Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 271 — page 30: what you’re looking at

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

—— 30 “Think twice before you answer,” said Blake barshly. ‘I know you and your way, and that mercy is thrown away on you, One word Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. made in the arrangement. Such a change had been made, and Allen Sterling was sleeping in the room. « Bunker cautiously raised the window and = | you?” he asked; “ for annoying you so often by declaring you were vain and worldly?” She touched his bands where they were = ———SSS SS = ~ ~—e. — a from me to the men of Big Nugget Bend and Judge Lynch takes the reins of power. You were at the bottom of the plot to kill Ailn Sterling, though it was Warfield who bired ‘Yates and Warren for the work; you were at the bottom of the scteme to lynch me, though you let) Hexam work for you. Such things as hese get due notice ina Western town when fourd ont; let me but make the suggestion and Judge Lynch rules the Bend to-night!” : Juck’s manper was less confident than be- fore. ** How in perdition did you learn all this?” he muttered, ‘You have been over-reached, that’s all. Often, when you talked, a man was near whom despised as a mere drunkard. You knew im as Daddy Clover, There is no such person, I bave a part of the time assumed that role, while on other occasions it was my good friend, Bardeck, alias Wisecraft, alias Old Ketchum, He accompanied us bere, when I came with my sister—or, rather, each one of us came at a different time. And when you hare talked freely with Daddy Clover around, either Old Ketchum or myself overheard you.” ‘“ Well, you haven’t got the money yet!” sneered Jack, ‘* No; but we have been able to foil all your plots against Nathan Lockyard. Each scheme ze laid was early known to us and duly baf- ‘You've played it well, I confess. Why, you even pretended to bea stranger to this young womar you now claim for your sister.” He motioned to Altbea. ‘lt was a part of our plan, and even when we were alone l kept up the pretense of being Barth«!omew Blake so that no chance listeners would learn the truth.” “But wbere’s your money?” cried Jack. “You shall refund it,” “TY will not!” “ Beware!” ** I say I will not!” The two men looked each other in the face, it was, indeed, a ‘‘tug of war,” with Greek against Greek, and no one could tell who would > Stern resolution was expressed on each ace. **Have you an ambition to pass the remainder of your life in prison?” demanded the younger man, ‘‘I was never yet beaten in a game of wits, and [ will not begiv by losing now. Do with me as you will; not a syllable shall my tongue ever reveal!” Biake looked bim in the face for a full min- ute in silence, ** Have your own way,” he then said, ‘* but if you decide to confess, let me know. To-mor- row, at noon, ycu will be started for Denver. Let me hope for your own sake you will change your mind before then,” “Tt isn’t my way to change, and I wish you oy of the mouey when you getit. Brotber Nate, fear I shall bave to leave you rolling in your riches, for the Quickstep mine bas struck bed- rock and I advise you not to put any money in it. Cutaway City isso much out, My charm- ing niece, Althea, or whatever you call your- self, if you want more pupils, come to your old uncle for recommendations. He is the man who wields the rod of power at the Bend. Pretty Zora, adopted daughter of a philan- thropic old fossil, accept my blessing! And now, by your leave, good people, the black sheep of the Lockyard tamily steps down and out and the bluff Jack Bunker comes to the sur- face like a jumping-jack. Drive on yer cart, durn ye, an’ make elbow room fur ther wild hoss o’ ther prairie, Thet’s me, an’ what I sez goes as it lays!” He poured forth this address with the volu- bility of an auctioneer, bis manner one of vul- triumph, and at the end resumed his old, literate language as a circus-performer wouid change his dress. The guards from the prison had entered ata signal from Blake, and he motioned in silence for them to take the man away. Ho went with his old swagger, turning bis head at the door to grimace over lis shoulder, and then the ess people he left behind each drew a deep reath. Nathan went to the ex-‘‘ reformer.” *‘T am surprised,” be said, ‘to learn that you are one of my own race, but I am not sorry. Isee now that what we have thought _ your monomania was but a mask, as I may call it, and I welcome you as William’s son.” Blake laughed lightly. “T trust I am still somewhat human in my ways,” hesaid. ‘I have stuck grimly to my character, often when I ought to have been ashamed of doing so.” He looked at Zora, who blushed prettily, and seemed to take kindly to the idea of having a, ane friend, in place of the crank of the Bend. And when matters had settled down toa calmer basis, he went to ber as she sat apart from the others. “Can you forgive me for all my rudeness to LS LAL setae ensnesecneneet cn place by the cliff be had climbed so gal- antly. ‘Tet these wounds answer me,” she said, softly. ‘‘Even before that I could not hate you when I tried, and since you risked your lifo for me I have lost all desire to be your enemy. For my own part, I have been disagreeable; I know I have, and I shail try to treat you better since you are fatber’s nephew. But perbaps you don’t know I am not Mr. Lockyard’s daughter.” ‘*T have known ita long time, and it was be- cause I let the seeret drop to Old Ketchum that he stupidly spoke of it to your father—let us call him so—and made trouble for both of you. For this I hope you will forgive me, and let peace be between us,” ‘*T am quite pret *‘There is one condition. I especially request that you put off this black dress and put on your plaid one,” ‘* But you said that was vain and Si a ** Deacon Stonefist said so, but he is a t ing of the past, andin my proper character I as to see the worldly dress again.” CHAPTER XL. THE LAST ACT IN THE DRAMA, ANOTHER night had fallen over Big Nugget Bend—a night of unusual darkness, with a threatening of rain, The hour was midnight, and the greater part of the people were abed. In the prison-room set apart for Jack Bunker, Kellogg and Yates, there was no sleep. In- stead, each man was in a state of eager expect- ancy such as he had seldom felt before. o light was furnisbed them, and they could not see each other, but they knew what needed to be done, and were of one mind. All their attention was directed to escape. The building in which they were confined was larger than the average, and they were ep- deavoring to escape by the roof. Bunker, who was, as usual, the master-spirit of all, was tak- ing the lead with energy. Phe way to the roof was ono not easy to trav- el at gt te while in the darkness it was not only difficult but dangerous; but they had worked the way by day, and wero traveling it at night, Jack went first and, after ewreniog to and fro like a pendulum for awhile, reached a posi- tion at the top and began opening the way to the outer world; and while be labored, the otber men followed by the aerial way. Aft last an opening was made and they crawled out on the roof. Big Nugget Bend lay dark and silent around them, except for the tramp of a single man as he marched around the prison, ot a word passed between the desperate men, for every point had been considered and settled in advance by Bunker. He crept tothe edge of the roof and looked down, 4 be sevtinel paused fora moment to light his ipe. It may te he wasenvying his compan- pe in the outer room of the jail and longing for the bour when be would be relieved, but the pips was good company and he tramped on after creating a red coal within the bowl. As he rounded the corner Bunker dropped lightly to tbe ground ‘and ran for the shelter of the nearest cabin. By the time the guard reappeared, all was as before. Once, twice more the man made bis round, and then, though he knew it not, he might have one home ana to bed for all the good be was oing. The last of the prisoners was gone, though he dreamed not of it. They paused a bundred feet away and Bun- ker took each man by the hand, ** Now, then, pards,” besaid, ‘do you stick by me through thick an’ thin? Kellogg, ez I’vo tole ye before, all yer uncle’s money is in bis house, for he bragged on it ter me; an’ thar, Yates, is Sterling with what he stole from you. J want revenge! What say, do we crack ther crib an’ make ther Lockyard bones shake?” His companions promptly answered «¢ffirma- tively, as usual, but, as usual, they were his dupes. The woney-lender had not told bim he had money it the bouse, and he knew nothing about Yates’s money, but he was resolved to bring ruin and destruction to the Lockyard family that night. He led the way to the house, chuckling with suppressed joy at the way his plans were work- ing. Big Nugget Bend bad laid its band on him, but it shank find to its sorrow that he was better left alone. Lockyard’s bouse was reached. It was dark and silent, and the whole family seemed buried in sleep. No time was lost by the desperadoes, as their escape might be d red. At one side of the house was a can-to, the roof of which was easily gained. Within eas reach was & window, which Horace was posi- tive led into a room not occupied as a sleeping- room. In taking this for granted, they forgot that when Lockyard took his newly-found nephew and niece into the house some changes might be then paused to listen. No sound repched his ears, Yates grasped the window to bold it and the chief villain crept cautiously through. He had bis revolver ready for use, ard a smile moved his face as he thought that he wassnugly in the stronghold of bis enemies, Kellogg followed and then turned to bold the window while Yates entered. At this moment, however, there was a stir at one side and a sharply-pitched voice demanded: ** Who is there?” A double click followed os Bunker pulled back the hammer of his revolver and sprung forward to silence the speaker, whom he easily recognized as Allen Sterling. The tell-tale sound settled all doubts remain- — the young man’s mind, and as he saw the ruffian rushing upon him he promptly fired the revolver he held in Crack! The bullet sped wide of its mark and Bunker kept on, bis revolver shoved forward for use, but jusé as be pulled the trigger the window went down with a crash, disturbing his nerves and his aim. Two other reports sounded in rapid succession, followed by a heavy fall, and then Allen leaped from bis bed. Jack Bunkei was down and groans sounded from beside the window, and, not a little disturbed, Allen retreated to the corner and stood at bay, not anxious for further fighting, but prepared to shout rather than be shot. But, by that time, the whole housebold was astir and heavy footfalls sounded in the ball, The door was flung open and Blake sppeared, a light in one hand and a revolver in the otber. There was vo occasion for further fighting, bowever, Jack Bunker ley by the bed and seemed to be dead, while at the window Kellogg was crouching down and grouning as only a coward can. Natban Lockyard quickly entered, but it was Blake who took charge of affairs. He saw that Kellogg was not dangerously burt, and, giving bim in charge of Allen, he went to Bunker. The latter opened his eyes at the touch, but when he would bavo raised his band it fell back like a lump of lead. ‘** Useless!” he muttered. ‘I've reacbed the ar last!” ce ve ey saw a pool gatberin but when they would have edad he put them away. “Useless!” he repeated. ‘‘The bullet has Sed home and lam a dead man, You won't ave any more troubie from me, for this night is my last.” Zora and Altbea left a scene that shocked and sickened them, but, while Lockyard bound up the wounded shoulder of the groveling Hor- ace, Blake and Alien stayed by the dying out- law. “Tm off on a long read,” said the latter, looking at Blake, “‘ but I beve one satisfaction; ycu will never see the money for which you ave worked so hard.” “Will injustice do you any good now?” Blake gravely asked, ‘‘T say you shall never bave the money. I told you once it was not buried, but it is, and that, too, where you wil) never find it. Ninety thou- sand dollars, in paper money which will soon decay, end so ends the family feud!” Allen Sterling started. i ‘Ninety thousand dollars!” he repeated. ‘* And deeply buried.” chuckled Bunker. ‘*By my life, I see it all!” Allen exclaimed. “You are Mortimer, the confederste of Yates and Warren, as you were overheard to say when in prison; and the money Warren dug up in the old stable, where it was buried in a tin box, was the ninety thousand dollars to which you refer. I have come inio posseesion of it; I took it from Warren; it iabere! And you, Blake— if you bad told me all, might sooner have had yourown. It is here!” He produced the buge roll of green-backed notes and banded them to his con panion. Bunker saw them and bis eyes dilated fora moment, but his life was going fast. He merely moaned like a dumb animal in pain, and then hid bis face in hisarm. He did nc t move again for several minutes, and when they spoke to bim he was found to be deed, But the Lockyard money was indeed in rightful hands at last, as was proved to the satis- faction of all when the old stable on the monn- tain was visited. There they found the tin box, which Allen had not partioulerly examined before, and not not only oid Blake remember i( as having come from his fatber’s bouse, but the name of William Lockyara was found on the cover in ernamental, but nearly obliterated letters. . The money stolen by Warren from Yates was but a smal] sum, although the latter made a good deal of talk about it, and as it was never seen again, as far as was known, it was prova- bly lost by Warren while pursuing Allen that night. And thus the mountain adventure which bis own hand. by his side at his woun -- ee ~ Eomicbooks (Ee) mn