Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 385 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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

4 Sibylla’s face had grown happy, and it seemed that nearly all her doubts were swept away. She felt sure of being duly recognized now. Neither of the two saw the earnest expression on Red Kit’s face as she looked at them. There seemed to be something unusual on Kit’s mind, and she gazed sharply at Dick Turpin, but said nothing. She was somewhat astonished when Dick sug- gested that the prisoners be confined in the cel- lar and there fed by her for a few days, but she gave prompt consent to the plan. **'You have helped me so with Dick that I can’t refuse,” she said, quietly, ‘‘ and I will obey you as [ would him.” The Lion looked at her sharply, but her face was composed and calm, and the momentary suspicion vanished from his mind. The prisoners refused to say by whom they had been employed, but this was a matter of small importance to Dick, so he took them to the cellar, secured each to his satisfaction, and then left the house, ‘ He feared no further trouble that night. In the morning, when he went to his office, he found Jude Peterson already there. The police spy seemed to consider his hand invisible in the game, and his position impregnable, for he was as bland and friendly as ever. Turpin sincerely hoped to see the time when the oily rascal would come to grief emphatically but he, too, had his part to play, an the real sheriff had never been more friendly. He gave Jude a cigar, and talked very pleasantly about local happenings. Finally he added, as seriously as though he was not sure Jude already knew of the fact: ‘‘T am going to ride this morning,” “To ride?” ‘Yes; with two friends of mine. One is Count Romischoff, a Russian noble now at the Occidental. You could not guess who the other was, so [ will say that it is the lady whom I late- ly had on trial here—Mrs. Adams. I see you look surprised, but it seems she is actually a niece of Romischoff, and, of course, his recom- mendation settles all doubts in regard to her.” Jude bent his head to hide the evil sparkle in his eyes, and made a suitable reply. Beyond a doubt, he thought, the sheriff still honored and trusted him, and the police spy took credit to himself for being a very shrewd fellow, Dick soon left, went to his room and donned his best suit of clothes, and then joined Beards- ley and Meg at the hotel, where both were now living in the best of style. He had resolved to make the most of necessity, and come out in great form, The ride was duly taken, and the supposed sheriff looked as though he had not a trouble in the world. His manner was gay, a smile always hovered on his face, and people looked in won- der to see him making gallant speeches to the woman he had lately brought to the bar in court. The Man with the Scar looked at him keenly, half-suspiciously, several times during the ride, but finally concluded that all this gayety was but bravado, put on to conceal his anger and bitter disappointment. Meg failed to play her part. so well. Beards- ley had eae good reasons why all this should be, but she hated their companion too much to counterfeit friendliness toward him. When the ride was over, the self-styled count returned to his room at the hotel, and re- mained smoking a cigar until he was informed that a gentleman was waiting to see him in the rlor. He went down and was surprised to see Dick Turpin. The Lion was alone, but before he could speak, a footstep sounded behind the count and he turned quickly. Two strong, resolute men had followed him into the parlor. ‘““My dear count,” said Turpin, calmly, * al- low me to make you acquainted with Messrs, Winter and Cameron, two gentlemen from Canada.” **Reckon he knows us,” replied one, with a n, en Know you? Certainly I do not,” the Man with the Scar suspiciously answered. * me come now, that’s too thin!” the man de- clared. Beardsley glanced at Turpin—a suspicious, threatening fant was in his eyes~-and then back at the men. | ‘Tell me, in as few words as possible, why I ought to know you!” he tersely directed. & Because you are Hayne Morgan, forger and embezzler, and we are the officers who ar- ou.” Bu igare 1” exclaimed Beardsley, his voice deep, but his manner still calm. “I defy you show one scrap of evidence to prove that you are officers!” Quickly the men showed badges and a war- rant for the arrest of Hayne Morgan. The Man with the Scar had been in Canada often enough to know that these evidences were genuine, and he turned on Turpin with eyes which seemed to e, «This is your work!’’ he exclaimed. “To a certain extent, it is,’ Turpin coolly re- lied, ‘Hearing that these gentlemen were ooking for Hayne Morgan, I recognized you from their description and telegraphed them to come here.” ** T will make you the sorriestman in Colorado for the deed!” declared Beardsley; and then, turning to the officers: ‘‘Men, you are mis- taken; youare being duped, and I am the victim of the game. Iam not Hayne Morgan. Iswear it!” ‘*Oh! come, now, don’t do the heroics, We know you well, old boy, and we’re too fly to be fooled. You swindled all Montreal with your bogus paper, and we were the officers who ar- rested you. You are now neatly disguised, but you have on your left cheek a scar received when trying,to escape, six years ago,” ‘What devil’s plot is this?’ cried Beardsley. ** Yonder man has lied to you. I am not—” ‘“*Oh, come, now, don’t / You've got to trot right along, and return to the prison you es- caped from, so don’t kick,” the Canadian officer advised. ‘* We will see whether I go or not,” spitefully replied the Man with the Scar. ‘To take me over the line you must get out extradition apers, and I can easily prove that I am not organ,” ‘You can do your proving in Montreal. Sheriff Bradstreet has kindly agreed to waive formalities, and we shall trot you to Canada, regardless of extradition papers, don’t you see?” * Yes,” added the supposed sheriff. ‘* Formali- ties are waived in the West.” A new light flashed to Beardsley’s face, He began to see that be was in actual danger. * This is all an infamous plot of yonder man!” he cried, pointing at Turpin. Do you know who he is? No sheriff is he, but an outlaw—a road-agent. He is ‘Dick Turpin, of Leadville,’ so called.” Dick laughed lightly. ‘** You see, gentlemen, how much he is to be believed,” he easily, lightly said. ‘*T see he can lie as neatly as ever,” the officer replied. ** Scoundrels!” cried the Man with the Scar ‘* you shall not triumph over me. I will go and shout this wrong to every one I meet.” He started a pace, but the officers barred his ay. **No you won't!” said the spokesman. ‘ Do you suppose that, when we must take you across the line without papers, we shall let you give us away to every one by the way? Not by a blamed sight! We shall smuggle you across, and smug- gle you all the way. From this moment until you are on Canadian soil your mouth is closed, and you are like one dumb. We shall gag you if need be. To give you a chance to k woul ruin our plan. No, sir, from this hour, this min- ute, you are as silent as the grave. We are old | hands at this business, and don’t you think you ' can fool, or over-reach us. ‘* You can’t do it!” The man’s voice was inexorable, and for the first time in his life, Dick Turpin saw his old enemy’s face ghastly. CHAPTER XXXII. PREPARING FOR FLIGHT. It was Dick Turpin’s hour of triumph. Fate bad shown him the trump card he wanted to play. He had received a telegram from the Canadian officers concerning Hayne Morgan, and the description applied so well to the with the Scar that he had telegraphed them to come on. When he learned that they had not seen Morgan for eleven years he hesitated = ne er, and had thrown his old enemy into the toils. That the deceit would be discovered in Canada was certain, but he believed he would succeed in getting Beardsley out of the way for some weeks, and prevent him from ruining his own plans at Leadville. Of course he was giving up all hope of wresting the man’s secrets from him, for the time, but it was the only way to protect Lois and her father—and himself, On the whole, Dick Turpin had played the highest card yet seen in the game, and the Man with the Scar found himself completely in tie web—the spider had overreached him- self and been caught just where liberty was in- valuable. He turned on Dick with flashing eyes and began a wild speech which was full of threats, but the Canadians did not allow him to go far. He was ordered to be silent, and, when he would not obey, was seized, bound and gagged. . He fought like a madman, but all in vain, A carriage had been waiting at the rear door of the hotel, and into this the prisoner was thrust. Then the carriage whirled away, and the Man with the Scar was gone from the scene. Dick Turpin smiled grimly. His most dread- ed enemy was gone, and he now had strong hopes of passing the remaining danger success- y- It was not to be, however, that he should be without sources of alarm, He had hardly left the hotel when he met L Kit on the street. She looked somewhat excited, and spoke to him abruptly: ‘“*Tve got something to say.” * What is it, Miss Hallock?” “The doctor says the sick man is nearing - eee EEE eee Wild Dick Turpin, the Lion of Leadville. ee eS i — me ee 25 the crisis of his fever, and that, before to-mor. row noon, he will either be conscious or with- out life.” ‘**The sick man.’ Do you mean Dick Tur- pin?” ses Yes.” ‘So the doctor thinks the fever will turn by noon to-morrow?” ** Yes, and, paren, before, might want to know at once.’ Was there a significance in Red Kit’s voice? Dick looked at ‘her sharply. Did she suspect his identity? If so, her face gave no sign. She looked grave, but nothing more. “Thank you, Kit,” he replied. ‘I am very much obliged—that is, of course I am inter- ested. [ am in haste now, but I will see you again, I think I will remain beside Turpin’s bed to-morrow, Good-day !” He spoke abruptly and hastened away. Red Kit’s announcement had, in one sense, been startling. , It showed him that the time he had counted oh was not to be his; that if he car- ried out his scheme of saving Raoul Legrand it must be done that might, and, by sunrise of the following morning, he and Lois must be in rapid flight. ‘It shall be so!” hemuttered, ‘ Delay would be madness, and I will start the wheels of the chariot at once.” Hastening to Bowie Ben’s room, he found his ally in, and briefly told what had occurred, as well as his plans for the future; and Ben unhes- itatingly agreed to help Legrand away, and all else that was necessary. “We have work for to-day, too,” continued Turpin. ‘I must see Lois, but I dare not break in on her unnannounced, She thinks me il] in bed, you know. You must precede me by half an hour, Ben, and let her know that I am alive and well.” ** Again, I shall be glad to help you, captain,” ‘Then get your horse and go at once, and I will follow on Brutus.” Ben hastened away, and, in due time, Dick mounted the black horse and rode over the well- remembered trail. When he came witbin sight of the house, all seemed as of old. He had scarcely appeared when Bowie Ben came out of the house and galloped toward him. As they met, the subordinate waved his hand with a cheery smile. ** All is well, captain. Go on, for she is await- ing you!” And then the messenger galloped on rapidly. ‘* Faithful Ben!” thought the ex-road-agent. “Tt only remains to convince Red Kit that he is the man who would make her happiest, and then I shall, indeed, be content. He isa fine fellow, and Red Kit is like gold in the rough; once sep- arate the precious metal from the refuse mate- rial, and she would be a noble woman. I can well forgive, now, all that she has dcne.” He rode to the door. He cast Brutus’s rein over a hook and entered the house. Mrs. Legrand was not visible, but, in the sit- ting-room, Lois sat awaiting bim—paler than of old, but with the same handsome, refined face; the same soulful eyes; and the same smile which had charmed bim so in days of yore. What he said he could not bave told; he only knew that she was clasped to his heart; that her arms were about bis neck; and that her dear head was on his shoulder! He knew that the light of a sexes happiness was around and about him, and the potent sun of love swept away all the clouds of the dark, bitter past. Why should we dwell on that interview? In Dick Turpin’s estimation, it was tco sacred for other eyes, and we will not intrude, Enough to say that Lois declared that her feelings had not changed; that she stil] believed in his honor, despite the fact that he was “ Dick Turpin, of Leadville,” and that she was willing to flee with bim, from his foes, at any time, She was much stronger, she assured him, and fully able to bear the journey. It was definitely arranged that the great at- tempt shoulu be made the following morning, and that she should be in readiness to go when he appeared with her father. After that it was a matter of gag and shrewdness, but Dick was confident that all pursuers could be outstripped, and that they could reach a place of safety. Mrs. Legrand came into the room for a few minutes before Dick left, but even bis sanguine view of the future did not serve to put her ina mood satisfactory to him. She was not so reconciled to the situation as was Lois, and coldness and resentment tinged her manner toward him. He, however, relied upon time to bring her old cordiality back, He finally left the house and rode back to Lendville. His heart was lighter than it had been for many days, for he anticipated no great trouble in releasing Legrand, and, after that, he believed he could defy all pursuit. Going to the sheriff’s office, he wrote a letter which he addressed to Bradstreet. In this he referred to certain things which had occurred since he assumed the real] sheriff’s identity, and begged the latter to believe that he had tried to guard his interests as far as possible, and told I thought you what he knew about Sibylla. - 7 a eae . . a a ee Gomirchoo ‘S.€O gr ag