Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 365 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

} Keen K Seized with a frenzied desire to follow Dropshot Bluff, who had left him unconscious on the cabin floor, he had gtaggered deeper and deeper into the mysterious hills, following no particular trail, but animated by a fierce desire to meet the man who had deserted him when he needed help. This is why Dagger Johnny could not have told how he had reached the spot where he heard the queer song that went reverberating from mbnineaill to mountain, now low and plain- tive, now fierce and high. He had traveled almost the entire distance out of his mind; an unnatural strength had kept him on his feet. He had listened amazed for several minutes. It was a wild song, and suggested a wild singer. **Mebbe it’s Gilbert,” said the Red Eye pard, suddenly to himself. ‘‘ What ef I could catch ther boy hyer. He never stirred while Queen Moro an’ ag fer ther map? He may hev broken away from ther masked witch. It doesn’t sound much like his voice, but it may be ther mad part o’ him singin’.” Eager to see the singer who seemed to be sep- arated from him only by a few yards of moun- tain earth, Dagger Johnny moved slowly on again, He was seen by the brilliant stars that glit- tered high above the mountain peak, and he crept on like a wounded panther going back to make one more neat Now and then the senseless song would grow quiet, only to burst out afresh with more spirit. ‘Ef I war a b’liever in spooks,” laughed Dag- ger Johnny, ‘‘?’d probably be movin’ the other way at this moment. Ghosts never sing like that. Hit’s a kind ov a_won’t-go-home-till- mornin’ air. Tl see ther galoot presently.” All the time surely, but slowly, the Red Eye pard was moving down upon the singer, he knew that but a few feet separated them, and he was anxious to get at the bottom of the mystery. ‘*By Jove! it’s movin’ this way,” he said halting to hug the wallof pine at hisright. ‘ I own thet a queerish feelin’ keeps pe my bones, but thet’s because I’m not as good asI war afore I hed ther tussle with ther masked woman. I’m Dagger Johnny yet, though; bet yer boots I’m a lily ov ther mountains, an’ p’isen ter ther small flowers.” Almost suddenly the maker of the song came in sight, and at the second look Dagger Johnny could hardly suppress a oe Not twenty feet away Gilbert Golden stood erect in the middle of the trail without hat and jacket, and from his lips fell the wild strains to which the mountain sport had listened. “He got away from ther witch, didn’t he?” ejaculated Johnny. ‘‘ An’ ther boy is out ov his head a’gin. I wonder ef ther diagram is in his mindnow. When he war off at Gold Gorge he war always makin’ up scraps about it, but we never got ther papers put tergether correctly. Kin I do anything with ’im now? I’ve got ter play fox er TU frighten ther young chap away.” Not for a moment did the man from Red Eye take his eyes from the mad youth who stood be- fore him. Gilbert’s face was turned toward Red Eye as if he was going back to the men who would give their right arms for his se- cret. ‘* Mebbe I’m too badly wounded ter find ther bonanza ef I hed ther map,” said Dagger Johnny, while he watched Gilbert. “But I'd try. y ther eternal heavens! [d foller ther trail ef I hed ter crawl it. It'd be paradise ter die at ther door ov thet lost Ophir. This mountain pauper ’d experience a thrill ov pleas- ure in dyin’ richer than ther Rothschilds pards over ther pond.” Gilbert’s song broke suddenly, and the youth ended with a laugh that left no doubt of his dis- ordered mind. ‘Ef I could put a pencil an’ some paper in his hand now If think rd hev ther secret,” mut- tered Dagger Johnny. ‘‘I’mnot able ter foller him back ter RedEye. Ef [hed Gilbert by ther arm, an’ Queen Moro—ef livin’—by ther throat, Jehu! what work thar’d be hyer!” Dagger Johnny might have pursued his re- marks if another figure had not crossed his line of vision. “Not while I’m hyer!” grated the Red Eye ard. “‘T keer not who comes, nor how badly *m hurt; I stand between Gilbert an’ all Ophir hunters.” = Dagger Johnny ste forward; the youth heard him and or ae ‘Halt! Throw up your hands or I'll paint the ground with your brains!” The Red Kye pard stood still and saw the stalwart mau he had sighted not ten feet away with two revolvers leveled at his head. , Gilbert Golden turned and faced the two like a man just awakening from a trance. A wild stare was in his eyes. “Yer wouldn’t shoot a man what kin almost literally carry his heart on his sleeve, would yer?” queried Dagger Johnny, in a manner comic enough to provoke a smile. “Dagger Johnny!” was the responsive exclam- ation as the speaker stepped nearer. ‘‘T leftyou for dead in the alcalde’s shanty, but here you are.” ey Se ‘*T got a new lease of life. My checks ar’ on ther counter, but death hadn’t time to cash ’em, You wouldn’t drop me, Keen Kennard?” “That depends. You were on this boy’s trail?” **Not much. I’m in no condition ter trail any one. I heard his wild songs. He’s off again, Kennard.” ‘* Poor boy!” ejaculated the man from Shasta. **Tll take charge of him, Johnny.” ‘‘ With ther intention ov gettin’ ther gold se- cret from him, eh? We're all arter that, Ken- nard. It gave me these slashes that hev let out more blood than I'll ever see ag’in. Look hyer! thet shirt is pasted ter Dagger Johnny’s bosom by some ov ther best blood that ever gushed in ther sierras!” The hand of Keen Kennard had fallen upon the arm of the youth of Gold Gorge, and he turned and laughed half mercilessly in Dagger Johnny’s face. **T didn’t shed it!” he said. ‘‘This boy didn’t draw one drop of it, so throw no accusations at us. I’m no surgeon, Dagger Johnny. Go back to Red Eye to live or die. ‘** Never, by Jupiter!” ‘**Then stay here. Come, Gilbert, the hand of a friend is in yours, and woe to the man or wo- man who attempts to separate us.” For a moment the young man seemed inclined to resist the detective’s persuasive movement but a glance from Keen Kennard’s eyes seemed to decide him, and the next moment the pair walked away. **Thet’s ther coolest piece of business I ever saw,” said Dagger Johnny. ‘It ’d keep with- out ice allsummer. I kin stay hyer an’ pass up ther chips, eh, Keen Kennard? May I be roasted in Tartarus ef I die wharl am—ef I die at all just for accommodation!” A pair of tigerish eyes glared at the detective and the youth whom he now led unresistingly away. If Dagger Johnny had possessed a six-shooter it is probable that the Shasta Sleuth would have been halted by a bullet in the back, and only be- cause the Eye pard had no weapon, was he allowed to proceed. Gilbert went along without a word, and as do- cile as a lamb. Not a word passed between the pair, but Kennard looked often at his com- panion, and his eyes dilated with wonderment and mute questionings. **Tf the wounded wolf behind follows he may not get a chance to die in Red Eye,” said Ken- nard to himself. ‘‘I have looked into the prom- ised land from the mountain-top, but that is not enough. I must get at the trail, and I as again found the living key to the lost r Not far from the spot of the encounter. with Gilbert, Keen Kennard found a horse which seemed to recognize him. He did not mount, but merely grasped the bridle and led Gilbert 6) n. Mile after mile was covered. More than once the man from Shasta looked behind him and listened intently; but no figure was seen gliding over the trail; no footsteps gave out a warning sound, “Tll try him now,” said Kennard, halting at last where the trail was wide, and its borders the sloping sides of twin mountains. “Tl go about it easy, but gods! he cannot know how eager I am to get at this secret that has fascin- ated me. Keen Kennard, a gold maniac? I be- lieve I am getting there rapidly.” For the t time the detective dropped the youth’s hand and seemed to let him feel that he was at liberty. Gilbert straightened and stepping closer look- ed into Kennard’s face. ‘**He seems to know me at last,” murmured the man from Shasta. ‘‘What will his first words indicate—madness or sense?” For several moments Gilbert faced the gold- detective, and the look which was at first a stare softened until it appeared rational. Keen Kennard took hope. ‘““Ho! ho! ho! The vultures find the gold at last!” suddenly cried the youth. ‘They see it from the sky and chase all the jackals off. Who comes to Gilbert for the yellow dust? He runs from the vulture! When he shakes his head, it rattles with gold nuggets!” The youth turned suddenly with the last word and s off, but prepared for anything, Keen Kennard darted forward and clutched his arm. Inan instant Gilbert seemed transformed into a tiger, and all at once with a cry hardly hu- man, he threw himself upon the Shastan and buried his fingers in his throat before he could resist, ‘In the-clutches of a demon,” ejaculated -Kennard, as he was forced back under his steed’s feet, where he fell, with Gilbert a-top and with the hands of the mad youth feeling be- hind his windpipe. The detective struggled, but insanity seemed to have lent Gilbert supernatural strength. Oh, for a moment of Dagger Johnny now! ‘Gilbert will kill the mountain vulture!” hissed the maniac. ‘**?’m no vulture. For God’s sake, Gilbert—” Then all was still! ennard, the Shasta Shadow. 15 CHAPTER XVII. THE BLACK MASK WINS. BAcK in Red Eye during these proceedings in the sierra, Vera the Viper, ase by the bronze pards, stood by Grim George’s grave, waiting for Dropshot Bluff. Neither she nor her watchers saw the masked woman confront the alcalde before his own cab: in, and they did not know that she was coming with him to the spot chosen for the sorceress’s death. ‘‘ Hyer’s the captain!” suddenly exclaimed a pard, and a moment later Dropshot Bluff ap- peared on the scene, but not alone. , The men uttered exclamations of surprise when they beheld the masked mystery at the alcalde’s side, and Vera gave a slight start. **So we meet once more,” said Queen Moro, coolly, and with a mad light in her eyes as she stepped forward and glared into the Viper’s face. ‘* What did I tell you when we last part- ed? You have not forgotten, woman?” ‘‘ Your farewell hasn’t bothered me,” replied Vera, returning the look fearlessly. Queen Moro glanced at the alcalde. “What I have told you must take place. I want that woman.” You?” cried Dropshot. ‘‘I! You have brought her hither for execu- tion. You were going to shoot her dead on the grave of the man she killed.” ‘* By Heaven, I war! She shot Grim George without a chance for his life.” “No!” suddenly cried Vera, and she stepped forward despite the menacing looks and revol- vers of the men who faced her. “If Grim George could speak, he’d give the lie to those words, Dropshot Bluff. gave him time to draw; I told him who I was. I gave him ten seconds, but he Jaughed in my face when he had two revolvers in his belt. He had time, but he would not fight. Then I killed the infamous wretch!” ** And I am to let this woman go—ter turn her over to you” said the alcalde to Queen Moro. es ‘*T am ter let her hunt me with a cocked re- volver an’ false accusations on her tongue?” Vera broke suddenly into a strange augh. ** Let this stop here!” she exclaimed. “I am Red Eye’s prisoner, and the man who has the right to put an end to my life, if any man pos- sesses that right, is Dropshot Bl But he knows that his own existence he forfeited long ago in Mormondom.” ‘Ther old lie!” roared the alcalde. ‘We end the farce whar we ar’! I can’t grant yer re- quest, Queen Moro. We don’t deal with people ashamed ter show their faces. I have taken vengeance in my own hands. Face yer doom, sorceress of Eye. Justice glares from Dropshot’s dropper. This is the vengeance ov ther mountain sport!” The big alcalde turned abruptly from the masked queen and seemed about to throw him- self forward at Vera. ‘“‘T say no!” suddenly cried the Sacramento mystery. ‘‘ Kill the sorceress of Red Eye, and I will stain the shirts of your pards here with your blood.” ‘**Choke ther black mask!” growled the men, ‘Tf you dare, gentlemen of the sierra,” said Queen Moro stepping back, and throwing up a revolver which seemed to cover the whole aston- ished crowd at once. ‘‘The motive that has sent me upon this trail will not check my finger if a hand is lifted against me or if one of you advance a step. I don’t want to antagonize Eye, but I will have my way here in this matter if blood flows. That woman knows why I would save her from your alcalde’s revolver. The lib- erty I could give her may be that now enjoyed by the man beneath our feet.” ‘* Oh ef thet’s it,” grated aa ae Bluff biting his lips, ‘‘ thar she is! It really makes no par- ticular difference ter this camp who avenges Grim George so it’s well done. Your enemy, eh, Queen Moro? Woman ag’in’ woman, I see, Take yer victim!” : Dropshot Bluff looked into the leveled revol- ver of the strange woman while he spoke. He saw the hand that held the weapon with the steadiness of the tried desperado, and the eyes that gleamed behind it. ‘‘Thar she is,” he repeated waving his hand toward the sorceress. ‘* You'll hardly shoot her on ther grave ov Grim, [ think.” ‘“Why not? What matters it tome where I pay her for the act that rankles in my heart?” said Queen Moro turning upon Vera. ‘‘ Gentlemen of the sierra, because against my wishes she . looked beneath the mask I wear, she has for- feited her life. Vera, are you ready?” : A quick stride carried the Sacramento queen to within several feet of the beautiful woman standing erect in the light of lamp and star and their black eyes met. ‘IT cannot spare you,” Queen Moro went on. ‘You would not spare me when I begged for mercy, not for my life, but to spare me that dis- grace which is more bitter than death. You would not, woman. Your hand tore off my mask and you looked into that face which I swore no person should see until I was ready to strike the blow of on for the past. I grant you a minute of life. Heaven forbid, <S cComicboo 7% ee - yt = "I _ & | a. L at ON LAC — : we ay aT te, =, © “