Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 345 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

ee re . _* me Ma the lanterns, and asking each other who could the second Masked Mark be, should their stead- | ily growing belief prove true. If the man who placed Alva Bohee under arrest, was the genuine Masked Mark, why had the old squat- ter assumed the same disguise? Where had he gotten that disguise? What part had he meant they rode on a little in the rear of the men with | ing out of the coulee. Did you notice any pecu- _liarity about them?” ‘‘ Broken shoe on the left forefoot; hind feet | join in the hunt as the shortest method of get- bare, the near hoof having a bit broken from the | ting at the actual facts of that strange night’s to play that night at Stokeley’s? Who was it | he was so determined to meet and expose? What the great secret he wished to reveal be- fore them all, that they might bear witness? Witness to what? These, and many other questions were passed back and forth by the members of the party fol- lowing the two trailers; but Colonel Vanderlyn asked none, nor did he attempt to give an an- swer to any. There were two more breaks in the trail be- fore the noted landmark of the ‘‘ Jump-off ” was reached. Each one was indicated Barry Carlsworth just before they were reached, and Demas Fee advanced alone to make his careful examination, just as we have seen him act in the first instance. Each time he made a thor- ough examination, convincing himself beyond all doubt that he fully understood the situation before he would permit any of the party to ad- vance. And each time he distinctly stated that thus far the ‘‘ sign” fully corroborated the story told by Barry Carlsworth of that strange night’s ride, At length the vicinity of the actual tragedy was reached and Barry Carlsworth called a halt for a few moments. ‘‘ Gentlemen, the end is almost reached, and if you choose to dismount and tie your horses, or leave them in charge of some of your number, ou can bear Mr. Fee company while he is read- the the sign. It is hoof-marks that must tell the ter part of the story, and if you ride over the ound, the difficulty of getting at all the truth will be greatly increased.” There could be no dissent made to this fair proposition, and in silence the men of Rack- about Range alighted, securing their animals for the most part to the scrubby bushes that fringed the base of the Jump-off. This was a peculiar feature, visible for miles around. A long ridge of rock, on one side slo ing gradually back to the general level of the country about, but. on the other rising to the hight of perhaps a hundred feet, then ending in a naaeaniculsrr recipice of solid rock, bare and chalky white. is curious wall extended for nearly a mile in either direction, keeping an al- most straight line for that distance, when it gradually sloped down to meet the level plain. Less t a hundred yards from its base, stood the little grove of trees where Barry Carlsworth said he had been waiting for the coming of his partner, and to this point Demas Fee first led the way, followed at a little dis- tance by the men. Ba Carlsworth silently pointed out the spot whore he had hitched his horse when he stole forth to meet and caution Frank Dymock, lest he alarm the supposed animal in the coulee, Next the coulee itself was examined, and the spot where a horse had been hitched for some little time was discovered. The lights showed where a footman had mounted and then ridden out on the level at full speed for a few rods, the horse’s hoofs deeply scoring the ground where it leaped abruptly to one side. And there the ae saw a considerable pool of coagulated ** You can see here where Frank came up and leaped from his horse, letting it go free. ran afew yards, then fell to grazing,” tersely ex- plained Barry Carlsworth, pointing out each sign as he mentioned them. ‘‘ Here I dashed ast in pursuit of the man who dropped Dike Roberts. And here, you see where the horse- man halted to fire, then turn and flee. And if you care to follow the double trail, you will find my’story corroborated to tho very letter.” ‘It seems plain enough, that’s so!” muttered Demas Fee. ! ‘But is it?” harshly interposed Colonel Van- derlyn. ‘‘Js ‘it just as it appears? True, we have seen sign that tells us a man was ambush- ed by another, who evidently came out of the coulee, but what surety have we that the old man was the one who laid in wait? The sign seems to prove it, but sign have been manu- factured ere now, and the truth twisted in a e,” “ Touch a little lightly, colonel, onthat point,” said Barry Carlsworth, coldly. ‘‘ You are satis- fied that there was an ambush?” ‘That the sign seems to show there was, say.” “Let it go at that. If a man was to ambush another, it is only reasonable to presume that he meant him some sort of mischief. You all saw the tracks leading out of the coulee. They were made by a man on horseback, riding at full speed. e trail leads straight along until the horse leaps aside, its tracks showing that it was frightened by the fall of its rider. Even ou can hardly have cheek enough to deny this, Colonel Vanderlyn?” | - When I see better what you are driving at, Tll answer.” ‘Mr. Fee, you closely scanned the tracks lead- i —_—_—_—_——_—_——__---_--------- a7—=—— LLL LL — outside shell,” was the prompt response. sked Mark, the Mounted Detective. é 23 the big man had conducted himself that night, and though they showed sufficient willingness to adventures, they were reluctant to tollow his ‘** Call up Marsh Stokeley, and ask him to ride | lead. And so, when Bar y Carlsworth and the same horse he rode here from the house,” added Carlsworth. In obedience to the call, the sluggish giant approached the party, dismounting at a word from Carlsworth. ‘You rode this horse from the tavern, I be- lieve?” ‘*Sart’in: he told me to do it,” with a nod to- ward Dymock. ‘* Because I expected something of this kind,” the party indicated quietly replied. ‘‘ Examine the animal, gentlemen.” Demas Fee did so, finding the broken shoe and the chipped hoof to exactly correspond with the marks left near the end of the coulee. To make all things sure, the horse was led to the spot, and the telltale marks carefully compared with the tracks in the soft soil. ‘* That settles it!” ejaculated Demas Fee, ris- ing erect once more. ‘It’s the same horse be- yond a doubt!” ‘* But how do these tracks show it is the horse ridden by Dike Roberts? True, a man was shot here, but who can prove that he was killed? A man was ambushed, and fled. Who can say that he was not followed and killed? Whocan | ae the flesh. _ done it! swear he was not our old friend, Dike Roberts?” ‘There are enough here to swear to this horse,” steadily replied Carlsworth. ‘* They saw him berts to the house. You can see his life-blood still staining the saddle. You saw one of your strongest partisans follow the trail back to this spot, without break or fault, If this is not proof enough to convince any right-minded man—” ‘Holy Moses! jes’ looky yender!” roared Marsh Stokeley, staggering back in dreadful fright, his hat falling off as though pushed from his head by his bristling hair, Ris eyes wildly protruding, his teeth chattering like castanets as he pointed with one trembling hand toward the crest of the not far distant Jump-off. Instantly all eyes were turned in that direc- tion, and as they beheld what had so awakened his superstitious terror, more than one heart eee party gave one choking jump, then seemed to cease its functions. On the gh edge of the perpendicular stone wall, they beheld a horseman, fully facing them as they stood revealed by the clear moonlight. A horseman, but so lighted up by a bluish glow that seemed to issue from its own breast, that it looked more ; spectral apparition than aught of mortal build : And as they stared, spellbound, a deep, awe- inspiring voice came floating through the air to their startled hearing: ‘First the tool, and then the master! Be- ware, Victor Vanderlyn! Your race is nearly run! Your hour of doom is nigh!” With a fierce curse the colonel flung up one hand and fired a shot; before he could do more the light died out and the strange figure, mortal or phantom, vanished from sight. “Tt is a cursed trick! To horse, men of Rack- about Range! A thousand dollars to the one who kills or captures him! It is that infernal Masked Mark!” cried Vanderlyn, fiercely. CHAPTER XVII. THE MYSTERY PARTIALLY EXPOSED. Ay! Masked Mark, the Mounted Detective! Others besides Victor Vanderlyn were quick to recognize in this spectral-appearing horse- man, the same individual who had met them at Stokeley’s, and who had carried one of their number off with him when he left. By the blue light, which seemed to center in the bosom of the figure on the cliff, the startled men of Rackabout Range could distinguish his dress, could make out the cunning mask and flowing beard—just such as they had seen re- moved from the death-chilled face of Dike Rob- erts as he lay on the round table in the center of the bar-room at Stokeley’s! They could also make out the marks of the horse —a fine blood-bay, seemingly in every res a counterpart of the one which big Marsh Stoke- ley had ridden thither. Some viewed the weird spectacle with wonder some with a thrill of superstitious awe; bu there was a strange mingling of both combined with hatred bitter as death, in the hoarse, strained tones of Colonel Vander! as he jerked forth a revolver, firing one shot at the reticle horseman before it disappeared so si- ently. ‘‘ A thousand dollars for him, dead or alive!” Split, and run the bloody assassin down! your animals, but don’t let the cunning cur have the laugh on us again!” Shouting thus, the ex-soldier ran to where his horse was tethered, followed more or less r- ly by the entire party. He leaped into the sad- e,and with another wild, almost incoherent appeal to the men of Rackabout Range, he dash- » to the right along the base o the jump- off. There were some of the company who had be- come about disgusted with the manner in which | | | | —— ——EE ——— ——————————— ee. ee | Frank Dymock chose to take the course directly opposite to the one pursued by Vanderlyn, they did not lack for allies. Close beside Colonel Vanderlyn rode Demas Fee, his face hard-set and evil-looking, though the friendly shade which lay along the base of the rocky precipice towering so far above them, concealed this from all but him. But when Vanderlyn gripped his arm and pressed it firm- ly, leaning across in the saddle to whisper a few hasty words, some of his powerful passions were exhibited in his answer. ‘““Spur the hot-heads cn to kill or capture that demon!” muttered the colonel in tones that none save his comrade could distinguish above the rapid clatter of their horses’ hoofs on the rocky soil. ‘‘ Set them going, tail-on-end— then drop out withme. The wheels are all turn- ing the wrong way, and if we don’t look out we'll go to eternal smash with the whole thing!” ‘After I get my grip on that hell-hound! After I settle for the murder of Jessie’s father!” grated Demas, savagely. ‘* You idiot!” and that grip tightened until it threatened to break the bone even as it was ‘* He couldn’t have Either Carlsworth or Dymock shot the old man—I can prove it to you. You've got to o with me to the roost—it means life or death, tell you!” Now, as in most cases, the stronger will pre- vailed, and with asulky, ill-omened growl, Demas Fee yielded. The colonel played the part he had set himself to perfection. e did not give his men time to think over the great improbability of their ever catching up with Masked Mark, when they had to ride nearly a mile before they could turn the end of the Jump-off, and then as far back before striking the trail left by the He ur them on with liberal offers of gold. He exhorted them to spare no efforts to avenge the murder of their old friend, Ie eae E And then, as the rocky range sloped ciently for them to round it, he cried: ‘You make for the point where we saw the demon last, and take his trail. Fee and I will at Fag cut him off this way.” e did not wait for answer or any comments, but rode swiftly off in the moonlight, Demas Fee keeping close to his side. The rest of the party aed on along the brink, apparently prea ghat ing the actual fact—that they were dese by the man who had acted as their chief! For only a few moments did Colonel Vander- lyn follow the proper course to cut off the mys- terious horseman. He began bearing to the right almost immediately, and before the rest of the party were fairly out of sight, he turned — the head of his horse toward Stokeley’s. ‘* You've given up all thoughts of men pee devil?” Demas Fee uttered, sulkily, but still fol- lowing the lead of the ex-soldier. ‘*For the present, yes. We've got other fish to fry, and we’ll be in mighty big luck if we don’t. find all the fat upset into the fire, work as brisk as we may!” the colonel replied, a fierce impre- cation hissing through his teeth. “Then you think—” “Isn't it clear enough curse you?” was the savage interruption. Do you need an electric lamp hanging to the end of your nose, to show you that the devil and all his imps are at work against us? Isn’t it clear enough that the little job we set up on Alva Bohee has leaked out in- somemanner? If not, how comes it that another fellow carries it out, while the old-man gets knocked on the head?” . | “Tf I only knew who really downed him, I’d snap my fingers at all the rest!” growled De his thoughts going back to the little red-head girl living in the ag lands all alone, perhaps even then looking for her father, wondering why he lingered! ‘* It’s a rope we'll need to snap, and that with our bare necks, you idiot!” Fb eheg the colonel, . turning in his saddle and flashing a venomous glance at the younger man. “ the girl and your calf-love! Throw all such silly thoughts to the wind, and get down to sober business—you hear?” Demas at a rapid until the dim outlines of Stoke- ley’s came into view. Then the colonel leaped ” the ground, throwing his reins to Demas ee, ‘“‘ Wait until I give you the signal to come on. — I'll make sure the coast is clear, first,” he mut- tered, gliding rapidly and noiselessly toward the building He peered in at the partly-opened door, find- — ught but you ing only the old Pt Clem and Poll ley. He uttered a faint whistle that the skeleton virago to the door, then whi “All clear, Polly? No one around ary one, * was the prompt reply. ‘** You tuck off one lot, an’ the ole preacher af away with the other, come back, ’cept jes’ you.” (E(@) JOO me S) ee horseman. ~ ee made no reply, and on they rode They hain’t none on ’em > rd * } : . . ee a \ | % a” « aie _* of at — 7 r a — a 7 * . ’ * * ‘ a < ‘ ae yr. > ; : ~ F > *