The Deadwood Dick Library: Denver Doll's Device — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

ST This was just as Yankee had expected, By climbing on the roof of the addition, one could easily enter the rear second story window of the main building. He was tempted to make an entrance, stealth- ily, into Miss Carrol’s upper rooms, in hopes of being able to discover something among ‘her ef- fects that would identify her as being Dora, his lost wite. Tt was a risky thing to attempt he well knew, but he was willing to risk a great deal to satisfy himself on this one point, He took off hiz boots, and left them on the rene, and then succeeded in climbing onto the roof. From there he had no difficulty in ing en- trance to the single unplastered room over the store, A lamp was dimly burning upon a stand, and _ by its light the burglar-for-love’s-sake was able to command a view of his surroundings. The furniture consisted of a bed, a stand, a chair and a trunk, which was locked. Some clothing hung upon the wall, but nome of it was such as Yankee remembered having belonged to Dora. Nor could he recall to mem- ory any of tbe trinkets upon the stand. . = be trunk was locked, and having po way or opening it, nor any disposition to do so, his search was virtually at an end. “ [ve had the trouble for the pains I’ve taken, - and notbing more,” he muttered. ‘I must get out of here before I am discovered.” In this be was quite successfal, and his yen- turesome visit was accomplished without trou- ble, as he later congratulated himself. The words of Monroe Miller caused an elec- trical effect upon the conspirators, in the rear room of the Post-office. Of one accord they leaped to their feet, and revolvers were drawn on every hand, : ‘What! what isthis?” Valentine Verner cried in alarm, < “Ts just what I sajd!” Miller exclaimed. “This person who is personating Steward, is none other than Denver Doll the detective, She has got info our secret, and fearing exposyre when | returned to-night, she had her accom- plices waylay and capture me, But I escaped, and here I am to expose her.” ae Denver Dell stood abt bay, a defiant expres- sion upon her face, and gleaming from her eyes, while her band rested upon the butt of a revol- ver in her belt, “(1s this true—aze you Denver Doll, come here to spy upon us?’ Verner demanded, turning fiercely upon her. 5 “Reckon that’s about the size of it,” was the cool response. ‘Right well I knew there was some deviltry going ou, in which you had a hand; and so I thought I might as well find out, and hinder you all I could.” “ Curse you! You sball tind that won’t work. You've either got to join us, or well put you where you'll never blab our secrets.” “Reekon I won’t join,” Doll retorted, de- flantly. ‘I ain’t partial to associatin’ with Bi, . thieves and eut-throata If you let me go free, I'll do all I can to help break up your crowd— you can bet on that.” “Then Dm cursed if you get a chanee to in- terfere, until our plans are completed,” the epeculator gritted, ‘' lve a good notion to have you put out of the way, in good earnest and for- ever. ‘i “Use your own judgment about that!” Doll suggested, apparently not in the least worried. “Ti Iam not found by my pards, by to-morrow sunrise, they will know that I have been foully dealt with, and report to our backers!” Verner started. The others looked anything but pleased, “What do you. mean?’ Verner demanded. “‘T mean that I am a regularly appointed de- tective, and_that when I or my aides call for assistance, Uncle Sam is bound to furnish it. There chances to be a company of cavalry in this vicinity now, and they are my_ backers, when I choose to call upon them. As I said, ifa hair of my head is harmed, my comrades will notify the military forces, and they will make Shining Bar far too lively for you. Every member of your sneaking league is known to my men!” : “A clearly mannfactured lie—but it won't owork!” Verner declared. ‘Surrender and per- mit yourself to be bound, or you will be shot where you stand.” Doll knew not what they intended to do with ber, but she was well satisfied that no good could come to her by attempting resistance, for every man in the room had a weapon drawn, ready for emergency. — L ae < “I suppose I shall have to accept, as you are too many forme. But you can bet that Dil turn a trump yet, before the game’s up.” At Verner’s suggestion-cords were procured. and the brave girl’s hands were bound behind ber, and ber weapons taken from her, “T havea place in view where I can take her aud secrete her!” announced Verner, A consultation was then held in an undertone, alter which Denver Doll was gagged and blind- folded, and then seized by either arm, she was led from the cabin. In ten minutes they had reached the river, where she was forced to enter a boat, and Ver: ner entered after her, and pulled out across the dark, forbidding stream toward the opposite shore, which was lined with gloomy pines, The boat was not long in reaching its destina- tion, when the speculator ordered Denver Doll to disembark, © then took her by the arm, and led her along, for perhaps a mile, when she suddenly felt a rope thrown around her and she was drawn tightly against a tree. Ropes were then wound about her and the tree, at different places, so that it was impos- sible for her to stir. _ “There!” Verner exclaimed, with triumph, “Von are in Wolf Gorge now, and safe from troubling our tribunal. When the wolves get hungry, theyll give you a call, Good-by!” Doll did not answer, but listening, heard him wall away. : Perhaps her feelings could better be imagined than descri She felt that her doom was sealed.