Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 852 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

s+ 3 “- ~ oe am 5 ; a 3>, i =) - » ~- ee i Pe ow me set . . SS a+ o - a * ~ » 74 d ~ a > ; ss ~ = > 2 PES ry: ~~ <> -* a’. - L~ ? . - ™ - _ * a -9 _- - -~ eae - and now the further fact that the fortune was left. ‘me to Devil’s Gulch.” * 4 = 7” “fy ‘ a A, ee a) . “ ve “4 . J * a, e 4 Deadwood.Dick, Jr., at Devil’s Gulch. ‘Sam, He went under a good many as- iumed tiames, however, among others that of rant.' He was a gambler, by profession, and uséd to travel up and down the river, on a rival boat to mine.” Here was information—information, that might be of decisive value to Mose, in pursu- ing his case. ‘*By the way,” said Mose, ‘‘if you have traveled up and down the Mississippi, you may have heard of a gambler, some years back, by the name of Hood?” ** Yes.” ‘* He committed suicide, I believe?” ‘* That was the report, at the time, but it was ineorrect. After gambling away his child, he attempted suicide, but, the at- tempt was not a success.” “Then, is he still living?” “* He is,” ** Where?” ‘* Here in Devil’s Gulch, at present. After the attempted suicide, he was judged to be crazy and was sent to an asylum, where, through the connivance of this man Grant, otherwise Parrot, who won his child, I was held until last year, when the board of ex- aminers released me.” ‘* Released you ?” ejaculated Mose. ‘* What do you mean?” “* Yes, me; for 1am Hood, the gambler.” **In search of your child?” ‘Yes. Ihave been ransacking the country in search of her, ever since I escaped from the asylum.” “Would you know Grant, after all these years if you were to meet him?” ““T think not. He has probably greatly changed, you'see, in all these years.” *‘Have you been here in Devil’s Gulch, long?” ** No, but I’ve been here long enough to kill one man!” And the gambler shut his teeth hard to- gether, ‘* And who was that man?” asked Mose. ‘*The accursed wretch who attempted to perform the wedding ceremony for Sage’s daughter. He was formerly a partner of Grant's, or side-partner, in gambling, and it was through him that 1 lost my child, as I know now that he stocked the cards and so made me lose.” | “That accounts for one mystery. Do you recognize in Nora Sage any resemblance to what your daughter might have been?” “Yes. But, why do you ask?” ** Because, [ have pretty strong faith that she is your daughter,” ‘* What makes you think so?” | “Well, I'll tell you. Do you know your wife is dead?” | -**No; LI was not aware of it.” . ** Well, she is, and left behind her a*for- tune. Before her demise she sent for me, told me of your tragic death, and employed me to go in search of herdaughter, to whom That. is what brings ‘‘ Did you expect to find her here?” ‘© Yes, and I still expect to.” ‘‘A dream. I dreamed she was here, and that she was like what Nora Sage now is; ete Parrot has recognized Sage to be his own brother, ‘aa on the lawn, confirms my assumption,” ‘‘TDid Pete Parrot recognize Sage as his me? _ brother Sam?” , ‘*Yesmeand made Sage acknowledge the _identit ” as Where is Pete Parrot now?” _ ~~ - Don’t know. He went to Sage’s house, | Harris went in ‘‘Very likely. In his house, do you think?’ ‘IT think not. I gained entrance to Sage’s house, but was discovered and my search frustrated. LIhad a talk with Sage, how- ever.” ‘* What did he have to say?” | ‘He denied all knowledge of Pete and Harry, and stoutly asserted that Nora was his own child.” ‘*Did you see her?” ** Yes, but not to speak to her.” y sgh you ever spoken to her?” «é “Ne, “Well, we must devise some plan to see her,” decided Hood, “ You’re right, and that, too, as soon as possible, for Sage may have her spirited away, now that he knowsIam on a hot scent.” The question how to set to work to secure an interview with Nora, was now debated. It was natural to suppose that after this, Sage, as we shall still continue to call him, would keep his doors closed to every body. The only way to reach the interior would be to use the route of the underground pas- sage, of which he told Hood, Even this was liable to prove a failure, as it was more than likely Sage would closely guard this approach. ‘‘T have an idea,” said Hood, know if Nora had a suitor?” ‘*She did, in the person of Burton Brad- ford, who was Sage’s mine-boss. But, for some reason I don’t quite understand, the match has been broken off, and Bradford has been discharged.” ‘‘T can tell you the reason!’ spoke up a miner, who was standing near, and had over- heard the last of this conversation, ‘‘ We’re goin’ to elect a mayor, to-morrow, over Sage’s head, and our man will be Burt Bradford. Ye see et galls Sage to occupy a less honor- able position than one of his former em- ployees!”’ ‘I see. Where would we be apt to find this man Bradford?’ asked Hood of the miner. ‘fe is liable to drop in here at any time. He lives a mile out of camp, in as neat a lit- tle cottage as you would want for yourself— lives there all alone.” ‘Could we get youto guide us to the place, my good man?” ) ‘Yes, I kin show ye the way.” : So they set forth, the miner, who gave his name as Hill, striding a few yards in ad. ‘Do you Vance, , Tim route, Hood said: ‘*Do you think that Sage has any know- ledge of the fortune that has been left my | daughter?” | ; ‘It is possible. Ihave been thinking of it, and the more I consider it, the more in- clined [am to suspect that he does. He isa deep rascal and can be reasonably suspected of any crooked thing.” ‘You are right, I believe.” ‘But what good could he get out of the property and money? It is left unreservedly to Hazel Hood! She is of age isn’t she?” Ilood scratched his head, and reflected. ‘No, not yet of legal age,” he said. ‘‘ She is not yet twenty-one.” } } ‘Ah! then I fancy I begin to see the out- line of the plot!” Magic Mose said. “In what way?” “Why, if Sage has always kept. the girl in ignorance of who she is, he could manage to ucquire all her inheritance.” ~~ “Tn what way?” | sf By fraud.” ‘Explain yourself.” of legal age. All of this could be accom- plished by giving the executors a good round fee, for who ever saw an executor who wouldn’t fish for the biggest fee?” Hood gazed at the young detective, with curious interest. ‘* Well, young man!” he ejaculated, ‘‘ it rather hits me that you are better fitted for the legal profession than any other. I be- lieve your theory to be reasonable. — ‘These executors—who are they?” ‘*Two lawyers, whom I wouldn't trust half so far as I could see them,” ‘*This matter must be thoroughly inves- tigated; and, by heavens, I'll make Sam Parrot pay the full price for his villainy!” ‘‘ Have you a grudge against Pete, too?” ‘*No; we were always on the best of terms.” By this time they had reached Bradford’s cottage. CHAPTER XI. PETE PARROT ON A STRING. Hriu, the miner, had made no mistake, . » " om," rus 2. = ‘ye . hoe ~ » i Ss s . “« te -* af ea a 7y S a . af, - % - ’ ‘a er ae ae a 9 w.. ee Ye ; ot = 1 ra P * 7 AP 2 4 at. ft - FP when he sail Burt Bradford had a neat little cottage. Although it was only one story high, and contained but four rooms, it was so nicely furnished that it was an ideal house. There was a piazza, in front, while a neat picket fence, painted white, inclosed a small yard. The house was painted white, and everywhere the deft hand of Burt Bradford could be seen, for he was a fastidious person, in his tastes. No manin Devil’s Guich could vie with him in neatness of appearance, and few if any men in the camp were as handsome of face or of figure, The night was warm, and although the hour was late, Bradford still lounged upon the piazza, in an easy-chair, ‘“Mr, Bradford, I believe?” Mose said, as he and Hood advanced up the path to the house. ‘‘The same, sir. You, I believe, are the man they call Magic Mose?” ‘“‘T am. .This gentleman is a friend of mine—a Mr. Hood.” | 7 “Glad to see you both, for I have no neighbors, and as I don’t run around much, the everlasting silence of these parts becomes monotonous. What can | do for you? What will you have to drink?” Without awaiting a reply Bradford en- tered the house, _ He soon came back; bearing a tray, con- taining glasses and bottles. ‘There, gentlemen,” he said, setting the tray on a small table. ‘* Help yourselves, and then [should be pleased to know to what I am indebted for this visit.” ‘We came to speak to you concerning the lady who is now known as Nora Sage.” The moonlight streamed in on Bradford’s — handsome face, and Mose noticed an expres- sion of sadness pass over it. ‘‘Tregret to have her name made the sub- ject of gossip, sir!’ he said. | ‘There is no gossip about it, sir—simply a friendly interchange of confidences. 1 ee. are not friends of Samuel Sage, whose name> is not Sage at all.” ‘* Well, go ahead,” said is it you want to know?” Bradford, ‘ What ‘We want to know if you are aware of the — fact that Nora is not old Sage’s daughter,” replied Mose; ‘‘that she not only is not his daughter, but is no relation to him?” | ‘“‘T cannot say that 1 positively know it, but we have suspected such to be the case.” | gl 1, ff ou ayd Nora?” bee on - UD Fe at and did not return, Happy ** Well, Hazel being ignorant of her birth, | he could represent himself to the executors, as her guardian, and, by producing bogus | Papers to prove this,—an easy thing to do from the shyster lawyers of to-day,—and by Pro te bogus Ny ator he could lay claim to- he fortune, to hold for Hazel, until she was | “* Yes.’ aS aie me wedding ceremony has caused the match to be broken off, for good?” “Yes, itseems so, Thavenot seenorheard = from Nora since we were on the eve of being © ‘ eh | | of? «te Y=, search 4 him, but he did not return, Then _.. 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