Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 419 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

| ~The Bat of the Battery. 7 — -— = —_—_ In the morning his first move was to send out a -eneral alarm in regard to the ** Englishman,” Gor- on M. Alister. He had guessed the trick that Irving had set out to work. As the Englishman he had hoped to in- duce the secret murderer to attack him. He had succeeded in his design, but instead of capturing the viiain, had fallen a victim to bis wiles, It was the ola story of catching a Tartar, the trapper en- tra,ped. By the alarm one slight bit of information the chie2 gained. The roundsman who “covered” that part of Broadway, near Union Square, reported that three | our wandering senses. No one has harmed you.! ‘Well, well, you have struck something, I see!” | fou have been carried off for a little pleasure ex- the Governor exclaimed. | cursion, that is all.” _ “Ts Irving safe—the rascals haven't hurt him, I | “You will pay dearly for this when the law seizes hope?” the mayor added. ~ you in its iron grip!’ exclaimed the exasperated, ‘He is yonder, gentlemen, and you must prepare girl. yourselves for an unpleasant sight,’’ responded the “When the law seizes me!” and then the man chief, in a sad voice, as he turned upon his heel to 1 laug'ed in such a fiendish way that it fairly made | retrace his steps. es the b.cod of the hapless maiden run cold. “And| The others, although devoured by eager curiosity | how soon do you suppose that interesting event will refrained from further questions, for they guessed Ny take place?” from the chief’s words, simple though they were, | ‘The moment I have reached the shore, for then that some terrible calamity had befallen the detec- | I will instantly denounce you.” | tive officer. 5 ‘‘Ha, ha, hal’ and again the abductor laughed| When the three came within the shadows of the ——— might be a man in this world possessed of so animal naintanc ‘ i ing ti % | a nature that blood was congenial to him? a man of | never suspecting that the imposing-looking foreigner Peper cane on asta ‘in i sina a ‘lod Z | such unnatural instincts that he killed merely for the | was his own favorite detective in disguise. “Joe Phenix, the Police Spy.” ** Joe Phenix th v p'easure of killing?” After the examination the three held a long, pri- | Private Detective,” and “ The Wolves of New York,” be The breath of the girl came quick and fast as she | vate consultation, afew words of explanation are due ie x, x % listened to those horrid words, and having hereyes| The Governor favored giving the matter the widest | Phenix was one of the most remarkable men : > fixed intently upon the man’s face, her wits rendered | possible publicity—by offering a large reward for the | whose name was ever recor jed in the v0liee annals af" unnaturally by the peculiar tion in which | apprehension of the assassin, thinking thereby to | of New York. A man possessed of marl onsen h an "t4 i she was placed, she fancied she could detect a gleam | stimulate some private party to attempt the capture | eal power, undaunted courage, and a face so mobe ‘ | in his eyes which denoted that his wits were dis- | of the mysterious murderer, but the superintend- | that it was capable of the most astonishing chan — ‘s | ordered; and immediately she remembered that she | ent, after the fashion of the majority of men in his coupled with the instinct of a bloodhound ~ — a? | had often read that when one was dealing with | position, did not at ail believe in the scheme. terrible man-catcher never got upon a rascal’ 4 a, we it is always best te. bumor them a in er Better to keep : maartge ne argued a . . “ allow | track. po . heir delusions, and so, resolving act upon 6 newspapers to learn all the details of the affair : : s, idea, she took heart a little. aoa it will be biazoned forth to the world, and the per- then had oa pit meted ms ‘Sinan Oot he : That her abductor was not in his right senses was cement 3 of the deed will be able to find out exactiy | own, but for some two years now he had At teas % a reasonable explanation for his outrageous con-| bow much we know, and so can take measures | geen in New York: why he had di ae a : | duct, for, otherwise, there was not the slightest | against discovery. Of course we can’t keep Irving’s | where he had gone. no < f wie isappeared, or excuse for what had taken place. death a secret, but we can let it go to the public that And from this fact the chief. while looking f, re “Oh, yes; such a thing uagut be possibie, she | he was assaulted and killed by some unknown par- | gome man to put upon the track’ of the — oF rey replied, with a great effort forcing herself to appear | ties, that the police have a clew and are on the track | murderer, never thought of Phenix, b “gr eager ‘ ro be of the murderer, but not breathe a word that we | ment that gentleman made hi an abate he idea 2 “You believe that?” know that the secret assassin, who has so far baf- | instantly occurred to him that of all the In — “Yes; I presume it is not improbable." fled all the efforts of the police, was also his slayer.” | sleuth hounds in existence, Phenix was th oo ‘* How about the vampire?” he asked, abruptly. The ser was rather inclined to side with the | who could be chosen to e t to the heart Of the Ps “The vampire!” she echoed, not understanding | Governor in his belief that all the details had better | strange and bloody maieed. a‘ : him. be given to the public, but finally both came to the “Yes, yes; you are the very man I want,” th sh “ Yes, the vampire: do you believe in amagtrase conclusion that the adage which says ‘Each man to | chief repeated. “ve a job for you, if mS, © BAY “ ’ ” : : ” , . you are ; I don’t know,” the girl replied, bewild bis trade,” was a wise one, and as there wasn’t any | open to accept a commission; but I say, what h | “You know the story of the vampire!" he con- | doubt that the superintendent had much greater ex- you been doing all this time?’ Where De oO rere = tinued, rapidly, his eyes swelling with unnatural —_ in rascal-catching than they, it was probable yourself?” you xep he fires. ‘‘The human who leads an artificial life—who e course he advocated was the wisest one to fol- “i have been on a journey around the 1d.” . _ lives on the blood that he extracts from his victims | low. ** Ah! around the world for rt. eh?” ser a | ( —that he sucks from their very veins, drawing the ‘We will leave the matter in your hands, then,” “No, on business. A scntidiental ch k absconded 4s red life-current directly from the heart!” the Governor said, in conclusion, “ but, Mr. Superin- | from New York, carrying off a large a an f n Aow Le ‘Oh, merciful heavens!” moaned the girl, almost | tendent, this mysterious murderer mus’ be aiscov- | and some private rs which in Ived th hone S paralyzed with r. ered; no man, or of men can be allowed to set | of an old and w cr Paants 1 ah, ope o pene a ‘It is not a fable! such things do exist as you | the law at defiance in audacious way.” to hunt the man alors = ot lb iteg ica” pam = will find to your cost before this night is over; the *“T will stake all che reputation that I have in sible, although that Bate wf Powaaie £ E e | old life-currént ebbs feebly in the velng and a new | lice matters to hunt the villain down in time!” the | ation, but at all hazards, and witho ut regard $0. ex- ar ik supply is needed—fresh, young blood. You should | chief exclaimed, * but,Governor, you must remem- | pense, to secure the papers.” ES 8 oh no live thirty—forty years yet, but you will die to-night | ber that I am only a man, and cannot bee ted to} * “ And the fellow led you a lively chase?” . oe ' and the years of your life will go to enrich another! | perform im ble feats, It is a regular game that ‘* Yes: for near sats butL me hi ce Now we will rocura,"! Cee Sey. this fellow is pis ing, and, as it is evident he is ex- | to earth in ae se set finally ran him a e essayed to pu e about, but managed it | ceedingly skiliful, un e makes a false move it “ om 5 m “sa so badly that it fell into the trough, of @ wave, | will be iunpossible forus to trip him; but the moment | the No extradition treaty—that was ugly,” observed = em snapped, the npset and eu the e does that—and he is sure o it in the long r “ : ‘ an raging sea went both captor and captive. for the pitcher that goes often to the well will be dace Prt cdettene oe fe | whe pple to kill a er x anigiiniine broken at last—then we will have him on the hip and £ quiet : Phot the way. ® we CHAPTER XI. he'll find himself in the Tombs before he knows | 2 q le ity which was natural to him. “I had 7 2 A BAFFLED SEARCH. what has happened.” antici that it was mages with the start he | Horror-STrickEN the police-superintendent start- This was the old “ cheap” talk that police officials ned, . re ig sh . og erga ob gene 3 some country Re :. ed back and gazed for a moment in speechless | have indulged in ever since there has been thieves + ate (3 Reatleed __ provided against oe ve ‘amazement upon the fearful sight. and thief-takers, but it satisfied the listeners and — ths . pio oa 1 z yg Bn documents as It was the detective, Irving, beyond a doubt, and | they departed, full of confidence that in time the | o'the foe te carth ie Brodit boars and when T eo | from ithe extremely natu manner in which the mavksy vet apenat in, wind ~ Rg ag 80 many and an sey property.” r aimed the papers 4 * n pro 1 up in t oorway not one c e blows, w e stern oO “ ’ ’ : ' b rson out of a aries would have suspect ed that | the law which he had so fearfully outraged, a PY Me ove! that was a sharp device ” a covery thet he was for a few moments unable to | “slap” in the face for him, as he ressed it: his | +,224 cautioned the officer to be on his guard, for I ries , do anything but sland end atere as tite frightful pride was wounded, and he determined to prove to ray no a there might be trouble, He was an ; sight. e secret slayer that he had aroused no mean an- | Kined at the first fire. The bi etwas intonded for loud and long. “Do you really suppose that you i and the man | are ever going to reach the shore?’ infused into the question such a terrible meaning that Lesbia, despite her undoubted courage, could not help rr “Just consider the situation!’ he continued. “Here you are, in a frail boat, the wind blowing a gale, increasing in force as the night wears on, off one of the most dangerous shores in the councry. Were it not for the Sontiue of the wind we could hear the roar of the surf on the sand, the merciless breakers, that seldom part with a victim that they get within their clutches while life remains, and then the mangled, mutilated corpse is tossed, as if in contempt, high upon the beach.” ‘*T am not afraid of the waves—I am not afraid of the wind; the hand of an all-powerful Ruler is in both!’ she eried. ‘* But you do fear me!”’ he answered, abruptly. ‘Yes, it is true; forI believe you are a creature of the lost soul who reigns in the realms of dark- ness.”” And so she did; if it had been possible for a rirl as well educated and intelligent as Lesbia to believe in the old time traditions that, for certain purposes, fiends were sometimes permitted to assume he mortal shape, then she would most surely have been convinced that the helmsman who faced her with such a sinister expression upon his expressive features was no man of flesh and blood, But as it was she knew enough of the world to understand that there are some mortals who seem born under an ev'l star, being as malicnant in their natures as the followers of the fallen angel. ‘And you are right to fear, for neverin all your life were you menaced by a more terrible danger than that which threatens you. Why do you sup- pore I have taken the trouble to carry you off?” ‘*T cannot understand—it is a mystery to me.” ‘“*Did you ever see me before?” ‘* Never!" “You are sure then that Iam not an old foe with an ancient grudge arainst you?” *Yos, because I have no foes,” she replied, in a simple, earnest way. “I have never wronged any one, and Lam sure there isn’t any reason why you, or any one else, should wish to injure me,” “Did the idea ever enter your head that there he form was aught but that of a sleeping man, Dead, as 1am a living sinner!” the police chief ejaculated, so overwhelmed by the une dis- ‘Ob, this is terrible!” he muttered. The su intendent in the course of his busy professional life had locked — many dead bodies, but never upon one that had inspired him so with horror. At last, with a great effort rousing himself from the shock, he hurried to where he had left the two officials, and they, perceiving by the expression up- on his face that something out of the cammon occurred, plied him with questions, post-office building the superintendent directed their | attention to the body. ‘Ts he asleep?” asked the Governor. | ‘¢ Not under the influence of liquor, I hope?” quoth | the mayor. ‘‘ He will never sleep or drink more, gentlemen, he is dead!” answered the police official. The others recoiled, and exclamations of horror came from their lips. ‘‘He succeeded in his mission, as T felt sure he would; he found the assassin, but it was only to per ish by his hand,” said the chief, slowly and sadly. “Oh, this is terrible!” cried the Governor, really unnerved by the fearful discovery. ** Perfectly frightful! Superintendent, this blood- thirsty villain must be hunted down and brought to justice, no matter what it costs!” the mayor ex- claimed. “The whole power of the Department must be brought to bear upon this case. Why, by this atrocious crime the villain actually shows that he langiis at the exertions of the police; the pe) of this unfortunate man is nothing more than a bol defiance.” ‘* Your honor, that is a conclusion that cannot be escaped; but before we proceed furtherin the mat- ter, or counsel in regard to new measures, it will be as well to have a careful examination made of the wet ya by so Going we may be able to gain some ints.”’ The others admitted the wisdom of this course, so the police were summoned and the body removed. Irving had indeed fallen by the hand of the mys-' terious assassin, for an examination revealed that he had perished from a stab wound piercing the heart, and on the neck, under the left ear, were the two mysterious marks which had also appeared on the bodies of the other victims, The detective was dressed in bis conspicuous Scotch tweed suit, in one of the vest pockets of which was a single card bearing the name which the detective had assumed. His wig and whiskers had been removed though, and the card was the only ariicle that was found upon his person. But it was quite enough to give the chief a clewto the b ere which the detective had been playing, particularly as the superintendent’s attention one day at the Fifth Avenue Hotel had been attracted by the sup- posed stranger, and he had inquired who he was, To do the superintendent justice, he did set to work with uncommon vigor. rightly, that the killing of the detective was a direct tagonist when he dared to defy the superintendent of the New York police into the lists. Barely two hours’ sleep did the chief have that night, for his brain was so busily engaged in revoly-— ing plans to entrap the unknown murderer that. slumber wooed it in vain. It was not until he had re Anan oe arp! out, aerate Guanes and uttering imprecations upon the of the un- known, that he fell asleep. ‘ He thought, and | or four days before—he was uncertain as to the ex: act day—he had noticed a man, who resembled the description given of the Englishman, on the oppo. site side of the street—he was on the park sidewalk at the time—stoop and pick up a handlerchief which a lady had dropped, then the two entered into conversation, and finally went up the street to- ether. The roundsman paid no particular atten- ion to the little episode, for, as he expressed it, he thought it a clear case of “‘mashing.”’ and won- dered what it would cost the swell before he got out of the scrape. “The woman!—what was she like?” questioned the police chief, in almost breathless eagerness, The roundsman was at fault; he admitted that he hadn't particularly noticed her, She was “kinder stylish,” dressed in dark clothes, he “‘ thought,” but he wasn’t sure, “Would you be able to identify her if you met her again?’ This was a critical question, and the roundsman, after meditating about the matter fora few minutes, trying to freshen up his memory, was finally obliged to admit that he was pretty sure he would not be able so to do, Here was a clew and yet not a clew. A woman had been with the disguised detective. He had one with her, and that was the only trace of Irving fhat could be discovered, wifa the exception of the information furnished by the clerks of the hotel in regard to his procuring accommodations there, as the woman the secret assassin, or was she but a decoy used by the murderer to lure his victims into his net? It did not seem possible that the murder could be the work of a woman’s hand. While the chief was pondering over this problem a visitor entered. The superintendent uttered &@ oyous cry; it was Joe Phenix, the king of detec ves. CHAPTER XII. PHENIX ENLIST D, “By heavens! Phenix, Meir are the very man 1 wanted!” the superintendent exclaimed, rising and shaking hands with his visitor ia the most cordial manner. To those readers who have never made the ac- “The laws of course upheld my claim; with the proper officer 1 went to seize my man; he was aes- rate, being thus brought to bay, and showed fight. grappled with my man, and alt he fought like a tiger, su ed in capturing him. I got my documents, and the criminal was convicted of me, but I dodged, and the officer oh it. Then I - Inourder, and duly executed.” “Phenix, you are a devil of a fellow!” the chief exclaimed. “If I were a rascal I should hate to | bave you strike my traui.” - Ebooks.com - | Pod 4 ‘ : ss ‘ he . Y a . “he é ~s . oa - aA on P