Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 345 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

wenn ae we a “19” EE A Masked Mark, the Mounted D tective. $e ee ——— ee eee — — i ee ~~ . = - a seer? tL a * —= — ‘> = - 2 = - _ > r Fae ae wag = = — - . 4 ws as z . a - =i ee ——— = —ee - = = a. ~, ? > 4 — m2 - 7 a & . y > eS oo - a s YS a << * _ nt, 3 - iy je “ (led 7 ae — toe ié i a « ’ through and through, brief as was the period he dwelt upon it. Was he speaking the truth, of his own thorough knowledge, or did he use those words counting on the criminal betraying himself by some sign of fear or desperation? This was a question which few of the ranchers took the trouble to put to themselves, just then. The positive, yet obscure language used by the Mounted Detective excited them greatly, He declared that the chief of the criminal gang was even then standing in their midst, and as he paused before giving them any more direct clew, they glanced around them in the effort to make the discovery for themselves. If strong agitation and disturbed counte- nances furnished proof, there were many among the gathering who might have been icked out as belonging to the crooked gang; ut some there were whose faces grew pale with powerful excitement alone; some who trembled visibly, whose eyes glowed uneasily, whose hands nervously sought their weapons, but whose hearts and consciences were clean as new- ly-fallen snow, so far as any connection with the Crooks of Rackabout Range was concerned. For this reason, if Masked Mark depended on the chief criminal to betray himself after this fashion, he would have a difficult task to decide between the guilty and the innocent. Yet he stood there beside the table, one hand carelessly supporting the weight of his body, the other doubled up and reposing on his hip, in close proximity to the butt of a revolver, his keen eyes passing slowly from face to face until a rested on that of Alva Bohee, as ita mere coincidence? Or did his mag- netic gaze draw all others after it? From the first appearance of Masked Mark, the young ranchero who had undergone such a sudden and complet@ transformation, seemed ill at ease. His face grew pale and hard-set, his eyes following every motion made by the detective, his fingers twitching nervously, his whole appearance being that of a man who is puzzled sorely, and wholly at a loss what to do or say. : ae ah Mounted Detective proceeded, this agitation seemed to increase, and when he pro- posed showing his credentials to a committee of three, Alva Bohee involuntarily took a step in advance, as though he wished or expected to be included among that number. And as Colonel Vanderlyn and.Dick Morton were selected to fill the vacancies, he fell back again with the trou- bled look deepening in his eyes. With a breathless eagerness Alva Bohee watched and noted each movement that follow- ed, at times forgetting the guard he was placing over himself in his all-absorbing interest. His gaze roved swiftly from the mask which hid he face of the detective from view, to the faces of the committee of three, and when the docu- ments were handed back to Masked Mark, he drew a quick, audible breath that caused several of those who stood nearest to him, to glance hastily in his direction. Then—when Masked Mark declared that the chief criminal at that very moment stood with- in reach of his good right hand, and bade the men of Rackabout Range look around them and see if they could point out the wrong-doer, Alva Bohee stood white as a corpse, his lips percepti- bly quivering, a strange light filling his blue eyes as they rested with a f-dazed expression on the masked face. And as the gaze of Masked Mark paused when it came to that white, troubled counte- nance, so the gaze of the ranchers paused, and it seemed as though they were almost ready to answer the closing words of the detective in the affirmative! For if ever mortal man was be- trayed by his face, Alva Bohee was that man, then and there! And as they gazed, the ranchers who stood nearest him involuntarily moved away, as men fall back from a suspected case of smallpox. A swift flush came into the white face of the young ranchero as he observed this action, so significant when taken in connection with what had been said. Then his color vanished and left his countenance even paler than before, though now all traces of agitation vanished like magic and he confronted Masked Mark like an mnocent man defying his malicious accuser, challenging him to produce his proofs. A short, hard laugh broke from behind the immobile mask, as though the detective knew what caused that abrupt change, but felt confi- dent that his game was already won. And so it was, if he aimed at Alva Bohee. That pale face and startled gaze had done its work only too well! ‘* Gentlemen,” said Masked Mark, seeming to take a malicious delight in protracting the ex- citement; ‘‘ you have taken the look about you as I requested, but before you mention the name _ of the man whom I charge with being head and front of all the crimes which have so disgraced the very name of your section in the eyes of the Territory at large, I wish to emphasize my posi- tion once more, that there may be no possible chance for a mistake on your part. ‘“T repeat that I have gathered sufficient a tag to condemn the leader of the crooks, be- ore any fair tribunal in all theland. If the committee you selected to represent you see fit to make the demand, I will furnish them with a synopsis of my proofs before making the arrest, provided you will all see that no man leaves this room while your representatives are so engaged with me.” Colonel Vanderlyn exchanged quick glances with his two colleagues, then spoke up promptly: ‘* There is no particular necessity for that, as I see. You bear credentials that prove you a duly authorized representative of our governor. While you are empowered to arrest any and all offenders against the law, you do so at your own risk if those arrested can prove their inno- cence or your malicious abuse of power. That being the case, and as your proofs, if wholly or a part of verbal nature, might accidentally be overheard by those whose aim it would be to foil ere further blows against crime, we pre- fer leaving the whole case in your hands, only promising to aid you to the extent of our power, in case of difficulty.” It was a deliberate, rather labored effort, but the colonel gained the point he wished to make, All who heard him knew that he was content to let Masked Mark take his own course, without interference. ‘** You speak for your colleagues, of course, colonel?” politely uttered Masked Mark. ‘*T fully indorse the position taken by Colonel Vanderlyn,” stiffly replied Jehudi Fee. ‘**Same here,” nodded Dick Morton. ‘* Thanks, gentlemen,” bowed the detective. ‘**T will not soon forget your courtesy to me a stranger in your midst.” As he spoke, his athletic figure drew erect, all traces of carelessness vanishing as by magic. His eyes glowed vividly through their twin apertures. His right hand tapped the bntt of a revolver in emphasizing the words he u(tored: ‘*Gentlemen, I have told you who I am and what object has brought me here. I have said that there is one man among you whom I am resolved to arrest this night, let the conse- quences be what they may; and I never go back on my word. ‘That man may have friends and sworn al- lies present, who may think it their duty to re- sist his arrest, but if so, let them bear one little fact in mind. If they interfere, if they place so much as a single straw in my path when I am trying to enforce the law, the man they seek to shield will be the first one to suffer! Arrest him I will, though [ perish the very next mo- ment. And mnore-dighthing could not paralyze my arm so suddenly that it would be unable to first kill the man for whom I have come here this night! ‘Consider this, you who are in sympathy with the chief criminal. You may kill me, but you can’t do it quick enough to save your leader. And if there is a spark of life left in my veins after sending him to his last account, I will cut as wide a swath through his helpers as one man can—be sure of that, my hearties!” Masked Mark paused, nodding his head em- phatically. Colonel Victor Vanderlyn spoke up, a trace of impatience in his voice, as though he was growing tired of the delay: ‘‘ No honest man among us will lift a finger to shield the criminal. More than that, I, for one freely offer you my help to effect the arrest, if you see fit to accept it.’ ‘* And ['ll lend the light of my beautifully dec- orated mug to strike terror into the heart of the rascal,” laughed Demas Fee, promptly following the lead of his friend; but there was more than nonsense in the resolute manner in which he loosened his revolver in its scabbard and glanced around the room. ‘* It is not aid that I want, but a strict nonin- terference,” shortly replied Masked Mark, as he left the table and nd oe swiftly around it, fac- ing Alva Bohee, one hand dropping heavily on the shoulder of the young ranchero as he added in a stern, pitiless tone: ‘I want you, my fine fellow!” Though those present had been in a measure repared for something like this, noting as they ad the evident agitation and uneasiness of the Parson, a chorus of ejaculations rose on the air as Masked Mark claimed his victim. His eyes flashed vividly as he whipped forth a revolver and faced the crowd. ‘* Keep your distance, gentlemen, unless some of you are just longing for a lightning trip to the other world! I mean business now, pure and simple!” His tone and manner spoke even more plainly than his words, and only a fool could have doubt- ed his earnestness. The ranchers fell back a lit- tle further, and he stood alone in the center of the room with his prisoner. Twin spots of vivid red showed in the cheeks of Alva Bohee as that hand dropped upon his shoulder, but he stood motionless, making no ef- fort to escape. And his voice was even, if low, when he uttered: “What have I done to deserve this public shame, sir?” “Nothing much,” with a short, mocking laugh. ‘* Only formed a gang of counterfeiters; only captained a a of horse and cattle thieves: only stained your hands with human blood in—” A wild, fierce outcry rose from the gathering at those last words, for they recalled the wild, extravagant rumors that had sprung into circu- lation, no one seemed able to say exactly how, but which connected Alva Bohee with the das- tardly murder of his own brother! Weapons were drawn and brandished in the lamplight. Men surged back and forth, those in the rear striving to get nearer the accused, while those already in front resisted their efforts, as Sea, endangering themselves. For, with a ightning movement, Masked Mark snapped a pair of handcuffs on the wrists of his prisoner, then whirled with a cocked revolver in each hand, his eyes glowing redly through his mask, his voice ringing out in stern, sharp menace: ‘*Keep your distance, gents! If you crowd me, Alva Bohee loses his brains, and then [ll try to cut my bigness through your ranks before you down me! [’m giving it to you straight as a string, and every word has the bark on it, too!” ‘* Peace, friends!” cried Colonel Vanderlyn, yushing his way through the excited mass, his ands armed, his voice stern and imploring at one and the same time. ‘* Think what you are doing, I beg of you! Think twice before you find yourselves arrayed against the law! And against the friends of law and order, too! for I swear that I'll shoot down the first among you who dares touch either the detective or his pris- oner!” “Ditto to ditto, with a great big swear thrown for make-weight!” chimed in Demas Fee. ‘‘ I’m getting so used to being licked, that. I go against the crowd, every time!” This half-laughing remark probably did more than the fiercest threats could have accom- lished, for it raised a laugh; and men who augh are slow to strike without reasoning. During all this, Alva Bohee stood like one utterly bewildered, staring at the polished irons which clasped his wrists and rendered him as helpless as a child. Their cold touch had ap- Veeco taken away his proud spirit, and as he ung his head in seeming shame and wretched- ness, pet among the ranchers believed him the frightfully depraved wretch the words of Masked Mark would seem to indicate. Masked Mark saw that the trouble was over, that there was no immediate danger of a rescue being attempted, and once more his heavy hand dro 1 on the shoulder of his prisoner. ‘*T arrest you, Alva Bohee, in the name of the law!” he said, his voice hard and unpitying. ‘““Tf you go with me quietly, you shall be treated as kindly as circumstances will admit; if you try to make me trouble; or if any of your friends try to rescue you, so much the worse for rou. His harsh Seng seemed to break the spell which had fallen upon the young ranchero, and he lifted his head with a proud, defiant toss, his blue eyes gazing unflinchingly into the dark orbs which ap through the mask. And when he spoke, his voice was cold and even, very unlike that of a desperate criminal who sees his last hope vanishing forever: ‘* Be a little more sparing of your threats, fel- low, until I give you at least a shadow of excuse for airing them. I swear that I am innocent of the charges you bring against me, but as an in- nocent man, confident that the simple ‘truth will in the end bring justification to me and shame upon my enemies, I submit to your authority, as a detective, and will go with you quietly, I only ask decent treatment at your hands.” ‘That you shall have, be sure, as long as you deserve it,” was the more civil reply; then Masked Mark turned once more toward the in- terested ranchers, saying: ‘‘ Gentlemen, I have made all the arrests I came here for, and now, with your kind per- mission, I will take my departure. Of course, I expect to leave without being molested or fol- lowed.” His air was hardly that of one who believed in his own confident words, but Colonel Vander- lyn came to his rescue. “That, of course. You have only performed your duty as an officer of the law, and we, as law-abiding citizens, can have no righ to in- terfere, unless you need and ask us to help you.” Masked Mark laughed softly. ‘With only one prisoner to take care of, I hardly think I need trouble you, my dear sir. All the same, accept my hearty thanks for your kindness,” Colonel Vanderlyn bowed silently, turning toward the door and motioning aside all those who stood between. In silence the ranchers fell back, leaving a clear passage. If Alva Bo- hee had either friends or allies Seems none of them made any move toward assisting him out of his unpleasant scrape. Colonel Vanderlyn opened the door, and hold- ing his prisoner by the arm, Masked Mark left theroom. A brief period of breathless st nse; then there came to the ears of the men in the house the rapid trampling of horses’ hoofs. Colonel Vanderlyn closed the door and turn- | ed toward them with his eyes glowing vividly his strong face showing still stronger excite- ment. It was clearthat the recent occurrence had powerfully affected him. ‘‘Gentlemen, I thank you, in the name of law | . ji Mal > Fd —* la ' 2 “ a) ma mr... ; + x a ; . Ct Se ee + EE EY & : Z Ny | GOM[EROOKS-coOMmM — rf ( ; Z - 4 Ga’ ‘we oO ea = = 4