Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 413 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

ve * : —pr2 J 4 a ee ’ ~* % S$ a" * ‘ Pad fA Pw = ~ Tete _ =. oa y © ay? To, a See FR! a A ah oe ay 7 . ro | . » f . i * a, a r. . . 4 ; a) 7 - . ' - * * as Jes * -* 7 % > » : * y ; ee Captain Coldgrip upon the scene; but at that moment the detective was in the last trap that had caught him. Bowery Burt took her hand when he led her from the warm room down the stair and out into the cold street. Once he gave her a fierce, admonishing look, and his lips said in a whisper: **Remember! if I am betrayed, you'll die as joss of Chatham street!” A Then he quickened his gait, and the two passed down the Bowery, the girl breathless and in his grasp, and Bowery Burt with a pair of keen eyes that seemed to see everything. CHAPTER XIX. THE LOST DETECTIVE. We are forced by circumstances to return to one of the man-traps of the great city. If the reader had passed Mrs. Hoyle’s little confectionery shortly after the events which have been detailed in a preceding chapter, he wouid have found the Amazonian proprietress in her accustomed place, as if nothing out of the common run of things had transpired. Floss had not suspected the Widow Hoyle wrongly, and Captain Coldgrip had discovered that she kept more than asmali candy store ‘‘ on Houston, below Broadway.” Mrs. Hoyle had composed herself as best she «ould sinee her part in the trapping of the New ‘York sleuth; but more than once while in her old seat, she cast anxious glances toward ‘* the cupboard,” as if she had some misgivings as to Coldgrip’s fate. In truth Hannah Hoyle was completely under Bowery Burt’s thumb, and when he went to her and laid bare ais plans to ‘‘ catch the old fox,” she knew that a remonstrance would call forth nangunae she did not want to hear. aturally not very honest, Mrs. Hoyle had fallen into Bowery Burt’s clutches, and he had used her on several occasions to further certain criminal ends of his own. She feared to see the Bowery thief leave her in the light of open day, -as he had told her that the police wanted him, for she believed that, if arrested, he might im- ‘plicate her in some confession. At che same time she did not like to have him on her premises, for his arrest there would bring her establishment into disrepute, and per- haps lead to the discovery of the trap into which the detective had been thrown. . It was, therefore, with some uneasiness not openly manifested that Mrs. Hoyle sat in her usual piace after Bowery Burt's departure and waited on the few customers who dropped in. Several hours passed away and she began to feel safe. ‘*T wonder,” she said to herself—‘‘ I wonder if the fall did do the work for him. Since I am into it, I don’t want it half-done. I can’t afford to have it that way.” She left the shop and entered the semi-dark- ness of the ice-cream parlor. f At that time of year she had few customers for that delicacy, and the little room, therefore, was nies pd Mrs. Hoyle drew the curtains close behind her and went to the door, which she had opened for a certain purpose a short time before. The next moment sho was listening at the dark entrance of the trap. “Tt’s stiller than the grave down there,” she said. ‘I guess we w.ll have no trouble with that secret cop. Captain Coldgrip he was—one of the best street sleuths of New York, and the only man Bowery Burt ‘ive are to fear. I never liked him myself, though he never came here before. It is good-by forever, Captain Coldgrip. If no friend saw you enter my shop, the secret of your end is safe. When Bowery Burt makes the million he is after, 11 realize _something for my help.” She shut the door scftly, fixed the button, and was about to go back into her shop when the front door opened and shut. A moment later Mrs. Hoyle parted the cur- tains and was greeted by two men, one a fine- looking and well-built young person of twenty- two, aud the other a dark-skinned man consid- erably below the usual hight and with the look and shape of a dwarf. ‘‘ Ho! here’s our Amazonian Queen!” laughed the dwarf, at sight of the widow. Mrs. Hoyle appeared to smile at the compli- “ment, and came down the aisle behind the coun- ter to her chair. Captain SS ss -_ a ae - - ES ‘*What is it, gentlemen?” she asked, looking | ‘at the two companions. ‘‘ What can I do for you in my line?” ‘* My name is Mowbray,” said the youngest of the men—the youth mentioned. ‘‘ This person | is Mr. Dado.” Mrs. Hoyle started slightly at sound of the dwart’s name, for on several occasions she bad bear] it spoken by Bowery Burt, and in a man- ‘ner which left no doubt that the little man was not bis friend. ‘‘ Duke Dado, my giantess!” laughed the dwarf. ‘“ You will pardon this visit, as it was ‘not made to purchase your wares, We want to ook through your house—that is all.” Despite her efforts to remain calm, the widow wwas seen to start and to change color, i. ‘ha we P L = +n P a = " q : 7 ‘ -- . ~ y > =, > os a} x” ‘ oo e sy - > us le ar? ee Pl of ~~ m4 # 4H a Aes ‘ 5 , hd = ¥ f- Ts ' > " ee “. . . Coldgrip in New York. 17 ‘‘ Through my house?” she echoed. ‘ What! , “I have not threaded New York night after do you belong to the police?” nigpt Doe nothing. I used te know London like a, a k, and I make it a point to know every- ‘‘Then I must refuse any such request.” And | body of the city where I live. You don’t want Mrs. Hannah Hoyle grew bold as she proceeded. ; to tell me that you don’t know Bowery Burt, ‘‘ What have I, a lone and honest widow, done | nor that you have never been of service to him. that my house must be searched? Are you de- | He was here to-day; so was Captain Claude tectives?” Coldgrip of the secret police. ill you please “No again, madam,” smiled the dwarf, | look into my face, Mrs. Hoyle, and tell me be- ‘that is, we don’t belong to the Mulberry street | fore your Maker that this is not true?” force. We want to look through your house—” | _ The widow tried to avoid the piercing eyes of ‘* What for?’ demanded the widow. Duke Dado, the dwarf. Duke Dado leaned forward, his hands resting ‘* Don’t flinch, my black-eyed Amazon!” con- on the counter, and his keen eyes fixed upon the | tinued Dado. ‘‘ Watch her, Mowbray! She is shopkeep:r. going to declare the solid truth in the presence | ‘* We're looking for a man,” he said. of the All-Seeing Eye!” oo Mrs. Hoyle crimsoned. Mrs. Hoyle was now a striking example of a ‘Don’t get red,” continued the dwarf with a | guilty person confronted by her crime, She laugh. ‘I happen to know that the man we | tried to reply but her voice grew thick, and her want came here not long ago, and that he hasn’t | eyes got a sudden stare. been seen to leave. You live backof your shop,| ‘‘Out with it, madame!” cried the atom. — I believe?” ‘‘Look me in the eye while you talk, please. | “Tf I do I’m not going to have my apart- | We’ll be satisfied with the truth. Ah! what Th ments ransacked,” was the reply. ails you, Mrs, Hoyle?” 4 ‘*They shall not be,” said young Mowbray. The Armazon was actually staggering from © *‘ If we find nothing, the search will not be re- | the two men with a face that was terrible to be- ~ peated. If we are not satisfied, I tell you we | hold. + will be followed by the police.” _ He—made—me help—him!” she gasped, and This seemed to put a damper on Mrs, Hoyle’s then with a singular sound between a cry anda indignation, | groan, she fell in a heap at the foot of the cellar ‘‘ Better let these men go ahead,” she said to | wall! a. herself. ‘‘ They know nothing about my house, Mowbray and Duke Dado exchanged quick and I will risk their finding the man in the cup- looks, eae rd. ‘The detective issomewhere on the premises,” ‘“Tf I am to be searched, I beg of you not to | said the dwarf. ‘“* Mrs. Hoyle is in a faint \ 22 . disturb anything,” she said cooling down. | can’t help vs for some time. We have over-| ‘And I would like to know for whom you are looked Captain Coldgrip. We must go back looking.” over the trail.” Pilg: ‘‘Ah! would you, Mrs. Hoyle?” said Duke , They did so, leaving the Amazon in the dark Dado, ‘‘ Weare looking for a person of somo | cellar. They went back into the house and —| ee just now. “He is called Captain , searched the rooms closely; but their work had Co te no reward. \. ae * Who is he?” asked the widow, - “Try the shop again,” said young Mowbray, ‘* An important man when men like Bowery | The next moment they passed into the con- cg a game of crime,” was the answer. fectionery, and were about to subject it toa ‘‘ You look for aman I don’t know, therefore, | scrutiny for concealed trap-doors, when aman since you have mentioned him, you are welcome ee at the front entrance. Se to search my house, only I don’t like to be | he dwarf gave vent to a sharp exclamation rol under suspicion. There is my house, beyond the | at apy of the furred cap and bearded face. ie cream parlor. I can’t leave my shop to guide ‘‘Tt is Bowery Burt!” he said, startingtoward you; but you can find all therooms and thecellar | the door. ‘‘ The villain has come back here for — ~2e without any trouble. a ove an Mrs. Hoyle’s manner did not seem to hoodwink | owery Burt disappeared befcre Duke Dado the dwarf and his companion. | could reach the entrance. 2 tae Young Mowbray’s eyes looked at her sharply | ‘‘ Follow him,” the dwarf said to Mowbray. while she spoke, and Duke Dado drummed on _ ‘‘ Don’t lose sight of that man for a mcment] the counter with the ends of his fingers. He may have found Floss, and you mustkeep “You can lock the door of your shop, | him in sight. I am capable of continuing the ges madame,” the dwarf said. ‘‘ Your business | search here. You will report at the old quar- won’t suffer by a few minutes’ absence. We | ters as soon as possible.” ge want you slong.” The door opened and Mowbray rushed out. “[ could throw that insclent atom into the! ‘ Now Pll finish up this job,” said Duke Dado street!” grated the widow. ‘If he saw Captain to himself. ‘I’m not going to leave here till I Coldgrip enter my shop, and has watched it ever | know what has become of detective Coldgrip. — since, he knows he never left it. I curse theday | The woman in the cellar is safe for the pre- I ever got under Bowery Burt’s hand. If I get | sent. We may not be able to beatthe Dragon out of this troubie, Pll never fall into another.” | League without Captain Cleude. He must be ‘““T'll accommodate you,” she said to the two | found!” And the dwarf walked back into tho men, and then she came around the counter and ice-cream parlor. ace. ! - \ Ce . . - CHAPTER XX. ee i? ‘ae i. fe locked the door. She ied them into the ice-cream parlor, where she turned on the gas, and waved her hand CALLED ON FOR CASH. ‘ around the room. | At almost the same momenta man who had ‘*This is nothing but a parlor for ladies and | been walking fast for some time went nimbly rents, used only through the summer,” she said. up the steps of Ferguson Fowler’s elegant —_ ‘You can look under the tables and chairs if home, and lifted the knocker. oa you like; there’s an old sofa in the corner,’ He was a well built and not bad looking too,” man of nearly forty; his clothes were d, The paper on the walls was dark, and the though not the product of a fashionable tailcer, — catch of the fatal cupboard came in one of the and under the rather wide brimmed hat he ~ on ae " *, ‘= % +e 2 Oa ? * ¥ most somber places, and was not easily seen. | wore, were two eyes that bad a mischievousand — ‘*Nothing here for you, I guess,” continued malicious twinkle. = ee Mrs. Hoyle. ‘* We'll go to the other part of the The person who opened tke door looked at — house.” | the visiter cautiously, but did rot ask him to — is Duke Dado and Mowbray made no remon- | erter, “a strance, and the widow, only too eager, led) ‘Is Mr. Fowler in?’ asked the man on the them to a door which opened from the ice-créam | step, at the same time a wet a card on — parlor into the humble back building which she which was the name of *‘ Robert dolph” in aA occupied, - bold letters. aA. She conducted the two persons into asmall; ‘I’m here on business,” continued theman to _ room Which looked innocent enough, and thence the servant. ‘‘ You may add something ef this into another, her own sleeping apartment. Af- | sort when you hand your master my card.” ter an inspection of these rooms she led them to| “he next moment Robert Randolph waswait- the cellar, which contained nothing. | ing to be admitted. Slee ‘That is all,” she said, wheeling upon the | Since we last saw the millionaire banker he hunters with a triumphant gleam in ker eyes. | kad kept his house pretty closely. aie ~~ —— ‘You have seen every foot of space I have to There were new lines on his face, and his — show, and | trust you see that you have subject- | eyes seemed to have retreated further into the _ ed a poor widow to unjust suspicions.” _ depths of his sockets. ae ‘Tam very sorry,” said Mowbray; “‘ but jus- — Only once cr twice since his recovery frem tice demanded that this search should be made.” _ the effects of Elegant Ahab’s poisoned pastille * And justice demands that Captain Coldgrip | had he been scen at his Wall street office,and shall be found!” said the dwarf ina startling | then only for a few minutes. ee voice. ‘Tinow a good deal about the man-| The work of the Dragon Leagne seemed to — traps of New York. I know that more than a hang over the millionaire-banker like a cloud of a. score of them are at Bowery Burt’s command, cCoom. ee end that he makes noacquaintancesfor nothing. | It is true that Captain Coldgrip had been at He is your friend, Mrs. Hoyle; he has heen so work but a short time, but each mimute had | for years; you will not tell me that Bowery been hours to Ferg Fowler, and the anxiety bad _ Burt has not received help from You at various — left its traces bebind. Souci 7 - times.” | The threat of Elegant Ahab to restore the — ‘“My God! I am no thief’s pal!” cried the supposed dead heir of the Percy estate had bad woman. | its effect; and so had a threat,more dire than ‘* What else are you, then?” exclaimed Duke that. ae Dado, his little figure seeming to grow an inch Ferg Fowler got the look of a desperate man _ as he covered the woman with his sallow finger. as the hours wore on. te A EOMmMIEDOOKS col n |