Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 738 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

20 Detective Claxton. ** Tell the judge a gent wants ter see him!” So commanded the boatman, his manner lord- ly in one way if not in another, but the servant Jooked in wonder, ‘* What name?” be doubtfully asked, **T'll tell that to bim,” ‘* Your card—” ‘*T don’t deal with sech rubbish, an’ I ain’t here ter deal with you, either, Ef I was, I'd know how ter do it, mighty quick. Did you hear my say-s0? Get a move on, an’ go ter Hallowell, quick. See?” He was not sm Fa his chance, and the re- sult might have been a fight at the door, but the judge happened to come along, bimself, and undertook to solve the difficulty, Ben became civil, for he had an end to gain, and asked for a word in private with the master of the house, here was a time when he might not bave se- cured it, but now the judge was patient with every one, and he led the way tothe parlor, Ben sat down with all the confidence in the world, He was confident. Hedid not intend to interfere with Deborah’s campaign, but he knew he bad the means of making a sensation if he saw fit, and it gave him an air of confidence nou appro- priate to a supplicant, He assumed a confidential air, ** Jedge,” he said, ‘I’ve come in regard ter Homer Cartis!” [t was an ominous opening, and he watched ‘to see the result, He met with disappointment, Of late the judge had been looking for an at- . ‘tack from any quarter, and caution had restored dis old calmness to its proper placa, He heard, now, and believed an attack was coming, but he did not waver or betray signs of confusion, pol any way show understanding of what was $a ‘** Proceed!” he requested, affably. ‘* About Homer Curtis, ye know,” Ben re- peated. “IT caught what you said. Who is Homer Curtis, pray?” Ben was disappointed, He wanted to see signs of guilty kuowledge, but there was none. This did not alter the fact that Hallowell knew all, but as Ben wanted to make an underhand impression it was not pleasing. ‘** You sentenced him to death, ye know,”-he growled, | ‘* [ remember now.” ‘* I thought ye would,” Again Ben missed the mark, and he began to feel discouraged. ‘* This Curtis is a fine feller,” he declared, ‘* an’ be ain’t guilty. Weall know it, an’ ef we had the money we could proveis, By ‘we’I mean my daughter an’me. She ft engaged ter him; amy daughter is, ye see,” “Indeed! Who is your daughter?” ‘*Her name is Mary Wolf, Mine is Ben Wolf, waterman. See? Now, jedge, ter be frank, we want ter prove bim innocent, but we ain’t got the money fer the campaign,” The speaker had assumed a confidential air, He leaned forward in his chair, and tried to Jook amiable and good. It was a berculean task, and not wholly successful. Hallowell was puzzled, He had not forgotten Mary; he remembered her with the deepest of good will; but he could not understand this man’s visit, If Mary wanted money, why did she not come herself? She ought to be sure of a friendly welcome, while this disreputable stranger could hardly expect it. Again, Hallo- well regarded it as absurd that the visitor could be Mary’s father, Ben, blissfully ignorant of the fact that Mary bad been there before him, watched anxiously to see how his plan was to succeed, Quietly the judge answered: ‘* Curtis has a lawyer, has he not?” st Yes,” ' “Isn’t/he capable of managing the case?” ‘* We want ter work a side issue—” ** Don’t the lawyer believe in it?” **T ain’t seen him.” ‘** Do 80, at once, Thatis my advice,” ** But we need money, an’ my gal thought you might supply it, She’s bashful; thé gal is, an’ ehe allowed she’d never dare ter face ye, so I <ome instead,” Toe Wolf was fast proving himself a falsifier, ‘but, though Hallowell saw that much, he did not betray the fact, ‘** Why should you expect me to give you any- thing?” ‘* They tell me you are generous,” ** You must have confounded me with some of my neighbors; lam not aware that I possess any such quality of mind,” Briny ben moved uneasily, He seemed doom- ‘ed to mistortune in his efforts, and the many ‘echemes for getting money which was not his did not look half so promisigg as they did, ‘You ought ter hear my poor gal moan an’ take on!” be declared, with pathos, ‘She's jest fadin’ all away, she is,” “Why not bring her here?” “*Sbe says she dassent come.” ** Have I ever seen her?” ~< P *“No. Wal, mebbe she was at Curtis’s trial, but you wouldn’t be likely ter notice her,” ** And she dares not come here?” ae) Sabon S Sk OF sé No.” ** Not even with her father?” ‘‘ No; she’s timid, ye sees,” Hallowell saw a good deal more than his visi- tor thought he did, and knew the latter was act- ing a false part. : ‘* Well, Mr. Wolf, if you will bring Curtis’s lawyer with you [ will talk business, but [ can- not do it otherwise. 1 am not generous, as you have mistakenly been led to believe, and I can’t do what youask. Let the lawyer come, how- ever, and we will see what can be done if hesays there is not money enough for the campaign,” Ben’s face was astudy. He was mad clean through at bis failure, and in the beat of his pas- sion he came near ruining all by letting out the real secret and informing Hallowell that he knew of bis past life, and about the prisoner of the Tombs, Restraining himself, be made an addition to his plea in the same vein, but only with the same result, He did not move the judge in the least, and it finally dawned upon him that all effort was fruitless, and that he might as well go home as to sit there and waste words, He rose with bis sullen air at its height. ‘* Bt shall be ez you say,” he admitted, ‘* but I hope you won’t be sorry fer it.” ** Why should I?” ‘* When I think o’ my sufferin’ gal—” “Try to curb your feelings. Of course a parent has such weaknesses, but, after all, what is a human heart? There are thousands of them within a few blocks of us. One is small in the grand total,” Briny Ben suspected be was being mocked at, and the secret again trembled on his lips, but he checked his rash desire and took the advice with sulky composure, He went out of the house, escorted to the door by the judge. Onc» on the street his anger found vent, and his muttered remarks referred less to a suffering daughter than to rage and disappointment, ‘*He shall smart fer this!—he shall!” the Water Wolf cried. ‘‘I ain’t the man ter be trod unler foot, by mighty! an’ Ill be re- venged. Sneers at me, does he? Don’t know I kin crush hin like I would a mean snake, does he? Ob! it ain’t wise fer them ter throw stones an’ mud who live in glass houses, Yes, yes; I'll make bim sweat!” All the way home Ben indulged in, thoughts like these, and when he reached there he was so far forgetful of bis “ suffering daughter” that ke did not even speak to her, Mary was equally mute, but fifore observing. She knew from his manner that whatever scheme he had gone out totry bad been a failure. He betrayed the fact in various ways, and she knew his moods well, For tbis reason she knew he was now medi- tating some new plan, It was one which included both revenge on Hailowell and tbe lining of his pockets, Since the last interview he bad been more than ever anxious to give the judge a taste of his powers of mischief, and as there was but one way, he looked to it carefully, He realized thet Deborah bad spoken well when she said it did not look promising to get as much money out of Mrs, Mirabel Hallowell as could be had from the judge, but he would not give up the idea, ' ‘*T kin bleed her more or less,” he thought, ‘‘an’ef Deb kin reap a harvest off from Otis, Pll then step in an’ give the whole snap away ter bis present wife; but tell her I will ef I lose money out o’ it, I’m bound ter do tbat, Yes, yes; I'll tell the judge’s wife ef I sink the whole ship in doin’ it!” CHAPTER XXIV. A DISSATISFIED SPY, THE following day Edward Acton called upon Chief Claxton, ‘*T want to be released from my promise!” he declared, The detective heard without change of coun- tenance, ‘*What promise?” he asked, ‘To act the spy!” ** You refer to—” ‘* My position at Judge Hallowell’s.” ** Ah! don’t you like it?” **T have before told you it is in every way re- pugnant to my feelings, and contrary to the way ofa gentleman. I am in Hallowell’s house as a living lie and asaspy. It is too much.” ge be the detective asked; ‘* How is Miss Hallowell?” Acton flushed, ‘You ere not perspicacious, now. I have not concealed my opinion of any member of the household, I admit all seem to me the acme of refinement and nobie bent of life, For this reason I must ask to be released from my posi- tion, et Homer Curtis would like to be released from 4 Claxton had leaned back in his chair, and his leg dangled over the arm thereof in the most negligent fashion imaginable, He looked to be the personificatiun of ease ahd indifference, but he still had the faculty of sending shots home, se ’ bs ve 7 , yi "fads P \ i a ee . ; 7" ; * La , {\_ a el , . b ie ofA —t Bt 1 5 " a § a ae oA) oes = =. Geo.) Sd . fee A & ~r eer ‘*T know; I know,” Acton admitted; “ but how am I helping my unfortunate friend?” ‘* By doing as | have told you!” ‘* What have I discovered?” * Anything new?” é No,” “Then your discoveries would not sink the ships in the river, it is true, but I live in hope,” ** And Lin fear! Why should I spy upon Otis Hallowell? What good can it do Curtis? Hedven knows 1 would do all in my power for my poor friend, but bow am 1 to further his ends by acting the spy?” ‘*The trouble with you, Mr. Acton, is that you are afraid you will help bim!” coolly replied Claxton, sé Sir ? ** You are afraid you will discover something which will help bimw!” steadily repeated the de- tective. ‘* You know I would not have put you in that house without good reason,” “You put me there blindfold; I have never bad the least idea of what I was to discover, or look for.” ** Tf my life bad depended upon it, I could not have told you, I did not know, myself,” ‘* Then why put me there?’ ‘To save Homer Curtis,” evenly replied Claxton, ‘‘but I see I have mistaken both my = gent and the depth of your friendship for Cur- S. Acton flushed. He struggled with himself for a moment and then earnestly exclaimed: **Can you pardon me? [ am a fool, and I see it clearly. should never have forgotten Cur- tis’s interests, and I will not again, Overlook my folly if you can!” ‘*Once more you are sensible, last,” ** Believe me,it will; but I am placed in a very painful position at Hallowell’s, Going there withalie on my lips, and in my beart, I bave been used as if I were the most bonorable of men, and I hate myself for the deception,” ‘*T am sorry, but I ask you to stay a little longer. I think it will scon be over,” ‘Tt shall be as you say, If you know of any way to hasten events I shall be glad to have you, _bowever, The kindness of the family is a con- stant reproach to my guilty mind, and I would be out of it as soon as possible, Rely upon me, though, to give my best services to the cause we bavein mind,” . ‘* Do it, and don’t be wholly disheartened, It does not follow that all is lost.” ‘Can you see hope?” Acton eagerly asked, “T can’t say I do,” Edward’s face grew grave; he believed hope was not a figure in the case, ‘You tell me there is nothing new?” Claxton questioned, ‘‘{ know of nothing.” ‘* Watch on! Something may occur which : not expected, Watch on; watch unceasing- vs It was a vague injunction, but Acton was always oppressed by the detective’s charges, and he feltin the old mood, now. He bad set Claxton down as a man al! cunning and no feeling. Hedid not credit the claim that he was working in the dark except as far as he was himself concerned, and believed it was cun- ning, pure and simple, which was keeping him in such ignorance, As he walked toward Halloweli’s, later on, he thought of al] this, ‘*] would not endure it for any ove but Homer. ‘This man Clexton seeks to play with me asa chessman does with bis pieces; be moves me on the board, and Igo about blind!y and mysteriously, exposed to attack I cannot my- self meet. And in the end—what then? Clax- ton will win or dose, as the cese may be, but I shall surely lose, Yes, lose all!—lose Alice’s regard—lose her friendsbip—and win only her hatred!” It was not in the best of humor that he reach- ed the house, He felt like going to the room al- lotted to him and spending the day in brooding over the matter, but Miss Hallowell met bim ia the hall by chance, and he went with her to the parlor, instead, ‘*l am again down-hearted, Mr. Vinton,” she declared, witha sigh, addressing him by the name be bore in tle Hallowe)! household, ‘‘ Do you know, I think J am getting to be a perfect image of discouragement!” ‘** And al! since 1 came to the house|” ** You have not forgotten my unlucky speech, Isee. You must forget: don’t make me answer- I hope it will ‘able for an unfortunate combination of ideas. Of course you bave nothing to do with it, and I as- sure you that you have the good will and eonfi- dence of all here,” **That is pleasant,” declared Acton, but in his heart he wished it otherwise, ‘* What do you suppose is troubling me now?” ‘*T should bs glad to know. Perbaps I can help you.” ‘*There may be such a thing as being too sym- pathetic. But you sball hear, As you are aware, my fatheris a judge. I havenever given much thought tothe matter. Women are not supposed to be interested in business, and I am sure I could not be so toa practical extent if I ~ tried ever so hard, Thus, I have looked upon EomicE DOO + ‘ “ . oe es) Cee t. 4 hig ! | <#