Beadle's Dime Library No. 237 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

= at ** So I hear.” ‘‘Have yez iver seen her?” « No. ” ‘‘ Will, be jabers, it’s mesilf has dhe idea we will have dhe chance dhis noight, Phat a lift it will be fur usif we can get dhe ould man on our side.” . ‘Why sof—do you want to marry his daugh- ter?’ ‘‘Divil a marry. It’s not mesilf dhat’s so foolish, but fri’nds in a sthrange place are not to be despised.” Long-Haired Max did not answer, and the orange-grove was soon reached. No one being visible, they lay flat on the grass and waited. Only a few minutes had passed when another man appeared on the scene, He first looked about tne grove and then surveyed Casa Vic- toria, after which he ve pe pacing fo and fro, Again the night was dark, but Max believed ho recognized the man as the same one he had seen at the old mission, and when he saw a wo- man advancing from the casa he no longer felt a dount as to the result, Here were the chief actors in the drama, but where were tbe allies of the man? He looked about, but if they were on the ground, they were not visible, Nearer came the woman; she reached the grove, and was met by the man only a few yards from where our friends lay. The meeting was not a tender one on the part of the woman, for though she gave her hand, it was with evident coldness. Max was at once impressed by the belief that she had come to the spot against her own desires—possibly led on by fear, for it she was a Mexican girl, it would not be at all strange if she had a secret to conceal. Who and what was she? The eavalier, who had keen eyes, used them tothe best of his abil- ity, but the rebosa which was wrapped closely around her face was enough to baffle Max. Her form, however, was more like that of a maiden than a matron, and in bis mind he was wondering if Tim’s theory was correct. Surely, the movements of this girl were too aceful for those of a servant—was it Donna nez} His attention was more practically directed as the conversation between the two grew warmer. The man seemed to threaten and the girlto beg for mercy. What secret did he hold over her life? Long-Haired Max had become so interested that he had eyes only for them, but a touch from Tim aroused him again. The Irishman inted, and then the cavalier saw two men just behind the girl. They crept forward like cats, and there could be no doubt as to their object. “T/ave us go to the riscue,” said Tim, ea- rly. ae Wait!” advised Max. There was a sudden spring and a struggle. Both of the men had leaped forward, and while one seized the girl the other attacked her com- panion. The two seemed to have a desper- ate struggle. Blows were exchanged and curses uttered, and then he who had met the girl went down ina ag So far all had been as Max had heard it planned at the old mission, but he thought it time for a change in the programme. Spring- ing forward, closely followed by Tim, he at- tacked the surprised and dismayed rufflans. The second fight was shorter than the first, and almost before the rescuers realized it, they had their opponents on the ground under their knees. In the meanwhile the girl had kept her place, err no emotion whatever, but she came forward quickly when the struggle was over. “Held them fast, senor; do not let them es- cape!” she said. ‘Do you know them, senorita?’ Max asked. The girl bent over the captives. ‘“‘T think I have seen them in the village,” she replied, after a little hesitation. ‘T reckon Alcalde Jones will care for them,” the cavalier added. ; The girl turned away with a quickness which indicated thst she had suddenly remembered the man who had met her, and who had been stricken down at the first of the fight, and, as though by instinct, each one of the four men looked with her. Man number five had disappeared. One of the prisoners at once set up a howl. “Oh, the coward! the knave!” he cried; ‘he has deserted us!” . nee did you serve such a monster?’ Max asked. ‘‘ Ah! he promised us gold, and we swallowed the bait. Carajo! T will kill him!” * What?” said the girl, sharply. ‘‘Do you say that he offered you gold? For what?—to strike him to the ground? * Ah! ah! fools that we ere, that was but a farce! We were to steal you, and he was to be the rescuer and bring you back, It was all planned in advance. Mul demonios! I believe it was a trap for us, and if not, he was a cow- ard and run away when there was danger.” The girl pressed her hand to her breast and seemed strangely moved. : ‘“T can not believe it! I will not!” she said. “Tf proof is wanted,” said Long Haired Max, ! ; i eee Le eee ee eee eee eee . ; ong-Haired Max. ‘Tam here, Had I notoverheard the runaway hire one of these men, you would at this mo- ment be a prisoner.” CHAPTER XI, THE PROWLERS OF THE NIGHT, Tus girl turned sharply toward the cavalier. It was as though she was angry at the accusa- tion, and reluctant to believe, but whatever were her feelings, she evidently saw where lay the weight of evidence and stood convinced. ‘‘Let me tie these fellows and then I will kell my story in full,” continued Long-Haired ax, “‘Tie them? No, no; let them go!” she ex- claimed. ** Let them go?” ee Yes,” ‘‘ What! after this assault?’ ‘* Again I oy yes—more than that, I com- mand you; let them go!” For one moment the cavalier hesitated. “This is your affair, senorita,” he then said, ‘and all shall be as yousay. If 'twas my busi- ness they should pay for their villainy, t as tis, away they go. t him up, Tim!’ Max had already arisen, and as the Irishman reluctantly followed bis example, the men took to their heels and dashed out of sight:at full speed, evidently fearing that such a forgiving spirit could not be long-lived. Dag Mat Max looked at the girl for fresh directions, but she had fallen into deep thought and seemed oblivions of their presence. Her manner was not encouraging for further ad- vances, but he would not think of leaving her where her enemies could at any time return and seize her. ‘** Pardon me, senorita,” he said, removing his hat, “‘ but can we be of further service to you?” Sbe started from her thoughtful rood, ‘‘No,” she answered, ‘‘ You have already done much more, I fear, than I can easily repay. If, however, the sincere gratitude of a woman amounts toanything, it may please you to know that I thank you warmly, sincerely.” ‘“‘] ask for no more, and to an honest man there can be no greater reward,” Max said earnestly. ‘‘I am a man of the world, but t still hold it above all other pleasures to belp those but for whom this world would speedily fall from grace.” The girl looked at him fa surprise, in actual interest. Courted and admired for her wealth, she had heard many empty speeches in her day, but such a one as this, uttered with sincerity, pleased her feminine nature. Free from personal flattery, it was a manly tribute to her sex. ‘*T owe you much, senor, and if you are a resident of Nuevo Madrid, you will be a wel- come guest at yonder house, It is the resi- den of Don Ramon Victoria, and I am bis daugh- ter, Inez.” Long-Haired Max gave his own name; and then, at her request, told the story of bis con- nection with the late adventure, Something in the p rfidious course of the man she bad met caused her emotion, but he could not tell whe- ther ié was sorrow or something else. ‘“*T have one favor to ask of you,” she said, when he bad finished. ‘‘ May I ask rn to keep this night’s events a profound secret? It is my wish that not a person beyond those now kere should know of it. The other men, of course, will be silent. Have I your promises?” Max was not surprised, after what bad gone before, but though he promised promptly, it w’ | with reluctance, Tim was even more dissatisfied, and he vegan grumbling audibly, but, before Ma~ could speak, Inez laid her hand on his arm and he was conquered. Finding that the girl was not disposed to share her secret with them, they merely con- ducted her to a safe point, and then, after watching her disappear within the casa, turned away from the grounds, ** Bedad! an’ it’s an illigant crayther she is,” said Tim, his tongue growing loose as soon as it was safe, ‘‘ Dher’s where you get dhe r’ale Span- ish senoritas, an’ she is as foine as dhey make thim., Howly Pater! wid her broight eyes upon me day an’ noight, me heart w’u’d be smashed into bits widout doubt.” ‘She is of a rich and proud family.” “‘Ob! begorra, I know dhat same. It’s not Tim eae as w’u’d be thinking of dhe loikes av her, but 1 can admire at a distance, yez see.” ‘*T don’t understand this affair.” ‘She moight till if she w’u’d,” ‘* She will not; she has a secret to conceal. What is it? She looked too good and pure for one to— But, bah! lama fool. What isshe to me? What is her secret to me?’ ‘Don’t ye worry about dhe girrul. She’s a cl’an-stepper from dhe wourrud go, I take it. Dhe reptoile she met was her lover, but she found out before dhat he was a villain an’ dhat’s why dhey quarreled. Now, I’m thinking she’s off wid dhe ould love to stay.” Tim looked cage oe his companion, but Max did not answer. e had fallen into a thought- ful mood, and in silence they walked on for some time. Unknown to the cavalier, they passed 8 Oe eee eee eae ee 9 the village, but he wus soon aroused by a grasp at his arm. ‘*Howly Pater! do yez see that?” the Irishman Seinantas: ‘What do you mean?” Tim was pointing off toward the ocean, and there, as though resting on the water, they saw a pair of lights side by side, one red, the other green, ‘‘By Judas! the schooner again!” Max ex-— claimed, “{ should remarruk dhat it is. dhe loights are dhe same we saw dhe ither noight, an’ I reckon dhe samo game is going on.” The cavalier directed bis gaze toward the cliff, on which they had before seen the responsive light, but it was not visible from where they stood, “Tim, I want to know what this business means. Are you with me? ‘““Ivery toime. L’ade on an’ see!” was the brief reply. The answer pleased the young man and they started toward the cliff on a run. Without discussing the matter, both felt that they would find matters as before, and they meant to know what all this strange signaling meant. In their race but little heed was given to obstacles, and though they had several stumbles, vap minutes of running took them near the cliff. The light was still invisible, but that was not at all strange for, of course, too many precau- tions could not be taken in a work which called for any degree of care, and the men of the cliff would be fools to display their beacon-light where it could be seen from the village. Caution soon became more necessary than haste, and they crept up the cliff in a catlike fashion. At last they stood near the top, but when a view of the broad, rocky top was gained, no light at all was there visible, nor was a human being to be seen. Looking out at sea, the twin colors were visible as before, however. Long-Haired Max was oer tk but, convinced that if there were really men about the place they were in hiding and, consequently, rag, br te he resolved to try another plan. Without venturing to utter a word he drew Tim back several feet. “Our game is not here, but we may find them at the base of the cliff. Let us descend.” ‘** Begorra, | wish we bad our boat.” The idea struck the cavalier forcibly, and he was sorry that he bad not secured the boat at the first, It still lay concealed where thev bad placed it after escaping from the Water Witch and through its help they might at least go out to the signaling vessel and make sure whether it was the schooner or some other craft, Acting on this idea, be asked Tim to hasten up the shore and row the boat down, and then, when once more alone, he continued bis way toward the little inlet from which the strange boat bad put out on the other occasion, This time, however, there was no sign of them. ‘The water lay placidly before him, and not a sound arose to tell that a hnman bein beside himself was near. He mad¢ a circuit o the place, but failed to find any boas, Considerably perplexed, he final.y sougbt a spot where be could see Tim when he came own and settled into a watchful stillness. Out on the bosom of the ocean, beyond the outer bar, the twin lights still burned side by side. What did it mean? All this caution meant that there was a secret to bide, and one of crime as weil as of mystery. So much was clear, but further than that he could not go. He bad read of such signaling in connection with the smugglers, pirates and slavers of olden times, but there was no reason why any one of these three classes should exist near Nuevo Madrid, whilea continuous question- ing of the village people had failed to unearth. a case of outlawry. Plainly, the honest people of the some d knew nothing of the work carried on urder th very eyes—who, then, were these mysterious brethren of the coast and what their purpose? The minutes slipped away but brought no change in the situation. Out on the water still burned the twin lights, but that on the cliff did not reappear. The pause wes broken by the arrival of Tim Foley. He came down near the shore, rowing with his peculiarly noiseless stroke, and Long- haired Max was soon aboard. ‘‘Anything new?” ‘* Divil a bit.” At iny rate, ‘*Then pull for the double light. By Judas! a Sng” going to look into this matter, if pos- sible. ‘“‘1’'m wid you, me darlint, an’ we'll expose ’em entoirely. ll on, is it? Begorra, we fly ” The Irishman bent to his oars, and, thovgh he id oe the blades with great care, his har- oa muscles sent the boat forward like a Long haired Msx, with a revolver held ready for use, kept up an unceasing watch. He expected to meet some boat on the way, and in case cf such an encounter, there might be hot work. . micboolks (E(0) (E(@)