Beadle's Dime Library No. 237 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

——- = +e a er eg lay Lp OG nt ow yp eee j ~— | Bet ET RF A 8 I BR Ee OR - 18 Long-Haired Max. “T didn’t intend to accuse you,” said Mel- lought, less belligerently, ‘* but as a murder has been committed, it is my duty to arrest the as- sassin—this man!” He pointed to Long- Haired Max, *“ Hole on, thar, bole on! Your statistics ain’t wuth an oita,” declared the alcalde, and his manner was impressive, though his beld on the word ‘‘jota” was less firm. ‘In the fu’st place thar ain’t be’n no murder; in ther next place ther wownded man war ther culprit, afore an’ arter ther fact; an’ in ther third place, it are a case fur my jewrisprudence.” “Tt's my business to investigate.” ‘It’s your business ter cl’ar out o’ hyar an’ mind your own business!” roared Jones. ‘‘ Dur- nation wildcats! do you think I can’t run my own circus? I'll be hanged ef I don’t whether I kin or not, an’ I’ll hang on ter ther boodwah 0’ jestice as long as the American eagle has a tail-feather Jeft in her quiver!” The two men glared at each other in great wrath; but though Max felt inclined to laugh, be believed he saw in this demand on Mellough’s part the hand of Colonel Barstow. ‘*T have no intention of leaving town, if that ie what you fear,” he said, addressing the lieu- tenant. ‘If you will allow me totell my story I think you will agree that there is no case against me.” **T reckon as how that would bein order,” gaid the alcalde, himself growing calmer before so pacific a speech. ‘“‘ Look at him keerfully, leftenant, an’ see ef you kin see a sign o’ guilt in his eagle eye.” Max related what bad occurred at the hotel, telling about the fight exactly as it was, but ar- ranging the motive to suit bimself. katever purpose was actuating Mellough, he was wise enough to see that Max held the advantage for the time, and be moderated his language a good deal even while still affirm- ing his right to have charge of the wounded man. In so doing he very well knew that he was going beyond his powers. He had been sent to uevo Madrid simply to look after the alleged conspirators, and as the town had not been placed under military control, and no demand ex sted for such a step, he knew he would not be upbeld in pang the wounded man by force. Seeing in Alcalde Jones an uneducated man, he had believed that he could overawe him, but, instead, he found him as firm as a rock, Convinced at last that his labors were useless, he abandoned his claim and the field as grace- fully as he could and marched his men back to their quarters. ‘““We bev won another round,” said’ Mr. Jones, mopping his face, ** but Ill be durned ef this nin’t weakenin’ ter ther system. I never gee’d nothin’ like et afore, but I'll preside over this hyar boodwah ef I have ter send fura howitzer an’ set myself up fur a Robespierre. I’m sorry ther inemy hev possession o’ ther Bustile, but ef horstilities continue Ill draft every citizen o’ ther town an’ lead ’em ag'in’ them frownin’ walls like a second Joan Darsey !” Max smiled faintly at the thought of the alcalde in the role of the Maid of Orleans, but, dimissing all historical precedents, he stated bis belief that Barstow was still the power be- hind the throne. If the colone! had heard that his ally was wounded, nothing was more natural than that he should desire to get him into his own hands, so that only his own ears should receive any confession which might result from the terrors of dissolution. ‘Your idees are c’reck,” the alcalde said, ‘an’ they strengthen my zeal. We will hang onter this hyar Cap’n Kidd, or whatever his name is, an’, melsbe, we shall be able ter play rig durnation big trumps in ther game bime- “‘T need not caution you to be extremely care- ful in regard to what you say and do; the enemy must not suspect how much we know, We have several cases on hand, and all must be brought to a crisis at once. The Water Witch is on her way down the coast and we must look out for her: the witnesses who are to prove that Bar- stow killed my father muss be saved from his trap; and we must prove what I know to be the case—the arch-plotter is mixed up with this conspiracy case. All these things we must look out for, you know,” “We must an’ will. Ther men I hevgi'n you fur ther work are sharp an’ loyal, an’ what they find shall ba recorded hyar whar I sit like Brutus did at ther trial o’ C:omwell—like a Gibraltar!” So said the alealde, and Max knew he was re- liable in the present case, gt, little con- fused in regard to matters of tory. Leaving him, the cavalier went in search of Tim Foley, from whom be learned that there bad indeed been an interview between Bar- stow and Mellough; the colonel bad hastened to the prison soon after the wounded man was re- moved from the hotel, and then Mellough at enee took his men and went to the alcalde’s Again the plotter shows his hand,” thought Max, “and unless I am much mistaken we will yet have him fast.” CHAPTER XXIV. INEZ VISITS THE JAI THatT night Lieutenant Mellough slept in the casa of Don Ramon Victoria, where he took particular pains to impress upon their minds the fact that he would have refused the invita- tion had he not been told that Donna Inez was betrothed to Colonel Barstow. ‘‘A military man cannot be too careful,” he said, ‘‘and when I came here I resolved not to tarry in any house, for fear [ would be accused of partiality; but since you are a Spaniard, and the scnorita is to be the wife of an American, my course is proper. As for Donna Inez, I ad- mire her choico in selecting Colonel Barstow as her futuro husband.” He bowed low to the lady, who blushed per- ceptibly, but it was with annoyance rather than with modesty; she did not love, nor even like, the colonel, and it was painful to hear her name mentioned in connection with his. Ah! little did she know that already, thanks to Barstow’s plot, the engagement was discussed in every house and jarale of Nuevo Madrid; the most miserable and degraded of the village beg- gars were saying that she was to be Barstow’s wife, Don Ramon believed Mellough’s scruples some- what unnatural and absurd, but he bad yielded to the course of events, and thought only of de- stroying the papers which would speak against im. Barstow had urged that nothing should be done hastily, and the soldier was left alone that night—a night during which Barstow slept but little. Ever since he had heard of the stabbing of Peters he had been in a fever of alarm. Re- sort said the skipper was seriously injured, and iable to die: and, as Max had suspected, it was os who had sent Mellough to the alcalde’s office. Barstow had good reason for fear, for Peters held many dangerous secrets, and one word from him concerning the mysterious business of the Water Witch would ruin the chief plotter. Long after he should have been in bed, the master of the castle-bhouss paced his room, curs- ing and bewailing alternately. speak? While the skipper had a hope of life, he | would undoubtedly remain firm, but rare, in- deed, are the cases where the human mind does not waver when the foctsteps of Death sound beside his bed. Weakness of body begets weakness of mind. With the coming of mz Barstow’s courage increased, and a visit to the village convinced him that he was stiil safe. Such being the case, he went to Casa Victoria to put in motion another stage of bis scheme. ‘inding Inez alone, he soon broached the sub- ch. ‘Tt has occurred to me, Donna Inez,” he said, in a grave but kindly manner, ‘‘ that it would be an excellent idea for you to visit the jail and see Eduardo Castro. That wayward young man bas it in bis power to clear Don Ramon from a]l suspicion, but be has thus far preserved a sullen silence. He eats voraciously, but not a word passes his lips. Threats are certainly powerless in his case; but would it be so with entreaties duly used? Cannot you, Donna Inez, who have been his friend, touch his heart so that he will save your father?” Inez started. Up to that moment she had been buta minor actor in the drama; sbe had heard and seen almost passively; but she had the willand strength of mind to aid when a chance was shovrn ber. Barstow’s project looked so fair on its face that she caught at it at once. “T will try!” she cried, with energy. ‘No harm can come of it; I will try!” No harm! Barstow smiled under his mus- tache, and, having said that they would be compelled to wait until evening, since Mellough was away, and tbey could not enter without bis leave, he finished bis call, and went down to the village. Once there, he sought one of the blue-coats who had remained at the village. ‘Did Lieutenant Mellough see you before he went away?” he asked. ‘* Yes, colonel.” ‘* And told you to implicitly obey my direc- tions?” OS. air,” “Yery well; you shall now learn what is required of you. First, let me give you this money.” He placed a twenty-dollar gold piece in the man’s hands, ‘Will that secure your aid and bind you to eternal silence?” he asked. si bet it will, colonel,” was the prompt reply. “Very well; now bear what I want. This evens I shall call bere accompanied by a young lady who will visit the prisoner, Castro. Once inside, you must pretend to become suspi- cious and arrest me, also to turn the key on the irland keep her until she ison the verge of ysterics. After that, you are to release her; but I to be held somewhat longer, and when I go it will to all rit a be by escaping through my prisan window.” a a = —— —————————————— The soldier could not see exactly what Bar stew was driving at, but he agreed to all, and then Barstow proceeded to give further direo- tions. Soon after dark the colonel went to Casa Victoria, and Inez, quietiy leaving the house without a word to any one, joined him, and they went together to the village. All the girl’s thoughts were centered on her hopes of prevailing on Eduardo to clear her father, and as she had often done him favors it seemed as though he must do so. They reached the jail and passed through the outer door, where they were confronted by Barstow’s tool. ‘‘] wish to see Lieutenant Mellough,” said Barstow. ‘He is not here,” was the surly reply. ‘‘Not here? Thatis bad. 1 wish tosee your prisoner, or at least, { wish this lady admitted to his cell,” “Tt can’t be did.” ‘But she is Castro’s cousin.” ‘“‘ Just the reason why she should not goin, I know you are all right, but I don’t let any other person in.” Inez was greatly disappointed, and she under- took to urge her own cause, but the soldier re- mained firm. Finally, Barstow spoke as though actuated by a sudden idea, “See here, my man,” he cried, “this lady is my future wife, and I hold myself responsible for this visit.” Inez started. Once more she heard this odi- ous statement made, but she was almost pleased at what she thought Barstow’s quick wit when the soldier gave way ina seemingly reluctant manner. She was led to a barred iron door, but this was speedily unfastened, and she pas ed through and found herself alone with Eduardo Castro, Barstow had accompanied her only to the door, and as soon as she was inside he whis- pered a few words to the soldier and then left the jail. Outside he found Buck Eagan, his faithful Would’ Peters | bravo, awaiting bim. ‘* How is it?’ he asked anxiously. ‘‘ Have you prepared everything?’ ‘* All’s serene,” the fellow answered. ‘* Ther boyees er on band, an’ all thet’s necessary is fur ther gal ter walk inter ther trap.” * Very good; don’t forget my directions,” The colouel turned beck toward the jail in an exultant mood, but he bad not gone many steps when he saw two men looking toward the west with an intentness which caused him to walk toward them. ‘* It’s durned queer,” said one. ‘Can't make it out,” added the other, ‘* What is it?’ Barstow asked. ‘‘ Hello, colonel, are it you? Jest look out over ther water will yer, an’ tell us what them pints o’ light be, Looks ter me like a light from a vessel, but that seems ter be two colors—red an’ green. They run together a bit from this distance, but ther case is so curious that 1 war jest telling Tom we orter go ter ther alcalde an’ ask him ef they ain’t Greaser ships connected wi’ this ‘ere conspiracy.” Had Barstow heard the conclusion of this speech be would bave spoken against any such movement, but from the time the man men- tioned a light at sea he bad ceased to hear, Looking toward the designated point he, too, saw the twin lights, and well he knew the cause thereof. The Water Witch was off Nuevo Madrid— wore she was signaling for her f. llow-conspira- rs A terrible oath fell from Barstow’s lips, and without stopping to think how strange his course would seem, he rushed away toward the water. The schooner must be warned, what- ever the cost. Her appearance at that time was indeed cal- culated to alarm bim, and he aontinued to curse and torun toward the water. He believed he had taken precautions which would keep the schooner away from that locality for a time, but, somehow, the message had not gone as he wished. ; It was not until he had passed the village that he remembered the part that be was to play in the plot against Inez, and then he paused as sud- denly as though shot. For a while his mind was torn by conflicting emotions and he knew not what to do. His presence was imperatively demanded in two places at once, but, as he could only fill one va- cancy, which must he abandon? In his wrath he cursed the present com- mander of the schooner most soundly, uncon- scious that a man was crouching a few steps away and listening to every word, yet this man, who was Tim Foley, seemed well satisfied with the situation. ““Come what may, the schooner must be saved!” finally exciaimed the colonel, and then he ran down to the beach, launched a boat and pulled furiously toward the ocean light. Close behind bim, following like a shadow; came a second boat; its occupant was Ti y: "GOmiGhdoo CS) (0)