Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 496 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

ried them.” —— - ————— —— the people in regard to the tragedy, and not the least of these were uttered to the discredit of Don Juan, He kept himself pretty well out of sight dur- ing the forenoon, but about noon he made his appearance on the street with his arm in a sling, and carried himself with an air of total indifference as to what the people might say or think, Among others of his usual haunts was the Bijou Club, a gaming-saloon patronized pretty exclusively by the young bloods of the city; and thither he made his way. It was a gaudily-furnished place, fitted up with a bar, chairs and tables, and costly pic- tures and mirrors, and many other appurten- ances calculated to be pleasing to the eye of the sporting man, the array of bar-fixings being especially attractive. | But few persons were in the saloon when Don Juan entered, and these he was not intimately acquainted with; so he seated himself at a table and Jit a cigar, at which he puffed away leisurely. That he expected some one to meet him was evident, for he glanced frequently in the direc- tion of the door. Some ten minutes after he was seated, Simeon Sykes walked into the saloon and seated himself 2cross the table from the Von, who nodded familiarly. ** Well, I see you are on time,” at his watch. Yes, I always try to be,” Sykes replied, ‘* And I see that you are winged.” ‘<Ourse it, yes! The duel resulted disastrous- ly, not only for me, but for my uncle, who was killed.” ‘*] don’t suppose your’ sorrow is deep,” re- marked the lawyer, with a shrug of his shoul ders, ‘‘I believe you hinted to me once that his will was drawn in your favor?” “Sh! Breathe no word of any such thing for other ears to hear. The tide of public opinion he said, glanc- ing ‘+ = >. Z . ™ is already stronzer against me than I care to ews?” know. Sut, tell me—have you any 1 “Yes. After [left you, after telling you of the interview between Bristol and Donna Nola in the arbor, I made it my business to hunt up the house of the preacher, Salem. I had little difficulty in finding it, and by listening at the door, I found that the Donna was indeed there. Believing that Deadwood Dick would visit the place before morning, I hung about the neigh- borhood, and at last was rewarded by seeing him approach and enter the house, I then took up my position at the door, and applied my ear at the keyhole. Tous I remained until I heard Dick about to Jeave the place, when I was forced to sneak away.” “Svkes, you're a brick! Here is a hundred for you, in payment for your services so far, Go en, and tell me all.” “lm afeard it won’t be very pleasant news for \you, sir, but TU tell it. The Salems wel- comed Bristol: then they chatted a while, and among other things, the preacher told Dead- wood Dick the story of The Turrets and the non- descript.” ‘‘ Ah! What did the adventurer say?” ‘* He expressed a good deal of interest, and declared he should take up his abode at The Turrets within a few days.” ‘* We'll see about that!” Don Juan declared, with an oath. “One thing is certain, That Yankee upstart will never rule at The Turrets. But, goon. What else?’ ‘* Weil, after Salem had finished bis narration, Nola and Dick stood up and the preacher mar- és What QP The Don leaped to his feet, his eyes fairly blaz- ing with anger. ‘Just as I have tgld -you,” Sykes assured, coolly. ‘‘(T heard Salem ask the usual ques- tions, heard the affirmative answers given, and heard the preacher pronounce them man and wife!” - ‘Ten thousand furies! Why did. you not come and tell me this at once?” ‘““'The house was dark when I returned from the trip to Salem’s.” Don Juan sunk back upon his seat, inflamed with rage, ‘Curses upon that Yankee loafer!” he hissed, ‘“‘Tf this be true, it is likely to knock all my plans in the head. But tell me what name the girl was married under?” ** Nola Norris.” “Furies! her own true name. How did she ever learn it? If the preacher is ordained with ministerial powers, the marriage is legal. Had she married under the name of Mellique—” “It would have been legal, just the same, hay at J Pa. ome « OF” ty r #1 ty y Te i : 4 ‘ ‘ yy - . Ven ee, as, f rs 0 ee oe Eyes Ade it) * Se dA S es ‘ : % ro a ¥ Se ee a Ps - V : 7 ’ * - —~ | | | | ee ES ——— =e ” — _ ee a “es = - " : — ee are — — — — a ’ - ~ - . <4 a so Be of : — " - . . ee =. f. ara . ‘_ - . hte ° : = ‘ Pa “er = ._- vd a U — ~<t ah SS a ~e- -_ - — : ~-: , ae - Si ge te at een ~s- xs -\ ter - q > Monte Cristo, Jr L nS 8 - Marriage under an assumed name does not make it invalid, by any means,” “Then this Deadwood Dick must die, and at once,, before the news of the marriage leaks out. them out, and, in another week, ‘The Turrets’ shall be transformed into a fairy palace. Take good careof my bride untii my return, good | Sir, and, above all, preserve the marriage-ter- With him out of the way, I can force Nola into | submission to my will—ay, I will do it, even if I have to use force! Who holds the marriage certificate, Sykes?” ‘“*IT do not know. The girl, most likely.” **T doubt it. This Bristol is a shrewd devil, and more’s the probability he has it on his per- son. Sykes, I must set to work at once, and you must help me.” ‘How can I help you? What do you want me to do?” ‘* Help me put this man out of the way.” ‘‘Nary! I want no murder on my hands,” ‘* Not even if you are paid well?” ** Not for the world!” ‘* Well, perhaps we can arrange it so he need not be killed. If he can be imprisoned, why, I can coerce him to terms that wil force him to leave the country; hat done, I can induce Donna Nola to become ny wife.” | ‘* Well, in case there’s no murder I don’t mind riving you a lending hand, providing, of and ft course, you are willing to pay me well for my | servi“es,” ‘Very well. Help me to getrid of Dick Bris- tol,and [ will pay you any reasonable price. Besides, I will employ you to assist in settling up my unele’s estate, and altogether, you can make a snug little sum of money.” “Then, ’'m your man. lTve been down to hard-pan for nigh two years, and I can’t let a chance slip me to turn an honest penny. I am not quite so scruy.ulous as | might be had for- tune smiled upon me earlier in life.” ‘Of course not. It does not pay men to be too scrupulous in this present age. But, tell me, has Bristol yet taken any steps toward settling the matters in regard to the will?” ‘Yes. We went together tnis morning, to fix up things, but neither the surrogate nor the registrar were in town, thanks to the telegrams I had sent them from Santa Rosa. So Dick left the will at the surrogate’s office for safe-keeping until to-thorrow,” ‘* By heaven! then he must never call for it, and ‘The Turrets’ is still mine! How can it be arranged, Sykes? We must work while there is time,” “T think I have a plan,” Sykes replied, and then, bending closer to the Don, he spoke low and earnestly. W hen he had finished the Don arose. His face was flushed, his eyes gleamed wicked- ly, and his whole expression was triumphant. ‘‘The very thing,” he declared. ‘‘Doas you have outlined, Simeon Sykes, and I will make you a rich man!” CHAPTER IX, THE DON’S REVENGE. THAT afternoon, armed with directions how to find the place, Deadwood Dick, Junior, and Sykes set out for a visit to ‘* The Turrets.” They were well mounted, and equipped with everything necessary to make an ex Soentibn of the weird old mountain chateau safe and easy. Before starting Dick had paid a stealthy visit to Nola, at the home of the Salems, and made known his proposed journey. Nola was delighted to see him, and so were the good minister and his family, but all ex- pressed great anxiety when he ma.e known his proposed trip to ‘ The Turrets,’ Oh, Dick!” Nola said, clinging to him fond- ly, ‘‘don’t go. I am so atraid something will happen—that some terrible harm will befall you. Don’t go, for my sake.” ‘“‘ Fer your sake, my bonny bride, I would do almost,anything; but you must not try to deter me from this visit to our future home, for I want to see it, before ‘taking you there, my jewel. Iam well armed, and mean to solve the mystery of tle place, if mystery there be. So quiet all fears, and watch for my return, for when I do, I shall openly announce you as my wife.” ‘Oh, how brave and good you are, Richard, and I am so very happy in your love, If [ should lose you, it would kill me, and I feel now as if I shall never see you again!” ‘Such fears are unworthy of the nugget of good sense that nestles in your sunny little head, my pet; so cheer up, and you will see me back at ten to-morrow, Or at noon at the latest.” ‘Be careful, my son!” Mr. Salem adjured, Shaking his head dubioushy. ‘“*The Turrets’ has an ominous repute, and you know not what evils may be lurking there!” | “Pshaw! I fear not,” Dick replied, with a — ee ee ——— | | : tificate |” ‘Thy bride shall be tenderly cared for, sir and as for the certificate it is already consigne to a place of security.” “Very good, and may the Good Father re- ward you! And, now, Nola,” said Dick, turn- ing to his bride, ** here is what money I have, IL wish to leave it in your care until my ieturn, so that if anything should happen to me, you will be provided for, for atime atleast, Ttere is twenty thousand dollars, part of which be- longed to Don Jose Mellique before his death, and the balance to me. Keep it, as 1 sha:l have no use for money during my absence. These papers you may also retain, for, though of no really important value, they are things I would prefer not to lose.” ‘Oh! then, you know you are going into dan- ger, Dick!” Nola cried, clinging to him, plead ingly. ‘* Please do not go and leave me! Or, | at least, if you will go, let me accompany you.” ‘Such a thing is not to be thought of, Nola, dearest,” Dick replied. ‘‘ So, quiet all fears, for will surely return to-morrow safe and sound as a dollar. Good by, now, and dont worry the least, for 1 am amply able to take care of And kissing her, and shaking hands with the Salems, Dick teok his departure; and a short time afterward he and Sykes rode out of Santa Fe, en route for ‘‘ The Turrets,” which lay sey- eral leagues to the ‘northeast of the new Mexi- can metropolis, up in the great mountain fast- hesses, But, as they were mounted upon. spirited horses, Dick calculated they could reach the end of their destination long before sunset. Armed with a compass and full directions, he had little fear but what they could-find the lone residence; so both ga Joped swiftly along, and but few words were interchanged, cach man seeming more or Jess absorbed in bis own thougkts. The horses covered space rapidly, and ere mid-afternoon entered the mountains. The way was now more rugged and the journey neces sarily made in slower time. Nevertheless, it was not yet sunset, when, after toiling up rugged and dangerous trails, they came suddenly out upon a level aerial plateau, from whence. a short distance below them, they could see ‘‘ The Tur- rets,” as it rested amceng the crags in all its solemn grandeur. Like some citadel of medieval days it appeared to the two horsemen, and they drew rein and surveyed the picture for several minutes in silence. Gray and ghostly looked the massive and irre- gular pile of granite, and the turrets that reared their heads toward the heavens, looked like so many grim sentinels. To add to the awesome effect of the surroundings, were the steep moun- tain-sides, with their densely matted forests. “Tis « picture for a master artist’s brusk¢” Dick exciaimed, admiringly. “Tt reminds me more of a sepulcher for the dead,” Sykes grunted, witb a shrug of the shoul- ders. ‘*‘ Whoever built the place must have had the chronic blues,” ‘*Pshaw! The place, is song grand!” Dick replied—‘‘a very castle in a kingless country. Come! let’s move on,” They had only a slight grade tocescend, when they came to another table-land or plateau, op on which opened the main entrance to the chateau, if such if might be termed. This maim entrance, was a great hall with arched portico, and guarded by two } onderous doors, one of which stood ajar, Dick and Sykes at once dismounted. and tethered out their horses: then they made pre- parations to invade the place of mystery. Lanterns were lit, revolvers drawn, and, for the first time in their lives, they set foot in the great main hail, It wads very wide, and the ceiling was far above them, Everything was stune—the floor, the walls, the ceilmg. Nowherewas a piece of wood to be seen, From the main hall branched off numerous other passages, and off these passages opened doors leading to the various apartments, Fully two hours were consumed _ in rapid ex- ploration of the first-floor of The Turrets. By this time the shades of night were gathering thick and fast, without the chateau. Each room visited had been well furnished, but. as Mr. Salem had surmised. the furniture was in bad condition, being worm-caten, moth- lightlaugh, ‘If any evils exist I'll soon run | eaten, and generally useless. Some of it, to be : P > ; : : : i icles ’ . ‘te io < 3 — % 14 : - A ee “ 7 : on . - ris 2 —— f.2 | _ * - Sane eos AN ~ : ee