Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 996) (1896 08 25)
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hy } f LAA J YAEZA, CES YOO Copyrighted 1896, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, August 25, 186. No. 996, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol XXXIX! a ‘Year. No. 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK, 5 cents, ions oe a ea a ee “an i SK Heel ae WW ys AM ff \ \\ \ » jl} MORNIN Y erin | \\) Y SS) ¥ | . IND \\\ lh) \\\ . j} : . ; | \\YS. \ | \ \ \ \ t —— \ \ ww Y \ \ i \\ } | \ Y' \ } i} / : \ WA 4 .\\ , \ il) Hl \\\WF/Aas M\ ge / - ‘ " Se : \ A : \ / \ \\ i I PORTER OO! ee = _—_— —_-rt—“<—3Pmrm'-r-- —s : : deen [N COLORADO; = OR, — —— a ‘‘ HERE, TAKE YOUR TURN,” SAID DETECTIVE DICK. ‘SPT ON HIM UNTIL HE . ,) APOLOGIES, If IT TAKES ALL NIGHT.” Buckskin Bob's Snap-Shot.
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Pe Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado. Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado: Buckskin Boh’s Snap-Shot. A Romance of Colorado. BY HOWARD M, BOYNTON, AUTHOR OF ‘* DETECTIVE GERMAN JOE,” ETC, CHAPTER I. THE REPORTERS EN ROUTE, In the parlor-car of a train speeding westward over the Grand Trunk Railroad sat two young men, busily engaged in translating a cipher tele- graphic dispatch. The elder looking over bis coupanion’s shoulder, offered occasional sugges- tion-, and when the translation was complete, read it aloud: ‘*New York, March 2, 1889, “ RICHARD A, VINTON, ** Grand Trunk Depot, Hamilton :— '‘ Latest advices here indicate that Theiss has a‘ pted a roundabout course of reaching Colo- radv. Ourcorrespondent at Indianapolis, whom you had better see, is certain that the man stopped over there yesterday, but thinks he left the Chicago train there and went north to Dotroit, as if to throw any possible pursuer off the trail. So I advise a brief tarry in Detroit, long enough to make sure that he is not there, or t» discover, if possible, if he has becn there, what mission he had in Detroit, After that in- vestigation, one of you must go to Indianapolis to confer with our correspondent there, while toe other had better proceed directly to the Colorado mining town. If is my idea that Theiss will press righton to that town, for I think the big sum of money he stole from the bank was for the purpose of furthering some scbeme he has entered into there. I trust the important casein your hands, knowing that as reporter-detectives you will try and do your- seives and your chief ‘‘ proud” in working up this interesting case. ** JoHN P. STRANAHAN, ‘*‘ Managing Editor Gazette.” ‘Well, Bert,” said the young man to whom ths rags pone was addressed, ‘‘ we'll have to drop eft at Detroit and investigate there, then one oust go on direct to Colorado, Which one shall it be?” ‘*It makes no difference to me,” replied the other, mye A adjusting a single-barreled glass in his left eye, and glancing out of the window. ‘I can’t say, though, that I’d take great pleasure in going out to one of those uncivilizsl mining-camps. If you’d just as soon go to Colorado, I'll try to hunt up the cashier.” ‘All right, that would suit me very well. It’s lucky neither of us has any baggage to bother witb,” ‘ ‘*TLucky! I should think it was just the re- verse. I'ma nice-looking chromo, I am, to fol- low a man into the wilds of Colorado. That’s the only drawback to the newspaper business; one can never tell at whit hour or under what circumstances he will be put on detective duty. ‘When Stranahan sent for me this morning I was preparing to start for Jacksonville—and here I am on my way to Kalamahoo or some other God-forsaken land, dressed for a fashionable watering-place.” His companion glanced at the speaker’s long cape-coat, kid gloves, cane and patent-leather shoes, and then said, laughingly : “You are oneof the biggest dudes in the State, Why don’t you get rid of those English— Hello, here we are at Detroit!” for at that moment the train-conductor called out: ‘‘Detroit! De- troit!” ; Both young men gathered up their “traps” atid soon were at the hotel near the grand station, where, registering, they were assigned a room and proceeded to it to canvass matters and lay out their whole p ‘amme of operations. | Of course, in their outfit were pipes, the in- evitable reportorial adjunct, and soon the two young man-hunters were ready for business, Vinton with his reed meerschaum and the other with his fragrant Havana. ** Now, I say Lick, this is nice!” averred his reporter-pard. ‘Running down a rogue in this way isn’t breakneck work is it?” ‘Well, if I don’t miss my guess it will be breakneck work before we get through with it,” | returned the other, heels up against the mantel | and evidently in a meditative mood, ‘I have no idea the wanted man is in this town, nor in Indianapolis, nor in Chicago, but that he has made a clean run for the Wild and Woolly West where to change his name and identity and strike out as another man than Theiss the Crook ashier,” Dick Vi-ton, the speaker, was a good-looking young fellow, about twenty-five years old, plain- y but neatly dressed, and evidently something of an athlete, a8 1s broad shouldersand manly bearing would seem to indicate. His companion was his direct opposito in per- sonal appearance, being extremely tall and thin, and dressed in the latest style and cutof English clothes, Dick was employed as a reporter on the New York Daily Gazette, and thelatter, Bert Carmly, better known among bis aequaintances as Lord Carmly, traveled ia the interests of the Londen Press. They had been partners for several years, and, by a number of clever pieces of reportorial de- tective work, had won for themselves the sobri- quet of the ‘‘Partner Detectives,” Although differing so much in character and appearance, tbey made an excellent team, and it would be difficult to find two persons better suited to each other in their line of work—Dick, headstrong, daring and reckless, and Bert, his pard, long- headed, sedate and slow. The case upon which we now find them em- barked was this: In 1871 an old gentleman by the name of Rogers, residing in New York City, had pur- chased one hundred thousand dollars’ worth of stock in the ‘‘ Hollenbock Mining Company,” an association which, at that time, owned and worked one of the best paying mines in Colo- a eel Se ler ce etisalat ett ee AS rado, After one or two dividends had been declared the directors of the company sent out a report that the Hollenbock Mine had been exhausted, and that shares could only be redeemed at five cents on the dollar, Nearly all of the unfor- tunate stockholders disposed of their shares at this rate, but Mr. Rogers, although reduced to poverty by the collapse of the company, refused to part with his. Rogers died soon after, and bequeathed to his wife and daughter along with a countless num- ber of debts, the one hundred shares in the Hol- lenbock Mining Company. As the years rolled by, the little family sup- ported itself as best it could, never dreamin that the bonds were worth anything, but stil retaining them as a sor’: of memento of the past, and mony to the fact that they had “‘ seen better days.” A few months before Dick and ,Bert started westward a man by the name of Allan Theiss had called at the home of the Rogers Jes: | and, representing himself to be a lawyer, of- fered to attempt the collection of the face value of the shares, keeping two per cent, of the ONS whose aleaty yada tee baad e widow g gave the bonds into his keep- ing, never pn A that the man’s dishonesty might cause them still further loss, A month ,and as no trace of Theiss could be found, Mrs. Rogers began to make in- Sa gi and discovered to her astonishment and ismay that the man,who had hitherto been cash- ier in a bank, had defaulted for half a million dollars. The widow was too poor to employ detectives, but a slight acquaintance with the city editor of the Gazette led her tolay the whole matter before him, And he, seeing a great sen- sation ahead, placed the ‘‘ Invincibles” on the trail of Mr. Theiss. They had discovered tbe cashier in hiding in New York City, and, becoming alarmed, he at once started westward, as the reporters thought, for the village in Colorad» in which the Holien- bock Mine was situated. They had followed him at once, and their progress thus far we have chronicled, The conference over the pipes ended in action, without much loss of time, and the pard report- ers were not long in discovering that, if Mr. Theiss came to Detroit, he had ed at no hotel there, but, in all probability, had merely changed trains and proceeded on his way to Colorado. This decided, Vinton pushed right on in the pursuit for Chicago, while‘C ly. obeyed or- ders from headquarters and ran down to In- dianopolis, from whence to make his way West, if the scent led that i a Dick paused but briefly in the Windy City, and in due time by fast. train made his advent in Denver, At the “ Weldon,” in the heautiful City of Hills, the alert reporter-detective feil in witb a wandering showman named Austin, who was proprietor of a company of negro minstrels then on a tour through the smaller towns of the Western States. While dining together, Dick, who had been wondering how he was to make his entrance = society in the Hollenbock mining-town, asked: ‘*Do you stop at a small place called Amacas, about ten miles south of Junction City? I think there is no railroad connecting with it.” ‘*' Yes, we make a one-night stop there. It’s a small town, but you can’t imagine how tie people in these mining-camps turn out to se the show. Everything else closes while w.’. there.” ‘* When will you get down to that part of your route?” ‘“ Well, we play at Junita on Friday, Silver- side on Saturday, Placer Ranch on Sunday, Junction C 7 on Monday, and Amacas on Tuesday. That’s about the course as I recall it.” Dick was revolving a scheme in his mind as Austin counted off the dates on his fingers. W hen he concluded, the reporter sid: ‘*T want to get into Amacas without attract- ing attention, if Ican. Iam doinga little piecs of detective work which will require the utmost secrecy and you can belp meif you will.” ‘*T shall be pleased to—what can I do?” ‘* Let me joi your show.” ** Join the show?” ‘* Hxactly.” ‘* But how will that help you?” ‘*T will gointo Amacas as one of the troupe of minstrels, get taken sick while there, and then will bave an excuse for not accompanying you any further. See?” **Tf you'll let me join in with the others, I guess [ can pass off for a minstrel fora day or two. I’m used to all sorts of disguises,” ‘All right, I shall be glad to help you. We start on our trip to-morrow morning, but you needn’t go on the stage until we get to Amacas,” ‘*That willdo very well. morning. Good-night.” ‘*Good-night,” Dick, telegraphing his whereabouts to Mr, Stranahan, went to bed. He was much pleased with the arrangements with Mr. Austin for accumoney's the minstrel troupe into Amacas —where the Hollenbock Mine was situated—for it would introduce him to the persons he soul want to meet there, without exciting sus- picion. “IT hope my es Bert will be as fortunate,” he thought. ‘If he comes into a mining-camp with those English clothes of his, I'll bet be will get into trouble the first day, But he’s able to take care of himself, if he is such a ter- rible dude. I’d just like tosee him braced up against a full-blooded desperado out here. He'd Jay him outif he did, 111 wager a hat.” And thus, recalling the many feats of prowess which Lord Carmly bad performed, and thank- ful that tbe Englishman was with him on his dangerous mission, the reporter fell asleep. It was quite late when be awoke the next morn- ing, and he barely had time to eat his breakfast before the troupe was ready to start. - Mr, Austin did not question him in regard to his business in Amacas, and Dick appreciated his good taste in not doing so. The trip from Denver to Junita occupied the better part of the day, the troupe reaching the latter city about four o’clock in the afternoon, They im- mediately paraded through the streets, headed by a brass band, to notify the inbabitants of their arrival, the facilities for advance adver- using being very limited ia that part of the tate. Detective Dick attended the evening per- » formance, and committed to memory some of the jokes and conundrums with which he wag | not already familiar, The next day he accom- panied the troupe to Silverside, and from there on to Placer Ranch and Junction City, reach- ing Amacas, as Mr. Austin had promised, Tues- _ day afternoon. hen the parade had been held, the pro- prietor of the troupe gave the reporter a little rehearsing in the subordinate part he was to take in the performance, “ You're y a sort of ‘super,’ but I guess you'll be able to sing a short song, won’t Tl] see you in the you?” ‘*] don’t know,” said Dick, doubtfully, rub- — a piece of burnt cork over his face and - rk. “1 never was much of a singer, but I’ll
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“I 1 Sa ce ae wera ne ne SD ractice on ‘The Last Rose of come back,” **You surely don’t ** All right: Summer’ until ** What!” gasped Dick, mean—” vey ‘ Why, that’s not so very old out here,” re- = Austin, laughing. ‘Lots of tie people ere have never heard it.” Dick resumed his work with a sigh of dis- ust. en I believe he’s playing some kind of a game onme. If I try to get off that confounded oid chestnut, I'll get booted off the stage,” he said to himself, painting his lips a bright red, un- der the guidance of a brother performer. ‘If I have to sing at all, I guess [ll sing something new!” At eight o’clock the curtain went up before an audience of about three hundred men, and the reporter made his “‘ first appearance on any stage,” by asking one of the end men why a spool of thread was like an elephant. The time- worn answer relating to the ldiser’s inability to climb a tree awakened uproarious laughter, and the reporter was about to essay a more difficult conundrum, when the audience was thrown into a state of great excitement. CHAPTER II. ALLAN THEISS, WHEN Bert left Dick Vinton at Detroit, he traveled southward as far as Indianapolis, and there began his search for Allan Theiss. The local correspondent for the Gazette, a gentle- man by the name of Halsted, was first inter- viewed by the reporter, He had sen a man answering the description of the absconding cashier in the corridors of the Dennison House, but was unable to follow him at the me, Ae Do you suppose he is in town yet?” asked ert. ‘*T don’t know—it was yesterday morning that I met him, I'll go with you to the hotel, and we'll see if he’s there now. As nearas I can dis- cover, be is traveling under the nameof Andrew Terry. That name was entered in the clerk’s register, and he will knowif the man has left the house,” The two walked together to the hotel, but could find no trace of Theiss there, The man by the name of Terry had left the night before —the clerk did not know what was his destina- tion. ‘* Well, this is a pretty bad start-off,” said the reporter. ‘‘If I’d only not here yesterday, we might have caught him, Now, it’s totally im- eg ag tell where, or even in which direc- on he has gone,” But Bert had been confronted with worse difficulties than that which he now faced, and it did not take him long to make up his mind as to his future actions, He first telegraphed to the Gazette office his inability to find Theiss in Indianapolis, and then took a train for Pen reaching that city about noon the next y. He began a search throughout the hotels, - and at last made a discovery which put him on the real trail of the cashier, At one of the smaller bostelries he found the name of Andrew Fried os the register, and at once inquired of e clerk: ** No, sir ** Has he tty » ** When?” ** About fifteen minutes ago,” ** Where has he gone?” **T don’t know.” Bert glanced anxiously about the room. ‘* Does any one here know which way he went? I’m very desirous—” ‘* Bill!” yelled the clerk, interrupting the re- porter, ‘‘ where did you take the man with the red side-whiskers a few minutes ago!” A colored gentleman, dozing on a pile of trunks opposite the desk, straightened himself up with a suddenness that caused him to topple over and almost fall to the boor, ‘* What's thet, sah?” he inquired, scrambling to his feet, ‘‘Where did you take the gentleman a few patentee ago—the one with hair and whis- ers “* Yes, sah; de depo’, sah,” replied the con- fused darky. ‘He ceahged his whiskers, sab.” The clerk looked at him sternly, while ao in spite ot the seriousness of the affair, *augh “He did, fo’ a fact,” said the colored man, earnestly. ‘‘ When he wentin de kerridge, his whiskers wuz red, but when he got out at de depo’, dey wuz black—blacker’n yours, sah,” * Where did he go?” asked the reporter, anx- iously. ‘* Did you see him buy a ticket?” ‘Yes, sab; he’s goin’ to Kansas City, His whiskers wuz—” But Bert did not stay to hear any more about Mr, Terry’s whiskers, He hastened to the Grand Central and consulted a time-table, to see what time the next train would leave for Kansas City, He soon discovered that the cashier, if such the man he was in chase of proved to be, could not have taken a train westward as yet, and at once began a search throughout the depé6t, He had seen a photo- graph of Allan Theiss, and was quite sure that he would recognize him without aifficulty if he met him. But he was evidently not in the waiting-room, and as fully an hour would elapse before a train would start for Kansas City, Bert walked to the Sherman House to see if any telegrams had been sent him from New York, He found none, and returned to the station in time to board the train as it pulled out. He walked slowly through each car in search of the cashier, carefully examining every per- son who could possibly be Theiss in disguise, but without success. If the man Terry was on board, Bert concluded that he must either be admirably disguised, or else turn out to be some one else besides Theiss, ‘The fact that he changed his whiskers makes things look suspicious,” thought the re- porter, seating himself in the smoking-car. ** And then his description tallies exactly with Theiss, I think they must be one and the same, but it’s strange he isn’t on this train if be’s going to Kansas City, Can it be that—” Bert was just about to remark that a black- whiskered individual in the next seat was act- ing suspiciously, when his thoughts were inter- rupted by a sudden, violent shock, and the next instant he was flying about in the car as it rolled and tumbled down a steep embankment, reaching the bottom at last with a crash that sent the reporter heels over head between the seats, with a score of other passengers on top of him, Fora moment he was too dazed and be- wildered to realize the cause of bis violent gyra- tions, and was called to his senses finally by the liberal profanity of an extremely fat man who lay with his head under one of the seats-and supported unaided at least a.dozen men piled upon him, Carmly struggled to his feet, and shook him- self to ascertain the extent of his injuries. Be- yond a few bruises he was unhurt and at once went to the assistance of his fellow-passengers, The car, and in fact the whole train, had n derailed and was lying on its side at the foot of the embankment, Groans, curses and iaughter came from the heap of humanity in the corner as with no little difficulty Bert started in to release the fat man. He pulled the unfortunate passenger out, at last, and vith the inmates of the other cars went out- side to, see how much damage the wreck had done. No one bad been killed except the en- gineer and it seemed almost miraculous that so many people had escaped entirely uninjured. Bert, who had no baggage with him, assisted the others in the search for theirs, The black- whiskered individual he found tearing about among the mail-bags and débris for a sachel, which he said contained valuable papers. Carmly proffered his assistance and before long erang satisfied that the man really was Allan 88, The reporter finally discovered the sachel and carried it outdoors, while its owner was still rushing about in the overturnedcar. He opened it, abstracted one of a large number of on tae that it contained, and placing it in his et, gave the sachel back to Mr. Theiss, who breath- ed ye gn of relief oa aor sight of it. ‘ ‘I’m very much oblig ou, young man he said, «These Western railroads can't be de- pended on at all—not at all, Hereafter I shall go West in a horse-car,” His attempt at witticism anda glance at the false whiskers, which had become twisted all out ae position, caused the reporter to laugh ea . ? 4 The roads are safe enough,” he said, ‘ But the sapere seem to be careless, It’s simply wonderful that so many Scr have escaped a We must have rolled fully a hundred y 8, _ ‘*T guess we did,” replied the cashier, affably. I’m none the worse for the adventure, how- ever, and am ready to go on to Kansas City. ch way do you go” “I’m bound for Denver.” i 2 Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado, 3 aR ‘* There’s where I go the day after to-morrow. Can’t you stop over and go out with me? It’sa long ride, and company is very pleasant.” ‘Well, I don’t know,” said Bert, doubtfully, although he was really not at all doubtful about accepting the invitation. ‘1’m in no burry, for at present I’m out of work. I guess ]’ll be able to wait over night, instead of going straight » All the afternoon the passengers on the wreck- ed train camped near the railroad track, and it was nearly dark when the relief-train picked them up and continued its journey westward. Carmly and Mr. Theiss had become fast friends, the former using every endeavor to ingratiate himself into the cashier’s oom graces, On the way to Kansas City a lively conversa- tion was kept up, and the reporter told Theiss a fairy-tale in response to the cashbier’s questions regarding his business in the West, “Tye been a commercial traveler,” he said, until very lately. At present I’m out of work and looking for a job.” ‘‘ How would you like to go to Colorado and work for me for a few months? 1’m engaged in stock and mining speculation out there, and could use a young fellow like you.” “Td like to go very much,” replied Bert, ‘‘T’ve never been West before, but I think I could soon learn enough of the business to satis- fy you,” r ' ‘* Tm gure of it,” said Theiss, enthusiastically. ‘** Here’s my card,” He handed the reporter a bit of pasteboard on which was printed: ** Andrew Terry, representing the Hollenbock Mining Company, Amacas, Col.” ** At present I am engaged in disposing of the company’s stock,” be said, ‘‘The concern bas been idle for some time, but we are going to float it again, The mine we are working is near Amacas, and was discovered in 1870. It’s very valuable, but the directors sort of worked an imposition on the stockholders, and brake things up—you understand?” Bert nodded, ‘* That’s one of the ways money is made out here, I suppose,” he said, ‘‘ It’s certainly a very one, ‘ood “You bet it is,” replied the cashier. ‘ But now as to your work, If you come in with me, I'll have to let you into some trade secrets.” - **Of course,” assented Bert. ‘* And you'll know enough to keep your mouth shut, won’t you?” ** Yes, sir!” said the reporter, with great em- is. “ All right; it’s a bargain,” and Theise started in to outline the duties of his assistant, and had esd ef finished, when Kansas City was reached. In bis conversation, he carefully refrained from saying anything that would arouse Bert’s suspicions, The work which he laid out for the reporter was that which cnet to the lot of a private-secretary, and mly rejoiced greatly over his good-luck in falling in with the man so readily. The two stopped at the same hotel the next night, and in the morning continued. their jour- ney westward, reaching Denver two days later. They at once set out for Amacas, Bert being unable to discover anything on the way that would tend to criminate the cashier. The pa which he had taken from the sachel and which he still retained, was a certificate of stock fora one-bundred- dollar share in the Hollenbock Min- ing Company, Lbey arrived at Amacas Monday alr the day before Austin’s Minstrel Troupe pla their one-night engagement in the village, Bert accompanied his employer, for such Mr. Theiss had become, to the residence of Mr, Hollenbock, the president of the mining company. He resided in the largest house in Amacas, and was reputed to be immensely wealthy. He had but one relative living with him, his daugh- ter, and they lived by themselves, receiving fre- uent and occasionally lengthy visits from n- tlemen gover peed East. on acted as resi ent manager and overseer of the company's prop ote fa and about Amacas, and received a princely salary for bis work. When Theiss called, with the reporter, Mr. Hollenbock received them with open arms, and was evidently much pleased with a report which the cashier handed ii relating to his success in floating the company’s stock, Bert was uvable to hear P< ve + of the conversation which ensued, , when it was over, accompanied Mr. Theiss on a tour of the The latter had exchanged his small sachel, at ie
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& “wo Rep »rter Detectives in Colorado the resilience of Mr, Hollenbock, fr one consid- | something stiuck mein the head, It didn’t hurt mi ned larger, and which be laudied very care- fully. ““T want to go to the cabin of a man named pep, he said, leading the wavy down the prin- c street of the village, ‘if you'll come along with me, you will get an insignt into the way these fellowslive. You are to stop with me at Hollenbock’s, and, after to-morrow, you'll have work enough to keep you busy,” > ** Where is the minef”’ asked Carmly, inno- cently. ‘*Back here a ways,” replied Theiss, nodding in a direction that might include several square miles. ‘‘ We are only just starting it up. This man Cody, or ‘ Doc,’ as he is called, is superin- tendent of the mine, under old Hollenbock. He's ® man you ought to know.” They soon reached Cody's cabin, and found its owner stretched out on a bed,inside. He did mot seem particularly pleased to see his visitors, merely nodding. in response to the reporter's in- troduction. 4 Here’s something I wish you would keep for ame, Doc,” said Theiss, holding the sachel to the mao,. “Put it where it will be safe for a few ay “ev will you?” ‘ oc drew from under the bed a stout wooden box, deposited the sachel inside and shoved it back with his foot, “T¢’ll be safe there, I reckon,” he said, * What's in it—anythin’ valuable?” “Well, yes; but not very much so,” answered Theiss, slowly. ‘‘Just keep your eye on it fora day ortwo, I don’t want to keep it up at Hol- lenbock’s,” ‘All right,” replied Cody, carelessly; and Bert wondered why the cautious Theiss trusted this rough-looking man so implicitly, He asked no questions, however, and, presently, accom- panied the cashier back to Hollenbock’s house. CHAPTER III, DICK MEETS DOC CODY. Tux minstrel show had scarcely gotten under ‘Way when a pistol-shot was heard, and one of the merry singers fell heavily from bis chair to the stage. Instantly the whole audience was thrown into the greatest confusion. A dozen men made a break for the dvor, while the rest surrounded the window through which the bul- let had come. On'the stage the wounded minstrel was being cared for by his companions, Austin, terribly elarmed, and unable to account for the unusual ings, rushed out of the doors, and in- quired tho way for Doc Cody’s—the only prac- ticing pbysician in Amacas, He found him asleep, and, after barely escaping witb his life, for the doctor had taken him for a burglar, the two started back to see how seriously the man was injured. The hall was almost deserted when they re- turned. All the men were out searching for a clue to the would-be murderer, Ono the stage the wounded man lay, with his head pillowed in a brother performer’s lap, while two others were washing the burnt cork from his face, They permitted Doc Cody to examine him. “‘ He’s a goner, I reckon,” said the physician, ** Bear a hand here, till we carry him oyer ter my cabin. He’d die easier thar; keerful now, don’t mind ther bleed.” Supported between four strong men, the un- conscious form of the minstrel was carried down the-street, and into Doe Cody’s cabin. Here the bearers laid it on the bed, and left it in Doc's charge, volunteering their services at the burial. When they were gone, Cody care- fully washed the blood and dirt from the wound- ed man’s face, and brushing the hair back from the place where the bullet had struck, was pleased to find that the missile had merely plow- ed a deep furrow in the side of his head, and not entered the brain as he had it sary He bound up the wounded place, and adjusted his patient comfortably in the bed, while he set about to resuscitate him. A little Colorado whisky poured between his parted lips, brought the man to consciousness, ‘* W nat’s the matter?” he asked feebly, making no attempt atrising. ‘*‘Whohit me?” - **T dunno,” replied Doc, preparing sleeping accommodations for himself, ‘It wuz a bullet, I reckon.” ** Did somebody shoot me?” - | “Well, slightly, I didn’t see ther racket my- self, but the boys sent fur me’ when you wus! hurt. My name’s Doc Cody an’ I’m ther only | ga w-hones in ther place,” “My arm: is Vinton—Dick Vinton, I wasin | b the minstre] troupe that played here to-night. I was sitting on the stage when all of a sudden tlen—but it does now.” * It'll pain you fur sum’ time, but the bullet only jist raised ther skin. If it hed been an inch or so over it ’u’d laid you cold.” Detective Dick looked about the plainly-fur- nished room and then into the face of the man beside him, It was a face combining in itself the expression of font good-nature, honesty and recklessness, The reporter, whose injury he could in nowise account for, felt that Doc was a man to be trusted, “Do you know who shot mef” he asked abruptly. The other shook his head. “The boys air out lookin’ fur ther son uv a gun now,” he said, seating himself by the re- rter’s side. “I reckon it would go hard with im ef he wuz ketched.” “7 can’t imagine why any one should want to shoot me,” replied Dick. ‘* I’ve never been here before in my life, Where's Austin—the man- ager of the minstrel troupe!” ** He’s comin’ around to see you in the mornin’. I told all ther boys ter keep away to-night, 4owin’ thet you'd wanter rest easy, even ef you didn’t die befor’ then,” Dick shuddered as he said: ‘It was a narrow escape. I only joined the troupe at Denver—I'm not a regular singer.” ‘* Must hev been mighty hard up ter take ter gech bizness,” remarked Doc with a laugh, ‘* But lay down now an’ go ter sleep—thet’s what I’m a-goin’ ter do, We kin chin in ther mornin’ —you’ll feel better then.” * But, isn't this your bed?’ asked Dick. ‘* Where’ll you sleep?’ ‘Down hyer,” said Doc, stretching himself outon the floor without even removing his boots, ; J est, blow out thet glim an’ then go ter sleep. ‘All right, but. I’m awful sorry to incon- venience you by—” But a loud snore from Mr, Cody interrupted him and Dick sunk back on the soft pillows and soon fell asleep, He awoke quite early the next morning. His bead felt much better, and as he opened his eyes he was greeted with the savory smell of frying bacon. ‘t Good-mornin’,” said Cody, pleasantly, ‘‘ I’m jest gittin’ breakfus’—bow a’ye feel?” Splendid,” replied Dick, ‘* My bead aches a little, but otherwise [’'m allright. That break- fast of yours smells first-class,” “It is,” said Doe, skillfully throwing a flap- jack into the air and catching it as it came down. ‘Thar ain’t nothin’ in the world thet kin beat good bacon an’ flap-jacks fur a hungry man, Do you wanter git up?” Dick replied by throwing aside the bed-cover- ing and sitting up in bed, ‘'m a little dizzy— What's that?” A loud knock on the door startled Cody into ti: aed one of the cakes into the fire. ** You go to the door,” he said, grasping a long knife from his belt and trying energetically to save the burning flup-jack. But when he looked up his companion had disappeared, ‘* Here Lam,” said Dick, from under the bed. ‘“T don’t want to be seen, and if it’s any one is bere to see me just tell them I died last night, will you?” Doc looked puzzled, but he nodded with a smile, and the reporter crawled back under out of sight reais loud ree Mig yaa be Minicediniacr ome in,” ye y, resumin c operations, “ Howdy, Mr, Terry e The cashier responded gruffly that he was as well as usual, - ‘*T come here after that sachel,” he said, clos- ing the door behind him, ‘I’m going to send it out to Denver with that young man who was with me the other day.” ** Who is be?” asked Doc, ‘He's a young English drummer by the name of Carmly. Pretty seund man—but kind of dudish, can trust him, though, and that’s everything.” Doc was about toreach under the bed after the box in which he bad placed the sachel, when he suddenly halted and looked uneasily at Mr. Terry. Heremembered that Dick was in hid- ing under thereand had requested that he should | not be disturbed The cashier did not notice the other’s em- barrassment. “They said around to the house last night that'a young man who was singing in the min- strel show up at Uncle Sam's had been shot and there, Where is he?” ‘* He’s dead,” replied\Cody. ‘* Ther boys car- ried’ him out a little while ago,” } ; ati hs **Do you know who he was?” ‘*No,” replied Doc absently, trying hard to think of some way out of the difficulty. ‘‘Say, Mr. Terry,” he finally blurted out, ‘* You can’t git thet sachel now, ‘©What!” exclaimed the cashier, staggering marge Do you mean to say that you haven't ot it? ah No, not exactly,” stammered Cody. ‘ But you can’t git it jest this minute, Ef you'll go away an’cum back in halfan hour I'll hev it fur you.” Terry looked at him sharply as he replied: **T don’t know what you mean, Doc, but I'll doas yousay. There’s five hundred thousand dollars in that sachel and you're the only man in God’s world I'd trust with it.” “ All right,” said Doc in a relieved tone of voice, ‘Youcan have it in a little while, but just now I’ve got good reasons— Hello! what's the matter now?” The door suddenly flew open and Bert Carmly, very pale and excited rushed in. “Quick, Mr. Terry,” he cried. ‘‘ The devil’s to puy up at old Hollenbock’s, and_he’s started out to look for you with a gun. You'd better light out for he’s in a terrible rage over some- thing.” The cashier turned pale as death, ** Get me a horse,” he cried to Bert, ‘‘Go and hire or buy one any where—quick!” He drew from ai pockes a roll of bills and handed them to Car aly who immediately dis- ney? Then turning to Cody, he said ex- c y- ‘Get me that sachel at once. There isn’t a moment to lose—for this is a matter of life and death,” Doc hesitated for a moment and them dived under the bed, ‘Just as he did so there was a tramp of horses feet oucside, a couple of pisto}- shots and loud yelis, and then the horseman gal- oped off as Cody crawled back again. No one was in sight, Terry had mysteri- ously and suddenly disappeared and no trace of him was left. “Well, this is kinder strange,” muttered Doe, hurrying to the door and looking out, ‘ & wonder what in blazes all this funny-bizness is about. I reckon there’s trouble abead fur some: one, He shut the door, locking it on the inside, and called to Dick: ‘* Come out, sonny. No one’s here now.” The reporter crawled from under the bed with a sigh of relief. ‘That was pretty close,” he said, seating himself, ‘‘ What’s all this trouble about any way?” **T dunno,” said Doc, mournfully trying to resuscitate some of the scorched flap-jucks. ‘“T wish some uv these lunatics would wait tilla man had breakfast before beginnin” their durned rumpus, Ever sence I worked for oa ate gee I’ve been in hot water of some nd. ‘* Who's this old Hollenbock?” asked Dick, seat- ing himself opposite Cody at a small table and commencing to eat his breakfast. ‘* Oh, he’s an old Dutch fraud,” said the latter with great frankness, Hean’some other durned fules air runnin’a mine out bere near Los Perces Creek. It is one uv the best payin’ gold mines in the State, but they only began to work it a few weeks ago, When they first sold stocks in it about a dozen-years back, old Hollenbock and the :est uv ’em bu’sted up the comp’ny, and ever sence they’ve been buyin’ up all the old stock awfulcheap. They’ve got it about all in now, an’ ther old man an’ this feller Terry own the whole thing I reckon.” ‘* And who is Terry?” “J giv’it up. Hecum hyer from ther East about a month ago, and sence then he an’ old Hollenbock hez been thicker'n hops.” **Do you work for them?” ‘Yes, I’m superintendent of the mine, It ain’t exactly in workin’ order yet, but it will be by the end uv this week, an’ I reckon it'll bea paris: kinduv jobfurme,. Idon’tlike, partio’ly, work fur sech durned rascals, but everything goes, out hyer, you know.” Dick smiled as he answered: vet | saEpone so; bat are you sure all the ea of the original company has been bought u Rom ty sart’in uv it. They wuzn’t a-goin’ ter 8! ther mine until it wuz all in old Hol- lenbock’s paws. This feller Terry hez been travelin’ all over ther kentry buyin’ up ther stuff dirt Se vg Soret ther stockholders wuz glad ter git rid uv tt—tbinkin’ that the mine wuzn't uv no account,” The two finished breakfast, Dick thinking a) Aaa a AEP SU aS a Wil wh Be bid ® iggy i WW aay nO any hie
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; earefully over the information he had just re- ceived. He had heard the conversation that passed between Cody and the cashier, and thought it very probable that if the sachel un- der the bed really did contain five hundred thou- sand dollars, that the money was that which | Pee had stolen from the bank in New York sity. He was greatly surprised, as well as delighted, | at hearing Lord Carmly’s voice when he entered the cabin so abruptly, and could not imagine how he had gotten into Theiss’s confidence to such an extent. “ We're getting on finely,” he thought as he help-d his new-found friend clear up the break- fast dishes. ‘‘1 guess the Invincibles will not only run down Theiss for robbing the bank, but clear up this fraud in the Hollenbock Mining Company—so called—as well. What a ‘sweep it will be for the Gazette, eh?” CHAPTER IV. BERT FALLS IN WITH HOLLENBOCK, Dr, Copy's description of Caleb Hollenbock as *'an old Dutch fraud” was impolite, but ac- curate. Hollenbock was Amacas’s first settler, He came West in 1870, and a year later, while prospecting in the vicinity, discovered the mine which be named after himself, and at once orgunized a company to operate it. He grew rich, and, as property increased in value in and near Amacas—which he had tried to name Hol- leuo ckville—he was able to count his money by the millions, and was looked up to as one of the foremost men in the West. He made the acquaintance of Allan Theiss— or Andrew Terry, as he knew him—about a month before our story opens. The cashier seemed to have plenty of money, and, although he could give no plausible reasons for bis visit to Amacas, soon became acquainted with the wealthy old miner. The acquaintancesbip led to something more, and ere long he was taken into confidential partnership with Mr, Hollenbock, When he returned with Bert, he had been ab- sent for a few dayson a journey toan Eustern city. He had employed the reporter on the im- pulse of the moment, scarcely knowing what work he would be able to give him tu do. Hollenbock was inclined to look upon Bert with disfavor and on the second day of his siay in Amacas called him into his library for con- su'tation, **I don’dt know v’at for Mr. Terry prought you here,” he said, seating himsolf and motjon- ing for his companion to do the same, ‘* Budt id seems to mo that we ain’dt got no use for y ou, don’dt id?” ¥ ‘*{ don’t know,” replied the reporter, doubt- ally. : **{ vhas not sere dot Terry himself knows what he vhas aboudt,” continued the old gentle- tuan, “He cert’ingly acts very queer all the time, you tink suf” Bert shifted uneasily iu his seatand glanced Cut of the window without replying, ‘‘ He vhas a verry intelligent man,” resumed Mr. Hollenbock, slowly, ‘‘ Budt I can’dt unter- stoan’ v’y he coome oudt here to this place. I ‘af ap idea mebbe he’s done someting wrong in cae East an’ he’s here hiding.” Carmly could have enlightened him on that yp iat but he only shook bis head absently, **{ don’t know anything about him.” ‘‘T vhas t’ink dodt vey myself,” said the other, rising to bis feet and walking up and down nervously, ‘* And vhat I vant to know peside voas—are you honest?” Tne old man knitted his heavy brows and stared fixedly into the reporter’s face, He seemed to be satisfied with his scrutiny, and again sat down, ‘*Pecause, ef you vhas berfectly honest, 1 might haf use for you myself. I baf in this house a Jarge sum of money in cash #1 t bonds v’ich I vould like to haf taken to I) aver an’ deposited in a bank to my credit, uo lersthan’?” B rt nodded, *L will undertake to deposit them safely if you care to trust me with them,” he said, simply, **A‘l righdt, dodt whas jhust v’atI vant. I’m gittin’ pooty old myself lately, an’I can't gedt sroundt hke I use to, Ef you vhas sthay here, mebb9 ve can use you anyvay, eh? I vill go 6rt pring you t’e money oudt an’ you can sthart fot Denver to-night.” Tue old man hobbled from the room, and ina few minutes a terrible upri ar canie from across the bali. Bert darted outside, almost running int» Mr. Holienbock in his baste to discover tue | cause of the unusual commotion, a eS Se ee eee Fwo Reporter Detec I ‘*Td vhas gone!” groaned the old gentleman, | falling iuto a chair and staring vacantly at the reporter. ‘ { haf peen robbed!” ‘ **Of what?” **T hadt nearly fife hundred thousant tollars | tried in vain to keep him quiet. tives in Colorado. ; 5 s . = a By this time Theiss had managed to get con- trol of his voice, ‘“« What in thunder did you do with that sachel of mine, Doc?’ he shouted, while his captors **Do you mean in a black sachel in my safe in the room shust | you've let some one take that?” , across the ball, It vhas mostly in Goyernment | ponds v’ich I godt Jasdt veek from a man in San Francisco in payment for some mining-stock,” ‘* Are you sure it’s gone?’ asked Bert, dazed by the taeft of so much money. inet coorse I’m sure, Dodt man Terry took The mention of the cashier’s name seemed to arouse him to action,. Hestarted tu his feet and ran out of the room, with Bert at his heels, ‘Hello, Bull!” he yelled t> a man who was saddling a couple of horses in the rear of the house, ‘‘Get a dozen men and eoome here— quick!” Bill, who was a tall and powerful black man, put his head inside the barn door and said some- thing to the men within. In a few minutes they came out, mounted on Hollenbock’s horses, and surrounded tie old man. **Go oudt undt catch dodt man Terry!” he shouted, waving his hands and dancing about. ‘*He haf stole a sachol full of money—here! gedt me a horse.” The old man forgot his age and infirmity in his eagerness to recover the lost bonds, and ina few seconds was himself leading the way toward Doe Cody’s cabin, Bert had burried on ahead to warn Theiss of his danger and possibly save his life. The result was something be bad not calculat- ed on, Tue sudden appearance of Hollenbock and his party, after Carmly’s warning, caused the cashier to take to his legs and run for his life down the road, The otvers set after him, shouting and yelling as they ran, In a few minutes he was run down, yanked into a saddle, and carried back to Cody’s, a prisoner, ** Vere ish dodt money you took?” asked Hol- lenbock, excitedly jabbing Theiss in the back w fe a revolver butt, ‘* V’at you do vith id, e ‘* What money?” asked the cashier, coolly. “Did you think I had taken avy money?” *“Diat I tink su? Vell, I like that,” a half- dozen ang punches with the revolver butt; - ede did you run avay from me shust now, aind’tid?”’ “Well, I—that is—you see, I thought you were after something else,” stammered Theiss, in confusion. ‘‘ I didn’t take any of your money, but I did do something else, and I thought meb- i 5 ihe course—perbaps you wouldn't ike it, A malicious grin spread itself over the features of the oli miner as he replied: *Dodt vhas very nice, budt y’at vhas it you did, I dunno?” ‘The cashier looked around among the faces at his side, but saw nothing of pity there, and then blurted out: ‘*T was to have eloped with Bonnio,” “Watt roared Hollenbock, almost driving his revolver through the man in his rage and astonishment, ** You vhas goin’ ter take Bon- nie? ‘*That’s what I said,” muttered Theiss sullen- ly. ‘‘ But I didn’t take any of your money—l’ve got enough of my own,” ‘*Vell, py te great almighty Moses!” yelled the old man. ‘‘Ef you baf nodt more nerve than a prass monkey, I vhas a sucker.” San | had reached Cody’s cabin by this time, and the doctor himself stood in the doorway looking at them, “What air you doin’ with bim?” be asked, nodding toward the trembling prisoner. ‘‘ What hez he been doin’?” “He haf sthole five hundret thousand tollars from me,” said Hollenbock, excitedly, dismount- ing and approaching the cabin. ‘' Haf you seen ar ad uf id?” o every one’s surprise, Cody replied; ‘* Yes, he brought it here day before yester- day fur me ter keep. It wuzin a black sachel,” “ Yes—yes—dodt vhas id,” screamed the old man, hopping about in front of the cabin while two men held the cashier, who showed signs of violent insanity. ‘* Vhero ish id—gedt id fur me—quick.” ‘**}¢ ain’t here,” “* Wat—v'at you say?” “Tsay it ain't here. A young fellow took it away only a few minutes ago,”. ““V’y you ledt him baf idt, you fool?’ roared pa man, ‘ V’ere ish he gone? Who vhas Se _ **T don’t know.” — ——— ‘¢ Yes—that’s what I said. [ reckon the right one’ll get it, though—that young duce you brought out hyer hez got it now.” A sigh of relief escaped the lips of the casbier, and even Hollenbock seemed to feel better at realizing that the sachel was in Carmly’s pos- session, : ** Dodt vhas all right,” he said, turning to his men. ‘*Coome, poys, ve vill go pack.” They started for Hollerbock's residence, pay- ing no attention to Theiss’s pleadings. lle as- sured them that the sachel he had given to Cody to keep for him was rightfully his own, and that he had brought it with him frem the East, But when in reply to Hoilenbock’s questian as to the amount of. money it contained, he men- tioned a half-million doliars, the old man sneer- ing —_ him to go to the *‘ tuyful,” **Maype you haf us pelieve dodt you haf so mooch money a-carryin’ it aroundt the country, budt I t’‘ink nod. Dodt money vhas mine, an as soon as I gedtidI villsend youavay. Ibaf noddings to do mit such t’iefs as you.”’ ‘* But when you get the money,” retorted the cashier, energetically, ‘* you will see that it isn’t yours,” ‘*Maype I vill, budt I know better.” Theiss turned from him with a gesture of dis- gust and rode along, buried in moody reflec- tions. “Here I was, just ready to light out with Bonnie, and had everything ready for a splendid time,” he muttered to himself, paying no atten- tion to Mr. Hollenbock’s questions, ‘ when this old fool gets some kind of an idea into his head that I’ve robbed him of some of his money. He never had seen those bonds in the sichel and didn’t even know that I had them, or 1’d think he bad gotten up some kind of a scheme to rob me, He’s a cute old cuss, but*I don’t see what onearth he’s driving at now; I certainly haven’t taken anything of his, Well, if Carmly’s got the sach |, l’il get it. At present PUt-y my best to escape, and once free, Dll get the bonds and take Bonnie with me out of this accursed coun- try. I’msorry I ever had anything to do with this Hollenbock Mining Company business, any- way.’ Meanwhile, thoughts of an entirely different nature were passing through the brilliant intel- lect of Caleb Hollenbock, He had nt the slight- est doubt but tout Theiss had taken the bonds an: hidden them with Cody. As to the cashier's story of en elopement with his daughter Ron- nie, he gave but little attention toit. Bornie was as sensible in his eyes as she was pretty, and the old man did no} believe her capable of falling in love with such a man as Theits, “JT vill keep him vith me until I gedt te money back, an’ t’en gedt rid of Lim,” he mused, ‘‘He vhas a tief all t’e vay t'rough, an’ shust so soon as I see Godt young feller mit der sachel, I vill haf noddings more to do with Mr, Terry.” When the party reached the Hollenbock man- siov, the cashier was escorted to a room on the first floor, and in spite of his protestations was locked up, and given to understand that be would be held a prisoner until the money was recovered. He had not been confined to his room very long before the door was gently un- locked and opened, admitting the pretty daugh- ter of the old n miner,. Bonnie Gotleihadk: ‘“Why, Mr. Terry,” she exclaimed, hasten- ing toward him. ‘* What does all this mean?” * [ don’t know,” replied the prisoner, mourn- fully, ‘* Your father has somehow or otber gotten the idea that I’ve robbed him. He says —W hy, what's the matter with you?” The B ie had burst into a fit of hearty but subdued leugbter, ‘*Ohb, it’s too good,” she exclaimed, dancing around the bewildered man, / ‘Is it?” esked Theiss, doubtfully. ‘‘I don’t seo as it is—not for me.” Bonnie came to bim, and putting her arm af- fectionately about his neck, said: ‘*T took the money.” ** What!” “T thought we'd need some if we were to run away and get married, and when I hea father say that there was so much money in the sachel I took and bidit. Wes that wrong?” The innocent blue eyes looked into Theiss’s with an expression of reproach. “T don’t think it wes— very.” she continued, ‘* Pather would have given Jt to me for tie ask-
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0 ing, and then—it would have been mine, any- way, when he died.” Such reasoning as this bewildered the cashier, who was a practical thief and did not deal in sentiment, ‘*You did right—I suppose,” he said slowly. ‘But then it was not necessary. I had plenty of money for botb.” ‘*T know, but it was so unequal for you to provide everything. . What shai I do now?’ ‘“*Do? Why let us get away from here as quickly as possible. My money, which I gave to Doc Cody for safe-keeping, has been confis- cated by your father. sothatit will be necessary { to get the other now. I’m sorry to place you in such a position, though, Bonnie.” ‘‘ Don’t mind,” she said lightly. ‘‘ Wait here ; a@ moment.” | She left the room and Theiss, when the door } closed, sighed aloud, a ** Poor little girl! She thinks so much of me —and I reciprocate the affection, I suppose. I wonder why I have made such an impression upon her. I guess it must be because I’m so different from these people cut here thatit’s a relief to see acivilized man, Well, let things go as they will.” Bonnie, poor, unsophisticated girl, although devoted to her old fatner, was tired of existence in the lonely western village,and eagerly longed for the excitement and gayety of city life as portrayed to her by Theiss. And he, taking #4 advantage,of this longing, had proposed mar- riage to the girl and hai been accepted. Owing, however, to her father’s peculiar ideas of matri- mony the service would have to be performed secretly, and the two planned an elopement, which was broken up by the disappearance of the old gentleman’s money, Theiss had not long to wait. The girl soon returned, enveloped in a long, black cloak, and carrying a small sachel in one hand, ‘* | am ready,” she said simply, and the two left the house together, and taking a deserted and roundabout path, started to walk to Junc- tion City, ‘ grat eect * CHAPTER V. LUKE GUYSON’S HIDEOUT. THE conversation between Detective Dick and Cody was interrupted shortly after the disap- pearance of the cashier by the sudden entrance of Bert, who halted with an exclamation of sur- prise at the sight of his pard. ““Why Dick,” he cried, rushing forward to grasp the other’s hand. ‘I’m mighty glad to see you—when did you get here?” ‘*Several days ago. 1 was shot and brought to this house for treatment. To-day, when you f -eargs to warn Theiss, I was hiding under the Doc regarded the two with undisguised amaze- ment. ‘*Wa-al by gosh!” he ay exclaimed. “How in all that’s wonderful did you two git acquainted? An’ who is this Theiss yo’r talkin’ about!” The detectives exchanged glances and then Dick said: ‘I’m sure we can trust Doc, Let’s tell him the whole story and perhaps he’ll be able to help us.” ;: In as few words as possible Vinton told Cody Be who they were and what their business was in ( that part of the country. When he bad con- cluded, Bert suggested that they examine the ‘sachel under the bed. , They pulled it out, but before they could open i it a sound of horses’ hoofs was heard in front re and Bert bolted out of the back door with the i sachel in one band and Dick following close up- > on bis heels, They ran for some distance and Be, finally, reaching a secluded spot about a mile Ay | from the village, opened the sacbel. aa The cashier bad told the truth in regard to its 2 contents. r > Is was nearly filled with U.S. Government bonds of old dates, the principal and interest of which would amount to nearly half a million dollars, any, ‘* Phew!” said Dick when they had concluded : the examinatior. ‘‘ I never saw so much money as this in a heap in my life.” POR i," ps ied Bert. ‘‘The question now is, however, what shall we do with it?” **T don’t know, The money clearly is that which Theiss stole from the New York bank,” “it must be, but what do you suppose old | Hollenbock is driving at? He says that he had five hundred thousand dollars in Government bonds in a sachel too, Do you suppose there are two sachels,” “‘There must be, Or else the old Dutchman is yee once Wie T Raat! i ae AS Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado, trying to get the money which his partner stole. It may be that Hollenbock is up to some such scheme,” ‘« | doubt it,” said Bert, ‘* He was too sincere in charging Theiss with stealing it. It seems strange that a million dollars should be floating about in this way, but I guess such is the case, Both mén are prettysure to— Quick, Dick! get out of sig!t; here comes some one.” The two crouched down behind a spreading bush aul watched two persons pass in front of them. One was Allan Theiss, and Bert recog- nized the other as Bonnie Hollenbock, but what interested him most was the small black sachel which she carried in one hand, ‘* Dick,” ke whispered when they had gone by, ‘€ you follow them, while I get rid of this money, The giri is old Hollenbock’s daughter and she has got the other sachelin her hand, Theisshas been mighty sweet on her lately and I suppose they are going to run off together. If 1 were you I'd try to get that money—they can’t go very far without it. Meet me at Cody’s when you get through,” With this hurriedly-whispered advice the two separated. Dick hastened on after Theiss and the girl, while his partner sat on the ground, wondering what he was to do with his strangely- acquired fortune, Vinton followed the two for nearly a mile further. They seemed in doubt as to their course at first, but finally struck straight out in- to the woods, following a narrow path which eventually brought them to a large, well-kept cabin, surrounded by a tall picket-fence. Theiss knocked at the gate and was immediately me mitted to the inclosure, and probably to the couse, Detective Dick threw himself down within a hundred yards of the cabin, and for a couple of hours watched it in vain. At the end of that me he was rewarded with a sight of the cashier, who came out, this time accompanied by a rough-looking, loose-jointed fellow, whom. Dick at once set down as the proprietor of the ace, They walked quite near the reporter, but he was unable to hear any of their whispered con- versation, When they had passed out of sight, Dick arose and slowly approached the cabin. At the doorway he gave a loud knock, re- peating it a couple of times, as only the echo answered, Then he looked about him to ~~ bg there was any other entrance to the strong- Oo . Discovering none, he made an attempt at scaling the high picket-fence, and after a half- dozen failures was successful in doingso, The inclosure on the inside was about six feet wide, and ran entirely around the cabin. The build- ing itself was very strongly constructed, and re- minded the reporter of the old Indian block- houses he had read of in histories, There were two entrances to the cabin, one in the reur and onein the front, but in thesurround- ing wall there was but one. Vinton boldly knocked at one of the doors and was almost im- mediately admitted by Bonnie herself, She started tack with a scream at sight of the detective, ** Do you live here?” she asked quickly. ‘* Luke said that only he and Molly were here,” ‘*T don’t live here,” answered Dick. ‘‘ But I have business here now. Where has Luke and Mr. Terry gone?” “To Junction City—after a minister,” she added, -with a ee, blush, ‘Well, Bonnie, l’m sorry to interrupt the nuptials, but I fear 1 shall have to.” She stared at him, and shrugged -her shapely shoulders without replying. ‘*This man whom you know as Terry is a thief, and his right name is Theiss— Allan Theiss!” “Tt can’t be! ay 9 eta ety paeoare you?” gasped the frighten , sinking into the nearest chair, ‘* Who has told you all those things?” ‘“*T know them to be true,” answered Dick, earnestly. ‘*My name is Vinton, and I am a detective from New York. If you marry this man, you will be as good asa widow within a few weeks afterward, for he is sure to be arrest- ed and imprisoned for crime.” The young man spoke so sincerely that the girl was convinced of the truth of his remarks in spite of he~self. ‘* You say his name is what?” * Allan Theiss,” ‘* And he is a thief?” “He is indeed. He robbed a bank in New York of nearly five hundred thousand dollars,” The poor girl burst into tears and looked up into the reporter’s face despairingly. 4 ’ sah) wt il a bins 7. # ie hate « ie ES ee Rubee > mae) ACR oe Maes than € £ Nes } ae * om el sl Sah ek Aaa at, 6S ap MI OR ae $s Ade Rea se a, APES RSP Tees Kae Le ed phates ee seh. | ‘* What shall I do?’ she cried. ‘‘I can't get out of here for the gate in the outer wall is locked. How did you get in?” ‘*T climbed over the fence; but you could scarcely do that. I guess I can break down the door, and we will be able tu escape before they come back.” He started for the door, but suddenly paused and looked around the room. In one corner @ triangular closet had been built, and into this he plunged just as the door eee admitting the cashier, Luke Guyson and Bert. The latter had been discovered with the sachel, and believing that it would be best under the circumstances, had given it to Theiss without comment. The latter was munch pleased, and brought him to the cabin asa safe retreat and a retuge from the wrath of Caleb Hollenbock, ** Hello!” said Theiss, observing the pele face of his intended bride, ‘* What's the matter?” ‘* Nothing,” she answered, feebly, for the pres» ence of the three men and her knowledge of Dick’s hiding-place frightened her, ‘‘I don’t feel very well; tnat’s all,” ‘*T thought perbaps you had already gotten tired of me and wanted to go back to your father’s, We didn’t go to Junction City as I in- tended, for we met this young man on the road with my sachel and money, and brought them both here fur safe-keeping.” The girl nodded, glancing furtively at the well- dressed young man,whom in her mind she could not associate with such men as Luke Guyson and her promised husband, ‘We'll have to postpone the wedding-cere- mony,” said the latter, ‘* But to-morrow we'll both go to Junction City, deposit all these bunds in a bank, get married, and then take a long wedding-tour.” He now had both sachels in his possession, and at once placed all the bonds in the larger of the two, giving the money to Mr, Guyson. ‘*T want to put this in some safe place,” he said, ‘*I guess I'll let Bonnie herself take care of it, Luke and I are going to have a little game of cards,” He handed the sachel to the girl and then took a seat opposite Guyson at a small square table. Luke invited Bert to join them, but he decimed, professing ignorance of the game, and proceeted to strike up an eet with the girl, with a view of warning her of her peri. But he had no opportunity of doing so for some time, and finally wrote on a slip of paper: ‘¢Don’t marry that man—he is a thief,” and handed it to Bonnie, She read it, but to his surprise did not seem to be greatly agitated thereby, and tore up the paper nonchalantly, Then she arose, and, walk- ing across the room, placed tiie suche! cn the inside of the three-cornered closet in whici: Diek Vinton was confined, locking the door as she did so, Then she handed the key to the cashier, say- Fone money will be safe enough in there until to-morrow, I’m going up-stairs now tv he down.” The cashier, who held a pair of jacks and was trying to bluff hisantagonist out of three queens, merely nodded, placing the key in his pocket, while Lord Carmly regarded the game with growing interest, : In the closet, Dick Vinton was slowly but surely being suffocated. He had just determined to make a fight for liberty when Bonnie placed the sachel beside him and locked tbe door. As he moved slightly to make room he felt behind him a projecting window ledge, and at once saw what the young lady was at. When she closed and locked the door he turned around and examined it more closely «nd found to his delight that a small window opened from the closet directly into the open air. Ht was evidently placed there to admit light, and was hid by a heavy square shutter which moved co. squeaky hinges, f It was @ pretty close shave, but Dick d-tor- mined to attemptit, He first opened the sachel and threw the contents out of the window, placing inside a pair of old boots which were in the closet, Then he poked his head and stoul- ders through and wriggled like an eel until he fell head-foremost to the ground. He ha.tily arose, closed the shutter and picked up the pa ety and at once set out for Doc Cody’s cabin. His de e was wholly unnoticed by the le inside. Bonnie had gone up-stairs with olly Guyson, the wife of Luke, who, with Theiss, was deeply interested in the game of cards, Bert wandered about the room, inspecting a
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EE a few cheap prints on the walls and occasionally ing to watch an unusually exciting deal. “Say, Mr. Terry,” he finally said, ‘am | to stay here?” *€ Not very long,” replied the cashier. ‘‘ You did me a good turn in finding tvatsachel to-day, and I sball see that you are taken care of.” “ All right,” responded Bert, ‘‘I suppose I can take a walk to the village if I want to?’ “ Yes; but keep clear of old Hollenbock and hismen. lf they see you they will be sure to ask about the sachel.” Bert promised to do so, and left the cabin, starting at once for Doc Cody’s. He could nut imagine where Dick had gone, and thought it possible he would meet him at the redoubtable doctor's cabin. “lm sorry I lost that sachel,” he said to him- self, as he walked rapidly along, taking note of the path to insure a speedy return, ‘‘But I guess I'll be able to getitagain, The thing I must do now is to warn that foolish young lady of the character of her future husband. If she rsists in marrying him, then it will boherown fault. I think she isn’t aware of wlat a rascal he really is.” Carmly burried on toward Doc Cody’s, reach- ing the cabin late inthe afternoon. Just as he crossed the threshold he caught sight of Dick Vinton. tg two exchanged greetings, and then Bert said; “I'm awfully sorry, old man, but I lost those bonds.” ‘* Well, it doesn’t make any difference. I’ve got them now,” ‘© What!” ‘ve got the bonds—all of them, old Hollen- beck’s and the ones Theiss had,” “You must be mistaken, for I saw them locked up in acloset in a cabin, away back in the woods not more than an hour ago. And Tl bet a hat that the key is in Theiss’s pocket now. * | know it,” replied Dick, coolly, ‘‘ but I was in the closet.” ** With the sachel!” “Yes, and escaped through a small window in the rear with the bonds, leaving the sachel there.” Carmly looked at his partner with undisguised approbation. : ** You're a darling,” he cried. ‘‘ But { must get back—just imagine what a storm there will Ly when Theiss finds that the money is one . The two exchanged stories, and then Carmly started back to the cabin in the woods, not with- out some misgivings as to the result of the ad- venture. CHAPTER VI. AN ADVENTURE IN TRE WOODS, THE largest saloon in Amacas was called the “Uncle Sam.” The proprietor was a rougb- looking but good-natured man by the name of Jim Waters, better known among his fricnds and acquaintances as Buckeye Jim, from his having been born and brought up in the Siute of Ohio. All the entertainments—and they were quite frequent—that were held in the town took place at‘* Uncle Sam’s.” No shooting affray of any importance was ever known to occur outside its walls, and, as a gambling-house, it was equal to any in that part of the State, n the night that, and only a short time-after, Lord Carmly set out for Luke Guyson’s cabin, the noisy festivities of Buckeye Jim’s resort were interrupted by the entrance of no less a po etee than old Caleb Hollenbock, As it was he first time he bad ever been seen in that or any other similar place in Amacas, the frequent- ers of ‘‘ Uncle Sam’s ” at once ceased their noisy carousals and paid close attention to him. ‘“* Boys,” began tbe old man, ‘I vbas in need uf help, My daughter haf peen sthole, unt fife huntert thousant tollars along vid‘her, py dodt schoundrel Terry. I vant you to go oudt after him, Ill give fife thousant tollars to de first yon who fetches Bonnie back, and five more to the von who will bring back my money,” A crowd of men left the tables and gathered about Mr. Hollenbock, who told them, rather incoherently, as much of detail as he knew in re- gard to Theias’s escape with Bonnie and the loss of the sachel. The girl was well known and much respected by the rough citizens of Amacas, and this fact, with the reward of ten thousand dollars, which her father offered, caused a speedy and almost total clearance of the saloon, much to the proprietor’s disgust. : ‘*Who iz this young feller you’re speakin’ uv?’ asked Jim, as Hoilenbock seated himself with a sigh, ‘* Where did you pick him up?” “Terry brought him from tue East mit him vben he coome a day or two ago. I reckon tbey vhas in partnership in a scheme to rob me, though the young man vhas an hones’ lookin’ chap.” ** An’ you don’t know where he’s gone now or whether or not he’s got the sachel?” The old man shook his head sadly. ‘*] don’t care so mooch aboudt t’e money ash | Ido aboudt Bonnie,’ he said, stifling a kind of oa hale arose in spite of his effurte to keep cool, uf her own free will.” ** Kloped?” ‘*Dodt vhas it, I guess, I thought she vhas too sensible for sooch nonsense, budt dis man Terry ish a goot-lookin’ kind uf cbap, an’ per- haps she’s godt an idea she vhas in lofe mit him, ain’dt it?” Jim could offer no consolation to the old man. **T reckon sbe'll leave him if be don’t treat her right,” he said, shortly, ‘Sbe ain’t no slouch, | Bonnie ain’t.’ Hollenbock arose and hobbled slowly outside, bewailing the ill-wind which ever blew Allan Theiss to Amacas, The men whom he had started off in a chase | after the cashier had already departed, some of them on horseback and others on foot, He bad not much confidence in their ability to catch the man, and depended more on Bonnie herself than on the searchers, Still, be was thoroughly in earnest in offering the reward, for his daugh- ter was about the only thing on earth, besides his wealth, which occupied space in his hardened old heart, He walked to his deserted home and at once retired, leaving word with the faithful Bill to awake him if anything was discovered relating to the missing fortune or the missing girl, Meanwhile Bert was plodding on toward Luko Guygon’s cabin. He did not think that the casb- ier would discover the loss of the bonds before the next day, and it was scarcely probable that he would do 8o until he reached Junction City and opened the sachel, Dick’s move in leaving the latter and only taking its contents was re- garded by Bert as extremely wise and well wor- thy of his long-headed partner. As he was thus musing, a sound of rapidly- advancing hoof-beats startled him and he hast- ened to crouch down behind some bushes and await the passing of the late riders, As they came in front of him he recognized the faces of a balft-dozen men whom he had seen lounging around ‘Uncle Sam’s,” and rightly concluded that they had been sent out by Hollenbock to search for Theiss and Bonnie. They were galloping straight on toward Luke’s cabin, and evidently suspected the cash- ier’s whereabouts, Bert, when they had passed by, sprung to his feet and ran after them, anxious to see the result of the night’s adven- ture. The Guyson stronghold was soon reached by the horsemen, and a few minutes later the reporter came up, panting like a race-horse, just in time to hear a gruff inquiry from their eader, ‘Say, you Luke, cum out hyer!” But Luke, whether or not he knew the mis- sion of his late visitors, remained nnder cover and they shouted for him in vain, Colonel Clavin, the leader of the horsemen, regarded Guyson’s silence as suspicious under the circum- stances, and at once introduced mors radical methods of bringing about an interview, He rode close to the entrance in the picket fence and fired a score of shots into the air, yell- ing like a Comanche warrior as he di ro. ese tactics, practiced for about fifteen min- utes, bad the desired effect. A door was partially opened on the inside and Luke, in a very angry tone of voice, asked: ‘*See hyer, you blasted fools, what in blazes are you doin’ now? 1’ll shoot a couple uy you ef you don’t light outer hyer pooty quick. Meb- bea man ain’t got no right any more to sleep ” or— “That's all right,” interrupted the colonel, coolly, filling the empty chambers of his re- volver, “I reckon there hain’t no call fur yo'r shootin’; we jest cum fur to make a leetle friend- ly call.” ** Yo’ did, eh?’ came a growl from the inside, **Wa-al, then, you’d best go back whar you cum fram, fur I hain’t a-receivin’ callers this time; a- night,” ** But we ar’ a-goin’ ter insist on it,” con- tinued Colonel Clavin, ‘‘ We feel kinder socia- ble ter-night, an’ we're comin’ in ter see yo’. Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado. gy mean biz, straight through, and we'd ruther cum in through the door then shoot our way through the fence,” ** You will, eh?” roared Luke, taking the lat- ter part of the sentence as a toreat. ‘* Weill, [ reckon it'll be ther biggest job you ev:r tackled. I hain’t a-goin’ ter be imposed upon by no such durned fools «z you be, an’ ther fu’st man thet | shows hisself ’il git a bullet straight atween ther | eyes—now you hear me talkin’! “‘1’m afeard she’s gone off wit der rascal | 79 The colonel did not attempt to argue the mat- | ter with the angry man, but at once dismounted and directed his followers to dothesame, They led their horses to the nearest trees, and then | commenced the assault on Luke's stronghold. | Under Clavin’s direction, they used a uarrow | log of wopd as a battering-ram with such good effect, that the door was soon forced from its | hinges and thrown backward into the inclosure. | Asit fell, a dozen bullets passed through the | Opening, and the assailants feil bazk in disorder. | Their leader, however, was not discouraged by their first failure, and a second, and this time successful rush was made for the broken door- | Way. Bullets flew thick and fast between the two | parties; Luke, Theiss and even Molly using both | hands in pulling triggers against the intruders, Bonuie, sitting up-stairs, heard the noise of bat- tle, and at ouce divined its cause. It was all over in a few moments, Colonel Clavin staggered back from the doorway, the | last man of the attacking party to fall before | tbe pistols of Luke Guysoy,and his friends, The latter at once set aboutrepairing the dam- ages the assailants bad done, while Theiss made hurried preparations ior depurture, He secured the sachel, and, ufter paying Luke well for his trouble, hastencd away, forgetting, in his selfish desire to save bis own skin, that Bonnie was de- pendent upon him. Luke did not urge him to stay, and was, in fact, glad to see him go, His departure would permit of plausible lying as to the cause uf the defense of his castle against the attack of the colonel and his men, and this was all Mr, Gay- son cared for just then, During the battle, Lord Carmly had remained an invisible but deeply-interested spectatur of the whole thing. When it closed, he started t> return to Doc Cody’s cabin, but, remembe: ing Bonnie, went back to find her and, if pos-ile, escort her home, As soon as Luke caught sight of the reporter, he growled: ** Did you send these fellers hyer?” ‘* { did not,” replied Bert, truthfully. ‘I saw ‘the fight just now, but I didn’t know how it started, or what it was about,” ‘** I believe you lie,” returned the man, fierce- ly. ‘I’m in a nice fix now, ain’t 1? Whet’ll become uv me when the people down ter the vil- lage hear of this?” **T don’t know,” said Bert, coolly. ‘‘I cer- tainly didn’t send these men here, however. Where is Terry?” ‘* He just took the sachel and sneaked.” ‘* With the girl?” ‘*No; she’s up-stairs,” ‘* Well, it he’s gone, I suppose Bonnie might = well be taken back to her home,” suggested ert. ‘“T guess not, I’ve kinder got an idee that I'll keep thet gurl myself,” iT) You yy ‘* Thet’s what I said, an’ don’t you go blabbin’ ther fact uv my doin’ go all over tuwn, neither, Ef you do, Til settle you mighty quick, d’ye hyer?” The reporter was completely knocked out, but he turned away, muttering loud enovgh for Luke to hear: _ “I guess I'll leave this country the first thing in the morning. I can’tstand such shooting and other deviltry as this.” ‘*That’s right,” responded the other, approv- ingly. “If you light out of this country to- morrow, you'll do the sensiblest thing you could do, This hain’ta healthy place fur sech fellers,” Bert walked away in the darkness without replying, leaving the victor of the late battle nursing the wounded of the defeated party, while Colone) Clavin departed for Amacas get medical assistance, CHAPTER VII. A PRISONER. DETECTIVE Dick speut the night at Doc Cody’s cabin, and in the morning awaited the return of Lord Carmly. But as the hous passed, and.the reporter did not put in an ap- rance, Dick started cut to search for him, e soon heard of the tattle betwcen Colonel There hain’t no use fur you ter object, becus we | Clavin’s forces and Luke Guyson the night be- —
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ae ny te TI? Tae Ray —~ a 8 Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado. fore, and knowing of Bert’s proximity to the cabin, feared that sumething bad befallen his partner. He secured the assistance of Doc Cody, who left tue bedside of a couple of the wounded men, and the two set out together on the doctor’s best hor-es for Luke’s cabin. ‘*Bert isn’t the kind of fellow to get into a muss of that kind unless he was forced to,” said Dick, ‘If he had reached the place before the colonel’s men, he was probably made to take a hand by Luke and Theiss, In that case he may have been shot, but I think it’s more likely that they reached the cabin first,” **Then where do you sup ler ia now?” asked Doc. at ther house all night?” ** No, I shouldn’t be surprised if he has under- taken to follow Theiss, The cashier must have lighted out as soon as he possibly could after the fight, and if Bert was able to, | know he'd follow him, even if he didn’t have the bonds,” The two rode rapidly along, and reaching the Vicinity of Luke’s cabin, dismounted and tied their horses. Then they cautiously approached the seene of the lute conflict, Everything bad been repaired. The gate was closed and fastened more firmly than ever in its old position. Only a thin line of blue smoke that curled in an uncertain way from the chim- ney-top, gave evidence of life. ‘What shall we do, Doc?” asked Vinton, as the two halted for consultation. ‘‘ Had one of us better go right up and knock on the door?” Cody shook his head. ‘* Luke'll think we’re after him instead of the other feller,” he said, slowly. ‘tI guess we'd best wait hyer fur a spell an’ see what turns up. If Bert goes back to my cabin be’ll wuit thar fur us.” The two men lay down ona grassy spot and kept their eyes fastened on the entrance t» Luke's stronghold all the morning. Toward noon their faithfulness was rewarded by a glimpse of Guy- son himself. The man opened the gate, and directly-in front of it commenced to dig a hole. Several times he looked about him to see if any one was in the vicinity, but seeing nothing returned to work. Ina short time he bad a hole nearly five feet deep and about half as broad dug in the sofs earth, Ha tovoked at his work complacently for a mo- ment. and then returned to the house, ‘* Waal, uv all things,” muttered Doc Cody. **W .t on ’arth d’ye s’pose he’s goih’ ter do now?” ‘*{ don’t know; bury some one, I should juige,” replied Dick. ‘* Must be goin’ ter stand bim on his head,” said Doe, with a chuckle, ‘‘ Here he cums back ag’in, Luke came out of ‘the doorway bearing under each arm a small, dark-colored keg. He again scrutiaized the woods and bushes in the vicin- ity, but seeing nothing, set to work again, He first ;!aced in the bottom of the hole a round meta! cylinder, and in it set the two kegs. Then te leaped inside himself, and for nearly half an hour was busily engaged in arranging them. When hecame out be dug an inch-deep ditch in the ground from the hole, under the ate in the fence to the entrance of the cabin on he inside. In this be laid a small black cord and covered it with earth as far asthe gate. Then he filled the..hole he had dug, at first throwing in the loose dirt with great care so as not to disturb the mechanism of his work, and lastly covering it all over with sticks and leaves and clearing up ail signs of the disturbance, Hviog done so, he entered the inclosure, and clos. | .nd locked the gate, **Geominy Moses!” gasped Doc, springing to his teet, ‘ Did you ever see such devilishnegs in er orn days?” *[ don’t know,” replied Dick. what he’s been doing,” ‘** You can’t! Don’t you know an infernal machine when you see one?” The detective started back, “Do you mean to say that Luke bas built a mine in that hole?” he gasped. C.dy nodded, * ad is going to set it off in case he is attack- ed again?” ‘‘] suppose so, It'll blow daylight through a hundred men ef they try to break in the gate, and he sets the durned thing off,” ‘*Bat won't it hurt the cabin—blow that u too?’ asked the reporter. ‘ All that owdee? E re onal es pia would kill Luke as well as the others.’ se ther young fel- *ye think he’d stay **T can’t tell i a up’ards, but that round iron he put in fu’st will save him from bein’ blown up.” Dick looked at Cody in horror, 5 I didn’t think such deviltry existed!” he said. **Tt don’t—outside uy Colorady,” responded Doc, grimly, leading the way back to where they had left their horses, ‘*Thet Luke Guyson would do enything tersave hisownskin, He's be’n mobbed half a dozen times, and so he built this fort out hyer fur pertection.” The two were startled by a pistol-shot from the direction of the cabin, and turned hastily around, springing behind a couple of trees as they did so, Crack! Crack! k Two more reports rung out, and this time they caught sight of Lord Carmly standing on the roof of the cabin with a smoking revolver in one hand. Dick tried to push to his friend’s as- sistance, but was held back by Coy. ‘*Stay hyer, you fool! Thet feller’s all right, ez long ez he’s got ther shooter,” Bert stood on the sloping roof of the cabin for several seconds, peering about below bim, Then another shot was heard, and the young re- porter threw his hands above his head, stag- gering forward, and fell to the ground within the inclosure, For a moment the two witnesses to the tragedy stood still, Then Doc Cody spoke. ‘*Git onto a harse an’ ride to Amacas,” he said, hoarsely. ‘* Bring a dozen uv ther best men you kin find thar, I'll watch hyer, an’ shoot Luke ef he shows hisself.” Dick, wild with anxiety over his partner’s in- jury, sprung into the saddle of the fleetest of the two horses and set out toward Amacas on a flying gallop, Cody remained behind, resting his cocked Winchester across a limb of a tree and leveled straight toward the entrance to Guy- son’s cabin, For nearly half an hour he remained sitting perfectly still, awaiting an appearance of Luke or the return of Dick Vinton with the reinforce- ments. At the end of that time he lay in an in- animate heap upon the ground, while Luke Guyson s above bim with a heavy club in his hand, The man had left the cabin by climb- ing over the fence in the rear, and sneaking up bebind the scout had dealt him a terrfic blow on the head, knocking him senseless and almost lifeless, Luke picked up the burly form of the uncon- scious man and carried it witbin the cabin, re- turning presently to secure the remaining horse, We must now return to Bert for a few min- utes, and tell of bis unpleasant adventures with Luke Guyson on the preceding night, The lat- ter, after permitting him to set out for Amacas, bad thought better of his decision, and had run after him and brought him back, ‘*T reckon I'll keep you hyer fur a spell,” he said, leading the way to his cabin. ‘Ef you git inter old Hollenbock’s hands, there ain’t no tellin’ what you'll let bim know about this leotle circus hyer ter-night.” Bert protested his willingness to keep his mouth sbut in regard to the subject, and at once quit the town if necessary, but Luke evidently bad some purpose in view for retaining him, and would not listen to his assurances. Thereporter resolved to attempt the rescue of Bonnie, and if possible deliver her captor over into the bands of the law. He was fearful that the cashier would escape, although, knowing that the bonds were in Dick Vinton’s possession, be thought it hardly probable that Theiss would be either able or willing to go far. He was given the hounds of the cabin, but warned not to communicate in any way with his fellow-prisoner, Bonnie, who was confined in one of the largest rooms on the second floor, Mrs, Guyson, who bad the young lady in charge, was an aged and somewhat decrepit woman who could offer but little resistance in case her pris- oner attempted to escape, And this is just what Bonnie determined to 0. She was armed with a revolver which she had brought from home, and resolyed upon using it if occasion required. Quite lute the next forenoon, Bonnie heard Luke working in front of the house, and at once made pre;arations for taking French leave, She rapped loudly on the floor, a signal which never failed to bring Mrs. Guyson to the door, and presently the woman entered. before she could say a word \she had been thrown down and Bonnie was busily engaged in tying her ‘*N «in the way he’s got it fixed. The thing | hands and feet, only w.iks up an’ down, so terspeak, It'll fly “Don’t you scream,” said the plucky young lady, showing ker revolver. ‘‘ You and Iiuke have no right to keep me here hike this, and— Well, I declare!” Bonnie stopped short and stared at Lord Carmly, who bad just appeared in the doorway, with mingled dismay and astonis!:mevt, . “Thav’s all righ',” Berta-sured her. ‘‘I'm @ prisoner here #8 well as yourself, and just cams up to see where you were confined, Can I help ou?’ ? The two bound and gagged Mrs, Guyson very effectually and thea made ready to leave the house, A windowin one end of the room opened toward the rear of the cabin, and Bert carefully raised this. “It's about fifteen feet from here to the ground,” he said, turning to Bonnie. “Can you jump ic?” She nodded. : “Isn't there a rope, or something, that you could lower me with? she asked. ‘‘If there isn’t, I'll jump, for I’d rather die than stay here any longer.” “Tm afraid not,” said the reporter, ‘ Luke has been very careful not to leave anything of that kind within reach,” : He was about to assist Bonnie to the window ledge when a thought occurred to him. ‘* Why not get on the roof?” ‘*The roof! How would that help us?” ‘“‘Iv’s slanting, you see, and this window is right near the peak, If weclimb up on that we could crawl down to the edge and jump clear over the fence and outside of the inclosure, Wait until I go first.” Bonnie handed him her revolver. ‘Take this,” she said, ‘‘and use it if*you have an opportunity.” The reporter put the weapon in the side pocket of his coat, and rising on the window-ledge, reached up and grasped with both hands the edge of the roof. Then he gave a mighty sprin and landed on the top of the house with a lou thump. Luke, working in front, ran around and caught sight of the escaping prisoner just as he arose to bis feet, He ser.t a bullet whizzing toward him and re- ceived twoinreturn, Then, taking more care- ful aim, he brought his prey tumbling to the ground. : Bonnie, terribly frightened, remained near the open window for a long time, fearing that her attempted escape, as well as that of her un- fortunate companion, would be discovered. But Luke did not come up-stairs, or in any way give evidence of his presence, and so, after a time, Bonnie mustered up courage to follow L: rd Carmly’s example and perhaps meet his fate. it was with great difficulty that ske reached the roof in safety, and when she did so her ten- der hands were scratched and bleeding, and her arms were nearly broken with the strain, She looked into the yard, but Luke was not there, and then out toward the woods. In a few mo- ments her captor came into view, bearing in his arms the unconscious form of Doc Cody, Bounie did not hesitate for a moment, She let herself slide to the edge of the roof and then boldly leaped into space, striking the ground on the other side with great but not fatal force. As soon as she was rested sufficiently, she set out on foot for Amacas. The journey was a long and tiresome one to her, and it was late in the afternoon that, weary in mind and body, she reached Doc Cody’s cabin and, entering, lay down on his couch. She did not want to see her father until she bad sent some one out to Luke's cabin to rescue his two prisoners, and thought she would take a few moments’ rest before doing so. As she lay there, thinking over rather inco- berently the incidents and accidents of the past few days, Dick Vinton entered. ‘‘Why, Bonnie!” he cried. get here?” ‘‘T escaped from Luke only a little while ago and came to get some men to go out there and cathe the lives of that poor young man and Doc y. ‘‘Cody—do you mean to say he’s been taken in by Luke Guyson?” : “Yes, he brought him in just as I esca Doc was unconscious, and had either been shot or knocked senseless with a club,”’. “ And Bert—how is be?” *“T don’t know. I saw him fall, but I can’t say how badly he’sinjured. Why don’t you get some one go to his rescue?” “That's just what I have done, and twenty ~ good men are on their way to Luke’s cabin now,” : Then be balted, turved pale, and almost fell to the floor as a thought struck him; ‘The mine! I didn’t warn the men about it **How did you ~ Uy } we sel oi <n roa Net va Vf ‘ “bis nu
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ed Two Reporter Detectives in Coloredo. 9 and Doc isn’t there to keep them from walking right into the wap ‘or a moment to the door. ‘¢- You wait here, Bonnie; I must ride on and try to catch these men before they reach the cabin, The bonds are in a box under the bed. CHAPTER VIII. A RIDE FOR LIFE, A ¥EW minutes later Detective Dick was mounted on the fleetest horse in Buckeye Jim’s stables, and runving swiftly out toward Luke Guyson’s cabin. He was not an expert horse- man by any means, but managed to stick in the saddle as his steed rushed on, over the logs and stones that covered the road through the woods, ERs He was almost in sight of his destination when a loud explosion greeted his ears, and be knew in a moment that the mine had been fired. The report was immediately followed by a fusilade of istol-shots, accompanied by loud shouts, and Dick reached the cabin just as the short but de- cisive battle was brought to a close. In front of the entrance to the inclosure was a deep ragged hole and the explosion had torn up ove entire side of the surrounding fence, As Dick dismounted, the men whom he had sent from Amacas, came out of the cabin, two of them carrying in their arms the struggling, cursing captive, Luke Guyson. Another hast- ened to bring into service @ rope which he had thoughtfully brought along, and the entire party went further into the woods, The re- rter knew that Luke’s hours were numbered ut he did not care to see the well-deserved fate administered to the outlaw, and so hastened into the cabin. ‘* Bert,” he exclaimed, at sight of his partner lying on an improvised couch on the floor, ‘‘ are you much burt?” ‘*l’m afraid so, old man,” answered Carmly. ‘* Luke shot mein the shoulder and [ broke my arm 10 falling from the roof of the cabin.” ‘* And haven’t you had anything done for the wounds?” ‘‘Not until Doc camein. He’s sort of fixed He them up.” At tuat moment Cody himself entered. looked considerably the worse for wear and a wide bandage stained with blood was wrapped around his head, He was glad to see Dick and said so. ** We've kad pooty lively times aroun’ hyer,” he remarked, seating himself at Bert’s side with some splints with which to set the broken limb, **But on ther whole I’m kinder glad uv it, far it’s rid us uv One ’er taer wu’st men thet ever disgraced Colorady.” ‘* Why, is Luke dead?” asked Carmly. “‘ Wa-al, no, but he will bein a few minutes, I reckon,” said Doc grimly, ‘Ove uv ther boys wuz sharp enough ter bring a rope.” A faint smile stole over the wounded man’s face as he asked: ** Are they going to lynch him?” ‘‘ Sumtbin’ like thet. Id like ter take a hand in ir, but I’m afeard uv leavin’ you.” Dick watched the rough but skillful work of Cody as be placed the splints on the broken arm and Pe it in position. ‘ BF aa did the mine explode?” he asked sud- enly. Doe nodded toward Bert. ** He set it off.” ‘* Before the men got here?” “Sartvin! Ef he hadn’t, I reckon some uv them: would be whar Luke’s a-goin’ by this ” e stood still, and then sprung tine. \ Presently the men from Amacas returned to the tabin, ‘“‘ How’s ther kid? asked one of them step- ping to Bert’s side. “Is he goin’ ter pull through?” “OF course; ther’ ain’t nothin’ ther matter with him, ’ceptin’ ther broken arm, The shot don’t amount to much,” replied Doc, ‘I wish some uv you fellers would rig up a stretcher uv some kind ter carry him inter town on,” There were plenty of willing bands about, and a stout structure was soon put together with the aid of ashutter from the cabin, two long poles and some cushions which the trembling Molly roduced, On this the form of Lord Carmly was laid and the men took turns in carrying it Amacas and into Doc Cody’s cabin. Here it was left in his charge and the men dispersed, ‘very well satisfied with the result of the after- noon’s work, Bert was tucked up in bed, his wounds care- fully dressed and he was advised to go to sleep by the faithful Cody, before Doe would con- | Buckeye Jim’s saloon, He had no definite idea sent to have hisown bruised head attended to, of his immediate action, but hoped to find about eS Sy it’s some satisfaction toa man like | ‘* Uncle Sam’s” some clue to the bonds’ disap- Luke Guyson,” he said, directing Dick in the arance. He could not help connecting them ave of some liniment, ‘‘to kick ther | in some way with Allan Theiss, for he did not ucket in such a way ez this. He’s b’en taken | believe, that the girl alone, would take the off'n ther ’arth arfter killin’ three men an’ | money. woundin’ a dozen. An’ then it took all Amacas, He walked into the saloen, and had just pooty much, ter put him down, He wuzn’t no; entered into conversation with the pro- slouch, Luke wuzn’t.” prietor when a stranger entered. He was a Dick said nothing about his meeting with | young man of twenty or twenty-five, and had Bonnie, The others supposed she had gone di- | the appearance of having just stepped froma rectly from Guyson’s cabin to her home, and | fashionable New York or London promenade. Vinton, when he saw that she had not waited | His loud, check suit, high hat, cane, and patent- for him to return, imagined tbat the girl had | repented of her folly and sought see ‘otecting | arms of her father, It was not until the next | morning that he looked for the bonds which be had placed in Doc’s strong box under the bed. He found, when he did so, that they bad been | taken away. | ‘* Bert,” ne said to his partner when he had | made the discovery, ‘I'll have to leave you | here in Doc’s charge while I go out and see | what I can do toward finding Theiss and thet bonds,” “Why, I thought you had the bonds,” ex- claimed Carmly, ‘You surely hav’n’t lost | them again!” “That's just it,” said Dick. ‘I left them in a box beneath the bed here yesterday, and I just found out that they had been taken. Bonnie was the only person besides myself and Doc that knew that they were there,” ** And you think that she took them?” ‘Tt louks that way. I'll go up now and see | the old man, and then start after Theiss, for we want him as badly as we do the bonds. Good- by; I’m sorry you can’t help me finish this | thing, but I reckon I'll beable to run tine cashier down, and then we'll write up the story to- gether, It will make a good one,” “I guess it will; good-by,” responded Bert, reaching out his hand. be two s.ook, and then Dick left the cabin, feeling that be had ok tage in his search but little, for although e had evidence enough toconvict the man, he did not have either the cashier himself or the stolen goods, And then the wrong-doings of the Holienbock Mining Company would have to | be exposed to the public gaze, and the injured | stockholders, especially Mrs. Rogers, ‘shuwn how they had been cheated. All this Dick | would have to undertake alone; but he did not | flinch, and walked boldly out toward Caleb | Hollenbock’s residence to see Bonnie, and ask her squarely if she knew auything about the | missing bonds, sponse to the reporter’s rap. **Goot mornin’,” he said, looking at the stranger with a trifle of suspicion. ‘' V’ot you vant? ‘*Mr, Hollenbock?” asked Dick, ‘* Yaas, dot vhas me.” ** Ig your daughter Bonnie in?” ** No, sir, she haf nodt nin for two days,” replied the old mau. ‘Do you know anything aboudt her?” ‘*T saw her yesterday, and she said she was coming home. Haven’t you seen her since she went away with Theiss—I mean Mr, Terry?” ‘*No, sir, I baf not.” Detective Dick was deeply disappointed, and was compelled at once to connect the girl with the missing bonds. He told the old man how he had met the girl in Doc Cody’s cabin, where he had been stop- ping since shot while singing in the minstrel roupe. “Men you vhas dot man who got shot?” a“ Yes,’ **Unt you haf nodt seen anything uf ter sachel mit der money?” Dick hesitated a moment, and then decided to tell the story of the assauit on Luke’s cabin, and the rescue and subsequent loss of the bonda, He did so, and when he concluded, the old man looked at him in amazement, “Vell, veli,” he exclaimed. ‘Dodt Terry vhas tellin’ t’e truth, an’ here I haf peen t’inkin’ he vbas lyin’, Poor man, be haf got no money now, ain’t id?” “That's so,” said Dick. ‘‘ When he tries to deposit the contents of that sachel in a bank, | guess he’l) get into trouble. But I must go now, and if I hear anything of your daughter's whereabouts, I will let you know at once, “All right. I cannot see whatever bossesses dese young gurls nowadays to act so. T’ey haf no more sense t’an a pig.” The old man re-entered the house, and Dick turned and walked down the street toward 4 nei y leather shoes attracted the attention of the in- mates of the saloon, who gathered about him speedily, and began to ply him with questions as to bis name, residence, and destination. To all of them he gave a haughty, mind-your-own- business kind of look, and walked up to the bar. ‘*T desire to registah here,” he said. you the proprietah?” ‘* Well, I reckon I am, about as much as enny ove else,” responded Buckeye Jim, playfully. ‘* Hey you a card?” Tbe new-comer did not see the wink which Jim threw to the bystanders, and so drew from his pocket a bit of pasteboard, on which was engraved: ‘‘Mr, E. Barr Elwell, abate Detective, New York,” and handed it im. ‘That is my name, sir.” *¢ All right,” said Jim, ‘‘ that goes, What kin I do for you?” ‘“‘T want a room fora few days. I am here on business of some importance, and I desire to remain incognito for the present,” *¢ All right,” said the proprietor of the Uncle Sam, with a chuckle, ‘‘ You kin stayin ther house all ther time ef you want to. Have you enny valuables?” ‘*Eb? Valuables?” ‘“‘ Yes: watches, diamonds or money.” ‘‘ Why, yes, of course.” Jim stretcbed his hand across the bar. ‘*Give ’em hyer.” ** What?” **Hand over your valuables, uv ’em till you go away.” Mr. E, Barr Elwell, backed away from the bar, clutching his watch-chain with both hands. ‘* Aw, weally you cawn’t have my watch, you know,” he said, plaintively. ‘‘ You weally cawn’t,” ‘* But them’s ther rules,” said Jim, bringing into sight a huge horse-pistol. ‘* We don’t allow no funny business out hyer, sonny, an’ if you ‘Are I take charge | want to fight, you mought ez well begin with me The oki man himself came to the door in re- | ez any one else,” * But £ don’t want to fight.” “T ain’t much uv a man myself, but I reckon thet arfter you’ve done me up, some uv ther rest uv ther boys will give you a whack at them.” ‘*T tell you I cawn’t ficht—I weally cawn’t.” “Do you mean to insult me?’ roared Jim, bringing the pistol down cn the bar with a thump, ‘ You ain't a-goin’ to work off no bluff on me, d’ye hear!” The young man sbivered, looked about him, and then brought from bis-pocket a Waterbury watch, and laid it upon the bar. “I don’t want to insult you,” he protested. ‘Tm not used to the customs of this part of the country, but if you weally insist on having my te why, of course, you know—you’vye got A snicker broke from the crowd of assembled sports, and Dick laughed outright at the young man’s discomfiture. But Buckeye Jim did not relax a muscle of his face as he gathered in the watch, 7 ‘‘Now,” he said savagely, “take off your clotbes.” ‘*Sir! have you the audacity to request—” ‘*) don’t request nothin’,” said Jim. ‘I tell you to take off your clothes—an’ to be sp about it, too. I’m a-runnin’ this shanty, an’ ain’t a-goin’ter hey no bandy-legged son uv a gun insult me with his boots on. Peel off your duds, afore I put a charge of buckshot inter yer carcass.” ‘* But, weally, I—” ** Are you a-goin’ ter undress or not?” ‘*T cawn't, weally—” “One!” began Jim, ominously. ‘**But, I say—” “Two!” The young men hesitated no longer, but, hastily getting out of range of Luke's pistol- barrel, n to disrobe, He had removed his outer clothing, and would soon have been en- tirely undressed, had not the entertainment been ‘ * Ras Saf Ahad Ale tants ree By a) ee see ; a $+ dk Ny es Tae eat) Same | AEDS ee ee fer em MER OT wales es <a agi 8 S de ae Se eth / ; Pty. sy % Teed SAE an 18 r IS warn a6 SPRL hy Be ya cages Pw eee dn , RE. Ga ee ‘at eee a5” i NT Sante heed eta ee ee es ee ae NSPE BU nd tbs Ue AE eee on —_ - . ee = M e
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i ee ere eg ne is 10 Two Reporte Detectives in Colorado. Ve SS ee SS ee ee ie ae —_—_—- brought to a sudden and unexpected ciose by the entrance of no less a personage than Allan Theiss. He advanced toward Buckeye Jim, car- rying in one hand, with as much care asif it contained the fortune it once had, the small black sachel., ‘*Well, Jim,” he said, pleasantly, “ what's | the trouble?” ‘*Nothin’,” muttered Jin, keeping his eye | fastened on his victim, ‘Only this’ere young- ster come in here a few minutes ago and started in ter lick ther crowd. He ain’t done it yet, but | he’s gittin’ ready.” The cashier turned about and looked into the face of the much-persecuted young man. back to his hip-pocket. ** El veli!” he cried. are you doing here?” ‘* Nothing, sir,” groaned Mr. Elwell. ‘* Really, Mr. Theiss, I mean you no harm, I have met misfortunes at the hands of these brutes—” ‘* What's that?’ roared Jim, ‘‘ Jest say that over ag’in, and say it slow!” ‘“T—[ have been rather roughly treated by these—these gentlemen, an’ am not, therefore, prepared for entrance into good society, but I weally assure you—” ** You can’t assure me anything,” interrupted Theiss, roughly. ‘‘ This is the second time I have caught you following me over the country, and it’s going to be the last. Why don’t you stay where you belong and attend to your own business, instead of bothering me like this?” Mr. E. Barr Elwell did not reply, and a second later two pistol-shots rung out in the crowded room, CHAPTER IX, MR, E, BARR ELWELL, PRIVATE DETECTIVE. ALLAN THEISS had made an open attempt at shooting the young man, But the first bullet flew wide of 1ts mark, and when he was about to pull the trigger for the second time a sbarp report rung out, and his revolver flew from his hand. Turning quickly, he saw Dick Vinton standing at the end of the bar, just replacing a smoking pistol, ‘* What do you mean by this?’ cried Theiss, taking a pace in the reporter's direction. ‘*‘ What right have you to interfere in this thing, I want to know?” “T didn’t ee to let you murder the man, that's all,” replied Dick, calmly. ‘* Who said I was goin to murder him?” de- msanded the cashier, picking up his revolver. ** And if I was, it didn’t concern you,” ** Perhaps not, but it concerned him,” nodding toward the man, who was taking advantage of she situation and getting back into his clothes, “‘rad he doesn’t seem able to take care of him- self. I sha’n’t let you kill him while I’m here,” ‘* You won't?” ** Not if I can help it,” Taeiss looked the reporter over from head to foot before replying. Then he asked slowly: ‘* Do you know this fellow?” D.ck shook his head, = oat a ever see him before to-day?” *No $ aoe don’t know anything at all abovt him?’ “ oO. ‘*Then why did you want to keep me from settling this little dispute? I’m a gentleman, and I’ve gota right to shoot a man with whom I’ve gota standing grudge, without your blanked interference.” *“*T know, but this thing was too one-sided,” nded the reporter, anxious toend the argu- ment, ‘‘I don’t want to see a man murdere:| in cold blood right before my eyes, and. what is more, I won't.” ** All right; then you and I must have this thing out right here and now.” Theiss carefully rested the sachel.on the bar and cocked his revolver, ** Are you ready ?” he asked, as Dick made no preparations for the impending conflict. want you to understand that I’m in earnest, and intend to shoot you for interfering with my little trouble just now.” The cold, matter-of-fact tone whica the man used convinced the > maid of his sincerity, and he regretted exceed ely that circumstances should have involved himin a quarrel with the very man, of all men, whom he most wished to avoid, But he had plunged into the affair, and would be forced to go through it as well as pos- sible, Tothat end he retreated a few paces, and with his hand loosely ing the butt of his revolver in the side- pocket of his coat, stood fac- ing. the angry cashier. he latter quickly raised his arm and fired iN eae ae ) eee 7. chad Heke AE peauee. y Pee AN eee FH oe IMO SAN A Fe he ey — SS
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Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado. : li ca al ter take the law in their own hands, and will only recognize theold stock, The new stuff won't be worth burnt powder after they strike ther town,” ** Well, what hev I got ter do with it?” asked Cody. “1 hain’t interested in neither the old nor the new comp’ny, an’ [ don’t keer what be- comes uv old Hollenbock or his mine.” *“*T know, but you are workin’ in it, an’ when the boys come ter turn the men out there’s sure ter be trouble. I cum ter warn you ter be on | the right side uv ther fight, an’ save yer own | skin, There won’t be no slouch of a racket be- | tween the two parties, I reckon, fur old man Hollenbock’s got lots of money, and his men will stick to hin through thick an’thin.” Doe arose an’! paced slowly up and down the | limits of the cabin, as he answered: “I don’t keer partic’ly who runs ther mine, an’ I reckon that ther people who put their money in it at first hez the most right to it, but I aint.a goin’ ter help neither side, Ef there’s ter be some shootin’ I’d like ter see it, but I sha’n’t shoot myself.” ‘Then you won't help old Hollenbock?” ‘* Nary a help.” ‘“Good boy! Now just keep your eyes open fur a few days, an’ vou’ll see one of ther biggest circuses thet ever struck Boone county. Ther men will be here shortly, and you kin bet that they’re prepared to take ther mine if anything short of the United States Army is back of it.” CHAPTER X. PREPARING FOR THE ASSAULT. DeEtTEcTIvVE Dick listened to Buckskin Bob’s story with deep interest. It not only settled beyond any reasonable doubt the fate of Mrs, Rogers’s stock in the Hollenbock Mining Com- any, but also gave him an inkling as to Allan heiss’s whereabouts for the next few days, He knew that the old miner would be glad to make friends with the cashier, now that he had discovered that his daughter and not Theiss had stolen the five hundred thousand dollars, And that the cashier would be equally pleased to renew his intimacy with Mr. Hollenbock, the reporter had no doubt, hen the young scout had finished his story, Dick took him aside, ** You say,” he said, ‘ that all the stock in the old mining company that was purchased when it was first organi in 1871, will be recognized, and that no attention will be paid to the later issues?” ‘*That’s justit,” replied Buckskin Bob, ‘‘ The men who are coming here to take charge of the mine are all those who were taken in by old Hol- lenbock in "71.” ‘* But how will they know who were the origi- nal stockholders when Hollenbock has bought up or collected all the old shares and destroyed them?” Bob dvew from his pocket a piece of parch- ment, on which was a long row i names. *“*Here’s the list of every Person who owned stock in the first comp’ny,” be said, *‘ an’ also theamount, The men air a-goin’ ter work this thing on ther square, an’ each one will only claim jest what he originally owned. Efsome uv ther stock ain’t claimed at all it will be divided ap amongst them,” The reporter ran his eye down the list until he came to this entry: “Donald M. Rogers, New York City, $100,- 000.” “That’s it!” he exclaimed, ‘There is Rog- ers’s stock now.” : “ Rogers—why, do you know him?” ** Not the old man, but his wife and daughter, They are living in poverty in New York City, aud I came out here to see if anything could be done with the shares they owned in the Hollen- ining Company. This man in Buckeye Jim’s, who tried to lay out your friend Elwella little while ago, is named Aten Theiss, and he came to the ers family about a month ago, and took the certificates of stock, promising to collect their face value,” ** And you followed him out hyer ter see that he play square?” asked Buckskin Bob, restrain- ing Mr. Elwell, who was extremely ciesirous of outlining his important part in the affair. ‘** Yes,” replied Dick, ** and [found that Theiss, who called himself Andrew Terry out here, was the confidential agent of Andrew Hollenbock, and had traveled all over the country buying up the stocks for a song, or getting them into his on on varions pretexts.” ‘And more than that,” said the detective, “he robbed a bank in New York City of five hundred thousand doilars. 1 have becn em- | ployed on the case, and accidentally stumbled | upon his connection with the mining company,” | ‘*t knew that as well,” replied Dick, coolly. | ‘‘ My partner on the bed there and myself are | also engaged on the case,” | Mr, Elweil received this statement with con- | sternation. ! ‘But, my dear sir,” be protested, ‘‘only | regularly employed detectives can compete for | the reward.” | ** What reward?” asked Dick, ‘““Why, didn’t you know that twenty-five thousand dollars had been offered by the Cayuga rn for Theiss’s arrest and conviction?” : No, “And then why were you working on the case?” ‘We're interested in it in other ways,” said the reporter, ‘‘ and are not after the reward,” The detective looked relieved, ‘** Because,” he said, ‘‘ after my having run him down in this way, it would scarcely be right for you to step in and claim the reward which I had rightfully earned,” A contemptuous sniff broke from Doc Cody, ‘*See byer, you durned little ijit!” he roared, ““Do you-see that man lying thar on the bed, you see ther broken head 1’ve got?” ‘* Why-er—yes, of course,” answered the de- tective, in a frightened tone of voice. ‘* Well, we’ve got them a-tryin’ ter ketch this man Theiss. We hev been a-workin’ on the case afore you left dresses, an’ we hain’t a-goin’ ter allow no sech bandy-legged galoot ez you to step in an’ spoil our fun—see?” ‘* Aw, weally, this isn’t fair, you know, [’m a regularly employe. detective, don’t you know, and I have the first right to—- Hold on, my dear sir, I'll go!” Doc stepped toward the detective, and that worthy hastily retreated outside of the cabin. Robert!” he called, ‘‘be prepared to assist me atany moment, | shall now attempt to fol- low Mr, Theiss, and when I need your help I will call and let you know of it. Good-morning, gentlemen!” The gentlemen did not return the salutation as Mr. Elwell walked away, swinging his cane with a gracefulness that he thought would im- = the citizens of Amacas with some degree of is importance, Luck favored him this time, however, for he had scarcely reached the main street before he caught oe pr of the cashier ‘walking rapidly along, aud still holding the sachel in one hand, The detective quickened his pace and followed after Mr. Theiss, The latter hastened along, outside of the village limits, and, reaching the woods, struck out in the direction of Luke Guy- son’scabin. Mr, Elwell entertained all sorts of | ideas as to the cashier's possible business in the wilderness, the most probable of which was that he was either going to hide, or had hid, the stolen | bonds somewhere in the vicinity. *“*T shall follow him,” he said to himself, stumbling along through the woods, ‘ until I get conclusive evidence of the whereabouts of the | money. Then I shall serve the warrant, take | him and the bonds back to the city, get a pro- | motion and twenty five thousand dollars, That’s the programme, as I see it, at present; and if those fellows with Robert dare to interfere with my plans, there will be treuble. I’m an author- ized detective, and they have no right to meddle with my affairs.” Tous thinking, the detective hastened along after the cashier, every step carrying him deeper and deeper into the woods, At last, Theiss reached the cabin and entered, Elwell following close upon his heels, and halting on the outside ot the picket fence. The detective waited there for a few minutes, and then entered and stood close tothe open deor of the cabin, listening to the voices of the men inside, ‘What in the world have you been doing here, Luke?” asked Theiss, ‘‘The ground is all tore up, and you look as if you had been run through a fifty-horse power thrashing machine.” ‘TL hev,” said Luke, in a deep, guttural tone, whick is only produced by a tightening of the cords of the throat, ‘I reckon I’ve hed « time uv it sence you went away.” “* How’s that? Did the men come back?” ‘* Not the same ones, but others. I hed fixed a couple er kegs uv powder in front of ther gate to set off, when ther fun commenced, an’ thet’s whut’s tore up ther ground,” ** And you blew up all Amacas, I suppose?” “Naryaman, Thet young feller you brought here set ther durned thing off too soon and es- caped withther gal. Then ther men gotin yere, | grabped me an’ tied me fas’ ter a tree out in ther woods, Ef Molly hadn’t’«’cum pooty soon I'd with his arm broke an’a bullet in him? An’ do | ’a’ be'na goner. A man ain’t expected ter hang” by his neck on a rope for mor’n twenty-four hours, I reckon.” ‘* { should think not,” said Theiss, sympathet- ically. ‘‘ And so Bennie got away?” Luke nodded, for his organs of speech were in somewhat of a demoralized condition. “* And Carmly went back on you?” Another nod, ‘* Well, that was too bad. What do you pro- pose to do now—stay here?” “Yes, I reckon so, I he’r people in Amacas think thet I am dead, an’ I won’t be disturbed. They know Molly lives’ere and won’t suspect nothin’.” ‘“*Ail right. D’ve made friends with old man Hollenbock ain, and will try to get on the right side of his daughter who has mysteriously disappeared. She didn’t go home from here, but went to Doc Cody’s cabin, so her fathers ys. If [ can find her, Pll bring her h+re at present. I want you to take charge of this sachel. It contains papers worth a good deal of money to me, but to no one else,” * All right,” said Luke, ‘‘ I'll take keer of it. It'll be safe ere, I reckon.” **T guess so. I must go back to town now, but will be here to see you at almost any time. Hollenbock is getting ready to start up bis mine again, and I’m helpi.g¢ him, It’s a paying con- cern, I can tell you. Gu vod-by.” ** So long,” uttered Luke, with a hoarse growl, gently stroking bis swollen neck ‘‘ Ther sachel "ll be ready fur you whenever you want it,” Theiss with a satisfied smile on his face walked out-doors, narrowly escaping a collision with E, Barr Elwell as he did so, The latter worthy went a little distance from the cabin and sat down, revolving in his mind a dozen schemes for getting possession of the stolen bonds, for he had no doubt but that they were covtained in the sachel. The one which best suited him and which he finally selected in the assortment, he at once prepared to put in ere tion, He hung aboutin the vicinity until late in the afternoon and then boldly and rapidly walked into Luke Guyson’s cabin. “ Are you the man he left the sachel with?” he began hurriedly, ** Who’r’ you talkin’ about?” growled Luie. ‘‘Theiss—[ mean Terry, the man who left a sackel with papers here this morning.” ** Well, what uv him?’ ‘* He wants it.” ‘* Ther sachel?” ‘* Yes, he just sent me after it from Mr, Hol- lenbock’s,” Luke looked sharply at the roe man as he limped to the corner closet anc brought out the: sachel. ‘* Who are you, anyhow?” he asked, “I’m from New York and am working for Mr. Theiss—I mean Mr, Terry,” replied the de- tective, not knowing which name the cashier had assumed, ‘‘And he sent me here for it, Hy wants to get something outof it avd I will pro’. !y bring it back to-morrow morning.” Luke surrendered the sachel without further comment and the detective walked out, compli- menting himself highly upon his adroitness in, outwitting the desperado, He consumed nearly three hours in getting back to Amacas and Doc Cody’s cabin, but the journey was finally accomplished and he burst in upon the party just as they sat down to sup- per. : **T have it,” he exclaimed, holding up the - sachel, ‘'This contains the five hundred thou- sand dollars which Allan Theiss stole from the: bank in New York City.” He seated himself, and as Dick, Doe Cody and: Buckskin Bob gathered about him, and Lord Carmly watched him with deep interest from: the bed, opened the sachel. A roar of laughter from the doctor and a dis— gusted snort from the scout accompanied the de- tective’s mournful exclamation: ‘‘They have played me for a sucker—there’s nothing but a pair of boots here!” After a moment of intense silence Dick asked: ‘* Where did you get it?” ‘*Out in the woods. I followed Theiss this morning out to the cabin of a man named Luke, where he had kept a girl confined. He left this. sachel there saying that it contained papers worth a great deal of money to him. I thought of course he meant the bonds, and sol waited. around for several hours and then went in and told Luke that Theiss had sent meafterit, And here I am.” — ‘* You're a durned fule,” was Doc’s only com~ ment, as he returned to the table. ‘‘ Dick him- self put them boots in thar.” ‘*And do you suppose Theiss has carried that
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ars 12 sachel all this time without diseovering what its Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado. | | tallied exactly with that of the cashier’s assail- cabin unt raised ter tuyful. T’ey hung bim, | burnt town Lis cabin and tore oop der whole contents were?” asked Bert, ‘‘It doesn’t seem | ants, possible.” ‘* Where’s a police station?” howled Theiss, *“*f know it don’t, but I guess that’s about | grabbing his hat and the ever-present sachel. what he’s done,” replied Dick, ‘‘The question ‘now is, where has Bonnie gone with the bonds? She certainly must haye taken them when she left the cabin,” Dick searched the sachel, but none beyond the pair of boots was he able to find in he was bound to accept the only available ver- track of the rascals,” The two hurried to the Police Headquarters, —three, including the chief—was soon at work, covered the change, The reporter was in great | proprietor of the Peerless Hotel was especially need of an assistant, but theinjury which had | indignant that such an occurrence should have befallen Lord Carmly would unfit him fcr duty | taken place in bis old and respected house, and would be forced t) attend the injured man, and | thieves, Dick did not feel like trusting Mr. E. Barr El- Theiss was almos, frantic with rage, and ed therefore to Buckskin Bob, and told him his | not suddenly received a reminder that he him- story, and the progress he had made in running | self was a fugitive from justice and a thief of dowu the absconding cashier, and straightening | no smaller caliber than those who had just out the trouble of the Hollenbock Mining Com- | robbed him, He almostraninto a young man pany. on the streets of Junction City whom he recog- nized as a detective from New York City by the name of Elwell. Thesight of him changed all the cashier's plans at once, and having com- municated the at aie | to the police, he invest- WHEN Allan Theiss lett Luke Guyson’s cabin, | ed some of his remaining money in a borse and tthe evening of tne first assault, he set out for | started back to Amacas, intending to remain Junction City, intending to cover the whole | there until the detective went away, «distance on foot. But be was enabled to obtain His mind was somewhat confused with the wi ride for nearly the entire ten miles, reaching | adventures and incidents of the day, but he ‘the village about midnight, and engaged a room | determined to get to Buckeye Jim’s saloon be- -at the Peerless Hotel. fore dark, if possible, and put up there for the Tne next morning he arose quite late, and | night. In the morning he would go and see how ‘after breakfast sturted out to find a suitable | Luke Guyson was coming out of his troubles, bank in which to deposit the bonds, which he | and then try to renew his friendship with Bon- supposed were still in the sachel. nie Hollenbock, and through her with the old esides th» latter he had in his pocket several | gentleman. thousan:t dollars in cash, and being something How much of this programme he was able to of a gambler, first sought a faro-table. The | carry out, the reader is already aware, After cashier was a mean man, but absolutely reck- | leaving the sachel with Luke Guyson, Theiss re- less aud uoprincipled. He would have readily | turned to Hollenbock’s house, committed murder, if in doing so he would be | in the morning with the detective from New enabied to cover up the tracks of his theft; and | York City and his two rescuers did not suit him to such ten gambling is an attraction as wellas | at all, He well knew that Elwell was in Ama- an exvensive pastime, eas with a warrant for his arrest, and although It did not take Theiss long to find a green- | he had great contempt for the young man bim- cover-d table, and once in front of it be began | self, he feared tuat be would obtain assistance to pl.y the bank for all it was worth, never | from some of thecitizons and cause no end of bettins below the limit, And, strange to say, | trouble. Therefore, asa safeguard, he had de- be wu, After several consecutive losses, he | posited the sachel in the cabin in the woods, .ancied his money, recklessly, placing large bets | trusting to the lie be bad told Luke in regard to ail over the table, and collecting Lis winnings | its value, to prevent that worthy from abscond- witathe turn of every card, For three hours | ing with it. he pluyed steadily, and then the game shut hat night he ate supper with Mr. Hollen- down. Ho had broken the bank, and when he bock, and the two mapped out their future went out cashed in over twenty thousand dol- | actions in regard to conducting the mine and lersin chips, This money, with what he already | the sale of what little stock there remained on had, widea large roll of bills, in fact, several | their bands. The old gentleman was much large rolls, which the cashier placed in the | pleased with the cashier's ability and business pock ts of bis clothes and returned to the hotel, | sagacity, aud now that be hid discovered his resolviug, now that he bad won, never to play | error in thinking him o tbief, was even willing the game again. _ | to bave his duugbter become Mrs, Terry, Several of the bystanders had witnessed his; ‘ Budt ter funniest vigy aboudt der hull busi- good fortune, and among them were a cvupie uf | uéss now,” said Mr, Hollenbock, ‘* vhas der fact men who had for years nm trying to make & | dodt Bonnie has godt der bonds, bofe mine unt fortune at the gaming-tables, They saw wit | yours.” envy his steady winnings, and when he was| Theiss opened his mouth to contradict the old forcel to quit at last, they followed him out | gentleman, but at once shut it again. into the street and to the hotel, each with an ‘*' Yaw,” continued Mr. Hollenbock. ‘‘ She unspoken resolve in his mind, took der bonds from unter Doc Cody’s bed, in Theiss was leisurely eating his dinner in the | his cabin down yere,” deserted dining-room of the Peerless House, ‘When?’ asked the cashier, in a surprised cone eating himself on his great good luck | tone of voice. ‘* How did they get there?’ and feeling a sort of satisfaction in the fact ** Vell, early dis mornin’ a young feller come that he had been the means of knocking out at | to der house oop, unt says he, ‘ Vbas you Meester least one gambling-house, when he was sudden- | Hollenbock? unt I says I vhas, T’en he vants ly seized from behind, thrown backward to the | to know vbas Boonie in, unt I told him she floor and a gag placed in hie mouth, vhasn't, unt badn’t peenin for some tays. He ‘‘Don’s struggle, or we'll knife yeu!” hoarse- | said bis name vhas Vinton unt dodt he badt got ly whispered one of his assailants, as he ran | shot on t’e stage uf der minstrel show oop at bis hands deftly through the cashier’s pockets, | Buckeye Jim’s the uddernight, Hesait he vhas abstracting therefrom not onty all his win- | stopping at Doc Cody’s cabin, unt Bonnie came nings, but every cent of money he had about his | there yesterday unt took t’e bonds from unter clothes, t’e bed avay.” Yaer.s could feel the point of a knifeblade| ‘From ‘under the bed?” asked Theiss, restiny, on the back of his neck, and knew well | whose brain was in a whirl. ‘‘Who put them that to resist meant certuin death, there?” ““ We'll leave you a couple of thousand,” | ‘ T’is young feller, Vinton.” cams ths same hoarse whisper. ‘‘ With your ‘* And how in blazes did he get them?” luck yu ought to win a million before night. ‘From Luke Guyson.” We're poor suckers who need the money more| The cashier gazed at the old gentleman in than vou do. Good-by.” utter amazement, and then leaped to his feet, An instant later Theiss leaped to his feet, tore | grabbed his hat and started for the door, the x«g from bis mouth and rushed ont of the **Coome pack,” cried Mr. Hollenbock. ‘‘ Vat room to the clerk’s desk in front, vhas t’e madder mit you, ain’t id?” ** }'ve been robbed! hecried, excitedly, ‘Two | ‘I—I don’t understand, that’s all,” replied men just held me upin the dining-room there, | Theiss, sinking into'a chair again, ‘I don’t see and tok nearly thirty thousand dollars from | bow this young man could have got them from me, Which way did they go?” Luke anyway.” T.9 + Jerk gave a hasty description of two ‘“* Budt he says he didt. Aboudta tozen men mean who b.d just left the hotel, and it | from ter village aroundt vent ofer to Luke’s CHAPTER XI. ALLAN THEISS ON DECK. His adventure i —— Page aspires t SATs Ash , NE wy ke eu te ‘* Show me the way and I'll put officers on the only a short distance away, aud the entire force | { | place. T’is man Vinton vhas dere, I pelieve, unt he brought ter bonds ter Doc Cody’s cabio unt hid them the bed unter, T'en Bonnie godt avay from Luke unt came to Doc’s blace unt took ter papers avay ag’in,” ‘* But how in blazes did she know they were there? Where has she taken them? Who is it, and | and everybody in the village knew that a bold | this young fellow, anyway?’ asked Theiss, robbery had been perpetrated on a respectable | pointedly. sion of the affair—that the cashier had not dis- | gentleman by the nameof Andrew Terry. The | fake.” ‘*T believe the whole story is a The old man shook his head doubtfully. ‘“ T don’dt know noddings about anyt’ings,” hesaid. ‘‘ T’e young feller seemed ter pe tell- inside of severa: weeks at least. Doe Cody | offered a large reward for the capture of the | in’ der truth, unt I vbas— V’y, vhere ish you goin’ now, don’dt id?” The cashier hastened out of the room without well with any very responsible work, He turn- | might have done something desperate bad he | replying. The conflicting stories in regard to two fortunes completely upset him, and as soon as Black Bill could get a horse saddled he start- ed out toward Luke Guysov’s cabin, He could not make head nor tail to the old gentleman’s story, and was unable to connect Bonnie in any way with the bonds, when he had so confidently supposed that they were in Luke’s possession in the sachel, And why this young man Vinton should have interested himself A the case, or Bonnie should have gone to Doc Cody’s cabin, he was unable to determine. And the reader may be sure that after his visit to Luke Guvyson’s cabin, bis peace of mind was not materially in- creased, Luke was surprised atseeing the cashier at so late an hour, and was bimself on the point of re- tiring when Theiss abru tly entered. ** See here, Guyson,” began the latter, at once. ‘Just let’s see that sachel of mine a winute. I’m afraid there’s been some funn work around here, and I want to see what it amounts to,” Tho other looked at Theiss in amazement and disgust, ‘* Molly,” he groaned, “‘ go an’ git my gun.” *‘ Whot’s that for?’ asked the cashier, sus- piciously. ** You don’t want to shoot me, do ou?’ 4 ‘No, but I want to put some buckshot in myself. I’m an ijiut, a blasted ijiut,” said Luke, mournfully, uy give thet sachel away not more’n an hour ago.’ ** What!” The amount of surprise, anger and dismay crowded into that one small exclamation caused Luke to look nervously about him for a weapon of some sort, “Tis a fact,” he muttered. “I thought it was all right.” ; Y ‘‘All right, you blanked lunatic! Didn’t I tell you not to let any one touch it?” roared the cashier, ‘*‘ Who in blanked blazes did you give it to?” ‘“T dunno,” replied Guyson, meekly, “A lettle feller cum byer this afternoon an’ sed you had sent him fur it, . store clothes an’ wore @ bigh hat an’—” “Elwell,” groaned Theiss, falling back into a chair, ‘* That fool detective from New Yor has got the bonds and J’m—I’m the sucker now,” He looked at Guyson in a feeble, doubtful way, aud then arose, ‘I'm going now,” he said, steadying bimeself against the side of the door, “‘ and Vil get that sachel back if I have to kill every man, woman aod child in Amacas. If that dude comes around bere again, you shoot him, and I'll stand the consequences.” Slowly and sadly the cashier rode back to town. There was murder in his beart, and it would not have been well for Mr. E, Barr El- well had he been visible just then. Theiss could think of nothing to do but force the detective at the point of @ pistol to surrender the sachel and its contents, and this he proposed to do at the earliest possible moment, It was nearly midnight when be reached the Hollenbock stables and left the horse in Black Bill's charge. Then he walked toward Doe Cody's cabin to see that worthy and get from him some explanation of the unusual scenes which had been F cna in and near Amacas during the past few days. A light dboue hospitably sane the single window iu thecabin as the cashier cautiously approached it, Thinking that perhaps some- thing might be gained by so doing, he looked in, and as he did 80,8.w sometuing that made bim start back and grip his revolver. The oniy visible occupant of the room was the detective, who sat near the table, in the center of which lay the black sachel—empty. ‘Tl do it now,” muttered Theiss, stealing He was dressed in dandy ~
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around to the front of thecabin. ‘'I might as well settle this thing at once and forever, This fellow’s blood must be on his own head—not mine. He had no business to follow me out here and interfere with my affairs like this, and if he goes home in a box, he wili have only himself to lay it to. So here goes.” The cashier saw that his shooting apparatus was in working order, and then he walked boldly up and grasped the door-latch. It was unlocked, and the next instant he had swung it open and entered, revolver in hand, CHAPTER XII. AN ADVENTURE IN DOC CODY'S CABIN, ** THROW up your hands!” Sharp nud clear the command rung out, and the detcctive whirled around in his seat to confront the angry visage of Allan Theiss, and look bt down the barrel of the cashier’s six-shooter. No second request was necessary, for the frightened man sunk on his knees to the floor, and glared wildly about the m. ‘* Where's the bonds?” asked Theiss, steadily, ** What did you do with the papers that were in the sachel?” The detective was almost paralyzed with fright, for he knew the character of the man who held the drop on him, and realized that only the slight pressure of a finger stood be- tween him and eternity, **They were not in the sachel,” he said, after a moment's silence, ‘‘ When I got it from the man out in the woods, it only contained a pair of boots, I thought you had put up a job of some kind on me,” Only a slight paling of the face betrayed the consternation this piece of news had wrought in the cashier. He believed what the detective had told him, but it did not change his purpose aniota. Carefully steadying the revolver on a line with the heart of the man crouching before him, Theiss paused a moment before pressing the trigger. , It is a difficult thing to commit a deliberate, intentional murder—to send a bullet into the throbbing heart of a man to whom life is sweet as death is bitter. And the full horror of the crime settled over the cashier’s mind ag he stood there, and for an instant puralyzed the muscles of his arm, But the feeling passed away as quickly as it came, and, shutting his eyes, he pulled the trigger. The report sounded unusually loud in the narrow confines of the cabin, but as it rung out, the cashier was made conscious of the fact that he had missed his man, Not through any fault of his, nor of the detective in front of him, who fora moment had expected every breath to he his last, but tbrough the timely intervention of athird person, Lord Carmly bad been awakened from a sound sleep beneath the bed coverings by the voices, and when he realized the deadly peril of the young man, at once took measures to save his life, On a chair beside the bed stood a large bottle filled with whisky, which Doc kept solely (') for medical purposes, Bert grasped the neck of this and buried it at Theiss, just as he fired. It was a poor shot, merely striking the point of the istol, but it was successful in disconcerting aim, and the next instant Bert bad drawn from under his pillow a revol- ver, and aimed it at the cashier with his one good hand, “Stand back,” he cried, half raising himself in bed, ‘‘ Lay down that pistol or I'll fire!” A curse fell from Theiss’s lips, and he took a step backward, lowering his revolver ds he did 80, The next instant he was gone, and the de- tective staggered to his feet, his face as pale as death, and beads of perspiration standing out on his brow, All his false courage and self-esteem was forgotten in the realization of what Bert had done for him, and as he sunk into a chair he held out his ‘hand. **I'm a fool,” hesaid, in a shaky kind of voice, **and Ill start back home to-morrow, This is the third time to-day that my life has been saved, and I sha’n’tiet Theiss get the drop on me again. I’m very much obliged for what you've done for me, and if I ever bave #n oppor- tunity of returning the favor, you may be sure that I shall do it, There is no chance of mM here the detective’s words were cut short by the entrance of Doc Cody and his two friends, who had over to Buckeye Jim’s saloon a few minutes ious for a little re- freshment. Dick had found ‘time to tell his whole vr had Buckskin Bob during the eve- ning, and the young scout’hud at once pledged his word to help him down the cashier, and 13 bock gem, Company. ‘*[m kind uy pussonally interested in this thing,” said Bob, ‘‘ My father, who owned one of the best ranches in this part of Colvrady, sold out his entire place to get money to invest in with old Hollenboek. He’s dead now, but I reckon I’m jest about capable of keepin’ up ther claim,” “‘ And you intend to join the party that is go- ing to raid the mine?” asked the reporter, ‘I do, for a fact, Old Mage Horner is a-goin’ ter lead ther party, and there won’t be no funny bizness whar heis, The boys will be here ter-morrer, I reckon, an’ then jest you look out fur fun,” The prospects for “fun” of the kind Buck- skin Bob spoke of were certainly excellent. If the men who were coming to contest Caleb Hollenbock’s right to the mine were made of as good stuff as those who would defend it, there was a good outlook for the liveliest kind of a battle, And so, in view of the impending conflict, the men paid little attention to Mr, Elwell’s glowing account of his adventure with the cashier, To them, the life or death of the de- tective was of little consequence, and he was soon made aware of the fact by their total dis- ard of bim and his advice. After a short consultation, in which all took Lite: the men retired for the night, Owing to rt’s occupying the bed, the other four were compelled to sleep on the floor, and although it made pretty close quarters, managed to en- dure it until quite late the next morning, Doc himself was the first to arise, and the savory odor of frying bacon soon brought up the others. After Ph Buckskin Bob rode a pat ways out a Page rigor od to meet the in- coming party, while Dick prepared to his second visit a Caleb Hollenbock. sae! The prolonged absence of Bonnie was un- accountable, to say the Jeast. She could not have taken the bonds with the intention of joining Theiss, for his having chased Elwell the night before, under the impression of his hav- ing the papers, precluded that theory; and if she had not intended to do so, it was certainly sb strange that she had not gone directly ome, Thus mused Dick Vinton as he walked toward the Hollenbock stronghold. He did not care particularly to go there again, and was afraid that by so doing he would meet the cashier, but there seemed but one way of getting informa- tion about the missing girl in case: she had re- turned, and that was to go directly to her father. And this the reporter did, knocking boldly om the fiont door when he reached the ouse, “Vell, are you here again?” was the old miner’s not very cordial greeting, when he caught sight of Dick, ‘* V’atdo you vant now, ain’t id?” “IT came to see if your daughter had _re- turned,” replied the reporter, civilly, ‘Has she come back yet?” “Vell, I dunno vhat pizness ed vhas of yours,” said Mr. Hollenbork, suspiciously, ‘You vhas nodt interested in dose t’ings,” “No, except that I met your daughter, and feel interested in ber welfare. If you don’t care to tell me whether or not she has returned, that is your business, not mine,” he reporter was about to walk away, when the ol man recalled him, “‘ See here, you,” he said, seeming to think of something new regarding the case, *‘ Coome the house in fora few minutes, I vant to talk to you a leetle,” Dick besitated for a moment, and then fol- lowed Hollenbock inside, and took a seat in the neatly-furnished parlor, ** Well,” he said, ‘“‘ what do you want?” ‘‘T vant you,” answered the old gentleman, standing in front of the door. ‘*I vant to know who you are, uat vhat you are e-doia’ here— ud see? Dick nodded, but did not reply. ‘Id vbas cerdingly strange dodt you should sthay oudt here sbust for the fun of de ting, don’dt id? 1 pelieve you haf some pizness mit me, unt if you haf, 1 vant to know id,” . you who 1 was, and why I came here,” said Dick, calmly. ‘‘The minstrel ne hin ‘Minstrel show noddings!” interrupted Hol- lenbock, ‘I don’dt hana you ‘come here mit dodt minstrel show. I t’ink you lie, untthat you haf something vbich concerns me. Else v’y you coome here to see me?” **I came to see your daughter, I told you how I met her out to Lake’ Gupoea’s Moblin, and was anxious to see how she hid escaped, that’s all. What business could I have with you?” The old man shook his head doubtfully, and then, leaving out of the door, called: ** Terry—Meester Terry !” : The cashier replied from the landiag on the upper story, and Hollenbock calied him down, In a few minutes he entered the room, at first not noticing the reporter. When he did 80, he started back, Tn **You here! What you want, I'd like to know?’ ‘‘T came to see Mr. Hollenbock,” answered Dick, coolly, ‘‘ on business which doesn’t concern. ou. ‘* Well, perhaps not, but I’ve a little score to settle wit ou,” said Theiss savagely. ‘I don’t know who you are or what your business: is in Amacas, but I do know that you've been making yourself altogether too numerous about here of late. You interfered with my affairs up- in the saloon yesterday, and now ]'ll tuke the liberty of interfering with yours. Mr. Hollen- bock, I wish you would go outside and cal! a couple of the men in here, Now that we've got this young rascal we may as well keep him, for I believe he’s up to something that isn’t to our benefit,” The old man hobbled to the back door, and presently returned with a couple of stout men, who r garded the reporter with interest. Dick did not know what to make of this sudden turn of affairs, Hehad walked directly into the lion’s mouth, and would be unable to defend himself against such odds, **Get some rope,” was the cashier’s next com- mand, and Hollenbock hastened aftevit. ‘*‘ Now tie this young man, and if heknows what is good jor him he will submit peaceably.” But Dick evidently dit not know what was good for him, for as the men advanced upon him he made a break for the door. One of bis fists, sent straight out from the sbonlder, struck Theis. square in the face and unfitted him for battle at the very start, The other landed on Black Bill’s massive jaw and must have eer tears to the blinking eyes of that worthy. **Hold him,” cried Hollenbock from his position near the door, ‘‘ Dond’t mint his killin’ aes right—now, altogether—down he 0es Dick fell to the floor with the two men upon him, and their combined weight crushed out the last spark of rebellion in him, ‘* Hold on,” he cried, ‘* Get off—you’re crush- ing me.” One leg being free he began to use it vigorous- ly upon the person of Black Bill, kicking bim in the ribs with great force and precision. “* Get up,” he groaned. ‘‘T’il die if you keep me here,’ The fusilade of kicks, more than Dick’s words, finally caused the men to shift their posi- tion, whilo Theiss slowly arose and reached for a rope, ** Hold him tight,” he said, with a peculiar ac- cent brought ahout by the lo-s of a couple of front teeth. ‘* Don’t let him move while I tie his hands and feet.” The job was finally accomplished, and the re- porter lay bound and panting upon the floor while bis assailants, somewhat the worse for the encounter, sat down to repair damages. ‘* He’s a tough ’un,” said Black Bill admiring- ly, testing with one hand the amount of injury that had been inflicted upon his spinal column by Dick’s flying feet. ‘‘He fights with all four corners, he does,” And the other man, holding ascarJet handker- chief to his nose to stop the flow of blood, nodded bis approval, Theiss soon had his mouth in working order, although it still looked as though it had been struck by a flying ball club, and at once made reparations for the disposal of his prisoner. Hie and Biaek Bill bore the form of the reporter down-stairs and into a small room off the main cellar, It wes only about a dozen feet square, and was built of solid stones, There was no window, and the little light that found its way inside came straggling in t h the sla door. Had Dick’s bands and feet been untied, he could not have escaped unaided, and 80, being bound, there was absolutely no chance of his freeing himself. For some time after his captors had looking the door behind them, he la upon the cold, hard cellar floor. He could not move without hurting his wrists, which were tight! bound together d him, and thus he gave up all hope of immediate rescue, ———
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a - CHAPTER XIII. A FIGHT TO THE DEATH. BuckskKIN BoB left Doc Cody’s cabin early in the forenoon and rode a short distance out of town to meet the bane ce party, whose pur- pose it was to demolish Caleb Hollenbock’s claim to the mine and set up one of theirown, The scout found the men—twenty in number—en- camped about three miles from Amacas, in a valley alongside of the road leading to Junction City. They had arrived there quite late the preceding night, and decided to await the morn- ing before commencing operations. W hen Buckskin Bob rode up they gave hima hearty welcome, and Major Horner, the leader of the party, questioned him as to his success with Doc Cody, After he had told them how the land lay in that direction, the men began to make preparations for a descent upon the mine, Nothing that would impede rapid riding and rapid shooting was taken along. All the bag- gage and camping utensils were left behind, and when the major drew up his line- of-battle, nothing was visible, but a row of Winchester repeating-rifles, behind which glittered a brace of navy pistols and a bowie-knife. Even Buck- skin Bob shuddered as he saw the weapons, for he knew the character of the men who were to use them, A few minutes later the party galloped off. The young scout rode by the side of Major Horner, explaining to him the number of men whom Caleb Hollenbock would be able to rally to his defense, and the general make-up of the field-of-battle, But these details did not interest the major. He was not enoughof a general to take advantage of small things, and trusted en- tirely to the marksmanship and bravery of his followers, ‘*T know them boys,” he said to the young scout, jerking his thumb over bis shoulder, *‘ an’ I know thet every inother’s son uv ’em is either a-goin’ ter git his claim frum this mine or fur- nish material fur a funeral.” They rode steadily onward, exchanging but few words, and occasionally examining the lock or trigger of their weapons to see that there would be no defects at the last moment. The mine was situated about half a mile back of Caleb Hollenbock’s residence, and was reached by two roads, one leading directly to the house of its owner, and the other connecting with the road to Junction City. All abont the mine were built small log houses, in which the em- plovees lived, There was at the time a full force of men on, about thirty in all, who had just been summoned by their employer to com- mence work, Half of this number were on duty for twelve » ssa and were then relieved by the other half When the followers of Major Horner were within a few hundred yards of the little settle- ment, they halted, and Buckskin Bob dismount- ed and went ahead to reconnoiter, Everything about the mine was working peaceably and al- most silently. A large engine under a shed puffed away hy geek and the creaking of ma- chinery to crush the quartz alone broke the still- ness of the warm spring air, All this the young scout observed, and then returned. “‘ Dismount!” ordered the major. ‘Tie your horses in 2 bunch to this tree and cock your weapons,” The command was obeyed, and a minute later the whole party, wit their rifles resting across the crook in their left arms and ready for instant use, walked cautiously toward the mine. The bloodthi appearance of the crowd as they entered th ong by ae at once put to flight the few men visible. Old Hollenbock himself, who, after imprisoning Dick Vinton, had ac- companied Black Bill and the cashier on a visit to the mine, caught sight of the , and with his two friends, retreated into the nearest cabin, A few minutes later the ful scene bad become turned into a field of battle, ype from all directions came yells, groans and curses, intermin vga with by sharp crack of rifles and the ste rts of small-arms, The miners, although Nisturbed at their work, were not un- armed by any means, nor at all di to sur- render to their assailants without a fight, An hour later it was over, and the sun shone again apen the blood-stained ground with all its wonted brilliancy, and the air no longer trembled with the hoarse yells of the conflicting hosts, pr the sharp re of fire-arms, Major Horner and his men had won, but the a leader would never be able to take u claim. Neither would a dezen others eo his brave followers, who were now stretched life- i Saale (4: Pal) age " a de! Mast sti 7 ee fe ae n Two __ Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado, less upon the ground, in some instances with one of the enemy lying at their side. But they had conquered, and loss of life was not to be compared with the glorious victory they had won. Thus thought the little party of survivors as they took formal possession of the adjacent property and made preparation for the disposal of the dead and wounded. Buckskin Bob sat down on the doorstep of one of the cabinsto get a moment’s rest, and as he did so he caught sight of Caleb Hollenbock, lying upon the floor within, A tiny stream of. blood trickled across his breast making a fantastic de- sign upon his white waistcoat, as the young scout leaned over him. ‘* Hello, old man,” he said, kneeling down, “ Where did you come from?” The eyes slowly opened, but for a moment the injured man could not speak, When he did so, his voice was almost inaudible, ‘*T vhas struck py 4 flying bullet—through the door there, Vere—vere ish Terry?” ‘*T don’t know; are you much turt? ? **T guess nct; Tm sleepy, dodt’s all, I don’t feel mooch pin, put I vant Bonnie. Say, can I trust you? W ho are you anyway?” ‘*‘My name is Bob—Buckskin Bob, and I will do anything for you that I can.” The old man tried to reach one hand down into his pocket, but failed, and then motioned to his companion, ‘*In there—dodt pocket—a key. Go to my house, on ter top floor—unlock—Bonnie—” His voice failed him, but Bob understood what he meant to have said, and reached into his pocket and drew therefrom a small key. Then he went outside, mounted his horse, and set out for Hollenbock’s house, The scout was suffitiently well acquainted with the nature and effect of gunshot-wounds to realize that the old miner was fatally injured. It would be neces- sary, therefore, that he ride rapidly if he was to bring Bonnie to her father before the end came, And this he did, covering the distance between the mine and the house in less than five minutes. He dismounted, and opening the door, dashed up-stairs, The rooms on the top floor were all unlocked and in none of them could Bob find the missing girl, Then he sought down-stairs but without success, and finally became con- vinced that Hollenbock had misdirected him, ‘It’s very queer,” he said to himself, as he mounted and started back toward the mine on a lively gallop. ‘‘Old Hollenbock certainly said that this key would unlock the door of a room on the top floor in which Bonnie was confined. But he must have made a mistake somehow, for she isn’t there.” A few minutes later he knelt at the old man’s side again; but this time no answer to his ques- tions came from between the closed lips, Old Hollenbock was dead! He lay at one end of a row of bodies—mute testimony of the fierceness of the morning’s battle, All that could be done for the wounded had been attended to, and the survivors were holding a whispered conversation regarding the immediate disposal of the bodies. Buckskin Bob watched them for a moment and then rode slowly back to Amacas and to Doc Cody’s cabin, The doctor himself was bee engaged among the wounded men, and only Carmly was at home, aS ype the scout with pleasure, ‘*T'm glad you got back,” hesaid. ‘‘I wanted to ask you about the fight. How did it turn out?” « Well, we won,” — Bob, dropping into a chair, ‘But there ain't many uv ther boys left, I reckon.” “Were many killed?” “ Pooty pron & all of Hollenbock’s men went down, includin’ himself, an’ there’s , only six or eight of our party able to stand up. ‘Ts Hollenbock dead?” asked Bort, “Why, I though he’d be the very last one to get into the fight. Seb told of his adventure with the ald miner, and his search after Bonnie, ‘*T guess I’ll go over to the house again,” be concluded. ‘*Mebbe I didn’t happen to strike the right room, although I looked everywhere, It may be that when Bonnie eame home with the bonds she was locked up by her father. I reckon thet ther old gentleman ain’t none too good to keep the whole lot of papers ef he once got ’em inter his paws.” Bob left his slices at the cabin and walked over to the Hollenbock residence. On the out- ae everything was quiet, and the scout was beginning to wonder "where Allan Theiss ad bid hI himself, when that worthy came rush- ing out of the door, and ran rapidly toward the street. Bob was about to fullow uim when ' something very much like a groan came from within tbe house, He noticed that the cashier carried a small sachel in hig hand, and thought perhaps that it contained the ‘all-important bonds, but life was worth infinitely more than i and so he turned and ran into the build- "Khe groan, which was apparently more of an effort to utter a cry than an expression of plysi- cal suffering, came from the parlor, and when it was repeated for the second time, the scout rushed in, Oa the floor, tied hand and foot, and securely gagged, lay Bonnie Hollenbock, ‘while doubled up in one corner of the room, with blood issuing from a wound in his head, rested the unconscious form of Dick Vinton. ‘¢ Well, by all that’s wonderful!” gasped Buck- skin Bob, ark his knife and kneeling by the side of the gi How did all this come about? Where did’ you come from, and how did this young feller git hyer?” As soon as her bonds were severed, Bonnie arose to her feet, She was very pale, but en- tirely uninjured, and at once brought out water and brandy to bring the reporter back to con- sciousness, “tow did be git hurt?” asked the scout, ten- derly ruising Dick’s head while the girl bathed his pile temples. ‘*He looks ez ef he’d been struck ovr ther head with a cyclone.” ‘‘Mr. Terry bit him with that rifle there,” re- plied Bonnie, p»inting to a blood-stained weapon lyiag on the floor, ‘and the poor fellow went down like a log, I wish you would go after the man; I can attend to Dick. Mr. Terry is re- sponsible for this, He's a scoundrel and a thief, and has tried tocommit murder. I shall tell my father what sort of a man he is when I see him, and I guess he won’t dare sbow his face here again?” A score of questions arose to Buckskin Bob’s lips, and he was on the point of telling her of her father’s death, when tse thought of the escaping cashier sent him out of doors in great haste, tHe ran to Doc Cody’s cabin and leaped into the saddle of his horse, ‘*7ll catch that man if I have to chase him to hell!” was his muttered soliloquy as he started off. ‘*He’s a scoundrel ten times worse than poor old Hollenbock, and if I don’t bring him down, my name ain’t Buckskin Bob, that’s all,” A few minutes later the clatter of horse’s hoofs died out down the road toward Junction City. And as the scout started after the would-be murderer, Bonnie strove to bring back to life his unconscious victim. She was successful after awhile, and the reporter opened his eyes and gazed up into the pretty, anxious face of iis nurse with a start of surprise, ‘* It’s all right,” she hastened to assure him, ‘‘The man has gone, and Buckskin Bob is after. him, He just came hereandreleased me. How do you f»e:?” ‘I'm all right, I guess,” replied the reporter. trying to collect his scattered wits, ‘But | guess "hs was hit pretty hard, wasn’t I?” ‘“* You were, indeed,” said Bonnie, ‘*‘ When I saw you fall I thought he had surely broken your skull, Your bead must ache terribly. ‘* It does, a little,” admitted Dick, sitting up and winking hard to keep quiet the throb ing ain. ‘‘ But fyi be all right in a few minutes, ou say Buckskin Bob has gone in chase of Theiss?” ** Yes, he just left, I don’t know why he came, but he seerned surprised to see you.” ‘¢ Well, he called just in time,” said the re- porter, rising to his feet a little unsteadily, ‘We were neither of us resting very comfort- ably, I guess. Now, I’ll go over to Doc Cody’s cabin and get him to fix up my head, while you stay bere and tell your father what has hap- —. As soonasI can find out t anything about heiss I will let you know of it,” Dick walked out-doors, and was somewhat re- freshed by the cool air. He bid Bonnie good-by, and then hastened over to Doc’s cabin, where a great but not unwelcome surprise awaited him. CHAPTER XIV, DIOK’S RESCUE, Wuen Dick Vinton left Bonnie in Doc Cody's cabin in charge of the bonds, he had no idéa that she would me pereonally yan responsible for their being taken away. But the girl, desirous of undoing the wrong she had done in robbing her father, s00n saw a way out of her difficulty. And that consisted in merely returning to their owners the papers which had become mixed by such a curious chain of circumstances, _Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado,
Page 15
Two Reporter Detectives in Colorado. 15 She gathered them — and placed those which belonged to her father in a package, sep- arate from the ones which the casbier had brought. Then she left Doc’s cabin, and walked home, where, after a stormy meeting with her father, she was locked in a room, up-stairs, Hollenbock took charge of the bonds, botn of his own as well as those belonging to the cashier, and placed them in his safe, down stairs, resolv- ing to keep his daughter a close prisoner until Toeiss went away. 30anie was at a loss to understand his motive for so doing, but was forced to accept the situa- tion, and, for the next day, remained in her room. When Dick called, and was overpowered, at Tneiss’s orders, and carried down-stairs, all the girl’s regard for parental authority was overthrown, and she at once resolved to tell her father what she knew of the cashier, and try to effect the release of the reporter. And so, when the old geatleman accompanied Theiss and Black Bill to the mine, Bonnie broke the lock on her do r and went in search of Dick. She found him lying in the room off the main cellar, where he had been left by his assailants only a short time before, The girl calied to him through the iron-barre1 door, and received in reply to ber questions such disjoiuted and inarticulate words as the re- rter could forca through bis gagged mouth. 1") try to break in the door,” said Bonnie, grasping the rusted iron bars and shaking them vigorously. “‘{ heard them struggle with you in toe parlor, and I have come down to rescue you, if I can. Father and the men have gone out. Dick listened to the weleome words of the brave girl, and then began to roll himself to- ward the door, After about five minutes of twisting and contorting he managed to bring his body alongside of the door and within easier reach of his would-be rescuer. ‘Wait there a moment,” said Bonnie, ‘I'll go up-stairs and get a knife and cut the ropes.” S»eretarned almost immediately, and kneel- ing close to the door, thrust her arms through the bars, and, after a few moments’ work, suc- ceeded in severing the reporter's bonds, Dick arose with a sigh of relief, and stretched his arms and legs in a walk about his narrow cell. **T didn’t think I should be rescued so quick- ly,” be said, “‘and especially by you. How long have you been in the house?” ‘* Ever since I left Doc Cody’s cabin, the day ’ before yesterday,” answered Bonnie. “Ani did anxiously. Bonnie nodded, and then told the reporter of her having brought them to her father, and of his treatment, ** That’s too bad,” said Dick, sympathetically. “‘Theiss is a rascal of the worst kind, and just as soon as I get out of here I'll cut his career short, I can tell you. There’s a warrant for his arrest in Amacas now, and a detective ready to serve it.” ‘*But how are you going to get out?” asked Bonnie. ‘ Father or Mr. Theiss has got the key to the door, and I’m not strong enough to break it down,” A hasty examination proved this statement to be correct. But almost immediately the quick mind of the reporter struck upon Laetuee iden: and a more favorable one, ‘*Get a pickax and a shovel,” he said, ‘‘ and I will dig under the door. The floor is of earth, u see, and will break up easily,” The girl hastened up-stairs, and after a time returned with several gardening implements. Tbe two at once set to work on the hard ground, the reporter digging as he had never dug be- fore, to excavate a hole to liberty, before his captors returned. And Bonnie, although un- used to that sort of labor, realized the import- ance of haste, and worked with all her might on the outside of the prison entrance, Tt was half an hour before the two boles ran together about a foot below the door, and Dick lay down on his stomach and wiggled through, Bonnie threw down her shovel and accompanied him up-stairs, where, after 4 moment's rest, Dick said: ‘* Have Py any idea where the bonds are? If I could find them now I might take those which Theiss claims, It will go bard with us, I’m afraid, if he once got the papers in his possession n.” “I think they are in the safe,” said Bonnie, going up to a square iron box, set in one corner of the room. ‘And if they are we can easil get them, for I know the combination whic opens it.” She was right. In the center of the safe sata small sachel, which on examination was found you take the bonds?” asked Dick, ay d'Sectz fy Reso d Biman to contain the bonds, Dick set it on the floor and kneeled before! it to separate the papers. As he did so a man, with a rifle resting over his shoulder, stole noiselessly behind him, and an in- stant later brought the beavy stock of the wea- pon down upon his skull with deadening force. The reporter sunk to the floor without a mur- rour, and his assailant threw his rifle aside and seized the frightened girl, She tried to cry out, but he tied a gag about her mouth, and then bound her hand and foot. Theiss, for the new-comer was none other than the cashier, who had left the mine and Hollenbock at the commencement of the fignt, and hastened to the old miner’s house, now took up the sachel and ran ont of the room and down the street. As he did so, Buckskin Bob came in and speedily released the two prisoners, as we have already seen, Several hours passed while Bonnie remained in the house, awaiting her father’s return. As darkness approached she began to fear that something bad bappened to him, and was on the point of walking to the mine, when one of her father’s employees, a big, broad-shonldered fel- low, called Jim Turner, entered. He took off his hat and bowed awkwardly. ** Good-evenin’, Bonnie.” he said, a nervous tremor io his usually gruff voice, ‘‘ I hope to see you vell? ‘* Yes, sir, Jim, quite well, thank you,” an- swered the girl, ‘‘Have you seen anything of papa?” Jim squirmed about in his chair, and looked about the room uneasily. ‘* No, not exactly—that is, I mean, I just left him,” he finally blurted out. ‘‘ He’s dead; he wuz shot this mornin’.” ** Dead—shot!” gasped Bonnie, reeling back- ward and grasping a cheir-back for support. ‘*Why—why, who said sv?” Her dazed min‘ could not grasp the man’s full meaning, and she only half-realized the import of his words. **T seen him,” answered Jim, plunging into the disagreeable subject now that he had broken theice, ‘‘ There has been a fizht over ter ther mine betwixt your father’s men an’ some out- siders. ‘be other sidecum out ahead and the old man went under, Ther boys are a-bringin’ him here now an’ I cum abead, so as ter sorter break things easy, you understan’.” The sight of the body, more than any words her friends could utter, brought upon the poor girl the full sense of her loss, ‘Carry bim up-stairs,” she said in a hollow, unnatural voice, ** And then bring a doctor,” ** But he’s dead,” interposed Jim kindly. “*A doctor wouldn’t do him no good now.” Bonnie looked at him steadily for a moment and then, with a low moan sunk unconscious to tbe floor, **She’s fainted,” said Jim, bending to raise the limp form, ‘TH carry her up-stairs while one of you buys go out and get a woman to come in hyerand take careof her. This hez been a bad day fur ther Hollenbock family,” Tbe man addressed did as he was told, and presently one of the neighbors came in to per- form the last services for the dead man, and nurse back to life bis overwrought daughter. And Dick, meanwhils, bad gone straight from the Hollenbeck house to Doc Cody’s cabin. He was very anxious now to use the power vi in Mr, E. Barr Elwell and his warrant for the cashier’s arrest. He had no desire to claim the reward offered for his success in so doing, but wished to bring to a close the exciting adven- tures that had befallen the ‘invincibles” since 5} had been placed on Theiss’s track, e hastened to the bedside of his unfortunate partner, and found there, besides Doc Cody and the detective, no less a personage than Caleb Hollenbock’s coachman, Black Bill. The burl colored man was seated on the floor with his hands tied behind his back, and nervously eying a pistol in Doc’s hands. ick’s entrance caused quite a commotion. Bert sat up in bed, rsaproneragag -& ‘*Why, bere he is now, How in the world did you get loose, old man? This fellow here hw said that he bad helped tie you fast, and k you up in the cellar of old Hollenbock’s senate Doc was just going to go out and look ‘or you. Bert talked rapidly, and soon explained that +Doc had overheard something which Black Bill had told the cashier earlier in the day, and which had aroused his suspicions. As soon as possible, therefore, he bad brought the colored man to his cabin to have him explain matters, and by the lsvish display of fire-arms, and nu- merous bloodthirsty t --eats, had forced from him the confession «f Dick's capture and im- pais 5 ca « “ prisonment. Cody was just about to start for the Hollenbock house when Dick came in, ‘**)’m glad you've kept this man here,” said the reporter, nodding toward Doc’s captive, “for it will be n for him to explain where Mr. Terry has gone, before we let him g' »,” Black Bill glared at Dick angrily, ** How'd yer know I know’d anythin’ about it?’ he growled. ‘ Hez thet man be’n a-tellin’ you anythin’?” The reporter was surprised to see the man walk so readily into the trap. He merely shrugged his shoulders as he answered: “That’s none of your business, I’ve got evi- dence enough against you to send you to State Prison for life, and unless you are willing to tell me where this man Terry has gone, I shall use it,” “Ts it about—about old man Hollenbock?”’ asked Black Bill, hoarsely. Dick nodded coolly, while the others paid rapt attention. The face of the captive turned ashen, ‘*T didn’t do it, I didn’t fo’a fac’,” he said, earnestly, ‘‘It was Terry, it was, hones’.” ‘**] Know that Terry shot him,” said the re- porter, who was now sure of hisground. “ But you were interested in it; I know you were. And unless you tell me where he has gone, I shall tarn you over into the hands of the law.” Tne colored man, believing that the reporter knew all about the part he had taken in tho trazedy, now gave in and made & complete con- fession, which, reduced to readable language, was about as follows: He had entered into a deliberate plot with the cashier to murder the old miner, and was to receive for his share of the work ten thousand doliars in cash, Before they had had time to arrange the details of the scheme, the attack was made on the mine, and furnished an ex- cellent excuse for the carrying out of their mur- derous purpose, Theiss had fired theshot, Black Bill said, and without Hollenbock’s knowledge of the fact, The cashier had intended, by put- ting his benefactor out of the way, to coerce Bonnie into a marriage with him, and thereby come into possession of all of Hollenbock’s prop- erty. Biack Bill concluded his story, but doggedly declared that he knew absolutely nothing of the cashier’s present whereabouts, ‘* Arfter he shot ther old man,” said Bill, sul- lenly, but with an evident determination to tell the whole truth, ‘‘he seemed kind uv scart at what he’d done, an’ lit out mighty quick. He sed he wuz a-goin’ ter git a sachel, er suntbin’, an’ take it to a bank whar it ’u’d be safe, an then cum back arfter ther gurl. He wanted me ter keep my eyes open an’ see how things turned out, an’ help him git away with the gurl when the timecum, He was a-goin’ ter marry her whether she wanted to or no, And thet’s all [ hed ter do with it.” This wus the first intimation Dick had re- ceived of the murder, and a pang shot through his honest heart as he vgn gi of Bonnie, He muttered to himself, but did not speak aloud, the sentiments which Buckskin Bill had ex- ressed when he set out on the cashier’s trail a ittle while before, CHAPTER XV. CONCLUSION, THERE is only one road leading out of Am- acas, and that rons almost ona ht line to Junction City, and there connects with a rail- road to Denver and the East. Buckskin Bob knew this when he started after Allan Theiss, and therefore rode in the direction of Junction City at a rapid pace, intending to head off the escaping cashier. Theiss had started on foot, but the young scout well knew that he could get a horse without dif- ficulty, and so pressed on as rapidly as possible, When about half the distance had n covered Bob heard a pistol-shot in front of him and at once drew rein. He saw, as he did so, that he bad almost run into the man he was pursuing. Theiss stood with his back to a tree near the si of the road, the sachel resting at his feet, and a revolver in either outstretched hand. Before him, mounted on a powerful black horse, was the detective from New York, a rifle resting against his shoulder and the barrel on a line with the cashier’s head. The two formed a striking tableau, as, for nearly a minute, neither moved. Then Theiss said something in so low a tone that the scout could not distinguish the words. But it was evidently a proposal for a parley, for both lowered their weapons at once, while the detective dismounted. Buckskin Bob followed his example, tying his
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16 horse to a convenient tree, and crawling for- ward on his hands and knees. The two men in the valley were having a rather exciting inter- view, which, to all appearances, was settling in favor cf Mr, Elwell. “*T tell you, Mr. Theiss,” said tne New Yorker with emphasis, *‘tthat I’ve caught you, and you might as well give in. I won’t consent to a division of the stolen money because I’m not up to such things just now.” The cashier shifted hs position against the tree and half-raised his revolvers, ‘But, you idiot, don’t 1c ff r you a cool fifty thousand dollars to tear up tuat warrant and go about your business? If you don’t, you are sure to run up against a bullet some time or another on account of your foolishness,” ‘*And youare just about as likely to run up against one as I am,” answered the detective cheerfully, ‘‘If you raise those revolvers of yours | shall fire this gun,” Theiss glared at the young man savagely, but did not dare to make any warlike demonstra- tions, ‘* You're a fool,” he said abruptly. ‘* I’m go- ing on to Junction City and I shall shoot you if you try to stop me,” The cashier stooped and picked up the sachel with his left hand, keeping a cocked revolver in the other. Elwell swung the rifle to bis shoul- der, but as he did so Th~iss ha:! sprung upon him, With a bound like a tiger the cashier grasped the weapon from the detective’s hands and swung it over his head, In another instant it would haye scattered the young man’s brains over the ground; but before he could bring 10 down, a rifle cracked upon the bill, and Theiss sunk to his knees on the grass, He made a feeble attempt to regain his feet and then with a moan of pain, fell backward. Buckskin Bob, whose timely shot had saved the es life, now came rushing down the hill. ‘©—s he badly burt?” he asked of Elwell, who was bending over the prostrate form, and trying to catch some almost inaudible words from the wounded man’s lips, ‘‘I didn’t mean to kill him.’ “‘T guess he is,” replied the detective, ‘‘ The bullet struck bim square in the temple, and— He’s dead!” A sigh escaped the lips of the dying man, and the form became limp in the arms: f its slayer. Elwel’s pale face and trembling haacs showed how unused he was to such scenes, |ut to the young scont it formed a fitting climax to the day 4s adventures, ‘t | had to shoot,” said Bob, ‘‘ because he was just oing to brain you with his rifle; but J did- n’t mean 4o kill him, I shot too hastily; bit perhaps it’s better so.” They laid the body by the roadside, and B > volunteered to act as guard while the detective rode back to Amacas for help. It was da'k wh n he returned, and nearly midnight when the little procession wended its way into the village and deposited its mournful burden by the side of the other corpse in the house of Caleb Hollenbock. Having done so, Bob and Elwell walked to Doe Cody's cabin with the sachel and papers, and there handed in a report of the evening's ajventure. It was received without great sur- prise by the reporters, who, since their visit to Amacas, bad grown to regard everything as a matter of course, and due to the peculiar phases of Western life. The rest of the work was soon completed, and Bert, Detective Dick’s pard, being ableto travel, tre two, with Buckskin Bob an: Mr. E. Barr E.well as companions, set out for New York, Detective Dick was successful in selling the stocks belonging to Mrs, Rogers for a good, rount sum, and found it necessary to go back to Armavas severs| weeks afterward to see how his friends were getting along. Fle discovered that the funeral of Caleb Hol- lenbock had been a most elaborate affair, with a toousand-dollar coffin and a five-thousand dol- lar monument above it. Bonnie had sold every- thing Laing, Ded her father and was preparing to join some distant relatives in the East when Dick called. Doe Cody had increased his practice since the departure of the invincibles, owing to » couple of abe.» at the Hollenbock Mine. Ab last, however, rightful ownerg of the valuable igh Pcs, ed in establishing their right to t, although as Doc expressed it, “‘ every ounce uv gold dug out’n thet mine hez be’n bought with an ounce in lead.” _When Detective Dick returned after a week’ visit, Bonnie accompanied him, and subsequent- ly changed the name ¢f Hollenbock to the more euphonious one of Vinton, They ere living now in the upper part of New York City, together with Lord Carmly, who is still a bachelor, and who envies uis brother reporter’s good fortune in obtaining for a wife, the heroine of their exciting adventures in the West, THE END. Beatles Half-Dime Library. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novela, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, 20 Deadwood Dick’s Detiances or, Double Daggers. 3 Beavers 5 ap ie Ilegaiees or, Buffad, Ben. > adwoo ck in « Castle, 42 Deadwood Dick’sa Bonanza; o , The Phantom Miner. ay Deadwood Dick in Dangers or, Omana Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick's Englex: or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Weck} «tT. Calamity ¢ ne, the Heroine ane pa bene pie Kent pats or, Corduroy Charlie. eadw ek in Leadville, hy mune ee | a “ot ae Pad The Double Cross Sign. endwoo ck ae Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Gorgon’s Quich Ghost. 138 Deadwood Dick's Home Kase; or, Blonds Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick's Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 156 Deadwood Dick of bcadwoeds? or, The Picked Party, 195 Dendwood Dick’« Dream or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 Deadwood Dick's Ward; or, The Black Hill’: Jezebel. my send weed mews es | ore poe Jane’s Adventure. end woo ck’sa Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Peath-Plant. 282 Gold-Duat Dick. A Romance of Rovghs and Toughs. aca Sentweut ples —— bo Hae Spirit of Swamp Lake. eanaw Ckh'a Pow rati, 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. 821 Deudwood Dick’a Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flate 847 Dendwood Dick’s Ducata: or, Daye in the Diggings. ost a pete pier, Pewe mess or, The Terrible Vendetta. > w ek’sa Claim, 405 Dendwood Dick in Dena City. 410 Dendwood Dick's Diamonds, 421 Deadwood Dick In New Yorks or, A “ Cute Case.” 440 Deadwood Dick's Dust; or, The Chained Hand. eT pens * eed plek, 3r i eee a eee Crescent Sign. ’ . ae ek a) pflanmee, 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s’ Full. Hand, 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.s, Big Round-Up, 465 Deadwood Dick Jri« Racket at Claim 10, yee et: pgaper Ap ae pn Corre’ or, Bozeman Bill. az endwoo He .’*,y Dow Detective, 451 Deadwood Dick. b tid in Deady wa 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.%«, Compact. 496 Dendwood Dick Jr.’s, Inheritance, bOU Denawood Olek, dros Digginas. 5608 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dellverance. B15 Deadwood Vick dra Protegce. 622 Deadwood Dick, dr.’a, Three. 529 Send wood Bick, dria, Danger Ducka BSL beundwood Diek, Irs, Death Hunt, 639 Penatwoeod Dick, Jr.. In Texas. x 6 42 Dendword Dick, Ire, the Wild West Vidoog PLY Dealwood Diek, Jr., on Mle Nettle, 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Gotham, S41 Deadwood Bick, Jr... In Boston, h86T7T Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadeiphia, 5T2 bendwood Dick, Jr., In Chicago. 578 Dendwood Dick. Jr.. Aflont. S82 Dendwovd Dick. or.. In Wenver. 590 Deadwood Dich. drs, Deerce. 595 Dendwood Dick Jr., ir Beelzebut’s Raain, 600 Dendwood Dick, Jy., at Coney I#land, 606 Dendwood Pick, drt, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Pick, Jr., In Detrolt. 618 Deadwood Dick. Jr. tn Cincinnati, 624 Deadwood Dick. Jr., In Nevada, 80 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man's Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer, 642 Deadwood Dick Jr.. In Buffato. 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Across the Cont 4 . > " nent ago Rendwacd pick 30-4 uatenmes dteee™™ B j Jdr.’a, lnaurence . 666 Dendwood Dick, dr.. Rack in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Durnnygrot: or, Gathered In.” pH) pe ethan pes 5 Pincoverys %, Found a Fortune, oad wo ek, dr.’«. Dazzle. 690 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dollars. 695 Deadwood Mek, Jr., at Danger Divide. ZOO Deadwood IMeh. Jr. Drop. TOL Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick dJr., in San Francisco. 716 Deadwood Dick, Jr.« Still Hunt, 7T22 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dikenuise, T8341 VDendwood Dick. Jr.’ Double Deal 740 Deadwood Dick Jr.'s. Deathwatch, T47 Deadwood Dick, ar.’*, loublet. THe Deadwood Mek, Jr.’«, Peathblow. TSS Dendwood Dick, @r.’«, Deapernte Strait. THA Pendwood Dick, Jr«, Lone Mand, 770 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’x Defeat. 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Resurrection, 782 Dendwooa Dick. dra Dark Days. 7 bendwood Dick Jr., Defied. ’ 792 Dendwood Dick, Jr.«, Double Device, TOT Deadwood Vick, JIr’.a, Desperate Venture, 802 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’*, Diamond Dice, 807 Deadwood Dick Jr.’a, Royal Flush, 812 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s ead-off, 816 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Bival, 822 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’*, Room. 828 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s. Scoop. S54 Dendwood Dick, dr.’s, Proxy. 840 Deadwood Pick, Jr.'s, Clutch. 845 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, High Horne, 852 Dendwood Diek Jr., at Devils Gulch, S58 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, F eath-Hole Hustle, 868 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s Bombshell TO Deudwood Dick, Jr.. In Mexico. S76 Deadwood Dick. Jr’a Decoy Duck, S82 Penadwood Dick, Jr. in Silver Pocket. SYL Deadwood Dick. Jr's, Pend. Sure Gume, 898 Deadwood Dick, Jr.x, Vouble Drive. 904 Deadwood Dick, Jrin, Trade-Mark. PLO Deadwood Bick, Jr., at Tip-Tep. 916 Deadwood Dick, Jr.‘ Double-Decker. 925 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Dollarville. 984 Dendwood Dick, dr.. at Flush Flats 940 Deadwood Dick, Jr.ts, Shiuke-up. 946 Deadwood Dick, Jron, Doub! prep. 951 Deadwood Dick, Jr.*«, Right Bower, 957 Deadwood Dick, Jroa, Ten-Strike. 965 Deadwood Dick, dr.’*, Gold-Dust, HTL Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s. Oath, 977 Dendwood Dick, Jr.%, Death-Doom, 986 Deudwood Dick, Jr.’s, Best Card, BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. BY COL. PRENTISS ING AHAM, 988 Buffalo BUl’s Lasso Throwers. 981 Buffalo Bill'« Fighting Five. 975 Buffalo Bill's Kifle Shota, 968 Kuffalo Bills Rush Rideg or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer. 964 Buffalo BRiUP« Decoy § of, The Arizona Crack Shot. 95s Buffalo Kill’« M azeppa-Chase, 948 Buffalo Bill’a Snup-Sbot ¢ o1, Wild Kid's Texan Tally 942 Buffalo BUUs Tough Tussle. 986 Buffalo Bill's Boy Mascots or, Joe Jarvis? Hold-up. 929 Buffalo Bills Crack-chot Pard, 650 Buffalo Bill's Boy Pard; or. Butterfly Dilly. 216 Ksinon Bll, the lrince ot the Reins. 222 Bison BUl’s Clues or. Grit, the Bravo Sport, BY BUFFALO BILL. 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scr ut, or, The Banded Brotherhood: 6% Border Kobin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of ( vlerudet or, The Trapper’s Trust BY CAPT, ALTRED B, TAYLOR, U. 8. A. IML Ruffalo Billy. the Boy Rnliwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bills Bets or. ihe Gambler Guide, BY T. 3. FLANAGAN. $09 Midahipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. 925 The ¥ ; yc ° 288 The asc Cowboy Captain 949 The ‘Th e Three Lieutenants 959 The Mascot Middy 3 or, The Four Commanders. 966 Fighting Jack Shubrick. 972 kKighting Jack’s Middies 3 or, Dandy Dick’s Dash.. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 982 New Vork Nat’s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold. Game! 926 New York Nat and the Traitor terret. 920 New York Nat Trapped. 914 New York Nat's Three of a Kind. 908 New York Nat’*« Double. 902 New York Nat's tn Colorado. 896 New York Nat In Gold Nugget Camp. 88Y New York Nat’s Deadly Deal. S88 New York Nat's Crook-Chase. ST7 New York Nat’s Trump Card. S7L New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. 865 New York Nat's Masked Mascot. 859 New York Nat. the Gamin Ovrtective, 853 Dick Doom’« kidnapper Knock-Out, 847 Dick Doom’s Ten Strike, 842 Dick Doom’ Flush Hand, 772 Dick Doum’« DPeath-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, 777 Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. 784 Dick Doom: or, ' he Sharpe and Sharks of New York, 788 Dick Doom in Boston; or, A Man of Many Maske, 798 Dick Doom tn Chicago. 798 Dick Doom In the Wild West. — 808 Dick Doom’s Clenn Sv cep; or, Five Links in a Clue, 808 Dick Doom’s« Death Clue. S18 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. 819 Dick Deom’s Girl Mascot. 829 Dick Doom’s Shadow Ilunt. 885 Dick Doom’s Big Heul. 749 Dashing Charlier or, Whe Kentucky Tenderfoot’s Firet Traii.. 756 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive, 760 Dashing Charlie’« Pawnee Pard. 766 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer, 497 IRuck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 787 Buck Taylor, thy ( omanche’s Captive. 748 Buck Taylor's Boys; or, The Red Riders ot the Rio Grande, 5660 Pawnce BI, the Prairie Shadower, 718 Pawnee Bitty or, Corl, the Mad Cowboy. 719 Pawnee Bills Pledire; or, The Cowboy's Doom, 725 Pawnee Pill: or. Dering Dick. 692 Redferws Curfoux Case: o, The Rival Sharpe. 691 Keadtern at Devil’« bine; or, The Sharp from Texas, ZO2 Redfern’« Wigh Wands: «+, Blue Jacket. 707 Redfern’s Last “rat's or, The Red Sombrero Rangers, And Fitty Others. BY LIEUT, A. Kk. SIMS, 689 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City, 622 Tom-Cut’s Triad; or, The Affuir at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowhoy Detective, 688 Tom-Cat’« Triumphs or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. 5646 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike 548 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. 676 The Silver Sports or, Josh Peppermint's Jubilee, 6S8S Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, thy Duteh Videcg; or, Hot Timesat Round-Up, 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules, 446 Cowbey Gld, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypay Kpy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives 699 Bira nle Sim, the Bronaho Buster: or. For Big Stakes. 712 The Meameriat Sports or, The Mystified Detective, 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector. 745 Kanane Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 armaduke, the Mustanger Detective, 778 The Rustler of Rolling Stone. 785 Lone Iland Joe, the Committee of One, 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck. 882 The Doctor Dete etive in Texas. S72 Two Showmen SJ'etectives In Colorado. 987 The Texan Firebrand: or, Brazos Billy’s Snap.Sb 961 The Tramp’s Trump-Trick, NEW ISSUES. 996 Two Reporter D. t: ctiv: «in Colorado; or, Buckskin Rov’ Snap-Sh.t. By H M, Poynton, 997 Feore’ +r Sum, the Detective on Wheels; or, The Sensation at Washington Heights. By J. C, Cowdrick. 998 Dea wood Di-k, Jr.'s. Big Play; or, The Bluff Game at Gold Ledge City. by E. L. Wheeler, 999 Jack Lang, the Y ung Privateer; or, The Man of Many Naines. By IV. J F anuagan, 1006 Buffulo Bill's Decoy Boys. JUST ISSUED. 991 Two Dudes from Poomed Camps or, The One-Armed Boss of Shakedown. By ‘T. C, Harbaugh. 992 Deadwood Pick, Jr., at Gold Dust; or, Sport Hatry’s Blind = By &. L. Wheeler. 998 The Cadet-Petective’s Hot Muatle; or, Three West Point Rogues. By H. M Boynton, 994 Billy Bowers’ Street Scouts; or, Raiditig the Rolling By Nock. By Jo Pierce. 995 Buffalo Bills Drop; or, Dead-Shot Ned . the Kansas Kid, Col. P. lugrabam. ‘, New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library ie for sale by all newsdealers, five gente per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 02 William Street, New York, By Col. P. Ingraham. idehipmens or, The Corsair-Chaser’s First.