Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 259 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

The two men sat in the little back-room of Rudolpko’s shop, just where Colonel Brandt had left them, and the one known as captain bad evidently decided on some bold plan, when he asked his companion the question that opens this chapter. ‘Now how would you go about disguising me, Rudolpho?” ‘* Well, captain, in the first place you havea * beard, which you did not wear months ago. —— ‘¢ And never wore before.” ‘So much the better; but to continue, I will say that you are a brunette, with dark bair, beard and eyes. ‘“'The latter I cannot change the hue of, but your hair and keard I can make a perfect blonde, with a dye which I have, ‘‘This will utterly alter your face, and you must aid me by your voice.’ ‘Change my voice?” ‘“ Yes. in a measure; buf you must do better by taiking broken English, for you must pl: y rench, as you speak that language urtoutiy.? ‘* Rudolpbo, you are a treasure, and [ will fol- low your advice at once, ‘1,-t me see, I will pretend to be a French gentleman, traveling for pleasure in this coun- try, and my name will be—let me see, how does Enrique Erricson strike you?” ‘It is a good name, captain.” “Then do your work, for I wish to lose no time in carrying out a little plot I have on hand ” ‘Por mischief, I'll wager, captain.” ‘‘Asa matter of course, or it would not in- terest me,” was the sinister response. Setting to work, Radolpho, with real artistic skill, slowly but surely changed the brunette captain into a perfect blonde, Then some fashionable clothing was secured from the stock on hand inthe shop, a trunk was hauled out, and a distinguisbed looking foreign- er issued from the dingy abode, sprung into a eabriolet and was driven with his Juggage to the finest’ hotel in the city, where he registored as Enrique Erricson of France. Of course a man of his distinguished appear- ance, and who scattered his gold about with generous hand, was not long in making ac- quaintances, and, pleased with their pew ac- quisition, the young bloods who took him in tow were anxious to at once introduce him into fashionable society, and thus it was that within less than a week, Monsieur Enrique Erricson became “ the rage.” Aweng those whom he met, the second day after bis arrival, was Colonel Brandt, who seemed to take quite a fancy to the presumably wen'*tv and distinguished foreigner, and in- vited him up to bis house for dinner, Moud received her father’s guest somewhat coldly, though politely, and fearing that the warm-hearted Frenchman might be hurt by her manner, he explained to him asa secret, that she had lately had stolen from her a casket con- taining over fifty thousand dollars’ worth of ewels, many of which had been heirlooms, and it had put a damper upon her feelings. ** Bus do not speak of it, monsieur, for I have the officers of the law at work now, looking up the thieves,” said the colonel. ‘Ob no, Monsieur le Colonel, I vill nevah eak of za rotoery to your most beautiful aughter.” answered Monsieur Enrique Erric- pin placing his hand upon his heart and bowing ow, Afcer cinner the colonel proposed to his guest to go to the club with him, and after a look in there, the Palace of Chance was the next place visited, The colenel seemed somewhat nervous as he entered tr. gambling saloon, and the truth was, be had been playing with the money he got on the stolen jewels, hoping to win back enough money to have ready to pay Irving upon his return, and also to redeem the articles in Ra- dolpho’s hands, But night after night he had lost instead of winning, and with but a few thousand left he was growing very nervous as to what the end would be for him, The Frenchman secmed to be born under a lucky star, for be won continually, while the — lost until he had played bis last large stake. ** I must quit now, as I have no more money with m>” said Colonel Brandt with forced calmness. _ “Your credit is good here, colonel, for any amount you desire to borrow,” said the keeper of the salon. “Thank you, and I will impose upon your—” ** No, Monsieur le Colonel, [ am your friend, and not ze bank is your friend, so let me give you z» money that you need,” interrupted the Frenehman quickly. » ‘*Thank you, monsieur, and I will borrow a thousand or two to try my luck again, for for- tune must change toward me soon.’ * Certainement, Monsieur le Colonel, ze little goddess of fortune must come to you suon, “See, take what you was pleased to have, mon cher monsieur,” and the Frenchman vale over to the colonel a large roll of bank- notes. Co‘onel Brandt was desperate, for he knew ee em eee ee SO 00000€@C0€0€0€0(0 2 O00 A tr ~ Cutlass a — —— ——- that be must win, or all was lost, and if he con- odds, So he drew from his willing compani: n money after money, and lost it elmost as quickly. At last the limit came, and the Frenchman said, ‘* Monsieur, you have lost ten t’ousand tollars of my moneys, and you must play no more to- night.” The eclonel looked at him with a pitiful ex- | pression, as though begging that he would let him go on, while he said in a boarse whisper: ‘* Monsieur Erricson, luck must change soon,” “No, monsieur, you play no more to-night. ‘*‘Come with me.” There was something in the manner of the Frenchman that awed and controlled the col- onel, and in silence he walked away with him. ‘‘Come to my hotel, Monsieur le Colonel,” be said upon reaching the street, and soon after the two were seated in the very elegant quarters of Monsieur Enriqne Erricson, the colonel white- faced, hegzard and almost desperate, his com- panion calm and smiling, as though he had no care on earth, CHAPTER XXXII. THE GAMBLER ENTRAPPED. For some momenrs, after reaching the room in the hotel, neither the planter nor the French- man spoke. Then the latter said: ‘ An eagle for your thoughts, monsieur.” ““T was thinking of which was the better way to end one’s life,” was the desperate reply. ‘‘ Nonsense, monsieur, do not speak so, for ze blood runs cold to bear you. ‘ Life is pleasant and merry, and I bave some- thing’so pleasant to tell you.” “JT will certainly be glad to hear anything pleasant that you have to say,” said the colonel. Dropping his broken English, and speaking in French, # Rich the colonel understood perfectly, the Frenchman seid: ‘‘ You told me tbat your daughter bad lately had stolen from her a casket of valuable jew- els?” ‘« Yes,” stammered the colonel, ‘¢T can secure them for her, Colonel Brandt.” ‘That would be eg Mtge toe for the law offi- cers have been unable discover any trace of them, or a clew to the thief.” “fT ean produce the jewels, nevertheless, col- one],”’ “You!” and Colonel Brandt sprung to his feet livid with terror, ‘¢ Yes, Colonel Brandt.” ‘* Never, sir!” The Frenchman smiled, and answered: ‘‘T can do as I say, and I will return them to your daughter upon certain conditions.” ‘No, no, it is impossible that you should have them.” ‘It is true that I have tbem, as I can convince ou. ary See! do you recognize this case?” Tbe man had crossed the room, and taken from a trunk a morocco case, which be beld up to the view of the colonel. ‘Yes! yes! it is the box of jewels! “In the name of Heaven where did you get them?” ‘Sit down, Colonel Brandt, for I have some- thing to say to you.” With a groan the gambler bis chair and gazed upon the a look of fascination. “It matters not where I got them, colonel; but I ean produce the thief within a very short while.” ‘* No, no, you do not know him, I am sure.” ‘Colonel Brandt, listen to me,” ‘*] will,” groaned the unhappy man. ‘‘ You see here the morcec. case containing your daughter’s jewels?” “Yes,” “J will open it with a key I have here, and you will see that they remain intact.” ‘*Yes, yes, they are hers, and they are all there,” ‘* Now, colonel, I am perfectly willing to re-_ turn Miss Brandt her jewels, but upon certain | conditions,” : ‘“ What conditions can you ask, sir?” ‘* Her hand in marriage.” Colonel Brandt was astounded, He knew that bis bost bad seen Mand but once, and now to receive a proposal for her hand amazed bim almost as much as did his having possession of the jewels. ‘“‘This, sir, is most sudden, and—” | ‘‘My dear colonel, let us understand each | other. | “T am a creature of circumstances, an adven- | turer, and I seek a wife and a fortune. ‘‘Your daughter is an heiress, she is beauti- ful, and she is very rich. “She cannot, 1 am aware, by the terms of | her inheritance, marry without your consent, and therefore I need that. ‘“You aro penniless, as I am also aware, and have no means whatever of paying the money back which you borrowed of me to-night. ‘Now, I wish to marry your daughter, and I expect your aid. eee sunk into renchman with and Cross. tinued to lose, a few more thousands made little | i !' | 17 Ta: Ro Ee me ‘*You must urge if upon her, and if she refuses you must aid me, for | will marry ber by force if I must,” Colonel Brandt was amazed beyond expres- sion; but he felt that the man spoke the truth, and he certainly beld bim in his power. After a moment of silence be suid: ‘Monsieur, bad you tried to win my daugh- ter’s love you might have done so, and, believ- ing youa man of honor, I would have readily given my consent to her marriage with you, “Bot you are a self-confessed adventurer, and you expect me to urge that my daughter marry such?’ “Yes, and you will do so,” *' I will not,” ‘Ba careful of your words, Colonel Brandt, for | hold the winning cards, and you will lese in this, as you bave lost to-night.” “*T will not lose, sir, when I am right,” ‘*? can force you to consent,” , ‘‘Never, sir!” and the colonel sprung to his eet. ** You think not?” **T know that you cannot.” : Si I show you the handful of trumps that old? ‘“Yes, prove your power,” and yet the col. onel’s voice trembled as he asked the question. ‘First, you drew for your eon the money paid bim for his yacht by Government?” ‘Ay, at his request.” ‘Did be request you to lose it at cards?” The colonel winced, but answered: ‘‘His money is ready for him when he de mands it.” | ‘*Bah! you have not a dollar with which te pey bim. ‘* But to my second shot.” ‘*! am listening, sir.” **You received the money on the prize goods your son left to be sold.” The colonel turned a shade paler, but said faintly: **T had bis order to collect that also,” ‘Very true, colonel, but not his order to gamble it away.” ‘* He can have it.” “ Oh, but you bave broken the solemn pledges you made to him and to your daughter not to gam- ble, and you do not care for them to know it, for you know the threat of your kindred to place eg in an asylum, as you are not to be trusted.” ‘* Oh, God! that fear haunts me by day and night,” ‘*T should think that it would; but now let me fire my third broadside at you. ‘You lost the yacht-money, and to win it en you got the prize-money, and that went 00. ; “Then you grew desperate, and addid an- other sin to vour life.” ‘And what was that, sir?’ demanded the colonel. * You stole your daughter's jewels |” Colonel Brandt sunk back in his chair with a groan, and it was some time before he ceuld articulate: ‘ It is a lie,” ‘It is the truth; and you borrowed money on them, when you had led your daughter to he- lieve that you bad the officers of the law searoh- ing for them and the thief. These jewels are in my possession, and I know just what you did with them, and what you got on them, and I shall exnose you as the thief unless you agree to my terms, ‘* By the way, I have enother shot to fire at you, and that is the fact that you owe me ten thousand dollars. Now, my dear colonel, you see that I hold you in my power, and I shall ex- pect you to urge my suit with your daugbter.” ‘* Good God! can I do otherwise?” ‘*T cannot see how you can, unless you wisk to be published as a thief to the world,” ‘No! no! no! Iwilldoas you demand, for Tam wholly in your power,” groaned the un- happy gambler, - * Well, let us reason together, and then I will tell you what I will do. I desire to marry your daughtrr, I have money enough to live well. and will give her the idea that I am rich.” ‘* 1 understand.” “ Once she is my wife—hecause I love her—I will seek other scenes, and try and make her happy.” “ Heaven grant it!” ‘Now let me relieve your mind by showing how generously I will treat you.” ac Ab \"? ‘** You need a certain sum of mony to pay te acre _ for bis yacht?” : " 0." * You also desire a certain sum to give bina in place of what you got for the booty?” /¥ Caer,” “These amounts I will give you.” ** Do you mean it?” eagerly cried the colonel. “ ] do.” ‘** You certainly are a strange man,” ‘No, I do this for your daughter, whem I love devotedly; but more, you are not to spend one dollar of this money.” ** T will not.” Eomicboo (C cS yes, if you can raise it in any way; — Eo