Beadle's Dime Library No. 170 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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_ the danger is past. ‘the timber at the _ said,” moodily responded roepet, y rc ‘‘She would break ten thousand oaths in her madness. Our only hope is in speedy flight. I'll not feel safe until at head-quarters, and the sooner we get there the better. We'll strike out for the road, now. One of you will ride in advance, and if ie see any one,on the road, give usasign. We'll take to the timber again until Lead on, Ramsel.” Nothing more was said. Riding as rapidly as the rather difficult nature of the ground would permit, the kidnappers made the best of their way to the wagon-road. Upon this they could travel twice as fast, and, with proper precau- tions, Evans did not think the danger would be much greater. Just as they turned into the highway, Belle recovered her senses. Her head was resting upon the shoulder of her abductor, her face turned backward. Though conscious, the ef- fects of the baleful drug were still felt. Her limbs and body were as though paralyzed; only her brain was alive and active. She knew that she was being borne far from home and friends, yet she could not ge against the dread ate. So quiet did she lie in his arms, that Gerald never suspected that the power of the drug was passing away. Suddenly a pes gees thrill agitated her frame, and as Gerald strove to look into her face, she shrieked aloud; ‘ Help! for the love of Heaven! save me!” With a grating curse Evans turned his head and glared back. The road was empty. The sight he dreaded did not greet his gaze. Surely she had seen no one? With a short, angry laugh at his own folly, Gerald once more wound the drug-moistened cloth around his victim’s face, then urged his horse on. But that cry for help was yet to bear fruit. If nothing else it aroused John Hopper to increased vigilance, and he rode with beard upon shoulder henceforth. Anda few minutes later he uttered a sounding oath. “She was right, boss! Thar’s somebody a-follerin’ us !” “Ride on, you fool—don’t make a sign,” hissed the leader, angrily. ‘‘ Watch your chance and signal Jake to wait for us—wait until you can catch his eye. Then you two must make a dash back and take that fellow, Your lives as well as mine depend upon it. He must not get away—kill him /” Five minutes later Ramsel’s eye was caught, the signal was made, and while Evans rode on with his captive, the two men, with drawn pis- tols, made the backward dash. With fierce eagerness Gerald listened for the report of their weapons, but in vain. A few minutes later he heard the trampling of their horses’ hoofs, and when they came in sight, alone, be knew that his plan had failed. “Did you see him? was it anybody following us?” he ashe as the two men w along- ide. iat We see his tracks, that’s all. He tuck to ‘int whar I fust ketched a e’d bin follerin’ us—least- limpse o’ him. ir et way. So the tracks wise he was comin’ this “Thanks to your cursed folly in letting him see that he was spotted!” remarked Evans. “ Ride on, Jake, as before; only keep an eye e,” Oe a mile more Gerald rode on, his brow wrinkled, his brain busy. But then his lip curled with a malignant smile, as he believed he saw his way out of the woods. ' At a sign Hopper drew alongside. ‘Tf any one is really pene us, we will bag him if you are careful and follow my direc- tions. We will ride ahead at full speed until we come to the ford. You and Jake will stop there, hide your horses and take cover, one on each side of the road. Wait there two hours, if the fellow don’t come before. If he does come, make sure of him. You can pitch his body. into the hole below the ford. 1 will ride on and wait for you at the Blue Rock. You understand?” Hopper nodded, with a grim smile, This sort of work just suited him. ‘No fear of his falling short of the limit.given him by the ‘‘boss.” Touched by the spur, their horses dashed for- ward at augmented speed, and they Lm overtook Jake Ramsel. As they galloped along, side by side, Evans repeated what he had told Hopper. The communication was received in tnuch the same manner as by the first ruffian. Gerald was quite satisfied. If anybody was following them as a spy, be would never pass the ford alive. Of that be felt assured. Half an hour later the ford was reached, and Gerald rode on alone with his captive. Fear- ful of trusting the drug, of which he knew but little, he removed the fandkercbief once more, assuring himself that the maiden was still alive, though unconscious. For two hours mofe he kept on, but ey more slowly, listening intently for the sound o wheels or hoof-strokes from ahead. Though the road was but little traveled, some one might be using it, and a meeting would be especially disa ble, now that he was alone, and in- cumbered by a lifeless body. His fears were unfounded. He reached the rendezvyous—nearly half a mile from the road | | —— —in safety. A deep hollow, through which wound a small brook, large mass of slate- stone stood beside the stream, and the spot was known far and wide as Blue Rock. Dismounting, Gerald tied his horse, then bear- ing the unconscious maiden to the edge of the stream, he laved her face and neck freely in the cold water. For some time his labor was in vain, and he began to fear that all this risk was run in vain—that the maiden would never again return to life. But then, with a faint sigh, Belle opened her eyes, only to shrink back with a shudder, as she recognized the hated face bending over her. Gently placing her upon a mossy bank, Ger- ald drew aside, and lighting his pipe, fell into a deep reverie, while waiting for the coming of his followers. That his reflections were not un- pleasant was plain from the smile that now and then curled his cea 4 lip. What those thoughts were miatters not now. They were fated never to be realized. Ere many minutes more ke was aroused from his musing. Faint and indistinct there came to bis ears the echo of a whistle. Starting erect he drew a pistol, bending forward in an attitude of acute listening. Again that whistle, this time clearer and more distinct. Crooking one finger in his mouth he answered the signal in kind, his eyes aglow. All was well—the spy was disposed of! ‘Waal, boss!” came the voice of Hopper, from the right. Gerald wheeled quickly, and_as he did so the bushes parted behind him. One mighty leap ends man stood close behind him wit uplifted and. CHILAPTER XXXII. WHO KILLED DON LARKIN? UNTIL that moment—when Anderson Gladden appeaion for help to the Vigilance Committee as he sunk to the ground completely exhausted —Leo Friend had believed those words spoken by Gerald Evans were ony boasting, merely uttered to torture him. ut the truth came upon him now, and in hurried tones he told all he knew, and branded Gerald Evans as the vil- lainous kidnapper. ‘Who neg you all have seen Gerald Evans since night before last’’ demanded the chief, addressing his followers. . ‘“‘I saw him jest afore sundown yest’day, comin’ away from Widder Larkin’s place.” ‘‘An’ I saw her goin’ into Gladden’s house after sundown last night, as I was goin’ home,” volunteered another; and at his words Gladden sprung erect with a hoarse cry, holding up a crumpled scrap of paper. ‘I found it in her room; it says trust the bearer—that must mean Nell Larkin—” ‘*‘One moment, Mr. Gladden,” interposed the chief, as the giant turned as though he intended rushing to the Larkincabin. ‘‘ You have placed this business in our hands, and you must allow us to do the workin our own way. You are too terribly excited to manage a woman like Mrs. Larkin. You can bear us company, but you must not interfere unless your aid is re- quested.” ‘‘Save her—that’s all I ax—only save my darlin’—” Sweet William locked arms with the stricken giant, and though his words were inaudible to the others, they had a strangely calming effect upon Gladden, Leo Friend was placed upon horseback, one of the Vigilantes mounting behind him. The chief paused to utter: ‘‘It is no more than right that I should tell ou, sir, I begin to believe that you have suf- ered a cruel wrong. If it pevvas thus, I will do all I possibly can to make amends. Your friend yonder promises to make all clear before night. Until then, you must consider yourself a prisoner, If you innocent, a few hours more of detention will not be seriously felt, so long as you know that friends are working to clear your name. Promise me you will not at- sa, to escape, and you shall not be bound.” ‘“* You say you believe I have been wronged; let me go on parole, so I can help rescue Nise Gladden, and I'll not only forget ie) hunting me down, but will remain your debtor for lifé, “That won’t do at all!” interposed Sweet William. “The sight o’ you goin’ free’d tell the p’izen sarpints we was on the right trail, an’ mebbe they ’d give us theslip ag’in, No; you o to the. pen, an’ wait greed fer the eend. T give you my honor as it ll come soon, an’ be even brighter’n you ever dar’d to dream—it will so!” By a judicious doubling-up, both Gladden and Sweet William _were provided with a mount, and with Leo Friend in the center, the Vigi- lantes started for the jail atarapid trot. Closely dogging them was the outlaw who afterward intercepted Martha Foster to tell her where Leo was confined. He succeeded in escaping ob- servation, and only left the trail when he saw the heavy slab door close upon the prisoner. Had his ears been as keen as his eyes—could he only have overheard the words spoken to Leo by the chief of the Vigilantes, this story would have had a far different ending. Having implicit confidence in the fidelity of 20 Jones, the jailer, the chief deemed it wholly unnecessary to leave a guard at the prison, the more so that there was no likelihood of the pris- oner’s attempting to escape. From what Sweet William said, their whole force might be needed to capture the Crimson Clan; and then there was the affair of Gladden’s daughter. A guard could not be spared. Leaving the jail, the party rode at speed di- rect to the Larkin cabin. As they drew near, Nell Larkin, arousea by the confused trampling of hoofs, 5 in the doorway. The flush died out of her face as she saw the black-robed riders, and she cast a quick glance toward the na re Sy timber, like some hunted animal meditating flight; but the same glance showed her that escape would be impossible. She saw Anderson Gladden in the company, and then she knew what was coming. et she schooled her features and met the danger with a dull, stolid composure. Riding up close, and bending forward in his saddle, the chief addressed ber, speaking slowly, his eyes reading her face through the holes in his mask. : ‘ Last night you carried a note to Miss Belle Gladden. After reading that note, she left the house in your company. Where did you take her to, and what for?’ “Tf you know so much, you should know more,” the woman said, with a short, hard laugh. ‘* But I deny the charge.” ‘* When did you see Miss Gladden last?’ “On the 4th; not since.” ‘You were seen going into Gladden’s house last evening. If you lie on one point, you wi lie upon all. Confess who employed you in this dirtv work, apd possibly we may overlook your part in it.” ‘** And if [refuse-if I persist in telling the truth —what are = going to do aboutit, sir mask?’ “You will be no longer a woman, but a crim- inal who must be made to speak, in the interests of justice. P “That is, you will lynch me?’ she demanded, flushing. “ Exactly,” was the cool reply. ‘‘ We will spare your modesty as much as possible, but if you refuse to speak out of your own accord, you shall be tied up and flogged until you con- ess all: who were your accomplices, and where Miss Gladden was taken.” ‘‘Ef you'll tell, I'll give you a’ hundred dol- lars—” eagerly began Gladden. The woman was only too glad of an excuse for yielding, other than that of the lash, and said, quickly: “The man who employed me, gave me that much, but if you outbid him, I'll tell you the whole story.” ‘*T’ll double it—only speak out—be quick!” ‘““Very good. There are witnesses enough here to hold you to your bargain. You're to pire me two hundred dollars, and I’m to be held armless—” ‘You are playing with fire, Nell Larkin,” in- terrupted the chief, impatiently. ‘ Don’t try for too much, or you may fare the worse. Speak out at once.” ‘‘Gerald Evans hired me to take that note and bring the girl here. I was to make her be- lieve that ber father was in hiding at my bouse. I did make her believe it—I did bring her here —and Gerald Evans bore her me fore him on a horse, to the Foster cabin, if 1 am not mis- taken. There! is that plain enough for you?” ‘Plain enough, if it is trwe,” was the signifi- cant reply. ! Anderson Gladden, as he heard his, worst fears confirmed, uttered a horse roar of rage, and would have started for the Foster cabin on a full run, only the strong hand of Sweet. Wil- liam restrained him. ‘* Wait a bit, mate, an’ I’ll keep you comp’ny. Ef the p’izen sarpint tuck the P thar, he’s run his head in a trap that'll hold him fast enough. You ain’t fit to be let run alone. You'd spile the hull thing. I want jest a word ‘long 0’ the boss, yender, then I’m ready fer ye.” Drawing the chief aside, Sweet William ut- tered a few hurried words in his ear, then re- joined Gladden. The settler was trying to bor- row or buy a couple of horses, so great wus his eagerness to reach the spot where he believed his dear one was held in bondage, but Sweet William promptly vetoed the bargain. ‘‘ We don’t want to git thar too soon, an’ we kin keep out o’ sight better by our two selves, then if we hed hoss-critters along. You at my heels, an’ never fear but sur take you thar quick a plenty.” As soon as they disa the chief acted upon the hints pre him by the old trapper. ‘‘ Now, Nell Larkin, there’s another point for you to clear up, before you can consider your- self fairly out of the woods. Remember, the threat I made before, still holds good. Tell me arr killed Don Larkin ?” is qnestion took the woman by surprise, her face did not show it. Not a muscle quiv- ered, not a feature changed. Her big, eyes met the gaze of the chief for a moment, then slowly drooped. She knew that evasion would not avail her now. Women had been lynched, and might be again. So she made a virtue of necessity. | Eomicbooks