Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 532 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 He did not appear over twenty-five, and when the girl entered he was seated in an arm-chair, with his legs complacently crossed, and a. newly- lighted cigar between his lips. is attire was clean and faultless, and one would have thought that the girl bad disturbed one who was himself waiting the appearance of the man whose name was on the sign, But, the lady visitor seemed to know that she hai fourd the right person, for she came for- ward, while his expressive gray eyes scanned ber keenly, and said with a polite bow: **Good-morning, sir!” The man returned the salutation with a smile and waved his caller to a chair, ‘*ITam glad I have found you,” said the girl, “You are Jack Javert?” ** They call me that sometimes, Will you be so obliging as to give me your name?” ‘*J am Lucy Lemon. I have sought you about a matter in which lam Ecnoaniah: but I must say, beforehand, that [am not rich enough to reward you for any trouble you may be put to in my behalf unless—” **Do not let a want of means bother you,” Javert interrupted, smiling encourayingly. “You may speak without reserve here. There isan old saying that the first customer of the week, if a lady, brings the establishment good luck, and [am therefore more than willing to listen to you.” The girl smiled as she colored and proceeded, crossing ber white hands on ber lap, ‘*T have been sent to you by a lady with whom I live sometimes; but aside from this, I bave a little matter of my own to talk about. In the first place, you are asked to call at number 981, M—— street, at the earliest practicable moment —the sooner the betterI think from what I know.” **Does your mistress live there?” “She does, She is known as Mrs, Juliette Jansen. You may have heard of her.” “‘Isshe the lady who had the runaway in Central Park last week?” The girl bowed. **'Yes; the papers were full of it,” she an- swered, ‘‘ It was a miraculous escape. The phaeton ~was smashed and the horse kuled,. It is Mrs, -Jansen who wishes to see you on particular busi- ness. ‘** How long have you served Mrs, Jansen?” ‘* About three months off and on,” was the answer. ‘‘f am not in her regular employ. When I am wanted she knows where to find me, a ‘* Are your parents living, Lucy?’ The girl started a little at the question, ** Pardon me,” added the detective, ‘‘I meant nothing out of the way.” ** You have not offended,” and the girl’s eyes brightened. ‘‘l was coming to that very sub- ject. I am through with my duty for I have delivered the message, and you know where you are wanted. Do you want to ask anything about Mrs. Jansen?” ~~ *Yes, one or two questions. In the first place, does Juliette have many visitors just now?” ‘Not many.” ‘** But she has some?” we Yes, ” 1 ** New Yorkers?” ** Not all of them, I think,” ‘* Some foreigners, eh?” **T think so,’ ‘“‘Has anytbing startling happened that Ju- liette particularly needs my services?” “cc Yes,” ‘* What do you think it is?” ‘*T can only tell you what I have seen,” ‘* Do you care to tell?” **T believe you ought to know,” answered Lucy, ‘‘ and then it appears to be in some manner connected with my own career, This morning I was quitting Mrs. Jansen’s house by the rear dour as I sometimes do when I sleep there, when I heard a wild shriek which made me stop mid- way down the stair. I knewit came from Ju- liette’s room, but I did not think it my duty to intrude. Ina moment, however, I was called in frantic tones by my mistress, and :ushing into the parlor, which adjoins her boudoir, I found her white as a cloth and terribly excited, ‘* But this was not all. On the rich carpet and half way under the piano lay a human figure apparently unconscious, I could see that it was a man, buf the head was so doubled up under the arms that the face was rendered in- visible. Juliette did not pay the slightest at- tention to this object. ‘**T have sustained the greatest loss of my life,’ cried she. ‘The League has struck its hardest blow, and I have suffered. The villains must think no longer that I will remain silent. I turnon them from this moment. 1 want the best sleuth in New York sent hither imme- diately, and they say be is Jack Javert, the In- dependent Vidocg. I want him as soon as he can come.’ Then I received my orders which brought me to you, and I left the house with the man lying on the floor, whether dead or alive [ know not. _“* The figure was dwarfish, I might add,” the girl wenton. ‘I could see that the legs were co unusually short and the arms seemed unnatur- ally long,” ** Do you think your mistress had been rob- bed?” The girl shook her head. ‘* You are not prepared to say, eh?” continued the detective. ‘* Well, we'll let that pass. Now, do you want to come to your own business be- fore I obey Juliette’s summons?” ‘* It isn’t very much,” smiled the girl, ‘* You have asked me about my parents, I have no recollecticn of them, if a certain face which vanisbed long ago was not my mother’s. But here is a letter which was thrust into my hand last night by some one on the street. I looked to see who the person was, but Isaw noone, You don’t know how the writing has mystified me. I think it kept me awake nearly all night, and that is why I was leaving Juliette’s house sO early and was stopped by the cry in the parlor.’ Lucy drew from her bosom a small, crumpled envelope, which she handed to the other, who took it with some eagerness, ‘*You are sure that this is not too private for me, Lucy?” he asked. ‘‘Tam, I don’t know to whom I would rather show it than to you,” The girl watched him with considerable curi- osity when he leaned toward the window and read: ‘*My Dear Miss:— ‘‘Why don’t you keep your eyes and ears open and learn something to your advantage? You are not the orphan ou think yourself, and if you show a disposition to look after *‘ number one,’ you can be somebody right here in New York. All the riches in this metropolis don’t belong to the nabobs. You have a right to some, and if, as I have said, zon will work for them, you can feather your nest in more ways than one. What do you say? Walk slowly across Union Square tu-morrow night at eight if you are willing todo your share. [f not, keep your distance. There are those who will take the tide at its flood. Dare you show your mettle? ** FoRTUNE.”’ ** What do you think?” asked the girl. ‘* A strange scheme,” said Javert,. * Is it genuine?” ‘*T am not prepared to say.” **Don’t you see that it tries to connect my association with Juliette Jansen with the se- cret of my parentage and with the fortune hinted at?” ** You discovered this?’ laughed the young ‘* independent.” ‘* Yes, and it did not take me very long, either, It is there in black and white.” “Soitis, The place where you are to kee eyes and ears open is undoubtedly Juliette’s house. That much is quite clear. Now, are you anxious to go on?” ** Do you mean, will I walk across the Square as a token that I will embark in this mysterious enterprise whatever it is?” sb es,” ‘* 1 certainly shall do so!” declared the child woman, starting forward. ‘Something tells me that I have reached the apg a eae in my career. Where will you be while [ am in the Park to-night?’ ‘*T cannot say,” replied the detective, ‘‘ Just now I have business with Madam Jansen, [ think this is the beginning of a very interesting case. . CHAPTER II. DEATH’S SORCERY, WHILE this scene was transpiring in the de- tective’s office in the heart of the great metropo- lis other events of a somewhat startling nature were taking place among the abodes of the wealthy. In certain quarters no man was better known than Ruff Raymont, Surrounded by ricbes that were supposed to reach into the millions, and the tenant of a splen- did house, which wasa palace of luxury, he was believed to pass his time in luxurious ease and happiness, Nobody dreamed that Mr. Raymont_ had visi- tors whom he would not introduce to the society in which he moved, for no one went to the pains of setting a watch on his house or his movements or his associations, Ruff Raymont seemed to have reached his fiftieth year. He was afine looking person with a steel-gray eye which could grow animated at will, and his clothes were always elegant and models of adjustments, About the same hour of Lucy Lemon’s appear- ance in the detective’s office, a woman with fea- tures rather suspiciously vailed mounted the steps of the Raymont residence and rather ner- vously jerked the bell-pull. The door was immediately opened. “Mr. Raymont is not yet up,” answered the maid in rather loud tones when the caller had inquired for her master. ‘ ‘““Who is down there, Sybil?’ called a voice from above, ** A lady, sir,” replied the girl. . ** Send her up to the library. I will be there in a moment.” **{ did not think he was up,” said the servant apologetically. ‘‘ You will find the library be- yond the first door tu the left at the top of the at . od Ps ‘ r Wee an LA.) ae fe . Mel” topes LO Eee ae o_O gg Jack Javert, the Independent Detective. step,” and stepping aside she saw the vailed wo- man go up the steps and vanish, The early caller had no difficulty in finding the hbrary. lt was ante when she entered, and, as she threw back the dark vail which till then, had concealed her features, she dropped into a luxurious chair to wait for the master of the house. She had not long to wait, for soon the door opened almost noiselessly and the woman turned to see Raymont already in the middle of the room, where the man of money halted, a bue of paleness on his cheeks, But, this was only mo- mentary, for he came forward again and looked down into the woman’s face—a fice that ap- peared stampec with victory of some kind, ‘* Good-morning,” said the woman, holding out a white hand, the tips of whose fingers Ray- mont touched, and then dropped as though he had unwittingly taken up an adder. ‘We have not met for some time,” continued the caller, ‘*No,” replied the man, through the city now?” , ‘‘Passing through the city?’ she echoed. ‘‘No, I have come to New York to remain an indefinite period. Look at this, general.” As sbe finished, she dropped one of her hands into a pocket among the folds of her dress and produced a delicate, cream-colored card, on which was to be seen, in small script, the words: “ ZUBIANO! QUEEN OF SORCERY. Daughter of the Stars.” Raymont glanced at the card. ‘‘ When did you assume your titles?” he asked, ‘** About the time you took your last one,” was quick the retort. ‘*Where is your temple of mystery?” con- tinued Raymont. ‘* It is unknown as yet to my future patrons,” answered the ‘‘sorceress.” I have gone no further than the card indicates. Ina few hours my temple will be open to the curious, and I will begin a career which will eclipse any of its kind, You do not congratulate me, general!” A cloud came down over Raymont’s brow, It was easily seen that he was trying to fight some- thing back, ‘* { wish you success,” said he. ‘* But you will find New York overrun by people who deal in the black art. The columns of the daily papers will suffice to tell you this.” : ‘‘ Don’t they all thrive?’ demanded Zubiano, leaning toward Raymont, and resting on one of the armsof the chair a hand which carried a single ring, whose crest was a serpent’s head with dia- mond eyes. ‘* Why should I fail, I whoam the equal of your best sorceresses? Mankind are fools, General Raymont. The world is full of dupes, and before the ink of my announcement is dry, 1 will have scores at my shrine, [ think you doubt my claim to the double title of Queen of Sorcery and Daughter of the Stars. You ought to know that I am capable of doing some- thing.” With a curious smile on her lips, the woman pushed hack her chair. ) Is your door locked?” she asked Raymont. ‘ No. ‘* May I lock it?” “ec Yes.” She glided across the room, closely watched by the man of money, and turned the key, ‘‘We want no spies bere. [don’t like them anywhere, but here of all places. Now, let me show you how I have improved since we met Jast. Let mesee. How long has that been?” oa You probably knew. our memory seems “Are you passing ‘* So it is,” was the response. ‘‘ Well, we won't discuss the point, for I doubt not that your memory on that score is as guod as mine. y the way, have you ever heard of Xerxes?” ) ‘Nor of Monte?” “ No ” ‘* Nor of Captain Cinnabar and the rest?” Raymont shook his head with emphasis, ‘* That is curious,” continued the woman, who stcod at the table while she talked, turning the serpent ring on her finger, though she was watching Ruymont through her long black Jash- es. ‘*One would have thought that some of them must have turned up erethis, I did not suppose they were the men to keep off the stage. But,” with a sudden smile, “‘ maybe they have grown rich like you, general, and need not play night hawk and mountain wolves any more, ‘ T don’t know,” answered Raymont. ‘* You seem to know more about some people than I do. The sorceress made no reply, but her fingers suddenly stopped turning the ring, and dropped to her side, “Let the old gang go,” she urged. “Tt am not going to call one of them back by any arts I may possess, I think I ought to hate the most of them with a hatred born in Tartarus. But now for a sample of my skill, general.” She stepped clear of the table, and, standing straightly erect her bands were thrown upwar to her shoulders, and, asif by magic, her outer garment dropped gracefully to the floor, and Gomicbooks Se cor