Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 879) (1894 05 29)
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Sd Ted tool ood ol od el = —— = A - = ine =% fe 22 |) = ee | ee eel Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y , Post Office. Copyrighted 18M, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. May 29, 1894. No 879 $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, J | VU _s . a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents. OL. 4 \\ \\y} eX PPLUE-LIONT BILL The Sapphire Sport: OR, THE DENVER DETECTIVES LONE HAND. BY KING KEENE, Of the U. S, Secret Service Corns CHAPTER I. BY THE SKIN OF HIS TZ£TH, DESPITE the intense excitement which pre vailed, the citizens of “‘ Yaller” Jacket paused to look at the strange,caravan, and their inter- ruption was a godsenu to Alfred Ashton. is hands bound and a rope around his neck, the young man was being dragged to the nearest tree when some one espied the peculiar equipage coming and drew attention to it, and thus the ane <r — — ee prisoner was favored with a brief respite: for “*TM GOIN TO SQUARE ‘COUNTS WITH YOU BEFORE YOU LEAVE THIS CAMP, what the crowd hebeld was certaiuly something \ND DON’T YOU FORGIT IT.” to awaken curiosity.
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4 a $ Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. 4 » Drawn by six plumed horses, gayly capari- | **We don't want nothin’ of ther kind,” soned, it looked not unlike a street car, only | growled McDavit. that it was larger, nor yet unlike Noah’s ark, | do jestice hyer, and ther way to do et is but it was smaller than that. It appeared | ter hang this prisoner jest as high as we something of a cross between the two, at | kin yank him.. What say, boys?” first sight; a house-like affair, gay in gilt There were some shouts of approval. » and paint, with a door in the visible end, and | “Hold on!” orCered the mayor. ‘ Don’t what appeared to be a skylightin the top. be too fast about et. That idee of a pictur’ “ Whatin snakes an’ Sadducees aire et, any- | ain’t bad, an’ I think we'll git one took, if how?” demanded Dan Barker, the worthy | the shop is open fer business when et stops. mayor of the camp. | Hillo! thar’s the woman, now. My! bat “ Et’s ther car of Juggernaut, b’mighty!” | ain't she a looker, pards?’” exclaimed Tom Connor, proprietor of the; There was a small platform on the front | Horse Hotel, the only hostelry the camp | end of the car, and while the mayor was | could boast. | speaking a door opened and a woman came | “Git out, you!” cried Billy McNulty. | out. She was a splendid-looking bit of “Why don’t ye call et a hearse and be | femininity, richly and jauntily dressed. done with et, Et’sa circus, that’s what et! She saluted with a wave of the hand. aire, as anybody kin see with halfaneye.” The outriders -had now urged the six * We don’t Leer a tin whistle what et is,” | horses intoa faster gait than a walk, and ima | urged Jabe McDavit: ‘‘ we bev got biz on | minute or so the car was brought rolling and hand, and et can’t be put off. Ther man} rumbling into one street of the camp. what killed poor Kennedy Cook has got "ter When it came to the place where the| swing, and I'm one what says so!” | crowd was, the woman gave the signal to | ** Don’t you work yourself into a cast-iron | stop. ) sweat, Jabe,” rebuffed the hotel proprietor, ** Gentlemen,” she madeinquiry, pleasant- turning upon thisspeaker. ‘“ Et won't take | ly, “‘may I ask the name of this place?” . } us long ter wait awhile, and I fer one, am ‘*Sartain ye kin, miss,” angwered the goin’ ter know what thisthing is. Efet had | mayor, promptly. ‘This hyer aire ther| more wheels I'd swear et was the Juggernaut, | camp of Yaller Jacket, and I’m ther mayor | fera fact.” of et.” Tom Connor, by the way, was a friend to ** This is the place I was told about, then, the prisoner. He had been deing all in his | as being on the trail. But, tell me, what power to stop the lynchers, and was deter- | means all this demonstration? I see you mined to gain a respite if possible, hoping | havea prisoner— Mercies! you are not go- that something would turn up in Ashton’s | ing to hang him!” / favor: for, knowing him as be did, he could *‘That is jest what we aire goin’ ter do, not believe him guilty of the crime of which | though,” put in Jabe McDavit. ‘‘ Ef you he stood accused, and for which his life was | don’t want ter see ther sight you bad better threatened. git back into yer house thar, fer he is goin’ “You don’t seem ter keer whether ther | up right now. Come on, boys, an’ let’s crime is avenged or not,” MeDavit retorted. | "venge poor Cook!” ‘Ets plain enough that Alf Ashton done et, ** Hold!” ordered the mayor, firmly. ‘‘ Jabe fer didn’t he quarrel wi’ Kennedy Cook only | McDavit, don’t you begin bein’ mayor of yisterday? What more proof do ye want ’n | this hyer camp till I stop. He’llswing when that? An'ef he killed him, aint et good | I git ready, but not before, and don’t ye for- enough proof that he killed Hilderbrant, too? | git et. Lady, thar is a request we want ter I say string him up, an’ let et be a lesson an’ | ask of you, so be as ye don’t mind et.” a warnin’ to any other gsloot what feels in-| ‘‘ A request? pico oS clined ter go crooked in ther same direc- ae thar s money in et, too,” chipped in tion!” cNulty. ~ ' There was a faint cheer from the crowd,| ‘‘ Ther fact is,” the mayor hastened to in but it was only a faint one, for all attention | form, “‘ we want a pictur of this hyer thing was now centered upon the approuching | took.” house on wheels. — ‘*A picture? Is it not horrible enough, to ‘Keep yer shirt on, Jabe!” the mayor | think of taking the life of a fellow-creature, came to the support of Connor, though not | without desiring a picture tokeep the deed with the same purpose in delaying the lynch- | forever in mind?” ing. ‘‘ Ther prisoner can’t git away,and aj/ ‘‘But, he’s a murderer, lady; a ‘fernal few minutes more or less fer him to suck ajr | murderer!” cried McDavit. won't make any difference to anybody, I} ‘‘Is this true, Mr. Mayor?” asked the guess. I want ter know what this thing is, | woman. . too.” - Et must be true,” the mayor declared. The car was now coming nearer, down the ** Whom did he kill?” F gulch, and a couple of outriders in liveryap-| ‘* Kennedy Cook, one of our best citizens.” peared to have it in charge. : >> ‘Indeed? When was it done? Who Yaller Jacket had never seen anything like | witnessed the crime?” . it before. | “Et was done last night some time; ther Presently, when it had come nearer still, a | poor cus¢ was found stiff an’ cold this morn- turn in the trail brought the car sidewise to | in’, As ter witnesses, nobody seen et done, the crowd, and a discovery was made. but ther general verdick aire that et must There were painted words upon the side | ‘a’ been Ashton.” : of the strange caravan, which, as soon as| ‘‘ Why is he suspected?” read, made the whole matter plain. The *“’*Cause we know him an’ Cook didn’t words were these: love _ a — too well, an’ they had a “ r , quarre oO e ; . Mure. Naxa Dusvre, “And is that the oaby evidence against PHOTOGRAPHS.” your prisoner, gentlemen?~ “ Photograms, b’mighty!” cried Connor,| “ Ain't et enough?’ demanded McDavit. with pretended excitement. ‘That gal has | ‘* What more do ye want? Ef this man run plumb ag‘in’ a fortune; whether she | didn’t do et, 1 sil knows et or not.” “And you “What d’ye mean?” asked the mayor, | such ai puzzled. “T opine we will.” | ‘Mean? Why, of all ther lynchin’s that | ‘* What does the prisoner say?” 7 ever took place in ther bull West, 1 never! “‘ lam innocent of the crime,” spoke up heerd of one that was photographed, and would hang this man upon this is jest her chance, ‘mighty’ What a | against me.” rill make, too; n hang et| ‘‘ Gentlemen, don't you think you had Create iy ortiie an better go slow?” the ‘euban asked, lookin up an’ p'int to et wi" pride in ther days to come. into the faces of those around. 4 | roared McDavit, hotly. Ashton. ‘‘ There is not the slightest proof t | you better investigate furthcr before you ‘* What we want is ter | proceed to measures so harsh?” ‘* What did I say?” cried Tom Connor. ** This ain’t no case o’ hoss-stealin’, that we heed ter be in sech wrush about et. For my part, lady, I don’t believe Alf Ashton done ct atall, and I’m im favor of givin’ him a chance ter prove himself innocent.” ** That is all 1 ask,” said the prisoner. ** Wull, ye ask more’n ye will git,” shout- ed McDavit. ‘‘ Fetch him along, boys, an’ we'll hang him first an” talk afterwards.” Some were willing, but most of the crowd now hung back., Three mimutes earlier, al- most every man of them had been eager for the hanging; but now it looked as though McDavit would soon have not a single sup- porier. “ Don’t’be in sech a red-hot hurry about et?” shouted the mayor. ‘““I'm ‘clined ter think mebby this lady aire right, and that we hev been crowdin’ things too much. Et won't cost nothin’ ter give Alfa show, any- how.’”” “ } don’t believe in doin” things that way,” ‘“« This teamp is bad in need of a little purifyin’, an’ we may as well begin right hyer as anywheres else. Ken Cook was my friend, and I’m. goin’ ter see that he’s ’venged!” ‘‘And Alf Ashton is my friend,” now de- clared Tom Connor, sharply, having plenty of backing. ‘‘ We have come to our senses, Jabe, and this hangin’ is declared off fer ther present.” McDavit saw it was useless to hold out longer, so he threw down the rope and walk- ed a few paces away. ‘Have et yer own way,” he stopped to growl. ‘*Let him git off, an’ then when ye find I was right ye will wish ye had him. This is the second death at bis door, an’ meb- by he’lladd another notch or twoef ye give him the chance.” ‘© You're a liar, Jabe McDayit!’ cried the prisoner, his keen eyes flashing. ‘‘ Were I free I would cram your words down your throat.” ‘Liar, am I? Kin you prove that ye didn’t kill Thomas Eilderbrant? Kin ye prove ye didn’t murder Ken Cook?” . ‘‘I defy you, sir, and everybody else, to prove that I did kill either. You do not even know that Mr. Hilderbrant was murdered; ove goes to show that he died of right. “That’s a likely story, with the safe rob- bed aset was!” ‘* Well, I cannot say; all I know is that I am innocent in both matters, and all I want -is a fair trial, to which every man is en-— titled.” “It seems there has been some dark work oing on here, gentlemen,” now Be up Mile. Dubufe. ‘‘Of all things, I detest crifme, and I sincerely hope you wilk be able to clear up these mysteries. “ You are right,” responded the prisoner, who was as cool as the coolest man in the crowd, ** There has been dark work, and no one is more eager than I to have it shown up. I want to thank you for = interference in my behalf. Had it not been for your soning just when you did, I ead man.” : would now be a At that moment a new-comer appeared up- on the scene. Nobody had noticed his ap- proach, and the first that was known of his © hailed. presence was whea he cheerfully . CHAPTER I. THE NEW-COMER.—THE HAUNTED MAN. one What’s the matter here, citi- zens?” , “ Hadn't | ing coal-black horse, a man not more than
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n i & ¢ thirty years of age at most, judging by his ‘looks. He was neatly clad in an easy-fitting suit of superior material, and his wide-brimmed hat became him well. He had ona negligee shirt of fine quality, with loose, broad collar and heavy silk tie, and upon the latter, where | it was knotted, sparkled an immense sap- phire. Good-looking, with keen, black eyes, he WAS &@ man to command attention anywhere. He sported a graceful mustache, and his dark hair rested wpon his shoulders in the good old Western style. His left hand rest- ed gracefully against his thigh, while with iis right he lightly held the rein. was upon his lips as he ran his eyes over the crowd. **Hillo to yerself, stranger!” the mayor promptly responded. ‘‘Why, we kem al- most to havin’ a hangin’-bee hyer, and I guess mebby we would, too, only fer the timely ‘rival of this lady.” He waved his hand toward Mlle. Nana. The sport—be was a sport, in the broad and liberal Western sense of the term—doffed his hat promptly. ** Score anether point forthe fair sex,” he | of the matter considerably,” the sport com- said. °*‘ We should all soon be little better than barbarians but for your restraining in- fluence, lady. The world without you were a howling wilderness.” A tinge of cclor héightened the glow of the young woman’s cheeks, and she in- clined her head slightly in acknowledgment of the compliment. “Don’t you belong to this hyer outfit, then?” inquired Tom Connor, in great sur- prise. “Does my greeting indicate that I do thesport rejoined. ‘‘ By the looks of things, I take it the outfit has just arrived from up-gulch way: I came in from the other di- rection.” : ‘“*Then I’m fooled, too,” deelared the mayor. ‘‘I took you ter be boss of ther concern, at first blush. Might*we ask what your bandle is, ef that ain’t comin’ at ye too personal? Must have somethin’ to call ye by, ye know, and names is cheap as dirt, these days.” » . The sport laughed. ** You couldn’t very well come at me any more personal, as you call it, sir,” he ob- served. ‘‘ However, names are cheap, as you say, and you are welcome to mine for what it is worth. It didn’t cost me any- thing, and you may have it at the same figure. I’m called Blue-light Bill, the Sap. phire Sport.” * Snakes an’ Sadducees!” the mayor ejacu- lated. “That's a dandy name, b’mighty!” ex- claimed Tom Connor, excitedly. “It answers the purpose very well,” the sport quietly observed. ‘‘ But, about the on ial has your prisoner been do- ng?’ ** Why, a murder was done hyer last night, and et was theught he done et. One of our best cits was laid out stiff an’ cold—Ken- nedy Cook, the superintendent of ther Speckled Hen.” “Did I not understand you to say two murders had been committed?” asked Mlle. Nana. **Wull, we can’t jest swear whether t’other one was a murder or not, lady. Et was Thomas Hilderbrant, owner of ther Speckled Hen Mine. He was found dead one mornin’ some weeks ago, but as thar was no marks on ther body et was thought he’d been skart to death.” * Scared to death?” repeated the Sapphire Sport. * That was what I said.” * Would you mind explaining? It strikes me as something quite out of the ordinary, your thinking the man was frightened to death.” ** Yes, and Thomas Hilderbrant was a man erat th a a Le, piso x hein tetera he Blue-light Bill, the | | A smile | sss ess sen IS ee Se oe quite out of the ordinary, too, he was. He was known hyerabouts as the Haunted Man; et was thercommon belief that thar was a ghost hot on his trail.” ‘* This grows interesting, decidedly,” Blue- light Bill remarked. ‘‘ Then you are of the opinion the ghost cornered him at last, are you?” ’ ** He was cornered, fer a fact, fer he was sittin’ on ther floor in a corner when he was found, his eyes wide open, and his face dis- | torted, and had ther worst skart look I ever | see in my life. Ye see, Sport, he was a man | who wouldn't be alone in ther dark a minute, | an’ when he was discovered in ther manner | said, ther light was out. -Now, jest put two an’ two together an’ ye have ther sum. He; waked up in ther night, found ther light was | out, and ther ghost gathered him in afore he | could help himself.” ; : “That’s all very well in talk,” struck in Jabe McDavit, ‘* but how about ther robbed safe?’ ‘* Ha! was there a safe robbed at the same time?” ‘*Sure thar was.’ ‘*Then that does change the appearance > mented. ‘‘ Robbery was probably the motive, and the man may have been killed in some way that could not easily be detect- ed. Do you think your prisoner guilty of that crime as well as this, Mr. Mayor?” ‘** Et’s hard ter say. His name was men- tioned, but nobody would have ’rested him hadn’t et been fer this other deed. He had | &@ quarrel wi’ old man Hilderbrant only a | day or two before, and only yesterday he hgd | a quarrel wi’ Cook. You see et looked shaky fer him.” ‘* Jest what I claim,” supplemented Mc- | Davit. ‘‘I say he'd orter swing; don’t you Sapphire Sport. | other party, too, it seems. | lover?” looked bad fer him, I allow, an’ et would ‘a’ gone hard wi’ him ef et hadn’t been fer that woman’s comin’.” ‘* Your mayor said the prisoner ,and the dead man had quarreled. Do you know anything about that?” “ Yes, somethin’. They both loved ther same gal, ye see.” ‘‘Ha! And he had quarreled with the Was he another * Bless ye, no; that one was ther daddy of ther gal.” ‘* Well, go ahead and give me the par- ticulars, so [ can get my grip onto the situa- tion.” “Easy done. Thomas Hilderbrant was owner of ther Speckied Hen, and he had a darter named Veronica. Ther gal was stuck on Alf, an’ him on her; but Ken loved her, too, an’ the old man favored him most and was bound ther gal should marry him. That was what the first racket was about, the old man ferbiddin’ Alf ter speak to her.” ‘It gets complicated, the further it is probed. And what about the Haunted Man—anything in that, or only a great bugaboo?” ‘There was somethin’ in et, you bet! It’s | been the mystery of this hyer camp ever sence he kem hyer.” ‘** And he never explained it?” ‘‘Never. His own fambly didn’t know ther secret.” ‘‘ That is strange, truly. How much ofa family had he?” ‘Only ther darter I mentioned, and a son named Lyster. His wife died when these was young.” ‘* And both are now grown up?” ‘“Yes; Lyster is a feller about twenty- four, and Veronica is only a year or so ” Say so too, Mister Sport?” pyounger I take et—in fact, I've been told so. ‘* Tf he’s guilty, certainly; but I believe in going slow in such matters.” ** Just what 1 Bave been urging, sir,” | spoke up"Mile. Nana. ‘‘I believe that the mayor has decided to give the prisoner - chance.” ‘*Good for the mayor, then!” ‘* Yas, we'll lock him up,” the mayor an- nounced, ‘‘an’ then do our pootiest ter on- ravel ther snarl.” ** And I’ve a notion to stop over and see it out,” the Sapphire Sport declared. “It | strikes me yow have a hard nut to crack, and I shouldn’t mind taking a hand in the game myself.” . Are you a detective, sir?” asked the prisoner. ‘* Well, I've done work in that line, my friend.” - “Then if you can stop over I beg you will do so, and try to get me out of the fix I am | in. I’m as innocent as you are.” _ “* That certainly has the honest ring about | it, mayor,” and the sport turped to Barker. ‘*T think you must have the wrong man, and as my time is my own and I’ve got all there is of it, I'll stay.” ** Good fer you, b’mighty!” shouted Tom Connor. ‘I'm sure Alf is innocent, an’ | want to see him proved so, You come right along to my hotel, Blue-light Bill, an’ et sha’n't cost you a cent while you ar’ workin’ up ther case. Ef Alf ain’t proved clear I'll éat my hat!” The crowd gave a cheer, and for the time being Alfred Ashton’s life was safe. He was led away under guard. Blue-light Bill rode on to the Horse Hotel, while the mayor directed Mlle. Nana where she might locate her car, and gradually the crowd dispersed. “So you think Ashton innocent, do you?” the sport questioned the hotel proprietor, to draw him into conversation, after they had entered the house. ** | know he is,” Connor stoutly declared. “I know him well, an’ there ain’t a whiter man in this hull camp'’n what he is. Et “And these knew, of course, about their father’s trouble—that is, that he had a horror of the dark?” ‘“Couldn’t help knowin’ et. That’s their cottage, down the gulch- thar,” pointing from the open door. ‘‘ From dusk to sun- rise you'd néver miss seein’ ther brightest kind of a light in that corner room on the second floor.” ‘‘Did anbody notice its absence on th night of his death?” : ‘**T noticed et myself.” ** What time was that?” ““About two o’clock. A feller was sick hyer, and I was up ‘tendin’ to him, an’ I seen that Hilderbrant’s light was missin’ from ther windy.” ® ‘* What did you think about it?’ “] thought—‘ Old man, yer light is out fer oncet, anyhow.’” ‘‘And you were the only one who noticed it, so far as you know?” ‘Fur as I know. I told about et, next mornin’ when I heard the old man was dead. Et only served ter show that he was prob'ly dead at that hour.” ‘‘ What was taken from the safe?” ‘*Some money, and papers that was of more ‘count 'n the money.” “Did you notice any one particularly flush after that time, any one you could sus- pect?” “Not a one. Close watch was kept, but nary a clue has been found from that day ter this. Et’s a deep mystery, Sport, an’ vou will do well ef ye kin onwind et. I hope ye will, fer Alf Ashton’s sake.” Their further conversation brought out. nothing of much interest. CHAPTER III. THE SITUATION. —SOME HIGH WORDS. Tuts camp of ‘‘ Yaller Jacket” was a live place. It had one very rich mine, the ** Speckled Hen,” -and some others which were wel worth the working.
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4 Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. The Speckled Hen had been owned by one man solely—Thomas Hilderbrant, and was | however, for at his first word the servant now held by his son and daughter, the son | had sprung to bring the man in, and as the haying stepped into bis father’s place as man ager. Kennedy Cook, the man found murdered on the morning of which the opening of our story treats, had been superintendent of the mine and the accepted lovcr of the mine- owner's daughter, thouzh it was generally known that Veronica's preference was Alfred Ashton. The young woman bad accepted Kennedy Cook to please her father, but after her fa- ther’s leath Cook began to notice that he was not so certain of his prize as he had been before. He once or tyvice found Veronica in Ashton’s company, and this was what had led to the quarrel of which mention has been made, and finally, as some now thought, to Cook’s death. Early on this morning of which we write, the superintendent of the Speckled Hen was found dead in front of the Brace-up Saloon This was the leading saloon and gaming- place of the camp, and had been open till a late hour. Cook had been present until within an hour of the closing, playing. That was the last seen of him alive. Earlier in the evening Ashton had been in the saloon, but he had said little to anybody, and presently had gone quictly out again. It was known that he ani Cook were not friends, and there were some who expected they would come to a fight, aftera quarrel they had had that day, but nothing of the kind took place. When the crime was discovered, the first man thought of asthe probable murderer, was Ashton. Some witnesses said they had seen him looking at Cook rather darkly on the previous night, and upon the strength of it all his arrest quickly followed and the charge was formally made. Cook had been a general favorite in the camp, and the denizens being greatly excited over the discovery of the crime, it had not taken a great deal to work them up to a des- perate pitch; and as the prisoner could not, or would not, give a satisfactory account of himself, it was proposed to lynch him. And - toveip he certainly would have been, but or the timely arrival of Mile. Nana and the sport. The hour was still early, and nothing of the excitement was known at the cottage oc- cupied by the Hilderbrants till it was all over. This cottage was some distance from the center of the camp, with its ‘‘every-day ” rooms on the side toward the mine, and it was not until they were at breakfast that the brother and sister learned of what had taken place. ‘‘Have you heard the mine whistle this morning?” Veronica asked. ‘*No, I haven’t,”"Lyster responded. ‘‘If ou have not heard it either, it can't have lown, Something must be wrong.” “* What can it be?” ** Nothing serious, I hope. I'll go up and see 23 s00u as I swallow this coffee. Just then the servant entered, her face pale, and said hurriedly: ‘Ob! Mr. Hilderbrant! Something terri- ble has happened. Here is aman tosee you, sir, and he says Mr. Cook has been murdér- |, ed, and that—” ** Good heavens!” The same exclamation escaped the brother and sister together, as they sprung to their feet, both pale to the lips. ‘“Where is the man?” Lyster asked. *‘ Show him right in here. Don't give way, Veronica; there may be some mistake about it. Maybe it’s not so bad as reported. I'll see immediately.” The pease woman had laid hold upon the back of a chair for support, for the horror of the thing had unnerved her. : i Lyster had no time to leave the room, young master of the mine turned: to go the man entered. ** What is it, Ben?” Lyster demanded. The news-bearer was a rough miner, rougbly clad, who was surning his hat in his hands nervously. “Ther super has been killed—found mur- dered,” he informed, ‘‘an’ Alf. Ashton has come near to bein’ lynched fer ther crime. Thar’s been a dash of a time up at ther camp.” ‘* My God!” cried Veronica, wildly ‘“ Do they accuse Alfred Ashton of the deed? He is innocent! oh! I. know ‘he is innocent! I must run up to the camp at once and tell them he is innocent. They must not hang him—” “Wait!” interrupted Lyster. ‘‘ Let’s hear all Ben bas to tell. When was Cook killed, Ben? Why do they accuse Alf?” ‘‘ He was found dead this mornin’, an’ him an’ Alf quarreled yisterday.” ‘‘But, he is innocent, I know he is in- nocent, Lyster!” “T'll go up at once and see about it, Do you stay here—” ‘*No, I'll not stay a moment; I must go re prove him innocent—which you cannot 0.” She’ made haste to get ready, while Lys- ter asked further questions of the man who had brought the news, and in a few min utes the trio set forth for the camp center in all haste. The mayor had just joined Connor and the Sapphire Sport at the Horse Hotel when they were seen coming up from the cottage, and the sport asked who they were. He was informed, and appeared to be in- terested in them. ‘They hev jest heard about et, I opine,” the mayor remarked. “I’m glad now we was stopped from yankin'ther prisoner, fer I wouldn’t keer to face that gal ef we had dene et.” ‘‘ No, nor me,” agreed the hotel proprietor. ‘‘She was more stuck on Alf'n she was on Ken, that’s certain.” The trio soon came up, when Lyster called out: ** Is Mayor Barker in there?” “That's what he aire,” the mayor himself responded, and he made hate to get out and show himself. The Sapphire Sport and Connor followed im. ‘““Oh! Mr. Barker!” the young woman exclaimed, ‘‘you must not allow them to hang Alfred Ashton for this crime, for 1 know he is innocent, I do know he is inno- cent!” “He ain't goin’ to be hanged right away, miss,” the mayorassured, ‘* We ar’ goin’ to give him a chance fer his life. But, what do you know about et? How do you know he is innocent?” ‘‘T know it because he was with me, at our house, until a very late hour.” Lyster looked quickly at his sister, sur- prised * ‘*That don't clear him,” spoke up Jabe MeDavit, who wasone of a group on the piazza. ‘‘ Ken was in ther Brace-up tilla late hour, too.” “Yes, but Alfred did not kill him, 1 know he did not kill him,’ the girl excitedly per- sisted. ‘I know him too well; he could not doa deed like that. You will set him free, won't you, Mr. Barker?” ‘* He'll have tér stand trial, miss,” the mayor answered, “But you won't lynch him, will you? You won't allow them to hang him unless he is proven guilty?” “IT kin promise ye that, Miss Hilderbrant. He shall have a fair an’ square chance ter clear himself, an’ I nope he’il be able ter do et, too.” : ‘« He will, I know he will, sir!” * Where is the body?” asked Lyster- ‘In ther Brace-up, They ar makin’ et ready fer buryin’.” “Til go and see it. Veronica, you had better go back to the house, since you can do no good here.” ‘ No, not until I have seen Alfred Ashton. You wi.l allow me to see him, will you not, Mr. Barker?” “Sartain you kin see him, Miss Hilder- brant.” . “T object to et,” struvkin MeDavit. “Et will give ’em a chance ter hatch up a story, an’ be ther means of gettin Ashton off whe- ther he is the right man or not.” ‘* Sir!” and the girl turned full upon him. * Do you think I would lie to save him, if I thought him guilty?” “Love will doa good many things,” Mc- Davit sneered. “Tt seems to me, sir,” spoke up Blue light Bill. ‘that you are determined to put this thing on the prisoner if you can. What's your object in it?” ‘Ken Cook was my friend, that’s my ob- jeck,” the man promptly answered. ‘‘I’m goin’ ter see to et that he’s,'venged, an’ if Alf Ashton done et he has got ter suffer fer et.” ‘‘I never heard Mr: Cook speak very en- dearingly of you,” observed the young wo- man. ‘That ain’t got nothin’ ter do with et. He was my friend all ther same, an’ I'm goin’ ter do what's right by him. Ther man what killed him has got ter swing, ef I bave ter hunt him down and hang him alone myself.” ‘Miss, do you feel positively certain the prisoner is innocent?” It was the Sapphire Sport who asked the question, and he lifted his hat as he spoke. ‘1 am sure he is, sir,” was the earnest an- swer. “Then allow me to suggest that you do not go near him, so that nothing of the kind you have just heard hinted can be charged against you and him.” ‘* And who are you, sir?” ‘Nobody in particular, perhaps; but I have taken interest in this affair and I’m go- ing todo what I can toward bringing the crime home where it belongs, I will go and see the prisoner.” ‘ ‘And what's ther difference?” demanded McDavit. “T'll tell you what's the difference, sir,” aud the sport turned upon him with flashin eyes, speaking in a voice full of grim signif- icance. ~‘‘ You can’t accuse me of being partial in the matter, for I will put the crime where it belongs, no matter where. This prisoner is nothing to me.” ‘““ You hev said, though, that you believe him innocent.” “So I do, with as good a right to that opinion as you to yours that he must be uilty.” ee Let ahead, but I am bound that jestice shall be done, no matter who et falls on. Ef I can't git it one way Ill git et an- other.’ ‘Tf justice is what you are after, sir, it would bea good idea for you and me to work together on the case. That is all lam seeking, and it is all the prisoner has asked for.” “ Yer ain't my style,” McDavit rejoined, with a shrug of the shoulders. “ This ain't no matter fer no dood ter meddle with, any- how.” And with that he walked away, the sport lookiag after him with flashing eyes one moment, his lips parting with a smile of disregard the next. CHAPTER 1V. MCDAVIT TAKES WATER. Just at that time two women appeared upon the scene. One, coming from the direction of the photograph car, was Mile. Nana, while the
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Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. > &* \ P ‘other, coming out from the hotel upon the " Piazza, needs to he introduced. She was a pretty woman, but had an un- pleasant flash in her rather too-large eyes, and was one to be set down at sight as a sport. Her attire was semi-masculinein style. Her hat was of the broad brim variety, turned up on. the left side and held.in place with a goldstar. And, instead of buttons, her coat and vest were adorned with these same stars of gold, smaller in size; the one on her hat being quite lurge. Her suit was of blue serge . Theeyes of thesetwo met for an instant, as Mile. Nana approached, and then she of the gold stars looked around at the group. For a moment she appeared to study the face of the Sapphire Sport, then turned to the mayor. “What is the excitement this morning, Muyor Barker?” she asked. “Snakes an’ Sadducees, don’t yer know, Gold Star?” the mayor exclaimed in sur- prise. **J do not, sir. You know I was up late last night, and I have slept late in conse- quence. I can see, though, that something out ofthe usual has been going on while I enjoyed my beauty sleep.” As she said this she smiled jocosely. **Wull, somethin’ mighty serious has tooken place,” the mayor informed. ‘‘ Yer pard at cards last night has been mur- dered—” ‘Heavens! You do not mean Mr. Cook?” “« Nobody else, Gold Star. He was found dead in front-of ther Brace-up, about day- light.” ‘“This is horrible. Have you found the maurderer?” ** We thought we had, but et don’t look so now. We ‘rested Alf Ashton fer et, but thar ain’t no good proof that he done et.” The woman’s face was pale; the news had evidently been a shock to her. ** This must be cleared up, citizens of Yul- ler Jacket,” she spoke, earnestly. ‘* You will give your prisoner.a fair chance, of course, but if he is guilty he must suffer for bis crime.” * He is not guilty,” Veronica Hilderbrant urged again. “Can you prove it?” the Gold Star asked, «I will try to prove it, if it comes to that. lL hope his word in the matter will be taken.” “It is your duty to clear him, if you an.” “ You need not remind me what my duty is. He is to have a fair trial; we will see whether he can be proven guilty.” Their eyes met, and for a moment neither spoke Mile. Nava had now come upon the jazza, and the Gold Star looked again at er. Blue-ligbt Bill was watchful and atten- tive, and now he addressed this woman. “Do I understand, lady, that you were laying cards with this man last evening?” politely asked. “If you so understand you are right, sir; but who are you?” The answer was short and the question to the point. “Tam one who has undertaken to solve this mystery,” the Sapphire Sport rejoined; and he further introduced himself. *‘‘ It may be that something was said during the time you were playing that will throw light upon this matter.” The woman looked thoughtful. ““Do you recall” anything?” the sport asked. “What I do recall, sir, would not be favorable to the prisoner were I to mention > | “No matter, out with et, Gold Star!” ctied McDavit, who had turned back in after going » short distance away. “ All we ar after hyer is ther truth, an’ that we ar’ ‘« Yes, we want nothing short of that,” the “I gladly acquiesce, sir. I know you sport agreed. will do all you can for Mr. Ashton, and |] am ‘Well, I will tell you what was said, | sure you are to be trusted. Are you going then. We were playing, whew Mr. Coek | back with me, Lyster?” saw Mr. Aston come in, and he remarked: ‘*No; I must see the body of poor Cook, ‘There is a fellow who had rather see me |and have all proper arrangements made. dead than alive, but Iam on the lookout for | But, you return, for there is nothing you him.’ ”’ can do, and you are better off there.” ‘* What did i tell ye?” cried McDavit. So, Miss Hilderbrant set forth upon her ‘Do you take that as proof against Ash- | return to the cottage, while her brother and ton?” the Sapphire Sport asked. | the Sapphire Sport crossed over to the Brace- “‘ Sartain I do; what else do ye call et? Et’s | up. plain he laid in wait fer him ter come out, | “The Gold Star looked after the sport with when he fixed him.” admiring gaze. . “You forget what Miss Hilderbrant ) ‘* What a remarkable man!” she exclaim- has said, I guess, don’t vou? Besides, let me | ed. , inform you, if you don’t know it, that talk ** He exhibited wonderful strength, at any with dead men can’t be taken as evidence in | rate,” remarked Mile. Nana. court.” The other turned her gaze immediately ‘“Mebby ther gal lies, though, seein’ she | upon her. loves—” ‘* Who are you?” she asked, civilly. That was as far as he got, however. A ‘*T am owner of the photographic car you couple of long strides, after leaping to the;see over there; my name is Mlle. Nana ground, brought Blue-light Bill to where he | Dubufe.” stood, and grabbing a handful of coat and ‘‘Indeed? Did you arrive during the shirt at the bark of the fellow’s neck, the | night?” sport lifted him'clear from the ground with **T could have come in last night as well his right arm alone and shook him. as not, bad I known I was camping so near, ‘*You dare to call a lady a liar?” he de- | but I arrived only a little while ago.” manded, ‘‘ Take it back, or Ill shake you “ Do you know who that gentleman is?” right out of your clothes! This may be no “‘Thear him called the Sapphire Sport, matter for a dude to meddle with, as you } that is all.” told me a moment ago, but I never allow ‘Then he is nothing to you?” a galoot like you to insult a woman in my “TI should faturally know more about hearing. Take it back, or Til give you| him, if he were. Do you think I can get what you deserve, and that,in a hurry, too, | lodging here?” I warn you!” * Jest orfe room left. lady,” the proprietor He had allowed the feet of the dazed | struckin. ‘“ I kin book ye fer et, ef ye say McDavit to touch the ground again, and all x around, especially the ladies, were looking upon him with wonder and admiration. ‘LI didn’t say she does lie,” McDavit gasped; ‘‘I said mebby she might, seein’ that she loves ther feller.” ‘‘That is just what you have got to take back.” ‘“*Wull, then, I take et back.” ‘* Beg the pardon of the lady, too.” * Miss, I beg yer parding,” the cowed fel- low promptly complied. “And now get out of my sight,” cried the sport, giving him a fling. ‘* You give me that tired feeling even to look at you.” ‘* Yas, I'll go,” McDavit growled, as soon as he could recover his balance, ** but this shyer thing ain’t settled ‘tween you an’ me yet, an’ don’t you ferget et. My turn next time.” ‘See that you don’t get worse,” the sport warned. McDavit walked off, and did not stop un- til he had disappeared within the Brace-up Saloon. **Sport, give me yer hand,” cried Mayor Barker, grasping it as he spoke and giving it the heartiest kind of ashaking. ‘*That’ar tickled me clear down inter my boots, et did.” “« Did it?” smiling. “Et did, yer know. That’s ‘somethin’ I **You may do so, for I want a change from sleeping\in my car.” She followed Connor into the hdéuse, the Gold Star watching her until she had disap- peared, when she sliook her head, mutter- ing: ; **) don't think I’m mistaken, I don’t think am.” ter, Mr. Hilderbrant?” the Sapphire Sport had meantime asked. **Have scarcely heen able to frame an opinion, sir,” was the reply. ‘‘It does not seem credible that Ashton can be guilty of the crime.” ** Who and what is this man Ashton?” ‘*He is superintendent of another mine here, sume as Cook was superintendent of the Speckled Hen.” ‘“‘Thave been told something about the rivalry between him and Cook for your sis- ter’s hand. That is hardly a reason for the crime, since Ashton must have known he was preferred.” “*So I think, now. It is safe to say he did not do the deed at all.” ** Then the great question before us is—” ** Who did?” “Yes, and itis for us to find out. You must not let on, Mr. Hilderbrant. but I am the man you and your sister sent for secret- have been waitin’ ter see fer this many a} ly to.come here and solve the mystery of day, an’ now I’ve seen et. “Jabe McDavit | your father’s death. Iam Don Danton, from has been wantin’ some one ter take him down, | Denver.” an’ he’s got what he wanted at last. Sport, The young man started, looked in the face thar’s dénly one fault I’ve got ter find with | of his companion, and their hands met in a rou.” firm clasp. ** What's that?” ‘ ‘Yer name. Ye had orter been called Blue-lightnin’ Bill.” THE SAPPHIRE SPORT MAKES A SEARCH. The crowd gave its approval, and the sport Don DANTON had been sent for, as we have was looked upon with something almost akin | now learned from his own lips, to solve the to awe. mystery, if possible, of the death of Thomas “Well, ladies and gentlemen,” he said, | Hilderbrant. smiling, “since the dude is in it he may as Enough of that matter has been men- well take hold inearnest. Miss Hilderbrant, | tioned to give the reader some understand- will you suffer me to make a suggestion?” | ing of the case. It was an open question “* Assuredly, sir.” whether the man had been killed by the rob- “It is this: Return home, and I will visit | ber, in some manner, or had been scared to the prisoner in your stead. Later on I will | death. callon you and your brother at your cot-} Known as the Haunted Man, his life at tage.” Yaller Jacket had been a*mystery. What ee I LLL LLL CLL LL LL LLL LLL LL CHAPTER V. “What is your opinion about this mat-— "Cee iD, tala te <a: ti
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. ter and some others, when a sudden gust of + Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. a is : has been related concerning his horror of the | knife,” the mayor explained, he too having dark was all true. Never would he remain | come over. ‘‘He claims he lost et some in the dark a moment, if he could help it. | time ago, however.” He had beer caught that way afew times,| ‘;And a mighty good time ter claim et, and on every occasion his ery for light was | too—ora mighty poor time, jest as ye hap- pitiable. ; pen ter look at et,” Once, for instance, he was in the sitting- | again. ‘‘ But, 1 ain’t in et now; go ahead room of the cottage with his son and daugh- | an’ sift et out.” The Sapphire Sport looked troubled over He shouted for | this bitof news. light immediately, but it was some mo- ‘*Ts there a doctor in the camp?” he asked. ments before the windows could be shut **T’m one,” answered the man to whom he and light procured, and by the time it was | had been talking. made he was fairly screaming with fright, |! ‘‘Good enough. Have you examined this and his face was found to be beaded with | wound carefully, to learn what direction the perspiration. | knife took?” He would never tell why he was so afraid, ** The cut tends slightly upward, sir.” or whether he saw anything; the secret was **Upward, eh? I will make note of that!” locked in his own breast, **T fail to see anything in that fact, sir. It was with good reason he was called the | What difference whether the blow was up- Haunted Man. ward or downward?” One morning some weeks prior to the time “The difference between a short person of our story he was found dead in his room, | and a tall one, it may be.” the light out; and his face was horribly dis- ** An’ Alf Ashton ain’t short, that’s a sure torted, bearing in death an expression of | thing,” the mayor remarked. ‘‘ But, which greatest fear. way does et signify, Blue-light Bill?” At first it was thought he had been fright- ** We'll talk about that in’ private,” Don ened to death. His light had gone out, | answered, not caring to say anything further probably, and he awaking and finding him-!| openly. He had drooped a hint for the guil- self in the dark, had died of very horror | to one to feed upon in reflection. And he before light could be produced. When, | added: ‘‘ It was nota case of robbery, I un- however, the safe in the room was found | derstand?’ open, and its contents gone, that opened a ** No, not that; not a thing was tetched, new vista for suspicion. ? so far as known.” This safe was a private one, which had ““ Where did the victim lodge?” always been kept in Mr. Hilderbrant’s pri- ** At ther Horse Hotel.” vate room, both since his coming»to Yaller ** Has his room ‘been searched, for a clue?” Jacket to live and before. ** No; et ain’t; nothin’ likely to be found There was another and larger safe at the | thar, I should say.” office of the mine, but he had never kept “*T don’t know about that. We'll go and private money and papers in that. investigate, anyhow. [ am in earnest in So stood the case; and, as said, Don Dan- |} what I have undertaken.” ton had been sent for to solve the enigma. Lyster Hilderbrant stopped to give some The brother and sister had said nothing to | particular directions concerning the body any one concerning their intention in the mat- | and its burial, and when he had done, a ter, and so it was that ‘* Delicate Don” had | dozen or so set forth to make the proposed taken upon himself such a unique disguise. | investigation. Having made himself known to Lyster Hil-| They met Connor, who was crossing to derbrant, he enjoined upon him the neces- | the saloon, and when they made known the sity of keeping his identity a secret, and | business in hand he gladly turned with them there was no time for any further talk then, | to open the room. for it was but a short distance from the | The room was oneof the best in the house, hotel to the saloon and they were quickly | though none, in such a hotel, were to be there. } classed as elegant. The Sapphire Sport entered boldly, and | Connor had his keys, but the door was not quickly took in the whole scene. | locked. Jabe McDavit was there, and ascowl ap-| The bed had not been slept in, and there peared upon his face the moment he saw | who had entered, but Don paid no attention | in the room before he met his fate. Every to him. | thing was in order, just as the servant had At the far end of the room, on one of the | left it the previous ferenoon. long tables, lay the body of the murdered; Some clothes and boots were in sight, and man, with a crowd of curious citizens stand- | in one corner was a trunk. ing around talking about the matter in Blue-light Bill, to use names at random, whispers. in speaking of the Denver detective, took in Some men were preparing the body for} everything ata glance. burial. | Go through the pockets of those clothes,” Delicate Don advanced at once to the table, | he directed the landlord. ‘‘ Maybe some- and picking out the personage who seemed | thing in the way of writing will be brought to be in charge of the work, addressed him. | to light that will give us a clue.” “May I see the fatal wound on this body, | Tis was done, but it revealed nothing im- sir?” he asked. ’ i portant, and attention was then given to the “Who are you?” and he was looked at | trunk. keenly. ) One man of the party, the justice of the “Mr. Hilderbrant has engaged me to try | camp, by the way, had brought the dead to solve the mystery of this murder,” the de- | man’s keys, so there was no need to break tective answered. the trunk open. Lyster acknowledged this by a nod. The moment the lid was raised, Lyster ‘Certainly you may, sir,” was the imme- | Hilderbrant sprung forward, exclaiming ex- diate permission. ‘ You see it was a knife- | citedly: thrust, directly behind the left shoulder- **Some of my father’s stolen papers!” blade and straight to the heart.” On top of everything else lay a bundle of “Yes, and by a small blade, which must | papers tied with & leathern thong, a bundle have been of considerable length. It was | once seen likely to be remembered. driven home with force, as the appearance of **Hold on!” ordered the Sapphire Sport, the wound proves. Who in this camp has | and he put out his arm to detain the young such 4 kuif¢ as this must have been?” man from taking them up. ‘‘How do you “ Yer won't have ter look fur ter find out,” | know they are your father’s?” muttered McDavit, just loud enough to be Lyster flashed a look of almost anger at the heard. man, though knowing him as none other ‘*Et was shower that Ashton had sech a |\could. wind blew out the light. 5] McDavit chipped in | ’ ae | . — . - Sc tion, some clothes, linen, etc., ‘*T have seen the bundle hundreds of times, when’ father’s safe has been open,” he an- swered, ‘‘ I know I cannot*be mistaken.” ‘* All right; 1 only wanted it made plain to all present. Now take up the papers and let’s see if you are right.” Lyster took them up. ‘“You see I made no mistake,” he called attention. ‘‘ Here is father’s name, in his own hand, on the back.” ““Snakes an’ Sadducees!” exclaimed the mayor. ‘‘ What do et mean, anyhow?” ** What I want ter know, b'mighty!” cried Tom Connor. “Tt is not easy to say what it means,” ob- served the sport. ‘“‘It might be taken as proof that Cook, himself, was the robber.” ‘*That does not seem possible,” demurred Lyster. ‘‘Why, my father and he were friends, and father reposed a good deal of trust in him, I am sure.” ** Another point I will remember. Very trifling of itself, but it may work in to fill a niche somewhere. Take charge of the pa- pers, Mr. Hilderbrant, and take good care not to lose them.” *, You may be sure I will do that. These are some of the papers for which we have been anxiously searching, and they may ex- plain something of the mystery of father’s death, or at auy rate the mystery of his life. I will examine them at my leisure later on,” He put the papers carefully away, in a pocket, as he spoke. ‘*Now, Mayor Barker, and you, Mr. Justice, do you give me full permission to search the trunk?’ and the Sapphire Sport turned to the men he addressed. * Sartain,” answered the mayor. ‘“‘ We mean ter give you full charge of this matter, to sift et to ther bottom. Ain’t I right, Mr. Dowbey? Ain’t I right, Mr. Hilderbrant?” This man Dowbey was the justice of whom mention has been made, and both he and Lyster agreed with the mayor. So, Don undertook the examination of the trunk, in the presence of all. It did not contain much worthy of men- ; and some letters and papers. To these the detective gave attention, toss- ing some of them back into the trunk after a single glance, while others he carefully re- tained. The mayor and the others looked on curi- ously. When Don had done, he had several of was nothing to indicate that Cook had been | these letters and papers in hand, and turning | to the mayor, said: : | LR “‘T am satisfied that this man Cook was not a man of much honor, mayor; | am also satisfied in my own mind that Mr. Ashton did not kill him.” “Tell us about et,” the mayor urged. “What hev you found, Sapphire?” ** You'll excuse .me, mayor, but I think it is for the best interest of the case not to make these things public at present. I will work quietly until I get all the poiots, and then I'll make everything known, I'l re tain these letters and papers for the present, by your leave.” Though disappointed, the mayor assented to this, and there the search ended. CHAPTER VI. DELICATE DON INTERVIEWS MCDAVIT. On the following morning the funeral of the murdered man took place, and it was largely attended. Everything bad been done with care to make the funeral as excellent and as im- pressive as possible, and as one fellow re- marked: ** Tt was no slouch of a plantin’, you bet!” Nearly the whole camp attended the obsequies, and if there was a chief mourner it was Jabe McDavit. When the body had been lowered to its last resting place he, <n a loud voice, registered a vow of vengeance
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d « Blue-light B Bill, the Sapphire Sport. Over the grave, somewhat to the disgust of many After the body had been committed to the ground, the crowd speedily scattered, many of the rough denizens of the camp breaking for the saloons to drink a final farewell to the departed. McDavit went to the Brace-up, which caught most of the others, and there the Sapphire Sport found him later on. **May lL have a little talk with you, my - man?” Don asked, touching him on the arm. ¥ The fellow slightly paled when he saw who it was. **What do yer want ter talk to me fer?” a he roughly demanded. **I don’t want noth- - in’ ter do wi’ you. *“*T heard the oath you took at the grave **Wull, what of et? Got any thing | ter say about et?” McDavit’s bosom rankled with the recollec- tion of the rough handling he had re- ceived the day before at the hands of this sport. “It shows that you are in earnest about wanting to avenge the murder, that is all,” Don made rejoinder. “You know I am on the hunt for him as tall as a horse, and to- ether we may be able to bring him oF own.” , “Then ye want me ter work wi’ you?” **T want to learn all vou can tell me. “Well, I kin tell ye this fer one thing, that Ashton is ther man.” **] am more than ever convinced that he is ; not the man. He is as innocent of the mur- 4 der as I am.” *““Wull, ef he is I’d like ter know who done et, that’s all.” “Which is just what I desire to find out, a and I think youcan help me. Now, will 7. you answer some questions?” q **I don’t know whether I will or not. 3 Ther fact of ther business is, I don’t like é you, an’ I’m goin’ to square ‘counts wi’ ye ‘fore ye leave this hyer camp, an’ don’t ye >. fergit et.’ a ‘If you insist upon that, I'll step out and “=. accommodate you now, sir.’ “No, fer you ar’ best man an’I won't ‘ stand no show. We'll square up ther ’count E all ther same, though.” be “* Then it is your intention to take me un- } awares 7?” + **T ain't said so, hev I?” a “Don't let me catch you at it, if it is, 4 that’s all.” ; *“Et wouldn't be likely ye would, ef 1 i meant ter take ye foul,” a “Then do you refuse to talk with me about this matter? If Cook was your friend, as you claim, and if your oath ‘meant busi- 1 ness, I should think you would be glad to aid me.” **Wull, what do ye want ter know? ** How long have you known him?” I knowed him fer sev'ral years, when he Ra first kem West.” . ** Where did»he come from?” * yi, ** Never asked him.” " ** But you know all the same, don’t you?” “What bas that cot icr do with et? You F ain't no detective, no more’n I be.” “Maybe not. He was from Maine, was he not? And his true name was Robeyson, 3 eh? Wasa married man, and had one child, tz a son, I believe.’ MeDavit was staring at the sport in blank amaze. a **How ther doose did yer know et?” manded. “Much obliged to you for so much, any- how,” observed the sport, smiling. ‘* You may 2s well tell me all you can, now. % “But, how did yer know et? the fellow still insisted. **By playing the detective a little, in a quiet way. Do you know whether his wife is living or dead?” **T don't believe he never bad none. aint as smartas ye thought ye was. he de- ee app hes You You Cy ar’ talkin’ through yer hat, that’s what ails Je. ** Maybe so. a little job for him not a long time ago, I be- lieve. Now the best thing you can dois to come to terms with me and give me all the points.” The fellow had paled slightly. ‘‘ What do ye want ter know?” he asked for the second time. ** Did you kill Thomas Hilderbrant? ‘“No, I didn’t!” the answer like a flash. ‘Ef ye think I know anything "bout that, you ar’ away off.” ‘** Well, was he dead when you entered the | room to rob the safe? Ordid he die after you wentaway? You see, I know who the robber was, so there is no use your trying to get out of that, = ‘Yer don’t know nothin’ "bout et. ye prove what ye say?” “Do you want me to try?” ‘1 don’t keer what ye do. Ye can’t bluff me fer a cent, you can’t. Ef ye know any- thing, out with et; ef ye don’t, shet up!” “Well, then, I won't try to bluff you. But, new to business: You are in earnest about desiring to avenge the death of Cook?” ** You kin jest bet [ am.” ‘‘And I am in earnest about wanting to get the right man, and I'm sure Ashton isn’t the one. So, there is one point on which we can work together. Do you know of any one who would want to kill Cook?” ‘* Nobody but Ashton.” ‘**How about the Maine?” ** See hyer, do you s’pose Ken Cook would ‘a’ been goin’ ter marry Veronica Hilder- brant, ef he had a wife livin’?” ‘*T have heard of such things before.” *““Wull, he wouldn’t, an’ you kin set et down fera fack. But, what’s ther use our talkin’? I know who killed him. an’ ef you want ter beat around in ther wind fer noth- in’, go ahead.” **Can you prove what you assert?” ‘* Et stands proved a’ready, an’ et would ‘a’ been a good thing ef Alf Ashton had been hanged,” ‘*One thing more, and I'llleave you: Did your friend hav eany other rival for the hand of Miss Hilderbrant?’ ** Not a one.” “That's all, then. You hold to theory and ]'ll stick to mine, which will come ont ahead. Hello! for me, Mr. Hilderbrant?”’ ** Yes; Connor thought.he saw you come here.” ‘‘T'm with you.” lt was Lyster Hilderbrant, who had enter- ed in search of the detective from Denver. Don rose and left McDavit, from the room with Lyster., **T’m late,’ ’ Lyster said, business with a man who called just as | reached the house. We're ready to have you come over now.” : ‘And I'm ready to go,” Kin | your Don answered. «T was trying to get something out of that | man McDavit, but he is as close as aclam. I | believe he’s the man who robbed your father’s safe.” ‘** Ha! those papers!” The young man clapped bis hand to his pocket, and his face paled immediately. ‘** You haven't lost them?” Don asked. ‘*] have, as sure as you are born. . I never thought of them last night, being busy pay- ing the hands, and your remark reminded me of them.’ ** Maybe they are at the house, somewhere where you have put them.” **No, I did not think of them once after I put them in my pocket yesterday. lost them, that is certain.” ‘This .s bad. to clear up the mystery of your fatber’s life ‘We'll look in the house, but I think it will be useless.” You are the fellow who did | wife he deserted in | and we'll see | looking | and passed | *‘but Ihad some I have | I hoped by them to be able | , The young man felt in ail his pockets, though he knew well which one he had put the packet in, but the papers were not to be found. On arriving at the house he asked Veronica if she had seen them, but she had not, and search proved that they had not been lost there. The papers were simply gone. ‘*I don’t understand it,” Lyster said musingly. ‘I certainly did not take them out of my pocket, and I don’t see how they could get out without help. Do vou 1m- agine I can have been robbed?” “You are best judge of that.” “Well, I don’t see how or when it could | have happened. Pshaw! This throws us back again.” **¥ou are right; but, it can't be helped. Well, let’s begin the inv estigation here, and I'll see what I can make of the mystery. | You may tell your sister who I am, Mr. Hilderbrant.” Don was thereupon properly introduced, | much to the young woman’s surprise. This investigation at the house had been purposely deferred until after the funeral of the murdered man. Don was conducted to the room in which Mr. Hilderbrant had been found dead, and ) there the whole matter was gone over again | in every detail. The apartment had been used as a sleep- ing-room, a private library on a small scale, and a something of an office as weil. Here Mr. Hilderbrant had taken persons who had strictly private business with him. The ) safe was under a heavy table which stood in | a corner between two windows. | One of these windows opened toward the camp proper, the other looked out upon | the rugged hills across the gulch. ) | Here, as was explained, on this table, a | light bad burned from dusk to dawn, every night. On the morning of the robbery one of these | windows was discovered slightly open, and it | was supposed—in fact, it seemed plain—that the robber had entered by, that way. | The corner opposite was the one in which | the dead man had been found crouching, | facing’the table. Nothing in the 100m had been found out of order, further than has been mentioned. Just how deep this mys- terv was, who could say? CHAPTER VII. THE MYSTERY OF THE HAUNTED MAN. Danton, signifying that his investigation in the room was ended, the trio repaired to the sitting-room below. ‘Now, how much can you tel] me regard | ing the myste ry of your father’s hidden lite?’ the Denver detective asked, wher all had taken seats, ‘ Very little, indeed,” Veronica made an- swer. *‘* We unde rstood it to be a forbidden subject, and never questioned him about it. Whatever it was, it was more than he could bear.” ‘** You believe he was really haunted?” ** We can cxplain it in no other way,” said Lyster. * You reverasked him about it? seems rather doubtful.” ‘““ Well, yes, I did ask him once, whena boy, and never but tha: once. The appeur- | ance of his face frightened me, and he stern- | ly commanded me never to mention it to | him again.” “ Did you understand that this secret was to die with him?” «No, w be n We had become grown, sister and I, he told us on one occasion, that upon his death we pote find papers in his safe which would explain whatever had been a puzzle to us in his lifetime I! was spoken | of only the once, and that bet very briefly.” And these are the papers you have now That ee wily 5 #3; 4 s suppose so. Nothing worse could wil happened. We would have given twice
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st So the sum of money that was taken from the safe, rather than lose these papers.” ‘* And Lyster tells me they were found in Mr. Cook's trunk,” observed Veronica. ** Yes, so they were.” ** Do you think he was the robber, then?” “It points that way, but I cart be sure of | it. I have another theory.” ** What is that?” Lyster asked. ‘*That your father may have intrusted these papers to Cook for some reason or other. What do you think about that?” ‘“‘He trusted him a great deal,” said Veronica. “* Have you any idea why?” **T have not, sir.” **He desired you to marry him, I am told.” ** He was forcing me to do so, sir, though against my will, as he knew.” | ‘* There is something in that I cannot un- derstand. It seems plain your father did not know all about Mr. Cook, while it may be the latter knew some secret of your fa- ther’s and so had an advantage over him.” **Dv you know anything against him?” ‘**T am satisfied he was not free to marry, for he had a wife living at the time he was secking to wed you.”' “‘Heavens! The wretch! But, I am not greatly surprised, for 1 believed him capable of almost any villainy. Papa certainly did not know this, Mr. Danton.” ‘*TIt is hardly to be supposed he did, if he Joved his child.” “Loved us! Why, Mr. Danton, he could never sufficiently express his love for Lyster and me. Could he, Lyster? Why, more than once be has held us to his heart and | ‘wept aloud over us.” “Strange, strange,” muttered. “What is strange?” *« This secret of your father’s haunted life, You have no suspicion what it was?” sé No.’ ‘Tell me everything you can about him.” “There is little, to tell. He came of a rather large family, was poor in his early days, but worked and saved and came into something of a fortune later in life. He married our mother atthe age of thirty, and she died abouta year after my birth. As far back as Lyster and I can remember he had this great trouble on his mind, and he seldom smiled.” “That is little enough, truly. Can you add anything to it, Mr. Hilderbrant? Re- member, no secrets are to be held back, if you expect me to be of any use to you in solving the mystery.” **T can tell nothing more than you have | heard from my sister, sir.” Don questioned on perseveringly, but the gain was nil, It was evident the brother and sister had told all they knew about their father’s life, and that they kuew but little. Finally Don took leave, returning to the camp. ) There he sought out the mayor, finding | him, with a group of others, at the car of | Mile. Nana, getting his picture taken. The mayor espied him as he approached. | *Hi! Hold on, gal! he quickly called ; out. ‘*This hyer group ain’t complete *thout ther Sapphire Sport in et. Come right | hyer, Sport, an’ take yer place with ther | good-lookers of Yaller Jacket.” “Thank you,” Don answered, “but I guess I had better not. You are all citizens there, I see, and I'd be an odd sheep and Don thoughtfully : and I will stand together another time. [| want to talk with you as soon as you get through there.” “Wal, all right, then, ef that’s ther way you look at et.” The lady photographer had had her hands full all the morning, and was driving a good business in ber line, Photography at Yaller Jacket was some- ; would spoil the flock. Go righton, and you thing decidedly new and novel, and every- | ton could clear ltim, he is the man who ought body was eager to embrace the opportunity of having his shadow corralled—as some one put it. Mile. Nana got her group in order once more and secured a picture, after which she ; dismissed them and the mayor joined the Sapphire Sport. “What d'ye want, pard?” he asked. ** Have ye found out somethin’?” “Very little, so far. I want to visit Ash- ton now, and wanted you to comealong with me.” : ** Which I'll do, glad enough.” They went off together, talking about the case, and ere long were at the door of the calaboose in which Alfred Ashton was im- prisoned. There was a guard around the rude jail, as well to keep intruders out as to keep the prisoner within. The mayor, however, had the right to go and come at will. On entering, they found the prisoner in good spirits. ‘* Glad ter find ye lookin’ peart,” the mayor greeted him. ** May as well keep a stiff upperlip, I sup- pose,” Ashton answered. ‘‘lt won’t better my condition any to mope.” ** We have come to have a quiet taik with you,” said the Sapphire Sport. ‘‘ We want to-get allthe points you ean give us, and may be able to make something out of it.” **Do you believe me innocent?” pe “Then I’m willing to talk with you. Go ahead with your questions.” “Where were you the night of the mur- der, after you left the Brace-up Saloon? This is important to know.” **] can’t tell you that.” “ Why not?’ ** Another person is concerned.” ** Well, we know; you were with Miss Hil- derbrant, Now, what time did you take your leave of her?” ‘* [know you are not guessing at this, and she must have told you I was there. But, that will not clear me, for I left there about midnight, before the Brace-up was closed.” * Then you are right; that cannot help ourcase any. Have you any suspicion who silled Cook?” ** Not the slightest, sir.” “* Itis claimed that you had a small dagger that would about fit the wound in his back.” ““T had sucha dagger, but I lost it some time ago.” ** That is bad, again. Well, another ques- tion: How isit Jabe McDavit is so bitter against you?” ** I suppose he is honest about it, and wants to avenge his friend. I can’t believe he would want to hang meif he believed me in- nocent.” * You and he are not friends?” “ Neither are we really foes, that I am aware of.” **Do you know of any foe Cook had, or any rival besides yourself?” ** | do not.” ‘“* Then it is a mystery who killed him, and there is every reason for the camp to be- lieve you are the man who did the deed.” ** Yes, no doubt.” : ** And you can do nothing to clear your- self?” ** Not confined here as Iam, certainly. I must rest my case with my friends.” “You speak as if you thi plan.” ‘There is one man I should like to have here to work for me ia the matter.” ** And who is that man?” **Don Danton, of Denver. nk you might dv something were you free. Now if you bave such a thought, jdst let me have your I have heard a Bluelight Bill, the Sapphire Sport. —— a ee a < es ? to be here.” Don bad an object in playing thus. He did not want it suspected that he was the Denver detective, in disguise. ‘‘We will send,” the mayor agreed. ‘‘ But, do ye think et’s any use till you have bad a fair hack at et yerself? They can't hang ther prisoner till they prove him guilty, that’s flat.’ ‘* Let the prisoner decide for himself.” *“You have done detective work before, sport?” ‘Yes; Iam not quite a novice at it, Mr. Ashton.” : ‘* Well, then, go ahead and do what you can. But, I don’t see how you are going to clear me, With nothing to work upon,” “Something may turn up. Now, do you know anything about that robbery at the Hilderbrant cottage? Have you any suspi cion who it was robbed the safe? I will not say—and who murdered Mr. Hilderbant, for I do not think he was murdered.” ‘‘| know not, sir. Why do you ask me this?” ‘‘Some of the missing papers were found in Kennedy Cook’s trunk.” ‘‘Can it be possible! I would not want to accuse him of having stolen them, but—” ‘But you think he was equal to the oc- casion, eh? I understand you. It certainly rests between him and Jabe McDavit, I think. I’m gathering up the fragments, and maybe I'll be able to patch out a whole piece after awhile,” CHAPTER VIII. MCDAVIT TRIES IT AGAIN, TuHeErR interview with the prisoner at an end, the Sapphire Sport and the mayor re- paired to the Horse Hotel, talking about the case on the way. Arriving there, they were met by the pro- prietor, Tom Connor, on the piazza, and it needed but a glance to learn he had some- thing to say to one or the other, or perhaps to both of them. ‘* What is it, Connor?” asked Don. “‘[’ve gotaidee ] want ter lay afore ye,” the response. ‘* All right; go ahead.” ‘““Et’s a tecklish one; do ye want ther mayor to hear?” “Yes, if it’s anything to do with the murder mystery we are trying to unravel, my man.” “Wull, et jest is; somethin’ I have thought of. Come in an’ take chairs, an? ITl onwind et to ye, though I hate ter do et, They followed him in, and were soon seat- ed. ** You say you hate to make it known?” queried the Sapphire Sport. ‘“‘ That’s what I do, fer it may be that Ill wrong ther party, but et has took fast holt onto my mind.” ‘‘ Well, out with it; we can at any rate look into it.” *‘ Have you heard of Roxana Murray?” “Snakes an’ Sadducees!"’ exclaimed the “IT never oncet thought of that, Tom. : The Sapphire Sport looked from one to the other, questioningly. ‘“No, I haven’: heard of Roxana Mur- ray,” he made answer to Connor’s inquiry; *‘ what about her?” Before more could be said a great shout- ing was heard without, and Don Danton sprung up and hastened to the piazza, close- ly followed by the others. From the direction of one of the low liquor-dens of the camp Jabe McDavit was seen approaching with a mob at his back, great deal about him, and I believe he could | all wildly vociferating. bring this thing out all right.” **Mayor, we'll send for him,” the sport “If Mr. Ashton thinks Don Dan- proposed, | Don Danton .took in the situation at a glence: it meant danger for Alfred Ashton * Wear’ in fer et,” the mayor spoke hur- i ie | ane Re, fhe A Ar “iieeaiacemaies ihe iain we + - ey
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ae - ‘ton now.” ** We'll see about that,” responded Don, grimly. ‘“‘ A live manis worth a dozen dead ones, any time, and our prisoner is alive yet and we will try to keep him so.” ** But, McDavit means business this time, » Sure.” **So he did before, and sodo we. I have a scheme, if we can only work it quickly.” “© What is et?” “We must get the prisoner out of there before Jabe and his mob go to the jail. ‘> Can you go and remove him, while I hold till MeDavit here?’ i «But, kin ye hold him?” >: 3 “TI think so; he is gathering his forces “3 now, you see, and hiscrowd isn’t big enough ~~ - yet. Ill argue the matter with him as long . as I can, and when he makes a break for the jail finally he will find it empty.” : * All right; [ll try it, anyhow. There's ary a sort o’ cellar under a shanty not far from +a ther jail, an’ I'll try to git him in thar an’ i leave a man with bim. Ef I’m seen, though, ) et wili be all up wi’ him, an’ maybe me too. I'll go quietly by the back way.” The mayor turned and entered the hotel, and as soon as out of sight ran quickly out by a rear door and was off upon his mis- 3 sion. On camgthe howling mob, with McDavit a i in tbe van. * “ We mean biz this hyer time!” the ring- oe i leader yelled. ‘*Whar’sthe mayor? Wede- “eke mand tbat ‘ar jail opened on ther double ' quick. We hev got all ther proof that’s a. needed, now, an’ Alf Ashton has got ter “a swing!” - And his followers whooped their ap- proval. . MecDavit was waving a blood-stained glove Ps in one hand and a slender dagger in the other as he came. Rushing up the hotel steps to the piazza, ~ he there sprung up on the railing’ to make himself the more conspicuous and began to ’ harangue te crowd. ~ ** We have got ther proof whar et belongs ee at last, feller-citerzens,” he bawled. *‘ Ken- a nedy Cook must be ’venged, an’ Alf Ashton ae must swing. Hyer's ther lost dagger, an e Ta hyer’s one of Ashton’s gloves, all smeared wi’ i blood; I found ‘em wrapped together in a a erack in ther Mink Mine.” f Ss And so he ran on to great lengtlf, saying * nothing, practically. The Sapphire Sport allowed him to rattle i away, knowing it was all a gain of time for the mayor. —.. ** An’ so I say hang him—hang him!” Mc- ea Davit at last wound up. ‘‘ This hyer camp ain't goin’ ter bear ther strain of murder un- avenged ef we know et, I reckon. Come on, an” we'll wash out ther ‘famous stain!” There was by this time a howling mob al most as large as that which had first come so near hanging the prisoner. They whooped themselves hoarse, and were ready to follow McDavit’s lead. Z. Delicate Don now took a hand. he sprung up, and his deep, full voice com- manded the attention of the crowd, even to 4 McDavit himself. 4 *I don’t want to spoil your fun, boys,” Don said, **‘ but there is one thing I want to call your attention to: You are not ou?’ 4 “That ber darned'’ McDavit bellowed. ** Wear goin ter hang him!” ** That's all right; but 1 thought the men of Yaller Jacket were men of their word. You have promised this prisoner a fair trial, and he has the sight to expect it. *- you have found further proof of his guilt, > ° that is bad for him; but in the name of com- mon justice give him a show for his life.” The loud mouthings of the mad mob grew going to break your word with Ashton, are You are ne Rot going back onjyour word, hope. If § Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. fiedly. ‘‘I'm ’fraid et’s all up with Alf Ash- | less loud, and a few men fell out of their : het. ® pat. F > FE . = : ce - “> - e saa 1 - rn ; ee ees = a. - : r 7 fer we ar’ goin’ ter have that manef we have ter walk over yer carcasses to git him. Come now, git out of our road!” The mob pressed close, and the guardsmen places looking abashed. ‘* What is this hyer your business?” de- manded McDavit, savagely.. ‘‘ You ain’t a | citerzen of this hyer camp, anyhow. You | gave way before them, ‘tend ter your business and we'll ’tend to! ‘‘ Keep back,” the captain still warned. ours, Ours is ter hang thisred-handed mur- | “‘ Ye will make us shoot ef ye don’t, an’ we derer jest as soon as we kin do et, and clear | don’t want ter do that.” ther good name of our camp. Come on, *‘ Shoot an’ ber darn to ye, ef ye want to! boys! Comé on, come on! We don’t keer | Ye will only git riddled yerselvesef ye don’t fer any sport what wants ter cheat us out of | look out. Now, boys, with a rush an’ we our ‘yenge. Ken Cook’s blood is callin’ to | have got ther jail! Hooray!” us from ther ground. Come on!” The crowd made a rush as directed, the And so. yelling loudly to drown the fur- | guardsmen were swept away, and the jail ther words of the Sapphire Sport, he started | was in the hands of the angry horde of irre- for the jail, motioning the mob to follow. | sponsible and unreasoning ruffians. It would Although a few had dropped out, the | have meant death to the prisoner had he crowd was still a large one, and composed of | been found. P the very worst element in the camp, at that. | The key was demanded of the captain of If the prisoner was found, it might go hard | the guard, at the point of the revolver, and with him. With a run they left the hotel, and as they | started some one clutched the Sapphire Sport by the armn. Don looked quickly and found it was Billy ) Still whooping McNulty. «I’m on your side, Sport,” the fellow said hurriedly. ‘‘ I besieve Ashton is innocent, now, an’ I’m‘ready ter fight fer him.” ** You are the kind of men that are want- ed just now,” Don made hasty response. And then he called aloud: ‘How many are ready to fight for the prisoner?” ‘‘Hyer’s mg, fer one,” promptly respond- ed Tom Connor. “Yas, an’ hyer’s me, too,” from another man; and in a few seconds a score or more stood ready to back the Sapphire Sport. “Then follow me, every man of you, Don cried, leading the way, with McNulty at his side. And they ran around toward the jail in another direction from that which the mob had taken. “Have you found out anything?” asked Don of Billy, as they ran. ‘* Yes, I have,” the answer, ‘‘I have a s’picion that Jabe McDavit himself is ther man what killed Cook.” ** That suspicion is not new to me, my man. Keep it mum.” There was no time for further talk, for now they came out in sight of the jail, where the mob had just arrived. There were the guardsmen, and the door was closed and the heavy lock and chain were in place on the outside. No one could doubt but the prisoner was safely within. “Open that ’ar door,” roared McDavit, as the mob came up. that cuss this time, an’ don’t ye doubt et. * He’s the one what killed Cook, an’ we have | got ther solid proof of et now, sure pop. Open up, or et will be the wuss fer ye, 1 warn ye!” **We can’t do ct,” answered the chief of the guard. “‘ Don’t you try to get in, either.” ‘** Don't be fools; can’t ye see we mean it?” “*So do we.” ‘But, et will be death ter you, fer we ar’ | bound ter hang that feller ef 1t has ter cost As McDavit leaped down from the railing | bleed ter git at him.” ‘“Where is the mayor? Why didn’t ye bring him? Ef hesays open, we'll open; but we can’t do et else. We hev becn put hyer to guard this prisoner, an’ we mean ter‘do et.” Don felt sure the jail was empty. The words of the guardsman proved tt. he had been instructed what to say, no doubt. “Shall we rush up an’ open fire on ’em?” asked Billy McNulty. ‘*No, for a score or more would be killed needlessly,” answered Don. ‘* The prisoner isn’t there.” ‘** But, they'll kill ther guards.” ‘No they won't; they will give up in time to save their skins.” “Ef ye don’t git out of our way, boys,” McDavit was at the same time saying, ** ye had jest might as well speak fer yer coffings, eee ‘We ar’ goin’ to hang | | he gave it up. A rope had been brought, and everything was at white heat for the hanging. Great disappointment awaited them! and haranguing, Jabe McDavit inserted the key in the lock and unlocked it, loosened the chain and flung open the door, rushing in with a score of his followers at his heels. And such a yell as went up then! ‘Whar is he?’ the ringleader roared. ‘‘Whar is that red-handed murderer? We ar’ bound ter have him! Whar’s them ‘ar guards? Ketch ’em, every mother’s son of ‘em, an’ ef they don’t show us ther prisoner well hang them! This hyer ain’t no time fer foolishness. Whar ar they?” He rushed forth again, his men after him, all roaring like hungry wild beasts. The guardsmen had mysteriously disap- peared, and not a sign of them was to be seen | anywhere. It puzzled the mob, and they realized that they were balked. CHAPTER IX. : THE DENVER DETECTIVE’S NEW CLUES. ) Tue prisoner was not found, and for some | time the mayor was not seen around, | Gradually the cheated mob cooled off, and | onee more Alfred Ashton had arespite. But, | his life was in constant jeopardy. ' In the mean time Don Danton bad not | forgotten what Tom Connor, proprietor of | the Horse Hotel, bad started to tell him re- | garding a certain Roxana Murray, and the : excited words of the mayor. | As soon as opportunity offered, the Sap- | phire Sport sought further information in : the same line. |" He brought Connor and the mayor to- gether under about the same circumstances | as before. ‘* Now, Connor,” he asked, ‘‘ what is it about this Roxana Murray?” my mind in ther ’citement.” “T’'ll tell ye, Sport, much as I hate ter p'int s‘picion ber way,” said Connor: ‘“‘ She was in love wi’ Cook, an’ a sort o’ rival to | Veronica Hilderbrant.” | ‘*And you hint that she may have killed | Cook?” ; ‘*] don't hint at nothin’, an’ don’t want to; | I'm jest givin’ you this hyer p’inter.” | «What do yon think about it, Mayor | Barker?” | ‘*] don’t think she done et.” | Explain why.” “*Wull, she’s a tender sort o’ gal, an’ she seems ter take Cook’s death ter heart. She ain’t hardly been seen sence he was killed,” “* Another trifling point which may filla niche somewhere. Now, who and what is this Roxana Murray? I believe I will try and make her acquaintance.” ‘*She’s ther darter of Ben Murray, that was killed six months ago by fallin’ down a shaft. Ther boys sot her up in a little store, an’ she sells shirts an’ socks, an’ sech, ‘and mends ther same fer ther boys as they t **Thet’s so,” cried the mayor, “et slipped _
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ae. —=—=" - ee 10 need et. thar ”’ ** Yes, I have seen it before, now that you remind me. Say nothing further about Thar’s her shingle, up ther gulch Blu ** What is it?” | ‘Something I have never thouyht of till | N ; this minute.” ‘** Respecting the murder? Let me hear : ~ e-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. this, and I'll take a walk up there and see | it, by all means. I am gathering up all the her.” The pair promised, and Don set forth. Entering theshanty, he discovered a rather good looking young woman of twenty io charge She had a small stock of goods arrayed upon some rude shelves, while she herself was seated upon a low chair industriously plying her needle. ** Don’t bother to rise, miss,” the Sapphire Sport said quickly anything; have merely dropped in toask a question or two.” She eyed him in greatest surprise. “* What do you wantto know?” she asked. | I'm a | * Let me explain whol am, first. fellow who has undertaken to find out who killed Kennedy Cook.” He watched her sharply. She paled slightly, and quickly demanded: ** Then you thin it, as they want to prove?” ** That is just what I do think. you think about it?” ** T think the same, that he is innocent.” *- Can you prove him so?” “1 wish I could.” ** Then you. of course, do not know who did the deed.” ‘* Do you suppose I would keep the secret, did Iknow’? Not J, sir!” ** | have had a hint that you thought quite well of Cook, and that’s why I came here.” ** I won't deny it.” ‘You were something of a rival to Miss Hilderbrant, in fact; and, do you know, miss, there is just the breath of suspicion pointing your way?” “G Heavens! What do What can you mean?” “Well, no one dares to breathe it aloud yet, | but it is quietly hinted that maybe you killed him, seeing that you could not win him for yourself. Mind, I don’tsay so; I don’t be- ieve it.” The young woman was staring at him, wild and white. “* My God!” she gasped. ‘‘ This is awful! Why should I kill the man Ilove? I think, had I been equal to sucha deed at all, my rival would have been my victim instead.” “Unless you knew your love was utterly hopeless, and you would not see him possess: ed by another.” « Well, I did not do it, so there is no use speculating upon it.” *‘l am willing to believe you. Iam de termined to learn who did, however, and if you can he!p me any it is to your interest to do so.” ‘* That I would do, gladly, if I could.” **T have done what I can to keep this sus- picion against you from coming out for I would not want to see you accused, but nothing will place you in absolute safety but | the fastening of the crime where it belongs.” ‘“*[ am not greatly afraid, sir; people here know me too well to believe I could do such a thing.” ““ And so they ought to have known Ash- | ton, from all the ‘accounts of his character I have been able to gethold of. You did not go to the funeral, and you have scarcely been seen out of your house since the crime. All this might be made to tell aguinst you ” **I could not go to the funeral; I knew I should break down, and I could not bear the thought of that in the presence of Veronica Hilderbrant.” *‘ Thatis reasonable. Well, do not you let this suspicion be known.” ‘*You may safely trust me for that, I think.” “] will’go now. If you hear of anything ou think will help me, do not,fail to let me ““1 don't want to buy | fragments I can find.” | “J hardly know whether I ought to tell you.” “And why?’ ‘*IT might cast suspicion on an innocent person by doing so.” ‘* An innocent person has nothing to fear, | generally. For your own sake, hold nothing back.” ** Still—” ** You would want to see Kennedy Cook revenged—that is to say, the crime pun- ished, 1 can well imagine. Then do not hesi- | tate about telling me all you can.” ‘* But, you will be-careful before you ac- cuse?” | “I'll not accuse till I am sure of my ground, | rest assured of that.” | “Then I'll make this matter known to you. | Do you know the’ woman here in Yaller Alfred Ashton did not do | Jacket who is called the Gola Star?” | ** T have seen her.” | ‘ Well, I know nothing about her what- ever, for or against, but one evening I | heard her and Mr. Cook .having some hot words.” ) “Ha! this may mean something. Did you catch anything of what was said?” | **'No, I was not near enough for that; but it has just come to me that maybe she was hisenemy. Strange I did not think of it | before, but my mind has been dazed since | the murder.” | ** Well, make no mention of what has passed | between us, and I will look into the matter,” | and Don took leave. Now he had something more to think about in connection with the mystery, and still he | was without a sure clue. He had to pass the photograph car on his return to the hotel, and pausing to look at a frame of pictures recently taken, he caught sight of a person in the car whom he. desired to see. It was the Gold Star. She was in conversation with Mlle. Nana, and was standing with her back toward the door. Stopping by the steps, Don could not help overhearing what was being said, as neither was taking any pains to speak in low tone. ‘I must be mistaken, of course,” the Gold Star was saying, ‘‘but I felt sure I had seen you somewhere before. Since you think not, however, I must take it for granted that I was mistaken.” “ Yes, I think you must be, unless, as I | said, you have seen mein some other camp, for I have traveled a great deal.” ** No, I have no recollectioa of you in con- nection with photographs.” ‘Then you are mistaken.” The talk seemed at an end, and Don sprung up the steps and entered the car, stopping short and lifting his hat the mo- ment he was within. | Your pardon, Mile. Nana,” he begged. '**T will come at another time when you are I merely wanted a type to (not engaged ; ) I'll drop in again at | present to the mayor. }another time.” **No, stay, sir,” urged the Gold Star, quickly ‘'I am going immediately.” “Hey in thar, gal!” a rough voice just then sung out. ‘* Hyar we be, ther select six of Yaller Jaeket, an’ we want ter be tooken, quick.” ‘That settles it for the present,” said the |Sapphire Sport ‘* Attend to them, Mlle. | Nana, and I will call again, If you are going lin the direction of the hotel, Miss Gold Star, we will walk together—with your permis- sion.” “Yes, I'm going tuere, and I’ve no objec- | tion, a. | : : ’ ' ; : - ’ : | They passed out, the detective giving Mile: ana a look which she seemed to understand and she at once gave her attention to the waiting group without. — CHAPTER X. MCDAVIT PRODUCES PROOF. Torey made a striking couple, the Sap- phire Sport and the Gold Star, as they walk ed away together in the direction of the hotel. And as they walked along, Delicate Don struck up a conversation, ‘‘Have you been long at Yaller Jacket, | Miss—Miss Gold Star?” he asked. He cast a hint for her real name. “Yes, call me that—simply Gold Star,” she balked him. ‘‘ No, I have not been a great while here, and yet it is several weeks, too, since I first arrived.” *‘Then you were here when that first mys- terious death occurred ?” She flashed a quick look at him. eth We ‘** There was something very strange about that affair, don’t you think so? My curiosity has been fully awakened regarding it.” ‘*Yes, it was strange indeed. I can hard- ly believe in the story about his being frightened to death. Itdoes not seem possi- ble that a man could grow so cowardly as to be afraid of the dark.” fod “« And yet there is little room to doubtit here.” ‘* That’s so.” ** And what do you think about the charge made against this young man Ashton?” “Lam afraid it is all right, and that you are on the wrong side in thataffair. All the proof seems to be against tim.” ‘* Yes, seems to be against him; but, I be- lieve him innocent for all that. He bears a good name here, and it is incredible that he would stoop to such a crime with nothing to gain.” ** He had all to gain.” ** How so?” ‘‘Why, he loved Miss Hilderbrant, and—” ** And she loved him. She was free to re- fuse Cook. after her father’s death. Now if it had been Ashton who was killed, there would bave been a much stronger reason for arresting Cook,” ‘*T had not thought of it in that way.” “You see I have good ground for think- ing him innocent.” ** But, why are you so interested in the matter? What is it to you?” ‘“ Well, first out of curiosity; and then I have been asked to take hold of it. I wish you could give me a clue,” ‘“‘T wish I could.” ** And can’t you?” ‘‘1? What do you suppose I know about it?” ‘* You knew Mr. Cook quite well, I have reason to believe, from what | hear.” She shrugged her shoulders slightly. | ‘*The same as I know others here,” she said. ‘‘ We played cards together, that is true, but that is right in my line, as I'l! tell you, **T would ask you a question, if you'd give a straight answer.” ‘** You'll find I do that, generally.” ** Well, answer this, then: What was the trouble between you and Cook on a certain evening nota great while ago?” She demanded to know what evening, and Don was prepared to name the exact time and place, having obtained the data from Roxana Murray. **Il was not aware that ‘any one knew about that,” Gold Star observed. ‘‘I will tell you plainly, since you hint a suspicion in my direction. Mr. Cook had offered me insult, and I sharply resented it, that was all.” Delicate Don had no reason to doubt the statement, sincerely spoken as it was.
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Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. 11 — ‘« Where but at ther mine whar he hid ’em after his ugly work wasdone. I hev been *“Tf that is the case, there is no room for | Suspicion against you. You were friends u with him after that, it seems.” | playin’ ther detective, too, a leetle bit.” **Yes, in the way of business. Insults ‘Bring them along, and we'll find the are too common to be allowed to stand in the |‘mayor and go and see the prisoner at once. way of business, you must of course know. | We'll see what he hasto say about it, and But, you did not suspect me?” you shall be there to hear.’ ““Have no more grounds for suspecting | ‘‘ All right, I’m willin’.” : you than for suspecting Miss Hilderbrantso | Don excused himself to Gold Star, and far, Gold Star.” | they set forth, *‘Heavens! you do not suspect her, I | be mayor was speedily found, and the hope?” | discovery was explained to him, much to his “* Certainly not.” amazement. The young woman gave a sigh of relief, “Snakes an’ Sadducees!” he gasped. which Don could not fail to notice. | “* Who'd ’a’ thunk et? Sapphire, et do begin He had made mention of Miss Hilder- | ter look mighty doobyus fer ther prisoner, brant’s name because he wanted to compli- | an’ no mistake.” cate the matter as much as possible in the ‘“*We'll goand hear what he has to say minds of certain persons. about it,” Don proposed. ‘I am glad you do not suspect her, sir, They set forth, and were soon at the cala- for that would be too bad.” boose. ** And yet, why not as well suspect her as The prisoner was now there. Ashton?” Don asked. ‘‘She might have Ashton looked up in surprise, seeing who killed Cook to free herself, and to protect | the trio were, and asked what was up, know- Ashton, whom she loves.” ing the sport and McDavit were not friends. Gold Star looked at him, pale and startled. ‘“‘Et’s all up, that’s what’s up,” McDavit ** What thoughts you have!” she exclaimed. | cried. ‘‘I mean et’s all up wi’ you! We “I don’t believe such a thing has occurred | have got ther clincher on ye now, young to the mind of another person here, You had | man, an’ don’t ye fergit et. We hev put et better be careful how you speak out, sir.” home this deal.” “The innocent have nothing to fear.” | Don watched to see what effect this would “* I don’t know about that.” | have, and the mayor waited for Ashton to **Why don’t you?” speak. “You claim Ashton is innocent, and yet **I don’t know what you are talking about,” he came near getting hanged.” averred the prisoner. “That was by a mob who did not know . He looked from one face to another. what they were doing, . But, say, have you Each seemed grim. any idea why McDavit is so bitter against ‘Then I'll tell ye what I'm talkin’ about,” : ’ : ; Ashton?” McDavit went on, eager to clinch the nail he “* I suppose he is honest in believing him | thought he had driven. ‘‘ Cast yer eyes onto guilty.” these hyer things, an’ then tell us ye ar’ in- They had reached the hotel, and were stand- | nercent ef ye dar’!” ing on the piazza to finish their chat. **I dare tell the truth, and I dare assert ** This enigma is a complicated one, tru- | my innocence in the face of anything you ly,” Don nil aieaiaats. as if talking only to | can hatch against me,” was the fearless re- himself. ‘*‘ The death of Hilderbrant, and | tort. ; the robbery; the finding of the papers from Nevertheless, Ashton was pale to the lips. his safe in Cook’s trunk; the murder of Cook, ‘‘Hatch ergainsts ye— What do ye and, the devotion of McDavit—” mean?” *“You say papers were found in Mr. Cook’s **Just what I say. You have a purpose in trunk?” the woman broke in. seeing me hanged for this crime, if you can Don started, as if he had been caught | bring it about,” speaking his private thoughts out aloud un- It was now McDavit’s turn to show weak- wittingly. ness, , ** Yes, since it is out, that’s so,” he admit- ** Yer—yer don’t know what ye ar’ talkin’ ted. ‘‘ Some of Mr. Hilderbrant’s private | about,” he cried. ‘‘ You ar’ a liar, ef ye papers were found in Cook's trunk, papers} mean ter hint that I am tryin’ ter put this which had been taken from the robbed ) thing on ye fer any other reason ’n that I be- safe.” lieve ye done et!” ** And what else?” ~ | “Then why have you taken the pains to ** Some other letters and papers. stain my giove and bring it here?” “* Did they not throw some light upon the At this the accuser laughed outright. matter?’ “* Do you acknowledge this is your glove?” asked Don, now. ‘* Yes, sir, 1 do; it was at the mine, along with my Overalls and jacket, and was free from blood the last time I saw it.” ‘* And this is the dagger you said you had lost?” ‘Tt is, I) tell the truth, no matter what comes of it, for it is the truth you must work upon. I believe this man lies wholesale, **T would not care to reveal what informa-!and that he stained the glove himself. tion I got in that way, for it would be bard- | Where be discovered the dagger, I cannot ly just to the dead man to parnde his— Did | imagine.” you speak to me?” | Jl tell ye whar,” McDavit roared. It was Jabe McDavit who had interrupted. | found et wrapped in the glove, an’ both “Yas, | spoke ter you. See hyer, what | stuffed away in a crack of ther tunnel; that’s do ye think of this? Does et look now as ef | whar!” Alf Ashton is innercent?” As he spoke he held up the glove, all ) stained with blood, and the long, slender dagger, which he had been parading, ““Where did you get those things?” Don demanded. ‘‘ Whose glove is this?” “Whose do ye s’pose, but Alf Ashton’s? And ther dagger, too; this byer is ther one he lost. He’s ther murderer, sure as you ar’ born!” “But, where did you get them, I Ask you?” ** What matter?” Don wanted to draw out every word he could, for he betieved this woman knew more | than she had yet told. ** Why, the murder, ofcourse. The letters might have told whether he had any foe or not, or whether any one had threatened him for any reason. But. 1 suppose not, or you would have made use of it.” ‘ CHAPTER XI. THE SAPPHIRE'S SUSPICION, Tue prisoner looked McDavit in the eyes, unflinchingly. Don Danton watched both: so also did the mayor, but less understandingly than did the Detective Prince from Denver. After a moment of silence the prisoner re- torted: ‘‘T believe*you lie, Jabe McDavit; but, if Ne OOOO EEE you are telling the truth, I have not the slightest idea how these things came there.” ‘“* Was any one with you when you found | them?” asked the Sapphire Sport. | ** No; I was alone,” the answer. ** The prisoner questions the truth of your | statement, and it is unfortunate you did not have some one with you.” ** Blazes! do you have proof fer every pint you bring up? sence ye claim ter be a | sort o” half-way detective!” **T never bring forth an accusation I can- not back up with the proofs.” ““Wull, what more proofs d’'ye want ’n this hyer glove an’ dagger? Ain’t they their own proofs?” *‘They must be taken as such, if you are willing to swear to the statement you have made regarding them.” ** An’ Lam, you bet.” “The only thing for me to do, then, is f offset the proof you have brought forth, fa; while you are working to prove this maz guilty I am working to prove him innocent, since I do not believe him guilty.” ‘* What! ye don’t believe et yet?” **I do not, fora certainty.” “Then et’s cause ye wont Any man wi’ sense would have ter belicv: et, now, Et proves etself.” “You are welcome to your own opinion regarding my sense, only do not grow too personal in your remarks or there may be another trifling unpleasantness. The mayor and I will go with you and see the spot where you found these things.” The fellow started for the instant, but im- mediately said: “* All right; come right along an’ I'll show oa Ef ye think I’m lyin’ I'll soon show ye ain’t.” The prisoner had cast a grateful look at Don, but now, as McDavit ceased, he turned upon him with a look suggestive of dread. Telling Ashton to keep up courage, Don left the jail and the three set off for the Mink Mine, of which Ashton was superintendent, and in which McDavit was an employee— when he worked at all. Arriving there, McDavit was allowed to take the lead. He found a torch, and lighting it, conduct- ed the others into the tunnel. Without hesitation he went straight to a certain spot where a crack was seen; then he said: “Thar, thar et is, an’ mebbe now ye will believe me.” ‘Where were the glove and dagger?” asked Don, mildly. ** Why, right in thar, on course.” “I know; but the exact spot, I mean. They did not occupy the whole crack, from ground to roof, did they?” ~ *©You’re too blame’ MecDavit smart,” growled. ‘* Hyer’s whar they was, right in hyer, d’ye see? Right in hyer whar ther pinch is.” He held his torch close to the crack and pointed witb his finger. Don took the torch from him and looked in, to see for himself just what the forma- | tion of the crack was at that point. True enough, it came closer together, fur- ther in, forming what McDavit had unique- “I tly described as a ‘‘ pinch,” and it looked rea- sonable enough that the glove, with the dagger rolled in it, might have been held there. ** How came you to look in here?” Don in- quired. “*I was lookin’ everywheres, an’ knowin’ ther crack was hyer, I looked inter et same as any Other place.” “*That’s reasonable; I can’t find any fault ; with that; but, 1do not see any stain of | blood on the sides of the crack, my ma don't see how the glove could have been put in there without besmearing the walls.” McDavit looked startled. ‘‘Snakes an’ Sadducees!” cried Mayor
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~~ eee a 2 yore ew a me ea Ry : -7 — oe. be he, tes ra a Tae - ble» 2 *. a ie one fe ae —— — eee SS ee ee ES Se ee gl) es rf Barker. 2a’ been put in thar ’thout leavin’ a stain, et couldn’t!” “Don't you be gittin’ ahead so darn fast,” - “Is that so, Sport? Et couldn’t | | here when you came this morning?” | It was Don who asked. - roared McDavit. ‘‘ Ef et was wrapped ina piece o' paper et couldn’t stain anything, | ‘*Did you sweep out?” The floor had the could et? That was how I found et, wrap- | appearance of having been cleaned up that ped in paper.” | morning. ‘Then you made a mistake in not saving the paper! ‘** A old newspaper, that’s what.” see nothin’ of no newspaper. **So much the greater your mistake, then. Newspapers are not greatly plentiful in a | camp like this, and if you could have shown | that it was one Ashton was accustomed to | read, it would have been a telling point against him. Don’t youseeit would? You made a big mistake, there.” Don had adouble purpose. He wanted to | take the rascal’s mind from the fact of the ; the mayor asked. Jack of blood-marks on the rock, and divert ‘*T havea strong suspicion against this it to something else. fellow McDavit,” Donanswered. ‘‘ His yarn “That's so, by darn!” the fellow exclaim- | has the appearance of thinness about it. It’s ed. “I never thort of that. I throwed | too thin to stand much washing, that is given. Reckon I'd ’a’ took a look at et ef I had found one ” ‘‘This one, however, was all crumpled, and had blood on it.” “* Then et’s sure I didn’t see et.” That settled the point, and leaving Mc- Davit there the mayor and Don went out to- | gether and returned to the hotel. | “What do you make of et all, anyhow?” ther paper away, but mebby I kin find et, ef | spre.” €t ain’t got burnt up. I'll see, an’efIkin| ‘‘ Yas, sol beginter think. I believe you Til bring et out, you bet.” | could twist him all up, ef ye wanted to, “Where did you throw it?” “On the floor down in ther engine shanty ” ** We'll go right there and look for it.” ‘*That's what we wull, you bet.” MecDavit seemed not only willing, but eager, and they retraced their way out of the tunnel and ‘went to the shanty where the engine was working. “Didn't see nothin’ of a newspaper on ther floor hyer, did ye?” McDavit demanded | of the man in charge. | Et’s a serious question whar he did git holt | o’ that dagger.” “And one which we must discover for him, too.” “Do ye think ye kin do et?” “T can try.” ** Well, that’s more’n I kin say, fer I would- n't know how ter begin. I'm all befuddled aset is. Ther furder we go ther wuss the mix seems ter git.” **Tt’s a complicated case, that Ill admit, but I think it will begin to work out, now, **No, I didn’t,” the answer. ‘‘ When did | as soon as we can get hold of the right end ye leave it here?” to begin with. And I think we'll get hold ‘‘Early this mornin’ "fore you kem ter | of that pretty soon.” work. It was rumpled, an’ thar wassome! ‘‘I hope so, an'I tell ye, sport, I'm glad blood on et.” you ar’ hyer, feras you kin see [ ain't hardly ‘No, I didn’t see et, Jabe.” ia match fer McDavit, asI have ter own, ““When did you make this discovery?” | though I do try ter bluff him off when he the detective now asked. gits ter ragin’. Ef you wasn’t hyerhe might “Early this mornin’, ‘fore ther mine! try ter ‘cite ther crowd ter lynchin’ again, started up.” an’ he may do et anybow, fer all 1 kin say. ‘* Then it is strange you made no mention | Ef he does, thar is goin’ ter be a sarcus, you of itto me when I saw you in the Brace-up | bet!” Saloon after the funeral.” The fellow looked disconcerted, but braved it out. : “‘Thadn’t got ready ter tell ye what I ) As they drew near to the hotel Tom Con- knowed yet,” he declared. ‘* You was so | nor shouted for them to hurry up. smart I thought I'd give ye a little time ter Looking, they saw there was quite a crowd swell out ‘fore I took some of et out of ye.” | on the piazza, and wondered what was going “Who was here when you arrived this | on. morning?” The next moment it was all plain, when ** Nobody, that’s who.” they saw Mile. Nana, with her men assis- ** How did you get in?" tants, arranging her photograph instrument ‘‘T have a key to thershebang, that’s ther | before the house. way.” | ** Come on, mayor; come on, Sport; you ar ‘“* Whose business was it to come here first | jest ther boys I want hyer!” in the morning, to open this shanty for the of the hotel yelled. ‘‘I am goin’ ter have : : : ———EE CHAPTER XII. PHOTOGRAPHING A GHOST, day?” my house took, an’ I want ther pink of ther Don spoke to the engineer. camp ter be in et.” “‘My fireman's,” the answer. ‘‘ He’s “We'll be thar!” the mayor called back. s'posed *o be bere at half-past five ter blow Men and women to quite a pumber were ther whistle and get things ready for busi- | in the doorway, on the piazza, and on the ness.” steps, and among the women was the Gold * Where is he now?” Star. ** Takin’ hissnooze. He has leave ter do that, scein’ he is out so early in4be mornin’.” | to suit his own ideas, and as Don and the ‘“Then you were here before half-past five, ch?" aud Don turned again to McDavit. | * Sartain I was.” “ That was pretty early, when you had at | least one whole day to investigate in.” | clared finally. ‘‘ That’s ther way 1 want ye, ** That's iny business.” ,ef ye don't kick on’t. You, mayor, bein’ * Certainly; 1 am not questioning your | ther flower of ther flack, I hev put ye in ther right in the matter at all. But, we must! front; an’ you, Sapphire Sport, you ar’ a see this fireman. Will you call him up, | good pardner fer Gold Star, fer this ‘casion.” sir?” | *“* Are you ready?’ Mile. Nana now called The engineer had simply to go around to | out. : the other side of the boiler and give some- ** Ready and a-waivin’,” thing a poke with his foot, and that some- ** All attention, then.” thing resolved itself into a grimy, shock- ed personage. ** What ver want?” he growled. position toward the left while the mayor was given a place near the center. ‘** Thar, that’s et,” he, the proprietor, de- Connor responded. fect, uncovered the lens. ** Did you find a newspaper on the floor Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. ' “* Yes, sir, I did,” now more awake and | What kind was it?” ) seeing who the questioner was; *‘ but I didn’t -| ‘‘ In about an hour I will have some of the She remained motionless, then, a proper time, when she recovered the tube and sig- naled that it was all over, and most of the “* Naw, Ididn’t,” the sleepy reply, briefly | subjects drew a breath of relief. Shouted one man, immediately: ** Let’s see et, Milly Nanny, let’s see et!” By that name she was commonly called, the nearest the illiterate could come to it. ‘‘Impossible, yet,” the lady responded. pictures ready for sale. If you will wait a few minutes, however, I'll see if the proof is good.” ; ‘*All right, all right proof!” She ran to her car and entered, and the crowd waited patiently for her to reappear. Presently she came forth, bearing a proof of the picture in her hand, and as she ap- proached the hotel piazza she said: ‘*Ladies and gentlemen, I am sorry, but I shall have to take the picture over again, if you care to have me do so. This proof is spoiled. Some one moved just at the criti- cal moment, it seems.” ** Let's see et, anyhow,” requested Connor. She stepped fotward and gave the picture into his hand, at the same time indicating the blemish. Just behind the Gold Star, as she appeared in the picture, was a shadowy face, the face ofaman,as if he had dodged behind her just as the plate was bared. “Ther face of Ken Cook, b’mighty!” cried Connor, the moment his eyes fell upon it. ‘““What? What's that ye say?” demanded Mayor Barker, pushing forward, his inter- est fully awakened. ‘“‘ITsay et’s Ken Cook's face,” the amazed Connor repeated. ‘‘ How in ther doose did et come thar, an’ him dead an’ buried? Et must ’n’ been his ghost!” The whole crowd pressed around, eager to see what it was, and the Sapphire Sport was among them. He was apparently as eager as any one clse, and the picture pres- ently came’into his hands. ‘**Tt certainly is the face of the dead man,” he remarked. ‘‘Can you eXplain it, Mie. Nana?” ‘It seems to defy explanation, if this man is dead,” was the reply. ‘‘I did not see the person there when I was taking the picture ” ‘*‘Some person was there, nevertheless,” said the Sapphire Sport, “ or the shadow would not be here. Suppose we ask the lady herself if she noticed any person stand- ing near her.” “ That’s ther ticket!” the mayor agreed. The Gold Star was still on the piazza, and Danton, the mayor, and others, approached Hooray fer ther her. ‘* What is the matter?” she asked. ‘‘ The the proprietor | picture spoiled, do I understand?” “Yes, spoiled,” answered Don. ‘‘ Who was standing close behind you when the picture was being taken? Do you remem- ber?” ** I do not know, sir; I was not aware that any cne was really very close behind me. Will youvallow me to look at the picture? Too bad it is spoiled, but of course an- Conncr himself was arranging the group | other can be taken— Ob!” The exclamation was given with a scream mayor came up he called to Don to take his land dropping the picture she reeled back and | leaned against the bouse for support. -Her | wildly dilated. face was pale as death, and her eyes were Everybody was lcoking at her, and it was some moments before she could speak. * Oh! why did you show me so horrible a thing?” she demanded. ** You asked to see it,” answered Don, thoughtfully, ‘and I supposed you had more nerve than to be knocked on? by it.” ‘I thought I had more nerve myself, but it seems I am only a woman, afterall. It is The lady photegrapher held up a finger | the face of the dead man, about as he “p- to enjoin order, and seeing that it was per- rye after,death, and the sight of it shock- me,”
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“4 fy ‘Ss + 2 > a a a 4 r . * z + e “6 a .° P + - - 6 > at ¢ 2 : a, 4re * . 7 SU - ‘ . P | Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. <® — _ ‘But, it certainly can’t be,” Don assumed “The dead map could not appear here to be photograpied; that is out of the question.” *““Then the plate must have been a dam- aged one. Had you taken a picture of the dead man, Mademoiselle Nana?” ‘**L had not,” the answer. ** And are you sure the plate wasall right?” **Yes, Iam sure: it was. I will have to take the picture again.” She put out her hand forthe proof, and upon receiving it tore it up and went to her car. When she came out she had another plate in hand ready for the camera, and signaled that the groups upon the steps and piazza should rearrange themselves for a second picture. This was soon done, and by the time the lady photographer was ready so were her subjects. The Sapphire Sport stood apart from the Gold Star this time, and she stood at a dis- tance from all the rest, though not out of range of the camera. A moment of preparation, as before, and then Mile. Nana removed the cover from the tube and the picture was taken, after which followed another wait while she repaired again to the car to make a proof. When she came out disappointment could be read on her face. ** Missed fire ergain, b’mighty!” cried Con- nor. ‘‘ Wonder what et is that’s out o’ kelter this time?’ The Gold Star was seen to compress her lips tightly, as if determined it should not shock her again, no matter what it was. Mile. Nana came up. “* Spoiled again,” she announced. ** What is the fault this time?” asked Bluc- light Bill. ““The same as before, only a little more so,” smilingly. ‘‘The same face appears in.” Now the Gold Star paled, and it could be seen that her hands twitched nervously, in spite of the efforts she made to appear perfectly calm. ** You do not mean to say it is there again, do you?” she demanded. “It certainly is,” the lady photographer answered. “Then there is some fault with your machine, that is all; the glasses you have used are not perfect, but have been spoiled.” “Then it is strange they are spoiled in no other way. Every other part of the picture is perfect, save this one shadowy face, and this time it is even more striking than be- fore.” “In what way?” asked the Sapphire Sport. “* Look and see, sir.” “* Don took it. ‘“* This is more than strange,” he said won- deringly. ‘‘I don’t pretend to understand it; do you, Bsns He passed it on to Mayor Barker. “Snakes an’ Sadducees, no!” the mayor exclaimed. ‘‘ Thar’s more to et than is in sight, is my opine.” turned to the Gold Star. “Do you care to see it again, Gold Star?” he asked. She had nerved hetself for it. ** Yes, certainly,” she answered, extend- ing her hand to takeit. ‘‘I am prepared forit now. There was noone near me this time, of that Iam certain, and so I claim there must be something wrong with the apparatus— Good heavens!” As her eyes took-‘na the picture that ex- clamation escaped her. The |shadowy, deathlike face was there again, but this time her own face was not there; the death-face appeared as her own— that is, it was upon her shoulders in the pic- ture! It was, in fact, Kennedy Cook, in death, standing arrayed in the gorgeous garb of the girl sport! A perspiration appeared upon her face, ) which she quickly wiped away with her hand, and dropping the proof she fled into the house. ‘* That’s doosed queer, darn meef et ain’t,” remarked Connor. ‘* You ar’ right et ar’,” echoed the mayor. Everybody was eager to see the picture, and as it was of no use to Mile. Nana she al- | lowed it to go the rounds of the crowd. The proprietor of the bctel proposed try- ing it yet again, which was done, and this | time the result was a perfect picture, one of which he might well feel proud. Don, after a talk with the mayor and Con- nor, went into the house and sent a request to the Gold Star asking an interview with her, which was granted, she joining him in the ‘‘ parlor.” ‘* What do you make out of this strange occurrence, lady?” Don asked. ‘*] know not what to make of it, sir,” the answer. ‘‘It puzzles me utterly. Ido not believe in the ghost theory, that’s sure.” ‘* Nor do I, for I do not believe in ghosts, and that is what makes it all the more mys- terious. If we could only charge it to the account of some respectable ghost, that would explain it ” He said this in a jocular way. ‘**T consider it no joke,” said the young woman, seriously. ‘‘If 1 thought it wasa joke, purposely played upon me by that wo- man, I would call her to account for itin a hurry. But, tell me, what- is your opinion of it? I realize there is danger in it for me, if lam not careful.” CHAPTER XI. TURNING THE TABLES. DELICATE Don watched her a moment be- fore replying. 4 She stood well his searching scrutiny, and he proceeded leisurely to respond to her question. ‘‘T think [ understand your meaning,” he said. ‘* You would say, if the people at large get the idea that youare haunted, they may make it lively for you on the charge that you killed Cook.” ‘* That is it exactly. It would be a pretty rough charge, but there would be room for it in the minds of the superstitious. They would be wrong, nevertheless, for I did not kill bim—why should I? [ left himaliveand well in the Brace-up Saloon that night.” ‘* You think I am questioning your inno- cence?” ‘** | know you are trying to solve the mys- tery of the case, and that is what has brought you here.” ‘Well, admitting that, Gold Star, you need have no fear of my laying the charge at your door, upon evidence so shadowy as this. When I make a charge I'll back it with solid roofs.” “ Then I have nothing to fear from you.” ** And little to fear anyhow, if what Jabe McDavit has discovered can be made to serve its purpose.” She inquired, and Don told her what he meant, giving her the particulars about the finding the dagger and the blood stained glove in the mine. They had talked for quite a little time, when Don gave & start and looked beyond the Gold Star, or where she was sitting, and she turned her head quickly to see what he was looking at. Don) rose and backed toward the door, as if in haste to get out of the room, his manner slightly nervous and he still staring beyond the woman. “What is it?’ she demanded, springing up. ‘‘ What do you see, sir?” - Meine: nothing, madam,” Don an- swered. ‘‘ You will excuse meif I leave you abruptly. You'll pardon my haste—” She whipped out a revolver and pointed it straight at him. 13 “‘T'll not excuse you, just yet, sir,” she | cried. ‘* Stop where you are and anpswermy | question. What was it you saw when you | looked past me just then? You cannot tell | me you saw nothing.” ‘*Can’t you see it yourself?” Don asked. He pointed, and she turned and looked | again. **No, I can see nothing unusual,” she de- | Clared, and turned again to him. Don had now covered her with a revolver, and her vantage was lost, as she was quick | to realize. “Put up your weapon, Gold Star,” he smilingly directed. ‘‘It is useless now, as. | you see. That is right; and now pray take | my word that it was nothing I saw, for so I tell you truly.” ** You are lying to me,” she cried, hotly. “*Tt was that shadow you saw, now wasn't it?” . “‘It was not, madam. I beg to be excused, now. Perhaps we may have another inter- view at no distant time— Ha! what is alb this about?” A great shouting was heard, and opening the door—having his hand already on the knob, Don slipped out to the piazza, the woman following him to see what was going on. In front of the hotel was a drunkem horde, headed by McDavit, and they hada man in their midst who. seemed to be a prisoner. At first the Denver detective thought it was Ashton, but he soon saw his. error. The man was Dowbey, the justice. “ Hooray fer Judge Lynch!” shouted one fellow, and the crowd took up the cry. ‘We'll see whether or not ther people of this hyer camp kin have jestice done!” roared McDavit. ‘‘ We ar’ goin’ ter set up a court an’ give ther prisoner a fair an’ square try. Mayor, we demand ther prisoner!” Some boxes bad been hastily piled up in pyramid style, and the frightened justice was boosted up on the top of the pile. “Trot him out!” McDavit roared. “ Ef we can't have him now we'll level ther jail to ther ground! D’ye hear?” The mayor was there, and he looked eagerly to find Blue-light Bill. ** What am I terdo, Sport?” he asked, run- ning up. “Let me deal with him,” Don answered “I wish you ouly would.” Don had had a brief talk with his men, and they understood what his intention wag and were ready to do their part. The Sapphire Sport pushed to the front, where he faced McDavit, and suddenly he leaped upon him like a tiger, his left hand clutching his throat while his right thrust a revolver in his face. **Don't move,” Don ordered, “ or you are adead man! Let no one attempt to inter- fere, or I will make it hot for him. Jabe McDavit, and not Alfred Ashton, killed Kennedy Cook!’ The face of the prisoner turned deadly white, while the crowd became silent in an instant, **Tt’s a lie, a lie!” McDavit gasped. ‘*Tt is the truth, arid lam going to prove it,” Don insisted. “But, ye ar’ goin’ ter give me a fair paut-{ ain’t ye? 1 tell ye I didn’t do et, rc fp: ‘“We ought to hang you up at once, as ou intended doing with Ashton,” was the indignant response. ‘‘ We'll give you @ chance, however. Men of Yaller Jacket, shall we give him a fair trial?” “Yes, yes; a fair trial,” shouted Don’s own backers. And seeing it was their own ringleader who was in trouble, McDavit’s gang had to vake up the same cry. ; “* Good for you!” Don congratulated. “ The spirit of fairness isn’t dead yet, I find. Fair play all around, as fair for McDavit as for
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oe Tg, gery “ SR ee aE SS at Cm Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. ee Ashton. we are sure of our man.” *«Three cheers!’ shouted Billy McNulty, following instructions. The cheers were given with a will, and the purpose of the mob had been balked m the neatest possible manner. ‘Tam proud of you, one and-all, men of Yaller Jacket,” the Sapphire Sport declared. ** You have acquitted yourselves like men. No one can blame you for wanting to avenge the crime, but it’s a great deal betier to go slow and sure, you know. Now, it’s a question whether it was Mc- | Davit or Ashton. McDavit claims it was Ashton—” ‘* And so et was, too!” ‘*While I claim it was McDavit,” Don continued, not noticing the interruption. ‘‘I only remains to be seen which is right. The proofs against Ashton are strong, but I am sure you will be g'ad you did not hang him when you come to see the thing to the end. I shall now lock McDavit up and put him under guard, the same as Ashton.” The guardsmen can be made up half and half; that is to say, half Ashton’s friends, half Mc- Davit’s; and that is as fairas any one can ask, on either side.” ** An’ three cheers more fer ther Sapphire Sport,” Billy McNulty proposed further. These, too, were sent searching for the welkin. All the time McDavit was talking away, denouncing, and vociferating by turns, but all to no purpose. The guardsmen were chosen, care being taken to select men of genuine grit for Ash- ton’s half, and when this had been done the prisoner was taken to the rough calaboose, where both were secured. “And nowlI think I'll search you, my friend,” said Don to McDavit. “By what right do ye do et?” that tough demanded, a look of alarm coming into his face. ‘‘I thort I was ‘cused of murder—fool that ye ar’! fer a thief besides.” “I purpose taking the right, whether it is mine or not,” answered Don. “ It is just possible that you have something about you that will be of interest to us in the solving of this mystery. You may be a thief, for all I know about you; I am inclined to think you are.” ** If I had my hands loose 'd—” “You'd do nothing, for you are not big enough ia your boots when I am sround. Now, sir, hoid still— Whoa!” The prisoner gave a savage kiek at the Sapphire Sport, which barely missed. “Only the fact that you are bound and helpless saves you from a good punching, I can tell you, for that,” Don said, grimly. “Don’t you try it again, or patience will have ceased to be a virtue with me.” ‘‘Don’t you search me then, that’s all.” “T’ve told you what [intend doing; you may as well submit tamely as oblige me to to use force.” “ Which I won't; an’ you—” “All right; we'll see. Mayor, and you, Connor, just hold him while I go into his pockets and boots.” There was no use of further objection, for the man was helpless, and the nver detective proceeded to make the search as promised; and it was not without reward. This reward was not obtained until he came down to the fellow’s boots, where in one of them, at the back and under the leg of his trowsers, was discovered the packet of papers which had before been found in the trunk belonging to Kennedy Cook! The pepe had been partly opened, to pack neat- y in this novel hiding-place. ‘I had an idea I should find something,” Don observed,- ay» A “Am greatly obliged to you, Mr. McDavit, for the care you have taken of these for their owner; I’m sure he will reward you.” a5 . pa » -; we 6 ai ee S Phe avetsa pw artes We mustn’t do any hanging until I didn’t know ye set me down | tort. ' is worth ther price of ther Speckled Hen, an’ more.” ’ ) CHAPTER XIV. DON DANTON’S DEAL | Down and the mayor returned from the ; | instructimg the guardsmen, repaired to the | hotel. | ‘** That was neat done, that was,” the mayor complimented, as soon as they were | where they could speak in confidence. | **Tbat done ther mob in a way they didn’t | look fur.” | “*There is little danger of any further | trouble of that kind,” Don made response. | **McDavit's friends won’t want to lynch | him, and they can’t in justice, even mob | justice, think of lynching Ashton and let- ) ting him go free when both are under the same charge.’ “* Besides, thief.” ) ‘*True enough. Everything is ail right for | the time being, and it only remains to fasten | the crime where it belongs.” | : you showed Jabe up as a ‘*Why didn’t ye make Jabe tcll what he knows about these hyer papers?” “*T thought I'd wait until I had examined | the papers first; and it may be they will throw | a good deal of light on the matter.” | * Yes, that’s so, too.” Delicate Don at once retired to his room, closed and locked the door, and proceeded to examine the papers which had come into his hands, He had not proceeded far when a low whistle escaped his lips, and an expression of keenest interest appeared on his face. Be- ing alone, he could relax himself and allow his emotions full expression. When finally he rose from the table it was to pace the floor, his face just a little pale. ‘**I do not wonder Thomas Hilderbrant was a haunted man,” he said to himself. ‘‘It is almost enough to convert me into believing that ghosts and apparitions really do exist. But, it can be understood better as the hallu- cination of a guilty mind. Now, what am I to do in the matter?” He was puzzled, and his face showed it. “ These children of the Haunted Man ought not to know this secret,”” he mused. ‘‘ And yet, what right have I to withhold it from them? Their father. intended they should know, though it were far better he had never penned his confession. I have read about dread secrets and the like, and have had to do with not a few of them in my time, but this is the worst that has ever come under my notice.” Finally he wrapped the paper up, put the packet in his pocket, and left the room and the house. He went to the photographic car of Mlle. Nana. She happened to be disengaged, and he sat for a picture, but while this was being taken a conversation in low tones was rapidly car- ried on. It was barely ended when the Gold Star entered. ** Ah! I hoped I might find you alone, Ma- demoiselle Nana,” she said, pleasantly. ‘‘I ; see you are vain enough to sit for pictures, Mr. Sapphire.” “Yes, if you want to look atit in that way, Gold Star. Ihave had some requests for mine, and I thought I'd oblige my friends. Did you come with the same object in view?” * Yes, I confess I did.” “* Well, the lady is about through with me, so you ure just in time.” lle. Nana was done with him, in fact, and now gave all her attention to her new customer. “What style of picture do you desire, lady?” she inquired, . “You ber darn!” was the growled re- “Ef you ain’t a blamed fool you | will reap rich, now, fer them ‘ar papers ’ ee ‘* The very best you can produce, and a7 — dozen of them,” was the response. ‘* You may place me to suit yourself, if you mean that.” ‘¢ All right; I will do so.” The car was not a cheap affair in its fur- nishings, but was well equipped with the best, and there Was a wide variety of settings to select from. The lady photographer set to work, and in a few moments had arranged a background, when she invited the Gold Star to take her position in a certain manner for the sitting. Everything being ready, the picture was about to be taken when Danton, who had taken up his position in a corner of the car behind the camera, was seen by the sitter to start and gaze beyond her, as he had done at the hotel. "Her eyes turned to him with a look of alarm, and just at that moment the plate was exposed to the light. In a brief time it was over, and the’picture secured. The Gold Star rose from the chair she had occupied, her face slightly pale, and strode straight to the Sapphire Sport. “| want to talk with you a moment, sir, she said. ‘* Very well, I can oblige you,” answered politely. ‘‘ Shall we step side?” ‘* Yes, if you please; or, no,no matter, since Mademoiselle Nana is going into her dark- room. Iwill wait to see the proof, Mademoi- selle Napa.” ‘* Please do so, and I will take another if it is not satisfactory.” The lady photographer disappeared into the little closet set apart in one corner of the car, and the Gold Star turned to Don. ** What did you see?” she asked. ** Nothing,” Don answered. ‘«T know better, sir; you would not start as you did unless you had.” ‘*No, I tell you the truth, lady; I saw nothing,” Don insisted; and he told only the truth, as the reader will understand, . “Then why did you start?” ‘*Tam not ready to explain.” ‘You are lying to me, sir, and I know it.” ‘*Since you are of the weaker sex I must put up with what you say, I suppose.” ‘*My sex bas nothing to do with it; I sa you bave lied to me, and I am going to ie 4 you in it. You ate smart, but not smarter than everybody else in the world, as you may find.” **T have never set up such a claim, madam.” Don knew what was coming; he had un- derstood the game from the first, and now what the Gold Star said only confirmed his thoughts. ; ‘**Tt’s so, whether you ever did or not,” in something of anger. ‘‘I saw you come here, and I came for this very purpose of sitting for a picture in your presence and—” ** Suppose I had not remained?” *‘T would have asked you io do so, and you would not have refused so simple a re- quest. I was determined to know if you saw that shadow behind me which has twice appeared in photographs, and this was the only way | could find out, since you would not tell me. The piéture will tell me the truth.’ ‘“* Very clever,” Don quietly observed. At that moment the lady photographer came out of her tiny room. ‘* A shall have to break this plate and try again, madam,” she said, raising her hand as if to dash the plate into a box of waste materials. ' “Stay!” the Gold Star cried. ‘‘ Let me see it. What is the matter with it?” “Tt has the same defect as the others, madam,” was the explanation. “ It is some- thing more than strange.” The Gold Star stepped forward and took the plate, looking at it intently, ber face ” Don out- * * a * o
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- —— Vile ‘ 7". . ? : Blue-light Bill, the Sapphire Sport. ? 2 | “T saw you Xet out in this direction, and | say no more about it. It is yours to read, thought that might be your errand. What | when I have gone.” have you discovered?” | ‘*Have you discovered who it was robbed “‘T have recovered the lost papers: found | father’s safe?” inquired Veronica. ‘It was undoubtedly Jabe MqDavit, doing the work for Kennedy Cook. Cook had an object in view iu getting hold of these pa- pers. ‘* And what was that? ‘He seems to have had your father already in his power, and by getting hold of this se- becoming cold, drawn and pale as she did The same shadowy form was there again! Standing behind her as she sat in the | chair, appeared the’ death form of Kennedy | them in the possession of Jabe McDavit, | Cook, the outlines not bold and strong, as | whom we have arrested and locked up, as those of her own picture, but vague and | perhaps you have heard.” shadowy yet plainly visible! ‘** Yes: I was working quietly to defeat his The woman turned upon the Sapphire | intention respecting Ashton. I Was offering Sport. twenty dollars to every man who would de- “Tell me now you saw nothing,” she | fend -the prisoner, andI guess we would cried. “The light reveals it; what I could,} have made it lively.” cret in addition to some other hold he had not see myself, this photograph shows me. ‘That was a good idea.” | upon him, he could have wrung out his life Madam,” turning again to Mile. Nana, “I “« But, about the papers; have you examin- | blood.” will not sit again; you may finish one dozen | ed them?” ““And for that reason papa was forcing pictures from this plate, and have them done ‘*T have taken that liberty, sir. ¥ , ae We will | me to marry him! ’ sa ** Undoubtedly; it seems to prove itself.” : as soon as you can.” | not speak further of them until we have your : ‘ ** But, madam, the negative is spoiled—” | sister with us.” ‘“But, what would McDavit have done bs _ 7 “No matter; pray do asI request. If I Lyster looked at Don in surprise, but said | with the documents?” asked Lyster. ¥. _ | am willing to take them, that is nothing to | nothing further on the point until they had ‘‘He knew what importance Cook attached ian you.” reached and entered the house, and were | to them, and meant to take the same advan- ca “Very well,” and the lady photographer seated in the sitting-room, Veronica with | tage as soon as he learned the secret. He ‘ = said no more. them. | told me it would be worth the Speckled Hen . **Are you going to the hotel, Sir Sap- ‘*Miss Hilderbrant,” Don then spoke, ‘‘I | Mine.” phire?” the Gold Star then asked of Don, as | have recovered the stolen papers, asI have | ‘‘The knave! And was it for this he killed she turned to go. told your brother, and I did not care to | Cook?” “ Yes, Iam going in tbat direction,” was | speak further concerning them till I could “This was a part of the reason, and it the response. see you both together.” | might have led him to do the deed, but I ** You may walk with me, if you please.” “Yes?” ) think he had another strong incentive be- ue ** You have sometilng to say to me?” ‘‘Yes, I have taken the liberty to read sides. But, of this more anon. I will now : «Yes, I have, sir.” these documents, baving practically the | take my leave, so as to give yon opportunity f ®* The two left the car together, and bent | right todo so, and now I want to tell you | to examine the papers I have placed in your , their steps in the direction of the hotel, | candidly and earnestly that you bad far bet- ; hands.” = walking slowly. ter allow me to burn them and you remain ) “Tt seems like turning you out, Mr. a. “I know you did not want to tell what it | forever ignorant of your father’s dread | Danton.” . Ba Was you saw,” the Gold Star remarked, ‘‘and | secret.” “Tt was my own request, you remember, , $2 I forgive you for the falsehood you told me. “Impossible,” spoke Lyster, immediately, | that you should not read them till I had gone ei a haunted. You might take this as proof that | our right to have it in our possession, and | packet proceeded to open it with treqments wee _ it was I who killed Mr. Cook, but | swear to | have it we must.” fingers. ‘ id other e, - | you it was not.” ‘Fle was weak to make the confession at It was soon done, and the dopeyment a : oe **One could not help connecting the one | all. Far better had he carried the whole | provgd to be a will, some deedsgion of a = - matter with the other, Gold Star, and I’m | burden with him to the grave.” valuable papers, and lastly, a * only human.” ** But, he did not,” argued Lyster, ‘“‘and | which was marked as the conjpjing more wr “* Well, take my word for it that I did not | we must know what it was.” father to his children. ad his sister - kill him—take my oath if you cannot trust “Very well: you demand what is your! This paper Lyster opened, trj¢ ypon the : ’ word! Come to my room in two hours, | right to demand, and I can say nothing | than ever, and together he rm and I will tell you a story that will explain | more. I have warned you, asa friend, how- | leaned over it as he spreaq their manner = _ much.” } ever, and you would not heed me. When | table. + a :, “There are some things that need a dittle | you have read the confession you will have| Their faces were pale, % in silence, and— a = — explanation, madam. I have guessed a good | reason to regret it.” anxious. apped his wad d . -) deal already. You are Rose Cook, the wife| The brother and sister were both deathly | For a moment they re. P nod 2 ' of Kennedy Cook— Your surprise is proof | pale. then of a sudden Lyster , enough. You bave been searching for him| They looked at each other, and the lips of | his forehead, exclaiminggronica cave vent to ever since he deserted you, taking your | each were tightly compressed. “My God!” ay, her clinched fists Tittle son with him— There,do not show} Their resolves were written upon their| And simultaneously { - ™ excitement here; I will call on you in two | faces, and Don Danton had nothing to do but | a scream and turned @ bm the table. ti ___ hours, when we will talk itall over quietly.” | to yield to their command. . pressed to her head. “iad taken bis advice!” oe ___. They were at the steps of the hotel-piazza ‘We will read the confession,” said Lyster, | Lyster, too, turne/+iq weever yield to gur _ «now, and Don lifted his hat and passed on in | huskily. “Would to God J y _ \ the direction of the Hildvrbrant cottage. “Here it is, then,” and Don extended the | he moaned. “ WP pered Veronica. “We = orate paper toward him, ‘‘ Do not read it until I | accursed curiosit¥e “The sins of the f : r have taken my leave.” “It is fate,” P2upon the children, YoU x. CHAPTER XY. “You believe no one but you knows this | could not escapf7 ; 35 im THE HAUNTED MAN'S HISTORY. secret, sir? a must be @ as this, not such as/this; = “So I believe. know— ice in it. It was on OU Dow had not proceeded far when he heard | ‘* Andy you will keep it?” “But not #% | would hav od & .*.58 -—s- some one coming behind him. “You may rely upon me for tkat; it will | there is no ea—" x a. _____ Stopping to learn who it was, he saw it | remain with us three forever, unless let out | accursed fof, Eye, I know; JOS: ee was Lyster Hilderbrant, and paused for him | by you.” pay if you had # éna not. You | have = ‘im ~=—s to come up. “That is all we ask. Whatever the con- “Yes, J perhaps, but you woug! have . _ “* You are going to the house?” Lyster ask- | fession, it is our right to know it, and if it | would anGpsei¢ and carried the ;for- , “Yes: wanted to see you and your sister fst PS usstl, - must bring sorrow, as you say, 80 be it: we can bear 1t as well as our father bore it.” *‘T am not sure of that— But, we need , . s red hig 4 ” ae , father did. ever, as > per ae. ere eee a wer Si Pern rs 7 + ae
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Co ee Cw = Blue-lig “IT won't deny it; I intend reading to the | end, now.” ** As do I, too.” Calmer, now, they approached the table again, and again started to read, but only a little way further had they gone when both turned away, weeping aloud in the anguish of their hearts. Better far, it would seem, had they taken the advice of Don Danton. ‘This is more than I can bear, more than I can bear,” sobbed Veronica. ‘* Oh! that I were dead!” “It was cruel of father to make this con- fession to us,” moaned Lyster. “‘ Far bet- ter had he carried it with him into the grave. Now we can understand his life, my sister.” ** Yes, now we can understand indeed.” They waited until they felt able to read further, talking the while, and after a time read the document through to the end. Both gave a sigh of relief when the end | was reached. ‘‘He was forced to confess, spoke Lyster. mother gave him no rest,” “It was she who she who appear¢d to him in shadowy formin the dark, and it was owing to this he would never be alone a moment without a light. I almost pity him.” ‘Pity! He deserves the— our father.” They bowed their heads. What they had discovered can be told in few words, bricfly, where to quote the docu- ment at length would be to cverrun our allotted space. A year after the birth of his second child, Thomas Hilderbrant had reason to believe his wife false to him, and the proof he had | of it seemed positive. There was no room for doubt. Almost insane, he murdered her, in such a way that discovery was impossible, and her death was ascribed toa natural cause. With- in a very short time after this, he came to discover that his wife had been as innocent as a child unborn of the stain he had laid up- ou her. Had he accused her, or had he taken her to task when he suspected otherwise, she could ,bave cleared herself easily. He had not © lone so, but had killed her slyly and without & W¢ «rd of reproach. The guilty one had been anothe -r, whom his wife was trying to shield, believii -o¢ her innocent of any wrong,and ber bbe? A int socence made her an easy victim. When” .this discovery was made, Thomas Hilderbra sat went almost wild. He was for a ume all , ut insane. He would have con- feesed, he ¢ -o £lared in his confession at last, but his lov” for his children, and his desire to stand be eqceen them and the hard world, made him far *: the hell’s fire of life. He came to be hav ted: whenever fora moment alone in the d-)>\ his murdered wife would appear to him, P ating at him with accusing finger. a Such was the .°.. in brief: dwell upon it at 4,55 : 1 7 gth. really haunted, OF » Aether it was only the hallucination of 8 £ ,.*-y mind, let the reader decide. a . mu sealer tae ae ot XVI Wuen Don Danton ges ee eet we : th landlord, ugtil the tim 45 at ad dow hi* to call upon the Gold 5, . aking known to the lal nlord then’ tie ap} ‘intment, he sent up to Lok ir the lad was ready to receive him, . ..1nding his talk‘ith the mayor while hes. oi+o.4 the an- swep ‘hich was slow in om ‘ W. =» the fellow came a sent ¢4 to the Gold Star's code, ee eee ced th * no one was in the room. «p> is strange,” Don imMé vistely a. servea® *** Did you try the door?” no need to it seems,” | “The spirit of our dead | haunted him, it was But he was ea an and a wr : ** Yes, an’ itis fast, sir.” ‘Connor, this must be seen to at once,” Don cried. ‘‘ Lhave reason to fear she may have killed herself.” ~ The proprietor and the mayor were alarm- ed in a moment, and all three started up to ht Bill, the Sapphire Sport. ; ’ } the room to learn just what was the matter, | ' and whether Don's suspicion was correct or not, Don himself forced the door immediately, and there onthe bed lay the Gold Star, dead. ‘« T feared it,” Donsaid sadly. ‘‘1 thought it possible she might do it, but I did not think she would carry it out until after her interview with me.” He told the mayor and Connor his suspi- cions, then. ) ‘* You ar’ right, fer a thousand dollars!” the mayor cried. ‘‘ That is jest ther hull thing iua kettridge-shell, an’ 1’m bettin’ on et.” ‘*Ha! here is something in writing,” ex- claimed Don, who had advanced to the bed. ‘* Here is a letter in her left hand, as you see. This is no doubt the story she had to tell me, and this is the way she meant to tell it. We'll see what it is.” He remeved the missive from the hand that was not yet cold, and in the presence of the others opened and read it. spoke. confession of her guilt, and a general state- meut of her connection with this whole mys- tery.” ** Read it, read it!” “‘Yes, I will do so. She bas escaped punishment in this way, for it would have been my duty to arrest her and hand her | over to the officers of the law for her crime—” * Your duty?” ‘* Yes, so I said.” ** An’ who ar’ you, then?” “IT am Don Danton, of Denver, my friends.” The surprise can better be imagined than described. As soon as possible, Don read the confes sion aloud, and the mayor and the landlord listened to it with keen interest. This was shorter than the confession of | Thomas Hilderbrant, but for the same | Teason it cannot be quoted, nor is it neces- sary, since a brief explanation is all that is ; needex', The known at Yaller Jacket as Kennedy Cook. Both she and her husband were natives of Maine, where they had married. In one respect this confession was like | that of Thomas Hilderbrant, but in one |} only, and in even that one it was unlike. After the birth of their child, how long was net stated, Robeyson suspected his wife of | tested innocence he deserted her, taking their him until she found him at Yaller Jacket. ‘‘Il bave guessed aright,” he presently | “Tt is a brief sketch of her life, a | | to condone her offense, though willing tous her well in spite of the past, if she would not make a further reference to it. She then and there resolved to slay lim. Not that she intended doing it herself/if she could ‘help it, but she would hire another. She looked around, and fixed upon MeDavit as the tool she wanted. She had been there long enough to know her man, and was aware that McDavit was secretly Cook’s foe. She hired him, and McDavit did the deed, using a weapon that would cast the sus- picion upon Ashton. She said finally that Ashton was as innocent as Roxana Murray, who might possibly be suspected of some share in the crime, while Jabe McDavit alone was the real murderer, besides herself. It was to clear himself and hush the matter up | that McDavit had been so eager to have Ashton suffer for the crime; and he had an | old grudge against Ashton anyhow. There was more in detail, but enough for our purpose, Armed with this, Don, the mayor, Connor, McNulty and others, went to the jail, where it was sprung upon McDavit in a way that | surprised him. Finding that everything was known, the fellow broke. down and confessed, and made clear all the points that yet remained un- settled. Don Danton’s work upon the case had been perfect, as the proofs showed. Alfred Ashton was freed, and thougf it was intended that McDavit should have a fair hearing, the enraged denizens of the camp took the matter into their own hands, and in less than an hour Jabe McDavit was swinging lifeless from a tree, riddled with ’ bullets. - : The same mob he had led before had turned against him, and Danton and _ the others, seeing that interference would be useless, and not deeming the prisoney in this instance worth the risk of honest blocd in his behalf, took the wiser course and remained out of it. It would have been a doubtful venture, in any event, laying the risks aside. -When the camp came to know who tle | Sapphire Sport was, the people went wild | with enthusiasm. They could not do enough’ ; ) woman’s name was Rose Cook— | rather that had been her maiden name. Her | candidly told that while that secret had been married name was Robeyson, that being | solved, it was a family matter purely and | the rightful name of him who had been | | | in honor .to their distinguished guest. The whole matter was talked over from beginning to end, wherever two or three denizens met, and gradually Don's fine work was realized. Questions were asked concerning the Haunted Man, of course, but the people were would never be divulged. The brother and sister had burned the con- fession their father had left to them, and the secret could never become public If it was ever told to any one, that one was Alfred Ashton; and if so. it made no difference to him, for in due time he and Veronica were hap/pily_married, illy McNulty, too, found for himself a unfaithfulness, and though she stoutly pro- | life-partner in the person of gentle Roxava Murray. While to them was intrusted the Whether he was | child with him, and that was the last seen of | care of the child of the Robeysons, they be- ing willing totake it. The child was found Now in her confession she admitted the | through McDavit’s confession, he having justness of her husband’s suspicion, but could not bear the thought of his taking an- | now a new name. : : been Cook’sagent in placingit. The camp of Yaller Jacket still flourishes, but it has Don Danton is an occa- other wife to fill her place, and so followed | sional visitor there, with ‘‘ Mile. Nana,.” who him for the one purpose of revenge. Some- was no other than his wife; and they are al- how she looked at the situation as if her own | ways made welcome. offense was atoned “for, while his became magnified until it appeared as a mountain in | her mind’s eye. For stealing her child she could not for- give him. Coming to this camp of Yaller Jacket, she found the truant, and found also that he was about to wed another woman re- wardless of the fact that he had no divorce from the first. That he really was a rascal has been shown. On the night before the crime, or a night or two previous, she faced e guilty she was jealous of him and him and revealed her identity, but he refused THE END. Next Hautr-Dme Lrerary, No. 880! BROADWAY BILLY AND THE BOMB.THROWERS; OR, The Detective Queen of Paris, BY J. C. COWDRICE. -_* — oo “57