Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 13: what you’re looking at

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

- o> oe by Aue 7 + ‘ . _ Hot Heart, the Detective Spy. ‘more decent people, were often abroad at night, they were liable to be discovered at any time. They reluctantly abandoned the attempt and prepared to blow Frazer to destruction. ere they believed they would have great “trouble. The original windows of the building had been high and narrow, but they were in them- selves things of the past. Only srx openings in the walls remained, hrough which bad gone the wind and rain unchecked for scores of years. ‘Consequently, they had only to climb through the openings, place the keg of powder and lay a slow match, They went about the work cheerfully. Several stones piled outside brought them to the level of the window, and then the half-breed crawled through and stood inside. Lopez then raised the keg of and it was deposited on the floor. The Mexican followed and, producing a dark- lantern, they surveyed the place. It was as we have once before seen it. he dust, the litter, the old altar and the winding, stairs were there, and at the top of the latter was the closed trap- oor which made Hot Heart's solitude complete. The intruders did not venture near the stairs, but proceeded to complete their work. The bead of the keg, already loosened, was removed, and the keg so arranged that it would do the most damage when the explosion came. Then a piece of ordinary lamp-wicking, which Don Esteban had soaked in some chemical reparation, was laid as a slow-match, one end being thrust into the powder. He had said that it would burn twenty minutes, which would give them ample time to get well airs § ‘* Is everything ready?’ asked the Bush-Wolf. sé Yea” **Then Pll light it.” The scoundrel scratched a match, and lighted ‘the end of the slow match, * ‘* Now, let us get out,” he said. ‘* Wait a moment |” The words came in a new voice, and they wheeled in sudden consternation. There stood Frazer Hot Heart, a revolver in veach hand, and the muzzles bearing full upon Garth and Lopez. ‘Stand where you are!” he added, in a voice which made them tremble. ‘‘ Not a move, or ‘you are dead men, I’ve seen other scoundrels ‘than you, and know how to deal with them. If you raise a hand against me, or try to escape, I shall be obliged to shoot you down right where ‘you are!” ‘‘Oh, mercy, dear senor!” implored the honest Far be it from us toharm you. Weare only— enly—" Weniee laughed aloud. ‘‘The excuse comes hard, don’t it?’ he cried. “* Well, I should think it would. Don’t try to find one, for it is out of the question. Griffith, Ahave you a match?” ‘* Yes, senor.” * Light it!” The -breed obeyed. ** You will find a er lamp behind the altar, ~where L was concealed until a moment ago. Light that; we want to be illuminated. But, mind you, no attempt at escape, or I will put a Dullet cleam through you.” The Bush-Wolf obeyed, and a strong light was obtained. ‘‘ Senor,” said as anxiously, ‘‘hadn’t I ‘better extinguish the slow-match? See! it is creeping toward the tet dreadfully fast!” ‘‘Let her crawl! lam not so in lov» with the world that I object, and of course you don’t, for in that case you would not have set the fire a-going. In plain words, gents, we'll let her ‘urn, and all go to smash together!” “ Madrede Dios!” Garth uttered the cry in a terrified voice, and ‘his hands went up with the old gesture, while Lopez turned white. j “What's the row?” the Fire-Eater coolly vasked. ‘‘Oh, senor! dearsenor! you wouldn’t do that? I ain't fit to die!” ‘You certainly are not fit to live.” ** But you will die, too.” “Yes, certainly.” Cool and unmoved was the Fire-Eater’s voice, “but Garth glanced at the balf-consumed line of wicking and began to wring his bands and ke a whipped dog. “Oh, senor, have mercy upon me! I ama ‘most miserable man, and—” ‘* Mr. Griffith, sit down on the powder-keg!” “Oh, no—nol Do not—” **Obey me!” Hot Heart thundered the words, and the ‘Bush-Wolf started to obey, but became sus- nded_ in the air, as it were, something like a letter Z. There he stopped. * Sit down [” The deaf might almost have heard that shout, -amd the Bush-Wolf dropped, as much from fear -as any other cause, ‘‘Don't touch the slow-match, or Ill shoot mous pees off. Now, you Mexican, it’s your Lopez began to plead piteously, but the iron- } : “ ‘Pray turn that revolver away. . OO — —— ————— ——————————— —————————— ——ee —— Que NSS aE entinies 13° handed Fire-Eater compelled him to sit with his | room until nearly morning, and they wished te — back to the unopened end of the keg. He row had them both in good “tees and a grim smile crossed his face. They were utterly de- moralized, and he would not have been sur- »rised to see them begin to whimper like school- oys. ‘About five minutes more and up we go!” he observed. ‘“‘Have you made your wills, gents?” They answered only with groans and lamen- tations. ** You make a good deal of row over a small affair,” he continued. ‘* Bless you, it will be a quick send-off when the powder ‘ ketches,’ and tuere will be no need of incineration,” More lugubrious groans, Frazer, however, dared not prolong the scene. wder, Garth received it, | He bad no idea of being blown up, and the pow- der might catch at any time. e stepped for- ward, put his foot on the little tongue of fire, and one danger was over. There would be no explosion. he Fire-Eater turned to the two ruffians: They obeyed and began to utter voluble thanks, but he stopped them sternly. Taking up a coil of a rope, be ordered Lopez to bind the Bush-Wolf to the altar, with his face toward the stone. This order puzzled both men, but the revolver still bore relentlessly upon them, and the Mexi- can, at least, saw the need of obedience. He obeyed, despite Garth’s angry glances. ‘“Now, gents,” resumed Hot Heart, “I am going to try the efficacy of moral suasion. You ve no idea how much good there is in it until you have seen—and felt—it tried. Senor Lopez, will find a whip behind the altar. Take it and apply the rod of correction to our dear friend’s back gov 9 , The Bush-Wolf set up a how] as lugubrious as that of his cousin, the four-legged wolf. If this was ** moral suasion,” he wanted none of it. But his wishes went for nothing, and with the revolver staring him in the face, ‘Lopez had no choice but to obey. He swung the whipaloft, and then it fell upon the half-breed’s back. = would have made the punishment light, but r preferred to be the = re of that, and he was not allowed to be merciful. Garth was thoroughly whipped before bein released. . . By that time his anger was at fever-heat against his companion in crime, and when he was ordered to tie Lopez in the same manner, he obeyed with more zeal than seemed necessary. The tables were turned, and he regarded it as a sacred duty to see that the Mexican got hisshare of *‘ moral suasion ”—and the whip. And he certainly did. When Hot Heart motioned for the punishment to cease, there were two smarting backs and angry hearts in the place, and each ruffian blamed his friend for laying on so hard. ‘“*Our little circus will soon end,” then said the smiling Fire-Eater, ‘‘and we can all go to bed and sleep the better for the exercise, First, however, one question: Why did you come here to blow me up?” The men hesitated, and looked at each other. ‘* Spit it right out, gents.” tae’ ain’t safe, senor,” finally replied the Bush- olf. “Tis far safer than to refuse, believe me. Did ee hire you to do the job?” ** Yes, Still no answer. ‘Gents, [ reckon you want about twenty more lashes each, solidly applied.” ‘* No, no!” cried Lopez, in terror. Don Esteban.” ‘**Just so; [ thought it. Honest Garth, re- lease your friend.” The order was obeyed. ‘* Now, you will soon be at liberty to skip, but before you go [ have a little advice to give. First, when you come here next time, don’t be- gin by fumbling around my stable door. You will give yourselves d away. Secondly, when you come again, bring coffins instead of powder-kegs. You'll need them, for, by all the saints in the calendar, I'll shoot to kill if you come nosing around my palace again. That’s all. Git!” They were only too glad to go; they dared not pause to utter thanks for the privilege, for fear the permission would be withdrawn; and in a few moments they were hastening away at ood speed. They went, but in each heart urned a spirit of revenge, and words were feeble to express their batred of cool Hot Heart. “Tt was CHAPTER XVI. A CASE OF JEAIOUSY. WuHeEn breakfast was ready at Coast Castle the next morning neither Paul nor the professor appeared to meet the family there. A note from Paul bad been left on the table, which said they were not to be called. Every one understood the meaning of this. The two men had remained locked in the east ‘their offense was not serious, they often make up for lost sleep. Commodore Nick was more annnoyed by their _ conduct than he confessed. He did not want — open trouble with his son so soon after his re- © turn from long wanderings, buttheimpulse was_ | strong in bis mind to kick Professor Hazlitt — from the house, and see if he could restore | what he called the ‘‘normal temperauure of the : » family. a He did not like mysteries, and the idea of the — two men shutting themselves up in his own ~ house and transacting business behind locked ‘| doors which they were afraid. or ashamed, te explain, was too much for him. Fs ‘Let ’em lay ahead!” he now said, belliger- | ently; ‘“‘ they can stay there all day if they — choose. Let ’em lay, but, mind ye, Mrs. Drake, dun’t keep the table waiting one minute. Folks — in good health who can’t get up to eat aneight o’clock breakfast in my house, may forage for grub when they do get up, d’ye hear? aybe the Pernicians and Cartilagians will help’em | find a cold bite. But keep nothing waiting, | Mrs. Drake, d’ye hear? If they prefer Rus'y- — tottle and Senna, and them other philosophers, ~ to an inch-cut of beef-steak, why, shiver my | timbers! if they mayn’t fill up on philoso. | phers!”’ fe No one ventured to oppose Commodore Nick — oe 7 . when he was in such a mood, and Bar ab least, felt that he had cause to be offended. She could not help contrasting the few days which had ela since Paul’s return with the — years which had preceded it. Rares! As a sea-commander her father had been noted as a kindhearted man, yet one who could ~ storm as loudly as the best of them whena © subordinate failed to do his duty. Such of- — . fenders had been severely taken to task, but,i#f away with the taste of grog in their mouth, taken at the commodore’s invitation to “wash away all hard feeling,” as he said. ey Since coming to Coast Castle he bad seemet likely to degenerate from a lion into a lamb, ~ and had been a bappy man, but all had chang:: — since Paul came hume. He was not direct’ — responsible for all that had occurred, but i: _ t deal lay at his door, and Barbara blamcd im for it. «a Their father, she thought, ought not te ba ian cause to complain of ingratitude from them... —__ After hreaiiaes the commodore rode to Cliff— town. Hoe went on business. Strong as was his faith in the ability of Bill Peters to care for himself, the old sailor’s prolonged absenee had become serious. ae . Commodore Nick had decided to have Nigger Arm dragged, and he went to make arrange- a“, ments. ey An hour later Don Esteban Villegas called — and announced that he wished to see Barbara — alone on impcertant business, Leona Erwi et glanced at her foster-sister’s face when the message was delivered by Rosa, and though Barbara said nothing, it was clear that she wished Don Esteban had kept away. She went — to the parlor to see him, however. . as eae She and Leona were the best of friends, but, somehow, they did not confide in each other as _ much as seemed natural Each had a secre6 — which she hesitated to tell. have Leona cordially disliked Don Esteban, and all the more so since Palmer H ‘s death. She had long before discovered the that the Mexican loved Barbara in his way, and she ex- __ ted him to become an open suitor now that iss Nettleton was free, 2 Consequently this call gave her fresh uneasi- ness, : The interview lasted over an hour, much to her annoyance, but Don Esteban finally went his Mie 5 Barbara, however, was not risibl ; until the family met at noon at the table. She had gone to her room and locked herself in. _ Leona’s curiosity and apprehensions were aroused, and when she did see Barbara, sh studied her face secretly, yet with feminin keenness. She was troubled by what she saw there Her foster-sister wes as calm as ever ow wardly, but the shadow of trouble was on her face. Curiously enough, she bad noticed the same expression when Barbara became engaged to Palmer Hague. A She believed Barbara had never cared for the man to whom she was so nearly merried. Could it be she had thoughts of contractirg an- other engagement with which her heart could not 0? > he ‘*T know she hates Don Esteban,” she thought, — ‘‘and if she allows him around it will be be- cauve se dares not— But there is a mystery about Barbara which I cannot understand.” Leona was so affected by all this that she took her hat and went out after dinner. She — saw two men in the garden. One was Joseph — vison, the fat gardener; the other, Philip War- She happened to stroll toward where PI lip stood, and it came to pass that when Paul Net- — ene out of the mi alf an hour later, e saw the two young people standing together. Worse than this, Leona wae arranging a little cluster of flowers on the young overseer’s coat, — comicbooks:com ie Ag ~) . “— 2. “Soh. & a he