Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 721 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

a ae Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective. ‘““ What do you mean by this outrage?’ de- | tain, and began scanning the faces of the crowd | manded Frank, as soon as he was able to speak. ** Mean a rope, I reckon,” chuckled Mockton, ** It’s about time we'd put a stop to this killing and robbing business, and a rope is about the best thing to do it with.” » **T shall make you repent this,” replied Frank. ** You pretend to think that we have committed robbery, when you know better. You are a set of rascals and I shall see that your are punished for this outrage.” Mockton answered by giving vent to a coarse laugh, ‘* Tt’s well enough for you to play innocent, but that don’t prove anything,” observed the marshal, Then turning to Mockton, he added: ‘* Bind the prisoners on two of the horses and some of us can ride double, Let’s be off.” ** Yes, the boys are kinder anxious for a hang- ing exercise,” replied Mockton, with a chuckle, *“‘and I reckon we ain’t the men to keep ’em waiting.” Frack and Nat were speedily compelled to mount the animals which were selected for their use, after which they were securely bound to the saddles, Then the little cavalcade rode ~ ant the slope toward Desert City, at a brisk rot, The two prisoners were thoughtful and silent. Well they knew the character of the men into whose hands they had fallen. With only a vague understanding of the true situation, it was difficult to determine what the outcome would be. That they were suspected of having been implicated in the robbing of the stage was evident; but both Frank and Nat felt sure that Mockton was the prime mover in attempt- ing to fasten the guilt upon them, Although it would be easy to establish their innocence of the crime with which they were charged if they were given a fair chance, yet with an enemy to advise like Mockton, it was doubtful that they would be given even a chance to do so, It had been customary, in that region, to string up parties suspected, without going to the trouble of atrial. Both being strangers, the prisoners realized that their situation was a grave one, An excited crowd of citizans were gathered in the street awaiting’ the arrival of the marshal and the prisoner. | They were conducted into a large adobe build- ing, and ushered into the presence of a sbaggy- headed justice, who was waiting to give the prisoners a hearing. ‘*Gentlemen,” said the marshal, glancing at the crow, ‘‘ we have captured two men who are undoubtedly guilty of this outrage that has been committed. It is our dooty to see that they are punished, but we muz3t first give them a trial, though I bave no dcubt of their guilt.” ‘** Not in the least,” broke 1n Mockton. “We orter string ’em up right now,” cried one of the crowd, : ** You bet!” sanctioned another. 7 “String ’em uP string ’em up!” came froma dozen excited voices, and a great crowd began to surge in at the open door, It was not surprising that the citizens became excited, and impatient, for there had been three robberies within as many weeks, and in the last, two men had been murdered by the robbers, Indeed, so great was the indignation of the populace, it was evident the prisoners would be summarily dealt with unless immediate steps were taken to prevent it, The justice, although an illiterate and un- couth-looking character, was a firm believer in Nes everybody fair play, and after calling or silence, he said: ** Pellers, hit ain’t no use ter git excited over this thing. The pris’ners may be guilty an’ they may not. That’s jist the way it stan’s. If they air guilty then they orter be punished, an’ I ain’t got a word ter say, but if they ain’t guilty, then I say they orter be released. on’t think thar’s a man ia Desert City mean enough ter punish an innocent purson.” ; ** No, boys; the judge is right,” agreed one of the men, “I’m in fer givin’ ’em a fair show.” _ “Me too,” added another, — - An’ as I was jist goin’ ter remark, ” continu- ed the justice, “thar ain’s goin’ ter be any pe al byer tell these fellers are given a chance, an’ I’ve decided to hold the pris’ners tell ter- morrow before givin’ ’em a hearin’,” This had the effect of quieting the angry citizens, somewhat, and turning to the marshal the justice ordered that the prisoners be taken to the and locked up and a guard placed in front of the jail door, | That evening a litt’e before sunset, a horseman e into rt City. He had come by the ‘Tombstone road, and hitching his panting horse to the nearest rack, he entered the Desert Foun- ' leaning on the bar. ee a tessa present. A sudden light of recognition sbone in his eyes as they encountered Mockton, It was evident that Mockton recognized the new-comer, but neither spoke. The stranger walked to the bar, ordered a drink, drank it, and then strolled leisurely toward the rear end of the hall, wherea few men were gathered about afaro table, He stood for some time watching the game, and Mockton, approached and stood by his side, For some time the twostood therein silence, then, unobserved by any of the bystanders, the new-comer slipped something into Mockton’s hand, A few moments later the stranger left the saloon, and mounting his horse, galloped out of town upon the Tombstone road, Mockton thrust the bit of folded paper which had been placed in bis hand into his pocket, and turned from the gambling table. He was in the act of leaving the room when the bartender called to him. ‘* Well, what are they going to do with the men that was captured?” queried the dispenser, “String ’em up, I reckon?’ ‘*That’s just what we ought to do,” declared Mockton, ‘* but some of the boys are in favor of giving them a trial.” **°Tain’t no way to do business,” asserted the bartender; “* I’m in for stringin’ ’em up without any foolishness,” ‘That was my idea.” ** Do you think one of them is Red Rufus?’ **T am sure of it.” ** And the other?” ‘*T don’t know; one of the gang, I suppose,” ‘*They must have their rendezvous near here, and if they have, I believe we can capture the whole gang, if the matter is managed properly.” ‘‘ But what is the use uf catcbing the robbers if we are going to play the fool and give them a chance to essape? Who knows but what a dozen of their pals may be in the town now, waiting for a chance to rescue them from our hands, “You are right, Mockton. We can’t be too careful, and a sbarp watch should be kept over the prisoners to prevent any chance of escape or rescue. But we will never break up ‘the gang till we lay hands on Merto, the Robber Queen. She is a devil, if there ever was one, and has managed to escape every tire she has been lo- cated, in spite of every officer and detective in Arizona,” ‘‘That’s a fact. Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective, thotght he had her once, up at Tomb- stone, but she gave him the slip.” ‘*T heard something of that; but, how did it or. ‘*This Maverick Mose captured one of her ng, 80 I heard, and promised not to prosecute im if he'd give information that would lead to the capture of the Robber Queen and Red Rufus, ‘Well, did he do it?” ‘* Yes—that is, he pretended to, Told them of a place in the mountains where the robbers had their rendezvous,” ‘* But the robbere wasn’t there?” Ww ‘* No; a posse of armed men visited the place, and found nothing, save the place where some one bad been camped.” had captured—what ‘And the robber they became of bim?”’ “*T was just going to say, that when the man returned to Tombstone the outlaw had broken jail and escaped,” ‘* How did he manage it?” “Well, he was aided by some of bis pals, who had doubtless been in the town all the time, waiting for a favorable opportunity to help him escape,” : ‘“We must see to it that the same thing don’t ay here,” ‘That’s right,and if Red Rufus is ever at large again it will be because we and a‘set of f 00. ‘Who is this Maverick Mose? I’ve heard of him, and it was reported that he had visited this place, but if be did, no one here recognized him.” ‘“*T can’t tell you who he is, though I did hear he was a cowboy from across the country some- where east of here.” ‘““He had better back to ‘cow-punching,” laughed the bartender, “if he can’t do better than he has done.” ; At this juncture several customers approached the bar, and Mockton turned and walked hastily from the room, , } CHAPTER IV. A DIABOLICAL SCHEME. NIGHT was coming down on Desert City. The figure of a man entered a small adobe y , shanty in the outskirts of the town, closing and bolting the door after him. A moment later a kerosene lamp was lit, revealing the scowling visage of Bill Mockton, He seated himself by a rickety pine table, and drawing a piece of paper from his pocket, he unfolded it and read as follows: ‘*Be on your guard. Detective, is in Desert Cety.”” The paper contained no date or signature, and was written in a hurried, scrawling hand, Mockton uttered a snarl as he read these few words, and rising, he erushed the paper in his band, and began pacing restlessly up and down the narrow room, ‘Curse him,” he hissed, savagely, ‘‘ let me but once get my eyes upon him, and I’! bore his car- cass so full of holes that it won’t hold baled bay. For months he has dogged my footsteps, and three times I have been forced to fly to escape him, And so he has tracked me bere! A thou- sand curses! Will he never cease following me? I must ‘be on the lookout. If he is here, 1 may expect trouble at any moment, I must see the marshal and put him on the alert, I wonder if that detective is really in Desert City at this moment, If he is I must have seen him, and et—” ‘ Mockton stopped suddenly, and stood as if turned to stone, a fierce light burning in bis eyes, y Suddenly he lifted his clinched hand with a spasmodic jerk, and bringing it down with a vigorous thump upon the table in front of him, he hissed: “Wools! idiots! Nat Barker is the man, and I'll swear to it, yet not one has suspected it. ~ My God!” he continued, with a gasp, “can’t we see anything? But, be is in our power now, curse bim, and he must not live to see another day— A knock at the door interrupted him. ‘* Who is it?’ demanded Mockton, laying his hand upon his pistol. Five slow, deliberate taps upon the door was the only answer. Without another word Mockton approached, and drawing back the bolt, threw the door open. The city marshal entered. ‘‘ Well, are the prisoners securely caged?’ queried Mockton, carefully rebolting the door, ‘‘ Yes: and now what's to be done?” one men had now seated themselves by the table. Mockton made no answer, but handed the piece of paper which he held in his hand to the marshal. ; An exclamation of astonishment broke from the marshal’s lips as Le read it. ‘“When did you receive this?” he asked, his voice betraying his emetion. : “ An hour ago.” ‘* Who brought it?” ‘‘ One of the men.” , ‘‘ Did he say how they discovered this fact?” ‘‘ No; he gave me the letter and rushed away without saying a word,” ‘* This is all the word that was sent?” “ Yes—all.” The marshal gave vent to a low whistle. “* Do you think the detective is really here?’ | he asked. ae I do,” ‘*T bave suspected no one of being Maverick Mose. I know nearly everybody in town, aud.t am puzzled to locate him,” ‘* Of course,” scornfully. «You seem very positive,” “1 am.” ‘Perhaps you have seen him, then?” se Yes ” “ When?” * This evening.” The marshal jumped to his feet, an exclama- tion of astonishment ene his lips. ‘“ Where is be, now?” the officer asked, eager- ly: “‘we must find him—we must not let bim ” _ Mockton threw out his hand with a gesture o impatience, | «Sit down!” he cried, authoritatively, ‘I want to talk business. if he escapes us now it will be your fault.” ; | ‘“ What do you mean?’ A sarcastic laugh escaped Mockton. “The deuce! are you blind?” be hissed, in a tone of disgust. ‘‘Can’t you see a rope till it is around yourneck? You jest locked up a man who gives his name as Nat Barker—” ** Yes—but you don’t mean to say?—” “* He is the man !” : ‘The devil and Tom Walker!” gasped marshal, ‘‘ how did you find this out?” _ au (G aa Ue Maverick Mose, the Arizona . 7 e 1? the