Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 367 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

‘shelter. If 16 tempt at bluffing will just as surely doom them to death—or worse. Is that plain enough?” ‘* As far as it goes.” ‘‘ What more do you want to know?” ‘* When and where we can meet the real head of. this gang,” interposed Sol Scott, sternly. **\Ve have had enough of you and your inso- lence. We bore with it patiently, thinking you the principal villain, or at least one invested with the power to complete the bargain and transfer. Now we will do business only with Aces-and himself,” ‘** You will treat with him only through me,” was the cool retort, ‘* You will give me your answer to take back to him. You will wait pa- tiently until I see fit to come back with his final terms. If you dare to-cut up rusty—if you make a single attempt to follow the trail left by Aces-and, or to send a spy after me—you will never see your dear ones again, living or dead!” Sharply and decisively were the last words ut- tered, and Johnny-jump-up plainly mean busi- mess now, t 4’ These are your orders, gentlemen,” he added, suddenly calming down but still speaking with ‘stern decision. ‘*‘ You will remain here or at the ranch belonging to Sol Scott, if you prefer ou leave the premine for a single ‘mile, I will know of it, and those in our power ~will pay the penalty of your disobedience.” . Sol Scott could no longer contain himself, and with a single step he was upon the desperado, one hand clutching his throat with a deadly gripe, the other menacing his suddenly flushed ace. ‘* You cur!” he snarled savagely. ‘‘If a sin- le hair of their dear heads is injured, look out! en thousand deaths shall be yours!” A touch from Dan Brown’s hand caused the mad detective to relax his fierce grasp, freeing his adversary and falling back. None too soon either. The gloved hand was closing over the haft of a knife, and feeling that death was sure- ly to be his portion, Johnny-jump-up would have stricken viciously for vengeance. As it was, the weapon remained in its scab- bard, while a sickly smile crept over his flushed countenance, his blue eyes turning almost black with a a deadly hatred as he uttered: ‘‘ One death at a time, my dear fellow! The stock would last longer at that rate, and the re- sult amount to the same in the end. Bah!” and he laughed, harshly, his brows contracting, his face turning fairly repulsive 1. x‘red and wickedness. ‘You may threaten, but we will perform. You have our terms, and all that remains is for you to accept or to reject them, for they will not be modified in the slightest degree. ‘*‘T am to be permitted to take my departure ‘whenever my sweet will dictates. You are to possess your souls in patience and wait for my return. You are to lay idle. You must not leave the ranch on any pretext. You shall not send out a scout or a spy, to mark my trail, or for any other purpose. You shall not send out for assistance. “ig a transgress these orders in a single re- spect, I will know of it almost immediately, and our hostages will be the sufferers. And now, Messrs. Bloodhounds, I am ready to re- ceive your decision.” Dan Brown touched his brother detective on the arm and drew him away from thetree. He stood with his back turned toward the despera- do, and before he spoke to his partner he cast a slow, searching glance around the horizon, as though in expectation of seeing some one com- f so, he was doomed to disappointment, for the sky-line was without a break save those made by purely natural objects. Johnny-jump-up watched his adversaries in this strange game with cool intentness, but he could not catch a word, nor read their senti- ments from their partially hidden faces. Nor was he any wiser when the two men returned and Dan Brown spoke: “If we refuse to agree to your conditions, what then?” ** Just this,” was the prompt retort. ‘‘I will return to Aces-and, and before him tell your loved ones that you prize money above their freedom. And then—I leave you to guess the consequences!” CHAPTER XII. GOING IT BLIND. As he met Johnny-jump-up watched Sol Scott keenly, evideatly half suspecting another enraged assault, for his right hand rested on the haft of his knife; but stern and still the detec- tive permitted his partner to conduct the negoti- ations for the time being. ‘*When will Aces-and expect your return - with an answer?” Johnny-jump-up laughed softly, and the quick gleam in his eyes told his adversaries how closely he was watching for a trap. “Any time that suits me best, provided it does not extend over six and thirty hours from my leaving him. That took place last night, in . the shank of the evening; say twelve hours ago, more or less. If I am not with him by this time to-morrow, good-by to kids and petti- coats!” _ Dan Brown moved closer to the desperado, with devilish | | one hand falling lightly on his shoulder. John- | knew what we more than suspect; that those ny-jump-up swiftly flashed forth his steel, draw- ing back his armed hand to a position from whence he could strike swift and sure, before a hand could arrest the blow. From his pale, hard-set features, it was clear he anticipated a savage assault, something like that which he had recently experienced at the hands of Sol Scott. = ig Dan Brown made no attempt toward that end. hellhounds mean to extort the ransom and then _ hold their captives as a guard against our ven- If he saw the bare steel, no change in his | grave earnest countenance bore witness to that | fact. His grasp did not tighten, nor his free hand seek either weapon or to guard his own life. And when he spoke his tones were smooth and even, free from excitement or anger. ‘* This is no time for a misunderstanding, John Sand. There is by far too much at stake. Nei- ther your side nor ours can afford to fall into an error through hot passions or hasty decisions,” The hard-set features of the little desperado began to soften and relax a little, though he still held his weapon in readiness for instant use in case of necessity. , ‘** Well, what of it?” a little sharply uttered Johnny-jump-up. This abrupt hasten in the demeanor ef his an- ' very names. prove that geance until they can escape far beyond our reach,” ‘Even then I would come to their terms, could I feel assured they would release our families when safe, as they imagined,” was the gloomy response, ‘*But would they, even then?” ** You don’t think—” Dan Brown did not complete the sentence, for the same fearful idea struck him that troubled his partner. Sol Scott nodded savagely, his hands clinching until the nails cut through the skin. , ‘* You know how bitterly Aces-and hates our You know he has sworr time and again to even scores with us before going off the roll. He is no fool, no ordinary schemer. If nothing else, this bold game of his would but we have seen enough of his former exploits to make that much clear, He | | would not risk his precious neck even for a load of gold, if he couldn’t see a way of escape open to him. ‘That way, I firmly believe, lies in still keep- tagonists “‘ rattled ” him a little, for he was puz- | ing our families in his gripe after the ransom _money is paid. He knows our love for them zled to guess just what it meant, just what course the detectives had concluded to pur- sue,” ‘* You have our families in your power,” coldly added Dan Brown, in the same quiet tones. ‘‘ Precious as they are to us, to you mo- ney is far preferable, for reasons which | needn’t dwell upon.” ‘* What are you driving at, anyhow?” growled the suspicious rascal, ** Tf all the world was coined into golden coins it would not begin to weigh a thousandth part as much as our love for the beings you hold cap- tive,” continued those smooth, even tones. ‘* And so, to give each one what they covet most, we agree to accept whatever terms your master may see fit to offer, provided he keeps within our power to pay. And still further pro- vided that he will deliver his hostages at the same hour we pay over the money or its worth.” Johnny-jump-up laughed mockingly as Dan Brown of Denver ceased speaking. ‘*And out come the monkey from the meal- chest at last! Bah! when you get ahead of us, Dan Brown, it will be a frosty day in the trop- ics!” ‘In other words?” quietly inquired the de- tective, his hand Srorpipg tam the desperado’s shoulder, and he stepping back a pace, ‘*That we and not you are the ones to dic- tate terms. That you will not even see, much less place your hands on, your families until after their ransom is in our possession and our retreat to safety fully insured. These are my instructions, and you must accept or reject them just as they stand, Take your choice— and in making it, please bear in mind that when I take my departure the die is cast for good and all so far as you and yours are con- cerned.” ‘* You are risking your own success by your hardness, sir,” coldly responded Dan Brown, ‘That is my lookout. No likey, no buy!” laughed Johnny-jump-up. Dan Brown stood before the malicious vil- lain for a brief space in silence, his eyes down- cast, his brain busy, his brows contracted, Then he lifted his eyes and calmly uttered: ‘““T cannot accept your terms without con- sultation with my partner. Give us a few minutes in which to weigh the matter.” ‘‘As many as you wish, my dear fellow,” and Johnny-jump-up flung out one gloved hand with a careless gesture, Dan Brown made no reply, but taking Sol Scott by the arm, he moved slowly away from the shade cast by the tree, leaving Johnny- jump-up the sole occupant cf the agreeable spot, The little desperado seemed in earnest so far as. his last request was concerned, for, with a long-drawn yawn, he tied his horse to the tip of a drooping bough, then lay down at the foot of the tree, pulling the broad brim of his hat over his face. One hand rested on the butt of a revolver, and one thumb touched the hammer. Clearly the rascal meant to take no long chances in his repose. “What do you think of it, pard?” asked Dan Brown in a low tone. ‘*It looks bad—mighty bad!” was the almost savage response, ‘‘You watched him while I kept him in play. What did you see?” ‘*Enough to convince me that I was right in my first opinion,” was the instant response. “The gang is playing a desperate game, and they mean to beat us in every way they can. They think to get the ransom money, and still hold our dear ones!” ‘‘T more than suspected as much!” muttered Dan Brown, gloomily. ‘‘ If I could think differ- ent—if I could believe they meant to play fair— I would jump at his offer in a moment. You know it is not the love of money that holds me back. You know that I would strip myself of my last dollar—of everything I own on earth— for their sake, Put I know that our darlings would be the last to ask such a sacrifice if they ) j ' will be no less then. If his knife is held at their | throats, we will not dare close in with him. And then, when he has gained a point of safety, think you he would lose such a glorious chance of cutting us to the very soul?” ‘You are right! he would a ee them, the demon!” muttered Dan Brown, his face hard and stern, yet despairing. ‘‘If my brain | was only clear—if I could only think and plan as I once could!” ‘“You are worn out, mind and body, pard,” gravely uttered Sol Scott, his hand seeking that of his brother detective, pressing it warmly, re- assuringly. ‘* You need rest, and—” ** Rest, with those fiends holding all I love on earth?’ savagely breathed the husband end fa- ther, a light in his blue eyes that was but little short of insanity. “It is hard!” muttered Sol Scott, brushing the drops from his brow with a hand that actu- ally trembled, ‘It is a depth of bitterness such as I never imagined could ingulf a living soul!” ‘And not a ray of light to brighten it! Not a single gleam of hope, look where we will!” He felt Sol Scott draw his athletic figure erect. He felt him quiver and thrill as one who is mee fresh hope, and glanced swiftly up to see his brother detective gazing beneath his curved palm far off over the plain to the east. One breathless moment, and then Dan Brown made the same discovery that had so thorough- ly aroused his mate. Far away, a mere speck on the prairie, was a single horseman, though only the eyes of experi- ence could have been sure of that much. And the detectives knew that whoever that rider might be, he was approaching the spot where had stood Single Pot Ranch. “It is one of the boys,” muttered Sol Scott, his stern face lighting up marvelously. ‘' No matter which, his brain will be cool and clear in comparison with ours. He will see the way better than we can.” “Tf it is Enoch!” muttered Dan Brown, bis hands clinching tightly. ‘‘If it is Enoch Dodge, I will be content to take his advice without question!” Sol Scott cast a swift glance toward the lone tree. Johnny-jump-up half-lay, half-leaned there, seemingly peacefully sleeping. If this was pretense, it was admirably played. “See that he don’t make a break for it, pard!” warningly muttered Sol Scott. ‘‘?’m going to take a horse out to meet whoever it is.” He did not pause for comment or reply, but hastened to where the horses were held by a few cowboys, selecting a couple and ele into the saddle of one, leading the other, dashed away to meet the new-comer. Even as he started, a low murmur of excite- ment ran through the group, for they saw the distant rider come in a heap to the ground as though his overtasked steed had stumbled. It was more than that, as they one and all knew the next moment, The rider rose alone, and they knew his mount must have fallen dead, as he set out on foot, running like one on whose speed rested life or death, “It is Enoch, God bless him!” panted Dan Brown, then casting a quick glance toward Johnny-jump-up. The desperado had not moved, and the posi- tion of his hat showed plainly enough that he could not yet have caught a glimpse of the ap- proaching de ective, His breath came low, even and peaceful. Strange as it may appear, Johnny-jump-up had actually gone to sleep in the midst of his enemies, pape | and every one of whom would have given a year of life for the privilege of cutting his throat. In silence Dan Brown moved toward the cow- boys, and singling out Frank Munson, the man who first intercepted the three marauders when they approached the ranch, and West Long, he bade them keep guard over Johnny-jump-up. ‘Don’t injure him, as you love your lives: but if he rouses up before I get back, keep him Gomichboo (Sato) ~~