Beadle's Dime Library No. 395 — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

— . . ; : “ ° TF om : —v 4) a P stant harping on one Rufus Cramp, and how de- licious would be the life with him in the future, when neither you nor she would have a care save how to spend your share of those precious millions. Really, Rufe,” with a soft little laugh, ‘‘itt was not half as delightful as on that first visit of mine. Then you were near to be made jealous, and the little witch could afford to waste a few of her smiles on yours truly. But now—” and a shrug of the shoulders completed the work he wished. Rufus Cramp was quite as easily elated as he was depressed, and not even this rather thick coating was sufficient to gag him. He felt that Marcia was still his own, and it was with a much more hopeful tone that he spoke next: ‘** After all, it’s a prize well worth playing boldly for, and [ll do my level best to carry it off smoothily. Of course you will—” Just at that moment, distinctly audible even through the dull, monotonous throbbing of the vessel under the impulse of the heavy machin- ery, the two schemers heard the creaking of a binge and the snapping of a lock, coming from the adjoining state-room. There hod been no preceding sound of footsteps, nothing to tell of a door being opened or the state-room being entered. Kyte leaned forward and tapped Rufus on Lhe lips, his eyes glowing and his whole face fill- ed with strong suspicion, ‘‘Who has that state-room?’ he muttered, cuardedly. ‘‘Mark Landrum!” breathed Cramp, in the same low tones, Even as he uttered the name, there camea low, musical whistle to their ears from the nex room, accompanied by a shuffling, dragging sound. Strained as their ears were, tiey ewrzht the clear click of a key in a lock, as thoucvh a trunk or a valise was being opened. ‘* Tio won’t stop more than a minute or two,” muttered Cramp, on!y to have those white fin- gors again placed over his lips. Kyte Darley was not one to throw away a chance knowingly, and thouch there was hardly cause for suspecting the stranger, who occasion- elly used the voice of the Duke of Derringers, he felt uneasy. The game on were playing was so dangerous, the stakes so large, that this was no more than a natural feeling. And, really, the fellow had been remarkably pertina- cious while on deck. P In silence they sat and waited, listening intent- ly to what they c:uld hear. To one fresh from the silence of the land, un- accustomed to the steady thump-jar of the ma- chinery, oe with the puffing of steam and the rumble of the paddle-wheels, nothing would have been audible; but the schemers could hear that soft, low whistle, broken by brief pauses. They knew that Mark Landrum was searching for something in his trunk or valise. They heard him close the receptacle and turn the key in the lock. They were aware of his standing up, of his washing his hands and combing his hair. And then they heard him open the door, i it again and turning the key in the ock. ‘* He’s gone!” uttered Cramp, with a breath of relief, he could hardly have explained just why. O, And he'll not get rich over what he heard from us,” said Kyte, with afrown. ‘It might have been different but for that creaking hinge. { wonder if that creak startled him into letting the catch snap back in the lock?” ‘*What! you don’t think the rascal was try- ing to play spy?” indignantly ejaculated Rufus. ‘*Tf I knew just what and who the fellow was, I could tell better,” muttered Darley, his brows contracting afresh. ‘‘ It looked like premedita- tion, his sticking so closely to us, up yonder. And then—I can’t so easily get over that infer- nal voice!” ‘You don’t think—bah!” with a little laugh _ aa er iter supposition, ‘‘It can’t be The uke “T don’t say itis. I don’t think it could pos- sibly be him. I’ve seen him too often to be f»oled, while you—well,” with a touch of mali- cious satire, “if you fail to recognize him, after your experience with the Duke of Derringers, I hardly think it’s of any use trying to make one out of the couple!” ‘Pye evened up with the devil, anyhow!” snarled Rufus, showing his teeth. ‘* He took me by surprise that time, and while I was drunk. I took him into camp, though, when his eyes were wide open. I gave him a sore head, if no worse, and if he was able to follow me on his own legs, be sure Martin Tullar took him in out of the wet!” ‘‘Martin’s got a mighty sure grip, they say, but Barringer is harder to hold than a wet eel, It may b» that The Duke gave him the stip, and means tosee the gam3 out, If so—this Mark Landrum may be he, in disguise. Shears and a razor, helped out by a little dye and a change of voice, would make all the difference we saw in this fellow!” Rufus Cramp turned fairly ghastly at this sggomor ‘You don’t think that, Darley?” be muttered, brushing one trembling hand across his damp brow. Deadly Aim, the Duke of -_ ew . . f ; a — ‘‘T don’t say I believe it. I only say that it might be so.” ‘*Then the jig’s up!” witha savageoath. ‘“‘ We might as well turn it up, before we run our necks into a noose!” ‘** Turn him down, rather,” laughed Kyte, ban- ishing all care from his handsome face. ‘‘ And when I reverse a card of that suit, it never sees the light of day again. Drop him out of your mind, old fellow. Let him be Mark Landrum, Duke Barringer or the foul fiend himself, he shall not chip into this game of ours. Ill make sure of so much,” ‘** After all, we’re setting up a man of straw, I feel certain, now I take a second look atit. I couldn’t be so completely deceived. I hate the demon too intensely for that. He’s only Mark Landrum, and what has excited our suspicions against him may only come of chance, or else caused by his thinking to rops usin at some of his pet games. Don’t you fancy so?” “Tt does begin to have that complexion,” laughe| Kyte. ‘‘ Still, it can dono harm to be on the safe side, and I flatter myself that when I once set to work, it won’t take very many min- utes for me to get at the bottom facts. If he is Duke Barringer, he'll stop over before reaching his original destination. If he’s Mark Landrum, and has any particular game that he wants to foster, maybe I can learn him something new. Even with all those millions in view, it won’t do to neglect smaller crops.” ‘** Then we'll postpone our game?” ‘*Not for a moment longer ‘than it takes to saab it out smoothly,” nositively returned Dar- ley, his eyes glowing. ‘‘I tell youit has to be finished this very night!” ‘* But there are other chances, you said?” ** And so there are, but for all that we'll not take them if the one that first offers can be im- provedas it should be. Remember, it may fail aes even while we are trying to do our level est.” “Have it yourown way, man,” growled Rufus, sulkily. ‘‘ I’m as anxious as you can be to have it over with. Bad as it is, it’s a thou- sand-fold worse, this waiting an brooding over it!” ‘*Look you here, old fellow,” deliberately ut- tered Kyte Darley, bending forward and tapping his fellow-schemer on the arm, holding his eyes with a luminous gaze that seemed to penetrate his very brain. “‘I give you free warning that you’ve got to brace up and be a man. I tell you frankly that Pll hold you responsible if anything goes wrong through your failing nerve, I’m in this game to stay, and if you lose me my share of the stakes, I'll slit your throat the next moment!” “ Keep your threats to yourself, Kyte Dar- ey! | ‘*T will, after this warning. I want you tosee that you can’t afford to break down when the pinch comes.” ** Wait until I do fail, won’t you?” ‘*Tt will be too late to warn you then,” with a short, hard laugh. ‘‘ After all, there is not so much for you todo. You should be anxious to be at it, remembering the glorious reward that awaits your success. Why, man alive! I’ll take your place and thank you kindly into the bar- gain if you'll agree to give me your share!” ‘‘Tf it would not be transferred?” with a little laugh. “That’s the sticking point,” smiled Kyte, easing up now that he had produced the effect he desired. ‘‘I know it wouldn’t be easy to transfer a certain portion of your reward, and that’s why I’m sari you to brace up.” ‘IT don’t need it. I’m ready to play my part at once.” * That's +g But there’s no immediate rush, after all. ou can take your usual con- stitutional on deck, just as soon as you like. Only, keep aneye out for the signal, and be ready to take advantage of it. You under- stand?” te ‘* Perfectly,” said Rufus Cramp, risin the bunk and proceeding to leave his han face. ‘* By the way, how is Miss Wellspring taking matters?” ‘‘Better than I expected. She keeps pretty close to her state-room, only going out {or a lit- tle stroll on deck now and then,” ‘Tf the charming Marcia should get wind of it!” roy sein Kyte. “It has to be done, you know. I’m her father’s confidential messenger, and since that unfortunate accident kept Aunt Honor from at- tending the poor girl, of course she has only me to look to for these little attentions. till, there's little thought of lovemaking, on her side or on mine,” ** She don’t take it very hard, then?” “She don’t show it so much, now, but she has thoughts only for her father. She’s a model heiress! One would think she would rather re- joice, if ever so secretly, over her coming free- dom with millions!” ‘“May her freedom come right speedily!” laughed Kyte, opening the door and stepping aside for his comrade in sin to pass out before him. ‘‘ And may we both be there to see!” As Cramp brushed close to his shoulder, Dar- ley muttered: | from and : Derringers. —— eee eee eee mm a eee OT ere CO 17 ‘**Mind; she must go with you, if only for a few minutes. Once on deck, surely you can wag that tongue of yours nimbly enough to hold her in play until—well, you comprehend?” . ‘*Tlldo my level best. And you?” ‘* Will take a little walk to see if I can smoke that precious Mark Landrum of yours,” was the prompt reply. ‘‘If he really is what he pre- tends to be, all well and good. If not—if he is D. B. in disguise—you'll hear something drop before next sun rises!” They separated, Rufus Cramp passing briskly along the long cabin where the white-aproned negro waiters were rapidly removing the last traces of the recent meal, bis destination the ladies’ cabin, where he had already noted the door of Portia Wellspring’s state-room, as usual closed. Just as he crossed the line which marks — the two cabins, he cast a glance over his shoulder, to stop short with a hot curse grat- _ ing betwixt his white teeth. He saw Kyte Darley just entering the door of the state-room occupied by the sickly pas- senger, Wilfred Bangs. Rufus Cramp turned sharply, taking a step in that direction, only to check himself the next instant. — CHAPTER XI. | RUFUS CRAMP MAKES AN APPOINTMENT, a “Ts it there he’s looking for Mark Landrum?” ~— | he muttered below his breath, as Kyte Darley | vanished from sight. ‘“‘If he shirks the rest as he has the beginning, a mighty small share of the millions ought to more than pay him for his work!” ae This was not the first time that something — similar had crossed his mind. Whenever he ~ paused to glance over the desperate game they were playing, it ever seemed to him that not only was the most difficult portions of the play assigned him, but that nearly all the risk was — run by him as well. If aught should go seri- | ously wrong—if the startling truth should ever © won and an accounting be called for—there © would be no escape for him. With all his care, he had not been able to hide his agency, to cover his trail. ae ‘* He could laugh in his sleeve and lay low for _ another chance—curse him!” inwardly fumed ~~ the schemer, as he reluctantly turned his face from the door of the state-room occupied by Wilfred Bangs. ‘‘If I was foolenoughtogrit | my teeth and take the whole thing on myown shoulders, that is. And of course] will! Ilove — that sleepy-eyed devil so passionately!” Ye The thought coming just then amused him so if that he broke into an audible laugh, the sound of which caused him to start with a quick glance __ around him. Pe One of the negro waiters was grinning from ear toear. Several of the womeninthe saloon — were smiling blandly upon him, after the a fr liar fashion of married ladies who are in re watchers of a love affair. So, at least, Rufus interpreted their bright glances, and a little flush tinged his sallow cheeks as two of the — — put their heads together for a confidential | whisper. A Thus recalled to his duty, the really handsome —_ young fellow ome his hat, and bowing — the ; company in general, was soon gently tap ate the door of the state-room occupied by Pete a: Wellspring. ee The situation might have been a far pleas _ anter one. He felt that all eyes were upon ee He If anything should happen—if anything am chance to gc wrong with their plans—would it not be remembered that he had begged the heir- ess to go on deck? Se Fortunately for him, he was not kept long in suspense. The door opened, and Portia Well- spring appeared before him, a faint, pallid smile answering his profound salute. A In that moment when the clear lights of the — saloon fell fairly upon her features, such of the | lady passengers as were within convenient ne of the door, eagerly improved the opportunity to _ take a mental daguerreotype of the great heir- ess. For, somehow, the facts of the case ow become general property. 7 Even then, though showing the effects of the oe heavy shock which the tidings brought by — Rufvs Cramp had given her, Portia W ig looked lovely and charming enough for evena million-heiress, And as this is t vr we have had to see her fairly, a brief descrip- emt of her personal appearance will not come — amiss. VE If anything, she was a trifle below the average > hight*of her sex, but so gracefully formed, so _ perfectly rounded without being too plump, that. when looking upon her, one never thoughtof — drawing ¢omparisons, She was what she was, — > a “ A © ae * a. * Fa ' and that seemed _ perfection. hte Being neither blonde nor brunette, Portia was that especially delightful medium in whi combined the charms and advantages of bot Her hair was of a rich, deep brown, whose la ter was only su d by that of her matchless — eyes; large, liquid, now sad and tinged with a peculiar wistfulness, but which, on occasion, — could dance with mischief or sparkle with spirit. — Those who knew her best, said flat Portia hada _ will of her own, and that it only requireda ~ proper opportunity for her to prove he ‘oS | . comicbooks ~~ : J] : J »* ee _ =, - aq ™ s \ re. ‘ we Le