Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 639 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

a ee . | aly sf ‘_# 4 ed : ‘ ~ hae! oa \ © * a - J : Sa me * . 7 a “ + * _- ry ‘ ‘ é 4 m ; : 7 4 _the ‘but I fail to see that it specifies any some one who knew about Hardy. ated my friend, Mr.’ Hardy, of his portrait, in this _ was the genuine Hardy, a ; » . and this ttcular lady is my granddau hter.” ope Bixcdeo nso, sir, but I think b | ly He then went to a police station, but received only limited courtesy, and there the work ended. ‘Tired, sleepy, disccuraged and alarmed, he went home to get what little sleep he could, Early the following morning he set out for Somerville, and, once there, was soon at the Enonbridge house. He rung the bell; the door opened; and there stood—Emmie, herself, bright, pleasant and smiling! Saul suffered another attack of amazement, but Miss Enonbridge quickly exclaimed: ‘‘ You poor fellow! I know that I have made ou no end of trouble—but it was no more than had.” ‘*T am astonished to see you here in safety,” the youth admitted. ‘* No doubt; but come in and you shall hear all about my adventure. It is a wonder that 1 am able to tell about it.” In the parlor they found Mr. James Enon- bridge and Ralpb’s family. Saul was cordially welcomed, and then Emmie made her explana- tion. ‘* Among Uncle Ralph’s ap she said, ‘‘I found a letter directed to Hardy, and purport- ing to be from a person on Oxford street, Bos- ton. It was not important, strictly speaking, but it showed that the writer knew about Hardy. Anxious to help Uncle Ralph, [ left this house unknown to any one, to see the aforesaid writer. ‘‘ This is how I came to be in Boston; now Pll briefly tell what happened to me. ‘“‘T was imprudent to go to the house, and I now realize it, but I was ambinious, I rung the bell; I was admitted; and all seemed going well, but, instead of seeing the person I sought, L was compelled to remain, They fastened me in a room, and there I was kept for hours, I should be there now had I not managed to pick the lock of the door with a wire, and thus get out, You may be sure I was not long in getting home. ‘¢ Such, Saul, is the story in few words, To grandpa Ihave told it in detail, but it is not necessary to repeat it now. Of one thing rest assured—I shall act Donna Quixota no more, but let others do the dangerous work, ‘‘ Now, business presses, so let us speak of more important things. We have been going over the whole of Ralph’s case in full, and I have drawn up a document to give to his law- e 2 ar And ably written it is,” added James Enon- bridge. ‘‘ Let Mr. Maynard read it,” pursued Emmie. It is an important moment in a boy’s life when a young =f dignifies him with the prefix of ‘‘ Mr.” for the first time, but pretty as Ammie was, Saul Maynard remained calm, After he had taken the indicated paper, the rest of the party gave their attention to other oints connected with Ralph’s case, and the amateur detective bad all the time he wanted to consider Emmie’s well-written document. bie he had meditated upon it, he rejoined arty. ‘* Do you think we have made out a strong case?” Mr. Enonbridge asked, sé o! ‘¢- You do not?” ‘No, sir.” ‘6 Why not?” ‘¢ As far as generalities go, this is all right; articular person as having plotted against Ralph,” ‘‘We can’t specify any one,” Emmie an- swered, ‘Yet you said that you went to Boston to see If so, why is not Hardy mentioned herein?’ . vs Benaaee that clew, which never impressed me as being reliable, has been found useless, I did think that some one might have imperson- but the discovery house, proves that he and he is above suspl- cion,” **T doubt it!” ** What?” **T doubt it!” Saul made the assertion with emphasis, and ” Emmie showed signs of resentment. t ‘* Remember that he is my friend!” she said, reprovingly. ‘Do you know him well?” ** Very well.” ‘‘Then I am afraid that you do not choose your friends wisely.” ‘‘ Saul!” sternly interrupted Mr. Enonbridge, ‘tit is not to your credit to thus address a lady I can prove all that I assert,” was the steady reply. ‘‘ We are all liable to be mistaken, and Miss Enonbridge 4 ¥ i yi J » > 4 4 a + L ¥ _— x s ? “ a ‘ me rah i”) . " 7 4 uy - ; “ ‘ ; “. er die .§ a a { { ) i mT Oe suk al tre ny <5 BENT 3 aye SS A é 4% , o- Ge wv 4 di / .: Y add fs ° ‘Tae Fy . - it Me = - + _* h Lael ed a. > Laeger a Sunrise Saul, comes under that head. I hope she has been mistaken, for I think that the man Hardy is positively branded as a villain,” ‘* Impossible! Why should we listen to him, grandfather?’ demanded Emmie, with some signs of temper. ‘* Have patience, Miss Enonbridge; let me tell what I know, together with what I hope to prove. Hardy left Denver with the avowed in- tention of carrying on this plot against Ralph. Gaining access to this house, he took an impres- sion of Ralph’s key, in wax, and then had a bogus key made. He had been practicing to imitate Ralph’s writing, so that he could ‘ doc- tor’ the books, and, when all was ready, he be- an work, Several times he took small sums rom the store, and the grand stroke came when he robbed it, tampered with the books, and left the proof to ruin Ralph!” ‘I say this is false!” declared Emmie, forci- bl ye ‘* Wait!” swiftly replied Saul. ‘* Here is the wax, with the impression still in it; here is the scribbling he did to get on to Ralph’s way of writing; bere is the bogus key!” He laid out the articles as he spoke, and his companions gazed at them in wonder—all but Emmie. Her eyes flashed angrily. ‘* This is aa insult to me!” she declared. ‘* Once more, wait! 1 have more to say, and it seems to concern you, Miss Enonbridge!” CHAPTER XVIi. THE SUSPENDED SWORD FALLS, EMMIE did not seem at all pleased, ‘*(Gtrandfather,” she said, with venom one would hardly have expected from a young lady usually so meek, ** I think it is high time for us to dismiss our boy helper. He has taken the bit in bis mouth, as it were, and is running away!” ‘*T crave your indulgence for a moment longer,” Sunrise Saul calmly replied, ‘** What I have to say next refers to a matter of penman- ship. Ihave here a letter written by a certain Liz Lorimer, a woman known as an ally of thieves and villains, to Hardy. In the letter she refers to the attack upon the Enonbridges, Now, having seen the document which Miss Emmie has drawn up for Ralph’s lawyer, I find it to be in precisely the same writing as the Liz Lorimer letter! How are we to explain that?” Emmie had risen as he spoke. Her face flushed, and something more than anger was visible in her expression, Dismay was there to be seen, Saul Maynard was a close observer, for one so young, and her appearance did not impress him favorably. The suspicious circumstances he had encount- ered did not vanish, as ke really had hoped. The girl’s dismay once more gave place to anger. ‘* You miserable young pudding-bead!” she cried, her usua] refinement giving place to un- disguised coarseness, ‘‘ what in perdition do you meant ‘I have a good mind to smack you in the jaw! James Enonbridge, and Ralph’s wife, were silent in amazement. Had they beard aright? Was it really Emmie who used such language? ‘* You get a move on you, and shuffle out of this house,” the girl added, ‘tor Pll throw you through the window!” She had the scene all to herself; even Saul was silent, When he saw that Emmie’s writing and that of Liz Lorimer were identical be knew he had chanced upon some alarming mystery, but the swift rush of events had not given him time to analyze the evidence carefully. Upon bim thre now flashed a conviction which, after he had learned so much, he could not have helped studying out—that Emmie was in leage with Hardy in the plot against Ralph, Just then the bell rung, and Mr, Enonbridge’s eldest grandson opened the door without con- sulting any one. hree men entered—all of whom were well- known to Sunrise Saul. They were Buck Jock- way Abner Plunket and Mose Deegan. ‘ Hullo, pard!” cried the man from Lame Horse, bluffly. ‘ Hyar we be, ag’in! I’ve come ter bid ye good-by!’ ‘* You have?” returned Saul, mechanically. **Bet yer life! I shall soon be on my way back ter Lame Horse, fur my work hyer is done. Arad Boyne, alias Hardy, is my prisoner!” He looked at Emmie, and she turned deathly pale, ‘Strikes ye hard, don’t it?’ he growled. ‘* Don’t like ter have yer pal in quod. Hey?” “Sir?” she cried. ‘*Oh! come now, don’t put on no airs hyar; ye can’t fool me as you did poor my Dean, ~~ e . a ot ~~ : la =. iy ” : i - , ’ 4 ? oe i | ° « " 13 a blood will never be on your hands as his is ‘You wretch!” she cried, “how dare you address me thus?” ‘* Sir,” interpesed Mr, Enonbridge, with dig- nity, ‘‘remember that you address my grand- daughter!” Jockway laughed shortly. ‘Your granddaughter!” he retorted; ‘not much, I don’t! Why, man alive, that thar fe- male is Liz Lorimer, with a dozen other names; one of the worst thieves and confidence women o’ the West, and one o’ the murderers o’ my pard, Sammy Dean!” ‘* You lie!” hissed the girl, furiously, ‘** Hyar’s my proof!” Jockway pointed to Mose Deegan, who bowed gracefully and moved forward, ‘*T know the crew from A to Z,” he observed, quietly. ‘‘Old gentleman, when you were on the train you had a mysterious letter pinned to your coat by a party to you unknown. That arty was me, Mose Deegan. I told youin that etter that you were not onto all the points in the game, Lots of truth in that, old gentleman. **You’ve been bamboozled the worst way, This woman is not your granddaughter at all, The real Emmie Enonbridge isin the West, held prisoner while these sharks work their game; and Liz Lorimer has come East, lived on you for a year, and passed herself off for your grand- daughter, If there is a she-demon out, it’s her. : ** ‘You speak falsely!” the old man cried, ° ‘‘T speak the truth. I can prove it, and, for that reason, Liz will not deny it. Eb, Liz?’ ‘‘T admit the whole game,” the woman bit- terly replied, ‘‘ but, mind you, More Deegan, I know how to deal with traitors. Ill have your life for this!” Deegan laughed unconcernedly. ** ‘You'll never get the chance, Boyne, alias Hardy, is under arrest, and I can swear that I heard him admit that it was he who broke into the store and did the job credited to Ralph, But he won’t ever be tried for that job!” ** Right!” agreed Buck Jockway; ‘‘ I’ve agreed ter let the law take its course, an’ him an you, woman, go West ter be tried fur murderin Sammy Dean.” The woman’s eyes glittered dangerously, and her hand sought a foldin her dress, Alert Buck corn forward just in time to seize her hand as she drew a revolver. He wrested the weapon away. ‘* Can’t let ye do it, an’ you’ve got enough ter answer fur now,” he coolly observed. ‘‘Man,” exclaimed James Enonbridge, ‘ will you drive me mad? Emmie is my grand- daughter—” ‘Oh! let up!” requested Mose Deegan, im- patiently, ‘‘ You tireme. Did youever have a brother Ephraim?” sé Yes.” ‘Where is he now?” ‘*T don’t know; he left home many years ago, and we have never heard from him since,” “Hear now, then, Ephraim Enonbridge, Western cattle-king, is dead. He left neither child nor will, but did leave a fortune which will not yary much from a cool million. The heirs, of course, are the three sons of your de- ceased brother, Amos Enonbridge, and your- sclf, Arad Boyne and Liz Lorimer knew of this, and they plotied to do you up. First of all the real Emmie was gotten into their power and imprisoned, and then Lizcame East, claiming to be your granddaughter. As you had never seen the real Emmie, Liz had no trouble in fool- ing you, and, demon that she is, she can act the angel when she tries. After a fashion of their own they intended to do up Ralph, and the plot against him was begun, Are you pow on?” Nobody hada reply ready. Liz Lorimer knew that her game was up, and she sat in sullen silence, It was Sunrise Saul who broke the painful pause. ‘‘ Deegan,” he asked, ‘‘do you know who was the train-robber?” “By gosh! it was her!” declared Abner Plunket, pointing to Liz. ‘‘ Deegan knew it. That air money we raised at Haybottom fur the heathen got inter the heathen’s hands most darned quick!” ‘‘This is straigbt,” Deegan added, ‘* Hardy and Lizare the ones who have been working the road; they’ve been at it ever since rd came East, You see, they get through wit money on the jump, and had to keep their pockets filled. Hardy has done most of the working of the trains, but you will remember, Enonbridge, that your supposed granddaughter went away frequently under excuse of visiting . be . : is —_—- by , . 4 4 4 . ad ae ; oo > Py al | La z ——/. a 7 a