Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 333 — page 3: what you’re looking at

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

« * * , -é Derringer Deck, the Man wit tion. The fact that he might have withdrawn undetected was proof enough that he was not acting as a spy. . Dr. Gordon spoke with all of the deliberation that had been so painful to Colonel Thompson when endeavoring to arouse his enthusiasm for the Brad Awl trip. ‘*T do not know but what you are worth lis- | bitterness in his tone, — —=—_— - -———— ass If you’ve anything to say, say it quick, be- ore I have to leave you. What in the name of wonder did you bring her here for? It’s bad enough for a full-blown man; but for a rosebud of a woman it’s almost certain death.” ‘‘She came to take care of me,” responded Doctor Gabriel, and there was just a shade of ‘*T am not to be trusted tening to. My daughter forgets that thatloafer | alone.” excited her interest, and he certainly camein as questionable a guise, and with much the same warning. I believe you do not wish to intrude | and that you are inclined to do us a friendly | turn. Now, who are you; and what have you to propose?’ he man above laughed lightly. **1’m just the man you want, though I wouldn’t like to say it at large, fer you understand I’m here sort of incog. The boys used to call me Derringer Deck, and if this court knows herself she can shoot plumb center yet. For the rest— I’m proposing just about what Howlin’ Billy did, If you want a side pard I'll take you in on the ground floor. And it’s not from any par- ticular love for you, either; but because it would suit my own hand tip top, A, number one.” ‘‘Derringer Deck?’ said lanthe, inquiringly, interested now, and curious, ‘* Yes, Derringer Deck, the man with the drop. They called me that because, in the old times, when I was on the loose, when I let go I always killed. I’ve been on the goody good line for a time, and it didn’t work as well as I hoped for. Now I've got a little debt of gratitude to pay, and while ’m at work I may as well carry you two along. Ah!” He ceased speaking suddenly, and Miss Gordon gave a little scream. Although the movement was concealed by the partition he had suddenly thrown up his hand over his shoulder, and the short, sharp crack of a Derringer rung through the room. | Right after he gave an exclamation of dis- st re Ah, missed him by heavens! I’m getting rusty ; and if that’s the way I open out I'd better quit and go home.” The intense disgust in his tones, showed that his words had a meaning; though he had ynever turned his head to see the result of his shot. ** What is the significance of that, sir? Isita signal? If all this talk is only a prelude to an attack, you may jot it down that when the rush comes you will not find us unprepared. I have your life in my hands now.” ‘‘T see you have. I’m wise in all such sorts of wiles, and if tyne practice is as good as your theory you could just riddle me as full of shot as a sieve has holes. But you’re not going to do it. Ill bet beg money on it. The fact is some rascal was snooping around, and if I hadn’t given him a hint he would have been crawling in on top of me. I don’t reckon he heard ver much, and I'd bet rocks my ball didn’t go ha an inch from his head.” Miss Ianthe removed her hand from the pocket of her dress, folded her arms, and walked away to the window, where she stood looking out into the darkness. The doctor took up the conversation. ‘*If you really mean well, yo man, you may be of use to me, and I would like to have some conversation with you. But just now be quiet and fall back. That pistol-shot of yours will be apt to draw attention in this direction, even if the man at whom you say you fired does not Come again. Give things time to cool off and then come around here, when we will have an opportunity to talk a little more at our ease ‘* Don’t fret yourself about any such nonsense. og beh: 5 mr oy “ot tabi here if we let off a whole ry 0 tling guns. re used to it, you see. And if you want to Palle to me it’s got to be done now. I’ve business around at Mad Mike’s somewhere in this next half-hour, and it won't do to put it off.” ‘Come then, I suppose there will be no more intruders, for a time, at least, unless they drop through the ceiling, or come up through the floor. And if there are, whose business is it if I choose to have a little private and confidential discourse?” ‘Correct you are. I'll be there in a minute,” The head was withdrawn, and the doctor seated himself on the edge of the bed to await the entrance of his newly-made acquaintance. It ~~ a long + pore? The ned opened, an rringer Deck entered, with a light, pantherish step. “He was by no means a pice Western man. His clothing was of the neat and practical kind that combine style and wear, and would not have been out of place in a crowded city, save for the broad-brimmed hat and navy blue flan- nel-shirt with its broad, rolling collar. * Shake, old man!” Bright extended his hand, as he advanced; and it was taken in a gripe that was far stfon- rer than he had expected, though his own was e iron, **'You’ll do,” he said, lightly. ‘After a shake I havea man pretty well sized up. You may not know much about mines and mining ; but I wouldn’t wonder if you were solid to tie to. Now no more nonsense. Cut loose. Pro- : \ [ ee aaa aaa aaa a ee ‘ Then his voice changed again. “No. Ill take that back. I won’t malign her, even to a stranger. We two have never been separated, and | hope we never shall be, Where one goes you will find the other. Man never had such a daughter before; and I was a brute to bring her here.” ** That goes without saying. What did you do it for? ‘* Because, when once I had given my word and my money to Abner Thompson I was not one to back out, or wait long to see where and what was my investment.” “ And you gave him money to invest for “IT did. I am not often mistaken in my judgment of men, and I decided that he was on You haven't id t, I suppose, of ou haven’t any idea yet, I su 0 where the money went to?” . ** Yes, toa certain extent. If I am not mis- taken it purchased half of a claim known as the Early Joe claim. There was a bargain in it if half that was said was true. If it looks pros- rous when I see it 1 have arranged to make urther investments.” ‘*The ‘Early Joe’ claim. Ah! Yes! Are you acquainted with the symptoms of paresis?” ‘*T—1’m not sure I understand you.” ‘** Well, in plain English they call it softening of the brain. When you see Karly Joe himself, and hear his claim that he never disposed of an share of his interest in the shaft that carries his name I think maybe you will understand me better.” ‘* But Thompson had everything in shape, and certainly led me to believe it was a good invest- ment.” * Oh, the investment is good enough. It’s the realizing that brings the trouble in.” ‘* But the colonel was recommended to me by men that ought to know, yet you would make him out a fraud of the first water. Is that your meaning?’ ‘**] don’t say that altogether, I only give you a wink to go slow; and after that you must judge for yourself. If you want to see Previous oseph I can take you along to Mad Mike’s and give you a chance to size him up.” **T would like to go,” answered the doctor, after a momentary hesitation, ‘“‘ but will it be safe? For myself I do not care for risks, but I must remember Ianthe, and from the name of the place I should judge it was not one which a man would be likely to visit solely in the way of business.” ‘** Perhaps not; but, as they are bound to kill you if you stay here, where’s the difference? A day or two on or off the record will hardly count in the long run.” ‘*Bless my soul, but this is very discourag- in ” Bactus Gordon ran his fin through his hair and looked up toward his daughter in a troubled way. Doubtless she had heard what had been said; but she gave no sign. ‘‘And yet,” he continued, ‘I cannot believe the case is as desperate as you represent. To make sure of it I will go. Yes, [will go. In the absence of Colonel Thompson, who, I under- stand, is away in the mountains, I must have some one for guide and mentor, and you will do better than any I have seen. How soon shall we start, and what possible excuse can I have for visiting the place of this Mad Mike, as you call him?” . No excuse is needed. We'll go in and take a He stopped ing and wheeled suddenly. At the window Ianthe given a cry. ‘*Look! Look!” she exclaimed. ‘They will kill him. The murdering brutes! They are after a single little, lone Chi " ‘‘A Chinaman, did you say? Good glory! Think over it, old man. Ill see you later on. And then the young man, without stopping to take a preliminary view of the affair t was exciting the interest of the young lady, rushed to the window, threw up the im and sprung hurriedly out. CHAPTER III. THE TALENTED TWINS. Doctor Gorpon knew sufficiently well the Pacific pag SA be surprised that a man, like Derringer Deck presumably was, should feel so much interest in a Chinaman. He hurried to the side of his daughter and stared out. ‘*He went past but a minute ago,” said Ianthe, pointing with her finger, ‘‘and I won- dered to see himhere. Out SF pm three or four men threw themselves suddenly at him and aregee him away. You cannot see them now, and I suppose he is dead by thistime. There’s ‘ h the Drop. little enough mercy shown anywhere to the - Celestials, and Brad Awl can be no better than the average.” While the two looked, trying to pierce the shadows that lay beyond the line of light from a window on the opposite side of the street, they heard the sounds of two shots, one after the — Then a little man came running toward em. ‘“*Look! That is he!” exclaimed the girl. ** He has 5 t away from them. We had stand back. If they shoot at him we are right in line for whatever misses him.” ~~ ‘*It looks as though the shooting was from the other side,” responded the doctor, as he gave a side step, to get out of range, yet still have an opportunity to see what was going on. ot a very improbable wie” Se that, since the man from the flowery land held a revolver in either hand, which he was flourishing as he ran. And right outside he halted suddenly, wheeled, and again fired two shots. Then, while Ianthe gave a little cry, and Doctor Gordon drew her back by a quick grasp the Chinaman thrust away his weapons, reached his hands up to the window-sill, and swung him- self into the room. “‘Hi-yah! We Waillo lounde ebley time. *Melican man no hittee use, tinkee take um stlap. Me shootee allee samee sport—way up- pee. T’hen lun fu’st chop choy, no doublee teamee in hissee. Jump in windee; what side my now can go? Eh, c*hoy?” As such people run, the Celestial was by ro means bad looking. He seemed little alarmed, and not at all confused. Having delivered his speech he shut the window down very quietly and then turned coolly to the two, who appear- ed to be uncertain what should be done in the premises. He looked at the doctor, then at his daughter, and then back to the doctor again. ‘Fats’ai, fats’ai, chop-chop; but what for you ming ge to Blad Awl? Him plenty bad placee. e Waillo look see Cunle Thompson no wait fo’ flind, an’ tink dat culio. Tell flind bette’ no hab makee stop this side; bette’ git up an’ git. Cunle Thompson no good man, Blad Awl no hab got good man; allo allee samee la- li-loong, tief mans. More bette’ gO’ way, fitee fitee. Pillman no sabbe, eh, Choy?” ‘‘ No, I don’t understand. How in the name of wonder do you know anything about Colenel Thompson and myself? ere is something mysterious about that which goes beyond me. This is the third warning I have had from yecr- fect strangers, all of whom seemed to kncw more or less about my affairs. Tell me, how came you to know that the colonel was expect- ing me?” ‘Oh, We Waillo ‘lounde allo time. Look sce Pillman an’ him daughtle in Gloly Gulchee. Him want um chancee tellum what pidgin he inside. Godlum no tinke plopa listen, alle lighty. We Waillo go look outee numpa wun. o wantchee see Dellingle Deck, him skip.” And skip he did, with a haste that bespoke a very earnest purpose. A step outside must have been his warning, for shortly after he had dis- appeared Bright came in, a gocd deal more leisurely than he had gone out. ‘** Blast the heathen, he teok his own part well enough fer two, and I just had the pleasure of helpin carry a pair of stiffs into Uncle John- ny’s. I reckon no one saw him, and unless you want a hanging-bee, I wouldn’t advise you to mention ah | about the affair. Brad Awl don’t want the heathen very much op nee and if they dropped to the game they might try to wring me into it—which would have a bad effect on the next census.” ‘-But who was he—what is he doing here— why was he attacked—why should you take such an interest in the matter? Miss Gordon strung half a dozen questions together into one disjointed sentence, seem- ed very much in earnest about it. “Bless your soul, that sounds like a woman, now, don’t it? There’s room enough to talk for a week about that, and the quickest I can an- | swer is to say: I don’t know. You let Jobn Chinaman alone and he won’t brother you, and if the doctor is ready I'll take him along to Mad Mike’s. It’s time we were on the war-path if we want to get any scalps.” For a stranger the young man made himeelf very much at home, and took possession of the doctor in a cool, matter-of-fact way, that showed no fear of refusal. Yet Doctor Gordon did hesitate, and lcok in- .| quiringly at his daughter. “Oh, go,” said that young lady, answerin more frankly than had perhaps been intend ‘““When you’re at Brad Awl you must do as Brad Awls do. But before you start I would advise you to get your revolver out of the trunk and have this gentleman see that it is properly loaded. You may have a call to use it, and if ~ it is best that it should be in working or- er. ‘“Man alive; you don’t mean to say that yow’re not heeled? Right you were to bring the young lady along. You need a guardian. Get out the revolver by all means; and if you think you can find a place to carry them, come to my room and T’ll lend yeu a couple more. There’s (ae ayicel exoyoy <3 * (El) ee a ee ee eee