Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 23, 1908)
13 I r t a s t a a g inh BLINDFOLDED A Mystery Slory of San Francisco BY EARLE ASHLEY WALGOTT (Oopyrltflit IIHW, tlie llobbs Merrill Co.) SYNOPSIS. Giles Dudley nrrlvrd In Sun Francisco to Join hln friend and distant relative Henry Wilton, whom lm was to ass'st In an Important nnd mysterious tnslt, and who accompanied Dudley on tlio ferry boat trip Into the city. The re markable resemblance of the two men Is noted and commented on by passen gers on the ferry. They see a man with snake eyes, which sends a thrill through Dudley. Wilton postpones an explanation of the stratiKe errand Dudley Is to per form, but occurrence cause him to know It Is ono of no ordinary meanlncr. Dudley Is summoned to the inorRtio nnd there finds the dead body of his friend, Henry Wilton. And thus Wilton dies without ever explaining to Dudley the puzssllncr work he was to perform In San Francisco. In order to d'scover tho se cret mission his friend had entrusted to him, Dudley continues his dluKUlsn nnd permits himself to bo known as Henry Wilton. Ho learns thnt there Is a boy whom lie Is charged with secrotliiK nnd protecting. Dudley, mistaken for Wil ton, Is employed by Knapp to ns'st In a ntock brokerage deal. Giles Dudley finds himself closeted In a room with Mother llnrton who makes a confidant of him. Ho can learn nothing about tho mvster'nns boy further than that It Is Tim Torrill and Darbv Mocker who am after him. Dudley visits tho homo of Knapp and Is stricken by tho beauty of l.uclla. h's daughter. Slumm'ng tour through Chinatown Is planned. The trip to Chinatown. Giles Dudley learns that tho party Is being shadowed by Terrlll. Liuclln nnd Dudley are cut off from the rest of tho party and Imprison ed In a hallway behind an Iron-bound door. Three Chinese ruffians npproncb tho imprisoned couple. A battle ensues. Ono is knocked down. Giles begins tiring. Tim Terrlll Is seen In the mob. X newly form ed mob Is checked by slnts from Giles" re.voli'or. Policeman Corson breaks down the door with an nx and the couple Is res"Ued. I.uella thanks Giles Dudley for saving her life. Knapp appears at tho ofllco with no traces of tho previous night's debauch. Following his instruc tions Dudley has a notable day In tho Stock Fs-ehnnne. selling Crown Diamond and having Omega, the object being to crush Decker, Knapp'a hated rival. Dud lev discovers that ho loves Luella Knapp. Mother ItTton tUs Giles Dudley that "they've d'scovend where 'the boy' is." Tho mvsterious unknown woman employ er of Dudley meets him by appointment with "the boy" who Is turned over to Dudley with his guards and they drive with him to tt'o ferry boat to take a train out of tho city. Dudley and his faithful guards convey "tho boy" by train tc tho village of liivermoro. as per the written instructions. The pirty In followed. Soon after the party Is quartered In the hotel a special train arrives in Tilvermore. The "gnng" Includ'ng Darby Meoker and Tim Terrlll, lay s'ego to the hotel and en deavor to capture "tho boy." who conies forward to seo I ho light. "Tricked again," cr'cs Tim Terrlll. when ho seen the youngster's fare. "It's tho wrong boy." Dudley and Terrlll meet in battlo of man to man. Dudley Is knocked un conscious by TerrlU's assistant and awakes to tlnd himself in a hotel room under care of h's guards. The hotel Is guarded by TerrlU's men who nro In Htructed to kill tho first man who tries to escape. Dudley gives tho nolo to tho one oyed man. Tho boy is loft behind and Dudley and his remaining guards make their escape by horseback. CHAPTER XIV. Continued. The willing brutes shot forward into the darkness at the word and tossed the rain drops from their ears with many an angry nod. t have a dim recollection of splash ing over miles of level road, drenched with water and buffeted by gusts of wind that faced ns more and more, with tho monotonous beat of hoofs ovor in my ears, and tho monotonous stride of the horse beneath mo ever racking my tired muscles. Then we Blackened pace in a road that wound in sharp descent through a gap In the hills, and tho rush and roar of a tor rent beneath and beside us, tho wind swooping with wild blasts through tho trees that lined tho way and cov ered thj hlllsldo and seeming to change the direction of its attack at every moment. "We'll make It, I reckon," said Thatcher, at last. "It's only two miles farther, and the train hasn't gone up yet." There was no sign of life about the station as wo drew our panting, steam ing horses to a halt before It, and no train was In sight. Tho rain dripping heavily from tho caves was tho only sound that came from it, and a dull glow from an onglno that lay alone on a siding was the only light that was to bo seen. "What's tho time?" asked Thatcher. "Wo must havo mado a quick trip." "Twenty minutes pnst three," said I, striking a match under my coat to seo my watch face. "Immortal snakes!" cried Thatcher. "I'm an idiot. This Is Sunday night." I failed to seo the connection of theso startling discoveries, but I had spirit enough to arguo the case. "It's t Monday morning, now." , "Well, it's the samo thing. Tho frolght doosn't run to-night." 1 awoko to somo interest at this an nouncement. "Why, it's got to run, or wr must take to saddle again for tho rest of tlw way." "These horses can't go five miles more at that gait, let alone 2D," pro tested Thatcher. "Well, then, we must got other horses here." "Come," said Rtr.hugh; "what's tho use of that when theio's an engine on the siding doing nothing?" ".lust the Idea. Find tho man In charge." Hut there did not appear to bo any man In charge. Tho onglneor and fireman wore gone, and tho watchman had been driven to cover by the foul weather. Wo looked tho Iron horso over en viously. "Why. this is tho engine that camo up wl'h tho special this noon," said Fltzhuyh. I remember tho number." "Good! We are ahead of iho enemy, then. They haven't had1 n chance to get tho wire, and wo beat them on tho road. Wo must find tho engineer and got it ourselves." "I've got an Idea," said FItzhugh. "It's this: Why not take tho machine without asking? I was a fireman once, nnd 1 can run It pretty well." I thought a moment on the risk, but the need was greater. ".lust tho thing. Tako the money for tho horses to your friend thore. I'll open tho switch." Jn a few minutes Fit.hugh was back. "I told him," ho chuckled. "Ho says It's a jail ofrenso, but It's tho only thing we can do." "It may be a case of life and death," I said. "Pull out." "There's mighty little steam here hardly enough to move her," said Fitz hugh from the cab, stirring the lire. Hut as ho put his hand to the lover she did move easily on to tho main track and rested while I reset tho switch. Then I climbed hack Into the cab and sank down before tho warm blaze in a stupor of faintnoss as tho engine glided smoothly and swiftly do,vn the track. CHAPTER XXV. A Flutter in the Market. Tho gray pall of tho storm hung over San Francisco. Tho dim light of the morning scarcely penetrated Into the hallways as we climbed tho stairs that led to our lodgings, leaving be hind us tho trail of dripping garments. 1 heaved a sigh of relief as Trent opened the door, and wq onco more faced the pleasing prospect of warmth, dry clothing and friends. We had made tho run from Nllcs without incident and had left tho en gine on a siding at Brooklyn without being observed. If tho railroad com pany still has curiosity, after all these years, to know how that, engine yol from Niles to Brooklyn, I trust that the words I havo just written may be taken as an explanation and r.nology. "Where's Ilarkhouse?" I asked, be coming comfortable onco more with dry clothes, a warm room and a fresh bandage on my arm. "He hasn't shown up, sir," sald Trent. "Owens and Larson went out to look for him toward evening yes terday, lmt there wasn't a sign of him." "Try again to-day. You may pick up news at Morton's or some of tho water-front saloons." "Oh, there was a letter for you," said Trent. "I near fogot." i snatched the cnvolope, for the ad dross was in tho hand of the Un known. Tho sheet within bore the words: "Where Is the boy? Have you re moved him? Send tho key to Rich mond. Let me know when you re turn, for I must see you as soon as It Is safe." I read tho note three or four times and each time I was more bewildered than before. I had left the boy in Llvermoro, but certainly he was not the ono she meant. He was the "wrong hoy," and my employer must be well aware that I had taken him at her orders. Or could that expedi tion be a Jest of tho enemy to divert my attention? I dismissed this theory as soon as It suggested itself. Tho closing portion of the note sot my heart heating fast. At Inst I was to havo the opportunity to meet my mysterious employer fnco to face. Hut what explanation was I to make? What reception would I meet whon sho learned that Henry Wilton had given up his life In hor service and that I, who had taken his place, could tell nothing of tho things sho wished to know? I wrote a brief nolo to Richmond stating that I had no key, inclosed the Unknown's note, with tho remark that I had returned and gave It to Owens to deliver. I was In somo anxiety lest ho might not know whore Richmond was to bo found. Hut ho took the note without question, and I law down with orders that 1 was to bo called In tlmo to reach the opening nesslon of tho stock market, and In a moment was fast asleep. Tho Stock Exchange was a boiling and bubbling mass of oxclted men as I reached It. I shouldered my way through the crowd Into tho buzzing Hoard-room as tho session opened. ICx cltomeut thrilled the air, but tho open ing was listless. All know that the struggle ovor Omoga was to ho sot tied that day, nnd that Doddridge Knapp or George Decker was to find ruin at the end of tho call, and all wore eager to hasten the decisive mo ment. I could see nothing of Doddrldgo Knapp, and tho uneasy feeling that he was at Llvermoro came over mo. What was my duty in case he did tiot appear? Had he left his fotuno at tho mercy of tho market to follow his law loss, schemes? Had ho been caught In his own trap, and was he now to bo ruined as tho result of his own acts? I might havo spared my worry. Tho call had not proceeded far when the massive form of Doddridge Knapp ap peared at the railing. The strong wolf-i.arks of the face were stronger than ever as he watched tho scone on tho floor. I looked In vain for a trace upon him of last night's work. If ho had been at Llvermoro he showed no sign of the passions or anxieties that had filled the dark hours. Ho nodded carelessly for me to conic to him as ho caught my eye. "You have tho stock?" "All safe." "And the proxies?" ".lust as you ordered." The King of tho Street looked at mo sharply. "Any orders?" 1 asked at last. "Ho whero I can call you the min ute 1 want you," ho replied. "Now, my boy," he continued after a minute, "you aro going to seo what hasn't been seen in tho Hoards for years, find 1 reckon you'll never seo It again." "What Is It?" I asked politely. I was prepared for almost any kind of fireworks In that arena. Doddrldgo Knapp made no reply, but raised his hand as if to command silence, and a moment later tho call of Omega was heard. And, for a marvel, a strango stillness did fall on the throng. At tho word of call I saw Doddridge Knapp stop down to tho floor of tho pit, calm, self-possessed, his shoulders squared and his look as proud and forceful its that of a monarch who ruled by tho might of his sword, while a grim smile played about his stern mouth. The silence of the moment that followed was almost painful, whon the voice of Doddridge Knapp rang like a trumpet through tho Hoard-room. "Five hundred for Omega!" This was a wild jump from :52r that was marked against tho slock at the close on Saturday, but 1 supposed the King of tho Street know what lie was about. At tho bid of Doddridge Knapp a few cries rose here ami there, and ho was at once the center of a group of gesticulating brokers. Then I saw Decker, pale, eager, alert, standing by the rail across tho room, signaling or ders to men who howled bids and plunged wildly Into the crowd that sur rounded his rival. The bids and offers camo back and forth with shouts and barks, yet they mado but a murmur con pared to tho whirlwind of sound that had arisen from tho pit at tho former struggles I had witnessed. There seemed but. a few blocks of tho stock on tho market. "This is great," chuckled Wall bridge, taking post beroro mo. "There hasn't been anything like it since Dockor captured Chollur in the elec tion of 711. You don't remombor flint, I guess?" "I wasn't in tho market then," I ad mitted. "Lord! Just to hear that!" cried the stout little man, mopping his glist ening head frantically and quivering with nervous excitement. "Doddridge Knapp bids 1,500 for tho stock and only gets llvo shares. Oh, why ain't I a chance to get into this?" I heard a confused roar, above which roso tho florco tones of Dodd rldgo Knapp. "How many shares has ho got to day?" I asked. "Not 10 yet." "And tho others?" "There's been about 2,000 sold." 1 gripped the rail In norvous lonslon. Tho buttle seemed to i.o going against tho King or the Streot. "Oh!" gasped Wallbridgo, trembling with oxoltoinont. "Did you hear that? There! It's 1,700 now it's 1,775! Whow!" i echo-.ut tho exclamation. "Oil, why haven't 1 got 10,00i) shares?'' ho groaned. "Who Is getting them?" "Knapp got tho last lot. Ooh, look there! Did you over seo the like of that?" I looked. Decker, hatless, with hair disheveled, had leaped the rall'nn:l was hurrying Into tho throng that sur rounded Doddrldgo Knapp. "There wan never two of cm on tho floor before," cried Wallbridgo. At Decker's api earanco tho brokers opened a lano o him, tho cries foil and thero was an Instant of silence as the kings of tho market thus camo came face to face. I shall never forget tho sight. Dodd ridge Knapp, massive, calm, forceful, surveyed his opponent with unruffled composure. He was dressed in a light gray-brown suit thnt mado him iieem larger than ever. Decker wns nervous, disheveled, his dress or black sotting olf the pallor of his race, till It seemed as white as his shirt bosom, as ho fronted tho King of tho Street. The foes raced each other, watchful as two wrestlers looking to selzu an opening, and tho Hoard-room held Its breath. Then tho crowd of brokors closed in again aud tho clamor roso onco more. I could not mako out tho progress of the contest, but tho trained ear of Wallbridgo Interpreted tho explosions of Inarticulate sound. "Phow! listen to that! Two thou sand, 2,100, 2.1C0. Great snakes! Seo her jump!" ho cried. "Decker's get ting It." My heart sank. Doddridge Knapp must havo smothered his brain onco more in the Hlack Smoke, and was now paying tho price of Indulgence. And his plans of wealth wero a sacri fice lo the wild and criminal scheme into which ho had entered in his con test against the Unknown. Tho clang of tho gong recalled mc from the rovorle that had shut out the details of the scene before me. "There! Did you hear that?" groaned Wallbridgo. "Omega closes at 2,000 and Decker takes every trick. Oh, why didn't you havo mo on the floor out there? Hy the great horn spoon, I'd 'a' had every share of that stock, and wouldn't 'a' paid moro than half as much for it, neither." 1 sighed and turned, sick at heart, to meet the King of tho Street as ho shouldered his way from tho floor. There was not a trace of hla mis fortune to bo read In his face. Hut Decker, the victor, moved away llko a mttn oppressed, pale, staggering, half-fainting, as though tho norvous strain had brought him to the edgo of collapse. Doddridge Knapp made his way to the doors and signed mo to follow him, but, spoke no word until wo stood beside the columns that guard tho en trance. "That was warm work," said Dodd rldgo Knapp after a moment's halt. "I wan very sorry to have It turn out so," 1 said. A grim smllo passed over his face. "I wasn't," ho growled good humor edly. "I thought It wns rather neatly done." I looked at him In surprise. "Oh, I forgot, that I hadn't, seen you," lie ccuntlnued. "And like enough I shouldn't have told you If I had. Tho truth is, I found a block of 1,000 shares on Saturday night, and mado a oom blnation with thorn." (TO HE CONTINUED.) BUTTER B Y T HE Y ARD. Dairy Product Is So Sold in City of Cambridge, England. In Cambridge, England, butter Is sold by tho yard. For generations It has been tho practlco of Cambridge shire dairy folk to roll their butter Into lengths, each length measuring a yard and weighing a pound. Deftly wrapped in strips of clean white cloth, tho cylindrical rolls aro packed In long, narrow baskets mado for tho pur pose, and thus conveyed to market. The butter women who, In whlto linen aprons and sleeves, preside ovor tho stalls In the market havo no need of weights or scales for dispensing their wares. Constant practlco and experi enced eyes enable thorn with a stroko of tho knifo to divide a yard of but ter Into halves or quarters with al most mathematical exactness. The university people aro tho chief huyora of this curiously shaped pro duct. In addition to being famed for its purity and sweetness, Cambridge "yard butter" is eminently adapted for being served to tho students In tho dally commons. Cut In conveniently sized pieces and accompanied by a loar of tho best wheat bread, a Btated portion is sent, round every morning to tho rooms of tho undergaduates for uso at breakfast and tea. Tho Sun day Magazine. Japanese School Appliances. South China Is being covered with Jnpnnoseducntional appliances spec ially adapted for Chinese uso school books, maps, globes, anatomical and other charts all helping to reseuo tho peoplo from tholr Ignorunce. Every school teaches physical and mllltnry drill. In every town of any hIxo, and ol ton In Villages, thoro aro now RchoolM with foreign Ilttlngs for teach ing wuatorn learning. flMaM&LaLLMaHiavrbVhVLwIswlBLLLr After suffering for seven yearn, this woman wns rcstorcUoh:nltu by LyditiK.l'lnklmm'H Vegetable Compound. Kcud her letter. Mrs. Sallio French, of Fhucaunlo, Ind. Tcr., writes to Mrs. l'iuklmm: I had female troubles for 60vcn years was all run-down, and do ncr vous I could uot do anything. The doctors treated mo for dl lTorent troublca but did mo no good. Whilo hi this con dition I wrote to Mrs. IMnkham for ad vice and toolc Lydla 12. l'inkham's Vcgo tablo Compound, and I am now Btrong aud well." FACTS FOR SICK WOMEN. For thirty years Lydia E. Pink lmm's Vegotablo Compound, mado from roots and herbs, has beon tho standard remedy for femalo ills, anil has positively cured thousands of womonwho havo been troubled with displacements, inflammation, ulcera tion, ilbroid tumors, irregularities, periodic pains, backache, that bearing-down feeling, ilatulency,indigcs tion,di.incss,orncrvou3 prostration. Why don't you try ib V Don't licsitato to write to Mrs. IMiiklium if tlioro hi anything about; your sickness yon do not understand. Sho will treat your letterineonCtdenconndadviseyou free. No woman over regretted writing her, and heeouso of her vast oxperieneo she has helped thousands. Address, Lynn, Mass Imaginary Holidays. I know a man who cannot afford to travel, and yet has a delightful way of deceiving himself. IIo lenrns nhout the cost of traveling, the proper cloth ing to ho worn, gets a tlmo table, and arranges excursions for himself to various places, and then reads about them In books of travel. To tho man with Imagination It Is a captivating occupation. Hearth aud Homo. Instant Relief for All Eyes, thnt nro irritated from dust, hunt, mm or wind, IMSTTiT'S HYI5 SAhVH, '2oc. All druggists or Howard I Iron., llnlYalo, N. Y. It's a pity somo peoplo can't marry for brains Instead of money. You fihvnys got full vnhie in Lcwin' 3inido Hinder htraiglit fie uigar. Your dealer or Lewis' Factory, i'eoriu. 111. A woman says that all mon may bo equal, but none aro uuporior. FAIQIS FOR 1M2NT or wile on crop pay inentH. J. ML'IjIIAI.L, Sioux City, Jn. Tho wlso man who has a good opln lou of himself keeps it to himself. INml. Aclio IJho AIIcii'h I'mit-Kiiso OrnrHUXJOtchMnioululN. Kolitso liultiitlniiK. Ki-ndfor rruo trial jiaukuifo. A.M. OlinMi-il. I, Hoy, N. Y. Tho lovo of monoy In tho easiest of all roots to cultivate. HaUtuol Constipation l lay be permanently overcome by proper nersoital efforts viUilKc assistance of the ono truly Kenojicial toocaltve remedy, Syrup of Tigs and kluir ojScwnaj which enable ft one to form regular habit's aaily $o I hcvt" assistance To na ture may be graaVatrV dispensed vith. Mien no (oner ncecW a$ the best of remedies, wlxcn required, arcto assist at.re and hot to fiupvlantthc hatur ai junctions, vmcn muBi aenena um xni proper Jo 4eX buy the Genuine SymflSgs t ixinSenna manufactured Ly lic California Fig Syrup Co. oniy SOLD BY ALL LEADING DRUGCISTS one size only, regular price oOfr Bottle Throat and Lungs need )utt tho protection agalnit cold and ii'iuj that it olilainrtl from lWCure. you have, a couah or old. jliglil or inioui, begin lak in? Piio'i Cure today and conllnus unlit you are well. Cure die cough wlula it it (teih, when a few dote of Piso'a Cure may I all that you will need. Famous lot half a.cen luty. Pleaunt lo taitc. Free flora CfsUtet and harmful jngredirnti. At all dmgsiiU', 25 cU. -fy upon prober nourishment, ;oru,andriuil living generally, ite heliofioinl cfforfA a!wiv.t )) ' y iRIgiOjH&li