Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 700 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

takin _ any clew that might turn up. PS RRR RES Te EN TN LS TL LT Le TS eT a aaa ‘‘“You are being swindled here, Mr. Pil- brooke,” he said, *‘and not only that, but your life is in danger.” ‘* How do you know that, sir?’ ‘*In the same way that I know some other things. By close observation, in one direction, and by some things I have heard, in another.” **T do not understand you, sir.” ** Well, then, Pll talk so that you can, Is there nothing peculiar about this robbery that has just been done?” “*It was a mighty bold piece of business, that issure. I never heard of anything likeit in m life. Why, it was done right under our noses.” ‘Exactly. But, that is not all. Whoever that road-agent is, he has helpers right here in this town,” ** And how do you know that?” ‘** By adding two and two; or, in other words, by drawing deductions from simple facts, Cap- tain Death met the stage alone, and ordered tie messenger to put out the box of bullion. At the same time his men were further back on the trail, at a point where the stage had already passed, ready to receive and hold back the es- cort., “ Well, and what does that signify?’ “Everything. It proves that Captain Death knew all about your plans for this business, and laid his own plans accordingly.” “By Mars! but you are right!” “Of courselam. It shows for itself, The question is, who is the person here who posts him? Or, if this Captain Death himself has been here all the time, who is he?” “Then you put no stock in his being a ghost?” ‘* Nonsense! It is a clever disguise, and noth- ing more. All the ghosts I have ever had any dealings with have turned out to be flesh and blood ghosts,” ‘‘ Well, if that was the case, what would you advise me to do?” ‘¢ Tn the first place, you want to look out for your life, That is in danger. These fellows will not Jet you break up their rich source of revenue without a desperate struggle.” ‘* Would they dare attempt my life, do you think?” ‘Yes, and with as little thought asthey would blow outa candle, You are away out here, and right in their power. I tell you you must have your eyes open night and day.” ‘*Oh, I am inclined to think you take too seri- ous a view of it, sir.” ‘* Very well, think so if you will, Thearda certain party say last night, however, that if you made yourself too numerous—his word— around here, you might find yourself saddenly out of breath,” —, ** You don’t say so!” Mr. Pilbrooke gasped, and he looked at Dick in greatest alarm. ‘* Who was it said that? Come, you ought to tell wit all about this, so that 1 can be on my guard, ** So I will,” Dick promised; and then fo!low- ed a long and earnest talk, CHAPTER X. DICK DEFINITELY WARNED. DgEaDWooD DIcK told his suspicions out in full; and they were both a surprise and a revela- tion to the confiding stockholder, But Dick pledged bim to silence, and made bim understand that he must not let bis actions betray bis thoughts. ‘We have shrewd and cunning rascals to deal with,” he warned, “ and it will require our best efforts to unmask them, even if they don’t get in a cold deal on us and dis of us,” “ Heaven forbid that it should come to that,” Mr. Pilbrooke almost gasped. “TI had no idea of anything of this sort, or I assure you I would never have ventured out here, But, sir, it does not seem possible! I can’t believe it!” “Very well, hold to your doubts, but don’t express them. Just keep your eyes and ears open, and your mouth closed, and give me a little time. Remember what you have promised, and that everything depends on how we go to work, if we are permitted to go to work at all.” He impressed it upon the gentleman as strong- ly as he could that it was in all probability a matter of life and death, and when they finally Lt . Pilbrooke was in no easy frame of The day passed without further incident remark, fey, fe) Deadwood Dick went around the town a little, in the sights, and with an eye open for he afternoon stage came about on time, not Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop. Ribbon Johnny’s “ hearse,” but another on the same line, and it had come through without see- ing the road-agents, here were several passengers aboard, and among others was a young and quite good-look- ing young lady, who was traveling alone, or seemed to be, and who made all haste to escape the gage of the crowd, . She entered the hotel, and for the time being, that. was the last that was seen of her. Later on, Dick took a look at the register, to learn the name of the new arrivals, and among others was that of the lady—‘t Rose Denmore,” Dick was pacing around the bar-room, tokill time while he waited for the supper-bell when a man of all work about the house stepped up to him and said: ** Lady wants to see you in the parlor, sir.” ** Wants to see me?” Dick questioned. ‘“* Are you sure I’m the person?” ‘*She said Mr. Bristol, sir.” ‘Well, I answer to that name,” remarked Dick, *‘so I’ll go.” He stepped out of the bar-room, across the hall, and entered the parlor. As he entered the room, a lady rose to greet bim, and he recognized her at once by her attire as the mysterious passenger of the previous day. She was good-locking toa degree, but pale, and her face had an expression of trouble stamp- ed upon it. ‘You desire to see me?” Dick interrogated, bowing. ‘*'Yes,” was the assurance, in a pleasant voice, ‘tI have a word of warning for you, Mr. Bristol.” Dick's mind flew instantly to the note ‘he had received on the previous evening. He smiled, saying: ‘Then this will be the second time you have warned me.” She looked at him in surprise. ‘¢ T do not understand you, sir,” she said, ‘Did you not leave a note for me at the bar last night?” ‘* Most assuredly not, sir. What leads you to sup I did?” Dick explained, briefly. He had jumped ata conclusion too quickly, as be admitted, ‘‘No, I know nothing whatever about that matter,” the woman deciared. ‘*‘ What I would warn you about now, however, is something that must haVe bearing upon the same grounds,” ** Well, enlighten me,” Dick urged. *‘T will doso, This night you are going to be drugged, at the bar I suppose, if it can be done, and you will probably never see the light of an- other day.” Dick smiled again, this time in his grim way. ‘That is news, anyhow,”he remarked, ‘I will be on the lookout for anything of that sort. But, tell me how you came to know anything about this. [ am interested, as is but natural under the circumstances.” ‘‘T heard it planned this afternoon, You have enemies in this town, enemies who mean to remove you from their path.” ‘*Oan you tell me who they are?” “Unfortunately, I can not. I did not see them, nor did I hear their names spoken,” ‘* Well, I am greatly obliged to you for the warning. If I can render you any service in return—” ** And you can, sir. By what I overheard, 1 learned that you are Deadwood Dick, the fa- mous detective. I will see you to-morrow and teil you all about what 1 require; that is, if you will help me,” “* There is nothing famous about me,” Dick modestly disowned, ‘“‘ but my help is already pledged to you, so you have only to direct me, provided these enterprising enemies of mine do not put out my candle before the morrow,” ** And you must take care theydo not. Fore- warned is forearmed, you are aware, and you must be on your guard.” ‘“*T shall try to be, rest assured, But, what is the nature of the favor you desire?” ‘Well, [can tell you that much. You saw that young and pretty girl who came by the stage? She isin danger, and in sucha danger as only I can rescue her from. I dare not trust ‘O my own strength, however, now that I know can depend on you, and so I have come to you or help.” » “ And yon shall have it if lam alive and free,” Dick freely promised once more, Just then the bell rung for supper, and the woman rose, putting on a vail as she did so, ‘I will keep you no longer,” she said. Let nothing be said concerning the interview we have had.” ‘ Of course not,” said Dick. ; With a bow, then, he turned to leave the room, the woman making haste to go out by another door in the rear, Dick went at once to the supper-room, his mind filled with what he had just heard respect- ee young lady who had come by the stage. ho was she? hat danger threatened her? Who was this woman who was the only person who could rescue her? Questions that puzzled him, and that gave him much food for reflec- tion. His mind thus filled, be forgot for the time being the warning be bad received. He thought no more about it till, the meal fin- ished, he returned to the bar-room, when it sud- denly entered his mind again. This was, no doubt, owing to the fact that the woman had spoken of the bar in connection with the warning she had given. Anyhow, the fact was the same, But, having thought of it, he was on _ his guard, and was waifing to see who it would be who would invite him to drink, He took a seat near a table in the back part of the room, and lighted a cigar. He had not been there long when Austin Pil- brooke came up and took a seat on the other side of the table. “You are taking things easy, I see,” he ob- served, cheerfully. ** As well that way as any other,” Dick re- sponded, They fell to talking, and while they sat there Mr. Appleby and bis son came into the room. Appleby senior looked around, and seeing Pil- brooke, led the way over to where he and Dick were talking. They joined in, taking seats, and presently, as Dick was about to provide himself with a fresh cigar, he passed his case around to the others, All accepted his offer, and Pilbrooke said: ““T suppose none of you will object to my ordering some wine, eh?” : Without waiting to find whetber there would be any objections or not, he got up and stepped to the bar with the order, Deadwood Dick bardly knew what to think. Was it possible that he had been mistaken in Pilbrooke? Could be have made so great a blunder? Wasit he who was about to administer a drug to him, if be could? No, he could not believe it. But, the warn- ing was ringing in bis mind, and hw could not have dismissed it, evén had he desired to do so. And that, naturally, was not to be thought of, In a few moments Pilbrooke was back, and presently the wine was brought to the table, The glasses were placed, and Pilbrooke pro- ceeded to open the bottle. ; ‘You will have to excuse me,’ remarked Dick, as he pushed bis glassaway. ‘‘I do not feel like indulging this evening. Accept my thanks just the same, however ” ‘‘ What, won’t you try a little?’ asked Pil- brooke. ‘*No, not to-night.” ~ ‘‘ You had better take a little, it will make you sleep well.” ‘‘ No, not any this evening, thank you.” Having declined once, Dick would not change’ bis mind, and be was not pressed further. But now be no longer had a shadow of suspi- —__ cion toward Mr. Pilbrooke. He intended partak- ing of the wine himself, and had it been a scheme to drug Dick, would he bave said a word about its making bim sleep well? No, Dick was satisfied that Mr, Pilbrooke had nothing whatever to do with the plot that had been batched against bim, ‘Who, then, had? That remained tobe seen, There would no doubt be further developments. But, since be would not drink, would not that rather upset their plan? Mr, Pilbrooke and the two Applebys filled their glasses, and proceeded to sip the wine leisurely, Dick watched them narrowly, without lettin them suspect he was doing so, but he discover nothing. They all took the wine, with nosham- ming, and presently their glasses were emptied and refilled, They talked pleasantly, all around, and half an hour soon sped away. | At the end of that time Deadwood Dick began to feel terribly sleepy. He was almost unable to keep awake, | ; ‘You'll have to excuse me, gentlemen,” he. said, getting up. ‘‘I believe Ihave smoked one cigar too many. I must go outand take a turn in the air.” | “ And I’m with you,” declared Mr. Pilbrooke, ‘“‘ Never felt so unmercifully sleepy in my life. Shall have to say good-night, Appleby. I won’t be long out of bed, I can you. ;