Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 332 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

- Spring-Heel Jack. -—_--— - and the hesitating way in which that trained servitor hung round, as if not quite sure what to ‘do in the premises, caused the old duke to ask; “Well, well, man, what is it? Don’t stand | there like a post, but tell me who has come.” Jarvis at once came forward and laid the | silver salver before his master, with a card on it, which read: “MR. OLIVER HOWARD.” The duke’s face cleared up as if he was much pleased to see the card, and he said at once; “That was right, Jarvis. I am glad to see that you have learned discretion, which is just what all the rest want in this house. M cousin Oliver is an exception to all rules, and shall be glad to see him. Tell him to come into the library, and— Jarvis, tell Antoine to get up as nice and delicate a supper for one as if he were doing it for myself, and I were well again. But above all things, Jarvis, tell him to be sure and not put on more than enough for one; for, if he does, it may be the death of me, as I never could resist temptation. And—a—Jarvis, by- the-by, have'the candles all lighted. Confound it man, I can’t be groaned to death before my time, and I may as well have some fun, while the light holds out to burn. There, that is all. Go on and do it.” Jarvis, like a well-trained servant, waited till his master’s orders were delivered, listening to every word, and then shot out of the room to vad them. e old duke sat back in his large easy-chair, and waited for the opening of the door, with an expression of pleasure on his wrinkled old face. It was evident that he actually liked his young kinsman, who was coming to see him. Presently the door opened, and Oliver Howard in his velvet coat and satin breeches, with black silk stockings on his very shapely legs, came in- to the room, bowing an iling, as fresh as a oung Adonis, which he resembled, in the air of ealth and vigor he carried in every movement, The duke smiled and held out his , Saying: * Well, yo scapegrace, and what bri ye here to-night? Have ye been playing at haz- ard again, or is it that the wrong man won the fight, and ye can’t pay your winnings?” Oliver laughed as he came ‘forward and took the extended hand. ; ‘*T did not come for money at all, this time, and vour grace would hardly believe the real reason. I came to see if your grace er- ed much from the visit of the monster the other ht. min duke frowned and bit his lip. ps es, by the by, that is true. But I did not you would refer to that before me, bo 7 But I did not hear, till to-day,” said the g man ingenuously, ‘that you had been tart 26 al I saw, from the news letter, that there wasa story that the monster had been near you, but I did not credit it, in the least. To day I Jearned that you had been ill, and I came to see you at once.’ ‘* H’m!” said the dukedryly. ‘* Who told you that I had been hurt?” Oliver hesitated a moment and then said: ** My brother George, sir.” Tho old duke scowled at the words. ‘*Then, if your brother wee knew I had been wart why the devil didn’t he come up to ask after my health?” he cried, testily. Oliver shrugged his shoulders. ‘**That is not for me to say. If i is anxious to see my brother, I can go tell him the fact, and he will probably come here.” The duke impatiently shook his head. ‘‘T don’t want to see the jackanapes. How ge - that ypu are not in uniform to-night, Oliver ‘¢ Because I am not on duty, duke. I hate the uniform, and get it off at every opportunity I bP) have. ‘Well, boy, I am glad to see ye, and you shall have some dinner with me, Noll. Not that Ican eat with ye, for the doctor will not allow me to know what is ey for me, in these days, but to sce thee eat, boy, and rejoice in thy youth. ys: Oliver, boy? Can ye box, yet?” liver laughed rather proudly. ““T had on the gloves, only last White-Headed Bob, and he’s the next to the champion.” “‘ Ay, ay,” said the duke, eagerly, ‘‘ and what was the luck, boy? You don’t mean to tell me that you could putu hea hands with the second best man in England?” ‘Ay, but I do, though,” said oped gens “TI got the best of the round, as all said who were there, and Mr. Crib did me the honor to say that he had never seen an amateur, whe took his milk so kindly.” | The duke seemed to be much impressed with i uarter; for the praise that came from such a the “ Mr. Crib” mentioned was the champion of ht, with man land. ‘* Well, upon my honor,” he said, ‘* boy, that was praise indeed, and if it were not for that infernal doctor I would insist on drinking his health, Oliver. But as it is, I must see you have your dinver, for it does me good to see ye eat, ds me of the days when I could eat | : he said. | | i —— | myself. Hey,boy? And how does go the duties at the palace?” ** About the same as usual, cousin, You heard that we had Spring-Heel Jack at Hampton Court, last night.” ‘*] did, and was much astonished. Who can this man be, that sets all law at defiance, and yet makes his escape?” Oliver laughed. ** They will never find out till J get at him,” ‘*This fellow is a stout, active man, who can throw a back somerset as well as the next 15 | could scare me; but he failed. Why, Oliver, | man, if it had been a little lighter, I could have one, and he goes over hedges and ditches, when | they straightway think it is a ghost. duke, George is too slow, ever to get his hands on Spring-Heel Jack.” The old duke smiled, as he said: ‘*Tf you think you could do any better, Mas- awh vliver, I would that you had a trial, as I ad,” Oliver seemed to be much interested in the matter, for he at once said: “Will you not please tell me what was the way in which the monster appeared to you, duke?” The duke shivered slightly at the reminis- cence, ‘I declare, Oliver, ’tis not so pleasant to re- call, that same visit; for he treated me rather roughly; and, but for the coming up of Jarvis, I believe the scoundrel meant to kill me.” ‘‘Oh no. He couldn’t have meant that,” said Oliver hastily. ‘‘ What ill-will could he have against you, duke?” ** Nay, that I can not say, boy; but this is cer- tain, that the fellow has the strength of a giant. I used to be called a good man of my hands when I was a yo Bah, | | | | ' ; | as if were a child, and held me over the river, as © if he meant to drown me, when Jarvis came up in time rescue me.” Oliver seemed to be more interested in matter than before; for he continued to ask: ‘‘And had you no glimpse of the creature, | ' what it was like? Have you nothing that might be used as a clew?” The old duke considered a little. ‘** Yes, Noll, now you speak of it, there was oe that might be called a clew, if you e,” Noll started ees and fixed his eyes on his old kinsman, wit r, but this fellow caught me up | ee a set, eager look that would | have attracted the other’s attention, had it not been growing dark at the time. Jarvis was just | coming in with the candles, and another flunky was fo “gplns, Soy closely, bearing a silver tray, on which smoked a most savory supper, accord- to the orders of the duke. he sight took the thoughts of the old noble- man from what he was pressed his kinsman to os e, saying: ‘* Never mind about the monster, Noll, till you have eaten and drank. Jarvis, bring up a num of the old port, that I laid down, twenty years ago. By all that’s holy, the doctor can say what he likes, but I am going to drink to-night, and drown care.” CHAPTER XXII. THE DUKE’S WILL. OLIVER HOWARD said nothing more about the monster till he had done honor to the viands that were set before him, with all the appetite of health and youth. He had the gift of throwing off dull thought, and it was the gift that had made him so valu- able to his kinsman. g of, and he) ' | shot the scoundrel!” | Oliver laughed somewhat sneeringly. That is easy to say, but not so easy to do.” ‘* Ay, ay, boy, but I told you that 1 aclew to who he is.” ‘* Ay,” said Oliver, with more eagerness than he had hitherto shown. ‘‘And what was the clew?”’ The duke assumed an air of mysterious gravity as he whispered: ‘* Noll, that is not to be said aloud. But Tl tell it, and mayhap you may be able to help find the scoundrel and earn a name for skill in track- ing. I found one of the bullets I shot at him.” Oliver did not exhibit any further curiosity, for he said indifferently: ‘* Well, what of that? The bullet is not the man. Till he is found there is no use of makin a fuss about bullets. The bullet that will ki Spring-Heel Jack is yet to be cast, cousin.” ** Not so, Oliver. I said that I had found it, You can never guess where it was,” ** W here?” ‘In the garden walk in a place that showed it had ab phe from something, and there was no trunk of a tree, or rock, or anything else, in the neighborhood that could have glanced. it. No, Oliver, the man wore armor, aud the ball flattened on him and dropped.” ‘* And where is that a clew?’ asked Oliver, with some uneasiness. ‘In this, boy. The men who make armor in our days are few and far between. ._The armor that will flatten a pistol-bullet, sent from a bar- rel such as I had with me, and with a charge such as I had in it, is not easy to make. I have seht men out to find the name of every one that has ‘ | had such made, and I expect the report to-mor- the row. Then Mr. Spring-Heel Jack will have to look out for himself. Sangecatch him indeed! He has no more chance than of going to the moon. No, boy, it takes an older head than his, and if I be growing old, 1. can yet do something to show my brain as good as ever,” ' Oliver listened intently to what the old man we and drew a long breath after he had. fin- ished, ‘* Well, cousin,” he said, ‘‘ you are quite as oie! Bee take Spring-Heel Jack as George, for he thinks more of making love to old Reid’s daughter, than of anything else in the wide world.” The duke caught at the words. ‘* Ay, ay, | know that; but I have put a spoke in that wheel, you may be sure.” ‘* Indeed?” Oliver’s tone was one of perfect indifference ; but a n who noticed him closely would have seen that his eyes were not more than peereped, and that he was glancing at the old duke from elids, in a singular, stealthy way. ued the duke, spitefully. © “ It is true that I have no power to control su sion to the title, but I have to the estates, and have made a will which only requires to be sign- ed, which will prevent that Reid from ever say- ing that he is father-in-law to the richest duke in England. I have not signed it yet, Noll; but I can, if at any time the pair of them is disposed to disobey my commands.” ‘*Indeed, cousin,” said Oliver, softly. ‘I cannot think that any brother of mine would be so lost to all sense of decency, that he would disregard the wishes of the head of his house; He talked gayly and kept the duke in good but, indeed, the girl is after him all the time, humor, till nothin would do but the old man and I much fear that George will end.in being must take some of the wine, though the doctor , her husband, no matter what any one may say had given his strictest orders against it. It did not seem to do him any harm, but | rather to make his spirits rise and his tongue flew faster, so that, in a little time ter | revent him,” : duke listened sharply, and cast a suspi- cious glance at Oliver. ‘* Tt seems that she is not in your good graces to Oliver had come in, the old duke was toasting | then, Oliver?’ to his cousin’s success at the ig ws ju oprmes | and letting his conversation flow in the channe which ** Bad Howard.” Oliver did not seer to be shocked at the topics introduced by his cousin, but as he sent, till at last the old duke clapped him on the back and cried out: ‘* By all the powers of Heaven, Noll, ‘tis you ress | be the next duke, and George remain plain Mr. Howard!” Oliver shrugged his shoulders. ve him as good | once earned him the name of the | : ‘*That is beyond the power of mortal man,” | he said. ‘‘ The title of premier duke is the one thing in England which not all the powers of the owner can give away.” ‘** But there is a good deal else that he can,” ‘In mine, cousin? Nay, but if there is a per- son in the world I dislike, it is that same pale- faced, lolling invalid they call Rose Reid. She is a fool, bas no sort of air about ker, No, she is not in my good books, as you say.” ‘* Then why in the deuce don’t you tell her so and fa shame her into ae your brother?” asked the old duke suddenly. ‘ father seems to bea man of some pride, and I told him, this morning, that he could never hope to have his daughter married to George, and have both the titleand money. But what do you think he told me when I said that?” ‘*T'm sure I don’t know, cousin.” ‘‘Told me that he was rich enough to give his daughter a fortune, that would enable her to be as good a duchess as any one else, Oliver interrupted the old duke, in a tone that was | between you and me, I am ashamed to sign that Reve thicker as he drank more and more. ‘And let me tell ye, boy, there is that now in this room would make George stare if he knew it. It would frighten him famously.” rare tr cast a quick, suspicious glance at his cousin. | ‘* I don’t know there is a ing in the room that could frighten any one, cousin. One wi think that we were talking of Spring- Heel Jack.” rodar'y duke made a disdainful gesture with | | es Spring-Heel Jack is a fool, that can do no | more than frighten women. will, and yet I am tempted to do it.” “Why ashamed ?” asked Oliver, slowly. " You have aright to do as you will with your own. ‘* Yes, that is true, very true, and the rascal has treated me with great: disr t. Do you know what he told me, Noll—-t mean your ear rie eae es a a no Oo 8 w cut him off with a shilling if he did? What do you think he had the audacity to say to me?” “*T dare not think, sir.” ovit “He told me that there would he one less ethoughtthathe mourner at my funeral,” said the old duke in a com ebooks (El) ; \ i. | ] . : or wees) ees ee ee =