Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 580 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

Shadowing a Shadow. 1'7 “You say the woman was about fifty years old?” ‘‘ About that, I should say,” Cambeth con- firmed. “Well, it was peculiar, certainly, Did the woman say anything more? Did she call you by name?” ‘* Of course not,” Waldemar snapped. ‘* How could she, when she had never seen me before in her life.” The doctor smiled. “Do not imagine that I think there is any- thing in it,” he assured; ‘‘I am always inter- ested in anything of this kind, Of course I see that the woman must have been out of her mind,” ‘So it proved,” confirmed Cambeth, ‘*She was crazy. ‘* And she said nothing more?” ‘* What did she say, anyhow?’ young Black- wall asked, turning to Cambeth. ‘“‘I was so knocked out that I don’t remember much about her words,” ‘* Why,” explained Cambeth, “ she called you Henry, and demanded to knowif you'did not know her, ‘'*‘ Not my husband!’ she exclaimed, or words to that effect; ‘how can you deny me, Henry? Why do you disown me, after having dione all else you can? Where are my children?’ Such was about what she said, as near as | can remember,” “T guess that was about it,” agreed young Blackwall, ‘It was bad enough, anyhow, and I lost no time in getting away from her.” ‘* And there was an old gentleman with her who said she was crazy?” “Yes. But, doctor, you seem to be greatly interested in the matter; do you want to hunt the woman up and help her to establish a case azainst me?” The doctor was interested indeed. But he did uot let it become known how much interested he really was. He smiled and responded: ‘* Well, no, 1 won’t be as rough on you as that; [am interested in all such cases, as I said before, Lets hear the rest of it, and then we will let it drop.” ‘‘All right. There was another woman in the carriage besides the gentleman, She re- mained seated, He got out and took charge of the insane woman, telling us to get out of her sight as soon as we could, and he indicated that she was not right in mind, Of course we did not tarry there. That is about all of it.” ‘Did not learn the names of any of the parties, eb?” ‘‘Nota name, But, come, let’s be off.” ‘*T am sorry to disappoint you,” said the doctor, then, *‘ but [ came here to tell you that I cannot accompany you. I have an important call to attend to in balf an hour, You rattled away so with your story that [ had no time to mention this at first. I am sure you will excuse me, will you not?” Both looked disappointed, ‘‘ Well, this is something of a dampener,” de- clared Waidemar. “I do vot know that either of us will care to go, now.” ‘* Nonsense!” the doctor exclaimed; ‘you will never miss me. Iam sorry, of course, and greatly disappointed; but you need not let my dropping out interfere with your pleasure. Go on, both of you, and enjoy yourselves,” ‘*Ts it really as you say, Doc?” ‘‘Of course itis. Do you suppose I would dis appoint myself for fun? I am not so cruel to myself as that. Yes, it is something that will not be put off.” ‘‘ That being the case, we shall have to excuse you, of course, And as the time is running on we shall bave to leave you.” A few other remarks were exchanged, and Waldemar and Cambeth hurried away from the club. Where they were going does not concern our story. No sooner were they out of the room, how- ever, than the doctor threw himself upon a chair and gave himself up to reflections, ‘* It was an easy way out of that engagement, anyhow,” he thought. ‘‘ Lucky that I heard their story before we had started, or I would have found it harler to have invented an excuse, I must now see Blackwall without delay. Tbis will interest him, I[t must be that that crazy woman is here in the city.” ‘* Yes, that seems clear to me,” he went on in thought, ‘from what I know of the matter, I will go and lay the facts before Blackwall, anyhow. But if it was that woman, who wus the old gentleman? It dawns upon me that that detective is bound to rua himself into trouble, unless we get him out of the city soon, I must go to the bank.” After a few minutes he got up and went leis- urely out, and in due time was at the bank. Blackwall was there. aon what's in the wind now?” the banker asked, **T don’t know,” the doctor declared, ‘I have something to tell you, though, and then you can draw your own conclusions,” Dr. Gonsalvo went ahead then and laid bes case before the banker as it was known to im, ‘What do you think of, it?’ he demanded, when he had finished. *“T don’t know what to think of it,” was the response, ‘It looks as though it might be that woman, don’t it?” ‘*From what I know about the case, it cer- tainly does,” ‘* Bat who was the old gentleman?” “Tf I thought that detective capable of play- ing such a role, I would say it might have been be. As itisIdo not know. Anyhow, if this was the woman, then itis certain that the de- tective has knowledge of the matter by this time. He is working in the interest of no one else, for there is no one else who can have any interest in the case.” ‘*'You are sound on that head. And accord- ingly we must take care of that detective.” “Yes, positively. Our insurance matter will not admit of our allowing any detectives to prowl around. He must get out of this city or die,” The words were hissed in a hoarse whisper. “You are right. But willit be easy to get bim outof the city? Will it be easy to turn him off ona false scent? I fancy not. I have tried it already, as we agreed upon the otber time you were bere. Griffit dropped bim a note, but it seems that he did not bite, for lL have learned that he was not out of town yet last night.” ** Tt will not be easy for him to leave at a mo. ment’s notice, with a crazy woman on bis hands.” ‘That is true. By the way, it is some satis- faction to know that that woman is still crazy. The word of an insane person will have little weight, if it comes to that, you know.” “Tt will never come to that. If necessary, both woman and detective can be put to sleep.” With these words the face of the doctor took on its demon-like expression, Can you have him come to your house to- night? ** Perhaps I can, if I can fall in with him.” ** Do so, and if you succeed, lei me know and I will happenin on you. The rest of it can be carried out as you arranged,” ‘All right, I will do it. You shall have a chance to size him up at your own leisure,” **Do you imagine that he cvuld discover any- thing if I put him on the track of Parmilye?” ‘Yes, Ido; he can run him to earth ina grave at Greenwood,” ‘‘Ha, ha, ba! Well, is that all he will be likely to learn? He will search the career of Parmilye closely, and bring to light everything he can,” ‘‘Let him, If you have told me the case as it is, there is little danger that be can learn mucb,” ‘* You know the truth and all of it.” ‘Then let him go for Parmilye, since he is well out of the way, and what he will be able to learn will not set him crazy.” “Very well, let it beso, Get him into your house if you can, and let me be notified. We will book horns with.our great detective and see what there isin him, I fancy he will find that he has run up against a rock, eh?” ‘** He will find that be has struck a snag in me, that is surs,” the doctor declared. After a little while the doctor went away, the plan having been fully agreed upon. bout Ba Sa later Detective Kinworth entered the ank, CHAPTER XXII. A BOLD CHARGE MADE. WuHeEN Kinworth got back to the hotel with his charge, the lady had so far recovered that she seemed none the worse for the excitement through which she had passed, As soon as they were in her rooms the detec- tive suggested that a cup of strong tea or coffee would be good to steady her nerves, The latter was ordered, and in a little time the lady was herself once more, Kinworth was well pleased, and greatly thank- ful that it had turned out so well as it had. Now he bad somethiug substantial to work upon. Not only had he the names of Mrs. Abington’s old companion, her father’s bouse- keeper, and of her daughter; but now something else was to be looked into. | Why had Mrs. Milburn mistaken Wildemar Blackwall for the mysterious Abington? That was something that he must now investi- gate, and he put strong reliance upon it. That, and the fact that Mancred Blackwall had recog- nized the ring, went as proof that Mancred Blackwall was in some way connected with the The detective had waited in the sitting-room of Mrs. Milburn’s suite while the ladies changed their attire and drank their coffee, and after awhile Mrs, Milburn yore bim. Kinworth was delighted to see her so re- freshed. ™ ‘‘T am sorry that I have kept you waiting,” she remarked, on entering. ‘‘ Mrs. Ekyngs would insist upon my changing my dress imme- diately, and taking some coffee as you suggested. I guess I am myself once more, Mr. Arm- strong.” ** You are certainly none the worse for your adventures, and I congratulate you,” the detec- tive responded. ‘*Mrs, Ekyngs tells me that I have been out oung enry | of my mind, and that I have given you no end of trouble, to say nothing about having made myself ridiculous.” ‘* You have been out of your mind, it is true; but the rest of it amounts to nothing, unless I say that it may prove of value tome, Do you feel able to talk a little about it?” ‘* Perfectly, sir, and anxious todoso, Where have we been? What have I done? What have you learned?” Kinworth went over the ground at length, and related everything. When he had done, Mrs, Milburn asked: **Can you describe that young man to me?” *“*T think I can, madam,” was the answer. “He was about twenty-five years of age, ata guess, quite good-looking and solidly built. Had black hair and eyes, and a neat black mus- tache,” ‘*That description fits Henry Abington, as I once knew bim,” “Hal your memory is growing brighter, then?” “T believe itis. I now recall something of our visit to the bank,” ** What is it?” ‘When we entered, a picture of everything as it used to be rushed upon me, and I saw my husband at his window just as I used to see him, ‘* And then you fainted,” “Yes, now [remember that I tried to speak bis name, when a giddiness overcame me.” ‘*What post did your husband hold in that bank?” “1 do not know that now. I know that his place was at a window just opposite the door.” ‘“*The cashier’s window is opposite the door now, but the cashier is an elder 7 gentleman,” ‘*Oh, I do not suppose that I really saw any one who reminded me of my husband; it was merely one of the memory-flashes, as we call them.” ‘*T see. But this last was no such experience as that. You were really and actually living the past over again, to all intents and purposes, and what you did was done as you would have done it then under similar circumstances, You recognized a man as your husband. Of course he was not, being years too young, but he must resemble to a remarkable degree the person whom you mistook him for, This stands to reason, ‘* Yes, it does. I am surprised, sir, too, that you should let him go without learning who be was, The detective smiled. ‘*Be assured that I would not have done so, madam, had I not known him already. [I re- cognized him as soon as you did.” ‘You knew him! Who was he?” ** Before I tell you that, madam, I must exact a promise of you.” ‘'W bat is it?’ ‘That you will take no action in this matter without consulting me,” the detective named. ‘“*T promise,” ‘Very well. I do this merely as a precau- tionary measure, eae man is the son of the Mancred Blackwall I have already men- tioned to you.” ‘“*Mancred, Mancred,” the lady said over after him, ‘‘ that is the name that puzzles me most, I cannot bring it to mind at all. It is certain that the person who put me in the asylum was not my brother.” ** And it is certaip tbat it was your husband, I think,” added the detective. **T think you must be right.” **One or two points more, madam,” said Kin- worth, “and I will go. Do you now remember who Dorinda Snipes was?” ‘“ Yes, yes, 1 remember now. That was the name of the middle-aged woman whom I have told you I have seen in some of my pictures of the past.” — ‘‘She was your father’s housekeeper. And now do you think you would know the name of your baby girl if you were to hear it?” The woman was trembling and was greatly excited. ‘*T do not know,” she answered; ‘it seems as if I have heard the name recently, It is just at the end of my tongue.” *Wasit Essylt “That was it! Now I remember it. Oh! I am so glad that this cloud is lifting, though cate £ Perhaps everything will soon be made clear. ““T think we are coming at the truth of it now,” the detective encouraged, ‘I shall try to find Dorinda Snipes, if she is Rvine: She may he able to tell us {what we want to know.” urther remarks were made on both sides, but nothing of additional or new interest was bronght out, and they may be : When Kinworth left the room he went to his own, and some time Jater made his way out of the hotel in his own proper personage. He went to tke other hotel, visited his room there, and from there set out for the bank of Black wall, Parmilye & Co., where be arrived about an hour after Dr. Gonsalvo had taken his © leave, Mr. Blackwall was taken a little aback when Griffit told him the detective was there, but he Comic S JOO