Beadle's New York Dime Library, Vol. XVIII, No. 232 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

ott “That is difficult to say. Miss Hildreth’s father was very wealth , when he died—” ‘That settJes it,” broke in Orson Oxx; “* this young lady stands between bim and the prop- erty which be wishes to secure. He means to give the impression that the young lady is dead, and to keep ber out of tbe way until be cap get 3 of her inheritance. * But he is running a great risk.” ** All scoundrels do.” “ He is sure to be detected.” **He expe-ts to get out of the country before the discov+ry comes, or he may—” ‘* Put bis niece out of the way.” ‘‘ He has done that already.’ “But you just assured me she was alive,” **So she is, I mean to say that he has man- aged to piace her in retirement, where he means to keep her until be can secure the prop- erty.” ‘* But he may kill ber!” ‘ He is wicked energy to do so if necessary, bur he iz not likely to find it necessary.” ‘+ Where is his niece?” ‘Tf you had put that question to me last night I conld have answered it.” ~**And now you cannot?” * No; ber uncle left with her and her compan- ion early this morning ” ‘**And reached Philadelphia, for he called upon me as I just told you.” y He did, but he has sent them somewhere else.” “How do you know that?” “| know that he went to Philadelphia because you bave just told me; 1 know that the ladies did not go there, for be is too cunning a villain to arrange (be complete overthrow of his wicked schemes by such a course.” It required but a few minutes for these two men to understand each other tho oughly, Koowing that Orson Oxx must be a detec- tive from what he had said, and admiring the tremendous strength, activity and skill be had shown in bis contest with the river pirates, Donald Marvin felt be had gained a most valu- able friend, 3 As we have shown, he unbosomed himself to the Man of Iron, who thereby gained much valuable information, which va him to un- derstand more of the singular business than he had suspected up to that time, Betore the boat reached the Battery, the Tom Tit stopped rowing. Orson Oxx turned upon him like a flash. ** What is that for?” ‘‘| wanted to ax ye, beggin’ pardon, what do you s’pose has become of Biikens.” ‘“* He’s reached shore somewhere,” replied the detective, ‘‘a man that is born to be hung won’t be drowned,” “1 m obleeged to ye, for the assooring infor- mation; Rise up is a good square man, wouldn’t lie or steal or do anything wrong for the world; he’s too bloomin’ good to be spared.” Tbe river pirate was much relieved by the mistaken belief of the detective, and di his oars again, whew bis master comman him to rest upon them a minute or two lon er. The Man of Iron had been looki for the river pirates during the day, and, although he had got much from the lover, yet it would have been unwise to allow the Tom Tit to go away without yielding what information he might Sess. Orson Oxx therefore proceeded to question him closely as to the precise reasons why he hs ppened to be at hand to pick up the young lady who sprung from the ferry-boat. e river pirate told very little if any more than what the sagacious detective had sus- pected. He and Bilkens were ready in aceordance ‘han ee ap made with Swank. The work performed by the river pirates was slight, but they were so well paid that they were only too anxious to do their part of the “onGo ahead.” id ‘Go ahead ;” said the detective, with a wav 7 the mane a : ae us at the Battery as anak y as @5 ou want any pay for th trip will settle with you.” ? er 2 7 ay guess we won't o that ’ere bloomin’ ac- count ag’in,” muttered the humbled desperado, applying himself to the oars once more. few minutes later, the landing was effected and Tom Tit Tompkins breathed more freely, when the ff of the wonderful Man of Iron, and the friend at his elbow, vanished in the _-e CHAPTER XIV, GROPING FOR LIGHT. ‘‘WauatT you have told me,” said Orson Oxx to his young friend, in whom he had become ag gp interested, ‘establishes several impor- tant facts.” ‘* What are they?’ ‘We will make our way to the hotel, where we can sit down and discuss the matter without disturbance,” Shortly after they were seated in a private room at the Merchant’s Hotel, on Courtlandt street. | rm 9 ‘‘ There can be no doubt that Ward Hildreth, | may have turned off at one of the stations, long whom you know to be the uncle of your afii- anced wife, isa plotting villain.” “There is not the remotest dcubt that such is the fact.” ‘His brother, before be died, must have willed his property in such a way tbat it will go to bis surviving brother in the event: of death of the daughter.” ~ ‘* Undoubtedly such was the truth.” ‘Ward Hildreth has arranged this pretended suicide so as to give the impression that bis niece is dead.” ‘That seems equally clear.” ‘* He is wicked enough to kill her, but judging from what he has done, he is afraid. The woman who sprung overboard must have fig- ured as the daughter of Ward and the cousin of your betrothed.” ‘Such I happen to know is the fact.” ‘But she cannot be; she is an adventuress with a most wonderful amount of daring and nerve,” ‘‘Of that I know sage oe “T have no doubt on the point. Well, the three started for Philadelphia this morning. He has gone straight through to the city, called on you, and then be bas met some brother con- spirator there, with whom be is arranging to get ssion of the property.” ‘* Your theory seems fully proven.” “ But Eva and her pretended cousin have left the main road at some point, and are now ae ‘* How could Eva be persuaded to be a party to such a suspicious proceeding?’ ‘She has n deceived by her uncle and the other woman, both of whom are working in harmony,” tae Stull I cannot perceive how shs could be mis- ‘Tt will soon be made plain.” ‘‘ And what are we do do?” “ Find out where the ladies are.” ‘“* How can that be done?” “By using the brains our Creator has given After a minute’s silence, spent by, Donald Marvin in deep thought, he said: ‘*T can now understand several matters which mystified and troubled me,” ‘* What are they?” “I have received no letters from Eva very lately. The last two make no mention of having recived my last. She did not notify me when she was to start for home, por did she let me know of her arrivalin New York, as she agreed to do, so that I might meet her.” ‘All that, as a matter of course; she at- eee to do through ber uncle.” ‘* Most certainly, and he bas manipulated it to suit bis purposes, without arousing her sus- picion. “The three bought tickets for Philadelphia this morning. He went on and they left the main line at some point and are now awaiting his pleasure in some secluded place,” ““Have you any theory as to where that place is?’ ‘* Yes; I consider it quite certain they did not leave the carsatany city or town like New- ark, Elizabeth, Rahway, New. Brunswick, Tren- ton or Bristol, since that would have been like- ly to defeat their purpose of finding a secure hiding-place.” ‘That would seem reasonable.” ‘*They have not gone to the northern part of New Jersey, because that is pretty well settled, In my judgment, therefore, they left the cars at some unimportant station. Possibly so at Trenton or Bristol and then went back in the conntry.” ‘*Have you found out the train on which they left New York?” ‘I think I did, and I find that it stopped at a ood many places between here and Pbila- delpbia, We must search for them at several ints, ; Pow, it seems to me,” said Donald, “ that they would be likely to get off at a place of which they knew something.” ** Undou ly, but how are we to learn where it is until we come to make an inves- tigation?” ) ‘‘I remember hearing Eva speak of a se- cluded resort along the Jersey Coast, where her father was fond of going when a young man, and which sbe had visited several times in his company.” “Where is it?” ‘Somewhere in the neighborhood of Squan Village, which stands back a mile or two from the ocean.” Orson Oxx slapped his knee in excitement. ‘That's good. That's a big help.” . ‘But [ do not know the route by which they reached the point,” ‘I do, provided they went there.” ‘* Where is it?” ‘* At Monmouth Junction, not quite half-way between here and Philadelphia.” “ How, then, would they proceed?” ‘From Moomouth Junction they went by rail through Jamesburg, Freehold and so on toward what are called the Pines. They may have continued on to Squan village, or they , | - eae they did | next train for Philadelphia. ' before reaching there.” 3 , ‘* You seem confident, Mr. Oxx, that we have. discovered the right trail.” geakt - ‘Tl am very baperes of such being the ca and yet 1 bave | } time before and found myself wofully mistaken, e | It may be the same now.” ‘*] am so exalted by the discovery that Eva is alive, that | can hardly restrain myself.” The face of the \oung lover wes #‘] »glow, and, springing to bis feet, he paced back and forth as if to prevent his shouting with pleasure. ‘It isa delight indeed, but we cannot find the young lacy too soon.” en just as hopeful many a. Donala stopped short and looked at the detec-. tive with a startled expression. ‘‘What do you mean?’ be om ‘You admit that Ward Hildreth is a con- sum mate scoundrel?” “ That has been proven, but be is not in the. company of Eva now.” : ‘* All true enough, but she is in the power of one doubly worse, and capable of doing her more harm.” ‘You mean ker pretended cousin, Ooraf” dy ] do.” “Why rank her as s0 much more than her uncle?’ ‘‘ As a really good woman is so much better than a man, 80 is one who is really bad, tentokd worse. The acts of this adventurers prove that she possesses an almost miraculous amount of nerve and daring; she can play the sant, but she isa fallenangel. Take a woman to fight a woman,” “ What is she likely to do?” ‘“* Eva believes ber a most devoted friend, and yet thiswoman would pot hesitate to strangle ber, sbould the necessity arise. Ward Hildreth, with all hie wickedness, is restrained by fear, for in these modern days, it isa dargerous thing to take a human life, With the woman Cora, it is different.” ‘*But why should she harm Eva?” asked the horrified lover, “Sbe may not do so, unless she believes it necessary for the success of her schemes.” “Then, a8 you say; we cannot recover Eva too soon.” | | ‘Certainly not; it will take Ward Hildreth a considerable while to secure possession of the property in Philadelphia, that is the reel] estate though it won’t take him long te lav his bands on the personal property. He may find tbat large enough to supply his wants and may draw out while we are hunting for the lost h< iress.” tog papaske will not menats but ever nn now & give way t uty of i Eva Hildreth.” ws ‘I agree with you. And now kt’s go to sleep.” ‘You may sae Ds but I cannot,” ‘Nonsense! You must learn todo so, Tiy it, and in the morning we will start with 1 - newed vigor and unabated determination,” CHAPTER XV. A PERILOUS MISTAKE. THE hint thrown out by Orson Oxx as to the dangerous character of Cora Hildreth produced a greater effect than he anticipated. Donald Marvin became so disturbed and un- easy and full of misgiving that he refused to go to dangerous At his earnest desire the detective rearranged the course of action he had decided on. It was settled that Donald should take the Reaching that city he would turn about end board the early morning train which stopped at Bristol, He would make inquiries, not only et thot station but at others, in case he failed te pick up a clew at the first. et 4 It was figured out by the time-table that he Junction early in the would reach Monmout afternoon. Orson Oxx would be there long before, as he intended to proceed directly from Jersey City, If the Man of Iron picked up a clew he would follow it.at once, ia the direction of the Pines or "Tt he felled to le e failed to learn anything he would wa ME: ay ) ? e latter made any important discover he was to telegraph Orson Oxx, who would m4 him at the earliest possible moment, : In the event of Orson Oxx gaining trace of the two young women, he would Jeave a mes- sage at the telegraph office at the station, hen Donald could follow on after bim with-. out trouble. It would seem that, with such an explicit un- derstanding, there could be no miscarriage of plans. But we shall see, Orson Oxx would bave preferred to prosecute this hunt entirely alone. The presence of an impatient lover at his e}- era was likely to be a hindrance rather than a elp. | But it was imposssble to refuse the company of rete, Marvin, of whom he bad become very fond. Besides which the Man of Iron saw the appro- (E 966), <S m (EO) (efoy