Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 660 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case. 3 ‘No, I don’t think so.” ‘‘His associations were rather fast, were they not?” ‘“ Well, yes; he was one of the boys, you know, free and jolly.” “Do you know if he had any intrigues with women?” “IT think not. Never saw him with a wo- man in my life, except once or twice with his sister, ‘‘Did he gamble?” ** Savagely!”’ ** And lost?” ‘* Yes, almost constantly.” ‘How much money do you think he had the last time you saw him?” “* Less than one hundred dollars.” ‘‘Have you heard of his selling his insur- ance policies?” sc es +P] DO you know to whom he sold them?” és N ? a Do you know his sister?” page ‘‘ What kind of a girl is she?” ‘*T know nothing for or against her. But, see here. Do you take me fora bureau of in- formation?” ic Ng ‘On what grounds?” **Because | am an officer of the law and am entitled to the right of so doing.” “‘ Ah! you are a detective?” said Ferris. ‘*T am.” “Glad to meet you. I sometimes try my hand at that sort of thing myself, but never have yet achieved a success, I can detect bed-bugs at night and the ardent in day- time. That is about all. By the way, come and have a drink.” To this Dick did not object. If he could get this gent in an exhilarated state, he might learn more, He fancied that Ferris knew more than he chose to disclose. In Dick’s mind was a queer suspicion; no, not really a suspicion, but, rather, a theory. When he first saw Louise Lester, his atten- tion was attracted to her eyes. © There was a singular expression in them, which he did not mind at the time, but it now recurred to him. If Frank Lester was out of the way, and had made a will previously, in favor of his sister—? Well, here was a point to be looked up. Dick and Ferris had their drinks, and then, lighting their cigars, adjourned to the hotel office and sat down. “Now,” said Dick, ‘‘if you are of a de- tective turn of mind, why have you not in- vestigated this disappearance of Frank Les- ter? Twenty thousand dollars are involved in the case, and you being familiar with the habits and associations of Lester, ought to know something about the matter.” ‘‘Not having been reminded of the case before, my dear sir, I thought nothing about it.” “Where did you see Lester last?” ‘“‘Let me see. Oh! I remember—on Broadway, at the St. Denis. He wanted me to dine with him.” ‘* You refused?” ‘Pes. ‘‘How was that?” ‘I had another engagement that pre- vented.” | ‘Was he inioxicated at the time?” ‘No! Not seeing him since, led me to believe that he had gone off on a protracted spree.” es What do you think about it, now, Mr. Ferris?” ‘‘I don’t know what to think. I begin te wing that some harm has befallen m »” “Nothing more likely. Now, look here: You are wealthy, I presume. Am I right?” ‘You are not,” Ferris replied. ‘On the contrary, | amas poor asa church mouse. Even the drinks we just had were put on the slate.” ‘*Poor policy!” “Very true, but sometimes mighty ac- commodating.” “Well, now, you skirmish around this city, and find the last person who saw Frank Lester. Find when and where he was last seen.” | “Tl try it, with pleasure.” ** You will need some money?” ‘**1 suppose so.” “Very well. Here are ten dollars, which I give you on my own account. I don’t know whether I will ever get a red out of this jobor not, but we'll push it through, anyhow.” ‘li help you to the best of my ability.” ‘“Very well. Do your best, and you will be paid, if it has to come out of my own pocket.” “Then to business at once. Good-by!” ‘** Good-by!” And Ferris took his leave. CHAPTER III. MARKS, THE PAWNBROKER. AFTER the departure of Ferris, Dick sat a while in the hotel office, in deep meditation. The impression that Louise Lester knew more about her brother’s disappearance than any one else was still rife .n his mind. But, if she was guilty, why had she sent for him? Was it an offset to disguise her complicity in acrime? Such things had happened before, one case being in Dick’s cwn detective expe- rience, ‘*T’ll call on Miss Lester again,” he decid- ed. ‘‘The more I see of her, the better I shall be able to judge whether she is to be suspected or not.” So he left the hotel, hired a hack, and was driven to the Murray Hill Hotel. Miss Lester was in, and received him gra- ciously. | ‘‘l am glad to see you, Mr. Bristol. I hope you bring me good news.” “‘On the contrary, I bring you none. I come for information.” ¢ ‘* Of what sort?” **In what companies was your brother in- sured?” “‘In the Prudential and in the Manhat- tan.” “Did he receive the policies through an agency in this city, or direct from the home offices?’ ‘In this city, I believe.” “Still, for all you know so much about this insurance business, you don’t know where he placed or disposed of his policies?” “No, I do not.” Dick eycd her fora moment doubtfully, and then said: : “‘T will find out.” ‘‘Then you will receive your reward,” was the calm response. ‘“‘Have you any near relatives?” Dick asked. , ‘** None at all.” ‘* Quite sure?” “lam. But, why do you question me so rigidly?” ‘‘ That is my business. To be successful a detective ofttimes has to put his client in a humiliating position.” Miss Lester looked serious. “‘For God’s sake, you don’t suspect me?” she gasped. -“‘ T have not yet formed any settled opinion. That is what I want to do, however, in order to get at my work. I have put an assistant on the track to find out some points, and hope to rhake a success out of this job, as I have out of many others.” Miss Lester smiled. } Bw It was the first time since he had seen her that Dick had noticed that kind of a smile upon her face, and it unconsciously increased suspicion of her. a ‘*I will try the insurance companies,” he mused, ‘‘and maybe they will be able to give me some information.” So he bade Miss Lester good-day, and took his departure, He now more than ever was impressed with the idea that Louise Lester was account- able for her brother’s disappearance—or, at least, knew all about that disappearance. If so, it was for the sake, very likely, of getting the insurance on his life. But could it be that a sister would cause the murder of her own brother for the sake of becoming heir to his property? Such cases have happened—so why not in this instance? Dick went first to the New York office of the Prudential Company. Asking to see the president, he was told that he was not in, but that the superinten- dent would see him. So he was shown into the latter’s office, where he introduced him self and his business. ‘* Have you on your list a man insured as Frank Lester?” ‘** We have.” ‘* He has a paid-up policy?” «sé Yes. ”? **For how much?” ** Ten thousand dollars.” ‘Has he been here lately?” ** Not that I am aware of.” ‘**Has any attemht been made to collect the amount of his policy?” ‘No, I am sure not.” ‘*Do you know what now is Mr. Lester’s address?” ‘*I do not—haven’t the slightest idea. I have heard that he has been leading a pretty fast life lately.” As this was about all the information to be gleaned at this point, Dick sought the office of the Manhattan, to receive no better an- swers to his inquiries. Lester had not been seen lately, nor had any demand been made upon his pulicy; nor did the officials know of his whereabouts. Evidently nothing was to be found out from this source, so the detective returned to the hotel, yet now more than ever determined to sift the maiter to the bottom. At the hotel he encountered Ferris. *- Well, what’s the news?” Dick asked. ‘*Not much. The last man, or rather the last person Frank was seen with was a wo- man?” ‘* His sister?” “Yes. So far as I can find out, Miss Louise was the last one he was seen with.” ‘‘ At what particular place?” “* At the Casino.” “Who gave you this information?” ‘‘ An acquaintance of mine, who was like- wise an acquaintance of Frank’s. He hap- pened to see them there.” ‘Did they leave together?” ‘ce Yes. ” ‘“‘Did you find out anything else?” “‘Yes. This same night, before the show, Lester was seen in company with a man named Marks.” ** Marks, the lawyer?” “Oh! no! Not even as reputable a man as that Marks. This man is a Baxter street sheeney, who dabbles in any thing there isa profit in.” ‘‘ Well, what do you suppose Frank Les- ter was doing in his company?” ““Dunno.’ 7 Do you know where this Mark’s plaee is?’ “‘T do.” ‘“‘Then, I will see you here to-morrow morning. We will pay Mr. Marks » visit. Perhaps he may be able to enlighten us.” CHAPTER IV. THE INSURANCE CASE. THAT ended that day’s work, so far as tramping around was concerned. Dick retired early, and the next morning, * —— — 8° oe r “comicbooks.com