Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 197 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

26 Se - —E ee ee —_—_—— ee . Revoive o~ eee ee we we eer ee and when you strike, strike sure. Better for | world of stich a rare and precious ornament as me if I had done the same, though I had good and sufficient reason for taking this course. Enough that I py a bold game—and lost. As for the rest of you, the game is still before you. Remember what I told you: though I may be killed, you shall bear from me, and learn what to do. Trust the man who brings vou the message, for be is true and crafty, and bates our enemy even more intensely than you can hate him. You comprehend?” Sandy Lithgow nodded, but his eyes failed to meet the piercing orbs of his chief. “See that you obey, then,” was the stern, swift addition. ‘‘That demon is beginning to eye us suspiciously. We can talk no longer, or he will suspect that we are not the strangers we claimed. Go and whisper my warning to your mates, but be guarded. If an outside ear catches your words, salt won’t save you from the pistol of Revolver Rob!” ‘In sullen: silence Sandy Lithgow fell back to communicate with his fellows, while Captain Nemesis turned to bis rival. ‘“When you are ready toclaim your shot, Mr. Robinson, I am ready to stand the hazard,” he said, coldly. ‘There is one word I must say to you before I olaim the forfeit; Captain Nemesis,” said Re- volver Rob, slowly. ‘Shall I utter it aloud for all to hear, or whisper it for your benefit alone? Think well before you answer.” Captain Nemesis hesitated, but there was something in the steady glance of his rival that decided him to grant the request thus signifi- . cantly worded. “Suit yourself; it is wholly immaterial to me. _ Sandy Lithgow heard the question and an- swer, and with a sudden suspicion, bis right hand dropped to a pistol butt as he wheeled and faced the rivals. Captain Nemesis saw the gesture, and ap- for he turned parently read its meaning arig so that his face could be plainly seen by the doubter. Not the slightest change came over it as he listened to the whispered speech of Re- volver Rob, and when the desperado concluded his communication, the other simply bowed, without a sound from his lips, and Sandy Lith- ow felt convinced that his suspicions were ill- founded that the chief had no thought of warn- ing their mutual enemy of the fresh danger which threatened him. ‘Take your stand by yonder tree, Captain Nemesis,” cried Revolver Robinson, with un- concealed triumph in his tones, “unless you wish to see a holy father first!” is already made—my earthly af- fairs set in proper trim,” was the quiet retort. ‘* See that you can say as much when your time comes for crossing the range.” “So you admit that you are about starting upon that long journey?’ sneered the despera- ad O, “T admit nothing, You have not won the me yet. Until you do, be sparing of your “ I slip up onit and come to grief, as you did?” . Captain Nemesis vouchsafed no reply to this biting taunt, but walked with a steady step to the tree, turning and facing his executioner without the slightest perceptible tremor, though he must have known what all others felt to true, that there was not one chance in a thou- sand for him to eseape the death-dealing bullet of his rival. Sullenly Sandy Lithgow stood by while Mil- om the revolver which ler drew all charges the desperado had elected to use for the death- shot, and then cleaned the weapon thoroughly. This done, a single cartridge was carefully se- lected and placed in its chamber, the weapon being handed the dueliss. Then the turn of Sandy Lithgow came, and with extraordinary care as it seemed he search- ed Revolver Robinson and removed every wea- pon from his person, finally falling back with an ugly gleam in his snake-like eyes, volver Robinson toed the score, his a - hand hanging at full length by his side, glit- tering eyes drawing an imaginary line from his feet to the man who sodauntlessly stood against the tree, facing his death. A cold, sneering laugh came from the lips of the doomed man as he noted and divined the object of this preliminary. ** You tried one snap-shot, my dear sir; look out that another does not play you the same trick, for then my turn wili come again, and never yet have I fired more than twice at the same target.” ‘* Nor does lightning strike often in the same place, my dear fellow,” laughed Revolver Rob. ‘* As for your turn coming, it is here now—the only turn you will see this side of the grave!” as he spoke his weapon rose in a straight line with the death-doomed man, with the rapidity of thought. ‘Fire!” boidly cried Captain Nemesis, but the expected ot ig did not follow, for Revolver Rob lowered his arm, a shrill, malignant laugh Cchgirg upon the air. | ; ‘Take your time, my dear captain,” he said, mockingly. Iamin no such hurry to rid this } i incite nie a eee ee eee ee EE ———————————————EE——————————— a yourself. You very kindly entertained these gentlemen with a little speech a while since, and I have céhcluded to give them the sequel a ringing down the curtain for good and ‘* You tried to make them believe that, some years ago, | committed a frightful outrage upon you, though you dared not give them more than a hint, for fear that some one among the crowd might remember the circumstances, and reveal the truth. I will be more frank. Let’s see if you'can recognize the romantic little episode. ‘If happened in St. Louis, and you were sent up to where striped suits and closely- cropped heads are all the style—sent up for life, too, though you are here now,a free man, Just how you escaped, does not matter. It is not polite to be too inquisitive, you know. ** You were married. Had a little wife who was ten thousand times too good for such a rig ge cur as you afterward proved yourself to though you and I were close enough friends then, and I believed you an honest fel- low as the world goes, and made your house my home—” ‘So thoroughly that you soon grew to be- lieve you were not only the owner of that home, but the husband of my wife as well!” cried Captain Nemesis, with a devilish sneer. “Foul-mouthed, lying cur!” thundered Revol- ver Rob, his pistol rising like a flash, his eyes filled with a ury so intense that they seemed to emit sparks of living fire. The excited ctators held their breath as they looked for the death-shot to ring forth, but Revolver Rob caught the triumphant smile that curled the mustaches of his rival, and for the second time his revolver was lowered without being discharged, ** 'W ell- played, and almost successful, Captain Nemesis,” he said, all emotion vanishing as though by magic. Though I firmly mean to kill you, it must be in my own time, and not at your call. Besides, | have not yet concluded my little story. ‘Your wife was very rich in her own right, and after you tried every other means of get- ting that wealth into your own hands, you waited until business called me out of town, and that night you brutally murdered that little angel, then gave bot up to the au- thorities, claiming that 1 had seduced her, and catching usin the act, you sought to slay me, but killed her instead, while I escaped. “The moment I read the account in the poe I hastened back, able to prove a perfect alibi by witnesses whose probity could not be questioned, and had the pleasure of aiding to send you to Jefferson City on a life-sentence.” As he uttered the last word Revolver Robin- son once more flung his pistol-hand forward and up to a level, firing so swiftly that the crowd started as though a thunderbolt had fallen in their very midst. Captain Nemesis took one step forward from the tree, then drew himself proudly erect, a mocking smile on bis face. ‘* Missed him, by the Eternal!” snarled Re- volver Robinson, his face turning as livid and ghastly as that of a corpse. But ere the words were fairly clear of his lips, Captain Nemesis raised one hand to his left breast, and every eye could see the red blood welling forth over his white fingers. A moment thus, then, without a cry or groan, he fell forward upon his face. ‘Look after him, boys—I’ll pay the funeral expenses!” cried Revolver Robinson, with a cold laugh that was cut short as a pistol ex- ploded behind bim, and he fell upon his face. Stung to madness by the fall of bis chief and the utter triumph of bis enemy, Sandy Lithgow fired that shot; but he did not have time to exult, for rolling swiftly over, while thrusting a fresh cartridge into his pistol, Revolver Rob raised his weapon and sent a bullet crashing through the fellow’s brain. ‘*Who comes next?” he cried, leaping to bis feet and jerking a brace of pistols from the belt of the man nearest him. CHAPTER XXII. JASPER QUIGLEY SEEKS ABSOLUTION. PET MSTEED did not accompany the party which Dashing Della brought to the as- sistance of Jasper Quigley, all the way to Nug- get Camp, though she was loth to lose sight of the man who alone could solve the mystery of the black past, through whose lips, if at all, must come the words that were to clear her fair name of the foul suspicions which his atro- cious scheming had cast upon it. ‘You are worn and weary, even more in mind than in body,” said Dashing Della, as they rode together behind the horse-litter, where they could overlook the crippled wretch, and be ready to take instant advantage of if, in case his senses should return and he regain pos- session of his powers of speech. ‘‘ You are not fit to endure more now, and indeed there is not the slightest need that you should. I can and will serve you in this even better than you could do, because, if his senses ever return suffi- ciently for him to make full confession, the 1 Rov, the Red-Handed. —-- - as — ae eee sight of your face would make him cling to his revenge, even in the last throes of death.” ‘If you knew how much was at stake—”’ “IT do know,” was the swift interpolation. ‘*T know the whole story of your past life, of the meshes in which yonder unscrupulous scoundrel entangled you in bis lust for revenge, his greed for gold, and his passion for you: for, strange as it may seem, I! firmly believe that Jasper Quigley loves you with all the ardor of his fierce, untamed soul!” “The love of a tiger—of a hungry wolf, rather!” | ** But still love such as not every man is capa- ble of feeling,” was the quick response. ‘“ But let that pass; We’are almost at the point where the trail divides, and I think you will act wisely in returning to the ranch to recruit your shove te for what may come,” ‘‘ While doing that, he may die with his lips sealed—” ‘If so, your presence can dono good. If hu- man means cen accomplish as much, be shall be made to confess all ere he dies. I pledge you my word on that. And more: if there is time I will send you word so that you can lis- ten to your vindication from bis own lips.” The little woman said no more, but yielded to the better judgment of the fair gambler, and when the division of the trail was reached, she turned into the path by which the Flamsteed ranch was to be gained. Not alone, bowever. ‘*Mebbe thar’s some more o’ them p’izen alli- gator-gars swimmin’ ’round lookin’ fer jest sech a dainty little goldfish, an’ old Wall-eye don’t give over playin’ body-guard ontel the annge}- ifferous madam is good-an’-safe onder kiver!” A faint smile from the little woman thanked the giant for his thoughtfulness, and so they parted, the diminutive burro carrying its huge rider along in the rear of the fair horsewoman. Dashing Della caused Jasper Quigley to be carried direct to her rooms, the arrival being almost unnoticed, for nearly the entire popula- tion of Nugget Camp was out where the shoot- ing match was then going on. taining only one assistant, Dr. Watkins made a careful examination of the ret ht man, and then bandaged up his manifold wounds. The moment this was completed, Dashing Della, who bad restrained her impatience with difficulty, demanded his presence in the other roum, and questioned ‘him closely. ‘* He is terribly injured,” was the frank re- ply. ‘“‘If he recovers, it will be the greatest miracle known to my professional experience.” . ‘‘But there is a chance?” persisted Dashing ella. ; ‘‘ Just the ghost of one; nothing more. And even then, to my’ mind death would be far pre- ferable, for if he should live, it will only be as a cripple, not only wholly helpless, but a mon- acoulty in form and hideous in feature.” “You are skillful—cannot you give him something that will clear his brain and suffer him = speak with a full knowledge of what he says ‘‘T might,” was the grave reply, ‘but it would be certain death—equivalent to murder- ing the poor devil.” ‘His life is nothing—a mere trifle in com- parison with what his free confession wil] ac- complish!” cried Dashing Della, her eyes aglow, and she added impetuously as the heavy brows of the surgeon contracted: “He has been a monster of evil all his life, and by his cruel scheming he has cast a cloud over the life—ay ! has ruined one whose little finger is worth more, a thousand times told, than all his vile carcass! You say that death would be a bless- in a We ‘In our estimation, not necessarily in his.” “Nevertheless he must be made to k. Doctor, I believe I can trust you; even if you refuse to aid me, you will not betray the confi- dence which Iam about to place in “Nya and then, in as few words as possible, Dashing Della gave an outline of the story which has been placed before the reader. Before Dr. Watkins could reply, there came a sound from where the patient lay, and enter- ing the room, they saw that Jasper Quigley had opened his eyes. ‘‘A priest—send for a priest!” he oweed, feebly, then once more his consciousness lapsed. A swift glance passed between the twain, and the eyes of the blonde siren flashed lumi- nously. “Say that you will do your part, and I will , see to the rest,” she whispered, hurriedly. “For her sake I will,” was the grave reply. ‘‘ But it will surely end in his death!” ‘* Let him make full confession, first, and then I care not how soon the end comes. He is not fit to live longer.” Leaving the room, Dasbing Della wrote a hurried note and dispatched it by the man whom the surgeon had retained, then left the hotel herself, remaining absent for a brief space, a little more than an hour, Pet Flamsteed, still escorted by Barnacle Bill, rode rapidly up to the hotel, and was received by Dasbing Della, who took her alone into her sitting-room and quickly explained to her the hopes she had EDoOOKS (ECO) m (E()