Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 814 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

Then—clickety-click, crack! clickety-click, crack! rung out the repeater, and a man fell at every discharge, There were five cartridges in the weapon, but they were not needed. Lieutenant Redbird knew the man he had to ‘deal with too well to charge recklessly up against that deadly aim, As quick as he could—which was not until three of his men had falJlen, he drew up his fly- ing steed, then turned tail and the fight and pur- Buit was over. Ace High gazed with the most intense admi- ration upon his companion, The small, gloved bands that curbed the strug- gling mules seemed formed of steel, and she handled the ‘ribbons’ like an old stager. ‘*Jn the name of all that is mysterious, who are you, senorita?” asked Ace High as he took the reins from her firm hands. ** Perhaps I will tell you later—but not now,” she returned, again gathering the soft mantilla above her features, ‘Then our acquaintance isto end at Pilgrim’s Camp, the next station?” he cried with real dis- appointment in his tones, ® “That is for you to say!” ‘Then I say—No!” “You may wish to retract those words. Only on condition that you accompany me to San Francisco will I reveal my name, identity, and business in this wild land!” Ace High glanced at her sharply. His ene- mies were reckoned a legion. Might this not be a plot to entrap him? hat bad been tried by beautiful women be- fore; but, there was no designing light in those great dark eyes, ‘* Don’t misunderstand me,” she went on, * I seek your professional services only, I have powerful enemies to fight—even knife to, knife— and you, the coolest, bravest man I ever saw I want to assist me. I will tell you my story at the next camp, and if you accept the case, you ied mame your own price at its successftrl Close, CHAPTER IIL THE BONANZA WIDOW, “* FATHER, I must have a couple of thousands!” Banker Banderson wheeled his office chair with a jerk, and glared at his handsome, dis- sipated son angrily. ‘‘ Barry, this thing has got to stop right here! ** It has come to a pretty pass when a father is blackmailed by his own son, ‘You assume to dictate to me what your allowance shall be, just because you disccvered, by chance, that I wasa confirmed gambler, in- stead of the pious church elder I appear to be to the world, ‘¢ But now it must stop! **T have bad the devil’s own run of luck lately, not only with the cards, but on change, and the race-track as well, ‘Tn fact I am on my last legs! ‘‘Tf something don’t turn up soon to place me in funds, Bonanza Bob Banderson will blossom out a bankrupt!” ’ “Ts it so bad as that, father?” ‘Bad! It is just as bad as it can be!” “But can you not work up some scheme to place the required funds?” “ There is but one hope left!” ** And that?” “You have heard of the Bonanza Widow as she is called—Madame Cardigan, who has lately settled in the city?” ‘* Yes; her wealth is said to be boundless.” ** And that general idea is well founded. Well she is now upon the point of placing cash and securities to the amount of seven bundred and fifty thousand dollars in the bands of Banderson & Co, for safe keeping; and if I can once get hold of that magnificent sum 1 am saved!” ‘Jove! She must be made of money!” ‘‘' That is about the siza of it, ‘*She has deposited all of twenty millions with different banks here in San Francisco, and there’s no knowing how much she has placed with Eastern institutions,” ** And you think she will patronize Banderson & Co, ?” ‘*1 can only hope so. | “ But there is a rumor afloat in commercial circles, but how it orginated I don’t know, that our company is in deep water, ** But she is to call to-morrow, when TI shall know foracertainty whether Iam to sink or swim!” ** Well, if you are to have a personal interview with the rich widow I will place ore odds that you get the securities, for it is a well known fact jet * \ etre, : . » ‘7 &, Le eel : Pun ) bbe c ix y yeah “e bs f wet 5 ; Ace High, the Frisco Detective. that Bonanza Bob Banderson is irresistible with the fair sex,” ‘* You are a great flatterer, Barry; but you com» naturally by it, ‘*Of course I know what your object is, and as usual I ' cave,’ ‘** Here is the two thousand; but you had best go slow until we hear from the widow!” The, young “ blood ” stowed the roll,of bills and gold away carefully, and was upon the point of leaving the office when a ring at the door was heard, and a moment later a gaudily liveried footman—a negro—entered, ‘* Mistah Banderson I believe?” be said, ad- dressing the banker. The latter bowed and motioned toward a seat, But without accepting this mute invitation the footman drew a small, delicately scented note from his pocket and banded it to the surprised banker. ‘No answer required, I believe, sah!” and the negro messenger bowed himself out, Bonanza Bob’s face was as pale as marble as he hastily broke the seal of the note, ‘* What makes you so nervous, father?” ‘** That servant wore the livery of the Bonanza Widow, and I fear our cake is all dough!” In a moment he bad perused the note, ‘Tt is just as I thought, We ure ruined! ‘“Read that, Barry,’ The son took tLe note and read as follows: ‘** Messrs, BANDERSON & Co., BANKERS:— ** Late reports as to your financial strength deter- mine me to cancel my business engagement with you to-morrow. * Respectfully, ‘ANITA CARDIGAN.’ “Ruined! Ruined!” groaned Banderson, burying his face in his hands, ‘* What is the very smallest amount that will tide you over this difficulty?” asked the son, ‘* Nothing short of one hundred and fifty thou- sand dollars!” Barry Banderson—blood, sport, gambler and general ‘*man about town,” thought deeply for sop'6 moments, At last he arose and moved to the door, ‘Well, never say die, governor! Study up the thing and bit on a drive—if you can, and I will do my best to raise the wind to-night!” and he left the building, mounted his horse that stood hitched near, and set off down the street at a sweeping canter. The day was now drawin and young Banderson heade the suburbs fcr a swift nerves, preparatory to a ni toward, evening, his horse toward allop, to quiet his t of heavy play at one of ’Frisco’s most palatial gambling hells, He kad resolved upon one Jast desperate stroke to retrieve bis fallen fortunes, His*luck lately bad been simply of the worst description; but it°must turn some time, he reasoned, and why not to-night when he was so desperately in need of money? At the end of an hour he had of the city, and now he turne back into town, Hardly had he gotten well under wav when a shriek broke the evening’ stillness, and a large black,horse, bearing a female figure, dashed from a walled lane some distance ahead and went tearing madly along the street, cityward, One glance revealed to the young ** blood” the identity of the fair equestrienne, as well as her great danger, and pressing spurs to his high- strung thoroughbred, be dashed like an arrow in pursuit of the runaway. ‘It is Madame Cardigan!” he muttered as be flew along, ‘and if I can but rescue her the governor’s fortune is made!” Then ia a steady, unexcited voice he called: ‘‘Hold the brute steady, madame! I will save you, or break Brimstone’s heart!” The bvautiful young widow—she could uot have seen twenty-five summers—cast ons quick glance backward, seemed to sum-up the chances of a rescue with that glance, then settled back in her saddle with one long, steady pull on the bridle-rein that perceptibly curbed her iron- jawed stee, . ‘*Get down toit, Brimstone {cried the ** blood,” as he brought his tough riding cane across the horse’s flank with a stinging crack. The two steeds seemed to be about equal for speed, but the leading auimal, almost crazed by fright, or with natural ugliness, lunged and **buckad” so, even while straining every nerve in the wild race; that Brimstone was lapping bim rapidly, P Soon the two flyers were nose and crupper, then Brimstone’s great nostrils crept along the Other’s flank—the saddle—nose and shoulder— neck and withers,then the ‘* blood” bent low in his assed tbe limits for a wild dash 3 saddle, gave his reeking steed a sharp command, and the two were running neck and neck, The fair equestrienne was pale, though per- fectly cool, as the ** blood” commanded; “Gather your habit close beneath you, madame, and be ready to leap!” , He dared not draw her from the saddle, for, to throw his horse off his gait while going at that terrific pace would mean death to both, His only choice was to catch the lady when she leaped from the saddle and strive to keep his balance, Now the word was given. The equestrienne disengaging her knee from the saddle-horn, deftly sprung toward him, and her horse, re- lieved of its light load, dashed on at a renewed ace, : That last leap was too much for the over-- strained saddle-girths of her steed, and that article came bouncing to the ground as the animal flew on his way. ‘‘T hope ‘you will be none the worse for your little adventure, Madame Cardigan,” murmured Barry as he helped the lady to the ground, ‘Thanks to your daring, Mr. Banderson, t think a night’s rest will completely restore me,” and the beautiful girl-widow blushed at the young ‘‘ blood’s” ardent, admiring gaze. A moment later the negro groom rode up with his mistress’s saddle, Barry removed his own saddle, placed that of the lady in its place, and lifted ber into it in spite of her warm protestations; then ee the steed of the groom, bowed. and disappeare into a hostelry close at hand. — yh As Banderson passed from sight the lady said to her groom; ‘‘ Well, Mr. Hicton, what do you think of my scheme now? Could even you work it better?” CHAPTER IV, A FORTUNE WON AND LOST. Truk **Golconda” was at this time, the leading gaming establishment of San Francisco, Every appointment of the concern was on & scale of Oriental magnificence—glittering bar— resplendent dining-room, and luxurious gaming rooms, where every game of chance known to the sporting fraternity could be indulged 1p, Hard-earned, as well as suddenly acquired fortunes had been lost over those richly carved tables, never to be reclaimed, Heaps f yellow coins and rolls of bank-notes were seen here in seemingly reckless lavishness, It was to the ** Golconda” that Barry Bander- son was driven some two hours after his ad- venture on the suburban road, The rooms were fairly teeming with men of every stamp. The knotty old miner, ** out on a spree,” jostled the well-kept but festive merchant or banker; thé gay blood” dropped his money carelessly over the little green tables, and the soft-hand gambler watched, hawk-like, for a victim to fleece, Young Banderson mado his way hurriedly to a long, gaudily furnished goom on the second floor. Indeed, this room seemed to hold a great attraction for the masses, as it had several nights in succession, and it was now crowded almost to overflowing. ' Some two weeks before the adventure narrat- ed in the last chapter, the habitues of the Golconda were considerably excited to see, pasted up in a conspicuous position, the following flaming poster: , &¢ TO-NIGHT! AvT THE GOLCONDA! The Greatest Attraction Yet!! FLASH, THE QUEEN OF FORTUNE! The Girl Sport and Gambler!! The Maseot of Monte Carlo!!! ComE! ComE! Coma! And Try Your Luck at the Golconda!” And come they did—everybody—anybody, who could rake up enough dust to pay the ad- mission, And they were satisfied! At the further end of the large hall, a richly upholstered divan had been fashioned beneath a crimson pavilion, and here was seen the * Queen of Fortune” who was to play the house against all comers, with no limit to the game, The Girl 5 a looked to be not over twenty, with a superb form set off to the best advantage - — “+ “<— « * . ~ - : ‘ ae +? “ ; Ay ah vue se 4 Lee ¥ » -. or ; - me. > fi we - ‘ , ) ~ — , a we — ’ | | ay \ Leys Ls Ss | y igs a "w, * - . q —_ er . —_