Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 12: what you’re looking at

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

ies Ps 5 rg ; 9 , 2 ew / . 4) ( ~—w e 4 . oe “His widow! Don’t forget your work.” “ What do you mean?” , -*Oh! how innocent we are!” _ “Jf you intimate that I am acting a part, you _ are mistaken,” Barbara replied, with dignity, and now as calm as ever, “ Of course I know _ who you mean by Palmer Hague.” _ * You ought to.” aa And you were his wife?” Vth) 66 _ *Zenobia Lee?” _ **7T gee that you are well informed!” cried the woman, bitterly, ‘‘I suspected that he had told you all.” _~ “You are very much mistaken, madam. Mr. _ Hague never mentioned you, directly or indi- _ vectly. I had your name from an entirely dif- - ferent source.” + * But vou knew it; yet went on and tried to f A ) . ’ oe Sas Wait!” said Miss Nettleton, with cold dig- | nity. ‘‘Since you compel me to say it, I never > Eo wep of you or your name until the mght ta kind friend saved me from becoming the dupe of a man already married. I sup- posed Palmer Hague a single man, and was _ about to become his wife, but the truth was told win: this very room, before the assembled ‘ _ * Do you expect me to believe this?” Can any person in her right mind believe | that I ont marry a man already married, | and thereby wreck my own life?” “Why did you lure him on,” |“ Paraon me, I did not lure him on,” - ** You knew him in San Francisco?” mot. aid.” > ** He followed you here?” eee a es. “Am Tto believe he came without being ask- ed by you?” Yes; and, more than that. I did not suspect _ he was coming until he arrived. I did not want oe ~ Indeed !” | * Once before, I had refused him.” Tn San Francisco.” 17 & es.” _ Yet, he deserted me and came here. — Tt was entirely his own work.” The anger had died out somewhat from the _ worn face, giving Mrs. Hague more of a wom- anly look, and she now remained silent, looking thoughtfully at the floor. 7] assure you, madam,” added Barbara, _ kindly, ‘‘ that I do not want ill-feeling between te diver dreamed that Mr. Hague had a _ wife until the revelation came, and deep is my _ regret that I did not know it long before. It ‘would have saved us both much trouble.” The wild eyes were suddenly raised, and the hostile gleam was in them once more, _ This does not explain all,” shesaid, ‘‘ Who That is unknown.” | _ *Who had a motive to kill him?” _ **No one, so far as is known.” “Tt is false! You are a rich, proud woman and when you knew the truth it must have cu like a knife. You had been disgraced in the _ presence of all your fine friends. Had no onea notive to kill him? Woman, can you brazenly say that you were not the murderess?” - Barbara recoiled. “Great Heaven!” was all she could say. “Ha! the shot goes home!” cried Zenobia, in 1 tone of exultation. " @ ‘i * Surely you do not think me so wicked as “Tt is just what I do think.” _ But I was here, in the, presence of a dozen if, people when—the fatal shot was fired.” ~ * Ah! but you may have hired the assassin.” - “You are mad!” retorted Barbara, unable to maintain calmness longer, _ “There is a mystery about the case which I don’t understand,” “Tecan well believe that.” _** What do you mean?” | “You do not talk like one who knows her You are determined to blame me in some way, and if you are baffled in one direction you turn ia another.” is plain to me that you are an evil - Miss Nettleton sat in silence; she would not degrade herself by continuing such a conversa- ‘tion. She would have received Mrs. Hague -with every possible kindness had the widow been TeANSOLILL ' ‘ sonable, and have given her sincere pity but to sit in her own house and be wrongfully ac- cused was too much to bear. ; Zenobia suddenly arose, ee _ * J will not remain here any longer.” _ Miss Nettleton bowed; the decision pleased "But ou haven't seen the last of me,” the widow ed. ‘My husband’s blood cries for vengeance, and I shall see the guilty brought to | BY And then she flounced out of the house in a _ She had come from Spurburg in a carriage _and re-entering this, was driven away towar th e south. Not until she was well clear of (oas tin % wee ' ee =A —— P # = te . " . ¢ ( : m" P ; m py LC MO LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LALA LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL ALLL LL DLDLLLLLLA DLL LLL LLL CLD DDL LLL LLBLLLLLLLL_ LLL LLL LLL LL LLL LLL LOO LL LL LLL LLL LL LL LL LL CL Ns et - a eee rections, Then he was told to take her to Don Esteban Villegas’s. When she arrived the Mexican was seated in his private room, trying to smoke himself into a happy mood by means of a cigar. It was a difficult task. His back was smarting where he had been lashed by Frazer Hot Heart’s strong arm, and his pride smarted even worse. He was not disposed to overlook the offense. He had refused to fight a duel at first, but not be. cause he was afraid of the Fire-Eater. He was something of a fire-eater himself, but was trying to ingratiate himself into the good graces of people who, he knew, would not ap- rove of suchacourse. But this in-ult must eavenged. If another little scheme he had in his mind did not work, he would certainly chal- lenge Hot Heart. A lady visitor was announced and he went to see her. She was a stranger, but when she gave her name a look of annoyance appeared on his face. ‘**T have come as you requested,” said Zenobia, for it was she. “Well, I must say you’ve been a long while about it,” he curtly replied. ‘*T came as soon as I received your letter.” ‘* But too late to prevent the marriage.” ‘Something else prevented it.” “cc Yes,” Don Esteban shivered. ‘‘Palmer Hague is dead,” continued the widow, ‘‘but his foul murder remains un- avenged, Iam come at last, and I will devote my whole life, if necessary, to punishing the culty ‘** Of course you are right in that, and I shall be glad to help you, if necessary, but the proper officers will doubtless hunt the criminal down. They are far shrewder than we are, Mrs. Hague.” ‘**T am not so sure of that.” **T assure you they are to be trusted.” ‘** Have they a clew?” ** Ah! they would not confide it until the ar- rest was made,” ‘*One arrest has been made.” ac True.” Don Esteban scowled as he admitted it. ‘* And one mistake made.” ‘* That don’t follow.” ‘* What do you mean?” “ Frazer Hot Heart may yet get a rope in the ‘*T have heard the case, and I think him in- nocent. Ihave a theory worth a dozen of that. As I came along I called on Miss Barbara Net- tleton—” ** You did?” ac Yes.” **'‘Why the fiend did you do that?” Don Esteban was angry, Lut Zenobia answer- ed with perfect confidence in herself and her system. ‘* Because I wanted tosee her, I charged her with having set one of her servants, or some- body else, on to slay my husband; and never did I see guilt more plainly expressed than in ber face. That is the proper clew. That woman was at the bottom of the scheme, and we have only to find her confederate and make him con- fess, and all will be as clear as day.” Don Esteban reflected before answering. He did not like the situation. When he wrote the news to Zenobia and sug- gerien that she come to Clifftown, it had been cause he wished to prevent Miss Nettleton’s marriage to Hague. e was not sure but there had been a divorce in the former case, but felt sure that with Zenobia as an ally he could break off the marriage. Now, the woman’s usefulness was past, and he wished she had remained ie Renewing the conversation he tried to induce her to return to San Francisco, but without avail. She was firmin her purpose. Next, he considered how he could turn her mania to his advantage. She would have it that Barbara Nettleton was guilty. He wished tomarry Barbara, It was absurd to snppom her guilty, but Zenobia cou d inflict a good deal of mortification and trouble if she persisted. This was not what Don Esteban desired. He believed he had the means of compelling Bar- bara to accept him as a lover, and Zenobia would be in the way. However, she was not to be gotten oyt of the way at will, and he managed to effect a com- promise by which she agreed to go to Clifftown and keep silent until she heard from him again. Pear! f he thought, he might be able to make her useful, He saw her start for the village, and then left the house, himself. Going half a mile he entered a little grove of trees where he found twomen. One wasanevil- faced Mexican; the other was Garth Griffith, the Bush- Wolf. He had not reached the place unseen by the half-breed, but the way in which he was greeted proved that he was expected, **T am late,” he said, abruptly, ‘‘and ina hurry. at that. Let us come to businessat once. I see, Garth, that fa have found a man to help you, and I am satisfied with him, Lopez isn’t a Castle did she give the driver further di- man of tender conscience.” »\ Hot Heart, the Detective Spy. rn a NS a —=- SN " Caramba! no, senor!” declared the second! Mexican. ** Well, now for the job I want done. I have akeg of gunpowderin my house, and I want ou to take it to-night, get it inside Frazer Hot eart’s old den, and blow him and the convent. building sky-high!” The Bush-Wolf whistled softly. ** Are you afraid?” ** No, senor, but it is a risky job.” ‘¢ The more risk, the more pay.” ‘Senor, we are always anxious to oblige,” said: Lopez. ‘‘ For money,” added Garth. Villegas held a handful of big gold-pieces to- ward them. ‘* How will that do?” he asked. ‘‘ Senor,” said Lopez, quickly, ‘they will de more than the gunpowder toward blowing up the old convent.” ‘“By my patron saint, you’re right!” declared the balf-breed. ‘‘ Consider the Largain made. To-night we will blow Mr. Frazer Hot Heart up to the moon!” CHAPTER XV. THE FIRE-EATER TRIES ‘‘ MORAL SUASION.” FRAZER Hot-HEART, or, as he had given his: name to Miss Nettleton, Mr. Frazer,” was in his own room and, seated in his easy-chair, was serenely smoking. He was one of the few men who seem to thor- oughly enjoy such position and employment. Every limb, and each puff at his pipe, told of complete satisfaction with himself and the world. If he had trouble, he put them aside when he sat down in that capacious cbair. Ten o’clock was fast approaching, and he only waited to finish his pipe before retiring. At last he rose, knocked the ashes carefully from the pipe laid it away, undressed, blew out his light and went to bed. ‘‘Convent Rest” was dark and silent, and as: its master was not troubled with weak nerves, he would edie soon be fast asleer. Two men saw the light go out with deep satis— faction. They were crouched in a thicket at: the rear of the ruins, and near them lay a sus- picious looking keg. The men were Garth Griffith and Lopez, the Mexican, and they were on hand with the gunpowder which had been selected to send Convent Rest and its master sailing up among the stars. Some men would have had compunctions of conscience at the idea of such a deed, but not they. Human life was to them like that of the brutes and birds around Clifftown—not a, whit more sacred. ‘* Caramba ! the fool has turned in at last,” sat Lopez, who had not the Indian-like patience of his companion. ‘So he has a little aes: on us, and will not keep us waiting here all night. ’ ‘You must remember he did not know he was putting us to inconvenience,” replied the Bush-Wolf, who, like the honest man he was, believed in giving every one his due. ‘Well, we won’t mention it to him to-night,”” ‘* Lopez, [like a good horse.” ‘* Caramba! who does not?” ‘‘ The Fire-Eater has such. a horse.” ce Ah!” ‘‘ When the main building blows up, the horse will mele be killed also.” ‘* Tf he is in his stable.” ‘* Yes, and it seemsa pity. Now, if we were first to take out the korse, he could besaved. It seems a pity to have him killed, he is sucha noble creature.” The natural tenderness of tbe Bush-Wolf’s. honest beart was making itself felt, and Lopez confessed that he had a weakness in the same direction. Jack Jet was a strong, fleet horse,’ and might be made useful to man for years to. come, sides, if once possessed by these two. honest men, he could be sold for a goodly sum. So they both thought, and it was decided that: Jack Jet ought to be t eirs. But how were they to get him? His stable was of stone, and the door was locked. Once before the balf-breed had tried to enter, and though Philip Warburton had inter- rupted him prematurely, he knew that it would be no easy task to pick the lock. However, the honest man had brought along his bent wire, and he felt in a mood for trying his luck again. It was decided tbat he should try, and they a toward the stable. irst of all a circuit of the main building was made, and they decided that no window was open and, consequently, there was no danger that they would be overheard, So Garth at- tacked the lock. Patiently and cunningly he moved and twist- ed the wire, trying to catch the bolt, but it was obstinate and seemed to delight in worrying the honest man. Twist and punch as as he might, the bolt would not stir. It was not until the struggle had heen long continued that they gave it up, and then only at the earnest desire of Lopez. Much as he de- sired the horse he remembered that Don Este- ban had a frior claim on their time, and ~~here so many vagabonds like themselves, and Eomichoo ‘Ss. _ ~~ ~ : ; (E(@) | pra: - - « ie ~~