Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 501 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

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Geel ———- " = P ale loam 1 uae ; oe eee mee sw \ ‘ete | - wear Aa! 44 ry " “-.n7 <= 4? i | 23 After if was finished Edgar Willard and | for life, but the poor angular body of the eccen- Springsteel Steve set out at once for White | tric woman was lying composedly at last, Plains, full of high hopes as to the importance | though on a perfectly blood-drenched bed, with of odd Miss Raw’s promised revelation. a stab woud te the breast and her throat cut Edna would gladly have accompanied them, from ear to ear, but the condition of the unfortunate nurse was| Edgar Willard was especially agonized over so serious that she decided it best to remain at the tragic spectacle. the manse with the baby and her. | ‘*My God!” he gasped; **the woman’s fidelity The physician, after learning all that was to | to her better instints has probably cost her her be told, had decided that the young woman was | life. ‘‘O’Meara again! O’Meara again! I'd suffering from the continued and perhaps dan- | almost swear to it! gerous effects of some subtly powerful poison, | _ But the inquest over, the remains of poor Miss as he undertermined, and probably administer- | Raw brought nothing positively to hght. ee y enforced inhalation. | The truth, indeed, came out as to the eloping | | } he seemed only to have retained her ener- | couple having been her tenaporary guests, so to speak, byt that was not seen, in the general opinion, to have any special connection with the crime, | The assassin bad come, slain and gone, with- gies by a supreme effort of will m the child’s behalf, but had steadily sunk upon being placed | in bed and relieved of her responsibility, and | was now delirious, a dangerously and somewhat mysteriously sick young woman. out leaving a trace bebind as to his identity. ‘‘If Miss Raw shall really make everything | The verdict of the coroner’s jury was in ac- clear,” said the old detective, while driving | cordance with the absence of facts. along with bis companion, ‘‘what a splendid | At Miss Raw’s funeral, however, two days thing for you, my boy, out of this miserable | later, a singular incident happened, or one that complication,” was significant for such as are interwoven in ‘IT only hope she may be able to,” returned | this strange narrative’s web and woof. Willard. The burial was conducted without regard to ‘IT haven’t a doubt of it. There’s no denying | expense, under Edgar Willard’s direction, the that the womaun’s sudden evolution of this new | interment being in the old Willard plot in the and benevolent character is most surprising—no | White Plains Cemetery. one could have anticipated it.” As a matter of course, the funeral had at- **True; there’s no denying that.” tracted an immense attendance, by reason of ‘Well, my boy, these unexpectedly rough | the sensation which the mystery of the murder diamonds mostly perform more, and seldom less, | had caused. than they promise, I’ve always noticed that.” But the space about the new-made grave was ‘“*T think you are right.” at last deserted save by the family group, con- ‘Well, and what is it she said her promise sisting of Edgar, Edna and the latter’s father, was worth, when pretending to want half -the | who were moving slowly away from the plot, estate as the price of her secret?” | intending to stop at the adjoining house of the ‘“‘She promised that it would instantly take | care-taker and orist, to arrange for flowers to me out of O’Meara’s power; and, not only that, , be planted as a preliminary to the selection of a suitable monumental stone. but it would render the prosecution of any one | impossible for the murder of Miser John Wil-| They had left the family plot far behind, and lard, of Willard Manse, five years ago, As there were many intervening plots and monu- nearly as I can recollect, that was almost her | ments, but with the former place still conspicu- exact language.” ous by reason of certain ang hen ee Be ‘*The deuce! that ought to be enough.” when Edna, who was lagging a little behind her corapanions chanced to look back. ‘**T should say so,” ** Rather mysterious, too, eh?” Instantly her startled exclamation caused the ** Decidedly so.” others to turn also. | ‘Why, accepting the words of Miss Raw’s ** Look!” she cried; ‘another and still later promise literally, i would apparently turn out | mourner at ler grave.” that oue of two extraordinary things might | She was pointing to an aged figure, the figure of an old man, shabbily attired, that was kneel- ing, bowed as if in prayer, over the new-made grave. At that instant the man’s face came into view —the face of the dead man’s double, whose mys- tery, save for ‘‘the deep damnation of her tak- ing off,” the unfortunate Miss Raw was to have cleared up so effectually. In another instant old Springsteel Steve was bounding toward the spot, in a bee-line that made no account of plots, headstones, tablets or other obstruction in its way. But the mysterious mourner stepped, with seeming leisureliness, out of sight, and when the detective returned from his pursuit a little later, it was only to announce its exasperating non- have happened,” ‘* What are they?” ‘Hither that Miser John Willard murdered himself, or that he wasn’t murdered at all.” ‘It would seem so; and yet either supposi- tion is too preposterous for a moment’s consider- ation. ‘*'Well, thank the Lord! Miss Raw is at last going to unbutton her lip, as she calls it, and our continued suspense will be soon at an end.” He whipped up the team. But just as they were turning into the modest street where Miss Raw resided, Sheriff Langley, who was lounging near, as though expecting them, made a sign, and the team was reined up. ‘**T shouldn’t wonder if you’re doomed to disappointed,” said he, success, “Why do you say that, Jake?’ demanded ‘The deuce take it all!” he growled, wiping Springsteel. the sweat from his brow and slowly recovering ‘* You're on your way to Miss Raw’s cottage, aren’t you?” ‘Of course.” ; : os Well, I shouldn’t wonder if she’s skipped off, ‘* Cottage still shut up?” ‘*'Yes; and she agen fi stirring about and freshening things up before sunrise, according to the neighbors.” / “ Perhaps you'd better come along with us, sense in my composition, ’'d be tempted to be- lieve in the supernaturalness of that old ignis fatuus, after all, I had my hand almost on his very shoulder when he suddenly slipped be- hind a monument and was just—nowhere!” This was in the morning. nounced that he was bent on an expedition, and stepped into the buckboard which had been driven round for him. ‘** Where are you going?” they nr ti ** Do you forget that to-morrow 1s the last day of O’Meara’s allotted week for his alternative to be decided on?” asked Springsteel in return. No; they had not forgotten that; but where was he going? “To Whippoorwill, wherever that may be,” was the parting response, “There is an old shoemaker up that way named Simmons.” a a The sheriff did so, following along on foot. As he had said, the cottage was found closely- barred and closely-shuttered; nor did the most vigorous knocking at the front door awaken anything but hollow echoes for a response, ‘Let’s go round back,” sugges the detec- tive. ‘Perhaps we’ll have better luck there,” He led the way around the side of the house, through a little strip of garden that was unfa- miliar to all the men. ’ There was a little porch and door at the rear, the first sight of which caused the old detective to knit bis brows, ‘Bad, bad!” he muttered. ‘‘ The door has already been forced. See!” and with the mere pressure of his hand he pushed it open, without even turning the knob. ‘Bad, bad! But let us still hope that no misfortune has overtaken the rwoman,” | He preceded bis companions in exploring the rooms. ' At the door of what had been Miss Raw’s sleeping apartment, he suddenly drew back, after looking within, and vs acti with that pe- culiar change of expression that must come into “To interview the Simmonses, the couple who every countenance, however disciplined, when our child you know.” oa fe very unexpectedly into the presence of = es j, but what for?” fb t. eath. on’t you remember Miss Raw sayin at aa pushed forward hurriedly. % fee ah ; edl they were in trouble over their son, a sa misfortune had indeed overtaken the poor sick to death in some aie in New York?” woman, She had been murdered in her bed! Oh, yes; and now I begin to understand There were signs of a fierce but brief struggle CHAPTER XXXV, SUSPENSE. ‘WHERE is Whippoorwill?” asked Edna of her bushand, efter ber father had driven away. ‘*Away up Newcastle and Armonk ways,” he replied. ® “Ob, yes: where r Miss Raw went in search of Willie and the nurse?” , ‘Yes; it is said to be one of the wildest and most picturesque s+ wate in Westchester county— somewhere near Wampus Pond, I believe.” is t can my father want there?” or rather to take over again the impression of poor Miss Raw’s words, Itis probably the same oe: : / re a So By, y “*% , ar “4 é ; Ps ¢ 5 ed his breath; ‘‘ were it not for the ingrained horse- After lunch at the manse, Springsteel an- |. , - : . . . a.) Tee, ‘ Ss a & ae & troay* a me * i? $ ol ™ + = ‘ . > <_Y¥ aden ee a ‘se aT are nee : = b sailor, calling himself Timmins, who was as- sociated with his uncle, the man Swart, or Black, and O’Meara in the—the horror?” ** Probably.” “* And my father is in hopes, on this last day of grace, to secure the sailor’s testimony in your behalf, in case—” She paused, turning pale, not daring to com- plete the sentence. ““Of course, my love!” and he took her pro- tectingly in his arms as he finished it for ber:— **In case O’Meara fulfills his threat of banding me over to the autnorities on the charge.” ** You think he will?” **T haven’t a doubt of it. O’Meara was ever a man of his word when that word was a menace: and he must have seen by this time that it is my intention to calmly defy him. Be- sides, this threat, now that we have our child back, is the last string to his bow, as he would call it. But to-morrow will tell the tale.” “Still, will not the villain surrender his last pecuniary hope by fulfilling his threat?” ** Yes; but be will glut bis spite, which is al- ways something in a devil’s calculations, Be- sides, he might still hope to squeeze me toward the last.” ‘In what way?” **By my weakening, after once fairly experi- encing the inside of a prison cell, with perhaps the gallows staring me in the face.” Edna shuddered, and caught her breath, ‘** It is well to face the worst before it comes,” continued her busband, gravely kissing her. **That would be O’Meara’s last hope:—in my possible desperateness, combined with her offer to effect a seasonable disappearance—for a con- sideration.” **But wait!” she started from bim, pressing her hands to his temples, ‘‘He would not dare to press the charge in person now /” “Why?” ** Could he not be charged with the assassina- tion of Miss Raw?” ‘*Doubtless—as an embarrassing counter- stroke, but no more, Your father and I have talked itover. It is more than likely that the counter-charge could not be sustained with any degree of success,” \ | : ay believe, though, that he murdered er ‘I do, and so does your father. But believing is not proving.” “Stay! Supposing him the perpetrator of the crime, his motive would have been revenge . for what he would deem ber having broken faith with him?” se Yes,” ‘* How could he have known so promptly of her having restored the child to us?) You know how quickly her penalty followed upon that noble act.” Edgar knitted his brows. * That is something both your father and I are puzzled over,” said he, ‘‘O’Meara could only have known of it so promptly by spying around the premises here on that memorable Sunday evening, or by having some one else spying io eavesdropping in his interest,” a e ‘* We have about concluded that it could hard- ly have been O’Meara himself—the risk was. such as he would scarcely have taken—so that it must have been some one else in his interest.” ‘““But thereis not one of our servants who can be suspected of such a thing.” ‘** Not one.” ** Who then could the villain’s spy have been?” ‘** We can think of but one person.” ** Which one?” “The Appearance, the Twin, the Mystery, or — deren howsoever he may be designated—my m grandfather’s Double,” Edna started, and then, after a moment's re- flection, shook her head decisively, “Tt could not be!” she exclaimed, “ That mysterious person, whoever he is, could not be friendly to. O’Meara, It is even doubtful, very doubtful, if O'Meara can know of his existence.” “That is what we bave thought all along. Still, we have not been able to settle upon any other in this connection.” ** My darling! what shall you do if—if you | are arrested?” ‘*Remember Springsteel Steve’s advice first above all things—take things coolly and keep — my mouth sbut,” was the prompt reply. ‘But you will say that you are innocent?” ** Only that.” 1 e = yi will charge O’Meara with Miss Raw’s — murder?” *“*T am not certain—your father will have — thought it over, and have decided, by the time he returns. However, Sheriff Langley would doubtless make that charge, in any event. He believes in the scoundrel’s guilt no less than we; and is, moreover, still running over with wound- ed self-love and secret resentment, by reason of that ridiculous elopement. “True. Poor Miss Libby! And no wonder that poor Mr. Langley feels sore at having been thrown over for such a scoundrel, though she is — likely to rue the fault so dearly. Well, should Sheriff Label 4 ora to _ counter- char u 4 m GI "CO > be . . * ‘ . , . ag . “te . a a tl — = "oa vs 4 ae. err e a Bey Ga 5 53°