Beadle's Dime Library No. 170 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

— ——— ——__-_-——- —_ ee han’s. Of course the rattler struck at him, an’ hit him full in the face. ; ‘* Somehow I forgot the critter couldn’t bite, an. was goin’ to help him, but mate tried to drown the noise I made intthe bushes by givin’ a hollow laugh. I doh’t know whether the old feller smelt a mice, or ef he was driv’ plum crazy by the snake bite an’ all what had bin goin’ on, but dhyhow, he give a howl an’ lepped at us, head on, like a mad bull, ‘‘T knowed thar’d be matter fer a funeral ef ever he clapped two eyes onto us, an’ as the shortest way out of a nasty fix, I up an’ lent him a good one, right atween the eyes, with my fist. He keeled over like he was kilt, but when we looked, we see he was only stunned, an’ would be all right in a minnitortwo. So l shouldered the dead ram, an’ mate tuck the jug o’ licker, an’ we puckacheed, hot foot.” ‘*Then you think that they murdered—” ‘*Whar else did the money come from—an’ the two men as rightly owned it a-layin’ over yender dead? KEither they did it, or else thar fellers did it, which ’mounts to about the same thing.” “Then you think that they murdered Larkin as well?’ ‘*No; I think that was done by a honest man. Look yere. Sence the trial ve found out that John Hopper an’ Jake Ramsel, the two men who swore they found the dyin’ man, an’ tried to swear away your life, belong to the Crimson Clan. They was al’ays close chumsof Don Lar- kin, an’ all on ’em hard nuts. Them drovers was murdered fer*thar money, but one on ’em fit hard fer his life, an’ in that fight Don Larkin got killed, full four and twenty hours afore they said you murdered him.” ‘* But you have no proof—no absolute proof,” ronitared. Leo, despondently. ‘* Yow may be- lieve this, but others?’ ‘*The proof’ll be comin’, don’t you fear;” was the comtideaii reply. ‘‘Afore another week is over the hull thing’ll be made cl’ar, an’ then, Gerald Evans —” ‘* You hate him, and yet he aided us to escape from the Vigilantes last night. How is that?’ ‘‘He didn’t dar’ refuse. 1 told you what signs to make ef any of them got hold of you, but I didn’t tell you what them signs meant. 1 will, now. The first sign said that you were a member of the Crimson Clan. The second one said you b’longed to the Danites. You was in trouble, an’ when you made either one o’ them signs any member o’ the gangs as saw it was bound by a sacred oath to help you, even at the cost o’ his own life,” ‘Then he—Gerald Evans, is a Danite, and one of the Crimson Clan?’ ‘More than that. Gerald Evans is none other than the notorious Captain Moonlight himself!” CHAPTER XXIII. A QUESTION OF IDENTITY, For the second time that night Simple Simon found himself accused of being a spy, and the words emphasized by the muzzle of a loaded pistol staring him fullin the face. Nor was the comfort of his situation at all improved by the actions of Hark Foster. That worthy indi- viduai placed more reliance upon the word of his idolized daughter than he did upon his own judgment, and at Mattie’s accusation he drew a fon and ugly-looking knife, creeping noiseless] to within arm’s length of Simple Simon, his little eyes glowing venomously, his wiry form crouched, bis every muscle strained in readiness for the fatal leap. bony Just as he did earlier in the night, when a similar peril threatened bim, Simple Simon raised one hand and made the peculiar sign that procliimed him one of the great family of which the Crimson Clan formed a small part. As before, this mute declaration had its effect upon Hark Foster, and recalled his wonted pru- dence, ,Not so with the young woman. A mocking laugh parted her om ‘Secret signs can be stolen as well as pass- words, and this is but one more count in the in- dictment. ; Father, lead the way into my room, and you, sir, follow him. Walk uprightly, unles§ you would be reminded by a bullet in your back; fitting end for a traitorous spy!” Without a word Simple Simon turned upon his heel and followed Hark Foster into the red- draped room where Mattie had parted with Leo Friend. She brought up the rear and closed the door behind her. When Simon turned round all traces of the entrance had disappeared. Apparently Mattie was satisfied that eseape for ‘tim was impossible, for she lowered the hammer of her pistol and replaced it in her belt, Sinking into a chair she eyed the rag-clad stranger with evident interest and curiosity. Her gaze was coolly reciprocated. Admiration was plainly expressed by the man’s eyes; but it was rather the cold, critical admiration a con- noisseur displays in viewing some perfect ani- mal than that excited by the presence of a lovely woman. Mattie Foster was quick to note this fact, and her big eyes flamed with hot anger. She was doubly resolved that Simple Simon should not - ced Sweet William, the Trapper Detective. 19 easily escape from the trap she had laid for him. Yet her voice was low and calm as she addressed her intended victim. ‘“* You shall meet the same fate that your own lips declared was deserved by a traitor.” ‘* Provided I cannot clear myself of sin, you ‘Please be seated, sir; 1 have some questions | mean.” to. ask you.” She was obeyed in silence. At a sign, Hark Foster tock his position close behind the chair in which Simple Simon seated himself, ** Now, sir,” she added; *‘ who and what are | looked for outburst, an | by his long pent-up-passions and hatred, ou?” senseless block? Spe ‘*Go on!” snapped Mattie, addressing the witness. ‘‘Why do you stand there like a ak out!” Not a little confused by this sudden and un- still further agitated cKee ‘‘A man, and a member in good standing of | made his statement in a rambling, discursive the great confederacy of which the Crimson Clan forms a portion,” was the prompt re- sponse. ‘You have the signs and passwords and the different grips, [ suppose?” Simple Simon bowed assent. woman added: ‘Father, test him. See if he has spoken the truth thus far, before we go any further.” ‘‘He’s got ’em all right,” said Hark, after a few moments spent with his hand clasping that of the accused. “Very good. Now, sir, I suppose you are aware of the doom pronounced against traitors, by the League! And that a man is deemed a spy and a traitor, when he obtains possession of any secrets of the League, without first being duly initiated?” ‘**T know all—more, perhaps than you can tell me, unless you have been admitted to the Inner Circle, as I have,” replied Simple Simon, quietly. ‘* Are you aware that whoever accuses a fellow member, without fully substantiating their charges, is deemed guilty of a serious offense, and punished accordingly ?” ‘* You are here to answer questions, not to ask them,” cried Mattie, flushing hotly, for the mo- ment losing her cool, almost contemptuous com- posure. ‘‘Whatever charges I may bring against you, will be properly sustained, at the right time and place. Tell me—how long since you joined the League and was confirmed a member?’ ' ‘*Something over six months ago. If you doubt my word, it can easily be seen which is right. Of course you belong to the family, since you assume the right to cross-examine me. {tf you are a member of influence, you should possess a Record. Examine thai, and you will find my name and description duly recorded.” ‘* What is your name and number, then?” * Thomas Serhan, number 127.” At a sign from his daugher, Hark Foster handed her a small, leather bound book from a strong desk upon the table. This she opened, and after a brief search, appeared to be compar- ing Simple Simon with something which she found therein. Whatever her emotions none were allowed to reveal themselves upon her countenance, ‘* The description corresponds, but there is no mention of your being admitted to the Inner Circle.” ‘*[T was promoted less than one month ago. The young You will doubtless receive the notice in due time, ‘Let that pass. Admitted that you are a legal member, in good standing, and that you have a perfect right to make use of the signs, passwords and secret grips. That much in your favor. Of course you can tell me the punish- ment due one who raises his hand against an- other member of the family, to do him mali- cious injury?’ ‘‘If the injury be not fatal, the criminal is flogged and placed upon probation for alength of time to be decided by the jury. If fatal, he must die.” ‘* And if, in addition, his interference should work ill to the entire family, by hindering—let us say, for example—a runner who was convey- ing an important message, upon the prompt deliverance of which perbaps depended a score or more of lives?” ‘*Death by bullet, steel or cord, whichever could be employed with the greatest degree of ease and safety,” was the promee reply, while the lip of the accused curled with a slight smile of amused contempt. ‘You are sure you have made no mistake?” ‘Quite. He who siws in that manner, with- out good and sufficient cause, is condemned to death by his own act. The same law adds that his executioner must be the first member of the family whom he may meet after his crime is discovered.” ‘You have uttered your own doom!” cried Mattie, her face aglow with a fierce joy. ‘Come forth, Justus McKee!” An ample fold of the crimson curtains was flung aside, and a rough-looking, travel-stained figure emerged. A wiry built man of middle age. A hard, rugged countenance, with crime aad lawless sions written upon every line. His sunken, bloodshot eyes were fixed upon the face of Simple Simon with a glare of devilish hatred, mixed with triumph. ‘This is your “witness, Miss Foster? I ex- pected as much, whenI saw the drift of your questions,” said Simple Simon, the irritating smile deepening upon his lip. ‘ Let bim make his statement. course you are too just to condemn me unheard?” ‘** You shall have justice done you, pe sure of that,” she replied, with a sharp, hard laugh * -— | style not easy of comprehension. Condensed, his statement amounted to this: He was a member of the League, and from his well-known fidelity and cunning, had often been selected as a confidential messenger, whenever word of importance was sent to distant parties. Upon this occasion the chief had given him a sealed order to convey with all speed to Captain Moonlight, of the Crimson Clan. On the second day out from head-quarters, he was overtaken by Simple Simon, or Thomas Hunter, as be knew him. Hunter stated that the chief had sent him-to aid the messenger, in case of trouble, and knowing that he was regarded as a true man among the. family, he, McKee, had not the faintest suspicion that all was not right. That same night he was awakened from sleep, only to find himself a prisoner in the hands of over @ dozen men, who appeared to be upon the best of terms with Hunter. He was conveyed to a Weep and gloomy ravine, where he had been kept bound hand and foot until that very night. uring his captivity he heard enough to feel sure that Hunter and his friends were enemies of and plotting against the Crimson Clan. Satisfied of this, he redoubled his efforts to es- cape, and finally succeeded, making the best of his way to the cabin of Hark Foster, wheré he hoped to meet Captain Moonlight. ‘* Failing in. this, he told the whole story to me,” said Mattie Foster. ‘“‘ You can imagine what joy the sound of re sweet voice gave me, and now know why 1 was so ready to ad- mit you. You are a convicted traitor, and the doom that you pronounced with your own lips, shail be executed this very hour—” ** Before you proceed to carry out your sen- tence, perbaps you will be kind enough to read this,” said Simple Simon, producing a sealed envelope and passing it across the table, ‘* Pos- sibly the contents of that will induce you to grant me a respite.” Mattie tore open the envelope and hastily glanced over the inclosure. It was signed by the chief of the League, and stated that the bearer was bound upon business of the utmost importance, ending by commanding all good and true members to lend the bearer, Thomas Hunter, whatever aid or assistance he might require in carrying out his orders. ‘‘That was ’mong the papers he stole from me!” cried McKee, noting the startling change in Mattie’s looks. ‘* What name is mentioned in that paper, Miss Foster?” sharply demanded Simple Simon, arising from his seat. : ‘“'Yours—but it may be a forgery,” she faltered. ‘Then, Justus McKee, you are my prisoner!” As he spoke, Simple Simon rung forward and grasped the fellow by the throat, whirling him around so that he, himself, stood facing father and daughter. Mattie arose, pistol in hand, white with anger. “You shall not arrest bim in my house! I am mistress here—” ‘*Notin the face of that order. You are a woman, and I don’t want to be rude, but I have my orders, and I mean to carry them out, at all hazards.” The infuriated beauty raised her weapon, but Hark Foster grasped her arm and the bullet was wasted upon the ceiling. Shielding her with his own body, he said: é‘ ‘*Putt up your weepon, boss, or you'll git hurt. The gal’s crazy an’ don’t know what she’s doin’. Let the matter stan’ as itis ontel the boys come over in the mornin’; then what they say is right, shell be did.” ‘Tam willing, on one condition. This man | must be bound, and I will hold you r nsible for his safe keeping. If he ison hand in the morning, I promise not to report you two at head-quarters.” After some few words more, this was agreed upon. The man was bound and placed upon a cot in the corner. Then Simple Simon retired to the couch provided for him in the outer room, and quiet succeeded the stormy scene. Time passed on, and all seemed at rest. But Mattie Foster was not one to rest tamely under defeat, and her bold spirit soon devised a metbod of gaining her end, without betraying her hand too openly. ‘ When satisfied that Simple Simon was soundly sleeping upon his post, feeling asswred that no one could leave the crimson room with- out arousing him, she freed McKee from his bonds, and enjoining caution upon him, she revealed a secret door at the further end of the room, through which she led him, nor left bim until he was clear of the grounds and safe at the edge of the timber. Returning quickly she found her father still soundly sleeping upon his post. Noiselessly Gomicbooks €O