Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 467 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 —_——_—- — ence to the summons, . He was a pale, thoughtful and singularly handsome young man, with short, jetty, curling hair, piercing coal-black eyes, and a certain fe- line grace or stealthiness of step and carriage that had earned for him among his associates the sobriquet of the Glider, or, more formally, the Gliding Detective. ‘* Mainwaring,” said the chief, ** there’s an odd te case just come in, which [ think you can attend to better than any other man on the staff.” The young man slightly nodded in acknowl- edgment of the compliment, folded his arms, and at once became all attention. ) “The case, in brief, is this,” pursued Mr. ee, Winkerton. ‘' A certain wealthy old gentleman here in Harlem, a confirmed invalid, is suspicious that he is being slowly and systematically poi- soned. His physician is of the same opinion, though thoroughly mystified as to the nature of the drug being secretly administered, and the : identity of the criminal. You are toinvestigate f without causing your true character to be sus- j , pected.” : Mainwaring’s knitted brow cleared. ** Nothing can be easier,” he observed. ‘* How shall you manage?” ‘* Accompany the physician to the invalid’s bedside in the character of a _ professional nurse.” “Good! and then?” “This will enable me to converse privately |. and freely with the invalid. Then I shall re- i? gretfully discover that L cannot undertake the os nursing of the sick man, but that a competent | friend of mine can, The doctor goes for him | while I keep watch. The doctor returns with Ichabod Taylor, who, as you know, was a pro- fessional nurse before becoming a member of our y staff.” = ** Excellent.” ek ‘Having thus protected the invalid against a future poisoning attempts, [ am at liberty to make my observations and work outside the sick- mera’. xeon.” ry ty €s, Capital! The case is yours. Go to work at once. wx You haven’t mentioned the name or ad- ress, Be ‘* True,” and the chief handed him a memo- pal randum-slip. : In spite of his customary self-control, the young detective started violently as he scanned ; the written lines. Pi) *‘ Calthorpe!” he exclaimed—‘t Mr, Peregrine . eri of the Rose Hill Mansion House, cor- ner of One Hundred ana —— street and Eighth avenue,” e _ “Exactly. So you know the house?” Ba ‘* T6 is not unknown to me, sir.” 4 ‘‘And probably something of the strange Re household, too, judging by your emotion?” _ ** Yes, sir.” mae ‘Tell me all you know of the inmates, I ee would compare your information with tbat which has been furnished me by Doctor Jack- man, the family physician.” > After a moment’s hesitation, Mainwaring ” spoke collectedly, as follows: ‘* The Calthorpe, or Rose Hill Mansion-house, isa very old and essa 9 one, that has been from time to time repaired, in the midst of ex- tensive a It consists of a main or cen- ? tral building and two wings. The main build- ing and north wing are occupied by the house- hold of Mr. Peregrine, for many > ie bs a wid- tre ower, and immensely wealthy. It consists of Miss Lois Calthorpe, his adopted daughtor and reputed heiress; Justine Deschappelles, her os, French maid; a Mrs. Bentincke, the old man’s housekeeper; and a number of servants. The Rm south wing is occupied by the family of Reuben lg Calthorpe, younger and 4 brother of Pere- grine Calthorpe, by inherited right of joint pos- Re session. It consists of Mr. Reuben Calthorpe, a ruined gamester and weak man, of uncertain } means of support; Mrs. Calthorpe, his wife, a ver | worn-out, ben 2 Sonat and rather vish woman + of the world; and Miss Lois Calthorpe, their | -—s daughter, a very lovely and amiable young oak lady. ith the exception of a genuine love for ae his niece, on the part of Peregrine Calthorpe, and a superficial intimacy existing between the s.. young ladies—that is, between the two Loises— | -—- the resident households are not on cordial terms, ay Aside from Doctor Jackman, the physician for “5 both families, and Mr. Fieldman, the elder Mr. / -—-« Galthorpe’s lawyer and man of business, the ay only privileged visitor at the house is a Mr. ey Carolus Digby, a dashing young man about on town, reputed to be wealthy, and known to be re an ardent suitor for the hand of the poorer Miss Lois—the daughter of Mr. Reuben Calthorpe. That is the extent of my information, Mr. Wink- erton. : The chief of the detective agency nodded ap- provingly. mar “Thank you, Mainwaring,” said he. ‘ It sur- am passes in minutise of detail that which I had already received, and more than ever signalizes | you as the man for this intricate case.” ay The detective inclined his head, and was Ae about to withdraw, when the chief detained him ty by a gesture. ne ‘One moment, Mainwaring,” he continued, —_ — - : wy y we * i. e J ee . « ‘“* Mainwari A moment later, Mainwaring entered in obedi- | — ‘*T must be kept as thoroughly informed as your- self in the affair.” ‘Certainly, sir. know?” ‘How chances is that the two young ladies— the rich Mr. Calthorpe’s adopted daughter and his niece—sre both named Lois—an odd coinci- dence in itself?” ‘Tt is odd, sir, but susceptible of an easy ex- plantion. The niece was named for her father’s mother, the adopted daughter for Mr. Peregrine Calthorpe’s wife, whom he idolized while living and reveres as dead, they having never hada child of theirown. The fact of the name hay- ing been previously duplicated was, of course, a pure accident.” ‘*Humph! but, how are the young ladies dis- tinguished apart in conversation?” ‘*Easily enough. The niece is addressed or referred to by her given name in full—as Lois, or Miss Lois; the adopted daughter by a childish abbreviation of the same—Issie, or Miss Issie.” ‘* Ah! quite a complication, to be sure. One thing more, Mainwaring?” ** What is it, sir?” ‘* How do you happen to know so much of the strange Calthorpe households?” ‘* Must [ answer that, sir?” **T prefer that you would,” A slight flush had come into the young man’s pale cheek, and he bit his lip under the delicate line of his wavy, jet-black mustache. ‘* All right, sir,” said be, with a faint gesture of impatience. ‘It is but natural that I should ear: so much of the Calthorpes as I do.” Why? ‘** Miss Lois Calthorpe is secretly my betrothed —against the wishes of her parents, could they but suspect it, for they are determined to marry her to Carolus Digbv, if possible. Moreover, Miss Issie Calthorpe is either my deadly enemy or my ardent admirer, [ don’t exactly know which. There you have it, sir.” Pronouncing the last words a little brusquely. Mr. Winkerton had smiled at first but only for an instant. ‘*l thank you for this expression of your con- fidence, Mainwaring,” he gravely observed. ‘‘ The case is in your hands, Perhaps, the sup- posed poisoning is altogether in the old genule- man’s imagination. But, see the physician at once, and report to me this evening, either in person or by verbal message. By the way, shall you want a secret follower for that pur- se **T think not, sir.” ** Old Newthe is at your disposal, if you say the word.” ‘* Not him, in any case!” This with a good- deal of energy. Mr. Winkerton laughed. ‘*[ had forgotten your distrust of the old fel- low—a distrust wholly undeserved on poor Newthe’s part, I am sure.” “*T beg to differ with you there, sir. But I shall report to youin person, Now I am off, sir. ** Au revoir, and good-luck to you, Mainwar- ing! By the way, be careful of the excava- tions under way at the front of the building, for I believe the workmen are off to dinner.” The detective disappeared. The agency offices occupied the fourth floor of a large new building, in East 122d street, whose front sidewalk was roughly boarded over, consequent upon a deep engine vault that had for several days been in the course of con- struction underneatb. Passing through the ante-room, with his wonted swift and noiseless step, the detective nodded to a few fellow-operators who were estates 9.7 there, returned Old Newthe’s cringing What more would you bow with an ignoring stare, while noting a little curiously that the janitor appeared hard- breathed, as if from recent unusual exertion. Passing along the outer passage, and down the three flights of stairs, he was crossing the temporary sidewalk to the street when the planks gave way beneath his tread, precipitat- ing him headlong into the abyss. workman, accompanied by a bulldog, saw the catastrophe, and rushed to the side of the opening. ‘* Are you alive, sir?” he shouted down. ‘‘- Yes,” was the collected response from be- low. ‘ Fortunately, I’ve saved myself by grip- ing a side-timber down here. Lower me that rope dangling at your elbow, and I shall be all h right. This was accordingly done, and a moment later the detective had extricated himself, none the worse for the mishap, that might well have caused his death. ‘* Bless me, sir, but you’re lucky!” exclaimed the workman. ‘‘ How could that spot have been left so unsafe?” ‘‘Tt wasn’t left so, but designedly made so, perhaps for my particular benefit.” The man stared. “A regular man-trap, I tell you!” continued the detective. ‘‘Step out here in the street, so that you can see down obliquely, and I will show you where the supports have been pur- posely removed, and that but freshly.” Still wondering, the man followed him, and they both stepped out over the street line. ng, the Salamander. | —_———— ee SS —_ It was doubly fortunate that they did so, for, at that instant a jar of vitriol, hurled or dis- placed from a window-ledge somewhere high overhead, came crashing down on the spot they bad occupied, scattering its burning and corro- sive contents in every direction. The men escaped, but the workman’s dog was not so fortunate. Drenched with the deadl acid, the poor brute spun shriekingly axnand and in a little while expired in frightful agonies. The horrified master exploded with profanity, and shook his fist at the upper windows, ‘ Accident or no accident,” he yelled, “ Jl have the law on the murderer of my dog!” ‘*No you won’t, because you can’t prove if as intentional,” observed the detective, sympathiz- ingly. “That jar of vitriol was on the inner window ledge of our froat office, and I strongly suspect that the dose was meant for me—that the same hand hurled it as caused the secret re- moval of those planking-supports. But, that is to be proven. Leave it to me, and I may help you to your revenge.” The man appeared somewhat mollified by the steel-cold intelligence with which these words were uttered, and Mainwaring hurriedly pro- ceeded on his way, toavoid the sightseers who were already collecting. But he had hardly reached the opposite street corner before he was arrested by a friendly touch on the arm. He recognized a young man named Luke Jar- dine, a personal friend and a sometime employee of the agency in an amateurisa way, to whom he briefly related what had happened. ‘‘ Whom do you suspect?” asked Jardine. ‘*Old Newthe, as a matter of course. Say nothing, however, Luke, but quietly make your observations up in the offices, and meet me at nine this evening at our rendezvous near Mount Morris Park.” ‘“What, Guy?’ this in a lower tone; “ you hope to persuade the young lady at last?” An assenting look was his response, and they separated. An hour later, eben | was u dential terms with the invalid old gen the spacious sick-room, which also answer a ata, Cranes library. Mr. Peregrine Calthorpe was in bed, propped by his pillows. The physician had come and gone, after making the necessary introduction, the arrival of the nurse-detective, Ichabod Tay- lor, was momentarily expected, the most trust- ful relations had been established between in- valid and visitor, and the former was more cheerful and at ease than he had been for many a day. ‘‘ Now for a few questions, Mr. Calthorpe,” remarked the detective, genially,” ‘that is if you feel equal to them.” Mr. Calthorpe blinked his shrewd old eyes and chuckled, after a way of his. ‘* Yes, yes, Mr. Mainwaring,” said he, ** We're all safe now. Go ahead!” ‘You feel sure that your medicines have been tampered with?” ‘*Of course, of course! So does Jackman. Else why this steady falling away when I should n confi- eman, in as have been growing better? * True. hom do you suspect?” ‘‘There’s the rub, young man. I saspect no one—I simply can’t.” . ‘“You will not take ey at any hint that my queries may suggest f None whatever. Thedeuce, no! Cutaway.” ‘¢ Does your brother or brother’s wife visi you regularly” ‘Not regularly, or atall. Wouldn’thave ’em here, and they know it. My niece, Lois, often oars but she is a little angel. Oh, that is all g ‘* What is all right, sir?” ‘** So far as my brother Rube trying to meddle with my medicines. He may be capable of it— curse him! I think he is; a played-out gam- bler is capable of anything. But, he isn’t down for a cent in my will, and he knows it.” : Here there was a slight movement behind th bed-hangings—which were of the old-fashioned kind—suggesting a possible eavesdropper, and the detective started to explore the room. CHAPTER II. THE TWO LOISES. ‘* You did that once before,” commented the sick man, a little peevishly, as the detective re- sumed his seat by the couch. ‘“ Mice, mice, I tell you! Nobody would dare to eavesdrop upon me!” ‘* Pardon me, sir, but it strikes me that any one who would attempt to poison you might readily attempt to overhear our conversation.” This seemed to impress Mr, Calthorpe. ‘* Possibly, possibly !” he muttered in his jerky way. ‘ Proceed, young man.” **'You spoke of your will,” The invalid chuckled to himself, after a thoughtful pause. ‘Aha, I see your drift!” said he. ‘“ You would know its purport, eh, and thus obtain a motive?” $ “ Exactly, sir.” . ““Good enough!” Then snappishly, after an- other chuckling pause: ‘Everything I have (E eS , & +. Zz - -