Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 545 — page 24: what you’re looking at

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

“ _ 2 . ss ‘> | af 7... > ’ a Ga) -* et ae ished and exhausted, appeared. Kelnot was at Ls ae os a 24 At the top and bottom of this startling bul- letin were stamped two crimson hearts, Within ten minutes after the first person dis- covered this defiauce, a throng of excited people were standing in front of the Silver Palace read- ing and re-reading it. On every hand were heard exclamations of amazement not unmin- gled with consternation. The Brothers of the Red Heart were feared. Finally, some one cried: ‘He says that Molina is his prisoner. Has any one seen the owner of the Red Star Mine this morning?” No one had. ** To Molina’s!” The crowd took up the cry and surged along the street, gathering numbers as they went. In a short space of time the mine-owner’s residence was reached. ln vain they rapped upon the door. There was no response; but it readily yielded before | them when one turned the knob, Into the house swarmed nearly a score of the crowd, before the leaders could close and fasten the door. A moment later they were searching through the rooms, In less than a minute’s time, a shout from above announced that a discovery of some kind had been made, Up the stairs rushed the excited men only to find two fellows standing in front of the closed door of a room, ‘** What is it?” was the question. “Mrs, Dayly. We found her bound hand and footand gagged. She is in her night-clothes, We cut the cords, but she is too weak todo much. Someone go for Bridget O’Grady.” One of the crowd promptly hurried to obey this command, and while he was gone, the others discussed the recent exciting events. In a short time Bridget O’Grady, a fat, good- natured looking matron, appeared, ‘* An’ what’s all this hullyabaloo about, Pd loike ter know, now?’ she exclaimed, ‘“ Jist sthand away frum the front av that dure, ye haythens, an’ allow Mrs, ©’Grady ter see if the leddy is dead intoirely. Are yez niver goin’ to move at all, at all?” With haste they made way for her to pass, and she entered the room. A few moments passed, and then Mrs, O’Grady thrust out ber head to say: ‘* Why don’t yez go below, yez stharin’ mum- mys? D’ yez expect t’? warruc into the leddy’s room? As soon as iver she kin, she will come down an’ tell yez all about it, Scoot, now!” Laughing a little at Bridget’s vigorous man- ner of giving off orders, they slowly filed down- stairs, and remained below talking over the singular occurrences until the woman ap- peared, assisted by Mrs. O’Grady. She made her story as brief as possible, for she complained that she was scarcely able to talk, her jaws still being stiff from being held rigidly in place by the gag. Sometime in the night she had beard a cry and sprung up. The moment she stepped out into the hall, she was seized by two men and borne back into the room, A third man ap- peared, holding a dark-lantern, and despite ber struggles, the two men held and bound her, one of them having gagged her first. .When she was securely tied, they threw her on the bed and left her. That was her entire story. When questioned, she said that all of the men wore masks. She had heard no further sounds after they left her alone in the room. Molina was gone, and there was no doubt but he had been kidnapped. Those who had ob- tained admittance hurried out and told the tale to the clamorous mob around the house. It is impossible to describe the excitement into which the town was thrown, The streets were filled with the entire populace of the place. No one thought of working, and nearly every man expressed a desire to turn out and bunt down the Brothers of the Red Heart, As soon as Horace Kelnot heard the news, he hastened to Molina’s house and listened to the story that the woman had to tell. He appeared to be ae taken aback by this unexpected move of Molina’s foes. When he returned he re-read the bulletin which had been posted upon the door of the Silver Palace during the night, and his face was dark with a look of suppressed rage. ‘*The villainous wretch!” he said, aloud. ‘‘He defies the.entire town; but he shall be brought to justice. I swear to end the career of this Hustler Harry!” A meeting of the citizens was called anda plan of action decided on, It was thought best to make one grand search for the secret retreat of the Red Heart Bretherhood. The meeting decided to choose au executive officer, to whom the entire command of the searchers should be given. There were three candidates, but Handy orace bad a majority over the otkers, As soon as the meeting broke up, Kelnot be- n to organize his forces. About that time Eric Craddoc. nearly fam- BML LL RRR LL LL lll tt ttt once informed, He sent for Boss Kayford, and When the marshal appeared, said: : Hustler Harry, th a eee rr a a . ais in hs oe a SFR eee F a . ' - ;* = § **Kagford, can you arrest and hold a man without any warrant?” ‘* Fer you—yes,” was the prompt reply. ‘Allright. There is a young fellow whom [I slightly suspect of having a finger in this piece of dirty work, and I want bim detained. Don’t Lother to take him to the jail. Clap the irons onto him and chuck him into one of the upper sous of the Silver Palace, Puta guard over im. ** Who’s ther galoot?” ‘** A tenderfoot named Craddoc, ** Waal, ldo. Whar is he?’ **He has just come into town from some- where. You can find him,” ‘All right.” ** ll try to make it right later,” said Kelnot, significantly, in a low tone, The marshal winked and moved away. After a time Kayford found Eric. The young Easterner was relieving the pangs of hunger as rapidly as possible. The marsval waited until Craddoc had finished eating, then he strode forward and laid a hand heavily on his shoulder. **Hellow!’ he growled. galoot w’ot I’m lookin’ fer.” ™ aaeer do you want of me?’ demanded Eric, sharply. ‘*] has orders t? ’rest: ye,” was the ey: ae me? Surely there must & mis- take. i Reckon not. Yer name’s Craddoc, hain’t it ** Yes, sir; but—” “Thar bain’t no buts *bout it. Ye’re ther very pansy blossom w’ot I’m lookin’ fer, Cum on Know him?” **Reckon ye’re ther Eric’s face colored with rage. ‘** Hold on, man!” he said, sharply. ‘‘I don’t fancy being dragged through the streets like a thief. Let’s understand this,” ‘* 1) yer mean t resist an officer o’ ther law?” ‘*No; but there may be some arrangement made,” ** No, there can’t, Cum on.” * But what’s the charge?” “ Raisin’ ther devil ginerally. Are ye goin’ t? cum ur not?” ‘* Who makes this charge?” “Don’t make a durned bit o’ diff’rance,” growled Kayford, as be suddenly seized Eric’s ae and confined them with a pair of hand- cuffs, Eric was furious, but Kayford produced a re- volver and forced him to march along the street to the Silver Palace, There tne young man was confined in one of the upper rooms and an armed guard set over him, Some time later he was visited by Horace Kelnot. ‘* Well, young man,” said the proprietor of the Silver Palace. ‘‘ You appear to be ina scrape. I understand that there is a very seri- ous charge against you.” ‘* What is it?’ demanded Eric, as he surveyed Handy Horace closely. ‘*Tt is said that you are an accomplice of this fellow, Hustler Harry, who has acknowledged himself to be an outlaw.” Eric sprung up. ** Who says so?’ he cried. ‘‘Itisalie! I was deceived by that villain, but I found him out. I am no friend of his!” Kelnot’s eyes glowed, as he said: ** What do you mean? Found him out—how? Explain your words,” As briefly as possibly Eric did so, telling of witnessing Hustler Harry’s interview with the three kidnappers and of the subsequent disap- pearance of the horses, ‘* But where have you been since these things occurred?” asked Kelnot. ‘*‘ Explain your ab- sence from camp,” **T became lost among the bills while on the hunt for Miss Molina’s captors,” replied Eric, promptly. ‘‘I did attempt to return to this place yesterday, but found that I was lost. I Ma forced to spend two nights among the ills, **'You tell a very straight story,” admitted Handy Horace, ‘‘and I will see what can be done for you.” ‘““Thank vou. I understand that Miss Molina’s father was kidnapped last night and that parties are to be sent out to hunt down the bold perpe- trators of these crimes, Can you give me any news?” ‘*Nothing further than that a number of searching parties have already left camp. Iam about to go out with another large party.” Eric begged to be allowed to accompany them, but Kelnot told him that such a thing was im- possible under the circumstances. Then the proprietor of the Silver Palace took his de- parture. All that day Eric restlessly paced the little room in which he was confined. He was burn- ing with indignation at the thought of the in- dignity that bad been heaped upon him; but worse than everything else was being held a prisoner while the fate of his darling Pearl was unknown. But all bis ravings were of no avail. Night came, but still no word of success or failure, As the evening advanced, Eric heard the crowd gathering in the saloon below. He y ers ee a ee ee 2 ei | ee ts ee ee e Cowbo Sport, heard loud voices, shouts, oaths and snatches of songs, and he knew that they were driuking deeply. Little Eric Craddoc dreamed, however, of the danger which menaced him. The town was in the possession of the worst element. The best men had not yet come in from the search. Those who gatbered in the Silver Palace Suloon were the roughs and toughs of the camp. Gradually the commotion increased. The sound of some one making a speech was heard by the prisoner, but he could not hear the words uttered. A wild, hoarse cheer greeted the con- clusion of the speech, then came the sound of the tramp of many booted feet. Up the stairs came the drunken men, swearing and shouting: ‘* Whar is the p’izen critter?” With a crash the door gave way before them, and they poured into the room, ‘“*Thar he is! Lynch him!” A blood-cbilling cry. At last Eric realized his danger. His guard made no attempt to de- fend him, but be fought like a demon. Forward they surged, pinning bim to the wall. Then he was seized and borne from the room, Down the stairs they went—-out into the streets. A noose was placed around bis neck, Yelling like fiends, the mob dragged him toward the tree. Hark! A sound of galloping horses and revolver- shots. The next instant severa] horsemen charge the crowd, their weapons spouting fire. Right and left scattered the mob, The horse- men sweep forward, wheel, and then are peers When they least expect such a thing the lynch- ers are robbed of their prey! CHAPTER XXXIT. AN INTERVIEW WITH TWO PKISONERS, Wit her hands confined behind her, a band- age covering her eyes, end a heavy cloth fasten- ed over her lips to prevent further outcry, Pear} Molina was borne away through the night by the band of masked horsemen, That ride in after years seemed like a horrible dream. She knew not to what fate she was being carried, How long that ride continued she could not tell. It seemed that hours had passed since its beginning when the horsemen halted and held a hurried consultation in low tones. She took no note of what they said, Her heart was full of despair. On again. Another halt; then she was passed down into the arms of some one who was not mounted, This person carried her a short dis- tance; she beard a soft knock, low words, and then she was carried on again. When she was finally put down something told her that she was in an underground cave, even before the bandage was removed from her eyes, which was quickly done, ; ‘““Hyer ye be, my purty,” observed a voice, the owner of which was evidently attemptin to speak cheerfully. ‘“* Ye’r’ allright an’ sound. Nary bit hurted.” Quickly be removed the bandage from her lips and untied her hands, She glanced around, and a light of surprise filled her eyes. She found herself sitting in a comfortable chair in what appeared to be a pleasant room, ‘There was a carpet beneath her feet, the walls were concealed by curtains, there were a stand, sofa, chairs, books, and other things in: view. A Jamp suspended in the very center of the chamber shed a bright light over all, ‘¢ Where am I?” She could not refrain from asking the ques- tion, even though she felt to do so were useless, The masked man laughed a little as he re- hed: pe I'm not ‘lowed ter tell ye thet, miss. When ther. chief comes ye kin ax him all ther questions ye want ter.” She said nothing further, and the man left the chamber, saying, ere be departed: “There is a bell on thestand. If ye wants anythin’, jest ring.” ’ Then the door closed behind him, there was the sound of a shooting bolt, followed by retreat- ing footsteps, which grew fainter and fainter, and finally died out in the distance, She was alone. Rising, she staggered to tho little sofa and flung herself downward upon it. How long she lay thus and whether she slept or not she could not tell, She was aroused by a touch on the arm, and started up to see a tall man who wore a mask standing beside her. She expressed no emotion, although her first glance convinced ber that the masked man was the strange cowboy. : ‘‘ Ah, mer leetle sweet!” exclaimed the mask. “Ye hav’ bin takin’ a snooze, I reckon?” She gazed at him scornfully for a moment ere she spoke. Her eyes glowed in a manner which plainly indicated that her spirit was not yet en- tirely crushed, There was an infinite amount of scorn in her voice as she replied: é ‘‘T am not your little sweet, you contemptible villain!” , A laugh of evident amusement came from be- neath the mask, ‘ That’s ther kind I like ther style of,” uttered eit man softly. ‘‘Plenty of grit. Good er, nuff! JOOKS. m Ca : z