Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 776 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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12 tion: that is, to the Palace Saloon. Do we both suspect that the woman, Queen of Hearts, is the ally of Red Roy?” **I have that suspicion, and I am watching her, Further than that, I suspect » ho Red Roy himself is, The end of his rope is not far away now, ‘*Good, and enough for the present. We will keep that place well under watch, and keep each other posted. When the time comes to strike the blow, just count on meas being with you.” They talked on, making disclosures and ex- changing confidences more than space will per- mit us to chronicle, CHAPTER XIII, SUGGESTED PLANS—ANOTHER DISCLOSURE, WHILE they were still talking, Harry Stacey came out of the hotel picking his teeth, a signal that he had just breakfasted. Seeing Icicle Isaac, he advanced toward him, exclaiming: ‘* W hat’s this [hear about you, pard?” ‘*Hard to tell,” was the response, ‘‘ What have you heard?” ‘*That you have had a hand-to-hand set-to with Red Roy. The landlord just told me about s+ 7) ‘* Well, it’s so,” the man of ice admitted; ‘‘ and it is so, too, that I got the worst of it. Too bad rou were not with me, for we would have had im, sure,” ‘* Yes, ’m sorry I was not. Why did you not let me into the scheme? Here I have been lying abed and missing all the fun, It isthe early bird that gets the worm, and I never get any. Ha! ha!” ‘‘ It was the early bird that missed it in my casa,” was the return. Icicle Isaac introduced Mr, Filburn, then, in a passing way, and tbe trio fell to talking about the matter of first importance in the public mind, ‘* There is one thing that will have to be look- ed out for now,” Handsome Harry remarked, ** And what is that?” asked Icicle Isaac, “Why, Mossler will haye to get bis men out ‘to guard the bullion at Blunt’s place, or Red Roy will have it yet. That was a good scheme, but it isn’t safe yet by any means,” ‘* Here is further proof against the evil of late sleeping,” laughed the man of ice, ‘* You are not up to date, Mr, Stacey. That bullion was not in the farmer’s wagon atall, but went out under the guard of ascore of men at daylight. a bullion isall safe enough now, depend on that, The gambler sport looked the surprise be felt. **'You don’t say!” be cried, ‘‘ Why, I knew nothing of that change of plan.” ‘* Nor did any one else, so you are not alone, Mossler kept it to himself as a dead secret.” ‘* Well, it wasn’t slow, and I’m glad the stuff is likely to get through all right, But, too bad you did not capture him, Icicle Isaac. If you ad only had one man with you!” ‘*Tf I bad, it would, perbaps, have meant one citizen the less for this camp,” was the dry re- sponse. ‘* Red Roy shoots with a deadly aim, I tell you.” ‘* Yet you came off alive.” ‘* You can see where his bullets took effect. If I had not been prepared for him I would now be a dead man,” ‘* Then you bave on a protector!” ** Yes, of course,” *‘ It would seem that you came here especially prepared for this man-bunt,” ** You forget what I told youabout myself, I am on &@ man-hunt, true enough, and a despe- rate one, too,” “Well, have you found out anything new? Have you any suspicions yet? [ suppose | may ask this in the presence of Mr. Filburn,” ‘* You would be safe in asking it in the pres- ence of the multitude,” was the response. ‘I have not learned anything new, and it looks as though I am not likely to, either.” ‘But, we won’t give up, anyhow. Here comes the mayor; we'll see what he has to say about it,” Mayor Grimm was approaching. ‘**I’m lookin’ fer you two fellers,” he called outashecameup. ‘I have got a plan that I want ter have ye give yer ’pinions on.” “All right, mayor,” responded Handsome Harry. ‘* What is it? **Come with me, you and Icicle Isaac, and Pil tell ye. No use ter let et out ef it ain’t any good,” Tbe man of ice and the gambler sport took Jeave of Mr, Filburp, and walked off in the di- wection of the mine office with the mayor. ** My idee is this,” the mayor at once made known, ‘ How will et do ter put a guard of men all around this camp, and not let anybody oe or in without knowin’ jest who and what be is ? “It might work,” said Handsome Harry. ‘**T do not think it would amount to anything,” Icicle Isaac disagreed, **Wull, yer opinions don’t seem ter ‘gree, that’s sartain,” the mayor declared. ‘‘S’pose ye ’splain.” ‘Well, { thought at once that it would make it a little more difficult for the rascal to carry on bis operations here,” Harry explained. ‘** And, tco, it might be the means of getting at his ally.” ‘**I don’t think so,” the man of ice still dis- agreed, ‘I believe Rad Roy and his allies have some secret way of access to this camp. More than that, I believe when they are shown up they will prove to be persons well known here, and who would not be suspected at all.” ** Yer don’t think that, do ye?” ** Yes, I do,” ‘Who can they be, then?’ queried Harry. ‘““ W here can they have their secret place?” ** There, now you ask me too much, That re- mains to be seen, Still, 1 don’t want to oppose your plan, mayor, for I may be mistaken,” “Wull, darn me ef what ye say don’t seem reasonable, Icicle lsaac. Mebby you have some plan ter suggest. Ef ye have, out with et, fer I am at my wits’ end ter see a way by which ter git hold of ther cuss,” ‘*] think another decoy will be the thing,” the man of ice ventured, ‘** But, that wull take time, yer know.” **1t will take time to get at the fellow in any way,sir. Letarich decoy be planned, and the secret let out, and I think we'll be able to take him, Of course he won’t notice the decoy, 1t is not likely, that is the known decoy; but the one supposed to have the wealth might bring him.” ‘There is something in that,” Handsome Harry at once fell in. thing must be done that is worth the trying.” So they talked on, till presently they round themselves at the office of the mine, where they entered, Colonel Mossler was there, wearing a smile as broad as it was long, He at once grasped the hand of Icicle Isaac and gave it a hearty pressure. ‘*That plan of yours was fine!” he cried, ‘“‘It saved us! I haven’t a doubt now but the bullion is going to get through all safe.” “Then the plan was yours, eh?’ said Hand- some Harry, turning upon the man of ice, “Well, I suggested it to Mr. Mossler, I must admit,” ‘** And could not trust me?” ““T refer you to Mr, Mossler, for answer to that. I agreed with him to tell no living soul, and I am a man of my word.” “Oh! it’s all right; I merely mentioned it, seeing that we are partners in our hunt for the rascal, that is all. I regret more that you did not let me go with you this morning,” ‘To be brought home dead? You are not protected as I am, you know.” The matter was dropped at that. Mayor Grimm’s plan was iaid before the col- onel for his opinion, but the colonel agreeing with Icicle Isaac, it was abandoned, In the mean time something else of interest was taking place elsewhere. Mary Martman, the woman who had come to toe camp on the previous day, in company with Porter Filburn, as he was known, bad left the hotel and walked over to the encampment of the Gypsies. Arriving there, she inquired for the queen, Heloise, and was shown into her tent, The woman had on her heavy vail, and her step being slow and her form somewhat bent, her age was not to be doubted, She looked like a woman of sixty. The Gypsy queen bade her welcome, and in- quired what she could do for ber. ‘*T have heard youcan tell things that are un- known,” the woman remarked. ‘Well, I have something of that power, I suppose,” was the response. ‘* What a it you would know?” ‘“*Can you tell me the mystery of a missing man?” ‘Perhaps. Let me hear what you are able to tell me about the matter, so I can make no mistake,” ‘Well, this man disappeared suddenly from this place about a month ago, It is my belief that he fell into the power of the outlaw they call Red Koy,” ‘ my: you seek to learn about Red Roy, do ou “Not so much as about this missing man I ‘* At any rate, as some-\ Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection. speak of. That is my belief, however, and in- formation about one will perbaps disclose about the other.” ‘* Well, who is the missing man?” ‘*His name is Gregory Mayham, but he was known here as Walt Thornton. Mind, I come sa you trusting to your secrecy regarding all this, “You may trust me, lady; and, if I may trust you in like manner, I may be able to dis- close something to you, Will you promise to keep secret whatever I may disclose to you?” “How, then, could I profit by the informa- tion.” ‘‘I did not clearly express what I meant. I meant to ask you if you would keep secret the source of the information.” ‘* Yes, yes; [ promise to do that.” ‘Very well. Now, 1 will tell you you are right in your belief that Red Roy was the cause of Gregory Mayham’s cisappearance,” ‘** And is he in bis power yet?” ‘** If alive, I believe he is.” " Then you cannot say whether he lives or not? ‘* Not certain, but I think he is alive and a prisoner in Red Roy’s den.” ‘* And where is that?” ‘*T can tell you, but I do not know whether I should or not. Red Roy places little value on buman life, and he would kill me if he knewI © not? used my power against him,” ‘‘ But, you are an honest woman, are you not? Your duty is plain. You must expose the villain if you can, and so enable right to triumph over wrong.” ‘*] have made up my mind to do that, but I must take every step with care, 1 suppose you are willing to tell me about yourself, are you ** Yes, I will do that, if you will only trust me, I will do anything to get at the truth, and rescue Gregory Maybam, if alive.” ‘* Then begin by lifting your vail and allowing me to see your face,” The woman thew up her vail at once, disclos- ing a face of more than ordinary comeliness, The Gypsy queen gave a start, ‘‘ What trick is this?’ she demanded, ‘‘ You are Queen of Hearts, keeper of the Palace Saloon!” ‘* No, not she,” was the denial, ‘‘ but her own twin sister!” ** Impossible!” ** Not impossible, but the absolute fact. Lis- ten, and [ will tell you my story, or as much of it as is necessary. I believe I may safely trust you.” Nib ell CHAPTER XIV. MAYOR GRIMM AMAZED, ALMAH PARMITER told her story, then, and the Gypsy queen listened with close attention. When she bad done the queen said: ** You have made no mistake in confiding in me, and I am glad to know witbont a doubt that I may trust you. I know tbe secret of this out- law’s hiding-place, and it is my duty to disclose it. You say the man who is with you isa regu- lar detective, do you?” sé Yes.” ‘ And his name?” ** Jones. He is from Boise City.” wood Dick, too?” ‘* Yes; when I told him about that matter, he seemed all the more eager to come here with e,” ‘* Very well; and now I will tell you what to do, Tell this man what I bave told you, and send him to see me, After that 1 will manage to have an interview with the mayor of thecamp and make a full disclosure to bim,” “Then you prefer not to tell mef” “It is needless; you can imagine it all. You suspect this charming sister of yours, and what must naturally follow? That, if in league with Red Roy, as I, too, believe she is, the Palace Saloon must be their headquarters, and there is the secret of it all,” ‘* Well, I will do as you request, and send Mr, Jones to you,” ‘ Yes, do so; and say nothing to any one else, This matter must not leak out, or everything is defeated,” When the woman returned to the hotel she found ber man Jones, or Mr, Filburn, seated on the piazza where Handsome Harry and Icicle Isaac had left him. Calling him into the sitting-room she dis- closed to bim what she had gained in the line of information, and he was filled with interest. When she had done he went to see the Gypsy queen. Gol “And he is interested in the missing Dead- ee —— -_ books.com