Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 777 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

* tthe taal " - & = . i> -_- - . - >: 7 e- 4 - “- ee ~ -_ - Pm aren ce eet oaks ~~ “me =f é a - 4 a o te -< : i - i er: St fe a te ~ +") mei Tae . rs “= . ‘* - 12 There they found the fair passenger, enjoying tthe view from that exalted position. They removed their hats and stood talking with the pilot, though they managed to discover that the lady was young, exceedingly pretty, -with red golden hair, black eyes and the whitest of teeth. Her figure was slender and graceful, she was well dressed and a lady. She now and then addressed the pilot, in a low voice, soft and pleasant, and seemed greatly in- terested with the approaching view of the Cliff City, Natchez. The pilot asked her if she cared to blow the -whistle for Natchez and she accepted gracefully, wising and placing her foot upon the lever. ‘‘ Blow two long, two short and one long whis- tle, miss,” said the obliging pilot. She did as he directed and the deep boom of the massive whistle rung out far over the low- Jlands of Louisiana upon the right, and were sent back by the cliffs of Mississippi upon the left in «a thousand echoes, Both Grayhurst and Gibson had noticed a handsoine boot and well turned foot as she put it apon the lever, and that her hands were gloved, small and shapely. The landing at Natchez was made and the pilot ‘told them that they would be there a couple of hours or more. Then Mr, Gibson turned and said: ‘‘Pardon me, but my friend, Mr. Grayburst, and myself are going for a drive over this very pretty town, and if you and any companion you would like to ask, will accompany us, we shall feel bonored,” The lady bowed and said: ‘*Thank you, but I am traveling alone, ‘* Still if you will allow me to accompany you I will go with plea-ure.” ‘‘T can vouch for these gentlemen, miss, for this is Mr. Gordon Grayhurst a planter on the lower river, and this one is Mr, Gibson, a geutle- man living in New Orleans. ‘*T don’t know your name, though, miss, to finish the introduction,” said the pilot. ‘‘T am Miss Cassell,” was the smiling reply, and the two gentlemen escorted her ashore, a carriage was callei and a drive taken up the loug hill to The Bluff, and thence over the handsome city of Natchez, the ride extending into the country among the grand old homes for which the place is noted, The return to the boat was just in time, and ‘thanking the two escorts, Miss Cassell went to the ladies’ cabin, and soon after gave them a bow from her place at the dinner table. When evening came some one asked for music, and Miss Cassell kindly obliged them, playing the ‘piano with a sympathetic and skillful touch, and playing music which true lovers of music could understand, instead of the diag-dong, crash tremendissimo classical music which the wild-haired German artists with unpronounce- able names affect, and the ultra-fashionable ‘society pretend to enjoy and understand. Her playing brought a number of hearers from the forward cabin, and among them Gray- fhourst and Gibson. - When she completed her playing she went over and took a seat between an old man and 3 wife who had particularly enjoyed hearing er. The old gentleman had long gray hair, and wore a silk skull-cap, as though afraid of catch- ing cold. He was dressed in an old-style blue cut- away coat, with brass buttons, wore buckles upon his shoes, and had on a ruffled shirt with an old-fashioned diamond pin in bis cravat, The old lady was prim, well preserved, kept her bands constantly busy with fancy-work, and yet allowed nothing to escape her that was going on. They seemed complimented at the coming of Miss Cassell to sit by them, and the old lady at once fell in love with the handsome jewels worn by the young woman. ‘‘T believe your state-room adjoins mine, and bas a communicating door. ‘‘f am so glad, forI feel really timid as I have considerable money with me, and, as you see, quite a nnmber of jewels, so have dreaded being robbed,” ‘We will leave the door ajar, my dear, so have no fear,” said the old getitlennah, and Miss “Cassell looked pleased and said; ‘* Then I am no longer in dread,” CHAPTER XXIV, MIDNIGHT VISITORS. _ Tr was nearly eleven o’clock when Miss Cas- sell retired to her state-room, The old couple had already retired, but the 4 eA ry vi ‘ dS jl Se oS te a ‘ at % 44 ‘ jit 4 2 ‘Z se ps ipa SS * ~ . “ts : uf pik At Soa 4 ae Jt ¢ ¥ —- ee ee OO ee ie) Y Dick Doom’s Destiny. ee ————————————__ lady knocked at the door to say that she might open the door when she went to bed and leave it ajar. "Miss Cassell thankea her kindly, and soon after did as she was directed. The lights were turned low in the steamer, all was quiet on board, save the rattle of the pad- dle-wheel and booming of the escape-pipes, with the occasional jingling of a bell from the pilot- house. Just at midnight the door of Miss Cassell’s room opened softly. The old lady appeared, and went noiselessly to the sleepers’ bed, She held something in her hand which sbe laid softly over the face of Miss Cassell. Then she stepped back into her own room, Soon after, she came with another of the same kind, and put this one on the sleeper’s face. Then she stepped to the door and called her husband, He entered, and then the trunk of Miss Cas- sell was opened and a number of things taken out, the two talking in whispers the while, Then the old man stepped to the glass door opeving upon the guard, He opened it, and after a time short working there, had removed a piece of glass from the door, The hole thus made was large enough to ad- mit an arm, so that the door could be unlocked, Then a small bottle marked “ chloroform” was dropped upon the floor along with a sponge, The things taken from the trunk of Miss Cassell were then placed in a secret receptacle in the bustle worn by the old lady. ‘* Now, we are all right,” whispered the man, ‘‘ Yes, plenty of money, jewels and otber things. ‘¢ We must be hard to rouse, too, for of course we were robbed as well,” and tbe tray of their trunk was left out, and their valuables placed in the accommodating bustle of the old lady. Having secured their treasure, they dropped off serenely to sleep, as though with the con- sciousness of baving done a good action. When the deep breathing of the man and the steady, strong breathing of the woman showed that the two slumbered serenely, Miss Caasell awoke, She did not awake like one who bad been un- der the influence of a drug, for she was wide awake in an instant. She arose softly, and opening the door, which was ajar, stepped toward the two sleepers. Then she tied about her face a handkerchief, covering mouth and nostrils, and began to spray the two sleepers with chloroform, She soon felt that she had done her work suf- ficiently well, for she opened the door and stepped back into the pure air of her own room. Then she proceeded to dress, and having com- pleted her toilet, stepped back into the state- room of the sleepers. Their slumber was so profound that they did not feel her take their bands and slip upon the wrists of each a pair cof manacles, which were then attached to the bed by a cbain, the latter being also locked, Then the door was opened to admit fresh air, and Miss Cassell threw herself upon her bed to get some more rest. Sbe was at last awakened by low voices, and rising, found that dawn had come, and the rising sun was tinting the glass windows of the outer door. She at once entered the next state room, and said pleasantly: ** Good-morning!” ‘‘We have heen chloroformed and robbed,” said the man, in a husky voice, ‘‘Yes, our money, jewels, all gone,” wailed the woman. ‘Don’t fret about those things, my dear friends, for I can tell you where they are.” sé You 9”? ‘6 Yes,” ‘How do you know, and why did they not iron you?” “Who?” ‘* The robbers.” ‘* What robbers?” ‘* Those who took our jewels.” ‘* And our money.” ‘They robbed me, too.” “They did?” ‘Oh, yes, but let me show you how I can make them give up their booty.” ‘* First set us free, for see, we are ironed, ‘* That is all right.” * All right to be ironed?” “Oh, yes, for I have got the robbers,” ‘Yes, you,” SC ——— $$$ ——_ EE LL a TT — ‘‘ What do you mean?” ‘‘T mean that last night I had a dream,” ‘¢ A dream, yes.” ‘‘ A woman came into my room and placed a’ bandkerchief saturated with chloroform upon my face.” | ** Ob!” ‘6] removed it at once, folded it in the bed- ding, and repleced it with one of my own. ‘“The woman came back and tried the same game with another handkerchief, and again 1 thwarted her. ‘‘ Believing me under the influence of the drug, she and her husband robbed me, ‘See here is money, here my jewels, all in your bustle. “Ts it not strange?” The man groaned and the woman whimpered. ‘So I played the chloroform act, got them under its influence, put them in irons and spoiled their little game. ‘Tt was a clever one, I admit, for they cut a piece of glass out of my door, with a diamond- cutter, to make believe the robber had entered that way. ‘‘ Now Ill just take my money and valuables, also your cash and jewelry, even_to the counter- feit money you have with you, Sam Sykes and wife,” ‘Who are you?” gasped the man. ‘‘ Miss Cassell, the Lady Detective,” was the smiling answer. CHAPTER XXV. IN BANDS OF STEEL, THat that they were cleverly ard fairly caught the two robbers felt certain. They knew not the why or wherefore, but there they were in irons, chained to the bed, The daylight revealed the fact, too, that Sam Sykes wore a white wig, was made up as an old man, as his wife was as an old woman, They had long played a bold game, robbing fellow-travelers, and passing counterfeit money whenever they could do so with safety. Calling the stewardess, Miss Cassell sent a& note to the captain, and then she said: ‘‘ Now you can get up and dress yourselves, as well as you can, and then remain in your state- room. ‘Keep your outer door locked and simply say that you are not feeling well so will remain in bed. ‘“T have written to bave your breakfast sent to my room, so you shall not suffer. “ We will reach New Orleans this afternoon, and then I will find you safer quarters, though not near so pleasant.” ‘Spe here, woman, who are you?” asked Sam Sykes, ‘6 Miss Cassell the Detective, I told you.” “ What is your charge against us?” ‘Robbery and passing counterfeit money.” ‘‘ You bave no proof,” ‘ ‘‘What am I here for, why are you disguised, and what is the meaning of all this counterfeit money found in your possession ” The man groaned, the woman looked defiant, ‘You love money, do you not?” said the woman, ‘Oh, yes, Mrs. Sykes.” ‘‘ Who told you my name was Sykes?” ‘Do you deny it?” sé Yes,” ‘¢ It is useless.” ‘ Wel], you love money do you not?” ‘¢ Not as much as you do, to rob and cheat for ” ‘‘ Well, we can pay you big money to hush this up.” ‘‘There’s a very snug sum in a reward offered for the perpetrators of certain robberies you have been guilty of,” ‘* Who says so?” ‘‘T do, for I know you both weil, now, and let me tell you that I know you to be members of Diamond Jack’s band of River Rats,” ‘We are not.” : ‘Oh yes you are.” ‘¢-You cannot prove it.” ‘‘- You will see when [ bring you with Diamond Jack, Blackleg Bill Staples.” “What do you mean?” ‘‘ Simply that those I named one prisoners on board this steamer.” ‘‘ Whose prisoners?” ‘‘ Well, I bave assistants, one known as Davy Dann, another as Parson Ariel Shepherd, a third as Charlie Chumley a fat boy.” “And you have them with you on this steamer?” ‘* Al}, yes, all are here.” ‘¢ And Diamond Jack and the others?” face to face and Buck @ q i - 4 [| MICDOOKS. ee ee s tt ~ vip ae com