Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 437 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

al — There Claudia bade farewell to the man in whose hands she had placed her future, and turned and entered the grounds, She had gone away as Miss Woodside, a girl with no care, and the heiress of a man who loved her devotedly. She returned a married woman, after a ceremony which, for some reason, she had seen iit to make a secret one. Probably she realized that it would make a great difference in her life, but neither she nor any one else suspected what tragic, painful events would follow that night wedding. CHAPTER VI. A STARTLING CRISIS. DUKE DORGAN secured what sleep he could that night, and awoke the next morning in g condition for work. He certainly had enough to do. The Woodside puzzle lay revealed, and it was for him to solveit. Ue began the inves- tigation with uncommon zeal, feeling that im- portant developments were to be expected, His first step was to make cautious inquiries in regard to Mr. Levi Peters. He wished to learn why this person was in the case, and what he was trying to do. The first was easily learned. On inquiring he was told that Peters was a private detective, and when he went to Police Headquarters, he learned that the man was known there, and rated as a fairly honest person, This put a new aspect on the case: He had before regarded Peters as a mere blackmailer, but it now began to look as though another de- tective was in the field, and that it was to be a race to see who would win. Peters had secured the better start, but chance had put Deep Duke in possession of facts he must have been a long time in learning other- wise, and he felt capable of running the race out. , If his rival won he must bestir himself in earnest. Mature thought had satisfied him that it was absurd to connect Professor Woodside with Zachary Rose. He had thought so at first, but - events had seemed to indicate it, while Peters’s talk with Abe Benlow had shown that he had the same idea; but surely it was too absurd to believe. True, Duke’s experience as a detective had emphasized the tact that no man was above sus- picion; the richest and most respected might one day have been leading a crooked life; but, in the case of the professor, here was a man who bad been publicly before the world for years— surely, he had had po time to figure as Zachary Rose, or serve a term in prison. No; he could not be a subject of suspicion. To settle the matter decisively ke had cnly to go to some old friend of the professor and ques- tion him. He had the date of Zachary Rose’s residence in Bangor, and that of a certain con- vict’s term in some prison; he had only to prove that Woodside was at that time in Jersey City or New York, and the last doubt would vanish. He knew just the man to question, and was soon in the laboratory of another scientific man. They had met before and the visit did not seem at all strange nor was Dorgan ata loss how to approach his subject without arousing suspicion. e led the scientist to speak of his labors, and of the distinguished men he had met; and thus the host was brought to speak first of Archibald Woodside. ** You and he are old friends, I presume,” Duke suggested. ‘« Professionally, we are.” ‘‘ And have both lived in Jersey City all the time?” ‘‘ Here, or in the vicinity.” _ “Have you traveled much” ‘‘Only in the way of brief trips in the in- terests of my chosen callin 7,” ‘Will the same oe apply to Woodside? Does he never go away for any length of ) ‘¢ No—that is, not of late years. He did make a tour of Europe a score of years ago, and was gone four or five years.” ~ “That was twenty years ago?” In 18—, to be precise, 1 think.” The detective was interested. It was the same year in which Zachary Rose took to him- self a wife in Bangor It was an odd coinci- dence, but, of course, nothing more. “Did you then correspond with him?” “No. He did not go abroad asa scientist, but for his health, and nobody heard from him, so far as I know, until he returned home, bronzed and improved in health. He had been in wild lands where postal facilities were un- known, which explained his silence.” ~ Deep Duke was not so sure of that. Men like Archibald Woodside are not the kind who leave home and give no sign to their waiting families for four or five years. It was very odd. Could it be that when the essor was supposed to be in the Old World e was really in Maine, figuring as Zachary Rose and wedding a second wife, only to desert her a little tater? It did not seem rossible, but against what was Fe ror rose Dorgan’s knowledge of the world. professional experience had been such as to ~o ~ ~ == Deep Duke, the Silent Sleuth. lead him to believe that no life was too quiet to have its mystery, and no man too grave and | prepossessing to have sown a bountiful crop of wild oats at some period of bis life. He learned nothing more of importance, and, starting for the house which now sheltered Mrs. Rose, he meditated on the situation anew. ‘‘ The best thing I can do,” he decided, ‘‘ is to at once give the woman a sight of Professor oodside. I am not hired to explain all his comings and goings during the period of his ab- sence—simply to find Mrs. Rose’s husband. I ney be able to do this at one stroke.” e was still skeptical, and hoped it would prove otherwise. ot only did it seem a pity to ruin the reputation of a man esteemed so honest, but it would be a severe experience for Philip Woodside to know he had hired a detec- tive to hunt down his own father. Mrs. Rose was in when he reached the house. ‘‘T'm glad you have come,” she said. ‘¢ Anything new?” ‘* Well, you see I have sent for Mr. Woodside to see if he fully understands the expense of an investigation. My landlady here suggested that it might cost more than he would be willing to pay.” ““T suppose you mean Mr. Philip Woodside?” “The young gentleman who is helping me— yes, I believe his name is Philip. u ‘ Have you seen his father? ‘* No, sir.” ‘‘ Well, before Philip’ comes, I want to talk with you. Have you relatives in Bangor?” ‘Some distant ones.” ‘* Any who would oppose your efforts to find your husband?” ‘*Oh, no, sir.” ‘‘ Have you reason to believe any one else would do so?” ‘< No,” ‘“‘ Have you ever employed another detective?” ‘¢ Never!” She seemed to be answering truthfully and confidently, and Duke was left to wonder more than ever how Levi Peters had come into the case, ‘‘ By the way,” he resumed, ‘“‘have you a specimen of your husband’s writing?” ‘* No, sir.” ‘Was he an educated man?” “Oh, dear, no! I could scarcely read what he wrote, it was so scrawly and poorly-spelled,” ‘* Was he in good health?” ‘* Strong as an ox,” This did not seem to apply to the run-down professor who had ‘* gone abroad for his health.” ‘‘Did he care for scientific things? For in- stance, did he ever dabble in chemicals, or have a fondness for flowers?” the detective con tinued. Mrs. Rose laughed. ‘* Bless your soul, no! He didn’t know one flower trem another, and as for chemistry, it was even worse.” Another block to the theory. Duke sat silent for several seconds, and then resumed: ‘*T wish you could show me some of his hand- writing.” ‘* { haven’t a scrap.” ‘‘Not even his signature? Women always preserve their marriage-certificate. Isn’t his name there?” A sudden look of grave annoyance appeared on the woman’s face. ‘‘T haven't the certificate,” she said, slowly, after a pause. ‘No? Then how will you prove the marriage, if he demes that one was ever performed be- tween you?” ‘* | don’t know.” Her manner convinced the detective that there was something which she was keeping back, and he determined to learn what it was, Convinced that it was connected with the certificate, he watched ber sharply, and went on: ‘*T wonder that you parted with such a valua- ble paper, Mrs. Rose,” “Zachary took it just after we were married, and J supposed that he was taking care of it carefully, I never worried abcut it until he dis- appeared, and then J did not know where to find it. He had taken it from the house, you see,” ‘¢ Did he not say where he placed it?” ‘¢ No, sir.” ‘‘ Why did he take it?” ‘‘ He said it would be safer.” ‘* How cafer? If you lived together after your marriage it would naturally have been kept in the house, and if cared for by one it would be by theother, Where would it be safer? In a bank? Did you allow him to take it without asking what he was to do with it?” ¥ I asked, and he said he would put it in a safe place. Mrs. Rose repeated this statement nervously, and her gaze failed to meet Dorgan’s, His close questioning aud equally close regard troubled her. He saw this and decided that she must have some unusual reason for her uneasiness. ‘* Madam,” he said, somewhat sorely ‘how do you expect me to win your case whep you keep anything back from me?” ‘* What do you mean?’ Her eyes were raised. but the light in them was a startled one. What ground be was tread- ry . eR Ns ° & 7 ‘ sy i}? bie Coe i P* Fae Pow : of = ing on Duke did not know, but 4t was plainly delicate footing. ‘‘T mean that you are asking me to work blindfolded—you are peneicepeG me when my work is already difficult. y don’t you tell the truth?” Tersely, incisively the words fell from his lips, and Mrs. Rose looked panic-stricken. People usually did when Deep Duke Dorgan showed his power, but to save his life the detective could not tell what all this disturbance was about. Just at this moment some sound in the street caused him to look out of the window. What he saw first was immaterial. but he saw something more. a steps was Professor Archibald Wood- side. The detective started. The scientist might be there by chance, but his appearance gave Duke a suspicion. Whether this was correct he did not know, but he resolved to turn his presence into Mrs. Rose’s voice arose to disturb his plan- ning. oj have told the truth, sir,” she faintly as- serted. ‘Not all; there is a mystery in the case. I insist on knowing it if I take your case. Does it concern you or Zachary Rose, or both? And what about the certificate?” One moment the woman hesitated, and then a flush of defiance mounted to her face. ‘‘T have told all that is necessary,” she retort- ed, trying to steady her voice. ‘I’m not obli to tell all about my private affairs, nor all that is unpleasant and—dangerous, You are asked to find Zachary Rose—no more.” i The faintest possible smile moved Dorgan’s ips. ‘‘ Let us change the subject fcr one moment, Mrs. Rose, You say you asked young Woodside here. Is this he who is coming?” The woman arose and looked out of the win- dow. The professor was almost at hand, mov- ing decorously, slowly, and as gravely as one of his eminence should, Mrs. Rose looked at him, and a puzzled expres- sion swept over her face, She started—grew yale. Duke Dorgan watched her with cat-like eenness. Every varying shade on her face was studied, and he was not surprised when she wheeled and sprung toward the door. “Tt is he—Zachary Rose—my husband !” she wildly cried. At that moment the door-bellrung. Professor | W vodside was seeking admittance. CHAPTER VII. THE WEAK POINT IN THE CASE. Ir was plainly the woman’s intention to con- front Woodside at once, but this was far from being Deep Duke’s idea of how the matter should be conducted. He caught Mrs. Rose by the rm. ‘“ He must not see you,” the detective ex- ciaimed. ‘“ Not see me? He must and shall!” cried Mrs. Rose, excitedly. ‘Not if I manage your case. That man is one of the most prominent citizens of Jersey City, and he lives surrounded by a family. Do you suppose he would willingly recognize you? If he should decline to recognize you, what would you do?—how prove your marriage? Where is your certificate? Where are your witnesses?” These words, vebemently spoken, carried con- viction to Mrs. Rose’s mind. She might regret her course afterward and pin her faith on Zachary Rose, according to woman’s way, but ‘ust then she saw with the detective’s eyes and beheld thin ice ahead. ‘‘ T]1 do what you say,” she answered, quickly. “Then go up-stairs, and do not under any cir- cumstance come down until | call you. Go!” She went, and Deep Duke was alone just in time to receive Professor Woodside, who had been admitted by the landlady. He looked puzzled, but his face cleared at sight of the de- tective. “Ah! is it you, sir? I could not imagine what this summons to call meant.” ‘Were you asked to call?” ‘* Why, certainly.” ‘It was a mistake then, professor, The mes- 7 he should have said Mr. Philip Wood- side. “Oh! Isee. Well, I wondered what any one could want of me, here.” The speaker hesitated a moment, and then a new expression flashed over his face. “Tf it is not a secret, may I inquire who wants to see my son?” r It is his protegee, the woman of whom I told you. ‘* The deserted wife?” P* es,” ‘Then, sir, I have no more to say or do here, I do not care to see these wretched women who, can’t live with their husbands.” He was turning excitedly toward the door when Dorgan quietly added: ‘* Perhaps you would change your o gba to see her, Mr. Woodside. er ‘No, sir, you may not!” and the professor’s- | Eomicbooks ; inion if’ ay I call Coming down the street with slow, : 4 ts ; ’ »s? 5 ; 44 ‘ oth tp z Pa) . +? « aa ty ‘e SS es . 7 / . - : * : : yam SS ie e™ Sig is alia "?