Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 105 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

rt Dan Brown of Denver. a eee eee pn 27 to his death—Dan Brown and Enoch Dodge re- mained closeted together in the city marshal’s private office, consulting. Naturally enough, Enoch Dodge felt consider- able curiosity regarding the certificate of which so much has been said in these pages, and through which he had so nearly met his death at the hands of Billy Cooper. Now, by adroitly shifting the conversation, he led up to the subject. Dan Brown smiled, for he soon saw what was troubling his honest friend, who was a true Yankee in his dislike for all mystery. ’ ~ You should have known all, had ry! thing happened to me, Enoch,” he smiled, ‘“‘ The pa- per is hidden in my room, and the key to ite place of concealment I put down in our secret cipher, giving it to your wife with instructions to hand it to you, in case I should turn up miss- ing. Though Iam not certain, I strongly sus- ct that the document is of great importance. Tidbad. the very efforts which those rascals have made to recover it proves that. And on second thoughts, I have concluded that it will be safer in your iron vault than anywhere ” ‘“ An’ Bally never let on a word to me about it!” ejaculated the marshal, in provoked sur- prise. ‘*'You see a woman can keep a secret, even from her husband,” laughed the detective, aris- ing and leaving the room. re quickly returned, bearing with him the document for the recovery of which there had been so much plotting and planning. Seating himself at the table once more, he unfolded the paper—then uttered a cry of intense surprise, lace where the masked bridegroom had erate his name, only a week before, was now blank and unsullied Dan Brown stared at the paper like one petri- fied. The name had been there, for he had no- ticed it just before putting the paper in hidin while the population of Grenada were enga in burying the coffin which they all supposed contained his lifeless corpse. But now it had vanished leaving not a trace behind! spony acting with ao energy, he ere up the paper in and held it up again e via ohtcane of the lamp. One moment thus, then he uttered another cry—this time one filled with a strange, fierce exultation, utter- ing: The secret of the certificate is solved at last !” It is barely possible that the reader may not have forgotten the precise circumstances under which the masked bridegroom signed the name ef ‘‘ Beverley Brownell” to the paper testifying his marriage with Rachel Trowbridge. Both Rachel and the clergyman signed the paper with pen and ink ready placed upon the small table. The outlaw came last, but with pretended carelessless, knocked the glass bottle of ink to the floor, where it was broken to pieces upon the stones. It will also be remembered t he found fault with the pen they had used, producing both ink and pen from an inner pock- et, with which he signed his name, Beverley Brownell, then handing the paper to Rachel for her alone to learn the name of her husband. Then Dan Brown of Denver made his bold stroke. For reasons which will now be understood, this scene was minutely described at the time. The outlaw signed his name in black ink, but which would fade away and utterly vanish in a week’s time. In order to do this without arous- ing suspicions, he broke the ink-bottle, and dis- carded the used pen lest some traces of the _ simple ink should remain when the other had faded away, thus betraying the fraud. | And bate brought out clear and distinct by the heat of the lamp, another name filled the blank—a name which had been written there before the ae wedding took p name of Frank Blackwood ! ‘‘Tt was written with what is called sympa- thetic ink,” explained Brown, as Dodge eyed the paper dubiously. “‘ And that explains why our friend was so anxious to get hold of the paper. He feared the name fading away would avaien, suspicions of the truth—exactly as it id do! Early the next day, Dan Brown began his search for Frank Rinek wood, only to learn that he had ridden out of town the night before, bound no one knew whither. He followed a false trail all that day, then returned to Gre- nada, Nothing had been seen or heard of Henry Thorold. Feeling a strange depression for which he could not account, Brown went to He spent the next forenoon in looking for his partner, but without success. Then, urged on by a feeling for which he could not account, he mounted his horse and set out for the Crab- tree ranch, meaning to warn Rachel of the strange discovery he had made. Unfortunately, he lost his way, and only neared the ranch in time to see the form of a man hastening away, bearing a woman in his arms. He believed this was Frank Blackwood, ab- ducting his wife, and his first impulse was to rush upon him, and rescue Rachel. But a second thought changed his tactics. If his surmise was | | e, no doubt the bold vil- | Live in hopes that if you are obli our purpose. As the wife of a bandit chief, you must expect your ups as well as your downs. to rough it lain would hasten with his prize direct to the | a little just at — the future will more rendezvous of the outlaw band. He could not take her among honest men where she could tell her story, for she would be rescued and he lynched for the abduction, to a dead certainty. So he dogged the abductor, keeping ready interfere in case the necessity should appear urgent. CHAPTER XXIX. IN THE WOLF’S JAWS. No sooner had the three outlaws to whom he had given charge of Agnes Gill, fairly set out on their return to the new retreat selected by the road-agents, than Captain Moonshine lea into the saddle, and, followed by the remainder of his force, started on a gallop for the Crabtree oe to carry out the remainder of his night’s wor Though be felt pretty confident that Noah Crabtree and his herders would have left in ans- wer to the appeal for aid from Thomas Munro’s, long ere this, he did not wholly neglect caution, re down his horse when yet some distance from the building, advancing the more waril from seeing lights in the windows and throug the open door. Dick Wilder had meant well enough, and on- ly for Rachel Trowbridge, doubtless the build- ing would have been destroyed with all that was init. Still deathly sick from the effects of the baleful drug, the maiden yet managed to rouse up and by a desperate struggle extingui the fire before it had made much headwa after licking up the spilled oil. And had Wild- er delayed his retreat ten minutes longer, ‘he must have seen that his diabolical scheme had failed. Fighting the flames did Rachel good, and at theend, when the victory was won, her brain was Clear as ever. She turned her attention to Mrs. Crabtree first. The poor woman was badly bruised, but had received no injuries that a brief period of repose would not cure. David had fared worse. His skull was fractured, and though under dif- ferent circumstances there is little doubt but what he would have eventually recovered, Dick Wilder was fated to be avenged on his slayer, even after death. hel was still bending over the unconscious youth, when Captain Moonshine rode up to the door and leaped to her side, seeping her form in a gy arms almost before she was aware of er pe At the first glance she recognized the man whom she had wedded ina moment of romantic folly, but whom she now loathed with all the power of her passionate soul. . She did not scream or swoon. She fought desperately to free herself, but allin vain. Witha grim laugh of whee sme Captain Moonshine bore er out of the building and passed her over to one of his men while he mounted his horse. Then, receiving her shuddering form in his arms once more, he rode away from the desolated ranch at a swift gallop, laughing in diabolical glee at the perfect success of his plans. Twice during that terrible, never-to-be-for- gotten night ride did Rachel Trowbridge strive to gain ion of a weapon from the belt of her abductor, resolved to slay him, even should her own life pay the forfeit the next moment, but as often was she foiled. The first time the outlaw laughed mockingly, but as the attempt was repeated, he grew angry. ‘* Don’t presume on my good nature too far, my beauty,” he said, coarsely. ‘Try any more of your tricks, and I’]] bind your hands behind ou, besides putting a gag between your pretty beeth. I'll make you a good husband, as the world goes, if you are sensible. But rub my fur the wrong way too often, and be sure you shall feel my claws!” Rachel made no reply, but she still watched for a chance to escape, or, failing that, to free herself forever from the loathsome claims of this monster in human shape. In vain. Ca tain Moonshine valued bis prize too highly throw away a chance, and when the night was far spent and they reached the rendezvous, Rachel was still helplessly in his power. Leaving the care of all else to his fellows, Captain Moonshine alighted and bearing the maiden in his arms, entered the narrow pare that led to the eavern in which the road-agents had found refuge after the secret of their other retreat had become known to Dan Brown of Denver. Situated deep among the rocky foothills, this cavern was even better concealed than the other had ree though not nearly so large or com- fortably tted > Bearing Rachel into a small chamber in the rock at the further extremity of the cavern, Captain Moonshine allowed her to rest upon her own feet, though still grasping her arm, while he struck a match and lighted a candle. He uttered a low, chilling laugh as he noted her eager glance around them, and said: ‘“‘Not a very gor : | | a LT TT TT ————— a ee than amen He took a = toward her, but as Rachel hastily retreated he paused, with another mock- ing laugb. ‘The sooner you conquer that foolish modesty, the better, my angel. Don’t forget that you are my lawful wife—that you married me with our eyes open and own free will. As your usband, I mean to claim and enjoy my rights. I will leave you fora few minutes, to compose yourself. hen I return, [ trust—for your sake—that you will be in a fitter mood for re- 7 your loving husband.” With these words he turned and strode away, leaving her alone. Rendered desperate by his thinly vailed threats, Rachel waited a few mo- — “we — to leave the ee ee —only to er passage barred by a burly, forbidding ruffian, who said: * You can’t pass here without the cap’n’s say- so! For a moment she thought of trying to bribe him, but reason told her that this would be in vain, and rather than expose herself to an insult- ing refusal, she retreated with her heart cold and heavy in her bosom. It would be a painful task to attempt to paint her sensations at thus finding herself helplessly at the mercy of a ruthless fiend in human shape. All hope seemed lost, and like a hunted wild beast, she looked pantingly around in search of some weapon with which she might defend her- self when the outlaw chief should re But in vain. The room was utterly bare, save for the square bowlder on which the candle rested, and a few old blankets thrown down in one cor- ner. Nearly two hours crept by without that hated form making its reappearance, and Rachel had n to hope that ae might yet turn up in her favor, when the sound of heavy footsteps rung hollowly along the narrow passage, and then she heard Captain Moonshine speaking to the man on guard over her. ‘You can go now, Big Horn, I'll guard the lady myself. And mind you, no matter if you should hear some music in this quarter, don’t trouble your head about it. Skin out!” Rachel shuddered and turned paler than ever, for that thick, heavy voice told her that the outlaw chief had been drinking to excess, or at least heavily enough to arouse his most gross passions. Nerved by despair, she arose from the rude bed of blankets in the corner and confronted him as he entered. There was something in her attitude or demeanor that awed him for the mo- ment, despite his liquor sodden brain. out- stretched arms slowly fell to his side, and he muttered alow curse beneath his cowl, which he still wore. ** Don’t be a fool, now!” he muttered, steady- ing himself by spreading his feet further apart. ‘I gave you good advice when I was here be- fore—why in thunder didn’t you follow it? I’m your lawful husband—Il’ve got a claim on your —— and obedience, and I mean to have it, too. a may kill me—beyond that I can defy you A low, mocking laugh parted his lips at this desperate speech. The sound of her voice seem- ed to drive away the fumes of the fiery liquor an which x had —s me may ou by kisses and caresses, m proud beauty, but your life is in no cuted otherwise. Just now, however, there is a little point of business to be decided; after that, I will prove to you that I am no craven in love!” Rachel grasped eagerly at the respite offered in these words, from the terrible struggle whicli she knew must come soon. ‘What point of business do you mean?’ she said, speaking slowly, the better to hide the real horror which he inspired. ‘* About that certificate,” he replied, his voice growing steadier and at the same time more menacing. ‘‘ You know where it is. You must give it to me, or else tell me where I may find it. I have asked you twice before—this is the and last time. Mind how you answer. More — on it than you think—your very life does Rachel was strongly tempted to tell a lie about it, but he was eying her so closely and keenly that she feared he would detect the equivocation, and she dared not give him such an excuse for bursting into a rage. ‘“‘ITcan only repeat what I told you then— I do not know where the paper is—I have never seen it since that night.” “If you are trying to deceive me, so much the worse for yourself when 1 make the dis- covery. Let it pass for the present. You re- member what I told you when I left you here? I have come, my beauty, to reap the reward—” She shrunk away from his approach, utterin a piercing scream for help. e laughed ent and reckless] Fs ‘‘Scream until your pretty throat splits, and us affair for a bridal | still there will come no answer save the echoes of chamber, my dear, but it will bave to serve your own voice. You are here wholly in my - vr -_ * COMIGcDoOO CS (ee)