Beadle's Dime Library No. 510 — page 14: what you’re looking at

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

% $, ie * ne i ae ee 14 ‘ El Moro, the Corsair Commodore. ** Will you not do better?” ‘“Though a Jew I have but one price, as you should know, sefior,” was the sneeri nse. ‘‘ Will you give me that sum besides the ten thousand daleras I owe you?” ** No, sefior, you must pay your debt, long overdue, out of what I offer you.” ‘That leaves me but twenty thousand.” ‘** Still less, sefior, for you seem to forget my interest.” ‘* Well, I have but to submit to your de- mands, so give me the money, and the jewels you shold of mine as security for what I owe you. The Jew calmly set to work, entered in his book the purchase of the gems, scratched off the debt due by the Mexican, added up his in- terest, and then counted out just eighteen thou- sand dollars to the colonel, at the same time handing him a morocco case with the remark: ‘* You will please see, sefor, that your jewels are there as you gave them to me.” ** Yes, they are all here; now I wish you to do something for me.” ** Well, sefior?”’ “You know the coast pirates?” ** Yes, sefior, 1 know most of them in a busi- ness way, for they are sad gamblers when in port, and have often come to me for loans.” ** Do you know one you can purchase?” “* How do you mean, sefior?’ ““One who, if well paid, would pilot a vessel down the coast to a point different from its avowed destination?” ‘*You mean a man who would make a mis- take in a haven?” 66'Vas, 7? ‘* For what purpose, sefior?” «That is none of your business, Jew, nor is it s. ‘*His duty is to engage as pilot and start down the coast for a given point, with a second vessel following close in his wake, ‘*He is mistaken in the point of destination, and runs into an inlet which I will name, and, what then follows he will not be responsible for, and more, his life will be in no danger, and he can make his report of what occurs in a way that will not endanger his position with the Government,” ‘*T can secure ** Remember, fair, and you are to give him his orders, which I will explain to you.’ ** T understand, Colonel Rublo.” ** See that no mistake is made, then, and when you have found your man notify me at my quarters, and you shall have the Pisa to pay him,” and without another word Colonel Rublo left the Jew’s shop and wended his way rapidly down the dark and deserted street back to his rooms. But close upon his heels followed a man who evidently was dogging his steps, but meant not to be seen by the Mexican officer. ou such a man, sefior.” am not to be knownin the af- CHAPTER XX. THE MYSTERIOUS GAMBLER, Tux ‘*‘ Montezuma Palacio” was a gorgeously fitted up salon in the city of Vera Cruz, an now-a-days would be known as a “‘ Gambling Hell,” for therein were played games of chance by yo and old, rich and poor, and ‘‘ monte” was the 6¢te noir of many an unfortunate, Well would it have n for hundreds had there been above the doors of the Montezuma Palace the motto: ‘* He that entereth here Lvaveth Hope behind,” for many, indeed, had gone forth from the gilded rooms, driven to despair by their losses, and those not brave enough to struggle against rate odds had ended their anguish by a shot in the brain, or a knife in the heart. It was into this gorgeous retreat that Colonel Christo Rublo wended his way upon leaving his quarters, after having put away his morocco case of jewels. He was a born gambler, was Colonel Rublo, and reveled in a game of chance, and he hoped to win heavily that he might re- turn to the city of Mexico with ample funds to pay his numerous debts, and to enter upon new extravagances. Upon entering the saloon, nodding to the guard at the door, to whom he was known, the Mexican colonel glanced over the numerous faces present, and recognizing several, bowed in his haughty way, while he passed on toa table where a game was in full REOETEN, The rooms were certainly deserving the title of ‘‘ Palace,” for they were a mass of gilded beauty upon all sides, and fairly dazzled the eyes of the beholders. There were present many prominent men of the town, with a mixture of military and naval officers in brilliant uniforms, caballeros, ran- cheros and the captains of merchant craft that had put into port. , The chink, chink of gold was heard upon all sides, the smoke of cigars formed a cloud above the heads of the smokers, a hum of voices, with an occasional burst of laughter and an oath arose from the crowd, intermingled with the call of the winnin cards by the dealers at the tables. selecting a taLle where a small knot cf men . had gathered together to play for heavier stakes than the mass cared to risk, or could afford to do so, Colonel Rublo placed his bets, and for- tune favored him, for he won several hundred dollars by the game going in his favor. In his usual cool, yet reckless way, he placed five hundred dollars upon the turn of a card and again was the winner. ‘‘A thousand this time, sefiors,” he said, qui- etly. There were several at the table who withdrew at this run, but three players made an equal bet with the colonel, and again he was the winner. ‘* Call it five thousand now,” he remarked, in his calm way, is dark, handsome face showing no sign of emotion at his winnings. Again he won, and when he named the very large sum of ten thousand as the stake, the other players withdrew, and he said: ‘* Must I play against the Palace alone?” This he said, as without outside players to amble with, the Palace would have to cover his ets. No one spoke, and all was deep interest in the saloon now, all centering upon the table at which Colonel Rublo was playing, many of the smaller gamblers ceasing to play to watch one who dared risk such large sums, The Palace accepted the bet, and again did the Mexican officer win. Still his face remained wholly unmoved, and those present who had seen him pla peealy before, knew that he was not wont to show feel- ing under triumph or defeat. ‘T have seen Rublo play heavily very often, but to-night he is doubling any bet [ ever knew ! } | | Colonel Rublo then turned to the dealer, and re- marked: ‘*{ put my winnings up, sefior, and if I lose to-night over what gold I brought with me, I suppose that my note of hand is good?” ‘**Certainly, Sefior Colonel.” The colonel bowed, and amid a perfect hush the game was n, the daring young gambler keeping his face in shadow while he played, but evidently not to hide any emotion that he might feel, as his hand was as firm as iron. Colonel Rublo, on the other hand, was not quite as self-possessed as before, and when the game was won by his boyish-looking opponent, " chee both loud and deep escaped from between is hps. A murmur of admiration for the youth ran through the crowd as he coolly said: ‘**Senor Colonel, the game is mine, ** Will you try another for the same amount?” Colonel Rublo was not aman to quail in the face of a foe, be he a gambler or a soldier, and he said sternly: ‘“*T shall play again.” And again the youth was the winner, while a shout fairly broke forth from the crowd, drown- ing the bitter imprecation of the colonel, who was almost desperate, as with this loss he saw his entire winnings swept away, along with the sum which he had gotten on the jewels given him by Lady Lulu. ‘*] shall have to place my jewels in that ac- cursed Jew’s hands again to pay the balance due,” he muttered, and then remembering the debts in Mexico city which must ere long be paid, and which he had hoped to pay with the him to make,” remarked a regular frequenter of | money gotten from the Jew, he grew desperate ’ - 5 4 the Montezuma Palace. ‘‘He has won a small fortune already,” re- marked another. ‘* And will lose it before he goes away from that table; but then he is enormously rich and can afford it,” a third remarked. ‘*T make it twenty thousand this time,” Colo- nel Rublo said, in an off-hand manner. ‘* Pardon, sefior, but the Palace never goes beyond ten thousand on a single bet,” the dealer remarked, ‘* Tf I reduce my bet, my luck may change, so I will have to stop, I tear, though against my will. ‘* Permit me to cover the sefior’s bet,” said a low voice near the Mexican, and turning quick- ly Colonel Rublo beheld a mere youth standing by his side. ‘‘Was it you that addressed me, sefior?” he asked, with surprise, gazing upon the youth, who scarcely looked eighteen, for his face was beardless. _. ‘* Yes, sefior,” was the reply, and every eye was turned upon the young man, He was slightly under the medium hight, dressed richly as a cabaillero, and a soft som- brero, richly worked in silver thread, shaded his head, but half concealed a mass of golden curls, which were in strange contrast with his dark complexion. His form was slender, but wiry, and he wore a jewel-hilted knife and a pair of gold-mounted pistols in his yellow silk sash, while large gold spurs jingled at every movement of his s feet ‘* Who is he?’ was asked by a score of lips, as all d upon one who had coolly offered to cover Colonel Rublo’s bet of twenty thousand daleras., ‘‘ Are you in earnest, sefior?” asked the Mexi- can Officer, showing his surprise. ‘** Assuredly, sir.’ ‘‘- You offer to play me for twenty thousand dollars?” ° ‘Yes, or more if you so desire,” was the low but distinct reply. ‘‘T make it a rule, sefior,never to play with any one I du not know to be a gentleman,” said Colonel Rublo, haugniy- ** Ah! do you think I look otherwise?” **T confess that zon look the gentleman, but appearances are often deceitful,” was the rude retort of the Mexican officer. ‘‘As in your case, Colonel Christo Rublo,” came the quick response. ‘‘ Knowing me, as you do, for you called me by name, you are aware that J am a gentle- man. ‘‘T know that you are so considered; but I wish nct to quarrel with you, sefior, but to see if you have the nerve to accept my offer.” “AY; have I, young sir, so produce your old,’ if I am not a carrier cart, sefior, to take with me so large a sum; but these will serve as well as gold. ‘‘Pray give me their value, sefior,” and the youth handed to the dealer four gems, two of them diamonds, one a ruby, and the other an emerald, 4 ‘‘ These are worth thirty thousand, sefior,” said the surprised dealer. ‘‘ Sefior Colonel, let usmake the sum the value of these stones,” said the youth. i iat they genuine?” insolently asked Colonel ublo, ‘*T will vouch for them, sefior,” the dealer | 4 said, ‘* Well, I will take the bet, young sir,” and “e » + « s ’ * ‘ nt eet, on re ae OS tsetse | | aS | Phe Sm j 2 Optra Se: ee os ee ee ee and said almost savagely: ‘* Do you dare play again, young sefior?” ** Oh, yes,” was the reudy response. ‘*For the same sum?” **Make it for any amount you please, Colonel Rublo,” was the indifferent reply. ‘** Let it be for the same sum,” growled the of- ficer, his pride being cut at not being able to pay for a largersum, as the youth hinted would e agreeable to him. ‘**T am content, sefior.” And the mysterious young gambler placed his bet, the Mexican officer doing likewise. At once a hush fell upon all, and in deathlike silence the game was played and lost—by Colo nel Rublo ! CHAPTER XXI. THE ‘‘STRANGER” AGAIN APPEARS, ‘* CARAMBA!” The word broke fiercely from the shut teeth of Colonel Rublo, as he saw that his young adver- ery was the winner, and he realized that he had not only lost the money which the Lady Lulu’s jewels had brought him, but was thou- sands of dollars in debt to a mere boy, while his debts in the city of Mexico were Settine off than ever from being paid. His brain was in a whirl, his heart beat tu- multuously, and he saw ruin staring him in the face. ‘** Great God! I shall have to fly to El Moro’s stronghold and turn pirate, unless I can ward off this trouble,” was the thought that surged through his brain. Maddened by his desperate situation, he na- turally turned upon the one who had so humbled his pride and lured him on to the very brink of ruin, and hot and fierce came the words, as he faced tue youth: ‘* No one here seems to know you, sefior, and, by the cross! I believe you to be a cheat.” The voices were silenced at once by these in- tng words, and all bent their eyes upon the youth. ae a muscle of his face quivered as he re- plied: ‘* Kindly settle your debt first, sefior, and then quarrel with me, if so you wish. A round of bravas broke from the bystanders at this, for there were those present who had nothing to fear from the haughty colonel. As for Cristo Rublo his dark face flushed and | then became livid, as he said hoarsely, address- ing the dealer: ‘* Pay that fellow, please, sefior, my losses to him, and give mea pen and paper, that I may write you a hand-draft for the amount.” ane dealer turned politely to the youth and asked: ‘*Sefior, will you take Government notes, as more easy to carry?” ** Yes, thank you,” was the response of the mysterious young gambler, and having had them counted out to him, he placed them in an inner breast pocket of his jacket, and turning to Col- onel Rublo said with the utmost coolness. ** You accused me of being a cheat, I believe, sefior?” ‘*T most certainly do, for no honest man could have your pretended luck,” was the hoarse re- ply. if You shall hear from me again, sefior, for I am not one to brook an insult,” and the be was turning away when Colonel Rublo, losing control of himself, cried fiercely: orgetting that threat, for 1 believe you are cowardly striving to escape from meeting me ~ **'You shall bear my mark to keep you from - Comic ‘S ~ a : Rn * * —_ : : : ; : '