Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 574 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

k's *) i ° Py land wou tion for a post * tain is thoro yi’ : Old Falcon’s Double. was unfamiliar, the signature was unhesitating- » ly pronounced to be a forgery. In vain did the young man protest, and ex- plain the manner in which he had seen it writ- ten by the owner of the signature itself before it was placed into his possession. It was no use. John Burley had funds on deposit to a consider- able amount, but the signature was evidently at variance with that—a peculiar one—with which he had made the teller acquainted, though a rather clever imitation of thesame. Even Howland had to confess, on examining the sig- nature carefully, that it differed materially from the manner in which Burley was accus- tomed to write it, and notwithstanding that he had seen him affix this one under his very eyes, He was given into custody, and, at his re- quest, both Colonel Sherwoo| and John Burley check, which he pronounced to bea cunning forgery. This he did while admitting his in- debtedness to Howland, and even admitting the adjourment into the wine room, but that was all, He not only contemptuously denied having writ- ten anything while there, but also solemnly avow- ed that he had never owned such a thing as a fountain-pen, or even held one in his band, He ended by loading his whilom comrade with the bitterest of reproaches and accusatious. Howland was so horror-struck and stupefied at this unexpected treachery that his manner was mistaken for conclusive evidence of his guilt by most of those present, but also by Colonel Sher- wood, who had theretofore rather favored him as his daughter’s prospective husband, though of the secret opinion that she might have aimed higher and done better. e was forthwith committed to prison, and his indictment soon followed. Out on bail furnished by his betrothed, he de- voted the brief period between his indictment and the time set for his trial in a vain effort to find two of the wine room waiters who he felt certain had been at least partial witnesses to the signing and delivery of the check. In this he was heartily aided by his lawyer, Hugh Spender, but it was without avail. The waiters had mysteriously disappeared from their em- ployment—presumably at Burley’s instance— nee were undiscoverable, Then they sought to have recourse to the ser- vices of Falconbridge, the celebrated Faicon Detective. But, unfortunately he was abroad ou some secret mission of importance, accom- panied by his able little assistant, Tommy Dodd, and there was no telling even how a communi- cation would reach him. The services of other detectives of less ability were sought, but to no purpose, and the day fixed for the trial wasat band with nothing having been effected for the defense. However, conscious of his innocence, How- id listen to no proposition for a mo- nement on the part of bis counsel. The trial did come on, and with the result we have seen. On the evening of the day that Howland re- ceived his sentence, the faithful lawyer, Hugh Spender, called upon Eleanor by appointment. She received him in a small “nag or between the main drawing-room and the library, and exhibited, undiminished, the iron firmness and resolve that were such an exceptionable ad- junct of her youth and beauty, to say nothin of her sex itself, though there was a painfu seriousness in her face and manner, whose wont was that of smiling cheerfulness and vivacity, that told of the suffering the cruel situation was costing her. ‘““You saw Charles depart?’ was her first ‘* As when being sentenced, like a hero, or rather like a philosopher, The ceremony of last night seemed to have given him new life and hope.” ‘*Heaven be praised for that, Hugh! You are sure the ceremony will be kept a secret?” ** Perfectly sure, so far as the clergyman, m witness and the prison people are concerned. You must answer for Florine yourself,” “T think Ican do that without anxie’y. I have treated the young woman well, she has never yot obey my confidence, and I am cer- ughly devoted to me.” “She is handsome gud French, however.” ‘*That is nothing. You should get over your prejudices against everything French.” “T can’t,” replied Spender, who was exces- sively native American in his private thoughts - and feelings. ‘That is not well, But now as to the absent detective, Falconbridge. ) “Nota sign of him as yet,” was the some- what desponding reply. ‘He is thief-chasing somewhere in Turkey ur Roumania, is all I have been able to learn. The old story 17 Here there was heard a movement in the ad- joining library. ‘* Listeners!” muttered Eleanor, in a low voice. | - She forthwith darted into the library, by the communicating door, like a flash, ' . - eK . ag) ih sent for. On their arrival, the latter had coolly and | stant,” my dear Nelly, with a short laugh. peremptorily denied having ever given the ‘*Did you visit the wine-room to inquire eo Ce =e we ee aad CHAPTER V. THE DETECTIVE’S SUBSTITUTE. THE lawyer kLeard voices, then a soft little laugh, which he recognized as Florine’s, followed by the opening and closing of a door. Then Minghing reappeared, looking very much “She was relieved. ‘*Tt was only Florine,” she said. looking for a French work I had given her per- mission to read at leisure,” ‘“Isshein the habit of looking for reading matter in the dark?” asked Spender, dryly. ‘* There is no light in there.” ‘* But a fair reflection from the light in this room, and the French works are all in one com- artment of the shelves. Give over your sense- ess suspicions, Cousin Hugh, or you and I may fall out.” ‘My suspicions are throttled from this in- afresh?” ‘‘ Yes, but with no better success, Nothing has been heard or imagined of the missing waiters,” , ‘* Did you succeed in procuring me another and better photograph of Falconbridge, as I re- quested?” ‘* Here is one in a different attitude,” repli Spender, producing and handing over a photo- graph of the imperial size. ‘* But I doubt if it 1s better than the one already in your posses- sion, The young woman scanned the picture with critical eagerness, It was a full-length, representing the famous detective, dressed in a summer suit, with his hat on, and in an easy actitude, ** You are right,” she said. ‘“‘It is no better than the first you obtained for me last week, nor so good, Still, there is a variety of his ex- pression.” The lawyer laughed, for he had not yet been able to discover her purpose in making herself so familiar with the Falcon Detective’s charac- teristics, save that she might be contemplating a search for him abroad. ‘« Be careful to retain Howland’s image firm- ly in mind, my dear cousin,” he said, ‘‘ Falcon- bridge is still a deuced handsome fellow, though pe. haps twenty years the other’s senior!” ‘« Peste !” impatiently, but not offended; ‘‘ and dark as myself, while Charley is the loveliest blonde in the world, to say nothing of the de- tective being rather under-sized in compari- son. ‘* That is true.” ** Will you excuse mea few minutes, Hugh? This dress I am wearing is uncomfortable.” ‘‘A perfect toilette, nevertheless, and fitting you like a glove,” ‘Still I must makea change. Amuse your- self with that portfolio of new engravings yonder.” And with that she rustled out of the room in her swift but graceful way. Ten or fifteen minutes later, while Spender was rather uninterestedly examining the en- gravings, he heard the street door open and close softly, as if some one might have stealtaily entered. Not having heard the bell ring, and pretty certain that the footman was not in attendance at the door, he was about tostep into the hall with the expectation of confronting a felonious sagan when steps were heard on the marble agging. : hen a figure entered the room from the hall, the sight of which caused the lawyer to spring to his feet with joyful astonishment, ‘* Falconbridge!” he exclaimed, running to grasp the intruder’s gloved hand, ‘‘ Good heav- ens! but this is a stroke of luck, Where on earth did you spring from?” Spender had long been well-acquainted with the famous detective, who now smiled in his sphinxian manner, seemingly much pleased with his welcome, as he quietly took a proffered chair while speaking some explanatory words, ‘*Only arrived home from the Levant to-day at noon, you see, my dear fellow,” he said, de- posting his hat on the table, but retaining his ids. ‘** Heard that I had been in much demand by your fair cousin and yourself of late, and here [ am,” ** Ah! but too late to avert the catastrophe we were so desirous of your help in preventing,” exclaimed Spender, dejectedly. ‘So I have learned; but what is broken ma be mended. I do not see Miss Sherwood, and wish you to introduce me to her.” ‘*Gone up-stairs to change her dress. Am ex- et ee her return every minute. Never doubt bat she will hail your presence no less enthusi- astically than I have done. Good Lord! but this is a surprise.” ‘Glad you find it an agreeable one, Mr. Spender.” ** Agreeable? It’s immense! But how did you enter the house so noiselessly?” ‘*Didn’t you hear me ring, and the servant bel oe the door to me ) “Neither did I. The door was unlocked, and I made bold to helping myself to an entrance, It’s a way of mine.” - 7 A AY, : LF, = Nes oe 3 apr m "tt 4 4 PN f *, wes af’ “ ; ied ¢ on . ‘¢ Ah, I remember enough of your mysterious ways, you rogue!” ‘* What is a detective without his mystery?” “True. But how did you happen home so opportunely for us?” ‘** Chance, I suppose.” ‘* Did you receive our dispatches of inquiry to Smyrna and elsewhere?” ‘*No; haven’t been to Smyrna, or anywhere else either where any dispatch of inquiry would. be likely to reach me,” ‘* Where have you been, Falconbridge?” ‘* Damascus is remote, my friend, and the sur- | rounding desert not easy to particularize,” ‘* The deuce! away out yonder in the Orient?” “cc Yes.” ‘* Did you accomplish your purpose?” ‘*T believe I am not in the habit of failing in that, Spender.” ‘*- Your vaunt is pardonable there, Falcon- bridge. I trust in Heaven you may help us out of our present difficulty with your accustomed success.” ‘‘That is what I am here for now. Give me your particulars. Of course I have already re- ceived an inkling of the case, or I should not be on hand so promptly. But I must know every- thing. Something about missing witnesses, I believe!” - ‘‘-Yes.” And the lawyer forthwith gave a brief history of the case. ‘* Ah, I see,” commented the detective, after giving an earnest attention to the recital, ‘Waiters both vanished, eh?” ** Tee-totally !” ‘*Proprietors of wine-room been thoroughly pum “Yes, but to no purpose. Oh, they're all right. The rascals even left unpaid wages be- hind them.” ‘*So!l Other employees been questioned?” ‘* Yes, and with promised rewards for the te- quired information.” ‘* And to no purpose whatever?” ** None.” ‘* Are you quite sure that there are any miss-~ ing waiters to be found, whose testimony would be of any advantage to Howland?” ‘*Bless your heart, yes! I’d answer for the unfortunate young man’s veracity with my life. ‘* And you a criminal lawyer?” ‘Exactly; just the same.” And, in his sur- prise at the other’s cynical tone, Spender fell to examining him more Stee! as he sat a little apart, with his dark face well-shaded from the large reading-lamp by which the room was lighted, . ‘‘ Tumph!” was the detective’s laconic re- spouse, ‘* How much darker you are than of old, Fal- conbridge!” irrelevantly observed the lawyer; “and you were always swarthy encugb, The sun must toast a fellow wonderfully out therein the deserts of the Levant.” ‘* It does,” quietly. ‘‘And you have somehow grown softer and more delicately-featured, too.’ ‘Like enough—a queer climate out yonder at Damascus!” And then with some impatience: “But I wish the young lady might make her appearance, as I am pressed for time.” “T can’t think what’ can keep her so long; but she will doubtless be here in a few min- utes.’ ‘* Perhaps,” indifferently, ‘‘ that secret mar- riage with Charles Howland, the convict last night may have told upon ber nerves by this time.” Hugh Spender sprung to his feet with a mut- tered exclamation of surprise. ‘‘ A dead secret, as we have flattered our- selves!” he exclaimed, starting aimlessly for the door. ‘*‘‘How on earth did you come by it, raan?” “Wait!” and, also rising, the detective de- tained him with his leftgloved hand. ‘“‘ Is there anything Falconbridge, the detective, fails to discover as a preliminary to bard work?” For answer Spender grasped the hand that was upon his arm. ; ‘‘ Finger-rings under your glove!” he cried; ‘‘and a mighty small hand at that. What does this mean?” A mocking laugh, bursting from the other’s lips in womanish silveriness, completed the law- er’s bewilderment, and then, with a sbake of the head that tumbled a torrent of glossy black hair down over her shoulders, Nelly Sherwood, as the sham Falconbridge, or in the character of the Falcon Detective’s Double, was revealed. CHAPTER VI. A FIRST ESSAY. Hueu SpPenDeER threw up his hands, and then plumped himself down into bis chair again, ‘* Well, ’m—blessed!” was all he could say, with his eyes still fixed upon the clever and beau- tiful girl who had deceived him so absolutely, ‘* Acknowledge that I have borne out my part tolerably well!” She was doing up her hair again now. | Lat ‘* Tolerably well? It is simply perfect!” ‘* No risk of my masquerade being suspected on the streets or elsewhere?” com S, -1> ff ICO (E U ; - ¢ :