Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

plied: ye i Pash. Hot Heart, the Detective Spy. 29 - In the morning further search was made for the intruders’ trail, but without success. Noth- ing whatever could be found of it by the inex- perienced persons who tried, Paul, however suggested that they go for Garth Griffith, an make use of his keen eyes. Probably he could find and follow it, if it Ago led away from the house. So Paul and Mr. Neat sta off to find the Bush- Wolf. Shortly after their departure Joseph Jigson was weeirine in the garden, his rake and water- ing-pot playing their usual ger fe part, and feeling in a very crabbed mood, when the sound of footsteps caused him to look up. | He saw Frazer Hot Heart, swinging a whip in his hand. Now, Joseph did not like the master of Con- vent Rest. e knew nothing positively bad of him, but regarded him as a rascal on general rinciples; and he dropped his head and would have gone on with his work without a word had Hot Heart spoke. Good-morning, Mr. Jigson.” ‘* Mornin’!” growled Joseph. ‘* Are you well to-day?” ** Well enough!” ‘Pray raise your head and let me look at you. I want proof. Let me see if your face is as round and rosy as usual,” Joseph straightened himself with a jerk, grounded his rake beside him, and with the watering-pot in his Jeft band, belligerently con- fronted his smiling visitor. ‘*T’'d thank you to go your way hand leave me halone!” he declared. ‘* I don’t want hany loaf- ers ’angin’ haround ’ere. I ’ope you will take the ’int hand get hout!” This was said with a manner more offensive than the words, but, shaking a warning finger at him the younger answered as coolly as ever: ‘You are too cranky for your own ; Joseph. Have you forgotten who I am, and that I take my daily exercise by thrashing men who insult me?” The gardener had forgotten whom he ad- dressed, and as his temerity occurred to him, his face fell, and he looked very much alarmed. ‘ve thrashed three men already to-day,” the Fire-Eater added, ‘‘and I’m just going to drop on you.” ‘“9Old on! ’old on!” cried Mr. Jigson. ‘I will hapologize. Ispoke habsent-minded. I didn’t mean to hoffend. For ’Eaving’s sake, don’t hin- jure me!” ; The Hermit laughed lightly. ‘All right, Joseph; I felt sure that such old friends need not d ee. A gentle word turneth away wrath. That’s why I spoke so mildly. By the way, Joe, I came to see you on business. Have something of importance to say. Of course you will speak out like a little man.” ‘What is it habout!” Jigson uneasily asked. ‘Tt is too important to mention here, where a spy might overhear us. If he did if would make matters mighty complicated for you. Step one side where we will be more private.” Joseph looked very much troubled, but dared not refuse. He followed the Fire-Eater, and for half an hour they talked steadily. An ob- server would have said they had momentous business, but, as luck would have it, no one saw them. When the Hermit left the garden his face looked lighter than before, and he went home with long ans steps. Somewhat to his surprise he found Red Jaguar waiting for him. The boldness and skill with which the chief came and went in broad day, when he was all the time being searched for, was remarkable. He seemed to avoid Paul and his allies by intuition. Siena greeted him kindly, and the Indian gave his band as on a former occasion. re “Hot Heart,” he then said, abruptly, *‘ you are bold and generous, and not one to forget that red-men have rights, as well as white men,” ‘* You are right, chief, and there are cases where their actual rights overweigh the sup- posed ones of pate-faces. I think you under- stand.” “ Yes, and Red Jaguar’s heart is warm to- ward his brother. 1s Hot Heart going South?” ‘Ha! have you penetrated the secret?” ** All is plain. do on, Hot Heart, and victory will be yours. And it is so with the Indian.” The chief drew his noble figure up, and his strong face was full of a light which conveyed a heal to Frazer. ‘‘ Chief, are you on the track?” ‘‘ Ask no questions, brother, but wait for the end. Let Nettleton huntif he will; the Indian will soon be beyond his reach. After to-day, Hot Heart, we shall probably never meet again, You know what brought Red Jaguar to Califor- nia, and I leave it to you to say whether his cause not sé is just.” ! ‘It is just, and I wish you all success,” the Fire-Eater warml fe pets ‘‘ Brother, I wish all white men were like you, but the buzzard never flies like the eagle. Brother, does the rose of Coast Castle look on you with interest? Will it be well with you in the future?” Frazer hesitated for a moment, and then re- ii a it CL LLL LLL LD LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL LLL AL ALLL — ‘Tt is bard to or hope for the best. is is in confidence; I would say it to no one else near Clifftown.” ‘*Hot Heart shall never regret it. The In- dian’s heart is warm toward him; he wishes him well. Come with me, brother. Red J will soon be gone from California and there is one thing he must ask other hands to do,” ‘** You can depend on me, chief.” ‘*Then follow me.” And they passed from Convent Rest together. CHAPTER XXXVI. VILLEGAS BRINGS AFFAIRS TO A CRISIS. DILIGENT labor sufficed to put the greater part of Coast Castile to rights that day, but it was no easy task. Loyola devoted all her time to relay- ing the carpets, and the other women saw that minor articles were restored to their proper places. By night all the rooms which were in general use had resumed their old appearance, and the commodore, who had wandered about in a most ushappy frame of mind during theearlier part of the day, began to recover his usual spirits. One person did not grow more cheerful. Leona Erwin carried asad, half-frightened face wherever she went, and all the commodo e’s banter did not succeed in arousing her from gloom. This surprised him; he had always sup- posed her to be the bravest of her sex—always excepting Barbara—and her sudden timidity, as he supposed it to be, was something he would not have expected. If Leona was timid, it was odd that she left the familv a little after dark, put on her hatand went out into the night, She went straight toa certain part of the garden, and a man came out of the deeper shadows and met her. It was Philip Warburton, He extended his hand, but she shrunk back, and, somewhat piqued, he said: ‘*[ found the note in my room, and have come ou requested.” ‘*I wanted to see you,” said Leona, hesitating- as ‘Well, Iam here, as you see.” ‘Why do you suppose I sent for you?” ‘‘ Really, I have no idea.” **It was to warn you.” ‘*To warn me!” echoed Warburton. rd to what, or whom?” ‘Do you pretend that you do not know?” demanded Leona, vexation and sorrow ming- ling in her voice. ‘“*T certainly do not.” ‘You force me to speak plainly, but I will do it, because I want to see you flee from Coast Castle and save yourself while you can. I believe that no one else has yet penetrated our secret; if it had been done, you would fore thishave been thrown into prison.” ‘‘In the name of all that is mysterious, what do you mean?” cried Warburton, in what seemed real amazement, Sy al that you are the robber of Coast Castle Despite his former suspicions, Warburton could not avoid recoiling in dismay. He loved Leona, and it was a accusation to hear from her lips. ‘** Leona!” he cried, ‘‘ are you mad?” ‘‘T begin to think I shall be,” she almost sobbed. ‘‘Oh! Philip, Philip! Idid not think this of you!” And then she broke down entirely. Warbur- ton felt half-distracted, but it was a case where some one ought to exercise good judg- ment ard firmness. He put his arm around the sorrow-shaken figure, meeting with no re- sistance, and led the girl to a seat. She felt that she ought to cast off that criminal arm, but alas! she could never feel its support again, and she lacked the necessary firmness to deny herself oné moment in the embrace of the man she loved, even though he was a robber. ** Now, Leona,” said he, firmly, ‘tell me in pe eres what hese given you this strange idea, sé In His voice calmed her, and she answered with unexpected directness: ‘*T don’t claim that I can prove yon guilty, but this I do know: The evenin fore the morning the parchment was mi I saw you and Rosa together outside the house, and as I sg A fe open window I heard you say to her, ‘I must have it before morning!’ That was alll did hear, for I did not listen, and I thought nothing about it then, but in the morn- ing the parchment was gone. Then Rosa fled, and every one said she had been the ally of the robber, After that I remembered—” rs And is that all you have to charge against me ‘I charge nothing; I will make you no trou- ble; and I am the greatest sufferer.” ‘““Then borrow no more trouble. My words had the simplest meaning in the world. Com- modore Nettleton had promised me a map of al- terations he wished made in the plan of the grove about to be made north of the house; he was to give it to me that evening; he forgot it the female heart, but I | and I went to the house, Rosa said he was busy and could not be interrupted; I declared that I must have the map before morning. Had you waited by the window, or gone at once to- where the commodore was, you would have either heard Rosa call him out, or seen him join me. I can prove all I say by him—an authority not to be disputed. And this was my only crime.” Leona sat in silence, amazed, chagrined, yet- met ‘Your mistake was natural,” Philip kindly added. ‘In such unsettled times as you bave lately seen, any one is liable to seize upon a harmless sentence and magnify it to one where-- in lurks crime and dark plots. And now, do you think I am the robber of Coast Castle?” We neea scarcely record her reply, nor dwell upon the interview; enough to say that when she rejoined the family in the sitting-room, half an hour later, the frightened light was gone from her eyes and the look of ess from her face, Little did she t, however, that her own strange actions during the last few days had iven Barbara an equally erroneous suspicion. he latter had vaguely surmised that Leona had taken the parchment to worry Paul. But neither yet knew the identity of the real robber. The night passed peacefully at Coast Castle, and in the morning no rooms were found in dis- order; the unknown visitors of the previous night had evidently satisfied their curiosity, and no longer thought the yellow parchment con- cealed in the house. When Tim Welch brought over the morning mail from Clifftown there was one letter for Bar- bara. It bore the Sun Francisco postmark, and was long. Miss Nettleton read it with emotion she rarely showed, but when the last line had been perused there was an expression on her face which showed that it had not contained ill news. She at once sought Loyola and bade her tell Tim to saddle her horse, but as she went to her room to pre for the ride, she looked out of the window and saw Don Esteben Viliegas and Mrs. Hague co up theavenue. She smiled, and then, abandoning all thoughts of the ride, went calmly down to the sitting-room. In a few moments Mrs. Drake announced the two visitors—‘‘ to see Miss Nettleton private— ly. y Miss Nettleton smiled again, felt glad that Commodore Nick was not present, and ordered them admitted. They came in, Zenobia looking dark and vicious, while the Mexican’s face bore a tri- umphant look. He had e ted to have his en- trance disputed, and the fact that it was not. gave him the idea that Barbara had convinced the commodore that it would never do to anger a man who held such a dangerous secret over Miss Nettleton’s head. He was a little worried by the calm manner in which they were received. Miss Nettleton appeared to be without a fear or trouble. She wasted no pleasant words on them, but her women was not that of one who feels frigh- ten , Having seen them seated, she looked coolly, silently, at Don Esteban. He moved uneasily, and then said: ‘* Doubtless you are surprised to see us?” ‘** Not in the least.” Calm and even was the girl’s voice, and the Mexican again felt that vague fear, ‘‘T have brought Mrs, Hague this time.” ‘* So I see.” " She has come as the avenger of her hus- band. ‘*T have come for justice!” declared Zenobia, sharply. Airs. Hague, we have once talked of this matter before,” said Barbara, who could not but pity the woman. ‘Well, we'll talk again!” was the rude re- tort. **Do you still blame me?” ‘ a hold you responsible for Palmer Hague’s. eath. ‘* And I have told you I am innocent.” ‘* You hired a man to kill him.” ‘““ What man?” “* Jigson or Welch.” “Still the old story!” exclaimed Barbara. “iF t to see, Mrs, Hague, that you are fol- lowing the directions of a bad adviser. It will do you no good. Palmer Hague never came to- harm through my means, directly or indirectly, and you cannot connect me with the crime, Do. not compel me to withdraw ~ baa aig “‘This is fine talk,” put in egas, “but it amounts to nothing; our case is too strong to he lost. Mrs. e, however, is more merciful than you deserve to find her, and she is willing to make a compromise, She will forgive you, being of a noble nature, if you will prove that you are penitent by bestowing your hand on Palmer Hague’s best friend. In a word, marry me and you are safe; refuse, and_you shal] not only be put on trial fork . but the whole world shall know of your dark secret of the past.” eom . an ia x y ' aa me ow echooks:co o -