Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 506 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

~swered Graham. - aroused the liveliest apprehensions in the honest ‘ Uncle Honest. ae 19 wholly ignorant of how the rescue was effected, or where the Ormes are.” ‘* Then who could have done it?” ‘“T have thought of Storm Rider—” ‘* Remember what I heard Isaac say, and my theory that Storm Rider has come to grief.” ‘*T was about to add that Outerbridge says two meno were concerned in the rescue, and Storm Rider certainly had no companion.” “The mystery is perplexing,” admitted the doctor, thoughtfully. ‘“‘ Who wason guard at the City Hall last night?” ‘Isaac and two other men.” **[saac is not the man to let a prisoner be snatched from under bis very nose thus.” ** He fell asleep, it seems.” ‘* Was not Knifebelt taken away, too?” «ec No.” “That is strange.” “The whole affair is strange, and I assure you that Eliakim isan angry man, I have no doubt that he intended to take the Ormes to Snakefoot, but his prey has been wrested from bis grasp in the very moment of action. Who did it? ho could have done it? All Hornets’ Nest is with him, yet the rescue was made. It puzzles the Outerbridges as much as us, Now, what does it mean?” The question was one of the class that is easier asked than answered. They had calculated on almost everything, and prepared for it, but the one thing they had not expected had come to pass, oe CHAPTER XXIV, PETER ILLUSTRATES A FINE POINT, Hart ey finally became convinced that Uncle Honest did not know any more about the mys- terious disappearance than he did. It would have been much easier to arrive at that conclu- sion had he known of the men waiting at Bull Head Rock. Eliakim’s intentions had been ac- curately judged at the start,and he did not possess a shadow of evidence to show who had accomplished the rescue, In the conversation between Hartley and Graham, little part had been taken by Yank Yellowbird, but when they found themselves wholly at a loss, this fact occurred to them. sci oe of our number is very silent,” observed ark, ‘‘True—Nevermiss has nothing to say,” an- ‘I consait it’s a time fur action, not words,” Yank added. ‘‘ But you have a theory—” ‘* Not an oita, so ter speak. We might guess a dozen things, but what’s the good on ’em? We kin do better than ter start a guess-school, I consait that ef the rescuers wa’n’t spooks nor hopgoblins they must ’a’ left a trail.” . ‘Ha! I did not think of that!” Mark ex- claimed. ‘‘i am insufferably stupid. Quick, mountaineer; what is your plan?” _ . Fur you an’ me ter take the trail an’ foller it!’ Hartley sprung to his feet, and even Graham’s downcast face lighted up, There was no ques- tion as to the ability of the mountaineer to do the indicated work. Half his adventuresome life had been passed in such undertakings, and a trail was to him like a book to be read line by line. The “ signs” left by the rescuers might be obscure, but if they were capable of unravel- ment, Yank was the man to do it. No time was lost in getting away, and as they had no preparations to make, they were gone almost before Graham had finished his speec of warning. He watched them go away with a thoughtful expression on his face, “Brave hearts! brave hearts!” he murmured. ‘*T only wish I was yop enous to accompany them, but I must see all these perils and stirrin scenes as an idle spectator. Would to Provi- dence I had never set foot in Hornets’ Nest! The town never deserved its name more under the rule of the old-time roughs than it has done since Eliakim Outerbridge took charge, When Yank and the doctor return, I believe I shall ask their advice as to tho advisability of desert- ing my home, and taking Hannah and Peggy away. Better forfeit my poor home than to ex- pose them to further danger.” He heard the voice of Peggy singing in the room above. She bad experienced great relief at hearing of the dieppee of Joseph and Vashti, and the song she was rendering was light and airy, but Graham noticed that ber former vivacity was not apparent in it, He fell into thought and did not arouse until footsteps sounded outside the house, He looked up, and then his face grew pale. Uncle Honest was moving toward the door. What errand had brought him there Cyrus Graham did not know, but his appearance old man’s mind. He was deeply under Elia- kim’s displeasure, and he felt sure that no friend- ly motive had led to the visit, Uncle Honest crossed the threshold, and a new, grim expression on his face made him look like Sheriff Isaac. of ** Good-afternoon,” he said, stolidly. “ Good-afternoon,” faltered Cyrus. ** Are you alone?” ‘* My wife and Peggy are up-stairs.” “Where is Yellowbird?” **He has gone out.” ‘* He was here a few minutes ago,” “Yes; but he went away.” “With Hartley?’ Graham dared not deny the fact, so he ad- mitted it. ‘** Where did they go?” ‘*T don’t know, Uncle Honest: [ told them about the escape of the Ormes, and they went out to get the latest news,” ‘You must have surprised them,” observed Eliakim, with an undisguised sneer. ‘**T did.” **Humph! Are you a fool, Graham, or do you think me one?” Uncle Honest’s voice was strongly bitter and severe for that of a ‘‘ peacemaker,” and he frightened Grabam more than ever. His own voice trembled pitifully as he stammered: ‘*T did not mean—that is, surely, I said noth- ing, to lead you to infer—” “I infer nothing. Where were Hartley and Yeliowbird during the last hours of the night?” **T don’t know, sir.” “Will you sbield them at therisk of your own neck?” ‘* 1] know nothing to shield them for.” ‘You know they went away last night and only just got back. Somebody rescued the prisoner—who, if not our precious doctor and the lank mountaineer?” My dear sir,” cried Graham, ‘you are wholly wrong: I assure you that you are, They did not know of the escape of the Ormes until I told them.” ‘“ A likely story.” ** Tt is true.” “Then where were they last night?” ** That I don’t know,” Graham replied, after brief hesitation. ‘“‘Mr. Graham,” icily pronounced the Peace- maker, ‘‘ I yesterday forfeited your property to the town, but out of regard for your old age, deferred the sale. Whether or not you are to be beggared depends upon yourself. Confess that Hartley and his ill-favored crony liberated the Ormes, and your Property shall remain yours forever; refuse and, by St. Paul, Pll strip you of every cent you have in the world!” he massive ruler of Hornets’ Nest leaned back in his chair and regarded Graham keenly. Gons was the reformer, gone the ‘ peace- maker,” gone the benevolent old gentleman; and in his pace was a harsh, imperious, merci- less man whose words did not reveal his uttér want of honor any more plainly than bis hard, angry face. In that crisis he saw fit to throw off the mask and give his trembling companion a glimpse of his real character. Graham felt nis last hope vanish. ‘Mr, Outerbridge,” be feverishly replied, ‘ [ swear to you that, as far as my knowledge goes, our suspicions are without foundation. I firmly lieve—nay, I know, that my friends had ho hand in the rescue!” ** But you will not deny that you know where they went last night?” “IT will give my word of honor that they did not go to the City Hall, nor near it.” ** But sent other men, eh?” ‘No, indeed. No, no, they had no part in the rescue, nor did they dream of attempting Eliakim had been looking intently at his com- panion, as though he would read his very thoughts, but he now made an impatient ges- ure. “Why do I waste words with you?” he harsh- ly returned. ‘‘ You will stick to your story through thick and thin, and I don’t know that I am sorry. You are opposed to me, and would never be less than an enemy. I know how to deal with such persons. The Ormes are gone, but the City Hall remains. You and your family shall occupy the place left vacant!” Mr. Graham put forth his trembling hands imploringly. ““Spare us!” he exclaimed, in a husky voice. ‘*Consider how old my wife and I are; con- sider—” ‘Your perverse folly? Hxectiy that is all that interests me now. I shall deal with you according to your deserts.” Uncle Honest arose and marched toward the door. He went out with another plea from Graham falling on his ears. Those ears, if not deaf, were indifferent, and he stalked away toward’ the City Hall without a backward glance. Graham dropped into a chair with a groan. The crash had at last come, and come with a vengeance, too. It left him weak and helpless, and he covered his face with his bands and sat there, statue-like, while precious moments pass- ed, by unheeded. His position had not changed when the inner door opened and Peggy ap- peared. She stopped short as she saw his evident sor- row, and then ran forward and clasped her arms around his neck. ; } va . , . = 7 > 2 YEAR Pes 4 * mr we * * F, ; pal naan » S. A 4 4 eS i. “Oh! daddy, daddy! what is it?’ she ex-~ claimed. He poured out the whole wretched story im broken words. It was a vague, incoherent nar- rative, but it sufficed to explain the situation ta Peggy. She suddenly sprung to her feet. “Bo you know what we are to do?’ she de- manded. ‘‘ What is our house compared to freedom? Let us flee to the hills at once; let us. escape while we can. We shall not starve. Brave Yank will find us: Providence will watch over us. Quick, daddy; let us go!” lt was good advice, but it came too late. Once more footsteps sounded, and Uncle Honest appeared, with Peter and three other men at his heels. The gray-bearded leader pointed to: the inmates of the house. ‘““There are your prisoners!” he announced, stolidly. In marched the men. Their attention was upon Graham, and they plainly intended te secure him first, but Peggy sprung in front of them. “You shall not touch him!” she declared. ‘‘ Wor shame on you, to molest a harmless old man!” ‘You'd better get out o’ the way!” growled the man. ‘*T will not!” ° ‘* Then Ill make ye.” ** Touch me, if you dare!” Peggy was more spirited than logical, for she had not the least means of doing damage, but. the ruffian hesitated. He looked back at Uncle Honest. ‘‘Obey me!” the leader added. With a quick movement the fellow flung Peggy aside, and then he laid hold of Graham. But Peggy was not yet subdued. She bravely returned to the attack, and in a moment more that offending hand, as it rested on Graham’s shoulder, was ornamented with the red lines of several finger-nails. A belligerent cat could not have done more effective work than Peggy. Her victim uttered a roar of anger and sprung” at her. Gallantry was with him an nuheard-o virtue, and he brutally seized her by the throat. “You tiger-cat!” he hissed— but he spoke no» further. There was the sound of a blow—a heavy fall —and then the ruffian lay stretched upon the floor, and Peter Outerbridge stood over him, cool and grim. - Uncle Honest stared at his youngest offspring in startled wonder. ‘“‘ What in the world have you done?” he de-- manded. ‘‘T’ve illustrated a point, and a mighty fine- one,” calmly answered Peter, ‘t You told Dodge to do one thing, and he did another. You see how he came out.’ * But, my dear boy, you ought to bear with a. faithful follower—” ‘* He laid his hand in violence on a woman, and he got what he deserved. If he tries his; ame again, Pll knock him down a second ime! It was a very commendable utterance, but; Peggy did not beam upon Peter as a t knight-errant suddenly aroused to her aid. He — had * illustrated a point” well, but all through pure selfishness. He had done it to win Peggy’s: favor, and she knew it just as well as she knew — that if the march of events was against Peter’s — hopes, he would become her bitter enemy as suddenly as he had knocked Dodge down. The fallen man arose combativeness was knocked out of him—far slowly. None of the A Me “. from it—but he knew that he must yield to the ~ son of Uncle Honest. If it was the pleasure of that young man to knock him down, why, he . must allow it. The incident had had a nearly paige rk and when low voice, work, Graham and Peggy word, True, resistance would bave been vain, ncle Honest, ina ~ 4 eculiar effect on — irected his men to go on with their 4 ielded without a be | but Peter’s blow seemed to bave castaspellover: — a)l in the room except bimself. ; The capture was quietly made, and in a short time the Grahams and Peggy were prisoners at: the City Hall. “s CHAPTER XXV. THE SAWTOOTH TRAIL, Uncir Honest had timed his visit to Gra- * an) 4 4, ¢ 1 ham’s in a way highly favorable to Hartley and | the mountaineer. They could not very well fol- low the trail of the Ormes without startingfrom the City Hall, and Yank, for one, expected to - find some trouble in doing this. It did not seem likely that the Outerbridges ' would remain passive while this was going on, Luckily, Eliakim was then on his way to Graham’s, and if the trailers were observed by — any one else they were not molested. 4 § Arriving at the rear of the City Hall they — first saw a hole in the wall several feet from the: ground, while near the building lay an over- turned ladder. These facts explained how the unknown rescuer, or rescuers, had gone in, and how he and the escaped prisoners had gone out. — The next thing was to find the trail, and, ay a glance around, Doctor Mark mentally Peat nounced that a hopeless task; dozens of men ha@ — tried before them, and the ground was coveredi : JOOKS:.( Eom €