Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 606 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

2 i x oo. . —.. * LA a tn et ee ~ « - ~ ~ TY - a P ee ~ > ai have trampled upon Deadwood Dick’s Leadville Lay. 1s dt Sika OL A rnc ET Ps te EE ke ON ES areas Se : In the first place, he wanted Ben Brice as a | suspicioned Brice, for, you know, he hasa pretty jewels and money, and old Cohen was shot, after | witness against her. been told you. which they successfully made their They secured a rich haul of escape, Redfern told meal! this, and bound me bya | In order to have Brice as an acceptable wit- | ness, the charge of murder against him must promise to a it a secret while he lived. He | satisfactorily be cleared away. ) was killed not long afterward. ‘* Now, detective, I’ve given it to you as straight as I m ” ‘I dol” Dick replied, ‘‘But, there is one | m point that killed Mr. Cohen?” ** Roxie Redfern, Ray’s wife. It was she who originated the whole business; it was she who drove poor Ray down, step by step, to ruin!” ‘*And you've been bleeding her of money, strength of your from time to time, on the knowledge of the crime?” ** Well, yes, [ don’t mind acknowledging that. I saw the local detectives were not likely to ferret out the case, and so I ing me,” ick smiled, ** Do you remeriber Jim Cushing, of Texas?” he aske Brice gave vent to a prolonged whistle of astonishment, ** Jim Cushing?” he ejaculated, ‘** And you were he?” **T was!” ** By all that’s wonderful! diamonds in the pack, and as a test?” 7) Yes ” “ And you overheard the conversation be- Redfern and myself? How much tween Mrs, did you understand of it?” ‘* All that was spoken in French. The German I did not understand.” ‘You learned enough to post along the passage, to mend my ways. above ground, a crook stands a poor sbow, ‘Henceforth, Pll lead a straightforward life,” **T hope so,” Dick replied. ‘‘ There’s no reason why you should not redeem yourself,” ** Maybe not, wife?” “You mean Edna Grey?” “Yes, I have been a brute, but I do love her! Now that the better part of my nature has the mastery, I see how I have wronged her, I want ou to intercede for me, and ask her if she can nd it possible to forgive me, since I have re- mired to lead a better staf % ’ present, it is impossible!” Dick replied. ‘Impossible? And how, pray?” e “Simply because, tired of your brutality, your wife has gone back to her mother!” Brice uttered a groan of anguish, ** Then all is lost!” be moaned. ‘ There is no- ‘ thing for me to live for—no future for me to hope for, except—hell/” . Say not so,” Dick encouraged. “ Although that poor girl’s very eart an soul, and abused her woman's trust and confidence in you, I do not think the case is altogether hopeless, With all your faults, I be- lieve she loves you still. But first of all make a man of yourself! Leave off all your old associ- ations, and strive to gain the confidence of worthy people, and you will not find it hard to do, when they see you arein earnest- When I ~ see you are in earnest, if any intercession on my part will restore you to shall have it.” ‘ petty ak Sige ank you, Bristol, thank you! I cannot find fit terms to express my sratibudle. Shall I remain here?” ‘Until you hear from me again, Have you money?” ““Yes, The boy will get what I want.” “Very well. Beof good cheer. Assoon as you are cleared of the charge of murder I will t you Eno. athe ue Good by! ! that all men were like They shook hands, and Dick disappeared. n CHAPTER XIV. | FINIS, _ WHEN the detective returned to Leadville there was literally little for bim to do, for all depended upon visit to Mrs, Redfern that evening in regard to how soon he should arrest er, It would not do to precipitate matters. Says tomyself,Ij; ‘ might as well have a whack out of the pie as not. But, how did you find out that [ was receiving money from Mrs, Redfern? Now that am going to reform—l’ve taken my solemn oath on that—there can be no harm in your tell- ) I see it all, now, t was you who inserted the aceless ace of , ; you,” Brice grimly replied, as he arose and paced to and fro, ‘‘’m not sorry I concluded With such ferrets as you LST Bristol have you seen my—my In the second place, he wanted to have some , accurate idea of where the treasure was con- got it, and I hope you believe | cealed, before he caused an arrest. Just how his visit to the widow, that evening, | should he risk being entrapped, | So he visited the pawnshop of Rachel Cohen, ' and calling Billy Bucket aside, gave him a num- ber of instructions, and repeated them several | times over, so that Billy could not well have | forgotten them, if he had tried. Rachel watched the two detectives curiously, eagerly. When their conference was ended, she | my profession. | said, with half a pout upon her pretty lips: t seems that [am not in your confidence, | Mr. Bristol!” Dick laughed. “Far from that!” he assured. | ply giving my aide some instructions that could | not possibly interest you, Besides, I preferred not to raise your hopes or anticipations.” ‘Then you really have found out something definite?’ Rachel demanded. | ‘* Well, yes,” Dick rather reluctantly answered, ‘I can place my hand upon the person who murdered your father, within ten minutes, if I like. But, that is all I can tell you, at present.” He then left the store. ‘* What a strange man!” Rachel said, gazing after him. ‘ What did he say to you, Billy?” The boy gave her a sarcastic glance, “Now, ain’t you cute?” he growled. ‘“ Yer’ no perception to the rule.” ** I don’t understand you, Billy.” ‘*I mean -y’er’? just like the rest of ’em. Wanter know everything ye hadn't orter know.” ** But you might tell me, Billy.” és Maginn, w’ot keeps the grocery store!” retorted the young Bucket, importantly. ‘ Say, did ye ever see a goose?” ** Why, to be sure I have.” *“* Ever know one that didn’t quack” ** Why, I don’t know, J am sure.” ““ Well, 7 never did. I never knew a goose what wouldn’t squawk all she knowed, ef her head was to be cut off the next minnit. that’s jest the case wi’a gal about yer tender years,” ' ‘Oh! you little wretch!” cried Miss Cohen, seizing an umbrella, and making for him, But, Billy was spry, if he was anything, and was out on the sidewalk ere Miss Cohen could get anywhere near him. Eveutually Billy re-entered the store, with the audacious and complacent smile of the true street gamin. ‘* Ain’t mad, aire ye, Miss Cohen?” he que- ‘No, but you shouldn’t be so proveking. I’m a friend of yours, and you'll need one directly. Mr, Bristol will soon be going away, and then who'll be your friend, except me? want you to 4 with me, and I'll take you in as a part- ner Billy puckered up his lips and whistled softly, ‘* A partner, hey?” 3 . “Yes. You will assist me in the business, and | get half the profits.” ‘‘ But, say, where's the profits come in? I’ve seen you dishin’ out the sugar on a lot of truck, rg I'll be blowed if I’ve see’d any cash come ip ‘Oh! It will come in time,” Miss Cohen as- sured, ‘Yas, and so will the Fourth of July, ef you wait long enough!” returned Billy. ‘No! I reckon \I will stick to Dick. He and L aire goin’ to run fer President soon’s the Prohibitioners | get the mumps.” It is scarcely necessary to say that Miss Cohen gave up In despair of that partnership, while Billy smiled with triumph. Deadwood Dick, before returning to the Shel. don cottage, made some inquiries in regard to the new murder case. He found that the man who had been arrested had as good as made a ight result, he of course could not foresee; but ou have omitted. Who fired the shot he meant that, through no fault of his own, ; ' ‘You have,” | ' ' } ' | that case, all credit is certainly due you. tough record. But, later developments have satisfied me that he was not the man.” ‘** You think you bave caught the right man?” ‘**T think I can safely say | do.” ‘Then, if Brice makes his reappearance fi this city, will you guarantee immunity agaiust arrest?” ‘* That depends somewhat on circumstances. You seem to take a singular interest in the man!” ‘* For a very good reason, you what I am, have I not?” I have proven tc ‘* Do you doubt the proof?” ‘* Not in the slightest.” . ** Very well. lcame hereto your city on a triv of pleasure, with no thought of engaging im Nevertheless, I bave, in a few days, wormed out a secret that your force has: for months been struggling to grasp. Brice is invaluable in what I have discovered, so 1 want him relieved from all liability of ar- **T was sim- | rest!” The chief eyed the ycung man a moment, as if in a quandary of doubt, intermingled with admiration. ** You’re a cool one!” he observed. ‘SI never believed balf | bad heard of you, be-~ fore!” Turning to his clerk, he said: ** Send out orders not to arrest Brice. don’t want bim!” Turning to the redoubtable detective, he said: ‘‘ Step into my private office, please,” Dick followed him, and when the twain were seated, the chief said: **T have granted your request, have you discovered?” **T have unraveled the mystery of the stage robbery six months or more ago, and found out We Now, what | who murdered Coben, the Jew!” ‘*The ceuce you say!” the chief ejaculated, in- | credulously, ‘‘ end after all the efforts the force as; 80 might I go over over and tell Biddy | has made? I don’t believe it!” ** You are welcome to believe what you like!” Dick replied. ‘**‘ One man ona case like that is invariably better than twenty.” ‘Very true. Well, if you have ferreted out Who is the guilty party!” “If I inform you, am I to direct this case without loca! interference, and. at the same time, And, | have I the benefit of calling upun your police, if I need them?” ** Most assuredly.” ** Then, as quietly as possible, and with the strictest secrecy possible, please issue me a war— rant, charging Mrs. Roxie Redfern with willful murder!” ** What! Raymond Redfern’s widow?” ** Ay, and Raymond Redfern, too, were he liv- ing!” Dick replied. ‘*‘ With the warrant of ar- rest, Ialso want a search-warrant. I want it individually—not the sheriff.” The chief arose, and paced the floor a few sec-- onds, his brows knitted thoughtfully. ‘““Young man,” he said, directly, ‘‘you’re a trump! Do you Enow, an idea once entered my noddle to lcok up the case ip thet direction? But, I dismissed 1t!” “You were not sanguine enough!” Dick smiled. ** No, I was a blamed fool!” the official admit— ted, in evident disgust. Then he abruptly left the private office. A few minutes later he returned, and handed Dick a package of official papers. ** That will fix you out,” he stated, ‘‘and, of course, if you need any assistance, you are at liberty to call upon any of the force, When do you expect to make the arrest?” ** Either late to-night or to-morrow. It all depends somewhat on circumstances, I am very much obliged to yon, chief, and hope I may he able some day to do vou a favor.” Dick left the station, and set out for the Widow Sheldon’s. ye 4% Here he remained until night, and, mean- while, resumed his disguise of Colonel Cushing. About seven o’clock that evening he set out on his visit to Mrs, Redfern. In the matter of preparation he had left noth- ing undone. He had armed bimself, supplied confession of the crime, so Dick dropped in upon | himself with straps and handcuffs, and above the chief of police, and, introducing himself, officially, said: “*T called to see what is new in fthis murder case,” Ms ** Are you interested?” the chief demanded, ‘‘ Somewhat,” was the reply. ‘‘1 have, for private reasons, bunted up enough evidence to satisf me that Ben Brice had no hand in it,” ‘Well, lam of the same opinion. At first I ' ses her?” ’ all, carried the warrants issued by the chief of lice. When he reached the Redfern residence, bis. ring of the door-bell was rytibbete Get-There Eli Johnson, who was evidently maid and man of all work. ‘Ts Mrs. Redfern in?’ Dick inquired. ‘‘ She is, sab!” Eli replied. ‘Do you want to Eomicbook