Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 716 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

‘ ‘Ne “, i “ Th 4 <i evenly, 7 ° "A , a Ce el .. -< _—— — ae gil - i ’ _ 2 a eel eae OO tee on kom — hs < ‘we be Nye TBP 2 ’ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt. 9 the detective bad the advantage all on his side, He was not working for pay, but was, indeed, the—Independent Detective! But, back of all this there was gold in the old lawyers’ make-up, too, They had taken the case upon the strong conviction that the young man was innocent of the murder, in spite of all the evidence against him—in fact, had invited Dick to make the fullest kind of investigation, And yet, still further back, was the secret in- tention of resorting to crafty scheming, if other means were likely to fail, This, however, asa jast resort, had been knocked away by the firm stand Dick had taken, There was now nothing for them to do but to make the best fight they could upon honest grounds, unless they did otherwise without the assistance of the detec- tive. ** But, what is your own candid opinion about the yuung man’s guilt?” asked Daniel. “*[ have two opinions about it,” was Dick’s response, ‘I can beliove him guilty, or I can believe him innocent.” ‘* But that isn’t to the point,” urged Samuel. “Which of these views do you favor? But l think it is plain to be seen that you think him guilty.” | ‘*T do, and I don’t,” answered Dick, ‘ There are some indications that point in his favor, and as | am trying to prove him innocent if he is in- nocent, [am giving them full weight.” ‘* And what are these indications?” **I prefer not to disclose them yet,” “Then what has brought you here at all?” This was from Daniel, rather imperiously, it seemed. “1 will tell you that, sir,” responded Dick, é ‘*[ came to report; to tell you that the evidence, as it stands now with the police, is go- ing to hang the prisoner. That is to say, if the real murderer is not found, assuming Crandford to be innocent, then he must swing. Besides this, I want to get information, if you can give any, ‘Then the alibi is out of the question?” . **I think it is, entirely, Don't see how you'll prove it,” ‘Well, what do you want to ask, then? You are a stubborn mystery in yourself, Mr. Bristo}.” ‘Yes, perhapsIam. I want to ask what you know about young Crandford’s private life. “Do you know whether he is married or not?’ “We don’t know if he is married,” was the straight answer. ‘‘ We suppose and believe him to be single. It is news to us if he is married, sir. But, what ie in the wind now?” “There is a woman in the case,” exclaimed Dick. ‘* Hal” So they both exclaimed, and Daniel added: ‘The devil’s to pay, now, with a woman in the affair,” “Yes, there is a woman in the case, and a mysterious one,” Dick set forth. ‘I did think I would not mention tfis to you, but have de- cided todo so, You may make something out of it, with the prisoner, Do not let him know how you gained the pointer, however.” ‘All right; we will take care of that. But, what part is this woman playing?” ‘That, too, [ am not ready to disclose. Iam afraid, though, that the young man is hurting himself to protect this woman, but in what way I do not yet clearly see. I am not disposed to think that she is a murderess, however; I have another suspicion witb regard to that.” You talk in riddles, sir,” ** Not with regard to what I want to make known. You know now that there is a woman in the case; that she is in some way concerned in this affair; that the prisioner is protecting her by his silence, if in no other way. There is enough in that for you to make something out of. But | doubt your being able to draw Crandford into saying anything,’ “Tt is worth the trying, anyhow,” declared | Daniel. ‘And if you gain anything, I must request that you give me the benefit of it,” added Dick. ** Without me you would not have the point to work on.” | ** We will do so,” promised Daniel, “if it is anything favorable to the young man, Other- wise we may not,” ** As you please about that,” waived Dick, ** And is that all?” inquired Daniel. **One other point. Do you know why Susan Roylan is interested in this Mrs. Pratson?” “We do not,” was the answer. ‘‘She has never taken any one into her confidence with regard to that, so far as we know.” Well, and this is all for the time being, The funeral of the murdered woman takes place ’ Da ; ve - vd "4 >. Pt na, ‘ oe Fe Sal + al a ta ’ 5 oo Ta te © nS: ra : 7 “* e Gd eo, ; 5 to-morrow. Roylan\ will have her will drawn up at once.” ‘‘ We consider it very probable, considering her advanced age,” ‘*And the law allows her to dispose of her money as she wil], without any restriction?” ‘*She must leave something to Crandford; a nominaksum if she pleases.” ‘*To make the will binding, and keep him out afterward?” “Exactly; that will balk him afterward.” ‘**Can you putoff making such a will for some days?” ** We can delay it a little, of course.” **T want you todo so. ou will understand my reason for this later on, when my work is done,” ‘‘Then you do not mean to give up the case?” ** Who bas said anything about giving up? I shall give up when the mystery is cleared; not before, so long as there is anything to work on, !' Dick went away, and allowed the case to rest for the time being. Before proceeding further he wanted to learn what success Kodak Kate had had in shadowing the vailed woman. At the appointed hour that evening he pre- sented himself at her home, and was as cordially received as he could wish. The little lady de- tective was all smiles for him. But this migbt! be attributed partly to the wonderful success she had bad in her work and the satisfaction she had been anticipating of making ber report of it to Deadwood Dick. Dick made it bis first care toreturn the money and paper tuat had been intrusted to him, Atter that, and the first greetings having been exchanged, Kate went abead and told what she had accomplished, Bristol was not stinting witb his praise, ‘Kodak Kate, you are a jewel!” he cried. “You seem like a second self to me, in your manner of working. You have done nobly, and I must compliment you.” ‘*Thank you,” was the blushing respone, ‘‘ but now what use are we to make of what I have gained! You are the one to do the directing, I may be able to follow, but I am no leader.” * You say that, after what you have just re- vealed?” cried Dick, ‘* Youcan never make me believe it. I am sure you have some plan out- lined, even now,” **No, I do not think I have; but there is one point—” ‘** Pardon me for interrupting,” Dick broke in, ** but I'm going to guess what it is, if I can.” ‘* You are welcome to try.” ‘*T want to see if our minds do not take the same view of a certain chance I have discoy- ered during your recital.” ‘*' Well, what do you guess?’ the little lady asked, ‘‘ But Iam sure you will find your mis- take, for I conld never hope to catch at points you would see, Would vou have me forget that ou are Deadwood Dick?” ‘Not at all; nor that you are Kodak Kate, the best and bravest lady detective in the pro: fession.” “Oh! do not try flattery. But, what is the point?” ‘It hinges upon this woman, the prisoner, and ds visit to him in her disguise of deep mourn- bg, ‘I believe you do guess it aright,” Kates ac- knowledged, **I know I do, now,” Dick declared positively. ‘Dare you undertake the role, Miss Burtou?” “1 dare, and will, if you think I can play it,” was the answer. ‘* And I see no reason why you should not, In fact, I know you can, A man is not such an observer of woman’s wear as a woman is, and og pe would never suspect the deception at ‘* But my voice, how would it be about that?” ‘*T have heard what you can do in the way of imitation,” was Dick’s reply. ‘‘I leave that to your art as a detective.” ‘* Then we will try it to-morrow morning?” ** Yes; let it be to-morrow morning. I will meet you at the jail at nine.” It was talked over at length, and the plan fully arranged, And when the business part of their interview had come to an end, then the lines of their conversation fell in pleasanter places, bape’ they were talking there came a ring at the bell. The call was responded to by Mrs, Burton, who came in, bearing a letter. It was one adtiressil to Kate, and it was seen at a*glance that it bore a apecia? stamp. “It ig from my mysterious employer,” Kate After that it is probable Susan | announced, as soon as she glanced at the writ- ing. ‘*I must see what it says.” She tore it open with baste and drew forth a sheet of paper, and another bill of one hundred dollars in amount, a twin to the one first re- ceived. And the note, which she read aloud, was as follows: “To Kopak KATE THE DETECTIVE:— ‘Here find one hundred dollars. Please accept it, and draw out of the Roylan case immediately. I have made a discovery which answers all 1 wanted to learn. You can dono good by lookéng further. There is an important reason why you should obey this request, as 1 believe you will. Believe me— ‘*A FRIEND IN SECRET.” Yes, the detective pards had ‘' struck it rich,” CHAPTER XI, DICK’S RIGHT BOWER. ABOUT nine o’clock on the following morning Bristol was on hand at the jail. He had a talk with the jailer, and after that loitered around in the office as though waiting for some one to join bim, Finally ancther person arrived, a woman clad in deepest mourning. She, too, had some talk with the jailer, and Dick was informed cf her arrivai. Together they were admitted into the jail proper, where they paused for a brief consul- tation, This ended, Dick went down the corridor to the cell where Howard Crandford was confined, but stopped before passing into sight, just back of the door. He bad moved with great caution, and there was little chance that the prisoner could have heard him. When he had taken up his position there, he signaled to the woman. She and the jailer came down to the door of the oes the jailer opened it and the woman en- tered, At sight of her the prisoner started up with a look of alarm. ‘** You here?” he exclaimed in hoarse whisper. ‘* Yes,” the woman responded, in a choking voice. ‘* And what has brought you bere again?” The woman had dropped upon the stool, and wy covered her face with her hands, under her vail, ‘* Tt has all been discovered,” she sobbed, Deadwood Dick did not know the voice, Had he not known who the woman was, he could never have guessed it to be Kodak Kate. ‘*‘What has been discovered,” the prisoner demanded, ‘* Tell me the worst, and at once,” ‘*'You—you know without asking,” was the sobbed answer. ** About that money?” ** Yes; and—and—” But her sobbing overcame her power of utter- ance, and she could not finish. It seemed plain that some terrible thing had happened. ‘*There, now, don’t take on Jike this, Celia,” the prisoner said, soothingly, laying a hand upon her sboulder. ‘' Tell me all about it, and let me see how bad itis. Perhaps it is not so bad as you imagine.” ‘*Tt—it is worse—than you can think,” she sobbed. ? ** Have you had to tell all about it?” “Yes; I had to tell.” “Fool! You did not have to tell. didn’t you keep your promise?” “Ob, you can’t understand,”. the woman moaned, ‘‘ You do not know what I have suffered, I had to make the disclosure.” “Then I am doomed, .that is certain. Crandal Ingerslee will hang me, bang me as sure as fate, if hecan. But, I little care, now, One is but a degree worse than the other,” **No, no, he cannot hang you,” the woman sobbed, ‘* You have only to tell the full truth, now, and—and—” The little detective was going as far as she dared, and was in danger any moment of going too far, and betraying the trick she was im- Why sing. a Thunder!” the excited prisoner cried, in a fierce whisper, ‘‘isn’t that just what you have done? And isn’t that the very weapon he will use against me? What has he done to you? Has he turned you out?” The woman sobbed, making no response. ‘* Can’t you see bow it is?” Grandford insisted, ‘““They have proved that I was in the house at about the time of the crime, Now what will save my neck? When they learn ab the money, then it will be all up with me, That will settle everything. See what you have n Deadwood Dick was taking in every word, for . te ra » ‘ * a“ A Wa 4 < ts tole | ¥ : ‘