Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 770 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

A or - = - , . ie at the Palace Saloon. Dick was no nearer the solution of the pe: as it seemed, than he had been at first. The only thing he knew more was, that his wife was alive. "Yes, one other thing: he knew positively she was in the power of this unknown correspondent, Besides the man’s assertion to that effect, all three of the notes had been written on the same kind of pa- per and sent in similar envelopes, Dick finally took his leave and went to the hotel, He was in sore distress of mind, Everything seemed to be working against him, and he bad no beart to enter upon the real business that had brought him to the camp. Throwing himself in a chair in an out-of-the- way corner of the bar-room, he lighted a fresh cigar and tried to fix his thoughts upon the case in which he was more concerned, trying to get hold of some plan for the rescue of his wife, ‘*T am stumped, utterly,” he confessed to him- self, “It may be this Red Roy they tell about, but why has he been so long silent? And why has he sprung upon me the moment | come bere? Aud if it was with me he wanted todeal, why did he not go for me and leave Kate alone?” He thought hard—ratber tried so to think, We know Deadwood Dick. Kuow himasa cool, keen detective. Yet, he was not by any means infallible, He had made mistakes more than once, and more than once had his judgment been in error, It was no surprise that a mystery such as this should tax him as it did, ‘*t must think .it out,” he said to himself, de- terminedly, ‘‘I came here for the innocent pur- pose of finding one Gregory Mayham, of inform- ing him of his good fortune, and seeing that he got started off for Evglana all right. Why have I met with such a reception, when no one knew of my coming? It is impossible to solve that, yet. First and most important of all, where is Kate?” But, why follow his thoughts, when to do so would require a whole chapter or more devoted to nothing else? Suafficeit tosay that he was little nearer the truth, when he was finally in- terrupted, than when he had begun, He had been in his quiet corner something pute than an hour, when a man approached im : Aire you Mister Deadwood Dick?” the fellow asked, ‘*That is the name I answer to, sir,” Dick made response, ‘*Then you aire the man I want tosee, I hev been told ter fetch ye with me, ef ye would come alone.” se nee do you propose to take me?” Dick asked, ** Jest a leetle ways out of ther town, where a man is waitin’ to see ye on ’portant business.” ‘Very well, I am ready to go with you. Don’t ‘think you can lead me into any trap, however, *« my fine fellow, for 1 am armed, and will not hesitate a moment about drilling you if 1 suspect anything crooked.” ** Oh, that’s all right, boss,” he was assured, “1m ouly ter take ye to whar tlother man is, and that ends my “part in ther business. I know he is thar alone, howsumever, and that et is all right.” “Very well, I'll take your word for it; you take my warning. Lead on.’ They went out of the room, and off up the sdk aud out into the gulch along the regular trail. Finally they came to the place where the nar- row ledge branched off that let to tbe top of the cliff above the town, and there the guide stop- Nothing had been said on the way, no word spoken by either, but now as the man stopped and faced around be addressed Dick in language far different fronr that he had used at first. +» “I think this will an#wer as well as any other lace for our interview, Mr. Deadwood Dick,” e said, ‘‘l am the man wha sent for you, anting as my Own messenger, I suppose you can now guess who | am,’ “| take it for granted you are my unknown correspondent, if that word will apply in a case where it has been all one-sided,” ‘You are right, sir. [I am the person who sent you the notes to which you refer.” ‘Well, what do you desire to say to me, then, sir?” asked Dick. | “IT deeire to know what your decision is with regard to what I have already had to say,” was the return, ‘** You, then, are the person who is holding my wife prisoner, are you? You have the advan- tage of me in that respect. You*know I am pless. Whatare your terms” ok — = Cr — ~ 2 em mae ver _—_ Deadwood Dick, J r.’s, Defeat. . (OE PE Ne INE RIE a SR ATE EE OR, REE STE i 2D TS DBR OE ah MBE OE oS I have heard ever that Che ** Sensibly spoken,” cried the unknown, ‘‘ Yes, I am that person, and my terms, in few words, are these: That you go away from hers as soon as possible, no more to return. Your wife will be allowed to follow you two days later, and , you may name a place for her to meet you.” * That is liberal, certainly, but I must know more,’ se What more would you know?” ‘*' Well, | must bave some assurance that my wife will be properly treated in the mean time,’ ‘*T give you my promise for that.” ** You are unknown to me,’ ** You will have to take my word, neverthe- less. Do you agree to my terms?” ‘* Well, I must consider further before I ac- cept your liberal offer, sir. What if I do not accept?” ‘In that case your wife is as good as dead, You will never see her again, and your own life too will pay the penalty for your rashness,” ‘* Well, now, that is putting it rather strong, I'll be blowed if it ain ’t,” Dick observed in bis cool way. ‘* Has it occ urred to your mind that two can play at the same game?” ‘*Oh, yes, 1 have taken all that into con- sideration: but, when all the trumps are on one side the other fellow doesn’t haye much of a show, generally.” ‘*Then you will force me to do your bidding.” ‘* Either that, or worse; you may take your choice of the two evils,” ** Well, one thing more: who and whas are you?” ‘You know that already.” ** Are you Red Roy, the outlaw?’ “if you think so, all right; it’s all the same to me,” Dick felt annoyed at such answers, and at the man’s defiant manner. Had it not been that— But, vain regret; Kate was in his power. “Will you inform me,” be asked, holding back his rising rage, * why you bave jumped upon me in this manner? I never had heard of such a person as Red Roy at the time of the dis- appearance of my wife,” *‘T bave taken this course for the purpose of self-protection,” was the quietanswer, ‘‘ I have beard much about Deadwood Dick, I know you to be a relentless hunter of men who evade the law, and I decided at once to take the first step this time and hunt the hunter: do you see?” ‘* Will you listen toa reasonable proposition?” asked Dick. ** Yes; lam open to anything that will serve my ends. What have you tooffer in that way?” ‘* Restore my wife to me, allow me two days in which to finish my business here, which has nothing whatever to do with Red Roy; and I will take my departure, with the express under- standing that I will make no move against you for one month,” ‘* Well, that is refreshing, truly. Itis my in- tention to make you ledge yourself not to mo- lest me atall. Hither that, or war at’once and to the teeth. In what manner do you prefer to have your wife’s head sent to you? Do you’ want it on asilver dish? Just state your prefer- ence,’ Dead wood Dick could stand no more, Whipping outa pair of revolvers, with light- ning quickness, he covered the heart of the map before him, crying ‘* You infernal reseal Throw up your hands, or Plldrop you in your tracks where you stand " The other only folded his arms on his breast, coolly, and responded: **Don’t get excited, my brave Richard, I know what a hot-head you are, but you area man of sense at thesame time. If you kill me your wife will die of hunger, for no one else knows where she is,” ‘* Then here is another proposition,” cried Dick. **T will fight you, man to man, the victor to_win everything. If you kill me, then you will have: no reason to fear Deadwood Dick further, and my wife will be a widow and still in your power. On the other hand if [ kill you, then the victory is mine.” ‘* That is reasonable enough, but how will you find your wife if you do kill me in the fight?” ‘*Tell me where she is, and how to get her, before we begin,” ‘* That is reasonable enough, too; but, Richard, Iam not ready té pass in my checks yet, and so decline your offer, No; I have this thing all in my own hands, and there I am going to hold it,” ro You seem to forget that I have the drop on ou.” ‘*Pah! What care I for a trifle like that?” ** 1t seems our interview is resulting in noth- ing, so far.” ‘The fault is yours, Accept my terms and all will be well. word of Deadwood Jick is his bond, with friend and foe alike. Give me your werd, and I will carry out my part of the agreement to the let- ter. “Never!” cried Dick. ‘*Kate, forgive me, but Iam not able to bear more from this in- solent knave! Draw your weapon, Red Roy, if that is your name, and defend yourself, I am going to shoot you down unless you do.” ‘‘Oh, well, if that is the case, I suppose I shall have to oblige you,” said the outlaw, as coolly as ever, and he drew a wea apon. ** How many paces do you want between us?” ‘Stand just where you are!” was Dick’s stern command. ‘* We will be timed by the exhausts of that engine over there at the mines. When it bas given five puffs we will fire. Does that suit you?” ‘Perfectly. Say when you are ready.” ‘*T am ready now. Begin to count with this time:—One—” The moon was just showing over the hills, and there was plenty of light to assist their aim, Deadwood Dick certainly meant business, being willing to throw his life in the balance against this rascal who was holding his wife in bondage. He could have killed the man, as he believed, but that was not his way. He was ever ready to give and take, and believed that the time had not come for his good Juck to desert him, Plainly were heard the exhausts of the steam- engine, and at the fifth one, exactly in time with it, Dick fired, first one weapon and then the otber, He had expected to see the puffs of fire from his opponent’s weapons at the same time, and was surprised that he did nof. He was more surprised to see him standing beforerhim un- barmed, ‘“Did you not fire too scon?”’ the man asked. “Was not that the fourth, instead of fifth? But, no matter; you have had your turn, and now it is mine.” Even with bis words, and before Dick under- stood or could act, there was a flash and a re- port, and he, Dick, ‘threw up his arms and fell forward upon his face: the other thrusting bis weapon into his belt and dashing up the ledge trail at a run, CHAPTER [X, DECLARATION OF WAR--THE FRUITLESS SEARCH. WHEN Deadwood Dick opened his eyes, the morning sun was shiring in his face, and its rays had probably bad the effect to bring bim back to the land of the living. He was chilled to the bone, felt stiff and ac and bis head was aching in a terrific fashion. It took him but a few moments to bring to mind what had hep pened, but it presently came to him with a rush, and he sat up and looked around. He realized that he had had a narrow call, and putting his hand to his head, where the greatest pain and eit were felt, found his hair was matted ith blood, ew ll, that was a close shave,” he said to bimsel ‘* About as narrow a miss as [ ever experienced, [ believe. Well, I suppose I ought to be thankful I’m alive, andsolam, I wonder if’the other fellow managed to get away alive?” Getting upon his feet as soon as bis benumbed limbs would permit, he stepped to the spot where his antagonist bad stood at the time of the duel, and looked around on the ground for signs of blood. ‘* Strange,” he muttered, ‘but there isn’t a drop of blood here, Now I remember, he didn’s appear to mind the bullets at all. What sort of man was he, anyhow?” Dick was puzzled, and was in no trim to wres- tle with the problem just then, so be made his way toward the hotel, When he entered the street he was the object. — of many curious glances. Presently he came face to face, with the mayor, ‘Great storm-king!” that gentleman cried, “Whar bev you been, Deadwood? Hev ye been on a howlin’ rampage with a frisky lion, of somethin’ like thet? By ther livin’ Jupiter! y ™ . look as though ye had been havin’ @ sarcus with ¥ Po. a cattymount,” Dick smiled in a ghastly way. ‘“You are abont right. generally speaking, mayor,” beadmitted. ‘* I bad aduelon my hands last night, andI got the worstofit. A mancan’t expect to come out on top every time, you know. Are you going toward the hotel? I must go and right myself up a little.” ‘I’ve jest kem from thar, and in truth was goin’ ter look fer you. Et has jest been made ; + Beale com