Beadle's Dime Library No. 762: The Rounder Rogue in New York — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

; 4 paradise wished for by the unhappy ones with- out the gates?” She smiled sweetly at his senile effusiveness, as it might be called, and secured the card with ; playful avidity, while the return at this mo- ment of Richards with the desired attendant, § put an end tothe comedy. An instant later, though without other change in her amiable mien than a significant blaze in her peerless black eyes, she whispered sharply to Richards: ‘* Note the old gentleman who was just con- versing with me.” ‘* Yes ay lady.” ; And the liveried ruffian’s eyes were upon the retreating figure as if they would devour it. ‘* Heis our enemy in disguise—the remorse- : lass detective!” **Old Grip! | Are you sure?” ‘© Peste! do I ever mistake?’ ** Your orders?” ‘€ Follow and kill him—now and here, in this very store, if the opportunity is accorded you. Quick! he is vanishing.” The foutman obeyed and was close upon the object of pursuit as the latter was lost among the crowd at the entrance. {n the mean time Avice, who had remained with the St. Johns at an opposite table, but up- on whom nothing had been lost, was both trou- bled and mystified. What, she thought, could be the meaning of the pleasantries that had passed between her terrible step-mother and the pseudo old gallant, and why had Richards been so suddenly dis- patched on the other’s track? All this apart from the mystery as to how Mrs. Hardy could have guessed of her appoint- ment und tracked her to this out-of-the-way shoppers’ resort. A foreboding possessed her, notwithstanding the amiable smile from across the room where Mrs. Barey who was a good feeder, was alread toying with some Blue Points on the half-shell, doubtless as a Magia to something more substantial, and for all that her companions began to chaff her on her pre-occupied air. ‘*A penny for your dark thoughts, Avice, though doubtless they’d be worth far more ona speculation,” said Herbert St. John,a tall, dis- tinguished-looking young man, whose athletic figure and easy-going fraukness of expression saved him from a somewhat dudish suggestive- ness. His sister, Mary St. John, however, a very attractive girl of Avice’s own age, had been ob- serving the latter more thoughtfully ‘* You are really distraite, my dear,” said she sympathetically. ‘‘ HasStep-mamma Hardy been exceptionally spiteful of late?” with aresent- ful flash at the queenly figure across the room, ‘‘Or was that old dandy, Mr. Vanderbuysen, retailing something particularly interesting when her entrance drove you into our arms?” ‘“‘Leaving him at the mercy of La Belle Mousetrap, of the Frozen Smile,” added Her- bert, also with a glance opposite, but in which, however, there was no little reluctant admira- tion, for Gladys Hardy was looking little short * of ravishing in a superb latter autumn costume that fitted her svelte figure like a glove. Avice forced a Jaugh of careless indifference. “Oh, it is nothing!” she replied, lightly. ** However, for reasons of my own, I am curi- if Mr. Vanderhuysen returns to the saloon.” ‘You'll have time enough waiting with us,” said Miss St.John. ‘* Thank fortune, my pur- chases are done, and I am quite hungry. lt was from the ribbon counter that I saw Herbert lounging along the promenade, and dragged him in perforce.” Herbert pretended to make a grimace, but it was easy to see that he was contented with his captivity, though perhaps more for Miss Hardy’s than his sister’s sake. In the mean time, Old Grip, who seemed to have the faculty of seeing out of the back of his head, knew instinctively that his disguise had been penetrated by La Belle Dame Souri- ante Mysterieuse, and that he would consequent- ly be tracked. ~ } Therefore, the instant he was outside the res- taurant saloon, he slipped to ove side into a small compartment, the door of which was slightly ajar. and from which certain subdued, but more or less angry and protesting, voices were issuing. As he did so, he glanced back and saw the sin- ister footman pass directly - the door, with swift, noiseless step and slightly lowered head, as if hot on what he evidently deemed the proper scent, Greatly surprised, the detective, who had only partly entered the side-room, turned, and looked after the fellow down a long passage, comparatively deserted now, which, after cross- ing the broad stair-landing, seemed to stretch off interminably between piles of rich and other stuffs piled upon their cases at either side. But horror! the cause of the scoundrel’s mis- leading illusion was instantly apparent. He was stealthily Sacning an elderly, fashion- able gentleman, who was strolling leisurely off down the interminable lane, wholly unconscious ef danger, and that gentleman was, to all ap- Old Grip, the Detective. pearances, the detective’s prototype, old Stuy- vesant Vanderhuysen himself! Was the man in real danger, and should he be warned forthwith? Before Grip could decide this question, his own proper name, eagerly called in a feminine voice from the interior of the room behind him, ' caused him to turn, | Then he quickly reéntered the room, closing the door. : A glance of his experienced eye was sufficient } | | to explain the somewhat dramatic, if rather | prosaic and every-day scene before him, | A case of shoplifting had just been brought | home to a comely and handsomely -dressed oung woman, and it was she who, penetrating is disguise, had just called him by name, She was apparently covered with gui!t shame and confusion, and an entreating loo was in her eyes. In full view were the stolen ribbons and cheap trinkets which had just been broughi to light | from their concealment upon her person. | On one side of her st the female searcher, ' stern but half-pitying ; on the other the regular detective of the establishment, hard-faced and complacent. | | CHAPTER IV. MORE OR LESS TRAGIC, | ‘*Mr, Grippon—Old Grip!” called out the detected shoplifter, piteously, ‘‘ you will be- | friend me, will you not? You will assure them | that I am a respectable woman, in no need of those trumpery things that I somehow seem to have stolen?” As the disguised professional thus appealed to strode up to the group his identity was likewise recognized by the store-detective, who made an unconscious obeisance, as if in the presence of a vastly superior being, while the searcher eyed _ him with an interested, not tosay awed, look. ** Are these all that have been found upon the lady?” asked Old wie 5 with a contemptu- _ ous gesture toward the pilfered trifles, The a hey bowed, while the pretty shop- lifter flus a yet deeper and more shame- | faced crimson. _ “Pure kleptomania in this instance, I can as- | sure you! The womanis known to me, She is abundantly able to pay for such things, and ' could bave had no possible use for them.” The store-detective again bowed, while the searcher madea gesture of dismissal, ‘** Your assurance is sufficient, Mr. Grippon,” | said the former, ‘‘On my own responsibility I proceed no further. The lady is at liberty— with a warning.” A moment later the released woman was alone with her deliverer in the passage without, “Oh, sir!” she began, effusively, when an angry and imperative gesture stopped her. “Enough! 1 had use for you, as you must have divined.” ‘* Yes, sir,” very humbly, but still with a sin- cerely grateful air. ‘* Otherwise, or had Boston Nell been recog- nized in her light-fingered character, it might have gone hard with you, eh?’ ** Yes, oh, yes!” He pointed to the restaurant door. ** Go in there, qdick, and make the acquaint- ance of a beautiful woman, sitting to the left, with a perpetual one-sided smile, Then call on me to-morrow. Here is my address,’ She took the card and submissively disap- peared through the indicated door, The detective then swiftly threaded the long poe in pursuit of his prototype and the lat- 8 r’s ominous pursuer, both of whom had disap- peared ere this. There was danger in the air, perbaps fatal though misplaced danger, but interference might not come too late. lt was too late! When Old Grip had reached a point in the un- frequented ge whence a ight-elevator at its further end was in full view,a silent trag- edy met his gaze that at first caused him to | bound forward with a horrified imprecation. Then he fell back, slipping into a nook among the cases at one side, speechless and re- morseful, ; This is the tragedy that had been enacted in the perspective. The unconscious figureof the rcalMr Vander- huysen—doubtiess stricken senseless from behind the moment before—had just been dragged by Richards, his liveried assailant, and left at the edge of the elevator shaft, face down, with his head hanging over, at the instant that the sand open platform of the contrivance, loaded wit goods, but without any human occupant, was silently, swiftly descending from above! Its sliding, close-fitting descent was as re- morseless as the knife of the guillotine—its vic- tim as hopeless as the latter’s wretched prey, bound to the board, bended neck outstretched, the head-basket hungering below. Time for interference? There was barely breathing space between the comprehension of what was taking place and its infernal accom- plishment, aoe cape aad Sanat out of Zl ne a be a sharp click, a barely perceptible jerk of the machine, and, as the staging sunk out of view, the human form prostrate at the brink was without a head! With a face set like iron, though blanched — with horror, Old Grip retraced his steps along the passage, and, hurrying down the staircase, disappeared amid the fashionable, rustling throngs of the lower floor. At about the same time Richards reappeared. in the restaurant before his mistress. The latter had finished her oysters, and was chatting condescendingly with a comely, new- made acquaintance (Boston Nell), while now and then casting an urbane look from her bright eyes toward her charming, but secret] | suspense-tortured, step-daughter, who was still | with the St, Johns at the opposite side of the room. Something, a curiously set look, in the swarthy footman’s sinister face, instantly aroused Mrs. Hardy’s curiosity. ‘* We may meet in,” she said, rising, with a parting smile for her chance-met companion. ‘You say you desire employment, and can bring references?” **Oh, yes, ma’am!”’ ** Well, bring them to me when you choose. Here is my card,” And then she stooped her regal shoulders for the reception of her discarded wrap at the hands of her attendant. ‘* Well?” she whispered. “The gripper is done for!” in the same tone. An exulting flash in the beautiful face, but no more. ** You are sure?” ** Pll swear to it!” ‘* How, when and where?” ‘* His body lies at the edge of an obscure ele- vator shaft on this floor, his head in the base- ment!” She gave him a swift and grateful smile. Then she had crossed the room. **Miss St. John, how well you are looking!” she murmured, while acknowledging Herbert's courtly bow, and praytally patting her step- daughter on the cheek. ‘* Avice, my dear, as you have doubtless finished your shopping, you might as well drive home with me. Come,” in a lower voice;‘‘I have a grave,a saddening piece of intelligence for your private ear.” The last words were sufficient to arouse both Avive’s curiosity aud terror, and she hastily made her adieux to her companions, ‘“ What can have happened?’ she asked, on her way down the grand staircase with her step- mother. : Some porters and. others had been observed darting hither and thither, with pale, startled looks, in the passage, and there was the general air of a desire to conceal something from the mob of shoppers. Mrs. Hardy smiled sweetly upon her, with a backward glance at the o uious and now a, composed Richards, who was close in re ‘*T shall tell you presently, my dear, It is something truly awful,” with a triste ex- pression, ‘‘ and I chance to have it in advance of the others.” Avice’s uneasiness was increased, ‘‘Now tell me, please,” she said, when they were in thecarriage and fairly homeward bound. Mrs, Hardy’s sadness had deepened, but so had her composure, one might have said, ‘Yes: but you must prepare yourself for something of a shock, my dear!” ** A shock?” ‘* Yes; thatis,a sort of one, True,” half toher— self, ‘* he could havo been nothing more than an acquaintance, though perhaps an amusing one.” ‘* What do you mean?” ** Your chatty old companion, Mr. Stuyvesant: Vanderhuysen, whom you deserted for the St. Johns, leaving him momentarily to me.” ** Yes,” breathlessly. ‘** It is terrible,” with impressment, ** What of him?” ‘*He is—dead /” in a low, sibilant voice, but: with an eye flash of exultation. Avice Hardy’s face had blanched, ** You cannot mean it?” ** Alas, too well! Poor, harmless old gentle- mar! It was, it must have been soon after his quitting the saloon. A fit of apoplexy at the edge of the elevator shaft, in the unfrequented end of that long pad and just as the heavy staging was jeg kea knife. Frightful!” averting her face, with a seemingly involuntary shudder. The * Bt itated in an instant! © body left behind, the bead in the basement! It was a moment or two before Avice could rally from the horror of it all, but when she did it was with a startling result. ‘¢ Murderess !” she gasped, and then went on recklessly: ‘* Yes, yes: it is just to you, Gladys Hardy— t-adventuress, who have writhed our way into the bosom of my honorable fam- hy to pollute and ruin it!—it is to you expressly that I address myself, and I repeat the accusing word—murderess |” ~The outbreak was, perhaps, altogether unex- ted, but, save for a slight stare from under” elevated brows, Mrs. Hardy manifested neither rise nor offense. e woe are violent and rasb,” quietly. ‘‘ Suppose you explain, Gomme she responded, (G(e) .OOKS : ea —_ ‘ ee ee, Oe - i { —*