Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 396 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

- a " bo ae of) 4 , . > . $ . . on ™ /~s : ~~ s » . * = a * »: ee - , aA 2? -, o * ae es . 3 ans sj The Piper Detective. es ‘ ‘2 5 Then she put up her hand and touched a but- ton upon Which it naturally fell. : She was in a narrow box-like shaft, with but standing-room. . As the button was pressed a bell jingled faint- ly. Then one side of the box opened outward, and the occupant ee lightly into a small room that was lighted by a lamp on a table, at which a young man was writing. He looked up. | ‘“‘ So it’s you, is it? I suspected as much when T heard you strike the landing above. What in the name of wonder brings you down here into my den? You have done a foolish thing, for it may be easier to get in than to get out.” ‘What has been going on, Howard? Had that procession that I met outside, around the corner, anything to do with you?” ‘* A great deal to do with me, since it was got- ten up entirely inmy honor. The fact is, that reporter 1s a good deal sharper than I took him to be—a heat sharper than was good fer m health. He took my trail right in the crowd, passed the word to a friend of his on the fence, and piped me down.” * And how did you elude them? You certain- ly did not venture to come in with their eyes on ou?” a And certainly I can’t keep a hotel. Oh, yes, of course I did. Much difference it would make to them so I had the start of a flight of stairs. Don’t look so horrified. Iam not going to give myself away any further, if I can help it.” ‘ But if you have done that already? What was the use?” ‘* Don’t be so suddenly downhearted. I thought ou were too brave and had too much confidence in me for that; I had to come here to-night, and there was only one way out of the mix—” ‘Which you had brought on yourself by your own imprudence.” _* And never mind that, You will see, in the end, whether I have been wise or not. But, as I colildn’t come in the front way, [ took the back. I tried the road through the saloon, and it work- ed like a charm.” ‘What! before them all? If they suspect your secret, you are as good as lost.” ‘** Not exactly before them. There was where the fun came in. I just walked in and kicked up the prettiest little row ever started in the Rat Trap—and that’s the place where they in- vented free fights: and I got a chance to send one in hot on Big Mike, whom I have been itch- ing to lay out any time for the last three months and to-night more than ever. Then the row waxed hotier. Sile turned out the light, as I knew he would, and just as my friends, the licemen bounced in, 1 dove out into the elevator, and went up skyward. In three minutes more they might have torn that side of the house down and not found out nything much.” ‘*But this man, Kettles. Surely, he will sus- pect something and examine. He may discover more than is pleasant.” ‘That is the joke of it. Unless I’m further from the truth than I generally wander, he sus- pects I was one of the gang, and that I went down into his cellar. A blessed lively time he'll have looking for the lost brother.” ‘*T suppose you were careful enough, after all, to look out for your own safety; but you may have complicated matters for me. After such a éerformance it is pretty sure that the house will e watched so closely that even a mouse couldn’t get out without being seen. You don’t under- stand the terrible risk Irun, You can stay here till they are tired.” ‘Tn case they set up such a game, we can try the old dodge. Regina will be sick in bed, and Lizzie will have to go home to her aunt, and we will find our way in atour leisure. Time enough to consider that by and by. You know the drain is alwaysopen. Now, tell me, what is the latest report from headquarters?” ‘s ‘ Nothing tangible,” answered the girl, mood- y. ‘*T sometimes think it is all agrand mistake— that we are on the wrong tack altogether.” ‘You are not giving-up, are you? I tell you we are not mistaken—though we may not even guess what is to be the end. It may be to save a fortune; it may be to earn a dear revenge. If T know anything of you, you may be careless of the one; but if there is occasion for it, for the other you would care a great deal.” | ‘Not so much, perhaps, as you think. I care for you, Howard. Your safety and your wishes have been my law.” “ And some of these days, when you see a man for whom you can care more than you now do for me, you will throw me over without the least hesitation. You can’t be forever the only exception in the sex; and when the time comes, I shall not blame you.” The girl's answer was even more passionate than his speech was bitter. ‘Oh, no, no! You are all thatI have, all that I can have—at least so long as you need me. If the time ever does come that you do not, what difference will it make, since I am beginning to doubt, if not to hate, all the rest of man- “ Well, I must believe you,” responded the young man, his tone changing to a reckless one. ‘I sometimes lose heart myself, and don’t care. ¢ If it was not for you, and that I’ve kept up the fight so long, I'd be tempted to give myself away. ** Don’t talk so; please don’t. I doubt if you mean it,and yet you are so reckless that I shudder whenever I think of you. Why should on have run the risk of the last few days? not have gone to work as a prudent man > would?” ‘* Why, indeed? Because when a man has been hunted from pillar to post, and has the arm of the gallows stretching over him for so long, all ordinary ways grow tame. Is life worth living when one has such a den as this to retire to?” ‘**Then why not have gone away long ago? If you could evade pursuit here, where you are wanted, and were safe in your disguises, who would have found you out where you were a per- fect stranger?” ‘* There is where you mistake. It is boldness alone that wins. As a stranger I would be known and marked in any other place in the world. No, I have my mission here, and whether I finish it or not here I remain to the end. Now what have you to report? Did he recognize me this afternoon?” ‘** Not that I could see—not, at least, as your- self. He seemed frightened, so far as so cool a hand could be frightened. Yet whether Paddy the Piper—true or false—is known to him is more than I could make out. Since then, how- ever, he acts more than ever like a hunted or a hiding man.” ‘** And he is both. Of that I have secured evi- dence enough.” ‘* Do you think the police are on his track?” ‘It is hard tosay. Three men have their eye on him, yet seem in doubt. One or the other follows him warily. They do their work 'most tov well to be of the police force. It looks more like revenge. I am watching him now to see that he is not found some morning with a knife in his back or his head all broken in.” ‘Oh! that must not be; at least until we know better.” ‘* Of course not; never fear. For the present lam his guardian angel. And I meant every word of my warning this afternoon. I have an idea that he will take it. If he does not he wants to keep in the front streets, and be care- = at that. The word has gone out to slug im. ‘*How do you know that? I can hardly be- lieve that he is in any particular danger.” **T wish I could explain; but that is as far as I could get by dint of close listening. Big Mike let fall a word or two that put me on the scent.” ** Then he is one of the gang you are trying to exterminate?” ‘* Perhaps. If he hasn’t some means of know- ing of the gang’s doings. If he were notsuch an outlandish ruffian I would suspect him of pul- ling at two ends of a string.” ** Well, however that may be he has disregard- ed your warnings. Had he not done so I could hardly have met you here.” ‘*Yet he does not seem to have taken that young Blaine into his confidence very much, af- ——— | SO EE ee — throw off my mask. This house has its double, perhaps triple set of secrets. I arranged my own hiding-places when pursuit was warm. By chance some one arranged another den at the house next door. I have my eye on it, while its frequenters have never suspected my © resence. rom here I can reach Copper ile’s, and from Copper Sile’s I can reach them. Iam after the men that meet there, but I do not understand them vet. I know that a woman held an interview with the same Big Mike I struck down to-night and put him on the track of the general. It was against him that I warned. From them I know that we are right. Other proofs we will have in due time. Now we must be moving. After all I see no great risk in your leaving the way youcame. I will risk trying the route I have just spoken of, and if the way is clear I will join you at the next cor- vs ner. Itisacase now for nerve, and if there is any suspicion of you we will manage to make good our retreat,” ‘Very well, if it must be so,’ she responded, and after a few words of wurning on either side, she step into the elevator, which, under Howard’s manipulation, began to ascend. ¥ oa ‘> ™ ee a CHAPTER V., MADAM VELVET. sy POLICEMAN MCCULLIGAN had noted nothi suspicious, but just as he turned at the end o ee his beat he saw, at a little distance, something that attracted his attention. : He gave it a second glance, and then thought it worth his while to investigate further. To his surprise he found the body of a man — lying where he could have sworn, a minute ~ ago, there was nothing. S50 The person, whoever he might be, was tall, well-cressed, and had the general appearance of == agentleman, but he was coneiany not very | likely to give any Account of himself for some time at least, if'at all. Some one had dealt him a smashing blow, and he was perfectly uncon- scious. aoe ‘‘ Faith, an’ it’s odd where he came from,” thought McCulligan. “ First, I didn’t see hi “3 and thin I did—an’ that’s all ther wor av it. Ee e, I hadn’t been a bit airly here soasI could git | back ter watch that airy, it’s loikeasnottheyd a-thramped on him; but the bluddy spalpeens —s— must av seen me comin’ an’ lit out. ist! It's. fae the owld complaint. Tin cints ag’in’ the Astor =% House it’s the Gilt Edge Gang!” me While hecommuned with himself McCulligan ; was bending over the insensible man, feeling his heart and examining into the nature of bis injuries. ae ‘Sure, it’s a fracsure at the bist, an’ his pockets are empty as ther kin be wid nothin’ in = ‘em. It’s to ther hospital he’ll hev to go, an’ — the sooner he’s there the better.” He raised up and was about torap for assist- ance, when a gentleman who had approached. —~ the spot at a brisk walk suddenly halted. a ¥ > o - ad ‘What's the matter here? Dead, or drunk?” — ‘‘Tt’s more nor balf-dead he is, an’ notabift av whisky in the case. Somebody hit hima — _ whack, an’ cl’aned out his pockets ontirely.” mm / ter all—and he is a manto betrusted. He never | met me before the renconter of to-day, but I have heard of him. He would make @ firm friend or a dangerous foe.” ‘*SoTI believe,” inte Regina. ‘‘ And I have met him before—though not to know who ‘Good heavens!” exclaimed the stranger, who had bent over to examine for himself. he = ‘‘It is General Rawle. Here! Support him for a moment. There’s a hack around the cor- ner, and I'll have it here in a jiffy. Better get =, him away before he comes to hissenses,orhe ~ he was. He did me a favor once, in One of my | can’t move for a week. Wait. Ill be there.” ‘ iar lonely wanderings in search of you. He did not mention it, but I saw to-day, that he remember- oe it. 1 am sure there is nothing of fraud about im. Howard gave a short laugh. ‘**So he is your unknown knight: I remember | closely. something about it. [ would sooner it bad been for some one else—yet it may be that he could be en: | listed on the other side if his eyes could be open-— ed. In that case an interest In you would not be the worst thing in the world. Youare aware that you are not postively hideous?” **Oh Howard!” ~ “Don’t exclaim! He is honest and earnest; two qualities that are scarce in this world.” ‘* And how then do you account for your sus- picions? Have we been guilty of a horrible wrong? It isthat which has been troubling me all the afternoon and which drove me here to- night. If he is honest how do our strong sus- picions weigh against his certainty?” ‘He has no vane ge & he is only in the web, as you weye. Some day he will find out his mistake as you found it, and I think it will have to be og! duty to show it to him be- fore it is too late.” ‘“Mine! What proof have I to give him against the evidence of his own senses—and mine. so far as they have had chance to be ‘Foolish girl! And is it for this you have come here to-night?” ‘Yes, I own I have been staggered. The more I think and reason the more deeply I feel I have sinned. What shall I do?” ‘* Regina, [ could settle your doubts in a day if I dared act in sunlight and openly. As itis I must still burrow and b for a season, though I hope the time will come when I cap '. And Policeman McCulligan, havi ; Geom = Without stopping for an answer the man flew away, and McCulligan could hear him in the distance, calling to the hack-driver, Pee ‘He had not been gone fora minute whenhe came running back again, the hack following —_ ‘* Help me in with him, quick. There’s nota minute to lose. Softly, now.” . Owe ‘‘Howld on a bit, will yez? It’s allroight,I guess; but w’u’d yez give me yer name?” OR ‘‘Here’s my card, and if anything furtheris . needed in the matter, let me know at once./ ‘You need not be afraid that we willdropthis outrage here. The men that did this will play BAM - checkers with their noses for it. Driveon!? —« Policeman McCulligan was so busily occupied in considering the possibilities of the bill that was thrust into his hand along with the card that he did not think of interfering further until it was too late. The hack rolled away almost _ noiselessly, leaving him standing there, witha bit of pasteboard and a ten-dollar billto remind 4 ae Per ’ “tae * ‘ him that it was not all adream. — oy The hack had vanished in the darkness, while McCulligan was naturally drawn the other way, to the lamp-post that was not far off. When he had investigated his douceur, and satisfied him- self as to its amount, he scratched his head and | peered away in the direction in which he — a he ought to hear the roll of retreating _ wheels. . : “Ef it warn’t fur ther tin-spot I'd thinkit wor a drame. Sure, an’ it’s loike there'll be trouble about this. What will I beafther say- in’? Supposin’ ther foine jontleman wor wanav tlie Gilt Edge Geng binalit. Pll jist put ther nner in me et, an me mouth shut ~~ about the whois aifeis: ” ee = ioe Behe come to ,00KsS:com (E