Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 268 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

_—— — a” NS ee ss a te agg am a » was packed off to Van Dieman’s ost sorry end got to 906 him at the jail?” child is youra) And, now, which shall it be— yeu or he—who gets the child?” “*T will not give youacent. Deadwood Dick will recover my boy for me, and he shall get the reward—not you!” Vil see about “Curse your stubbornness! that! Ill kill the kid, outright, before that dare-devil will ever get hold of it. As for money, you have it right in your pocket, or about your n, and I’]l have it before I leave this room, or Pll have our life!” He sprung toward her with a savage resolve expressed in his villainous face, that boded her ladyship no ig She quickly left her chair, and uttered a piercing shriek, as he seized hold of her. ‘‘Shut up, curse you! Give me your money!” he hissed, savagely. ‘* Never!’ she returned bravely, at the same time shrieking for help, again. The next instant footsteps were heard run- ning along the hall, and tie door was burst open with a crash. With a yell of defiance, Carker made a break for life, and dashed through a rear window carrying sash and glass with him; but not until he was seen and recognized by the the two men who burst the door in, and came to Lady Chan- a0s’s rescue, who were, strangely enough, the same parties whohad rescued Nellie Dean from the vengeance of Marie. An expression of mutual recognition and as- tonishment came upon the faces of Lady Beatrice and the elder gentleman, who sprung forward with outstretched bands. “‘Beatrice!—I.ady Chandos! Is it possible that this is you?” he cried, gazing at her, rap- turously, as he seized her hands in his. “Qh! Sir Ferrol, Iam so glad! I have been #0 terribly shocked and deceived !” **Deceived? In what way, pray,” and he led her toa seat onthe sofa, while young Cecil, his nephew, also became seated, after acknowl- edging an introduction, and explaining the cause of the sereams to the landlord, who made his appearance. In trembling tones her ladyship went on to explain how Jerry Carker had represented him- self to be the lost Sir Ferrol Falconer, and the other troubles that had beset her since leaving the boat at Seaport. Sir Ferro! heard her through—then he said: “This man Carker I know only too well, and am now after him. In Australia, he was my valet and confidant, and got hold of all my se- crets and past history. He then stole consider- able money from me, and left the country.” “ But of yourself, Sir Ferrol—you have not told me of yourself, yet.” “You shall hear, Beatrice. You remember how, years ago, and just previous to what was to have been our wedding day, 1 was arrested for forgery in London. Circumstantial evi- dence was used against me so strong, and the énormity of the offense was so great, that I and for ten ears. “‘It wasn’t more than two years later that I escaped, and under disguise and an assumed name, went upinto the Australian fields, with the intention of secretly communicating with you. But, after learning of your marriage, through an English paper, I gave up all hope in that direction, and resolved to remain where I was. While there I amassed an immense for- tune, which I now carry about my person in the ferm of thousands of diamonds, “‘A year ago Carker left me, carrying off a simall fortune. A few months ago my nephew here, came and found me, bringing with him evidence of my innocence, my freedom papers and honorable exculpation, and a highly com- plimentary letter from the Queen’s counsel; so that Tam now en route to assume my former rights, But, I am sorry you are in the midst of so much trouble, Lady Chandos. I trust your life is, but for these temporary troubles, eee nappy ? ‘*T wish I could tell you yes, Sir Ferrol,” she replied, with sadness, “but I cannot truthfully say so. In fact, I do not believe a more un- happy woman lives,” u a low tone, she then told of what Lord Chandus’s jealousy had brought him to, and many other little things that had served to make her married life with him a tting of so much misery that she had fled to the west coast zt = pg he to get as far away from him as pos- sible, — ate a gereeGin brow, 2 4“ ways pri Imagined that Lor Chandos wane make a disagreeable hasband, it has turned out so, Will Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. ——-—— = -—-- =e — - ‘Yes, to-morrow, though I am satisfied that he will be vindietive enough to kill me, if he gets free,” ‘“‘If he has committed murder, as you say, I much doubt if he ever gets free. Border justice does not stand long on technicalities. will, however, go out and learn what I[ can for you, in regard to the matter, and if there is any pos- sible way I can be of service to you, you are aware, I trust, that you are at liberty to com- mand me.” ‘‘ Considering you my friend, I shall not hesi- tate to address you when I believe and need your assistance,” Lady Chandos replied, with a bow, and a grateful glance. Sir Falconer and young Cecil then took their departure, and went forth into the street, ere an intense excitement prevailed, over the double murder that had been done—for both of the victims had died almost immediately after being shot. The vicinity of the jail was black with people, and the tone of the conversation showed that there were strong indications of a forthcoming lynch pic nic, in which Lord Chandos was to be the central figure. The police, however, were vigilant in their efforts to prevent a reign of mob law, or it is doubtful if Chandos would have been suffered to crouch within the protection of his dungeon ten minutes. That the Englishman was a coward now needed no further verification than by a ; into his prison, where he was huddled up in one corner, white and shaking, asi in an ague-fit. In the meantime, while the threatening crowd surrounded the jail, Deadwood Dick had Soe ge ” upon his man, in the Carbonate saloon, CHAPTER XIII. HOW DICK DIDN’T WIN. THE Carbonate was, and yet is, we presume, one of the roughest holes to be found in Lead- ville. Loafers, bummers, blacklegs and rascals of various types commingled there, and the papers denounced the establishment as a place not safe for an honest man to enter after dark. Noticing the rough crowd on that side of the street, late in the evening, Dick concluded to ‘“‘drop in” and make observations, as it was about the style of a place he imagined Carker would frequent. He was still in his disguise of a Mexican Gen- eral, and had no fear of detection, even by Carker’s sharp eyes, should be perchance en- counter bim. After purchasing a cigar at the bar, he saun- tered about the room, and finally saw a red- whiskered, dirt-besplashed, rudely - dressed miner, sitting at a table, handling a pack of cards, as if he were anxious to try his luck with some one, The beard and hair looked so much like one of Dick’s former disguises, that it at once at- tracted his attertion; so sauntering over to the table, he sat down opposite the apparent bull- whacker, and said: ‘‘Tsee you are idle, stranger; what say you to a social game of poker?” ‘‘T hain’t no ’jections a6 I knows on,” the man replied, in a voice which, if feigned, was cleverly disguised. ‘‘ My handle is Sam Jones; what’s yourn?” ‘*Genera] Guyamires, of Mexico,” was Dick’s answer. ‘ Quite an excitement about the mur- der.” “Yas. They orter lynch that cuss, an’ will, I opine,” Jones said, at the same time laying a cocked revolver at bis right hand on the table. ‘‘ What's that for?” Dick asked, in pretended surprise, ‘Oh! that’s simply a matter o’ form. [I allers does that when I don’t know who I’m playin’ with, ye see, jest ter settle disputes with,” ‘IT don’t know but what it’s a purty good idea,” Dick said, drawing one of his self-cockers and laying it at his right. Thev played that game and two others, quiet- ly, Dick allowing the bullwhacker to win.. Finally, he gave a yawn and picked up his revolver with the apparent intentioggpf restor- ing it to his pocket. Ynstead of doing That, how- ever, be turned it suddenly upon the man of the red whiskers! *‘Carker, you’re mine! Move a muscle and Till blow your brains out!” he said, in a low, quick tone, the positiveness of which there was no mistaking. Carker growled out a terrible oath, but obeyed orders. ‘‘You're off yer base!” he grit “I'm Sam Jones, and you'll find et out ef ye don’t put up yer tool.” ‘ 1t ‘‘ PH run my chances of your getting danger- ous. I have got yen down fine, and my eye is right on you, so that if you don’t come precisely to time I will salivate you,” ‘*On account of the kid a dassent,” Carker declared, cunningly. ‘ When I die the secret of the whereabouts of the boy will also die.” Dick had thought of this, but did not hesitate. ‘*T reckon that won’t work. I guess when it. comes right down to one minute before death, you'd squeal. I am after the boy, but that is not my main object. Jerry Carker, do you re- member that poor old man you brutally mur- dered up in Big Valley?” The man chuckled, an expression of some- thing like pride coming over his face, ‘* Yas, I reckon I got in my revenge on that old rooster in the most approved fashion,” he said. ‘‘ Won’t never wallop another man, that’s certain,” ‘“Nor you won’t ever murder another man, Carker. When I saw your brutal work, I registered an oath to take your scalp back to that valley as a trophy to show how much I loved the good old man you murdered. I then set out on the death-trail to fulfill my oath. Your scalp now lies within my grasp, but I will not take it. I’m a fair man, and a square man, and here is what I have to i ae You take me to where Lady Chandos’s boy is conceal- edand deliver him up tome, We will then come back here, and [ll give you twenty four hours start ahead of me, in a race for your life. If ou are the smarter, long life and liberty lie fore you. If not, death! If you do not accept these terms, I will pay no more atten- tion to the Chandos case, but avenge my own case, by dropping you dead where you sit. You have heard Deadwood Dick. Consider bis only terms for five minutes, after which, if you do not accept, you'll need a coffin!” | ‘*T have considered, I am not ready to in my checks. You shall have the boy,” Car- ker said. Carker’s acceptance in a measure surprised Deadwood Dick, who had imagined he would have more trouble with the fellow; but he was by no means taken off his gaard by the ready acceptance of the other. ‘Well, if you mean business, get up and lead ahead,” he said, ‘‘remembering that I am watching you like a hawk all the time, and ready to drop you at the slightest provoca- tion. ‘Ye needn’t trouble yerself about me!” Car- ker growled, ‘‘When I say square, I mean square. Come erlong till I go ter my room in ther hotel to git ther key.” ‘‘ The key to what?” Dick demanded. ‘* To ther place whar ther boy’s shut up,” was the reply. They left the saloon, Carker leading, and went down the street to a large shanty hotel, which corresponded favorably with the saloom they had just quitted. Carker went up-stairs to a front room, and Dick promptly followed, resolved not to give his prize any chance whatever to soaks, After searching about for awhile, the rasca! produced an old rusty key, and signified his readiness to depart. ‘* Before you go, I opine you’d best leave your weapons all here on the table, where you can get them on your return,” Dick advised. ‘I won't have to watch you quite so close on the may to where the boy is concealed if you do this.’ ‘‘ Anything to accommodate you!” Carker gritted, with bad grace, as he complied with the request, ‘‘ All I want isa squar’ deal in this matter, an’ I'll be squar’ myself.” “Correct. See that you are, and you will stand a chance to win,” Dick said, grim y. They then left the place and walked away to- ward the western outskirts of the town, in which direction Carker stated they would have to go for the boy. It did not take long ere the gleaming lights of Leadville were left' behind, and they were struggling along the gloomy stage road that led te some of the surrounding shanty towns. ‘*Reekon Lord Chandos will get his neck stretched!” Carker remarked, as they pro- ceeded, ‘‘So he ought,” Dick averred, heartily. ‘I am positive that her ladyship would eee mourn her life away over his demise. Nor wi his death help along your case to any great ex- tent, if I know myself. You'll have to adjourn your nuptials.” “That remains to seen,” was the sullem answer; after which reigned between — them for some time. The drizzle of rain which had f len earker: comic <S Se om — —_—; ,00