Old Cap. Collier Library No. 379: The Lawyer Detective — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

24 | I friend of mine, and I was enraged at the thought of its being stolen. Perhaps Senor Flash can explain how he come to possess the locket, which is of much value.” “TI don’t propose to answer impertinent questions,” sneered Flash. ‘¢Then I shall keep the locket.” “You do it at your peril!” Benay Flash showed his teeth. ‘‘T will leave it to Colonel Redhart. He shall judge between us,” said Don Ranion, de- liberately, not willing to resign the precious trinket without a struggle. ‘‘T make no compromises,” growled the half-breed, turning on his heel. ‘‘ We'll meet again, greaser!” And then Benay Flash hurried from the vicinity. The young lawyer-detective had secured the coveted prize, yet it was at a terrible cost. He had made an enemy of the half-breed, and this fact alone was a grave one. Dropping the locket into an inner pocket, Don Ramon said: ‘‘Your man has a most violent temper, col- onel!” ‘“‘Treckon. I didn’t know he was a thief, though. I kinder guess you'll hev ter prove that afore ye leave ther ranch, senor—prove it or git out!” There was a queer look in the eyes of the Missourian, that boded no good to the Mexi- can. At one stroke the latter had made the ranch- owner and hisfactotum enemies. Surely this was not making progress in the right direction very rapidly. ‘“Do you wish me to prove him a thief, col- onel ?” ** Tf you can ?” ‘“‘T hope you won’t urge it,” said Don Ra- mon. ‘I know the locket was stolen, al- though Mr. Flash may be an innocent pur- chaser. I mean to return the precious relic to its rightful owner some day.” ‘‘Let me take asquint at it, Senor Ramon.” The colonel put out his bony hand. Anxious to keep on the right side of the Missourian, Don Ramon could not well re- fuse. He drew out the locket and laid itin the hand of Colonel Redhart. The latter opened it. ‘Wal, I’ll be blanked!” ‘‘ What now, colonel?” ‘‘Where in nature’d this ere come from, don ?” ‘‘From down on the Deadwater.” ‘“Wal, wal. I’m dod blamed ef I hain’t seen one o’ them faces afore.” ‘“ Which one, colonel?” ‘The man’s.” ** Who is he ?” The Missourian shook his head. “Don’t you know him?” ‘“‘Dunno. Seems like Idid, and yet Icayn’t jest place him. Let me take it in and show it to Nancy, mebbe she'll know the young feller.” Don Ramon did not object. He was deeply anxious to learn something about the man who might be the murderer of Olive Chester, and so he accompanied the col- onel to the house, and to the presence of Mrs. Redhart. ‘Why, Lordy, pa!” exclaimed the colonel's wife, ‘‘ that there’s the man ’at was here yes- terday.” ‘‘Not the galoot with the store clo’s and fine boots, Nancy ?” ‘¢ The very chap.” ‘““ Wal, I’m blowed!” Colonel Redhart scanned the face closely, wrinkling his brows. ‘‘ He’s the very feller them cowboys ‘at Jack Stoneset headed was a-lookin’ fur, He must be a ornary cuss. Do ye know the gal’s face, Nance ?” ‘‘T reckon not.” The colonel handed back the locket, and nothing more came of it at the time. Just after sunset Colonel Redhart came to his guest, and said: ‘*Pve got news fur yer, Don Ramon,” ‘‘News!” ‘* You bet, senor.” ‘* Tam anxious to hear it.” ‘“‘Pve located yer old friend, Evard Dem- ming. Yer kinsee him ter-night ef yer like.” ‘*] should like it ever so much.” « All hunkey. We'll go to him arter sup- per.” ‘*Go to him ?” ‘“< Yes, senor.” ‘* Where is he ?” ‘* Not far away.” ‘‘ Why not bring him here ?” ‘‘ Tt mout not be safe.” “ eonee Demming is, then, in hiding ?” Ge res.” ‘Perhaps it would be best not to disturb him, coloneh—_” ‘‘ Look-a-here, senor, I’ve promised to bring yer, and yer said as how yer was drefful anxious tosee Mr. Demming. No backin’ out now—not a bit on’t.” ‘“Very well. Iwill go.” Immediately after supper two mounted men left Three Oaks Ranch, and rode slowly down the creek. It now began to dawn upon the mind of the lawyer detective that he had made a mis- take in claiming Demming as his friend. Of course, when brought face to face with the suspected murderer, that individual would deny all knowledge of Don Ramon, and then the situation would prove most awk- ward. In fact, it would require all the young Den- verite’s tact to explain. However, he felt that he was in for it now, and he might in the end turn the adventure to good account, so he resolved not to borrow trouble. This starting off just at night did not ex- actly please Ragsdale. Once such a ride had nearly led to his death. At length he ventured to speak to his com- panion on the subject. ‘°Twouldn’t do to go in the daytime, senor.” ‘Why not?” ‘“Wal, one thing, thar’s a lot o’ cusses on ther lookout. The people imagine that I’m friendly to Demming, and Tribune Tripp’s watchin me, He thinks Demming killed the gal, and he wants to help lynch ‘im.” The explanation seemed satisfactory, and Ragsdale said no more on the subject. Following the creek bank about two miles, the twain entered a rather dense strip of timber. ‘¢How much further is it, colonel?” “* Jest a little ways.” ‘‘Igs Senor Demiming alone ?” “T reckon.” ‘‘He must ha-c an unpleasant time of it hiding away from the people.” ‘‘ Wal, that may be; but what’s the poor feller goin’ ter do? He don’t like ter die fur a crime ’at some one else did.” ‘*Certainly not; and yet it seems to me he might make his way to the county seat, and give himself up to the authorities. He cer- tainly could have nothing to fear by stand- ing trial, providing he is innocent,” said Don Ramon, deliberately. ‘‘Mebbe you think he ain’t innocent ?” ‘‘T know nothing about it, of course.” ‘¢ You’ve heard of the murder ?” ‘Yes, I read of it in the American papers.” ‘‘T reckoned so. Now, mebbe you ain’t here a-purpus to look inter this ’ere affair ?” ‘* What do you mean ?” “Just what I said,” and the colonel laughed grimly. ‘‘ You mout be a detective, yer see; moutn’t yer, now?” ne Missourian had drawn rein and looked about. Ragsdale could almost fancy he saw his: eyes gleaming like living coals. Was the man about to assault him? Had Ragsdale run into a trap ?” Quickly the pseudo Mexican drew a pistol. On the instant several sharp flashes illu- mined the night. ‘‘My God! I’m shot!” It was the colonei’s voice, and then Rags- dale heard a heavy fall. Before the lawyer-detective could make a move, a lariat fell about his waist, and he was jerked from his horse with violence. CHAPTER XXIV. A MOMENT OF SUSPENSE. ‘Don’t shoot him. No blood must be shed, vou know.” Ragsdale lay helpless on the ground. He was not badly injured, but he had lost THE LAWYER DETECTIVE. his pistol in the fall, and the lariat pinioned his arms to his side. When he attempted to free himeelf, several hands were laid upon him, and he was secured. His hands were drawn to the rear, and bound in spite of his struggles. ‘“‘ Now look after the colonel,” said a voice. ‘‘ He fell from his hoss; mebbe he’s killed.” ‘*No, no, that must not be,” returned the ener ‘No blood was to be shed, remem- er.” Soon it was ascertained that Colonel Red- hart lay bleeding and insensible on the ground. At any rate this was the purport of the con- versation, and Ragsdale felt sorry that he had misjudged the Missourian, “Come,” said a voice in the ear of the prisoner, ‘‘ you must jog along with us.” ‘‘ What is this outrage for?” demanded the young lawyer, indignantly. ‘‘I am a Mexi- can gentleman. My government shall hear of this.” ‘* Bah!” The prisoner was lifted forcibly to his feet. And then he was led away. The outcome of his visit to Demming was humiliating in the extreme, and Ragsdale was sure now that he had made a mistake in ac- companying the colonel. It was too tate now to think on these things. Ragsdale soon discovered that they were in a rough region, since he stumbled many times, and came near falling. At length the prisoner found himself pushed into a low cavern in the side of a steep hill, A moment later a light flashed on the scene —a dark lantern held in the hand of a masked man, The prisoner glared about him. He counted six men, all in masks. ‘‘Now, then, my Mexican gentleman. we intend to make yer show yer colors,” said the leading mask, at the same time laying a hand on the arm of Ragsdale. The hand of the mask was plainly revealed in the glow of the lantern. It was the left hand, and the little finger was partly missing. This was the same man who had once be- fore attempted the life of Ragsdale, and the man who had posed as Nate Shade, detect- ive. ‘¢ You say you’re a Mexican,” said the mask. “Do you know what 1 believe ?” ‘*No.” ‘‘T believe you’re an impostor.” ‘‘You have no reason to think so.” “Yes, Ihave. Youclaim to know Evard Demming. Now I have seen that gentleman, and he says he knows no Don Ramon; in fact, he is unacquainted with any Mexican, so you see you’ve put your foot in it wonder- fully.” ‘Tt seems that a mistake has been made,” returned Ragsdale. ‘‘It may be that there are more than one Demming in the world.” ‘‘That sort of argument won’t go down.” ‘‘ Why have you brought me here?” ‘‘To keep you where you won't do any damage to my friends and myself.” ‘*So you fear me, then ?”’ ‘< It’s well enough to be on the safe side,” returned the mask, laughing grimly. ‘‘ Hold yer light a little nearer, pard, and we'll ex- amine this rascal.” Of course Ragsdale was helpless. The mask tore off his hat and flung it down, then he pulled sharply at the wig of black hair. ‘Ha! I thought as much.” The wig had come off in the hand of the investigator. ‘‘By my life! I’ve seen your face some- where before,” declared the mask, scrutiniz- ing the features of his prisonerclosely. ‘‘ By Heaven! it’s my old friend, Ragsdale.” Not a word said the prisoner. His chagrin was terrible, however. ‘‘So!” ejaculated the mask in a terrible voice, ‘“* you did not leave the country as I once ordered you, it seems. Do you know that you have returned to die*”’ ‘“‘T hope not.” ‘*Your hopes are ill-founded. You had sufficient warning, and ought to have profited by it. You did not, and now you shall never see the spires of Denver again.”’ ‘* Do you propose to murder me?” in @ EO DOO S