Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 306 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

:* P ~« : . . ~ . a ant Pee few eg & e ann. os > “ & \¥, ~ « in a + > -—_— fi Pa Let 5 2 é ' - J fe < + i oP —s Ve 4 ; “I wish to speak to you,” she said, in a low one, * Certainly, madame—or miss; what is it?” ** You are a detective?” ec ” “You have just been talking with my mother?” ‘* Your mother?” “Mrs. Fenwick is my mother—not my own mother, for I was Dorsey Fenwick’s child be- fore be saw Mathilde Drew, I was very small when my father married her.” “Well, miss, what is it you have to say?” “*5 Something concerning my father’s mys- terious déath. “Can you give me any information that will throw light upon it?” he queried. “‘T am not certain whetherI can. But, there is something that I feel you ought to know; and because of that feeling I have come here to in- iercept you.” ‘Well, miss, what is it?’ “Our bouse is a house of mystery. Shortly before you came I saw a man in conversation with my mother, in the library, who announced himself a Master of the Golden Beetle.” ““A Golden Beetle? Some order, perha There is nothing so very remarkable in that our mother was conversing with this person, there?” “Yes—to me. For he entered the house by way of that window yonder, like-a man of stealth who did not wish any one to know of his presence,” and she pointed to the high window of the library, which the detective saw could be reached by a person of more than ordinary agility, by climbing the thick growth of ivy Sig above and about the small railing there, ‘* My mother seemed to be very much startled by the intrusion of the man, but recovered her- self when he announced that he came with a message from the Order of the Golden Beetle.” **Proceed, Miss Fenwick.” “There is such an insect as a golden beetle in this very house; a thing of gold that seems to be imbued with life. But I have not the time at this moment to speak more ticularly of it.” 1 was momentarily silent in some amaze- ment at her declaration regarding a beetle of gold with movements of life. Then she resumed: “The paper the man gave to my step-mother was this,” and as she spoke, she handed him a small missive, adding: ‘‘She dropped it from her bosom at the moment when she was descend- ot the stairs to see you. Look at it.” o Call read the following: “MapaME:—Your hasband,a member of the Order of the Golden Beetle, has died this oe ie By the law of the order an investigation must be made into the causes thereof, You are requested to meet one of the order for a _ consultation upon the subject within twenty-four hours after receipt of this notice. That one ean found at the rooms you have visited more than once during the past few months for consultation with Arban. Do not fail.”’ “What do you make out of it?” Erminie oe watching his face keenly in the moon- ight. ** Well, really, nothing at the present mo- ment. But it may lead tosomething; you know we detectives catch at everything, great and small, when following up a mystery. [ shall keep it—the note, if Da have no objection.” “You may keep it. But I have something else to say.” “Well?” ‘“My step-mother is a very singular woman.” “In what way?” ‘Would it not be natural that if she loved my father, she would give some sign of sorrow at this awful occurrence?” “Quite natural,” ““Sne has not done so, I have not seen the trace of a single tear in her face; she has been as calm as ice itself. A terrible su picion has come into my mind—coupling all that I have seen together; the lack of emotion upon bebold- ing the dead body of my father, the coming of the mysterious man, the banding of the note - and its effect, and above all the contents of that rote. ** What have you inferred from the note?” ** That this Order of the Golden Beetle, what- ever it may be, suspects that my mother may know more than she would be willing to tell re- garding the death of my father.” “That is indeed a terrible suspicion, Miss Fenwick.” ‘**T cannot eradicate it from my mind. Yes, I suspect my step mother.” ** What do you wish me to do in the matter, - more than what your mother bas already re- uested ?” : ‘* What has she requested?” ‘*That I find the murderer of her husband. She has offered a reward of five thousand dol- lars for bis apprehension.” _ Erminie was silent for a few seconds. “*T possess some wealth in my own name that others cannot touch,” she said, presently. ‘I | double the reward if hig are su Ay ‘With such an incentive, I have no doubt that it can be accomplished.” } ‘ “You feel confident that you can find him?” The Roughs of Richmond. a a me we ‘Yes, the murderer of Dorsey Fenwick shall found— Ha!” The last quick exclamation burst from bis lips in mingled startlement and pain, for at the instant that portion of the garden in which they were standing seemed to be illuminated by a limited flash of lightning. Erminie saw something like a streak of fire pass directly between herself and the de- tective. Jo Call reeled backward a step, and sunk to the sward. Involuntarily she knelt and laid a hand upon his shoulder. “What isit? Are you burt?” she asked, sup- pressedly, Call did not reply at once, but after a few moments of silence, said: “That was close. But I do not think Iam quite a dead man yet,” and he began slowly and dazedly to regain his feet, The next instant he darted abruptly away from her side, on a run, toward a certain clump of busbes not far distant. Erminie heard him tramping hurriedly hither and thither among the shrubbery He returned after the lapse of two minutes, saying: “The murderous rascal escaped through the gate on nimble feet, Miss Fenwick, while I lay there half-insensible.” ** Who do you mean?” ‘*The one who fired the shot.” ‘There was no shot, sir ” not more than “Oh, yes, there was,” ¥ But could make oath that there was no re- rt. ‘*Of course not. The electric make a bang like any other pisto “The electric pistol?” “Yes, Such a weapon it was that killed your father. The same was used upon me, just now, after I had declared my intention to find the murderer of Dorsey Fenwick. And now I do solemnly swear tbat I will accomplish that very thing. or lose my life in the attempt. We can- not afford to have such a gang in existence in Richmond, There has never until to-night been a sufficient inducement for the force to push the rescals to their utmost. But you will find that the reward of ten thousand dollars will fetch them up with a short turn. I bid you good- night.” Jo Call burried from the garden and away toward his office on Capitol Square. His partner, Timothy Tuff, was seated there when he entered, “Tim, a word with you, in a burry.” The two retired to a rear room. **T have been assaulted to-night by the gang that uses the electric pistol,” he said: You?” “Yes, Look,” and he turned his head, exhib- iting onthe part of the neck at the junction with the skull, a small, round, raised mark, seemingly nothing but a lump, “The very mark, by Jove!” “T’'ve started a case to-night, Tim, and we must work it together. 1 havea point or two tocommence on. Listen.” Call then proceeded to relate what bad tran- ired at the Fenwick mansion. He explained also, asuspicion that bad entered his mind base on the remarks from Erminie. In less than ten minutes after entering the agency, Call bad laid out a plan of action in which the two noted sleuths could play a cun- ning, bold and dangerous game in concert. CHAPTER IV. THE MYSTIC CHAMBER OF THE GOLDEN BEETLE. THERE was crape on the door of the Fenwick mansion on the following day. The house of the wealthy family was an object of vast curiosity; for the Dispatch hed -contained an account of the dastardly and mys- terious killing of one of Richmond’s most re- spected citizens. This curiosity and wonder, were rather hight- ened when, at about the hour of noon—the sleepiest hour for that southern city—the ye vate carriage of Mrs. Fenwick was noticed to come around from the stables at the rear and pause by the curb at the corner, in waiting for some one. The driver was dressed in complete black, and on his high hat was a heavy bandage of crape. Soon a lady, attired in deepest mourning, came forth from the house and entered the carriage; so thick was her vail, however, that vat was impossible to distinguish who she might The driver started his horses away briskly, after a whispered instruction from the lady. ~ = same time - ote which — been can against an upper window, in a house opposi the Fenwick matnion; disappeared, and its owner came swiftly forth, following in the wake of the receding carriage. __ At the corner the man entered a vebicle some- thing like a doctor’s gig, which was held in evi- dent readiness there by a negro. : teadily after the carriage went this medical- er does not IS) looki entleman in his sician’s gig, and ‘beneath a bunch of thick A hae he i. Ue \ 2 ~~, a | it means. EE — = ——_$ SS——_E€E_020«@0W _=__e ee nn S S < . ‘*Didn’t have long to wait, it seems, You are oing, I think, Mrs, Fenwick, to meet this mem- rof the Order of the Golden Beetle. whaiever Pu be there.” At the corner of Fourteenth and Main streets the carriage halted long enough for the vailed figure to alight, then drove off down the incline. The lady turned down the side-street and en- tered a house having a narrow door, whose windows were closed, and the whole aspect of” which was rather uninviting. In answer to a tinkling bell a small Indian boy appeared. Pausing in the artificially-lighted entry, she demanded: ‘*Ts your master in? I wish to see him.” ‘Did you come, lady, to ask about the Golden Beetle?’ Vea ‘*Then my master will see you. Come.” He led the Pe | up the stairs. Hardly had they turned the landing above when the front door silently reopened to admit the man in medical garb, who advanced boldly. but in utter silence, as if his shoe-soles were of rubber, so lightly did they fall on the uncarpet- ed hallway. At a door in the second story, over the top of which was one of those peculiarly tilted mirrors which give the Opper occupant a complete view of the stairs, the Indian boy paused and rapped. when the door swung open, asif by an invisi- ble toucb. ‘* Enter,” ordered the youthful guide. Into a luxurious room she stepped, where the furnishings were of an oriental richness, In the center of the room, facing the door, was a remarkable man. He was attired in a long gown of white, bis head surmounted by a hat made im the shape of a cornucopia, and beneath the pointed head- covering was a face that looked more like the face of a ghoul ora corpse than that of a human being—a face covered by a mask of tightly- fitting, skin-like material, white as death, and from the eyelets of which gleamed two eyes like the orbs of a snake, twinkling, burning, brilliant and saturnine by turns, Before the woman could speak, this singular being raised his hand in a warning manner and said, addressing the boy in a language which the visitor could not understand; “‘Ischan! where are your eyes, that you can- not see?—your ears, that you cannot hear?’ Look; there is another behind you!” __ The glance of the boy followed the directing finger of the master, falling upon the mirror over the door, He saw there the form of a man ascending the stairs below. ‘‘T did not admit him, master.” ‘‘Then be is an intruder. I shall make him await my leisure. Prepare the trap.” The boy vanished, going to.a small, closet- like apartment at the front of the hall, The door, by its invisible machinery, closed behind the woman, and the master of the mys- terious apartments turned his attention now to er. ‘*Remove your vail!’ he commanded, in a tone of courteous authority. *« Arban, why have you sent for me?” she asked, obeying bis command by sweeping aside her vail and revealing the pale face of Mathilde Fenwick. ‘* Who said I had sent for you?” ‘‘ The note brought by a member of the order to which my husband belonged,” ‘‘The note did not say so. You bave no knowledge that I am even a member of the Order of the Golden Beetle, But I have some instructions regarding you. It is well that you obeyed the sammons served upon you. ‘And if I bad not obeyed?” ‘* Tie Golden Beetle would have struck at you in your own home. As it is, you may have some chance.” 7 “QObance! What do you mean?” “ Hark!” he exclaimed. Just then there was a singular noise that came dully to. their ears as they stood there within the room. ‘‘ What is that?’ ‘* You cannot gueeat ‘‘ How should I?” ‘*‘ Did you not know that you were followed here? Or, was that man brought here by you — to spy upon our interview!” ‘Ido not know who or what you are talking ut. “If that is the truth then you bave been shadowed.” ‘‘ Shadowed?” Even this wealthy lady seemed to have some knowledge of the meaning of a phrase familiar to the detectives; her beautiful face grew a shade paler, ‘* Why should I be shadowed?” e Perhare on are suspected already by the authorities, Hes as you are phi | the bers of the Order of the Golden Beetle,” was mem the onsinous res . | ‘* Suspected! Tow tacatab do you mean! Of — what?” ; : tae ss AA's "6 ° = ’ +” ae" " ‘ rol at ' =e ides 2 yeti: . That you will learn when Isball take you