Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 523 — page 23: what you’re looking at

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

a much as if he held a title deed to the soul of each man, but notwithstanding this there’s a chance.” ‘¢ Which man of the twelve is weak?” ‘¢Three of them are.” “But not weak enough to betray Don Diamond on his own ground,” ‘¢ We shall see. Zeo has more than one slave in Red Jack.” ‘* More than one lover, you mean?” ‘‘ It’s all the samo,” smiled Sarcy. ‘‘ Three of the members of your jury belong to the list of those captured by her dark eyes and her mine, Can’t you pick them out now, Reynard? Can’t you see that three of them are uneasy over the prospect of Zeo’s coming into court?” Reynard the Strange was studying the twelve faces when the crowd parted on his right and the superb figure of Zeo the Knchantress ap- peared to all. The Queen of the Yellow Witch had a proud bearing that instantly caught the eyes of every one. She looked at ‘ Judge” Powers with a nod which was returned and when she came to- ward Sarey and his client Dan Lynx put bis head between Faverell and the court and whis- pered: ‘You see the scheme, gentlemen. The jury is to be attacked by beauty. Four men eG are known lovers of the woman who has been called, But wait. Ulli break the force of her tes- timony with a word when she’s done, I’ve crushed women in court before to-day, I rather like the business,” and Dan Lynx drew back and turned toward the little group of three not far away. Meantime Markham the witness had nursed his wrath till he was almost black in the face. ‘Proceed, Captain Sarcy,” suddenly said the court, and Zeo stepped back and solemnly raised her hand. Faverell swore her in a voice strangely un- like his own. He now saw the woman in a new light. She was no longer Zeo of Red Jack but the wife of Don Lopez of Arizona, the man who years ago lost his head in the sage bush. ‘‘Curse her!” thought Faverell. ‘* Why didn’t [ know all this before?” Zeo stood before the jury and facing Sarcy on whose lips the first question was already trem- bling. A deep hush had fallen over the Dakota court, ‘* Madam Zeo, do you know the witness?” asked the scout. The Bonanza Queen turned her eyes full on Markham. ‘*T know him,” said she, “* How long have you known him?” ‘* Fifteen years.” Markham started. ‘‘ Not all the time in Red Jack?” continued ‘‘Give the jury an outline of your acquain- tance with the witness, Markham’s eyes flashed. ‘‘{ thought I was to be impeached!” cried he, ‘‘ What has my past life to do with my testi- mony here? I appeal to the court for protec- tion.” The idea of a man standing six feet in his stockings, a regular Ajax in physique, appealing for protection from a woman, was enough to ed asmile through the crowd which looked on. Markham was on a red-hot toasting-fork, and he lost his tongue so badly that he stammered in his appeal. The court came to his aid. Wid. ‘‘Captain Sarcy must confine his witness to the direct impeachment,” decided ‘‘ Judge” Powers. ‘‘ We cannot bring up any one’s past re.” ‘Very well,” answered thescout. ‘‘It seems that the past is quite disagreeable to a number of gentlemen in court. We will come to the present, your Honor.” | He turned to Zeo again. “Now, Madam Zeo, where were you at the hour the. shooting of Talbot is said to have taken place?” : j ‘e irons office in the Yellow Witch Mine,” ** Alone?” **No, sir, not alone,” ‘ : *¢ Who occupied the office with you? ** Max Markham,” oi This answer dropped like a blazing bomb be- fore the whole court, Markham raised his clinched fist again, but Sarcy’s voice got abead of him. “Keep still. Madam Zeo is on the stand now,” cried the scout, and then he turned to the bonanza queen, : ‘‘ Are you sure the witness was in your mine at the time of the killing?’ resumed Sarcy. e 1 am.” *‘ Did you quit the mine together?” “No, [left first.” *‘ Was that after the shooting?” “* Tt was,” ‘““Now, Madam Zeo, tell the jury what brought Max Markham to the Yellow Witch.” «Don’t you intend to protect me?” roared the big man, whirling upon ‘‘ Judge” Powers who was astounded as his countenance showed, ‘I —— a _ Reynard of Red Jack. won’t stand a scheme of this sort. I guess [ have a few rights—” ‘* We'll give you all you're entitled to,” inter- rupted Solid Sam, ‘* Judge” Powers did not rule on the question of the further protection of Markham, and Zeo went on: ‘*Max Markham came to me with a propo- sition,” said she, facing the twelve men on the ground, ‘ He offered to sell me two secrets.” ‘Tt is infamous!” thundered Markham, writh- ing like a toasted serpent. ‘‘I won’t listen toa conspiracy put on foot to ruin me—to make me the scorn of Red Jack. If the court won’t pro- tect its witnesses, ll shake the dust off my feet and bid it farewell.” With fire in his eyes, he walked away, but the crowd did not part to let him out, ‘* Let your witness proceed,” said “ Judge” Powers to Sarcy. Markham stopped and turned his head. ‘* Do you mean that, judge?” cried he, and his voice had all the elementsof a hiss of hate, ‘*Do you desert a fellow in that style after all your coaching? Madam Zeo need not speak an- other word. I admit beforehand all she is going tosay. I can give blow for blow. When I am betrayed I generally scotch the traitor, Gen- tlemen of the jury,” he took two great strides toward the twelve, and halting hefore them, dramatically threw up bis hand, ‘‘ Gentlemen, know you, on Max Markham’s solemn oath, that it’s alla piece of conspiracy against Rey- nard, the prisoner. I wasn’t near when the shootin’ occurred. I was elsewhere, and there are half a dozen men who know that when Tal- bot was killed he had a cocked revolver in his hand, There’s the solemn truth! The men who have just deserted me in your presence made me a witness for the State when I knew better than I swore. There, Judge Powers! you have the answer o’ Markham o’ Red Jack. You pronniene to protect me; but you’ve deserted me ike a dog!” CHAPTER XXXII. FAVERELL AND HIS PLEDGE, It was all over. ‘ The sun had gone down on Red Jack, and there had been no hanging. The cold-blooded farce of a trial had ended with the sensational episode of Markham’s turn- ing on his masters who had refused to protect him from Zeo’s blistering truths, ‘‘ Judge” Powers pretended to see that the case of Reynard had been grossly misrepre- sented, and he had instructed the very jury which had been organized to convict to bring in a verdict of ‘‘ not guilty.” This being done, the trial ended, and the man whose bead was in the noose for hours was once more free, but still in the house of his enemies, Don Diamond heard of this unexpected finish with lowering brows and a succession of curses, He railed against Zeo to Faverell and the judge who had called to explain the whys and wherefores of the disappointing affair, and or- dered that Markham be instantly dealt with according to the secret and unwritten code of Red Jack, ‘‘The man is not in camp,” said Powers. ‘* Ho left immediately after the trial.” ** Got off, did be?” roared the major. ‘* An yet he went to Zeo to sell her two secrets! Do you know what they were?” ** T think I could guess,” answered Faverell. **So can I,” responded Don Diamond, ‘* Don't you think he’ll keep them for sale elsewhere? The man is dangerous.” ri Nabob of Red Jack was silent for a mo- ment, . ‘“* After the trial, what?’ he suddenly ex- claimed, looking at his guests, ‘* We are awaiting orders.” ‘** Captain Faverell, you know what you are to do to-night. The viper that hissed to-day in open court must be permitted to hiss no more, She goes away—away to the cage al- ready prepared for ber! The man is left. No! there are two of them, and I don’t know but that the heaviest blow should fall on Solid Sam | who planned the game that beat you, judge.” Powers looked sour. **T don’t like him and I’m only waiting for a chance to get even,” said he. “I got out of the snap the best I could. After the sensation produced by Zeo’s testimony and Markham’s madness, [ had to let the prisoner off—for the present. Major, you must not lose confidence in your judge. You may need him yet.” This conversation took place in Don Dia- mond’s private room. Night was settling down over Red Jack, and the arrows of darkness were falling from the sky far above the golden hills. Everywhere groups of rough-looking men dis- comes the events which were fresh in the minds of all. For once Don Diamonc’s packed jury had failed to convict. It had cleared a man whose life had been decided on by the master of the mines, and ard was at large with the blood of Tough Talbot, the soldier-hater, on his hands. ‘ A theme of this sort was enough to prevent ee a a aed 23 ————- —— the usual games that went on nightly at the El Dorado and kindred places, What was to happen next? All agreed that an issue of some kind was joined between Zeo and Don Diamond, The rivals of Red Jack had fairly crossed swords in a bitter contest, and in the first en- counter the woman had won, Big Faverell left the major’s mansion with a cold gleam in his big black orbs. ‘ Judge ” Powers remained behind, probably to linger over the wine on the gold-bug’s table, but more likely to receive certain instructions through i victory was to be wrenched from de- eat, Faverell went to his cabin and armed him- self, Then he proceeded to Don Diamond’s stables, and took therefrom two horses which he found already saddled. He led the steeds to the southernmcst suburbs of Red Jack, and left them among the congre- gated shadows while he turned hacks The time had come for him to keep his prom- ise with Captain Double Fist, the ex-bandit. Faverell went up the bill to Zoe’s house. The home of the bonanza Pe or loomed up before bim like a great deserted house, silent in the night. As he neared the door a figure rose in his path, then another and another, till he was surrounded by eight stalwarts of mountain and mine, ‘‘ How is the coast?’ whispered the Ajax of Red Jack. ‘‘Tt is clear, Zeo is alone. No one has left the house since she came back from the trial,” A smile expressed Big Faverell’s approval of the situation, and a moment later the nine men crept to the very door of the house, and all but one dropped to the ground, The man erect knocked on the door, The knock was followed by footsteps beyond the portal, then it opened. Zeo herself stood before the Red Jack tough. “What is it?” ‘“‘Can you join Reynard at the mine?” asked the man, putting one foot forward, “ At the Yellow Witch?” ‘Right away.” With the last word the man at the door darted straight at Zeo, and at the same time those on the ground sprung te The Queen of Red Jack was seized before she could comprebend the nature of the assault, and in a second she was helpless in the grip of as many bands as could grasp ber. » She was gagged by an ingenious contrivance and taken down the bill without touching the ground. lt was a swift journey to the horses left bv Faverell in the shadows of night, and Zeo found herself lifted to the saddle of one and held there while unseen hands secured her feet to the stir- rups, er hands were left free enough to handle the lines placed in them, and she saw that a lariat reached from her own steed’s bit to the saddle on her left, ‘*Now, let’s go,” said a voice, the sound of which made Zeo start, for it had not been heard since the trial on the Square, A nuinber of dark figures fell back, and then d | the horses started forward, Zeo’s brain swam wildly for a few moments, She had been abducted for a purpose, and as she rode along she associated it with ber inter- ference with ‘‘ Judge” Powers’s cut-and-dried court. But Zeo did not know the real cause, and the night was too dark to enable her to see her companion, It was a strange ride through the night, and the beautiful owner of the Yellow Witch could only guess where if would end, for the gag ef- cag ;revented her from pronouncing a word, On the other hand, Zeo’s conductor, a big fel- low, who filled the large saddle of his horse, was watching her like a hawk watches his captured mouse at night. His left hand gripped his bri- dle-rein, while the other rested on his hip like a hand ready for an emergency of any kind. He seemed to enjoy his study of the figure fairly in his power, and for several hours the ride was conducted in silence beyond the sound of the horses’ hoofs on the mountain trail. | All at once he leaned toward Zeo and broke out into a light laugh. ‘‘ A truce to this silence, What's a compan- ionship if one cannot talk?” . The next instant his hand touched Zeo’s face, andina fifty the obnoxious gag was removed, — An exclamation of joy came from the prison- er’s throat. “‘Tt was well done, Captain Faverell,” said she, bending across the little space between the horses, and fixing her eves upon the man on the other side. ** By Jove! I thought you’d have to compli- ment me,” smiled the giant. ‘‘ You were not rougbly treated, Zeo.” ‘* No; the tiger shows only his velvet some- times,” was the quick retort, and then she fell back and straightened in her saddle “You dare not explain this indignity!" she continued, . : >. a 2 a EGoOmic exoie) S a