Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 485 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

the ordeal, « i} “y et 8 ‘Tt is Juan’s ring, you say?” ‘* Doubtless. {I thought so from the first, Now, from what you tell me of the allusion made to its loss by the twins, I am sure of it,” ‘“'You have not told me where and how you found it.” He explained. ‘* Ah! as a matter of course,” she commented. ‘You should have seen Juan’s superstitious anic when Vasco asked if be might not have ost it here, in this cabin, on that fatal night.” ‘* {can imagine it. No wonder,” as if tbhink- ing aloud, ‘* The ring may be the chief witness in bringing him to the scaffold.” ‘* But could it be proved his property against his denial?” ‘** Possibly.” ** How so?” ‘*'There is an inscription. nized the inside of the band. ** What is it?” ** A full name—Zarapatta Martez.” ‘That woman!” with a shudder. ‘Truly. Doubtless one of her wedding gifts, and but temporarily Joaned to the elder twin. A fit hand-friend for the White Witch of Morona!” Inez had fallen into a reverie, her face ex- pressing <issatisfaction. ‘* What is the matter?’ he asked. ‘*Oh, not a great deal. But was it altogether fair?” ‘Was what fair?” “Your concealment of this discovery from me up to the present time—esvecially after our compact.” The detective slightly colorel, but did not lose countenance, “IT may have been in fault.” he admitted, gravely, *‘ but do not condemn me unheard.” ‘1 do not condemn you at all, only—” ‘* Listen, Miss Delorme,” “You may address me by my Christian name. Are we not comrades?” He flushed with pleasure, ‘‘ Ay: and to the end, Inez. Do not imagine that / have been forgetful of that sacred, that inviolable compact,” ‘* Well, then?” ‘You remember how the public detectives api you the first days following the tragedy? heir curiosity, their inquisitiveness, their per- tinacity? Isay nothing of the reporters.” ‘Remember! Am I likely to forget the or- ‘** And he scruti- deal?” ‘*[ should say not. Bethink yourself, then, Inez. In view of our having determined be- tween us to keep our oath-cemented detective- quest solely to ourselves, apart from all outside participation, did not that impertinent inquisi- tion induce you to make one or two admissions that had just as well been left unsaid?” She colored. ‘*Candidly, yes; more than one or two, I am afraid,” 6s Well—” ‘Say ro more. The justice of your want of faith in me is sufficiently apparent.” ‘*Say not want of faith! You could be dis- creet enough now, that you have passed through l only waited for you to be fully on your guard,” There was complete forgiveness in the little laugh that broke from her lips. ‘* What! must the pupil call the master to ac- count?" she cried. ** You did just right, I tell ou! ‘*Thank you!” and his clearing face was good to see, | ‘* But now,” she went on, ‘‘ that there are no more concealments— But wait! am I so sure of that?” ‘** You can be, on my honor!” ** Well, then, what of this ring, more than it was worn by Juan, and probably stamps him as the master fiend in the horrors of that—that woeful night?’ ‘* More than you think.” ** And that is—?”’ He bent nearer toward her across the table. ‘* That the demon-mother of the demon-twins —the Senorina Zarapatta Martez, surnamed the White Sibyl of Morona—is doubtless at this juncture not far away!” ‘* Ha! you mean it?” ‘** Yes, and yet more. That she is doubtless here, in this close vicinity; nay, that she is most likely in constant communication with her sons, guiding, counseling, instructing them, and has been from the very first of their reappearance in New York!” Inez’s lips had blanched. There seemed to be a hideous spell in the mere whisper of this mysterious woman's name, It was a minute or two before the young girl could ask: ‘* What are tion?” ‘* To mention the chief one will be sufFeiently convincing.” ‘* Go on, pray!” _* T cannot as yet tell you of my connection your grounds for this supposi- with that woman’s past. Its picture-writing ” he indicated the arm that bore the mystic em- blem in tattoo) ‘‘ will one day be made clear to you. But none the less do I know her of old.” —— ll A Lc cr _ = oe. — — , . -— = ™ - .? __ > * - - *. = , " %, > : . - * -— » . ° ‘Yes, yes?” ‘‘ Avarice, together with an inordinate, al- most morbid, passion for precious stones, is one of the ruling characteristics of the White Sibyl’s rit evil and incomprehensible composition.” * Yes? ‘* Well, Iam morally certain that she would not part with such a rare jewel as this ring, evea to Bale! the vanity (or murderous pro- pensity—w ho shall say?) of her favorite son, for but a brief period, or a special purpose.” ‘* Ab! IT begin to understand, Yes, you must be rigot.” ‘‘ Wait; there is yet more—the invisible links, of which this glittering bauble is the only thing tangible as yet, may stretch and iead yet fur- ther, yet more surprisingly.” ‘‘ | half-zrasp your meaning. But goon. To what conclusion?” ‘‘ That she herself may not only have insti- gated, but actually led in person, the attack that culminated in the secret, midnight assassin- ation of Captain Grant Marston and his two subordinates on this very yacht!” Inez maintained ker composure solely by a strong effort. ‘‘ The same appalling thought was dawning in my own mind,” she said. ‘“* But wait! This, I fear, is going too far.” ‘* How?” ‘*T have told you what passed between Juan and Vasco while | was a prisoner in their row- boat,” ‘* Certainly.” ‘‘ Well: from Vasco’s allusions, no less than Juan’s manner of taking them, | feel certain that the latter must have been the principal in —jn—let us call it the Mystery of the Seamew hereafter.” ‘* Agreed as to that, But what you say does not wholly dispose of my theory.” i+ No?” ‘‘Not altogether. Even in forgetting your presence, they would not be likely to speak of their mother’s complicity, or leadership, as the case may be, in such a frightful connection, Besides, Juan might bave been likewise pres- ent,” ‘* True.” After still further discussing the complications of the case, Inez declared that she must no longer delay her return to her home, ‘“ You notified Mrs. Twiggs?” said she, ris- Cv eg.” ‘‘Then you must see me safely back under her protection at once.” CHAPTER X, THE WHITE SIBYL. Upon getting once more into the pinnace, Inez surprised the detective, who had begun to head for the Astoria landing, by laying her hand on his arm, ‘“Not thither,” she said, half-hesitatingly. ‘Straight back across-stream, if you please.” ‘*‘ But the ferry is still running.” , ‘*T know it; but I prefer this means.” ‘‘Glad you do-—-with all my heart. Only,” as the boat’s head was turned, ‘‘I should have thought that this evening’s adventures would have made you somewhat coy of an open boat,” ‘‘ Ordinarily it would have been so, but now— have we consulted quite enough as regards our future action, think you?” ‘‘T thought we bad, as regards the immediate future, though you must know that [ am hap- py to continue deliberations indefinitely—with ou.’ hs Thank you. There are several things that ought to be clearer between us, I think.” He bowed his head attentively, waiting for her to begin. Though there was no moon, the starlight had brightened greatly. The shallop was slipping easily through the shimmering water, Mingo and little Starlight—the latter having returned from his errand in time for the duty—sitting silently forward, with but little to do but drowse and dream in the light, steadfast wind that was just bellying the peaceful sail. ‘‘ Hirst, Mr. Ensco—” ‘*Rowlock, or just Ensco, if you please, Miss Delorme. I thought it was a bargain be- tween us.” ‘‘So it was, Then why ‘ Miss Delorme’ me?” ‘ 7 sha’n’t forget again.” ‘Neither shall I, Ensco, In the first place, then, as to that rendezvous of the desperadoes at Bowery Bay.” sé Yes.” ‘* When are we to make a descent upon it?” ce We?” ‘*Exactlv. I shall personally share all the perils hereafter.” és Ha 4” ‘‘ Perhaps you do not credit me with the re- quisite nerve and fortitude?” ‘*T think you have both.” ‘‘Or the necessary cleverness?” ‘*T know you have that. But—” * But what?” ‘* You are a young lady—a beautiful and re- fined young lady.” ‘Thank you. But no matter. in I hope before 48 Rowlock, the Harbor Detective. ; this night is over to convince you quite thor- oughly of my proficiency in camaraderie as the French would say, no matter how dangerous or how arduous,” ‘* | hope you may, Inez.” “You shall see. Now when is it to be—that descent upon the rendezvous you know?” ‘Within twenty-four hours, at the furthest. I shall bave to think it over.” ‘* Shall any of the regular volice assist?” Rowlock made an impatient movement. ‘*Not at my invitation. You know, I have severed even my quasi connection with the pub- lic Detective Bureau, in order to be perfectly independent and untrammeled in this great sleuth-bunt of ours,” ‘‘True; and I am glad to remember it. Who will then accompany us?” ‘*Dago and the boatswain, together with Mingo and little Starlight yonder, ought to fill the bill.” ‘*Good! You are familiar with the rendez- vous, [ think you intimated.” ‘* Not wholly farniliar; but I know the place.” ‘¢ What is it like?” ‘‘The rendezvous is a ruinous stone boat- house, about a mile from the new hotel and leasure-grounds that have been established at wery Bay. A wild, desolate place, but ap- proachable by both water and land.” ‘* You think they can have no hint of our in- tention to surprise them there?” ‘‘ We must see to it that they receive none.” ‘¢ Still, their tricking me with regard to your signal must be remembered.” ‘Ob, the twins are cunning-—cunning as rats there’s no denying that, Still, additional pre- cautions are our only safeguard.” ‘‘Our main object is to run the twins to earth?” . ‘*To nab ’em—yes, of course, Juan as our prime game; Vasco next; then any one of the satellites most likely to give them away ata pinch,” ‘* And the senorina?” ‘6 We must track her down to ber most recent lair. Indeed, that is, after all, our main point. Zarapatta once cornered, the rest would be amazingly simplified.” ‘You will hold, then, to your theory that she is in or near New York?” ‘‘Certainly: or until it is proved untenable beyond a doubt.” They were now passing under the light-house at the upper end of Blackwell’s Island, Ensco having decided, for reasons that will be under- stood, upon giving Hell Gate a wide berth on the return trip. Inez gave a little shiver, and then her hands linched resolutely, ‘Oh, if we may only take that terrible woman in the toils!” she exclaimed under her breath. “ You do not fear her then, sO much as you did? ‘‘ far more so, I think. The very thought of her fills me with increased and nameless terror.” ** And yet—” ‘* And yet I would dare any peril, encounter any horror to face her but once on fair terms— to compel the secret that is dearer than my life from her lips.” ‘Ah, the recovery of the jewel-chest! Yes; next to bringing the murderers to justice, that is the main object.” ‘‘You either do not or will not understand,” ‘‘ Be more explicit, Inez.” “T did not refer either to jewel-chest or ven- geance—at least not just then.” The young man bowed his face, that she mizht not see the troubled look in it. ‘‘Of course | understand,” said be, in a low voice, ‘It is your father and mother you refer to.” ' “Ves, yes!” she clasped her hands. *“ Re- member my suspense, my anxiety! Is it not natural to me on this score?” ‘¢ VWust natural, most becoming.” ‘ And think how my grandfather died with- out divulging the secret of their whereabouts— their mysterious non-existence for me, their daughter—though the revelation was just trem- bling on his dying lips! But he did say that they are alive—that they are not dead!” ‘“ Ay; but better dead!” He was still not looking up. ‘¢ Rinsco!” ‘¢ Well, Inez?” “You are a man of mysteries—of a myste- rious past.” ‘‘ You say so, my friend.” ‘You have confessed as much to me,” ‘* Be it so.” ‘ Anart from our immediate relations in this dreadful murder-quest, in which you are so frank, so confidential with me, you are wholly unknown, wholly an enigma, to me,” “Well?” “ Ensco, you know something of my parents.” éé 1? ‘‘Yes: I am sure of it. I feel instinctively that the secret of their absence, their non-ap- arance, their disgrace, if disgrace it be, is wholly or in part in your possession,” Her voice and manner were wildly beseeching, but he made no answer, com | |