Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 271 — page 22: what you’re looking at

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

| | + 22 ee of them. But he knew they were disguised, and believed he could pick out each one despite their pains at making- oe “Ts ther coast cl’ar?” asked a muffled voice. ‘All serene, my lord,” Bennett flippantly answered, ‘An’ they are all asleep?” ““Reckon they are; 1 haven’t heard a peep for three hours,” “Well, hev you gained any information?” “ I’ve kept my eyes open,” said Bennett, * but I reckon the bulk of the gold is in the inner office. There isn’t over ten dollars in the mon- ey-drawer; butin the inner office, as I said be- fore, I smell a mice. There is a stout chest there—a sort of backwoods safe; and as it is easily cracked, I reckon it’s worth the try- ing. ‘Let’s be after it, then,” said an impatient voice, which Lockyard ae recognized as that of his nephew. e don’t want to be fooling around nie a)l nigbt.” ‘Go slow,” said the muffied voice. “I’ve been in a right smart lot o’ sech ventur’s, an’ I tell ye, slow an’ sure does ther business.” ‘* That’s Bowery style,” said Bennett, with the air of a veteran bousebreaker. Kellogg uttered a curse, and, perhaps, regis- tered a vow to be something more than a fifth wheel when the money was in his bands—poor fool!—bat said no more and followed at the heels of his companions. When they entered the inver office, Ketchum and Father Lockyard deserted their post and silently descended, reaching the outer air by another way. There they had been told by Bartholomew Blake they might expect him, but he was not to be seen. “Now,” said Ketchum, quickly, run for ‘help. Til stay here to watch, and we will have the whole gavg in our hands in just about five minutes.” Lockyard beard and started to obey, but he had gone but a few rods, and not quite to the house he was first to visit, when be heard a great clatter behind bim. What it was he had no trouble in surmising, and be comprehended that it would alarm the robbers; so he turned and ran back, And what of the robbers? They reached the inner office without trou- ble, and found the chest Bennett suspected con- tained fifty thousand dollars or more, They bad the tools to open it, and threeof the four knew how to use them, and two attacked the lock, while one of the others held the lantern. It was but a short time when ash click announced that the bolt bad shot back; but just as they were congratulating themselves on the fact, the supposed money-safe turned into a music- box, and a tune (a rung out which slightly resembled the sound of a cracked drum. The stout robber uttered an oath and wheeled about. He knew the plot bad failed, and his only desire was to get out of the place without being seized and recognized. He bad three willing followers and the quar- tette rushed headlong through the office. Tne bar was thrcewn away and out they went. The stout robber saw a human form near at band and promptly discharged his revolver. The unknown fell and the robbers fled down the street. They did not pause until a safe distance had been placed between them and danger, and when they did it was seen that they numbe but three. ‘¢Whar’s Bennett?” demanded the stout man. “Somebody seized him!” sbivered Horace Kellogg, ‘‘and I think it was Deacon Stonefist, Oh! Jack, we’re in a pickle now!” “Stonefist!” said Jack, with a scowl; ‘ what's that galoot got ter do with this matter? Durn his bide! h oil find a lump o’ lead athwart bis deck one 0’ these fine days.” ‘This is no time for ewpty words,” said War- field tn Aber ey “I'm going to get back to the ‘do you ou’re skeered,” said Bunker, vicious- ly, “bat I don’t keer a cuss fur all Big Nug- get Bend. What I do want to know, hows’- ever, is how ther fiends all our plans get knock- ed out so. 1 neversee’d ther like on’t. Big an’ little, they fail when Moe should succeed, Now, I telt've Lockyard’s folks knowed we war comin’. Ther man [I popped over was a-layin’ fur us—l made him “* fur bimself. Now, then, who is ther galoot that’s playin’ bis keerds ainst us?” unker was in ded earnest, but neither of bis allies would stop then to consider the matter. They were thorougbly alarmed and anxious to reach their burrows, so away they went. But the leading plotter did not forget the suspicion which was in bis mind. “Thar is somebody playin’ keerds dead against me. Who? Ther Lord only knows. Kin it be Blake? Kin it be he bez brains enough ter do this an’ do it so well? Bah! this is non- sense; he was only on ther scene by chance. But 1 must keep an eye out; ther inemy is wal mene, though | 1 stake my life Jack Bunker And the follow went to his cabin. In the meanwhile, Lockyard, returning to the office az before described, saw Old Ketchum slowly regaining his feet, but at one side two other men were standing ‘and he recognized one as Bartholomew Blake. The second person seemed to be his prisoner, and as Lockyard looked closer be recognized bis well-recom mended clerk, young Bennett. **No!” Biake was saying, severely. ‘* This is @ case where the law must take its course. I cannot let you go free. I have talked to the men of the Bend about their sins and talked in vain, and it is time to make an example.” “TI give you a hundred dollars to release me,” panted Bennett, who had tried the Deacon’s mien 6 to his satisfaction—or want of satisfac- tion, ‘“‘We'’re not speculating now,” said Old Ketchum, crossly. ‘‘ One of your partners saw fit to give me a bullet, and only a thick skull saved me, Perhaps fag neck is strong enough to save you. Take him inside!” They went and found Zora already striking a light. When this was done Ketcbum’s wound was cared for. He had, indeed, bad a narrow escape, and blood flowed’ freely from bis wound, but it was not ove he need worry about, During this lull in events Blake kept his hold on the prisoner, but the latter had relapsed into sullen silence and would not answer a word. He was put through the usual list of ways adopted to make men “talk,” but threats and persuasions were alike received. ‘Just as you say ”"gaid the lawyer, Sol sniff, ‘‘but you will live to besorry. If would make a clean breast of it you would your future a good deal smoother-shod,” Bennett, however, was not to be moved from his adopted stand. He bad been educated to the belief that it was unmanly to give informa- tion in regard to accomplices, and as soon as be nae time to think he became as stubborn as a mule, Stranpely enough, Ketchum was pleased at this. epnett confessed, bis accomplices would naturally be arrested or driven out of town, and the old lawyer had his reasons for wanting Jack Bunker to have bis liberty a little while longer, A net was drawing around the chief plotter, and those who stood by it did not care to have bim entra pecoe before the proper time. Little aoe yee suspect Ketchum had carefully Paani matters so that the chief thieves could escape. The disturbance had not been sufficient to arouse any of the neighbors, and if was agreed that Bennett should be kept in the house until morning. Blake went bis way, after telling the prisoner where bi; wickedness would prob- ably lead bim to, and the house of the money- lender assumed its old aspect, But the well recommended clerk from Den- ver was in the toils. Se CHAPTER XXIX. THE MAN FROM RED HORSE. THE previous day, just befere dark, a man ar- rived at Big Nugget Bend and put up at ne rott’s Hotel. He looked Jike a typical rough, but he paid in advance, and Parrott would not pane eared if he bad been a dozen roughs in El re istered, ina sprawling hand, as “‘ Dick Doyle, fr Horse.” be fol leanine morning Mr. Doyle arose at an early bour and put on his clothes—and some- thing more. By saying this we refer to a wig and false b . without which Mr, Doyle stood revealed as ates, of the mountain pair. ** Now, then,” be muttered, ‘* baving squared up the account with nature by means of a good sleep, I'll go and jook after neighbor Warfield. Warren will bold young Sterling prisoner, and I will discover what our man is driving at, and try to get in for a share of the plunder. Think [ll walk over to old Lockyard’s, first cf all, and see what they’re doing without their worthy clerk, Let. me see—where’s my Dick Doyle dialect? ‘Gents, I’m all ther way from Red Hoses, an’ ’m a cyclone come down ter play ther lamb—ef you don’t treadon me. Ef you de, l'm a man that must hev a cadaver afore breakfast ev’ry day. That’s me—Dick Doyle!” Mr. Yates laugbed ligbtly, and bavinug ar- ranged himself so that he looked the character he essayed to fill, went down to the bar-room. As inck. would have it, Gideon Warfield entered at the opposite door at the same time. Parrott saw bis well-dressed guest, but over- looked the man from Red Horse. ¥ beanie at Mr. Warfield, how do you, sir, and what will you take? My treat, you know, the news?” ce No. " Warfield leaned one elbow on the bar and held up the glass-of liquor so he could look through it. Dick Doyle sat down by the stove, lit his ee and watched him seeretly. We bad an attempted robbery last night. Several villains broke into Loc ’s loan office and tried to go through it.” Dick Doyle could not avoid a start, but War- field did not betray emotion by so much as the moving of a finger. Stonefist, of Big ______- Stonefist, of Big Nugget I Bend. rr ‘*T trust they were foiled,” he said, calmly. “They were. A burglar-alarm aroused the house and one of the villains was caug ght. oa ‘Then the others will soon be foun “T don’t know about tbat. The man they bave won't open his mouth to say a word, ay, yes or no; and if he holds to his grip the others may go scot free.” arfield breathed freer; but Dick Doyle smiled grimly from behind a cloud of smoke. He was willing to swear be could name another of the criminals if circumstances ever made it to his interest. Parrott told the story of the robbery, as near as he knew it, and Dick Doyle, at least, heard with interest. “Strange that robbers should molest the old man,” said Warfield. ‘He is not worth pluck- ing, Pig 8 is be?” e lacks a good deal of being a rich man, and bis loans to the boys never exceed twenty-five dollars, lt is a shame be should be molested!” ‘“‘That’s so,” said Warfield; and he lit a cigar and went out. Yates, alias Dick Doyle, smiled grimly and followed as soon as was prudent. There was quite an excitement in the village, and everybody Wanted a view of the prisoner, He had been confined in a cabin and placed in charge of trusty men, and there it was under- stood he was to remain for trial, The neme of Judge Lynch bad been mentioned as a fit person to preside, but Father Lockyard voted this idea down very promptly. He would not listen to suggestions of vio- ence. Doyle managed fo srrive at the prison-cebin at the same time Warfield did. The latter did not suspect tue rough-looking fellow from Red Horse was bis Jate ally, avd he went to the place to face Big Nugget Bend, as it were, But Doyle felt sure there would te important looks, if not signals, between bim aid the prisoner, and he resolved tosee them. He did read hey other men were there for the same "Warfield walked coolly in, smoking his cigar, and faced his less fortunate confederate in crime. Bennett had been given a pipe and was smoking it with a coolness learned in tbe Bowery. and no one bed seen bim waver, but pigs ceased to search the crowd for his allies, Just in front of him Warfield paused and looked at him as curiously as though he bad been a museum wonder. Bennett did not cease smoking, nor look at bis visitor directly, but he knew very well be was there. And so did Dick Doyle. He was watchin the two like a cat. His patience was rev arded, for by-and-by he began to detect motions. They were mostly made by Warfield, and though rather vague, were interpreted by Doyle to be an injunction to the prisoner to keep up his spirits and reveal nothing, and before a great while be would be released. Warfield went outside and Doyle tollowed. They were just in time for anotber sensation. The man sent by Sterling’s friends to pain pews of him had come in and brought a horse with him. He was explaining to Lockyard what he had learned, ““This hyar hoss was found loose nigh Deer- hoof Bar, It is one o’ ther three stabled there by ther self-styled Denver detectives while they come on byar by stage. By ome means or other ther boss came back ter ‘Deerhcuf, an’ all I want is one man ter help me foller up ther trail an’ I'll know more about it. I'll now call your attention to one fact. This hoss is black, you see. Wal, on this shoulder you see a brown stain. That ain’t nat’ral color, pards; it’s a stain o’ blood |” A murmur ran through the crowd and Lock- yard changed color, he words were very significant and be needed no further suggestion of S‘erling’s probable fate. * "Dick Doyle, too, stared blankly at the ani- mal. It was, indeed, the animal the last speak- er had said, but Doyle was more puzzled than any one, W hen he left the mountain-cabin the horse stood in the stable, securely tied, and no blood-stain was Gpop bim. How, then, had it come there?—more than that, how had the horse come there? Doyle was at fault. It had been agreed that Warren should not leave the mountain refu but watch closely over Allen Sterling. he presence of the horse showed that sometbing was wrong, but what it was Yates had no means of kuowing. The men of the Bend reasoned more clearly, if less accurately. They had before decided that Sterling had been killed on the trail, and now it was natural that they should decide it was bis life-blood which broke the jet-biackness of the horse’s shoulder. Yates was inclined to a hi with them, and he anxiously asked himself whether it was tke blood of Warren or of Sterling. So anxious did he feel, he decided to leave the Bend at once and hasten to the mountain, and as coon as he dared he ordered his horse from the hotel and spurred away. ‘*Go!” he said, driving his heels into the —_— ~~? — >. m (C SG (0) €o JOO 1