Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 870 — page 10: what you’re looking at

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

‘*T must learn where she is.” ‘* What is she to you?” ‘*] am her friend, that’s all.” ‘* But, | do not see what good can come of our visiting Teresa,” ‘“{ will tell you: You can assure her that you will never wed Diego, and upon that promise [ may learn where Dona Inez 18,”” ‘That is an assurance I want to give her, so I will go;with you. But, I am in a dilemma, for I have given my brother a promise which I do not see how I can break, sir,”’ ‘* What is that?” ‘‘'That 1 would pass for Inez Damasco if he would not force me to wed Diego.” ‘‘Well, you won’t do that, now, for I am taking a hand in the game and I won’t allow it. I have seen Dona Inez, now, and know her.” ‘‘Then its your intention to rescue herand restore her to her rights?” ‘*Tt.is.” ‘But, can you do it?” : ‘Deadwood Dick does not know de- eat,” ‘‘ What! You are Deadwood Dick? Great heavens, you are doomed!’’ ‘*Not yet, at any rate. But, what do you . mean by that? What do you know that leads you to say that?” ‘‘Hearken: Diego and my brother have planned to put you out of the way, for they have been expecting that you would come down here, though I don’t know how they knew it.”’ ‘* Yes, they have tried it once and failed.” ss But, they mean it.” “No doubt.” ‘‘Heavens! are you so hardened to danger that you will not heed? I tell you you are doomed if you remain here.” ‘*So it will have to be, then, for I intend to remain long enough to rescue my pard and accomplish the mission which brought us here. Don't worry about me, if we save your lover.’ The girl was clinging, to his arm, and Dick felt her trembling with emotion, “But, I—I do worry,” she said. ‘‘ We have been thrown so strangely together, ; that—that I regard you with a very friendly ef affection, now. I cannot help it, after what has passed. It was not my fault; 1 still love Dick; but, IL regard you as a dear friend,” ‘Don’t think of me at all, Miss Remolon, Keep all your thoughts for your lover, and I will see to it that he hasa satisfactory ‘expla- nation of what looks to him rather cloudy just now, But come, and we will see what we can learn.”’ “Then you insist upon going?” A “ Yes, i db if I have to go alone. rk know the sAisen bth * You must not go alone. Come on.” She drew liim in a different direction, A’ with her. soft, warm arm in his, and still ag talking they hastened to their destination. see Dick rapped at the door, and there was a ae” long pause. va ‘He fancied he heard voices within, but ae when the door was opened it was only by ‘ the young woman he had seen on the Plaza. ees Dick and Luella walked in; and Dick said: ) ‘* We have come to see you, Miss Papada, to give some information and to ask for some.” **T do not know what you can have to tell me, sir, and it is pretty certain I can give you noinformation. What do you want?” “Close tlie door and be polite enough to | ask us to the sitting room,’ * +* You are full of assurance, I must say, But, wait here a moment. 1 will be back.” She had brought a lamp to the door with her, and this she now put in Dicks hand and ran awsy to the interior. Dick thought ‘strange of this, and re- membered the voices he had heard, or sup- posed or imagined he had heard, but he said ND a a i teu 4 I nothing to his companion. He meant to be on his guard. In a few moments the young woman reap- peared. ‘* Come right this way,” she called to them. is] had to arrange the room, forit was out of order, They followed her, and entered a sitting- room, Now for the first time Dick’s companion exposed her face, and the young woman of the house exclaimed. ‘* What! Luella Remolon! you?” ‘ent. ‘What want you here?” ‘‘T have come to tell you something.” “What can you tell me, base thing that you are, to rob me—” ‘* You have not been robbed, young lady,” interrupted Dick. ‘‘ Let’s sit down and have a talk.” He chose a place where he would have his, back toward a corner, so that he could not be surprised, for he did not feel that everything was all right here. The others sat down, and Dick continued: ‘Miss Remolon has come to teli you, Miss Papada, that she does not care a rap for Diego Soslayo; that she has no intention of marrying him, and that you are welcome to him.” ‘* Ts this true?” ‘¢ Tt is,” The eyes of the young woman sparkled. ‘* But, thing in return,” want of me?” ‘“T want to know what you have done said Dick severe- } this is not without expecting some- she said. ‘* What do you with Dona Inez Damasco,”’ ly. The young woman started. ‘What do J know about her?” cried. ‘* You know all about her, for it was by our directions she was stolen from the asy- un,” She now appeared excited, and toyed nerv- She did not she ously with a fold of her dress. speak at once, but waited. ‘*T know nothing about her,” declared. ‘We know better,” insisted Dick. ‘Well, if I did, what then? W hy should I steal her from an asylum, where she was al- could I have in she finally ready safe? What motive it?” ‘Do not think you can fool us,” said Dick sternly. ‘‘ You didit to force the attention of Diego Soslayoto yourself. Youintend to | threaten him with exposure unless he will | wed you.’ A look of surprise was on the girl’s face. **T do not admit anything of the kind,” she parried. “You do not. have to admit it, we know it. Unless Diego will marry you, you in- tend to set Dona Inez free and see that she comes into her rights.” ‘*] don’t admit it at all. about her, sir.” ‘While you may think you can fool us, let me tell you that you cannot do so,” Dick declared, “‘Now we want to know where the Dona Inez is, and if you will not tell us, the worse for you, I know nothing I méan business.” * Dog! Fool!” the girl cried, springing to her fect inarage, ‘If I knew, do you think I would tell you? Never! You would bring the heiress forth, and rob my lover of the | prize almost within his grasp.” ' “ Further proof that you are at the bottom Re it,” commented Dick. ‘‘ You shall tell what you know.’ ‘Fool, again! You could not make me tell, even did I kriow, What? do you im- agine I would ruin my lover’s chances, by playing into your hands? Never! I will be true to him, and he shall love nie forit. I can play a part as wellas you, Luella Re- molon!” é - 10m ‘ - A 4s ‘ > ay 1 ’ iy ~? ? . - e* AL "ARS Ce OS 7 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Mexico. | } ' ‘‘Further proof still,” said Dick. ‘‘ Your own words have hanged you, young woman.” “And in coming here you have come to your doom.” At that instant Luella leaped to her feet with a cry of fright, looking ina terrified manner behind Dick, and he turned his head. As he did so two revolvers were pressed against his neck, and he was ordered to put up his hands. Two men were behind bim, and these two were Diego Soslayo and Fer- nando Remolon. a0 they had come there Dick could not tel tk must have been by a silent secret dvor opening out of the corner. There was no choice, and Dick had to obey the command, so he put his hands up as or- dered, ‘* Well?” he coolly asked, ‘* Not very well for you, murderer, will find,” declared Diego, sternly. “What do you intend doing with me?” ‘Turning you over to the police to answer for the. killing of that beggar on the Plaza to-night.” ‘You are off your calculation there, gen- you tlemen. The man who did that is already under arrest for the crime. 1 know nothing about it,” ‘‘Ifaman has been arrested, he is in- nocent, for you are the one who did the deed. You were seen to doit. And now you have saved your own neck at the expense of an innocent man!” Luella drew back from Dick with a look of horror on her pale face. ‘* Look you, Luella,” cried her brother, grabbing herarm. ‘‘I know not what this man has said to you, but you see for your- self what he would do if he could. He would hang Dick Radway to save his own neck. This man is one of the greatest rascals. uphanged!” ‘* Much obliged to you for the recommen- dation,” said Dick, sneeringly. “The lady: knows better than that, however. “Heavens!” cried the girl, pressing her hands: to her head. ‘*‘ Which am I to be- lieve,” ‘* Believe your own heart, and nothing else,” advised Dick. “hat will do!” With a cry she turned quickly, sprung to the door, and was out and away before she could have been detained. ‘“ Let her go,” said Fernando. — ‘‘ She will go home to cry it out, and will feel all the better when she awakes in the morning, We have played a double game here, an bave | drawn a prize.” ‘* What’s to be done with him?” “We'll lodge him in jail and free Dick Radway.” ‘But, what is my answer to be, before you go, Diego Soslayo?” demanded the ' young woman, ~*T must have time to think,” Diego an- swered. ‘‘ Keep the prisoner safe, and I will jet you know in a short time. _ Things are terribly complicated.” ‘‘Not so, but very plain and simple, if you will only come to my terms, You have your foe in your power, and I have the heir- ess in my keeping. What is more simple than to work on the lines I have laid down?” At that instant their prisoner gave them @ surprise. CHAPTER IX. A TURNING OF THE TABLES. FERNANDO ReEMOLON. had_ stepped apart: from Diego, feeling that Dick was secure in his hands, now that he had surrendered. Diego was attending to what was bein said, as well as taking part himself, anc while he still held his revolver against Dick’s. neck he was allowing his attention to be drawn awa Of a su den Deadwood Dick drew back. cbhooks.c ee com a ot de — a — . 7 7. all 4 * - eo s~ —- 9 J 4 rT} 4 - - - ™* "as ~ ; ° ete ee eae Ti) ~ > -- ' . 4 y Ae | se “eer - od “4 [om = / ri. 2 Te o « é fos " € we '