Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 5 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

“purpose. No. f — When the cab halted; Ke called Trix, who de-_ with the question: scended from the box and flurig open the door. “ A hand here,” said the Hunch The ntly lifted the form that had accom- canted. them, and bore it out. Into a weird-fronted dwelling of three stories, A — _ ~ - _ — | ' | ‘‘Have you done well, nD ‘Why not? Evard Grev—” She stop short. Mortimer, Gascon was staring at them, and listening with interest to their dialogue. A sign from Hercules had whose door opened, as if by magic, at their ap- checked her. roach; and then up a narrow stairway dim ighted by a lamp with red-tinted shade, whic swung from the ceiling of the passage above. The door closed after them, and a female fol- lowed in their rear. Entering a long room on the second floor, they deposited their burden on a luxurious couch, and Hercules said: ‘“‘ Here is your resting-place. How now, Mor- timer Gascon—has the ride disturbed you » ‘‘T am weak—very weak,” answered Morti- mer. Sil make you right again.” ‘Ts this Mortimer Gascon?” asked the woman who had followed them. _“* Yes, it is he—the last of the doomed. A miracle saved him. But that I was the instru- ment used, the pledge of the bullet-scar would have been kept! The apartment was a bed-chamber, but there was that in its furnishings of red, which gave it a fantastic ee eel while long, crimson candles, in polished ho ders, shed a wavering halo round those assembled. Upon the Hunchback the’effect was striking— seeming to give his strange, half-devilish form and mien a greater prominence. Trix was a mulatto; a boy of about seventeen years. His face was intelligent, his build sym- metrical—broad shoulders, and a stern cast of countenance betokening strength of muscle and The peculiar mold of features, poise of body, and growth of hair, told of Indian in his Velie’ and in his dark, glittering eyes there lurked a close resemblance to the piercing glance | down again. Try to sleep. of Hercules. | The woman—standing statue-likée to one side —was a singular pérso : # jetty mask concealed her face, terminating in ed lace that fell, folding, on a full bosom. From beneath the mask volumed rich tresses of hair, black as the’ stain of a raven’s wing, and | Zone be } | | ' | ] | | ‘“Where are you going?’ asked Zone, as the dwarf moved ieoienad tes door. ‘*To meet a debtor.” ‘‘Evar—” but he silenced her, by placing a finger to his lips. ‘When will you return?” ‘Karly or late, as it best suits,” vanishing as he uttered the indefinite ey Zone turned to Mortimer Gascon. ‘You must forget what you heard just now. It can do you no good to strive to recollect.” Now that we have a chance to view this Mor- ‘‘ Peace, then, and rest. You are ont of dan- timer Gascon, we sée that he is somewhat past both of enemies and sickness. A month | fifty years—a manwhose figure; though at pres- ent worn with illness, bore evidences of a natu- rally pickin Beye! pete The sunken eyes, col- orless cheeks, faint voice—all betrayed the se- vere ordeal of an unusual sickness. _He was studying his singular companion, and said, as she drew near: x Do you wear that mask continually? Will you take it off for my curiosity?’ ‘* No, I can not remove ‘it. It is better for you not to see my face. Shall I bring’ you wine She arran a salver at his de, on which was a decanter of sparkling wine. Pouring out a glassful she held it to his lips. ! ‘T am ‘in strange company,” he uttered, slow- ly, while he strove in vain to pierce the woman’s mask; ‘You are with friends.” **T do not doubt it. Will you tell me what it was Hercules brought you?—that little thing you snatched so rl} p “* Alter your questioning, Mortimer Gascon, or I shall say ‘no’ to every thing. Theré—lie ’ You need rest.” “* You are a sister to eee ge Baw continued. ‘Yet I can scarce think it; that mask surely hides a white face—” ‘If you think I am his sister, or that) Tam not, forget it: You may be mistaken in either.” When she had settled the invalid comfortably, walking to and’ fro, her slippe ing—in gloss-like fibers of silk—nearly to | feet sinking noiselessly into the rich carpeting. her Poot h Over night-hued garments, whose unique fit discovered the form of a Venus—and | clas | whose skirts trailed far behind her—was thrown | a cloak of red fabric, red as the sinking stn, and | ments Her head was bowed, her gloved hands were and hanging listlessly. ortimer Gascon watched her, as thé mo- ssed, and ere’ he knew it, sleep closed scintillating with sponges oe if thé wearerhad his eyelids. But, even in slumber, the brain bathed, first in a séa of blood, and afterward in ashower of gold. Her hands were gloved in red, and in thé eyelets of the’ mask—which would seem to hide the features of a Peri—shone orbs of unearthly brightness. “Then Evard Greville thinks’ that Mortimer | is removed forever from his path?” ’ ' was trying to decide upon her identity; he dreamed of her, moved singer his pillow. Zone paused in her walk. was lost to evel g save the unspoken shapings of her f Do T love this man, whose Mme Lhave sworn to hate—whose father and mother before him, “He does; more, that I, Hercules, was his my father sacrificed in the cause of vengeance; tool. But, save talk. Here is our charge; let whom I,as his daughter, against the sole sur- us nurse him well, Trix, begoné—the horses.” vivor have sworn to thwart in the oath of the Withdréw. When hé was gone, the fe- | bullet scar, and make the instrument of miy tri- haa your reward, Hercules?—you received ‘‘Not both, but one. Hermoine Greville is marked for life!” He extended the thin strip of skin fronmi the brow of Hermoine, — With a quick movement she séized’ it: ‘‘Tt is mine!” she exclaimed, and there was a hiss to her voice, as she utteréd the words. “ Carl Grarid will not see so much to chatm hin now, in the one he calls ‘beautiful Hermoine,’ and this is some recompense for what she done tome!” She concluded with a low laugh, full of deép cance, yet of silvery tone. — ‘ ‘Zone, what if you do love this man, after all? There’s jealousy in your h.” speech.” The Hunchback re ed her steadily; the ie ka that éver dwelt on his face, grew “Love him!”—an exclamation s and breathless; “ha! ha! ha! fear not. You do not yet know your sister, Hercules; it is to our interest that I should retain the love of Carl Grand—and he does love me!—but as for my loving him—yes—for the part he is to play; no Beate) “You bir to piistion’ quick 5 a on quick as pow- der bn the ape ee ais a “Do you not sé¢,” she interrupted, impatient- ly, “that if he loves Hermoine Greville too well, my Pg over him is gone?” éé es, see—” “That power goné} then who will place the records in our hands#—-the will? Who, Her- cules? He, alone, knows where they are.” “Ves yes. ough.” And’ he continued while hé gazed down at the blood-red carpet: ** When does your lover meet you again?” “ To-night.’ AEC gp tinicg bcwe £4 ** Eh? y it is but a single night since—” - ‘And this time, the place of meeting will be eae Ai pai” without heeding his words. — do ‘you start? IT am’ tired of going Pre hy on he point alt Wits view,” ; ‘“This, then,” the Hunéhback, “is why Evard Gre but he finished aloud | | lence reigned; the gale that was blowing | to moan and howl on the night: He glanced umph over Hermoine Greville? Have I dared tolove him? Was Hercules right in his sus- picion? What is this feeling in my heart—a softness which holds me back when I most long to crush hini? What is it}+—love? Zone!—girl! are you ¢ ” She started and glanced uneasily about her, as if fearful that her thoughts struck the ear of an eavesdropper. : But she was alone, save the presence of Morti- mer Gascon; and a plaice at’ the bed assured her that he was sleeping soundly. Presently, a sound: was’ heard; which made her start: It way a footstep. The heavy, con- fident tread told that it was a man. In” another moment the comer’s hand was upon’ thé knob. 3 With inconceivable quickness, she Br pion to one sidé of thé apartment, and touched a spring in the wall. | ered in folds across Instantly, a’ the ceiling, fell downw entirely screening that portion of the room where Mortimer Gas- con lay. ‘Tt ishe. He has obeyed my instructions— entered with the key I gave ; followed to the source of the entry-light, and—” | 5 The door opened, and Evard Greville stood before her. 2 Bar CHAPTER IIL BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH. L#AVING the house wherein lay Mortimer Gascon, Hercules started for place of mee with Evard Greville. , A brisk walk for a few squares shortly brought him to the spot desi Though the hour was early, a: grave-like’ \si- — in vain for some sign set. — strag ose by him, wi face areeed uished in the eibdeh beyond with poses eed. | Ji al ted Vi - Satan d me!” muttered he, “‘ Tthink I know that shape. Whére have I seen: it?. No matter—I am not here to tax niy brain with wondering at strangers, ‘Sdeath! Evard Gre- the appointed -_ Cn ae ee ee _ ville is late: What keeps him? Will he dare— No; he knows better.” He folded those great, muscular arms across his broad breast, then looked around a second time. But he saw no one, The minutes flew by. He stood there like a thing of the gloom itself; his shaggy head grad- ually sunk forward, and his lips moved in a low muttering. ‘Has Zone done well? Why has Evard Gre- ville come to her house? What if he should dis- cover me there?—learn of our relations? Hef would balk us. Yetshe isshrewd. But for her fascination of him, we might labor till eternity— bah! let Zone be to herself. She will not trip us—ha!” | ‘* Toll!—toll!” came the waver of a bell-note, echoing on the stilly air. Soon another doled forth its clarion strokes. And another, as if in answer, mingled discor- dantly with the first two—the three heralding the outbreak of a fire. He listened. There was something in the sound which riveted him; he glanced up at the sky, which, south of of him, was tremoring in a crimson hue. Brighter grew the rays; steadfastly he watched the luminous glare. A rustling noise drew his attention. The same shadowy fi which had once be- fore passed him glided by, almost brushing his sleeve as it went. . An angry frown wrinkled his dark-skinned row. rhs ry we! means this? Am I do “ ae pe ‘been spying upon me? 0 is i Devils! Pll soon find out!” He sprung forward in a He could faintly discern the fleeing obj ahead of him, and, with eyes fastened on it, he ran at his ut- most a re as a hound, and resolute. Suddenly it vanished. When he reached the spot where he had last seen it, it was gone as mysteriously as if into the ground. uttering a curse, he continued on in the di- rection of his home. ** So, Evard Greville has failed me—ow]s rend him for it!” he growled, disappointedly. ‘Tl be even with him. Better that he held a vi to his throat than to trifle with Hercules, the Fiends! here is a fire!” the last called forth by noting ane increase in the bright reflection overhead: Another an oe showed him that the fire was spreading rapidly. ‘It is coming this way!” he exclaimed, in- ley his gait. ‘“‘Has hell burst onto us? See !—there’s the flame !—and there !—and there!”’ , It seemed to him that a wall of fire, reaching from earth to heaven was marc forward. every side arose shouts and cries. Engines were rumbling a with winged violence. He Saw groups and crowds of men, women and children fleeing precipitately. soe a remoe mastering exci nt had his b . From a quick walk, he fell into a run. Turning the corner at Wells street, he halted abruptly. | wes There, in front of hini, going in the same di- rection as he, was a fi his keen eye could not mistake, even in the marvelous change from gloom to glare.. It was a man—the one who had him twice at the tunnel. Only for an instant did he pause. Then, with a renewal of his determination’ to discover the other’s identity, he dashed forward. ‘< Halt! t, there!” he cried, threateningly. But in the din, which now prevailed to a deaf- - ~~ - ening extent, the figure did not seem to hear. It, too, was running, and at sound of the pur- suer’s voice, it = sped on faster. ‘* Halt!” cried Hercules, again, while his strain of every nerve drew him nearer to the object of his chase each second. ‘‘ Halt!—or Ill twist you limb from limb when I catch you!” Twice, thrice, he nearly lost ~ of the man, for the street was packing with humans—ve- hicles thundered by, with household goods, and terrified families. When nearly in front of his house, he was but a few leaps in the rear. ‘‘ Halt, I say!~I have you! I would know who you are that dogs my steps—ha! Satan!” The party wheel ae . The flash of steel, for a second, blinded Hercules, and, in the same instant, a stout arm dealt him * He staggered I iualy waxes the riesspectéd | er the une as- sault—reeled out into the street, falling. : Look out! Look out!” yelled a hoarse voice. | A wagon, with horse snorting in terror, came dashing ise! driver’ hela: the:réina with all his force of nome and strove vainly to turn aside the maddened beast in its headlong course. But the Hunchback heard not the warning. ** Look there!” rose the cry com | Too late! hard shafts struck the totter- ing man; and as he was knocked back to the pavement, he clutched wildly at thin head, half blinding him; the thick smoke cloud- with KS i€O human endurance,