Beadle's New York Dime Library No. 523 — page 27: what you’re looking at

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

eerie Reynard of Red Jack. a0 hot blood crimsoning her temples, now with her whole face deathly white, and her hands were tightly shut all the time. : Did she wonder what was going on beyond the doors of the mansion? I'he notes of the bugle had announced the re- turn of the soldiers. Something startling had brought them back. Don Diamond had cursed them for their re- turn. He was the natural enemy of the army, though there had been a time when he was a soldier bimself, Twenty miautes passed away. Coral bad gone back to the chair, and the master of Red Jack was still writing, as if ut- terly oblivious of ber presence, He could be exasperating when he chose to, All at once there came into the room sounds of footsteps from the corridor. Don Diamond crossed tue carpet and unlocked the door. The messenger appeared, ‘1 found Captain Faverell, but ‘ Judge’ Pow- ers has fled,” reported the man, “Bled? echoed the Nabob of Red Jack, ‘¢ What bas happened?” Already the servant bad taken a piece of paper from his pocket. ok “From Faverell,” said he, extending it, Don Diamond took the message, and glanced at the hasty scrawl which zigzagged across it like the craw] of a serpent. ‘‘Come in and keep Miss Coral company,” he resumed, holding the door open for the ser- vant, who was tall and muscular, with cold gray eyes and large dark hands. ‘Coral, child, [ am called out,” he said, as he ushered the manin, ‘“ Mardo will keep you company, and, if called on, will entertain you with some stories of his checkered career.” Coral left her chair with a gesture of remon- strance, but in a second the door closed with a click and she was left alone with her guard. ‘* What has gone wrong outside?” she demand- ed,*facing the man as he came forward. “Do you think anything has?” re GO. ” Red Jack will come out on top, no difference what has occurred,” ‘“‘Tt is man and man again?” ‘6 Tt looks that way.” ‘¢ They have turned the tables on the league of Red Jack.” Mardo showed his teeth in a grin, ‘‘ Not completely turned them, miss, said he. ‘‘Tn the first place, the man who stands fully unmasked is no match for Faverell and the boys. The soldiers may show their teeth, but Red Jack is too strong for them.” ‘Then the truth of the massacre is known to the army?’ ‘“‘The blue-coats claim to believe that no In- dian had a hand ia the affair.” ‘*You know that, Mardo?” The man’s look dropped before Coral’s search- ing eo ‘What had taken place up to the time of your leaving the Square?” she asked. ‘‘ Judge Powers had departed.” *‘ Nothing more?” ‘‘ Waverell had issued secret orders for the men to surround the soldiers on the Plaza.” “Merciful Father! Is there to be another massacre? The secret of the Lost Detective is out. All the bloodshed that may be indulged in cannot long stem the tide of justice,” ‘““They’re going to try it, [ think.” Coral looked at the guard and then at the door. Don Diamond had gone out. ‘“*T must not remain here,” she cried, leaning toward Mardo, ‘“‘T cannot disobey my master,” was the reply. ‘You know him only as Don Diamond the Mine King of Dakota,” “That isenough.” — ~~ “Don’t you ever inquire into the antecedents of those whom you serve?” ‘‘T never do.” ‘¢ Will you listen if 1 tell you something about Major Diamond’s past?” ‘Td rather not.” : * “To you think I am the mine king’s chila?” & ‘‘ I have never given the matter a thought.” Coral seemed to lose courage. Whatever she had done with Sejio, the former servant, this man Mardo was incorruptible. She burned to pass beyond the room. Exciting events were occurring in the heart of Red Jack; she knew it. The crisis in her life had been reached, and the career Of Diamond, the gold-bug, the man of many names and many crimes, was to take a new turn. For several moments she kept her chair, study- ing the impassive face of the man left to watch her, then she bent forward toward Mardo. ‘You will not listen to me,” in low tones. “ You are bent on serving Major Diamond, of Red Jack, no matter who heis. You don’t care whether his hancs are blood-stained or as white asa babe’s, You know who ordered the mas- sacre in Vulture Guich. Perhaps you rode in the ranks of the butchers? Captain Mardo, you show your guilt in your eyes!” He made no sign that he heard her. Her hand passed over the edge of the table and touched the knob of the nabob’s private drawer. her hand clasped the revolver that lay therein. Mardo saw the act, and the weapon was drawn ere he quite comprehended her purpose; then she was his master! ‘The key is in your pocket, Captain Mardo,” said she, bringing the handsome six-shooter u tou level. ‘This isa time when I have muc at stake. Open the door and stand back for me to step out.” Mardo seemed to fix his stalwart figure the more firmly in thechair, and his look was one of cool resolution. ‘Don’t play fool, Mardo,” continued Coral. ‘‘Tt is not bravery to serve a man at the ex- pense of one’s life.” He laughed, ** You would not shoot me, miss?” ‘* No, I would not like to, Mardo, but the key | in your pocket must open yon door.” ‘*To let you out to play some foolish hand among a lot of desperate men?” res matters not what sort of hand I would ay. ‘*T think it matters a good deal.” ‘Then, you intend to keep the key?” **T generally obey my master!” At once came the report of a pistol, and man and chair fell backward in a heap. Coral, with a blanched faco, stood erect be- side the table, a smoking revolver in her right hand, and was staring at the body lying across the broken chair, when something small and white lay on the floor near Mardo’s hand, which had been jerked from bis pocket as he tumbled backward, be moment she held the coveted key in her and. Still clinging to the revolver, she crossed the room and unbarred her way to the streets of Red Jack. The door was locked behind her; Mardo was left in the fort he had failed to hold. The Dakota heiress was soon beyond the house, Her blood seemed to throb with pulsa- tions of fire. The night-air, which came down from the mountains cool and refreshing, failed to calm her excitement, She ran swiftly toward the Square. Why was everything so quiet? soldiers taken their departure? At that moment the shrill whinny of a horse broke the stillness, At the same time a cabin door opened on Coral’s right, and she saw a man come out, with a Winchester thrown across his arm. ‘*T guess it’s time to join the rest,” said this man aloud. ‘'The army men know nothing 0’ the game. When the two captains come out 0’ the private room of the El Dorado and give the signal, we'll duplicate the Vulture Gulch epi- é, Had the The man vanished like a puff of sinoke, ‘* In the private room, are they?’ repeated Coral. ‘‘ Where is Reynard of Red Jack?” She turned toward the famous ranch of the Yellow Hills capital, and soon saw its open door and lighted windows, There were no signs of a gathering storm about them, but Red Jack’s heiress knew that the very silence was deception itself. She passed the El Dorado, and kept on to Reynard’s shanty. The chances for finding the Lost Detective there were decidedly against her. As she opened the door she spoke its owner’s best-known name, and waited for an answer. ‘ None came, and silence was all that rewarded er. ‘Try the coor first,” said a voice at Coral’s elbow. ‘‘ [f he isn’t in we'll swoop down on the other place.” . She could not hide, for with the words which thrilled her a footstep came forward and she drew back to the wall of the cabin as the giant figure of a man rose before her. ‘* Hello! here’s a prize!” cried the tough, sighting Coral, but before be could touch her she darted forward with a loud cry, and ran straight toward the Plaza, ‘The next second she was in the camp of the silently sentenced troops. CHAPTER XXXVIL NABOB AND NEMESIS. CORAL found the soldiers on the alert, She had no sooner reached the little camp on the Square than she found herself face to face with the young captain, to whom, in a few brief sentences, she related her adventures, ** We know all,” said the captain. We have not returned to Red Jack blindfolded. The career of the Secret Gold League, of which I am sorry to say your father—” ** Don Diamond,” corrected the girl. ‘* As it suits you, miss,” was the response, ‘* The streets of the camp are now patrolled by armed men. We are in what looks like a death- trap—a second ambush as it were. You may be able to see that my men are not unprepared.” Coral saw the figures by which she was sur- rounded. Now and then she saw a carbine or revolver- barrel where the starlight touched it, and every- where she noticed how eager the soldiers were . for the battle evidently at band, ** Where is Reynard?” she ventured. ‘** Playing his final hand.” Then the drawer silently slid open and | | ** And Solid Sam?” ‘‘He is after the Jeffreys of Dakota. Judge Powers needs to be tried by a court as merciless as the famous tribunals of his own creation. Sarcy is eager to catch the rascal and turn hirn over to the Government, whose Jaws he has s» repeatedly outraged. Well, Nolan?” I'he soldier who had just come up leaned {0 ward the captain and spoke in lowered tones. ‘* Miss, I shall have to request you to retire,” said the young officer of the troop, pected that Reynard has failed,” ‘*In what?” ‘*Tn seizing Don Diamond after his own plan, and cooling down, with him in his possession, the tigers of Red Jack.” ‘‘T ean go,” replied Coral, ‘‘ There are sey- eral ways of escape open to me; but, to you, sir? ‘*Oh, we intend to fight the vultures right here,” responded the captain. Hardly had be made this reply when the open door of the El Dorado, then in full view, shut with a bang, and a portal at the end of the bar- room swung open, disclosing the figures of Don Diamond and Faverell as they came for- ward. ‘““Are you ready?’ asked the nabob, catch- ing the eye of a man, who started from the counter, “We are ready.” ** Where are the army hounds?” ‘On the Plaza.” ‘* And Reynard?” ‘‘He is in Captain Chip’s bands, by this time?” Don Diamond drew a long breath. He was about to issue an order as famous and merciless as others he had issued before, He glanced toward the ceiling, and rested his eye on a face that looked down at bim, framed in a hole two fee’ square! If he could have looked back of this face he would have seen a hand resting on a little bar, the moving of which would open a window in the gable of the El Dorado, and at the same time flood the Square with a powerful light, which would reveal the figure of every man and horse to the armed men who had surround- ed them. ‘*In a moment,” said Don Diamond to the eager face in the opening. ‘‘Goto your place, Burt,” he continued, to the fellow who had just reported everything in readiness, ‘‘ We'll wait two minutes; then the light will flash, and we will expect work !” The lieutenant touched the rim of his bat and went out; but the dark face in the ceiling-trap kept its place. During this time there stood at the rear door of the bar-room, but on the outside, a figure that seemed to bave grown into a statue. Burt, the executer of Diamond’s orders, near- ly touched it as be passed to his mission. The following moment the nabob’s lieutenant was seized from behind and so adroitly tripped that he was on the ground before he could utter a cry or lift a band in self-defense, **1t is done; now for the others!” was spoken at the window; ‘‘ now for the coup,” ‘* But the man in the loft? He may spring the light the moment we enter and the troops will receive the death volley from every quarter,” ‘‘ There lies the danger, Ah! Faverell is go- ing out the front door. That leaves Diamond alone. You can’t master the Ajax of Red Jack, Darrell, Heis too much for you. T’ll go for- ward. The face of the man in charge of the calcium light can be seen at the trap. As I cover Diamond will you make a target of those watchful eyes above him?” “T will!” Darrell pushed back his hat and followed Rey- nard to the threshold, for Reynard, the Lost Detective, it indeed was—the tireless, dauntless, ever-faithful Nick Norway. A second passed—a second of preparation for the coolest work rough Red Jack had ever wit- nessed ; then the door was thrown open and Rey- nard sprung into the room. Diamond turned, and at sight of his hunter sent a hand toward his hip. “The drop for Nicholas Norway!” cried ‘the detective bringing up his revolver, ‘ Face to face in our true skin at last, mejor!” A shot rung out behind the United States de- tective, and a sharp cry was followed by the prompt disappearance of a head from the trap in the ceiling! Then young Darrell advanced while Reynard held the Croesus at the muzzle of his revolver. ‘* It is a fool’s play for ell!” suddenly laughed Diamo-d, ‘‘The army scullions will he corpses under their horses’ feet in less than two min- utes. The last Gesperate card avails nothing, Nicholas Norway. I walk to the door and give the signal—” ‘* You will fall against the door dead if you try the experiment, major.” Diamond witha smile of derision leaned against the bar, - ’ ‘Hands in front and close together!” com- manded Reynard, The man of the Yellow Hills answered with a defiant look, d ‘*Tt is sus- . ‘*“My motto as a deteactire has erer been comichook m OOKS Gor