Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 673 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

—_—= - _a i - ——- — 2 a 2 ee ee - : rea y a | a y ~ ‘The drummer saw at a glance that the new passenger was not to be trifled with. Discre- tion mastered his anger, and the cloud upon his brow cleared away instantly, as he leaned forward with outstretched hand. ‘*{ admire your cheek,” he admitted, can- “«lidily. ‘‘I was laboring under the delusion that I was the brassiest man in existence, but now I shail have to take a back seat. If you ain’t a drummer, you ought to be. Shake, stranger!” — A complacent smile played about the bearded lips of the man,from Cross-Cut, as he noticed the complete change in the manner of the erst- while belligerent dandy; but he accepted the proffered hand, and shook it until the owner winced. ‘Glad you happened along, stranger,” said the drummer. ‘‘ Deuced tiresome this traveling alone, with no one to talk with. You seem to be the right sort, stranger. Have a weed?” ** Thanks !”’ ‘*Genuine article, those—three for a dollar. Expensive! Well, rather; but, you see, we al- ways manage to work our wine and cigar bill into our regular expense account, so the house pays for all our little luxuries, and is none the wiser. Dame Nature had endowed the commercial traveler with a liberal bump of self-conceit.. He was one of the prevalent class who ‘** know it all,” and never missed an opportunity to impress his hearers with that belief. Consequently, as his companion seemed to be a man of intelli- gence, the dandy felt that the chance was too good to lose, and so launched forth a ceaseless stream of ** gab.” The man from Cross-Cut was terse and reserv- ed, but he listened attentively to the other’s garrulous discourse, and, not to be outdone in politeness, made frequent users to an inside noon bringing forth each time a mysterious ottle of ‘‘something,” the taste of which gave the drummer great satisfaction. ‘* Lonesome region, this,” remarked the trav- eler, after a cursory glance from the window, **Reminds me of—yes, by Jove! itis the very place where I had such an adventure, over a yearago. Isay, stranger, have youever heard of Black Bart’s Brotherhood?” ** Black who’s what?” ** Black Bart’s Brotherhood—a band of train- robbers, They had a stronghold in the moun- tains, nobody knows just where, and used to make things interesting for travelers all along the line.” The red-haired man shook bis head positively. ‘**Never heard of them before. Never was within a thousand miles of here until yesterday, and so have had no chance to get acquainted with the local celebrities,” ‘* Well, 1 know Black Bart from experience, and I tell you he is a la-la! ° The fellow always pops up where he is least expected; and when e gets through with a train, there generally isn’t enough cash left in the crowd to buy a bunch of matches. However, I hoodwinked the scoundrel completely one day; and I claim the honor of being the only man who has succeeded in doing it. és You?” “Yes; and a clever dodge it was. I carried a small fortune safely from under Black Bart’s very nose. Light another weed, while I give you the story.’ And while his listener hastened to light the proffered cigar, the garrulous youth proceeded to unwind himself, ‘‘ You see, my business brings me into this re- eon considerably, and several times I had suf- ered atthe hands of this scoundrel, who had a habit of showing -_ with the regularity of clock-work, whenever I was aboard. Finally, [ began to grow tired of the thin —particularly so, as most of the stolen money belonged to the firm, and they, suspecting that I was not on the square, finally declared that the next time it occurred I must make good the losses, ‘** This stirred me up, you see; and I jmmedi- ately set my wits at work to devise some means of circumventing this audacious road-robber, witb such good effect that a contrivance was $90n evolved. the merits of which I was eager to test. The og pega was not long coming, for, soon after, I was again sent over the line; and this time I was perfectly willin , even anxious, to meet Black Bart. Nor wasT disap- pointed, for presently there was a commotion, as a crowd of cut-throats thronged into the car, -with the redoubtable chief at their head, natu- ral as life. **Black Bart smiled triumphantly as he led me out, for he doubtless remembered With pleasure the fat haul he obtained from me tate. ** Twenty dollars is considerable, but I’ll give the last time we met; but his feelings were doomed to undergo a sudden transformation, fora thorough search of my person brought to light only a plated chain, a jack-knife, a cork- screw, fiity cents in change, and a bottle— empty. Yet, stranger, the fact remains that a cool thousand dollars was at that moment in my possession, and it run the gantlet of Black Bart’s keen eyes, unnoticed. ‘* If ever a man had dust thrown in his eyes, then the redoubtable king of train-robbers is the individual; and to me belongs the distinc- tion of having completely hoodwmked him, Ha, ha!” And the self-satisfied drummer threw himself | back in his seat, laughing lovg and loud at the remembrance of his own adroitness; while the man from Cross-Cut, who had been an attentive listener, rightly conjectured that such a windy discourse had left the orator thirsty, and cordi- ally extended hi; flask, which, it 1s needless to say, was promptly accepted. ‘l1t must, indeed, have been an ingenious de- vice, to baffle such a sharp fellow as this train- robber is said to be,” allowed the red-haired man, ‘“‘If lam permitted to ask, how did you accomplish such wonders?” The commercial traveler drew himself up, closed one eye, and leered knowingly at his questioner. ‘*That, sir, is a profound secfet,” he said, thickly, for the stranger’s liquid fire -was fast affecting the by no means strong head of the drummer. The bearded man leaned eagerly forward. ‘Tell you what I’ll do, friend,” he said seriously. ‘‘l ama traveling man myself, and often carry large sums of money with me, Your mysterious contrivance, if what you say is true, would be just the thing for my needs, Say, Pil give you ten dollars for the secret!” ‘What? Ten dollars for my wonderful wealth-protector, warranted to deceive the sharpest thief in existence! Do you think.I would barter the offspring of my fertile brain for the paltry sum of ten dollars? Never, sir! Make it twenty!” The man from Cross-Cut appeared to hesi- ee o— EE ee it,” he said, at length. ‘‘ Here you are! And now for the wonderful se ret!” The drummer snapped up the greasy XX and critically examined. it to seeif it was genu- ine. ** Oh, it’s a simple thing, once revealed,” he ex- plained. ‘‘Observe these shoes! ‘ Very ordi- nary pair,’ you say, ‘just like any shoes,’ There’s where you are mistaken. The heels are hollow, and may be removed or attached at pleasure, by means of a hidden spring. These receptacles, ingeniously contrived within the apparently solid heel, form an excellent hiding- ace for whatever valuables may be contained n such a smal] compass, and a man, by simply changing his money into bills of large denomina- ad might safely carry a small million about m, ‘* That’s the whole scheme in a nutshell, stran- ee A simple device, but nevertheless effective. on’t you think the scheme is well worth the twenty?” ‘‘ Dirt cheap at the price,” allowed the red- haired man, rubbing his hands softly, while his dark orbs twinkled with satisfaction. ‘* Young man, you are a genius! No wonder you can laugh in the faces of Black Bart’s Brother- 00 ** And now, asI have purchased your secret, I suppose you have no objection to showing me how the device is manipulated.” ** Not in the least,” confident drummer. Leaning forward, he touched one heel, which instantly e detached, revealing a cavity crammed with a wad of Uncle Sam’s promises astily replied the over- to pay. All done by asimple twist of the wrist. It’s as plain as the nose on your face, and—” s he looked up, the drummer paused abrupt- ly, and the self-satisfied smile gave way to a look of blank astonishment, for a metamorphosis had taken place, complete as it was startling! The man from Cross-Cut suddenly straight- ened up, until he seemed at least a foot taller: his cane was thrown aside, red wig and beard followed, revealing a dark, swarthy face, fairly devilish in its expression. Into each hand of the metamorphosed passen- ger apes a glittering six-shooter, one of which pressed the temple of the terrified drummer! ** Holy smoke!” gas the latter, feebly. ‘** What on earth does this mean?” **It means that you’ve made a cursed fool of The Lightning Express Detective. 3 yourself, young feller. Up with your hands, quick, for I’m here on business, an’ my name is lack Bart!” CHAPTER III. THE BROTHERHOOD AT WORK, As the stern, commanding voice of the self- announced king of train-robbers rung through the car with startling distinctness, every man started as if he had received an electric shock. Scarcely one but knew the notorious bandit by reputation, while many from personal experi- ence were aware of his plundering proclivities. In mingled fear and indignation the passen- gers heard the outlaw’s grim announcement, de- termined to offer desperate resistance in defense of their property: but not a weapon was drawn, for just then another movement took place that was entirely unexpected. The two rear seats were occupied by a party of rough-looking fellows, apparently back woods- men, who were engaged in a quiet game of eucher; but now,at the bold wordsof Black Bart, these men leaped to their feet, while cards were dropped, and in their places gleaming six- shooters frowned upon the other occupants of the car. Like lightning was this move executed, and so, before the luckless passengers could offer even a show of resistance, they found themselves covered by the deadly weapons of Black Bart’s satellites. Standing like a statue in the center of the car the redoubtable chief viewed with malicious tri- umph the result of his strategy. **Quite.a surprise-party, eh, gentlemen?” he laughed, ‘‘ Well, it’s the unexpected that al- ways happens. Now, gentlemen, be so kind as to elevate your hands while I take up my cus- tomary collection. Try to appear as cheerful as possible,and remember that the man who offers resistance gets a double dose of lead,” Hemmed in on all sides a pes Parmesan. ba a of weapons the unfortunate passengers had no alternative but to obey, and the trembling wavering line of hands that instantly pointed heavenward was a ludicrous sight to see, Even the conductor, at that moment entering the car, gazed meditatively for an instant into a frowning tube, then promptly elevated his hands. The coolest person in the car was the ragged tramp, who rejoiced that his pockets contained nothing but holes, and consequently had no reason to fear the train-robbers. Acknowledg- ing, in this case, the advantage of poverty, he philosophically viewed the scene from his point of vantage, ready to dodge out of harm’s way if the bullets began to fly. The bandits Icst no time in useless dallying. Two of them proceeded to “‘ go through” their victims with lightninglike rapidity, appropriate ing everything of value, while the others stood guard with ready weapons, Black Bart devoted himself to the drummer, whose confidence he had so cleverly gained. Off came the wonderful boots, the valuable con- tents of which were ily transferred to the capacious pocket of the outlaw. Then, with a mocking laugh, he sent the boots flying through the window. ‘‘A good return for my twenty dollars,” chuckled Bart. ‘* Now, good-by, young man. Don’t get down-hearted; but when you have any more wonderful inventions, don’t fail to confide the secret tome. Ha, ha!” The luckless man of samples, now frightened , into a state of perfect sobriety, could only sink limply back into his seat, the most crestfallen being imaginable. At this moment the rear door was thrown open, and in rushed several fellows, whose rough attire and bristling weapons stamped them as more of the Brotberbood. ‘* Well?’ interrogated the chief, impatiently. ‘ All right, cap’n. Wecleaned the other car out, slicker’n a whistle. Not a copper left in the hull crowd.” ‘*Good! Now, boys, for the other game. Too much time has been already wasted here. Live ly, my men!” As Bart spoke, he darted to the door, with the band close at his heels, Several of them re- treated backward, still keeping the passenzers covered, until the door was reached. Then, when the last man had disappeared, and the deadly weapons no longer threatened them with death, the infuriated passen arose, en masse, and rushed out upon the plat form, However, Bart had anticipated such a mova He was too sharp to leave his retreat uncovered, The Brotherhood worked with a machine-like ‘com