Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 245 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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14 brought only a smal! sum of money, but they knew just how to handle that. Accomplished players, they intended to just hold their own in the game. ith two stout cut-throats against them, they settled down to work, while the other men re- lapsed into their old condition as though nothing had occurred. Barranca Bill, while seemingly absorbed in his play, did'not fail to keep his ears open, and after. a while two men near his back began to talk on an interesting subject. ‘‘T wonder ef ther Queen intends ter trot in ther Nightingale ter-night/” asked one. ‘She promised ter do it ev’ry night.” ‘Yes, but L understand ‘ther gal objects. Seems that she ain’t willin’, nohow, an’ I more than half suspect ther Queen stole her.” ‘Sh! Go light! Wal, she er the neatest bit o’ female prittiness in Comet Camp, anyhow. Thunder an’ lightnin’! ef she would cleave ter me I’d— But, bah! she wouldn’t wipe her shoes on me; what’s ther use 0’ s’posenin’ a case?” “She sings like an angel.’ “‘ Yer won’t bear ber ter-night,” put in a third voice. “Ther Queen has hid her somewbar’, _an’ she is gwine ter keep her out-o’ sight. Didn’t e see them ee in hyar this mornin’—that arranca Bill, an’ t’other feller? They was arter her, but ther Queen had anticipated their racket an’ hid ther gal.” “Took her away from ther Weepin’ Willers?” “That I don’t know. Mebbe she did, or mebbe thar is a secret room hyar.” ‘That reminds me, I heerd some persons leave ther bouse an’ ride away on bosses jest afore daybreak. I'll bet my head one was ther gal, an’ we won't hear no more singin’,” “Don’t you worry,” broke in still another voice. ‘Ther Queen knows her business, Ther gal belonged at ther Cosey Corral an’ thar is a row over her disappearance. She has been took ter another place fur a while. Ef ther storm blows over, she comes back hyar ter entrance our souls with wigne ys Ef it don’t blow over, why, ther Queen will plant her in ther mount- ings. Dead women tell no tales, but ther tongue ©’ a livin’ one whips around wuss than a boa constrictor with a chicken-bone in his throat.” Barranca Bill had listened eagerly to all this, and the confidence with which the last speaker declared that the girl had been removed from the Weeping Willows was so convincing that, had the way been open, he would then and there have left the den. Ill-ventilated and so wretchedly peopled, he had never been in so vile a place before, At that moment, however, something caused him to look at two men on his right. They were talking in that secret whisper which is always suspicious; but as Bill looked one of them suddenly thrust out his arm and tore a false beard from the other’s face, a Then Barranca Bill sat dumfounded at what e saw. CHAPTER XVIII. A REVOLVER ARGUMENT. THe face thus exposed to sight was perfectly familiar to Barranca Bill, and it was no won- der he was amazed; of all men, he least ex- pected to see him there. It was Cepbas Brown. *“T call you!” said one of the superintendent’s opponents in the game, but the call fell on heed- ears. Barranca Bill could only stare at Brown and wonder what strange object had brought him to the Weeping Willows. For one moment he asked himself if it could be that the politician was leagued with Hecate, but the movements of ae Brown answered the question nega- One moment he seemed startled by his mis- hap, and then out came his revolver like a ‘If he intended to use it on the man who had unmasked him, his pur miscarried; for the broad. hand of the rough swept forward and closed around the barrel, turning the muzzle well up, and it would have been a waste of jead to pull the trigger. Barranca Bill saw a look of desperation pass over Brown’s face, and he realized that the man was there in disguise like themselves, though he could not guess his object. — The politician made one effort to regain his revolver, but the rough beld fast and the smile which crept over his face told how confident he was in regard to his superior strength. Brown’s hand darted inside his miner’s shirt came out and arose—something bright littered for an instant in the light—there was a forward sweep and a long-bladed bowie was driven to the hilt in the body of the place The deed had been done with a quickness not to be expected from the politician; except for that the steel would never have touched the roffian; but as it was, he released his hold on the vo! ath a os at raps _ on staggerin ck a pace, drop eavi the floor, dead before he a tp ;, The sound of the fall brought every Lamb to his feet, for though peace usually reigned at the 2 ee 8 we ee ee eee Weeping Willows, most of them had heard that dull thud in saloons from Tombstone to British Columbia. On the floor lay a dead man; above him stood the Honorable Cephas Brown, a revolver in one hand and a crimson bowie in the other. In the brief hush which followed, Barranca Bill pushed to the side of Gentle John. ‘Do we chip in or vamose?’ he tersely asked, ‘‘ Back ther ole man till ther last pin is down!” Jobn promptly answered. ‘** Good! we are together.” Bill glanced upward at the lights, A little fine shooting would plunge the room into utter darkness, but be bad a strong desire to learn the exact standing of Mr. Brown in the society of Lambs. ‘‘ He forced it upon me; it was no fault of mine!” cried the politician. ‘‘ It was a matter of self-defense.” * A stranger!” “A spy!” ** Joe Darwin is down—kill ther murderer!” These cries arose from the Lambs, and every man drew his weapons, Revolver and knives flashed in the light, and each cut-throat’s face bore an ominous scowl. It was a thirst for blood. In the opinion of Barranca Bill there was but one way to save Brown’s life, and his own weapons were turned toward the lights when a heavy thump on the floor acted like a dash of ice water on the human tigers, Hands dropped, the attack was delayed, and then old Hecate pressed to the front. Without a word she glauced at the dead man, and then at Cephas Brown, and the sight was one which could not be mistaken, Barranca Bill, however, believed he saw a strange look on her face; instead of the fury one would expect, she seemed troubled and startled. : The Lambs expected to be ordered upon the intruder, but, instead, their Queen leaned heav- ily on her staff, and remained silent. Brown mistook the pause, and actually be- lieved his plea of self-defense would be received. He began to speak again, but Hecate put out one hand, ‘* Be silent!” she said; ‘‘ 1 can guess your plea; criminals never have but one. Who saw this deed done?” No one answered, Several men were aware that the two had been in consultation for some time, but there had been no evidence of a quar- | rel until the matter was in a white heat. Barranca Bill was only at a loss to know what secret conversation had passed between them; it was clear that Joe Darwin had sus- pected his companion, and unmasked him from enmity. : Some one volunteered the information that the ‘‘spy”” was the Honorable Mr. Brown, but Hecate waved the man back imperiously. ‘‘IT would like to inquire,” she said, frigigly addressing the politician, ‘‘ how you gained en- trance here?” ‘“Isn’t it a hotel?’ Brown demanded. “No; it is a boarding: house.’ ‘*‘ Well, why shouldn’t I come here?” ‘‘ Because—but never mind, How did you enter?” ‘t At the door.” ‘‘It is false. A window has been left un- fastened somewhere, and when you were once inside, your disguise protected you.” : ‘‘ He is a spy!” cried a big fellow, ‘‘Give me the word, an’ over he goes!” . ‘‘ Stop!” commanded Hecate, fiercely, ‘‘ We will have no blood shed here. Lf Joe Darwin forced a quarrel, he got no more than he de- served,” She waved her staff in that fashion which usually acted so like magic upon them, but in this case only dark frowns resulted. Joe Dar- win had been a favorite, and if the remaining Lambs had ‘had their way, they would have flung themselves on the slayer in a body. Barranca Bill began to hope for a peaceful termination, for it was evident that Hecate wished to save the politician—why, we need not explain when it is remembered that she was the ally of Luke Gridley, who hoped to secure a fortune from Cephas Brown’s money-bags. Hecate was aware that she had a delicate pines of work before her. Up to that time she ad ruled the Lambs with an iron hand, but it was because she had humored their desires at all times except in case of internal broils. To take away a man who had killed a favorite rough was a more complicated work. She began to speak to gain time, but one of the Lambs in the rear of the crowd at this point set himself up as a shooter, He was resolved that Brown should not escape, and, deliberately but secretly, be drew a bead on him, | Barranca Bill saw this and drew his conclu- sions. A rebellion of the roughs seemed at hand; plainly, they would not consent to the pardon of the man who had shot Joe Darwin, and if the fellow pulled the trigger, Cephas Brown would go off the earthly stage. This mental quickly. Up went his hands, and as two re- ports blended.as one there wasa clatter of glass, _ Barranca Bill, the Revolver Champion. ee NS ee ee ee Ee ee ee EE EE eee SS \ Sree ee a a see eee the lights went out and total darkness reigned in the room. As soon as he had pressed the triggers Bil? sprung toward Brown and grasped his arm. “Tamafriend: Quick! get out of this if you would save your life!” he hissed in his ear, Brown heard and was convinced, and as he was pulled away, offered no resistance. The superintendent and his ally were not men to hesitate in emergency, and By the time the Lambs fairly comprehended what had _ hap- pened they were at the hall door. ‘Let no one leave the room!” cried Hecate, sharply; but for once she had moved too slowly, The trio passed the door, but as they did so the bulky form of the black giant loomed up in the darkness: but Barranca Bill sent out his clinched fist and a heavy fall followed. Gentle John had sprung for the outer door and as he turned the ponderous key the way of escape Was open, The foremost of the Lambs surged into the hall, but they had barely a glimpse of the fugi- tives as they darted out into the street. Barranca Bill thought pursuit probable and once more caught Brown’s arm. ** Run, if you value your life!” be said. ‘‘We must throw these cut-throats off the track.” The politician was glad enough to have a good leader, and the three at once took to the cover of a group of shanties and indulged in a series of maneuvers which ultimately brought them out of all danger and, to all appearances, beyond the sight of enemies. , ‘Here we part,” said Barranca Bill, abrupt- y ‘“‘T owe you a life,” said Brown, with unusual fervor, *‘ for had it. not been for you, I should be mince-meat now.” ‘‘That thar ez a bad place ter go on a spree.” ‘Right; and I will never be found there again. But you, gent] men—I owe you a life. Tell me your names and you shall be re- warded,” ‘** Pass it by, mister, fur we ain’t arter a re- ward, Ez fur names, what’sin’em? We keeps our’n shady. Ef you take my advice, you'll amble home. We're off!” With the last word Bill strode away, followed by Gentle John, and, pabeeding. Brown's call soon left him behind. Why the former had concealed his identity from Brown he hardly knew, since by divulging he might possibly learn why the elder man had gone to the Weep- ing Willows, but it was his whim, ‘‘ John,” he said, as they strode homeward,, ‘‘ where is Helen Neville?’ ‘‘Now you stick me, My wits are all down but nine, an’ they ain’t vivid. ’Pears like, from what ther feller said, they hev tooken ber away from ther Willers.” ‘‘Exactly; and now we must look further. If harm comes to that girl it won’t be my fault. I swear that I will help her if I can!” ** Hyar’s my hand,” said Gentle John. ‘‘ We've lost ev’ry move in ther game so fur, but we'll set ’em up agin an’ bow] ther alley clean.” “The Witch is a sharp one from the word go, and Sheriff Sharpe can’t rake the board while she holds a hand. We must put wit against wit and beat her at her own game. I know honest men who will rally at my call, and from this hour the Weeping Willows shall be watched, Once let me make dead sure Helen Neville is not there and [ll apply the torch to the old barn, It is a disgrace to Nevada; the State don’t hold its equal.” ‘Right you are,” replied Gentle Jobn, with unusual fervor; ‘‘an’ I’m with yer while ther pins stand up. [ama small fighter when I git mad, an’ you may consider me enlisted—me ’n Bad Lung.” “This Brown puzzles me. there?” ‘Now ycu stick me,” ‘‘ Wait! [ have an idea. Why was he [ called on him to- day in regard to Miss Neville, He denied al} knowledge of her. [ stated that I caret she i illows. was ian preoned at the Weeping believe I catch the idea: Mr. Cephas Brown does know who she is, and that’s why he went there himself. What's in the wind now?” It was a useless question. Gentle John could advance no theory, and Barranca Bill was equally at fault. A long discussion failed to throw light on the mystery, and after consider- able. caer they decided to separate for the night. When Bill reached his house, Vivian Browm was elready gone, so he had no suspicion of her interview with Horace. CHAPTER XIX. ALMOST A TRAGEDY, RamMRopD BAR was not so large a place as Comet Camp, but in all other respects it was its superior. In a quiet way its people were mak- ing money, a court of law had been established, and though Judge Lynch now and then caught up the ribbous, as we have seen, the typical rough of the West did not flourish there. Moreover, while Comet Camp and its Me? A ? ecision decided Bill and heacted | was as bare of vegetation as a billiard Ramrod Bar had some little claim to the wear- ing of the green, and a man who was des Eom ebooks.co m