Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 330 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

12 casion for belief but what they would serve him, faithfully. The two immense ranches were turned into one, as it wero, and the valuable herds of cattle united into one vast herd, and placed in the care of Flat Nose and his ganz, the former remnant of cowboys having been set to work in the mins. And as trouble was expected from the Cattle Clique, the droves were kept in as close prox- imity to the Cottonwoods and Villa Voselle, as Zz pasturage would permit. Buck Brady and Pedro were now retained at the villa, the former as a sort of confidential cut-throat, and the latter as a confidential ser- vant. As we have said, the general was daily grow- ing more at ease, as no signs of trouble loomed up on the horizon of his hopes, and he was be- ginning to congratulate himself that bis scheme or supremacy was to be successful, when, one evening, as be was sitting in his parlor, Buck Brady eutered, bearing a letter which he had just obtained at the post-office. There was a post-mark upon it that was not ‘particularly reassuring in its effects upon aner- vous mind, It was round, as post-marks usually are, and Post-OFFICE., It was directed in a broad, handsome style of ‘chirography, and on tearing away the envelope the general’s eyes ran over the appended mis- sive: f **Hewu’s Post-Orrice } ** (One Mile from the Entrance Gate to Hades), ie, 20th, “Gen. Groron Grieason:—The time for calling you in from active service has drawn s0 near ex- apy om that I have deputized several of your vic- ms to wait on you preparatory to guiding you through the dark es and over the pee ells l to my peren summer resort, ping he | pe gut my ore to ony, Lap sa se de- as ve a large premium for fuel now, and have already. had the kindled for your especial benefit ; I remain, sir “ Yours forever, SATAN “King of the Kealms Infernal}"’ Brady watched the general vith an inquiring expression during the perusal, for the usually flushed face had grown obey white. ‘‘By Heaven! what does it mean, Brady?” the astonished villain demanded, as he handed over the document to the border ruffian. ‘One would suppose b that, that we were living on the borders of Inferno, Brady réceived the letter, gazed at it, and then at the general. j ‘Tis ruther curious!” he |grunted. ‘‘ The feller what sent it must have fergot to write what be wanted to say.” “What! Can’t you read?” “Depends, guv’nor! I kin allus cipher out common English, but when ye gav me nothin’ ter read I ain’t thar.” = Nothing ! Why, certainly you can’t be get- ‘ting blind. ‘Show me a fifty-dollar gold piece and see how quick I'll gobble onto it. If you say thar’s any writin’ on thet bit o’ paper ye'’ve ei*ber bin drinkin’ an’ got the jams or hev gone crazy, or bev got to tellin’ whoppin’ big lies.” And be thrust the missive back into the gen- eral’s band. That personage gazed at it in utter dismay— his surprise genuine. A nae God! there is no writing there!” he as . ‘* Nary a bit!” Brady re-echoed. _ “ Yet [ll take my dying oath that I saw writ- ing—a letter purporting to be signed by Satan, which warned me that he had sent out envoys to guide me to Hades!” **General, let me smell yer breath.” “Away, you fool! J have not taken a dro to-day! ‘There’s something certainly devilish about this matter.” sabe messagé had been written upon half a s ee . The general examined both sides of the paper _ thoroughly and then banded it back to Brady. The moment he gazed at it steadily he uttered a hoarse yell of terror and dropped it to the floor, as though it had been a piece of hot iron, . “What is the matter?” Gleason demanded, bis pallor nearly equaling that of the ruffian. ‘the lettering was as follows: HELL'S Ava. 20 10 A. M. Little Quick-Shot. —- — oe ‘‘Ob! cuss the thing! I sae’d a skeleton, so I did, what war grinnin’ an’ snappin’ its teeth at me! The general made a dive for the paper and seized it before it had floated to the floor, ‘* Nothing!” he gasped, as be gazeu at it on either side. And then, he held it before Buck Brady’s terrified gaze. “ Do you see it, now?” he fairly yelled. ‘*Mary!” was Brady’s gasping reply. ** Did you see it?” **On course'l did!” doggedly. “Then, do you believe that I saw what I claimed to see?” ‘*T hain’t a doubt ’bout it.” The two men glared at each other as savagely as two tigers might have done. ‘* Well!” Brady growled. “It is not well,” the general replied. ‘“ It must be more thgm a human occurrence that could unnerve uf but Iam not afraid to tell you that I belieye we are doomed.” **Git out! You mean the Old Nick aire grab- bia’ fer us!” “I am satisfied of it. [am as wide-awake and my faculties are just as keen as ever; and I know I saw that warning on the same paper — saw the skeleton, and yet neither of us saw he same things. Don’t it look asif a power infernal surrounded us?” Brady scratched his head, and cast a terrified glance about the room. The words of his master in crime, certainly had no quieting effect on his strong superstition. ‘‘ I’ve heerd,” he said, flaally, in a low, busky tone, “‘I’ve heerd it said, thet ef one could break the charm of the devil, bis power were gone. Mebbe if ye war to burn thet paper, et would hev the same effect on the old cus:.” ‘*Bah! that is old woman’s gabble.” Still, he too, gazed nervously about the room. The lamp seemed to burn very dimly. The fire on the grate flickered uneasily. A strong wind moaned about the villa, making weird sounds that were at the best, disquieting. ‘Try it!” Brady said, sepulchrally. The general hesitated, then advanced to the fire-place, and held his hand a few feet above the blaze. As if eager for the prey, the flames suddenly 7 high enough to singe the man’s trembling ands. A howl of surprise and pain escaped him; he relinquished the paper, and it wavered down into the fire. Instantaneously there seemed to grow up out of the fire-place, a fleshless skeleton, surrounded by a weird bluish light, that gave it a decidedly unearthly appearance. Where should have been eyeless sockets, were bulging balls of firé, that in expression were not unlike human eyes. ‘Titerally paralyzed with horror, the two villains stared at the spectacle, too dumfound- ed to stir or speak. Toen, as suddenly asit had appeared, the bony spectre melted down into the flames, and was gone. For some time after it had disappeared, the two men stood staring at the fire. Brady was the first to arouse, ‘It’s gone, gineral, an’ I reckom I’ve hed my fill o’ thet sort of thing, fer one night. Ef ye want avy more interviews wi’ his Satanic Majesty, ye kin stay hyer and enjoy it. I’m nowhere’s of a notion ter have my wits fright- ened out of me.” ** Hold, for God’s sake!” the general cried. “Tf you leave me, I'll never again employ you.” ‘** By thunder, I don’t keer ef ye door got. I kin stand some thiags but I can’t stand évery- thing. I’m goin’ right off ter Denver to jine a ehurch, an’ see ef [ can’t ring in a deal wi’ pious folks. Then, you sinners can go to the devil, w’at aire reachin’ fer ye.” H- made a move toward the window as he saw the general making a move to bar bim off, but suddenly he paused, an unmistakable ex- pression of borror coming over bis bard face. The reason was very plain. Buck Brady saw it! — The general saw it! Both stood transfixed, ‘unable to move or utter a word. It wes the awful Dead Face, that had ap- peared last upon the night of the reception at the Cottonwoods, unchanged in any part of its ghastly appearance. Z It was staring direct at Brady, although the eyes were closed, and as it was thus directed, a hollow, unearthly laugh seemed to peal from between the unparted lips. ae instant—then tadis spectacle, too, had gone! RE ae It was the termination of that evening’s event- ful occurrences, and the two terror-stricken men were not sorry when they found that n> more visitations were forthcoming. —_—_—_—_- -— CHAPTER XIV. UNMASKING THE VILLAIN. SeverAL days passed, but no more of the super- natural order of aig took place at Villa Voselle, so that Brady and the general became somewhat more reassured, and satisfied that they were vic- tims of a practical trick rpetrated by some enemy—most likely Cap. Melton. The general had not been idle. Believing that trouble might eventually occur out of the massacre, he had been secretly trying to make negotiation for the sale of all the miuving and other property for whatever actual cash he could get out of it. The whole consolidation of properties, at the lowest, ought to bring at least a million or more of dollars, and if he could get hold of this amount, the general was quite content to skip; he therefc > wrote prominent agents in the East, making knov his desire to close out and retire from business, Then he set to work to forge deeds to the entire real estate and bills of sale for all personal prop- erty, so that it looked all right; for, having once oceupied official and legal positions, he had the tools to work with. A couple of days after the supernatural visitations he received a letter from Denver, at that time by no means as large a city as now. The letter was as follows: ‘“*GENERAL GIDEON GLEASON:— * Dear Sir:—The undersigned, a wealthy English capitalist, having Jearned of your desire to d of your ranch, cattle and mjning interests, in company with his daughter, call upon you within a day or so prepared to make you a cash offer. * Very truly “eyed CHALFPONT, || The next day came another: ol, *“Gen’L GIDEON GLEASON:— | **Dear Srr:—Do not sell your estate until I hav! time to reach you. i) Wak . Scorr, ‘Tn interests of Mackey.” Another communication ran thus: ““Gen’L Gipeon GuEAson:— ‘Dear Srr:—Will call on tom shortly with a view to purchasing your estate, “ money can buy it. * Yours resp ay ‘Gus Rann.” The latter two communications had been mailed from a mining-camp not over thirty miles from Daggersville, and both arrived the same day. veryt ng works well. It could hardly be bet- ter!’’ the general congratulated himself. ‘'! pet what money I can out of the business, and then hie myself to some spot where I shall not constantly feel as . a@ noose were to be suddenly shirred about my neck,” y he first to arrive was Mr. Chalfont and daughter, who were ushered into the general's presence, One stormy evening. The Englishman was a person of medium build, with a huge silvery beard that covered the better part of his face, and eyes that were in keen and penetrating, in their glance. He was richly attired. His daughter, Helena, as he introduced her, was closely epvelo in a waterproof, and vailed so carefully that her face could not be seen. After a little preliminary conversation the visitor ‘“‘ Well, sir, having learned of your desire to dis- pose of your large property, 1 concluded to come this way, and learn your terms.” “Exactly. I dare say you are aware of the value of the property? “Tam. I made inquiries,on my way here, ai 4 am surprised to find so much under one man's co - ‘*Very likely. I have been most successful 2 speculation, and am proud to point out my estate. s the fruits of my enterprise.”’ ** Everything is clear, of course?” “To a dollar,”’ “Then, what is tp object in selling out?” “T recently lost my daughter, an only child, a d having no ties to bind me to any cular place I desire to return Eastward to spend the remainder uf my days.”’ ‘Yes? Well, I suppose you would find more con- genial surroundings, there. What value do you place upon your ranch, its stock and equipments. and the mine?” = ‘* Five million of dollars, at least. “‘ Rive million? Would they fetch half that amount at a forced sale?’ ‘Perhaps. I did not name you my selling price.” “Do so then!”’ ‘*T will take one million down. now, and a half mil- lion more as soon as the deeds are registered. [have them already prepared, for signing. so that after our business is done here, nothing remains but take them to a register, pnd get him to fix them up, he having the old deeds, and their reco: ds.” ‘ “Indeed! Then you have an idea that I wo 431 trust a million of dollars in your hands, for eve), ten minutes?’ was the sneering answer. ‘I do not see why not, sir. Iam a man of m, word, sir!’’ i. * Oh! you are!” eat | am oe) The general was beginning to grow somewhat Eomiel