Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 485 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

| Sr mm erm rr - rrr ee —_—— - ~~ ‘‘ Chap looked summat like a tea-party swell!” commented Galf, ‘‘But a capital fellow withal, and the boss fizhter of his club,” replied the detective. ‘* We’re not so many-handed but that he may be of use at a pinch.” They were both in the club working-uniform, thanks to the further kindness of Mr. Vander- lynn --striped shirts, broad white belts and red unmentionables, with the addition of broad, slouching straw hats—and presently the detec- tive made another pause to adda huge pair of false whiskers, English style, to the side of his | face, certainly was, together with the deck—there was a coquettish httle striped awning over the companionway, and a glance down into this re- mised greatly for what might lie in the interior beyond, Above deck, the place was wholly deserted. ‘*Come on, friend!” cried Gaff, continuing the rollicking role, though Ensco remarked with increased uneasiness that he wasreally unsteady on his pins, ‘* There used to be beer on draught here, and there must be now. Moreover, I’m as dry as a gun-wad,” And be forthwith blundered down the steps, ‘‘Perhaps it will avail me little in view of | the other close upon his heels. such penetration as La Senorina’s,” said he, But the door at the foot of the companionway “but it won’t do to throw away any chance, | was suddenly opened, and they stood confronted You are all right without any more fixing,” a ; by a commanding presence. little enviously, to Gaff, Tt was that of a vailed lady, graceful but ‘True for you!” cried the other, who was | majestic, in a light gauzy morning-gown of pulling stern-stroke, *‘‘ Tbe cutof my jib, thank | black lace, the face being hidden, save the eyes the Lord! is as yet unknown to her Highness or | —which were large, melancholy and magnetic— the devil-fwins.” | by alace mantilla arranged around the head ‘Catch stroke!” | and bust after the charming custom of Spanish- ‘*One minute!” and, producing a handy flask, | American fine ladies. back tilted the sailor’s head with its mouth to| Diamonds could be seen glittering at the his lips. throat and ears; the shapely hands were loaded Ensco frowned, but said nothing, though the | with rings of a like costly setting; and nothing bottle was one of the otherwise invaluable Tom’s | could exceed the mingled courtesy and inquiry besetting sins, of her quiet bearing. The sculls after this were plied so steadily | ‘'Towhat am I indebted for this unexpected that in less than an hour they were skirting | visit, senors?” Hunt’s Point. She spoke in English, though with apparent This is a bold, rather rugged point of land, | difficulty, while her voice was indescribably rapidly being built over, near the confluence of | soft and m:lodious, Bronx River with the Harlem, (here beginning “We axes your pardon, ma’m!” swaggered to form the island-thronged, gradually-widening | the sailor; ‘‘an’ Ll can speak Mexican, if you neck of Long Island Sound,) and four or five | prefer, since I’m a sea-dog, at your service, with miles from the Third Avenue Bridge. every lingo on the round earth at my tongue’s ‘* There you are!” and Gaff began to ease up. | end.” ** Lying just under the roadside bluff yonder,” ‘* Quien est, senor ? ” Ensco paused on his oars to observe the spot Gaff hesitated, smacked his lips, and then indicated. reeled off a yard or two of atrocious Spanish ‘*Oho!” he muttered; **so Madame la Senorina | with regard to the thirsty errand of the pair. has fitted up that hulk as her secret palace.” The lady courteously explained in a few ‘* Do you recognize it as an old acquaintance, | words the mistake that was being made. sir?” ‘*Sad news for thirsty men!” growled Tom ‘“[ should say so. It used to bea beer and with an ogling look, in spite of Ensco’s rebuk- eating-saloon, much patronized by road and’ ing hand upon his shoulder. ‘* At any rate, river sports, Before that— Ah! there is the ; ma’m, we might carry away with us a glimpse connecting link of the senorina’s present occu- | of your figure-head, to make up for our disap- pancy.” | pointment.” ‘* How so?” ‘ Certano, senors!” And, witha low laugh, ‘* Well, now I remember that, originally, be- | she drew back her mantilla. fore it was a decent saloon, the place was an in- ‘*’The Lord preserve us!” ejaculated the sailor, fernally murderous hole, kept by one Garcia, a | and he stumblingly recoiled into Ensco’s arms; Spaniard at that, and a common resort of river | ‘* is it a sea-witch or Davy Jones’s wife?” and harbor criminals,” ‘“* Ah, [see. Well, here’s luck to the hulk as CHAPTER XVII. THE SIBYL AT HOME. she blossoms to-day.” And back went Gaff’s Tom GAFF’s excitement and alarm were not head again, with the flask to his lips. Ensco lost patience, to he wondered at, for, though he had once be- “TI wish you wouldn’t,” he said, angrily. | fore caught a glimpse of senorina’s terrible ** We've too much at stake for you torun any | face, to thus encounter it at close quarters isk,” for the first time was to experience a decidedly disconcerting effect. Terribly utiful — beautifully terrible — bloodless, yet imstinct with life, calm, yet the index of activities — impassive, yet mobile, somber, mysterious, grand, gloomy and pe- culiar! Such are the adjectives that would involun- tarily arise in the presence of that face, and still would not adequately describe it, ‘*You must excuse my friend’s excitement, madam,” said Ensco, apologetically. ‘‘He is a rough sat.or, little used to the revelation of—of extraordinary feminine charms.. I regret the mistake that has been made. We shall take ourselves off at once.” he bowed, with one hand on his heart, while steadying Tom with the other. . The lady smiled, ““ Apologies are unnecessary, and why should you go?” she murmured. ‘‘Since I have made my abode in this queer place, similar misappre- hensions have not unnaturally occurred.” ‘* You are generous, madam,” “Not at all, Enter, senors, If this is no longer a public house, that is no reason why you should go away without refreshments,” ‘Yes, sir! Wecan be sort of slow to dis- ‘*You’re a stunner, ma’am!” cried Gaff, who cover our fluke, an’ in the mean time mebbe spy | had by this time recovered his composure. into ail the old gal’s secrets.” ‘* Thank-ee a million times, for we are dry arter ‘‘ If we get a mere inkling of what Zarapatta | our long pull at the oars.” , Martez would hide from the world, we’ll be She strniled again, and forthwith ushered them more than fortunate. However, nothing ven- into a cabin that had been fitted up as a little ture, nothing bave. Catch stroke!” saloon regardless of expense, The boat shot on again, this time directed full Here she placed before them a profusion of ‘But, bless your toplights, Mr. Enseo, I ain’t a-runnin’ any!” ' ‘* You are, though! The drink bas more than once ruined your chances, Tom, and you know 1t. Gaff scratched his head, and then, as if under a sudden impulse, tossed the flask overboard. The detective’s brow cleared. ‘*Come, now, that is something like!” said he, encouragingly. ‘*Thankee, sir,” was Tom’s grateful rejoinder, though he added in his own thoughts: ‘‘ You wouldn’t think so, if you knowed as how l’d drained the last drop afore chuckin’ the flask away.” And he then continued, aloud: ** How- somever, sir, there was inspiration in that last pull [ took.” ‘*In what way?” | “Tt gave me an idea—a reg’lar head-light, Mr. Rowlock!” | ‘* Let me have it.” ‘‘A good thing on the senora! Why n boldly board her boat-dwellin’ at the water-si .e door, an’ purtend as how we take it to be stil’ a beer and lunch crib?” , ss ‘¢ ood ?? —_——_—=— o/s at the hulk under consideration, less than as wines and dainties. mile away. ‘*T am, perforce, my own servant at present,” ‘‘Be careful now of your part,” cautioned | said she, as the two men, after a little further Ensco, as the oars were slip and moorings | urging, proceeded to help themselves. ‘* But made. ‘* The least indiscretion may ruin all,” you are none the less welcome, seners. You ‘“ Hurrah!” cried Gaff, with assumed _ hearti- | will excuse me from not joining you, I hope, ness; ‘‘ beer’s my weakness, my boy, and’there’s | though I shall avail myself of this opportunity lots of it inside, or I’m a horse-marine.” This was well enough, though the detective watched a little nervously his companion’s man- ner in tumbling up over the hulk’s side, fearing that his happy-go-lucky air might not be alto- gether assumed, after all. But they were in for it now, and, accepting the risks, he followed his companion. If the outside of the hulk was battered, weather-worn and uninviting enough—which it to treat my pets to a few tidbits,” She accordingly sunk into an enormous up- holstered chair, emitting a soft cooing sound, and instantly became covered with snakes. They were of all sizes and patterns; they came as if by magic out of the billowy crevices and undulatious of the chair; they twine] about her arms, her neck, her bosom, the air was filled with theirsharp but contented sibilations. Tom Gaff had just downed his third glass of j vealed a tidiness, and even elegance, that pro- Rowlock, the Harbor Detective. ) ————-— — —_—— 13 iced claret, and had been thinking of trolling out a song in gratitude for somuch unexpected hos- pitality, when this remarkable exhibition took lace, , Now he stood as if petrified. ‘*‘ Great Scott!” was about all he could ejacu- late. ‘‘Have I got the jim-jams, or am 1 in a Hindao snake-charmer’s palace?’ ‘* Ah! but you mustn’t mind my pets,” said the senora, as she began to feed them with spoonfuls of milk. ‘* They are harmless and beautiful, Don’t you thnk them lovely?’ ‘*Candidly speaking, ma’am, I don’t,” replied Galf, rapidly opening a fresh bottle and then brimming a tall celery glass with the red wine, ‘‘T really don’t ma2an to be wantin’ i» apprecia- tion, you know, but—well, ma’am, snakes is snakes!” And he forthwith began to tossoif the unconscionable bumper. ‘*And you, sir?” she smilingly turned to _Ensco. eT me ‘*] won’t say that I dislike snakes, ma’m—that is, in their place,” said he, with becoming suav- ity. ‘‘ And as far as snakes beauties.” ‘You are most complimentary. resto, vamos!” Ata sudden gestnre the serpents dis- appeared as mysteriously as they had appeared, ‘*'You perhaps wonder at me, senors?” ‘*7T don’t!” blurted out the sailor, who had again recovered his wind, so tospeak. ‘* Why, ma’m, you might turn your purty self inside- out now, an’ it wouldn’t faze me!” ‘“1’m something of a professional woman,” continued the senora, with increased suavity, — “and I have my own reasons for making my home in such odd quarters. Would you, senors, like to look further?” She opened a door invitingly, and they fol- lowed, The saloon in which they had been sitting was at the extreme aft of the hulk, and she now con- ducted them forward through a succession of compartments and passages, the costly elegance of whose furniture and appointments was a con- tinuous surprise. At last she admitted them into a narrow pas- . sage, richly carpeted, and hung with crimson damask, Here she paused at the curtained entrance, leaving them standing in the center of the floor, silently wondering what fresh revelation might — be in store for thein, ‘*Remain just as you are, or you will break the spell, senors,” she cried, in a changed voice, ‘*Tt is the hour, the fated hour!” Gaff looked at her with gaping astonishment, | Enusco with a swift suspicion. Her countenance had also changed. It was frightful with a hushed, but concentrated fury; a smile of significant deadliness was frozen upon her lips; the splendor of her large, dilating eyes was instinct with a nameless ferocity; even her person seemed to enlarge and swell with am excess of malign pu ; Lastly, a large yellow serpent, similar to the one that had escaped out of coach—long, slender, view from amid the upper drapery of ber dark, cloud-like vesture, an neck, bosom and arms in gleaming folds and festoons. . A strange spectacle, as fantastic as terrible! and strongly suggesting the line: ** And lo, about her, fold on fold, A golden serpent hung— An eye of jet. a skin of gold, A garnet for a tongue! But Lamia-like as was the general effect, it was absorbed in a single instant by the horrified men, and they had no time to collect themselves before she stamped her foot. It was a signal. The damask hangings parted on either side, revealing two ruffians—Pedro and Jago—with ¢ocked revolvers presented, Both the detective and his companion were unarmed, They were fairly beset, ‘‘ covered ” from head to foot, hemmed in! The White Siby! of Morona burst into a ter- rible Jaungh—a laugh so wild, so discordant, so baleful, in contrast with her theretofore melli- fluous accents, that it might have rung fol out of the everlasting fire-crypts of the irre- deemably lost. She menacingly held out one of her shapely arms, twined by the golden snake, whose head was raised hissingly. “Dupes and fools!” she screamed, “did you hope to deceive me with your puerile masque- rade? Down—down into the depths that give not back their dead!” | | The detective sprung toward her, but it was too late. She had stamped her foot again. The floor suddenly opened, and the two men were instantly swallowed up from view, CHAPTER XVIIL. A DAMP SURPRISE. THEN the floor closed as suddenly over their heads, there was a splash, and the intended vic- tims were floundering in deep water amid intense kness. oy. ‘Be quick!” they heard the senora’s voice go, yours are » golden-scaled—writhed silently inte ranged itself about her | . . 4 J : a & . -y : ~—, se z ‘ q ® a. ’ as : | ‘a, grt Bee A | , a 4 a } ” at | , Te : . om ; . al f a y « " > 2 com a chooks