The Human Vampire; Or, The Elixir of Life — page 23: what you’re looking at

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— Vol. THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. 23 wayman. Heisrich as a Jew, and Mrs. Decker is his only ‘*No; I want you to send » muu—one of your smartest men— obild.” to find out the house. Ido not know the number, but it is near “Rich people is maner than poor peoplo some toimes.” “Mrs. Decker is not mean. Anyhow you would not have anything to do with her, The housekeeper is the one who hus all the say in the place.’ ‘An’ who may she be?” “ A lovely lady—Miss James. She is a» Southerner, and so nice. Any one who can’t get along with Miss James had best give np trying.” ‘““ Well, I'll think about it,” ‘‘Nonsense! You are a girl I can recommend, and they are scarce. Oomoe! they wanta head housemaid—what we call a girl for chamber work; but the Deckers are Nnglish, at least he is.” ‘¢T don’t loike English people, but may be I'll try it.” Mrs. Styles had the gift of persuasion, and she sooh convineed Delia that the place was made on purpose for her, and she for the place. Delia felt sorry that she could not keep her promise to Doty, but she was a poor girl, and must think first of all of dollars and cents. So it happened that the children were left without protection in the hands of old Jabez and Madge Warren. CHAPTER XX, THE WAY A REAL DETECTIVE WORKS. When Decker rose next day, he felt more thoroughly wretched than ever in his life before. He was deserted by Gregory. He was helpless, and knew not which way to turn. “My best chance will be to see one of the detectives and give him the clew furnished by Gregory. : He ordered o carriage and drove to the inspector’s office, That gentleman was in and gaye orders that Mv. Decker be shown to the inner office the moment he saw his card. “Good-morning, sir,” said the officer, and. a look of astonish- ment came over his face as he gazed upon the haggard counte- nonce before him, “Good-morning.” Decker took a seat, and pressed his aching hoad with his hand, while he said, ‘* You have made no progress, of course?” ‘We have learned nothing new, sir; but we have some of our best men at work,” The inspector’s tone was stiff, and he reddened. He did not like that ** of course.” “T see you misunderstand me,” Mr. Decker said, wearily, «‘T said you had hoard nothing yet, or I should have been in- formed—at least, that is what I meant.” “No offense, sir. Iam sure you believe we are doing our © best?” ‘Oertainly Ido. J have come to give you a little information I came across in a roundabout way.” EY Ge, sit. The inspector was prepared to lsten to any amount of in- formation and receive any amount of assistance, and make up his mind afterward to take it for what it was worth. He knew that this sort of thing was a part of every case. “T have learned that the children were seen in the company of 4 woman in a lodging-house on Twenty-fourth street, near Sixth avenne. The officer made a note and looked interested. “This woman is an [nglish woman, a gipsy. She was until very recently in the employ of Mrs, Derwent as & nurse.” “This information is relinble?” asked the inspector. “‘Ofconrse. The woman left her situation, or was discharged, on thé day before the (lisappearance of my children.” “She was at Newport then?” 'Yos; Mrs, Derwent igs a guest in Mrs, Mred Vandorcliff’s cottage. ‘he woman has been acting in such a strange manner that her mistress began to fenr she was insane. Mr. Decker had kept himsolf woll posted about Madge. ‘*How long since she was seen at the Twenty-fourth street house?” ‘That is more than I can tell you.” He had intended, of course, to make all possible inquiries, but was prevented from doing so by Gregory’s abrupt departure. “1 think, however, that she went direct to this place when she left Newport. The people are, I understand, old acquaint- ances of Mndge’s; that is the woman’s name,” The inspector looked mystified. There seemed to be some- thing more in this case than he had been aware of!” ‘Well, sir?” “She remained there » week or so, thon disappeared, leaving some of her luggage behind her.” “You hava seen these people?” Sixth avenue.” “Tl attend to it right away.’ Ho rang » bell und directed that Jessop be gent to him at once, A young man appeared. He was thin and slender, wore a clean-shayed face, and looked lke an actor—one of those young men who play subordinate parts and are awaiting their promo- tion, “Jessop, go to Twenty-fourth street, near Sixth avenue, Pind out which house in that neighborhood had a lodger with two little girls within the last six weeks. Look sharp and bring me the number,” ; “Tl wait here for this gentleman’s return,” said Mr, Decker. ‘* Very good; sir.” Mr. Jessop made a bow and vanished. Mr. Decker insisted upon the inspector going out to lunch with him. They returned in less than an hour and found Mr. Jessop waiting for them. “Here is the number, sir,” he said, handing his superior a eard. ‘The lady with the two children was there five weeks ago, and left suddenly. She leff some luggage, which is there sbill.” “Very good, Jessop. Hold yourself in readiness to go any- where at a» moment’s notice. You are now engaged on the Decker abduction case.” Jessop looked gratified, and withdrew, “Now, Mr. Decker, I know you want to go and see these people. Hnave you any objection to taking me along?” ‘Objection? I was ubout to beg you to come if you can spare the time.” “T oan, with pleasure,” The inspector felt ashamed that his men had suffered Madge to slip through their fingers, but he also blamed Mr. Decker for withholding information. He guessed that gentleman knew more of the woman Madge than he chose to tell, When they reached the house they rang the bell and inquired for the landlady, A small, round-shonldered woman appeared. She had a cadaverous face, the skin of which soemed stretched tightly over the bones, but which was still profusely wrinkled, Her eyes were deeply sunken and wore a apie: look, which was enhanced by the habitual sneer that curled the thin lips back from the uneven yellow teeth. On each cheekbone there was a bright red spot, while the rest of her face was a peculiar glisten- lng white. Her forehead was very high and jutted out over her eyes, and, altogether, the woman made a bad impression on the inspector. ‘‘We called to inquire for Mrs, Warren,” said Mr. Decker. “T don’t know anything about her, but if she does not turn up pretty soon, I shall sell her trunk for storage.”’ ‘*T’ve onlled to pay the stornge and take the trunk away,” said the inspector, pressing Mr. Decker’s arm os a bint for him to be silent, ‘Well, I don’t know what to say,” Mrs. Cummings said, doubtfully, ‘There seems to be somethin’ queer about her.” “Why, madam, what makes you think so?” asked the inspec- tor, blandly. ‘Why, therve’s been » young man here to-day after her.” “hitb is not 80 very remarkable.” ‘'No; only she did not seem to have any friends, an’ now they ore all turning up at once,” “You have been acquainted with her for some time? You kknew her when she lived at .Mrs. Derwent’s house?” the officer suggested. The woman flashed n keon look from her rat-like eyes, and smiled a more than commonly knowing smile. ‘‘T didn't say I knowed her; you are puttin’ words inter my mouth.” ‘\No; I merely asked a question. It is immaterial. We are the woman’s friends. You say she owes you something, Let us have the account, and produce the trunk.” Like a flash of lightning the bland, suave manner had van- ished. In his own words, the inspector saw the woman needed sharp treatment. He had '‘sized her up.’ ” ‘©Good manners thrown away on: her,” he ssid afterward. “And how do I know you have any right to that trunk?” she asked, snappishly, “The woman sont us here. Sho has left the city, and I have an inventory of the things in her trunk,” **Oh, you didu't suppose I stole any of the womon's traps, did you?” «Oan't say till T compare the contents with the inventory. comicbooks.com