Beadle's Dime Library No. 518 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

26 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. She confronted the intruder with flaming eyes. ‘**Insolent! how dare you!” she enunciated, in sharp, hissing strains, her hands nervously seeking har weapons, ‘* Begone! or—” ‘*T mos’ ’umbly begs yer ’parding, mum,” in- terrupted Arkansaw, the intruder, with an unc- tuous bow; ‘‘an’I1 begs ter inform ye that ye kin trust ter my descreshun! Fur be it from me ter repeat w’ot I’ve see’d or heered, mum!” By no means oil to troubled waters was the declaration of the desperado, There was the fury of an enraged tigress in the face of the Bandit Queen when he ceased. **What want you here?’ she demanded, with a mighty effort holding her passion in subjec- tion. ‘* Quick! such treachery shall not go un- punished!” ‘Wait, mum!” expostulated Arkansaw, with a deprecatory gesture. ‘‘’Twa’n’t treachery. I kem ter keep back them es ye w’u’dn’t keer ter hey see or heur; fer ye aire wanted out thar, mum—bad! an’ ther leftenant war comin’, whether or no! ‘Yer brother has arrived from ther—” “Wait! that will do!” cut in Queen Madge, casting a half-fearful glance at the Red-Hand Sport and catching up and adjusting ber mask. **T will see them. ** Remain here, Arkansaw, and permit no one to enter the chamber. Remember, too, that silence—that inscrutable secrecy—is golden!” ‘“*Sum times!” uttered the Goldite, leering cunningly at the retreating form of his queen, as he dropped her well filled purse into his capa- cious pocket; ‘* sumtimes et’s jest other way— talk ain’t cheap! ** Enyhow, ef thar’s any gilt in gab, I’m ther galoot w’ot "ll sport a roll before I see you ag’in, my queen!” CHAPTER XXXITII. ARKANSAW JIM AS A SPECULATOR. A PECULIAR expression, na of hope, equally of disgust, came into the pallid face of the Red-Hand Sport as he listened to the mum- blings of his warden, as it a bid for a bribe? Or had the scoundrel, in his exuberance at the unexpected change in his prospects, simply be- trayed himself? “More likely the latter,” thought Richard; **but his words imply that he is not imperviable with a golden bait in sight. ‘* Arkansaw !” The Goldite turned at the cautious hail, a pleased sort of grin displaying bis yellow teeth. ** Wot is et, boss?” he asked, craning his head forward and jingling the contents of the purse in his pocket. ‘* Did 1 hear ye say su’thin’?” ‘You will hear me say more, if you come nearer.” Arkansaw shook his head; assuming an air of mock humility. ‘“Cain’t do et, boss—I cain’t, an’ thet’s jest ther size ov et!” he declared, sorrowfully. ‘I am pore, but proud. We ain’t ekils, an’ so I cain’t’ sociate with ye! I tell ye, ther size ova ac pe makes a heap ov difference on this yar leetle footstool ov ours! ** No, boss, 1 cain’t see et—not jest yet; but ef ye kin open up ther way ter a leetle specker- lashur—su’thin’ thet’ll sorter ekilize our piles a bit—mebbe then, boss, I c’u’d stand et ter talk biz—but nuthin’ else!” ‘** Business be it!” uttered the sport, witha grim smile. ‘‘That’s me!” Arkansaw Jim uttered a breath of relief, and after a cautious survey of the passage seated himself upon the edge of the couch, facing the entrance. ** Now, sail in yer elephant, boss,” he mut- tered, in a thick undertone. ‘I’m open, fer 1’m a speckerlator from over ther Divide, an’ ther bigges’ pile takes ther hog! ‘** Ye want me ter turn ye loose?” ** Exactly. What’s it worth?’ **Reckon two hundred an’ fifty’ll see ye out, boss—not a durned cent less!” **Taken, with an additional two-fifty for an extra service.” Arkansaw started nervously. ‘** Name et, boss,” he requested, for the {first time facing the captive. ** Guide me by the short cut you have spoken of to the camp of Captain Dale,” The desperado leaped to his feet. ‘Run my bead inter a noose!” he ejaculated, in genuine disgust. ‘* Not much, Sally Ann!” ‘*Take your head out of a noose, you mean,” said the detective. ** W’ot’s thet?” ‘Just what I said—by so doing you will es- cape the halter,” iterated Royal Richard. ** What Ihave done for you I can do again!” At these significant words, Arkansaw Jim’s face instantly elongated, and he started up with bulging eyes. *“W'ot’s thet ?” he interrogated, in a hoarse whisper. ‘‘ Who aire ye—man or devil?” “* Half-and-half, one would think,” laughed the sport, ‘‘I don’t wonder, though, that you fail to recognize me, Ame Crop It’s a fair age since that fiasco of yours at Leadville, leav- ing disguises out of the question,” ‘ An’ ye aire thet same spotter?” ‘ ae ** Identically, Croppee.” **T cain’t jest believe ye, boss!” ‘Why not?” Arkansaw sbifted from foot to foot uneasily. **Come—out with it!” urged he of the Hand, his piercing hazel eyes fixing themselves upon the treacherous little orbs of the dismayed desperado, ‘‘ Time is precious!” ‘““Wal, I heered ter-day es how ye’d bin fanged—durned ef I didn’t,” he blurted. ** And who said it?” ** Ther queen’s brother. ** Rube Harpy?” **'Ya-as, ther same duck.” ** He lied. Look here, Croppee-—here is proof of what I say,” and the sport turned upon his side, exposing the palm of hislefthand, ‘‘ What do you see?” Again did Arkansaw’s expression change; but he gazed cocci A at the exposed member, “Ther ace, king, queen, jack an’ ten ov hearts!” he muttered, more to himself than in reply to the question. ‘‘ Worked out in red— ther revenge ov King Karl, ther Toll-Taker. I ’members et now, though none ov ther others know enything ov it.” **A red bhand—a royal flush,” said the sport, turning to face the outlaw; ‘‘and so I bave come to be known as Royal Richard, of the Red Hand.” ‘“*T hev heered ov ther cuss slingin’ thet handle,” observed Arkansaw, “‘ an’ they say he aire a holy terror. ‘** But, boss, I cain’t see whar I be gittin’ my head out ov ther noose, es ‘tain’t in eny danger ov gettin’ in one at present.” ** Wait a few hours, and I'll guarantee you'll find the rope tight enough,” was the grim re- sponse. ‘* Come—I await your answer.” But Arkansaw proved obdurate. ‘“*Thar’s another way I kin make more out ov ye,” he declared, with a devilish leer. ‘* Our leftenant, Morales, es blue-blooded a Mexican bandit es ever hopped over ther border, aire dead struck on ther queen, an’ they is ter be tied es soon es we kin cross ther border. He’s es jealous es a Turk, an’ ef I go ter him with ther story ov an ole lover ov ther queen, an’ all thet sort ov thing, I kin raise a thousand out ov him, an’ be fifty mile away ’fore ther blue-coats aire ready ter tackle ther Goldites, ** No, no, Richard, | cain’t lay down my hand er leetle bluff!” he sport smothered his intense disgust be- neath a strange, hard smile. “That’s my figure—if you will have it that way,” be said, quickly. ‘*A thousand dollars and a start of twenty-four hours, ‘* But the stuff—ye hevn’t it with ye?” * Hardly! but you shall have it as soon as we have arrived at Socorro, Satisfactory?” Arkansaw bent his head as if deep in thought. When he looked up there was a crafty glitter in his ferret-like eyes, ‘** Boss, I can’t be bought!” he exclaimed, in a loud tone, ‘All ther silver ov all Potosi c’u’dn’t make me betray the queen! Now, ye hear me!—shet up!” At that moment Madge Harpy glided into the chamber, The sport closed one eye and gazed reflectively at the ee wall, The Goldite chieftainess looked from one to the other. ‘*An attempt at bribery, eh?’ she sneered. ““Arkansaw, you may again retire to the pas- sage. Your faithfulness shall not be for- gotten.” ‘*Thank’e, mum; ’m te and proud, but I’m chockful ov princerple,” mumbled the fel- low, skulking out of the chamber. Twenty feet down the passage he was met by a man in mask, It was Lieutenant Morales, and he was visibly agitated. ‘* Ho, Don Hosay! ye can’t pass!” exclaimed Arkansaw, displaying his revolver. ** Out of the way, fellow!” returned the Mexi- can, in good English. ‘‘ Igo toseek the queen.” Arkansaw laughed. ** Ye’d best not, Hosay,” he remarked. ‘‘ Be- chixt us, the queen hesn’t room for ye, jest now!” re) Morales’s eyes blazed fitfully through his mask. ‘“What mean you?’ he demanded, his voice quivering with passion. ** Easy, now, Don Hosay!” and Arkansaw’s hand dropped lightly upon his superior’s shooter. ‘*[m goin’ ter do ye a good turn now, fer Ima friend ter ye an’ don’t ye fergit it!” ‘* Explain—explain!” foamed the Mexican. ** S’pose ye hed a rival—” “Pd kill him!” ‘* But not so thet ther queen w’u’d know et.” ** Dios! no! **Now, Don Hosay,” Arkansaw impressivel exclaimed, ‘‘ ye keep cool while I tell ye su’thin’. An’ don’t ye mutter ’bove a whisper, fer ther queen hes quick ears. ‘* Ye hev a rival!” *Caramba! Show me the dog!” “Wait! He aire a han’sum feller—American, - and ther queen loves him ter destrack- on. ** Let me pass—I will kill him!” and the Mex- can drew a wicked-looking knife, ‘** Ar’ lose ther queen,” exclaimed Arkansaw, at in well-simulated surprise. ‘‘ Hosay, yer cabeza aire twisted! ‘“‘Listen ter me: Put five hundred dollars inter my hand, an’in an hour I'll hev ther galoot at yer marcy, an’ no one ther wiser!” The Mexican regarded the devilish proposi- tion favorably. ‘* Done!” he exclaimed, and he proceeded to count the money. ‘** Now, Hosay, I’m goin’ ter send ther queen out ter ye, an’ ye must pertend ter hev im- portant business with her. When she leaves ye, go ter ther Black Hole, an’ thar ye’ll find yer man.” ** But the body?” “Pll get shut ov it later on, Savey?” Lieutenant Morales replied in the aftirma- tive, and then Arkansaw proceeded back to the chamber. As he entered, Madge Harpy started up be- side the captive. ‘* Hist!” warningly uttered the outlaw, ap- plying his fingers to his lips. ‘' Ther devil aire ter pay over this hyar galoot, mum! Hosay has smelled a mice!” The woman clinched her hands, ‘*The meddlesome fool! let him keep his dis- tance!” she enunciated madly, yet in cautious strain. ‘‘ Where is he, Arkansaw?” ‘** Out in ther passage, mum, an’ he sw’ars thet ef ye don’t kem ter him he'll kem ter ye!” ** He must not come here—1 will go to him,” *°Twon’t do no good, mum,” and Arkansaw shook his head in a sage way. ‘‘A jealous Mexican ain’t ter be trifled with,” “True,” assented Queen Madge. “We'll hoodwink bim, mum!” and Arkansaw suddenly brightened up. ‘‘Go ter him an’ stay ten minutes. Then bring ’im byar. lll smug- le ther galoot thar off to ther Black Hole. hat say?” ‘* A wise plan—lose no time,” and a bill of no small denomination found its way into the hand of the cunning outlaw, ere the Goldite queen, with a breath of relief, left the chamber. ‘* Come, pard, we'll git out ov hyar an’ cuta bee-line fer ther camp ov ther blue-coats,” soft- ly exclaimed Arkansaw, bending over the Red- and Sport and severing bis bonds, ‘‘ Slow an’ easy till ye limber up—thar’s time a plenty.” Out through the branching passage crept the two, quitting the cavern by a hidden entrance. ‘* Jest wait a minute, boss, till I go scare up a couple ov critters,” muttered Arkansaw, pushing the sport into a convement covert. ‘ Ye cain’t hoof et, ef ye ain’t fit fer ther saddle,” A few minutes sufficed for the execution of the outlaw’s errand. He returned leading two horses, saddled and’ bridled. In silence the two mounted and rode, ‘*Give yer critter its bead,” advised Arkan- saw, when they were a safe distance from the camp. ‘A half-hour’ll throw ye ‘longside ov Cap’n Dale.” he prediction proved true. Great was the surprise of the gallant young cavalryman when the Red-Hand Sport thus un- expectedly reappeared. ‘What is it, my dear Richard, that brings such a ook to your face?” be exclaimed, when greetings had n duly exchanged. ‘* Have ou stumbled upon the lair of the Goldites, or ave—” ‘** Your supposition is literally correct, Harry,” interrupted the sport. ‘‘1f you will follow this man, Arkansaw Jim, an ex-Go!dite, he will lead Ae to a point within two hundred feet of their nes. Witb a bound, Captain Dale gained his feet. “This is good news, Dick—the hest in a month!” he asseverated, grasping the hands of the sport. ** We'll have a ‘ go’ at the gentry without the loss of a minute,’ ‘Just a moment, Dale. The Goldites are divided, one party remaining at the camp, while an equal number have gone on a marauding expedition against some friends of mine living, just now, up in these hills, It will be an espe- cial favor if you will detail a dozen of your men, under Lieutenant Brainard, to accompany me in that direction.” ‘ Captain Dale looked puzzled. * Briends of yours?” he uttered. if ei are the Mordaunts?”’ “They are.” A warm flush suffused the face of the young officer. ‘* Your request is granted, my dear Richard, with the amendment that I, not Lieutenant Brainard, accompany you!” he exclaimed. CHAPTER XXXIV. OLD DUKE HARPY’S CROWNING STROKE. Otp Duke and Ben Harpy were in high clo- ver, as the saying goes. « Queen Madge had given them quarters within the cavern, selecting for them a dry, airy nook and fitting it up with an eye single to their com- fort. Liquor anc tobacco were supplied them without stint, and the whilom Apache chiefs readily jumped to the conclusion that life would be worth the living during tbe indefinite time they were to remain with the Goldites., ‘* Now, this is something like!” exclaimed Old Duke, as he gazed around, glass in hand. ‘ It beats our old quarters, What say, Ben?” “com - ** May I ask Cc sy yy y a_i o> MMi — owt .it-> a = a — ee al ae”