Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 787) (1892 08 23)
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LEE NZL ei \ WY a e MW UNAIN a eae . > : smaoe Seeeccert “eye ER manent y ‘ Cor ie ' Ol ie /, flora Entered a as 8 Se econd 1 Clase Mt Matter at the Ne New York, N. Y., August 23, 1802. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, N 0. 787. a Year. No. 93 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Vol. XXX. ii isi)! MM M nM cee ih. ee \ ones = HAAN, Nf es Ge | | aK unl ’ Tih, We “\ | v iat =a het ON 5 \ a i EL, BoRDW i YyYren | Ti Ness Dic i iif i se “4 7 Ir WR i el I oe aan i " oa nt \ Lu Se === y I | ao | HN THE PRUNE of PISTOL POCKET, eae BY ED. L. _ WHEELER, AUTHOR OF “ DEAR WOOD DICK” NOVELA, ETC, CHAPTER I, A STARTLING REPORT. SS Tr was the forenoon of a perfect day whentwo . (== personages drew rein upon the crest of a bill that overlooked a valley pocket, before entering u the downward trail which led to a little city ¢ that nestled at the bottom. _ These personages were a@ pun and a woman, The man was of medium size, good looking, with , Ltda Hiegeetic black eyes and a graceful mustache, of muscular build, with a breadth of shoulder suggestive of more than Tr oo Se L Jt dinary strength. Ia point of age be did not look PRESENTLY ONE MAN ADVANCED WITH A LANTERN. AND AT ONCE THE NOTICD eee over a rs ‘YT oR ‘wy WAS PLAIN TO BE READ BY ALL, Wood, te. L.
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2 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. The woman was younger by four or five years, her face sharing or reflecting the man’s resolute countenance, while ber demeanor was suggestive of one who was a stranger to fear, Both were well mounted, and as they drew rein there in the bright sunlight they were outlined against the sky, a picture perfect in every part. An observer would have pronounced them brother and sister, but such they were not, for they were even more closely bound, being man and wife, No strangers, they, to us, for, upon looking again, we recognize Richard Bristol—Dead wood sg Jr., and Kate—brave Kodak Kate, his wifo, Many weeks have passed—indeed some months —since we saw them last. Dick’s bealth was fully recovered, and he had never looked better in his life. A long sojourn in Southern California, after a terrible northern campaign which nearly cost him his life, had mended him as good as new, They gazed for some moments upon the scene before either spoke. There was an expression of sadness upon Deadwood Dick’s face, as recollec- tions of the past rushed upon him, and his mind’s vision saw again the exciting scenes through which he had passed in that very valley. ‘And this is Pistol Pocket?” Kate presently questioned, “Yes, this is the place,” Dick answered, “And greatis the change since 1 saw it last, now more than three years ago.” ‘* Tt has grown, then?” “Yes; so that I hardly recognize it as the same spot,” ** And you have told mo it is all your own,” ‘* Every foot of land there did belong to me, Kate, but my agent has sold a good deal of it, Still, full three quarters of the Pocket .is mine,” ** And this is to be our home?” ** Yes, dear.” They were silent again, each looking with dif- fering emotions upon the little city. Presently they went on, wending their way adown the precipitous pathway toward this growing city which bore the same name as the valley in which it was situated, Pistol Pocket had changed greatly since Dead- wood Dick looked upon it last. And its growth bad been of the solid and substantial order, too, Where shanties had stood were now imposing _ Structures of wood and stone. The Grand Pacific’ Hotel had been still further enlarged, to keep pace with the times, and robably could still lay claim to being the finest in the Territory. The buildings of the Majestic Mine, Dick’s mine, had all been rebuilt upon a larger scale, and everywhere was the same indi- cation of solid prosperity. ** Yes, the place is mine,” Dick repeated, pres- ently, and partly to himself. ‘*{£ wonder what my reception will be?” “You intend going in without disguise, I see,” observed Kate, “‘ Hal” and Dick drew rein suddenly, “ that gives me a thought. ‘I believe I will disguise, and I’m glad you mentioned it. We cannot be seen here, [ll see how thiags are going before I make myself known.” ; It took but a few minutes to adjust a wig and beard so that detection would not be easy, and Dick was transformed into a man of middle age. They had a brief understanding, while this was being done, concerning the characters they were to assume, Continuing on their way, Dick gave Kate a brief outline of the history of the place. ** Yes, it is mine,” he repeated. “I discover- ed the pocket, and settled here with her who was then my wife, I built the first house in the valley. We were taken sick, she and I, and were here alone and helpless. Nola died, and two days latera company of stampeders came and jumped my claim, To get rid of me, they put me in a boat, the body of my wife with me, and sent me adrift ddwn the creek.” “ Horrible!” ejaculated Kate, « ith a shiver, * The word does not half express it,” answer- ed Dick. ‘‘ But, I warned them what the result would be if I escaped with my life; and, I did escape, I returned, and my reprisal was com- plete. The wretches who had shown no mercy received none at my hands, When I took my leave the pocket contained nothing but smoking ruins. hen 1 returned again, this time with the documents to prove’ my sole proprietary ph a another city bad sprung up out of the ashes of the first, and again I had to fight for my own. But, victory was mine, and at last my pro rietorsbip was acknowledged,” * And now?” queried Kate. ** Now, my manager, Sir Clyde Carleton, is at the head of affairs here, and of Jate he bas been urging me to come and relieve him of some of his responsibility, He essures me I am a millionaire, and by the looks of things Ido not doubt it. But, i care nothing for wealth, except for the good I may be able to lo with it. Were I as rich again I would continue my war- fare agaivat evil-doers of every kind and stripe, according to the oath I registered at the begin- ning of my career. Wealth will only strengthen my arm, and nothing but death will ever stop me in this crusade against crime, Sometimes I have erred, and my record is not 2xactly what I would make it could I live the past over again, but my purpose bas been ever the same,” Leoisurely they rode, and finally came down upon the valley level and headed toward the principal street of the city. As Dick had said, he could hardly recogniz> it as the same place, Evidences of his wealth were on every hand. There were telephcne and tele- graph wires; there was a splendid electric light equipment; and a double fine of elactric cars rau the whole length of the valley through the main street, The town looked, in brief, as if it were a solid iece of Denver, or some such city, which had n taken up bodily and transported thither, And yet, witha], it still had the air of a breezy mining-camp, and the rough-clad denizens of such a camp were to be seen every where rubbing elbows with men of finer garb, Back against the inclosing bills, atthe north side of the pocket, were shanties innumerable, Dick and his wife drew rein in front of the Grand Pacific Hotel, and were immediately the center of curious attention, Seated in a big cbair near the door of the main entrance was Joo Garry, the proprietor whom Dick eit. may instantly, Hea peared to be the same Joe, and his looks bespoke pros- perity and contentment, Prince Richard got out of the saddle with the deliberation of a man of nis apparent years, and assisted Kate to dismount; an employee of the hotel was quickly on hand to take ebarge of their horses, and to. him Dick gave orders that they be put up and well cared for. Then the travelers entered the hostelry, and presently Dick made his appearance at the office for the purpose of registering, He found that Garry afforded the :uxury of a regular clerk, but the proprietor made his ap- pearance in person just as Dick was inquiring concerning the best lodging the house could offer him, ‘You say you want the best, sir?” Garry in- uired, ‘The very best you have, sir,” assured Dick, “A suite of rooms on the next floor, front, if possible,” ‘ “ All right; we can‘fix you out with just what you are after. Give the gentleman the corner rooms, Jim, Do you expect to remain a week or so, sir?” “Maybe a good deal longer,” answered Dick. ‘Just set your figure for a fortnight, and Pll pay inadvance, That will make*us feel easy =p around, for money is the best recommenda- on, This offer made Dick ‘‘solid” at once, and the price being fixed upon, and the money paid over, he proceeded to register, He was playing his assumed character to perfection, and bis friend Garry had never a suspicion, hen Dick laid down the ven Garry glanced at the register and read: “WILLARD MARBLEHEAD AND WIFE, Washington, D, 0.” ‘** You’re a long ways from home. Mr, Marble- head,” he remarked. ‘Yes, a few leagues,” was the jesting re- sponse. ‘* You have quite a city here, I find,” “Ob, yes, we're growing,” declared Garry. * We've got on our long pants now, and if we keep on I guess we'll get there by and by,” Bristol sniiled as he withdrew to regain his wife, He had found Garry the same as he had known bim in the other days, and anticipated his surprise when he came to make himself known. When Dick had left the office a rather hand- some young man sauntered up to the desk and looked at the name just inscribed, He was ap- ently under thirty years of age, of good gure and presence, and was well dressed and looked to bea sport. — “ Willard Marblehead, eh?” ke remarked, “ That’s an imposing pame, and the man looks to be one of the old substantials. So, the wo- man is his wife, is she? What do you imagine has brought them away out here, Mr, Pll wager they never made the trip for pleasure. That fellow has got business on the brain, sure as you are a living sinner.” “I give it up without trying,” Garry made response, *‘ And he seems to be well fixed for pocket- money,” the sport added. ‘* Maybe he has come here with the idea of opening a game, with his wife as the fair card-queen of the concern, If my guess proves correct, I think I'll be among bis first customers, just to see if I can’t change my luck. The fair goddess seems to have turned her back apon me, you know, and a fellow must drive away at something for an honest living, Ha, ha!” “Tt don’t strike me the man is in tbat line, Phil,” Garry rejoined. ‘*I’d sooner guess he’s here to buy a mine.” The sport, Phil Harley by name, but better known as ‘* Poker Phil,” was about to make fur- ther remarks, but was prevented by the sudden entrance of an excited man. ‘* The devil’s to pay now,” the man cried. ‘* What's the matter?” asked Joe Garry. “Why, Bristol’s bank has been robbed and the cashier killed.” Every man who heard the words sprung to his feet in greatest excitement, eager to learn all about it, : “When did it bappen?”’ asked Poker Phil, “ Have they got hold of the robber yet?” ‘*No; he’s give ’em the slip,” the man an- swered, putting the last question first, “It has just been found out, and it couldn’t ’a’ happened more’n balf an hour ago, at most,” very man of them hastened out to the piazza and looked up the street in the direction of the bank building, where they saw the street was black with people, and without waiting to ask further questions Joe Garry, Poker Phil, and others, hastened to the spot, CHAPTER II, THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER, THE report the man had brought to the hotel was true. A daring robbery had been com- mitted, to which had been added§the more terrible crime of assassination. It was barely ten minutes Since the crime had been first discovered, yet so dense was the crowd of men and women in the street that when Joe arry and the oe i Sa found it al- most impossible to rough, This bank of Pistol Pocket was a Garry? rivate con- cern, interest of his employer, Richard Bristol. It was doing an immense amount of business, and the cashier bad been a thoroughly competent. man named Joel Bordwell, greatly respected by all who knew him, The rages of the discovery of the crime Was known to the crowd, and was being told avd re- told constantly, so Garry and the others just ar-. eee got the particulars without asking ® Ques- on, A little time before a well-known citizen had entered the bank to transact s0rine business, and not seeing the cashier bad called his Same. Getting no response, be bad looked behind the Bord well lying on the floor in a pool of blood. Stepping to the door, this man gave the alarm at once, and as soon as others came in an examina- tion was made. The casbier had been struck upon the bead with some blunt weapon that had crushed in bis skoll and killed bim instantly, and tbe safe had been robbed of all the money in sight that could be easily carried off, a sum said to have aggregated many thousand dollars, No clew was found, thus far, 204 the whole daring affair was a mystery: oO suspicious characters had been seen around, and no one had been seen to leaye the bank with undue haste. In fact, no one could be found who bad seen any one entering or leaving the bank recently, But, then, no one had been Paying any attentioM In tbat direction, so there was nothing strange about that. It looked as though the mis¢Teant would escape with bis plunder, Sir Clyde, who w@8 Mayor cf the city and the head of things in general, was at the ™/nes at the time, and had been sent for in hast®. “© was now coming, and room was made for him to reach the bank, ‘s What js this I am told?” he demanded, on en- tering. The truth could not be doubted, for thete lay the body of the cashier, terrible proof indeeg, « Poor Bordwell!” the mayor abd Manager im- mediately added, “To think you should meet : fate like this! Is there no clew tothe wret¢ who did this deed? We must not let hin 6s- cape.” by Sir Clyde Carleton in the | inclosure, and Frere to his horror had discoroqq’°— ¢ ’ t & : - | aa oy. te 3 wet , r pas « £ % a! 7 i ay - N ear eh. ce | a te 7 ve ot A 4 a i . + ne iy Y : : t z ¥ i} ia og <a Ae oe het . ny” ‘ie OP: OB ime 4 as ee / ry ~“< ‘ ye eet.) et 7 a! a, 4 We eres ! . % ] : fy een ie, yee aee “se ig a ae
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“There does not seem to be any clew at all, Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. They could see what was going on plainly sir,” responded the man who had been the first | enough, but were too far away to hear what was to discover the crime. as you see by the empty safe, and the feliow has managed to get away, unseen, The chances are that ue is likely to go free.” “ Good heavens, Kellock, he must not escape! He basn’t had time to get out of the Pocket yet and he must be discovered and arresced! TJ proclaim a reward for bis arrest, immediately.” Hastening toa window, Carleton stood up in it and waved the crowd to silence, when he said: ‘* Men of Pistol Pocket, a hellish deed has been done here, Poor Joel Bordwell has been foully murdered, and the assassin must not escape. I will give five thousand dollars to the man who will find and arrest him,” A shout greeted the words, and not a person in the crowd but was eager to earn the reward, and not alone for the reward’s sake, either, for, as has been stated, the cashier had been respected by all, and had rendered friendly service to more than one man in Pistol Pocket. Sit Clyde stepped down from the window and took a careful look about the room, hoping that something might fall under his notice that would prove a clew to the finding out of the assassin. ‘Tt is too bad Mr. Bristol is not here,” he said. ‘‘ Thisis something which he could bandle better than any one else,’ ‘* Yes, it is too bad he isn’t here,” agreed tho discoverer. ‘* When do you expect him?” ‘At any time, now. He may come by one of the stages to-day.” ‘‘ Tt 8 to be hoped he will,” Pistol Pocket had now two stages each way daily, runping between the city and the nearest railroad point. The first of these was due toarrive a little be- fore noon, while the other came in about six o'clock in the evening. Outward bound, one left about seven in the morning and the other about two in the afternoon. A careful inspection of the bank was made by the mayor and the discoverer, whose name was Dunbar Kellock, but without bringing any clew to light, and a shadow appeared to settle down over the mystery—a shadow which seemed to defy penetration. It had bean a bold and successful piece of villainy. When all had been done that could be done, ‘the body of the murdered man was carried away, and the bank was closed for the rest of that day at least, a notice to that effect being put up on the door, together with a written offer of reward for the arrest of the murderer. ‘The crowd dispersed, then, but the excitement had not abated, and woe to the murderer if these citizens of Pistol Pocket caught him. In the mean time Deadwood Dick and Kate had been watching the crowd from the windows of their front room, and by listening to the talk in the street they learned tho cause of the excite- ment, ** I¢ seems bere is a case for you at once upon your arrival, Dick,” Kate remarked, “Yes, it appears so,” Dick acquiesced, ‘ I'll bold back a little, though, so as not to awaken any suspicion as to who I am.” *Do you know the man who has been killed?” ‘““ No: he was a man of Carleton’s selection for the office,” * Are you sure, Dick, that your man Carleton is to be trusted as you trust bim?”’ ‘* He is aS true as gold, Kate, Do you suppose I would bave remained away from here 80 long unless I had perfect confidence in him?” “ [merely mentioned it asathought, Trusted men haye failed before, you know. But, I am aware how good your judgment is, so I accept your view of the matter, the more readily as I have never seen this man,” “After you have seen him you may give me your impression.” “I will not fail to do so, be it good or bad. By the way, I do not see anything of your old crony and the young mao.” “You mean Avalanche and Billy” 6 Yes,” ‘They are no doubt here, for that w 3 ranged when we took our leave of them Soigeds the coast. No doubt they are working in some capacity about the mine, orelsewbere, You re- member I gave them a letter to Carleton,” “Very likely you are right: and, bere ig an- Other thought: If you desire to remain unknown bere, I shall have to keep out of their sight, for they would recognize me at once, of course, [ shall not be a great deal out of the hotel, how- ever, and when I am out, I can vail myself.” “Yes, that will do well enough. Ha! there = rene i now, speaking to the crowd from the —_—~ —————$ SS ———————————————————————————eeeeSESEeSeSeSeSSSS 00 mT ‘¢ The object was robbery, | said, so they waited for further developments, Finally, when the Crowd began to disperse, Dick remarked: ‘* Here comes Garry, now, and I'll go down to the piazza and learn all about it from him.” Leaving Kate he went down, and was on the almost-deserted piazza when Joe Garry, Phil Harley and otbers, came up. ** What’s the excitement, Mr, Garry?” Dick in- quired, Joe drew up a chair and sat down beside Dick, giving him the factsof the case as they have been made known. ‘“Anditsa pity Dick Bristol isn’t here about this tinie, too,” ke wound up by saying. * And who is Dick Bristolf” Dick inquired, as though be had never heard the name in his life, ‘* Why, he’s the man whoowns this city, or the biggest part of it. Heisthe owner of the rob- bed bank, and he owns the mines here, too,” “ Yes?” ‘‘Yes, He is known everywhereas Deadwood Dick, Junior. Maybe you have heard of him by that name.” ‘** Seems to me I have heard that name before, somewhere. What sort of inan is this Dead- wood Dick? What conld he doif he were here? since from what you have said the matter is a mystery to you all,” ‘‘What could be do? Mr, Marblehead, he is one of the greatest detectives in this country or any other. That’s bis business, He doesn’t do anything else, and when he sets out to hunt down a rascal be never lets up till he gets him dead to rights, He is just a holy terror—that is what!” ‘And you say he owns this place. He must be well off in this world’s gooda, I venture to say.” v He’s a good deal more than well off. He’sa millionaire, and nothing short of it. Why, that mine of his is pouring two thousand dollars a day into his pockets, and that’s over and above expenses, too.” ** Whew !” The whistle of surprise was genuine, and it escaped Dick involuntarily. hile he had known the miné was a paying one, he bad no idea it was yielding profits so large as that, here was little wonder, be fully realized, that Sir Clyde had wanted him to come and relieve him of some of his responsibility. Wat would he ever be able to do with so much wealth? ** Makes you whistle, does it?” observed Garry, laughing. ‘* Well, it’s the fact all the same.” ‘And where is this Deadwood Dick now” Dick inquired, “Why, he has been away from here three years or more, but he is expected to drop in any day now. He's been north lately, where he got into a scrimmage that almost used bim up, and for some time he’s been down on the coast, so his manager says,” ‘*His maneger must be a trusted man, to be left so long in charge of such a big business, I should think,” ‘* So he is, and he deserves to be, too, for Sir Clyde Carleton is a gentleman_born, and as up- rigbt and honest as the sun. ll bet he will ac- count for every penny as straight as a string when Dick returns, There he comes now,” As he spoke be pointed up the street, where Sir Clyde «nd Dunbar Kellock were to be seen walking down in thé direction of the botel. It was near stage-time, and Carleton was coming to meet it, with the hope that Deadwood Dick might be one of the passengers. Of all men, the inayor desired most to see him. CHAPTER III. AN OFFER OF SERVICES, Mayor Carterton and Dunbar Kellock as- cended the steps to the piezza, where they helped themselves to the inviing_ chairs that were free to all. ‘Yes, it puzzles me greatly,” Sir Clyde was saying. ‘t We have some men in this camp who are not angels by any means, I know, but I cannot name one who, I think, would have the daring to do a deed like this, or the heart to kill poor Bordwell,” “Tt is a terrible mystery, true enough; and the worst of it is, there is poclew, If we could only have found anything to work upon, some- thing migbt be done. I tell you I was almost overcome with borror, Mr. Carleton, when I made the discovery as i did,” “T do not doubt it, Mr. Kellock; it was enough to horrify any man.” ‘**We could hardly believe the report, when 3 a RE LS SR A CN TN ES EA NS SC NEE RT the news reached us here,” put in Phil Harley, or Poker Pbil, at this point, He had returned with Joe Sethe, as shown, but up to this time had not spoken, having been listening to the conversation between Garry and Deadwood Dick—or, as he was then known —Willard Marblehead. “The same with me, when the man brought the information to me at the mine,” added Sir Clyde. ‘I only hope Bristol will come by this stage; maybe he will be able to run the fiend down and bring him toaccount. If any man on earth can do it, he is the man,” ‘*Then, with you, I certainly hope he will come,” declared Mr, Kellock. This man Kellock had been some months in the young city, and bad made a favorable im- pression. He was about forty-five years of age, to judge by his Jooks, a good talker, and rather engaging in manner, hat he wasa person of some means was evident, for he had been stopping at the Grand Pacific, where he paid his bills promptly, though he was never seen to do any business, other than some speculating in realestate, He had bought some lots of Carleton shortly after coming to the place, and bad disposed of one or two of them to some advantage, It was bis intention, be had announced more than once, to wait until be was certain the rail- road would run a spnr to the city ; then he would put up and open one of the best and biggest general stores in the Territory, The railroad spur, by the way, was much talk- ed about, and would have been built ere this, no doubt, but for the fact that a big tunnel would bave to be bored before it could strike into Pretty Pass and somako its way to the Pocket. There was but one entrance to the Pocket be- sides the narrow foot trail mentioned in our opening chapter, and that was through a deep and narrow pass known as the Pretty Pass. Here, (as readers of previous stories may recal)) had been tbe tol]l-gate kept by Mountain Mose, and also the hotel Mose,”—now things of the past and rarely spoken of. On this day the stage was late, for some reason or other, probably because the train had been late, and the noon whistle at the mines sounded before it appeared in sight. While the men on the piazza were keeping up their conversation, which bad pow become general, an old man was seen making his way down from the direction of the mines, and upon reaching the steps of the piazza he stopped short and cried out: ‘“¢ Great currogated old bambone o’ devastatin’ demolishun what discouraged the sinners 0’ Ninnivy when old Joner pitched into ’em bip an’ thigh and smote ’em over the thatches to im- ress "em properly— Yea, great hambone 0’ lamtown, what is this I bear? A murder in this hyer city o’ Pistol Pocket! Signs o’ demoli- shun! where is Deadwood Dicky this blessed minnit?” He it was, Old Avalanche the invincible! He bad been some time at Pistol Pocket, now, and coming recommended from Deadwood Dick, had been given some light employment at the mine for which he received good pay. It was the same with Billy Bucket, by the way. He was employed in the cflice where he and Johnny Smile, whose name mavy of cur readers wii] recall, had by tbis time become quite attached to each otber, since in their at- tachment and devotion to Deadwood Dick they bad a mutual bond of effinity. Tbe old scout was by this time known to everybody in the camp except the latest arri- vals, and those on e piazza smiled at his quaint and vigorous language. ‘*T bave some hope that Mr, Bristol will come by the stage to-day,” Sir Clyde made response to him. ‘‘ Circulatin’ currogashuns o’ pernambulatin’ abobipashbuns! et is to be hoped he will; ham- bone, yes! Hyer the cloven hoof has showed itself in this hyer Parrydise of ours, and if Richard was ever wanted had he is }wanted that way now. Mister Carleton, I have been lookin’ around to find you, to tell ye that the old man don’t work any more till this hyer matter is cleared up and the p’izen critter what slewed poor Bordwell is hanged higher than Ha—Ha—Ham— Yes, higher than ham- bone, by the signs o’ demolishun!” “ All right, old friend; suit yourself about that,” the manager acquiesced, Deadwood Dick was smiling to himself at the earnestness the old scout was manifesting. The others were laughing, and Old Avatanche was about to say something further but en then the stage was seen coming down the valley, ard into the street.
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4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. “Whoa!” sung out the Jehu, as he drew rein in front of the Grand Pacific and brought his six horses up all standing. ‘* What’s the ’cite- ment, citizens. ‘Most everybody looks as if there had been a funeral in camp purty soon,” Such was his quaint hi of putting it, and while his question was ing auswered his passengers alighted from the ‘‘ hearse,” Awong these were two in whom we may take interest, The first of these was a nervous, fussy little man in black, with a silk hat that looked as if it had seen service before the war. The next, whom the littls man assisted, was a woman, She was past the bloom of youth, had red bair and a sharp nose, and, when she spoke, it was discovered that she had a voice as harsh as “ filing a saw.” 2 At first sight these were taken to be man and wife, and more than one person in the crowd felt his heart going out in symphaty to the man: but the woman speaking almost at once set them right on that point, It was seen that the man was in the woman’s employ ia some capacity or other. “ Simon Singletree|” the woman called out, as soon as her feet touched the ground, The little man was seen to give a start that was almost a jump, as the harsh voice sounded, “Yes, Mrs. Grandis,” he responded. “Insist upoa my having oue of the best rooms in tha house,” the woman gavedirections, ‘* In- sist upon it, 1 say; and see to it that you register my name in full,” ** Yes, ma’m; I will see to it all.” * Your arm, sir!” The little man gave another start, and then promptly recovered and gave his arm to the woman and escorted her up the steps and into the houae, while the other passengers were get- ting down and out, ‘See that ‘ar pair, boys?” observed the driver, jerking bis thumb in the direction of the door, The boys had seen them, ‘* Waal, that woman’s a posy, she is, and don’t you forgetit, She’s lookin’ fer a truant husband, and Lord help the man when she finds him is ail I have ter say. Et seems he got up an’ dusted out, but she’s bound ter bave him back ergain ef thar is sech a thing as layin’ hands on him.” Said one man: ‘‘ Et ain’t ter be wondered at that he got out, fer ef that voice o’ hers is so mighty gratin’ ina calm, what must et be inastorm? Jest imagine that ’ar red ha’r up on end, that ’ar sharp nose white at the tip, and that ’ar voice jest a-sawin’ ther welkin into ribbons at every twirl of her tongue, an’ tell me whar’s the mortal man that wouldn’t git up an’ fit. ; “Great devarsyfied hambone, yes!” sup- plemented Old Avalanche, ‘Tell us whar is the mortal man that would want ter stand et. Not the ragin’ old Injun eppydemick, you kin bet on that, Signs o’ demolisbum, no! bad all I wanted when I used to dance to the tune of Sal Samantha, and ef she was a stinger with ber tongue you kin bet this one ain’t fur behind the bush in that same respect. Missus Grandis, ef that man you ar’ lookin’ for has got ary grain o’ hoss sense he'll keep mighty um, Dick smiled to himself as he listened and the Yecollection of the old scout’s matrimonial venture came to mind,” The last passevyer was now out, and with an air of disappointment Sir Clyde said: ** Well, he didn’t come, I wish he had, for he is needed,” , ‘* No, he was certainly not among that lot,” agreed Joe Garry, ** Unless,” added the mayor and manager, ‘‘ he is in disguise, just for a joke.” “Great disyinted old hambone what curro- gated ther inner workin’s of Joner!” cried Old Avalanche. With the words he snatched off his ragged old hat and gave his leg a slap with it, and Garry inquired what had struck him, “ That’s jest the idee!” he declared. “ Dicky is in disguise, jest fer a leetle joke, and that fel- ns! in the old high hat is him, sure’s I’m a-shout- e ** Impossible,” Carleton declared. “Currogated cans 0’ discombobberated de- molishun! why is et impossible?’ the old man demanded, “That same Deadwood Dicky can change bimself into shapes 80 mighty onimagina- ble that his own mammy wouldn't Snow him.” “Yes, but he couldn’t sbrivel himself up at will,” disputed Garry. At that the old map scratched his head. ‘* Besides,” reminded Sir Clyde, “you bave seen his wife and would certainly know her.” “I don’t know whether I would or not,” ad- — ae af —_—_—_—_erereaeaeaeaeae—e———— en SY tee LS mitted the old scout, ‘for she is next to Dicky himself at that disguisin’ business; but that last argymint is ’most a clincher, fer { don’s believe Katie could git up a voice like that if she tried —great old hambone, no!” *No, it is plain they didn’t come,” said Carle- ton, *t and I don’t know where to reach him now by telegraph. We shall have to do the best we can with the case till he does come. Mr. Kel- lock, and you, Garry, and also you, Phil Harley, do all you can in the direction of bringing poor Bordwell’s murderer to justice, The reward I have offered may bring us something.” “If I thought, gentlemen, that I could be of any service to you,” bere spoke up Willard Marblehead, ‘‘I would offer myself, I used to be something of a detective in my younger days,” ‘Then you are just the man we want,” de- clared Sir Ciyde. ‘* Will you meet me at the bank immedistely after dinner, sir? There is nota man in the place who has any detective skill whatever, so far as I know, and we are all at sea,” ‘Since you request it, I will meet you there,” was the reply. ‘‘Please do me the favor to see that no papers or documents of any sort are disturbed till I can have an opportu- nity to look at them. It is just poeiee that I may be able to find something that will have bearing upon the affair, though it is now some os since [ bave done anything in the dt ctive ine.” CHAPTER IV. POKER PAIL PERPLEXED, In the mean time Simon Singletree had gree into the office to register for himself and Mrs, Grandis, “T want two rooms, sir,” he said to the clerk in bis nervous way, ‘For myself I want something common and not expensive, but for Mrs, Grandis I want, and must have, the best the house affords, Do you understand me, sir? The very best,” “The very best is already taken, sir,” an- nounced the clerk, “‘but we have others that are good enough for the Queen of England or anybody else—even Mrs, Grandis. will give the lady No. 9, sir, and you may have No, 49, That comes about as near to filling the bill as possible.” ‘But, sir, Mra, Grandis will insist upon having the very best—” tae ‘‘ And she’s got it, the very best we have vacant; we can’t turn anybody out to gratify ark you w. Just register there, if you Pp ease, > There was no further argument, after that, so the little man took the pen and set forth his own name and that of the woman he served, placing her name first, of course, ** There they are, sir!” he said, as he laid down the pen, ‘*Mrs, Grandis always insists upon having her name set down in full.” The clerk flirted the Register around facing him, and read: ‘‘Mrs. BRENTWOOD WITHERINGTON GRANDIS, Galveston, Tex. “Simon SINGLETREE, Lawyer, ditto,” itto, ‘* All right, Mr, Singletree!” said the clerk. 2s mee I have you shown to your rooms now, sir ‘*One moment first, sir. Will you allow me to post this ented notice up here in your office where it will be seen?’ and he drew a paper from his aie as he spoke, and unfolding it, held it up for the clerk to read, It was worded like this: *“PUBLIC NOTICE ! * To ALL Wom It May CoNCERN: “This is to set forth, declare. and proclaim, that my raseal of a hu band, BRENTWOOD WITHER- INGTON GRANDIS, has cruelly deserted me and left me alone to face the scorn of a cruel worid. Whereas, I, his only true and lawful wife, do set for hand declare that he is my own personal and private property. and I hereby warn other women from having anything to do with him. J am bound to have kim if I have to search the world over, for he is m're. The accompan cut isa good like- ness of him. Any one kno anything about him will confer a favor by communicating the facts to LovePrace GRANDIS, me, his sorrowing wife. 8 . _ RoBINNETTA a ‘Simon INGLETREE, Lawyer. {Astest.] In the center of the placard was the picture of a young man, not at all bad looking, and the printing was around it, ; At sight of the likeness the clerk gave a slight ! 4s ¥ - i het ahi ” uw ie 4 x Pech . Wey rh bee ne aD kei A i start, as though he recognized it, and as he read the wording a smile lit up his face, ending in a laugh when he had done. r. Singletree never smiled, ‘* Why do you laugh, sir?” be soberly asked. “It strikes me as rather funny, that is all, sir. Yes, post it up, of course, if you want to” “Tt is no laughing matter, sir, I assure you,” declared.the lawyer. “At any rate it will be no laughing matter for the rascal when she gets hold of him, As for me, I am in it for five thousand dollars,” “The woman must be well fixed.” ‘So she is, sir, She is very rich, while that rascal of a busband is as poor as can be.” ‘*Ha! then he robbed her before be skipped out, I take it, and that makes her anxious to get hold of him. No doubt she'll when she does—” * Not so, sir; not so, not so, not so,” the lawyer interrupted. ‘‘He did not take a penny, sir; merely took his leave, that was all, It is a case of love, you see, She wasa good while getting a man, and having got one she naturally wants to keep him.” ? **And you say you are in it for five thou- sand?” ‘Yes. That is the sum I am to receive ag soon as we find the man, and I compel him to return to his wife’s bed and board, 80 to say.” ‘* Well, [ wish you good luck, for your own sake, Mr. Singletree, but for the sake of Grandis, judging by the little I saw and beard of his amiable better-half when she landed, I hope you won’t find him.” oe ‘Don’t say that—the latter, sir; dun’t say that! I have been a whole year at business already, and it is eating into the p like the mischief, I must fied Grandis, sir, and wben I do he’s at. mutton, and he'll be his wife’s— well, bash is what the’l] make of him, I think.” ‘* Not if she loves him, oon ‘*That’s just it; she don’t know how to love. She was so jealous of him that she made life a little bell for him, and that’s why he got up and got, to put it in the vernacular.” ** Simon Singletree!” It was the voice of Robinnetta, and the law- yer jumped six inches clear from the floor, ““Y— y— yes,” he responded; ‘coming now, just as soon as I put up the notice, Mrs. Gran- dis, ‘*Tt seems to me you are a good while about it, Bi mon Singletree, Post it at once and come ere, The little lawyer made haste to tack the plaoned up, and then made more haste to rejoin s, Grandis. As goon as he had gone out the clerk enjoyed a hearty Jaugh. The office was a little place sbut off from the bar-room 80 that ladies might visit it as well as men, ; ; No one was there but the clerk, and when the lawyer had gone out he et sc a wed laugh all to himself, fairly holding his sides, to be quiet abont it. “This is too good,” he said to himself. ‘’Who would have thought it! And it don’t seem possible there can be any mistake about it, for the picture looks just like him, only a trifle careworn,” Stepping to the door he looked out, as if in quest of some one, and his face lighting up told that hehad found he person he wanted. ‘Hey, Poker Phil,” he called; ‘step here a minute, will you?” F In a moment Phil Harley came in, @ question- ing expression on his face, “¢ Did you know that back-number female who came in on the stage with the little man?” the clerk asked, “No, Jim,” was the answer; ‘how should I know her?” “She se:ms to know you!” ** Knows me?” “Yes. Say, did you ever hear of Brentwood “Grandis?” “Never. Now, what are you driving at, avy- how? How do you know she seems to know me? ** Look there and see for yourself.” The clerk pointed to the placard. ar “ Jews of Jericho!” ejaculated Poker Phil at sight of the face. “ That’s my pbiz, 85 Sure as smoke!” z ‘That's what I thougbt, Phil, and 1’d haif an idea you were the man; but now J can see ary are not. But, read it and see what you think of it. I Poker Phil stepped forward and read the ter, and when he had done be ave vent to prolonged whistle. , “That’s a stunner,” put bim through he declared. “ Suppose | f tT | | |
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So nr — — the old hawk sees me and swears I’m her lost man! It’s a wonder she or the lawyer didn’t see me on the piazza and go for me at once.” ‘‘There was too much of a crowd for that, I should say.” . ‘“ Maybe that was it. But, Jim, what the deuce am I going to doif they fall on me as the missing piece of perso property?” ‘¢ Why, you'll have to prove that you are not, that’s all,” ‘But, I bave not lived here more than six months or so, and none of you know much about me before that time, while this man has been gone a year or longer, from what you tell me.” “Ha, ha, ba! {t inay make it a trifle un- pleasant for you, that’s the fact.” ‘IT should say it might, What would you do about itif you werein my place? Shoot me if it don’t take away my wind, almost,” ** Why, [think I would take to the woods till she had gone on her way to some other camp. Still, the lawyer says she’s rich, and if you want to admit the identity you might fall into a good thing— “ What! with that hair!—tbat nose!—and that voice! Heaven forbid, Just give me leave to snatch that thing down from there, will you?” ** What good will that do you? The lawyer bas a pocketful of them, and he’ll only put up another,” ; ‘““That’s so; I guess there’s no use kicking.” ‘* Not a bit; there’s only one of two things you can do.” ‘* And what are they?” } ** Take to the woods or face the music,” ‘**T guess you are right, and 1 think I’ll do the. latter, I’m not their man, and I'll be hanged if Pll run away from any female that ever wagged her tongue,” : Just then Old Avalanche stepped in, “ What would you do about it, old nan?” asked dim. **T reckon I’d bring him hyerin a hurry if Thad a rope to his neck,” was the prompt re- sponse, Pole was thinking of Deadwood Dick, ‘* No, no, not that,” protested the clerk, ‘* but this case of Poker Phil's here, See that notice there.” non “Great currogated hambone what played the dickens with the digestive masheen of old Joner! What would J do, boyees? Til tell ye that, in uick time, I’d git up and amble out o’ hyer, oker Phil, shake hands on’t, Hyear’s the relick one Oncet ragin’ tornader o’ destructive de- molishun what has a feller feelin’ fer ye. I have been thar, boyee.” “Vm willin? to shake hands with you, old man, but in this case it’s a mistake, I’m not =a man that’s wanted, you see, It’s a mis- ake. ‘* Nevertheless, young man, I’d sneak out jest ther same—Great hambone, yes! If that wo- man gits her claws onto ye oncet, you ar’ a goner, sure, I kin read that much in the tip of ber nose. Her nose is somethin’ like the one my Sal Samantha had, and I tell you when she got Aer grip onto anything it had to come—even to --me—the oncet tremenjus north corner of the great triangle that was. Yes, git up and git, and so save yourself while you can. Don’t let her nab ye, great sarcumnavigatin’ whirlwinds 0’ devastatin’ demolishun, no!” Poker Phil stoutly maintained that it wasa mistake, in spite of the likeness; and so it was, as his manner bad already clearly proved toJim the clerk. But what the outcome of it would be remained to be seen, CHAPTER V, DEADWOOD DICK’s TRIO. ~~ ** JOHNNY, What do you make of this!” __ “That's just what ’m trying to do, Billy— - Make something out of it,” “AndsoamI. I tell you it has been a nasty piece of business, and if this town gets hold of the murderer he’ll swing.” “You bet he will, and high, too, And he'd | ought toswing. The man who could kill r Bordwell could do any kind of a crime, But, he couldn’t find a worse one to do,” “You are right, Too bad Deadwood Dick isn’t here.” ‘T only wish he was, I’ll bet he would make things hum till he had found the villain out.” The speakers were two young men, aged be- tween twenty and twenty-one, who were stand- ing in front of the cl bank where the crime had been committed. 4 They were not the only ones there, for the street was quite crowd et, in spite of the fact that now a considerable time had elapsed _ since the discovery of the terrible deed. _ About the same age, the young men had some. thing of a similarity of appearance. They were strong-looking lads, having good features and well-rounded limbs, and the promise in them of one day becoming a pair of powerful men. Aud who were they? Toeir names are not unknown to the readers of these romances—in fact, have already been mentioned in a preceding chapter. They were Billy Bucket and Johnny Smile, two of Deadwood Dick’s allies, who had spent some time with him in active service on differ- ent occasions. Both were good amateur detectives, and as they stood before the bank where the murder had been done, each was trying bard to get hold of some idea which would prove a clew in the search for the heartless assassin. ‘‘T’s a queer case, anyhow,” Billy Bucket presently observed, “You're right it is,” asserted Johnny, ‘ and queer in more ways than one, too. Do you think the rascal meant to kill the old man?” ‘* Mean to killhim? Why, hedrove that thing, whatever it was, almost through his head. Of course be meant to kill him, or he wouldn’t haye struck more than a quarter as hard.” ** Yes, [ know; but do you think he went there with the intention of killing him?” **Oh! Ldon’t know about that. Mebby not,” “* T think not,” ‘* What’s your idea about it,”’then?” ““Why, I think he meant to give bim a tap heavy enough to lay him out, but the man turned around and discovered bim and that made it necessary for the robber to make it a killer. ‘‘ Shouldw’t wonder if you are right. But, bow did the fellow get in there without being seen? You know the whole office is shut off in front, by the partition, and that’s got only one little door in it locked on the inside,” ‘That's what puzzles me,” They were silent and thoughtful again for some moments, “ Billy,” spoke Jobnny, next, “it strikes me that this wasn’t a common piece of business,” ‘* Even 80,” admitted Billy. ‘It has been hit- ting me that way mght along. Any common fellow would bave marched up to the front and demanded the ducats at the end of a gun.” “Yes; and a regular agent would have done the same thing, nodoubt, only he would have had a pal to gather up the dudads while he held the cashier covered, That is the way we generally see it in the newspapers, you know.” “And when you see it in the newspapers it’s 80. ‘*Oh! sure,” ‘Then we agree that it wasn’t a common ras- cal at all.” ‘* Exactly, unless he was so very common that be didn’t know how to go about the job.” ** And we can’t believe that, for a regular ex- pert coulin’t bave done it neater, so far as get- ting off with the boodle is concerned. There's more to this thing than appears on top.” ‘* You are right when you say that.” ‘Then let’s sum up the points we understand and the points we don’t understand.” “Pil tackle the ones we do understand, for that will be a good deal the easiest. In the first place, we know Bordwell was killed. That he was by @ man whose object was the rob- bing of the safe, Then, it looks reasonable that the robber intended to knock him senseless, but being seen, made a whole job of it so that the cashier could never disclose bis identity.” “That, is about all we know, and it’s little enough. Not enough for us to go to work on, I'm afraid. Now, I'll tackle what we don’t know, and [Jl bet Pj] run up the biggest score, First and most important, we don’t know who ‘the rascal was. Next, we don’t know how he got in there without giving the cashier a chance to gixe the alarm, Then, how did he get out and away with his bundle of boodle without be- ing seen? Again, where did be disappear to so mighty soon? They say the crime hadn’t been done but a few minutes when the body was dis- covered. There’s a good many other points I might bring up, but that’s enough to puzzle over now,” iO i.4 About the time he finished speaking they were joined by Old Avalanche. “Great old discombobberated hambone!” the old scout cried, ‘Why couldn’t Deadwood Dicky ’a’ come on that stage, when he’s wanted so bad? It’s enough ter e this ancient relick of a oncet turrible Injun eppydemick set night up on his hind legs and how! a howl o’ agonized lamentashun; et is, great hambone, yes!” ‘* t's too bad, old man,” averred Billy Bucket, ‘* Great surgin’ swoops 0’ rantankerous calam- ities, I should say et was’ What kin we do \ without him? Hyer has been done one of the most orful murders these hyer old ears—ears that oncet was—o’ |mine. ever beerd tell on, and not a man ino the hull camp fit ter tackle the case and run the rascal down, Weepin’ willers 0’ Babylon! et’s most enough ter cause a flow o’ tears that would deluge the kentry round about, Ever hear tell of the diffikilty I oncet got out of by lettin’ go the floodgates of my tender and humble speeret?” The boys never had, “‘ Waal, waal, I must tell ye bout that, sure. Ye see, et was up in the bad lands thar, when Pradence Cordeliar and Florence Night-in-a-gale wur in ther prime o’ their existence, We got cornered on a sort 0’ knoll where there wasn’t no show fur usa tall, and we was ina bad way, I was Out o’ munition for my gun, the lay of the land made it onpossible for Prudence Cordeliar to get in her fine work, and Florence Night-in-a- gale hadn’t any show to do ber part, All eround us was a gully, and the Injuns wur creepin’ up to us on their bellies as thick as flies around the buvg ofa ‘lassescask. What ter do I didn’t know, an’ I got so worked up wi’ rage and dis’- p'intment that I cried—actooly cried.” He drew his sleeve across his eyes now at the recollection, ‘Yes, actooly cried,” he repeated. ‘The salt, sad tears flowed like a mighty river, while I sot thar waitin’ to be slain, 1 wasn’t payin’ no ’tention to anything, but was just a-cryin’ fer all I was worth, and the first thing that brought me to myself was a bl’at of delight from Florence Night-in-a-gale and a bray of joy from Prudence Cordeliar, follered immejustly by cries of despair from them Injuns, I jumped up an’ looked, an’ you may call me a heartless old lier if that gully wasn’t nigh flooded, and the Injuns was a-strugglin’ fer life in the flood! I guva whoop and then I let off a few more weeps and filled the place right up full, when, mountin’ Prudence Ccodaltars and Jeadin’ Florence Night- in-a-gale by one horn, I swum out and left four bundred an’ forty-nine Iojuns, actooal count, strugglin’ thar in the briny deep,” ‘‘ Whew!” whistled Johnny Smile, ‘* Why didn’t you make it an even ee old man?” ‘“‘ Great pertic’larized an’ non-readjustable old hambone!” cried Avalanche. ‘Do you think, boyee, that I would tell a lie fer one poor, miser- able, sneakin’ Injun? I ruther reckon not!” ‘Dropping Indians for the present, Ava- lanche,” said Billy Bucket, ‘‘ what do you think of this case?” ‘What right bave I got ter think about et at all?” demanded Avalanche, “Why not?” : ** Because Deadwood Dicky isn’t around ter set my thinkin’ on ther right trail, that is what and whyfor.” ‘That is just what’s the matter, old man. Seeing that he isn’t here, we are thinking about taking the matter up ourselves, to see what we can do with it; Johnny and I, and we'd like to have you go in with us,” ‘*Wull, we might be able ter do as little at it as the next one—hambone, yes! but et bits me we ar’ ruther too late now to git ther inside track, me boyees, I was lookin’ ye up to tell ye that thar’s another man in ther field now, and he’s goin’ to tackle it purty soon,” ** Who is that?” asked the boys both together. ‘‘He’s a feller at the Grand Pacific,a man named Willard Marblebead who is from Wash- in’ton. He's a man o’ ripe age, not yet on the wither, and seems ter be a smart man and meb- by does know somethin’ about detective work; but, Lordy! Ill bet he can’t hold a candle to Deadwood Dicky, nohow!” y “Does he claim to be a detective?” asked Jobnny, “*T believe he says he uster be somethin’ of that sort when he was a young feller.” ‘** Well, it’s to be hoped. he is one, and that he will be able to yank this mean sneak that killed poor Bordwell, There'll be a third-rate hanging if he does, you bet on that.” ‘¢ Attenuated and pre-bistoric old ossified ham- bone, yes! We'll see what he will do, for be is comin’ bere with his boss purty soon to take a look over the ground, and we'll be able to tell by his doin’s whether he’s a reg’lar or not. I hope he is, fer we mustn’t let this camp be disgraced —hambone, no!” ; ‘¢Tf that is the case, that somebody is going to take hold of it in the reguiar way, 8’ we han back a little and see what comes of it,” pro Billy. “That's about the proper thing, I should say,” agreed Johuny, ‘“*Pernambulatin’ old hambone, yes!” cried Avalanche, ‘Of course itis. Oncet ther game is up an’ runnin’, then l’m a p’izen rantankerous
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Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. old whirlwind o’ demolishun on the trail, an’ ef we don’t make ther dust fly you kin take out my backbone an’ make a mule-trace of et; you kin, by migbty\” They went off, then, in quest of dinner, talking the case over and looking at it from every im- aginable point of view. , CHAPTER VI. MARBLEHEAD TAKES HOLD. It was along early in the afternoon when Mayor Carleton, Dunbar Kellock, Joe Garry, Phil Harley and a few others accompanied Willard Marblehead to the bank where the das- tardly deed had been done, where the gentle- man from Washington was to try his hand at tearing away the vail that sbrouded the matter in mystery. The crowd was still in front of the building, not so great as it had been during the first half hour after the discovery, of course, but still of ood size, and near the steps were Old Avalanche, Bil Bucket and Johnny Smile, hen those whose names have been men- tioned came up, Johnny Smile stepped out and accosted Carleton. *“ Mr. Carleton,” said he, ‘* will you allow us to g9 inside with you?” “What for, Johnny?’ asked Sir Clyde, ‘** Because we are interested in the case, seeing that it concerns Deadwood Dick, and want to do what we can to help find the murderer,” ‘* Great hambone, yes!” cried Old Avalanche, ** We ar’ Dicky’s old-time rocks, we ar’, and we want to bein et ef wecan, you bet! Lor’ Jerusha, yes! I feel as ef my age gives me some claim to rights,” *“* What do you say to this, Mr. Marblehead?” asked the manager. ‘*These are Deadwood Dick’s allies, and have been trusted by him in many important matters, Have you any ob- jection to their going in with us, to look about and Ee up what they can?” ‘* Why, certainly not,” was the response, ‘ Let them come in, by all means, It is possible, having seen service under Deadwood Dick, that they will be as likely to discover something as Dick’s disguise was good and his acting per- fect, and he passed this ordeal without a suspi- cion as to his identity. ‘‘ Very well,” assented Sir Clyde; ‘*come in with us, then, but remember that Mr. Marble- head must be given first privilege in everything, since he has so kindly offered his services,” ‘“‘That is understood, sir,” agreed Billy Bucket. ‘‘ All we want to do is to see and hear, so as to make up our minds concerning some things we have been tryin’ to figure out.’ * All right; come along!” They entered the bank building and the doors were closed after them. When it was rumored outside that the stran- er with the mayor was a detective, the crowd Siok fresh interest and began to increase at once, When the doors had been closed, Mr. Marble- head remarked: ‘* Now, Mr, Kellock, as you were the one who discovered the crime let me bear your descrip- tion ot the matter as it became revealed to you, ‘Very simple,” said Mr. Kellock, affably. “T entered the door here and stepped to the window there,” indiceting, ‘I could not see Mr, Bordwell, and: after waiting a moment, called him, thinking he had stepped into the rear part of the office. As he did not respond, I stepped to the end there and craned my neck to look behind the partition, It was then that I was horrified to find him lying on the floor with a terrible wound upon his head,” ‘““What did you do then?” asked Deadwood Dick. “ Why, I sprung to the door immediately and gave the alarm, making known what I had dis- covered, and in a few minutes there was a surg- ing crowd before the building, as everybody knows,” ** And there was no clew of any sort to be dis- covered, eh?” ‘¢ None, 80 far as I was able to find.” **No weapon—no papers lying around—noth- ing lost near the safe?’ ‘Nothing whatever that { could attach the least importance to, sir, Nothing at all that was even a hint at a clew, But, then, I am no detective, and you may find something that would easily escape me.” “I am afraid not, since so many persons have been in here since the discovery was made, However, let us see,” and Mr. Marblehead made, a careful inspection of the interior, He found nothing. ies Mi te = “You are right,” be admitted; ‘‘ there is no clew, We often read about finding a lost but- ton, or a bit of cloth, or a track in the dust, or something of that sort, but we don’t find either here, This is a case without the accompanying clew for the detective to work upon.” ‘* And then you have to give it up, like the rest of us?” asked Sir Clyde, in anxious tone, ‘* Not by any means, sir. If the clew does not lie open in sight, we must try to unearth one. It will probably be found in some form or other. I presume you are somewhat familiar with the working of the office business, are you not, Mr. Carleton?” ‘* Yes, I know something about it, sir.” ** We will see if we can discover what was the last business the murdered man performed.” “IT do not know that it will be easy to do that, further than to note what checks he ma have cashed last. The order on the file will show that,” “Tt may amount to nothing, but we will look at the checks,” ** Very well, sir.” ‘* What d’ye think of him, Billy?” asked Johnny Smile, giving Bucketa nudge and putting the question in whisper. ‘* He seems to know what he’s about, anyhow,” responded Billy Bucket, ‘‘ We'll see bow this check search pans out, now, and maybe it will show up something.” The mayor had steppe to the cashier’s win- dow, where stood a file with many checks upon it, and taking off the top one he looked at it a moment and then read it off out aloud. ‘ ‘Payable to the order of Hen Toole, one hun- dred and two dollars, This is signed by Robert Keeter, and it was no doubt the very last check poor Bordwell ever received at the window, and it is possible that this man Toole was the last man with whom he did business.” ‘Perhaps; but we cannot be sure of that. Who is this Hen Toole?” ** He is a fellow of very little account; drinks, gambles, and works a little when he is forced to it by necessity.” : ‘And who is Robert Keeter?”’ “‘ He is proprietor of the place next door here, the Monte Carlo it is called: a gambling place. He is a rough man, and is commonly called Rough Rob, He keeps an orderly place,” “How do you suppose he came to owe Hen Toole a hundred and two dollars?” “Probably the fellow won it at the gaming- table.” 3 keke “That would indicate that Toole had some skill or that the other man had a remarkable run of bad luck, eb?” ‘Yes; and it must have been the latter, for I never heard of Toole’s having any skill at the tables,” “Well, what is the next check?” Mr. Carleton took up another and read it off as before. “Itis tothe order of one Ben Fry,” he an- nounced, ‘‘ and calls for Seventy-one dollars, This, too, is one of Keeter’s checks,’ a so? And what sort of man is| Mr, **He will pair well with Toole.” “Tm! ell, what’s the next on file?” ‘*Ha! another of the same sort, Payable to Gil Brett, two hundred and seven dollars, It is signed by the same person, too, Still, this may not indicate anything. I cannot believe these men did the deed.” “Oh! certainly not. I would not have any ons think I mean to accuse them of it,” assured Mr. Marblehead. ‘“‘ But, they may be able to tell us of some person who was in the bank at the time they had their checks cashed, or whom they met upon leaving.” ‘*Hambone what tickled ther gullick of old Joner!” exclaimed Old Avalanche, who had not spoken to this time, “et hits me hard that you are on the right track, old man, Ef Deadwood Dicky was byer I think he'd ‘gree with ye, too. That sort 0’ sounds like him.” **T am glad to have he approval, old friend,” was the response, as Mr. Marblehead looked at him over his gold-bowed ‘nose-pinchers.” ‘Still, there may not be anything in this dis- covery of mine—pshawi it is no discovery; it is only what any one would have looked into,” ‘It did not occur to one of us,” declared Sir Clyde. ‘ That does not signify; you had not put your mind to it yet.” “If you don’t care,” spoke up Billy Bucket, “Tam my pardner here will go and see if we can locate these three fellows for you.” ‘That's a good idea,” agreed Mr. Marblehead, “Go, by all means, Just a moment, first, how- ever, while I ask a question or two. Mr, Carle- A é » Thy : nd ie a Wet DCT a on am oa ee So aed ba ton, I take it that this man Keeter deposits his money here subject to check,” “*He does; in fact, most of the business mem of the Pocket do that, Youssee, this bank has the only burglar-proof safe in the city.” ‘** And it has been usual for him to pay out his losses at the table by checks, I suppose,” ‘Yes, it is quiteregular. Every morning as soon as the bank was opened the winvers of the night’s game were at the door to present their cheeks to get the cash. Itis all regular.” “That is all, then, Go ahead, young gentle- men, and when oe find the men just ask them to step up to the Monte Carlo for a few minutes. Do not let them know what is wanted; simply say Rough Rob wants to see them a moment. I have no doubt they will come.’ “They will come fast enough,” asserted Johnny Smile. ‘Ef they don’t, by the great rampagin’ old relicks 0’ hambone what made a tin whistle fer Joner ef this hyer old fossil don’t make ’em, and you hear the rumble 0’ my voice on that sub- jeck,” cried Old Avalanche, ‘‘ Go ahead, me lads and [ll bring up the rear to see that nothin? happens to ye when ye ain’t lookin’, [’m inter this thing now, I am; great hambone, yes!” The three went out and away, There was then some further search in the office, followed by a brief consultation, and they adjourned to the gaming palace next door. rawn by the crowd, there was a good assem- bly there, but the proprietor himself, Rough Rob, was not tobe seen, That, however, was all right, for he usually slept after dinner, “‘ Where is Mr. Keeter?” inquired Sir Clyde, ‘+ Asleep,” answered the head man of the place at the time. ‘Well, call him, if you please; tell him f want to see him on business,” The word was passed, and some one went to bring the proprietor, who presently arpeates: with his hair all mussed up and his eyes looking very sleepy, ‘*What’s the matter, mayor?’ he asked. ““ Have her found out anything further abeut the murder matter? I intend going into to it to win, as soon as I have my bracer of sleep. But I’m preventing you from stating your business, Go ahead.” CHAPTER VII. ARE THESE MEN INNOCENT? Rovenr Ros was a rough-looking man indeed. He was above the average in size, and looked to be a powerful fellow. He had a dark face, and it had an habitual scowl] that was not pleas- ant to see. Since he had come to Pistol Pocket he had ruo his place in strict accordance with the conditions upon which he had been allowed to open it, and that was, that it was to be an orderly place, More than once he had found occasion to “bounce” a “bad man” who, had sdught to kick up a disturbance in the Monte Carlo, and in each instance he had done the business up so effectually that the same man bad never sought a repetition of the dose, Rough Rob had come to be feared, » The habitual seow! was upon his face as he ad- dressed the mayor now, but be spoke in as agree- able manner as he could assume, ‘6 We have called to see what you can tell us about three men who played cards here last night,” said the mayor. ~ “ All right; anything I can tell you I'll do it with pleasure. Who were the men?” “They are Gil Brett, Ben Fry, and Hew Toole.” “Oh! those fellows, They didn’t play last night, but this forenoon, and, the rascals waxed me bed, too.” ; “So itseems, We find their checks were the last ones cashed at the bank, and we have thought it possible that they may be able to | throw some light upon the matter.’ a og you don’t think they did the deed, do you? Ob, no, we are not accusing them; in fact T don’t believe they did it; but they may bave seen some one there upon whom we can place suspicion,” 5 “ That's true: and, come to think of it now, they had not been gone from here so _ very tong. when the crime was discovered. You see, played with them because I was in tho mood, and being sleepy ang careless I allowed them t> win quite a pile before I took any particular in- terest as to how the game was going. But, what did vou want to ask about them?” “Well, in what frame of mind they were when they left here; whether they had any private talk that can be set down as looking sus~
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picious now in the face of what has been dis- covered; whether they had any companions here who are strangers, or who looked as if they were a degree or two worse than the fellows themselves. Anything, in fact, that may serve to throw some light upon this matter, or that may point suspicion toward these men.” : *“Can’t say that I saw eopining at all, sir,” was the answer to that. ‘‘ They were the same as usual, the little attention I paid to them, ex- cept that they went off in high feather over-the way in which they had waxed me at my own game. That was the last I saw of them, and they were out of my mind as svon as they had gone out the door with their checks, I went to bed, and knew nothing more till the noise of the crowd woke me up, and then I was too sleepy to stay up to take iuterest in this crime at the time, when [ had learned what was wrong, but I meant to do so as soon as I got up this after- noon,” ‘* Then it looks as though no suspicion can at- tach to these three fellows, as I taought, How- ever, I have sent for them to come here, in your name, thinking that would bring them quicker than if they were told I wanted to see them. I suppose that is all right.” ‘Yes, of course: and, now that I am up and wide awake, I'll stay up. PU go and finish dressing and slick up a little, and if they come before [ appear let’em wait for me, and while they wait you can be sizing them up. Take seats, gentlemen, and be at home,” **'That is nota bad idea,” said Marblehead. ** We'll do that.” “Mr, Keeter,” said Sir Clyde, Mr. Marblehead having spoken, ‘‘let me introduce Mr, Willard Marblehead, of Washington, who has offered his services in looking into this case, He used to be a detective iu bis younger days.” The proprietor of the Monte Carlo eyed Dick narrowly as he offered his hand to him, “I’m glad to know you, sir,” hesaid. ‘I hope you'll have success in bunting down the rascal who did it for poor Bordwell in so mean a fashion.” ** And I hopeso, too,” responded Dick, * But, I am out of practice—perhaps never was of much account at my best, soI may have to give up baffled. I shall do the best I can, however.” Keeter went out and the others took seats to await the coming of the trio whom the boys had gone out to find. \ In the mean time Billy and Johnny had had but little trouble in finding their game. Johnny knew the haunts of such fellows pretty well, and after visiting one or two resorts they came upon them, when they made known their errand. ' The men were a little suspicious at first, and rather inclined not to bite at the bait, demand- ing to know what was wanted of them and all about it, but the boys said they might go or not, maphey ata ang left them, his gave the fellows more spirit to go, since it appeared that Rough Rob had apetely sont word at these lads that be wanted to see them at the Saloon, rett, the leading spirit of the three. *“* We have got the money on the checks, and he can’t corner us fer that, that’s sure, Come 0n, pards, an’ we'll soon find out what's in the wind. Guess et won’t ‘mount ter mucb.” “« Et can’t be possible that they think we done raed thing at the bank, kin et?” questioned Hen .Oole, : »»{‘ Hope not, anyhow,” said Ben Fry “Ee ain't likely, an’ yet et may be,” observed Bre __‘* We was in there not a very long time fore et happened, ye know. Ef that’s et, we don’t want ter bang back any, fer that would nme bad fer us, We don’t wan't ter be ’cused 0? at. ‘Not any, But, we know we didn’t do et, so we have nothin’ ter be feered of in ? to! what’s wanted,” wigs andiea So talking, they made their way to the Monte Carlo, _When they entered they looked around a little uneasily, in Spite of their declaration of their innocence, and seeing the mayor there did not tend to make their uneasiness apy the legs, “Whar is Rough Rob? asked’ Brett, ad- dressing the man in charge. awuwtelh be in in a few minutes,” was the au Dove a want to see pei pe ‘ 88 he does; did somebody tell you so” Baar what he wants?” . Deadwood Dick, J r., Defied. *“No; you'll have to wait and see him to find ” “ All right; we'll wait. Jest trot out some- thin’ for'us to grin over while we wait.” They took seats ata table, and something’ to drink was provided, They at once filled their glasses, and as they sat and drank they talked ip low tones among themselves. Presently Billy Bucket and Johnny Smile came in, At sight of them the three fellows looked up in something of half alarm, and eyed the others in the room suspiciously, All this time the eyes of the Prince of Pistol Pocket were upon them, studying them well. Nothing in his face indicated what his thoughts were regarding them, however. The others simply waited. {In a little while Rough Rob came in again, and without noticing any one else be stepped forward to the table where the three men were sitting. “Did the boys tell you I wanted you?” he asked. ** Yes,” responded Gil, ‘* What d’ye want?” ‘“Who was in the bank when you got your checks cashed?” ‘“*Durn ef I know,” wastheresponse. ‘* Don’t think anybody was there,” All three of the fellows had turned slightly pale at the questions, for it brought them upon dangerous ground, ‘You are all of the same mind, that there was no one present when you presented your checks?” the proprietor of the place pushed, Each of the men declared, then, that to the best of his recollection no one else had been present. Deadwood Dick, who was observing closely, nodded his head as if be had proof now that some thought of his in some direction had been well grounded, “If that is the case, then,” Rough Rob said bluntly, ‘‘the mayor here wants to see you, There is ground for suspecting that maybe you three are the fellows who robbed the safe and killed Bordwell,” Upon this charge the three men sprung to their feet, their faces blanched, and looked helplessly upon their accuser, ‘*We didn’t doit, I swar we didn’t do it!” cried Gil Brett in alarm, Rough Rob waved his hand as if to say that he had nothing further to do with the affair, but referred him to the mayor, “*I do not accuse you yet, boys,” Sir Clyde spoke up. “I want to question you concerning your visit to the bank just before the deed was done, I want to know whom you saw there,” “Nobody but the cashier,” the fellow still maintained, Again Dick nodded his head slightly, as if in approval, * You are sure about that?” “Yes, now that I have thought it over I am sure of it, Thar wasn’t nobody thar but us, We was jokin’ among ourselves how we had got ahead of Rough Rob fer oncet, an’ sayin’ what a red-hot time we'd have in honor of et.” ** All of you are sure on that point?” They were, to a man. “Well, then, did you meet any one coming in as you went out?” They were excited, as they naturally would be, but after some thought they answered that they had seen no one, ** And you left the cashier alive and well?” “Ter be sure we did! You ar’ barkin’ up ther wrong tree hyer, sure,” It was now that Deadwood Dick rose from his place and stepped forward and faced the fellows, I have been employed upon this case as a de- tective, my men,” he said, “and I want a word with you in strict privacy, Look me in the eyes. The fellows did so, but now they were consid- erably agitated and nota little nervous. Still, they met his gaze unflinchingly, and he was evi- dently satisfied, one way or ancther. ‘You are innocent?” he asked, solemnly, ‘© We ar’, boss; woswear we are.” - “Very well, Mr. Keeter, is there a room here into which I may retire with these men for afew moments? I have some private questions to put to them,” CHAPTER VIII. ACCUSED AND ACQUITYLED, THERE was a small room near at hand, and the proprietor of the Monte Carlo made baste to place it at the disposa] of Mr. Marblehead for the purpose that had been named, and into it the detective and the prisoners retired, This was a s:uall room intended for business or ee 7 —— — for private gaming purposes, and it was fitted out with tables, chairs, etc, ‘* Now,” said Dick, when he bad closed and secured the door, ‘ sit down, all of you, and we'll talk this thing over in private, T'll begin by telling you that I am satisfied you are inno- cent of the crime.” Each man of them drew a long breath of re- lief at that. ‘‘T’'m glad ter hear ye say et,” declared Gil Brett, ‘‘ fer [ sw’ar again that et’s the truth and nothin’ but the truth. _We didn’t do et, and we don’t know who did. We didn’t have nothin’ at all ter do with et no way. We never thought o’ robbin’ ther bank.” “T believe you. Now, let’s have a talk about it, for I believe you can help me a good deal in this matter, if you are willing to work with me, Was the dead man a friend of yours—or a friend to any one of you?” ‘* Et’s sartain that he wasn’t our enemy,” de- clared Gil, ‘* We wouldn’t’a’ done him no harm nohow,” “Then you are anxious to see the right man punished for the crime?” “‘'You bet! And the more so, seein’ that et is hinted that we done et, which I sw’ar again we dido’t.” : ‘You three went into the bank together, I believe?” ** Yes, all at oncet,” ** And you were paid one after the other?” ** Jest so.” “Are you willing to let me see the money poy oe paid to you—that is, all you have left of it “Why, sertain! Et’s ours, though, and ye don’t want ter try ter take et away from us or there may be trouble,” ‘* Have no fears; I do not intent trying any- thing of the kind, my friends. I want to see the money to know what kind of bills the bank was paying out at the time of the crime.” be men took the money from their pockets without another word and laid it out before the detective in three little heaps. ' ‘How much is there in each heap?’ Dick asked, Each man named his sum. “*T want to buy it of you. Will you sell out?” ‘““Why, cert, ef you'll pay dollar fer dollar in good stuff,” declared Gil, “Tl do that same and more, I'll give you an ve ten where the odd dollars come in at the end, ‘* We'll do et, pard.” Tbe dicker was soon carried out, and Dead- wood Dick pocketed the money that had been the last paid out of the bank before the crime took place. ‘ ‘*Now, men,” said he, ‘‘see here. I want this little transaction of ours kept a secret. You declare your innocence, and 1 bave told you that I believe you are innocent; but, that is not proving it.” Their faces fell considerably. ‘‘Hear me ont,” added Dick, playing his role to perfection. “If I go out and tell them T believe you are innocent, they will demand to know why I think go, and tam not prepared to have that made known yet, I must give them the case as it looks from the outside, and you men must prove your innocence, If you are in- nocent, of course it won’t be hard to do that,” i. was plain the fellows did not relish that wan, oS Can’t et ba done some other way?” questioned ti . “No; no other way at all, This way or none, and vou must help me to carry out the plan,” * Well, let’s bear what yer plan is, in full,” “Tl tell them I can’t prove you guilty or in- nocent, and that will be no story, for while I be- lieve you are tnnocent, I have no proof of it, you see, They will propose holding you for trial and Dll say it will be the best thing to do until I can look further into the affair,” ‘An’ spose they take et into their heads to lynch us.” “No fear of that, for I guess the law has the upper hand in this place.” ‘* An’ et’s jest that that’s to be feared, when the people git up and go ter playin’ Jedge Lynch.” “They won't try it here, But, that is the the only thing there is for you to do, for that is the way I am going to manage it, and I don’t see how you can help yourselves.” ‘* We mought try et this way—” Gil made a move as he spoke to draw a weapon, to show what he meant, but he was covered before he could draw, “And I would balk you just this way,” re-—
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: . every time, ioe sought bis rooms and the compan a er ~ es Se Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied, turned Dick, coolly. ‘‘There 1s no need for us to play at that game, for I can match you at it ou may as well make up your mind to do what I want you to do,” ‘* Pard, I guess vou are right.” That little bit of experience was enough, and now Dick had the men just where he could handle them to suit himself, R ‘“ Now hear what I have to say,” he went on. “Tm going to try to prove you innocent, or rather belp you to do it, but at the same time I want it toappear that Iam rather inclined to think you guilty. Do you understand?” “T guess we do.” * Allright. If you can show that you are in- nocent, you will be allowed to go at once; if not, you will be held, I hope you will be held for a day or two, for it will help my plans best; but if not, all the same.” “We ruther hope et will be not.” “*T suppose so, Mind, now, not a word of what bas passed between us, and be particular not tc mention this exchange of money that has been made.” “ All right, pard; you hold the best hand and we ain’t kickin’ bard,” That being all, and Dick having gained bis sic he opened the door and allowed the men pass out, he following them. ‘Well, Mr, Marblehead, what is the word?” asked Mr, Kellock. “The word is, sir, that I cannot prove them either innocent or guilty,” was the answer, “Tn that case they must be held on suspicion,” decided the mayor. ‘* By all means,” echoed Dick, ‘* We willhold them, but will give them every chance to prove themselves innocent of the charge if they can do so,” ‘Whatever you say do shall be done,” averred Sir Clyde. ‘' You have done good work on the case already, finding this clew where none of us thought of looking and so getting a start.” “That was nothing,” Dick waived, ‘‘ Now, prisoners, have you thought of anything that will speak in your favor?” “We can’t think of any proof, I’m afraid,” answered Brett, ‘* We met folks on the street after we'd left the bank, but never thinkin’ of anything of this kind we didn’t pay no’tention to who they was,” * And we must not forget,” reminded the detective, ‘‘ that there is no proof aguinst them, All we have to hold them on is the fact that they were the last persons known to have been in the bank before the crime. We must try to find some one who saw the cashier alive after they had been there,” When first arrested, these men had been slightly drunk, but now they were as sober as i ges, the scare having banished every trace of ntoxication, * Then it is for me to commit them to jail for the present,” said the mayor, ‘‘I do not be- lieve they are guilty, myself, but that has noth- ing to do with the case, I must do my duty,” y this time the saloon was packed with men, and it was no trouble to find plenty who were willing to disarm and bind the fellows’ hands, ‘“They have money on them, of course,” re- minded Dick, We must not forget it is theirs, and if it is lost of course somebody will be re- sponsible for it. Perhaps you had better take charge of it for them, Mayor Carleton.” ‘Yes, perhaps I had, Are you willing I should do that, boys!” “Ter be sure,” was the response, ‘ We know you, mayor, and we knows you'll do us fair,” “«T assure you on that point,” So, the mayor took charge of all the valuables the mep had upon them, and they were led away to the lock-up under strong guard. Needless to say the excitement was great, now that arrests had been made, and there were some hotheads who wanted the excitement carried to the point of a lynching. There was little danger of that, however, and when the mayor, in a public id explained that there was scarcely any evidence against the three men, further than just enough to hold them on suspicion, the hotheads were down in short order, | f d When the prisoners had been taken away, and after the mayor had made his address to the crowd, those in whom we are immediately con- cerned made their way back to the hotel, bs sa yo ‘ife, to whom he told all about the affair and what his suspicions were concerning it all. And ate agreed with bim. It wasa little later in the m0 when & man caine to the hotel in haste to see the mayor. Sir Clyde was not there at the time, but was gent for, and the man made known his business He was no stranger, but one of the solid busi- ness-men of the young eS His name was Orton Byland, and his word was his bond, : ‘*T hear you have arrested three fellows for this murder, Carleton?” he greeted, as soon as the mayor made his appearance, ‘* They are in- nocent, and I happen to be able to prove it for them,” “That so? Well, that was my own impres- sion, but I could not do anything but bold them, you see, Wait till Isend for Marblehead, and Vl let him hear your story at thesame time you tellit tome. He is a detective, and I havegiven him the case,” Accordingly Dick was called down, and the man told what he knew. He bac had an errand in the upper part of the Pocket that morning, aud was passing the bank, on the opposite side of the street, when he saw Toole, Brett and Fry coming out. He had thought nothing of it, of course, and while he still looked he had seen Mr, Bordwell at his win- dow, and the two had exchanged greetings by a wave of the hand, The word of such a man as Byland wis not to be doubted, and it was taken as proof suffi- cient that the three men were innocent of all knowledge of the crime, so they were allowed to go and their money and other effects were re- stored to them, They had been wen, Poperes to the extent Deadwood Dick had des meant, nohow. CHAPTER IX. THREATENED AND DEFIED. Ir has been shown that Pistol Pocket had two stages daily, and when it was time for the sec- ond stage to arrive in the evening those who were anxious for the coming of Deadwood Dick were again on band to meet him. These were, of course, Sir Clyde Carleton, Billy Bucket, Johouny Smile, and Old Ava- lancbe, first; and after them Joe Garry, Dunbar Kellock, Poker Phil and the others interested. They were a good crowd, all told, and they oc- cupied a prominent place on the hotel piazza when the stage drew up. The passengers alighted, but no Deadwood Dick was numbered among them, Nor was it considered possible that any of those who came could be the Prince of the West in disguise; hence there was much disappoint- ment all around, for, according to the word Sir Clyde had had from bim he was to be looked for on this day. Tbey could not understand why he bad not come, It had been the intention of the people of the Pocket to get up something of a demonstration in honor of bis arrival, but after the crime at the bank the mayor bad given orders that that idea was to be abandoned altogether, since re- spect must be shown for the dead. The town, therefore, was quiet and sober, yet full of expectancy until after tne passengers bad been seen and it was found that Richard had not come, “Great cantankarams o’ proverbadenshul hambone!” cried Old Avalanche, “but et is *most enon th ter make a feller rise up an’ smote his grand-dad one across ther ear, dog my cats ef et ain't, Whar is my Pard Dicky, anyhow?” ** Any oneof a hundred things may have hap- peated to delay him,” remarked Mr, Marble- ead, “TI allow you ar’ right,” admitted the old scout, “* but et’s tough ter want him so bad and not see bim a-comin’.” _ * You are not satisfled with the way the case is progressing, it is plain to see that,” Marble- head observed, ‘‘1 admit that it is moving rather slowly.” **Lor’ Jerusha! don’t think I meant ter ’sult ye, mister; great bambone, no! You ar’ doin’ all ye kin, same as the rest of us, but we ain’t none of us Deadwood Dicks.” “T know how it is, old friend, and I am as much disappointed as any of you. Howeyer, since he has not come, and we are left to rely upon ourselves, we must make a determined effort todo something. Mr, Carleton, if I ap- pear inactive, do not think I am not working.” “Your first move in the matter bas inspired me witb confidence in you, sir,” Sir Clyde re- 7 a ‘“*Work in your Own time and way, r, “Great old double-jinted hambone, yes!” cried Avolanche. ‘Ef I said anything ter burt yer feelin’s, don’t let et stick thar, fer et wasn’t nob We trust ye, Mister Marble- top.” Tine man smiled at the blunder in bis name, There was further talk among them, when Ft made supper their next business of the hang / ; . \ It was after supper, when it was growing dark and the lamps in the Pocket were being lighted, that Billy Bucket and Johnny Smile walked up the street to the scene of the crime. **Do you think Marblehead is any good at all?” Johnoy was asking. ‘**T wouldn’t, if if hadn’t been for the way he got onto the three men so quick as he did.” “Deadwood Dick would have thought of that right away,” ** So did this man,” ‘*That’s so, and so there is some reason to have faithin him; but, what is he doing?” “Give it up, it he is doing anything it is on the quiet, Tl tell you I’d like to kuow what he said to those fellows when he bad them alone,” “So would I, Dil bet that had something to do with whatever plans he must bave in his mind, If we only knew him a little better it wouldn’t do any harm to ask him and see if we couldn’t help.” “Tt wouldn’t do, for he’d think us trying to push in on his, ground. He isn’t Dick, you know.” And so they talked on till they came to the bank, where they came upon Mr, Marblehead hims If, standing and looking at the building. ** Good-evening, boys,” he greeted, ‘+ Here is a discovery.” “‘What’s that?” asked Billy and Johnny to- gether. ‘* Look there on the bank door.” | The boys looked, and there beside the notice the mayor had put up was another. It was plenty light enough to see the paper, but too dark to see what was on it without stepping quite close, and that they did at once, o their surprise they read this: “Slayer of Joel Bordwell, tremble! “DEaDwoop Dick, JR.” “Jippity cripps!” exclaimed Billy, ‘The boss is in town, after all! Now I bet we wili see some fun before many moons!” ** Bet yer life on’t,” echoed Johnny. ** That’s the boss’s own signature, sure, and you can bet the tiger will roar when he begin to twist his” tail, Mr, Marblehead you don’t know whata terror the boas is,” “*T suppose not, according to your estimate of him, Perhaps he will want to have me drop the em Eas 7 wpe scl ‘ ‘If he does he will tell'you so, you be sure of that, lf be is here, and he is, he wee everything that’s going on, and if he don’t want you you will hear from him to that ’fect,” “Well, Pra glad of that. [ll keep on with | my own plans, then, until I am sto 7 if Yes, Nate what I’d do,” ppt *‘ And what are you boys doing¢” ‘* A good deal of nothing,” answered Johnny. ‘ “s err find anything to do,” declared Billy, rankly. “Perhaps if you look up your boss he will give you something.” Smokin’ Injun! you don’t know him, not even @ little bit. If he don’t want us to know who | he is, there is no use tryin’ to find him out, ‘* Not a bit o’ use,” averred Jobnoy. ‘ Might tumble over him and never know it. Can’t tell whether he’s man or woman, black or white, or what he is, You wart till he shows up, and see_ ”» if I baven’t spoke gospel. Well, since you have no hope of discovering him, bow would you like to assist me?” * We'll do anything that promises to show up the murderer.” fit. “T won't promise what will come of it, but there are two men in this place whom it will be well to wateb.” And who are they?” ¥ ‘Mr, Kellock and the man they call Poker Poil.” f “Phew!” whistled Billy, ‘* What had they to do with it, Mr. Marblehead?” Be. “« Perhaps they bad nothing to do with it, but I have an idea it will be well to watch them & little. I think you boyscan do that.” =~ . We'll try and hited at it, anyhow, if you say 80, 7 “I dosay so, But, you want to do it in Such a way that their suspicion wil] not be aroused, “We'll try to do that, too, You don’t mind if we let Old Avalanche into it, do you? The “ hambone is in a fever to see something one, must caution the old fellow not to let his en- thusiasm ruD &way with bim and 8° Spoil your chances of doing good work, I guess he is to be trusted, however,” With that the man turned away and went off — , “Not the least objections to that, but you |
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. =" “ BL toward the hotel, leaving the two boys to think over what he had revealed to them, meager as it was, ‘* What do you think now?” asked Johnny. ‘‘His stock ison the rise,” was the answer, ** Wonder what he has got against Kellock and the sport?” ; ‘¢ Guess we'll have to wait and see, for he didn't seem inclined to tell, unless he spoke the _ truth when he said he wasn’t sure they had any- thing to do with it, or words to the same effect,” «They went off in quest of Old Avalanche, then, before beginning their work of shadowing Kellock and the sport. The old scout was soon found, and when they ‘made known to bim what they had learned, that Deadwood Dick was in the Pocket, the old fellow nearly went wild. ‘¢ Great old hambone what tickled ther gullick of Joner and told ther fortune of ther heathens!” he cried in a subdued manner so that he might not be overheard, ‘‘Is et possible that my . Dicky is right hyer in the camp?” ** He certainly is,” they assured him, | And you swear et is his own persoual and identical hand-write that’s on the door, do ye? | Hambone 0’ wonders! What d’ye s’po ene —_— se he is? Kin et be possible, after all, that he is that little , monkey of a lawyer, Simon Singletree? And kin ther bonny Kate be that sharp-nosed woman | with ther sawmill voice—Lor’ Jerusha, et don’t _ seem et kin be possible.” “Nor is it possible,” declared the boys in one voice, ‘*Not unless Dick has changed mightily since we saw him last, and also his wife. No, old man, they are not in it this time.” ‘*Then who in ther name o’ great rampagin’ _and tremenjus signs o’ destructin’ demolisbun is ‘he? Answer me that, fore I go cl’ar off me feed n’ have a rantankerous fit o’ connipsbun.” “We give it up, Avalanche. But, if you want | to see that notiee on the door, let’s walk around | that way,” | * An’ I do—hambone, yes.” The trio wended their way to the bank, and as they approached they saw there was quite a crowd in the street before the building. | They bave found it out,” observed Billy, | “And Dll bet they are wonderin’ who he is and , whar he’s bidin’,” declared the old scout, When they came up, however, and mingled / with the crowd, they found there was further | cause for excitement than the notice of Dead- wood Dick, _ Upon the door was a third placard, and men _ were gathered before it trying to make it out in ' the dim light. That it was something of an ex- Citing nature was clear enough, | Presently one man advanced with a lantern, and at once was plain to be read by all. It was in these words: “TO DEADWOOD DICK—DEFIANCE! “You are not man enough for this case! When this meets your eye the robber with the boodle will be out of the city and away. He defies you! o “THE SLAYER.” ‘There it Pin cage bp and no wonder it excitement ir the « Deadwood Dick | betiesael: Deadwood Dick was defied, CHAPTER X. BINNETTA FINDS HER MAN, Paw. Haase was by this time in torment, Everybody had seen or heard of the placard at the hotel, and everybody bad some joke to get off at his expense concerning the woman of the red hair and sbarp noge, And those Who really believed he was the man Grandis were in the majority, too, so true to life Was the likeness on the poster, The only differ- hee was tat the sport looked more fresh aud blooming than the likeness, but that was easy to account for. It would make any Man look “ off his feed,” it was argued, to have to live with a woman like that, aud it was only vatural that the sport had picked up since he had taken himself off. But _ the sport insisted that he was not the man, and took it all i good part at first, but at length it i, So get tiresome and he showed Some temper | Over 1b. Seg: Ard it was noticed, too, that he kept the way of the woman with the bs schahara barns. ae , _ This argued against him, and in Spite of pis lat he was indeed the truant busband, ort explained it that he had 00 desire to In a scene, and if he could avoid it by ete one of the woman’s way it was to bis in. _ terest to do so, oat tions the majority, as said, Came to be- He cared not what people | sport bad had nothing to do with the Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. In order to keep out of sight he went early in the evening to the Monte Carlo with the inten- tion of remaining there all the ibs He had not been there long when Billy Bucket entered and looked around the place, ‘‘You haven't seen that pard of mine, have you?” he asked, ‘¢- You mean Johnny Smile?” asked the man in charge. *¢ You bet.” ‘“* No; he basn’t been here. I don’t know where he is, Haven’t seen him this evenin’.” ‘*Guess I'll stop here and wait for him, then, Maybe he will turn up in a little while, like the bad penny we read about.” With that excuse for his presence, Billy took a seat only a little distance from where Poker Phil sat. The ball was well filled, and he drew but little attention to himself as he took his seat, and even less afterward, for be remained quiet to observe and listen, The conversation was mainly about the crime recently aghast and about the mysterious coming of Deadwood Dick, who was spoken of as the Prince of Pistol Pocket. Where he could be, or in what disguise, puzzled everybody. Presently Rough Rob sauntered in and dropped into a seat facing the poker sport, “* Why so glum?” he asked, ‘‘T’m a white horse, just at present,” was the response, ‘* White horse?’ queried the _ proprietor. ‘¢ What do you mean by that, Poker Phil? What have you got to do with a white horse?” “Why, I’m the paired with the red-headed girl, you know.” Rough Boo laughed, ‘**] didn’t catch on,” he declared. ‘ But, is it true that you are the right man? You had ought to be ashamed of yourself.” **Do you believe it, too? Confound her, it isn’t so, but rather than meet her and have a “pei I have dropped in here to keep ‘out of her sight.” “Tvs funny the picture could be so like you and not be yours. How do you account for that, Phil?” ‘*] don’t account for it, confound it all, Talk about something else,” “All right; what do you think about these notices that have been Aasovered on the bank door?” “i think they are just what they set forth to be. ‘Then you believe Deadwood Dick is really in town?” ‘“‘The mayor says it is his signature sure enough,” f “Then that ought to settle it, But, there is no one knows the writing on the other note, is there?” : ‘*No, I guess not. But, then, there is no chance there for any one to recognize much about it, for you see the words have been printed out. “That’s so, If the last one tells the truth, though, there is no use in looking further for the murderer, for he bas taken bimself off, and may be many miles from here by this time,” ‘Tf it does tell the truth,” ‘© Why shouldn’t it?” ei: “I giveitup. Maybe to lead Deadwood Dick astray.” ‘Can't quite egree with you there, Should think the rascal would have been afraid of put- ting a clew into his hands,” Ob, well, 1 don’t know; I only hone they will get the murderer before he does get out of reach, and giva him what he deserves, for Bord- well was too good a man not to be avenged.” “You are right, there, Wonder what pro- eer this man Marblehead is making on the Ci “Qan’t say. Nothing very big, I guess. Ha! here he comes now, and the ynayor and Kellock with him,” True enough, these were just entering. They took seats at a table ey themselves quite a distance down the room, and continued a con- versation they were holding as they entered, * Are you going to try your luck to-night?” asked Rob of Poker Phil. ‘‘T don’t know whether there is any use or not,” was the sport’s response, “You had better. You are acquainted with the stranger, ond be looks as if a game wouldn’t burt him. Tackle him and seo what you can ” ‘‘ Safer to leave him to you, I guess, till my luck turns,” Billy Bucket had heard erough vow to con- dina hiith of one thing, and that was that the 4 i") % Bae - ’ _— 9 ‘Rough Rob and Poker Phil rose and went over to the table where the new-comers had taken seats, leaving Billy alone and rather lone- some, He was not alone long, however, for Johnny Smile and Old Avalanche soon came in, These joined Billy, and while they compared notes they were interested in what was going on about them. It was later on, when the games were open and the place was going almost at full blast, oe Simon Singletree and Mrs, Grandis enter- ed. The woman, a head the taller, and her hand upon the lawyer’s arm and he was escorting her along as though they were entering upon the floor of a grand ball-room, At sight of them a murmur ran round the room, and all eyes were fixed upon the woman and Poker Phil, by turns. The woman and the little lawyer were eagerly scanning the room as they advanced. ‘Do you see hira, Simon Singletree?” the wo- man asked, in her rasping voice. ‘‘No, Mrs. Grandis, I dot not, spectful answer, * Ask pobre: for me to speak and tell my story,” the woman ordered, ‘¢ Gentlemen,” said the worried-looking lawyer, “Mrs, Grandis would like to tell her story to you, Will you permit her to do so?” “Yes, certainly,” answered the proprietor of the place, with a wink and a nod in the direction of Poker Phil. He was eager, evidently, to see some fun, and fun was naturally looked for, The woman of the red hair and pointed nose mounted a chair as if this were not the first time she bad addressed an audience upon that painful subject, her truant husband, and after clearing her throat and making ready she began her tale was the re- of woe, \ “My friends,” she commenced, ‘‘I am here for the purpose of telling you the simple story of my wrongs, hoping that you will give me your sym- aes and assist me to recover that runaway usband of mine. Look at me, and say whether you see in me anything deserving of treatment so cruel at the bands of one whom’! had raised ° up from a nobody to share with me my own po- sition in the social world.” She paused at that and looked around for some one to respond. ‘You ar’ a daisy, anc no mistake,” one man ventured to declare from the far end of the room, ‘*) was superior to Brentwood Witherington Grandis, anybow,” the woman went on. ‘Su- oe in wealth, station and everything else, 6 was a poor map, a nobody, I may say, and I stooped to him. I took him and made a gentle- man of him, and he has basely deserted me after all my kindness to him, I feel so bad I could cry. Here is bis likeness, gentlemen,” showin a poster like that which the lawyer had postad up in the hotel office, ‘‘Tejl me, have you ever seen bim here? I would give anything to get him back again.” «Let's see ther pictur’, ma’m,” one fellow re- uested, 4 ‘Certainly. Hand him the paper, Simon Singletree, and let him seeif be recognizes the ace. * Poker Phil was.keeping out of sight as much as possible witbout really makiog noticeable efforts to do so, and the woman had not yet got sight of him, he lawyer took the poster from the woman’s hand and passed it to the man who had asked to see it, and the moment he looked upon the pictured face he gave a start of recognition and cried out: , : Why, darn et, et’s Poker Phil, that’s who et ‘* Ha!” exclaimed the woman, eagerly, ‘ you recognize the face! Who is this Poker Phil you speak about?” “Why,” and the man looked around the room to find Phil, “ thar he is, ma’m, right over thar, Come up, Philip, and acknowledge ther corn. Ther pictur’ s aks fur eteelt.” Poker Phil looked daggers at the man. This, as he knew, was a “ put-up” job for the sake of a little fun at his expense, The woman, following the direction of the man’s index, had craned her neck to get a sight of Phil, and now seeing bim she cried out: “Ah-hal you rascal! Ihave found you at last !” Down from her chair she jumped and forward she ran, her hair looking redder than ever, ber nose white at the tip, and her voice at its harsh- est pitch of harshness, Pbil arose as he saw her coming, and waved her away with bis hand, ~ “Hold on, madam! Don’t be too sure of this ‘ Ayo eee ‘) ty be £ PI tem ee
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enact OT Aa ee AE eg RENE, a lS Eg Re ' Bod 10 thing,” he said, till we—” The woman had stopped short, her eyes flash- ing, and she interrupted him, ‘Brentwood Witherington Grandis!” she screamed, ‘‘Dare you talk to me like that? I'll pull every bair out of your head, see if 1 don’t.” ‘“*My name is not Grandis,” declared Phil, coolly. ‘‘I never saw you before in my life. Ani as for helping you discover your lost man, I wouldn’t do it, for I admire the sense he show- ed in running away from you.” The woman stood and stared at Phil with her eyes at the widest. It was patent to all that her truant husband had never dared to talk to her like this, ** Just keep cool for a moment CHAPTER XI, PHIL’S FORCED RETREAT, THIS was just what the patrons of the Monte Carlo enjoyed, It was fun for everybody save those immediately concerned, “It is no use, Poker Phil,” some one spoke up. ‘That picture settles it, for itis yours and no mistake, The only difference is that you have slicked up a little since it was taken.” ** Him !” cried the angry female. ‘‘ Of course itis, Do you suppose 1 wouldn’t know my own husband? He was willing enough to marry me, because he knew I was rich, and now I am going to make him stick to his bargain. Brent randis, you come right along with me.” She reached for Phil as she spoke, but he pushed her hand aside, ‘* Keep your hands, off, madam,” he ordered. “*T tell you there is a mistake here, My name is not Grandis, and never was. My name is Phihp Harley. I have to admit that picture looks something like me, but that is nothing. I tell you lam not the man, and that must settle it. Now do not annoy me further.” ** Well, well, well!” the woman cried in sheer amazement, ‘‘ How in the world did you ever the spunk to talk like that to me, randis? But, Vl take all that out of you when I get you home again. I was bound to have you. I would bave scoured the world till doomsday but what I’d have bad you. Itis no use your denying it, for as that gentlemen said, the picture speaks foritself. You can’t get out of it.” ** 1 don’t know what you are going to’do about it,” remarked the sport, as coolly as possible un- der the circumstances, for he was heated and worried, ‘I tell you Tam not the man, and [ defy you to prove it,” ** Prove it,” cried the woman, ‘‘ What more proof do I want? Here is your garagaar and there is not a man in the room but will say it’s you. like to know? If you don’t come with me this instant you will be sorry for it, that I tell “ Well, P’ll not go with you. You are crazy, or you are trying to get up a blackmail scheme, one or the other, I want you to go off and leave me alone,” “Crazy! Blackmail! What do you mean by such talk to me, your trud wife? Many another woman would let you go to the dogs, instead of spending a whole year looking for you, and that’s what I ought to have done, But, you are mine, and Iam going to have you. Simon Singletree, do your ag Fi The nervous, fussy little lawyer came for- rs at once, with a legal-looking document in and. ** Mr,—er—um—ah—that is to say, Mr.—er—” ““Lay your band on me and Pil pitch you through the window!” cried the sport in deadly earnest, ‘*]’ll do for you what this woman's sex debars me from doing to her, much as she deserves it,” “You would throw me through a window, would you, Beent Grandis! I'd like to see you try it, that’s all, Id show you who would do the throwing, and [ll bet it wouldn't be you. Take him, Simon Singletree, for he is ” coward at heart and would not dare to touch a boy, “You'll: find out your mistake if you try it on,” cried the sport, Everybody in the place was greatly amused, / now, and cries of all kinds were heard urging the woman on, It was believed, generally, that Poker Phil was really the woman’s runaway, for there was notb- ing in proof so strong as the likeness, and that was almost perfect. , The lawyer made another move to obey. “‘T have warned you,” cried the sport. *‘ Don’t you touch me, sir.” ‘** But, the law,” said the fussy man, ‘ What What more proof do [ need, I would | Deadwood Dick, Jr:, Defied, are you going to do with the law—/aw, sir? Better take care, sir.” ‘The law be blowed! What is that paper you have got there, anyhow!” “Tt’s a. warranc of arrest, sir, a warrant of arrest; and you bad better submit quietly or I shall have to use force,” “Ha! Ha! What force could you use? I'd dump you in one secoud, This is enough of this, now, I tell you I am not the man you are look- ing for, and that settles it,” ‘‘T appeal to the witnesses around ‘us,” cried the woman, ‘‘Isn’t this man the original of the likeness { hold here, gentlemen?” ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!” from several. “Tag to him! Take him home!” Such, and a bundred and one other cries, greeted her. “You see it isno use, Mr, Grandis,” urged the lawyer. ‘‘We have got you, and you must come with us,” ‘““ But, won’t you listen to reason? Iam not the man at all! Confound you, anyhow, for a pair of fools—” ‘You call me a fool, Brent Grandis? Tl tear your eyes out! After the way I have supported you in your laziness, when I took you in out of the street, and you with not a second shirt to your back—” This was interrupted by a how! of laughter, and Poker Phil grew furious, ‘See here! This thing has gone about far macs ght he cried, ‘*T think it has, too!” squealed the woman. ‘* You are on the wrong track here, for I tell you again that [ am not Brent Grandis, and never was,” . ** And I tell you you are Brent Grandis, and always was, Don’t you suppose I know you? You are a little fatter than you look in the picture, but you have been living high, I sup- nee you never saw me before in your e, “* Bah! talk to the wind,” “Where did you marry that man Grandis?” “Marry you, you mean? [I married youdown at Galveston, that is where, where you used to be a conductor on a street car, and where I first saw you, Ou! you need not try to bluff me off that way.” “‘T never was in Galveston in my life, When was this ie claim to have married me?” ‘*Tt will be three years coming the tenth of this month, that is when, as you know well enough,” “Then it will only be necessary for me to prove where I was at that time to disprove what you assert, madam.” “Ob! will it, now? You seem to bave more brain lately than you used to have, Brent Grandis, but that will not serve you,” “You have got to give me the chance to prove what I say.” ‘©The proof here is all that is needed, and you are going back to Texas with us when the next stage starts,” ‘“ We'll see about that. T’'ll begin to get in my proof at once, and in the course of a week or two I'll be able to satisfy everybody just who and what I am, Now, be off and leave me alone,” ‘* 4 week or two! Good mercy, do you think I will wait here a week or two for you to make up a batch of lies to deceive folks? Well, I guess not. You are going to Texas with us when we start. Simon SingJetree, why don’t you arrest him and drag bim out of here?” ‘* He knows better than to try it on, that is why,” cried the sport. “Sir, you are opposing the law—the Jaw,” the lawyer urged. ‘‘You had better submit quietly, so that I may not have to use force—” ‘*Force your grandmother! Men of Pistol Pocket, this is either a mistake or a scheme ut blackmail, and I don’t know which, but it’s one or the other, and I demand a fair hearing in the affair,” ii That is no more than just,” asserted Rough b, “ ; **T want time to prove who [ am and where I am from. I can satisfy you all, but it will take time, of course, I have lived here six months or more, but like most of you my past is un- known and in order to bring proof I must have time, Now, I pro to this woman that she give me time to satisfy her that she has made a mistake—” ‘*Time? Mistake? Men of this place, do you think there is any woman alive who would not know her own husband on sight?” ‘* Bt don’t look ayy apo up one old fellow, “ And it isn’t so. Not only doI know him, but here I have brought with me . i all the way from Toxas a likeness of him, and what more can you ask?” “ Bt’s proof enough,” shouted some one. ** Poker Phil, ye might as well give et up and go along home like a good boy, Ther old wo- man hag got a big gun p’inted at ye, and ef ye don’t go she may take ye.” “The proof does seem strong,” now spoke up the mayor, calmly, as it to settle the affair for the time being at least. ‘*‘ However, since the young man is so positive iv bis dema) he should be given a fair chance to clear himself. I think, madam, you had better give bim the time he asks,” “‘ Simon Singletree, do your duty!” command- ed the woman, fiercely, “Sir, I beg your pardon, but I must arrest Reo and take you—” The little lawyer bad reached out to take hold of the spert, but he was given a whirl that turned bim around, and the sport’s foot was planted under his coat with a force that liftea him clear from the floor. “Tl show you how you'll arrest and take me,” Phil cried, “If you come within reach of me again I'll give you one that will carry you through the window, and don’t you forgot it. And, woman, if you were @ man I’d serve you in the same fashion, for you are enough to exasper- ate any one.” “Brent Grandis! What has come over you? You didn’t use to dare speak to me Jike this,” . “Which ought to satisfy that I am not the man you take me to be,” the sport urged, * ‘* Bat, I know you are.” ‘*T'm going to prove that I am not.” ‘“tHaven’t I proved to the satisfaction of all that you are?” ‘*No; nor can you. Out of my way, now, and do not provoke me to push you out of the wa he sport stepped forward with the intention of leaving the place. 7 “Stop him!’ cried the woman. ‘ Do not let him get outof my sigbt or I'll never see him again. Simon Singletree, do your duty !” “JI begin to think maybe there may be a mistake,” said the lawyer, as he rubbed himself ruefully. + ‘“*No! nol! there is no mistake! Do not let him go, good men!” Pail was now making for the door, — Seeing that no one was going to reprante her call, the woman sprung after bim herself and laid hold upon bis coat; but, with an angry im- precation, the sport shook her off and bolted out, leaving the crowd roaring with laughter, The woman covered ber face with her hands. for a few moments, butsuddenly removing them she sprung at her lawyer, and after giving bim a good shaking she laid hold upon bis neck with her bony fingers and hustled bim out and away, What sbe was going to do with him sbe did not say, but no one wanted to change places with. him. rps . CHAPTER XII. — OLD AVALANCHE FINDS FAULT. TREMENJUS old bambone what lodged in ther liver of Joner!” cried Old Avalanche, when the women had gone out, making a pretense of wip- ing perspiration from his brow, “Ef that didn’t remind me of my Sal Samantha notbin’ ever did, Whirlin’ twirlwinds of destructive demolishun ef I didn’t expect ter see her lay hold onto him an’ yank him right out of bis breeches, almost; hambone, yes!’ ‘* What do you think of the ease, old man?” asked Rough Rob. | , ‘What do I think on’t? Why, I think ef I was that feller I wouldn’t stop til Thad laid ¢ score 0? miles tween me an’ that female woman, that’s what. If she ever gits them ’ar bony fingers o? hers into bis locks he’s a goner, yeu bet. I have bin thar, and I know how et ie. Never A vie 7s *bout ther epee Beirne Same auked the scalp right off mein @ Guzen places, Nid 17? ik ian ae ‘*No, I guess not.” ‘Taint a long story. You see, she use ter pint her finger at, the clock when 1 was goiv’ out and she’d say ‘ Alvy,'you be hyer when thet ar’ hand gits thar!’ an’ ii was most allus a | eile ahead of ther hand, you bet. wasn’t, and that time she lit on me hard, heerd me comin” slinkin’ home, an’ sbe kem out an’ met me with a ruffled temper av’ @ flatiron, ‘You ar’ late! she yelled, an’ with that she up an’ knocked my brains out. ‘ But I'll show ye!’ she yelled again, an’ then sbe laid bold onto my topknot.” R But, you said she had already knocked your brains out,” Keeter remarked. + % ° i tnt : nate = ye “se Te 4 ee we A a A aes oy Enh ise a poh Pee Rh 7 at ot ie
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3 . Mayor Carleton to Willard Marblehead. ‘his bad luck to her—and justly 80, too, _never bas money enough to stay in long enough _ _**™o be sure I shall not, M “ What ef I did?’ demanded the old scout, ‘‘Great hambone 0’ tremenjus tribbylashun! who is tellin’ this story, you or me?” ‘¢Go on,” said the proprietor, with a wave of the hand to dismiss the point he had raiged. ‘‘T was thar,” declared Old Avalanche, ‘‘ and I’d orter know somethin’ about et, I guess, She laid onto my hair, as | was sayin’, and then ske made a run fer the cabin with me floppin’ along after her and lettin’ out a yell at every flop. And when she got to the door she jumped in and her foot hit the door and it swung to and left me on the outside, I was in a tremenjus fix then, ou kin bet, Thar was Sal Samantha on the nside, and there was me on the outside, and and there she had hold o’ my scalp-lock as if fer grim death, I yelled, an’ Sal Samantha pulled, and dog my cats ef she didn’t pull me right smack through the keyhole! And when I got a chance to sev what damage I had suffered, drat me ef my scalp wasn’t gone all around in spots,” The crowd laughed at the old scout’s lic, but attention was soon drawn to something else, A richly dressed woman had entered the place, and with a smile to all she advanced and took her _. at the leading gaming-table, “That is the queen of the place,” explained “She is known as Gentle Janie.” ** And she’s a dazzler,” Marblehead admitted. ‘Is she the wife of the proprietor?” “Tt isnot known if she is, She passes for a single woman.” ; “ That’s in the way of business. Her face must draw custom to the place, I should at et _**Tt undoubtedly does. See, there are several moths already fluttering around her candle to get their wings singed, And they are likely to sehth too. ; ‘ ‘She is a good winner for the bank, eh? ‘* Ask Poker Phil about that. She manages to keep him broke a good deal of bis time.” ‘*Hal is that the case? I may be able tomake a point there,” ‘+ What's that you say?” ‘‘T was talking to myself then, Itis too bad the young man can’t get even with her, for he seems like a decent sort of fellow.” * And I think he is, too,” “Why do you call bim Poker Phil?” “Because he isa winner at that game every time.” Yet he plays a straight game?” ‘Honest, you mean? Yes, so far asI know; no one has ever aceused him of cheating,” ‘Then be should give his attention to that, I should say, and he might get even with the house somehow.’ f “The house does not run the poker games, though, but simply takes a per cent. of the win- nings for the privilege of playing here.” ** And Phil plays?” ‘Yes; till he has won something, when he turns right around and lets the tiger Scratch it away from him again.” **T suppose it would be sweet for hirn to have TeRene and beat the bank once, just to get even t with the woman. He is notafraid of her, is he?” ' “ No; doesn’s like her very well, for he lays But, he to do anything with the game.” ‘ll remember him and his troubles, and it is possible we may make use of him toward getting at the mystery of who killed Bordwell.” ** You amaze me!” They had been speaking in low tones. ; ‘** Do not mention it to any one,” the detective cautioned. I had begun to think you had forgotten ‘about that case, Mu; Marbiebead, and lam glad to find you have ** It is first on my mind,” was the assurance. * Further, I want you to geta chance to speak to that eccentric old man in private, if you will, and set him to keep au @Y® upon that woman with tbe red hair and her lawyer.” “J can do that; but, surely, you do not mean to insinuate that they are in any way con- cerned.” >= : a y a, “That it was not the work of one man élone, but that it oe been a well-laid scheme % cm ». * Deadwood Dick, Jr,, Defied. and that it has been some time under con- templation.” ** You don’t say!” **So I do say: and, it would not surprise me to hear of further robberies if it is not speedily broken up. I have looked around carefully, since you gave me permission to try my hand at it, and I have satisfied myself upon a good many : points,” * And when will you know more about it? Do you think the marderer is still in the Pocket?” **T do, Mind you, nota word of this to any one, no exceptions whatever, but wait and we shall see how it will come out,” ‘* You have a positive clew, then?” ‘“*T have. We must appear to be idle to-mor- row, however.” They remained talking for some time, but no longer in private, for the others of their party joined in, When they had satisfied themselves concern- ing some things that had brought them there, and bad watched the playing at the table pre- sided over by the card queen, they went away. In the mean time Billy Bucket had gone out shortly after Poker Phil had left the room, and had followed the sport till he finally located bim at his lodging-place, where he gave up the trail and went back to join Johnny, The latter was not to be found, however, and Billy did not see him again that night, Next morning when they met they compared notes at once. ‘* Where did you go to last night?” Billy eager- ly demarded. ‘‘I couldn’s find you anywhere,” ‘* Why, I was after my game, of course, and I only wish now that Deadwood Dick would show up. I begin to think Marblehead don’t know anything.” ‘* You think his name is a fitting one, eb?” ‘Blame me if 1 don’t begin to think so, What has he been doing, anyhow? He hangs around with the mayor, and that’s all.” ** Yet he set us at work to shadow some per- sons for him,” “Yes, and he has put Old Avalanche at the same business, now,” ‘*'You don’t say so! Who is be to watch?” ‘‘The red-head woman and her lawyer— Ha! what am I thinkin’ about?” ‘* What’s the trouble now?” ‘*T begin to see into the detective’s game now,” ‘ ‘*Then you are read again, eh? You are ii Smile.” “It’s enough to keep anybody puzzled up, Billy, But, I see his game, now; he is letting us do the work so that the others will think he is doing nothing, so they will think there is no pir in bim.” ‘* You may be right,” : ‘*T know I am, now, when | come to think all about it, But, Billy, what did you find out about the sport?” ‘* Nothing to his hurt, about Kellock?” i ‘“* That’s bard to say, but 1 know there is some- thing going on in which he has got a finger, for late last night I found him and that woman’s lawyer talkin’ together on the sly.” *“And Old Avalanche bas been set to watch thelawyer. There is something going to hap- pen, su e as you live,” Tbey were still talking when Old Avalanche came along and joined them. ** Great old osserfied hambone wkat slid down ther gullick of Joner, till it touched bottom!” the old man cried, ‘*Can’t some o’ you two tell me whar Deadwood Dicky is? Ef I was ever near to bein’ a howlin’, rantankerous speciment of a know-nothin’ lunytick, I’m on ther verge of et now; great hambone, yes!” ‘* What’s happened, old man?” : ‘“‘That’s jest the worst of et; nothin’ has hap- pened. Ragin’ tempests o’ destructive demo- lisbun, 1 wish somethin’ would bappen! Here we are without that murderer yet, and the funeral set and nothin’ done yet. I begin ter think Marblehead had better ’a’ been called Puddin’-bead and been done with et, What do you say on that p’int?” The lads gave him the conclusion they had just arrived at. f ++ ft does look a leetle different ter look at et in that light,” the old man admitted. ‘ But, I do only wish Deadwocd Dicky was here; ef he wouldn’t make the fur an’ feathers fly you kin kick a hole in my old kerkiss, Smokin’ yol- kaners of, pestiferous pesterlences, ef et ain’t ’most enough ter make aman git mad, Did ye €ver see a puzzler to beat et? Hyer Deodumged cky has been defied rigbt in his teeth, an’ he - to change your mind ke the wind, Johnny What did you find out is takin’ et as quiet-like as if it wasn’t nothin’. I’m jest about ready ter chuck up ther sponge, iN am; great currogated old hambone, yes!” CHAPTER XIII. DICKS LITTLE SCHEME, DvurRinG that forenoon Mr, Willard Marble-- head had a considerable number of callers in. his rooms at the hotel, None of them, how- ever, saw his wife, who managed to be engaged in anotherroom, Nothing was thought of this, but the truth was she did not want to be seen we yet, particularly by Old Avalanche and illy Bucket, As she was without disguise, taking no active part in this case, they would certainly php ge her did they see her, and the secret would out, Old Avalanche and Billy were among the. callers, as was also Johnny Smile, They did not come together, but one at a time. Word had been passed to them by Sir Clyde that the detective desired to see them, and each took his turn in going up to the rooms, ' Each in his turn was questioned concerning what he had learned about the person or per- sons he had been shadowing, and so well did Dick y bis part that there was not the least. suspicion aroused that he was the Prince of Pistol Pocket in disguise. It was a puzzle to them where Dick could be, Ohe of the callers was Poker Phil, He, like the others, had been sent for on the- quiet, and had made his way up, wondering what could be wanted of him. : Since the scene of the night before he had been trying to keep out of sight of the red- headed female with the sharp nose, and he- did not relish the idea of visiting the hotel, but he went. **-You sent for me, Mr. Marblehead?” he asked. on entering Dick’s presence, ‘* Yes, ae, Harley, I sent for you,” answered Dick. ‘‘Sit down and we'll have a little talk. T'll tell you what I wanted of you.” The sport took a chair and Dick went on, ‘The mayor told me something about you last. night, and i have taken some interest in you.” “ You say the mayor told you about me?” 4¢ Vog;ieir.” “ What could he tell you about me?” “Well, he said you are a good poker-player, but that you get scratched badly every time you tackle the tiger.” : “He told you the truth in the last instance, anybow, luck has been all against me of late. But, 1 don’t see what call he had to rehearse- my affairs to a new-comer,” , | ‘ $ Don’t blame the mayor, sir; 1 questioned im.” ‘¢ Then I may ask what business it is of yours. what my private effairs are?” This was to Dick’s liking. He saw that Poker Phil had considerable of spirit when occasion required its showing. “It is none of my business, sir, but, as I said, I have taken some interest in you, and I may be able to do you a good turn if you will allow me to do so, Are you disposed to hear me? ‘* Cartainly ; there isno reason why I shouldn’t;. but I can’t see your object, ax to grind somewhere,” This was better still, Dick saw he had n0 fool to deal with. “Then V’ll come right to the point and let you in on the ground floor, as it is sometimes ex- pressed. How would you like to go to the faro table to-night and break the bank?” The sport smiled, “You are talking wild now,” be declared, “ Not a bit of it,” Dick assured. ** You mean to say I could break that bank?” “Yes, with my hejp.” “Hall knew you were in it for something. What have you got against that concern?” _ “That part of itl prefer to keep to myself for the present. I bave no desire to make money out of it, however. I'll tell you what PD do,” “ What will you do?” : ‘*Pll put up the money for you—that is to say, wil] give you a big stake to go in with, and whatever you win shal! be yours, If you tose. Pll stand the loss. Is that agreeable?” ‘* Tt’s a crazy man’s idea,” ' ‘You cal) me crazy, then?” ** You seem to be, on that question.” “ Well, have it that way if you want to,” 4“ aoayen really mean business, and want me. to go in . ; “T certainly do, What do you say to it® Wili you take bold of it and try it” 1 know you bavean fh
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4 | 1 | Te i ee NN tas he ag RE a claim that it is unlimited, 5 12 ‘‘ Let me hear the rest of it, first.” ** You think I am holding something back?” ‘Tl know you are. You have some conditions ‘you want me to agree to which you have not stated yet. As I said before, you have an ax to grind, and I know it.” ‘‘And asl said before, I prefer to keep my motive a secret for the present, The only re- striction I have to lay upon you is that you will be guided by my judgment now and then as you play. ‘“You have the right to that, since it’s your money |’m to risk.” ‘+ You agree to it, then?” ‘‘ Certainly; but how will you be able to indi- cate your wishes? No double work is allowed there,” ‘+ We can arrange a set of signals in five min- utes which will answer our purpose and yet ‘which cannot possibly be detected.” Dick could see that he bad engaged the service of the sport,and that he was more than eager to ge into the thing as it had been proposed, The only thing was to be sure of his obeying “signals. “I'll bet you are no stranger to the green loth,” the sport declared. “Well, [ am not, though I never made a pro- fession of gaming. Ihave enjoyed the confi- -dence of many noted sharps, and am up to all the tricks,” “Then you think Gentle Janie bas been cheat- ing me?” ‘I can’t say that, but I think she has 4 fine ‘system of playing, and it will take a long purse to overreach her.’ ‘tT hav’ often wished I had the rags to stay in, sometimes.” *¢ You'll have them now, for I'll heel you well. What is the limit of the bank?” ‘*T have never heard a ‘limft set. When only we ordinary fellows are the buckers they pro- I heard once it was set at fifty thousand dollars,” ‘We can top their pile, then, every time. We ‘must make them openly avow it to be unlimited, however, and it must be done in such a way that no suspicion can be aroused. Would it awaken suspicion if you were to ask the limit?” ‘*It would, sure, They know I never go in with more than a bundred or two to back me.” “Then I’ see that some one else does it for you. Now, you understand what I mean, do you not? And you will play me fair?” ‘Yes, to both, It will be sweet revenge for me if I can get the bulge on this Gentle Janie for once and break the bank for Rough “Well, here is your chance to de it. But, bear in mind you must not let it out that I am ‘your backer. You will no doubt be asked where you got your pile.” “Pil take care of that part of it, But, where will you manage to give me the money so that it will not be seen? Shall I call here again about the time the game opens to night?” “Tl give it to you now,” ‘“ What! You mean to trust me with it till night® ‘Why, yes, certainly; I take you to be a ‘pretty square sort of fellow.” “Pm square with my friends, every time. I don’t want you to trust me, however, You kee 1t,? WH “ew hy ” ““T might get to playing before night.” “Then playing is a passion with you, is it? “Too bad, if so,” ‘‘T bad rather play than eat, Mr. Marblehead, If I could give but one bit of advice to young men, I'd say—Never play cards! They are Satan’s shuffle-board!” **T would add some other things to that,” de- clared Dick. “ My advice to all boys and young men is, first, last and all the time—Don’t drink, don’t gamble, don’t waste time?’ | “*T wish I bad bad just such advice to start with a dozen years ago, I take it you have a history, Mr. Marblehead,” rete: é ‘* Every man has a bistory, Phil, and he makes it himself. I know what you mean, bowever, I have had a world of experience, and the a*lvice I would give is such as ] have proved to ‘be the best.” ‘* It is too late for me, however,” said the sport, -with a sigb, “I was not giving it to you, but we were merely comparing notes on that subject. If you think the temptation would be too ‘great, I will oan the money till night and give it to you n.” **Yes, do that. And I'll pay it back to you, « ( ” ory dollar. 0, no; it is not a loan to you, Phil; I risk \ > See ik © orb yt ee Pies Cat) WE. Fema ee o> wenn 3 : Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. ————— ON SN o-o-eT48§or.——— Ooeqyq0q0>=~=q»q2RaoooooooomomommmmsssSssss it myself, you know. If you add co it, return me the amount I stake; if you lose, then you are out nothing. But, I must express one more con- dition.” ‘© What is that?” ‘¢ You must play for casb, and nothing else.” “They don’t do that there; they play for checks on the local bank.” ‘¢ We don’t wantit that way. You must have it understood that you are playing cash against cash, and nothing else.” pe They won't do it.” “* Yes they will, too. They will find the senti- ment of the crowd against any other plan. Be- sides, the bank will be closed to-morrow, and you can say you don’t want any checks,” “ Well, Pll try it that way.” “* And, another thing is this: Whatever money you win from them, do not put it with this [ give you, but in another pocket. Keep it sepa- rate, for | want to get hold of all I can of their money.” , * All right.” ““ And, one thing more, don’t you go into the game till you bave beard them tell some one the bank {s unlimited.” After that some time was spent in agreeing upon a set of signals to be used, and finally Poker Phil took bis leave, and it seemed that be went off with a lighter step than be had brought with him, When he bad gone out of the room Kodak Kate entered, ‘* Well, what think you?” asked Dick. “T am sure that man is innocent of any part in the crime,” was the positive response. ‘And so am I, now,” agreed Dick, ‘‘ There is going to be a circus here this evening, Kate, ahd I'm sorry you cannot be in it, But, it’s bet- ter so.’ cee CHAPTER XIV. DICK’S POINT SCORED. THAT day was & quiet one at Pisto] Povket. Quite a number of buildings were draped, out of respect for the dead cashier of the bank, and there was a general feeling of mourning in the town, Still, your “city” of the wild Southwest is not Jike an Eastern town, The mourners were sadly in the minority, and bebind the scenes, so to speak, there was little to indicate that any- thing so tragic bad happened, There was an undercurrent ripe for vengeance that was far stronger than any feeling of mourn- ing. That Mr. Bordwell had been killed in so dastardly a manuer was what galled these citi- zens of Pistol Pocket, and they wanted to get hold.oef the man who had done the deed, Then, too, there was the greatest curiosity to find out where Deadwood Dick was in hiding, or who he.was if he was among them in disguise, There were a good many suspects around the town, but one by one they were cleared of the suspicion of being the Prince of the West, and by night the number had dwindled down, till fi ally the last one was checked off, The posters were still on the door of the bank, There was, first, the offer of reward; then the warning of Deadwood Dick; and then, the bold- est and blackest of all, was the bold defiance. — And it was this that galled the citizens as much as the fact that the murderer was Still at | large, To think that their bero and patron, the Prince of Pistol Pocket, had been so openly defied, was too much. Where could the redoubtable Richard be?’ Why was he silent? Why did he not come out with a flourish of trumps and turn the camp in- side out to bring the mystery to light? But, then, as the cooler beads declared, that was not Deadwood Dick’s way. It was quite probable that he knew what be was about. Mrs, Grandis and ber lawyer were about the camp a good dea], looking for the Poker Prince, who wisely kept out of their way, They haunted the Monte Carlo, but they did not find him there. Old Avalanche, Billy Bucket, and Johnny Smile, were around, seemingly doing nothing, ae — had a work to perform and was doing well, The coming of the stages, that day, brought little if any excitement. As it was tnown that, the Prince of the Pocket was in town, some: where, tbe stage had no longer any attraction for those who had looked 80 eagerly for his com- ing. 2 So passed the day. - Inthe evening the resorts opened: as usual, and even some that displayed the funeral drap- i without had nothing of a funeral aspect wi bin, a: ‘was about the time when Gentle Janie usu- ee > . * 3S dy oe’ \ Tank rey Fae Bi ale ’ : bs ~ { = a ee “ ated Se iis a ig Sal a it hp wh Ah pl lls le c : ok a ; ; ao JER AE ally made her appearance at the Monte Carlo that our friends entered that resort, not all to- gether, but singly or by twos, There were, first, Mayor Carleton and Willard Marblebead, who strolled in leisurely and took seats in.a quiet corner, Others, then, were Dunbar Kellock, Joe Garry, Billy Buéket, Johnny Smile, Old Ava- lanche, Poker Phil, and those who usually found themselves in their company, severally, The coming of Gentle Janie, the card queen, was looked for each momevt, but before ber arrival entered Mrs, Grandis upon the arm of her lawyer, Mr. Singletree, to the delight of the crowd in genera), who looked for more fun. Poker Phil was seen to move uneasily in bis chair, and was heard to mutter something about a confounded red-beade.i nuisance, While the wo- man of the red hairand rasping voice looked around over the assembly evidently in quest of him, and Old Avalanche excitedly called out: ‘*Hyar she is ergain, Poker Phil, hyer she is ergain, and her nose is white at ther tip. You had better take up your heels and meander, ef you vaily your peace of mind and your scalp- lock; Lor’ Jerusha, yes! Great leistioiie what kerflummuxed ther diarframm of old Joner, ef she don't remind me of Sal Samantha, when she used ter daub on ther war-paint an’ go fer me with ther whisker end of ther broom!” The woman had stopped the old scont, her nose decidedly white at the tip, her eyes flashing fire, and her breast heaving with rage, and po sooner had he stopped than she made a dart at him, ‘ ‘« T"]] show you how to insult a lady” she cried, “7 ll give you what you want! 1 slap your wrinkled old face for you, that’s what I'll do for . I’)}] make yousee you, you mean old thing, you! more stars than there are in the sky above! IJ’ll give you something to remember—” ‘* Lor’ Jerusha!” gasped Avalanche, as he beat a hasty retreat. ‘' Don’t do et, ma’m, don’t do et! Ef you only knowed bow much you remind me of my Sal Samantha, you would let up, fer you have got me all of a tremble: great bombone, yes! Great currogated cans of devastatin’ de- molishun, somebody keep ber off! Ill never mention ét again, na’m; never, never, never!” With precipitate baste the old scout bad put several tables and chairs between himself and the enraged woman, and there he stcod wavin her cff with both bands, while the crowd looke on and laughed their eujoyment. , ‘See that you mind your own business, after this, then,” the woman cried. ‘‘I, havea good mind to tear your eyes out, as it is, and if you say one word more lll do it, too,” ; ‘¢Great collosas hambone! You won’t bear me peep ergain, ma’m; great condensified con- glomerashuns 0’ misery, no! I’m done, ma’m; great bambone, yes!” ‘See that. you remember it, then, If you don’t, P11 make Simon Singletree arrest you,” ‘‘That’s a wilter, ma’m; I tave right in.” And be caved, ‘+ Bat, it is you I want to deal with,” cried the woman, 48 the old scout sat down, and she turn-. ed upon Poker Pbil. ‘For the last time, will you admit that you are Brentwood Withering- ton Grandis, and come along home with me?” ‘“‘] will not, madam,” was the cold response, “T have told you that 1am not that man, and I will not put up with any more of your nonsense. - I shall take steps to prove my identity, and satisfy you assoon aslcan, In the mean time if you do not keep away from me I'll have You arrested,” ‘ ai “Oh-ho! And you dare to talk so to me? Time was, Brent Grandis, when you Would whine at my feet like a whi cur—” “The more fool Brent Grandis, the,” Snapped the 7 i “Simon Singletree! Do you hear him?” cried the woman. “I command you to come right ‘here and pull bis nose for him. 4 «: ]—I—I~—I think there bas beeu a nist 10 gasped the fussy little lawyer. “I cannot t this is your husband, ma’™, Much ag he looks — like the picture,” “THs well for you. that you do think 80,” de- clared the sport, ‘If you come within reach of me I'll give you the grandest bounce you ever read about, and don’t you forgetit, Dll paralyze “Moderation, Madam, moderation,” advised the lawyer, ‘I really do think we have made a mistake, and we had better go slow and give th) gentleman a chance to bring bis proof,” - “Well, be really don’t act like Brent Grandis, and that is true,” the woman had to admit. “He has grown very brave since I sow i- He wouldz’t have dared to talk to me in this way, for if he had I would have—” t \ ce en asstke: Commies 7 end OPK) and was staring at ' \ |
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{ - ay } \ - = | ‘ | : * | . motioning ber off. n-a-gale; great hambone, yes! limit o’ this byarconsarn; me purty miss?” He 8 , be J is She was speaking through her =) reco teeth, and she advanced a step toward the sport as if to show just what she would have done, “Hold your horses, madam,” the sport said, ‘Tf you lay a finger on me V’'ll have you arrested to keep the peace.” The woman drew back. ‘Can it be possible that there is a mistake?” she said, wonderingly. «¢ You'll find there is,” said the sport, “ Moderation, madam,” alvisei the lawyer. * Hambone, yes!” cried Old Avalanche, ‘ Be st as moderashun as you can, madam, fer the ove of goodness, do, I’m all in a drip 0’ sweat at ther recollection of Mrs. Old Avalanche that was. I never told ye’bout the time she made me— *¢1]] remind you of her a good deal more, if you don’t shut your old trap this minute!” cried the woman. ‘‘I’ll make you wish that you had never been born. You had better slink down behind there, you old knave! Come on, Simon Singletree, and escort me ont of this vile den. The lawyer was prompt to obey that call, and with the woman upou his arm he got away as speedily as possible. ~The crowd laughed over the matter, but the coming of Gentle Janie soon gave them some- thing else to think about, and the matter was dismissed, The card queen opened her game, and soon her invitation rung out: . ‘Make your play, gentlemen.” It wag at this point that the mayor of the Pocket rose and addressed the proprietor of the lace, if ‘*Mr, Keeter,” he said, ‘‘ before you begin the business of the evening I must inform you that it will be useless for you to draw checks upon the bank to-night.” ‘How's that?” Rough Rob demanded. ‘* Won't the bank be opened after the funeral to-morrow?” ** No, it will not; and—” “ Bat, I bave a deposit there, Mr. Carleton, and I bavearight to check it out when and how I please—” “TI do not deny that, Mr, Keeter, but the robbery was so complete that we cannot open till we get more funds, and that will not be till next hen that players may know what to expect.” “ But, my checks are F hy a “That is true, and they will be honored in due time, but not to-morrow, I felt it my duty to tell you this befure your game commenced, so that both you and the players might know what to expect, This is nowise a question of the value of your checks, but of the bank’s ability to cash ma, “Well, it’s all right, of course, and -I , complain. Players will understand it” “That's bad fer me,” spoke up Old Avalanche, then, ‘I was goin’ ter risk a couple of dollars ter-night, but I want ter play fer cash ef I do. I dou know nothin’ ’bout checks; hambone, “ Well, old man, I guess we can manage to “gi i ” Bt bon the cash if you win anything. Vm in et, sure. Great currogated signs 0’ tremenjus demolisbun, I used ter know ther day when { could bu’st a bank an’ not half try. Didn’t think nothin’ of doin’ that an’ then sowin’ my Wivnin’s on ther street.” _ You must have been a terror in your rime,” “Great bhambone, don’t mention et!” And the old scout was making his way to the table. “Dm what’s leftof the oncet great Injun ep- emick, the great ragin’ triangle of ther or’west, Used ter eat a couple of Injuns afore breakfast an anotber fer an appetizer fer sup- per. . We was a whirlwind o’ devastashun, me and Prudence Cordeliar and Florence Night- What’s ther “Tg is uDlimited, sir,” answered Gent]. i And that was what Deadwood Dick bog anie. CHAPTER XV. a om BUCKING Reb gel , > AVALANCHE began his playing small scale, as he declared he had to. ake layed two silver dollars, aud one of those a Mexican. and declared that it was either make r break with him, . d both coins at once, and to the surprise Of many both of them won for the old man. f 3 “Rab fer me!” the old fellow cried. ‘Lor’ usha! but I guess the old Injun eppydemick around yet, some, Great hambone, but I make this announcement in order. eee reer ene ~g et ‘s i= Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. wasn’t that done slick! Two to the good, and now byar’s fer four this time.” He placed his bets again, and again he came out winner. This made him feel particularly good, and helet off a laugh that was contagious, ‘* Priceless hambone what supplied ther need o’ Joner in ther days o’ devastatio’ famine in ther land o’ Nod!” he cried, ‘‘ Haw! baw! haw! Wasu’t that jest as easy as wakin’ up out of a cat-nap? Wull, I stould cough up a cat ef et wasn’t. I’m in et, folks, cl’ar up to my chin. Let ’em slide erguain, gal.” Again did he win, and he kept on winning, without a single loss against him, Never had the Monte Carlo seen such a run of luck as this, And each loss to the bank had been met with cash, Old Avalanche was almost beside himself, and other players at the table were falling in behind his lead and the bank was beginning to suffer. The dealer, however, remained as na as ice, and Rough Rob took it all asa joke, so far, ‘¢Your luck will turn, old man,” he declared. “The tide does not run in one direction for- ever. ‘‘Let ’er turn,” cried the old scout, “Tl know enough ter stop when it begins ter go out. This is ther richest streak I bev struck in a dog’s age: et is, by ther etarnal hambone!” “This is the swim you ought to be in, Poker Phil,” remarked Sir Clyde, “Tam going in,” declared the sport, who had approached the table. ‘Seems to me I ought to hit something here,” ‘Come in, if you have got a stake to lose,” invited the dealer, ‘I am in need of sume change now, Phil. Have you been making an- other stake at poker?” ‘* Yes, | have,” was the answer. ed All right, come and let me relieve you of it, en, “ll do it on one condition, Ill play cash gainst cash. No checks for me, if I win,” ‘Very well, sir, I guess we can accommodate ” rt displayed a very small wad of bills. The ‘‘And remember et’s onlimited, too,” cried Old Avalanche, joyously, ‘Come right in with me, and see ef we can’t make ’em holler ‘nuff. If 1 wasa drinker, hang my dorg ef I wouldn't go and git rip-stavin’ drunk.” It was so understood, that the game was un- limited, and it was likewise understood that the sport was playing cash against cash, No chips or checks were to be in it in any way whatever, And so, under such conditions the game was begun anew with an added interest. The sport followed the lead of Old Avalanche, and the very first turn of the cards lost him a ame, en Destruction o’ Babylon!” the old scout cried. ‘‘ Hyer ther tide turns, and right hyer I stop. Great hambone, pard, but you are the Joner of this consarn, sure. I’m done; great hambone, yes! You have 5 Sow a good thing, and have spilt et bad, too, Your name is Dennis and mine is Mud,” “It is just my luck,” the Poker Prince de- clared, ‘ Did you say this bank is unlimited, Gentle Janie!” The query raised a laugh, and the girl answered that it was, ‘“* Because [ have a pretty fat stake,” declared the sport, ‘‘and I am going in to make or break, one or the other. Here’s a bundred on the ace, just for a feeler.” ‘nee was reckless playing for a man like the “You had better take it easy,” cautioned Rough Rob. “Not that it is anything to me, but your pocket won’t hold out if you meet with a loss or two,” ‘‘ Let it go, then,” said the sport, carelessly. The cards were dealt and the Poker Prince won—to the surprise of all, ‘“ Hal that reminds me of old times,” he cried. ‘‘ Now [ll try it again here, and we’ll see how it will go this time. Let ’em go, Gentle Janie. The woman dealt again, and presently the right card appeared and‘again it was in the favor of the hitherto luckless sport, “That's ther stuff!” cried Old Avalanche, “T guess you are takin’ et up at ther place whar | left off. Keep it up, pard, and youl fetch ’em.” ; . And so Poker Phil did. q He played heavily, heavily for him, and won iv almost every instance. And it was ied found that he was having a big stroke of ck, “This is just the turn I have been hold- ing back for,” he presently cried. “I am era i in it now to stay, you bet, Here’s a cook thousand on the queen, now, and only one more in the box,” ‘**You don’t mean it, do you?’ asked Rough 0 ° _“* Money talks,” cried the sport, ‘ Cover that. pile and say nothing.” The money was put up, and the cards were dealt again, and as before the Poker Prince came: out best. ‘*This is glorious!” he cried, as if in keenest: delight. ‘I have been waiting for this, you bet! Here we are again, this time five thousand on the king. Come and see me, Gentle Janie.” ““T'll have to ask fora check, Mr, Keeter,” the dealer said, ‘Nothing but cash,” cried Poker Phil. ‘* That was the agreement, and | leave it to the crowd,” The crowd supported bim song ‘‘Well, I guess I can scrape it up in my clothes,” growled Rough Rob, ** but this is more: than I Jooked for, All the money of any account. isin the bank, you know, and I depend on my checks,” ‘“*T know, but I may want to leave town be~ fore the bank opens again, That female is get- ting too determiued to suit my taste, you know,” ‘“ Well, here’s the cash,” ‘Let ’em go.” The cards were dealt, and after several turns: the winner came out for the sport again.. * Glorious!” he cried. ‘This is some revenge for all the losses 1 bave bad here, Don’t be afraid, now, but meet meon the spot. Here’s. twenty thousand dollars at one crack,” “Thunder!” cmed tbe proprietor, ‘I can’t stand that!” “You'll have to, if the game is unlimited, and. you say it is,” ‘But, you’ll bave to play against checks,” ‘On a closed bank? Notavy. This ismoney in money,” he bait was big, and the gambler felt sure that be would come in for a share of the wealth Poker Phil had so suddenly acquired, ‘“You seem to have become flush all of a sudden,” he said, in an insinuating manner, “Where did you get such a windfall, anyhow?” **You don’t know but that I have had it in re inside pocket all along,” was the retort. ** Maybe [ have onl of the tide, as the old man here puts it.” ‘Well, L have got some money up-stairs, but: I didn’t want to break into that when I had a bank deposit to draw on.” ‘You will have to put it up,” cried the sporf,, wild with impatience, or appearing so to be,. * Your eisa public one, and you have got. to meet your oy fa Come, if you want to finger any of this stuff get a move on you.” * All right, I'll do it, and maybe the tiger will tame you ag ape get epi eet § Ly stand it if he does, so don’t let that stop you, Everybody in the room was now wild with the excitement of the moment, and when Rough sn left the room they could bardly wait for his: return, When he came he carried a hand-bag in which was a Jarge quantity of money, and from which he tovk out enough to meet the wager the Poker Prince had laid. It was a sum to takeaway the breath of the novice, but these men were cook aethe ~ essed, and the sport won 6 game progr , an e sport won, “Curse your luck!” Rough Rob cried, ** Are you iv partnership with the devil to-night?” “No, for I can go bim one better,” answered Phil. ‘My partuer beats him, every time. This luck isglorious! Here, 1’ put the whole sum on the jack, and if you want it, put up.” For the first time the nerve of the peotemannes seemed to waver, and he turned slightly pale, The bait was even greater than before, how- ever, and the temptation in proportion. He could not withstand it. 1f he won it would re- eral a good deal of the loss he, had already suffered. “T1) cover it if I bave enough money,” he declered. “If I haven’t, you must take a check for the balance, You are pushing me hard this time.” “Well, count up.and I'll do that if you fall short.” The proprietor counted his money and found that he bad enough and to spare, and he. stake, If there had been excitement before, what was: to be said of it now? For the first time the fingers of the dealer trembled as she dealt out the cards, ie Willard Marblehead and Sir Clyde Carleton were among those who had pressed near to look on, and in the most quiet and unobservable way been waiting for a change .
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14 ‘the detective was giving the Poker Prince signals dow to conduct his play. The cards came out, and Phil won again! ‘* Hooray!” he yelled, jerking off his hat and swinging it wildly, ‘This is the hour I have been spokiog forward to! This is worth ten ‘years of my life! Gentle Janie and Rough Rob, bave blistered you this time, and no mistake. Dare you see me any further?” * We'll see you to the end, now,” said Rough Rob, grimly. ‘* You shall not get away with tuat money without one more effort on our part. Put up your bet.” “All right, there you are, a cool hundred thousand on the sf Cover it if you can and dare. Ha! ha! ha! I am going to break the bank this time or come out with my skin scratched off, one or the other. What do you say?” **T can’t cover it,” the gambler bad to admit. **T can make it about forty thousand, and you'll have to take my check for part of that. But, sao smaller bets and give me a show, won't ou ‘Tt is a make or break,” declared the sport. **P ll put my bundred thousand against your pile and the Monte Carlo thrown in.’ “Tl do it,” cried the gambler, pale to the lips. ‘If you win I ama beggar. Here’s my cash, and here’s my check for all I have in the bank, and the Monte Carlo is here to speak for itself. Run the cards, Janie.” CHAPTER XVI. __ DEADWOOD DICK DISCLOSES. SILENCE prevailed. A pin might have been theard to drop in any part of the room. Never had the Monte Carlo, or even Pistol Pocket, seen anything like this, It was the wonder of the day, and the vun-lookers were held spell- bound. No sound was to be heard save the metallic click of the box as the cards were drawn from it one by one, and it seemed as if the end of the ‘suspense would never come, And it was, indeed, an unusual long run before the deciding card came to ligbt, and everybody was anxious to the last degree, * But, it came at last. The card was drawn, and at sight of it Gentle Janie sunk back ia ber chair pale and overcome, The Poker Prince had won, and with a wild cheer he threw his hat in the direction of the ceiling to give vent to his feelings. His revenge was now complete for all the losses he had re ceived hitherto, Rough Rob was upon his feet, and with one hand resting on the corner of the table he seem- ed to have a hard matter to control himself. His face was hard and drawn and more than once his hand gave a nervous motion asif to ‘seek a weapon, That, he was aware, would be fatal to him. “old on byer, a minnit,” one h fellow spoke up, at the critical moment. ‘I want ter Ere somethin’ explained right here and now, yees, : i Well, what is it?’ asked Rough Rob, sul- enly. “Et is jest this hyer: I want ter know whar Poker Phil got so much money from all of a sud- dent, He has been bu’sted, or ’most so, fera long time past.” “*T suppose Phil can explain that,” spoke Mayor Carleton, confidently, ‘* if he can’t,” persisted the man, ‘‘ I want ter know ef et ain’t part of ther money that was stolen from ther bank. Et hits me that it will be a good thing fer some one ter look into.” “* That is something I do not propose to have ne A prying into,” declared the sport, dog- e ‘* As it is, and as you refuse to explain,” said Willard Marblehead, stepping forward with a revolver presented, ‘* I arrest you on suspicion of having had something to do with the robbery and murder at the bank,” Phil gave a start and recoiled. ** Tt is fortunate that I can prove where I was at the time of that crime,” he said, ‘‘ I was at the hotel, as Joe Garry here can testify.” ‘* That is so,” said Garry, ‘‘ but you had better tell how this money came into your possession, It looks suspicious, to say the least, We can’t blame the detective for arresting you on sus- picion,” “ Well, go ahead and make what you can out of it,” gaa the Poker Prince with a stub- born air. “TI thought it mighty queer that he had such a stake to play with,” remarked Rough Rob, in- sinuatingly. ‘‘I have nothing to do with the thing, but I think if you can explain, Phil, you had better do it.” Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. The prince was silent. ‘* He will bave to no nes said Willard Mar- blehead, grimly. ‘‘ Men, some of yon go and bring Mrs. Grandis and her lawyer here, We must know more about this man, and they are the ones most likely to be abje to give us the in- formation we need.” ‘* Don’t bring that woman here,” cried Phil. ‘*Go and bring her, and the lawyer, too,” ordered Marblehead. ‘They are important witnesses, Tell them what is wanted of them,” ‘* Yes, bring them, by all means,” the mayor supported, ‘‘ This thing must be cleared up.” ‘““Who would have thought that suspicion would fall upon Poker Phil,” observed Dunbar Kellock, ‘‘ Young man, your silence argues against\yoye” **T suppose I may as well acknowledge the corn, then,” was the sport’s dogged retort, ‘I guess I'll let you go ahead and prove your case, theugh, since you bave undertaken it,” Tbe excitement was intense, but it was sup- pressed. Men bastened off in search of the woman and her lawyer, and while their coming was awaited the detective held Phil under cover of his re- volver. Sir Clyde Carleton, Joe Garry, Old Ava- lanche, Billy Bucket, Johnny Smile, and others, were standing close around, and there was not the slightest chance for the prisoner to escape. There was a buzz of comment going on around the room, the general belief my to be that the detective had made a mistalte, but it could not be imagined bow Phil had come to pussess so much money. That was the one serious thing against him, It would have to be explained. In due time the men returned, bringing with them the persons they had been sent after. ‘‘ What is the matter here?” asked the Woman, ‘* Has that rascal confessed to the truth that he is Brent Grandis? If he has, I will make him toe the mark when I get him home—” There was an interruption, and had a bomb exploded in their midst it could not have created greater consternation, Sir Clyde, Joe Garry, Avalanche, Billy, Johnny and others, even to Phil Harley, bad whipped out weapons, and some persons found themselves covered. The persons thus taken by surprise were— Dunbar Kellock, Rough Rob, Simon Singletree, Mrs, Grandis and Gentle Janie, ‘‘Wh—what is the meaning of this?” cried Kellock. ‘¢ft will mean death to the first one of you who resists,” declared Deadwood Dick, sternly. ‘You are under arrest for the robbery and—” Like a tiger Rough Rob sprung upon him, and made an effort to force him'to the wall in order to make his ping but Robert met with a surprise, for, big as he was, Dick took him up and flopped him down upon the floor with ease, ‘‘ Not this time, I guess,” Dick said, ‘* Great hambone, no!” cried Old Avalanche, The old scout was now looking at Dick with intense scrutiny. **Great ragin’ and cavoortin’ signs o’ rantan- kerous demolishun !” he suddenly cried out. ‘“*Do me eyes play me false? No! by ther dis- Ralees old hambone what made ther soup fer upiter, ef et ain’t my own Dicky!” “What!” Dick removed his disguise with a sweep of the hand. “Yes,” be said, in bis natural voice, ‘“‘I am Deadwood Dick, whom these rascals defied, and I now hold them for the robbery of the bank and the murder of the cashier,” J “It is false!” cried Kellock. ‘Sir Clyde, you know better than that, You know I was the first one to discover the deed, after it had been done, and that—” “And that you bad part in it,” Deadwood Dick broke in, ‘‘I bave not been idle, as you may have thongbt, but have been weaving a net around you out of which you will find it im- possible to break.” : Everybody in the place was wild at the reve- lation that bad been made, and the uproar was reat. . No chance was offered the guilty ones to es- cape, bowever, for those who held them under cover did not take their eyes off them for an in- stant, and now they proceeded to bind them, every one. The news flew like the wind, and in a few minutes the Monte Carlo was densely packed with an excited crowd, every person eager to see Deadwood Dick and eager to hear what he had to say regarding the guilt of the prisoners, The Pocket had never seen a greater furor than this. As soon as the prisoners had beer made secure, Dick sprung upon a table and motioned" to the crowd to be silent, and as soon as he could make himself heard he addressed them, ‘Friends and_ fellow-citizens Pocket,” he said, ‘‘ it is with much pleasure that I find myself with you once more, here at this place which I call home. It is with even more pleasure that I am able to give you the solution the mystery of the robbery and the murder of. ce These ‘persons whom I have’ poor Bordwell, arrested are the ones guilty of the crimes.” “Lynch them!” some one shouted, and the cry was eagerly taken up. Each of the prisoners, at the same time, was _ loudly proclaiming his or her innocence, and the confusion became great, ‘*No, they sball not be lynched,” declared Dick, when he could again make himself heard. | “The law must have its full course in | : with them, All we have to do is to hol them, hand them over to the officers, and — present the proof of their guilt, The law will do the rest, and smoothly.” This carried weight with the better class, ** And now to lay before you the story of this R crime, as I have worked it out and brought the | proofs to bear against the guilty ones,” Dick went on, presently. ‘It was planned months ago to rob the bank, and it has been a carefully worked scheme to the last, every detail baving been provided for. This rascal, known to trial will give you every chance to have your say.—He was at the head of it, I say, and this man, Rough Rob, was his chief tool. They Fe came here together about six months ago—” ‘*That’s so! Thbat’sso!” ‘Don’t interrupt, please, They came here to- gether, and while Keeter opened this place, with this woman as his helper, Kellock idled around the camp doing nothing, but boasting of what he would do after awhile. Their object {rom the first was to rob the bank, if not, indeed, to carr. on a series of bold depredations, from whic they would be reasonably secure from suspicion, They played their game slowly in order to make it a sure one, For six months they bave been model citizens, apparently. That was to gain a reputation to shield them from suspicion, Then, when the time was ripe, the biow was struck, and it was so well done that they were almost secure from ant chance of being suspected of it, But, as is usually the case, it was their very care and fine playing that betrayed them, ‘‘ My first clew was the finding of the three checks drawn by Keeter to the order of Brett, Fry, and Toole, That such fellows should be pet f to win from a professional seemed queer, and tbat Rough Rob should play with them at all, in the forenoon, was stranger still. I in- vestigated, taking that as my starting point, and I have unearthed the whole mystery, Keeter played with these men purposely, and purposely lost tothem. Then, at the right time to suit his plans, he stop the play, and gave the checks upon the bank. They went out from the Monte Carlo in high glee, and went at ones into the bank’next door, where they noisily pre- sented their checks and asked for the money, laughing over their victory and jesting With each other, and while the attention of the cashier | was being drawn to them this fellow, Rough Rob, climbed from a window of this pbuilding in- to a window of the bank, and concealed himself in the rear part of the office, till tbe time came : to act. There was a howl for vengeance, and Dick had to turn his weapons upon the crowd to hold them in check till he bad done- CHAPTER XVII, CONCLUSION, AS soon as he could make himself beard again Dick went on. ‘In the mean time the ringleader of it all, | this man Kellock, ¥as across the way tO 2lve a signal when the most opportune moment came — for the blow to be struck. He gave the signal, and Rough Rob crept out behind the casbier ae and was about to deal him a blow to render I want it understood that this city | of ours is to be a law-abiding place in all things, The days of Judge Lynch are past here, when the machinery of the law is working orderly —~ you as _ Dunbar Kellock, was at the head of it— Your interruptions will avail you nothing, sir. Your of Pistol ee ‘ M 4 « cs 5 ted al eat he im: poet Hae Wea Cy Ae ia ae : on gine ee f Pang Ay cv aarn) eae tg she a te hoe > Bs 3 be io. 4 oe i e “4 a ape ¢ 5 He te 4 Sh; bite 4 sf ee a ory ; ~~) preelony 4 Pus tiae F mS Us | la “a Pe: ©. b 2 f s as *% * J 2% Lace le a On Ee er we. Sena ee apy Ya Ree y cen him senseless, when, the cashier turning bis | head and seeing him, he had to kill the man'to insure bis own safety. There is the man who did the deed,” pointing straight at Rough Rob, ‘ and here is the weapon with which he did it,’ drawing from under his coat a blunt ham- © mer with a short handle. ‘‘The hammer and money were found tegether in a closet up-stairs
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a4 ae ented . Crim Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. 15 nc nr en Oe a in this building. wretch! there is no flaw in this proof. defied Deadwood Dick, hoping to divert atten- tion all the more from yourself and the rest of your evil crew, but you did not know the man Well you may quake, you ou with whom you bad to deal. But, to return and keep events in order, “Tne blow having been dealt, the robber gave his attention immediately to the safe, making all the haste he could and depending upon a signal from the man outside for his safety. He gathered up the money, stuffed it into a bag, and burrying out, tossed it over into the open window of this building, where it was taken care of by his wife here, known to you as Gentle Janie, He made haste to follow the money, and when he bad a himself beyond danger, then this man Kellock bad an errand into the bank, where he was horrified at finding the cashier dead and the safe robbed. It is a wonder that he survived the shock it must have been tohim. The rest of what took place ou all know. I found these men, Brett and is companions, still bad their money, and I gave them other money forit. The bills were new, and with the help of my allies I was able to compare them with this money Keeter bad in his closet, off which this$is a part which he bas staked here to-night. The bills were of the same lot, and the proof in that direction was conclu- sive. It was I who supplied Poker Phil with the money to[play{to-night,so that some of this money could be drawn out in plain sight of all, and here it is. Step forward, gentlemen, and ex- amine the bills, comparing them with these which were last paid out by the dead cashier. Do you want farther proof? And this woman, Mrs, Grandis, and her lawyer, Singletree, are accomplices who came at this time for the sole urpose of carrying away the greater part of the stolen funds. It is even now in their room. This by-play of theirs was only for effect. Are you convinced?” No further proof wae asked, and Dick could say no more, for the crowd was wild for lynch- ing the guilty man, but Dick and those around him carried the point and the prisoners were burried Into a rear room and put under a guard for safety for the time being. Followed then such a scene as baffles descrip- 4j0n, almost, and to quote the excited sayings of Old Avalanche alone would be to carry our story over 1ut0 another number, The old scout went nearly crazy over the affair, and the neat wa in which his * Dicky ” had brought it to an end- iog. And it was pardonabdloe, too, and he was not the only one who showed enthusiasm. On the following day the funeral of the dead man took place, and the whole camp turned out to show respect to the good man who had been a friend to all, After that the prisoners were taken away under guard, and were turned over to the proper authorities and duly charged with the crimes for which they were responsible. In due time their trial came off, when they were found guilty and every one was sent to meet the fate the law prescribed. Deadwood Dick had done his work so well that there could be no question or doubt. Deadwood Dick settled down to stay awhile at Pistol Pocket, to get everything in. proper order and to make for himself a permanent home, A splendid house was speedily erected, into which Dick moved with his happy wife, and upon which occasion the young city let itself loose to give & Jubilee in his honor, And they did it, too, But, later on came another occasion for rejoicing, when bonny Kate gave to her Usband a so, Whose name was called Deadwood D. Bristol, Then it was that Pistol Pocket made snech a demonstration as had never been known before in its history, And, needless to say, Dick and Kate were the proudest, happiest couple to be found anywhere. Tater on the name of the place was changed to Bristol City and there is Dick’s home. And there jg Dick’ the Prince of Pistol Pocket, with the income of a millionaire, and there, but for his passion for the danger and excitement of detective tifa. hoe might live in peace and quiet the rest of’ his days, But, that was not tobe. It was not for him, [t would be to break the oath he had solemnly taken. No; the near future bad further adventures in store for him, and he was soon to be called from this veritable Paradise of love and beayt to face again the monsters Vice and e, to bring evil-doers to justice, If be had been & Scourge to them before, and his name their dread, what would he be to them now, with al™M0st unlimited wealth at bis command? Lez us end by Saying—Long live Deadwood Dick, Junior} THE END. | Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl, 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer, 7Y Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Buy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham, 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 ‘aos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective. 618 Cool Colorado In New York, BY GEORGE ©. JENKS, 456 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 5618 The Demon Doctor. 5S1 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 5S Flute, the Singer Detective, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Fotl; or, Dan’s Doutile Play. 616 The Ocean Detective; or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 6831 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. 786 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side. 779 Llron Hand, the Charmed Detective. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 8 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. Picayune Pete ; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detectlye. Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, WILL Wildlire, the Thoroughbred. Black Beas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Woods, — Billy Bagguge, the Railroad Boy. A Vrump Cardy; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 9 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 188 The Hidden Ttand; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers. 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, tho Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner} or, The Black Sheep ot the Flock. 235 Sam Charcoal the Promium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy, 243 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shanandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway 3 or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Jobs or, The ” aes Detective. 298 The Water-lHound; or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City. $24 Ralph Ready, the Hote) Boy Detective. $41 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Datactive. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 87e oe the Leveler; or, The Bloode of the Boulevard. 408 Fire ¥ Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 42% The Lost Finger; or; The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invineible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Briek, the Jolly Vagavond. acs r, ie ine nent? Detective; or, abe Alive. ‘ etective e3 or, T of Frank Hearty. ass Wild Dick Ktnehet Bk ie : boots, the Boy Piremans or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret Service Roy Detective. m 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkanansy or, The Wolf in the Fold. 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. 757 Detective Frank's Sweep-stakes. BY MAJOR FE, L. 8ST. VRALN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 838 Brimatone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette. 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” 859 Duranre Pave, the Young Cham ion Wrestler. 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective, 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line. ae = es SAWNONESS - es ce hk ehh eh kD ANNARAT BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. 6 Bill Blddon, hi» a 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier. 36 Nat Todd3 or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. 2: ‘ne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The iunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Walf-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Huge Hunter}; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG, 89 Asland Jim; or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Oaptain of the Olub: or. The Rival Athletes. 101 Jack Harkaw ay in New York. BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout. 806 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Ont Parda. £46 Rapler Raphael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas. svt K id-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies. 898 Kid-Glove Kit and Parad; or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter; or. The Golden Gulch Mystery 5605 Powell's Pardy or, The One-Armed Giant. BY WM. G. PATTEN. 189 The Diamond Sport; or, The Doubdie Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. 681 Daley Mare the Sport from Denver. BST Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Lron Fern, the Mun of Fire. 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Doubie Grip Witness Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport. Dismal Pave’s Dandy Pard. Round Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective Vialet Vane’s Victory. 682 Wild Vulean, the Lone-Range Rider, Violet and Palsy, the Posy Pards, 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Cratty Detective’s Craft, 714 Old Mixery, the Man from Missourl. 24 Violet Vane’s Vengeance, $0 Violet Vane’s Verdict. ‘ 41 Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidoeq. © Vielet Vane, the Vanquished. 8 Violet Vane’s Vision. 4 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never-Say-Die Detective, FReBrdoreded BY ©. DUNNING CLARK, ues Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains, The Yankee Rajah: or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. ———$—————_ BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowstone Jack; or, The Trepeate 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Murricane BIL; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam; or, The King of the Plaina. 186 Night-Dluwk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Roscue. 160 The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire, 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pardsy or, Dainty Lance Unmasks, 211 Crooked Oale, the Callbun of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fiat} or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel boone’s Laat Trall, 419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincapin Yan, the Boy Trailer. neapin Dan's Second Trail. 688 Ohincapin Dan's Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without » Head. TOS Light-MWenart Lute’s Legacy. Tis Light-Meart Lute’« Last Trail. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 72 Kilverblade, the Halt-Glood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay TBO Silverblade, the Hestile. ’ 748 Silverblade, the Friendly; or, The Border Beag!o’s Boy Pard BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorcoross; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIFUT. H, D. PERRY, U, 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccanver of the Bay. 180 The Sea Traller: or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dicks or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s laland 187 The Helpless Wand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 28” The Gold-seoker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain. BY WILLIAY R EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke}; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Durke’s Go-Down Pards, BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR WU. S. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bills Bet; or, The Gambler Guide, BY LIEUT. A. K, SIMS, 5646 Captain Cactun, the Chaparral Cock, 5668 The Dandy of Dodge, 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 5689 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidoeg. Git Bidna Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Bleck Dan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling Willtam, the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremlahy the Plains Detective. 676 Stenal Sam, the Lookout Seout. 689 Blily, the @ynay Spy. G99 Straple Sim, the Broncho Buster. 712 The Meamertat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective. T88 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansas Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective, 778 The Ruatler of Rolling Stone. 85 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee of One, BY DAN DUNNING. 746 Qulet Jack, the Secret Service Spy. 767 Mae and Jack, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Rela and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift, 14 Aladdinyg or, The Wondertul Lamp, 16 Robinson Orusoe,. (27 Dlustrations.) 18 Sindbad tho Sallor. His Seven Voyages, 22 eRe Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan wew ia. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carrivbeva. By 8. W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown, or, The Arena Queen. By & 3. Finn. B88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Fifer; or, The Underground Camp. By A. °.frons, 95 ‘Tho Rival Roveray; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi, By Lieut.-Col. Haseltine, 98 Robin Hood, the Outiawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of 3reen; wood. By Prof. Gilderaleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 'The Mad Nunter; or, !he Cave of Death, By Burton daxe, 124 Tipyy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By Jeorge ePaon. 128 The Yeung Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures ora Friendless Boy, By J. Alexander Patten. S27 Dusky Darrell, Trappor: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone, By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New York Boy. By G, L, Alken, 206 Killbpar, the Guide; %, Davy Crockett’s Crooked ‘Trail. By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff. By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively tenant Alfred Thorne. x B28 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Lifeand Honor, By Maior Mickey Free. 4 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Re- venge. By Ned Buntline, 865 Baltimore Ben ‘he Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris, 874 Gold-Duat Tom: or, Ben’s Double Match. By @ H. Morse, 876 California Joc’s First Trail, By Colonel Thomas ver Monastery. 418 Billy Rombaholl, the Clift Climber. By F, 8. Winthrop, 475 The Black Ship. By John S Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and Hix Three Invinelblea, By Henry J. Thomas. B82 The Cowboy Duke, By Edwin Brooke Forrest, B52 Artel the Athlete. By David Druid. BRS Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H. Enton, 6R2 The Dead Petective’s Double. By Gerald Carton. 721 Maverick Mone, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urkos Pass. By WI] Lisenbee. A New Iasue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library {s for sale by all newadealors, five conta por copy, Or sent by mail on receipt o1 six cents oack BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York ole Lad from Leadville. By Liea-
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ne ee eee 7 Ne” Stee ean ea ee Pte “4 " wees 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, The Double Daggers. Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol, Deadwooi Dick in his Castle; or, Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Ol), the Masked Terror, 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-up. 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Act; or, Corduroy Caarlie, the Boy Rover. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. : 104 Deadwocd Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of the Double Cross. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double. 188 oh iy Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde il). 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold, 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood, . 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, 282 Gold-Dust Dick; or, The Three Wild Men of Kagle Bar. 263 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail: or, From Ocean to Ocean, 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal. 321 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Poantom Flats, 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days,in the Diggings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, 362 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 New York, 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. 445 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, 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill of Big Brace, 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective; or, Humboldt Harry, the Hurricaue. 481 Dea:iwood Lick, Jr., in Deadwood; or, Moll Moll Mvstery. 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 515 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Protege; or, Baby Bess, the Girl Gold Miner. 522 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Three. 529 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks; or, The Owls of Oregon, 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt; or, The Way of the Transgressor. 539 Deadwood Dick, Jr,, in Texas; or, The Ghouls of Galveston, \ 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocq; or, Leonora, the Locator, ( = x A ( 549 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on His Mettle; or, Cap- tain Crimson-Cowl, the Road Raider. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham; or, raveling a Twisted Skein, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston; or, The Cool Cuse, f 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia; or, The Wild West Detective among the Crooks, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago; or, The Anarchist’s Daughter, 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat; or, The Prisoner of the Weird Isles. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. or, Cool Kate, the Queen of Crooks, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree; The Prince of Purgatory Pass, 595 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basiv; or, The Old Man of Mount,Mab., 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Bucket’s Boom, 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan, 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinnati; or, The Clincher Campaign. Un- or, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville. 630 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 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, 660 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Insurance Case, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Miues. Deadwood Dick Novels in Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., ** Gathered In,” 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery. 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dazzle; The Nemesis of Nutmeg Bonanza. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dollars; or, The Hummingbird of Honeysuckle. _. 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide; or, Developing the Dead Secret. 700 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Drop; or, The So- journ at Satan’s Spring. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at. Jack-pot; or, Mak- ing Crooked Things Straight, 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., m San Francisco; or, * Kodak Kate, the Su»p-Shot, 716 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 {ron. %34 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal; or, The All-Around Surprise, 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathwatch; or, The Moving Mystery at Mexican Mustang. 4% Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Doublet; or, The Tandem Team of Teddy’s Tailings, 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deathblow; or, The Little Circus at Last Chance, io 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Desperate Strait, in Durango; or; or, %88 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks. By Col. P, Ingraham, Ready August 30th, "89 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, By Wm. G. Patten. Ready September 6, For sale by all newsdealers at five cents per copy, or sent by mail, post-paid, on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ApaAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York. ws,