Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 257 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

lL eta - — a ne and my goose would have been cooked, tc 9% dead certainty! As it is, I feel like I had tne lockjaw!” . a 2 -—~ De Pd = Se — | **A tool—a part of this devilish mummery.. I | believe he is acting under her orders, just as those devils in white are doing. She found a ‘An’ come to think, it’s durn curious how I | man that looked something like Budd Painter, come to git here this airly,” said Bull, scratching | and gave him his part to play. She wasn’t | among quite sure we were the mea she wanted, and so his head with one hand, and fumbling am his clothes with the other, ‘* Us boys dida little more drinkin’ a’ter you rid away, Jas’ night, an’ fer fear we'd git drunk, ef we kept up our lick much longer, we jest choked ourselves off, an’ I hunted my vartuous couch, fer to ketch a good snooze-it-off afore you wanted me to git down to work ag’in. ‘The next thing I knowed, it was plum’ day- light, an’ thar was a shaggy-headed galoot bendin’ over me, sayin’ that I was wanted up to the orfice monstrous bad, Afore I could git | the cobwebs fa’rly out o’ my peepers, the cuss was gone, an’ I begun fer to’low it wasno more | then the whisky gittin’ in ifs work, an’ was turnin’ over to take another wink or two, when a durned big pin stuck me in the short ribs, an’ slappin’ at it fer a flea or skeeter, I hit this yer paper,” drawing forth a folded note and band- ing it to the colonel. ' ' ' ' i } | B ' “*T ain’t much on the spell, but I made out it | was fer you, an’ so | up an’ moseyed this-a-way, as fast as 1 knowed how.” Colonel Carey snatched the paper from bis | hand, and tearing it open, hurriedly glanced over its contents. As he expected, it was in the now well-known hand of their énemy. ‘It concerns you, as one of the firm,” he said, with a short, hard laugh, passing the note to Jeffreys. The latter took it, turning his back toward the curious Bull, as he devoured the contents, last his face should betray more than he cared to have the ruffian suspect just then. Tt began abruptly, without date or address, as follows: “The day has dawned, and I send one of your } shaped his course, to find out whether or no she was working the right lead. If it was bim, do you think he would have given mea chance to escape?” Jeffreys was silenced, if not convinced, and Carey added: ‘Last e. sing [made an appointment with Madam Crimson for to-day, and I mean to keep it, taking you with me. I’ve given her no cause to think I suspect her of ‘being other than she appears on the surface, and she will not be prepared for a blow of the sort I contemplate.” ‘“You mean to find out who and what she is?” ‘‘Ay! Ill tear the mask from her face, and if she is the one I suspect—if she is Bertha Burvham—l'll hold her as a hostage, as a safe- ruard against her gang!” ‘Tt will bearisky piece of work,” thought- fully. ° ‘Can you suggest a better scheme? Have we any other choice left us? We can’t runi—that was proven plainly enough last nigbt. We can ooly fight; and this must be our first stroke, risk/or no risk.” ‘“1)1l do my ‘part, never fear. , But I was thinking~—if am Crimson is the one you think; if she is at the bottom of all this crooked luck, and is expecting a call from you—she will be mighty apt to bave the cards stocked for you, ‘‘That won’t save her, once I get a squaré look at her face and find my suspicions are correct, She’s a woman, and when she feels my grip on her, and my knife or pistol feeling for her heart, she’ll hardly crowd us too far,” Discussing the subject, the plotters finished fellow-rascals to set you at liberty; but my warning | their meal, then lighted cigars and waited until still holds good. You must remainin town. If you attempt to leave, you will be granted no further ace, . The: blow will fall and you will die the Heath of dogs. “Tar Guosts oF GoLDEN VALLEY.”’ As Jeffreys read these stern words, he turned and the eyes of the baunted men met. There was an inquiring look in bis, a stern, hard glit- ter in those of the colonel. ‘° You mean to fight; then?” asked Jeftreys. ‘‘To the death!’ was the hard response. “We've tried running, and it don’t pan out worth a cent. We know that cursed blood- hound aks the truth in that respect; we'll see if he lies in the other. ‘Bull, as you must begin to feel, there’s devil broth a-brewing for those who had a hand in that little affair of the dam, over yonder. Just who it is that’s stirring up the mud, I don’t know, but this much is flat; we’ve got to fight or levant. I -won’t try the last, while L can pull trigger, and I don’t believe you or any of the boys come of running stock.” ‘You're boss. What you say, that we’ll do, or bu’st somethin’ wide open in the ’tempt,’ was the blunt response. “(ood enough! Go pass the word to the boys, but only to those you are willing to bet your life on. Hold yourselves in readiness for orders, and Keep sober. Jeffreys and [I will con- sult together, and when we have decided on our plans, we'll give you the cue. .**Come, Jeff; Im after some grub. I feel as hollow as an old log! Wecan talk matters over while stowing away a cargo, with more com- fort than here.” Together the partners left the office, after locking the safe and closing the shattered door as well as circumstances would admit, then made the best of their way to the hotel at which they were accustomed to take their meals. They were the center of all eyes as they assed through the street, but this occasioned them little wonder. Of course the events of the night just passed were public property, and in their scorched and blackened garments, they eould not expect but attracting attention. They at once passed to their private room, only pausing to order food and liquor sent upto them, and when this came, they locked the door me performed their toilets, then sat down to table. { ‘‘ We've got to fight; so far, you’re straight as a die,” said Jeffreys, after the keen edge of their appetites had been turned, ‘* But how ? That's the question.” ' <*You haven’t forgotten what I was tellin you, just before the mill went up in smoke? asked Colonel Carey. , "J _-* About that woman, Madam Crimson? - The colonel nodded, as be refilled his glass. » ** Ag she chooses to call herself—yes. More han ever I am inclined to think she is Bertha urnbam, We've seen and heard enough. to inake it perfectly clear that some_one escaped the trap we set off, over yonder.. It could only be her— a2 © ‘*Or Budd Painter,” quickly interposed Jef- freys. 3 © “J can’t believe that, even yet,” with dogged disbelief. | ‘ | ; . ‘Who can that infernal rascal be, if not him? | 2 eee ——————————— Colonel Carey thought it time to put his bold project into execution. They left the hotel together, well armed, their eyes keenly watching on every side to dis- cover whether or no they were being dogged. If so, their enemies exhibited rare cunning and adroitness, for not the slightest evidence of spy- ing could the partners detect in their apparently aimless stroll through town, and then, with a sudden change of course, Colonel Carey led the way fo the building occupied by Madam Crim- son. The echoraised by his briskl y-applied knuckles had not yet died away when the door was opened and the gambler queen stood before them, her musical voice bid ing them enter. “You are tardy, gentlemen,” she said, witha light laugh, as ona Aare and the door closed behind them. ‘I have been expecting this visit for more than an hour.” ‘You are very kind, madam,” said the colonel, with a low bow, more to conceal the peculiar expression which shot across his face than through courtesy, bowever. ‘‘Still, if I remember aright, there was no particular hour mentioned when you were pleased to grant me the great favor of an interview.” The eyes gleamed brightly through the aper- tures in the blood-red mask, and that low, pro- voking laugh was repeated. “*My dear colonel, you cover me with confu- sion. Upon my word, I had completely forgot- ten—are you sure yow are not the one in error? Did 1 promise to receive you here to-day?’ “You most certainly did,” was the quick response, and. though he could hardly realize it, the colonel felt a sharp pang at his heart as be spoke, “If not, I should never have dared pre- sent myself thus,” ‘‘And because of that promise on my part you are here?” then asked the gambler queen. *<You had no other object in view? No otber business with me??? ‘Ts not that a sufficient inducement?’ and as he softly uttered the words the colonel moved nearer the woman inred. ‘* You hinted at for- getfulness, and yet you say you were expecting meanhourearlier? | : “Pardon, my dear sir,” retreating a step, with a low courtesy; “I did not particularize you; my statement included Mr. Jeffreys, as one of the firm of Carey & Jeffreys.” ‘You deal in enigmas, madam; may I ask an explanation?” Certainly,” with frankness, as she held out anote. ‘I found that on my dressing-table this morning early. How it came there I do not pretend to say; but the facts are as I tell you. Of course I opened and read it, though there was no address on the cover. Read and you will see why 1 expected to receive an early call from you gentlemen.” Despite his:strong nerves, Colonel Carey gave a convulsive start as he took the paper and caught a glimpse of the bold handwriting it contained, Thrice had he seen the same pen- wouki be ~— he knew what the signature OL eiore hi idly- i dauholte % ré his rapidly-devouring eyes _**Manam Crmson:—Far s morning, you will Gore An, be nmey ‘a from the partners of the firm, effreys. ey will desire to borrow mone from you, for the purpose of rebuilding their mills. . > - ~ ° - 6 at ae = a pe wa a id dil - i a sa" ‘ mor eS : . : € - > oe? > *-it< : — _ . é : vee ST Ve er SES ee mes Cd Sag “ os) Ae eS A sg ae <s bog * > . ‘em . iS > yA ' a ~ wee « ~ Pes ? = hy 3o4 Pes Pe a eee ~ ihe). eee ee = ‘em ; i? to —_ oy . aS s. ye - eo a. 7 >_< sh A a ad > S = vp 7. > . 4 a, <add 2 OAL : - a “A 7 al at 4 * Ro Soy-4 . oe, ’ / - =F “7 > - =o, ib. “7 . - =, + a8 7 - . : . ° ee a 7 Fe APS a . : - - me one i es ind ‘ ae : i? +hTy , ewe T i F f : . .% hol A wets S. | | | | | | | ' i I | | | Mrmr rrr NN EE OO nn eee Ee If you lend to them, you will share the ruin which is sure to overtake them. We will break up your busi- ness here in Death-Trap Diggings. We will tear the mask from your face and reveal the truth. You khow best whether or no you can afford to run “at risk, so take warning in time and govern yourself accordingly. “THe GHosts of GOLDEN VALLEY.”’ ‘* Mysterious and dramatic and all that, isn’t it?’ asked Madam Crimson with a careless laugh, as Colonel Carey glanced from the paper to her eyes, ‘* Though the writer »redicts ruin for you, he must bea friend in disguise, or he would never forbid a woman to do youa ser- vice; or else he is lamentably igncrant of wo- man’s great virtue—contrariness !” ‘*Then you will lend us this money?’ asked Carey with a quick glance toward his partner, which that worthy tried in vain to solve satis- factorily to himself. ‘‘ On the security of your mines, of course,’” promptly. . ‘‘ Il am a woman of business. I came to Death-Trap Diggings for the sole purpose of making money sufficient to enable me to carry out a long-cherished scheme. I have a largé sum lying idle, and will be only too glad to in- vest it where it will be making its own ex- penses.” (. ool ‘‘ You mystify me more and more, the oftener I see you,” said Colonel Carey, his voice _grow- ing hard and metallic. ~ “* Who are you? “What brought you to this place?’ ‘* Who am'I?’ with a light laugh. ‘“‘lam Madam Crinison. Lama woman gambler. I am a sorceress—would you have me tell your fortune, my pretty gentleman?!” She waved ber hand, and as by magic, the room was cast into perfect darkness. An_ oath broke from the lips of the colon], and be sprung toward the spot where sbe bad stood when he last saw her, but his angry grasp closed on empty air. . ‘* We're tricked!” hesnarled, savagely, draw- ing his weapons and leaping back to the wall. On guard, Jeffreys!” , , “Strike a'match!” cried Jeffreys, setting the example. ‘‘ Woman or deyil, she must still be within reach!” At that instant one side of the room was dimly lighted up fora circular space of a few feet in diameter, and the sputtering matches fell from their startled hands, | For in the center of that lighted spot, there sprung into existence a wondrously life-like pic- ture—a tableau which both of the startled men instantly recognized, and from which Colonel Carey shrunk witb a low. cry of terror. A massive bowlder; a narrow channel cf foaming, tumbling water; two men, one grasp- ing the other by the throat as he drove a long knife into bis bosom. And the face of the as-. sassin was that once worn by Colonel Carey! Slowly the picture faded away, to be almost immediately followed by another, dim at first, but gradually growing more and more distinct, until it seemed to stand out with all the clear- ness of life. And it, too, was one familiar to the two pale-faced criminals who crouched at the further end of the room, grasping their weapons power of using them, The Golden Valley at midnight; the tops of. the hills lighted by the rays of the rising moon, but with the basin shrouded in gloom, through which the phantom-like shapes were at first but. tein distinguishable. . A. fleeting glimpse of the tents, the white- tilted wagons, the forms of the wearied gold- but for the time being without the 7" diggers lying asleep around the smoldering | camp-fire; then a clearer. view of two men near the foot of the dam,one bending forward as though trying to pierce the gloom, the other standing a little to the rear, striking the unpro- tected head with a revolver. Dimly seen for a moment: then the light flooded the scene, and once more the face of the assassin was that of. Colonel Carey, when he called himself Clay Benedict. One after another, pictures, scme dim, others fully lighted up by the spectral glow, passed be-. fore their staring eyes as they crouched there in the corner, each tableau illustrating some. well-remembered episode of that black night, three years ago, and in each one there was re- vealed the handsome face of Clay Benedict. There was the explosion which rent the dam asunder and, precipitated the foaming waters upon the doomed miners; there was pictured the terrible fight for life which one or two of the fated wretches made against the flood: and there, with a frightful vividness, was produced’ the death of the simple giaut, the ei noggone 8 f attitude of the helpless lad on his knees, with. clasped hands uplifted, while above him stood the figure of Clay Benedict with leveled pistol. _ . “* These are the crimes whieb stand recorded. against your name, Clay Benedict!” uttered a solemn tone, as the sonl-sickening tableat slowly faded away, leaving the room in utter darkness, ‘For these crimes you have been condemned to suffer death. Would you gaze upon the fate in store for you?” ) Bead : Wrought to desperation, Colonel Carey lea to his feet and rushed forward, discharging pistol in the direction from whence came tha somber tone; but he struck against what seemed : ) & ‘ ‘ wee > — “ - ~ se» ° -* Ey 2 EOI ebooks:co . ,* : it a ‘ ° « * * ° — Wa : V aa Z - Ls