Beadle's Dime Library No. 170 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

— _ ss oe ke ee Re - MOM . = Sweet William, the Trapper Detective. ; ~~ we = * a ae ee ee ee a —_ —~—- — ~~ ——.s—— + - - ™ ——$_$__—_____ — ——__- ———— —— = j : — ~ = - — -- - — — - - ™ = = ~ a = . a A TS I ih lenient ated cee i, an imal — 7 * . - » *% . . . - . . > “~ - : . = é . . > : opening the door, she saw Simple Simon placidly slumbering, treachery just accomplished. CHAPTER XXIV. THE CRIMSON CLAN AT WORK. WHEN Hark Foster was aroused from slumber vy the sound of Nancy, the servant girl, bust- ling around in the summer-kitchen, preparing breakfast, his first glance was cast in the direc- tion of the low cot upon which Justus McKee was reclining when slumber sealed his eyelids, some hours previously. His eyes opened wider than ever, and bis lower jaw dropped, ludicrous dismay deeply imprinted upon his every feature. ** Hist!” and Mattie glided noiselessly to his side, and clapped oné little hand over his gaping | mouth. ‘*He is gone, but you know nothing about the matter. Leave it all to me, Go out now and wake up that rascal,” Foster obeyed, but not until he assured him- self that his pistol was close to his band and ready for quick work in case of need. If Simple | Simon held him responsible, as he had said—at | least he would have the first blow. His fears appeared quite groundless, for Simple Simon arose on being called, stretched, yawned, then left the house and sauntered down to the spring where he took a good wash. evidently unsuspecting the act of well as of the entire clearing, he lay down, lighting his pipe, and smoking tazily, as though at peace with the entire worla. attie Foster did not leave the house before dinner, and Hark hovered around the recum- bent mass of fantastic rags, though not daring to come too near. » Simple Simon had made a powerful impression upan the old fox. In ten minutes more the two men were stand- ing close to the stable door, which alone sepa- rated them from the coveted animal. All was still. The inmates of the farm-house were buried in slumber. Everything seemed favora- ble for the complete success of the midnight marauders. Simple Simon was as good as bis word, and Shortly after tue dinner hour, the men who | in less than five minutes had picked the lock of had met at the old hut in the hollow on the past night, began to drop in, and the matter of busi- ness alluded to on that occasion was entered upon more fully. The whole matter was laid before Simple Simon, and he appeared to be deeply interested in the details. ‘*Pll make one of the party, if nobody ob- jects,” he declared. ‘‘1t has been all of three months since I tried my hand at horse-lifting. Of course the captain will lead us,” he asked, suddenly. “He said so, when the word was fust give out,” replied Hark Foster. ‘‘It’s likely he'll be on time, though I hain’t seen him sense yest’- day. “ Mebbe he'll putt it off, now the vigilantys is up ag’in?’ suggested Jake Ramsel. ‘* We only got to wait an’ see,” grunted Hark Foster. As they could do nothing more until the cap- | tain made his appearance or sent them word, Shortly after he was summoned to breakfast. | the men scattered to amuse themselves as best He politely saluted Mattie, but her only response was a short, angry glance, not- unmixed with they could. Refusing an invitation to take a hand at cards, Simple Simon returned to his ‘ triumph. Hark Foster fidgeted as though sitting | grassy couch beneath the tree. upon needles, and he kept one hand hidden | The afternoon was half spent when a slight beneath the table, nervously fingering the butt | built figure emerged from the line of timber and of a pistol. | briskly approached the house. From beneath Simple Simon ate heartily, to all seeming | his ragged head-dress, Simple Simon recognized wholly unconscious of the uneasiness felt by his | the new-comer, Gerald Evans, and a strange two companions, but when his hunger was ap- | light filled his blue eyes. That alone betrayed peased he addressed Mattie, with a bland smile | the intense interest and curiosity that filled tris that was strangely irritating to her disordered | breast. He did not move a Jimb until after nerves. Gerald had entered the building. Then he did ** Miss Foster, I sincerely hope that you expe- | raise his head, only to find that Hark Foster was the stable door. But at that mdément, coming from inside the stable, the loud fierce barking of a dog was heard. Closely following it came the low grunt, as of a sleepy mortal awaken- ing. ‘* Look out for the dog—I’ll knife the man!” grated Simple Simon, about to fling open the door; but a loud, angry cry came from the farm-house! ‘*Run fer it!” snarled Hark, with an angry curse. A shrill whistle came from the field beyond— then loud cries, accompanied by pistol-shots, Slamming of doors were heard within the house, and it was only too plain that the in- mates were fully aroused. Without a word, the two men turned and fled at top speed from the dangerous spot. CHAPTER XXV. A BARGAIN. THovUGH so calm outwardly, Gerald Evans was in a white heat when he made the signal that gave him admittance to the house of Hark Foster. It was Nancy who opened the door and Evans brushed by her without a word and entered the crimson room without so much as knocking. | Mattie was lying upon one of the couches, her hair disheveled, ber face buried in her hands, her eyes red and swollen, bearing indubitable traces of tears. She started up with an angry exclamation, but there was something in the face of Gerald Evans that quieted her passion as by magic. Bold and fearless though she ha- bitually was, an icy hand seemed grasping her rience no ill effects from your promenade last | squatting near, eying him keenly from beneath | _ night, or rather this morning? The dew was so | his shaggy eyebrows. heart with a suffocating pressure as she met _ = ~~ ee ee ee ee =v =x. ' <= % a a i > ’ " » a -” - “ts? sj - -~ =—- - wo se % - . '% *. . r i. sd Tt. of ? Py ; ; ok oe 4 : ‘ -* . é * 2 ‘al f ié a - “ 4 ? . - = 9 r —— — 9 ee eee ee er a eee = »* ;. * - i es Ee “ i . to “ - oy 5 "¢ té BO ne oe - ’ i | a ————— > a. a a eS a oe —_ ~ et. he > ~?*, > i. ores : a .. . ' ‘ wl i * , ° ‘s2a — ee . e al € +e _ * a e -. : ~A = 2 q - “f | e aaa i s ete * * « J? es s — ——~ — . - yal Ad i APs ~* & ons .* ss 7 . = ~— «+ er Jt. » * ae ¥ é - ws? ner ap = " a - ad —" | a” a a » - - — * a. | Wat. an has Me . :. werlee =f ‘cee P heavy —” 5 ‘* It’s cooler here then in the house,” he said | his gaze, as full of demoniac hatred and rage. “I do not understand you, sir,” was the cold | slowly, though reading the half-formed resolve ‘You have been false to your oath, Mattie response. that was shaping itself in the other’s brain; and | Foster—false to me, and false to the League,” ‘**T am sorry; perhaps I was only dreaming. Yet I could almost swear that you left the house about two hours before daybreak, in com- pany with another—a man, I am quite sure.” _ Hark Foster turned a sickly white and noise- lessly drew his pistol, hidden by the table. The muzzle was pointed toward Simple Simon. A thumb was upon the hammer, a finger upon the trigger. At any moment the old man could send a bullet into the stomach of the man sitting opposite. Simple Simon’s life hung upon a single thread. Mattie Foster flushed hotly, instead. She knew that her treachery had been discovered, but her courage did not fail her. There was ex- ultation in her voice as she replied: **You are quite right, sir. I did leave the house early this morning, and a man did ac- company me. I supposed you were asleep, for I looked in upon you just before I left and im- mediately after | returned. I wonder you did not follow us; indeed, | wish you had !’ ‘*May I[ ask your reason?” smiled Simple Simon. ‘““Pure economy; the breakfast you have | eaten would have been saved at the expense of a bit of lead and powder,” was the prompt, ‘seemingly careless response. “You are very frank, Miss Foster. I will follow your example. Doubtless I should have followed you this morning only it happens that I was abroad just a trifle earlier than you and your friend, Possibly you may have heard the whip-poor-will singing close to the house last night. I did, and as the bird is an especial favorite with me I ventured outside to listen to it more easily. That same whip-poor-wilil was | _ on guard when you left the bouse; it was close - to you when you parted witb your friend at the edge of the timber, and before you regained the house, Justus McKee was a prisoner in the hands of my most trustworthy follower.” Mattie stared at Simple Simon, her bosom swelling with an anger she could not express. She could not doubt his words, for a satisfied triumph filled his eyes. Afraid to trust her tongue, she arose and flounced out of the room. ‘** Now, old man,” Simple Simon said with an authoritative nod, ‘‘ you can put up your pistol. Your life and that of your lovely and amiable daughter depends upon my safety. The sooner you understand that I am master of the situ- ation, that in os against me you are doubl injuring yourself, cerned. As it happens, there was no barni done by your daughter’s mad freak of last night, but | the simple fact of her setting free a prisoner of the League would, if reported at head-quarters, be enough to doom you both. If yeu control her, and act upon the square yourself, for the future I shall say nothing about the matter. You will do well to bear this in mind. I never warn the same man twice.” Without waiting for a a4 Simple Simon left t the better for all con- | these words showed Simple Simon that he was an ocject of suspicion. ‘*1 don’t want to go inside,” nor did he, for at that moment Mattie and Gerald emerged from the door and slowly sauntered toward the spring. For full an hour they stood there in deep con- verse, nor did Hark Foster abandon his posi- tion near the apparently sleeping Fool Simon, until, just as he was departing, Evans called him aside for a few words. An hour later, Hark summoned the men, and informed them that the proposed plan was to be carried out, with the one exception that he was to lead them, the captain having importani busi- ness in another direction. Their preparations were simple enough. They were to go on foot, each with a couple of hal- ters and a bridle concealed upon their persons. It is an extravagant horse-thief that travels upon his own animal. The party divided into couples. Hark Foster and Simple Simon keeping together, and as the sun set, they started, having some ten miles to traverse before reaching the field of their in- tended robbery. It was nearly midnight when they reached the rendezvous, not far from the farm-house, and when all were assembled, Hark Foster ad- dressed them: ‘This is the work we've got to do, an’ the best way to goabout it. In the pastur’ lot down yender, thar’s eight critters fit fer our purpose. other side the house is another lot; we kin pick out five or six good critters thar. We'll divide up, an’ clean out both lots at the same time. When the critters is safe roped, we'll strike out, two an’ two, jinin’ ag’in at Little Turkey crick, whar we'll find boys wait- in’ to kerry the animiles furder. You all un- derstan’?” ‘*‘Seems to me you've forgotten the most im- rtant point of the whole business,” interposed imple Simon. ‘‘Denbree owns a Morgan stal- lion, worth his whole herd besides. You don’t mean to leave it behind?” ‘*How kin we help ourselves? He keeps the hoss shet up in a tight stable, cluss to the house—” “Tknow. I was by here the other day, and inspected the ground closely, intending to do a bit of business on my own hook. But I can | — that lock in five minutes, and in ten more can have that stallion out in the road with- out making noise enough to waken a weasel.” “You kin talk—” began Foster, grumblingly. ** And Ican act. You are not satisfied that I am what I claim tobe. There—I am not blam- ing you. It is a good plan to su t every man until be fairly proves the stuff he is made of. I'll do that this very night. If you afraid, Vll alone—” Ww “Tl stick to you cluss enough, never fear that,” interrupted Foster, with a dry signifi- cance that did not escape Simon. eT SSS sss eens he said, in a cold, icy voice that contrasted strongly with. the lurid fire in his steel-blue eyes. The young woman laughed shortly, but it sounded strange and unnatural, as she replied: ‘You are not very polite, to say the least; but perbaps you will be kind enough to specify my sins?” ‘* Among other things, you have betrayed the secrets of the League to an outsider. You have given him the signs and passwords by which he can, and most probably will, utterly destroy the family.” ‘A lie for your lie, Gerald Evans! I have never admitted but two persons to the League, and their names are upon the record.” “You are willing to swear this?” “A thousand times over—but not at your bidding.” ‘*Good enough!” and Gerald uttered a low laugh of triumph. ‘' You have told me all I care to know. His name was not upon the record two weeks ago, and since then he has not been out of the neighborhood. You are the only one — could have initiated him here, besides my- self— “Of whom are you speaking?’ demanded Mattie, the angry flush chased from her cheek by a sickly pallor. , “Of Leo Friend, your particular friend, and mine. Let me tell you how be has put his foot in it,” and with a covert but devilish delight he detailed the events of the past night, so far as he knew them. ; ‘*T did not know but he had been playing double on me from the first, thanks to you. Now, since you have set that doubt at rest, I have him foul.” eT ‘‘ Gerald Evans, if you dare to harm a single hair of his head, I will kill you, though it cost me my life. You know me—I never warn twice!” ‘| know that you will be as good as your word if I ever give you the chance, but | cut my eye-teeth long before you were born, my pretty. Still, I prefer you as an ally, if we can come to terms.” ‘‘ What dirty work have you on hand how?” “Something in which I need your aid, Mattie, which I am quite sure you will not refuse me. Should you be so foolish, something truly la- mentable would occur—” ‘*Speak plainly, Gerald Evans, and spare your sneers, else they may be answered in a manner more conclusive than agreeable.” ‘* Anything to keep peace in thefamily, If you refuse to aid me in my plans, it will be the worse for Leo Friend. I will send off a dozen messengers this very day, to spread the news that he is in ion of the secrets of the League without belonging to the family. You, who well know the solemn oaths that bind us, one and all, can easily picture the result. There will be aman found dead, and that man will be ee. arose from the table and e house. Seek-| ‘Very good. The rest of you do your part, | Leo Friend. You will have the comfort of ae ing the shade of a tree from whence he com- | and quickly. We will be here before you, with | knowing that you signed his death-warrant.” _- manded an unobstructed view of the house as! the stallion.” ** You would not live to hear the verdict, at Beis. , | | COMIEDOOKS.cOM —