Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 471 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

This act of Bozeman Bill at once created in- tense excitement, and expressions of astonish- ment from the spectators were heard on all es. That a man of Bill’s physique should kick such a giant as Jake Jug was: beyond their under- standing and appeared to them like insanity. Bozeman Bill, however, did not appear in the least disconcerted at what he had done, but went on smoking his cigar, leisurely. He was interrupted, however, by feeling a hand upon his shoulder, and looking up, beheld a well-dressed, good-looking young man, with Ab mustache, and curly hair, standing by his side, ‘*T trust you will excuse me, sir,” the young man said, politely, ‘‘ but I wish to say that it would be advisable for you to get out of sight before Jake Jug gets on his feet again.” Bozeman Bill surveyed his would-be friend a moment before he made reply. ‘Why so?” he finally asked. ‘‘ Because Jug is one of the fiercest and most brutal ruffians in the camp, and he’ll be sure to “et you bodily harm when he recovers from the 10K." Bozeman Bill smiled, good-naturedly, ‘*T’m much obliged to you for your interest in ‘| my welfare,” he replied, ‘‘ but I don’t think ' there’s any danger that the fellow will kill any- thing but whisky.” ‘*But you don’t know him! He’s a terror. Every one in the camp is afraid of him!” ‘‘Then, all I have to say is that you must 1 have a mighty aS poe oe !? was the sar- castic rejoinder. ‘‘ If [ mistake not, l’ye kicked | some of the bravado out of him. At any rate, I , am able to take care of Number One!” | ‘*Oh! well, all right. No harm done in giving ‘| you a friendly warning, I trust.” None at all. Am very much obliged to i you, The young man then turned away, with a / shrug of his shoulders, as much as to say that ‘ he did not place much faith in Bozeman Bill’s j ability to take the consequences of his rash act. But the sport’s assertion that Jug was not _ likely to kill any one, proved correct. When the giant’s pain had somewhat abated, he staggered to his feet, and stood a moment a savagely at the young stranger—then | turned abruptly and sought the bar, where he proceeded to |" Evidently do out of him. Nothing more of importance occurred until later in the evening, when two more strangers {to the camp arrived at and entered the Tallyho. , They were Old Avalanche and Janet Earl,who , had arrived somewhat later than they had ex- 4 ted, owing to Janet’s horse becoming lame, The presence of so pretty a girl as Janet, at ‘the Tallyho, attracted even more attention than ‘had the arrival of Bozeman Bill, and as Old j Avalanche conducted her toward the office counter, the majority of the saloon habitues with one accord raised their hats respectfully. ‘‘This young leddy wants ter secure ’commo- | dations fer a day or so, wi’ a good safe room,” , the Annihilator said, addressing the colonel, ‘“Tve just the place for her!” Corker said, smiling blandly. ‘‘ Fine room, burglar proof, ‘and nicely furnished; an’ when you_come down to vittles, I set the boss table in the West. Just inscribe your autograph in this ’ere register, miss, an’ [ll show ye to yerroom. After ye’r’ ready, ye can come down-stairs ag’in, an’ cross | this room to yonder door, an’ enter ther dinin’- ’ room, where you'll find a b’ilin’ hot supper wait- ‘in’ fer ye. Needn’t be ’tall ‘feard o’ ther boyees, | fer ey won’t molest you,” So Janet registered, after which the colonel pene took her sachel, and showed her to r room Avalanche, in the mean time, left the hotel, to look after the welfare of the horses, which he | had left at the door. a zzle more fire-water. ozeman Bill had kicked the brava- ‘ ' After making her toilet, Janet went down- stairs, in quest of supper. As she was crossing the floor of the big room, she was both and horrified to find her- self confronted by no less a personage than Jake Jug, the camp rs There was an evil glitter in his now bloodshot eyes, and a wicked grin upon his more than re- pulsive countenance. ‘‘Ho! ho! but you're a daisy!” he said, with a coarse chuckle, ‘‘ and I’m going to have er kiss from them ’ar cherry red lips!” and so saying, he go forward, and seized her in his arms. screamed and struggled desperately, but could not break away, when, ar Bozeman Ih one blow Bill put in an appearance, and Bozeman Bill of Big Brace. knocked Jake Jug down, causing him to release his hold, The ruffian, however, quickly sprung to his feet, furious with rage, and the fire of murder in his eyes, but, as he was about to rush upon the sport, he made the discovery that that gen- tleman held a handsome cocked revolver in his tis ‘*Down on your knees, you big brute!” Boze- man Bill cried, sternly, ‘‘and beg the young lady’s pardon, or by blazes, Pll put a bullet through your head!” Jug gave the sport a glance of sullen defiance. ‘*Down! I tell you!” Bill cried, again, ‘‘I mean business!” ‘*Cuss ye, I'll git even with ye fer this!” Jug hissed, venomously, for he keenly felt his hu- miliating position drunk as he was, but the man in white the drop on him, and he well knew the prompt sport was ast that sort of a chap who would do what he threatened. So, with a muttered oath, he dropped upon whem an See 3 a anet, and — ; ‘* Young y; er ing, an’ ax yer fergiveness, fer insultin’ aa ie . hen he made an attempt to arise; but, be- fore he could do so there was an interruption. There was a loud baa-a-a! and the next in- stant Jeremiah, the Annihilator’s famous goat, bounded in, and with his knotty head, gave the bully a tremendous butt in the small of the back, that knocked him forward, flat upon his face. Astounded and frightened, the ruffian yelled with pain, and scrambling to his feet he rushed for an open window, leaped out, and was seen no more that night in the Tallyho Saloon, Jeremiah was the hero of the hour. Thanking Bozeman Bill for his interference in her behalf, Janet hastened into the dining- room. To say the least, she was not favorably im- pressed with Big Brace, CHAPTER III. WHO KILLED HINTON? BozEMAN BILL waited until he saw Janet re- turn from the dining-room, and go up to her room; then he also sought his own apartment, and obtained a good night’s rest, He was up bright and early, and went down- stairs. Colonel Corker was on duty at the office counter, and there were already a goodly num- ber of people in the saloon. The colonel was a genial old fellow, and al- way tried to do what he could for the comfort of his guests, and was invariably bland and sociable. After taking a short stroll out of doors over the ‘city,’’ Bozeman Bill returned to the hotel, and approached the colonel. ‘Could you tell me where I will find such a party as Harry Hinton?” he asked. ‘Harry Hinton?’ repeated the colonel. ‘‘ Why, certainly, sir. That’s the gentleman standmg over yonder, by the window, Shall I call him?” “Oh, no! [ll go and speak with him,” The person the colonel had indicated was the same curly-haired young man who had warned Bill to get out of the way of Jake Jug, tke pre- vious evening. Approaching him, Bill drew a card from his pocket, and presented it. It read as follows: ‘BOZEMAN BILL, Detective.” An expression of surprise came over the face of young Hinton, as he glanced at the card. ‘* Indeed?” he said, thoughtfully. ‘* You come from Boise City, eh?” ‘‘T was there, when your message to the sheriff came, and he sent me to attend to your wants,” Bill replied. ‘‘T am glad to meet you. I had no idea, last evening, that you were a detective.” ‘‘T dare say not. Still, that is my business.” ae Come and sit down, and we will have a They sought an unoccupied table, in an ob- scure part of the room, and seated themselves, after which young Hinton produced some cigars. ‘‘ Have you much experience as a detec- tive?’ he asked. ‘* Oh! yes, quite a little,” Bill replied. ‘“‘I have within the last year handled some pretty knotty jobs.” ‘Then, without doubt, you are the very man I want. I have a case to work up which is based merely on a suspicion, But, to find whe- ther the suspicion is correct or not, great care must be en, in order that certain parties Shall not know I am employin a detective. Were that known, measures might be adopted to thwart me.” ‘*T understand. What is nature of your case?” ‘* Well, I will tell you. ‘“* My father, up to the time of his death, was the wealthiest man in Big Brace. He owned the Hinton Mine, which is the best producing drift in this region, the ore mill, his own resi- dence, and several other shanties, besides which he had a large amount of money locked up in his safe—just how much I am unable to say. ‘‘My father was a rather eccentric man, in some respects, but, withal, a good parent to me —always kind and indulgent, and I, being his only son, he naturally thought the world of me. ‘* About a month ago, he died, very suddenly, and, as I believe, under suspicious circum- stances. ‘** He was a man in the prime of life, robust, and the eaing of good health; yet he was sud- denly taken ill and died within half a day from the time he had last been seen upon the street. ‘““T was away, at the time, but returned as soon as the news of his death reached me, ar- riving too late to see my father’s body, as he had been buried the day before. ‘¢T supposed of course that I was his principal heir, and made preparations to take possession, but my step-mother informed me that she would not consent to that until it was ascertained whe- ther a will had been left, or not. ‘‘ My father’s safe was searched, and all the premises, but no will could be found. We then went to the only lawyer in the town, one Phineas Fink, and made inquiries, and found that my father had made a will and left it in Fink's care, about a month previous to his demise. ‘*It was surprising to me that father did not keep the will himself, for Fink was a notorious shyster, and no one places any confidence in his honesty. ‘Well, the will was produced, and read, and to my astonishment, 1 found that I had been cut off with a single dollar. Everything else, mine, real estate, personal property, and money, had been bequeathed to my step-mother, whom father married only a year ago! ‘¢ That is singular!” Bozeman Bill observed. ‘¢ Well you may say so, I was astounded, and at once declared the will a trumped-up job to de- fraud me outof my rights, but that is all the good it did. I couldn’t prove that it was not my father’s will, and could find no other, so ’m left out in the cold, disinherited.” ** Did you see the will, Mr. Hinton?” té I di ." : . ‘Was the signature like that your father usu- ally employed?” “Exactly. He always signed his name in a4 very odd style of chirography, and the signature appended was exactly like his.” ““Up to the time of your father’s death, were you and your step-mother on good terms?” ‘No, We were never on good terms. She appeared to regard me with aversion, from the hour of our first meeting, and I can’t say that I had any liking for her.” ‘¢ She is now in possession of the estate?’ sé Yes. 7? “Tt is your suspicion then, that the will isa forgery?” ‘Tt certainly is. And, not that alone, but f also believe that my father was a victim of foul play. ‘* What causes you to think this?” : ‘‘ Well, several things, Only a few hours be- fore his death he was upon the street, a strong and healthy man. Nothing was known outside of his house, that he was ill, until he was dead. No doctor was sent for, although there was one in thecamp.” | ‘‘Of how many persons did your father’s household consist?” ‘‘Five—my, father, my step-mother, my father’s brother, myself, and a female servant,” ‘“What has your step-mother to say, in re- gard to your father’s death?” ‘‘ She claims that when he came to dinner, he complained of a sharp pain, in the region of his heart. After dinner he laid down on the lounge, and went to sleep, and slept till late in the after- noon—something unusual for him—when he sud- denly awakened with a sharp cry of pain, and almost immediately expired.” . ‘Was no effort made to ascertain the cause of his death?” »- ‘‘ It appears not. . wut ee is no coro- ner in this camp, the get supposition was that he died of heart disease.” _ ‘‘ Are you alone in your suspicion of foul la q” ek: J think not, There are quite a number who - ct ee ee ——— — a lI -—---* ee ee