Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 486 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

~ —* ie # > * _— Se | ad = - » ? — ee ee ———— . ~ + —e o> bd i. > | . a ee ee =~ =o ~ tw _ * *, ~ eo - = 7 ——= “ ° tae Cd ‘ ‘* tt has several times occurred to me that such might be the case.” ‘* Well, I want you to decoy bim here so we can capture him. I will then force him to tell all he knows. Once lI get bim in hand he will either tell or die!” and the Sparkler spoke with fierce decision. ‘* He may be suspicious and not come,” “Weill, we can but try. Go ahead, at any rate, and we'll see the result,” Placer Poll accordingly took her departure, but soon returned. ‘*T have sent Salem a note to meet me here,” she announced, Sealskin Sam and Jakey accordingly retired ‘behind a cabin. Ten minutes passed ; then footsteps were heard, and Salem Sphinx, the gambler, stood before the girl sport. ‘* You sent for me?’ he said, suspiciously, “** What do vou want?” ‘*T wanted to tell you that I—I—” **Ah! you have changed your mind?” “Yes. I haveconcluded to—to make you my prisoner!” and he found himself suddenly look- ing into the muzzle of a cocked revolver. "; Budge an inch, or make the least outcry, and you area dead man. Up with your hands in- stanter.” He obeyed with a inuttered curse. ** What is the meaning of this nonsense?” he demanded, fiercely. ‘‘Tt means, Mr. Sphinx, that you are fob- bled!” Sealskin Sain explained, stepping for- forward, ‘ The fact is, we’re goin’ ter pull in as pretty a leetle haul of first-water rascals ter- night as were ever caught, an’ not wishin’ ter find ye in bad company, we concluded to take otis first. With your kind permission we will ind you, so you won’t go astray.” ‘* Curse you, I know nothing about the out- laws. 1 protest against this outrage.” ‘* Et won’t do youa particle of good, Salem. We ain’t goin’ to hurt ye. We want ye ter give us a few pointers in regard to ther personnel of the organization, au’ appear ag’im’’em at the trial, for all o’ which the Government will, no doubt, be duly appreciative by granting you a ardon! Will ye now let me bind ye? or shall Polly have to quiet you wi’ an extract of lead, which aire very soothin’ to the brain,” ‘*Go ahead. It’s nothin’ you'll make by this. I don’t know anything about the outlaw gang.” ‘* How George Washington would blush for ou, if he were here wi’ his hatchet,” the Spark- der said, as he and Jakey securely bound the gambler’s hands behind his back, ‘‘ There, now, you march down the gulch a short distance. There we'll start a fire to toast your feet a little, ‘believing that heat applied to the lower ex- tremities is conducive to relaxation of the jaws.” Sam explained. ** Ye needn’t mind trying that—Ill eS OM bet,” the gambler cried out hastily, ‘‘ What i d’ye want to know?’ ‘* Ab! now you’re getting down more like it. Where is the local rendezvous of the gang?” ‘‘}n the cellar, under the Cremonia,” “Ah! How is it reached?” ’ ‘By rear door opening into a back ante- room.” ** Who is the aa piety of the gang?” ** Mademoiselle Circe,” ‘‘Hal I thought as much! Who are the others—the principal ones first?” “The original ten members were Circe, Eben Selden, George Miles, Henry Cortello, Lije Lan- ders, Phil Philips, and myself and three others, now dead. Later, Sardon Selden and Larry - Lee were admitted, and a branch Sane popes ge in the mountains, commanded by Doc Devere,” ‘‘How many members are there now in Hunki-Dori, besides those you have mentioned?” ‘* About a dozen.” He then gave the names, Sealskin Sam, now fully advised, soon had all - his plans matured for the nocturnal attack. - -He then sent Jakey Schwackhammer to notify the soldiers to join him as soon as possible, ‘Ebenezer Selden, alias Luther Lee, sat in his private room, an Ominous scowl upon his wor- ' ried face as he brooded over the past and present of his sinful career. ‘“‘ Something seems to tell me that matters are narrowing down,” he muttered, ‘That Bull- whack was pretty near right when he insinuated that my reel of rope was nearly unwound. I’ve a premouition that there will be a smash-up of the band that will betray the members to death, (ll swear they shall not catch me init, I will fly. I have money enough to carry me through this life, by throwing away the mine. Yonder _ safe contains two hundred and fifty thousand Pry: "hee . . ‘ ¢ t . ~ ® > 7 > e's ‘- . ao 2 77 ° 4 a : = ’ yi i a PAG BA s 4 x Ail sake wt bP 3 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. —— es “<< “se ad dollars, all in greenbacks, and what more do I want?” ‘* None, Ill swear, onless ye aire a darned fool!” a voice cried, and the mine-owner uttered an oath when -bhe saw the giant, Bollivar Bull- whack, standing just within the room, with a revolver in his grasp, ‘You hyer?” he gasped. ** Waal, I should say I am—TI, Bollivar Bull- whack, ther bumstifferous bouncer from Bullion. I aire heer, beloved Lute—ga-loot—an’ [I’m arter spondulics! Ther’s goin’ ter be ther divil raised in this town ter-night, an’ hyer’s w’ot aire goin’ ter slope while ther’ is time, you bet! Before I go, I want yer leetle wad!” ** You'll not get a cent!” ‘If you don’t open that safe fer me, [ll riddle ye wi’ bullets,” the giant declared, savagely. ‘* You shall not have the mouey.” ‘‘Then hyer ye go. One! two—” He was about to utter ‘‘ three,” and fire, when another pistol-report was heard and the giant staggered, clutched at the region of his heart, and fell to the floor, dead. At the same instant another person stepped into the room. It was Mademoiselle Circe! CHAPTER XVI. THE VILLAIN’S COIL OF CORDAGE UNWOUND, ‘* You here?” he gasped. ‘* Your arrival was opportune,” ** Do you think so?” Circe cried, in a strange voice. ‘‘I suppose you would have allowed him to shoot you, rather tban to hand over the money?” ‘No, no! I was about to cry for quarter.” ‘Oh! were you? I suppose, then, if I were to demand your money, you would give it over without a murmur!” He did not answer her. : ‘*T don’t want the money,” she said, with a bitter laugh. ‘‘It belongs to your deserted wife and child, They shall have it!” ‘* They shall not!” he gritted, fiercely. ‘You will find out! They are legally your heirs, and after your death you. won’t be likely to binder them fram obtaining their rights,” ‘*T am not dead yet!” “You are hovering near the grim portals, however, Luther Lee, I have come here for one sole and only purpose. Do you know what it is? ** ow should I know? Who are you?” ‘* Your bitterest enemy on earth!” and she leveled the revolver, which had been instrumen- talin taking Bullwhack’s life, at the mine-owner. ‘* Now, sir, do you know who I am?” | She tore the mask from her face, and stood gazing at him with flashing eyes. ‘ A beautiful face was hers, indeed, but in its expression of bitter passion, now, it was a tiger- ish sort of beauty, ‘*(Great God! where have I seen that face be- fore? Who are you, woman? Speak!” ‘‘T am Beatrice, the daughter of Leonora, whom you foully murdered. I have waited all these years to avenge my mother’s death, and the time has at last arrived. Your life shall pay the forfeit of your ruffianly crime, years ago! s She took deliberate aim at him and fired—not once, bat six times in succession, and until he had pitched from his chair to the floor, bleeding and lifeless, Then with a mad laugh, she turned and fied. from the house, oe) Her life mission of vengeance had been com- pleted. Luther Lee had paid the penalty of bis crimes, so far as this world was concerned. Elijah Landers, the Vigilante of Hunki-Dori, entered the Cremonia Saloon at precisely nine o'clock. — He had come to fulfill his agreement with Eben Selden, little suspecting that, at that mo- err the mine-owner lay stark and stiff in eath. ' Thede, the Gnome, had not ceased to be a cu- riosity, Hesat at a table, holding little Ruth on his knee, and allowed the crowd to stare at him or drop money into the tin cup at their pleasure, Landers spied him, and strode up to him, ‘See hyer, my Christyun friend, I wanter wo whose child that aire you bev got?’ he said. eng “Tt’s my child!” was the prompt and fearless answer. ‘‘ What business is it of yours whose child it is?” “he Pera nit “Waal, P'll mighty nek show ye what. biz- itiso’ mine, I’m fer ther Purtection o’ Chil’ren in this town, and Ul b <i x > > * ~ ~ — ‘ ol ad : : : Ms —_ ™ : — —- —- = > ‘= Be er Mmm ~¢ ree owt We = Cw ee fee aw natn assay om en! - tou? < an eS SAM “TS al. a Ia ———— — ee ee pS it i ae —ae ee rr i ee a eragent o’ ther Societv | — I hes orders to take that gal away from ye, as ye bev stolen it.” ‘*Tt will take a somewhat bulkier man than you to do it!” the masked man cried. ‘* The child belongs to me, and I intend to keep her.” ‘* Not much ye won’t! Orders is orders! Ef ye don’t give it up, Pll shoot you!” He drew a revolver and cocked it; but before he could use it, it was wrenched from his hand, and he received a blow beside the head that laid him out senseless, ** Sealskin Sam!” came achorus of cries, and weapons were drawn. It was the Sparkler, attired as he had been the previous evening, who had knocked Lije Landers down, ‘‘ Ay! Sealskin Sam!” he cried. ‘‘ What are you going to do about it?” ‘¢ We’re goin’ to riddle ve, ef ye don’t surren- der!” yelled back several, ‘‘Stop! Do not dare to fire upon this man!” a stranyer cried, stepping- forward—the same heavy-bearded party who had watched the Srarkler so keenly the night before, ‘I forbid at;7? ‘** An’ who aire you?” yelled back the crowd, ‘*T, gentlemen, am the Governor of Washing- ton Territory, and this Sealskin Sam, as he calls himself, is under my protection. He is one of our most trusted detectives!” Sam turned to the dignitary and bowed. ‘“Thank you, governor, but I am not in need of your protection in this instance. This place is surrounded by a full company of cavalry, and any one attempting to leave here without my permission will be shot down!” He then gave a sbarp whistle, and a dozen soldiers filed into the room, ‘‘ What is the meaning of this?” Circe loudly exclaimed, sweeping forward. ; ‘¢‘Tt means that I want you and the rest of your confederates!” the Sparkler replied. ‘* You have no other choice but to surrender. Sphinx has given you all vp, and you are cornered. Resistance can only bring you death!” ‘‘Then death it shall be! Boys, fight your way out!” Witha yell the ruffians began firing, but it was a futile attempt. The soldiers picked them off with terrible precision, until there was a cry for quarter and a surrender, But little remains to be added to our tale. The breaking up of the desperado band cleared the vicinity of its outlaw element, and that rich region was opened to peaceful settlement and vigorous development. The Gnome, when unmasked, as unmask he did after the downfall of the Tribunal was as- sured, proved to be Gerald Southwell, the brother of Sadie. The disguise had been as- sumed the better to expedite his mission, which was to search for Eben Selden, or Luther Lee, and for lost Sadie. At the governor’s orders, the cavalry set out the next day for the capital, taking with them such survivors of the fight as Salem Sphinx charged with béing members of the band. Heavy sentences were imposed at their trials —Mlle. Circe alone escaping, by some hocus- pocus that quite baffled the authorities, Gerald Southwell was reunited to his sister, and little Ruth took up her future home in the © Bryant mansion. claim was filed by Sadie to Luther Lee’s | wealth, and it was allowed; and in due time, after a period of mourning, Bartley Bryant took her for his wife. After seeing his sister happily settled, Gerald : Southwell went East, and is still there, engaged — in a lucrative business. | Sealskin Sam found his former love for Sadie overshadowed by a stronger and prouder eaffec- tion for the spirited and much-wronged Placer Poll, and when their acquaintance became more intimate, Polly told him the story of her past — life, and consented to be his wife. , They still continue prominent detective-lights in the far Northwest, where they have a justly- acquired fame as the ‘‘ Sparklers,” Larry Lee was tried with the other prisoners, | iY sf la 2 rs y . ; Si 4 i *# ” iv \ =) 4 4 ‘ | FE ' . , ’ and by court-martial wes sentenced with them to State’s Prison, and was also expelled from the U.S. Army in disgrace. Nicodemus Slamtang wedded big Suse, the Seldens’ servant, and Jakey Schwackhammer — runs the Cremonia, at Hunki-Dori, Theelegant | saloon heing left without an owner, Jakey was’ installed as host by suggestion of Sealskin Sam, A and under his honest sway it soon ceased to be a eo tte one: i aa rendezvous for the roughs and toughs of th mine, And as Circe has not ‘‘ put inan app 9 ance,” Jakey still ‘holds the fort,” a, 4 iz aif : Ai ve si2s Ge Ate? Woy va - hi ee a * iw ms ¥ e , . eNteeat A d . iy s * : — a ee | ; ) t {* 1% . 4 se iz £ yg Se *? ‘ > ) Pre sr , ; ‘ (oor = # =~ A 2 *. yO Y J a. . 1 »e 4 i UR ee NS “a : wa > 2 A » Pe ey . os ‘a ' ¢ t a > + an rot ~ Ae ° 0 , > re 4 a2 3. 4 4 4 ‘| +. ‘* * ¥ ‘ ome ~ - p p * « J ' =e is + ‘ y Y« — ' x. hi A £ . me ce ** net eh ert + er -d ~~ ¥ al . 4 rs oe 4 1, , °7 4 t ry v * : 1644 ‘, an’ if) yl - ar “5 < “ ¥ ° i. See. z J » =~ '» | she. a wy ; i ‘ cbhooks-com