Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 501 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

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Promise me to follow it, in the event of your arrest.” After an inward struggle, the required prom- ise was given. ** Now we're all right,” said the old detective, again helping bimself from the decanter, after filling his companion’s glass, ‘*And don’t imagine that I’m to be idle during this waiting | My boy, here’s to a fortunate outcome game. from all your complications! we will talk of something else.” And after this The young man touched glasses with the | shrewd old fellow, and strove hard to appear | more at bis ease, They remained sitting up all night to receive the hourly messages from Sheriff es regard to the search for the kidnapped nurse and child; which came regularly, according to promise, but were devoid of encouragement, a 7 ngley, with | ee ee eee A cate sm ci tie - r > . - Springsteel Steve. sa bargain!” things of the past, it was quite evident. one thing I can’t understand. rascai that kidnapped the child,” | the preceding evening, | *“Oho!” exclaimed the sheriff. confederate’s care in short order after effecting | their capture. This is encouraging!” | ** You think so?’ inquired Willard. ** Without a doubt, Why, I even question if they are not somewhere still in our vicinity!” * Why so?” “ Well, agreatrisk would have been run in Not long after daybreak, however, an unlook- | taking the nurse and child directly to New ed-for sensation was afforded from another quarter. The storm had just cleared away, and all nature was dripping after her bath of rain, when a furiously driven horse and carriage was heard to come toa sudden halt at the head of the drive. ‘*Hallo!” shouted a well-remembered voice, that. brought both watchers out on the front piazza in-sbort order. The visitor was Farmer Webb, his horse and wheels splashed with mud, and he himself | nurse and child. in an unwonted state of excitement. | York, even with the former rendered insensible or crazy to facilitate the attempt. There are unscrupulous couhtry folks round about who | would have secretly taken charge of ’em tem- | porarily, and no questions asked, for a con- | sideration,” “It is to be hoped so,” interposed the detec- tive. ‘‘ But this last escapade argues O’Meara to have been hard up for money at the time.” ** That is true. owever, all New York City, no less than Westchester, is on the lookout for It can hardly be a question of another day before they are brought back. Do “Glad _to find some one stirrin’!” he called | you gentlemen ever take a nip at so early an out. ‘*Hain’t neither of you seen nothin’ of our Libby an’ that foreign galoot, Count Omeeran- do, hev you?” “‘ Not a sign,” Mr. Gray took it on himself to answer, ‘* What's up, farmer?” ‘* They’ve sloped, gol-darn ’em!” ** What, eloped?” “Yes; an’ with every dollar of my money they could lay their bands on! Reckon I'll see Shurff Jake. Git up!” And away be drove, leaving them to guess at the particulars. CHAPTER XXXTI. A BEFORE-BREAKFAST DRIVE. ‘*Let’s take a_before-breakfast drive,” sug- gested Springsteel Steve, after he and his son-in- law had stared at each other in silence after the farmer’s astonishing announcement. ‘ This news is too good to keep in the house!” Edgar ascertained that Edna was still sleeping soundly, and the two men were soon on the reads, feeling as well as could be expected after so watchful a night. ‘“‘This is strange news we have just heard,” said the younger man. ‘‘ But why do you find it such particularly good news?” “Why, can’t you see? In the first place, odd jobs at garroting must be petering out with O’Meara—in other words, be must already be in desperate need of money, not to be able to wait out even the week of grace he has given for your decision.” **But bow will he bave improved his own position for future operations against me b robbing old Webb of his money, no less than his daughter?” j ‘‘It will be made to appear that Miss Libby has done the robbing, depend on it.” _ ‘** Perhaps so.” ‘*Oh, it is certain! otherwise O’Meara would have put himself into a bad box, which we know he wouldn’t be likely todo, The money loss is what the farmer would not forgive, while eke es secretly glad of Libby being off his ands, ‘“A heavy weight on them, to be sure, since the foolish girl was no doubt extravagant in her demand, Still, I can’t fathom O’Meara’s object in the new role,” ‘i can, The fellow has his passions, ’and Libby is an uncommonly fine-looking woman.” *‘Enough of her, too! But do you imagine they will be back to the farm-house?” ‘In two or three days. The five or six hun- dred dollars, that O’Meara has induced his com- pauion to steal, will last him about that long.” “It is a queer complication, anyway. Are you driving to White Plains?” ‘ ‘Yes; wemight as well take our spin in that direction as elsewhere; and something of addi- tional interest may turn up.” : Something of additional interest did turn up; for, early as was the bour on the arrival in White Plains, they found Farmer Webb bold- ing forth on the nature of his wrongs to a group of gaping and grinning listeners at one side of the; main street, prominent among whom was the sheriff. . The farmer drove off as the new-comers ap- proached, and then Langley joined the latter. ** No satisfactory response as yet with regard to the child and nurse!” he eclipsing fan’ nounced, ‘‘But have you heard about Libby and the scoundrel?” The old detective nodded. | ** ‘Where is Webb off to now?” he asked. ‘*To the Hudson River road, in quest of his own stolen cherub,” responded Langley, with an angry laugh. ‘‘ Who would have expected that grea gawky, lumbering female to make such a undering guy of herself” j we “4 9 D.% * : ots 3 a te a i “y ’ et ee z sta ad ‘ oe: . “eFe ty mace} : | hour? [ do,” ’ This invitation was gratefully declined, after which the team was turned bomeward. They took the Webb farmstead in on their | way back to the manse, / The house was agog with excitement, and from Mrs, Webb, who came waddling out to the gate with a red face and sore eyes, some particulars of the elopement were learned. They, however, were not numerous, The absconding couple, it was thought, had taken their departure at about midnight when the storm was at its hight. The farmer’s best team and six hundred and fifty dollars of bis money, all he had out o bank, had disappeared at the same time. The couple's first notification had been in the shape of a characteristic note of explanation from their romantic daughter, which the old gentleman had found pinned to his waistcoat when preparing to visit his stock an hour be- fore daylight. The note, which the indignant mamma had no hesitation in exhibiting, was rather original in in its way, and the following is a copy: “*DeRE MA AND PA:— “T'’me going to marry the kount, and you ma neckst hear from me as the proud kountess of h kastel on the Ganges, w'ich he saysis his cheef sum- mer rezidense. Exkuse our teeing the munny and the teem, but the kount happens to be short, thow. at the end of a week he expekts to have agrate some of munny. Lrssy.”’ ““The idear of that gal leaving such a cold- blooded note for her pore parents, as have brought up and eddicated her so fine,” vapored the farm-wife, in a fury of indignation. ‘ And then the money! Lord help’emif we run ’em down! I say, Mr. Gray, you or Mr. Willard called the count by some other name last even- ing. Ain’t he of no count at all, do you think?” The detective reflected a moment, and then resolved that it was best for the poor woman to know the truth. deel 8 5 very small account, my good friend,” he replied. ‘* His real name is O’Meara, and he is nothing less than a desperate adventurer and criminal.” Mrs. Webb threw up her hands, ‘Oh, why didn’t you say so before?” she wailed, ‘**Tf you had taken the trouble to inquire into the mun’s character, you might easily have saved yourselves this shame and trouble,” was the not very consoling reply. ‘‘ As for your daughter, | one would think her old enough to take care of S44 ry : herself.” ‘*Oh, it’s too bad!” moaned the farm-wife, sy pi sad bord ele ene deceivin’ man Neti poor Libby learns of his bein’ no count at all, and then lights onto him for his treachery !” ‘** She will only have to sit on the fellow oie: I should say, for him to regret his bargain. Bu Me Bf food eart, ma’m, and try to hope for the bes As they were turning into the manse drive- way, an old man was suddenly observed trudg- ing on a short distance ahead. hile they were wondering who he might he, he turned his face, after which he instantly turned out of sight into the narrow path that Edna Mca pursued so fatefully at the opening of our story. Springsteel Steve had uttered a slight excla- mation, sprung from the buggy, after penging the team to a sudden halt, and was off in pursui like a greyhound. ; gar followed him as soon as he could quiet the horses, and without waiting to make them It was the mysterious dead ‘ : man’s double, 4, iat he = Hit a J yt Mu ré » ‘ahs ‘ *, ~ 2 ‘a fk 2 Soe TNS ee Pox de I It was this same re | he ee a een i tea EF et tei oe eS allan Ds aS Ey ‘ ORS ; A 7 eee “4 r Almost any one that knew her, I should whose face had momentarily been revealed to ; | them, “ Why, it’s like running off with a mountain | But he had vanished down the path as if by or a beer-vat, and 1 wish the fraud joy of his | meee Langley’s tender recollections were he pursuers came to a pause at the bottom ‘* But | of the hollow, and confronted each other blank- | ly. | i ; ' ' ' | a ** Did you see bim again after getting into the Gray explained the scene at the farm-house of | path after him?” demanded Willard, ‘The rascal that second turn, must then have transferred his captives to some | turned off to one side and doubled on us,” ‘Yes; just a last glimpse as he was making Let’s go back. Hemay Lave This proved to be true. As they were retracing their steps, there was the crack of a whip, followed by a trampling of hoofs and the whisk of rapidly revolving wheels, They rushed back into the driveway, but only in time to see the fugitive disappearing round the turn into the public road, with the team, which consisted of Wiilard’s favorite span, in magvificent control. CHAPTER XXXIL A FLASH OF SUNSHINE, THE ex-detective was notin the habit of using strong language, but it must be confessed that he did so cn that occasion, The two men had run to the drive entrance, whence they stood watchiug the team till it dis- appeared. ‘**Needs must when the devil drives!” quoted Willard, balf to himself, ‘‘ Come, father, let us be getting home. I am about done up.” *SoamtI, But the team, many” ‘We shall bear from it in due season, I haven't adoubt, If a phantom can run away with it, I doubt if he will dispose oflit.for money withont attracting more attention than would "be agreeable,” ‘“*Perbaps not. But this is very extraordi- nary, my boy ! In fact, I can’t remember any- thing more extraordinary than this in the course of my entire career as a detective.” The team was returned to the manse at about. noon by a countryman from twenty miles away over the Connecticut line, who said that an odd old man had placed it in his charge, with the simple remark thata liberal reward would prob- al y be paid for its return to the owner, whose name and locality he mentioned, The borses, though giving evidence of hard driving, were in pretty fair condition, and Will- ard cheerfully paid the countryman five dollars for his trouble. ‘“What sort of looking old fellow was it from whom you received charge of the team, my friend?” demanded Mr, Gray. . ‘““A queer, shabby-looking old man, with white bair and beard, and a rather nasty look in his eyes,” was the reply. ‘‘ He also carried a gripsack and a queer-looking walking-stick, or — non of rod, with sort of silvery prongs at one end, Be ne you have no further conversation with im ‘‘T didn’t have any at all. After telling me what to do, he made no answer to my questions, but started off on foot. My wife came to the door, while I was at the horses’ heads, and called after the old man, asking him if he wouldn't like something to eat. But be wouldn't even turn bis head,+ .1wassoon out of sight. He walked very lively, and seemed uncommon vig- orous for a man of his age.” Edna had awakened from her long sleep much refreshed and invigorated, though the suspense soon grew upon her again. . She heard of Libby’s elopement with apathy, | and insisted on being driven about the country in order to make random inquiries that could be of no manner of use. However, toward the close of the day Sheriff Langley put in an appearance, with a little less ess intelligence than might have been ex- — hope et ‘** A queer anonymous note reached me through the post-office an hour ago,” said he. ‘‘ Anda I don’t exactly know what to think of it brought it along for Springsteel to look at.” The letter was in a cramped feminine hand, to the following effect: Mr. SHERIFF: Please tell the Willard couple that the writer is on © track of their stolen child, and will pace ee . Aa to restore it to them, safe, sound, and without ‘re- ward, by Sunday night or Monday mera next, ‘ “ END,’ The handwriting was wholly unfamiliar. ‘*What value do Jake?” demanded Springsteel. ‘**T think it is hopeful; that’s all.” wiley “Ido, too. The fact of its having been writ- ten by a woman is in favor of its genuineness,” “Why?” asked Edgar, boy. And thechild may have been put in secret. charge of some poor woman who has since heard of its having been stolen, and is now beginning __ to weaken,” : ‘*In that case, A the delay mince she avows you yourself place on it, Z be ‘‘ Weil, women are apt to be soft-hearted, my Th . + i N fy ‘ 4 4 »% ~ é tra / 5 A ‘ | ip >} a ¥ Se ee aiede oie he hans ee , : enou ,» my boy, However, the tnigeto do et to wait for unday night , a and Monday morning, if nothing better turmnp up in the mean time,” a ASS Sg y 1 oe < a, }