Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 903 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

8 He walked into the office after Helen and her escort, whereupon Will Archer ran lightly down the stairs. It was no longer a task to turn the key one way than the other, and he opened the aoor at once, Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, was there, look- ing pale and anxious, ‘** What is being done?” he demanded, fever- shly. ‘* We'll see, later,” The Dodger relocked the door. ** Are you armed?” he added, Dave Doyle displayed a revolver, ‘*Is there need of it?’ he inquired, in a deep irs gti ‘“*T don’t know yet; I hope not, But there may be bom, Ve must protect Helen.” ‘* Boy,” the Nova Scotian returned, ‘* there are six bits of lead in that thirty-two-caliber toy. If any man dares try to harm /eér, he gets sent to the last account, Six cartridges—two for the bullet-head tough ; four for Simon eee But I think he would not need them t There was a desperate calmness in the speak- er’s manner, coupled with an undercurrent of suppressed passion, which awed Will. Silently he led the way up-stairs again. CHAPTER VIII. WORDS. PUNCTUATED WITH REVOLVERS. PREVIOUS investigation bad showfi Will and Dave Doyle that they could hear and see all that occurred in the office without exposing them- selves to Beebe’s view, Thus, they would be able to get the run of affairs, and ready to pro- tect Helen, if necessary, and yet keep the enemy in ignorance of their presence, Between the office and the hall was a very large window, as long as a door, and reaching to within three feet of the floor. The lower apa was of stained glass; the upper, of plain ass. | , While waiting Will had raised the lower sash slightly, and as the security of the stained glass was increased by a shade which could be moved freely, they had a chance to reconnoiter fully, yet safely. Both hastened to gain position, They saw Helen and her companion facing Captain Beebe, while Ducky Meegan was at the rear. Knowing what ideas his face must in- evitably bring up, Simon had ordered him to keep back. By that time Miss Eastman knew she was sroEned, and her manner was indignant and de- ant, “ Your lie has succeeded well, sir,” she was saying. ‘*‘ What next?” ‘*T want to talk business,” **T have no business with you !” ‘* Pardon me!” | ‘*T say that you and I have nothing in com- mon, ou are my enemy, and | hate and de® spise oes ‘“* Wouldn’t it be well for you to be more ‘civil?” ‘Why? ‘* Prudence would suggest it,” ‘‘T understand the threat, but it will avail” you nothing. 1am not afraid of you!” Her manner confirmed the assertion, and Si- mon looked dazed. He had thought that by jpeg hn her into such a situation all her cour- age would give way, but the very opposite state of alfairs existed. She was as calm asif in her own home, with friends around her, ‘*Let that pass,” he finally answered, ‘I want to talk business with you.” ‘. Perhaps you hope to abduct and shut meup, as vou have done Mrs. Rawlins?” Ee made a gesture and passed the insinuation y. ‘Miss Eastman, yonder safe is your prop- erty.” ‘*l am aware of it.” ‘* You have the key now in your possession—” ‘© How do you know?” ** Because you alwayscarryit. That I have learned on autbority too good to be disputed, I repeat, you bave the key to this safe, and the combination to work it. Judge Zelland invent- ed the safe. First, to open it, one turns an er- ratically shaped key in the lock, Then comes the combination, as in mort safes, You have the key; you know thecombination. Will you favor me by giving me both?” Modestly as the request was worded, Simon’s dogged manner showed that he did not expect her to agree, and was ready to follow up the request with an iron hand, He had not risked s0 much to turn back now, Strangely enough, Helen remained calm. Will Areher was alarmed for her, and, too, was Billy Blue Blazes. amazed at her indifference to danger. Beebe had been evil enough to try and burn bis own sister,in the schooner; would he be more merci- ful to an enemy? Firmly Helen responded: **T will not give them to you!” ‘Think again,” ** Judge Zelland’s money has been your doom, Simon Beebe. That your heart was always bad I cannot doubt, but his money stirred the evilin your nature into activity. I advise you in all sincerity to drop your schemes.” ‘*So you can get the money?” the captain snee! ed, ‘* Did not Judge Zelland give it to me?” ‘* That remains to be seen.” ‘* Then produce Mrs. Rawlins, and let her tell her story.” ‘* T am talking to you, not her.” ‘* Miserable old man! Wifeless, childless, with enough of your own to take you comfortably through life, you will yet sell your honor to grasp more; to grasp what you know is not yours, You know that KuJric Zolland never in- tended you to bave his money.” **He made a will in my favor,” cried Simon. ‘* Yes, but how?” ‘‘How? Honestly! There was no secrecy, no skulking, no underhand work,” . ‘* Was there not? How about the drug given at night, to make the old man ill and cause him to think he was dying? How about the bogus doctor who added to his fears? How about the exchange of a forged will for the genuine? How about the gathering of witnesses to see him sign the paper infamously substituted? How about your honor, in this case?” ‘* Nothing of the kind ever occurred,” snarled the captain. ‘*Of course you deny it.” **'The fraud came later, madam, when you duped the old man into signing a will—”’ ‘*So you admit that the one in my favor was signed subsequent to that in your favor?” quickly interrupted Miss HKas'man. Beebe bit his lip fiercely, and looked askance at Helen’s companion, Had she heard the un- arded admission? There could be but little oubt of it. Although she stood there like a statue, grim, silent, bony and homely, it was to be presumed she had the usual capacity for hear- ing. & We wander,” he finally said, sullenly. ** Will you produce the key?” ‘* Then I shall take it by force!” ‘*T warn you not to try it.” ‘A ‘‘T warn you not to resist. See! I am here with a stout, resolute man—”’ ‘* An ignorant wretch, more brute than hu- man!” retorted Miss Eastman, Ducky Meegan erected his head, stared in wonder at her lack of judgment and audacity, and relapsed into his old state, after a Bowery gesture, ‘You are wholly in my power,” Beebe per- sisted, ‘* Well?” ‘*T am going to have that safe open—” ‘ Why? ’ ** The unjust, or forged will of Edric Zelland shall never see the light of another day. It was an infamous piece of work into which you se- duced him with those low andcrafty arts known only to women; a work which Zelland, in his right mind, would have repudiated. But hehad grown imbecile—” ‘¢ Remember that the will in your favor bears a date subsequent to that in my favor!” Simon uttered a forcible exclamation. Again he had made an error—but what did it matter’ He had gone to an extreme already, Having made himself liable to the law by decoying Helen there, and making such demands upon her, he might as well show his hand as to mask it, perhaps. ** Enough of foolish talk!” he cried, savagely. ‘* Will you give up the key?” sé No }”? ' ** Meegan?”’ Ducky came forward and made a tragedian- like bow. ‘* At yer sarvice, boss! State the case, an’ yer will shall be done ef New York runs red in gore, When I undertake to doa thing I never et left. See? Ask any one along de North iver, an’ dey’ll tel] yez dat me word goes every time, Et takes a hoss ter down me, See?” ** Hold that woman while I search her!” ‘* Sure,@boss !” Ducky turned bis mismated eves upon Helen, grimaced, and facetiously added: ‘+ Come ter me arms, me sweet, pretty dear! Repose yer pink cheek on de lapel o’ me coat, \ tian. an’ hear de heart of a man beat on de drum o’ yerear, See? Now, darlin’—” He had advanced, and was ready to wrap his arms around her, whereupon Dave be of . y Nova Scotia, left his post and stood the door, eager to rush in and punish the ruffian, The Double Detective watched with breathless interest, He saw what was no morea surprise to him than to Meegan and Beebe. Just as Ducky was about seize Helen the latter’s companion, quddenty Shanes from stony calmness, thrust forward a hairy hand, and pre- sented to Duck’s notice a revolver which, bearing full upon him, had a bore which seemed to be as big as tbe Fourth avenue tunnel; and then the supposed-to-be female companion growled in a deep base voice: **Git, you gorilla!” Mr. Meegan was not a coward, but there was a vast difference between looking into the eyes of a beautiful girl and the bore of a revolver, and he fell back in confusion, ‘* Ef you teches her,” added the bony person, in the same deep base, *‘ I’li pull all yer teeth with a bullet!” The Double Detective drewa breath of deep relief, The voice, the manner of the person, and the big, hairy hand were more masculine than feminine, and it occurred to him that Helen had not come so unprotected as he had thought. The female ally was very manlike, despite the skirts on the angular figure. Evidently, this did not occur to Simon Beebe, for he glared angrily at Ducky. ‘¢ Why don’t you do your duty?” ‘¢Sure, I don’t think it’s me duty ter start a Potter’s Field job, Dat gunlooks bad. See?” ‘‘ Are you afraid of a woman?” ‘‘Divil a woman do I see!” declared the tough. sé Eh?’ ‘‘Ef that homely, lantern-jawed, lop-sided telegraph-pole ain’t a man, l’ma liar! Yes, be gum! an’I reckon he comes from Chicago, fer his feet is the size of a beer-keg. But it’s de gun dat I don't want terrun up ag’inst. See?” ‘‘You may as well know the truth,” added Helen. ‘‘My companion is a man, and one amply able to protect me, being an old family servitor. Aninvitation to meet my lawyer here at nine o’clock in the evening would alwayshave shown me the need of a protector, Coming at this time, and as it did, I quickly suspected that you were back of it, and that it was alla plot. came, but I brougot a protector. Captain, [ am not trapped, after all.” ‘By the furies!” Beebe shouted, ‘‘ you are not out of my bold yet. We have the odds in our favor, and I insist upon what I have said before, That safe must be opened!” ‘¢ And I decline to do so,” ‘¢ Then we'll proceed on the old lines!” The captain drew a revolver with a yicious jerk, bh ge i : CHAPTER IX, A STRUGGLE FOR THE MASTERY, BEFORE Beebe could raise the weapon to the proper level for firing the voice of Helen's cham- pion broke in, in his usual deep base: ‘“‘Stop! I've gotthedrop. Attempt to raise the hammer o’ that revolver and [ll shoot you. Keep your band down!” ‘* Better do it, boss,” advised Ducky Meegan, 1 “This ain’t no time ter die, fer it costs too blamed much, an’a man, ain’t good fer nothin’, afterwards, See?” ‘“‘T am going to have that safe open!” dog- gedly persisted Simon, In the mean while there had been a whispered conversation outside, brief but to the point. The Double Detective knew that Dave Doyle, of Nova Scotia, carried a revolver, and he crossed quickly to his ally and observed: . ‘‘The time has come to interrupt this talk. They are all hung up, in there, and if they oi gress further it will be to fight. You had bet- ter go in and back up Helen's champion, If possible, I wish to keep out of sight, so I will not be reccgnized by Beebe. Much depends on it.” ‘‘Ttake your word,” Dave Doyle answered, quickly, ‘*Show yourself only in caseof emer- eucy.” : Be Dpened the door and walked in just in time to make a comment as a follower to Si- mon’s words. ‘‘Try it, and others will take hand in the shooting!” Every gaze was turred upon the Nova Sco- Helen drew a breath which was almost a gasp, and then stood looking at him, forgetful -comicboo cS Nie. i ee _ a ee ~