Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

~ Nettleton to return. - geveral moments, tually doubted each other’s veracity in the case, 26 should be Big Heart,” Red Jaguar gravely ob- served. ‘*Thank you, chief. By the way, when you came in did you see Paul Nettleton or any one else a Coast Castle?” sé O ” ‘* They are looking for you.” ** Red Jaguar knows it.” . ** And, very likely, will foil their every at- tempt to find him. His shrewdness overmatches them all.” ‘*Red Jaguar has stolen Lothing from them.” ‘They think you bave.”’ ‘* Hot Heart could tell them different.” ‘*T, chief? For once you are mistaken.” ‘** Look, brother,” said the Indian, waving one of his broad hands slightly, ‘‘ it is well that we should speak plain. We know each other. Red Jaguar is Hot Heart’s friend, and he hopes Hot Heart will prove to be bis. The Indian is not blind; let him tell what he has seen while others have been like owls in a bright sun. ‘Several months ago, as the white man would say, Hot Heart was in Mexico. One day | seem as though he would promptly have fled while wandering among the hills he found an- ; from California. other man lying at the base of a cliff, crushed and dying. He hai fallen from the top. Much to Hot Fieart’s surprise he recognized him as a man he had met two years before and liked well. His name was Beunett. “The man died in my brother’s arms, but be- fore his last breath was drawn he had told a story that fired my brother’s heart. Bennett and Paul Nettleton had been together in the hills for many days. Bennett had not accidentally fallen from the cliff, but his false friend had pushed him over, and he gave the reason why it had been done. “Hot Heart buried him there and swore re- venge. To accomplish his object he came to California and settled here, waiting for Paul Perhaps it was his object to shoot the assassin; I cannot say as to that; but before Paul came a change had come over Hot Heart’s spirit. He had seen Paul’s faix sis- ter, and after tbat he hesitated to harm the brother. ** He saw a way, however, to be revenged on ~ Paul without doing him bodily barm, and this he set about doing. ** There is something missing from Coast Cas- tle; something which bas been the cause of much crime. Because of that Paul Nettleton pushed Bennett over the cliff, and there are other misfor- tunes following in the train. Paul’s heart was set on his prize, and Hot Heart knew it. How could he be better revenged on him than by tak- ing away what is now missing from Nettle- ton’s?” Frazer hed listened calmly but attentively to this long speech, and though he smoked s renely on, he lost no passing change in the speaker’s voice or face. ‘Tn plain words,” be said, ‘‘ you think I have taken it?” *T have spoken.” ‘* But shot wide of the mark. I have it not— I never saw it—and I had no part, direct or in- direct, in the taking of it.” ‘is my brother speaking with a straight ton ue?” } am, ** Then who has taken it?” r. it you can’t explain it, I don’t know who an, ‘* Hot Heart believes that Red Jaguar took it?” ‘*Tn two words—I do.” “My brother is wrong. If Red Jaguar had secured it, he would now be far away.” ‘* That’s a strong argument, and one that had occurred to me before: but you will admit that you came to this vicinity to secure it.” ‘* Some one struck ahead of Red Jaguar.” ** Who else could want it?” phe Indian thought the Hermit had taken ‘*“And made a mistake. No, I did not take it. Now, who is there besides us two who would take it?” ‘*T know not.” The men looked at each other in silence for It was plain that they mu- but zer at least had spoken the exact truth, He finally added, slowly: “THs gone, anyhow.” ‘“‘Has some one else learned how valuable it 9” ar I don’t see who could have learned the fact, I have it on good authority that Paul has been very secretive, He sent for Professor Hazlitt, who isa very learned man, and they shut them- selves up with it and admitted no one. a thing existed nntil if was gone. Noone bad reason to suspect what their secret was, and if any one had seen it by chance, [ believe it would not have aroused his cupidity. It is a most per- plexing mystery.” ** Red about it,” said the chief, deep disappointment in his voice. ‘*T wish I did.” ‘‘Ts the white detective, Neat, a wise man?” “He looks to be deep and crafty.” — SE r , Hot Heart, the Detective Spy. | SS COC —tit— > They | Eater quelled his hostile inclinations and con- never tol even Commodure Nettleton that such | tinued to smoke as serenely as before. aguar had hoped his brother knew § I have bern looking for him, and I believe I have ———————————— o ‘* He may find it.” | “If he does, Pll wager something that you don’t allow him to keep it long.” ‘*We shall see, Hot Heart, I hear there is much talk about a white girl who has disap- peared.” ‘*Rosa? Yes; she has gone as mysteriously as it went.” **The white detective thinks she may have known of it.” ‘* It is possible; but ’tis believed she has drown- ed herself in Nigger Arm.” ‘* Why should she?’ ‘““Now you have me. I can’t explain any part of if. "Tis a strange business, all] around.” Red Jaguar again sat in silence, and his usual- ly stoical face expressed deepregret. Hot Heart watched him closely. Was he really sincere in what he had said? Until that evening Fire-Eat- er } ad not had a doubt as to who had been the robber, but everything went to prove that the chief was sincere. If he had secured the missing article, it did He finally arose abruptly. **T will go now, brother ” ke said. “Well, chief, I hope you will not make your- self a stranger to me after thir. Ycu Lave my best wishes, and between you and Paul, my choice will always ke that ycu win the prize.” “Tf my brother gets news, will he tell Red Jaguar?” “1 certainly will. you?” ** Red Jaguar can read the written characters of the pale-faces, Leave a letter by the dead tree in Shaker’s Timber, in the hollow of the big hmb —you can easily find it—and it will reach me.” “It shall be done. You can rely on me, chief.” The Indian turned partly away, came back and gave Frazer bis hand, and then went down the stairs and out into the night. He left the Fire-Kater greatly bewildered. ‘*The mystery deepens,” Frazer muttered. ‘“*T believe the chief spoke the truth, and the treasure is more lost thanever. But who has it? There isthe rub, I can’t account for it at all, but Detective Neat is hot on the trail and may learn something. There is likely to be a lively time before this matter is settled.” CHAPTER XXXII. ROSA’S LOVER. Tur following morning Frazer arose and pre- pared his breakfast as usual. He had eaten it, and was sitting by the window, indulging in his favorite amusement of smoking, when three men walked up to his door. They were Mr. Neat, Paul Nettleton and Garth Griffith. Frazer scented trouble at once. Two of the men, at least, were his enemies, and the detec- tive was not the man to make a visit that had no motive. As for Garth, he brought up the rear and skulked along exactly as his cousin, the four- footed wolf, might have done. Despite his presentiment of trouble, Frazer kept his chair and smoked on calmly while they entered the building and came up-stairs. Neat led the way, lcoking sour and melancholy ae the Fire-Eater nodded coolly as he appear- How can I get word to ‘*Good-morning, Mr. Neat. Glad to see you at Convent Rest. Good-morning, Nettleton. And here is my old friend, Griffith, bold as an eagle and handsome as a scarecrow. Do you bring a powder-keg with you, Mr. Bush-Wolf?” His manner was outwardly very genial, but Garth sheltered himself behind Neat and made no reply. ‘* We have come on business, Mr, Hot Heart,” said the detective, in bis most melancholy man- ner. ‘‘Have you? That’s good. What’s the point?” ‘* We wish to know where Rosa is,” ‘* Do you mean the missing domestic?” “That is exactly what I do mean.” ‘You should speak more plainly then. To answer you, I will say I am not a detective; nor have [ hung out a sbingle as manager of a bureau of information; so Il am unable to tell you. ‘* We believe you know.” ‘*The dickens you do!” “Yee; air.” Frazer glanced at Paul Nettleton. He felt sure that all this was attributable to Paul, and in all probability there was a deep plot working against him. He felt a strong desi e to spring forward and throttle him, but Barbara’s face seemed to rise between them, end the Fire- ‘“ Why do you think so?’ he asked. ‘* Ever since Rosa disappesred,” replied Neat, ‘it has been in my mind that the unfortunate girl had a lover, and that she would never have found it necessary to flee but for this lover. So found him, You are the lover!” Hot Heart laughed lightly. ‘* Bless your dear soul, Neat, you were never further from the truth, I don’t remember ever speaking with her.” a ae ‘* We will prove the contrary.” ** You will know in good time.” ‘“‘There are witnesses,” added Hot Heart, looking at Paul and Gaith, ‘‘ by whom anything might be proven. I respectfully invite any and all men to tell the truth, but if any one lies about me, I will give him one hundred lashes on the bare back and then flay him alive!” Tuis sanguinary threat was made ina terrible voice, and the Bush-Wolf’s knees knocked to- gether and almost failed to support bis body. He wished then that be had never seen Paul, nor bargained to do harm to the Fire-Eater, Lut it was too late to retreat. He must abide by the bargain. Paul, however, smiled scornfully. ‘*T am an officer,” said Neat, ‘‘and will see that justice is done yon; mo more, no less, Will you accompany us to Clifftown?” ‘* As a prisoner?” ‘* No: to meet the witnesses.” Frazer bad no great amount of faith in the explanation, but he cheerfully consented. He saddled Jack Jet, and as Tim Welch bad brought over other horses from Coast Castle, the entire yarty rode to Clifftown together, On the way eat and Frazer talked steadily about minor mutters, and no one woula bave supposed there was bad blood in the party. Amos Huglife was the magistrate of the town, and they went at once to his office. He had evidently expected them, and had two other citizens with bim. Being a jovial man, he shook hands with all the new-comers except the Bush-Wolf, giving Hot Heart as warm a wel- come as any other of the party. Little time was lost before proceeding to busi- ness, ‘*Is your witness in the next room, Mr. Hug- life?” asked the detective. ‘* She is, Mr. Neat” ** Before ycu summon her, I wish to say that it is our direct purpose to show what | as bec ome of Rosa Strong, the servant missing from Coast Castle. This done, other points may fail into line. You may call the witness, sir.” Huglife opened the door, spoke a few words, and the mysterious witness appeared. It was the widow of Palmer Hague. Zenobia had not improved in appearance since her visit to Coast Castle. She looked older, more emaciated and broad, dark lines encircled her eyes. Hot Heart, looking at ber, suspected that her hold on life was weak, and would scon be lost for- ever, She was given a seat, and her attention direct- ed to the Fire-Eater by Mr. Neat. ‘* Do you know this gentleman?” ‘*T have seen him,” replied Zenohai, curtly. ‘*But have no personal acquaintance with him?” ‘* None whatever.” | ‘* Have you ever heard his name prominently mentioned?” sé Yes.” ‘By whom?” ‘* Rosa erje Hot Heart settled back more comfortably in -his chair. He no longer hada doubt as to the situation. His enemies had conspired to crush him, and Zerobia was one of their tools. He had at one time been under arrest as the sus- ected slayer of Palmer, Hague, and as it was impossible to connect him with that affair, the revengeful woman had evidently determined to- reach him otherwise. ‘Will you clearly state what you know about Rosa, and what she told you?” continued the detective. , Zenobia sighed before she answered. She seemed strangely quiet for her, but it was only amask. Every nerve was throbbing ainfully. ‘‘T am, es you know,” said she, *‘ the widow of Palmer Hague. It was that which bronght me to Clifftown, but as it does not concern this case, I trust that I need not refer to it here.” sé tion to the case of Rosa.” ‘* After I came to Clifftown my mind was all the time upon the tragedy which had deprived me of a husband. One evening I took the no- tion to walk over to the place where he was shot. This was the evening of the 18th, which you may remember as a half-cloudy, but beau- tiful, night. “T had looked the scene of the tragedy over, and was sitting on the ground beside the bushes and began to sob like one in great distress. It was a woman, and I knew from her movements tbat she was young. ‘*My heart went out to her at once. | knew not who she was, nor what her trouble was; but the darkness of my own life drew me to this weeping woman by the strong bond of sisterly sympathy. ‘*T arose, went to her with light sters and laid my hand on her shoulder. She started up in alarm, and seemed about to flee, but I spoke to her kindly, and then she dropped back on the ground and began to weep afresh. “T had seen her face, young, fair and inno- cent, and my heart went out to her. I bent. and placed my band on her shoulder again. “You are in trouble,’ I said. ‘What is wrong?’ Eomichboo (e ‘Ss I Certainly not, madam; confine your atten-* CO | ; e : he ake.) ‘