Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 152 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

Oe ‘** Can't kill dis little nig so easy as ‘But what was the matter, Pete? What sickened you in the race?’ anxiously inquired Will. ““Tdunno. Felt like ’sif a streak of greased light- nin’ was Dore holes all froo me. Hung out ’s long’s I could. It was dem all-fired peanuts dat de parson gub me, sure’s you lib.” This remark elicited some further questions, in which the whole story of the tract distributor came out. Pete still had some of the nuts in his pocket. One or two of these, on close examination, proved to have been split open, and neatly gummed together again, while the kernels had been treated with some substance that gave them a yellowish hue, ‘The infernal rascals!’ cried Pierce indignantly. “They have been trying to sicken the boy and throw him out of the race. Wouldn't I like to have hold of that parson !—Do you feel sick still, my boy?” ‘““Not much. If nobody’s got no ‘jections Il’s gwine to take a scoot roun’ arter dat parson. Jess want to gib him back his track, you see;—an’ de rest ob his peanuts.”’ But the parson was already out of the grounds making his way, with a pair of sadly disappoin confederates, toward the home of Luke Lister. All their schemes had failed, and Black Bess had proved too much for her foes. CHAPTER XVII. A CAPTURE AND A RESCUE. ‘THAT was a rascally close clip,’ remarked Pierce Browning, as he, in company with Will Wildfire and Ben Huntly, made his way toward Wildflower Hall. “Tt is a mercy that Black Bess was not thrown. Your friends, whoever they were, worked hard in the effort.” ‘**T told you she would win, if she only had a fair chance,”’ replied Will. ‘* I knew it was in her.” ‘*T fancy the pair of you were of that notion, by the way you have been backing her,’’ remarked Ben. ** You must have realized a pretty penny from your bets.”’ ‘“A trifle of ten thousand or so,”’ rejoined Will, with affected indifference. Pierce smiled quietly, and said nothing. ‘** And the conspirators must have lost aecording- ly; for I know that Mark Preston laid some heavy wagers against your horse. There is no doubt that he is at the bottom of this business.” ‘* And of another business, if I am not mistaken,” remarked Will. ‘* What business is that?’ ‘*T refer to those burglaries. Nobody but he ar- ranged that attempt on Miss Moreland’s house; for the stolen papers would be of use to nobody else. That is the next task to be accomplished, the recov: ery of those stolen documents.” ill’s lips were set with a firm energy that showed it would go hard with Mark Preston, should they once come to a personal encounter. ‘*T would not trust him half as faras a man could fling an elephant,”’ rejoined Pierce. ‘* But what is wrong yonder? Isn't that Pete beckoning to us as if his arms were the,sails of a windmill?” ‘Pete? Soitis: There is something wrong there. That is Luke Lister's house.” They had nearly reached the summit of the Dar- by-road ascent, when they thus perceived the little eon jockey frantically beckoning to them. He stood in front of Luke Lister’s habitation, and made the most earnest efforts to induce them to hasten their movements. ‘‘ Hil” he exclaimed, in prudently subdued ac- cents. “ ngs _ dar, Stir up yer hosses. Yere’s debil broke loose, suah!”’ de be The three friends rode rapidly up at this energetic summons, Before reaching the house they heard sounds of a struggle and of excited voices, which ceased as they approached. ‘What is the matter, Pete?’’ ‘Murder, I spect. Or sumfin wuss,” Pete seriously replied. oe jess got yere, a minute ago, comin’ cross lots, and dar’s been de ridiculousest time in dat house Se eber heerd. Spect de furniture’s all mashed into toothpicks.” Springing hastily from their horses, and throwing Pete the reins, the three friends rushed quickly to the house, from which some sounds very much like oaths were yet issuing. But we must go back a little, to seek the source of this wild uproar. When Mark Preston, Luke Lister, and the parson, left the grounds of the race-course, it was with curses at their ill-success, while each accused the other of negligence in his part of the scheme. ‘Hang it all, the boy ate the nuts!” exclaimed the parson, ‘It isn’t my fault if yey! were so slow in work I didn’t doctor them, or I'd have made them double him up sooner.” “The little hound must have a_nickel-plated stomach,” replied Luke. ‘‘ He took in enough medi- cine to bring down any reasonable Christian before the first quarter was made. It wouldn't have an- swered to overdo it, and salt him before the race started.” ‘*T don't eare what the blazes was the trouble,” cried Mark, indignantly; ‘‘ all L-know is, you’ve_ salt- ed me by your tricks. Bess with nearly every cent I had in the world—and it’s all gone to the dogs.” ‘Hang itall! I'm no better off,” retorted Luke. “ They've just wiped me out, Ill have to realize on some of the stoc things even.” ling to his feet, dat.”’ oe T've bucked against Black | | left me by my uncle, to make | _ others had not of papers from a side pocket. ‘‘There’s money in them. And if I don’t make that — jade wince before I am done with her, it’s odd.” A sinister smile marked his face as he turned his horse toward the city, and gave him the rein. ‘Be on your guard,” he called back to Luke. “ Re- member what I told you. It won’t be two days be- fore they track you out. You best vamose the ranch, instanter.”’ ‘“‘T have my plans laid for to-morrow,”’ replied Luke. ‘“ The stars can hardly come down on me be- fore that time. After to-morrow mo they will find an empty house waiting for them.” Mark e off at an easy pace, his wounded arm preventing him from attempting any rapid move- ment, His twoconfederates stood still conversing. After some time thus spent they were joined by a third, an ill-looking, raw-boned fellow, who seemed in their full confidence. Finally, after the conclusion of the race, the three men started across the fields toward Luke’s resi- dence, which was not very far distant. Luke was on the point of throwing open the back door of the house, and boldly entering, when some peculiar noises from within made him pause. He recognized the voice of his wife, who was expressin her opinion of some one in what seemed no compli- mentary terms. wet pe a warning signal to his companions, he moved slyly around the corner of the building to a side window, which he found standing wide open. Climbing noiselessly through this, he advanced on tiptoe to the door of the room which he had entered, is wife was still scolding in a loud, rasping voice, though no answer came from the person to whom she addressed her complimentary harangue. Event- ually, however, his patience appeared to give way, and he growled out: ‘* By the Lord, woman! I'll put a Rag on your tongue as well as on your hands, if you don’t laya curb on your eloquence.”’ * You will, will you? Blast your eyes!”’ cried a loud voice near him. Before he could defend himself he received a fierce blow between the eyes from Luke Lister's heavy fist, which knocked him prostrate to the floor. This sudden entrance of the man to the house was followed by that of his two comrades. Luke flung himself on the slizhter-built detective, whom he had taken so by surprise, while his comrades quickly removed the bonds by which his wife was confined to a chair. ‘* Here, give us the end of that rope, and we'll truss up this turkey!’’ cried Luke, whose prisoner was struggling igonoes! to escape. A yell of alarm broke from the lips of the latter followed by a fierce blow from Luke’s heavy hand upon his mouth, “Do you want your head split open?’ savagely rowled the villain, as he kneeled on the breast of is captive. ‘‘Maybe you don’t know who you're fooling with?” “There's another of them up-stairs!’’ cried the woman. ‘ Look out for him, Luke!” Luke started up with a curse, heaving, his captive to the hands of his two comrades. There was a quick, fierce struggle, but they succeeded in binding him hand and foot, while the master of the house ran quickly up-stairs. The noise of the struggle had not failed to alarm Jack Brace, who was again engaged in investigat- ing the burglars’ store-room. He ran quickly down-stairs, appearing at the head of the lower flight a moment after Luke had passed that point. It needed not Frank’s warning cry. A glance was enough to show what had occurred, ‘Release him! or hang me if I don't drop the pair of you!” yelled Jack, covering the parson and his rawboned associate with the muzzle of a revolver. ‘** You didn’t calculate to get the whip hand of Jack Brace so easy as that? you did, 1 fancy you've made a slight mistake.”’ “Devil the mistake!’ came a voice behind him, and the heavy fist of Luke Lister fell like a sledge- hammer on the back of his head. The assault. was so unexpected and so violent that Jack lost his balazice and was hurled like a catapult headlong down the stairs, the pistol flying from his hand, and striking with a heavy thud against the front door, Before he could rise again the two men had flu themselves upon him, and a sharp struggle ensued, Jack being noted for his vigor and activity. But he had been hurt and confused by his fall, and even before Luke could descend to the aid of his companions, they had secured their prisoner, twist- ing tightly around his arms the remainder of the rope with which Frank had been bound. ack lay, breathing heavily, and glaring with angry eyes at his conquerors. “A pair of housebreakers, eh! Lucky we came to hand in time,’ remarked Luke, with a sneering scowl. “Itis not often that fishermen get caught so nicely on their own lines.” “Pile in,” growled Jack. “It’s your turn now, Make the most of it. But I've a notion you'll find you've caught a Tartar, before you're thro&gh with this little game.”’ “ Then we'd best skin our Tartar, while we've got him,’ retorted Luke. ‘‘Where are your friends? Why don’t you whistle them up?” * They don't need whistling,” replied Jack, witha meaning smile. He had caught some sounds outside which the eard. As he spoke the front door He gave a knowing wink, which the others seemed | of the house opened, giving entrance to Will Wild- to ry ote ig ee fire and his two friends, who stood looking with or your part, you baye the papers presented | momentary doubt ur on the scene, you by your aunt,’ he continued, turning to Mark. ‘* Will Wildfire! Hell's blazes!" cried Luke, glaring “That's so.” said Mark, half drawing a package | at the intruder. Black Bess, Will Wildfire’s Racer. ‘*In the name of the law, gentlemen,’’ exclaimed Jack. ‘Weare officers, who have been overcome in our duty by these rogues. We call on you for rescue,”’ “Rescue's the word!”’ ejaculated Will, springin forward. ‘‘And here’s one good blow for Black Bess, on the hound who tried to poison her.’’ Luke attempted to defend himself from the blow, but Will’s fist fell, straight as a plummet, on his temple, knocking him to the floor as heavily as if he had n a log. Simultaneously Pierce epg forward and greay- ed the parson by the collar with his two hands, lifting him from the floor as if he weighed no more than a leaf, and holding him for a moment suspended, while a mocking smile curled his handsome bps, ne A sort of cat and mouse business, isn’t it?’’ he Meanwhile Ben Huntly had disposed of the third, clasping him in a close wrestle, which ended, after a minute, in the villain being heavily flung. ‘*Dat’s him! Dat’s him!’ screamed Pete, appear ing at this minute at the door. ‘That's who?” ‘De little one. Dat’s de parson who gub me de uts and de track.”’ “ The deuce you say!” returned Pierce, loosing his pee ee while at the same moment he gave him 4 exterous trip, causing him to measure his length on the floor. ‘*Sure’s you lib it’s him. An’ what’s more I's got dat track yet—and some of dem peanuts. I eat my share ob’em. He’s got to masticate de balance.” ‘*No, no!”’ cried the parson, with a shudder, “The boy is right,” laughed Pierce, setting his foot on his prisoner. ‘Tit for tat is a fair game. He shall digest the peanuts and the tract if I have to drive them down his throat with a force-pump.”’ CHAPTER XVII. DOCTORING THE PARSON. A Frew few minutes only have elapsed since the date of our last chapter, but there have occurred sev- eral important changes in the situation. The two officers have been released from their bonds, and in their place the three villains now lie, securely bound, and watched with a look of cynical satisfaction by hen men who so lately seemed completely in their toils. ‘* By Jupiter, gentlemen!” exclaimed Jack Brace, ‘‘T don't know where you have had your education in fist logic, but when you hit something gives way. I never saw a neater knock-down omen than that which floored our friend here, Mr. Phil Handy.”’ ‘* Phil Handy?’’ asked Will, in surprise. ‘* Yes. The chap that felt the wind of your knuck- les. Thatis the name he sails under.” ‘He travels under false colors, then,’’ replied Will. “His real name is Luke Lister.”’ ‘‘Tuke Lister! Whew!’ whistled the detective, looking keenly into the scowling face of his victim. ‘“So! That smells of business. Why, I’ve been wanting a man of his inches these six months, and didn’t know where to nail him.” “It’s an infernal lie!”’ growled Luke. ‘There's not a warrant ~ gga me,’ “a hope it will do your heart good to keap think- ing so,”* rejoined Jack, coolly. ‘“‘At any rate this burglary business will settle your hash, without rak- ing up any old scores.” ‘* What is that?’ asked Will, eagerly. ‘*T only mean that we've nailed here the night- hawks who have been making things lively these six months. And have struck, in this retired man- —_ a well- selected assortment of contraband goods. ‘‘T knew it!’ cried Will, energetically. ‘It was they that robbed Miss Moreland’s house.” ‘“T should rather fancy so, since we traced them by the horse which they left behind on that interest- ing occasion,” deep curse came from the lips of more than one of the baffled villains, on learning how they had been tra — a hen oer have got the stolen papers!’’ exclaim- ed Will, ‘‘ The documents which are such a serious loss to Miss Moreland.”’ ‘*No doubt of it,’’ said Jack. A mocking smile curled Luke's lips. ‘*T hope you will find them,”’ he sarcastically said. a We have got the whip hand of you in that, at any rate. ‘* Not much,” broke in Pierce. ‘‘We know where they are, which is as good as having them.” * Where?”’ ‘*In Mark Preston’s possession.”’ A quick change of expression came upon Luke’s face, which Pierce did not fail to observe, It was followed, however, by a dogged look. ‘ Mark Preston is not in the business,’’ he replied. ‘**You've got us nailed, I pi erg But Til bet you high yen don't get us to sell out our friends.” ‘Maybe the pious-looking gentleman may be kinder,” remarked Pierce, referring to the parson. “I think he will tell us whether or not Mark Preston has those sa ‘Much I will,” was the obstinate answer. “I am not taking any such taffy.” “Gin him de peanuts,’ cried Pete, “ Dat’s de sort of med’cine he wants.” “That is just what I am going to do,” Pierce coolly announced. “‘‘I’'ve a notion, after he has swallowed a reasonable dose of them his memory will come back,” ** No, no!’’ exclaimed the alarmed villain. ‘I will not take them.” “Perhaps not; but [havea notion you will,” re- plied Pierce, with inflexible determination. “Hand out the provender, Pete. If he don’t tell where those papers are, hang me if Idon’t load him with (EO) Eeomichooks —