Beadle's Dime Library No. 415 — page 9: what you’re looking at

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

re AS ze ~ 7 ; a ps — a be trusted as a snake,and that he was of a species that would sting wituout warning. He did not, however, see fit to have further words with him, If the Bush-Wolf was given to understand that he was believed guilty of other plots than trying to steal Jack Jet, and in danger of being arrested through the overseer’s efforts, he would not rest until he had added murder to his other crimes. And like his cousin, the four-legged wolf, he would sneak arqynd in the bushes to accomplish his end, and there would be no sound until his rifle had done the work, Warburton there and then resolved to watch his chance and put an end to this scoundrel’s prowling among the bushes, but until he could do so it would 3 well to avoid trouble. arrested, he must be held. ‘‘] haven’t any faith in you, or your noble heart,” he replied, to the last assertion of his companion, “*but we can gain nothing by quarreling. Suppose we go our respective ways and have no more words?” ‘* It is best, and my evemies seem to have re- treated. I gave them a hot fire from my re- volver, and it evidently had.good effect on them.” ‘* Probably they have run s9 fast that they’re miles away now. Well, farewell, Garth, and may your patron saint use you as well as you deserve,” ** Adieu, senor, and remember that if you need help you will find a true friend in me. I am a poor cand humble man, but I am honest, Adieu, senor!” And then they separated, Garth glided away with his light, noiseless step and willowy grace, and the bushes received him in their arms as part and parcel of themselves. Warburton strode away toward Coast Castle with the firm step of an honest man. He was uncertain what had become of Don Esteban, or whether he had been with Garth, but all chance of overhearing a private confer- ence was gone, The overseer returned to the top of the hill and there saw a horseman riding along the road his face toward Clifftown It was Paul Nettleton. Philip wondered if the young man was merely out for a ride, and this question must now be answered in full. Paul had heard that a revolver had been found in the Fire-Eater’s room which he claim- ed was not his; that he had said he found it in theruins the morning after the opening of our story; that one chamber was vacant; and the casual description of this weapon alarmed young Nettleton. : He suspected that the weapon was his; the one he had lost after shooting Bill Peters, This suspicion had started him toward C! ff- town, and he went prepared to make fresh t.ou- ble for Frazer Hot Heart if it proved to be true. His fear of the man had led him, as already stated, to plot for his arrest on charge of killing Palmer Hague, but he was now impatient of the Once _ law’s delay. ** There is no knowing what he may tel! while under arrest, and though I have partial! spiked his guns, I want to keep his tongue still, If the revolver proves to be mine it will be con- firmation of my fear that he knows, or suspects, the truth, and more vigorous measures must be resor ed to.” He rode on in deep thought, but suddenly rem Si brightened, and smote himself on the thigh, ‘The very thing, by Jove!” he cried. An infamous scheme had occurred to him. He knew the temper of the people of Clifftown and how easy it was tw stir them to rash deeds. : If they could be soset against Hot Heart that . + pil the lynching-spirit would sway them for a time, the Toseded Fire-Eater would forever disappear from the scene. Full of this plot, Pau] rode on to Clifftown. As the son of rich Commodore Nettleton he " commanded all the respect and attentton the bluff, hearty Westerners would yield to any one, and once there no obstacles were placed in his way. Quite the contrary, and when he said that, among other things, he had come as a represen- tative of the family to see how the Hague case was progressing, all the known facts were before him, He was shown the revolver. . As he had feared, it was his own; the vo wéapon from which had sped the bullet whic laid Bill Peters low. From that moment Paul bent all his energies to the accomplishment of his p Frazer Hot Heart was. too erous to live; if he es- caped the gallows he might send Paul there, and it was a race where the latter did not desire to win. He went deliberately to work to excite the rob spirit the prisoner, . A man had been shot in cold blood: he had teen a Yich, honored member of Clifftown society, and had almost married an honored lady. There had been charges against him, but they were not proven. Probably they could not be proven; very likely it was all a plot of the man who had murdered him. a * $ ca 4 J re ¢ ¢ ane - Hot Heart. the Detective Spy. a hat to keep it from being pushed from his i _ ees me OE y, tae Ale ; : oe ~ ee oe - Who was this man? A person who had come to the neighborhood from nobody knew where, and had en up his abode in a tumble-down old ruin, living like a quarreled with everybody he met, and shown himself a ruffian. He had put the finishing touch to his career by doing murder, and would undoubtedly have killed more men had not the walls of the jail closed upon him. Was such a man a safe inhabitant? Was any one safe from his red hand? ‘ bisa Clifftown to be terrorized by such a ruf- an Perhaps he would break jail at any moment and “‘run amuck,” killing whoever he could get hold of at sight. Paul preached this doctrine strongly, yet se- cretly; first in the jail to the officials, and then outside to the pane: and when the approach of | twilight showed him that he must return to | Soap Castle, he had his hearers properly stir- red up. He rode home with a satisfied smile on his face. He had not once counseled violence, nor | hinted at such a thing, but he felt that Frazer | Hot Heart would be a lucky man if he lived to | see another sun rise, Neither his face nor manner showed what was in his mind when ho met the family at sup- | er, and he replied lau hingly wuen Commodore | ick grimly asked if the ‘“Pernicians” had yet discovered America. Barbara Nettleton was as calm and gracious as ever during the evening, and every One was | forced to the opinion that she had never cared for Palmer Hague. Her manner was not light or frivolous, and no one could accuse her of heartless or improper conduct just after the tragedy, but she showed no sorrow and probably felt none so far as the loss of a husband was concerned. Commodore Nick often fell into periods of deep thought, during which he rubbed his chin | unmercifully. Like every one else, he was wrestling with a conundrum. If Barbara had not loved Hague, why had she agreed to marry him? It was nearly nine o’clock when Barbara, pas- sing alone through the house, was intercepted | by Rosa Strong, her maid. ‘*If you please, Miss Barbara, can I speak with you?” | ‘** Certainly, Rosa. What is it?” ‘* Timothy has just come from Clifftown, and he a thay 9 are in a terrible state there.” re at do you mean?” Rosa glanced nervously around. ‘‘He thinks they’re going to lynch Hot Heart!” ** What?” Miss Nettleton had started violently. ‘*He says the men are all about in groups, talking about tie Fire-Eater, and they are very | bitter against him, rk td ten is making threats, and Timothy thinks that they will sure- ly hang him.” Miss Nettleton stood looking at her maid in silence for a moment, her rich, red lips parted, her eyes glowing like animated velvet. Rosa afterward said that her mistress’s face was no clew to her thoughts, but that ‘‘ there was that in it which did just make me feel as though the world was standing still.” ** Send Timothy here!”. Barbara spoke decisively, and Rosa skurried away and hunted up the Irish coachman, He came, and confirmed all that Rosa had stated. ‘** Saddle two horses—one for me and the other for you—and bring them to the rear door at once!” then ordered Miss Nettleton, Never before had his mistress addressed him so imperiously, and Timothy felt confused and helpless as he hurried away. He prepared the horses like one in a dream and brought them to. the designated point, and then Miss Nettleton | he house, clad in a riding-suit, | emerged from and quickly sprung to the saddle. ful, woman, This done, she turned to open-mouthed Tim- | ae with a few othy. ide the prisoner. ‘** Mount!” Like one in a dream, he obeyed. ‘** Follow me!” Down the driveway rode the imperious meaty. and Timothy came after. His mind was all a fog, and bo dared ask no questions, Never before had Barbara been in such a mood since he came to Coast Castle, and he felt that it was well for him to remember his place. Where they were going he did not know. He pos on suspicion, but did not want to be- eve it. When they reached the public road she turned to the left, glanced back at the house, walked a little further as though to make sure that noone would hear her departure, and then suddenly put her horse to a gallop. dap went mistress and man toward the south, ‘*She’s goin’ to Clifftown, sure as mud is mud,” thought Timothy, with an inward so eee to see the lynchers an’ Frazer Hot ea And he had so strong a sensation that his hair was rising on end, that he put his hand to his dog in a kennel; a wild, reckless fellow who had | | os 9 head. | Away went Barbara Nettleton, sitting in the saddle like the queen of an English fox-hunt, her graceful figure seeming like a part of the horse she rode, and her face ever turned toward Clifftown. | What would be the end of this mad adven- ture? CHAPTER XI, THE IRON GRASP OF A FAIR HAND. TrmoTHyY WELCH had never felt himself more unhappily placed than on this occasion, and he felt sure that something terrible would follow their arrival at Clifftown. He was naturally as brave as any man, but this freak of his mis- tress’s had placed both her and him at a disad- vantage. “‘Howly Pater!” he muttered, under his breath, ‘‘ why didn’t she take Commodore Nick, or her brother, instead ave me? Why didn’t shc— But phat’s dhe use ave thryin’ to under- stand a woman? Begorra, they’re more uncer- tain than a thermometer. It’s a terrible fix she’ll putt us in, but dhe honor ave dhe family depinds on us two, and Oi'll foight till dhe arrum ave me is palsied, begorra!” And then Timothy straightened himself and rode like an old-time knight going to buttle. Miss Nettleton pressed her horse to a hard gallop, and they rattled over the road at a pace truly ‘* break-neck ” of character. Around the curving road they went, past Razor-Back Ridge, and then Clifftown was not far away. At first sight everything there seemed as usual, and lights twinkled from the various houses peacefully, but Miss Nettleton was not long of this opinion. There was unusual ex- citement in the village, and her face changed color as she heard a subdued sound like the mingling of many voiccs. It came from the direction of the jail, and for the first time she brought her whip down sharp~ — ly on her spirited horse. He gave a bound, and then shot forward like an arrow. * At that moment half Clifftown was collected around a sort of platform made of dry-goods cases, which were piled up under a tree. pon the topmost box stood Frazer Hot Heart, hands and feet bound, and a rope extended from his neck to a limb of the tree. At the other end of the rope were men who were ready to pull, and obey Judge Lynch’s order, but the prisoner bad the soe ps yp of making a speech before he was disposed of so summarily. e improved the chance in his usualcool man- ner. : ‘““T won't detain you long, gentlemen, for — you'll want to bave a social smoke after the event before going to bed, and it’s teno’clock already. As I told you in tre jail, ’m innocent. — I never raised a hand against Hague. have fought bim like a man, but may my hand wither before I shoot any one in the back like a rT hs h to b d i . ave enough money to bury me an Fe upastone. Pray do this, and mark on it the A: one word, ‘Frazer.’ As for my horse, Se i Jet, I bequeath him to Philip Warburton. | the real murderer should be found, don’t blame Me ts don't blame I yourselves for to-night’s work, tal I would ¥ you; it’s a trivial affair, so forget it. Are yor ready with the rope?” + Cea Two-score voices shouted one word: sc Yes.” , : **Then you may pull as soon as—” Bho There was a shout and a yell of alarm. te The crowd surged to and fro. Then it might wit flashing eyes and grandly swelling nostrils —with great bounds which would have dashed the lynchers to death under his hoofs, had not wisely given way. > os 4 5 {> e — % x Sbe gained the extempore neous Another moment and a knife flashed in air a few times and the prisoner stood as from bonds as she. parted in haste and fear, as well it as | for through the middle came a horse ~_ / And then from his back leaped a tall, grace~ i AE quick movements, and stood the f i Lt By that time the lynchers awoke P ead wef age ita . from their stupefaction, but still amazement at the strange and unexpected scene. ern « ~~. » A Pp There stood Barbara, daughter of Commodore ot Heart, the red~ handed slayer cf her lover, and the lynchershad Nettleton, beside Frazer no words with which to express their feelings. But Miss Nettleton had. ‘ The men saw two revolvers turned upon thems held unwaveringly in her slender hands, then her voice rung out cleerly on the air: ‘* Assassin s and cowards! you arein fine work ie ie | - “ and en i, > pt to-night. No wonder you shrink away, for you have cause for shame. Let the feeling continue, for I swear that if any man raises his handixn violence here, I will shoot him as I would a craven wolf!” tare) ‘Yes, begorra, an’ Oi’ll hammer his head till __ his feet turn blue!” It was the voice of Timothy Walch. There wk was not room for him on the upper box. nor hag Eomicbooks a . 4) ( ) y | , - bg 4 - “sR fee = hen