Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 288 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

& * ~ entering to the response of West, made the strange announcement: ‘‘There is a lady outside to see one of you gentlemen. Shall [ tell her to come in?” “Yes,” answered West, in an astonishment that was shared by his partner. A woman clad in black and closely vailed en- tered rapidly. They arose. “Can [ have a few words with you?” she asked, and they could see a pair of singularly brilliant eyes glancing first at one then at the pining from behind the vail that screened the ace, _ “Certainly; be seated,” returned West, plac- ing a chair. As she sat down she threw up the vail. The surprise of the two was increased hugely as they saw revealed the face of Oriele St. Dyer. ‘“‘Itis a rather unseemly hour for a woman to call upon a matter of, business,” she pro- ceeded to speak, in ‘quick accents, ‘‘ but that which I have to say will not admit of delay.” ** What is it?” West put, politely. ** My life isin danger!” ** Indeed!” from both. ‘* Lat me explain, if you have time to listen.” ‘* Proceed,” ** As ae are aware, my name is Oriele St, Dyer. once lived in Chicago, and it was be- lieved that I was a rich heiress, Instead, 1 have merely derived a tolerable income by contribut- ing to the magazines. One night in the streets of Chicago I was abruptly accosted by a very beautiful girl who begged me, as I hoped for merey from my God, to do her aservice. She was in tatters, and presented a forlorn picture. She said her name was Anice Idello, and that she was, unfortunately, a married woman; her name before marriage being Catazky.” The two detectives exchanged glances, but in such a sly manner that the speaker did not no- tice it. ‘I was then living at a private boarding- house, and thinking that it was no more than shelter and alms that this poor being wanted, I took her to my home and was about to pre- pare some nourishment for ber, when she stop- ped me, saying that it was not such service she required. She then began to tell mea very strange story. She was an Italian by birth, and her family had been one of considerable wealth; ber education had been of the most vigorous kind, hence the aptness with which she spoke the English lan uage. She had fal- len in love with a servant in her father’s house and in an ill-starred moment wedded with him secretly. For this she was disowned. But she cared little for that at the tire, so great was her love for the man who had won her heart. She immediately sought him, and they fled, After living for a long time on her jewels, which were pawned to raise funds, her hus- band, ina drunken fit—and probably after be had grown tired of her—made the boast that they had no need to be running about the con- tinent in that way, as she was her father’s heiress—her father was dead—and they might as well return to enjoy what was theirs. She asked him bow he kaoew that her father was dead, and he informed her that he~her husband —had killed him before their departure, ‘“* By other remarks that the drunken brute made, she Jearned that he had actually mur- dered her father. This, and the proposition that they should return to Italy to enjoy the money gained by blood, -had filled her wich _ such borror, that she fied from bim. He pur- sued her, and at times, when he was luck enough to catch up with her, he made om threats that at last she began to fear for her life. Her husband’s name was Pietro Idello. He was then in Chicago. He was seeking her life. And then she made a proposition to me which {1 tell you plainly, was startling, If I would assume her identity for a week—long enough for her to leave the city in a disguise— she would give me one thousand dollars. This seemed a little ridiculous at first, in the suppo- sition that I could do such a thing. Bat she took me by the arm and led me to the mir- ror in my room, where she showed me my face beside hers; and I must say, the resem- blance we bore one another was remarkable. It would not be so difficult a matter for me to assume her Character, as far as likeness was con- cerned. ‘Only for a week, she had said. A thousand dollars made in a week was not to be despised. Besides, I could easily~so I thought—at the expiration of that time, take steps to reveal the deception if I chose. [ agreed to do as she wished. I then received from her instructions that showed me she had seen me often before and that what she was now doing was a well- laid plan for her future safety—though I hon- estly believe she did not mean that I should be menaced in the way I have since as a con- sequence of my folly. By following out her directions in regard to certain exposure of my face at times, I found ere long, that I was be- ing shadowed by a tall man of Italian aspect. Like a nightmare he clung to me—clung to m path, I mean. Once, he succeeded. in meeting me alone, and he threatened my life if I re- A { : Electro Pete, the a oe ee fused to return to Italy with bim to inherit the wealth of the deceased Pedro Catazky. So persistent and dangerous was he becoming, Man of Fire. 15 “* Miss St. Dyer,” said West, slowly; ‘‘ I think I know the house on Thames street where this oung man wished to lead you.. I may say that that | was at last torced to start upon a blind | if he knew as much as I now know concerning hunt for the girl who had gotten me into such a predicament through my charitable feelings; for no matter how I vowed to this Italian that | I was not Anice Idello, he would not believe | me, nor all the proofs which 1 offered to pro- duce. [ was then a hunted woman for another woman’s troubles, and nothing I could do would throw the Italian off my track. IL then began the search for the woman who was the cause of my dilemma,” CHAPTER XIX, A PEEP THROUGH A KEYHOLE. WirH but a momentary pause, Oriele St. Dyer continued: ‘*My search for this party—Anice Idello—has | And now | | will tell you something which I withheld on that | led me to the city of Baltimore. first visit of yours "—to Daniels—‘‘ to my room atthe hotel. The personage of seeming unearth- liness, who turned himself into a column of flame in my bedroom, I recognized to be this | It was then because I feared go | same Italian. much for my life, that I at last sent for the pro- prietor with the resolve that I would place the authorities between myself and the one I feared, While matters stood thus, I received a letter from a party in this es It was in the band- writing of a man to whom I was betrothed— Robert Rathwaite is hismame. I bad acquaiut- ed Mr. Rathwaite with the fact that I was searching for some one in the world somewhere, and until I found the one I was looking for, my life would be a constant misery. This note of which I speak, coming from him as I supposed, promised to take me to a person who could reveal what I desired. I eagerly did as the note re- quested. AndI did more. Thinking to throw my Italian persecutor off my track, I disordered the bedidiething in my room, and see!’’—baring a superb arm to the gaze of the two detectives— ‘“*[f let the blood flow from here on the linen of the bed, to give an appearance of murder as well as disappearance.” On the arm of exquisite contour which she displayed, they saw a scar from a puncture over one of the pale blue veins, ‘‘My mind was made up to adopt every means in my power of invention to escape the Italian. I went to a house which the note indicated, ex- pecting to meet Robert Rathwaite, I found there a man whom I at once saw was not my betrothed, but who greatly resembled bim. By the remarks he made, I conceived the notion— peckape erroneous—that if he knew what I was ooking for, I might, by permitting him to be- lieve that I was deceived, get on the track of the woman. [had made an engagement with him to visit a certain house on Thames street in this city” to-morrow—to-day, I should say, as it is now near morning. But something has hap- pened to cause this party who is playing the rt of my accepted lover, to be arrested. I arned of the fact through a late edition of the News, and in that same edition I saw of the ar- rival of Robert Rathwaite at the Mansion House, I sent a note to Mr. Rathwaite; [called at the station, because I wished this villain who is perpetrating the fraud fur some deep purpose, to believe that I still thought bim to be Mr. Rathwaite. Now, I will state the main object of my visit to you.” » And without pausing even for a fresh breath, Oriele St. Dyer pursued: If it is at all possible, I would like the young man at tbe station to be released.” A moment’s silence prevailed upon this singu- lar remark. *“ Why do you wish him released?’ inquired the senior detective, keenly. ‘* Because I wish to keep that engagement with him, and I want one of your bureau of de- ona ge shadow us, toserve me if lam im- “What do you expect to accomplish?’ “I believe that when I shall accompany him, I will find that the girl I befriended in Chicago at such a fearful cost to my own future peace o mind, is evenin the plot to keep up the deception that | am indeed Anice Idello.” ‘* Does not this belong to you?” asked Daniels, producing the gold band set with the diamond. | Immediately she exclaimed: ‘‘Yes! It was stolen from me by this man who is assuming the character of Robert Rath- waite.” ‘* How do you know that he stole it?” I was aware of the theft at the time, but said nothing. My mind was on a deeper subject than a mere bauble then,” ‘Why do you have this notion that by fol- lowing the fraud who calls himself Rathwaite, you will find something of the girl?” “I cannot explain my feeling exactly. But [ believe that this man isin league with the girl to lead me into a trap where I may perhaps be murdered, and when the [talian shall be sure of my death, he will not think of the real Anice Idello who will then be living in peace.” After a pause she asked: ‘Can this be managed in the way I suggest?” ; pied by the supposed professor of music, ascertain | that house, he would not take you there.” ‘‘ What is there about the house?’ ‘“* It is a den of thieves.” ‘TI suspected as much.” ‘* Two of those thieves are spotted and would find it a difficult matter to escape from the city through the cordon of our agents. The house is under surveillance. But teil me; you say this girl whom you agreed to personate was a good likeness of yourself.” “We were images one of the other,” “ Mr. Daniels, tell this young lady what you can about the counterpart you have seen at the house on Thames street,” “Ab!” eagerly. ‘*‘ You saw a counterpart of me at the house?’ “Yes, and she wore that tiara with the diamond,”’ ‘*It is, then, as I supposed. I was to be led into a trap and murdered as the real Anice Idello—” ‘* Pardon me,” Daniels interrupted, “I do not think so,” and he proceeded to relate the mystery of tbe girl at the Jew’s dwelling, con- cluding with the climax of ber probable mur- der and disappearance. “It is certainly a marvel,” said Oriele, mus- ingly. ‘‘If those whom you speak of were acting toward her as if they knew ber to be Anice Idello, why does the Italian continue to baunt me as be does?” ‘**Miss St. Dyer,” West said, ‘‘I wish to ask that you continue in your place of biding, wherever it is, while we are busy with a strange call that has come to us within the past few ays. ** 1 will do as you desire,” As she arose, seeming to relinquish entirely her first intentions when she had heard what Daniels had to say, he added: “ But 1 would like to have your address.” " She handed him a card, after writing on it a ine. ‘‘ And a question, please, before you go.” «What is it?” ‘* Is St. Dyer your real name?” ‘ec It is.” ‘** You never bore any other?” ** Never.” ‘You will swear to this?’ ** Cheerfully.” ‘*That will do—thank you.” When she had gone, the two sat and gazed at one another, / ‘* What is your opinion, Daniels?” ‘You may be sure I have formed one.” *. would like to hear whether it agrees with mine, ‘I believe the man we know asElectro Pete is the Pietro Idello whom this girl fears; the man who came here to put us on her trail asa criminal wanted by the Italian authorities, is not Pietro Idello, though he announced him- self as such.” ‘‘ But what about this column of fire business? e man who gained an entrance to her room at the hotel on several occasions, by a means no one can find out—end the man you eneountered at separate times on the Gay street bridge and at Locust Point—seem to possess that wonderful ayer of resolving themselves into flame; it is — not likely that it is an accomplishment so com- mon that two persons would be playing it.” At this juncture the clerk susaret again: ‘* The captain of the north-eastern station is calling, sir.” West hastened to the telephone box. ‘‘ Hello!” came the call from afar. Well?” ‘' Detective Agency of West & Co?” “ Yes ” ‘“There’s been a man brought in who was taken on the Bel Air road bastening out of town and acting in a suspicious manner, A search here disclosed that be was loaded with jewelry of various deasripeicns. He is a Jew. — 0 you want to see him? We shal) bold him anyhow, because of the goods found on his per- son, ‘*T'll come at once,” repies West. With a few words to Daniels, he departed for the north-eastern station. He felt sure that the man being held because of the apparent plun- der he carried, was no other than the Jew of the Thames street junk-shop, | Perbaps the jewelry be was making off with was some of the very jewelry stolen from Dim- ble. This would soon be settled, as be had re- ceived a duplicate description from Daniels. — Mark Daniels, now that West was on the Thames street lay, determined to take up the trail of the Italian who bad seprenontent himself as Pietro Idello, the husband of ,the fugitive Anice—for in this party, he suspected was the wonderful thief..whoever he might be. Sleepless as the sleuth be was called, he re- turned to the hotel and after a word or two with the night clerk there received the key to the room engaged. by his partner, and which it will be remembered, was adjoining that occu- ed that KS.C ! In answer to an inguiry, he Gomicboo pe. . | 7 > z= é a ) ae s ry