Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 281 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

— - - — —— -4— —___ ___.. _ ef the Ainsley dwelling and the street, without being observed, themselves. “You see that house,” Doll said, after they were seated. Fs Bet Ido! Looks like a big-bug’s pen, don’t it?” “As com with the other shanties, yes. That’s wheré Ainsley, the banker, lives, It’s his case I’ve undertaken, in addition to that of bunting down the outlaws.” “* Yes?’ ‘‘Well, you see that prong cabin, over yon- der. That’s the bank. Healthy looking bank ain’t it, but nevertheless, it is a bank, where Ainsley stores bis ducats, and carries on his business. He claims he is being mysteriously robbed, all the time, and yet can gain no clew to the perpetrator of the crime, and wants me to take hold of the job.” ‘Goin’ to tackle it?” ‘Yes, for there’s good pay in it.” “‘ Got yer skeleton to work on?” “Partly. Haven't suspicioned any one di- rect, but ane got my eye on Ainsley’s nephew, Ned, who works in the bank, as book-keeper.” ‘Phew! ye don’t let on! ‘Why, I’ve met that feller, aready, an’ got acquainted. He were gittin’ fleeced by that sharp Beau Blonde; so I jest sailed in an’ won his money back for him.” ‘Ha! ha! So he is addicted to cards, eh? If ehat’s the case, it may be no great trouble to find how the banker's stamps disappear. Don’t you think so, William?’ * ‘“ Nix-cum-a-rous!” the boy replied. ‘“ Tell ye that Ned Ainsley ain’t no thief, no more'n I am, He's got a mug on him as honest looking as the face of an eight-day clock.” : ‘*Some faces are but natural masks to vil- iainy,” Dll observed, wisely. ‘‘ I must see this fellow myself. By the way, bave you kept an eye on the Dutchman?’ ‘‘- Yes. He’s slid out from the saloon an’ evaporated. ’Spect he’s gone whar he’s got the young feller bid.” ; “ Likely. —y* a eye pecled, and if you eta glimpse of him again, shadow him until you find the hiding place. Got any money?” ‘““Swads of it! I don’t play keerds fer noth- in’» Went snucks with Ned Ainsley, ye see.” “Well, then, hunt yourself up a place to bunk, and I will do thesame. To-morrow we will search deeper into this case ” ‘Sh! look!” Little Bill suddenly. whispered, excitedly. ‘* Who is that?” A figure in a dark cloak had approached the Ainsley dwelling, and even as they looked, sunk down upon the steps. ‘+ It?s a woman!” Doll observed. ‘* Yes, and she has fainted too!” Bill declared. ‘‘Meébbe that’s Kate—luks like her figger. Come! let’s go over!” : é “Stop!” Doll hissed, catching him by the arm, and detaining him. ‘‘ Look! we'd better not interfere, now. See, she is being cared for.” Two men had emerged from the Ainsley dwelling, and raised the fainting woman an borne Be within, whereupon the door was closed, and all was quiet in the Little Bill looked anxious i Denver Doll's face, as if eager to gain her opinion of the pro- ceeding, without asking. e Humph!” the young Detective Queen mut- tered, ‘* What are you staring at, Billy?” ‘Tryin’ to ketch yer idea of the matter,” the boy: 2 cme “Why, what do you mean?” ‘Nothin’, maybe, but wasn’t thet kinder akewrious, them two galoots a-comin’ out and snatchin’ the woman inter the house?” “Well, I don’t know. She will probably ceme out again. after she is restored. “Maybe!” Bill assented, but there was a doubtfulness to his tone that told he didn’t be- lieve it. “Tell ye what I’m goin’ todo, I'm > to hang around til] [see her come out. If 's my gal Kate, and they keep her shut up in there, dash me if I don’t fire the shebang!” | “Ob! aw! you're looney, Billy. It isn’t at all likely the woman was the one you call your Kate. And if it was, what could a little pigmy like you do toward rescuing her?” = you bet! Can’t tell how fur a toad kin jamp, by ther looks o’ him, nohow. I’m to watch!” | ‘Well, doas ye like about that. I'm goin’ to look out for a bite of slee If you tg as- sistance, you'll find me at the Mountain View sbebang. ‘acon ae ’ cerec “al away, Doxy! [m in fera little detective business on my own hook.” Denver Doll ianehinghy [ook her departure, le: ving ber young acquaintance to his proposed no 'turnal watch over the Ainsley mansion. A plucky piec: of human mechanism was Lit- e vicinity. Denver Doll’s Victory. 3 2 tle Bill, and you could no more scare him than you could intimidate » raging lion. So he stretched himself out on the log, and kept his eye upon the dwelling of ison Ainsley. ** Bet a cookie that was Kate. She’s actin’ up right strange, fer a sensible gal, o’ late. Them two fellers, Beau Blonde and Pacific Pbil, seemed to know her, an’ I opine she know’d’em, | too. Then, hyer she comes along, an’ faints on the banker’s doorstep, and two men nearly snatch her bald-headed, a-gitting her inter the house. Hello!” The door of the Ainsley residence opened, and the banker bimself came forth, and made his way to the juil. ‘Struck a lead, ’'m a shad, ef 1 hain’t!” Little BiH chuckled. CHAPTER VI. BILLY’S FIRST CASE. _ AS before stated, Harris n Ainsley, on leav- ing his house, directed his footsteps toward the oo or strong cabin, where Pacific Phil had n incarcerated after the du 1; but before he could reach that edifice of justice, he suddenly discovered that he was dogged, and turned sharply around to behold Little Bill Bethel but a few paces away. ‘‘ Hello! you young imp, what you mean by following me?” the banker demanded, angrily. ‘‘Reckon a feller bas a right to walk in whichever direction he pleases!” Bill retorted impudently. ‘Sides that, I’se spottin’ you, I aire, ‘*Spotting me? Why, bless my eyes, what nonsense Z this? What are you spotting me or ‘“’Ca’se Tse a detective, I is, an’ you're a ‘spicious kerricter. Whar’s my gal, Kate?’ The boy’s eyes kesnly rested on the banker’s face, but failed to notice any particular effect produced by his words. ‘*What do you suppose I know about your Kate, sir? Begone, now, or I'll give you the toe of my boot!” ‘‘Ba-a-al You can’t ketch me,” grinned Bill. “I can outrun a garter snake, or a streak of greased lightning. Besides that, I can shute a wart off’m the nose of a cricket!” ‘* Well, I shall certainly shoot. you, if you dog me any further!” the banker warned, as be turned away. Little Bill followed, however, although it was at a somewhat safer distance, where Ainsley could not bear or see him. The banker soon came to the front of the jail, where a couple of well armed rougbs had been stationed by Deputy King. ‘* Well, boys, are you keeping the fellow safe?” he asked. ‘‘Bet we aire! He’s got to tread over two dead bodies, fore he kin pass hyer,” one de- clared, grimly. ‘‘That’s the way to_talk! I reckon he’ll be lynched to-morrow. I'll go inside, and prepare him to meet his doom.” ‘*Oh! no ye don’t! Ther boss guy us orders not to admit any one, under any pretext, an’ we obey ther boss,” the. guard growled, ‘Who is the boss, pray?” ‘Ther deputy.” “ Pshaw! be ain’t the earth. Come! open up, and me in a ““ Nary, 1) petty You know I am one of the re- sponsible men of the place.” ** Don’t matter ef you war ther president— *twould be jest the same.” Ainsley uttered an anathema, He had not expected to meet with this sort of resistance. Then, too, he evidently had some strong reason for wishing to interview the prisoner. ‘See here!” he exclaimed, after a momen‘ of thought, ‘“‘ you fellows don’t find a ten-dollar gold-piece hanging on every bush. Here is a couple. Do you want them?’ The two guards exchanged glances, and then beld a consultation, inaudible to the banker, Finally the spokesman turned and held out his band. ' “Give us yer Beng You'll be responsible thet he don’t escape while we slip over and get a drink 0’ bad habit?” ‘*‘Of course!” . The money exchanged handed and the door was unlocked; theh, while the banker entered the jail, the two roughs made off for the near- est saloon to liquor up. mere, Pacific was chained to the wall, Ainsley did not think it worth while to close the noe r him, | He ht eF ’ ._ In consequence, iputian figure of Little Bill was in the jail almost as soon as the banker se ee eee 7 —-—- sa were ee oe ee oe himself, although the latter had no suspicion of his presence, as William took good care to se- cnere himself behind the door, which swung in- ward. A moment later Ainsley produced a _bull’s- eye lantern and removed the cap, when a stream of light fell upon the prisoner, who was | partly reclining upon the floor, He did not seem surprised whea he saw the banker; his features did not change in expres- sion, but a steely glitter entered bis eyes. ‘* Well! well!” the banker said, ‘‘So you have come back, have ycu, Philip?’ ‘*Perhaps,” the other replied, dryly. ‘‘ You have eyes, I dare say.” “Solhave. What brings you back here?” *T do not asa rule make known my business to any one. You may infer, however, tha’ I came for a purpose.” ‘“*Oh, very naturally I should presume thut. Enmity to your father, if nothing more, would furnish an incentive for you to return.” Pacific Phil laughed sarcastically. ‘Why should J] not be your enemy?” he de- manded. ‘A few years ago did you not forbid me toever again set foot within your door— even refused to let me see my mother when she was dying? I was a boy then—I am a man now.” ‘*But powerless all the same, You should know better than to rebel against me.” ‘* W bo are you, pray? hat are ro but an infamous rascal? Shall I tell you what you dis- owned me for, you accursed wretch of a father? Shall I tell you?” ‘‘Ob, Ican save you the'trouble. It was be- cause you wedded against my will the daughter of m oY. reals enemy.” . ‘‘ Exactly, you devil! It was because you had advice that she would, by ession of ver- tain papers, come into a handsome fortune on hte age, I never knew this till after- y ward, wife then infcrmed me that you— my fatber and the busband of a faithful wife— had n paying her loverly attentions, and had used your utmost endeavors to persuade her to elope with you. My mother was rapidly sinking away with consumption, and you, heart- less wretch, were paving the way for another wife and a fortune!” aft 3 Harrison Ainsley’s face had grown whiter and his manner nervous, ae ot) ‘Why bother your head with such nonsense? You know full well that every word of it is “You lie! ‘tis true, Not satisfied with turn- ing me out of house and home, you . adventuress to enter our bome, and, armed with a forged marriage certificate, to ¢ me with bigamy. What was the result? The evidence was so conclusive against me eat happy home was broken up, and my w e left me to the wild, reckless life of a—well, not quite a ruffian. A sport would perbaps be the better term, Do you wonder, _Ains- ley, that I am your enemy?” | tT ‘‘T neither wonder, nor am I cancerpade at the matter. A man is liable to make a m move, once in a while!” the banker chuckled. ‘‘ By the way, my son, did the child come into the fortune have reference tof” Pacific Phil fairly ground: his teeth with rage. ‘I'd choke you for asking that, were I free!” he gritted. ‘ You know full well she did not, wien you held tbe PAPey cig it. is aa too te for reparation yet, perha e adven- turess is Tend T have ieee ‘‘ But Lhold the certificate. Ha! ha! you had better have stayed away from Nugget Notch, Philip. You'll find poor sympathy here.” ‘It is something I do not live on, Once I get. out of here, I think it .will be my turn to do something retributive.” ‘“ When you get out—exactly. That is spenk- ing rather uncertainly. By the way, where i; your wife?” ) ‘That, of course, I would never tell you did I know! The words were spoken with intense bitter- ness. on A faint glitter in the banker’s eyes ae ees that he was -~ r : p- inted, at the answer he recei . re Weil, a4 will not andy Bou inten “T sim came ath w mn: were toward me, so io ow how dot You are doubt aware ae. second time, and my wife is dead. Hr beau to settle down and marry her, I of this scrape; otherwiss, any that you may be takes ) desperado, you look wonderfully like him. AMLICELooye) (E(0) <S1GO