Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 306 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

‘The Roughs of Richmond. **T thought it a little singular myself at the time that the straight succession of numbers should be broken,” said Brown ‘D> you know which bond it was that was miss- ng?’ “Have you ever had any acquaintance with a per- son named Albert Royal?’ **Not in my remembrance, If I ever met or ever knew such a person in the transaction of a legiti- mate business, I have forgotten the fact.” ‘* Nor in any of your illegitimate business either?” ‘*In no way that I remember, honestly." “You have no knowledge then that the missing bond could have been given to a person named Albert Royal?” ** To the contra Alvaro Mandez, who any surprised himse 1 b , if I recollect aright, the man, ave me the bonds, was hon- f at the absence of the bond This was all the information the detective ex- pected to acquire in that direction, They were shown tothe cell where Royal was confined. ‘I? you are released, will you give your parole that you will not attempt to leave the city until you have permission from us?’’ Call put tothe prisoner, ‘“*Oertainly, gentlemen, if it is required of me. I have no fear in my conscience for anything that I have done.” In a few minutes Royal was fre, But, though he did not know it, Call had made an arrangement with one of his trusted shadows, and as the young man went forth, the sleuth’s subordi- nate was on his trail with stealth and vigil. It was fully dark by the time the two sleuths had accomplished this little matter at the station. , ee then, to bag our big game!” exclaimed all. And Tuff, as if in preparation for a job that was no child’s play, gave himself a hitch as if to loosen his muscles. They expected soon to grapple with the Italian. Each well knew that Alvaro Mandez was not to be captured very easily; possibly there would be blood- shed, though by their arrangements with Mrs, Fen- wick, they hoped to avoid this. But dead or alive, they would have Alvaro Man- dez. Call carried in his pocket a warrant reading to that effect! The gate in the on wall had been arranged to be open for them by Mrs. Fenwick.) They entered and crossed stealthily to the thick- growing ivy that reached up and above the rail at the library window. The rain that had been threatening for several days past began to fall at this moment in a thin drizzle. Very or they would have experienced some difficulty in locating the spot where they intended to make their ascent in the wet gloom by which they were then surrounded. But Mrs. Fenwick, probably anticipating this very thing, had left a lamp burning in the library—burn- ing so very low that, while it afforded a sort of beacon to the two detectives, it was not sufficiently strong to reveal their forms on the background when they should reach and climb over the rail. Call led the way to the strong tendrils of the ivy. When they reached the library they advanced to a larze bookcase that had been set at an angle across one of the corners of the apartment, leaving ample space behind for the concealment of two men, with room to emerge quickly. Neither spoke a word. a knew what was ahead and what both were to do. Like carved images and breathless, they stood there in their hiding-place, waiting the consumma- - tion of their plot with Mrs. Fenwick. As if they already had before them the man they were about to attempt to capture, Call had both re- volvers in hand, while Tulf, | he strongest of the two, held a pair of gleaming handcuffs dangling in readi- ' ness and in sucha manner that there was no likeli- hood of their making any betrayful noise. And noné too soon, it seemed, were they. At the very instant that they had been gaining the railed window of the library, there was a tinkle at the front door bell. A handsomely-dressed Italian asked: ‘‘Is the Mistress Fenwick at home, if you please?”’ bowing sinuously to the sable servant who opened the door. é nA “Yes, sah. Come in, sah.” Mrs. Fenwick, in evident waiting for thi: very ar- rival, emerged from the front parlor near the en- trance and greeted the visitor. 4 ‘*You are very punctual, signor. nig “It is my honor to try and be so at all. times, madame.” tees] ‘Iam pleased, for I wish you to transact the lit- tle business relative to my deceased husband's affairs *s speedily as possible,’ she said, in @ man- ner which any one woul’ detect was intended more for the ears of the servant than anything else. And she added: “The papers which I desire to consult you about, signor, are in the library. Will you step that way with me?” ‘*T shall be honored to do whatever you may wish.” When they had reached the library, and while the Italian was walking toward a chair to which she waved him, Mrs, Fenwick, with an almost incon- ceivable uickness, locked the door and withdrew the key, placing it in her pocket. She had prepared the lock previously for this maneuver; there was not the slightest sound to be- tray her action to her visitor. ats ‘he Italian regarded her with a curious, grinni smile from his seat, which displayed his white an r teeth like so mauy sharpened rls. is snaky eyes fastened on her inquir y. -» “Well, iy pinperesiy are nearly as good at a guess as Arban, for you found out where to look for the Signor Murguio. How?” ; “No matter, I have something else to speak e""? OF the Order of the Golden Beetle?” ‘* Alvaro ez’'—and by the ‘of 3 Seeeetidine Mises tones. broke from his mi e a how! curse ips, beneath which his ‘white teeth gleamed say- pron - that name Mathilde Fenwick meant 4 gual to. he detectives who were, she felt mumuiee ae role concealment by that time—*‘ Alvaro Mandez, you were secretly in this library last night.” “IT, madame?” **And you took from behind those curtains there, and from a black marble slab on which it was kept, the golden beetle!” **l—a robber? You are full of a compliment, madame.”’ He continued qufokty, and in a lower tone: * You have heard of the disaster to our order?’’ ** Yes, that all are probably dead—”’ ‘*Save one, and he soon shall be. Then there will be no one to betray what we have been doing; and I | think [am rich enough.” *“ What do you mean?” ‘*] mean that by some scheme which I bave fash- | ioned, the man at the police-station shall die!” | “You mean that you intend to kill that man?” He grinned in a ghastly way, and his snaky eyes | grew scintillant as he nodded affirmatively. For an instant she contemplated him, She was thinking. Were the detectives there behind the bookcase? | ‘She could not know; she had neglected to ar- range for some sign by which to know of their | presence. If they were not there, dangerous indeed would | it be for her to do and say what she contemplated. This bloodthirsty Italian would, without compunc- bet at the first sign of treachery, stab her to the eart. But she would risk it. “Tam not surprised, Alvaro Mandez, to hear you | say that, You are fond of blood.” ‘How do you know that I am fond of blood?” ‘* Because you are a murderer!”’ ee — do you mean by that, eh?’ half-starting to s feet. ‘“*T mean that you are the man who killed my hus- band, Dorsey Fenwick, and I have vowed that you shall be delivered over to the authorities!" CHAPTER XXV. AN EXCITING PURSUIT. MATHILDE Fenwick uttered the words of this ac- cusation without any excitement whatever—in that even, distinct and entirely self-controlled manner for which she was noted, As she spoke, she stepped to the table and turned on the flame of the argand to its fullest capacity, illuminating the apartment throughout, She had anticipated that if the detectives were in their concealment, they would now come forth to confront the Italian. In this she was disappointed. She dared not glance toward the book-case, lest the man before her should suspect the true state of affairs and instantly, and ere any assistance could reach her, throw himself upon her to accomplish her death. p soe! once in her life her haughty heart sunk with read. She believed that she was alone with the desperate Alvaro Mandez; and she could ob for little mercy at his hands after making such a bold speech. The Italian had sprung to his feet, and a baleful leam came into the already sparkling orbs beneath he dark brows. Z * you say I have kill your husband?” ‘ es,”’ For at that critical juncture, when she really felt that she had gone too far and too boldly, her quick ears caught a sound in the direction of the book- case. Like the inadvertent touch of something with a steely property, or like the sound given out by palsuolngy a silver dollar on the index finger and tapping it with another of its kind—an almost in- audible sound it was; but sufficient for her—and she perceived that the Italian had not heard it, * Yes, Alvaro Mandez,”’ she repeated. ‘ You are a murderer!” “And you will have me in the hands of the au- thorities, eh?’’ **T shall!” “Never! For you will not live to accomplish that, madame !"’ As he spoke, Mandez suddenly produced from a concealed pocket something like a pistol. It had the stock of a pistal, with a muzzle like a bugle; the hammer and trigger were of an indescribable in- tricacy and evidently of highly polished steel, with a small glass disk at the forward sight. In the midst of the complicated arrangement of the ham- mer was a small wheel. The whole thing was really not as large as an sag = yl pi pp 8 singular weapon he instantly leveled at the head of Mathilde Fenwick while he cried the words: You will not live to accomplish ‘hat, madame!” A bright, A flash filled the room fora single second, like a flash of lightning. A small ball of fire sped outward from the bugle-shaped mouth of the weapon in the Italian's hand. In a meteor-like streak it went straight toward the woman. But Mathilde, in the same instant dodged, and as the remarkable and silent shot sped on its way, the ball, or missile, or charge—whatever it was—missed its mark, striking the wall and bursting in a noise- less spray of sparks, : Perdition]’’ burst from the Italian, in a rage. .s think I can beat that with these!” cried a voice. Alvaro Mandez turned to behold a small-statured man, the dwarf detective, with a brace of revolvers poentes fairly at his breast, and stepping from ehind him at the moment, another, a more muscu- lar personage, who carried a pair of handcuffs ay to adjust, ou pana Alvaro Mandez!"’ demanded Jo Call, sternly. ' ‘*Put out your hands, my lark,’ supplemented “There is no escape!’’ cried Mathilde Fenwick, in triumph. ‘The door is safely locked. You are paengnet Alvaro Mandez—murderer of my hus- But the detectives and the woman counted with- out a full reckoning. The Italian was not as easily EO ——E———— —. OS a ey eS eae ee ee Ee Ee ‘ i oe ~ AS 4 »” ae a ae “ = 5 tee “ae ODihes id's ate say? Perhaps that had something ** Not-a yet—you!” With a quickness that was almost incredible, he ducked his head and made a dart for the window. Call, perceiving that the man meant to make a desperate effort to escape, fired both revolvers in _ quick succession after his receding figure, but it seemed that the little slugs missed their mark—as had the fiery ball of the electric pistol aimed at Mathilde Fenwick—for the Italian reached the win- dow without so much as staggering or uttering a ery. "The next, instant he had cleared the sill at one = -like leap and disappeared in the darkness “yond, The dwarf detective, without a moment's hesi- tation bounded to the window and took the same leap. Tuff, who was a little heavier, feared to risk his bones in that reckless way; he leaned over the sill and listened for some ery or signal from his partner. None came, * Hello, Jo!” he called. There was no answer. rn Say from the library, accompanied by Mrs. Fenwick, he gained the garden and ran to the spot beneath the window, There was no sign either of the Italian or the dar- ing dwarf detective. Like things of air, both had vanished, He ran to the street—leaving Mrs. Fenwick to ex- lain in her own way to the servants, headed by inie, who, attracted by the two loud shots, had come hastily and in great alarm to the library. On the street all was quiet—and deser. ed. “ Confound it!” Tuff interjected, angrily. ‘“‘ There: it goes again Never in all my life have 1 met with so many balks in a case as in this Fenwick affair. Where the deuce can Jo be? But maybe—and no Goubt—after the Italian. Evidently neither was: ? hurt by the leap out of the window; a pi I would not have taken, to capture a dozen of the Alvaro. Mandez stripe.” But there had always existed a known rule be~ tween the two detectives; whenever one was miss- ing in such an extraordinary manner, the duty of the other was to seek the agency at once and wait. there until the missing one was heard from, Tuff immediately started for the agency. He had not been in the office twenty minutes: ' before the tick of the telegraph instrument in the ft corner by the wall told him that Call was speaking. The dispatch was coming in from the office of the: Richmond and Danville depot. Briefly as follows: i “Onhis track. He is on the train. Leaving now. West Point. Follow and help, J.C,” a went Tuff at his best speed, without actually running. At the depot, he learned that the train had just) _ gone. ‘Then he must have a special engine.” don cost of such a proceeding was mentioned to m. ‘Hang the cost!’ he exclaimed. ‘‘lam after a great criminal). My partner went on the same train with him, and I fear he cannot effect his capture alone. Hang the cost! Bring around the engine double-quick. And telegraph ahead to make a clear ng a road for us; for I want the to go!” Promptly enough the engine was brought to the platform.. A cumbrous and rattling old camel-back; but Tuff * did not stop to pass any critical opinions upon the ae accommodation. a, Leaping into the cab alongside the engineer, he ae yard ag at 9 ey a bill into his hand and an- \ 0 ad into the hand of the fireman, with the re- mark. s ae then, make her bowl along for all she’s. . worth!" On through the darkness went the engine, puffing: and straining, and increasing the arene wonder-. fully Ppa the boundaries of the city had been. passed. h On over the historic ground, with headlight cast- f ing a glare ahead and the black smoke from the 44 ee stick wafting in billows over the swamps and woods. er eae bordered the track for stretches of miles at a pity: ime, ? In the solemn stiliness of the night, the rumbleand 1 rattle awoke strange eclioes that startled the night- birds at their solitary roost. es engineer wanted to sound his whistle when = they neared the little stations on the route, but enh i objected. Tse es really do not want any great racket made et about it,” he said. “I want to get into West. Point . Oi as soon after the other train as we poss can, but ont do not-wish it known by everybody that we have _—— a ‘ oj I - — a - y=. 4 **Do your best.” The fireman fed the. great furnace toitsutmest capacity; the engineer, with his hand on the lever, been in pursuit of the train, Do you think you can "9 overtake the train before reaching West. Point?” te * Hardly, sir. But we won't be far behind.” — ' 728 ana s -$. -* wi, watched steadily ahead, as if striving to pierce: the _ > pees Sateen beyond the ray of the monstrous te eadlight. +3 But the dispatches had been sent forward; there sae was a clean track for them. ' f Duly on the engineer's prophecy, they arrived at West Point within five minutes after thetrainahead had re: ched the depot. Sethe, 2 Indeed, before they came to a stop, they could = discern the train hardly yet brought to a stand-still at its platform. | eee knew that his partner would arrange to com Pree municate with him the moment he arrived, and he darted rapidly hither and thither for some , | | ‘Of course,’’ he muttered, ‘‘ he must have known “as ag eas hire a special and pursue. Where can ‘ie e be?’ + ad But his search was futile. : At last he accosted the conductor. In himself first, he asked: Syst } , “Did you see anything of my partner, Mr.Call,on = your “Mr. Call? Well, Idon’t know. A detective, you “at ‘ 7 * eminem etndaaien ae Choe ned back near Cohoke on, OW t happened at Cohoke station?" “Why, two fellows jum the hurry an’ the other after him.” COMmMIe . —oneina. = “Ss JOO