Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 385 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

24. ** That the sheriff is our mutual enemy? I do, and it is in my power to humble him to the dust. I know ee and your grudge against him, and though | cannot reveal my own feud with him, our interests are mutual. bine and crush him?’ Meg quickly held out her hand. es,” she hissed; ‘‘ anything to bring him to ruin! Come, shall we com- CHAPTER XXX, THE LION SHOWS HIS TEETH. SHortTty after Beardsley’s departure Dick Turpin received a telegram directed to ‘* Sheriff Bradstreet,” It was brief, and of common- place nature, yet it was the cause of long and careful meditation on his part. When he had - gettled the matter to his satisfaction, he sat down and rapidly wrote one line on a piece of ‘¢ Pe Phough not a direct answer to the telegram, it bore on that subject, and a grim smile passed across his face as he read it over. ** We'll see what that will do!” he muttered, and then sent the message off. Next he went to the hospital. The real Sheriff Bradstreet was once more becoming a factor in the case. Unless he died at the crisis of his fever he would soon recover consciousness, and then the city would not be a safe place for Dick Turpin, of Leadville. Consequently, the im- _ postor was watching him closely. The first signs of approaching consciousness, or, rather, of the turn of his illness, must be the signal _ for the Leadville Lion to go. i Even Lois’s sickness would be no excuse for _ him to remain longer. On this occasion he found Bradstreet lookin better than before. His fever had wrappe his mental powers in oblivion, but it had not been such a severe strain on his system as suck fevers oftenare. He looked badenough, surely, but Dick’s inexperienced eyes could see favora- ble symptoms, and nobody there was more _ pleased than Dick Turpin. _ * What is your opinion, doctor?” he asked. ____* Favorable, Mr, Bradstreet; decidedly favor- able. Of course there is a chance that he may go off at the crisis, but I expect to see him __-reeover. His bodily condition is excellent, and ay; will help him to turn tle corner all right. think we may count on his recovery, sheriff.” ___ ** When will the crisis come, in your opinion?” “TT set it forty-eight hours hence.” _ “Twodays! By that time all will be settled.” __ The doctor did not suspect the double mean- ing of the last sentence, and he quickiy replied: ss ** Yes, that will settle it.” ‘ga? The Lion of Leadville went away. Two days fe 1 i adr wrest victory from the forces which threaten him with defeat. The Man with the _ Scar must be blocked; Le d released, and Lois notified as to the tru His prayer was _ thatshe might gain even more rapidly.” Mechanically, his steps turned toward Bowie en’s lodgin and he was soon closeted with his ally, To him he explained the situation, and detailed his plans. On the next night they Aas _ would throw off the mask and replace Raoul {baabes oe and, and then the prisoner, Lois and Dick eae Ww tN flee rapidly northward. ; ____ “To-morrow,” Turpin added, “I will see Segue eirecaldt have waited longer, but cir- cumstances are such that it cannot be. I must wis panes. Jeera if she is still willing to trust _ her fortunes to my care. Ag, ere can i ao doubt of that,” Ben pepede lieve you are right,” Dick agreed, t loving letter he had received. * Wild Dick Turpin, the Lion of Leadville. naturally arises, would she, as a wife, be practi- cal, contented and devoted to home?” **T answer, most emphatically, a She be- longs to a class of women who are like bubbling champagne to the outside world, and a limitless well of tenderness and devotion to those who know their hearts. Such women are rare; you will not see more than one in a hundred; but Red Kit is of that class.” Bowie Ben grasped his leader’s hand. ‘“*Thank you, captain, you give me courage to go on. ou are a good friend.” **And what shall I say about your aid with Lois? But for you I could not have learned her present opinion of me, and she would have re- mained in doubt and misery. Your aid has been invaluable.” ‘** Don’t mention it, captain.” **T am once more looking forward to a ful, happy future,” said Turpin, thoughtfully. “Tam not naturally a rascal. You don’t know what troubles have conspired to make me what Iam, Ben. Besides the Man with the Scar, all the world has seemed to be against me. I tried as hard as any man to be honest, but, wherever I went, misfortune followed me. Suspicions fell on me when I was wholly innocent; I was accused of misdemeanors of which I knew noth- ing; I was called a thief and forger, when not one cent of money went dishonestly to my pocket; trusted friends betrayed me; and when nothing else went wrong, the Man with the Scar drifted into my life to poison men’s minds against me. Despite this, my hands were clean until I joined the band. You know how I came there—it was to find the Man with the Scar. He had gone, and Sire ha the only peace of my life with the band, I drifted into the whirlpool like a chip onrunning water. But, Ben, I have nota dollar of money obtained on the road; what I took from the rich I gave to the poor.” ee Ben gave his hand. ‘*] know, captain,” he simply said. ** A change is at hand; what will it be?” **¥or the tter, I am sure.” ** Time will tell.” The speaker abruptly rose, said good-night, and left the room and the house. A deep melancholy had fallen upon him, If there was light in the future it did not yet show itself, and he walked in darkness and gloom. Enemies were all about him, and danger threatened him at every step. How soon the blow might sfall he did not know, but, at all times, he walked in the shadow of the impend- ing’peril. It was so near as to be ever visible; so distinct as to be almost palpable. And the shadow grew darker, more threaten- ing; it came nearer, and stalked by his side with hostile gestures and malignant eyes. Unconsciously his steps turned toward the hospital, but he paused within sight of the walls. There lay the man whose place he’had usurped. He would soon, Dick hoped, be entirely well. Then what would he say of him who had filled his ace for awhile? ‘* He shall not say I neglected his intercsts ss considering my own!” exclaimed the Lion ) He then thought of Sibylla, and turned toward her new quarters. In his heart he felt that she was Robert Bradstreet’s legal wife, and, though he could not account for the latter’s desertion of her and her children, he was anxious thut she should be safe and well when the real sheriff re- sumed his position. When he reached the house where he had placed her in hiding, he found the place dark and still, The hour had grown late; probably peace- grand is a noble woman.” she and her babes were sleeping -efully. os you, Ben; your words make me hap- | There was, however, an uneasy feeling in his py. But, let us of your own affairs, | mind; a presentiment that all was not well. ‘What of Red Kit and yourself?” Vague as was this feeling, it led him to make Ben's face became grave. _ | a circuit of the house. “ There is nothing new.” When he reached the rear, he paused and ‘You are not losing hope, I trust.” looked critically. All was dark and silent, but, us > a m ptain, that she still | as he looked, a sudden, faint light shone from an s clear to me, ca os she did toward you, and that she don’t . for me. “Hope on, Ben! Never give up the ship.” . Ben rushed his hand nervously across his xs “T am not sure that I shall try further.” ~ “Not try further?” Yaptain, there can be only ill feeling be- rou and Kit—would it not cut me off ; in the least, my dear fellow. Red a good heart—I will say that though ; done me great injustice—and, I feel d make you a devoted wife. I am her well.” ould one brought up as she has been; as thus spent the years of her life dur- hh one’s character is formed; would -make a good wife, and be content in, humdrum scenes?” fords were slowly spoken, and Turpin your loyalty to her wavering?” ir!” iy and emphatically replied ig man; “but I do want your can- nion on the subject. You know what ; what a wild, saucy, thought- 1 Ki has’ 4 } girl she was at the cave; and the question —_ Serene erences eee a ee ee ee ee P. He looked more critically. and—Dick in ouse a ladder was lean- upper window. he window was open, started. Against the ing. Fie immediately became on the alert. There could be but one explanation of this, and that was a startling one. Men had secretly entered the place, and Dick leaped to the most natural ex Garratt of their ae pee Sibylla’s enemies had again found her place of refuge! In a moment he was again the Lion of Lead- ville. His gloomy thoughts disappeared, a bat- tle light appeared in his eyes, and he wasa practical, wide-awake man with a mission to orm. P’Sibylla was in danger, and it rested with him tosave her. Drawing his revolver, he strode forward and began to ascend the ladder. There seemed to be no one near the open window, and he went up boldly. This window led to a small room off the hall, and the latter was empty, but he heard sounds from beyond which showed that some one was astir. He unhesitatingly entered and, holding his revolver ready for use, passed on to investi- f .-*% . fe gate. A single turn brought him to Sibylla’s room. ef uA CP * at . es - * en * at , = bj “a * prea -* ne 4 : = “Ay * iu) % ‘a - > he ees cs 4 »< — Aedes TP Pea RAT ONE oreo . d ics 4 A De «# » oi what eee was. it was like three common dogs on a mastiff; and The door was open. Looking within, he saw a eit sight. Two masked men were there, and Sibylla was on her knees, bound and gagged, but holding up her hands imploringly to one of the ruffians, who was just bending over the sleeping children. Dick Turpin strode over the threshold with leveled revolver, but, as he did so, the weapon was knocked from his hand. <A third rvffian, not until now seen, was there, and he had done prompt work for his cause. The latest intruder was now unarmed. A cry arose from the villainous trio, and then they dashed at him ma body. One went down under a blow from his fist, but his right arm was theu seized, preventing another blow, and vhen they piled upon him in a body, and a des- perate struggle began. A hard chance was his with odds of three to one against him! CHAPTER XXXTI. PLAYING TRUMP CARDS, Dick TURPIN met the danger in a way which justified the application of his sobriquet—the ion of Leadville. Hemmed in with enemies though he was, his courage never wavered. Those who opposed him then had an example of Hold him they could not; — they were whirled about like tops by his tre- mendous efforts. Despite this, he could not free himself, and it seemed as though the fight must surely go against him, Such great exertions must soon exhaust his bodily strength. The ruffians realized that an uproar was being made which was likely to attract attention, and gis made haste to end it. urpin was forced to his knees, and helpless Sibylia, still kneeling in prayer, grew sick at heart as she saw a knife lifted above him. One thrust would end his life, and there was murder in the man’s heart. The Leadville Lion did not see the knife, but he saw Sibylla. Over him flashed a recollection of Sheriff Bradstreet, and his own desire to de- liver Sibylla to him unharmed; and then a fierce fire ran through the imperiled man’s veins. With a hoarse cry hesprung to his feet, wrench- ing away his arms. hen one fist shot out catching the nearest ruffian under the chin, and he was knocked half-way across the room. Again Dick shouted, and he sprung like a tiger upon a second man. His hands closed over the ruftian’s neck, and he drove him resistlessiy backward. The remaining man was the one with the knife, and he started after Dick with gleaming eyes. He had gone but two paces, however, when he almost ran against a revolver which was toward his face. He recoiled in surprise atid alarm. ‘** Hold up, right where you are, or I'll feed you food too solid for comfort!” The words came coolly, sharply, and there stood Red Kit, her face and unwavering, the revolver held at a dead bead on the man’s. face. He stood dumfounded for a moment, and then his hand crept toward his pocket. ‘‘ None of that!” Red Kit cried. ‘' You can’t draw a revolver here; not while I hold the reins. Keep your hand away from your pocket!” Dick Turpin spun his prisoner into the middle of the room, where he fell ina heap, Dick then ee his own revolver and turned to Red t. ‘*T think we have the drop on them,” he coolly | said. “If they take exceptions, we have the means of making the drop a dead-sure thing. Please give me your revolver, while you bind them. Gents, you are prisoners, and if you kick against our way, or pa draw your sixes, Ill have to salivate you. you hear?” Red Kit had handed over her revolver, and the Lion now had both bearing upon the villain- ous trio. They were fighting men, but they read the fact that it would be fatal to trifle with this grim man, and they : in sullen anger. Red Kit knew how to tie a knot to stay, and in a short time the three were secured past remedy on their rt. PeThey stormed and threatened some, but were so mitenty powerless that no notice was taken of them, Sibylla was duly freed, and, after weep- ing over her children and telling how she had been surprised by the three ruffians, she went to Dick with tender eyes and quivering 27" ‘You are very good to me,” she ° ‘* T have only done my duty.” ‘Twice you have saved me, I feel sure that your heart is not hard against me.” ‘* It certainly is not.” } ‘** But why, my dear husband, do you still re- to recognize me as your wife? ‘It is the force of circumstances.” ‘‘ But must this life ear continue?” Dick in was silent for a few seconds, and then he replied: | ‘‘No. Theendisnear. Threedaysfrom now you shall have an oplanaee of my course; I promise you that. Until then 1 beg that you ill rest quietly.” | ae, ‘“‘T will do so; I promise you that, evenas you have promised me. . (eo) m (GE A Se +a ee Oe ———— PS