Beadle's Dime Library No. 327 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

anythin’ about him. My name is Isaac Sanders and I live here with my family winter an summer, year in an’ year out. “Glad bo see you, Mr. Sanders—ever so glad. I guess you want to know how I happened to come in here so off-handed and sudden-like.” ‘‘No hurry, Mr. Ward—not a bit o’ hurry. You must feel sorter shuck up and out o’ shape arter that tumble. Come to the house, and [ guess we can find a bit o’ Medford rum there that ain’t to be sneezed at. That'll straighten you up ag’in, and then you can tell the story when you feel like it.” At the house Hemlock Hank was made ac- quainted with Mrs. Sanders, and soon Dave came in and was introduced to him. Abner, who had his suspicions of the stranger, had cautioned his cousin Nick to keep out of the way for the present. ‘‘ Abner and I saw you up there astraddle of that log, Mr. Ward,” said ike Sanders, who was itching to get at the secret of the tumble. ‘We saw you up there, sorter distant-like, and I said to Abner that it was a resky thing to do; but I never thought that such a man as you would git such a tumble.” ‘Tt wasn’t as resky as you might suppose, Mr. Sanders. 1 was safe enough there, if I’d been let alone. I had a man settin’ on t’other eend of the log.” ‘* And what became o’ him?” ‘He let up on me. He dumped me over.” ey et you over? Thunder at Christmas! What did he do that for?” ‘** That’s more’n I can tell you. I know he had a sort 0’ grudge ag’inst me, but never supp he would kerry it so far as that. When it comes to killin’ folks, you know, that’s a serious busi- ness.” ‘* Should say so. Who’s the man?” ‘Now I’ve got to tell you the whole string and make a clean breast of it, as I may say. I came up here with aman named Dick Risden. I think your boy there met him a bit ago; did- n’t he?” | ‘ Well, yes, I believe he did.” ** And did him a good turn, too—more’n one. Dick will never forgit that; no more will I. Another man came with us—a young man nam- ed Julius Muldrow. Mebbe some of you have heard o’ him?” ‘* Mebbe so,” curtly answered Ike Sanders. ‘* They came up here to look fora young fel- ler named Nick Sanders, who is accused of a murder down at Cranston, and they brought me along as a guide. Now you’ve got me where you want ess.” ‘** Never mind that now,” observed Ike, ‘' Go on and tell us about the tumble.” Hemlock Hank proceeded to relate the adven- tures of himself and his ae since they came into the woods, and told how they had arrived outside the Sanders stronghold, where they wit- nessed the discomfiture of the Kanucks, and ad- ministered chastisement to one of the vagabonds who had entrapped Terrapin Dick. He went on to speak of their further ascent of the mountain and exploration of the plateau up there, with the object of trying to find a rear entrance to the basin. He then mentioned the departure of Risden for the purpose of bringing ~ provisions, and de- scri the arrangement he had made to get a better view from t edge of the cliff. ‘‘ We had been havin’ a sight o’ trouble with that young cuss,” said he. ‘‘ He was so onac- soamiabky fractious an’ mean an’ hateful that there warn’t no such thing as gittin’ along with him in peace an’ quiet. I had to give hima right sh settin’ down awhile ago, and I guess he kinder treasured that up ag’inst me, waitin’ till he could git a good chance to take the grudge outo’me. He his chance at last, and then he boosted up his eend o’ the log, and sent me whirlin’.” j ‘* And so,” remarked Ike Sanders, ‘‘ you came sneakin’. round here to try to ketch ick San- ders, and the Lord stepped in and upset the scheme.” — “You may put it so if you want to,” replied Hank; ‘ but it seems to me that instead o’ bein’ the Lord who — me, it was the devil in the shape of Julius Muldrow, who is sart’inly one of the devil’s imps.” “It was the Lord’s mercy that you wasn’t killed, anyhow. Now, Mr. Ward, as you’re alive and well, mebbe you'd like to jine your friends and carry out that scheme of ketchin’ Nick and han in’ him.” - What do you want to talk that a for, Isaac?’ demanded Mrs. Sanders, who been favorably impressed by Hemlock Hank’s honest countenance and manly bearing. ‘‘T’m sure that Mr. Ward don’t looF like a man who would want to do rn tree 3 any harm.” “ You're right abovt hat, ma’am,” said Hank. drow and his schemes, whatever they may be. Is it likely that 1’d want to take up with a sneakin’ sccurdrel who tried to send me to such a death—a cowardly, cold-blooded murderer? If I should ever jine him ag’in, it would be to choke the wretched soul out o’ his mis’able body. There’s Dick Risden, too—if he knew what that scamp has done to me, he’d have a sudden and solid settlement with him.” fons Nn nnn anne rae sess sles sens a) Terrapin Dick. ‘“‘Tll bet my rifle, dad,” said Abner, ‘‘that | he found himself alone, and Mr. Ward won't bother Nick or any of us.” ‘‘But I guess, my son, that we'd better keep him here awhile.” ‘*That’s right enough,” replied Hank. ‘‘ I’m willin’ to stay, and glad of the chance. I hope you won’t lay up too much of a hard feelin’ ag’inst Dick the $4 who is one of the squarest an’ best men livin’. It’s jest part of his reg’lar business that he’s ’tendin’ to in this.” ** Pve heerd that there’s folks who do that sort o’ thing for pay,” observed Ike. ‘‘ I suppose he’ll be for hangin’ around here and watchin’ a chance to grab Nick,” ‘* 1 don’t know what he will do now. Of course he will wonder what’s become o’ me, and Julius Muldrow will lie to him. If I should go out 0’ here, it would only be to let him know that I am safe, and to tell him the truth about that skunk from Cranston.” ‘* Well, I guess we won’t worry about him, as he ain’t likely to get hold of Nick.” ‘Tf he should git hold of him, Mr. Sanders, I don’t believe it would be the wuss for the young chap, because I know that Dick Risden has doubts about his bein’ guilty, and would be more likely to do him good than harm.” ‘“* Well, Mr. Ward, Nick says that he ain’t guilty, and that he never heard of the murder until he came up here, and I believe him. Judge Meacham thinks that he ain’t guilty, too.” The name of the distinguished lawyer at once made an impression upon Hemlock Hank ‘* Judge Meacham?” he exclaimed. ‘ you know what he thinks about it?” ‘*He was here awhile ago. He gave Abner the splendid rifle you see there.” ow do | | ecially when he aoe on the manner in which he came to be alone. ’ He was continually looking about, and now and then starting, as if he feared the approach of something that might harm him. As the thief is said to fear in each bush en officer, so he saw a possible enemy in every motion of a branch or shadow of a cloud. Finally he seated himself near the edge of the cliff, facing from it, Hemlock Hank’s at his side, both cocked and within reach. Never before had he felt such a dread of being alone. He remembered well his unpleasant experi- ence with the bear that treed inks but it was something more than dread of a possible bear that now depressed his spirits and made him long for company. hen Terrapin Dick finally made his appear- ance, he seemed to come so suddenly and so like a specter, that Julius started up in affright, his face pale and his limbs trembling. ** What’s the matter with you, Mr. Muldrow?” demanded the detective, as he transferred his load from his back to the ground.” ‘*Matter? What matter?” “Are you crazy? You look and act so strangely, that I want to know what is the mat- ter with you.” ‘* You came up so suddenly and silently, that you startled me.” ‘That is queer. [ thought I was making plenty of noise. Where is Hank Ward?’ ‘*T am afraid, Mr. Risden, that he is dead.” It was then Terrapin Dick’s turn to be startled The rifle was duly inspected and admired, and | and it must be admitted that there was good Nick Sanders, assured by Abner that there was no danger, was brought into the house and in- troduced to the stranger. He told his story again, as he had previously told it to his own people. ‘‘T guess you are right, Mr. Sanders,” said Hank Ward, ‘‘in believin’ that the young chap ain’t guilty, and if Judge Meacham thinks so, too, it will do to bet on asa fact. But the most of what I’ve jest heerd ain’t news tome. Dick Risden gave me about the same p’ints, and had about the same idees.” ‘* What does he want to come up here huntin’ Nick for, then?’ demanded Ike Sanders. ‘*Can’t say. He don’t allus tell everythin’ that’s in his mind. Come to think though, I shouldn’t wonder if he wants to find him so’s to fix the murder on the man who really did it.” ‘*I would be glad enough to go with him,” said Nick. ‘Since I heard that Miss Mary was talked about as havin’ put me up to killin’ the old lady, ’ve wanted to go back and tell ’em what a set of liars they are. But Judge Meacham said that I had better stay here awhile.” ‘And here you shall stay, Nick,” observed his uncle, “‘ until Judge Meacham says it will be safe for you to go down there. Now I want to know what we are goin’ to do with Mr. Hank Ward. I don’t like the idee of tyin’ him up, or shuttin’ him up.” ‘“°Twouldn’t do no good,” replied Hank. ‘I have got out of a wuss scrape than this when folks wanted to keep me. I guess you had bet- ter take my word for it that I won’t leave this hole in the hills without givin’ you notice.” “*T believe you, old man. our word is good enough for me.” CHAPTER XXXT. GRIEF AND SUSPICION, It was not immediately after Julius Muldrow had done his dastardly deed that he began to realize the extent and enormity of the crime he had committed. For awhile he acted as if he was dazed, sitti on the ground near the Pe where the log ha been, and staring vacantly into space. Then he got up and ran about like a crazy man, frantically calling the name of the man he had sent into the abyss. After awhile he calmed down, crawled to the edge of the cliff, and looked over into the basin. ut he saw nothing there'that he might have hoped or feared to see. emlock Hank had then climbed down the | calcula fir tree, and was finishing the descent of the cliff. During his further progress he was concealed from the view of Muldrow by trees and other obstructions. Besides, the would-be murderer, in addition to his other defects, had the infirmity of short- sightedness. Gradually Julius regained complete control of his senses, and the full realization of what he had done came to him. _ Doubtless he would have given worlds, in imagination, to undo the fatal deed; but it was done and over with, and after it remained the savor of a satisfied grudge. He could not doubt that Hemlock Hank was dead, very dead, as it was im ible that he should have survived that fearful fall, and it would be necessary to give a plausible account of his disap ce to Risden on his return. That, in the opinion of Julius, would be easy enough to do, ca But he became very restless and uneasy when | cause for his agitation. ‘*Dead?”’ he exclaimed. ‘‘ Hemlock Hank dead? It is impossible, I can’t believe it. Is this one of the pleasant little games that you | are so fond of playing?” ‘It is no sort of a game,” answered Julius, almost sobbing as he spoke. ‘I wish to God it was. He must be dead. He can’t be alive. That is what has broken me all up, Mr. Risden. My nerves are in a terrible state. errapin Dick sat down on the ground, and covered his face with his hands, His form was shaken with emotion, and his attitude spoke of extreme depression. But there were traces of tears on his face when he arose. ‘This is a fearful blow to me,” he said, ‘“‘and yet I am sure that I don’t fully realize it. I can’t get hold of the idea that Hem- lock Hank is dead—that such a man—such‘a goes man—should have been takenaway. But know nothing about it yet. Tell me what has happened, Mr. Muldrow, and just how it hap- pened. I want you to be exact about it.” Julius told the story in his own way, as he had arranged it in his mind while he was await- ing the return of Risden. hae poe ing to his eer Hemlock oo , against vice, upon ou on the dead tree to get a better view o thecal ley. ‘When he had gota little distance from the edge of the cliff, Julius begged him not to go any fur- ther; but his entreaties were sneered at and de- rided. Fearing that the guide would go too far and destroy the balance of the log, the a man seated himself near the butt end, with the object of anchoring it. It seemed that Hemlock Hank, perceiving him there, was encouraged to greater recklessness, and crawled out further. Suddenly the log tilted, the little end dropping down and the big end flying up, and the damage was done. All was over in a moment. The springing —— of the dead tree threw Julius off, and when he regained his feet th catastrophe was beyond his control. The log was then swiftly slipping over the edge of the cliff, and directi it went down into a he mer carrying H Hank to his eath. Julius Muldrow told this story glibly enough, but ina jerky, irresolute manner, such as was to breed icion. It was a plausible in fact, it did not lack much of being true—and the absence of the dead tree went far to confirm it; but Terrapin Dick had his doubts. ; “That is oe 88 said he, ‘remarkably . Hank Ward was never rash or reck- less. A more cautious man I never met. He would not have ventured out on that log unless he had good reason to believe that the other end was secure.” As the detective spoke he looked keenly at Muldrow, who made no attempt to meet. his But there was nothing strange in that, as Julius seldom looked anybody in the face. ‘You will not have him to quarrel with any more,” remarked Risden. ‘‘ Whatever grudge you may have had against him is satisfied now.” ‘“What do you mean?” demanded Julius, as he started up. ‘‘ I hope you don’t suspect me of having been the cause of his death.” ‘*Oh, no—though the circumstances were so cS) (EC AACE OO) with his own rifle and |: (El) ; |