Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 513 — page 16: what you’re looking at

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

a” if arte 2 aes 2 16 - ‘¢Didn’t you know him?” ‘« Sorry to say that I didn’t.” t ‘¢Then he did not belong here.” ‘‘ Not unless he was disguised.” | Texas Tartar. CHAPTER XXI, YANK MAKES A DISCOVERY. Miss WESTERLEY was not at a loss for words. ‘That is not probable, for how could any | With great tact she thanked the IJbrahams for one procure a disguise here?’ ‘“Capitally put, Miss Westerley; capitally put, by Jawve!l” declared Levi, admiringly. “My son, Levi, has eyes,” added Jacob, proudly. “« Please give me a full account,” urged Nor- ma, who was wavering between hope and doubt. ‘With great Levi pleasure,” responded. “You see, Miss Westerley, I often go out to | walk after the store is closed, Fresh airisa vital necessity to me, for my energies remon- strate against trammels and incarceration in- cident to protracted business requirements and perplexities inaumerable.” Levi delivered himself of this appallingly ponderous array of words with great delibera- tion, while Jacob’s eyes sparkled with fresh pride. Surely, his son Levi was a great man— no one else could use such lanzuage. ** When I go out,” resumed Ilbraham, junior, ‘¢‘T jeave the village and go among the bills. One evening about a mvoth ago, when wander- ing near the shore of the lake, I came upou two sops walking. They did not see me, for they avere too busy with themselves.” ‘‘ And they were—” ‘‘ Bve Hendricks and the blonde unknown.” «¢ Did they seem well acquainted?” Young Ilbrabam’s eye twinkled. “Very!” he declared, dryly. ‘‘ Her hand evas on his sboulder, and his arm around her avaist. More than that, their faces were rear exch other, and they were so wrapped up in eack other that they saw nothing else. Only for that, the discovery would have been mutual.” ‘*Ir is safe, then, to assume that the man with Eve was her lover?” 4‘ T should say 80.” “* Aud the man was not Mr. Kendall?” ‘“* Not unless Mr. Kendall has the power to turn bis bair yellow.” ‘+ You saw theaa distinctly?” ae Yes.” «« And are sure be was a blonde?” * Yes." . Miss Westerley drew a deep breath. ‘““Tnea it could not have been Mr, Kendall, and 1 believe your story will savehim, It is very important.” “My son, Levi, baf wide-open eyes!” affirmed Jacob, wagging his head. ‘*‘ We must go to—to Troy, or some one else, and tell this at once.” ‘‘ Pardon me, Mees Westerley,” answered the senior llbraham, ‘* but I vould advise not.” ‘6 Why ” ‘‘The brosecution haf their eevidence, and they use it der best they can. Vy we not do der same? Law vas a queer ting, Mees Ves- terley, and we haf to use shudgment. Now, eef we tells our peesiness to the brosecution, they go to vork and pulls down our case; but eef we vait awhile, get more eevidence on der quiet, and den sphring in on der gourt by sur- prise at der trail, we save Meester Kendall, sure. We haf to be cunning as a dove and harmless as a serpent. I mean— veil, dot vas not right; but my son, Levi, he could tell you how it vas.” ‘‘Don’t you try, governor,” advised Levi. *¢ Nubody but a college man can make apt quo- tations—eh, Miss Westerley? But to business, My governor is right, dear lady, and the way for us to save Rob Kendall is to play a deep game and beat the enemy on their own ground.” ; ; This argument, logical as it was, might not have influenced Norma had she not bave thought oft Texas Tartar. She did think of him, and it occurred to her that his ideas would probably be like those just advanced, In any case, she was willing to wait until she heard from him. » ‘You say you have seen this man with Eve Hendricks twice?” she asked, after a pause, es Yes.” ‘‘Then there can be no doubt inthecase. But a~vwho do you suppose he was?” “That I can’t say, now,” answered Levi, ““but if you will wait, and keep your _own counsel, I will investigate and see what I can learn. ‘*He will learn all!” asserted Jacob. ‘“‘ My boy, Levi, is shrewd—very sbrewd!” - Pon’t interfere, governor!” directed the hopeful son. ; Norma became of a strong desire to get rid of them and see Texas Tartar, and as the Jat‘er was croyd to return soon, she p to carry out the first part of her plan. Some- how, she found it impossible to feel very grate- ful to the Ilbrahams, and every minute gave her fresh proof of their ignorance and ill-breed- ing. She ho they had put her in the way of saving ndall, but that did not re- quire her to admit them to the circle of her friends. Her purpose to get rid of them increased as he saw Texas Tartar already approaching the house, and she made the attempt at once. their information, and stated that she was near- ly worn out by loss of sleep and worry. Such | | being the case, would her kind friends leave ber for awhile, but call again the following day? Her ‘‘ kind friends” fell into the trap at once, | and they tried to rival each other in professions of devotion to tha young lady’s comfort and wishes, With many a deep bow and smile they made their exit, but were solong in doing it that Norma knew Texas Tartar must have ar- rived if, indeed, he had been coming to the house, She was right, and the Ilbrabams’ slowness had for once operated against them, Susie had | smuggled the detective into another room, and | father and son left without suspecting that | another caller was around. Texas Tartar -was soon in Norma’s presence, | however. ‘* Well?’ she questioned, eagerly. ‘‘No news,” he answered. ‘‘ Kendall was too cautious for his own good, though [ don’t blame him a bit. He told me bluntiy, but not offen- sively, that be would not put faith in me, so I came away as barren of news as I went.” ‘* Wouldn’t he say anything about the hand- kerchief?” ‘‘T did not mention it. When he declared his sentiments, I saw at once that I could easily spoil all, I kept quiet about the bandkerchief, and will now leave it to you to learn what be- came of it. This you can easily do when you | visit him.” “But how can you help bim, if he will not put trust in you?” ‘‘T shall try to help him despite himself.” Norma sighed deeply. ‘““T hope you can. By the way,” she added, ‘*T have had visitors.” ‘‘The Jew merchant and bis son?” es Yes.” “T saw them.” ‘You cannot imagine what they told me, but [ am eager to let you know.” | She then repeated all that they had said in re- gard to the blonde stranger. ith this light of hope in view she was very anxious to know how Texas Tartar would regard the revelation, and | she watched his face closely, but it was as un- | readable as the Sphinx. Even when she had | reached the erd, he did not speak. ‘‘ What do you think of it?” she asked. ‘“ Why did the Ilbrahams come to you with | the story?” | ‘They said that if Mr. Kendall was to be | saved it would be best to work for bim secretly. keeping these facts from the officers.” ‘Are the Ilbrahams particular friends of your family?” Norma made a gesture of disgust. os sae hope not. I trust I am not afflicted with false pride, but the Iibrabams are | of a very low walk in life. Even old Jacob’s — money vannot raise them above that condition, or to real intelligence.” ‘‘Then there has been no intimacy?” ** None whatever.” ‘*Was Kendall intimate with them?” ‘*T don’t think he ever spoke with them.” “T am not acquainted with them, myself,” observed Texas Tartar, slowly, ‘‘ but my opin- ion of the men is not of the most favorable kind. I should hardly expect them to figure as guardian angels, or anything of that sort, and 1 must say it looks queer to me that they brought | a their story here instead of going to official head- quarters, Did they ask for Captain Grandford | when they arrived?” ‘No; they asked for me.” ** They did, eh?” se Yes,” ‘‘ Miss Westerley, there is a nigger in the wood-pile, somewhere. Since the [brahams are only casual acquaintances of your family, | they would never have come here as they did | without a hidden motive. They would certain- ly have gone to Sheriff Troy.” ‘‘But what could be their motive?’ asked Norma, whose face had grown vely grave. ‘* Did Levi [lbraham ever evince a fancy for . you—a lover-like fancy?” — | ‘*T have hardly ever spoken to him.” ‘‘- You hesitate. Now, there are more things visible to an intelligent woman than are re- | vealed by words. Looks sometimes count for a | good deal. How has it been with Levi?” ‘*1 have sometimes suspected that he did have a fancy for me—which heaven forbid!” ‘¢ We now know why they came,” declared the detective, with confidence. ‘‘As to their evi- dence, I presume it is founded on fact, and with your permission [ will investigate it fully, but secretly. The blonde unknown must be found!” | Once more Norma’s hopes arose, and she and | Texas Tartar had a long, earnest conversation. When it was over the detective left the house. ' On nearing the hotel he saw Yank Yellowbird | outside, engaged in cleaning his rifle, while | Moses lay near him. ‘*Preparing for the war-path?’ asked the younger man. **’m tryin’ ter undo the damage done by that egregious Horned Fish, This bit 0’ iron got a | mortal severe dampenin’, as you may reck’lect. Any news?” ** Much and little.” ‘* A joodicious mixtur’, by burley! The way you choose yer words often reminds me o’a teacher I went ter school to once. He lad a happy way 0’ gittin’ things bDiled down an ‘sorted out like fall apples. ‘Member very plain how I an’ Peltiah Pickens got inter a fight cne day. We was brought up afore the teacher, both on us howlin’ like p*ison, an’ diggin’ our knuckles into our eyes. *** This is melancholy,’ sez the master, * Who begun it? *** Peltiah did,’ sez I. *** No, [ didn’t,’ sez Peltiah. ***Ton’t ye contradick me, or [ll thrash ye ag’in,’ sez 1, with a howl o’ wratb. ‘** Yellowbird, you'll compel me ter chastise ye,’ sez the master. ‘** No, ye needn't,’ sez 1; ‘I won’t compel ye.’ ‘““¢Think how yer parients would suffer et I laid this stick over ye,’ sez he. ‘*¢ Pm thinkin’ how J should suffer,’ sez I. ***Tt’s fur your moral good,’ sez the master, ‘*¢ You ain’t paid ter teach me morals,’ sez IT, ‘*¢7’'m afeerd that would be a hopeless job,’ sez he, 6 You ain't much o’ a teacher,’ sez I, ‘¢ ‘None o’ yer sass,’ sez he, raisin’ his stick, Bs You put up yer stick, an’ Pl) call it squar’,’ sez I. 2 I've got ter lick one on ye. Which skall it e? ‘ ‘‘ Up spoke Peltiah, who was a Sunday-school Oy: *** Take me,’ sez he. ‘© * Yes, take him,’ sez I. ‘** Peltiah, I’m proud on ye,’ sez the master; *T can’t whip sech a manly boy.’ ae Pll help ye, ef you can’t lick him alone,’ sez I. “ ‘You can’t do it,’ sez Peltiah, gittin’? mad in, *“** Tl] show ye,’ sez I, an’ with that I sailed inter him ag’in, an’ the master sailed inter both on us, an’ fur ’bout ten minutes we was so mixed up I didn’t know which was me, except when I got a rap from somebody. This was pooty often, fur I got trounced like the mis- chief, but when I finally got away an’ run home it was a source of great pleasure ter find a han’- ful o’ the master’s bair twisted inter my fingers, an’ | knowed V’d blacked both o’ Peltiah’s eyes. My dad was goin’ ter lick me ag’in, but my gran’father said I reminded him o’ the way he fit at Bunker Hill, an’ he prevailed on dad ter let me off, fur fear thrashin’ would take the tick-tacks out on me.” Yank put the finishing touches on his rifle and then straightened up. “Tm at your sarvice,” said he. ‘* What comes next? ‘*T have no fixed plan.” ‘“ Wal, L have, an’ef you'll foller me, I'll show -e what I’ve diskivered while you've b’en cipher- in’ around in other localities.” Texas Tartar promptly acquiesced, and Nevermiss led the way from the village, along the south shore of the lake, and still to the east. As they went the detective explained his own experience, and it was duly commented upon but when all was said the mountaineer was still marching forward. The village had been left a mile behind, and they were in a wild extent of country, but Texas Tartar knew there was method in his conduct. Yank was not the man to make mistakes. At last he came toa balt in a place so wild that confusion reigned supreme. It was a ridge, sparsely wooded, and very rocky, with minia- ture canyons all along the course, Texas Tartar became decidedly curions, but he waited patient- ly for enlightenment. The mountaineer looked around as though to make sure that no one was watching, and then he stooped and Jaid hold of amass of green vines which made a mat under their feet. Yank lifted, anda section of these creepers was raised neatly, and independently of all the others, ; A cavity was revealed, below—a fissure in the ledge, narrow and dark. ‘Follow me!” Nevermiss directed. ‘‘ It’s only ’bout ten feet down, an’ no harm kin come on’t, but you'll have ter slide.” He had begun operations while speaking, and now disappeared from view, Texas Tartar fol- lowed without hesitation. Heslid rapidly down an incline, and then found his feet on solid ground. Once more Yank’s voice sounded, bidding him remain quiet, and the fissure, which bad been almost totally dark, was lighted artificiatly. The detective saw Yank with a lantern, and his expression made the veteran chuckle. ‘ Sorter 2 eps ye, I consait.” ‘Tt certainly does, Have you turned gold- digger?’ ** Land o’ Goshen! no; I never took ter that business. I’ve b’en huntin’, an’ I’ve found what I was arter.” ‘‘ What was that?” 1 ‘* The smugglers’ store-house!” ey ee ee ee oad ’ ~ ~~