Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 499 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

— aa bandbox lay-out!” And Rico Rob glanced at the captain’s make-up, A smile flitted across Ringbolt’s face, “What kind of a game did you give Monte and the boys!” ‘*The Great Gold Union scheme!” was the reply. Sj told him we were going to develop the re sources of Colorado. Ha, hal! so we are when we get to work! You saw my companion?” ** The Celestial? Yes, Is he thesame old yel- low-skin?” “Ak Sin, with his eye-teeth cut!” laughed Captain Ringbolt. **{ thought | knew him by the old leer he used tocarry. Well, how goes it?” The guest. leaned back again and thrust his thumbs into the armholes of his elegant vest, “Tm getting kind of tired of the game. It seems to drag,” he answered. ‘* It was lively enough here last night.” **In what way?” “ The fifth man died!” ud ae Ringbolt almost left his chair; his thumbs jumped from his vest, and he darted toward ico Rob with a cry. ‘* Babette?” he cried. * Babette!” was the response, *“When was he found?” ‘¢ This morning, in front of his own house.” ‘‘ Killed in the usual way?” “Yes, only this time the dagger went in at the back. ‘The bit of rice paper was wound around the handle with the usual inscription, ‘One of six,’ on it.” Captain Ringbolt was silent for a moment. - at will be done now?’ he asked. Rico Rob shook his head, ** Don’t you know who will step into Babette’s shoes?” queried the hotel’s guest. ** No, nor does anybody else.” ** Ain’t there one man in Red Flash City brave enough to try it?” ‘That remaitis to be seen, though I think they are willing to let Babette be the last man. Some of the boys have been bantering me to claim the mine, but I’ve told ’em that my hands were too full of other work; besides,” here Rico Rob paused and leaned toward the intensely interest- ed man in the chair, ‘* besides, captain, it would- n’t do for me to assume the pressure.” ““Of course it wouldn’t,” assented Ringbolt. **'We don’t want any nonsense of this kind out of you, Rob. Some fool will be dazzled by the prospects of Old Fatality Mine, and will be will- ing to risk it. What does Red Flash think about Babette’s taking off?” | “Tt is the camp’s first real puzzle. You know the other four men were made away with before Red Flash had a bona fide existence. Babette was the fifth owner of the Fatality, though the first oné in the history of this camp. es, sir, Red Flash has a deep mystery—entirely too deep for any head in it,’ and Rico Rob laughed derisive- Voi ““Then I have arrived at an important mo- ment,” observed the other. ‘‘At a very important one,” was the an- swer. of the girl—Finette, you ** What will become call her, eh?” * Oh, the camp will probabl adopt her, un- less some fellow aghes a liking to her.” ‘*Ts she pretty ‘‘As @ mountain flowerf She has come out wonderfully within the last. year.” “Td like to see her,” exclaimed Ringbolt, twirling his mustache as if he stood before a | : 4 toilet mirror. “I have an eye for beauty, you- know,” and he smiled complacently. ‘‘ But you waut to confine yourself strictly to business here.”’ | “Certainly I shall, Remember, I am the poneral locating agent of the Great, Denver Gold nion.” ‘By Jericho! that sounds well!” ejaculated Rico. : ‘‘ There’s just enough of it to catch the seraphs of Red Flash,” and Ringoolt caught up the va- lise and opened it on his lap. ’ Tbrusting one hand into it, he drew out'a buekskin packet about ten inchesin length, — “I did not forget you, you see,” he observed, extending the object, which the big sport took and hid in an inner pocket of bis laced jacket, “Tam glad to get tc the end at last,” he re- marked, as he shut the valise. ‘I shall call a meeting of the principal citizens of Red Flash at this hotel whenever you think it advisable, and Pll proceed to divulge the schemes of tke reat Denver Gold Union ina aay that'll make them a!i Vanderbilts in their minds’ eye.” A noise of voices in the street below arrested further Captain Ringbolt, glancing Single Sight, tho from the window, noticed signs of a commotion below. A number of men were moving toward the hotel porch in evident excitement. ‘Somebody is talking from the porch!” ex- Claimed the captain. In an instant the hand of the big sport threw up the sash, and the two men listened, and this is what they heard: ‘* Men of Red Flesh, I have a word with you all, Babette has been killed because he was pro- prietor of Old Fatality Mine. The legend is that six owners shall die, and then the mine will pass into the hands of those to whom it right- fully belongs. The proprietorship of the mine ended with Babette’s death. Is there a man among you who wants to run it? If there is, jet hina speak out, here and now!” ‘* Who is that person?” asked Ringbolt. ‘‘ Chickadee, the young whip who brought you up from Dolores,” was the answer. ‘* That boy?’ sneered the captain. ‘‘ Why, he isn’t a handful! But, surely, he doesn’t intend ’ $3 There he goes again. Listen!” interrupted ico, ‘* Then, as you all hold your peace, I now pro- claim myself owner and proprietor of Old Fatality Mine, to keep, work and defend it to the best of my ability!” A deafening shout succeeded these words, and the two at the window saw a dozen sombreros rise above the roof of the porch, ‘* The young scamp doesn’t mean that!” ‘“Every word of it!” was the reply. ‘“ He is grit to the backbone!” CHAPTER ITI, SINGLE SIGHT, Rep FuasH had a new mine proprietor, Chickadee, the bright-eyed young stage driver. The citizens of the mountain camp would have advised him against taking possession of the fatal property 5 but he would not have re- ee if they had volunteered any advice of the und, The day was on the decline when a placard was placed over the entrance to the dangerous mine, and Chickadee had taken formal posses- sion. The mystery of Babette’s death still was the talk of the camp; but all agreed that he was a victim of vengeance. At nightfall the body was buried where a few mounds marked the last resting-place of some of the late residents of las : The girl was thus left alone; but she was by no means friendless. More than a score of big brown-shirted fellows, with long hair and rough garments came down to the cabin to assure her of their protection. Finette thanked them all, and dismissed them with a heart full of gratitude. Among them was one who lingered—a man about irty-five, rather. handsome, though he had but one eye, the right—and that was as keen as an eagle's. He was called Single Sight, though his true name was Saul Singley. ,man.was somewhat dandyish in his dress, inasmuch as he affected a good deal of silver braid, He never wore his pants in his boots, but kept them about his heels, and his gaudy Jacket was set off by two rows of shin uttons, each of which bore his initials, ‘*S. S, Single Sight had never been very intimate with Babette. There seemed to be a coldness between the two men; but now he lingered in Epes presence with his one eye fixed upon er. ‘The boy has taken up the mine, I hear?” observed the man whose voice was really melo- ous. **'Yes, so he announced.” ‘** Does he want to be the sixth i ** He is not anxious for that distinction—” *“* Then, let him stick to his whip!” interrupted Single Sight. ‘‘ Assure as he lives, he is al- r marked!” - a cannot make him recede,” assured Finette, confidently. ‘*T heard him at the hotel. He shows more it than judgment. Thar ain’t a man ip kh brave enough to take Babette’s place. What is the mine, anyhow? During the past year it didn’t yield much.” ‘Nota great deal.” 2 ; ** T¢ is no honor to own it,” Single Sight went on. ‘‘ Chickadee had better keep on the read.” “He intends to.” ‘* And give the killer a chance to present him with the iren-bandled dagger somewhar *twixt | Mash and Dolores?” Finette did not reply. re “Look hyer!” suddenly exclaimed the man; One-Eyed Sport. |e I’m interested in Chickadee, though he doesn’t | know it.” ‘** In what way?” she asked, ** Never mind!” he proceeded, ‘*‘ I don’t want him to embark on a scheme like this. He pro- non to solve the mystery of Babette’s death, eh? ‘* He has said so.” + ‘* He must leave that to older people. I say so, \ -u must talk him out of it.’ ‘*T cannot; I feel sure he won’t listen to mie.” ‘** Have you tried him?’ ** No, but I know I would fail.” Single Sight looked disappointed. ‘*'W here is he now?” ‘* At home, I suppose.” ‘‘ By Jupiter! J’m going to try it!” he decided. “It is inviting death. He'll have a leagne to fight, and one of the most desperate and deter- mined leagues ever organized in the West.” ** Then, you know—” ‘*Not. very much, Finette, my child; but encugh to be sure that Chickadee must keep out of this business!” was the interruption; and, ere she could say more, Single Sight had vanished. Night had fallen over Red Flash and Babette was sleeping under the newly disturbed sod of the mountain-side cemetery. The camp was comparatively still, but there were several groups of men on the porch of the Beelzebub, and Captain Ringbolt was talking with half a dozen in the bar-room, While he was not unfolding the gigantic schemes of the Great Denver Gold Union, he was throwing out some hints of its ee: and had suggested that a meeting had best held when the camp had settled down over Ba- bette’s assassination. Rico was not to be seen, and Single Sight merely glanced at the animated scene on the Beelzebub’s porch as he passed on his way to Chickadee’s quarters. “I don’t like ‘im. Too much style for Red Flash, an’ he aps in at a singular time, too, Kids, an’ wax on his mustache. I say ag’in, I don’t like ’*im. Why didn’t he stay in his band box?” muttered Single Sight, as he hurried along, and a few minutes later he reached asmall house rab whose single window gleamed the light of Without knocking, he walked boldly in, to discover that Chickadee had _a visitor, for a full-grown man turned upon him, and : Sight stood face to face with Rico Rob, e giant of Red Flash colcred when he saw who had come in, and a quick look passed tween him and the boy. i Chickadee spoke pleasantly to Single Sivht, for no man was better known in Ked Flash than the One-Eyed Spore He never sougbt a quarrel, but for all that, he was cool and fearless, and the single orb could flash the fires@f two when occasion required, a - 4 You've just Sa pi in, in time,” remarked Rico; “you can ad _your voice to mi Ve don’t want Chickadee to step A smile passed over Chickadee’s4 a fearless expression there as it pas “We don't want him to b declared Single Piguet 4 mine, if he wants to run the risk. _ much 0’ Chickadee hyer; an’ then. the nae i. ae The bi : y broke into a merry la “I can’t go back, gentlemen,” he declared. ~ The die is cast! I am owner and proprietor of Old Fatality, and your advice and arguments will be useless.” ae. | le you must take the consequences!” cried have done all I can. I have placec this matter before you in every light. If you think the hand that defends the mine will spare you on account of your youth, you we tine your mistake to your everlasting sorrow. ‘* Thank Bs ss: : Rico was seen to bite his lip. ‘ You can turn him,” he exclaimed, looking at Sree Sight. “He wants notoriety; he intends to be come famous at the expense—” | ‘Not so!” and in a moment Chickadee + on his feet and facing the sport. “I want jt tice, and Red Flash wants vengeance!” he erie ‘* The blood of Babette and that of the few m who preceded him calls for justice.” ~ _ ‘Well, a boy can’t obtain it,” was the quic! retort. ‘‘ What I have done is for your on? good. Red Flash doesn’t want to see you fol low Babette, who paid for the ownership of the fatal mine with his life. Beware! Yo n’t waste your breath on him, Sins He wants to cash his chine death’s and Rico , as i | Gomichboo \ .