Leonora, Just before reaching it, he encountered Ele- phant Eph, the leader of the Executive Com- mittee, who approached with a swagger, and a villainous leer upon his ugly countenance, ‘* Hello! thar!” he saluted. ‘‘l say, you young galoot, you think you’re quite a Jim-dandy, don’t yer, now 9” ‘* Why, to be sure I do!” Vidocq replied, good- naturedly. ‘“ Don’t you?” ‘No, I don’t, an’ ther Kermitty don’t, neither. We'll give in ye ruther bluffed us, night afore last, but ye can’t do et, ag’in.” ** No?” ** No, sir-ee! You’re a snide an’ a sucker, from the word go, an’ ain't wu’th the room you take up. So ther Kermitty held a high mass last night, and resolutions were proposed and adopted to the effect that ef ye didn’t skip ther town within twenty-four hours after being warned, ve war to be shot down ‘thout further notice from us, [I war then deputized, and do hereby give ye notice to get up and git, within ther specified time, under the penalty of death!” ‘¢ You don’t say so!” ‘‘ But, I do. ye know, an’, w’at’s more, I mean it!” ‘‘ Well, Mr. Chawemup, or whatever your name may be, permit me to politely, and unos- tentatiously inform you that I haven’t the slightest idea or intention of leaving this town until I get good and ready, In the words of the immortal Walt Whitman, I don’t scare worth a cent—especially, not at the bark of a pack of dirty curs, such as constitute that great govern- ing body, the Executive Committee of Sock- dolager City!” ‘Oho! so we're curs, are we?” ‘* You bet and of the worst description, too!” ‘* Durn yer impudence, d’ye know what I’ve a eussed good mind to do?” ‘‘ Haven’t the slightest idea, pon my word,” ‘Waal, Pve a durned good notion. ter take ther responserbility off ther Kermitty’s hands an’ do ye up, myself!” ** An excellent and self-sacrificing idea, by Jove!” was Vidocq’s unruffled reply. ‘* There’s no time like the present, and aman might better lose a fortune than allow a golden opportunity to go by unheeded. Here we are, all alone, and —— — — oe ——- SS your breath against me, It’s strong enough, feaven knows, to knock me down, and you ought to be big enough to finish the job.” “ Oh! .yer mighty smart, ain’t yer?” ‘Bet lam! Iwas brought up on smartweed tea and lightning-rod soup!” ‘Waal, ’m jest ther galoot as kin take some o’ the smartness out 0’ you, an’ I’m goin’ ter do et, too, or my handle ain’t ilephant Eph.” “All right, my strong-scentel pachryderm ; I'm your lobster, with the red claws, every day in a Week, and twice on Sunday!” Elephant Eph made no reply, but peeled off his coat, rolled up his sleeves, and advanced stealthily toward the object of his animosity, while the younger and smarter man squared himself, in a professional attitude, to resist the assault, But, the battle was not destined to take place, for, just as the men were about to begin the fight, an unforeseen interference took place. This interference came in the shape of Made- moiselle Leonora, who suddenly appeared around the corner of her tent, and stepped between the two men, with a pair of revolvers in her grasp. ‘** You men shall not fight!” she cried in a tone that rung with emphasis, ‘If there’s any fight- ing to be done, here, U'll take a hand in it!” lephant Eph uttered a snort of rage, while, as for Vidocq, he backed off, in amused aston- ishment, “Td like to know what in thunder business yowve got meddlin’in our affairs?” Elephant {ph gruffly demanded, ‘** There’s going to be no fight!” Leonora de- clared, promptly, ‘Pick up your coat, and mosey or I shall be under the necessity of blow- ing your head off!” **Oh! ye will, hey?” ‘*T will, so get out of here, instanter or take the consequence, you big loafer!” and one of the revolvers came quickly to a level. The Executive Committeman hesitated no longer, but picking up his coat, stalked away, swearing furiously, Then, Leonora turned abruptly and returned to her tent, leaving Vidocq standing alone. CHAPTER VIII, THE INTERVIEW. IN the course of his active detective experi- ence, Deadwood Dick, Jr., had experience many surprises, but none so provokingly dis- concerting as the present one, Tue fact that Leonora had neither looked at, nor spoken to him, placed him in a decidedly awkward and embarrassing position, It bad been his intention to visit and inter- view the mysterious locator, but he changed his purpose, and walked away. ‘* Confound the luck,” he muttered, ‘‘ ’d have run the risk of getting thumped by the big brute rather than had her interfere. Why did she do it? Well, I'll know the reason why or my name isn’t Vidocq,” and with sudden decision he turned about and retraced his footsteps. The entrance to the tent consisted of a door frame, and a plain wooden door, which was sup- plied with a lock, Reaching the tent, he rapped gently upon the closed portal. Little Fern answered the summons. ‘* Is your mamma in?’ Vidocy asked, ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘*T would like to have an interview with her.” ‘Allright. Come in, sir!” The detective entered and little Fern closed the door behind him. Vidocq found, when once inside, that the tent was divided into two compartments by a strip of canvas, The outer room was furnished only with chairs. To one of these the child motioned the detective. When he was seated she held out her hand, gazing at him curiously, “Ob, you want to shake hands, do you, little one?” Vidoeq asked. ‘‘ Well, that’s a nice girl,” and he extended his own hand. ‘“No; [ want ten dollars,” Fern replied, not offering to shake.” At which Vidoeq laughed. ‘“Oh! thatis it, eh? Always be sure you get your money before you part with your flowers, and then you'll never get left.” So he gave her a ten-dollar gold-piece, when she at once darted behind (he canvas partition. Mile. Leonora soon made her appearance, black-clad and masked, and became seated. ‘* Do you wish to see me, sir?” she asked. ‘“Yes, madam. 1 understand that you make ita part of your business to locate mines, and have been quite successful at it?” ‘Yes, sir. have located several paying the wind which is blowing from the north drives | mines in this camp.” Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq, -_-- + ‘*SoIam credibly informed. Now, my case is as follows: [ am in the employ of a gentleman of moderate means, but of a speculative turn of mind. Most Southern gentlemen in this region are that way, perhaps you are aware. Well, I have told my employer of your wondrous gift, and he has sent me to see what it will cost him to have you locate a mine. If your price is not too steep, I presume you can secure a ready cash customer,” ‘Of what religious faith is your employer?” madenioiselle asked, rather indifferently. Vidocq smiled_as he responded: ‘*T don’t know as I ought to give him away, but the fact is he is a confirmed spiritualist—be- lieves in spiritual manifestations, rappings, and such stuff, He has been trying toconvert me to his faith, but, as I don’t cotton to the article, ?’m seriously afraid he will find me rather a refrac- tory pa tiert.” ‘* Your employer is right,” Leonora decided. ‘T will go abroad to-night, andif 1 have my usual luck, will locate bim a paying claim. My terms are five hundred dollars, cash in advance.” ‘Very well, I don’t think he will kick at that price. I will bring him here, after dinner, and the arrangements can be completed.” ‘‘Ttis not necessary that you should accom- pany him, is it?’ "Absolutely. He may want to talk with you, and I am the only one who can make him hear, not by my voice, but by my fingers, you see. He is totally deaf.” ‘* How. unfortunate! after dinner.” Vidocq bowed, and bidding the mysterious woman goud-day, took his departure. ‘* Now for the test!” he muttered, ‘“‘If the old man is only equal to the emergency, I can mighty soon tell whether my suspicions are correct or not; for, as I live, I believe that un- der the mask of Ma’m’selle Leonora is concealed the face of Stella Sloat!” This suspicion had haunted the mind of the detective since the first glimpse he had got of the mysterious locator, and learned that little Fern called her mamma, He reached the hotel, to find Uncle Si anx- jously awaiting his arrival. “Well, young man,” the former demanded, “anything new?” ‘‘Things are working lovely, daddy,” Vidoeq replied. ‘‘I have made arrangements for you to go down into your pocket this afternoon and invest five bundred dollars, as an earnest of your spiritualistic faith!” ‘‘Waal, ef yer s’pishuns turn out kerect, I won't mind spendin’ the five hundred any more than [ us’ter mind spendin’ a ten-cent shinplas- ter,” Uncle Si declared. ‘“ But, if the woman don’t prove to be Stella, I dunno but I'd ruther invest the money in a gravestun factory,” ** Well, I, too, shall be disappointed if the re- Very well, bring him sult of my test is a failure,” Vidocq said. *‘ Dur- ing our interview to-day she watched me like a hawk through those eyeholes in her mask, as if suspicious that I was working up a scheme,” ‘‘She did, eh? Well, Stella was a smart gal, ef I do say et; but—but blame me if I ever kuew her to go gallavantin’ around in her sleep. Ef any one was to do sech a thing up at Pertrins’s Cross Roads, thar’d somebody get filled full o’ buckshot mighty quick!” ‘* We are to visit the mademoiselle after din- ner, and it won’t take me long to form an opin- ion whether she is or is not your daughter, Our success depends a great deal upon you. have given you all the necessary instructions, I think, and if you but carry them out to the letter, that’s all 1 shall require of you!” ‘Oh! you needen’t fear about me. I kin hold my own, when I set my mind onto it, Tm ter be as deef as a town pump, eh?” be Yes,” ‘“ And am not to betray by any sign that I hev any suspicjon who she is?” ‘* Exactly.” ‘‘ And am to ask only the questions you told me to? Waal, ef Old Si don’t gothr’u‘ the ordeal, high whisky proof, jest hit him with a hoe- handle. But, mind ye, ef she begins to blubber, an’ show onmistakable sign thet she’s my dar- ter, ye mustn’t objeck ef I give a snort or two myself.” ‘Certainly not!” Vidoeq laughed. “T won't kick, in that case, if you sereech like a locomo- tive whistle!” CHAPTER IX. THE TEST AND ITS RESULT, THE forenoon passed quickly, and at last the time arrived for Nigees, and Uncle Si to visit the tent of Leonora the Locator, so they left the Sandy Bar Hotel. com