Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 365 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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14 CHAPTER XV, VERA IN A _ TRAP. THE night that followed the seene on the mountain top found Red Eye Bar inhabited once more, Dropshot and Floss had come back; they had failed to find Gilbert, and the alcalde had re- turned to meet the men he had started out upon the youth’s track. While the girl’s anxiety had not abated in the least, the hunt had discouraged her, and in the solitude of the little cabin which had been taken instead of the wagon, she won- dered if her mission amid the sierras would ever amount to anything. The alcalde expected to finda dead man in his cabin when he opened the door. He had left Dagger Johnny on the floor unconscious and, as he Batiaved, very near hisend. His first glance therefore was at the floor when he crossed the threshold. ‘Hello! whar’s Johnny?” exclaimed the al- calde disappointed at finding himself the sole oc- cupant of the shanty. ‘‘I expected to find a corpse hyer, but thar’s none whar I left a dyin’ man,” The puzzled alealde at once instituted a search that proved barren of satisfactory results. The Yonger he looked the deeper grew the mystery of Dagger J ohany. If the man had recovered—which was not at all likely—where was he to be found? Bluff went out and consulted the weary pards who had come back without finding Gilbert’s trail, The camp was searched, cabin by cabin, and then the trails to the mountains, ‘* Let ther galoot go!” exclaimed the alcalde at last, ‘* He’s crept off somewhar ter die likea wounded wolf in secret. Thar war grit in Dag- ger Johnny, but Red Eye still has a good supply ov ther article.” The hunters who had come back were not the men who had witnessed the meeting of Vera and the Shadow from Shasta. They had not returned and their prolonged absence indicated that they had found a clew somewhere among the mountains, There was nothing to tell Dropshot Bluff that Keen Kennard had visited the camp; the gold- detective had left no trail, but Dagger Johnny could furnish a startling revelation, if found. The alcalde satin his cabin, waiting for the absent pards. They were liable to return at any time, and if they did not bring Gilbert, they would at least have news of him. ‘* After all, ther’s no gettin’ at ther lost Ophir without the boy’s help,” said he aloud. ‘‘ He must furnish us with ther clew. With him dead an’ ther secret lost, we might as well abandon Red Eye and go back ter our old life.” One hour later a footstep came to the alcalde’s door, and as he sprung up to greet his visitor the portal opened revealing the figure of a stal- wart man, ‘Ts it you, Duncan?” cried the boss of Red Eye. ‘I’ve been waitin’ for your report. You hev news! You hey found Gilbert?” ‘‘ Not Gilbert but some one else,” was the an- swer as Duncan smiled. 2 hg SuEen Moro?” oO 7 ee ld “Ther sorceress then?” te Yes. ” ‘Great Heaven! where is ther viper that killed Grim George?” cried Dropshot Bluff, dash- ing madly toward the door until suddenly check- ed by Duncan who clutched his arm, ‘I owe you a thousand for findin’ that woman. By Jove! it does me as much good for the present as if you had found Gilbert.” ‘‘Not so fast, cap’n,” said Duncan, coolly. “We found her by accident. We saw her meet Keen Kennard—’ ‘‘No! Dagger Johnny shot that man in Gil- bert’s presence!” interrupted the alcalde. ~ “Tf he did it war no dead drop. Anyhow we saw Vera an’ thet Shasta sleuth-hound meet. ‘We didn’t get him, cap’n, but we did ther next pest thing—entrapped ther sorceress ov Red es ‘Good! Duncan. Show me ther tigress will ver an’ let me avenge ther blood ov Grim. Sorceress she is, but sorcery can’t save her in this camp. Come!” Duncan dropped the alcalde’s arm and looked him in the eye, ‘I'd advise yer ter go slow about this aveng- in’ business,” he said. ‘In ther first place, Vera may hev friends in Red Eye, an’ secondly we want ter know why she took Kennard ter ther mountain top an’ showed him some kentry far below.” ‘*PDid she do thet?” + ‘Yes. We warn’t near enough ter catch ’er words, but I’ve got an opinion, cap’n.” as ” ‘‘ She war showin’ him ther land ov ther lost mine.” A strange cry broke over the alcalde’s lips. “That woman know whar it is? I don’t b’lieve it!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ She never left Red Eye long enough ter hev found it. But if she knows, Duncan—by heaven! if Vera ther Viper shares Gilbert’s secret, well hev a grip on it afore mornin’!” Meanwhile, in a cabin illumined by a single lamp, sat the woman who had been brought Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow. back to Red Eye by the nine men mentioned in the foregoing chapter. She was not the sole occupant of the place but she took no notice of the men who watched her, as though she were a wild beast maneuver- ing for a leap. Stalwart and bronzed they were, fully armed and merciless in countenance, the men who had outwitted her in the mountains, and brought her back a captive to Red Eye Bar, She knew that Duncan had gone to inform Dropshot Bluff, Grim George’s pard, of her re- oe but the knowledge did not seem to disturb er. Vera the sorceress waited coolly for the man who might open the door, and shoot her dead at the table without a word. Suddenly there was a slight commotion among the men nearest the door, and the next moment it swung open and Dropshot Bluff came in. The moment he saw the woman in the lamp- light his eyes flashed. He took one great mad stride toward her, and laughed in her face. ‘**So ther boys found yer an’ brought yer back inter ther web of death?” he cried. ‘* Don’t yer know, woman, thet this is a bad place for Vera ther Viper? Ther blood ov Grim George has hardly dried. Caught with ther Shasta Sleuth on Mount Mercedes, eh?” The men leaned forward. What would the sorceress say? ‘‘Caught when I should have been on my guard,” she answered, showing no fear, but giv- ing the assembled pards a bitter look. ‘* But never mind that, Dropshot Bluff. I am back in Red Eye.” ‘*for the last time, unless certain questions ar’ truthfully answered,” said the alcalde, glancing at Duncan, who had entered with him. ‘In ther first place, Vera, what war it yer pointed out ter: Keen Kennard from ther moun- tain-top?” Instantly the eyes of the woman seemed to dance, ‘‘Ha, ha! more than you will ever reach!” she laughed. ‘*'War it Ophir?” cried the alealde. ‘‘ Did yer ret Gilbert s secret while yer played sorceress in ed Eye?” There was no answer; the woman rose and stood against the wall, facing the sierra pards with undaunted mien. ‘“*T have not bes sorceress for nothing, Dropshot Bluff. The dead man knew that be- fore he died. I showed Keen Kennard a region bey one whose portals no man concerned in this gold drama shall ever get alive.” ‘* Which means, pards ov Red Eye, that she knows Gilbert’s secret,” said the alcalde, throw- ing a look at the breathless men behind him. ‘* She admits ther murder oy Grim George.” ‘*T slew him,” said Vera calmly. ‘An’ no person had a better right to take the ex-Mor- mon spider’s life. If his pard hed crossed my path when he did, Grim George might be alive to-night. I killed the first of the two who en- countered me. I was leaving Red Eye in peace, but a sight of that man, the touch of his hand brought back those awful July days.” ‘‘ Heavens! who are you?” cried the alcalde and then he looked at the puzzled crowd. ‘t want ter say hyer,men,”’ he went on, ‘‘ thet what- ever sho insinuates about ther past will be a base lie! I came out ov Utah with clean hands, though I’ve been no seraph in some things.” ‘All devil and no angel!” laughed Vera. ‘*Dropshot Bluff came up out of Mormondom with the reddest hands a man ever owned. Why should I keep back the secret longer? I can make these men loathe you, alcalde of Red Eye. You may proclaim my words falsehoods before they have been spoken, but I can prove them to the satisfaction of the men behind you, The man I killed was your pard, then, he has been your slave since. hen on that summer day in the midst of Mormondom—” per seat Bluff threw up his hand in a ges- ture of remonstrance and then leaped across the table with a roar of rage resembling the hoarse ery of a chained tiger. emen of Red Eye recoiled thunderstruck by the swift spring, and the hand of Dropshot Bluff was at Vera’s throat before she could add another word to the broken sentence, Duncan was the first to recover, ‘‘Give ther woman a chance,” he said as he went forward and seized the man-tiger of Red Rye. “It’s onfair ter choke her in this man- ner. ** Ar’ you one ov her friends?’ cried the al- calde, facing the Red Eye pard. ‘‘ By ther hol stars! I trust Duncan no more after ter-night. This woman—this mountain viper, sorceress an’ witch, killed Grim George. When I am not master ov Red Eye you kin interfere. Shall we let her sting ther hull camp one by one? Ef she hated one enough ter take his life she hates us all! Ef yer didn’t want ’er punished why fetch her back? I am still master hyer.” Duncan had no supporters in the crowd; tho feelings of the brawny pards of Red Eye were against the mountain sorceress. Several men threw themselves between Dun- can and the alcalde, and the former, biting his lips, was forced toward the door. ‘* Ther region you showed Kennard from the a mountain top, we will find or die!” said Drop- shot Bluff, g aring into Vera’s face. ‘* We will never ask you ag’in for Gilbert’s secret. You will no more accuse ther alcalde ov Red Eye ov a false crime. Vera ther Viper, you ar’ goin’ ter die on ther grave of Grim George. How appro oriate! ‘Your blood shall stain ther earth we've heaped over yer last victim!” The only reply was a defiant glare, and the hand of Dropshot Bluff dropped from Vera’s throat, and left her erect against the wall gasp- ing for breath. p ‘ ‘*Do your worst!” she said a moment later. ‘*T have been a fool for sparing when I could have struck a hundred times, en of Red Eye, the fiend who calls himself Dropshot Bluff is the infamous wretch—” ‘* Silence!” roared the red-faced alcalde. ‘‘ Ter ther grave of Grim George with that woman! Ther lie she has coined I will not hear! Take charge ov her, gents. Red Eye vengeance shall be both swift an’ terrible. Do yer duty! By ther eternal heavens! ther man that flinches Plt drop in his tracks dead as ther witch’s victim,” wo of the most stalwart spectators sprung forward and seized the woman who did not resist. ** Away with her!” shouted the mad alcalde. “Yow ’ll find me at ther grave ov Grim George when you halt thar with thet serpent. Ef she opens her mouth ter accuse me, choke ’er, an” take her on insensible.” With the last word still shaking his lips, the boss of Red Eye Bar left the cabin, anid Vera was dragged across the threshold and out inte the night. The grave of Grim George lay just beyond the precincts of the mountain camp, and without merey, the bronzed pards started off with their captive. he did not speak until the last cabin had been left behind. ‘*So I am to be choked if I accuse your red alcalde?” she suddenly said. ‘*'You’d better not,” was the quick response. ‘We know nothin’ but ter obey ther man we sarve. Ther pards ov Red Eye ar’ a sworn or- ganization. e ar’ tigers without mercy when it comes ter carryin’ out ther cap’n’s orders.” Vera leaned forward and looked into the speaker’s face. “Tigers even shun their mates sometimes,” she said, ‘‘ Poor fools! ihe Ophir is lost to you forever, and the man you serve who reddened his hands—” ‘‘Thar!” and a hand landed at Vera’s throat. ‘‘ Shall I carry out my orders, woman, or will yer stop whar ye ar’?” ‘‘T'll go silent to the end,” gasped Vera and the hand fell back. At that moment Dropshot Bluff emerged from his cabin to stop with a cry of amazement and then to start back. ‘*What fetched you back?’ he exclaimed glaring at the being that confronted him, ‘‘ I’m just goin’ ter rid Red Eye ov one witch. Shall I make it a double death?” ‘*Not to-night, Dropshot Bluff,’ was the an- swer. ‘‘If you lift your hand against Vera the Viper, morning will stare at the alcalde’s. corpse.” 16 boss of Red Eye attempted to laugh, ‘* Come an’ see my vengeance ef yer dare!” he cried. ‘‘ButI promise yer now, Qucen Moro, thet when it is finished we'll look under yer black mask an’ take in yer hidden beauty. IE don’t know what brought yer back ter Red Eye at this time. I don’t keer; but ther man what. runs this camp is Dropshot Bluff!” He turned and with a glance at the masked woman walked rapidly away. ‘¢T am on hand,” she said. ‘‘I never leave a game till it has been played through. Iam not afraid that your vengeance is Bong take that. viper’s life. It belongs to me! Walk faster, Dropshot Bluff. I am anxious to reach the grave of the man who played with you the red game in Mormondom.” Dropshot Bluff looked down; the Sacramento. mystery was at his side. CHAPTER XVI. THE CLUTCHES OF: MADNESS, ‘ TRHOSAPHAT! what’s that? I never heard ov a singin’-school in these parts afore. Listen! Thet’s a wild tune an’ I'll bet my life it comes: from ther throat ov a crazy man!” The man who spoke these words stoed 1n a. narrow mountain pass several miles from Red Eye, and at the same moment that witnessed. the meeting between Queen Moro and Dropshot. Bluff in the gold-hunters’ camp. If he had been asked how 2 came there he could have given no satisfactory_Tveply, and when the reader is informed that he was Dag- ger Johnny, he will manifest some surprise, Life still clung to the heart-strings ot the des- erado who had ventured to snatch from Queen foro’s hands the map drawn by Gilbert for her in the mountains; he had fought for it with the desperation of men of his class and in the end, as we have seen, had carried it back to Red Eye matted together by his blood. Left for dead in the alealde’s cabin by Keen Kennard, Dagger Johnny had recovered in a. wild delirium strength enough to quit the camp, EOAMIE DOO KS