Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 413 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

. ” 2 P “- o ~~ é ‘- a a o. © 4, @ ; -, ial * . _ a » ae £ ~ su’ et vd ° «* —-—- - -—— tive’s mouth. ‘¢ Didn’t this Mortimer Nogg threaten to pro- duce the child, Frances, if you did not yield to the Dragon League’s demands?” asked Captain Coldgrip. “ He did, but it was a lame threat. The child is dead.” ‘* How do you know that?” The question was direct and strangely spoken. Ferguson Fowler seemed to recoil in his chair. “Tl show you, if you must see,” hesaid, half- between his teeth, and wheeling toward the steel safe, he opened it with an air of triumph. The detective saw him unlock a small iron drawer beyond the inner door and take out a letter, “Read that, sir,” he said, throwing it upon the table. me,” Cantain oe leaned forward. him like a lynx. The letter was dated at Manchester, England, and was written in a female hand, somewhat cramped, as if the writer was not ready with the pen. The date was a certain one, four years prior to the detective’s present visit, and the letter was as fo:lows: picked up the letter and he millionaire banker eyed ‘To Mr. Ferauson Fowler, ‘“* Banker, New York, U. S.:— “T cannot die without telling you the awful truth. Tam Mary May Cable, the nurse of Major Roger Perey’s child. Three days after my unfortunate master’s death, Lran off with the girl, Frances. and came to this place. My plan was to get money from you for my o vn use, but fear silenced me. - I dared not reveal myself, and so | lived in seclusion with the girl-heiress. One year afterward, Frances Percy took sick and died. Iam dying now. My last act will ne to write and mail you this letter. company it with a copy of the certificate of the chila’s death. and with other proofs that will con- vince you. May you forgive, and may Heaven not punis. me for what 1 have done. ‘** Mary May CaBLe.”’ There was a gleam in Fowler's eyes when he saw the detective at the bottom of the letter. ‘“That proves all,” he said. ‘The child is dead.” ‘*Then, why want me to recover the papers ‘and the diamond dragon stolen by Mortimer N og last November from your steel safe?” : Bocate they belong to me.” Captain Coldgrip was silent for a moment. ‘‘ The child is dead, Ferguson Fowler, and yet the chief of the Dragon League threatens to pro- duce her,” the man-fox said touching the gold- bug’s arm as he spoke. ‘‘What does this mean?’ ‘‘He lied!—he can’t produce her,” was the uick response. ‘‘If he can, why come to me or a million, when, by producing the major’s heir, he could rob me of ten. Don’t you see through the blackmailing scheme? You are a detective; but if you can’t see through this in- famous plot, Captain Coldgrip, ll get a man who can. I have employed you to find the pa- pers and the dragon—to hunt the League down. That is your duty!” A smile appeared at the corners of the detec- | retort “Tf it is not proof to you, it is to | | moment and then steppec ptain Coldgrip in New York. 7 cy—” He stopped short and waved his hand dis- | dainfully. “It’s a lie anyhow! Why proceed to refute it?” he went on. ‘* When you unmask this Mor- timer Nogg you will find one of the deepest vil- lains alive. He is a cool, calculating, cunning Satan. The person whom be intends to set up as Frances Percy, if 1 refuse to be blackmailed, is no better than he. for Dado, my servant, who left me during my insane period, captain.” ‘‘ Ah, yes,” said the detective, ‘‘ Dado the Dwarf! [have heard of him. ‘You picked him up in England, I believe.” ““ No,” said the banker, starting visibly before his answer. ‘‘I ran acro-s the fellow in Paris, He may be somewhere in New York, or, he may have gone back to his old haunts in France, I sha’n't be troubled by Mortimer Nogg any Hereafter I will be prepared more to-night. You for callers of all kinds and at all hours, will take the trail immediately, captain.” “ Right away,” was the response. ‘* Do you believe this story of the heiress being alive?” “Tf she is, Pll find her,” said Coldgrip, firmly. ‘¢ You read Mary May Cable’s letter?’ **T did.” “The proofs she mentioned in it were stolen with the diamond dragon.” **T"ll find them all.” “Do it? and Ferguson Fowler’s hand _de- scended upon the detective’s shoulder. ‘‘ Find those things, break up the Dragon League, and name your pay.” The detective looked ate MOS end face for a ‘**Tll go to the end of this trail if it lands the ‘om ges | gold-bug a beggar in the street,” ejaculated the detective when he found himself on the street. “Til clear up that English mystery if the law chokes somebody to death. The Dragon League is against me; sois the Raven and his thugs. Before six days expire I will have you for a foe also, Ferg Fowler. That letter from. Manchester is a falsehood. Ill proveit such during this game for gold.” “T hope you will, Captain Coldgrip,” said a voice behind him. ‘“ But look out for the traps of the rival leagues.” The detective wheeled in a second and looked for the speaker, but nobody was in sight save the Se of the man he had just left beyond the library windows, . Ferguson Fowler was watching him from the ouse. CHAPTER X. THE RAVEN’S BEAK. BOWERY Burt was bent on finding Floss, ‘“T can swear to you that Major Per- | I wish you would look out | 2 oo ——EEEEEE—E———— Elegant Ahab go. Rob, Fox “Hang me if I know. Captain Coldgrip must have been warned on the street.” ‘* But by whom?” ‘‘ By some one who doesn’t want the Dragon League to succeed,” answered Ahab with a smile. ‘* Let me find the enemy!” cried the woman. ‘‘Show me the person who warned Captain Coldgrip, and I promise you that he, or she, | shall leave the game!” ‘By Jupiter! I believe you! I never want you against me,” said Ahab. ‘If Bowery Burt finds Floss, there will be a full explanation or a | paerenee: But the League must not remain idle. “Not for a moment! You left Captain Cold- grip alive though unconscious on the floor of Ferg Fowler’s library. When he awoke he un- | donpaeaty went for the banker.” € ‘* And learned what?” laughed Elegant Ahab. ‘‘ That Mortimer Nogg wanted a million dollars for a few papers and the diamond dragon. Mortimer Nogg is Mortimer Nogg to Fowler only. Outside of this house the name is lost—it gives Captain Coldgrip no clew. Elsewhere I am Elegant Ahab or half a dozen other gentle- men; when I cali on Ferg Fowler I.am Morti- mer Nogg. Ah! you see, Helen. By Jove! I must go out now. Bowery Burt has doubtless gone to Papa Pangborn’s to pump Foxy by fair means or foul. He wants Floss.” ‘‘ If you see him tell him that he must not lose sight of our quarry,” exclaimed Helen. “That I will. Because I let Captain Cold- grip off with his life at Ferg Fowler’s mans‘on, it is no sign that he escapes the next time. Good-night, Helen. The game is fairly afoot now!” And with the trumpet laugh that fol- lowed the last sentence Elegant Ahab vanisled and Helen Hotspur was alone, ‘‘IT wonder if ’m equal to the emergency?” said the voice of a man who saw Ahab leave the house and walk rapidly away. “I've _ played some almighty cool games ih my time an’ ag’in’ some desperately cool people. IT) let He’s likely to remain away some time. If1 had Foxy here with his cun- ning we'd make a swoop in concert, but he hasn’t turned up since [saw him towing Captain ' Coldgrip toward the old Jew’s man-trap; so (ll _ have to operate this scheme myself. _ astonish somebody.” ow ioe | The man was our old acquaintance, Raven ih oe and fellow-plotter. straight to the house just left by Elegant Ahab, jerked the bell quickly. and He wal awaited results with a cunning smile at the cor- ners of bis mouth. The Raven was a giant in stature, and his | deep-set eyes of midnight darkness told that he | was a hard man to handle when he wanted to prove stubborn. ‘*Mebbe this door doesn’t open to anybody f r ~~ > * a .* “s ot a, = ‘* Why does he cling so to that girl?’ Quecn | but to Elegant Ahab and Bowery Burt,” mused Helen asked Elegant Ahab who was coolly _ Raven Rob while he waited. ‘I’m at the right smoking in the well furnished parlor of the house, and the beauty of the League must be at house on Canal street. home. Hello! here we come at last!” ‘“*She’s valuable to him, does the decoy busi- | ot The next moment a catch-holt was drawn by ness when he wants anything of that kind done,” | somebody on the inside, and the door opened a said the handsome villain between his puffs. “*T don’t see how the man called Foxy, who- little! Raven Rob caught a glimpse of a woman’s well,” said the detective rising. ‘‘ But | ever he is, took Floss’s place and decoyed Cap- | face, ss Ve “¢ what if I should run across Frances Percy? | tain Cold p to the door b wt ap Pangborn’s.” “You want to see me,” he said. “‘I am here Shall I produce her, too” ; “It is plain to me,” said ‘Ahab, on a special errand concerning the business — A strange ejaculation not wholly unmingled ‘** Floss turned the jou over to him.” Ahab has in hand.” nh ee with horror burst from the banker’s throat. Helen Hotspur smiled. ‘“‘ Didn't you just meet him?” asked Helen. ayer His look was a wild stare, and there was no ‘**Do you believe that Floss has Foxy for a “Bless me if I did! Sa | But you can take the blood in his face. _ | lover?” she asked. message; it’s very important. 1) ‘‘ What do you mean?’ he cried, leaving his ‘It looks that way. The girl leaves Bowery “Let me have it, then,” said the woman, ex- & nh: chair, ‘In V’s name, Captain Coldgrip, do : un Burt with a decoy message for Captain Cold- you pretend to believe the midnight robber’s ' tending her hand. ot ee grip; she disappears; a man dressed in woman’s ‘It’s too important to deliver hyer,” replied “oe - boast?” clothes—a sleek fad called Foxy—takes up the | the Raven. ‘‘ However, if you don’t want i nae “I merely asked you what I should do if I | job and decoys the ferret to the door of the ver 'Tll go.” fatts . po found Frances Percy.” house which we wanted him toreach. There’s ** Come in,” and Helen opened the door wider “EE / —**Ah! I see! You suspect that the League | the whole thing in a nutshell, Helen. Howdoes | displaying her figure and the dimly-lighted hal |. 28 may have some one who 1s to impersonate the | it look to you?” to the man. ee Percy heir when the time arrives! I do not, Elegant Ahab leaned back in his chair and | Raven Rob stepped inside, and the door) , doubt it. Mortimer Nogg’s manner convinces | looked up into the beauty’s face. ' clicked behind him. > me that such is the case, This organization is| ‘Then Floss can’t be relied on to play Bowery | Helen, with a glance at him, led the wayto capable of doing anything. It may foist a false | Burt’s games hereafter,” she said. the rcom at the right of the hall, anda moment) heir upon me; but it cannot if you do your duty, “T would think not.” later Raven Rob wheeled suddenly upcn her. <a See what a trail you have before you now,” con- tinued Fowler, before the sleuth could speak, ‘‘ Mortimer Nogg has been here again; you have seen him, or enough of him to give you a clew. ' Follow it uF Don’t let them get another stroke w . If he discovers this—what?” ‘** You are Helen Hotspur?” he said. 7, ‘He will give Floss a shaking up that'll lest | The beautiful creature flushed, probably aft hera generation,” grinned Ahab. ‘She has not’ the abruptness of the question. | e returned home. Foxy has her under his| ‘1am Miss Helen,” she said. ‘ thumb.’ **Oh, yes—Miss Helen Hotspur!” was the re- in on me! ant the game played out, and the ‘‘ But he is in Popa Pangborn’s place and con- | tort, accompanied by the semblance of a coarse Dragon League crushed. If you find a Frances | sequently in Burt’s power. Our ally says he laugh. “ Pell. I am Robert Randolph, though A aS Perey it will be a false one, of course, the tool of ! will choke certain t out of Foxy.” I don’t use my name at that length very often. i this devilish League against me. Before I swoon- “If he can!” laughed Elegant Ahab. You are the person I want to see.” Lene ed to-night Mortimer Nogg told me that the __“ Men like Foxy aren’t very easily choked, or, ‘*Then you have no message for Ahab?” Lh , next play would practically decide the game.” | if choked, they don’t surrender readily. It | The woman’s look was full of indignation. ae Py I think it will,” said the detective, signifi- Ponts, sO parts says, Spat Contes eRe. read “Not much of a one!” laughed the Raven. aha * canuly’ a letter a n front of Pa angborn’s. ‘‘ Tt was a device to get in here!” said yaa ¢ He told me that he could put the Percy | That letter unmasked Foxy.” ss . last the odd Helen, 4 le lancin heiress in my house, that he could turn me into arr the street with Nydia, my beautiful ward.” ‘¢ Didn’t he say more than this?” Again the banker, who had got some color, ‘*Do you think so?” cried Helen. ‘* What else did it?’ exclaimed Ahab, ‘‘ From his station in the house Burt saw the letter read: he says he noticed the look the man-fox gave the much that way.” a7 Helen drew back a step, and looked at this — She knew that hiscoming meant no goodfor | became deathly white. false girl immediately after. For all that, he | the cause she had and she resolved ot. ‘‘ Didn’t he say he could do more than turn | let Foxy lead him to the door and then he threw resolutely to give Pag er 4 A ca yen you into the street?’ pressed the detective, low- | him inside like a cannon ball.” Raven Rob in thelight lookediikea handsome ering his voice and leaning forward, his pierc- | The woman was silent for a moment, but her | villain quite capable of contending with Elegant ing eyes covering Fowler like a pair of six- | eyes gleamed and her hands closed tightly. Ahab in strength. sot shooters. , gts | ‘Who gave the scheme away, think you?” | His clothes were not cut with that nicety a8 did; bub it was a tel" was the taghing » she cried. ' which distinguished those worn by the head of IOO Cc ‘Se