Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 396 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

: . 7 ~ wen . ; “* a ste Bie ioe’ Ey i a 7 .*) P Ps ve : . ne *~: ie” om X : . r ‘ss oe, The Piper Detective. 4 o a A f i . i , (s - “ “7 4 a - “ . . x . se : 4 : : Ha, not brought here by one’ of the assassins? It would be a splendid thread to hold.” Rawle leaped forward and spoke in the lowest kind of a whisper: ‘*To you I will own the truth. No; Iam nct sure. And ‘yet—” “Did you or did you not tell the truth in what you said? If you have begun by deceiving me—beware!” The general did not notice the threat. He went on more evenly than ever: ‘““T told the truth; but not all of it. I did bring that knife with me from the East, but I have not seen it before for years.” ** And have you known in whose hands it was during that time?” ‘““Unless it changed owners,-I might have guessed.” . ‘*The name? Perhaps we are on the eve of discovery.” ‘*T do not care to give it—I would not before that crowd. To you I may confide it, since you can see that my confidence does no harm. It was not that of the criminal, certainly, for it was to a woman I gave it.” ‘A woman! ho was she? fingers left those marks. They must have been the work of a hand of iron. Yet through her we may reach the real criminals. Quick. Her namie,’ ‘* You would hardly believe me, but I do not know it. To me she was known only by the pseudonym of Madam Velvet. Ours was a brief acquaintance, suddenly ended when I left the country again, and never renewed.” ‘*‘ Madam Velvet!” said the detective, with a uick knitting of his brow. ‘‘Ah, you have one well to confide in mein preference to the rest. Letussee, I have heard of the woman— very beautiful they tell me; but very bold. ae was she domg when you knew her? 2?” ** She was a variety actress, Not very credit- able to my judgment; and yet—you are not mis- taken. She was the most beautiful woman I ever saw.” ‘* Why should she play such a desperate game like this? Tell me without reserve. Is there any special debt of vengeance that she owes ou? If I knew that there was, 1 would say hat we had made a find already.” _ “None that I know of. If we were to meet No woman’s . to-day, as far as I know, it would be as friends, But you are losing time in an idle speculation. Would it not be better to make inquiries, and learn if any one has been seen to leave this house who might be the guilty party?” ‘Have no fears. I can find out all that I want to know in that direction. Itis more im- ortant that I know from you the motive. nough of this, however, for the present. It may be that you have given me the clew I need- ed. I will see Madam Velvet to-night.” ‘‘Then you know where to find her?” ‘*T should think so. What would I be worth if I didn’t? She lives, flourishes, and is as hand- some as ever. If I know anything about her habits she is dealing faro this blessed minute; and if she had any hand in this matter, ri wager that she is the most unconcerned person connected with it. I will gonow. Keep quiet. Do not talk about what you intend doing, and I will see you again to-morrow. Perhaps it would be better not to have our meeting here, I will send you an address and, if possible, be at the piece I eee 7 aii Fig ae he detective spoke itively and s y and Rawle without hesitation gave the destrod promise. Heeven attempted todetain Wardlaw, who was evidently about to leave, going with him to the stairway, talking all the way, and ing to put off as far as possible the moment when he would be all alone with his own reflec- tions. Could he have known the thoughts of pati man he might have been less willing to As he went down the stairs a wonderful change was taking place. The deserted condi- tion of the corridor favored him, and surely Mr. Patterson himself might have doubted whether this was the man he had seen in close consultation with General Rawle. But, in ad- dition as he went out of the door he was say- ing: “Tm not as certain as I was that he is the guilty man, though at first I did suspect him. He may bear watching yet; but his grief bears evidence of being genuine, and there is no present object—unless he discovered that some one had been tampering with his papers. The madam is the most likely clew. If I don’t gain some infor- mation between them, Ill be very much fooled, Ah, it makes me shiver when I think what might have happened. Lucky I came trailing back on this mixed-up affair of the beaten man and met her. Now, if I work my cards right, whatever else I find out I will have a chance to worm my- self into his confidence. \But first 1 must find Regina. She was in too great haste to say it, and no doubt the girl was shocked out of her senses when she saw what bad happened, but of course will have had enough to go to the house on the Avenueand wait for orders. It isevident that after this complication, she must disappear completely. Yet how will it be when the time arrives for her to come back? If there’s not a . P 4 ' “a ; - ‘ 4 . . i . ‘ pretty clear explanation all around it strikes me that there will be trouble for some one. And who was this last victim of the Gilt Edge Gang? I ought to see him at once; but he will have to keep till morning.” Wardlaw, as he had been called under the last alias he had chosen to give himself, was walking rapidly while he was thinking. When he suddenly turned a corner and dived into the darker side street he seemed to be as utterly heedless as the veriest bumpkin who had strayed into the city, and was around town on the loose. So well disguised was he that he had no fear of being recognized in his true character, and the only dangers he contemplated, were the or- dinary dangers of the city; yet, in spite of his seeming carelessness, his senses, from the force of long training, were all on the alert. He was not altogether alone in the street, how- ever, Just far enough ahead to be seen fairly from the corner, he could notice two persons, They were well dressed, very respectable look- ing; probably two business men returning slow- ly home late from the theater, or club room, oe their little confidential conference, since their heads were inclined toward each other from either side of the pave. The quasi detec- tive rapidly overhauled them, and was just about to pass, without a thought of danger, when they suddenly wheeled, and like lightning, struck two desperate blows full at his face, while a third man sprung up from the shadow of a porch and swung a murderous-looking bludgeon at the nape of his neck. ‘* Be the powers,” said a voice with,a strongly- marked brogue. ‘‘ Ye’ll play Paddy the Piper, will yez? Take that.” CHAPTER X. THE POLICE LOSE THEIR GRIP. At the sudden, brutal attack, the chances seemed ten to one that Wardlaw would receive the coup de grace. In fact there was a howl; and then two men dro ped instead of one. if e had been ever so alert, and with an extra ir of eyes in the back of his head, he could not ave timed his motions to a more complete nicety. There was no time to guard or strike, and there was no chance to retreat, since he was beset on every side. Though he flung himself on the ground so quickly, be barely escaped the blow of the club from behind, which, passing over his head, drop- ed one of his assailants, who partly fell against is companion, causing him to stagger back. Before these two could recover themselves, a hard head pitched like a cannon-ball into the victualing department of one 6f them, and if he did not go down at once, it was because a pair of strong arms were wound around him. ile he gasped for breath, the strong arms lifted him from the ground as though he was a child, and he was flung clean over Wardlaw’s head. This move gave the detective the victory, for his human projectile struck the third man with knock-down force. In almost the time taken to tell it, the one had laid out the three. There was no tender squeamishness about Sep- timus Wardlaw, either. He wheeled like a flash and sprung at the man he had flung over his head, landing upon him with both heels, and ener the task of knocking him silly; then he bounded at the man with the club, evidently in- tending to serve him in the same way. y _In an eel-like manner the attack was partially evaded. His one foot only struck the wrist of the hand that grasped the bludgeon. The staff fell to the pavement, but the owner of it was out of the way in an instant, reaching his feet with cat-like activity, and immediately bounding avay. As the two other men were scrambling up, it was not safe to follow in pursuit of the fugitive. To escape one attack from the rear was about as much as could be hoped for. Instead of giving chase, he caught up the cud- gel, and gave a reguiar policeman’s rap on the pave. There was an immediate answer from the avenue near by, and the runaway almost sprung into the officer’s arms as he hurried around the corner, The encounter did not at all confuse him. He halted at once, just out of arm’s reach, and pointed backward. ‘You see that man that has just been going forme? He is a murderer that’s wanted, and there’s a big reward if you gather him in, Craig Clayton is his name, and don’t you forget it. He’s a desperate case, and I don’t want any more of him in mine,” . He spoke rapidly and authoritatively. When he had said this much, he darted away, and was gone before the startled policeman could ask him a single question, or make a movement to | hegin to think he was the cully we ought to have detain him, -_--—- + It happened that the officer had heard of the | Clayton case, though he had never seen the hero | say besides the three that got away.” wey: thenake eee you came: of it himself. As headvanced he heard a sharp voice: ‘‘ Officer, take these men in charge for assault. talk about Clayton, and all tha lam a private detective—W ardlaw—here is m card. ou’ve got a chance for a finger in a big thing if it’s worked right.” ‘*Don’t you believe a word he says. That’s Craig Clayton, with a thousand dollars on his head. I know him like a book. He would have killed the lot of us if you hadn’t turned up. Run himin. There’s big money in it.” The fugitive bad turned and ogi ae back long enough to fling an armful of doubts at the policeman. After that he did not tarry to see the result, and if he only wanted to provoke an investigation of Wardlaw’s identity, there was no need for him to do it. His words had had their effect. ‘“The very Old Scratch seems to have broken loose around here to-night,” thought the officer. ‘‘Tf there’s a chance for a thousand dollars, though, you bet I’m going for it ” He put out his left hand toward Wardiaw’s — collar, at the same time raising his locust with his right, half expecting a efi resistance. ee Instead he found that he had encountered the most peaceable of lambs, if, Cys ‘“You are making a mistake if youinterfere with me, or take any account of what that vil- lain says. It’s too late to catch him now. He’s half a dozen blocks away by this time; but here are two of his pals. If you will gather them in I have no objection to helping youtothestation- _ house with them, and there you can find out all about me. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was Laos more money in these two men than in haelfa dozen Craig Claytons, whoever he may be.” ‘se ‘*T reckon the best way would be to pull you”. all three,” answered the pol ceman, grufity, hae though a little staggered by the offer. I will): Soe It strikes _ want a truck to move them, though. le me they’ve got a good bit the worst of itif they — were trying to run against you.” ? irae ‘People that try that usually do,” amswered Wardlaw, coolly. | ‘‘ But these men are not half as dead as they seem. Better rap up help. If tuney’re only mo shamming, they may get away from you, yet.” ‘‘Be easy. Help is coming now;I1 hear it. That rap did the business.” , dale Two more policemen turned up when they were wanted, showing that the age of miracles had not altogether ceased. | ari They were resolute men, too, whodidnot want an interview to see which way interest pointed before acting. As the beaten men seemed to bene recovering consciousness, and would be eble to walk, since no bones were broken, the first offi- cer tightened his grasp on Wardlaw’s erm, Plat flourished his club, explained thesituaticn brief- ly, and set off in advance with his aye vd a ‘* Jack’s a daisy,” said one of the coppers to theother. “ He's gct something in bard there, and he’s going to freeze us out. We'llkustle these fellows up and get in about as soon as he does, eh?” ee, * ‘“That’s my notion. Kim out av this, ye bastes! No shenanigin. It’s moighty foine clothes yez wear; but I’ve see’d better-lookin? chaps nor you be sent to the island. March!” — The prisoners did not even protest, but act- ing as though they were too frightered or too badly hurt to demur, they stumbled along. only muttering to each other some words that were unintelligible to their custodians, oe. A very peaceable procession it was foramin- ute or two. a Then the prisoners showed that they had only been Pry their time—one minute they were there, and the next they were not. The unex- picfednees of their attempt mace it successful, hey darted into the-door of a saloon, and ; 7 at kh ~~ tir though closely pursued, their disappearance somehow was as complete as it was sudden, and _~ what was singular, not a man in the saloon — knew what had become of them, though quite crowd must have seen them enter. “ Bes The search proved vain, and as there seemed : little doubt but what they had left bya back way, or dodged back into the street, it was finally given up, and the wrathful officers went their way. ng Ly | When they had got fairly out of sight of the — doorway, they met the first policeman return- __ ‘Have you seen him?” he asked, breathlessly, ~*~ as he recognized his comrades, ee ‘*Seen who? Phat the deuce ere yez doin’ here, an’ where’s yer bird that yez wanted to smuggle away?” red ‘‘That’s what I’m asking. He must have had wings, if he didn’t a hoofs, While we were waiking along peaceable as you please he jump- ed in, a6 me the back heel, Ate when bedehie picked the stars out of my eyes, he was gone. Where’s your men?” eh ee ‘*Be blazes, there’s thray av a koind. Our min are gone, too; an’ ther broightest thing we “iy ‘4 % " a f mw kin say is jist ter say nothin’ at all, if we don’t — want ter be laughed off av ther sthrate.” phe ‘* Tt looks like it, and I don’t think I want to — blow. Only I'd like to see the other man. I | frozen onto,” : > awe ‘Which man waz those? Divita wan did I ‘*He was there, ve and cool. as a cucumber, an ee confounded — , cbooksi:com iL a* . ree o im a £ Eo —