Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 993 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

a ~~ » a Ge" * - a —_~ A oa - oe - “2” + Ly ~~ « . . 2 Beer SK eee ur “ 4 - — _ : me = > ; 1 ~ € Pa abs Po = rat + ae A a -TPvea boy in’ -s se EO te —_—- : a. pete - eee - a cabin and entered, No one seemed to occupy the place, and Grave struck a match and lit a jamp that stood on the window ledge. ‘*Nick died two weeks ergo,” explained Grudge. ‘** Me’n ther boy planted him up yen- der a ways, and ther cabin hain’t been ’habited sence, a-bein’ disturbed here,” har ain’t the least danger you ’n me ee -_—~— —- — For a moment Grudge Grave hesitated, At length he said: “The game’s up, anyhow, and I’m goin’ ter ‘leave, Ivan’t git nothin’ from the man ’at hired me to rob Flake, I'll speak and tell the hull thing, ‘That is right, my map.” **] was to have five thousan’ for the job, voss, Then the tough turned and glanced keenly in- ; and not ter harm the messenger; that was the to the face of his rescuer, rapidly, and seemed puzzled, ** By ther hornso’ Mars, pardner, but this ain’t Sharp, ther detective?” ‘* You have made no mistake,” answered the detective. “‘ You imagined the black panther finished me that night in the basin cave, but | escaped, and am still on thetrail, I’ve spotted my man, and before to-morrow at this time the truth shall be known, and the stolen fortune re- turned to its rightful owner,” **{ dunno,” muttered the tough, sbrinking away from the detective, ‘‘I ain’t jest prepared ter mingle wi’ such as you. Mebbe thar mou’t be a misunderstandin’,” The speaker’s hand fell to his bip, then a low cry followed, ‘** Don’t alarm yourself, Mr. Grave,” said the detective, smiling. ‘I was mindful of the situ- ation and took the precaution to disarm you. For your attempt on my life I saved yours. Even a man in your position ought to feel grate- ful. I want toask you a few questions, and per- haps seek your aid. I believea good heart still beats beneath your rough jacket. Tne tone of Steele Sharp was Se hte = Grudge Grave’s countenance softened. He put out his hand, and said, as he grasped the finger of the detective once more: ‘You're a brick, Sharp, a downright trump card. Perceed to elucidate,” Both men sat down, one on a box, the other on a stool. ** You will understand two things before I tell you what I expectot you, Grudge—vou ome im my power, and you owe your life to ma,” he tough nodded without reply. “You are notarich man by any means, yet you bave many friends among the mountains of ontana.” ‘* You bet yer life!” *““T am couvinced that you know somethin about the robbery and attempted murder o Jasper lake a fortnight since.’ ‘*T didn’t do it, pard, Vll sw’ar to that,” grunted Grave. ‘**] believe you utter the truth now,” returned toe detective, quickly, ‘“* Pat ‘er thar, mister.” & pleased light dawned in the eyes of the mountain tough as he once more grasped the hand of Sharp, ‘However,” proceeded the detective, ‘‘ you know something of that night’s work, I am aware that you failed to get the money, and now the man who employed you has spoken disre- spectfully of you. Makeaclean breast of that night’s work, Grudge, and you shall not suffer for it. I know where to put my hand on the He gazed, winked money, and I have the fellow who se- cured it, but I would like to know all about that day’s transaction. You can tell me if you will, Grudge Grave.” ac bbe,” ** And you will do it?” Eagerly Steele Sharp bent toward the rough man before him. A sullen flame leaped from the ee of the tougb. ‘*A neat trap you’ve set for me, mister, but I don’t fall into it, not much. Hal ha!” and Gru Grave drew back, ** There’s no trap but reward for you,if you will but open your lips in the interest of justice, Mr. Grave,” Something in the voiee of the detective seemed $0, entre the man, and putting out his hand he **As Heaven hears ye, you'll be true to me— yer won’t trap me, Sharp?” ** 4s Heaven hears me, no.” ‘*1’m hard up, and tired o’ this life. I reckon waitin’ for his dad ter come, and that boy had a mother onc’t, but she’s ’iong o ther angels now. I want money, and I’m willin’ ter confess ’at I got a thousan’ fur turnin’ ther sheriff over, but that ain’t a primiu’ to my needs. How much of the reward do I git for speakin’, boss?” An avaricious gleam filled the eyes of the tough now. ‘*“'You shall have at least two thousand,” assured the detective. ‘“* What is it ye want ter know?” “All that you do about the events of that night when Flake was robbed.” bargain.”’ ‘* Who made this bargain with you, Grudge?” questioned Sharp, suddenly. “‘T won’t tell that,” returned the tough, ‘“Rough aslam, I never yet went back on a friend, Vil jest say ’at 1 was hired to git that forty thousand,” ‘* And you got it?” ‘*Don’t be too fast, pard,” snapped Grave, ** if you know 80 much erbout this affair tell it yerseif,” ‘‘T beg pardon, I’m mum from this time on, Mr. Grave,” cried the detective apologotically, ‘‘T laid in wait fur ther messenger, and bad er pard with me. Jest afore Flake, who was ridin’ a hoss, got to us, we heerd a pistol-shot and the next minute a boss, without a rider, came tearin’ down ther trail like mad, ‘* We know’d somethin’shed happened then, bet yer life. Me’a my pard pusbed right for- ward and found poor Flake lyin’ beside ther trail a-bleedin’ like er stuck pig. ‘ We've lost our prize,’ ses I to my pard, He didn’t say nothin’, but jist swore. We lifted the messenger and left him on a mossy hillock, where he was jest a-gaspin’, and I allowed he wouldn’t live long, of was powerful disappointed, and suggested that we hunt down therobbers, Wal, we did hunt, but didn’t find ’em fur a spell. It was almost night when, in sneakin’ through the woods, | ran upon a man countin’ a pack o’ money.” ** W hat sort of a man was he?” questioned the detective, unable to keep silent longer. **Rather a stout chap, witk an immense beard. He’s ther present sheriff o’ Pine Forks!” c ‘Hal I thought so!” ejaculated the detec- ive. ‘*“’har hain’t much more to tell,” proceeded Grudge Grave, ‘* Thar was the money I want- ed, so | crep’ up and planted a right-hander un- der ther robber’s ear, and laid him out. I didn’t wait ter examine ther cuss, but snatched ther money and lit out, "Twas almost night then, and | did a foolish thing, as 1’m now willin’ ter acknowledge, ** Instead o’ goin’ anda bidin’ the money, I went direct to my own shanty, and thar sat a-countin’ it, when I was laid out by er stun, and ther money was stolen from me, *“*T hadn't mor’n got ter my feet ag’in afore ther sheruff and a dozen men come onter me, and | was took off ter jail,” ‘* Exactly,” remarked the detective. ‘' Was it the night after therobbery that you sat couut- ing the money at your own table?’ ‘The second night after. You see, I jest laid low fur one day and night. I thought as I didn’t git ther rhino of Flake, as was to be ther case, I wasn’t holden to ther man’at hired me, and sol concluded to keep the bull forty thou- sand, and by makin’ er fool 0’ myself I lost the hull on’t,” ** You haven’t the least idea who got the money from you?” ** Oh, yes, I hey.” ‘* Who?” ‘‘Ther chap ’at shot poor Flake, the same as is now in ag en Fe oe and pretends to be er detective. He calls hisself Steele Sharpe!” ‘7 we so, That man is at the end of his tether. e mystery of the great robbery is soon to be cleared up. The only danger now is to Huntway. We must save him, somehow.” Sharp rose to his feet. He placed a hand on the shoulder of Grudge Grave and said: ‘* Tell me who hired you to rob Granger and irs gents messenger, Grudge?” ‘**} won’t do that. ‘My honor’s at stake.” Sbarp smiled as he thought on this man’s honor! Then he said: : “Tl tell you who, hired you tocommit this crime,” : Bending low, he whispered a name in the ear of the tough. ‘** Holy smoke! you've hit it, boss!” exclaimed Grudge, bounding to his feet. CHAPTER XVIII, DENOUEMENT, A NIGHT of fearful storm had passed. Rain fell in torrents during that night, and it was me this alone that prevented a determined assault ~ on the improvised jail at Pine Forks, The sun rose in an unclouded sky. Great puddles of water were revealed in the streets of the Montana town, Some of the saloons had remained open all night, and blear-eyed men lingered about these dens of iniquity in the morning. The storm had prevented Longwood from ordering the removal of the prisoner to Helena, Early this morning, however, a light wagon halted in front of the log building in, which Clifford Huntway was confined. Two persons occupied the seat—one of them wes Steele Sharp No, 2, the Humbug Detective, at present acting sheriff of Upland county. ‘* lve been instructed to remove the prisoner to Helena for safe-keeping,” said the new sheriff, as he approached one of the guards, No objection was offere), since the present sheriff had placed the guards here, and a little later Huntway was led into the open air, look- ing pale and unrested. “* I prefer to remain here,” said the prisoner, when told of the decision of his successor. ‘*Tam afraid you will not be safe here, Mr. Huntway. Granger & Longwood have both signified their wish that I convey you to Helena till the court convenes,” Huntway bowed his head and remained si- lent. His thoughts were bitter enough, and he distrusted the man who had usurped his place, but he deemed it best not to comp-ain. The buggy drove off with a man on either side of the prisoner, ‘‘Make all haste,” commanded the Humbug Detective. **I fear trouble is brewing, and we bave no time to lose, There’s bad blood around in Pine Forks, where it seems you have many enemies, Mr. Huntway.” ‘‘Tf I have enemies, it is because of you, sir,” retorted the prisoner, ‘*Of me? Goodness! I have but done my duty,” declared the officer, ‘*T know what you have been up to, I know, moreover, that you are an impostor, and that it would give you pleasure to turn me over to the mob, Huntway spoke with no little bitterness, The sheriff did not trust himself to reply. The vehicle rattled on, passing out of Pine Forks without molestation. Half a mile beyond the limits of the town the horses came toa sud- den halt, A man had sprung from the bushes that and the reins, lined the wagon- back upon their tbrowiug the animals hauncbes, Sheriff Sharp stood up with a drawn revolver, while the driver seemed paralyzed. ** Quietly!” uttered the man at the reins, ‘fA bullet from you will seal yourdoom. We want your prisoner! You can’t cheat the gallows, as you thought to do, Mr, Sharp.” Gazing around him, the sheriff suddenly dia- covered that the road was lined on either side with armed men, a score of them at least. A gleam of satisfaction crossed the face of Steele Sharp No. 2, ‘*'You outnumber us ten to one,” cried the officer, in a loud voice, ‘*‘ Theodds are too great; ou may have the prisoner,” and he stepped pet of the seat and pointed at Huntway, who sat pale as death, realizing that his last hour had come, One of the party displayed a rope, which was significant. **Back!” commanded Huntway, as eager hands were outstretched to seize him. * Sheriff, if you are not a coward, you will prevent this murder !” His appeal was in vain. Huntway was pulled from the buggy, and, as his wrists were manacled, he was quite at the mercy of the lynchers, e noosed rope was dropped over bis head, and the prisoner was led under the branches of a tree. Quite as eager as the lynchers, Sharp No, 2 leaped from the buggy, and pressed forward to witness the murder, without as much as a pro- test. “Up with him!” screamed the sheriff, for- getting in his excitement the position he occu- ‘¢ Hold, men of Pine Forks!” A clarion voice rung through the crowd, and a man his way to the front. The acting sheriff recoiled as he met the glow of a pair of keen eyes. ‘““The impostor again!” muttered Detective No, 2. ‘*Ha! it are Steele Sharp, the detective!” ~~, ee F. cm) a »* ~— . : | esa : z : yke rf = fae a Thy ~*~ Comicbooks.com