Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 574 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

Pr cate tt eee eHTy 4 = 22 Old Falcon’s Double, ed his appearance greatly, and bad seemed to be in high feather. He was in a cabriolet, to- gether with a distinguished looking woman, but after an unsuccessful chase, Howland had finally lost sight of his fugitive amid tbe thronging vehicles of the Rue de Helder. As for Spender, he was no less certain that he had also got a transient view of the hide-and- seek fugitive. It was early in the afternoon, and among the multitudinous tombs of Pere la Chaise itself, that he had seen him in a workingman’s blouse, it was but for an instant, however, the man vanishing no less mysteriously than he had ap- peared, , ** Look you, my friends,” said the detective’s Doublo, when the trio of experiences had been duly comparéd, ‘all this is very extraordinary, but it can be explained. You are no less sure than Charles is, Cousin Hugh?” **T think so,” replied Spender, with a slight hesitation. ‘‘The man’s beard was likewise grown in full, but I felt quite certain he could be none other than Burley.” **But wasn’t he somewhat more robust of person than you would look for in Burley?” ** Decidedly so; but the latter may have grown more than that pareing glimpse, They were all agreed that this was the ex- planation of the enigma, or what had at first seemed such. ‘For the first day of our new order of search, Borleo has reason to be as suspicious of untried menaslIam. He had doubtless said to himself: ‘ How do I know that this fellow of the sailor’s blouse is notaspy of the police? Let me not display my gratitude over-hastily.’ Juan Bor- leo was consequently not on hand at the place of appointment; there was another in his stead,” ** Another?” ‘‘ Yes: madame’s confidential servant.” ** Who is ‘madame’ ?” ‘‘ VTadame la Comtesse d’Espigneau.” ** And pray who is she?” ‘* The fine lady who was with Juan Borleo in the cabriolet.” ‘* Ah! he has then made an opportune con- quest, and in high life?” sé Yes,” ‘* But countesses do not ride in cabriolets.” **Not often, most likely, or save as a sensa- tion.” ‘‘ Well, this is decidedly interesting at all events, Proceed, J oseph.” “The substitute made the first advances, not I. He made himself known, said there were imperative reasons for monsieur’s extreme cau- tion, and asked me for my history.” proving my wardrobe, but no more, Then fol- lowed the theater in his company, and after that the dinner at the Cafe de Brazil. That is all; but. perhaps it is not so bad for a beginning, eb? Why?” she asked. ‘*'You observe,” pointing, ‘‘ yonder secluded little rustic bench among the trees?” “ec Yes,” ‘* It is the play inthe me there this evening.” She looked at him searchingly, and with per- haps a lingering suspicion, which the other was quick to apprehend. The Corsican shrugged his shoulders, ** Tsn’t it rather late in the day to mistrust me now, comrade?” he gravely inquired. ‘*T do not really mistrust you, Razzio,” earn- estly. ‘‘Only this easy and convenient dove- tailing of coincidences and the like, cannot but excite my—wonder.” **T shall cheerfully make clear whatever may be not so as yet.” ‘* Why should you have a rendezvous with my man bere in the Bois, instead of at one of his petit cafes, as heretofore?” ** He is daily growing more wary. Besides, I fixed the rendezvous at his request, and we are to confer upon a ticklish subject.” ** What is that?” ** Upon a scheme for breaking the rouge et noir bank at Monte Carlo. Weare both gam- He will confer with - stouter, you know.” etd OY blers, he and 1, and Borleo is certain he has hit | ** Possibly, But wasn’t there the suggestion ‘*T first satisfied myself that the little secre- | upon a sure system, or martingale. I am to fa of the sailor in this man’s workingman’s dress?” | tary was safe, and then complied with his re- | give him my opinion of it here at dusk this 3) ‘‘Yes. Now I come to think of it, there | quest. You see, comrade, I did not forget you; | evening.” ti. was,” was bound to become thick with this Juan **Good! Butthen Burley was not a gamester va ‘Everything is clear. Charles must have | Borleo.” when in New York.” sul glimpsed at the real John Burley, while your ~ ae: ‘* Always, though in secret. He has avowed man, Cousin Hugh, was no doubt one with my ‘* Well, it was a go. Another appointment | it to me. Besides, a West Indian Creole, and as Corsican, who must bave drifted over in your | was made, and next day Imet my man. He| nota gambler? What an anomaly!” ro quarter of the city in the afternoon, and whose | was not only grateful, but insisted on my accept- ‘¢ Excellent, then! I shall be here with a, shyness would have prevented your obtaining | ing some money. I did so to the extent of im- | friends to pounce upon him at the appointed time.” *“You have the necessary prefecture papers in readiness?” ; {6 Vas,” ‘Good! and you won’t forget my case?” , a] “ye we are getting along amazingly,” cried Eleanor, ‘*By no means. You have done splendidly, ‘“‘By no means, It will be necessary for you - ** Let us but keep it up persistently, and we can | Jose But still—” to submit to the extradition, of course; but I _ _., gsearcely fail of success, But, if the truth must ‘* Speak out, comrade,” will stand by you, even to the extent of aecom- : be told, I have more faith in the promised co- **T don’t see why you have delayed so about ! panying you back to Barcelona, if indispensa- “: operation of my extraordinary Corsican thanin | notifying me of your progress at the address I | ble; where, if your story can be corroborated, Af aught else to that end,” gave you.” I guarantee to see you escape punishment,” , But much disappointment was destined to in- | - ‘Softly, comrade, All in good time. I no ‘Oh, the story isail right. Corpo di Bac- : tervene, longer belong to myself, since making the ac- | chio!” with a chuckle of intense paren by The three days following were mere blanks, | quaintance, but to Juan Borleo.” ‘not a male Valletto left in the world, while “as not a sign or suggestion of the quarry being ob- ‘** Please explain.” the male Razzios are still represented ahove f tained by either of the searchers. *Tcan go nowhere without having a spy at | ground. A brave vendetta, comrade— Hist! \e ** Courage!” exclaimed Eleanor, who alone of | my heels—either the little secretary, or some | slip behind and out of sight.” the trio, never seemed to Jose heart in the least, | other of madame’s retinues, I have only es- ‘* What is the matter?’ R ** Paris is a vast place, and Burley has surely | caped them now by good luck, and it cannot be ‘‘The little secretary of Madame la Comtesse! ai vot quitted its precincts as yet, or I should have | for long. A spy may appear hereabouts at any | Don’t you see him at the end of the walk yon- | received an intimation.” moment. In that case be careful to keep out of | der, and strolling this way? Quick!” y The next day was a sagen: the great pleasur- | sight, comrade, or it may ruin all. onsieur Eleanor caught a glimpse of the spy, and then ing day of the Parisians, and, on Eleanor’s part Pe is still by no means certain of me, as I eietes away. | at least, there was a better success, id.” he had half a notion to watch the pair from sa She was strolling on the western and less fre- “The countess must think a good deal of the | some lurking placein the wood, but thought _ quented side of the Bois, when a man approach- | man,” better of it. ' ed whom she instantly recognized as Joseph}| ‘She is distractedly in love with him, Should P | _ _Bazzio. all go well—his safety from prosecution be as- CHAPTER XXXVIII, . es The seafaring suggestion had disappeared | sured, for instance—there will doubtless be a THE LAST OF THE RAZZIOS. from his aspect, and he was now rather smartly | marriage.” NATURALLY enough, there was much jubila- . attired,after the manner of a prosperous artisan ‘Tg the woman really a countess?” tion on the part of Charles Howland and Hugh on his holiday. “Undoubtedly, but—” Razzio made a slight | Spender over the news that was brought home be ** You have not been to see me, as I expected,” | grimace, as to imply that the noble lady’s repu- | to them by the detective’s Double when they all said Eleanor, y tation was not of the best. met inthe Ruede Bandeur latein the after- v **Tt would not have been safe as yet, friend,” ‘“‘ What is she like?” asked Eleanor, curi- | noon of that day, for there had been no ee _ ‘wasthereply. ‘‘ Juan Borleo is still suspicious | ously. in the monotony of bad luck for either of the | of my disinterestedness, I am sure.” ‘*Pronouncedly passee—forty-fivs, if a day; | pair. + ‘‘What! you have made the man’s acquaint- | Jarge, and a blonde, perhaps of some beauty in ‘* Rough customer as he is,” exclaimed Cousin ance?” the dim past; rich, an inveterate gambler; and | Hugh, ‘ we’ll have to stand by this Corsican, if _ “Weenjoyed the theater together night be- | I would not care to test her temper.” he shall only make gcod his promise.” fore last, and I dined with him at the Cafe de ‘* Where is her hotel?” “That is true,” observed Howland, | ‘‘ Still, Brazil yesterday.” ** Rue de Helder, No, 423.” in spite of my hopefulness, I can’t get rid of a tee ‘Why, this is no less gratifying than surpris- ‘How could Borleo have fallen into such | certain dubiousness,” <a ing 1” luck?” ‘But Razzio is to be trusted,” said Eleanor. _“T rather thought it would please you, Signor | ‘‘Comrade, the mysteries of providence ayd | ‘I feel certain of that.” Falconbridge.” . love are alike inscrutable,” * Apart from this, I know Burley of old. « ‘' How did you make his acquaintance?” ‘* But Burley cannot venture to live at her | His penetration is extraordinary, while his cun- “By the rarest luck. Late in the afternoon | hotel?” ning, on occasion, can approximate to genius.” Of that first day of my making your acquaint- ‘* He doas not so venture.” “You haven't talked with my Corsican, or — ance so oddly, comrade, a horse attached toa ** What can be his life in Paris, then?” you would scarcely fear for him, However, cabriolet ran away near the Are de Triomphe, “Tt isa mystery. I donbtif he lodges a week | what can either of you know of this Countess d’ _ Istopped him at some risk to myself. A gentle- | at a time in one place; he chooses obscure cafes, at owe man and a fine lady were its inmates, and, as} and probably never patronizes the same one ‘*T have heard of her, and that is all,” replied _ there was a smashed wheel, thev were compelled twice successively.” Howland. - todescend, The gentleman’s facial likeness to ‘‘ And yet he cah venture to appear in public ‘Why, the woman is notorious!” cried Spen- moyself was marked. I knew that Juan Borleo was before me. He was grateful, and offered ‘me money, which I declined notwithstanding I was in sore need. He then gave me the address _of an obscure cafe, saying that he would thank me at his leisure in the evening, naming the with Madame la Comtesse; and he hesitated not to show himself at the theater with you.” ‘* True; but such instances are rare, 1 think.” ** Constantly on the alert?” ‘* Like a lynx.” | ** Ah! let me not forget: Can he, think you, der, **Tn what way?” “Every way that’s bad. Rich, an inveterate and singularly fortunate gamester, ostracized by her aristocratic circle—who are perbaps only more secret in their corruption—unscrupulous, hour. | surmise of my being here in Paris as yet?” and strongly suspected of poisoning her hus- Here Razzio came to a pause, his bearded Jips **T think not.” band, ten vears ago, whose vast wealth she in- ae wearing their peculiar smile, ““'Then why should he be so painfully on the | herited, and, strangely enough, has managed to _ * Well, you went, I suppose?” alert?” keep.” ' ** Of course.” ‘* Robbersalways are. They don’t know when ‘*A remarkable character, truly, and doubt- _ “But why did you not notify me of the ap- | their turn may come, you know.” less one to ably defend her fiance, if the Corsi- pointment without delay?” can is right in deeming Burley to be such.” “YT do nothing unreflectingly, comrade, J “Then you can’t oP when or where I can lay hold of him **T don’t doubt it,” observed Howland, a little ‘*The scoundrel would be just the “= fy a make sure. True, I went to the cafe, but Juan “Yes, I am here for that purpose; it is, there- |} gloomily. bd did not. He broke the appointment.’ fore, fortunate that I have chanced to meet you | man to fascinate the passe imagination of such oot | in this lonely quarter of the Bois, as I had | a creature.” a CHAPTER XXXVII. hoped.” | ‘Like enough,” interposed Cousin Hugh. — seid! JOSEPH RAZZIO’S PROGRESS. Eleanor’s heart gave a great exultant bound. | ‘‘ And should we fail to nab our man this even- ing, the interior of her hotel in the Rue de Hel- der would be a dangerous place to look for him, © without an extra amount of finesse.” | ee ‘That is doubtless true, but we must notevem a» ‘ ; } ! ” i) - -ELEANoR gazed at the Corsican inquiringly. | Was it peeve that sbe was then near the end “IT see,” she said. ‘‘ He had deceived you, and of this detective masquerading, of which, in her _ you had suspected that he would?” secret sense of modesty, she was daily growing hia Exactly,” replied Joseph Razzio, ‘‘ Juan ' more wearied and impatient? « é oe a é ?. J ee oo" Skis e J a, i a bes PF . ’ - 7 ¢ o