Beadle's Dime Library No. 237 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

at — — _— ~ — = -~- + -——— —___ =e ~- _——— —_— = Se? eee ee ——- 26 —_—- -- —-—_—— ooo at twilight, she will be secretly consigned to the earth, and then—and then—” ‘* What then?” Max gently asked. ‘*Vengeance!” almost whispered the unhappy woman, but there was a thrilling inflection in her voice. ‘‘We are together,” said Max, in a deep voice while the alcalde, feeling uneasy in spite of himself, bit off a tremendous piece of tobacco and then began working his jaws like machin- ery. ‘A short time after, Miss Arnold departed, but as Max opened the door for her, Tim Foley glided in, ‘‘Begorra,” said the Irishman, “ T have found out something av importance. I have see’d dhat. spalpeen av a Castro at dhe ould mission.” ‘* Tell us all about it,” said Max, quiet ‘‘Dhere is little to tell, but I’m sure I sade him at dhe gate. I wint dhre directly, but divil a sign av him could I foind.” “Tt is enough,” said Max, calmly. ‘‘ We now know where he is, and he shall yet confess that Don Ramon is not concerned in his plot.” The trio were still talking when the door again opened and, to their surprise, a man in the unitorm of an American major entered. He was a man who had seen fifty years of life, and from his bearing one would have said he was a veteran soldier. ‘*Is Mayor Jones here?’ he courteously asked, after a glance about the room. ‘* He ain’t nowhar else,” said that gentleman. ‘‘T hev ther bonor o’ bein’ ther mayor an’ alcalde o’ this hyar jewrisprudence.” The visitor smiled sligbtly. *T am Major Eaton, of the United States army,” be said, ‘and I have come to this town to take charge of the troops now bere under a subordinate officer. Can you tell me where I may find them?” ‘Do you refer to Mellough’s command?” Max quickly asked. +t ae; sir.” “Then we can, indeed, tell you something about them—a good deal, in fact. But, sir, su pose we should tell that which is not creditable to Mellough?’ ‘In any case, I am bis superior officer.” The answer was not oy direct, but Max had been reading this gray-haired soldier to the ex- tent of bis ability, and he was sure he detected more under the quiet answer than the surface ‘revealed. ‘Please be seated, Major Eaton,” he said. ‘We have a story to tell to you which I think will be of interest to you.” That evening, shortly after dusk, six persons left the house of Colonel Barstow. Four of them were servants, who bore a long, narrow box between them, and the others were the eolonel and Miss Arnold. They went directly to a grove a hundred yards distant, and there the box was consigned toa grave which had been awaiting it. "Iwas the burial of the deceased wife of the plotter. Afterward, all returned to the house. At the door, Barstow turned to Miss Arnold and spoke for the first. time. ‘‘T would like to see you in my room,” he said. with icy c*lmness. ‘You shall wait but a few minutes,” she re- plied, with equal calmness, Going directly to her own chamber, she re- moved ber outer garmants, and then, going toa dressing-case, drew forth a revolver. ‘*Who knows what he may try to do?” she murmured, J Thrusting the weapon into her pocket, she went at oncs to Barstow’s room. He had taken a chair and placed one for her, but in her resent condition she noticed with suspicion that e had so arranged it that her back would beto the door. Was it accident or design? Resolved to protect herself, she thought quick- ly, and, seeing a large looking-glass nearly op- te the door, moved her chair before sitting own and had everything to her liking. The door was distinctly revealed in the glass. “I wish to speak of the future,” said Bar- stow, abruptly, as she satdown. ‘‘ The bond be- tween us is now severed.” ‘* It is,” she said, steadily. ‘* Such being the cese, it is advisable that we should separate as soon as possible; I do not wish to bave any one about me that is a re- minder of the past.” ““ Naturally,” she said, with quiet sarcasm. “There is an ample field for women of your tact and energy in San Francisco. To-morrow morning you shall leave this bouse with a good horse to convey you, and a thousand dollars in your pocket, You will have no difficulty in reaching San Francisco.” ‘“You are very kind,” was the tranquil re- ly. ot looked at her keenly. He had ex- cted a contemptuous refusal of his offer, and r manner aroused his suspicions. “Then you accept?” ‘*T certainly do; it is more than I expected.” The colonel twisted his fingers mechanically in his watch-chain. He could not understand his companion. For three years only bitter Long-Haired Max. . words had passed between them. She had re- proached him for harshness before, and indif- ference after, his wife lost her reason, At | times, she bad even threatened him. Could it be she had now become won over by an offer of money? The idea would create a suspicion | that the most puritanical are slaves to Mam- aye but Barstow suspected a sting bebind the oney. While he was hesitating, uncertain how to proceed, the door suddenly opened behind Miss Arnold, Quickly sbe looked in the glass, her movement escaping Barstow’s attention because he had as quickly looked toward the door. Miss Arnold was surprised, for on the thresh- old, hesitating as though uncertain whether to advance or not, stood Eduardo Castro. The colonel started, looked annoyed and made a quick gesture, and at the movement the Mexi- can stepped back and softly closed the door. When Barstow again turned toward bis com- panion, she met his gaze calmly, showing in no way that she bad seen anything of importance. She further perplexed him by esking his ad- vice as to where she bad better stop when in San Francisco, but he answered quietly. The interview soon ended and she left the room. ‘Hang the woman!” muttered the colonel. ‘‘T don’t understand her at al), There is noth- ing strange about that, for all women are rid- dies, but here she is going back on her record. Has the money won her, or what is the mystery? Not baving any means of knowing, ll watch well while she stays.” Going out, he opened another door and cau- tiously spoke Castro’s name. The Mexican came out of the darkness. ‘* Are you alone, at last?’ he asked. ‘Yes. You were premature in opening the door of my room, but it is all right. Come in now and we will arrange those flowers.” They went to the colonel’s apartment and sat down, unconscious that they were watched through the key-hole by Miss Arnold. Barstow poured liquor for both, Castro pro- posed, as a toast, the success of his host’s plans, and then the Jatter went to one side and brought forward a basket of flowers. Castro at once caught up a handful, began work and, under bis skillful hartds, they soon assumed the appearance of a bouquet. Miss Arnold, watching at the door, wondered what new scheme Barstow had in view. The latter had watched attentively, but made no comments until Castro finished, ‘‘ There!” said the latter, complacently, at the end. ‘‘ The houquet is finished, and the charming Miss Lingard will gladly press it to ber aristo- cratic nostrils. I only wish I had the making of one for each of the family. Have you the— the liquid?’ Barstow produced a small vial which was filled with a colorless liquid. Castro removed the cork and touched the liquid to his tongue. “It is correct,” he then said. ‘Give these articles to Nina, but be very particular about giving your directions, Should she inhale much of this stuff she would herseif be the victim, Tell her to first place the bouquet in a vase and then sprinkle on the poison and promptly leave the room, By the time the governess enters, the air will be so laden that she will soon be a corpse. iss Arnold shivered. Tho coolness with which this villainous plan was discussed horri- fied her, as well as she bad before known Bar- stow. She remained at her post and watched until the colonel finally started and declared that he must go to meet Mellough. ‘‘ First of all,” be added, “I will show you to your room and tell you how to guard against possible molestation. Then they came out, not seeing Miss Arnold, who had retreated to the shadows, but she had not failed to see that they left the poison on oo Ce and she quickly glided in and seized the vial. CHAPTER XXXVI. THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSION, Miss ARNOLD had acted on the impulse of the moment in thus securing the vial; indeed, the fact that Barstow left it bebind was so unex- pected that she had no time for a coherent plan; she merely knew that the deacly liquid was destined to take the life of a fellow-being, and she was resolved to prevent it at all hazards, With the vial once in her hand, she began to think more earnestly. lt was easy enough to destroy it, for the glass was thin, but its loss might be replaced and the fact that it bad dis- appeared would at once draw suspicion upon herself, She saw a far better way. shits Going quietly to the window, she raised it and poured the poison out at one moticn, No scent arose, but even that act made her dizzy. Clos- ing the window, sbe went back to the table, Upon it stood a glass of water, and it was the work of only a moment to fill the vial with that barmless article. This done, she glided back into the hall. Her movements had been made s0 quickly eee ee ___ EE that Barstow had not yet finished with Castro, but he soon came out and re-entered his own room. , Still watching, Miss Arnold saw him raise the vial and look at it steadily. Her heart beat quicker, for she feared he had discovered the tampering, but a smile soon crossed his face, Undoubtedly he had louvked at the drug with the same admiration he would have felt for a human assassin who could do his work surely, silently, mysteriously. Miss Arnold, however, knowing tbat she had saved one victim glided beck to her room, Five minutes later, Barstow went out, and, not far behind him went bis Nemesis. She fol- lowcd until he reached the jail where Lieutenant Mellough always passed bis eveningsif not busy; and then she retraced her steps and entered the alcalde’s office. Half an bour later she was back at Barstow’s house, accompanied by Mex, Jones, Major Eaton and five private soldiers. Entering cautiously, they were soon before the door of the room where Eduardo Castro had been quartered, Eaton turned the knob but the door was locked. He stepped aside, and like a flash the other soldiers dashed themselves against the door. Tbe shock burst off the binges, and tben, as the light of their lamps fel] into the room, they saw Castro. He bad just arisen from his chair, a look of alarm on bis face. . He saw the men before him and made a leap for a revolver which lay on the bed, but the soldiers sprung through the doorway and seized him before he could touch the weapon, He began a furicus struggle, but with somany against bim it was useless. He was brought out into the Jarger room and placed before Major Eaton. By that time his look of alarm had given place to‘the same obstinate one Max well remenibered on a former occasion. Would he once more refuse to talk? ‘*[ hope you will pardon us, Senor Castro,” said Eaton, politely. ‘‘We were somewhat abrupt, but it was because we knew the ways of brave men.” Castro laughed unmusically. ‘Give mea revolver and Ill show you my way.” ‘* Undoubtedly, but that is not what we wish, Iam an cflicer of the United States Army and now in command at Nuevo Madrid. By follow- ing the directions | give you, you can win your liberty.” ‘*Caramba! you are kind. Well?” “First of all, was Don Ramon Victoria eon- cerned in your conspiracy?’ ‘* Yes, sir; be was,” ‘Ts that a fact?” ‘“T will swear to it. Do you doubt me?’ ‘* By no weans,” replied the major, politely, “ Having settled that point, we go to the second, Will you show us the entrance to the secret room of the old mission?” Castro started violently. His fece, too, showed surprise, if not more, and was equivalent toa confession, ‘1 do not know of any such room,” he an- swered, after a brief pause. ‘‘ Pardon me,” said Eaton, blandly, *‘ but this is not the way to gain your freedom. You have been in that room, to-day. Why do you deny it? Can you not surmise that with my coming there has been a change at Nuevo Madrid? Mellough’s day of power is over; his retirement from the army, in disgrace, is but a question of time. Captain Peters will be punished, while as for Barstow—well, it’s a rope carnival for bim. Be wise, Senor Castro; desert the sinking shi before you are doomed. Once more, I say, tell us all you know and you shall go free; refuse, and you shall go to San Francisco as a pris- oner.” The soldier spoke earnestly, candidly, and Castro could not avoid being deeply impressed, He could be stubbornly loyal when there was a motive, but with the tide running strongly in the other direction, be was another man, Long-Haired Max had watched bim closely, and as he marked the expression on bis face, he felt sure they would win. ‘¢-You have no authority to make such a bar- gain,” he replied, besitatingly, to Eaton. ‘¢ Pardon me, but I bave the authority, and I will use it. Work faithfully for us to-night, and you are a free man in the morning.” The Mexican looked at Max, ‘‘Ts this a trap?’ he asked, ‘*Upon my word, no,” “Then I yield. I’ve bad enough of this vil- lainous business. Lead me to the old mission and I will show you the entrance to the den.” ere is the mystery of that place?’ Max asked, “That I do not know. I was never there until this morning, and before then I did not suspect the ruin to be anything more than it seemed from the outside.” ‘* What did you see?” ‘‘ A small room, perhaps twelve feet square, directly under the mission, but there was another beyond it, and from there I heard the sound of men’s voices. ‘Haye you any idea how many men are theref” eGom El NOOLKS (E(0)