Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 374 — page 4: what you’re looking at

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

+ a eS. Fe 3 teas “ey Major Blister had already disappeared, but Quartz Kid still lingered and fixed his eyes on the accused when be emerged from the hotel. Already the spy was at his heels, for he had not advanced twenty ane from the Dolores ere the boy saw a keen-eyed little man following in his foot-tracks, ‘‘T advise that man to get away from Custer as soon as possible,” the youngster said. ‘‘ He won't have a moment’s rest while he stays hyer, for nine out o’ ten of the men in thar half be- lieve that he knows who cashed Poker Perry’s life checks.” Mark sauntered coolly down the street with a lighted cigar between his teeth. He did not seem to have passed through any peril, and looked quite unlike a man whose life had been in danger. If he had a friend in Custer he did not find him on the street. He nodded to no one, took no notice of his surroundings, and never once looked back to see whether he was dogged by the Vigilantes’ spy. There was something about the demeanor of this man that captivated Quartz Kid. Awhile before he had been charmed by a pair of mes- meric gray eyes, but now something else, he could not tell what, drew him toward the Un- known. “Tam going to talk to that man,” the boy said to himself. ‘‘I might as well play detec- tive as any thing else. The death of Poker Perry is a mystery which forty men want clear- ed up. I know what Major Blister thinks, Any- body who knows what I know can guess his thoughts. He thinks that the man who stole his letter killed Perry, and while I have said that the person ahead is not the letter thief be- cause he hasn’t gray eyes he doesn’t altogether b’lieve me.” The boy crossed the street and hastening on reached a point ahead of the man, when he crossed to the sidewalk lately deserted, and waited for the man of mystery. For several minutes Quartz Kid was not re- warded with a glimpse of the one he wanted, but by-and-by he saw him approaching, and kept his eyes riveted upon him, Quartz Kid bothered his brains for a strata- gem for introduction, and when the stranger was almost up to him, he found a half-smoked cigar in his pocket and held it in readiness for his play. “y Atl er accommodate me with a light, col- onel?”? asked the boy, stepping up to Mark, whose cigar was burning brilliantly. . The man stopped and looked down into the boy’s face. ‘Certainly,” he said. ‘‘ Hello! you're the boy brought into the Dolores by Major Blister awhile ago?” ‘¢-Ves, but I didn’t know ye from Adam’s off ox, did I, colonel?” laughed Quartz. ‘* Tt seems not.” ‘‘ Kinder close call, hey?” continued the boy, between his puffs, for he had joined his cigar to Mark’s. *“‘ the Custer City pards stand together in a case like thet one, but they caught ther wrong man this time. Ah, thanks!” asthe cigar was returned. ‘‘ Poker Perry must have cheat- ed at ther table. They play bad games hyer sometimes; they set up cold decks to», colonel!” The faintest semblance of a smile appeared at the corners of the stranger’s mouth. Quartz Kid, who saw it, was at a loss to know what it meant. ‘Goin’ up this way, eh?” he continued, ple: ing himself at Mark’s side. ‘‘ I’m goin’ home myself, an’ I'll trot along by yer side. Never saw Custer afore to-night?” : ! ‘Perhaps not. But, why did Major Blister fetch you to me?” ‘‘ Wanted ter see ef I knew yer, I guess,” ‘“But, why should you know me?” With this question the hand of the Unknown fell lightly upon Quartz Kid’s shoulder, and when ie ae ooked up he saw a pair of search- ing black eyes fastened upon him. ‘They think I know everybody in Custer—I uess that’s bi Beso Blister took me up ter her Dolores,” laughed Quartz. ‘‘ An’ because I know so many, they had an idea that ’'d know ou.” The boy had not finished the last sentence ere he became convinced that the man knew he was keeping the truth back. e did not stoop but looked down as he walk- ed erect and kept his hand on Quartz’s shoul- der. ‘‘ See here,” he said, in a whisper, every sylla- ble of which was as distinct as if if had been spoken aloud. ‘‘I want the truth my boy.” ‘‘ Jehosephat! What else am I givin’ you?” cried the boy, trying to assume an air of injured innocence as he drew back a pace. ‘Not very good goods.” smiled the Unknown. ‘“‘ Major Blister thought I was the man who took his letter, eh, Quartz Kid?” The young Custer City messenger almost let slip an exclamation of astonishment. If the hand had not closed on his shoulder at the same moment, he would have broken away, — ‘““Come, my boy, give me the truth. friend the Major thought he had the purloine of his letter.” ‘He did, but—” Major B My r Quartz Kid paused. ‘¢ Well, go on.” ‘‘ But that man had gray eyes—the very dey- il’s gray, cold as a fish’s; while yours are black.” ‘‘ Tf they had been gray, you would have ac- cused me of taking the major’s letter, eh?” ‘*T don’t know but that I would,” answered the boy honestly. ‘‘ With the exception of your eyes pi look like him.” “Thats a compliment!” laughed the unknown. ‘‘ Maybe my eyes change color at will! But see here. I want you to surprise your old friend, the Major. Go back to The Dolores and get the iron dagger that was found in the bosom of Poker Perry; take it to Major Max Blister, the sport of two cities, and tell him to turn the iron handle three times to the right,” Quartz Kid could hardly keep back an exclam- ation of amazement. ‘* Will you do this?’ continued the man, cé Yes.” ‘Three turns to the right—remember !” The boy drew back and found himself free. ‘*'You are not to tell the Major about me un- til he has turned the fasger hands, Mark, the Unknown went on. ‘‘ After that, perhaps you will not be asked for information. ou are Quartz Kid. Do this, boy, and I will remember you kindly to your sister.” ‘“My sister? Heavens! I have no sister!” cried the amazed boy. ‘Oh, yes you have!” laughed Mark. ‘‘ Now go and see the dagger-handle turn,” The astonishment depicted on the countenance of the Custer City kid was enough to provoke a very broad smile. He was not permitted to stare long at the strange man, for having closed = last sentence, Mark walked off, leaving him alone, ‘¢T’ll carry out his orders,” said Quartz Kid. “That is the strangest man that ever struck Custer since I came hyer. If he knows about the iron-handled dagger, he knows how Poker Perry died. The Vigilantes wouldn’t have miss- ed it if they had noosed him.” Away went the boy, nor stopped until he reached the Dolores, where the corpse of the Major’s pard still lay. In the floor beside it stuck the quaint weapon which had taken life, and Quartz Kid picked it up. ‘*T know my way to the Major’s room,” he ale. ‘*{ want ter see ther handle turn my- self, CHAPTER IV. THE MYSTERY OF THE DAGGER. Iv happened that when the boy entered Major Blister’s apartments that the Big Sport was not in. ‘‘Not at home, hey?’ exclaimed Quartz Kid, looking about the room, ‘‘Mebbe he’s out look- in’? for ther man who gave Poker Perry ther iron dagger.” While he spoke he looked at the rough wea- pon he held in his hand, The blade which had a dark stain like that left by blood, was about seven inches in length. From the middle it tapered to a point, which was sharp like the point of a needle, The hilt was of iron not very well finished, but easy to hold when needed for a blow; but Quartz Kid could not see how it would open when turned to the right. More than onco he was strongly inclined to twist it himself, but he beat down this desire and finally stowed it away in his bosom in the condition he had found it, During his examination of the dagger, the boy stood at a window that looked out upon the street in front of the Dolores, and the light of the lamp hanging above the front entrance enabled him to see the curious yet rude make o the death instrument. By the merest chance when he put the dagger away, Quartz Kid looked down into the streei, and sawaman whose eyes were fixed on the window. At first the boy thought the look was a casual one, but a moment later he was un- deceived. ‘¢That’s the man with the devil eyes!” he ex- claimed, starting back. ‘‘ Where is Major Blister? By heavens! we won’t let him slip through our fingers this time!” ‘* Here lam! What's up?” Quartz Kid whirled to stand face to face with the Sport of Two Cities. He sprung toward him with eyes brimful of excitement. ‘‘ He is down there—in the street—looking at the window!” cried the boy, clutching the Major’s arm. 6 Who q”? ‘‘ The gray-eyed man!” ‘* Show him to me.” The pair went to the window together, and Quartz Kid pointed into the street. ‘‘ Down there! look!—No! he is gone!” It was true. The spot lately occupied by the mysterious man was vacant, and a shadow of chagrin and disappointment passed over the boy’s face when he saw that the man was gone, “Tet him go,” said the Major, with a smile. ‘‘We will get himin time. YOu were waiting for me here, were you not?” if'¥ ea” ‘“T heard below that you were up-stairs,” “T have something to show you, Major,” con- ‘ lister, the Sport of Two Cities. — tinued the boy, drawing forth the dagger, at ee pen of which Max Blister gave a slight start. ‘‘ Thar is a mystery about this knife which you are to solve,” he went on. ‘It looks like a, common iron affair whose handle and blade are one solid piece. But if you take it and turn the handle three times to the right, it will reveal something.” ‘Who told you all this?’ exclaimed Blister, ene the dagger from the boy. “No difference who, just now. I find out a. few things if I am a kid, Try the dagger, Major.” * Vl light up first.” _ Major Blister laid the weapon on a stand and lit a lamp; then coming back he picked up the dagger and looked at it carefully. “Now for ther mystery, boy,” he laughed, glancing at Quartz Kid, whose face was all ex- ectation. ‘‘Three times ter ther right, eh? al, hyer goes!” A moment later he turned the iron handle three times, when lo! it dropped off, and a white: ee about the size of a large bullet fell at his: eet, ‘‘ A piece of paper!” exclaimed the boy, pouncing upon the object, while the Big Sport, stared in amazement at the two pieces of metal held in his hands, ‘‘ Mebbe this is the letter the: gray-eyed Satan took from me!” ax Blister soon held the little ball of white, and Quartz Kid watched him with dilated eyes: while he unfolded it at the little table. ‘«Tt’s an infernal lie!” burst suddenly from the, Major’s lips. ‘* ‘What is?’ exclaimed the boy. ‘* ‘What this paper says.” ‘* What does it say?” The Custer City gamin was looking over the Sport’s shoulder, but one of the big bronze bands,, had closed suddenly on the paper, completely hiding it from view. ‘* No difference what it says—it speaks a lie!’” was the answer, The boy said nothing. ‘‘ Who told you that the handle would open by turning it three times?” suddenly demanded Blister, as he wheeled upon the boy and gave: him a searching: look, “Turn about is fair play,” was the answer. ‘‘ Show me what the paper says an’ I'll give you some information.” ‘*Not unless I do?” ‘* Ym afraid not, Major.” Max Blister glanced at the door which stood slightly ia and then at the boy who suddenly and noiselessly got out of reach of his arms. ‘‘Well, here it is. It will not concern you when you have seen it,” snapped the Major, forced to give in, ‘‘ Walk up here and read the paper some fool hid in the handle of the dagger that killed Poker Perry.” The boy stepped forward and leaned over the table. The paper, pretty well straightened out lay before him in the light of the lamp. One o Max Blister’s fingers rested on it at one corner. For a moment Quartz Kid saw a number of words jumbled together, as if hastily written in a poor light, but he soon read the entire paper, which was written thus: “Tam aniron dagger. I was made to kill five of the greutest villains unhung. One I have just fin- ished. Max Blister, the Sport of Two Cities, knows: who the rest are.” This was all. Below these words was a rude representation of a dagger, a very appropriate: signature the boy thought. ‘ ‘Now, who told you about this oaeeert said Blister, when Quartz Kid had barely reached the end of the writing. ‘‘The man you had under arrest a while ago.” S. sk Jou know him, then?” ‘‘ No, I followed him, and he told me to show you the mystery of the dagger’s handle.” ‘¢ Whar Sh leave ae: q” Major er was on his feet and the er” had Beat snatched from the table. ree ‘‘T left bim on the street, nearly in front of Faro Frank’s place,” **Can’t you see that we had the right man?” cried the Sport. ‘We let Perry’s assassin go!” ‘* Tt is plain to me now,” admitted the lad. “Tl give him back his iron dagger before mornin’!” the Major went on, catching up the two pieces of metal and putting them together im the boy’s presence. i ‘Hold! [1 write something for the iron a office—something for that cool devil's pards to see, if he has any.” Max Blister reseated himself at the table, and on a clean piece of paper wrote as follows: “Tam an iron dagger, and in the hands of Max Blister, the Sport of Two Cities; 1 have killed the man who struck Poker Perry, ’Let his pards look out!”’ ‘‘ How’ll that do, my boy?” laughed the Sport when he had read hig cae aloud to the boy, “his is blood for blood, blow for blow, and with the same weapon! You don’t know me. very well yet, but you're liable to know me. better if make “Custer City my battle- ground. While he spoke he rolled his message into Gomiicboo