Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

ee es ——- ee 22 ——— es ome — out of sorts, because so many hours bad slipped by without bringing him any definite tidings of the missing patients. | Orson was a verdant-looking farmer, who_ was treated rather pleasantly at first, on the supposition that be brought encouraging news. When Doctor Julliard found he was in quest of information and had pone to impart, he turned his back upon him, and acted so crust- ily that the inquirer departed without learning anything more of the all-absorbing matter, In fact, Orson Oxx knew about all that could have been told him, ‘‘The whole neighborhood seems to be en- gaged in huvting two women,” said he to him- . self, ‘‘and | may as well strike in on the eborus.” A surprise awaited him, He had not gone far, when he encountered a person of dilapidated appearance but whose face was not altogether unfamiliar to him. A second glance showed that it was his old acquaintance Jake Calkins, whom he had not seen since bis adventures with him in the Pines of New Jersey. Tbe gentleman was walking very rapidly in the direction of Doctor Julliard’s Asylum. ‘Where are you going?” asked Orson stop- ping in front of him, “‘T don’t know that it’s any of your con- founded busines:,” replied the countryman, who was in bad humor, He looked at the farmer in his spectacles, dusty clothes and with his big hickory cane and thouzhbt it a piece of presumption for him to stop bim ia that fashion, ‘* What's the use of bein’ so techy?” asked ' she tried to run through me, A Gool Head. ce ne oe ee ee ‘* But where are you going?’ ** Home,” ‘* What for?’ ‘Vm disgusted with this country,” was the reply, as Jake took off his hat, and scratched his head, ‘“‘Tt was hardly the fair thing for them to do; now, I think respecting Miss Hahlo—” ' ' “But I thought you were aiming for the | asylum?” **So I was.” “ What business have you there?’ **T’ve been thinking about lockin’ myself up for a year or two till I can git some sense.” ‘Pm afraid you will have to make it a life term, Jake.” ‘€You’re right, old friend! Shake!” He extended bis hand once more with much enthusiasm. **Come, now, Jake,” said Orson Oxx, in that persuasive way which he often used with great effect; “be honest, and tell me the truth.” ‘They say it is hard work for me to give the facts; but I like you, Mr. Oxx, and you shall have ’em,” ‘“‘T am waiting to hear them.” “] was taking a stroll with a lady some time ago, and was sorter talking sweet to her | (you mustn’t give me away to the old woman | | when you go’ home with me), and everything was going lovely, when she told me she was the Queen of the Cinnamon Islands, and came darned near killing me.” Oxx laughed again, and asked: “Tn what way did sbe try to kill you?’ ‘‘She had a wire as sharp as a needle, which I just managed ' to get away from her before she turned me the farmer; “I only axed yova civil question.” | T don’t consider it civil; I once had an old farmer stop me in that fashion and I laid him out, so he had to keep his bed for a month; it’s | mighty dangerous to rile me; I'm Vengeance on horseback.” “La, sakes! you don’t say so; where was that?’ ‘“‘Down in Freehold, near where I live.” “ And you pummeied him did you?” “You can je” bet your sweet life I did.” ‘* What for?” “Cause he axed too many questions.” “What did you do with him?” “Took him by the heels and banged all the railings out of the fence with his head,” ‘Heavens o’ nathb! wasn’t that a little rough?” ‘Or course it was, but that’s the kind of chap I am; things bain’t gone right with me and I’m cross; I have just been layin’ out three men that were too blamed sassy.” ‘* What was the name of the old feller you ural so rough in Freebold?” ‘‘He called himself Tom Tumbrell from Barnegat.” ‘That’s mighty queer; didn’t you know, Jake Calkins, that I am farmer Tom Tumbrell from Barnegat?” CHAPTER XLIV. TWO FRIENDS JOIN FORCES. Tun face of Jake Calkins instantly became a study for a painter. He gasped, recoiled a step, looked hard at the honest countenance, and then recognized tbe man before bim. It was the great detective who had trounced him so soundly, and whom he held in such exalted estimation. He instantly emitted a shout which sounded like an Indian war-whoop, spruog across the intervening space, and caught the hand of Orson Oxx in his frenzied grip. ‘By the great Jewhilakens! It is you, and no mistake! You've got to go right home with me and spend the winter! Where in the name of the jumping Jebosaphat did you come from?’ Orson Oxx broke into hearty laughter, for the scene was comical beyond description. He liked Jake Calkins, despite bis personal unreliability, and was really pleased to meet him in this unexpected fashion, He shook his hand warmly, and said that he had just reached the neighborhood on some business for a friend. _ He took care, however, names. Jake listened with open mouth, and when questioned as to the explanation of his being so far away from home, made answer that he was paying a visit to his brother-in-law, John Burrage, who was living near at hand. to mention no a ee = eS into a pin-cushion.” ** Did she chase you?” ‘‘She started to do so, when another chap sprung up from the ground and she went for him.” ** What did you do?” “IT kept on running for home; I s’pose I didn’t look much like myself, for when I got purty near the house, my brother-in-law’s dog | Bowser came for me like a runaway locomotive | and—well, that’s why I’ve bad to pin up my breeches and walk so careful like.” ** How long ago was that?” ‘‘ Karly this forenoon; it made me so infarnal mad that I wouldn’t go home and bave been wandering ’round the country, waiting for night to come, so I can sneak in the back way and git my sister to take some stitches in my clothes.” “ But why did this lady treat you 80 Cav- | aliecly? Did you insult her?’ ‘*T never dreamed of such a thing.” *‘She must have been crazy.” ‘Now you're shouting; that’s what the matter was with Hannab.” ** Who was she?’ ‘* Miss Hannah Hahlo.” ——SSS Se Orson Oxx recognized the name at once as — that of the lady, who he had been told, fled with Miss Ethel Langdon. He asked for further particulars and received them. ‘‘Why were you going to the asylum?” “T was going to tell Doctor Julliard where his crazy women are. I wou!d bave to call bim outside, on account of what Bowser did.” ** Do you know where the other lady is?” **Do you mean Miss Langdon?’ “T do,” ‘‘She and Miss Hahlo came to our house— | | when Orson Oxx commanded him to stay where that is where I am visiting—late last night, and, when I started out for a stroll, with Miss Hahlo, I left the other behind.” “ Why, that’s the very person I am looking | for.” ‘You don’t tell me: I’m glad you met me.” ‘‘T want you to show me the way to your relative’s house.” ‘*T will, bu’ you understand you'll have to excuse me, or maybe you can git my sister to send me a pair of trowsers of ber husband by you.” “Great thunder! there she comes this min- ute!’ exclaimed Jake Calkins, with a gasp, catching the arm of the detective. CHAPTER XLV. & COOL HEAD AND A STRONG ARM. DoctorR ADONIJAH BELL came upon Juke Calkins and Miss Hannah Hahlo at the crisis of their interview. He saw the ‘‘ previous” countryman dash through the wood at the top of his speed, and escape assassination as narrowly as if he were the Czar of the Russias. Then, by the fates of war, the physician be- came the substitute of the ardent swaip, As the latter rushea by and got away, the lady with the disordered mind turned upon the doctor. ‘What ere you doing here?” ‘*T ain’t here; Iam there,” was the instant response of the doctor, who turned about and ran like a deer. ““T didn’t come out to capture raving thun- derbolis,” was his conclusion, when, after speed- ing several hundred yards, be paused panting, and, looking bebind him, was gratified to find he was not pursued. He stole back softly to catch, sight of the woman and learn what she was doing, but several minutes’ search failed to discover her, “'There’s one thing certain,” added the dis- comfited doctor, * | don't intend to wok for the whole reward offered by the superintend- ent. lll now go for the other woman, Inas- much as she is of sound mind, she wil: not con- duct kerself in such an unladylike fashion and I can argue the matter with ber; ard, maybe,” he thoughr, a few minutes later, “‘ that will he just where I'll miss it.” It would be astrange and interesting picture could we tell what sirgular vagaries govei ned the brain of the unfortunate lady, Mirs Hahblo, who had driventwo men in such terror trom her presence, There were many hours when there seemed nothing at all the matter with her, and then, with scarcely any warning, she became uncon- trollable. Having driven the parties from before her, she withdrew to the shelter of the wood, that she might avoid those who she believed would soon be searching that neighborhood for her. Waiting a long time, and they failing to ap- pear, sbe moved forward with a view of learn- ing whether it would be safe for her to venture forth. Suddenly she came upon Orson Oxx and Jake Calkins, Sbe must have thought that the loving countryman had brought the other party to as- sist in her arrest. At any rate, the sight inflamed her and she rushed upon the two, with the fury of a cat- o’ mountain. “Stand your grourd,” whispered Oxx to his friend, ‘‘ But—but—I ain’t dressed as I orter be iv the presence of ladies,” faltered the terrified Jake. ‘*'You appear well enough now. If you turn about to run you will cut anything but a pleas- ing picture,” “Yes, I’ll keep you between me and her, and then it’ll beall right.” He was on the point of making a dash for it, he was. “Get behind me and I won’t let her harm you.” With no little trepidation, Jake stationed | himself about ten feet to the rear of the Man *T will see that you are provided for in | thst respect.” The two started off together, both in good | in the inimitable swiftness and dexterity of her spirits. “From what you have told me, Jake, the young lady who turned upon you in such an unreasonable manner is a real lunatic.” “T should smile, by a large majority.” ‘¢ But the other is not.” “‘T think you are right; for John Burrage, my brother-in-law, said that one of ’em was all right, but the deuce of it was I got the wrong one and they put up the job om me.” | of Iron and watched everything with an in- tensity of interest that would be hard to de- scribe, Hannah Hahblo, with the cunning of one in her sad condition, instantly perceived that she was confronted by a new and formidable foe. But she showed not the slightest fear of him. Weak and delicate, as compared with an ordinary man, she possessed great advantage movements, The unique but frightful weapon with which she was armed consisted of a wire some twenty inches in lengtb. Four-fifths of this was wound around her band as if it were a string or cord. The rest projected like a stiletto straight from her closed fingers. She had carefully tempered it until it pos- ee if | (EO) AA) (ecoy } Ebooks, y a 4 : y