Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 770 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

; f 40a “¥ ‘ ea ee ; , , N I 4 + « fs i Pia)! vais ae ing, for he may want to continue under his as- sumed name, and thatgis his own affair. I would not have disclosed anything to you, but you would soon have guessed it anyhow,” **T had guessed it already, and it would soon have been confirmed. You may trust me.” ‘* Now I will write and post my notice,” Stepping to the bar, Dick called for pen and at t did not take him long to pen-print what he desired to set forth, and when is was dcne he posted it up. It was like this: “RED ROY. *T want another interview with you, time and place to suit yourself. You have communicated with me before, and of course can find a way todo so again. Let me hear from you soon, and in the mean time beware of doing harm to your prisouer. ‘* DEADWOOD Dick, JR.’’ **There,” Dick said, ** we will see what « ffect that will have, Blocked in every direction, it is the only thing I can do,” Just then Mayor Archibald Grimm entered the bar-room., ‘‘ Great storm-king!” he exclaimed. ‘* What is et this time? Whatar’ you postin’ up, Rich- ard?” ‘‘A little communication for Red Roy, the same as you have done yourself,” was the re- sponse. ‘* Mine is of a different kind, how- ever,” The mayor read it. ‘*T should say et is,” he cried, ‘* Mine means war, while yours bas ther tone of surrender, I hope ye ain’t goin’ to take water for ther p'izen cuss,” * You will have to call it that, I suppose,” Dick had to admit, ‘' He holds the winning ecard, and I see no other way out of the situa- tion, I shall have to accept any terms I can ; et,” ore That’s rough, by ther livin’ Jupiter et is! What ef ye find he has killed yer wife, though, or done harm to ber? I reckon thar will be war then.” Dick’s face took on its hard, grim look. ‘It will be his life or mine,” he responded, ** But, I hope nothing of that sort has happened, I eannot believe this Red Roy is evil enough to turn murderer of women,” While Dick was speaking, Henry Whipple, the man with the tutts of whiskers on bis side cheeks, entered. He stopped, interested in what was being said, Dick looked at him, and of a suddena new suspicion flashed upon his mind. Could it be that this man was the outlaw? There was not much to support the suspicion, but then Dick did not look for the man to appear before him in his red attire, with his name branded on his sore or avything of that sort. This might &. CHAPTER XIII, DICK WARNS WALT THORNTON, PRESENTLY, when Deadwood Dick was about to leave the room to go to the Prlace Saloon to see Gregory Mayham, the man with the **Galloways,” Henry Whipple, followed bim to the door. This Dick noticed, but did not pay any attention to the man until a detaining hand fellupon hisarm, ‘Well? Dick interrogated, stopping and facing bim. ‘*May I have a word with you in private, sir?’ the man asked. ‘‘I may be able to help you some.” ‘* You may have a word with me, certain- ly,” answered Dick. ‘‘ As to your being able to help me any, that remains to be seen. Shall we talk here?’ This had been said in low tones, ‘No, I will go out with you,” was the re- sponse. ‘‘I do not care to have any one over- hear what I was about to tell you. I may be altogether wrong in my suspicions, but that will be for you to determine.” Together they went out and walked slowly in the direction of the Palace, ‘You suspect that Red Roy is here in the camp,” said Whipple, by way of introducing® what he had to tell, ‘* Hither he, or an ally,” answered Dick. ‘“Exactly; and it matters little. Now, I mr be wrong, but there isa man hers whose actions are not altogether right, to my ideas,” ** Very likely.” “In fact, being interested in your cage, hear- ing nothing else, I have come to think this person may be Red Roy, or an ally,” ** Who is the person?” ‘ i 4 gull } r - : (! ae " we eos Sa eee v ¥ i G” : wh . "bes « - , “= Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defeat. ** Well, a young man who spends most of his tim at the saloon. He is known as Walt Thorn- ton, I believe.” Deadwood Dick stopped short and looked at Whipple keenly. Knowing full well who and what Walt Thorn- ton was, bere was further proof that Whipple was not above suspicion, ‘‘ What do you know about the young man?” Dick demanded, ‘* Well, nothing; only be acts rather peculiar, as you yourself must admit if you watch hima little,” ‘*That is no proof that be is an outlaw, sir. I might as soon suspect you of being tbe same, if lsaw anything outof the usual about you; yet that would not be anything like proof,” He watched the man closely as he spoke, His words seemed to have no effect, but rolled off as harmlessly as water from a duck’s back, If other than he seemed, the man certainly had command of his nerve and would not let any agitation betray him. ‘*Of course not,” he made answer, ‘ This was a suspicion that seemed! to force itself upon me, and knowing the great trouble you are in I thought I would mention it to you.” ‘That is all right, sir, and [am obliged to you for your interest, I will take notice of the young man and see if 1 can agree with you,” ‘* You are going to see him now?” 46 Yes,” » ** Well, I will leave you and let you go alone, I will return to the hotel and there await your return. I shal] be eager to know what you think.” ** You shall know when I come back,” They parted, Dick entering the Palace and Whipple retracing his steps to the hotel. Dick found Walt Thornton in conversation with Queen of Hearts, both seated in easy- chairs at the far end of the saloon, The woman was not clad now as she had been on the previous night, but in a plain dress, She was handsome, and the very likeness of her sister at the botel, There were not many persons in the saloon, as was always the case at that hour of the day, and the two were evidently enjoying a private talk. Dick did not disturb them, It was not long, bowever, before the woman observed bim, Soe nodded pleasantly to bim, and motioned for him to approach, an invitation which Dick accepted promptly. ‘*] see you have fully recovered,” the woman said, ‘* How fortunate you were that it was no worse for you, Are you acquainted with Mr, Thornton?” ‘* No, Lam not,” Dick made response, An introduction followed, * Yes,” Dick then made acknowledgement, * I am all right again; and it’ was, as you say,a fortunate thing it was no worse forme. It was a close all,” “Truly it was. Well, have you any news concerning your wife?” ‘* Nove whatever.” ** And what will you do? It must be terrible suspense for you.” Dick told what he intended doing, and conver- sation ensued similar to what has been quoted between him and Handsome Harry. * You have thought of no way in which I can be of service to you, have you?” the Queen of Hearts presently asked. ‘* There is no way, so far as I can think,” an- swered Vick,‘* unless you can show memy enemy, or his ally. Iam satisfied he ts not alone in his work here,” ‘* Ha! you think that? What leads you to that conclusion,” ** Well, the game he is playing, it seems to me, is slightly too much for one alone to handle.” ‘* You do not suspect any one, do you?” ‘What would you say if I were to tell you I suspect you?” _ So suddenly did Dick bring this out that it was ie phe for the woman to be prepared for it, She paled and then grew red, Dick’s eyes were fixed upon hers, and he noted the effort with which she recovered herself and smiled. He smiled, too, and was quick to speak again, to disarm the suspicion he had possibly raised, ‘“*That was rather rough,” he said, ‘* Pray forgive me, Queen of Hearts. What I meant to imply is, that it isa mystery so deep that I might as soon suspect you of being concerned in it as any one else. You know I am entirely in the dark respecting it.” **But what a start you gave me! Why, I thought you really meant it. It was almost cruel of you, Mr, Bristol.” ‘ , = ‘ ° s “gn = v b a a ves x = seemingly forgotten in a few minutes, Dick bad taken a seat, as he bad been invyi to do, and did not seem disposed to take his leave in a hurry. There was considerable of talk, of no par- ticular interest to our story, and at last the (Jueen of Hearts rose and took ber leave. She retired to rooms in the rear, and when she had gone Deadwood Dick leaned forward to address the young man on a matter in which he could not fail to have interest, ‘‘Mr, Mayham,” he said, ‘‘I must speak to you upon a matter of greatest importance,” The young man had started violently at men- tion of his name, and looked at Dick in a won- dering sort of way. ‘* Do not be surprised that I know you,” Dick added. ‘‘I came here on purpose fo find you and had a photograph of you to guide me, I have news for you,” ‘You do not wait for me to admit my iden- tity,” tbe young man said, then. ‘‘Itis taken for granted, it seems, that [am the person you name, Would it not be well to have proof of it? ‘*Not necessary,” answered Dick, ‘‘I am positive; admit it or not, just as you please,” ‘* Well, what is the news you have for me?” ‘*T have been sent to find Gregory Mayham, to inform him that bis cousin is dead, and that he is heir to the estate and title in England, and that his return to that country is desired.” Mayham bad partly sprung from his chair, turning white and red by turns, apd could not hide his emotion, ‘*Ts this true?’ he cried, about it?” “Tt is true,” Dick assured. person to jest, least of all now,” ‘Well, this is a windfall. I never expected to come into this thing, for my cousin was a rugged fellow, and looked likely to live a round numt er of years, me?” ‘** Nothing, except that I am supposed to see that vou get safely off for England as soon as possible, Under the present circumstances, however, I do not see how it is going to be pos- sible for me todo that, The best I can do is to offer vou some common sense advice,” ‘* Well, what is that?” ‘That you do not let it be known who you are; that you break away from here as soon as you can; that you make few friends until you again She laughed lightly, and the —— ** There is no jest **T am not the set your foot firmly on English soil,” ‘ ‘* You speak as though danger were dogging my steps,” ‘*T do not know that, but you can see for , ae What more have you to tell —_— vourself that what I have said is best for yout. & . follow,” The young man’s face grew suddenly sober, and he was silent, ‘“T cannot leave bere at once,” he said, speak- ing as much to himself as to Dick, “TI am boun: here by ties stronger than you can think,” ‘“You may be wrong about that,” said Dick. ‘‘ Do you give me leave to guess what the tie is?” ‘‘- Yes, you have that right, certainly.” * You are in love with this woman, this Queen of Hearts,” Confusion was for a moment pictured upon the young man’s face, and he did not speak av once, ‘* T have guessed aright,” Dick added, ‘‘ Now, are you willing to listen to a word more of ad- vice from me?” ‘You are astrange man, Mr. Bristol. I have beara much abont you, since you came here. Men say you know everything, and I believe you do.” “Well, hardly,” Dick denied. ‘‘I do, how- ever, know one or two things which you do not know. Let us still be cautious iv our talk. You believe this woman to be Almah Parmiter, of course,” ** How did you know her name?” ‘*No matter; that is who you take her to he. Let me tell you that you are mistaken; that this is not she,” ‘** Not Almah Parmiter! You are crazy.” “Am 1? Stop and think a moment. Is this woman’s conduct like that of the girl who won pour regard? Has she not changed past all be- ie Dick was following the clew given him by the girl at the hotel. ‘*T must admit that,” said Thornton. ‘‘Then let me tell you the truth at once. This woman is not Almah Parmiter, but ber twin sister, Her name is Ariel. She is her sister’ enemy, and has lured you away from the oi 7 really love. No, do not dispute it: I ha proof. Go to the Silver (Bugle, quietly, a