Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 437 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

, SSS —— _—— _— — =e. Ee a. ee er eee 16 Deep , ——e ee a C—O Duke, the 8 ilent Sleuth. Mrs. Rose gave way, as she usually did when | who had been the decoy, ‘* but you will soon : Brown, now took up the conversation and tried opposed, and a cab was hailed and they were soon rattling along over the pavement. Peters swallowed his anger to the best of bis ability, assumed a light, confident air, and did his best to entertain Mrs. Rose on the trip. In a short time, if all worked well, he would have her where he could act as he saw fit, but, until then, he must use velvet touches and plausible words, In due time they arrived at a plain, brick house, and there the cab was dismissed and they entered, Peters using a key which he pro- duced from his pocket. He then escorted Mrs. Rose to a back parlor. “Now I'll go and seeif Duke is in,” he said, in a pleasant voice. ‘‘Tll return directly. Wall you go or stay?’ The last words were addressed to Wilberson, and as that worthy believed that he detected a hint, he followed Peters out. They were in the private\detective’s own home, and as he was only a boarder, Wilberson did not see how he was going to turn it into a prison. Mrs. Rose, left alone, sat down by the window and looked out into the yard. The weather be- ing warm the window was raised, and she soon became aware that the basement window, just below, was also open. The sound of voices was distinct, and as she instinctively listened, the actual words became audible, ‘** No, sir,” said the woman's voice, shrilly, “I am not going to turn my house into a prison to please anybody!” ‘¢ But I will pay you well,” urged a masculine voice, : ‘* About seven dollars a week, I suppose,” -was the sarcastic reply. ‘*Seven! You shall have fifteen doliars every week she is here,” There was a lull, and then the woman’s voice came again, this time less sharply. ‘‘ Who is the woman? Some high-toned dame whose disappearance will kick up a big row?” ‘No, no; she’s poor as Job's turkey, and al- most a stranger here. The reason I want her kept quiet is that she is a witness in a case I am on. She's up in the back parlor now; I’ve de- coyed her here by a trick, and now I want you to keep her under lock and key for me.” Mrs. Rose waited to hear nomore. She had heard enough to show Peters in his true colors, for she knew the voice was his, and she started to her feet. She was very pale and her trem- bling limbs scarcely sufficed to support her, but one idea was very distinct in her mind. She was among desperate characters, and the sooner she left the house the better it would be for her. Quickly she left the room and glided into the hall, but as she did so she stopped in consterna~ tion. Wilberson was standing by the front door, ‘* Hallo!” he said, suspicicusly ‘* what’s up?” The little woman ran forward hurriedly and clasped her hands to him. “Oh! sir,” she exclaimed, ‘‘for the love of heaven, have mercy on mo? What harm have I done that I should be brought to this lace? 1 beard them talk in the basement, and know they are going to shut me up here. Oh! sir, you look honest—” “The game is up!” ejaculated Wilberson. *‘No, I won’t let you out. You will stay here as loug as we see fit, and do you mind your eye and keep quiet. Utter one screech and I willfix you. Come down-stairs tomy partner!” He grasped her roughly by the arm, and she almost swooned with terror, ‘*Mercy!” she gasped. ‘‘ Hush your noise!” he ordered, ‘* Here we go down-stairs, and Peters can settle this.” He jerked open the door which led to the basement, but as he did so, be uttered a cry of alarm and recoiled so suddenly as to almost overturn Mrs. Rose. What startiing surprise had met him there? ’ ————-- » CHAPTER XIX. DORGAN FACES THE DANGER, NEVER were men more surprised than Duke Dorgan’s enemies when the detective faced them with that bold defiance. They had imagined that they were drawirg him into a snare of which he was wholly unconscious, and the turn of affairs dumfounded them, There stood the man they had “trapped,” as serenely confident as though he had an army at his back, and the revolvers which bore upon them did not waver in the least. Remarkably impressive Dorgan looked then, and they could only stare at him in silence. **Come!” he added, after a pause, “ what have you tossy? This is not the way to enter- tain a welcome guest.” ** Zounds!” muttered one of them, ‘‘ you are a cool one.” ‘*Oh! I'm warm-hearted enough, if you get me stirred up,” Duke answered, ‘“ You loo at me as though I were a wild animal in a cage. Su) : you send a small boy to punch me with a stick. “You'll get punched, never fear.” ** Send on the purcher.” | ‘*You are acting the clown now,” said he ‘ a of io . change your tune.” ‘*T would like a change; Iam burning with curiosity to know what you wantof me. As I[ seid before, 1 tumbled to your ‘trap’ right at the start, but an overpowering desire to learn who you were, and what you wanted, led me to come right along. Now that Iam here I hope you will explain.” By this time the men were again themselves and their crestfallen air gave place to one of confidence. They had caught a Tartar, but, as the odds were three to one in their favor, they felt sure of triumph. Dorgan’s brief career of defiance would only make his downfall all the more bitter. ‘We will explain,” said the leader, ‘‘ but I give you warning that our arguments are al- ways made with powder and lead.” ‘“That’s just my style, too,” the detective coolly replied. ‘‘ There is nothing I enjoy more than a good revolver fight, and the sides are about equally matchec in this case. But this isn’t explaining. your object in decoying me here.” ‘‘Our object is to get rid of an infernal, sneaking spy—yourself.” ‘Hello! In what way have T trod on your toes?” . ‘* That’s our business.” ‘* Mine, too, isn’t it?” “ We don’t propose to explain, anyway. You don’t deserve it. If there is a contemptible creature on the face of the earth it is a so-called detective—in plain words, a miserable sneak who goes around spying on his fellow-men.”’ Duke laughed aloud, as though he had hearda good joke. pe hate trod on your toes, haven’t I? But how? Who are you? What have you cone to fear me?” ‘* We don’t fear you.” ‘*No? You were afraid to have me at liberty.” ‘* That's a different matter,” ‘All one, I assure you. Come, now, speak up like a little man, and tell me who you are, what misdemeanor you have committed, and bat you thought necessary to take me off the rail? ‘* We shall explain nothing.” ‘Then let me guess, A Jerseyman is cousin to a Yunkee, anyhow, and I’m Al on the guess, You are under the lead of one Levi Peters, pri- vate detective.” ‘“‘Wrong. I never heard of the man,” Duke had relied more on his eyes than the man’s veracity, and he was a trifle staggered when he saw that the decoyer not only spoke with all the honesty imaginable, but not a fea- ture indicated annoyance or surprise. If he had told a lie it had been all ready, and did not care if the detective had made a close guess, Dorgan saw fit to dispute the answer point blank, and then the decoyer indifferentky ob- served that he was at liberty to think as he sleased. Correct or not, he did not seem to care in the least. ‘* This is not to the point, though,” he added. ‘You make a fine show standing up there with your revolvers, but al] your bluster don’tamount to the peep of a sick chicken, We are three to one, and can blow you sky-high any time we see fit; but as we are peaceably disposed, I will make you a fair offer: Hand over your barkers, and surrender quietly, and we won’t lay it up against you. All we want is to keep you pris- oner just twenty-feur hours, after which you can go free.” ‘* Gammon!” tersely interrupted the detective. ** Don’t you believe ine?” ts No,” Shs You will save yourself trouble by comply- ing.’ *T see your hook tv plainly under the bait. You know that as matters now stand I hold the reins, while, if I was fool enough to surrender my revolvers, you would have matters all your own way. You can’t do it; [am going to arrest you, and take you to the station-house.” ‘The blazes you are!” a Yes.” “Do you imagine you can arrest the three of us? ‘* Certainly.” Dorgan spoke as coolly as though it was the simplest thing in the world, and the men were a good deal irritated by his confidence, ‘Hang it!” exclaimed one of the others; rs a gone far enough. Let’s shoot the cuss and— ** Hold on!” The previous speaker’s hand had moved to- ward his pocket, but the detective’s voice inter- Sawern with an imperious ring which stopped im, ‘* The first man who tries todraw a weapon will be my target,” Dorgan sternly added, ‘I advise you not to try it!” The kidnappers looked at each other in silent consternation and wrath. They had heard of Duke Dorgan’s prowess before, and as he stood before them, tall, aromas and commanding, they fe ' to argue the point. They did not want to harm their ‘‘prisoner,” but, if forced to extreme measures, they were not men to let human life stand in their way. If he would surrender | quietly be would not be harmed, but if he per- _ sisted in defying them they would take necessary | | | eee LL EEE Tot ttt LTTE ; ' ' confident, sharp-eyed | with a rapidity which startled bim. It that it would be no this all. measures to subdue him, even though they had to kill him—and they were three to one. ‘** | don’t care if you are fifty,” Dorgan replied as confidently as ever; ‘‘l’ve often tackled greater odds than you show. Come, no words about this matter; get up and march to the police-station !” | ‘* Not by a blamed sight!” ** Then I shall take you!” And the detective advanced directly toward Brown, He did not feel half the confidence he pro- fessed, but, knowing the value of a bold front, he intended to keep it up and fight his way out of the danger the best he could. It would not be the first time he had risked his life against odds, srown retreated to the corner of the room. ‘*Men, get behind his back!” he ordered, ad~ dressing his confederates. The importance of this move was apparent to all. While Dorgan had the three in front of him he could threaten all at the same time with his revolvers, but with the gang divided, it was a very different matter. Brown’s change Of base left the door unguard- ed and the detective might have retreated to the hall with a fair prospect of gry but such was not his purpose, He wished to know why these men had decoyed him, and, great as the odds were, he determined to take one, at least, to the police station, if such a thing was possible, The contemplated move of the enemy brought matters to a crisis, and Dorgan moved with the quickness which always distinguished him when action was necessary. The last words were barely out of Brown’s mouth when the detective leaped at him like a tiger. guard, but the dash took him by surprise and he had no time for elaborate preparation. His hands were beaten down, and, almost before he realized the danger,a pair of bandcuffs were secure y on his wrists. Dorgan had done the job with remarkable skill and celerity, the result of long practice; and then he caught his prisoner by the shoulders and swung him around in front of him. This was done just in time. Brown’s allies had improved the chance to draw their revolvers, but they now stood dum. founded as they saw only their leader exposed asa target, while over his shoulder was thrust Duke Dorgan’s hand with a gleaming revolver in it. ‘Tf you want to see me, come right along!” coolly directed the detective. But the men did not advance; they only paused and uttered a few words of extempora- neous profanity. Brown, however, had become keenly alive to the peril of bis own situation. “You cowards!” he cried, “why don’t you pitch in? One bold dash, and itll all he over.” ‘**You never said a truer thing,” Dorgan perry added: ‘tall will be over. They will xe dead men. Stick a pin in that, you two, and be mighty careful what yon do. I hold the reins now, whether I did before or not, and not one iota will I give way. ‘This man goes to the station with me!” Brown had lost some of his color and seemed to be a badly frightened man, end he now ad- dressed his allies very cloquently egain. They would be cowards to desert him, and it wasa very simple thing if they only went in with vim. They were still three to one, if he was bound, and it would be only a moment’s work to clean out this solitary detective, This was all right as an argument, but a stronger one was presented by the silent, un- wavering revolver. That looked them in the face, and told mutely of the deatb-power in its maw. They had never recovered from Duke’s first bold move, in allowing himself to be led into their midst, and all their courage now seemed to be oozing away. While they hesitated Duke considered his next move. He intended to hold on to Brown, but even bis sanguine nature would not allow him to consider it easy to take all three out of the house torether. Clearly, his best way was to take Brown away at once, before the others recovered from their dazed condition, and then send officers for them, or let them escape, if such a course be- came necessary. He had the leader of the trio, anyhow. “ We'll go!” he suddenly said, and turned to- ward the door, pulling Brown after him. The latter now began a fierce extgetes but he was no match for the detective point of strength, and he was whisked out into the hall Nor was As they went Duke saw the key in the made useful. trifling matter to dare his wrath and provoke a | door, and it occurred to him that it might be "ho apt e spokesman, who proved to be named a MW 4 - ' : , tf 2 2 bead! ye e : * ‘ i st a. ~ » Fee * te “i “a TR ae ' ver" bes Pek Cw : > an? ae Three quick motions and he had changed it to Weomicbooks 5 oy fae a® Brown tried to throw up his hands as a. Cee : — =! * Ba