Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 367 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

| ie | A Royal Flush. the price demanded. Then, let him secure a rebate, if he can!” ‘*He will! he will, though you flee to the ve ends of the earth!” my, eat! cried Rachel, her dark eyes all aglow, her “Men spirit unable to longer remain in bonds while that sneering, mocking face was before her. ‘‘ He will exact full pay for every insulting word and look—will repay you in kind for every moment of pain and torture you have inflicted on his loved ones! I swear it!” ‘* And perjure yourself while taking the oath,” lightly retorted Aces-and, seemingly restored to ood humor by the fact of having shaken the en- oreed composure of his proud captive. ‘‘ When I’m through dealing with Dan Brown, he’ll be content to let business drop for a while. His heart may be willing enough, but his constitu- tion won’t stand it!” He paused, as though expect another re- tort, but if so, he was to be disappointed, Rachel saw that she had made a dangerous slip, and her solicitude for her children nisned a seal on her lips. But Aces-and had sent away Johnny’s Infant with the express purpose of having a thorough understanding, and ooo little time in waiting for his captives to talk. “T didn’t go into this game with my eyes shut, ladies,” he added, in a graver, steadier tone, his countenance partaking of the change as well, “I knew it meant death if I failed to play every card for its full worth, if I madea single slip. But I knew, too, that the stakes to be won were well worth the danger. ‘*-You know how close run we were—that Dan Brown and Sol Scott, with their hired blood- hounds, had driven us into a corner from which they felt assured escape with life was impossible. It called for a cool and quick brain to see through the tangle, but I proved equal to the task, and how the game has changed, you begin to realize. , “Tt isn’t won yet. I know that as well as you do. It may never be won by us; but if the worst should come, be sure of this: we will not be frozen out without first making sure of our revenge.” PA regdlntte Quiet his voice and manner, but still with something in both that caused the mothers to draw closer together, to cling more tightly to their children as though dreading separation from them, Aces-and laughed softly as he noted this, and there was a devilish joy in his eyes as he added: ‘Takes a woman to jump at a conclusion! You've hit it, my dears!’ There was no reply, but the hunted, anxious look deepened in both fair faces, They suspect- ed, but they dreaded to be convinced. ‘¢ Until I hatched up this game, I could never see the use of kids,” coolly added the outlaw showing his teeth in an negly fashion. “ Of course, [ knew that lacking them, the supply of players would soon give out, but I failed to recognize why the kids couldn’t come into the world full-zrown Billies and Nannies, ready for business, and of some worth at the start. Now I see my mistake! Shall [ tell you how?” Still silence. "Willie stared defiantly at the speaker, but his mother’s hand kept him silent. , *But using the kids, Pll manage you with much less trouble. That is one point. Another is: through them I'll make sure of at least par- tial revenge on Dan Brown and Sol Scott should they be cunning enough to throw dus into Johnny’s eyes and sharp enough to get here before he can give us the warning of danger. Tll have two strings to my bow, and while the ploodhounds are trying to secure one, Pll cut the other in twain! Now, do you understand my meaning?” Only too clearly! They clung to their chil- dren, desperate defiance flashing from their eyes and written upon their faces. Aces-and laughed again, and there was a diabolical ¢ru- elty in his tones as he said: &You are determined not to understand my meaning, I see, so’) speak still plainer. You two women will remain in this palatial chamber until the end is reached. The children will be taken to another residence. no matter just where, until—” ‘Not with life—not unless you kill ime first!” panted Rachel, drawing her loved ones still closer to her breast as she glared desperately at the ruffian. Aces-and laughed mockingly as his quick ear caught the sound of hasty footsteps approach- ing, and he stepped a little aside to admit John- ny’s Infant, whose ugly grin showed that he had caught that wild defiance. There was a wolfish litter as he glanced toward Willie Brown, then rned to his master with a\coaxing accent: ‘Gi’ me leave, boss, an’ I'll fetch em to taw! Jes’ say I kin, an’ won’t I make the kid blaat finely?” | ‘Not yet, Baby,” was the cool response, as Aces-and tapped the shoulder of the eager giant. ‘© Kindness with women, is my motto.’ “Taint the woman, it’s the kid!” growled the Infant, scowling with savage earnestness. ‘¢ He shot you—he tried to kill the master!” ‘“‘T know which is the greatest crime In your eyes, Baby,” laughed the chief, but without a trace of jealousy. “I don’t say you sha’n’t get even for it, too; but not just now.” He turned toward the captives once more, ‘‘T have said it is to be, ladies.- You may kick, but that will only hurt your own pretty toes, without at allshaking my resolve. “T know the game I am playing. I know that it is either make or break with me. I expect to win, of course; but [I’m not fool enough to shut my eyes to the pene of defeat. If I win—well, I only ask fate to grant me long enough life to run pag with my winnings! If I lose—even in death Pll have revenge of the bloodhounds! ‘*T am going to take the kids from you and place them under the wing of our honest In- fant, here. You know how dearly he loves them, particularly the boy! And knowing this, you can rest comfortable in the assurance that they will be made as happy as lies in the power of one poor, weak mortal to brin about. And I—well, I'll rest easy in the know!- edge that my orders will be carried out to the pi letter !’ ot much in the words, perhaps, to cause fear and trembling; but the tone, the glow in those black eyes, the vicious smile—they filled the hearts of chel and May with a torture that was almost more than they could endure. ‘Listen to me, Baby,” and Aces-and turned to the giant, one finger tapping against the broad chest as though to emphasize each word. ‘“You will take the k ds from here to the spot I told you of. You will two good men to go with you. You will keep close lookout for snags, as well as an eye toward this point. If a see ate si of rescue—if you are at- tacked by the bloodhounds—you will make sure of the kids first, even before you think of rding your own life. If you see the signal- lights going up from’ here, you will kill the kids without hesitation. You understand?’ Johnny’s Infant; nodded rapidly, his reddish eyes turning toward Willie Brown, his hand dropping to the haft of his too ready knife. ‘**Don’t make any mistake, Baby,” sharply added Aces-and, forcing the giant to face him again and gazing keenly into his eyes. ‘‘ Don’t let yourself imagine an attack, and don’t take the moon for a signal-light. If you should, so much the worse for you!” ‘**T’ll remember, boss,” was the quiet response. Aces-and drew a revolver and turned toward the women. ** ‘You have heard my instructions, ladies. It only remains for you to quietly turn the chil- dren over to the Infant, who—” | ‘Never! you must kill as first!” panted Rachel Brown, otnge more tightly to her loved ones, while May Scott imitated her action, ‘** Not your death, but his, first!” laughed Aces- and, as his revolver exploded. Rachel Brown gasped painfully as she felt Willie start just a trifle in her arms, and her poor brain reeled as she caught sight of a bloody mark on his cheek. But the noble little fellow quickly cried: ‘*Tt didn’t hurt, mother! Don’t ery!” ‘*T only marked his ear that time, as a start- er,” coldly uttered Aces-and as he recocked his weapon. ‘Refuse to give him up, an’ Yl come closer to the center with each successive shot. Make up your mind, my lady! I’m busi- ness, now! Shall T shoot again?” It was a terribly bitter struggle, but Rachel Brown knew from what she had experienced that the outlaw would show them no mercy, She felt that he would still further mutilate her child were she to hold out, and though it seemed like tearing her heart out by the roots, she kiss- him passionately, time and again, then pushed him from her, crying: ‘*Spare him, an’ Ill be your slave! Harm him further, and [ll have your vile life in re- turn! I swear it by high Heaven!” ‘*Take the kid, Baby, and wait for the rest,” coldly uttered Aces-and, shifting his aim to the curly head of Cherry Brown, ‘One more love- offering, my dear madam, and then you can take your ease. Shall I mark her with the same totem?” He had conquered. The poor mothers knew now how helpless they were against his brutal power, and pale, tearless, too utterly wretched even for tears, they kissed their wailing little ones and then tore away from them—no milder word will express the action. Johnny’s Infant caught the two little girls in one arm and dragging defiant Willie after him, left the rock cell, Aces-and laughed mockingly as the two wo- men fell into each other’s arms, all untouched by their = none the less bitter from its be- ing silent an dry. ‘You have behaved nobly, my dears, and if you continue as well—” He ceased abruptly as Rachel Brown turned upon him, her white face fairly convulsed with hate and loathing, her voice harsh and strained: ‘Have you not tortured us enough? Go, you monster! you demon! Go! orwomen as we are, all your weapons won’t save you from death!” “or once in his life Aces-and shrunk from a woman, afraid. He tried to hide it, but in vain. And then he turned away, leaving them. May Scott broke down, and wailing, sobbing, shed tears freely. Rachel could not weep, but she found a relief in whispering in the ears of her weaker friend in misery: ‘*Courage, dear! They will come! They will save our precious ones, and terribly avenge our wrongs. They have never yet failed— sure they will not now, with so much at stake!” CHAPTER XVII. DRAWING A PAIR OF KNAVES, “tT SAY, you man-body with a doll-head on top!’ t Same to you, puncheon! What is it?” came the prompt reply, but in the same low, guarded tone of voice. ‘“*T’ve been thinking—” ** An’ come to look fer a head as kin stan’ the pressure?” **—-which would be the quickest way; to pad that stunted knob on the top end of your carcass into a respectable size, or to swell it up large enough by thumping it with these mauls,” and Nor’ West Nick reflectively held up a pair of clinched fists that would have compared favor- ably with a couple of hams. urk Elder seemed on the point of making a jesting reply, when something in the glowing gaze of his fellow scout caused the bl to leap Sin through his veins, and he leaned further orward, his lips slightly parting, a faint hiss escaping them. Instantly one broad palm was slip over his mouth, and Nor’ West Nick nodded his head until his enormous mustaches writhed and twisted like twin snakes crawling out of the same hole. ‘Right, my lad,” he muttered, with a silent laugh of triumph. ‘I’ve struck a lead, and if we take hold of the right end I reckon it'll pan out all we could wish. How does that stick in your craw?” ** It’s them I’m thinkin’ of the hardest,” and Turk Elder inclined his bullet-head toward the point where they had left Dan Brown and Sol Scott under care of Enoch Dodge. ‘* Them an’ the wimmen an’ childern. I don’t keer fer the beat—though mebbe some little sheer o’ luck went with it—” ‘*No luck at all, but pure skill and science, Turk,” chuckled Nor’ West Nick. ‘“‘It was an even start and you got left. Why? Because you didn’t have enough o’ the sabe to compete with the it, original—” Nor’ est Nick broke off abruptly, ail traces of jesting or banter vanishing like magic. ‘** Business, Turk. Quit your fooling now. I’ve got to make you into a first-class rascal. Pity the nut on top o’ you wasn’t a bit bigger.” ** It’s the best [ve got. Mebbe it’ll do as well asa bigger one. It won’t do no hurt to make the try, anyhow,” was the quiet reply. Turk Elder was even yet puzzled to under- stand Nor’ West Nick, much as they had been thrown together during the past three weeks. The detective from Rocky Bar was still an en- gene. to him, and past experience told him that the more he sought a solution the more com- eat the fat detective delighted in befogging _ is trail. And so, though so anxious to share in the discoveries which he felt assured Nor’ West Nick had made since their separation to recon- noiter the vicinity of the cavern in which John- ny-jump-up at last swore his mates had sought refuge, the ex-pugilist would not venture even a question. ‘ Nor’ West Nick laughed softly, nodding his head approvingly. ‘* You'll do, mate. I won't kcep you on net- tles any longer. I’ve located cre of the gang on guard duty.” ‘* We must take bim, of course!” Nor’ West Nick nodded, but with a shrug of the shoulders, ‘“Of course; easy spoken, but not so easy done, Turk!” ‘** Show me the critter, an’ ef he ain’t bigger’n a mountain, Pll tote him to whar the boss is waitin’,” quietly added the other, not in a tone of boasting, but rather like one making a simple statement of fact. ‘Of course you would, but all the same, I wouldn’t be ina hurry. I didn’t stop to take a second squint at the critter. Maybe he’s a per- sonal stranger to both of us. Maybe he’d kick at such unceremonious ehigen en He might 0 even get so hot as to set off a p or two, at our impudence in scraping acquaintance with- out a regular introduction. And you know what a row that might make, Turk, old fellow!” ‘Let me git close enough to grip the var- mint, an’ he won’t squawk a single time!” mut- tered the ex-pugilist, closing end unclosing his big hands, the muscles of his aims almost burst- ing the sleeves that covered them. ‘*That’s the difficulty, Turk,” was the sober reply. ‘The fellow ee cn himself by the abominable tobacco he smokes, but he’s where a body can’t get within gripping range in front, without first exposing himself, nor from behind, without the rascal first rises erect. And that is why I say I mean to turn you into a villain without paint. “You've gut to play Johnny’s In- fant for a few minutes.” Turk Elder noeded until it seemed as thev the little bullet-head would be jerked off hi broad shoulders, his eyes glowing like balls of : , as , (E(@) | on ~ el J ~ olnmiCelevexe) cs id * a J _ Lee! -