Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 774 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

. oS as PA 2 and vanish. It would be doubtful if the officers ~ would find so much as a roulette table. He decided be must escape by bis own efforts, unaided by any one, unless Shark found a way to assist him. He did not underestimate his peril, but he simply kept himself calm, It was this coolness in the face of great dan- ger that bad caused him to be known as Clear- Grit Cal. ‘* W bat are you in bere for?” cried one. ‘* T came bere on business,” was the reply. Then there was a how] of derision—a how! that must have been heard in the street, The most brutal of the gang pushed toward the detective. ‘* Down him!” was the hoarse exclamation ut- tered by many lips. ‘‘ He means to blow any- way!” Cal bad thrust his hands into his pockets, The overturned table was at bis back, ‘** Keep off!” he commanded, ‘If you fellows | will listen to reason, I will convince you it was not my intention to blow on this place,” **Ohb, be is a ready liar!” ** He'll tell a slick story !” ** Hit der bloke in der aeck!” ‘* Smash his jaw!” ** Get back!” * Out snapped a brace of revolvers, Cal Carter was apn expert, and he could sboot with either hand or both at once, His eyes were beginning to flash, although the shadow of tbat cool smile + gtill haunted his lips. The startled ruffians fell back before those ready weapons, With their hands clincked and their faces black with anger, they glared at the man who so calmly defied them all. Cal had taken care to face Silky Hall aod Tired Moore, and one of his revolvers was turned on the former. Hall now stepped to the front, ** Look here,” came from his lips, ‘‘ you say you did not come in here to spot the place, If that is true, will you kindly tell why you did come in? You are here, and you came in dis- ! guise, which makes it look very black for you.” “[ have no objection to telling you why I came, [t was to shadow a man v.ho was in bere,” ** And that man—who is he?” ‘* That is none of your business,” A hissing sound came from Hall’s teeth, ** It is plain you do not understand your dan- ger, my man,” said the smooth gambler, ‘**That is where you are mistaken,” replied Cal, ‘‘ But it is dead certain you do not under- stand yours,” . ‘‘ You dare not use those revolvers,” ** Don’t fool yourself,” ‘*Tf you did so, you’d get the breath of life kicked out of you.” ‘* And you would already have it let out of you by a bullet bole, I have you spotted, and you will hear from me, if there is trouble,” The gambler did not like this, ‘* Look bere,” he said, ‘‘ I’m called a bad man when I’m mad,” @ ‘+ Well?” . \ ‘* if you get me down on you, it’ll be bad for your health.” ‘*Oh, w’at’s der use of all dis pow-wow?” cried Tired Moore, ‘“ Let’s all run over der bloke, We don’t want none of dem private sneaks here, ad an’ we bain’t guin’ ter hev ’em.” ‘*Ob, you are in it, are you?’ half-laughed Cal, ‘‘Just now you seem to have forgotten the rap your friend gave you a few seconds ago, Your eagerness to do me up has banished that from your mind completely.” ‘‘ Dere’s lots of time ter settle dat, We’se goin’ ter settle youse fu’st,” ‘* Bet you don’t.” Some of the callow lads in the gambling room ay were very much frightened, but.a burly fellow had placed himself at the door and refused to let any one out till the trouble was settled, ms | ‘Shark had edged toward the door, Cal saw Br this move of his pupil, and he knew it meant % something, so he held himself ready to act in- stantly when the right time came, Tbe threatening revolvers held the gang at bay for a time, but it would not always be thus, The moments were passing, and the men growing more determined with each one, ** Teach the spy a lesson!” cried a voice in the crowd, ‘“* He'll ruin this place anyway, but it isn’t best to let him get off scot free,” ‘“*That person does well to keep himself con- cealed behind others,” said Cal, ‘* He does not seem to have sufficient courage to come to the front and make bis talk.” At this there was a stir, but the man did not come forward. Meantime Shark had reached the door. He j LL LEGO I OE LL Sess se . ro -* % me or «2 ‘eat 7 on s se ry 7 E » Sys th _ Clear-Grit Cal. did not attempt to go out, but he came up be- hind the burly fell-w guarding the door, A short sand-bag suddenly found its way into Shark’s grip, and the following instant be used it. Down to the floor dropped the guard, Shark dazed into a corner, Then the crafty young fellow tore open the door, yelling: ‘“*Now’s yer time, boys! Git out of here ev’ry bloke of yer! Der perlice are comin’, an’ youse’l] all be pulled if yer don’t do der vanishin’ act!” The result was an instantaneous surge toward the open door, Silky Hall understood what had happened, and made for Cal, snarling: ‘* The trick won’t get you off, you sneak 1» The detective met the. gambler more than half-way. Parrying a blow, Cal dashed the muzzle of the weapon into Hall’s face, knocking the man back waid, Then the Never-Say-Die Detective made a sbort run and leaped to the top of a faro table, from which he vaulted into the air fairly over the heads of the ruffians who stretchei their bands upward to grasp bim, He landed on the shoulders ofa large ma who was in the very center of the crowd rusb- ing toward the door, What unreasoning creatures human beings are when seized by a panic! Like a lot of frightened sbeep or cattle they pushed, jammed and crowded out through the doorway, over- turning the connter in the cigar store and breaking the show-case, then went pouring out oo S:xth avenue, causing the passers-by to pause and stare in wonder. ‘* What is it—a fire?’ was the universal ques- tion, But the escaping gamblers did not tarry to explain, It was simply wonderful how swiftly they disappeared after reaching the outer air. Cal was carried out ty the man on whose shoulders he bad lighted, and he disappeared with the rest, Twenty minutes later, he and Shark were to- getber, laughing heartily over the exciting ad- venture, and congratulating themselves on the fortunate termination, CHAPTER X, LIZETTE’S STORY. THE following day Detective Garter again appeared at Captain Scudd’s, He learned the coroner had been informed and that the inquest would probably take place that afternoon, The morning papers bad obtained long articles about the strange death of young Thornton, and with one accord they had insinuated Cap- tain Scudd migbt tell more about it if be cared tv do so, Plainly, the old salt’s story was discredited. One paper went so far as to suggest that the captain’s handling young Thornton’s money be thoroughly investigated. ‘* | believe the fools are all adrift,” muttered Cal grimly, ‘If Captain Scudd killed Charley Thornton it was not because be had in any way mishandled the young man’s inheritance,” This he afterward confirmed by investigation. Cal was led into the house without arousing the captain, but the butler told him Captain Scudu had been in the library for two hours, The detective wished to question the servants, and, after baving a brief talk with the butler, which really amounted to nothing, he sought Mrs, Scudd’s maid, who wasa French girl known as Lizette, The maid did not wish to talk with the detec- tive, but she found she could not avoid it, At first she was sulky, but Carter assured her it would be best to tell the truth, and she would ovly injure berself by falsehood, ‘**Do you like your mistress?” asked the detec- tive, wishing to get Lizette started, ‘* Outi monsieur.” ** She is always kind to you?” An instant of hesitation, ** Oui, monsieur,” ‘** Ab, Lizette! why won’t you tell the exact truth! She is sometimes fretful?” F " Ob, one leetle beet sometime, not vera of- uD. ‘*She speaks barshly?” ‘* Sometime she be mad,” ‘* |-thought so, When is she so?” ‘* When she have take zo wine.” *Oh—ho! Then my lady indulges in wine?” ‘** Zay all do zat, monsieur—all ze tone, I haf work at one, two, tree—many place; aey all drink ze wine, Zey do zat on ze sly, but zey haf t i a el ee Try & tne, digi ‘ t | giving him a pusb that sent bim stunned and — — ’ ' - y S foam ey > a my _— y / bins 4 by . * | Ld 7 * + » ‘ewe ’ fl A 7 = —— =e - ee 7 intl eet jus’ ze same. N’%importe.” (It ma@ not. vy ‘* Perhaps you think so, Lizette; but J have different view. The woman who drinks is in danger, a strong will of her own. a faux pas,” The maid was silent, ‘‘ Now tell me the truth, Lizette,” Cal contin- ued, ‘* does your mistress ever drink to excess?” ‘6 Bx-cess? What ees zat?” ‘Take too much—become intoxicated?” ‘Ob, vera seldom,” ” ‘‘'Then she does so oocasionally ?” ‘¢ Monsieur, eet is not ze right for me to tel! zese tings. Eet is very wrong.” ‘‘Tt may be the only way to save Captain Seudd from a murder trial. lama detective in the employ of the captain, and for that reason it is best that you sbould answer my questions. Iam trying to get at the truth of Charley Thornton’s death, You knew him? sé Out.” A blush stole to Lizette’s cheeks. ‘Ab, I see,” smiled the detective. ‘* Well, now, you are ready to do anything to aid me in discovering who killed Cbhariey ?” ‘ Out, Oui!” ‘Then you should answer all my questions, Remember, | am working to bring the culprit to justice,” Lizette bowed. ** Zon L weel answer, monsieur.” ‘‘ Does your mistress sometimes become very angry when she has been drinking wine?’ | “Oui, One time she strike me with her hand,” ‘Ab! What did you do?” ‘*T threatun to leave.” ‘** But you did not?” és No,” “ Why?” ‘* Monsieur Charlee was here.” ‘‘T see, How did your mistress and Charley get along?” ‘*Oh, monsieur! she have a vera great passion for heem!” Carter started. ‘What is that, Lizett. %” The maid looked frightened and glanced around, ‘‘ Noting!” she answered, almost in a whisper —'* noting at all!” The detective’s hand fell on Lizette’s slender wrist, ‘‘ You have said too mucb to retreat now, Out with it all! That is the only thing to do, Was Mrs. Scudd in love with the young man?” Lizette was scared, but she answered: ‘* Zat I do believe,” ‘‘ W bat makes you think so?” ‘* Ma fois! she bave his picture **Qo-ho! This grows interesting! She pos- sesses his picture, eh? Where does she keep it?” ‘‘In her private chambare,” 66 49) ‘* Oui, She oftun look at eet.” ‘‘ You bave seen her do that?” Lizette nodded. ** When?” ‘© When she have been drink ze wine.” ‘“ You were in the chamber?” ‘‘ Oui, She take ont ze picture of Charlee— she look at eet—she kiss eet !” Carter started as if tbe bad received an electric shock, ‘¢ Holy smoke!” he muttered, ‘‘ This grows in- teresting. 1 wonder if the young rascal was false to bis uncle and the old gentleman found it out?’ If so, tbe murder isexplained, and Charle Thornton’s blood is on Captain John Scudd’s hands, He probably killed the boy in a fit of jealous rage. He may have been half or wholl crazed at the time, I believe Iam on the trac of a remarkable discovery.” But he did not even then dream how remark- able the discovery was to prove, | Ske is liable to make \” ‘She loved bim, Lizette?”’ wt ‘*Sbe did, monsieur.”’ ‘* There is no doubt of it?” ‘*T have not ze one doubt.” ‘* Were they much together?” ** Once,” * Once?” 6 Oui.” ** When?” ** Ze few weeks ago.” — ‘You have seen them together?” **Oh, many time,” ‘* What were they doing?” : ‘‘Oh, madam she sing for heanpm—she play; he sing for ber—wiz her. He have ze be-e-eautiful voice!” *“ Where did this occur?” o, -_ tid ous . eee ae TS. ato tac Tae aah She may never fa)l, but she must have ~ 5 ‘ > books a %y 3 9 a ae PPS er , . —~ S * Frye ~ 7 “ . ‘< % te “ > fa | . ° . “d bad = COM.