CHAPTER IX.
IKE'S PERTINACITY IS REWARDED IN A MOST REMARKABLE MANNER--HE PROVES ALL THEORIES AND REDEEMS ALL PROMISES.
The exchange of signals between the burglar and the woman was anincident of great significance to our hero. The burglar was a verygentlemanly looking and acting man--a fellow far above the usualpersonality of robbers. Ike was after him, however, and in his own mindhad arrived at a conclusion. A little time passed. The man made thecircuit of the boat, appeared to be satisfied and returned to the cabinwhere the woman sat. He walked boldly up to her and they engaged in avery earnest conversation, while our hero muttered: "At last! At last!"When the boat reached the landing the woman went ashore alone, and Ikewas in a dilemma. He did not wish to lose sight of either of them. Hebelieved he was not only on to the burglars, but also going directtoward the hiding-place of the stolen property. He decided to follow thewoman, but knew how necessary it was to be very careful.
We will here state that nearly all burglars have women confederates, andwe will also state that the most romantic denouements have time andagain followed the running down of an expert burglar. Burglars are notall vulgar, rough men. Some of them are rascals possessing aesthetictastes. The police records will show that many burglars have beenmarried to very reputable women whom they have kept in total ignoranceof their criminal life. It is upon the records that burglars have beenknown to be very fond of their families. Of course, these cases areexceptions, as the usual housebreaker is a vulgar rascal. Ike, however,knew of many singular romances connected with criminals and believedthat he had fallen to one, a romance of a peculiarly exceptionalcharacter.
As stated, he desired to follow the woman, but did not dare show hishand. He left the boat, however, and a few moments later saw the burglarpass around to the returning boat. It was evident he had met the womanand was about to return to New York.
Ike boarded the Staten Island rapid transit train. He had seen the womango on the train and she rode to the third station, where she alighted.Our hero was on the alert. He alighted from the train also. His disguisewas a good one. Again, in a rural district he could lay away back. Hefollowed the lady until to his surprise he saw her enter a very handsomevilla house, and then he remembered he had overheard just one wordbetween the lady and the burglar. As he saw her enter that villaresidence he fell to the significance of the man's words. He intended tovisit the house that night, and our hero was put to his wits' end todecide upon his course in the emergency. Two propositions were presentedto him: Was the stolen property in the villa, and did the man intend tocome that night and take it away, or did he intend to remove it fromsome other place and hide it in the villa? The ventriloquist meditated along time and finally decided he had the burglar located. He had thevilla located. He had reason to believe the man was to visit the villathat night. The chances favored a double catch--the burglars and the"swag."
Ike determined to return to New York, notify Jack and Du Flore and withthem return to Staten Island and stand ready for a grand denouement.Before returning, however, he "piped" the house a bit and saw a mangreet the woman as she stepped upon the grand piazza. He then returnedto the station, muttering as he went:
"It will be great luck if we capture both burglars and all the swag.Great ginger! what a man the young Detective Du Flore will be!"
Our hero arrived in the city, got in communication with his detectivefriend and told his story. Du Flore was all excitement. He said:
"Ike, you have got on to the whole business, sure, and you've done itall yourself. Yes, that property is in that villa. We will have a greatsensation for the public, who are never tired of great sensations, butwe will give them a dandy this time, sure."
Ike, Jack and the detective got themselves up in first-class disguises,and taking different boats proceeded singly to the Island, where theyall arrived just about dark. They met and our hero indicated the road tothe villa, and some time later they were all laying low and on the watchnear the house where they expected to make the capture of the season.
It had been arranged between Ike and Jack to exchange signals, but itwas some hours before they had the opportunity and then Ike signaledthat their man had arrived. Our hero recognized his gait. The rogue wentstraight to the villa, which was illuminated on the first and secondfloors, and the woman evidently heard the step, for she came to the doorto meet her friend. The ventriloquists and detective came together andheld a few moments' conversation, and it was decided that Ike shouldsteal into the house, as he was the one most experienced in that sort ofwork. Ike started right in. He had reconnoitered the house earlier inthe day and knew just where to effect an entrance. He succeeded, andonce in the house he went very slow. He saw no servants and decided theyhad all retired; or, as it proved later, had been granted a holiday, foronly one servant was in the house. As it also proved, this servant wasreally a confederate and had retired. Ike observed that all the lightson the lower floor had been extinguished, and he ascended to the secondfloor and fell to his old game of peep and listen. The man and womanwere seated at a table. The latter was a sharp, shrewd-faced woman. Ikeheard the man say:
"Mosely will not be here to-night."
"Then what do you propose to do?"
"Look over the swag."
"Do you not think it risky?"
"No, the detectives have given it up as a bad job."
"How do you intend to make a division?"
"The jewels are all yours. The money and bonds we will take."
The woman's face betrayed her delight.
"All right," she said; "such a division is agreeable to me. I will bringthe bonds and let you count them over."
"Are all the windows tightly closed?"
"We can close them."
"Do so."
The woman did close all the windows, and then going to an adjoining roomreturned in a few moments, bearing in her arms, we will say, a bundle ofbonds. Ike well recognized the documents. He had seen so manybonds--indeed, had captured so many at different times from thieves. Thewoman laid the certificates on the table and the man said:
"Where are the jewels and the money?"
"I thought they were to be my share."
"Certainly, but I wish to look them over. I wish to see the full amountof our great capture."
The woman's face displayed a little disconcertion, but she went to theadjoining room and soon returned, bringing with her a jewel case and abag which clinked, showing its contents to be gold. The man opened thebag and tossed gold and bills on the table, and his eyes glittered ashis glance fell upon the wealth.
Ike had seen enough for the time being. He slid down the stairs, gave asignal and was joined by his friends. To them he told the wondrous news.He said:
"We've got it all. It's right to our hands." As stated, he told the taleand then led his companions into the house. A programme had hastily beenarranged. They all gathered at the door of the room. Just one momentthey stood and then there sounded a wild, weird shriek, and it appearedto be in the very room where the robber and his female pal were countingthe gold and examining the jewels. The shriek had been sent forth with apurpose. Both the man and the woman were paralyzed with terror, sosudden had come the yell, in all its shrill and piercing distinctness.As they stood and gazed Du Flore, armed with a pair of cocked revolvers,entered the room. The man attempted to draw a weapon, but Du Florecalled out:
"Hold on there! you're covered."
Ike and Jack entered the room. Both were armed, and Ike went directly tothe woman and in a strange, weird voice said:
"You do not wish to die."
"Throw up your hands," commanded Du Flore.
The man did not obey. The click of a hammer sounded in his ears and hemuttered: "It's all up with us, Maggie. Who is to blame?"
Du Flore was a powerful fellow. He suddenly leaped forward and quickerthan a wink struck the man a blow that felled him to the floor. Therobber was unprepared, and fell as though shot; and Jack, ever ready asusual, clapped the darbies o
n him while Ike with singular dexterityperformed the same service for the woman, and the job was over.
It had been a bold, well-played game from first to last.
The bonds and gold and jewels were scooped into a bag, the man and womanwere led down the stairs, and a little later the whole party were onboard one of the Staten Island ferryboats. Jack remarked:
"The servants in that house will wonder where their mistress is whenthey walk downstairs in the morning."
The two prisoners were taken to headquarters, and within two hours the"pard" of the robber was captured on information which the chief ofpolice secured from the woman. The mystery of the robbery had beensolved, and on the following morning our hero proceeded to the home ofMr. Sidney. He found the old gentleman in his usual placid humor, but hedid display just a little excitement when Ike said:
"I'm ready now to introduce you to your niece."
The old man stared.
"Is it possible?" he ejaculated.
"Yes, sir, it is possible. It's true your fortune has beenrecovered--every bond, every dollar, every jewel."
The old man stood a moment lost in deep thought, and finally he said:
"This is indeed wonderful--yes, very wonderful!"
"It is true, and now I go to prepare your lovely niece to receive you."
Ike did proceed to the home of Sara Sidney. He found the young lady inquite a happy mood, and her lovely face became radiant as she enteredthe little parlor where Ike waited to meet her.
"I am so glad you have come."
"Indeed!"
"Yes."
"Do you anticipate the news I have to tell you?"
"I do not."
"I have great news for you, but first let me tell you a strange tale."
Ike proceeded and told the tale of the robbery--told it as though hewere merely relating an interesting story with which Miss Sidney had noconnection--and proceeded and told how he and his friend Jack, withDetective Du Flore, had recovered all the stolen bonds, money andjewels.
The girl listened and was deeply interested, evidently believing thatJack was merely telling a tale of his success, and she said when he hadconcluded:
"You are one of the greatest detectives on earth."
"I will not lay claim to that distinction until I have found your uncle.You know I told you I had a clue."
"Yes, and it would be so strange if after all these years I should meetmy father's brother, my uncle."
"Would you like to meet him?"
"How can you ask such a question? Do you know what it means to be alonein the world?"
"Yes, I know exactly what it means to be alone in the world. I am alonein the world. I do not know that I have a living relative on earth."
"Ike, you never told me your story."
"Shall I tell you my story?"
"Yes; I should be delighted to hear it."
"I will tell it to you. All I can remember of my earliest days is that Iwas traveling around the world from city to city with a strange man whobade me call him uncle. He was a great magician. He taught me his trade.I had a natural aptitude for the business. I evidently possessed a giftin that direction, and he cultivated my natural gift so that I became awonder to him and a wonder to myself. Well, one day, without anyprevious warning, the old man announced to me here in New York that hewas going away--to leave me. I was amazed and heart-broken. He had beenin America a year when he made the announcement. He would not tell mewhy he deserted me; he would not tell me where he was going and wouldnot assure me that I should ever see him or hear from him again. Andwhat was stranger still, although I knew that he was rich--for togetherwe had been very successful--he was leaving me practically penniless.All he gave me was five dollars, and when I reproached him he said:
"'You can earn the money you need with your wonderful gift.' He gave mea great deal of good advice as concerned my conduct while making thestruggle of life."
"Did you not ask him about your parentage?"
"I did, but he refused to give me any information."
"Did he deny knowing about you?"
"He indicated that he did know the story of my earliest life, but herefused to give me any information. He did say, however, that some dayif I lived I would learn all about myself."
"How cruel he was!"
"It would appear so, but after all it is proved that he knew what he wastalking about. He said I could earn all the money I needed with my greatgift, and his words have proved true. I have not wanted for anythingsince the night he so strangely disappeared. Before going he gave me abox and told me I must not open that box until I was twenty-one, oruntil such time as I might fall into some dreadful calamity; then, whenall other means failed, I was to open the box."
"And you have that box?"
"I have."
"You never opened it?"
"I have never opened it."
"Oh, how I would like to see what is in that box!" said Sara in an eagertone.
"No doubt you are a true daughter of Eve, but I will not open that boxuntil I am one-and-twenty. I have never had any excuse for opening it,as far as having been overtaken by any dire calamity. My life has beenpleasant and successful. I have been enabled to perform many good deedsfor people who needed aid and assistance."
"You did a wonderful deed for me."
"I propose to do more for you. I propose to find your uncle."
"But that box, Ike?"
"Well, what about the box?"
"Are you sure it is safe?"
"Yes, I am sure it is safe."
"Oh, how I should like to be present when you open that box!"
"Maybe you can be," said Ike.
"Oh, I should go wild in anticipation."
"Some day--not now--but some day I may propose a condition whereby youmay earn the privilege of being present when I open that box."
"No doubt it contains some wonderful secret."
"It is possibly a secret concerning me. It may inform me that I am theunknown son of a beggar, or it may tell me that I am a prince, a lord ora duke."
"A prince, Ike! Yes, it will inform you that you are a prince."
"The prince of ventriloquists," said Ike with a laugh--a very merrylaugh.
"Oh, Ike, you are really a lord or a duke," cried Sara in tones of greatenthusiasm.
Ike observed her enthusiasm, and, for reasons which our readers shalllearn when we tell the story of the opening of the mysterious box, ourhero was quite pleased, and the girl again said:
"Ike, remember your promise. You are to give me an opportunity to bepresent when you open that mysterious box. Oh, how I would like to learnits secret! Not for myself, but for you. It will be a great andpleasing discovery when you open that box."
"Maybe I have a great and pleasing disclosure to make to you now."
The girl's face assumed a sudden pallor.
"What do you mean, Ike?"
"I made you another promise. I told you I would find your uncle."
"I see, I see! You have found him?"
"Yes, I have found him."
"I know now why you told me the story of the old miser and the loss andrecovery of his treasures."
"You discern why I told?"
"Yes."
"Why did I tell you?"
"I hardly dare answer."
"Do not fear. Tell me what you suspect."
"That old miser is my uncle?"
"Yes, Sara, that old miser is indeed your uncle, and I have a greatsurprise for you."
Sara was thoughtful a moment and then asked:
"Are you sure he is my uncle?"
"I am."
"You have absolute proof?"
"I have."
"And I am the niece of a soulless miser!" murmured Sara in adisconsolate tone.
"No, he is not an old miser--he is a warm-hearted, generous man. I willtell you more about him later on."
"But are you sure you have the proof?"
"Yes, I am sure."
"Tell me what the proof
is."
"I am going to show you the proof. I have a great surprise for you.Come, put on your hat and cloak. You are to go with me and beholdsomething that will make you stare."
"I shall not stare at my uncle; and again, Ike, I assure you I must havepositive proof."
"You shall have positive proof. This is a most strange and remarkableromance. It is fate. I am a strong believer in fate. I have encounteredso many strange incidents during my short life. See my meeting with you;remember the tragic incidents that followed. You intended to drownyourself in the park lake."
The girl's face became ghastly.
"No, no, Ike."
"Yes, I know."
"I will admit the temptation to drown myself after the discovery of myloss was very great; but no, no, I would have recoiled at the lastmoment."
"I am so glad to hear you say so. I do not think much of people who onthe appearance of every little trouble rush to kill themselves. It showslack of mind strength. But come; I am to take you to meet your uncle."
The girl hesitated. She did not appear as glad as Ike had thought shewould be. The fact was, he did not know the lovely girl yet. He was tolearn more about her later on, and there was to follow an intenseromance as a result of his meeting with this lovely little lady from thefar West.
"Come, your uncle awaits you."
"Does he know about me?"
"Yes."
"Does he accept the proof?"
"He will when he sees you."
"What do you mean?"
"That is my little secret for the present. I tell you I still have inreserve a great surprise for you--the proof for you, the proof for him.It is a most remarkable coincidence, and here again fate comes in. Yes,yes, there is a wonderful surprise for you."
While Ike was talking he could not keep his eyes off the face of thelovely girl. Its changing expressions made her look wondrouslybeautiful. He was charmed--charmed as he had never been charmed beforein all his life. We will not say yet that he had met his fate, but wewill say that he was in a very dangerous position.
Our hero finally persuaded Sara to go and prepare herself for thestreet, and together they started to go to the home of the old miser.When they arrived in front of the house the girl stood still; a shudderpassed over her delicate frame and she said:
"Must I enter that old miserable-looking house to meet my uncle?"
"Yes, but I am surprised. I do not understand your reluctance."
"Never mind. I must go and I will."
Ike led the way into the house. He had completed all his arrangementsfor the meeting. He knew just what he was about. Once in the house heled the fair girl into the parlor. There had been no cleaning done.Everything was moldy, old and decaying as upon the night when Ike firstforced an entrance. The girl looked around in a disdainful manner, andagain Ike did not understand her mood. She did not appear even pleasedwhen he had thought she would be so delighted. He dusted off a chair,bade her sit down and then he lit the gas; for there was gas in the oldhouse. After lighting the gas he went to the covered picture and said:
"Sara, look at this and tell me how old you were when you sat for thispicture."
As he spoke he removed the cover and the beautiful face of the old man'sdead daughter was revealed as pictured upon the canvas. It was abeautiful painting, and the resemblance to the living girl who gazedupon the face was marvelous. She did not speak--she could not speak. Shejust gazed with all her eyes.
"This is something I did not promise to find," said Ike; "but it is theproof that Mr. Sidney is your uncle. This is a portrait of his----"
Ike stopped short, and the girl gasped:
"Go on. Of whom?"
"Mr. Sidney's daughter--your cousin--the daughter whose place in hisaffections you are to supply; for she is dead, and that is why he livesthe life which led people to believe that he was a miser. He is not amiser, but a kind, generous, liberal man, and in finding your uncle foryou I have found one whom you can and will love."
Sara appeared to be completely overcome with astonishment.
"I do not understand it," she said.
Ike had told the story of the robbery. He proceeded and told theprevious history of Mr. Sidney, and when he had concluded he said:
"It's all very strange and wonderful. Indeed, mysterious are the ways ofProvidence, but the most remarkable feature of this whole series ofincidents, Miss Sidney, is the fact that the portending denouement wasall brought about through two very mean and contemptible robberies. Butall's well that ends well, as I've often had occasion to say in thepast, and I wish you to meet your uncle."
Ike had no reason, however, to go and call the old miser, for thereoccurred a most unexpected metamorphosis. Our hero had just concludedthe last remark above quoted when he chanced to turn, and there stood afine-looking old gentleman, clean shaved, his hair cut and his attireperfect. Ike started in amazement, for despite the startlingmetamorphosis he recognized Mr. Sidney. Sara also beheld the old man,and she stood and gazed aghast.
For a few moments both stood and gazed at each other as though they werelooking upon a visitant from the grave. It was Mr. Sidney who broke thesilence. He said:
"Indeed you have brought to me my child from the grave. I need nofurther proof. This is my niece."
Sara's voice was broken as she said:
"No, no, there is no call for proof. It is wonderful--it is wonderful!It would appear that my father had come to me from his grave."
"My dear child, your father and I were twin brothers. Forty years ago wequarreled. The quarrel was due to me. I have mourned your father longbefore he went away to California, and now that he is dead this is morethan I deserve that he should have left as his legacy to me a child tosolace the remaining years of my life."
A little later Jack and Du Flore entered the room. Many explanationsfollowed and also a very enjoyable time.
Jack and Ike had performed several great feats, but later they were ledinto another series of adventures together which we shall relate inNumber 50 of "OLD SLEUTH'S OWN," wherein our readers will learn thethrilling romance of the life of Nimble Ike, the most wonderfulventriloquist yet known in all the world, and also will be revealed thesecret of the mysterious box.
THE END.
NOTE.--Remember there are some charming stories in the back numbers of"OLD SLEUTH'S OWN." Back numbers are always in print. When books areordered in advance they will be sent as soon as issued.
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Transcriber's Notes:
Italics represented with _underscores_. Bold represented with =equalssigns=.
Added table of contents.
Page 4, added missing comma after "60c."
Page 38, changed "had became enraged" to "had become enraged" and"become angry" to "became angry."
Page 48, changed "mean time" to "meantime" for consistency.
Page 52, added missing open quotes to first two paragraphs on page.
Page 59, changed "starred" to "stared."
Page 61, changed "statemen" to "statement."
Page 65, changed "politicially" to "politically."
Page 74, changed "althugh" to "although."
Page 82, changed "aked" to "asked."
Page 85, changed "Burlgars" to "Burglars."
Page 96, changed "appeear" to "appear."
The Twin Ventriloquists; or, Nimble Ike and Jack the Juggler Page 9