Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 419 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

- The Bat of the Battery. as she was being slowly towed ‘in to the wharf, Cul- pepper and Almayne encountered each other in the crowd which had congregated to await the disem- barkation of the passengers. “Twas at yaar house this morning!’’ Culpepper exclaimed, “* but they told me you had gone out, I thought it probable that you were busy about this affair and so I came down here.” ‘‘Oh, yes, I am not the man to waste precious moments or allow golden opportunities to escape me,”’ “Hallo, there’s Batterhofer now,” Culpepper re- marked, catching sight of the old lawyer in the crowd. ‘* He has come in person to receive the girl. Suppose he sees us?” * Well, what of it? Isn’t it as likely for us to have friends on board of the steamer as anybody else?’ Almayne replied. ‘“‘He must be gifted with uncommon acuteness to suspect that our presence here can have aught to do with him, or with the oir.” “Whot is the programme? I presume you are proceeding on some definitely arranged plan ot operations,” “Oh, yes, I nave mapped out the whole affair In my mind, and I have only come down here pase of pure curiosity-to see how the young lady ooks.”’ A ** What is the game?” **T have employed a couple of private detectives and put them on Batterhofer’s track, so that he can’t move without my knowledge. I want to ascertain where he puts the girl, find out what kind of acreature she is, and then I will be able to de- cide in regard to the best mode of preventing her from imterfering with our plans. e can’t very well make headway against an enemy until we find out ail about the opposing force. Then, too, I have bribed the lawyer's confidential clerk; he’s a rascal on a small sal and jumped at the chance to make a hundred; there he is now; that sleek olly-looking fellow at Batterhofer’s side; so I sh know all that he knows.” | The steamer was at last made fast, and the old lawyer, accompanied by his clerk, hurried on board, only to be told the tale of the girl’s mysterious dis- appearance, An hour later the information, in all its details, was in Aimayne’s possession. ‘By Jove!” he exclaimed to Culvepper, discuss- ing the matter, “‘we have put ourselves to a good a of trouble for nothing, and I am a hundred out,”’ ‘*Tt's mighty strange though, isn’t it?” ‘** Yes, the chapter of accidents stood our friend. She may turn up again though, and we must keep on the watch,” CHAPTER VII. THE DETECTIVE’S RUSE, Or all the detectives in New York none stood higher in the estimation of the superintendent of police than John Irving, and good reason had the ehief for his confidence, In a dozen difficult cases Irving had proved himself the right man in the right lace, and the dangerous classes too of great +otham shared in the belief of the er superinten- dent that Irving was the most capable of all the city detectives, and many a bold ruffian had given leg bail and fled from New York in hot haste when he a that the celebrated detective was on his rack, Proteus-like the police blood-hound was capable of assuming disguises so complete that his nearest and dearest friend would never suspect his identity and being a man of such rare ability, it was but natural that the hunting down of the mysterious assassin should be intrusted to him. The detective gps over the matter for some time. He was of the superintendent's opinion that the murders were committed by a single assassin, although it was possible he might have assistance: he believed too that the doer of the deed rather gloried in the act and prided himself upon being able to baffle the skill of the police; but how to strike the trail of the mysterious murderer, unless found by accident, was a puzzle; finally though the detec- tive hit upon a plan. The victims were all elderly men and all strangers to New York, Now Irving, although not old, yet was not young, and being portly and massive in form, had little difficulty in transforming himself into a fine specimen of the traveling Briton, side- whiskers, eye-glasses, accent and all, He even went to the trouble to go clear to Albany, and assume his disguise there, then came down the river by boat, rp ay al PH rs) ea sole-leather trunk, sticking to, which were labels, apnarently testif 3-9 it had- been ee’ Wit-3 me werd. i ying pon arriving in the city the detective had eaused himself to be riven with considerable dis- play to one of the leading up-town hotels, where ne coesctored as Major Gordon McAllister, London, England. The detective’s scheme was an extremly simple one. He intended, in the guise of an elderly stran- ger, with plenty of money, to flaunt in all the public places of the city, thinking thereby to attract the attention of the mysterious assassin, who, pr pat him an easy prey, would belured onward to the tack, and so ciscover himself, It was a bold game to play, for there was a slight possibility that the unknown murderer had his plans so well arranged that the man caught within the toils was not allowed asingle chance of escaping with life from the snare, The detective, however, was willing to run the risk of this, for he argued that there was a deal of differ- ence between himself, armed to the teeth, fully pre- pared forthe encounter, and the unfortunate vice tims who, probably, had not the slightest suspicion that danger threatened until they were in a position a receive the fatal blow and all means of escape cut off. irving had arranged with the superintendent to have men posted ase tain points, day and night, so that he could instantly communicate with head- quarters if the necessity arose, but so exceeding! careful was the detective in the carrying out of his scheme, that neither the men, his comrades, or even the superintendent bimself had the slightest inkling in regard to his disguise. A week passed away, and though the disguised de- tective had been approached by a half a dozen ras- | | cals, all intent upon making him a victim, yet when he had followed each and every one up, which he did with the utmost patience, they all turned out to be petty, common scoundrels, not worth wasting time upon. ‘‘By Jove!”’ muttered the detective, as he pursued | his promenade along Broadway and up Fifth avenue one pleasant afternoon, “is it possible that the fel- low has given up the business, retired rich, or in some mysterious way discovered that I am on his track?” And just as Irving had come to the conclusion that he was wasting time and might as well give the matter up as a bad job, a lady in passing glanced at him in a peculiar way. Now the detective, although a bachelor, was noted on the force for being quite a lady’s man, and from the glance that he haa received from the fair un- known he came tothe conclusion that she would not be displeased to make his acquaintance. Irving was a fine-looking man, and even though his disguise made him appear ten or fifteen years older than he really was, yet it did not destroy his personal appearance, The lady was young and good-looking, dark-eyed and dark-haired; Irving could make this out, al- though she wore a light, fleecy vail that in a meas- ure concealed her features. She was dressed in the most exquisite taste, wore rich jewelry, not gaudy, but just’ enough for.adornment, and it was p that she was a lady by birth, breeding and station. ‘* By George!’ muttered the detective, using his favorite exclamation, as he turned and followed in the wake of the woman, “ it would be odd if in this disguise I should sueceed ‘in fascinating some Murra Hill dame. If I should happen to pick up a ric wife now, wouldn’t it be a stroke of Juck?_ She looks a little like a foreigner, and if she is, perhaps it will not be difficult to make her acquaintance, for these ladies raised abroad are not so deuced particular, after they have reached a certain age, as our Ameri- can girls.” Upon reaching Broadway the lady sauntered along, looking in the shop-windows, and everv now and then casting a shy glance bebind herin such a manner that the detective felt perfectly sure she was aware he was tollowing her, and was not dis- pieased at him for so doing. When she reached Union Square, the detective was only a few steps behind her, and se tool: udvantage of the fact that the sidewalk was for the moment deserted to ‘‘ accidentally *’ drop her handkerchief. Irving understood that this was done for his es- pecial benefit, and he was quick to improve the op- portunity. Picking up the handkerchief he hastened forward yy fot ern the es pas : Sues 4 g your pardon, miss, you have drop your handkerchief,” and he tendered it to her with his most gallant bow. With an air of charming confusion the lady re- ceived it, and then discovered that one of the ban- gles attached to her bracelet was missing. ‘IT wouldn’t have lost it for the world!” she de- clared, speaking with a slicht foreign accent. “It must have become detached since I came out, for I am sure it was on the bracelet when I started. I came down the avenue to Broadway.” ‘Strange coincidence! that is exactly the way I came. If you will permit me, I will accompany ou on your return, and assist you to look for the rinket.” , The lady appeared confused, cast down her eyes, half blushed, and murmured something about * be- ing sorry to trouble a stranger,’ but Irving gallantly rotested that it wasn’t the least bit of trouble, pro- uced his card case—he had taken the precaution to provide himself with a “‘pasteboard,” got up in stunning style—and she, evidently impressed with the idea that her companion was a man of conse- quence, accented his escort without further words. And as they walked up the street it was the most natural thing in the world for them to fall into con- versation. Irving explained who he was—“‘ gave her the English art,’’ as he would have said in the slang of his trade, and she told her story. As he had guessed, she was of foreign birth, French, but she had lived so long in this country that it seersed like her native land. She was called Marie de Gronville, was a widow, having lost her husband, who was in the tobacco trade, some-two years before. She had had considerable trouble in settling up her husband’s estate, owing to the fact that his business connections were mainly with for- eign parties, but now she had come to the end of her trouble, and was prepared to enjoy life, aluhough she was such a stranger in New York, having, during her husband's lifetime, resided principally in the South, that she had hardly an acquaintance*in the city. irvine was in the seventh heaven of delight; evi- dently he had stumbled pa an unexpected piece of goodfortune, The detective was too shrewd a man not to closely scrutinize the lady while she was re- lating her story, for the thought had naturally come to him that it wr oo possibly be a “ plant!” the lady might be a confidence operator, seeking to entrap him, but by the time. she had ended her recital, he was satisfied not only that the story was correct, but that aftor the fashion common to some women she had taken a most prodigious fancy to him at first sight. ere was a windfall with a vengeance; a young and pretty widow, with a fortune too, apparently a pretty big one, from the carelessness with which she spoke about money, and there didn't seem to be the least obstacle in the way of his winning the lady if he chose to play his game yemter yt In charming confusion she invited him to go with ane0 Uae home, and seemed delighted when he ac- cepted, ; er house was in one of the up-town cross streets, a handsome though small brown-stone front, with a stable in the rear. Irving was ushered into the parlor, and with her | own hands the fair widow bronght cakes and wine, and challenged him to pledge her health in the ruddy vintage of the grape. The glasses clinked and they drank, but no sooner had the detective swallowed the draught than his senses began to desert him. The room swam around his giddy head, Too late he knew the truth. He was drugged aud in the toilss | appointed spot.” | | ' : ; | ' ’ EL — ee . | able. 5 CHAPTER VIIL. ANOTHER VICTIM. Nine days had passed since Irving had taken u his quest and, as no word had come from him in that time, the superintendent began to wonder what on earth had become of him. So perfect had been the detective’s disguise that, although he had passed by the men, appointed to act in concert with him, a dozen times and they were as well acquainted with him as though they were all his own brothers, yet not asingle man recognized him. The chief became alarmed as time passed on and he neither saw nor heard from the detective. A fear took possession of his mind that some mischance had befallen him, and he caused a secret alarm to be sent out, but nothing came of it; no one had seen or heard of the detective since he departed on his mission. It was just possible, of course, that Irving had hit upon some clew which, to follow up, had caused him to go out of town, but the superintendent was not satisfied with this theory, for he feit sure Irving would never have left town without notifying him. Both the Governor and the mayor, hav informed that the detective had undertaken the task of discovering the secret assassin, and knowing the ability of the man, had great hopes that he would succeed in solving the bloody mystery, and they called upon the superintendent Ryebrwmg & anxious for intelligence, hoping that the detective had hit off the trail, and that there was a probability of the discovery of the assassin. On the ninth day after the blood-hound of the law had set forth upou the search, the two officials were closeted with the police chief, and they plainly ex- ressed their disappointment when the superinten- ent reported that he had not the slightest bit of news to offer. ‘* Well, what do you think about it?’ the Governor asked. ‘*‘ What is your opinion in regard to the matter? Isn’tit strange that you haven't received any word whatever from Irving?”’ * Yas, it is,’ the chief admitted, ‘and I must say I regard it as a bad sign, although the old adage says that no news is good news, but I can’t make u my mind that itis so in this case; it is just possib that Irving has got on the track of the rascal, and the fellow finding it out has filed—” ‘*and Irving has followed in pursuit, eh?” claimed the mayor. “Yes, it is possible; but not probable.” Just at that moment the chief’s secretary came in with a letter which had been left by the carrier. A culiar-looking letter, addressed to the Superinten- ent of the New York Police, but instead of the superscription upon the peerage being written, it was formed of printed letters, of different sizes, evi- dently cut from a newspaper, and pasted upon the envelope, The i hief laughed as he showed the letter to his visitors. “This ought to be something important,” he ob- served, “for the person that sent itis so afraid handwriting will be recognized, that he has employed this device to prevent discovery. It isan ol and yetasa generad rule such letters seldom rh | Coiceniiicd iain Ws lope carefully e superintendent open e envelope with his pen-laiite, drew out the sheet of foolscap paper within, and when that was unfolded, the com- munication was found to be composed of the same printed characters as formed the address, “ By heavens! gentlemen, this refers to the co : subject we were talking about!” the chief exclaim as he glanced at the message. ‘“ Listen! . *** Have you missed your detective, Irving? Do you want to know where heis? Be atthe lower end of City Hail Park to-night at twelve, and a man will be © there to give you a pointer. Keep it dark.’ “No signature, gentlemen, as you will observe, aud each word isa printed one, cut from a news- paper, evidently, and pasted on the letter; the fellow was determined that we should not havea clewas to who he was by his handwriting.” c “What do you think about it—what does it mean?” . the Governor asked. “As far as I can make out it signifies that Irving, instead of tra ping the scoundrels, has fallen into a. snare himself. This seems to say that there is a gang at the bottom of the business, I don’t gren- erally take much stock in letters of this kind, but I believe there 7s something in this. The fellow that sent it knows evidently that Irving is absent on im- rtant detective business, and thatI am bothered y not hearing from him. Of course there are leaks in all offices, but I think I have contrived to k this matter pretty quiet; so it would seem as if this. ' one who > communication reaily came from some knows what has become of Irving and is disposad to make use of his knowledge.”’ “ But if the writer is one of the band, why should _ he betray the secret?” “Going to peach on his accomplices—turn State’s evidence, you know,” replied the superintendent. “These rascals are seldom true to each other if they can make a stake by turnine informer. If it much wasn’t for these snenks we shouldnt’ make headway, sometimes.”’ u are satisfied that about it?” the Governor asked, rather suspicious. * What object would any one have in sending such a letter unless they meant business?” ** None at al!,”’ remarked the mayor, ‘unless some — fool was doing it for a joke.” ‘Yes, there are plenty of such idiots in the workl, but a practical joker would not be apt to have any kaowledge or this business,” the superintendent re- “No, gentlemen, I think you will find that — pee 6 will turn out to be about as I say. ot on the track of the scoundreis, just as I felt pe Bok he — would; ventured into their den, single-handed, exe — | pecting Ouly vv collar one man, for ke beueved wavu iue@ that there wasn’t put a singie hand in the busi- ness; the odds were too great and they downed him, from him. Now one of the gang has taken a tu to himself and thinks he can make a stake by giving | the thing away.” The others nodded; the theory seemed reason- **So, gentlemen, attwelve to-night I wif be at te o (oe) m Gi ¥ there isn’t any humbug Pt ” 7 and that is the reason why I haven’t heard anyt y ' . - ‘ — c a >> 2 ' * ~- + a & =e a ~" i. 1, =e - a ' — ‘hfe t > f £45 . A,