Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 40 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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The At that moment the little group surrounding the corpse reported. Ata signal from the colo- nel, four soldiers dismounted and advanced to his side. Signing for them to follow, he strode toward the accused. ‘You still persist in your statement as to the relative positions of yourself and the de- ceased?” he asked. Happy Jack bowed in silence. : “Then I arrest you for willful murder! The fatal shot came from that bowlder—it struck the deceased beneath, and to the rear of his right shoulder, passing through his body and lodging beneath the skin upon his left breast. The bullet came from the same size pistol as yours. Do your duty, men!” coldly exclaimed Colonel Markham. CHAPTER XXII. GROPING IN THE DARK. For one moment Happy Jaek stood motion- less, a sort of dazed incredulity written upon every feature. He seemed to be listening to words intended for somebody else. “But as, in obedience to the colonel’s orders, the four sol- diers advanced to arrest him, his magnificent form suddenly straightened, his head was flung proudly back, his face flushed hotly, and a dan- erous light filled his eyes—as though, unarmed, = would defy their power ta arrest him for a crime of which he wasinnocent. But this lasted only for an instant. Then the scout bowed his head, his hands unclenched, he was ready for the inevitable. Bill Comstock had missed nothing of all this. For one moment he believed that his friend meant to resist arrest, and his brown fingers closed quickly around the stock of his revolver, resolved to fall or stand beside his ‘‘ pard.” Then he saw how Jack had abandoned the vain hope of resistance—and his resolve was prompt- ly taken. He sprung swiftly before Happy ack, and drawing his revolvers, dropped them upon the zround at Colonel Markham’s feet. ‘*You fellers is on the wrong trail,” .he began, speaking slowly and with a peculiar doggedness that was impressive in itself. ‘* He never killed that man—he couldn’t do it—’tain’t in him. Ef ou want to know who did it, ’m the man— sw’ar by the Etarnal that J shot Cap’n Stone !” A pair of strong hands were placed upon his shoulders, and turning his head, he met the gaze of Happy Jack—a look that seemed to reach his very heart, a look full of strong affection, yet laughing and quizzical. oY ou mean well, old man, but it won’t work. The bullet will not fit your pistol, and it will -fit mine. I thank you all the same, but the best thing you can do for me is to wait—and let matters take their course. Iask it, for the sake of old times, pard,” and he gently pushed Bill to one side, adding: ‘“‘I am your prisoner, colo- nel; only—there is one person here who can clear me, if he will. I mean the man lying yon- der,” and he pointed toward Ben Watson, be- side whom knelt a little fat man, the surgeon of the fort, and who at that moment hastily arose, ce A answer to Colonel Markham’s glance. it.” With a changing countenance Colonel Mark- ham read the message—the same which Happy Jack had written while the prisoner of Baby Tom. Strange as it may sound, he had almost forgotten the unexplained absence of his daugh- ter, in the discovery of the murdered man and the hasty investigation which followed. Now he turned to Soper Jack, and asked: ‘*You wrote this? What does it all mean?’ The young scout eave a hasty explanation, his words creating no little excitement among hi auditors. Brief as had been her residence at Fort Western, her grace, her beauty and spirits, but above all, her kind heart and ready hand had made her the idol of the boysin blue, But of them all, no one listened more intently than Ben Watson, and as he learned how utterly he and his comrades had been duped by the scout he mentally vowed a bitter vengeance against the man, even though in carrying it out, he should find it necessary to sacrifice his own life. And unwilling to lose one moment’s time, he gave vent to a hollow groan, contorting his face as though in mortal agony. 7 “Tm a-dyin’, an’ none 0’ you won't help me! he gasped, as he saw that he had attracted at- tention. ‘‘Do somethin’ to stop this awful fire inside o’ me!—’pears like I’m in hell a’ready!” With a warning glance at the colonel, Dr. Hurlbutt nodded toward the wounded wretch, his face rele an aay grave. ) ; cam! aces done all % can for you, without in- struments. There may be a hope for your life er—directed to you, sir,” he said, in Pi “e. ‘ He had —if your mind is at rest. There is some secret troubling you. If you confess all it may be better,” he said, soberly. ‘‘T eain’t—not while he’s lookin’ at me,” gasp- ed the decoy, casting a swift glance toward Happy Jack. ‘Make him go ’way—when his awful eyes is on me, I cain’t do or say nothin but what he is willin’ I should. Take him away, an’ ’li—tell all I know.” The effort seemed to exhaust him. His eyes closed, his breath came faint and fitfully. ‘The worthy doctor looked puzzled, as well he might, for Watson’s wound, though severe, was by no means mortal. Yet, deeming it advisable to learn the truth, by all means, he withdrew the colonel to one side and made him understand his plan, Markham nodded, and then motioned for the men to fall back, asking the two scouts | to accompany him for a moment. Drawing them beyond ear-shot, he improved the oppor- tunity in learning what had occurred since the interrupted rabbit-chase. Meanwhile, Ben Watson was pouring forth his confession to the startled and scandalized surgeon. The decoy was nothing if not dra- matic. With a better education he would have made a superb sensational novelist—and better than most, his stories, though impromptu, in this case, hung well together—there were no ragged ends, no useless threads—just enough and nothing cut to waste. He stated that himself and Happy Jack were old friends, and had been engaged in more than one pretty piece of work in the ‘fr gone by, though for some time they had been working different leads. They had met that night in the valley, by accident, but while Miss Markham was sleeping, Happy Jack had revealed a bold plan by which a large sum of money might be made, without much risk. .The lady was to be held for ransom. ‘The preliminaries were car- ried out faithfully, the scout being treated as a prisoner while before Miss Markham. But there was a plot within a plot. The two—himself and Happy Jack—had arranged to secure the whole sum demanded as ransom for themselves. Wat- son was to carry the letter to the fort, where it was expected that the colonel would promptl act upon the information therein ccoteined: Meantime, the scout was to steal Miss Mark- ham away from the others, and place her in a secure hiding-place. Of course the other men would take the alarm and flee for safety, the cave would be found empty, and in time the fa- ther would be forced to pay the money to Wat- son, as Cot eHAOG He was ~ BT peared at once, only setting up a signal which his partner would understand. Then Happy Jack was to carry Miss Markham away to the rendezvous, where, unless she would agree to become his wife, she was to be used to extort still further sums of money. ‘*T see him airly this mornin’, an’ he told me the gal war all safe, but wouldn’t say whar he’d hid her. He said I must foller an’ watch the fellers he was with, ‘cause thar was aman—yen- der he lays, boss!—a man thar as could an’ would sp’e the play ef he warn’t wiped out. I tried to beg off, but—I cain’t explain how, but when he looks at me, I’m jist like a machine—I hain’t got the feelin’s of a man a-tall. I’ve got to do jist what he says. It’s some devil’s medi- ee ee f oti ae : »metism,” ven @ surgeon, wipi his flushed brow. ae ag ‘* Mebbe—I don’t know. Anyhow, I said I'd doit. I tried, but my cap bu’sted, an’ the feller shot me / then he kem out, an’ shot him from, over yender. Thar! that’s the truth an’ noth- in’ but the truth, so help me—!” and the lying wretch sealed his fiendish fabrication with a solemn oath. Dr. Hurlbutt, never very acute, was thor- oughly and utterly deceived. Not that he be- lieved Watson was dying, but that he really thought so, and the confession, though so horri- ble, was so adroitly told that it sounded far more like truth than truth itself. , Drawing Colonel Markham aside, he hurried- ly detailed what Watson had confessed, deepen- ing the impression of its truth, though possibly unconsciously, by his method of spe about it. From that momeng Colonel Markham doubt- ed no longer. All ling of pity, of regret, vanished before a stern resolve to punish to the ag es ap roe yee gre wretch ae mae so base otte i e ce an ppi- ness of iss idolized child. ocalinens cursed himself for the leniency he had thus far shown him. In a hoarse voice he ordered the soldiers to make ready—to cover the prisoner with their carbines. He was obeyed in silence, save an angry oath from the lips of Bill Comstock, who sprung before his friend as though the threat- ened volley should first pass through his breast. ‘‘Sergeant Bowen,” added the officer, ‘ ad- vance and bind the prisoner. If he attempts to resist, or if any man interferes, stand aside and leave the rest to me!” ‘*'Take care—we kin jist lick the hull outfit!” hissed Comstock, still separ ep Happy Jack, but then those hands put him aside eaithe had once before, and the young scout uttered, almly: = pa can serve me better by waiting, pard. You know that some one killed him—seek him out. it too late to save, at least revenge me on him Comstock said not a word. There was a strange lump in his throat that would not let him. He stood aside and saw Jack extend his hands for the thongs. Then he squatted down upon the ground, hiding his face in both hands. is was a terribly strange and new experience to him—never before had he felt so helpless—so utterly unmanned. Not so with the prisoner. He seemed the Long Haired °*Pards. turn. Sound boot and saddle, there! bluntly interrupted Bill. oD sir?” cocked his revolvers. man, an’ I’ll do what ontie his han’s, an’ we ‘ere muddle out. Ef not—then you don’t git nothin’ out o’ this chicken softer nor lead pills —you hear me!” he Colonel Mi 19 calmest person within the little valley, and his voice sounded clear and self-contained as he ad- dressed Colonel Markham: ‘‘ May | ask why you have so suddenly—” ‘** Ask nothing—but tell me, where have you hidden my daughter? Tell me, I say—!” “If she is not at the cave, I do not know—” ‘A lie! you have hidden her away—your partner in the foul plot has confes every- thing. Tell me what I have asked, or by the oe Eternal! I will tear you limb from limb!” raged the officer, fairly frantic. ‘Sir, you lie when you callmealiar. Until you have apologized for that lie, I will not anee another word,” uttered Happy Jack, in a low, stern voice. ' Dr. Hurlbutt now inte , whispering a few words in the colonel’s ear. With a visible effort, Markham choked down his rage, though it was several moments ere he could speak. He called forth the names of six men, and as the soldiers advanced, he continued: ‘*' You will remain here, and guard the prison- er. If heattempts to escape, or if any of his confederates appear, your first duty will be to blow his brains out. Otherwise, await my re- ou Comstock, will guide us to this cave—” “Tl see you d—d fust—an’ then I won't!” ‘* Not one lick 0’ work do you git out o’ me while you keep my pard, thar, tied up—” oO you wish me to place you under arrest, “You kin order—but tihar’ll be twelve men go the under fust—an’ yow'll be the fust to lead way,” and as he spoke, Comstock drew and “Treat him like a white e like. Take his ole, both try to make this CHAPTER XXIII. THE LOST TRAIL. THE scene was a peculiar one—a single man apparently defying three-score. ua’ u on the low bowtider with a ceetat oan h ler: eled revolver in each hand, his dark, Indian-like face bearing a hard, dogged expression, his small, black eyes alone betraying any excite- ment, Bill Comstock awaited: the answer to his bold defiance, Colonel Markham, though very angry, was conscious of a feeling of admiration for the scout’s blind, unreasoning devotion to his friend, and hesitated to utter the word that could only precipitate the bloodshed which he wished to avoid, if possible. And yet, he did not see how he could overlook the pointed challenge of the scout, without positive injury to his influence and discipline pline. At this moment Happy Jack, his arms bound passed over to where Comstock crouched, and spoke rapidly, earnestly: “If you are really anxious to serve me, Bill, you must drop the trail you are on, and ) up the right one. You promised to hunt out the real murderer—how can you keep your word if you butt your brains out against a rock that you can pass quietly around? If you want to serve me, find Miss Markham. Take up the trail for these men, do the best you know, and trust to time for the rest. Say you will do this —there is no other man here who would have one eye for my interest, while working for hers. You will as a favor to me, pard?” “Td rac h—l itself, ef you amed me, Jack— thar! the dust!” and Bill winkea his eves SAV. ‘°F you fellers —— me to trail fer ye, you'd best pick up your legs mighty lively k sprung up the rocks, to cast a single glance backward. arkham hesitated for a moment, and ere Was a curious expression of mingled doubt and regret upon his face ashe glanced at the —you hear?” As he spoke, Comstock prisoner, who had quietly returned to his former position beside his ds. Could this man be guilty of such cold-blooded crimes? And yet— why the man, believing himself to be dy- ing, why had he accused the prisoner, if inno- cont? And the proof of the murder was so plain With an effort the colonel brushed aside these reflections, and bidding Sergeant Bowen remain in command of the and their prisoner, he eons into the saddle and rode rapidly around the rocky spur, then gelloping on in pursuit of Comstock, who had L y taken up the broken trail and was following it at a long, swift, loping stride. : There was little difficulty after this, for the trail was deep and broad, and within the hour Comstock paused at the foot of the ascent which led to the cavern in the hill. Colonel : sprung from the saddle and led the way in person, entering the cavern without opposition. But. here he was com- ed to pause until materials could be collected or starting a fire, for none could tell what. pit- falls lay before them, shrouded by the inky persone torch speedil cted Vv es were ily constructed, and by their aid the cavern was hastily explored, ~ Eomicbooks.co =)