Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 793 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

‘my suspicion but to watch « ss — rm, arr seaetiggs=- Sg RS mee re Pde ram eet eee ewes etee te en _ gw EO ee ee OOS ee J o = — - . > Prag > -* - 2 Oe agen ow oe som ee oe anti ‘10 ** Yes, and I respect the son as I do the father, for he is a noble fellow.” ‘* Well, chief, I am here in Chicago for game, and I tell you in confidence that my belief is that Miss Ciarice Carroll was murdered, and I intend to find the murderer,” said Dick Doom in a manner that could not but impress the chief of police, CHAPTER XVIII. THE FERRET STARTS ON A TRAIL, THERE was no doubt of the guilt of Parson Paul and his clique of counterfeiters, for there were proofs and proofs found to condemn them. The trial followed quickly inthe United States Court, of Parson Paul, the two women and the two cowboys, as they called themselves, Their conviction followed almost as quickly, and Dick Doom was paid bis reward, which he at once shared with the needy on the police and detective force, an act which gained him many friends, This accomplished the young Ferret of the Golden Fetters said to the chief one day: ‘*T begin work to-morrow.” 6 On what?” ‘‘ The Clarice Carroll murder case,” The chief laughed. ‘* You will still believe it to be a suicide?” ‘Tn the light of the facts, yes,” “ Well, I only ask you to — to no one of evelopments and lend me aid when I need it,” ‘*T will gladly do so,” “You see my badges?’ and the young ferret opened his coat and revealed a number of gold and gem-studded badges, There was a diamond star with an eye in the center, a skul) and cross-bones, a pair of golden manacles, a shield and several othersf{fof more or less value, “Now if I show you the Golden Fetters, no mat- i what my disguise may be, you will know who am.’ ‘Yes, but you have a fortune there in badges,” ‘* They are valuable [ admit, ‘* And more, they will give me absolute power in New York, Boston, New Orleans and on the Mississippi River. ‘* But I wish one from you that will ‘give me full power here to command aid if I need it,” **'You shall have it and welcome,” and the chief opened a drawer taking out a shield of gold on which was engraven: “OBEY.” ** Pin this on, Doom, and you will not want for aid if you showit to an lice officer or man of the Secret Service of Ch cago.” ‘*T thank you, sir. ‘** But now let me ask you for any information you may have of this Clarice Carroll murder?” ‘‘Thave here the full official reports, which you may read at your leisure, but I am sure that you are taking a great deal of trouble for noth- ing. a Somehow I feel that I am not, and I am like a bloodhound, once I strike a trail,” ‘*So I bave heard; but what a pity the man you tracked so long and caught in Boston laying the French count, escaped you by leap- ng into the sea with his irons ou, thus cheating the gallows, ““] read the whole affair with a great deal of interest.” \ ** Now do you know, chief, I do not believe that man is dead,” “What” °* ‘**T cannot believe it,” ‘* The steamer was at sea?” ‘“ Yes.” “‘ How far off the coast?” ‘* Perhaps a couple of leagues,” ** At night” 3) Yes,’ ‘* The man was in irons?” ‘ec Yes,” ‘‘ Hand and foot?” ‘Yes, with an eighteen inch chain from foot to foot,” ‘* Any other?” _ ‘Yes, a chain ran from the ankles to the one that connected his feet,” ‘* How much weight, say?” iv ereen pounds,” ‘4 ‘* How far apart could he get bi ds?” “* Six inches.” a eemaree ‘Then that man went to the bottom of the sea like a rock,” **T cannot believe it” ‘* How could he escape?” “That question I cannot answer, but yet I Pp et ee I WS Memes ace od Dick Doom: in Chicag‘o. somehow can never bring myself to feel that he escaped the gallows,” ‘*The fate he met with was bad enough,” ** Yes, but hanging would be worse, ‘* But I must be going, and I thank you for your courtesy, chief,” ‘“* Do not mention it,- ** But Pll tell you what I'll do?” * Well?” ‘ "We have a city fund here of one thousand dollars to be paid to any one who discovers any criminal whom the law is anxious to get its clutches upon,” ‘6 ‘Yes, sir.” ‘*T will turn that over to you if. you prove that Miss Clarice Carroll was not a suicide,” ‘* Tt’s a bargain, chief, and if I fail I'll give you and your captains the finest supper Kingsley can set for us.” ** Done! ** Now go in to win your money or lose your oy 0 " ‘‘[’'min the game to win,” was the reply of the human ferret as he left the chief’s office, He went at once to Hyde Park and was soon strolling along in front of the handsome grounds of the Carroll mansion, ‘‘T am a creature of strange imaginings and presentiments, and somehow [ cannot but be- lieve that young lady was murdered, so I will at once set to work to unravel the tangled skein,” he muttered to himself as he went along slowly, gazing at the grounds and mansion, = ardener was working near and to him he called: ‘¢ Whose handsome place is this, please?” ** Mr. Samuel Carroll’s, sir,” | ‘*’You bave beautiful grounds,” ‘* Yes, sir, 1 am the gardener,” ‘* Indeed, then you are just the man I wish to talk to, and here is a dollar for you, so that you may not lose your time.” ‘* Thank you, sir, what can I do for you?” ** Well, I am curious to know all you can tell me about this place, for now you mention the name I recall that there was the murder of a young lady here,” ‘* Yes, sir, the young lady of the house; but it was not. a murder,” ‘* Ah, and what then?” ‘* She committed suicide,” ‘* Indeed! but why?” ‘¢ Well, sir, I was not here then; but I have heard it talked over in the servants’ hall, and it was said she loved a married man and so ended her life from disappointed love; but others said as how it proved to be her half-brother, and yet none Of the servants really know, for there was not one of them here then,” ** Indeed?” ‘* Yes, sir,” ‘* All the servants then here were dismissed?” ‘* Yes, sir,” ‘*By whom?” ‘Well, the young master sent them away, I have heard, sir.” ‘* Do you know any of them?” a know Crumbs the butler as he then was, ‘* Well, I'd like to meet Crumbs, for I am fond of the weird tales, so ’ll get you to give me his address, if you will,” The address was given, and as the ferret walked away some minutes after, he muttered to himself: ore all of the old servants were dismissed, fr) CHAPTER XIX, ON A STILL HUNT, Crumbs the butler had taken it to heart great- ly at being dismissed from a home where he had held full sway for years. He had /had the run of the pantries, store- room and wine closets, had done the marketing for the household, and in various ways had been able to turn an honest penny iuto his own pocket while he also was able to lay aside a bottle now and then for future reference, The result was that Crumbs had very nearly paid for a little cottage home when his dismissal came and he was left in a quandary, Mr. Wheatley had a butler, so he could not help him, and after having such an easy life at the Carroll mansion, Crumbs did not wish to fatigue himself with hard work, | So he had a talk with Jule, the maid of Clarice, and discovered that she had managed to save up just enough to furnish the little cot- tage, and make the last payment upon it, for her young mistress had heen most liberal with her. The result was that Crumbs and Jule united ° se ~ tame : - their lives and fortunes, and went to live in the cottage. Jule took in sewing; Crumbs did such little odds and ends as came his way, and thus the pot was kept boiling for a season, But, Jule was taken sick, and Crumbs was in despair. He saw nothing for it but to go out to work and make a living, and was meditating moodily over this alternative, when a visitor called at the cottage, ‘* Mr, Crumbs, I believe?” ‘sYes, sir.” ‘*Mr, Crumbs, Iam a lawyer, looking up im- portant claims to property, and it will to your interest to help me, as I believe you can, for I pay liberally for valuable services.” | Crumbs was amazed, for surely the lawyer had struck the wrong man, But he asked: ‘* How can I help you, sir?” ‘Well, I believe you can help me very much, It is a case of division and silence, for what you tell me is to be kept secret, and what I pay you don’t brag about.” ‘*T don’t know anything to tell you, sir.” ‘‘ We'll see. You were a butler in the Carrol} family, I believe?” ‘‘ Yes, sir, for seven years,” ‘*‘Mr. Carroll and his daughter comprised the family?’ ‘© Yes, sir.” ‘* And the servants?” ‘‘There was the cook, sir, and kitchen-maid, the up-stairs girl, and Miss Clarice’s maid, Jule, who is now my wife.” ‘¢ Were those all?” ‘* No, sir, for there was the coachman, stable- boy and gardener,” ‘And you liked your piace?” ‘¢ Yes, indeed, sir, and was sorry when the young master dismissed us all.” ‘* Why did he do so?” ‘* Well, sir, be said as how the sight of us brought up sad memories to the old gentleman, and he wished us out of the way.” ** Indeed?” ‘¢ Yes, sir.” ‘* Why aid they not move away?’ ‘¢] don’t know, sir; but the library where Miss Clarice killed herself, and over which was her room, were torn away, and a new wing built on.” ‘Is that so?” *°-¥ es, air,” | ‘* Who discovered Miss Carroll’s murder?” ‘* Murder, sir?” sc Yes,” ‘‘ It was no murder, sir,” ‘‘ How do you know, Crumbs?” ‘‘ Tt was suicide,” ‘6 How dco you know, Crumbs?” ‘‘ Well, sir, it was Jule who found her and fainted, and then I got there and she was lying back in the easy-chair before the fire, the knife sticking in ber yet.” 7 ‘* Do you remember just how the knife pointed, from the right or left?” | ; ‘* Well, sir, now L come to think of it, the hilt leant toward the left.” ‘* How long was the blade?’ *¢ Just nine inches, sir,” ‘¢ Was it driven to the hilt?” “6 Yes, sir.” “ And the ~ sip o6 | 9 ” we es © young lady’s lap, sir. * No, sir.” ‘* How about the letter?” **Do you know about that, sir?” ‘*Oh, yes, Crumbs; I know everything, and what I wish from you is all the information I can get, for a great deal depends upon it.” ‘* Yes, sir.” ; ** About the letter?” ‘Well, sir, I gave it to the master, for it lay n upon the table and he and the doctor con- cluded not to let it be seen,” ‘You saw it?” * Yes, sir; I’ve got it now.” ‘* Indeed ?” ** ‘You see, the master gave it to Mr. Wheatley and he laid it away and forgot where it was, -Ael Jule found it and handed it to me, so I kept. i ‘‘Crumbs, I will give you just‘one hundred dollars for that letter.” ‘* Lordy, sir, you can have it for that,” cried the deligbted Crumbs, to whom a hundred dollars was a bonanza, just then, So the letter was produced and the ferret read it over carefully several times. “* Crumbs.” ** ‘Yes, sir.” , “Have you any of Miss Carroll’s writing?” . _