Beadle's Dime Library No. 366 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

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But he hoped to find the trail, to mollify his captor’s rage, to secure tueir intervention in his favor, if an opportu- ay occurred to signal their aid. s he trod the sandy road, the deep rut of a vehicle recently passed told him that he was on the right trail. Behind him, grim, silent, paced his captor. In silence the quest began, and it was never broken until, as the road diverged down to the river-banks, the outlaw said in a trembling tone: ** They have turned in here,” There was an old deserted hut a few yards from the road, The carriage-wheels had turned into the sloping ground surrounding it. Two miles or more from the village, it had evidently been selected by the accomplices of Torrance to dispose of the woman he had placed in their charge, for twenty rods distant, Marvin sud- ‘denly caught sight of the forms of two men, cr Oe burden in their arms. ‘They are there,” the old man muttered, hoarsely, ‘* Into vhat hut,” The outlaw hesitated at the order, and then entered the open door of the desolate cabin. ‘* Lie down on the floor!” So imperious was the tone that Torrance obeyed. Marvin secured his feet, and then tied a handkerchief over his mouth so tightly that he could scarcely breathe. Asif satisfied that his prisoner could not re- lease himself, Marvin left the place and has- tened to the bank of the river. But, evidently, his object was less to meet the two men in the carriage than to rescue the woman in their power, Recognizing in her an important ele- ment in the investigation he was making, or moved by a native chivalry, his only thought seemed to be to rescue her trom her brutal cap- tors. There was a little growth of willows near the banks of the stream, and this afforded a covert between the trailer and the assassins, As he stood within their shelter, Robert Marvin could dimly see their movements. The carriage stood near them, and from it they had lifted a form —that of a woman. It was Arminie rn Re senseless from the combined effects of fright, excitement and chloroform, ‘* What shall we dowith her?” he heard one of the men ask. His companion hesitated, but finally replied: * Tie a weight to her feet and let her sink.” He seemed to be searching around for a stone as he spoke, while with a horrible coolness and tacit acquiescence in his awful plan, the other supportec the form of the inanimate Arminie. * Hello!” he was startled by hearing his com- panion say. ** What is it?” , ** A boat! See here, Brown, the current seems swift and sets north.” ; ~ 6b Well?” , « * Ain’t the falls a few miles below?” i ‘I believe so,” ‘*Then we'll drop the sinking business. Bring her here!” This brutal nonchalance incensed Marvin so that he clasped the revolver as though he would _ face the men boldly, but prudence bade him wait. ‘* What do you propose to do?” he heard the other scoundrel demand. ‘* Lay her in the boat and I'l] tell you.” The other did as he requested. ** Now hand me the bottle of chloroform.” He applied a deluging shower of the subtle drug to a handkerchief as the other tendered him a vial, and stooped down, placing it over the mouth and nostrils of the victim. ‘““Tt’'s best to be safe,” he muttered, ‘' She’s already under the influence of the drug, but this will insure her keeping quiet till the boat goes down if it don’t kill her. Cut her loose!” The rope securing the boat to a little tree was wo ay two by a quick cut from a knife, and the skiff, with its living freight, floated rapidly down the stream. The men stood watching the craft as it started ‘down the river, and then turned to the car- riage. ‘*Our work is done; now to return the car- riage and hasten back to New York,” Marvin heard one of the men say. But he lingered to watch their movements no longer. we ope shore he kept in advance of fhe floating t, and as he reached a spot where he knew the men, even if on the watch, could not discern his form in the darkness, he ‘threw off his coat and sprung boldly into the stream. a fe me Se Oe Sere: i es eee He had calculated his movements to a nicety, and his hand touched the prow of the boat as it passed him. A fierce struggle for the mastery over the swaying boat and the rushing current, and then, with half a dozen powerful strokes, he brought it to the shore. He tore the handkerchief from the woman’s white, cold face, and felt of her pulse anxiously. ‘She lives,” he murmured, eagerly, as he scooped up some water in his hands and flung it over her face. He did not appear to mind his dripping gar- ments but sat, for an hour or more, by her side, his eyes gleaming like two coals of fire with the thoughts which excited his active mind. He started and leaned forward as a faint sigh, a gentle movement of the limbs, the opening eyes and startled cry of alarm and wonder of the prostrate woman told him that conscious- ness had returned to her inanimate form. She arose to a sitting eetien- and glared wildly around as she brushed back her dark tresses, disordered in the struggle with her cap- tors. She could dimly make out the form of her companion, and started back shuddering at the sight of the dark, gleaming river by her side. With a little cry of alarm she made a move- ment as if to arise to her feet and fly from the damp sward vag which Marvin had placed her. But he, with a detaining hand laid on her arm, said gently: **Do not be alarmed; I am a friend.” ** No associate of Torrance is a friend to me,” cried Arminie, wildly. ‘“*T am neither friend nor associate of Tor- rance,” replied Marvin; ‘* I am his deadly en- emy!’ here was no mistaking the trembling inten- sity of emotion and sincerity in his tone, ‘Then what am I doing here?” asked the Frenchwoman, wonderingly. “You have been rescued.” ‘* Wrom that?” and she pointed to the river. ** Yes, and chloroform. ** And you did it?” **T did it.’’ She peered curiously through the darkness at his disguised face. , ‘* Who are you?” she asked, boldly. ** Robert Marvin.” ‘* Great heavens, no!” She spoke the words terribly startled. ‘‘T am indeed that wronged and persecuted man, It seems strange to you, doubtless, that I, the man whom your accomplices have so cruelly treated, should take the trouble to save your life, does it not?” The woman hung her head. ‘*'You, too, have aided these men,” pursued the escaped captive—‘‘ your hand has, perha unconsciously, assisted in welding the iron links around my life, yet I have saved you, saved you, perhaps, to return to these very men and again conspire against my life, betray my lib- erty.” ** Never!” The word was uttered so fiercely that it spoke volumes to the man beside her, ‘*T believe you,” he said. ‘** ‘You well may,” cried the woman, with ris- ing tones. “If for love I followed implicitly the direction of Adrian Revere, that tie is sun- dered now, He decoyed me hither—he sold my life to his evil accomplices. Love is dead, but revenge, oh, let him beware.” : Even in the darkness her white teeth, set in fierce vindictiveness, gleamed like pearls, her hands were clasped in a wild paroxysm of rage. “Tf you speak truly, join issues with me, then,” gsm Marvin. ‘I saved your life; now I ask an earnest recompense for the ser- vice.” ‘* Name it.” **That you follow my directions for a time, until your busband—” She started quickly. ‘* How did you know this?” she asked. **From papers I found in the library of Adrian Revere’s house. Ou, I have not been idle since I escaped his hands, First the casket; then its safe bestowal; then the trail of this man Revere. ShallI tell ie how I, hiding about his home for hours, stole into his very house, saw his fair captive for whom he has sacrificed you? No; in time I will detail it all, even to the death Iso nearly met in falling from the lattice of her window. But one thing I will tell you—in my possession, stolen from Adrian Revere’s secre Il have the certificate of your mar- riage with him.” A wild cry rung from Arminie Royale’s lips. ‘* Give it to me!” she pleaded, gies ** When you have proven your fidelity to me, I will,” replied Marvin, calmly, ‘ This man sought your life to install Constance Thorndyke as the mistress of his home. In neither venture shall he succeed. I saved you; I also warned her that she was not his wife. What was the mockery of her marriage?” ‘* A fraud,” ‘** And she was not wedded to him—even when d by some base means?” ‘*No. His proofs are feasible, strong, but false. Shall I tell you—” ‘* Not now; there is important work todo. I believe in you; I place my liberty in your graph Detectiv hands, but remember, in return for treachery I can destroy the only evidence of your marriage with Adrian Revere—can deliver you into his hands again. Are you able to walk a short dis- tance?” ** Perfectly so.” ‘* Then come,” He donned his rejected coat, and, supporting her, they retraced the river-path. She did not draw back as he led her within the darkened old hut. She stood silent as he proceeded again to the outside and returned with an armful of wood and leaves. Throwing them into an old fireplace, he applied a match and the pile ignited. Its ruddy glow illuminated the interior of the place, making its desolation apparent, but also revealing the gagged and bound form of Tor- rance on the floor. The woman stared as she recognized him. Then her dark eyes gleamed vindictively. ** Good!” least!” She returned the angry glance of the captured outlaw without wavering. Marvin was exam- ining the interior of the place. It had two rooms, the outer cne being in the worse condi- tion of the two, Then he examined the bonds of the man on the floor, and drew the woman aside from his hearing with a gesture. ‘* Tf it would enchance the GEDOrUnniey of re- venge and aid my plans, would you be willing to remain here a day or more?” . ‘* A week—a month!” responded Arminie, fiercely. ‘‘ Only let me repay the cowardly pur- pose of Adrian Revere!” Marvin looked satisfied. The strong nature of the woman once aroused, he could trust to her firmness and sense of injustice to carry out his Preece. “It is necessary,” he continued, ‘that you should remain here until I return, and that you should guard that man Torrance,” ‘*Fear not; he will not escape me,” ‘*T will soon secure a few articles of furniture for this desolate place. It is isolated, therefore safe for our purpose.” Pi The woman returned to a position near the side of Torrance and seated herself on a broken bench, watching him and the fire with vengeful, reflective eyes in turn. Thus until the morning the twain occupied the old hut. She arose as the first gray streaks of dawn appeared in the eastern ree and re- moved the Saadneuchiot tied around Torrance’s mouth. : A perfect torrent of oaths and abuse poured from the villain’s ge as he regained the oppor- tunity of speech. e threatened and cajoled her by turns. She seemed to enjoy his words but betrayed not a single indication of anger at his menaces, or any acquiescence in his offered | bribes. An hour later a wagon driven by Robert Marvin approached the place. He had gone to a town down the river, not venturing to Morris where Torrance’s companion might be search- ing for the missing man, and had come back with numerous articles of furniture and food. Within another hour the interior of the old hut presented quite a homelike appearance. His cold gray eyes gleamed as he took from a package a pair of linked handcuffs attached to a heavy, long chain. Torrance’s face paled, and his eyes fell before the enety, glance of the clder Marvin, as he realized that his captor would show no merey in imprisoning him until Le had ascertained the fate of his son. Marvin cut the bonds securing his feet and then applied the handcuffs to his wrists. He dragged rather than Jed him into the next apartinent, securing the chain with a heavy pad- lock around a post, and then drew a revolver from his pocket. | **T leave you this man’s guardianship when I £0,” he said impressively to Arminie. ‘* Take this revolver, and if he attempts to escape, shoot him dead.” Escape! The outlaw fairly trembled with impotent rage as he strained at the strong chain wheu his captors withdrew to the other room. For once he was safely caged, held in thrall by a fce who awarded him the same se A he himself had received at his cruel ands. For a long time Marvin and Arminie Royale conversed in confidential whispers, At last the former arose and took a light stand he had purchased into the apartment occupied by Tor- rance. The prisoner watched him eriowiiry § as he saw his mysteriousmovements, Marvin had drawn a mene to the table upon which he had laced pens, ink and paper. pe Sit down,” he commanded. Torrance seated himself as ordered. ‘Does your fellow-conspirator and assassin, Adrian Revere, know your handwriting?” ‘* Yes,” sullenly acquiesced the prisoner, ‘‘Then take up that pen and write as I dic- tate. Not one moment of delay or attempt at deception. ‘Your life is in an uncertain balance and [ hold it lightly enough to blow your brains out at the slightest provocation.” The crafty mind of Torrance suggested no means of evading this resolute man. Should he attempt to deceive him—whatever his purpose, she cried. “You have him, at EOmicdooks