Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 512 — page 21: what you’re looking at

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

Colonel Duff saw that bis visitor was not Norgan, nor was it Lolas, the man for whom he had sent the assayer. ‘© Well, Colonel, how is it?’ asked Dun Duff. ‘Bus wait till I get a permanent light. No? Don’t you want one, eh?” ‘‘ Let your match go out,” came the reply, as the little stick broke, being burned in two. “‘Just as you say. Wecan talk in the dark,” laughed Duff. ‘‘I hardly thought you would come up to No Man’s Ground.” ‘You don’t know me.” ‘‘But I ought to, eh, colonel? I ought to be pretty well acquainted with the Nabob of acramento, and the owner of the secret bonan- zas of Shasta Land.” ‘* When did you come?” ‘‘ lve been here some time.” ** Still fighting me?” ** Why not?” If Dun Duff could have pierced the darkness that fell between them he would have seena hand steal across the cot, and the fingers of it wind themselves about the hilt of a bowie whose sheath was the covering of the bed. ‘* Yes, why not?’ continued Duff, in the same tones, with scarcely a break between the present and his last words. ‘“* Though Iam known as Dun Duff here, you know meallthe same. I am the same enemy I have always been. You bave grown rich by a system of secret rapine which has forfeited your life a score of times. Because Norgan took to you a certain message from a certain man, supposed to be dead at the time, you come up here—for what? Tokilla person whom you dare not face in the light of day—a person believed by the superstitious men who have been your slaves, to exist only in the irit—a ghost of the underground caves of No an’s Domain.” The hand and the dagger met more firmly in the dark. ‘*What have you done since cuming here?” asked Colonel Bluff. ‘‘l’ve kept my eyes openasI should do. I knew from the first that I was in a nest of vipers, that my life was not safe a moment among the bronzed slaves of Satan City, with Boss Nevada at their head. 1 soon discovered that I had a detective at my heels—a man who is not in your employ, Colonel.” ** Who is he?” ‘*Here he is known as Gideon Goldbar, else- where he is oe Velvet. His pard, a person called Johnny Jumpup is here also,” Colonel Bluff uttered a light cry at this. He had not forgotten the man who had called on him in Sacramento and who wanted to go to No Man’s Ground as bis agent, and still fresh in his mind was the interference of Nina, the dumb. *‘So Johnny Jumpup was a sleuth’s agent, was he?’ he exclaimed. “Yes. He called on you im Sacramento, I be- lieve.” ‘* He did, the spy!” growled Colonel Bluff. ‘*TIn some ts he is as good as bis master,” smiled Dun Daff. ‘‘ Well, they are both here— master and man.” ‘* In whose employ?” “* Tn hers.” The —— of Sacramento fell back almost to the wall. ‘* Not in the Mexican’s?’ he cried. ‘*T mean in Mona’s,” Colonel Bluff released the dagger and threw his body forward, at the same time putting out his hand, which fell on Dun Duff’s wrist as if fate had guided it. ‘* Do you hate me as of old?” he exclaimed. $f hy shouldn’t I, Colonel?” ‘‘Can’t there be peace between us for a im ’ ** At what price?” ‘‘ Make your own proposition,” Dun Duff could hardly keep back the laugh of victory that knocked at his lips. ** Do you mean that?” ‘‘ Every word of it,” replied the Sacramentan through his teeth. The Cool-head from the South seemed to re- flect. ‘‘ You will reject my proposition, I am sure,’ he went on, a minute later, ‘* You have not tried me.” ‘‘ Well, I demand the bonanza secret of No Man’s Ground, and one-half interest in it. I ask to be placed in Buss Nevada's sboes with all the powers that position confers on the holder. Idemand that you back to Sacramento to- morrow, and that I be left master here by ‘rad proclamation to the men who are yours, Sg and soul.” There was no answer. As the last word died away Dun Duff could hear the short breaths of the man in the dark. Twice the unseen hand stole toward the hid- den dagger and as often it came back “ar eS **You are not very modest,” said onel cing at last. 2 te never was,” was the quick response. “You want ag deal.” ** More than you would take under the circum- stances? [ know the man I am talkingto. I have no need for mincing words with Colonel Bluff. He isnot expected to mince any with me.” Captain Velvet’s Big § nn TE ETEETENKELET I A ‘‘ By Jove! if I knew where your heart was, Dun Duff, this business would take a sudden turn,” passed through Colonel Bluf'’s brain, but the words he spoke aloud were quite different. ‘*T accept your proposition. You are now master of No Man’s Ground, with all the power that position gives.” CHAPTER XXVIL. A HIGH HAND. ‘*T HAVE won!” Colonel Bluff on the cot in the dark corner did uot hear these three words as they dropped from the tongue of the man who had just left him with the tread of a conqueror. Dun Duff did not notice the eyes that were on the alert when he came forth; he was not on meee lookout for spies though he had one at his heels. . ‘** Pve got news for the captain,” muttered the man who watched Colonel Bluff’s interviewer, ‘* The Crippled Nabob of California bas arrived and Dun Duff has just seen him.” Johnny Jumpup did not see fit to follow Duff far. Taking it for granted that the new mas- ter of the pards cf No Man’s Ground would pro- ceed direct to his cabin he turned aside and went in another direction. We will keep track of Dun Duff. ‘Vbe victory obtained where he had left Col- onel Bluff had imparted a gleam to his eyes. He was now clothed with the autocratic au- thority which bad once belonged to Boss Ne- vada. Not only this but ere he left the cabin be had received from Colonel Bluff’s lips the secret. of No Man’s Ground. More than this even, he carried in bis bosom a little map which was the key to that secret, and on which was marked out the road that led to the secret bonanza and the hidden crypt. But there was one thing Dun Duff had not obtained— the combination of the crypt’s lock. This was the secret of a man miles and miles away, and for aught he knew Boss Nevada might never return. ut he had learned enough for one night, and he could afford to be satisfied. Dun Duff walked straight to the opening of the secret mine, as straight, we might say, as if one familiar with the ground was his guide. He struck a match in the corridor and found the door of the crypt. On a stone-like shelf above the door he dis- covered alamp which made a permanent though not very effective light. Dun examined the iron door by its aid. He was surprised to find how solidly it was set in the stone. Again and again he turned the nickel-plated knob and tried various combinations, but with- out success, Once be cried: ‘“Tf T had Boss Nevada here I would choke the secret out of him, but my arm isn’t long onong to drag him back over the Sacramento trail. Once he thought he heard a noise beyond the iron door and he checked bis operations to listen awhile; but in a minute he reached the conclu- sion that he bad been deceived. ‘* Pish! there’s notuing here for me now!” he exclaimed, ‘*I have found the locked door of the treasure-chest of No Man’s Ground. AsI am master here, I can have the door broken b the sledges of Satan City; but I'll issue no suc orders till Colonel B uff is back in Sacramento. He leaves to-morrow as a part of our compact, He disobeys at his peril.” Restoring the lamp to its niche he went back, crossing the Square where he had lately stood before the gathering mob of Gold Gotbs, and looked toward Lolas’s cabin. The little window was no longer dark. The rather bright light attracted him, aad he went toward it, He was within twenty feet of the cabin when the door opened froin the inside, and there stood on the threshold for a moment the man he hated —Gideon Goldbar! ‘That is the sleuth who told me to my teeth that he was at my heels for a purpose,” seemed to come through Dun Duff’s teeth, while he stared atthe well-built figure of his rival for victory in the game, ‘*The woman who put him on the trail knew what she was about, for in all California there is no man I would rather avoid than Captain Vélvet. Mona’s sleuth- hound! The mask is off now and he stands re- vealed, He knows what I am after as well as I know myself. He knows that for me to be clothed with the power once held by Boss Ne- vada, isto win the game unless I am checked. What passed between him and Colonel Bluff? I am not axing waste time finding out. I shall play my first card rigbt away, and it shall be a trump.” He had watched the detective leave the cabin, and had seen him vanish. In another moment he was at the door him- a ‘Colonel, I want a public acknowledgment of my authority!” he cried, appearing suddenly to the maimed millionaire, who had not recoy- ered from Captain Velvet’s visit. - ** A public recognition?” was the answer. take. 21 Veg! ‘** To-morrow—” * No, to-nnight—now! You go away to-mor- Colonel Bluff, unused to being dictated to in this manner, bit bis lips. ‘¢ Summon the men, then,” said he. ‘*No; we will go to them. I know where they are.” Befure Colonel Bluff could answer Dun Duff had stooped over the cot and taken him in his arms, *“*T won’t hurt “You don’t weig with ease.” The Crippled Croesus threw one arm about Duff’s neck for self-support, and was borne to- ward the door, As the new master put out his band to open it, it seemed to open of its own accord, and he stood face to face in the light with Norgan. The assayer fell back with a sudden stare as he beheld the strange spectacle before bim. “Stand aside, sir!” commanded Dun Duff, ‘*T am master here now.” You?’ Norgan who bad flushed to the temples trans- ferred his look to the man in the giant’s arms, ‘* Ts this true, Colonel?” he asked. ‘Tt is true, Norgan; but did you find Lolas?”’ ‘*Lolas is not incamp and has not been for: some hours. He went away about the time Boss; Nevada turned up mad.” ** Deserted do you think?” ‘*T’'m afraid it has that look.” Dun Duff showed his impatience to be off. It might spoil bis plans to have too much con-- versation pass between Colonel Bluff and Nor- gau, so he pushed the chemist aside and strode away. No an’s hands shut mechanically at this piece. of insolence. ‘‘TIn the name of God!” he exclaimed, ‘‘ what. infernal spell made that cool head master here?” Then he watched Dun Duff’s tall figure as it. moved away with Colonel Bluff in its arms. ‘‘T'm going to see the end of this!” continued Norgan bounding forward. “If Iam not mis- taken the secret we have guarded so well is iu: danger—ay, more than the secret.” He kept at a respectful distance behind Dun: Duff ane his burden, but near enough to keep both in sight. The plotter of California went forward with eager strides, making a bee-line for the open door of Shasta Sam’s ranch beyond which could be seen the usual crowd oblivious to the last, events of the day. Dun Duff's big fgnre loomed up suddenly be-.- — Norgan and the light of the mountain. en. The latter covered the remaining distance by” several leaps that brought him close to the door. ‘*Great Caesar! the master from Sacramento!” sung out the man who first spied Dun Duff the moment he appeared in the light. Where there had been a Babel of voices silence: fell in an instant, and every eye saw Colonel Bluff in the arms of the evil genius of the camp, A singular smile grew into being at Dun Duff's: lips as he down the counter and quietly Pp aced the Colonel thereon with his useless legs: anging alongside in a pitiable manner. Having done this he stationed himself so near that he could touch his prisoner, and then he: turned his face full upon the awe-stricken crowd! ‘¢ Gentlemen, our master has a word to say,” said he with a basty glance at Colonel Bluff. it was a glance that meant a great deal, Almost as white as the snows on the cone of Shasta the crippled magnate looked into the bronzed faces of the men who had been his. slaves, Some of them he had never seen before, but they had taken the terrible oath of ee, and allegiance, and not once had they thought of’ breaking it. ‘¢Go ahead, Colonel,” continued Dun Duff in tones of command which did not escape the crowd. ‘‘The boys are anxious to hear the- first orders under the new regime,” Colonel Bluff seemed to recover a bit of self-. ssession. ‘*Gentlemen, the man at my left has taken- Captain Nevada's place,” said be with an effort. ‘*] have acknowledged him as the master of No- Man’s Ground and Alcalde of Satan City. You, will obey him as you have obeyed Boss Nevada, . without questionings and without hesitation.” A sort of dazed wonder fell upon the crowd.. Men looked from each other to the man who bad sua spoken and at the gloating desperado at bis » side, Norgan on the outside went back with a slight cry. Well go back now, Colonel,” observed Dun Duff, scarcely giving the nabob a chance to breathe after his proclamation. “Don’t take him away. We'd like to see the- Colonel a little,” cried the pards pressing for- ward, “He doesn’t come up this way often. We want to tell him that we're as true as steel.” “Take me away,” said Colonel Bluff in alter- ed tones. I can’t let these mentalktome. You» know why.” Dun Duff promptly interposed his figure be-- ou,” he went on with a smile. a ton, and I can carry you. Gomichboo weeks = Scom ee