Beadle's Dime Library No. 258 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

is man was Prada ec ingu 8 Bullet Head, the Col eee orado Bravo; ~9 other for a new grapple, but the comparative silence of the room was broken by a new sound. Crack! crack! crack! Three times a revolver spoke viciously, and at the last report the man in Allen’s grasp gave a little spring, his hold loosened and he fell to the Allen recognized the danger of the indiscrimi- nate firing in which Garland was indulging and called to him to stop, as the danger was all over, and produce a light in place of his re- volver. Excited as the old man was he started to obey at once, as was proved by the sound of his heels striking the floor. Allen’s hopes seemed frustrated, but the rulin assion was not easily destroyed and he resolv make one more effort; so glided toward the chair where he felt sure he would find the law- yer's coat. He was not mistaken. The coat was there, and, running his hand into the breast-pocket he found one letter, as it seemed to be. yond a doubt it was that for which he was search- ing. He had been given barely enough time to con- ceal it when a sudden glire of light flooded the room as Eben succeeded in lighting the gas. An impressive scene was revealed. Garland stood under the gas-jet, the stub of his match in one hand and a revolver in the other, and Allen stood by the chair, his gaze directed toward where he had expected to see his late antagonist, The latter was not there. Th. shrill voice of the lawyer at oncé an- nounced that he had discovered him and his scinting finger directed his supposed nephew’s aze to one of the windows, There the un- own was to be seen, the red trail along the floor telling of a laborious crawl to reach it, and as he looked back, bis manner a mixture of ap- mae and fury, he was impressive, if not Doble, His burly frame, brutal features and slovenly dress, all Seaanges the typical rough. ‘We have him! we have him!” added the lawyer, in an excited manner. ‘‘ He is wound- and cannot escape. Seize him, Allen, seize im! The rough made an attempt to raise himself, but only succeeded in writhing like a maimed snake. Badly indeed must he be wounded since he could not pass the open window.” ‘it will be best to calla policeman,” said Allen, The intruder, who bad been looking fixedly at the old lawyer, laughed harshly. ‘* Better not do it, Eb Garland,” he said, ‘‘ or too much my be learned by it. There are some ges in your life ihiah you don’t want nown,” ‘Your artifice won’t work,” said Garland who really believed this miserable wretch in. capable of mischief. ‘* You have come here to commit robbery, or worse, and the law shall _ deal with you rigorously.” ‘‘In that case,” retorted the man, ‘‘I shall tell the true story of the murder of Reginald Sinclair. I know where to find Tom Quaim” His words fell forcibly on both his hearers. Allen found his suspicions confirmed; he found additional proof that the world had never known the true story of the Sinclair tragedy; and, best of all, this man asserted that he knew where Tom Quain was to be found. As Oo: the ather hand, the ereyer's leathery face rown pa: dant alert” pa-e and be seemed a good ‘It is true I came here burglariously,” added the unknown, as no one answered bim. “but I have not gained anything by it, and have, per- haps, got my death-wound. By arresting me you can shut me up for ten years, but if T don’t shut you up, too, l’ma liar, You hear me?” ‘‘Tam nota bard man and have no desire to prosecute you,” said the lawyer, meekly, “J would prefer that you have a chance to re- The burglar laughed. ‘You're a sensible man. Well, I must have a carriage and a doctor. Summon the former at once. eommanding voice was overlooked by both his hearers, and Allen promptly stated that he would attend to that; and as a servant appeared at the door the order was given. Perhaps you had better go in person,” said Garland; but his object was so obvious that his nephew declined. aving formed plans of his own with which the burglar was intimately connected, he did not intend to give the crafty lawyer a chance to pay his silence. : The carriage arrived in due time and the wounded man was carried down by Allen and the servant, His hurt was one which disabled but did not place him in any danger, but it was necessary that it should be seen to at once. Without wasting any hypocritical words, the youn kept in his company until the wound poy fred where he wished burglar asked, fretfull aw not without an object.” Afi this attention is me “ You are right,” said Allen, coolly,, “ Eben Garland has directed me to see where you stop. ay pease the old rascal would try to play some trick upon me,” was the angry reply. ‘‘T am not particular about aiding him,” said Allen, calmly. ‘ There is little sympathy be- tween us, and if you will answer two questions I will leave the carriage and you may go where you will, unwatched.’ ‘* What are the questions?” ‘‘ What is the true story of the Sinclair trage- dy, and, where is Thomas Quain?” Naturally, the burglar became more suspicious and declined to answer, and it was not until they had had a long conversation that he came to the conclusion that his companion was speak- ing truthfully. Despite his hold on Eben’s fears, the man was himself thoroughly afraid of the lawyer, whom he knew to be as remorse- less as he was cunning. and he was not at all 1h to help those who were working against im. He spoke frankly at last and confessed that he knew practically nothing of the Sinclair trage- dy. e had, however, once heard Tom Quain say, in bis cups, that there was a mystery about the affair—one which would bring Eben Gar- Jand and Edmund Bartlett to grief if it was known. When Allen was convinced that this was the sum and substance of his knowledge he proceed- ed to the second item, The burglar had boasted that he could tell where Quain was, Where, then, was he? ‘‘ At Red Bullet Bar, Colorado,” was the reply. “He has a paying office there. He has a gang of road-agents under him, and all obey his orders without question.” ‘“t Does he figure under his own name?” ‘No; he is known as Bullet Head; any one there can tell you all about him.” More questions Allen asked, and all were answered in a way he felt sure was frank and truthful, and then the young man came to a conclusion, Chance had shown him the whereabouts of Thomas Quain; he would go to Red Bullet Bar and find bim. As for the burglar, it was certain he would do his best to meen out of Garland’s way, and it would not be hard to blind the lawyer as to the part he, Allen, intended to play. As the old man believed him to be his nephew there seemed to be no reason why he should suspect that the avenger was on the track. CHAPTER X. LILA, WE left Bullet Head, the road-agent chief, just as he stood over his captive with a drawn nife, resolved by so_ e freak of his somnambu- listie state to deal a fatal blow; and Lila Bart- lett, wrapped in a sleep no less profound re- mained unconscious of her danger. In another moment the outlaw would have struck home, but something—we will not pre- tend to name the cause—made the girl at that instant open her eyes. She saw that which would have startled even a stronger-nerved person; the sight of the stout man with his upraised knife sent a thrill of hor- ror over her and shriek after shriek of terror pealed from her lips, | The first cry thoroughly aroused Bullet Head. | He staggered back, the knife fell from his hand and striking point first, remained pouty 2p the i eee floor; and with his hands clasped over his face he reeled back to the wall. Here, the sharp collision swept away what remained of the cloud on his mind, but there was still a look of horror on his face as he con- templated the scene before bim. Miss Bartlett had arisen to a sitting position, from which she did not seem able to rise; and the sight of her, ether with that of the knife, told gre to the somnambulist. “Merciful Heaven! what did I try to do?” The words fell huskily from his lips, but she did not answer. Prisoner that she was, rudely torn from her bome, her situation was so full of horror that she had no words at her command. He, however, was not long in regaining a meas- ure of his calmness. ‘ This is not a case where a simple request for ait will avail anything,” he then said; ** but wish to explain that I am not asbad as I seem. I am a sleep-walker, and that is why you found me here; I was wholly unconscious of my own movements, I will now retire and you shall be left alone the rest of the night; have no fear. Are you quite comfortable?” His voice had a rough kindness which dis- | pelled a good deal of Lila’s alarm. | How can a captive be comfortable?’ she | asked. You have not been i] used?” Only that I have been abducted. One can- not be contented in captivity.” . It is a necessity,” he answered, hoarsely. We cannot walk over roses all the time in this life; my own has been far from happy.” What do you wish?” she continued. ‘Am I kidnapped to obtain money? If so, I beg that pe wil send word to my father, Mr, Bartlett, at once, ‘*T have already thought of that,” said Bullet Head, coolly. _ ‘‘ Believe me, I am not blind. By the way. you have a stranger stopping with you now, [ believe.” | From under his heavy brows the road-agent watched the girl keenly, noticing every change of her features, but he saw only a mild surprise. “No,” she answered; ‘ there is no one there.” “* But there has been lately?’ “No. No stranger bas visited us for weeks.” The outlaw looked at her keenly. His knowl- edge of the case then engaging his attention in- clined bim to doubt the statement, but the eyes of the girl were so honest-looking that he wavered. He wanted to be barsh and severe with her, but those same eyes quelled his fierce spirit in spite of himself. ‘‘ Where was your father last night?’ he ab- ruptly continued. ‘In his room, I sup I retired at nine and left him in the sitting-room.” ‘* And you saw him no more?” ‘* Not until morning.” “Did you hear anything about the house any unusual noise, after that?’ | She answered in the negative, and then, as erie fa annoyed at the questioning, curtly ad : . ‘‘-You seem to be very curious. I judge that ou are Captain Bullett, of the road-agents. n that case, what have you to do with my father, or with his house?” ; The outlaw laughed lightly. “T knew your honored parent before you were born, young woman. We were friends, then, to a certain degree, but I don’t claim the honor now. Never mind that, however. I ac- cuse your father of having made way with a man of my acquaintance, and I wish to learn something about him—” | She interrupted with a short, unmusical lauge. “You are a fine specimen of a preacher!” she said, sarcastically. “Better reform yourself before you turn your eloquence upon others,” ‘*Many of us offer room for improvement,” Bullet Head calmly answered. ‘1 don’t blame you for showing a little temper, in return for which forbearance you must exeuse me from trying to pass as a saint.” e wheeled abruptly, at the last word, and though Lila called to him, left the room. His footfalls were heard for a moment and then all became silent. The captive knew she had narrowly escaped a great peril, but she felt strangely calm after it. Somehow, the manner of the outlaw was not so severe as his words would indicate, and though his sudden departure had deprived her of a chance to ask information regarding her future, she felt less fear than the dreaded name of Bul- let Head was supposed to create, vie At the same time she was not pleased with her captivity and sbe would have hailed any chance to escape. She was of a naturally brave nature, and her situation had not served to de- crease her energy. . She resolved to remain awake the remainder of the night, but scarcely half an hour had elapsed after Bullet Head’s departure when a footstep outside the door was followed by the entrance of a man who clearly proved that she could not call herself safe while in the cave, — The intruder was of a slighter form than the outlaw chief, and Lila arose with an apprehen-. sion sbe would not have felt at sight of him; while the mask which covered his face was n in any degree De nitehen 3 He extended one han deprecatin : “Pray be seated, miss,” he said, politely. “Tn such a place as this, ceremony is not neces- sary. Here, in the stronghold of the moun- taineers, men and women are measured by what they are rather oe oe they seem,” ite was a somewhat singular address, under the circumstances, but p ausible as was his mgnner Lila did not feel disposed to trust him; Did you come from Captain Bullet?’ she asked. ‘ ‘“Scarcely. Iam here as your friend rather than that of the notorious Ballet Head.” qj * Are you not of bis band?” ‘Vues “ Yes. ’ Le “Then what—why—” | hs ‘*T am bere as your friend,” the masked man added, with emphasis. ‘‘ Asa member of the band I know a good deal of the chief's affairs, You will remember how he questioned you. Well, one of his friends bas disappeared, and he lays the blame at your father’s door—” ‘Who was his friend?’ Lila interrupted, uickly. ie : ‘‘A stranger in this section; a man named Abram Belford,” answered the mask, looking at her keenly. be Her face clouded; her disappointment was so evident that the man did not pursue the idea that was in his mind. . ‘ Bullet Head is resolved to rescue this Bel- ford,” he continued, ‘‘and that’s why he has stolen you. He ‘swears that unless tells where Belford is, you shall grow gray in this cave.” ~ Iam sure my father knows nothing of Bel- ford. ‘‘ Bullet Head believes he does.” (E| 0\(6)(6) ‘Ss €olm = - ’ (Elo)