Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 574 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

ee | . ‘we _ selle!” . \ .* ha, ha!)—you would have heard me qualify my declaration—with becoming meekness, [ bope— ha, ha!—vy adding that they were never even willing slaves to a pernicious habit, unless lashed, goaded and hounded thereto by man’s inhumanity—to—to woman!” And here Miss Bigbee vouchsafed to subside a | little, with an air of conscious championship and victory that sat upon her gaunt and angu- | lar personality like a laurel wreath upon a. bean-pole. ‘““T give in!” said Colonel Sherwood, softly puffing his cigar with a distinct air of submis- sion. ‘‘And you could have spared me the lat- ter part of your exordium, Jerusha, ‘Sultanic sex’ would alone have knocked me out.” ‘‘Papa,” interposed Eleanor, who had long ceased to be amused by these passages-at-arms, with which she had been familiar from her earliest recollections, ‘‘ isn’t Mr. Burley a Cu- ban, or something of the sort?” ‘* A Porto Rican,” was the reply, “‘ and bis true name is Juan Borleo, which he has Anglicized into John Burley.” ‘‘ Why should he change his name?” ‘‘He hasn’t exactly, but only Americanized it, Naturally enough, too, when you come to think of his having taken out his naturalization papers, and his praiseworthy desire to become a thorough American,” ss Oh hdd ‘“‘That’s the way of it, my dear.” And Col- onel Sherwood, who was too polite to give his seer more than the initial puff or two at table w club, and bad won a couple of hundred at whist | thes preceding evening, he was, moreover, on fairly good terms with himself. ‘** And hasn’t he been somewhat of a—wan- derer?” continued Eleanor, just skipping the word “ udveuturer” in time. ‘*T believe so. Traveled pretty much all over the world, I am told, and doubtless in many employments, An invaluable and versa- tile young man of high principls, I do believe. Something of asailor, too, for he hinted of a de- sire to sail my acht, the Fearnaught, for a short trip a few daysago. I may give him the chance for a vacation, asI have no notion of sailing her myself this year. But look here, Nelly,” in a pleased tone, ‘‘ this is a decidedly novel interest in young Burley on your part.” ‘*T shall not cease,” quietly replied the young woman, in an equivocal tone that was alto- gether lost upon her father, ‘‘to take the ut- most interest in Mr. John Burley, otherwise Mr. Juan Borleo, and bis doings hereafter.” ‘*Glad of that,” observed Colonel Sherwood, going, ‘*for 1 have determined to bring him ome with me to dinner this became: 8 The foregoing had been overheard by Florine, who was busying herself among the flower-pots in the window, and she. remarked the disgusted look that came into Eleanor’s face at the last announcement. ‘‘ Homph!” sniffed Miss Bigbee, at last fairly filled with her favorite beverage. ‘' Must we have that biack little hypocrite to dinner?” ‘* My dear aunt,” said Eleanor, quietly, ‘‘ we can’t always order things as we would in this kaleidoscope of a world.” She told her aunt that she would take lunch somewhere down-town, and then, somewhat - later on, called Florine into ber dressing-room., ‘‘ My dear,” said she, ‘‘ you shall have the honor of lunching with the great detective, Major Falconbridge, pro ten., at a down-town wine-room and restaurant this day noon.” ‘¢ Yes, ma’mselle,” replied the maid, in some- thing of a flutter, ‘* and do ladies go there?” | ‘*Oh, yes, quite frequently in the daytime, Hugh Spender told me so, and from my brief preparatory observation of last nigbt, it looked as if it might be a very attractive place, witb capital fare. So pray assist me into my detec- tive character without delay, and then you will have to make yourself as pretty and stylish as possible.” Florine obeyed with her usual serviceable- ness, and while thus engaged, asked: *: Might I venture upon a question or two, mademoiselle?” ‘* What a request! Any number of them, you little goose!” ‘* Mademoiselle cannot think of taking all the servants into her confidence?” ‘*Of course not! What an idea!” “It is less of an idea than an ap come gg ma’mselle. For do you not see the risk you will run of detection, or at least a challenge, from one or another of them, in thus disporting your oa by day—passing in or out of the house, m **T have page of that, Florine, There is nothing for it but to uccept the risk, and, at the same time practice the utmost caution, in which I must rely greatly on your co-opera- tion,” | One thing more, dear ma’m- ** What is it, my dear?” q “* Of course it will become known, sooner or ee dctoctive, Monsieur Falconbridge, the famous ve, is once more home from abroad, and ee ey : . - . ae @ : aby j aay ’ F mere | ‘x | ay f { v@ , , . ' ‘ | : ct) Ar a¢ - ‘ ’ “ Pi en the ladies were present, rose to betake himself down-town. As he always drank sparingly even at his ° ) + ant . ; mi haky? ey us AF * | ny } Old Falcon’s Double. a visitor here, at your instance, in the interests of poor Monsieur Howland?” ** Very likely. helped.” ‘Yes, ma’mselle. And should the celebrated man be recognized on the streets, for instance— by some one or another of ma’mselle’s acquaint- ances to whom this fact shall have become known—as ma’mselle’s maid’s escort, instead of her own?” ‘* Ah! as to-day in the prospective, for in- stance?” ‘* Yes, ma’mselle.” ‘* A difficulty that had not occurred to me be- fore, and one well worth considering. Well, all I can say is that we must take our chances, Now that [am all right, Florine, you may de: vote yourself to your own toilet with as much expedition as you can put into practice. Were I not a man I would willingly assist you, asa return for the offices you have just rendered me. ‘* Oh, mademoiselle!” And Florine hurried off to her own room, while Eleanor, once more thoroughly im charac- ter, put some finishing touches upon her make- u p. The wine-room and restaurant, which it is needless to particularize by name, was a fash- ionable one in the neighborhood of Broadway and Fourteenth—which may appropriately be characterized as a down-town locality in the vast, rapidly northward-spreading New York of the present day—and Eleanor had not erred in deeming it to be much frequented by lady peg especially throughout the shopping ours, When she and Florine entered the restaurant, or eating-house side of the establishment toward one o'clock, the tables were nearly all filled, chiefly with well-dressed women, some of whom were accompanied by children, for the most part young misses of different ages, while nearly all were more or less associated with various packages and bundles, ‘* Be sure and keep your eyes about you, es- rages with regard to the waiters,” whispered he pseudo-detective to his companion, as he sora her to the only vacant table that was in sight. Florine was looking very pretty and stylish in a light-blue summer suit, with hat to matcb, which became her sprightly blonde comeliness to perfection. _A waiter appearing, the ‘‘ detective” said: ** We should like to have compartment Num- ber 7 of the wine-room to ourselves,” accom- panying the demand with a liberal fee. The man regarded the donor with perceptibly increased respect, at the same time looking at ‘*him” attentively. ‘* At once, sir,” he replied. ‘‘ I will see if the cabinet is disengaged.” And he disappeared through an arched opening communicating with the wine-room, CHAPTER X, A DISCOVERY, Tue waiter quickly returned to say that the desired compartment had just been vacated by a wt aud gentleman and to conduct them to it. hey were soon installed therein over a deli- cate Junch and some choice claret. **TIs this the compartment, ma’m/’zelle?’ in- quired Florine, who was familiar with the chief features of Charles Howland’s trial and convic- tion. ‘* Yes,” replied the other, a little severely, while helping out the salad and wine; ‘‘ but you will please to address me as ‘ monsieur’ or the ‘major.’ ” ‘* Ah, pardon, monsieur! [I had forgotten. And they are not over-cleanly in your American cafes, major. Ciel! look at the dust collected under the edges of this carpet; and I do not think that mirror has been rubbed up for a month,” ‘““Tt is not the very best of our New York cafes, my dear; don’t forget that.” hile they were leisurely proceeding with their lunch, they more than once detected a face, presumably that of a waiter, and not al- ways the same one, at that, peeping curiously at them over one or another of the compart- ment’s comparatively low partition walls. This was the more noticeable, inasmuch as, judging by the hum of voices and knife-and-fork clatter to be heard, the adjacent cabinets were doubtless also occupied o lunchers, of both sexes, so that, barring Florine’s exceptional good looks, there seemed no special occasion for the aes or curiosity manifested, whichever it might be, ‘*] must see about this,” said the detective presently, when the annoyance had been several times repeated. ‘‘ Excuse me a few moments, my dear Florine,” And quietly quitting the cabinet, ‘‘ he” forth- with proceeded to the cashier’s desk for an ex- planation, | ‘“*He” quickly returned, with an amused expression. “It was merely are he explained. ** And what do you think it all meant?” ** T really can’t imagine, monsieur,” was Flor- ine’s response, ; * ~! > : Jie)? _ ¥ or 845] By 4 de tas Sa 7 ay ar ua 4 Ble Se ay ie Y i“ % 5 > a* cashier, who had speedily returned ' f 4 . A a “> 4 - t ‘mee “ee P > . , - < ee ee Falconbridge’s Double burst into his dry little laugh. I don’t see how that can be | ‘* 1 am more famous than I had any idea of,” he said, ‘* That first waiter—you remarked bow attentively he eyed me?—recognized me as the great Falconbridge, newly returned from my long absence in the Orient, and the news hus run through the establishment like wild-fire, Even the cashier, who is one of tbe proprietors, could not refrain from congratulating me on my return, and begged the honor of taking me by the hand.” Florine burst into her gay laugh. ‘‘Such are the penalties of greatness, my dear,” meditatively observed the Double, sip- ping his wine. ‘‘Of course, they will all guess that I am—trailing down those missing wit- nesses, and I scarcely know whether it will be to my detriment or advantage.” ‘‘ Let us hope the latter, monsieur,” was Flo- rine’s cheering advice. “ if they areso honored by your distinguished presence, they may feel yet more so in facilitating your quest.” ‘If it is really in their power to do so, which I am not certain of. However, we must get at the employees in some way. The chief cook ought to be a good one to make a start with.” They ordered more wine, while making a mere pretext of consuming what was before them (the cuspidors were convenient for that urpose), in order to bave an excuse for linger- ing long in the compartment, and * Falcon- bridge’s” complaint bad had the effect of abating the peeping annoyance. At last, when it was evident that the neigh- boring cabinets were comparatively deserted, Florine suddenly arose with an exclamation. ‘¢ See, monsieur!” she whispered, pointing to a particularly dusty corner of the compart- ment near her seat, ‘* A find!” With that she made a little half-dive, and produced from its chance hiding-place, partly . i object under the edge of the carpet, a sma covered with dust, ‘‘ What can it be?” she asked, examining the object. ‘* Ah, a pencil-case, and gold-mounted, ” The pseudo-detective was leaning forward, with starting eyes, ‘‘his” dark face expressive of the liveliest interest and satisfaction. ‘‘Give it me!” he exclaimed, in a low but ex- cited voice. ‘*‘ Ah!” taking it imto his hand, ““better than a pencil-case. Florine, this isa treasure—our first clew in the proof of Charles Howland’s innocence and his false friend’s in- famy!” ‘¢ Bless me! what is the article, monsieur?” ‘* 4 fountain pen !” Florine was quick of apprehension, and, as has already been observed, the details of How- land’s trial and conviction were familiar to her. ‘‘ Heavens!” she exclaimed; ‘‘and this the very cabinet in which poor Monsievr Howland declared so positively that Monsieur Burley wrote out for him the check, whose alleged for- gery caused his conviction?” ‘“Exactly; and with a new fountain pen, while Burley swore that he had never had such an instrument in his possession. Bebold the silent witness to his accursed perjury!” ‘‘ This is truly startling, monsieur! But might __ it not be another pen wholly disassociated with that lamentable affair?” “There are ways of making sure on that point,” and * Falconbridge ” carefully secured the ‘ find.” | A little later, he said: ‘‘Prepare yourself to interview the chef, Florine.” He then summoned the proprietor by one of © tbe waiters, and when the former appeared, he said: ‘Mr, G——, your chef is doubtless a French- man?” ‘‘ Certainly, Mr. Falconbridge,” was the affa- ble response; ‘‘ or an Alsatian, which is much — the same thing.” ‘* Ab! Well, my little friend here, Madem- oiselle Duprez, who is also French, is quite anx- ious to solve the enigma of that particularly ex- cellent chicken salad of which we have partakep. I wonder if your chef would be so obliging as to impart its secret to her.” % alae **Of course, he wil],” promptly replied Mr, itber, or would G——. “Shall I bring him the young lady prefer to accompany me to Monsieur Gouter’s cabinet?” CHAPTER XI. A RECONTRE, ‘¢T rHINK I would prefer to meet the chefin | a 7% ¢ + 4 - typ ‘o bis department, mousieur,” Florine answered for herself, with the most dazzling smile. ‘I have never even glanced into the cuisine of a great cafe, and imagine that it must be very inter- esting.” | . The restaurateur was even more eager putes her now, and she forthwith accompanied im. more ho 1 of what she She was gone so long that her pig om : grew moment] ight val of waiting in chat with the | ga com succeed in achieving, and “he” passed the inter- bo Sis peat ge m4 i. 5 » * fol | 4 ‘ « 7 * Vo fd i, “eS 4 “a? be &