Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 416 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

—— _ : ~ a. j > : = a ee Ome gee ane — ‘acne ees Saher epee - ™ ' <<. . od ( ag ‘ } oy ; ‘ A a mR > , « 4 ir - : y ~t _ ‘ 20 thick mask in addition, I tell you this as a professional, who has studied your methods closely enough to speak positively. If I am frank, it is because | feel a strong interest in your welfare, not from any wish to hurt your feelings in the slightest degree.” ‘* Well, you can give me lessons, can’t you?” ‘‘Not enough to make you a true gambler, with all that title implies,” was the grave re- sponse. ‘I can show you some of the tricks by which angels of your class have their wings clipped, if that will do you any good,” * Tell me how you caught the turn, then.” ‘‘ By good eyes and a better memory. I had seen enough to convince me that Curly Kaine was putting up a job on you, and I knew enough of the fellow to feel sure that he had nerve enough to take long chances in hopes of getting square with me for the little rub I had given him. This was enough to set me on the watch, and I entered into that little discussion with you, to give him time and opportunity to work his t urn. ** Even he did not detect how closely I watched him, and when he began that last deal, he felt confident that ho held us both wholly at his ss Mere +s I felt sure he was putting up splits on us, choosing your favorite cards as the base, and when the first came out, I had all the proof I i; wanted. He played the second of your pets to Vee win, making my mouey pay your gains, killin » _ two birds with one stone—encouraging you anc __-spiting me. I beld back and waited for the last turn, which I caught as he put it up, ‘The cue papers said that queen, ten and six lay under the last winning card; and so they did, but with an extra queen of the same suit, from another pack, slipped in with the rest b _ Curly Kaine, when I was too busy arguing wit you to notice the trick, as he flattered him- self. | ‘* This done, he rested easy in the belief that your stakes and mine were his to choose from, me ef he couldn’t manage to rake’em both in at one turn. He knew that you would bet to get even; knew that the queen was one of your pet cards, vy w | and consequently the one you would naturally b os he _— * e % \ er » Vtee 7 * -_- would be permitted to win, for the sake of hit- ry laughed Monte Jim, “squaring the cards and select to back. He put up the turn so he could - make you either win or lose, just as he pleased, _-which was to be decided by the way in which I placed my money, if I bet at all. If not, he ‘would have been content with your stake. Lf I placed my chips with yours, you would be made f Zs loso. If i went in direct opposition, you me. If I took the other chance, then we ‘would both lose.” ads « mh Lf _* It’s easy enouzh to say this, but howcan you prove it?” doubtingly demanded Pennington. ‘I don’t believe any man could so completely command the run of the cards, even with a com- _ ~ bination box.” “Tt does sound rather mixed up, I admit,” ing off all but the five bottom ones. ‘tA little ocular demonstration is worth all the talk- ing a man can do in a month. Look here; 7 ~*~ 3'y p@« oO, ‘hod ; | (3 _ T’ve set the cards up while talking, just as Curly Kaine did. You saw for yourself that I have not faced them until now, that I did not look ata card-face while appa seth carelessly shuf- _ > fling them: but all the same, here you can see the exact evening.” ‘The card exposed was the ninoe-spot of hearts. You called ten, queen, six, as P pica choice, _ and as the cards will ow, you had no possible ghance to win on a call, though Curly gould have made you seem the winner, if you had simply played the queen straight. Ica led BS a queen, six, ten, and I knew that I must win, if he drew the cards fairly. Because I knew he -wouldn’t, if ho could help it, I gave him that ‘ ’ » + ao. warning. Now notice how the cards lay, and here Ff see the point.” __ Moving them as though from a faro-box, _ Monte Jim showed in succession: queencf clubs, six of clubs, a second queen of clubs, and lastly the ten of diamonds, __ * Now you see the little joker,” be said, lightly, as Alva Ponutnaton stared at the cards. “ If you alone had bet, Curly would have drawn the - queen, which won for the bank and lost for the players, then the six, taking with it the second queen, which would leave the ten-spot, and ap UL ently everything about the turn perfectly aha lf I had not pinned him down so close, ‘he would have taken the queen out with the ex- bP ie nine-spot, making the six lose for me, with - the second queen as winning card, and the ten left in hock. That would have raked in both of our bets, and left us to mourn over the great un- certainties of card-playing.”. ‘The seeming impossibility was fully explained, and conceited though he was, Alva Pennington *) Go 5 oo to see that he still had something to learn of the intricacies of gambling as a fine art. “Tf you think it impossible to draw twoor more ¢ards from the box at the same time, without pe” detected by some of the eyes which are ie cwpteliing the dealer so xsspage then you know _ nothing of how cards may be sanded to stick together, or polished with wax tomake them as desired in shuffling; or of the thousand one arte and devices by which an accomplished + * ‘ i f vive ” , oe a ty Tr Fr ; ) ye ee Saar «> e 7: pad i ee. SS we ee » —a waa: onte Jim, the a ——— eee eae ae eS re trick Curly tried to play us two this | : ft dealer can pluck those who buck against his game, ‘* A game may be dealt perfect on the square, so farasthe cards are concerned, after being once placed in the box; yet adealer canskin you even then, thanks to his skill in putting up splits while shuffling, and—” Monte Jim abruptly paused in his speech, dropping one hand below the level of the table, while his blue eyes stared straight ahead, seem- ingly full in the face of Alva Pennington, for a moment. Then—with a motion swift as light iself, he raised a pistol and discharged it. With acry of angry rage and pain, Alva Penn- ington flung up his arms and fell heavily back- ward! eee CHAPTER XXII. THE PROFESSOR SENDS MONTE JIM HIS CARD. Ir Medea Pennington was surprised by the abrupt address and sudden appearance of Will tice as she emerged from the doorway of the _ house occupied by the dusky-browed woman whom Bismarck knew as ‘‘ Hell and Brimstone,” her fleshy escort was far more so, and aftera much less agreeable fashion. He had ample reasons of his own for not wish- ing to come into open collision with the ex-con- ductor, and he knew enough of the relations be- tween Medea and Will to feel sure that the facts of the case would be told the latter, when his clear wits, aided by his personal knowledge of the parties concerned, would almost surely dis- cover the plot, and burst forever the toils which were being so cunningly woven around the maiden. lt was very rough to be thus crossed just when all was working sosmoothly, and agrating curse esca the lips of the fat little professor as he skulked away in the darkness, resolved at least to save his own precious bide. He did not go far, for he fled with his chin on shoulder, and saw that Will Rice had no inten- tion of following him, even if he had noticed the presence of a second person in his amazement at recognizing the woman whom he loved so dearly issuing from the house of that evil character. Halting oe around the corner of the house, Professor King Smith stretched his fat neck un- til he eould watch the young couple, but holding himself in readiness for instant and speedy flight in case Will Rice should undertake to follow and demand of him an account of his behavior. He heard Rice speak of Helen Brinston, and his little pig-eyes glittered viciously, his teeth grated savagely, as his right hard clutched the butt of a revolver which was hidden beneath his tightly -fitting coat. At that moment Will Rico stood very near to death’s portals, for the devil was urging his dis- ciple to commit murder; and the pistol was drawn, noiselessly cocked, leveled at the manly figure which was faintly outlined against a dis- tant rat in town. If becould have clearly dis- tinguished the signe on his weapon—if he could have felt sure of bis aim—the professor would have taken all other chances and have fired the death-shot. But the gloom was against bim in this respect, and he reluctantly lowered his weapon, He watched and listened in silence until he saw the couple move away in the direction of the hotel, then he stole around to the rear of the building and hed nar Pe the door, rapped upon it after a peculiar fashion. A faint rustle with- in, then silence, Again he rapped, and bending his head close to the key-hole, guardedly pro- nounced his own name. cata the door flew open, and the regal figure of Helen Brinston barred. his way as he attempted to enter. ‘What are you doing here?’ she sharply de- manded, the light of the lamp showing the dark frown which contracted her brows. ‘* Where did you leave that silly fool?” Smith cast an apprehensive glance over bis a 7 et me inside—quick! red-hot!” Startled by his words, she gave way, and he entered the building, closing the door behind him, ** What do you mean?” she demanded, harshly. ‘¢ What blunder have you committed this time? Where’s the girl?” ‘*Going back to the hotel, in company with a man who is amusing her with a full description of the character and reputation of a certain Hell and Brimstone—” A white hand clutched his throat and cut his bitter (erties short, while a joweled dagger flashed before his eyes. ' Though death seemed so near, he did not flinch. His little eyes met her flashing gaze, and he made no effort toavert the blow, though his hands were left at liberty. A swift change came over the virago. She relaxed her fierce grasp, and replaced t egleam- ing weapon in its former hiding-place. Her voice was soft and soothing, ‘You did not flinch or tremble. It was not your fault, or vou would have showed some sign of fear when my knife was at your heart. [ask our pardon for my roughness; Lut you know ow much ‘ve bave ot stake,” ** That rule don’t hold good with me, my déar,” The devil’s to pay, * - ‘Z .. i» t-* “as Black Sheep of Bismarck. ‘ — ‘ AT -<"> v « of OP aa id ry 4 .” ’ #3f = © a - — he said, readjusting his collar. ‘‘I love you so passionately that even death loses its terrors, coming from your hand.” An impatient gesture cut short his ardent speech. ‘* Drop that, if you please. What did you mean just now—” ‘*What I said. Just as you shut the door be- hind us, the light fell across her face, and Will Rice recognized her. He called her by name, and expressed his surprise that she should be visiting the house of such an infamous creature. His words—not mine, dear,” he hastily added, as her eyes flashed, ‘You heard him? And then?” \ ‘TI shpped around the corner to ask your ad- vice. I stopped long enough to hear him sa that he would see her safe back to the hotel, (’'d have dropped him for his insults to you, but there wasn’t light enough to make a sure thing of it, and I concluded to wait another opportunity.” er eyes were cast down. She seemed unde- cided what todo, King Smith watched her, his eyes filled with a hungry light that told how ardent was his love for the fallen creature. Her indecision was of brief duration. **'Never mind, Let Will Rice talk. All he can tell her will not prevent the seed I have sowed from taking root and bearing fruit, if you only do your part of the work just as we plan- ned if. She believes Monte Jim is the man she seeks, and all that is necessary now is to make sure that she never meets him face to face, alive, If she should—” ‘*What then?’ cautiously asked Fatty Smith, ‘*’You know I am allin the dark, as yet.” ‘* You know what you have to do, and that is sufficient for the present. You have only to obey orders—” ‘*And my reward?” he muttered, his eyes glow. ‘*Shall be whatever you choose to ask when all is done,” was the swift reply. ‘‘ I will refuse you nothing.” ‘*Nothing? Take care, Helen; if I do this job, I will expect you to pay my price!” he mut- tered, warningly. ake have my word, and there is my hand on it. Fatty Smith bent his head and pressed his lips to the fair member, as though the kiss would never end. A dark frown wrinkled her brow, a bitter smile curled her lip; but when his head was lifted all this was gone, and in its place dwelt a soft, loving look that caused his blood to leap madly in his veins, ‘** You shall not have to ask twice, my dear fellow; be sure of that. But now to business,” and she took a package from a drawer, placing itin his hands, ‘‘ Take this, and make good use cf it at the earliest ned ar hangs sb The sooner your work is completed, the sooner you can claim your reward, nd aside from that, there is no time to lose. If that girl meets him and has time to talk with him, all our work will go for nothing, for she'll get at the bottom facts with that timid boldness of hers—curse her!” * Tf L can, Pll finish it up to-night.” ‘*If! You must!” she grated, her face that of a beautifuldemon. ‘‘ Do it before morning, or never come near me again!” **T will. Dd do double that for your sake, Helen!” ‘“Then go. There is time for them to meet to-night, unless you improve your time,” she said, impatiently. ‘Tf I should happen to find them together?” ** So much the worse for her!” was the swift, savage response. ‘‘ Use that, at the first cppor- tunity, no matter who else may suffer with him, You understand?” With an audacity that astonished himself even more than it did her, Fatty Smith caught and drew her head down to a level with his own, then pressed his burning lips to hers, With a celerity that told how much he feared her anger at this bold proceeding, he turned and darted out of the house without an- other word. He heard the row at the Clipper Shades, but that did not binder him from at once pressing on to the hotel where he knew his intended vic- _ tim boarded; but just before he arrived at his destination, he was given ocular demonstration of the value of a few seconds, for Monte Jim was just aiding Alva Pennington into the building. A bitter eurse escaped his lips as he recognized the two men. Aisa, ‘* The devil’s own luck is in it! One minute earlier and I could have done the job without danger to myself, or any one’s suspecting from whence came the blow. How Helen would open on me if she only knew!” He skulked into the deeper shadows, bis brain working busily. His game was safely caged, a ~ iets but he did not know just how to get at it. ‘*Tt’s early yet, and he’ll come out again, Tl lay by fcr a few minutes, anyway, and wait,” he muttered, leaning up against the building opposite the hotel. Two figures passed before his vision, and as they came into the fan of light which spread out from the weg door of the hotel, Fatty Smith shrunk back still deeper into the gloom, as comicbool (E * : 4 . ‘ a ’ 4 » oy ya - ES ge : a tee es ae *.