Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 340 — page 2: what you’re looking at

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

2 Cool Conrad, the Dakota Detective. finger over the page before him and inspected the names that appeared upon it. — | Half-way down the column the finger stopped for the briefest space of time over this registry: *NoaH NELSON, SAN Diego, Cat.” He looked at the inscription long enotigh to fasten it on his memory, and then, with a slight bow to the clerk, he turned and walked awa with the same coolness and unconcern wit which he had come to the desk. He had scarcely left the hotel ere a man rose from a chair in one corner of the office and walked toward the counter, nervously biting an unsmoked cigar. ‘*T guess 1’ll settle my bill,” this man said to the clerk. ‘Yes, Mr. Nelson,” was the reply. ‘‘ Are you not leaving us sooner than you expected?” ‘*T think not. I said when I came, you know, that I was liable to take flight at any time. The time has come.” The last two sentences were spoken with a smile, and the clerk turned to make up the guest’s bill. While he stood at the counter, Noah Nelson presented a study for those who thought it Ww while to study him, e@ was a man of medium hight, quite well ~ org rather dark-skinned, and wore specta- cles. His clothes were not of the fine texture that distinguished the garments of the man who had just examined the register, but they were neat and serviceable—good enough for Mr Noah Nel- son, we should say. His face was ‘covered by a short grayish beard, for he looked past forty-five, and withal ef apie like a man who had seen a good deal ot the world. When his bill had been figured up and pre- sented, it was paid, and as the clerk leaned over to check it on the register, Noah Nelson caught his wrist and said: ‘*' You will do me a favor, sir—a very great favor—if you will let the Registry remain as itis, Adjust your cash book, sir, but leave my name unchecked.” It was an unusual request, and the eyes of clerk and guest met while the latter spoke. ‘We don’t like to do businéss in that way, Mr. Nelson—” ‘* But I ask it,” was the interruption. ‘I promise you that one of these days everything shall be explained. I ask this as a particular favor to—to Noah Nelson, sir.” The clerk made no immediate reply, but did not check the name as he intended. ‘* Thanks,” said the man from San Diego. ‘I will remember this favor. I will get what little baggage I have and make my exit.” And the next minute he was ascending the broad stair- case which led to the floors above. He did not pause until he reached, on the third floor, room 201, the door of which he un- locked and entered. Not even the “little baggage” of which he had spoken was to be seen. The room had been arranged for the day, and its scanty contents were visible at a glance from the door. ‘* Thought I wouldn’t know you, eh?’ chuck- Ted the man from the South as he shut the door behind him. ‘‘ The moment I set eyes on you, I knew you. Got ‘up in the world since the days of bee brigandage: haven’t you? It looks as if I've found you a gold prince in ’Frisco. - Never mind, tiger; unless I am fooled, your —— Y days of success are near their end. I’m here in- cog, and not a soul in San Francisco knows me. I have struck the trail I wanted before I hoped to. We will see before three days where ven- geance strikes.” He had hardly closed ere a light rap sounded on his door, and he opened. it, to confront a boy who held out a letter. ‘Ts your name Nelson?” asked the boy. ‘* Yes; Noah Nelson.” * All right; this is 201. Here is a letter for ou. The guest looked astonished. A letter for him when he had just boasted that nobody knew him in San Francisco? There was some mystery about this. . * Who gave it to you?” he asked, as he took the letter from the boy’s hand. TO ppereny not to answer a question like **Oho!” cried Noah Nelson. ‘The gender wishes to remain incog., eh?” “*T guess so.” ‘The boy drew back. “Does he wait for an answer?’ asked the man. “No, sir. She went off the moment I took the letter.” ; “There! you let the cat out of the bag that time, boy,” laughed Nelson. ‘A woman sent this letter.” The boy looked perplexed and ashamed of “*T ought to be kicked for it, too,” he said. “ Confound it! I thought I could keep a secret, but here I give it away. Well, you've got a ood deal of information, haven’t you? You ap all that I do now, ha, ha! 1-night, ———— ————————— LT NN Mr. Nelson. I hope that’s a love-letter. Good- night, old pal!” And away bounded the boy and whisked out of sight before Nelson could de- tain him. The man from San Diego went to the gas jet and looked at the superscription on the letter. It was written in a somewhat feminine hand, but still rather coarse, with the letters irregular. He was not long breaking the seal and a min- ute afterward he stood erect, reading the letter, which was brief and ran as follows: **ConRAD CATCHALL!— “Your disguise is as thin as a cobweb. I knew you the moment I set eyeson you. You will bein a man- trap inside of twelve hours if you remain in ’Frisco, They are not all here, but the worst wolves of the pack are. You were spotted the moment you land- ed, and to-night I would not risk the turn of a card on your life. Leave ’Frisco or die; take your choice. **4—11—21,”" The man in room 201 read this startling mes- sage twice before he looked up. Vhen his eyes were lifted from the they emitted gleams of resolution and de but all at once he burst into a laugh. ‘‘So my disguise is as thin as a cobweb, eh? To whom? Hang me! if I wouldn’t like to know, just for curiosity. Who ever wrote that letter has caught on to my name and that puz- zles me. Yes I am Conrad Catchall, and whether I was spotted or not the moment I struck this city, ’m goin’ to remain. By the eternal! I am not going to be run off by a warning like this. 4-11-21, eh? Dll remember the signature, but this document Ill serve thus!” He stuck the message into the flame of the gas and held it there until not a vestige of it re- mained; then he extinguished the light. But it was not until ten minutes had passed that the door of room 201 opened to let out a man, and that individual went down the stairs and walked to the clerk’s desk. ‘Can you tell me,” he asked, ‘‘ whether Mr. Noah Nelson whose name I see on your books, has left the hotel?’ ‘* He has not left, I believe, but is up in his room. [ll call a boy—” *‘No hurry. Ill just light a cigar and wait for him,” and the inquirer who was a gray- eyed, smooth-faced man, stepped back and bit the end off of a cigar. ‘‘Hal I thought my disguise was as thin as a cobweb, 4—11—21!” he laughed, and instead of waiting for Noah Nelson, he passed out into the aper, ce; street. It was early night in the great city of the Golden State, and the street had many pedes- trians of both sexes and all ages. The smooth-faced man walked slowly up the sidewalk, and did not pause until he reached a letter-box. All at once he drew a letter from his pocket and slipping it into the box resumed his walk. ‘Well, how goes it at camp?’ asked a voice near at hand. ‘** Not very well,” was returned. ** What's happened thar?” ** Su’thin’ startlin’.” * Out with it, Tunis.” **Red Roy’s made a diskivery.” ** He has?” ** Thet’s what he says. They almost came ter rigs er work tother night, but they didn’t quite gi r. ‘* Has he any pards?” ‘I don’t know. Some ov the boys didn’t say much.” Posy you came to Frisco to post me?” sé ‘Yes. ’ ** When did you leave?” ** Night before last.” / ‘That seems an age. Tell me, Tunis, was Red Roy’s discovery concernin’ Karl, the kia? Tr. ” ‘¢ Jehosaphat! an’ ef the devil has pards, thar’ll be death ter pay at Pistol City.” | ** Will you go back?” “Yes, as soon as I can see the boys. Woe to Red Roy an’ his pards when I git thar! See hyar, Tunis. This is the kind ov letters a fellar gits in Frisco,” And the speaker thrust a letter into his companion’s hand. . The man who had heard all this saw Tunis take the letter, and watched him read it under a street lamp. ; The observer stood in the shadows watching the two Californians like a hawk. ‘I'd give att dollars for that letter,” he said to himself, as he watched Tunis read it. “ By my life! if you keep it, Tunis, Pll have it, and don’t you forget it!’ It did not take the man long to master the contents of the letter, for it was brief. “That beats all,” he said, looking up at the one who awaited him several steps away. “I never saw a person sign his name in figures afore. What do you think of it?” . “It’s only a scare,” was the answer. ‘‘ Yer word comes from camp at a bad time, Tunis; but matters thar must be attended to. Tl go down with the boys.” ** With all ov ’em?” ‘‘No; I guess I’d better leave Silver Chick hyer ter look arter the man from San Diego.” ** Who's thet?” 22) n=. es eT asta ee NN SS ** The galoot referred to in thet letter. I saw him registered at the Coast City Hotel as Noah Nelson not an hour ago. I’m sure I saw him this afternoon about the place—a medium-sized man with full beard and spectacles. Noah Nel- son ina horn! That man is the Dakota tiger who’s got it inter his head thet some ov the best men in California hev ter die ter satisfy him, I’ve been tracked before, Tunis; I’ve been hunt- ed by Injuns an’ Greasers from Mexico ter the British line, an’ I tell you hyer thet no one man shall run me down just because he thinks—you know, Tunis. Do you think I’m goin’ ter let him git ahead ov me?” ‘*] should reckon not. Hyer’s yer letter.” ‘* Keep it for a cigar lighter,” was the answer. ‘TI don’t value ita penny’s worth. I’m one ov the galoots thet don’t scare. You needn’t go back with me, Tunis. Stay hyer an’ help Silver Chick, ef he needs help. ou know San Fran- cisco like a book, tharfore you know Monte Merle’s place.” ‘**T could find it blindfolded.” “Then, you'll find Chick thar whenever you want him. I won’t be gone long. By the eternal! Vl settle things in camp after a man- ner peculiarly my own. Keep your eyes open for the man with the double eyes and the full beard. He is the worst enemy we ever had, Tunis. Good-night now. Take care ov number one.” Tunis stood alone in the light of the street lamp, but not for long. When he moved off he had a follower, a man who had penetrating gray eyes and no beard. ‘*T beg your pardon, sir, but isn’t your name Bob Burton?” suddenly said a voice at Tunis’s ear. ‘No, sir; ’m Tunis—that’s all,” and Tunis wheeled upon the new-comer with flashing eyes. ‘*Oh, I see now. But you’re the image ov Bob Burton from Mohave; old friend ov mine, big, raw-boned, with a girl’s heart under his shirt—capital fellow; thought you war Bob. Pardon me, sir: come in an’ have something.” The invitation struck Tunis, and a minute later he was looking into the bottom of a glass with the stranger at his side, ‘‘ Just from camp, eh?’ asked the spectacled man. és Yes.” ‘* How’s my friend Red Roy getting along?” ‘* He’s playin’ meanness down thar. Wait till the cap’n puts in; then by George! Reddy an’ his pards ’1] talk no more about mutiny.” ‘*Let me see: The camp’s in the same old place, eh? Down—” ‘Yes, at the forks ov the Merced—same old place,” said Tunis. The gray eyes glittered behind the gold spec- tacles with intense satisfaction. They saw more than Tunis and the glass he held; they saw the piece of paper that peeped from his pocket. All at once Tunis’s attention was called toa man who stood at the end of the counter. The man in spectacles thought he was an old acquaintance, but Tunis didn’t know him. en minutes later the two men separated with mutual good wishes, Tunis said to himself that he would go to Monte Merle’s and find Silver Chick, while his late companion pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and read: ‘*OreGon NoLtt:—Beware! The Dakota tiger is in ‘Frisco. He intends to use teeth and claws on you and your pards when he ferrets you out. Time has not dulled his claws. Beware! 4—11—21.”’ CHAPTER Ii. AT MONTE MERLPE’S. Tue place called and well known as Monte Merle’s, was a retired gambling-resort, and was situated on one of the quiet streets of San Fran- cisco. The building itself was an imposing house of three stories and looked exteriorly like a private dwelling. At the date of our story it was in a flourishing condition; large sums were nightly lost and won over the tables behind its doors, and men who went in flush came out paupers. Monte Merle himself was a small, Frenchified looking man, who wore the Napoleon mustache Hy goatee, which he kept well waxed and point- He was always scrupulously attired in close- fitting garments of elegant texture, and his in- eter pens smile had lured more than one man to s doom, It was openly whispered that Monte Merle was a man with an eventful history back of him, and no one who ever heard the whisperings disbelievy- ed them. He had a smile for all his callers: few had ever caught him in a passion, though it was said that there was more tiger in his nature than looked out of his eyes. It was to this place that the man called Tunis resolved to go after leaving Oregon Noll on the streets of ’Frisco. No man who had ever come to the city from the gold-fields with gold in his belt had found it hard to find Monte Merle’s. GOmMmilcbooks (E(0) i)