Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

———- se adie f ‘ * 4 — a <a ee i 2 eae er LS weft de ee & - _ > * s es * ptt. ee * 7 . ” | . -- > ni» ne hael —— a ae o ly > - * . . a, eh & r a. . ~s oo 1a . e . — = - . under foot they ra oe were speeding awa 22 ——— — = Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. v regret that such brave men were of such vil- lainous inclinations. “ve got ter’ take you out,” he said, awk- wardly. ** Don’t trouble yourself; we had as soon stay here,” the ex-detective grimly said. ¥5 They ’re waiting for you,” Wood added. “Ob! are they? I suppose it is a regular holiday in Red Bullet Bar?” ‘*Oh, yes,” was the quick reply, for Mr. Wood thought he saw a chance to console bis victims, ‘‘and we ain’t never had a hangin’ at the Bar before where the condemned drew so big a. crowd as you have!” It was a heavy compliment, but the doomed men were pot in condition to properly appreci- | ate it. Wood led the way toward the gallows and | the prisoners followed, walking between his as- sistants with firm steps. That peculiar state natural to men thus situated, and variously called “‘ bravery,” ‘‘ gameness” and “a dulled condition of the senses,” enabled them to look their destroyers in the face without wavering. They were marched under the gallows, from which the ropes already dangled, and Sheriff Wood invited himself to deliver a little oration. Neither prisoner paid any attention to it, though dimly aware that he was pronouncing their career a ‘‘ terrible example;” they were looking for Edraund Bartlett. They did not see him; if he was enjoying the scene, it was from a less prominent place. Finally, all was ready for the last act. The nooses were adjusted over the necks of the con- demned, and then followed a sort of bag which completely hid their faces and heads and were tied under their chins—this being Red Bar’s substitute for the professional black cap. All was then ready; it only remained to pull on the ropes and Edmund Bartlett would be minus two enemies. Sheriff Wood gave the signal and the ropes roy Allen and Blenker were swaying in -air. At that moment, however, a chorus of wild ells arose from the rear of the crowd, and, ooking around, they were startled tosee a band of horsemen sweeping toward them with the and wildness of Indians; a party number- ing fully thirty men, each one splendidly armed and bearing a gleaming revolver in each hand. It was unnecessary to tell the men of Red Bar who the horsemen were, ‘* Bullet Head! Bullet Head!” shouted a score of voices; and the words had a ring of fear which did not speak very well for the bravery of the Red-Barites. No time was there for thought and little for ay peerage for the road-agents were near at and with their chief at the lead. For once bis mask was off, but there was no doubt about bis identity. Athis right hand some of the men weeogpiend Wicked William. The bravest of the villagers drew revolvers, but when it was seen that the Bravo’s men were Fe to charge between the gallows-trees there Was a Simultaneous scattering of those who held the and asaresult Blenker came to the avcend in a heap. Allen was less fortunate, for the loose end of his own rope had caught on something and he remained tn, Then it was that Bullet Head thrust his re- volvers back into his belt and arose with cat- like agility to his saddle. Once there he re- Mained standing perfectly erect and without support, his horse going at full speed, and ax 7 his bowie-knife from his belt. re! Giving the order sharply, but himself disre- | ng it, Bullet Head swept forward like a , his knife-band raised and his gaze fixed on the swaying figure. There was a moment of suspense, enlivened by the crash of revolvers and the yelis of angry and exultant men—a truly Western scene—and then Bullet Head’s knife cut the rope, the sway- ing body fell and, caught by several stout out- laws, was borne away in triumph. _ The Red-Barites were no cowards, and as soon as they were sure eg were not to be trampled ied for work, but the ts were gone. _ Without having once paused for an instant, ward tbe mountains, en there was weeping and wailing in Red , to speak ratively, for it was found that not only had the outlaws’ lead done deadly work, but both of the condemned men were gone; and when Mr. Edmund Bartlett ws penage on the scene and learned all this he nearly made the miners blush with his profanity. | In the mean while, the road-agents were re- treating safely. Bullet Head had resumed his mask as soon as he cut down Allen, and the rough riders were working over the rescued - men. Wicked William, who had saved Blenker by leaning down from his saddle and picking him - in fine style, had elevated his whisky-flask t once when that worthy man opened his eyes; but Allen was not so easily resuscitated. Still, he bad hung but a comparatively short riod, and by the time they reached foot or the Besos BB. he, too, Neto | Blenker had already taken the precaution fo | question Wicked William, who had told what | the reader already knows, but who had thrown | the ex-detective into the deepest perplexity by describing bow Bullet Head received the news of their peril. ‘* He heered me quiet-like, but I c’u’d see bis eyes a-glintin’ ahind his mask, an’ he sez: *** We'll bevy them out on’t or reduce ther Bar ter ashes.’ ‘Puffectly fit an’ proper,’ sez I encourag- | in’ly. | **T’ll make ther place howl,’ sez he. ***T hopes as how you'll let ther red slayer slay,’ sez 1; but he ariz an’ went out, and purty cogn a found that they were preparin’ fur ther raid, Blenker was greatly perplexed by this ac- count. If Bullet Head was anxious they should die, and his course at the ravine during the storm could be construed no other way, why | had he now rescued them? The question remained unanswered when, an hour later, the return to the cave having been safely made, the Bravo sent for them to join | him in bis private room, _ Both had entirely recovered from their hang- ing. The Bravo motioned to Goliath, who placed chairs for them, and then abruptly said: ‘*It is necessary for us to have some talk as to the future. First of all, are you willing to make this cave your home for a while? Of course you will be free to come and go as you see fit, and when you have promised not to be- tray us I shall feel safe to leave you unwatched, the only restriction being that you shall use the same precautions to baffle outsiders that we our- selves use.” The detective and his friend remembered the affair at the ravine and did not feel like accept- ing the offer; besides, it looked altogether too full to be sincere. ‘*T fear our business will call us elsewhere,” said Allen. ** Not to Red Bar, however, if lam any judge,” said the chief, his beard moving in a smile, * Not openly, but we shall return there, in some sbape or other,” said Allen, firmly, a stern look crossing his face. “TI suppose you are thinking of Bartlett. I wish to k of that affair, also; in fact, [have been anxiously awaiting a chance. [ don’t like Bartlett, myself; in fact, I believe he bas made way with a man in whom I am interested; and Il am ready to help you in any attempt against him. You overrated my knowledge the other day. I do not know how Reginald Sinclair died, but if you want a place to compel Bartlett to tell, my cave is at your service.” ‘Pardon me,” said the ex-detective, slowly, ‘but are you not Thomas Quain?”’ The Bravo hesitated. ‘*IT won’t deny it,” he said, slowly, after a pause, **Then don’t you know how Sinclair died?” “Where did he beby you brough ere did you get the y you brought to your home that night?” ? ** From one who gave me no clew to its paren- tage. Perhapsif he could be found we might not oniy learn who the babe was but where Robert Sinclair now is.” Allen started to his feet. ‘* What?” he cried, excitedly. Bullet Head calmly repeated what he said. ‘Do you mean to say Robert Sincleir lives?” ‘‘T am not sure,” the outlaw answered. “ If I can find the man for whom I am searching I believe I can say to you, ‘ Robert Sinclair lives!’ but as I have before said I am afraid Bartlett has put him out of the way.” ‘Who is, or was, this man?’ Bullet Head hesitated. ** Well, it was Sinclair himself!” The announcement fell with startlin upon the hearer, but Blenker preserved ness. ** Did you see him?” “Yes. He came to Red Bullet Bar and I had some talk with him. He acknowledged, with- out suapeching Tom Quain was near him, that he feared for his life, but I was not prepared for the quickness with which the blow fell. The next morning he was missing from his hotel.” ipoade by Bartlett? ** Possibly he secretly left the town of his own accord, but I fear that Bartlett put him out of the way, as I before said.” And this was the amount of all that Bullet Head had to say. He seemed to talk freely and frankly, and they were almost inclined to be- lieve him, but at all times they felt a vague mppicion that he was speaking without a shadow of truth. He did not once refer to the affair in the ravine, so they did not mention it, but his show of friendship after that affair looked decidedly unreliable, Allen had never been more stirred up men- tally. Had he really been near where Robert Sinclair had trod only a few days before? It did not seem possible; viewing oro calm- ly, he was forced to admit that it loo as though Bullet Head was playing some deep game against him. force cool- CHAPTER XXVIIL MORE TROUBLE FOR MR. BARTLETT, THE going-down of the sun brought little con- solation to Edmund Bartlett. He bad fondly hoped to see his twoenemies hanged and buried by nightfall; but the unexnected interference - Bullet Head had seriously disarranged his plans. Allen and Blenker were once more at liberty, and with an unbounded will and power for do- ing miscbief. Having convinced all the village people that they were actually members of the Bravo's band, he went back to the house. If he felt any longing for the fair girl who had so long been i's light, and whom he had doomed to such a fate, he gave no sign, and his appetite for sup- per was excellent, He and Hester Ware bad the table to them- selves. Foolish Joe had reappeared; but he al- ways ate in the kitchen, dog-fashion, and no one bor Bartlett noticed bim. ** Uncle,” said Hester, as the meal neared an end, “‘ what sort of a place is that on the east side of the cellar?” She asked the question carelessly, without even looking at him; but he at once started, and bis knife went clattering to the floor. He had the presence of mind to employ some time in picking it up, but even bis face bore a seared look which did not escape ber notice, His start would have put a less observing per- son on the alert. ‘* What place?” be managed to ask, coolly. ‘‘ Really, | don’t know what you call it. I was moving a lot of trash in the store room, and thus discovered an iron ring on the floor. I lifted on it, and a circular bole was revealed in the floor. A puff of air ascended, which was worse than that of a sewer.” Hester had resumed her careless manner, but she was watching Bartlett closely, and she saw that he was a deal disturbed. Naturally, he was alarmed, for all of her assertions of loy- alty did not reconcile him to the idea of her knowing the secret of the iron vault. He had believed it securely fastened, but something had occurred to undo the work, ‘*'You have made a good comparison,” he said. ‘“ There is a drain there. This spo land has an oil element, which would otherwise render it useless, I had a drain made, which passes under one corner of the house, and ’twas that which tainted the air. There are rats in there half as large as a cat.” The last statement was made after a pause, and because he feared that his new heiress might take a fancy to explore the vault. What he said seemed to satisfy her, however, for no more was said; but the mine-owner did not forget it. After supper he secretly called one of his Chinamen, and took him to the store-room. There he placed him on guard at the door, di- recting him to watch well for intruders. Bartlett had cee procured a lantern and le, and he tied the former to one end of the atter, and then raised the cover of the vault. Hester had not exaggerated when she spoke of the air—it was nearly overpowe ; and Bartlett blessed the chance which made the oil- scent he had referred to of such as to counteract all else which might similarly arise. ‘* Dead!” be muttered, darkly; ‘‘ dead, a long while ago!” He lost little time, but lowering the lantern, speedily had a dim light in the vault, which was Let aided by the white walls, That light revealed a pail on the floor, and near it a long-handled paint-brush; and it also fell on two dark objects, one on each side of the vault, which looked marvelously like a man in shape. They were, however, prostrate and motionless, and the foulness of the air quickly caused the mine-owner to retreat. ‘*Dead!” he again muttered. ‘‘ Robert Sin- Clair is off the stage forever.” He secured the vault cover with extra care, moving the secret fastenings, which somewhat resembled a combination lock, until be was sure he could defy Hester’s prying curiosity. Then, dismissing his servant, he left the place. Half an hour later a visitor was announced. He came in, and Bartlett’s face darkened at sight of eth alias Lieutenant Darke, ““Good Heavens! what is wrong?’ he de- manded. ‘* Wrong?” — the caller, as though un- comprehendingly. “Yes, wrong. You should be fifty miles away. Why are you here?” Crisp tipped back in his chair in a contented Part changed ind ‘lL chan my mind, “ After I lett biare I decided that there was no earthly good in my running away. Why not marry Lila here as well as keene else? She was sure to make a row, anyhow, so I couldn’t see the sense of going beyond the limits of civilization.” ‘“ Where is she now?” ‘Up in the mountain, in a hut.” ‘* But, where?” ‘Excuse me one moment. Do you approve of what I have done?” ye ** Decidedly not. Some meddling fool will be cS (EOMMICELMOL) . ” he calmly replied. €o