Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 545 — page 19: what you’re looking at

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

Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport. 19 be, an honest man or a villain,” ‘‘ But what next happened to Pearl? How did she come to fall into the villains’ hands again?” ‘‘Unfortunately she wandered away from her friend and walked straight into the kidnap- | pers’ hands. They carried her back to the cave from which I rescued her.” ‘But that is not all,” cried Molina, with great impatience. ‘‘ You say that you do not know where she is now. What happened?” ‘tre we reached the place where I left my horse, we were surrounded by masked men, I was given no time to resist, but was promptly knocked senseless, and I bear the mark of the blow now.” He removed his hat, which he had neglected to do till now, and revealed a bandage wrapped around his head. ‘*The villains did not spare their strength,” he declared, with a look of anger. ‘* My head rings now with the concussion, How long I lay in an insensible condition I cannot say, but when I revived, it was pitch dark. I was alone where I had fallen. The masked men had car- ried Pearl away I knew not where. As soon as I could command my strength enough to walk, I sought my horse, and at once returned to camp. From the Silver Palace I came directly here. This was the whole of Horace Kelnot’s story. When he had finished, Molina started forward and caught him by the arm. ‘“What do you think? Pearl has not again fallen into the hands of her former captors?” ‘No, lam sure not. One of them is seriously wounded, if not dead. The other was uncon- scious when I left the cave. Besides that, there were too many of those who sprung upon us,” ‘* But who were they?” “The Brothers of the Red Heart!” Molina uttered a groan and sunk back. “That devilish organization!” he muttered. “They hate me, for I bave spoken openly against them. Now that they have the chance, they will ruin me.” ‘* There is little doubt of that,” Handy Horace admitted. ‘I believe that entire band to be desperadoes and villains of the worst stamp. I also have an idea that I can point out their chief.” “You can? Whom do you suspect?” ** Hustler Harry!” “The cowboy?’ “ Exactly.’ “But this cowbo The Brothers of tke to exist for some time,” Kelnot leaned forward and looked the mine- owner fairly in the eyes, while he said, impres- gh ‘* Partner, Hustler Harry is no more a stran- ger in Cimarron than I am! I have not been here a great while myself, but I am far from a str = ‘* What do you mean?” ‘*T mean that this pretended cowboy is a most artful actor. As Hustler Harry he appears to be a stranger. Under another name he has lived in this camp longer than I.” Molina was thunderstruck. He ed at the proprietor of the Silver Palace blankly, not quite able to catch his meaning. ‘¢ How—what do you mean?” ‘“Do you remember Big Jack Diggs?” Yeu.” ‘““You know that he suddenly and quite mys- teriously disappeared a little over two weeks Qn ia Yes.” ‘Well, can you not see the connection be- tween Jack Diggs and Hustler Harry?” The mine-owner looked amazed. ** No, I cannot,” be admitted. “It is quite plain,” laughed Handy Horace, ** Suspicion was pointing strongly toward Diggs as the perpetrator of several crooked jobs. So, Diggs vanishes end Hustler Harry appears.” ‘** But you cannot mean that the two men are identical.” ‘* That is just what I do mean,” Molina looked incredulous, “ Why Big Jack Diggs was a ragged ruffian!” he exclaimed. ‘ “A piece of acting,” said Kelnot. “As a cowboy, the fellow isdoing more acting, Ihave not a doubt that he could appear like a polished gentleman if he chose.” ‘© You may be right,” admitted Molina, slow- ly, ‘‘and if you are, the chances are that this Craddoc is one of bis right-hand men. Craddoc has deluded the gir] into thinking that she loves him, and may entice her to marry him, hoping to getagripon my property by so doing. By heavens! if he does I will kill him with my own hand!” In terrible excitement, Molina sprung up and paced the floor, Kelnot watched him closely, © ““It may not be so bad,” Handy Horace ob- served. ‘‘This young fellow may be deceived by the pretended cowboy. If so, he 1s acting honestly. He appears like an honest fellow,” ‘‘ But [I have no faith in his honesty. I am satisfied that he is a scoundrel.” Kelnot was silent, ** What is to be done?” demanded Martel Mo- is a stranger in Cimarron. Heart have been known io ? / The future alone can reveal whether he is | lina, as he paused and laid his hand on the shoul- der of his visitor. ‘' Must I sit stilland wait the pleasure of these ruffians?” ‘*By no means. If you can think of nothing, I have a scheme to propose.” ‘* But I can think of something. Kelnot, you must guide me to the cave where Pearl was con- fined; you must show me the spot where you were knocked senseless by the masked men, Nothing may come of it, but I am determined to go there.’ Handy Horace shook his bead, a look of con- cern in his dark eyes as he looked into the mine- owner’s haggard face, ‘“‘T fear you over-estimate you strength,” he said, earnestly, ‘‘ It will not do for you to take such a trip now,” “‘T am not going to take it now, but I will be ready in the morning. I shall get a few hours of sleep, for I will takea powder, In the morn- ing I shall be fresh and ready for the trip. Do you promise?” Kelnot was reluctant, ‘‘{t will never do,” he declared. ‘‘I fear you do not know how bad you have been. The physician said that fora time you were quite crazy. Any unusual excitement may bring on another spell of that kind—may, indeed, prove fatal.” But Molina was obstinate, ‘* T insist on going,” he said, firmly, ‘‘ I can- not lay still while Pearlis in peril, It wouid be worse for me than to stir about. You must promise to guide me.” ‘‘ No, I will not promise; but I will come over in the morning. If youare better and still insist on going, perhaps I will guide you. I will make no other agreement.” Molina was obliged to accept these terms, and after a few moments more of conversation, Kelnot arose and took his departure, CHAPTER XXIV, UNCONSCIOUSLY BETRAYED BY HIRED TOOLS. EARLY the following siting Kelnot and Molina rode away into the hills. Handy Horace had found the mine-owner appearing much better than he expected. ‘‘ Now,” said Molina, as they rode along, “ if we can only find something that will give usa clew to the whereabouts of the secret den of this band of ruffians known as the Brothers of the Red Heart our time will not be wasted.” ‘*T fear that we shall be unsuccessful in that respect,” confessed Horace Kelnot. ‘‘ The gang is crafty, and it is not at all likely that their stronghold can be easily found.” ‘* Providence may aid us,” ‘That is true; but during my life I have no- ticed that Providence seldom takes a hand in anything of this kind. I have little confidence in receivivg aid from any unusual channel,” ‘But something must Bap pes \” cried the mine-owner, desperately. ‘* Pearl must be saved!” **] feel the same as you do in that respect, and while you slept I was not idle. I have or- anized a sort of search-party and have divided t into squads, each squad in command of a competent man, The men are all under my pay and my direction. While we are away in the hills, they are to remain quiet. pon our return, | sball send them out to thoroughly scour the country. No stone shall be left un- turned,” For several moments Martel Molina was silent. Finally he leaned toward Kelnot and extended his hand. ‘* Kelnot,” he said, with deep feeling, ‘‘ bow ean I thank you for your thoughtfulness? I, at first, was opposed to raising a great hue-and- ery aud getting the whole town out on the bunt. I thought that such a move would be unwise, You submitted to my desire, although you lainly said that I was making a disastrous de- ay. Now, just when I tegin to regret that I did not listen to you, I find that you have antici- pated my desire. But why did you not put out the searchers at once?” Handy Horace pressed the mine-owner’s hand warmly, while his blue eyes glowed with a look of deep satisfacticn. ‘* Partner,” he replied, ‘‘I did intend to put out the searchers at first, but on second thought I decided not todo so, We may learn some- thing of importance while we are out that it would be well for the boys to know before they start. Besides that, much time will not be lost. It is not yet sunrise, and if we hasten we can be back in Cimarron ere the forenoon is half- spent.” ‘* You are right,” said the mine-owner. ‘ Let’s hurry on.” Away through the gray morning gloom they dashed. The cool air and brisk motion seemed to give Molina renewed vigor. He sat on his horse as firmly and gracefully as a circus eques- trian could have done. Into the hills they plunged, Handy Horace leading the way. “Do you think you can lead me to that cave without difficulty?’ asked Molina. ‘*T am not sure,” was Kelnot’s cautious reply; ** but I hope to.” **Do you think we shal] find any one there?” > ee — = 2¥% i> ‘*Possibly—a man with a bullet in his head. Nothing more,” ‘*Do you know these fellows who kidnapped Pearl? i believe you did not tell me who they were. ** Yes, I know them—know them well, When I show you the one who stopped my bullet, I fancy you will be able to name bis companions.” ‘*Ha! Then they are well known in Cimar- ron?” ** Well, I should remark.” ‘* 1 thought as much. I fancied that I recog- nized the voice of one as that of an old tellow who asked me for the price of a drink a few days ago.” Sunrise found them well on their jourvey, and pressing swiftly forward, Martel Molina showed no signs of weariness, though Kelnot watched him constantly with anxiety, The knowledge that his beloved daughter was in dan- ger, gave him strength and energy. The sun slowly crept upward. Finally, as they were passing along a short, wooded defile, Handy Horace announced: ‘‘This is the very spot where I was knocked senseless, and Pear! fell into the hands of the Red Heart Brotherhood.” They drew rein, and Molina surveyed the place closely, ‘‘ Have you an idea which way the ruffians. went from this spot?” asked the mine-owner, ‘*T have not, 1 am sorry to say.” ‘« This is a most admirable chance for an am- bush.” “You areright. I had no thought of such a thing until the villains were upon me.” After a few moments, Molina indicated a wish to push on to the cave. Witbin a short time, Kelnot said: ‘“ We will stop here, and leave the horses. If one of the kidnappers remains at the cave, the sound of approaching horses would alarm him.” The horses were concealed in the midst of some thick bushes, then they went slowly for- ward, Kelnot leading. Finally he said: *“* You may remain here a few moments, part- ner, while I go forward and look over the land. There may be saags ahead.” Molina said nothing, and Handy Horace stole forward. He was gone a short time, when he appeared again, a smile of satisfaction on his face, as he softly announced: \ i ‘* They are all there—three of them. One has his head tied up in a bloody cloth, but as he is kicking, it shows that I did not aim as straight as I supposed. Come on, and move with the ut- most caution.” Noiselessly they went forward, They did not proceed far before they came toa place where they could peer through a mass of busbes into: a hollow, which was directly in front of the mouth of the cave where Pear] had been held a captive. bree men were lying on the ground in vari- ous attitudes of lazy abandon at the bottom of the hollow, They were Hickory Bill, Posey Pete, and Cas- per the Spaniard, Bill was smoking, Pete was Pajares and Casper was resting his ban- anged head on his hands, ‘*T tell ye, we’re fools to stay round hyer any longer,” both Kelnot and Molina heard}the bummer say. ‘‘ Things hev all gone wrong, an’ afore we knows it, ther men o’ Cimarron. 1 be hyer wi’ a hemp neck-tie for each o’ us.” ‘* Dunno but ye’r’ right,” admitted the bully. ** Cuss the crooked luck! You two are pretty birds, hain’t ye?” l ‘“T don’t brag on my beauty,’ admitted pete, ‘‘ This byer nose 0’ mine putts mein er oel. ‘* And I feel far from looking well,” moaned the Spaniard. ‘‘ My head would like to split, and I have lost enough blood to make me feel very weak.” Then he uttered a string of Spanish curses, oe directed toward the one who had wounded im, ‘“* Cas, you villain, you sh’u’d thank yer luck thet his aim wassent better, an’ thet he didn’t putt ther ball through yer bead, ’stead erlong ther side o’ it,” was Hickory Bill’s opinion. | ‘But ye’r’ fergittin’ thet we're in danger every blessid minnit we stops hyer,” said Posey Pete. ‘‘Ther hull game’s gone wrong, Ther boss paid us ter ketch ther gal and hole her till he showed up an’ reskyed ber—in his mind. We ketched ther gal an’ played our part, but thet durned Kelnot got onter ther game sumhow an’ sailed in, At first I thort *twas ther boss, an’ wen ’twas too late I saw my mistake. That Kelnot is ther devil ter fight.” ‘*Caramba!” exclaimed Casper. ‘“ You knew there was a mistake when it was too late! I knew nothing! That man shot to take life.” . “You are shoutin’, ole boy,” said Hickory Bill. ‘‘T know thet man. He does nothin’ in er foolin’ way.” ‘But what’ll Hustler Harry do now?” “Durn Hustler Harry! We've got a good slice o’ his munny, an’ ef we’ve slipped up on cay party 0’ ther job sheil we go fork et over ter m ‘““Nary. ‘Sides thet, ef I understood ther tork we war ter do our level best au’ keep ther skids Comicbooks ~« eGom -_ a