Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 720 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

, ‘* Did you see Harry Rentaway?”’ “*T did not.” ‘*And saw nothing of the excitement at the hotel?” ‘** Nothing.” ** When did you first hear of the murder?” **'When I was put under arrest.” : nk ie knew nothing about it previously?” O, It was a clear denial all along that line. ‘“* Now,” spoke the coroner, ‘* when you were arrested a pistol was found in your possession, One chamber had been recently discharged, The bullet that killed Harry Rentaway fits your weapon exactly. What can you say to this?’ ‘*Tt is the fate of circumstance,” was the an- swer. ° ** Will you explain when you fired your weapon last, and for what purpose?” **No; Ican not explain that. I assure you, however, that Iam innocent of the crime with which lam charged.” ‘‘I? that is so, and we want to believe it so, you must make an effort to do away with this damaging proof, The circumstantial evidence is against you, and your life is in danger, as you must know. Weigh well your words, for upon your response to this will depend your fate,” CHAPTER VI, A STREAK OF GOOD LUCK, FoR some seconds the prisoner was silent. Evidently a struggle of some sort was going on in his mind while he hesitated, Every eye was upon bim, and indeed his, fate seemed to hang upon his words, one way or the other, as he might turn the balance in his favor or against him. ‘‘T have but one answer to make,” be finally said, ‘* I did not kill Harry Rentaway. I did not know he was dead until my arrest. Where I had been, and why my pistol had been dis- charged, are points I cannot answer now.” ‘* You had better think well before—” “That is my answer,” was the interruption. “T cannot tell more. I am bound tosilence, and cannot speak. Do not press me further, but let matters take their own course. By the time my trial comes around, events may have shaped themselves in my favor.” And that was all he said, all he would say, The inquest was concluded, and the case given to the jury for decision. The verdict was what might have been ex- pected, and Harrison Waldmar was held for trial upon the eviderce, Waldmar maintained bis composure when he heard the verdict, and leaned back in his chair in a manoer of easy resignation. For some seconds silence reigued, finally broken by the father of the murdered young man, apres forward and facing the prisoner, he BaiC: ** Harrison, I cannot understand this, but you have the assurance that I am one who believes you innocent. Here’s my hand on it,” The young man looked up, and tears dimmed his eyes as he took the offered hand of the sor- rowing father. ‘“* Thank you, Mr, Rentaway,” he spoke, husk- ily. ‘‘ You are not mistaken, for I swear to you that I am innocent of the crime. Make every effort to get hold of the murderer.” Their hands pressed firmly, and Barrington Rentaway was from that moment Waldmar’s “a. eg friend, in spite of appearances against im. Some few there were who sneered at this, and said it was good acting on the part of Waldmar, but others merely shook their heads, . As for Billy &nd Skinny, they held to their conviction about the matter, and said nothing, They left the room before the crowd, but did not quit the house. Turning down the hall, they sat down ona settee that was partly hid behind the overhang- ing staircase, Here they waited, talking about the matter, until finally the last of the men had left the house, and Mr. Rentaway and his servants were alone once more, With the front door closed, they were in par- tial darkness where they sat, and no one discov- ered them, and they remained there some time longer before making any move in the program they had outlined, Mr, Rentaway could be heard walking to and fro in the room where the body of hisdead son lay, and the voices of the servants, when the were heard at all, were low-toned and saddened. A terriblo blow had fallen upon this home, At last Bly and ‘Skinny came forth, and Billy tapped lightly upon the door where Mr. Rentaway was known to be, No response at first, and he knocked again, This time the dour opened, Mr. Rentaway was seen to give a start of sur- vawe as his eyes fell upon them, arid he demand- ed; ‘* How came you here? What do you want?” ‘*'We were here at the inquest,’ answered Billy, ‘*and haven’t gone away yet. What we want is to help you find the murderer of your son, ‘** Yuu are the two detective lads who cleared up that bank affair, are you not?” ‘** You bave hit it right,” Billy assured. ‘*Come in here, then, and I will talk with you,” With that the gentleman threw tbe door open wider, and they stepped into the room. It was the room in the rear of the one where the inquest had been held, and there the body of the dead young man lay. ‘*Now,”’ spoke Mr, Rentaway, when he had given the lads seats, ‘‘ what do you propose to do in the matter?’ ‘* We want to get a start the first thing we do,” replied Billy. **We want to inquire whether you have any suspicion against any one,” ‘** No, I have not; none whatever,” ** But you do believe they have got the wrong man?” “I know they have, Harrison Waldmar never killed my boy, never.” ‘* We aré inclined to agree with you there, sir. That’s what we think, and we want to find out who did.” ‘* You do that, my lads, and you shall have the reward I have offered, I mean to have the wretch, if it costs me my last dollar and a life- time hunt,” ‘* That’s the way to go at it, sir. Now, do you know whether your son had any enemy or not? ‘* He badn’t an esemy in the world, It is true that be and Waldmar bad some trouble about Miss Wesselley, but that amounted to nothing compared with a crime like this.” ‘* Yes, that all came out at the inquest, and a thought struck me at the time,” Billy meditated. ‘* What was the thought?” Mr. Rentaway at once queried. “That perhaps there is a third loverin the field, who”— “Thunder!” the old gentleman ejaculated. ‘*T hadn’t thought of that!” ‘*Then do you know of some one who was knocked out by your son when he got into the lady’s good graces?” ‘*No;I don’t; but, the idea isa good one, It may be the case, and it must be looked into, What lackbrains we all were not to think of that before!” , ‘There may be something in it, or there may not; it is about an even thing.” Still, it is not to be overlooked. I want to go and see this lady, and wish you would give mea note of in- troduction to her,” **Tll do better than that; Vl go with you.” ‘* No, that won’t eo, I don’t want it to ap- pear too openly that Iam working on the case, It wouldn’t matter about Skinny, for be could not be seen between us, if we walked close to- gether.” ‘I see, I see,” the gentleman interrupted, ‘Well, Pit give you the note, and I hope you will make something out of your visit, Hunt down the murderer of my boy, lads, and you will have earned my undying gratitude,” ** We'll do it, if it can be done,” Billy faith- fully promised. Mr. Rentaway stepped to a desk and hastily wrote a brief note, tanding it to Biily and tell- ing him where the lady lived, Billy and his lieutenant returned to their hotel. It was not their intention to make their call on the lady immediately. A little while after supper they set out, and still not in the direction’ of Miss Wesselley’s home, but toward where the dead Mr, Lodyelaw had lived, Interested in that case too, they had to give it a share of their attention, and had agreed to give a look in that direction next. Kvening was coming on, but there was plenty of light yet, and as they turned into the street upon which the Lodgelaw residence was situ- ated, they noticed a woman ahead of them in deepest mourning. She’ was going in the same direction they were, but at a much slower pace, and they paid no attention to her, further than a casual glance, “Hello!” Billy presently exclaimed, ‘‘ bere comes that young Mexican what’s stoppin’ at the hotel where we are, Skinny!” ** Yes, that’s him, sure. S’pose he’s out takin’ a stroll fer his health, after his supper.” ~ _———— Salimaind — . - three . 7 4 3 ' : ? = . ; . . > re | i 4”, » 7 J _ om . y's Full Hand | dint ths as ae tec: ‘““Same as we are, eh? Mebby he’s a de tive, too, in disguise?” : ** He’s in disguise, if he is one, that’s sure,” The man in question was coming toward them, ~ 7 and was about meeting the woman in mourning, They met and passed just as Billy offered his last remark, and the young detectives noticed that the lady gave a start, and stopped and looked after the Mexican when he had gone by. ‘‘ Ha! what does that mean?” questioned Biily. ‘‘ She’s stuck on his shape, I guess,” ventured Skinny. ‘* Too bad we're so close, or we might pipe ’em off. We'll have to go on.” The woman, standing irresolute for a second, started after the Mexican, at a quick pace, and soon laid a hand on bis arm. Billy and Skinny were upon them now, and there was no chance for them to do anything but keep right on about their business, And certainly this was none of their business, they had to own, ‘* Miguel, isn’t it you?” they heard the woman demand, in full, rich voice. ‘Who are you?” was the question. The heavy vail was drawn aside an instant, just as Billy passed, and be caught sight of a handsome face. ‘* Ata!” the Mexican exclaimed. Their hands clasped, and Billy and Skinny keeping on their way, heard no more. ‘* Case number three!” observed Billy, as soon as they were well away from the pair. ** What do you mean?” ** Didn’t you ketch on?” ‘*Well I did! You know this Mexican is reg- istered at the hotel as Pablo Costo, but this wo- man called him Miguel !” “Great ginger! so sbe did! But, that’s uoth- ing tous, If you go to tryin’ to find out who he is, hang me if I con’t have you examined for softening of the brain; I will, sure.” They laughed and continued on their way, Billy glanced back, after a few seconds, and saw tne couple still there, A moment later and be glanced back again. The woman was coming on her way, and the. Mexican was goiug on his, “*‘That’s notbing to us,” observed Billy. ‘‘ The woman may be his sister, for all we know; and it’s none of our business anyhow, Here’s the house we are looking for, I take it,” The house in question was on the other side of the street, and all its front windows were closed with shutters, They bad paused opposite the house, and were taking a survey of it, without any very particu- lar interest, when the woman in mourning was seen to cross the street and continue on the other side, It was growing dusk, but still plenty light enough for them to see, They moved on slowly, not wehting to be seen paying too cluse attention to the house, as the woman was nearly opposite them now, and sud- denly they were given a slight thrill of renewed interest, The vailed woman turned and entered tie very house, proving that she was at home there, CHAPTER VII. ANGLING FOR POINTERS, ‘““SwWEET pertaters, skinned eels, whoopin’ cough and no-money-ia!” and Broadway Billy pirouetted around in his old-time boyish manner, ‘‘ What’s bitin’ ye now?’ demanded Skinny, half ashamed of his partner’s antics ou the public atreet, ‘‘ Are ye crazy?” ' ‘* Don’t ye see what’s th’ matter?” and Billy, coming to a sudden stop, fuced his lieutenant, ‘* Didn’t ye glue yer optics to ther fact that our woman in black went into that house?” ‘Great ginger! 1s that what you're makin’ all ther fuss about? I didn’t know but what you'd found a fortune in diamonds, or some such fri- fling thing as that. Hope you won’t cut up any more in sich a way. Your’re — too big.” ‘Maybe I am, Skinny, but I couldn’t belp it. I feel jest as young as I ever did, and 1 went cff afore | thought,” “And you act jest as young, too, most of the time,” Skinny complained 1n 4 reproving way, ‘© Well, come along, lean one, and we'll talk about it. What will you bet that that women isn’t the widow of the late lamented Lodgelaw?” ‘‘That idea popped into my head, too, and I don’t know what to think about it, one way or tother,” was Skinny’s reply, “Tf itis. we’ve got our eyes on ber, and we know she knows our Pablo Costo, at the hotel; whose real name seems to be Miguel.” ‘Yes: andif be ain’t blind in one eye and deaf in the other, he knows tbat we spotted him, , too,” reminded Skinny, . fae... eae Pet > comicbooks-com = —- ae - a bay ~~ _ ¥ «ee —_ .* . of if i : — -_ _ | > - - ~ ~ ? > se : ee so - .