Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 508 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

10 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance, None such before had ever been fought in Arizona, The crowd Jooked on in breathless suspense. But for the labored breathing of the two and their strokes there was not a sound to be heard. Both were bleeding freely, but neither had et scored a knock-down, most wonderful to re- te. Finally, however, it became perceptible that Goff was getting “‘ groggy,” and soon, two well- directed blows from Jerry’s fist sent him stag- gering against the wall. Here he braced himself and attempted to draw a revolver, but, ere he could do so, he uttered a cry of pain and fell headlong to the oor, When the doctor reached his side life was ex- tinct! The fact was at once communicated to Jerry, He simply nodded, picked up his hat, and, blood-blinded, staggered from the saloon. He had not been gone two minutes when a yell of horror pealed from a miner’s lips, as he pointed to the floor. There, in plain view of all, was that ominous emblem of death—the vivid red imprint of the Fatal Footstep! _ CHAPTER XII. RED RUPERT UNMASKED. GRAHAM GOFF retired early to bed that same night of the tragedy at the Howling Hornet. His head ached and he was possessed of a sort of feeling of nervous dread, which he hoped to - be able to sleep off. But it was a vain hope, for, when he got to bed, he lay for hours, tossing and tumbling about, not a wink of sleep visiting his eyes. It was after midnight ere he fell off into a doze, which lasted but a short time, when he awoke with a start and sat bolt oe in bed. The lamp was still burning and he saw by the clock that it was only 2 A. M. ‘¢ Good heavens! I can’t stand this!” he gasped, wiping the emnenaghn p from his face. ‘* I must get out in the open air, or I shall suffocate!” He had not undressed himself at all on retir- ing; so, putting on his hat he was ready for out of doors. He was about leaving his room, when he made a discovery that caused a cry of horror to burst from his lips. The floor of the room was not carpeted, but had been painted a light color, to give it a cheer- ful appearance. On the boards, near the door, the Mayor of Whiskyville now beheld a thing that nearly froze the blood in his veins—the imprint of a human foot, in vivid crimson colors! Transfixed with horror, he gazed at the omen of warning for a moment; then, uttering another yell, he burst open the door, and fled from the nonne as if Satan and all his imps were after im, Outside he paused some distance from his resi- dence, and glaneed carefully around him, He lived on the outskirts of the camp, some little distance from any other habitation, preferrin this sort of existence to living at the hotel wit his daughter. After satisfying himself that there was no one abroad in his immediate vicinity, he kept on toward his office, ‘*Curse that So: gin he growled, ‘*How came it there? Both the door and windows were locked, and no one could have got in without arousing me, Yet there is the mark which Deadwood Dick’s bulletin said should appear be- fore death. Gods! can 1t be that there is such a thing as the dead coming back to earth in spiritual form? Feros has unnerved me so much for twenty years, [ll swear.” And, evidently greatly agitated, he strode on. ‘“Y know one thing I'll do!” he muttered. “By the stage to-morrow I'll take my money and light out for Texas. There I can live in pea and security on my two hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars, and. Fe some fellow to come u here and run the Majestic Mine for me, If he falls a victim to this accursed Dick Bristol it’s his own lookout.” And the old reprobate chuckled at the clever- ness of his scheme, Little did he dream that a vengeance sure as death was hovering around him, and that he was destined never to leave the gulch alive! ‘Yes, Pll take my boodle from the safe this very night, and store it about my person, pre- paratory for flight, and then when the stage comes to-morrow I'll bid F Sepidtec to this place forever. The only thing I’m sorry for, is that I yielded to that rascally son of mine and gave him the ewonty thousand, for, now that I’m going to skip, I could defy the detective. I’m sorry, too, I discharged Justice. He would have been the very man [ could trust to leave behind to manage my business.” By this time he was nearing the office. As he approached he thought he detected a faint glimmer of light. oo paused and watched steadfastly, but saw nothing. “It nie have been a delusion!” he muttered, ‘6 but I could almost swear I saw a ray of light. If there should be burglars in the office, I should consider it a lucky omen that sent me here, I'll make sick burglars out of them if they are there!” He drew his revolver and examined it tomake sure it wasin good working order, and then stole softly on until he stood before the front door— for there was another door to the office in the rear, which opened into a small back or retiring room, Bending forward, he applied one eye to the keyhole, he next instant he started back, barely re- pressing an exclamation of astonishment. There was a light within the office! He had not been deceived. The burglars were there, no doubt, at work robbing his safe, For a moment he stood still, not knowing ex- actly what to do. It never took him a great length of time to form a plan, and he soon had one for the occa- sion, Stealing around to the rear of the office, he removed his boots, and then softly unlocked and opened the door. The rear room was in utter darkness, but a gleam of light came from under the door that led into the main office. This door swung either way, noiselessly, being mounted on patent hinges, and was unprovided with fastenings, so that Goff knew he would pet: no difficulty in gaining entrance to the office. Tip-toeing across the floor, he reached the swinging door and listened. He could detect no sound, however. Next, with his revolver realy for instant use, he pushed the door far enough ajar to allow his head to protrude into the next room, What he saw nearly took his breath away. Kneeling before his big safe, with a lantern by his side, wasa man—a’slender individual, at- tired in a black suit of clothes, trimmed with red, anda scarlet cloak flung about bis shoul- ders. His feet were incased in knee-boots, and a wide rimmed sombrero surmounted his head. The upper part of his face was concealed by a reddish mask, the remainder by reddish whis- kers. . The door of the safe before him was wide open, and the floor in front and beside him was littered with bank-notes various denomina- tions, which he was busily engaged in sorting and tying into packages. ‘ Evidently his burglarship was not anticipat- ing a surprise, for he never once raised his eyes from his work, Goff drank in the scene for several minutes, keeping his temper marvelously under control. ‘*So that is Red Rupert, eh?’ he mused, ‘** who has so repeatedly and persistently robbed me. Ho! ho! ‘twas a lucky thing I came here to- night, for, evidently, the cuss calculates tomake a clean sweep this time. Humph! we shall see! Iam rised in the man, however. In figure he looks more like a woman than a man, and that red beard is false, [ll wager. I wonder how he would cotton to a little surprise?” Pushing open the door wider, the mayor let _himself noiselessly into the office, his revolver at full cock, fer instant use, ' It was not his purpose to shoot the bold bur- glar, unless forced to. To effect his capture would be cven a greater victery, for he, the mayor, had not been the only one to suffer by these burglarious visits, Others had suffered losses as well as the obese chief magistrate, ‘Goff tiptoed forward, with the stealth of a cat, until he stood within a few feet of the burglar. . Then, leveling his revolver, he said: ** Hello !” . Red Rupert looked up, with a startled cry, and hastily sprung to his feet. “Stand!” Goff commanded, authoritatively. ‘¢ Move an inch further and you die. SolI have caught you in the act, have I, Mr, Red Rupert?” ‘‘ Tt seams so,” was the answer, in a tremulous voice, plainly a feminine voice, too. ‘‘Oh! it seems so, does it? Well, I should judge it did. So you were going toclean me out, entirely, to-night, were you?” ‘Yes, I was, and then retire from this sort of life for good!” ‘‘ Well, that’s a cool admission, hanged if it ain't, How long bave you been in this enterpris- ing line of business?” “Only a short time.” **Do you know thata long term of imprison- ment stares you in the face? | ‘“‘T suppose so!” was the careless reply. ‘It matters little, however, for now that the only one that I ever loved is forever lost to me, I am utterly reckless as to what becomes of me!” ‘‘ You are a woman!” the mayor said, eying the culprit sharply. ‘‘ Well, what of that? It’s none of your busi- ness, is it?” This, in a tone of defiance, “Yes, it is. Remove that mask and false beard, so that I can see if I know you!” “Oh! no, None of that, if you please!” ‘*Doaslorder you, or I'll blow your brains out;” roared the mayor, ‘I'll stand no trifling, and your life depends upon your obedience. Do as I bid you, and perhaps I may be more lenient with you!” Red Rupert hesitated a moment, and then, tearing away the mask and false beard, she turned a defiant face toward the mayor, Graham Goff started back, with a horrified exclamation, ‘‘ Good God!” he cried, ‘‘ My daughter, Georgie !” * ‘‘ Yes! your daughter, Georgie!” was the laconic answer! For a moment the astounded parent stood like one struck dumb, It had never occurred to him that it was his oye child who had been systematically robbing Lim, ‘ Georgie viewed his astonishment with a faint smile of amusement. ‘‘You seem surprised,” she observed, quietly. ‘Surprised! Good heaven! why shouldn’t I be surprised? What ever tempted you to rob your own father, girl, as you bave been doing?” ‘‘ Oh! circumstances!” was the nonchalant answer. ‘* You were never much of a father to me or to Giles, and you were always miserly and selfish to the last ae So as you were making ~~ of money, I thought than fair that you shoul it no more d share with your off- pring. Knowing that a personal application would be met with blank refusal, I conceived the idea of taking the matter into my own hands, and helping myself. How well I have succeeded, you already know!” ‘**- Yes, you have succeeded only too well, Al- ready you have robbed me of over fifteen thou- sand dollars, and but for my timely arrival here, to-night, you would have no doubt ruin me! Girl, I’ve a mind to kill you where you aT se pose that’ privil h sup t’s your privilege, as you have the drop on me!” Georgie replid, coolly, ‘‘ How- ever, I dare say it would be to your advantage to spare me, as I can be of some service to you, in the coming trouble!” ‘‘ What trouble?” ‘Qh! you haven’t heard of it, then? Why, to-morrow, there is to be a general strike of the miners, who, as you know, embrace fully two. , thirds of the people in the camp, The strike is because you discharged Jerry Justice, and he, in conjunction with your deadliest enemy, Deadwood Dick, will lead the strikers, who have for some time been formed into a secret union.” ‘Bosh! Deadwood Dick isdead! And as for the miners striking, I care not a fig, for I can easily fill their places!” ‘Dick Bristol is not dead. I know that, be- cause I saw him to-night. This ghost and foot- print business is all a humbug and a scare. And, as for the strikers, they intend to guard the mine, to prevent others from going to work, and also intend to drive you and every one else but the union men, from the pocket. This Deadwood Dick has the reputation of being a very dare-devil in leading a band of men to battle. and always comes out of victor!” Graham Goff looked thoughtful aud concerned. Now that his Lo ee interests were thus threatened, all thou tof leaving the town van- ished like magic. He would stay, rally what men around him he could, and fight for that — he claimed to be his, by right of posses- on. ‘¢ What service could you be to me, in such a crisis?’ he finally asked, . ‘More than you think, If this Deadwood Dick, Junior, and Jerry Justice were removed, it is doubtful if there would be any strike, as the miners would have no feaders, of any worth or sense, and without competent leaders, CeCe paliicel eXeyo) <S ! ae ees $e ee ee ae