Beadle's Dime Library No. 351 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

Y ya ’ 8 sree he has uttered is a lie, black and foul as his owns! heart! Iam not Captain Slyboots. My name is Nor’ West Nick.” Had a thunderbolt crashed down through the roof of Aladdin’s Cave and fallen in their very midst, the assembled crowd could not have been more thor- oughly amazed than they were by this concluding assertion. Yet another Nor’ West Nick? Truly, as ‘one of the bewildered miners muttered to his mate, | ithe “* woods must be full of ’em!” from this new claimant to the other twain, all eyes turned as a matter of course. The charge of the mad bull had separated the combatants, though they only escaped being crushed by the falling animal through wonderfully active movements, and each having gotten quite enough of the other, for the time being, they contented them- selves with nursing their bruises while watchirg the sudden change of scene and actors. No less amazed were they when the released mang a announced his claim to the title in defending their particular right to which they had so freely shed their blood, and a simultaneous bowl of indignation burst from their lips as they rushed forward and confronted the man, with clinched fists and angry tongues, *Smell of ycur master—smell of your mist’ess!” yelled the fat claimant, working his huge leg-of-mut- aes under the stranger’s face, *‘ Steal my name, will ye—”’ “ Bye licked one man fer claimin’ my name, an’ I kin lick another fer the same thing!’’ declared the giant, spitting on his hands and also making hostile demonstrations, “*Take it back, or git ready fer your gruel—”’ - For one instant Jack Robinson—or Nor’ West Nick, as he now declared himself, stared at the wildly gy- rating fists, then into the faces of the twomen. As though he saw something there which angered him still more than their threatening words, a sharp cry broke from his lips, and, swift as thought, his clinched fist shot out—once, twice—and in different directions, but with the same degree of celerity, the two claimants lifted their feet from the floor and sa- luted the hard planks with the back of their heads. His powers restored as though by magic, the ath- lete gave the fallen men no second look, but strode forward and confronted the cowboys, his face white as death, his blue eyes filled with a light that seemed to scorch, so intense was it. * You cowardly devils!” he hissed, his voice strained and full of the most intense hatred. ‘* You were three to one, yet you had to strike me from be- hind, and under cover of a pretended friendship. You have treated me worse than any white man would treat a sheep-killing cur, but you failed to kill me, and now—curse you! Ill tear you limb from limb, and break every bone in your viJe carcasses—" His swift speech ended in asnarl as savage and ceadly as the growl of a famished panther, and, crouching, he was on the point of leaping upon the M averick-hunters, when a firm hand closed upon his shoulder. With an angry cry he wheeled and struck at the ran who checked him, but Dan Brown ducked his bored and cvoded the stroke, closing with the infuri- ftolman_ tora minute the struggle was fierce in i's intensity, but then the over-tasked muscles of Nor’ West Nick gave way before his adversary, an ag ning the hopeless attempt, a bitter laugh parte s lips. thread. five--how many more enemies am [ to meet? Finish your work, and do it up clean, or some of you will regret it!’’ he added, with a smoth- ered curse of defiance, ‘Whether we take you at your word or not de- pends upon the evidence you can bring forward to rove your claim t the titleof Nor’ West Nick, for ou are that man, you certainly cannot be Cap- n Slyboots, too,” said the Denver detective, qui- etly, as he released the other. “I am not your enemy, unless these gentlemen can prove their charges true.” “And that I defy them to do,” was the swift re- sponse, as, with an evident effort, the speaker re- gained a portion of his natural coolness. ‘Their charge is only a blind to excuse their deviltry.” ** But why should they act thus? What cause have oe given them for thus misusing you?’’ persisted 6 detective. ** Ain't it enough that he run off our hosses an’ cattle, not two weeks ago?’’ demanded Dick Wheeler. **Can you prove that this man did so?” ‘ “1 kin sw’ar to it, an’so kin my two mates; ax em!’ ‘hey and you, too, would swear to a lie then! Two weeks ago I was in Denver, and this I can prove by these papers.”’ “ Course you'd try to lie your neck out of a nouse.’ “That is one more count laid up against you, = i said Nor’ West Nick, showing bis teeth. “Keep on and I’ll have to torture you as you did me, to anything like get even!” . As he spoke, he thrust one hand into a pocket and drew forth a small, pearl-handled pen knife, which heopened and used to cut the stitches of a small pocket in the breast of his coat, so cunningly hidden that none would think of searching there, unless in the secret. “I think IT can settle all doubts as to my identity, and though I would scorn to condescend so far were only these vile scoundrels concerned, to you, sir, as a gentleman, I am willing to show these apers. 4 an Brown took the documents, sma)] and written on tissue-paper, which were handed to him, and rune ning his eyes over the contents, a little exclamation escaped his lips. “3 Saeed sir,’’ he said, extending his hand, which the other took, though coldly. ‘Il am delighted to make your acquaintance, though I could wish it had been under bappier circumstances; but for that we will try to make amends,” ‘Then you are satisfied?” asked the prairie Ma- zepna. ‘Perfectly. Gentlemen,” he added, speaking for the benefit of the crowd. “Twice this evening we have been imposed upon by fellows who claimed to be the famous detective, Nor’ West Nick. What ON or’ West now,” said the detective a ahs _—— — -_—-—~ +--+ — arse on special service, made out in the name re) awe “Let the name pass,’”’ quickly interposed the other, | “In the name of Nor’ West Nick. I am satisfied that he is the original Jacobs, at last, and hope most sincerely that he will call these two audacious ras- cals to account for having taken his name in vain.”’ ‘I have more important business on hand, just with an ugly smile that boded no good to those who had so frightfully mal- | treated him, ‘‘I swore to kill these three devils, and I mean to keep my word. Singly, or.all at once, I’m not particular. know that they can’t kill me so quickly but that Ican send them to eternal flames ahead of me! from me.”’ **Afore I give ’em up, one word to vou, boss,” said Wheeler, addressing Dan Browr, “ We all know you. We know that you're white an’ squar’, clean through, Ef you say that we was mistook—that this feller cain’t possibly be Cap'n Slyboots—then I'll take it on myself to give him all the satisfaction he kin git away with—an’ mebbe more too!” *T know the writing on that commission, and I | know the man who wrote andsigned it. It is dated just twelve days ago, at Denver; consequently your stock could not have been stolen by this gentleman,” concisely responded Brown, ‘**Onless he knocked the real owner on the head an’ tuck the dockiment fer his own use,” grinned the Maverick-hunter, ‘‘ But, durn the odds! Ef he wants to fight, I'm his long-horn, when, whar an’ how he durn pleases!” ‘** At once, and with revolvers, I'll take you one after the other, or all at the same time, just so there’s no more delay !’’ sharply cried the detective, “Outside, then,’? added Dan Brown. “I passed my word that there should be no powder-burning here, without [ took a hand in it, @ moon gives lixrht enough for the most exacting.” The room was quickly cleared of all save St. Clair Guthrie, who still sat at his table, shuffling the cards, not once having arisen or betrayed the slightest cu- sors during the exciting events which had tran- spired, Where both men were so eager for the fray, few moments were needed to be cut to waste, and in five minutes from the time Dan Brown introduced the simon-pure Nor’ West Nick, the duelists took their stations, at twenty paces from each other, each armed with two revolvers, which they were at liberty to use at will assoon as the word was given. This was trembling on the lips of the Denver de- tective, when a wild scream broke upon the nicht air, and a tall, supple form rushed upto Nor’ West Nick a clasped him about the neck, sobbing as she gasped: " a last, Kyrle—my darling, forgive me—for- give!’ CHAPTER VIII THES “cIRCUS”’’ GROWS INTERESTING. Troy this was a night of surprises for the fun- loving sports of Rocky Bar, and not the least of the series was the one just then transpiring. A young and lovely stranger—for this much the clear flood of moonlight which the silver lumina cast over the scene enabled one and all to distinguis —with half-bare arms flung around the neck of Nor’ West Nick, with her bare head, crowned with its wealth of raven hair,now broken from its fasten- ings, drooping upon his breast. Hs with armed hand haif raised to take the life of the man who had so terribly wronged him—with a deadly enemy stand- ing just beyond—with the astounding crowd ranged in twin rows—ali forming a tableau the like of which human eyes seldom rested upon. But two men in all that assembly —unless Nor’ West Nick made the third—recognized the woman, and these were Dan Brown and Arthur Ovelman, the New York speculator, With a grating curse of mingled fury and hatred, the latter dashed through the crowd with a force that cast more than one asile, and snatched the fainting womanjfrom her resting-place upon the bosom of the astounded sport, ‘Ten thousand curses on your head, Kyrle Dando! What evil fate brought you across my path again?” he snarled, shaking his tightly-clinched fist in the face of the duelist. A short, hard laugh broke from the detective—the first sound he had uttered since taking his position for the duel. With a curiously mingled look of con- tempt and surprise, he stared into the face of the old man for a moment, then turned toward Dan Brown, who was closely observing each phase of this extraordinary scene. “Is this fellow crazy, or only drunk? By the Lord of Israel! I begin to believe that a whole hinatic asy- lum has broken loose, and I have run straight into sg ee 7 uti d ill be partly right penitentiary, and you w partly right, Kyrle Dando!” cried Arthur Ovelman, with a hard bitter laugh. “Bah! you play your part well, but you dare not deny that you know me—more! that I ow you, and what you are,” “If this drunken or crazy fellow has a friend or keeper in this crowd, take him away before he crowds me too far; I’m not in the humor for fooling, and. he may get hurt.” A gasping sob from Marjean Ovelman at this mo- mepnf announced her return to consciousness, and tearing herself from the arms of her parent, she fell at ewe feet of the detective, her hands clasped, her pais, tear-dampened face uplifted, heart-rending grief auc pathos in her voice as she cried: “forgive ms, Kyrle! Have mercy, even as you hope for mercy in the great nhereatter!"’ With a snarling curse Arthur Ovelman sprung: for- ward and lis hand fell heavily upon the woman’s shoulder. “Get up, silly girl! How dare you thus disgrace yourself and tae name you bear, kneeling at the feet of a convicted felon, pleading to him as though you — oe he was _ wor oe GE . Be i ean rose to her fee was only to strike the heavy hand from her phen Fob and shrink away That rascal carries my pistols, stolen | _ it ended—how I fellin a deathlike swoon with your Nick, the Border Detective. even ge you were father and mother both—the kindest of parents. instead of the most cr»et «nd tyrannical!’ Stunned and confounded, the at stared at the fair speaker, as unable to believe the evidence of his own senses, Turning swiftly from him to the detective, her voice changed to one of pleading and overpowering love, “*Kyrle. my love—my all! If I did you wrong in the days gone by, it was because I was compelled to do go, not through myown will. Every word I ut- tered on that frightful day, ate far deeper into m heart tnan it could even into yours. Each syllable was torced to pronounce, cut to my heart keener than a poisoned dagger! You must know this—your beart must tell you all that I have suffered—more ‘m2 your account than on myown, You know how curses ringing in my ears; but you do not knew that for weary weeks and months f lay on a bed of de- drrum, Calling on you tor mercy, for pity, for one kind word t wash away the memory of those ter- Tani curses i” With a convulsive sob her impassioned speech ended, and w'th her clasped hands pressed against her painfully throbbing bosom, she gazed imploringly into the face of Nor’ West Nick, seeking to read there the forgiveness for which she pleaded so elo- quently, all heedless of the curious crowd surround- ing them, and seeing, hearing none other, with thoughts only for him, And he? Cold and unmoved he listened, his pee face as calm and unreadable as that of the sphinx, but with a curious light filling his steely-blue eyes, Dan Brown, among others, noted this, but even the keen-witted detective was puzzled to interpret its meaning aright, ‘“My dear madam,” he said, his voice soft and suave, but only with common politeness. “ Are you sure you have not made a mistake in the man?” Once more Arthur Ovelman interposed, his voice trembling witb hot anger as he grasped the woman by the arm, “Come away, girl! Don’t you see what a laugh yap you are making of yourself? Come away, r — . “ Never!” cried the girl, struggling to free herself, “You divided us once OF ae cunning Seiten , but I am not the weak, silly child of those R rle, by the memory of those happy days I ap to you! Do not let him tear me away! He separ rate us forever!” Shifting the revolver which he still held in his left hand, Nor’ West Nick epee forward and with a heavy blow from his clinched fist, sent the capitalist wea back against Dan Brown, whose strong arms ‘metantly closed upon him, holding him harmiess. “ Anything else that lies in my power to do to serve you, lady, will be giadly pertormed; only say the word.” “Take me away—far away from here, and let us forget the terrible past) Say that you forgive me— that the cic iove is not dead! Ob, Kyrie!” she sobbed, sinking once more upon his breast. hot tears streaming from her eyes, her superb form quiverin like a storm-tossed shrub, “if you could realize that J have suffered, vov would forgive the wrong I was forced to do you, though unconsciously, and take me far away froin all that can recall the past.” With gentle firmness Nor’ West: Nick removed ber interlocked hands from his aeck, boilding her a ittle ways from him as he gured down into her emg h ul face with the ghost of a emiie playing around “My dear madam, can’t imagine how power- fully you are tempting me to commit a serious breach o1 the law. Any man with warm blood in his veins, instead of milk and water, would know how to forgive me for yielding, but woman—ay! there’s the rub!”’ he said, ruefully. Mariean, naler than ever. stared into his face ag though bewildered, and as he noted that look, Nor’ — West Nick added: “Unfortunately we are not in Utah, madam, else the matter might possibly be adjusted.” ‘*What do you mean?” she faltered, clasping her brow and gazing at him with widely-openei eyes, “That my heat is wis enough, but I am sadly afraid that my wife woul seriously object, to say nothing of the statutes against a man’s committing bigamy !”’ a do not understand,” faltered the poor woman, but releasing her hands and falling back a ace. ‘Surely you are Kyrle Dando! You are unly ying me—”’ ‘Or being tried, and that most seriously!’’ inter- rupted Nor’ West Nick, with a laugh that was al- most insulting in its hard significance. “Seriously, madam, you are a perfect stranger to me, I never met you before, never dreamed that there was such | a personage in existence until your rather dramatic appearance just now. My name is not Kyrle Dan- do. I am plain Jack Robinson, better known, haps, in these parts, as Nor’ West Nick, detective, thief-catcher and rough character, in general. More than that, if any more is needed, I am alread married, and have, besides my wife, three fine chil- dren, who might seriously object to having a step- mother forced upon them while the real cle was to with a sc bbi Marjean staggered back and th a sobbing gasp, ean stagge an would have fallen to the ground, had not Nor’ West Nicl: leaped to her side and caught her in his arms, Supporting her, he stepped to where Dan Brown still restrained the irate capitalist, and resigning her to his care, said cereloanys “Take your daughter, old m well to keep a closer watch pe son er, or sho may come to grief if these spells attack her frequently. All men she encounters may not be quite as con- scientious as yonr humble servant—”’ “Dog, liar, thief and forger!”’ hissed the father, rom suffocating with fury. ‘* You shall suffer for s— ‘* Whenever you please, providing always that one of these other scoundrels, who have a prior clam, do not turn me toes-up to the daisies,” reterted the detective, with aninsolent laugh. ‘But to set my conscience at rest, be sure you b a physician’s certificate attesting your sanity, for if you and your a and you'll do : \ from her parent. Her voice was hard and unnaturat daughter are not both as crazy as bed-bugs, then J as she cried: certainly must be!” “You parted us once- you shall never do it again, | “T’llsee you again, never fear!” muttered Arthur their reasons for thus acting, you are as well able to ness asl; but let that point rest for the present, I sealed commission as de- | % G se an rf hold here a signed an “ie ale ras § oy 5 > te Mae Gom mes he, 7 "J a. * be ca ' ’ ‘ (ECO) LAM Ebooks ie