Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 672 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 Dick changed the subject. ; ‘‘Do you reside here?” he asked. wey Bg ) “Do you know a man named Wesley Wyndham?” ** Waal, I reckon.” “Who and what is he?” ** As to who he is, more’n that he sails un- der the name of Wyndham, nobody knows. He’s got a big cattle-ranch down Bear Creek, OWDS an interest in several mines hereabouts, and a town house here in Durango.” ‘‘Quite a gun, eh?” ** A son-of-a-gun.”’ ** He is not popular, then?” ** Not much he ain’t!” ** Has he any childrén?” "i ‘* One.” ** Girl or boy?” ‘*Boy—or ruther,a young man, There he is now,” and the miner pointed to a dark- faced young man, who stood leaning against the bar, engaged in picking his pearly teeth. Walt Wyndam was of about Dick’s own age, and of his build, and but for his raven- black eyes, hair and mustache, and dusky complexion, he would have been a handsome man. The old man added: “When you see ther son you see the father. Waltand his dad are as alike as two peas, ’cept that ther’ is a difference in their ages, of course. The qu’arest thing about the Wyndhams is that they never speak to each other.” \ Cer ‘““No. Walt has a room in his father’s house, and eats at the same table, but they do ; not speak.” & ‘That is singular.” : i **Mighty singular, Walt makes his living at the faro and poker-tables, and is often brought in contact with his dad. Butno one has ever known them to exchange so much as a word.” “Very strange, indeed.” ‘* Waal, yes; I should say so.” The miner arose to go. 4 “Sit down,” said Dick. have something to drink?” ‘a ** Waal, I don’t know but what I will,” the miner replied, returning to his seat. ‘‘I don’t often drink, but when I do, it’s about this time o’ day. I'll have a little whisky for mine.” The drinks were ordered and dispatched. Then, Deadwood Dick observed: ‘*I should like to know more concerning these Wyndhams, I presume you can give bic me some points.” | oe ‘Waal, I dunno, I know precious little about ’em more’n I’ve told you. What do Pri you want to know?” ¥ ‘* Wyndham has no wife, I take it?” ree) “None that I know of. He hasn’t any here in Durango, at any rate.”’ ‘* Won't you i? | the way, d c No ” ‘e Sh ‘“No daughter you say?” ‘Who does the housework?” ‘*A servant, when they have one. Some- times they have one and sometimes they haven’t. housework does itsel When th es hha I opine the ‘Servants don’t stay very long,eh?” ** No, they don’t appear to.” ** Have they got one, now?” 66 Yes.” ** A man or woman?” ‘*A man—a ! Rk. “f | : |e used to kee ) jto go to work for Wyndham.” tail, named Lung Sing. Pig. a laundry, but gave that up, Humph! he must get pretty good wages, thin Die **T shouldn’t wonder, for his laundry was & rattling business. He wouldn’t be give it up unless he is getting a good of Wyndham.” 3 -**No, it don’t look that way. A China- man is about as close-fisted as a Jew. By id r rh ty a t aL iby? a <<. y « ; AN * i? ry —" an » ewe =, *~ f zon remember of a girl coming 4 yndhat about two months | AW yet lee , s ¥. ‘ . - * : P + * 4 4 "Sc. afi ‘* YW Pe *" ‘ a* 2 . h dine tP j O.y ave - 1 * : » hy IE ae AE TE Ss My dae). 05 " dish ® ’ ts odes fa - Peas a iy fi Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. ago—a pretty-faced, but poorly-clad girl, of seventeen or eighteen years?” ‘Right well. Her name was Ethel Bly.” —**That’s the one,” ‘‘ Yes, I remember her. I was workin’ for Wyndham at the time, fixin’ up his garden, and one day she brought me out a bowl of milk to drink. She was a darnation fine lit- tle lady, you bet—dratted sight too much so to work for old Wyndham,” ‘‘ What became of her?” “T dunno. I’ve been sort of curious about it myself,” ** Why so?” ‘‘’Cause I didn’t see her go. I was workin’ about the premises from daylight till dark, and I didn’t see her leave. Then, there’s an- other coincidence that set me to thinking.” ‘*What was that?” ‘* Well, [ll tell you. Just h’ist some more old whisky this way, bartender, My machinery needs more ile.” Drinks were produced, and the miner, who gave his name as Scott, proceeded with his story. CHAPTER VY. A SHOT IN THE BACK. ‘You see,” began Scott, “‘ the Wyndhams were seldom home, except at mealtime, and there wasn’t much for a housekeeper to do, So when she got her chores done, Ethel used to come out, and watch me work. ‘‘She was a cheery young creature, inno- cent of guile or affectation, and she told me of her humble home in Denver, and of her invalid mother, and lots else besides. ‘One day she said: ‘To-morrow is the drawing, I hope I’m lucky.’ ” ‘i What drawing?’ I asked her. ‘«* The Louisiana lottery. I have a ticket!’ she replied. ‘‘T laughed at her, as a matter of course. I had known so many to sink their money in that concern, that I could not do otherwise than laugh. ‘** Your ticket ain’t worth a blade of grass, my child,’ I said. ‘You've simply thrown your money away.’ ‘“*Mr,. Wyndham says I may draw some- thing,’ she said, ‘and if do he will help me to collect it. Oh! if I only could draw a fortune, jus: for mammu’s sake.’ . _ “That is the last I had a chance to speak to her, for several days, although I could see her flitting about the kitchen. Every even- ing at sunset, she used to steal out, and hurry down fo the post-office, to see if there was any mail for her. “T used to pity her, when J’d see her re- turning with a look of disappointment on her face, and I felt for her as much as if she were my own child.” . Here the old man paused, to wipe a tear from his eye. ‘‘ Scott, you have got a good heart in you,” Dick observed, ‘‘and I am glad to have met you. But go on with your story.” ‘‘ Well,” pursued Scott, ‘‘ one evening I saw her come hurrying toward the house, her face lit up as glorious as the sunset, and her eyes sparkling like diamonds. “*T’ve got it! I’ve got it!’ she cried, flourishing a slip of paper, or rather a sheet of paper in the air, as she approached where I was working. ‘«*Got what?’ I demanded, although I knew there must be something up, to make her so excited. : ‘“*My fortune!’ she cried. ‘My ticket, number 10240, has won ten thousand dollars. See! here is the list of winners, and my number is among them!’ ‘I took the list and examined it. True enough the number i0240 was down as hav- ing drawn ten thousand dollars. ‘You are in luck,’ I said, ‘and I am glad of it. But, where is your ticket?” ‘**Oh! that is put away in a safe place,’ and. she danced aways aha a 2. ae Abe e+ @ id ' Jeti. : * ij é tAas, Tu . ‘ e 4 4 \ Dek ates VS Dee hey) She Ss & 3 the te | ive el a od . je) WO) EES vs tag _ ‘ Pe! ais! es Wee 4 ae * . VW wk } i. ~ eal ¢ 7 “- ‘a ¥ ah . rs yw f ~aha,’ *, mg i* ™ Here the old man stopped, to refill his pipe. ‘‘ Well, what came of. it?” Dick asked, a trifle impatiently. ‘‘That’s what I do not know, I never saw Ethel Bly after she entered the house that evening.” ‘‘Ah! foul play, I'll wager,” declared Dick. plied Scott, with a sage nod of the head. ‘‘] worked in the front grounds for Wynd- ham, for a week after that, but no Ethel left them during daylight hours, and Ill swear to it.” ‘‘Who was the successor of Ethel as W yndham’s housekeeper?” ‘‘A big fat nigger wench, named Hannah. She came the next morning after Ethel’s dis- appearance,” ‘* How long did she stay?” ‘‘Only a week.” ‘* Who came next?” ‘‘A Frenchwoman, but she didn’t stay long. A German woman tried it next, but she didn't stand it any longer than the rest. Finally, Wyndham caught onto the Chinaman, and he appears to stick.” ‘‘Do you kuow where either the wench, or the other two women live?” ‘* Neither the French or German woman belonged in Durango, and have gone away. Old Hannah, the wench, lives over on the back side of the town in an old hut, ‘‘Could you guide me to the place?” “Well, l reckon. I’m not doing anythin at present, and am open/’for most any sort 0 a job.” ut Vaby well. I am not ready to go yet, but you be around here and | will find you when I want you. I must have time for reflection. I have got hold of an important case, or, more properly Apa ng two of them, and I reckon l’ve got a full hand, on @ pair.” “You are a detective, I allow?” queried Scott. “« Yes? Dick relapsed into silence, and Scott sauntered away. Walt Wyndham had keenly watched the two men during their conversation, although he could not overhear a word that was ul- tered. When Scott had gone, Wyndham walked over to where Dick was seated. ‘Can | have a few words of conversation with you?” he asked. _ His voice did not have the most agreeable ring. "You will have to excuse me for the pres- ent,” Dick returned, ‘‘as I am preoccupied with plans of a business nature, Some other time will do as well, 1 dar? say.” - Wyndham made no reply, but turned haughtily away, evidently not liking the re- fusal. ‘‘l’ve had my suspicions that way,” re- ‘‘T wonder what he could have wanted of © me?’ Dick mused, gazing after the youn man. ‘‘Can /e be concerned in the plot, i a plot there is? More than likely. There is something wicked in that dark face, if I am not mistaken. Well, Mr. Walt Wyndham, it won’t do any harm to be on my guard © against you, anyhow.” It was now mid-afternoon, the sun was shining warmly and the sky was of an azure biue. The air was mild but invigorating. ‘Tt is one of Nature’s happy ays,” Dick said to himself. ‘‘I think I'll take a gallop, and see if I can’t get my wits about me.” So he ordered his horse, and mounting, set forth. Oi He attracted considerable attention as he rode through the town. Few men had cool and fearless grace in the saddle. He ft seemed born toit. _ Nn fee Taking the Leadville trail to the north, b rode along through some of the most pic- turesque scenery the eye Ags an artist could OPOVE TOR hn io ule se “a i ; ‘ f : : r 4 wid uf : awe We A nf Ag 8 * * bi ¥ « ke 7 . a? . | : ~ 1 OmMmIicDoo a a 3 J . — oe , hed ia . ‘, r,s . * a - ety e at es . hey . ‘ iii tify ‘Se ie. — rs 447003 - = per arts S See ek ¥ v “> ~ _ * * ae ~ i. - ae “4 > at a o> "ei ~ _ —_ oo a a “ SS Ot BE Sal lag erat, yes eee -_—— == o————- - ™ =- a - a Sm o—* =~ ° we — aoe ; i ~