Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 308 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

—>-s_——- -- —_ ——__- rels, boxes, bales and bundles, which Hank was examining when those three arrived. ‘‘There’s Hemlock Hank,” whispered Barnes to the detective-—*‘ that tall man at the shed.” Risden at once stepped up to the tall map; and accosted him in a friendly manner, ‘*T believe this is Hank Ward, commonly and well known as Hemlock Hank.” ‘‘Ward is my name,” slowly answered the other, ‘and folks do sometimes call me Hem- lock Hank,” ‘“‘lam glad to meet you, Mr. Ward. I have heard so much of you that I have wanted to see you. My name is Risden—geverally called Dick Risden,” ‘Proud to know you, Mr. Risden. Strangers is sca’ce in these parts at this time o’ year, and we are allus glad to meet one and pick up a bit o’ news,” The two men were silent for a brief space as they inspected each other—each sizing the other up, but endeavoring to Sppeet as if he were not doing anything of the kind, Risden made an advance in a convivial way, ‘‘I was just going in to get something to drink, Will you - me, Mr. Ward?” “Thanky; but [ guess I’ve got as much as I care to take on.” ‘It is well for good men to be careful, espe- cially if they have far to go, Are you stopping near this place?” ** Sometimes near, an’ sometimes not so near. I’ve got a young gentleman of Bangor in my charge, and we kinder float around, you see, huptin’ an’ fishin’ and the like.” “IT suppose you are looking for your goods here.” “Hey?” “The stuff that is marked W in a square is yours, I believe.” ‘Well, yes—mine and bis’n.” “That looks as if 70 mean to stay up here ot aa the winter, e you thinking of doing 0 Evidently the stranger was trying to extract information, and Hemlock Hank was on his rd. “ Charley and I ain’t doin’ much thinkin’,” be answered—‘‘ jest goin’ about and enjoyin’ our- selves. When he gives the word to go, we'll light out. What might you be doin’ in these parts, Mr. Risden?’ ‘**T am exploring, and have business that may keep me here for some time. When are you going to take your stuff away, Mr. Ward?” ‘“‘Can’t say. Mebbe not at all. They are safe here, and we can draw on ’em when we want ’em,” “‘T see some goods there marked L in a dia- mond. Do you know whose they are?’ ‘*Tt’s about as much as I can do to attend to my own business,” significantly replied the tall lumberman. But the bint was wasted on Dick Risden, who quickly returned to the charge, “Do you know a man named Solon Marley, Mr, Ward?” ae that was what the questioning was to lead up . But the man who tried to bore into as tough a knurl as Hemlock Hank might spoil an auger, ‘Marley?’ he answered, with an abstracted air, ‘Seems like I know the name,” **'No doubt you do. Solon pwsey, of Bangor, formerly book-keeper for Creed & Ralston.’ ‘The man who Rot into trouble there about some notes or sech ‘‘ That’s the man.” ““Yaas, I’ve heerd of him. Used to kinder ow him—not much, as he wasn’t in my line. ears to me that he ranaway. Do you know what’s become of him?’ ' ‘‘T have understood that be is somewhere in these parts,” Hemlock Hank’s weather-beaten face betrayed nothing but innocent astonishment, “Sho! You don’t say! What would a city man like him be doin’ up here in the wild ‘Hiding, perha ‘* Mebbe £05 | but I pity him, if be is, There’s plenty 0’ room to hide in these woods; but it’s a mighty r pesos to live in, except for sech men as Josh Hubbard here, and | guess he don’t have the very best kind of a time.” ‘You don’t know where he is, then?” queried the detective. “If there is sech a man about.here, Mr. Ris- den, it would be like huntin’ a needle in a hay- stack to try to find him, and I wouldn’t like to take the job.” ‘* Couldn’t I hire you?’ * Guess not. I’m already hired. I will ax you to excuse me now, as I must be gittin’ along. But I must say, Mr. Dick Risden, that year, ahead of our ne folks by a long ** How so?” ‘* We’ve got men here who can ask more ques- tions in a minute than I can answer in a day, and some of’em have got the name of bein’ mighty inquisitive on short acquaintance; but you beat ’em ali holler. od-day.” “Nothing simple about him,” muttered Dick Risden, as he gazed after the retiring form of the tall lumberman, Hemlock Hank. Se SS EEE en ccc ee rece a a ec He walked into the tavern, where he invited his followers to join him in a social glass, and then invited them outside, ‘‘Do you mean to foller him, and see where he goes to?” inquired Sol Barnes. ** No, indeed. He is too sharp for that, and I think 1 am too sharp to be fooled by him, He came up the supply road, and is likely to g° back by it part of the way. Then he may be depended on to branch off and take all sorts of turns and twists to hide his trail. But I know how to head him off, and [ mean to doit. Are you sure that you want to go with me, Barnes?” ‘‘Sart’in sure, if the pay is sure,” ‘*There is nothing the matter with the pay, Come on, then, and we must step lively. I have not done with that man yet. I will let.him know that Dick Risden is not the sort to be trifled with.” In the mean time the man. against; whom these threats were made was quietly pursuing his way, ignorant of them, but not unmindful of the man who uttered them, He was in no sort of a burry, but sauntered slowly down the so-called supply road, meditat- ing as he went, ‘‘Darn the sly skunk!” he muttered. “I ought to have enpass a stopper on his ques- tions sooner than I did. The idea of his tryin’ to squeez9 anythin’ out o’ me about poor Marley! It’s just too ridiculous.” He went on a little further, and stopped and meditated again. ‘‘Guess I may as well sheer off arter a bit,” said he, ‘That is jest the kind of aman who might take a notion to trail me up and see where I fetch to. He wouldn’t. bave pumped me as he did unless he had reason to believe Solon to try to find his man by follerin’me, But can beat him at that since I’ve got my eyes open, and he might as well try to foller a snake,” But the confidence of Hemlock Hank was not justified by the event. He bad not been pursued, but had been over- hauled. His enemies had not followed his trail, but had crossed his track. He had reached a frozen stream that crossed the road, and was about to step out on the glare ice, when a man sprung upon him from the cover of a rock, His foe had approached him from bebind, un- seen and stealthily, and Hank had no suspicion of his presence there until two strong arms were twined about him. With an effort that could not be repressed, he rose to his feet, and grappled with his antago- nist. | Immediate} upon him, before he could shake off the the first, and by their united strength overcome, He was soon subdued, and they ity the seal upon their capture by securely binding his hands behind his back. Breatbless and indignant, he seated himself upon a rock to cool off, He had already recognized Dick Risden and now he gazed at them his two companions, an pe 8 and oouset reas “So it is you,” he said. “A nice sort of a trick this is to play on a man who never did you any harm, and who was quietly attendin’ to his own business,” “It worked, though,” remarked the detec- i ive, ‘‘You think so, do you? Mebbe you don’t know. You ain’t through with it yet, I guess. It’s what decent folks would call an outrage. What does it mean?” “It means, Hank Ward, that I have stopped you here in the name of the law and in the in- terest of justice,” “‘T don’t seem to see it in that light. Mebbe you’ll be good enough to go on an’ tell me what the law has got ag’inst me, and what sort of a holt justice has got on me.” ‘“*] will tell you plainly what I mean. It is absolutely necessary that I sbould find Solon Marley, the man I asked you about awhile ago. I am an officer of the law, and my business here is to arrest him and bring him to justice. I have been informed that you know where he isto be found, and I want you to tell me and guide me to him.” ; ‘That's all, hey? Glad to know that you don’t want anythin’ more. Who gave you that there information?” “I don’t choose to say. It is enough that I believe it,” Hemlock Hank actually ‘‘snickered.” He seemed to have got hold of a comical phase of the situation. ‘“So you believe,” said he, “that I know what you want to know, and you expect me to two other men threw themselves rip of ‘was tell you. If I do tell you, will you let me loose?” . i “ And you will believe whatever I see fit to tell Pagel . ‘ “*] will,” firmly nt the detective. ‘‘ Be- sauen Sa Ward, I am sure that it will be the Hank dropped his eyes, that I knew somethin’, and it would be his game } do ' GES _The comical phase of the situation had escaped im. ‘* You've kinder got me there,” be sadly re- marked, ‘“‘and I must say, Mr. Risden, that it ain’t a bad sort of a character you giveme, I hope I deserve it. I didn’t Yarn to lie when I was a youngster, and I’m afeard it’s too late in life to begin now,” ‘* Lthink you may be relied upon never to he- in. Are you ready now to tell me where Solon arley is to be found?’ ‘* You want the truth?’ queried Hank, ** Of course I do.” ** Or nothin’ ?” ‘* Just the truth.” “It has to be the truth or nothin’, and so it’s notbin’.” ace you mean tosay that you won’t tell me ‘Jest that, I’ve got nothin’ to tell you.” Dick Risden frowned, and a hard, set look came into his face. ‘* You will be obliged to tell,” said he. “Do you not believe that I can force sess to do so?” Hemlock Hank rose to his full hight, and looked his interrogator squarely in the face, ‘Mr, Dick Risden,” said he, ‘did you ever git blood out of a turnip?’ ‘* Perbaps not; but it can be done.” * As how?” “If I eat the turnip it will make blood in my body.” Hank var tye again. ** Darved if you ain’t cute!” hesaid. ‘But [ ain’t as soft as a turnip, and I guess you won’t be likely to eat me.” ‘“No; but I will get what I want. I have never yet failed in anything I undertook to ** Guess you'll have to begin, unless you d this contract. You may as well understan that I’ve got nothin’ to tell you about Solon mei First and last, that’s all I have to say. ou couldn’t coax or cheat me into say- in’ anythin’ more. You could never bire me say it. As for scarin’—I guess I don’t scare very easy.” ° CHAPTER XXL SNOWED IN. THE detective bit his lip as he looked at the stubborn man before him, and for the first time he seemed to be puzzled, He doubtless realized the fact that he had un- dertaken a job of exceeding toughness. * Tough and true is what they call you, as I have heard,” said he, ‘‘and no doubt you de- serve the name. I like to see a man stick to his friends, though there are times when he may carry the thing too far, and this is one of them. There is one point, at least, on which you have satisfied me, and that is that you do know the hiding-place of Solon Marley. ‘Have it your own way,” remarked Hank. “* No use for me to argufy the p’int.” “You know, and you will have totell; You must go with me now, Hank Ward, and; when I get you where I want you, you will not go loose until you give up your secret,” “If you say. I must go, 1 \suppose I must. You've got me in a hamper now; but it'll be queer if I stay that way.” * But you will.” “So you say. I guess you know, Mr. Dick Risden, that this 0’ thing is ag’in’ law.” ‘There are times,” replied the detective, ‘‘when I am compelled to make a law to the cas? Lam at work on. I am responsible for what I do.” : ‘‘The winters are long up bere. Have _ figgered om boy cost of my board an’ lodgin’ “Tam talking nonsense. Comeon. We have a long tramp before us.” It was indeed a long tramp—a tedious, worri- some, wearisome tramp—througb the vast for- man across icy streams, over difficult rid an down yet more difficult ravines—push through tangled eae climbing over mse pene and stumblitg among loose and a rocks. 0 all of them it was difficult, but especially so to Hemlock Hank, who was not allowed the use of his hands, and had only his legs to rely upon. rBut he kept up his spirits remarkably well, and was by all odds the most cheerful one of the party, though that was not much to fad A as the others seemed to be under a cloud of sadness and perplexity. Dick Risden offered to unbind his arms if he would give his word to make no attempt to es- ca 7 But the offer was of no use to Hemlock Hank. “T couldn’t give a promise that I'd be sure not to keep,” said be. ‘‘ You can jest rely on one thing, Mr. Dick Risden, and that is that I mean to slide out the first chance I git. There you have it, honest and solid. If you want to keep me, you’|l have to kill me an’ salt me down. (pe The sky had been heavily overcast at the time of Hemlock Hank’s capture, and shortly after that event snow —— to fall, It continued to come down as they tramped around the base of the mountain, increased, MIGCDOOKS (E() (E(@)