Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 321 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

— —— ee ee ee - * _tnan method, eh?” the Fakir mused. 12 * Be seated,” a firm but pleasant voice com- manded, ‘“ Have no fear, for I already see that wey future has many lines of pleasure per- me . ‘*Snortin’ snappin’-turtles! ye don’t say? Ye,siue comin’ no limburger-cheese taffy on me ‘* By no means!” **Then I reckon Dll anchor right alongside ‘ver. Goon,” ‘' Your life has been fitful and stormy, at- tended by very little pleasantry and few streaks of good-fortune. No one ever loved you and one reason you have been so rough and unruly is because you had no woman’s hand to guide you. In your early future a kind and loving wite awaits you, nor is that all, You are on the eve of discovering a gold mine, which will Pat you out of want for many a year. How do you like the prospectus, Mr. Swilltub?” The giant made no answer. His eyes had a rigid, Blassy look, and rested fixedly upon the Fakir. No better evidence was meeded to tell that he was in a mesmeric trance, A faint chuckle escaped from the fortune- ‘teller’s lips as the giant failed to answer er, - ** William,” she said, pinching bim on the arm, ** William Salamander Swilltub!” * Yes, ma’am!” he responded, with school- voy docility. | * William, I have some questions to ask you. You know I am the devil and have got my grip fastened firmly on you. Therefore, it will be ruinous for you to tell me anything but the truth. You hear?” ss Yes, ma’am,” ‘* Of course oe do. William, there is a plot under way, which Boston Blye is interested in, and in which you are acting as a tool. This plot has for its ultimate object two distinct pur- poses. Is this not so?’ ‘* Yes, ma’am!”’ ** One of these is to gain possession of the lost wine of the Dumb Dozen?’ ‘Yes, ma’am,” RS Where does Blye believe this mine is locat- ec ‘Under the Fort,” ingt How does he calculate to get possession of ‘*1t hain’t been decided yet,” ) ‘Has any one become coadjutor with Blye in this scheme?” " ‘Yas. Thar’s now five of us—Blye, Bill Rob- erts, otherwise Black Bob, Leon Shrimp, Dandy Dan, and myself. Ido the dirty work.” Nevada Nell was silent a moment while she pressed her band to ber head. It was evident that it was a hard mental task nc to keep the giant under mesmeric con- trol. CHAPTER X, THE GAME OF CARDS, Sun finally regained the mastery, however, andl went on: ** William, you are av obedient servant. You are also a man of good sense, You know who is your master, and are wise enough to obey. -Now, there are a few more points I would get out of you, and you dare not refuse to give them to me, George Gerald has disap from thecamp, Where is he? Out with the whole of it!” Swilltub was silent—hesitated to answer, as if giving away the thing was hard against his ‘** What d’ye want?” he finally growled. “*T want to know what has become of George Gerald, and that right quick, or down into the pit te go!” ** Blye and Black Bob have him, but I hope to die if | know where. They’re goin’ to make bim play cards to-night at the revolver’s muzzle, an’ make bim sign checks fer all he’s worth, or notes, or whatever; then, they’re goin’ to hold him until everything is square consarnin’ the cashin’ of ’em, when he kin go to blazes. After they get through with him to-night, they’re go- in’ for old man Jewel, and either collar his pile or plant him, providing they can do it when they think Deadwood Dick ain’t around.” ‘Jewel will never give up.” “Tien he'll get planted. When the bottoms of tis feet begin to burn to acrisp, I reckon a won’t be no object to him!” *:Oho! So they intend to resort to that — ‘Wel that is in aceordance with their beastly ced Another thing I want to know, Mr. Swilltub: Where is Agnes es | . ‘* Don's know nothin’ "bout it.” ee ee me ee ee ree ee ee ee ee ae ewe ee ee Deadwood Dick’s Dozen. —— ‘** Does Boston Blye or any of the rest of his confederates know?” ** Reckon cig Pn ah viley bn in all pear anx- ious ’bout her, ’cept Dan dy an’ I,” The information she had gained appeared to satisfy Nevada Nell for she waved her band over his head and he was out of his trance, ** Hurrah! Pm goin’ ter git married an’ strike it rich!” he yelled, as soon as he was out of his trance. ‘‘ An’ dash yer picter, gal, ef ye’r’ de- ceivin’ me, I'll break up ther hull shebang, sure 1? mk You can bet that it will be all right,” Nell assured, ‘“ Patience on your part is aM that’s required to prove that my prophecy is sure, You can go, now.” And Swilltub did go, which was something he would not have done bad he known what he had said while in the trance. Nevada Nell chuckled softly to herself after he was gone, apparently highly elated at what she had learned, As that evening drew on apace, Deadwood Dick, in a rough, bearded miner’s disguise was lounging about the camp, and little did any one suspect that he was the noted ex-outlaw instead of the common laborer he appentet, He was waiting for the bour to arrive when it should be time for him to visit Jose Picard, and win or lose a small fortune. That he would win he felt confident; for, al- though Picard might be a “ fleecer” at cards, Dick had the confidence that no man lived who could long play with him and remain successful, As it came natural for the mechanic to handle bis tools, or the author his pen, so it came “‘ nat- ural” for Deadwood Dick to manipulate the cards or handle the revolver. Until it came time for him to visit Picard’s cabin he alternated between the Fort and the street, in order to keep an eye on the movements of Poker Kate and Boston Blye. He was not quite positive but that the post- mistress suspected he knew about the mine being located beneath the Fort, and if so, be knew she would likely make some move toward protect- ing her interests, e also kept an eye open, hoping to see Bos- ton Blye; but that individual was not abroad. At the appointed hour, therefore, Dick set out for Jose Picard’s cabin. On his arrival there, and after delivering the raps, as he had been instructed, the door was opened, and he was admitted into a small, roughly-furnisbed and dim y-lighted room, rn sat at a table shuffling a pack of cards. 7 By whom the door had been opened was not apparent to Dick, as Picard could hardly have reached the table and become seated in the time which elapsed between the opening and Dick’s entrance, rh “ Good-evening!” Picard greeted, giving his visitor a keen glance, ‘ You are Richard, | suppose i The same, I heard of your fame as a play- er, and having the conceit that I can play, I thought I'd come down and let you take the conceit out of me.” ‘Well, I can probably accommodate you. What's your pile, sir?” ' ’ “ Anything from a dollar up to half a million will answer me,” Picard whistled. ‘‘ Tf you're as flush as that you don’t look it!” he said, with something of a covert sneer. ‘‘T make it a rule to say nothing but what I can back!” Dick responded, as he took a seat. ‘‘T have given you my figures; suppose you let us hear as to your quality?” wees opened a drawer at his side of the e ‘‘T am none too well fixed at present, sir,” he said, rather regretfully. ‘I’ve had a reverse of luck lately, and am at low ebb. Still, I can raise a thousand dollars. That will buy you a breakfast, if I lose, I intended to sell the Fort to-day, but could not find a casb buyer.” ** What’s your price?” ** Seven thousand dollars,” ** Pretty steep, isn’t it?” ““That’s my price.” ‘“‘ Well, draw me up a receipt for the amount, and give your deed, and I can oblige you.” Picard looked at Dick studiously. ‘‘Did you come here to win the Fort?” he fin- ally asked, | ‘I came to pley cards.” ¥ ne you know my brother?” **Or Poker Kate?” **T have met ber.” ——- ETE Oe EE NRE ee a a ee place for what the place is. You have anothee object. Iam too old a world’s man not to be a judge of character. Did you ever hear that ose Picard was aught but a square man?” “T heard you was square, else I should not be here now,” ‘Then tell me why you want the Fort?’ ‘‘One reason: I want to eject Poker Kate and Pablo Picard.” “The other reason?” ‘** Perhaps I may tell you, after vey cards,” ‘Well, give me the cash. It’s either make or break,” He drew up a receipt and a guaranty for a deed, raphe them to Dick, who, after a careful perusal, banded him the money. “There’s little use of playing long for so small a consideration,” Picard said. ‘‘ Put up eight thousand dollars, and let one game settle ** As you like, What shall it be?’ **Seven-up, as well as any other game. You will doubtless win, anyhow. I’ve an idea thet you are not all you look, or rather a little more.” ‘* You may be wrong. The money was staked. a a fresh pack of cards was then cut and ealt. Scarcely a sound could have been heard during the game except the flip! flip! of the cards, Eleven points were played, and when Dick ped made bis eleventh Picard only had scored our, *“ As T told you,” he said. ‘‘The moment you sent me the challenge I was pretty well satisfied that [had met my fate. Now, then, I want to know who you are?” ‘** Who I am?” in feigned surprise. ‘Yes. That you are not what you claim I'll take my oath!” ‘* And if I declare my identity?” ‘‘That’s all there is of it. No one will ever be the wiser for it.” a I balipye Sey. be os have en the honor of aying with that distinguished personage Deadwood Dick!” rid “The devil you say!” ‘‘ No—tbe Dick-ens.” ‘That accounts for the peculiar sensation I bad when you entered, I felt positive I had no ordinary personage in front of me,” — ‘“Perbaps not. .Maybe 8 felt a tightening on your purse-strings, ell, as you hinted, my main object in coming here was to win the Fort, having done which, here is your money back, and the Fort is not for sale,” Ble R | arranged, I must say. And now will you tell me what you want with the Fort? Your desire to eject Poker Kate is not worth seven thousand dollars,” “Certainly not. Poker Kate bas a busband living, which I know to be true, but as long as she remains with Pablo Picard at the Fort she will not return to bim.” ‘““What attraction bas the Fort? She surely does not get so much salary that it would make it an object?” | ‘Hardly, fancy. Jose Picard, I think you are a man whom I can trust.” ‘‘You can stake your life on it, sir.” “Then, come what will, I'll tell you why I bought the Fort. You bave doubtless beard mention, some time, concerning a certain Dumb Dozen, mythical or otherwise, wo were search ing for a lost mine of fabulous value?” ‘I think I bave heard of such a party.” ‘Well, I'll assure you that they are no myth as I have lately become their captain an backer in their search. As to the lost mine, J believe it to be located beneath the Fort, and Poker Kate and Pablo Picard are working it!” ‘“T believe you are right. They bave repeat, edly tried to purchase tbe property of me, but J have each time refused to sell it, as my brother and I are not on good terms. If it is as you have said, you have strvck a bargain.” ‘Not for myself; my only object is to return to the real owners their property.” “A laudable purpose, if they are really speechless, as you say, and I shall not regret that my loss has been their gain. 1 will give my brother orders to vacate the premises in the morning.” Very well. You shall not lose anything by your honorable action.” After a little further conversation Dick took his departure, Picard promising to_arrange for the ejection his brother and Poker Kate from the Fort as early as convermfent on the. morrow. Swilltub bad not lied when he said that George *“Humph! You are not a man to want the ' Gerald was in the power of Boston Blye.: \ "GOMIEDOOK: “com