Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 136 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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Schreiber, from Melbourne, whom I had the pleasure of introducing to you, and who in- tends establishing himself here as a_ physi- cian.” ‘* A countryman of yours?” ‘* Yes, aGerman; he lives at old Lischke’s,”’ ‘“ The Germans, my dear doctor, do not at present interest me particularly. You must not take this amiss,” he added, laughing. ‘*'You have other men in your eye,” replied the doctor, laughing. ‘‘ But, now, will you not - gacrifice half an hour orso? You cannot think what a favor you will be rendering us. Be sides, you excited our curiosity by a few hints, your late adventure with the bush ran- ger—” ‘Does not at all redound to my credit,” said Walker, laughing, and taking his arm in order to return into the other room, “for I have failed in my endeavors to secure him.” ** How was that?—Oh, Miss Lischke, you are not making preparations for going so soon? In- deed you must not leave us yet!” “T must go home, doctor,” said Susanna, putting on her shawl. ‘‘Susanna positively refused to stay,” said Mrs. Spiegel. ‘‘I have tried everything to persuade her.” ‘* And are you going too, doctor—oh, yes, I forgot; youare Miss Lischke’s companion. Can you not come back fora few minutes? I know itis rather a long walk—” ‘Indeed I cannot, my dear sir,” replied M’Donald, in German; “ besides, it is getting late.” Walker turned round at the sound of the voice; but M’Donald bowed to the company, shook hands with Mr. and Mrs, Spiegel and Captain Helger, and left the room with the young lady, followed by Mrs. Spiegel and her mother. ‘‘ Who is that gentleman?’ asked Walker, as the door closed behind them. ‘*It is Dr. Schreiber, whom I mentioned to you before; a very able physician, whom we have persuaded to establish himself here. Do you know him?” ‘‘No; his face seemed familiar to me, but I must be mistaken. Where did you say he lives?” “At Mr. Lischke’s, The young lady is old Lischke’s daughter. A splendid voice. A great pity she left us so early.” M’Donald heaved a deep sigh on leaving the room. The danger was as imminent as ever, and still he could see po means of escape. If he remained where he was, ho must be hourly exposed to the chance of detection. If he fled, that would at once awaken suspicion, and where would he seek refuge? However, he felt again at liberty, at least for the present; and, but too well accustomed to danger, his bold spirit took courage to brave the impending storm, While these thoughts were passing quickly through his brain, the ladies had at last finished their leave-taking. The servant girl then lighted them to the porch, but, on opening the door, started back with a loud cry; before it stood two blacks looking in with their large, white rolling eyes. M'Donald stood close to Mahong, the most cunning of the troop—face to face—but the light was behind him, and fell full upon his enemies, who, seeing a lady and gentleman be- fore them, stepped back hastily and courteous- ly. “What in Heaven’s name are these!” ex- claimed Susanna. ‘Native police,” replied M’Donald, with a smile, drawing her arm through his own. ‘You need not be afraid—we are perfectly safe,” The next instant they were in the dark street, The blacks looked after them, but re- mained at the door, waiting for their chief, and M’Donald, with Susanna, walked slowly down the still, dark street toward her father’s dwelling. ‘CHAPTER XIII. TREACHERY. THE following morning ushered in an un- usual stirring day for the quiet and remote little town of Saaldorf. The black police had been seen here, there, and everywhere; their dark forms were continually galloping through the streets on their foaming horses, and ru- mors of bush rangers circulated rapidly through the place. Before noon the most ab- surd and extravagant stories were whispered eS Te ~ The Outlaw Hunter. from ear to ear. Large bands of bush rangers were said to be concealed in the forest ready to attack the place, the military were already on the march, and the alarm was to be given everywhere in order to call the citizens to arms. The blacks, it was said, moreover, had united with the bush rangers, and this statement was apparent- ly confirmed by their absence from the town. Dr. Behr alone remained in Saaldorf, and sauntered as unconcernedly as ever through the streets, bareheaded, and clothed in his blue shirt. What did he care about the black po- lice? Lieutenant Walker had taken up his head- quarters at the Saaldorf Hotel. All the morn- ing messengers kept coming and going, and this unusual agitation attracted a swarm of the Saaldorf youth, who bad assembled on the op- posite side of the street, watching the pro- ceedings with the greatest delight and loud ac- clamations, ‘They have caught one—they have caught one,” suddenly resounded through the town. People rushed to their doors and windows, and the street boys in particular, who took the most lively interest in the affair, soon sur- rounded a member of the black police who was bringing down the street a man in rags, with a large neglected beard, and pale anxious fea- tures. - “Jack Loudoi—they have caught Jack Loudon,” shouted the youth. ‘“ Hurrah! he will be hung,” and the crowd near the wild couple got timidly out of their way, and stand- ing still, followed them with their eyes. The two men coming up the street in this manner were old acquaintances of ours; Ma- hong of the black police, riding at a slow pace on a horse that seemed tired out. At his side —with his damp hair matted around his tem- ples, a face from which every drop of blood had disappeared, unsteady steps, and holding the stirrup-strap in order to support himself, walked with shy and downcast looks—Hob- burg. Once or twice he seemed as if about to stop and flee from the noise and tumult which still increased around him, but the horse step- ped quietly on, and he seemed -to feel that he wanted the prop, and that he could not relin- quish his hold. At last they reached the Saaldorf Hotel, to- ward which the youth of the place immedi- ately made a rush, running back shyly when- ever one of the blacks came out to clear the street, Hohburg seemed to hesitate whether he should enter the house, but the exclamations around him, the curious looks of the crowd di- rected toward him, made him at last seek it as a place of refuge. Mahong, who had committed the man to the care of two of his comrades, went to his officer to inform him, that outside the town, near a small bush tavern, he had met with a very suspicious- looking fellow, who earnestly wanted to speak to him, stating further that he had something of great importance to communicate. “Bring him in, Mahong,” said the officer. ‘When these fellows fall out, or see any ad- vantage in it, they will betray their own bro- thers. I think we sball hear some news of Red John, unless you were mistaken about the tracks.” The black did not reply, but returned in a few minutes with Hohburg, who, with his hat in his hand, remained’ standing at the door, casting a shy look at the officer. ‘Hullo! who have we got here? It seems to me I know that face. Where did we see each other last, my good fellow!” ‘On the Murray,” replied Hohburg, in a low voice. “1 was just leaving Mr. Powell’s station on your arrival.” ‘Ah, yes! I recollect now. <A certain Toby obtained your situation!” sé Yes.”’ “You were to tell me something about that man,” said Walker, with an inquiring glance. Hohburg looked at the officer with surprise. Toby had made him promise very solemnly, even upon oath, that he would not mention that he had seen him, affirming, as an excuse for this caution, that “‘he did not stand on a very good footing with the police.” He was only to give information about Jack Loudon, receive the reward, and in case Toby happened to have decamped, to deposit the half with the shopkeeper, at whose house they met. “ No,” he said, after a short pause, “ I know nothing of Toby; but I understood that you were looking out for somebody else?” fe <> 2 * se Te” tee - - s 7 ae - : 7 23 “Jack Loudon?’ Walker exclaimed, with surprise, ‘* Anybody who names the place of his abode, will receive one bundred pounds,” continued Hohburg, cautiously, anxious to make sure of the reward. ** Yes, certainly,” replied Walker, looking at the wretched figure standing before him. ** You know where he is?” ee I do. ” Walker rose and walked several times up and down the room with hasty strides. At last he halted before the man, gazed at him nar- rowly, and said: “* And who are you,if Imay ask that question? Just look at yourself in that mirror! 1 do not believe the bush hides a more wretched, degrad- ed looking fellow, be he bush ranger or what he may, than yourself. I should like to know to whom I am indebted for the valuable informa- tion?” *“T was hut-keeper at Mr. Powell’s,” replied Hohburg, with downcast eyes. “I was fool- ish enough to be tempted to drink on my way home, and spent all my money, and—now re- quire more, to support my wife and child.” * You are married?” exclaimed Walker, with astonishment. ; ‘< Yes. » ‘*- You live in this neighborhood?” ‘*My hut is half an bhour’s walk from this, on the roadside.” ‘““What is your name?” * Hohburg.” ‘You were known by another name former- ly, if I mistake not?” - ‘‘In the bush I called’myself Miller,” ‘‘Exactly,” said the officer, returning to the table where he had been sitting, and leaning with his head on his hand fora few moments. A struggle was evidently going on in his bo- som. At last he said ina low, almost trembling voice, but firmly: “ Speak, then—where is this Jack Loudon?’ ae Here!” **Tn Saaldorf?”’ ** Yes; and lives at the house of a man called Lischke.” ‘* Lischke?’ exclaimed the officer. “Under the name of Dr. Schreiber,” Hoh- burg slowly continued. “The devil!” cried Walker, throwing the pen on the table, and starting from his seat, “T thought I knew that face. But Dr, Schrei- ber is a German.” “The stranger who was at Mr. Powell’s speaks German almost as well as myself.” ‘“‘And is this Dr. Schreiber still at that house?” ‘I saw him yesterday afternoon; he wears blue spectacles, and his hair is shorter than it was when he visited the station.” “Well, leave the rest to me,” said the offi- cer, suppressing a sigh. ‘“‘If what you have communicated to me be confirmed, you must call here to-morrow morning, and receive an order fqgr—the money.” Hohburg, with his hat in his hand, stood for some moments before the officer, who re- garded him with an expression of contempt. Hohburg appeared anxious to say something, but, although his lips moved, no sound escaped. At last he turned away, and slowly left the room. On arriving down-stairs, in passing the bar, he cast a wistful glance at the sparkling glasses and bottles and put bis hand into the pockets of the tattered jacket. They were, however, empty, and, with his teeth firmly-set together, he turned away to leave the house, In the street he found all the youth of the place assembled, and they immediately began pointing at him with their fingers, whispering and exclaiming, ‘‘That’s be—there comes the bush ranger—look out!” He hesitated, as if unwilling to go out, and one of the blacks beckoned to him, and led him through the yard to another gate, by which he could get into the street unobserved. Hohburg followed him passively, went out by the door pointed out te him, and tottered down the street toward his own home. The black police were soon on the alert. The sergeant was sent for by his officer, and a long conference took place between them in this room. Mahong was then summoned, and, a few minutes afterward, the troop drew up before the house. Hasty orders were given, and they galloped off in different directions. The sergeant followed more slowly in one di-— rection, and the lieutenant, accompanied by Mahong, in another. More and more people had gradually gathered before the hotel to ' EComichbooks ‘ets... . id Zh. } va.