Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 580 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

—————— — “§ 4 ® —. af ' " > rye Shadowing —— a Shadow. CHAPTER XXIV. KINORTWH HAS HIS GRIP. Ir the reader wonders at Kinworth’s positive assertion regarding Miss Parmilye and the mys- tery of her birth, let him reflect that be wasa professional detective, and that he had been giv- ing the case long and careful study. At last be knew that he wason the right track. The very means adopted by tbe banker to throw him off the trail bad only served to place the case into his hands the more fully. He was master of the situation now, and knew it. What the nature of his discovery was, re- mains to be seen, ‘* Tf there are any questions that I can answer, sir,” said Mrs, Swann, ‘I will do so with pleas- ure, ‘*Thank you,” returned the detective, ‘‘ there are several points upon which I desire some in- formation. Let me ask, first, how long have you known Mr. Parmilye?” ‘“‘[ think it issomething like twenty-six years,” the woman answered. ‘You have been his housekeeper during that time?” ‘*No, I have been acting as his housekeeper about twenty-two years.” ‘** Ever since his return home, after he first put his child ren into your care, eh?” 1 ‘*His children!” exclaimed Essylt; ‘‘have I brothers and sisters, then?” ‘* ‘You had one brother, three years older than yourself,” the woman confessed, If there had been a shadow of doubt in the detective’s mind, it was set aside now. ‘* A brother!” the young woman exclaimed; ‘‘ where is he now?’ ‘*T do not know.” ‘* Ts he dead?” ‘*T do not know whether be is or not,” Miss Parmilye was greatly excited over the revelations which were being made concerning the hidden things of the past, ** You never told me of this before,” she com- plained. ‘It was because your father did not want you to know it,” was the explanation Mrs. Swann gave. ‘** What was that boy’s name?’ Kinworth now asked. ‘*IT cannot recall it,” said the housekeeper, ‘*It was an odd name, and it has escaped my memory.” ‘* That is too bad, for 1 hoped that you would be able to give it tome. Well, no matter. You say that Mr. Parmilye placed both children in your care about twenty-six years ago.” ‘Yes, sir.” ‘* What became of the boy?” ‘* He got lost on the street, and has never been seen since,” . ‘“*That is peculiar. Tell me the particulars of it, please.” ** There is little else to tell. It happened about three years after the children were placed under my care. The little fellow was then seven years old. He used to play in front of the house, and one day he wande away and has never been seen since. When Mr. Parmilye returned, a year later, he tried to find him, but failed,” * And later, ica say, he did not want Miss Essylt to know that she had had a brother.” ‘* Such was his wish, sir.” “That is very strange, to say the least, But, then, Parmilye was a peculiar man,” ‘¢ Incleed he was, sir.” ‘*In what way do you mean that he was peculiar?” “Well, in almost every way. Why, he did not sleep at home more than once or twice a month. He had some sort of an office down- town, and most of his time was spent there, when he was in the city at all; but he was mostly off somewhere traveling.” ‘*Oh, yes, be was very eccentric in his habits, and unlike most men in every way. So, the boy was never heard of again?’ ‘ Never.” ‘Did Parmilye ever express anxiety about the boy?” ‘* He did at first, but not after a year or two.” ‘**T thought you knew all about these things,” Miss Parmilye shrewdly observed, ‘No, not all about them,” the detective re- turned. ‘‘ Otherwise I would not ask Mrs. Swann the questions. I know nothing about the boy. I want to find what became of him, if I can, however.” ‘* Being a friend of papa’s, [ should think you would have learned from him all that he could - tell.” Kinworth saw that the young lady was een, ‘Your father was a most peculiar and eccen- tric man, my child,” he responded, “and one who had little to say to any of his friends. It need not surprise you that I know but little more about bim than Mrs, Swann. Perhaps I do not know as much about him as she does.” A oT ee i roam, abet. him,” the house- eeper decla at is, no more tha have heard.” we aR y the way,” the detective next asked, “‘was Mr, Blackwall in the habit of coming here to see Mr. Parmilye?” . . - ~“<@'A ** No, sir. I do not remember that he was ever here more than twice. He came to see Mr. Par- milye, but did not find him at home on either occasion,” ‘Thank you. Well, I will not trouble you with any more questions. I must go. Butallow me to say, Miss Parmiulye, thatif you need a friend, do not hesitate to command my service. Here is my card—Mr. Armstrong, —— Hotel.” In giving his card, he knew that the knowl- edge of his identity was likely to become known to Mr. Blackwall, but be eared nothing for that now. He had other plans in view, and intended to have Mrs. Milburn and her companion re-~ move to a private boarding-house, Miss Parmilye took the card with thanks, but hastened to question: ‘Will you not tell me more concerning the »yast, sir? What you have told me only makes me eager to know more.” ‘*Not at this time, my child. After a little while, however, I will tell you everything, for of course it is your right to know it all,” ‘Then you will call upon us again soon?” ‘Perhaps I shall, At any rate, [ will not for- get my promise.” **T bope you will not. With the information I now have, however, I can set to work to solve the rest of it myself. I can employ a detective to search out the whole mystery for me,” ‘‘That is true,” Kinworth agreed. will not be necessary,” he added. ‘‘I shall be able to tell you everything within a few weeks, his attire, aud half an hour later he was at the Hotel, without disguise, After supper he was in the smoking-room, when Dr. Gonsalvo entered. The dark-visaged doctor made straight for him. ‘*Glad to see you,” he greeted, extending his hand. ‘‘I came here on purpose to find you, but was affaid that you would be out.” ‘““What is on the carpet?’ Kinworth asked, giving his band. ‘* Why, there is to be some big playing at the Danaé to-night, unless I am much mistaken, and I thought you would like to take it in. Will you go?” Kinworth knew that there was something afoot, whatever it might be, and be was ready for it. Ashe wanted to talk with the doctor anyhow, it seemed that the game was playing into his hands, ‘* Yes, I will go, of course,” he agreed, ““ Very well, come home with me until I have seen a person whom I have an engagement with, and we will be off.” CHAPTER XXYV, BANKER BLACKWALL RESTLESS, WE must return to Banker Blackwall. When the detective left his office, refusing to stop at his call, the banker shut the door with a ‘* But it | bang and began to pace the floor, “A thousand curses upon him!” he hissed, '“ How much does he know, and hcw much is he at most, Do not take any action until you hear | guessing a1? He has called me Henry Abing- from me.” ' ‘‘ Very well, if you do not keep me waiting too long.” In a little while the detective tuok his leave aud returned to the hotel. ‘*f thought her face was familiar to me, the first time I saw her, which was on the night of my arrival in the city,” be mused, ‘ But I could not think where I had seen such a face be- fore. Now I know, for I can see that she great- ly resembles her mother, Mrs, Milburn. There is not a shadow of doubt as to their relationsbip. W hat a meeting theirs will be, when Lam ready for it!” “This case is assuming big proportions,” he | must be made at this time. further reflected, ‘‘and I must handle it with care. There isdangerahead. Blackwall great- ly overreached himself in his last move, and now I have their game in my grasp. I must ' ' ' i : ! ! ! | look ont for that Doctor Gonsalvo, and [ must | bave an interview with him,” When he reached the hotel he went to the rooms of Mrs. Milburn. ‘‘T am glad to see you again,” the lady greeted him, ‘** What more bave you learned in connec- tion with the mystery ?”’ ‘‘T have found your daughter,” the detective quietly informed. “You have found my daughter!” the lady cried in great excitement. ‘Yes. I bave found the child, Essylt, whom you dimly remember as a baby.” ‘* Where is she, sir? You must take me to her immediately, Oh! this news is too good to be true. Are you sure of what you say?” ‘Tam positive, madam. But, sit down and be calm, and I will tell you more about it. cannot Jet you see peo daughter yet, buf ina short time you shall meet ber. Sheis asanxious to find a mother as you are to find a chiid,” ‘Bat, who is she—where is she?” “She is an educated and refined young woman, unmarried, and has some wealth, She lives alone with an old housekeeper, I can tell you no more now. Inashort time I shall be able to bring everything out to your satisfac- tion. My work now must be to find your boy, if alive.” “Then it is uncertain whether he is living or dead?” “Yes. But ina little while I bope. £0 know the truth. Now, are you willing to the ex- mote of having Doctor Hubbler come here from n Francisco?’ ' “Tam willing to lay out my whole fortune, if necessary, to learn the truth of the past.” ‘** May I telegraph for him in your name?” , ee,” _“*Gvod. And now one other thing. I would like for you and your friend to go away from bere and take rooms in a private boarding- house, Your entity is likely to become known here, and you must keep out of danger, There Is one person against whom we must fight who would et nothing stand in his way to defeat you, ‘** Why are we in danger here?” ‘* Because my identity is likely to be known, and through me yours would be discovered.” “T see. I am willing to follow your direc- tions fully, sir.” ‘* Very well. Here is a card, Rooms have been engaged for you at this place, and you will be expected to-night. It is strictly private and first-class.” ‘‘ We will go there.” ** And I will call upon you there to-morrow. Now I will go, as I have other matters to attend to. Should you want to communicate with me, eee the same means that I have explained be- ore. Going to his own room, the detective changed talk,” the ton to my teeth, and says that I was in San Francisco twenty-six soaps ago under the name of Henry Mancred. Tbe fool! When! tell him that Sigbert Parmilye was the man he is after, then perhaps be will see his mistake, Al) that he can get out of a dead man he is welcome to.” He was in a rage, and paced the floor like a caged tiger. ‘*So, that woman is in the city, is she,” be muttered. ‘* Well, it is some satisfaction to know that she is still crazy, anyhow. But, who is working at the case in her interest? That is what puzzles me. By heavens! no disclosures We are on the brink of ruin as it is, and this matter comes at the worst time. Curse the fellow! What business has he to drag my name into the mess? I will send Griffit to him with a good tale, and if he does not heed to that he sball die!” He called Griffit to him, they beld a confer- ence, and the result of it bas been shown in the visit of Griffit to the detective at his hotel, W hen Griffit returned and reported, then the banker was more troubled than ever. In what way had the detective taken it? That could not be guessed. Griffit had reported that his man- per was ley! calm, and that while he show-~ ed interest, he did not display any excitement, Blackwall repented of having sent him. Now he had placed the case in bis hand to a certain extent. The detective had the word of Griffit for it that Essyit Parmilye was the daughter of Henry Abington. What use would he make of the information? The banker felt that be had taken a rash step, but it was too late torecall itnow. Whatever might come of it, the attention of the detective had been turned upon the dead Mr, Parmilye. ‘*T must see Gonsalvo,” the banker muttered, ‘“‘and that without delay. Hecan help me out of it if anybody cav. If it is necessary, that de- tective shall die. It is that, or it is ruin for me; and I have no intention of being ruined at thistime. Besides, that insurance business would send us both to prison!” Complaining of not feeling well, the banker left the office earlier than usual and went bome, There another surprise awaited him. When his wife told of the man who had been there, and of the questions he bad asked, he felt troubled indeed. ‘*T sent no such person here,” he declared. ‘“‘He is an impostor, If he comes here again hand bim over to the police. He is prying around with the intention of robbing us, I have no doubt.” He did not tarry long, but soon set out for the residence of Dr. Gonsalvo, He found the doctor in, and his face showed that dark-visaged individual that something had gone wrong, ** Well, what is up, that you look like this?” the doctor demanded. “‘Let’s get into your private den before we Cahked growled, ** Very well, come along.” They were soon in the back room with the skeletons and skulls, with the doors closed, and the doctor demanded: ** Now, then, let’s bear from you.” ‘*T will, and what I have to say may not be altogether to your liking,” answered the banker. ‘‘That detective has got to be put out of the way immediately, or we are in danger of ruin and State’s Prison.” The devil-look came into the doctor’s face. ‘*'You had not been gone from the bank an our when he came there.” ‘** Well, and what followed that?” 19 “What do you mean?” he asked. ‘Give me the whole thing at once.” \ -~ comicboo! > . 2 Pe