Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

a _ - ee ee ‘Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. had a hand in the murder he would seize the first chance to get them out of the way. Next, if their present host had in any way had his suspicions aroused he would be equally dan- erous, but due meditation convinced them that the resemblance would not be sufficient to doom them. Bartlett believed that Robert Sinclair’s son had died twenty years before at the hand of Tom Quain, and as he did not know that he and Bullet Head were one, it was notlikely he would get on the track. t ; They were in the midst of this conversation, cautiously carried on, when Allen heard a soft and secret movement not far away. He gave his attention to the eunee and became convinced that some one was playing the listener. His plans were formed in aninstant. Only prompt measures were fit for such a work as theirs, and with a light leap he bounded through ‘the curtain of leaves and dropped full upon a ecrouching man. He was a muscularly-formed fellow and the "young man expected a stout resistance, but to his surprise there was none at all. His prisoner remained passively in his grasp and then a hoarse laugh broke the silence; an unnatural laugh which, taken with the face upturned to ‘him, caused Allen to loosen his hold, Blenker, more practical, saw a burly fellow sitting cross-legged, and though his face was certainly anything but intelligent, he was not ‘disposed to trust blindly to mr pate ‘* What are you doing here?” he demanded, Foolish Joe, for the man was, of course, he, iaughed in bis usual fashion and made several gestures with his bands. ‘* Can’t you speak?” Blenker irritably asked. A meutnbling sound was the only reply and a use followed. The idiot amused himself by trying to lift a sunbeam from the ground, while Allen and his friend looked at each other ques- tioningly. Had this creature heard their con- ~versation and, if so, how much of it had been intelligible to him? If appearances were reliable he was a com- plete fool, but the ex-detective had seen enough «of the world to be a doubter in most cases. They reflected for some time, standing over him, but as they had a choice between accept- ing the situation and abruptly leaving Bart- lett’s, they decided to do the former. Finding that it was impossible to get coherent or intelligible sounds from the cripple they left _ Dim in the thicket and returned to the house. Bartlett soon came in, full of his plan for cap- turing Bullet Head. The man had been a scourge to the town long enough and it was time he was captured and punisb he latter word struck somewhat forcibly on _Allen’s mind, and he asked what punishment would probably be meted out to him. ‘* Judge Lynch and the gallows will probably end his career,” said the mine-owner, viciously, The information was not in any degree pleas- ing, for if the outlaw was taken and executed there was little hope of ever knowing the truth concerning the death of Reginald Sinclair, One thought was in the minds of both our friends; if the citizens triumpked over the Bravo they must themselves become Bullet Head’s allies. Bartlett’s former friendly manner had re- turned and he invited his guests to go out wich him. They went, but a slight cloud was left on Blenker’s mind as, looking back, he saw Hester ‘Ware watching them from the window. He could not get rid of the impression that there was mischief in her brain. As for Foolish Joe, a casual mention had led to an explanation on Bartlett’s part, which con- vinced them that the cripple was harmless. The outlaw-hunters had already gathered in the center of the village, and a few minutes in their company showed the detectives that they were in dead earnest. Once let Bullet Head fall into their hands and he would get a speedy send-off to the undeveloped future, And in this spirit the party left the village. CHAPTER XV. MIDNIGHT WANDERINGS, Tue hunt for Captain Bullet was a failure just as the more sensible of the villagers had expected it would be. They had sought for the Bravo before, and always unsuccessfully, and it was not to be expected that he would come out and deliver himself up. There were at least two menin Red Bullet Bar who rejoiced at the result; Allen and Blen- ker were glad that the outlaw bad kept out of sight and relieved them from the trouble of risking their own lives for bim. According to their view of the case, he be- longed to them without reservation. , Bartlett appeared yarey. § man the evening and would often sink into thoughtful moods and leave the conversation to the other members of the camethy circle, but his cordiality to bis guests did not waver. They had championed his daughter’s cause and must be rewarded practically. Since they did not need money, he could, at least, give them shelter. On heir own part they held a long conversa- . ‘tion after retiring, the result of which was that they decided they must trap Bullet Head un- aided, for he alone could give the information ec desired, here seemed little chance to learn anything at Bartlett’s; his household seemed of the ordi- nary kind, and they must await the revelation of Thomas Quain before striking a blow at the chief villain. Blenker fell asleep soon after retiring, but not many hours had elapsed when he was aroused by Allen. ‘‘ Lie still and listen!” said. the latter, ab- re be ex-detective had good nerves and was able to obey without delay or questions; but when he heard low moans which seemed to pro- ceed from directly outside their room he un- closed his lips. ‘*Ts some one sick?” be asked. ‘*Just what I would like to know. These moans sound regularly and I have twice opened my door to learn whence they come. The whole house is dark and the people seem to be fast asleep.” Blenker quietly arose and started a light. ‘* Those moans are human and made by some one in pain,” he said. ‘‘I am going to look into it.” He opened the doorin turn. The hall was dark and silent, and the moans then seemed to arise from the lower floor. He walked along the hall and down the stairs, but returned in a patente or so, his expression less placid than usual. ‘* No one astir in or around the kitchen,” he abruptly said; ‘‘ but the case gains rather than loses interest. Dress fully and let us investi- “*Speak plainly; what do you suspect?” ** Directly under us,” resumed Blenker, ‘‘ are the kitchen-rooms, but the Chinese servants sleep some distance away, as also do the mem- bers of the family. These groans do not pro- ceed fromthem. From whom, then?’ The two men made an impressive picture just then. Allen had finished dressing and had drawn a revolver, while his friend, with the light advanuced, looked as severe of countenance as the traditional stage-detective. “From the man who was to be lured here, according to the letter from Bartlett to Eben Garland,” hazarded Allen. ‘‘ Exactly!” said Blenker, triumphantly. “This mysterious person, whoever he is, isa perenne in this very house. Do you remember hat the letter said he was to be confined in a secret place near the cellar? That’s where the groans come from, and we may now see him,” " on!” Allen tersely said. No more time was lost. Both men left the room and cautiously descended the stairs. Neither was over-confident. Knowing what they did of Bartlett, it would not have sur- prised them to find a spy observing their move- mente, but they were resolved to make the best of it. Once in the kitchen, they puused to listen. The moaning had ceased and the house was silent. They examined the various rooms in that part of the house, but there was no sign of & mysterious captive. They had paused for consultation when there was a renewal of the groans, but this time faint and aJmost inaudible. It was, however, enough to direct their search and the ex-detective pointed one finger downward. ‘* The cellar!” he said, anes: No more was necessary. They descended an ordinary stairway and reached a subterranean depository of vegetables and other articles, but no human being was to be found. All had be- come silent again, and though they waited for some time, the moans were not repeated. ‘*T can’t understand it,” said Blenker. “Such sounds must bave human origin, and human be- ings cant melt into thin air. see no reason to believe a prisoner is confined here, but I would like to know who groaned.” Allen suggested that they go out for fresh air. The affair reminded him of some of the wild ghost-stories he bad heard in bis youth and he wished to see the open sky above him. They went out and made a circuit of the house. Al] was as usual and the Bar gave forth no sound of revelry. There seemed no way to account for the late sounds. They were standing near one side of the house, both wrapped in thought, when Allen listlessly Saw a dark object crosving the open space which ended at the bushes before mentioned. At first it seemed to be no more than a wolf, but a closer survey showed it to be a man creeping on his hands and knees. Struck by the circumstance, which seemed strange, untimely and suspicious, he called Blen- Ker’s attention, but the latter was only in time to get & Vague view. pan us go to the bushes,” Allen abruptly ad- ‘And run into a nest of road-agents?. It is my opinion that Bullet Head is preparing to roi the visit of the villagers and recapture The suspicion looked reasonable, but when it suddenly occurred to Allen that the creeper was Foolish Joe the ex-detective hesitated no longer. They secretly made their way to the trees. Tbrough the wooded spot ran a road, and as they reached it the moon suddenly emerged from behind a cloud, making it dangerous to cross. Upto that time they had seen nothing of the creeper, but Blenker suddenly laid his hand on Allen’s arm. If the moon.had prevented their further ad- vance, it did them a favor in return. Just be- ond the road, half-revealed in the light and alf-concealed by the shadows, were a man and woman who stood side by side. Neither of the observers was at a loss to re- cognize ber; it was Lila Bartlett. About the man’s identity all was uncertainty, but it was clear that the discussion was not wholly amica- ble. The girl gave repeated evidence of doubt, fear and anger, and once or twice her voice was lifted so that they distinguished its abe? 7 Hee- tion without being able to hear the words. rised afresh. Lila terms with her fa- The watchers were had seemed to be on g ther and there appeared to be no reason why she should meet any one secretly, but why should she go out at midnight to meet a man evidently her enemy? While Allen was wondering over all this the ex-detective was using his eyes and he suddenly whispered: ts ‘* Look at the tree above them!” | Allen obeyed and saw a huge, dark object which hung like a monkey from a large limb. Puzzled for a moment, he was not long in re- cognizing Foolish Joe, and with the discovery came a doubt regarding the fellow’s weakness of mind, He certainly did not act like an idiot at that moment. ‘* Miss Lila bas her secret,” whispered Blenker, ‘which is not odd when she has such a father, but I fear she won’t keep it long. That ugly imp above them is listening and you may be sure he will tell old Bartlett.” ‘*This same imp, as you call him, also over- heard our talk, or we supposed him near enough to hear. If heis less a fool than he ap- pears to be, we had better look out for Bartlett ourselves,” . They were about to attempt to cross the road when Lila and the man reappeared, The latter was now more distinctly visible, He wasshort and powerfully made, but, as before, his face was bid in shadow. The affair pereaned our friends. who, in their earnestness, forgot that this was an affair which probably interested Lilaalone, The men spoke earnestly and rapidly for several minutes, un- conscious of the dark object which swayed from the branch above, but Foolish Joe, if it was in- deed he, seemed to hang as easily as though a part of the tree. At last Lila and the man shook hands, as Bien h in farewell, and Allen leaned toward enker. ‘‘They must be watched. Look to the girl, yourself, and I'll hive the unknown.” : The ex-detective did not object and Allen ventured to cross the road. He soon saw Lila start for the house and looked with renewed in- terest for bis man. He was not long delayed; the stout man left the trees and started, as it at first seemed, for the village, but as he neared it he bore more the right and passed by. . The moon had again disappeared behind heavy clouds and Allen had no trouble in fol-— lowing without running great risk of discovery. He went on until] the mountain was nearer than the village and he began to have a vague sus- picion which lacked probability. Yet, the unknown did not once swerve from his way. He reached the mountain and be the ascent. A balf-hour of orous ¢ ) followed. Allen, unaccustomed to such exer- cise, breathed hard and could hardly keep near his quarry. At last the latter entered a miniature canyo where the shadows bung deeply. Allen . cautiously along in pursuit but failed to ke sight of him. The moon cate out once more, lighting all places except these cuts in the mountain, and as the young man reached the further end of the canyon he suddenly paused. The man he had followed had ‘ beyond a doubt he bad made use of the dark gully to throw bis pursuer off the Convinced of this the latter retraced bis steps ~ and looked anxiously, but vainly, for the un- - known. He had <cne andleftnosign, Giving it up at Jast, Allen looked more care- fully to bis surroundings and was sure he wag near where he and his friends had emerged from the cave when they made their. pe; and he looked to his weapons and more care. He had no desire to be re CHAPTER XVI. PLOTS AND COUNTERPLOTS. _ ¢ ALLEN could not very well avoid one i- cion when he bad meditated a sbort time, man he had followed had come straight to the mountain, and was, beyond doubt, one of the robber band. And Lila Bartlett bad held an interview with him at midnight! , This fact was a surprising one, and the evi- Eomichbooks co a ‘ . i a ASS a tt ee. ee eee