Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1064 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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re Se a *Roight ye are,” Barney agreed; “ but it is divil a tip av white they'll foind on me feath- ers. Maron had given orders for a piece of rope to be brought, He took it and with the aid of the | Dandy Dick Decoyed. than you have been making. Goon with your whispering talk, or pretend to, anyhow, and leave me tomy work, Iam here to save you if 1 can,” It was a woman’s voice, and Dandy Dick others bound Dick and Barney togetber, back | thought he recognized it at first, but could not to back, Then they were left lying on the bard | be sure. floor, all the men going away save the one who remained on guard at the cavern mouth. ‘** Mister Darrel,” spoke Barney, ‘‘it is a divil av a fix we are in, sure.” ‘* We are in a bad fix indeed,” Dick agreed. ‘¢ An’ there seems no way out av it,” ‘‘ ’m afraid we’re done for.” ** An’ it’s too bad.” “T agree with youthere. But, ifdie we must, it will be in the cause of vengeance,” ‘* Vis, Oi know; but divila poor satisfaction | that will be, when we feel the rope about our - necks, knowin’ that we didn’t get our revenge out av the rascals,” They were speaking in low tones, scarcel more than whispers, and the man on guard of- fered no objections to their talking. It could do no harm bow much they talked, since they could not possibly escape. ‘* But how in the name av the Onld Bhoy did we ever get away wid you?” Barney presently asked. ** Well you may ask,” responded Dick, - ‘‘I would hardly believe it, if it were not for the fact that I am here a prisoner in proof of it,” He told Barney all about what had happened, and how neatly he bad been decoyed into the trap. It was all plain enough now, and it proved again the diabolical cunning of the hu- man devil against whom they were fighting. “The Jezebel!” Barney cried, when Dick bad done. ‘Is it the same wan that saved the mur- therin’ villain on the other occasions?” ‘**No, it is not sbe, but another!” explained Dick. ‘It is one even worse than the other. Why, her acting was perfect! I had no sus- piciow of the trap—bow could I have?--until I was in it,” ‘Well, there is wan t’ing to be proud of, anyhow,” ** And what is that? 1 fail to see it in our situation, Barney.” “Tt is in the fact that the lady escaped them, that’s phwat.” ** Ha! right you are. And I wonder what has become of her? I do not see how they missed her, when it is clear that their spy learn- ed all our plans,” **Nor Oi aythur, begob. But it is plain that they didn’t get her, and so she must be at the camp an’ out av all danger by this time. Would to all the good saints that it was ourselves along wid her,” ‘“*T wish we were, Barney?” And so they talked cn and on, with no thought of sleep, and scarcely thought for anything else but escape and revenge. Escape, however, seemed out of the question. They bad been working faithfully all this time, ing to make a beginning toward the loosen- ing of their bonds, but it was altogether use- ess. Time dragged by, and all was still within the cavern. Nothing was to be heard save the foot- steps of the man on guard, when he occasionally paced forward and back across the opening, _ It must have beén near midnight, and Dick end Barney were still talking, when a man came forward from the rear of the cavern, where other chambers evidently branched off. The man proved to be Devil Duval. “ Still here, are you?” he cried, giving Dick a kick — his foot, and he turned to the man on ard. “‘Your life will pay for it if these men es- cape,” he declared, ‘ Never fear for that,” was the answer. “T’m warning you. If you get sleepy, and think you are likely to doze, call another man immediately. Call even me, if necessary.” ‘Allright; but I’m good fer ther balance of | lie. I guess, In another hour Ill be off | wait until the watchman bas crossed and has my trick, duty anyhow, yer know.” ‘““And see to it that you pass my word along to Handy when he comes to relieve you. It will be death, mind you, if these fellows get out of your bands,” With that the chief retired, and all was still ain, his part of the cavern had eng been in dark- ness now, The torch that had lighted it had burned out, and had not been replaced, Dick and Barney had resumed their talk, and were still conferring wben they felt”firm hands their arms, and a low voice hissed, in words no more than barely audible: ‘Not a move, not a word, not a sound more | ET — — , a a Need it be said that it was a welcome sound to him and Barney? Heeding the warning, and following the direc- tions given, the two prisoners continued their whispering, and while they did so they felt a keen knife at work at their bonds. Several of the cords had been cut, when, sud- | denly, tbe work was suspended, **} am too hasty,” the woman spoke, in lowest whisper, to Dick. ‘* Before I set you free I must exact a promise from you.” ‘‘ And what is it?’ Dick asked. ‘‘ You may be sure we are ready to agree to almost any terms, in the fix you find us in here.” ‘Well, it is this: That you will go away, if you find it possible to get out after I have set you free, without attempting the life of Craig Morgan.” + Twill do it,” Dick promptly promised. ‘‘ Set us free, and we will not attempt injury to any one here this night. But, woman, who are you? I have heard your voice before, | am sure.” ‘“'Yes, you have, I am Pearl Mayne, the woman who twice saved Craig Morgan from your hated power, once at Burnt Match and again at Paradise Pocket.” CHAPTER X. CLEVER AND DARING, Dick and Barney were amazed, as well they might be, ere was help—help from the most unexpected quarter imaginable, Darrel was glad he bad promised so readily now, yet knew he would have to play his hand skillfully or the woman might change her mind, There was little danger that their whispered talk would be noticed, since the prisoners had been talking right along. Stillevery precaution must be observed, Discovery would burst the bubble of their hopes instantly. ‘‘ Ha! «Now I know you,” Dick exclaimed carefully, ‘*'Yis, begob!” echoed Barney. ‘*Yes, 1 am Pearl Mayne,” the woman said again. ‘* Now you can understand why I have exacted such a promise from you. Do you swear that you will keep your word if I set you free?” ‘*The word of Dick Darrel is his oath,” an- swered Dick. ‘Still, to satisfy you, 1 do swear that I will observe my promise, We will not do injury to any one here this night, unless we have to fight in self-defense, But it will not come to that, if we are as successful in getting out of here as you have been in getting in.” ** And you may be, if you observe well the directions I shall give you. Now Iwill set you free. Her knife began its work again, and in a few moments the two prisoners were freed, The instant the last bond was severed, new life sprung through the prisoners’ veins. Woe to the man who put himself in the way of their es- cape now, i ae God for this!” Darr2l fervently mut- ered, ‘* And now listen to my directions,” spoke the woman, ‘‘ You see the south side of the opening is in deepest shadow, I crept in there, close to the wall, at a moment when the sentry had turned after pacing across. The least sound would have betrayed me, so be careful,” ‘¢ Trust us for that,” said Dick. ‘You must creep away from here toward the rear of the cavern, cross, and then come along the south wall as close to the ground as you can Do not get too near the opening at first, but started back, as I did, and then do your best to get away unobserved, I hope you will sneceed, After you get out, follow the wall to the right, closely, and it will bring you to a low ledge, Drop down there, and you will be on the trail, Still keep to the right, and you will be going in the direction of the valley.” ‘‘-'You have done us a favor that we can never forget,” spoke Dick, ‘* You have placed us tn- der obligations to you. Why have you risked your life to save us? For you certainly have risked your life in venturing here.” **T would tell you, but time is precious, You must go—” ‘No; we will not go yet,” declared Dick, é ‘‘ We must have our weapons first, and they are near at hand,” ‘*No, no! You mustleave your weapons here, I will not allow you to arm yourselves, for that might mean death to the man I love—’ ‘* Your objection comes tco late,” interrupted Dick. ‘*We must have our weapons, but my pledge to you holds good. Wewill get away unseen if itis possible. And now tell me what has brought you bere?” ** Well, | am powerless to demand terms now, seeing that I have done all I can for you. But pray use care, for your discovery would he death, perhaps, for me, And there is one re- quest I must ask. That is, that you will never reveal who set you free,” ‘* Very well, we promise that, too. And now tell us about yourself. A minute more or less will make little difference, The guard can have no suspicion that anything is wrong.” ** You know, without asking, what has brought me here,” the woman answered. ‘‘I am deter- mined that Craig Morgan sball keep faith with me, He bas made me what I am, and he shall keep his promise,” ‘*He will never do what he has promised,” de- clared Dick, ‘‘He is rotten to the core. You have heard the story of the wrongs he did me, T can not understand how you can help loathin him, Better will it be for you to go away an forget bim, for your life will assuredly pay the penalty if you persist in putting yourself in bis way.” ‘What! Do you imagine he would kill me, after all I have done for him?” **T do,” answered Dick. ‘There is not the faintest spark of honor ip bis vile heart, He is utterly heartless, soulless!” ‘““Oh! J can never believe that. But I donot fear him. He shall keep his word, or—die/” ~ And the woman spoke fiercely, ‘* When I helped him to escape from ycu the last time, he promised to mect me at Denver as soon as possible, and there marry me and ‘go with me tar away from this part of the country. 1 went there and waited, but ac be did not come I set out again in seareh of him. Iam deter- mined in the matter, you see. I thought pos- sibly he did not dare come to Denver, but now I believe that he was false again, and— But, your time is precious!” ‘ ** One question more,” urged Dick, talking yet as though to Barney, “and then we will try to getaway, Why have you done us this favor? That is something that is not easily understood. It is doing something that is likely to work ill to the villain you so foolishly Jove,” *“ Why havel helped you? It is torepay the favors you have done for me, and to prove that Iam grateful for the mercy you showed me at Paradise Pocket, Now, goatonce. Waste not a moment, I will keep up this whispering, doing my best to imitate you and your man, Go.” ‘“* All right,” assented Darrel, ‘‘ we will make the effort as soon as 1 bave got our weapons, if that is possible. You and Barney keep up this talking, so that no suspicion will be awakened.” With that Dick moved carefully away in the direction of the spot where he had seen the weapons thrown in a heap on the floor near the rocky wail. ** An’ don’t be aftber Pavin’ av me musketoon bebind,” whispered Barney, Dick moved with all caution possible, and presently bis hand came into contact with the weapons, where they bad been left, Lifting them with extreme care, he put his own in his belt, and with Barney’s in hand, crept back again, So far so good. And now it would be death to him who opposed their escape, ‘‘Are you not going with us?” Dick asked of the woman, ‘* No: my business is here,” was the answer. **Go—go at once,” “Yes; we go at once, Here, Barney, are your weapons. Careful,now. You must handle that big gun with care, or you will make a noise with it.” “Trust me for that same, sor,” was the an- swer, now, wid me gun in me hands, ther Darrel!” Silently, cautiously they moved away, leaving the woman who had done them so great a ser- vice talking or mumbling to herself, to deceive the ears of the man on guard. Barely had they started, though, when the voice of the sentry challenged them. They gripped their weapons firmly, and Dick quickly responded. ‘‘How much longer is yer goin’ ter keep up that durn chinnin’?” was the demand, Lead on, Mis- ‘‘ We will stop it at once, if you say so,” am — ¥ com ‘* Begorra, but Oi feel loike a man again, — / Wel 45 4 — ‘ . —_ yf wz — 1 rE so i a > > . te tan