Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 764 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

— - -* | : - utation, for W “Yon are wrong,” Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand. guard against her doing harm to herself, you know.” ‘* Yes, we know,” observed the woman, ‘‘- You overheard our talk, then?” ‘* A good deal of et, anyhow; enough ter show that you ar’ true to an absent wife,” ‘You heard enough, then, to have pity for the young woman, Do what you can for her til] I can have her taken care of somehow.” “ And what ar’ you goin’ ter do?” asked the man. ‘*T have further business at the camp of Cor- duroy Crossing,” replied Dick, ** Don’t you know that it would be death for you to go there?” demanded the woman. ‘* No, I do not know that it would,” responded the detective. ‘I have been in tight places too often to beafraid, But, tell me something about yourselves, Do you belong at this camp!” ‘** No,” answered the woman, ‘‘ we don’t. But, come with us, and perhaps wecan be of some help to you. We stand ready to offer our serv- ices, and you won’t miss anything by knowing more of us, anyhow,” . Dick noted that her manner bad changed, ‘* T know already that you are not what you seem,” he declared, 7 Then,” cried the woman, ‘‘ know me for bd I am, I have no further need for this dis- uise, With a few quick movements her outer dress fell off, showing another of rich crimson under it, and putting on her mask and a hat on her head, there stood Captain Crimson, Deadwood Dick looked the surprise he felt, ‘* Whoever you are,” be declared, “‘ you are no slouch at that business.” ** And would you know who I am, too?” asked theman. “I will show you ina few brief mo- ments,” He stepped away afew pacesinto the shad- ows, and when he returned Dick recognizad at once the man whose life he had saved, Water- stons! “This is an agreeable surprise,” Dick cried, extending his band, ‘* Now I can fully under- stand why you accepted the chance to get away from our enemies,” ‘*Tt was to come back and try another shy at them,” was the response, ‘But, I must ask you to give all the credit to this lady,sir, It was she whe tracked you here, Instinct seemed to lead her.” ‘* How did you strike my trail here?” “We called at the hotel,” was the woman’s response, ‘‘ and learned that you were not there, We next made acircuit of the camp, but with no result, When we returned toward the hotel I observed this young woman leave it and having noticed her manner toward you before, told myself that sbe was looking for you, or . else knew where you were, and was going to you.” ‘** And by following her you found me,” “You are right. - But, come; this is a poor place to remain in.” “*] beg you leave me here,” cried Nugget Nell. ‘‘ Leave me here to die. I do not want to live.” gsm Captain Crimson, **T am a woman, and [ am your friend. You must go with me, willingly or not, fur your own good,” _ Weeping and protesting, the girl would have remained, but ber struggles were of no avail, and she was forced to accompany the trio out and off in the direction of the shore, When the shore of the lake <7as roached. a short walk brougbt them to the spot under tho bluff whore Captain Crimson’s men were wait- ing, and there, as soon as Nugget Nell had been made as comfortable as possible, 2 consul- tation was held. Said Captain Crimson: ‘* Now, Deadwood Dick, we happen to know something about your business here, and want to help you, This gentleman, Mr. Waterstone, is really Ben West, the noted detective of whom you have heard—” **Ben West!” cried Dick. ‘‘ Is it possible?” —_—_----— CHAPTER xv. DISCOVERING THE MYSTERY, Mi cig two detectives grasped hands fora hearty $s e, They were not unknown to each other by rep- : est was a man who had done some remarkably clever work, As for Deadwood Dick, his name was known from ocean to ocean, and from border to berder, It was A househol rogues’ terror, d eute every where, and the OE a, “<q ‘** We may as well have an understanding be- fore we proceed further,” suggested Dick, after some remarks had been exchanged, derstand that you are here on business, West, and that Captain Crimson and her men are your | time for action, allies—” ‘*You make a mistake there,” West inter- rupted, ‘‘I never saw eee Crimson or her men before in my life, till they came into the camp to our rescue. She will tell you this is so. We are however, allies now, for the purpose of helping you out in whatever you bave on band,” ‘Ts it possible? Then, Captain Crimson, may ITinquire who and what you are? Since we are to work together you can have no good reason for withholding the truth concerning yourself.” ‘‘] must remain unknown for the present,” was the response, ‘‘And, if you will excuse me, I will retire a few minutes while you talk.” With that she walked away along the shore of the lake, presently stopping and bathing ber face in the cool water. ‘‘ What business brought you here?’ asked Dick of his fellow-detective. ‘*T was sent here to learn something about this wild hole,” wasthe response, ‘* I haven’t learned much yet, however. What brought you here?” ‘The same errand,” Dick answered, ‘‘I came to play a lone hand, so to say, and would have carried it out, too, if I could have persuaded Nug- get Nell to release me. [ might have got down- ed, however.” ‘*T believe you would; in fact, there is a pros- pect that we shall all get downed, as you call it. This is as bad a hole as I ever set foot into, Well, have you been able to learn anything?” ‘No; but I expect to learn something this night.” ** And what is that?” ‘‘ You heard Tiger Bill speak about the ‘ yel- low,’ did you not?” ‘* Yes; and I wondered what he meant by it, too. What do you imagine he referred to?” ‘*T have been puzzling my head to guess, Naturally, one would think be means gold, but that does not seem to be it, all things con- sidered.” ‘“‘Tagree with you. Well, it is our business to learn, anyhow. It must be high time the mys- tery arrived, I should think, Whatis to be our plan of action? We must have it understocd.” Nugget Nell here spoke up. ‘* Deadwood Dick,” she said, ‘* if you will allow me to go free I will explain this mystery to ou. “What use will you make of your freedom, Nell, if I grant it to you on that condition?” Dick asked, ' ‘* Toat I will not tell you; but set me free and let nie go and I wil] tell you all.” ‘* You would be free now, were it not for your own good,” said Dick, kindly. ‘If I promise not to take my life will you let me go?” ‘* Would you keep that promise?” “Yes, I will.” “T am afraid to trust you, in your present state of mind,” ** You need have no fears, for the word of Nug- get Nell is never broken,” the girl assured, ‘* What is this about?” asked Captain Crimson, now returning, : Dick told her what bad been said, : ‘It must not be,” she immediately decided. “For ber own good we must bold the young wo- man witb us, We are her best friends, She is not her own friend now, and is not responsible for oer acts." ‘I agree with you, Lady Crimson,” spok West. you, y » Spoke up ‘‘ And I am inclined the same way myself,” as- sented Dick. ‘* We cannot let you go, Nellie.” The girl captive turned away her face, with tears in ber eyes plainly seen in the light of the one torch the group held, A comfortable pipe had been arranged for her, as said, with blankets, close under the edge of the bluff, and she could not escape without help. The two detectives, with Captain Crimson and ber men, held a conference, and arranged their plans as faras was possible, ignorant as they were of what work was before them, They had about come to the conclusion to re- main where they were until] morning, with men on guard watcbing for anything that might oc- cur at the camp, when some peculiar sounds out upon the waters of the lake claimed their atten- tion. Immediately all looked in the direction of the sounds, and listened. _““What do you make out of itf’ asked Detec- tive West. ‘* It bas the sound of a small army crossing the lake in boats,” suggested Dick. | agreed, ‘*] can un- | pected mystery.” 13 ‘¢ There are certe nly boats,” Captain Crimson ‘‘This must be the arrival of the ex- “T believe you,” agreed Dick. ‘“‘ Now is the 1 think, or at any rate, of pre- paration for action. Am I to have command?” ‘* Yes; that is understood.” ‘* Well, then, men, mount and hold yourselves in readiness, Captain Crimson, I think you had better remain with your men while West and I go forward to learn what we cap.” ‘No, sir; I do not agree to that,” was the firm reply. ‘‘My lieutenant will take charge of the men, and I will go with you. You will understand better my reason for this later on. Those boats are beading for the hotel,” “You are right; and, bark! the camp is awake and making for the shore. Whatever the mystery is, it is at hand now.” A few hurried words all around, and the trio, Dick, West and Captain Crimson, left the ehel- ter . the bluff and moved forward toward the hotel, When they passed out from under the bluff they saw the citizens of Corduroy Crossing hast- ening toward the lake-shore, with many torches, and all was excitement and uproar. By the reflection their lights cast upon the lake, the outlines of the coming boats could be seen, There appeared to be at least six of them, and every one was full of persons. “A strange thing to calla yellow cloud,” re- marked Ben West. “*T don’t know about it,” responded Dick, ~ “You suspect what it is? asked Captain Crimson. 3 ‘* Yes: listen.” Voices came to them from the boats, in a strange tongue. ‘‘Chinamen!” the woman in crimson ex- claimed. ‘‘ That is it,” returned Dick, ‘‘ They are what was termed the ‘ yellow,’” ** And what does it mean?” asked West. ‘“‘ Smuggling,” was Dick’s decisive answer, ‘‘ By the stars!” cried West, ‘‘ you have hit it! Why could we not think of that before?” ‘“‘ Because it is a new thing,” assumed Dick. ‘*T see through it now. The Celestials are land- edon Canadian soil, and then they are smug- gled over the border into the States,”’ ** And there is b'g money in it, I'll bet,” West _* Undoubtedly. Seneca will be here to pay for them, and we must bag the lot of them,” ‘It is going to be a dangerous bit of work,” declared Captain Crimson. ‘* Had we not bet- ter put it off until daylight” ‘‘ You are right about the danger of it,” agreed Dick. ‘* As to putting it off till morning, that will depend on what is done with the China- men.’ ‘If they attempt to get them away to-night, then we must go for them,” added West. “If not, if they camp down here, then we may let it rest over till we have daylight.” By this time the several boats had reached the shore, and the Chinamen, for such they were, were landing. Each boat-load, consisting of half a dozen, was taken off by itself, and men put in charge of the ‘‘ yellow ” contraband, Double-face Duncan, Bleezer Googin, Tiger Bill and others were prominent in the work and their voices were beard giving orders an directions. Finally, when the last boat had been unloaded, the boats were pulled up on the shore far enough to be out of danger of getting away, and all set off in the direction of the camp center. The Chinamen were fresh from their own flowery land, as was plain to be seen, and were as helpless as sO many geese. When they had gone some distance, Dick ask- ed Captain Crimson to signal to the horsemen to come up. This was done, and the seven horsemen were soon at hand, when Dick gave them instruc- tions what to do. Dick, West and the woman in crimson went up the dark street, then, in the direction the crowd had gone, and the horsemen followed them cautiously. By this time the crowd had reached the Howler Saloon, and the lights disappearing showed that they were entering that establisb- ment, and by the time Dick and his helpers reached the place re, was within. The saloon was lighted up, and by looking in at the windows Dick and his friends were able to see what was going on. The Chinamen were buddled like sheep in one corner, while at the bar were the boatmen in- | 900) com c