Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 673 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

6 The Lightning Express Detective. servants, No time could be better. You know the premises, I suppose?” ‘*Kivery nook and cranny.” ‘** And the men?” ‘* Are so near that a blast from this whistle would bring them to the spot.” ‘* Good, captain!” exclaimed Dave Darke, elat- edly.» ‘‘ I shall depend upon you.” ‘* The girl shall be safe at the stronghold ere another sun rises,” promised the outlaw leader. * And you?” ‘** To-morrow I shall shake the dust of Rich- ville from my feet, but not until I have pocket- ed all the available funds that remain in the bank,” declared the ex-lieutenant, grimly. ‘* Ex- pect me at the stronghold to-morrow night.”’ ‘*Good! It is settled, then?’ said Black Bart; and the nefarious scoundrels rose to their feet. Meanwhile, Headlight Harry, from his hiding- place close at hand, had heard every word of this highly interes ing conversation. To say that he was surprised would be to but faintly express the boy’s feelings. The revelation of the bank cashier’s true character and subsequent development of bis diabolical! plot, fairly stupe- fied him with disgust and amazement. Indeed, it was not until the precious pair rose to depart that Harry was awakened to a true sense of his own danger. The outlaws were advancing straight toward him, and were now so close that retreat was al- together out of the question. The railroad-boy could only hug the ground, hoping against hope that he would escape unnoticed. With a prodigious stride Black Bart passed over the lad; but the lientenant, as luck would have it, stumbled over the prostrate form and measured his length upon the eartb. ** Hello! what’s this?” ejaculated Dave Darke, as he quickly recovered himself and grasped the luckless eavesdropper by the colar, With an eel-like motion of bis sinewy body Headlight Harry wriggled out of his jacket, and leaving that garment in the grasp of his would- be captor, sped away like a frightened deer. ** Blazes!” yelled the lieutenant, in blank dis- may. ‘‘He must be caught, or everything is lost. After him, Bart!” The outlaw chief was too stiff and sore to be of service in a foot-race, but Dark Dave sped in pursuit of the fugitive at a speed born of des- peration. With a mocking laugh Headlight Harry dart- ed through the forest like an arrow. He could hear the heavy footsteps of his pursuers, but felt confident in his ability to outrun them, for he knew every foot of the ground like a book. Alas! for the railroad-boy. He caught his foot against some projecting object, stumbled and fell heavily to the ground. Before he could rise Dave Darke pounced upon him, and seized him in a vise-like grip. Headlight Harry kicked and struggled des- rately, but to no purpose; and presently Black art came up, growling and cursing. ‘* [ve caught the spy, Cap,” announced the lieutenant. ‘‘ Strike a matchand we'll see what the rascal looks like.” The chief struck a lucifer and held it before the fave of the youth, who bore the malignant gaze of his captors without flinching. ‘* Headlight Harry!” gasped Dave Darke. ‘The young cubthat fit uson theJocomotive,” hissed Black Bart; and from his tone the unfor- tunate lad felt that he need expect no mercy. ‘*Glad you know me, gents!” he exclaimed, rofessing a cheerfulness that he was far from eeling. ‘‘Is there anything I kin do fer yer?” ‘* You infernal eavesdropper, what are you doing here? Heard all we said, I suppose?” ‘Only a word or two,” lied Harry, glibly. ‘*T was takin’a short cut home an’ run across you gents accidentally.” ‘Bah! That game won’t work, sweet inno- cent. But, what shall we do with the young- ster?” ‘* He must die,” declared Black Bart, positive- ly. ‘* His work last night has sealed his fate.” As he spoke the outlaw whipped out a huge knife, which he flourished in the face of the prisoner, ‘* Hold!’ interposed Dark Dave. ‘‘ The river is close at hand. Why not bind the boy toa log and set him adrift? The Devil’s Jump is just below, and I'll warrant the young imp ‘ll never live to tell of his pleasure voyage down Mad River.”’ ‘¢ Agreed! Lend a hand with the cub, Be quick, for time is precious!” The two scoundrels at once strode off through the forest, bearing between them the helpless railroad-boy. A brief walk brought the party to the bank of the rushing, turbulent stream locally known as Mad River. — j ; . 7 . . 7 7 . : &". - : _. ’ ' at e v f J ‘ i, : Tos — Og 6 mee wae as a2 iw The diabolical plan was speedily put into ex- ecution. A large number of logs strewed the shore, and to one of these Headlight Harry was securely lashed, despite his desperate resistance. This done, a vigorous shove sent the log far out into the stream, while the two fiends, laugh- ing mockingly, turned and disappeared in the forest. Caught up by the rushing current the log shot swiftly down the leaping, swirling tide, bearing its human freight on, on to—what? CHAPTER VI, BLACK BART’S MASTERSTROKE. ‘TWAS night! The sable goddess had spread her shadowy mantle over all. Nothing to re- lieve the inky blackness, save myriad stars that twinkled like wondrous jewels in the distant heavens. Richville was wrapped in silence; her worthy citizens slept the sleep of the virtuous and just. It was at an early hour in the morning, when tired nature sleeps the soundest. Nota sound to disturb the stillness, save the mournful cry of the night-bird; not a light to be seen except at the railway station, for if was nearing the time for the Night Express toarrive, and the sleeping official whose duty kept him there nodded and blinked in blissful unconsciousness of what was transpiring about him. Yet, in spite of the hour, Richville’s streets were not altogether deserted, Had any wakeful villager chanced to glance from his window, he might have been interested upon seeing a party of horsemen ride slowly along one of the roads which led from the out- lying country. Six of them, all told—grim, ghostly figures, seeming,in the indistinct light,a part of the steeds themselves—veritable centaurs, whose mufiled hoofs gave forth no sound as they glided like phantoms through the street. Mysterious as their presence might be, there was nothing supernatural about these grim night riders. Real flesh and blood every one; and the man who led thecavalcade was no other than Black Bart, the outlaw captain! Their course led along the outskirts of the town and directly toward the residence of Rich- ville’s millionaire, Gilbert Garland, which stood upon an elevated site—the only habitation in the immediate vicinity. ** Hist!” At this warning from their leader, the silent riders drew rein instantly. Motionless as statues they stood awaiting further orders, ‘Yonder is the scene of our operations,” whispered Black Bart, as hestretched one sinewy arm toward where the dark shape of the Gar- land mansion loomed against the starry sky. ‘*The house is fully two hundred yards away, but it is unsafe to bring the animals nearer, lest some unfortunate noise should betray us, ‘* You, Slim Jim and Yellow Jack, come with me. The rest of you remain here with the horses. Do not stir from this spot until I rejoin you, unless you hear three sharp whistles in quick succession, which will te the signal of anger. In that case, bring up tie animals without delay. Now, are my instructions thor- oughly uoderstood ?” * Ay, captain.” ‘* Then let us get to work at once,” and Black Bart swung from his saddle as he spoke, while the two men designated hastened to follow his example. Like shadows, the three marauders swiftly advanced until a point was reached directly op- posite the mansion. Here Black Bart paused to consider the situation. It was a diabolical errand that sent the bold outlaw forth, that balmy autumn night. With characteristic daring, he was about to attempt the abduction of fair Grace Garland, and so fulfill his promise to Dave Darke, the treacher- ous bank cashier. It was no easy task to force an entrance to a house, and carry away one of its inmates from the midst of numerous friends and servants. One less audacious than Black Bart, would have shrunk dismayed from an undertaking of such colossal magnitude. The Garland mansion stood back a short dis- tance from the highway, being surrounded by spacious grounds, beautifully ornamented by trees and flowers, crystal fountains, greensward and gravelly walks: A broad driveway led down to a rustic gate, now closed and fastened. A magnificeat residence, looming grand and stately in the mellow moonlight: but the outlaw cap had no eye for the beautiful. He was awe on business, and immediately set to work, - ' re ’ «* ga° 7 * - - - i y +" It was an easy task to scale the gate; and the outlaws were soon crouching in the friendly shadows within the grounds, From shrub to shrub, from tree to tree, the three marauders flitted like specters, and in this manner stealthily approached the mansion, pausing only when secure in the dense shadow thrown by the broad portico. Then Black Bart begkoned his followers to his side, ‘¢T shall enter the house alone,” he whispered. ‘Remain here; and if I am successful, [ will hand the girl down to you from the window, In case I am discovered, you know the signal. Rush in at once to the rescue.” Black Bart at once proceeded to climb to the roof of the portico, He ran up the strong lat- tice like a cat, and landed upon the flat roof without a sound, Several windows looked out upon the balcony, and trying these, one after another, the housebreaker was pleased to find one unfastened. To raise the sash and push his lithe body through the opening, was but the work of a moment, and Black Bart found him- self fairly inside the mansion. All was darkness within, not an object being visible. Alone in a strange house, at dead of night, one might naturally lose his bearings; but the outlaw, nevertheless, seemed perfectly at home. In fact, Black Bart was better acquainted with tho ‘‘ lay’ of the premises, than the Gar- land family might have desired, for, ‘‘ once up- on a time,” he had figured prominently ina mid- night visit, detrimental to the jewelry, silver- ware and other valuables, The outlaw knew he was now standing in a spacious corridor, from each side of which opened the sleeping apartments of the family. One of these he was confident contained the ob- ject of his quest; yet it was impossible to locate the exact apartment. As the marauder stood irresolute, his quick eye caught a faint gleam of light at the further end of thecorridor. A ips gre glance told him that the light came through the keyhole of one of the rooms, and from the faint sounds that fol- lowed, it was evident the occupant was astir. An impatient exclamation escaped the lips of the midnight prowler. The restless one might possibly leave the apartment, and this meant instant discovery to the bold outlaw. But stay! This person who threatened to disturb his plans, might be the very girl for whom he was in search. This thought flashed through Black Bart’s brain, as he glided forward with cat-like tread, and paused beside the door whence gleamed the tell-tale light. One hand touched a glittering dagger: the other a tiny vial of chloroform, Whatever the emergency, the captain was pre- pared to meet it. Soft footsteps could be heard approaching the door, which was gently opened, while a form appeared in the opening. t was the figure of a maiden, tall, supple and graceful; a face of rare beauty and intelligence, with sparkling brown eyes, and a wealth of silken hair falling about her neck and shoulders, Hastily attired in a neat-fitting wrapper, she burst upon the astonished gaze of the intruder like a beauteous Vision. It was indeed the lovely daughter of the rail- road king. Poor Grace Garland! Utterly unconscious of her terrible danger, she advanced deliberately into the corridor. Fate had led her straight in-’ to the lion’s jaws! Crouching low in the gloom, Black Bart for an instant feasted his gloating eyes upon the dazzling vision; then, recalling his purpose, he bounded like a panther upon his prey. At sight of the burly ruffian, Grace recoiled with a loud shriek that echoed and re-echoed through the silent hulls; but, ere she could turn to flee, the outlaw was upon her. One sinewy arm encircled her frail form, as he hurriedly applied the chloroform to her nos- trils. The subtle fluid performed its work well, and Grace Garland lay limp and motionless in her captor’s arms. However, her one cry had the desired effect, for it penetrated to the innermost recesses of the mansion. Lights appeared in various rooms, while the sound of hurrying feet warned Blac} Bart that the household was alarmed. With an angry cry, the captain rushed down the corridor, bearing his precious prize, just as a number of servants, with lights, appeared np on the scene. Some of them were armed, but dared not fire, lest they should hit their mis tress. Bewilderedly they stood in a huddled group, as the dare-devil outlaw, with a taunt. ing laugh, bounded through the window to tho roof of the balcony, | = --* be Cwm | Pee os ee a, ~ i ‘ Pa i- : e Sp ete Ss y : one ‘ A ee es NX ee —— * - “ - - > a i ee * - “oe * - » PY (9 ss 4 - » ; . oL ” “se ® ctf via sy | : 1, al ed } bat gi 900kS.com,