Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 333 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

; — * ~ # oo oy ot Petra Qi ie te -~— <2 a littlesum there; and the defiance, plain enough, was promptly answered, ‘*Pll raise you an even hundred anyhow, an’ there's ther money ter talk fur me. Putup yer coin an’ teols in an honest man’s hand, and stand up to me fur a round ef yer dare.” | Norris planked down upon the bar as he spoke a buckskin pouch, and a belt from which depended a knife and pistol. In thus disarming himself he took his chances; but he knew his friends and the temper of Brad Awl very well, and scarcely believed that Early Joe would risk a shot at an unarmed man. He was right, too. The other gave a short laugh as he rose slowly to his feet, displaying a frame of fine proportions. “Ef yer mean that fur a back-down, Brad Awl don’t take no such fling. An’ ef ye think yer kin find a stakeholder that’s what you'd call an honest man, trot him out, Any man hyer’s good enough ter hold my rocks. They ain’t gittin’ away with Early Joseph, not very soon they ain’t.” . ‘* Now you talk likea man. Ef you keep on an’ don’t die too soon, folks will think you ain’t a gas-house after all. Thar’s my man. I never seen him afore; but [ll trust him fur all I’m worth. Put up er shut up.” He pointed straight at Doctor Gabriel Gordon 4s he spoke, and that gentleman shrunk back; ‘but too late to evade the inquisitive eyes that “were turned upon him from every side. ‘** T don’t know him either, but he’s ez good ez a better. Ef he tried he wouldn’t run fur. Pass him out, you fellers, an stand by ter see fair play.” The doctor would have declined the honor thrust upon him; but some one gave him a shove, and before he well knew it he was stand- ing at the center of the ring already formed, while into his unwilling hands was being thrust two belts and the stakes that were to depend on the Te prize fight. ‘* All right now, Jim Norris. It’s go as you lease an’ fight ter a finish, We won’t shake nds, Jest square yerself an’ wade in.” Their coats thrown aside, their brawny arms upraised, the two men stepped toward each other, while the ss ne eg pushed back into a ring, being reinforced by the crowd from the table at the further end of the room, _ There was no great difference in either weight, hight, or length of reach, and for a moment they sparred at each other with about equal grace, each feeling for an opening. 0 oop! Philaloo! Begorra an’ phat ther bloody hounds be yez afther? W’u’d yez? An’ Mike Mulloney away frum home? Tare an’ Youns, sacre, caramba, nix-cum-arouse, howld me paddy, I'm kilt! Maledito!” And with this string of explefives, ground out with full impartiality as to nationality, a new-comer, dashing through the swinging door like a whirlwind, sprung between the two, and catching the throat of a combatant in either hand slung the powerful men around as though they had been infants, hurling the one toward the door the other toward the window. ** Now, bad ‘cess to yez, jist tell me phat yez mane by this. Sure an’ it’s Mike Mulloney’s house ye’r’ in, an’ ef there s to be any foightin’ it’s mesilf that’s ter take a hand. An’ ither- wise jist go outside an’ settle it wid yersilves, an’ don’t puttin’ yersilves inter thrubble in moi ranch, How ner.ther bluddy blazes yer think Oi kin run a bank wid yez rhampin’ *round—an’ a lady wid ther box at that? Go out wid yez, ef ye must foight and settle it in the darruk an’ don’t dishturb bizzness.” The two men so unceremoniously thrust aside were on their feet in an instant, glaring madly at the man, but from some feeling a great deal more potent than mod they restrained their passions wondrously well. As Gabriel Gordon with their belts of weapons made the third cor- ner of the triangle, in the center of which stood Mad Mike, the reason can be guessed at. Mullo- ney could pull and plug before they had two steps made, y an evident effort Early Joe smoothed his and spoke in tolerably steady tones, “That's so, Mike; but when a man gets fired up he ain’t stoppin’ ter think whether ther bank’s runnin’ er not, Beggin’ yer pardon, ef you kin joan us a lantern or two we'll get to work out- side, an’ ef Jim Norris holds his end up you'll see the alfiredest riot two men ever started. There’s money up on it and you may as well see the fun.” ‘A loight. Phat does yez want wid a loight? Ketch hould av one anither an’ foight it out. Sure an’ if I set out me lantherns, an’ one av ther b’yes plugged a hole through ther glass, who'd pay me when both ay yez war corrupses? No more chin, now, but git. D°’yez think Oi don’t know phat’s ther matter wid yez? an ye’r’ both t’arin’ fools.” ‘*Thank you, Mike, mebbe we are; we’ll go outside and see.” Jim Norris’s voice trembled a little, but other- wise he showed no signs of anger, and without a glance at either his antagonist or the unknown stake-holder he walked into the open air and took up his position facing the door, and just at the er side of the band of light that came through the broken window, rr pss SS Sys a ———— — — Derringer Deck, the Man With the Drop. Early Joe, not quite so tractable, gave a glance at Mike Mulloney. If there had been a chance to take him off his guard the circus might have come off under cover. ut Mad Mike stood with his arms akimbo his hands conveniently near to the belted weapons at his hips; and the man that could catch him napping would have to be preter- naturally wide awake. With just that momen- tary hesitation Early Joe followed Jim Norris, while the crowd came streaming after. CHAPTER V. A WOMAN’S WARNING. THE crowd went trooping out, but Doctor Gordon remained behind. So did the bartender, who rejoiced in the name of Rapid Johnny. So did Laughing Lil, who ran the bank, with a looker-out who did not care to desert the coin; and a half-animated bundle of rags in the corner, whose snoring could be heard in the hush that followed the evacuation. The doctor’s lingering had doubtless I at notice from the fact that the coming of Mike Mulloney had turned the programme upside down, and diverted from him completely the attention that he had momentarily excited. That was what he wanted. Gabriel Gordon had as much curiosity as any- body, but he did not desire to be too far up toward the front in such a crowd as gathered at Mad Mike’s until he knew more about its temper. This arrangement suited him very well. He moved toward the window, expecting to at least see something of the fracas from that coign of vantage, but just as he was getting into position he was startled at hearing his name called softly: Doctor Gordon!” ** Doctor! He looked around sharply. Laughing Lil had raised from hef seat, and had her eyes fixed on him while she beckoned him with her finger. As he hesitated she came toward him. **Are you as mad as the rest of them?” she said, her low tones more earnest than the smile on her lips would have seemed to indicate. ‘*You have no business in Brad Awl; and least of all here. What wild folly induced you to come alone, and where, the moment you are really known, a dozen hands will be ready to strike at your life?” ‘*Pardon me, but, really—really—this inter- est in me, a aoe stranger, is—is rather over- whelming. How do you know who 1 am; and why this warning?” ‘** Precious little interest have I in you; but I cannot see your daughter in such deadly danger without at least a word of warning. If you are what you seem answer my question, You have no business here.” ‘*Perhaps not. Perhaps not. But I did not come alone; and I thought that I should not fail to learn something of the place in which I have cast my lot. What mad freak caused Mr. Bright to embroil himself with that ruffian I cannot imagine; and since his sudden departure I have only remained because I could not get away.’ ? But you should not have come atall. I tell you, Mr. Gordon, you have enemies such as you ittle dream of; and I have reason to believe that the man who calls himself Bright is the worst of all. The man who ate this place is an honest fiend; the rest out there are fiends without the honesty. Sooner or later it is in- tended to embroil you with Early Joe; but I am afraid there is even a deeper game than that, which may be carried out while you linger here.” ‘*A game? I don’t understand you. What do you mean?” ‘**Simply this. You are known to have wealth —money here, but more where you came from. You were inveigled here to be stripped; and it will be done in the most available way.” , ‘* But, bless my soul, what is this you are tell- ing me? Why should you, the confederate of the worst elements of Brad Awl, reveal the plot? It—it looks as though you might want to os my confidence for purposes of your own. Eh? Forgive meif I do re injustice.” **Have I not told you that it is not for you that I care, though I am not as bad as you think me? Youare ert to be a man, and ought to be able to fight your own way. But for your daughter I have the feeling that one woman should have for another. With all your shrewd- ness has it never struck you that Jawler and the sanctimonious -looking little scoundrel with whom you came hither might be in league. After the marked confidence you have placed in the latter what would be easier than for him to inveigle yu daughter into his power. If you find t she has vanished when you return to the Ark blame only your own folly.” Without rose the snarl of two combatants en- gaged in a ferocious struggle led with the eal bg By of the crow thin, Ra > ohnny an e ca Botoiatgg b9 to see with- out abandoning their posts. i two, talking in low tones seemed in no danger of being either observed or overheard. Yet the exclamation of Doctor Gordon as he heard of this possible danger was too loud for prudence, | ‘* Why did you not say so sooner? Heavens! that is a danger I never thought of, and the only one I have not provided against. And I am waiting here! Thanks, a thousand thanks, whatever may be your motive. I must go now at any risk, but I believe I can slip away with- out being noticed. However I may find things at the Ark I will not forget this goodness of yours, What shall [do with the stakes? The victor must have his reward. Will you take them?” ‘*Thank you. For reasons you can hardly un- derstand it is im ible for me to have any- rey to do with them.” ‘**Right she are, boss, but Billy Bender are around; copperheads an’ coal ile, yes! Ef he can’t hold ‘em theyll be a durned sight more slippy than the law allows. It’s a post ov dan- ger, but ter help a feller mortal in deestress ther jedge am byar.” A pair of remarkably dirty hands were out- stretched, and their owner was the identical hero of Black Dam who had intruded at the Ark in the earlier part of the evening. There was an avaricious twinkle in his eye, and the brass in his face was solid, and enough to make a fair-sized molten image. . the doctor saw him he never gave a second ook. ‘*To the victor belong the spoils. Tell them that I was called away suddenly, but will see them again. And I won’t forget you for help-~ x in my trouble.” e dro the stakes in Billy Bender’s hands with reckless confidence, and turned again to the feminine gambler. ‘*One more favor. Help me out of this, I must go so that I will not have to pass through that crowd. They might hinder me, and there is no time for delay. Is there no other way out?” **' Yes. Come. This way. Make haste. Those hounds will tear each other to pieces, and that will whet the appetite of the rest for blood. Lose no time when once you leave here.” She drew him away by a light touch on his sleeve, and he followed her with eager haste. They passed on to the further end of the room, going behind the now deserted table. For the first time the doctor noticed a door there, in the corner of the wall. . This Laughing Lil opened, and the two darted out into the night, as a wild yell rose behind them. ‘*Qh-h-h! Ouch! Elijer fishbites don’t! It’s on’y ole Billy Bender, lookin’’after yer inter- ests. Whar, oh! whar would ye bin ef I hadn’t po round ter rake up ther sleepers? Thunder, on’t!” “They'll kill him, that’s one satisfaction,” in the woman in a tone that was cruelly unpleasant. ‘* That will take up their time and ive you a chance. ose no time.” ‘What! and leave a man to be murdered, for my fault? Never!” With surprising suddenness the doctor wheel- ed, and in his hand he held a revolver. Through the closed door he could hear the circus in room he had lately left; and badly as he wanted to go, he now seemed twice as fanxious to get back. Hither he was a man of more nerve than he had had credit for, or he was sublimely ignorant of what a circus—a real, dyed-in-the- wool, double-action, old-fashioned circus at Mad Mike’s really meant. The woman stood in his way. “Stop,” she said. ‘“‘If you goin there now I cannot han you; but that man I can save. I pledge you my word he shall come to no eaat “wa jr T once reach him, Think of Ianthe an off. The promise and the name of Ianthe turned the scale. ‘*And I pledge you my word that if he is harmed he shall be avenged, if I have to bring = whole United States army to see it done. 0, | e had already lost much valuable time, Al- ways wanting to break away, he had lingered for this thing and that, as though only the strongest reasons could drive him. Now, with this threat on his lips, he darted off, and in a moment was lost to sight. | ‘* Another fool made happy,” muttered Laughing Lil, as she coolly opened the door and quietly and unobserved she slipped back into You know the way now; the house. Doctor Gordon had no trouble in finding his way. He passed along the rear of the adjoin- house, but then turned and made for the street, yi a lightly and fleetly toward the Ark. It only took afew moments to reach the hotel, and straight he went for the room in which he had left his daughter. When he found the door open and the light extinguished, it seemed pretty certain that his worst fears were realized. Hastily he struck a match and lit the lamp, that he found where he had left it. The light revealed no sign. The door that con- nected with his daughter’s room was open, and the room itself was also empty. ty After one more hasty glance, the doctor wheel- ed and rushed away in search of the proprietor. of the Ark. 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