Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 202 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

26 _— - ee a — In the midst of the interview Mr. Townsend _ entered, a fragment of rock in one hand, and he was briefly given an idea of the situation; | whereupon, he grew unusally interested and — aulded his voice to the others. ** Sometime, [ would like to see your home in the mountain,” he said. ‘‘ What sort of place is it?” ‘*A cave of considerable size, and not a bad place to reside in,” Nola answered. ‘* What is the nature of the rock?” Nola hesitated, showing that she did not ex- actly understand, but James laughed lightiv. ** Precisely like other rocks you have seen, father,” he said. ‘‘ There’s little thereto inter- est you—no plants, few reptiles, not much of anything except stones.” ‘*T wish there were peculiarities,” the natural- ist absently said, as he turned over the stone in his hand., “ Here is a fragmentof rock I found ashort time ago and I suspect there is gold in it. lam going to investigate.” He went away and the others discussed the disappearance of Old Prospect. ed the gravest fears possible. She knew the’ League of Gold had been hunting him with the every snare. | Nola entertain- | avowed purpose of taking his life, and nothing | seemed so probable as that he had been found and killed. James and Lucas endeavored to dispel her | fears and said they would do all they could to find the old miner, and as they went out to search Nola looked after James and felt indig- nant as she remembered how Dupage had warn- ed. her not to trust him. Oa the surface, at least, James was pleasant anil kind, and she felt sure Dupage had mali- ciously lied, if, indeed, he was not an agent of the Masks. Luckily, or unluckily, as it was destined to prove, the mountain girl did not know of the tragedy on the cliff after the springing of the ambush laid for the Frenchman, Old Prospect was not found, and when night fell it became evident that, alive or otherwise, he was not in the village. Marian di@ not readily fall asleep that night. The haunting terror of the past few days was beginning to assume form. The blue coat in the garret really had a meaning. McKey had insinuated that one of her relatives had murder- ed the soldier, Woodman, and the coat went to furnish proof—though bow the additional bul- let-holes had come in the breast was not clear. And McKey had declared he could place the halter around the necks of one of her family— more, that he would if she did not consent to marry him. To which member of the family he referred was not clear, for he had been inter- rupted at the critical moment. e had retired, but he was not beaten. He would press his suit at such time and place as was to his advantage, and if he indeed held such a power over the family— If? There seemed no doubt about it. The dreadful fears Marian had before bad were now ifted with life. He knew something, too much or her good. Ay, he knew too much, for he had declared himself able to find the chief of the Black Masks under the Townsend roof. ‘‘What shall I do?” the girl asked berself. ‘IT would go to Captain Brigham, but, as an officer of law, it would be his duty to investi- gate rather than smother the matter. I dare not go to father or my brothers and ask any- thing, for I might learn too much!” _ Another day dawned. The Bend was still peaceful. Cactus Jack and Bozeman had been on a scout and reported that the Apaches were gone for good. The Black Masks remained quiet and there was but one new item of in- terest. From the painted pale-faces, whom he still held prisoners, Brigham had extracted an ac- knewledgment that the Apaches had been brought to the vicinity through fabulous tales told by an envoy from the Black Masks. They had been led to think an easy victory~ and rich spoils awaited them at the Bend, but there had been some hitch in the programme and the red bucks had gone back eorely whipped. Three days passed quietly. Cactus Jack and Bozeman had all along kept ticir own counsel, but one evening the former came to Brigham. ‘To-morrer at this hour you can get your fizhting-critters into motion, cap’n, he said. ‘Boze and I have got the train laid, and one match will fire the magazine. We have had bard luck at times and struck a good many false trails, but perseverance has done wonders and we now know where the durned critters are anda good many other things. Get your Boe boys ready to march.at nine to-morrer night. At the same bour in a cave in the bills, a n-w refuge of the League of Gold, a masked man was sitting on a rock and smoking his black pipe in a reflective mood. He was the man known as C, and since the death of A, at the bands of ‘* Captain,” he had been the second lieutenant. He was still smoking when his name was uttered and he looked up to see the chief. | stays there as a dead man. EOE ‘*'You look contented,” said the latter, ab- ruptly. ‘“‘Is everything well?” ‘ All lovely, Captain,” the man replied. ‘* Any signs of those accursed guides lately?” ‘‘Not one. I am sure they know nothing of our new refuge.” ‘*T wish I could believe the same,” the chief gloomily said, ‘‘ but they are keen as knives and r fear their silent work goes deeper than we think. Several times [ have aimed blows at them, but each time in vain. They have escaped Now, I propose to try again. I want you to send three men to the village with orders to watch for and kill them, no matter how,” ‘*Tt shall be done, Captain.” ** Moreover, I have work for you.” ‘* Name it, sir.” **'You know the girl, Nola, is at the Town- send bouse.” ‘* Yes, sir.” ‘**T want her abducted and brought here.” ** Here?” ce Yes.” ‘* Pardon, Captain, but what will the queen +7? ‘* Lot her say what she will. I am tiring of her, and if she sp to the new favorite, out goes her light. She is only a woman, at the best. Yet, as you insinuate, she will probably try to kick up a disturbance. She wields a sharp koife, does Zina. So, lieutenant, when you bring Nola here, guard her from the queen.” ‘*T will, sir.” ‘* Any news from Old Prospect?’ ‘No ” ays ‘*@ueer where he is. We get the credit for removing him, but, for once, we are jnnocent. Tam going now, but don’t forget my orders. If you do well, it will make you my right hand man,’ “You forget B, Captain.” “If B lives to see another day I shall be sorely disappointed. He has been trying to get all the good things of life, of late, and he muss now settle with me. Iam to meet him at River Cliff to-night, and, unless he promises to withdraw some claims he is making, one of us In case he crosses a divide, you will become my first lieutenant, “You can trust me in all places,” was the prompt reply. But, when the chief took his departure soon after, the subaltern shook his head gravely. ‘‘T don’t like the cut of the dickey. We are carrying too bigh a hand, considering that a squad of soldiers is so near, and the first we know, down they’ll pounce on us. There have been several eye openers for the village cranks lately, and if we steal the girl, won’t Rome howl! My worthy Captain, I’m afraid you've bit off more than you can chew, but I won't take water while you use me well. So he is go- ing to salivate B. Good! that leaves me second in command, and B is of no use to the band anyhow.” eanwhile, the robber chief was proceeding over the hillsat a rapid pace, his course being almost due east. The night was dark and few people seemed likely to abroad, but he did not use any caution whatever and so escaped seeing the slight fgure which flitted along in his rear, going where he went. Had he seen that figure, and been quite near, he would have perceived that it was that of mulatto boy, apparently about eighteen yearsa of age, a light-footed young fellow who glided from rock to rock and kept the League of Gold chief always in sight. There was 1ittle need of caution, for, though the man knew he could never be safe while Cac- tus Jack and Zeke Bozeman were on his track, he had fallen into such deep thought that he was careless of everything. In due time he reached the southern trail, crossing it at almost the same place where the emigrants bad one night been robbed; and, half a mile further on, he reached the vicinity where the river cut through the lower hills, running rapidly between steep bluffs. Then he went more slowly, and as he reached the top of the bluff, the mulatto saw another man step from behind a rock and confront him. Who this latter person was the spy did not know, although he seemed to have considerable curiosity, butit was evident that the men had met by appointment. They began talking at once, and what they said seemed of mutual interest. , ha. cra on the ground, the spy crawled as near them as he dared, but the cover was not favorable and he was unable to hear anything. Lying at a distance, he watched them narrowly and chuckled when, from calm conversation, they warmed into heated words and soon seemed on the point of quarreling. The chief’s manner was angry and threaten- ing and that of the unknown firm and stubborn, and when once the former shook bis fist in the latter’s face it did not seem to make any impression. ‘** He had-better look to his safety,” muttered the mulatto, ‘‘That fiend would strike bim dead without a pang of pity or remorse.” Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. | — —_— ee Almost Jike.an echo to his words, he saw the arm of the chief suddenly dart forward, straight and hard, and then the unknown threw up his arms, staggered and fell to the ground without an audible cry. ae Scabbed to the heart!” feverishly muttered the spy. The chief bent over his victim for a moment and then dropped on his knees beside him. Tearing open the clothing over his breast he seemed to make some sort of an examination and then arose and laughed plainly. The spy suuddered. To the chief, the murder was as nothing; be could laugh above the body of his victim. For the space of a minute the assassin seemed undecided; then, seizing the body he dragged it to the bluff’s edge and pushed it over. He looked afterit a moment, and then, apparently satisfied that the river’s waters sia bear it away, turned abruptly on his heel and strode away in the darkness. The spy did not follow him. Instead, he went to the bluff and slid hurriedly down. He, too, believed the river had received the body, but he wished to make sure. He was well rewarded for his labor. On reaching the bedof the river, he found that, despite the fact that it flowed between bluffs, there was a narrow border of rocks and sand between river and bluff; and on this belt lay a dark object he could not mistake. t was the body of the murdered man. Tbe mulatto paused and pressed his hand over his heart; plainly, his nerves were not strong enough to face all this horror calmly; but after a brief pause, he struck a match and held it near the dead man’s face, He almost instantly started back with a little x Good heavens! it is Elbridge McKey!” The discovery seemed to astonish the spy, and from the dead man he looked warily to the top of the bluff. If the chief should return and find him there, his own life would be forfeited. ‘* Yes,” he continued, after a pause, ‘it is Elbridge McKey. Now, in the name of all that is wonderful, what has he done to anger the chief of the League of Gold! I ean not guess now, but I will soon learn. Whatever his crime, be has paid the debt, and the League has lost another lieutenant.” The spy reflected for a moment, wondering what he should do with the body, but first were sure that life was indeed extinct, he decided to leave it where it was, and look to his own safety. He climbed to the top of the bluff, and then after looking to bis weapons, set off ata good ace in a course which would ultimately bring CHAPTER XXXVI. A DEED TOO WELL DONE. THE following morning Captain Brigham was seated alone in his little den, fitfully smokin his pipe. He had beenin an impatient niciod for some time back, for, to a soldier accustomed to cavalry dashes, the work of the guides seemed very slow; but on the evening of this day Cactus Jack had promised to take him to the retreat of the Black Masks, and he was ager to feel happier. I will root them out and then resign my office,” he was thinking, ‘‘I am tired of this dog’s life and the West. I will marry Marian, go East, and then—and then—” And bis mind wandered away in rose-tinted pictures of the future. Day-dreaming was interrupted by the entrance of Sergeant Springer, who came in and saluted stiffly. ‘*Corporal Straw has just found this note pinned to the barrack wall, captain,” he said. ‘It is directed to you, sir.” Somewhat surprised, Brigham took the letter. which was inclosed in a brown envelope, ana proceeded to learn its contents. Written in a coarse, awkward hand, evidently disguised, fit ran as follows: “Captain Brignham—Men come and around the Bend very mysteriously of late, don’t they? It you would learn of another’transplanted citizen, ook at the foot of River Cliff at once. You will be cr well repaid for your trouble, though it will thrust; another mystery into your face. Dead men tell no tales. FRIEND.” Twice the soldier read the note through and then looked up ager ‘Send for the guides at once, sergeant,” he directed. Springer saluted, stiffly, and went out, but in ten minutes returned with Cactus Jack and Bozeman, Brigham laid the note before them, and, though it was agreed that another tragedy bad taken place, they, too, were a good deal mysti- fied. No one of the trio could guess the identity of the anonymous writer, though Jack re- membered his mysterious girl friend and won- dered if she had a hand in the work, ‘his self- inquiry was not made public. ‘*Give m2 half er dozen sojers an’ I'll look inter ther case,” said Zeke. ‘Jack kin stay in town, fur 1 reckon eyes are needed ’most every- Ww. ar now.” yes | —-_ & * (E | oy EComicbooks.com , a ~ ; - . : ’ o - . ’ +