Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 716 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

police began to investigate, many of the doors and windows were open.” ‘That isa bad state of things to begin witk. But, it is what might be looked for, Did the police discover any direct clew ?” **They found a button from young Crand- ford’s coat in the hall, near the foot of the 4 stairs,” f! “Bad, certainly; but he may have lost it there in the evening.” ‘Yes, we know,” agreed Daniel; ‘‘ but, see er. the other evidence. It is perfectly damning!” 2 ‘** Tt lacks only an eye-witness to make it per- fect,” declared Dick, ‘‘ It may be hard work to explain it away, even if the young man is inno- f cent, as you believe,” ) ‘But it must be explained away!” cried . Samuel, ‘“‘In justice to the father of this boy, whom we knew weil, we have pledged ourselves to that task. His case is in our bands, and we rely upon you to supply us with the material for the defense, We believe you can do it.” ‘“* T certainly hope I can,” Dick said. ‘I will make the effort. What more can you tell me?” ‘* There is little more to tell. You will have the whole field to yourself. The police have made out their case, and are done with the 5 matter,” | Dick went away armed with all the lawyers mY could tell bim, and with perhaps all it was iV necessary to know, at that juncture. He pro- | ceeded straight to the jail where the prisoner . was held. He wanted'tosee Howard Crandford, . to judge of his character for himself, and form his own impression as to his innocence or guilt, Arriving at the lockup, he made known that he was from the office of the Kincarths, and was admitted into the cell where the young man was confined, At sight of Howard’s face, his first impression was not atall favorable. There was a worn, dissipated look, and a scowl that did not augur well for his innocence. When he looked up, however, his face cleared, and the shadow seemed to pass off. And, now, had Dick not had another view of him the revious moment, the impression might not have an n against bir, | ‘** Who are you, sir?’ the prisoner demanded. Dick did not respond until the jailer had locked the door and retired, Then he sat down upon the stool with which the cell was furnished, song the prisoner, who 1 sat on the edge of the cot bed. Mu **lam a detective,” was Dick’s answer, ‘‘I ¥ am sent here by your lawyers to have an inter- , view with you toward establishing your inno- cence, I hope you will be entirely honest with | me. —_—— —— ! ‘** What is your name?” the prisoner inquired. 7 ‘That is not important, is it?” | **But I want to know. Do you belong here in ncisco?” | ** No; 1 am a stranger here, almost,” Dick re- if sponded. ** My name is Bristol.” ‘* Not the Bristol who just bandled the Wyn- " thorpe case!” ‘*The same, Are you satisfied?” Dick noted that the fellow’s manner was more nervous than it had been, and imagined that he _ had grown slightly pale, ‘*T am satisfied,” was the return, ‘‘ but I don’t believe you can do me any good. I am afraid the case against me is too strong to be set aside.” ‘* Are you innocent of the crime?” “4 ‘““Tam! I swear it!” “ pane why can not your innocence be estab- 8 ’ ed ‘*T don’t know that it can’t be, but I am afraid that it won’t be. I am ina bad situation, Mr. Bristol.” “So it looks, What are the strong points , » €@gainst you?” ‘““ Have the Kincarths not told you?” | “Tl am now a you. Remember, I am __, here to work in your interest,” “Well, the worst is the statement of that night watchman, who anys he saw me stealing out of the house at a late hour,” ks ‘“You deny that, then?” ~ “IT do, most emphatically.” ** Does he know you well enough to he sure of what he asserts?” ‘‘ That is the worst of it. He knows me well, and —- re is ao than mine, I have the mame o ing @ wild scapegrace, ** Well, what next?” wih | , ry These marks of blood on my right sleeve.” bi How came they there?” _ .. “Tam not permitted to tell you that.” ““ What! and your life at stake? Are you a | the - foolt” | oe Ri) ee a ve ) am not. Bu | the plat: Pat Pe no we urn te anee rn 7 Ag a - P » a 2 pile * : . ra ' - "i we) te 4 m, _ -> a) ‘ 4 “+ > wit ’ 3 a. ~~ > Be Deh xed ha} 4st ve ¥ a s* *! , se ~ oP oe . ' ‘ c a. 4 + % * , | . » Ce ? a , 4 Lae ; ve FS Puke ae ‘ | t? A Packs | - 5 . ee wl at a ; f ad Sey ‘ ; fe ‘ ** Well, what next?” **] used to have a bowie-knife hanging on the wall in my room, That is suddenly missing. The weapon that killed my aunt must have been a similar one,” ‘*Have you any suspicion as to where that knifeis?” **T have not. 1t puzzles me completely.” “* Stolen?” ‘Yes, of course. It could be missing in no other way. I have not laida finger upon it in weeks,” ‘“‘And yet, in the face of all this, you insist that you are innocent.” **In the faceof it all I swear that I am inno- cont but, I can do nothing. My bands are t pee ’ ‘* Ha! there is more back of it, then?” **T have not said so,” **T infer so,” “Well, to you T admit it. I did not say this to my lawyers, for they would only bother me to tell more,” ‘*And could you establish your innocence if you would?” . ‘*No; for even were I to tell the whole truth, it might only serve to render my situation the more desperate, and it would only bring ruin to another—” He stopped short. ‘*Do you know who did kill the woman?” askel Dick, abruptly. ‘* No,” was the answer, ‘‘ I do not know.” ‘* Have you any suspicion?” **T have none, ** W hen it comes to the pinch, I suppose you'll tell your eres il ‘*I will tell no more than I have told you; perhaps not somuch. What I have let out to you isin confidence. If you have the ability they say you have, you may be able to help me,” ‘Which I doubt. It could not possibly look worse for you, as I said to the Kincarths, unless an eye-witness to the crime sbould appear against you,” “*T know it, but I can do nothing.” ‘* What you can tell will bave more weight now than it will later on.” “Perhaps; but Iam silent. You cannot un- derstand the situation, so do not press me,” ‘** But men will call you a fool, torun the risk of the gallows if you have a possible chance of clearing yourself of the charge,” ‘**T care nothing for that. I know what I am doing. And mind, keep to yourself what I have let out. Make such use of itas you think you can, toward finding the murderer,” The detective took bis leave. He was puzzled. Was the man innocent? He hardly believed it, and yet be might be. Anyhow, it was his business to probe the mystery toits very heart, and to do it he was determined, CHAPTER III. AT THE SCENE OF THE CRIME, Dicx’s next move was to visit the actual scene of the crime—nota very pleasant duty, but one necessary to his work upon the case, He must see the interior of the bouse, the room where the crime was done, and draw his deductions from such things as might come under his observation. When he came to the place he found police- men in charge. Not in formal occupation, really, but there to preserve order and give protection until after the funeral, There was quite a knot of persons in front of the house, gazing atit with morbid curiosity, as people will wherever a great crime has been committed, Dick ascended the steps to the door where the policemen stood, ‘* A friend of the family, sir?’ one asked, “No, not just that,” answered Dick, “ but here on business,” ** Want to see Miss Roylan?” “Exactly.” ** Well, the chances is she won’t see ye, but I'll tell her. What name?” ; **My name is Dick Bristol,” Dick informed; “better know as Deadwood Dick, Jr.” And as he spoke, in a low tone, be displayed his badge, Both the officers whistled softly; their manner toward him changed aos test ““Come right in,” one invited. ‘“‘ We didn’t know ye, Going to take a hand in the case?” “Yes,” Dick reg teve ee as he followed into the hall. ‘I have been asked to take a look at scene of the crime and see what I think ‘* All right, Pll show you the room, We have swing here, you know. It is on the next : ; . * ’ J / he ® * #¢% » . is* * - <9 f ~ ps —” Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt. | 3 floor. Of course,” in lower tone, “it isa dead sure thing against the prisoner.” ** Not much doubt about that, it would now seem,” Dick agreed. The policeman led the way up stairs, and along the hall to the front, There the hall ended in a point, like an arrow- head, and a door was on each side, at an angle. Opening the one at the left, the policeman stepped in, Dick following after him and closing the door, “* This is the room,” the officer announced. Dick looked well about bim, taking in every- thing. Two windows were in front, and between ae stood the bed, the space being unusually wide, On the right was a doorway witbout any door, but closed with a hanging curtain of heavy ma- terial. This evidently opened into an mg gm room, the one which was entered from the ha by the door on the right, ot room is this other one?’ inquired 1CK, . ‘That is the one occupied by Miss Susan Roy- lan,” was the answer. ‘* And she heard nothing of the horrible work that was going on in here.” “That is the way it stands, At the inquest she said she called to her sister, and getting no answer, came in, Then she discovered the crime,” Bristol looked well around, examinin dows and doors carefully, but could fin ing to suggest a clew or point. ‘* Any one in the other room?” he asked, ‘** No,” was the answer, ‘tno one,” He drew aside the curtain and passed through. This room was like the other in almost every particular, | Here, again, the detective keenly scrutinized everything, but without result. ‘** Not much to be gained here,” he observed. “Where does that servant sleep? Where is her room?” ‘“*She bas a room right at the rear of the hall, on the floor below,” ‘* And it can’t be supposed for a moment that either of them did the deed,” reflected Dick, as though to himself, The policeman looked hard at him, ‘* You don’t imagine that Howard Crandford didn’t do it, do you?” he demanded. “The young man vows he didn’t,” said Dick. “That be hanged! We've got the bulge on bim too hard. He can’t get out of it.” Dick left the room and passed along the hall to the stairs, the policeman following, “* Where is Miss Roylan?” asked Dick, “Was in her sittin’-room a bit ago; want to see her?” ‘ ‘Yes, I want to talk with her, while I am ere, They descended the stairs, and at the bottom ogre knocked lightly on the newel with his club, A door at the end of the hall immediately opened, and a woman of advanced age looked out inquiringly. ‘‘ Your pardon, Miss Roylan,” spoke the officer, ‘* but I knocked for your servant, to tell her a gentleman to see you.” This, then, was Susan Roylan. Dick had taken a good look at her before she could respond, | He saw in her a sharp-featured old woman thin and straight, with keen eyes that looked out of place in so old a person’s head. ‘*’You want to see me?” she interrogated, ‘Yes, madam,” Dick returned, and he ad- vanced toward her, **'W hat is your business with me?” ‘Some questions I would ask concerning this crime,” ** Are you an officer, then?” **T am,” She drew back into the room, holding the door open for bim to pass in. This he did, and found himself in a dimly lighted sitting-room, with two or three other women present. —_ The old woman did not ask him to a seat, but stood before him, waiting for him to speak. “First,” Dick ventured, ‘‘do you really be- lieve, madam, that Howard Crandford ed your sister?” The old face before him became hard and cruel in its lines, and the answer came promptly, hard and cold: ‘To be sure I believe it!” she declared. is none too goed to do such a deed, and all the proof is against him. Why do you ask that question?” *“* Because the young man is so emphatic in his win- noth-