Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 345 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

b ’ rank Dymock, the sworn comrades of Oren = iS Masked Mark, the Mounted D ee and order, for your manly conduct during the difficult scene which has just terminated,” he said, his voice showing a little of the agitation that glittered in his eyes. ‘‘ Though this arrest has been quite as much a surprise to me as to the least-suspecting man among you, I would be lying were I to say that I am sorry. You know what powerful reasons I have for dislik- ing the very name which the criminal just re- moved from our midst bears. You know that not long since the most desperate efforts were made to cover me with shame and obloquy—to connect me with the murder of Oren Bohee, this | man’s brother. You know who were the men | most prominent in that matter—Barry Carls- worth and Frank Dymock. You know that I | defeated them at every point, simply because I | was innocent of even the thought of wrong-do- ing; you know that I proved an alibi by some of the best and most prominent gentlemen in the whole Territory; you know that my accus- ers were compelled to admit their error, and to apologize to the one they had wronged so bitter- ly. And knowing all this, I repeat, you cannot expect me to grieve deeply at the downfall of Alva Bohee. ‘‘ At the same time, I am not saying that he is guilty of the crimes charged against him by Masked Mark; that is a matter for the law to decide in proper time. But if he ¢s guilty—if he is really the chief of the crooks who have made the very name of Rackabout Range stink in the nostrils of all honest men—he must have had others to assist him in his evil work, con- federates who aided him in carrying out his cunningly arranged schemes, ‘Tt is not for me to say who those assistants are; but, gentlemen, [ cannot help asking you one question: Of all the men notified of this meeting to-night, and who promised to attend punctually, there are only two absent. Who are they? Scarcely had his lips formed the question when it was answered by a dozen voices, some of them ringing with suspicion, others express- ing only surprise. The two names pronounced the ranchers were Barry Carlsworth and —— eee Bohee before his mysterious murder; the avow- ed friends of Alva Bohee since ‘‘ the Parson ” first made his appearance on Rackabout Range! | Until now their absence had not been noticed, | or, if noticed, unmentioned; but when this fact | was coupled with the words of Colonel Vander- | lyn, sudden suspicions were aroused which would | not be so easily quelled. Yet the colonel had made no open charges. No one could take exception to his words, on the face of them. Yet all who heard him speak, | felt that he was accusing the two missing men of being crooked—of being tarred with the same stick as the one whom they had so lately seen ar- rested for theft and counterfeiting, if not on still more serious charges! For a few minutes silence reigned in the room. The men interchanged grave and troubled glances. They felt ill at ease, as though standing over a dangerous mine ED they felt might be exploded at any moment. Then they Lard the steady trampling of horses’ hoofs outside, and mechanically glanced toward the door. They heard the sounds draw nearer, pausing for an instant directly beyond the threshold, but before any one could make a move to open the barrier, it was flung violently inward, and a horse and rider filled the opening. “Masked Mark!” ejaculated Colonel Vander- lyn, hoarsely. Ay! Masked Mark—but not as he had so re- cently left their presence! Masked Mark—but with red blood on his mask! CHAPTER XIV. THE FACE BENEATH THE MASK. Ir was the bright blood-bay steed that had naturally become associated with Masked Mark in the minds of the men of Rackabout Range, by their being so often seen in company, and on its back was seated the figure with which they had become so familiar during the past two hours; there could be no possible doubt on either int. PYet they stared as though unable to believe the evidence furnished by their own eyes, and more than one shrunk back from the ghastly visitor, beginning to tremble with superstitious fear. hy? Only a tan minutes before, Masked Mark had ridden away from the house, alive, well, an im- portant prisoner in his custody, while now— Though he filled the saddle of the blood-bay steed, and in his gloved right hand held the bridle-reins, Masked Mark was bending low over the neck of the trembling, snorting, un creature. He swayed heavily at each motion of the horse. He made no answer to the low, star- tled cries which rose from the ranchers, nor lifted his chin from where it rested heavily upon his bosom. And under the light of the lamps, those whose position favored a quarter-view, saw that the | cunningly-contrived mask was stained with red blood! w that there was a long, red smear on the bosom of the gray shirt that seemed to be still ant still lengthening even as they gazed | in silent horror! __-~esmt LL L LLLLLL a Colonel Victor Vanderlyn stared at the unex- peers vision in open-lipped amazement fora rief space, then, as he also detected the terrible truth, he cried, hoarsely, starting back with widely distended eyes and paling visage: ‘* By heaven! he’s murdered the old man! Out after him, men! Take him, dead or alive! A thousand dollars to the one—” He abruptly ceased as a heavy hand fell upon his shoulder, whirling around with one hand dropping to a pistol butt. Demas Fee confront- ed him, his bruised face fairly livid, but his blackened eyes flashing fire as he hurriedly mut- tered a brief sentence. While this was taking place—while the ranchers were gradually recovering from the strange spell which had been cast upon them by the bloody vision—a clear, impatient voice came from outside, uttering the words: ‘* Bear a hand, some of you fellows! Do you want to see a fellow-being perish so badly, that you can’t move even a finger to ease him through?” ‘*Barry Carlsworth!” ejaculated one of the ranchers. i be) sere out for the devil’s heels!” has- tily said the spokesman outside, as the blood-bay gave signs of growing uneasiness, arching its back and nervously backing away from the flaring lights. ‘‘ Quick! now you've got him— hold fast!” A trim, athletic figure sprung to the head of the snorting horse, gripping it by bit and fore- lock, holding it steady by muscular power and skill, while the limp and nerveless shape was lifted from the saddle by another man beyond. * All right, Frank—back the animal—so!” The next instant the doorway was cleared and Barry Carlsworth crossed the threshold bearing in his arms the bloody figure of Masked Mark. Without a word to or a look at the assembled ranchers, he advanced until he could lower the form on the table in the center of the room. It touched the boards with that peculiar, chill- ing sound given out only by a dead body! arry Carlsworth drew back a pace, remov- ing his hat and sweeping one stained sleeve across his face, flushed with the exertion: but he paused abruptly midway, staring open-eyed at the pale and excited faces around him as though something he read there startled him seriously. . **One would say you had never seen a dead man before—if he is dead, as I begin to believe,” he added hastily, turning partially toward the figure on the table. “Who killed him? Did you do it, Barry Carlsworth?” grated Colonel Victor Vanderlyn, shaking off the hand which would have restrain- ed him. **T did not kill him,” was the cold, even reply, as the dark eyes of the young ranchero met the blazing orbs of the old soldier. ‘‘ But even if I had killed him, I would not recognize your right to question me in that tone of voice.” ‘*He means no harm, Carlsworth,” interject- ed Demas Fee, pushing between the two men, whom all Rackabout Range knew had precious little love for each other. ‘* He is startled half- out of his senses, as are the most of us—and no wonder!” with a slight shiver and a sidelong glance toward that silent, blood-marked form on the table. ‘‘ Hardly a minute ago he was here before us, alive and hearty; and now— dead !” A Pmeed look came into the face of the young ranchero as he listened to this hurried . His gaze followed that of the speaker to the table and back again. He was plainly at a loss to comprehend the meaning of at least a portion of the words uttered by Demas Fee, for he broke out with: ; ' ‘Alive? Only a minute ago? Who do you mean, man?” Jehudi Fee strode forward, one bony finger pointing to the lifeless shape on the table, his gaze fixed keenly on the face of Barry Carls- worth as though endeavoring to read his inmost thoughts as he coldly, sternly uttered: ‘**The man who, not quarter of an hour ago, left our presence alive and well, having in cus- tody your sworn friend and ally, Alva Bohee! And now—he lies there, dead! Who killed him, Barry Carlsworth?” An ugly chorus repeated the question, and as he glanced around the room, Barry saw dark and threatening faces turned upon him; saw strong hands clasping hafts of knives and butts of pistols, needing little more to hurl them at his throat in a wild, unreasoning body. Yet he faced the peril without a shade of fear. His lips even parted in a -smile, and as Frank Dymock entered the room, he called out in a clear, steady tone of voice: “Tf that man on the table was herein your company, alive and well, less than two hours ago, I am drunk, crazy, or else there are two Masked Marks!” ‘* What does all this mean?” hurriedly uttered Frank Dymock, a man about the same age and general ap ance as his comrade, save in com- plexion; that was dark as a Spaniard’s, and his short, curling hair was black as midnight. Ein, that about a duplicate Masked Mark, arry ? ‘They say Masked Mark was here in their etective. —-— a ee ee eee — wane B > company, alive and well, less than a quarter of an hour ago!” ‘* Not this Masked Mark,” and Frank Dymock laced one hand on the chest of the silent shape, oldly facing the startled, wondering, bewilder- ed crowd. ‘I have just reached this house, and I can take oath that for the past two hours this man has never passed out of my sight for a single instant. Why, he can tell you as much himself, if— Hello! a flask of brandy, here! Quick! he must not die until he has told his story!” There was no acting in Frank Dymock’s tone or manner, as all who saw and heard him were thoroughly convinced. He gave a sharp start as his hand touched the moticnless figure, and as he uttered those hurried words, he lifted the head of the masked man, bending his ear to his heart. Only to utter a deep curse of disappointment as he again lowered the head to the table, facing the company, his voice hard and glocmy: “‘ Tt’s no use—he’s dead! And he’s carried the best part of his secret with him, I’m sadly afraid!” ‘* Afraid is good!” sarcastically uttered Col- onel Vanderlyn, now more like his usual self, cool and collected to all outward seeming, though his dark eyes glowed with a fire that seemed almost capable of scorching whatever it was turned on. Frank Dymock turned upon the speaker, his brows knitting, his face growing hard-set and even menacing, — am I to infer by that remark, col- onel?” “That a man has been killed—perhaps mur- dered; whocan say, now that his lips are forever sealed in death!” ‘“You can hint, it seems, Colonel Vanderlyn, at something even your own impudence is not capable of expressing in more positive terms,” was the cold, stern retort as Dymock faced the giant soldier, evidently willing enough to come to a collision if such was the wish of his enemy. But Jehudi Fee once more interposed, pushing Vanderlyn back with one hand, while the other bony member quivered before the face of Frank Dymock. ‘There shall be no quarreipe here, until after this mystery of bloodshed and death is fully cleared up. To you I appeal, men of Rackabout Range, and claim your aid in main- taining peace until this perplexing affair can be unraveled,” ‘* Put °em all under arrest, onless they'll sw’ar to keep the peace!” cried one stern voice. ‘‘Take their guns and knives away!” cried an- other. Barry Carlsworth and Frank Dymock drew closer together as though to unite their little force, while the former cried. : ‘For myself and friend, Frank Dymock, I agree to keep the peace unless some one strikes the first blow; but don’t insist on our giving up our arms, or there’ll be trouble, red-hot!” ‘“My sentiments, exactly,” cried Dymock, promptly. Colonel bg said nothing, but turned partly away, his brows corrugated, his eyes glowing, his face white and hard-set as though rrible passions were raging beneath cover. ““T am satisfied with your words of honor, gentlemen,” said Jehudi Fee, his voice softening a little. ‘* And now, as the shortest cut to the heart of the encteape:” I ask permission of you all to remove the m from the face of the dead man. A chorus of cries filled the room, all of the same tenor, and interpreting them aright, Je- hudi Fee moved closer to the table, bending over the head of the corpse, carefully 1 ing the cunning mask and its manner of fa i This he was not long in solving, and after a few seconds of deft manipulation of hidden springs — the thlood- and rubber cords, he removed “tet mask, taking with it the wig and flowing ard. One glance he cast into the exposed face, then pe nell ack, a cry of intense surprise escaping s lips. ‘‘Lord of Hosts!” he gasped, in a harsh, strained voice. ‘‘It is the face of Dike Rob- erts!” His words were true, as all within the room could see, as the iene of the hanging lam the table fell fair y upon the unmasked face of the dead man. Masked Mark was Dike Roberts, the oldsquat- __ ter! Wild-eyed, the ranchers stared at the un- covered face, unable to believe the evidence of their senses. It seemed impossible that one with whose voice, figure and other character- istics they were so familiar, could have deceived them so comp eely: if not that night, at least: for weeks pa There was a little pressing and crowding as — those in the rear ranks sought to ob a clearer view of the dead man and his face, but — no one seemed inclined to encroach on the open space immediately around the table, until Colo- nel Victor Vanderlyn strode forward and gazed with burning eyes at the livid face of the old uatter. en Demas Fee stepped forward, his face a ee over _—_~ one a 2 (E(@) in (E JOO cS Eon