Beadle's Dime Library No. 387 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

eee... ———— - . EE ——E 7 x : SS = Lab eesey <--—e ee re e > ee ee ee ee ee SE . é — ee fighting man, And then, even a bold man might have been excused for shrinking from those evil eyes, full of a deadly menace. But as the physician retreated past the cham- ber door, it was suddenly opened and Precious Wingfold stepped forth, closing the barrier be- hind her, confronting her uncle. ‘You are out of your place, Mr. Wingfold,” she said, coldly, one hand pointing to the head of the stairs, ‘‘ Leave this house, sir!” ‘* After ve seen my brother.” ** You can’t see him. He is lying very low, brought there by your outrageous conduct, which nothing can excuse but—” ‘* My being in search of a murderer, whom you were giving aid and shelter, my fine lady!” he viciously interposed. ‘‘Stand aside. I will see my brother. e has got to explain how—” ‘*[ will explain—through this!” and Precious quickly drew her right hand from where it had been hidden in the folds of her dress, Damon Wingtold was staring full into the muzzle of a revolver! Before he could utter a word or make another move, swift footsteps echoed on the stairs, and a mighty hand grasped him by the neck, cutting off all souazds save a smothered gasp. ‘You cur!” sternly muttered Rex Stuart, turning the rascal about and forcing him to the head of the stairs. ‘‘ Insult a lady, will you?” Down the flight he hurried him, kept only from falling pace tong by that savage grip on his neck, Through the hall and to the open door. ‘¢ One last word, you hoary scoundrel!” grated the enraged athlete as he twisted the helpless wretch around until their eyes could meet, ‘‘Only for your gray bairs, ’d have broken every bonein your worthless carcass! As it is— take my card with you—so !” He pushed Damon Wingfold over the thresh- hold, then swung forward his leg and foot, fair- ly hiting the old man from his feet, and sending him fying end over end into the middle of the street. And when Damon Wingfold sought to arise, he heard the heavy doors close behind him, ‘Shell we clean out the shebang, boss?” mut- tered a husky voice in his ears as strong hands aided him to regain his feet. ‘‘ We'll gut the place ef you give the word—won’t we, lads?” ‘* Bet your sweet life!” ‘* That's what !” ‘* An’ say thankee in the barg’in, too!” rosy hey ought to be good pickin’ in yender, sure!’ ‘‘ An’ mebbe some hard knocks, too!” wound up the last of the quintette, more prudent than his fellows. Damon Wingfold stared dizzily at the ruffians, shrinking away from them as though he antici- pated further rough handling. Lop-eared Mose saw this, and motioned his fellows to fall back a little. They promptly obeyed, and then he mut- tered in a low tone: ‘““They’re the lads I told ye of, boss, They mean you well, an’ ef you want to git even-up with that durned kicker—” ‘‘Sometime—not now. I’m too much shaken up. Get rid of them without letting them know too much, then come to my office.” His tones were so husky and shaken that Lop- eared Mose hesitated. ‘““Sha’n’t I go with ye, boss? Think ye kin make it alone? Mebbe you’re wuss shook up then you think, right now. It wasthe awk’ardest bit o’ tumblin’ Pve see’d fer this many a long 1? “Dm allright. Doas I say, will you?” snapp- ed the other rascal, as he turned and hobbled rapidly away. urt he was, but worse a great deal in mind than in person. Hecould not spare thoughts for his bruises, though they must have been quite severe. He could only think of how utterly his hopes were blasted! Sosure of success! So utter- ly defeated, and beaten at every ge He reached his office and struck a light. He produced a decanter of brandy from his safe, and pouring out a glasseven full, drained it off at a swallow, pot then, with his elbows on the table and his face clasped by his thin hands, he stared at vacancy, muttering, snarling, cursing as ce thought over the events of that memorable night, And thus he sat when Lop-eared Mose rapped at tne door, adding his private signal that there might be no mistake, VYamon Wingfold open- ed the door and gave him admittance, pouring a glass of brandy for the bruised and battered rough before saying a word. ‘“Pve sent the boys off, boss, but they’re ready whenever you want them fer work,” said Saw- yer, emptying the glass and | dropping into a chair with a wry grimace, ‘‘ Durn that Dark Durg! I kin feel his hoofs in every ounce o’ my karkiss! ” “Gold will salve your hurts, my fine fellow,” said Wingfold, now to all outward oe ag as cool and composed as though everything had prospered with him instead of going crooked. ‘“T can’t spare youeven for an hour. You must goon duty at cnee. I want you to keep your ore oR that Rex Stuart. You know him by sight? wes I’ve see’d him,” replied Mose, hastily lifting one band as though to brush out his big mustach- Dark Durg, the Ishmael of the Hill LS es, but inreality to hide the grim smile that would come as he remembered how he had seen that young map last! ‘‘ T believe that Humpy Dick and Dark Durg are in league with my brother and that Stuart. I can’t explain just why, but I believe neither of the first took the chart away with them. If not, I'll soon be certain, but until 1 can receive that assurance, you must keep a close watch over young Stuart. Follow him wherever he goes. Make a note of all he does, and don’t let him slip you, if you bave to hire good shadows to aid you in keeping him under surveillance.” ‘Then it’s oe watchin’, boss? You don’t want a knife slipped atwixt his short-ribs?” a little greedily asked the desperado. ‘‘It may come to that—-curse him! But not until I know for sure that he carries that paper, as something tells me. Then—but time enough for that. Do you want any money?” “Tt wouldn‘t come amiss boss,” with a grin, ‘‘Men that kin play shadows ain’t workin’ fer fun, these days!” Damon Wingfold gave the rough some money, then opened the door and bade him at once be- gin his duties. Lop-eared Mose grinned assent. And when the desperado strode away, Damon Wingfold relocked the door, sat himself down by the table, thinking—thinking. CHAPTER XI. A GOLD PHANTOM FOR A BRIDE. Ir was with a certain degree of satisfaction that Rex Stuart closed the door after having kicked Damon Wingfold into thé middle of the street. He felt that he had in part canceled the debt owing that unworthy branch of the fami- ly, and could he have the same chance at the son as fortune had given him at the father, he would be willing to wipe out the old score and begin anew. e ‘Hine fellow—shake!” exploded Doctor Ship- ley as he met the young man near the foot of the stairs, grasping his hand and working it pump- handle fashion, his fat face all aglow, radiant with delight. ‘‘ Done it myself, but legs too short. Infernal scoundrel, sir! Blackleg. Com- mon swindler, Steal a sheep, Good kick. Do it over some more. Aver so much more. Pay for your boot-leather, gladly. Me, Yes, sir | Stuart returned the grasp with sufficient good-will, but he hardly took time to acknowl- edge the hearty greeting as it deserved, for at the head of the stairs he saw Precious waiting, and twisting his hands free from the little phy- sician, he rapidly continued his ascent. ** Go it strong !” chuckled the doctor, rubbing his fat hands together as he watched the meet- ing, nodding his bald head so emphatically as. to shake the gold-bowed glasses from their proper resting-place. ‘‘ Been there myself! Fun. Immense! Food and drink and lodging. Get fat on it. Glorious fun!” Coughing and hemming he slowly mounted the steps, almost closing his fat lids as he turn- ed his face in the direction where the lovers had gone, firmly resolved that he would squint his eyes out rather than allow them to surprise a loverly secret. But this was a precaution wast- ed. Precious and Rex were standing near the open door of the room from whence Humpy Dick and Dark Durg had so mysteriously van- ished, apparently busily engaged in converse, ‘** ood children—awful!” the doctor grunted, his eyes opening wide again. ‘ Trust ’em any- where. Gallant lad! Infernal idiot, though! Been me—hug and kiss. Muss and rumple. Earned it. Take it, then!” He turned abruptly as he caught a faint sound from the chamber occupied by Nettie Malcom. His fat face turned red as a peony, and his pompous crest began to droop at once. ‘Scat! Look out fer mousers! Can’t sto any longer! Sick man, Want me bad. Good- by. Keep your eye skinned, young fellow!” After all, the little doctor was not so much to blame. He had only tried his level best to car- ry out the orders given by Rex Stuart when so much depended upon the gaining of a little time. He held the door closed against Nettie Maleom until that little angel in disguise waxed wroth and attacked the barrier with fists and shoe- leather. So much noise did she make that Doc- tor Shipley changed his tactics, opening the door and stepping inside to argue the case. For some reason, Nettie was determined to leave the chamber. and could only be prevented by main force. The result we have seen. Precious glanced at Rex in wonder as the doctor flung those words at them as he retreat- ed hastily in the direction of the sick-room, ‘‘He means your maid, dearest,” was the guarded response to the silent question. ‘' She has acted very suspiciously this evening, and I am almost tempted to believe she is a spy on your actions, in the employ of those unmitigated scoundrels, your uncle and cousin!” But-Precious was too loyal to believe ill of her little maid, who had served her so long. | No one could be so utterly vile, after being treated as one of the familv, as a companion and friend, rather than © poid servant. ‘*Poor Nettie! You are prejudiced, Rex, ’m afraid,” ‘* But the doctor, who—” He cut himself short, seeing the look of pain that filled her eyes. After all, what matter? Unless he had been listening to the baseless dreams of a madman that night,a few days more would complete the discomfiture of their enemies, And as long as he knew on whom the enemy counted for inside information, what harm could she work? The thoughts revived that perplexing mystery, and, drawing Precious nearer the open chamber, he spoke guardedly: ‘* Can er throw any light on this subject, little one?’ I was gone barely five minutes—” ‘*An age, when so much depends on prompt action, Rex,” half-laughed the maiden, but with a troubled, doubting look in her eyes as she turn- ed them upon her lover, ‘‘ Was it right? Did I sin, dear Rex, in helping that man escape?” ‘* You, Precious?” ejaculated Stuart, looking all the surprise he really felt, She nodded, nestling closer to his side as she led the way into the chamber, pointing out through the window as she spoke. The repeated rapping had drawn her from the sick-chamber just as she caught a glimpse of Rex Stuart going down the steps to answer the xeremptory summons. At his first words she instinctively recognized the peril that threaten- ed, and as she caught sight of Dark Durg cross- ing before the open door of her chamber, she hastened thither. Though she could not divine by what means he had secured an entrance, Precious recognized the strange being who had come so opportunely on the scene of the fight, and at once recog- nized a friend to the wounded cripple. The Ish- mael of the Hills seemed equally confident as to her good will, and at once begged her aid in foil- ing the enemy And after he mentioned the name of Damon Wingfold, Precious was only too eager to do what lay in her power, Wrapping Humpy Dick in the blood-stained coverlet, Dark Ag opened the rear window, stepping out with his helpless burden to the slop- ing roof of the kitchen, sliding from thence to the ground, then beating a retreat through the back-yard to the alley, where Lop-eared Mose was more surprised than surpriser. Precious did not wait to see all this, however, but, closing the window, she at once acted on the hasty advice given her by Dark Durg. She quickly restored the bed to its customary appearance, flung the bloody cloths and ban- dages into a closet, then beat a quick retreat to the sick-chamber, just as she heard Rex Stuart opening the front door to admit the enemy, ‘*T was afraid they would read the truth in my face, if 1 came forth before I was actually obliged to show mvself,” she added. ‘ Didlact so very wrongly, Rex?” His lips touched hers, and his strong arms pressed her to his hosom with tender love. He was satisfied with her, and Precious was quite content, now. ‘Tf you had done less, little girl, I believe you would never have forgiven yourself,” he said, earnestly as he took the worn chart from his hosom and once more held it up before her eyes. ‘‘This is what that arch villain wes working for, and only for you, dear one, he might have secured possession of it, while now—it is your dowry. Precious!” A soft flush came into her face, only to vanish as quickly. ‘Tt is not ow's, Rex. And even if we knew it was as valuable as you think, we could not keep it against—” ? ‘Not against but with the good will of Humpy Dick, Precious,” the young man laughed, exultantly. ‘‘ I have a message to de- liver, pet. Humpy Dick, no longer crazy, but in the full possession of his senses, chose you and L as his heirs, bequeathing to us, share and share alike, the golden treasure to which this paper is the clew!” Holding the worn, faded scrap of paper in both her hands, Precious Wingfold gazed at it with i a i conflicting emotions, But then over all rose the glad thought— “Tf it is true—if it is not the idle fancy of a disordered brain—this gold can save poor fa- ther, Rex!” \ ‘**It shall save him, first of all, little girl,” softly uttered the young man. ‘It shall clear all clouds from his path, and then—will it bring us together, for all time, Precious?” There was no answer in words, but Rex Stuart was content as he gazed down into those dark, lustrous eyes, Love was pre-eminent, — after all, and duty would fare but 1 oorly should it ever come to a pitched battle between them. Rex told Precious much of what had taken pare in that room during her absence, only re: raining from dwelling too Jong on the more re- pulsive parts of the story. He felt positive that Maurice Wingfold had formed one of that ill- starred expedition, more from what he had heard through occasional gossip, however, during his career as prospector than from the words drop- ped by Humpy Dick. He felt pretty well as- | sured that black, ugly work had been done on that trip, and he believed Maurice Wingfold, if not one of the worst of the bunch, had proven hy ee See er ae ser —_—— = SS ————_—_—— ee He, cee Sa comicbooks:.c¢om 7, , 7 eae. ial . . . . as. rue?