Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 561: Deadwood Dick — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

‘Possibly, though hardly probable. [f she had another husband living, and he came to Boston, she may have been so informed, yet kept the information from me asa matter of indety to herself.” ‘Quite likely. Having committed bigamy in marrying you, she certainly would be anxious to conceal all knowledge of the fact from you, and it may therefore be that her influence caused Calvin Cool to be put out of the way.” ‘‘She’s none too good for such an act. She is a woman of strong passions, and bas more than once threatened my life. More than that I will not now say.” ‘*Of whom did you receive pawned—your wife, I suppose? “se Yes.” “She has a large collection of jewels, I. be- lieve?” an ‘‘Few women in Boston have more or better ones,” bis ‘*She has money, foo.” ‘* Yes—has a fortune in her own right.” ‘You say she is stopping at the Adams House?” % Yes; present, ‘‘Have youany particular hotel where you ean be found, if wanted?” ‘‘None as yet, although IJ shall most likely visit the Tremont, daily!” “Your sons, Gilbert and Jacob, are with you?” ‘Yes, But what of them? They know noth- ing of this Calvin Cool!” ‘Oh! presumably not. You understand that we detectives have a habit of asking questions, relevant and irrelevant?’ ‘Well, [do not care to answer any more,” and turning, Glenroy left tae room, and Dick soon did likewise. After his departure, honest Moses Mumb’s whole demeanor underwent a change, “There’s beea foul play done!” he mused, ‘‘and Calvin Cool’s wife is at the bottom of it. She isa rich woman, and what I have learned to-day, ought to place her at my mercy. Times are not what they ought to be, and if I could make an honest thousand dollars out of her, why not? Chances are that my old friend Cool is dead, and, by getting his money away from his wife, I would be only doing a charitable act to Calvin’s memory. The matter is worth con- sideration!” _. the ring you just there is where she is staying for the CHAPTER IV. THE PAWNBROKER AS A P From the pawnshop, Dick went to the hotel where Miss Cool was stopping and ac- quainted her with the particulars of what he had learned In the mean time, Moses Mumb, the Jew, left his place of business in charge of his son and bastened to the Adams House. ‘ On reaching the hotel, the wily son of Israel consulted the register, and then sent up bis card. A few minutes later, he was seated in the parlor of an elegnt suit of rooms, in the presence of a tall, imposing-looking woman, whose cold, almost marble-like face, and sharp gray eyes betokened that she was a person of unusual strength of will. She was attired in a rich costume, and in her younger days had no doubt been a most hand- some person. 'Time had wrought changes, however, and even pene and powder could not dispel the wrinkles. ‘*T believe I have the honor of meeting Mrs, George Glenroy?” Moses said, with suave polite- ness, ‘*T am Mrs, Glenroy, yes,” was the cold reply. ‘‘ Just so. You were formerly Mrs, Calvin Cool, from the West?” ‘*How do you know that?” she demanded, quickly. . ‘*Ob! I have heard that knowledge,” was the reply. ‘‘I believe you left your husband and absconded with his money and jewels!” Mrs. Glenroy instantly sprung to her feet, in- dignantly, ‘This is infamous,” she cried. ‘‘ How dare you come here and insult meso? I'll have you understand, sir, that | am a lady!” **So your ae would seem to indi- cate,” the pawnbroker blandly replied, ‘‘ but that does not alter the truth of my accusation in the least, Ll am pretty well acquainted with our true husband, from whom you have never n divorced, and also with pose later spouse, Mr, Glenroy. The fact that you are both a bigamist and a toief stands without on, I have the proof. Understand, however, that I de not come to you as an enemy!” is \ . ‘oat: sie < ——oe eee ee ee ee ol Mrs. Glenroy sunk upon a sofa, her face of ashen pallor, ber eyes gleaming. ‘* What brings you here, then?” she demanded, gaspingly. ‘*T come as a friend, ne you are willing to pay me for my friencsbip. have informa- tion which causes me to know that you now are in positive danger.” ‘*Danger? In what way, sir?” ‘‘ Well, promise to pay me, and I will not only inform you, but I will shield you from harm that will otherwise befall you!” Mrs. Glenroy looked at her visitor, contempt- uously. ‘‘Bah!” she said, ‘‘Do you think I am a fool; to be blackmailed?” ‘‘There is no blackmail about it,” Mumb coolly replied. ‘‘The case is this: You are wanted on three charges—first, grand larceny, second, cigar, and third, murder !” ‘‘ Murder! My God! what do you mean?” ‘‘ What [I say! Detectives are even now searching for y.ou in this city, and State’s Prison, if indeed, net the gallows, stares you in the face!” ‘* But how—what damnable plot is this against me? Explain yourself!” ** Do you wish to employ me?” ‘* Yes, yes! Goon!” ** Well, the matter is this: Calvin Cool, learn- ing your whereabouts, and bent on revenge, came East several weeks ago to have you ar- rested. He called upon me, but I did not see fit to give him any information, Mr. Glenroy being one of my customers in certain business matters, ‘It bas been proven, however, that Cool found you, and a stormy interview took place, since which he has not been heard from or seen, “Growing alarmed, his daughter came East and engaged detectives, who have so far pro- gressed in the matter that they are satisfied you are the direct cause of Cool’s disappearance, and you are suspected of having had him put out of the way, you fearing his intended. ven- geance. Thus you see youarein a very dan- gerous position, for aow having, as I under- stand, left Mr. Glenroy, be will not shield you from these deteetive blouoodhounds who are on our track, For a reasonable consideration, ing a poor man, J will!” Who areyou? “Moses Mame!” ‘* mean what is your business?” “‘l am a pawnbroker. You perhaps have heard Mr, Glenroy mention me?” ‘*Not that I know of, sir. Glenro made me his confidante. You say my is here in Boston?” ‘* Where?” ‘That I cannot tell you, not knowing. The detective called upon me, and made inquiries as to your whereabouts, Knowing you had quit- ted your f r residence, I directed him there and came to inform you.” ‘' What is this detective’s name?” ‘* Richard Bristol, I should judge he is one of the sharpest and most successful detectives of the West, Unless you choose to let me as- sist you, he will, without doubt, hunt you down, and then will follow arrest, disgrace, imprison- ment, and perhaps the gallows—for mind you, this Bristol is one who spares none!” ‘* How could you protect me, pray, in case I was disposed to accept of your protection?’ Mrs, Glenroy asked, eagerly, nervously. Moses smiled, knowingly. ‘**] can fix that all right,” he declared, ‘I bave only my son, daughter and myself, and over iny store isa suit of rooms,nicely furnished, where you could. hve comfortably and quietly, until this business has blown over, which won’t be long. No one would think of searching for you at Moses Mumb’s place of business, and failing to find you, the detectives would soon give up the case, in disgust!” ** What price would you expect for these ac- commodations?” ‘* Well, let me see. I have a mortgage on my place, which must be lifted. It is for one thou- pono a That would be the sum I should ulre at “Indeed? The price is preposterods, I can leave town and establish myself elsewhere, very much cheaper!” ‘* Ah! could you? Well, I to differ with never ughter —_ and the Jew’s eyes em a peculiar gleam. ‘* How do you mean?” Mrs. Glenroy demand- ed ; haughtily. :, ‘ “that one of I mean,” Mumb answered, “t the detectives is stopping in this hotel, and were you to try to escape from here, except under Deadwood Dick in Boston. Ee Os CE ES OS TU a OT my care, you. would be gobbled up, instantly, and hustled off to jail, On the other band, how~ ever, pay me five hundred, and I will steer the detective out of the way, assist you to escape from the hotel, and conduct you to my home, where you can have secure and comfortable uarters, until it is safe for you to be abroad. here will be room enough, so that you can keep house and have a servant girl, and live there in safety!” ‘* And so, if I were to refuse you would give . me up to this officer?” ‘*No! no! My dear lady, you misunderstand. Iam your friend, and would not bring you to harm. The detective is not living bere, but is hanging around, seeing what he can see or bear, and he is suspicious that you are here. There are several of these detectives, under command of this man Bristol, and I judge that they are distributed among the different hotels keeping a sharp lookout. Bristol has gone to your late resi- j dence, and very likely some of your forme:‘\—~- neighbors may be able to tell him your present address!” Mrs, Glenroy turned pale. ‘You are right!” she said, ‘‘and there are plenty who would be glad to do so, if the thought it would get me intotrouble, Yes, ‘must leave this hotel] at once, and I know of no better place for the present, than to accept your offer; so, send the detective away, and order a baggage wagon, and by the time you return, my | daughter and myself will be ready to accom- + i pany you. I will then pay you your price.” hl ‘* My dear madam, you are most sensible, and time will prove that I am a friend to you!” | Mumb said, blandly. ‘‘ I will basten at once to ‘| make arrangements for our departure.” He then bowed himself out of the room. ‘*[ hate that man!” Mrs, Glenroy hissed, whem Mumb was gone. ‘‘He is a scheming but in-— telligent rascal, and has played me for his yic- tim. But, if matters are as he represents, and I can but believe that they are, 1 see no present alternative but to accede to the man’s proposi- tion. But, I shall look sharp that you play me no tricks, for further extortion, Mr. Moses Mumb!” She then called ber daughter, a tall, graceful brunette, of marked beauty, and briefly con- fided to her the situation of affairs, The youug lady seem take the news very hilosophically, and she and ber mother began Se maria preparations for departure from the otel, When Mumb returned, balf an hovr later, he found them all in readiness. ‘*Tt’s all right!” he said; ** I’ve sent the detec- tive on a wild goose chase, and a hack is wait- ing at the ladies’ door. A baggageman will call for your effects, and bring them, So come! let’s be off before the detective returns!” They left the hotel, entered a hack, and were driven rapidly away. Within half an hour’s time, Mrs. Glenroy and her daughter were the tenants of a cosey suit of rooms, over the pawnshop of Moses Mumb. . CHAPTER V. * DEADWOOD DICK INTERVIEWS SILLY JAKE. TRE first thing Deadwood Dick did, after leaving his pretty client, Miss Cool, at the Revere House, was to find his way to the late = residence of Mr, George Glenroy. Despite the fact that Glenroy had admitted a separation from his wife, Dick naturally expect- se ed to find some one still in possession of the resi- ? dence; but, much to bis surprise, upon his ar- ds rival there, he found the mansion locked, the Ys windows boarded up, and a sign of ‘‘ To Rent,” 3 posted upon the front door. tee 1 The only person visible about the premises, was a loutish-looking fellow, who was seated on the doorstep, engaged in whittling a stick, » Although not bad-looking, and fairly dressed, there was a certain shiftlessness about him and a dull, vacant expression about his face, that would seem to indicate that he was not overly. bright. ‘ ‘‘Don’t no one live here!” be said, as Dick entered the little yard in front of the mansion, which was one of the bandsomest structures in its vicinity. ‘‘ Place closed bang up tight!” “Ts this not Mr. Glenrvy’s place?’ Dickasked, surveving the house. Rhee ‘“Yas, but the old man and the old woman > had a split, and shut up shop.” “a ‘* Who are you?” ‘ a ‘“'m Jake!” ) y J ake?—what, not Mr. Glenroy’s son?” “But, if the house is closed, what are you +. doing here?” Dick queried. »eom <p