Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 484 — page 25: what you’re looking at

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ae 20 | Is it possible that you will free him Japtain Ready, the Red Ransomer. ——— et “We are placed | peril. also?” ‘*Doubtless. My friend yonder evidently has some ideas to that end of which he has net Dayton would hardly waste a word upon me, ** Certainly,” he answered. while Miss Hamlin confined her remarks to a { here to prevent your escape.” few scornful comments upon the treatment to | “And you are willing to assist that man in which she was being subjected, and to repeti- ! his horrible persecutions?” . ; | tions of her declaration that she’d soon be out | Her tones were sadly reproachful. spoken!” of my clutches. In short, tle girl’s manner | “Tt looks that way, I admit,” returned Nick, ‘* Shall we go now, or later?” was so defiant and hopeful, that I could dono | with a voice that betrayed both sympathy and less than suspect that the couple haye made an arrangement with one of the many sentries who were on duty here during last night to free them!” interest. ‘‘ But we are here as your friends, | Miss Hamlin!” ‘*Ah! You know who I am?” | ‘* And how you happen to be in this painful situation! [f you will lower a string of any tient so long,” suggested Nick thoughtfully, ‘* By that time, the great body of the Ransom- ers will have retired for the night, and we shall have to take into account only the sentries, Meanwhile, too, we shall doubtless be able to / cerp ‘ : T'wo or three hours hence, if you can be pa- ‘| ; | to,” commented Vorce, | ‘That is indeed a natural conclusion to come 7 ae ee ‘‘T want you, therefore, to be as watchful as if life were at stake,” resumed the robber-chief, with an air as resolute as uneasy, ‘‘ and to take good care that none of the men who were on guard last night find the least opportunity of communicating with the prisoners. I will re- lieve you at midnight, either in person, or by a couple of men I can trust.” ick nodded assent. ‘‘There’s no danger, I suppose,” queried Vorce, with assumed carelessness, ‘‘that the other prisoners will interfere with us?” ‘** Not the least. They’re too well-guarded.” ‘**Ts Dan in charge of them?” +e He is,” Vorce turned away with the air of having heard all he desired to know. Possibly, too, he wished to hide a look of invol- untary stisfaction that stole over his features and flashed from his eyes, A few further remarks and suggestions were offered by Captain Ready, and then he walked away toward his tent, with a final injunction to watchfulness. As soon as he had gone, the two sentries ex- changed congratulations upon the rare fortune which had befallen them. They were not only just where they wanted to be, but they were there by authority, and in a fair way to command the weighty results they had so much at heart. ‘Did you really find that diamond?” was Nick’s next question. ‘Of course not,” was the answer. ‘“‘I have not only carried that: diamond ever since I be- came a Red Ransomer, but also the explanation. Tu other terms, that diamond business is merely one of sundry methods I have invented of ex- plaining such situations as that I have just weathered.” The two sentries took several turns to aud fro at their posts, carefully scrutinizing their sur- roundings, and then they halted again at one of the front corners of the house, ‘* T suppose Miss Hamlin is in that front room up stairs?” queried Nick, sending a glance in the direction indicated and speaking in a whisper. “Where the light is, you mean? Yes, that’s doubtless her prison.” ‘** How still she is! hension she must feel!” “No doubt of that,” returned Vorce, as his gaze took the same route as his companion’s. “‘I can imagine no worse misery than for a girl to be the captive of Ready.” Nick was too pained to pursue the subject, and walked off abruptly, taking several new turns in silence. Then he came back to his associate. ‘How are we to open communications with her?” he demanded, in the same guarded tone as before. ‘‘ How let her know that We are her friends?” ‘ That’s what I’d like tokn»w,” replied Vorce, with a dubious air. ‘So far, she has not looked out—not even when we were talking to Ready!” *¢ And even if she was to see us she’d consider us robbers, and shrink from saying a word to us,” suggested Nick. ‘Possibly not, sir. She might be desperate enough to make an appeal to us to assist her in What grief and appre- sort to me, I shall take pleasure in sending you a message!” The captive hastened to avail herself of the suggestion, making use of a piece of cord she de- tached from the curtain of the window. Nick secured to the end of the cord thus low- ered a letter Mr. Hamlin bad given him in view of a possible opening of communications with the captive. ‘‘There! you can pull it up now!” he whis- pered, ina tone which attested how keen was his delight. Alice hastened to comply, and the missive was soon in her hands, Mrs. Dayton at the same instant turning a ray of light gradually upon it. What a start Alice gave as she recognized the handwriting of the address, and how quickly she tore open the envelope! The few lines she had under ber gaze read as follows: “The noble young fellow who hands you this is named Nick Peddie. You can trust him precisely as you would trust APA,”’ CHAPTER XXXVI. NICK AND ALICE. THe joy and relief with which Alice read these lines brought a swift flush to her features. She hastened to look out again. ‘*'You have indeed brought me a welcome message, sir,” she said, as she passed the com- munication to Mrs, Dayton. ‘ Please wait a moment!” a She closed the window and lowered the cur- tain, and by this time Mrs, Dayton had taken cognizance of the precious epistle, and was bub- bling over with delight. ‘* How nice! how providential! is it not, Alice?” she murmured. ‘* What shall we say? What shall we do?” ‘¢ T must go down-stairs,” replied Alice, ‘* to the window immediately under this, and con- sult with Mr, Peddie as to the ways and means of escape!” ‘‘ But Ready may see you again,” suggested Mrs. Dayton, as she turned up the lamp. ‘““No harm can come of that,” responded Alice thoughtfully. ‘* You will remember that the robber-chief gave us permission to go any- where in the house!” ‘¢ Ah! So he did!” ** Tl accordingly take that smaller lamp and go down to the room under this,” pursued Alice, arising. ‘‘I need not show much light—not enough to tell any one outside that we are stir- ring. ‘There'll be no trouble about inventing excuses if Ready should see me. For instance, T can tell him that I was looking to see if we were quite alone in the house, and so on.” She seized the lamp of which she had spoken, and glided away, with a graceful nod, descend- ing the stairs. As far as she could see, in the limited light she veneured to use, the room on the ground floor was Ready’s parlor or reception-room. Certainly, to judge by the boots, weapons, ci- gars and bottles that were visible, she could not doubt that the Red Ransomer was its principal tenant, She was pleased to find that he was now ab- sent, and that the building evidently held no other tenant at the moment than Mrs. Dayton communicate with Mr. Dayton and Mr. Britton, so that we can all take our departure together!” ** Oh, if we might!” sighed Alice, ‘‘ We will certainly try to realize your hopes,” said Nick, with sucha kindly voice that Alice could not help flushing, although he could not see her face. ‘‘In the mean time, I suppose Ready has left you to yourselves, and made you comfortable, as regards food and other essen- tials?” sé Yes—yes!” ‘Of course it is very terrible to be in such a situation,” pursued Nick, while his honest face glowed with emotions to which he had until that hour been a stranger, ‘but I can pledee you my word that you really have nothing to fear, and that you shall be in your father’s arms long before daylight.” “Thank you, sir!” murmured Alice, grate- fully, as tears of joy moistened her eyes, ‘* That assurance is quite enough to render Mrs. Dayton and myself patient until you can come for us, Consult with your friend and go on with all your affairs without the least reference to us, You will find us here, at this window, when- ever you may core for us, and until then, pos- sessing the great consolation of knowing that papa is safe, 1 can be as patient as hope- ful.” “That is all I require to know,” declared Nick, passing more and more under the spell of the bright eyes and radiant features before him. ‘*Remain on the watch bere until we have found means of communicating with Mr. Day- ton—” ‘* Hush! Some one comes!” Nick turned away quietly, while Alice closed the window in silence, A tall figure had indeed stalked into view, approaching Voree, but the attitude of the lat- ter attested that nothing was to be feared from this quarter. CHAPTER XXXVITI. LIVELY TIMES IN CAMP, THE new-comer, in fact, was Dan, the ‘‘ Prairie Kitten!” He had a fine cigar between his lips, and was strolling through the camp with the air of being quite at his leisure. ‘* Will you smoke, boys?” he asked, as Nick advanced to meet him. Both accepted the weeds offered them, and proceeded to light them. ‘Your friend here, Mr. Wilder,” resumed the new-comer, addressing his remarks to Nick, ‘“ has told me, ae the afternoon, the nature of the business which brings you here, and it is needless to add that [am as one with you in its execution.” Nick experienced a keen thrill of relief at this assurance, ‘“*T will talk with Wilder about the details, Mr. Crottle, while you aon up the pretense of being on guard,” pursued Dan, ‘‘ and he’ll post you later. I don’t think Ready is on the watch,” and he sent a keen glance in every direction around him, ‘‘ but tbere is too much at stake for us to take any risk of detection.” Nick assented to these views, and took his way to the rear of the house, where he began pacing to and fro with watchful glances, carrying bis rifle in the hollow of his arm. escaping!” and herself. How nervous he was, how anxious, need not y | At this moment the light in the chamber above Placing her lamp on a table at the rear of the | be stated, | , them was extinguished. room, and as far as possible from the window The few glimpses he had had of Alice, and ae} k “What can that mean?’ asid Nick. ‘That | she proposed to utilize, Alice proceeded, with a | especially the remarks they bad exchanged, had ae Miss Hamlin is about to retire?” strangely fluttering heart, to place herself again | stirred his soul to its foundations. ; i “ Hardly,” replied Vorce. ‘‘It’s more likely | in communication with Nick, In a word, he loved her. at that she is about to appeal to us for help, as I Her first measure was to raise both the cur- To rescue her and restore her to Mr. Hamlin, Bt r suggested. Now that her light is extinguished, | tain and the window, and then she looked cau- | was a result for which he would not bave hesi- on she can raise her widow unseen.” tiously out. tated to give his life. if The tivo 1uen continued to watch and listen, Nick stood within a few feet of her, attentive ‘You are still in charge of the guard-house?” | remaining motionless, and silent, and Vorce could be esti & made out, | queried Vorce of his associate, as soon as they |) Tne clatter of a sliding sash was soon heard, | as he paced to and fro at his post, but notbing | were left together. | and they comprehended that the fair prisoner | was seen of any one else, * ‘Yes, Dave; but it’s the last night Pl ever =! had raised her window. ‘‘Tam so glad to see you, Mr. Peddie,” whis- | pass here.” ¥ They could even make out the outlines of her | pered Alice, offering her band, as Nick stepped Dan’s voice was gloomy, and his face dark lt head and shoulders, as she knelt beside the briskly to meet her. ‘‘-You have left my father | with pain and disgust, i aperture, peering down upon them. safe?” ‘* There’s something wrong, then?” +h ‘*Can you see me?” she asked, in a voice as ‘‘Quite so, I am very glad to say,” replied ‘Yes, I’ve just been out with a detail to a low asa summer zephyr. ‘« Indistiuctly—yes,” answered Nick, his heart already in a flutter. Nick, pressing the girl’s band with sympathetic fervor. ‘‘He has made his escape from the robbers, and has taken refuge in Captain Has- bury Doctor Foster.” ‘* Ah! he’s dead?” F ‘* They found bim cold in his prison this morn- ‘Will you come nearer?” | kell’s camp!” ing,” replied Dan, ‘‘As you have doubtless Pe Vorce siznified to Nick, by pinching his arm, ‘‘ Thank Heaven! I daresay you had a hand | noticed, Ready has been very hard upon him, 4 that he was to reap Ones and then shouldered his | in his deliverance?’ with a view to break down his obstinacy, as he oy __ rifle and resumed his walk to and fro, to give| ‘‘I cannot deny it!” called it, and human nature couldn’t stand such 44 himself the air of attending to business. ie ‘“ And you are here with a’ view to my rescue | a diet longer.” at Nick glided under the window, and Alice | from this horrible situation?” Vorce heaved a profound sigh. -). Hamlin looked down upon bim, ‘Yes, Miss Hamlin.” He felt as indignant as his associate in re- | **T suppose that you know that I am a pris- ‘* What relief! I am especially glad on Mrs, | gard to the murder which had thus been acccm- : whe oner here?” she whispered, in a sufficiently high | Dayton’s account, sbe has suffered so intensely | plished. a? | key to reach him, er LL . at the thought of ber busband’s captivity ana The man under discussion was a wealthy pris- ‘ m (e) JOO (C cS) (E(0)