Beadle's Dime Library No. 395 — page 18: what you’re looking at

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

7 ‘ ae et he fs i ie -, 7. . 4 =<" : 4 Deadly Aim, the Duke of Derringers. & perfect heroine, such as books have been written | tlemen’s cabin, where already several parties | Rufus Cramp at the door, but he had scant i about. were seated at cards, time in which to pursue the subject, for Mark y Certainly she possessed one of the modern re- In reality he was listening, hoping to catch— | Landrum stood in his path, smiling, bowing, ; quisites; she was what evena rival must have | what? gracefully waving one white hand. ae called beautiful. Her features were regular,| Nothing came to his ears, and he grasped the ‘*Do you know, my dear fellow, I’ve actually Hy without being at all insipid. Her complexion | knob, giving it a quick turn, only to feel a resis- | been searching all outdoors for you,” he said, in f was perfect, for hers was a waxen white where | tance that was readily interpreted, The door | that soft, purring voice which was his habitual i) the vast majority would have shown sallow un- | was locked. tone, it seemed. i der the grief and anxiety which were constantly Clinching his right hand far more tightly | ‘‘And now tkat I am discovered?” smiled i with her. than is usually thought advisable for that pur- | Kyte Darley. i | Her dress was plain, of some soft material, | pose,, Rufus Cramp rapped sharply om the panel. | ‘**T trust that you will join me at the bar.” | free from furbelows or ‘‘ extras.” She wore no | The door opened almost instantly, without the ‘*T never drink,” drawled the gambler. f jewelry, save a thin gold chain at her throat. | warning grate of a key in the wards, and the | ‘* At least, have a cigar?” \ A moment she stood out in plain view of the | bright face of Kyte Darley confronted him. ‘*I never smoke,” as coolly declared Darley, las curious ladies, then ns Sa back a pace where ‘* You, is it?” with a slight echo of surprise, | tossing aside the weed which he had but a few her pale face was shaded a little, though not | ‘I took it for the nigger bringing supper. y | moments before ignited. ‘“‘It’s almost as bad ie with a motion that could be mistaken, even by | knock?” for the nerves as drinking, and I pride myself en eager lover, as an invitation to cross the ‘* Was I to burst the doorin?” snapped Cramp, | on mine.” threshold. It was simply the shrinking of atrue | his glittering eyes roving culekiy over the ‘Is that so?’ murmured Landrum, his brows heart from outside sympathy. wns Be oe a ems Cr * & gloomy gr lighted only from.the cabin out- | arching, a languid surprise in his tones, ‘‘ Now _~__ Rufus Cramp apparently understood this, for | side. “‘I did try the knob, but the door was | I never decline an invitation either way, for Le his tone was low and respectful as he spoke: locked.” such trifles never affect my nerves. Or, maybe, tm “T had hoped to meet you at the table, this ‘‘In your imagination, rather,” laughed Dar- | I haven’t got any. What would you think? Ut eyeniny Miss Wellspring, but as you failed to | ley, carelessly, turning partially toward the ‘*T never think. It’s too much trouble, and b come, 1—” berth on which lay the sickly passenger, adding: | acting is so much more gg nee smiled Dar- ‘*A good friend of mine, Mr. Bangs; Rufus | ley, his black eyes coolly, keenly scrutinizing Cramp, Wilfred Bangs.” the features of his companion, striving to settle The invalid was lying at length on the lower | his doubts one way or the other as to his being berth, a cloak carelessly flung over him, but at | or not being the Duke,of Derringers, these words he partially lifted himself and ex- Although as yet he could not be positive, he tended a small, white hand toward Cramp, say- | was rather inclined_to favor the idea. if a ing in a low, husky voice: stranger—if simply Mark Landrum, surely he ‘Your servant, Mr. Cramp. Any friend of | would have betrayed some annoyance at those my friend—and a friend in need o Darley | repeated denials? Or if not positive anger, he proven himself!—is heartily welcome. I would | would have taken them as a hint that bis com- ask you to have a seat, but,” and he glanced | pany or acquaintance was undesired just then. around the narrow apartment with a faint ** Do you find it so, always?” asked Landrum, smile, ‘‘as you see, my present possessions are | placidly. ‘‘i can understand how that might extremely limi e, where only pigeons flew ; but there the hawks ‘* And still they come!” laughed Kyte, as an- | and other birds of prey also congregate, and other rap sounded at the door which he had | sometimes one cannot be sure what species he is closed behind Rufus. ‘ Ah! it is you, Sambo?” | flying against.” ; he added, cheerfully, as a sable figure stood re- ‘* All’s one to me, nevertheless,” retorted Dar- vealed, bearing a neatly-covered tray on which | ley, with a careless smile, beneath which he was rested a rather substantial meal for a sick man. | using his brains as earnestly as ever before in Darley took in the tray, and then, witha laugh- | his life. ing farewell, passed out of the state-room, link- This Mark Landrum pres all the coolness e “*T could not,” with a little shiver as she cast a shy glance toward the curious passengers. ‘*[ comprehend,” with a grave frown, not at her, however. ‘‘In some incomprehensible manner the cause of your journey has reached their ears, and though few of them are really averse to good feeling, I fear they would be too deeply interested in watching what you did, and how you did it, to even think of eating!” ‘* It is one of the penalties one must pay for ‘being so uncomfortably rich, I suppose,” with a 4 weary little sigh. ‘‘ I often wish we were poor. _ Then—we would be together more!” ___ Skeptic though he was by birth and training, _ Rufus Cramp knew that Portia was not pretend- '. ing in saying this. She was, just then, thor- oughly disgusted with wealth and the penalties that attach to such. Me ‘*T would have sent you a note by the stew- -_ ardess, only I know that a score of busybodies beset her every time she comes from your room hungry for the slightest crumb of information, Ie * ° - ee | , a - : ie > oe ee = a t oe She, a ~—— |e ‘ 4 mas") . - mee, cas & « Pe nd out of such a note hey would immediately ing arms with his comrade in crime, for which the Duke o rringers was noted. _ ~~ make a whole volume!” ‘Well, and how goes it, Rufe?” he whispered, | Hé also had his figure, as near as may be. But __ Portia shrunk back a trifle, and perhaps un- | guardedly. ‘All serene? You have completed | his face proved the puzzle. If it could only be your arrangements, I trust?” masked by a black beard for a single instant! “You do your work one-half as promptly,| ‘* Indeed!” ejaculated Landrum, his smile be- and you wouldn’t have near so much time to apa be trifle more ghost-like, his tones grow- waste after that fashion,” growled Cramp, with | ing a thought more earnest. ‘‘ Then perhaps I a short nod of his head toward the state-room | have made a little mistake!” they had just left. ‘‘I never make mistakes,” declared Kyte, “Dll keep up with the hounds, dear boy, | sticking to his original line with a persistency never fret,” lightly retorted Kyte, adding seri- | that deserved more definite results. ously: ‘“ Min you, Rufe, the job must be done ‘You are most fortunate, for a mistake is this night, if at all! Keep your eyes open, and | worse than a crime, in my estimation,” gravely the moment I give the signal, get down to busi- | added Landrum, thoughtfully rubbing his Sh consciously to herself, her voice and manner bei were just a thought more icy than before, ‘So ‘“Youare very kind and thoughtful, but if guceh is the case, it would be better to starve \ ¥ than feed their curiosity. I need nothing. I am only praying for this boat to make all haste _ to my poor father!” ___ Pardon me, Miss Wellspring,” said Rufus, ra) his voice grave, his manner solicitous. ‘* You do need something, else I should not have taken this step in their faces. Youare breaking down ‘any with silent brooding over this sad affair. You | ness!” smooth chin, ‘‘If not too much trouble, I deny yourself fresh air and exercise. When “Tl do my part, as I told you before. Why | would like your decision, Shall we sit down?” you reach St. Louis, you will be an invalid in- | keep dinging that warning into my ears? Why ‘““T never sit down,” purred Kyte, smiling stead of the strong, healthy nurse your father | not take thought for your own share?” again, ‘*T have that down fine. lam sure of myself, ‘* Do youever play poker or brag?” abruptly | but I can’t be so certain about anybody else, | asked Landrum. ‘*T wiil be strong. I could not break down ; _ ‘while he has need of me,” was the earnest, yet | you know,” a little less brusquely. ‘‘ When is| Darley felt that his stereotyped answer would simple response. she to meet you on deck?” hardly fit this case, for he was determined to , ‘*{ believe that you would hold out while he | ‘There was no particular time set.” solve the mystery that confronted him. Still as nursing, but is that all? When he| “Then you mustn’t linger here. She might | he made his answer as stinging as well might go, and not seeing you at hend, beat a retreat. | be. Go up above at once. We cart afford to throw ‘* When I find a match worth the trouble. Do +} away the faintest chance in this game. You | you know of any such?” Ps. _ before Portia replied, the cunning schemer felt | know that!” Mark Landrum uttered a deep sigh of relief, assured his point was gained. ‘And you? Go back to your Mr. Bangs, I | grasping the hand of the gambler and gripping tis rather close and stuffy in this little den, | suppose?” snapped Rufus, it cordially as he exclaimed: Imust admit, since you {she me so closely,” Not right away,” coolly. “I’m going to ‘‘ My dear fellow, how intensely you relieve and Portia glanced around her decidedly limited | test the quality of your Mr. Landrum, first. If | me! I really began to look for another qprewters with a faint smile. he ring true metal, allright. If he prove base | ‘never’ !” , | “Tt is cool and pleasant on deck. There area | counterfeit, as I half suspect— Well, the dule- ‘* Possibly you may see cause to wish you had __ few passengers enjoying the air, but they will | dom of Derringers will have to advertise for | found it, before the end,” dryly uttered Darley. crop off gradually, and the stars give hardly | an heir!” ‘‘ Tt was actually beginning to daunt me—and "Nahe enough to afford even the most curious ‘Satan grant it!” fervently muttered Rufus | of all things a bluff is the most disagreeable Cramp, as he dropped the arm of his companion | for me to swallow,” laughed Landrum, ‘“ And - mnong them much satisfaction in staring at their famous—” as they entered the office. I counted on a few hours’ amusement with you— __ ** Don’t!” murmured Portia, shrinking a little, | Kyte Darley smiled lightly as he heard those | Idid, really!’ | - anpained look coming into her beautiful face. | words, but if he could have known just what ‘* May I ask in just what shape you expected _ Tf you only knew how I hate the very idea of | was then passing through the brain of \the | to find it?” riches, while he is so ill!” speaker,he might not have felt so wholly amused. ‘Why not? I'd prefer that to another of “Tt was not riches I had in mind,” bowed “Wither way, it would turn up trumps for | those abominable nevers! And then, perhaps _ Rufus adroitly. ‘But I may expect you? You | me,” mentally decided Rufus Cramp, as he pass- | you can settie my doubts as to that little m will give yourself an hour or so relief from this | ed out of the office to the guards. ‘‘ Duke Bar- | take of mine—provided it was a mistake.” ay close confinement? It is for your father’s sake | ringer or Kyte Darley—it is a toss-up which one Despite his own coolness, Kyte Darley was be- Bee. as your own that I am so persistent.” I hate the worst!” ginning to grow a little irritated. It was not JT will go on deck, since you think it best.” Anil so it was. There was no love lost be-| often that he met his match in a fencing bout “Tt certainly is for the best. I will await | tween the two plotters. There was nothing of | of this sort. It was a skill on which he had long you, then, as before. Otherwise, we would have | genuine liking or friendship in their alliance, | prided himself, and an accomplishment that h two-thirds of yonder gapers following Bote even at first. Each one felt that the other could | well repaid the trouble of perfecting. It bad heels, patiently waiting for such crumbs as—” be made useful in a game for gold, but that was | carried him safely through more than one ugly “I will pass out onto the guards from my | all. scrape. It had more often refilled his empty oom.” After that fateful meeting with Marcia Well- ete Never until now had it utterly failed spring, already hinted at, even the tie of mutual | him when fully exercised. | interest was barely strong enough to keep the | ‘I can tell better when you put your doubts two men from breaking into an open quarrel, | into words,” ke retorted, the sharpness of his Both were in love with the young woman, and | voice bringing a smile into the dark eyes of his each was resolved to win her for himself, | adversary, strengthening his resemblance to though as yet Kyte Darley had kept this deter- | Duke Barringer. | ) mination to himself. He would lay low until| ‘‘It isa mere trifle, I fear you will think,” > A a be will need you any the less?” Jt was an unanswerable argument, and even r e if f Ni Sgdhaye as recover I feel he will, do you We 4 ——_—_—_—_—_—_———————— a Hee errr SS esses — - —_— -__ ; eer any uttering. a few words that might ~ Jeave the impression that no further meeting was in view for that evening, if the listeners _ chose to so interpret them. ‘fhe smile faded from his face even before he _ erossed the grooves in which ran the curtained a my ufus Cramp accepted his dismissal, bowing “? a aa as a division between the cabins, and his | this Fight for Five Millions was won, then ke | with an airy wave of one white hand. ‘ But it blue eyes were sparkling with anything but | would show his hand openly, let Rufus Cramp | troubles me, lest | have done an honest man in- _ good-nature as he paused before the door | rage as he would. If he made too much trou- | justice. You see, we were talking of you—” through which he had seen Kyte Darley vanish | ble—well, there were more ways than one to si- ‘“Why of me, in particular?” still more same minutes earlier. For a brief space he | lence sucha cur! sharply. Something of this also ran through the busy o per a gentleman present chanced to say yastm, _ geemed to hesitate, his hand partly extended to- brain of Kyte Darley as he turned away from ‘ that you were the best hand at either poker or ward the knob, glancing along toward the gen- rrr ee eS Se : “ - ie ge ECOMIEHOOKS.c a