Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 519 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

Captain Mystery. 11 forgiveness, and promise to guard my actions more closely in the future.” But Old Bombshell only growled out an unin- telligible reply, as he tossed the young man his coat, The three men again resumed their watchful attitude, and until the sun set and the darkness came on, they lay there upon the mountain-side, watching and nee Finally Old Bombshell arose to his feet and announced himself ready to descend into the outlaws’ camp. CHAPTER X, A JEALOUS GIRL. Bors of the Girls uttered a little cry as the masked outlaw stepped into the room, Sylva shrunk back in surprise and fear, but Inez sprung forward with outstretched hands, and was caught in the outlaw’s ar ° Re did not kiss her, for he could not do so with- out removing his mask, a thing which it was said he never did in the outlaw camp. To his own men, as well as to those who were not his followers, he was indeed a mystery. When he first organized his band, he had but three fotlowers, but gradually others sought admis- sion, and many were taken in, until Captain Mys- tery’s outlaws became a large and powerful gang, fairly terrorizing the part of the country in the vicinity of their stronghold, Many times had parties organized in Bowlder Bar set out to search for the outlaws’ retreat, but they always failed in finding it. Many claimed that their ill-success was due to the fact tuat many of Captain Mystery’s followers dwelt in Bowlder Bar, and that such ones always formed a part of every expedition that set out to search for the outlaws. There was a price upon Captain Mystery’s head, but no one had thus far been lucky enough to secure it, He still carried on bis depredations, and laughed at his foes. He was not a Jarge man; on the contrary, he was rather below medium hight, and of slender build. His dress from head to foot was of dark, rich cloth, his face being covered with a black mask. His clothing was covered with bright silver buttons, and around his waist was a belt of silver links, into which were thrus: two handsome revolvers, Around his dark hat was a fine silver chain, the ends hang- ing down over the brim, with two tiny gold bells at- tached, in the stead of tassels. His costume was showy, fitting his elegant form to perfection, and one would have been led to think that the face beneath the mask was a handsome one. The strange girl, Wild Inez, was of that peculiar romantic temperament who see more to admire in a “robber knight,” even though his hands are stained with blood, than in the common every-day heroes of life. : She sprung into his arms and lay there, her dark, handsome eyes upturned to his, a love-light gleam- ing in their liquid depths. Ard all unmindful of Sylva’s watchful eyes, he pressed her to his breast; and murmured loving words in ber ear, But suddenly Captain Mystery caught sight of the spectator, and gently disengaging Inez’s clinging arms, he turned to Sylva, gracefully doffing his hat and bowing low. , “Ah! IT beg pardon, lady! I did not see you be- ore. There was something strangely familiar in those hoarse tones, although the outlaw evidently endeavy- ored to disguise his voice. It seemed to Sylva that she had heard that voice before, but when or where she could not tell, She did not reply, but sat gazing at him, as if there was sometiing about him that had a sort of subtle fascination for her, * This is Captain Mystery, Sylva,’ said Inez, turn- ing to the ca ptive girl, ** My captor!” cried Sylva, a touch of scorn in her voice. The outlaw made a quick gesture of denial with one gloved hand. ; “No, no—not that! Your host, instead. Con- sider yourself an honored guest. I assure you I look upon you &s such.” “A guest has the privilege of going and coming at pleasure. The movements of a guest are not re- stricted.”’ “ And yours are not, as long as you do not attempt to leave this mountain-camp. You are at liberty to go where you please, as long 48 you do not attempt enter the passage which leads from this snug little retreat.’ Sylva laughed sarcastically, her courage rising, “How kind!” she cried, in § orn, “My actions @re not restricted, and yet they are! Lama guest, and yet a prisoner! A strange paradox, indeed!” For a moment the outlaw made no reply, but stood ng thoughtfully at her. Finally, advancing a ew steps, he spake: ain, I declare you are here more 4S @ guest than asaprisoner. Circumstances compelled me to have you brought here, but I swear that you shall not be harmed, Have no fear of my men, for they know mé, and will not dare insult or offend you in any manner. If possible, consider me a friend— Such a thing is not ible. You are an outlaw! At your instigation. I Was drugged and brought here. Would 4 friend cause such a vile deed to be done? Sir, you had be'ter release me at onc, and allow me to return to the mining-camp. If you do so, I may then consicer youa friend, My faiher—” Oe “Henry Blair knows where you are—I swear it! It is in his power, ev.n, to cause your re: lease.”’ * Yes. I know the false story you concocted of my father cheating — out of a sum of money. Ido not believe it! Itis a falsehood invented to justify your action in takin me prisoner and holding me until you wrung a large ransom from my father. | | You have probably told him that I was in your | power, and that you would release me when he | 1anded over the sum you demanded.” “Have it as you like. [ shall not contradict your statements, however wild you may shoot.” * You cannot deny it. You would, were my words untrue.”’ Captain Mystery laughed. He seemed in no way angered or offended; instead, he appeared pleased by the spirit shown by the girl. ‘Even should I deny the accusation, you would | not believe ay words now. Let it drop. You will | yet find that 1 spoke the trutn. But you should be contented here. ‘our surroundings are not unpleasant. have made lam sure Inez’s skillful hands what was a rather rough-looking hut into an attrac- tive cottage. You will find her a most lovable little woman, and your companionship should be agreea- ble. Sheis—”’ ‘There, there,” cried Inez, laughing merrily. ‘‘No more flattery, sir} i | I will not stand it. Miss | Sylva will find out all about me, and she .can form her opinion unassisted.” “She can form nothing but a favorable one. You girls should become great friends. Blair’s captivity be protracted, you must do your best to amuse her, Inez. Should Henry Blair come to terms at once, of course Miss Blair will be reltas- ed, and it is probable that your acquaintance will end at that time. After conversing with Inez for a few minutes, Cap- tain Mystery left the cabin. He made his way directly to one of the small cab- ins that, when Occasion required, served as a sort of jaii to safely hold such prisoners as the outlaw chief saw fit to confine there, He undid the fastenings of the door, which were upon the outside, and entered, striking a match as soou as he passed through the doorway. found a candle and lighted it. The dim light showed a human figure stretched at full length upon the floor, and as Captain Mystery approached this figure, candle in hand, it became apparent that it Wasa man, who was bound hand and foot. +2 The outlaw chief set the candle upon the floor and stood over the prisoner, gazing silently at him. Fi- nally he spoke: ‘* You are doomed to die, Fred Hawkes.” Despite his bonds, the man stirred uneasily. ‘“‘] feared that war ther way it would be,’*’ hesaid, huskily. “You could expect nothing else, you traitor- ous dog!” cried Captain Mystery. ‘‘Tam no traitor,’’ was the domeed reply. “The man that says so lies!”” ‘* Tsay so.” “Then you lie, Captain,” For a moment it seemed that Captain Mystery would spring upon the helpless man. His fingers opened and closed nervously, and his whole frame seemed to shake with anger, ‘Have a care!” hissed the outlaw-chief. ‘‘ Tie up that cursed tongue of yours, or I will throttle you on the spot!”’ Hawkes laughed recklessly, ‘* Throttle away, Cap. I hev got ter die anyhow an’ er few hours will make little difference.”’ Captain Mystery folded his arms, and for a long timeistood silently thinking. “I have positive proof of your guilt, Hawkes,” he finally said, **Confess nuthin’ oin’ ter confess a lie b ‘*You may as well confess.”’ ” determinedly. ‘‘I ain't er for no man. Captain, I’m ere, flat on my back, your prisoner, accused ov bein” er traitor, but by the heavens above us, I solemnly swear I am no traitor!” ** You caunot make me believe that,’’ firmly re- plied the ontlaw-chier, ‘‘ The evidence against you is too great. Hawkes, you are in for it, and no amount of false swearing will save you.” ** What’s yer proof ag’in’ met” cried the prisoner. ‘What do yer know fer solid facts that you can bring ag’in’ me?’ “I know much—enough to condemn you twice. You sought to sell us to some of the Sunday-honest men of Kowlder Bar. half-formed. You would have led them here, and as you know all the signals and pass-words, you could easily deceive the guards, until it was too late for them to realize their mistake. Thus you could lead a party through the passage into t and slaughter us every Your plans were more than iis very camp, one, almost before we knew danger menaced us. Oh, your devilish plans are all known, and you may gs well confess.’ ‘It’s all er lie!” cried the prisoner. ‘‘ Thar ain’t er word ov truth in it!” With a flerce, snarling curse, Captain Mystery whipped out out a knife, and leaping upon the pris- oner, thrust the poiut against the man’s throat. yoai® he grated. “Tell the “Confess, curse Harry it will be the worse for truth, or by the Lor you!” The man turned very white, and seemed to shrink away from the menacing knife, but he managed to Fasp out: ‘* Nothin’ ter confess—not a durned word!”’ The paint of the knife was pressed through the skin of Fred Hawkes’s throat till it was ti ped with blood, and for a moment, it seemed that hs outlaw chief would thrust the blade in to the hilt. There | Was @ burning, deadly gleam in the outlaw’s eyes, which could be seen through the holes in the mask, | and for a brief space of time, the helpless man’s life hung by a thread, as it were. | Then, witb a harsh laugh, Captain Mystery arose | to bis feet, replacing the knife in its sheath. | ‘You die in the morning, you traitor dog!” With these fierce words, the outlaw chief left the rison-hut, closing and fastening the door behind im. He made his way and Sylva were. Entering, He quietly seated himself in a chair, quickly, as he saw the girl about to arise: “Don’t be alarmed, Miss Blair, Iassure you that ou are in no danger of insult or harm from me, wish to see you alone a few minutes, for 1 desire a little private talk with you.” Sylva sunk back into the chair, a wondering look in her eyes. Again it seemed to her that there was something strangely familiar about the outlaw chief’s voice, Captain Mystery continued: “It is possible, Miss Blair, that the true reason why { brought you here is not known to any but my- self. Had you and I met back in Bowlder Bar, where I wear no mask, a revelation might have taken place that would have been unpleasant—for me; Therefore, I caused your abduction and had you brought here. The attack upon the stage in which you were journeying was at my instigation back to the cabin where Inez he found Sylva alone, saying ' and was for the purpose of taking you prisoner,” ‘*And you have the impudence to tell me this!” cried Sylva, her pretty face flushing with anger. “For shame! Do you usually obtain your ill-gotten plun- der by kidnapping unprotected young ladies and holding them for ransom?” The outlaw made a careless, imploring gesture with one gloved hand, at the same time laughing lightly, as though pleased. { “If you only knew what a pretty picture you made in your indignation, your eyes aglow, your | cheeks suffused—but you don’t know. He soon | TT One look is enough to set the blood dancing through any man's veins. 1 half-believe lam falling in love with you, Sylva!” She sprung to her feet, indignation and fear plain- ly showing on her face, Captain Mystery also arose “ Now don’t be aJlarmed!* he said quickly, his voice again sounding familiar to Sylva. ‘I more than half-believe Lam in love with you—I know [I am! When you were very small, a tiny, wee thing, you had your mother’s face—your mother, whom I once madly loved—yet I hated you! But as you grew older, my hatred gradually turned to love, untit to-dav Iam as madly infatuated with you asI once was with your proud, beautiful mother.”’ He advanced toward her, but she shrunk from — in horror. He held out his hands pleadingly to er, At this moment the door of the back-room open- ed, and Inez entered the room, As her eyes fell upon the strange tableau, she started back, show- ing her white even teeth and clinching one small and. Captain Mystery saw her, and quickly turning away from Sylva, he said: “4 ea I wish to speak with you in private—just a few words.”’ He moved quickly forward and pushed her through the doorway into the back-room, foijlowing himself, and carefully closing the door behind them. Then he turned to the girl, to find her dark eyes fairly blazing with an angry light. ‘*Inez,”’ he said. softly, seeking to embrace hers but she shrunk from him, hoarsely crying: ‘* Explain !—don’t touch me!—explain!”’ For a moment he held his hands outstretched to her, then he dropped them by his sides. When he spoke, his voice sounded much different than it had while conversing with Sylva; it was soft and low, al- most sad, . : Do you doubt me? It cannot be that you do, ané@ yet—" _“* Explain what Isaw—can you? That is all I ask. Do that and—” Easily done, little one. and you will understand it all it to your entire satisfaction.” “Tf you—can—do that— Only just say you were not making love to her! Say that! I will believe you,”’ ‘‘ But you see I was, little one!” “And you dare tell me this—you, who have a hundred times held me in your arms and told me your love, Swearing to be true tome! Just God! do you dare?” Her hands were clinched, her eyes glowing like burning coals, while her whole frame trembled with emotion. ‘*Inez! Inez! for heaven’s sake, be quiet! I am still true to you! Hear me—lI repeat it, I am still true to you! If you will listen, I will explain,” ‘Go on, I am listening.” By a great effort the girl had, for the time, con- quered her emotions, and her voice was calm anda even as she spoke. og! acknowledge that I was making love to Sylva Blair, but. it was for a purpose,” Captain Blair be- gan. ‘Her father is wealthy, yet he may refuse to come to my terms about ponying over the shining sheckels which 1demand as ransom-money for his daug.iter. He may even attempt to wrest her from my hands by force. If he does this, some powerful influeace must be brought to bear on him at once, If I could induce this girl to fall in love with me, I would have ber write a letter to her father stating that such was the case, With this letter I would in- close a note, stating that if the ransom money wag. not paid in ten days, Miss Sylva Blair would become. A few straight words I can easily explain , ‘J ce & ©) nN E€poo 4