Beadle's Dime Library No. 386 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Hawk Heron, th haunted them everywhere, and was in the very ir the hed. : As ‘ler emai the Pig and Whistle the fury of the wind increased. — There was a general banging of shutters and sign-boards, and it seemed a wonder that the roofs and chimneys should withstand the fierce usts. oN What are these tall buildings on either side?” asked Seagrave, as they were about entering the saloon. ‘‘The one on the left there,” said Hawk, is oc- cupied by telegraph, telephone and other offices, This other one, with the steam occasionally is- suing from the basement, is the great Steam Heating Company’s head-quarters.’ ‘* What the people is so mad against,” supple” mented Nixey, ‘‘ from the way their pipes bu’st now an’ then, makin’ rock an’ mud volcaners of the middle of the streets.” The saloon they now entered was a miserable, grimy dive, thronged with suspicious-looking characters, who eyed the new-comers with scowl- ing and forbidding glances. Bat a significant look from our hero was more thau sufficient to conciliate theproprietor, In a few minutes the three friends were in- stalled in a snug little private room under the sidewalk, with a substantial lunch and smoking cups of coffee before them. fter disposing of the refreshments, Hawk first examined the letter which Nixey had sur- reptitiously obtained from Mr. ‘ Blithers’, On the envelope was the latter’s New York address, written in a round official hand. There was no post-mark, so that it had doubt- less been delivered by a public messenger or private hands. The inclosure contained but a few lines, with- out date or personal signature. It was to the following effect: “Tf you can really give such information to His Excellency as shal lead to the arrest or destruction of the miscreants as an organization, the reward, as, well as your own unconditional pardon, shall be secured to you. But His Excellency mu t first have absolute proofs of your good faith. Srcrerary.” The crumpled envelope, which Seagrave had snatched out of the coupe, was also without ost-mark, and bore the address, ‘* Adolphe De- ancourt, 32 Melton place, New York.” ‘‘Here’s a coincidence,” said Hawk, when these things had been duly considered by the trio. ‘In the first place, both these addresses and the letter are in the same handwriting.” _ His companions assented, and looked at him expoctantly. lie ‘In the next place,” he continued, hesitatingly, ‘*¢ Adolphe Delancourt is doubtless one of Kotz- ka’s aliases. In fact, I remember hearing a woman ”—he could not bring himself to mention Clarisse’s name in such criminal connection— ‘¢‘ address him as her ‘ sweet Adolphe.’ ” ‘‘What do you deduce from this?” asked Seagrave, at length. ‘‘Thus far, that both Blithers and Kotzka are, s have been, in maar apeathe rae pome official epartment rhaps with some foreign bureau. ‘With inane cud in view?’ ‘*Tmpossible! Blithers is also interested in running Kotzka to earth, by reason of the for- eign forgeries.” ‘I’m sorry you think 80, boss,” said Nixey, wagging his head. ‘I don’t take no stock in that big Britisher.” oa ‘‘ Never mind, my lad. My supposition being granted, what more likely than for Blithers to communicate with a foreign bureau—say the Russian Consulate—inasmuch as Kotzka is a Nihilist conspirator, as we have seen?” ‘¢ But wherefore?” asked Seagrave. ‘““Why, for assistance in securing his man, and obtaining at the same time the reward which the Russian Government may have offered for the disruption of the anarchist or anization of which Kotzka is the undoubted head in this ” otra,” said Seagrave; “but why should ‘Secretary’ speak of granting him, Blithers, an unconditional pardon, besides the reward ‘‘T confess that staggers me considerably, said Hawk, knitting ao rows: * though Blith- ers may have actually joined the conspirators, for the express purpose of betraying them, thus rendering a subsequent pardon desirable.” ‘What? From the Czar’s Government, for in- stance, and for a British subject on American soil? Preposterous!” Hawk made an impatient gesture. ‘“‘T confess it is a mystery, though I still be- lieve in Blithers, with certain reservations,” said he, ‘* But come, let us consider our re- maining document.” ' He spread it out before him. | o It was the left-hand half of a piece of writing that had been irregularly torn down nearly through the middle. The writing proved to be in the Russian language, and was submitted to rave for pense as being the only one familiar with that dialect. While Seagrave was writing out the transla- tion on a fragment of paper made to resemble the original, he said: “This seems to have belonged to a rough draft of something afterward copied, or intend- ed to be copied,” This was the translation: ‘*New Y “70 His EXCELLENCY ‘**Count Ru ‘** Russia ** HONORED ‘IT am fully information con tion of Revolution City, but I must f the promised rew the Ozar’s uncon and subseque the vengeance ‘*T am so high the conspirators tion can be implici proceeding from its “Answer with cautions as hereto This was the mysterious fragment which the friends pored over for some moments in silence, and with but little satisfaction. ‘* In the first place,” said Hawk, at last, ‘‘ we will take for granted that the handwriting is that of Kotzka.” ** What then?’ asked Seagrave, “Just this: That, if we only had the other half of this fragment, and the entire readin would prove the contemplated treachery o Kotzka to his revolutionary associates, as this fragment suggests, our task of bringing him to justice would be virtually accomplished.” ** How?” ‘Can you ask? The vengeance of the con- spirators would be awful. he only difficulty would be to prevent them tearing him limb from limb, rather than delivering him bound and helpless into our hands,” ‘** True for you, boss!” chirped Nixey. ** Ah!” said Seagrave; ‘* but the other half of the writing we have not got.” ‘* But we must get it!” exclaimed Hawk; ‘‘ and you ant search for it, Seagrave.” ¢ ‘Yes. Listen now to our programme until next we meet. You, Seagrave, shall try to track the missing fragment of manuscript. You had better first look for itin the coupe which the oliceman took possession of. I will give youa ew lines that will serve as xour passport with the police. You, Nixey, shall once more shadow Mr. Blithers, I shall keep my appointment with Clarisse. Let us meet again in this place when the next midnight arrives. Now we will sep- arate.” He returned the papers to his pocket and arose. As the trio were ascending out of the Pig and Whistle, the furious wind almost lifted them from their feet. ‘*Tt’s a reg’lar snorter!” exclaimed Nixey, dancing about on the sidewalk to keep warm while a few parting words were being said. ‘We'd better all be in our beds than out—” He was interrupted by a tremendous clatter overhead. : They had barely time to spring into the mid- dle of the street before an immense sign-board came crashing down from the top of the adjoin- ing building. t struck on the very spot just deserted by the trio, and was shivered into a hundred pieces. ™h Heavens, what a narrow escape!” exclaimed ‘* The chunky chap with the mutton-chop whis- kers!” cried Nixey, with a sudden inspiration. “He had a hand in that—I’m bettin’ on it!” They were standing in front of the Steam Heating Company’s blishment. Hawk glanced up the front of the other tall buildin » from which the sign-board had fallen. It does look suspicious!” he muttered. ‘‘And that rascal, if his was the deed, might long be- fore this have telephoned or telegraphed to his principal in villainy as to orr whereabouts.” The words had dly escaped his lips when there was a terrible subterranean explosion. Then the street-bed, almost under their very feet, sprung into the air. They had just time to seek the shelter on the opposite side, as the mass of stone, earth and ice, which had been thrown aloft higher than the adjacent roofs, fell back in a crashing shower. | A hissing sound accompanied the eruption, and for a few moments the air was obscured by dense clouds of escaping steam. Then the Pig and Whistle disgorged a motley crowd of sight-seers, while several workmen rushed excitedly out ofthe Steam Heating Com- pany’s cellar. “Thieves! treachery!” shouted one of the lat- ter. ‘‘ Did any of you notice a man run up out of the cellar just now?” ‘* What kind of a man?” asked Hawk, “ An awfully big man, in a long dark cloak. He was nosing around the engines a while ago, pretending to examine the machinery.” ““ What of that?” “Then he disappeared: But he must have skulked in under the street, and tampered with the pipes. Didn’t any of you see him come run- ning out? ; “No,” said Hawk. ‘‘ Neither my friends nor I noticed any such person you describe.” He exchanged a significant. look with Sea- grave and Nixey, and the trio forthwith sepa- rated. ' —— SSS e Falcon Detective. 21 CHAPTER XXII. A FRESH HORROR. AN hour before dusk on the following evening”. Hawk Heron was on his way to keep his appoint— ment with Clarisse Letours in Melton place. He was invigorated after a long restful slum- ber, followed by a hearty meal, and felt hiaise!! equal to any fresh adventure. e had, moreover, just had an interview with: his chief of the Detective Bureau, in which Le: had reported progress. By way of disguise, he was attired in a brand- new fireman’s uniform, and wore a false set of” close-clipped, crispy beard all around his face, both of which became him well, while suflicient- ly concealing bis identity. Turning briskly into Melton place, he canie suddenly upon old Mr. Schmidt, the music- teacher, whom he had not met since the Gotham Flats fire. ‘** Ah, mynheer! well met,” cried Hawk, slap- ae Bes old man on the shoulder. . Schmidt had recognized the voice in spite of the fireman’s dreas. ‘* Ah, Mr, Heron! but I am glad to meet you again,” said he, quite cheerfully. ‘I have been seen to learn the particulars of that horrible re that ruined me, **Gad!” said Hawk, bursting into a laugh: **T must say you look decidedly contented for a. ruined man, my friend.” ‘*T was insured, Mr. Heron,” said the good old entleman, managing to pump out a sigh, “TI don’t mind telling you that I was even liberally insured.” se Aha 1” ‘¢ Yes, Mr. Heron,” and here the sigh was un- forced, ‘‘ but that has not restored to me my pets, my beautiful birds, that were destroyed. I don’t care so much for my musical instruments,, most of which were old and worn out. But my birds, my lovely pets!” ‘The scene of the murder—the Ashcombe flat. —was entirely wiped out, I have heard?” ‘*' Yes; not a trace of it left.” Hawk then related the particulars of the fire, and asked Mr. Schmidt where he was living. **Close at hand,” was thereply. ‘‘I have a nice third floor in a private house, my friend.” ‘** But where?” ‘* Here in Melton place, No. 34.” Hawk stertedi. This was the number adjoin- ing Clarisse’s residence, ‘I hope you have anice landlady,” said he, with assumed indifference. ** Yes, my friend; a worthy but homely old soul, who has seldom anything to say, and who always has the face-ache.” ‘*Ah! and you therefore see little of her fea- tures?” ‘‘Never anything, my friend, but the upper part, and that is so homely as to leave no desire for a fuller view. Ah! how different from the beautiful widow Ashcombe, who was wont to take an interest in my comfort, and—” ‘“* Stow that for the present. Any other lodg- ers besides yourself?” ** None other, my friend.” ** How did you happen to hit upon such an out- of-the-way place?” “Ah, it was very odd, my friend, On the morning after the fire, I was suey gazing at: the fire, when a nice man, my presen landlady's husband—” ‘* So, she has a husband?” “Yes, my friend, though he is seldom at home, and I have never seen them in each other’s com- n Rid pecT understand. He divined your difficulty, I suppose, offering you lodgings in his house, and you jumped at his offer.” * No, my friend, I never jump at anything. TI ‘am too old for that. But he seemed so pressing, ressing, that I should examine the so very at I consented, and presently hired rooms, them.’ ‘Very pressing, eh? What is his name?” ee id old Dupont. He is a foreigner, speaking all the continental languages, which will be agreeable for me,” ‘t What is he like?” ‘‘A short, thick-built man, my friend, with a turn-up nose, determined lips, and those English- looking whiskers at the sides of the ‘cheeks which you Americans call side-boards or mutton- cho . awk started again. Indeed, it was all he could do to keep from betraying his astonish- ment. ‘Well, good-afternoon, mynheer,” said he, re- covering himself. ‘‘I may call on you at your new quarters when you least expect me,” The old gentleman said he would always be welcome, and went on his way. ‘More mystery!” muttered Hawk, as he hur- ried to his destination. ‘To think of Kotzka having that simple old German already in his power! The man is as deep as he is diabolical. Clarisse’s basement shatters seemed to be se- curely fastened, and there was no response to our hero’s repeated rings for admittance. Then, finding to his surprise that the street- door was unfastened, he entered the house. A strange feeling came over him. An air of nameless pervade the empty interior, orror and abandonment seemed to Eomireboo cS con rr ert a woe + eee | pe ee. _ - rete,