The Brand Burners of Cimarron — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

—. a Ie a te Lee —« 28 cunning plot. The night before the tra- gedy, Barford got Dandy Dave to draw the loads from your boy’s weapon, and substitute blank cartridges. The next morning he provoked Tom into attacking him, and killed him.” ‘Kin ye prove thet, Rupert Belmont?” “T ean, and will.” “That sounds better! o heart comes at a late day. troublin’ ye?” “ Spanish John has attempted to mur- der me. I want revenge.” “Do tell! “An’ thet brung ye hyar?” “Indirectly, yes. Let me explain.” Seating himself on the attic floor, the rancher tersely outlined the plot against Ruby Ranger. The cobbler and his wife listened at- But yer change W’at’s tentively. “ Love of money lured me into the dis- graceful affair,” Belmont concluded. “The mysterious death of John Brown determined me to quit the matter; but I was in the grasp of a merciless monster; my own life was in danger, I knew, and. I found it extremely difficult to release myself. “However, Barford finally consented to my departure, under certain condi- tions and restrictions, and I at once started for Guthrie. “ A few miles from Tiptop I was am- bushed, dragged into a ravine, and left for dead. “When I came to, I found that my horse, money, valuables and weapons had all been taken, and I was at a loss what to do. “Then it occurred to me to come here and spend the night, and, in the morning, go to my sister’s, where I could procure another outfit and go my way, leaving Barford to believe, for the present, that his tools had succeeded. “That, Peggs, is my story, and again I tell you we must become friends. “You may see for yourself that 1 have had a close call for my life.” The rancher removed his hat, revealing an ugly-looking scalp wound. The veteran nodded, “1?1] take yer word, Rupert Belmont,” he said, slowly. ‘“‘ An’ I hope, fer your sake, et’ll pan our straight. Now, about yer plans, Belmont?’ ‘“ What would you suggest?” “Pf ye aire in airnest, ye must help find ther gals.” “Gladly.” “Whar aire they?” “Frankly, I don’t know. Both escaped from this house last night, seized two horses, and fled. Barford’s men went in pursuit at daybreak.” “ Both gals war hyar, ye say?” “Yes. Your daughter was seized last night in Tiptop, as Miss Ranger. The mistake was not discovered until she was brought here, where, by some means, Miss Ranger had preceded her. Then, before either could be properly secured, the men were attacked by a madman, and during the struggle the girls es- caped.” “Neither was hurt?” “ No.” The cobbler drew a long breath of re- lief. “They'll make their way back ter Tip- top,” he muttered. “My friend, I fear they have been re- captured,” “ But they’ve not bin brought hyar.’ “No, they were to be taken to Bar- y ford’s secret stronghold. It was deemed unwise to risk this cage a second time.” “Ye know whar ther stronghold is?” “JT do. It is a number of miles from here.” “Go thar, then, an’ see ef they hev ther gals. Ef so, we'll plot ter rescue ’em, Ye’re game ter try et, I reckon?” “Tf I had a horse—” “My mule ishyar. Takeet.” , The rancher agreed, and soon rose to depart. . Then Mommy spoke: “ Habout the madman you mentioned, be bi: Mr. Belmont—did ’e hescape?” _ af ee 1 a | ye ‘i ¥ ee. ' : % 2 UAE as uh i . 5 p < 7 . ‘ » \* - re : ‘ a v : ty a 4 " s4 ay, - * 7 ?. , 7 ‘ Fi ‘. oe. : UT ag OO UA ee ee ae ees eS . wo. \@ . b : ‘oe . ERR A iy & Vemma t 7 bb Sally © / - \ + A . 4 *, E Ph , , » 7 : a . or c + Si a, 4 -mae att i ¢ Slim DE ‘ye one! A é ies ot ~~” Fal . “He did, madame, and is at large. I heard him ‘Tn the woods near here to- night.” “Hoh, dear! ‘ouse? ” “It is said to be haunted—yes. But the ‘ha’nts’ are mostly flesh and blood of the outlaw stripe, I believe.” “Hoh, no, Mr. Belmont! There’s real a’nts ’ere. Hi know, for Poppy—’” ‘Keep still, cain’t ye! ” snarled Peggs. “ Cluck—cluch—chick!—wuss’n a clock’s penjulum! Belmont, excuse ’er! Et’s wearin’ on one, I know. Vum! I was never deflected so in ther time o’ Me- lindy an’ Georg’ana—never! ” Han’ is this the ’a’nted “But, Poppy, you did see hit, han’ reckernized hit, too!” triumphantly. The veteran flushed and scowled darkly. “ You really saw something? ” Belmont inquired. “Yes, & man.” “Ha spook, Poppy! ” “ Peges, perhaps it was the madman.” “ Hexactly w’at I desisted on ter Missus Peggs,” the veteran assured. “ Hoh, you willain! Hi—” “Be silent, both of you! ” interrupted Belmont, sternly. “It is no time for a dispute. “ Peges, you are sure it was the mad- man you saw?” “TJ reckon. I heard him howlin’, an’ he putt his head through the trap thar, I said he was crazy, then.” sé Hoh—’”’ “Madame, be quiet, please. You are in danger here, both of you. The maniac is more to be feared than a regiment of spooks.” Both the cobbler and his. wife grew pale at the rancher’s tone, and both re- garded him anxiously. “Yes, you are in danger here,” Bel- mont proceeded, after a moment’s re- flection. “ You must hide till daylight. There is a capital place here. I will show it to you.” Approaching the nearer of the low side walls, the rancher passed his hand over the rough surface until he detected a cav- ity, into which he thrust his fingers. Then came a sharp wrench, and a door, hinged at the bottom, slowly opened, dis- closing a dark recess. “This is a false wall, running the length of the building,” hé explained. KG was formed of slabs, and chinked to keep out light and dust. I believe it was used by the occupants of this house as a sort of secret store room. At any rate you will be quite safe in there.” The cobbler and his wife gazed at the opening with no little surprise. Then Mommy gathered up the blankets and entered the closet. “ Gome hon, Poppy,” she invited. But Peggs rebelled. “ Bagonets! I kin take keer 0’ my- self,” he informed. “ Jest shut ther door, Belmont. Let ther woman stay in ther. She'll be out o’ my way in case of a scrimmage.” Mommy assented, and the rancher swung the heavy door into place. Then Peggs told him how to proceed to find the mule, and he departed. The hours of darkness passed without further interruption. Shortly after sun- rise some one entered the room below, and a moment later the features of Esau Black again appeared above the hatch- way. CHAPTER XXXV. THE FLIGHT. Shortly before sunrise Captain Brand briefly consulted Noolan at the corral, then proceeded to the cabin. . The daring outlaw was in a jubilant mood. Affairs at the corral had progressed splendidly, under the brilliant light of nu- merous fires and lanterns, and he be- lieved that the entire herd would be re- branded and driven off in small bunches some hours before the pursuers could come up, which would virtually insure . ’ . 4 %.) Pad I] _~ ¥ . ‘ ra Sy te +. e - " é A f a 28 ere > - ’ ‘ = + %, as m t oS Oe . id? Vii ; : hah dats [tel A! nk Whe LF tte hy " * more 1 Via oe A ; ' * ds 4 yo , * : ; | a ne? y Ss j ie ‘Rh “ial ward : i P, viawe ey , ' is + ' ¥ i Ld | a > * > ? + The Brand-Burners of Cimarron. 7 safety and a profit of several thousand dollars to the band. Then, too, Major Duncan and daughter were in his clutch, and they would yield a heavy ransom. Captain Brand softly rubbed his slen- der yellow hands while dwelling on the flattering prospect, and a covetous gleam crept into his single eye. “*’Twill be all mine, too!” he told himself. “These rascals—Faugh! They are dullards! ”’ Then he unlocked the door and entered the house. Just across the threshold he paused and glanced around suspiciously. “I left that lamp burning,’ he mut- tered. “What extinguished it?” Leaving the door open, he quickly raised the curtains at the windows and again looked around the room. The stone hearth was covered with soot and ashes, and across the floor ran a grimy trail, ending at the door of the apartment in which the captives had been confined. With a cry of rage on his lips, the out- law chief drew a weapon and quickly crossed the threshold. A single glance was sufficient—Gold- spur and Duncan were gone! Straight to the pallet of straw ran that sooty trail, and on the floor were a num- ber of severed thongs. Fairly dazed by this unexpected stroke, Captain Brand turned and strode out of the house. In another minute he had reached the outbuilding in which the girls had been locked. “TI at least have them yet,” he thought, as he noticed the lock, “ Yes, and the daughters shall unloose the old man's purse strings! ”’ ‘ No sooner had the door opened, how- ever, than a cry of dismay burst from his thin lips. The maidens, too, had vanished. In their stead a man confronted him. And that man was Rupert Belmont! For a full minute surprise and rage struggled for the mastery in Captain Brand. He seemed, just then, incapable of further speech and stared blankly at the smiling prisoner. “ Well, Barford, you appear somewhat astonished,” the rancher coolly observec. “How is it? Whom were you expecting to see? ” “Oh! Oh! It is you, then, Rupert Bet- mont?” * Assuredly! ” “But—but you were far away, I thought.” “Or dead, Barford?” “ Dead, if you prefer. But, explain your presence here.” “You should do that! ” ““ Come, Belmont—don’t cross me. There is a mystery back of this. You must ex- plain it.” “ Briefly, then, I was ambushed, wound- ed, and robbed after leaving Tiptop. As soon as possible, I came here, where I was again set upon and knocked sense- less. When I came to I found myself locked up in here.” “ But who did it, man? Surely—” “We were in the dark, and the attack was very sudden.” “Well, no matter. The girls were locked in here T fancied you, perhaps, had liberated them.” "A Wii saélicy, decidedly. But I am glad to’ see you, Barford. I am pleased to be released.” “ But you are not to be released, Ru- pert Belmont,” Captain Brand declared in a sinister tone. “ At least, not now.” “Why not, may I ask?” “You are dangerous. A single treach- erous move just now would ruin us. And you are not to be trusted.” “Indeed! I am to understand, then, that both assaults upon me were instigat- ed by you?” “Tf it please you—yes! ” A dark look crossed Belmont’s face, and he seemed about to spring upon the outlaw, but was promptly checked by. 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