Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 434 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

-— == —_— > ne ae ee 16 Ozark OU saw the youth start slightly at magician as Iam,” said the detective seriously. | _—-~ He saw in the lamp-light the giant figure and —— a apes ss > ~ Po i rs oS a ¢ ee a + or ee a 4 Ce a ge OEE EE eli A ey it i ee ly —~we oe ow = <a — -- eee . ed ~~ _ mention of the Nabob’s name. ‘“‘He isp't ther only friend you've got in Thunder, I kin see straight, but she can’t help yer like ther major kin. With friends like these em- ployin’ me, d’yer think I’d save yer from Light- nin’ Lay-out ter take yer back ter ther nooses o’ Thunder city?” ‘*T would not think so.” **T shall do nothin’ o’ ther kind! Hyer’s ther pledge of Ozark Oll,” and the sport of the ‘ Divide” held out his hand which Gold Grit siezed with eagerness, believing for the moment that Ozark was honest. CHAPTER XTX, WHAT SCAR CHICK’S TRAP CAUGHT. Apout this time back in Thunder City Scar Chick was making ready to spring his much- vaunted ‘‘ trap” on the magician-detective. Totally ignorant of the desperado’s purpose Lucifer Lynx had seen the day decline and another night take its place. If he had come back to the Idaho capital of the ‘‘ Divide” for a special purpose, end we have heard him tell Flavia that he had, he was taking things leisurely, as if in no hurry to strike. Scar Chick had not dropped his intention to unmask the spotter as a spy of Lightning Lay- out; he did not look bebind the disguise of the eye in mourning and the full beard to see Doc- tor Lynx; if he had, he would have changed his tactics. When he stopped Anaconda Alf returning from his interview with Flavia to announce that the test wes ready, Scar Chick had no more arrangements to make, ‘Whar is the man?” asked Anaconda Alf, with some eagerness, for the girl’s few confes- sions had placed the magician before him in a new light. ‘* He has just dropped in upon Major Sphinx,” answered the scarred sport with a smile. ‘* He won’t get a good welcome after the trick he perce on the major last night, and Julian ikes the trick he played on him none too well. I believe I'll waltz in on him at ther major’s. After ther ao thar, Anaconda, ill torce him down to Happy Hank’s, a confessed spy, an’ turn ’im over to ther crowd!” “That may be a big job,” remarked Ana- conda, cautiously. ‘*Witb a hoss like me ter manage it?” ex- _ Claimed Scar Chick, flashing. “‘ [ll unmask him so quick that he'll give himself away. I’ve beer. waitin’ for somebody ter witness ther play an’ you're the man ov all I want.” Anaconda’s eyes seemed to get a twinkle, ** This man may find the game bigger than he imagines it,” he mentally ejaculated, looking Scar Chick over. ‘‘If Bruce Bartlett is a de- tective, as Flavia confesses, he came hyer knowin’ that his life is atstake. Vli go with Scar Chick. The trap he brags about may not be such a trap after all.” Then, turning to the big bully of the camp, the lank sport announced his willingne-s to be present at the coup, and the next moment they were seeking Major Sphinx’s abode together. A fierce eagerness that could only be born of expected victory s:one in Scar Chick’s eyes, be man never thought of defeat; his intense hatred of everything that emanated from Light- ning Lay-out was enough to goad him to des- peration. It was true that the magician-detective was at that moment Major Sphinx’s guest, but not a welcome one as he was when, not long before, he had tickled the ma. throat with the con- tents of the mazic flask. He had knocked at the shanty door when the major was enjoying an evening cigar prepara- tory to strolling down to Happy Hank’s to mingle with the usual customers there, and to find «ut whatever he could about the man he did not like. Indeed, as he had neither seen or heard of the eon since sundown, the major was in hope: thut he had curtailed bis visit and had slipped out of camp. When lo! the rap on the door: announced a caller, and Major Sphinx nearly dropped his cigar when ne opened it and greeted—Bruce Bartlett! Tn an instant, a dark cloud clothed the Nabob’s row, - This man!” he ejaculated. ‘‘I wish he was in To» het!” Politeness even to a disagreeable visitor forced the major to invite the magician in, an invita- tion which was promptly accepted, all too promptly for Sphinx’s peace of mind. ‘* Accept the apology which I feel that I owe you,” exclaimed the detective, bowin~ with a sunshiny smile. ‘‘ It wasn’t my intention to give you the shock I did last night, but—” ‘‘It was devilish unpleasant,” interrupted Major Sphinx. ‘Iam fully recovered from it now. It was a good trick, too—it was, by Jove! ha, ha!” It was the old expression so often used by the major, but the laugh had lost its jollity, and was now quite a mournful affair. ‘It’s my best trick, but one I can’t explain, he went on. ** Thar’s another thar if ' unknown.’ merciless features of Scar Chick, the bully of the ‘* Divide.” Behind him was Anaconda Alf, The appearance of these two bronze angels of destruction sent a thrill through the Nabob. They were as good as the Spider with all his coolness and cunning. ‘** Hello!” exclaimed Scar Chick. ‘‘ Hyer’s ther spy o’ Lightnin’ Lay-out! Ther disguise ar’ too thin. Throw up yer hands an’ confess! Ther game is up!” The magician-detective had stepped aside at the opening of the door, and he now occupied a spot from which he could see all three of the men at once. . ‘*The man war right!” ejaculated Ansconda Alf. ‘I kin now see Doctor Lynx’s eye in his head,” Scar Chick had not come to the major’s cabin unprepared, and the swift glance of Lucifer der saw the six-shooter held in bis dark left hand. ‘Spy ov Lightnin’, we’ve cornered yer fer death!” the camp desperado suddenly went cn. ‘*Up with yer hands an’ walk out with nothin’ in’em! Ye’re a man oc’ tricks, from what we saw last night, but this ar’a trick not in yer portfolio!” Major Sphinx, with color in his face, once more looked at the cornered man, ‘This is a turnin’ of the tables,” be said to himself. ‘‘Scar Chick never plays with the game he catches in his traps.” What would the magician do? ‘*So I'm from the lars’ nest over the Divide, eh?” he suddenly cried. ‘*Ye ar’, fer a thousand!” was the retort, ‘* And vou, for twice that sum, are the big- gest liar ’twixt Helena and Frisco! Step aside, gentlemen. Let the door stand open. Major Sphinx, you will march out with your bands in your pockets. If you take them out you will drop in your boots! Iam playing a big game for justice. Forward, major! These two pards will not interfere. I have them at the mercy of Lucifer Lynx’s revolvers!” Scar Chick’s trap had caught a Tartar. CHAPTER XX. FLAVIA EXPLODES A BOMB, THE magician-detective was on top. Major Sphinx glanced appealingly to Scar Chick and Anaconda Alf, but neither sport lift- ed a hand in his bebalf. ‘This is pardship with a vengeance! But never mind—I'll get even with you two fellows one 0’ these days!” growled the major, as be thrust his hands into the depths of bis pockets, and told Lucifer Lynx with a scow] that he was ready to obey the mandate to march out, A minute later the self-styled Nabob of Thun. der City stood in the starlight beyond the shanty door. The detective, who was only a few feet away, was eyed by Scar Chick in the most vindictive manner, The bully had sprung his trap with very little success; indeed, he had made one of the most ignominious failures of his life. ‘*Look hyer!” suddenly grated Scar Chick, leaning toward Lucifer Lynx. ‘‘ This is your nights to-morrow may long to Thunder ity! A smile came instantly to the lips of the spot- ter. ‘‘ We «vill meet to-morrow when it comes,” he said. “Iam notaspy for Lightning Lay-out. 1 have no affiliations with the tongh customers ‘*T have no control over that stick, and its won- derful properties are one of the mysteries of the Major Sphinx started. ‘*Do you mean to say that you don’t doctor that stick so as tomake it bleed when you wish?” he cried, losing some color, ‘*T mean nothing less, my dear major.” ‘Then, you think—” He stopped of bis own accord, and appeared afraid to go further. He was about to ask Bruce Bartlett if he had confidence in the divination of his blood-rod; but no! he could not do that. It would savor of self-betrayal. ‘* It was very strange, to say the least,” the major continued. ‘*Strange!—the most wonderful thing in ex- istence! Beats the magic bottle, don’t you think, major?” — ‘** Tt beats the devil!” Bruce Bartlett leaned back and laughed, all the while looking straight into the major’s eyes, ** Major,” he suddenly said, *‘ as we are alone, I'd like to show you another trick which 1 don’t often exhibit to a crowd.” -* The Nabob of Thunder City seemed to recoil as far as the back of his chair would let him. He wanted no more legerdemain, not even of the sort that replenished the goblin flask, ‘* Aha! don’t want the trick, eh?’ cried the magician, leaning toward the major as if fol- lowing him up. ‘* There ’s no bleeding rod in it —nothing o’ the sort. This egg is supposed to be produced by an East Indian bird—” ‘‘Hang your East Indian magic!” blurted Major Sphinx, glaring at the small bluish egg which Bruce Bartlett held m his hand. “I’ve gone clar back on slight o’ hand since last night. We don’t want any more hyer!” f the major had raised his eyes to the ma- arom he would have seen them get a new ight. “* Here! hold your hand out!” Bruce Bartlett said in tones of command, and he seized the major’s hand before he could withdraw it. ‘I lay this egg on your palm, thus. If the blood- rod lied last night the egg will remain whole; if it told the truth it will fall to pieces—ashes in your hand, Major Sphinx. Presto !” The next instant the cabin rung with a cry that was heard by two men who were almost at the door. Major Sphinx rose from the chair with the Ty on his lips. he egg had dissolved in the dropping of an nas and in bis palm was a little heap of dark ashes! ‘To Tartarus with your infernal magic!” ex- claimed the Nabob of the ** Divide,” spurning the ashes with a shudder. ‘* Why all these tricks on me? Your blood-rod lied and so has your infamous egg! We've never had such a charlatan as you im Thunder City, and by heavens! when you git away, we'll not pray for another.” ‘‘T presume not, major,” answered Bruce Bartlett gliding toward the flushed Nabob. ‘*There is blood on your hands and you know it. I am more than I pretend to be.” ‘*T thought so!” ‘‘T am a man who has sworn to right one of the most infamous wrongs ever perpetrated. In order to know me better let me say that under the mask I wear here is the body of Frank Hunter, the man who has sworn to hunt down the villains who planned and executed the Jalien robbery and more than murder in New York.” ‘My God!” who oceupy the Montana side of the ‘ Divide.” It was impossible to keep the ejaculation | Iam engaged in a little game of my own just back. now. Major Sphinx will be asked to accompany me, and he will go. Good-night, gentlemen, Come, major!” Once more and for the last time Major Sphinx looked at the two men, but they did not stir; then he walked away, watched and guarded by the man whose eye looked as deadly as the re- volver cocked in his velvet hand. ‘Tf he isn’t a spy for Lay-out, who is he?” aske ed Scar Chick, wheeling upon Anaconda Alf. ‘¢ He’s a cool one.” **Cool!” and the bully of the camp sent the word through clinched teeth. ‘‘ That man has the assurance of Satan himself! He is as cool as a certain Captain Coldgrip I used to know, an’! he was coolness in boots. Meader he goes—with Major Sphinx. I begin ter b’lieve now that the rod didn’t bleed for nothin’ last night.” ‘Tt bled for a purpose,” answered Anaconda Alf, recalling what Flavia had told bim con- cerning the detective, but he did not see fit to reveal the cool man’s identity to Scar Chick, “T wish I had suspected him last night,” growled the bully. ‘* We kin foller him up, but what is Major Sphinx, anyhow? Ov what prac- tical good has he been ter Thunder City since he came hyer? Let Bruce Bartlett take him off, Hane me. if I walk a step to rescue the chump. Rut the man who has just played his bluff game —]"l] kill him on sight!” Ry this time the figures of Lucifer Lynx and his captive bad disappeared among the shadows of night, an? when Scar Chick leoked again and saw them not, he put up the heavy six-shooter whose trigger he did not get to press, Major Sphinx was almost against the cabin wall, and with his face quite colorless, he was staring at the magician-detective with eyes that seemed ready to leave his head! ‘*Not a word of remonstrance or denial!” continued Bartlett in the same stern tones. ‘I am here tu play out the game that I’ve had a hand in ever since the discovery of the crime. Don’t ask me how I discovered that you are the man I want. The story need not be told here, The partner who has come all the way from New York to Thunder City will know before long that the Gotham Ferret did not die in the river on a certain night. Ha, ha! major. This is one of the longest trails of my life, but I will soon be at the end!” ‘*What do you want?” asked the white-faced man. ‘*'You!” was the reply. ‘‘ We are going away from Thunder City to-night. I will come back or go elsewhere for Julian the Spider when I want him. How about the million that depends on Gold Grit recovering his recollection of past events, eh, major?” Major Sphinx seemed to have lost the power of sneech, but he could think. ** Would to God somebody would come--Julian, oo Chick—anybody!” passed through his mind. Tue case was desperate, and the Nabob saw it in all its phases, Suddenly the door opened. Superstitious to a great extent, Major Sphinx believed the event a response to his wish. enn ne ttt eapnnne ~-€omicbooks.com f - 7 . ' - a