Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 than our sun, having an enormous dark body revolving around it et tremendous speed.” “ That is remarkable indeed, but the heavens are made up of wonders, as is the earth also.” ‘‘ But the curious feature about this is that the name of the star Algol is the same as mine, and that,-as I said, in Arabic it signifies The Demon, so that these boors of tho village in xiving me the name of the Winking Demon cave, as we may say, builded better than they nT sd -_—-—_—-——— — new. And the Winking Demon smiled again, and, to the surprise of bis disgusted visitor, the arti- ficial eye distinctly winked. ‘All tbat is well enough in its way,” said Orson Oxx, who. felt much less interést than would be supposed, “but Ido not see its con- nection with the errand which has brought me to Ardville,” “T beg your pardon,” said the host, light- ing a cigar and proffering one to bis visitor, ‘(we may as well come to business.” | | CHAPTER’ V1. ORSON OXX GAINS SOME INTERESTING INFOR- MATION. Brerore making kuown the important matter on which be wished to consult the great detect- ive, Mr. Langdon passed around the room, and assured himself that the two doors were secure- ly locked. ‘You will understand, Mr. Oxx, that I re- the utmost confidence in you: Iam about tell you sometbing which no other living man besides myself knows.” The detective nodded to signify that he ‘*caught on.” ‘‘T have a niece; her name is Ethel Langdon; she is the daughter of my brother, and who died in her infancy; her mother perished at her birth and I am her guardian.” Mr. Orson Oxx inclined his head to signify that he comprehended everything told him thus far. ‘« All that is nothing extraordinary, but there isa Young man in the case.” © There generally is.” ‘My niece, Etbel, has been away to school for six years, but has been living with me for the past year. She is nineteen years old.” ‘**Is she in the house now?” ‘No; she spends much of her time with the sick and poor in the village.” Tbis confirmed the suspicion which had just taken shape in the brain of the detective: the young lady whom he saw in the room of the aged invalid was Ethel Langdon, the niece of the Winking Demon! ‘While she was away at. school she formed the acquaintance of a young man, and, as might be expected, the two are dead in love with each other, or what is as. bad, they imagine they are. “There is nothing wonderful in that.” “This young man is a native of this village but he and my niece never became acquainte with each other, until something over a year o. He went to West Point when seventeen, was employed by the Goverment in the capacity of civil engineer, and, while doing this duty, in some infernal’way, he and Ethel met.” ““T have known such things to happen.” ‘‘He has resigned from the service of the Goverument, and is now overseeing the building of a large Puche across the river a few miles to the west. He is home nearly every night and he and Ethel meet, often in my own house.” His name?” ‘Brayton Russell; by fire-bugs for the their acts was to burn down the home of this Russell, while he was absent, and his mother perished in the flames.” “That was dreadful.” Yes, I wish it had been Russell himself.” And the terrible eye winked in emphasis of this sanguinary expression. ‘You do not like this young man?” ‘“T can’t say that I have any particular hatred of him,” said the Winking Demon, in odd con- tradiction of the horrible wish he bad just ex- pressed, “but there is one thing which I am determined on; he shall not become the husband of my niece.” This was uttered with such fierceness that the glaring orb, behind the bunch of hair, was eclipsed by the eyelid. ‘It is my duty to say to you that the task of which you speak has been attempted many times, but in the majority of cases, it results in disastrous failure. Given a young man and a young lady, whose hearts are set on each other and they will find some way of meeting and becoming united.” ‘It shall not be in this case,” exclaimed tho Winking Demon, with all his old-time flerceness; **T never tried anything and failed and I shall not fail now,” we have been tormented ‘More than likely the two are together this | minute.” : ‘IT don’t doubt it; he will bring her home from her infernally foolish visits to the sick.” ““ Why do you permit that?” “To throw them off their guard; I want to get their confidence; don’t you see { will have an immense advantage.” | NN EEEOEEEEEOEeyEEEEE EE EEE EEE eee... } am —_— ———— ‘Tf these two are so fond of each other, why not make a virtue of necessity and permit them to ae Mr. ngdon quivered with passion; he winked both eyes several times and his voice was busky, as he answered: ‘‘T have reasons for preventing their marriage which I cannot make known. Suffice it to say that it isall-sufficient. Thecombined wealtb of Vanderbilt, Gould and Astor wouldn’t budge me from my purpose: they shall never be man and wife; that I swear!” And he brought down bis fist with a fierceness which almost split the table, bis frightful right eye doing full duty with its mate. “Well?” ‘‘ ve sent for you to help me prevent the im- pending marriage.” Orson Oxx smiled and opened his mouth to speak, when his host resumed: ‘T know what you mean to say, that this is not in your line of business, that you never attempted anything of the kind and you would refer to engage in something more legitimate. ut [I bave heard of you, Orson Oxx, as one of the keenest and brightest men who ever followed the profession of detective for the fun of the thing. I tell you that this must be prevented; you must throw your whole energies in the work; you must succeed; you will earn the largest fee of your life.” ‘Have you any plan in your mindin which you wish me to give you assistance?” This was thrown outas a feeler. Orson knew the man before bim was a thorough scoundrel, degraded enough to commit any crime. He must have some powerful motive for preventing the marriage of his niece, since he was ready to proceed to any length, and wished to secure the aid of the great detective to accomplish his wishes, The world did not contain enough wealth to tempt Orson Oxx to do a disbonorable thing, but he would troll the Winking Demon along, until he could gain some more definite idea of his purpose. ‘‘] do not understand one thing, Mr. Lang- don; you say your niece shall not marry Bray- ton Russell; you may prevent the union for awhile, but suppose they make up their minds some years from now—’ ‘“] should have explained that she is not to marry before reaching her majority; after that I don’t care a picayune.” “ That puts a very different face on the mat- ter. You simply wish to prevent their mar- riage during a period of less than two years.” *“That’s it.” ‘“You have legal control over her until she becomes of age?” ‘‘Yes, but what does it amount to?” ‘“‘ Very little; can’t you persuade her to wait out of regard for your wishes?’ ‘| might get a conditional promise from her, but I am not safe.” ‘¢ What then can be done?” “You must work with Russell.” ‘‘But whatcan Ido with him? He is as old as I am, and considers himself capable of at- tending to his own business. If I should ven- ture to make any suggestion, he would snub me as I deserve.” ** Do you think so?” The Winking Demon fixed his eyes on Orson Oxx, and the two gazed steadily at each other for several seconds. Each was trying to read the thoughts of the other, and the detective succeeded. He knew it as distinctly as if Algol Langdon last few months. One of | had put it in plain English, that he wished to engage the detective to put Brayton Russell to eath. {he Winking Demon dare not undertake it himself, but he was willing to pay a large price to bave it done. ‘1 think I understand you,” said Orson Oxx without moving a muscle. _ “T think so too,” ‘* What’s the price?” ‘Ten thousand dollars.” ‘‘Mum’s the word,” said Orson Oxx placing his finger on his lips. The Winking Demon nodded his head to sig- nify that he also understood matters. n ordinary business transaction would have required some more negotiation, but the reader will agree that this was altogether an extra- ordinary transaction. CHAPTER VII. A MYSTERIOUS VISIT. — Orson Oxx held a comparatively brief inter- view with Algol Langdon, the Winking Demon, and yet be picked up a good deal of information in that time. He had learned that the extraordinary man was a most conscienceless villain, who was de- sirous of biring the detective to make way with Brayton Russell. He was not only willing but eager to bave the young man killed for the sake of preventing his marriage with his niece. The wretch’s offer of such an enormous fee was the strongest proof of his sentiments on that point. The Man of Iron resolved to secure all the in- oe ee ey a — formation possible from Langdon, and then use it to the advantage of both Brayton Russe]l and the lovely Ethel, the ‘‘ angel of the sick- room,” ‘*T will look into the matter,” said he, . on- cealing his disgust as best he could. “ It is néLes- sary that I should understand the ground before venturing upon it.” ‘*Of course,” replied his host, rising to his feet to escort bis visitor to the door. As the scoundrel did so, Orson noticed what escaped bim when the fellow turned the keys in the locks. The Winking Demon showed a perceptible lameness when he walked across the Raat His gait was similar to that of the incendiary whom the detective strove to overtake, and which was the means of placing the officer in such imminent peril. Possibly it was a coincidence; possibly it was more, ‘‘ Have you been home al]! the evening?” asked Orson. ‘*Most of the time. I took alittle stroll down the lane before you came, but did not go any further.” ‘* Of course my visit to you must be known only to yourself.” ‘*It is unnecessary to state that. When shall I see you again?” ‘* Very probably I shall call to-morrow night. Will you be at home?” ‘* I know of nothing to prevent.” The detective bade his host good-night and walked out into the darkness. ‘*] must see Brayton Russell without delay,” was bis conclusion, as be walked thoughtfully down the tree-lined lane leading to the main highway. ‘‘T shall prove my gratitude to him for bis ae this evening; he is likely.to need it— The keen eyes of the detective suddenly caught the outlines of two figures approaching silently toward bim. They were manand woman, the latter leaning upon the arm of the other. ‘Is this Mr. Brayton Russell?’ asked Oxx, i in front of the couple and raising his at ‘Yes, sir; what do you want?” ‘‘ When you return to Ardville, please eall at the Delaware House. I wish tosee you on im- portant business.” ‘* What is the name?” ‘*George Gordon. I will be on the lookcut for you: shall I expect you?” ‘*T will be there within a half-hour,” “Thanks; you will not regret it f” And the two disappeared from mutual sight. Just as Orson Oxx entered the main highway, he met a closed carriage drawn by two horses on a walk. He would have thought little of it, had it not — for the fact that they turned into the ane, The team seemed to be hardly moving, so slow was its pace. “It may be all right,” he muttered, ‘‘and 1 know of no good reason why | shculd interest myself in it, I have an engagement to meet Russell at the village in half an hour,” And witb this conclusion, he resumed his walk in the direction of Ardville. But he always regretted most bitterly his failure to turn about and follow the vehicle, for its night visit to the bome of the Winking Demon bad a fearful significance. Meanwhile Brayton Russell and Ethel Lang- don walked slowly up the avenue in the direc- tion of the homestead. Their words were low, and soft, and tender, for were they not all the world to each other? Did she not look upop him as the noblest and best of men, whose love to her was her life, her being, ber all? And was he not morally convinced that Ethel was the sweetest, most amiable, and most enchant- ing of her sex? And had they not plighted their troth, and were they not resolved that nothing but death should prevent their becom- ing one in the near future? “ Oh, turn again, fair a= Before the fall of night, For fear the moon should shine alone, And stars unrivaled bright; And blessed will the lover be That walks beneath their light, And breathes the love against thy cheek I dare not even write.” . They parted like true lovers when they reached the porch of the great house, where Ethel made her home. The tender, yearning embrace—the warm kiss repeated—the ardent words whispered; then all over again, and the heppy maiden peta through the broad door, and the equally appy youth strode off through the night in the direction of the village, whose lights twinkled in the distance. Brayton Russell scarcely gave a thought to the carriage which he encountered but a short ways off. His imaginings were with the lovely being with whom he had left his heart and who had promised to be his bride within a few com- ing months. he neared the little town of Ardville, he cS Eomicbooks.Go