Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 5: what you’re looking at

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

v7 » . rm 4 t Heart, the Detective Spy. 5 ‘listen to a ridiculous charge from a vicious brag- rt?” lt We are going to have the truth,” Miss Net- tleton retorted. ‘‘ Don’t think, Palmer Hague, that I am going to marry any man who has ‘an unexplained charge hanging over his head!” It was a time of Leshan. interest to the spectators, but those who had always doubted that Barbara loved Hague believed that they now saw their suspicions confirmed. They doubted, too, if the marriage would ever take place, even though Hot Heart’s charge fell to the ground, Hague shrunk back before the girl’s imperious words and manner, and she turned to Frazer. ‘* Speak out!” she said. “‘ Tell all you know.” ‘‘ It’s only a trifle, but I thought possibly you would like to know. cng fe has another wife in Frisco; married her five years ago. Her name was Zenobia Lee, daughter of a ’Forty- niner. If anybody doubts my word, write to the present Mayor of Frisco. He knows both her and Hague, as the would-be bridegroom only too weil understands,” ‘Are you sure there has been no divorce?” asked the minister, somewhat sternly. ‘** Dead sure!” ‘* And that Zenobia Lee Hague is alive?” ‘* No doubt of it.” Barbara Nettleton turned on the white-faced, angry, but now cowering groom like a tragedy «queen. ‘*' You scoundrel!” she breathed, rather than spoke, ‘‘are you not proud of your work? So -you would have committed bigamy, and ruined my life forever! Oh! coward, coward! you are the most contemptible of men!” | Commodore Nettleton did not believe in an man being condemned unheard, and thoug utter stupefaction and his daughter’s course had up to this time kept him in the background, he was abut to press to the front and declare that Hague should have a fair chance when that per- son, himself, destroyed all hope of getiing a champion. To use a slang expression, Hague ‘‘ threw up the sponge.” He had the will to commit crime, but not the nerve to fave exposure. He was guilty, and, giving up hope, now thought only of being revenged on Hot Heart cand Miss Nettleton. ‘*You need not come the heroic,” he said; ssneeringly to the latter, ‘‘all 1 wanted was your money. You are freely released from your engagement to me, and you can go your way. He turned to Hot Heart, a glitter in his eyes. ‘*Maybe your record is as bad as mine,” he said, “and if itis, Vil knowit. Frem this mo- ment I devote my time to pln. Be you. I will learn just who you are and [ll see you lodged in prison before a twelvemontb.” bis threat was hissed forth madly, but the Fire-Eater laughed and carelessly repled: ‘* Bless you, why take all tais trouble? Let’s settle it with revolvers to-morrow morning. A nice. quiet little duel will prove exhilarating and wipe out all bad blood. Come, what do you “say?” y I won't : ‘Why not?” ‘“ Because [ prefer to pay you in your own scoin,” ‘* Excuse me, but you will fight or be branded va coward. You have applied such words as “scoundrel: and the like tc me, and I don’t allow that from any man. This is no place or time for talk like this, but you shall hear from me again.” The Fire-Eater turned and bowed to the rest of the company in his politest manner, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, [ trust I have not spoiled all the festivities of the evening. I wish you all good-evening!” Another bow, and the man was striding from the house with quick, light steps. He disappeared; the clatter of horse’s hoofs was h ; then Palmer Hague came trom the side-room into which he had gone, all prepared for the open air. Nobody objected to his departure, and with- out a glance at her who had so nearly become his bride, he strode from the house as Hot Heart had done just before him, only with a heavier, more vicious tread, ‘ And this was the end of the marriage gather- ng. CHAPTER V. SHOT IN THE BACK, Sag guests now found them elves awkwardly ‘placed. Was, or was not, this a case where they were ‘called upon to condale with the chief sufferers? Neither they nor the family seemed to have ‘any words ready for use, though Barbara Net- tieton held her proud head as high as ever, and ‘seemed not a particle castdown; but the opinion became general, without consultation, that the sooner the guests left Coast Castle behind them, the better it would be for all parties. . They went, without standing much on the order of their going, and only the regular in- mates of the house and Professor Hazlitt re- | anained, The latter had not spoken since Hot Heart’s invasion of the room. His large, calm, intelli- gent eyes had seen all, but he said nothing. He now seemed almost oblivious of the presence of the others and—himself. Commodore Nettleton was a very angry man, but bis daughter disposed of him as summarily as she bad done when the Hermit was making explanation. | urning on her friends she spoke in a strong, clear voice: ‘* Some of you are my elders in point of years, but I lay one command uponall: Never mention the events of to-night again. Whoever utters the name of Palmer Hague in my presence, makes me his, or her enemy. t silence fall over the miserable events of to-night. Come, Leona!” Followed by Miss Erwin, Barbara swept from the room as regally as though no cares or troubles ever perplexed the head of the queen. Professor Hazlitt removed a silver box from his pocket and took a p'xchof snuff, He al- ways carried the box, but did not fill it six times ayer. When he took snuff it was a sign that he had seen, heard or suspected something re- markable. His thoughts might now be interpreted as follows: ‘*There is more to this matter than appears on the surface. It might be quite interesting to know why Miss Nettloton promised to marry Hague. She did not love him, nor coukl he give her the money and social position she now enjoys. She is a riddle which [ must solve.” Commodore Nettleton caught sight of the grim face of the silent man. It was like an additional dash of cold water. He longed to pitch the professor out of doors then, but, like the whole-souled man he was, refrained. ** Let the house be closed at once,” he directed, ‘and you, Paul, come to my room.” He wheeled and stalked away, but paused at the door and looked back. Paul had notstarted. * Ain’t youcoming?” the commodore irritably asked. : , “As soon as I’ve seen the house properly closed, sir. ‘*The servants will see to that.” *“*T think I will remain and make sure, father.” ‘‘Neptune and mermaids!” cried the old mariner, ‘‘ what bee have you got in your bon- net? I remember you went a-spookin’ all over the house last night, trying all the windows like an old woman. Very likely you looked under your bed for burglars, too. And you've slept night after we in the Jungle whero the jaguar and pump, and what-not roam, with nocovering but thes Zounds! you’re a queer one to be scared!” Paul seemed very much annoyed. ‘*Remember the girls, father,” he urged. “‘Remember fiddlesticks! It ain’t for them “Aste so wrought up. Hev, boy, have you rought home a trunkful of diamonds or gold?” Paul actually looked startled, as he glanced at the two women servants—Mrs. Drake and Rosa Strong—who had heard the last question. ** Nonsense!” he said, sharply. ‘“‘I have not brought either, nor have I five dollars tomy name to-day. You talk wildly, father. Gc to your room, and I will soon join you.” The commodore rattled away in anything but good-humor. Paul remained, and before he re- tired for the night he had personally seen that every door was locked, and every window of unoccupied rooms carefully fastened. Really, this did seem unusual care for a fighter of the fiercest of American beasts to take in a civilized community. But no robber, or other lawless person, came to Coast Castle that night; the inmates of the house certainly had no cause to lose sleep, except such as existed in their own minds, Morning came, and the family, including Haz- litt, met at the breakfast table. No reference was made to the events of the previous evening Sut Commodore Nick sat in silence as profound as thatof the professor, Not so the young ladies. With that charming insincerity of seeming to be at ease when most annoyed which is common to women, they chattered niger pene a2 Breakfast over, the commodore left the house. ‘“*By Neptune! I want fresh air!” he mut- tered. He went out and was met at the piazza by a horseman—one of his field-hands—who had just galloped up. ‘** Commodore,” he said, quickly, ‘‘ there is bad news!” ‘** Humph!” “S artling news!” ** You may tell it.” ‘* A man lies over there, sir, between the road and bushes, cold and dead.” Commodore Nick’s indifference vanished in a moment. ‘*Zounds! who is he?” ‘* Palmer Hague!” The old mariner stared in blank amazement, dimly conscious that the shadow of trouble was falling over and about him. ‘* More than that,” added the messenger, ‘‘ he was brought to his end through violence—evi- dently murdered!” ——— ** Murdered!” ‘“'Yes. Mr. Warburton and I found the body, and he remained with it while 1 came to you, sir. The commodore was startled and shocked. When Hague failed to defend himself against the charge made by Hot Heart there was no way except to set him down a rascal, but this tragedy did mucb toward blotting out his misdemeanors, | and appealed to the justice, if not the pity, of all honest men, So the old sailor had his horse brought, and he - galloped over to the scene of the tragedy. Philip Warburton, the overseer, was watch- ing at the spot. At that point the Clifftown road curved slight- ly, the eastern side being fringed with trees and bushes, These were separated from the road by a space of about twelve feet. Midway in thisspace lay Palmer Hague’sbody upon the rightside. Itlookedcomposedenough, but the little red line which stretched backtothe . _ road showed that be had not fallen thus; he had been dragged to where he now lay. “a ‘*This is bad business, Warburton,” said the commodore. ‘** Tt is, indeed, sir.” ‘** Are you sure it is a case of murder™ ** Look here!” ae The overseer pointed to a small, round hole in : the back of the dead man’s coat. P an ** That is where the bulletentered,commodore. _ Of course the wound was not self-inflicted,and the only explanation is that an assassin shot him > in the back.” ‘**It was a cowardly deed, anyhow.” ‘**’You are right.” ** Who could have done it?” Sa ‘‘T am not prepared to say, sir, but wehavea mixed and uncertain pcpulation about here. — The Indians are reputed harmless, butIam not — sure they are so.” ‘“For instance, the chief, Red Ja _ or whatever his name is. He's no chicken, Pl swear.” | 4 ‘*f have a good opinion of the chief,” said Warburton, slowly. “‘I haveoften met him, — and should be sorry to think him an assassin. He is, at least, a remarkably intelligent man. — His English is as good as mine,and his mind strong and comprehensive.” rs “Talk of the devil, and here he comes,” sud- __ denly observed the man who had brought Net- —_ tleton to the place. Se The other two men leoked up quickly, he A fourth person was crossing the field and Fhe nearing them; a man, yet one wholly unlike themselves. He was an Indian, yet notonelike — so no, hee the beggarly, vagabondisb, slovenly — race Sai : conn in ee bad uals Brn, n , he instinctively br t the typical — Indian of Cooper’s works vividly” to mind. Bree erect and muscular, he strode forward as thou o y the power of a Pontiac was his, and evenabit- ter enemy of his race could but feelthatnoor- dinary mind existed there. ee His dress was thoroughly Indian, but aa blanket which he wore with kingly dignity Sy clean and almost new. (a As he neared the group he seemed to see that — something unusua] had occurred, but he came straight to the spot, while the white men s 5 in silence, He looked past them and sawthe still form by the roadside,and then his dark 7 hes flashed a glance to Philip Warburton’s ace, ty ee ‘‘Uch! death is here!” he said quickly. . ee ** Yes, chief, and violent death,” the overseer replied. ‘‘ This man has been shot.” he ** Who shot him?” > ga The Indian moved nearer the body, hat “Wah! it is the ranch-owner you call — Hacue.” “i Yes.” = ¥: £<. The chief’s manner was grave, but he showed — ee no other emotion and his keen eyes were busy. ‘* Tt was the work of a coward; he was shotin the back,” he then added. pave. ** Again you ere right.” ‘*Can you help us in the case!” me. Commodore Nick asked the question quietly, He did not love the Indians who lived near, bu6 there was a lofty dignity in Red Jaguar’sman- ner which effected even the ex-mariner. pet. The chief’s gaze wandered to Nettleton’s face — and then back to the body. He touched the cold forebead and exerted a little strengthon one rigid arm. 1 aa ‘‘Death came many hours ago,” he replied. ‘What do you know about him?’ «Ce ‘* We have reason to believe that he was shot _ while riding away from Coast Castle, about ten o’clock last night,” the commodore answered. ‘* That’s all we know.” eS Red Jaguar looked at the red trail,andthen — began examining the ground, They fell back and gave him all possible chance, and for sev- rae minutes he was busy in and about the Whils he was thus occupied Paul Nettleton joined the party, but Red Jaguar did not seem — to notice him. When the search vas con- cluded, the chief again addressed himself to the _ commodore. ys Pe i ** There is little to be seen now,” . - = he said, “for other horses have passed along the road, cove’ le . C= s ¥ | ; ~ ‘) - ~_. a2 » eo ut I00 <€om eS (E