Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 196 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

y @ the matter over, one of the junior clerks came with a message that a young lady would like to seo M. Rinot in private, upon important busi- mess, Camion at once retreated to his own domain, and the other clerk ushered the lady into the room, lt was a well-proportioned girlish figure, clad entirely in deep black, and with the face closely vailed, that entered. The attire was poor, yet not shabby. “You are Monsieur Rinot?”’ the lady asked, in deep, musical tones, which sounded more pleasantly to the ears of the lawyer than the voiee of any being of womankind that had ever fallen upon his ears. ** Yes, mademoiselle.” The caller removed her vail. Rinot had been prepared by the wonderful voice to expect that the girl—for that she was only a girl he was sure—was pretty, but the face that he be- held astonished him. She was no Frenchwoman: the olive-tinged skin, tinted by the hot kisses of the loving sun in a land warmor by far than even the sunny plains of France, plainly revealed that; crispy- curling, red-gold hair, so wonderful a contrast to the dark skir, played upon the forehead, and the eyes in their depths resembled the ocean, when the sunbeams dance and play upon its surface, It was the face of an enchantress. *‘Do you recognize me, Monsieur Rinot?” ‘‘T do not, mademoiselle, I regret to say; have we ever met before?” ** No; yet I called in answer to your pressing entreaties.” , *‘Indeed, mademoiselle, I blush to say I do not remember—” ‘‘T am Tampa Morel!” CHAPTER XXX. OVER THE FRONTIER. ACTING Do the advice of Morillian, the two Americans lost no time in getting out of the limits of France. — ee os La Marmoset, the Detective Queen. ‘* Unmitigated liars, in fact!” chimed in the other, busily engaged in running over the ac- counts of the encounter in the other newspapers. “But I am afraid they have not indulged in their peculiar propensity this time as much as usual, for all the accounts are just about alike; there is no material difference in them, and of course if the accounts were highly exaggerated there would be considerabie difference in the particulars.” A resemblance that need not have been alarm- ing to the Americans bad they known that the ready-witted captain had taken care to visit all the news offices and that from him the journal- ists bad received their information, ‘*It is deuced unlucky!” Dunbar exclaimed, ‘*to be shut out of Paris just at the time when there is a strong reason for my being there.” ‘**Oh, don’t be afraid; she will wait, for you, old fellow, and when you come to reflect over the matter, this encounter, although it has ban- ished you from Paris for the time being, is one of the luckiest things for you that could have happened, for you and the lady might have gone on for weeks and months without coming to an understanding; but, as it is, all you have to do is to wait for this affair to blow over then return to the city to meet with a hearty wel- come.” ‘* Well, I don’t know but what you are right; it. is a rather consoling thought,” Dunbar re- plied, his face lighting up a little. Next day a letter arrived from the young doctor, and Dunbar read it aloud for the edifica- tion of his companion: ‘“‘My Dear Comrapes,”’ wrote Morillian, “I pre- sume, before this reaches you, you will have perused the Parisian journals, and to the, vexy complete ac- count given by them! have but little to add, But how the deuce the newspaper rats got all the par- ticulars is a mystery, unless, indeed, that swagger- Bene of a captain has been blabbing, and from what I know of him it would not surprise me if he has getarer the particulars of the affair. A fellow of his kidney has no more sense of honor than a jackal, As in duty bound by the laws of politeness, called upon the Russian to inquire in regard to his condition, but was not permitted to see him. The captain received me and in a very doleful manner said he was fearing the worst—that eminent medical Although dueling is strictly prohibited by | authority had declared the prince could not certainly law, yet when no serious result ensues, the au- thorities rarely trouble their heads about the matter, but if the meeting results inthe death of one of the contending parties the police are F SorCoty, ROE appearance’ sake, to make a time it. about It is a perfect farce, though, and the police inquiry is seldom attended with any important results, Tue Americans had lived long enough in Paris to understand this, and therefore when they took their hasty, departure, they apprehended that their banishment would not last ong, even if the Russian died from the wound. Their doctor had promised to. keep. them posted in regard to 10w matters went in Paris, and although they tore themselves away from the gay city with regret, yet they knew the,im- perative necessity of absenes; so they went with as, good a grace as they could muster. » . Dunbar, bad confided to his friend the partic- ulars of. his interview withthe countess, and \ad- mitted. that, if. the interview had .not taken lace, he would not have journeyed toward the rontier with sod light a heart. They left Paris the very night of the encoun- ter and proceeded directly to Switzerland, The old historic city of Geneva, had:been se- lected as an abiding-place, and after the line of the frontier was passed, and they were in the territory of the free Switzers, the pair breathed more freely. In Geneva they procured Jodgings in an ob- secure part of the town—both being well ac- quainted with the city—taking the precaution to assume false names, and there, impatiently, they waited for intelligence from Paris; The first that reached them came in the shape of. the Parisian journals. Nearly all gave a florid account of the ‘affair of honor,” vailin the personality of the parties with initials, bu for all that, describing them so exactly that one acquainted with the parties could not fail in identifying them. The wound of the Russian was described as a dangerous one, and the reports ended by saying his death might be expected at any moment, and that the police, having received instruc- tions, were in search of the victor, although it was believed he would not be arrested, as it had been ascertained that he had quitted Paris and it was supposed he had taken refuge in Bel- um. Gordon read the report aloud and Dunbar looked most decidedly downcast when he fin- ished, “By Jove! old fellow, it is lucky that we cut out!” Gordon exclaimed. “Yes; if we had not, the chances ate about a hundred to one we would have been enjoying the hospitalities of a French dungeon about this time, although it is impossible to always judge correctly from these accounts in the newspa- ers,” Dunbar observed, thoughtfully, “* These rench journalists are such inveterate roman- cers; from the barest little affair they will con- struct a@ three-volume novel.” _ | pri live more than twenty-four more hours at the ut- most, In my innocent. way Linquired the names of these eminent doctors; whereupon the gentleman pretended to think that the question was an asper- sion upon himself, flew into a violent rage, and re- uested me to retire. I did so, after a brief ex- change of compliments; and, ee I should not be surprised if it led to the redoubtable captain and your humble servant taking a quiet, walk in the forest some day. If we do,I hope to be able to show him that, as a preliminary to the art of cnrin wounds, | was taught how to give them. But o this, more anon. Briefly, then, in order to wind u this lengthy screed—as as any one can find ou the prince may have got off with a slight, flesh- wound. The police Aere not.been instructed to. ar- rest. you.. Lhaye this from the best authority... To- morrow a sharp lad of mine in, disguise will en- deavor to get into the house $0 as to see how the man is,in truth. Therefore in three days at the latest expect to receive news that you can rely upon, Ever your friend, * Moritiian ”’ ** He's a brick!’ exclaimed Gordon, ‘‘a;per- fect brick, if ever there was one.” ty <seas “ Three days more of suspense and thenw will know how soon it will be safe for.us to re- turn to Paris,” repeated Dunbar, bis face a at the thought of return to the eiby which con- tained the woman he adored. The three passed laggingly away,. but, in- stead. of a letter, on the evening of the third es & the young doctorvarrived in person. » | fter the usual greetings Morillian explained why he had taken the trip. . ‘ ; *T eouldn’t very well write all. the: particu- lars,” he said, ‘‘and as I haven’t taken a vaca- tion for some time | thought 1, would steal.a couple of days’ time and run on in, person,, There is some deep game afoot in this matter, although I confess lL am He me in the dark as to what itis. You remember [ wrote you that I had set asharp raseal on the track and felt sure be would find out the truth about. the prince’s wound, The fellow succeeded, as I was sure he would, and his report is that the Rus- sian is up and around his lodging just the same as if he wasin perfect health, when there isn’t any one present, but when there are visitors he receives them in bed, pretending to be at his last extremity.” ' The friends looked at each other. ‘‘ What the deuce does it mean?” Gordon ask- ed, bewildered. , Dunbar’s keen wits guessed the prince’s game. ‘It isa trick to keep me away from Paris!” he exclaimed. ‘That is the meaning of it. While he lies at the point of death, liable to pass away at any time, he knows that I will notdare to return,” , “But, what good does that do him?’ Gordon asked ‘*Some design afoot which my presence in the city will binder.” j ‘““My own thought exactly!” Morillian ex- claimed, ‘“‘and that is why 1 came to Geneva— to advise you to return—but in disguise—and watch this Russian.” The adv ce was good. An hour later /the three were on the road to Paris. CHAPTER XXXII. KNOWLEDGE UNDER DIFFIOULTIS, LUCKILY for the purposes of the female spy, who had in such a crafty manner gained access to the bedside of the wounded locksmith in the hospital, the position in which his couch was placed was at the extreme end of the left wing of the building, quite a distance from the other patients, and there was no danger of the inter- view between the two being overheard. Although, as a rule, the female spy was like a a woman of ice—for she: was not the young, childish thing she appeared—yet on the pres- ent occasion she was in a fever of impatience. Time—valuable time was flying fast, and she had a presentiment that if she did not manage to act quickly all her labor would be for naugbt. ‘* We'll get at the truth, don’t fear, my jewel. I will avenge you, and there is no danger of your dying of this scratch!” she reassured him. ‘ Monsieur, the doctor, is a very learned man. He would bring you back to life even if you had one foot in the grave. So don’t fear for the re- sult. Hesays that you are worth a hundred dead men. Oho! my pretty boy, you will live to sna the bracelets on the wrists of a thousand rascals yet, and in time to makea name that will stand with the master thief-catcher, great Vidocq, on the roll of fame. But now to work, and if I tire you shut your eyes tight—as tight as you can—for that must not be, even if the wretch who shot you is afforded a chance to escape; but I will hunt him down in time, never fear, and then we will send him to the galleys ot Toulon, where he will have plenty of time to meditate upon the foily of attempting to rub out one of my prettiest and smartest boys!” A bright expression which eame into the eyes of the wounded man showed that he fully ap- preciated ber words. ‘Now, you went with Monsieur Chopine to the Hotel Morel. He in you as a lock- smith, and you were escorted to the apartments of mademoiseile, the countess. You locked the door behind you and then proceeded to work. A man was concealed in the apartment” Quick as a flash came the warning wink. ‘**Oho, Iam on the wrong track then?” quoth the woman, who was keeping a keen watch upon the man’s face, ‘*‘ You discovered a se- cret door—” in came the wink. *Oh, mon Diew.! Why can’t you speak, my little man?’ she cried, impatiently. “If you could -_ —_ or write, in one little sentence you could tell me what | want to know. I fear shall not be able to guess, for if there was not a man concealed in the room—” the man wink- ed instantly—‘‘or if you did not discover! a se- cret panel—” again wink—‘' whereina man was concealed—” another wink—*' who attempt- ed to murder you'so as to prevent you from je- vealing the secret—” three strong winks, plainly signifying that she was cn the wrong track— ‘“*then Lam utterly at fault.” There was a sympathetic look in the stony glare of the man’s «yes which said thatif be only had the use of bis tongue for a minute he could expound the’ riddle. For a few minutes the woman sa: in silence and leoked Jongingly at the impassive face, her mind busy in thought.» | Suddenly a: shrill exclamation “escaped from her lips, * Peste! Lam adull-headed ‘fool not to bave thought.of it before!” shé exclaimed, for a way ont of the difficulty, had occurred to her, She had hit upon a plan! ; Drawing a’ pencil from! her pocket and a memorandum-book, ‘See!’ she-said, displaying the book and pencil," we will play schoo! for a while. I will make the alphabet on one of these 8; then with the pencil [ will pass from letter to letter and you must spell me out what I want to know. hen the pencil touches the right letter you must 'wink.? 56) (5 abseou'd There wasa joytul look inthe man’s eyesand a violent movement of the lids sowing that he understood what was expected of him and ap- proved the:plan, 9 | r ero arid . ‘Then, attention!” ordered the female “Py, after she had, finished the letters, holding the page up for his in tion, “let me see how well you can tell your story although you have been aepred of the use of both tongue and fingers,” he experiment which this woman of wit had devised was a complete success;and this was the story the wounded man told, spelled out slowly, letter by letter: | ‘ ‘‘T locked the door. I looked about. Outside window a large tree.’ Climber could ascend this and enter window. Opposite wall was unbroker except for door into the ante-room, thence te maid’s apartment. In her room two closets took uP space between ante room and the main hall. Was satisfied that closets did not oceupy all space by three-quarters of a meter. That meant secret closet or passage in the wall. Looked for entrance in maip apartment in unbroken wall. Found spot on wall like stain of. blood one meter from floor. On right track. Man who had entered room had hurt hand and imprinted blood-spot on wall. Opening and shutting of secret door explained clang which countess heard. Sounded wall by blood-spots; then shot Gomi