Beadle's Dime Library No. 152 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

——_ ———— ieee ee aes _— — a — 2. - = Sih 74s Fs 14 man—his first lieutenant, having supreme con- trol in the absence of the captain, and truth to tell, controlling the captain a little also. ‘‘Goed-evening, captain,” he said, as he entered. **Ah! good-evening, Jim. How are things ressing in the press foom?” “ Well enough,” replied Jim, helping him- self to a seat and lighting a cigar. ‘‘ That new twenty, on the bank of Mobile, doesn’t seem to pan out well, but otherwise, every thing’s oO. kK.” ‘“What is the matter with the twenty?” “‘Quigly hurt his hand just before he went away, and'I was obliged to put Barnes on the job, and to speak frankly, although in many respects a valuable man, at engraving he is not quite up to the mark.” “How is that fifty on the Bank of Chicago?” “Splendid! Never saw a better job in my life! Here it is now, good and bad, and, as ex- pert as you are in these matters, Pl bet you the good one that you can’t pick it out.” * Done!” The captain the bills in his hand and examined them attentively. For fully half an hour he studied, while Munger smoked on in silence, a satisfied smile playing around the corners of h:s mouth, but at last, laying them both upon th. desk in front of him, he un- locked a draw, and, counting out five ten-dollar bills, he laid them upon the two fifties and handed the whole to his lieutenant, **T’ll have to give it up,” he said: best job lever saw. Who did it?” ‘The new fellow we initiated but a short time ago. He’s as smart as lightning, and I consider him a very valuable acquisition.” ** What is bis name?’ » “Philip Roebuck, but the boys all call him * Bucky’ for short. ‘Do you think he can be depended upon?” “Yd stake my life on it!” “Why?” The question was asked quietly enough, and yet it had a peculiar intonation which caused Munger to look quickly up into the face of the captain. “Why?” repeated Ironnerve as quietly as be- fore. “IT only judge from my knowledge of human nature in general,” replied Jim. “TIT think I have had to do with men long enough to tell a square one when I see him.” ‘“ Where, was it you got this Bucky?’ *“‘There’s quite a little romance connected with it. The facts are these: while I was in Richmond the last time, I was unfortunate enough to get into a street brawl, ad should probably have been in prison now if Bucky, whom I had never seen before, had not slugged the peeler under the ear and told me to follow him, which advice I was by no means slow to act upon,” ** And you, feeling that you ought to recip- sects 9 brought him here, I suppose,” said the Cap , sarcastically. * Exactly; but not before sounding him thoroughly.” , . ‘Did he appear anxious to come?’ ‘*Not particularly. He had to trample down a few scruples, first.” * And his name you say, is—” “ Philip Roebuck. ‘But what makes you so particular, all at once?’ ** Because I fancy that there are some new, and more than ordinarily sharp detectives on our tracks, and that would be just the game a shrewd one would play.” ‘*Well, [11 answer for Bucky. He’s made remarkable progress with the boys; they all like him.” ‘“‘T received a telegram yesterday that) Dick Sharp had disappeared from Richmond, and Jim, to my mind, that means mischief. Sharp has never undertaken the task of tracking us, but I have had him paid well for keeping out of the chase. If he has found some one who is willing to pay him more than I have, he will not hesitate to break his word with me, and they say of him, that he never yet missed his man.. ** Tt’s the CHAPTER XVIII. A DOUBLE GAME, Jim MoNGER left bis chair, lighted a fresh cigar, and then threw himself upon the couch. ‘“Well, Cap,” he said, “I did not think you were so nervous. Ring, and have Bucky brought in, and interview him for yourself; there’s nothing like being self-satisfied, in this * world.” The captain touched a small gong that uel at his side, and almost immediately a young Ethiopian made his appearance. “Tell Roebuck I want him,” was his order, and he departed to do his bidding. Munger said no more, but there was a half smile of scorn in his eyes while they were waiting for the appearance of the newly-fledged counterfeiter. No doubt, something was pass- ing in his mind which amused him, for he looked so supremely content that the captain remarked it. “What pleases you, Jim?’ he asked. “This cigar,” returned that worthy. ‘I never smoked better. Where did you get them?” “Prieto sent me them from Sagua la Grande. He only knows me as Crandyl, you know, and now I think of it, you are the only one who knows that Gordon Crandy] and Captain Iron- nerve are one and the same person, for which little confidence you ought to consider yourself higbly complimented.” “Thanks,” returned the other dryly. “ 1 do; particularly as I made the discovery myself.” ‘By the way!” said the captain, after a short hiatus. ‘‘Some fellow tried to break into the Lodge last night, just before I came to the Den.” “Ts that so?’—surprised, ** Yes; an old fellow completely doubled up with age, but as spry as @ young kitten. I put King and Bruno on his track, but the infer- nal brutes either couldn't or wouldn't follow him, I don’t know which.” **Couldn’t,” thought Munger, but he said: ‘That’s rather strange. How did it happen?” Ironnerve related the occurrence that had so puzzled him, to his colleague, and had hardly finished when the tapestries were pushed aside, and Philip Roebuck entered the “ office.” Let me describe him. About five feet ten in hight; broad of the shoulders and deep in the chest; clean shaven face, revealing square, and firmly set jaws, and a wide, straight, unyielding mouth; brown crispy hair, and clear, piercing, hazel eyes. When he spoke in greeting the chiefs, his voice was deep and musical. That the captain was favorably impressed at first sight, was at once visible, for, long ac- customed to dealing with desperate men, he had grown to take a person all in at a glance. ‘“‘T have heard very favorable reports of you, Mr. Roebuck,” he said, “‘and naturally I wished to talk with our new recruit.” Roebuck bowed. ‘‘Tam at your service. captain,” he said. ‘‘T merely desire to ask you a few questions, such as are invariably put to a new member. Isuppose you are willing to respond to one and all?’ and the captain’s eyes seemed to look through the man before him as he spoke, ‘Yes, sir; at least any that can affect my relations with the League.” ‘What business were you engaged in before you came to us? ‘“‘T was a steel engraver.” ‘*'W here?” ‘© With Tissot and Montey, New York.” The captain noted it down. ‘How came you in Richmond?” ‘‘T have always been a’ sort of Bohemian, and when I tire of one place I seek another. Being an expert workman, I can always’ get employment.” ‘* Exactly—hum! Mr. Roebuck?” ‘** Thirty-nine.” “ Any relatives living?” q” “Yes, sir.’ “Have you communicated with them while here?” “Once.” ‘‘ Ah! where did you post your letter?” ‘‘T sent it to Richmond by Quigly.” ‘‘Hum! I suppose you are familiar with our rules by this time?” “T am—yes, sir; but Mr. Munger gave me rermission to send my letter, in which I stated my intention of leaving the country, and I need never write again.” “Excuse me, Mr. Roebuck; but you are no doubt aware of the penalty inflicted upon any one proven to be a traitor to our League.” “* Death.” “Exactly. Ispeak of this, because I wish to thoroughly be understood, and so long as you are true and constant to’ our cause, you will not know what it is to want—but if a im the least instance—BEWARE!” “T am not blind, sir.” How old are you, epee iain BE 3 8 #89 SEES EF4S SEED & SES20S9SH SE 4R4a SoS 2 Ess 22 $2 & EH BE “That is evident. “'Well—what do you think of bim?’ asked Munger, after Roebuck had left the room. You may go now.” ‘‘] like him,and I don’t. He looks like a man to be trusted, and yet there is a something about him that looks suspicious,” Munger laughed. “Why, old fellow!” he said. distrusting me, next.” ‘*T may—look out,” Had they heard Roebuck’s remark as he left them, one, perhaps both, would have been somewhat astonished. ‘‘ Fools!” he muttered? ‘Your game is almost played out,” and there was a meaning smile in his eyes as he returned to his work. For a long time the two. heads of the coun- terfeiters’ league talked and smoked, but at. last the captain, after looking at his watch, arose and took his departure. After he had gone, Munger sat for some time, deep in thought. « He’s a cool one,” he mused, ‘‘and not easy to get ahead of, but he must give in to Jim Munger. I’m playing for high stakes, and there must be no such word as fail.” With that thought in his mind, he: too left the “office,” and repaired to his own room, where he found Lady Lorna Atherton, in the guise ef ‘‘ Lawrence,” lying on the. couch, reading. She was still mad, but enough of her old habits had come back to her to again make her fond of her novels. Thus far, Munger—or Baldo—had succeeded in keeping her: presence a secret from the men, but he knew ‘that sooner or later it must be- come known, and his great fear was that Cran- dyl would ‘see her. He had considered the practicability cf sending her away where no such chance should be possible, but he disliked to do so from the fact that he might have to use her as one of the meshes in the web he was weaving around Gordon Crandy). “Why do you keep me in this chamber so long?’ she asked him, as he entered. ‘“Well, Law—excuse me—Ralph,” he re- plied, cheerily, ‘you know you have been very il, and it might be dangerous for you to go into the open air so soon after your conva- “You will be lescence.” - \ ‘*T feel well enough.” “That is good news. | Keep quiet for a day or two longer, and by that time I hope it: will be safe for you to’ go out—and I will know what to do with you,” he eee, to himself,| Roebuck had seen the captain depart, and as soon thereafter as he could leave his bench, he had passed along the corridor, in order to have an interview with Munger, and had seen the Matter leave the office and go off toward the other ‘end of the cavern, His first impulse was to join him, but a see- ond thought prompted him to creep along stealthily behind, and finally he saw ‘the lieu- tenant enter bis own apartment. ‘*T wonder what he bas got in there?’ mur- mured the spy. “It will do no harm to find out, and it may be worth my while to know,” He crept quietly forward and cautiously raised the latch. No; Munger had not fastened the door after him, and Roebuck opened it wide enough to hear what was going on inside, ‘‘ A woman’s voice!” he muttered to himself, “Good, my friend! So yow break the rules, eh? “There’s something evidently wrong here,’” he continued, as he listened to the conversation inside, “‘ and I think it is to my interest to find it out.” Throughout all the conversation between Munger and Lady Lorna; Roebuck listened with all his ears, but what puzzled him most. was the fact that, although he was satisfied of its being a woman's voice he heard, still he as- suredly heard the man address her as Ralph. “Some pet name, undoubtedly,” be thought, “and yet they do not talk like lovers, I’m in- clined to think this Munger a deep one, and he probably has his own game to play; but, old fellow, Bucky’s got his eye, or, rather, his ear, on you now, and you’ve got to get up in the A. M. to checkmate me.” Still he listened, but the occupants of the room seemed to have finished their conversation, so at, last, creeping quietly away to some distance, he. boldly turned, walked back to the door of Munger’s room, and knocked. A moment’s silence, and then: 5 Gomichboo Cc Ss i? 4 »