Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 365 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

Vera the Viper as these rough men call you, that I should hurl you into eternity with no time for preparation.” It was a strange sight, the two woman face to face in the presence of the wild men of Red Eye Bar, one covering the other with a revolver, the victim calm and collected with one foot on Grim George’s grave, and with a faint smile at } her finely chiseled lips. “Go on,” said Vera. ‘‘If my time has come Tamready. Do your worst, Queen Moro, and send into the dark future with me one of those fold secrets which have excited States.” vt ‘She knows it!” suddenly cried the alcalde. i ** By ther eternal! she has not played sorceress of Red Eye for nothin’! She has wrested the secret ov Ophir from ther gold youth of Gold Gorge!” Vera’s eyes twinkled; she had played her last ecard and there were indications that the throw had not been lost. (ueen Moro was seen to start. ‘* Maybe it is a trick of hers,” she said to her- F self. ‘*Can this woman know the way to the H missing bonanza? If I slay her shall I lose the 4) golden trail?” . The sorceress of Red Eye seemed to see the ‘doubts and the hesitation which had taken pos- session of the masked trailer. ‘* What [ know the revolver may seal up for- ever,” she went on, at the proper moment. ‘‘ Do the duty you spoke of, Queen Moro, [am the woman who raised your mask and looked into ‘ ‘your face. It wasa crime for which perhaps I | leserve to die. The minute is up already, . #fatha have I unnerved your arm?’ Instead of releveling the weapon she had thrust into Vera’s face, Queen Moro grasped the } sorceress’s wrist and shot her an indescribable . ook of anxiety. ‘**Do you really know?” she asked, ‘‘ In the name of Heaven, tell me the truth. It is a ques- tion of life and death, Do you know?’ ‘*T know!” That was all. The Sacramento woman recoil- ed. but she did not release Vera’s wrist, ‘This woman belongs to me,” she said fgcing the alcalde and his pards. ‘* Not with that secret at her disposal!” cried Dropshot Bluff. ‘With life and the secret!” was the cool an- swer. ‘ You will keep your distance, Dropshot Bluff; men of Red Eye, you will stand where . you are! I am on a trail that leads to more ly , than gold. Tho next time you entrap Vera the | Viper be sure that Queen Moro is not in the bf vicinity. I don’t save her for friendship. I hate her as woman never hated woman before. f could blow her brains out before your eyes, One of these days you may find the vultures soaring over her dead body in the heart of the ' _ gierras!” ‘ She threw a look at the Red Eye witch as she finished and started off. **On one condition you take that woman off!” cried Dropshot Bluff. ‘* Well?” answered Queen Moro, with a smile. te ** Tt is that you throw up that mask an’ give Red Eye a glimpse ov yer face.” a The reply was a derisive laugh. | “Yon too much, me Red Eye doves,” said the masked woman. ‘** Why, I’d sooner spoil it prot with my six shooter. Not to-night, Drop- ot. ‘*Then, by Jericho! we'll see for ourselves.” ** Not in this wild land! The man who lifts a hand to raise my mask drops dead in his tracks like a dog! Good-night, gentlemen.” There was laughing mockery in the last three words, and the pards of the mountain camp . saw Queen Moro walk off with one hand encir- DTT cling Vera’s wrist. mal ~ “Cool as an iceberg!” exclaimed one of the men. ‘That woman plays a hand which no livin’ man kin beat. Thar she goes, gents, with ther secret we've hunted up an’ down ther ? sierra from Gold Gorge ter Red Eye an’ back Dh ag’in five hundred times.” ; “Dropehot Bluff did not seem to hear the re- marks. He was following with his gaze the two ve figures disappearing toward the mountain. It ipl! appeared like a dream to the big alcalde. yt ee) ‘Let ther cap’n be,” whispered one of the pay pards. ‘‘He can’t realize what hez happened, Hi an’ hang me! ef I hardly kin. Ter think thet ¢ Vera faved sorceress hyvr for months an’ got Us from Gilbert what he’d never give us! It beats ie yme—it’s a thunderbolt! Let’s go back.” The suggestion was acted upon so silently that __.) Dropshot Bluff did not hear the withdrawal. pt One by one the roughs of Red Eye stole away -—» and left him by the grave of Grim George. ~ —-—s -*WYhen he lost sight of Queen Moro and her com- y panion he found himself alone. Bil. ‘‘T’ve had cold decks played ag’in’ me, but ae never one like thet!” he cried. ‘‘ Hyer I bring Vera the Viper ter ther grave ov Grim ter sprinkle it with her blood; but thet masked wo- _ man steps in between us an’ takes ther Viper An’ I let her do it—I ther alcalde ov Wa -— «ee ) ~~ ae Te Pe — i ue away. We Ted Eye who once for three days held a gentile 2 camp at bay! Hev I lost my grip? By ther ss @ternal, Grim, yer death must hev weakened ie Dropshot Bluff!” 1 He went to the grave and bent above the sod "> 4unti) lately pressed by the foot of the sorceress. fe g ‘“*T swear ter get her yet, Grim!” he went on. ‘I allowed Queen Moro ter take her off ter-night. I almost hed ter. But I will hold her ag’in before my revolver, and then all ther livin’ powers on earth sha’n’t hold back yer old pard’s vengeance. She war several times on ther eve ov revealin’ me ter Red Hye, but each time I checked her, If they knew, I might not have a single pard at my back when ther crisis comes, for the whole world hez heard ov our work in Utah. Never mind, Grim; I will get her yet!” He rose and stepped back, then turned and walked rapidly toward the camp. Nobody stopped him although more than one man saw him pass down the street before the row of cabins. He went not to his own shanty, but to another near by, at the door of which he knocked. Immediately he heard somebody inside spring forward, and then he asked; ** Ar’ yer up, Floss?” The opening of the door was answer enough, and the alcalde of Red Kye stepped in to the presence of Floss Mogalle, who recoiled from his wild, strange countenance, “Ah! you know a part of what has happen- ed?” he said, noticing the girl’s white face in the light of the little lamp. ‘* Pardon me,” was the reply. nessed all,” ‘* Ther scenes at Grim’s grave?” exclaimed the alcalde astonished. "* Ole “Wal, you saw ther coolest woinan in Califor- nia do somethin’ ten men would hev died at. Your little enemy has come back; she has rob- bed our revolvers of the life of ther sorceress of Red Eye. You saw it all, you say. Tell me, Floss, what you know about Queen Moro, She has been your guardian, You have lived under the same roof with her. Didn’t you ever geta glimpse of her face? You have once told meno, but I never sn the question. Tell me, now. Floss. While you were with her did she never allow you so much as a glimpse of her face not once?” The hand of the big alealde was at the girl’s arm, and his fingers seemed to sink into her flesh as she drew back. ** Why do you want to know?” asked Floss, ** Never mind. I have just recalled something. That woman I think is the paid spy of the worst enemies I possess,” ‘**@ueen Moroa paid spy?” No! exclaimed the girl. ‘‘ She sent a spy to this region, but she is none herself.” ‘* [ will test that hereafter. But her face! I want ter know about thet. What is it like? You have seen it; you deceived me when I asked you before. Tell me now. She is one. The hand of the black mask won’t y at yer throat when you reply, Remem- ber thet this is Red Eye Bar, an’ thet Drop- shot Bluff is boss hyer. Now, about Queen Moro’s face!” ‘*T cannot!” said Floss. ‘‘If I mention it I will not sleep to-night, and after what I have seen I need rest.” ‘** But you must, girl!” exclaimed the alcalde, ** Has she no cheeks?” ‘* Yes! I stole a look at her when she knew it not, She has sworn to hunt down and kill the person who shall lift her mask. I never saw a face like hers, There is not its counterpart on ‘What is it? Fer God’s sake, Floss—” ‘The brand—the awful brand!” cried the girl breaking from the alcalde’s clutch. ‘‘ I wish my eyes bad never seen it. It has haunted me since that terrible hour. No, no! for heavens sake don’t force my tongue to describe it. I will not. Dropshot Bluff looked in amazement at ‘*T have wit- oss. ‘* Keep the secret, then,” he said. CHAPTER XVIII. RED EYE’S OUTLAW. FLOSss MoGALLE was alone again, but her eyes were still fixed on the door which had closed behind the boss of Red Kye Bar. She trembled yet, and she still felt’ Dropshot Bluff’s hand at her wrist. ‘* Why does he want to know about the face behind Queen Moro’s mask?” the girl asked her- self. ‘* Does he fear it is the face of some dead- ly enemy who has tracked him down? It can- not be that, for the woman has had more than once chance to take his life. She wants the lost Ophir to carry out some revenge in ’Frisco. Her whole life is bent to that. hat will she do with the woman she rescued and took from camp? Vera the Viper raised her mask and looked at the face I saw once, and she has sworn to kill the person who looked upon it. Will she kill the sorceress of Red Eye Bar?” No voice answered the girl. ‘* Tf I could find the trail she took, I would solve the question for myself,” she went on. ‘‘I saw her take Vera away. I might find the trail by going down to Grim George’s Brave which I can certainly reach without a guide.” Thus resolved, Floss went to the door which opened suddenly in her face, and she stopped be- fore the stalwart man who presented himself. Keen Kennar¢ , the Shasta Shadow. ° “TI beg ye pardon, girl,” he said. ‘I am Duncan. am goin’ away from Red Eye. Dropshot an’ I can’t hitch any longer. It warn’t much ov a quarrel, but it war enough. I told im ter go slow about dealin’ with Vera, but he gave me ther insult an’ dashed ahead till he lost ’er at Grim’s grave. Thet’s enough for Duncan. I’m hyer ter say good-by an’ ter add, girl, thet ther sooner you git out 0’ this vulture nest ther better for yer future fortunes.” Floss started and Jooked into the speaker’s face, There seemed no deception there. Dun- can was a handsome man with long black hair and sparkling eyes, the very ideal of a fearless dandy ruffian, “Thar! don’t ask me any questions,” he went on, seeing Floss’s eagerness, ‘I don’t want ter deal any back-handed blows while I give ther camp ther grand bounce. Ther boys all know thet I’m goin’, Ill stop, an’ say farewell ter Dropshot; itll be nothin’ more than thet—no fight, girl, for ’'m ccol, an’ in ther best oy hu- mor. This is a vulture-nest for you, Floss, an’ ef you stay hyer ther time will come when you may wish yerself back in Sacramento under the eyes ov Queen Moro.” ‘* Anywhere but there,” said Floss, with a per- ce] itible shudder, ‘Red Eye, then, eh?” ‘ ** No, no! but something holds me here. ert—’ Duncan interrupted her with a laugh. ‘*He might be found in the mountains, mad ag’in, and jabberin’ about ther lost Ophir, which we've hunted like a pack ov fools for years.” **Do you think so?” cried the girl, springing toward the speaker. ‘‘ Then, for heaven’s sake, show me Gilbert’s trail!” ‘* An’ set Dropshot Bluff an’ pards arter you?” **T care not who follows me! My life-work is to find Gilbert. I wouldn’t touch an ounce of the lost wealth. I don’t wantit. Duncan, be my friend. Iam friendless here. Fate guided my team to Red Eye Bar, Be you my guide to fortune—to Gilbert!” | For a moment the handsome rough stood erect and looked down into the beautiful and pleading face upturned to him, Floss seemed irresistible. ‘Ttll throw Dropshot arter me,” muttered Dunean, ‘ We’ll hev ter cross howies mebbe ef I help this girl off, an’ ef I do, I'll hev ter stan’ by her through thick an’ thin. By ther jumpin’ stars, Pll do it! What’sther use ov half crossin’ ther alcalde ov Red Eye? He'll hate me none ther less ef I go ther hull rope.” The girl appeared to catch his decision in his eyes, for her hand darting forward, closed on his brawny arm. ; “You are going to show me Gilbert’s trail!” she cried, in raptures of joy. ‘‘T am goin’ to take yer from Red Eye,” was the answer. ‘It can’t be a bad move, girl, for hyer thar ar’ vulture eyes upon yer. ell hev ter unite cur fortunes, I expect, You'll hev ter freeze ter Duncan, for ther moment ther truth is known [ll be outlawed accordin’ ter ther 1 ules ov this camp.” ‘‘Then I go alone if I go,” said Floss, no man to outlaw himself for me.” ‘* Ho, ho! thet’s nothin’ much,” laughed Dun- can. ‘A man what's passed samp iy 1 as many flint-mills as I hev don’t keer much for a decree. Ef you will go ter Grim George’s grave, ef you know whar it is, Pll j'ine yer thar within ten minutes.” ‘**T can find it, but you—” ‘‘ Courtesy forces me ter tell Dropshot that I’ve cut loose from Red Eye. Ill make myself his outlaw in cool blood; he shall know thet ’m goin’. Remember! Pll jine you, Floss, whar we planted ther pard Vera killed.” A minute later the stalwart sport of Red Eye found himself once more beyond the girl’s cabin. “Ve’ve got ter stan’ by ther Sacramento pink, Duncan,” he said to himself, ‘‘ An’ when yer cut loose from Red Eye ye forfeit all claims ter Ophir ef found by Dropshot or pards.” The rough directed his steps toward the cabin occupied by the alcalde, for as he told Floss it was bis intention to say farewell to Dropshot Bluff before exiling himself from camp. At the same time Floss had stolen from her cabin, and was gliding noiselessly toward the appointed rendezvous. Duncan was soon made aware of the fact that the alealde’s cabin was occupied, for a light be- yond the little window at one side of the door grew more distinct as he advanced, Dropshot Bluff was alone and seated at the table upon which with a piece of chalk in his hand he had traced a number of lines intelligi- ble no doubt only to him. , The door pushed open by Duncan made a noise that caused the alcalde to raise his head, and with a frown he recognized the man who came in without invitation, ' Duncan shut the door carefully behind him and walked to the table. The alcalde’s dark eyes were fixed upon him as if he half expected to see his old pard leap over the table, “Tve come to say ‘good-by’ ter Red Eye,” began Duncan, That sentence, common peewee under the cir- cumstances, seemed a match about to be tossed intoa powder bin. Gil- **T ask CONNIE OOO (C Eon