Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 238 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

Hank Hound, the Crescent City Detective. ewe we “No matter how, ma belle. There is the wil’. You are safe.” ** Neither of us is as safe as you suppose.” “es No?” *Parcy Desmond, you are a bold man.” “Thanks for the compliment.” “ But you are a careless plotter.” *“Why do you say that? ‘“‘ Since this affair several tripping items have arisen which have nearly ruined all.” ‘* But they are now happily surmounted,” be half laughed. “You are mistaken—not entirely mounted.” “Why, you have the will, which makes you an heiress.” ‘Yes. I do not mean that,” ‘“*And I can assure you that the real Hdna Crystol is now dead and buried.” ' **'You think so?’ **T know it.” ** 1 can tell you something very singular, then.” “Do so, if you can.” “Did you see a man gofhg out of this house ou came in?” ** Yes—old Margrip, the lawyer.” *“He says be has found the real Hina Crys- tol; that he bas discovered meto be the wrong girl, She and her mother are both alive and have a mass of indisputable evidence as to their identity.” ‘This is sheer nonsense, Itisa wily fabrica- tion. I tell you Edna Crystol is dead and buried, I know the exact spot where her grave is,” “Why did you not advise me in minute de- tail in regard to the finding of the girl?” “Oh, if was hardly necessary to go into particulars,” ‘‘And there is where you were extremely careless, as I charge. This man Margrip, it seems, had privately bargained with the girl for her to pay him $5,000 Ha ealled upon me forit. I, thinking he was but a tricky fellow, trying to squeeze money out of connection with the Crystol matter, flatly denied all knowledge of him or his claim. When he spoke so sanguine- ly of producing the true heiress by the will, I naturally became frightened and—well, I bought him.” “Thereby admitting that you felt yourself to be an impostor!” ‘What else could I do? It is your fault. You should have taken the pains to prepare me for such an emergency.” ‘IT have not told all, by amy means,” con ‘inued the girl ‘* Well, do you think ke has mado any dis- ‘overies?” ‘* He has, assuredly.” ** What like?” ‘* The secret passage.” ** What!—no!” ‘* Oh, yes; he knews all about it.” Desmond had taken a step toward her, then paused as if transfixed. is hands clinohed | spasmodically. sur- | ‘“* I saw bim last night—or, rather, just before daybreak this morning, in Girard Ardway’s room,” pursued Edna. ‘He was on his knees before the fire-place, in it, I may say; the fire- place was telling its own tale. I myself have marveled until now, as to how the mystery was managed.” ** What did he find there, im the secret pas- sage?” ‘*f am unable to say. I dared not spy further for fear of betraying my proximity.” A wolfish scowl settled in the adventurer’s face. ** There is but one course to pursue,” he cried huskily. ‘*What is that?” ** The Hound must die!” Once again Edna shivered. ‘* You are always ready for blood.” ‘‘ A few drops of it have never yet deterred me from an object.” ‘Ob, but I am heartily sick of it—” ‘¢ No weakening now,” he hissed. ‘‘ A false step and we may go to the gallows; a steady nerve and we will yet laugh at this danger, [ must to work. For the present, good-by. Keep your wits about you. e will soon be rid of The Hound,” With this remark, telling of murder in his heart, Desmond took his departure. It had not occurred to either of the pair that there might have been an eavesdropper bebind those thick, rich curtains at the alcove. When Edna had disanpeared, the seeming figure of Royal Ardway stepped forward into the room just vacated. Harry Hound had heard every word. ‘Tt is a wide-open game now, catch-as catch- can,” he half chuckled. ‘‘So, Margrip is to have bis throat cut, no doubt; I am to be knocked in the head, possibly. But, as I am cast for a principal character, I think I prefer 17 CHAPTER XXIII. A TIMELY WARNING. Harry Hounp smiled calmly as he surveyed the ominous note, In his bold, shrewd eyes there was a gl.tter of inward satisfaction. Never, in all bis experience as a detective, bad a game of villainy played itself so directly inte his hands like this. He bad ample knowledge that there was such a mystic and undoubtedly criminal order as the — Owls existing in New Orleans; the latest heard from them tbrongh local gossip in the Picayune, relative to the robbery at Margrip’s office, was an exploit displayful of determination and daring. This second threat upon his life, coming so immediate vpon his lucky apprisal of a plot to kill him, which be bad overheard in the parlor of the Ardway mansion, was to him a conclu- sive indicator of the paramount genius in the menacing crew, Desmond was his man, And right here he resolved that, in conjune- tion with the approaching discotfiture and punishment of the Arch-O wl, Desmond, he would either exterminate or scatter the rest of the Owls beyond all probability of their reorganiza- tion. But be it remembered that, although Harry was now in possession of sufficient evidence to satisfy bim of the deep, dark scheme being pro- mu'gated by the adventurer, he had, as yet, no positive proofs, no strong witness to convict that person of an actual] and despernte crime, The beautiful, the false Edna Crystol, could be relied on to—perjure berself and maintain her stery as ascertained from Margrip. And wbo could she be#—this lovely being with a fiery soul. By what strange stroke of luck had Desmond found apn assistant in his ventur- ous game to secure the Ardway wealth’—one so wondrously like ber whose picture the detective still carried in his pocket. Not Nell Deems, he argued, for that stumbling-block to Desmond's aspirations for the band of Clarice Aidway had been buried alive. In all, a very tangled case, ‘“T must see old Margrip,” be decided. “ Per- haps there was scmething more than bunkum in his threat to produce the rightful beiress. Be- sides—poor old miser!—there is no reason why I should permit bim to be assassinated, when a word may save bim. I must look out for my- +7 4 : 3 . a 1 “Tne whole thing is a trick, as you at first | some alteration in the programme.” Te ee Then ce heen to _ suspected. He has no such parties to produce, He left the house, n bis mouth was set a foresecing im what. minute the Ogle 3 was a play upon your fears to get his money. | deep, meaning smile, and oe a eyes, ve atelicn Os é ie is apt to prove a dangerous appendage, how- | long-trained senses, were now alert for avy das- | ~ my. fj ’ | ever. 9atease. He shall be feenavads tardly attempt upon bis life which, he reasoned, Denti Geocenas haba batieraanine bearin The gleam in his eyes revealei what was | the adventurer was daring enough to commit at | a Feit ® 8 meant by the word—"* removed”—and Edna | any hour, hein eiztthee h RS could not repress a shudder as she sa it. e went to the house on Baronne street, Gone to bank. Return shortly. : ** Now, ma belle, just consider Margrip, the | where Royal was imprisoning himself, pur- This doubtless meant that the promised check other heiress, everything, attended to. Lat us | chasing on the way a bottle of wineand several | had promptly arrived. “A stop talking of trouble. I have called todiscuss | articles of food that would not require cooking. | Margrip soon appeared, and was accosted by f other prospects. Clarice Ardwayis now en “i bave brought you a generous luncheon, | the detective, ; route for New Orleans; she will soon arrive. I | Mr. Ardway,” he said, on entering. ‘‘ It sig- ‘*Good-morning, sir. Mr. Margrip, isn’t it?’ have bad, asI mentioned before now, a pre- | nifies that you are to remain bere until I come ‘Yes, sir. Yours truly—yours to command, vious acquaintances with her, It is my inten- | again to give you your liberty.” Walk in. Havea seat, sir. How can I be of tion to marry her—fairly if I can, forcibly if I ‘Tt is outlandishly tiresome.” service to you?” $ must. I look to you to exert an influence, by “To show outset now would spoil every- ‘*My name is Hound,” exhibiting the badge : every art that you are capable of,in my be- | thing. I am going to close in on my game | under his vest-lapel. 3 half.” pretty soon.” ‘*Ob!” exclaimed Silas, wondering what an | ‘‘Why not spare this pire girl?” | Then you are progressing favorably?” officer could want, 53 Heh} Why, your tove sounds almost jeal- | $ I may tell you yes. But ask no questions ; rig have called to ask a few professional ques- , ous.’ et, ions. : * Jealous of a villain like you loving another, From there he went to the Agency. He was ‘**Certainly—of course. Happy to oblige es : Percy Desmond! No. When I was divorced | now in his own proper person. Ich dien—as the Germans say. I see; it is a from you, two years ago, it was because [| Immediately upon presenting himself, the | about the robbery last night—” 4 had grown to hate * ab ita se pind hate you. | clerk handed him an unstamped letter, bearing ** Not at all.” ‘4 But a strange fate of circumstances, somehow, | the address of Harry Hound. “No? What then?” : ; has seemed to keep us in one another’s track Breaking open the missive, he saw this: Silas was just then richer by $5,000, He was by in pursuit of the same goal—money. In this in good spirits. : last bold effort we have become partners, as “Wirst, where is this young girl whom you 9 it were; beyond that, the only thoughts I have know to be the true beneficiary under Girard of you are those of despisement,” Ardway’s will?” >t “Thank you”—coolly. ‘‘And how much ‘‘Heh! what's that?” pricking bis ears surpris- ; better are you, Miss Lucy?” y. ‘ ‘‘Ob, [am bad enough. The tauntis an old ‘You heard me, I guess.” ‘4 one. But let me warn you, Percy Desmond, you had best listen to me, and discuss business, ave tothe future your plaus for entrapping the hand and wealth of Clarice Ardway.” ., What have you to say, specially?” ss Something whieh, I think, wiil startle you.” Indeed?” * What about him?’ ‘““T don't understand,” ‘* Where is Edna Crystol?” ‘“Why, bless me! in her home on Prytania street where she belongs, I suppose,” ‘IT do not allude to that one, but the other one.” ‘The other one? Why, sir—” tibly nervous, Ks ow detective is closer on our trail than you ° Papp gh alg’ gl) ve non aap desl yo ~~ “| . oung lad: it Mr. Ardway’s ence is 31 ** What deteetive?” not really Edna Crystol.” - , , {Tbe Hound, as you call him.” The Jawyer was puzzled. He grew percep- : ‘He is dangerously near.” ‘** Why do you assert that, sir?” 1 ‘* How near, that you know of?” “For the very simple reason that I overbeard . “In this very bouse, disguised as Royal your entire conversation with the suppesed bi Ardway. So skillfully has he played the part, Crystol, this morning—” “4 that yesterday leven had my arms around bis ** The dogs you did!” neck and did not penetrate the deceitful resem- “Yes. And let me here remind you that you blanca,” have placed yourself in the position of an acces- f This was startling news to Desmond. sory toafraud. Knowing the girl to be falsely E “TItis just the thing that The Hound would in possession, you have accepted a brihe to kee af be apt to do,” he murmured, intense and that knowledge quiet, while the true heiress is a thoughtful. “ Hardly another man would risk in existence elsewhere. Ratber a bad showing ye it, when some of the servants, I happen to know for you.” : SS have been with the family since Royal wasa Silas bitched forward in his chair. There nt boy. A bold adept only could deceive them. “Harry Hound, you are doomed! The threat of | Was no use in trying te beat about; the detec- You. are right. The trail is bot.” the Owls of New Orleans will be fulfilled!" tive was posted. He came out openly. eh als | | | 7) comicbooks:com —_ a a