Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 618 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

Se ~~ ‘ athe te | Z a ee ae . ete a a a rs * + e ve a ca ee —_ ' _->-~. > > ov / Jvead wooc J1C Le oa “J reckon I might as well.” ** Of course. T will explain matters on the way.” They then went to the counter and were promptly refunded the money they had paid in advance, ‘‘ Dm exceedingly sorry this should have hap- pened,” the junior member of the firm declared. ‘Had I had my way there would have been no ‘ trouble!” ‘‘ Oh! well, accidents will happen, in the best regulated hotels!” Dick replied, with a shrug. ‘‘There are plenty of hotels in Cincinnati, so we'll. not be left out in the cold!” The baggage was then brought down, and Dick had his taken to the Burnet. Then a cab was called, which the detective -and the Bull-dog entered, and were driven to- vward Mount Auburn. , / On the way Dick explained the situation to young Clincher, ; In return, he received valuable information, regarding what the Bull-dog overheard in the room adjoining his, 4% Also, an accurate description of the man, Cap King. "yy is soon as I’ve landed you at your father’s,” Dick said, ‘*I must return and follow the trail!” They soon reached Mr. Clincher’s, and father, -gson and sister were most joyfully reunited. It appeared that William Clincher had run away from home, when a boy, to make his for- taune—since then nothing had been heard from him, and he had been given up for dead, He had made his pile, and now returned to the parental roof. Dick lingered only long enough to tender his LS ey then started back down-town, e had work to do, CHAPTER V, A FEW WORDS WITH MR. KING, As the back that was bearing Deadwood Dick away from the Clincher residence was rolling down-townward, the detective began to plan his campaign. ‘* I'm pittedagainst two cunning rascals,” he muttered, ‘‘and I shall have to be wide awake to flank them. Now, let mesee: I shall know this man, King, by the Buil-dog’s description, I reckon, but I won’t dare venture to the Palace Hotel again, except in disguise.” Before leaving the Clincher residence, old Clincher had givea him a thousand dollars to work on; so when Dick reached.Fifth and Vine streets, he left the conveyance, and repaired to the nearest clothing house, where he purchased for himself a complete outfit of an expensive and fashionable sort, and ordered it sent to the Burnet House. On his arrival atthe Burnet be found his trunk already there, and his purchase of cloth- ma.eoon followed, hen he had baggage and box taken to the room which had been assigned him, and he fol- lowed in its wake. He then proceeded to disguise himself. It did not take long to get into his new suit, which, when he had added a glossy silk hat, gave him already a much altered appearance, and when he had dextrously added a full false ‘beard and wig of jetty black, his identity was -almost totally hidden, _ He then left his room, and the office of the Burnet being unusually crowded, he passed un- noticed from the hotel, proceeding over to the Palace Hotel, where a similar crowd was con- gregated, Election matters were getting literally red- hot, and all the ‘‘ big guns” could be found ‘about the principal hotels, There were strangers in the lobbies and read- ing-rooms, who were not guests, and so Dick knew he bad nothing to fear of being particular- ly noticed. Securing a cigar, he sauntered about in search -of Mr. Cap King; but, full an hour elapsed ere be found a person whom he thought might be the man, He was standing at the bar, conversing with a burly individual who had ‘‘ brute, ruffian, and -dissipation” stamped all over his face, albeit he wore ordinarily good clothes, Dick, vee to the bar, and standing ‘Close alongside ing, ordered a drink. King wheeled, darted Dick an inquiring glance, but seeing nothing in the detective’s ap- ‘pearance to particularly alarm him, turned his -attention once more to the tough, * All right, Boggs. You do-the work, and do it well, and you be paid well, But, mind ;you, domt make no botch of it, or off comes your head,” * All right, captain. Ye kin bet l allers does a jobupright, Goin’ to treat fore I go?” ‘*Of course. There is nothing meat about me, as you wiil find out if you serve me well. Bar- keeper, give us some whisky.” Dick tapped King upon the shoulder. ‘‘ Excuse me, stranger,” he said, apologetical- ly, when King wheeled around with an ugly glitter in his eyes, ‘‘ but it strikes me forcibl that I’ve heard that vcice of yours before. may be mistaken, tho’—et’s some years ago, you belong out Arkansaw-way?” * Well, what if Ido?” King demanded, rather belligerently. ‘Ob! nothing in particular, only et struck me if you come from my native State, I'd like to ask you to drink with me—you and your friend.” «What is your name?” ‘* Biil Hill, I live in Argenta, over from Lit- tle Rock,’ ‘* What makes you think you have met me be- fore?” ‘* Wal, I don’t know, except it is your voice. I’ve beard a voice like it somewhere’s, and if my memory serves me right, if was around the green table over in Little Rock, when a party of gentlemen were bucking the tiger. They were pretty much all strangers, and I reckon, gener- ally speaking, did not know each other’s names.” “How long ago was this?” ‘‘ A trifle over two years.” King reflected. He was evidently on bis guard, Finally he said: « “I’ve lived in Little Rock all my later life, Mr. Hill, but, somehow, I don’t seem to remem- ber you,” * Likely not. When we met at the table, if meet we ever did, I wore no beard. Then, too, mine being purely a home-life, I went over to Do | Little Rock only occasionally, having nothing to call me there, except When | wanted to go on a little tear outside of the gaze of my fellow vil- lagers.” ‘* What are you doing in Cincinnati, Mr. Hill, may I ask?” ‘*Ohb, I had never been East before, and as I made a nice little pile out o’ the Chicago wheat deal, thought I’d take a pleasure-trip and see what Cincinnati, New York and Philadelpbia looked like. Haven’t been here but a short time —only a few hours—and haven’t had time to look around much, but from what I have seen, I should judge Cincinnati is a pretty big place.” ‘Oh, tolerable!” King replied. ‘* Well, Mr. Hill, if you are from Arkansaw, you may rest assured I am glad to meet you, and sball be yroud of the honor of drinking your good health, his geatleman is Mr. Hiram Boggs, a friend of mine,” Deadwood Dick acknowledged the introduc- tion by shaking hands with Mr. Boggs, and then the trio imbibed. ‘Well, I think I'll take a turn around and see the sights,” Dick said, after King had recipro- cated in the treating. ‘*Do you put up at this hotel, Mr. King?” ! ‘** For a few days,” King replied, briefly. ‘Allright. Um attbe Burnet, Likely I will run in and see you again,” ‘*Do’so, Drop in this evening, and perhaps we can arrange a game of poker, if you feel so disposed.” ‘* Poker! Well, I don’t consider myself much o’ a hand on it, but Lrather like the game, for companionship’s sake. Ill be here at seven.” ncinnati, than otherwise, he retraced his way toward the Burnet House, On the way, he kept up a terrible thinking. To be sure he was to meet King, and perhaps Moore, that night; but, was there not some- thing else might be done, in the meantime? An idea struck him! CHAPTER VI. SIZING MATTERS UP. THE day was yet young. The noon whistles had not yet sounded, when Deadwood Dick bethought himself of the tele- raph. ‘‘T wonder how my friend Mr. King stands, — in Little Rock?” he mused. ‘It might not stand me out to know that. It ought not to costa fortune to find out, anyhow!” So he repaired to the nearest telegraph office and sent the following telegram: “© Chief of Police, Iattle Rock, Ark:— “What do you know of a man, who formerly lived in Little Rock, and is known here as Captain or Cap King? Give me his history, and any infor- mation you can vouch for. ‘* RICHARD M. BRISTOL, - U. 8, Di lecline, ‘* BuRNET HovseE, ‘Cincinnati, Nov. 1.” Dick then returnd to the hotel, and at the counter, said to the head clerk: ‘* Can I see the landlord? It is a personal mat- ter. ' ‘* What name?” Dick extended a new card, which read: RICHARD M. BRISTOL, Detectivé, in the employ of the U, 8, Secret Ser- vice Bureau, All advances made te bim will be set- tled by The U, S. 5S. 8, Cauer. The clerk stared, when ke read this, Then, as by habit, he referred to the hotel register, Then be looked again at Dick. ‘Do you stop here?’ he demanded, rather than inquired, aos” ** Then, sir, you are in disguise.” Dick smiled, ‘* ‘You are very clever!” he said, ‘' But, now that you know me, as I am, 1 suppose there is no need of summoning the proprietor. You surely will remember me, and if you will intro- duced me Roe night clerk, I will be all right. The word ‘ Hill,’ will be the signal, whatever I may wear as a disguise. [I am working ona very desperate case, and must enjoin secrecy.” ‘You shall have it!” the clerk replied, ‘I used to be on Pinkerton’s force myself, and realize the work a man in the profession has to undergo.” Then, turning to one of the numer- ous speaking tubes, he called: ‘‘ Fred, come down, at once,” ‘* He will be here soon,” the clerk remarked, in a courteous way, ‘‘and I will introduce you, and after that there will be no trouble. ou will be admitted at all bours, under any disguise you may assume.” ‘*That will be satisfactory,” Dick replied, ‘“‘T merely wished to make myself known, so there would be no trouble as to my identity. Nota pleasant thing to be skulking around a hotel, unless you chance to be known,” ** Well, rather not,” the head clerk retorted. “Fred” soon came down—a pleasant man, nered fellow, to whom the head clerk introduced the detective with necessary explanations to in- sure his advent to his room. Dick soon retired to his room, and remained ‘*Do so, and [ll assure you of a jolly good ! there untill the haJl boy brought bim up a tele- time. he will join in, altheugh he’s rather an unlucky cuss, if | must say it. Don’t fail us, now, for I I’ve a friend stopping here, and maybe | gram from Little Rock’s chief of police, which ran something as follows: ** John (Cap) King is a blackleg, and a scoundrel, am always glad to meeta man from my own | and bears a most unsavory reputation here asa State. ought to make up a rather fraternal party.” “Right you are!” Dick replied. ‘* Well, good-by. I must be off!’ and shaking hands with Ezra Moore’s colleague, Dick took his de- parture. Once outside the hotel, he chuckled softly to himself, ‘* Not so bad a start, after all!” he mused. ‘I have gotten into the confidence of Mr, King, of Arkansas, and doubtless shall soon have the gpersy of meeting Mr. Moore, at poker. Mr. ng 1s very shrewd and watchful. He guards bis friend as an eagle weuld guard her young. So far, so good. You may be sharp, friend King, but, even though you were four times a king, aces will win, in this game. But, wait! You may win, to-night, on King’s luck: but, what I am looking after is a solitary queen, and I’m bound to find her!” His mind was bardly clear as to what his next move was to be, but, more mechanically My friend is also from there, so we | - -_—- | ee aed Mila a He is wanted, and there is a reward of two b forger. hundred dollars for him.’ ‘*So! so! Mr. King, I think I may be able to utilize you, to some purpose!” Dick mused. ‘* You will likely not care about doing a term in an Arkansas prison, and I may be able to make you an instrument for the release of Miss Clara Clincher. At any event, it will do no harm to try.” As there was nothing in particular for him to do until night, so far as Ezra Moore and Kin were concerned, he once more left the hotel, ont taking a cab, was driven to the Clincher resi- dence, at Mount Auburn, where be found the family at their dinner. He was heartily received. ‘* Well, what bave you found ont?” the elder Clincher demanded, after Dick had introduced himself in his new disguise. ‘*T think I am in a fair way to pick up the trail,” he replied, supplementing this informa- tion with a narration of his interview with micbo 7