Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 813 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

> * - _— TT ” , JOOIN Ss VIdILOIMe ~ wid e Fetters?” demanded Adonis Dixey with amaze- | “Tf ghould say the value was a couple of hun- ment as be gazed upon the beautiful face of the supposed woman before him. ‘Yes, [am Dick Doom the Detective of the Golden Fetters, was the quiet reply. ‘*T shall certainly need proof of this, for to my eyes you area young girl, yes, and a very handsome one at that,” and the actor spoke earnestly, though he intended to pay no com- pliment by his words. The supposed woman unbuttoned the jacket she wore and throwing back the flap revealed balf a dozen gold badges, several of which glistened with precious stones, - One was a gold shield, with the three bars of sapphires, pearls and rubies, the red, white and blue, and ion diamond letters above the actor read; ‘**DICK DOOM, DETECTIVE, UNITED States SxeoreT SERVICE OFFICER,” This shield was suspended by miniature hand- cuffs of gold from a pin representing a key. There were four other badges, a diamond star, an anchor, the United States Coat of Arms, and a miniature flag, all of them valu- able and of rare workmansbip, and each bear- ing the name of Dick Doom. But the shield, suspended by the little Golden Fetters was all that the actor glanced at, as he seemed satisfied with what he saw, for he ‘*T recall now that the chief told me you were log to many masks and names, You must be ick Doom in one of your inscrutable dis- guises, _ I am in one of my not infrequent make- ‘*Tt is hard to believe, when [ look at you, that you are not a woman; but you said that you had not seen the chief?’ ‘*Nor have I, since my arrival, though I re- ceived a letter from him with the one to you inclosed, and he told me to come at once to see ou, hk It was my fancy to come as I am,” ‘¢ Why so? ‘‘T wished tosee you as you are, when you did not know me as Dick Doom, ‘‘T have seen you on the stage, and I wished to behold you as Henry Dixey, not Adonis.” * Well? ‘*] wish to hear your, whole story now apout those diamonds,” sot he Dixey hesitated, and ‘the detective asked: **Do you wish further» proof that I am not deceiving you?” . ‘You are not a woman?” ‘*T am Dick Doom the Ferret, Mr. Dixey ‘** Do you wish me to take this case?” ** I do,” was the actor’s emphatic reply. CHAPTER IV. _. THE ACTOR’S STORY. THE detective took the seat to which the actor moticned him, and said quietly: * Xow will not egunect to my sppeanioning you intedly as you our stor aK Not in the least,” a ‘‘T am ready.” | ‘* Well, as you see, I live at this hotel, for my stay is indefinite, and n the door I have a secret lock which shuts out every one except the chambermaid and fireman,” ‘*T see,” and the detective bad gone to the door and examined the lock, **T kept my trunk of treasures in yonder large closet, which has a key which I alone carry, and I selected a lock which was one not readily duplicated.” | m pain the detective examined the lock, * M treasure-trunk has also an odd lock upon it, and, as you see, there is a space in the bottom that also locks, so that for one to steal these diamonds he would have to possess four different keys, know just where I kept my valua- bles, and come prepared to rob me of those especial jewels, for let me tell you that my own property he did not disturb.” “Ab! the jewels taken, then, were not your own? a? er “No; they were left in my keeping by a se ey ese sin were taken? ** Nothing of your own was missing?” “Only one thing,” | : “ May I ask what that was?” | *‘ A’ruby pin of unique design, for it was a es eagle fiying, and holding the stone in his claws, Se Ve P a NY ‘a vy eT te. A the bird had small diamond eyes,” _ “Was it of much value?’ ee eal ida ee ee gral DP te >> a 7 ik <n lll Ll LLL LDL LLL A me ee — dred dollars,” ‘*Had you more valuahle jewelry that he could have taken?” ‘Yes, fully five thousand dollars’ worth of valuables,” ‘* Was the eagle pin with these?” ‘* Yes, iu the velvet box—see, here it is, and the valuables in it, for I did not remove them, though I knew there were duplicate keys to my treasure, keys whichI am sure were made for the purpose, for no one could come into this room without having just such as these,” and Hevry Dixey held out the ring upon which anne, the four keys. ‘Pardon me, but will you relock your box, trunk, closet and door, shut me out into the hall, and then go into your bedroom and close the door?” ‘‘ Hor what reason?” ‘ST will show you, ‘‘In just ten minutes open your door and come into your sitting-room,” Interested, Dixey obeyed the request of the strange detective, and after closing the ante- door, went into the room adjoining his parlor. In just ten minutes he opened the door and na as he saw that a stranger sat in his easy- chair. It was a woman wearing a Quaker garb, bon- net and all, and with large gold spectacles shield- ing her eyes, | “Well, madam, is there not some mistake?” he said, wotdering if he bad not after all locked the outer door, - No, friend, notif I see in thee the actor, Mr. Dixey.” ‘*T am Dixey, the actor, madam, and I must say I am surprised in Bagg you here, when I believed this room unoccupied,” ‘‘T wish, sir, to see if thee wilt purchase these jewels,” and the Quakeress held out a velvet box that was open, displaying jewelry within, re Great God! they are my own valuables, aon -— ‘Yes, and I am Dick Doom,” was the quiet reply, as removing the bonnet and spectacles, the detective dropped into a chair, ‘* How on earth did you getin here and secure those jewels?” asked the puzzled actor, ‘* Very easily, I assure you, with my bunch of burglar keys, and I did so, and changed my costume, or, as you would say, make-up, to show you that no Jock is safe from a skilled man of the thieving fraternity, and that you can be readily deceived, even though an actor accus- tomed to impersonating others, ‘You are, as the chief said, a wonder, Mr, Doom,” ** Now to your story, which my little by-play broke in upon,” **Pll give you the whole story, Mr. Doom—” ‘*T am called sioply Dick Doom, Mr, Dixey.” ** All right, Dick Doom, I'll give you all the facts 1 can, for I have perfect confidence now in your ability to find those stolen jewels, so ask any questions you will,” and lighting a cigar ig resumed his seat confronting the detec- ve. CHAPTER V, THE STOLEN GEMS, ‘‘ TaE first question, Mr, Dixey,” began the detective in a low tone, “is as to the ownership of the jewels stolen?” \ “Wells” ‘‘'To whom did they belong?” ‘*To a Peruvian by tho name of Antonio Aquero.” ‘A friend of yours?” ‘¢ Yes, or rather an acqusintance, “The truth is that at Long Branch two sum- mers ago while in bathing one day when the surf was running very high, I saw a man fur- ther out struggling hard to reach the shore, ‘*T saw that be was in distress and swam to his aid, **]) was just in timo, for he was about used up with his hard struggle, but with my help readily reached the shore, ‘** He spoke English well and thanked me most warmly, while afterward he called upon me at my hotel, ‘He was stopping with some friends at a cottage near, and I often met him afterward, and he presented me with theruby ring that I told you was stolen from my box when the others were taken,” ** And the stolen jewels belonged to him?* ‘*'Yes, for he came to me one day, said that he was going to return to Peru for some months and asked me to take care of them for him, “er pasgeated his placing them in a safe de- posit, but he said he wished to leave them with Di Ae _ me, and so I took the case, and after glancing at them, discovered their value to be enormous,” ** How much about.” ‘‘ Well, about fifty thousand dollars I should say, from my own valuation, and | know some- thing of the value of gems.” ‘*Of what did the property consist?” ‘*A necklace of diamonds and bracelets to match, another set, its counterpart, except that the stones were rubies, and a third of emeralds, ‘‘Then there were ricgs, earrings, pins and several combs, watches, lockets and hair orna- ments, all of great value and beauty.” “Was he a dealer?” ‘*Oh no, he was rich, and my idea was that he had presented these jewels to a lady to whom he bad heen engaged, and the match being broken off they were returned to him; but re- member, this is only a surmise, for when I last” saw him he was not near so cheery and li, bt- hearted as when I first knew him, and bis in- tention to return to Peru was evidently sudden- ly decided upon,” ; ‘‘Did any one know that you bad jewels in your keeping?” ‘**T never told any one that I now recall,” ** And all the valuables belonging to-you that were taken were of small value? See ruby eagle ring that I spoke of was all, ‘** And that Antonio Aquero gave to you?” é Yes,” ‘* When were these jewels stolen, Mr, Dixey?” ** Just two weeks ago,” ‘You at once reported their loss to the pro- prietor of the botel?” ‘* At once, and went with him to the chief of police, who at once said the robbery must not be made public.” ‘¢ And no clue has been found?” ‘* Not a clue to jewels or robber, though the very best detectives in New York have been put upon the case,” ‘* That is strange.” | ‘‘That is the reason the chief wired to New Orleans to find you, and have you take the ‘‘T will take the case, Mr. Dixey.” ‘* Thank you, and your reward shall be most liberal, while draw on me for éxpenses needed,” ‘You are kind, but I risk my own money alwaysin a case, and if I accomplish nothing take the loss, and accept no pay.” ‘‘This shows confidence ir yourself, Mr, Doom,” ‘** Dick Doom, sir.” ’ S “Ab, yes; but I wish to find the thief as well as the diamonds, remember.” me **T will track both, sir, r ‘* You are generally at home during the morn- ing hours?” ‘** Yes, up to two P, M, * At night I am at the theatre, you know,” **T shall look you up, sir, to report to you, or ask any more information that I may need, and let me say to you that when you receive a card with the right upper corner turned down, no matter what name it bears, receiy ethe one who hands it, for I work much in disguises,” ‘*Pll remember it, and your disguises as a female are so wonderful 1 confess to a great curiosity to seeing you in male attire,” ‘* You may do so before long; but now let me ask you the name of the cottagers whom Mr, | Aquero was visiting at Long Branch, where he stopped when in New York, and upon what date he sailed for Peru?” Henry Dixey wrote the desired information upon. a slip o ue and handed it to Dick Doom, who then asked: “Have you a photograph of the Senor Aquero?” “I have, yet how is that necessary in this case?” ) ‘I merely wish to see his face, sir.” Sy, ** Here it is, though what Aquero has to do with my being robbed of his jewels, I cannot. understand,” said the actor, and he placed a photograph album before Dick Doom and pointed out the Peruvian’s likeness, , Dick Doom looked at it attentivel; for ful] a minute, jotted down the name and address of the photographer, and said: ‘ ‘“‘This photograph was taken by W. H. Broach, Photographer, North Platte Nebraska, see ‘*T bad not observed that,” | “ Did you know that Senor Aquero had been West, Mr, Dixey?” “T did not, for been, at least to me, After baving asked a few more questions aon Doom took his leave of the actor who ho never spoke of having / : ~ + 7 - * 7 i? F Say ry, \ 7 é ‘ ‘ P, > pe ¢ i. |S (é 900) | ! ) | ( | ; P IA ay - Rh oy = 4 le f a >» WN ; na =, a . ‘ ay. ai “ a “ =e ’ = é é be CE ce SS C4 “com af VAee at) hee