Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 396 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

_- ghe was in the habit of leaving just such notes, til the next morning. ; ane to be uneasy, but he reassured me. night The Piper De —_—-- _— — = — eo ae ~— Sar ective. a — ad 7 a friends of the injured man, or that they will come back to inquire about his fate?” ‘*T do not think so. More than that, unless I am greatly mistaken, there will be no inquiries about the wrecked carriage—by them at least. Tf there is you can trust the Irishman to work that clew for all that it is worth.” ‘*Tell me the whole story. I am growing more interested in this than you would believe.” If appearances went for anything the general was interested. Though there was little new to add, Preston Blaine went over everything again, from the moment that, standing on the corner, the carriage had appeared to him. ** And how did you happen to be on the cor- ner?” asked the general, thoughtfully, at the conclusion of the brief recital. ‘*T can hardly tell you that, you know—con- found it, general, you ought not to ask a man such questions, T—fact is, you remember the warning we got? It bothered me all evening, and so, when | got through with what I had in hand, I natural y wandered here to see if you were all right. You hadn’t come in yet, and after a few words with Miss Regina, | started for home. That was the way I came to stumble into the mix.” ‘‘It is very odd,” answered the general, mu- singly. “I would not have thought that such a thing could happen. You are sure that the horses were rontiatm away?” ‘*Reasonably so. I ama judge of such mat- ters, you know. But, general, you will have to excuse me for to-night. I must be going. Per- haps I will have something more to tell you to- morrow when I meet you. Only don’t let our friend, your double, get away without my see- ing him again—or leaving his address. I don’t know that he will speak, but if he does, some- thing tells me that he can help me along a good way toward the solution of the puzzle.” “T wills e to it,” was the grave response, and the two men separated for the night. Without further adventure, the lively re- orter reached his den, and, wearied out by the ay’s work, his head had scarcely rested upon, his pillow before he was asleep. If he had known the terrible revelation that was made to General Rawle, not ten minutes after leaving, his ras perhaps would not have been so sound. CHAPTER VIII. A TERRIBLE DISCOVERY. THE conversation with Preston Blaine had consumed some time, and the hour was late when the major took his departure. General Rawle did not linger long, but went slowly and ke Ae. to his room, When he unlocked the door and entered, all seemed spar on quiet. He never had been cursed with what is ordinarily called ‘*nerves,” but, somehow, he felt them just then ling from heel to eyebrow, Not the least inclination had he to,sleep, as he threw himself heavily into an arm-chair and dropped his face on his hands. Though apparently lost in reflection, from time to time he gave certain starts and twitches, that showed he was by no means at ease, His mind would wander back from the outside world to the room in which he was seated. After a little, he could stand it no longer. Rising, he turned the gas higher and looked around him. On the table he saw a folded sheet of note- paper. . He recognized it as isp fr-m Regina’s portfolio. hen she retired before he came in telling him of some little, unimportant thing that would in reality, have kept just as well un- The sight of it somehow made him feel easier. He picked it up and read: ‘Lizzie has gone, with my permission, to spend the evening with her aunt. She may not be back to- night. As I do not feel well, I shall retire early.” Then below this was added: “Major Blaine has called, asking for you. I do not think it is anything important. I vas oe od- The general smiled, and there was something warm about his smile. “T cannot be the worst man in the world,” he thought, ‘‘ or Regina would not care for me. I euppee she has n asleep for an hour or so; yet I wanted to say something to her to-night— to A te her on her guard. Regina!” , e spoke softly, as though he would not will- ingly awaken her if she was truly asleep. ‘here was no answer, though he turned to- ward the slightly opened door in a listening at- titude. _**Ah, she must be asleep, She is strangely quiet. Would that I could rest as sweetly.” She was resting very sweetly ind The quietest sleeper is apt to utter some audible sound, The general did not think of that. Without any n at all he stepped silently to the door and listened. Still no sound, : . See ss, SET a a a i == as . J The influence that had been so mysteriously at work, strengthened by lapse of time. It led him still further. He opened the door and looked within the room, Then something caused him to dash into the bedroom, and turn up the dimly-burning gas to full flame. It was not what he had seen, but what he had felt. He never dreamed of what was to meet his eyes—even when he caught a glimpse of a twist- ed body, a terribly distorted face, he did not at once understand. Then, like a flash, it all came to him, and cov- ering his face with his hands, to shut out the horrid sight, he staggered back, groaning: ‘* Murdered, murdered! G heavens, Re- gina is murdered!” It was a momentary weakness, for which he could scarcely be blamed. In spite of the event- a experience of his life, this shock tried him ard, He looked once more, this time with a stern gleam in his eyes. There could be no mistake about it, and he rushed to the bell-rope. Down-stairs a quiet-looking little man in a subdued suit of gray had just sauntered in as | the wild application of the general’s hand to the cord awoke the echoes below. There was something startling in his ring, that impressed the night clerk. ‘General Rawle’s room—something wrong. I have half a notion to go myself. Ah, what is it? He is in a hurry, some one sick, perhaps, Really it may be worth while to go and see.” One man was already on the run, he was speaking to another without noticing that the quiet-looking man stood almost at his shoulder while he spoke, and followed him closely through the halls as he hurried away. There was another, then, who had a premonition of what that sud- den jangle meant. There were half a dozen excited people in the general’s room already as the clerk burst in. ‘*For heaven’s sake, what is the matter?” said he, as he came. ‘‘Murder is the matter,” responded the gen- eral, sternly. ‘*Send for a doctor—though no doctor can help her now. Look! When I came back after a few hours’ absence I found this. Am [in a den of assassins?” He waved his hand toward the bedside, but he did not allow his own glance to turn thither- ward. He had seen the sight there once and could stand no more of it. Instead he staggered back to the seat he had at first assumed and buried his face in his arms on the table. It was enough that he had told the outside world. It might do the rest—at least until he was able to face it more bravely than he could now. A hand fell on his shoulder. - He did not move. ‘Grief is something that is all the better for keeping: there is something else that is worth a good deal more just now.” It was a quiet voice that; whispered in his ear and to its owner probably belonged the han that still rested on his shoulder. Rawle looked up with lack-luster eyes. The movement alone showed the question that he would ask. ‘* Vengeance,” said the little man, interpret- ing the gesture aright. ‘*Tt has not happened so long since, and no doubt there are traces that will bring crime right home to the bloody perpetrators.” ‘And who, then, are you?” asked the general, in an absent way. ‘‘ A private detective, with headquarters in my hat. Will you offer any reward? If so I should have first chance to win it, as I was first on the spot.” ‘‘ Leave me,” answered the general hotly. ‘‘ What is vengeance to me, now? She wasall I had.” “ Your daughter, then. Can you conceive of the object? Look around you, and see if any- thing is missing. [t is for your own interest that I speak. Tt may have been done for the sake of robbery; it may have been for some other reason, Whatever is behind it, it is a foul crime all the same.” ‘Curse you, man, how can I think? Give me a moment or two to recover myself. Yow are cool, anyway.” “is Is my business to be cool. If you will 0 aks yme the slightest clew I will think for OUD, The steady tones had their influence. Evi- dently Rawle was yearning for some one to rest upon, and was ready at a suggestion to give his confidence. But even now he hesitated a little. ‘“Who are you?’ How did you find your way here? Why should I trust in you? Give me a moment or two and I will be myself, and can think for myself. Send for Major Blaine, will ou?” ‘* Allin good time. He shall be here if you think, after talking the matter over, that he is needed. Here is my card, that will show you who I am; and, as for being here—I wus down- stairs and came up with Patterson. We detec- tives scent crime and criminals from afar.” The bit of pasteboard simply said: ‘*SEPTIMUS WARDLAW, ‘‘ PRIVATE DETECTIVE ** Box —. New York City.” ‘‘Mr. Wardlaw,” said the general, looki down at the card. ‘If an inspection shows tha it is not a case of common robbery and brutal murder, then I have an idea. Search for these foreigners—Asiatics. They, and they only, will have done the deed. I will trust you. Take charge so far as my personal interest goes, until Major Blaine comes, and be guided by his coun- sel afterward. Now, ask me no more. I can- not bear it. She was my only child.” The detective looked earnestly at the speaker, and, as his words died away in a groan, some- thing like pity appeared for a moment in his own almost immobile face. Then he turned away. ; Fortunately Mr. Patterson was a man of judgment, and had also a sharp eye to the in- terests of the hotel. After the first shock was over his object was to prevent any excitement, if possible. He had already dispatched one man on an errand; now he closed the door behind him and held up both hands, The most of those there were employees, who were ready to obey his orders. The others were willing to share a secret. ‘‘The police must be notified; but for mercy’s sake don’t start a panic. We don’t want all the world in here to-night,or to-morrow all the world will be running away. No doubt if we give General Rawle a few minutes to recover himself he will be able to offer some suggestions.” He had seen the detective talking to Rawle, and was willing to wait until that conference was ended. While waiting, though, he looked keenly around, in search of any tell-tale marks, that might give a clew. Wardlaw came forward. ‘* Nothing has been touched. That’s right. We have a fair field for investigation, and at the start that is everything. Don’t bring any one else here; there are enough of us as it is, o, I forgot, Mr. Patterson, do you know wtere fajor Preston Blaine can be found? General Rawle expresses a wish to have him present.” “‘That’s the newspaper man that was here with him to-night. I don’t know exactly where he holds forth but I will have him hunted up. If we can’t do any better they will know at some of the dailies. We might send around to the up- town offices.” * Allright; doso. Until he comes I will act for the general. Perhaps we may find some clew.” ‘**'You are a detective?’ asked Patterson, in a low tone. Wardlaw nodded, and then approached the bedside. ‘*Tt is a clear case of murder,” he said, after a glance, ‘* No person could leave those marks on his or her own throat. The young lady was deliber- we Mss cay y Who did it?” ‘*'The man that dropped this,” said one of the others, rising from the floor to which he had stooped, and holding out his hand. CHAPTER IX, THE DETECTIVE’S DANGER. THE object held up to the curious gazers was a knife. There was no blood on the blade, for it re- flected back the fe from either glittering side; yet it seemed to a revelation in itself, for, less it was a very perfect imitation, from no Western manufactory could such a weapon have come. “ That’s a queer-looking thing,” said Mr. Pat- terson, extending his hand to take the find, ‘ I¢ appears to me there can be very few fellows to it in the whole city, and if it was dropped here it might give an idea of what sort of persons we will have to deal with. Is it not so, Mr. Ward- law?” ; . The detective was not looking at the speaker. His eyes were fixed on General Rawle, who had glanced up at the exclamation of the finder, and now looked as though he recognized the strange blade. In fact, he arose and came forward. ‘* Give it to me,” he said, in a quavering voice. ‘* That has done no harm. See! no bl on its blade. It is mine. it here, and then threw it aside. I will swear that [ brought it from India with me.” ‘“‘Then it is no clew at all,” said the disap- pointed night clerk. ‘No clew at all,” echoed the general. And then there came a rap atthe door. The outside world had scented the affair, and the chance for quiet investigation was almost over. Wardlaw had seen everything that was to be seen, while the rest were talking over the one point. Again he drew Rawle aside. ** Have you no female friends?” he asked. ‘Not one in the city, or near it. The girl who has been her companion and maid, by some evil chance is to-night visiting her friends. I will send for her.” ‘* Ah! well, no matter. No doubt everything can be arranged decently enough. I have seen everything here; now it is time that I get tomy work, By the way, are you sure that knife was comic ae JOOKS ; i » 4 “ © Aas ss = * Perbaps the villains found © , » hy