Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 385 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

| | Wild Dick Turpin, the Lion of Leadville. 23 come to the trial, and nothing could make them believe him guilty. They, however, were hum ble miners, while Legrand’s enemies were among the richest men of the city. Dick Turpin saw ‘* Count Romischoff ” among the spectators, but he sat well back in the room and seldom showed any interest in the case. The first witness was he who was called Sher- iff Bradstreet, and he told the story of the eventful evening at Legrand’s house. Nothing could have been clearer than his narrative, ex- cept that he confessed that he had neither seen a revolver fired nor heard anything of the kind. This fact he explained, however, by saying that all was confusion in the room, and, in the uproar and excitement this fact was not strange. He, however, strongly advanced the opinion that Abe Knowlton had been shot by ‘*‘ Dick Turpin,” whereupon the Man with the Scar smiled grimly. , It was seldom a witness tried to cast suspi- cions of murder upon himself. ; The prosecuting attorney was angry at seeing an officer give testimony calculated to help the prisoner, and he took the witness in hand. ‘‘T must confess that Iam as much at a loss to understand this affair as you say you are, ‘Who shot out the light in the room?” “T suppose it was Dick Turpin, though I did not see it done.” as ‘Turpin was standing in the hall?” UY 6s, ait.” “ And Legrand, also?” ‘‘"Yed, mit," ‘‘ Might it not have been Legrand who shot out the light?” ‘< Possibly.” ‘“‘TIn that case, it would prove that he was very hostile to the carly party.” “Yes,” calmly replied the witness, ‘‘and it would also prove that he did not shoot Knowl- ton, for only one chamber of his revolver was discharged.’ The lawyer scowled blackly. **See here, you are not the counsel for de- fense!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ You will confine your- self to your testimony. Now, when Turpin fired, his bullet cut the wire which suspended the lamp, which then fell, knocked you down, rolled to the floor and exploded. Am I right?” Yoda. air,” ‘Well, what I want to know is, how did Dick Turpin get back there to the exploded lamp, and get so badly burned—worse than you when one would naturally suppose he woul have been trying to escape?” There was no suspicion in his voice, and the counterfeit sheriff calmly replied: ““My theory is that, seeing his bullet had failed to break the lamp, and believing that it would continue to give light, he sprung for- ward to seize it, intending to complete his work. Possibly he would have flung it out of the window, but he became wrap in the fiames, I consider that he saved my life, for, as he stooped toward the lamp, the flame flashed up and caught him first.” ** And then you rolled him in the blanket?” * yea, sir.” “You ran a good deal of risk for an outlaw.” “We wanted Dick Turpin for the gallows,” was the laconic reply, which made Romischoff smile in. ‘‘ Well, Mr. Bradstreet, you did well; that I don’t deny. But do you suppose that, while you were rolling Turpin in the blanket, he coolly took his time er as Mr. Knowlton?’ sar- castically asked the lawyer. : eT Se pone nothing of the kind,” curtly an- swered the witness. ‘‘I have once distinctly said that I believe Knowlton started forward to seize Turpin just as the latter was hurrying to- ward the lamp, and that Turpin then shot him.” “Well, if Turpin shot him, where is the re- volver with which he did it?” “It mysteriously disappeared, like the one I held in my hand when the lamp knocked me down. Somebody evidently stole these two wer ‘“‘ Might not this have been Legrand?” ‘‘No, He was at the other side of the room.” The prosecuting attorney did not see fit to fish for more information, but called Mr. Chester, the aged minister to the stand. This feeble old man then proceeded to repeat the testimon which we have heard him give to the sheriff, which was to the effect that he actually Legrand shoot Knowlton. ' The lawyer for the defense took the witness in hand; in a few minutes he had admitted that he was not sure he had seen anybody fire a re- volver until a stranger called upon him and con- vinced him that he had; and the witness, old and feeble-minded, became so hopelessly tangled up that he would answer “ yes” to anything. _ At this point the judge interfered. CHAPTER XXIX. THE MAN WITH THE SCAR DRAWS THE NET afta dirstd toward t A muRMUR of indignation e counsel for the defense, had been running through the room. Nine out of ten of the wit- nesses were bitterly against Legrand, and Mr, Chester was the only important witness for the Saw it ei tie ce tiiegi i nn EE SgEEIIIIIIEEEEEIEEEEEEE td rosecution. It was known that he was so in- m mentally that his testimony had no business in court, but they sincerely believed that he had seen what he stated, and were ready to assault the lawyer who dared to confuse him. The judge was of the same opinion, and, de- spite all protests on the part of the defense, he declared that the old minister’s testimony should stand, and that he should not be cross-examined further. This remarkable decision was greeted with cheers from the Leadville people, and groans from the miners who favored Legrand, where- upon the latter faction was threatened with ejectment from the room, The next witness was a doctor, whoswore that the fatal bullet was of the size which fitted Le- grend’s revolver. Next followed such members of the sheriff's party as were of an opinion suitable to the in- terests of the prosecution. The testimony for the defense was properly considered weak. Legrand’s wife swore that he had fired one shot from his revolver at a night- bird just at twilight, and the most was made of the other witnesses, The supposed sheriff was recalled, and he gave emphatic testimony against the theory of the prosecution, much to the wrath of the spectators; and one man audibly observed that they would have a new sheriff in a short time. No one had a doubt as to what the verdict would be, but Legrand’s lawyer had made the most of his poor material. He had a good point by referring to the unknown man who had called on Chester and convinced him that he had seen what the minister had not before suspected he had seen. Who was this man? Why did not the defense produce him? They claimed to know nothing about him, yet, after influencing a witness, this person suddenly disappeared from view, Why did he not make himself known? Why was he in hiding?—why, unless he had been an in- direct promoter of perjury, and was afraid to appear? he Man with the Scar complacently caressed his false beard during these remarks. He had no intention of ‘ appearing,” and he knew his work could not be undone in such a prejudiced court. Once, and once only, did he meet Dick Turpin’s gaze. The latter’s face was full of threatening fire, but the self-styled Russian smiled again, He knew that Dick dared not unmask him, The verdict was reached at last. ** Guilty!” Then followed the sentence. 2 sy To be hanged until dead, one week from to- ay! Raoul Legrand bowed his head. He was pale, but calm, and walked from the court-room with a firm step. Whatever he had received of injus- tice on this occasion, he would have justice at a near court, when the great Judge listened to is plea. The supposed sheriff took him back to jail, and then went to his office. Nothing about the mat- ter had surprised him, but he was shown more plainly in what a precarious position he stood. The coming week would settle the whole mat- ter one way or the other. He had fully decided that Legrand must be rescued from jail by him and Bowie Ben, and only a week remained in which to doit. This was enough time, though, if Lois improved fast enough to be able to leave the vicinity. The chances were that she would, nd then, if he could avoid the Man with the ar, they would flee to a safer place. Here, however, came in a great danger. Was it possible to avoid the Man with the Scar? He had declared that just when Dick’s future pong trembling in the balance, he would step forwar and dash his hopes to ruin. He had the will to do this, and was remarkably cunning, and the Leadville Lion’s way would lie where dangers yawned at every step. He intended though, to meet craft with craft, and to try and outwit his enemy. In the meanwhile, the real Sheriff Bradstreet was approaching the crisis of his fever. The end was near; he would soon die, or regain ‘con- sciousness; and then the usurper would be in fresh trouble. Hemmed in on every side, he could only ho that Lois would recover rapidly, and that he would be able to pass through all the dangers which beset him. He was egpend a all this when a step sound- ed at the door, and he looked up and saw the Man with the Scar, otherwise Count Romischoff. The audacity of the man did not surprise him, for he was accustomed to it, but it aroused his anger. e visitor nodded coolly, and helped himseif to a chair. ” ** How do you find yourself to-day, sheriff?” ** Well!” was the curt ren ** Did the trial please you ‘‘ Immensely.” * ee Wan ed to oo. it, ard how about Le- gran ill he enjoy hanging?” | “* Man,” said he” pitas erent with sudden fire, ‘‘ are you so utterly inhuman that you will let = innocent man go to the gallows, merely to spite me? Romischoff paused to light a cigar, which he a nna LL ———————————————————— nn — did with exasperating slowness and nonchalance. He 3 languidly, indifferently replied: ** Yes.” “ Take care that you don’t overreach your- self. ‘* Thanks!” Dick Turpin glared the wrath he would do no good by expressing. Was this cold, sneering man human? He could hardly believe it, for there is a limit to human depravity, and to Rom- ischoff’s there appeared to be none. ** What is your real name?” he suddenly asked. ‘* Beardsley.” Prompt, quiet and indifferent was the reply. ** You are merely laughing at me.” ‘““No. You ought to have some name to call me by, so let it be Beardsley. Romischoff is too barbarous, though it is my name in public, This reminds me to say, I have taken up my residence at the hotel in some style, as the Rus- sian count. I want you to recognize me as aa honored friend whom you knew in the East,” “Publicly?” ‘* Of course.” Dick hesitated for a moment, and then sullen- ly replied; ‘** As you will. I may as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. I'll swear you’re Alexander of Russia, if you ask.” “Don’t! Somebody might dynamite me. There is one favor more you can do me—a slight one, To-morrow I shall install at the house my niece, daughter of my only and loved sister; and want you to recognize her as you do me, That is, announce her publicly as your friend, To-morrow I shall have an open carriage and two horses at my door, and in this carriage, you, and I, and my niece, will ride through adville from pole to pole. Eh?” ** Who is the lady?” curtly asked Turpin. Beardsley carelessly knocked the ashes from his cigar. ““ Meg Gregerson!” ac Meg ” 23 Yes. ” pe ‘* Never, by my life! never!” the Leadville Lion hotly replied. ‘Then she and I willride alone to the mayor’s and tell him that you are not Bradstreet, bu Dick Turpin!” The words were slowly spoken, with no si of passion, but there was a hard, inexorable in- flection which told how much in earnest the Man with the Scar was. | ‘* But think of my public trouble with the woman,” urged Turpin. si You can say that you were mistaken, can’t you? Dick did not answer at once, but sat in gloomy silence. He could not see what Beardsley was to gain by all this, and he decided that it was. merely to humiliate and worry him further. But, after all, what did it matter? At thisstage of affairs he could ride with pauper or king, friend or foe, and it would all be one in a few days. Moreover, if he yielded, it would give the Man with the Scar a still higher estimate of his power, and might throw him off his guard, e decided to yield, but, for effect, only did so after considerable argument, . This point settled, Beardsley thanked him and took his departure with the same careless in- difference he had shown during -the interview. Dick Turpin looked after him with a dark frown. ‘Will nothing content you, demon? So I must ride through all Leadville with you and Meg Gregerson? Well, so be it; the more the merrier; but if I don’t get a blow at you inside of a week, [ am willing to lose the game, You have run far enough on your career, and if you rsist in forcing me to the gallows, and I can ead you off in no other way, I reckon a bullet will do it!” ‘ | : In the mean while, the Man with the Scar walked on until he reached a certain house which he located after some hesitation. He rung the bell, and to the woman who answered | it, and looked at him suspiciously, said: “‘T am from Jude Peterson, and want to see a, e words proved a sufficient passport; he was admitted to the sitting-room, and soon joined him there. She looked at him with sus- picion. however, for he did not appear like the ind of messenger Jude would naturally send, ‘*Have you business with me?” she abruptly asked. te Yes. ” ‘* What is the message?” “There is none. I took the liberty of usin Jude’s name as a passport, but the matter solely between you and me.” ‘ Meg looked alarmed. She was in hiding, and, at every turn, expected a blow from the sup- posed sheriff. ; “T want nothing to do with you!” she de- clared, taking a step toward the door. ; “Stop!” he directed, ‘ Will you refuse to hear me if I. assure you it is to your advantage to listen?” c/uppoes, thas we" Lats’ the snk mail uppose we e same that, i striking him, we work complish a double object?” _ * Do you mean—” and together and ac- > ee ~— — a — Se See eee ee i€O de. ; { = oe _ oh i 2 —_ = ———— (ECO NACE ee NS eee