Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 262 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

18 how busy I am? ‘Here’s a desk full of papers before me. What is it? Be quick.” He had not even asked them to sit down and the colonel began to pull bis mustache and breathe hard through his nostrils, ina way he had when he was beginning to be irritated at incivility. But Harvey knew old Mix better. He was used to the airs of rich men, and knew more- over that be bad no right to intrude on the gen- era), except on sufferance, ‘Cll be quick, general,” he said, ‘‘The fact is I came on family matters,” : The old millionaire stared, ‘*On family matters?” he echoed, loss, sir, to understand— “Then [ll explain myself, sir. You once had I believe a sister, Nina, who married a Mr, Somers, and afterward—” The general’s face bad turned a shade paler, and he compressed bis lips firmly as he waved his hand warningly. ‘That will do, sir. I don’t wish to hear any- thing about that lady. I have never given Smith, Brown & Smith any license to speak of those matters.” ‘* Nor have they done so,” returned Harvey boldly. ‘It was by an accident that I was drawn into this case. Of course if you don’t wish to bear anything on the subject | must de- part, but my employers have omnes to do with it. Lrepresent only your niece, Miss Nina Somers.” ‘The general had listened silently, the hard look growing harder. When Harvey had finished he said; ‘The old story, I suppose. Needs help and wants to sponge on me.” “Tm ata ** Quite the reverse,” retorted Harvey. ‘The young lady has money of her own since her mother’s death,” The general started. **Death, sir, did you say death?” ** T did, sir,” was the cold reper Old Mix seemed for the time a little sobered, for he repeated: ‘* Death? Nina dead? When, sir?” ‘* Yesterday morning,” answered Harvey. ‘*Mrs. Somers was in the crush on the bridge with her daughter, and was killed, The young lady escaped alive.” ry eit Mix seemed to be struck by the news, 1 it was in a tone of more civility that he said: ‘*Sit down, sir. Please to tell me all about it. Iam obliged for your visit.” Colonel Svenson’s countenance cleared, and he and Harvey sat down, while Mix wont on, with a glance at the colonel: ‘* Your friend—?” ‘Colonel Svenson. You will see how he comes into the case when I have spoken, sir, Allow me first, however, to ask a question. Did Mrs. Somers have any property in her own right at the time of her marriage?’ The old millionaire looked his haughtiest, “Certainly, sir. I was ber trustee and turned it over to her when she made her most- unhappy marriage. She was old enough to be her own mistress, and to know better, for that matter, I presume most of it was squandered by that useless mendicant she married.” ‘* May I ask the amount, sir?’ ‘Fifty thousand dollars in U. 8, bonds, sir. I believe I have the list of numbers yet in my safe. . Exactly, general. Well, not a penny was squandered. Mrs. Somers at her death still possessed all her bonds,” sail Harvey, not with- out some gratification. The general seemed to be not only pleased, but a little excited by the news, for he said: ‘‘Are you sure, sir, are you sure? Those bonds are worth a good deal of money now, ou know. . 1 bought them when gold was two- itty and bonds ’way down.” ‘* J have reason to believe they are the same, eneral.. Are you aware, however, that Mrs, rare was a widow soon after her marriage, and that she married again?’ ** No, sir; no, no. tell you, after I had done my duty, I dro all communication with my—with the lady you mention,” The general spoke crustily, but Harvey pur- 8 . ‘“Yes, She was entrapped by a man called Jarvis, who married her for her money, treated her most brutally, ill-treated her daughter, Nina Somers, and bebaved so badly that Mrs. Somers finally left him, fifteen years ago,” ‘* Well, sir, well?” asked the general. ‘*‘ What isthat.to me? I’m not surprised, It was only what she had a right to gApers Be quick, sir. please. How come you into this case, an what do you want?” ‘*T came into the case by accident,” said Harvey, ‘‘asI told you, Iwas on the bridge at the time of the accident, and bad the good fortune to help the young lady. I took herin the absence of any female relatives of my own, to the house of my friend, Colonel Svenson, whose mother treated Miss Somers kindly. Her step-father, it seems, has found her out, and he carried her off this morning. Heisa gambler, and keeps a low rum-hole in Brook yn. He wants to get the property into his own hands, I Fighting Tom, presume, I appeal to you as the next of kin to this unfortunate young lady to save her from ruin. That is all.” CHAPTER XXIII. THE GENERAL’S PROMISE, GERERAL MIx listened attentively to this short story, and when it was over he asked cautiously: ‘‘And you are absolutely certain that my niece’s property is still untouched?” ‘**No, sir, I’m sure of no such thing,” said Harvey sharply. ‘“‘She and her mother lived in a small house up-town, in a ge neighbor- hood, and the house was entered last night and robbed,” ‘* Robbed?” echoed the general suspiciously. **Ohbo! I see, I see. And you hope to palm off this sort of story on me—” ‘* Stop, sir, eried Harvey, starting up fiercely, ‘‘Speak another word in that tone and I g0 away. You know whol am well enough. not, ask my employers. I palm off stories on no one,” The old colonel on his part sat in his chair palling his white chin-tuft and eying the mil- ionaire with aslight smile, as if curious to see how he would take Harvey’s tone. As it happened, it was just what was needed. The general came down instantly, saying: ‘*There, there, Mr.—ah—Mr, Harvey, don’t get excited. I didn’t mean to cast any reflec- tions on your character—” “But you did, sir. You distinctly accused me of telling you a false story.” ‘Well, I take it back then. Now tell me plainly about this, house?” Harvey gave the street and number. ‘* And the robbery. Were the bonds taken?” **Not from the house, sir. I knew of the lans of the robbers in time, and carried off the x. Here is the list of the property it con- tained. If you give your word to act as next of kin to. the unfortunate young lady, who has no other friends, I will turn it over to you.” The general considered awhile, for he was a very cautious man. “Pll think of it. You say you carried off the property. Where is it now?’ Harvey hesitated. To tell the general all, was to make him probably give up the whole affair in disgust. ‘*Tam not prepared to answer that,” he said, ‘Tf you consent to act as next of kin, and take care of your niece, the court will doubtless ap- point you guardian, Till that is done, I am responsible to my client, Miss Somers, and no one else,” The old general screwed up bis face. **T see, I see, Very proper to be cautious. The rest of the property, what is it?” ‘The furniture of the house, sir, It was not materially injured, and the police are now in charge of it,’ ‘Very good. And my—the young lady— where is she now?” ‘*T have every reason to believe that she is in the power of this Buck Jarvis, in a low rum- hole in Brooklyn called the ‘ Retreat,’ owned by tbis man,” The general started, muttering: “Retreat? Retreat? Where have I?— Ob, es, [remember now. Give me that paper, Mr, arvey, please.” Harvey banded him a newspaper, and he turned to one of the articles, “ MILITARY TACTICS EXTRAORDINARY IN THE Ciry or CHuRcHES—A. NICE LirrLe SHINDY.”’ It was the reporter’s account of the fight be- tween the “ Retreat” and ‘‘ Advance,” written in the most humorous style of Bohemian jour- nalism, and full of fun, The old gentleman bit bis lips as he read, and looked up to ask: ‘Ts that the place where they had this figbt?” Colonel Svenson broke in with a tone of some scorn: ‘My dear sir, oh no! It was nota fight, We don’t call dat a fight. Justa little row for de fun of de ting. Do dey say anyt’ing of us in de affair?’ The general stared at him coldly and handed him the paper, observing dryly: ; ‘*Read for yourself. I’m not up in that kind of thing. Were you there?” The colonel smiled. ‘*T tink ve vere. De ladee vas dere too, and we fool dat Buck Jarvis nicelee. Aha, my dear sir, but dat vill not do again.” “The affair grew out of our carrying off the young lady.” said Harvey, to explain matters to the mystified old gentleman, ‘‘I hope her name is not in it; but you cannot expect such luck another time, general; and this Jarvis is just the man toclaim public notice of the fact that his step daughter is a niece of yours.” The old millionaire winced. ‘*What had I best do?’ he said nervously. ‘“‘T cannot appear personally in this affair, but if you'll act for me, I will give the firm the necessary authority.” _ ‘That is all [ ask,” said Harvey, much re- lieved. ‘‘I would rather, if you please, that There, there. Where is this the firm should not be drawn into the matter, I found out the case, and would rather appear in it alone, if you dare trust me.” Old Mix hesitated, and oyen him sbarply. ** You’re pretty young,” be said. ‘TI tell you fairly I shall not spend much money on this girl. Ive hosts of poor relations, and I can’t afford to support them,” ‘No one asks you to spend a cent,” was the tart reply. ‘‘I don’t want:o much as my costs from you. The estate will stand that expense, All I want from you is authorization to appear apd claim Miss Somers as next of kin. Will you give me that?’ The general eyed him still more sharply. ‘‘Hum! Are you willing to agree in writing to trust to the estate of my late sister for your costs, if | consent to enter a formal suit?” “Tam, sir.” ‘Then sit down and write to that effect, and you can appear as soon as you like,” said the eneral, rising from his desk, while Colonel Svenson gave a sigh of relief at the termination of the business, got up and began to inspect the room, while Harvey was writing out the agree- ment, It was a large, handsome room, now his eyes were used to the gloom, and over the mantel- piece hung a trophy of arms, which naturally attracted the old soldier’s first attention. The general noticed bim looking at them; and, seeming to be willing to be agreeable, now that he was certain there were no designs on his pocket, said akabiet ‘“* Pretty nice collection, sir. Dont you think so? Are you a judge of such things?” The old fencing-master smiled, ‘‘Pretty good, pretty good, my dear sir, I have arms at home myself. You have a sham Toledo dere, I see. Dey make dem in Paris.” The general colored angrily, for he was touchy on his collection, ‘‘Sbam, sir? sham? It is genuine, genuine one in the country.” Svenson smiled again. ‘¢ You vant to test him. I show you.” And be was actually putting up his hands to the sacred tropby, when the general cried in tones of borror: 5 Pde heavens, sir! what are you going to ) ‘*To show you, you have a sham Toledo,” was the calm reply. ‘I have one real one at home. You can double bim up to let de point touch de hilt, and he spring back like a bell. De sham blade break every time,” ‘*Never mind, never mind. I don’t want it tried,” cried Mix anxiously. ‘I’m satisfied, sir, quite satisfied of the genuineness of the blade. I bought it in Spain.” ‘* Aha,” responded the colonel with a sbrug, ‘‘T see, I see. Modern. Dey have lost de art. You can no more buy de real old Toledo, save in Spanish-America, “You have been dere, sir? ‘In Mexico, yes,” answered Mix with rather a contemptuous look, ‘I commanded a bri- gade in Scott’s advance, Long time ago, sir.” The colonel looked at bim curiously. ‘Pardon; isitso? You vasa soldier? You do not look—pardon me—like von, as I have seen dem. I vas in de Mexican service after dat var. You fence, sir?’ The general smiled rather proudly. ** 7 used to be called the best in my class, and I never met the man I could not pink, In Paris I've beaten every one,” ‘* Paris? eh, Paris, yes. Dey t’ink dey can fence dere,” said Svenson rather comtemptuous- ly. ‘I do not like de French fencer. Dey have no guard, no parry. All flourish,” ‘*] don’t know what you mean,” rapped out the old general, sharply. ‘‘ They’re universaliy acknowledged to be the best in the world, Do you fence, sir?” The colonel bowed, ‘‘} teach de art, Here is my card,” The general looked horrified, and instantly turned and walked away. ‘* A fencing-master!” he murmured to him- self as he went, ‘Good beavens! what queer people one meets in this world.” arvey looked from the desk as the old millionaire approached and said; ‘‘’ve just finished, general, Here is your copy, signed. Will you sign the other?” he old millionaire made no answer till he had read the agreement through carefully. Then he signed it, and said ina tone of rebuke: ‘Young man, who is that person? A very queer acquaintance for you. Young men should be very cautious whom tbey pick up like that.” Harvey could hardly belp laughing, ‘‘ He is a real gentleman, general, and quite a character. He ought to have lived the middle ages instead of to-day, however.” The general looked sour, ‘‘Humph! Perbaps so,_ Please don’t bring don’t make friends him to my house again. with that sort of people.” “But for him, however,” answered Harvey stiffly, ‘‘ you might have had little chance of our seeing your niece again, He reseued her from this Jarvis yesterday, and I depend on him now to a great extent. Besides, Colonel Svenson has been an officer,” The only nicboo (E S CO cor EE | ,_.. oe