University of Virginia Library

10. CHAPTER X.
The Advertisement.

It was about nine o'clock the morning following
that Wilkins Wild was seated at a
table in the tap-room of the Saracen's head,
taking a cup of coffee and reading the morning's
paper which had just been thrown into
the door by a news-boy. Plymp and Napes
sat on the opposite side of the table smoking
cigars.

`What news, Captain?' asked the former,
lighting a fresh cigar.

`I dont see any thing.' Ah—yes I do,
though! Here is your chum in a fix Napes!'

`What—Ruyter?'

Yes! Here he is in the Police report!'

`I'm glad of it.' answered both burglars,
venting their satisfaction in deep oaths.—

`What has he done? added Napes. `He
went out after you left ns, and I saw no more
of him! Has he killed any body?'

`Here is the account. I will read it,' answered
Wild, throwing himself back in his
chair with his feet laid across the corner of
the table:

`A villanous looking fellow by the name of
Ruyter, known as `sharp knife' among his
fellows, was brought up for an attempt at
murder. He was detected by a gentleman
breaking into a house in — street, where
but for him he would have murdered a female
in bed. This person arrested him in the very
act of taking her life, and delivered him into
the custody of the watchmen. This Ruyter
was recently pardoned out of State's prison,
where he was sentenced for life fourteen years
ago, for a highway robbery and murder. The
woman he attempted to murder was his wife
before his incarceration. He was fully cemmitted
for trial, the gentleman, who arrested
him, and whom we learn is Lord Edward
Lessington, at present sojourning here, appearing
against him, as well as Madame de
Ruyter, whom the Justice, at his lordship's request,
sent for.'

`Then Ruyt' is fixed comfortably for the
rest of his life,' said Plymp. `I never liked
the man. He was too fond of blood.'

`Yes, we are peaceable pick-locks and do no
mans any injury,' answered Napes with an
air of self satisfaction.

`Very innocent gentlemen we are all, no
doubt,' remarked Wild dryly. `So this villain
has tried to kill his poor wife. It is well
Herman was not the one who arrested him,
for he would have taken his life, father or no
father on the spot. Where is Herman, daine?'
asked Wild laying down the paper and turning
his head towards the bar.

`He went out early this morning. But
come here, Wilk', I have a word to say.'

`Well, wife, what is it?' he asked approaching
her and leaning over the bar towards her.

`Have you been sounding Waldeigh's
premises?'

`Yes. I was there by sun-rise. I went as
a brick-layer sent by the landlord to examine
the flues! I went all through the house. It
was richly furnlshed and I am confident old
Waldeigh had Herman's money to do it with!
I have all my plans arranged for having him
your guest to night, dame, provided we can't
bring him to terms in his own house. He has
but two servants besides a foot-boy, and only
himself and sister. Napes and Plymp are to
be my aids.'

`Well they will do if they can keep sober.'

`They have both promised me to drink
nothing stronger than coffee to day.'

`What hour have you fixed upon?'

`Eight o'clock.'

`Ho, captain,' called out Napes from the
table and holding the newspaper in his hand.

`Here is a windfull for some luckly fellow if
he gets.'

`What is it?' carelessly inquired Wild as he
returned to his seat and resumed the position
of his feet across the table.

`A bouncing reward offered!'

`How much?'

`One thousand dollars!'

`One thousand?' repeated Wild. `Let me
see the paper!'

The burglar surrendered it and Wild then
read aloud—

ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS REWARD!

The above reward will be paid to any person
who will communicate any information
concerning a little girl of ten years old who
mysteriously disappeared from the dwelling
of Mr. Carrol, Washington square, seven
years ago this month. This child if living
must be now seventeen years of age, with
blue eyes, fair brown hair and a delicate complexion.
The above reward will be paid for
such information as may lead to a knowledge
of her fate whether she be now living or dead!
Apply to Parlor No. —, Astor House!'

When the burglar Captain had finished
reading this advertisement, he compressed his
lips and let his clenched hand fall with an emphasis
upon the table till the wares upon it
rung again.

`What? Do you know any thing about
this, Captain?' asked Napes, eagerly.

`I'll wager an X he does!' responped
Plymp.

`Not I. I know nothing,' he answered
evasively. `I was only thinking what a
capital hawl that would be if I did know!'

In a moment or two afterwards Wild got
up and in a lounging manner wholly calculated
to lull suspicion that this movement was
owing to the advertisement, he went out of the
tap. On gaining the street he walked rapidly
in the direction of Madam de Ruyter's dwelling.
As he went he thus gave utterance to
his thoughts.

`I have it now! It is as clear as day-light!
That very girl Herman called his sister is the
the original of the portrait I saw at Mr. Carroll's.
That is why I have been so troubled
with her face from the moment I saw her in
the tap. I had recognised its resemblance to
that portrait—that portrait which I recollect
that boy, as he was, fell in love with from my
description. There is no mistake. This young
girl is just the age, too, that this child would
be now. There is no doubt that Herman stole
her off, and — ah! a new light breaks upon
me. This girl was said at the time to have
been seen to be taken into the carriage by a
man while a lad sprung up behind. This
then will give me a clue to the mystery that
hangs around Shear's path; for I well knew
Shears took off this young girl. The death
of Shears, the disappearance of the girl and
Herman, also, all at the same time, link the
three events together; and now I know that
this sister of Herman is neither more nor less
than the young girl that Shears carried off.—
How Herman mixed himself with the affair I
cant tell; but one thing is certain, his mother
has the girl beneath her own roof. I will see
him and have a talk with him! If what I
suspect about Shears is true, Herman is in my
power. Here is the house!

He ascended the stairs and knocked at the
upper door. It was opened by Herman. He
was in a state of great excitement, for his mother,
who had just returned from the Police
court, where she had entered her complaint
against her late husband, was relating the
whole affair to him. Herman had been in but
a little while, early as he had risen; for he
had met Maria at the street door as she was
going to her new rooms in Nassau street, to
get them all ready to move into. On the way
he poured out all his heart before her. On
reaching the rooms she desired him to be
seated, and calmly listen to her while she
spoke with him. She then in a gentle way,
and with a sweet dignity becoming a maiden
at such a crisis, told him that her regard for
him was only sisterly, and that as a sister
she loved him with great affection.

`More than this, Herman,' she said with a
voice slightly tremulous, `I can never be to
you!'

We will not attempt to portray the scenes
of wild passion—tears, pleadings, recriminations,
and fearful wrath which this confession
produced. During all he did not ask her if
she loved another, nor did she make this confession;
for she feared for the life of him she
loved.

`Well, be it so! he said bitterly, after
pouring out, not upon her, but upon himself,
the bitterest denunciations for loving as he
had done, and deceiving his heart. `Be it so,
Maria! From this time I am a reckless man

—a man of blood! You know what my early
career was, and that I turned from it that I
might be worthy of your pure love. I sought
honors and a good name, that I might lay
them at your feet! I shunned temptation for
your sake! I kept your image upon the altar
of my heart and daily worshipped it there.—
Each day by your power in me and over me,
I grew better. I looked forward to happiness
only in your presence. But—why—why—
do I recapitulate these things! Why do I
open my mouth! You are lost to me forever!
Cruel, ungrateful! But I will not curse you!
I love you, and I refrain from speaking the
words of bitterness that rush from my crushed
heart to my burning lips. Sister's love?
Nay—I want no love but that love which answers
to mine! I am sorry, Maria—I am sad
and sorrowful—for I know that from this hour
I have neither helm, nor chart, nor compass!'

As he thus gave utterance to his emotion he
hastily left her, and rushed into the street.
He sought his mother and poured the tale of
grief into her sympathising ear. From her
he first learned that she loved another! Who
it was he, also, learned from her; and when
he was told it was he who had saved his
mother's life, he buried his face in his hands
and wept passionately; for he felt that he
could not injure the life of the noble youth
who had saved his mother's!' It was during
this painful interview that Wild knocked at
the door.

`Well!' said Herman, almost savagely.
`Do you come for me to do crimes! If so, I
am ready!' and he laughed so wildly that the
burglar captain believed for a moment that he
was insane.

`No, Herman, I have not come to get you
to engage in any new affair; but to see you
about an old one!'

`Well what is it?'

`Can your mother leave the room a moment?'

`Go mother! Now we are alone! What
would you with me?' he asked gloomily.

`I have long wanted to ask you, Herman,
about the death of Shears!' and the burglar
eyed him closely. `There have some circumstance
lately come to light that lead me to believe,
who was the author of it?'

Herman colored deeply, and then became
suddenly pale. This emotion confirmed, Wild
in his belief.

`Who do you suspect?' asked Herman.

`You!' answered Wild firmly.

`Me?' answered Herman starting from his
chair.

`Yes, and you may as well confess it. But
read that! and you will see I know something
more!' and he placed the newspaper he had
brought with him, in his hand. He watched
his countenance while he read it. Herman's
hand which held the newspaper trembled
like a leaf as he finished the perusal. He
looked up at Wild, with a look of alarm and
suspicion.

`Well, what is this to me?' he asked
hoarsely.

`That you are not only in some way concerned
in the death of Shears, but that the
young girl here described, is the very same I
saw you protect from Napes and Plymp in
the tap! I recognized her by the portrait I saw
at Mr. Carrol's!'