Beadle's Dime Library No. 388: The Giant Buccaneer — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

( — . se - - — —— _— a — > =< ~ Suen = - ~Yy oe 8 = - Ss. “to ist > ‘on _— qe oat we rt - rir 7 ” ; | o h.4 22 = Oe — a The Giant Buccaneer. ———— —— ing, and the door closed behind the visitor before the money-lender turned. ‘Lady Rita! the Virgin be praised! **So my scheme succeeded well and you are free? “‘Tlow I rejoice that I have been the means of your rescue, dear lady,” and the money- lender grasped Rita’s hand in both his own. In amazement she looked at him, while she ; said slowly: ‘* Your scheme to effect my rescue, Don Rudolpho?” ‘¢ Yes, lady.” “‘T certainly do not understand you.” ‘** Let me explain then. “You see, | was walking along the levee two evenings ago when the lugger came in, on board of which you were a prisoner. **T took a stand behind a tree, and watch- > hd ‘Ah! I remember seeing some one there.” “Yes, my dear lady, it was your friend, the money-lender. . “‘I saw you carried off to the cavcel, and I at once determined to rescue you. “Then I returned to the yacht, and by bribing one of the negro crew who were sent to the yacht Lady Maud in the lake, as the lugger was going to be hauled out for re- pairs, I found out all that had taken place.” “* All?” “Yes, lady.” ‘Do you know that my poor husband was hanged?” and Rita’s voice was hoarse with passion. **T do know it, lady, and you have my deepest sympathy; but remember, you are not friendless, for I am here to protect you.” ‘« But to your story, Don Rudolpho, please, though I thank you for your interest in me.” ‘* Well, having learned all, 1 knew what would happen to you.” **And what fate did you think would be mine?” ‘*Tmprisonment for life.” “Tt doubtless would be, if I was content to submit to it.” **T at once determined to rescue you, and you know there are wheels within wheels, so to speak, which, when set to work, all d their duty. : ‘*T sent for my spies and for others, and at last I hit upon a plan. ‘*T secured a blank order with the Govern- ment seal and private mark of the command- ant of the naval forces upon it. “This I filled out to an officer of the quarters, ordering him to take a sergeant and two marines and go to the carcel, and bring you to the prison-ship. **To this I forged the name of Command- ant Nazro, and ordering a vehicle, sent pick- ed men to do the work, paying them a large sum—” , ‘“Which I will refund you, Don Ru- dolpho.” “By no means, for what I spend for friendship is outside of business, my dear Jady. But to go on with my story— Yet why tell it, for you are here, and that proves its success,” ‘‘My dear Don Rudolpho, when did you send these men?” «* An hour ago.” ‘And an hour ago T left the prison.” ‘And my men brought you here, as I or- dered.” ‘‘No, senor; I came here alone, and I did not see your men.” ‘‘Then, in the name of Heaven, how did you escape?” cried the Don. ‘‘T escaped unaided, senor, as you soon will know, when the story flies through the - gtreets on the morrow.” ‘* But how?” In a few words the Smuggler Queen told her story, and Don Rudolpho listened to it in admiration and amazement combined. ‘“You are a wonderful woman, Lady Rita, a wonderful woman.” ‘‘ Thank you, senor, and believe me, I ap- preciate all that you have at least attempted to do for me. ‘* Upon leaving the carcel I knew not where to go, so came to you, to have you fit me out in some disguise, that I may go and get uarters.” ‘‘That is all arranged, lady, for I have a suit of rooms in this house for you, all fitted up, and I have a surprise for you, too.” ** And what is that, Don Rudolpho?” **T met eé Oh, she?” *“She is beneath this roof, for I brought her here, to place her in charge of your rooms.” ‘*You are so kind, Don Rudolpho.” ** Not at all, dear lady; and you know that this is a grand old house, with a great deal of vacant space in it, and I have bad your rooms in one wing, overlooking my own court and garden, and where no one can see rou. ‘Old Ninah can care for you, and ina disguise I will give you, you can drive out or ride out at your leisure, and try and for- get your sorrows.” *“But I have a sacred duty to perform,” said the woman, in a voice that quivered. * You are revengeful, you mean?” ** Yes.” ‘*“And mean to avenge your father and husband?” ‘*I do, so help me Heaven!” ‘There is time enough for that; but first get back your rosy cheeks, and then look out for 1evenge.” ‘*Have you seen my lieutenant?” ‘* Which one?” “Chester Granger, whom that accursed midshipman set free,” “No.” ‘| cannot believe that he has deserted me, for he said he would do all in his power to get me free, for | would not accept my pardon from Irving Brandt, and I told him to come straight to you.” ‘* He has not been here, my lady.” “This is strange, for he seemed like one who would not desert a friend in trouble.” ‘‘He was a fine young man, Lady Rita; but [guess he felt that the risk would be fearful and gave it up; but come with me to your room and give old Ninah a glad sur- prise.” Locking his office-door the Don led the way by a secret stairway beginning at a cleverly concealed panel in the wall up to the floor above, and by a narrow hallway to a wing, Here he led the Smuggler Queen by the hand, for all was darkness, and soon came to a hait. A key was turned in the lock, and a door was opened, showing a small ante-chamber. Crossing this, another door opened, and Rita found herself ushered into a large and comfortable room, with two others opening into it. . The rooms were cheerfully furnished, a number of books were upon the table, a harp stood in one corner, a guitar lay upona di- van, and then there were paintings upon the walls. One of the other rooms was a bed-chamber, and the other a semi-kitchen and _dining- room combined. The windows looked out upon a garden surrounded by high walls that had not a break in them. At one of the windows stood the old out- law negress, Ninah, and she had not heard the entrance of the money-lender and her mistress. Across each of the windows were heavy iron bars, and the shutters, though open, were also of iron. | ‘* Mammy Ninah!” called out the Smuggler our old negress—”’ inah! what of her? where is ueen. Instantly the old negress dropped upon her knees, raised her hands above her head, and, without looking around her, cried: ‘*Oh, Lordy! Lordy! Missy Rita am dead, an’ dat am her voice callin’ old Ninah from de hebbens,” ‘*No, no, Mam’ Ninah, I am not dead, but alive with you.” A cry of joy from the old negress, and she fell at the feet of her mistress, ‘“‘This bell will call me, lady, if you need anything,” said the money-lender, as he left the room. But once outside he muttered: ‘* At last she is in my power.” CHAPTER XLI. FOR GOLD AND REVENGE. AFTER having escorted the Smuggler Queen to her rooms, Rudolpho, the money- lender, felt at ease, and sallied forth to learn what he could of the escape from the carcel, It had hardly become known to the public P ‘ of i ° ~ * ‘iy.3 + : : ) Mset Ae Nea that the Smuggler Queen had been captured and the Sea Ghoul hanged, when the start- ling information was flying through the city that she had escaped. The party sent by the money-lender had been the means of making the discovery of her escape for, upon going to the cell they found the old servant woman just recovering consciousness and gasping for breath. In a few words she told all, and the pre- tended marine officer was only too glad to hasten away with his men, under pretense of carrying the news to the commandant. But an officer from the navy quarters drop- ping in soon after, said that he knew no such order had been sent, and word was at once dispatched for Commandant Nazro, who was at the Brandt mansion, and it all came out how a bold attempt had been made to rescue the Lady Captain, and which would have been successful had not the daring wo- man already rescued herself. Such was the news flying about the town, and it reached the ears of the Don, who then hastened back to his home. Hardly had he taken his seat before the bell rung gently, which communicated with Rita's rooms. Instantly he locked the outer door, opened the secret panel and ascended to the wing. A tap on the door, and old Ninah opened it. ‘**Missy want to see you, sah,” she said. In her rooms the woman had found a quantity of clothing, which the thoughtful- ness of the money-lender had placed there, and she had put on a chamber robe that was exceedingly becoming to her. ‘“My dear Don,” she said, softly. ‘“T sent for you to again thank you for all that you have done for me.” ‘Do not speak of it, lady.” “But I will speak of it, for I find these rooms most delightful, my dear old nurse Ninah, here to wait on me, the pantry full of delicacies, fruits in abundance, a wardrobe at my service, and all that heart could wish. ‘“Now, what does all this mean?” ‘Tt means, Lady Rita, in serving you, I give pleasure to myself.” ‘It is very kind of you, senor; but you must allow me to repay you in some way.” ‘““Do not speak, lady, of repaying what love prompts me to do,” and the Don placed his hand over his heart and bowed low. ‘*Ah! I remember, my dear Don, that you once did me the honor of saying that you loved me.” ** And I love you to-day, lady.” ‘Then I was the wife of Captain Keys; but to-day, alas! 1 am free.” ** Yes, and in your own good time I would beg that you become my wife.” ‘*My dear Don, you are so kind to ask it; but I was half-way bound to my lieutenant, Chester Granger—” ‘* Ha! to him?” ‘‘ Now don’t get jealous, for it was condi- tional, for I told him to do his duty in savin my husband from the gallows, and if he di all he could and failed and Captain Keys died, I would marry him. ‘‘He did all in his power, we rescued my husband; but he was afterward hanged, so I am, or was, bound to the lieutenant. ‘But as he has broken faith with me, by not coming to seek me or attempt my rescue, Tend my contract with him this night and will make one with you.” ‘¢ You will make my heart very glad, lady.” «It is my desire to reap a fearful revenge upon all who bear the name of Brandt.” ‘* Yes, lady.” ‘“‘T desire to get into my power Colonel Brandt, Bradford Carr, Maud Brandt—”’ ‘* Now Mrs. Carr.” ' ‘“Ha! is she married to that man?” ‘** Yes, lady, to-night I heard so.” ‘‘ Well, let it be so; her happiness and his shall be short lived. “Then I wish also to get into my power that accursed boy, Irving randt.” ‘*Tt shall be as you wish, lady.” “ You can arrange this for me?” **T can? ** How, senor?” ‘*T will secure a vessel and crew, go to the Brandt Plantation, whither they all sail, and capture the whcle party. ‘Then I can carry them to some island, when you can come and join us, and have them wholly in your power.” Eomicbooks.