Beadle's Dime Library No. 305 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

i - >? ST “ye up, an’ then I got an ear-ache. Silver-Plated Sol; the Montana Rover. a a 9 & rule to keep to myself. What I want is a talk with you.” “*T ginerally talk with my six.” ‘“Come, Bill, don’t be a bear. I know you ssess an an, nature under your rough coat. Why do you insist that Iam yourenemy? I tell you I am not, and I will prove it if you'll give meachance, I suppose “pen think you never saw me until to-day, but I will prove that, too, if you will hold your red handa bit. If it haa- n’t been for that you’d be in prison now, or dono with life. Do you remember the stone which rattled down the bluff and alarmed you and our partner when you were examining your oty? That was sent by me to warn you, and it enabled you to escape.” Lovering had been very well aware that he was running a good deal of risk when he first accosted Bill; the latter was of that wild West- ern class that use a revolver without conipunc- tion when driven to a corner; but the elder man had seen enough of wild life to get his nerves well toned down, and he took the risk calmly. More than that, he won. “T reckon you're givin’ me taffy,” said Wild, in a milder voice, “fur I hain’t ther least idee [ ever see’d you afore, but Tl test ye an’ sea how ther wind blows.’ One word, though; you know a deal about me, it seems—you know ther stage racket, anyhow—aw I give ye fa’r warnin’ not ter play any tricks. I’m a desp’rit man when or toes are trod on; see to it ye keep ter yer- self.” “That's all right, and you'll find me on the square. Step this way.” “Not fur Joe!” * What do you mean?” ‘*Mebbe you've got a gang waitin’.” ** Nonsense! [ tell you these Bowlder Bar people are nothing to me. The mail-robbery is their funeral, not mine, Besides, I only ask you to goto the other side of the ledge, out of the track of travel. I am as anxious to escape observation as you can be.” tates oy a lona sneer hey went, and only sed when the ex- tremity of the ledge was Feantied: Below them Mad river dashed its waters against the rock, sending up a sullen roar to their ears, Wild’s eyes twinkled. If his companion proved dangerous he could throw him over, and it would bea fall he would not be likely to survive. “You say you don’t remember me?” Love- ring abruptly said, when this position was ined, ** So I said.” “Yet we bave met before.” “* Whar?’ “Tn a town of [linois where you were an honest coal-heaver.” The rough started. ‘Ef you're goin’ terrake up that old affair—” ‘*By which I conclude you committed some crime there and fled West, as many other men bave done, You are on the wrong track; I know nothing about that, nor do I care, Let me explain. At the time I knew you, you were a Goal-heaver, or, at least, you drove'a coal-wagon and did a small business. Your wife was a servant for one Abram Selden, a wealthy bachelor. Perhaps I should ‘say she had been, for Selden had departed this life and left his wealth bebind him, at the precise time when I saw you. ** As is usual when a man leaves money, there was trouble as soon as the old man was gone. He had had an adopted daughter, a young girl named Bertha, I think, and rival factions desired bis money. Apparently, the girl had the best of it, for, when bis money was sought for, none could be found, and the theory,was that she bad made ’way with it, You recollect all these points?’ Yas, an’ I know you now.” ‘“Tndeed!’ Who am I?” ““You came ter me one night ez I was drivin’ home in my cart, an’ axed fur a ride, I took Ye said ye was one 0’ the Seldens; a distant relation who had been disowned by ther others, ’eause ye took ter wild ways; but that you wanted your sharé 0’ ther old man’s money.” ‘‘Correct, William, What more?’ ‘‘Furdermore, you “lowed thas I ought ter know something about the matter; you delikit- ly insineryated that servants contrive ter know ez much about a man’s effairs ez he does his- self; then, slippin’ a shinin’ gold-piece inter my hand ter heal my wounded feelin’s, you remind - me that my wife was a servant there and, prebaps, knowed a good ’eal about a’fairs.” Mr. Wild had warmed to bis’ subject and no loner evinced hostility. . “Exactly. Abram Selden was dead, nearly all his wealth was missing!) Nobody knew where it had gone. I, as one of the heirs, wished to know, but information was not forth- coming. You could tell per te “No, but [ give it oF Oh opinion that the gal, Bertha, an’ ber lover, Charles Winter, had got away with ther cash-box.” — “True, and I wish to speak of this, later. First, let me tell you how I recognized you. When we rode in the stage I was dimly con- —— = —— a ——— CT why the mail was robbed?’ a Vv » scious that I had seen you somewhere before, but I could not tell where. Our former meeting was after dark, you will remember, and, since then, you bave grown a beard. I did not know you until, as we followed your trail, we came upon you and Leach as‘you sat crouched over the scattered mail inthe gulch, Then the truth flashed upon me.’ You had unconsciously as- sumed just the position that you took when you drove tbe coal-wagon, and 1 knew you in a mo- aed . , b “Sharp eyes, you've got, gov’nor. sad youbined chat oh should not eome to rief, and | watched my chance to warn you. When I walked along the ridge above you, 1 purposely sent a stone rattling down the de- scent. The result was good, you took alarm and saved yourselves,” ‘¢ But you fired arter us, gov’nor.” “Did I hit you? I think not. No, I fired wide of my supposed mark, That was to de- ceive my companions. That Silver-Plated Sol is a keener, and it would not do to have bim know I was playing a double game. Despite all my care he suspected me—but, never mind. Now, Bill, you and I should be allies.” ‘‘Right you are, gov’nor.” ‘‘ What business had you with Hamed?” Wild hesitated, “Went ter hev my fortune told,” he then muttered. ‘* Nonsense; you did nothing of the kind. It was Hamed who caused you to rob the stage!” Lovering made the assertion as confidently, outwardly, as though he was sure of the ground under his feet, and the mail-robber was too much surprised to make an immediate reply. *T presume Hamed isa generous employer, but if you will attach yourself tomy cause I will do better by you. Why did he want the stage robbed?” CHAPTER XIl. THE TRAGEDY OF MADROCK LEDGE. Bru. WriLp bad seen too much of the world to spe beeome a revealer of important se- crets, and though he was impressed by the idea that in Lovering he would find an employer who would pay him more than any one else, it would not do to too readily tell all he knew. Therefore, he coquetted with the question, and it was not until considerable argument bad ee used that he decided to make a clean breast of it. ‘Wal, you're right, gov’nor,” be finally ad- mitted, “‘It was’'the Magician that hired me to do ther job.” ** What was his motive?” ‘* He wanted us to abstraculate all letters a’dressed ter Joseph Danforth, postmaster o’ this hyar town.” ‘*Is it possible? .What was his motive?’ ‘That L don’t know. He didn’t go inter no details, but simply stated what he wanted an’ paid further job.” “ And tbat is the reason, and the sole one, ‘¢ Were there letters?” “Two, Lhev jest delivered them téer him.” ‘* Did you seé him read them?” ‘*No, He put’em in his pocket, paid what was due me, an’ then bowed me outez perlite ez you please.’ ‘And you have no knowledge of their con- tents?” . “None at all. He looked at ther postmark —both was from ther East-an’ looked disap- p'inted, so I reckon he didn’t get what he was arter.” Lovering was ‘silent for a few seconds, and then he abruptly continued: ‘‘ We will drop that matter. Let us speak of Bertha, the adopted daughter of Abram Selden. - She had two lovers in the old days: a Roger Hillard, with whom she seems to have quarreled, and, later, a Charles Winter. Can you tell me anything about either of these men ?” ‘No, Lain’t seen ‘em sence they left ther old town.” f ‘“Have you reason to believe Winter and Bertha really stole Selden’s money, and that they went away together?” ** Now, you hey me; I dunno. Winterwasa snaky chap, but my wife always held to it Ber- tha was ¢z honist ez ther sun. But nobody knows.” ‘** Whero is your wife now?” ‘* Don’t ask me.” ° | Lovering shrugged his shoulders; he believed Bill Wild had shortened the existence of that unfortunate woman by a third of a lifetime. “Never mind: Let me now tell you what I want, The Selden money matter is not yet settled. The lawful heirs are working up the ease and trying to get evidence to prove the girl, Bertha, a thief. Unluckily for them, she as disappeared; they know nothing of her present whereabouts, Now, I, as I said before, ought to have a, share of the money. I aman heir, but the high-and-lofty of the family cast me off. I’m working on my own hook, trying to find Winter and Bertha. If I can do that, I shall tell them to divide or I will betray them.” ‘* Right enough, your honor.” ’ | You have ' “T have received news that Winter is in Montana and near here: just where, t don’t: know. Of course, he must be living under an assumed name. w, if» you will become my ally I will pay you well. 1am Jooking for Ber- tha, Winter and Roger Hillard, The two men I have never seen and would not recognize it £ saw them, of course, But you know al) the’ parties. Will you join your fortunes with mine?’ ‘*T will, gov'nor, mighty quick,” | ‘*Are you acquainted bere in Bowlder Bar?” ‘* Not much.” ** Would you know if any of the parties were here?’ “ No.” ** Well, we must learn. Tam working up one town after another, end, just now, Pm at Bowlder Bar. You can help me if you will. Can you disguise yourself so that people will not know you, and then ccme bere and work ae yp always watching for those I want to nd? ‘ “T reckon so.: By cuttin’ off my beard, an gettin’ inter diff’rent clothes, | ought ter fool em, seein’ ¢z how nobody hyar knows me ex- cept what Shea and ther sport see’d o’me on ther stage.” ‘“Exactly. Well, do this, and you sball be well rewarded.” Lovering then proceeded to speak more deff- nitely as regarded bis willingness to pay, and with the discussion of details anotber balf-bour went by. Then ‘the men separated, and Lovering re- turned tothe town. It was not wise for the two to be seen together, and Bill did not dare venture nearer the village than he then was. His present quarters were with Leach in the mountains. “The sky brightens,” thought Lovering, as he went. ‘‘ Wild has only to see Hillard, Win- ter or Bertha to oe mee them, and 1 am sure their discovery will give me light on this affair. So far, l am in luck,” . He would hardly have been so. positive had re what was transpiring at Madrock e, } en Lovering left Wild the latter remained on the point of rock ina thoughtfully exultant Knowing the full value of money, be was greatly pleased at the thought of filling his pockets. e intended to be faithful to his new employer, and make: himself so valuable: that the latter could not afford to drop him, and ke meant to have the full value of the money he craved, | lt was unlucky for him that he allowed him- self to fall into this dream of greed, for, as he stood looking down where the waters of Mad river flung themselves noisily against the ledge, mood, -he was unconscious ‘that any one else was near -until a terrible ‘and a voice bi in hi rip was fastened on his neck sear: int ** Traitorous dog, your last bour has come! you would sell me out to Lovering, would :you? told him all my secrets, have: yout Vile wretch, you bave sealed your own doom, re aré adead man!’ at ild struggled in-vain in that remorreless hold, for he might as well bave tried to break Madrock Ledge intwo. He could not bréak away, and he was held so that he could not-re- iate. pbos as He had turned enough to discover that his assailant was Hamed, Magician, but, even then, he was conscious of a change in the man’s vay and bears Vitae sorte — — aying a false part when be appeared es Hamed. ‘**You have told that I hired you to:reb the stage, and. sold yourself to my enemy. Foul dog, treachery to me means death, and you shaJl have your portion!” f Wild tried to speak, but the gresp on his neck stifled all utterance and was fast stran- ling him. He tried again to breakaway, but it was im vain, | is “TL show you how I serve traitors. Mad river waits for its victim, and ‘the ragged rocks below the ledge neverspare.: Down, dog, and meet your fate!” Atythe last word the infuriated Magician swung’ his victim around and, witha great ef- fort, hurled bim from the rock, 3 A faint, horvified cry arose from the space, but it was not repeated. With the dash and roar’ of the waters no s could be heard, and, after that one cry, all was still exeept the usual rough music of the river. b shad Bill Wild-bad gone down to the jagged tocks: which were said to never spare. a Oe | Mose Devlin, the pugilist, had good reasors j for regretting his carousa lot the previous night. It was nothing new for bim to *t paintthe town red,” and when he imbibed: too freely and bad to undergo a beadache in consequence, be bore it with the philosophy of a man bardened in such ways. bald Yet, on this occasion, he knew he had made worse than a fool of himself. Had he not been drunk he would never bave molested Ettala or Lois; he bad good reasons for knowing he ought to let them alone. He had, however, made a big blunder, and he was sorry for it. His regret did not extend so far as David is services in - Gomilcbooks: SOTA