Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 811 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

fer, or only a blind? faithful, loving wife long years ago, the affec- tions of Gilbert Garland had since been centered on his ida child, Grace, whom he fairly idol- ‘ized, and this terrible blow struck to the very heart of the millionaire. Two days had now elapsed since the, abduc- ‘tion, and still no hope; tor the abductors had concealed their trail so effectually as to defy de- tection. Garland despaired of ever seeing his darling child again. The hour grew late, and all the servants had retired, but still the light burned brightly in the study, where the master sat with bowed head and a heart wrung with agony. Suddenly a slight noise reached his ears—an unmistakable cough; and Garland looked up in surprise, to behold— A tall, stalwart form, enveloped in a somber cloek; a face heavily bearded, and half con- cealed by a broad-brimmed hat! ‘Thus appeared the man who, with folded arms, stood calmly contemplating Gilbert Garland. ‘* The devil!” gasped the latter, in unfeigned amazement, bewilderedly rubbing his eyes as if to assure himself he was not dreaming. ‘No; only a friend of his,’ returned the in- ‘truder, quietly. ‘s Well, where in thunder did you come from, and how did you get in here?’ demanded the mystified gentleman, for the door was closed and fastened. In response, the stranger nodded carelessly toward the window, which had been left open, as the night was oppressively warm. By this means he had effected an entrance, and noise- lessly tiptoed over the velvety carpet to his ‘present position, Gilbert Garland was dumfounded at the cool ffrontery of his visitor; but he was not want- ing in courage, and faced the intruder deter- minedly. ‘‘ Well, sir, now that you are here, kindly state yourerrand. [ am enxious to learn the cause of this unwarrantable intrusion,” and the magnate’s voice rung with indignation. The midnight visitor whipped from beneath his cloak a huge sheet of paper, which he flour- ished before the face of the other. . It was a gigantic poster, one of the hundreds which Gilbert Garland had caused to be pla- carded all over the town, proclaiming the loss of his daughter, and bearing at its head the magic legend: ** $10,000 REWARD! !” ‘In regard to this matter I have visited you,” declared the stranger. ‘‘ As your name is ap- pended to the placard, Iinfer you are the proper person to apply to for the reward.” , For the reward! At these words, Gilbert ‘Garland’s heart gave an impulsive leap. ‘*What do you mean? Speak,man! Do you know aught of my daughter’s whereabouts?” ae PeaerHy demanded,-leaping excitedly to his eet. : ‘Compose yourself, my dear sir, and allow me to explain in my own fashion,” said the man in the cloak, coolly waving him back. ‘‘ Ah! I see you have refreshments. Pardon me for my boldness, but my inner man cries aloud for sus- tenance.” He made his way to a convenient sideboard containing wine and cigars of the choicest brands, and proceeded to sample the beverages with great gusto. From port to sherry, from sherry to madeira, he flitted with an appetite that was astonishing, ari, at last from the wholesale slaughter of drinkables, only to fill his capacious pockets with choice Havanas, Then lighting a fragrant weed he drew up the most comfortable chair he could find and complacent- ly seated himself opposite the dumfounded cap- italist, who had viewed the movements of his visitcr with disgust and anger. — ** Sir, you aston sh me!” exclaimed the latter, indignantly, ‘* For pure, unadulterated self- assurance, you are certainly entitled to the premium,” ‘*Exactly!” laughed the midnight visitor. ““ However, you will pardon my little eccentri- cities when you hear the good news J havein store for you.” ‘‘Ah! Concerning my daughter?” t¢ Precisely |” «‘ Well, sir?” anxiously. ‘‘To commence with, does this reward busi- ness go? That is, is this $10,000 a bona fide of- ‘* My name, sir, should vouch for the reliabil- ity of the offer. The man who furnishes the required information shall be $10,000 richer for Mee aoe tas tial plea ia vhs ood ow tor the ovher reward—is that Straight, also?” The White Phenix. et 0 mane, 3 sf ue eS ee - a-! * * ' é 7 ay i ee eee eee ** You refer to the train-robbery ?” ** Exactly.” ‘**'Then, | assure you the company will do pre- cisely as they promise,” ** Well, Ll suppose I must claim the $20,000,” said the cloaked stranger, with an assumed air of nonchalance, ‘‘ for 1 possess the information so highly prized,” **'l’he deuce you say! Hasten to explain, sir!” cried the excited magnate, ‘* To be brief, [ am acquainted with the per- son who kidnapped your daughter. He is an outlaw who styles himself the White Phenix, and is also the leader of the party that robbed the Express last night.” ‘¢ Anc his whereabouts?” ** He can easily be found, In fact, the fellow is at this moment within the limits of Rich- ville,” ‘* T will send at once for the sheriff. Then you shall conduct us to the haunt of the man you accuse, and if your story proves true, the re- ‘ward is yours,” and Gilbert Garland arose and looked excitedly for his hat. But the stranger calmly waved him back. ‘* Not so fast, my dear sir,” he said, coolly. **'What security have I to show that you will really pay the reward as you agree?” ‘* My word as a gentleman, sir.” ‘*Bah! Excuse me, but I prefer something more substantial.” ** Well, what do you demand?” ‘*Five thousand dollars, to be placed in my hands before we leave this room,” ‘* But, providing I do as you demand, what reason have J to believe you will keep your part of the compact?” inquired the rich man, sus- piciously, ‘* You have my word as a gentleman,” return- ed the visitor, sarcastically. ‘‘Come, do you accept tho terms? If not, I will go,” and he turned toward the window, as if to depart. ‘*Stop!” cried Gilbert Garland, promptly. ‘*l agree to your proposition.” Very good. Hold on—no checks. Common bank notes are good enough for me,” as the magnate proceed a pocket check-book. So Garland brought to view a plethoric wal- let, the contents of which he rapidly connted, ‘*Not quite three thousand here,” he said, briefly. ‘‘Is not that sufficient for earnest money ?” . “Wardly. Yet, there’s your watch, chain, diamond pin, etc., which will make a very acceptable guaranty for the balance,” suggested the stranger, whose keen eyes were fixed ad- miringly upon the sparkling jewels of the rail- road prince, Gilbert Garland hesitated but a moment, for the prospect of recovering his daughter over- came whatever doubts he may have entertained of the visitor’s sincerity; and his valuables, to- gether with the roll of bills, were promptly placed between the eager palms of the man in the cloak, ‘* Now, if your rapacity is glutted, we will go,” declared the magnate, But the other only laughed derisively, as he stowed away the ** plunder,” . ‘**No need for such a course, I assure you,” he said, coolly. ‘The place for you, dear sir, is in bed, where you had best remain until you re- cover the proper use of your brains.” ‘What do you mean?” ‘Simply that you are a fool. I have been working you for a sucker, and I must say you caught at the bait to the queen’s own taste.” - ‘*' Then you are an impostor?” demanded Gar- land, wrathfully. ‘‘ By no means; for I will keep my promise, T agreed to show you the man you want <o bad- ly, but to do soit is not necessary to leave this room, If you wish to see the one who stole away your daughter to be his bride, who holds prisoner your precious son-in-law, who planned and led the attack on the Night Express, and who hoodwinked so completely your own sugust self—then look at me, for J am the White Phenix!” The long cloak was flung aside, while a quick motion of the hand removed the false beard, re- fe the milk-white face of the outlaw cap- ain. Gilbert Garland staggered back, dumb with amazement, while the White Phenix regarded him with a demoniacal smile, ‘**Pardon me if I have shocked your sensitive nerves,” he sarcastically exclaimed, ‘‘ You see, { hit upon this asa novel scheme to swell m private exchequer. Now that the pigeon is plucked, nothing remains for me but to bid you good-night and pleasant Creams!” Recovering his self-possession, the enraged railway prince rushed to the wall and energetic- ally pulled a projecting knob. Instantly the sharp ting-a-ling of many bells sounded a wild alarm through the silent mansion, The White Phenix laughed scornfully as he leisurely turned to retreat; but Gilbert Garland threw himself in the way, and grappled deter- minedly with his enemy. Exerting all his gigantic strength, the masked outlaw lifted his weaker adversary in his arms and dashed him fiercely to the floor, where he lay stunned and bleeding. At this moment a group of servants, awaken- ed by the alarm, dashed breathlessly into the room, just in time to catch a fleeting glimpse of the White Phenix, who leaped through theopen - window with a single bound, | Several hasty shots were fired, but a taunting laugh answered them, as the audacious bandit. fled swiftly across the lawn, and was swallowed up in the gloom! An hour later, silence deep and unbroken reigned over thriving Richville. The town was wrapped in slumber. Scarcely a light to be seen, and not a soul astir to disturb the solitude of the deserted streets, The night was dark and sultry—the sky pervaded by an inky blackness that dimmed the very stars! But this wondrous quietude was destined to be rudely disturbed. An observer might have suddenly seen a bright tongue of flame shoot upward, followed quickly by another, and still another, until at last it developed into a broad sheet of fire, leaping, raging heavenward, blaz- ing with startling vividness against the murky sky. Higher, fiercer, until the inmates of the burn- ing building awoke to their danger, and rushed half-clothed into the street, “Wire! fire!’ Quickly the dread alarm was sounded, awak- ening the echoes of the once silent streets, Roused from peaceful slumber, the inhabitants hurried forth to face a new disaster—to begin a fearful struggle with the grim fire-fiend | And now, even as the townsmen hurried to the scene of the conflagration, a second alarm was sounded from an opposite quarter; and this was quickly followed by yet ancther. Three distinct fires were now raging. Clearly this was the work of some fiendish aa ar? The situation was well- calculated to appall the stoutest heart, for the entire community seemed doomed to destruction! As the flames of the burning buildings leaped higher and higher, reddening earth and sky with a vivid glow, and the affrighted people of Richville united in a gallant effort to save lite and property,two horsemen rode leisurely alon a lonely road that led from the fated town, The White Phenix was the first rider, while the short, misshapen being who dogged his steps was no other than the ungainly Swamp Demon. . ‘*Ha, ha! Nobly done, my pannene Demon,” laughed the white-faced chief, with a gloating glance behind, ‘‘Now, away to the swam island, for we deserve a good rest after this grand night’s work |” Spurrivg their steeds, the fire-fiends dashed swiftly away, while behind them the terrible conflagration, kindled by their remorseless hands, spread with frightful velocity, wrap- ping the doomed town in its flery embrace! CHAPTER XI, AN ILL-STARRED REBELLION. Wuitkr the White Phenix and his black — satellite skulked through the by-ways of Rich- ville, intent upon their mission of rapine and ruin, other events were transpiring on the swamp island, which, if not so startling, had an important bearing upon the future of all our characters. Although the new ‘‘ brotherhood ” had beenin existence scarcely four-and-twenty hours, yet already seeds of dissension were sown among its members. © Soon after reaching the stronghold, on the morning after the traim-robbery, the White Phenix had called bis colleagues together, for the purpose of ia the spoils, The mail- bags were cut open, and every package and let- ter carefully examined. the sum total to Saag a respectable amount, As leader of claimed one-half of the plunder, and, with characteristic assurance, ed thesame. A portion of this, hesaid, was the share of the Swam ! 1 amount went straight into the captain’s o 5 ‘ 4 : ; . » @ it (« (EO) j | 4 ‘ . >a 4 oe <a - - ® a There wasalarge registered mail, added to which the contents of | many valuable Express parcels, helped to swell he band, the White Phenix — a Dewey but the entire — +3] . “o y) . > ay YES ‘ ~ 7 ~ > - _ - "A fs = ~ & Pw a - . 4 - = «eS ws os . a re > \. o . F. =o s ae : a .! = ~ & }< & ms . - >. -_— * ? ~~ saul bY t. eq t ‘ og } ' . ‘ .. ‘h aes PT rte 3 5 | “i F i . 7 et . ‘sl ) '