Beadle's Dime Library No. 152 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

ee al we . — oe te Captain Ironnerve, the: Counterfeiter. Chief. terfeiter Chief 28 Ralph had given him, and controlled himeclf, for he also recollected that there was a bell from Munger’s apartment to the press-room, and knew that the counterfeiter would imme- diately ring for assistance. He was right, for the next moment he heard the men coming hastily along the corridor, and when they entered the room where Ralph was, he entered with them. His chief desire was to ascertain how badly Ralph was hurt, and then, too, he must allay suspicion. One careful look showed him that his friend was only stunned, and, when they bore their prisoner to the press-room, he went with them, and when some one said the captain was wanit- ed, it was he who volunteered to go for him, for he knew that it was the best way to leave without suspicion, and, besides, he wanted to be sure that Captain Ironnerve was there before the descent was made. Accordingly he hastily made his exit by the cabin entrance, forgetting all about Lorna in the excitement of the mo- ment, Springing upon one of the horses kept by the counterfeiters, he rode to Laurel Lodge, where he found Crandyl. ‘““You're wanted at the Den, captain,” he said. *‘Ralph Gordon has been captured, and the men want to know what to do with him. Here! take my horse, and I will return on one of yours,” and, with an exciamation of pleasure, Crandyl leaped to the horse’s back and dashed away through the woods. Then Roebuck, after having one of the cap- tain’s horses saddled, hastened away toward Vega’s cabin, for he knew there was no time to 108e. CHAPTER XXXII. BROUGHT TO BAY—THE BATTLE. WHuHEN Roebuck reached Vega’s cabin he was surprised to find such a large force awaiting him, but be quickly informed the captain in command of the circumstances. which had’hap- pened, and one and all took up the line of march swiftly, but noiselessly as possible, for the pine tree, for Roebuck thought that the best means of entrance, as he knew that the whole force of counterfeiters would be in tbe council- chamber, witnessing the execution, The pine was reached, and with an ax the detective attacked the tree, much to the men’s astonishment, who thought he must be crazy, trying to hew down such an immense pine | when such important work wason hand. How- ever, their wonder was soon increased by see- ing Roebuck thrust his arm through a hole he had made with his ax, and presently a door flew open. Motioning them to follow, he led the way inside, and in single file they went after him, until all had disappeared. Roebuck Jed the way straight to the great door, as he had done once before that night, and again he explained the fate which would have befallen them, had they attempted an en- trance alone. Straight through the corridor he led them; past the press-room, which was now deserted, then turning through the branch hallway toward the council-chamber. When in the vicinity of the room where he knew the counterfeiters were congregated, he motioned them to move with more caution, and then went on. Once the detective thought he saw two shad- ows moving ahead of him, but he kept on, feeling that a moment’s hesitation might be Ralph Gordon’s death, and even now, he did not know but that he might be too late. Although a man, not given particularly to religious ideas, in his heart he offered up a fer- vent prayer for Ralph’s salvation, as he moved cautiously along. Not a sound could be heard but the gentle footfalls of the men behind him, and their half suppressed breathing as they crept so cautious- ly and yet so determinedly forward. True, once in a while, a low murmur might be distinguished ahead of them, down the cor- ridor, but that was all, save the roaring that intense and forced silence’ always generates in one’s ears. On and on, they crept, and their hearts throb- bed quicker and quicker as the end of their venture drew nearer and pearer. Each man of that loyal band telt that this might be his last | 3 93983553S58S5S395959090959098909090 0000 s—_«—«—Li I CC I I ae expedition on earth, but this fact did not notappat|/.~=SC CHAPTER Xxx them at all; it only stimuiated them to greater exertion when the decisive moment should be at hand. They draw near tbe door; there is a slim streak of light visible through a crack where some one has evidently carelessly closed it. Suddenly it is thrown wide open, and they see a figure leap through if, and hear the cry: “ec Hold! f2? They pause and look questioningly at each other. This is a new feature of the drama that they had not expected. Captain Ironnerve’s hoarse exclamation comes to them as he acknowledges the presence of some supernatural being, and then they hear the words that follow, and also know that, whoever the figure is, she bas freed a captive from imminent danger. Then comes the wild shout of the counter- feiters as they leap forward to annihilate the two who are in the room, and with an answer- ing shout they crowd through the doorway, not noticing a slender, girlish figure that pre- cedes them but an instant. Tben a wild scene of confusion follows, Hoarse shouts, fierce exclamations—the ex- plosion of fire-arms, and the groans of the wounded and dying, are mingled with the cheers of the soldiers and the curses of the des- peradoes, Some are engaged in hand-to-hand combat, while the bullets whistle and hiss through the hot and smoky atmosphere, The counterfeiters are fighting for their lives, for they know, should one of them escape this carnage, they will have to live out the rest of their days in close confinement, and they curse, and swear, and shout out hoarse guttural exclamations of ‘desperation and rage, as they sea their numbers becoming smaller and smaller, and know and feel that this is their last chance, In vain they add bull-dog tenacity to the wild courage of desperation; in vain they tbrow themselves upon their foes and fight un- til the blood runs in clotted streams from the wounds they receive, Even when .too weak to stand, they pull their revolvers from their belts and fire from the floor at the men they hate—the men who are depriving them of life and liberty. “ Kill them— show no mercy!” shouts Iron- nerve, as he fights with two of the officers at one end of the room, and at last, striking them both down, leaps upon another, only to be again successful, His teeth are locked tightly together, and he fights as only a man, half human, half-de- mon, can fight, when be knows it is his last chance. Through the heavy curtains of smoke, Ralph sees him. (He has seized a weapon and is doing his part) and he uses every exertion to get near the man he hates, Nearer and nearer they draw to each other, and both are anxious that the meeting shall come, and the sooner the better, Down falls the man with whom Ralph is coping, and at the same instant Ironnerve cleaves the soldier’s scull, with whom he is fighting. They are together. For a moment they pause and eye each other, and then the fight commences. Clash—clash! goes tbe steel, as their swords cross. Pistols have long been cast aside empty and useless, and now swords, and knives and clubs, and any and every missile they can lay hands on, are swung swiftly around; are cut slashing through bones and flesh, or fly burtling throu. h the air. Clash! clash! clash! clash! go their weapons. Ralph drives his enemy back against the wall, and there they make a stand. The counterfeiter lunges forward, and Ralph feels a sharp sting. He knows he is cut, but he fights on, shutting his teeth tight together, determined to win the battle, Again the captain lunges, but. Ralph catches bis sword, and sends it flying fully ten feet away; but before ke can recover himself, his opponent has sprung wildly forward ‘and grasped him by the throat, There is a desperate struggle—a hand-to- | hand encounter in which the stronger and more skilJful is bound to win. To and fro they sway, tightly locked in each other’s arms, and the muscles strained to their highest tension, CHAPTER XXXII HEAVEN CLAIMS ITS OWN-—-THE MYSTERY SOLVED. STEADILY the fight goes on. Ralph Gordon and Captain Ironnerve reel to and fro-in their almost superhuman efforts for the mastery. Suddenly they loose their hold and stend panting and: glaring at each other. Then they rush forward again, but Lronnerve holds a murderous looking knife, which «ne ci his meu, in the last agony of death has thrust into his hand, and then saceunbed to all-power- ful fate. With one last desperate effort the counter- feiter leaps forward and his fingers close tight- ly around Ralph’s throat, and be is borne to the floor. Down goes Ralpb, and Captain Ironnerve’s knee is upon his breast. The knife is raised, and descends—but a figure has thrown itself beneath the weapon, and it finds a different sheath than the band that directs it sought. Captain Ironnerve springs to his feet with a wild ery of horror, and the knife drops fram his palsied hand and rattles to the floor. ** Lorna !” he cries in his agony. *‘My God, J have killed Lorna!” It was only too true. She had seen the knife descending which would deprive Ralph of his life, and with one despairing cry had cast ber own body benescth it, and now she is dying. With the hollow, mocking laugh of a maniac, Gordon Crandyl once more seizes the knite and raises it. Several rush forward, buttoo late. The fatal weapon is imnbedded in bis own breast, and ba sinks to the floor with a smothered groan. The fight is over. The counterfeiters—that is, the few cf them who are left alive, are huddled togetber in a corner, tightly manacled, where they sit vith sullen faces, now and then muttering deep curses upon the men who bave gained the vic- tory. Lady Lorna Atherton has been conveyed to another part of the room, where sbe is sicwly breathing her last. Ralph bends over her, and tears are in the strong man’s eyes as he thinks what she bas sacrificed for him, ‘*Good-by, Ralpb,” she says, faintly, and a gentle smile hovers about ber lips. Go: d—by —and God bless—you! I—wanted—to save— you—Ralph; thank—God, I—succeed — ed. Good-by, dar—darling; it - ‘is better—thus.” “Ob, Lorna!” Ralph sobs. ‘‘I had rather die a thousand deaths than have bad this hap- pen toyou. Why, why did you do it?” ‘Because I love you—darling,” she gasps, “ Kiss—me—dear,” she goes on. ‘ It—is’ bet- ter—so. You—will think—of me some—time —when—I—am—up there—won't—you?’ ‘Think of you, Lorna!” he says, chckingly, as he bends over and kisses her. ‘‘ Wuuld to God I could forget!” **No—no! Not—that,” she whispers, for ske is getting too weak to speak. “Do not—for- get—that I—loved— you. God thinks— it best - that—” she chokes a little and then con- tinues, ‘‘that I—should go— Where—is—the other—Lorna?” ** Here,” sobs Ralph, and Lorna, in the dress of a Gipsy dancivg girl—the dress in which she had so startled Crandyl—steps forward. ‘Kiss me,” the dying girl says, “ for—I feel —that we—are sisters, You—ycu will—be good—to—good to—Ralph? Up there—wheie I—am going—I can watch—over—you both —” She pauses, and another hemorrbage makes her gasp for bi eath; but she recovers a little, and, although much weaker, continues: “ See!” she whispers, ‘‘ My motb—mother— is—tbere—and I—can— see the—beau—titu!— angels—waiting to take—me home—” She raises her hands and an inspired Icvuk comes into ber eyes—a look of rapture that only one near the gates of Heaven could have, ‘“‘T—am coming—darling — coming—home. Take—me in—your arms—my mother; no— more pain—or sad—ness—or sor—row. It is —dark—here—but—the light—is grand—up there. I—am—coming—thank—God.” She is dead. For a long time Ralph’s strong frame is shaken by sobs, but he tenderly covers all thit is left of Lorna Atherton with a piece of the NiGDoOo (E(0) (C SiG (@)