Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

* ee : 7 ; ; “ ta a ~? se is “Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. vinced that Bartlett would not speak, they did not neglect the chance. When the mine-owner was lowered after a third hanging he was so weak that he fell to the und unconscious, and Bullet Head struck his and angrily on his hip. ‘* Useless!” he said, ‘utterly useless. We'll leave bim here in charge of his Chinamen and— Where are the other prisoners!” It was time the question was asked, for they were not visible. ‘*Darke,” said the Bravo, angrily addressing one of his men, ‘‘ this is your fault.” ‘I'm afraid you’re right,” was the bumble reply, ‘‘and I’m sorry enough for it. Give me half a dozen men and I’!] recapture them.” ‘*'Too late,” answered the chief. “ We’llleave the heathen here to nurse their master back to life while we make tracks for the mountain. Fall into place—trot!” CHAPTER XXTIL **COLD POISON!” Wnuen Bartlett recovered consciousness the road-agents were gone and be and his Chinamen had the grove to themselves, He awoke with a most uncomfortable feeling both physically and mentally. Hang a man until he swoons and he is likely to retain ill feelings for some time. ** Where are they?” gasped the mine-owner. **Gone, all gonee,” answered Ki Lee. “Where?” ‘Dunno; me not care welly muchee to foller; dey debbils, me t’inks dey tek me warm placee me floller.” , The logic was unanswerable, but Bartlett, sit- ting up, felt amid the whirl of his brain that he would give balf his wealth to have them in his power. No need then to wonder if any one laid the blame of Reginald Sinclair’s death at his door; he had received proof enough to con- vince any human being. - He tried to think clearly. One of his enemies had been Bullet Head. He had before had proof that the Bravo was no friend, at the time Lila was kidnapped, and nowit was no use to speculate on his standing. An enemy be surely was, and Bartlett bad almost thought his voice was familiar. But what of the man who had called himself Smith? He, the mine-owner felt sure, had come in disguise, and he had as carefully disguised his voice, but the former strongly suspected his identity. When the pugilistic man was knocking the Chinamen down like ten-pins, Bartlett believed he had recognized him despite the darkness, Like an echo to his thoughts came a question from Ki Lee: ““Why "Melican man knockee me downee so muchee?” he inquired in an aggrieved voice. *“Who knocked you down?” was the eager ingen: Plitty dark an’ not klite sure, but me flink it was de man you callee Alley, all samee.” Alley! It was his nearest approach to “ Al- len,” and his master found his suspicions con- firmed. ‘“‘T see it!” he thought, excitedly; ‘“‘these men are just what I expected. They are here to ruin me and learn the true story of the death of Reginald Sinclair. That Smith was Birch, and Allen was hiding near at hand.” This synopsis of the case showed Bartlett on what Pe ok Sain ground he stood, and by a mental vision he saw himself deprived of his wealth and led to the gallows. The perspira- tion started freely to the brow of the million- aire, for there are cases where Mammon has to turn pale. Like a flash came the resolution to dally no longer, to strike a decisive blow at whatever risk and rid himself of these enemies who threatened to ruin him. He remembered the iron vault and resolved to consign them toit. The cover had not been raised since the day when the second of his vic- tims had been burled down, but it might safel be done now; life must have long since de ark ed from their bodies. In such company and bis companion would be welcome. One thiag, alone, seemed to stand in the way of accomplishing this work; it would be hard r~ put two able bodied men into the hole by orce. “Ki Lee,” he said, abruptly, “you were once a doctor in China, wasn’t you pe | ‘‘Me dlocter some; study mledicine some timee, but folks no get sickee, or else go to lother dlocter,” Ki Lee replied, a tinge of sadness in his voice. , ** But you poisoned my dog?” “Me unnerstan’ ploison all kinds. Ploison ag glet more payee than udder dlocter in a.” D ““Good! Well, Ki Lee, pay attention to me. If they are astir when we get home you must furnish a poison for their drink; if they are in bed, as seems probable, what can you do?” ‘Shut window an’ ploison air,” was the ready reply. - you can do this?” ‘Plenty easy.” It was enough, and Bartlett got bis Celestial cut-throats in motion and all returned to the house. had expected, he found Allen llen and Blenker in their rooms. They were awake, sitting up and smoking, but when he went boldly to the room they remained as cool as though nothing had occurred out of the usual channel. Plainly, they had entered a the window, es- caping the notice of Wicked William, who had been lounging about the house. Bartlett’s resolution to offer them poison in drink vanished before their imperturbable manner; he gave them credit for being sbarp enough to suspect his artifice. As a result, he kept up a show of friendliness when in their presence, avd seized the first chance to speak with Ki Lee alone. Explain- ing the situation, he asked how the poisoning was to be done. ‘Dey leab window open,” said Ki Lee, “‘ an’ we squirtee plepared water into room, an’ den closee her up tightee. Dey bleathe air an die-ee!” ‘*And you can prepare this poisoned water?” se Yes,” ‘*Do it, then.” Ki Lee went away and Bartlett began pacing the room nervously. Once he could handle such matters with an iron band, but time had made its imprint on him, and he very much preferred not to indulge in any villainy—where the opposition was likely to be strong. Yet these two men, and especially the one who looked like another man he had once known, must die to hide the traces of another crime. He was still pacing the room when Lila en- tered. She looked at him searchingly; but it was no time for a minute analysis; she bore a letter in her hand, which at once drew his at- tention. ‘It arrived by the last mail,” she explained, seeing his glance; and then, as he took it, she sat down by the window. The t-mark—St. Louis—interested him, but the handwritin ve him a thrill of joy he had not experienced or sometime. One glance was enough to tell him that Eben Garland had written just before leaving St. Louis, and he be at toe explanation of the riddle was at and. He was not mistaken; Garland had written as follows: ‘Your telegram served to open my eyes, and as I had just been wondering at the disappearance of a certain party I put the two circumstances together, and fear there is cause for alarm. We have been Se ge by my worthless brother in-law, Thomas uain, 14th, and he replaced it by another child—chose, he alone knew. 1 have just forced this confession from my sister, Mrs. Quain. She also admits telling as much to Allen, the substituted child, now a young man, who has suddenly left St. Louis. It looks as though he aay Ns ae something. If there is any one in Red Bullet who looks as you say, put him out of theway! lLleave for your town at once; am due at Beaver City the 16th, from which place I go by stage to the ' Espen GARLAND,” This letter could no longer surprise the mine- owner, but he accepted it as proof of all be sus- pected. He crushed the letter in his hand, savagely resolving that the men who had bad the audacity to venture under bis roof should die there. “ Father!” . The schemer started at the word, and looked with a wavering gaze at Lila, who had watched bim steadily while he read. ‘* Well?’ he said, curtly. * Are you ready to look over your books to- night?” Lila verified the entries of Mr. Tubbs, the hired book-keeper, once a month, with her fatber by her side, and they never retired on such occasions until past midnight. No,” he replied, impatiently. ‘‘I don’t feel like it, now. You had better retire.” ‘*T am not sleepy, but I would like to examine the books.” ‘““T tell you I don’t want to touch them,” he said, irritated alike by her pertinacity and her steadfast gaze. ; ‘‘ Remember,” she said, in a voice deep*r than usual, ‘‘that there’s nothing like work to keep one out of mischief.” The mine-owner started, *“What do you mean?’ he demanded, sharply. ‘Why, that’s an old saying. Don’t you think it’s true?” Edmund Bartlett did not answer, but with a fixed stare he returned his daughter’s sure, for he saw in the labor proposition an arti- fice to keep him busy when he would have de- voted his time to the contemplated crime, while | ; | ——- “Safer? Bah! you are getting dramatic, irl. Why would it be safer‘ ‘*] don’t think I need to explain, nor will I urge you further, but I hope you will not do anything which may some time cause you trouble! At the last word she glided from the room without another look, moving toward her own chamber. Edmund Bartlett took one step forward as though he would stop ber and then paused. His hands were clinched and bis face seemed te have lost color. ‘*She knows all!” he said, in a whisper. ‘‘ What accursed chance has given her this in- formation? Malediction! if I carry out my plan she will betray me! Will she? No, by my life, no; [ll see Crisp at once and direct bim to abduct ber. If be demurs L’ll give bim a thousand dollars—anythbing, so long as he keeps her out of sight fora month A month! Why not forever? | The Jast idea was one which troubled even bim. His career had been one of crime, but to bave the murder of a woman on bis bands would be new infamy. ‘‘Crisp sball do as he will,” he added, ** but. sbe must be kept from sight!” He strode from thé room, left the house and hastened toward the cabin where lived Lila’s rejected lover. Luckily, at that moment he was playing Crisp, not Darke, the road-agent, and Bartlett lost no time in coming to business, It was not strange that Darke should hesitate for a moment, for he knew the projected move- ment would oblige him to separate from the band, but when his would-be father-in-law placed a thousand dollars in his hand he decided to take the risk—the risk, because desertion and treachery were punished with death when possible by the outlaws, CHAPTER XXIV. HOW THE SCHEME RESULTED. ALLEN and Blenker were smoking in their room, and a casual observer would have said (hey were strangely at their’tase. Really, they were seated so that every point of the room was under their observation, and they were on the alert for danger. ; After leaving the grove they had held a short. consultation, and then returned to the house. They did this because they believed their iden- _ tity unknown to Bartlett, as regards the affair His infant son died twenty years ago, Sept. | gaze, | How much did she suspect? Something, he felt | her more pointed remark could not be misun-— derstood. this, | wish to be alone. your room?” It was a question, but a threat of menace ran through it. Lila arose without a word, went to his side and put her hands on bis snoulders, ‘‘ You had better retire, too, father,” she said, and he could see that her lips quivered. te h id ey think it would be safer.” Will you retire to at the grove, and the mine-owner’s house, if possible. Yet they were watching keenly for trouble. Some time had elapsed when there was a soft knock at the door. Allen said ‘‘Come in!” and very much to their surprise, Lila entered. Her face was paler than usual, but the firm look around her mouth told of a brave spirit brought to a fixed resolution. . **Gentlemen,” she said, at once, “‘I have but a minute to spend here, and I will lose no time, I have come to tell you that you must leave this house!” . Her words were plain; but her manner was not so easil y interpreted. | ‘** Leave?” repeated Allen. ‘* Why-so?” ‘* Because your safety demands it. I cannot, and will not, explain more, but advise you to heed what I have said, and leave the house at once, never to return.” * She turned toward the door as she spoke, but Allen hastily arose, Yeah “‘T beg your pardon,” he said, hastily; “‘ but Iam so convinced that you are our friend, that I am anxious to know more. Pray, what danger menaces us?” A sad smile crossed the girl’s face, “Do not ask me that; do not ask anything. It is impossible for me to explain, and wh useless for you to ask. Ae ne from this bour, that I have spoken to you; but heed my warn- ing. Leave this house immediately if you value your lives!” Once more she turned away, and her manner was such that they did not try to stop her. She departed, and left the men locking at each other. There was some room for speculation, but little for mistake. Beyond much doubt her father knew of their share in the grove affair, and intended to do them bodily harm. re ‘Shall we go?” the ex-detective calmly ask ‘“Not like a coward at night!” was the hot reply. out, let bim come and say so; if hea murder us, we'll show bim that two can p that game.” ‘* Puffectly fit an’ proper!” The words were spoken in a new voice, and looking bastily toward the door they saw Wicked William. During their excitement ts to y at _ they bad neglected their watching, and he had ‘“I have no time for such childish conun-— drums,” he said, at last, harshly. ‘More than noiselessly entered through the door. ““Poffectly fit an’ proper!” he repeated, as they remained looking at bim in consternation, ‘“What are you doing here?’ Allen sharply “Driving a gold spike inter ther Centra] Pacific; don’t ye hear me hammer?” was the serene answer. ate! “7 — by what right do you invade our m ‘‘Didn’t come in by right; am sea’cely ever JOO EOmiie “S wished to remain in the “Tf Mr. Bartlett wishes to order us Gon 19° ” . . - f ¥, : | | , ‘ | oe 2 eee . $$$ ‘ ; . | | ' | ” / ee * ¥ ‘ -~ ‘ ° ‘ ~ te : * = ' a ‘ a > as ' 9 € r. rc”. % ' & . 4 ¢ ’ . Chr wal 4 7 ‘é * . 4- .* fad < : +. é, ’ « ‘ ei ‘ . * ‘ ; mi di