Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 105 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

— - o-—— --—-— - — _ —-- _——~ oe _— _ —-—— SS ae. e . 2 — — - - : - — — -—— -—- a ES Oe OED Or on > el ee ee es ~ — _ — —_ ee oo ~——— <a ons ee =o, 33 . sos 4 ss -- ~——e © —S- — a ba -—~ -—— —— - i ae os ~~ owe ee -_ Ce: ein 2) eee —— ww -* c a" — - . = oe ee oro PLO LT LE - --°-—o— —_—_—— a a - brow as he stared out o — oe enly bored his brain! But, has not your friend got it in his possession?” “No. I met him—Captain Moonshine—in town not ten minutes before I found you. He swears that the paper was snatched out of his hand just before he was knocked down. Either Rachel was lying, or else this counterfeit Dan Brown has got it.” ‘Is it so important, then?” asked the lawyer, anxiously. ‘‘Surely he didn’t sign your name to the paper?” ‘No; if was agreed that he should sign in his own name—for of course ‘ Moonshine’ is only a part of his road disguise,” laughed the younger man. ‘You have only trusted me half-way,” said Blackwood, coldly, ‘“‘but I don’t complain. With what light I have, I believe I can see a fatal flaw in your arrangements. That certi- ficate is the only legal proof that Rachel is married, and Captain Moonshine’s real name is the one inserted there as her lawful husband. The prize is an enormous one. What security have — that he will not play us false—that he will not have his men sy Me us, and then put forward his claims?” ‘“The security of a bond which he cannot dare not break. I hold Captain Moonshine and his band in the hollow of my hand. They are mere puppets, to dance as I choose to pull the wires, ‘‘As for my not trusting you wholly, you shall have no further cause of complaint. I said no more than was strictly necessary, be- cause I felt that failure was possible. Now it is different. All that is lacking is the certificate. Then we will have F aus sailing. “Rachel is legally tugierhed: that you will readily admit. On her demise, her property —over a million dollars—will fall to her hus- band. And, though I have not seen the young lady for several years, I feel confident that her health is delicate. This brisk mountain air will prove too powerful for her lungs. I fear she will not live to see the beginning of another month.” Despite his well-hardened heart, Ezra Black- wood could not refrain from shuddering as these words, cold and deadly, dropped deliber- ately from his son’s mM Frank laughed mockingly as he noted this. ‘The time for squeamishness is past, old gen- tleman. A round millionis not to be won every day. Besides, I only plan; my good friend Beverley Brownell executes. For ten thousand dollars cash, on the day we come into - sion, and certain documents which I know where to put my fingers upon, he relieves us of all the dirty work. “Your part is simple. You will carry out the original programme, taking Rachel to Noah Crabtree’s ranch. Then you can leave as soon as you like, and be out of the way when the final touch is put to the business.” ‘Rachel is a dear, good girl—why not alter your plans?” said Ezra Blackw , eagerly. ‘That marriage can be broken. Then she will be free. You can make her fall in love with you, can marry her, when the fortune will be ours without the necessity of doing murder.” ‘*Thanks for your high opinion of my powers of fascination,” drawled k, throwing the end of his cigar out at the open window. ‘** But, unfortunately, there is an obstacle in the bs es rather two of them. I already have a wife and a child!” Most thoroughly amazed was Ezra Blackwood at this unexpected announcement, but he could see that his son was in sober earnest, despite his flippant air. ere was a scowl u man’s n the youn ut this the window, changed to a look of deadl eas he beheld aman pause before the lig building oy site; a man whom we have seen before, for it was , Horace Treville, the young man from n ‘“Dan Brown of Denver! by the eternal! he shall die!” hissed Frank Blackwood, drawing a revolver, cocking it and taking deadly aim at the unsuspecting man opposite! CHAPTER VII. CROWDING A TENDERFOOT. Tre street was so narrow, and the light a st which the man’s form was thrown into relief was so clear, that the career of the RF oe man from Boston,” be he the celebrat- Rocky Mountain detective or not, would al- most certainly have ended then and there, onl for the prompt interference of Ezra Blackwood. With an angry ejaculation he the hand of his infuriated son, and caught the ham- mer of the revolver upon his palmasit fell. Ina stern voice he uttered: * Are Png mad? Would you ruin every- at and throw away our lives into the bar- gainf Such an open attempt could not be dis- We would be charged with the mur- er. The mob would rise and tear us limb from limb. Or even at the best—if we should escape Soe Rah onder man is a eular friend of Didus. the marshal—and I’d as lieve have a wild tiger after me as that fellow.” eer oe en as were these sharp sentences, they gave Frank Blackwood time to realize that - j -_ — ° a Dan Brown of Denver. his father was right, but it was not in his nature to either return thanks where due, or acknow- ledge his errors. ‘** You have saved the hound for the present; he has gone into the ‘Shades.’ If he ever comes out alive, it will be because I have forgotten to plot and execute. Go down-stairs the way we came and watch the saloon yonder.” As he spoke the young man almost pushed Ezra Blackwood from the room, but never re- moving his eyes from the door which his hated enemy had passed through. Then, too im- patient to wait, or afraid to fully trust his parent, he ed out of the window upon the stout wooden awning, and ae from its lower edge into the street, where he was quickly rejoined y Ezra Blackwood. ‘Watch that place closely. If our game comes out, follow him to a stopping-place, if it takes you all night. Make sure that he is set- tled for good, then return here for me. I believe that hound has the certificate, and have that we must, though a dozen lives stand between.” The veteran lawyer was somewhat flustered by the many startling changes of that eventful night, but he promised to keep faithful guard, and with a parting caution that their very lives might depend upon his coolness and vigilance, Frank Blackwood turned and hastened down the street. Three minutes of swift walking carried him to the place he was so anxious to reach; a long, low, wooden structure in the most disreputable portion of the town. Hastily entering the saloon—that and restaur- ant combined— as the painted windows an- nounced—Frank Blackwood cast a swift glance around the low-ceiled, smoke-obscured room. There was a quick glow in his eyes as they rest- ed upon two men seated at a table near by, smoking and drinking over a game of cards, but there was nothing else to show that these men were the real object of his hurried journey hither; but such was the fact. He called for a glass of brandy, and while sipping it leisurely, made a covert signal with his free hand. He knew that it had n seen and understood, and paying for the liquor, he left the building. His patience was not severely tested. In less than two minutes the two evil-browed men followed and joined him. A _ swift glance around them showed that the street was desert- ed, and that he might speak without being over- heard by ears other than those for which his words were intended. ‘‘Captain Moonshine told me where you might be found, in case any necessity arose for your services. There is a little job on hand, which will net you each a double eagle, if you play your Ate well, besides greatly benefi ing the ‘family.’ You are ready to undertake it?’ “The boss hes told us time an’ ag’in that we was to mind you jest as we would him. Spit out what you want, an’ ef two good boys kindo it, count it done,” was the prompt response of the larger outlaw, known in Grenada as Bruiser Bill, from his prowess as a pugilist. In as few words as possible Blackwood told them what they were to do; to enter the ‘Shades’ and somehow pick a quarrel with the young man from Boston. They were to make sure work, even if they had to ‘“ double-bank” him. He must not live to witness the dawn of a new day. “The safety of the band requires it,” headd- ed, earnestly. ‘‘ Your man is the same fellow who stole away the girl from the ‘home.’ If he lives until to-morrow, he will lead the Vigilantes, or old Dodge’s posse to the cave—” **T’ll double him across my knee an’ break his back,” blustered Bruiser Bill, but with full con- fidence in his power to carry out the threat. ‘*Don’t be too sure; he is chain lightning, from the captain’s account. Take all the ad- vantage you can.” | Though he knew that his men were bold and reckless as the usual run of ruffians who live by the pistol and knife, Blackwood did not dare tell them who the young man from Boston really was. The reputation of Dan Brown, of Denver, won in many ad rate battle against long odds, was well known to them, and he feared the wi “tien would unnerve them. Having said all that he dared, he led them back to the spot where Ezra Blackwood was still on guard. “ “He has not shown himself since,” was the lawyer’s report. “Go in, then, and mind my warning. Strike swift and — But if he ig remember our oath. My agency must no suspected n ‘ey work,” added Frank Blackwood, impres- sively. The ruffians nodded, and pausing only to as- sure themselves that their weapons were in readiness for the use they e ted to make of them, they crossed the street and entered the brilliantly lighted room. The ‘“‘Shades” was the most fashionable as well as reputable resort of the sporting class of Grenada. A stylish looking bar occupied the space nearest the door. yond, ranged on each side of the long, wide room, were faro tables, roulette, monte and other oe gag ‘lay- outs,” all being liberally patronized, the apart- ae ete me . ~. ment containing at least one hundred men, from the broadclothed, bejeweled gambler, to the miner in rough and mud cove eer Both Bruiser Bill and his mate, Bricktop were members of Captain Moonshine’s band of road-agents, and having been amon pe pod that stopped the coach, they had little difficulty in ‘‘ spotting” their game. Dressed as he had been when first introduced to the reader, with the exception of his head wear, the young man from Boston was now seated at one of the faro tables, busily playing, with all the coolness and foresight of a veteran gambler. Bruiser Bill gave a grunt of satisfaction as he saw who was the dealer at that particular table, for he knew that he had nothing to fear from his interference with the little scheme he had hastily formed in his mind. A muttered word prepared his mate for what was coming, and then they both crowded their way to the table, the spectators silently pee up with their rudeness, when they recogni the intruders. Both Bruiser Bill and Brickto had a well-earned reputation of being “ba medicine,” and there were few present who would have cared to cross them in an ugly mood, as now. ‘*Keep whar ye kin make a break fer the door,” muttered one cautious individual to bis enti gar sea friend. ‘‘They’s goin’ to be music ere afore long, you hear me !” Pressing forward, Bruiser Bill leaned one hand heavily upon the shoulder of Horace Treville as he flung a five-dollar bill across the table to the cashier, calling for checks. A quick flush passed over the face of the oung man at this unnecessary rudeness, and or a moment it seemed as though he was going to resent it. But as he glanced up and back- ward, meeting the ugly, leering look of the hairy -faced giant, the flush died quickly away, and his eyes droo suddenly. Bill received bis chips, but in drawing back his hand, dropped them upon the y pile which lay before his intended victim. With an oath, his huge paw closed upon the ivory bits, grasping not only his own property, but more than double the amount besides, At this bare-faced robbery, there was a low murmur from among the players, and Bruiser bristled up fiercely. ‘‘Mebbe some o’ you critters think I tuck more’n I dropped? Mebbe you do, pilgrim?” at the same time bending down until his bristly beard almost touched the face of Horace Tre. ville. ‘‘Ef so, spit it out!” ‘Your word tothe contrary is quite sufficient, my dear sir,” wowly responded the young man, his — turning white as though it had been painted. There was another murmur, but with a very different cadence. Though there was not a man present but what would have dreaded a personal encounter with the redoubtable bruiser, this ex- hibition of what they deemed arrant cowardice, thoroughly disgusted them. Bruiser Bill was wag Gea eager annoyed. From the description given by Frank Blackwood, he had believed this audacious stroke would bring ona collision, and its failure nonplused him. For afew minutes he played carelessly, and by the time the deal was ended, his chips were gone to help swell the pile in the cashier’s box. e bought no more, though still maintaining his position beside Treville. The latter was playing steadily, with varying fortunes. The appearance of Bruiser Bil) hav- ing seemingly broken his former ‘streak of luck,” or, as more believed, he had lost his skill with his courage. It was not long before the giant ruffian made a new attempt to bring about the desired end. ** Nobody but a peby Oe a durned fool would bet that-a-way,” he uttered in a tone of supreme disgust, as Treville placed a few chips upon the ueen, at the commencement of a fresh deal. “Why in blazes don’t ye ‘ coy per’ the jack?” and as he spoke he extended his brawny d and altered the bet to correspond. Even the dealer, u cold as an iceberg and about as easily moved whileon duty, pa in slipping the cards from the silver box, and looked at the young man from Boston. And every other eye around the table was turned upon that white countenance, Bruiser Bill quickly drew back his hand after shifting the chips, and clasped the butt of a re- volver, expecting an instant explosion. But he as well oe the eee disappointed. n a low voice t perceptibly quavered Treville said: aa ‘Your judgment may be better than mine, Le the game goon, and we will see how it turns ou This time there were words audible amid the murmur; words cutting euough to have made almost any coward turn in fury or else slink away in search of some spot in which to hide his shame-covered head. But the young man from Boston sat motionless as a statue of marble, which his white face strongly resembled; his blue eyes riveted upon the cards which the dealer was slowly slipping out of the silver case. dozen cards were drawn, then came the one that made the coppered jack a winner, Ltt el. ae cae eGomiGcnoee cS is (E(0)