Beadle's Dime Library No. 263 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

———s _— ass, and asked what could be done for Doctor ube and Ned. He half-expected [ron-Armed Abe to show indifference; but it was one of the Destroyer’s chief pleasures to thwart Diamond, He at once became thoughtful, ““T can get them out of the villageif their captors trust solely to bolts and bars,” he answered, ‘*T never stop for such trifles. But Diamond m»y set a guard over them, in which ease all would not work so well, I am, how- ever, at your service, and if King Diamond holds them, it would be because he has foreseen the interference of Iron-Armed Abe,” He smiled somberly. “IT take it you hate him a good bit,” said Griff, ‘**Hate? The word is weak. Nothing I can do will ever pay the debt, yet [ know he is living in torture day by day. He knows that he must die by my hand sooner or later, and every hour is a nightmare. He has it in bis heart to kill me, but be would not shed my blood for any money, Yet, he and his are doomed, Some day the demon of Smoky Mountain will arouse in bis might, and send out fire and destruction. The village below will be buried, and Golden Valley will be one level, barren plain of lava.” “What ef this should happen now, an’ turn us inter pillers an’ bed-ticks o’ salt, ez happened ter Lot’s wife?” “The demon will tell me when he is ready.” “Do yer talk with ther critter?” ‘““Ay. Often I stand over the crater with smoke and gases circling around me, and talk ‘with the demon.” The hunchback spoke calmly; but Griff saw that he was not wholly in. bis right mind. ‘‘T have sometimes wondered,” continued the Destroyer, what would be the fate of a man if tossed into the maincrater. How he would go down, down, down! And the demon would shout, and laugh, and send forth a cloud of ashes, It would be rare sport, Griff!” Griff corroborated the assertion, but he did not speak with any great enthusiasm If the hunchback had such a dangerous idea in his mind, there was no knowing bow soon he would see fit to put it in execution, and if it was tried, bis own proximity would throw him into promi- nence as a example for practice. The ‘veteran was bold and strong, but as he observed Abe’s great arms be knéw he had not been called the “ ron-Armed” without reason: But the day passed without a hostile mani- festation. They did not go any further from their quarters than to ascend to the top of the crater and look down on the village. They saw nothing there that was unusual. In the mountain, however, the Black Riders were visible, They were searching for Griff, but they searched in vain. Plans were laid for active service, and two hours after dark Griff and his ally left the Black Pit, The former had no clear idea of ow the rescue was to be accomplished, but Abe expressed utter confidence in bis ability, and the veteran went with the tide. If the worstgame he was an old ’Forty-niner, ps knew how to fight, or, if need be, how to ie. They descended Smoky Mountain leisurely, and advanced toward thetown. Half-way the hunebback left bis ally, and went. on alone to “* feel the pulse,” as he expressed it, of the men who followed King Diamond’s lead. He returned at the end of an hour. _ “Come!” he said. ‘‘The City of the Desert is enjoying a delusive slumber, and our time is athand. Let us strike!” CHAPTER XXIX. A SURPRISE FOR GRIFY, Tue veteran did not need a second invitation. e arose and took a forward step, but Iron- Armed Abe leaned on his rifle and remained like a statue. ' a | hope we shall succeed without being dis- covered,” he said, slowly, ‘for if there is trouble I do not know what I may do. The thirst for blood is strong within me’to-nicht. A voice seems calling to me to slay, slay, slay! When this is so I becomes unsteady and Jiable to forget. I may kill indiscriminately. Man, if you see my hand at bis throat, stay it if yo will. Stay it, for bis time is not yet come.” **Do you méan that thar Diamond?” — ‘The same,” . * Wall, 'll do my best, old man; but T hey my doubts ef it would do any good ef you got right up an’ howled in’arnest. But let’s go on an’ try our luck,” “Come, then, and I will try to still the voice.” ' He assumed his old air, except that he was more somber, and they went on. Griff, how- ever, shook his head as they walked, and tapped his forehead significantly for his own amusement, n “Mad!” he muttered; ‘‘mad as a March hare; an’ it’s wonderfully quar how much like Ther Wild be is. Ef they was off’m one stick they wouldn’t be more like. I take it this crit- ter is dang’rous in his spasm, though, whar’as Ther Wild was always ez gentle ez a mouse,” ' Jron-Arme told of somber ple d Abe, the Hunchback Destroyer. They crossed Golden Creek, and stood at the edge of the village, The whole place seemed sleeping; not a light was visible, Iron-Armed Abe soon made good his declara- tion that he knew every part of the place. He moved forward steadily, silently, safely, always seeming to know where lay the best path and where existed the least danger from the enemy. Once in the center of the place, Griff expected him to proceed to the building be bad pointed out as the prison, but he did nothing of the kind, Explaining that a strong force of Black Riders would un ee be on guard there, he bade his companion follow unhesitatingly. Griff obeyed, though tis composure wavered a little-when they reached a building Abe an- nounced as the home of Diamond. It was the same in which Doctor Rube had once been ordered to perform an amputation. It looked strong enough to resist anything weaker than a battering-ram, but the Destroy- er went down on his knees by a grated base- ment window and removed the grating easily. ‘They think it fast,” he said to Griff with a calm smile, . And then they entered. Griff knew they were in the lair of the lion, and prepared bimself for the worst. What would come no man could sey. He was trust- ing all to the hunchback, on whose part one false move would ruin all. Yet, it would fare ill with the man who first molested the veteran. Abe led on, and they ascended a stairway ; he went further and they entered a furnished room which was dark and silent. ‘Be very careful,” said the leader. ‘‘One incautious sound here would ruin all. J am about to show you the prince of all villains—if he is in his room—and you must govern your- self. Not but that [can goto his bedside and defy bim, but discovery would ruin your friends, Remember now to keep calm; you will see a lighted room and King Diamond!” He stistioll aside what appeared to be a piece of the solid wall and the lighted room was re- vealed. In one corner stood a bed and on the bed they saw a man. Captain Diamond was i nar at home. Tron-Armed Abe smiled in a wolfish way and pointed with bis long finger. Intense hatred was expressed in every feature, His enemy was sleeping soundly, and, lying on his right side, faced them. One hand was beneath his head; the other lay cutside the white spread, His face had never looked paler; the drooping of the long lashes added to the effect. But, far more noticeable than aught else, his great diamond blazed at his breast. He lay so that the lamp’s rays fell full upon it, and little, sharp gleams seemed to shoot out. Even when King Diamond slept, the serpent’s eye was active, . It was a strong picture; too strong for Griff, who was fearful it would end by the opening of Diamond’s eyes, He turned’to Lron-Armed Abe. The latter’s hands were working ner- vously, as though he longed to seize that white throat and cut short his span of life. Perhaps he feared to trust himself. He drew back, c.osed the panel and pulled his com- panion along. They left the room, descended the stairs and stood once more in the base- ment. “What a picture was that!” the Destroyer said, ‘*So must Satan look’as he sleeps. Un- easy lies King Diamond's head, however; 'tis from womanish fear he leaves his light burning. He would have a guard always there, except that he knows his rough fellows would no longer obey him if they knew bis weakness, Yet, he is a lion in battle; he fears no one except me.” There was aring in the Destroyer’s voice which re, but not of pride. He exulted in being able to punish his enemy, but not beéause his enemy was feared by other men. ‘*Ain’t be likely ter awake an’ ketch us?” asked Griff. | ** You don’t approve of my delay. Well, per- haps you are right; let us go on.” They went and Abe passed througha heavy wooden door and then along a passage. If Griff had ever read a romance of the Middle Ages he would bave been reminded of the castles and secret ways of that period, but he was unlearned and practical. At the endcf fifty yards the hunchback paused before another door. ‘* We are about to emerge into the basement of the building where your friends are confined. If we find any of Diamond’s tools there they must be silenced.” : ‘* Jest ez you say.” Griff did not speak cheerfully, for his ‘* doubts” were strong, but he knew it was no time for hesitation, , The Destroyer opened the door. A dark pass- age lay beyond, but after a cautious delay he introduced the light of their lamp in front and they wenton. The passage ended at another door; Abe slowly opened it and a lighted room wasrevealed beyond. It was not empty. Two men sat at a table, and were evidently guards on uty, or, more correctly, guards neglecting their duty, for both were asleep. Sb i ira ai 23 The hurchback made several motions by which Griff understood he was to stand over them with ready revolvers while bis companion sought for Rube and Ned; and he bad no sooner assumed the position than Abe disappeared through another door. Griff was far from being at ease. It is true he would have the advantage of striking first if the men awoke, and the helmet hats beside them proved that they were of the Black Riders; but be did not know what would be the resu t of a fight, or whether Iron-Armed Abe would stand by him, Several minutes passed and the men still slept acefully. The silence around wasso marked hat their breathing sounded unnaturally loud; Griff had never felt more ill at ease. At last footsteps were beard and the bunch- back reappeared, Doctor Rube and Ned Box- field were at bis heels, The meeting was a pleasant one, but Abe did not pause for an elaborate greeting. He mo- tioned to Griff to leave his post and the trio fol- lowed him along the back track. Hand-shaking was indulged in by all except the leader when the door was closed on the sleep- ing guards. Abe was in no mood for delay and BS ag et an apparently deaf ear on the thanks of all. ‘* We've got to return by way of Diamond’s bouse,” he said, ‘‘and the sooner we do it the better.” He led on, but Griff improved the a dbp to suggest to his younger friends that they leave the City of the Desert that night and forever. He had already learned that the valley kingdom was not to be despised, and be was also certain that Diamond would make sure next time he had them in his power, Doctor Rube, however, stopped Abe, ‘You remeniber,” be sa id, ‘‘ the girl of whom we have before spoken? I have discovered that she is even now in this town. Is it possible to Yorn and convey her to’ San Francisco?” he hunchback frowned, ‘This girl will be your ruin,” he harshly said. “@h the contrary, [intend to be bers,” said Rube, remembering how she had smiled on Diamond in the street. ‘She is playing a bold, audacious game, but I wish to put her in prison to reflect on it.” , ** What do you care?” Abe asked. ** Nothing, «xcept that she has stolen the in- heritance of a fed and worthy girl. 1 would see the wrong righted.” . Abe smiled coldly. ‘You mean well, but you are trying to de- ceive even yourself. You want to drag Leora Templeton to the dust because you are jealous ee of Diamond, alias St. Jerome, If it were not for that, you would be less zealous, ae m good sir; do not be hasty. What one of us is more than human? If Leora loved you, would, you wrest ber million away? Enough} let us refrain from argument. You say you went te taxe the girl captive. I will do the best I can not because | want to oblig> you, but because I hate Diamond and am anxious to do all I can to trouble bim.” This s one felt like advancing their private views after it, and Doctor Rube spoke very meekly as he said be would be grateful if the Destroyer would aid him as before ssid, None of them knew where Leora was to be np ah Sind ee re eet i. she ane mo ed he ie city as mond’s guest she wou ro in his house, and they would proces to look at n among numerous bells in which A perfectly at home. And yet, as much as Dia- mond knew of his power, be had never sus- pected that this place was open to bh Had he done so he would not bave relied on the midnight lamp to preserve him from harm. The bunebback finally paused before a closed oor, “Tf the adventuress is in the house I suspect she is within this room,” he said. ‘We will enter and see.” He laid his band on the knob, but it didi not weed. Then he drew 6 oie steel instrument from bis peeket and introduced it in the lock. Every one expected bim to open a clear road for them, but, instead, he suddenly vu beeled and extinguisbed the light.’ One moment they were in doubt as to his reason, in another instant a loud shout startled bis companions. They were discovered, and his keen ears had detected the fact before their eyes, , **Keep close to me and lose no time!” he hissed, in Rube’s ears. ‘‘ We must abandon the game for to night; we have enough todo tocare for ourselves,” He was burrying away before the last words bad been spoken, and the others readily fol- lowed. They bear sounds which showed! that the whole household was arousing, and they needed no urging to get away from so danger- ouMaey: had al , ey ha most reached the place through which Griff and Abe had entered when a an arose in their path, alight in one hand and a sort of saber in the other. One instant be ecomicbooks™ ch was 80 devoid of nonsense that no | once. Re-entering the main building they went on seemed im, - uy + “ of . 4 { r 4