Beadle's Dime Library No. 628 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

es ee $e Joe Phenix's Combine. Lae the particular shop to which they went, and then tbere would be another witness, or two, in regard to the identity of the man. But this second attempt to trap the woman was destined to be as unsuccessful as the first, but whether through accident or design was more than the detective could tell, **Oh, I did not go with him,” the lady replied in her placid way. ‘I had no idea that he in- tended to present me witb any jewelry until he broughtthe thingsinone night, tossed the pack- age into my lap saying, ‘ There, my dear, is a lit- tle surprise for you!’” ‘Ah, yes, and you were astonished of course?” “Very much, indeed! And now that be is gone the remembrance of his goodness helps to make the affliction less terrible.” And then the lady, apparently overcome by her emotions, took out her handkerchief and pressed it to her eyes for a few moments. Tbere was no mistake in regard to her weep- ing, for the argus-eyed detective could plainly see the tears. ; But he did not consider this any proof that the woman was not playing a part, He had met women before during his career as a detective who could bring tears to their eyes whenever they wished, All the great actresses in this world are not on the public stage. There are pienty of women in private life who can act equally as well as any tragic queen who i won fame and fortune bebind the foot- ignts., ‘* You must steel yourself to bear the loss,” the gentleman remarked in a soothing way. ** It is the ccurse of nature, you know. Welove and we lose! It is our fate,” ** Oh, yes, 1 know Lam weak and foolish to give way tu my grief but I cannot help it some- times,” she remarked, removing the handkerchief from her eyes, and evidently making an effort to appear calm, ‘* But yousee, sir, 1 have had a bard time of it all through my life,”she explained, ‘* | have indeed been ‘‘ fortune’s fool” and when I succeeded in winning the love of this good man —really, it came to me unsought, and I suppose [do not speak correctly when I say that I won his love-—but when it came to me I thought that at last fate was tired of persecuting me and I was about to enjoy a long period of happiness, but you know the old saying, ‘Man proposes and fate disposes!’ ” ‘Yes, yes, and how very true il: is too!” ** Tr certainly was true in my case—much to my sorrow!” the Jady declared with a doleful shake of the head, ‘“*T thought I had secured a safe anchorage in the haven of happiness after a long and tem- pestuous voyage, but it was only a vain imagin- ing; soon the storm came and again I found myself tossing upon the stormy waves of misfor- tune, ‘¢ The darkest hour is always before the dawn, you know, and if yon succeed in_ proving that you are the widow of Abraham Engleburt, the “Sate Mra you will have wealth enough to keep you like a queen for the rest of your life!” the detective declared. ** Yes, I suppose so from what I have been told,” the lady replied in her peculiar dead and alive way, ‘*but, I assure you, sir, that I have not allowed myself to become excited over the matter, for itis as I have told you; my life has been so full of disappcintments that I am doubt- ful whether it can be possible I am going to be blessed by any such piece of good luck as this will he ‘‘ You know I have become a regular skeptic and until it is settled beyond the shadow ofa doubt that the money is coming to me I shall not allow myself to believe that lam going to be so fortunate,” 1.70 “‘ Quite proper, of course!” the disguised detec- tive remarked with an approving nod. “If you do not permit yourself to give way to anticipa- none will not be possible for you to be disap- n . “Yes, that is exactly what 1 thought,” the | lady replied, ‘*-You see, my pathway in life has been so full of ups and downs that I have become quite a philosopher, and I try to bear myself so that either good or evil fortune will not have much effect upon me.” ‘* Well, if one is so constituted as to be able to take the decrees of fate in that way it is certain- ly far better than otherwise, ‘* But in regard to this affair, I must say that you certainly appear to bave a strong case,” the gentleman remarked in a judicial way, ‘* Of course, I am not able to judge in re- gard to that,” Mrs, Engleburt replied a sort of helpless way. © Ajl I know about. the matter is that I married a gentleman who said his name was Abraham Eongleburt, and from the way he spoke I got the impression that he was well-to- 7 .do, but more than that 1 know not, and I can BABE assure you, sir, thatit was a great surprise tc me when I was told that my husband was one of the great money-kings of the city.” ** Undoubtedly! very natural uuder the cir- cumstances, It was just through accident, I understand, that the discovery was made,” _ “Yes, sir, When time pussed on aud my 2 **% Zé Pe) a oe FS ~ ag Limmediately came to the conclusion that some accident had befallen him, ‘¢ The landlady here, Miss Jones—who has not a very good opinion of men—that is, I suppose, because in keeping a lodging-hovse like this she has encountered so many who were not nice— was inclined to believe that my husband had de- serted me, but I did not entertain the thought for a moment, for I knew that be was not that kind of a man. ‘Then a gentleman, a Mr. Rochester, came | here to get a room; he happened to see me, and by one of those strange chances which some- times happen, be had seen me out walking with my husband, and as he knew Mr, Engleburt by sight, when be heard my story he was able to | busband did not return as he had said he would, explain why it was that my husband did not return to me,” ‘* Ah, yes, yes! What a fortunate circum- stance, to be sure!” the disguised detective de- clared. ‘If it had not been for this lucky accident you would not have known that you were the widow of a man who had been one of the great money-kings of America,” ‘‘ No, sir, it is bardly probable that I should have made the discovery for the idea never en- tered my head that my husband was a very wealthy man,” the lady replied in her simple way. ‘I imagined that he was a traveling man who made a good salary, that was all.” ‘* So really if you came in for this money you may thank this Mr. Rochester for it.” ‘*Oh, yes, 1 am aware of that, and I feel very grateful to bim for bis kindness in interesting himself about the matter too, I told him that if I got the money thatI thought ! ought to give him a good share of it, for if it had not been for his interesting bimself about the matter | would not have got any of it.” “That is certainly the truth and it is quite considerate on your part to make such an offer,” the gentleman observed, assuming to be much interested, and in truth he was interested, for as a professional man-hunter he was amazed as the affair developed to see how cunningly the scheme had been planned—how carefully the plotters had been to cover every point, ‘‘T made the offer in my stupid blunt way and Mr. Rochester was seriously offended, and really I would not have said or done anything to offend him for the world,” the lady remarked, ‘*But, you see, I am one of those foolish creatures who are always making mistakes, It is the old jest, you know, I never open my mouth but what I put my foot in it.” And she smiled with a deprecating way as she spoke, ‘* Well, as to that, my dear Mrs, Engleburt, I do not believe that anybody Joses anything in the long run by being frank and honest!” the other declared, ‘‘ No, I suppose not,” Mrs, Engleburt replied in a thoughtful way. ‘Still, | think thatif I had more tact and was not quite so blunt in speaking Chat I would get on better.” ‘‘The gentleman, [ presume, laughed at the idea of taking anything on account of the inter- est he had displayed in the matter?” ‘Oh, yes, bd said that he would scorn the idea of being paid for any such slight service.” ‘* Quite generous of the gentleman, 1 am sure,” the supposed lawyer remarked with an approy- ing nod, ‘If he had been inclined to play a sharp game he could have turned this affair to his own profit, for as he is one of the mostim- portant witnesses—the man whose testimony is extremely valuable to you—if be had chosen to | refuse to testify unless he was well paid for so doing you would have been obliged to comply,” ‘* Was, I suppose I would,” the lady remarked in a helpless sort of way. ‘‘ But, really, you know, I am so ignorant of business, because I never had a head for anything of the kind, that I never thought of what he Tee be able to do, but now that you speak of it, | can see he has acted quite nobly. | ‘It is really unfortunate that 1 have such a oe head for business,” she continued. ‘* And suppose that it is because Lam so deficient in that way that I have bad sucha hard time to get along.” “Well, if you succzed in establishing your claim to the Kngleburt estate you will be placed far beyond the reach of misfortune.” ‘* Yes, J am aware of that, but do you know, sir, I hardly dare to allow myself to contem- plate such good fortune, for it does not seem ossible that [ will ever be so favorably situated. | Tt seems too good to be trne,” and the lady | heaved a deep sigh as she spoke. “Ob, 1 think you can confidently look for- ward, for, so far, your case seems to be en ex- cellent one,” the disguised detective asserted in his bland way, so calculated to deceive. Them he drew a photograph from his pocket and handed it to tho lady.. It was the same picture which the minister and the members of his household had so con- fidently pronounced to be the likeness of the Abraham Engleburt whose marriage tothe lady had taken place in the Germaa’s house, But the blue eyes of Mrs, Engleburt were evi- dently keen ones, despite their sleepy look, for , after making an inspection of the photograph | she shook her head, ‘* This picture looks a little like my husband,” ‘ A ; nie, BSS awake ae, —— ~~.) a ; Fh eh ee ace : she said, ‘‘ But I do not think itis his, If it is? it is not a good likeness, and most certainly does not do him justice,” The disguised detective produced a dozen of photographs; all of them were likenesses of men with beards, and looked considerably alike. ‘*See if you can pick out your busband’s pic- ture,” he said, The lady occupied some five minutes in exam- ining the photographs, and then she held up one of the cards, ‘*This is the only one which, to my thinking, looks like him,” she said. She bad succeed 2d in selecting the right one. “That is correct!” the gentleman assented. “You are going to make outa strong case, I can see that,” ‘* Well, I bope so, for it will be very nice to have plenty of money.” * Now, would like to see Mr, Rochester if I ‘“*T will call Miss Jones!” the lady replied, and immediately summoned the landlady. CHAPTER XVIII. PLAIN WORDS, WHEN Miss Jones came she said she believed that the gentleman was in his room, and pro- ceeded to ascertain, This was the fact, and the disguised detective was immediately introduced, M.. Rochester received the visitor with the ease characteristic of a well-bred gentleman, invited him to be seated, and listened with courteous attention while the supposed lawyer unfolded bis business, ‘Ah, yes, I see,” he said, when the recital was ended, ‘*A very good idea, indeed, I must say! Iam not a lawyer, you know, but it seems to me that all cases of this kind are much better . settled outside of a court, and so I think the Engleburt family are wise to go to work in this manner, * You understand, I hope, that I have no in- terest in this affair, at all, beyond the satisfac- tion which comes from helping a deserving fel- , low-creature,” the Englishman hastened to add. ‘* Yes, the lady explained, to me that she was anxious to pay for your kindness, but you declined to be rewarded,” ‘* By Jove! I should think myself to be a miserable beggar, you know, if | took any money for doing anything of the kind!” the gentleman : ‘¢ T suppose you are acquainted with the fact that it was by the merest accident that I hap- pened to discover that this Mrs. Engleburt here was the widow of the great millionaire?” *¢ Yes, I think I am now in possession of about all the facts in the premises,” the disguised de- tective replied. ‘¢There are only a few more points which I desire to cover,” he continued. And I will be much obliged if you can post me in regard to ‘ them.” \ “« Certainly, of course, I shall be delighted.” ‘* You were acquainted with Mr, Abrabam Engleburt?” ‘* By sight only, you know, not personally,” the other replied, ‘* When I came to this ccun- try, about seven months ago, I made a point A of seeing all that was to be seen, and ‘ took in’ ‘J the bulls and bears of Wall street, as you Ameri- cans say. Of course, all the notables of the great money market were pointed out to me, and that is how I came to know Engleburt; the man’s appearance was so different from what I 5 a to see that I took particular notice of im, ‘* My idea was that I should seea big man with an imposing presence, and I was surprised to find that the mighty money-king was an un- assuming person whom no stranger would be apt to p ck out in a crowd as being a power in sar the land,” ‘* Yes, that is true, Mr. Engleburt did not present an imposing presence,” ‘* As IT surveyed the man with a deal of curi- osity it was an easy matter for me to recognize him when I met the gentleman on the Bowery with a lady on bis arm, particularly as I was surprised to seea man like Engleburt insucha neighborhood,” ANY “You are sure that you have not made any mistake about the matter—that you were not deceived by an accidental resemblance?” the Mea disguised detective questioned. ae ‘“ Well, of course there is a possibility that LT _ a? have made a mistake,” the Englishman admitted. aad ‘Still I don’t believe that I have, and I feel so 1) positive about the matter that [ am prepared to OMe go on the witness-stand and swear thatthe man T saw, arm in arm with this Mrs, Engleburt on ha the Bowery, was the identical individual who > was pointed out to me in Wall street as being Abraham Engleburt, the great money-king.” ae “There is a chance, you know, that the person 2 / who pointed the millionaire out to you may have made a mistake,” the disguised detective = = urged, Beat.” a Oh, yes, { am aware of that fact—that is, a under ordinary circumstances such a mistake (ieee might have been ible, but in this case it was irs» not, for the gentleman who acted as my guile rans rh GONG oks.¢ an Cee brn. " eu 4] (@) c pm - : =!