Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 437 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

| . . a erg eRe ema tone = ‘ f Deep Duke, the Silent Sleuth. I lt; ——— — —E Their association during the day had seemed to make the professor less terrible to him, and he caught himself wishing for the moment that Dorgan might utterly fail to prove his case. The return to Woodside House was made with- out further adventure, and she had never been more glad to see its friendly walls. She was anxious, too, to meet her father and comfort im. Ralph left them at the gate, promising to call soon, and then brother and sister entered the house. Claudia did not wait to remove her outer garments, but hurried at once to the professor’s study and, omitting the usual formality of a knock, opened the door and entered, wishing to give him a pleasant surprise. It was a surprise all around when she entered, and as much so for her as any one else. The first person she saw, lounging carelessly in an easy-chair, was—Horace Wilberson! She came to a halt, amazed at the brazen ef- frontery of the man in venturing there after what he had done, while he looked dumfounded at her reappearance. But the lall was broken by a cry of joy, and Professor Woodside sprung forward kid clasped her in bis arms, ** My child!” exclaimed the old man, ‘‘ thank Heaven that I see you again!” Tears were falling from his eyes, but Claudia did not think of weeping. She returned the caress, kissed him and then turned to Wilberson with flashing eyes. ‘“ You wretch!” she exclaimed, ‘‘ how dare you come here—how dare you?” Wilberson was not ready with his reply, for her return had been a severe blow to him, but he made a great effort to recover his old impudent air and managed to force a laugh. ‘“‘There’s no ‘dare’ avout it,” he replied. ‘“‘Takes no great courage to come to a house where I am master.” ‘*Tt is false! You are not master here, and ou shall learn that itisaslsay, You did not m when you came here that I would appear on the scene, but I have escaped from your trap and your race is run.” ‘‘- Yes,” added the voice of Philip, husky with anger, ‘‘ and I will call an officer and have you ‘‘Call one,” said Wilberson, in a steel-like voice, ‘‘ and I will have Archibald Woodside ar- res for murder! Do you hear? For mur- der !” ‘‘ Monster!” murmured the professor, as he aah fe into a chair. ‘‘T know too much tobe kicked away Ki ou,” went on the schemer, confidently. “ now who killed Temple Hathaway, and 1 will tell the whole world unless you compromise with me. The price of my silence is—Claudia’s band in marriage. Take your choice, m y dear professor ; give me your daugbter at the altar, or go you to the gallows. Which shall it be?” Smiling easily, insolently, yet speaking with an inexorable ring in his voice, Wilberson sur- veyed the trio before him. He felt sure of tri- umph, and enjoyed the situation as only a low mind can another’s suffering. ‘* Father,” said Philip, impetuously, ‘‘ say the word and this wretch shall stay here no longer!” ‘*He dares not,” Wilberson calmly replied. ‘“‘“By my life, J dare!” almost shouted the young man, and he made a step forward. But the professor put out a hand implor- ingly. ne No, no; do nothing hasty. Let me think!” “That is right; think of the years you were in Europe. In Europe! Ha! ha! that was a fine joke. A jolly time you had in Hurope, pro- fessor.” he 3 “ Horace Wilberson,” interrupted Claudia, in a husky voice, ‘* whatever happens, you shall be punished for kidnapping me.’ ‘““Not so. You dare not press that charge. You would drag your father down. No; on the contrary, you will take me to be your busband, and make a good, dutiful wife.” Claudia turned away witi a gesture of loath- ing. Words would fail to tell how she had learned to hate that man. ‘ie seemed the per- sonification of a fiend, and all the more so be- cause he bad some mysterious hold upon her father. She looked at the professor then, and it almost broke her heart. e was cowering in a chair, his face covered with his hands, and his attitude was that of one who bas bidden farewell to hope. ‘Claudia shivered. Was this dreadful charge tr W ilberson had insinuated that the professor was Temple Hathaway’s murderer, and she re- membered thie letters she had taken from the old cabinet and burned. If her father was innocent, why did he not deny this charge, and defy the ane villain whose very presence was an in- t? Whatever was true, Claudia was not in a posi- tion to comply with Wilberson’s demand. She was Ralph thaway’s wife. She wondered what effect this knowledge would have on her enemy, and determined to ask her father’s advice. . _ She tufned again to Wilberson. ‘*T wish you and Philip to go to the parlor a —— aa aaa CO er — ee moment, father.” ** What trick does this cover?” he suspiciously asked. ** None.” ‘* Do you intend to lock me out? If so—” ‘*T intend nothing of the kind. I promise that if you will go out for ten minutes you shall then be readmitted.” Wilberson believed that he saw in this symp- toms of yielding, and he arose. ‘*Tt shall be as you say,” he replied, And then he walked out, followed by Philip. That young man was resolved to keep sight of him at all hazards, hoping for a chance to bring him to justice. When they were gone, Claudia a to the professor’s side and lifted bis gray ead. ‘* Father, can you listen to me?” ‘* Speak on!” was the hoarse reply. ‘‘ Where were you during the years of your trip to Europe?” ‘* Heaven help me,” groaned the unhappy man, ‘‘ J do not know !” CHAPTER XXXVII. ' STARTLING EXPLANATIONS, che professor’s strange reply surprised Clau- ia. ‘* You do not know where you were?” she re- ‘* But if you went to Europe—” ‘*T do not know that I went there.” ‘You don’t know. I don’t understand.” ‘‘T can make it all too plain, and yet even more perplexing. I do not know where I was during that time, because all those years of my life are a blank.” ‘Why, surely—” ‘‘T am more perplexed than any one else, but I bave no reason to suppose I was ever in Eu- rope. In plain words I lost my mind—became ,or whatever you see fit to call it—and left my home. Where I went, or how I spent those years, I know no more than you.” “ And,” gas the bewildered girl, ‘“‘it was during this time that Temple Hathaway was slain. She was sorry for the words the moment they were uttered. Woodside shivered like a leaf in the wind. ‘* Yes,” he said, in a husky whisper. Claudia looked at him in dumb surprise. Now, indeed, she saw that a great calamity menaced them. Her father might be innocent of intentional wrong-doing, yet be might have killed Temple Hathaway. hat had those old letters indicated? The stricken girl felt weak and dizzy—how, now, were they to save them- selves from Wilberson?” Suddenly an idea flashed upon her, ‘* Father, let us give the case to Duke Dorgan, the detective, and let him learn all.” ‘* That is just what I am afraid of.” **Do you mean tbat you are afraid—” ‘‘That I killed Temple Hathaway? Yes. Do not start, Claudia; before Heaven, I have no knowledge that I did, and if so, I was as innocent of intentional crime as you, my child.” ‘‘Then let your mental state at that time be proven—” Twenty years have passed, and ‘* Impossible ! I am sure no one then suspected that I was de- ranged,” ‘* And,” said Claudia, huskily, ‘‘ what are we to say to that wretch who asks me to marry him?” ‘‘ Refuse him now, as you did before!” and the old man’s head was suddeniy lifted, while his voice rung out with surprising clearness, ‘* W hat- ever happens to me, you shall not be sacrificed, my child.” ‘‘ Wather, how would it be if I were already married?” ‘**T wish you were, and to Ralph Hathaway.” ‘*Then your wish is gratified. Father, do not blame me; but some Gaye ago---before i knew you were in any trouble—l was secretly mar- ried to Ralph. I am irrevocably his wife!” W oodside’s face flushed, and he quickly arose. **Call in Wilberson!” he said, in a ringing voice, ‘Call him in and let him hear this— then, if be does not go quietly, the servants shall throw him out.” His sudden change of manner overjoyed Claudia. Whatever the result might be it was happiness to her to see her father once more himself, and _ she moved impulsively to the door and called Philip’s name. He came in, with Wilberson in front of him, watching sharply to see that their enemy did not run away. ‘*Man,” said the professor, in the same clear voice, ‘‘our answer is ready. Miss Woodside could not marry you if she would, for she is al- ready married. e have kept this secret, but she is Ralph Hathaway’s wife!” ‘* It is false!” by | cried the schemer. “I will not believe you. It is a trick—” ‘““TIf you do not believe it, I will show my marriage-certificate,” interrupted Claudia. Her dignified voice and manner car.ied con- viction suddenly to Wilberson’s mind. His eves assumed a wild look and bis face became sallow ; then the latter suddenly grew red with anger. ‘By the fiends!” he cried. ‘if I cannot have a wife, I will have revenge!” I want to speak alone with my ———e—————— ee —§__=—==—=———=—=—==—=—==—T s/s sss ee rr <9 “ Revenge on whom?’ Woodside coldly ask«d_ “On you, and on her. I will send you to the ows, and— Hold! there is still another Wey. a! ha!” He broke off with a harsh, unnatural laugh. ‘*Now, here is a chance to fill my emptw urse. Professor Woodside, you murdered emple Hathaway. I will tell this to the whole world, unless you give me ten thousand dollars to keep silent!” ‘*] will not give you a penny.” ‘*Fool! Ican prove all I allege; I can prove} that you killed Temple Hathaway. If you are reckless in regard to your own life, surely you would not disgrace your children. . It would not make Claudia happy to have her father die the death of a—” ‘*Enough! We have listened too long al- ready. Leave this house, or the servants shalJi eject you.” ‘*] will not go without the ten thousand.” ‘‘ You shall not have a penny!” “Then, by the demons! you shall die on the gallows!” ‘** Not at your bidding, Horace Wilberson!” It was a new, clear and ringing voice at the door, and the quartette turned as one person. Another man had invaded the room, and he stood looking at Wilberson with a stern expres— sion on his manly face, ‘*Duke Dorgan!” cried Claudia, joyfully. ‘* Yes, it is I,” the detective answered, “and I judge that I have come justin time. You, Hor- ace Wilberson, what are you doing here?” All of Wilberson’s effrontery did not serve to make him face this danger boldly. He was ter- ribly afraid of Duke Dorgan, and would rather have seen any other living man at that moment. He shrunk back, and, though he tried to speak, not a word passed his trembling ape. “You seem determined to rush on to your own destruction,” the detective sternly added. ‘*Oh! I dare say you are a friend to this gang of vipers,” suddenly, and somewhat vaguely, cried the cornered schemer, ‘‘ but lam not dowm yet. Tread on meif you wish; you will find a sting under all. Woodside vise this man- hunter to let me go free. ‘Twill be better for you! The professor was pale, but he now faced the danger with unwavering resolution. ‘**T decline!” he steadily replied. ‘‘Claudia, have you no mercy on your old father?” It was Wilberson’s last hope, but Dorgan did not give the girl a chance to speak. ‘*Miss Woodside, do not degrade yourself by replying to this creature,” the detective quickly said. ‘‘I would gladly advise you to throw him out of the house, but the law wants him,” ‘**T will not go alone,” gasped Wilberson. ‘*' You don’t know what you are talking about. Let meshow you one of my friends.” He raised his voice a trifle and called a name, and Ralph Hathaway entered the room. His face was radiant with happiness, and be went to Claudia, clasped her in his arms and kissed her tenderly. ‘“* How now, Wilberson?” continued Dorgan. ‘‘ Here is Temple Hathaway’s son. Ask him what he thinks of Professor Woodside’s con- nection with his father’s death.” Ralph advanced to the prefessor’s side. ‘* Mr. Woodside,” he said, in a frank, manly way, “* I owe you an apology. I have wronged. you by unjust suspicions, for which I am now a3.4 sorry. Will you take my hand?” “Do so unhesitatingly, professor,” Dorgan added. ‘I will prove that you need not be ashamed to take the hand of any man.” Wilberson trembled with anger as he saw the two clasp hands, and then he muttered: ‘‘ This does not change the facts of the case.” “The facts!” Dorgan retorted. ‘* Precious. little you know about them. You have asked where Professor Woodside was during the years he was once supposed to be in Europe.” ‘* He did not go there.” “You think so; I know he did not; but he was in an honest, though unfortunate, place. It is not for you to know where he was; it is none of your business. Woods!” He raised his voice and called the last name, and then a stern-faced, official-looking man entered. br?» ‘* Woods, this is my w seai continued the detective, indicating Wilberson. ‘‘ Take care of him while I k to these people aside.” ‘“*T will not submit!” said Wilberson, savagely- **T am not to be bullied—” Duke made a motion to Woods, and that per- son produced handcuffs. Both moved upon Wilberson: there was a brief struggle, and the handcuffs were on his wrists. ‘“So much for you, my man,” added the de- | tective. ‘‘ You would have it; now I hcpe you | are content.” | He oi 2 to the other side of the room, followed by the professor, Claudia, Philip and paren Then he gravely addressed the pro- essor: several years of your life, some twenty years ago. are a blank to vou. Am I right?” ** You » was the rervous reply. “Then I will tell » u how they were spent. comicbooks com : - re ee ee . 4 “- ‘Mr. Woodside, I have reason to believe that - é