Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 618 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

ay peered ae shy Aaa Os Chat) m4 : te ; > * e hd A Can: » il ‘<e_b Py. a pills pe " ~ “é - _ a 8 ; 5 ta . ne ST Me ay “ ‘ *f 4 ‘ - va ym | “e " —_ — -_=- —_ -——-— =e oe ' Deadwood Dick Jr. in Cincinnati. was no trace o’ Ezra Moore, in Texas. So, I hed ‘to give up in despair. ““Two weeks ago, I got a letter from Little Rock, Arkansas. It was from Clara. She sed she an’ her babe were living thar, in abject poverty, and upon the verge of starvation. She didn’t know where Moore was. Hehad left her, a month before, after leading her a dog’s life. She begged of me to send some money, asa loan, until she was strong enough to work!” Here Mr. Clincher paused, to wipe the moisture from his eyes, with his red ban- danna. ** Did you send the money?” our hero asked. ‘Yas, Then, ther next day, I concluded to o myself, an’ fetch hum my child, and her aby. The letter had gone ahead o’ me sum eight hours, an’ when I reached Little Rock, it had already bin delivered to a woman, purport- in’ ter be my darter, but in no way answerin’ ter my Clara’s description.” ** Well, what else?” ‘* Waal, et turned out that the place to whar I'd sent the letter, war a small third-rate hotel. The woman who got the letter, and a man, along wi’ a baby, hed only been stoppin’ thar a week, an’ war registered as Mr. an’ Mrs, E. Moore. As soon as they got the letter, the crit- ters decamped, leavin’,an unpaid board-bill. No one know’d whar they’d gone,” ‘‘ How did you remit the money?’ ‘‘ Registered letter.” ‘¢ How much did you send?” ‘Five hundred dollars, in fifty dollar green- backs!” Dick gave a whistle of astonishment. ‘‘That’s a pile of money to transmit through the mails, Mr. Clincher.” ‘*Mebbe! But, you kin bet no gal o’ mine was a-goin’ ter suffer for want o’ money!” ‘‘Did you receive the customary receipt of the letter’s delivery?’ ‘6 Yas,” ™ ‘‘ Let me see it.” Mr, Clincher produced a well-filled wallet, ex- tracted the yellow card from it, and handed it to the detective, Dick examined it, thoughtfully. ‘*The card is signed by Ezra Moore, for Clara Moore?’ ‘sy uas.” ‘‘ Ezra Moore got the money?” “Et looks it!” ‘* Were your inquiries, in Little Rock, such as to make you positive that the\woman who had been stopping at the hotel under the name of foore, was not your daughter?’ “‘Teatotally positive. My gal was short, plump an’ had blondish bair. Ther woman who was stoppin’ at the hotel war asix-footer, raw- boned, an’ black-haired. Ye see thar’s no mis- taken ’twar not my darter.” ‘**Did the description of the man answer to that of your Ezra Moore?” “To a capital T! Same condemned critter, ’thout a doubt!” ‘Then, you've evidently been swindled?” ** Sure!” ‘* But where’s your daughter?” Jabez Clincher groaned. ‘* Dead, maybe, Yet, I hey hopes ter ther contrary!” ‘* On what do you base them?” “That she is the victim of a conspiracy!” ‘*Give me an idea of what you mean.” ‘‘ Well, in the first place, about six months ago, my darter Clara and Car’line, were each left a buadred thousand dollars, by their uncle, in the West, and their cash was transferred to my. care, in trust fer the children. I imme- getly advertised in Texas an’ other Western apers, that my dartcr bad fallen heir to a ortune, an’ I wanted her tocum home, If this met ther eye of Ezra Moore, he’s jest villain resven ter git up a plot ter get hold of the fortune wee ‘“* There’s a possibility you may be right,” Deadwood Dick acquiesced. ‘‘ lt seems strange he should be traveling with another woman, unless your daughter is dead, or smuggled away.” rk Jest my ideer, exactly, an’ that’s why I sent to Washington fer a capable detective. Pye tried Pinkerton’s men, to my heart’s con- tent. Spent a bar’l o’ money, an’ no returns. Now, I want ye ter run down Ez Moore, first, an’ then shadder the cuss till ye find my dar- ter. I’m sure she’s alive, Kept shadderin’ dy til ye find her, be it in one year or ten, I'll foot the bills, an’ pay yea ans salary. Old Jabez can do it, too!” Pye no doubt of your ability to meet your Fgh ncher, and 1 will do whatever I or you; noquestion on that score. Now,tell om #7, + . . * eq TS >? : >, us aa rae y + OP Be Sr s | fied. me what occurred, after you found Moore and the woman had fled from Little Rock?” ‘Well, I employed local detectives, an’ finally bit onter the ijee thet they hed struck for Cin’snati. So I come back here, a-kitin’. “ast night, for the first, my ’spicion war veri- Last night, about midnight, I war passin’ 'the Palace Hotel, when I see’d Ez Moore enter it. Ll watched thru the window, an’ see him sign the register, an’ then a boy showed him up ther stairs.” ‘Why didn’t you go in and arrest him at the time?” ‘*T hadn’t no warrant, and the hour being midnight, I couldn’t well get one. Then, too, I couldn’t well get it inter my noggin that he wouldn’t be at the hotel in ther mornin’, But, this mornin’, they allowed he wasn’t thar. That’s what raised the fuss!” ‘“* Do you still believé that he is there?” «ct I do!” ‘* But, most likely under an assumed name?” ** Mebbe.” **Can you describe him.” ‘*He’s about five feet ten, thirty years old, full round’ face, no beard, black eyes and hair, and a kinder impudent expression o’ counter- nance. When I see’d him last night, he worea checked cape overcoat, striped trous'rlooms, an’ a Kossuth sort o’ hat!” ** Tf he’s at the hotel, [ll find him, and let you know!” Dick said, rising, ‘‘ Remain at bome, so a telegram: may reach you, without delay!” ‘““Telephone will reach me, quickest,—444 Auburn!” ** Very well.” Then, Dick took his departure. CHAPTER III. THK CHAMBER CONFERENCE. Mr. CLINCHER’Ss belief that Ezra Moore was at the Palace Hotel, was not incorrect. During the melee in the office, a tall, dark- bearded man, of somewhat Southern aspect, had been an interested looker-on, and listener. His erect figure, and broad chest gave him something of a military bearing. e was past middle age, well dressed, and not at all bad looking, except for one peculiarity— an almost savage knitting of the brows, which seemed to reflect a sullen nature, He stood slightly aloof from the rest of the crowd, and, to an ordinary observer, took no interest in the quarrel further than idle curios- ity. “When old Clincher and Deadwood Dick had taken their departure, however, his manner changed. He bastened to the broad staircase, and went up-stairs, almost two steps at a time. On the third flight, he rapped at a door, briskly. ‘ome in!” bade a voice from within, and he obeyed. Ezra Moore was reclining upon the bed, with a newspaper in his hand. Clincher’s description of him was correct, with the exception that the man’s face was pale and haggard. “Ab! King, is that you?’ Moore saluted. ‘* How’s the weather, out? I bavn’t taken pains to look out of the window, yet. Odd of me, is it not?” ** Devilish odd!” King retorted, dryly. ‘* The weather is all right!” Something in the tone of his voice was so significant, that Ezra Moore glanced at him more sharply. ‘* Is there anything else that is not all right?” he demanded, ** ‘Yes, there is!” ** What is it?” ** Old Clincher has been below, raising arow!” Moore sat up on the bed, looking interested, ** What about?” he queried. * About you!” ** The deuce you say! Explain!” ** Well, Clincher saw you enter the hotel, last night, and register. This morning be came to the hotel, and demanded to see you, When told that no such a person as Ezra Moore was a uest of the house, he called both the clerk and andlordliars, wiped the floor up with Jim Jones, the bouncer, and kicked up a row generally. Finally, two policeman were sent for, but before they arrived, Clincher was approached by a young man who éaid he wanted to see Clincher on important business, and he rushed the pork king off in a hack!” . ** Who was the young man?” ‘* A detective, I suspect!” Moore laughed. ** They didn’t find me!” ; y doesn’t signify they won't!” ow Cs ee Ce Ce ** What must I do?” King reflected. ‘*Il bardly know what to advise!” he said, thoughtfully. ‘The chances are if you remain here, a war- rant will be issued and the hotel searched. In that case you would be found, and it would be allup with you. On the other band, if you try to slide away, there’s more chances than one that detectives will be watching every person that leaves the hotel, ard nab you!” ‘* What makes you think this?” ‘‘ Because old Clincher is madder than a singed bull, and if he gets a hold of you, he'll break your head, I believe you have had some expe- rience with him, physically speaking.” ‘** Well, [m a bigger man than you, and know pretty fairly how to handle myself, but after seeing the pork king mop up the floor with big Jim Jones, and fling him half-way across the room, as though he were a clothing-house man- ikin, | want no Clincher in mine!” Moore gritted his teeth, and his eyes, blood- shot as they were, flamed wickedly. ‘“What makes you think the chap who took Clincher off is a detective?” King shrugged his broad shoulders, ‘* The cut of his jib!” ** How do you mean?” ** A cool, keenly-outlined countenance, and a keener pair of eyes, that never miscarry, in their searching glance. I’ve come in contact with many detectives, but rarely failed to single one out, If this chap is a detective, as I have no doubt, he knows his biz, and will be to you « dangerous enemy.” ‘*He must die. If not, I’m lost. know him if you saw bim again?” ‘Yes, most assuredly. When I study a man’s face, it is always indelibly photographed upon my memory.” ‘*'Would you undertake the job?” **T think not. I’m not disposed to that sort of business,” ‘** Yet I have heard you have done it.” ** That remains to be proven,” ‘** What will you take to do the job?” **’'You have nomoney. Why, it’s my money, bard earned at the green-table, that is support- ing you here,” oore scowled. ‘*It’s mighty sarcastic you’re getting of late, I believed you to be my friend,” ‘* rlave Ll ever proved different in the course of our association?” “No. Yet you refuse to do this!” ‘Yes. I am done with that sort of business. I am here to shield you, in so far as protection is of avail, but ask of me no crime,” ‘* But, there is a fortune at stake!” King shrugged his shoulders, ‘** Maybe!” he said, “* but you’ve not got it yet. After seeing old Clincher, I’m not sure you will get it very soon. The old man is no fool, and Vl bet he will make a stubborn fight.” Moore was silent a moment, his brows knitted in a frown. “T don’t believe it, when he knows every- thing. He loved his daughters, and when he Enows Clara is dead, and that be can get posses- tion of her child by disbursing a moderate sum of money, you bet he won’t refuse!” ‘**T wouldn’t like to stake my life on that. Al- though rough ,and illiterate, Clincher is nota slow man, or he would ‘never have acquired his immense fortune in business. My estimate of Clincher is that he’d spend a hundred thousand dollars on detectives, where he wouldn’t spend that many cents to benefit a rascal’s schemes!” Moore leaped from the bed to bis feet, his face flaming with anger. ‘** This to me, Cap King!” he cried, fiercely. “Certainly. Sit down, and don’t be a fool. We've chummed together too long to havea split, especially at this stage of the game. Be kind enough to keep your temper. [I’m nota man to stand too much nonsense!” Moore sunk back upon the bed, and remained in grim silence a few minutes, while Cap King walked over to the window, “What is Juna coing?’ Moore finally ‘de- manded; ‘*in her room, I suppose?” “Yes,” King answered, without looking around at the speaker, *‘ and half-drunk, at that!” **So much the better. Go vend her here, and you go below and keep your eyes open. If you see anything of the detective, send for Juna. She will do the work you’ve not the nerve to do. ‘You know her game never fails her!” King turned from the window, with some- thing like a shudder, and left the room, but once the door was closed after him, a strange— a most peculiar smile wreathed his lips. What did it signify? Would you a Fie J 4 4 3 : ol > >, 4 en | ‘ 4 S ‘ 2 ~ Le : , ae | 2. ne pei yn 3 pe ‘