Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 416 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

—— ~~, « ‘ , > ~- though fearful of being recognized by one or the other. He watched them enter the building, and drew a long breath of relief as they vanished from bis sight. ‘“She’s back again, and none too soon. Honest Giles would have had the whole town howling at my heels in a little more. And Rice—devil fly away with him!—if I could only catch him in company with Monte, when I send him my card with the compliments of Helen, soon to become Mrs. Professor King Smith, of Mandan!” As these muttered syllables passed his lips, barely above his breath, the plotter fingered the package given him by Helen Brinston, tearing off the paper age fem tossing it to one side in a crumpled ‘ oving forward until he reached the edge of the light, he examined the object carefully, then again beat a retreat, as though satisfied all was correct and in readiness for use when the occasion should arise. He stood gazing up at the second story of the hotel, where he could distinguish two lights burning. ‘*One of them is in his room, I reckon,” he muttered, rubbing the tip of his nose thought- fully. ‘*Ifso, maybe he don’t intend to come out again to-night. He had some one with him, Maybe a pigeon to pluck—for the fellow seemed unable to navigate alone. If so, there won’t be a pin-feather left by the time Monte Jim lets up onhim. They’re up there, fingering the papers already, I’m open to bet big money; while I’m here, cooling my heels as I wait for Monte Jim to show up his beautiful mug—devil catch the fellow! hasn’t he no more politeness than to keep me here waiting?” His mutterings grew lower, until they finally ceased altogether ; not because his dissatisfaction was growing less, but he was piving every thought to discovering a way by which he might solve the problem now presented for his consid- eration: how to carry out the orders given him by Helen Brinston, without bringing almost certain destruction on his own head, If he could be certain that one—or which one —of those lighted windows opened into the room of Monte Jim, his work would be somewhat lightened. He had already noticed the sloping- roofed porch before the hotel, and knew that once on its top, he could command the person of any occupant of either chamber. But he knew, too, that there were still other rooms above stairs, any one of which might be the one rented by the man whom he had sworn to kill before the dawn of another day. ‘Tf he don’t show up in half an hour by the watch, I’ll give it a try, anyhow!” was his deci- sion, as he settled himself more comfortably in the narrow doorway. He knew that this building was at present unoccupied, and that there was little proba- bility taat his presence would be noticed by any passer-by. Even if so, they would naturally suppose im another victim of Bismarck’s bad whisky, and pass on about their own business. Until his watch told off the period he had given Monte Jim in which to put in an appear- ance, Fatty Smith remained without word or motion; but then he arose, the first step in his work by this time thought ut. He passed around to the rear of the building against the front door of which he had been sitting, and aided by a plank which lay handy, he quickly gained a ee on the low roof. There was a square front, carried up the full width of the building to a level with the saddle- boards, and Fatty Smith “cooned” his way along the ridge-pole until the front was reach- ad, peering eagerly across to the lighted win- dows. One of these appeared to be unoccupied, at resent, and was in reality the chamber rented by Medea Pennington. Into the other room, the spy could only obtain a partial view, from his present position. With a keen look up and down the street, to make sure that there were no curious eyes watching his suspicious maneu- vers, the professor lay flat upon his stomach and drew himself along the flat-topped front, until he reached the extreme end. It was difficult, trying work, but the end proved his reward, for he could just catch ‘a glimpse of two men seated at a table in the chamber apparently playing cards. More—he recognized the man whom he had sworn - his love for Heler. Brinston to slay before the dawn of another day—Monte Jim. ~__. For a moment or two, Fatty Smith fingered his revolver, as though tempted to risk a shot at the dashing sport from where he then was; but the notion was quickly banished, His posi- tion was too precarious in itself toinsure a dead shot, even had the light been more favorable and the distance between himself and his in- tended victim much less. k ‘It’s got to be a clean job,” he muttered, as he painfully ‘‘crawfished” from his ticklish perch back to the roof. ‘‘ Monte is a cyclone on wheels when once he gets started, and if I don’t down him first off, it’s a mighty poor bridegroom my remains would make for the fair Helen!” Scrambling along the roof, Fatty Smith drop- ped to the ground, then once more took up his position im front of the hotel, But his gaze was . —_~— Monte J im, i A EL LL LT = -—rrr nk ny rrr rrr no longer riveted on the lighted window. He knew that Monte Jim was settled for the night, now that he was busy with the pasteboards, He knew, too, that there was only one point from which he could strike his blow without in- suring his own death—either at the hands of Monte Jim, before hedied, or by lynch law when if he dared te enter the hotel. “T’ve got to get up there some way,” he mused, scratching his head, dubiously, as he scanned the porcb opposite. play ’coon if I do look like it—but suppose some durn fool was to come along just as I was try- ing to make the riffle?” t was an unpleasant idea, but Fatty Smith knew that he must run the risk. He dare not lose this opportunity by waiting for a more favorable one. The prize depending on his suc- cess, was far too glorious, in his eyes, for that. Twice he left his ambush, his mind made up to scale one of the corner posts which supported the gently sloping roof above the veranda; once he had even clasped the column which lay deep- spring—only to drop hastily down again and retreat, alarmed by the approach of human be- ings. ut still he was not discouraged, and again proximity was deserted, he clasped the column and climbed up it, grasping the stout Fimer | over his head, throwing all of his strength an dexterity into the effort, and dragging over the barrier to drop in safety on the roof, panting and trembling with the strain. Not for long did he remain thus, however, he was a graduate in crime, and this was not the hl — e had contemplated ‘the shedding of ood, Creeping along on his hands and knees, test- ing each board before he trusted his weight A on it, lest it should give out a warning creak, Fatty Smith soon gained the lighted window beyond which his game was seated, little sus- “7 the peril which threatened him in the ancied security of his own chamber, Care- fully the spy raised his head until he could peer in at one corner of the window, dropping back again as he recognized Monte Jim. The window wasdown, and he feared to make of glass, for Monte Jim was seated so as to face the window, and could hardly avoid detecting any such maneuver. oducing the article 6 Brinston, Fatty Smith held itso that the licht from within fell upon it, revealing a small metal bomb, out of which protruded a fuse. His judgment told him the fuse was too long, since the intended explosion must be almost in- stantaneous after the deadly missile left his hand, if he wished perfect success, and taking out his knife, Fatty Smith cut off several inches, calculating the remainder to a nicety. This done, he held the bomb between his knees while he produced a couple of handkerchiefs and a pair of gloves from his pockets. These articles he used to muffle up his left hand and wri t, for in order to avoid the slightest chance of miscarriage in his dastaiJdly attempt at as- sassination, he was resolved to first shatter the glass of the window, then hurl his deadly missile through the opening, straight at Monte im. When his hand and arm were protected to the best of his ability, Fatty Smith stole one more cautious glance at his unsuspicious victim, then crouching low down, made a cover of his hands and body to shut in all light, as he strucka match with which to ignite the fuse. This he succeeded in doing, to his own satis- faction, then once more raised himself on his knees, casting a swift glance up and down the street, to see that the coast was clear. Not a person was to be seen, and he touched off the fuse, waiting long enough to make sure that it was well lighted, then suddenly rose up before the window, drawing back his hand to grea the glass—when he saw Monte Jim level a pistol. He struck the glass, then cast the bomb, straight and truei CHAPTER XXIII. THE PROFESSOR CROSSES THE DIVIDE, UNLUCKILY for the complete success of the bold attempt at assassination which Fatty Smith was bribed to make, Monte Jim caught a limpse of his face beyond the window when he k a final glance inside before lighting the fuse which was attached to the han nade, and though he did not suspect an assault after that particular fashion, the dashin to defend himself in case anyt robbery was intended by the prowler on the porch roof. pane was dashed in. ~ est in the shadows, und taken the first upward | any attempt at lifting it or cutting out a pane | he Black Sheep of Bismarck. his crime should be discovered, as it surely must | | } of the midnig ‘‘Not but that I | that his pistol spoke, the muffled band fell upom could do it easy enough, for I ain’t too fat to | the glass, dashing | hand which was instinctively interposed. making sure that the street in his immediate | uD / uppermost, and at once realizing the nature of imself | His nerves were not readily put out of trim; | ven him by Helen | one hand across his smarting eyes, and fumbled. sport prepared | that goes to blowin’ up his betters!” cried out % ing worse than voice from the darkness, > | He saw the muffled hand raised to shatter the | Kinney, t glass, and whipping forth his revolver he made | push a snap-shot that rung out just as the rerteeny There was no time to warn Alva Pennington, ° —— . 21 and as the window was almost directly behind him, the muzzle of the pistol almost touched his face as it discharged its contents, the flame ‘air- ly blackening and scorching bis skin, causing him to start backward, tipping over bis chair and rolling heavily to the floor, believing bim- self the victim of an outrageous aitempt at as- sassination on the part of Monte Jim. Swift as were his motions, Monte Jim was tom late to entirely frustrate the murderous scheme ht prowler. At the same instant out a couple of the small lights, then, with his right hand, Fatty Smith hurled the grenade straight at the breast of the card-sharp. The fuse was almost burned to the metal as it left his hand, and he dared not wait an instant lest some of the ragged missiles should overtake him in his flight and forever deprive him of the luscious reward which bad been promised him for effectually removing Monte Jim from the stage of life. Turning, he made a wild leap over the railing, alighting heavily on his feet, but without material injury. Monte Jim saw the motion which hurled the bomb at his person, but before he could make another move the missile struck fairly on the table, bouncing across it, to be caught in the Fate willed that the burning fuse should be the peril which threatened him, Monte Jim hurled the missile back through the window as he leaped to his feet. Almost instantly there came a loud explosior —a moment later a wild, piercing scream of agony the most excruciating—bcth coming front, the gloom into which the audacious assassin had lunged. x Monte Jim did not hesitate an instant after leaping to his feet, but with the revolver still clas in his right d in readiness for use, be made one mighty leap that carried him over the intervening table and almost tothe window, A second Jeap—a dexterous use of his feet which carried both sashes from their fastenings and landed the card-sharps on the roof of the ver- anda—still a third, taking him in safety to the und and close beside a writhing, moaning eap of humanity. Confused by what he believed was a dastard- ly attempt on his life, Alva Pennington stagger— ed to his feet, blinded by the burning powder, indistinctly making out the form of bis assail—_ ant in seeming flight by way of the window. An angry cry escaped his lips,as he dashed for his pistol: aes. ‘*Coward, come back and face me likea man!” ; He saw that Monte Jim leaped through the — window without paying any attention to his challenge, and fairly boiling over with rage, he tore open the door andrushed headlongdownthe steep stairs, through the office and out-doors. -; He caught a glimpse of a man kneeling beside another, and recognizing Monte Jim, rushed up to him, and thrust the muzzle of bisrevolveral- > most against his temple, only to have it soe. 7 by a hand that twisted the weapon from his | as readily as though he had beennomore han an infant. a ‘*Curse you, Monte Jim!” bepanted, his words — hardly distinguishable for a choking rage. — ‘* What did you shoot at mefor? Tllkill yor ~ for that, like a cowardly dog!” os ‘‘You simmer down, young fellow!” sternly retorted the card-sharp, reins to his feet with a: * swift glance around him at the rapidly-gather-_ a ing crowd. ‘‘Inever fired at you, butat.this — cowardly whelp who threw a bomb through the window at my head. I sent it back, andI reckon he’s got his last dose of medicine through —_ it, too! Ta ‘The loud explosion, added to the pre is rue and the wild screech which escaped the lips of Fatty Smith as he was stricken downbyhis — own missile, had attracted considerable a eo” tion, and already quite a little group was gath- ered about the spot where the fat little profes- sor lay in his own gore, feebly moaning, es ays oe ently insensible to the countless questions whic fell from eager lips on all sides. a This sharp interchange of words between Pen- __ nington and Monte Jim drew their attention to: those worthies, and already it became evident — that the unsavory reputation which, P ance A Or. 5 haba Sige clung around the card-sharp was tna working him injury and ranging public senti- ment against him. 2-3 Monte Jim was keen enough to see this, and more—he saw that there were a number of the _ Clipper Shades’s “‘heelers” in the crowd, — bat hints were rapidly growing into open threats. ere ‘‘Whar’s the marshal? ‘Rest the dirty cuss wé —* « é Lie ~ - “Who isit? Who did it? What's therumpus. anyway?’ yet a clear, stern voice,as Joe — ho' marshal of Bismarck at that time, _ his way through the théekening crowd, pecnedively pausing directly before Monte, _ “Monte Jim done it,” added the accusing: — comicbooks.com