Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 859 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

= er eee a = » > — a . \ . * Peter vie Che “ ‘ ws ; ¢ + ied having retired. ‘*The wrong room, gents,” he said, as the two detectives entered, | ‘«This is Number Forty-six is it not?” ‘Yes, but it is my state-room all the same, gents,” ‘‘It is the right room, and you are the man we are looking for—hands up, quick!” The man was covered by the detective nearest to him, and who spoke in a low voice, but in a very determined way. ‘‘You have made a mistake, gentlemen, a sad one,” ‘*We are responsible for all mistakes— here!” and his hands were seized and mana- cled with a skill which only long practice can give. ‘*Come, you are going too far—lI shall call for help—oh!” But the cry was stifled by an iron grip on the throat; a gag was forced into the mouth and irons put upon his ankles as well. The sound of the running steamer had drowned all the noise made, and in fact there had been but little, and the attention of no one seemed to have been attracted to the scene, ‘* You remain in here with him, Kane, and I will call you when I need vou. ‘‘ It is now twelve and in a few hours we will be at Newport and the other will leave the boat there, so be ready to act,” coim- manded Detective Gordon. ‘Count on me when wanted,” remarked Detective Kane quietly, and their words told the manacled prisoner that the plot to rob the diamond-merchant was known. Officer Gordon returned to his state-room and getting into the berth he again put his eye to the gimlet-hole. What he saw caused him to remain as still as the dead, and it was only after lyin there fora long time that he arose and left his state-room for a walk on déck, The lights of Newport were in sight, and going to Kane’s state-room he called him out and the two waited by the side of the mer- chant’s door. They had not long to wait, for the door softly opened and out stepped the diamond- thief. As he did so Detective Gordon said: ‘‘T want you, my man.” CHAPTER XVIII. THE UNKNOWN’S ACCUSATION. Tuer diamond-thief was a bold man and full of nerve; but he had not suspected that his scheme was known and he was se clever- ly caught that he made no effort at resist- ance, In fact before he could do so he felt his hands pressed together by his captors and heard the click of the manacles as they were clasped upon him. He was quickly led to the state-room of his pal, and while officer Kane guarded the two, Detective Gordon crossed back to where the diamond-merchant had been left, at the game time telling a steward to send the cap- tain of the boat to him. Mr. Curtis lay in his bed breathing heavi- ly, and it was not untila physician on board had been summoned by the captain, that he was aroused from his stupor, and then only after considerable difficulty, ‘‘T believe he would have died if not arous- ed at the time you found him, sir,” said the doctor, and having given his patient some medicine to help him, he left him with the detective who explained to him all that had - occurred. ‘‘ How onearth did you learn of the plot to rob me?” asked Mr.Curtis when at last he was able to converse. ; ‘‘T do not know, sir; but the chief heard 4) of of it in some way and sent us to’entrap the men, : *€ You will go on to Boston to-day, sir, and \ he had not locked the door and was dis | overed seated by the window smoking, not | - ~ oe. return to go back ‘with us to-night, for I shall hold the prisoners aboard all day ?” “Yes, I will gladly go back with you, but I would like to have you goon to Bos- ton and return with me, for | feel very shaky yet,” ‘T will go, sir, certainly.” ‘You have saved diamonds that are worth thirty thousand dollars to my firm, and I shall be gladto reward you as you deserve.” ‘‘Thank you, sir, but that is our duty; and we get our pay, and our reward will be in seeing those two men go to prison as thieves, and it came very near fora worse crime.” ‘Yes, they nearly murdered me, that’s a fact,” answered Mr. Curtis, and he sought what rest he could, and with Detective Gor. don took the early steamer train for Boston, carrying the diamonds which had been taken in the presence of the captain and the passen gers from the diamqnd-thief who had shared the state-room with his victim. The following morning wher the New York chief came to his office he found De- tective Gordon awajting him with his prison- ers and Mr, Curtis. The detective made his report, Mr. Curtis told his story, and handed over the forged letters from his father, written on one of the firm’s letter heatis, and in imitation of the senior merchant’s hand-writing. ‘‘ Well, you laid a good plot but it mis- carried,” said the chief, gazing at the two men, the ringleader responding: ‘‘Tf you tell me who shadowed us tosour ruin I'll give you a cool hundred for the ben- efit of your force.” ‘*You have no suspicion then of who my informant was?” asked the chief, only wish- ing that it was in his power to get that hun- dred dollars for the benefit of his force, ‘‘Not the slightest, for but three of us were in it,” “Who was the third?” ‘*That would be telling.” ‘‘Have you no idea of where you were tracked?” “* None.” ‘‘ Where was your plot planned?” ‘In Boston, where that fool heard of the anenee for sale, and arranged to start for them.” The ehief was about to reply when the at- tendant entered with a letter and the remark: ‘‘It is important, sir, and the messenger awaits your answer.” The chief opened the envelope quickly, and beheld another one inside. “This one was sealed with black, ad- dressed in a now well-known hand, to the chief, and the skull and clasped hands crest was upon it. ‘Matt, show that messenger in here at once,” cried the chief before he opened the inner envelope. The attendant hastened from the room to obey, but returned with the information that the messenger had disappeared. ‘‘ Who was he?’ roared the chief to the surprise of all present, and Matt, who stut. tered when excited, could hardly speak, but at last got out that it was a messenger-boy. ‘* Send in every direction after that boy,” commanded the chief, and balf a dozen offi- cers started off. , In the meanwhile the chief opened the en- velope and read; ‘Tf Mr. Adam Curtis wishes to know who the ally of the diamond thieves is, he will find him in one named Reuben Ashley, whoever and whereever he may be, for that is the right man. ; “Tag UNKNOWN SHADOWER,” The chief quickly folded the letter, heard the reports of the various men regarding their inabilty to find the messenger, and then asked: ‘‘Mr, Curtis, do you know a man by the name of Reuben Ashley?” ‘““Oh, yes, sir; he is our confidential clerk.” cme ect lll LAL AL Ee New York Nat, the Gamin Detective, i EE ae eee LLL LLL LLL LL LLL eee x” : => 11 a ‘‘T will wire to your father to have him. arrested, for he is the ally of these men.” ‘‘ Impossible, sir!” ‘‘It is true, sir,”” responded the chief with full confidence in the secret report of The- Unknown Shadower. CHAPTER XIX. OLIVE’S REFUGE. Tr will be well now to return to the hero and heroine of my story, who the reader will remember left the old mansion together to goand seek a hiding-place for Olive in the home of one whom Graveyard Jack felt, that he could trust. The home of Mrs. Herbert, for such was: the woman's name, was a cozy cottage situated on the river, and owning her little; place the widow made a fair living by doing fancy work for the rich families who were: her customers. Leading the way, Jack entered the little; yard and halting at the door rung the bell. It was answered by the rising of a window in the floor above and a woman’s voice asked : ‘Well, what do you want and who are ou.” ‘Tt is Jack, Mrs. Herbert. ‘Will you please dress and come down?” ‘What Jack?” ‘‘Graveyard Jack, Mrs, Herbert, and it is. important that I see you.” “J will come down in a few minutes, Jack,” was the answer ina changed tone of voice, and in a short while the door opened and Mrs. Herbert said: ‘Come right in—are you sick) or have you been hurt?’ ‘‘ Neither, thank you, ma’m; but I am not alone.” ‘‘ Who is with you?” ‘« My sister,” said Jack after a moment of hesitation. ‘‘Of course bring her in; but you never told me that you had a sister.” “‘Tonly found her to-day, Mrs. Herbert, and I want you to give her a home with you for a while, for I will pay her board.” ‘‘ Nonsense, Jack; don’t talk about paying me, when what would my home be to-day but for your st ing my little ones from death? Come right in, come.” In stepped Olive, then, and Mrs. Herbert gazed at the beautiful girl, with surprised. admiration for an instant and then she said: ‘*You are more than welcome for your brother’s sake as wellas your own. May I kiss you, dear, for I love good, noble Jack.” Such a welcome made the tears come into Olive’s eyes and she kissed the kind-hearted. woman and said: ‘T know I will be happy with you.” ‘‘T know that, too, Olive; but, Mrs, Her- bert, let me tell you that it is a secret, for no one must know who Olive is, or why she is, here, and she'll go as your help, you know, for she don’t wish any one to find her until she is willing to bave them do so, “That is all I can tell you now, and you know I would not do one wrong act to get you into trouble.” ‘‘T know that well, Jack, although folks have said I ought not let you come to see my little children, and they try to make you out all that is bad, saying that you live ina graveyard and rob people to get money,” “It's a lie! a cruel Tie, Mrs, Herbert, for I would not rob any one of a cent!” fircely pro- tested the youth, while Olive responded: ‘ T know it is false, Mrs. Herbert, for Jack would not be guilty of a crime.”’ ‘Bless your sweet soul do you believe J think that he would? No indeed! I know that boy too well to think ill of him, miss; eut come, let me show you into the spare room, and you bring her traps, Jack.” This the shadower detective did, and then saying that he would come on the following night he glided away as silently as a ghost. lkel exeye > & => \ my child, and wel- eth ~~ = L Yi, ~~ t P P ra” ) ¥ ’ e s fe ‘ ‘ ri = vz a mY oe yree wu. s ‘ a \ . 9 id 2 - a 1 , tba JN SD Ap ee Or