Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 434 — page 20: what you’re looking at

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

———- ae Lucifer L nx, the Wonder-Detective. yi ~_~ Z CHAPTER XXIV. } A STUBBORN CATAMOUNT, | THE pards of the ‘‘ Red Divide” started and Jooked at one another as if the young bonanza- hunter had called the recording angel. He might call Flavia, but would she come. The door of the saloon was closed and barri- caded with a bar of iron, and nobody seemed fe disposed to open it to any one. ihe name fellupon Scar Chick’s ears like a sentence; he flushed, then changed color and ~ burst into a laugh. * Flavia, is it?’ heasked, looking at the young risoner. ‘‘ D'ye want ter drag her inter a mix ike this?” ‘*T have called my witness. I other!” was the ringing reply. Scar Chick beat back the refusal that started to his lips. *“‘Get the witness,” he said to the crowd, and then under his breath he went on with a -desperado’'s resolution. ““By Jove! it ‘li be and the last word seemed to be chased from Scar | ‘‘This is ther stumblin’-block o’ justice!” he Chick’s lips by a sinister smile. | ejaculated, drawing back and covering the man ‘* Any more witnesses, eh?” he continued look- | with his finger. ‘‘ This fool from beyond ther ing at Gold Grit. | Divide is ther tree in our path. Look at im, ‘*T present the accusation of Doctor Lynx, | gents. By Jupiter! we take the verdict o’ ther who says that when he came back to Reckless five, an’ throw him into the same noose thet Roy he found finger marks on his throat,” he , deals with ther assassin o’ Reckless Roy!” exclaimed. A loud shout of approval soared to the rafters ‘* We can’t take evidence o’ this kind,” laughed of the whisky-den, and every eye was fixed upon Sear Chick. ‘‘Ther men who carried Roy ter | the Cute Catamount of Bozeman. ther cemetery on ther mountain will say thet He smiled defiantly at first at Scar Chick’s they saw nosuch marks! Ther trial is closed!” threat, but instantly grew serious. This announcement broughtan indignant flush ‘* ’'m ther man, gents,” he ejaculaied. ‘‘ Thar’s to the young mythb-hunter’s face. He glanced five ag’in’ me in this matter, but I’m hyer ter at Flavia and appeared to wonder why she had , vote as I voted out thar—‘ not quilty /’” stopped when she did. ‘* Tie ther fool ter his hoss an’ turn ’im loose!” If she had seen this man who had taken Reck- | cried some one. ‘‘Send ther Catamount back less Roy’s life, why had sbe not named him to | ter Bozeman with an order on his coffin-shop.” the court? ‘** Hang ’em both together!” Scar Chick was anxious to finish the play he Goaded forward by cries like these the bronzed was managing with the skill of a practiced vil- toughs of Thunder City seemed about to descend lain. upon the stubborn juror like an avalanche. He felt that the jury was ready to hand in a_ All at once he straightened lefore them all, his verdict without quitting the bench. He knew | eyes flashed, he threw up his band. them all save the Cute Catamount from Boze- Flavia caught his look and sprung forward. man, and he would have bet bis head that that ‘This is the man!” she cried, halting before man would not *‘ hang” the jury. * | Scar Chick. ‘* Before Heaven! this is the man In order to give the proceedings some appear- | J saw!” ance of a court, Scar Chick requested Anaconda _— want none —- —_ — ae ow Oe z emg atc 3 inane epee oars ie ws etna Iggy t= rt mee rin —s — ' hyer! [ll catch her with my eye the moment she comes in, an’ she’ll know before she speaks -aword that [ am not powerless among these men-tigers 0’ gold-dom!” ** Pll bring ther girl up,” exclaimed Anaconda Alf, and the next instant the tall sport was ee | worth her existence ter blurt out the secret ' fe moving toward the door, Alf to take the jury out when he spoke again. ‘CHAPTER XXYV. i He reached it just as it was struck thrice by He offered no charge as judge-advocate, or THE MISSING FINGER, 2 _ »some one outside, and when he had lifted the | prosecutor, and when the six filed out into the THE crisis had come. BR CY iron bar, the latch clicked and Flavia stood | night with the tall figure of Anaconda at their | The boss bully of Thunder City recoiled with- “ie before the mountain court. head, the spectators relieved from the strain, | out effort from the voice and face of Flavia, * nr; Pek " J ¥ ln ~~ = ~_- > oP Ny =, ys «oe ‘ ~ _ » Chick. trial for killin’ Reckless Roy. ‘‘ She war out thar all the time,” ejaculated ‘Sear Chick, trying to catch Flavia’s eye as she -came forward looking at Gold Grit, whose pres- ~ence in the jaws of death did not seem to sur- prise her greatly. ‘¢ She may tell now Reckless Roy died an’ all thet just as she told me; but by the livin’ king! «she mustn’t couple my name with the death!” Flavia advanced to the middle of the room -and turned suddenly upon the head ruffian of “Thunder City as she threw a quick, solicitous glance at the youth. ‘* What does this mean?” she asked. “Ah! don’t you know?’ exclaimed Scar “Gold Grit has come back ter stand He is now before the court o’ ther ‘ Divide.’ Yonder sits ther jury— eed men an’ true every mother’s son ov em We've heard ther testimony for ther State; it’s all in solid enough agin’ him, an’ you’ve been called for ther defense.’ **T?” cried Flavia starting back a pace. ‘‘ Do ou want what I know about Reckless Roy an’ ow he died?’ ‘* Yes,” said some one before Scar Chick could answer. ‘“* This court wants the thing siftea to ther bottom. Isn’t this ther size of it, cap’n?” “*Thet’s it exactly,” replied Scar Chick who had been appealed to by the speaker, and then he turned the full battery of his black eyes eee th - crowded before the bar for a drink. ‘* You kin take thet bench yonder,” said Scar Chick, addressing Flavia and Gold Grit. ‘* Ther jury will deliberate out o’ doors, an’ we’il hev its verdict before long.” The parting look which the girl received from his eyes ere he turned to the bar renewe— the threat for silence, and she walked to the bench with the young gold-hunter with a cloud on her | the charge had to be met. countenance, ‘* Flavia,” Gold Grit said in a whisper, “‘ your story was well told, but in God’s name, why didn’t you finish it?” The girl gave a quick start and looked at him. ** The time bas not come,” she replied. ** Not when | am in the hands of a prejudiced jury and in the shadow of the noose as well?’ he cried. ‘‘ I came back to fight this thing out. I knew what you know before I started, I escaped from the watchful eyes of Ozark Oll who rescued me from the roughs of Lightning Lay-out. I was a coward when Doctor Lynx persuaded me to fly the night Reckless Roy died, but I have come to wipe out that stain! These men dare not lift a hand against you, Flavia. You have friends here despite the rule of Sear Chick and the hatred for me, I saw how eagerly the spec- tators and even the jury were expecting you to name the man who killed Reckless Roy; but yet ou would not speak. After the jury has come in with their verdict of ‘ guilty,’ it may be too | ‘ | | ; ; and the startled toughs who darted forward saw the girl draw her perfect figure proudly to its true hight. The arrow had struck home. ** This is the man!” With her finger Flavia covered Scar Chick as she spoke and he was the object of everybody's gaze, Something bad to be done, and that quickly; All at once Scar Chick broke out into a deri- sive laugh. ‘* This is a play not on ther programme!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ You see, pards, thet ther girl had ter dv suthin’, an’ she’s done it. This sha’n’t in- terrupt ther proceedin’s o’ this court, Ther jury has disagreed—five ter one, an’ thet one no citizen of Thunder! We take ther verdict o’ the majority. What is it, San Rafael Rob?” ** Death!’ . “Tt couldn’t be anyining else,” continued Sear Chick, and then he caught Flavia’s eye and leaned toward her. ‘‘ People ar’ mistaken after night, girl. J am not therman! Thun- der City knows thet, for Reckless Roy never had a truer friend than Scar Chick. A charge like vours doesn’t go down hyer whar I am known.” Flavia did not drop her eyes, neither did she | Start back from the glittering orbs of the des- _ perate sport, Reh ay and gave her a threatening look ca _la to bridle her tongue. ‘Now, go on ‘*Ther jury wants both late. Thunder City wants my blood, and the | ‘I retract nothing!” she exclaimed, speakin man who has stepped into Roy’s boots wants it firmly, ‘I saw the death of Reckless Roy. most of all!” was at the window of his cabin when the slayer ‘¢ Where is Lucifer Lynx?” did his work with the accusing eye of Heaven ** Heaven knows,” answered Gold Grit, “That | upon him! I would not falsely charge one with *¢ man has told me that he was my friend, but be | murder tosave the life of my best friend. I have /' Flavia,” he continued. «sides of this case.” kc" The following moment the boss of Thunder stepped back and leaned against the counter Ww ~with folded arms. a - ey ** { guess ve fixed her,” he muttered. ‘“‘She’ll | is not here now. He came back to Thunder | told you what I saw.” - -Mever give me away under these circum-| City when he left me in the mountain cabin and | ‘An’ I’m ther man, eh?” grinned Scar Chick, » Stances.” payee a game of bis own against Major Sphinx. | e is a detective who wants two men for a crime comnitted far from here; one of them he has taken away; the other remains.” ‘*' The other one js the man called Julian?” “Ttis Julian! He is not here to-night, as if | he knows nothing of these proceedings. But Flavia—” ‘‘Hyer’s yer jury!” sung outa rough, as the door opened and the tall figure of Anaconda Alf was seen at the head of the six. Gold Grit pressed the girl’s hand and gave her uick look as he rose to bis feet. ‘These tigers don’t carry out their infamous sentence,” he whispered at her ear, ** without a deadly struggle! Lamarmed for theemergency, with the braggadocio of the bully. For a little while the fair girl seemed to collect ‘$ ‘Yes,” her thoughts, and then in ciear tones she began “her story of the tragical death of Reckless Roy. 65 Sear Chick who had heard it before from her ‘lips watched her with the eye of an eagle, and hung breathlessly as it were upon her words, eV As her story grew the bronze crowd became intensely interested; the six persons seemed to is forget their office, and leaned forward with their | gaze riveted upon Flavia. rt; She told the whole story over, how the mur- _ «derer glided toward his victim’s cabin, how he | a opened the door and crept in, how for a few mo- ments be stood over Reckless Roy and seemed to gloat over the crime Le was about to commit, ‘** What does Thunder think?’ cried Scar Chick, | whecling upon the crowd, ‘* You’ve heard ther | whole lay-out, gentlemen. It is said that ther blood 0’ Reckless Roy is on my hands—on ther hands thet once snatched him from death in ther Shasta kentry. Thar’s no proof—only ther charge o’ Flavia.” ‘* And the finger-marks on the dead man’s throat!” The answer was in a man’s voice, and the yards of Thunder City saw the Catamount of ozeman step forward with trembling lips. ‘* What do you know?” thundered Scar Chick. “Ther yarn about them finger-marks was born oa ee = Fa - a | — SS —_ of : ‘ - = - » Re . P — x * / —s - + = “a - he . = a : a? ; i ¥f = te Se Re. a > & 'Z 2 Fr t and how mercilessly he went on and took a life as coolly as a thug! Nothing was heard in the improvised court- room, but the clear voice of the waif of the -storm— Zeke Wildfoot’s protegee. The gaunt steed of the Cute Catamount, one Flavia, and m the pards of Thunder City know!” the buzz of conversation and the rattle of glasses | ter take a hand in our game? to cease. Triumph was laughing in Scar Chick’s eyes. hand is quick at the trigger, as | | in Doctor Lynx’s throat, an’ when he gave it ter | ther world, he didn’t attempt ter prove it. Do Then he took a step forward, and waited for | you step from ther jury thet you've disgraced onder’s yer hoss, ' Catamount; take my advice an’ make yer anat- omy scarce about these diggins.” of the jurors stood, like a statue in his corner. He Jooked at Flavia, and saw her change color he nondescript smiled. a Scar Chick drew a breath of relief when Flavia | under the glance. ‘It’s a question o’ veracity,” he answered, eG finished. ‘*So ye’re back with yer verdict, gentlemen?” | glancing at the interested crowd. ‘‘ Does the a. She had told the whole story over, but Reck- | he exclaimed, facing the six, who had arranged | gallants of Thunder weigh a man’s word against ‘a less Roy’s name was the only one she had men- | themselves shoulder to shoulder a few feet away. | a lady’s? Why should the girl tell a falsehood of the kind that sometimes takes a life on the - tioned. His had not passed her lips, as if the _ _ Jook he had given her had been warning enough. | After the story the six jurors straightened against the rough wall at their backs, and Scar sa? Chick looked at the girl. ** Ts that all?” he asked. ‘*)t is all I saw,” was the reply. ie ‘“Gentlemen the witness has finished. I have / no questions to ask. We'll let her story go for ani hat it is worth, but you will recollect that six : They say thet ‘“‘I’m happy ter say thet ther court ar’ ready ter receive it. Spit it out, San Rafael Rob. | scaffold? She says she was at the window when What do you say: guilty or not guilty?” Reckless Roy died. Let me ask Scar Chick a A smile came over the faces of some of the | question: Where were you ?” jurors, and San Rafael Rob was seen to shrug The boss ruffian started, despite his coolness, is shoulders. ‘‘Flavia was outside!—weren’t you in?” he ‘* We've got no verdict.” he said. ‘‘ We’re a | went on with scarcely a pause, and the next in- hanged jury—five ter one!” stant he had cleared the space between Scar A murmur of disappointment swelled into ex- Chick and himself, and was glaring into the clamations of rage. desperado’s face with eyes that seemed to have Sear Chick almost left the floor. changed color. ‘* Five ter one?” he cried, ‘‘ ll beta thousand | The stranger was the Cute Catamount no I kin find ther traitor!” longer; in a flash, as it were, he had _trans- And the next mouent he bounded toward the | formed himself, and it needed not Scar Chick’s silent six, and halted like an enraged lion before reply te announce his identity to the house. the Cute Catamount of Bozeman. |“ Great God! yot ar’ Lucifer Lynx!” he ex- men hev testified ag’in’ her. “Reckless Roy died from his wounds, they saw /* -—s- nor heard nothin’ 0’ this other play which the |» -girl-witness claims ter have seen. Her evidence } «stands ag’in’’em all, an’ it is for you ter decide f _ ‘@vhether she is an interested party in this trial,” ahs y ; “Oa 4 x Eomichoo 7 P af ¥ ‘ ‘ a 7 “ = is ‘ . . 7 Oe é fe * a ‘ “wry . 4 ; a" : ’ 4 ¢ : 7 id ae 7 ‘ bd 9 — r’ — C, r nd ¥ ‘ Qs * Oe | atin - —~ _ « pn ae ane irl = ” a S iw « ; Y \ - : . “ “a + 4 *s .