Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 471 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

z 7 —— od w_aram ———— — - > —aw ir ~ > od <2 7 a a aan ti oS i * * °° . — at |e a ee ? ° ’ . . <a oo - , . +. -~ ~ * » > ——' » ~~ * * - — ‘ ~~ - os. «2s - ed e s . “was, is not apparent. — —- | know whatever brought you to this rough igs oe ** Very well, I will tell you,” Janet said, and accordingly she began by relating her meeting with Mr. Hamilton Hinton, of her subsequent receipt of John Jones’s letter, and what had transpired since her arrival in Big Brace, Bozeman Bill listened without interruption, aod when Janet had finished her narration he Sald: ‘‘ Well, Miss Earl, you have treated me to a great surprise, and believe me, I am much inter- ested in your case, There certainly is a mystery about it all, and if you will accept of my sincere friendship, I will endeavor to bring about a so- lution to this mystery. Will you allow me to see the letter you received from this John .J ones?’ ‘‘ Certainly, and if you can help me find out whether I really am an heir to any’of Mr. Hin- ton’s wealth, I shall be under deep obligations to you,” Janet replied, as she handed him the letter. ‘* Rest assured I will do all I can for you,” Bill declared. He read the letter twice over and then return- ed it to ber. | ‘‘Tt appears that the letter was sent to you from here,” he said, ‘‘ and also that there was an object in sending it, but just what the object Are you aware, Miss Earl, that Mr. Hinton has a son living in this town?” | **No, sir.” ** Well, such is the case. He left a son, who is @ pleasant young man, but it appears that he disinherited him, and left his fortune to his wife. Harry Hinton not only believes that the produc- ed will is a forgery, but that his father’s sudden death was due to foul play, as he was a strong, hearty man. So he sent to Boise City fora de- tective, and I was detailed to look into the mat- ter.” ‘‘ Have you learned anything to confirm Mr. Hinton’s suspicions?’ Janet asked. — ‘* Nothing in particular, as I have not yet made any positive attempt at investigation. But, now that I also propose to undertake both your case and that of young Hinton, I shall give the matter my undivided attention.” ‘‘Do you propose to tell Mr. Hinton about me, sir?” ‘*T shall have to consider somewhat, before I could give you an answer to that question, Miss Earl; in other words, I shall have to have an- other talk with him, to draw forth his ideas, as to how he would look upon the claims of anoth- er, that must militate against his own. I be- lieve him to be a nice young fellow, and think that if he was assured that you had a rightful interest in his father’s estate, he would not ob- ject to your claiming it. As it isnow, however, e suspects his step-mother and uncle of a con- spiracy to defraud him out of his natural rights, and no one can blame him for wishing to have the matter thoroughly sifted.” / “Certainly not, Perhaps it would be best for me to return quietly to Chicago, so that I will not bein Mr, Hinton’s way!” ‘*By no means. You must remain here, for a while, at least, until I have time to get fairly at this case, and investigate it. I will keep you sted in regard to my success, and will also tr run down the thief who stole your sachel, And, as long as I remain in Big Brace, you need have no fear but what in me you havea true Piero who will stand by you through thick and in! \ ‘* You are very kind, sir, and I fear I am in- capable of expressing the full sense of my grati- tude toward you,” ‘‘ Don’t try, for Ido not ask it. Whatever I may be able to do for you, I do cheerfully, and without expectations of thanks or other payment. T will try to find out who the author of this letter is, which you received in Chicago, providing you will let me have it for a few days, and if **T succeed in pelring that question, I do not anticipate that it will be a difficult matter to find out whether there is really anything coming to you or not. And, now, I would advise you to return to the hotel, for if Mrs. Hinton and Hor- ace are really the arch-schemers that Harry be- lieves them to be, they will make some « ffort to do you injury, and it is best for you to be con- ssantly On your guard when Iam not around. Keep your money about your person, as it will be saferso todo, andif any one attempts to trouble you, donot hesitate to use your revolver, as no law Is recognized here against the free use of weapons.” Janet promised toact as he suggested and hen, after a few more words, Dick took his de- parture, going in an opposite direction from Big 7 , rn e sss —_— Brace, while Janet arose and made her way leisurely back toward that bustling camp. Neither she nor Dick had an idea that there had been an eavesdropper near, during their in- terview, who had overheard every word that had been uttered—a man, grim and sinister, who had stolen silently into a clump of bushes, just back of where Janet had been seated; a man with evil gleaming eyes, and hard set jaws and whose facial expression grew harder an more savage as he listened. And this man, who was thus playing the spy, was none other than J anet’s now bitter enemy, who meant her mischief—Horace Hinton! CHAPTER VII. WASTED ADVICE. DEADWOOD Dick JuNIOR, after parting with Janet, continued on up the gulch for about a mile and a half, and then turning up into the hills came to an isolated cabin,set down in a dense grove of evergreens. No one not taking the pains to penetrate into the heart of grove or motte, would have suspected the existence of a habitation there, so snugly was it hidden away. It had probably been built by some hunter, or sanguine prospector, who had afterward aban- doned it, for its only furniture was a couple of rude stools. , Entering the cabin, Dick produced a sachel from under a floor board, and proceeded to once more make up as Bozeman Bill, an operation that occupied but a short time, when he set out on his return to Big Brace. Again there, he looked around a while in quest of Harry Hinton, but failing to find him, entered the Tallyho and took a seat at one of the tables, where he spent some time in deliberating over matters that had now become somewhat com- plicated. Just how and where to begin, was the puzzle to solye. Sucha case he had never tackled be- fore. He was thus meditating and so deeply ab- sorbed as to not pay any attention to what was going on in his immediate vicinity, when he felt a slight tap on his shoulder, and looking up, be- held Horace Hinton standing close at hand. ‘* Excuse me,” he said, ‘* for interrupting you, but ’'d like to have a few words with you, sir, if it will not be too much of a bother,” and his manner and tone were most pleasant, Although somewhat surprised, Bozeman Bill at once replied: ‘Very well, sir; Iamat your service, Take a seat.” Horace Hinton seated himself on the opposite side of the table, appearing gratified at not being refused an interview. He laid cigars and matches on the table as he became seated. ‘* Have a smoke,” he said. ‘‘ These weeds are something a little better than the average, as I imported them for my own use.” hanking him, Bill lit one of the cigars, and then, after a moment, during which he lit his own cigar, Horace Hinton said: ‘‘T presume, being a stranger in this camp, you do not know whol[am. My name is Hor- ace Hinton, and I am superintendent of the Hinton Mine, which my deceased brother left to his wife, I am also her business manager, and a person of great influence here in Big Brace.’ oth, ‘* Well, it comes in handy to be an influential citizen, sometimes,” Bill replied, rather disinter- estedly. ‘Indeed it does,” returned Hinton, with en- thusiasm. ‘‘ Not so much as regards myself, but ’'m one of those men who like to be ablo to help others. [am rather peculiar in my likes and dislikes, and form my opimions hastily—still rarely go wrong. I saw you in conversation with my nephew this morning, and was unusu- ally favorably impressed with your appearance, Says I to myself: ‘There’s a stranger to this camp; looks square as a cube, and still don’t know the pitfalls that lie in his path, It will be but common civility in me to give him a little friendly warning, and if he is looking for a for- tune, rhaps I may be able to, put bim on the right track.’ This was what I said to myself. ‘‘ Well, I studied you awhile, without your knowledge, and became convinced that I was in the right; then I went over to the colonel, and asked him what he thought of you. The col- onel is a deep man, and a keen sont of human character. ell, he remained silent awhile, and then said he thought you would be a good man to pard with, even if you were a little green in regard to life in the mines. “So I made up my mind that I would come to you and give you a little advice on some Bozeman Bill of Big Brace. ints; and if you are in need of pecuniary as- jisteante. I may be able to hel eon? - * Your offer is appreciated, sir,” Bill replied; “but there is no necessity in particular of my accepting it. I have plenty of means for my immediate use, and did not come to Big Brace in search of employment.” ‘* What did you come for, then?” ‘‘Oh, on a matter of a little private busi- ness,” ‘‘So I presume, since you say so; but, what business?” ‘‘That isa matter that must remain a secret to myself,” Bill replied promptly and in an em- phatic way, that must have made Hinton fee chagrined, for he flushed angrily. ** Well, you need not be so short and crabbed about it!” he growled. ‘‘ You would find it better policy to be friendly and confidential with me.” ‘* However that my be,” responded Bill, ‘I refer to say nothing about what brought me to ig Brace.” ‘Oh, well, for that matter, it is not impera- tively necessary that you should, for I have al- ready guessed that out.” ‘* Indeed !” ‘Exactly. I know you and of you, pretty near as well as you know yourself. You are a detective and sent here at the solicitation of my rascally nephew, Harry Hinton. You need not deny this, for it is useless. I know it to be a fact!” ‘* How do you know it?” ‘*That matters not. Suffice to say that I know it. Unfortunately, Harry is a wild and unscrupulous young devil, and when he found out that his past bad conduct had caused his father to disinherit him, he grew furious, and accused his step-mother and me of having en- tered into a conspiracy to defraud him, by trumping up a bogus will. Of course this is sheer and utter nonsense, as we stand ready to prove, through the medium of my brother’s lawyer. So if you have come here to try to work up a case for your scaly client, you have come on a wild-goose chase!” And Horace Hinton brought his fist down upon the table in a manner most emphatic. Bozeman Bill smiled, quietly. ‘* Look out, or you'll damage your fist, Mr. Hinton,” he said, unconcernedly, ‘' It is not at all necessary to become so demonstrative. As to business matters, if I have any dealings with the younger Mr. Hinton that is my own affair, and cannot possibly interest outsiders. ‘*T have no hesitation in mentionin tive, however, of my coming to your camp!” ** Well, what is it?” . ‘“‘ Just this. For some little time this neigh- borhood, and the surrounding territory has suf- fered from the depredations of a lone highway- man and desperado-in-general, who styles bhim- self Dark Demming. He has robbed stages and lone travelers, and even broken into stores, and the like, and, in fact, has been doing quite a wholesale business at his trade, so much so, that the matter bas come to the notice of the Govern- ment, and they propose to suppress his funn ways. Therefore, | have been detailed to a tend to the matter of running the fellow down.” Hinton laughed, scornfully. ‘‘ Bah!” he said, ‘I gave you credit for more sense than all that. Catch Dark Demming: Ha! ha! ‘You'll have a jolly old time of it, let me tell you. It takes a man with hair on his tee to do that. There’s been lots of others who have tried it but failed, an’ their bones were jo clean picked by the coyotes and buz zards. “That don’t scare me, in the least,” Bill de- elared. ‘“‘I’m not afraid of all the Dark Dem- mings in America, and once I get my hand on . ; this particular one, I’!] walk bim to a cooler.” “Oh! no doubt!” Hinton retorted, ironically, as he arose from the table. ‘Since you are such an extraordinary fellow and _ possessed of such prowess and shrewdness, i don’t see au use of my trying to give you points or counse', as it was my intention to do! ‘Not the least use,” Bill assured, “‘I am quite sure that I am capable of managing MY own affairs withovt outside assistance, and one mo- | electable while I court not your enmity, I prefer to vs > te own adviser in my private business ™4@ rs.” ‘ “Oh! well, suit yourself,” Horace Hinton Te- joined, ‘I’m not your enemy, but I'll tell you one thing—I won't allow you to bother ™Y— brother’s grief-stricken widow, by espousing H Hinton’s cause. that. 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