Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 271 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

= nm | ne ee eg a e a -_ si 18 *“That’s what we want to know.” : for I am interested. You say you know this young man well. Now, make no mistake, but let us know all.” Blake replied without much of bis usual wild- ness, He said the man’s name was unknown to him, for in New York he had been called ‘Bowery Fred.” He was a sort of dandy blackleg in those days—not so very long before —and the ring with which he was connected de- rived great benefit from bis Lighly respectable looks and manner. At any other time Lockyard might have re- ceived such a statement from Bluke with a de- gree of doubt, for his mental condition rendered all uncertain, but as he bad but added to pre- vious sus*iciou it made a great difference. Ketchum, in particular, was much interested and nodded several times in succession. ** Would you be willing to confront this man and make your charges?” Lockyard asked. “Would I? 1 shall make the charge to bis face, and in the open street, in less than an hour,” the Deacon sternly said. ‘* Such men should not be allowed—” ‘*Pardon me,” interrupted Lockyard, “ but Ihave another plan. I believe Bennett, as we will call him, to be engaged in another scheme, and that, too, one leveled against me. Will you aid me to entrap him in the act?” *““No! I will warn him in time so that he may not add another crime to his long list,” Blake declared. Olid Ketchum took him by the sleeve, **Now, hold on, Deacon, bold on! Catch hold of this case before you go too fast. We are having a grand tug of war and we must not —nay, we will not lose. Our cause is a just one and it is your duty to uphold it, while as for Bennett, I reckon he’s a gone coon—excuse my foree—anyhow, and one more crime won’t count.” The old lawyer spoke eloquently, but it took more than this to win the day. Blake was at first stubborn, and old Ketchum worked bimself almost into a fever, but he knew bow to move the public and he converted Deacon Stonefist. In the end, the latter not only joined the ma- jority but offered his aid. He bad been told that the other men suspected a robbery was contemplated, and he was anxious to ‘crush the iniquitous plot,” as he expressed it. Ani so it was decided that young Mr. Ben- nett should be admitted to the mouey-lender’s house—end watched, Blake and Ketchum left the house separately, s0 as to give no hint to a possible watcher, The former, going first, did not speak to Zora but directed a most freezi ig glance toward her. It ty lost, however, for she did not raise her head, Ketchum waited a little, and the money- lender was anxious he should. He had some doubts whetber Blake was sufficiently sane to be trusted, but the lawyer decided that he was, “Deranged he certainly is, but there is a method in his madness and I am not sure but we have secured a really valuable ally.” After Ketchum was gone it became necessary to take Zora into his confidence, and this ber father did, fully, except that be did not men- tion that one subject which she believed was worrying bim. The pirl was surprised, but she rallied with the quickness of her nature. Her first thought was of Allen Sterling, and she presented the robability that he was in great danger, if be faa been taken away by wen not officers of law, so strongly that Lockyard lost what com- posuro he had left. Then, coming to the plot proper, she» de- nounced ber father’s plan soundly. She had confidence in neitier Blake nor Ketchum and was of the opinion they were the leaders of the plot and that the so-called plan to trap Bennett was but an artifice to get him into the house to work for them, Her vigorous onslaught completely demoral- ized the money-lender and he turned the key of the outer door and went to bed. There was something laughable about all this, but Lock- yard did not feel like laughing. After his placid life it was a severe turn of the tide which threw him into plots, counterplots and mys- teries at his time of life. The tug of war might be all rigbt for youn- ger, bolder heads, but he did not like it. CHAPTER XXIII. KELLOGG COMES TO GRIEF. Wuen Lockyard recovered his wits a little he saw several new poiots to be considered in the counterplot, and, disregarding Zora’s ad- vice that they pack their goods and get away from Big Nugget Bend as soon as possible, he went over to see the lawyer, The office door was locked, and a singular tramping about followed his knock, but after some delay the key was turned and a voice bade him enter. He went in and found Ket- chum industriously washing his face, his back Pitty doe Louk ard,” he said, through the own, e ’ & “Tl be able to talk coherently in a mo- An new?” Stonefist, of Big Nug rrr ———ee.e ee ———=_=_—_—_—_—_—_—_—_—_—_—_—_ OOOO DLL LE LL Ss The visitor explained why he had called, while Ketchum scrubbed away at his face as though it was the office floor instead. The lull gave Lockyard a chance to look about, and thus it was that he chanced to see an old and battered hat lying ina chair; a bat very different from the one the lawyer usually wore and more suitable for a very dilapidated tramp. Mr. Iockyard was not a very observ- ing man, but be was struck by the idea that hats and heads usually go together; and that, as there was a strange bat in the office, there must be a strange man there also. He looked under the table and bebind the chairs, but no man was visible. But, at one side, was a small door, as of a closet, and he was convinced that Ketchum had hurried a man in there to get him out of sight; hence, the tramping he bad heard. All this was suspicious and be decided that he was not being fairly dealt with; that Zora was right when she formed the opinion that the lawyer was in the plot to rob them. He looked at Wisecraft. He still stood by the basin scrubbing his face, and kyard won- dered he did not go through the skin. He used some liquid from a bottle, too, which was as Jit- tle understood. Lockyard formed a resolution, and when his companion turned, bis face red and glowing, his cheerful remark that he was ready tor busi- ness was blighted by an early frost. “Tam not sure I have any business to trans- pe money-lender coldly said. “ 2 ‘*Mr. Wisecraft, you are not dealing fairly witb me,” ‘*The dickens I’m not! What do you mean?” ‘* Simply that I refuse to talk here while you bave a man sbut up in your closet!” ‘‘A man in my closet!” echoed Ketchum, ‘* There is no man there.” “Then how do you account for that hat?” Fatber Lockyard spoke very get 8 for him and pointed to the disreputable looking head- covering with an accusing finger. Ketchum looked a little at a loss for a mo- ment and then laughed aloud. “Oh! that was left here by a drunken miner who called to secure my services to compel Parrott to furnish bim liquor on eredit. When I told him it couldn’t be done he became angry, dashed down his hat and left. I’m keeping the sombrero for him. I'll convince you thefe is no roan in the closet, Come!” He led the way and, somewhat ashamed, Fa- ther Lockyard followed, looked and saw noth- ing but clothing, Yate ca for his erroneous suspicion and put all doubt behind. The two sat down to talk. It was agreed that Bennett should begin work at once, and that watch should be kept over the office rey night. Ifa burglary was to be commitied it would be done very soon—before word could come from Denver that the so-called arrest of Sterling was a sham. So it was arranged that, the next night, the two men should remain awake and watch for burglarious symptoms. Some time was devoted to talking about Sterling, for they agreed that his life was pro- bably in peril—or already lost—but Wisecraft said he bad already put a capable man on the trail of the kidnappers and they could do no more, And then the money-lender returned to his office, as his new clerk-elect would soon call for his answer. No sooner was he gone than Ketcbum pitched the battered bat into the closet. “Narrow escape, that,” he muttered, ‘‘ and the old man was sharp enough to draw con- clusions; but | reckon he does not suspect any- thing now.” That afternoon Althea Lawrence closed her school, and all the pupils went out except Betty Pollack. Then in walked another person, and Horace Kellogg stood before her, bis bat off, and an assumption of politeness over all, but with traces of a less pleasant spirit lurking around his mouth and eyes. ** Good-evening, Miss Lawrence,” he said. Althea was too much astonished to answer in any way except mechanically, ** Good-evening, sir.” “‘ | called around to ask if you’ve beard the news.” * 7 don’t know that I have,” she coldly re- ed, “Young Sterling is arrested.” Althea started, giving ample proof that the information was not received with indifference, and then she turned on the fellow with a dan- gerous light in her eyes. “Upon your charge, sir?” ‘* Unfortunately, no. I say unfortunately, be- cause what I know of him would not keep bim shut up a great while. But the real cause—ah! that’s more serious!” He waited for her to question him, but she would not satisfy him enough for that and he had to resume. ‘Officers from Denver arrested him this morning. It seems he was employed in some get Bend. $$$ $$$ ____________-—_. - sg | covered that he appropriated their funds while | with them, In all probability itisa teu years’ affair; ten years bebind the bars!” Kellogg spoke with a show of forbearance, but he could not bide his joy and low satisfac- tion. His bated rival was out of the way, he was breaking the news to the woman they both aspired to win, and it was a triumph just suited | to his nature, But Althea gave no sign that it was evil news toher. Perhaps she did not care. At any rate, she did not doubt but Sterling bad been arrest- ed, but ber calm face expressed no sorrow and she made no reply. Kellogg vaited in vain for her to say some- thing, and her composed manner, as she put on her bat, robbed bim of half bis triumph. "You take it coolly,” he said, seeing she was gong to say nothing. ‘* How would you have me act? Of course, I am sorry for the young man. If be is guilty, I pity his weakness; if he is innocent, 1 pity his misfortune.” ‘‘This is a burlesque to blind my eyes,” Kel- logg hotly exclaimed, ‘‘ Deny it as you may, I know Sterling is your lover!” ‘* Sir,” said the teacher, her steady face flush- ing, ‘‘there is a limit to my forbearance, I have borne a good deal from you; more than I shall bear in addition. Had Ia brother you would not dare insult me; were Il a man, you would insult me but once!” She faced him then, standing proudly erect and her lofty scorn touched even bis hardened nature—not with remorse, for he was past that: but with a shame which was forced upon bim. He mumbled something indistinct and bis eyes fell before hers, but Betty Pollack could hold her peace no longer. “Say the word, teacher, an’ I'll fo fur my old man; he’ll wallop him tur you, jest as easy as nothin’!” It was an unlucky speech, Kellogg raised his head with even a more dangerous light in bis eyes. ‘Tf any one wants to try it, let them come on!” he cried. ‘‘ As for you, my lady, your airs are high and mighty, but I don’t care a pica- rave for them and I swear to bring your y aughty head low before I am through with ou! The threat bad scarcely passed bis lips when another footstep than theirs sounded on the floor and they turned tosee Bartholomew Blake. His gaze was fixed upon Kellogg and, if possi- ble, bis expression was more severe than usual, ‘‘In this degenerate age,” he said, at once, giving each word a clear and deliberate pro- nunciation, ‘‘crime follows Wherever man goes and man is but little better than the brute. You, sir, seem to have surpassed your fellows in the art of ruffianism. You have insulted a wo- man, and though I know little to her credit your conduct is base and unmanly; more than that, it is such that only an apology can make it rigbt. Down on your knees, sir, and ask for pardon!” ' Steady as the ticking of a clock and like lumps of ice fell the words from Deacon Stone- fist’s lips, while bis steel-like eyes looked into Kellogg’s and, though passionless, seemed to pierce him like a keen auger boring through and through. Kellogg felt like one with the nightmare, but he would not yield while Althea stood before him. ‘¢ 1] see you in perdition, first!” be retorted. ‘Miserable wretch, you but add to your fault. Apolog ze!” Cold and calm as ever fell the words, but. Kellogg lost all prudence. Clinching bis fist he struck out for Blake’s face—struck, and nothing more. Blake scarcely moved his body at first, but somehow Kellogg’s wrist fell into bis white, slender band, and was stopped as though caught. in a vise; then, with a second motion, be bore the fellow to bis knees, and held bim with a strength against which struggling was useless, ‘Once more,” said Deacon Stonefist, without a ripple of excitement, ‘‘ apologize /” Kellogg was white as snow; pever was man more torn and buffeted by passion—a fury of anger for which there seemed to be no fitting term—and yet bis voice was but a husky whis- per as he replied: * Never!” Then Biake raised him to a level with his shoulders, seeming to find the weight but a trifle, and dashed him prostrate to the floor. Betty Pollack uttered a whoop of satisfaction, but Altbea was very pale and trembled violently. Twice she unclosed ber lips to speak, but not a word did she utter. But the spell was broken and she gave a cr of alarm as Kellogg bounded to his feet, bis. eyes blazing, and, snatching a revolver from an inner pocket, he presented it to Blake’s head. with a bissing cry: “Die, you crazy hound, die!” CHAPTER XXIV. THE DEACON’S VICTORY—NEWS FROM STERLING. was reason for Althea to cry out, if she had a human regard for her champion, for murder was in Horace Kellogg’s heart. And —f> sort of a bank there and the firm has just dis- 4 Ps ia (eCoyanilicelexete)<s (EO) Mat