Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 340 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

i ee — ————— . ool Conrad, the Dakota Detective. 13 with the bullet struck the ground with a thud. continued Red Roy who with his back almost | suddenly asked Oregon Noll, looking into Silver “Hands down, every mother’s son ov ye! I’m ther shootin’ ghost ov Red Roy, an’ I hold eleven deaths in my hands!” He came out of the gambling-dep and walked away with his eyes fixed on the hard crowd which had already recoiled from the dead man lying at their feet. Not a hand went up though more than one ' elutched the six-chambered arbitrator of border quarrels. There was something striking in the march of Red Roy past the men who a few hours before had lowered him into thé dark depths of Satan’s Hotel. ‘‘ ve seldom played a better hand than this!” he sent back into the faces of the silent but mad- dened men. “ Foller me, an’ find yer eternal doom!” He moved toward that part of the camp occu- ied by Captain Noll’s cabin, and found it in a ew moments. Kicking open the door slightly ajar, he looked inside to see one man dre in a vaquero cos- tume cevering Silver Chick and Oregon Noll with two huge navy revolvers, ‘* Jehosaphat!” cried Red Roy. other picnic!” ‘** Hyer’s an- -7-—-_-:-:lmo CHAPTER XIII. SPARED FOR A TIME. THE man with the two revolvers shot Red Roy a quick look. . God above!” exclaimed Oregon Noll. ‘* Hang me! if Satan’s Hotel hasn’t given up its guest! ‘*T should say it has,” grinned the gold-camp ruffian. ‘‘ Just stand whar ye ar’, an’ ye, too, Silver Chick. I’ve been to ther bottom ov ther Hotel, but I’m not thar now, eh, my beautiful pards? It war ther boss adventure ov ther sea- son. I’m no ghost, but meat an’ bone. Red Roy ov Pistol City, big as life, an’ on his muscle!” The speaker had reached the cabin in time to interrupt proceedings of the most startling na- ‘ture. We have told in a former chapter how Cool Conrad went to Captain Noll’s cabin to find that worthy watching over Monte Merle, and how Silver Chick put in an appearance and declared that he was not Vaquero Van, but that he really ‘was the Dakota Tiger—the man who had escaped from Monte Merle’s man-trap in ’Frisco. Coo! Conrad had proved himself too quick for the Chick and Captain Noll, for before the strat- - ling accusation could be followed up in a proper manner, they found themselves looking into the muzzles of the detective’s revolvers. It was at this juncture of affairs that Red Roy, having frightened and esca from the rds at Holy Hank’s, interrupted the proceed- ings at Captain Noll’s cabin. ool Conrad did not lower his revolvers, but he saw that Red Roy’s bef Seeogh nae had unnerved Oregon Noll and puzzl ilver Chick. onte Merle on the blanket still slept, thanks to Doctor Pablo’s potion, and Red Roy leaned against the door-frame witha grim smile of vic- tory on his bronze face. ‘T’'d rather ye’d spare ther captain,” he said, to Cool Conrad. ‘ As for Silver Chick, ye kin scatter his brains over the wall. But ther cap- tain an’ I hev a little account ter settle.” The reply that was heard began back of the two revolvers. : “Tl brook no interference,” said Cool Con- rad. ‘‘ Silver Chick there says I am not Va- quero Van. I don’t forget that he’s just return- ed from the trail.” “Whar I found ther man you traded suits with,” snapped Silver Chick. ** An’ he told you?” | ‘* Yes, but only at the muzzle of my dropper.” ‘‘That’s how [ ceased ter be Vaquero Van to you, ehf” smiled Cool Conrad. ‘* The man-tra n Frisco didn’t hold me, Chick! Monte Merle came to warn you that I had escaped, an’ he got a knife under the shoulder for his trouble! I have proclaimed myself. I am Conrad, from Dakota—the brother of the boy eight masked devils hung some years ago!” Neither Captain Noll nor his lieutenant started at this announcement. It was buta repetition of what ne already knew, only they now had it from the lips of the avenger himself. oe “You an’ the woman hev joined hunts,” said Captain Noll. “ What woman?” asked the detective. ‘The viper that stung Monte Merle.” ‘No! Iam leagued with no one,” was the flash- ing answer. “I hunt for myself. I will permit ricbody to joinme. The oath I took over the body of my brother imposes all the vengeance on me.” **Then—” ON arse Noll stopped suddenly for Red Roy had straightened in the door, and the men in the Jamplight of the shanty heard the sharp click of his revolver. ‘* Gentlemen,” said Red Roy over his shoulder, “*vou've got ter fight it out ina jiffy ef at all, for all Pistol City ar’ advancin’ on ther fort!” A quick glance passed between the two desper- ado still covered by the man-hunter’s weapons. “‘ Halt thar! I see every man ov yer gang!” against the logs of the miner’s shanty, faced a number of men plainly visible in the moonlight hardly thirty feet away. ‘‘ I’m hyer ter say thet Tl open my batteries on yeef you advance ag’in’ my command.” The men of Pistol City had already halted. Don’t you see?” said Captain Noll’s eyes to Cool Conrad; ‘‘ our deaths will be followed b /yourown. After all, it is you, not Silver Chic _an’ I, who is caught.” | ‘ Back into your corner—quick! and without /'a word!” commanded the man from Dakota in the sternest of tones. ‘‘ By the living Jehu! a re- _ fusal to obey my commands will be followed by | death. Into the corner, dogs of California!” _ Captain Noll and his right bower obeyed with | the sullenness of whipped wolves, while Red Roy | held the fretful crowd at bay in the open air. y; GF a we're ter be shot down like dogs!” _ growled Silver Chick. ‘*'You ought to be,” was the answer. ‘‘I re- collect that the boy who begged for mercy in the Colorado canyon got none. You are the last men in the world who should object to Conrad’s | vengeance.” _ * We only ask fair play. By heavens! Cool Conrad, as they call you, we don’t fear you; but a man’s a man, an’ not a dog to be shot down without a show for his life.” . ‘* All right!” ejaculated the Dakota trai’er. “I don’t shoot a whiner,” and his eyes, flashing mad- | ly, changed light long enough to give Silver Chick a contemptuous glance. ‘Shiver in yer corner ‘thar, an’ wait till I come again. ou know who I am. The accusation of Silver Chick forced me to declare myself sooner than I in- tended to. Monte Merle is not dead, you say. Very well. Heal him for me, for when I turn /my face northward not one of the accursed eight who hanged my brother will be alive! I _have not hunted you men in vain. I did not come to your mountain lair for nothing. My only desire in this wild land is revenge, and by an’ by no man can say that I did not satisfy it. Lift a hand while I face you, and ’ll open your heads with a leaden sphere!” He went to the door in two strides, but with | his piercing eyes still riveted with savage fierce- ness. ‘* Holding them at bay yet, Red Roy?’ he said to the big gold-digger who still faced the crowd outside. ‘*Bet yer boots, captain!’ was the answer. ** Awhile ago they fled like sheep from me as a ook, but they know thet I’m flesh an’ blood an’ thet when I shoot I kill.” Cool Conrad walked out and Red Roy with his revolvers still clutched in his hands, ‘** You and the men of Pistol City for it,” he whispered as he brushed the gold-digger. ‘* You can hold them level, can’t you?’ ‘*Tf I can’t they can’t be held thar!” was the 4 : k out for the two wolves behind you.” “Tl do that. Back thar!” and Red Roy started toward the crowd with outstretched weapons. ‘* About face, an’ march! or Pll open with my persuaders.” Before his resolute tramp and blazing eyes, the miner-roughs drew back, and all at once he threw down his hands and leaped to one side. A wild yell rent the air as the whole crowd rushed pell-mell after him, but Red Roy dart- ing between two cabins was soon lost sight of. ‘Not that map, but the other one!” cried Oregon Noll as furious and almost out of breath he threw himself before the maddened gang who hunted with many a camp oath for Red Roy. ** Red Roy’s harmless compared to the one thet got away—the man who came hyer and called lf Vaquero Van! Let Red Roy go for the resent. e want the other devil—Cool Conrad rom Dakota!” The crowd had halted before Captain Noll and Silver Chick who in a few hasty words ex- plained the true situation of affairs. _ ** Why didn’t you an’ the Chick settle with ’im in ther cabin?” asked one of the boldest of’ the listeners. ** Because he got ther drop first,” was the an- swer. ‘* An’ didn’t use it, ef he hates you so?” ‘He didn’t; thet’s proved by our presence hyer. Ther day will come when he’ll rue his mercy. He says he will come back.” ‘‘ Ter Pistol City?’ cried a dozen men, in in- credulous voices. ‘‘ But he won’t!” ‘* But he will if we let him!” said Captain Noll. ‘‘In ‘Frisco he war Noah Nelson, from San Diego: hyer he war Vaquero Van. He’litry his game in another disguise. You know the rem- bx ov Pistol City?” t ‘his camp must be kept free from stran- ‘**Thet’s it! Pistol City for the gold pards | thet made it what it is,” said Captain Noll, with cool emphasis. ‘‘ The first stranger who enters it, dies! Come, Chick; I want you.” Captain Noll and his lieutenant walked off to- "co leaving the exasperated crowd to ck to the comrade Red Roy had left.on the | ground with a bullet in his brain, or to discuss | the events of the night along Holy Hank’s coun- ter. . ‘** Who helped Red Roy out ov Satan’s Hotel?” a Chick’s face. **T don’t know.” ‘* Don’t tell me thet he dropped clar to ther bottom, for I won’t believe it. He hed help. Thar’s an ally in this camp. Kin you name him?” Silver Chick was silent for a moment. ‘** It’s another puzzle for me,” he said, when he spoke again. ‘We caught him comin’ out ov Marmoset’s cabin.” “Yes: wal?” ‘* What does thet signify ter you?” ‘* But the boy war sick. He war under Doc-- tor Pablo’s care.” ‘*Sartainly; but ther doctor warn’t always with his patient. . 1 say thet Red Roy got out ov Satan’s Hotel by Marmoset’s help.” ‘** Then I suppose you'll accuse him.” ‘Yes: an’ if he attempts ter lie, I'll kill the camp boy Jonah!” grated Oregon Noll. Silver Chick made no reply, but let the flash of rage soften in his companion’s eyes. ** You'll wait till to-morrow, won’t you, cap- tain?’ he asked. ‘* Yes. Now thet Marmoset knows thet my ward is a girl, he'll try ter make himself solid thar. Let’im try it, Chick. I hevn’t watched Floss all this time ter be cut out by a boy. We kept ther secret pretty well till Red Roy un- earthed it an’ made it camp talk. Curse him for thet diskivery! Ther next time it'll be worse than Satan’s Hotel!” ‘“* Ther comin’ ov thet other man pie me ther worst,” said Silver Chick. ‘‘ I can’t forget how well he hoodwinked us as Vaquero Van, an’ ef I hedn’t. accidentally struck Jeff Banning among ther mountains, he’d be gittin’in his bloody work by this time.” ‘“Thet war a lucky find ov yers,” replied the boss of Pistol City. ‘‘ Yer hunt for ther person who cut Monte warn’t a wild-goose chase arter all. It unmasked the dare-devil from the North.” The two pards had by this time reached Ca tain Noll’s cabin, the door of which stood wide enough to let them see the interior of the place, ‘** In God’s name whar’s Monte Merle?” | This question leaped in accents of horror from Captain Noll’s throat as he reached the door and flung it wide. He had a right to speak thus. The blankets on the rough floor had no oc- cupant now, onte Merle, the "Frisco gambler, had van- ished ! pards had not been gone more than forty minutes from the cabin, and when they went away Merle was lying on the blankets under the influence of Doctor Pablo’s sleeping potion. Now not a trace of him was to be seen, ‘** Mebbe,” said Silver Chick, ‘‘mebbe he got up an’ staggered ter Holy Hank’s.” ‘* We'll see,” was the answer. It was no easy task for Silver Chick to keep up with Captain Noll as he ran over the ground toward the gambling-den of the gold camp. He burst excited and like a thunderbolt into ne famous place and startled all with his ques- on: ‘* Is Monte Merle hyer?” Even before an answer was given he saw that the monte king was not in the place. The miner-roughs of Pistol] City had seen nothing of him since he had been carried to Oregon Noll’s shanty. ‘*‘Then he’s wandered off in delirium!” cried Captain Noll, ‘‘ Every corner ov ther camp must be searched for Monte Merle. Light yer torches an’ begin at once. Twenty ounces ov dust ter ther man what finds him!” : The pards of the gold camp obeyed the des- perado sport with alacrity, and in less than ten minutes torches were flitting through the darker portions of Pistol City like fire-flies, Every corner of the camp was _ inspected, every cabin was visited and searched. The excitement increased as the search went on, It had been an eventful night for Pistol City, the most eventful one in its history. oan tye Noll and Silver Chick conducted the search with mad eyes and compressed lips which opened now and then to let slip a curse of disappointment. ‘** We must look for Monte among the moun< tains,” said Oregon Noll at last. ‘** Then he didn’t leave camp alone; he hadn’t the strength.” ** What do you mean, Chick?” ‘Only this,” was the reply. to the hands ov some avenger!” ‘* He’s fallen in- CHAPTER XIV. WHERE MONTE MERLE WAS, “Get up here. I want you!” | A beautiful young woman with blazing black eyes was beaming over a man asleep on some blankets in the light of a lamp that illumined — the interior of a miner’s cabin. : She had to give him several severe shakings before his eyes unclosed, IJOO <5) EGoOmie (E()