Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 545 — page 26: what you’re looking at

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

t at Sp los r 4 j : = Ss | 26 “This has been used for the purpose of de- scending into that place,” Ruth murmured, ‘* Now if it will only hold me, I will go down,” Carefully she examined it its entire length. It appeared all right. There were two large iron hooks at one end, which were evidently for the purpose of making a ladder fast at the up- per end. ‘*T wish I could try it,” thought the girl. She did try it in various ways, but still she | of the Girl Avenger. knew that there might be great danger when she attempted the descent. Near the edge of the well was a place where the hooks had evidently been attached more than once, Carefully she placed them there again and allowed the mass of rope to slide downward and disappear into the gloom, ** Now,” she said, softly, ‘‘ I need a light while descending. How amIto have one? I would never, never dare to go down into the darkness there.” Little she thought that not one girl in a thou- sand would dare to descend into that unknown place under any circumstances. After a few moments of thought she removed from its socket the candle which served her asa light, and with the aid of her handkerchief, soon succeeded in fastening it in an upright po- sition on the front of her hat. In that way she made a sort of coal-miner’s light. Even then she hesitated about trusting her- self upon that untried ladder. A man of sober judgment would never bave done so rash an act unless in a desperate emergency, Finally, with a prayer on her lips, she swung over the edge and began the perilous de- scent. Little dreamed Ruth Foscolo that her move- ments had been watched by a pair of sharp eyes, and that as she disappeared, a dark form stole forward to the edge of the hole aud watched the light as it sunk lower and lower. But whoever the spy was, he could not have been a very des- rate foe. If so,a double slash with a keen nife would have sent the girl downward to death on the socks at the bottom of the hole. Carefully Ruth made her way downward. The rope-ladder swayed but held fast. Slowly she descended, her heart beating high with ex- citement. It seemed that she would never reach the bottom. | The hole was nearly uniform in size with its mouth, although it may have grown slightly smaller as it continued downward. It seemed to be sunk in the solid ledge. Ruth kept a sharp lookout for an opening, but found none until she reached the bottom, When at last her feet touched the ground she saw before her a passage that Jed into the dark- ness. At that very moment she again heard the sound of distant voices, and the sounds came out of the passage. She started forward and walked very slowly. Instinctively she had drawn arevolver to de- fend herself if an emergency should arse. She did not go far before she came to a flight of steps cut into the earth and stone. The further end of the steps was lust in the dark- ness, Downward she went, It seemed as if the steps would never end. She was amazed at the length of the descent. Finally she reached the bottom, but the pas- sage still led onward before her, descending quite sharply now. Down this passage she made her way, noting that it gradually seemed to twist around like a corkscrew. Ever and anon she heard the sound of voices. These sounds now seemed much nearer, but she believed that they were still far distant. The underground passage had acted as a conductor of the sounds, . A second flight of steps was reached. At the foot of these the passage still went on. ; Ruth was filled with wonder and began to be- lieve that the passage would lead her to the very base of the mountain, She was right. At last the sound of many voices came to her ears with startling distinctness. She knew that she was not far from the speakers, and proceeded with greater caution. Finally she came toa precipice. She looked downward, but saw only darkness. She list- ened and could hear the words of some one king somewhere below. “Great heavens!” she gasped. It is his—my father’s murderer!” She became fearfully excited. From head to foot she trembled like a leaf. “Fate has led me here that I may keep my vow!” she panted,. “I must get down there!” Suddenly she noticed at her feet a mass of ropes. Suppressing a cry of satisfaction she hastily examined it, and discovered that it was another rope ladder. The hooks were still fast hitched, and all she had to do was push the lad- der over the edge. Then it was ready for her to descend. Before she ventured upon the rope, she ex- tinguished the vandle on the front of her hat. Then, with a prayer for strength and good a she grasped the rope and slowly de- scen * That voice! _ Down, down, down! At last the bottom was large heavy ropes and appeared stout despite its | ed look. | LELMLLMDL LLL LL OL tlt tilt ttt ts Fs i reached. Guided by the sound of the voice, she stole forward, A bend in the rocky wall showed her a light ahead. In less than a minute more she was looking in- to the council-chamber of the Brothers of the Red Heart! CHAPTER XXXITI, AN UNLUCKY TURN ON FORTUNE’S WHEEL. scene that met the gaze welve men in dark robes, masks and peaked caps were standing in a half- circle in front of a slightly-raised platform. Upon the platform stood another, wearing a white robe, mask and cap. Upon the breast of every man was acrimson heart. Just in front of the platform, sitting upon a low stool, was a man whose hands and feet were confined by irons, It was the detective, Dan Shark, The chief of the Red Hearts was saying: ‘* Brothers we have tried this man and found him guilty of the charge brought against him. We have found that he is a sleuth-hound sent here to hunt us down. He has learned many of our secrets, among which is the manner of enter- ing this secret retreat. While he lives we are not safe. He must die! Yet I alone cannot pronounce his doom. In fact, unless there is a tiein any vote, I have nothing tosay. But I have a fancy that you will all be united in this matter. Let every man vote for safety, even though a human life lies in our path!” Silent as so many grim shadows the twelve listened, never expressing by word or sign if they approved of what the white-robed chief had said. ‘* My brothers, what shall be the fate of the spy” Phen through the chamber echoed a terrible word that seemed to come from the lips of each of the twelve: ** Death!” ‘*A unanimous decision, I believe,” declared the chief; ‘‘ but that I may be sure that you are all nnited in this matter, let every man who thinks death a proper fate for the spy lift the hand nearest the heart.” . The twelve dark-robed figures held up their left hands. “‘ That settles it; you are unanimous. Daniel Shark, stand up while I pronounce your sen- tence,” Without hesitation, the fearless detective arose, ‘** Daniel Shark,” said the chief, slowly lifting his left hand, ‘*the Brothers of the Red Heart have decided that you must die, and according to the rules of this order you areto be given twenty-four hours in which to prepare yourself for death. At the end of that time you are to be executed in such a manner as the man chosen to perform the act may see fit.” Shark made no attempt to speak, and ata wave of the chief’s hand, he was led slowly aeer by two of the robed figures, hen the white-robed chief lifted his left hand to pronounce the detective’s sentence, the flow- ing sleeve of the garment he wore fell back, leav- ing his wrist bare and exposed to the full flood of the light. The Girl Avenger, crouching in the darkness, plainly saw the crimson heart upon the chief’s wrist. “Tt is he!” she hissed through her clinched teeth. ‘* His last minute has come! May justice direct my bullet!” Raising her revolver she took a careful aim at the heart of the white-robed man. At that in- stant the life of the chief of the Red Heart Brotherhood hung by a thread. What was it—a step, a sound, or imagination —that caused the girl to lower the weapon and wheel swiftly prepared for an attack. She fancied that she heard it behind her. Sharply she peered back into the darkness but saw nothing. Srill she believed that she ha heard a sound; she thought that some one might be creeping upon her. For five minutes she crouched there staring into the gloom, but at the end of that time she was forced to confess that appearances indicated that she bad been de- ceived. When she again tnroed and looked into the council-chamber of the Red Heart Brother- hood, the chief had disappeared Ruth choked down the exclamation of disap- pointment that arose to her lips, but mentally she cried: ** What a fool I was to lose this opportunity! I could have done the work, and in the excite- ment which followed, escaped up the rope-ladder, drawing it up after me and thus preventing a it. Now I must wait till the chance comes again. Gradually the men departed from the council- chamber. Ruth from her position could see the mouths of two passages, A desire to explore the place seized upon the watching girl. Silently she watched and waited. In less than thirty minutes the council-cham- ber was deserted. From out of one of the passages camethe sounds of lauguterand snatches of song. Evidently the Brothers of the Re Heart were enjoying themselve. | With the revolver still clutched in her hand, It was an interestin “yt 7, The = Hustler Harry. the Cowboy Sport. Ss sss. Sen <emne ar es Sire = mas Nx ; > = ees a Ruth stole forward till she obtained a position where she could see the walls on every hand, Quite close to her she discovered a narrow open- ing which she had not before observed. In a moment she darted into this opening. ‘Perhaps this leads to the surface,” she thought, and wentslowly forward with one hand against the wall. She did not intend to go far, but an unseen and irresistible power seemed to be leading her on- | ward. Sbedid not go far before she perceiv- ed a faint light ahead. She paused and stared straight toward the light, listening closely. ‘* What was that? She seemed to hear the sound of a woman weeping. Curiosity led her slowly forward. She soon saw that the faint light shone through some aperture in the side of the passage. As she approached the sound of weeping became more distinct. A thought flashed through Ruth’s mind, Pearl—could it be? She soon reached the spot where the light shone out through a smal] square hole in a heavy door. Then she peered through into the chamber where Pearl was confined. She could not repress a little cry as she saw the form of her friend, wko was reclining on the sofa. . “Pearl! Pearl!” : Softly, eagerly she called the girl’s name, Pear] started and looked toward the door. The light shone through the aperture and fell upon Rutb’s face. Pearl uttered a cry of amazement and joy. ‘* Ruth!” she exclaimed, ‘Can it be?” She sprung up and came toward the door. ** Yes, it is I,” replied Ruth, softly. ** But how came you here?” **] cannot stop to explain now. I am almost as much surprised to see you here as you are to see me. I had no thought of finding you until a moment ago. But how is this door fastened? I mustrelease you and take you from this place,” ‘* 1 think the dooris bolted. Perhaps you can find where it is fastened. Oh, make haste for the love of Heaven and aid me to escape from this terrible place!” There was no need to urge Ruth to hasten. Swiftly she felt over the surface of the door and soon her fingers found the bolt. In another instant the door swung Open, creaking on its hinges. ‘* Come!” whispered Ruth, hoarsely. The fair captive made haste to leave the chamber. Then Ruth closed and bolted the oor. ‘* Now,” said the Girl Avenger, in a whisper, **we must be very cautious. If we are not, you will be recaptured and I shall be taken too. That would be fearful.” Pearl clutched Ruth by the arm. ‘*Oh, I cannot go!” she gasped. ‘‘I cannot go and leave him!” Ruth was startled. ‘¢ What do you mean?” sheasked. ‘* Whom??? ‘*My father; he is a prisoner here,” For a moment Ruth was silent, thinking hur- riedly. Then she said, impressively: ** Pearl, listen to me, e must pot waste our time in attempting to rescue your father—” The excited listener interrupted her, ‘* But I cannot leave him here to die! No, no! I will stay and perish with him!” ‘** Hush!” commanded Ruth. ‘ Listen to rea- son. Wemust lose no time in getting out of thisden. If we attempt to release your father, we may be detected. If we are, all chance of getting out is lost. If we escape, we can turn the whole camp of Cimarron in here upon these outlaws and they will be captured or killed. Then your father will be rescued. Do you see?” Pearl hesitated and seemed in doubt. She longed to go to her father and help him escape. Ruth grasped her arm and drew her gently to- ward the council-chamber, ‘*Come!” she whispered, ‘‘ Do not waste an- other moment. We are in constant danger of being detected,” With some reluctance, Pearl yielded. With quick, light steps they advanced along the pas- sage, hand in hand. They soon reached a spot where they could gaze into the council-chamber, and witha feeling of consternation, Ruth saw that two of the Brothers of the Red Heart were there. Placing her lips close to Pearl’s ear, she whispered: ‘* We must wait until they depart. fectly quiet.” The two men were talking. ‘* By Jove!” exclaimed one. hands full of prisoners,” . The otber laughed and replied: ‘‘You areright. The chief seems to havea regular mania for taking prisoners just now.” ‘* But there will soon be one less,” ‘*'Yes, the detective’s hours are numbered. By George! he is a cool one!” “You are right. I never saw his beat. I don’t reckon that he has given up all hopes of escape even now,” ‘*[ believe you are right; but he might as well. There isno suchathing for him as es- cape.” ay suppose that the chief will attempt to squeeze the Red Star Mine out of old Molina.” ** Reckon that’s his game; Guess he means to ECOMIG Keep per- ‘*We have our —_——_— a ee areata ciieneemettiadieetaineee cent ee ee eee