Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 535 — page 15: what you’re looking at

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

S Dandy Dutch. 15 moved her hands from the top of_her_ box, lay- ing bare the first card. Dandy Dutch pricked it (ff on his cue-card, then quickly yet deliber- ately placed several bets on odd cards, appar- ently atrandom, If, as his former words had seemed to infer, he was playing on “ta system,” that system was yet an undiscovered secret, even to La Masque. Steadily as an automaton La Masque per- formed her duties. In silence Dandy Dutch saw his losses removed from the painted cloth, or took down his winnings when paid by those deft hands over the board, Cold and silent stood Aubrey Conyers at the shoulder of his queer patron, his handsome face like a mask of stone so far as outward emotion went, though each loss and each winning was enough to count up a modest fortune in the eyes of a poor map. And without stir or murmur the interested ranks behind him stood and noted each change made in that silent duel between mau and wo- man. Whether or no La Masque alwas dealt a per- fectly ‘‘square game” is neither bere nor there, Certain it is that she did so on this particular occasion, if only because to do otherwise would be almost certain detection, For hardly once did Dandy Dutch remove his steady gaze from those supple fingers, and with his long ex- perience at the game, cheating was rendered next thing to impossible, Asthe second deal drew near its end, and Dandy Dutch silently placed a heavy stake that, to those thoroughly acquainted with the game, silently ‘called the turn,” the eager lookers-on ea noisily as they crowded closer to see the result, “Steady, gentlemen, if you please?” sharply uttered Conyers, a hand slipping into his bosom to close upon a convenient weapon. ‘* Crowd in at your peril! This may be the tiger, but it must eat him up fair, or suffer the loss of its claws!” The ghost of a smile played about the lips of the Decorator from Dead-Lift, and his keen eyes never wavered in their steady watch. This outbreak might be well-intended, or it might be a cunning trick to cover the deft touch of the faro queen. If the latter, it failed completely. La Masque made no suspicious motion, and a monient later she slowly exposed the last cards. And then a low murmur ran through the crowd, for they saw that the bold gambler had actually ** caught the turn!” ‘¢ Permit me to congratulate you, sir,” quietly uttered Conyers, apparently unmoved by the heavy loss and not even glancing toward the woman who was paying over the winnings. ‘*Next to winning, I enjoy losing to a thor- oughbred.” Thanks,” nodded Dandy Dutch, coolly. “I thought [I could break the hoodoo set afoot by that worthless rascal of mine. You had him kicked out, of course?” ‘** He has gone, but I believe it was without assistance.” ‘*T know where to find him,” with a yawn while Weng for La Masque to shuffle her ecards, ‘ He'll send a‘policeman to my hotel in the meat for bail. By this time I should judge he is hunting a particularly muddy gutter or ditch for a bed. That means another suit of livery! Well,” with a lazy sigh, ‘“‘they come high, but we must have’em!” : Masque slipped the deck into its receptacle, lancing up in ken that all was in readiness or a fresh encounter, She caught those jetty orbs fixed upon her own, and the fact seemed to irritate her, judging from the sharp manner in which she spoke: J ‘* All set, if you please, sir! Time is precious, if you really want to make a break, for mid- night is drawing nigh.” andy Dutch deftly spread a number of bets, playing some cards to win and others to lose; resuming his close watch on those nimble fin- gers opposite, The deal progressed, at first quite unfavora- bly for the Decorator, as the three bets first decided went in favor of the bank. But he gave no sign, for he felt confident that the deal was being squarely made, Then a change came, and he repeatedly won, steadily building up the pile of notes, gold coin, and colored chips before him, And for the sec- ond time that night he caught the turn at the end of thedeal, / Not even the stern presence of Aubrey Con- yers could awe the audience into silence after that. They seemed almost as excited and ex- ultant as they could have been were the win- nings their own, and more than one of their number reached out hands with which to con- gratulate the Decorator on the record he was making for himself, os “It’s a little way I have, when the moon is in the dark,” lightly laughed Dandy Dutch, nod- ding his curly head in response. ‘‘ Sorry for ou, friend Conyers, but I can’t go back on my uck, you know!” ‘‘ All for the good of the trade,” bowed the proprietor. ‘“‘ bat we lose to you, we'll more than pick up from venturesome gentlemen who ’ll attempt to break your record.’ | OO | “Then I'll piie the figures a little higher,” laughed Deutsch, During this interchange, La Masque was busy counting out the last winnings, but now she drew a tiny watch from her bosom, glancing at the enameled dial, then coldly pronouncing: ‘You will have to make your strokes count, then, for Pll have barely time to finish another deal before midnight.” ‘Which means?” ventured Dandy Dutch. “That I never turn a card after the hands join at twelve,” was the icy cold response. “ll do my little best to fill her place, dear sir, if you are not satisfied to stop short off,” Lire said Conyers, his blue eyes glowing viv- i y. “Thanks, awfully, dear fellow, but do you know I’m justa bit inclined that way myself? I never gamble on the Sabbath. But T'll give the royal Bengal a square chance to recoup, for I’m no hog, if I do grunt occasionally.” Deftly separating his winnings from his origi- nal capital, Dandy Dutch divided it into four te he placing each on a separate card, then eaning back in his seat to await the result, Without the slightest show of emotion, La Masque began to deal the cards, a number fall- ing on either side before a single wager was de- cided. That the bank won, but in rapid suc- cession Dandy Dutch won the remaining three, La Masque quickly counted out his winnings, then rose from her chair, bowing to the sport who had fared so well at her bands, saying: ‘**T never break my rule, sir, so 1 must stop dealing. But I'll be at my post Monday even- ing, when I trust you will give me my revenge.” “Td give it all for just one smile from those sweet lips!” CHAPTER XVIII. HUNGRY FINGERS AND BROKEN PATES, AUDACIOUS enough the speech, but even Dandy Dutch was not entirely lost to ordinary prudence. Ha also had risen to his feet, and while leaning over the table as if to secure his winnings, he softly whispered those words close to the ear of the woman in the velvet mask. If La Masque heard, she gave no sign. With- out another word she turned from the table, passing along to the rear of the gaming hall, opening a narrow door through which she van- ished from view. Dandy Dutch watched her exit, then occupied himself in stowing away the cash among his winnings, stacking up the chips and pushing them across the table toward Aubrey Conyers, who had taken possession of the vacated chair. * Just to follow custom, you know, dear sir,” smiled Dandy Dutch, as he did this. ‘For, of course, it’ll all come back to your coffers before it gets fairly warm in my ets.” ** Pay as we go is our rule,” smiled the pro- prietor, cashing the checks at once. ‘ Yet, if I may say as much without offense, you are no true gamester.” ‘What particular point am I lacking in?” laughed Deutsch. ** That of knowing how to follow a streak of luck clear through. With your vein, to-night, you might own the Oasis before day dawns! ‘** And cut my throat before the week ended. Couldn’t stand that, you know, Wasn't built fora landlord. Free foot and plenty of room for BLL of pasture is what makes me fat and saucy!” laughed the Decorator, as he finished stowing away his winnings. **Tt’s money in my pocket, your thinking that way,” smiled Conyers, as he made a sign that brought another dealer to take his place at the faro-table. ‘Still, I felt it only right to read you that little lecture, just as ’'d expect a sport to read the same to me. Not that I'd really need the hint, understand,” Dandy Dutch propery acknowledged the e speech, stifling a yawn as he slowly moved away from the table where he had that night won a modest fortune, and at the same time made for himself a record as a bold and skillful player, which would not soon be forgotten in Prospect. _If ‘all the world loves a lover,’ all that por- tion of it given to games of chance certainly admires a successful gambler, and Dandy Dute found it no easy matter to make his way from the hall to the saloon. He was surrounded by strangers, each one of whom had something to say in congratulation, and the majority of whom openly praised his luck. ** Lucky?” echoed the sport, skillfully disguis- ing another yawn. ‘I always am lucky. Reckon I was born that way.” He at length succeeded in passing the division and entering the. saloon, where he tossed a num- ber of gold coins upon the bar, saying: ‘For the good of the house, gentlemen, and as a particular favor to me, astranger just now, but a friend and comrade in the near future I’m impudent enough to predict, don’t let moss grow on the glasses! Drink hearty, and drink often! And with each swallow may some of my luck fall upon each and every one of you!” ‘‘Isn’t that rather tough on us?’ laughed Aubrey Conyers, “* When you go bu’st I'll don the fur and in- vite you in to clip my claws,” retorted Dandy Dutch, but with a smile that robbed his words of their sting. “ And, don’t you see, my good ———— ee ———“—-—-_- oor — ————————————————————————————————— — nn ae eee en ee eS OT OY SS OOOO eee ee ee er ee, te wishes took in the house, as well as the cus- tomers?” ‘*P'm not kieking, only as a favorite horse tries to make you dodge through pure affection. Next to winning, I love to lose. And, if you'll not blush too hearty, ll add that [ never meta better wimner than Andre Deutsch.” * There was some more light talk, in which the Decorator amply kept up with the procession, then he bade the hilarious company good-night, pleading loss of rest for a week past as his ex- cuse for tearing himself away at such an early hour from such excellent company. Dandy Dutch left the Oasis behind him ata rapid gait, going for some little distance in the direction of bis hotel, but then turning down a side street and finally taking a course that would, if continued long enough, carry him to the dwelling occupied by La Masque, But if such was his intention he was fated not to carry it out, for as he passed from the gloom into a little lighted space, remote from any building giving evidence of its people being afoot, several dark figures leaped out upon bim in a most vicious attack, Only an accident, trifling in itself, gave the sport a chance for bis life, for the ambush was snug, the plans for his death or robbery almost perfect. And only fora slip on a loose stone, causing the unlucky rascal to give a startled grunt in trying to recover himself, Andre Deutsch might never have realized his peril, in this world, As it was, he turned and ducked as by in- stinct, thus avoiding those initial strokes, ‘*Down him fer keeps, durn ye!” harshly grated one of the thugs who was carried past the sport by that unexpected dodge. “Down you go!” cried Dandy Dutch, shoot- ing euta bard fist the length of his muscular arm, striking the speaker on the jaw and tum- bling him endlong a dozen feet away, ‘‘ And here’s more of the same stuff!” Nor was heat all stingy in dispensing the article, either! By the dim light of the stars Dandy Dutch could see that his assailants carried bared blades, but with his fighting blood fairly up, he cared little for that, Nor did he attempt to make use of the firearms with which he was supplied, for more reasons than oue, ining-town though Prospect was, it had passed that stage where men might use pistols without drawing a crowd in short order, to give the offender a severe taste of the law. And even with his life at stake, Andre Deutsch pre- ferred not to have his name mixed up in an open court trial. Trusting to his remarkable activity, bis skill as a pugilist, his keen eyes and cool nerve, the sport dodged the blows and thrusts as best be could, at the same time striking sbarp and true: whenever he could find an opening. Twice he sent a man reeling back, and as yet he had es~ caped without a scratch, when a tall figure came leaping on the scene, harshly crying: **Sock it to’em, boss! An’ thar’s one fer your nob, critter.” The last words were almost drowned by a ringing crack as his stout staff fell upon the skull of a thug who was trying to win a thrust from behind the sport. And that villain had hardly measured his length upon the ground be- fore another was keeping him company. ‘“*Nother turned sleepy!” Nanintia’ Solemn Saul, whirling around and doubling up the third man witha terrible stroke across his middle. ‘* Whar’s the rest o’ em? Sufferin’ grandpap © sin an’ sorrow, an’— Hold on, you!” The fourth and last of the thugs—the same whom Dandy Dutch had knocked down when the row opened—was scudding away at tke top of his speed, which certainly was not lessened by the indignant command sent after him by the Sad Man from San Saba, ** Good riddance to bim, pard!” cried Dutch, ehecking Sunday, as he showed signs of start- ing in pursuit. ‘‘ They’ve done me no hurt, and we can’t afford to mix up in a court trial, don’t you know?” “Go itis, if you prefer it that way, pard,” was the easy response, as Saul stooped over the first of the men whom his staff had felled, ‘Bu we'll bave time enough to take a few notes and— I thought so!” A short, hard laugh broke from his thin lips as he held a lighted match close to the face o the senseless rascal, revealing the ugly features of Under-shot Dan Frick. “T thonght I recognized the rascal as he’ tried to stick you from behind, and I let him have it all the harder. Unless his skull is made of iron, there'll be rejoicing in the Frick family to-mor- row. For they can’t grieve over such a dirty whelp—think?”’ Dandy Dutch was examining the other two men, one of whom shrunk feebly away from the burning match, but he could not place them with certainty, though he fancied be bad seen at least one of the pair at the Oasis. | Throwing away the match, he tapped Sun- day on an arm, and moved rapidly from the spot, keeping where the shade lay deepest until at a safe distance from the ambuscade. ** T rather more than half expected somethin of the sort,” he said, as they walked on towar <S cee wrt a