Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 321 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

‘¢ The postmist ress.” Weare te she?” “Back door. Go out front, and round the building.” ‘‘ Are you. lying to me?” “Nary; givin’ it to you straight.” ‘Tt will cost you dearly if you are not.” Gerald then left the saloon and walked through a dark side-alley toward the rear of the building. . He had gone but a short distance when a heavy cloak was thrown over his face, and he was seized by many pairs of strong hands and bodily spirited away. CHAPTER IX, DEADWOOD DICK MAKES A CALL, Tue night was well advanced toward morn- ing, and Phantom Flats lay sleeping in a swath of ghostly moonlight. Not a person was abroad, even the Fort having long before closed its doors to the thirsty pilgrim, From under the rear door of the post-office, however, came a narrow chink of light, and a dark-clad, masked man, in top-boots and som- brero, who was lurking in the vicinity, took notice of it, and drew stealthily near the door, ‘* Poker Kate still lingers at ber post,” he mused, pausing on the threshold, ‘‘ Mayhap she has fallen aslecp.” gt. He applied his ear to the key-bole, and listen- ed intently, Not asound was heard, nor did a glance through the narrow aperture give him a view of any one within, This did not deceive the prowler, who was none other than Deadwood Dick. He was satis- fied Poker Kate had not left the office, and, as it was his purpose to gain an interview with her, there was no more fitting time than now. Drawing one of his revolvers and cocking it, ready for use, he next gave a couple of soft raps upon the door, Almost immediately he heard a stir inside and getting himself in readiness, Dick popped inside the moment Puker Kate opened the door, ‘She gave a startled, exasperated cry, but his weapon covered her before she couic. draw her own, ‘* Silence!” he ordered, sternly. ‘‘I mean you noharm, Close and lock the door.” , She evidently believed it best to humor him, for she obeyed, and then turned upon him in- quiringly. 7 Well, sir, who are you, and what do you want?” she demanded, haughtily, “*T am Deadwood Dick, at your service—de- tective, ex-desperado, dare devil, and so-forth. I came to see you on business, so pray be seated and we will understand one another.” “‘T fail to understand what business you can have with me,” she returned, coldly, as she be- came seated. “I have never before had the doubtful honor of your acquaintance.” “Maybe not. It matters not, though. Stranger though you ray be, I bave penetrated your thin disguise, and know who you are.” he uttered a sarcastic laugh. : ** You must be a wizard and second sight seer, then, for Lam confident that no one knows aught of my name or my past.” ven in one’s most fancied security the are not positive of their safety,” Dick smiled. Perhaps [ am one out of a thousand who could tell you ose name, Celia Blye!” The startled cry she gave was evidence enough that he bad not guessed wrongly Seeing that she was not about to speak, Dick lit a cigar, drew a few whiffs at it. and said: JT see you are not inclined to be dishonest, by denying the truth. [ am proud to know this. The stigma put upon your fair name by the villain, Boston Blye, will yet be wiped out by a confession I shall make it a point to extort from him. Iamaman, Mrs. Blye, whom the barbed arrows of the world have pricked, until Imay be ia a degree calloused; yet I am still a man, with a kindly regard and appreciation for the honest oppressed.” wien ‘* You are an enigma to mé, S!r. “Perhaps. The solution I trust will secure happiness to you and your wronged husband,” ** My husband, sir? “ Bxactly—Old Jewel, the hermit. Tt can not he possible that you do not know him to be your husband who fled from Boston so many years ago?” " never suspected it until I baffled Boston Blye’s little game at the hermitage.” “Tikely not. And now that you what do you Pe dor to do” “ What can I dof” “The simplest thing in the world. Go to him, betray your identity, and stand by him know ft, Deaw. 000, Dick's Dozen, <r we like a true ana noble we, e, comfort and bless- | also learned that the terms ing in his declining years!” ! I cannot! Mt i, I cannot!” Would it Se -esuming too niuch to ae” yor: why?’ and tho slenth’s eyes watched hor veiled face keenly. } “T cannot te. 4, sir, although coulu & tel anybody, I woul! wc.ivor, since you seem so in- clined to reunite #5 .ud baffle ourcnemy, For many long years my ausban?’ and I have been separated, and itis rn injprobable that we are likely to remain so during the rest of our lives. Circumstances will not warrant otherwise for the present, at least,” “Do you consider when you say this? Do you consider that you are leaving a lovely and accomplished daughter motherless, and a kind heartbroken husband to end his life in solitude, unloved and uncomforted?” ‘* T consider everything,” Dick was silent for several moments, while he studied odd and fanciful figures among the puffs of smoke that arose from his cigar. Life’s ups and downs had not left him without keen experience, and one with trouble’s educa- tion can draw many conclusions, that others would never dream of, s ‘*]T think I know the reason why you will not consent to a reunion,” be said, at length. “If {am right, and I feel very positive that I am, you are, at the best, of a very mercenary na- Lure, ‘You are growing impudent, sir. The sooner this interview is terminated the better.” ‘Then no persuasion can tempt you to go back to your husband?” ‘* At present—no! When T feel inclined to do so, I will do it without the solicitation of a third 1 ‘‘ Which is to the effect that you decline my friendship and co-operation?” ‘* Consider it in that light if you choose.” ‘Very well. Iam working faithfully in the interests of an injured and wronged husband and father, as well asa lovely daughter. Also it shall be my aim to baffle those who are un- friendly to him and her, I fancy I know your secret, and am surprised that it should stand between yy and the one you swore to love, honor and obey.” And with these words Dick arose, bowed low and quitted the room, closing the door behind him, The next few days passed without incident worthy of mention. Boston Blye and Black Bob were quietly working their scheme into proper condition to develop. George Gerald appeared no more about town; and the strange Girl Fakir, Nevada Nell, wasnot to be seen, although the botel proprietor de- clared to the inquiring ones tbat she was indis- posed and confined to her room, How many believed this is not for us to say, but there were not a few of the opinion that she had taken time by the forelock and skipped the camp. } The threat made in the false proclamation of Deadwood Dick was surely being put into ef- fect. The first day one man had been killed; the second day, two; the third day, three, and thus in Proportign with the number of passing days since the manifesto had been navel’ It was little wonder, then, that the honestly- disposed citizens were in a state of terror, and believing that Deadwood Dick was the author of the crimes, they would have put him to the ost horrible death that the human mind could devise bad they caught him, But the festive Richard realized the foul stain that was being pee upon his character, and was careful not to betray his identity, although he was daily in the camp, in some one of his many disguises. e was not idle, however: that was not natural for him. He was constantly on the alert, watchful and penetrating, and trying to solve the enigma of Agnes Blye’s where- abouts, A dozen theories entered his mind, but he could not bring himself into a cor viction in re- gard to any of them. So far as the present was concerned, it appeared evident that the tes of poor Agnes was likely to remain a mys- ery. Other matters divided his attention. By dili- gent figuring and research he learned that the ort, with the ground it covered, was owned by Jose Picard, an inveterate gambler, and a brother to the man in whose name it was run. The brothers were by no means friends; for while Pablo Picard was coining money, Jose was rapidly losing what he bad atcards. Dick et re ew a Se ee ees ee Eee eee | 2 | | | . . — " —) Oe Ee renner eee . - ee ee ee rm te | by which Poi: used the Fort, were that he was to have?! fc. 80 much per (.,’, and vacave tio premises at his Drothe-’s will. mvonan her “chee, rn SS Sp much. atte sleuth set age na sidering how he was n n of the ort, for in his own mind he Believed that the was locate secret mine of the Dumb Doze Pablo Picard and Poker Kate, such a face beneath the structure, and was constituting the prime reason why the - th her hus- nd, If he could gain the ownership of the Fort, Dick knew that he could eject, or at least si- Jence the present tenants, and perbaps arrange things more satisfactorily to all concerned, Report said that Jose Picard was one of the squarest of square men; that he rarely left his own cabin, and only played with one man ata time, and had no witnesses to any game beyond his contestant. In order to gain the honor of playing with him, it was necessary to write a note, asking for an open date, and naming the limit. Dick considered all he had heard carefull before acting. He had ape of money at his command, and if by risking it might he not be. able to win the Fort, and after once gainin possession honorably, give Picard back a fair price for it? It was a piece of strategy to be sure, and yet could be conducted as any other business ar- rangement, So he sat down and penned the followin note, and sent it to the Spaniard, who oceupi a lone cabin at the upper end of the camp: “PHantoM Fats, Aug. 20, 18—. “Jose Picarp, Esq.,—Srr:—A gentleman of un- limited means, with a passion for cards, would like to meet von in a contest for any sum desired. Name date, and send answer back. H, Richarp."’ The answer came within the hour. — ‘“*To-night, at ten. Fifteen raps on the door—two every other thirty seconds, Prcaxp.”’ Short and sweet, so to speak, and yet Dick knew it meant business, and that be had an op — nent to meet who was no amateur, “It won’t take long tosettle it,” he aga | “T’s make or break, and big money in t pot. jel meet Mr, Picard well heeled, how- mistress did not care to reunite That same afternoon a marquee tent went just across the street from the hotel, and a ban- ner in front of it bore this inscription: “ NEVADA NELL, FORTUNE-TELLER; BUT ONE VISITOR AT A TIME. Terms, TEN DOLLARS, GOLD,” The two huge trunks of the fair Fakir were removed to the tent, together with a table and several chairs, from the hotel, and toward even- ing the strange young woman was ready for epi; her valet, Lascar, standing guard at the door. . The sight of the tent drew many curious ones to the vicinity, and several miners with more © gold than good sense, paid their cash and got the worth of their momey in bright prophe- cies of future luck, if their ae faces when they came forth were any criterion. | One after another tried their luck, with ap- parently the same success, This aroused the curiosity of old William Sala- mander Swilltub, who had been quietly and with a speculative eye watchin Meg Was be still under the spell of the wizard queen? ane 9 Whether so or not, he finally took off bis bat- tered plug hat, gave it a fling in the air, and uttered a yell that would have startled a Co- manche, ; a ‘‘Kerwhoop! Pve dreampt a dream thet I war ter strike it rich, an’ I'm goin’ ter see what, ther gal sez, Ef she don’t coheatie rica Vii spile her purty picter. Hello, thar, y er, what’s ther damage?’ | **Ten dollars!’ Lascar answered, “ Coffins for unruly visitors cost a hundred extra.” ** Gentle hint, sweet as the twinkle of acow- bell,” murmured the giant, forking over the cash and stalking inside. Upon a little platform, Nevada Nell occupied achair. Another was placed near at band. An omincus black gown which entirely cov- ered her person except the eye-holes and an ens to breathe through, formed her at- ire . “Lord Jerushat what the—” began the giant, pausing abruptly. EGOmichboo LAN Y) con