Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 396 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

——— : | $ ee . ee a . ? hari + - Ae ia ° uae 2% | ~* » ‘ " -_ . * - ~ 7s ie Ae « . > + : ’ evn « v P . # “s 4. ty Sit As we ‘> A a” h “a #e , 7. So ». J — * * ~ 7 * * « j L > = et PA : oT a7 Ve 7" ws # bs ; ee "> *-« « Woy 4 WP es he ire ys e The Piper Detective. 3 that he had aroused not a spark of the old-time feeling. ‘* ’m not sure how much interest I can claim, but I confess I was not half-sorry to get back, after some fifteen years’ absence. I took in India to be sure, but I’m last from Egypt. I don’t know that I would have left that wonder- ful country if it had not been for some impor- tant matters, involving a large sum of money, that required my presence here. Now that I[ have come I am doubly glad of it. [ don’t know hew it is that we have not met sooner.” “Any family?’ asked the major, airily. ‘“T’m still a bachelor, and likely to remain, Never felt sorry until now. As I haven’ta local habitation, or much of a name, I can’t invite you around to stop with me in my brown-stone front while you are in the city; but better luck by the next time, Meanwhile, TP’d like to see as much of you as possible.” ‘*Thanks, I believe you are just as rattle- | pated as you were when the youngest member of my staff. Of course I expect to see a good deal of you now that we have met by chance; and perhaps I can help you on a few squares to- ward the purchase of that brown-stone front that I can see you huve your heart on, As for family—I am a widower, with one child, Regina. When I started on my wanderings I neglected her after a way, leaving her with an aunt, that died. When I heard from her in my wanderings she had found a home and was tak- ing care of herself, aided a good deal by a liftle legacy from poor Mary. Now, to my surprise she isa woman. You've no idea what a strange revelation it was when I met her.” = Blaine laughed; his hearty, careless laugh. ‘*T am always busy, and always at leisure. I have dropped the saber and seized the pen. This minute I am looking for items, and nothing would give me more pleasure than to immortal- ize my old chief in a two columnarticle. Say. You must have seen something worth telling in the East. If you'll give me the points Til write you right up. hat say you”? - ‘* Hush!” answered the general, hastily, hold- ing 2 his hand. ‘You are a reporter, are you? For heavens sake keep me out of your note-book. I[ am here half incog., and you can’t do me a greater service than by remaining quiet about my pres- ence. But of course you will. I was going to say that, if you have nothing to do, I would be glad to have you come to our rooms and talk over old times. I have quite lost the run of our friends, while no doubt are posted as to their whereabouts. I want to go over the list be- fore I get totally immersed in business.” ‘*T’ve followed you often enough, general for you to know that your wish is a law that I am very happy to obey. Come, I dida fair day’s work before dinner, and I’ve a few hours that I would spend in idling anyway.” Without hesitation Blaine took the general’s arm and walked up the street with him. Major Blaine was not heartless, nor was he devoid of curiosity, that he made no further in- quiry in regard to Hector Rawle’s family. The fact was that his intance with the late Mrs. Rawle was of the slightest, and he scarcely remembered at all the child that he had simply had a glimpse of on one or two occasions, He was totally unprepared for the reality of the thing when General Rawle said: ‘““My daughter, Regina, major; Regina, this is Preston Blaine, formerly of my staff. You have heard his name often enough, no doubt.” *‘Have I not?’ answered a soft, sweet voice, and a young girl of not over nineteen came for- ward, Talatne out a slender white hand. He looked into the face of this girl with sur- rise, even as he took the hand that was offered im. He was agitated; and so was she, though with more tact to conceal it. Unless he was widely mistaken, he had once drawn her from a Broadway jam, when she was in some little dan- ger, and several times since they had passed each other with that half-recognizing look that means a great deal. He had thought often enough that he would speak to her again if he dared—and here at last her band was in his, and she was the daughter of Hector Rawle. No great resemblance was there, since he was tall and dark, while she was petite and dazzlin fair, Her hair was a rich chestnut brown, abd hung over her shoulders in a heavy mass of curls; her eyes were a changeful blue; while every motion was full of indolent grace, Probably General Rawle caught the involun- tary movement of surprise. He smiled, and said quietly: > ‘*Not very much like me, isshe? But she is her mother over again.” | “TI saw but little of Mrs. Rawle: but I can trace the resemblance,” answered Blaine, and he noted a sudden gleam in the blue eyes that told Then they seated themselves and began anew their conversation, in which Miss Regina now and then joined, though, for the most part, she listened with an eager interest. After they had hastily compared reminis- cences, the general remarked: ‘‘I don’t mind telling you, Blaine, in spite of f . \ "= two,” usiness that has called me here. ‘My sister’s husband committed suicide not long ago, when he found himself bankrupt through unsuccessful speculations. Unfortun- ately, he had bankrupted not only himself and his family, but several other families as well, unless research should throw some light on the subject. I sometimes think that it will.” Preston Blaine stroked his long mustache thoughtfully. ‘“Who was the gentleman that suicided? There have been some strange cases in the last year, and I looked most of them up for the pa- pers. Perhaps | could give you a point or hn profession, something of the nature of the | ‘** Alvah Wharton was the name of the poor unfortunate. I say unfortunate advisedly, for I knew him too well to believe that he would be deliberately guilty of anything dishonest.” ‘* Wharton? “Why, I know that case like a book. About half a million of rae | securi- ties. What is it that you want to find out? You will excuse me for saying it, but it’s about as plain as a flag-staff. e went down into Wall street like a lion, and came away like— like a sheep after the shearing. He had one little flyer left that he thought might give him enough to go on, and when that slumped through and when they called on him for a heap of mon- ey to make his margins good, he just blew his brains out. It’s a bad story, and if I were you 1 wouldn’t give it any further ventilation. It has been forgotten already, but if you give ita second start, it will float on the surface at least twice as long asit did originally.” . General Rawle listened attentively to his younger friend, but it was with the air of one who was not at all convinced. ‘* That’s the outside story, and I don’t blame Now Preston, for swallowing it down, But I now something that you do not. Alvah Wharton had made a quarter of a million out of Northern Pacific on the last turn of the deal before the unfortunate occurrence that ended his life; why then should he blow his brains out when he was called on fora paltry little fifty thousand? Besides, he had e just such a turn under certain contingencies, and was ready for it, expecting to make ultimate profit. The fact is, itis not half a million, but three-quar- ters of a million dollars that is missing, and it is my work here to find out where it went to.” ** And when you find it?” ‘*T am going to clear Alvah’s name no matter who goes under,” **Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars?— that is large money,” said Blaine, thoughtfully. ‘‘TIf I could see any way by which they could have got at it, 1 would be half-inclined to take your view.” ‘* That is what is to be found,” snddenly inter- pane Miss Regina. ‘‘ It is going to be, perhaps, he hardest of work; but we will not fail in the end. Iam ready to do my share, small though it may be; and I know that you will help us. You can help us, too. You know so many per sons and things that we are ignorant of. d you could make so many inquiries, while no one would be suspecting you. Altogether, it has really been quite providential, father happenin to meet you in such an unexpected way. ) can count on you, can we not?’ ** Certainly,” responded Major Blaine, bowing low to conceal a smile. ‘‘ Perbaps I shall find in the course of my investigations that my betes moines the Gilt Edge Gang are concerned in this also, ** The what?” General Rawle seemed struck by the name. ‘*'The Gilt Edge Gang. Of course I have been laughed at for my opinion, but they seem to be the most remarkable criminals we have had for years. Equal to the Old Man of the Mountain and his assassins.” “Singular,” said the general, musingly. “TI have heard that name before, or one very much like it, though it was in a different language. The name sounds coarse; but could the organi- zation be of Eastern origin?” ‘‘An idea! To look for Eastern assassins in the Empire City. Instead of the cord they work with the bludgeon; instead of Captain Sleeman, Paddy the Piper is to be their exterminator— assisted, perhaps, by one Preston Blaine.” “ And, in the name of wonder, who is Paddy the Piper, and what has he to do with them?” “Oh, he is a crack-brained Irishman, sup- d to have been at one time connected with he mob, but who at present prefers to play the virtuous—for a due reward, He must be a re- markable sort of man, for barehanded he got away with the chief of police and Captain Hardy. They let up when they found they had to, and to-day 1 think they would sooner take him than the rest of the villains he denounces.” _ “ Whist! Howld yer gab! Paddy ther Piper is here to spake fer himsilf. Gin’ral, darlint, ye’re a gintlemon, an’ wouldn’t take a mane advantage av a mon ez wanted to do pons good tourn, I’m thrustin’ av yez both niver to br’athe er worrud whin I tell yez ye’re both in oop av yer loives, an’ axes yez ter kape off av ther strate to-night. By to-morrer Oj’ll hey it fixed ter take care ov yez; but ter-noight’s ther J c ‘ - r — ? rn The three had sprung to their feet at the sound A of the strange voice, and the first idea of the general was to pitch the intruder out neck and crop. It was not ony fear that restrained him, buta ; sudden streak of curiosity such as he had never felt before. The man was sane, sober, and in earnest. What then was the meaning of the he intrusion? : ‘What do you want?’ began the general— and before he could utter another word the lit- : tle ferret-eyed Irishman was gone. The two men looked strangely ateach other, when Hector Rawle had stopped the major from a pursuit by a sudden gesture that reminded the — younger man of the old times, Rs ‘You are right, general, as you always were. That is the man I was just speaking of. Ifheis - honest in his warning, it would be best that we ; let him go his way unhindered. But why should he bother his head with us,and how did hecome ta open your doors? Certainly J have never — seen him before, and I judge he is equallya stranger to you.” ) oO “And if he is not honest we are losing a | chance. It is as likely that he wantstokeepus —_ out of the road. He could have no knowledge of me, unless he has been mixed up in the very matters I have beentalking of. Itell you, Pres- — ton, it’saclew. The warning has its meaning, = and I am going to take it.” e ‘“‘And I am not. Then we'll have him both — ways. I believe there’s a deeper game some- ate | where than they dream of, even at. Headquar- © ters. Good-afternoon, general; good-day, Miss = * Regina. Ishall see you both to-morrow. For ~— the present I’m off on the trail.” os ee tee Without waiting for answer he took his de- — parture; and this time the general did not attempt to stop him, though the major did not guess the reason why. General Rawle’s eyes had by chance fallen upon his daughter, and he had seen that her ‘tate face was as white as marble. ek CHAPTER III, , ae THE ROW AT THE RAT-TRAP. ae THE “‘ Rat-Trap” was just around the corner E>: from respectability and yet it had a more un- — savory reputation, even than the Burnt > ot aa The stranger who went into it after nine o’clock = with a dollar in his pocket carried hislifeinhis —— hand, and was lucky if he came outagainrobbed only of his dollar. he It was near midnight when the proprietor, — old Silas Kettles—Copper Sile, as the boys gen- erally called him—cast his one bleared eyeona — face that was new to him, thous its presence ae Teh ea been unobserved by his regular ambs. | ‘* Hello, my downy cove, who be you, an’w’ot does yer want?” . é. Copper Sile spoke sharply, and moved toward the other end of his bar. . . ‘*'What do you s’pose I want, you old rum- soaked slubber-degullion? I wantabout ayard ~~ of white velvet, neat and strong. Spud itout, — and there’s the color of my mopus. [ma good — little man, able all ’round to take care of m te, so just whack up the fire-water while I takea soaker to the man that has two chances to i hy dance.” The tones were so. remarkably free and ~a'f cot, that he did not seem to be spoiling fora fight; but for a stranger to come in alone and attempt ‘ane to drink alone, was generally a signal for a +. turbance at the Rat Trap, and just then Cop y ee Sile had his reasons for not wanting any ea; in the house. ’ Poe st _*‘ A leary cove like you orter be fly to ther _ 5 time ov day we keeps down bere. It ain’tmy — fault; but there’s a gang ez lays round these . here s’loons ez goes through likely lookin’ stran- gers like whiz, They sail in an’ double-bank — em afore they, know what’s hurt’em. Thar’s yer gin, but ef yer’s ez downy acoveezI thinks — yer 2 you'll jest pad ther hoof to a better cli- mate. ie: “Oh, I'm all right,” responded the man, cool- ly, as he drained off the vile decoction. “I on’t mind a little fun myself, and I don’t mind tackling about half adozen of your bruisers; though, if they’re the right stripe, they'll hardly __ tackle me.” Ne SV _ The btranger looked to be ‘a modera ay man, through the rough light ulster, suitable to _ the fall weather, concealed his form. He wore a close-fitting cap on his head, drawn well down over his eyes, and his hair, or what was visible, __ was cropped short and was parted behind. The — rather small hand that raised the glassof liquor, __ was white and shapely. When he had swallowed the . looked in a satisfied way at Copper Sile that caused that worthy to stare suspiciously in re- turn. y Serewbegpi cine after this on Ww. a generally either a fly cop in disguise,or some one on the cross, Which. it was tance for ics Rs, Sile to know. ee Unfortunately, as it seemed, théfew minutes’ start had a mgs and the loun who yas pened to be few, came forward to take a hand. — ‘* Say, cully, who’n blazes be you?” asked Big Mike, a burly ruffian, ina red shirt and cordu- ss comicbooks.com iy ‘ Y . ren Fy . we —— > * ~ ° on! és ° a ee "eo oe “ oison, the man