Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 105 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

re ee —_——_ = a a . leep abyss, from the damp and gloomy depths RT ome Dan Brown.-of Denver. 22 | are fairly started on your death-trail! The ' have [ ever raised my hand against the band world has seen the last of the wonderful de- you represent.” tective, Dan Brown of Denver!” ‘“‘S’arch the critter,” suggested one of the out- The prisoner struggled as though he would | laws. ‘‘ Mebbe he has the dockyment hid about speak, but Wilder, with an insulting laugh, | his karkidge.” ; placed one foot upon his breast and pressed him | Wilder promptly acted upon the suggestion, rudely back. Suddenly he crouched down, one | which resulted in the production of a large hand upon the detective’s throat, the other hold- | pocket-book, well filled with bank notes, and also ing a cocked revolver against his temple. | containing an open envelope, directed to Dan- Two men, evidently more than half drunk, | iel Brown, | | | --———— - ee ee a eee ee were drawing near, now cursing, now singing A low, mocking laugh broke from the lips of in maudlin tones. Had they been sober, they | the avenger as he opened this and read the con- must almost certainly have discovered the out- | tents aloud. low and his prisoner. As it was, Wilder could It was signed by the chief of police of Denver not breathe freely until they passed on and were swallowed up by the darkness. A few minutes later the three outlaws return- | and arm whatever force of men he ht deem necessary to exterminate the band of criminals ed with five borses. The prisoner was lifted | led by the so-called Captain Moonshine. into the saddle, his feet being bound together | The detective made no 5 5 Mi the taunting beneath the horse’s belly. The lasso was tight- | comments of his captors. He knew that the dis- ened around his body and arms, while Wilder | covery of this paper had inevitably sealed his retained ssion of the other end. fate, and like the brave man he was, he resolved Mounting, the road-agents followed the main | to die game, since die ho must, trail for a mile or more away from town, then ‘*- You have one chance left,” now remarked struck off to the right, plunging deep into the Wilder, sternly. ‘Tell me where I can lay vocky recesses. In silence they rode along like | hands on that certificate. You shall be held grim phantoms of the night, now in the clear asa twine until the paper is in my possession, moonlight, now in dense obscurity as one of the | but when itis safe, we will set you free on con- many clouds flitted across the moon’s broad | dition that you immediately return to®Denver disk. and give over your plans against the family.” Thus for more than two hours, tho end of that “T know nothing about the paper, as I told —__—_—— — time finding them far away from Grenada, | you before.” deep in the heart of the mountains where the ‘‘Beware! This is your last chance. Refuse foot of white man rarely trod before. now, and by all the fiends in Tophet, you die ‘‘ As good here as elsewhere,” uttered Wilder, | the death of a dog!” cried the avenger, with a fierce earnestness that the detective felt was genuine. But he made no reply, and only smiled scorn- fully as the outlaw flashed a knife before his eyes. One moment of terrible suspense—then a scurrying cloud had swept over the face of the moon. with a hard, metaliic laugh, as he swung him-— self from the saddle and flung the reins to one of his followers. ‘‘Come, Mr. Dan Brown of Den- ver, your death-trail ends here.” ith a knife he cut the bond that held the feet of his victim, then rudely pulled him from the saddle while his comrades in crime stood around in readiness to lend their aid in case it should be needed, It was plain that they did not hold the prowess of the detective lightly. The prisoner made no struggle, as a less cool and brave man might. He saw that to do so would be worse than useless. The cruel lasso would check him in an instant if he cmp stm fli¢ht, and fight was out of the question so long a3 his arms remained bound. Still, he cast a keen, comprehensive glance around him. He saw that they were in a pecu- liarly wild and lonesome spot, far from the haunts of man. Before them lay a narrow but Slowly the moon stole out from behind the somber vail. Its silvery light fell over the wild rocky crags, and shone down upon a dread and ghastly sight. A body lay upon the blood-stained stone. Beside it stood a man, confronting three others. In one band he held a blood-stained knife. In the other, a human head, his fingers fastened in the fair hair. Slowly the head swung around until the wa gg fell upon the clear-cut band- some features. They were those of Dan Brown of Denver! And once more the moon vailed her face be- hind a cloud, Through the darkness came sounds of devilish laughter, then a sullen plash up from the gloomy abyss. And then the sound of hoof-strokes in rapid retreat as the outlaws fled from the scene of their horrible crime, laughing in glee at the thought that the human bloodhound was off their trail forever! CHAPTER XXIII THE GRAVE THAT LOVE DUG. Two nights after that which witnessed the dread tragedy beside Devil’s Gulch. Now, as then, the moon was shining brightly, but in a clear and unclouded sky. From out the grove in which the Vigilantes hung the wild lover of Ruth Crabtree, a human form glided amd noiselessly approached the Crabtree ranch, just as on that other night, Will Wilder stole forth to meet his lady love. _And to complete the resemblance, the clear light of the night-queen falls upon the same form, the same features as then—only now there may be seen traces left by bitter passions, where before all was smooth and pleasant. The remembrance seemed to strike him, for a hard bitter laugh broke from his shaded lips. “Then an ardent lover, eager to clasp his fair, ntle bride to his bosom—now, an avenger ! urses by the thousand rest upon the white head of that hoary hypocrite! Only that I nope to cut him deeper to the heart, I would put the torch to his bouse and laugh aloud in the joy of fulfilled vengeance as I thrust him and his back into the roaring flames! And that is what it will end in—I swear it!” Muttering thus Wilder stole up to the house. All around was still. The herders on guard over the corrals a red to be sleeping, or else the terrible fate which bad overtaken their two comrades, kept them close under cover; close for the good of the master they served. Not a sound came from inside the building. Doubtless all were firmly locked in slumber. Nothing could be heard or seen of the dog, and Wilder smiled grimly as he stood at the end of the house, gazing up to the window which opened into the bed-cham occupied by Ruth b- tree. The lower sash was raised, the night being close and sultry. “One would think Ruth was expecting me,” he muttered witha strange smile that trans- time in his life, eventtui us that ha’ been, he formed his comely face into that ofa veritable found bimself face to face witli death, and not demon ofevil. ‘‘The dainty darling shall not the slightest ray of hope visible. be disappointed. She shall see how powerful ‘“‘IT swear that Iam speaking the truth. My is trne love!” fame is not Dan Brown lain not the enemy Chuckling grimly, Wilder elivled fowar’ the ef which came the faint gurgle of running water. ‘‘ That is your grave, my dear fellow,” assur- «1 Wilder, with a cold, heartless laugh, observ- ‘ag the direction of his glance. ‘' You will be the first man that ever explored the mysteries of Devil’s Gulch, and I very much fear that you hur never report the results of your investiga- ion, While speaking, he cut the thongs that held the gag in place, thus leaving the detective at liberty to speak. ‘‘In the first place,” he said, taking prompt advantage of the opportunity, ‘‘ you are barking up the wrong tree if you imagine me to be Dan Brown of Denver—” ‘‘Bah! do you take us for fools, and blind into the bargain?’ rudely interposed Wilder. ‘‘Dan Brown or Dan the devil, you are the ehicken we’re after. Twice you gave us the slip, but the third time proves the charm, in this case. You are no better than a dead man now—unless you open your mouth and tell me where you have hidden the certiticate of the captain s marriage.” ‘I don’t know what you mean,” was the quiet response. ‘‘I know neither you, the cap- tain nor the certificate you speak of. I repeat, I am not the gentleman known to yon as Dan Brown of Denver. I admit that we strongly resemble each other —” ‘* So powerfully that whenever you have the toothache, he feels like running after the den- tist,” laughed Wilder. _* Believe it or not, I am truth. My name is Henry rold. I reside in St. Louis when Iam at home. I came out here on privace business, wholly disconnected with you if, as I believe, you are members of the band of road-agents under command of the man they call Captain Moonshine. Mr. Dodge can prove the truth of my words—” ‘‘No doubt you would like to have us take you there for confirmation. We mean to inter- view the marshal who has been showing him- self entirely too fresh of late, but his testimony will not come in time to benefit you, in the flesh. However, if we find out we are in error, I prom- ise you to return and drop a tear over your un- timely grave.” The ruffians laughed heartily at this grim speech, and the detective felt acold thrill cree ing over him which, brave as he undeniably was, he could not entirely subdue. For the first ee speaking the simple DE eee rm you seek. I have never wrought you ill, nor City, and gave thedetective authority to raise | en s___ eEE ———E———————EeEE—E—E—eEEEEEEEEE—————————————————————————————————— e — wwe ee SOO Er _ ee £. would serve his purpose. Bearing this to the house, he gently placed one end against the building, then, aftera keen glance around him, he slowly, cautiously began creeping up the timber. He paused once more when his head was just below the level of the open window, and listen- ed intently. At first he could hear nothing, but then there came to his strained ears the low, regular sound of breathing from within. He knew that this breathing came from one soundly sleeping, and thus encouraged, he grasped the window-sill and silently drew him- self inside the chamber. Crouching down in the corner, he assured bimself that his entrance bad not disturbed the sleeper, then arose and peered ahead. The moon, though not shining directly into the room, gave light sufficient for his purpose. He could distinguish the low bedstead and more! It was only by swiftly clasping one hand over his mouth that he stifled the exclamation of sur- ol and annoyance that rose in his throat as e made a particularly disagreeable discovery: that, though Ruth Crabtree lay there eximly a ae she did not occupy the bed alone! A dark head lay beside the fair one, and the dim light revealed a face even fairer than that of Will Wilder’s love. Ruth Crabtree lay clasped in the arms of Rachel Trowbridge. The midnight prowler saw that the difficulty of his task was thus more than doubled, but he had come prepared for any em+rgency. Had the danger been double what it was, he would not have retreated now. He knew that Noah Crabtree and his son David must be sleeping on the floor below. They would be awakened by the first cry of alarm from above. They would rush to the res- cue, and then naught save speedy flight could save him from punishment. Producing a handkerchief and a bottle filled with a clear, colorless liquid, he liberally mois- tened the one from the other, then crept silently to the bedside. Silently he held the drugged rag close to the nostrils of Rachel Trowbridge, his other hand hovering above the face of Ruth Crabtree. It was well that he had taken this precaution. The sickening fumes of the drug caused Rachel to cough and awoke, her great black eyes fill- ing with a nameless horror as she beheld the grim, shadowy form bending over the bed. She started and strove to shriek aloud, but swift and remorseless as the hand of fate, the member holding the medicated handkerchief descended upon her mouth and nostrils, holding her motionless despite herself. Her start awakened Ruth, who also strove to rise, only to be crushed back by the strong hand of the avenger, who hissed venomously in her ear: ‘‘ Make a sound and Ill slit your dainty throat from ear to ear! You know me—Will Wilder!” To make all sure, he leaned forward upon the bed, pressing his whole weight upon their limbs, holding them motionless. For a brief space he felt Rachel Trowbridge struggling in both mind and body against the baleful influence of the sickening drug; then her muscles relaxed, and he knew that the most dangerous part of his work was done. Still he held the chloroform in place for nearly a min- ute longer, to make all sure, then arose, though still grasping Ruth. There was little need of this violence, how- ever. The terrible surprise had nearly stupefied the ted. its and the words he hissed in her ear leted the work. ilder chuckled grimly as he saw how help- less she lay, for he believed that the rest would be e now. It was more than he had dared Bi or. e saw that Ruth was still conscious, and seating himself coolly the edge of the bed, he Re e, low and repidly: ‘Your modesty is terribly shocked by my rudeness, I su , but under the circumstan- ces, you can’t blame me much. Besides, we have been as good as man and wife for a week past. But, let that go, for the present. “Tet me warn you. [am a desperate man, made so by your father and his cowardly hounds. He is ome | below you, and by a single scream you can bring him up here; but that cry will prove his death-warrant! T sol- emnly swear to shoot down any and every per- son who may attempt to baffle me now. ou are mine. ou pledged your life to me. Icome to let you redeem your promise. When I leave this, you gowith me. If not—then we will all be dead.” In fear and trembling Ruth heard this fierce speech. She covld scarcely believe that this unscrupulous 1uffian could be her former gentle, noble-hearted lover. He seemed transformed into a veritable demon, ‘You can have all the time you choose for reflecting upon the decision you are to give, but remember that each moment thus spent increases the chance of my discovery by your people, and thus brings them the nearer desth’s door I have sworn to have my bride, or my revenge-—suit yourself. “What is it you want?” she faltered, in a stable and picked up a heavy rail whichhekuew husky whisper. micbooks oe — eom LS te can a