Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 519 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

EEE — eouch in a deep reverie. Without intending to do so. |.» ab last fell asleep. When Captain Mystery again emerged from the tunnel, he found that his last brief orders had been carried out. A portion of the camp was illumined by the light of two large bonfires that were built a few rods apart in front of the outlaws’ cabins. He could see men passing back and forth in the fire- light, and between the two fires he could distinguish two forms which he well knew were his prisoners, who were securely bound to stout stakes driven up- right in the ground. ‘Ha! hal’ he laughed. ‘The boys have carried out my orders. To-night witnesses the consumma- tion of my schemes, for Alice Dunbar becomes my wife and Morton Dunbar dies! The game is mine }*” He made his way to the cabin where the girls were confined, and undoing the fastenings, entered. Sylva was in the room, but she sprung up and en- deavered to rush by him and escape, as he entered. He caught her in his arms, laughing softly. ‘- Not so fast, little one,”’ he said. ‘‘I wish you to o with me.”’ ** Release me, sir!’’ she cried. ‘** Now be quiet, my dear, andcome with me, You may wish to see the young fellow who attempted to assist you to escape. I will take you to him.” She did not resist as he led her toward the bon- fires. Wild schemes for escape were running through her head, however. Between the fires were Red Robin and Howard Thorne, both securely bound to two upright posts. Red Robin was bound with his back to the post, his hands being secured behind him. Thorne, however, was facing the post.to which he was bound. The hag man was stripped to the waist, leaving his are back exposed, Captain Mystery laughed triumphantly as bis rested upon the scene. He led the girl before Robin. ** Morton Dunbar,” he said, “ I have brought you your daughter. Behold her! You know me, I am ‘aton Stone, your deadly foe!” For a moment the red-breasted man gazed searchivgly at Sylva, then a low cry of recognition broke from his lips. He had seen her in the stage, when he so gallantly rescued them from the road- agents, but had barely glanced at her, and, allbough her face seemed familiar, he had not suspected the truth. But now, upon closer scrutiny, he saw in her face a strong resemblance to the woman who, years before, had been his wife. “This is your father, little one,’’ continued the cutlaw-chief to Sylva. ‘*The words I speak are true—I swear it by the heavens above!”’ Sylva was amazed, bewildered by the startling revelation. This strange man her father? She could scarcely believe it, yet she was now convinced that the man whom she had known as father was no kin of hers. A sharp whistle from Captain Mystery brought the outlaws around, Then commanding silence, the chief spoke briefly and to the point. ‘*My men, you all know these two prisoners. They have stolen into our camp and sought to carry away a valued captive—they have learned the secret of our retreat—they have murdered several of our friends—’ ** Five on ’em, boss,”’ respectfully interrupted one of the men, ‘*Now.”’ cried Captain Mystery, “ what shall their doom be?”’ ‘Death!’ shouted the outlaws in chorus, The chief turned to the prisoners, saying grimly: **You hear your sentence. You are doomed; but, Morton Dunbar, ere you die, you must witness the consummation of my vengeance. To-night I marry ‘our beautiful daughter, whose mother you won rom me years ago.”’ * Never, you wretch!" shrieked Sylva, o~, proper- ly, Alice Dunbar, tearing herself from his grasp. ‘+ Hands off, you monster!” Red Robin seemed an impassive observer, but in his dark eyes there burned a fierce fire, and within his bosom raged a perfect vortex of passion. Ata word of command, two men advanced from among the other outlaws, One, a dark-clothed, ministerial-appearing man, carried a small book in his hand; the other carried a heavy raw-hide whip. The man with the whip advanced to the side of Howard Thorne; the other paused in front of Cap- tain Mystery. Bi “Young woman,” said the chief, quietly, ‘‘ I think & passing fancy for this you have formed more than young fellow, here. Now hear me: Unless you Zonsent to become my wife, he shail be lashed to death !’’ The girl reeled blindly as though about to fall, but quickly recovered herself, as the outlaw continued in cold, heartless tones: ** And then, if yeu are still stubborn—if that does not bring you to your senses—I solemnly swear that your own fatber, here, shall be roasted alive!” She sunk upon her knees before him, tears stream- ng from her eyes, and sobs shaking her slender frame, as she held out her hands to him, pleading rokenly for mercy. ¥s He turned coldly to the man with the whip. Get ready!’ he commanded. When I count three, lay on the lash and do not spate your muscie, iat Stan eda still obstinate?” On eadec ercy. ** Stop, Sylva , sel Phono. f Do not plead with that detestable brute and villain! Let them go on Ba ibe sport ?? “One!” counted the outlaw. breathless silence fell upon the strange gathering. rv Two lid me the final three, there came eyes Red But, ere he could @ woman's voice, cryi Captain Mystery. —$——— ‘99 “Die, you infamous deceiver, @ie¢ . A pistol-shot rung out, and, with a cry of pain, | Captain Mystery fell forward upon his face! Wild Inez had succeeded in freeing herself from her bonds, and had wreaked vengeance upon the | heartless wretch, at last. ‘Following the shot, a wild yell rung out, and out | of the darkness, toward the outlaws bounded ascore | of forms, yelling and firing as they came! The men from Bowler Bar had arrived! CHAPTER XV. CLOSING SCENES. TAKEN completely by surprise, one-half of the out- laws were shot down before they could draw a wea- pon. Those who were untouched, although bewil- dered and astounded, drew their weapons and began fighting for their lives. Angiiasy f raged the struggle there, in the circle of light made by the two bonfires. The outlaws were desperate men, fighting with ropes around their necks, as it were, and they fought like tigers. suddenly a familiar voice was heard crying: ‘*Sock et ter the bloody varlets! Don’t leave er p’izen outlaw kickin’! Ghost o’ ther Pan Handle! this are jist ther sort ov er quiet leetle scrimmage asl doenjoy! Wade inter ther imps o’ Satan an’ make ’em think they’ve run ag’in’ er Lisbon yarth- quake! Whoop! Hurray!” And Old Bombshell came limping painfully into the circle of firelight, revolver in hand, occasionally firing a shot. Not one of the outlaws escaped, All were slain or made prisoners. But the men from Bowlder Bar also suffered, for many of them were sorely wounded, while, among those killed outright, were Big Burg and the outlaw who had led the party to Captain Mystery’s retreat, Fred Hawkes. As soon as he could hobble along to where they were, Old Bombshell cut Howard Thorne and Red Robin’s bonds, saying to the latter: ‘Thar ye be. pard, free by ther Roman gods! I was layin’ under kiver durin’ ther null durned cir- kiss, waitin’ fer them fellers ter cum, but ef they hadn’t got erloog jist ez they did, blamed ef I sh’u’dn’t pitched inter these p’izen outlaws myself, lame ankle an’ all. Ghost o’ the Pan Handle, je : Scarcely heeding Bombshell’s words, Red Robin strode hastily forward to where Howard Thorne was bending over the unconscious form of Alice Dunbar. ‘Water!”’ gasped the young man. “Quick!”’ * Won't fire-water do, my lad?’ asked Old Bomb- shell, hastily producing a flask of liquor. ‘Yes, yes! Give it here!’? and Thorne hastily snatched it from Bombshell’s hands. He quickly bathed her temples with the liquor and poured a few drops between the girl’s white lips. AS a result, a slight shudder ran over her frame, and with a low moan, she opened her eyes. **Now,’’ said Thorne. briskly, “she must be car- ried away from here. Such a scene is hardly suita- ble for her eyes.”’ Me lifted her in his arms and bore her away to the littlecabin where she had spent the most of her time since being brought to the outlaws’ camp. Silently ‘Red Robin followed in the young man’s footsteps. Entering the cabin, Howard placed the girl upoa the bed, saying: “You are safe now. Everything is allright. Be quiet until you regain your strength, Sylva.” At the sound of that name, with sudden energy, she sat up. “That is not my name—I am not Sylva Blair any more!’’ she sobbed, in a bewildered manner. ‘* Iam some one élse! Oh! I don’t know who I am!” Red Robin came forwaré. ‘“You are my daughter—my dear, darling daugh- ter, for long years lost to me, but found, atlast! I have search the wide world over for you, and my patient, persistent search has been rewarded by finding you, thank God!” But she shook her head. “T do not understand. Hesaid I was your daugh- ter, yet | am bewildered. It seems so strange—so very strange! More like a dream than reality. It was & reat shock to me when I found that the man whom I had always known as father was an outlaw, But now, to learn that he is not my father, but that rou are Instead—-it is very pry Nl Red Robin sat down in a chair beside the bed, tak- ing one of her passive hands in his, while Thorne silently stood near by. ‘Listen, Alice, for that is your true name,” he said; ‘‘and I will tell you the story of the past as priefly and plainly as possible.” Then he told her the story, which was substantially as Faton Stone had related. but he added more, telling her of the long, weary years of wandering over the face of the earth, vainly seeking his daugh- ter and his bitter foe, She listened quietly until he was done, then she stretched out her arms to him, saying: ‘Father, [am so glad you have found me!” < He clasped her in his arms and kissed her. “For the first time since you were a wee child, litle one,’’ hesaid, laughing. ‘‘ Ah! Iam so happy, now that I have found you!’’ *And I am nappy, too, dear father—” Then, noticing Howard: “ But, here is Mr. Thorne, whom I fear we are forgetting, and whom I have to thank for his gallant attempt to rescue me.” At this moment the door opened, and & man ap- peared, saying hastily; “Red Robin is wanted. They told me I should fing him here. Tle ontlaw chief is dying and wants to you, sir.” Red his face growing hard, and Robin arose stern, Turning to Howard, he said: | = ‘“T leave her in your care foratime. I will soon return.” He left the cabin, and made his way to the place where he had seen the outlaw chiet tall when stricken down by the bullet from Wild Inez’s pistol. He found his foe lying helpless on the ground, his mask still on. The men from Bowlder Bar were gathered around, while Old Bombshell was crouch- ing beside the outiaw. Bombshell saw Red Robin as he came up, but uttered not a word. ‘Ah, Morton Dunbar,” cried Captain Mystery, otherwise Faton Stone; ‘*the game is yours! Lhave played my last card, and failed just when I was confident of winning. Failed, failed! wretchedly failed ’’’ The red-breasted man did not speak, but stood looking accusingly down upon his foe. ‘‘lam dying!” continued Stone. ** Dying here be- fore you, a crime-stained wretch! do not ask your forgiveness for the wrong I have done you—l do not deserve it. Ido not even ask your pity. But I felt that, before I died, I must see you and confess that I had bitterly, bitterly wronged you.”’ ‘Ts this all?’ asked Dunbar, his tones low and suppressed. ‘Yes; all except that I wish to acknowledge that I falsely branded you as being an outlaw, for it was I who accused you of being Captain Mystery. Will some one remove my mask?” Old Bombshell quickly unloosed the mask, and when it was stripped away from the outlaw’s face, the men of Bowlder Bar uttered a cry of amaze- ment. They saw the face of him known to them as Cyrus Gaines / A faint, grim smile flitted over the dying man’s pale face. ‘*‘T have deceived you all,” he declared, “I have successfully played five parts in this littl drama with a tragic ending—namely, Faton Stone, Henry Blair, Cyrus Gaines, Captain Mystery and Faro Aaie, the Masked Queen !”’ Another cry of amazement came from the listen- ers. ‘You can see how the little trick could be played. Tam small and slim, and my voiceI can easily make resemble that of awoman. Of course Faro Kate and Cyrus Gaines were never seen in company. The trick was an easy one, and a mysterious masked woman drew custom to my faro-table. Only afew of my chosen men knew that Captain Mystery and taro Kate were one and the same. These few kept me well ioformed as to the manner in which things were moving here at the camp, and through them | sometimes communicated my orders to the men, This is all I have to reveal.” “And now, Faton Stone.’’ said Old Bombshell, rising to his feet, ‘‘do you know me ?”’ ‘Yes,’ was the reply, “I knew all the time that you were a detective sent to bunt me down, For that reason, I hired some roughs to kill you, but they failed in the attempt.”’ ‘Faton Stone, you have not yet penetrated my disguise. I ama detective, yet | am more than you think. Iwas once your friend and companion. I am he whom you foully attempted to murder, yet failed in the attempt, although hi thought you succeeded: I am Barret Dorne /—lovk !” He tore away the mass of false hair and beard and a cry of amazement broke from the lips of both Faton Stone and Morton Dunbar as they saw the face revealed—that of Barret Dorne! The red- breasted man was indeed astonished! He knew that Faton Stone had failed in his attempt to mur- der Barret Dorne, but that the strange, eccentric Old Bombshell was Dorne he never dreamed. The night, truly, was one of startling events and astounding revelations. Ere another day dawned, Faton Stone ceased to live, dying from the effects of the bullet fired by Wild Inez. He was buried in the mountain sink, as were also the rest of his lawless followers, the most of whom were slain by bullet or steel, but some of whom had been summarily lynched by the men of Bowlder Bar. The outlaws’ cabins were burned to the ground, the men from the Bar leaving them blazing as they departed from the sink. Morton Dunbar and his daughter, accompanied by Barret Dorne and Howard orne, made their way back to Bowlder Bar. During the journey, the red-breasted man ex- plained to Dorne and Howard a int that had puzzled them not a little—why the bullets fired fairly at his breast failed to do him damage. Beneath his clothes he wore a shirt with a silk pad under it, and these had been a complete foil to all pistol-bullets. The red vest was worn to draw the shots of a foe to his breast. for any one would naturally aim at a mark so prominent. At Bowlder Bar, Barret Dorne, Morton Dunbar and the beautiful Alice became the honored guests of Percy Thorne, Howard’s father, And go the young man, now thoroughly in love with Alice, had an opportunity to press his suit, and it cost Morton Dunbar a pang of regret tosay “‘ Yes,” forit seemed almost like losing his daughter, so newly feund. But, when he entered into partnership with Percy Thorne, in the mining business, it did not seem s0 bad, for he could then have Alice near him, where he could see her every day. As soon as his sprained ankle would permit. Bar- ret Dorne left Bowlder Bar for fresb fi-las. His faithful dog, Lion, accompanied him, of course. Wild Inez was never seen after that eventful night in the outlaws’ camp. THE END.