Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 7: what you’re looking at

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

: i a4 a “ es = - > : 4 e Spy. Hot Heart, the Detectiv é ‘‘ Commodore Nettleton, do you believe this absurd tale?” he cried. ‘My good fellow, I don’t want to do any one injustice, and I am not Hot Heart’s judge, but Villegas’s maid-servant will swear to all this.” ‘ven women sometimes commit perjury, sir,” the overseer could not help retorting. ‘Rar be it from me to harm Frazer Hot Heart,” Commodore Nick gravely added, ‘‘though I don’t like the man. As for Hague, I believe he pad a other wife. Would an inno- cent man have failed to defend himself at the altar? I’m not the judge of any of them; I leave ‘hat to law.” ; The speaker glanced up at the windows of the east room. ‘Shiver my timbers!” he added, ‘‘if Coast Castle ain’t got to be a mighty queer place. Yon’ve seen Professor Hazlitt, Pxaul’s friend, haven’t you? Just so! He’sa queer messmate for a young man of twenty-seven, J think; queer beyond my comprehension, Look up there! He and Paul are in there, with every curtain down, when it seems that my boy ought to be cheering up bis sister. What be they do- ing thet needs such secrecy?” Dissatisfaction and vexation were in the com- modore’s voice, but Philip felt the delicacy of the affair and made no reply. ‘Everything is w ong, all of a sudden,” Com- modore Nick added. * Where is Bill Peters? They wart to make me believe he’s drownded in Nigger Arm, but it won’t go down. I know Bill better than that. What I’m afeerd of is foul play.” ‘It is generally believed he was drowned by the capsizing of his boat.” ‘‘Them as thinks so didn’t know Bill Peters.” ‘* Who would harm him?” ‘‘ There’s plenty of such around here—Injuns, Mexicans and haif-breeds.” ‘‘ Had Peters money with him?” ‘Not that I know of.” ‘* Nor enemies?” é No. ? ‘‘Tnen I see no object in harming him. Re- member, too, that the boat drifted back to Cliff- town, wrong side up.” ‘“‘Couldn’t it have been upset purposely and left to drift back? I’ve heard of such things be- ing done just to cover a crime.” ine commodore little suspected how well he had surmised; much less, the identity of the man who had upset the boat. He did not pause to tall much further, but re- entered the house, and Warburton went about his duties. He did not forget that he had pro- mised to care for Jack Jet, the Fire-Eater’s horse, and at noon he started for the old con- vent, The horse was kept in what the Hermit called a lean-to, adjoining his strange abode. Really, it had been a little additicn to the other build- ing, and was popularly supposed to have been used in the palmy days of the convent for cook- ing purposes. hen the Fire-Eater took possession he had strengthened this place, added a door, asin tho case of the larger building, and used it asa stable for Jack Jet. He had given Philip the key, and tbe latter in- tended to care for the horse faithful. On reaching the vicinity he turned the corner of the main building and then suddenly paused. Somebody was at the stable-door ahead of him. There stood a man who hada bent wire thrust into the large key-hole, and was patiently trying to work back the bolt. Warburton recognized him at a glance. In the conversation between Paul and Hot- Heart at the ruins, the latter had told the former to beware of one Garth Griffith, whom he des- cribed as a bhalf-breed who skulked in the bushes and out-of-the-way places like a sneaking wolf, and from tbis fact was often called ‘tthe Bush- Wolf.” » rm! This was Garth Griffith, and Philip knew at once why he was there. Garth was supposed to be the biggest thief in California, but nobody had ever been able to prove anything against him. He was wonderfully cunning, and though scores of petty thefts loosely attributed to “the In- dians,’ were stipposed to be his own work, he hee out of every danger with the skill of an ee Warburton strode forward, intending to clap his hand upon the half-breed’s shoulder, but he had underrated those keen ears. Garth wheeled like a flash, his bent wire van- ishe1 in a sleight-of-hand way, and he stood the picture of innocence, or as near it as his crafty face would allow. He was a man of medium hight, slenderly built, but with well-rounded body and limbs, which indicated unusual strength, all of which served to give him a kind of panther-like look and grace, His dress was a mixture of American and Mexican style, with no trace of Indianism: but his face, hair and eyes showed his red blood em- phatically; in fact, he looked to ba three-quar- ters Indian. His dusky face was beardless, crafty and rather thin; his dark eyes large, ner- vous and keen; and the long hair whic hung over temple and neck was ©“ biack and straight as that of a full-blooded red-man. Such was the person who faced Warburton, trying to seem wholly at his ease. ‘* What are you about?” cried Philip. ‘* Nothing, senor.” ‘Nothing! You were trying to steal the Hermit’s horse!” Garth lifted both hands in an assumption of shocked surprise. ‘* Senor!” he exclaimed deprecatingly. “Oh! you needn’t deny it. I know you and your way. You are an infernal thief!” ‘*Senor Warburton, I swear by Saint—” ‘* What were you doing at that door?” ‘‘T was looking in to see if Hot Heart was | there.” ‘* Did you need a wire to look?” ‘‘ A wire, senor?” repeated the Bush-Wolf. ‘Oh! come, don’t think mea fool. You were trying to pick tbe lock and steal the black horse. [havea good mi:d to hand you over to the Chfftown authorities.” ‘*Senor, have I ever done ycu harm?” ‘*T don’t doubt that you would shoot me if it would serve your ends,” ‘*Oh! senor, why will you wrong me so? I am a pws and honest man, and my good name is all [ have.” ‘Tf so you’re the most poverty-stricken wretch in California. Yourgood name! What is it?— chicken-thiet ?” ‘* Ah! you are cruel, senor, cruel!” The balf-breed shook his head and seemed in a very melancholy mood, but his restless eyes wandered around as though he was looking for a hole to dodge through and escape. He held his head erect all at once, and seemed to be looking beyond Warburton. The latter thought it might bea trick to secure a chance to run away, but the sound of a foot- wi caused him to turn also. e stood face to face with Paul Nettleton. CHAPTER VIII. THE CRACK OF A RIFLE, THE new-comer’s face bore a scowl, and he looked. suspiciously from Warburton to Garth and then back again. ‘** What’s going on here?” he said. ** Ask Mr. Garth Griffith,” suggested Philip. ‘*T asked you, sir!” It was an imperious, ill-mannered retort, and Philip grew stronger in his opinion that the commodore’s son was a very cisagreeable fellow, but he quietly replied: ‘*T found the half-breed trying to steal Hot Heart’s horse.” ‘*Senor, you wrong me!” remonstrated Garth. ‘““What was he doing?’ asked Paul, after a pause, during which he considered the situation carefully. ‘‘Hoe was trying to pick the lock of the door.” Paul turned upon the half-breed. He con- sidered him no more than the dirt under their feet, and his sole ambition now was to give him a fright which would forever keep him away from the ruined convent. ‘* Bellow, do you know who I am?” he bluster- ingly asked. ‘* 'Yos, senor.” Mild and soft was the half-breed’s reply. ** Well, hear me speak: You are not wanted around here, and we won’t have you here. I don’t know where you make. your home, but ycu will now go there and stay. If you come aight around here any more, Vil have you tied up by the servants of Coast Castle and lashed until you howl,” Garth heard this threat, with his eyes bent on the ground, and Lis manner was servilely bum- a but his gaze was now raised to Paul’s ace, ‘* Senor,” he said, with his softest utterance, **do not be too hard on a poor and honest man. I may some time be of use to you. [am agreat trailer, and skilled in learning things of which other people don’t know. Perbaps I might, after a little search, tell you what has happened to your servant, Peters!” Straight ‘into Paul’s faco looked the keen black eyes, and the guilty man felt himself grow cold. What meant those words? They might have been simple encugh, but from the way the half-breed looked at him, Paul felt sure there was dangerous meaning in every word. Garth Griffith was a wandering vagabond. What was more probable than that he had actually seen the crime committed? Paul dared anger him no further, and he some- what nervously answered: “It is true that I may need a ran for this service. I spoke hastily, my man, and you can go.” The Bush-Wolf bowed and went at once. With long, light st- ps he moved away across the field, his movements as graceful and lithe as those of a panther. _ Warburton looked after him with dissatisfac- tion; Paal, with fear he found it hard to con- ceal. After a brief pause, he turned to the overseer again, ‘* Are you a friend of the Fire-Eater?” sé No.” “Then why the blazes are you in charge of his tumble-down old rookery?”’ The words were not more offensive than Paul’s i SS | ee eS LT Ne ened manner, but the overseer’s outward composure” seemed proof against everything. “T am not in charge of it, Mr. Nettleton. The officers took the key away with them, ard only they can enter, I suppose. Hot Heart did a-k me to see that his horse did not suffer, and I agreed to take care of it—” “Tf he isnot your friend, what claim had he upon you?” ” ‘‘None. I was about to say that I agreed be- | cause I would not see the borse suffer.” “Well, 1 don’t think my father would like to have his }*‘red men working for others.” ‘*T don’t think Commodore Nettleton will ob- ject to having the borse properly fed and water- ed.’ , ‘Perhaps not, but it would be well for you to remember who you work for.” 4 With this parting, malicicus remark Paul turned and walked rapidly away: Philip looked after him frowningly, and then suddenly smiled. ‘*T won’t let his insolence trouble me, though a sound thrashing would do him good and curb bis tongue a trifle. He is but little like his father, and it would not be strange if he got in- to trouble by carrying such a high band. Pos- sibly, too, he may find me in his way if he con- tinues to insult me. Iam not sure but I could overturn one of his most cherisbed plans.” Kay Warburton went to care for the horse, while = Paul, looking back as he went homeward, saw Garth Griffith disappear in the bushes at the iz top of the hill like a veritable wolf. one The younger man shivered. “Tm afraid of that fellow. What did he “ty mean by the reference to Bill Peters? Itmay ~— have been only chance, yet his look was as sig- 7 nificant as his words. Canitbehespied upon ~~ me that night? He may bave seen all. May ~~ the-fiend take the luck! am I always to hein te fear and trouble over that miserable affrir’” o! Paul went home, still thinkirg of Gaith, and a: then shut himself up in the room with Professor Hazlitt. As before, the curtains. were kept — down, and no other eyessaw what was done © — there: but when, after some hours, Commocore Nick went up in towering wrath cver this pro- “eI longed absence, and fcund the doorlocked,he drove his heavy hoot egainst it withforcewhich almost dashed it from it’s hinges. che fa It was promptly opened by Paul. The professor sat ata table andthere wasnoth- ing to betray their late occupation, though Paul © looked flurried., vam The commodore stared at him grimly. ‘‘ What is wanted, father?” ‘“*T’ll tell ye what’s wanted. Iwanttokncw ~ what the red-hot, roaring blazesis goingonin this house anyway! Confound it, here’s the ~— ship in a gale that bends thestickssothatthe foremast and mizzenmast knock noses, and © one of the crew in hiscabin, blocked up. Zounds, — sir, are you aware of the factthatthewomen ~ need cheering?” “ke “ Why, sir, they seem cheerful now,” Bay tf « aa ta Be you blind? Can’t you tell ed ie. a 7 ** Cheerful! that it’s all put on? Hang it, sir, no true sailor ever goes below in a gale. Now I'd like to know what mighty important business you two are te transacting here,” eon Professor Hazlitt arose end politely said: * Pardon me, commedcre, but do not blame — cur son. I amdeepin my studies,andhe was elping me.” ae ‘“What studies?’ demanded the impetuous mariner, ‘‘ Where be your school-books? Trot ‘em out and let me look. If there isany ‘isms,’ — or conundrums to be solved here, I want a hac a at’em. Where’s your school-books?” : He stood in the door as grim and determined — as Neptune himself, and Paul was glad thatthe professor saw fit to take the burdencf conversa- = tion from his shoulders. ‘ om ‘‘ We are using no books, but discussing, from previous readings, the various theories as to who discovered America, I side with Pliny — that it was the Carthagenians, while Paul hovers be'ween the Phoenicians and tue well- known theory of Seneca and Aristotle.” ea ‘*‘ Neptune and Mars! bas my house got mixed up with a lunatic asvlum? I don’t know any- thing about your Pernicians, nor What-+l’ye- callems, and I won’t mixin. Notbya blamed sight! i always had an idee that old Chris — Columbus found this lump of s’ile—I’ve certain- ly beerd so—but maybe my arithmetic was — wrong. Ycu needn't explain no more; I've heerd enough, and I'll cast off grappling-irons oN and set sail. Paul, when Ul kicked the door so — obstrepulously, ’twas in my mind to say no door - should be locked in my house; but if you’re try- ing to hunt up America and Pernicians, I swear I'll feel easier with the key turned. Professer, excuse me if I have slipped up in my grammar; I do blunder sometimes when I git too much ex- cited. Ef you can git away from the Perni- © clave, ype find the table spread at the usual =~ our, age And away rattled the commodore, unbeeding rie. Paul’s invitation to remain. a» ‘“Thero ain't room for me and the Pernicians —_ there.” he grumbled, as he went down-stairs. dl - é “= —,-' 4 ; * Bal ~— ~ ad a on iy > *“T do hope they'll find America, but ef the boy ee was to stir his stumps and find Bill Peters a?” I'd admire bim more, Poor Bill! I begin to fi ore a trifle worried about him.” "> soa 9 <€om Ebooks.com