Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

-é _ ment there was silence, “t I do for suspected that the man was a mere pretender, | machine-like tones. ‘Once more I say you and be was preparing to account for a fail in your undertaking, but do not mis- 3 ure to reveal the past. ~~ | take rebu ete When convinced that: - Sis i a 1 away, and was your own efforts are useless, come to me with > ’ METH ys PUES YP es by a pe ae eee or 3 >a, - 7 = by wae 7) ve ; ” oe 14 ry Me ¥ G : a ma! “ey w é him cided that Ettala must be sacrificed to save | busy he read, or pretended to read, what was re- “You have a better head for planning than I , vealed tobimund not to common mortals, have,” he answered, “and if you'll take charge “Your name?” be questioned, in his deepest of this affair and—and save me, I'll do all in my , voice. power to help you with Ettala.” ‘‘Done!” said the gambler, qui¢kly, as he put out his band. ‘‘I am just at home dealing with such cases as this Silver-Plated Sol, but women don’t seem to cotton to me. Ettala will obey you, bowever, right from the word go, and what you say will go as it lays.” ‘‘But what of Silver-Plated Sol?” asked Jo- seph, whose mind refused to dwell on wmatri- monial subjects just then. ‘‘ That’s easily answered,” Burbank coolly re- plied. ‘One man from Red Summit is in the way and must be made to get out of it. I'll see to that, and you may count lamented—gone to join his forefathers,” CHAPTER X. IN HAMED’S LAIR, ALFRED LOVERING ate supper and then walk- ed outside the Flowing Bow!, When be entered the town on the stage he had seen one house which stood apart from the rest, standing ona ledge like a light-house, and when be emerged from the botel the first thing he saw was the same building. He turned to a rough-looking fellow who was lounging on a bench near the door. * Who lives up there, my friend?’ “Up thar? al, as nigh as I kin figger it, he’s ther fu’st cousin o’ ther Evil One, 6 calls hisself Hamed, the Magician, an’I reckon he’s all o’ that.” “Do you know bim?” *t Jest a few—he an’ me had some confab ter- gether. I went in thar last night with a gt 2 0’ whisky aboard, an’ he pitched into me like Tom O’Sullivan, «an’ knocked me out in four rounds,” The speaker, who was none other than Mose Devlin, the pugilist, spoke ruefully, and rubbed some of his many lame matin Between Hamed and Dave Bond he bad fared badly, and it burt his pride all tbe more because there were rea- sons why he deeply regretted bis indiscretion, ‘*T take it his magie rests in his fists, then,” Lovering carelessly observed. *‘ Not all on’t, for he communes with ther un- seen hobgoblins o’ ther past an’futur’, He’sa fortune-teller, he ia.” ‘A fortune-teller?” +s Yas.” ‘Is that the way he gets bis living?” “ Wal, 1 don’t know o’ any other visible means 0’ support. I reckon he makes that his sole stake.” -Lovering asked some more questions about the dweller on Madrock Ledge, and then walked slowly away. ‘‘l am tempted to visit him, as I bave noth- ing else to do this morning. tela not? He may be able to give me some valuable informa- tion. People say there is nothing in fortune- telling but a swindle, but I have seen some odd things in my wanderings around the world, and if this fellow really has a gift that way he may be useful. I')l try bim!” By which it will be seen that, practical as Lovering was in many respects, he was not proof against a degree of superstition. He had seen magic and the juggling arts in distant parts of the world, and, not understanding them, he had arrived at the conclusion that they were past comprehension, He walked toward the ledge and slowly ascended. As usual, ore light gleamed from the Magician’s window, and it was enough of a guide for even a stranger to find his way. He was soon at the door, and his knock brought Sing-So forth with that gentleman’s usualalacrity. Preliminaries were soon settled, and Lovering was conducted to the private room where med delved deep into the un- seen. Tbe two men stood face to face, and for a mo- Each recognized in the other a man of more than ordinary strength of and the voice of the Magician was un- “usually courteous as he observed : “Tam sees the fortune-teller. What can u aia Well anvthing in your Jine,” was the reply. *‘T came for information not wholly con- nected with my own horoscope, if that’s what -you call it.” * You can state your wishes,” . “ Pirst, tell me m past and future.” ‘*] will, if possible,” was the guarded reply, “but there are times when I can reveal noth- : ing. The position of the stars is not favorable to-night, but a deal will depend on the our birth and the condition of the at that time.” | palf-smile crossed Lovering’s face. If he i grain of superstition in bis nature and be- natural turns of the human mind, and he | | ' f ‘* Alfred Lovering.” ‘State the exact time of your birth.” ** 1829 June 7, fifteen minutes past six, P. M.” ‘* There is an unusual baze on the past, as I had feared there would be. The condition of the planets was then very much the same as now, making all indistinct, and only the minor details of your life are open to my view.” The Magician then proceeded to make some general statements, such as any one could bave done by studying Lovering for a few seconds, but he did not touch on any important event in that gentleman’s eventful life. He then repeat- him as one deeply | ed that the planets were unfavorable, but added | that he might, perhaps, be able to answer the | other questions which he wished to ask. Lovering hesitated. His common sense told bim he was in the presence of an impostor, but the somber surroundings were not without their effect and he was impelled to go on and test the so-called fortune-teller. ‘I wish to know the whereabouts of a certain man,” he answered, ** What is bis name?’ ‘*Roger Hillard,” Hamed started, but he had the presence of mind to hide it by pretending to arrange bis instrument. ‘‘Roger Hillard,” he repeated, ‘When and where did you know bim?”’ **T never knew him: never even met bim, Two years ago, or such a matter, he was in R—, lllinois. Soon after, he left the town and there is no record of him after that. Give me information which shall lead to his discov- ery and you sball be well rewarded.” ‘The stars do not reveal that bis life bas any connection with yours.” What cf that?” ‘*Some connection must be established in or- der for me to trace him. Shall I look for him as a relative, or—” ** Look for him simply as Roger Hillard,” was the curt reply. “You give me little chance, but I will do my best,” was the composed yt . ‘*Tsee here a young man named Roger Hillard who went to sea two years ago, shipping from New York. He was a bold, frank young fellow, well liked by his messmates and a fair sailor, but was washed overboard during a gale and lost.” ““ Lost!” ** Drowned!” said Hamed, calml *Can’t you tell whetber it was lard as the one to whom I refer?” ‘““There is no way of telling; but he came from the West when he arrived in New York, and it is probable he is the same one, If | was to venture a prediction on such slender grounds as are at my disposal, I should say you area detective and hunting bim.” “Well, ['m oot him, at any rate. Don’t your mystic art enable you to tell whether I shall succeed?’ ‘* Tt indicates failure.” **T'll be shot if 1 don’t fear you're right!” ejaculated the visitor. ‘*Tf it isa matter in which you are much in- terested, I advise you to confide fully in me,” said the Magician, calmly. “ By so doing you will place me where I can search out all the facts of the case; without it, I can do nothing. Remember that whatever transpires here will be secret.” ‘‘There won't a great deal occur by my telling it,” said Lovering, with the caution of a wise man, “Iam here to have my fortune told, not to tell it to you.” “Tt is clear we can do nothing,” said Hamed curtly, yet without raising his voice. ‘* You hamper me with eet seo & refuse petty details, and leave me to gropein the dark. You bad better go; you need pay nothing for what I have told you, unless you see fit.” “tT am able to pay my bills,” tartly replied Lovering, as he arose; ‘‘and I shall pay you although you have told nothing. Understan that I do it because I came to gratify my curi- esity. Sofaras your complaint goes, I hope I am pot so big a fool as to tell all 1 know about myself and then pay you. That is the yame of some of your cratt—to draw their victims on.” Hamed listened unmoved. “* We will not discuss the matter, but I again say you have defeated yourself by refusing me your confidence. What have you told me? I doubt if you gave your real name.” His gaze was fixed on the visitor, and the lat- ter felt that if the spectacles were not there it would be a strong one, but be was equal to the demands of the occasion. Betraying no emo- tion, be laughed lightly. ‘“You are right; I did not give my real name. I am the Czar of Russia, in disguise, trying to keep out of the way of dynamite and gunpowder. Here’s your money ran “One moment,” said the Magician, in slowly. tie same Hil- Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. with the mysterious instrument wherein | a frank confession and I am quite sure I can neipye®: fore the last word was spoken, Hamed had opened the door connecting with the outer room, and at this point be called to Sing-So to escort the visitor out, and himself turned away. In a moment more the door closed behind him. Obedient, Sing-So had opened the outside door, and at this palpable hint, Lovering walked out in silence. He stood once more under the open sky, alone; but he was far from being satisfied. There was something about the interview which perplexed and annoyed him, and he knew not whether to regard Hamed as a fraud or not, Had he been wholly free from a belief in that class of men he would soon have decided the question, but, as it was, he was left in doubt. — While he was still considering, there was a sound of something moving on the lower part of the ledge, and he drew a revolver and crouch- ed behind a bowlder. He had come to the town on a mission which made him uncertain when he was safe, and it would be just as well to use caution, Doubt turned to surprise, however, as the moving object came nearer, first transformed itself from space into a man, and then revealed the face of Bill Wild, the mail-robber. CHAPTER XI, BILL WILD'S OLD ACQUAINTANCE, LOVERING was surprised, and, at first, in- clined to doubt the evidence of his own eyes, but there could be no mistake. Bill Wild it was; there was no mistaking his burly figure and peculiarly shaped head. There had been excitement at Bowlder Ber since the mail- robbery, and the fellow must have known there would be, yet be had lost little time before making bis appearance near the heart of the town. The man in ambush half-arose, for he had reasons for wanting to speak with Wild, but he thought better of it and waited to see what the fellow was going to do. He soon saw. Wild went straight to Hamed’s door and knocked, and it was opened with unexpected quickness, Still, it was hardly ajar before Bill was inside; he had not waited to ask or answer questions; and as it reclosed Lovering lost all view of the interior. ** He walks in as though at home,” muttered the watcher, ‘and now IL think of it, I believe there was something peculiar about his knock, Can it be he wasexpected? If so—” He ceased speaking and went carefully over the ground of the case, Wild was not a citizen of the Bar; Shea had never seen bim before he took passage on the stage. Then, how did it happen be was there so soon, and a calleron the Magician of Madrock Ledge? Lovering leaped toa conclusion and decided that there bad been some one back of the rob- bery. If Hamed was ambitious to gain a livin as a fortune-teller, could be not learn a g deal about the affairs of the citizens of the town by stealing their letters? ‘Aba! my gay fortune-teller, [ think I see which way the tide is flowing, and I may yet open my mouth and tell these honest siento the true character of the man who squats up bere onarock. Mail-robbery is no trifling offense, and [ have him on the hip whenever I see fit to bear down on the screws,” This was a satisfactory decision, but Lovering would have given something for a chance to look inside the cabin. The possibility that there was more in the case than be had learned made him anxious, He made a circuit of the house and looked — for means of observation, but the chance was not vouchsafed him. med had evidently bad an eye to privacy when he erected his habita- tion, and noone saw the interior without his knowledge. — Convinced, at last, that all efforts would be useless, Lovering went half-way down the ledge and waited for Wild to reappear. He had some- thing to say to him, and the fact that he would be a dangerous man to interview did not deter him. | Half an bour passed and be was beginning to grow impatient when the door again opened, and the rough came out with the same celerity he had used on entering. Then he moved down the ledge, growling in a way which showed that bene in ill gers a e forgot to growl, however, when a hum figure arose in his path, and his revolver malin out with a jerk, ‘*Be calm!” said Lovering, coolly, ‘I ; friend, it you'll let me ened at indie thane enemy. **Go to thunder! Mebbe you think "e know ye,” growled Bill. wat nat F eS am I?” Batic ‘“ m ‘*Ther galoot who come on ther stage.” Pie “Correct, and I know you also, but that don’t — make us enemies, As Jor the stage: ¢ ssc,” that’s a gone and dead event. Let us dr [am e@ stranger in Bowlc at care a picayune tor the = FN ge a +e et 2 TL » ' oe ee | » ” . se Bien i Pe = {< 4 . » 4A, z a “~ Vie. ,4 ee ae bre ed, * : “ w i¢- te Ai os ths & !