Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 380 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

226 ot ae 14 Executive Chamber wers in a very cheerful frame of mind. His Excelleney had placed a choice brand of cigars at their disposal; and while they awaited the completion of their number, the Secreta of State and one of the attorneys vied with eac other telling stories, to the uproarious mirth of the company. The appearance of Detective Sylvester was the signal for a transformation, ‘Well, gentlemen?” said His Excellency. And instantly these overgrown boys became grave deliberators. As concisely as possible the Governor convey- ed to them the purport of his interview with the Golden Serpent, concluding: ‘¢ And now, what’s to be d-ne?” The company looked to Detectives Farnsworth and Sylvester. The circumventing of rascality was their specialty. ‘‘This confirms my conclusion,” said Detec- tive Sylvester, by way of gaining time for re- flection, before venturing to suggest any way out of their dilemma. But the question is, have we gained esialarirn, Se the change? In one way, it is easier to deal with an isolated band of outlaws than with a whole community like Silver Riffle; but by cutting loose from them, we lose all clew to the whereabouts of our committee?” ‘‘ But who is this Golden Serpent?” asked one of the gentlemen. ‘‘It seems to me that she is getting to be conspicuous enough of late to be worthy of some attention.” ‘¢ (ndoubtedly!” smiled the detective. ‘ But whose business is it to look after her? If she is in this State to-day, she may be in one of the ad- joining territories to-morrow.” ‘‘ But has she no head-quarters to which you can trace her, now that we are sufficiently inter- ested to make it our business?” “We might find a last year’s bird's nest or two; but she is probably shrewd enough to get a new cache for her hostages.” ‘‘ Meanwhile,” suggested Jim Farnsworth, ‘she undoubtedly has spies on our movements; and if she finds us cutting the dirt from under her feet, she will be likely to call a halt.” ‘‘ That is what has seemed to be our vulner- able point,” said His Excellency. ‘She has us so completely at her mercy.” ‘‘To sacrifice our friends for the pleasure of stretching the neck of this vagabond would seem to me avery poor bargain,” said the State Treasurer, ‘Then we are to accede to her terms?” asked His Excellency. ‘‘ What do you say to that, Mr. Attorney?” And he looked toward the Attorney-General with a questioning smile. ‘*T see that you are party to your compounding a the officer appealed to. ‘* Aren’t you the natural defender of the Con- stitution?’ asked one of his fellow-members of ma oa to make me a elony !” laughed the bar. ’ “T try to take good care of my own constitu- tion,” ‘replied the commonwealth’s judicial champion. ae ‘‘ Meanwhile, it would be a pity to spoil such a good constitution as Uncle Billy’s,” sugges the Secretary of State. ‘If it comes to a ques- tion between his constitution—not to mention those of the others—and the State’s, I vote for Uncle Billy, every time!” . ‘*Of course,” said His Excellency, gravely, “+we have precedent for the waiving of for- malities in an exigency of this kind.” . _ “There is one other consideration perhaps worthy of note,” said the District Attorney. ‘Tt is by no means certain that we could make ‘a case against the prisoner.” ‘Bh? I thought it clear enough,” said His Excellency. ‘‘I remember reading the details -at the time.” ** We might establish his guilt morally,” said the Prosecuting Attorney; ‘‘ but to fix it upon him legally is a different thing. To begin with, -our principal witness is dead.” - fi But was there no deposition taken?” ‘Unfortunately, that was destroyed in the great fire.” * But the general testimony still accessible? In so simple a case—” _ * Aga drunken brawl! Who can tell who bas done anything, except an actual eye-witness?” _* And there is none such in this case?” ‘““Noone. It is even ible that the Tiger is not the guilty man. His claim is that he was drunk, like the rest; and he doesn’t know what he may have done. If we put him on trial as the case stands, the chances are that he will get off with murder in the second degree at most, and probably with manslaughter.” ‘‘ Tf such is the case, it is reason enough why we should not hesitate,” said the State Treas- It was plain that all were of the same mind. The maintenance of law was of eminent impor- ‘tance; but then, the committee was composed of _their personal friends. Aas _ After a little further desultory discussion, it was agreed that the Chief Magistrate should pledge the Commonwealth to grant Tiger Dick a full pardon for all past offenses whatsoever, ‘on the restoration of the committee. The Golden Serpent. ‘*So your two years’ > grape pursuit ee ae in smoke!” said one of the gentlemen to Jim arnsworth. ‘‘ Hardly,” returned the detective, serenely. “*T followed Tiger Dick with the purpose of bringing him to book. If you gentlemen choose to let him go after I have caged him for you, that’s none of my funeral.” ‘‘He very narrowly escaped providing you with a funeral of your own, I understand.” ‘For which I bear him no grudge. He did it in a fair and open fight. But, gentlemen, there is one thing which you have overlooked in mak- ing your arrangements,” ‘ And that is?” ‘Tiger Dick himself.” “é Eb q ‘*Tsn’t he a y to this transaction?” ** But not difficult to please with the present arrangement, I imagine!’ ** You don’t know him.” ** What?” ‘‘Suppose he should refuse to accept his re- lease on such conditions?” ‘‘ But anything so absurd is unsupposable!” ‘‘T should think that few men would hesitate about taking their neck out of the hangman’s noose,” seconded another. ‘‘But haven't you had evidence that Tiger Dick isn’t an ordinary man?” asked Jim Farns- worth. ‘‘ How many men, in the circumstances, would have made such a bargain with me, in- stead of tapping me on the head? Hecould have done it with impunity.” ‘‘ We don’t half-appreciate the peculiar code of honor that obtains among these semi-civilized mountaineers,” observed one of the lawyers, who plumed himself on his varied information. ‘‘ They are not unlike the old feudal lords.” ‘But I understand that it was more espe- cially the influence of a woman, in this partic- ular case, who seems to have effected a change of heart in this dashing outlaw in more respects than one.” ‘* And while he puts his head into the noose for one woman, here comes along another who is anxious to put hers in along with his!” cried His Excellency. ‘‘ They’re a passionate lot, truly !” ** Don't you see a possible stumbling-block for your plans here?” asked Farnsworth, “ ow so?” ‘‘ Why, will the Tiger be willing to go to lady- love number one with so peculiar an obligation to lady-love number two?’ “Well! well! now that I think about it,” cried His depcalleneys ‘*there was some such point raised. But the issue was joined a little differently. Our reformed outlaw refused to escape under the continued stigma of the law. It seems to have been agreed between them, however, that he would accept the obligation to his deliverer if only his release was made com- plete.” ‘““[ may be wrong, but I think the Golden Serpent misunderstood the Tiger. I have talked with him during his incarceration, and his point is that he is done with crime. He refuses to rofit by it, This is the change that his love for iss Holyoke has wrought in him.” ‘* Well, now!” cried the Secretary of State, en- thusiastically, ‘‘such a fellow as that has some good in him! I, for one, am glad that we have found a better use for him than hanging.” ‘But you seeni to forget that this will be profiting by a crime.” ‘* Ah! that’s so! But won’t that be a queer kind of obstinacy to overcome? He has gone to the other extreme, and from being an uncon- scionable outlaw, has become too virtuous for this wicked world!” ‘Let us not anticipate difficulties,” suggested the Attorney-General, dtyly. ‘‘I have yet to see a man whose logic isn’t more or less affected by self-interest. I fancy that we can convince him that this is consistent with his new-found virtue.” ‘Tt is so interesting a case,” said His Excel- lency, ‘‘ that I propose to give you all a chance to see how hereceivesit. I will have him brought here, and the matter shall be submitted to him in your presence.” 2 ! good!” cried all the company. A telegram hrought the Tiger to the capital city by the first train, and the disposers of his fate were reassembled for his reception. CHAPTER XIX. THE TIGER MAKES TERMS. Tiarr Dick entered the Executive Chamber with his right wrist linked to the left of a burly officer by a bright, steel handcuff. He compared with his custodian about as a greyhound with a bulldog. “Be gorra!” whispered the political ‘‘ boss ” to the gentleman standing next him, ‘ but he’s a beauty, so he is! He'd strip handsome for the ring! I wish I had the likes of him in my ward.” Other men present, of greater refinement, recognized in the prisoner no hang-dog ruffian, but one so manifestly their peer in_ everything that constituted a man and a gentleman, that they could not but treat him with respect. He walked with the quiet dignity which was ————EEEEE—— 2? 2 a a a a a a aa a en SS Eee ee natural to him, as free from affectation as it was from carelessness, These men of the world could not but admire the fine poise of his head, the clear light in his eye, his perfect self-possession. Involuntarily the Governor rose to his feet, as: he would receive a guest. But he had the self- command to check the impulse there. At sight of Dick Jim Farnsworth started to his feet, with a look of surprise and a flush of annoyance, ‘‘ There has been an oversight here,” he said. ‘* Tt is not necessary to fetch Tiger Dick into this. presence in such a manner. r. Officer, pray put Mr. Langley more at his ease.” Tiger Dick bowed his acknowledgment of this: mark of consideraticn, as the cuff was forthwith removed, ‘*And now, Mr. Langley,” said His Excel- lency, when Dick was seated, ‘‘ have you receiv- ed any intimation as to why you have been sum- moned here?’ ‘* None whatever, sir,” replied Dick. “You are informed of the recent capture of & committee of the Legislature on its way to in- vestigate the Chinese troubles at Silver Riffle?” ‘*T have read of the occurrence in the news- papers.” ** Can you throw any light on the matter?” ‘‘T? In what respect?” | Every eye was upon the Tiger. They saw the quick look of surprise that appeared in his face at this pointed question. ‘*He’s a first-class actor, and prepared for this inquisition; or he is innocent of co]lusion im the matter,” whispered the Attorney-General to the Governor. ‘* ‘You think so?” asked His Excellency. ‘*T would stake my reputation on it.” ‘Wait! Let’s see if I can’t corner him.” **Go in!” ‘Pardon me!” said His Excellency. “ But: are we wholly unjustified in assuming that your past life may have given you some familiarity with the possible perpetrators of such an—I cam but say outrage!” A flush rose to Tiger Dick’s brow: but he was: ne abashed by the centering of all eyes upom im. ‘You are, no doubt, justified in such an as— sumption,” he said, with grave, sad dignity- ‘*Not only that; but my past life gives you a warrant for addressing such language to me, and leaves me without just complaint. How- ever, you are mistaken in this particular in- stance. I know nothing of the men of Silver Riffle.” It was His Excellency’s turn to flush under the reproof so cleverly administered. He bit his lip. It seemed absurd to apologize to a man of Tiger Dick’s admitted antecedents, It occurred to him that the Golden Serpent: was right, insaying that we were not quite ready to reinstate on earth the repentant sinner whonr we assured of his reception into the courts of Heaven amid the acclaim of angelic hosts. “Tf you know nothing of the actors in this particular case,” he said, “can you not offer some suggestion pertinent to cases of this kind, which will throw some light on the possible mo~ tives of these men?” ‘““Why, I understood that it was a revolt: against inquisition,” said the Tiger, his looks: evidence of his sincerity. ** What did I tell you?” asked the Attorney- General, under his breath, ‘T believe you are right,” returned His Ex- cellency, in the same guarded tone. _ Right!” muttered the lawyer, with a twinkle in hiseye. ‘ Ain’t lalwaysright?”? | ‘‘ That is the newspaper version of the affair,” said His Excellency, aloud; ‘* but our investiga~ tions do not substantiate sach a view.” The Tiger’s eyes brightened with increasing, interest. ‘‘'There is the other motive of capture for ran-- som,” he suggested. ‘““A rather un-American proceeding—would it not be?” “True, But what use could a roving band of men make of a promiscuous company, men and women? Personal revenge could net extend to: all of them, brought accidentally together, ex~ cept in their character of a committee. If they had been killed, that would have been one- thing. But why hold them alive, unless with a view to profit?” ‘‘That has been suggested,” said His Excel- lency, without change of countenance. s Tf it: is the correct explanation, when, in your op!n-- ion, should we look for some overtures of settle-- ment from the bandits?” ‘First, they would get their prisoners in a plage of undoubted safety. They would pro-- ably spy upon your movements, to see if there: was any likelihood of you piping them home. Assured on. that score, they would wait an op-- portunity to communicate with the friends of their hostages in a way which would give no clew. I should expect them to try to negotiate with the parties directly and to the exclusion of officers of the law. Of course, this is so entirely’ contingent upon circumstances that no time- could be assigned. Forty-eight hours might do» it; and it might extend over weeks, according: to their caution or their opportunities.” com eboo pas