Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 437 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

—_— ss © 26 —_—— a -_-—— not here to molest you, or raid your house, or had seemed, but Dorgan had a presentiment bring either into public view. Don’t be afraid , that it would be the reverse. of that.” ‘**] thought you’d take water.” ** Take water?” “~ yes.” ** What do you mean?” trick—” ‘*That’s a lie!” Dorgan bluatly replied. ‘*If you think Iam afraid of you ana your cronies you make a mighty big blunder--that’3s all, I am giving you the truth; [ don’t want you or any of your friends, but there is one man here I do want.” | | expected, t On the way he took in the cell of the man who had wv Rip him in the cab, but, as he had 1s ioe still refused to talk, Duke 1e dared not speak; by so doing he was sure that _ would probably get himself into even a worse ‘*'You are scared, an’ want ter gif out by a | fix. | his life, By this time Peters had come to the foot of | the stairs, and stood waiting to put in his word. His eyes were twinkling evi‘ly, and it was clear that he intended to do Dorgan harm by some ready lie, but he was not prepared for what followed. Dorgan made a quick leap, reached the side of his rival, and seized him in a tenacious 2 ~— ~~ a7 ; ~~ relied u grasp. ** And I have him !” he said, finishing his last speech. Then he turned sharpl7 to the amazed villain. ** You are my prisoner, Levi Peters. Don’t dare resist, or it will be the worse for you. Men, I am a detective, but this fellow is one, also, Take your choice between us. He is a sneak and a coward, while I claim to be a man of my word. I tell you again I have nothing against any of you. Take your choice between us!” And Duke flung away his wig and false beard and towered before them, bold, handsome, frank and impressive. There is nothing which affects people of low life more than cool bravery when it is properly carried, and Dorgan reached the crowd ata bound, figuratively speaking. Opposed to him was the private detective, whose manner just tien certainly corroborated the charge that he was a ‘‘ sneak,” and the tide rolled in Dorgan’s favor. ‘* Better take his advice, Dixon,” said a voice from the crowd. ** It sounds straight,” added another. ** Tt is straight,” said Dorgan. ** Don’t you believe it—” Thus far had Peters spoken, trying to get in his word, but the master of the house inter- ve got ter b’lieve somebody,” be said, ‘‘ an’ I'll take my chances with Dorgan. Mister, owre welcome ter this chap if you want him; never seen him afore, an’ he ain’t one 0’ my kind. Take him if you want him.” “TT won't go!” cried Peters. ‘‘ This is New York; I won’t go to grec! without—” ‘* Easy, old man!” coolly interrupted . Duke. ** Better go quietly—you remember what I know about you!” Peters actually grew pale. Ho was terribly afraid of his bold rival, and the gang he had n had gone against him. When he ut in word they had been ready to tear rgan to pieces, but the latter had handled them hke pieces on a chess-board, and won a victory where defeat seemed inevitable. ** Better take him off at once,” said Dixon. Dorgan turned to his rival with a calm smile *‘ How is it, Levi—will you go?” he asked. The private detective looked at the row of - faces before him, and then turned sullenly het: Have it as you will!” he growled. ** That’s horse seuse. Well, Mr. Dixon, I won’t stay to disturb you further, but I thank you for your square treatment. You won’t lose any- thing by it.” And then he marched Peters out with Abe Benlow as arear guard. The big rough was in great glee, and he chuckled audibly as they went to the street. He thought he had never seen a neater piece of work, anit had been ac- complished by means new to him. He was ac- - ecustomed to win, if at all, by using his muscle, a* “ , A | Bh iz ’ . . an officer’s career, Duke did not discourage i ne, tI wy, a ra Lf “a {tay - r ’ ¥ ‘ _ on * “7 4 ’ 4 . ‘¢ oe intention of seeing Daddy Posey at once, i - not strategy. Straight to Jersey City went the party, and Peters was soon accommodated with quarters in acell, Dorgan did not intend to let him go out again until the Woodside case was settled. Af- fairs were at a crisis, and Peters meght win the a ~ game if he was given a chance. ' Abe showed a desire to attach himself to the detective, for whom he now had a profound ac- miration, and as all sorts of men are useful in m. The man might yet be useful, and he could be kept in service without being made an inti- te. When his work was done D rgan went home and retired. As usual, he slept well. Havinga remarkably well-baianced nature, he could re- turn from the most exciting arlventure, forget it, settle down and sleep without the shadow of a care to disturb him. When he arose in the morning it was wi a is old man, who had seemed so insignificant when Dorgan saw hirn in Sam Loonsbv’s cellar, had pa tance in the detective’s mind. a - :4 oF He might prove to be as insignificant as he 7 guddeniv assumed new, though vague, impor- | Next, the detective started to find Daddy Posey. As he reached the dreary court he could not but be influenced by his previous experience there, and he touched his revolver to make sure that it was there. He was going among desper- ate men, and those who had once tried to take failed, the detective would then have been a mangled corpse in the sewer. He entered the old house bold y, however. He had expected to make inquiries in order to find Daddy Posey, but luck was in his favor. The old man sat in a chair in the hall, fast asleep. Dorgan awakened him at once, The old man started up with an air of alarm, and then gazed at the caller without seeming reassured. He did not recognize the man he had seen in the cellar, though he still wore Duke's coat, but he had a knave’s fear of inquis- itive strangers, ‘* Hallo! how are you to-day, Daddy?’ Duke bluffly said, with a friendly air. **T’m well.” Daddy answered with a grow] and a suspicious air, ‘** You’re looking as chipper as ever.” “Um!” growled the old man, still on his guard, ‘*Tve got something for you. A friend has sent you a trifle, and if you'll go to your room, I'll give it to you.” Daddy’s eyes suddenly sparkled avariciously. ‘* What is it?” **T’}l tell you when we are in your room,” The old man put his fears aside. He was very favorably impressed by Dorgan’s manner, and the chance that there might be money in the case was enough to stir him all up. His love for ‘““sparklin’ boys” had not decreased since he hunted in the cellar for coins. He promptly led the way up two flights of stairs to a low, marvelously dirty room. Un- known to either man, other eyes saw them as they went, On the second floor they had at- tracted the attention of a man who looked at them suspiciously. He evidently saw more in this visit than Daddy Posey did, for, after a little hesitation, he crept up ‘he other stairs and sta- tioned himself at the door of the room they had entered, where he could overhear what was said. He soon found enough te interest him. Daddy Posey scarcely allowed himself time to close the door before he turned upon his visitor ‘“What?ve you brought me?’ he eagerly asked. Dorgan displayed a crisp bank-note. ‘Only a trifle,” he answered, ‘ Five dollars is the figure.” The vagabond’s eyes fairly glowed. ‘Give it ter me,” he exclaimed, putting out his hand. ‘* Moderately, my friend, moderately. You shall have it when you earnit, and you can earn’ it easily.” ‘‘ What d’ye mean?” ‘My friend wants a little information, and he will pay you for it. See? By the way, let’s sit down,” Daddy Posey obeyed, but a disappointed, sus- picious look had appeared on his face. ‘‘ What is’t you want ter know?’ he growled, ** Last nigbt you guide a man to Dixon’s,” The vagabond started, and he was not the only man who did so. The listener at the door had started even more, and he glared through the key-hole, which some vandal knife had greatly enlarged, like a cut-throat meditating massacre. His gaze was upon Duke Dorgan, and if ever murder was in a look it was In his, ‘*7 don’t know nothin’ abcut Dixon’s!” cried Daddy Posey, ‘tan’ I didn’t guide nobody no- where.” “ Softly! I saw you at Dixon’s myself.” The statement was safe, and Duke made it boldly. Daddy squirmed uneasily in his seat. His shriveled face was very troubled—even frightened—and he looked at the detective as though he would much rather run than remain longer in the room, The spy at the door muttered a curse. The last statement seemed to trouble him as much, und even more, than it did Posey. ** Now,” continued the detective, ‘‘ what my friend wants is to see the aan you took Peters there to see. Tell me where this man is to be found, and this five-dollar note is yours ” * Rubbish, all rubbish!” exclaimed the old man. “I ain’t the least idee what you're talkin’ about: not the least.” “Now don’t talk nonsense, for I have this matter down fine. When you guided Peters there you were followed all the way, and the case isclear. I don’t want you to do any more than show me the man Peters wanted to see, Come, Daddy, five dollars don’t grow on every bush.” He rattled the crisp note, but the bait did not If Sam Loonsby’s little game had not | talk?’ =e... ee alaheionbeisaahenanpipseeeenetelicletmamatnastasitinshte Gagne saat ee as it did before. The old man shook bis. ead. ‘*T ain’t got nothin’ to tell,” he insisted, **You are foolish.” **T can’t tell w’ot ain’t so.” ** Nonsense! You talk like a child. Isn’t five dollars good pay for showing me a man?” ‘“°Tain’t no use,” declared the oldman, “TI wove tell, an’ that’s an end on’t.” ‘‘T see you want to get into trouble,” said Dorgan, sharply. ‘‘ You want me to put on the screws and haul you up in court, don’t you? Pu do it if you’re obstinate. I mean business, Dad- dy Posey, and I am a detective. Now will you The vagabond gasped for breath and cowered back in his chair. He was too badly frightened to speak or move, Not so the man outside the door. He had seen and beard enough to make his eyes glitter fero- ciously, and he now drew a revolver and secret— ly cocked it. The hole in the door was large enough for his purpose, and he pushed the wea- pon forward and aimed at Dorgan. He intend- to fire, and if he did, Duke was doomed! ———_ CHAPTER XXXITI. THE PRICE OF SILENCE. CLAUDIA WOODSIDE continued to watch for signs of danger with unabating anxiety. She had destroyed the tell-tale papers which indicat- ed that the professor had known Temple Hatha- way, but not so easy could other dangers be swept away. Her father had enemies who certainly believed that they had knowledge that would make him their slave, and she was suré that this evidence referred to the Hathaway affair. When they would renew their attack on him she did not know, but the blow might fall atany moment, so she watched over her fatiher with un- wavering care. Nor was she wholly satistied with his outward cheerfulness; every moment that he was alone in his study was one of anx- iety and suspense to her, She dreaded a renewal of his attempt on his own life. He pretended to be as busy as ever over his scientific pursuits, but, several times when she had gained a secret view of his room, she had found him seated in his chair, evidently brood- ing over some trouble, he day after the events of the last chapter, Claudia was alone in the grounds back of the mansion when the sound of other feet caused her to turn quickly. Alone? No; she was not alone. Five yards away stood a man who was bowing and smilin in a manner more mocking than sincere. It was Horace Wilberson. The sight of her discarded and disgraced suit- or once more at Woodside brought a flush of anger to her face, and her first impulse was to turn and go at once to the house, Second thought, however, convinced her that this would seem to indicate that she was afraid of him, and she instantly assumed a cold, steadfast, haughty air and looked at him with unwavering eyes. ‘*Good-evening, my dear Claudia,” he said, with a most disagreeable air. ‘** Allow me to ask,” the girl frigidly replied, “by what right you are at Woodside?” ‘““T came to see you.” | ‘*Do you know that you are liable to arrest for trespassing?” | “No! Am J, really?” ‘You are.” 7 think not.” “Do not tempt me too far.” ‘My dear Claudia, you will not be so cruel as to call an officer. Why won't you? Because, if you do, I shall tell what I know about my dear friend, the professor.” One moment Claudia’s gaze wavered, Then she looked him full in the face again. ‘* What do you know?” she asked. “Only that he murdered Temple Hathaway!” Wilberson made the assertion nonchalantly, leaning against a tree and toying lightly with his watch-chain, but under his careless air could be seen a sharp alertness to see how the blow fell. He was disappointed. Claudia felt that it was one of the supreme moments of her life, and that then, if ever, she must act her part well. ‘‘ What do vou mean by such nonsense?” she asked, with a good show of scorn. ‘* Just what I say.” ‘You talk absurdly. Do you expect me to take notice of such conversation?” “Tf I had not, I should not be here now. It was to say just this that I came—” **T did not see you enter the grounds.” ‘‘No: I came through the door in the board fence, from the next residence.” ‘* Twice a trespasser.” ‘“Neverminj. Let mesay whyIam here, I love you, Claudia Woodside, proud beauty that you are— Wait! Hear me through. I have asked you to be my wife; you refused, Some men would give up at such a crisis, but that is not my way; I am no milk-and-water dandy, Clandia, you must be my wife: | now ask it in another way. It is in my power to cover you with disgrace through your father. He is a criminal, and—” 2700 mic Seg “EO | | ~~» ol