Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 574 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

| ? Old Falcon’s Double. 27 Falcon Detective quietly came out of the mist | and dust of it all, calm and erect. The man who lay bleeding, torn, handcuffed, half-senseless, behind him, with his disguising priestly garb in rags, was John Burley. She then heroically devoted herself to minis- tering to the comfort of the culprit, Burley, otherwise Borleo, by every means in her power before the time ordered for his trial. He had maintained a stubborn reticence and ‘* A tougher job than I had looked for!” re- | indifference to bis fate from the very first hour marked Falconbridge, stooping down to a little | of bis capture, spring of water near at hand, and beginning to remove the grime and dust from his bands and face, even without ceasing his explanation, But it was partly my own fault for being taken in by the villain’s submissive plea that | would not humiliate him with the bracelets at once. I thought it would make no difference so long as I kept him covered; but who the deuce could have dreamed of his having a dynamite bomb in his possession?” ‘* A bomb!” exclaimed his Double, half- aghast. He shrugged his shoulders, while shaking the water out of his hair, and pointed to the strip- ped saplings and torn-up earth on the opposite side of the glade, “The deuce, yes! Ue threw it too hard, how- ever, besides missing my head, which was his amiable target, and the next instant I was upon him. A tough job, though, But, come now; I’m somewhat in trim again; so we'll lose no time in handing our prisoners over to the Paris authorities,” ; = nai presented a hideous and pitiable spec- acle. But they managed to restore him to conscious- ness, and wash him up a bit, after which he maintained a sullen silence, but proceeded along with his captors submissively. The countess had been very demonstrative and tender in her ministrations, *“You have committed no crime, my dear love,” said she, just before the procession was formed, ‘‘ Fear nothing. I shall hurry back to Paris by some private conveyance, in ad- vance of these ruffians, in order to procure you legal and medical assistance,” ‘** You'll do nothing of the sort, ma’m!” inter- posed Falconbridge, grimly. ‘‘ You'll go back with us just as we are; and you'll not enter your botel again till I interview a couple of your re- tainers there who may chance to know some- thing of a certain murder in the Bois de Bou- logne but a short time ago, All in readiness, my friends!” CHAPTER XLVII. “THE WAYS OF THE TRANSGRESSOR,” ON arriving in Paris, Falconbridge lost no time in turning over the captured Burley to the custody of the Prefect, with such information as opened that functionary’s eyes pretty wide as to the capacity and secrecy of American de- _ tectives even on a foreign soil. He then requested the services of one of the regular detectives of the Prefecture, and Mad- ame la Comtesse was thus accompanied back to her hotel. There the municipal officer held strict guard over her in one room, while Falconbridge summoned the secretary and the old valet before im, He directly charged them both with having witnessed the murder of Joseph Razzio at Bur- ley’s hands. Felix, the valet, remained as steadfast as a rock in his denial, and doubtless Louis, the sec- retary, would have been equally reticent had he been in his mistress’s presence, But he was naturally infirm of purpose, and in the absence of the countess’s support, he at last gave way. Both he and Felix, according to his confession, had accompanied the Creole, at their mistress’s express order, to his rendezvous with the Corsi- can. The secretary had before this informed the countess of his having discovered Razzio in close conversation with the American detective, as he thought; and both he and Felix, it was ad- mitted, had thought that Burley meant to tax the Corsican with contemplating treachery, but Louis swore earnestly that neither he nor his fellow-retainer had tbe slightest idea of a more tragic consequence until the very instant when Burley, immediately on coming in Razzio’s presence, and without an instant’s warning, sprung upon him like a tiger, and stabbed him to the heart. It should have been méntioned that a judge d instruction, or examining magistrate, had al- so been sent for by Falconbridge, and it was at his inquisition, aided by the detective, that the preliminary confession, as set forth in the fore- going, was made. It was subsequently corroborated in every particular by Felix, the old valet, It was then thought there were enough grounds in the two men’s testimony to warrant the ar- rest of the countess herself, on a charge of ac- cessory before the fact, and this was accord- ingly done. course, the entire affair was the sensation of the day in Paris, But, notwithstanding that the countess was in distinctly bad odor almost everywhere, in spite of her great wealth, it was decided, upon more formal examinations being brought about that no case could be made out against her and she was finally released. » | ee ________ T eee However, a fortnight before his trial he sud- denly requested and obtained permission to see Colonel Sherwood alone, ‘You were a weak man, sir,” said the pris- oner, to his former employer, ‘‘ but you had al- ways treated me pretty decently, and I forgive ou. ‘*The deuce you do,” exclaimed the banker. ** Well, you’re very magnanimous, to be sure; and, if cheek could save you, you might be out of your present difficulties in short order.” urley laughed, and, writing something on a slip of paper, he handed it to the colonel. ‘Take this to Madame la Comtesse d’ Espig- neau,” he said, ‘‘She will zive youa small valise of mine which I gave her for safe-keep- ing. She has no positive idea of its contents, but you will find them to consist of about eigh- teen thousand dollars of the original syonny thousand I took from your safe, You see, have been rather frugal, after all.” The colonel was so gratified that he suggested some of the money might be used for the prison- er’s legal expenses. ‘** You were always kind, no less than weak,” replied the Creole, with a sneer. ‘* But your offer is unnecessary, Adele—the countess, you know—is attending to my expenses. However, you might say to her from me that I am begin- ning totake an interest in sacred affairs,” he seemed to ‘keep his countenance witb difficulty, ‘and would appreciate some professional visits from Monsieur the Abbe d’Hauteville, her confessor—the real abbe this time, you under- stand,” witha laugh. ‘“‘ That is all. ‘* But can’t I do anything more than this for you?” asked Sherwood. ** Yes, one thing,” replied the prisoner. ** 'W hat is that?” **Secure for me three minutes alone with Florine Duprez!” with a diabolical laugh, his fingers working convulsively, and with the face of a demon. The colonel lost no time in delivering the note and message to the countess. She gave him the little valise, whose contents had not been misstated; and thus, with the ex- ception of two thousand dollars, his stolen for- tune was unexpectedly restored to him. In accordance with the prisoner’s request, the priest was permitted to pay him regular visits, and it was thought that Burley must be grow- ing truly penitent. But the consolatory visits came to an end on the day before his trial for the murder of Joseph Razzio ina manner that occasioned some sur- prise. Falconbridge chanced to be in the concier- gerie of the prison when the abbe was passing through it after what was understood as bis farewell visit to the prisoner. The American detective greatly surprised the ailer and guards by incontinently seizing the oly man by the throat, and pinning him against the rough stone wall, Their surprise, however, was of a different sort when he proceeded to strip off the priestly vestment, to the revelation of Jobn Burley, otherwise Juan Borleo, beneath, **' You will doubtless find the real Monsieur l’Abbe in this rogue’s cell,” said Falconbridge, quietly. ‘‘ You Frenchmen are too easily hood- winked, I am afraid.” But even Falconbridge was slightly ‘ out’ on this oceasion, é It was not the real abbe, but Madame la Comtesse herself, who was found to have re- mained in the cell, after giving the Creole the priestly garb, under which he would undoubt- edly have effected his escape, but for the detective’s vigilance. This trick caused the countess some further trouble with the authorities, but once again her wealth and influence ultimately extricated her. Shape was another surprise at the Creole’s ial. He had been so doggedly reticent up to this time, even to the extent of persistently refusing all legal assistance, that it had been generally a ge he would offer no defense. ut he astonished everybody by firmly pro- testing his innocence of the crime with which he was charged, and announcing that be would conduct his own defense, And this, moreover, he proceeded to do with — firmness and ability, though it availed him nothing. The testimony of the secretary and valet was clear and indisputable, added to which was the comparison of the fatal knife with the one with which thelife of Florine Duprez had subsequent- ly been attempted, together with proofs that the prisoner had possessed several remaining weapons of a precisely similar pattern. He was found guilty, and promptly sentenced to death, as had been a foregone conclusion. **Of course, I never thought there was any chance for me,” he said, with a laugh, when all was over, ‘* But J couldn’t resist the opportunity —_— ttt LL I LL LLDLDBDBBL LBL LDR LL of giving them all the trouble possible. I would die perfectly bappy if but one last boon were granted me—three minutes of solitude and un- restricted freedom, alone with the young woman Florine Duprez.” The few remaing days of this rather extraor- dinary criminal were passed in reading French novels—of which, strange to say, the very best and more moral were his favorites—and receiv- ing bouquets from ladies, He finally met his fate on the guillotine with quiet courage and fortitude, CHAPTER XLVIILI. CONCLUSION. ELEANOR and her party bad returned to New York directly after the trial. Florine and Captain Tidewell were married in Colonel Sherwood’s house in the following October. Eleanor had always loved the girl, and, as she never did anything by balves, it was her care that the wedding should be a fine affair. **Our own wedding, Charles,” she said, with a loving look at her busband, ‘‘ was sufficientl bizarre for a lifetime, notwithstanding that it has ended so happily. But Florine and Tide- well’s must be altogether joyous, and both you and Cousin Hugh must help me to make it so, She had already presented Florine with a hand- some dowry. Colonel Sherwood gave away the bride. She was looking very beautiful, while her groom was becomingly happy. Curiosity is a wonderful incentive, and the numerous com- pany present was as fashionable as might bave attended Eleanor’s own wedding under like favorable and propitious circumstances, Captain Tidewell gave up the sea as a voca- tion, and started in the ship chandlery business in New York, being successful from the start. Florine has made him a truly excellent wife, and her happiness has been exceptionally great —perhaps greater than she altogether deserved, some may think, bnt it must not be forgotten that the rewards and penalties of this world are never adjusted and apportioned with any perfect degree of nicety, else there might be little better to hope for in the world to come, Eleanor has never since essayed the difficult rt of a detective’s Double, and she is sincerely hopeful that there may never be occasion for her resumption of the role. Howland and she have become great travelers, and spend much of their lives abroad. They are at the present bour of writing sojourning in Switzerland, where they are serenely happy with their little children around them. Hugh Spender is still flourishing in his profes- sion, and he continues to enjoy life in a quiet and rational manner like the sterling and good fellow that he is. But he remains a bachelor, and will probably be a confirmed one; for he never seemed to ey care for any young woman’s society except his Cousin Eleanors, and she is Na his only feminine correspon- dent to-day. ight he have been secretly and hopelessly in love with her from the very first? That is a question that must be left to the read- er’s conjecture, as it is a secret which only bis heart could answer; and, as Hugh is a lawyer, there is but little likelihood of any such tes- timony, one way or the other, ever coming to the light. Colonel Sherwood gave up the banking busi- ness soon after his return from Paris, and not long after that lost what remained to bim of his inconsiderable fortune in en ill-advised specula- tion. He is now “retired” more fortunate} than is often the lot of feeble, selfish and insuf- ficient characters of his sort. That is, he leads a quiet, agreeable and aimless club Jife in New York on a good income cheerfully eccorded him out of his daughter’s large estate, Last, but not least, Miss Jerusha Bigbee still maintains her rather frigid self-poise and cham- pionship of the supposed rights of ber sex, as the proprietress of a thriving little stationery and candy shop, in which ber niece readily started her at her special request; though it was and remains a mystery what could have turned the spinster’s predilections in the direction of sweet- meats, whereas if she had manifested a desire to | set up as a pickle manufacturer or dispenser, there would have been.less occasion for wonder in her case. Miss Bigbee has never married—women of her ially heroic mold seldom do; and, as she is now past fifty (she confesses to forty), the chances of her deigning to unbend to the extent of selecting a life-mate from among the world of male monsters are attenuated, to say the least. However, she is still prominent at Woman Suffrage Conventions, and the like, and the plat- forms are many where her rhetoric and misquo- tations are at home; though it eee A be doubted if her efforts are always appreciated by the really bright, brave and intellectual women who are distinguishing themselves so nobly in de- manding and obtaining the true rights of their | sex as the world rolls on, Tbe only original Falconbridge is still to be found in the vocation which he adorns, and his odd little assistant, Tommy Dodd, is now as ever his right-hand man. THE END. “ EComicboo cS co