Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 802 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

4 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diamond Dice, aan a he a SR ; | fixture at once, whether it was understood or ‘* What is yer callin’, then, ef we might ask?’ not. Old Hink knew what it meant, if nobody else did, and that was enough, Anyhow, it was a name in keeping with the name of the camp itself, and that was one that everybody could understand. It wasa forbidding name, truly, but it had come to the camp in this wise; When the place was discovered, there was a stake standing in the middle of the gulch at a point which was pow about the center of the camp, and on that stake, relic of some Indian atrocity, perhaps, was a human skull, It was old and weather-worn when found, the stake was about ready to drop, and it was speedi- ly disposed of; but, it bad lasted long enough to suggest a name for the camp, and that name the camp still bore. Work at the camp bad ended for the day, and the day was drawing to a close. On the piazza of the hotel was a group of citi- zens, talking overan event that had been the occasion of much excitement some days before, ‘* Et’s a mystery that I don’t believe will ever be cleared up,” declared one Kent Corrigan, who, by the way, was mayorof the camp. ‘“ Buck Banton had an enemy, and that enemy salted him, is my belF ." “Tt looks that way,” agreed Old Hink, “ But, it’s strange who that enemy was. No stranger was seen here about that time, and there is no- body among us who can be accused of the deed. { think with you, mayor, that it'll never be cleared up. ell, a man can’t die but oncet,” ‘* That’s so; but it’s ruther rough ter be taken off that way. There Buck was found, ye know, right out thar on ther ground, wi’ a hole jabbed into him, and his bleed spilt all around, and that was all, Ther weepin was gone, and no galoot in ther hull camp was ter be found who had a drop o’ bleed on him, And thar ther case stands, a big job fer some detective ter sift,” “Of which the camp can’t boast one,” put in Milt Armstrong, the mine-manager, ‘* Right you ar’, boss; unless this hyer is one se apg this way now, He is bran’ new, whatever e is, As the mayor spoke he jerked his thumb in the direction of up the gulch, and the others am that way, saw a horseman riding toward em, ‘** He’s a sport, I bet,” ventured the landlord. ‘*An’ he may be what I hinted, too,” the mayor urged. ‘“‘Maybe you ar’right. Et will be easy to settle that question when he gets hyer.” No more was said till the stranger drew up. He was a fine-looking man, with keen, cool eyes, and on his bosom sparkled a diamond pin containing five gems. ** Well, I’m glad I’m here, citizens,” the new- comer cried, as he slipped out of thesaddle, ‘‘I suppose I can get grub and lodging here, eh?” ‘See hyer, fu’st,” spoke up the mayor, ‘ Ar’ you a detective?” Tho stranger looked at the mayor keenly for a second before replying, but his face changed not its expression one iota, ‘* Well, that’s a blunt question but a fair one, I take it; Pll give you a fair answer: Lama detective, in one respect at any rate.” ‘Hal what did I tell ye?” cried the mayor, looking at the others. ‘‘ Didn’t I make a close ¢ ‘“*It seems you did,” agreed the mine-mana- ger. ‘*The gentleman says he is a detective in only one respect, however. He may not answer the purpose,” **'W ull, what kind of a detective ar’ you, then, stranger?” ‘*T am a pretty good hand at detecting cheat- ing at cards,” was the smilin reply. “Tam something of an expert in that line.” Every one but the mayor laughed, at that, “*Tt does not appear that he will fill the bill, mayor,” declared the mine-manager, triumpb- ori “*No, not ef that is as fur »8 his detective bility goes,” the mayor had to admit. “And that is I have any desire to lay claim to,” the stranger assured, ‘‘ What manner of detective are you on the lookout for? If you will permit me to ask the question.” “Why, Vil tell ye: Ye see, a murder was done here a week or so ago, and et ain’t been sifted out yet, We was jest talkin’ et over, an’ wishin’ we had a detective hyer, when we seen you a-comin’, an’ I made ter guess that mebby you might be one,” ‘* Well, ’'m sorry your guess wasn’t nearer the truth, friends, for I would like to be of ser- vice to you if I could.” | I handle the magic profit as well as ** Well, I am a sport. pasteboards deftly, for pleasure.” ‘*A gambler, then,” suggested the mine-man- ager, bluntly. ‘* Vulgarly so called, sir,” The stranger was standing on the steps of the piazza, with the rein in his hand, and his first query bad not yet been answered, ‘‘ Which of you gentlemen is landlord here?” he now inquired, ‘*T am, sir,” answered Old Hink, ‘* Can you give me the accommodation I seek?” ‘* Yes, I reckon I can, sir. Dan, take the gent’s horse,” This last to a lackey who was near; and, re- lieved of bis animal, the sport passed up the steps. eT understand you have something of a boom- ing town,” he remarked, as he stopped on the iazza and looked around, ‘If there is game ere, I may stay awhile,” ‘* You will find us game, clear to the gizzard,” boasted the mayor. ‘‘If you have anything to put up you ar’ welcome ter stay. Whatis your name? ef et ain’t goin’ ahead o’ p’liteness to ask that.” ‘* My name, sir, isGeorge White, though I am better known as ‘ White’ George, owing to my fixed rule of fair and square canting with all men. I am a friend to friends, and a foe to foes; a good fellow to tie to, but a tough snag to run up against, as those who know me best can testify.” Having so delivered himself, the sport entered the hotel to register. CHAPTER IV. NOTES SOME ARRIVALS. It was true that Death’s-Head bad a mystery; that a murder had been done that had not as yet been traced home to any one, The victim of the crime, as has been shown, was one Buck Banton, He wasa comparative new-comer in the camp, but a fellow who in a short time had come to be pretty well liked. One morning he was found dead on the camp's Plaza, having been stabbed with a huge bowie by some oue. He had received but one blow, but that had been effective, and the weapon was not found, thus putting the idea of suicide out of the question. The camp’s citizens took the matter in hand, to try ani find out the murderer, but without success, No suspicion fell anywhere, and no clue was to be found. Hence, a mystery. Banton’s most intimate friends, those with whom he had come to the camp, had offered a reward for the discovery of his murderer, and that reward was still in force, but nothing had come of it, and now the case had grown slightly old and cold. These mentioned friends of the murdered man were one Bob Keeler and one Ike Hokley, both gook fellows, and both in the employ of the Sink Hole Mine, the former as superintendent, though he had not held the office a great while, They were well liked, and made themselves boys with the ‘* boys.” ) Just after the sport had entered the hotel with Old Hink, these two came along and stopper. ‘* ‘Who was that dude, mayor?” asked Keeler. ‘‘He’s a sport, and says his name is George White, called White George, for short.” ‘* Card sharp?” ‘* That is about it, I reckon.” ‘* Where does he hail from?” inquired Hokley. ‘Wull, now, 1 give et up, You'll have to ask him, I thought at first he might be a detec- tive, and could give you some help in findin’ out who killed your pard Banton.” ‘* Ha! is he one?” ‘*No. Says cheatin’ at kyards is about all he could detect.” . ‘““Too bad a professional couldn’t light down here, for Buck ought to be avenged somehow,” i But, I reckon it wouldn’t be any use,” said Hokley. ‘“‘ There isn’t any clue, and a de- tective couldn’t do much with the case without one, “IT opine that’s so, I’m afraid it will allus be a mystery, asl was sayin’ to O'd Hink and Mr. Armstrong byer when the sport kem along. gx! hyer, boys, an’ you’)! see him,” 6 two men sat down, and presently the sport a out to the piazza, having registered. **Speakin’ ’bout that ’ar murder,” said the mayor, ‘*‘ these hyar boys ar’ ther ones who was best friends to ther r cuss, an’ they have offered a reward, chance to make a start, pard.” ‘It would be useless for me to undertake such a piece of work,” Mr. White declared, ‘I hardly know whether to take it as an bonor or not, that I have been taken to be a detective. Quite a joke, any bow.” ‘*Et would be a greater one ef a real detective wouid come along and onwind ther mystery.” “Say,” said the sport, thoughtfully, ‘* here is an idea, though it may not amount to anything: There is a lawyer on his way here, and as a lawyer is about the next thing to a detective, he may answer your purpose,” ‘** A lawyer?” ‘“ Yes; fellow named Snarl, or Tangle, or something like that. I overtook him on the road. He is mounted on the greacest rack of bones you ever saw. He told me his name, and said he was coming here to hang out a shingle. He may be just the man you are Jooking for— but, 1 doubt it.” ‘* Why do ye doubt et, sonce ye hev mentioved ; Pe) ‘* Well, I don’t believe be knows enough to make a detective. I set him down for a poor shyster. Still, I thought of him, and mentioned him to you,” ‘‘ We'll see what he looks like when he gets here,” remarked Keeler, ‘‘ A poor dog is better than none, and he may be smarter than he looks,” ‘* He won’t have to be very smart to fill that condition,” declared the ya laughiog. The landlord presently announced supper ready, and, with others, the sport went in, When they next made their appearance on the piazza it was growing dark, The group there had increased its member- ship, and, as it was about time for the stage to arrive, the street was filled. Just as the sport and the others appeared, a horseman was espied coming down the gulch, and at sight of him the sport declared it to be the lawyer he had mentioned, The horseman came on at an easy gait, and when bis bony steed rattled up to the hotel he sung out: ‘Whoa, January!” And be drew rein in a manner to give the impression that he was mounted upon a fiery charger. ** Don’t the mayor of the camp. of ther bones out o’ place. neck.” ‘‘Speak not slightingly of this noble beast, good sir!” the lawyer admonished, ‘‘ He has beer my companion almost from boyhood, and pull too hard, stranger,” warned ‘Ye might pull some Don’t dislercate his: I cannot tamely stand by and hear him as- » persed.” ‘* He looks as ef he might ’a’ been a kitten when yer granddad wasa boy. Why do ye call him January?” ‘* Because that is bis name, sir.” * Wull, say, ar’ you a detective?” ** Am I a—a—a—what, sir?” ‘* Detective; feller what noses around and finds: out secrets?” “A spy? Dol look a spy? Does my appear- ance bespeak a contemptible sneak? em- phatically declare that [am no spy, buta lawyer, sir; a lawyer!” and he laid his hand on his breast impressively. ** Oh! ye needn’t git r’iled over et,” the mayor said soothingly; ‘‘ I didn’t intend et fer no in- sult to ye; detectives is better’n lawyers, any day, I take et. You orter feel proud of ther mistake.” ‘* But, I do not, Tell me, though, why did yoo ask me such a question as that? I am at 08s. ‘‘ Wal, we want a detective byer, that’s all,” ‘* Why, bas some citizen been going contrary to lawful ways? If so, the sooner I get out my shingle the pees perhaps. If it is anything with which the law has to do, gentlemen, I am right at bome,” ‘¢ Wal, ther law would like ter do with et, I reckon,” assured the mayor, : ‘‘Then let me have the facts, I beg. I will weigh them, and if legal advice is wanted, you will find my rates as reasonable as the nature of the advice will admit of. Let us have the points, by all means. This is luck, to find a case awaiting me upon—” ** Oh, et ain’t law pie we want, ner yet any advice, uther,” declared the mayor. ‘ You show us ther murderer, an’ we'll do ther rest,” ‘* Murderer! Did you say murderer?” ““That’s what I did,” — ‘‘Ha! better than ever. By your leave, I will play the»part of attorney for the State, It will be my business to find out and ae the base culprit as he justly deserves. d I will do it, if I bave to expend the midnight oi] in the interest of the case.” Eomichboo - ————