Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 898 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

is to force me to favor his suit for my daugh- ter’s hand.” “ Ha! that throws it into a different light. Are there any facts you can give me to work upon, respecting any particular piece of sus- pected crookedness?” ‘‘No; the whole charge is a general one. We want to know more about him and his methods, And, if he is not right, then’we want to oust him, somehow, and restore Zeke Hummingbird to his place.” ‘* And you suy he has strong backing?” ‘* Decidedly strong.” ‘* Well, there will be a way of doing it, I guess. But, if you find him all right, then you are satisfied to leave him where he is?” ‘‘Yes. But, he will not be found that way, Mr. Bristol! He is crooked, and I’m sure ef it. Proof, the deal he is trying to effect with me. He would force me to his terms.” ‘Well, we'll see about him. Have you told me all youcan?” “T cannot think of anything more, sir.” ‘Go ahead with the plans you have laid, ou and your daughter, and I will fall in ne. Do not pay any attention to me, for] shall pretend to stand in with McKnight, and whatever appearances are, don’t give me away or doubt that I am Deadwood Dick.” ‘ All right, sir, I understand,” ‘ And, meantime, beware of that game of Sparkler Sal’s. Don’t put up any big money 2 there, if de must play.” er ‘*Ha! [ wanted to speak to you about that afr very thing. Are you quite sure she was cheating, when you brought her to a stop in her dealing? Don’t you think it possible that you made a mistake?” “T made a mistake in not reaching for that box at the same moment, that was all, sir. The cheating was sure enough.” ‘‘ But, they overcame you before you could show it up.” ‘‘Exactly. Ican't expect to win every hand, or to be on top in every tussle, sir.” ‘‘Even if you are Deadwood Dick, eh? But, admitting that she was cheating, is it not possible that it was for your benefit? I _ ly think she would cheat me, Mr. Bris- to ”» j ‘Why not?” “Well, I'll tell you: I think I have a hold upon her affections.” “Tf you think that, sir, you never made a oe an mistake in your life. Why, she and Knight worked together against you.” ‘* You think so?” ‘‘T know it. There’s something back of it all, you can bet. But, let it go on, and sa nothing. By falling in with McKnight I'll be able to get behind the returns—so tosay.” | ‘Yes, but you have made the Sparkler your foe, no doubt.” Maes ‘‘That’s all right; it may lead her to some ‘ move against me, and by so doing she may put her foot init.” ‘Which I'd rather wouldn't happen, Dead- wood Dick. I brought you here to detect McKnight. This woman and I are on good terms, and I’m willing to bave it so.” “T guess you are gone on her, Mr. Van Bascomb, rather than the other way. Well, keep your eye peeled, that’s all I have got to say,” | Le U i —K_—_—_———X—sS—X . CHAPTER IX. BOLDLY ACCUSED. As soon as Dick had gone, the mine- ss manager’s daughter re-entered the room, and giving her father a hug and a kiss, ex- claimed; ‘Now, papa, tell me all about it, please, No secrets from me, you know. ‘Who is that man, and what in the world did he want here with you? I’m full of curiosity, you sce >» ayer Yes, seeing that’ we are plotting to- | ~~ Ls ; ine. i ta re . PLY if +» ‘ o - , ' : *) ved aA al a £ cit? =~ a | -he cried: da? getirer, Clara, I’ll tell you,” said the mine- manager, drawing his child to a seat beside him. And forthwith he gave her an under- standing of the situation, excepting, of course, that part that concerned himself and the gambler queen. But, to follow Deadwood Dick. He went to the hotel, where he found his man, Mongrel Mike, in the bar-room. Signals were exchanged while Dick made inquiry openly as to how the horses were, signals that were understood but unob- served. Dick lighted a cigar, and presently Mc- Knight came in. He joined Dick at once, with the remark: ‘‘That was quite a blunder you made in the Cosmopolitan, Strader. Was sorry it happened.”’ ‘*So was lI, afterwards,” answered Dick. ‘‘It was none of my businessif she was in- clined to lighten that rich fellow’s pocket a little. I was too hasty.” ‘Then you insist on it?” ‘‘Thope you don’t take me for a tender- foot, do you?” ‘‘ Well, no, not by a good deal. But, see here, [thought you and I understood each other, that we were to pull together.” ‘* T’ve no objection to that, as I gave you to understand. I was too hasty, I admit, but, it was done before I took time to think of the result. Too late to undothe mischief, now.” ‘* May be not.” ‘* What do you mean?” ‘* You might make a public apology, you know, admitting that you must have been mistaken.” ‘‘ Whew! That’s asking a good deal of me, isn’tit? That would be to make a laugh- ingstock of myself, after the action I took there in the saloon.” / ‘Then what do you propose? You have hurt the business, you see.”’ _ “Can you make it an object for me to ob ‘water? There must be a scheme on oot. ” ‘* What do you mean?’ “What Isay. Let me can be done.” ‘‘ No, there’s no scheme, only that the wo- man and I stand in together, that is all.” ‘* And that’s a secret between you?” ae Yes.”’ : . ‘© Well, 1 won’t mention it, of course, now that you have put me onmy guard. I[f I can help you any, let me know.” ‘ “ The fact of the matter is right here: We don’t want to lose our grip upon that man, but what you have said may scare him off. bo were not done with him, yet, Mr. Stra’ er.” ‘‘ You needn’t be afraid of sumed Dick. ‘*Think not?” . ‘* Pretty certain of it. I can see that he is dead stuck on that woman pard of yours, a she can do about as she pleases with ; im,” ‘ ‘‘That’s our game; that’s what we want.” “You have got it, then. But, you know what you are talking about; Idon’t. I sup- a you mean to lead him on to playi igh stakes, and then clean him out, eh?” ‘** Well, maybe so. Enough said.” ‘‘ Just as you please about that.” Dick puffed at his cigar in the coolest and most careless fashion, as if he cared nothing about the matter, one way or the other. While they were talking several men en- tered the room, and looking around, one of their number advanced a step toward Dead- wood Dick, when, pointing with his finger, in, and [’ll see what losing him,” as- \ “That's ther man, an’ I’ll swear to him!” Dick was on his feet in an instant, with Sieg hand at his hip, and looked at the fel- ow “What do you mean?” he asked. ‘‘ What man doyou say lam? What’s the row with you, anyhow?” | a o - fellow lies i i wi © -_ oe io e, \? 4 tip ; ‘** He’s ther cuss!” the fellow reasserted, ‘‘T’d know his voice ’mong a thousand.”’ The others advanced, but Dick’s hand fell upon the gun in his holster, and they held back prudently. 7 ‘‘What’s up?” Dick sternly demanded . ‘Speak up quick, now!” ‘You ar’ a hoss-thief, that’s what,” the fellow openly charged, and boldly. ‘‘ And you are a liar. Now, what are you going to do about it?” | One of the group now stepped forward, without any hostile movement that might draw a bullet, and said: ‘‘This man claims that one of the horses in your drove belongs to a pard of his, sir, and also that you are the notorious out- law and horse-thief, Texas Tough. My name is Whit Simpson, and I’m the deputy- sheriff here. What do you say for yourself on the charge?” ‘‘Thave told you what [havetosay. The ” ‘But, he has taken oath to it. Can you prove the contrary? It is my duty to arrest you,” ‘‘Thar’s the other,” the accuser cried, pointing out Mongrel Mike. ‘‘I don’t know: what he calls himself hyer, but he is Hoss- thief Hank, dead sure.” ‘Liar again!” that fellow cried boldly. ‘I’m pard to Horse Strader, an’ I ain’t noth- in’ else. Never seen Texas in my life, ef et comes to that. Your dorg has started the wrong game, stranger.” ‘‘Not a bit of et,” persisted the fellow, who was called Dick Becker. ‘‘I know my pard’s hoss, an’ I know you!” ‘See here, fellow,” cried Dick, ‘‘ you claim to know a good deal about horse- thieves and the like. Maybe you have been in that line yourself?” — | ‘‘T know a pard’s hoss when Iseeet.” “Supposing we have such an animal: can’t you admit it possible that we got it in the way of trade?” | ‘‘Haw! haw! What, when I know ther. both of ye? Well, I guess not!” ‘Well, you are mightily mistaken, or you lie, one or the other. If you are Vy ng, + you'll have to answer for it sooner or later, and that to me,” ‘‘This bluster is no proof,” here put in deputy-sheriff. ‘It is my duty to arrest you, and you can just consider yourselves my prisoners, unless you can show up inno- cent.” ‘‘Well, you have our word, two against one,” ‘Tt won’t go, for he accuses both, and gives your names. I arrest you, and I warn you not to resist. Consider yourselves pris-- oners.”’ , ‘‘What’s the use of making believe some-. thing that isn’t so?” demanded Dick. ‘‘I don’t believe in playing prisoner till Iam one. If we are arrested, as you say, just come and take us, that’s all.” Dick and Mongrel Mike, with their backs to the wall, faced the crowd, guns in their rip. “Just let me have a word here,” put in. McKnight. ‘Is this the first time you have seen these men since they came here, Dick Becker?” “ Yes,” the Sullen answer. SI ‘And what was it set you after them — now?” ahi ‘‘T was lookin’ at their stock, round in | ther stables, an’ I spotted my pard’s critter — at sight, an’ I said at oncet et had been stolen, an’ that I’d bet these hyer fellers was thieves.” . ‘* And you set out to “That’s w’ot I done.’ “< And you went to your fore you had seen me or my pard?” demand. ~ ed Dick. - | Jey" ‘Yes, fer ef I could prove ye up I wanted ~ him right on hand, an’ now that I hev done ~ . ll es prove it, eh?” ’ 4 deputy-sheriff be- te - 4) dy © fe. , eS " . i, + / hod | ? a “@« ‘ i aie & : 4 ry . » ’ : ‘ ~~ 4 \ a ' — : pub. 4 a i j 4 é ; - 4 3 gee “ ) f] . . ; | Lis A ail» See teis S TIIVCNRUOUOR. Ps res Ta Chee. ae