Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

~ Tavo. ee ie eae : and where I can crush samy at any moment, Better ask, rather than offer, terms.’ ‘+ hope you have not misunderstood me, I have only said what has gone before in kind- mess. I believe you can clear up the mystery of Sinclair’s death, and in return we will help you. Come, sir, shall we be allies?” Bullet Head laughed. ‘‘Not that I am aware of. I don’t know what you are talking about and don’t want to. I think a few days in a dungeon will serve to clear your head,’ CHAPTER XIL BULLET HEAD MOVES FOR SAFETY. THE manner of the road-agent was becoming more aggressive, but his hearers suspected that it was because power was his, rather than be- cause he felt atease. His sarcasm was forced, and even in the midst of his small army and his cave he seemed ill at ease. Allen and Blenker had journeyed all the way from St. Louis to see the man who was said to be Tom Quain, How they were to interview him they did not know until he descended on the stage; but though men less brave would have hesitated they were attending to their business in his very stronghold — attacking where they seemed likely to be only attacked. It was not the desire of Allen to anger the mountain bravo. If the belief of the first twenty years of his life was correct, he was be- fore bis father; if his St. Louis researches were reliable, the man doubtless knew something of the death of Reginald Sinclair twenty years be- fore, | ae Bullet Head, the Colorado | mained motionless. SS a eee we ee ee he had learned to love Rose Jackson, the stand taken by her father, the items of evidence gathe in the case and his journey to Red Bullet Bar passed panorama-like before his men- tal vision. He was at last near where lived two of the actors in the Sinclair case. Tom Quain and Bartlett were found, and his war against them would go on in earnest unless the Bravo saw fit to take matters into his own bands and spoil the vendetta, Allen tted, now that the mischief was done, that he had spoken to Bullet Head on the subject while in the latter’s lair, but only for the untimely end of the conversation he would have made advances calculated to ease the Bravo’s fears, if he held rig The young man was still reflecting when he heard soft footsteps outside the door. He re- Then the bars of the door were garefally removed and he was not stupid enough to fail to suspect mischief. A moment more and he was on his feet and arousing his. companion. The ex-detective — quietly, after the fashion of his earlier ays. *‘I think they are coming!” These words and no more had Allen time to speak, The door swung open, and the prisoners had a bare chance to step behind it when the unknown entered. It required little labor to tell their character. A buil’s-eye was uncovered and two des- eradoes stood looking for the urperes sleepers, lenker touched Allen’s arm and they moved together; like a pair of hungry tigers they flung Where the talk would have ended is uncer- | themselves on the outlaws. tain. Darke, the robber lieutenant, invaded With so little space to cross it was not hard the room on business, and Bullet Head seized | to secure a hold, but it was less easy to retain it. the chance to order his prisoners away. Allen quickly asked that a second interview might be — them, reiterating his assertions of riendship, but they were soon out of hearing. The chief concluded his business with Darke and then sent him away, retaining no compan- ion except Goliath. Bullet Head was alarmed; the Colorado Bravo, the terror of the Red Bullet trail, was strangely pale under his mask, and the hand which rested on the arm of his chair trembled like that of a woman. ** At last!” he whispered, forgetful, or regard- less, of the proximity of Goliath, ‘‘at last! The day of vengeance is at hand; they are on my trail! This rubbish about friendship and good will won’t work; these men are St. Louis etectives and they are here to drag me to the oohews. Once there my fate is sealed. The a a very rigid for the rich, but what can O Goliath caught the principal part of this half- spoken meditation—enough to realize that his superior had been frightened by a mental vision of a gallows, but he stood like a statue and gave no ‘ Anon, Bullet Head abruptly arose and began cing the floor. What passed in his mind is best known to himself, but he arrived at a con- clusion &t last. That decision held danger for his prisoners, The latter had been placed in a small room very much like a prison-cell. Armed with tools they might have made their way out, but as bens did not bave even a knife they were help- ess. Considerable time was devoted to discussing the late interview. Bullet Head’s confusion had removed the last doubt. He was Tom Quain, and he knew more about the Sinclair tragedy than was known to the world; perhaps bis own hand had sent the old banker out of the wim til mid ime on until midnight drew ; To them in the cell, all hours “wane ‘the esses but they estimated the time am correctly, ** We may as well go to sleep,” said the ex- detective, at last. ‘* We shall see nothin of the road-agents to-night, and who what we may encounter to-morrow?” ‘“Who knows what we may encounter to- night?’ Allen dryly asked. ‘* We have alarmed this Bullet Head without being able to reassure In St. Louis, twenty years ago, he was a garroter, thief and other things: and in fact that be is a road-robber proves he has not hy a Five to one he tries to kill us to- night he same idea bad already occurred to Blen- ker and he did not by any means intend to sleep. We want to test Mr. Tom Quain,” he said ‘‘so let us pretend to sleep and see what he will do about it. If he comes to kill us—”’ ** Well?” { ““We must make the best of it.” Considering they were unarmed, their chances in such a case did not appear at all brilliant. Blenker’s plan of feigning sleep was agreed upon and both lay down. llen was to watch first while the ex-detective rested, and the latter’s excellent nerves soon enabled him to fall asleep. An hour passed. The cave was silent and dark. Allen, who had for some time listened intently became careless. His mind wandered more OWS is to the drama of his life. The scenes wherein ' side, and The lantern went crashing to the fioor, and in a moment more two pairs of men were staggering about the room, their arms around each other and their hearts filled with enmity and anger. Allen and Blenker fought for their lives. The former bad noticed before he moved that his man hela a murderous-looking knife in his hand, and it had been a part of his work, and an attempt which aiateailad well, to grasp his wrist and prevent immediately injury. The struggle then began in earnest. In St. Louis Allen had been a somewhat noted athlete, and Blenker, though his prime, was mus- cular and skillful, but in the outlaws they found opponents of no mean qualities and for a while the result seemed in doubt. Matters ended in an unexpected way. Allen managed to throw bis man, and it bad hardly been done when the other two fell directly over them and the four were down in a confused mass. A vigorous squirming ensued, and then our friends sat in triumph upon their prisoners. Without losing any time they disarmed them, thus securing a pair of revolvers and a knife each, but in one respect they were without means. Not so much as a shoestring was to be found with which to bind them, and it was clear they must rely on the barred door to keep them. ‘ We're going to leave you here,” said Allen, after some thought, ‘‘and you will have a chance to raise your tuneful voices if you think proper; but it may interest you to know that if ies do this we will return and blow off your eads. You hear me?” ** We ain’t deef,” was the sullen answer; ‘‘ but you can’t skeer me. I’m Dan Nortbup, an’ I’m a t’arer—” “Cut it short,” interrupted Blenker. ‘‘ You can doubtless whip your weight in wild-cats, but my friend has shown vou that a man twen- ty mee lighter than you can lay you on your ACK, ‘“‘At any rate, you never’ll git out o’ the cave,” ‘“Won’t I?’ demanded the ex-detective. “ Don’t be too sure of that, my fine fellow, Wait and see. Now we are going, but as my friend says, you must keep quiet or we'll blow you into pieces.” No reply was made, and though the manner of the man showed that they were far from being subdued, it was clear they were for the time quieted. Our friends promptly left the cell and fastened the door behind them. ‘‘ Have you any idea where we should go?” asked Blenker. “Not the slightest; but I believe we can get out if we don’t run upon our amiable captors.” ‘Lead on, then.” Allen started, and they felt their way across an open space where all was intensely dark. A firm ring of earth was under their feet, but beyond this they had no knowledge; they might be going toward liberty or into the very hands of the enemy. Perhaps fifty yards had been thus passed when a faint gleam of light was seen in ad- vance, It’s tion was such that they were not surpr to discover it to be from under . By isi but it was enough to bring them toa “Whatever it is, tis worth looking at,” said Blenker. ‘ Very likely Bullet Head rooms in- by prompt work wo may succeed Ss sll ——— —eaEeeuoqQeeeee we in taking him prisoner and carrying bim to the village. The boldness of the idea pleased Allen, and they moved forward again; but when they found that the door was strongly barred, Blen- ker’s theory fell to the ground. Beyond a doubt it was another prison; but as its inmate would add to their strength if he could be en- listed, they decided to look inside, hoping to see Wicked William. Allen removed the bars, opened the door a trifle and looked through. He had used all sible caution, and thought himself unheard, but as he gained a view of the interior he was un- deceived. Seated in a chair a few feet away was a ~ young lady of singular beauty and perfect form; but all this was lost on Allen just then, for he stood stupefied at seeing a woman there. Her gaze had been calm, almost serene, at first; but the awkward pause which followed and toward the door. “Wait!” she exclaimed, as Allén showed a strong inclination to retreat. ‘* Do not leave me until I have spoken with you, Tell me, are you of the robber band?’ It is an undisputable fact that one cannot Allen did not think of the fact at that moment. He saw a young girl who was the picture of in- nocence, and remembering the bars, at once decided that she too was a prisoner. He was about to answer, when the more prac- tical Blenker took matters into his own hands, Pe Why do you ask, miss?” he tersely demand- ‘*‘ Because I am a those who rescued me. “Where do you live?” “At Red Bullet Bar. I was seized and borne here by that terrible robber, Bullet Head, and I fear for my life.” “Such being the case, you shall not ask in vain,” the young man interrupted. “* We are ourselves going to the Bar, if we can from here; an be able to aid you.” ““May Heaven bless you! while on my own part, I will try to give you more speedy reward y introducing you to my father. He is wealthy and influential, and if you are here on business he may be able to aid you.” It occurred to Allen that such a helper would be far from a nuisance. They were about to enter on a crusade where friends were needed, for their chief enemy oould readily set the vil- lage people a alliance would be very agreeable, “We shall be glad to meet your father,” be frankly said. ‘“ Pardon me, but you did not mention his name.” ‘*It is Edmund Bartlett, and he is a mine- owner, You may have heard of him?’ CHAPTER XIII. AN IMPORTANT STEP. THE last words fell with startling force oun . the ears of Allen and the ex-detective. Until they were spoken, neither had suspected that the girl was the daughter of the man whom — they bad come so far to see; and, whereas they had just begun to allow themselves to admire ber, they steeled their hearts at once, remem bering onl seekers of justice. If their opinion of the Sinclair tre was correct, Edmund Bartlett might yet to the gallows through their efforts. : | gave her an idea, and sbe started to her feet | trust to appearances, but it is just as true that” prisoner, and I would bless if you will guide us, we may inst them if he tried. Yes; the’ that they were there as implacable , Allen was too much confused to continue the © conversation at once, and it was only Blenker’s efforts that an awkward pause was averted, tte Naturally, the first impulse of each was to close the door u the girl and leave her toher t: te, which justice seemed to have ordained for the plotter’s daughter; but in a short time the shrewdness came to their aid, and the same icea occurred to both. y ‘*We waste time bere,” said Allen, a astart. ‘‘Let us get away before we are covered; we will conduct you to Mr. Ba house.” we: His gaze met the ex-detective’ seemed to mutely add: 7 wo “This chance to enter my Sa own house is a piece of wonderfully good luck.” rar Blenker nodded. + in “Ill lead the way. You two may follow,” he tersely said. After some deliberation on the advisab taking the lamp, Allen hid it under his they went on as fast as was safe. None o party knew what lay before them. rbaps they were running into the midst of the band; each moment they expected to see a foes start up before them, and at the best they Rowe not but expect to find a guard at the exit. Allen found himself peculiarly placed. Miss Bartlett had thrust her little hand inside his arm, and stu indeed, he must have been to see the air of confidence and trust with Vie Cok focliage Wore still ‘colitusea bal ‘the own feelings were conft | most eraaiong Ws in his mind was that AI ICE “Ss as O}ONO) (E() Phat, and he ti, (El)