Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 11: what you’re looking at

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

—— ee Cantain Ready, the Red Ransomer. room, he seated himself beside the table, lighted | ‘* Well, we’re likely to hear of his approach a cigar, and began smoking with a thoughtful | as soon as any one, and with a good horse at and scheming air of the most sinister descrip- | command we can ride away at our leisure as tion. ‘*So far the thing’s a success,” he assured | soon as the house gets too hot for us.” ‘*To be sure! Wecan vanish when we find himself as a spiral of smoke curled leisurely out | that our room is likely to be more agreeable of the window from his lips. ‘“‘’’'m duly in- stalled, and in quarters fit for anabob. The two old girls evidently believe aJl I have told them.” CHAPTER XIV. RODMAN’S PARD, A STRANGE chirping sound, as of some un- familiar bird, suddenly arose from the midst of the dense evergreens by which the lawn under the window was dotted. Rodman started to his feet, his dark features lighting up in a very joyful fashion. ‘¢ Ah! there’s Dirker!” he muttered. Seizing the lamp, he waved it around his head, and then moved if up and down witha rapid motion, finally replacing it on the table. At these proceedings, which evidently con- veyed some well-defined information, the strange ery was repeated in a modified form, proceed- ing from a point considerably nearer than be- fore. Leaning upon the window-sill, Rodman peer- ed down into the darkness, His room being on the second floor, and the darkness not too intense, he was able to see dis- tinetly the outlines of a man who was standing immediately beneath the window. ‘* Tt?s me, old boy,” called this man in a shrill whisper. ‘‘ Lower your ladder.” Producing a stout and compact rope-ladder from an inner pocket, Rodman secured one end of it toaleg of the beistead which had been placed at his disposal, and lowered the other end to the new-comer. “Come up,” then enjoined Rodman, “if you are certain no one will see you.” The new-comer hastened to act upon this in- vitation, The rope-ladder having regular loops at easy distances, it was not diflicult for the new-comer, with very little noise, and hardly a perceptible swaying from side to side, to raise himself, hand over hand, to the level of the open window. ‘*Have no fear, old boy,” assured the agile climber, as he noticed a look of anxiety upon the face turned toward him. ‘‘ No one will see me. This side of the premises is as deserted asa graveyard.” He slipped into the chamber nimbly while speaking, and Rodman hastened to lower the curtains and remove the table and lamp to the opposite side of the apartment, ** Sit down, Dirk,” he invited. ‘‘I have the best of news for you.” Dirker sat down with a shiver. ‘‘T thought I should shake myself out of m boots while awaiting your signal,” he declared, speaking in a mere whisper, as he had done before, ‘It’s really too late in the season for a man to be standing and doing nothing, espe- cially if his whisky bottle is empty.” The eyes of the new-comer roved about the room a few moments, in the same inquisitive manner Rodman had exhibited. ‘‘There’s no mistake, then?” ‘* You’ve struck a gold-mine?” ‘Or something very like it—without the least doubt.” ‘* That agrees with all I heard at the village,” said Dirker. ‘It’s thought that the estate of the brother who died in California footed up to several millions. But what sort of a cock- and-bull story did you hit upon to gain admit- tance into this charming retreat?” ““Oh, the one we settled upon, with a few necessary variations, Allow me to repeat it exactly.” Rodman hastened to report the interview he had just had with the ladies, and was more than once interrupted by the irrepressible chuckles of his companion. “ Pretty well done,” was the comment of Dirker. “A good beginning. What a pity it is that we haven’t the least idea where Mr. Hamlin is or what has happened to him!” ‘*'Yes, a tremendous pity! My private belief is he’s deader than a door-nail! The man from whose cond we stole this letter was certainly killed by the Indians, and it’s not too much to say that Mr. Hamlin has had a similar streak of bad luck somewhere on the Divide Little need to comment on these confidences, The couple really knew nothing about the whereabouts of the missing husband and father or about his situation! “ Our wait here is likely to be a long one, you think?” continued Dirker. ‘“‘Yes—all winter. But in a day or two [ll contrive to bring you to anchor here, under one retense or another, and it will be curious if our ively imaginations do not supply us with the ways and means of making a good living out of this old woman and her daughter for a long time to come.” ‘‘ But suppose Mr. Hamlin should really turn up, old fellow?” suggested Dirker. he resumed, than our company. Let’s drink to our success. I’ve brougit along a full bottle from the village for that very purpose.” “All right,” returned Rodman, “Have a smoke while we are talking. I want you to be quite at your ease, so as to comprehend all I say, and realize just where we stand.” A cosey scene of enjoyment was that the two men soon exhibited, as they drank and smoked, conversing feelingly of Mr. Hamlin and his family. Verily, Mrs. Cook had not been mistaken in her reading of Rodman’s countenance. He was indeed a *“ terrible villain!” And all this time in what a false sense of nt and hope had the fears and anxieties of Mrs. Hamlin been hushed! What would have been her horror and wonder if she had been told that the man she had taken under her roof really knew nothing of her husband’s fate and fortunes! He and Dirker had found the letter of Mr. Hamlin on the dead body of the man who had undertaken to convey it to Mrs. Hamlin, and that was all they knew about it. For a long time after the withdrawal of Ben Rodman from their presence, Mrs, Hamlin and Alice remained silent. “The letter is certainly papa’s,” at length said the daughter, with a mien which showed that sundry doubts had been suggested to -her. ** So far we are on solid ground,” * Yes, and it was written in a moment of creer peril—this much jis certain,” returned rs. Hamlin. ‘*‘ I am not entirely satisfied with the appearance and communications of Mr, Rodman, but there is certainly a basis of fact under all bo has told us,” ** It?s easy enough to verify what he says, mother,” pursued Alice, as a look of quiet resolu- tion beamed from her eyes. ‘* Papa is not so far away, if we may believe this man, as to pre- vent me from going to his relief!” The mother held her breath in amazement. ** You, my child?” she murmured. ‘* Why not? Mrs. Cook can take good care of you in my absence!” “True, she could, So far as I am concerned, therefore—” ** And as to the rest,” resumed Alice, with thoughtful energy, “‘ her sister and her sister’s husband would afford me ample companionship and protection.” * But the danger—the Indians?” ‘* The Indians are pretty much cleaned out on the Republican River, and the settlers are nu- merous throughout its valley.” ‘* But there are plenty of white outlaws that are even worse than red-skins,” suggested Mrs. Hamlin. any 5 with you, dear mother, but you must remember that the Government has scattered a great many troops along the principal routes and upon the border.” ‘* But there are plenty of outlaws, white and red, that the troops have never been able to lay their hands upon! Think of those terrible Red Ransomers who have so long been the scourge of the Rockies. What a horrible experience it would be if you were to fall into the hands of such men!” **T am aware, of course, that there is positive danger in such a journey as [ have proposed,” avowed Alice with great firmness, “ But I think that with Mr. and Mrs. Dayton, and such help as we could obtain from honest ranchmen and at the military posts, we could make our way to the place where papa is staying without any great peril. As to the fatigue of such a trip, itis hardly worth a mention. You know how strong I am, bow careful I am, and how cautious I would be, and how resolute in every emergency.” Mrs. Hamlin reflected earnestly. *‘ Let us see what Mrs. Cook thinks of your project,” she proposed. ‘* Here she comes,” The case was stated to the housekeeper as soon as she entered the apartment, and at every word her face lengthened, “*T wouldn’t trust adog with this Mr. Rod- man,” she declared stoutly. ‘* There’s something about that man we haven’t fathomed!” ** But what?” asked Alice. ‘* That remains to be seen. I propose to keep an eye upon him.” ‘Of course that’s the least wecan do,” re- marked Mrs, Hamlin. ‘‘ But let us now discuss all the aspects of the situation. I am sure none of us are sleepy!” ** Sleepy!” echoed Mrs. Cook. ‘I shall not be able to close my eyes while that man’s in the house.” The discussion proposed by Mrs. Hamlin was ooty. entered upon, and lasted until alate hour of the night. It is unnecessary to narrate its details. Suffice it to say that a great surprise awaited Ben Rodman, when he presented himself, after a good night’s sleep, to the family in which he had gained a footing under such false pretenses, oer CHAPTER. XV. THE SPIDER AND TH FLY, ‘*T HOPE you slept well, sir,” was the greeting of Alice Hamlin. ‘* Very well indeed, miss.” . ““T trust you are rested, Mr, Rodman,” said | Mrs. Hamlin. ‘‘My daughter and I will soon ; have occasion for your best services,” | ‘‘The more useful I can be the better,” ans- wered the impostor, with a wary glance around. ‘* You—you have no news of Mr, Hamlin?” ‘* Nothing later than the news you brought us,” avowed Mrs. Hamlin. ‘Please be seated, Breakfast will soon be ready. Meanwhile, { may as well tell you the resolution my daughter and I have formed over night. Mr. Hamlin is likely to have a very serious time with his inflamma- tory rheumatism. The disease has been heredi- tary in his family from time immemorial.” ‘' T think he told me as much,” declared Rod- man, dropping uneasily into the nearest chair. ‘Yes, this attack isa serious thing for my husband,” pursued Mrs. Hamlin. ‘‘Heoughtto | have the best of care. There’s no telling when he’ll be able to travel. He may be helpless for months in the out-of-the-way place where youve left him. In view of allthese facts,mydaughter has resolved to go immediately to her father’s — assistance!” : 4c To go—” For nearly a moment the startled plotter sat as if dumfounded, and then he ejaculated: “* Tmpossible!” ** And why impossible?” asked Alice, . “Think of exposing a young girl—a mere child, as I may say—to the thousand dreadful _ dangers of such an expedition! It would be | sheer madness! Think of those Red Ransomers and other outlaws—” ’ ‘* But we are not going within hundreds of — miles of the Red Ransomers,” protested Alice, — a scanning the impostor closely. ‘‘Whatisthere to fear in a journey of a few daysin the Re- — publican Valley?” ;, | ‘* Everything—everything!” assured Rodman. ‘* Believe me, Mrs. Hamlin, if you allow your ~ daughter to set out upon this foolbardy expedi- tion, youll never see her again—never! She will meet a horrible fate!” 9 ‘* But she is going well protected, sir, and in good company—” ‘That makes no difference!” protested Rod- — man, earnestly. ‘‘ What is an escortoftwoor _ three men, or even half a dozen with such bands of outlaws as are to be found evewywhere on the border? I speak as an old plainsman, as well as in the capacity of a friend and well- . wisher.” hes: *T’m not easily scared, sir,” Alice contented herself with replying. ‘‘ Yowll have to giveme ee neo figures, if you seek to change my pur pose ‘“*T am not easily alarmed on my daughter’s account, Mr, Rodman,” observed Mrs. = i s*, ~ Sw quietiy. ‘Ihave consulted with friends dur- ing the night, and have arranged to have due protection from tbe forts and otherwise. Since | my daughter believes she can make this journey in safety, I approve of her setting out uponit, Of course every precaution will betaken, and she will travel well attended.” et Mr. Rodman did not propose to be dispossessed so easily of the cosey winter quarters of which he had taken possession. , He continued his protests against the expedi- _ tion, advancing many a good reason, but many — more poor ones, oe ae He said so much, in fact, that he deepened the suspicions of which he had become the ob- ject, and confirmed Alice so completely in her project that nothing could have turned her “Md from it. ‘ For more than an hour—during breakfastand = afterward—Rodman tried to change the purpose of the mother and daughter, but he wasatlength _ compelled to realize that his objections had merely strengthened their resolutions. = a The frame of mind in which he walked to | town, at the end of the long interview,canbe | easier imagined than described. aoe ‘‘ We’re in a pretty pickle, Dirker,” he said to © 3 that ruffian, on meeting him at the place ap- — pointed at their separation on the preceding evening. “‘ That girl has madeup her mindto _ go to her father’s assistance.” pew Dirker uttered a prolonged whistle. “a ‘“ And we don’t even know where he is!” he | muttered, ‘‘ or whether he is still in the landof the living.” > ie ‘‘Singularly enough,” pursued Rodman, “‘ tha hs inflammatory rheumatism i invented for him | turns out to be hereditary in the family, andit is feared that he'll lie there helpless all winter— at the imaginary ranch where we've left him. _ Could anything be more awkward than for us| to get tripped up in this fashion atthe very | commencement of ourromances! Come, Dirker, | as you assisted ne in planting all these lies, itll be mighty queer if you can’t help me cultivate i them to a harvest. Can’t youtell mehowto save our bacon?” area ee ‘“‘T’m blessed if I can!” replied Dirker,shaking his head slowly. ‘‘ We shall have to assent to xa 7 P Lge) » Ws ‘the journey. You must, of course, introduce me as a trusty friend, and I will go with you.” ** But how are we to get over the fact th i 7m _ MIGDOOKS Gol (E() Cc S)