Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 416 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

‘ < ~ —* =“, = : . 7 : py . “~ a '’ Monte Jim, the Black Sheep of Bismarck. 23 came from the lips of the whiter men in the crowd, whose sympathies were awakened by the action of Medea Pennington and her two backers. ‘¢T surrender to you, lady!” said Monte Jim, lowering the hammers of his pistols and then re- leasing them. Another cry—this time from the baser ele- ment, who saw that the man they feared even more than they hated, was disarmed and appar- ently wholly at their mercy—and with a rush they moved forward—only to shrink back again as Maced Pennington wheeled upon them, cock- ig the weapons she had just taken from the card sharp. Her eyes were flashing, her face was filled with mingled anger and scorn as she cried: ‘* Keep your distance, cowards, or I fire!” ‘¢ Fair ae or a fight, gentlemen!” supple- mented ill Rice warningly. ‘‘ Monte Jim surrendered to this lady, on her pledge that he should receive fair play. If you try to break her promise, some of you will suffer, sure as there’s a Heaven above us! Fair warning! Another step nearer, and we shoot!” Joe Kinney and a dozen other men faced in the same direction, with ready weapons, and the | each pillar which lent support to the roof. On one corner post, there were fresh marks where the old paint had been rubbed off; but that might easily have been the result of accident, any time within the week, and they did not | dwell long over it. ‘Now we'll take a look at the corpus, I reckon!” muttered Kinney, leading the way without answering any of the eager questions which were showered upon them. Selecting a number of men whom he knew he could trust, he formed them in a circle around the mangled body of Fatty Smith, then knelt down beside him, button in hand, while Rice held his lantern so that its light fell upon the gruesome sight. Silently Joe Kinney matched the button with those which still remained upon the tightly-but- toned coat, clinching his teeth tightly &s he saw they exactly matched. More—he discovered the very spot from which it had been torn, when the fat little professor made that desperate effort to draw his weighty person over the railing on the | veranda roof, Next, he noticed the left hand, which was still tightly bandaged, and gently loosening the knots, he unwound the blood-stained cloths, evil element of the mob saw plainly enough | pricking his fingers on a triangular bit of glass that the tide was turned against them, that their chance of putting the Black Sheep of Bismarck that time. ‘‘Take him into the hotel!” whispered Medea to Will Rice, ‘Guard him there as you would guard your own life. He must speak—he must tell whether or no he is the man I seek!” She turned once more toward the crowd, speaking rapidly: ‘Gentlemen, you may think it strange con- duct on my part—even unmaidenly—but when you know all, you will see why I could not re- main quiet while that man was being murdered. I know that the poor wretch who lies — cold in death, was the bitter enemy of the gen- tleman whom you call Monte Jim, I knowthat he repeatedly threatened his life—and I believe that he made a dastardly attempt this night to carry out those threats. ‘‘-You all heard the account Monte Jim gave of the affair. If it was true, as I firmly believe, there may be some traces left by the assassin on the top of the porch. Let your marshal and Mr. Rice make thorough examination. If none is to be found, then { will surrender Monte Jim to the lawful authorities to stand his trial for murder!” “Task nothing better,” quietly uttered Monte im. “It’s a square deal, gents!” commented Kin- ney. ‘ You can’t ask anything straighter. I am free to own up that I don't cotton to Monte worth a cent, but all the same I am bound to see that he gets a fair show for his money. ‘* Half a dozen of you keep a watch over the door yonder to see that Moute don’t try to make a break for it. If he should, and your legs ain’t spry enough to capture him, I reckon there’s some among you able to hit a target his size!” Not a voice was raised in opposition to the turn matters had taken. Those who sought the death of the Black Sheep of Bismarck, with or without reason, were afraid to utter their senti- ments, while the honest portion of the crowd only wanted to learn the truth to satisfy jus- tice. Medea and Honest Giles escorted Monte Jim into the hotel, while lights were procured for Kinney and Rice, by the aid o/ which they were to carry on the investigation set afoot by the quick-witted maiden. A ladder was procuxed, by means of which the two men, who led in the investigation on which depended the life or death of Monte Jim, carefully mounted to the roof of the veranda. Throwing the full light of their lanterns upon the roof, as they stood at its edge, they looked keenly for sign. At first they saw nothing more suspicious than the fragments of the shattered window-sashes, and bits of broken glass which littered the roof; but then keen-eyed Joe Kinney stooped anc threw the light from his lantern full upon a bit of fuse, lying in a shallow crack between two boards, and close beside it was the end of a blackened match. The two men interchanged quick glances, as the marsha] bent lower to secure the tell-tale articles; but not a word passed their lips that could be caught by the ag and breathlessly-watching crowd below. And in the same silence, Will Rice pointed out two marks where a match had plainly been recently drawn across one of the weather-boards. ‘Tt looks as though Monte was giving it to us straight, after all!” muttered Kinney guardedly to his companion. ‘“‘It’s all fresh sign, but it ain’t quite enough to tell the hull yarn in itself, Let’s look further.” Slowly and carefully they searched the roof of the veranda inch by inch, from one end to the other. And still another bit of evidence . forever out of the way, had slipped them for | LL TL as he did so. Butit was not that alone which caused his sudden start, and drew that ejacula- tion from his lips. The light ofthe lantern fell upon a bullet- pierced hand, and the final clew was discov- ered! Fatty Smith was the assassin, and died with a lie on his lips! A lie by which he hoped to be avenged, even in death! ‘*That settles it!” exclaimed Kinney, rising to his feet. ‘* Gents, we all owe the lady our thanks, for preventing us from murdering an innocent man! Monte Jim told the plain truth, and Fatty Smith died with a foul lie hot on his lips! He tried to murder Monte, and got caught in his own trap!” ‘* An assertion easily enough made, but what we want is the proof on which it is founded,” sharply uttered a tall man, as he stepped closer to the marshal. ‘‘What is your mighty interest in the mat- ter?’ Kinney demanded, as he stared into the face of Frank Lisle. ‘*You heard the evidence I offered, a bit ago,” was the calmer reply. ‘‘I believe this r devil had no time to make any such at- mpt, but if he did, then I owe Monte Jim an apology for the words I uttered in my excite- ment.” ‘*That’s square talk,” commented Alva Pen- nington, ranging himself alongside of his friend. ‘*T want to see bottom, too, for if Monte Jim really shot at that fellow as he said, then he didn’t try to blow out my brains, as I fully believed and said. What discoveries have you made?” Kinney recognized the reasonableness of this demand, and briefly made known a]! that the had discovered; the bit of fuse, freshly cut off; the burnt match and the marks where it had been twice struck on the weather-boarding close beside the window which opened into the chamber of Monte Jim; the bandaged band, from the folds of which fell a bit of glass; the button which matched those still remaining on the coat; and lastly the bullet-pierced hand. ‘It’s a strong case, I must admit!” mutter- ed Lisle, ‘*So strong that [ve only got this much to say: unless some one of you bring a charge of murder against Monte, I’m not going to trouble myself any further in the matter!” said Kinney, turning away from the mangled corpse and en- tering the hotel, seeking the parlor, where he briefly announced his discoveries and his deter- mination to drop the affair for good. ‘‘And I, my dear sir!” said Frank Lisle, ad- vancing with extended hand, ‘‘ must ask your pardon. Though I simply told the truth, or what I felt was the truth, I now realize my error, The scoundrel must have found time to make his attempt on your life, though I did not think it possible.” Monte Jim stared him full in the face for a moment, then turned away without noticing the roffered hand. But he grasped that of Alva ennington instead, with a soft laugh, saying: ‘*Do you still think 1 meant to murder you, old fellow?” “I think that ’ve made an infernal idiot of myself!” cried Pennington, as he warmly pressed the hand Monte Jim. CHAPTER XXV. MEDEA PENNINGTON TELLS A STORY. ‘WELL, it was rather innocent on your part to believe that a man of my caliber, who, sc to speak, was born with a pistol in kis fist, could miss the size of your head across a table, and then take the chances of jumping through asec- ond-story window instead of sending you thet route,” laughed Monte Jim, giving Pennington’s hand a parting squeeze that almost made the was discovered by the eagle-eyed marshal, in | bones crack; then, turning toward Frank Lisle, the shape of a black cloth-covered button to | his voice and manner in startlin which hung a tiny fragment of cloth. Nothing else was discovered on the roof, and they descended the ladder, closely examining Frank Lisle, the less contrast to what they had been but a moment before: ‘‘ As for you and your little mistakes, Mr. see of the one and hear of the other, the less liable am I to be arrested for assault and battery.” ‘‘Do you mean to threaten me, sir?’ de- manded Lisle, his eyes flashing, his brows con- tracting heavily. ‘‘T never utter threats—in the presence of a lady,” was the cold response. ‘‘1 don’t think it will be very difficult for you to imagine why lL refuse your hand, but if there should happen to be any littie point which you fail to perfectly comprehend, [ shall only be too happy to eluci- date, any hour of the twenty-four, after the present one. Good-evening.” ‘*T']l recall your pledge, Monte Jim—if you escape being hung for murder, and do not run away before I can find you again,” coolly re- torted Lisle. | He glanced from one to another of those pres- 1a ent, but on neither face could he detect the faint- | est wish for his remaining in defiance of the very pointed intimation from Monte Jim that Ss his room would be far preferable to his Cone | even Alva Pennington avoiding bis look. ith a careless nod toall in general he turned on his heel and left the room. ra ‘‘ There’s bad blood under bis smooth hide, or ade I’m a liar!” muttered Joe Kinney, in a voice - intended for Monte Jim alone. ‘ ‘‘ More than there will be after Ihave hada httle private conversation with the gentleman,” a replied the card-sharp, after the same guarded fashion. | . ‘*It’s all on the level between you and me, then, Monte?” wea ‘*Tf you say so, most assuredly.” — ‘‘T only done what I thought was my duty. Of course I couldn’t let you bluff me clean down, __ and if it hadn’t been for the}young lady Ireckon _ one or the other, if not both of us, would be turned toes up before this!” oak ‘And I, Mr. Kinney,” suddenly uttereda — soft voice, as Medea Pennington glided between % - them, ‘‘ must ask year pardon for the ee coe manner in which I usurped your office. Ifelt sure Mr. Ince could not be guilty of suchadas- tardly crime; but all the same, if his guilt had been positive, I must have interfered to save his life long enough for him to clear up a most | perplexing mystery.” Pa Joe Kinney was noladies’ man, and heblushed = furiously beneath that apologetic smile and gen- tle touch which rested onhisarm. Just what ~— he did or said he could never recall withany- thing like satisfactory clearness, for the next — thing he remembered was striding swiftly down — Ky S. the street, hat in hand, letting the cool breeze — heated brow. i. Oe onte Jim was on the point of following him ~ when Medea, her voice grave, her face sad, checked him. Ce ‘‘ Not yet, Mr. Ince, please. I have a story — to relate that, if I mistake not, deeply concerns you. As a personal favor, i beg of youto re~ main and listen.” a. Alva Pennington started at her words, cast- ing aswift glance from her face to that of the gambler, then advancing: ks ‘* You have recognized him then, Medea?” She turned quickly upon him, her eyes gleam- _ ing as she uttered in a swift, startling tone: ~~ ‘ You know, then, and yet you leftmeinig- — norance?” : Sita ‘*T suspected, but only this very night. In | fact, this gentleman was answering my ques- tions when that dastard mace his attempt at murder. I haven’t had achance to speak since. _- But you won't go into it to-night? Itsgrowing Medea turned imploringly toward Monte Jim, who said: 3 ‘‘T am entirely at your disposal, Miss Pen- nington. Night and day are the same to me, ~~ but you—had you not betier seek some repose before attempting to do more? Will not to- 3 morrow answer just as well?” a “TI gdare not wait!” was the quick, nervous a , — * 4. - ey, , » ¢ a reply. ‘‘My vow forbids it. And unless you positively refuse to listen—” | ae ‘*'You saved my life, when those fellows had | GS me cornered, Miss Pennington, and it isyours — to do with as you see fit. You have only to command, and I will obey.” . ee Will Rice, who had been unwillingly forcedto, listen to these swift interchanges, now ca 2a at his opportunity to bid Medea good-night, — only to be cut short by the lady. = ‘“You must not go yet, Mr. Rice,” she said, — positively. ‘‘Though the story Ihave to tell | does not intimately concern you, the services — you have so generously rendered methisnight — — me to beg your attendance to aie Oe end. ru A surly growl from Alva Pennington told how little he relished this prospect, but Will Rice was too deeply in love with Medea to ~~ slicht or refuse her carnestly spoken wish, and with a low bow he resumed his seat on the lounge. Wie ‘“What business is it of his?’ growled Pen- nineton. ‘This isa family affair, and wecan” © surely get along without any outsiders!” * ‘Cousin, Mr. Rice ismy friend. Hehasheard — part of the story I have to tell, and has beenof such service to me that I give ktm the right to — remain? Do you still object, sir?” Ca 2 Alva Pennington looked very much as though ~— chooks.com 4 - aon <€om