Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 774 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

— Sn “ - = —~- — a > ~~.» Fi : 9 or " id 22» Boke - . a pression, and she had displayed her wisdom by acting nearly natural. Not so with the coroner’s jury. She saw in that body a collection of men whose hearts she believed she could touch with a display of emotion, therefore she was dissolved in tears and carried from the room in what seemed to be a hysterical condition. Behiud the band that caressed the detective’s beardless upper lip was hidden something like a sardonic smile. He believed he understood the woman, aud what seemed tragedy to others was comedy to him, But there was one thought that almost appalled the ferret, and as he listened to the almost self-incriminating testi- mony of Captain Scudd that thought caused him to shudder and grow sick at heart, Had the beautiful sorceress cOmnpelled her husband, while under ber baleful influence, to take the life of Charley Thornton? If this was the true solution of the young man’s mysterious taking-off, how was he to prove it and save the ol salt from the chair of death? The sensation was a godsend t) the reporters, for there happened to be a dearth of such events at about that time, and the readers of the news- papers were almost crying out for a tragic story, even though it was all a fake, But although the ‘‘ reporter-detectives ” made much ado about the mystery of the young man’s death, scarcely one of them considered that mystery deep enough to require special investi- gation and attention. To the most of them it seemed plain enough that Captain Scudd was the man who had ended Charley Thornton’s life. The only thing they seemed inclined to investi- gate closely was the question of the old salt’s sanity. That was a course that Carter had about dropped, feeling sure the man was perfectly sane at all times. Hypnotic influence, Cal felt sure, had controlled him, if he took young Thorn- ton’s life, But why should Mrs, Scudd wish the young man killed? Was it possible her batred had be- come so intense that she had decided on his death? If so, it was also plain she bad schemed to so entangle her husband that he would also be ‘‘removed.” That would leave her a young and beautiful widow of wealth, and she was sure to be much sought and courted, Another marriage with a mau nearer her age might give her the happiness she sought, To himself, Cal repeated again and again that it was a crafty and devilish scheme, Well might the beautiful woman believe there was no dan- ger that she would in any way be connected with the murder, for who would dream that she killed Charley Thornton through the means of her wonderful influence over the enamored old man who was wont to call her his ‘*‘ darling.” But for the fact that sbe sometimes drank, and had a maid who was wonderfully shrewd, the detective might not bave struck the right track atall. But now he was fairly oa the trail. Carter felt that, despite bis past record, the solution of this mystery would bea feather in bis cap. Val Sedman was at the inquest, and Jistened with deep interest, The detective had told him that Sbark was again on the trail of Silky Hall, and, for some reason, Val believed that Hall would prove of importance in the case, Cal wa snot so sure of this after the hypnotic theory took possession of him, Cal had seen Ollie Field, Charley Thornton’s half-sister, and be decided Sediwman was a lucky fellow. The girl was a most beautiful creature, although her grief for Charley, whom she had almost idolized, was deep, and had left its traces, From Val the detective learned Ollie had been taken in by Mrs. Scudd, and made something of a companion. Carter believed the girl was shrewd, and he sought to talk with her after the inquest was over, and the jury had found that ‘* Charles Thornton came to his death by a ee get fired from a revolver held in the ands of some unknown person.” This was of a nature that gave Cal a feeling of relief, for he had expected at one time that the jury would make a charge against Captain Scuda. ‘* Miss Field,” said the detective to Ollie, “ Mr, Sedman has informed me that Mrs, Scudd has made something of a companion of you since you came to this house,” The girl bowed, ** It is true, sir.” ‘**She has taken you to her room and is very friendly with you?” ** Yes, sir.” “Well now, Miss Field, I take you for a girl of good sense and I believe you earnestly desire ity the mystery of your brother’s death.” 0. 4 mill Clea Grit Cal. **You may be able to aid in the solution of the riddle.” * How? I am ready to do anything—that I can, ‘* Well, I want you to watch Mrs, Scudd closely and remember as much as possible of what she says and does,” Ollie looked startled. A Why!” she exclaimed, ‘tis Mrs, Scudd sus- pected?’ ‘* Every one who was in the house at the time of the murder is under suspicion. Mrs, Scudd may be as innocent as you or I, but some act or word of her’s may aid me in getting at the truth. Of course Ido not wish her to dream she is being watched, -so you will have to exercise some tact,” ‘* Trust me for that.” ‘*T do, I believe you will exercise good judg- ment, As far as possible, I wish you to watch her, whether sbe is’sleeping or waking. If any- thing happens that you think might havea bear- ing on the case, communicate with me without delay. You will do this, I believe?” ‘*T will,” That wasall. He gave her no hint of why the woman was suspected, further than that every one within the house at the time of the crime was under suspicion, Cal hada brief interview with the old cap- tain, and found him in a pitiful condition. The strain bad been heavy upon him, and Dr, Andros had been unable to induce him to swallow an opiate. He was in sad want of sleep, but he was not aware of it, The doctor soberly shook his head behind the captain’s back, ‘* What do you think of it, Carter?’ eagerly demaned the old salt. ‘‘The inquest has beena failure—I insist it has been a failure! They have discovered nothing now, LEgad, sir! from what they brought out it would seem that | was the murderer of my own nephew, sir!” Then he rolled bis eyes, shook his head and wheezed, All the while Dr, Andros was in terror lest bis patient be stricken with apoplexy. ‘* Tt is a complicated case, sir,” admitted the detective. ‘*Complicated!. Well, Ist ould say it was an infernally black one| I’m ina bad light here— I see that, sir. By Nepturie! if I bad been on that jury and another man in my place, in the face of such evidence as was given to-day [Shbe- lieve I sbould have advised the arrest of the other man, or done something of that kind, Why, sir, as I listened there, 1 almost began to believe I really did shoot Charley—my boy! But I couldn’t bave done that—could 1?” It was an appeal, The man Jooked to Calvin Carter for an answer, and for one moment the detective hesitated. ‘‘No, captain,” he firmly retorted, * you could not be guilty of such a thing.” The old sailor drew a deep breath of relief, and Cal did not add that be did not consider the captain guilty, even though the captain’s hand did the deed. I[f the man was governed by an- other, then that other was morally responsible for the murder of Charley Thornton. ‘TI didn’t know but the boy took his own life,” muttered Captain Scudd, as if speaking to himself; ‘* but the evidence is against it. The position of the body, the revolver and other things go toshow he was murdered—murdered in cold blood, sir! You must run down the guilty one, sir! Even if Captain John Scudd were the man, it would be your duty to bring him to the electric. chair!” Without telling the troubled captain that he believed he was on track of the solution, Detec- tive Carter left the house. There was no word for him at tbe office, and Sbark did not turn up till the following day. ** What’s the word?” asked Cal, ** Hall and Moore have had it,” ‘* Who is best?” ‘‘ Wall. He gave Moore a stick in the side,” “* Bad?” ** Not dangerous,” ‘* Well, where is Hall now?” ** Skipped,” ‘¢ What do you mean?” ** He bas lit out—shaken the dust of New York off his feet.” ‘*The dickens! Which way did he go?” ‘To Boston. He gave me the shake,” was the rather sheepish confession. ‘* He had dusted be- fore I knew it,” Cal was not pleased, and Shark saw it, ‘** Look here, boss,” said the shadow, ‘*I have Tired Moore rounded up, and I reckon he will blow what he knows, for he swears Hall did not use him right. Now Hall thoucht Moore was done for, and he has only skipped to wait till it blows over, When he fiods the crook is not badly hurt, he will return to his old sta ground, and we shall have no trouble in putt our fingers on him, Just now, | say pum} Tired Moore.” ‘* The advice is good,” acknowledged Cal, ‘I will follow it.” CHAPTER XIII. PLAYING THE ‘‘ PUMP,” So they went to see the wounded tough, -They found him in a decidedly “‘low” locality on the East Side. ‘‘ This would be a bad place to be trapped in,”’ muttered Cal as they ascended the dark and un- steady stairs. ‘‘ That’s so,” Shark admitted. ‘* But there is not much danger of being trapped, for we are not expected.” They found Moore stretched on a hard couch ina dingy room, The man’s face was pale ani he did not look at all ugly just then, but they soon discovered the devil in him was only quelled for the time and was not subdued, There was a woman in the room, but they did scarcely more than give hera glance, She was dressed in gaudy finery, but ber hair bad not been touched by acomb that day and there was an air of neglect about her appearance, At a single look Carter knew her for what she was, ‘*‘ Hello!” growled Moore, as he looked up at his visitors. ‘*‘ Never mind knockin’—come right in an’ make yerselves ter home, 1 don't bave no say round dis place; it b’longs ter any cove as wants ter walk in on me now, Dey don’t do it wen I’m on mer pins dough. See?’ — Carter calmly appropriated a rickety chair and sat down near the couch, The wounded tough snarled as he witnessed the cool manner of his visitors. . ‘*Dat’s right!” hé grated. ‘‘ Dis place is free ter der public! If youse don’t see w’at yer want, ask fer it!” ‘‘ Well, it happens we just see what we want,” was the detective’s quiet retort, as he fixed his eyes on Moore. The tough started a bit, “Dat hain’t no go!” he huskily retorted. ‘t Dere hain’t no charge ’g’inst me.” ‘‘ But you are wanted, just the same.” ‘ Per w’at—fer lettin’ dat bloke cut me?” ‘‘ or having anything to do with bim.” ‘‘ Well, dat’s der worst I ever heard! who be youse?” ‘* You ought to know me. at my face,” Moore did so, then he cried: ‘¢ Blowed if ’tain’t der sharp w’at played der British blood!” *¢ Now you have hit it!” ‘* Well, 1 s’pose you was after me den?” ‘S Parhaps so.” “Dashed if you hain’t a cool cove!” was Moore’s admirivge observation, ‘* An’ yer did play der English bigh-an’-mighty in great shape. It | tadn’t snatched yer whiskers by accident, we'd neveritumbled ter ye.” Carter smiled, ‘‘ Well, what did it amount to, anyway?” ‘‘ Nothing,” confessed the tough. ‘* You was worse dan an eel ter keep a grip on, an’ dat’s der fact. Wm stuck on your style, an’ dat’s on der dead level, I never went much on dem de- tective sharps, ’cause dey alwus bad a way of interferin’ wid my business, but youse bas jest laid me out. Id gointer der detective business myself if | could bave der nerve dat you've got.” ‘* Now you are tabking to hear the sound of your own voice,” returned Cal, cynically, ** You know you don’t mean what you say, so what's the use of trying to fool me, I’ve dealt with your kind before, ” Moore made a wry face. ‘* Well, you be sharp!” ‘* Will youcome off? You are amusing, Moore, but I didw’t come bere to be eintertained,” ** No?” “No. Itisacase of business with me.” ‘*Didn’t come out of anxiety ter know how l’se gittin’ on?’ nat ardly.” ‘ ** Well, dat’s der gall! Ter come inter a fel- ler’s house an’ tell him dat!” ‘ Tt isn’t necessary for us to banter, Moore, if you will get it through your head that to banter will be to waste time.” At this the nnlucky thief stirred uneasily. His eyes did not meet those of the man at his side, ‘Well, wat yer want?” **T don’t suppose you love Silky Hall?” ‘Ob, yes, I do! Ilove him—he’ll find it out Say, Take a good look 4" , ‘ ‘ 7 i » LL, “Rie . | a ie id et 7 yes ¥,'4