Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 496) (1887 01 25)
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a! ist! nt ak Wr lg y [| J Vu & ED Bil 4, a a UA VO a i mis ea alee (ff = cl in ll Tl SPreeererrrrs imi | __ Entered at the ‘Post Office at New York, } N.Y, at Seoond Class Matt Rates. $e _ Copyright, 1887, by BEADLE AND ADADB, January . 1887. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol XX, a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 496. " ar ey i i A nn Ne My : | i H i if " i Sill 7 ' Ny A i DEADWOOD DICK JR's INHERITANCE, BY E. L. WHEELER. AUTHOR OF “ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS. “ ROE BUD ROB” NOVELS, ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK, JR.” NOV OVELS, ETC, CHAPTER S = DEADWOOD DICK, JUNIOR’S, STRANGE COMMIS = SS SION ————— : = —— DEL Norte. DUK CALLED OUT: “I SaY THERE, ME OGHE, WHO Afe YoU, AND WHAT DO YoU want?” The Monaco’ of America, situated in the ’ ) U, AD 3 ANT! southern part of Colorado, and noted for be a i as
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Monte Cristo, Jr. ing the “‘flyest” town, the greatest gambling center, and the most dangerous place for a man of means of any place in its section of the State. Although by no means a city, it isa town of | considerable size, and boasts of a considerable | . floating population. Its principal and costliest buildings are, as a - rule, devoted to the gambler—gilded palaces of sin, many of them, where thousands of dollars change hands, nightly, and which, in point of elegance of arrangement and perfection of management, rival those of any of the more eastern saloons and “halls,” Del Norte is a sort of center of travel, from the four points of the compass, where men of all classes peculiar to the far West congre- ate, 3 But seldom, of recent years, have the usual saloon fracases of western life occurred in Del Norte, although hundreds of thousands of dol- lars change hands there, on every species of game with cards, every month of the year. But, on the night we have to deal with—oc- curred one of the most cowardly acts that had taken place in a number of years. And thereby hangs this tale. {t had been a pleasant summer's day, late in the season, and there was au unusually large influx of visitors into the place—miners, pros- pectors, rancheros, herdsmen, (the so-called cowboy) rangers, trappers, liunters and the whole et cetera, that go toward making up wild western life. Two men met in front of the Southern Hotel, late in the afternoon, about five o’clock, on the long piazza. Both were standing near together, smoking Spanish, cheroots, and though they had never before met, it was but natural politeness that they should fall into conversation, One was a rather gaaudily attired person of, ‘ some five and forty years, whose cast of feature and complexion pronounced him a Spanish- American; swarthy skin, black bair and mus- tache, and whose facial and ay Seon perfections would attract attention and comment in any audience, Then, too, although his dress was - rather “loud,” it was rich, and he wore expen- sive jewelry. ‘ The other party was purely American; a round manly face, honest brown eyes, a well- developed figure of medium stature, and a gen- eral expression of personal independence, and integrity, were his notable characteristics. His dress was plain and unassuming, albeit he wore the conventional slouch hat and knee boots of the West, and silver-mounted revolvers were in the silver-chased belt that encircled his waist. A wealth of carefully-kept dark-brown hair fell in graceful waves over his shoulders; and a pretty mustache adorned his lip. : _” While the younger man placidly smoked his cheroot and gazed up at the mountain-tops, which reflected the sunset’s dving rays, the elder - man surveyed him rather curiously, as if im- ed with his manly beauty. For, in truth, the young American was hand- some—ay, noble looking. Finally the Spaniard uttered the words: “Pm going to gamble to-night !” They were evidently intended for the ears of, the younger man, who immediately turned his upon the ker. Babi. ou address me, sir?’ he inquired, **Well, yes, my friend, I did,” the Spaniard replied, in excellent English, ‘‘You are an American, are you not?” R “T am ” “And proud to say it, no doubt, for you look to be one of nature’s noblemen, ‘Your name—” ‘Richard Bristol.” — = What?” ; AsTsaid, Richard Bristol.” ** Otherwise, Deadwood Dick, Junior? ‘Exactly. But how did you guess?” “¥hrough Northern friends I have often tena of your detective exploits, You are a vo. Give usyourhand.” eaep ase penn sir,” dwood Dick re- n cautiously. on Je +f of Santa Fe.” “Don Jose Mellique, ‘ BN id Dick put out his hand, which was seized in the Spaniard’s grasp. eT have pee aa you before,” Dick re- marked. ; “No, I believe not. But, ig we were both ny ee - agapeable for us nt Gertainl “4 we favor ay. i know one another. ; l Dick regarded the man “ But, inregard to your open- | I have told I thought it might be m.1 thou mig | ¢ town, 6 % | “Well, by Jove, this. beats “By no means. Iam a gentleman of leisure, and the owner of one of the wealtbiest estates in | However, [ have, through reck- | New Mexico. lessness, met with heavy monetary losses lately, and to-night l.am going to redeem them.” “You are foolish.” ‘Why so?” “Do you not know the repute of Del Norte?” * Ay! and that was why I came here, There was never a Mellique but what could handle the cards like an- expert. to make or to break. If I break—well, I don’t know what.. If I win, all right. I have been | crossed in love, and have but little care what becomes of me.” “Pshaw!” said Dick, advisingly; ‘‘ you look like too sehsible a man to throw yourself away fora woman’s sake—to be so rash and inconsid- erate.” “Thank you. But I have loved with all the ardor of my Castilian nature, yet because was not nearly so young as herself she rejected my love.” ‘ Does she live in Santa Fe?” “Yes. She is my brother’s adopted daughter. Her real name I have never been able to learn, but I do know that, although she bears the name of my brother, she is a native born Ameri- can, of presumably Yankee parentage!” ‘* Her name?” ‘‘ Donna Nola!” “Pretty?” “Beautiful asa houri. I never met her un- til_a few years ago, having been a long time | abroad. When I began suit for her hand, [ thought, at first, that she fancied me, Then, my nephew, the son of a brother deceased, seem- ed to draw her away from me, and in despera- | Should I die without leaving a | tion] left home. wil#this nephew inherits my property, by the provisions of my father’s will. Before it shall ever go to him, [ will bequeath it to_an entire stranger. My brother does not need it, being worth a million, at least, so, whenever I get | ready to die, The Turrets go to whomsoever Imay elect. There’s a secret mine beneath the | place, rich in precious ore, but I have never bothered myself to work it, always having plenty of money until Donna Nola made me desperate. ** Now, you know the substance of my story, T have been studying you well, You area man, T like you, as I never liked an American before, except Nola. Now, listen. I am going to gam- ble, to-night, at the San Carlos. Perhaps I will win—perhaps lose. There is no way of telling just how matters will turn out. But, whatever the result, I have arranged all things. If I de- tect cheating, there will be trouble. Someone will get hurt. Chances are it will be myself, Now, will you do me a favor?” “ Certainly; what is it?” “This: If I am shot, take me immediately to my room, at this hotel.” ‘ T will most assuredly.” “Tn all probability, [ will not be shot dead, A lawyer will be in waiting, in the room, In my inside pocket you will find a will, all com- plete, except the filling in of the name of the legatee, and my signature. If I am conscious, I will direct the matter. If I am dead, inside the hat-band of my hat you will find money, Will you take if, and see that my remains are taken home?” “T will. But, sir, why be so rash, and—” ‘No ‘but’ about it, Bristol; no words can dissuad. me from my purpose. Here is a valu- able diamond ring—an old family relic. Take it. Should it become your melancholy duty to take me home, show this to my brother Pedro, and it will insure you his lifelong friendship and hospitality. But, beware lest it fall into the hands of my nephew, Juan, for if so, it will bring about your ruin, Now, remember what _you, Bristol. Be at the San Carlos, to-night, ane. you willsee me there. Make no interference in any trouble that may occur, but ‘do my bidding!” Then, turning, abru Don Jose Melliqu entered the hotel. pay, ; N wee CHAPTER II. THE SAN CARLOS TRAGEDY. ck Bristow had listened to th the Spaniard with no small degree of ment, He had studied the man, narrowly, in order to determine whether or not he was a or a madman. prsct, , e Dutch,” was his mental’ observation, after Mellique’s de- parture. ‘‘I’ve met with a number of odd experiences, but none comparable to this. I words of astonish- q 4 | lout Bas . iL ‘* , eet it re 23 ; 56 i said—I am going to gamble to-night.” | can’t make it seem that the ellow is a crank 9 & PROLEREROMI TT i \ for he bears evidences of education, refinement, 4 1 7 z *s : e. Pye hrs iM ? t ; Bi ‘ iy Nee sits Ne, cy tgs a | its Shei y Ss ae eee Sap t Sages Mis . RE het - my o \ I have come here either | | and wide-world experience. Guess he told about the facts of the case, when he said he was love- desperate. Poor fools, we mortal men, to let a woman’s pretty face and form run away with our better sense! But, such is life, “Tt is incumbent on me to visit the San Car- los, to-night, and as life has been somewhat stagnant of late, I suppose I might as well see the thing out and perhaps prevent the Spaniard | from carrying out his desperate purpose— And to the San Carlos, at the appointed hour, Richard betook himself. | The San Carlos was one of the gaming palaces | of Del Norte, and perhaps the best patronized, | The exterior was not pretentious, but the in- ) terior was beautiful with fine furniture, costly mirrors and pictures and an elaborately fur- nished bar, Brilliantly lighted, and the picture oi 'uxury and elegant taste, no rovm west of Chicago | I | could be found to excel it. | Dick entered the place, paused near the door, | glanced over the assemblage, and then abruptly retreated into the street, his face wearing an | expression of undisguised surprise. | That he had seen some one he knew was ap- } parent. | He made bis way immediately to the hotel, held a short consultation with the office clerk, ; and then went to his room. When he came down-stairs and left the hotel, it was in the clever disguise of a black-bearded gent of Jewish blood—the make-up being per- *t - ect. He then returned to the San Carlos, which | was comfortably well filled with devotees of the | gambling tables. | Jose Mellique was seated at a table with a genteel-lcoking, middle-aged man, and they were playing poker, each having quite a sizable pile of chips before him. ° | Although, perhaps neither Dick nor Mellique were acquainted with the fact, this genteel- looking individual was one of the most success- | ful card-players in Cclurado, and is, to-day—Dr, Larry Keegan, by name. There was another attraction within this gilded palace that seemed to have even greater magnetism for the ordinary spectator than even the card-tables, and this attraction embraced three distinct features, a man, an ugly, scrawny-looking mule, and an equally vicious- looking billy-goat. The first-mentioned stood at the bar, while the others stood near patiently awaiting orders. It was a ludicrous spectacle in that elegantly-fur- nished saloon. . The center of the group, who was a battle- scarred, sun-tanned frontier veteran, was speak- angle, Avalanche, Jeremiaber & Co., ther de- vastatin’ decoction o° demoliton of the West— ther rip-snortin’, screamin’, gougin,’ bumped-up hurricane from Devil’s Delight, an’ we aire dri- er than ther cayortin’ simoons uv ther Desert 0’ Sahary. So produce yer bottle, gin-jerker, an’ | let’s irrigate our crops, Come thar, set ’er out, | lively, or our Wilers will git dry, an’ we'll ex- | plode an’ bu’st up ther bull shebang!” “Do you want a drink®’ demanded the dapper | bartender, setting out a glass. “Yas, by ther bumped-up ham-bone, I want a drink!” the Annihilator roared, ‘but I don’t want none o’ thet size narya time. Jest yer ‘ trot out a quart bottle o’ reg’lar ould hornet- | juice, sech as would take the skin off’m a cop- | per-lined b’iler. That’s ther medicitie the Tri- ‘angle imbibes, en’ don’t ferget ter yank the | stopper neither.” ; ee “A quart of whisky will cost you a V, old (man! . i. ) “Snortin’ snappin’-turtles! Is that amy 0’ yer bizness, ye durned lunk? Why, blast ye, Pve paid a sawbuck many’s the time, an’ never. winced er wrinkle!” “Very well, perdooce yer filthy, is forthcoming!” The Annihilator planked down a twenty-dollar gold-piece upon the bar with a snort of disgust, “Ye must persume I’m jest from ther county house, yer coyote, Why, durned be ter vert | ing: “* Yas, yere we are, ther Great Terrific Tri- | . } and the p’izen _| kin buy out yer bull shebang, an’ not half ” “You've got too -much lip!” the ‘Adoni fs hind the bar declared, “‘ an’ you’d better buckle in some of it before Some one buckles it for | you!” Avalanche suggested. “If ye wanter try it on, jest b’ist er corporation over thet bar ‘an’ ape oe ie Ras ye, an’ if they in short meter, I'l | Riveve ther change outen that double, Why, tha *s his goatsbip, Jeremisher, kin lick spots out et 2 ‘“Mebbe you'd like ter try the bucklin’ act?” .
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e’ ye in less’n a jerked jiffy. Come! aire ye | goin’ ter perduce the throat-wet, or ain’t ye?” A bottle was placed upon the bag. and the An- | nibilfator placed it to his lips and took a short sip. Ri Bad stuff!” he said, with a dubious shake of the head. ‘* Why, that aire stuff would kill an Jnjun at forty rods.” : ‘*No better in Colorado!” declared the dis- penser. : ' Y > another! Mebbe I ain’t much of a judge myself, ’cause I never drank more’n forty bar’l. But I’ve got some one as kin tell a good article just as well as any revenue detective, Hyar, Jeremiaher, jest pass yer lucid opinion on ther vartues of this ’ere p’izen,” and thrusting the nozzle of the bottle into the goat’s mouth, Avalanche allowed some of the liquor to run down his throat. No sooner done, than Jerry stamped one foot angrily, and uttered a discordant “* baa-a-a!” @ Thar, didn’t I tell yet By ther great ham- bone, Jerry knows good from bad, every day in a week, Hoet, you Prudence Cordelia, you kin hev the rest, ye ommannerly beast.” _ And, to the amusement of the crowd, the old man poured the contents of the bottle down the animal's throat, at which Prudence nodded her head and frisked her tai’, as much as to say, ‘‘that’s the proper caper!” In the mean time, the antics of Avalanche and his pets had not attracted the attention of Mellique and Doe Keegan from their game, of which Deadwood Dick, Jr., was an interested spectator, as were several others, The doctor was an expert player, but evi- dently no match for the Spaniard, for he lost steadily. Mellique’s chips already called for several thousand dollars, besides an equal amount he had cashed, Keegan’s usually bland countenance was be- ginning to assume anything but a pleasant ex- pression; while, as for Mellique, he played with a cool indifference, and manifested no particu- lar satisfaction at his run of good luck. , The game was played on the square, neither man showing a disposition to cheat. Finally on losing a big ‘“‘ pot” Keegan uttered a growl of rage. Jeb ae “Curse your infernal luck!” he cried, “ are you cheating, or how is it you are continually winning?” ‘“*T should presume you are old enough a card- player, to detect me, if I had been cheating,” was the quiet reply. “ Tm not so sure about that!” was the retort. ¢¢Some players are so clever at cheating, that others cannot detect them.” “Then, do you accuse me of cheating?” Melli- que demanded, flushing dark with anger. ~ «TJ did not say so. e will play the lest game, and J’ll stake my last two thousand on winning. Tf I lose, i’m broke, and you’re in ten thousand dollars.” “ Very well.” : Four thousand dollars were put into the pot. en a new pack of cards was procured, shuf- fled and dealt. 5 # “T call you!” Keegan said instantly, after looking over his cards, and laid down four jacks, with asmileoftriumph . _ “That don’t scare me!” replied the other, *T have four aces!” And he raked in the pot! Keegan instantly leaped to his feet, and lev- eled a cocked potciver at his opponent. “You have robbed me!” he cried, fiercely, «J demand back the money you have won from e!? “You will ry get it!” Don Jose retorted, also ing to bis fee ree? Then, die like the Greaser dog you are!” the other yelled, and the next instant he fired. With a groan the Don staggered backward, and fell heavily to the floor, The next instant there was another pistol re- port, and Doc Keegan took an unceremonious Hani blood pouring from a wound in his _ forehead, . Then, followed a scene of wildest confusion, but no one appeared to know who had shot Keegan' A / —— See ee ee a es CHAPTER III. +» _DICK’S INHERITANCE, -_ DEADWoop Dick was quickly beside Don Jose, and kn ling, examined his wound, | tit? sia the Tie tad one, and liable to prove fatal, tae e Don was still conscious. ’ ais a8 ted,” he whispered. “Tm _ done for. Take me to my room. ' 4 ‘ay ons asked, for he. “Do you recognize me?” Dick “till wore bis Jew dis ; Yes,” was the reply, “ Iknew you wh-n you ; Larye i | yanked out afore mornin’ an’ strung u ; one to help you.” i Dick found no difficulity in procuring assist- | ance, and the Don was lifted from the floor and carried to the room that had been assigned him at the hotel, The lawyer was there, as ap- | pointed. Here the Don was deposited upon a bed, and a doctor called in; but, when he had made an examination, be told the wounded man there was no hope for his recovery. Every one was then dismissed from the room except the lawyer, who answered to the name of | Sykes. He and the Spaniard were then closeted, | for some time, after which Deadwood Dick was recalled. He approached the bed, and at once saw that Mellique was failing rapidly. “My friend,” the Spaniard said, ‘‘I am not much longer for this world. The worst hasbeen | done, ad now, will you carry out my wishes, | as you promised?” / ‘*T will,” Dick replied, gravely. ‘‘I never | make a promise that I do not intend to keep.” **Very well. I ought not to bave questioned | your word, sir, for { know you to be true. But, now listen: When I am no more, box up my re- mains and accompany them to Santa Fe. Go to | my brother, Pedro Mellique, and explain the | circumstances of my death, and show him the diamond ring, and he will make you thrice wel- | come. _ “Here are two papers, One is a private letter | to my brother, the other is my will. Give both | to Pedro, and he will make kiown to you their contents. “Of the money you will find on my person, | use sufficient to defray the expenses to Santa | Fe, and give me a decent burial. Of the bal- ance, you are to see the Donna Nola, in private, and give her one-half, The remaining half you are to retain as a present from) me. Sykes, | here, will accompany you to Santa Fe, to assist | in the proving of the will. oi ow, then, two more things; Are you mar- ried, sir? “No, I have been, but my wife is dead.” “Then it is my dying hope that you meet | Donna Nola, and find such favor in her eyes that ' it will eventually terminate in your marriage, and that you will be the means of solving the | mystery that overhangs her life. ** And now last, but not least, let me give you a warning: When you arrive in Santa Fe, and | it is known how i" have left my property, no matter where you go, or what you do, beware of | Juan Mellique! He will be your bitter enemy, | and, as an enemy, Juan is a subtle, dangerous man!” ** But, Ido not understand, sir. Why should | he be my enemy?” ‘** Because, by making this will, I have disin- herited him of my almost princely estate, known. | as The Turrets—a property he has always hoped | and schemed to possess.” rh But, what has that'to do with his enmity for me = “This much: that | have made you my heir, and he will hate you with all the rancorous spite | of bis evil nature!” * You have made me your heir, sir?” Dick ex- claimed. his surprise knowing no bounds, * Ay! even so.” * But, for what cause? [ am naught to you but a stranger, and others have stronger claims | upon you!” “No. Ihave seen fit to make you my heir in preference to all others. The Turrets is yours, | and no one can rightfully wrest the property from you. Above all, do not allow them to do { Sih Se | ‘Now, here. Take the money and the papers and put them away on your person. Then, | leave me until Isend for you, as I have some- | thing else to say to the lawyer.” Dick followed the instructions and retired, | wondering what would be the next experience to — mark his already eventful career. Strange indeed had been the life he had led, | since the time he had first assumed the name of | Deadwood Dick, Junior; and was he now on the | verge of one stranger and moremomentous than all others? | After leaving the Don’s room, he went down- | stairs, left the hotel, and sought the San Carlos gaming-hall, for his curiosity was great to learn if Doctor Keegan had been killed. Arriving at tbe ball, he learned that Keegan had been removed to his home, under a doctor's care; and that it was not likely he would re- cover, 4 But, we ketched ther cuss as salivated him,” | added Dick’s informant, “an’ lod im in jail, an’ he kin consider hisself lucky ef he ain’t | turns up everywhere. ter the limb of a tree. We fellers heer in Del Norte don't “low no cold-blooded murderin’ a-goin’ on ‘round this town, not by a jugful.” ‘* Why, who shot the gambler?” Dick inquired, for really, he had no idea himself. ‘Why, et war thet old chap, over at the bar as was tryin’ to make hisself funny by stuffin’ bug-juice down his mule’s threat. Old Ava- lanche, he called himself, an’ he allowed he could clean out the hull town, but we jugged him just the same!” And with this information the speaker turned importantly away. ick whistled softly to himself. * Avalanche in jail, eh?’ he mused, ‘ Well, _thisisa bad go! I certainly had no idea of see- ing the old chap in Del Norte to-night. He Something must be done to get him out of this scrape. But what?’ That was a question, and one, too, that in- volved considerable perplexity. If Mellique died, it was Dick’s intention to leave for Santa Fe on the morirw; but now this was not to be thought of, unless he could | free the Annihilator. Avalanche must be liberated by all means, But how? By casual inquiry Dick ascertained the loca- tion of the jail, and quitted the San Carles, Outside the night was dark as Stygia—so in- tensely black that one could scarcely see his hand before his face. The jail was some distance away, but Dick soon neared it. As he did so, a voice called out: ‘** Halt! who comes there?” “Then there was the audible click of a rifle- lock. “ Humph! outside,” Dick muttered. *¢ It’s me—Smith!” “* What Smith?’ ** Jack Smith!” “Waal, Jack. Smith, you just git up and hump yerself on ther back trail, or Pll fill ye full o’ plumbago, Don’t allow no one’round hyer to-night. Now git!” ‘You bet,” responded Dick, and be beat a’ hasty retreat. ‘When out of earshot, however, he paused, ‘** Now, see here, my fine fellow,” he mused, “you're just my mutton. Dll approach you on another tack, and lay you out. Ef you're out- side, it stands to reason there ain’t no guard on the inside. I'll get your keys, release Old Ava- lanche, and no one will ever be the wiser as to how he escaped. So look out for me, sentinel.” Equipping himself with a stout club, which he happened to run across, he made a wide detour around the jail. Then, with the stealth of a cat, he crept near to the guard, whose tramp! tramp! tramp he could hear. Closer and closer he drew, until he could al- most touch the fellow with his stick, The guard was standing directly in front of the door of the jail, which was a small concern, = of stone. He was whistling softly to him- self. A little nearer drew Dick, then hauling off, he struck the guard a heavy blow over the head with the club. ‘ Down went the fellow like a log, and did not attempt to arise. A good reason, too, for he was knocked senseless as a log. Kneeling beside him, Dick quickly found the key in one of his pockets. To unlock and open The calaboose is guarded on the Then aloud he cried: | the door was but the work of a moment. * Avalanche! Avalanche!” he cried. “ Hello!” was the reply, ‘* Who's callin*!” 4 friend. Come, the door’s open. Hurry ou ; The scout needed no second invitation, but was out in the open air in a jiffy. ' ‘Great ham-bone, who aire.ye?” he demand- ed, peering into Dick’s face. ; _ ‘Deadwood Dick, of course! But, there's ne time to chin. Fly for your life, while you have time. I'm going to Santa Fe. Meet me there, Now, git!” mein CHAPTER TV, CANCELING A WEDDING, Two months later. The next scene of our story takes capital and most important city in namely, Santa Fe. P It is rather an attractive and bustle. Upon one of t thoroughfares residences, ance, j . <hr a inthe es pi lace, and full of life } e most aristocratic of the pees with spacious
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—_— Monte Cristo, Jr. is ie imer —. It is a large block-stone dwelling, set down upon a spacious, well-shaded lawn, and has every surrounding and general appearance of belonging to a man of considerable means, if not of * bee riches, he house itself is of rather odd shape, being two full high stories in hight, and having many odd ‘‘ L’s,” gables and windows. It is night, and the mansion is ablaze with light, while hundreds of Chinese lanterns are strung from tree to tree, illuminating the grounds, A wide piazza, as usual in hot climes, runs around the whole house, and upon this gay- ly dressed couples are seen promenading, while rom within doors come the throbbing strains of terpsichorean music. ° cared let us enter—not the great, pe gre fur- i parlors, where bevies of richly dressed people are whirling hither and thither in the mazes of the giddy waltz—but to a well-fur- nished library, where two gentlemen are seated at a table, whereon are a bottle of wine and glasses. The one is a portly, pleasant-appearing gentle- man, of fifty, with side-whiskers and a ruddy face, and well dressed. At a glance, he is evidently of Spanish-Amer- ican birth, The other is a young man, but little over age, if that—a decidedly good-looking fellow, with a round, handsome face of manly expression, dark-brown eyes, hair and mustache, his hair flowing in graceful waves down over his shoul- ers. He is evidently a full-blooded American, is dressed in the hight of New York fashion, wears costly diamonds, and one would scarcely recog- nize our hero, Richard Bristol, otherwise Dead- wood Dick, Junior. ‘Yes, Bristol, my boy, I can never find suffi- cient means to express the gratitude I bear for you, for assisting me to keep back the truth, un- til this momentous night!” the elder man was saying. z, Within an hour, Donna Nola will have be- come Don Juan’s bride, and then one of the ob- jects of my later life will have been accomplish- ed Juan is-rich in his own right, and the loss of The Turrets will but little affect him, He has won a prize of a wife, and will be content.” “J fear not, Don Pedro,” Dick replied, sober- ly, “and I sometimes feel sorry I consented to your proposal, When Don Juan comes to learn that Don Jose left a will, and who the real heir is, and the trick you have played upon him, I anticipate there will be a deuce of a row!” ‘“Pshaw! no; Juan always listens to me, like an own son, and I can easily quiet him (down.” ‘* Well, perhaps; but, really, I have sincere doubts about the matter, sir; while, as for Donna Nola, it seems to me like a crime to force her to ac a man she has no love for.’ “No use to talk that way, young man. No force has been used!” 1 “Tt amounts to about the same thing. She _ was given to understand before she consented to the engagement, that when she was Don Juan’s affianced wife, she would receive the history of ‘ wer early life. This promise has not been kept.” ‘She told you this?” ‘ She did, and more—that, marrying Juan, she ‘was committing a sacrilege, for she positively ' hated her affianced husband!” ' The Don’s brow darkened. “By my soul, I don’t like this, from you, a . guest in my own house!” he sputtered. » “Can't help it whether you do or not,” Dick , bluntly replied. ‘‘It’s simply the truth. If the : takes place, it will be a most unhappy union, for the Donna Nola cares nothing for your nephew. ; _ ‘7 dare say you’ve an idea in your head that she cares more for you /” snapped the Don. 6s No, sir, I have never even intimated such a oy w! Let us not quarrel. Nola does not eare the snap of my finger for you. Because she has treated you with rather unusual cordial- ity during your 4 here, you should not infer thmt she cares a fig for you. She simply did it to tease Juan. But, let the subject drop, They will be married, m an hour; and to-morrow [ will take you to the Pines, and show estate. drink up your wine, an take a look into the parlors!” | The wine was drank, and they were about to + arise from the table, when a young man strode -. intothe room. 408 i ‘He was of about Dick’s age and physiqns, and ed a, dark Spanish face of some pretensions loo with black eyes, hair, gnd curling ta it : . . ' ‘ we will F ou your | : | He wore a handsome full-dress suit, that ill- became the angry scowl upon his face. Striding up to the table, he slapped a note up- on it, in front of Don Pedro. “ Read that!” he cried. The note was quickly opened and perused by the Don, who immediately leaped to his feet with an imprecation. “Come with me!” he cried, seizing Juan by the arm. ‘ We shall see about this.” And they hurried from the library, The note was left behind on the table, With a faint smile, Dick picked it up. “T think [’¥e an idea of the contents,” he thought. It was written on a tiny sheet of scented note paper, and ran as follows: ‘* Don Juan:—I have made up my mind that I can- not marry you. So you may as well dismiss the guests, Noa.” ** As I thought,” Dick muttered. ‘‘ There will be trouble in camp, now. I wonder where Nola is? Since Dick had come to Santa Fe, he and the Don’s beautiful adopted daughter had been much in each other’s society and greatly to the disap- proval of Don Juan. There was a little rustic arbor in the lower end of the grounds, all covered over with vines, and when they wanted to chat together they were wont to meet there. Dick bethought himself of the tryst, now, and qaenly leaving the house, he stole away toward this green nest. All was silent as he drew near, but the mo- ment he entered the bower a pair of arms were thrown lovingly about his neck, and a tearful voice exclaimed: Re Oh, Dick, is it you?) Have you heard about i ‘‘-Yes, Donna, I even read the note. ing to create trouble, I fear.” “T cannot help it if it does. Oh, Dick, I could not marry that man whom I so despise and fear!” ‘* Well, I can’t say I blame you. I dislike the fellow myself. Come and sit down, Donna, and we will talk about it.” ‘‘Please don’t call me Donna, Dick. I hate that title. Call me just plain Nola, the same as Teall you Dick. Oh, tell me: what am I going to do?” “Well, ’'m afraid that will be a hard job for me to do, Nola. I suppose the Don will be incensed at you for refusing to marry Juan, will he not?” ‘Oh, yes, he will be fearfully angry, and I dare not go back to the house. I believe he would kill me, he has such a violent temper. Dick, you are the only friend I have now. Por Heaven’s sake, take me away from here! I will go anywhere, only to escape from here. You know I love you—you cannot help from_see- ing that. It was for you I broke off with Juan. Perhaps, had you never come here, I should have taken the fatal step and sacrificed myself to Juan Mellique. But now—never! Marry me, Dick, and take me forever out of the power of Don Pedro and Juan!” She threw her arms impulsively about bis neck and burst into sobs, her head resting upon his shoulder. “Sh!” Dick said, pressing his lips to her fore- head. ‘Your weeping may attract attention this way. Don’t cry, for Tl try and get you out of this trouble in_one way or roe. nhl I know you do like me, Nola, but I am afraid you have not known me long enough to be sure you would like to marry me.” ‘Oh, yes, Ihave} There is no one on earth I would rather have than you,” ‘* Well, I'll think it over. In the mean time, do you not know of some kind family who would take be in and shelter you for a few hours, until I can see how the par lays and make some needed arran ents? — . ‘*T know of but ene place. There is a minis- ter and his wife, who live out on the ou of the town. I visit them often, out of charity for they are very poor, Perhaps they wo d take me in.” 3 ‘‘Then lose no time, but go to them at once. If they are good Christian people, and you tel them your story, there is no doubt but what they will let you in and care for you. Here is money, Pay them well, and remain with them until I call for you, be it in an hour, day, month or year,” : f ; ‘ “Oh, Dick, not solongas—” “Tut! tut! Fear not, for I will come as soon as possible, and when I do come, it will be to have the minister unite us in marriage.” | It is go- “Dick, do you really mean this? You are not. deceiving me ) ** By no means, my Nola. And when you are my wife, you are also mistress of ‘The Tur- rets,’” “What !” “Just as I say. When you marry me, you marry ‘ The Turrets.’” ‘** Pray explain. I do not understand,” “‘ Well, you see, before he died Done Jose left. a will, disinheriting Don Juan, and making me: his heir. This fact I communicated to Don Pedro, here, who enjoined me to silence, until after your marriage, fearing, were my inheri- tance known to Juan, it would create a rupture. I shall keep back the truth no longer, now, but make preparations to take possession of my new home and bride. But, you had best go while you have time.” 7 “Yes, I will go, Dick, my darling, and pray I may soon see you again. But, promise me one thing: that you will not venture near ‘ The: Turrets,’ until you have first heard my story about the place.” ‘Very well, my dear. It shall be as you wish.” Then, after a loving embrace, they parted, Nola hastening away out of the grounds, by a rear gate. CHAPTER V. WRATH UNLOOSED. AFTER watching until Nola was safely out of the grounds, Dick hastened back toward the mansion. ‘“T]l wager I’m in for some trouble,” he mut- tered, ‘‘ for no doubt both of the Dons will ac- cue me of being the cause of the Donna’s change of mind. But, let them accuse, and be hanged! I ask no odds of them, Nola is mine, in spite of them, and so is ‘The Turrets.’ So, what care 1? By the way, it occurs to me I had better put my pepe in a place of safe-keeping. so that, in case of trouble, I cannot lose them. The will has not yet been proved, and, should it be destroyed, my claim to ‘The Turrets’ would be worthless. To-morrow, Sykes will returm from Santa Rosa, and then the matter of the will must and shall be settled. But, what shalt Ido with my papers, for the present?” He paused outside of the mansion, and delib- rated. ‘7 might intrust them to Nola’s hands, were she here,” he mused, ‘‘ but as she is not, I must. dispose of them in some other way, But, how— where? Ah! I have it, now!” That very day he noticed a tin tobacco-box lying on the lawn, It would be large enough to hold the will, the ring, and a few other private papers he possessed, including his U. &. Detec- tive warrant, So he began to search for it, and in afew minutes succeeded in finding it. Placing in it such things as he did not care to carry about his person, including the better por- tion of his money, he firmly closed down the cover, and, proceeding to an obscure part of the ounds, he cut out a square piece of sod and faid it aside. Then he scooped out some of the dirt, aad wrap it up in a paper. Next he replaced the box in the hole, and returned the sod to its original position. en, disposing of the package of dirt, the job- was completed, and he returned to the mansion and mingled among the dancers, It was over an hour ere he saw anything of either of the Dons, but finally they entered the parlor together, looking anything but good-na- tured. : Dick had jet finished a waltz with Myra Mel- lique, the Don’s own daughter, when, while standing by and watching the other waltzers, he felt a touch upon his shoulder. Turning, he came face to face with Don Pe- dro. ‘‘T would like to see you in the library, young man,” Don said, and turned abruptly way: \ at Row for it,” thought Dick, as he followed. “ As Old Avalanche would say, ‘ yard a hail- storm of demolition about to burst fo The two entered the library and became seat- Don Juan was not present. Don Pedro's five was clouded with anger. “ Bristol,” he said, ‘“ where is Donna Nola?” “Donna Nola?” echoed Dick. where about the house, isn’t she?” ‘No, sir, she is not !” “Then, how do you expect me to know where ‘““ Why, some- ‘she is?. I saw her early in the evening, and acme UF for should suppose she would now be d the bridal ceremony.” “‘ She is not in the house, sir, nor to be found © anywhere about the premises,”
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‘ we SE a Lng = ae eee, 2 A - ‘young ca a ; rr y yey Se : EAs ges ocean tmup Rr! 3° 3 SS + vee Pate pei to . re —— lt me Monte Cristo, Jr. “Indeed! Why, that is strange! What can jhave become of her?” ““You cau best answer that question, sir, and -you must answer it!” *1¢ Why, you talk foolish, sir. What do I iknow about the Donna? I’ve not been dogging sight!” so soon, for we love to have her here, She has been a good Samaritan to us, in days of ad- versity.” “] shall not take her for a few days yet, until I get matters well arranged for her comfort.” ** And so you are to be the new master of ‘ The ‘* Yes, sir: so it is willed.” her footsteps every minute to keep her in | Turrets,’ my friend?” “That matters not a whit, sir. You know where she is, and have got to tell or suffer the consequences, You've caused all the mischief in my house you are likely to.” ‘« In what way, sir? Have [ not conducted my- self as a gentleman since I have been here?” ‘No, sir, you have not. You, knowing that the Donna Nola was the affianced wife of Don Juan, have sought, by every power you possess, to fascinate and infatuate her, You have suc- ceeded in turning her foolish young head, and she has broken off the match with Juan at the very bridal hour, and put disgrace upon tho never-before dishonored name of Mellique. Ay! even more—you have abducted the poor child, and I shall hold you responsible!” “*Tisfalse! I have not abducted fog daugh- ‘ter! If she has fied, she did so on her own ac- count, As you well know by our previous in- terview to-night, | have never put forth the slightest impediment to the marriage; indeed, in keeping silent concerning the inheritance, I have favored the match. You are both unman- ly and unjust in making this attack on me, and you know it well!” ‘‘Bah! you are a liar, and a double-faced scoundrel, and you shall answer for this night’s disgrace with your life. Up-stairs Juan is lock- ed in aroom, raving like a madman, But for ‘me, he would have killed you, ere this!” Dick smiled, provokingly; then he suddenly arose, his face stern, his eyes flashing danger- ously. : a Boi Pedro Mellique!” he cried, ‘‘ I will listen to no more insults from you. I thought you a gentleman, but, now, I see that you are not one. Understand this: I fear neither you nor your nephew. I shall leave your house, and take up my quarters at the Planter’s Hotel, until I as- sume control of ‘The Turrets.’ You need no longer seek to keep from Don Juan the fact that Tam owner of that property. So, if you want anything of me, you will find meat the Planter’s. Good-night!” and the young detective started out of the room, and lett the house. He went direct to the Planter’s Hotel, and registered, and there learned where he could find a minister. : ; Then, to the minister’s he went, and obtained an interview. His object in this visit, was to find the name of the minister to whose house Nola had fled, and where his residence was located; for he had nezlected to make these inquiries of Nola. The minister gave him the desired informa- tion, and he took his departure. The impover- ished clergyman’s name was Salem, and inside of an hour, Dick stood knocking at the door of Mr, Salem’s not very palatial residence. The summons was answered by a meeck-faced, neatly-clad middle-aged woman, Is the Reverend Mr. Salem at home?” Dick asked, politely. P Yes, sir, Will you walk in?” Dick did walk in, to what proved tobe a large but humbly furnished kitchen, the most conspic- uous furniture of which were a number of clothes bars, loaded down with laundry work. There were three persons in the room, as Dick entered—the minister’s wife, the minister him- self, a thin, consumptive-looking man, and— Nola, who, now arrayed in a calico dress, was actually assisting Mrs, Salem at ironing! She dropped her flat-iron plump on the floor, however, when she saw Dick, and with a glad ery rushed forward to meet him. “Oh! Dick, how glad Lam to see you here,” she said, putting her arms about his waist. ‘I was so afraid you wouldn’t come, very soon. See, I’ve been trying my hand at housework, so I would know how to dothings, when we are settled at The Turrets. But, come here: I ‘most forgot, I was so glad to see you. Mr, and Mrs. Salem, this is my friend, Mr. Bristol, whom I wastelling youabout!? Both the ‘minister and his wife shook hands with Dick, and bade him a cordial welcome, “Tt was very good of you to take Nola in,” Dick said, ‘and [ will pay you weil.” “Nay, speak not of pay, sir, for the good lady has paid us a long way ahend, and put usin comfortable circumstances. Had Re she come penniless, she should have had shelter She is a good . pil. sir, and you may well be ou are to be married. But, : roud of her, ' , we hope you will, not take her away from us, ' ** Well, I wish you all the good luck in the | world, but I have grave misgivings you won’t | like the place, grand in many respects though it is. Lf you live a year there, you'll do better than any one else has done since ve known it, and I’ve lived here since I was a cbild.” ‘*TIndeed? Nola was telling me something about the place having a history, And, now, dear, let’s have the story.” “Mr. Salem can tell it better than I, so let him, But first, tell me what happened when you went back,” “Oh! the Don and I had a little growl, and I changed boarding-places, that’s all. Now, Mr. Salem, let’s hear about ‘ The Turrets,’ and after you are through, if Nola isn’t too proud tobe esbigg in calico, we'll have a quiet little wed- ing. (oR t, I am too proud,” laughed Nola, “‘ and as I know the story, while Mr. Salem is tellin it to you, I will change this dress for the one was to have married the Don in!” And she and Mrs, Salem sought an adjoining room. CHAPTER VI. THE TALE OF THE TURRETS. ‘* WELL, sir,” said Mr. Salem moving closer to the fire-place, for the evening was a trifle chill, even for that warm climate—well, sir, it ain’t often ’'m called upon to speak of ‘The Turrets’ history, but since it’s you, and you're to be its owner, I'll tell you the story as it goes, not youching for its truth, you know. ‘‘ Well, years upon years ago, no one knows how many, ‘ The Turrets’ was built. Itis a large stone struc- ture, in the heart of the mountains, half a day’s ride northeast of here. Some believe it was built by a wealthy Spanish robber, not many decades after Now Mexico was first colonized by Spaniards in 1582, Others think it of the trou- blous times of the last century when Indian up- rising’s were frequent. ** However that may be,it stands there now,as it has stood certainly for over a century, a grim irregular mass of ponderous block stone, situa- ted among the beetling crags, and surrounded by precipices, on three sides, the fourth leading onto two thousand acres of the grandest farming land in the whole territory. ** Tt is a picturesque place, huge in size, with castellated turrets that remind one of pictures of some grand old European castle. And yet, while picturesque, there is something so un- canny and awe-inspiring about it as to repel the timid and fill the superstitious with dread.” ‘*By Jove! I believe I shall like it!” Dick de- detlared, enthusiastically. The parson shrugged his shoulders. ‘““'You must have a queer taste, to like the place because it is uncanny,” he answered. ‘* Maybe so, but I like solitude and that which is wild and odd. Have you ever explored the house?” ‘No, indeed! and few ever have in this cen- tury. Those who have, or claim to have done so, tell wonderful stories of sights they have seen, and mysteries they have encountered; tell of underground dungeons and dismal passages, from which emanate blood-curdling sounds; tell of hot and burning blasts that sweep through the mighty halls, and of various other startling things. “For the past forty years it is said to be haunted by a nondescript, half human and half beast, which the few who haveseen could accur- ately describe, as it appeared to them but for an instant, and frightened them so that they took to flight.” ‘“‘How did the property fall into Jose Mel- lique’s hands?” ‘** Well, through gambling, Fifty years ago, a Polish exile, named Petroziski, together with a son, took possession of the place with the avowed purpose of spending the remainder of his days. He had plenty of wealth, and furnished the cas- tle with lavish taste. His son, a young man of twenty, and himself dwelt there in solitude, and few ever went near ther, ‘“ Pimally, after a ten years’ residence. the son came here and reported that his father had mysteriously disappeared, and that 1mmediately afterward, a demonish thing, half-devil, half- man, had made its appearance, and continuous- ‘ly haunted the halls and corridors, and so terri- EE Eee EEE EEEEEEE REE Hed him, the son, that he had, been forced to eave. ‘©The story was generally discredited, and so a party of adventurers and curious ones accom- anied the son to The Turrets to investigate, and e satisfied them to their utter consternation that his report had not heen fictitious, and they fled from the-place in hot haste. Other visitors reported seeing the same hideous’ object, which gained the name of the Man-Dragon. ** Petroziski came back to this city and never went near The Turrets again. He however per- fected arrangements with the Government that made him sole owner of the property. After he did this, he frankly admitted that he believed a se- cret gold mine existed beneath the castle, and that the Man-Dragon was its guardian. Later,another Russian came here and offered Petroziski an enormous sum for the place, which was flatly re- fused. This fact, coupled with that of the would- be-purchaser being a Russian, set people to thinking, and the place has since been regarded as of priceless value. “Well, Petro had loads of money and went to gambling, and gradually his fortune melted away until he got down to his last dollar. Five Pe ago he played his last game with Don Jose ellique, who was one of the luckiest gamblers of the day. Petro had no money, but offered to play The Turrets against ten thousand dollars. he offer was accepted, the game played, and Don Jose won. Petro then assigned the proper- ty to Don Jose and shot himself dead. ‘* And now you have about all of the story of The Turrets that is known at the present day,” Mr, Salem said in conclusion, “And a strange one it is,” Dick declared ' ‘* Did Don Jose ever visit his purchase?” “ Ly ie “Did he ever see the Man-Dragon?” Ved Oh, yes; but he claimed to have no fear of it.’ “Do you know if any one has visited the place, recently?” **T do not,” “How about the furziture; I suppose that re- mains.” “What's left of it, I presume. But, after all these years, it can’t be worth much.” At this juncture, the ladies entered. Nola was arrayed in a bridal costume, and looked inexpressibly lovely. Soon afterward, she and Dick stood up, side by side, in the presence of the minister and his wife, and the divine, in solemn tones, read to them the good old Methodist marriage service, asked the all-important questions, and received each an affirmative, and then pronounced the benediction that made them man and wife. At the express wish of both Dick and Nola, Mr. Salem was to keep the marriage certi- ficate, until they called for it. It was also arranged that Nola was to remain with the Salems, until The Turrets was ready for her. Soon after midnight Dick bade his bride and the Salems good-by, and took his departure, for the second time in his young life, a Benedict, and a happy one at that. CHAPTER VII. THE WRONG MAN. WuEN Deadwood Dick arrived at the hotel the office was deserted, with the exeeption of the night clerk, and two well-dressed, respect- able looking young men, whom at a passing glance, he took fer yuests of the house, and so paid no further attention to them. He went to the office. got his key, and was about to pass up-steirs when he felt a tap on the shoulder, and turning, found himself confronted by these two men. “You will excuse me, sir,” one of them rei “but your name is Richard Bristol, is ity not?’ “That's about the size of it,” Dick replied, suspecting what was coming. “ Ah! yes, just so. You are acquainted with a geneenan named Don Juan Mellique, are you not? “ve met the character, on several occa- sions!” “Yes, Well, Mr. Bristol, I have an unpleas- ant duty to perform—something I have never done before, and anite distesteful to me. But you know these little difficulties—” “Rah! why dodge around the corner?” inter- runted Dick. ‘‘ You have a challenge for me, eh?” “Well, yes, Don Juan feels that you have : grossly wronged him, and thinks the most gen manly way to ee satisfaction for his wounded feelings would be by meeting you in the duello!” “Well, ['vé no objections. When does ho want to fight, sir?”
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ate * hs ie 7 men took their +6 " feet to the right of D ; pr trite to he out of the range of | u ishard “Tn the morning, at sunrise.” * Any particular place?” “There is a little grove half a mile out of | funeral, an’ no monkey-bizness, EY” ROS RE CD ey RR TP eae, Ree Rf . Monte Cristo, **Now, gents,” said Burns, pulling out his re- volver, ‘* this has got ter be a squar’, bona-fide Ther feller as town, where such things take place—on the south | don’t go accordin’ ter ther rules o’ Hoyle, will trail.” -**Oh! well, that will do. choice of weapons?” “Y¥ believe’ it is customary to give the chal- lenged party the choice.” ‘* Yes, invariably. I will choose revolvers, at thirty paces. Tell the Don I will be on deck, I suppose I have the _ and give him all the satisfaction he may de- sire.” “Have you a second, Mr. Bristol?” ** Not as yet.” “ Well, Lam going to act for Don Juan, and I brought this gentleman along, thinking perhaps that you, being a stranger here, might want to accept his services.” ‘Thank your But I prefer to make my own selection.” “Very well. Good-night!” * Good-night!” The challenge-bearers then left the hotel, while Dick sought his room. “So they’re hot after me, are they?’ he mut- tered. “* Well, let ’em come! Ill clean out the whole erowd. Doubtless Don Pedro has told Juan about my heritage, and the latter thinks it will better his chances to get me out of the way. Let him keep on thinking so. ‘We shall see,’ said the blind man!” After cleaning up one of his pistols, which was best for dueling purposes, Dick went to bed and slept soundly until daybreak. The thought of the impending duel did not disturb his slumbers in the least. After a hearty breakfast, he had his horse brought around from the stable, saddled and ready for the trail. ‘ Where now, Cap?” asked Jim Burns, the jolly young proprietor of The Planter’s. ‘Off to fight a duel,” Dick replied vaulting into the saddle. : “The thumder you say! Whoare you goin’ to fight?’ ; **Don Juan Mellique.” “Ye don’t say! Why, that cuss can’t fight!” “That’s none of my mince-meat. He chal- lenged me.” “Did, eh? Where’s yer second?” * Haven't got one,” “Sho! Why, I wouldn’t think of fightin that treacherous cuss, without a second. He’ do you, sure. Say, what d’ye say ter me?” Should be glad to have your assistance, sir.” “Then, just wait til I git my horse, an’ ’m ‘yer dusenberry. An’ if there’s any monkey-biz- ess, ll be thar! I kin jest shoot the freckles off ther moon, an’ don’t -ye fergit it.” And Burns darted away toward the stable, at a hop-skip- and-a-jump. Dick was not sorry of the chance to have a See second, although he would not have hesi- ted to enter the battle without one. Fle and Burns were soon riding away together, and reached the dueling ground, shortly after sunrise. ' None of the Mellique party had yet arrived, and it was full an hour, ere they rode upon the ti. Don Juan was attired with scrupulous neat- ness; a sneering expression was upon his sinister ce. **f sup you thought you’d get off, eh?” he said, as he dismounted near where Dick was standing. ** Well, yes, I thought I’d dismount, not know- ing you tahidd to fight on horseback,” was Dick’s rejoinder, given with sarcasm. _ © Oh, you needn’t be so funny!” Juan growled. “Tt won't avail you anything. I’m going to kill you. No one ever crossed Juan Meilique and lived to brag of it!” “No? Well, that’s jolly! So you're going to oo me up real brown, are you? That's nice! When I do et done up I want it brown.” Juan made no reply. His second and Don Pedro had accompanied _ No time was lost in getting down to business, The thirty paces were staked off, and the two ositions at the : wns and the other second occupied places half the ager between the two duelists, on either side of the line over which the bullets were to pass, iz 4 ae OF lepag gt taken up a on a little nd, and a few it of idancod Diek — Whether it Dick’s revolver or not, to say. rik | | VMS, 2 ny catch somethin’ thet sounds somewhat like Hoyle an’ ther same will come right out o’ this funeral- dispenser of mine. So take heed an’ don’t be heedless. ‘* Aire this ter be to ther death, or to a sort of a wheel-barrow funeral?” ‘Tt is to the death!” Don Juan cried, fiercely. ‘‘ And yonder stands ‘the scoundrel who goes down.” ‘**Don’t be too sure, sonny,” Burns suggested; ‘‘fer ye ken’t tell how hard a cro’bar can hit, til ye git basted with one. The order of the hour is to continue to fire until one or t’other sucks in his last whiff of oxygen?” ‘** Not much!” quickly cried Juan. ‘ But one shot is to be fired, apiece. If I don’t kill my man in one, the duel is over.” “Allright! Git ready, an’ when I yell three, let ’er go, Smith!” The opponents raised their weapons, and took deliberate aim. The face of each man wore a determined ex- pression. ‘** One!” counted Burns. “Twol “Three |” Bang! bang! Two yells went up; yells of human agony. One from Don Juan, who staggered but did not fall: the other from Don Pedro, who fell to the ground, shot through the heart by his own nephew's bullet! As for Deadwood Dick, he stood unharmed! CHAPTER VIII. SYKES THE TRAITOR. YES, the shot fired by Don Juan, and intend- ed for Deadwood Dick, Jr., had gone wide enough of its mark to strike Don Pedro, and send him to toe earth. He never moved after falling; the bullet had done its work most effectually. Pedro Mellique was dead ere the others of the dueling scene could reach his side. Juan Mellique’s right arm hung limp and use- less by his side, aud his face was very pale, as he gazed down at the man he had killed. ‘Waal, sir,” said Jim Burns, rising from be- side the body, ‘‘ ye said you’d kill yer man with one bullet, Juan Mellique, an’ you’ve did it, but you Inulled the wrong man, though. You area murderer!” ‘*T am no murderer!” Juan replied, haughtily. “Tt was Ese accident that my bullet struck my uncle. Theremust bea flaw in the barrel of my revolver, which is a new one I purchased this morning. Of course I am deeply grieved to know that Iam the cause of my uncle’s death, but, as I did not sboot bim intentionally, I can- not see as I am to blame.” “Waal, it’s yer own mutton, not mine. Dun- no how the folks at Sante Fe will look at it, though. Hev ye got enough satisfaction?” “I have,” the Don replied; then turning to Deadwood Dick, ‘‘and as’for you, sir, permit me to offer you an apology, and to assure you that it is my hope that in the future we be not enemies.” “Very well,” Dick returned, with a bow; then, putting up his revolver, he turned to Burns, ‘*We might as well be going, had we not?’ ‘**T reckon,” the landlord replied. And so they mounted and rode away, leavin Juan and his second to look after the dead Don. ** Waal, ye come out without a scratch,” Burns said, with a chuckle. “‘T generally do,” Dick declared, with a smile. ‘* Tve been in a good many scrapes, but always managed to get out whole.” ‘* What did ye think o’ the Don’s shot?” Dick shrugged his shoulders. “Tt might have been an accident, and it might not,” he replied. ‘Don Pedro was quite rich, I believe, and Juan seemed to be quite a favorite of his. There are many strange things happen nowadays, especially where there’s any money at stake,” “Darn my skin ef ye ain’t right thar, An’ on’s apoley. to ye?” ? N what d’ye think of the ‘‘Bah! that was merely a blind, intended to pot me off my guard, For certain reasons, be tes me with a deadly hatred, and would try to murder me weeny if he dared. He is a trvach- erous snake, and I have not a doubt but that he will seek to put me out of the way - Butlet him try it. Ill be on my guard. T should turn p eager you can safely lay my disappearance to Don Juan Mellique!” re * 4A ‘‘ All right. Jim Burns is the chap as won't: forget that aire fact. An’ thera’ll be ructions raised in Santa Fe, if you ain’t found.” When they arrived in the city, Dick stabled his horse, and then made his way toward the Mellique residence. When he drew near the place, he watched a favorable opportunity, and entered the grounds by a rear gate, and making his way to where he had buried the tin box, he dug it up, which done, he hastened to leave the ounds, but before he could do so, he came suddenly face to face with Myra Mellique, the Don’s daughter. A pretty girl was Myra, of the brunette type, and she was as charming of manner as she was rg “Why, good-morning, Mr. Bristol!” she said, cordially, at the same time putting out her hand. ‘* It is an unexpected pleasure to meet you here. Were you at the house?” “No, I was just looking for a letter I lost,” fibbed Dick, not knowing what else to say. “Oh! And can’t you find it?” **No. Idon’t think on the whole I lost it here.” ‘*Mr. Bristol, what was the matter between ou and papa, that caused you to leave the ouse?” “Ob! nothing serious. He accused me of being concerned in the disappearance of Donna Nola, and not liking that very much, I ecn- cluded to change quarters.” “*Do you know where Nola is?” ‘*T prefer not to answer that question, Donna.” “Oh! it don’t matter. concerned, more than that I’d just as lief have her i: eep away.” : “Indeed? Why is that?” ““T should then have a better chance to win Juan for niyself !” ‘‘Ah! then you want Juan, eh?” ““ Well—yes.” ‘*Then, set your heart at rest that Nola won't trouble you. If you can win Juan, go in and do it. Rest assured that Nola will not interrupt your wooing.” “ Thank you for that assurance!” * Not at all. Good-morning!” **Good-morning. Call and see me, some time.” ** Perhaps I will.” Then Dick took his departure. He had refrained from telling the Donna of of her father’s death, for he knew a hysterical scene would follow, and he had no particular wish, just then, for such a scene. He made his way back to the hotel, and there met Simeon Sykes, the Del Norte lawyer. This Sykes was a little, withered-up, spindle- shanked individual, with a homely phiz, little peering eyes, and yellowish hair. “ Ah! that you, Bykes? You're just the man I want to see,” Dick said, shaking him by the- hand. ‘ When did you return?” ; “Only a little while ago, How are things?” “Ob! fair. I'm ready, now and, we will go at once and prove the will, and have it recorded. Then you will be at liberty to return to Del Norte as soon as you like.” **T don’t think I shall return there,” Sykes. replied. ‘TI rather like this place, and if you pay me a fair price for my services, I shall, without doubt, locate bere.” ** Very well. Let’s go, now, and attend to the will. After that is done, I intend to take a trip to The Turrets, and see what sort of a place my castle is.” * You will not. go alone?” ‘* Yes, unless you desire to accompany me.” “‘That I should like to do, sir. for I have heard so much about the place that, really, I am curious to see it,” Very well. I will be glad of your company.” They sought the register’s office, and likewise. the surrogate’s but found that both of those gen- tlemen were out of town, and nothin could be done toward legalizing the will until on the morrow, Dick, however, left the will at the surrogate’s office until the proper time should come for proving it. He then returned to the hotel, for it was not his intention to start for The Turrets until after _ dinner. . ‘ Early in the forenoon, the dead body of Pedro Mellique was brought back to town. “Then the og story of the duel aly out, and the excitement |inall cases, there were two sides to the story; but it chanced that Jim became intense. AS Burns of the Planter’s was popular all over Santa Fe, and he spared no pains to have it un- derstood that Dick was in no wise to blame for _ the shoes and that ig.” ; significant were the expressions of Juan Mellique was. Many a NS Tam not particularly . eir return | |
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+. Sy) tion ‘ “If Among others of his usual haunts was the Bijou Club, a gaming-saloon patronized pretty exclusively by the young bloods of the city; and thither he made his way. It was a gaudily-furnished place, fitted up with a bar, chairs and tables, and costly pic- tures and mirrors, and many other appurten- ances calculated to be pleasing to the eye of the sporting man, the array of bar-fixings being especially attractive. ut few persons were in the saloon when Don Juan entered, and these he was not intimately acquainted with; so he seated himself at a table and Jit a cigar, at which he puffed away leisurely. That he expected some one to meet him was evident, for he glanced frequently in the direc- tion of the door. Some ten minutes after he was seated, Simeon Sykes walked into the saloon and seated himself ecross the table from the Don, who nodded familiarly. ** Well, I see you are on time,” he said, glanc- ing at his watch. y “Yes, I always try to be,” Sykes replied. ** And I see that you are winged.” ‘“ Curse it, yes! The duel resulted disastrous- ly, not only for me, but for my uncle, who was killed.” **] don’t suppose your’ sorrow is deep,” re- marked the lawyer, with a shrug of his shoul- ders. ‘I believe you hinted to me once that his will was drawn in your favor?” ‘Sh! Breathe no word of any such thing for other ears to hear. The tide of public opinion is already stronzer against me than I care to know. But, tell me—have you any news?” “Yes. After Ileft you, after telling you of the interview between Bristol and Donna Nola in the arbor, I made it my business to hunt up the house of the preacher, Salem. I had little difficulty in finding it, and by listening at the door, I found that the Donna was indeed there. Believing that Deadwood Dick would visit the place before morning, I hung about the neigh- orhood, and at last was rewarded by seeing him approach and enter the house, I then took up my position at the door, and applied my ear at the keyhole. Tous I remained until I heard Dick about to Jeave the place, when I was forced to sneak away.” ; ‘ “Sykes, you're a brick! Here is a hundred for you, in payment for your services so far. Go on, and teil me all.” “lm afeard it won't be very pleasant news for \you, sir, but TV’ tell it. The Salems wel- comed Bristol; then they chatted a while, and among other things, the preacher told Dead- wood Dick the story of The Turrets and the non- descri 2 “ Ah! What did the adventurer say?” “THe expressed a good deal : of interest, and declared he should take up his abode at The Turrets within a few days.” ‘* We'll see about that!” Don Juan declared, with an oath. ‘One thing is certain. That Yankee upstart will never rule at The Turrets. But, goon. What else?” * Weil, after Salem had finished his narration, . Nola and Dick stood up and the preacher mar- ried them.” “ What!” The Don leaped to his feet, his eyes fairly blaz- ing with anger. ‘Just as [ have tgld you,” Sykes assured, coolly, ‘I heard Salem ask the usual ques- heard the affirmative answers given, and rd the preacher pronounce them man and wife!” F \ “Ten thousand furies! Why did. you not come and tell me this at once?” The house was dark when I returned from the trip to Salem’s.” ; upon his seat, inflamed Don Juan sunk back with rage, “Curses upon that Yankee loafer!” he hissed, this be. true, it is likely to knock all my plans in the head. But tell me what name the girl was married under?” ** Nola Norris.” “Furies! her own true name. How did she ever learn it? If the preacher is ordained with ministerial powers, the marriage is legal. Had she married under the name of Mellique—” _ “Tt would have been legal, just the same, ligh A energy - ’ née he ty ae eh ES ke 1 ae sual ce eh acl! a Bela ae Gusts SU Ly certificate, Sykes?” “IT do not know. The girl, most likely.” **T doubt it, This Bristol is a shrewd devil, and more’s the probability he has it on his per- son. Sykes, I must set to work at once, and you must help me.” “How can I help you? What do you want me to do?” ‘Help me put this man out of the way.” ‘‘Nary! I want no murder on my hands,” ‘** Not even if you are paid well?” ‘** Not for the world!” ** Well, perhaps we can arrange it so he need not be killed. If he can be imprisoned, why, I can coerce him to terms that will force him to leave the country; and that done, I can induce Donna Nola to become my wife.” ? ‘* Well, in case there’s no murder I don’t mind giving you a lending hand, providing, of course, you are willing to pay me well for my servires,” ** Very well. Help me to getrid of Dick Bris- tol, and I will pay you any reasonable price. Besides, I will employ you to assist in settling up my uncle’s estate, and altogether, you can make a snug little sum of money.” “Then, ’'m your man. I’ve been down to hard-pan for nigh two years, and I can’t let a | chance slip me to, turn an honest penny, Iam not quite so scruy-ulous as I might be had for- tune smiled upon me earlier in life.” “Of course not. It does not pay men to be too scrupulous in this present age. But, tell me, has Bristol yet taken any steps toward settling the matters in regard to the will?” “Yes. We went together tnis morning, to fix up things, but neither the surrogate nor the registrar were in town, thanks to the telegrams I had sent them from Santa Rosa. So Dick left the will at the surrogate’s office for safe-keeping until to-morrow,” ‘* By heaven! then he must never call for it, and ‘The Turrets’ is still mine! How can it be arranged, Sykes? We must work while there is time.’ “T think I have a plan,” Sykes replied, and then, bending closer to the Don, he spoke low and earnestly. When he had finished the Don arose, His face was flushed, his ‘eyes gleamed wicked- ly, and his whole expression was triumphant. ‘The very thing,” he declared. ‘‘Doas you have outlined, Simeon Sykes, and I will make you a rich man!” CHAPTER IX, THE DON’S REVENGE, THAT afternoon, armed with directions how to find the place, Deadwood Dick, Junior, and Sykes set out for a visit to ‘‘ The Turrets.” They were well mounted, and equipped with everything necessary to make an exploration of the weird old mountain chateau safe and easy. Before starting Dick had paid a stealthy visit to Nola, at the home of the Salems, and made known his proposed journey. Nola was delighted to see him, and so were the good minister and his family, but all ex- pressed great anxiety when he ma.e known his proposed trip to ‘ The Turrets,’ “Oh, Dick!” Nola said, clinging to him fond- ly, ‘don’t go. I am so afraid something will happen—that some terrible harm will befall you. Don’t go, for my sake.” : | them out, and, in another week, ‘The Turrets* | | twenty thousand shall be transformed into a fairy palace. Take good careof my bride untij my return, good sir, and, above all, preserve the marriage-eer- tificate |” ‘Thy bride shall be tenderly cared for, sir and as for the certificate it is already consigned to a place of security.” “Very good, and may the Good Father re- ward you! And, now, Nola,” said Dick, turn- ing to his bride, ‘“ here is what money I have, [ wish to leave it in your care until my ieturn, so that if anything should happen to me, you will be provided for, for a time atleast, Ttere is dollars, part of which be- longed to Don Jose Mellique before his death, and the balance to me. Keep it, as I sha:l have no use for money during my absence. These { papers you may also retain, for, though of no really important value, they are. things I would prefer not to lose.” ‘Oh! then, you know you are going into dan- ger, Divi!” Nola cried, clinging to him, plead ingly. ‘* Please do not go and leave me! Or, at least, if you will go, let me accompany you.” ‘*Such a thing is not to be thought of, Nola, dearest,” Dick replied. ‘So, quiet all fears, for L will surely return to-morrow safe and sound as a dollar. Good by, now, and don’t worry the least, for I am amply able to take care of myself.” And kissing her, and shaking hands with the Salems, Dick teok his departure; and a short time afterward he and Sykes rode out of Santa Fe, en route for ‘‘ The Turrets,” which Jay sev- eral leagues to the ‘northeast of the new Mexi- can metropolis, up in the great mountain fast- nesses. But, as they were mounted upon. spirited horses, Dick calculated they could reach the end of their destination long before sunset. Armed with a compass and full directions, he had little fear but what they could-find the lone residence; so both galloped swiftly along, and but few words were interchanged, cach man seeming more or Jess absorbed in his own thoughts. . The horses covered space rapidly, and ere mid-afternoon entered the mountains. The way was now more rugged and the journey neces sarily made in slower time. Nevertheless, it was not yet sunset, when, after toiling up rugged and dangerous trails, they came suddenly out upon a level aerial plateau, from whence. a short distance below them, they could see ‘‘ The Tur- rets,” as it rested amcng the crags in all its solemn grandeur. Like some citadel of medieval days it appeared to the two horsemen, and they drew rein and surveyed the picture for several minutes in silence. Gray and ghostly looked the massive and irre- gular pile of granite, and the turrets that reared their heads toward the heavens, looked like so many grim sentinels. To add to the awesome effect of the surroundings, were the steep moun- tain-sides, with their densely: matted forests. ‘Tis a picture for a master artist’s brusie¢® Dick exciaimed, admiringly. “Tt reminds me more of a sepulcher for the dead,” Sykes grunted, witb a shrug of the shoul- ders. ‘‘ Whoever built the place must have had the chronic blues.” ‘*Pshaw! The place.is simply grand!” Dick replied—‘‘a, very castle in a kingless country. Come! let’s move on,” They had only a slight grade to Cescend, when _ they came to another table-land or plateau, up on which opened the main ‘entrance to the chateau, if such if might be termed. This main entrance, was a great ball with “‘Fer your sake, my bonny bride, I would do | arched portico, and guarded by two } onderous almost,anything ; but you must not try to deter me from this visit to our future home, for I want to see it, before taking you there, my jewel. Tam well armed, and mean to solve the mystery of the place, if mystery there be. So quiet all fears, and watch for my return, for ps gh do, I shall openly announce you as my wife. 4 ‘Oh, how brave and good you are, Richard, and I am so very happy in your love, If [ should lose you, it would kill me, and I feel now as if I shall never see you again!” “Such fears are unworthy of the nugget of good sense that nestles in your sunny little head, my pet; so cheer up, and you will see me back at ten to-morrow, or at noon at the latest.” _ “Be careful, my son!” Mr. Salem adjured, shaking his head dubiously. ‘The Turrets’ has an ominous repute, and you know not what evils may be lurking there!” “Pshaw! I fear not,” Dick replied, with a laugh, “If any evils exist Pll soon run X doors, one of which stood ajar, Dick and Sykes at once dismounted, and tethered out their horses; then they made pre- parations to invade the place of mystery. Lanterns were lit, revolvers drawn, and, for the first time in their lives, they set foot in the ‘great main hail, . Pee It was very wide, and the ceiling was far above them, Everything was stune—the floor, the walls, the ceilmg. Nowhere was a piece of wood to be seen, From the main hall branched off numerous other passages, and off these passages opened doors leading to the various apartments, Fully two hours were consumed _in rapid ex- ploration of the first-floor of The Turrets. By this time the shades of night were gathering thick and fast, Without the chateau. jie Each room visited had been well inne: but, as Mr. Salem had surmised, the furniture was in bad condition, being worm-eaten al eaten, and generally useless, Some of it, to * “ = ae Cems SP Say were
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-. @ungeons, 1 sure, had not suffered the ravages of time, but, what was originally worth perhaps ten thou- sand dollars, was now worth scarcely a tenth of that amount. Another thing, as the minister had outlined, were the strange and varying currents of air that swept through the halls—now warm, then chilling cold. After exploring the first floor, the upper por- ‘tions of the chateau were visited, and it was near midnight ere every niche and nook had ‘been examined, to Dick's satisfaction. “ Only certain rooms of the upper portion of the building were furnished, but the furniture was in a much better condition than that below stairs. Altogether, Dick found that he could pick out a great plenty tofurnish up in cosey shape, what apartments he and Nola should need. After finishing the exploration of the upper part of the building, he and Sykes returned to the grand parlor, ou the ground floor. “Well, so far, so good,” Dick said. “We've seen nO Man-Dragon, as yet, and if one exists he’s taken good care to keep out of our way.” “Well, I'm glad of it,” Sykes replied. ‘‘ Tm clean tired out trotting about this old rookery.” “Pshaw! you've no fun in you, at all. don’t intend to give in until I’ve explored the infernal regions in under this place. However we will rest a few minutes, before we proceed further.” “ Why not wait till morning?’ Sykes growled. ‘‘ Because, I wish to start back for Santa Fe, in the morning,” was the reply. must be proved and recorded, to-morrow, all means.” Sykes made no reply, but there was @ strange eam in his little sharp eyes that the detective id not notice. : After balf an hour’s rest, Dick arose. “Well, come along,” ho said, “It won’s take us long to do the down-stairs part, and then we'll have the rest of the night for sleep.” ‘Mo sleep for mein this place!” Sykes pro- tested. "Then, he leaped quickly to his feet, cry- by &: “Took behind you, quick! The Man-Dragon ! Dick wheeled like a flash, facing the door. It was a fatal action on his part, for on the instant, he was conscious of receiving a terri- blow upon the head; then his senses eff him, and he ae no more. When ho returned to consciousness, he found himself still in the parlor, but lying flat on his back. The lantern yet on the table, gave forth light enough for him to sce that he was alone. Not only alone, but bho was securely bound hand and foot. There was no cne in the room. Silence was everywhere. Tor some time, Dick was at loss how to ac- count for his position, but, finally, reason came back to bim, and he remembered the blow. But where was the person who had as:aulted him? } “ Sytes is a traitor,” he mused, “ and his offer toaccompany me here, was but part of a scheme “to entrap me. I seo it all, now, and Iam fairly in the power of Juan Mellique. [eaven help poor Nola.” For upward of half an hour, he lay thus, ‘until he had clearly collected his senses; then ho struzzied to a sitting posture. Hardly had he attaingd this attitude, when he heard footsteps approaching, and in a few seconds, Don Juan Mellique centered the room. His face wore an expression of gloating tri- umph, as he approache the captive, and paused just in front of him. “‘ Hol ho! So youare not quilo so frisky as ustial, I seo, dog of a Yankee!” he cried, sneer- * ingly. ‘‘ You begin to realize, I trust, what it moans to incur the displeasuro of a Mellique!” “Bah! I fear you not, wero you a dozen times a Mellique!” Dick replied, “and if 1 ever get rid of theso bonds, I'll make you wish you were never born!” oe / The Don laughed, tauntingly. “Well, let me set your heart at rest on that score,” he replied. ‘* You will never* get rid of those bonds, until you are safe in one of the dungeons beneath this building, where you - will spend the remainder of your days, in peace . if not in plenty. 1 bavo got everything ar- - Yanged for your disposal, and have to assure yon that you have looked for the last time up- on the light, of the outer world. “Beneath this place, far of the earth, 2ro many mysterious passages, Jeading to underground dungeons. One of these which is more “The will | below the surface. ard to reach than: will be your future home, — sot re a by eee Monte Cristo, ‘me, but it will bo only in name, as I shall de- and force stroy all proofs of your marriage the Donna Nola to become mine. * The Turrets’ shall also be mine, and while you are rolling in the dungeon, underneath, | shall be reigning like a prince, over your head, Ha! hal re- venge is sweet—revenge is sweet, indeed! How like you the prospectus, you dog of a Yankee, who dared to cross my track?” . “You infernal whelp, I command you to re- lease me,” Dick cried, struggling to burst asun- der thethongs that bound him, ‘‘ Release me, I say, or by heaven, I'll have no mercy on you when I do get free!” ‘‘ Pah! There is not the slightest possibility of your ever getting free. The dungeon I have prepared for your reception is hewn out of solid rock, and guarded by an iron door, of which I am alone the possessor of the key. Once you are locked within that cell, you are forever doomed to live on a diet of bread and water, and dwell in eternal darkness. Ah! here comes m7 trusty assistant now!” Simeon Sykes it was who entered the parlor. There was a sneering smile upon his face, as he gazed down at Deadwood Dick, but he re- frained from speaking. ‘¢ Well, Sykes, is the dungeon all in readiness?” the Don asked. “Tt is, sir. I fixed it upas comfortably as I could, with what things I had at my command, and Lreckon the place is good cnough for any prisoner to live in.” “Very well. It is no doubt good enough for the one who is going to occupy it. ‘Search the prisoner now, Sykes, and then we'll take him below. Deprive him of everything in his pock- ets, and if you find the marriage-certificate, give it to me.” Svkes ‘obeyed the order, but found but little in Dick’s pockets. “No certificate,” he at length announced, rising to his feet. ‘‘\Where is the document?” the Don demanded, glaring down at Dick fiercely. ‘“‘ What have you done with the document?” “T haven’t got it!” Dick replied, composedly, “‘ Who has got it, then?” “That's emphatically none of your business!” “ Ain't it? Well, we sball see, You tell me what has become of the certificate, or Pll put a bullet straight through your heart.” “ Put away!” Dick replied. ‘I would prefer death to the imprisonment you have promised e!” ’ “Oh! no doubt but what you would. But, as it happens, I prefer to have you live, that you may feel the full scope of my vengeance. When Donna Nola bas become wy bride; I will per- heps introduce her to you, in your subterranean boudoir. Seizo hold of him, Sykes, and help to drag him down to his den!” Then the two villains grasped Dick by either arm and dragged him from the parlor, Sykes carrying tho lantern in His left hand. Out into the main hall, then tbrough various passages, thence down flights of dusty stairs, and t>rough more passages, they dragged their vic- tim, until it seerned they must have reached the very bowels of the earth. Finally they ‘came to a halt in frént of a gloomy opening in the solid rock, the entrance to the dungeon wherein Dick was to be im- mured. $ Into this dank and gloomy hole inthe rock the detective was pulled: then the grated iron door clanged shut, and the key turned in the lock with an ominous click. “There you are, you Yankee dog!” eried Don Juan in triumphant tones, ‘‘and there you will stay until you die, Once each day you will be served with a bowl of water and a crust of bread, unless you provo a refractory patient; then, all rations will be stopped. After Nola becomes my bride, I may conclude to be leni- ent, and give you your liberty, providing you swear to leave the country for good. But, until then, you remain where you are!” “Tf I ever get free, I will have your life, you hell-hound!” Dick cried, fiorcely. ‘So, you had best tremble in fear of the day when I shall get my liberty!” __ ‘*No fear of your ever getting free, then!” the Don retorted, with a savage laugh. r : “ You will find in me a merciless jailer. So, prepare to make the best of your situation, and resign yourself to the fate your foolhardiness and in- solence have brought upon yourself!” With a heartless laugh, the villain continued: “Tf you will thrust your bands through the opening between the grates, Sykes will remove the cords from about your wrist, 80 that you can unbind, yourself, and have the freedom of | could only get into the safe, Dick complied with this intimation, and after his hands were freed, the Don said: ‘*Now, good-by! I may not see you for some little time, but Sykes will bring you enough bread to keep the breath of lifein you. Take care of yourself, and devote your spare time to guessing how old you will be when you leave this place!” “Go! you detestable wretch!” cried Dick, fiercely, ‘‘and take with you my everlasting curse!” The only reply was a mocking laugh; then both Sykes and the Don hurried away, and Dick was left alone to his fate—alone, in Soelan darkness, and in solitude profound. CHAPTER X. IN THE LIBRARY. THE next day Don Juan returned to Santa Fe, but Sykes remained behind, at ‘‘ The Tur- rets,” to keep an eye out lest some one should seek to find and rescue Deadwood Dick. The Dou had promised him large pay, and as the lawyer was, as we have seen, impecunious, he proposed to make the best of the offered op- portunity to fatten his pocket-book. It was the day set for Don Pedro’s funeral, and so Juan had plenty on band to occupy his attention. The funeral took place in the afternoon, and was largely attended, but Juan was not among the mourners. Report had it that he was con- fined to his bed, prostrated with grief, but the truth was, the Don was locked in his dead uncle’s library, from-actual fear of being’ con- spicuous in public, lest there be an uprising ips the indignant citizens, and he be arrest- ed. Then, too, the absence of the family from the house, at the funeral, gave him a much wished- for opportunity to go rammaging through the late Don’s desk and private papers, in advance of any one else, Whether or not Don Pedro had left a will, he was not certain, and it was a matter of consid- erable anxiety to him, for he had strong expecta-" tions of coming in for a large portion of the Mellique fortune, if, indeed, not all of it, for he had always been full as much a favorite with the Don, as had Myra or Nola. ; But if it should turn out that Pedro had not left a will, then the fortune of course would go to Myra, and he, Juan, would be ‘ left,” and bis calculations sadly shattered. In this case, he was fully resolved what he would do. Not to de baffled, he would employ hisnew tool, Simeon Sykes, to draw up a will, in his favor, and thus sweep everything before him. Hence it was that, ere the funeral cortege had left the house, Don Juan was locked in his late uncle’s private library, prepared to make a per gS search of the place, in quest of a will. Don Pedro had been a thorough business man, and his library was furnished with all con- veniences requisite for the rapid enceasy trans- | action of business, and having a strong distrust of banking institutions he kept bis money in a large time-lock safe, of Eastern manufacture. The first thing Juan tried to do, on locking himself in the library, was to open this safe, but he found, to his chagrin, that it could not be done, until the following murning, “Curses seize the safe!” he growled, “If I could only get into it, now, I could appropriate pert of the money, Without any one’s being the - wiser for it, Imiust contrive to be here when the safe unlocks, at nine, to-morrow!” As there was nothing to be hoped for, for the present, so far as the safe was concerned, he. turned his attention to the desks and drawers, and began to rummage through them minutely, and scanning the various documents with which the pigeon-holes were stuffed, ; So much was there of this matter, that time flew faster than he had any idea of; still he searched on, impatiently in hopes of finding something of the sought-for last will and testa. ment. “TJ reckon it’s no use,” he growled, at last. “There’s no will among these papers. If uncle left ohe at all, he most likely put it away in his. sate, along with his money- Confound it, if 1 Td be all right, I presume, Ha!” : This exclamation was caused by a sudden dis- covery. | / In rummaging about one of the desks, he had accidentally touched a secret spring, and what — had hitherto appeared to be but a one side, exposing to view a tiny pigeon-hole, in which were several papers. ;z “The will, at last, I'll wager!” he cried, seiz- panel shot to any of the others, net You stole my affianced bride away from ing the papers, eagerly. “Yes, sure enough, , t ? “4 oi 7 A , ‘ 7 : ) \ ‘ \ ti ‘f. ' your cell. ay,
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there it is: Last Will and Testament of Pedro - Mellique, and dated but a month ago, Hello! what's this? ‘ Confession of a crime, by Pedro Mellique.’ By the heavens, I never knew that my uncle was a criminal. I must look into this matter. Perhaps the confession is something regarding the early history of Nola!” ‘Whether it is, or is not, you will oblige me by handing me over the confession, and also the will? “What! Myra’s voice?’ and Don Juan wheeled around as if thunderstruck. >), Sea Yes! It was Myra. ka The library door was open, and Myra stood in the middie of the room, looking pale, almost Pete NM % J ghostly, in her mourning attire. Lay In her right hand, she clutched a revolver, es om which was Jeveled full at Don Juan, and was iy en cocked, ready for instant use, oe ee The Don uttered an imprecation, as he saw 5 her, and the expression of resolution that leamed from her tear-reddened eyes. .The surprise was most unexpected. “Why, Myra, is it you?’ he said. “‘ What’s the matter with you? Put down that weapon. It might go off!” “Tt will go off, too, unless you hand me over those 2 pabe you hold in your hand,” was the re- 2 ply. “T surprived you, did I? And so I meant. sof played off sick, at the church, and hastened ad home, to find my poor father’s murderer playing thief! Oh! you wretch! I’ve a mind to shoot you down in your tracks!” “ Put away that revolver, and don’t be a fool, or it will be the worse for you!” Juan cried, angrily. ‘‘ D’ye hear?” “T hear but I don’t heed!” was the retort. ‘I mean business, Juan Mellique, and you'll have a painful realization of it, if you don’t hand me J those papers. I’m in no mood for trifling. ij Hand me those papers !” . a “ Curse you, they are nothing to you, They ‘es are mine!’ ‘“‘ Hand me those papers—twice!” Don Juan looked viciously, and still hesitated. ‘‘*Hand me those re ers! third and last time!” fairly screamed Myra. : This time Juan dared not refuse, and with an : aa oath he hurled the documents on the floor, at her feet. Keeping her weapon in hand, ready for in- ; stant use, Myra first picked up the will, and wat proceeded to examine if. ea Juan watched her, like a lynx, expecting by 1 an the expression of her countenance, to divine the ee . gontents of the document; but he was disap- cay jointed, for he could not see that she was in the > ae Teast surprised. “an, ¢ = 543 Rs ae sen eee + Well,” he demanded, interrogatively, ‘‘ what bequests did your father make?” : * Tt does not bequeath anything to you, sir, ne except on conditions!” Myra said, haughtily. ; “Ah! On conditions, eh?” “Yes, on conditions.” ? “And what are these conditions?’ Juan de- manded, eagerly. “They are, that you honor the promise you once made me, Juan Mellique—the promise you dishonorably broke for the sake of my foster- sister!” “You mean for me to marry you?” he sneered. “That is precisely what I mean. When you keep the promise you made, to marry me, | will at: you one half of my father’s money and anded property. Refuse, and you get not a cent!” ‘ ‘Bah! You can’t work that game on me! [ll not believe your father disinherited me until I gee the will. And as for marrying you, that is out of the question, There’s but one person in +he world whom I will marry and she is Nola.” Mvra laughed, sarcastically. ‘You'll never marry her!” she declared, é i Yon have Now-I hate, loathe and you can count upon me as your — / bitter enemy. ‘Tis said that hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and even so will the say- ing hold good, in my case. Nola shall never be your wife. She is too pure and innocent to be- come the wife of such a leper as you. Asa sis- ter I love her, but she shall never come between you and me!” “Bah! how sneered. “How will I help myself, Juan Mellique? Why, before I'll see her your wife, with my own hands I’i] murder you!” she eried. He glared at her a moment, perfectly furious with rage, then, with a vengeful cry, he bound- ed forward, and bore her to the floor, at thesame time wrenching the pistol from her grasp. Then, the gleam of a madman in his eyes, he clutched her throat and choked her until she ceased to struggle, and lay like one dead. Seizing the papers, he regained his feet, put on his hat, and rushed from the house, as if pursued by Satan and all his demons! will you help yourself?’ he CHAPTER XI. BASER THAN THE BASEST. Nowa passed a restless night, the one following Dick’s departure for ** The Turrets” being trou- bled by gravest fears for her husband’s safety. Prior to the hour for retiring the Salems tried their best to cheer her up and cause her to cast aside all apprehensions, but they illy succeeded, for she could not dismiss from her mind the be- lief that Dick was in danger. After retiring, she could not sleep, and soon got upand paced the floor all night long—a fear- ful bridal night’s vigil. It was a great relief when day once more dawned, and long ere the forenoon had halt-ad- vanced she began to watch expectantly for Dick’s return, But, the forenoon passed, and the sun reached the meridian; still no Dick appeared. ‘* Don’t worry, deary,” Mrs. Salem said, sooth- ingly, as, with a sigh, Nola turned away from her patient watch at the window. “It is quite a distance to ‘lhe Turrets,’ and your husband no doubt overrated the time it would take to ac- complish the journey, Rest assured he will re- turn allin good time.” . “No! no! I cannot believe it!’ Nola replied. “T cannot believe that he will ever come back to me alive, I am haunted by some terrible premonition of coming trouble. I seem to feel that a gulf yawns between me and Dick, which can never be bridged, Ob! Mrs. Salem, if he he should prove false to me, it would surely kill me. Oh! I know it would kill me!” “Tut! tut! my dear young lady, for you do your husband an injustice to believe he would be so base!” Mr. Salem spoke up. While his good wife echoed his words. ‘Oh! IT only hope T do! I hope I do! But, try as hard as I will, I cannot shake off this feeling that something is about to happen tha’ will change the whole future course of my life.” “Try and think differently, my dear; you’ve kept worrying until you have worked yourself all into a fever of excitement. Be patient a lit- tle while longer, and if he is not returned by that time I will go and see what I can learn in regard to the mater,” declared the minister. * Oh, thank vou, sir, Youare both very kind to me; and if he should never return, will you ! Jet me make my future home with you, the same as if I were your daughter? I have all this money he left me, and it will be sufficient to pro- vide a comfortable home for us for a very long time.” ‘To be sure you should remain with us, my dear, in casa there should be such a thing as a confirmation of your fears. But, of course, such a thing is not worthy of a thought.” _ But, despite all this reassurance, Nola refused to be comforted, and was literally as restless as a eaged bird. At last it came four o’clock, and still no Dead- wood Dick had put m an appearance. Mr. Salem now began to show some symptoms of anxiety, and at Nola’s pleading consented to go forth and see if be could learn anything in ss al to whether Dick had returned to town or not. j He had not been gone long when Mrs: Salem uttered an exclamation of surprise that quickly prought Nola to her side. : “Why, look here,” the good woman said; ‘some one has shoved this under thedoor. Good stars!-and it’s addressed to-you, too, child!” With a faint ery of alarm Nola snatched from Mrs, Salem’s band the enveloped letter, which had been found thrust in under away the wrapper. ; ry Maaerly she scanned the first few lines; then, / the door, and } 4 , uttering a piteous moan, she reeled and fellto the floor in a dead swoon. nd : Nearly distracted at this occurrence, Mrs. Sa- lem lifted the stricken form and deposited her - on the sufa. Then, rushed for the letter, to learn what was the matter. What she read was written in a masculine hand, and ran as follows: “Santa Fx, September 10, 18—. “Drarest NotA:—I have just returned from ‘The Turrets’ to make one of the most alarming discov- eries of my life. It comes inthe shape of a letter from one i have long believed dead—trom =y first wife, whom I believed to have been killed by the In- dians, over a year ago. She now informs me of her ~ being alive, and is coming here to meet me, ‘* My God! dearest Nola, just_see what a position Iam placed in. I cannot stay here; I must hasten away to intercept herand turn her back. Nola, you will forgive me, I know, for thus unintentionally having wronged you. Heaven knows, if I could only repair the injury I would doso, As it is, you must see that lam powerless. As long as this wife lives I can never be aught vo you, even though I loveyou ; dearly, I must flee forever from here, never again to Toa. look upon your face. Forgive me, Nola, and forget you ever met such a miserable wretch as lam. I amunworthy of Pps simplest thought. Destroy the certificate, and wi h the good minister and his wife to keep your secret no one need ever know that -s you were ever married. : ** As for me, my lips are sealed forever. ‘*God bless you and forgive me! Little wonder poor Nola had fainted! Even Mrs. Salem felt like sinking through the floor, as she read the terrible news conveyed in this lying letter. As soon as she recovered her scattered senses, a she laid the letter on the table, and set to work to restore Nola to consciousness. But she bad undertaken a bigger task than she X could accomplish. | Poor Nola’s swoon was not simply an ordinary fainting spell, but was deep and lasting, and stubbornly refused to yield to ordinary restoratives. oy While the good woman was busied, doing all ig in her power, her husband returned, and Jearned ; the news, with a sad shake of the head, and both he and his wife worked faithfully over the un- ah conscious girl. ee Finally they succeeded in bringing her back to ; the light of reason, and with joy saw her open oe: her eyes; but it was only for an instant, for she j almost immediately went into spasms, and had in one after another in rapid succession, each one rx growing harder than its predecessor. ¥ Now thoroughly alarmed, Mr. Salem hastened away and got a doctor, who looked grave when he saw Nola’s condition, but expressed the opin- ion that he could bring her around all right. He labored steadily until midnight, and at last, succeeded in breaking the spasms by the use of opiates. He then took his departure, leav- ing Nola sleeping peacefully, and promised to we return early in the morning. ; There was no sleep for the eyes of the Salems that night, and with grave faces they sat beside and watched over their protegee with as much anxious concern as though she were in truth their own child. It was the darkest hour before day-dawn, and all Santa Fe was wrapped in quiet, when a foot- step sounded outside the Salem dwelling, and directly a light rap came upon the door. Both the minister and his wife exchanged in- quiring glances. ; Only a moment before, the minister had been expressing it as his opinion that Deadwood Dick, Jr., never was the author of the letter, and now, rx he heard the rap, he arose immediately to bis eet. _ ‘‘Tt’s Richard’s knock,” he said, and immedi- ately opened. the door. Instantly, headed by Don Juan Meliique, half a dozen men pushed into the room, and the door was slammed shut and locked. ‘All the men but Mellique were roughly dressed, armed to the teeth and masked. The Don pre- sented his usval appearance, At sight of the intruders, both the good minis- ter apd his wife retreated to theside of the couch where Nola Jay, as if to shelter and protect ber from harm; but Mellique only uttered a laugh that was full of villainous significance. “Oho! so you're alarmed, you precious pair?” he said, folding his arms across his chest, and glaring at them angrily. ‘‘ You feel dismayed to find yourself in so unenviable a position, = Well, upon my word, I don’t wonder, Td feel he uneasy if I were in your shoes!” fe “Sir, what means this intrusion, at so unseem= ly an ‘hour?’ Mr. Salem demanded, sternly. “Who are you, and what do you want?” Don Juan laughed, hoarsely. “Who are we?” he said, with a leer. “J allow you know who I am, you old Dicr.”’
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4. ar; cristo, Jr. Tm the guardian of that girl yonder, whom you kidnapped from home, and I’ve come for her letter, after which she quickly disappeared. : ‘3 I’m Don Juan Mellique!” - ‘“? Tis false! You are not the young woman’s | sive. * ardian, nor oe Ne kidnap her aoe her home. This was what he read: ) he came to us of her own free will and sought | , . a JUAN Meti-que, Murderer and Monster:— protection from your persecutions. You have | “7 jeave ra late father’s roof, eae for a time. no claim upoo her, for she is already the wife of | During what time you have yet on earth, you can another man! occupy the house if you chouse. Your days, how- “Ts that so? Who is this other man?” ever, ere numbered. and you had better make what ‘Richard Bristol ” reparation is possible, while you have life at your “ Where is he? Show him up!” command, I have taken all the money, so you will 1, He is not here.” moore hoiie to ve: a Varese Is on your tenth end _, Aha! If that girl is married, where’s ber cer- | hey hath no fury like a woman's hate. Myra.” tificate? Show that it you please!” “That is not possible, just now, for it is de- Juan tore the letter into bits, and his brow x posited in other hands for safe-keeping!” clouded darkly, es “You lie, you old vagabond! Give me that ‘* Curse her!” he muttered; venomously. ‘I'd certificate or PU murder you!” rather have a dozen men to fight than her, I ““T repeat, sir, [have not got the certificate, | must indeed be on my guard!” nor is it in this house.” — © Who's got it;then, curse ye?” Just one week later, we look into the spacious **T decline to tell. Murder me if you wili, you | bar-room of the Planter’s Hotel, ruffian, but neither my wife nor [ willgive up It is Saturday night, consequently ‘money ” the secret of the whereabouts of that certifi- | night for many a thirsty pilgrim, and the crowd cate!” assembled to sample Jim Burns’s beverages is j ‘Ye won't, hey! Well, bythe gods, you’re a | large and varied; while in the adjoining card- bravo, ain’t you? But Ill clip your spurs before | room money is changing hands rapidly, among I'm through with you. Wake up that girl an’ | excited devotees of the game. tell her I want her. She belongs to me!” Among those ranged along the bar, we recog- ‘* No! no! you shall not disturb her!” the min- | nize our veteran friend, Old Avalanche, the ister cried, excitedly. ‘‘ Youcannot awaken her | Great Annihilator. for she was taken very ill to-night, and the doc- Evidently the old man had but recently ar- tor put her under the influence of opiates. She | rived, for, after getting a drink, he drew away 3 must not be disturbed!” from the bar and proceeded to ‘size up” the - ‘* She mustn’t, hey? Well we'll see. Stand | crowd, who were continually passing into and x aside there, you pair of idiots!” and drawing a | out of the saloon. By-and-by, he took a look in- knife, the ruffian rushed savagely upon them. to the card room, but, evidently, did not find “No! no! you shall not touch her!” fairly | the person he was looking for. shrieked both the minister and his wife, main- Finally, he strolled into the hotel office, and taining their position in front of the couch. | found the ever genial Jim Burns there presid- ‘4 ** You shall not touch the child!” ing. But vain was their attempt to shield her. **Be you ther chap who runs this hyer she- With merciless fury the Don bore down upon |} bang, cap’n?” the Annihilator interrogated, them, and his knife flashed swiftly through the | after scrutinizing Burns's herculean proportions. air. : “Waal, yes, allow I’m somewhat that Two screams of mortal agony and the min- | same,” was the good-natured reply. ‘ What ister and his wife fell to the floor. can Ido for you, pardner?” Quickly , raising the insensible form of ** Well,” replied Avalanche, mebbe ye can’t Nola in his arms, Don Juan turned to hiscom-|do nuthin’, an’ then, ag’in, mebbe you kin. panions: Reckon how as mebbe you've got a purty good “*Quick! now!” he ordered. ‘Fire the she- | memory fer names, eh?” bang in a dozen places, for no evidence of this “‘ Tolerably fair. Lookin’ fer some one?” crime must be left behind. Noone knows the ‘*Jes’so. Ye see, thar war a friénd o’ mine 2 irl was here, and we must be well away from | kim down hyer, long back awhile ago, in charge Tice ere daybreak!” of a corpse, an’ as he’s most generally gittin’ The order was obeyed. ‘The house was fired in | himself into some tarnal deeficulty, I allowed et several places, Then the gang mounted and | behooved me to take a ‘waltz down this way an’ | sped away through the night as fa t as their | see what had become of him.” Mee horses would carry them; and when morning “Ah! yes. Yousay he come in charge of a J dawned the Salem home was in ashes, and two | corpse?” di shapeless, indistinguishable masses of smolder- ‘“Yes. ON Te ig ye eee ners
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— inhis power! Sd expec ‘kind and considerate Watched - you were labyrinth of mysterious hiding-places, where ‘one « could be hidden away im defiance of the st search.” ever ye mind,” the Annihilator assured, « Jest ye show me ther place, an’ we'll do ther bizness ef it takes a month o’ Sundays ter do et in, “Pm with you. Ill leave you now, and to- morrow we will meet, and perfect further ar- rangements,” The two separated, the Annihilator soon after- ward turning in for the night, in a very anx- fous and excited state of mind. CHAPTER XITI, FOR A FATHER’S SAKE. A LAPSE of one month more. Once more we are at the chateau-like old structure among the wilds of the New Mexican mountains. As we enter the great hall, and glance into the parlor and other lower apartments, we No- tice a great change since our last visit. The carpets have been swevt, the windows washed, the pictures rearranged, the furniture reburnished and repaired, and cheery fires burn upon the hearth in more than one room. Tn fact, everything indicates that The Turrets now is a place of human abode rather than a rookery for night-owls. _ The great hall and winding-stairs have been newly carpeted. Just outside the grand en- trance a liveried attendant, in Spanish costume ae armed with a magazine rifle, paces to and . fro Passing up the stairs, we finally come to the great front chamber, with vaulted ceiling and antique carved panel walls, Here again we find evidence of elaborate refurnishing. Just without the entrance we also encounter another armed sentinel, nearly a counterpart in appear- ance to the one below. Within the chamber all is warmth and cheeri- ness, with a cheery fire blazing upon the hearth, the furniture and adornments tastefully ar- ranged, and neatness and cleanliness visible everywhere, In a partially curtained alcove isa luxuriant bed of snowy whiteness, but it is now unoccu- pied, for, bolstered up in a great easy-chair, neat the ‘fire, is the invalid for whom all these comforts have been specially provided, A young lady, not yet out of her teens but very pale and wan, and evidently convalescin from a severe illness—a beauteous creature, wit a face of marvelous sweetness, even though the roses have faded from her cheeks, and her eyes wear a wearied, saddened expression. Arrayed in a soft satin dressing-gown, and wearing her hair becomingly arranged, we still reco Nola. A prettily-attired waiting maid, flitting here and there, attracts the fair invalid’s attention, and she summons her. “Come here, Leonora.” “Yes, my lady. What can I do for you?” ry ‘ Nothing, only draw your chair, here, by mine. I want to talk to you.” Leowora obeyed, and when seated the invalid went on: ‘*T have been very sick, have I not?” “Yes, ma’am—very, very sick, For weeks you have been Mngering at death’s door,” “Would to God I had died. To live, with me, is worse than death, I am at ‘The Tur- rets’ am I not?” “Yes, ma’am,” “ How came I here?” “T donot know, ma’am, You were here when I was brought here to nurse you.’ ‘Then, I am a prisoner?” “No, not exactly, although you will not be rmitted to leave the place, without the mas- "s order's.” ** By the master, you mean Don Juan?” BS ye mer if I C on me, if I am again sower! Where By "" “He has not been here, for several days, but ted at any minute. He has been very aris you, ma’am, and has seemingly dore all in his power to make your surroundings pleasant. He has tearfully by your bedside, when we all thought ying, and everything for your bene- oth that A etl "could procure, has found its way Pent yes, and all this he has dore, in the vain Hope of advancing his own selfish interests,” pris ma’am, I do not think so. There can- a fa io a oubt but what the Doe loves you de- he learned of your hasty mar- riage ng, was. eee heart-broken, and I am ‘i \ \ confident he gave. up all i But, after the railway accident, whereat your husband and his first wife both lost their lives—” ‘“ What! my husband dead?” ‘“‘Nay, not your husband, ma’am, for the man had no claim upon you. He wasa rank impostor, ma’am, for not only was he married to the woman tor whom he so cruelly forsook you, but has still another wife living in Texas, as has since been proven, So you have reason to be thankful that matters never came to any worse pass than they did!” *“No! no! This is not true, what you are tell- ing me! I cannot, will not believe it. You are but a toolof Don Juan, placed here to poison my mind against the only man I ever loved.” *“You are wrong, my lady, I assure you. What I have told you is true, ‘and, so far as the Don is concerned, he has never uttered a word of instructions w hat I was to say to you, my only orders being to watch closely that you wanted for nothing. He has been exceedingly kind to ycu, and when you are a little stronger, has a great surprise in store for you, which he feels hopeful will so soften your feeling gs toward him, that you will consent to become ‘his wife.” “Indeed! And what is the surprise that could soften my heart toward him?’ ‘* Well, you see, my lady, Don Pedro is dead, and since his death papers have come to lig rhtre- vealing that he was a very bad man, It: seems that years ago Don Pedro “committed a hor rible triple murder, and that your father, Nathan Norris, was a witness to the crime,.and threat- | ened to give Pedro up to justice, "Pe dro, how- ever, sec oured his capture, and ever since has held him a close prisoner in this place, hiring a hideous dwarf to guard against your fat her's escape, This dwart being partly demented and afraid of strangers has in some unaccountable manner gained the sobriauet of the Man-Dragon, but be is simply a half lunatic of pai inful de- formity, for I have seen him. Hes very sly, however, and I don’t believe Satan himself could cate h bim,” ‘“* But, my father!—where is he?’ ‘* At liberty about the house, ut not as yet permitted to leave it until the Don sees you.” ‘*Ah! I see. The Don proposes to use my father as an instrument by which to force me to marry him?’ ‘*T know not, lady, more than that the Don is determined to have you for his wife, and I heard him say that if you married him your father should go free, a rich man. So, if I were you, I would yield to bis wishes.” ‘*Has my father seen me-yet?” “Yes, several times since you have been ill, but you were out of your mind and recognized no one.’ “Go, bring this man here, whom they say is my father,” Nola ordered. hi now.” “Oh! but, miss, I wouldn’t dare to, without the master’s directions. He would be very angry with me!” ““Go and do as I direct!” Nola commanded, authoritatively. ‘If I am to be mistress of ‘The Turrets "} I will take command now!” Leonora looked fr ightened, but, after hesitat- ing a moment, and seeing that ‘she was re »ally expected to obey. she arose and left the room, while Nola composed herself as best she could to meet the man who was reported to be her father. She fancied it would take but a glance for her to tell whether it was her father, or whether it was an impostor, put up to lure her into marry- ing the Don Although : it was: ten years ago, when she was a child of eight, since she had seen her father, she still retained in her memory a faint recol- lection of how he then looked—enough, at any \intee: so that she still believed she might recog- nize him. So it was with keenest interest she awaited his coming. Some ten minutes was Leonora absent; then ‘the chamber-door opened and she entered, * Jead- ing a man by the arm—a man some fifty years | of age, with a tall, attenuated figure, thin fea- and sunken eyes, and whose sweeping and tong hair were ss white as driven “TI will see ance, and a pair of handcuffs secured his wrists together in front of him. » He advanced slowly, hesitatingly toward Nola, as if fearful that’ she would repulse his approach. eir gaze met—by one intuition they knew each other—in an instant more he was kneeling snow. He was potas clad, yet cleanly in appear- ; peed her, and her arms lovingly encircled his | ~~ BR a a ten eases 5 . a —— " -_ i. “ ae Wa be you, or am I dreaming?” rent No, my child, lam your father, indeed, and | praise be ‘God that Iam spared to gaze upon your face once more—you, my little Nola, whom I have not seen for ten long years, and never expected to see again, in this life. Verily, could now die, without a’murmur of regret, for I have lived to see you grow toa glorious w ‘omanhood, the image of your mother who passed away be- fore you 43 grown to an age of understand~- ing.” **Speak not of dying, dear father, when we have but just found each other. For each other’s comfort and happiness, I trust we have y et many years to live!” ** Alas! my child, you know not all. Now that you have come back from the portals of ,death, at which for weeks you have lingered, we must soon part again. Ton know not all, my child, and J—-I cannot tell you!” “TF do’ know ‘all, father—every thing. Mellique has sworn to possess me as fis wife, and to attain that end, willstop at nothing. He proposes to make you the instrument with which to for ce me to marry him,” “Ay! ay! my child; you speak the truth ofly too truly. It is even so.’ “If I refuse to marry him he will cast yow | back into the dungeon.’ “*Even worse than that, I fear. He has told me that if you refuse to marry him, when he asks you again, he will have me killed before your eyes. Oh! God, it is terrible—terrible!” “ Be not in despair, dear father, for no harm. shall come to you, Instead, I will marry him, and you shall’ be free, once mor e, to go forth in- | to the world wheresoever you w il.” ‘*No! no! my child, it cannot, shall not. be. You shall never sacrifice your pure young life to that inhuman monster, to save my life—ne never! I am not afraid to die. Better death than ten years more of imprisonment. Indeed, Juan now that God has spared me to gaze upon your . angel face, to take your hand in mine, and re- ceive your ‘kisses upon my furrowed brow, Ican say I am quite content to yield up this troublous life, in hopes of the gi eat and glorious future re- demption! ? ‘* Nay, say notso,. Were you a hundred times willing and prepared to go, it shall not be so. I will marry Juan Mellique whenever he sbali demand it, but, it need only be in word of speech, Once the knot is tied, and you are free, there is no law in the country to force me te live with him. So, cheer up, for all will yet come out right. I ‘already eel nerved with a mighty and a righteous power and resolve to outwit this demon, and I will do sc!” ‘* Bravely spoken, my heroic child! But I shudder at the thought of your taking even the name of such a detestable scoundrel!” “It matters little. The only man I ever loved, but you dear parent, is now dead, they say, and so it matters little whose name I bear, as long as I have you to live for. So be of pee heart, “for I see brighter light beyond all dark clouds that hover around’ us. Teneo tells me the Don will be here to-day, and if he asks me to marry him, and sets you free, my answer will be ‘ yes!” * Which proves that you have at last come to your senses!” cried a meant-to-be pleasant voice, and Don Juan, fashionably attired, stepped into the room. ‘You will excuse me, I pray,” he added, af ologetically, ‘‘ but I arrived’ just in time to- catch your last w ords, and could not resist the temptation to come in, And so, at last you will: consent to become mine, Donna Nola?” “To save my father’s life, and secure his liberty, I will make the sacrifice,” Nola re- ized. “Noble girl! But, it need not necessarily be a sacrifice, as I shall ever strive to make you content and bappy. even though you say you bear ne no love. And, when shall the nuptial knot be tied, ma belle ”* ‘As soon as suits you, after I feel a little ’ stronger.” “Say, to-morrow evening, at eight, then.” ** As well, then, as any time, 1 suppose.” “Very well. We will consider it so settled. Mr. Norris?” “ Well, sir.” “ Give me your wrists, and I will remove the ts Bs handcuffs, But, IT shall insist upon your re- maining here until after the ceremony.* “Certainly. I shall remain.” ‘“* Very well. There! You are now at lib to enjoy the Donna’s society to the full idee I trust that in the future, our mut lations will be of the pleasantest cha must now hasten back to the aityg to ead . - + ataee = a. «PS ei Waiais 4: } ‘ BS ad ¥ ry r~' 7 » , ig Pa i sdlinhadh MS sch to oh Ec Ye BSCE onic my own long-lost father! Can this fs
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‘to undertake the journey hither!’ sparations, for I intend to have a spread-out fit ‘tor a prince, and as many guests present as care And, soon after, the elated Don took his de- yparture, CHAPTER XIV. IN DURANCE VILE—AND OUT, AND, now, dear reader, let’s return to one, ~whom we have neglected too long—to Dead- wood Dick Junior, in his dungeon. After the departure of Don Juan and Simeon ‘Sykes, he stood Jeaning against the grated door -of his cell, a prey to most harassing thoughts. Here he was, a prisoner, far from human help, with no prospect of ever leaving the place alive —a situation to make the heart of the bravest man quail within him. For some time he stood, not even making an effort to release the cords that confined his feet, Finally, however, he sat down upon the floor, and slowly began’to pick away at the knot. As soon as he got his feet unbound, he arose and searched his pockets, and was in a measure elated to find two articles had not been removed from his person, namely, his watch, and his small tin box of matches. The first thing was to strike a light, and ldok at the time, and he found that it was much later than he had supposed—nearly three o’clock A.M. After winding up his watch—for that now seemed like a near and dear friend to him—he struck another match, and by its light was able to get a pretty fair idea of his new quarters. he dungeon was about ten feet square by eight in hight, and had apparently been blasted out of the solid rock, The door of heavy iron bars swung on ponderous hinges, and was secured by a lock that would scarcely have yielded to the persuasion of a battering-ram. At the rear of the room through a little groove, ran astream of pure water, that found its en- trance to and exit from the dungeon by crevices in the rock. The furniture was better than Dick had reason to expect. There was a long wooden settee, with a pillow and several heavy blankets; a chair, a small table, a bucket, wash-basin, towel, and a tin cup, and in one corner, a pile of resin- ous pine fagots, Dick soon had one of these converted into a torch, and thrustinto a crevice; then, by count- ing the fagots and his matches, he figured it -out that he would be able to keep~ himself in light for a month or more, providing he did not burn it steadily. ‘Well, that’s ene point in my favor,” he mused. “If they give me bread enough, I fancy I shall be able to keep alive for a time at least.” The first twenty-four hours of his imprison- ment passed without any one coming near the dungeon, and so did the second. By this time, having had nothing to eat since jeaving Santa Fe, ho was, of course, feeling famished, At noon of the third day Sykes made his first appearance, and shoved a loaf of bread through, between the bars. _ “Get your drink out of the rill,” he said -gruffly, and then hurried away, After that, when Dick awoke each morning, he found a loaf inside his cell door, but saw mothing of the one who brought it, And thus the days dragged on. By the time the first week was up, the monot- ony of the situation bad grown almost unbear- able, and the prisoner was beginning to feel desperate. Already he had racked his brain in vain, trying to invent some scheme of escape; but at last he was forced to give up in despair. Without outside aid there was no way of escap- ing from that underground cell in the rock. The first break to the monotony came the sec- ond Sunday of his incarceration, rather unex- pectedly. He was lying on the settee, in utter _ darkness, not wishing to burn any more than ossible of the fagots, when he heard stealthy ootsteps approaching down the hall outside, and saw the reflection of a light. A moment more, @ strange-looking being, lantern in hand, came to a balt in front of the door, and peered in through the grating. _ The story of the Man-Dragon instantly flashed across Dick’s mind, and he, sat up on his bed and surveyed the object without in great curi- sity. Bic beheld a short but powerfully-built dwarf, with a huge hump on his back; a face lit up by a large and bright pair of eyes; a man past with pa ~ middle , apparently, whose face was dotted tehies P : of beard, and whose shock of red- ey | Monte ©: isto, jr le dish hair effect, I escaped from the house, however, eluded pur- _ He held the lantern so that the light streamed | suit, and returned here by a secret route known into the furthermost part of the dungeon, and |! only to myself. When have told you all I fell upon the prisoner, at whom he glared | have to say you shall have your liberty, provid- steadily. ing you will avenge my death!” At which Dick called out: % No need to ask me that, for if I ever get “I say there, Mr, Ogre, who are you, and ! free, Don Juan shall surely die—the infamous grew straight upward, giving a fierce what do you want?” villain that he is!” was Dick’s fierce reply. There was no answer, except a hideous grin, “ Then it is well. fave you any of the whis- followed by a guttural sort of a chuckle; then | ky left which I brought you?” the ** ogre” turned abruptly away, and his cat- ** Plenty of it.” like footsteps died out, in the distance. “Then give me a swallow, for it will help to ** Well, shoot me for a shrimp, if that ain’t an | keep up my strength until I have done,” odd sort of cuss!” Dick communed. “That Dick procured the canteen, and he took a must be the individual they call Man-Dragon, | copious drink, after which he seemed to brace He’s ugly enough to frighten a midnight cat | up, wonderfully. into fits. I hope my abrupt address didn’t scare “Well,” he said, finally, ‘‘ for the past ten him off, Even an occasional peep at such a | years I have been in the employ of Don Pedro sight is preferable to this endless monotony. Mellique, now deceased, J have acted as jailer He spent the remainder of the day in conjec- | over a man who has been imprisoned in a dun- ture as to whether the dwarf would return | geon not far from this, and the Don paid me well again, or not, and late in the evening his patience | and instead of hoarding up my money, I have was rewarded by seeing the ugly face once more | spent the mest of it toward providing for the outside the bars. comfort of my prisoner, as he will te you when This time the dwarf carried, in addition to the | you see him.” lantern, a package done up in brown paper, **Do I know him?” which, after some squeezing, he succeeded in “He is the father of Donna Nola, Don Pedro’s pushing through between the grates, into the | adopted daughter. His name is Nathan Norris, dungeon. and he has been a prisoner here these ten years, Then, he retreated, as silently as he had come. | because he held the secret of Don Pedro having Hastily lighting a torch, Dick proceeded to | committed an atrocious murder, and fearful of give the package an examination, and found it | being betrayed, the Don kept him locked up.” to contain several other packages. ** Where is he now?” Opening these, imagine his surprise to find “In the mansion above, where both he and that one contained a quantity of chipped venison, | Nola are held as prisoners, The Donna has another some raw bear meat, a third a tin can- | been very ill for weeks, and is only now ¢conva- teen of whisky, and the fourth a pipe, some | lescing. "To-morrow night, at eight o’clock, she smoking tobacco, and a quantity of matches, will become Don Juan’s wife!” To say that our Monte Cristo was. elated ** What! she marry that devil? Never!” and would be “‘drawing it mild.” He felt like giving | Dick sprung to his feet, excitedly. a war-whoop of joy. ; “ As I say, she will marry him, unless you in- Such a streak of luck was something entirely | terfere, which you must do!” unexpected, and he felt even though he might ** But, explain. Ido not understand. Surely not succeed in making his escape, he at least had | Nola would never consent to marry the Don, a friend in the dwarf, knowing herself to be my wife.” The days dragged by, and lengthened into ‘*Tt is to save her father’s life. The Don has weeks, but each day, a package similar to the | promised to set Nathan Norris free, providing first, found its way into Lick’s dungeon. Nola marries him, On the contrary, if Nola But, now, the morning ration of bread ceased | were to refuse, the Don has sworn fo kill her to come. father before her very eyes. So you see the fix Dick understood the significance of this! sheis in. Having been assured that you are Don Juan proposed to starve him to death. dead, she prefers to marry the Don rather than Dick felt perfectly well satisfied that the stuff | see her parent slaughtered in cold blood, Noone brought him by the dwarf, was brought un- | can really blame her, either. Sut, you must be known to the demon Don! on hand, to prevent the marriage!” Notwithstanding that he was still a prisoner, “Ay! I will be there, if you will get me out of Dick coald but feel grateful toward the dwarf, | this accursed den. I will yet baffle that hell- and several times sought to express, his grati- hound, Juan Mellique—a fit companion only for tude in words, but the attempt proved literally | wolves.” fntile, for the grotesque creature never spoke, ‘*T will show you how to leave here. But, nor byany action acknowledged that he compre- | first, here are important papers that I wish to hended the prisoner’s meaning. consign to your care. Here is the deed to ‘The As silently as be came, thus silently did he | Turrets,’ in Jose Mellique’s name, and the will depart, making you heir. These were stolen ‘from the The days wore away, until six weeks had pass- | surrogate’s office, by Sykes, and given to Juan edsinee Dick had entered upon his imprison- | who neglected to destroy them. Here is the will ment, ° of Pedro Mellique, making his daughter bis sole The same night that witnessed the meeting of | legatee. I stole these away from Juan’s room, Nola Norris and her father, the dwarf once | because I hate him, but it was at the cost of my more appeared at the door of Dick’s dungeon. life, I will show you, now, how to leave these He brought only the lantern now. for he had | vaults, and then [ will return todie, You had been to the cell once before that day, with pro- | best hasten at ence te Santa Fe, disguise your- visions, and his second visit was a matter of | self, and Jay some plan to be present at the wed- some surprise to Dick. ding. I will add that Don Juan bas five desper- As he approached the cell, Dick saw that he | ate men guarding ‘The Turrets,’ and you will staggered, perceptibly, and then perceived that | therefore act accordingly. Now, take my arm there was a bloody wound in his left breast. and I will show you the way out. You will fin Without so much as a word, the dwarf pro- | horses in the gulch, which you will enter, when duced a \key, unlocked the door, and entering | you leave here, and you had best get out of the the dungeon, reached out through the grating | neighborhood as secn as possible.” ; and relocked the door from the outside. Most willingly Dick tock the key and unlocked Dick watched this proceeding with no little | the door, then, equipped with the lantern, and wonderment, but refrained from speaking, supporting Wolfraven ‘on his arm, he stepped The dwarf next placed the lantern on the | from the dungeon, once more a free man! table, and then seated himself upon the single | For some minutes they walked along through chair, and for a moment gazed steadfastly at the | winding subterranean passages; then came to prisoner, with his great wild eyes. ‘ where a stone staircase wound upward, ‘“You are Deadwood Dick?” he finally said, | ‘This leads to the mansion above!” Wolfraven interrogatively. : explained, “so, mark it well, for you may have ** Correct.” to use if on your return, The exit is a little fur. ** And a prisoner of Juan Mellique?” ther on.” by “Right again,” Tn a couple of minutes more they came to what “Tam Jareck Wolfraven, sometimes called by | was evidently the end of the passage, for the the superstitious the Man-Dragon. For years | were confronted by a mass © bowlders, bot “The Turrets” has been my home. I have hid- | laree and small, “ den myself away from the world because of my | _ Push this one side,” Wolfraven explained, in- hideousness, Jam now mortally wounded, and | dicating one of the lot. fast nearing my end, and to you J wanttomake | Dick obeyed, and found to his surprise that it my ante-mortem statement.” Swung easily inward, as if on a pivot. e* ‘Very well. Go ahead, But are, you sure| An opening was revealed only large enough your wound is 9s dangereus as you state?” for a person to creep through lying flat upon the ‘Yes, I am satisfied on that score. I stole | ground, A some papers from Don Juan to-night, and he ' “ “That opens into a clump of bushes, in the — { . <r caught me at it and gave me my death wound, ~
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gulch below ‘The Turrets,’ ” the dwarf explained. ** Should you return this way, all you have todo is to creep into the hole, push against the rock, and it will admit you. Now, go, and may you succeed in defeating Juan Mellique and aveng- e ing me!” Me. a ot without sincere regret at leaving the ee hee dwarf to die in that dismal solitude, Dick bade ns i him farewell, first counseling him to pray to the 3 4 good Father of all for mercy. a Then he crept from the vault, and in five min- } utes was mounted and speeding away toward f Santa Fe, . ae ; CHAPTER XV. | SILENCING A WITNESS. Ir was scarcely mid-forenoon, when Deadwood Dick, Junior, arrived in the vicinity of the city, the next day. 2 He did not ride immediately into the place, but 4 toa chaparral in the neighborhood, where he had securely cached a variety of earns. j Here he spent an hour or more; then he had ae undergone a great change, for he was attired in i a fine broadcloth suit, with a silk hat, and had i the appearance of a gentleman of leisure, A He wore an sonar wig, and a stunning > pair of side-whiskers and mustache of the same “i shading, and, altogether, there was something eo so decidedly foreign about his make-up that he could easily have been mistaken for a well-to-do ee nabob from across the Atlantic. 4 Certain it was, no one would have recognized j| as him as Deadwood Dick. ih He went straight to_ the Planter’s Hotel, e | add finding Proprietor Jim Burns at liberty, sought and secured an interview with him. Then, much to the hotel-keeper’s astonishment, he made known bis identity, and narrated all ; about what had happened in the past six weeks, ie and what was about to happen that night. ‘Well, that beats a novel all holler!” Burns ui declared. ‘‘ On course ye’r’ goin’ ter try to stop o ther weddin’?” ) ¥f Most assuredly, And I want your co-opera- ia tion. Se Bt All right! I’m with ye, tooth an’ toe- il! ae ‘‘Good. You're the right man, in the right nta Fe?” Wy com A Burns took his pipe from his mouth, with an Sg ree air of vast importance, | ee ‘Waal, ef ther Circuit Court knows anythin vf about herself, and she rather think she do, +5 happen ter be thet same indevidual.” ig? “Indeed? Then, better yet. I want you to be at ‘The Turrets,’ to-night, with a posse of men who are not afraid to fight if it comes to ae. © fight. I can get you into the house all right and bel) at a given signal, you are torush in and arrest , I Melliqae.” me. + right! I’m ready to do all I can to fetch “ie? the ae to Limerick. An’ thar’s a man yonder aes as I kin count on fer one!” and he pointed out of the window to where a man Was passing along the street. Dick was on his feet in an instant. ** Old Avalanche!” he ejaculated. ; 4 ‘* Just 80. He’s been around here quite awhile, Ma _ a-lookin’ fer a feller about your size. Been a- aS scoutin’ up around ‘The Turrets,’ fer about a ig, a month, tryin’ ter get inter the shebang, but i.’ hain’t succeeded. Guess the old chap’s "bout gi’n out in disgust.” “Not he! But, call him in, and quiz him. Something worth knowing may be learned, Mention no of my presence.” - Burns obeyed, and the Annihilator was soon wored in the parlor. uch, but 1 allow thar’s some ‘ahead. Can’t-say’s we'll find Dickey, , fer I've gut an achin’ in me bones thet he’s ! Toni pshaw! You mustn’t git down fin the mouth, On what is your prospect of success wed, my old friend?” 76 : ye see I’ve got one o’ ther Spaniard’s «en ter consent to turn evidence “ nim, an’ as soon as we kin capture the cuss, inter the jug he goes He’s guilty of two murders, an’ even ef I ken’t find Dickey, I’ll make the Don hump!” ‘Two murders, you say?” “Yas, The Don hev got Donna Nola shut up, _ at ‘The Turrets.’. He stole her away from the ‘ Spinister:s faneily, where sho was stayin’, killed the minister and wife wi’ his own hands, and then had the housé fired to hide ther crime.” _ “ Will the fellow Swear to this!” ein are Now, who is deputy-sheriff, here, in Monte Cristo, Jr. ““Yes, He war one 0’ the gang as went to the house. The Don done all the killin’.” ‘* Where is the fellow?” .*T can get him in a jiffy.” “Then fetch him atonce. A warrant shall be got out immediately. Do you know if the Don | is in town?” | | ‘* No; don’t know just where the beast is.” ‘Well, never mind. Mention nothing of an | intended arrest lest some harm come to the girl, We'll nab the devil at ‘The Turrets’ to-night!” Avalanche took his departure, and then Burns turned to Dick. ‘* Well, what do you propose to do, pard?” “Pye hit upon the very plan,” Dick replied, ‘* How many men will you take with you? “ Right.” ‘Very well. Here is my plan. The party must start from here, so as to arrive in the gulch at dusk, I will show you how to gain en- trance to ‘The Turrets’ by way of the under- ground vaults, Then, with one of your party, I will leave you.” ** What to do?” ‘We will ride to the main entrance to ‘The Turrets,’ and I will send in a card, requesting an interview with the Don, representing myself to be a lawyer who has come to see him in re- gard to a fortune that has been left to a former member of his uncle’s family, named Nola Nor- ris, information of whose whereabouts I seek. Avaricious scoundrel, he will bite at the bait, and [ll get the interview. Then I'll play my cards so well, that I'll get an invitation to re- main at the wedding. See?” “Good! You’ve got a level head!” “At eight o’clock the ceremony is to take place. You are to be within easy hearing dis- tance of three sharp whistles. When you hear them, you are to rush into the parlor and nab your man,” The plan was so promising that it was at once adopted, and preparations were quietly and rapidly made for the denouement which that night was destined to witness. ‘ozer, the man who was to stand evidence against the Don, was produced, and his affidavit taken, and on the strength of it warrants were issued for Juan’s arrest, and placed in the hands of Deputy Burns. Other necessary arrangements were perfected, and by noon all was in readiness for a start for **The Turrets.” In the mean time there is another scene of our story we must not omit. Don Juan had arrived in Santa Fe early that morning, and in a couple hours’ time had started off a posse of caterers fur “The Turrets,” equipped with everything needed for a grand ‘“spread-out” after the marriage ceremony. After this was arranged he proceeded to the Mellique residence, and busied himself for a couple of hours in packing up his and Nola’s personal effects, for it was his intention to take a bridal tour East on the morrow. He had only just finished, when the door- bell rung, and Simeon Sykes was shown in. 3 ! going away?” the scoundrel confederate asked, on seeing the trunks. ‘* Yes, on a two weeks’ bridal tour. Nola be- comes mine, to-night.” ‘* Ah! then, all’s well, I infer.” ‘* Well, yes—that is in one sense. In another, allis not well. Sykes, 1 was robbed of those valuable papers, last night. I caught Wolf- raven in my roona, at ‘The Turrets.’ He had broken open a drawer, and secured the docu- ments. I shot him, but he leaped from a win- .dow and escaped. ‘Sykes, you must go to ' The Turrets,’ take charge of my men, and scour the country in search of that accursed dwarf. He must be found, and the | pa now recovered, if it costs a fortune, I think I mortally wounded scout, what’s Ma best word?” Burns a cuss, and it may nut be a hard matter to So take c of the case during m absence, and if you recover the papers it wi “4 another feather in your nest.” “And if I don’t?” ae asked, seating him- self on a trunk, and lig ting a cigar. Why, Pi Pay ou for your work, of course.” _‘‘Humph! Well, you see, it’s this way, Mel- lique: I'm getting sore tired of taking promises for pay, and that sort of business won’t work any longer. see “What do you mean?” ‘“‘ Well, I mean that I’ve been playing in with you long enough without receiving any pay, and I’ve come here, to-day, to settle up accounts to date.” / ‘Indeed? It strikes me ahead of yourself ain’t you “Not a bit of it! It takes money to buy tite for honey, ay, is un- honey, and my a casually sharp. You've got plenty of cash, and ’re getting rather can settle up now, better’n after your wedding trip, no doubt.” . “Oh! well, I dare say it makes but little dif- ference, so far as that is concerned. How much do you want?” ‘* The full amount of what you owe me.” “Indeed! And how much is that? I do not know that any special price has been set.” ‘*No, for I allow I’m the one to set the price.” “Set it, then. I’ve notime to parley over small matters like that!” ‘*Correct. I want, for what I’ve already done, a round ten thousand dollars.” ‘“* What?” Don Juan looked thunderstruck, for a moment; then he burst imto a harsh laugh, ‘* Youre a cool, Sykes.” ‘*Pve named my price,and I intend te have it!” was the grim reply. ‘* Have you gone mad, man?” ** Not at all, [ mean business!” “Then, you’d better go tosome one else, to talk your business with. Yow lllive to be as old as Methuselah before you do any of that sort of business with me.” ‘““Willl? We'llsee. I want ten!” ** You'll never get a tenth part of iti” ‘* Then, look out for me!” ** What do you mean” ‘*Business! No wedding at ‘The Turrets? to- night!” Don Juan’s eyes gleamed dangerously at this. “Who will prevent it?” he hissed, venom- way ‘“*T will,” Sykes replied, coolly. ‘If my de- mand for the ten thousand dollars is not imme- diately satisfied, I will go to the proper author- ities, expose all your criminal acts, and have you locked up within the hour.” The Don uttered a fearful oath. ** You hell-hound, you dare not turn traitor!” he cried. ‘*But I dare, though,” Sykes declared. ‘So decide at once. Shall I have my price?” ‘* Never! I will see you in Tophet first.” ‘““Very well. If I meet you there, you'll know, me. I must be going now, so good- morning!” and rising, he strode toward the door. The moment his back was turned, a pistol gleamed in the Don’s grasp. Conscious of his peril, Sykes made a quick leap to get out of the room, but just too late: there was a flash, a sharp report, and with a wild yell the lawyer reeled and went crashing: to the floor. An instant later, Don Juan was bending over him, ‘*Dead, sure enough!” he muttered; “and now, I alone hold my secrets. I must secrete his body, and away from here ere more intru- ders come. To-morrow I will mortgage every- thing for whatever 1 can get, and flee with my bride to parts of the country where the name of: Juan Mellique is unknown!’ CHAPTER XVI. A STARTLING DENOUEMENT. Just as the dusky shadows were beginning te settle over the landscape that evening, two horse- men rode up to the main entrance to The Tur- rets and drew rein, One was Deadwood Dick, Junior, in his dis- guise of an aristocratic-appearing foreigner; the other was a roughly-d chap, who was well known in Santa Fe as an able guide. The sentinel, who patrolled to and fro in front. of the entrance to The Turrets, at once advanced to meet the new arrivals. “Who are you, and what’s your business?” he demanded gruffiy, holding his rifle in a ready attitude. “Tama ue from the East who has called to see Don Juan on a matter of business,” Dick explained. ‘The Don will not receive visitors to-night,” the sentinel replied. ‘* You will have to call an- other time.” x _ ‘That will be impossible, sir. My business is important, and I must see him now. Here, [ will give you my card. Be kind enough to see that it reaches him.” : Dick drew from his pocket an ordinary busi- ness card, on one side of which was printed: “HENRY GIBSON, “ Counselor at Law, * Caicaao,” On the back of this Dick wrote, in pencii: “Don MELLIQuE:— ESE “‘Srr:—l have called to see you in reference to ~ fortune left to one Nola Norris, a tome resident of Santa Fe. tie H. Gipson
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Giving this card to the sentinel, he directed: Convey that to the Don, and he will under- | Stand.” The man nodded and disappeared within the mansion, He soon returned, however, and said: ‘“Tt’s all right. Dismount and comein, The Don wiil see you in the parlor.” Bidding his companion await outside, Dick dismounted, and was ushered into the great par- jor, where, faultlessly attired, the Don received him politely. “T am glad to meet you, sir,” he’said, ‘‘al- though I had given out orders not to be dis- furbed. By your card, I infer that you are a lawyer.” « ** Exactly, from Chicago, and arrived in Santa ¥e to-day, in search of a Miss Norris, to whom a large fortune has been left by a distant rela- tive. She had been a member of the family of one Pedro Mellique, but I learned that Pedro ‘was dead, and the present whereabouts of Miss Norris were unknown. An acquaintance of the family, however, advised me to come here and see you, suggesting that you might be able to give me her address.” ‘Quite right, sir; Miss Norris is here at pres- ent, and is to become my wife at eight this even- ing.” **Indeed? You are fortunate, for, in securing her for your wife, you also secure a prize worth having.” “Ts that so?” ‘** Miss Norris’ fortune amounts to half a mil- lion in money.” Juan Mellique’s eyes sparkled. ‘Well, I should say that was a windfall!” he said. ‘‘Where is this money if it is in that shape?” ‘“*In Santa Fe. As soon as I have made a few necessary arrangements with your affianced, the money will be paid over to her. Can I see Miss Norris?” ‘*T would prefer you should not, until after the marriage ceremony.” “* And why this delay?” ** Well, you see,” replied the Don, looking con- siderably embarrassed, ‘it might not be eadvis- able to let her know of her good fortuné until the excitement of the wedding is over. Iam marrying a poor girl, and it is a mutual case of love, you know. But you also know what a fickle thing love is, and how weak women are. If Nola were to know of this fortune before- hand, she might take it into her head to post- pone the nuptials, or throw up the matter alto- gether.” ‘* Well, there is something in that. Perhaps it would be as well not to apprise her of her good fortune until after she is your bride.” **T am sure it would be advisable not to. Not that I bave any mercenary motives in the case but I prefer to marry her as a poor girl, and then she can never throw it in my face that I married her for her money.” ** Quite proper! Quite proper! Then, too, the fortune will be a magnificent dower for her.” “True enough!” Juan said, all eagerness, And now I can rely upon you to withhold the joyful tidings until she has been made legally my bride.” } ‘ As you wish it, it shall be so,” Dick replied, rising, as if to depart. “] will return to the city, and you can look for my return to-morrow.” “No, no! Thatis not to be thought of,” the Don. hastily replied. ‘‘I shall insist that you remain as my guest for the night, and be present at the wedding. After the ceremony we are to have a little banquet in ceiebration of the event, and it will be a fitting occasion for you to make known to my bride that she is an heiress.” Dick made a pretense of hesitation at accept- ing the invitation, but the Don pressed him so hard that he finally gave his consent to re- main. Night came on early in the mountains, and it would be several hours yet before the ceremony was to take place, and as the Don excused him- self, on pretense of having some preliminary arrangeménts to attend to, Dick was left to his own reflections. “The plan will work like acharm,” he mused, as he sat staring at the grand old pictures with which the parlor was adornéd. ‘* The avaricious scoundrel bit at the bait, just as I expected he would, and wants to secure bis bird before she gets wind of the fortune, lest she back out, as she did before, ‘But, your exultation at the prospect will pale sadly, Juan Mellique, and that, too, very soon. You have played your cards with extra- ordinary daring and cunning, but you have lost the game. In this case clubs will be the cards Monte Cristo, Jr. | to down you, while, with hearts triumphant, I wil! scoop in the stakes,” The minister who was to perform the mar- riage ceremony soon arrived, and with him came several ladies and gentlemen from the city, whom the Don had invited to be present. Much to Dick’s surprise, the minister was the same one to whom he had gone for information, when in quest of news concerning the Salem family—the Reverend Joseph Marston, The time having come nigh for the ceremony to take place, there was considerable expectancy among the guests, Dick felt more excited than he would have been willing to admit, but managed to preserve a calm exterior. He knew that a crisis was near at hand. What if, by any unforeseen contingency, Deputy Burns should fail to be at hand? Then, there must necessarily be a scene, and it would devolve upon Dick, personally, to pre- vent the marriage, if indeed, he must resort to actual force. Shortly before eight o’clock, the Don called him out into the hall. ‘Mr. Gibson,” he said, ‘‘ would it be asking too much of you if I were te request you to act as my groomsman?” ‘Well, to tell the truth, I’m afraid it would,” Dick replied. ‘*I never ‘filled such a position, and as there are other younger gentlemen. pres: ent, [ beg that you will excuse me, and make your selections from among them.” The Don bowed rather stiffly, and turned away, evidently displeased. Dick returned to the parlor. Promptly at eight o'clock the bridal party en- tered the room. Nola, leaniing upon the arm of her father, looking pale, almost ghostly,in her bridal robe of white, The Don was attended by one of the gentle- men guests, The party took their positions at one end of the room before the minister, who awaited their arrival, book in hand. At sight of Nola, the reverened gentleman gave a start, and looked grave. He shook hands with the affianced couple, however, and then motioned Nathan Norris to step one side. A few words were exchanged in an undertone between them. When the minister returned before the Don and Nola, his face had assumed a still graver as- ect, ae My young friends,” he said in an impressive tone, ‘when [ was invited here to perform a marriage service, | was not aware who the con- tracting parties were. It now becomes my dut; however, to inform you that it will be impossi- ble for me, as a minister of the Gospel, to unite you in wedlock!” ‘* What do you mean?” cried the Don, growing pale with anger. ‘‘ What’s the reason you won’t marry us?” ‘*T have a good and all-sufficient reason. This young woman is already married,” ‘* Tt’s false! it’s false!” cried Juan hotly. ‘“*Ttis not false. Nola Norris was married some six weeks ago to a man named Richard Bristol, the ceremony being performed by the Reverend Silas Salem. The certificate Mr. Salem placed in my possession for safe-keeping, and I have it in my pocket-book now!” “T care not a fig for that.” fairly screamed the Don. ‘‘The fellow Bristol was killed ina railroad accident between Santa Fe and Pueblo, nearly a month ago, and this lady is consequent- ly a widow, and free to marry whoever she pleases, Icommand you to proceed with the ceremony, sir!” “ And I forbid you to!” cried Deadwood Dick, stepping quickly forward and covering the Don with his revolver, while, with his other hand, he tore away his disguise. ‘7 am Richard Bristol and I am here to thwart this detestable scoun drel’s schemes. Juan Melliqne, your game is up! Dare to move a muscle and yon are a dead pies you infamous Villain and double-dyed mur- erer! ; Then, casting the false wig and beard to the floor, Dick drew a silver whistle from his pocket and blew three sharp blasts upon it, Instantly the parlor door swung open, and Deputy-Sheriff Burns and his men stalked into the room. “ Juan Mellique!” Burns said, advaneing, and laying his hand upon the Don’s shoulder. “I arrest you, in the name of the law!” The Don had grown pale as death and he trembled like a leaf. ““In God’s name, what do’ you arrest me for?” he gasped. ‘‘ What have I done?” ** You’ve done more’n you'll ever get a chance to do again, I'll guarantee. I have a warrant | i a sti senses snes for your arrest for the murder of Silas.and Re~ becca Salem, and, besides this, there are plenty of other charges against you. So, let me have your wrists, till 1 see what size cuffs you wear!” Juan hesitated a moment; then, with a yell of defiance, he made a desperate spring, suc- ceeding in tearing himself away from the depu- ty’s grasp, and at once bounding toward the door; but, ere he could reach it, he was con: fronted by a person who had just entered. That person was Myra Mellique! In her hand she clutched a cocked revolver; and her face was pale and stern with resolve, “Back! Juan Mellique!” she cried, ‘‘ for your time has come. You purposely killed my father, and I’m here now to avenge hisdeath before the law can wreak its vengeance on you for your crimes,” Then there ‘vas a sharp’ report—a scream of mortal agony, a heavy fall—then another report, and another fall. Don Juan—the demon Don, he might well be catled— lay stretched out upon the floor, welter- ing in his life-blood, while across his lifeless body was the inanimate form of the Donna. The end had come, indeed! The fatality of death had pursued the Spanish house of Mellique, to a point of total extermina- tion, for, with the demise of Myra and Don Juan, the last members of a once proud race had answered the call of the Great Com- mander, Much space need not be consumed in telling what remains to be told. The double tragedy cast a pall of deepest gloom over the great mansion, It was a house of death, but not of mourning. Defeated in their intentions of carrying the Don‘back to Santa Fe, a prisoner, Deputy Burns and his pards made a capture of the roughs who guarded ‘ The Turrets,’ and then set out for the city, Avalanche remaining behind, The Annihilator was greatly overjoyed to find Dick alive and well; but what was his joy to that of Nola, who was once more restored to the arms of her husband! The night was spent by the inmates of the mansion in conversation. Dick, Nola, and Na- than Norris each in turn entertaining the others who were present with narrations of their ex- periences. The following morning the mansion was lock- ed up, and the party set out on their return te Santa Fe, where they arrived in safety. Dick immediately had the will mattersattend- ed to, and then, having no desire for a further residence at ‘The Turrets,’ he offered the place for sale. A party of capitalists, imbued with the be- lief that there was mineral wealth underneath the grim old pile, soon came along and made him a fair offer, and it was accepted. Work was soon after begun at tearing away the grim, uncanny edifice, and probably ere this, not a vestige of it remains. The bodies of Don Juan and his victim Jareck Wolfraven, were removed to Santa Fe, and treated to decent burial, while the remains of the ill-fated Myra—the last of the Mellique race —were borne from the elegant residence to a resting-place in the beautiful cemetery, where a monument of exquisite design, brought, at great expense, from afar, indicates the loving care of Nola and her bustand, It was found, upon examining her papers and effects that she had carefully arranged all her affairs and had willed everything to Nola, her foster-sister, ‘fas some atonement for the great wrong her father Don Pedro, had done to her father, Nathan Norris,” and, as there were none to question the gift and possession the sumptuous place passed peaceably into Nola’s keeping and occupancy. The kcdy of Simeon Sykes has never been found. What the demon Don did with it is a mystery to this day. ; Tired of his New Mexican experiences, Dick accompanied by his lovely bride, ber father, and Old Avalanche, at length bade adieu to Santa Fe, and set out for the more northern terri- tories. , The Mellique mansion was left in charge of its old and tried servants—all of whem seemed to rejoice in the change which bod ‘turned the turbulent current of their lives under the Melli- que reign to one of peace. In their pious and reverent, if superstitious belief, they think that Deadwood Dick had encountered and overcome Satan and his imps, and regard him as one cially sent to destroy the wicked, and to break the evil spell which hung over the very name of Mellique. THE END, } 1
Page 15
(ig 1 4 ~ ex ith * ba bor oy; Uae - i io ns 7 £v \—e) bi . y ” of .. { hiew ‘4 NP A ie a A. % Th nt ¥ Pl ad es <a Sot i) aa ry Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwoed Dick Novels. Dick, the Prince ot the Road. Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. Dick in Disguise; or, Buflal, Ben Dick in His Castle. Dick’s Bonanza; o , The Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards ot Flood Bar. Dick on Deck; or, Calamity ¢ ‘ne, the Heroine, Dick’s Last Act: w, Corduroy Charlie, Dick In Leadyille. Dick's Device; or, 'ke Double Cross Sign. Dick ax Detective. Dick’ Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Dill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’« Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 Deadwood Dick's Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure. 217 Deadwood Dick’s bead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick's Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’«x Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. S21 Dendwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Fiats B47 Deadwood Dick’s Dueata; or, Days in the Diggings. 851 Deadwood Diek Sentenced; or, the Terrible Vendetta, S62 Deadwood Dick’s Claim, 405 Dendwood Dick In Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Dinmonds, Deadwood Dick in New York} or, A “Cute Case,” 1 Deadwood 20 Deadwood 28 Deadwood 85 Deadwood 42 Deudwood 49 Deadwood 5. Deadwood 783 Deadwood 77 Deadwood 100 Deadwood 104 Dendwood 109 Deadwood 129 Deadwood 188 Deadwood 149 Deadwood uantom Miner. 480 Deadwood Dick’sa Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 445 Deadwood Dick, Jr. Dick, Jdr.’s, Detiance. Dick, Jr.'s, Full Hand, Dick, Jr.’s, Biv Round-Up. *s, Racket at Claim 10, Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bil. Dick, Jr.’4, Dog Detective, Dendwood Dick. dr., in Deadwood, Dendwood Dick, Jdr.’s, Compact. } Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance, Dendwooa Dick, dr.’s, Diggings. Deadwood Dick, Jdr.’s, Deliverance, Deadwood Jr.'s, Protegee. Deadwood Jr.’a, Three. Deadwood dr.’s, Danger Ducka, Deadwood Jris, Death Hunt, Deadwood Jr., in Texas, Deadwood Ars, the Wild West Vidoog Deadwood dr., on Mis Mettle, Deadwood Jr., in Gotham, Dendwood Jr., in Boston, Deadwood Jr., in Philadetphia, 572 Deadwood Jr., in Chicago, Dendwood Jr., Afloat. Deadwood Jdr., In Denver, Dendwood bYS Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Dead vood } Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood & Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dick, J en r., In Cincinnati. Dick, Jr., in Nevada, Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land, ‘+, Jr., After the Queer. Jr., in Buffalo. Dick, dr.’s, Chase Across the Continent Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. Dick, Jr.'s, To suronce Case. Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. Dick, Jv., (a Durangoy or, “ Gathered In.” per ares piacoverys or, Found a Fortune. ck, Jr.’s. Dazzle, Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars, Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide, 700 Deadwood Dick, dr.*s, Drop, 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at dack-Pot, 710 Deadwood Jr., In San Francisco. 716 Deadwood Jrvs, Stil Hunt, 722 Deadwood Jr.n, Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Jr’, Disguise, 784 Deadwood Jr.'s, Donble Deal. 740 Deadwood , dr.’s, Deathwatch, Doublet. Deadwood Deadwood BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. y+ Reserr ne mite! or, Nicodemus, - Dog Detective, 186 etective ck 3 or, The Hero in Rags, aa Handsome Harry, ‘no Boot biack Detective, re, t ough bred. 152 Black Bean, Will Wildfires Recer. 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 162 Will Wildfire tn the W ooda. 165 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 170 E Sel Irroyg 3 ov wilt Wildfire Wites one Loses, ; oek or, Mysteries of New York. Hy Bob Rockett the Bank Ricnees, ra , 188 The Hidden Mand or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred ater sor Dinas . regs nf The Smugglers, oe 4 or, 7 oO y 4 ins Bhedowed 3 or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King, 212 Dashing Dave, the egy Detective, 220 ‘Tom Tanner | “rn — sheep ot the Flock. R25 ») 0 nt . 285 od ate S49 the Messenger Bey, -f The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bil) and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ? or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 62 The Young Sharps? or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail , 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice, RAY Jolly Sim’ Jobs or, The Young Deteetive. 9S The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored, $05 Dashaway, of Dakotas er, A Western Lad in Quaker City. 824 Ralph Renady, the Hotel Boy Detective. $41 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. - 858 The Reporter-Detectlve3 or, Fred Flyer’s Bitzzara, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, 79 Larry. the Leveler; ot. The Bloods of the Boulevard, 4 ireily Jack, the River-Rat Detective. bg Finger ; or, The Entrapped Cashier, Fred F er, the Reporter Detective. ant e Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Brick, th tly Vagavond. 466 Wi e-Awake vie’, iahiiegs or, Entombed Alive, 479 Witla Pace @: or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, © Racket. Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Shatper, 7 Rob and 8: bstone Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 5 Old Avalanche ; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, % Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. Buckhorn Lill; or, The Red Rifle Team Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, Sonos pig, Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance. 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 96 Watch-Eye; or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City. 118 Jacek HMovle the Young Speculator. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Bor za Dili, Miner. 188 Boss Kob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevaday or, The Sierras Scamps. 1st Wild Vrank, the Buckskin Bravo, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter. 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective. 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator 244 Slerra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints. 255 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angei ot Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven}; or, The Stolen Bride. Jumbo Joe, the Key Patrol; or. The Rival Heirs. Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. Denver Doll's Victory. Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 291 Turk the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. A No, 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker, "Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport, Kelley, Hickey & ©o., the Detectives of Philadelphia. Little Qui ck-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville. Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. Kangaroo Kit’« Racket, Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Jlood. 858 First-Class Fred, ‘he Gent trom Gopher. 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Guthererg or, The Life Lottery. 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. 882 °Cool Kit. th: King of Kida; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Vreka Jim’s« Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. 889 Bievcle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High iat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabslides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 4834 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 838 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 456 Seualskin Sam, the Sparkier. BY T. CC. NMARBAUGH, 28 Nick o? the Night; or, The Boy Spy of 776. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl: Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Toe Forest Captains, Dandy Jack or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trait, Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. Midnight Jack ¢ or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch Jr.t or, The Boy Vigilante. Gold Trigger, the Sport; er, The Girl Avenger. Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Rea Core, Ned Temple, the Border Boy. Arkansaw ;: or, The Quen of Fate’s Revenge. Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. Captain Bullet; or, Little Tonknot’s Crusade. Piuecky Phils or, Rosa, the Rei Jezebel. Bill Bravo: or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies. Captain Apoli ,» tne King-Pin of Bowie, The Kuckskin Detective. Old Winch 3 or, Tire Buckskin Desneradoes, Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa. Che Mountain Detectives or, The Trigger Bar Bully. Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, The Ten Puardsy; or. The Terror of Take-Notices Big Benson: or, Tie Queen of the Lasso. Pitiless Matt; or, Red Thanderbolt’s Secret. fool: am and Par '3 or The Terrible Six, Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective, Captain Cutlass; or, ! he B cenneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob: or. The | win Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso: or, The Nose of Ranch Robin, 418 Fellx Fox. the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. Phil Flash, the New York Fox. The City Vamptres; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. One Against Fifty; or, Phe Last Man of Keno Bar, The Boy Shadow ; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, Single Sight, the One-Eved Sport. Branded Ren, the Night ferret. Dodger Dtek, the Wharf-Spy Detective, Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows. Podger Dick, thedock Ferret. Dodger Dick’s Double: or, The Rival Boy Detectives, Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case, Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidoeq. 578 The Two Shadows, 582 Dodger Dick’« Drop. Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Shsrp on Guard, The Champion Pards. Dick Doan, the Dock Roy Detective. Kit, the Pavement Sharp. Billy Bantam, the Boy Beacle. 671 Jersey Jel, the Boy Hustler: or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Wappy Hugin, the Boy Musician Detective. ZO1 Photograph Fred, the Gamera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City F 782 Daisy Dell, the P Mindy aia ¥ Mell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game. BY WM. G. PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport: or, The Double Rock, 819 Captain aM yatery ; or, Five in One” panos cas 581 Dainy tare the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective, €04 Tron Fern, the Man of Fire, 619 The Boy Tramp Detective: or, The Doubie Grip Witness 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport. 641 Dismal Dave’« Dandy Pard, 651 Round Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 66% Violet Vane’s Victory. GR2 Wild Vulcans the Lone- Range Rider, 692 Violet and Datsy, the 4-4 Pards, : TO5 Violet Vane’s Vows or, The Cratty Detective’s Craft, gua Old Misery, the Man from Missouri. 24 Violet Vane’s Venreance. eae Violet Vane’s Verdict. 41 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidoog. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, / Z The Flying Vankees or, The Ocean Outeast. . 17 Ralph Roy, the Soy Buccan.er; or. The Fugitive Yacht. | 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, | 62 The Shadow Ship; or. The Rival Licutenanta. | _%% The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, | 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. } 111 The Sea-Devils or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captain ; or, ‘The Hermit of Hell Gate. 197 Little Grits; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. | 204 Gold Plume; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider, | 2 . Bill’s Pluck. 16 Bison BILL, the Prince of the Reins; or, Butfa 222 Grit, the Bravo Sports; or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 The Floating Feather: or, Merle Monte’s Treasure. 26% The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condenmed. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruises or, * The Gold Ship ” Chase. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirave’s Bride, 284 The Sea Murauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Lilly Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Si:ot Dandy ¢ or, Bemto. the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double, 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler's Trail. 877 Bonodel, the Bey Kovery or, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indtan Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. Warpath WII, the Boy Phantom. Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant. Isudor, the Young Con«ptirator; or, The Fatal League. The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban. Vendetta. 2 The Wild Vaclteamans or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise. Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, Tne Corsair. é i87 The Sca Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly : or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Waphazard Uarry ; or, Tne Scapecrace of the Sea. 450 Wizard Wills or, The Boy Ferre: of New York. Wizard Will's Street Scouta. The Born Guide; or, The Saiipr Boy Wanderer. Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. Flora 3 or, Wizard Witl’s Vaganond Pard. Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Wil’s Last Case. Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ratner Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. Back Taylor, King of the Cowboys. The Royal Middy: or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 7 The Hunted Mid«htpman. The Outiawed Middy. Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. Brothers in Buckskin. The Buckski: Bowers, The Buc skin Rovers, Captain Ku-Klux, the Marander of the Ria. Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. Lafitte’s Legacy? or. The Avenging Son, % The Creele Corsair. Pawnee Bt, the Prairie Shadower. Kent Kingdon, the Card King. Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, The Outcast Cadet; or, ‘The False Detective. The Buctle lin Avenger. DPelmente, the Young Sea- Rover. The Voung Texan Detective. 602 Th» Vavabond et the Mines. The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout: or, The Rio Raiders. The Hercules Highwayman, Butterfly Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffale Bill’s Boy Para. 644 656 Rutterfly BDly’« Man Hunt. 662 Butterfly Billy's Bonanza. 668 The Buceancer Midshipman. 674 The Wizard Sailor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. 79 The Sea Shadower?: or, The Freedeotr's Legacy. 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag; or, The Tarnished Name. 692 The Rival Sharps; or, Redfern, the Seéret Service Scout. 697 The Scarlet Sombrero; or, The Sbarp from Texas. 702 Blue Jacket Bill; or, The Red Hat Rangers’ Red Hot Racket 707 The Red Sombrero Rangers; or, Redfern’s Last Trail. 718 Carl, the Mad Cowboy: or, The Lariat Queen. 719 Pawnee Bill's Pledge; or, The Cowboy Kidnapper. 725 Daring Dick, Pawnee Bill's Pard; or, The Red Cavalry Raid. 781 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower. T8T Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hen. Wm. F. Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. 68 Border Robin Wood; or, The Prairie Rever. 168 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 742 Billy Winka, the Bell Boy Detective; or, Breaking the Meshes of the Golden Coil. By T. C. Harbaugh. 748 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande. By Col. Prentissdngraham. 744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-Watch; or, The Water Wait’s Dead Past, By Jo Pierce, 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective; or, The Raiders of the Range. By Lieut) A. K. Sims, ulet Pack, the Secret Service Spy; or, Too Much for Red ary. By Dan Dunning, (of the Secret Service Corps). 747 Deadwood Pick, Jr2s, Doublets or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings. By Edward L, Wheeler. 748 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard. By Jos. &. Badger, Jr. 749 Dashing Charlie, the Young Sealp-Taker; or, The Kentucky Tendertoot’s First Trail. Py Col. Prentiss Ingraham. . 750 Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Life Struggle at Shanty City, By Wm: G, Patten. 751 Gold-Duat Dan, the Trail Patrol. By Jobn W. Osbon, Ready D. cember 15. 752 Deadw Dick, Jr.'s Deathblow or, The Li Chana oh Saet Coneeh By Mitvand x Waedke 2 ee Ready December 22. ’ A New Iesue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library is for ante by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York, 746
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Deadwood Dick Novels in Beadle § Half-Dime Library. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, The Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. 385 Deadwoo 1! Dick in his Castle; or, Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, 42 nico hg Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom iner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll, the Masked Terror, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, %3 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-up. %7 Deadwood Dick’s Last Act; or, Corduroy Caarlie, the Boy Rover. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty, 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective, 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bi ill, 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road, 201 Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hills Jezebel, 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s «Last Adventure, ; 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal; or, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death Plant; or, Sugar- Coated Sam. Gold-Dust Dick; or, The Three Wild Men of Eagle Bar. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail: or, From Ocean to Ocean, 309 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal: or, The Gold Brick of Gregon. 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Poantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days.in \ the Diggings, or, The 929 wurw 351 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan Porter. 421 Deadwood Dick in NewYork; or, A Cute Case. 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 443 Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the Crimson Crescent, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Defiance; or, Nickle- Plate Ned, 453 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Full Hand; or, Sun- flower Sam of Shasta. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-up; or Flush Fan, the Ferret. 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10; or; Philo Fly, of Phenix, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill of Big Brace, 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective; or, Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane. 481 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Deadwood; or, Moll Mystery. 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Compact; or, Prince Pistol, the King of the West. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Inheritance; or, Monte Cristo, Jr. 500 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Diggings; or, Doctor Death Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance; or, Fatal Footsteps, 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three; or The ‘ Bel- lerin’ Bull” of Bismark, Deadwood Dick, Jf.’s, Danger Ducks; or, The Owls of Oregon. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt; or, The Way of the Transgressor. 5389 Deadwood Dick, Jr,, in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston. Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora, the Locator. 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle; or, Cap- tain Crimson-Cowl], the Road Raider. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr,, in Gotham; or, Un- raveling a Twisted Skein. 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston; or, The Cool Case, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks, Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarchist’s Daughter. Deadwood Dick, Jr,, Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles, Deadwood Dick, Jr,, in Denver. or, Cool Kate, the Queen of Crooks, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; The Prince of Purgatory Pass, ‘ Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin; or, The Old Man of Mount Mab. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island; or, The * Piping” of Polly Pilgrim. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s Boom. J 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan, 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., iu Clincher Campaign. 534 or, 606 Yincinnati; or, The 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville, 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr,, in No Man’s Land; or, Golconda, the Gladiator. 636 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer; or, Sawdust Sam’s Last Green Game. . 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Buffalo; or, 4-11-44. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Chase across the Con- tinent; or, A Race for a Ruthless Rogue. 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. or, Cleaning Out the Gulf Gang. 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case; or, Corraling a Cunning Trio. 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines; or, The Mountain Amazon’s Double Game. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango; or, *¢ Gathered In.” : 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery ; or, Found a Fortune, ~! 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr,’s, Dazzle; or, The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars; or, The Hummingbird of Honeysuckle, Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, Developing the Dead Secret. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop; or, The So- journ at Satan’s Spring. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-pot; or, Mak~ ing Crooked Things Straight. Deadwood Dick, Jr.,in San Francisco; or, Kodak Kate, the Suap-Shot. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt; or, The Second Round in San Francisco, 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dominoes; or, The Rival Camps of the Northern Border. 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Disguise; or, Ivan, the Man of Iron. 734 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All-Around Surprise. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. 747 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet; or, Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings, For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, PueBiisHERs, 98 William Street, New York, 716 The