Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 513 — page 8: what you’re looking at

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

Fon cont 0 . -__ sternation fell upon his hearers. s oa BK Oke 8 Texas Tartar. The young man spoke cies hs 8 remember- | Albia grew pale, while Grandford and the ing for a moment that Grizzly rge’s grudge might take just that form, ‘Do you know of any other man who aspires to marry Miss Westerley?” ‘‘T have thought that about all the single men in Powderhorn Mile had that ambition.” ‘‘ Don’t speak in general terms, Do you know any particular one?” ae N ” ‘* Has any one shown ill will to you, since your marriage was announced as a sure thing of the future?” te. No.” ‘Ts there any other girl who hasa fancy for ou?” ‘* Decidedly not,” Kendall was uneasy under this questioning, for Grizzly George was all the while in his mind, but be controlled himself outwardly and seem- ed to answer with great frankness, ‘* May I ask what all this means?” he added. Wimple saw no reason for making a mystery out of the affair with Kendall, and he explained with all possible clearness. He only served to perplex Robert as much as the others, The lat- ter saw at once that the interruption to the marriage could not be laid at Grizzly George’s door: the means employed were wholly unlike the ex-hunter’s natural course of conduct. George was not the man, rough and head- strong as he was, to strike in such a subtle way as through the medium of a drug. Moreover, there could be no gain for him in a temporary postponement of the marriage. Clearly, the ex-hunter was to be counted out. A general consultation took place. Norma agreed wita the doctor so firmly that no one ventured to assert that the theory was incor- rect, and all attention was given to solving | the double puzzle—who ha@ done the drugging, and bow had it been done? The inquiry ended where it had begun; not the slightest light had been shed upon the inys- tery, and no one had conceived a theory which seemed plausible even to the originator. Wimple gave up in despair, at length, and | took his departure. He did not intend to let the matter drop there, but he was wise enough to realize that he might be in the way. He dryly aavised great care when the hour of | the wedding again arrived, and then left them to set the hour without an outsider near. This was just what they proceeded to do, and, | as no one had a word t9 say to the contrary, it was decided that the marriage should take place | that evening. Captain Grandford observed that it would be absurd to call the guests to- gether again, avd the ceremony was set down as a quiet one, avid Westerley seized the first chance to speak with Kendall privately. ‘‘ May I make a suggestion, Robert?” he ask- ed, *¢ Most certainly.” ‘¢ Wouldn’t it be prudent to tell Norma | about George Hendricks’s absurd charge before you are married?” “Yes; and that is just what I intend to do. There must be no secrets between us. Iam as innocent as you are, for Eve Hendricks, though asplendid girl, never had any especial attrac- tion for me; but as George is liable to put ugly rumors afloat, Norma inust not become my wife in ignorance. I will tell her all within this hour.” ** Good! Robert.” David looked at Edgar and was about to sug- gest that they go out, but at that moment heavy steps sounded outside the room and the door was flung open. Two persons were revealed. One was a female servant, who looked fright- ened and worried, and the other was Charles Tabor, the Government officer, The latter bad undergone a great and sur- prising change since he talked with Grandford the previous night. He was now pale and hag- ger , and his neck was covered with a rude dage; while his garments weredamp and mud-covered, Everything went to show that the smuggler-hunter had met with rough usage, and he looked to be a fit subject for the hospi- tal, Captain Grandford arose with an astonished expression on his face. **T couldn’t stop him!” exclaimed the servant, “No; I wasn’t to be stopped by apy human power!” declared Taoor, huskily. ‘What in the world has bappened to you?” demanded Grandford. ‘* Tt came near being death.” ‘* Death from what?” ‘‘ The hounds of the smugglers!” ** Did you meet them?’ *‘T should say I did! Don’t this answer?” and he touched bis bancaged neck. ‘‘ If not, I have other wounds tosbow. If they are not enough, go look on the bodies of Craver and Wells!” ‘* Their bodies?” ‘*That’s what I said.” ‘* Do you mean—” ‘* My two companions found the smugglers, to their sorrow. Craver and Wells are dead!” He spoke with savage vchemence, and con- Norma and You show your usual good sense, ee tt CS A younger men looked startled. “Ts it possible!” exclaimed the captain. ‘Go look on the dead officers and see.” ‘* But the smugglers are not supposed to be fighting men.” ‘They are not: they are assassins.” ‘* What do you mean?” ‘‘ They Jaid an ambush for us, and shot Craver and Well dead at the first fire. That I escaped is not due to their mercy, and you see my con- dition, I have three bullet-wounds.” ‘*Do you say they ambushed you?” és Yes,” ‘* Where?” ** At the Point of Pines.” ‘But how did they know of your move- ments?” Tabor flung up his arm with a fierce gesture. ‘That is just what I want to know. The smugglers knew of our plans—it was no chance encounter. We were hiding quietly, yet they crept upon us and were ready to butcher us at the proper moment, They knew of our plans; knew that we had gone tothe Point of Pines; | and, like you, Task how they knew about our movements,” ‘* You must have told some one.” ph YA 1 Fs Fe hs Well, 1 should say that person betrayed you. ‘* Just my idea.” ** Whom did you tell?” The Government officer drew himself up to his full hight. His face was flushed, and his eyes blazed with savage emotion. He was greatly excited, and his manner was dramatic in the extreme. The moment had come for the grand revelation, and his voice unconsciously grew lower, but it was full of intensity as he replied: ‘*T am not in the habit of telling official secrets, and I told of this affair only once. No one knew that Craver, Wells and I were coming to Powderhorn Mile until we were here; and no human being knew that we were going to the Point of Pines last night except three men whom I told ov the lake-shore!” Tabor ceased speaking and slowly folded his arms, Captain Grandford looked at him with | a surprised expression, * Do you mean me ?” ‘* You were the man | told, but you were not | alone at that time. You had two companions, and I| see them here present.” ‘David and Robert,” muttered Grandford, like one speaking mechanically. Tabor nodded shortly. ‘Excuse me,” interrupted David, ‘‘but your | words have a peculiar drift. What are we to. understand?” ‘‘Tt is clear,” returned the officer steadily, “that my party was betrayed. Word was somehow conveyed to the smugylers that we were going to lie in wait at tne Point of Pines, and they ambushed us there and murdered my | associates. Now, who gave them their infor- mation? I repeat that nobody knew of our in- tentions until we told them in the presence of | you three, Captain Grandford, you are above | suspicion, Do you vouch for your companions who heard my statement?” A bewildered look was on the face of the gray-haired ex-soidier, but it suddenly gave place to a deep flush, as though the full purport se Tabor’s insinuations had just broken upon iim. ‘*Vouch for them?’ he repeated quickly. “Ay! that Ido; I vouch for them to the fur- thest limit. They are the personfication of honor,” Tabor remained unmoved, ‘- Oue is your nephew, I believe?” se Yes. ” ‘* Who is the other?” ‘* He will marry my niece to-day.” ‘* How long have you known him?” ‘* A year,” , ** What do you know of his past?” “ Wait!” interrupted Robert Kendall, some- what curtly. ‘‘I donot feel flattered by your insinuations, Mr. Tabor, but an honest man need have no fear. I will freely give youa full | account of my life.” “¢ I¢ is Captain Grandford’s account, not yours, that I want, ‘‘rudely replied the Government officer. . Kendall flushed, but waved his hand in quiet acquiescence, ‘** As you will, sir,” he answered temperately, CHAPTER X, THE SHERIFF HAS SERIOUS BUSINESS, OrFrIcerR TABOR had aroused feelings anything but kindly among his hearers, He had made a serious charge, and, wherever he saw fit to place | the blame, every one in the room was likely to be indignant As it was, he was the focus of glances which might have worried a timid man. Norma looked at him with scorn, while Albia, thuugh more Pap pienes than anything else, already re: garded him as a serpent that had come into their Eden. . Captain Grandford gathered himself for a struggle. ee — a . 2 J ’ - ete Mra cd Vitec 2 ‘“‘If I understand you correctly, Mr. Tabor,” he said, ‘‘ you assert that one of us three gave information to the smugglers which led to such lamentable results?” ‘* There is no other way to look at it; but you are beyond suspicion, captain.” ‘* You might as well accuse me as these young men, in whom I feel a father’s interest.” ‘*T do not accuse your nephew, sir.” ‘‘ And [,” retorted David, ‘‘refuse to be let out at the expense of Robert Kendall.” ‘“‘Have no fear,” quietly added Robert. “I am innocent, and I do not fear the charge.” ‘* Where is your proof?” demandee David. ‘¢ Never fear; I shall find it.” ‘‘T defy you!” calmly asserted the accused man. ‘¢ Wait!” directed Grandford. ‘‘ Let us con- sider the matter logically. How do you know that the men who fired upon you were smug- glers?” ‘‘ We proceeded to the Point of Pines, as I told you we should do, and lay in wait for the smugglers’ boat. It appeared, and I command- ed its occupants to halt in the name of law. Instantly a voice behind us shouted that Gov- ernment spies could not rule there, and, almost in the same breath, the speaker gave the order to fire. It was obeyed, and Craver and Wells felldead. It is plain that the smugglers knew of our journey to the Point of Pines, and delib- erately ambushed us,” ‘But they have never before been known to commit vio.ence.” ad ‘* Possibl7 they were never so hard pressed.” ‘“T cannot regard them as desperate men. This vicinity is not the place for the smuggling of really valuable things, fvr the reason that the country on the other side is so wild and un- settled,” ‘‘Excuse me, but I have looked into this closer than you, sir. I insist that very valuable articles are brought over the line—for instance, jewels and laces.” Norma and Albia flashed a quick glance at each other, and their expressions became more startled, They had not forgotten the boat they had seen on the lake, and pronounced a smug- 'gler craft; nor had they forgotten the scene when David and Edgar examined the lace, the previous night, wnder cover of the cliff, The same thought was in the mind of each; it was well that Tabor did not know of that affair. ‘€] suppose yourought to know best,” respend- ed Grandford, reluctantly. ‘‘T understand the case pretty well; it has been my study for scme weeks, I am surea cargo was landed near here last night. Perhaps it was jewels; perhaps somethbirg else. Had it not been for treachery, this would bave been the smugglers’ last venture.” ‘‘ You have made a serious charge—” : ‘‘The blood of Craver and Wells cries aloud for vengeance.” ‘‘ And Lam selected for a. victim!” severely observed Kendall, ‘* No injustice shall be done you.” ‘‘Tt has been done me already. Where is your proof? Have you no more evidence than that 1 heard your communication to Captain Grandford?” ‘¢ Not at present.” ‘* 7 don’t think such evidence will go in law.” ‘‘ Don’t fear but I will have more.” ‘*‘Go abead—do your utmost. Your charge would be absurd were it not so serious, I sball not quarrel with you, sir, for 1 have no doubt that you mean well; but you are about as far off the track as any man can be. My whole Jife is open to your inspection, and 1 defy you to find one thing that would seem to place me in line with law-breakers of any kind.” ‘‘ Well said, Robert!” exclaimed Grandford, heartilv. ‘‘ No one doubts you,” added David. oe Speak for yourself!” retorted Tabor, irrita- y. ‘* Uncle!” cried Norma. “6 Yes?” ‘‘ Tf this gentleman’s business is ended, I think he had better go.” No one seemed to care to join with Miss West- erley in ber bold views, ‘“*T thank you for your good will, young lady,” returned Tabor, with a poorly-disguised sneer, ‘*T do not thank you for insulting all of usin our house, Were I.a man,” added the girl, with flashing eyes, ‘‘J would not sit here and hear you tamely!” “Mr. Tabor is an cfficer of law, my cear,” said Grandford, hastily. ‘Even he has no right to insult us when, as he admits, he has no proof.” A knock sounded at the door. Grandford mechanically bade the applicant enter, and as the door swung back the female servant was again revealed. She looked more worried than ever, and an attempt to speak wasa dismel fail- ure, A man stood beside her, however, and he entered the room uninvited. All of the inmates of the Westerley house recognized him as one Job Troy, a man the citizens had dignified with the title of sheriff. Mr. Troy now seemed to be in a perturbed state of mind, and he removed his hat and stood