Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 519 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

for the small man the sincere admiration of every spectator. Tuere were four graves back of the hotel, which were known as ‘*‘ Gaines’s Cemetery.” Some claimed that the manner in which Cyrus Gaines had ‘“‘ wiped out” Idaho Bill, an old scout end miner, was a little unfair; but the citizens of Bowlder Bar did not bother them- selves about trifles, especially when a person of Cyrus Gaines’s reputation Was concerned. People of all classes were rushing into the new strike, and at times the Clarion Hotel was filled to overflowing. Cyrus Gaines declared that he would never turn away a person from his house as long as he had a mouthful of food or a spare plank for a lodger to lie on. | The house was well supplied with servants, the most notable being the conceited-appearing and flashily dressed barkeeper. The barkeeper’s narne, Simeon Small, seemed well-suited to him. He was a small, sickly-ap- pearing chap, who dressed like a dandy, and “*cut his style,” something after the Eastern dude. But he was able to take care of himself, This was fully illustrated when Big Burgman mildly insinuated that Simeon was a ‘‘ milksop frum Milkville.” Then Simeon came over the bar. The way he lit on Big Burg was a caution. He wiped up the superfluous tobacco-juice u on the bar-room floor with the bully’s manly form, then slid him across the. room, stood him upon his feet, opened the door, and placing his foot against the north side of Burg’s pantaloons, started him away toward the south, with a part- ing admonition not to come back till he was ready to apologize. The next day the bully came back for his ** bitters,” and apologized. After this affair, the barkeeper got along all right. Adjoining the bar-room was a large dance and gambling apartment. At one side of this room was an elevated stage for ths use of the musicians. The floor im- mediately in front of this stage was cleared. for the dancers. At the opposite side of the room was a large number of deal-tables for the use of card players, and nightly were these tables well taken by the throng of miners and gamesters who frequented the place. , A little apart from these tables was a faro lay-out, which was presided over each night by Faro Kate, the Masked Queen,'as she was called. Faro Kate was a mystery, When Cyrus Gaines first appeared at Bowlder Bar no woman had been with him. He built the Clarion Hotel and gambling-house, and like magic, Faro Kate appeared. rom whence she came or when she came no one could tell, They found her there in the gaming-room ready for business, Sbe dressed in black and wore a black mask over her face, which entirely concealed her fea- tures. Down her back fellalong mass of raven- black hair. From the time that she was first seen at the Bar, no one had ever seen her with her mask re- moved. Her voice, although not musical, was soft and low; but no one could tell whether the face beneath the mask was ravishingly beautiful or repulsively ugly. There were those, how- ever, who were almost willing to stake their lives that the face beneath the mask was not an ugly one, Some of the most observing citizens of the camp noticed that the masked woman was never seen in company With her employer, Cyrus Gaines; and at times Gaines would not be ‘seen for many days, Faro Kate taking charge of the ‘hotel during his absence. It was said that Faro Kate dealt therefore her game was well patronized, Among the early comers at the Clarion Saloon one evening was an inividual who at- tracted much attention. He was a tall, supple, yet muscular man of about forty. His clothes were cut to fit and showed off the graceful outlines of his perfect form, The short coat, which was Open In front, showed a vest beneath that was of a bright red color. Not a weapon was visible upon his per- son, but in the side pockets of the short-skirted coat were a pair of goki-mounted, eae revolvers, ready for instant use. Upon his hea he wore a wide-brimmed, dove-colored som- brero, encircled by a golden band, and fastened up at one side by a pin representing a red- breasted bird. It was Red Robin, the Reckless. After safely driving the stage into Bowlder Bar, arriving there atter dark, he only waited square, Captain Mystery. to see that Howard Thorne was carefully attend- ing to Sylva Blair, then, after seeing his noble horse carefully cared for, he sought refresh- ments for himself, He registered in a little book at the bar, learned the number of his room, and a short time later was enjoying a very eatable supper in the dining- room of the hotel. : Later, he sauntered through the bar-room, and passing through the wide, sliding door, en- tered the saloon. ‘* Waal, who in blazes are he?” ejaculated Big Burg, looking after the red-breasted stranger. ‘* His name is On the book,” said one. Big Burg strode over to the bar, and with much trouble succeeded in spelling out the name. ‘*Red Robin!” he growled, in disgust. ‘ He better not go ter bD’istin’ on airs roun’ hyar, or I'll make him think he’s er spring chicken.” Meanwhile Red Robin had seated himself at one of the deal-tables in the saloon and was taking a careless survey of the room and its inmates, many of whom were gazing inquiringly at him. It was yet early in the evening, and the sports at the saloon had not yet begun. Many of those who came there regularly each night had not yet arrived. Faro Kate was not to be seen, One or two parties were engaged in social games at short cards, and one big, bewhiskered fellow sat all alone, idly drumming on a table with something he held in his hand. There were a few females in the room, who were each and all chatting and laughing with some ‘feller,” usually a heavy-booted, red- shirted miner. Upon the stage a couple musicians were tun- ing their instruments and getting ready for business. As he sat there, Red Robin fell to musing. ‘* Well,” he murmured, indistinctly, ** the trail leads me here—the secret is growing hot. That I am on the right track at last [am sure, For fifteen long years I have been hunting—hunting, bound to run the infernal villain, Faton Stone, to earth. I will do so yet—then vengeance!” His face was not pleasant to look upon as he muttered those words. He continued: ‘‘He has doubled and turned like a hunted fox. He is crafty, and for years I was off the trail; but once again I am hot after him. It seems that the lapse of years has only made my burning desire for vengeance more strong. God have mercy on him when I find him!—God have mercy !” He looked up, tosee Howard Thorne approach- ing. The young man nodded pleasantly, and taking a chair, sat down near Red Robin. ‘“*Mr. Robin,” began Thorne, somewhat un- easily, noting the dark look upon the strange man’s face, “‘I have not exactly sought you out for the purpose of thanking you, for I know thanks are distasteful to you, but you must know—” ‘I do, my friend,” said the Reckless, quietly ; “I know all about it. I know how you would ci Di yourself as being greatly obliged to me —I know how you would say that the young lady considered herself in the same box—I know how you would offer, if you could be of service to me, to be pleased to do so and so. In fact, young man, I know!” Howard Thorne laughed softly. *“ Then I will say no more—” ** Correct.” ‘ **But if you are in the least interested in the young lady who was in the hearse to-day, I will say that, at present she is stopping beneath this roof. For certain reasons, I fear that she is in danger here, and asI cannot be present at all times to look after her, I make bold to ask that, while you stop here, you look after her a little, and if anything unusual happens, inform me, at once.” ‘*T will—so.” ‘Tf you will, I shall be so much obli—” ‘** Now, friend—don’t say another word,” - * Not another. Good-night.” And with an- other quiet laugh, Howard departed. A few moments later, a small door at one side of the room opened, and Faro Kate entered. She advanced to the faro table, and took a Seat behind it. ; ‘The musicians were still tuning their instru- ments, and the big, bewhiskered man was still drumming on the table, seemingly oblivious. to what was going on around him. Red_ Robin fixed his keen, penetrating eyes upon Faro Kate, and scrutinized her closely. there was no one waiting to ‘‘ buck the tiger,” Faro Kate. sat down and, with a lead- pencil, began lightly drumming on the table. 3 As Red Robin idly watched her, he suddenly noticed something that at once attracted his attention. While the Faro Queen was drumming on the table, the bewhiskered man was silent. The man’s face was partly turned away from Faro Kate, and he seemed to be heedless of every- thing. But as soon as the woman stopped drumming, he began. Red Robin saw method in this. The Reckless had been a telegraph operator in his younger days, and he soon perceived that, by means of the seemingly objectless drumming, the bewhiskered man and the Faro Queen were communicating with each other. He listened. ‘“ Fatled! She escaped—is here in camp.” This was the first message listened to by the red-breasted man, Immediately Faro Kate drummed a reply. ‘* Have seen her. How did it happen bs Red Robin listened intently. ‘‘ Was rescued by red-breasted man on the right ! . Reckless devil! Killed four—wounded Jive !” To say that the ‘“‘ red-breasted man on the right” was interested would be expressing it mildly. He was more than interested. The person first alluded to was, without doubt the young lady passenger in the stage, whom he bad rescued from the outlaws. And there could be no uncertainty in regard to the last person referred to. It was himself. And the bewhiskered man—who was he? Red Robin at once concluded that he must be one of the outlaws whom he had put to rout that day. In all probability he had been sent to Bowlder Bar as a messenger in the interest of the road-agents. The Reckless soon saw that the halting of the stage had not been for plunder merely. From what he had heard, he came to the conclusion that the chief object of the outlaws had been to take Sylva Blair captive. Handy Dave, the stage-driver, was a new man on the route, and had the reputation of running through half-a-dozen different road- agent bands; therefore, as they wished to make no failure in this particular attempt, the out- laws shot him dead. Red Robin listened for the reply after the be- whiskered man had informed Faro Kate who the rescuer was and of the work he had done. And the reply he heard was: * Kill him!” The message was a startling one, but the Reckless betrayed no emotion. He simply list ened for further conversation. ‘* Correct. The girl?” ‘* Must be captured at once! See to it!” Without vag sic oa | further communication. the man arose to his feet, and, seeming heedless of the presence of any one, left the saloon. The miners were now flocking into the saloon; the dancers had formed on the floor, and ina few moments the music struck up and the danc~ ing began. ch night there was a shortdance in the early part of the evening; then for two or three hours Faro Kate conducted her business uninter- rupted by the music and shuffling feet: and again there was a longer dance, to finish up with. Sometimes it was near morning when the dancing ceased. Red Robin paid no attention to the dancers, oa from half-closed eyes he watched the Faro ueen. ‘*T would ey something to look beneath that mask,” he muttered. ‘*So you want me killed? I wonder if this is purely revenge, or if ou have a deeper motive. [I have an idea that i can Jook out for Red Robin; but the girl is in danger—I will—” But here he was interrupted by a sudden hub- bub in the bar-room—whoops, oaths, then a pistol-shot! —_ CHAPTER III. LIVELY TIMES IN THE BAR-ROOM. EVIDENTLY there was trouble of some sort in the bar-room. Following the pistol-shot came a second series of shouts and curses, which gradually subsided ID & measure, although harsh yoices ‘could still be heard talking excitedly. Slowly Red Robin arose to his feet, and saun-. tered leisurely toward the bar-room. He felt no particular interest in the affair, but his motto was “Anything for excitement,” and therefore he made his way toward the room from whence the sounds came. He stopped in the wide doorway and glanced. around,