Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 775 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

while you are in the house, and you will know where to find it.” ** Haven’t got a bandbox handy, bave ye?” ** A bandbox? What do you want with that?” “Ye might put my hat in it,” which sugges- tion caused the ranger to have a fit, almost. Harry’s hat was nothing but the shapeless re- mains of what had once been a hat. ** No, I haven’t one quite good enough for this hat,” answered Mrs. Weston. ‘“ I guess we had better see about a new one first, and the band- box afterward. But, here comes my son; I know his step.” Billy was coming, true enough, and a moment later he opened the door. He had a pass-key to admit himself at tie jg door, of course, and couJd enter at any ime, ‘*Smoke o’ Gittysburg!” exclaimed the old ranger. ‘‘ Youare bound ter be a man, any- how, I see, me son. You went out this mornin’ without a hair on yer faee, and now ye come in with a mustache in full bloom,” ‘*(Joodness me!” cried Mrs, Weston, “It makes you look half a dozen years older, Billy, But, isn’t he a fine-looking young man with it, Roger!” ‘IT should remark that he is, ma’m,” was the approving response, “That settles it,” cried Billy. ‘* Off it comes, Zcan’t stand any such talk as that. Well, Harry, you are here, I see,” “You bet! I got through with business and thought l’d hustle right along and get here by the time you did. SeemsI got here first. It’s all the same as long as we are in time fer din- ner, ‘** That’s the main point. Well, what did you learn?” **Bless me!” interrupted Mrs, Weston, ** you hhaven’t got business on hand a’ready, I hope,” ‘What do you want to hope that way for, mom?” Billy demanded. “Should think you would be tickled to think I’ve struck something the very first day.” ** And you kin bet she is, and me too,” averred old Roger, ‘*‘ What is it this time, me son? Have ye got after some more of them ’ar p'izen rascals like you corraled the last time?” Billy gave them an outline of the casein hand and by the time he had done, the dinner was Served and they all took seats at the board. * While they were eating Billy learned what Harry had to tell, and after that gave an ac- count of what he had been doing himself, great- ly to the delight of Harry and the entertain- ment of the others, ‘Well, what next in order?” asked Harry, when they rose. = You know Brooser’s place, don’t you, down are Cert,” / ‘** Well, it was there I met Gus Casmore, as I told you. I thought, perhaps, if you went down there you might pick up something more of in- terest to us, and so help along this shadow chase. But, Harry, it is a bad hole, at best, so you must be wary and keep out of danger if you can. ‘Oh! “| will, you bet, if I kin, but I won't promise, sare, as to that. Sometimes there's fun galore i» sich places w’en the cops don’t chip in and spi. things.” When they le! Athe house, finally, each set off in a different direction. Broadway Billy to the home of Matthias Rundle, to keep his appoiut- ment with him, Arriving there, a ring at the bell brought to the door an old woman, whom Billy recognized at once as the housekeeper, of whom Mr, Rundle bad spoken. “Is Mr. Rundle in?” ‘* What name, if you please?” was the counter- question. ‘‘ William Weston,” ** Yes, sir; he is in, Come right this way, if you please.” She led the way down the ball and stopped at a rear door, where she tapped lightly and then opened the door. Mr. Rundle was disclosed, sitting in a reclin- ing chair near a window that was tly dark- ened, and the woman, speaking Billy’s name, withdrew as soon as the young detective had en- tered, closing the door. ** You are bere, eh?” + oat Ag see,” answered Billy. “ Well, come this way and take @ seat near me, and we will talk,” ay complied, drawing a chair close to the reclining chair, and seating himself so he could see Mr. Rundle’s face well. **What do you think by this time?” the old man asked, * Well, I have been able to learn a little, sir. ** What have you learned?” ** T have learned one important truth.” ** And what is that?” ‘* That you are being cleverly and successfully swindled,” The old man’s face took on a look of alarm, but quickly assumed a smile of half-pity. **] feared that would be your idea, before you had investigated at all. You men of the world are so matter-of-fact in everything.” aan in possession of proof for what I as- sert, Again the look of alarm. ‘* W bat is the proof?” ‘*] am not prepared to reveal it yet.” **Then how am Ito believe you have what you claim? Are you not guessing at it all?” **Not a bit. Iam guided by facts. Suppose I tell you some things I am aware of, and see if that will convince you.” ‘“* Very well,” ‘* In the first place, you are acquainted with a woman named Rosa Dubarre,” ‘* Hal bow do you know that?” ‘Through very material means, I assure you, More, this woman has recently informed you that you are soon to die, and that you bad bet- ter set your house in order, as it were.” The old man, greatly excited, sat bolt upright on his chair, staring at Bully with eyes dilated. Here was something, not of spirit nature, and yet that rivaled anything in that line he had eases observed, How knew this detective so muc —-—_--— CHAPTER XI, BILLY OPENS RUNDLE’S MATERIAL EYES. “TELL me how you know that,” Rundle de- manded, ‘‘ Tell me how you found that out, I demand to know,” ** Detectives dv not tell just how they learn what they know in a certain matter,” Billy evaded. ‘‘ Let it be enough that I do know it. Perhaps it will convince you that I may be able to learn more,” *“Hum! Hum! Hum!” The old man had not bis cane in hand, but he rapped with his band on the arm of bis chair, ** Spirits?” asked Billy. Not that he believed the spirits had anything to do with it, ‘Hey? Oh! yes, yes; spirits, of course,” ‘* Approving what I said? ““Hum! Til ask them, Spirit is mighty; matter 1s nothing, Often the spirits use m arm many time, before | notice them at all, They never communicate until attention is gained,” ‘* Never mind asking them now,” said Billy. ‘‘ Let us confine our talk for the present to substantial things, You intend going to Madam Dubarre’s seance to-night, do you not?” | ‘‘ Heavens and earth! Young man, do you know anything more?” ** Perhaps,” ** Well, yes, I intend going there,” ‘* And perhaps you will be allowed to hold conversation with your dead daughter,” ‘* ] certainly hope it will be my privilege,” ** And, in view of the short time you have to live, she may suggest in what manner you shall dispose of your worldly goods.” “Hum! Hum! Hum!” * ** Why not?) What would be more natural?” ‘*T haven't said anything to the contrary, have I?” ‘** Na; but you hum over it a good deal,” ‘* Are you not aware, young man, that there are spirits of evil as well as spirits of good?” ‘*) have known that for a considerable time past,” reg declared, ‘*‘ And 1 am of the opin- ion that ¢ ere are spirits of evil in this case of ours, 7 “So I think, sir; sol think. Why this un- wortby doubt in my mind, if not put there by a spirit of evil? I know Lam going to die within a few days, and why should | not listen to the spirit of my dear child and dispose of my money in time?’ ** Why not will it to your son?” ‘‘To an unbeliever!” ‘Yes, Let him believe or not, he is your son just the same,” ** But, the spirits would never approve of that, sir. We of the faith must be first for the cause,” ‘* How about asking the spirit of your daugh- et oh Tapp ‘*T might do that, I su Hy ‘You like your son pm enough, don’t you?” “I would love him, would he only open his eyes and accept the truth,” Broadway Billy’s Shadow Chase. 9 ‘* But, as he won’t, you allow him to drive his truck daily, in all kinds of weather, while you huve money enough in your strong box to set him up nicely in business, and plenty to spare.” ‘‘ Look here, young man, what did I engage you for?” ‘* Because your hoss-sense was beginning to rise above spirit tom-foolery, and you had a suspicion that maybe you were being gulled of your guilders,” Billy allowed himself to drop into his natural oddity of expression, for be was more tban half disgusted with the old gentleman, to think he could be so blind as to let these spiritual sharks rob him so easily. ‘‘)f you were anybody else,” the old man cried, slapping the arm of his chair with more than spiritual force, ‘‘I would order you from my presence and my house af once. As it is I must allow for your youth, You call spirit- ualism tom-foolery! Have a care how you talk.” ‘‘ There may be something in the faith, for all I know,” Billy admitted, ** but I know there is nothing in this particular case of yours but an attempt to swindle you out of the last dollar you possess.” ‘* How dare you!” ‘* Because | know what I am talking about, sir.” ‘*Can you prove it?” ‘That is just what I am going to undertake to do, sir.” ‘¢ Well, prove it, then.” ‘**T need your help.” ‘**My hélp? in what manner can I help you?” ‘* Well, in the first plage, by not letting on that I have confirmed the ee rms you felt,” ‘* That is easily granted. bave no intention of making myself ridiculous by making known tu the brethren end sisters that I am so weak- minded as to baveany doubt in the matter.” ‘*Good enough. Remain perfectly firm, and do not let it be known tuat you have a suspicion, That, however, is known; but, you can make it believed that your suspicion has been brushed as ‘* You say my suspicion is known? To whom is it known?” ‘*To Rosa Dubarre.” ** [mpossible!” ‘‘ Not so impossible as you think. She has* been spying on your track of late, and followed you to my office this morning.” The old man gasped, but could not speak a word, ‘It is just as I tell you,” Billy went on. “She followed you there, and when sbe beard you coming down the stairs she ran up the street a little distance, and then returned to meet you.” The old man made an effort to say something, but was still speechless. ‘* And who is this Rosa Dubarre?” Billy de- manded, ‘‘ What do you know of her, outside of her spiritual seances? Ill tell you who and what she is, She is a crook of the first water, and her picture is in the rogues’ gallery. She is fleecing you in the neatest way imaginable.” ‘* Impossibie!” cried the old man, breaking out at last. ‘‘ Ts it impossible? You just go to beadquar- ters and ask the chief to show you picture Num- ber —, and tell you the woman’s history, that is all.” It must not be imagined that Billy was talk- ing in tones loud enough for any one outside of the room to overhear, and the old man naturally falling into the same tone, they were safe from ea vesdroppers, Billy had suspicions deeper than we have yet set forth, ‘‘There must be some mistake,” the old man gasped. ‘*t assure you there is no mistake, sir,” said Billy. “I have got a dead sure case against the fair Rosa and her ally Gus Casmore,” ‘*Casmore! You know of him, too?” ‘* Yes; he is another of the same stripe. Mr. Rundle, I have laid the bare facts before you. Do you want to go on and unmask these scamps in their evil work? Or do you prefer to allow them to swindle you further under the miserable mask which they wear of spirit influence and presence?” : The old gentleman was fairly panting in his cee Tete pOMMULAY” tbo gasped, Mant Word etahd ‘‘Is it possible!” he gasped, each word stand- ing alone and distixct, a Have been made a dupe of in this matter? It does not seem pos- sible— Heavens! young man, it is not pos sible!” ‘‘It isthe bare, naked truth, sir—just as sure as you and I are here.”