Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 705 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

ll ‘around the neck with both arms, } >> dow sill and prepared to enter the room. Whirled swiftly aud then sprung to bis feet as he t itz joining in heartily, slapping his thigh and shouting: ** Dot vas der pest games uf shase v’at I never saw. Shustvait dill they comes roundt ag’in und see me ubsot dot veller v’at don’t dry so very hart to catch dot mules,” A moment later Irons and the mule dodged past. Pete followed and Fritz skillfully tripped the pistol expert, catching him up and tossing him over the bar to land on Cole, who had been so stunned that be was just rising to his feet. ‘* Peesness vas peesness,” observed Fritz, ** und ‘ jd vas our peesness to make him inderrestin’ vor dose vellers v’at dinks they haf some coot dimes mitus. Loog oud!” Tbrusting out his foot again, he tripped Hank Trous, tae knife flying from the bully’s hand as he went down, The mule came to a sudden stop with the bully beneath its nose. Reaching down, the creature seized the slack of Hank’s pantaloons in its teeth and lifted the kicking and pawing tough from the floor, while the spectators shouted themselves hoarse with laughter. Never had there been euch a ‘‘ racket” in the Sweet Buitercup. Giving lrons a swing in the air, the animal dropped him to the floor, and the bully scram- bled away justin time to escape the creature’s heels. Then the mule gave a triumpbant “ hee- baw” and settled back serenely on its haunches, the field appearing to be cleared of its enemies, ‘**Cott pless me, how I lofes dot mules!” cried Fritz, rushing forward and clasping the animal **T dinks I pelieve Idon’d like him vonce, but I shange mein mindt now. He vas der pest mule v’at I mefer saw. Yaw, dot vas so!” But, the trouble was not over, A ery of warning came from the crowd, The treacherous Mexican had darted up be- hind the little Dutchman’s back and was on the int of stabbing the unguarded fellow with a ong, slender knife! Fritz could not have avoided the deadly stroke, but at that moment a pistol shot was heard aud the Mexican fell to the floor with a bullet in his brain! Following the shot the stillness of death per- vaded the room. It was broken by a voice that came froma point no one seemed able to locate, ** This is Violet Vane’s first blow at the Ser- went Six! The remaining five are doomed !” ** Mein Cott! I stays no longer here aroundt!” cried Fritz. The mule arose, He leaped upon its back, and _ Soth shot out through the open doorway. CHAPTER IV. DUKE HAS CALLERS, ‘*T HAVE seen the most of the men, Mr, Duke,” * With what result, Swift?” * Nearly all will return to work in the morn- % Good!” The conversation took place in Horatio Duke’s business apartment at his residence in Damascus on the evening of the day that witnesses the min- ing trouble in the littl town. Bayard Swift, Duke’s mine superintendent, had come in to re- port to his employer. He was a smart, able- a ing young man, Did you inform them there was to be no re- duction?” **T did.” ** How is Darke, of the Bengal Tiger?” ** Obstinate; he refuses to make any conces- sion.” ‘“*I do not suppose you have been able to dis- cover who circulated the report that there was to be a cut-down in the Royal Duke!” **T have not, but I hope to do so ina day or two, It is certain to leak out. Your enemies will not be able to keep themselves forever hid- “T trust not. Have you anything further to report” ‘ [ have not.” é ‘**-You have done well, Good-night.” Good-night, sir.” mering been thus curtly dismissed, Swift at once withdrew, Mr, Duke resuming his writing at his desk, Neither Duke nor his caller bad seen the face of a man who was peering in at an open window and listening to the entire conversation. This rson waited till Bayard Swift had left the ue, and then he placed his bands on the win- Hearing a soft noise behind him, Mr. Duke Violet Vane’s Vow. saw a strange man sitting in the open window with his feet within the room. Like a flash the mine-owner’s hand flew to his breast pocket and out leaped a revolver. The man in the window laughed, ‘* Go a little slow, Charlie,” he said, coolly. Duke recoiled a step, his face paling. ‘““Who are you?” he demanded, harshly. I will have you—” * Oh, no you won't, Charlie.” *“Who are you?” the startled mine-owner repeated, ‘One who knows your record,” was the in- solent reply. Horatio Duke’s face flushed and then turned very white, ““Get out of this room!” he commanded, angrily. ‘‘Goout the way you came. Ido not know you.” ‘** You are mistaken,” * Will you go?” **Do not be in such a rush, old boy. Can it be you have always movedin a hurry since you skipped from Pittsburg so lively?’ ° Horatio Duke trembled from head to foot, but controlled his shaken nerves by a powerful effort, ‘*T do not understand you,” he declared, his voice sounding harsh and unnatural, **Oh, yes you do!” laughed the ragged, un- kempt fellowin the window, ‘* You understand me very well, Charles Derril.—Hold! Lift that revolver and [ bore you through!” With amazing swittness the impudent stranger produced a revolver from some part of his tat- tered garments, and covered the magnate of Damascus, There was a Cangerous glitter in his eyes that caused the furious mine-owner to hesitate, even though the desire to shoot the fel- low was almost beyond Duke’s control. ‘*Hold yourself steady, old man,” cautioned the stranger, as if he realized how difficult a thing it was for Duke to restrain his passion. ‘* Don’t try it unless you want a through ticket to Kingdom Come, I can snuff you out by crooking my finger,” Like a cornered and beaten beast, the mine- owner glared at the individual who held the drop. Finally, he said, very slowly: . a whom am I to attribute the honor of, this ca ‘*Can it be you do not know me now?” laughed the stranger. ‘*‘ Well, [scarcely wonder. The last time you saw me you were a fugitive from justice, and I was a sJeek, well-dressed and highly respected business-man, Things have changed since then, These clothes are enough to disguise me, but this beard helps out wonder- fully. However, you should know my voice, Perhaps if I stand you will take a tumble to me, The man arose from the window, and barely had he straightenec to his full height when Horatio Duke uttered an exclamation of amaze- ment, and clutched at the back of a chair as if for support. ** Jim!” he cried, ** Ha, ha, ha!” laughed the man who had en- tered at the window, ‘‘ So you recognize me at last. But how isthis? You do not seem very descr to see your own half-brother. As far as we now, the same man was the father of us both— and a confounded rascal he was, too!” ** Jim, why are you here?” ‘* For the same reason you came to me once— protection. You were fleeing from the officers of the law. What had you done? Oh, yes! Forged another man’s name,” ‘*Stop! That is forever in the past.” ‘* Whew! Is that so? I wonder if you have settled with the parties whose pelt you slashed so unmercifully?” That is nothing to you.” **'You are mistaken; it is everything to me. I am in the same plight that you were when you asked my protection,” ‘* What have you done?” “Well, ahem! To be honest, my offense is a little more serious. It was a bank cashier who foolishly caused me trouble in getting at the funds of the concern. It was an accident. They said his funeral was a grand affair.” ‘*My God—murder!” ‘Ob, come now! that is really an unpleasant word. I tell you it was an accident.” “But your hands are stained with human blood !” ** Now don’t git the horrors like that. 1 could hang my hat on youreyes, I wonderif I look that way when I am frightened. You know people used to say we looked very mach alike in the old days. Perhaps it wonld be so now ir this ragged beard were removed and | were in decent clothes,” SF Sse > en eee eee ————————————————————————————————————— sl € *, ia - - or 4! he . : «,) DE ae 3 c= ~ h . Duke made an impatient gesture, ** Don’t speak of that!” he cried, unpleasant taste into my mouth.” he ragged man laughed sneeringly, ‘*Oh, it does, does it? So you have become mighty fine since dodging the police of Pitts- burg! You bave no cause to put on frills with me, but I don’t care. The question is- Will you hide and shelter me till the bloodhounds of the law lose the scent? One of them is hot on my trail now.” ** No, I will not.” What?” ‘*'You heard and understood. I will have nothing to do witaa murderer, even though he be a son of my father,” The ragged man whistled softly. ‘* Perhaps you can be induced,” he insinuated, ‘*No, You have no power overme. I know my name is dishonored in x A old home, but the debt has been settled and I have the pledge of the man whom ] wronged that be will not mo- lest me,” ‘** But for old times—” ‘Old times are nothing tome, You refused me shelter and protection when I called on you, and I was forced to skulk and hide like a bunted dog. ** But I did not dare—” ‘‘T would not shelter you if I dared.” For several seconds the two men glared straight into each other’s eyes, then the one ad- dressed as Jim snarled: ‘All right! Do as you please, curse youl But if you think you can use me thus and not rue it, you are mistaken. I have found youhere an bonored man in this place, but if I choose I can drag your name in the filth of the street! Do you-defy me?” sé I do hi ‘‘That settles it! But listen tome, As true as my name is James Derril—as true as there is a God—you shall repent this moment in tears of blood! You do not know me, There isa devil in me of which you do not dream, and you have aroused it to-night, You are rich, Every dol- lar you possess shall be mine! I swear it!” ‘‘Enough, you cur!” cried Horatio Duke, sternly. ‘‘I will listen tono more, You came in at the window, and you may go as you came, It will be the worse for you if youever cross my path again. Go!” ‘Yes, I will go, but do not forget my words,” And without another word of parting, the fugitive from justice sprung out through the ae and disappeared in the darkness of the night. “Tt puts am CHAPTER V. THE VAILED LADY AND THE MYSTERIOUS VOICE. AFTER leaving Horatio Duke’s house Bayard Swift, the young mine superintendent, walked rapidly along the main street of Damascus till he was directly in front of the Sweet Buttercup Saloon, where he was met by Royal Norman, The young men greeted each other cordially, and Norman asked: ** How do things move, Swift?” ‘* Finely,” was the reply. ‘* Tbe men will re- turn to work in the morning.” ** All of them?” ‘¢'There may be a few exceptions, but they will be very few. The ones who will remain out are the very ones we do not care about baving in our employ. It is possible that Mr. Duke’s ene- mies will betray themselves in that manner.” ‘‘ You have not been able to learn who circu- lated the false report in regard to the cut down?” ‘‘No; but I hope to learn the truth soon.” ‘*T hope you will.” “*T have just come from Mr, Duke’s.” ‘‘ Indeed. And did you see—Meta?”’ ‘“T did not, You will have to goround your- self if you wish to learn anything of her, Nor- | man,” ‘‘Tt will not do to call too often, you know,” At this moment the figure of a Jady who was closely vailed passed them and, after a moment's hesitation, entered the saloon. ‘*Good graci \us!” exclaimed Swift, ** What is it?” “ That lady.” . ‘¢T saw her, and [ fancy she is one in whom ou take a great interest. It was the singular ady whom the citizens of Damascus have desig- nated as ‘the Vailed Mystery.’” ‘“T thought so; but what can she wantin there? She does not frequent such places. will follow Ler.” The young superinterdent burried into the saloon, leaving Royal Norman muttering: ‘¢ There is something singular about that pair. re RET a =, . > iim @ : 5 - a= * ee ; wh. > hu tte of, xi >