Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 437 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

Ges ’ ; ‘* ve = ‘ ry Deep Duke, the Silent Sleuth. 5 ‘* What do you want ter know?” ‘* All about the man we spoke of being in ?prison.” Abe filled his glass again, emptied it in the ‘way most pleasing to himself, and after a pro- ‘voking pause, spoke in a slow, deliberate voice: ‘* This ’ere world is full o’ ups an’ downs, an’ ‘the best o' gents gits down on their luck now , can’ then. do, If did this once come twenty | year ago, when I was a youngster o’ eighteen. { brung up in State Prison. ** I’ve always been a popular man, an’ I made frien’s among them I was with. One man in ‘perticular [ soon got chummy with. He wasa good bit older than me, bein’ nigh forty, but he had the fresh heart o’ a man who does his duty van’ has an easy conscience, ‘‘ He was in fur stealin’ a hoss, but had been thar afore me, an’ his time was up ahead o’ mine. When it was up, he went out inter ther world a free man. Next day the most funniest thing heppened!” The speaker broke off and laughed heartily. ** What was it?” Pelers eagerly asked. ‘Why, two detectives showed up at the prison, an’, sez they: ‘ We hev come fur So-an’- so, convict. He’s wanted fur murder, We un- alerstand he’s in here fur hoss-stealin’.’ ‘““¢7T understand he ain’t.’ sez the warden. * You are jest one day too late. Yesterday that chap’s time was up, an’ he walked out 0’ here a freé man.’ ‘* Yes, sir, they was jest one day toolate. My pal had slipped his collar an’ kicked out o’ the shafts jest in time. Hang me ef it wa’n’t rich!” Here Abe laughed heartily again, but to Duke Dorgan, at least, bis mirth seemed forced. ‘* What was his name?’ Peters eagerly asked, A crafty gleam appeared in Abe's eyes. ‘That's the part o’ my story that brings a ‘higher price. Bring me all the lucre you agreed, san’ it sha]! be told.” ** Was 1t Zachary Rose?’ «6 No.” ‘* Archibald Woodside?’ oc Na.” ** What then?” ** Oh, come off! wait?” ‘¢ But Lam anxious to know now.” ‘* My terms are cash.” Peters uttered a subdued curse. He knew this disreputable man of old; knew his sullen, obsti- nate nature, and felt sure that argument would ba thrown away upon him. He sat looking ir- vitably at him, while the watching sleuth al- most held his breath to listen. The detective felt repaid for coming. He had heard two names mentioned in a startling way. What did Peters mean by associating them with the old-time convict? He intended to know before leaving the house. Whatever mignt be the facts of the case, affairs had taken such a turn that he intended to con- front, perhaps arrest, these men who seemed to dAzsnow se much. ‘* Was this in the Maine State Prison?” Peters asked, after a pause. “Don’t you wish I would tell, and so let you «onto the secrei ?’ mocked Abe, **I can easily learn now. I have only to make inquiries and learn at what prison a convict was thus wantei just after he was released.” ‘*O’ course you kin easily find out after twen- ‘Ly years o° time.” Peter.’s face assumed a disappointed, angry look. It was notat all likely that he could find arecord to guide him, and the old prison offi- cials were probably gone, or had forgotten all -about the affair. ‘‘ Don’t git riled up. You kin have the news ‘when you bring the money,” Abe added, ve But Lt want it now.” *‘Confound you! you think you have all the ‘winning cards, but this I will say—Ill wager something Ican name your convict, now a fine gentleman, and place my hands on him in an hour. . Didn’t I say this part must CHAPTER V. A STEP WHICH MAY CAUSE TROUBLE. ABE set down the beer-glass he hed raised half- -way to his mouta, and looked at his companion in surly uneasiness. Then his coarse face sud- -denly cleared. ‘¢- You're bluffing!” he exclaimed, ‘Am I” Peters airily retorted. Jl] show “you,” ” And then Duke Dorgan saw him take trom his ‘pocket the half-picture be bad sv lawlessly ob- tained. Thrusting it out toward Abe he coolly added: ** How does that size up for your convict?” Abe fixed his attention on the picture, and both Peters and Dorgan watched him eagerly. Would he recognize it? If he did he gave no ‘sign; if the picture was familiar he showed un- ‘expected self-control, _ “What’s all this?” he demanded. ‘‘ What rag- ‘bag hev you b’en robbin’? Whar’s the rat that <chewed this?” ; ‘It’s the picture of your convict.” ** Not much, it ain't} Don’t look no more like him than it does like Adam. W'at d’ye mean by chuckin’ sech wep a! as this at me?” **Do you assert that I am wrong?” ** Rather!” ‘* And this don’t look like your convict?” ** Not a bit.” ** Abe Benlow, I believe you lie!” ‘* That’s all right,” returned Abe, with a grin. “You may think w’at you like, but don’t bring me no more o’ your dog-eared pictur’s here, Wat Egyptian mummy does this represent? Whar did ye ketch him? ‘*Come, no nonsense, Ahe. your while to give me the facts now. you do it, if I will double your rate ofpay?” ** No, I won’t. Cash in advance is my terms, an’ [ won’t deviate a hair. Biz is biz, an’ you can’t expect me ter throw away a good thing, Mr. Levi Peters.” Without another word the visitor put away the torn picture and then ercse, ‘*Can I see you here to-morrow night?” he asked, ** Yes, ef you comes fer business.” ‘* Well, I propose to come and bring the money in full, Wi5ll you then tell all you know?” ‘* Every word, ef the cash is in hand.” ‘You may expect me, then.” Peters did not speok in avery amiable mood. Ho could have throtiled Abe Benlow—if he had possessed the muscular power—with hearty good will, but the circumstances of the case tnade it necessary for him to goslowly. Until the disreputable man’s secret was learned it would not do to anger him, and he preferred to depart in peace. QS did the sleuth. His idea of confronting these men and demanding an explanation had yielded to another plan. They were to meet the following night, and Benlow was to tell his story! If the detective could then overhear it, he would easily learn the secret. If, on the con- trary, he revealed himself at once, he was likely to find Abe less communicative than ever. He had read the fellow’s disposition well, and governed himself accordingly. He decided to wait and attempt to learn the secret by other means. Now that he knew the names of both these men, the chances were that he would lose nothing by delay if he could leave the house undetected. Deciding that it would be well to get out ahead of Peters, he at once glided into the hail and, finding the way clear, went onbriskly. He was soon in the court, and from there passed on to the street. Not long had he to wait for Peters, came out and started away. Deep Duke could then have regained the torn picture, but did not sce fit to try. He was anx- 10s that Peters should remain unsuspicious that Nemesis was on his track. It wonld be well to let the picture go for a time—well to give the man ail the rope he wanted. At the end of ten minutes Peters paused before a house of respectable appearance, preduced a latch-kev and entered with the air of one at home. Duke knew he had “hived” him, and wasted no more time on bim. The hour was growing late, and the detective started for his own quarters... As ho went every thought was of the case now in hend. It had own marvelously since he began upon it. hen it had seemed the most simple of cases; now it was intensely intricate and puzzling. Who was Zachary Rose? Why did bis picture and that of Archibald W oodside so closely resemble each other? What had Levi Peters to do with the case, and who was the convict whom he seemed deter- mined to connect with Zachary Rose? Wholly occupied with these perplexing ques- tions, Dorgan walked on like one in a dream un- til near his own home. A sudden recollection that by making a slight detour he could pass a House led him to turn in that direc- on. He did not expect any great result; it was but the satisfaction of an idle whim. As he neared the house he saw that it was, so far as he could see, dark from top to bottom. Probably all the family were asleep and unsus- picious of the strange experience he was having. Suddenly he noticed something more, A man was standing by the gate, looking earnestly to- ward the house. Duks paused and stood in the shadow of a tree. The man by the gate turned his head and looked up and down the street. The detective had become interested. The manner of the unknown was suspicious, and he seemed to be afraid of being seen, ‘‘He acts like a burglar,” Duke thought. ‘Perhaps he has been posted by a gang who are raiding the house. I must know more of him.” Just then a step sounded on the carriage-way, and these suspicions were confirmed, The un- known opened the gate, and a second person camie out, bu’ it was no burglar laden with the spoils of a robbery. It was a woman! That she was not a confederate of robbers was not at first apparent, but a new aspect was given the affair as the man took her tenderly in is arms and imprinted a kiss on her lips. Duke Dorgan whistled softly. The affair was grow- ing decidedly romantic. Tll make it worth Will The man ‘* Some servant come out to meet her Romeo,” the detective thought. W hoever it was, there was not much tarryin by the gate. This was softly closed, an then the couple moved a along the street. The sleuth walked after them, quietly smil- ing. His expressed opinion had not changed, but a new discovery was in store for him. n they had gone a hundred yards they reached a cab which stood by the curbstone. Here they paused, entered, and the cab rolled away. The detective again uttered a low whistle. He was more surprised than ever. Servants and their lovers are not in the habit of going to ride in cabs; this discovery changed the whole ap- pearance of the case, Who were these persons for whom a cab had been waiting, and what were they about to do? It looked as though Duke would not be able to solve the question, but as he stood looking after the while, the sound of wheels behind him caused him to suddenly look around. A second cab was approaching. His resolution was taken in a moment, and as it came nearer he hailed the driver, feund it vacant, engaged it and was soon rolling along after the first vehicle. He did not know that he had any especial interest in the matter, but he wished to know whether he had or not. A somewhat lengtby drive proved to be ahead of him, and it was not until the opposite extremity of the city was reached that any halt was made. Then the foremost cab paused. Duke Dorgan looked on in wonder. The sto had been made at the door of a church, and, even as he looked, the pursued couple alighted from their vebicle. He glanced at the church. Although later than the hour at which evening meetings usually close, lights still burned with- in. A sudden suspicion occurred to the detective, He could find but one explanation of this strangely-timed visit. Another moment and the passengers of the . other cab were hurrying up the church ste They passed through the door, and the affair came more suggestive. Dorgan sprung to the ground, gave a few directions to his driver, and then walked to the church door, It had been closed, but he turned the knob and entered the vestibule. Beyond was the brent be and he saw there just the ki of a scene he had expected. He saw a gray-haired old man who seemed to be a minister, and near him were four ether per- sons. Of these, only two interested the detec- tive. They were the late passengers of the cab: and as he looked the lady turned so that he saw her face. What he saw was so unexpected that he started back in astonishment. The lady was Claudia Woodside! ‘* Ha! this grows interesting!” muttered Dor- gan. ‘‘If signs are not most marvelously de- ceptive this is to be a wedding, and only cne person here looks like a bride. But can it be. —is it possible that the daughter of Professor Woodside is to be married thus? Would she be a party to a runaway match? It don’t seem possible!” It did not seem possible, but circumstances were very significant. There stood the girl with ber band in that of a handsome young man, and the minister was looking at them as though they were to be the chief actors in a solemn scene, And was this Claudia Woodside, the proud and irreproachable? Her companion was a man of prepossessi appearance, but it went without saying tha there must be some bar against him. Miss Woodside certainly need not run away to be married unless her intended husband was in some way objectionable. ‘It’s all Wceodside now!” thought Duke Dor- = ‘Great Scott! one would think they had n started by dynamite. What will they do next? It’s in order, I believe, for Philip to do some strange thing. But this proud girl—who would think of her in such a role? o is this man she dares not marry openly?” For the young couple had joined hands, and the voice of the gray-haired old minister was rising and falling solemnly as he proceeded with the ceremony. There was an intense look on both young faces, and it was clear they realized that th were doing what would make their fature happy or miserable; but the proud bride’s eyes were tender and ber chosen companion bore him- self in a way which pleased Duke Dorgan. His name had reached the detective’s ears— Mr. Hathaway, the minister had called him, and the progress of the ceremony showed his Christian name to be Ralph. Silently the unseen witness watched to the end. He saw the invited witresses, an a man and woman, sign the certificate, and t stole back to his cab. He wanted to see where Claudia would go next. Finally she came out with Hathaway. re-entered their cab and drove away, once more the pursuer followed. Somewhat to his surprise they returned to Woodside House, 6)(0\(0) Ss) —_ na EGOMmIE co re ‘ a : a es te