Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 774 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

' “Toes he usually fail to reply at once when syou knock?” “No, sir. But there have been times when he has failed to do so.” ‘‘Then you thought nothing strange of it?” ‘*T did not,” ‘© You called to him?” ‘et Yes,” ‘* Then he replied?” ** He did,” **'You told him who you were and he came to the door at once?” + ‘* Well, not exactly, He seemed to hesitate about coming to the door, He came part way and then asked me what I wanted.” ** Your reply?” ‘*That I wanted to come in.” ‘* And then he opened the door?” ‘‘He did—after some fumbling for a brief space of time.” ‘* You immediately entered the room?” ‘* Yes, sir; and almost the first thing I saw was the body on tbe couch.” Ab?’ ** 1 thought nothing of it, although it gave me a start to find some one with the captain. But the next minute I saw the revolver on the floor, I pointed to it, and then my busband cried out something, of which I only caught the word dead. I looked at Charley and saw how ghastly and rigid was bis face, and then the room began to whirl around me and everything grew black,” ** You fainted?” ** Yes, sir.” ‘ Up to this point she had remained standing, but now sbe sunk into the chair, as if her strength had suddenly deserted her. She did not seem striving to make an impression, but her manner was perfectly natural, apparently. ‘* When you recovered you were—whers?” ‘¢ In the room,” ‘* Did you know Captain Scudd intended send- ing for a detective?” ‘*Tt was by my advice he did so,” ‘‘ Have you ever noticed anything odd about your busband?’ . Again those dark eyes flashed up at- him. ‘* What do you mean, sir?” ‘* Have you ever observed anything ecccntric in bis manner?” ‘* Much, for, to say the very least, he is an eccentric map, sir.” ‘* Has he ever seemed absent-minded?’ ** At times.” ‘*Could not remember things that had oc- curred?” ** Yes, sir.” ‘* What bave you thought of these spells?” **That he bad studied so much his memory was failing, He is at work on an invention of some kind to be used on ocean steamers, It was by an invention he acquired his present wealch, but he thinks he has struck a stil! greater idea, only he bad never been quite able to bring it to perfection. Sometimes he will spend days locked in that borrid room, not even coming out to eat, He will have his food taken there, and when he is utterly exhausted, will sleep for a brief space of time on that cot. 1t is then he is trying to bring his inveution to perfection, and he usually comes forth in a wretched humor, for he never quite succeeds, Then perhaps he will not go near that room again for weeks.” Tbe detective listened with interest, for he was learning something of Captain Scudd that might possibly be of advantage to@bim. He wished to thorougbly understand the nature of bo man, for he thought he could do better if he id. “Is it after one of those long spells in that room that he seems absent-minded?” ‘‘ Nor always, although he is sometimes unable to tell whether he has spent one day or ten in there.” ‘*Does be ever appear wild and unresason- able?” ‘‘Once or twice I bave fancied so, but it was about the invention, That is the only thing that throws him off bis balance.” ‘“Do you know if he was working on this in- vention to-day?” j ‘*T think he has been at work on it for the past three days.” Carter walked across*the room and back, then be made a few hasty votes in his little book, ** Now,” he said, ‘* what can you tell me about this young man—Charles Thornton?” ‘* What do you wish to know?” ‘* What were his habits?” : “They migbt have been steadier.” ‘** What was the relation between the captain and Thornton?” eM aoe you know Captain Scudd was his guardian?” — a 7 Path at se " a>? ¥ _< - : ~& tert os re, - ma f ~ > my i *; se 7 ~ et ee eee ee Oe Ny L - » (FAS ad =’ > Clear-Grit Cal. * ‘ = ofa. % ée Yes.” ‘*He had' charge of the property to which Charley was heir. Captain Scudd tried to re- strain the young man and keep him from squan- dering bis possession, and the result was an oc- casional disagreement. I think they quarreled last evening—I am sure they did, for 1 heard a few words asI happened to be passing the door of that room,” ‘‘Then the door must have been open, for when it is closed, the sound of a pistol-shot in that room does not alarm the household.” ‘‘ That is not so very singular.” ‘< No?” ‘* No, sir. Had the report been heard, it is ,0ssible nothing would have been thought of it, n one of those closets be bas a chest of chemi- cals, and he often experiments with them while in that room, They have something to do with his invention, although I do not understand what. Very often explosions are heard, but they are explosions of the chemicals.” ‘‘ This is important,” said Cal, ‘‘ Il have been wondering why that pistol-sbot was not heard. This explains it.” ‘‘The door was slightly open last evening. I did not pause to listen, but I heard Charley de- clare he would raise a row if tbe captain did not give him a certain amount of money. His voice showed be was decidedly angry, and I heard Captain Scudd reply in a barsher tone than is usual with him, Then I went up- stairs,” ‘‘ Is the captain a man of violent temper?” ‘‘Tf so, I have never seen a display of it. He bas always been very kind and considerate with me,” ‘‘ Were you on friendly terms with young Thornton?” $6 ‘Yas, sir.” ‘* He always treated you most considerately ?” ‘* He treated me with such respect as was due his uncle’s wife.” ‘* He was in no way presuming?” “Only once.” ‘Ah! When was that?” ‘* Several weeks ago, He had been drinking. I gave him a talking to that sobered him up, and he begged my pardon. Never since by word or Jook has he overstepped the bounds of propriety.” 4 Do you think it possible he committed sui- cide?” ‘‘He may have done so while intoxicated, al- though it does not seem probable,” ‘*How do you explain the fact that Captain Scudd was found in'the room with the corpse, and still did vot seem to kuow anything about it? ‘*Oh, sir! I can’t explain that! I do not un- derstand it! It is terrible—terrible!” ** You see it looks suspicious?” She started to her feet. ‘*T care not how it looks!’ she almost cried. Captain Scudd is my busband—a gentleman and a man of honor. He has done nothing wrong!” - Somehow her excited manner seemed uncalled for, but Carter remembered her perves must be at a high tension, and that might cause ber to act strangely, ‘There is no accusation against your hus- band, madam,” he calmly said; ‘ but you must see his position, Ualess this matter can be cleared up, and he can be proved innocent, be will surely suffer for the murder of Charles Thornton!” His words were harsher than he had intended to maké them when he began to speak, and he immediately regretted baving uttered them. By instinct a gentleman, he sometimes found it most repulsive to carry out the duties of his profession. Many times he was compelled to stoop to do things which duty demauded, but which galled his very soul. | Mrs. Secudd recoiled with a little cry, and clutched at the back of the chair. ‘* No, no, no!” she hoarsely whispered. ‘* You do not mean that! No, no!” ‘‘T humbly beg your pardon for my hasty words,” came from the detective’s lips. ‘I sbould have been more considerate,” With en apparent effort, she straightened up before him. Once more those magnetic eyes met bis, ** I believe, sir, a wife cannot be compelled to testify against her husband?” ** Assuredly not, madam.” ‘* Then my lips sball be sealed,” ** Do you believe your husband guiltless?” “*Of course I do!” “Then it may be for the best to tell the whole truth. Of that you can better decide at a later period,” ‘> Wa ee. lh S ‘* But what I have told you, sir, will—” **Havelno fear. I have been summoned to get at the truth of this affair, but 1 shall be dis- creet,” She held out her hend. He took it. It was hot and throbbing as if the woman had a fever, ‘*I thank you,” she said; and those flashing eyes were hidden by the long, drooping lashes, CHAPTER VI. PICKING UP SOME POIN DETECTIVE CARTER was far from being satis- fied with the result of bis investigations, The mystery was still a deep one, and no new light had been thrown upon it. When Mrs, Scudd returned to her room, Cal sought the butler. ** Did you let Charley Thornton in to-day?” ‘s Yon. 18.7 ‘* Did he come to the house afoot?” ‘* No, sir; he came in a carriage.” v2 Did you notice anything peculiar in his man- ner? **T thought his eyes looked wild like, sir,” ‘* He did not stagger?” ** No, sir.” ‘* Have you noticed the sound of a pistol shot any time since he came in?” **.No, air.” That was all; the butler could tell him nothing more. Cal next sought the doctor and the captain. ‘*Take my advice,” be said; ‘‘ call in the un- dertaker at once and notify young Thornton’s sister. Do not try to conceal anything, for it will look suspicious. An inquest must be held, and the sooner it takes place the better. I must be present to testify and make notes,” ‘*What do you think?’ asked the captain. ‘* What conclusion have you arrived at, sir?” -“ No conclusion,” ** Do—do you think it was suicide?” ‘*T spoke the truth when I said I bad arrived at no conclusion. Can you tell me anythin about the young man’s associates? I must fin some of them,” ‘*T know nothing of them,” ‘** Nor the places he frequented?” ‘* He sometimes went to the Hoffman House.” ** Any other place?” ‘* He seldom told me where he went, of no other place be frequented.” ‘* Then to the Hoffman House I will go, I must be present at the inquest. A notice sent to my office will reach me, for I shall look for iz,” A few moments later, he took bis departure. Straight tothe Hoffman House he made his way. He had secured a picture of Charley Thornton, and with the aid of that, he made his inquiries. Almost the first person be struck knew the young man, ‘*He sometimes comes in with some of the bloods about town,” this individual explained. ‘*T think he has money onthe races, He was in here last evening, and, from his talk, I fancied he had been a heavy loser or was talking for the sake of using his mouth. He seemed in a reck- less mood,” ‘*Did you notice who ke was with?” ‘* Yes, twoof the youths who wish to be known as sports. They opened some wine, Thornton settled for it, Then a tall and neatly dressed man came and whispered something to young Thornton. He was about going away with the tall man when a young man came in and called bim ont onimportant business, he said.; By Jove! there’s the very young fellow now!” He pointed out a well-dressed, manly-appear- ing young fellow, apparently about twenty-five years of age, who had just entered and seemed looking for some one, The detective thanked the man and made his way toward the one pointed out. ‘** Excuse me,” said Cal. ‘‘1 am looking for Charley Thornton, A gentleman over they said he believed you knew Thornton,” The young man’s blue eyes ran swiftly over the detective’s figure and rested on his face, “He was right,” was tbe reply; “Ido know him, but I may not be able to aid in your search for bim, I was looking for him myself.” ‘‘ Are you a particular friend of his?” There was a moment of hesitation. ‘*T can’t say that I am,” ‘*- You met bim here last night?” ‘Yea, ein.” | “ And you called bim out on ‘ particular busi- ness Do you mind telling what that business was? A cynical look flashed across the young man’s face, ‘‘T advised him to go home before he became any drunker,” arter was surprised, I know ~ 3 . | ’ LP eye p 4 i a S- Ta: « Ps rae . [a ao + “| ‘ ; P 7 iw Be hoe - id a ad A a , ; * be “ ‘ Aid * 4 : , ‘ : ' va! — > - : i oe opie o* * | ’ =