Beadle's New York Dime Library, Vol. XVIII, No. 232 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

—— a —_ en we ee em a ee oe of Iron. 15 Jake was a pretty 200d fellow, excepting | feel any misgiving over what might have and anxieties which accompany it. For two be could outlie any man in Monmouth or | alarmed him at any other time. or three years I assisted him ino turning his Ocean counties. In a few minutes, bis head sunk lower and _ property mostly into the shape of Government Yes; be saw him drive out of Farmingdale | he became unconscious. | bonds.” ihe preceding day but one, His senses had scarcely departed, when the | “ The interest on them is not large.” He had a large trunk and two ladies in his | man who had looked through the door, moved | ‘ True, but the lower the interest the better enrriage. to the rear of the building, and, with the ut- the security; and you know,” added the law- There could be no doubt on that point. most caution, peered through the tumble-down yer, with another capacious smile which re- ~~ ee oe ewe ee el — oe But the old gentleman had not the remotest | window. | vealed his snaggy teeth, ‘*‘ your esteemed bro- conception where he was taking them, One look seemed enough, when he turned his : ther had enongh property to invest in that lt was useless to ask Jake, for he couldn’t | head and made a signal with his right hand. | form, aud bring him an income more than suf- ficient for all the wants of himself and his amiable daughter.” “*T see,” responded the other villain, trying help lying about it, In response a second individual walked forth It was passing strange that he had admitted | from among the trees and approached. to Marvin that he had any passengers at all. - These two men were Luff Swank and Hank Our young friend had picked up some im- | Wagsnaff. to swallow bis exuberant feelings. portant information. ‘“‘ He's sleeping as snug as a bug in a rug,” | ‘‘I delivered the will to the Register to-day, He was now firmly convinced that Jake | said Swank, who was the one that had peeped | without awaiting his citation, and of course it Calkins had gone in the direction of Sam | through the door and window, will be admitted to probate.” Turner’s house, with Cora and Eva Hildreth. ‘Pretty tired isn’t he?’ “ Was it proven?’ | He had either gone beyond, or he bad taken ‘‘ Seems to be,” “T neglected no step,” replied the wily fox, some other course after leaving Farmingdale. ‘* Likely to sleep for an hour or more?” | with another huge grin; “it is always my rule — Clearly convinced on this point, he started back over the same route he and Orson Oxx had walked over that morning. He was now alone, and was determined not to be caught napping. ‘“‘T have no doubt that Swank and Wagsnaff are somewhere in this neighborhood. more than likely they came last night, for perbaps they could have got here by the Southern, sooner than Oxx or I supposed.” It is | “* Likely to sleep a good deal longer I think.” There was a significance in the tone and manner which made the fearful meaning of these words clear. “Shouldn’t wonder.” ‘“‘ Pity he wasn’t here too,” ae Who ed ‘*That infernal Man of Iron.” ‘Pity indeed,” ‘*We’ve throwed him off the track alto- A half-mile’s walk among the piues, and | gether.” Marvin reached tbe fork in the roads, which he recognized. Examining the ground carefully, he fancied he detected the marks of Jake Calkins’s wagon wheels, though the rain speedily obliterates such traces in the sandy soil. ‘‘ He lives in that direction,” said Marvin to himself, ‘‘ but it is not likely he has taken the ladies to his home. It will pay me to takea look, however.” He struck off with the energy of a man who feels he has important business on band. The day was quite warm, and the young lawyer, unaccustomed to the sandy soil of this section, and having already walked several miles, began to feel the effects of his labor. Jake Calkins seemed to bave an extended acquaintance, for the first team, met by Don- ald was driven by a man, who when appealed to, turned and pointed out the house, with his whip-stalk. It was only a short distance away, and was approached by a devious lane leading from the main highway. The pines at this t were so free from undergrowth that the building could be seen among the trees. Between the point where Donald Marvin stood and the building in which he was so much interested, was a small tumble-down cabin. It was not far from the main highway and was plainly seen from the road. It was quite close to the lane leading to the home of Jake Calkins, and the young lawyer moved toward it. ‘- Probably some one lives there, who works for Calkins,” was the thought of Marvin as he proached. ai ‘* He will be likely to know something about m, ‘If he carried the two ladies to bis home, this man must be aware of it,” _ These were the thoughts of Donald Marvin, while making his way toward the cabin. The door was open, but his loud knocking brought no response. | Peering carefully beyond the door, he ob- served that the old structure had not been in- habited for some time, The only furniture within, was a rude bench and a stool. There was a perceptible and grateful cool- ness, as be stepped within and he stretched out on the bench for a little rest. “This is pleasant,” he muttered; ‘they say these countrymen will plow all day through the sand without getting tired, but will col- lapse in an hour on our pavements; J am sure the reverse of that is true, respecting city folks.” Donald Marvin had slept very little for the two preceding nights and be had scarcely as- sumed a loungiug posture on the bench when be began to feel drowsy. Before he fell asleep, be was dimly conscious of footsteps on the outside, and he fancied he caught a glimpse of some one as he carefully peeped through the door, But the wearied lover was too far gone, to **Gone to New York, hasn't he?’ “ Perhaps.” “But let’s get to work.” The suggestion was acted on at once, The two began carefully gathering fuel. There was plenty of material around them in the shape of dry pine twigs, bark and burrs. These were carefully piled under the two windows which were very narrow. Then it was found possible to fasten the di- lay idated door, so it would be very hard to opep from the inside, ! When everything was secure, the demons contemplated their work with fiendish delight. The approach of a wagon caused them to skulk to cover for several minutes, As soon as the sound of the wheels died out, they hurried forth again. No human eye was watching their frightful proceedings. ‘“* Everything is ready,” whispered Swank. “Go ahead then,” whispered his companion in reply. And then the match was applied. CHAPTER XXIII. THE TWO PLOTTERS. THE telegram from Cora to Ward Hildreth reached him without delay, and caused a de- cided change in his plans. He saw that it was utterly out of the ques- tion to keep Eva hidden during the time needed to dispose of the real estate left by Mr. Caleb Hildreth, his brother, At the very least a fortnight would be re- quired, even with lawyer Galnaith doing his utmost to expedite matters, Furthermore, the sly old counselor assured bis new client that most of the wealth wasof a personal nature, Beyond a doubt the box, which was in the vaults of the Trust Company, contained a band- some fortune, In laying his sacrilegious hands on this, there need be very little if any delay encoun- tered, Lawyer Galnaith was not acquainted with the change of plan by Ward Hildreth, as indeed there was no necessity of his know- ing it. But, all the same, the shrewd rascal suspected what was in the wind. On the night succeeding the reception of the message from Cora, Ward was locked in the Office of Gaffney G, Galnaith. “As I told you yesterday,” said the old fel- low, peering over his spectacles, “the utmost haste cannot obviate the necessity of some de- lay in settling up the real estate.” **T understand that perfectly. The greater path 3 believe, is in the shape of personal es- ‘‘T am satisfied that fully three-fourths is of that character.” The wicked executor could not conceal his delight frum the penetrating eyes of the law- yer. “You see,” added the latter, ‘‘as your es- timable brother grew older he formed a dislike for business, and sought relief from the cares to protect the interests of my clients, and you can depend upon my doing so in this case.” ‘IT have not the least doubt of that, and you may depend also that I am not the man to for- get such loyal service.” ‘ “T recognize a gentlemen when I meet bim.” Each party understood the hypocrisy of the other in this Jittle exchange of “taffy.” ‘The question now is as to what steps must be taken to satisfy the Register that every- thing is en regle,” said Ward Hildreth, fidget- ing in his seat. “You must procure the affidavits of wit- nesses who saw the suicide of the daughtei.” ‘‘T have a couple,” “‘ Let me see them,” Mr. Hildreth drew from the breast pocket of his coat, a properly drawn affidavit, taken be- fore a notary public, in which the two signers set forth that they were acquainted with Miss Eva Hildreth, daughter of Caleb Hildreth, de- gwar that they were on the ferry-boat New Brunswick, on the night of August 11, 18—, when it was moving from Courtl: street, New York, to Jersey City; that they saw the deceased leap overboard ; that the ferry- boat was immediately stopped, and every effort made to rescue the unfortunate young lady, but that it failed. | “Is that sufficient?’ asked Ward Hildreth, trembling with excitement. “It ought to be, but the Register is very cautious, and I think be will ask more. This is signed, I observe, by Luffton Swank and Henry Wagsnaff. It would be well if you could secure one or two others. Can you do so?” “Possibly I may, but no one else on the boat was acquainted with my niece.” = “Some of the employes would testify to the suicide itself.” | “Of course, but not to the identity of ‘the lady.” . “Again, there is a very serious matter; the body has not been recovered.” “ “Tam afraid it will not be.” — The villains }ooked in each other’s face. They did not utter a word for a whdle minute. Each was trying to read the other’s thoug Both were unusually sly and ip ng ene they succeeded to a large extent in divining the imaginings of the other’s brain. “T am well acquainted with the Register,” said the lawyer; “I have brought him much cusfom and le is accommodating.” ** What can you do with him?” ‘‘ Almost anything that is right.” ‘‘Secure the letters testamentary to-morrow, and you sball have your full fee of five tho sand dollars,” ‘“‘T will do my very best, you may depend, for I am anxious to protect your interests,” ‘‘ When sha’l I see you again?” : “Call at this office to-morrow afternoon, or as soon as you return irom New York,” “From New York? I did not irtend to go there.” “ You had. better go over on the early train.” “ For what purpose?’ | “To work up what testimony you can,” “You mean respecting the death of my niece?” “Precisely; it will not take you long to secure some additional evidence.” - F m7 presume not; but is it absolutely neces- ! ’ sary ‘Possibly not, but the Register may demand it, and it is best to be fortified at a!l points.” “Will you try bim as it stands?” ‘“‘ Most assuredly, and I will use a!) the skill EMME OOO KS5(EC)