Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 545 — page 28: what you’re looking at

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

= Se 28 <> trey “Tes ee Hustler Harry, the — ale wey Tee SLT ie ieee yr St oe! Cowboy Sport. CHAPTER XXXvV. A FRIEND IN CLOAK AND MASK, THE door closed beavily behind him and the bolt shot into its socket. Martel Molina was surprised to see young Craddoc in the cell. laced there while the mine-owner was with 2earl and Ruth. ‘““ Mr. Molina,” said Eric, and then advanced without another word, holding out his hand, Molina hesitated but an instant, then he grasped the outstretched hand. ‘* Mr, Craddoc,” he said, ‘‘ you too have been unfortunate.” * Yés, both unfortunate and fortunate, It is a misfortune to fall into the hands of this das tardly band of land-sharks, but as they rescued me from almost certain death, | might consider myself fortunate. You are the one who have been unfortunate, and you have my sincere sympathy.” There was something about the young man’s manner that won the mine-owner, despite his teeling of prejudice, ‘* You are right,” admitted Molina, ‘‘I have been unfortunate, indeed. Itis not for myself that I am concerned, but Pearl, my darling, is in the hands of these villains,” There was a look of ay mperhy and absolute pain on Eric’s manly face as Molina spoke of Pearl, ‘* Is there no hope of escape or rescue?” cried the young man. ‘* Must thisdemon—this treach- erous creature who pretended to be a friend— triumph? It does not seem that such a thing can be,” **Of whom do you speak?” ‘* That dastardly cowboy, Hustler Harry.” ** Then you have penetrated his treachery?” ** Yes, and I only regret that I did not shoot him dead, as 1 saw him talking with his hired tools, That might have prevented a part of this trouble.” Eric then told the mine-owner of what he had seen and learned. When he had finished Mo- lina held out his band, and said: ‘* Mr, Craddoc, I was deceived at one time, end was unjust enough to believe you in league with this two-faced whelp. I now ask your for- giveness.” Eric grasped the hand warmly. **T do not wonder that you thought so,” he declared. ‘* Everything seemed to indicate that I was an accomplice of his, Any one in your place might bave been led to believe so.” Eric little dreamed how fast he was winning the respect of Pearls father. The young man’s frank, open ways pleased Molina, They conversed a few moments more, and then the door swung open to admit the chief of the outlaws. He carried a cocked revolver in his right hand. ‘* Evenin’ pards,” he saluted, with a mocking bow. “ Thort I’d jest drap in an’ look ye over. Ye seem ter be gittin’ erlong slick as two bugsin er parlor carpet.” They said nothing, but both men gazed steadi- ly at him, ‘** Hain’t veither of ye got a hitch in his tork- in’ machine, 1 reckon,” continued the man with the revolver. ‘* P’r’aps this hyer weppin has skeered ye plum’dumb. Ef so, I'll iuform ye thet I jest took it erlong fer protection, Thort seein’s there was two on ye, ye might took er nosbun ter jump me. Efso ye do now, I kin use cold lead ter cool ye orf. See?” _Eric Craddoc uttered a sneering exclama- on. ‘“‘TItis a brave man who fears his unarmed prisoners!” said the young man, scornfully. * Oh, thet’s well ernuff, but then ye know you are two ter one, an’ you probably consider be case jest er leetle desperit. Reckon I’d take ig chances ef I stood in ther shoes of either of you galoots,” ** What do you want here?” ** Oh, I jest drapped in ter see how ole Molina kem on with ther gal. She’s been stuffy as a rmouel, but I reckon the old man kin persuade her if he tries. How did she tork, ole sinner?” ** She says she will die before she will wed you,” replied the mine-owner, hotly, ** Wal, did ye tell her thet ef she didn’t kem roun’ you’d lose yer ears, as I sed?” ** T told her nothing of the kind.” “Oh, ye didn’t? Wal, then ther unpleasant duty of tellin’ ber falls onter yours truly, Hust- Jer Harry, the celebrated Hard Nut.. Sorry ye didn’t let me outer the job, but ef I must, w’y I must |” i “* Dare to injure that girl, and the wrath of a just God will smite you!” cried the old man, ** Wal, let ’er smite,” drawled the chief, *‘1’m in ther habit of smitin’ back, an’ I’d just as li’f tackle ole—” ** Hold, man!” shouted Molina, to utter such blasphemous words!” The chief laughed, “Ole galoot,” he said, ‘‘I never yet tuck a “Dare not pack seat fer man er devil, and now I hain’t ——$ Sn si ‘*T would kill her with my own hand ere I would permit such an outrageous—such an un- holy marriage!” hoarsely declared the father, ““Thet’s all right: but ye won’t hey ther chance, ye know. If she does not agree to marry me, I shall cut off yer ears, an’ send ’em The young man had been | ter her, asI tole ye I w’u’d, Thet’ll be apt ter wake her up. Ef it don’t, yer nose shell foller yer ears. Raythur pleasant to contem-~- plate, hey?” ‘*'You fiend!” exclaimed Eric Craddoc, una- ble to restrain himself longer, ‘* You deserve a place in the hottest corner of bades!” The chief of the Red Hearts laughed. ‘*T hain’t goin’ ter worry, but [ll get all I deserve,” he observed, coully, “Ef I do go down below, the indications are thet you will be pushin’ clouds long afore thet time. Reckon your goose is bout ther same as cooked,” ‘* By that I suppose you mean that you intend to murder me?” ‘Oh, no! Only jest relieve ye of ther trub- ble of breathin’.” ““T defy you to do your worst, you treacher- ous devil!” ‘“You shell find out how bad thet is right soon,” asserted the chief, ; ‘‘Bah! I do not fear you. You may as well drop that style of talk, I know that you are no cowboy, despite your claim to be one.” The chief laughed again, ‘*Your perceptive powers are keen,” he sneered, ‘But you have penetrated the little game when it is too late. It makes no differ- ence whether you die thinking me a cowboy or not. I reckon the character of Hustler Harry may as well withdraw from the boards forever.” “Your villainy will yet be detected and pun- ished as it deserves,” ‘* Well, you will not be there to witness the circus, . Try and enjoy yourself while you may. I have decided to again call together the Brothers and have them decide on your case. Your insolent talk has but hastened your own doom, No man ever defied me as you have and lived forty-eight hours to boast of it. Within the hour you shall be called to the council- chamber.” Then the chief backed from the room and closed the door, Along the passage he made his way, brushing against a form that crouched close to the wail. Ouward passed the chief, and well it was for him that he did not discover the one who was brushed by his robe as he passed in the darkness, In his band the crouching meu held a knife, and a cry, an exclamation, a word from the white-robed chief would have sealed his own doom, When the chief had passed, the dark form arose and stole along the passage. Ina moment he peered through the square aperture into the cell where Eric Craddoc and Martel Molina were confined. Craddcc and Molina were talk- ing in low tones, The dark form paused there but a moment, then moved onward to where another ray of light shone out into the passage. Again he peered into a cell, and after a few moments, a soft exclamation of genuine satisfaction escaped m, Hastily he felt over the door till he found the ce where it was bolted, In a moment the olt shot back, and into the cell glided a cloaked, capped and masked figure, at the same time holding up its hand and saying, in a low ne: ** Hush!” Dan Shark started up and faced the intruder. ‘‘ Helloa!” exclaimed the detective. ‘‘ What’s in the wind, old fel? Has Jack sent for me?” ‘* Cool and easy, Shark,” said the other, in a cautious tone. ‘* You'll wake up the gang if you make a racket,” Shark’s eyes glowed brightly, and a hard look came into his face as he saw the knife in the hands of the cloaked man, ‘Ah! I catch. You are the executioner, and you have come to cut my throat, Do you ex- pert me to lay down and let you do the job? y heavens, man! Ishall fight for my life!” Involuntarily Shark had lifted his voice, The cloaked man seemed alarmed. ‘* Hush!” he whispered, hoarsely. ‘*I am no executioner, but am here to release you—to give you life and liberty!” The detective could not believe his ears, ‘Oh, what kind of a game are you working?” ‘That is too he finally uttered, in disgust. thin!” ‘“Tt is the truth,” was the swift assertion, ** And no time must be lost here in parley. am going toshow you a way out of this cave, and you must bring the men of Cimarron Gown on these outlaws within the hour. Don’t stand there and stare at me, man! I mean just what Isay. If you would save your own bacon, cap- ture Jack Tackaloo and wipe out the Brothers of the Red Heart, follow my directions,” Dan Shark was not a slow-witted man, and he began to believe that strange visitor of his was in earnest, He surveyed the cloaked form from head to foot, and saw that a tall man reddy ter squawk fer enny other feller. In this | stood before him. Somehow the man’s veice little game w’ot ’'m a-playin’ I hole ther winnin’ han’, [ll tell ye now thet afore menny hours Bk yer darter shell be my wife.” , sounded familiar, ; ‘‘Tf you mean business, say on,” said Shark, still keeping his eyes on the gleaming dagger. ‘“‘ Well, Ido mean business, If I am success- ful, I hope to lead you, without being dis- covered, to the place where a rope-ladder hangs down into a branch of this cavern. This ladder you must mount, and when you reach the top, you will be at the mouth of the passage that winds upward, You cannot lose your way, for there is but one passage. ‘There are flights of steps, and finally you will find yourself in a round hole. Another rope ladder will carry you out of that into a cave, from which you will be able to make your escape by some steps into a cabin. This cabin stands on the mountain-side overlooking Cimarron, In a short time you can be in the camp,” Gradually Shark began to believe that the cloaked man was not attempting to deceive him, but he could not refrain from asking: ‘¢ Meanwhile, what will you be doing?” ‘¢ T shall remain here.” ‘* Why do you not bring the men of Cimarron into this place by the route just described?” **T did think of it, but resolved to remain and keep my eye ou this Red Heart chief if { could find any one else whom I could send out. When I looked in here and saw tbat the irons had been removed from your hands and feet, I was de- lighted. { saw in an instant that you were my man, ‘* You are not one of the Brotherhood?” ‘‘1t makes no difference now. Are you ready to go?” ‘‘Yes. Lead the way.” ‘‘ Here, take these, and if we are forced to strike for our lives, use them for all they are worth.” The cloaked man thrust a knife and revolver into Old Shark’s hands, and at that instant the last shadow of suspicion faded from the detec- tive’s mind. ’ They left the cell, closing the door behind them, Along the passage they stole, past the other cells to the council-chamber, Fortune favored them. No one was there. Across the chamber glided the cloaked figure, with Dan Shark at its heels. Within a minute they were both standing at the foot of the rope ladder. ‘‘Here, Shark,” whispered the strange res- cuer. ‘*Here are matches and a piece of a candle. You will need them, Bring the best men of Cimarron. The outlaws are all in the cave. For God’s sake lose no time! It is past midnight now, and you must be back here | soon,” ‘‘T will do my level best,” said the detective, also in a whisper. hope to know before morning who my deliverer is, Man, you have saved me from death and I will not forget it in a minute. I know that you are white, despite that cloak you wear with acrimson heart on your breast. Let me grip your hand before L start, Their hands met in the darkness in a strong, hearty grip. Then Dan Shark went upward upon the sway- ing ladder into the dense blackness above, CHAPTER XXXVI. THE MASK TORN AWAY. Up through the darkness went Old Shark, till he reached the top of the ladder, Climbing up into the passage, he moved forward several rods before he ventured to light the candle. When he had done this, he hurried forward, mutter- ing: 2 Now forit. I must not wind myself by hurrying too much, but I must exert every nerve. There are prisoners in the hands of those human vultures who may sufferif they are not soon rescued,” Along the passage he hurried, finding the as- cent very difficult at times. His lips were firm set, and he breathed heavily but regularly, He appeared like a man who had accurately judged his own powers and knew just what be could do, Not for a moment did he pause until the second rope-ladder was reached, There he was obliged to extinguish the candle and put it in his pocket before he went further, A few moments later, the detective relighted the candle in the small cavern above, He easily found the steps and was soon standing in front of the cabin on the mountain-side, The moon was up and its light showed him the town of Cimarron far below, Only for an in- stant did he pause to inspect his surroundings. His eyes fell upon the path which led down- ward, and without a word, be sprung forward. Down the steep and difficult descent bounded Olk Shark at a pace which threatened broken limbs or a more serious disaster. It seemed a miracle that he kept on his feet. Down, down he leaped, not knowing where his feet would strike half of the time hen be made a spring. He reached the level in safety, but did not pause an instant. On, toward the camp he ran. Already he had decided not to include the marshal in the number of men whom he would choose to accompany him. During the time that he had been in Cimarron he had spotted a few whom he was Satisfied were honest men. He would secure them and they would know whom to select for companions. aS Into the camp he dashed and was soon rapping GOMUEGE wos eh ae, ee ~ 4 — JOOKS.cOM