Beadle's Dime Library, No. 240 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

cowardly plotter against the lives and happi- ness of others, Now Algol Langdon who had brought Orson Oxx from the Metropolis to assist him in his fiendish work would know that instead of an ally, he was a dangerous enemy. 6 would be on his guard against him. He would use deceit in his dealings. He would employ every means to mislead the great detective. The reader will see the loss which Orson Oxx had suffered. He fully realized it himself, It was as if he had reared a tall, stately structure, with infinite care and labor, and, just as it was finished, and he was about to move into it, he should discover that its founda- tions had been undermined by the sea and it was about to fall. And yet, it cannot be said that Orson Oxx blamed Brayton Russell. He appreciated the tremendous excitement and passion which swayed the young man and over. His feelings were beyond control at the mo- ment the compromising words escaped his lips. Russell could not have been induced deliber- ately to betray his friend. He had done it unwittingly and no doubt felt poignant chagrin and remorse the instant he realized his forgetfulness. But had he not been told the words of his enemy, he could not have repeated them to that enemy. ‘‘Ié was I who told him,” muttered Orson Oxx, “‘therefore I am alone to blame.” Such were the thoughts which surged through the brain of the detective, during the brief min utes he stood on the porch, after hearing the startling expression of his friend. He counted himself fortunate that he had caught the words, For thereby he was warned. He knew that when he stepped across the threshold of that house and entered the library, the Winking Demon looked upon him as an enemy. But Langdon could not know that the detect- ive was aware of the change of sentiment on the part of himself. Therefore, on that point, Orson Oxx could claim an advantage which was not so slight as it might seem at first. The detective stood motionless several min- utes, then fri ks his feet on the porch, rubbed them quite briskly on the mat, and, with con- siderable bluster sounded the heavy brass knocker. Prosperity Johnson admitted him, as on the evening before, with never a thought of his identity with the honest old farmer who had paid him a couple of dollars for the pleasure of interviewing him some hours previous. ‘Last night I entered this building as a trusted ally,” thought Orson Oxx, as he placed his hat on the rack at his right and moved through the hall to the door opening into the library. ‘‘ Ay, as an ally; he did not fully trust me, but 1 would have gained his confidence this evening, Now he knowsIam an enemy; thus the Damascus blade of Saladin is wrenched from his hand on the very eve of battle. And,” added the detective, pursuing the simile, witha certain grim humor, “ the worst of if allis that it is the fault of no one but Saladin bimself.” CHAPTER XIII. PARRY AND THRUST. ALGOL LANGDON greeted his visitor with a gush which did not deceive him for a single instant. He rose from his chair, limped rapidly across the room and shook hands with remarkable effusiveness. ‘‘T am glad indeed to see you,” remarked the prince of plotters, dropping into his seat on the other side of the table, and glaring across in his usual binocular fashion. ' Orson Oxx nodded his head to signify the compliment was accepted. **T have been away most of the day and re- turned only a short time ago. How have you poompted yourself?” “TI have not been particularly busy; Jast night I met Brayton Russell and had a long talk with him,” “ee Ab ed r There was &@ world of meaning in the excla- ion, ‘“‘ T have not spoken to him since,” ‘‘ He was here a short time ago; you must have met him.” / ‘*T saw a man burrying away in the dark, but I said nothing to him.” | ‘‘ How did your interview result?” os It was satisfactory only to a moderate de- ee Ah !” ‘*T found he was resolved on marrying your niece, despite opposition from any quarter, Such, you will recall, was my supposition,” ‘“ You were sagacious in that respect; but what reason had he to speak of opposition from any one, rr 1 had never given him cause to Suspect it eee uttered as I should have been.” ** How was that?’ ee ee f —— = ————— ae ee wr rr eee ‘““T am afraid I was not as guarded in what I | dropped in the heat of his anger, which must have given the Winking Demon the very knowledge which should have been kept from ** Haven’t you said something to your niece | him, within the past few weeks calculated to make her think you were not altogether satisfied with her suitor?” Langdon was thoughtful for a minute. “TI believe I did dropa hint that a young lady of her attractions and accomplishments should aim higher than a civil engineer, even though he was a graduate of West Point.” It was a chance arrow which Orson Oxx lanched, but it struck home. ‘* That’s it then!” exclaimed the detective with a laugh; ** you know two such spoonies bave no secrets from each other; your niece has repeated your words to Russell, doubtless magnifying them. Young men in his situation are peculiar ly sensitive and he must have brooded over the matter.” ** Did you gain his confidence?” “TI tried to do so.” **But do not know whether you succeeded?” * Of that I cannot be certain,” ‘** Did he seem to feel any suspicion of ms?’ “He does, most assuredly.” ** Why is that?’ ‘“‘He says you are treacherous; that your cordiality toward him is hypocrisy; he believes you would as lief kiil bim as not; he says you are a coward avd would not do it yourself, but would hire others.” The Winking Demon looked straight at the detective and one side of his mouth smiled. The other side of his mouth did not move. Then in a low, soft voice, brimming over with significance, he said: **T wonder who could have put tbat idea in his head?” ‘** It must have been you, who were not guarded enough in concealing your true sentiments.” “* 7] think not.” Despite Orson Oxx’s assurance, he felt ill at ease with the keen black eye of the Winking Demon fixed upon him, while the other blinked and glared at him like the headlight of a loco- motive through the woods, ‘* However,” added the host, “‘I don’t know as it is a matter of any importance: since I saw you last night [ have made other arrangements.” **Tn what respect?” **T concluded, after debating over the matter with mvself, that I had gone at it wrong. In- stead of working with Brayton Russell it was my niece who should be influenced to defer her marriage for a couple of years.” ‘*T think I suggested something of the kind.” “IT therefore sent her away last night, after she had been escorted home by Russell, who was notified of the truth this evening, only a stort time before you called.” “May I ask whither you sent the young lady?” ‘She sailed this forenoon for easenti ‘‘And Brayton Russell knew nothing of it until to-night?” “Not asyllable.” ** He was somewhat surprised?” **T should say so.” ** And will doubtless make his arrangements to follow her across the ocean?” ‘* He is a big enough fool to attempt it.” ‘And you have concluded not to interfere with him?” , ‘That is my decision. Do you not think it wise?” * It is ries Vong & It seems to me further, Mr. Langdon, that having done all that was necessary yourself, there is no special call for my services.” you are correct. I have nothing for you to ‘Tt would have been well had you formed that conclusion before bringing me from New York.” ‘“*T have only reached it within the last hour,” ‘* Your change of mind was rather sudden.” ‘*But fully warranted. I consider myself ob- ligated to you to the extent of paying your ex- penses from ani bo the city, but no further.” ‘*T shall be pleased to present you with that posetaa eens sum,” said Orson Oxx, rising to his eet. ‘“*T would prefer to pay you,” returned Lang- don, also rising. ““T will not accept it this evening, but pos- sibly some otherevening. Good-evening.” ** Bon jour !” And with the utmost suavity the two parted. Ay, they parted as friends, and yet they were mortal enemies! Esch had parried the thrust of the other, but blows were soon to be delivered which would draw blood. CHAPTER XIV. A STARTLING CLEW. A HALF-HOUR later, Orson Oxx was seated in the room of Brayton Russell, where the latter made his home after the burping of his own house. The young man was greatly agitated, though during the long brisk walk home, he bad to a great extent, gained the mastery of his feelings. In accordance with his frank, honest nature, he told the detective of the incautious words he ‘*T could have bitten my tongue off for the crime,” he added, “‘ within the next minute.” ‘It was an unfortunate oversight; I heard the words. I am sorry your indignation got the best of you, for they did much injury to me and ou. Igol Langdon has discharged me from is service, and henceforth he knows tbat I am an enemy.” ‘*I cannot forgive myself for the base betray- al of your confidence.” “Will you do me a favor?” ‘J will do anything in my power for you.” ‘* Never refer to it again; regrets are of no avail and I blame myself for telling you more than was necessary; what’s done cannot be un- done. ‘You are safe from any interference from that scoundrel.” ‘*T appreciate your kindness and am glad to give you my promise, though my regret is none the less keen; but I would have preferred a thousand times that he shvuld bave turned his machinations against me rather than make m beloved Ethel the victim of bis fiendish enmity.” “He told you that he had sent his niece to Europe?” ‘‘ And I replied in substance that he lied.” “* Are you sure of that?” ‘Why not?” “What more effective step could he take than to send her out of the country?’ ‘*But would he have told me of it, when he knew he would not be believed?” “That might have been one reason why he did so.” ‘** How shall we determine?” “* Easily enough; I will go to New York to- morrow morning and find out. I will examine the lists of passengers on al) the steamers, if there was more than one, which sailed to day.” ‘*T see; you will be able to learn the truth or falsity of that statement.” ‘* Without the least difficulty.” ‘* Suppose you discover that he lied?” “Then I shall return to Ardvilleand hunt for the trail here.” ‘** But you spent a great deal of your time to- day, you say, in searching for a clew without success,” ‘‘True, but I may succeed to-morrow or the next day or the day after.” ‘*‘And what am | to doin the mean time?’ ‘“Keep quiet, but have your eyes and ears open.” ‘‘{ cannot do that, when oppressed by such a dread as is weighing me down.” ‘* Do not your duties require your presence at the structure which is being thrown across the river?” “Yes, but Ican place it in charge of my as- sistant for a few days.” “Very well; it will bea relief to your mind to busy yourself in the effort to find where the carriage came from in which she was taken away, and who the driver and two men were who acted the part of abductors.” ‘*Depend upon it I shall not leave a stone un- turned.” ‘*He told me that his niece went in the com- pany of a friend; if such was the eyed it must have been her aunt, the deaf sister of the Wink- ing Demon.” | ‘*T know her; a vinegary old maid, Miss Jane eri ore ‘That knowledge will be of assistance to me,” + Ls I discover anything how shall I notify you ‘Send me a telegram to the Metropolitan, directed to Orson Oxx.’ After some further conversation, during which the two friends effected a perfect understand- ing, the detective bade Brayton Russell good- night, and went to his hotel. The next forenoon, he was in New York pro- secuting his search’ for Ethel Langdon and her aunt, He made a full examination of all the passen- per lists, not only of the steamers which had eft the preceding day, but of those which were to sail during the following three days, The missing lady had not taken passage on anyone of them. — ' ** Russell was right,” said Orson Oxx to him- self; ‘‘it was a deliberate falsification on the part of the teehee, Spc Where then was Ethel Langdon? He did not believe she was in New York. S:ill debating the matter with himself he made his way back to the Metropolitan Hotel, where he intended to stay over night. He was half-inclined to return at once to Ard- ville, but not until be had spent some time in considering the matter. Just then he was entirely at sea. At the hotel, he was surprised to find a tele- gram awaiting him. It had arrived only a short time before. It was dated Ardville and read as follows: ‘* Have inst gained a most important clew; come at once; a crime which ncither you nor I have dreamed of has been committed; there is not a mo- ment to lose; come straight to me as fast as steam can bring you. BRAYTON RvuseEny.” _ CS Eomileboo (E(@)