Deadwood Dick's Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon — page 42: what you’re looking at

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

44 DEADWOOD DICK. penciled a few words upon a leaf which he tore out and gave to tke old scout. “Read that and act accordingly,” was his curt oredr. ‘The paper contained these words: ~ “Go to the grave of Crazy Chet, secretly, but in haste, and drep fifty. cents down the tube that protrudes from the tomb. Then return here. Whatever comes myster- jously into your possession while en route, bring at once to me, without a word to anybody.” Avalanche ncedded after perusing the message, and left the salccn. St. Cecil then turned to Gold Brick. “J retire from the game until that old gent returns,” he remarked, bowing, and leaving the table. He procured a cigar at the bar and then sauntered about, watching the other games. In passing the faro table where Gold Brick, Randall and Chester were still playing, he made a discovery. The beard worn by Randall was false, although it was such a clever affair, like St. Cecil's own, that very few would have noticed it. Indeed, if they had, they would not have given the fact a second thought, for in Right Bower, and nearly all min- ing-camps, numerous questionable characters adopt this way of disguising their identity, end few if any fee! suffi- ciently concerned about the matter to inquire into the why or wherefore of their use: §t. Cecil, however, had no sooner noticed the fact that Randall wore a wig, than he formed an opinion which he Gecided to put to the test during the evening. : Avalanche made his appearance in less than an hour, © and handed St. Cecil a package, with no explanation but a puczied glance. The receiver then took his place at the faro table. “I’m ready for biz now,” he announced. “Is there still no limit to this game?" “Hone,” Gold Brick replied. “T can see fifty thousand—that’s all,” Randall said. “I’ve not won a pot since I began. I will put up twenty-five for myself, and the same for Chester.” “You seem to take really a fatherly interest in Mer. tb es el i Chester, friend Raymond,” suggested St. Cecil. % CoOmicloOolkksS.comnn