Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

; . e- : . > ‘to? ha é a, A ee % , He _ Bartlett wanted the services of an unscrupu- « - frie skirts of the -wasa fumbling inside, and it swung open. 14 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. dent unpleasantness of their meeting did not render it less Perpienine. Why should she meet such a man secretly and at such an hour? These questions were so hard to answer, that Allen began to wonder if her ie hi had not been a sham, At one time he had been disposed to regard her well, but time was teaching him that the Bartlett household was one of mystery from Edmund down to Foolish Joe, Without much further delay, Allen left the mountain and hastened toward his quarters. He had expected to find Blenker in his room saa tired of waiting; but he was outside and watching patiently. Confidences were soon exchanged, though the ex-detective could only say that Lila had at once returned to the house. ‘*The mystery deepens,” he acknowledged; ‘for I will confess I can’t understand this last affair. Lila Bartlett is of a different piece than her father; and if she didn’t want to see this man, she made a sacrifice to meet him.” “But I can’t see why she should meet one of Bullet Head’s men.” “*T strongly suspect that Quain is playing some game on Bartlett. We know they are not s, and it wouldn’t be oddif the girl has caught the idea, and is willing to make some sacrifice in the case.” “Whatever is on her mind, she must look out or there will be trouble in the camp. You re- member how Foolish Joe hung from the limb while they talked? I suspect that fellow—I he- lleve he is a fraud.” ‘You think he is less a fool than he seems?” **T do; and I also believe that he can talk—at least, with Edmund Bartlett.” “And the groans we heard!” continued the ex-detective, thoughtfully. “You have me there. Our thorough search failed to discover anything, however, and I am more than half-inclined to think we were de- ceived by the wind.” “On an almost breathless night?” “IT won’t argue the point. But what is your view?” ‘*T am almost inclined to think a second cel- exists, and that Bartlett has a prisoner there. If such a course would not endanger our own affair, I would suggest that we use a spade a little.” Allen did not answer, and in a short time the two went to bed to get some rest, and a good many wild dreams, At the breakfast-table all was as usual. All the members of the family were there; none mentioned having been ill—even Lila was calm and fresh, her pretty face giving no sign that she had lost an amount of sleep at midnight. During the meal Bartlett suggested that his uests make a full examination of bis mine, an invitation they did not think best to decline; but when he had once arranged matters, Bart- lett added that he would be busy himself, but yous give them in charge of his superinten- ent, This arrangement was carried out, and once alone the rich man went to the telegraph office, and sent this message; ‘‘ There is. man here who looks like him! Can it be possible This dispatch was addressed to Eben Gar- land, St. Louis, and the answer came more omptly than Bartlett expected. This is what Garland replied: “It is possible, and I have reason to believe it may be true. I know Tom played us false. New develop- ments. Iam on my way to your town.” The mine-owner bad the reputation of being a very cool man; but he stared at this message as though he had seen a ghost. An uneasy sus- picion had been in his mind, but when he tele- graphed to Garland he had flattered himself the , answer would quell all his fears. - The result bad been just the contrary. Gar- land, whom he knew to be a cautious, slow- ing and cunning man, bad admitted that there was danger; he had said that they had been played false, and that he was en route for Bullet Bar; but the message was alarming without being plain. Being vague, Bartlett naturally translated it ‘in keeping with his fears, and when he went out his face was paler than any Red-Barite had ever seen it before. He saw danger looming up before him, and with the energy of an impulsive nature, he re- solved to at once take steps for his safety. Had Eben Garland been there to help him he would not have proceeded as he did, for the lawyer was always cold and meditative. Jous man. Such persons were common in Red Bullet Bar; but he knew of one who he believed would answer his purpose better than any other, for the reason that he had plenty of brains to make amends for a lack of conscience, a common rascal, he need not have gone further than the Chinamen who lived with him. When hes d it was at a hut near the out- age. Twice he rapped vainly at the door, but at the third summons aa tall, handsome young fellow became visible, who at once invited him to enter. Barlett obeyed, and found himself in an un- furnished space, but half of the hut was cur: tained off by a red blanket. ‘‘Replace your bar, if you wish, Crisp,” he said, familiarly. ‘‘I know you are playing cards behind that curtain, but ’'m not here to act thespy. Put up your bar, my good man!” His manner brought a gleam of suspicion to the face of the young man, and he gained a little time by replacing the bar before answering. ‘*'You’re entirely wrong, Mr. Bartlett,” he then said, humbly. ‘‘I’ve turned over a new leaf, and am trying to do what’s right. I hope people don’t think I am living as a gambler?” ‘‘T haven’t heard any one say so, and I cer- tainly don’t care if you are. Did I speak against you when you were so nearly hanged a year ago?” ‘*No,” answered Crisp, but his averted face concealed a glow of hatred; he knew more than Bartlett supposed; he knew that but for bis present visitor he would never have been under a ban at the Bar. ‘*Very good. Now,I have business with you. When can we talk privately ?”’ se Now.” As Crisp answered he flung aside the blanket, but his visitor paused Sean de as he saw a burly fellow sitting at the table and slowly sip- ping his glass of liquor. ‘fT mean without witnesses,” he curtly added. ‘*'You need have no fear of this man, who is very discreet, but if you say so—” The man at the table arose and bowed low. “Thar hain’t no ’arthly reason why you should bridle yer tongue ‘round hyar,” he ob- served. ‘'I’m ther friend o’ them as has private work ter do, an’ I never peach. I’m Wicked William, ther champion cut-throat o’ Colorado, I’m a ruffyan without a conscience!” The speaker scowled gue but Crisp looked annoyed. Bartlett, on the contrary, seemed interested at once. ‘Wicked William?’ he repeated. ‘*‘ Wasn’t you captured by Bullet Head, the other day, when he dropped on the stage?” ‘‘Identically, sir, identically. I’m that same pilgrim.” ‘** How did you escape?” ‘‘Cut my dimensions through ther inemy an’ cantered out. Blood flowed freely, but hyar I am, your honor.” “Did you have any talk with the other men taken at the same time—with Allen and Birch?’ ‘*T did that, an’ they sorter looked ter me fur advice. They see’d that I was a cut-throat an’ well posted in Colorado ways an’ places. Their way was pouffectly fit an’ proper.” ** No pride about them? ** Not a bit.” ‘‘T’ve changed my mind,” said Bartlett, look- ing at Crisp. ‘* You needn’t send this gentle- man out; on the contrary, I think I may em- ploy him if he can be hired,” ‘*Ef you want a bullet or knife sent home, callon me. I’m a infidel an’ a stalwart villyon. Give me a dollar an’ I'll cut my dimensions any- whar!” Wicked William’s boastful manner seemed to please the mine-owner, but be did not depend on mere words. The boaster seemed to be a typical rough. He was brawny, scarred and coarse; his hair and beard were long and tan- gled: his face was marked by intemperance, and he carried his rags and dirt with conscious pride. The visitor drew Crisp to one side. ‘“You once desired my daughter for your wife,” he said. “Yes,” the young man stammered. ‘Do you still wish it?’ sé Yes. ” *‘ She is yours!” . Crisp stared for a moment in astonished silence, ‘‘She wouldn’t so much as use me for a door- mat,” he then replied. "7 Then, why not abduct her?” ‘ The strange question caused Crisp fresh as- tonishment, but in a moment more a flush crept into his face, ‘You are trying to get me intoa trap!” he declared, with angry emphasis. ‘Softly, softly! You are entirely wrong. Whatever you do, if you act on my suggestion will be by my advice, but I am not sure that I wish it. My affairs are a little embarrassed just now, and I may want you to steal Lila and marry her.” ‘* Why, she hates the sight of me.” ** Possible?” * And has another lover.” ** Who?’ ‘‘ Albert Leverett, the carpenter.” ; Bartlett started, in spite of his natural cool- ness, but in a moment more he was as cool as ever. He assured Crisp that she had dismissed Leverett, who had left the vicinity, and then, growing bolder, he stated that he wished to employ both Crisp and Wicked William, if the latter was trustworthy. Him, Bartlett intend- ed to introduce into his family to learn certain secrets which he believed were possessed by his present guests, while Crisp was to hold himself ee eeeSSSOS—SSSSFSee ma eee SE — ——————————————————————— —————— ea LL LLL LL LLL LLL LL LLL —-+-- ———— — to abduct Lila in case he was so direct~ ed. The young man was surprised and bewildered by all this, for be could not imagine why the old man should want his daughter abducted, “se at the same time the proposal delighted im. He wished to marry Lila, and it was a curi- ous coincidence that at the time Bartlett rapped, he and Wicked William were discussing how the latter could best be introduced into Bart- lett’s house as a spy. CHAPTER XVIL. A TRIANGULAR SCHEME. THE man whom Bartlett addressed as Crisp was none other than Darke, the lieutenant of Bullet Head’s band. As we have seen, the offi- cer had certain schemes in his mind which he would not have wished his superior to know. He was infatuated with Lila Bartlett, and he bad offered her freedom, it will be remembered, on condition that she promised to marry hims. an offer she promptly declined. Bullet Head, on his part, seemed a good deal worried by the subsequent escape of Allen and the ex-detective, and the fact that they had taken up their residence with Bartlett. This surprised Darke, but will be more easily under- stood by the reader who remembers the warn- oy Se ge as tae given the Bravo. sa result, the latter had a long talk with Wicked William, who remained in his bands, and then called Darke. ‘‘Conduct this man to the Bar,” said his superior, ‘‘and let it be understood that he es- caped us. It is my wish that he goto Edmund Bartlett’s and again become the companion of our late prisoners.” No further explanation was given Darke, but once in the cabin he proceeded to pump the “champion cut-throat.” Wicked William talked cheerfully; the real object of his errand was to watch lett and learn all he could about him. Thus it was that the arrival of the mine- owner was deemed so timely, and that Crisp, alias Darke, was so ready to aid in the scheme, though he could not imagine what complication could occur which should make Bartlett desire Lila abducted as suggested. The mine-owner soon transferred his atten- tion to Wicked William, who had settled down to work on a short, black pipe. ‘*Do you want to earn some money?’ he ab- ruptly asked, ‘You kin bet on’t.” “Very well, unless you are attached to Allen and Birch I can give you the chance.” ‘*Money is stronger’n attachments. I’m no fool. When I see a chance ter makea dollar I o fur it, do. Whose throat isin need o’ ar- ificial air?” The coarse brutality of his manner removed Bartlett’s last doubt, and he explained that he believed Allen and his companion were in Colo- rado for no good; that is, no good for men that wanted to get an honest living easily. Wicked William understood the allusion and@ bluffly announced that he was ready to end their meddling. He sharpened his knife on his boot-leg and looked ferocious enough to suit even the schemer; tut when he was told that he must wait fora while and lu]! the men’s sus- picions while he extracted their secret, he agreed to do it. The bargain thus formed, Bartlett took his leave witb the understanding that his man was to follow soon after and appear at his house as though he had just escaped. The plan was carried out to such an extent that Mr. Crisp was soon left alone. He at once indulged in a dance as a means of showing his exultation. ‘*T reckon this case is bound to be the making of me, complicated as it now is. Wicked Wil- liam is the tool of a variety of men. Bullet Head has a use for him and so has Edmund Bartlett, Esq., but if your humble servant don’t find a way to stir the caldron and cook bis own broth I am a liar, This Wicked William is only a vain boaster, and by outbidding his other employers I shall myself become the first r of the secret. hy the dickens are Allen and Birch here, anyway? Mr. Crisp at now is the time for you to feather your nest Leaving the lieutenant indulging in these sanguine dreams, let us return to Bartlett’s house, When Allen and the ex-detective returned to the house they found Bartlett already there, and it was not long before Wicked William was seen serenely swaggering up the walk. His sometime fellow-prisoners were surprised to see bim, but they at once explained bis identity to the mine-owner who declared that he was wel- come. Wicked William made himself at home. He a occupied three chairs and his big voice was like the tone of an organ of generous di- mensions. With his hair and beard in hopeless confusion, and his newly-acquired weapons fully exposed, he looked like woods or a rcupine ready to repel an attack, He explained how he had escaped from the m Cc (ele) JOOKS » Bae \ (Ele) 24 4 a wild man of the ~—