Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 238 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

Hank ~ -— + ——————— ead CHAPTZR XXV. TAKING AN ALARM. Wuen Harry Hound bade Louie Crystol good-by for a short while, strangely mixed satisfaction and pleasure. He had gotten at the very germ of Desmond’s | schemes, He had fancied that there was something in| the young girl’s eyes expressive of encourage- | ment for the love that had become a fixed fact within him, For a brief spell he yielded to all the varied avd chasing thoughts born of a resolution to wio her for his wife if he could. Habit of long professional training, however, soon brought the business importance of the occasion uppermost in mind. Ina few minutes after departing from the girl’s presence, he was again stern Harry Hound on the track of his game, ‘This Desmond isa bold one of the whole cloth,” he muttered; ‘* bolder even than I gave him credit for. And yet, as his lovely accom- plice charged him, somewhat careless. But then, the very oldest of criminals are sometimes the most loose in their way. He must have felt sure, indeed, of Louie Crystol’s death. to have so readily given her one of his proper names when trapping her at the levee. And so the beautiful impostor is Nell Deems, the missing shop girl. ell Deems is really Lucy Crystol, the other daughter of Maynard Crystol, and supposed to be dead years ago, I recall now that I heard Desmond call her ‘ Miss Lucy’ during their conversation in the parlor, Des- mond and his Lucy were at one time married, too; are now divorced, and merely partners in guilt. Can Lucy Crystol be aware that this plot has nearly involved the murder of ber twin sister? Would she care if she did know? Hello, | there, Trim!” Trim Tasker, the reporter, happened just then ! to be passing a corner ahead of the detective. ** Hello, Mr. Hound,” 4 Stop a minute, Trim; I want to speak with you. ‘** Don’t be long about it, please.” ‘* You are in a hurry?’ ‘Yes. Expect to be sent out to report a so- ciety wedding.” “How long have you lived in New Orleans?” ‘¢ Well, ever since I was born.” * And I have only been on the force here a few years. I don’t know everything. Can you tell me anything about the house No, — Pry- | tania street?” ‘What like?” | ‘Was it always a private residence?” ! * Oh, no,” ) ‘* What, then?” ) **] remember that quite a number of years ago—before the war, in fact—it was a fashion- able club-house. The members of the club be- ) longed to the tip Op crust of society.” ** A club-house, eh?” “Yes. The upper back building—if my mopman is not astray—was a private portion of parlors for gambling purposes; only for . members. Is that what you wanted to know?” ** Just it. Thanks. Don’t let me detain you.” The detective had several important matters to attend to, Leaving Trim to hasten on his way to the Picayune buildirg, The Hound sought the office of the Telegraph Com- pany. There chanced to be but a single clerk in charge, the rest having gone to dinner. ‘*I would like to look at your files for the past week,” he said, briefly, to the clerk. **Can’t permit it, sir.” “Why not?” “* Against the rules.” ‘** But let me explain. I sent a telegram from this office to St. Louis a few days ago. The party receiving it took action just the reverse of what I instructed. He has since arrived in New Orleans, and flatly disputes the wording of my communication, There bas been an er- ror—” ‘“We never make mistakes,” was the curt in- terruption. ‘All of our messages are ‘re- peated,’ ” ; ‘Then I may have made the mistake myself; and as several thousands of dollars are at stake, would just like to see if I was such an idiot.” The Hound had a purpose in not at once re- _ vealing his identity es an officer. The ruse was | successful. He was shown the files. | ‘“Ab, here it is!” he presently exclaimed, pausing in his examination when he came upon the duplicate of the telegram which had brought iq Louie Cristol to the villain’s murderous net. “You did not send that, sir.” “I didn’t?” in feigned surprise. “Sto, sir.” ** But, of course I did.” ‘“* Of course you did not.” “Why are you so sure?” . “Because I particularly remember taking and sending off the message myself. It was given at that window by a man who did not re- semble you at all.” “You are positive of this?” enon ade poe ao manf” an you descri oo that.” eee a ese = we F me yy Be “Yes, I can even = . te. : - / pie ood —* ota ps. Fé 7 ‘ _ — ame Hound, a —— his feelings were of | manic badge. \ . Then you will greatly oblige me by doing | ’ As he said this, he quietly displayed the talis- | The clerk smiled as he realized the trick, and | described the party fully. The sender of the message was Percy Des- mond, The detective was working his points on Des- mond down as five as possible. From the telegraph office he went in a cab to the cottage of the Clydes. A long conversation ensued between the de- tective and the two ladies in the cosey little parlor. During this interview Isabel learned, for the first time in her life, who she really was; for Martha Clyde had never confided to her daugh- ter anything of their family. When The Hound left the cottage he wore his admirable disguise as Royal Ardway. He returned to the mansion on Prytania street. Passing along the hallway, be encountered the French maid, who was about to ascend by the rear stairs, She was carrying a silver tray, and on the tray was a glass containing a hot drink that smelled of brandy. ‘* What have you there, Josette?’ ‘‘A drink for mademoiselle.” ‘* Of what kind?’ ‘‘ Ah! monsieur, my mistress have the ner- vous attack from something. She will take the ardent spirit to meke medicine.” ‘‘Smells like pretty strong toddy,” he re- marked. “T know not. I have make of this and of that so much and so much, like the careful in- struction. I nevair taste of the stuff—what | you call?—tuddy.” ‘* She is nervous, eh?’ ‘* Oui, monsieur.” ‘* Well, run along, or the liquor will get cold. Say that Iam sorry she is unwell.” Something had transpired to occasion this | special and sudden nervous illness in Edna Crystol. Docind the absence of the man who she knew must be the detective in a most skillful disguise, she yielded toa mastering curiosity as to what had been discovered in the bedroom of Girard Ardway. Sending Josette out upon some trifling errand, and assuring herself that none of the servants were in the upper stories, she stole forth cau- tiously toward the apartment. Not without some guilty timidity, her hand turned the door-knob, Stooping and looking through the key-hole, she made a singular discovery. The door was locked; the key was in the lock upon the inside! As she straightened up again, she heard a dull-smothered, thumping sound, as of some one driving nails through a plank. Within the bedroom all was still as death. A vague alarm came over her. She quickly returned to her own apartments, and when Josette came back from the errand sent the maid to prepare a botand strong toddy, Her frame seemed to bave become chilled; her hands were shaky. This oppressive feeling she endeavored to fight off. But the foreboding of a danger was settling on her mind like a grim grasp. When Josette brought the steamy liquor, she asker: ‘Did you make the inquiry?’ “Oui, mademoiselle.” ‘© Well?” ‘Nobody have hammer at all anything in the house to-day.” ‘You interrogated all the servants—all, Jos- ette?”’ ‘‘ Every one, mademoiselle.” ‘Did any one see you bringing this to me?” pointing to the salver, while she raised the glass to ber lips. ** Only Monsieur Royal—that is all. in as I pass up.” ‘Did he have anything to say?” ‘* He was so sorry you complain of the ill- nese,” ‘*Did you see which way he went?—what he did on entering the bouse?’ | Josette had, without any particular reason, save her natural inclination to spy, watched over her shoulder at the supposed Royal Ard- way, when they met and passed a second time on the upper floor, CHAPTER XXVL. INVITING A DEADLY PE “Oui, mademoiselle,” pniveieed Sante to the question from her mistress. ‘‘ The poor young ran who have grieve so, he go to his father’s room. Ah, ciel/ the horrid room of blood and so much mystery.” * Did he enter?” as Yes, ” ‘*’You surely saw him enter?” ‘‘Ob, surely—yes. But the door make bim some trouble, I think.” “In what way?” ‘** He must turn the handle—so—and so—twe, three four times; it make the sound: tick-tiek— eee eeeeeEEEEOEeeeeEeEEyeyeE—EEE | He come . —_————— lll ll LL A ces click, click! \ he Crescent City Detective. Edna started to her feet and began walking repay to and fro. he potent draught she had swallowed seemed to have produced the desired effect. Her taper- ing fingers, rich with jewels, clinched and opened alternately until the gems flashed flerily. Above the cold, black-agate orbs there was a frown tbat grossly marred the beauviful face. ‘* A signal!” she murroured, intensely and in- audibly. ‘‘A signal by which he gains admit- tance to Girard Ardway’s room. The pounding I heard may have been beyond the ire-place; some one, perhaps, nailing up the outside en- trance to the secret passage. The detective has somebody hidden in that room, Great Heaven! what if it be Girard Ardway himself, not dead, after all! Is this detective playing, like a cat with a mouse, to tear with claws at last?” Suddenly wheeling upon Josette: . ‘‘Have you not some relatives living in the city?” ‘* Oui, mademoiselle.” ‘“ Would you like to have a little holiday?’ ‘Yes, indeed, if I could be spared.” “Go and visit your relatives, Josette. And here—here is something to make merry with, Go now, Josette,” Josette was profuse in thanking her liberal a for the crisp note fairly thrust upon er. Edna was in a hurry to be rid of the maid. When alone, the beauty began a very mys- terious series of actions. ; Into a small sachel she bastily threw and " crammed a quantity of jewels; rings, chains, breastpins, oar Se and a magnificent watch inlaid richly—in all aggregating, bad they been realized upon, many thousands of dollars. A plain suit was brovgbt from the wardrobe and spread upon the luxurious bed in complete readiness for donning, Then she locked all the doors leading to her apartments. While these significant movements were in progress, Harry Hound was, sitting in tlhe li- rary coolly smoking a cigar and glancing over the columns of a newspaper. ae To all appearances he was as idle, as careless me, of the business on his bands, as if there had been nothing pending or nothing further to do, i But the brain of the detective was far from being idle. While seemingly interested in the newspaper paragraphs, he was thinking out an extraordinary project. Extraordinary, daring and highly perilous. He knew that Percy Desmond meant to strike an early blow at his life. _ It may astonish the reader to learn that this famous man was actually planning to give Des- ‘ mond precisely the opportunity for the experi- ri ment! . Fey: The fact of his returning to the Ardway man- sion in the character of Royal Ardway, Inuw- : ing that his disguise had been pexetrated by r the plotters, was a part of this very plan, dl The whole afternoon passed. e declined | the summons to dinner, having taken a hasty : snack after leaving Clyde cottage. : Harry was usually a quick thinker and a quicker actor; but on this occasion the shades of evening were settling in the room where he sat, and still he had not decided upon a method a for giving Desmond a chance to attempt his life, without exci ing the adventurer’s suspi- cions of a counter-trap. It was quite dark when the front bell rung fy) and a servant announced Mr, Charles Courtley : rn to see Mr. Royal. The Hound descended to meet bim. aN “ Royal, old fellow,” saluted Desmond cordi- | 4 ally, “I fear you are getting altogether to 4 seriously low-spirited over this trouble.” ee, ‘* How can I help it, Charlie?” 4a ‘But, then, have hopes.” at ‘‘ Hopes are very small with me,” | ‘‘The best detectives are searching. for some clew to your father.” ‘They are,” rejoined Harry, scarcely able to avoid giving the words a significant inflection. 4 It was a very queer play going on between ) these two. “IT thought a saunter to-night would do you good, and have come to offer my company.” . ‘Very acceptable. I believe you are right. . , I must do something to divert my mind from brooding on the calamity to my father.” as! ‘Yes, cheer up.” _ ‘*T will try to.” 3 “Come along, then. Perhaps a little trial at: cam cards or faro will prove amusing.” os As the detective made a change of coats and took a hat from the rack in a niche at the rear of the hall, he adroitly disarranged the side- whiskers which so materially contributed in his * resemblance to Royal Ardway. Pe . This was meant for the villain’s special no- 4 1ce, / , Desmond turned partly aside to conceal a rata devilish look of triumph. He thought the os “give away” action was purely accidental. The bold adventurer was now sure of his in- tended victim. Desperate indeed were the chances being as- sumed by the venturesome detective. ‘“Well, which way, Charlie?’ he inquired, as. they left the house. Comicboo (C S * ae