Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 776 — page 6: what you’re looking at

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

- Bae | Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Resurrection. away empty, instead of only one, Then, ar- range with one of these farmers, at the last mo- ment, to take your bullion out for you as far as his place.” ‘* And what then?” ‘* The rest will be simple enough. Let some of your men go to the farmer’s place and from there take the gold on to its destination. The outlaw can’t possibly get on track of it, if you mention your scheme to no one,” ‘*Great storm-king!” cried the mayor, slap- ping his leg, ** you hev hit et, sure, That’s jest ther plan, Mossler.” ‘* T believe it is,” the mine-manager agreed. ‘* Bear in mind,” the man of ice said further, ‘that the attention of everybody must be drawn to the wagon that is to start at daylight with the strongest guard, Let it be supposed the bul- lion is actually aboard. In fact, load something so very like it that the difference cannot be de- tected. You can easily do that,” ** Yes, yer. Go on, sir.” ** Well, secondly, let it be no secret, yet pre- tend that it is such, that the bullion is to go out this night, after dark, by the South Trail, as you call it, Let something be loaded into that wagon, also, for the benefit of any one who may be on the watch, but still hold fast to the real stuff yourself, you see.” ‘* Yes, yes.” “‘ Then, and this is to be the real secret, engage with the farmer, as I said, take the gold to bis place, and get it out of the camp in that man- ner. **T don’t know who you are, and | little care,” cried the colonel, ** but you bave given me an idea I am going to profit by.” ** Icicle Isaac, you’re a chief!” cried the mayor, grasping his hand and giving it a hearty shake, ** And Red Roy has got a foeman worthy of his steel this time,” added Handsome Harry. All this, of course, had been said in low tones, so that it would not be possible for any one in the saloon to overhear. There was some further talk all around, dur- ing which Icicle Isaac ingratiated himself with Colonel Mossler, as he had already succeeded in doing with the mayor and Handsome Harry. When they were about parting, a peculiar sound was heard, like a bullet bitting a target, and it was on the opposite side of the room where the poster had been put up by the man from Frozen Flats, All looked immediately in that direction, and from each one save Isaac escaped an ejaculation, There, piercing the placard, was a dagger, and one that was dripping with blood, which it had spattered all over the paper. “*Great storm-king!” cried ‘* What means this byer?” “Tt looks as if it means the challenge is ac- cepted,” remarked Handsome Harry, his face wearing a startled expression. Icicle Isaac had said nothing, but with a quick study of the imbedded dagger, noting the way it inclined and the direction the spattered blood indicated its having come, sprung to a side door. He opened the door with a jerk, and looked out, but no one was in sight. The person who had thrown the weapon had quickly disap- peared. ‘““What are you doing there?’ asked the colonel. “Why, the dagger came from this direction, as you can see for yourself, and I was in the trope I might catch the person who threw it,” ‘* That’s so, by ther livin’ Jupiter!” averred the mayor, now that he gave the signs some thought. ‘* Ther darn skunk ain’t fur off, by ther great storm-king he ain’t! Let’s s’arch!” ** Useless,” from the man of ice, . And so it was, as they immediately saw. One bold enqugh to do such a thing, would be capable of defying suspicion if faced. here was nothing that could be done, and the interpretation of the dagger as made by Hand- some Harry, was accepted. The challenge had been taken up, and already it was made known. The four men soon afterward parted company, and the next event of any importance at the camp was the arrival of the dinner hour, CHAPTER VI. THE SECRET WAY—THE GYPSY QUEEN. WHEN Icicle Isaac came out from dinner at the Silver Bugle, he made it a point to intercept Colonel Amos Mossler on the piazza, The colonel was a boarder at the hotel, as were most of the important men of the camp. | “ I'd like to bave just a word with you the mayor. in private, Colonel Mossler,” the man of ice ob- served, quietly, stepping toward the end of the piazza, ‘* Certainly, sir,” the colonel responded, ‘* You have thought of something else respecting the plan you outlined for me, | suppose.” ‘* No, I have thought of nothing new regarding it, yet it is of that [ want to speak,” was the low- spoken rejoinder. ‘* Well, whatisit? I have fullest confidence in you,” ‘*'You are a man who can keep a secret, of course,” ‘* Certainly, if it is necessary, sir.” ‘*The safety of your shipment may depend on your keeping this one,” ‘“*Then consider my lips sealed as tightly as anything can be sealed. I would not have this shipment miscarry for a fortune,” ‘* Well, pay attention, and I may surprise you a little by what lam going to say. You must prepare everything just as it has been planned, except one thing.” ** And what is that?” *“*The bullion must be packed in the wagon that is to go out after daylight under the strong guard,” ‘* Jerusalem! Why, you were dead against that plan, sir,” ‘** Yes, for a purpose: to mislead everybody. You remember my saying something must be loaded in that wagon, something baving the ap- pearance of the bullion, Let it be the bullion in fact.” ** You recommend that?” ** Certainly.” ‘“* Explain your reason.” ‘* Well, the general belief is that Red Roy himself, or an ally, is right here in the camp watching things. If that is the case, your secret moves would avail nothing. So, making secret moves you are certain to send him upon a false scent, provided you keep the secret wholly to yourself and manage the scheme well.” ‘*T see, Isee, I believe you are right,” ** Besides, there is no getting around the fact that the bullion will be safer in charge of a strong, well armed guard.” “You are right, you certainly are right, But, what about letting the guard know it?” ‘Let them know, certainly, Let them sup- ise they have the bullion, as they will bave it, hat was understood, anyhow, But, here is something that must be corrected,” ‘* What’s that?” ‘* Why, the time; that is, the order 1n which these sterts are to be made, But, no, it is all right as it is,” ‘** What had you in mind?” ‘Why, I thought by sending out the decoys first you would be giving the rascal time to dis- cover the cheat and still get around to tackle the genuine conveyance; but, the false ones are to go by what you call the South Trail; and, as | uncerstand it, that route lies miles out of the way.” ** So it does,” ‘Then let it go as it is, Once the robber is decoyed off in that directior, he cannot recover the time and get around to hold up the wagon with the bullion,” ** No; once he takes the bait his chance is gone,” — ‘Again micd you, nota word of this final lan toa living soul. Tell it to no one, absolute- y noone. Do you understand?” ‘*IT do. It shall not be spoken, and I thank you for the interest you have taken in the matter,” “That is nothing. My interest is to get a clew to this Red Roy.” ** And how do you expect to do that?” ‘* T must decline to tell you that, sir. I have a plan of my own which I want to carry out. Let us say no more, for our conyerse will {draw attention to us. That we do not want,” After a few more words they parted, the colonel going off in the direction of his office and the man of ice remaining and pacing the piazza, Meanwhile the Gypsies had arranged their camp, and were open for business, A small tent had been put up for the exclusive use of their queen, while the others housed them- selves in the big wagon. There was the usual] Gypsy fire, with the three stakes supporting a pot over it, where the old woman of the band had prepared dinner, Near by wasa small portable forge, together with a bench, where the artisan of the company was prepared to tinker auything from harness to firearms, Their little encampment could be seen from the piazza of the hotel, and whenever the man of ice facedit,in pacing up and downy, be took note of what was going on. Finally once when he turned, he was just in time to see Queen Heloise come out of her tent and step across to the wagon, and at sight of her he stopped suddenly short, an expression of keen interest appearing on his face. It was only momentary, bis stop and the sudden change of expression, and immediately be went on and his face assumed its usual icy im- mobility. Before he turned again he was accosted by Handsome Harry, who stepped out from the bar-room in front of him. ‘Trying to settle your dinner?” the young sport greeted. ‘Well, I’m taking a turn or two, as you see,” was the response, ‘Which way are you go- ing? ‘No way in particular. My time is all my own, you know, and I drag it along in whatever way happens to suit my faney.” ‘* The same with my own,” ‘* Ha! yonder is the Gypsy Queen, Suppose we stroll over to their encampment and see what they have tooffer. To tell the truth, I’ve no objection w forming the acquaintance of their queen.” ‘That suits me as well as anything, with you.” So, they left the piazza and walked leisurely over to the place where the Gypsies had pitched their tent. At their approach the queen went into her tent. Whether she had seen them coming or not they could not be sure. Sbe had not looked in their direction, so far as they had been able to notice, They were greeted ef the man who seemed to be the head of tbe band, ‘What will you, gentlemen?’ he civilly asked, ‘“ We thought we would step over and see how you have fixed yourself,” was Handsome Harry’s response, ‘Ob! we are at home here as everywhere,” was the rejoinder to that, ‘‘ You see we are ready for work, too, But, perhaps it is our queen you would see. She will tell your tortunes,” Stacey gave Icicle Isaac a touch. — . ‘Weil, not to deny the truth,” he said, ‘* we did come more especially to see her, Sceing her outside her tent, we hoped to be permitted to greet ber when we came up, but sbe cheated us out of that pleasure.” ‘‘ Wait. You shall see her.” The man stepped to the tent where the young woman was, ‘* Heloise?” he called, softly. There was a response, and in a moment the dark-skinned beauty appeared in sight. She had ona headdress of the ancieut Egyptian pattern, and, with her heavy black brows, it be- came her well, though it left only the front of her face to be seen. She was fancifully attired, and carried in her hand a gilded rod about a foot in length. This, as she stopped, looking at the two men, she held outward toward them upon ber palm, and therod, vacillating for a moment, finally was still, point~ ing at Handsome Harry. ‘* What would you know?” the queen Imme- diately asked of bim. Handsome Harry was taken a little aback by this, and hardly knew what reply to make, “There are two of us, you see,” he managed tosay. ‘' Perbaps we desire you to tell our for- tunes for us. Can you do that?” ‘‘T see there are two of you,” the queen re- joined, ‘‘ but it is you who have come to me witha. special purpose in your heart, Your friend came merely to bear you compeny.” For once Handsome Harry’s face blanched, for a passing instant, ‘Oh! well, have it your way, then.” be light- ly laughed. ‘*Do you want your fortune told, cicle Isaac?” ‘*No; I know it only too well already,” was the answer, ‘ Besides, she is right in saying I came only to bear you company. ahead yourself, since you are in for it. “ Well, I will; just for the novelty of the thing I will put the question that is uppermost in my mind.’ “Would you have me answer it before it is asked?” queried Heloise. ‘, ‘*T defy you to do that,” was the challenge, ‘‘ Since coming here I have been giving study to recent events and current thoughts, and I think I can answer what you have in mind to ask. Red Roy, the outlaw, is even now within a stone’s throw of your camp.” ‘Well I'll be hanged!” the sport exclaimed, I am : gt ey ee ee comicbooks.conim