Beadle's Dime Library No. 417: Tucson Tom — page 17: what you’re looking at

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

- ~ x i * 4 t “Se ae eWeae. * ° a* * wee oy . ore fi 9 i = Tucs 7. . on Tom, the Bowie Bravo. 7 Most were built after the regular Mexican | the man whom he had last seen in the little style, with a flat roof which would serve the ' gulch when he showered rocks upon him purpose of a promenade. But this one had a second story—a low affair, with a balcony above and below. On one side was a high wall, doubtless in- closing a garden. Not a light was to be seen about the house. é Tom was determined to have an interview, if possible, with the owner of that face, and unravel more of the mystery connected with the young girl he had rescued from the Apaches and whom Cortina and his gang of ruffians had been well paid to mur- der, He was not entirely in the dark with reference to the facts of the case, but what little he knew only whetted his appetite for more, and he was now determined to prosecute his purpose while he had the chance, Having surveyed the building, he pro- ceeded to climb upon the lower balcony. From this he found that it would be com paratively easy to reach the upper one by means of the heavy vines that grew close to the house. The task proved as easy of accomplish- ment as he had anticipated, and it was not long before he was hidden among the vines of the upper balcony. So adroitly had he done this work, that any person in the room would not have heard him. Hardly had he ensconced himself in this position than he heard wags steps below. To his surprise, they halted directly be- neath him and there followed a rap on the door. Tom knew there were at least half a dozen men in the party, and his first thought was that their presence had some connection with his visit. Reflection told him that this could hardly be. His presence in town was unknown. A figure glided out upon the balcony, and * even in the darkness Tom could see it was the owner of the marked face. He bent over and looked down. One of those below was puffing a cigarette and this he drew upon in so lively a manner that his face must have been disclosed. ‘* Quien es (who is it)?” asked the woman. The man laughed as he looked up. Tom was not in position to see his face, but he seemed to have an idea that he had heard that laugh before. The woman recognized him now. ‘Ribaldo! you have returned! Good! have your men enter below and I will place food liatose them. Vo you ascend and make your report to me.” She re-entered the room. Tom heard movements in the house and presently those below were admitted. Then a light was struck in the room and he saw the woman plainly. She was of Spanish blood and had once been uncommon y fair, but time had marred her beauty and there could be seen upon her face a tigerish look that was a true index to her disposition. He knew at once that his suspicion had been correct, for this was the woman whom he understood to have connived at the death of Mabel. In her hands, therefore, rested the secret of the girl’s life. She lighted an antique lamp in which the wick seemed to float in a cup of thick oil. The room was more of a sitting apartment than anything else, and for a Mexican house, was luxuriously fitted up, showing that the woman was possessed of wealth. Tom just barely noted this fact. His mind was taken up with wondering ~ who Ribaldo might be. or Perhaps a suspicion had entered his mind. If so he would not long be kept in sus- pense. Heavy footfalls sounded on the stairs. The Spanish lady had just time to throw herself into an easy-chair and assume an at- titude that would become her, when the cur- tain was pushed aside to give entrance to a man. The spy on the upper balcony started. He had no trouble in recognizing this worthy. Before him he saw the terror of the border, and his followers—General Cortina. To this woman he was Ribaldo. **T remember..” ‘* His revolver it was that sent the bullet through this arm of mine. Tucson Tom heard more than we bargained for. He had His face had upon it several cuts not yet 'seen Dancing Feather before, and was be- healed, and his arm was bandaged tightly, | although he could use it. Strange indeed must have been the sensa- loved of her, so that when he learned of my mission to Apache land, he hurried ahead. When I met him he had bafiled the whole tions of the ranger while thus gazing upon | tribe, had slain many of their warriors, and, the man whose name was such a terror along the Rio Colorado and the Del Norte, realiz- ing as he did that the wounds Cortina bore had been inflicted with his own hand. He saw in this peculiar meeting the hand of Providence, whereby he might accomplish his ends without proceeding to that extreme he had before deemed necessary—the threat- ening of this woman with evil unless she made a confession. o CHAPTER XXYV. A STARTLING DISCOVERY. Cortrna’s followers below were being served by a waiting maid, and their laughter and jests were to be heard from time to time. Tom paid no attention to them at first, but | an Indian girl. in the end pe was brought in an unpleasant way to realize their presence. Of that more anon. When Cortina entered he bowed. Rough as he could appear among his fol- lowers, he had some of the instincts of a gentleman, and could show it in the com- 'carajo! when I come to think of it, I am astonished to still find myself in the land of the living.” : The woman seemed to be thinking. ‘*Tueson Tom of all others. That accounts for it,” she murmured. ‘ Accounts for what. senorita?” ‘‘They are here in Tucson.” ‘* How do you know that?” “T suspected that this man was watching me for a purpose, and I instructed one of my men, Querdo by name, to follow him whenever he found an opportunity. Not more than half an hour ago he came to me and reported that this dashing ranger was In Tucson—that he had seen him enter, mount- | ed on his yellow horse and accompanied by The truth rever entered my head until now.” ‘‘Where did they go, senorita?” he asked, eagerly. ‘“To the place of Captain Sams.”’ ‘‘Good!” he said, rubbing his hands. ‘‘ What would you do, Ribaldo?” ‘‘Put them both out of the way before the pany of the gentler sex when it suited his | rising of another sun.” purpose. They spoke in Mexican, but Tucson Tom was perfectly at home in that tongue, and had no difficulty in following out their con- versation. ) ‘‘ When did you arrive, senor?” ‘* An hour ago.” ‘* You return sooner than you expected.” “Yes; we did not think to be here for another week or so.” ‘* What is the reason of this?” ‘‘Our plans were changed by circum- stances.’ ‘*You have not been in the Apache town?’ ‘* No, senorita.” ‘‘Then you have not seen fer.” The general laughed. ‘Tf by her you mean Dancing Feather, the Priestess of the Sun, worshiped by the Apaches as one sacred, I can say that we have seen a little too much of her for our good.” ‘‘Say you so, Ribaldo? Waste and tell me what you mean.” The woman’s eyes flashed with the glow one sees in the depths of a volcano, and she trembled as the earth might tremble when those awful fires are kept from bursting forth. “The girl is no longer in the Apache town.” ‘‘ Ha! where then, senor?” ‘* Close to this town.” ‘*Those were not my orders, Ribaldo. The reward is to be paid for proofs of her death, not for a prisoner. You have not done well.” ‘* Oarramba ! fair senorita, I acknowledge that I have not even a prisoner. The girl comes here in the charge of one who is not — a member of my band, but a deadly oe.” ‘What! dare you acknowledge that the great and only Cortina was defeated in his purpose by one man, and that too when he had his own crowd of lusty fellows at his back!” ‘* Tt is the truth, nevertheless.” ‘* Did you fight at all?” ‘Senorita, | have left four dead men on the plain, and all the others came back more or less wounded. Look at me! Am I not a beauty to break a woman’s heart? I tell you we had a devil to deal with. For once Cor- tina acknowledges himself,beaten, but it will not be for long. That man must die.” ‘‘Who was this wonderful bravo before whom an army could not stand?” she asked with contempt in her voice, ‘Senorita, do you remember our last in- terview at the well on the border of the town?” She nodded her head. “Why should I forget, Ribaldo?”’ ‘As we came away we met one who looked hard at us in the moonlight. I asked you who he was, and you replied Tucson Tom.” ‘‘That must not be. I hired you to relieve me of all danger that might come to me through the Apache Priestess of the Sun.” ‘And that contract I mean to faithfull perform as agreed upon. The other part is a little piece of private business. My wounds —— easier when that devil of a ranger is e 9? ‘* But you must not kill him.” The resolution in her voice caused him to look at her with surprise. Then his brow was elevated as he began to comprehend the truth. ‘“Ah! senorita, | am sorry you have al- lowed yourself to be smitten by the dashing face of Tucson Tom, for he has run across my path, and no man can Go that and live.” ‘Tf pay you well for the task I set you, do I not, Ribaldo?” ‘‘ Admirably, senorita.” ‘‘Then I offer you the same number of golden onzas to spare the life of Tucson Tom.” The general hesitated. Imagine the peculiar feeling of the man hidden among the vines of the balcony. 3 He experienced no pleasure at the mani- festation of this passion, only revulsion. Somehow the difference between this mur- derous plotter and his fair Mabel was so great that affection from the former seemed such as one might expect from a poisonous serpent, ready at the lightest provocation to plunge its fangs into the heart of the object of its regard. To incite the heart of this woman to pas- sion was as unfortunate athing as a man ~ could well do. Cortina finally looked up. ‘‘T will not promise you, senorita, but. will keep your words in mind, and if I can subdue my feelings when I have a chance at Tucson Tom, with the memory cf the gold — boys, he may live.” * ‘But you will not neglect your other — work. It is dangerous to me toleavethat Had I never said . girl here in civilization. anything about it, she might not have been — discovered, but, knowing the truth I could — take norest night or day while she lived. | My fears have only aggravated the evil.” ~ ‘** Never fear. more. One question, senorita. , out of the way it may be necessary to walk — over the body of Tucson Tom.” ts, ‘‘Then walk over it. My first duty isto — secure my own safety.” yy ‘“That’s business, senorita. One thingI _ have learned since entering the town this _ There is one here whom you would © night. not have this girl meet for a fortune.” ‘* You startle me, Ribaldo.” ; ‘*Tt is Francisco!” y a The name caused the blood to leaveher face, and her hand trembled as it fell upon the sleeve of the general. +, va ‘Where did you see him?” EOMIEHDCO ‘S.cor Pt b . 4 face * a ¢ Rei —e ss <r s _ = - q src! ’ “i - v- ees: > She shall not trouble you o To put her | as ~ ¥ oe