Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 345 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

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By implication, if not in actual words, I have - Masked Mark, the Mounted Detective. 17 IT learned enough of the Range and its inhab- | fair country, he deserves our warmest thanks itants to carry tective with comparatively little difficulty.” Jehudi Fee, always captious, ever to be found on the wrong side of the fence, now stepped on the role of the Mounted De- | and most hearty co-o | ration. ‘* Asa man who holds Rackabout Range very close to his heart, I ask you all to throw no ob- stacles in the way of his performing his sworn pledged my honor that you will listen to what ! within the little circle of vacant space about the | duty, even if you decline to lend him your assis- table, his voice harsh and suspicious as he ut- | tance in arresting the criminals.” this gentleman has to say, before taking any steps for or against him. I never yet have broken my word when it was passed to either a friend or anenemy. Not even youcan break the record now, without vn gs Bes into camp too! You must walk over me before you strike Masked Mark!” ‘* Ditto to ditto!” cried Demas Fee, joining his leader, a brace of very business-like revol- vers filling his hands, It was only three men to a score, even yet, but that was sufficient to recall the more turbu- lent to their senses. After all, what could they bring against this man of the hidden face? ‘What crimes lay at his door? Not one that they could point out; there was only vague and shadowy suspicion hovering about him, born of his mysterious identity and movements. Those whose frowns had been the blankest, whose hands had been first to grip pistol or knife, now looked the most confused and abash- ed. The victory was won, and not a blow had been struck. Colonel Vanderlyn saw this, and he was adroit enough to make the most of it, without rubbing salt into the wounds of those whom his prompt and decisive action had worsted. In an instant his demeanor altered, and one just entering the room would never have suspected that, a moment before, bloodshed and death had been imminent. The colonel closed the door, and then, with one arm linked in that of Masked Mark, he led the man with the hidden face up to the round table, standing by his side as he introduced him after a general fashion to the assembled ranchers. ‘This is the gentleman whom we have gather- ed here to meet and consult with, neighbors. As one of yourselves, I bid him welcome, and assure him that if he proves himself a duly authorized agent of the Governor of the Territory, he will be aided as far as lies in our power. ‘* Friends and neighbors, have I spoken your sentiments?” m “Straight as a string, colonel!” cried Demas ee. And following this prompt lead, came a gener- al cry of sepeON en ven strong and resolute imen will follow an adroit leader, just as a flock of sheep follows its bell wether. Among the voices that rung out so loudly, that of Alva Bohee was not heard. Instead, he look- ed gravely on, a cold, hard light filling his blue eyes. And on his pale face was an expression which would be very difficult to describe in words. From the moment of the sharp interruption by Masked Mark, the young ranchero had never wavered in his keen and steady gaze into the eyes of the man with the hidden face. He seem- ed trying to look beneath that cunning mask to read the truth which lay hidden there. He seem- ed like one who expects a surprise, and who is trying to arm himself against It in advance. Once or twice the eyes of Masked Mark wan- dered toward him, and_ keenly though they gleamed through the adroitly contrived openings in his mask, they never lingered long enough for the young ranchero to fully ea himself, en Colonel Vanderlyn ended his off-hand introduction, and the little uproar which follow- ed his appeal had subsided, Masked Mark slowly glanced over the eager, attentive faces, then spoke deliberately, clearly: ‘‘ Gentlemen: Tinie y thankful to see such a full turn-out to-night, because I believe that pence will be the more surely performed. 0 sound of ped voice who has brought himself fair- ly within the ban of the law, 1 know that there are enough honest men present to aid me in car- rying out my sworn duty. ‘‘ Before I reveal my main object in er, you to meet me here to-night, perhaps you wil not object to a brief explanation on my part, since my peculiar actions since first coming to Rackabout Range have aroused your curiosity, if no more dangerous sentiment. “In the first pine, you may or may not be aware that outside of this immediate neighbor- hood, the Range has won for itself a most un- enviable reputation, whether justly or unde- servedly, I do not now unde etosay. Itis sufficient for my purpose at present, that the facts of the case are exactly as I represent them. ‘So many complaints were sent to the Goy- ernor of the Territory, that he could no longer afford to turn a deaf ear to the matter, and he resolved to determine the truth or falsity of the reports by sending a duly accredited agent to pay Rackabout Range a visit, to ascertain the precise facts. His excellency selected me for this purpose, and I pledged him my word that I Se te perform the duty to the best of my a y. ‘‘He gave me full permission to work the racket after my own Poahices, and I concluded to do so as Masked Mark, after I had made a certain amount of notes in another and vastly different character. Thanks to this precaution, h there may be more than one within the tered: ‘Consider me one of the posse, colonel,” ‘*Tt is easy to talk, and sometimes the most | laughed Demas Fee, as usual prompt to follow atrocious criminals can tell a story that would convince an angel they were little lower than Heaven itself. How do we know that you are what you represent yourself? That you are not one of the very rascals who have brought dis- credit on Rackabout Range, instead of a pro erly accredited agent of our good governor? [, for one, would be enabled to listen to your in- i | | | the lead of his friend. Others spoke after the same tenor, and it be- came clear that Masked Mark would meet with little or no opposition from the majority of the ranchers, should he attempt to make any ar- ‘rests. Yet there were some grave and dark / countenances among the gathering; some who teresting history with more patience, could my | mind be set at rest on this point.” This speech, though as a man and a neighbor | Jehudi general murmur of approval, which ended only when Masked Mark lifted his gloved hand as a signal for silence, ‘What the gentleman says is fair enough, ee was far from popular, drew forth a | ————S though, possibly, his wishes might have been | more gracefully couched,” the man with the hidden face uttered, bowing slightly toward the stiff and uncompromisi gure before him, his eyes gleaming through his mask with a half- malicious light, ‘Still, I am asking no odds, I know my own footing, and—” ‘The question is how are we to know your footing?” curiously interjected Jehudi Fee. ‘** By an inspection of my papers, if that will not be too much trouble for your honor,” bowed Masked Mark. ‘*Trouble has nothin was the cold retort. ‘“‘If you carry the proper documents, I will cheerfully retract my words, and lend you all the aid in my power to arrest the criminals, let them be whom they may.” If stiff and harsh in his manner, Jehudi Fee plainly meant well, and a subdued cheer went up from the gathering. Masked Mark again lifted his gloved hand, and when silence was restored, he spoke gravely : ‘*T want things to move smoothly, if it can be accomplished, and am willing to make all reason- able concessions toward that end. At the same time, I cannot be expected to publish my hand to the whole community, thus endangering my unfinished work. Though I have made a begin- ning, there is still much to unearth before Rack- about Range can be thoroughly purged of its evil and mischievouselement. If I were to fully 8 a my cards, those whose necks are still out- side the halter, might take the alarm and escape the traps set.” ‘Then Es decline to show your credentials, after all this waste of breath and words?” ex- claimed Jehudi Fee, his brows contracting, his | thin lips closing ominously. ‘* To the entire company, most assuredly,” was the cold reply. ‘‘I am willing to show them to you, and to the gentlemen whom the company | may prefer to join with you in the examination, | as a sort of committee. tory, then [ will play my hand out as I begun— alone!” “It rests with the company,” added Fee, glancing slowly around him, “ Tam willing to serve as one of the committee, in connection with those selected by the majority. Or, if any other man is preferred to me, I will cheerfully step aside in his favor. All I want is to know that we are proceeding according to law and justice.” “ because you are plainly suspicious of me and my motives, Mr. Fee, I insist on Sia 2 form- ing one of the committee,” quickly uttered Masked Mark. ‘If my documents are sufficient to emf you, then I know the most skeptical among this company will also be satisfied.’ It was an adroit point, deftly carried, and the murmur that ran ie h the gathering showed Masked Mark how well he had chosen his words. And then a voice uttered the name of Colonel Victor Vanderlyn. Instantly it was taken up and repeated until the tavern rung again. Then another voice said: ‘* Let them select the third member, and get down to business, There has been thunder Saou. and now we want to see where the light- ning is going to strike first!” Colonel Victor Vanderlyn and Jehudi Fee drew a little apart, and then returned to the table, naming a prominent ranchero as their associate. Masked Mark produced a couple of folded papers from an inner pocket and handed them to the colonel, who looked them over, then pass- ed them on to Jehudi Fee. In turn they were passed to Dick Morton, who finally returned them to the detective, who restored them to their hiding-place. _ ‘*friends and neighbors,” said Colonel Van- derlyn, his voice grave and earnest. ‘‘ We have examined the pa If this is not satisfac- | ers produced by Masked Mark, | Se | | | | | ' i seemed ill at ease, either on their own account or that of their friends. And gravest of all was the pale face of Alva Bohee! Masked Mark glanced deliberately over the assembly, his dark eves prog through their twin apertures with a fire and animation in startling contrast with the immobility of his mask, otherwise so lifelike. To more than one then present and closely watching his every look, his slightest motion, he seemed some human tiger, crouching in ambush all ready to leap out upon his helpless prey, only his glowing eyes visible. The silence, though so brief when measured by ordinary computation, grew so oppressive that when his voice broke it, a long breath of relief escaped many lungs. ‘* Gentlemen, now that your committee have examined my papers and pronounce them all _ right, I wish to say a few more words to you to do with business,” | ~P | pes getting down to business, pure and simple. ‘*Your governor sent me here to ferret out the rascals who have betn flooding the Terri- tory with counterfeit money. From secret in- formation which his excellency received, he was led to believe that the criminals had their head- quarters somewhere within the limits of Racka- bout Range. With this clew to guide me, I came here as his representative. ‘* As a stranger, | was afraid to trust any one within the suspected limits, and after carefully weighing the facts, I concluded to take m tery as my right bower, and go ahead. If thi had its drawbacks, so it possessed its advan- tages. As Masked Mark, I could go whither I leased, taking care only to avoid coming in contact with any of you people. Then, when I laid aside my disguise, as I have frequently done, I could pass to and fro without question sometimes in one character, sometimes in still another, and so sift the suspicions I formed as Masked Mark. ‘** This much to explain why I have played the Mounted Detective; and now to explain what I have discovered. ‘‘The information sent the governor was true. The gang of criminals who have been counterfeiting both gold and silver coins, as well as stealing stock far and wide, actually have been living in your midst all the time, un- suspected, even honored by honest men, in some instances! **T have secured an almost complete list of the gang, and think I can promise that the day is not very will be wholly cleared of its dangerous crooks, “It may su speak thus freely, and so give the criminals a chance to escape the law; but when the end is reached, you will find that I am acting with both eyes open. Justice will get her deserts, never fear!” Again he table with one hand, while his glittering eyes roved slowly, searchingly over the interested ig apes. ore than one face turned paler as hose bright orbs paused fora breath upon it, and more than one hand moved gradually to- ward a weapon. But if Masked Mark saw any- thing of this, he made nosign. His voice was cold and steady as ever when he resumed: ‘*T have told you, gentlemen, what I have done; now I am ready to tell you what I going to do. I am going to make one arrest this evening, quietly if I can, but make it I will, unless death steps in between me and the crim- inal. I can be foiled by death alone, and that death I am willing to face in the performance of my sworn duty. Thecriminal has some close oe resent, no doubt, who will be reluctant to see if they do not wish to see his brains blown out before their eyes—they will act wisely in holding their hands. For I will arrest him, alive or dead! His friends may kill me, but not quick enough to prevent me from killing him! “Men of Rackabout Range! The chief of the ang of counterfeiters, of horse and cattle Shiove. is now among you! I can place my hand upon his shoulder by taking a single step and can bear witness that they are all he repre- | forward! Look and see if you can recognize sents them. They prove him a duly appointed agent of our governor, authorized to make such arrests as he, in the performance of his duty, may deem proper. We recognize him as an of- ficer of the law, and pledge ourselves to assist the man I mean!” . CHAPTER XIII. MASKED MARK CLAIMS HIS PREY. MARK and once MASKED RK ceased , him in any move he may see fit to make as such. | more his glittering eyes roved Celiberately over If he can remove the stigma that rests on cur | the gathering, seeming to search each face ‘comichooks (E far distant when Rackabout Range _ rise some among you why I | paused, leaning carelessly on the arrested, but if they value his life— . » t«