Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 378 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

**T am sure I don’t understand how this can be,” she remarked, ‘Is this other claimant in Slab City?’ ‘*She is, and stopping at the hotel. If you were a witness to the street episode this fore- noon, you saw your rival!” ‘* What! that woman?” ‘* Exactly.” ‘*Then surely there is a mistake, or else a base imposition is on foot. You say you were my father’s clerk?” ‘*I was John Smith’s confidential clerk.” ‘*Did be ever tell you where he had lived be- fore coming bere?’ ‘Yes; at Spokane Falls,” ** Ah! that ismy home, and the home of my father, as can be easily proven; and, more than that, but one John Smith ever lived at Spokane Falls,” * Just what the rival party says; and, more- over, she bas letters from Smith, and other roofs to show that she is the rightful claimant. n fact, I have not the shadow of a doubt but what she is the daughter of my late friend.” ‘‘If so, why invite me here?” ‘*For reasons [ will make plain to youn; then, too, I wanted to hear what you had to say on the subject. Now, I have served the interests of Jobn Smith faithfully, since his death, with but slight compensation. It was understood between him and me that I should eventually be better rewarded. That reward I naturally expect. The estate, as it stands to-day, is worth a fortune, and I can, in a measure, be thanked that it is so, for I have held back from making many sales until a boom should start, ‘which has at last come. To-day the estate will sell for a hundred thousand dollars cash—to- morrow maybe double as much, Therefore, you will see that I have no little responsibility on my hands, ‘‘In regard to this other claimant, she is a person in whom I have not the slightest confi- dence, and I believe, were she to come into this princely property, she would wholly forget that [am entitled to any compensation for my services, Therefore, lam averse to seeing her rolling in this wealth, whether or no she is the right Rien. There is just one kink—one small opening by which [can prevent her from tak- ing 2 of the property, and that is all!” *'W bat is it?” “Tt is a secret that I am justified in using to protect my own interests, and therefore I can- not give it away.” ‘Indeed? Well, sir, from what you have said am [ to infer that you have power to make me beiress to this property, whether | was the rightful one or not?’ ‘Exactly. Ihave it in my power to put you in the place, or the other one. It is therefore a matter of choice and circumstances. I am not a worldly or a mercenary man, but I mean to have some reward for my services.” Polly gazed at bim, keenly. At times he was really a fine and honest-look- ing fellow, and just at this particular moment, one of the aforesaid times was upon him. And Poily wondered if there was really treacherv, deceit and villainy under that mask of such blandness. “What sum of money do you propose to de- mand?’ she asked, ‘‘as anissue of your interest- ing ame?” ‘To make Helen Smith the heiress, I shall demand the sum of twenty-five thousand dol- Jars, and one-third interest in the property.” ** And, in my case? “Your band and heart, in marriage, and a husband’s equal interest with a wife, in the estate—a peaceful, quiet and pleasant life, such is even more. precious than all the world’s gold and diamonds.” ‘*Sir! 1 did not come here to make terms of that order.” ‘““Oh! [I’m aware you didn’t. -But from the moment I first saw you, I loved you,” Polly laughed, outright. ‘*Such protestations sound well enough when ‘you read them in story books,” she said, ‘* but they hardly stand test in this life we lead,” ‘* Mine will. I love you truly and devotedly, and it is only since I bave become aware of the fact that I have formed the idea of working you in as the heiress. You may be the real one, but, were I to express ny candid opinion, I should feel in duty bound to give it in favor of the other claimant. Become my bride, and I will not only make you the heiress, but be one of the most devoted of husbands to you.” ‘* And, if I refuse, you will go over to the other party?’ ** Certainly!” : ‘‘Then, let me settle the matter right here, ¥ tj te A ee Nabob Ned. sir. I am perfectly well satisfied that I can furnisb sufficient proof to the people, of who and what | am, to gainsay all your boasted power and authority in the matter, So let me tell you, now, and for good, that I wouldn’t wed a man of your unscrupulous character under any circumstances whatever. I defy your power the same as | scorn your protesta- tion of love. Good day, sir!” and with the hauteur of a queen, she swept from the office, leaving Nabob Ned in a rage bordering on in- sanity. The day passed without further incident— Nabob Ned keeping closely to his office, part- ly through bis exchange business, and part- ly through fear to make himself conspicuous, for he felt sure he would have trouble with Eagle City Ed. Just at the edge of evening, be sent for Pedro Sperra, and the Mexican promptly made his appearance at the office, fe saw by Nabob’s face that something had gone wrong, and suspicioned what it was, bav- ing seen Polly leave the office. ‘*T want you!” the plotter announced, open- ing the conversation. ‘‘The work I spoke of must be done to-night!” ‘“What! kidnapping the girl? She didn’t come to time, eh?’ *‘No. She is unmanageable. Immediately after the concert, or, whenever is safest, you are to secure her, and take her to a place [ will show you.” ** Can’t do it alone!” . ‘** Nonsense,” ‘* Nothing of the kind. You'll have to help me. ‘*Tmpossible. My hand must be silent.” ‘Then, I can arrange it. There’s a tried and true Mexican pard of mine, just arrived here, broke, and a ten-dollar note will buy him, soul and body, and he can be depended on, His name is Daglos,” ' ** Are you positive he can be trusted?” ‘*Tll stake my life on it, You know I am working for balf of this fortune, and I can’t af- ford to do otherwise than what’s to our mutual interests.” ‘‘True, Well, get this fellow, and come here, an hour later. J’ll then show you where to fetch the girl, Mind, in doing this I am go- ing to let you into some important secrets, and die vou will if you breathe a word of them!” ‘‘Rest easy. You can depend upon me and Daglos. Mexicans are treacherous only when starved,” ‘* Well, be off. It will be dark, in an hour— then, pass by here, toward Smith’s cabin and I wiil directly join you. Here is fifty dollars for you!” Sperra accepted it, and was off. ‘Toe plant is developing rapidly,” Nabob muttered, to himself, ‘‘ After the girl is out of the way, and old Henshaw and his daughter too, I shall be monarch of all I survey!” CHAPTER XIV. THE SECRET EXPLODED, AN bour later, Pedro Sperra and another man passed the office. This companion was also a Mexican, to all intents, for he was attired in Mexican garb, in a greasy and ragged condi- tion, and bis features were swartby, such parts as were not covered with a heavy jet beard. He was a villainous-looking chap, as, indeed, most vagabond Mexicans are, and evidently was fitted for transactions of a dark nature, The twain had nearly reached the Smith cabin ere they were overtaken by Nabob Ned. The schemer gave Daglos a single sbarp glance, and was evidently satisfied witb Sperra’s selection. ‘* Vil show you the place, now,” he said, ** Follow me, and say nothing, and I will make all the explanations necessary.” Tbe Smith cabin did not stand out in the gulch, like the other structures of Slab City, but was built about one foot and a half, from the rocky wall of the mountain-side, The space between the outer log wall of the cabin and the rock was not over the above-mentioned width: hence, no one wouid have thought of crowding into the contracted fissure. The face of rock, along the passage was sin- guiarly smooth. W hen near the cabin door, Nabob Ned said: **T suppose you, like all the others, have been mystified by the ghost business. I will explain it to you, because old Smith reposes quietly in his grave. The door-sil! of that cabin is a piece of ingenious mechanical work,that produces the ghost. Beneath the cabin is a shallow cellar, reaching to the door-sill. ‘* A close examination of the door-sill will re- *.% es © = Was ~, veal that there is a crack in it balf an inch wide, or more properly speaking, there are two strips of board that form the sill, the slit being be- tween them. A match dropped through the slit, will descend into the cellar, Well, when it is desirous to bave old Smith’s spirit appear, a man with a mechanical invention embodying some of the principles of the sterotypticon lan- tern, turns light on his machine, which is in the cellar, and the ghost quickly appears, and can be made to disappear, by turning off the slide light. The ghost rarely appears except when some one contemplates laying for it all night, and is designed to frighten people away from the vi- cinity, I originated it.” With a laugh of satisfaction at his own un- scrupulous cunning, the scamp then led the way around to the rear parrow passage. ‘It is tight squeezing, but you can make it,” he said. ‘* Follow me,” © They did so, and when half-way along the cabin wall, suddenly came to an opening in the rock, sufficiently large to adanit the trio abreast, Here a halt was made, and Nabob Ned lita pocket lantern. Sperra and his companion were then able to see that the passage ran back some distance into the mountain. Human bands bad not hewn it out, it was a piece of nature’s own bandiwork., Nabob now led the way, his two tools follow- ing. For fifty or more feet they proceeded, and then turned abruptly and entered a buge cir- cular cavern, with high vaulted ceiling, from which pended grotesque drippings of rock, In the center of the cavern was a. greenish poe of water, while at one side was a brilliant ight—a vein of natural gas from a fissure in the wall, supplying it! Near this light were tables and desk-like ar- rangements, which contained tools of various descriptions, and upon one of the tables was a peculiar design of portable printing press, Two men, well dressed, and wearing half- masks, were at work at the tables, apparently engaged in engraving upon stone. ‘**Here is where you are to bring the girl, Nabob announced. ‘‘ Those two men are coun- terfeiters, in my employ, and execute work that few persons can tell from the genuine. Perbaps you can now understand why I can givo $1.10 in greenbacks, for a dollar in gold.” ‘You are certainly a deeper rascal than I gave you credit for being,” Sperra declared, At this juncture, one of the counterfeiters ap- proached where they had balted. ‘* Jack!” the plotter said; ‘‘ these two fellows are to bring a girl here, to-night. I will prob- ably be here when they arrive, but, should I not, they will guard her. tillI come, They’re all right.” ‘Correct, captain. Did it go?” ‘* Like hot cakes! I changed a thousand for gold, to-day. Will make ashipment to-morrow. That’s all.” The man bowed and went back to his bench. “We'll go, now. Secure the girl as soon after the performance as possible, and bring her bere and await me, if I am not already here.” ‘All right! You can depend that the girl’s ours this night!” They left the cavern, and Nahob entered the camp in advance of Sperra and Daglos, In fact, they did not enter the camp proper, but halted on the outskirts, and stood gazing at each other. Daglos was the first to speak. ‘‘Pedro Sperra!” be said, in a tone that one would have regarded as stern, ‘to-night you and I balance accounts.” Sperra started and a look of terror entered his eyes. us Why, have I—” “Stop!” the other commanded, ‘Tam doing the talking for this occasion. A year ago to- night I foiled you in an attempt to rob and mur- der me for what money I had on my person. You plead for mercy, on the ground of starva- tion, and I gave you a year’s Jease of life, pro- viding you served me faithfully. Have you done so?” The Mexican drew himself up proudly. * That is not for me to say!” he replied, calm- ly. ‘Dozens of times could I have driven a dagger info your heart while you slept during How about the stuff? this year of sleuth-hound business you have led © me through—dozens of times, the devil has tempted me to coso, but yet I am not guilty. You are the judge!” The band of Daglos went out, warmly. “ Sperra, you have served me better than I could ever have hoped. E:pecially in this trail for Ned De Wolf have you served me faithfully y « } : ‘¥ t & \ i > | ; ee | ly en J * vA v