Beadle's Dime Library No. 527 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective.. that face, though the little eyes were closed. Nor emptiness draw that sigh of deep content from his aromatic lips as the flask was lowered, at length. **Good Lawd! that never come out o’ Tip- Top, or they’s a shebang bin started thar sence I sampled ’em all!” he ejaculated, lovingly eying the receptacle as he added: ‘' Jest one fault to find, an’ that is, she ain’t a hull bar’l! Ef it was— Hellow\” . In turning the flask about in his hands, ad- miring its rich yet neat style, his little eyes rested on a monogram etched in the silver plate, though a casual glance might pass over it as only a bit of ornamental work, *Thar’s a big H, an’ a big M, an’ a—durned ef the cobwebs ain’t so thick in my throat I[ cain’t jest see cl’'ar!” he chuckled, lifting the flask to his lips and slowly elevating it until the bottom pointed toward the zenith, He maintained this position until the last drop of the loved poison trickled from the flask, heaving a regretful sigh as he was forced to realize this fact. ‘* That’s the wu'st o’ these weenty bit bottles,” with a mournful wag of his head as he sniffed at the little opening before replacing the silver cap. ‘Ef fe enowed how to fill itseif up jest as fast as a feller emptied it, I wouldn’t ax nothin’ better in this life! But es sech a merrycle cain’t be, s’pose we look fer ’nother bonanza!” But if Uncle Billy hoped to discover another flask of liquor, he was doomed to suffer disap- pointment, for no such treasure turned up, He unearthed two other suits of clothes, each befitting a distinctive character, with wigs and beards to each one, but as the pockets of both were fonnd empty, he quickly pushed them back into the hole again. ‘This is my honey, [ reckon,” as he curiously inspected the beard and wig so recently worn by George Taylor. ‘* An’ mebbe ’twon’t do no mighty harm ef I jest tote’em along. I don’t reckon they’d fetch sech a mighty pile o’ ding- bats at auction, or ef shoved up the spout, but— they’s a heap o’ speckilation into’em fer all that! All it wants is to run up ag’inst the right man, an’ I’m goin’ to keep huntin’ ontel I do find him! Then—waal, Uncle Billy’ll jest set up in business!” th fal CHAPTER XV. DANDY ANDY’S PEDIGREE, JASPER CLARE stood watching Andrew Grif- fin as long as his trim, fashionable figure re- mained in sight, then drew a Jong breath that was not far from being a sigh. Hardly of grief, however, judging from the words which dropped alraost unconsciously as he saw the Diamond Detective enter his hotel: ‘*T'd give a blessed pocketful if it was out of the world you were going, instead of into it!” His grim play on the name of the hotel brought no light to his face, and there was dark, dee trouble to be read in his eyes as he turned Wadi to the room in which he had entertained his visitor. aiid doa heavily into a chair, Jasper Clare bowed his face upon his hands, resting both el- bows on his desk, resigning himself to thought which could be neither light nor pleasant. Among other things he recalled how close to- gether be had seen their heads—the heads of that scented fop and that of the girl for whom he had rowed eg so many restless hours of late— when slowly passing by the little bakery. Pass- ing, not because business drew him ie sh that quarter of the town, but because he fairly hungered for a sight of that fair young face. _“*Curse him fora pnrring tiger!” suddenly lifting bis head and crashing his clinched hands on the desk before him, ‘* What brings him here? What keeps him, unless—” The harsh, unnatural sound of his own voice seemed to startle the Boss of Tip-Top, for he cut his words short, flashing a swift glance around the room, as though more than alf-expecting to find himsel! with company, instead of alone. With the manner of one who strives to banish unwelcome thoughts, Jasper Clare unlocked a draw in his desk, taking out some papers and bending his head over them, slowly shifting one for another, as a man might do who was trying to thoroughly master their contents, He kept at his task doggedly, though the effort was plain, and the result anythiug but satisfac- tory to himself, His usually iron will was of no avail now. He could not concentrate his thoughts on other than the scene which he had witnessed that afternoon, and the principal actors In it. ‘* Look out, vou!” he uttered, barely above a whisper, but harsh and full of concentrated batred, mingling with menace as hiseyes flashed a glance through the window looking toward ‘the World Hotel. “TI hoped the past was dead. { hoped never again to play the red band. But —if you’re wise, Dandy Andy, you'll pull out 0’ Tip-Top in a burry!” Few of those wbo honored and looked up to Jasper Clare as 4 model of business honor, pro- bity, and respectobility would have recognized that passion-inflamed face just then! And fewer still would have given their model credit for the dark and troubled past which was re- vived by that fierce outburst, Clare himself seemed half-frightened by his unusual ferocity, for he lost a good bit of his color as he glanced toward the door, like one who suspects the possibility of eavesdropping. He forced a laugh at the wild idea, a moment later, then again tried to busy himself with the documents. As before, the effort was a failure, Admitting this, he thrust them back into the drawer, closing and locking the receptacle as before. Snatching up his hat he left the house, strid- ing swiftly along the lonely street until reaching a saloon, With a short nod of greeting to the attendant behind the bar, he poured out a heavy dram and swallowed it at a gulp. His hand was still grasping the decanter, and only for catching the faint surprise written on the face of the barkeeper, Clare would have repeated the dose. As it was, he muttered something, he never knew what, paid for the liquor and left the saloon. Three several times he repeated this action, though never until thut day had any man in Tip-Tog known him to drink recklessly. Yet the powerful liquor had no more effect upon him than if the draughts had been so much limpid water. Outwardly this was the case, but his brain seemed on fire, and he grew less able to fight against the temptation which was assailing him with steadily growing force. . ‘*Why not?” be inwardly debated. ‘‘ The silly little fool can’t fully realize what a dirty cur he is, with his frills and his scallops, his smiles and his smirks! Tl spoil that baby mug of his if he don’t skip out—too quick!” He paused with a start, the color fading just a bit in his face as he saw whither his footsteps bad led him; directly opposite the bakery where the young couple, popularly known as the ‘* Twins of Tip-Lop,” ived under the guardian wing of worthy Sally Bunch, Through the open door Jasper Clare caught a glimpse of Annie Mason, her fair head bent over—was it a letter? or was it a photograph? The Boss of Tip-Top did not pause to answer either of these questions, but crossed the street with hasty strides, entering the bakery and as- certaining by a glance that Annie was alone be- hind the counter, She glanced up at bisstep, and her color deep- ened a trifle as whatever interested her vanished from sight beneath the counter, so deftly that even his suspicious eyes had failed to recognize its identity. ‘You wish—how can I serve you, Mr, Clare?” That musical voice, just the least bit shy and unsteady, seemed to calm his heated brain and steady his jangled nerves. Once more he was the cool, clear-witted man of business, so far as outward seeming went, He stood quietly before the counter, one hand lightly resting upon the barrier, the other slow- ly passing over his. beard. There was a grave, half-pitying light in his eyes that gave Annie a rsciee uneasiness as she noted it, and faintly ut- tered: " rs Mark—brother—nothing has happened to im ¢ ‘** Not to my knowledge, Miss Mason,” quickly reassured the mining magnate, ‘‘ As I told you, { gave him leave of absence this afternoon. No doubt he is improving it by one of his strolls in- to the hills,” ‘IT feared—I did not know,” stammered the maiden, her eyes dropping before that steady gaze. “I have felt uneasy all this afternoon, as though something serious was on the point of happening. They say that twins—I beg pardon, sir,” flushing vividly.. ‘‘Can I serve you in any way to-day?” Yes,” was the quick response as he flashed a half-frown toward the closed door, leading to the living rooms back of the shop, from whence came the shrill, cracked notes of a camp meeting hymn. ‘* You can, and serve yourself at the same time, Miss Mason. Shall J tell you how?” Annie murmured something which he took as an assent. ‘* By listening to my warning, Annie, without taking offense where only good is intended, Do you know—you cav’t know what sort of char- acter that fellow bears, or you’d shut the door in his face as—” **I don’t understand, sir!” faltered Annie, flushing warmly, then turnin ig as swiftly. Jasper Clare noted this, re] e knew that sbe did understand, at least in part. The fact helped to'steady him again, and he spoke in a grave, earnest, almost parental manner. ‘IT mean the person who calls himself Andrew Griffin. The fellow whom I found in here a short time ago, who—” “A simple customer, sir, whose money we need to help keep the wolf from the door,” cold- ly interposed the maiden, something like a flash of resentment filling her bright eyes, ‘* You are angry at me for being so officious, Miss Mason, but even at the risk of incurring your dislike, T must perform what I believe is my bounden duty, ‘*That fellow introduced himself to you as Andrew Griffin. Possibly that is his rigbtful name. I can say nothing to the contrary. But beyond that one point, he bas lied to you as to all Tip-Top!” - : —", «<. ar. ‘** You forget, Mr. Clare, that—” ‘*] forget all else when I see that vile hunter of men fawning at your feet, Annie,” was tha impetuous interruption, ‘I forget everything else when I see him here at all hours of the day—” ** As a paying customer, please bear in mind, sir!” flashed Aunie, her hand trembling just a bit as she reached toward the little bell standing on the counter, by means of which a customer could summou attendance should the shop be empty for the moment, But Jasper Clare caught her hand before she could summon Sally Bunch from her work, and held it so firmly that she couid not release it without a struggle, ‘‘T must say more, now I have said so much, Annie,” bis tones growing unsteady, his eyes glowing redly. ‘Ill give you the pedigree of this human leodboune, then ir you will rush into his snare, it will leave my mind free from blame. ** Dandy Andy he is called in Tip-Top, The Diamond Detective he is even more widely known in other circles, He is a detective from choice—he runs men down to a shameful death through pure love of the hunt. And there is where his diamonds come from: each one has been bought with blood-money! To each one hangs a dead man! ‘You shiver? You tremble and turn pale?” with a short, barsh laugh. ‘‘ Yet you smile upon the man who wears them! You blush as your little ears drink in his lying words! ou— Annie freed her band from his grasp, but she made no effort to strike the bell, Instead she confronted the balf-mad, helf-drunken mag- nate, her face white but fearless, her eyes glow- ing vividly, her tones low bat even and clear: ‘*You have no right to speak to me in this manner, Mr. Clare, and if you bave nothing more pertinent to say, I beg that you will ex- cuse me from listening further,” “If I have—Annie!” his pent-up passions fairly bursting all barrier, though nothing bad been further from his intention when he crossed that threshold, ‘“‘Can’t you see? Are you so blind? It is love—wild, blind, unreasoning if you will, but love such as only one man in ten thousand is capable of feeling fora woman! If it were less, think you I aoe dare your hatred thus? If I loved you less madly, less entirely, wouldn’t { risk the rich reward I covet by de- nouncing that bloodhound—that cur on whom I saw you smiling and—” The words stuck in his throat, so intense was his emotions, and as he gasped for breath, An- nie Mason managed to utter: ‘*]T never—you must not speak—” j ‘‘T must and shall, my angel!” Jasper Clare interposed, swiftly catching her hand as it once more moved toward the bell, ‘ Annie, I love you with all my heart! I ask you to become my wife! And once we are married, Dll take precious good care that hound never comes near enough to breathe the same air with the girl he thought to snare!” Annie Mason made one effort to free her hand then stood pale and unresisting, her eyes fixed steadily upon his flushed face, though her cheeks gained color as she heard these words. They sounded so confident, so sure of success! Despite his strong emotions, Jasper Clare acted and spoke like one who never even dreamed of re- jection! Something in that steady gaze cut his swift speech shorter than he intended, and as his voice died away, Annie spoke, clear and cold: ‘Under other circumstances, Mr, Clare, I might thank you for this honor; no doubt you consider it such. Now, after your brutal con- duct, | simply say that I will nevery marry yaqu, | I do not, could not love you. And one more scene like this would make me-—-despise you, sir! She freed her hand and struck the bell sharp- ly. Just in time! Fairly beside himself with rage and chagrin, Jasper Clare leaned over and grasped her in his arms, hoarsely crying: ; ‘* You refuse me? You dare to—” ‘* Git out, you pesky critter!” came a sbrill, cracked treble, as Sally Bunch sbot into the room, brandishing a dripping mop, to sweep it fairly across the face and eyes of the magnate of Tip-Top! He did *‘ git out,” with more haste than grace! CHAPTER XVI. A BROKEN-HEARTED FATHER. NEVER mortal man suffered a more complete defeat! Never ardent lover left the presence of his lady-love in such shameful disorder! Slender though her arms migbt be, Sally Bunch was muscular enough to wield that fa- miliar weapon with wonderful effect, and slap- dash! The dripping rags saluted the face of the magnate until, blinded, choking, cursing, splut- tering vicious threats, he reeled out of the little — shop and beat a hasty retreat! *Talktome! Say youwon’t! Cuss an’ blas- pheme like—” ’ Sally Bunch broke off with a frightened cry as she turned tosee Annie sinking against the wall, white, shivering, fainting! Cs) Eomilchboo