Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

CHAPTER XXIV. 4 NEW LINI OF CAMPAIGN 1S ADOPTED, Ia would seer: tbat when Orson Oxx and Braytov Russell parted from each other, the great detective would have been authorizad in considering the case closed, so far as he was concerned But, as he had intimated, he had a f:eling that the writ of habeas corpus would not terminate the extraordinary business, While all the indications pointed that way, yot it seemed improbable that such a sbrewd villain as the Winking Demon, would encage in a plot that could be overthrown with such ease. But the departure of the engineer from Ard- ville, left tha Man of Iron with considerable lei- sure on bis band and he prepared to utilize it, He had become convinced beyond all possibil- ity of doubt, that Algol Langdon was the in- cendiary who had caused such death, ruin and consternution in Ardville for the past few months. He believed he had no accomplice, though he was not certain on the point. While Brayton Russell was seeking to rescue his ope Nap the officer gave his attention to the uncle. He moved around through the day, now and then making a guarded inquiry and ob aining the “‘ lay of the land,” as the expression goes. The night, unlike the previous one, was clear and starlight, so that a pair of keen eyes could discern objects for a considerable distance, Orson Oxx, with the marvelous instinct for which he was celebrated, decided in bis own mind, the course which the incendiary took in returoing to his home. He could not fix upon the route used in enter- ing the village, for that was likely to be varied as often as possible. The Homestead, as it was called, was a third of a mile from the village and could be ap- proached from the main highway, or by a shorter path across the fields, which passed through a small patch of woods. This latter course undoubtedly was the one taken by the fire-bug in his flight. Whatever traces he might leave would not awaken suspicion, for it was a regular route fre- quently traveled. But, from some information picked up, it would seem that two, if not three, incendiaries were concerned. However that might be, Algol Langdon, the Winking Demon, was the principal one and Or- son Oxx was resolved to take him in the very act. From som? points also picked up, Oxx - Jearned that "uangdon was accustomed to spend an evening ali ona of the hotels, where he would stay until quite late, drinking considerably, when be started homeward, or at least was be- lieved to do so. Several times the fire broke out within half an hour after bis departure. But Orson Oxx was not the only one in Ard- ville, who held the slightest suspicion against Al- gol Langdon. , In the dusk © the early evening, after finish- ing bis meal, (rson Oxx was seated in the bar- room of the Ardville Hous» listening to the conversation of the habitues of the place and waiting for the Winking Demon to appear. Toe detective was disguised, so that none of his friends would have suspected his identity. Sudderly Algo] Langdon came in and took a drink at the bar, withoutinviting any one else, though he addressed several. tad behind him, entered Brayton Rus- sell. Ose look at his face showed that something upusual had taken place. He looked keenly about the room as if search- ing for some one. . hen bis eyes rested unsuspiciously upon Orson Oxx, the latter made him a sign. No one else noticed it, but Brayton Russell “ caught on” at once, and immediately turned - about and went up-stairs. A minute later, the detectivs followed. Two minutes after, the two were seated to- _gether discussing the situation in low voices, Orson Oxx dropped no hint about the know]- edge be had obtained of the incendiary procliv- ities of the Winking Demon. Brayton Russell lost no time in telling what nee happened to himself and lawyer Maggiore, he detective was astonished. ‘* What is your belief?” asked Russell. **T believe it was she in the carriage, and that compels another theory altogether,” said the tective. ‘*Are you sure that they did not drug her, i her on the cars at some remote station, then urry her away to New York and places her on a steamer, under an assumed name?” __ **My dear boy, there is nothing certain in this world, except the uncertainty of all things. I do not believe that was done.” “ben they have taken ber to the city where she is kept in confinement.” “Ido not think so; that might answer as a temporary resort, but Ethel is not a child who ean be bandled at will in such fashion as that would imply.” ** Such things have been done; the papers con- . ‘ ———$— + _ oe A Cool Head. | tain many an account of persons who disappear and are never beard of again.” ‘** Vepend upon it your betrothed will be heard of again, before your hair turns gray.” ** What is your theory?” “That she has been taken to another than the Brandon lunatic asylum; and she is io such an institution at this moment,” ** But where?” “‘That isthe problem for us to solve; is the crop of asylums very plenty in this part of the Empire State?’ ‘*T never bave had the occasion to investi- gate, but I judge there are plenty of them.” ‘*T believe that Langdon, for the purpose of greater safety, has taken her to some private asylum, where he believes we would not be likely to bunt for ber?’ “That is my theory also.” ' . Then let us set to work upon it without de- ay. CHAPTER XXV. ORSON OXX AND THE FIRE-BUG. “Frrst of all,” said Orson Oxx, ‘the plan is very simple.” ** Explain,” ‘The carriage which your assistant saw late at night was as [ have said the one for which we are hunting.” **T agree with you.” ** Follow that.” “Beginning at the point where it was seen by Mr. Brandon?” ** As near as possible.” “Will you go with me?” sé No »” **T shall follow a different line.” ** Will we not do better in company” “*T am convinced we will not,” ** How shall 1 communicate with you?” ‘It is not likely there will be any opportunity for several days,” ‘* You said the same thing last night.” **Direct to the Metropolitan Hotel, as before.” ** Do you expect to be there?” “*T cannot say,” replied the detective with a laugh; ‘‘if I am not I will send for the message to-morrow evening.” ** When shall I start?” “As you have but a few days at your com- mand, I would leave Ardville this evening; you will have that much less to do to-morrow.” The detective was anxious to getridof his friend. ‘All right; good-by,” was the hopeful re- spans of the engineer, who sprung to his feet, shook the hand ot his friend, aud passed out, Giving him time to leave the house, Orson Oxx descendedito the bar-room. It was his purpose to pipe the Winking Demon. He was annoyed to find on reaching the drinking-room, that, brief as was the time he had beex up-stairs, the Winking Demon had de- parted. But a careful inquiry gave him the informa- tion that he bad probably gone to the Delaware House. Thither Orson Oxx followed. When he entered the bar-room of thatinn, where he himself had met wich sucb a narrow escape from death, he was pleased to find Algol Langdon was there, talking with several of the villagers. Although the Winking Demon was fully aware of his unpopularity, yet great deference was shown him on account of his wealth. Men who abominated the tyrant were as ob- sequious in his presence as though he was a judge with the power of sentencing them to the peni- tentiary. Orson Oxx, who looked very much like a cattle-drover, invited the company to drink. 3 None accepted more eagerly than Algol Lang- on. The Man of Iron dextrously poured the flery liquor outside of his throat, as he had done on more than one previous occasion. Being in a liberal mood, he treated the crowd several times, his purpose being to get Algol Langdon under the influence of liquor. Alcobol leads a man to do that which he would do when sober, if he only had the cour- age. 4 other words, a man acts out his natural self, Orson Oxx believed that if Langdon could be made to swallow several drinks, he would be more likely to set fire to some building than he would if possessing unclouded brain. The history of the incendiarism for the past few months showed that, as a rule, several days intervened between each attempt. To his dismay, however, Orson Oxx discov- ered that his man was only touching his lips to the liquor. Each time he set down the glass without any appreciable diminution of the contents. ‘He is too sharp to be caught,” was the con- clusion of Oxx. Nevertheless the detective feigned partial in- ebrity himself, and, talking pretty thickly, he staggered out of the door, went down the steps or ~f ‘ ¢ : x c Pes Ae a ’ »9 " a oa . oa ae ee - eet a eee eee and halted as soon as he reached the shadow of a group of trees, Then he became all attention. He was deter- mined to watch the Winking Demon. The night was crisp and cold, and, though several persons came out and went in, yet Algol Langdon was vot among them, But Orson Oxx was not impatient. learned patience long before, About ten o’clock a dark figure care down the steps. The individual was tailand walked with a slight limp. * That’s my man!” He turned to the right and wulked by the spot where the detective was croucbiog without sus- pecting his presence, Oxx kept his eye on him until he vanished in the gloom. Even then Orson did not stir from his place, ‘* He will come back; that is only a blind.” The detective was right. Attheend of fifteen minutes the keen senses of hearing of the Man of Iron apprised him that some one was ap- aoe from the pomt toward which the inking Demon had passed. As the figure Joomed up in the darkness, one glance was enough to prove it was the same individual. Directly opposite Orson Oxx, he stopped. He stood silent and watchful several minutes, ** He is reconnoitering,” was the conclusion of the detective. The hour was so late that few of the villagers were stirring. Suddenly some one came down the steps cf the Delaware House and started up the road to- ward where Tbe Demon stood. The scoundrel quietly stepped back among the trees bebind bim. As be did so, be came within a hair’s breadth of bumping against Orson, who never escaped detection by a narrower chance. As soon as the stranger vanished, Langdon began moving toward the village, turning to the right, however, so as to leave the road, and make his way through the shrubbery. He seemed to pass through this with the stealth and skill of an Apache Indian. With a borror which it would be difficult to describe, Orson Oxx saw he was making bis way toward tbe humble little cottage in wh.ch dwelt Mrs. Mcseman. Not content with taking away the best nurse in the world from the poor old invalid, the wretch was about to set fire to the building, in which she could linger but a few days longer at the most! Orson approached as close az possible and then croucbed down to leap upon the villain. ‘*Tt will not do to allow tbe fire to get start- sed he thought, ‘‘for the shock will kill the old ady. Just then a bright point appeared. It was at the rear of the buildiug, and the quickness with which the flame was kindled showed that the wretch understood the art of incendiarism to perfection. Orson Oxx attempted to creep forward, but, slight as was the noise he made, be was heard and then Algol Langdon sprung up and bounde away like a deer, Orson Oxx leaped upon the fire, scattered the embers with a few vigorous kicks and then went for the fire bug, He could just catch sight of the sbadowy oe, which got over the ground with amazing speed. Orson Oxx did not shout or fire his pistol, for be wished to avoid an alarm, which migbt re- sult in placing him at the mercy of the mob again. Confident he could catch the scoundrel, the matchiess athlete bent all bis energies toward doing so, The Winking Demon must have felt he was in a serious dilemma, for, despite all the extraor- dinary efforts he put forth, his pursuer was steadily gaining upon him. A very brief time carried them beyond the confines of the village, and the fire-bug sped Jike a frightened hound across the fields toward his own home. And all the time Orson Oxx was silently, grimly and surely overhauling bim. CHAPTER XXVI. BY THE SKIN OF HIS TEETH. ' ORSON saw that the tire-Lug was strainin every nerve to reach the protecting shadow o the wood, ‘* Tf he succeeds in making that ahead of me, he will escape.” The Man of Iron was fleeter of foot and he re- doubled his exertions. He came up with his man hand over band. ‘You may as well stop,” exclaimed the pur- suer, throwing his p»werful right hand forward to seize him. He intended to catch him by the collar of his coat, but the fugitive, as if suspecting his pur- pose, ducked his head forward, at the very in- stant the attempt was made, Instead of grasping the collar, therefore, his steel-like fingers closed upon the slack portion of the garment, just between the shoulders. “* I’ve got you, my fire-bug !” ; The hand shut together like the irresistible He bad F : ly “ear Nn A” pula (ee)