Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 385 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

a Wild Dick Turp And with this majestic peroration the lawyer | to polite society by perseverance, skill, his hon- leveled a finger solemnly at the supposed sheriff, implying an unmistakable accusation. CHAPTER XXVI. ‘‘ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS.” As the lawyer seemed anxious for a reply, Dick Turpin calmly arose. He could not win his case without efforts he was not inclined to make—of that he was certain—and he had de- cided to let the whole case go to ruin, but he did not propose to have slurs cast on himself. ‘¢ Considering the high opinion which I hold for my friend, the learned attorney, I must say that lam extremely sorry that I am not good at answering riddles. He has sprung several upon us here, and as I can plainly see that they are destined to shake the world from sea to sea, by reason of their profundity, I wish I could have the first chance at them, But I am no riddle-solver, and when he asks who liberated the male prisoners, I am obliged to confess that I don’t know. I hope nobody here has the bogus key in his pocket.” fuera he shook his finger at the lawyer, exact- ly as the lawyer had done at him a moment be- fore. That gentleman became very red in the face, ‘‘Do you mean to accuse me, sir?” he said. ‘Vou? Certainly not, sir. What gave you that idea?” Very innocent was Dick Turpin’s manner and the lawyer found himself in a passion all for nothing. He tried tolaugh and look at ease, but the red hue of his face would not subside so easily. Dick now determined to make as much of a point for himself as he could, and, knowing that he had got to accept defeat anyway, he arose and withdrew the charge against the pris- oner. Then followed cheering in court, and several people pressed forward to congratulate the ‘poor widow,” as they called Meg. Wild Dick smiled sarcastically, and then made his way to the Reverend Mr. Payne’s side. “ Are you quite sure as to Mrs, Adams's iden- tity, sir?” he politely asked. “Oh, yes; [ remember her well.” You had not seen her for seven years until now?” ‘No, sir.” ‘¢ Has she changed any?” ‘‘Greatly. I confess that I should not have known her; but her friend recalled all the cir- cumstances to my mind,” ‘What friend?” ‘He did not give his name, nor have I seen him here to-day eat he was a fine-looking man of middle age, with a heavy black beard.” Again the invisible hand! ‘*T know him,” coolly replied Turpin, not in the least surprised. ‘ Well, of course I freely forgive Mrs. Adams, now that I know what an estimable woman she is. Glad you were here to testify, sir. Good-day!” ° The self-styled sheriff left the court-room, but as he did so, found opportunity to whisper to Bowie Ben: ‘‘ Rollow this woman secretly! I want to know where she takes refuge.” ‘* All right!” Ben answered promptly, and then his old leader strode away. Dick was again defeated. The mere fact that Meg had escaped justice did not trouble him, but he was sorry that she was again at liberty to plot against Sibylla Marcy; and he perceived that the black-bearded_ man was as active as ever, determined to baffle the sheriff pro tem, in eve ssible way. : dre did the ma conceal himself, or rather, how did he avoid all search made for him in his real or assumed character? Even while being searched for, he seemed to come and go freely, visiting whoever he chose, and bending their minds to suit himself, Dick knew that Meg had been elsewhere at the time the Chicago minister had said she was a shining light in his church, yet Mr. Payne had been sincere. The same cunning eloquence which moved the citizens against Raoul Le- grand had made Payne see white where all was lack ac . The Man with the Scar seemed to more than human cunning; it was more like super- natural, devilish ingenuity. “Tf I had nothing else to do,” thought the ad- venturer, ‘‘I would poe my brains | directly against this fellow, but even in the midst of so many cares and so much peril I defy him; and it may be that I shall score a point myself be- fore the game is ended.” Evening! - ee The mayor’s house was aglow with light, for it was the occasion of the grand ball, The eagerly-anticipated occasion had come, and though the guests would rise the next mornin weary, pale, beset’ with headaches, and in suc vicious temper that they would make life a burden to all others. they were for the night as light-hearted and gay as though care and rend were things never heard of in real life. Dick Turpm was there in faultless evening dress. The real Bradstreet had fought his way est nature and his good looks. True, he was only a sheriff, but society lines were not tightly drawn in Leadville, and he had made himself a favorite. His counterfeit, who had for once put all care aside, looked at the guests and smiled sarcasti- cally. The situation was eminently enjoyable. There were the wealthy business men who would have been more wealthy had Dick Turpin, of Leadville never been on the road, There were the jeweled young ladies, prouder than their fathers; for they had been born to wealth, instead of working ong and hard for it; young butterflies they, fresh from school, with a rigid regard for new styles of pronunciation and a lofty contempt for the old; the same fas- tidious creatures, with French shrugs of their shapely shoulders—Frenchmen would never have recognized the shrugs, unless they were labeled —had called Dick Turpin a monster, ruffian, brute, and countless other names. For one night the Lion of Leadville was the associate of these people, and he resolved that when the exposure came, and all Leadville rung with the news of his daring deceit, these people should have occasion to remember this evening. When dancing began, he was not without a artner, nor was he without one at any time. e selected the richest, most lovely and most exclusive, and he never seemed to require rest. It was said that night that Sheriff Bradstreet had never been so gay before; that he had never before danced so gracefully ; and the belles of the occasion were surprised at his sudden skill in making fine speeches. The sime might come when they would say that he bewitched them, but they then thought that it would be an event to flirt with this handsome yous man, if he was only a sheriff; so they met im half-way with tender speeches which they might some time remember with consterna- tion. What would ey think when they knew that their graciousness had been bestowed on the Lion of Leadville, the outlaw whom they had pro- nounced a brute and monster! It was not until a late hour that the ex- road-agent felt like missing any part of the dancing. He then went to one side and stood looking on. Perhaps ten minutes had , when a servant brought him acard. He took it and read the inscription: ‘*Count IvAN ROMISCHOFF, “* St. Petersburg, Russia.” And in one corner was the single line in pencil: “May I see you a moment on official business?” “The gentleman is waiting in a private room pri aa I conduct you there?” the servan **At once, if you please.” in was soon at the private room, and in the strong light a slender, elegant-looking gen- tleman arose to receive him. The stranger seemed to be a man of middle age, was dark- complexioned, with black hair and a short, black beard, and wore eye-glasses. Dick remembered having seen him before during the evening, but had not particularly noticed him. He bowed politely. **T am Count Romischoff,” he said, with a slight accent. ‘‘ You are, I think, the Sheriff Bradstreet?” ** Yes, sir,” Dick quietly replied. “T fear I have interrupted you.” ‘* Not in the least, count.” ‘**And I can have a few minutes of your time?” ** Willingly.” ‘* Thank you, Sir Sheriff.” ** Speak on!” ‘*T suppose you do not remember ever seeing me before?” | Dick Turpin laughed shortly, harshly. “You are wrong,” he said, in a deep voice, “You may masquerade among others, and wear your disguises, but me you cannot so easily deceive. You are the Man with the Scar!” A mocking smile swept over the pretended count’s dark face. **So Iam rec for I called you identity.” ‘*You are very kind.” Dick spoke ironically, and his manner was as com as that of the strange man before him. He had met with a great surprise, but the strength of his character now revealed itself, and where a weaker man would have been excited and con- . he was like a man of marble. “*"on are cutting a wide swath in yonder ball--oom,” said the man of mystery, with a dark smile. ‘‘I’m not the only one given to that amuse- ment, You, as the Tiack-bearded man, have ac- complished some wonders.” ee ‘nd made your position as sheriff unpleas- an >] * Yea. ‘‘Also, you have hunted for me in vain?” Soft, yet sneering, was the man’s voice, but Dick Turpin coolly replied: ized. Well, Iam not sorry, ere on purpose to reveal my in, the Lion of Leadville. been Dick rs LLL EE 21 ‘**Tn vain untilnow. At last Ihave you in my power, and you shall not escape!” ‘* How can you prevent it?‘ **In several ways. For instance, I make bold to say that there is no quicker revolver-shot im Leadville than 1.” ‘** But your revolver is empty.” ‘““Wrong! It holds six charges.” ‘‘Tll wager money there is not one in it. Draw, and see!” Almost mechanically, Dick Turpin obeyed. He was amazed to find every chamber in the cylinder was empty, but the Man with the Scar laughed mockingly. ‘** You see how it is, boy. In dealing with me, even lead ceases to be a feature or a charm, You are powerless!” CHAPTER XXVII. HIS INEXORABLE FOE, Dick TURPIN was for a moment amazed, for he had carefully loaded the weapon just before leaving home, and had not drawn it from his pocket since, but he now looked at the Man with the Scar, and spoke with a degree of fierceness: ‘* This is your work!” ‘Tt is,” was the cool reply. ‘‘ By means of magic, I drew the cartridges from the cylinder,’” ‘* Nonsense! You picked my pocket, and therm replaced the revolver.” ‘Right, young man. While you flirted with those bread-and-butter young women, I abstrac- ted the revolver, got rid of the bullets, and then replaced your toy. You see, I wanted to talk with you, and I wished those lumps of lead out of the way.” ‘* What have you to say?” ‘For one thing, that your scheme to control Leadville will not work. I am watching you baffling certain plans, and, when you most. desire success, you will find me at your elbow to foil and unmask you; to say to the world: This is Dick Turpin, of Leadville.” “What do you suppose I will be doing all the while?” coolly demanded the Lion. ‘“* Struggling like a fly in a web,” ** You don’t seem to have much faith in my ability.” ‘*T do not underrate you. Compared to com- you meet mon men, you are no fool; but when this brain of mine, you are like a child. The speaker tapped his head with easy con- fidence of manner. “Well,” replied Dick, *‘ suppose we let the future take care of itself and speak of the past. You remember our last interview before we came to Colorado?” ‘ ‘** And what you then claimed to know?” “*T told you that, if I would, I could prove the marriage of your mother to your father; also that I could prove innocent of the crime for which you were sentenced to the Illinois State Prison, All.this was true. I know where your mother was married—the records are still there —and who were the witnesses to the ceremony. I could, if I would, establish your paren beyond the least shadow of doubt, but I not. Cold and even was the man’s voice, and his dark face seemed incapable of expressing feel- ,.” ick in was equally calm outwardly but his Pos al oh e as death. x ‘And the other matter?” he asked, in a hard voice. ‘The murder?” ** Ay, the murder.” “Although I had no share in that deed, I can name the real murderer,and by so doing, can clear your name. I can, but I not!” ‘This is what you told me before,” ‘“Yes; and you tried to force me to tell. Ha! ha!” The Man with the Scar laughed in a mocking, hollow, mirthless way, ‘You escaped me then,” Turpin replied, ‘‘ but this time it will be different.” ‘‘ This time? Do you mean that you are bel- ligerently inclined?” ** Since you so express it, I am.” “You had better curb your passions,” was the dry observation. “TI have you inanet. I have only to go before the guests assembled in- side and say: ‘This is Dick Turpin!’ and you are a doomed man.” The Leadville Lion bit his lips fiercely. He knew that this was the truth. The Man with the Scar held the reins of power, and with so much at stake he could not afford to anger him too much. ‘** At least, we may have an understanding,” he said, after a pause. ‘I should never have in but for you. I heard that you were with the band, of which Burke Broutt was then leader, so I came here and joined the band. You had just left, but, hoping you would return, I remained with them. I found, at Jast, the Spm which had come to me nowhere else, here, the hands of all men were not against me, for the band was composed of whole-souled men, whatever their character. Step by step I floated on until I became their leader, but I owe it to you. If I am an outlaw, you are respon- ble. The Man with the Scar smiled serenely, Eomicbooks — a ee at nS = A NG a ag Rg nt A com