Beadle's New York Dime Library (no. 1069) (1903 02)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
| Fesruary, 1903, —= —— — —a M. J. LVERS & CO., Publishers No 1069. Published Every (JAMES SULLIVAN, Proprietor), . 10 Cents: » Copy. Vol. LXXXIY, . Month. 379 Pearl Street, New York. $1.00 a Year, THE LIGHTNING SPORT; Or, THE BAD MEN AT SLAUGHTER BAR. BY WILLIAM RR. HYSTEHR, AUTHOR OF ‘PISTOL PARDS,” “SOFT HAND SHARP,” ‘HANDS UP,” ‘‘ DANDY DARKE,” ‘‘ FARO FRANK,” ETO.) ETO. :
Page 2
se) _ The Lightning Sport. The Lightning Sport; oR, The Bad Men _at Slaughter Bar. BY WM. R. EYSTER, AUTHOR OF “PISTOL PARDS,’ ‘‘SOFT HAND SHARP,” “HANDS UP,” “DANDY DARKE,” ‘“ FARO FRANK,” ETC., ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. A KNAVE AND A FOOL, ** On, Harold, suve me! Heaven knows that 1 have meaot no wrong, though my folly has brought me to where J can see before me an epen grave, Anothers.ey and lam gone. He psuspects!” “Wrong, ny angel. lt is you that have been wronged—fouiy, bru‘al'y wronged. Your dife has been bord ued with the weizat cf ths man’s ponury, insclnee an blows.” “No, not blows} that I woud never have horne. But all the r-6 is tru’, oni now he suspects me of crime I, whose only fauls is that I accepted symp toy when my beart was brenking under bis savegs rule. Ha haa roty- bed me of my youth, my !ove and my for- tune. Yes, robbed me, sineo he t_ok them all and gave me nothing in returo,’ “ He isa villiin indeel; yet for one reisoa I hesitate] to call hm sucs. Beeause—’ * Because what? Hesitate no longer, A+ the remembrance of the past I sve uo single reasou to. seal. your lips,” The woman shook her lonz, glossy ringlets, and looked up fiercely, like a rising lion. Hee | ures to ad‘t'to the hoard. ) * Yours is one of those cases that the law will weakness in a moment had been replaced by strength, and her mood, at the remembrance uf «what she believed to be her wro..gs, had utier- Gy changed. She bad a handsome face, too, this wife of ‘Clinton Bride. Tull and grac-ful in form, wegular features, clear hazel eyes, ani soft ‘sh ning chestnut hair that was still worn in flowing ringlets, and full red lips. She was in ‘appearance a woman for whom many a man would have gone mad and died. Yet she was mot of the style of person from which martyrs rare made; she was proud, petulant and self- ‘willed. There were enough and to spare of those who, if they had heard her arraignment of Clinton Bride, would have smiled in deri- sion, - Her companion was a fine looking man, of tthe English type, with a firm face, strong mouth, and a frame that promised both ‘strength and activity. He was well dressed, ‘and bore himself like one accustomed to good society. A casual observer would bave pro- ‘nounced him a gentleman, until he had looked ‘once into those eyes of steel-gray. They could ‘be soft enough on occasion; but at other times they were as hard-set and as cruel as death; and always there were certain lines around them that bade the honest beware, Wet Harold Varley, as be was. called, had wormed his way fairly well into society, and there passed for much that he was not. By the most evil of fortunes he had met wita Mrs. Bride, being introduced to her by her short- sighted husband, with-whom he nad business relations, and with his hawk’s eye he had seen the festering wound tbat was hidden from tke world. She was a vain, weak woman; but she had no thought of being deliberately wicked. She accepted some distant attentions, looked at him more and more as a friend, and at last poured out her heart to him. After that he urged her to leavethe man whom she believed to be cruelly wronging her, Never once did be speak of himself except as a friend, such as a brotber might be. He knew well enough how to press his plans without giving his intended victim a shock, for he kuew that evep now it would take but little to open her eyes, If he hesitated to answer the guestion that she asked with fire in her eyes and rage in her heart, it was not through any rick of speech, but because he actually feared to use the word that he still thought in ber ‘woman’s eyes might be sacred. Yet when she pressed him he hesitated no donger; but answered ber hastily: * Because he is your busband!” “Husband! Do not defile tho sacred name. He is my tyrant, my robber! He has even sent away from me my poor, afflicted son —born dumb as a punishment for his parents having ~ MD ee ee j dared to utter in mockery the holy words of | the marriage vows. He pretends that in youth | be should receive other care than that which | his mother can give him,” ‘Your son?” The man seemed too sur{ rised, however, to listen longer in sile.ce. Tbe mention of this | son, of whom, as yet, he bad never heard, was an unexpected shock, So far he had known | only of a puny, sickly little -hild—a daughter, | who at one moment the mother forgor, and the next spoke of with the most exfravagant affec- tion, “Yes, my son, You are surprised to hear of this. Why should you be? It is only an- other evidence that madness must be lurking in his brain, Why else should he have thou- | sands and thousands in gold heayed up idly in his secret safe in the cellar, when his bus:ness | is tottering to a fall for the want of i°?” At the mention of thousands « glint of fire | sbot from the steel-gray eyes, and there wasa | suspicious twitebing of the muscies of bis band, | but be contented bitnself with murmuriug: “Yes, indeed. What els-?’ “He thinks the secret of the safa unknown. I have wat ‘bed hin when h» stole to his treas- Some day he will kul me and my chili lest we obtain our share of it, Yet woat ean I do?’ “Leave him,” answered Varley, firmly. not reach 1 nless you first put yourself above the law.. L-av: bim; :nd take advantage of that madne-s whi hb has caused him to place within your reac}, once more, the fortune that was yours when be befooled you into as- suming his name, Here, I know, the courts are like iron against a woman seeking redress, Fortunately there are places whereit is other- wise. Ina year you can be rebabilitated with freedom, in the great, chivalrous West there will be no hesitancy when, armed with your facts, you come asa suppliant to this bar of justice. They will give you control of your name, your child, and your fortune. Young, rich, beautiful as a dream—wise by reason of cruel experience yet with a life no longer imbittered by daily contact with all that is base and false—the future will be all before you. The courts will protect you, mankind will honor you, and the memory of him who has done his best to wreck and ruin will fade away like a phantom.” Harold Varley spoke well, but cautiously. In all this there was nothing of himself, He had begun to understand this woman very well, and played upon ber feelings as he would upon a musical in trument bringing just such tunes as he wanted. He gave her but little time, stirring her imagination with pictures of what might be in store for her. She heard— aud, unfortunately, she believed. There was still a doubt, though. ‘She felt her own weakness, and she trembled to think what her fate might be if she moved and then should ba forsaken by Varley. Perhaps at that momant she had a glimose of the terrible wrong that she was contemplating! The Englishman saw that she wavered, and urged his specious pleas, yet all the time be impressed upon her mind that she must find some means co regain the fortune that she had brought ber husband if she wished to escape from his pursuit and eventually break his chain beyond a doubt. ; His arguments were sound. enough, too, Their false logic lay in the point from which they started. Jf she fled — but all reason | should have told her chs should not flee, Yet sne was blind, indeed. Had any ono told her that she thought of eloping with this man as his paramour she would have fainted from the shock, and ho was to wise and too wily to awaken her suspicions, He urged her on, and she consented. When that much was certain the manner of the man changed somewhat, He began to question in regard to that wealth which lay hidden in the secret safe, What was the meaning of that? Mrs. Bride had offered one explanation, but it did not satisfy him. He xnew something of the world, and he scented a mystery and a crime, Fora moment. as he thought of this, he in turn hesitated, No man was there who could make better use of a secret than he, But, on the other hand, the thought gave him courage. Tf once the robbery was completed this know!l- edge might be used to dull pursuit and take the edge off of the desire for vengeance, — —ys- x 7 ~t, 3 . Pi might, perhaps, even have been frightened from his scheme. Z They met, though, in the obscurity of a | if = = eer So in serious earnestness they laid their plans; ste to obtain the freedom for which she was sighing, be to capture the wealth. or a goodly | Share of ‘t, for which he was yearning, They clasped kands and separated: and as they parted they vowed that, lest suspi-ion might fa!l upon the innocence of their inter- course, they would meet no more until tle time came to strike the b'ow. And that time came all too soon; for be‘ors many days Varley received his first and only | line from her; “The hour is at hand.” CHAPTER It THE SECRET OF THE SAFE, On the verge of a crime cppo: tunities some- tim-s arise that s»me migbt blasphemously cali “ nrovidentiat.” It was so with Clarice Bride, Before ber resolution had bad time to cool there eame an hour when her somber-faced husband tuld ber, in the h arse whisper thafyof lute had tecome habitual with him, that he would be al sent for a few days, and even went so fer asto«ffer a half-way sort of ex lanation of the cause of that atsence. Then he went away, and Varley received the note which he bed been waiting for so anxiously, Some of his arrangemen!s had already been made; hastily he pertected others, even hetore he went to meet the woman, who shivered with ° emotion at the sight of him. % If he could have seen her face, Varley might ° have supposed that she was mad indeed. He summer-house, and it seemed nothing strange that there should be a quiver in her voice, Sbe had been thinking, tco; and her p'ans had been matured, She had a young nurse whom she believed she could trust, and she intended to intrust to her the little daughter who was already her care; and providing her with a ticket, ship the two to the promised land, by way of the steamer and isthmus route. “But that is foolish—rash. She will cer- tainly be noticed. A girl, traveling with such a child, will attract attention, if, indeed, she is not stopped.” “No, you are mistaken. Without disguising herself she can alter her general appearance sufficiently to make her description unrecog- nizable, Then she will profess to be going out with her little sister to join her brother, who is doing well, and has sent her money to come, since her mother has lately died. This will be the story if a story is needed; and she will tell it shrewdly. Sbe will have letters to show too, that will corroborate the account.” Varley bad bad a hope that they would be unincumbered with: the child; but his plans had never reached as far as this. He saw that his accomplice or victim was growing in deadly earnest, and that on this thing, at least, he could not change ter mind, It was better than to be burdened directly with the child; and if the almost infant was lost in transit, what matter? Its very absence would serve to divert pursuit from them; for the two expected to go together, “But the safe? Tell me, do you understand its mystery? Of that you must be certain be- fore you take such a step as this.” ‘*] am certain, since an hour ago I tested my krowledge, and found thaf the luck yielded tomy hand. It opened, and its treasures were before me—oceans of gold!” ‘You closed it again, did you?” “J did, and locked it,” Varley’s countenance fell a little, though the subtle change could not be seen, For an in- stant be had bad the glimmerings of a plan which should take the gold and leave Clarice behind, Better for her would it have been could that idea have becn carried out} ‘Ah, that is well,” he said. ‘‘Itis possible that there may be prying eyes among” the ser- vants. Such a treasure he would scarcely leave entirely unguarded.” . “The safe guards it—as_well as other secrets perhaps. It is let into the wall of the vault also, and no one knows of its existence save the builder, Clinton Bride, you and myself, Never theless, as you say, itis well, But to-morrow night we will open .it again, An hour before midnight meet me here and I will guide you to the spot. We must have a wagon ready, and we must be far away before morning.” out bis “We will be,” he said, and held
Page 3
————S = ‘hand, which she wrung a little desperately; ut he knew that so far they were only a pair of plotters, and notbing more. Then he went away, almos’ doubting that he was awake, ani within the next twenty- fvur hours finished making ready. seould not be compromised, he bad watched the wafa since Clarice had burne?! her bridges. Henceforth there was no retreat! Meanwhils he had done his own work well. There was no flaw in his plans, f that he could bodily disappear, and though no Rod ~doubt suspicious lips would ask the question — whither he had gone, Clinton Bride would find late. It was a grand stroke, and Harold Varley was just the villain to carry it through to a eucces-ful ending. " ie that he approached the lonely mansion of aie Clinton Bride on the succeeding evening. Be Bye cause everything looked so certainly like suc- {3 ‘ seess he partially distrusted his chsnces. \ No danger appeared to be jurkicg in the | shadows; the road for retreat seemed pertectly | open, Clarice met him, clasped his hand, and drew him away. Through the gr unds they passed, without the sound of a fvotstep being heard. He even wondered at the womun’s kill and courage. There were several servants ‘be disastrous, Down into the vaults they went, leaving the eout_.r dvor open, He had followed her closely in tho darkness, holding her bani. glimmer of a fsintiy-burning lamp. Clurice dropped bis hand and turned up te wick of the lamp. It even then only threw its glare of light “on a little circle immediately surrounding is. The rear of the vault wus wrapped in somber sbedows, In front of them wis the wall of the vault, damp, solid, of heavy masonry. Sasveral bar- rels were ranged in order along the side; a board leaned carelessly against the wall, Noth- 2 ‘ing suspicious was to be seen, yet Clarice f pointed to the masonry and exclaimed in a ye hoarse whisper: “There!” * Where?” answered Varley. ‘‘I see noth- ‘ing. Your eyes must be sharper than mine,” “Or my knowledge greater.” She stepped forward and pushed away the ; empty barrels, removed the leaning board, and 2e¢ holding down the lamp showed a knob appar- : ently set in the wall of masonry. The sight of this reassured him, For a mo- ment he had thought the woman might be madder than he had believed; now he under- stood, and he watched her with intense eager- ness. The safe that he believed contained a me fortune was before them—would she be able ; to master the secrets of its fastenings? For himself he knew that even in hours, and with all the tools of the trade, he would not be likely to win an entrance. Clarice never hesitated. She held the lamp still lower and carefully turned the knob to the right and the left, counting each time a different number of revolutions; these were little numbers that Varley could not see, though he leaned forward eagerly. At last she gave a pressure on the knob and then another turn. This time there was the faint rattle of shoot- ing bolts. The safe was unlocked. The sound affected them differently. On the ears of the woman it fell like the knell of doom, even though she felt that she had gone too far to retreat. To the man it seemed like a summons to a feast. Clarice fell back still holding the lamp in her hands; her tempter sprung forward, and applied his strength to the knob, At that what appeared a section of the stone wall rolled open, disclosing the interior of the safe. Clarice was right. ‘There was more wealth there than one man could carry away; there was coin heaped up in stout canvas sacks, and notes wrapped together in bundles. Above them was a little compart- ment, closed by a door which yielded to his touch, and being thrown back showed several drawers, and in a pigeon-hole a heavy package of papers, wrapped with red tape, Ce re age ea eee Oe s a rl a ed When, at a distance and so carefully that he | nurse depart, with the child, he knew he was | He believed | mo trace of him or his wife until it was too ! Yet it was wih somo trepidation of heart | - ‘in the house, and to waken one of them wou'd | unlocked and the cther doors wise | Now he saw the | | know nothing!” | tened on the glowing face's, ; amount that he could carry away. this. “Papers are sometimes worth their weight in gold. We will take this first.” He dropped the package into one of his capa- cious pockets, and then looked with a critical | eye at the wealth before him. When he had lifted one of the litle bags of gold he realized | better the work that was before him, and rapidy made a mevtal inventory of the | darkness beyond. From his pocket he drew a stout sack, that had been tightly wrepped, and into this be | tossed one after another cf the smaller sacks, Iuto his breast jocket he thrust the bank- notes. He had ax mucb as he could safely carry betore the safe was helf cxhausted. Then he looked into one of the litt'e drawors; and immediately aferward gave a low excla- | mation of surprised delight. | “This, possibly, will be worth all the rest. Was there no end to this wretch’s wealth.” The little box that he took ont and opened seemed alive with light. Phosphorescent gleams, sparkling coruscations, rays of fire arose as be held it towerd the lamp. It was filled with un:et diamonds. For sll he could tell at a basty glance there might be another quarter of a million there, Va‘ley was cer- {.inly on the threshold of a great mystery, per- Laps a great crime. Mrs, Bride secmed more surprised than her partner in guilt. She looked at the gems, for | an instant, in silent amazement; then she | threw up ber h nd. “Put them back, put them back! not mive and I only want my own. wealth, such as I brought him, it; but leave those jewels alone. they saw. flagration, magic, over cont, and back again. asking frantic questions, They are Here is Let us take Of them I | to rescue bis daughter, His eyes were fas- | He knew such things when he saw them and they fascinated him for. the time like the changeful fires in the | eyes of a rattlesnake. He made no answer, ‘Put them back, put them back, Isay. Do you think I would rob even that crawling thitg, my busband? I only want my own.” ‘““Tuis is a campaign, my dear Mrs. Bride, and it would hardly be well to leave the sinews of war in the hands of the enemy, Why hesitate, when we have the chance to be victors? No! I cannot put them back. If you disown, then I will claim them, Lovely! Beautiful! They are a fortune in themselves; and, by heavens, at last I scent the bottom of the mystery. There is but one such set of diamonds missing. They are broken from their settings; but all the same they are the Vernon diamonds! Ah, ha! J have him, too!” Clarico listened to the end. Her eyes were opeving. In the place of the gentle friend the robber had appeared. She drew herself up proudly; and spoke firmly, If this was the way at the very outset that the movement to have her own way resulted how would it end?” “Put them back, I command you! Not an- other step will I go until I see them locked once more in that safe!’ “Too late, too late!” responded the other grimly. ‘J shall certainly not go back from the adventure; and it would be ruin for you to attempt to interfere. Besides, you cannot, without losing your child. She is already miles away. Thwart me now—break with me, your best friend, and I can vouch for it that you will never see her again.” She gave a faint scream and cowered back; then, without a thought of consequences tc herself, her voice rose loud and clear: “ Help! murder! thieves! murder!” With an awful curse, Vurley bastily dropped | the little box and sprung forward. He did not, perhaps, mean to kill; but from the back of his neck there leaped up a ready knife. Silence!” he ground out, in a thick whis- per; aud the blade hung over her fair white throat. And then in the shadows beyond them sounded the noise of a light footstep. Slight though the sound was, it came to his ready ears, and he half turned bis head, listening. 1 might be imagination. No freak of an overstrung brain was the | idea. While he hesitated there came from the darkness a flash, a sudden roar, the cry of a | mano mad with rage, end then— There was a splintering of gluss, the lamp ! smoking his pipe. dropped from the hand of Clarice, there was a | dull thud, and up into the air leaped a great | wave of flame, with Cl Se ee He scarcely heard her. he gave a grim chuckle, crisis. the caravan. provisions, he set out, fast or slow. beart had won upon and ford above. and camped for the night. the world. ing, beating the air with her haad, a mass of glowing, dripping fire, that hung from her clothing and crept and wrthed over the ceiling and among the litter where it had spattered. Varley, just in time, had sprung back, Now he turned and fled. A single splotch of flame on his back marked his course through the Clinton Bride came forward out of the dark- ness and in the midst of the sudden flame and smoke, saw his wife dead or dying. He tossed ~- the heavy bag into the safe, clanged-to the ’ door and spruvg away in pursuit, CHAPTER IIT. LCST ON THE TRAIL, THE cause of the fire at Clinton Bride’s mane - sion remamed @ mystery; but not more so than the fate of its owner and the other awful events of the nig’t, of which those who knew ~ him could gain but a slight inkling from what The servants made their escape with slim — time to spare, aud ryvhen the flames were shoot- ing upward, and fhe glare was red on the midnight air, a throng had gathered; hunt. human hands were +h pless to stay the con- Most horrible of all a little away from the building, a discovery was made that drew* thitber and stilled the roari»g crowd as it by It was the body of Mrs, Bride, fear- fully burned and wrapped in her husbard’s People looked from it to the ocean of flame They ran hither and tuither, They did not doubt but that Bride, having carried out the corpse of his wife, had su-hed back in a vain attempt Fatber, child and nurse were probably in the blezing buila’ng. That was what the crowd thought, and it was what went out to vhe world through the columrs of the daily papers the next day; and it reached the eyes of a fugitive, already far on his wesiern way, who snuddered even while Somehow he doubted the trubh of it all. had that internal feeling that sometimes over- comes a man who knows that he is followed, even when there is no reason that he should believe such to be the case, He had laid his plans with eare; and after the catastrophe, which so unexpectedly eame upon him, he knew that if Clinton Bride es- caped alive from the burning building, it would be well for him to be far away, coward, physically, but understanding the con. ‘sequences, and not having altogether failed in gathering booty, he now fled with all the speed and caution which he bad planned before the He intended to take the overland trail; and he started alone, though he expected when once out upon the plains to join some company, Plenty of such little bands were there in those days, wearily crawling over the plains, and where so many were rushing toward the El Dorado in the West, no very complicated reason was needed why he should have joined Equipped with weapons, and a stock of his effects being drawn by a good, stout team, that, not being overloaded, could accommodate itself to the progress of any party, whether it might be And so it was that one night he was en- camped alone iu a small open bottom just out- side of the timber line of the rushing Missourt, In the roughly dressed man, with every look of a frontiersman about him, he did not have the least fear of being recognized as the genteel- looking man who had been engaged in a fugt- tive way in the business of a stock broker, and whose quiet manner and apparently bonest the wife of Clinton Bride, with such fatally fascinating effect, A little away from the smoldering fire, the light of which was no longer needed since the risen mgon made all things almost as plainly visible as daylight would have done, ren the dark thread of the road, which led to the town With a determination to adopt from the outset the ways of the man he intended to profess to be, Varley bad driven on A pile of blankets lay on the ground, and he was dreamily To seé him one would bave supposed that he was at peace witb himse!f and all the rest of ©
Page 4
4: The Lightning Sport. Suddenly one of the two horses that were tethered near pricked up his ears and gave a low snort. i The movement escaped the eyes of the re- clining man; but he heard thesound. On the instant he was on the alert. His hand dropped backward and grasped a pistol, while his glances rapidly swept the little dingle that lay spread out before him, Then he heard the fast falling footsteps of an approaching steed, and a moment later horse and rider came into sight from beyond an edge of the bluff that reached down almost to the timber line. They were coming cautiously. The hoof- strokes scarcely made an audible sound; and the rider, erect in his saddle, came on almost with the gliding motion of a ghost. _ The fugitive looked keenly forward and rec- wgnized the man. Perhaps for the length of a beat or two, bis heart seemed to stand still. Then, with his outstretched hand grasping weapon, he sprung to his feet; in a hoarse me, utterly unlike the soft, silken ones that poor Clarice had heard, exclaiming: ‘Halt! Who comes there?” And the answer came ringing back: “A foe of yours, Harold Varley—a foe of yours to the death!” At the same instant the advancing man slipped nimbly cff of the horse, on the side furthest from Varley. ‘<You’re barking up the wrong tree, stranger, if you call me Harold Varley; but all the same, you stand there till we find out who youare. Men that talk that way don’t prove welcome visitors at an honest emigrant’s camp.” “ Away with that nonsense, Harold Varley! I am Clinton Bride and I am here to take ven- geance. If you are a man I will still give ‘ou one chance, for I am no cowardly assassin. tep forward from the shade and I will meet you in the moonlight.” From where Bride stood, Varley was invis- ible, since his form was lost on the black back- ground of the timber. ‘Step forward yourself, if you dare! One that skulks behind his horse scarcely is the one to boast of bis courage.” “JT accept your challenge, vile murderer. If there is a spark of courage in your craven soul you will meet me on even terms.” And stepping out from bebind his horse, Clinton Bride walked boldly forward, a fair mark for a felon shot. It was a temptation, yet something held the hand that was more than half raised, and out stalked Varley. At a little distance he called a halt. “No coward am I, but I want a chance for my life, now and hereafter. Halt right there and hear me.” “Devil! if I saughtered you in your sleep it would be nothing that you did not deserve. Did you think you could escape me? From this spot one of us stirs not alive. If there is any justice in heaven or on earth, the one that ‘remains here will not be I, I have trailed you to your doom.” “Justice in such matters is generally with the quickest hand, the surest eye. But, never mind that. I believe you propose a duel?” “Wretch! no man could callit a duel with- out disgracing himself and me, I propose to allow you to defend yourself,” «Precisely; but I do not care to have my- self hung for murder afterward, nor do I want you to run that risk. It amounts to a duel without seconds. If you were to shoot me where I stand, and were taken on the spot by some such dasval passers as will thrust them- selves in where they are not wanted, you would be treated to a short rope and no shrift.” “Wnfortunate, but it cannot be remedied, Prepare yourself; I am going to fire.” ' “A moment. This séems to be a quiet, lonely place, where one could slumber well. A , abe yonder by the cottonwood would suit me a resting-place, and I doubt if ever it would be disturbed. bury me there?’ “ Ay; as well there as elsewhere.” st And a grave there would suit one as well asthe other. I have shovels in the wagon, let Will you promise to ws dig it first. Whoever is the survivor will have a witness to his story should interruption ome before his work is done,” “Yes, a grave, a grave! We will dig it . One of us will lie there; the other go his way. think of it!” Oh, you are a wise man to The voice of Clinton Bride had a strange ring in it, His words were broken. Varley shook his head at the tones, fur they sounded like those of one who was crazed. Neverthe- less he retained his coolness, and he had made the proposition in sober earnestness. This man was on his track, and must be removed with as little danger as possible to himself. ‘““A moment, then,” he responded, ‘until I can get the tools, See, I will lay my weapons down here, and you leave yours there. The spot where we will dig is about equally dis- tant. When we have finished we will seek our revolvers, and the ball will open.” He sheathed his revolver as he spoke and deliberately cast down belt and all, throwing down his broad-brimmed sombrero to mark the spot. The other did the same, and then the two stepped away, Varley going straight to his wagon, from which he procured a shovel and a spade. Then he joined Clinton Bride, who awaited him just outside of the line of shade, at the spot Varley had pointed out, and who greeted him with a ghastly chuckle. ‘*T didn’t think 1’d ever help the man who robbed me of my wealth, stole and slew my wife and burned my child alive. But to help him dig his grave—that is better! Yet tho dog deserves none.” Varley silently handed him the shovel, keep- ing the spade for bimself, and without a word marked ont the trench’s limits. Into the sol were thrust the tools, and the work went on. Once beneath the sod and the sbarp blades pushed easily down into the warm, mellow soil, “Deep enough, is it not?” exclaimed Varley, at last, leaping out. “A shovelful or two more at this end,’ an- swered the other. ‘‘ Your head will then rest level. There; ic is ready.” “Then lie in it!” shouted Varley, as he brought his spade down in one crushing blow, and Bride dropped in the grave, mute and quivering. ; CHAPTER IV. A POSSIBLE NEMESIS, For a dozen or more years Clinton Bride had slept the dreamless sleep that knows no waking, and by chance or destiay his grave just beyond the shadows of the cottonwoods remained undisturbed. No pursvit had there been, no questions asked, no suspicion of the secret that was buried there that night inthe presence only of the nodding trees and the cold moonlight. Many another man had set out upon the trail that led westward from the river, and had been swallowed up without word of comment, Disease, outlaws, Indians, starvation — there were a hundred ways for taking off. Aud then Clinton Bride was a stranger there, whom none had noticed, while away back east they were vainly searching the charred ruins for the corpses which they could not find, The assassin went his way with a real sense of relief. He had feared this madman whom he had slaughtered more than he did judge or jury; and he would not have done differently if he bad had a thousand chances, He had money and hope, and he pushed as boldly to- ward the setting sun as many an honester man, never doubting his future when he reached the goal of his wishes. Nor was he mistaken, There was little risk of recognition now, under another name and in almost a different clime. For a dozen years he had his ups and downs; but upon the whole the ups predominated. On the verge of ruin several times, he came through all right, or dropped into something else. He grew stouter and aged somewhat. Wherever he went be made his mark, and men got accus- tomed to hearing Judge Schneider spoken of as a bold, pushing man, able to handle almost anything, and with mining interests scattered around that would certainly one day net him a fortune; though so far the receipts had been swallowed up by the expenses, Some of his ventures proved unprofitable, The Ground Hog claim, for instance. From the time Mart Quigly bad traced the blossom to the mother lode, and interested the judge, there had been a series of provoking disappointments, that had absorbed his profits elsewhere, and pinned him, for the greater part of the time to Red Earth, when he should have been down at Slaughter Bar, where money was really to be made. ie <5. If be had been at all superstitious, ‘ the judge,” as he was now universally called, might have supposed that there was in some way a curse hanging over his efforts; but for- ten years he had oniy thought a few times, at. long intervals, of the awful events that imme- diately preceded his coming to the West, ' He hated to give up the Ground Hog. Other men sround him were succeeding; and he had already sunk a mint of money in the shaft, that had been sunk to what any one but a miner would call a dangerous depth. Dangerous or not, it had so far proved unprofitable, and as the work was done with an eye rather to development than permanency, it- | was barely possible that some little mischance: might start a catastrophe. Some people rather expected one; but the miners took their chances, and from all accounts Judge Schneider ~ scarcely cared. It is certain that he never, ‘ when away, as. he frequently was, shivered lest, on bis return, he might find the Ground Hog caved in, with a dozen men crushed in the. tunnel. If Mart Quigly was one of them it might be a relief—yet Quigly was a mam whom he more than half intended to use, es- pecially if the Ground Hog proved a failure. He owned him body and soul so long as Quigly did not turn in despair and rend him. The judge had his head-quarters at the hoteb of the place—the Seven Angels. He paid high but had things fixed to suit himself. His roomy was in the most public part of the building: and there was a glass window in the door se that all passers-by could see directly in, though his bed and table being to one side, there was. little visible except a small iron safe that stood directly opposite to the window, It was a cunningly devised plan, this, to keep the safe constantly in view of everybody —better than if he had hidden it ever so much. It made an impression; and then there was little chance to tamper with it; unless a mam had the secret of the combination it would take an hour or two with good tools to go through lock or door. Even in his absence he felt little if any uneasiness. There wasa man or two paid to look specially after his interests, and the landlord of the Angels, Michael Mitchell, was honest as could be, Yet there was a secret in the safe that was worth more than the gold that it contained, and for years he had guarded it well, hoping that some day the time would come when he could use it, The judge had been absent from Red Earth for some little time, and was returning in triumph, Slaughter Bar was thriving more than ever, and he had made up his mind te sink no more money in the Ground Hog, but. to remove, bag and baggage to the place that seemed to offer a better and a wider field. As the stage rattled along down the moun- tain roads or plunged into the recesses of the canyons he scarcely noted that the coach now and then swayed unpleasantly from side te side and advanced with an irregular and some- times dangerous speed. He was busy with his. own thoughts or he would have seen that the driver was “ full” as a lord, Yet no accident happened until just at the point of safety. The coach came into Red Earth at a swing- ing gallop and the driver took the turn at the Seven Angels too suddenly. There was a tremendous crash, the driver shot through the air, the stage landed on ite side, the horses plunged viciously forward— and a scant hundred yards ahead was the nar- row unrailed bridge that crossed the Taylor flume. As yet the judge was shaken though unburt; but there was a strong chance of his f life being beaten out in a moment or two, if the body of the stage, from which he could ; not escape, went crashing down upon the bed- rock of the flume. ; Half a dozen men who saw the accident ran; |, but one of them was not too late. ; He, though little more than a boy, flung himself straight upon the leaders. There was a short, violent struggle. Then one of the leaders reared and fell; the other followed him; the wheelers were mixed in the struggling mass; and under all was the young man. Very likely did it seem that he had given his life to save that of the judge, whe, now that the stage lay motionless, sprung out of a window; staggering but unharmed. By this time a dozen hands were on the horses, which were cut loose, pushed aside, fox» gotten, as they drew out the youth and car ried him into the Angels.
Page 5
The Lightning Sport. 5 - —— 5 There was blood on the lad’s face: he was %ruised, and motionless; the question was, how badly was he hurt. “Reckon ’e’s passed in *is chips,” said Mart Quigly, touching the judge lightly on the arm, *‘Tucky fur you that ’e was haround, thougL.” | “Yes, indeed! But, maybe the youngster is | not dead yet? It would be a pity for sucha Jad of nerve to go under that way. Look! I believe he’s coming around.” Under the ministrations of Dr. Dubbs, who happened to be on the spot, the young man did | seem to be reviving. He gave a long breath, gasped and finally looked up. The blood had heen washed off of his face, though it still welled through the cut on his forehead, and his countenauce lay under the gaze of the judge, white and clear-cut, It was just as well that all eyes were on the ‘young man, and none on the judge, for the Jatter suddenly started back and passed his hand across his brow. No wonder! He bad seen a counterpart of that face be- fore, with jast such a wound on the forehead! Line for line if was the face of the man who had dropped from the blow of his spade, in the moonl'ght by the Missouri years ago. He could not help himself. Of course it was -only an accidental resemblance; but he turned and staggered away. . Even he was moved by the shock. In a few minutes Quigly came out, his face “wearing a cheerful look, He found the judge standing with his hands ‘in his pocket, gazing at vacancy. **Didn’t think hay little blood ’u’d turn yer stomjack, jedge, heven hif hit wur spilt fur yer hown salwation. ’E’s hay chipper hand, esassy ’as hay two-year-hold colt hin hay hoats field.” : “Glad to hear it, then. I did feel a bit streaked when I thought but for him I might ‘have been lying there with a worse hole in my head. I'll see what I can do for him, for, from his looks I think he’s down on his luck. “Who is he? Did he say?” “Say! Blast my heyes, but that’s ther fun- wmiest part hof ‘hit. ’E didn’t say nary hay sword, fur ’e’s dumb has ha hoyster,” “Dumb!” The judge ejaculated but the one word. Dumb—and that face! At that moment the words of Clarice, care- dessly heard, and since then forgotten, came ‘back tv him. He turned abruptly away, and as he strode along he muttered to himself; “ By all the fiends, it is Clinton Bride’s son!” CHAPTER V, A GRATEFUL FIEND, JuDGE SCHNEIDER, after the revelation of “Mart Quigly, was for a few moments anything ‘but the cool, calculating villain. What did this young fellow want here, at Red Earth? Could it be possible that he knew anything of the past and wes on the trail for vengeance? Or was it by some miserably un- lucky chance that he bad drifted thither?” And in any case, what was to be dono about it? / Over a dozen years added to the life of this man had made him different, not only in name, but nature. He was not so ready with Then, over his shoulder, the man of mines spoke to Michael Mitchell, the landlord: *“Quigly tells me the poor fellow is dumb, Is it so, or was it only the result of the shock?” ‘Dumb he is, dumb as a clam; but if you pick him up for deaf you'll be pretty badly sold, for he can hear for three.” It was a strange freak of nature, this, such as the judge had never before met with, and he turned curiously to the young man, who had drawn out a little slate and a pencil, while he looked eagerly at the man he had served. ‘Who are you, my friend? and how do you happen to be here?” asked the judge. Tbe white fingers scribbled furiously for a little, and then the slate was beld up. “Clinton Bride,” it said, ‘‘ Looking around; perhaps will locate; perhaps go East.” “A thousand times I am thankful to you for your aid, that came when it was most needed, If you want me or my purse, com- mand either, or both. If I can help you in any way don’t be backward about naming it. My name is Schneider—Howard Schneider, if you need me.” The fingers rattled along again. “Thank you: but I don’t. While I bave life and strength I help myself.” ‘““A very good p’an,” answered the judge laughing, ‘‘ but I’d like to show my gratitude in some way. What are you driving at, or what do you want to drive at?” “ Seeing the country,” answered the pencil. “You would have done as much, or more, for me; say no more about it. If they fence the country in I'll come to you first to help mo over the palings.” The method was tiresome, and the young man seemed careless whether or no the con- versation was continued. With renewed offers of assistance the judge turned away. He did not have a doubt now, for the name had told him to a certainty who the young man was. How true the balanca of his story was remained a questi.n that the judge pro- posed to ponder at his leisure. At first glance it seemed impossible thot the youth could have any suspicions in regard to him, when all tho sleuth-hounds of the law that no doubt had been bent upon the search for his track, a dozen years before, had failed. Yet the judge had a nervous fear of what might be coming, and he sought his own room iu deep thought, and flung himself upon the bed, his hands thrown back under his head, his eyes fixed upon the safe against the opro- site wall. . ‘Queer sort of start, this,” he thought to himself. ‘Clinton Bride’s son wandering here alone, and, as I suspect, in poverty. By heavens, the wretch must be poor. My specu- lation, that only netted moe a few thousands, made a beggar out of him. That infernal fire! There was wealth left behind that would have made half a million and the flames covered it up or destroyed it, “Yet it must be there. Curses on it, there isa bigger bonanza in those vaults, than any T have struck in this land of gold. I’ve tried more than once to get possession of the place, but the idiot or knave—I swear I don’t know which he was—has it tied up too tightly for even the thievish lawyers to get through to it, A shovél and pick applied in the right spot would open a chimney that would beat Cali- his wespous as be once was, and he had not the yeorsing that he used to have to know the worst and have it over, For that reason he did not see his way as clearly as he once would have done, It might be that he would have to be removed; but on the contrary, was there not some other way -out of the trouble? If ha was only a wander- ing waif, and as the judge intended to leave Red Earth for good and all, he might be dropped without trouble; or even sent away with a kindly remembrance of the man who had been gra'eful to bim for the saving of his life. So S:hneider pulled himself together by an -effort of the will, and after a basty call at Hoollum Hal!, where he interviewed one of his men, who was generally to be found there, -out of working hours, be got back to the Seven fornia for richness, ‘“And then, yonder safe. There’s a little secret there that would make this dumb boy a man of note, withoutadoubt. With them and Quig!ty be could make a stir in the world, . I¢ hs only knew—and, by heavens, who is to say that he don’t know?” Impelled by the thought the judge sprung from his bed, threw down the curtain that was rolled up above the winiow, and ap- proached the safe, at which he iooked sharp'y before proceeding to open the door, He looked over the contents casually, Nothing was missing. Then ke picked cut a package of papers, tied withyred tape, and heginning to be soiled and creased with much carrying. He looked at them thoughtfully—and then gave a start. Angels, where be found the crowd dispersed, “the doctor gene,)and the young man, or youth | —it was hard to tell wiich to call him—but ‘litt!e the worse for his late sdventure. The judge heid out bis band, which was taken frankly and without the sign of diffi- one hai never been made by his fingers. He turned the pa:ers up and down, over and over; and still there was the mute wit- ness, staring him: in the fee, Then wita nervous haste he opened the package, : aitas and I’m in a position to help you right along | He knew ak the knots that he tied, and this H There was nothing missing; but there was no longer a doubt but that the papers had been tampered with! Some one had mastered their contents and then returned them—forgetting, however, the order in which they bad been placed. To the jadge, one conclusion only seemed certain, Within the last week the work had been done; and within the last week the dumb child of Clinton Bride had made his appear- ance at Red Earth. and, indeed, probably, knew the secrets of the safe, what did he intend to do? ‘He is going to lay for me,” said the judge grimly, and in a balf audible tone. ‘He was afraid to take them outright while I lived; and he wasright, He has nerve, and, perhaps, skill; it is a question of who will strike first. Beware, young man, If you once follow me, it is to death!” He put the package back, closed the safe and arose, with compressed lips and a face that was slightly paler than it had been. In these few moments he bad made up his mind, and all that he wanted was opportunity, That he was in the habit of making. In the evening he saw Quigly again and had some little talk. The next day was Sunday, and Red Earth was full. Every one bad quit work for the day, and every saloon, from the Star of Em- pire to Hoodlum Hall, was crowded. Through this concourse of people the judge moved, a man of note, with a word for every- body; and all the time he had a consctousness of being followed. When he went toward the Seven Angels he saw the young Clinton Bride approaching in the distance, ‘*Ah, I have you playing around the baits look out for the hook, young man. It is there!” He went in and took from the safe the pack- age of papers, which he-thrust into his breast pocket, Then he came out and lounged care- lessly around the piazza, waitirg for a call to supper, When he was certain that Bride’s Now, since he possibly, f eyes were on him, by careful accident he dis- ~ closed a bit of red tape. That was his “ bait,” Night came on. When he had the chance he slipped away. His revolvers were handy, and he made the best of his way toward the Ground Hog shaft, which he had reason to know was utterly deserted. His senses were all on the alert, for he did not know how soon a shot might strike him. Without seeming to do it, his eyes continually explored the shadows around him. He saw a flitting form in his rear, and occasionally heard the sounds of softly falling footsteps. The spy behind understood his business reason- ably well, : Without hesitation, the judge entered the ~ Ground Hog shaft, which began with an adit ! and then pitched downward. There had -been . a good deal of money spent there, and about all that was to be shown for it was a very long hole, . “Lucky that Quigly himself had decided at— last that the Ground Hog was no good, besides being most infernal dangerous. There won’t be very much of a howl in the morning when | it is found that the work has come to an end.” While he thus communed with his own thoughts, the judge lighted a small lantern, He scarcely turned up the wick at all; but he had an object in having this feeble giimmer of light. He was luring on the spy; and thor he wanted no mistake made as to the road, ¢ither by himself or the otber, whom he now felt certain would follow him—to the death, per- hips. He struck deeper into the shaft, carry- ing in one hand the lantern, in the other an ax, After a little, the judge suddenly deflected to the left and immediately increased his pace. When he had gone some little distance the tunnel turned again to the right. Following on for tome little distance ferther he placed the lantern down and then ran on with still fleeter steps, until he found himeelf back once more in the tunnel from which he had diverged, when he again turned to the righ’, Now he went cautiously, feeling his way along, at last pausing to listen. the spot “here be had entered the side drift. No svund was audible, but he proceeded witb niore an! more caution, advancing on his He was near. hands and knees until he reached the opening through which he was certain the youth had followed, Si 2 ey
Page 6
a 6 At some little distance he could see the faint reflection of the light of his lantern. Between it and him there crouched the dark figure of a wateier, who was evidently puzzled what to do. The judge noted his position and nodded. He was satisfied that he had the son of Clinton Bride fairly under the trap; what remained now to do was to spring it, and that he only too well knew how, though he had to take his risks in the darkness. He sprung up and gave three blows like lightning et a single timber. Then he sprung backward. There was a tevring, rending sound, and then the noise of a thundering crasb, as the wall of rocks above and on either s de seemed to close in, and then the judge was running backvrard toward the mouth of the adit, Trat spy would scarcely come peeking and peering around him again, since he lay under toys anJ tons of rock, buried to all eternity. CHAPTER VI. A WILLFUL WOMAN, SHVERAL years elapsed, und the judge was more prosperous than ever. He seemed now to have pinned all his faith on Slaughter Bar, and had made some changes in his mode of hfe with the ease and success that always had dis- tinguished him. Slaughter Bar, however, was somewhat under a cloud. Tbe Vigilantes had riseu the week b: fore and got in their work after the terse, vigorous fashion of such social gather- ings. One man, taken red-handed in murder had been hung, and several expatriated, with a gentle reminder that eertain destruction awaited them if they returned. After Judge Schneider remarked that he guessel white men could live at the Bar again; ond the remaiving came sadder and quieter men. Soit seemed, at least, for since that evening there bad not been a case of mort ility in town, and the sports who filed throngh the saloo 3 nominated their poison or sd their coin on the hazird of card or die in an orderly way that quite took away the breath of the stailer gitizens to see, though tbe tomer to John Oaks, a quiet, responsible man, who helped keep a little store, was very much to the point: “They bang a bad man and cleared out a few more, but they lett worse behiad, and the worst men of all were holding onto the rope, Things have quieted dovn just now, but they'll break loose—they’ll break loose.” That seemed to baa general opinion. A little weeding would scarcely have a lasting effec’. There might be a temporary cloud of depre- sion, but that would litt, and the camp wou'd once more justify the old name of Slaughter Bar, There had been a change of lata in the jadge’s household arrangements. He hed put upasub- stantial and exceptionally roomy cabip, aud* then disappeared for a few weeks. When be returned he brought with bim a tall, queenly- looking girl; whom he mentioned as his dauzh- ter, Nellie. Tbe Bar was not particularly surprised. He bad been beard to speak vaguely of his family and certain reasons that bad prevented bis having ‘bem with him. He had no objections to the - Bar guessing at what those reasons were; and if the majority of the people who thought at all on the subject decided that prosecution fer some crime had been barred by lapse of time, he was now ready to leave the retirement he had previously courted. Miss Nellie was a beauty, though, and those who at times bad seen her eyes flash and her lips harden, knew that she had a will of her own, She did not take altogether kindly to the suci¢ty of the Bar, though sbe had a nod stak and a go:d-morning for those she had met } more than once, aud as for her fath+r—she held him at arm’s length, so to speak, and went her own way more than he bad deemed it possible a girl could do. It was well toward evening one day, not long after the regenerating efforts of the Vigi- lantes already snientioned; and Miss Nellie sauntered slowly along the side of the trail. Slaughter Bar Jay behind her, the long shadows were beginning to fall, and the place was lone- some, but she did not seem at all nervous. About her waist was a belt that carried a pair of revolvers which she knew how to use, and 4n an emergency she felt certain she could pro- ; ‘beet ee when she ceme suddenly tace to . | that | ] roughs, toughs and bard cases be- remark of a cus- | / | | the rig | other word. _The Lightning Sport. face with a tall, broad-shouldered man with a dark, handsome face. Sbe saw his shadow before she heard his step, and glanced up without much interest or alarm, It was only when he made a side step toward her that her face flushed a little with indignation. “Good-evening, Miss Nellie,” said the in truder, doffing his bat with what might seem an excess of politeness. ‘Iam afraid you do not recognize me, but I told you we should meet again. for your humble servant?” Se ‘* You insalt me,” answered the young lady, sharply. ‘ What greeting could 1 have for an unknown man, who comes in the dark with the step of a thief, or someth ng worse?” “Ah! membered as your very devoted admirer, And I assure you I eowe with the most cisinterested motives in the world; if you would but listen | you might admit ir.” He smiled softly, Tben his lips remained parted, showing dis teeth, white and sbarp. “ Listen—listen? Yes, I do remember you. You asked me to listen to you once or twice be- fore, when you thought you had the right to insult me. You shail not’ do it again, was aman I woud avrswer you wita a blow, as Iam a woman, Her band dropped to her belt with a tbreat- ening gesture, ‘¢ Heigh-ho!. I see you It is true that I then wanted to plead my un- dying affection; now I want to speak only for your own interest. than you think—at first trom a financial mo- tive, and afterward ivom a more seniiment.1 one. I have also wutchel the think I will have him cornered timo, beware of him! You may ter, and you may rot. In @ny event, if you were in his way, h: would wring yeur neck with as litths eompunetion as he has wrong several others.” ‘Toat 1s cnoughb, sir. I refase to hear an- L t me pas!” “Oh, but you must heer, Iam not certain whether he has brought you doen here to kill you or to kiss you. In citherevent I want him to keep hands off! And: I would soon*r pro tect than avenge you. Suppese yeu give me it to du both?’ He spoka as coolly as though the girl’s eyes were not on him with cutting scorn, In fact he was wooing in what he conceived the only spirit thet might bave a chance to win, and be was willing to risk much. “TI can prot-ct myself; and should I be calle lt away, I eet need no vengeance.” “So you say; bub when you have beard—” Bees i will, not hear. For the last time, pss on! } egee but you will thongh. And as for | your pop-guns, J’ll take charge cf tiem until the interview is ended.” Nellie thought she was quick with her wea- pons, but she bad had no dealings with sucb a | man as this, who was quie ker than ber theughts. | It was not this isterview that had roused her to fury, but the remembrance ot former-perse- | cutions. Tad be hesitated she would kave | fired. ) He did not hesitate. With a quick spring he closed in aud=snatch:d away the pistols | from hand and belt, and then, bounding back, | bowed low, a revolver in either band. Then his mocking laugh was checked in its midst, and the noise of a good, solid blow | echoed on the evering air. Under its force tha man went down like lead, while in bis place stood a handsome young fellow, with laughter in his eye, and yet re- spect in his bow. ; ‘‘He is an outlaw—a thief. Shun his ways or bell hurt you, No thanks, A stranger needs none when he only does his duty. Your way is there, take it while there’s no danger.” Nevertheless she murmured her thanks while he picked up her revolvers and handed them to her. “Not every stranger,” she added, s sronld | have taken the risks of attacking a man who | held weapons ready, roon. Mean- be his daugh- Haven’t you a word of greeting | I flattered myself that I might be re- | | of figures, arose and buckled on bis belt, I have watebed you longer | judge, and I } | You have done me a | favor that I shall not forget, and if you come | to the Bar, as I suspect you intend to, I may be able to return it. Thank you again and good-night. Beware of that man, thougb, when he comes to his senses.” She turned and walked away, the voice of the party td man following; her i in » cheery, yet “ Good-night.” If 1) | after. I wi lavswer you with this.” | Presently the man on the ground came to» his senses. It seemed to him that he had heard, as if in a dream, two voices—two mem talking—and the one voice was familiar, He staggered to his feet and looked around, but he: was a’one, and not a thing on bis person seemed to-be touched. Nevertheless he shook his head and ground his teeth, ‘Ts soundel like the voice of Dan Sliter, and who else could have struck such a blow? It can be for no good that he goes to Slaughter Bar. By heavens! if he is there I'll take him out and slay bim right before them all. It’s kill or be killed, and it’s time the men there know what l:ind of a clothes-pin they’ve got lying around their back door, Til go down t-night.” Then he shook his hand toward the Bar, gave one more glance around and disappeared over the hill. About nine o’clock that evening Judge Schneider, who had been poring over an array “I think, Neliie, I will go down to the Alhambra to-night. The dancing has begun again, and though the town has been regulated into something like shape, it needs looking If I don’t get in until late, you needn’t stey awake, and if McQuoid should happen te come around to talk over the Hair Pin, send | cain | him down to the saleon—1 shall be there.” misunderstand me, | **So shall I,” responded Miss N»llie, coolly. “Tf you are going down to the Alhambra Tit just bang onto an arm and go along.” ** What nonsense is this? That is no place for you, and I wouldn’t see you there for ten thousand,” *Pshaw! Pat your pride in your pocket. If ycu con't want to act as my escort go om down, and [ll paddle my own canoe. You see these?’ } know how to ure them too.” The young lady touched significantly the stocks of her revolvers that she bad ready at Ler waist, and then locked up into the judge’s. face with cba: mirg impudence. “I believe, on my soul, that that is half a threat. Why, ny dear child, it is only for your own good, And if you must see the insiv’e of the Albambr a wait until to-morrow ight. They have a masked ball there then, ind under my protection you can go to that, fr a few moments, in safety, and no one be any the wiser,” “Thank you, but no masked ball do TI care {o see, for that is the time when they have pistols for six and men without limit for lreakfast. It is every-night life at the Al- harbra } want to see, and I'm going,” She spoke positively and the judge, who was haste, seemed to see the folly of argument, ‘In the fiend’s name, then, come on, Mind that you take care of yourself and begin no ronsense, for I stand over somethivg like a voleano here. It may only need your foolish- ness to start an erupticn.” L iu “Take care of yourself then, end don’t worry about me. Gere goes for my first Lall at Slougher Bar,” She clapped her hands tegether with a merry lavgh, and bounded through the open door, the was having her own way, and it is need- less to say that that way. was not without a purpose. CHAPTER VII, AN INNOCENT ABROAD, THIS same evening the stage had reached Slevghter Bar about sundown or a little later 1ud as part of its mederate lh ad hed ret down Har Vernon in front of the Pilgrim’s Pride, Harle y Vernon, by the way, was a young Englishman, witb a well-knit frame, a fresh complexion, equiline cse, clear gray eyes, sandy hair and mutton-chop whiskers. He bad been long enough in America to under- stand that almost anything was possible there; and yet not long enough to altogether feel at home wherever he might drop down, He had ccurage, however; end money, and although he was alone, and bad been thoroughly posted as to the nature of the city of refuge to which he bad penetrated, be did nct appear at all nervous. The Pilgrim’s Pride was the hatel cf the- place, and it was ren on temperance principles, so that it was always quiet enough, and the man who stopped there njon his arrival was apt to have a favorable first impression of ther town, That was the case with Harley Vernon. are b
Page 7
The Lightning Sport. the cuisine of the Pride was all that could be desired, the landlord, Peter Van Vedder, was gravely attentive, and the Chinaman of all work was as docile as an almoud-eyed Oriental could be; which was saying a good deal. For these and other reasons Mr. Vernon be- gan to think that possibly Slaughter Bar was not:as bad as its reputation, and shortly after taking a hearty suppor he lit a cigar and wan- dered forth, without even asking Van Vedder’s counsel as to which were safe directions to follow. He wandered around the camp, even making some litt'e provress toward scaling the moun- tain side th 5 was temptingly near. No one saidaw> ° t+ him and he said not a word to any one. 1 ‘1. now and then he passed one cr more : { +): denizens of the Bar, Asit “r ~ later he turned his face once more towxrd tha center of the camp; and led by the souud of music, he finally brought up in front of the Alhambra. A glance through the open door satisfied him as to the nature of the place, and after a mo- mentary hesitation, more to obtain an idea of how the land lay than from any prudential considerations, he finally went in. Certainly everything seemed to be going on tranquilly enough. At the end nearest to the door was the bar behind which stood Bogiue Jack, a tall, stout- ly built young man, who, when not engage1 dispensing his potables, leaned upon the p!avk top of his counter, watching the proceedings with an eagle eye. At the further end of the bar was a sort of addi'ion, not quite :o high. There, on the raised platform, sat the two musicians, who scraped and picked out music in every sort of tune and time, Although their position was all right for the legitimate business of tune and dance, it was by no means healihy when the boys struck up a frolic; and in the wall, exactly behind the violinist’s head, were the splotches of a couple of bullets, The shooters had had him Jined, and only had he saved himself by a sudden spring be- hind the bar, which was a regular fortification, with a rear means of exit for the non-com- batants. Along the sides of the room were ranged stout benches, firmiy fixed to the wall, aad at the further’ cn‘, were several tables, that seemed to be fixtures in each corner,. while through an open door a g’impze could be had of more. Card playing and its eonvenieuces were the legitimate ddsings at the Alhambra, and the tiger lurked in ths rear roo n. Just now, however, the tab!es were deserted. As Vernon entered, the musi¢ ceasel, and ths floor was full of men and women who were either strolling toward the bar, or toward the benches by the wall. There was nothing about the scene that repulsive to any one accustomed to tie eiviliza- tion of the West. When Vernon stepred up to the bar, two or three men nodded to him ina neighborly sort of way, as though they ‘did not wish to intrude, yet wanted to make him feel at home. No one asked bim to drink, or acted fs though they wanted him to “set them up,” and having poured down a sample of tha goods that Engine Jack retailed, he made his way carelessly across the room, wichout having any particular objective point, though his inten- was tion was to get as far as possible from tho | bar. He gave something of a start as he neared the further door. Ps Sitting behind one of the vacant fa’ les, go ing around her with a ploasant, but curir air, was a hands: me-tac:d young girl, a per- fect lily among tho full-blown roses, WN her stvod a tall, dark faced man of forty; t most carefully dressed man in the room, theugh he would scarcely have passed muster at the New York Academy of Music, His:arms were folded, and he was talking to a man who was sill taller, with broad-stosped shoulders, and an unmistakable Scotch face. In the opposite corner of the room there was a table altogether empty, and as Vernon glanced about him, he saw that four or five men were coming forward, looking at the two tables; and that the one, bebind which the girl was sitting, was rather the nearest, Carelessly, and without any premeditation, the Englishman slipped into a chair, and half leaning, with his elbow upon the table, sur veyed ‘he room with a look of pleased amuse- - nent. proaching four simply turnea to the other table, leaving Harley Vernon aimost tete-tete with the young lady who had attracted his attention. He meant to speak to her, if opportunity offered, but he was in no hurry, since he was certain that he must proceed cautiously, if he wunted to avoid giving offense. The grateful look that he thought he detected, for his suc- cessful maneuver was encouraging; but he had true English prudence, and waited. When the music struck up again, and the floor was filled with dancers, some of whom were gracefal, but all of whom were energetic, he was satisfiad that he bad not been mis aken. This young lady was certainly not a regular habitue of the place, The two men that had been standing near moved a step or two aside and sunk down upon the bench by the wall, continuing their eon- versation, which, from the word cr two Ver- non bad caught, was about mines and mining, and some particular lode or vein in which they had an interest, From time to time the girl gave a glance abthem. Bat for the most part her gaze rested upon the whirling couples on the floor, Finally, as Vernon changed his position slightly, his eyes met hers fixed fully upon him. She did nob» seem particularly confused, though she smiled and flushed a little as Ver- non, by instinct, nodded, “A looker on in V enna, like myself, T ses?” he said, in a low, pleasant tone. ‘* And Slaugh- ter Bar does Lot seem to be half as bad as its repita ion,” * Thank you, in the name of our town,” she responded, without a particle of hesitation, “But Slaughter Bar is under a momentary eclipse, whiel will Jast as long as the average memory of these men, or until some one ov something stirs them up. The Vigilantes were about last week, and the lambs can hear the echoes of the dead march at tha funerals, You have struck the camp a week\too late, or a week too early to see if on its true shape. Yot, if you are fortunate, something may hap- pen. Don’t be despondent, There are some men here,” ‘€Oo, T assure you, [ have no dasira to see it at its worst, and ib seems,;to me that I could not have been more fortunate than I have been. I want to spend a week or so in this camp, and I assure you I don’t care bow mild and amiable its de 1s are during that time.” ‘ A sensible conc usion—or af least, a profit- able one. Slaughter Ber would hardly appre- | ciate such prudence on the part of its would-b Citizens, however, And it you remain long enough, I think LI can guarantee you the sight of a general shaking up. Td advise you to go ‘heeled,’ anyhow,” ‘‘Heeled? That, I suppose, is the technical expression for what, in more moderate climates would ba called a walking arsenal, Thank you, but.the labor is too much for the possible benefit. So far I have got along with nature’s weapons; and being fairly well accustomed to their use, I hope they will see me through. I see that you follow the customs of the camp.” “Yes, and find my account init. There are men here who are reckless enough for any- thing, yet would think twice before they would run the risk of being taken into camp by a girl. And they know I'd shoot, and can shoot, and bave shot; and that’s the whole of it,” Harley Vernon lsoked at this frank spoken young woman with some amusement, He | could not quite understand who she might be; ani her reticence and want of curiosity piqued him. Probably he would have asked some | direcé question had if not been for a little | incident that occurred, which emed. likely to disturb-the harmony of tho evening. Tn front.of the bar a stout, low-browed tan bad planted himself, with his elbows resting oa the counter, but bis hands projecting im front cf him, each grasping a six-shooter. He had been talking in a lower tone, and his voice had been drowned by the music, and the, measured tread of the dancers; but now there was a paus2, and his words cut the air, clear and distinct, “Ob, Pm a cross eyed man, I am, with a hump on my back an’ three lead teeth, but I tell you I’m solid on the bed rock, an’ don't you furgit it, Ef V’d been hyer it’s a bull band-wagon an’ a twenty-horse team ag’in’ one rope on Pete wants ter shake me up, I’m hyer now. You hear me, eh?” The glimpse of the millennium was over; _and Slaughter Bar once more went round on wheels, CHAPTER VIII. THREE BAD MEN FROM BITTER CREEK, Hantey VERNON was rather inclined te smile at the howled defiance of the man who: was talking in the interest of the defunct Cir- cus Pete; but a glance showed him that tho people of the Bar took a serious view of it, There was a fluttering about the eyes of even Miss Nellie; and Vernon heard Judge Schneider exclaim to his companion, who was the Mc- Quoid of whom he bad spoken: “Great guns! There's Buck Brandon, from over the range! Keep an eye on him. There'll be murder done for sure, for Circus Pete was his pard; and there are a dozen men here who will back him. Yet, if he keeps that up, E must take up his challenge.” Then he suddenly remembered his daughter, and gave a hasty glance toward her, She was speaking in a low tone toa young man who, to him was-an utter stranger, He raised his finger’ warningly. “This is no place for you, Nellie. There will be trouble here within the next five minutes, and then even you will bein danger. This. young man seems to be one who can be trusted; and if he would do us both a fayorhe will escort you home.” Vernon arose and bowed. “My name is Harley Vernon, and I am a stranger here, I shall only be too happy to be of service to the ycun, lady; though at the same time I scarcely care to withdraw at the moment that I have a chance to obtain an insight into your customs. Still, command me,” Was it only fancy? As Judge Schneider heard the name of Harley Vernon a strange look seemed to come into his face, that was followed, for a moment, by a ghastly pallor. Then he bowed coldly. “You will doas wellas a better man, Were it possible for me to leave, I assure you that I would not trast you with the service, Iam Judge Schneider, late of the lynch court, and this is my daughter, Now, if it is not too late, Yow can return, You will find a way out through and beyond that door,” He pointed to the further room as he spoke and without demur Neliie rose up. “As we are non-combatants, we've ro busi- nes3 here anyhow, Come, Mr, Vernon, I press you into my service.” The young Englishman had nothing to do but to toilow. In fact, he did not feel very much like hesi- tating. He beard angry: voices sounding through the room, and a number of the sprcta- tors weve beginning to fall back in good order, Back through the door they went, as Judge Schneider advanced toward the spot where Buck Brandon bad planted himself; but once in the smailer room Miss Nillie coolly balted end turned, * That will do to throw the old gentleman off the scent; but I’m not going home now— not for a cent. I didn’G want to spoil hie nerve by having him think I was here and near; but [’m going to see this thing ou £0. | And, Mr. Vernon, for all your love of nature’ weapons, I’d advise you to take this, and keep it in your pocket against the time of need.” She placed her hand on one of the little, | gold-mounted revolvers in ber belt, Vernon smiled: “Thank you; but, thovgh I’ve not a para- phervalia of arms, Iam not altogether unpro- vided for a tight place, The fists first, but afterward I can reach back and start a young earthquake,” The fact was that Vernon, with foreign | modesty, preferred to keep his weapons out of sight; but was not the sort of a man to leave an emergency unprovided for. Seeing that such was the case, Nellie dropped her hand from the offered weapon, and peered out through the door. Buck Brandon’s defiance had had the effect that the judye had feared. While it wakened up the Vigilantes and their friends, it also brought to the surface all that bad been and was favorable to the Hard Pan crowd. . The feminine element, or the greater portion.of it, leetle burro that they wouldn’t ’a’ hung Cirens | scurried away, while the men fell apart with Pete, er got the dead medicine on the Hara angry words, and with bands on hips, All The- movement gave ‘no offense, for the ap- Pan crowd, An’ ef ary man that held ther! that was needed was some one to start the sy ‘.
Page 8
babies phoma Bho ——— ball, and Slaughter Bar would see another, and a desperate struggle. Nearly every one expected it to come, and it ‘was an open question whether the most of them did not want it. A week of quiet was more than the average citizen could stand, “ Ob, I know what I’m sayin’!’’ shouted Buck Brandon, from his place in front of the bar, as he saw Judge Schneider advancing. ‘‘ Here’s the sand what backs it all up every time. I’m a chief, an’ don’t you furgit it. I’m the bad man from Bitter Creek, hot on the shute. Waugh!” The end of the defiance was a coarse, long- drawn howl, And then, ludicrous, yet terrible coincidence, an answer came, almost like an echo—and like a double echo at that. * Waugh!!!” Through an open window cn either side of the room, a man sprung in. Each had a revolver in either hand, and each, as he struck the floor, exclaimed: “Y’m Circus Pete the shuter, an’ a bad man from Bitter Creek! Ef yer don’t believe I’m a butcher, smell ov me boots!” A second later a natty young man, dressed in a black velvet suit, well spangled with gold buttons, and a broad brimmed, white sombrero, pushed between Harley Vernon and Miss Nellie. r The girl started. She recognized, on the instant the young man who had come to her aid a few hours before. To tell the truth she had rather expected to see him here. He did not appear to notice her, for he resolutely made his way into the dance-room, when, leaping upon one of the tables, with folded arms, he shouted ina voice distinctly heard above the confusion. “Tm Lightning Dick of Shasta, and a chief on wheels. I spent six days with the bad men of Bodie, and I'm hyer alive. Cards, sixes er this—I’ll take ther chances with any man ter rus the town.” From his belt he drew a shinning, twelve inch blade and with a dexterous twirl cast it upward into a beam that stretched from wail to wall, a few inches above his head. “You hear it?’ he added. ‘That's my horn sounding!” ‘An’ that’s Engine Jack’s bell what’s ring in'?’ yelled a voice from the otber end of the “ room, though some of the words were almost wt drowned by the sharp crack of a pistol. For the first time in the history of the Bar the pro- prictor of the Albambra seemed to have s'arted the ball by firing the opening shot. And it was a very fair offer, too; more than one expecting to see a corpse drop from the table. Nothing of the kind. The movements of the man in black velvet never lost their grace. His body had writhed aside, though at the instant his band was out- stretched, holding his sombrero where his bead had been, “Hold on! I didn’t fire!” shouted Engino Jack, but no one seemed to notice. Theire es were elsewh re, Something seemed to hit the hat a light tap, though the thud of a bullet entering wood was heard. Tben the hand- some little sport h-11 his sombrero up, circling it roucd and round his finger, which protruded through the bole made by Engina Jack’s bul- let. “That's for fun!” be cried, with a sbrill laugh. ‘* Now for busine-s!” He threw his hat on his head, whipped out two revolvers, bounded from the table, and advanced down the center of tie roum a few paces, direcily facing Buck Brandon, who had suddenly become quiet under this new develop- ment, The three, who claimed to be bad men from Bitter Creek, and the sport who had spent nearly a week at» Bodie, were facing each other, with bands down, but weapors drawn, while the peopl2 of the 8 aughter Bar, amused and amazed, stood gazing at the rival claim- ants, It was nothing to have rival chiefs in town; but, after having hung one, Circus Pete, it was én {undue crowding of the mourners that two more should appear within the week, “Hold on! shouted the hoarse voice of Brandon, “Ef thar’ three more chiefs in the ring I cave. Settle it atween yeiselves; an’ I'jl tack the best man.” At that the two tad men from Bitter Creek turned toward thcir rival from Bodie, just in Se: to hear hi» laughing treble: San ‘ = ‘¢Ob, no you don’t, judge; I’ve an eye in the back of my head and shoot straight over my shoulder.” And, flinging up one arm around his neck he held a revolver pointed straight at judge Schneider, who was silently creeping toward him with a naked knife in his hand, CHAPTER 1X. A PAIR OF JUGGLERS. Ar sight of the pistol that menaced him Judge Schneider halted as though the bullet had already found his brain. Most marvelous did it seem to him, for he had stepped as silently as an Indian, and occu- pied as they were with the men that were blowing their own bugles, he had not believed that a soul in the room had seen him draw the knife. Yet, taken he was, in the very act, as all Slaughter Bar could see, though no one save himself could judge of bis intentions. And, what seemed most provoking of all, was that Lightning Dick never even turned to face bim; but a low chuckle sounded from bis lips, while his eyes wandered from the one Circus Pete to the other, keeping them both covered with his remarkably keen optics. Though his face was still white enough, and his hand trembled somewhat with eagerness, the judge did not seem at all disconcerted. Ten feet, perhaps, separated them, and he hesitated just an iustant, measuring the dis- tanee, debating whether it was possible for him to clear it with a bound. He didn’t believe any such nonsense as that the handsome young Sport had an eye in the back of his head, though he was sure that if his finger tightened on the trigger it would be certain death. It might do so if he rusbed forward. ~An- other plan seemed decidedly better. He silently changed the knife into his left band, and dropped his right upon the revolver at his belt, at the same time stepping noiselessly to one side, to be out of range. But the barrel in the bands of the Lightning Sport followed him as he went, and he beard again the mocking laugh of the maa in black velvet. ‘Ha, ha, judge! None of that! I’ve got you covered and I mean to keep you so till I get you where I want you. Hands up, and come round in front, so 1 can have you all in a bunch! Then go tor me if you choose!” The judge knew as well as any one when he was in a tight place. He had hopes, indeed, that Engine Jack would set his bell to ringing again; but that worthy held his hand at a growled caution that Buck Brandon threw at him. And then, it appeared that his first movement bad been made so suddenly that it was rather the result of surprise than fixed purpose; and now, he was willing to keep out of sight and wait for the result cf the yery pretty little affair that seemed to be on the carpet, While this bit of by-play was being enacted, there were two others who looked as though they did not exsetly understand the place they had in the game. so were the men of the Bar, tor if anything was certain it was that veither of the two was Circus Pete; and why then should either of them have assumed the name of the lately de- ceased, especially in that camp where he was so well known? The question became doubly pertinent when two such men turned up at the same time. As for the men, themselves, they were not so dissimilar in appearance. S'augbter Bar would have bad to toss up to make a choice between them; and it seemed possible that they would have to do something of the kind to tell themselves apart. It was pretty cer- tain thet they had never chenced to meet be- fore, and that their mutual appearance had been also a mutual surprise, and had disar- ranged their plans. No chance would they have to prcve their chieftainship with the citi- zens of Slaughter Bar until they had settled the little matter cf precedence between them: selves. For that reason they probably did not take so much stock in what was going on in the back part of the room. ‘Their first business was with each other, So, at length, one of them s, oke: “T think I heerd some cno shoutin’ ‘Cireus Pete,’ “That’s my rame, an’ I ain’t ashamed oy ther bandle. I don’t keer what ther fod- der is, when yer call me I’m up to Le rack, every time.” . et cca a ae eal 1S on And if they were pvzzled | He looked defiantly at the rival claimant to the name, shaking his pistols as though they were playthings. Instead of accepting the challenge the other deliberately thrust his weapons into his belt and strode forward nearer to the chandelier, with a good humored grin on his face. “ Well, of all the dog-goned liars you beat ’em all, sport! Ef you kin handle a steel thing with a hole in it ez well ez you kin rat- tle yer red rag Pll knock right under, an’ shake ther town. Why, blame my cats—/’m Circus Pete, myself, king ov keerds, duke ov der- ringers, an’ boss ov the bowie, ter say nothin’ about bein’ ther best man with ther fives on this side ov ther mount’ings.” “ Et that’s ther kind ov a rooster you be, all I've got ter say is prove it! I’m hyer, ready ter meet ary galoot, at ary game, with any tool ever invented, from fives to sixes, an’ thar’s me old side-paydner, Buck Brandon, jist willin’ ter back me fur all he’s worth.” “Your side-pardner? Not much—he’s mine. Why, when Charley Cole give hin his hotel, down at Ariavaca an’ he lost it on the 1urn, an’ Charley climbed him fur sayin’ it war a spring-box and a fifty-three deck, whar would he ’a’ bin ef it hedn’t bin fur Circus Pete?” ‘*Prezactly, me jumpin’ buck; an’ that war me!” “When a white man sez a thing, he puts up er shuts up when some one sez, ‘ Back it.’” “Now ye’r’ gittin’ near whar I live,” glee- fully retorted the other, ‘‘ Hyar’s ther slugs tbat sez it. Oh, I ain’t no poor, lean shote thet bezn’t ther grease to keep my tongue @-wag- gin’, Put up yer spons; hyar’s mine, Name yer pile.” He slapped his pocket sharply, and the strokeg were answered by the musical fingle of coin. “Up they are byar, too! Fifty dollars will I stake that I kin prove ye’r’ a liar, an’ then I’m open to another bet, ef that don’t bu’st yer all up.” “ Prove it, if ye kin; but ef Slaughter Bar don’t see yer hackles drop call me a second- handed Dutchman an’ a broken-legged Joon, Hyar’s Buck, now; leave it ter him,” “Not much! He’s a good man ter tie to in a blizzard, but, dog-gone him, he’d sell his grandmotber’s coffin fur 4 sluice-box ef ther war a joke er a dollar in it. He might be a-standin’ in with yer. How’s this, eh? Do those look like Circus Pete?” From his pocket the speaker drew out half a dozen golden eagles atid tossed them up in the air, with toss after toss keeping them therein a golden stream. Sucha specimen of dextrous juggling the people of the Bar had never bither- to seen. ‘* Hyer, rocks, take these! the old man, good enough.” Buck Brandon, at the’ bar, was watching with rather an amazed expression. As he You do it like | spoke he launched a pair of turablers, one after the other, full at the juggler’s head. Had either struck, the force of the mis-ile was enough to bave felled him to the floor; but, still keeping the coins going with his right | hand, with his lett this claimant of the dead } man’s name caught the tumblers one after the other, and, tossing them into the air, they went up and down, round and rcund, as part | of the shimumerirg circle, Slaughter Bar was convinced. If there had been a call for hands up to decide the bet, they would bave shown their paws in a moment. All the same they would have shown too soon. The other Circus Pete gave a snort of sur- prise, and then bis hand came ont of his pocket with as many eagles as his vis-a-vis had going, Up into the air they went with just as even a motion, “Now, pard, sling in yer tumblers,” he ex- claimed, and caught the two that were-slung at him as dexterously as the others bad been taken! E The first juggler was not done yet, however, With skillful manipulation he flung his coin and glasses so that the eagles dropped into the tumblers, and for an instant he played the two in his lett hand, while with his right he drew out one of his revolvers and his heavy bowie and cast them, too, into the air. But that movement wes also imitated, and more than one person shuddered as they saw the keen, glittering blades playing in the air, mixed in with the shower of other articles. _ There was still more to come, s Chana pe shcuted one Cireus Pete, und
Page 9
The Lightning port. gave the word he tossed a tumbler to the other, who caught the glass, coin and all, and at the same time tossed his own back, and each in rfect time caught and kept up the missiles of e other for a moment, own. The first Circus Pete shook his head. there seemed little to choose between them, was time to try something else. By a dexterous twist of the wrist he shook the coin out of the tumblers, adding them to the stream that was circling in the air. His double imitated the movement, Thon he suddenly seized his revolver by the stock, six reports were heard—mingled with six other reports—and, tossing the now empty revolver up, he grasped the tumblers one in each hand. Into them fell revolver and bowie, and he and his rival, who had exactly repro- duced his feat, bowed low at the thunders of appluse—for Slaughter Bar was frank enough to acknowledge the merits of a stranger, even if he laid claim to the title of chief, As for their gold coins, each one had been struck fairly, while in the air, by a bullet from the revolver of the other juggler. A more costly exhibition of skill had never been given that audience, since several hundred dollars had totally disappeared, and that, too, without any practical benefit to the performers, since the question was still unsettled as to which had the best right to the name of Circus Pete. | In the midst of the excivement there was one young gentleman who made himself heard. It was Lightning Dick, from Shasta. “They do that well,” he said, “‘ but hyer’s a little trick that ain’t no slouch either, and I’ve got coin to back it that they can’t put a cap on, You hear me, say?’ Everybody was ready for more wonders, He bad attention in a minute. ‘You see that knife sticking in that wall up yonder, eh?” It was his own bowie, still hanging where he had placed it, There was a chorus of affirmatives as he jerked his hand backward over his shoulder without once looking around. “Wot ov it?” asked Buck Brandon, hoarsely, “ This.” | The handsome sport threw his hand up like lightning and fi-ed right over his shoulder without appearing to take the slightest aim. ‘If you don’t find the halves of my bullet on each side of my blade I'll set ’em up for the house,” Up on the table sprung the man nearest to the spot, and looked for the result of the shot. Not long in waiting did he keep the crowd. Turning, he dashed his ragged-looking old hat upon the table, and planted both heels upon it to stay, while he shouted: | “Ding blast my top-knot ef they ain’t thar ae ez he sez, ez sure ez my name’s Old Daddy ‘Bender, ov Black Dam. Boy or man I never see’d nothing like it, an’ I’ll bet a hundred foot on ther Comstock to a yard on Peter Bar he | can't-—” Daddy Bender broke off into a sudden howl and evacuated the table so rapidly that he went sprawling on the floor. He bad heard the sound of another shot and the vicious ping of a bullet an inch or two from his face. | Lightning Dick had fired over his shoulder lonce more, and again the bullet was deftly halved on the knife-blade. ** And now,” continued the handsome sport, “there’s no discount on the shooting, but it Te so certain what can be done with the So far It a If these Circus Petes mean sport, yer’s the sharp that can take their stamps at | poker—straight or draw.” | “That's whar I live!” growled the two in a | breath, and without more ado the three called up the house to saturate, and then began the great | championship game that was so long renowned ; in the annals of Slaughter Bar. | CHAPTER X. / HEAVY HANDS. From the opening overture the Bar had a right to expect something more than ordinary —and the bar had it. Three more fearless men than these certainly never sat down to wrestle over a game of draw, and curiosity to lmow who they were was merged, or rather lost, in the desire to know how the game was to terminate. With a fresh pack of cards the three settled aoe at one of the tables already men- ar aD = spa Then came the cry | of ‘‘change!” and each man took again his | Then Lightning Dick skillfully wove © <n the cards in from the ends, thoroughly mixing them with threw or four deft movements, “Cut for deal. Ace or highest wins, and fours beat a straight flush,” “That’s my game,” answered the one Circus Pete. “Straights beat two pair an’ cave under three oy a kind,” put in the other. Then three men reached forward, and each lifting half a dozen cards, disclosed the under one. Each man held up a deuce. ““My deal,” said Circus Pete No. 2, *I?’m ther oldest man. Ante up!” “Take it along,” responded Lightning Dick, tossing the cards over. ‘“‘ Life’s too short to waste. Take all night to get to work.” In perfect silence the dealer took the cards. **Edge!’ called Lightning Dick. “Blind!” responded the next, pushing five dollars into the pool. ‘*Straddle.’”? And the next planked down a ten, “See you,” challenged the handsome sport, throwing in his ten. “Good,” put in the blind man, with a five. Then they lifted their bands, “What do yer all want?” asked the dealer. “ Two. » “ Three,” ‘*And I'll take a little pair ter fill my hand up.” Then the serious werk began. It was a bat- tle royal, in which each was for himself, and did not need any one to tell him how to man- age his hand. Slowly the size of the pool increased, and very confident did the betters seem, though they held their cards in such a way that no one could possibly see the size of their hands, despite prying eyes and curious glances. The display of reckless betting was not as lurid as the bystanders had hoped for, but the scientific way they felt each other’s strength was some- thing to see and dream over. Finally the dealer rose right at the other two. “ Hyar!” he exclaimed, as he tossed a buck- skin on the table. ‘‘ Fill up ther pot ez full ez yer want to, but thar’s my bottom dollar; an’ when you frisky galoots shows up, then Circus Pete wants a sight fur his money. Thar’s ten ounces ov dust thar, an’ you kin weigh it when yer walk up to ther captain’s office ter settle.” “Til call right there on that, It’s near enough to my pile to make a good limit, Hyer’s the hand that takes the money.” “You two lay over my pile a leetle, but count me in fur all I’m wuth. UHyar’s my wallet. Fair show now, an’ ther man thet calls his hand fur more er less than its wuth, ther rest plug him,” ‘That's ther size ov it. All together. Lay ther hull five keerds down, face up, an’ let ther crowd jedge who’s ther best man.” “Right to a charm!” asserted Lightning Dick, for the first time spreading out his hand. Then the three threw their cards down in front of them, faces up; and each man put down four aces and a tray! For an instant an acute ear could have no- ticed if a pin had dropped, though nothing was heard but the suppressed breathing of principals and spectators. Then a universal shout arose as the men of Slaughter Bar recognized the immensity of the fraud that the rival chiefs had engineered suc- cessfully through before their very eyes. Yet it was no laughing matter, either. Three pairs of eyes swept sharply around the table, and then there was a simultaneous movement as though three pairs of hands were operated by the same hidden mechanism. Up to their feet they started and leaned for- ward, a revolver in either hand, and the six sharp clicks blended into one as the half-dozen hammers went back. There they stood, two barrels almost touch- ing every breast, since each man had both of his opponents covered. It was all like a flash, and the men of the Bar fell back in every di- rection, expecting the fusilade to begin. Yet, though the three bad men stiffened themselves, as if to meet whatever might be coming, not a shot followed. Straight, un- wavering, pointed the deadly tubes, and on each of the cocked hammers rested a thumb. This much the coolest spectators detected, and then they saw something more: not a finger touched a trigger, and as for the revol- vers of Lightning Diok, no sign of guard or It looked sumething like a farce that these threo men, who drew as one, were enaeting; but no farce was it. The three had filed the catches out of the hammers of their revolvers, and the moment a thumb loosened it meant certain death to the man at the other end of the tube! The man that fired now signed his own death-warrant, and each of the three, at the same instant, and a shade too late, had dropped to the nature of the game, small blame to them if they did not care to move, “Even again, sports,” cried a laughing voice. ‘‘ You're all in hock; badn’t you bet. ter let me call a turn? Say something quick or Tl count you all out. Hands up J say. And as for the cheating, it’s too awfully awful for a white man to sneeze at. J wrung that deck in on you, and there wasn’t an acs inthe _ pack, Hyer’s the four safe in the leg of me boot. It’s Little Lide that’s talking, and she’s lively on the shoot!” It was a way out, and as the speaker closed the six hands went straight up, and the three men, turning, faced in the direction of the voice, Little Lide was not unknown to the Bas; but to the three strangers she was something startling. It was not that she had the look of a des- perado, or was unsexed, or dissolute in appear+ ance, It was rather tbat, despite a glint of experience in her eyes, and a careless, mock- ing manner in her voice, she looked so stran ly out of place. Very handsome was she, a very petite, with clear complexion, lustrous blue eyes, regular features, and a great coiled mass of golden bair, which at times she wor» over her shoulders in a great flood of ringlets She had a perfect little form, too, that was well set off by the nondescript sort of dress that she wore; for though she bad pantaloons whose loose, wide bottoms almost hid from view her tiny boots, she wore short skirts, which only reached to the knee—a very sensi- ble costume for that region, and not half bad for any latitude, if a woman desires free, un- trammeled movement. As the three faced her, she executed a low but graceful bow. ** All men of senso, I see, and it would have beem a shame to have piled up three stiffs, when we need that kind so badly. But the next time don't raise bigger hands than there is in the wood.” “We go the outside hand and no discount for cash. It wins in the end. What next?” “Oh, I have nothing to suggest, Mr. Light ning Dick, except that you might be in better business than trying to throw your life away butting against the toughest things you cay find in Slaughter Bar, You're young ye' though, and I’m not so much surprised, but did think there was more sense in Circuy Pete—” “Wich are me,” ‘* Meanin’ me.” The two men chipped in promptly, but the knowledge that their skill was so evenly bak anced, probably kept them from going to om tremities. “Meaning both of you. What circus did you travel with?’ She turned sharply to the one, as she spoke. ** Old Dan Rice; an’ don’t you it it.” “Nobody here ever forgets any . And who brought you out?’ The other answered briskly: “Old John Wilson; an’ don’t you furgit 1, I knowed I war ther great ws! “Exactly; and the man they bung here last week traveled with Barnum, That settles it, There were three Cirous Pete’s in the field, and Slaughter Bar has already settled one of look out it don’t go for the other two! haven’t any bad men here, but there are some boys that are howlers when they get rateed, - and we want to know what you’re going do about it. Then we'll know bow to take you.” “Excuse me, uriss, but whar there's three of a kind gtts bunched in one hand, it woukd be a shame not to play ’em tergether. Ther best thing fur us three chiefs ter hitch teams an’ stand ther to I'm Circus Pete, ez took r Dan Rice! I’m a boss with er knife, an’ ugly on ther my pards kin hold ther camp; our lay-out? Wahoof!”’ “Now you shout?’ came w in tones of the Lightning Sport; but a
Page 10
(i Z ne See its &ath. EEO det he Bub: 10 The e Lightning | Sport. Circus Pete moved sullenly away, returning | lion Bos would have dared to “ set up” such a bis revolver to his belt, as he went, * One Circus Pete is bout ez much ez this camp kin kerry, an’ I don’t take no stock iu ary sich pards. I reckon —” “ Hold on there; hold on!” | | game upon agent that he was it was just like him to make | Slaughter Bar? Terrib’e road- his presence known in the neighborhood by | just such a bol! announcement. The voice of Lightning Dick rung out full and clear, while over his ssoulder he suddenly dropped the mmzzle of a revolver, bis thumb resting on the bammer and the bariel aiming fair and sqiare ata rargod, frowz’, unkempt- Jouking object, who had slunk up to the table lately vacated by the three players. With arms outstretched, he was just about to rake | into the ragged, battered old hat that he held in his left hand the glittering heap that lay on the board. "Great Jerusalem, par}, how did yer come | ter nose bim ou ? check charmer! table, an’ byar’s a party ez is mighty wide awake, Thar’s a divvy ter b) made outen them shiners. Git!” The man addressed did n-t ‘hesitate but sprung back in such perturbation aud haste that he struck against the corner of One of the seats, and that tripping him, he fe'l to tho floor with a tremen ious crash. Yes, h lo on, me angelic he yelled: “Don’t shute! Copperheads an’ cal ile, don't shute! It’s Hol n’ Billy, ov Bla: k Dam, ‘an’ ther honestest sucker outen jii .” A shout of laughter broke from every one in the room; but, high above it, rose a hoarss, commanding voice; “Up with your hands and surrender, Circus Pete! I’ve got you lined!” A second later there was the crashing sound of to pistol-shots, the chandelier fell, and the room was involved in semi-darkness, _ CHAPTER XI. THE BULLION BOSS STRIKES THE BAR. DaRkKNEss for the instant reigned in the Al- thambra, but while the Bar hesitated, inclined to pss until it could see just where to chip in to advantage, there was a new sensation; for through the open door there came a strange, trampling, mysterious sound, as if gigantic forms were on the move, and then a burst of light as from half a dozen suddenly-opened lanterns. Half a doz*n were there, and half a dozen -horsemen—or at least there were half a dozen figures that looked spectral enough, draped in flowing sheets of white, and with heads some- where concealed unless they were headless giants, for the robed figures reached up al- most to the ceiling, which was at least fifteen feet, while under each form there was a coal- black steed, that was most plainly flesh and blood, Through two slits in the white robes were outstretched hands, chat also seemed as though they might be of flesh and blood. Six of these hands grasped cocked revol- vers, while each of the other six beld forward au open lantern. Under the flood of light every object in the zaloon could plainly be seen—the excited crowd of people, some with weapons half drawn; the open door at the further end, through which some had made their escape, and the little tables, both of which were now vacant, and from one of which the glittering pile of gold and the wallets had mysteriously disappeared. “Ym personally a stranger, no doubt,” said the dark-faced man, who stood in front of the line of ranged horsemen, “ but I flatter myself that when I mention I am known as the Bullion Boss, no one will question that by reputation Iam very well known. I am here on a peaceful errand, however, not even con- nected with the process of tax levy or toll. Slaughter Bar had a square reputation until last week, and we had resolved to allow it to ran an independent principality of its own. No nonsense there! You understand we've got you fairly covered, and while it is extremely uvlikely you could find one of my men, it’s certain that the first one of you who makes an offer keels over. . Is it on the square now, or ain’t it? Speak for the Bar, Judge Schnei- der,” More than one man had reached for his weapons; but it seemed to each one that, as he did so, a shining tube was silently turned di- rectly upon him, and his fingers loosened at once, Not even a murmur of surprise was to be heard at the bold announcement, though no As he dropped | Them’s no sleepers on ther | And as the Bullion Boss upon ground of bis own choo ing: hed hitherto proved invincible it was probable that he had. not thrown away any chances now. If he faced the Bar it was because be knew he held the drop. Here were half a dezen of his men in sight: but how many more were. lurking outside in the shadows? There was utter silence for the space of per- haps. a minute; and then a murmur of unmis- takable meaning. But still Jud:e Schneider was voiceless, Again the outlaw captain spoke; and this time more sharply; “No trifling, judge. I'm dealing with you; | and you ought to know that I mean business | when I blow my horn. last time of asking.” “Any, thing in reason, then. As long as you offer n> harm to any of our people I can | guarantee a perfect truce on our part, any- | S-id, it is how.” “ Sea, then, that, it is kept, for if it is not I | can assure you that you wili hang from the fist thing thet will hold a rope. Aud when | | we break the truce you cbip in. biggest hand takes the | That is your chince, Then the ante—and mive is large.” “Tet us hrar what you want. Itis possible, and 1 su-pect from what you have already certain, there need be no dissension between us.” “There wou’t be any because that takes two sides; and if we begin nothing else will be left before your side commences.” The road-agent answered quite coolly, and without the least evidence of being troubled about the matter, then he continued, in a somewhat more earnest tone: ‘However, it’s no harm to mention that we came here, first as a warning—secondly to take charge of an old time pard, one Circus Pete, who must have struck this camp to-day. I had him lined, but the slippery eel, when the lights went out dodged back somewhere. Trot him out and it may save a general jamboree.” **You may have him, then, for we don’t want him half as bad as he wants us. But it’s my opinion thatif you find him much you won’t want him bad, either.” Then came an interruption. “No catchee, no havee! I could paste ye all up, but I won’t plug ye thistime. Good morn- in’!” The words rung through the room in a mocking tone, but one that was already famil- iar. They were certainly uttered by a Circus Pete, though which one was by no means cer- tain, Every eye was instantly turned toward the window on the side of the room opposite to the door; and listening, the heavy gallop of a horse reached the ears of the men of the Bar, and then the faint echo of the remembered, * Waugh I” “Cu ses on it, where is Number Seven?” ex- claimed the leader, who, for the first time showed some impatience, though the six maskers sat their horses as unmoved as statues, He bounded upward to the window, and looked out. On. the ground lay a dark, motionless figure. Number Seven was there—to stay.” When the Circus Pete who made his exit on that side had flung bis somersault through the win- | dow he had gone, knife in hand, and landed like a thunderbolt upon the guard, who was just creeping up. After that there was only one straight thrust, and not a single groan. “Te that man comes back to town I want him. _ By the gods, he shall hang for murder! His life is doubly forfeit.” As the leader turned from the window the men nearest to him shrunk away. The glare of the lanterns was full on his face; and for the moment it was the face of a devil, white to the lips, with eyes gleaming like coals, and one heavy vein of dark blood creeping across his forehead. No. one answered him, ‘‘You hear me? He has killed my man and stolen his horse. If he returns here lay him by the heels and hand him over, If you don’t the Bullion Boss. comes back and sacks the town. You needn’t make any answer, I’ll see to it that you don’t forget it. Now step up to the bar, you that ch and drink, | Where’s | and death for a second or two seemed so very wt tha shebang". certains a she Aptos as Engine Jack, the sport that runs this Yes or no, and the | Engine Jack wasinvisible. The p!ace behind the bar was vacant, and only one lone decanter was to be seen, “ Where’s Engine Jack?” Bullion Boss looked around him w'th lower- ing brow as he burked o_t his question once more. Things were not going altogether right, * Hvar | be,” answered a voice. The tones were smothered, but unmistakably those of the wanted man. “Come out bere, then, and «set them up for the house. It will be money in your pocket, man,” “ An’ mebbe a slug in me head. Thankes, thankee; Fll stay Whar J are. Tihar's a vial on ther shelf cz ’Il_ knock Mr. Bullicn Boss an? ary ten galloots that ever b’isted benzine, That's my set up. Et yer wants ter stand ther Bar in fur ther 1 quids put au eagle through ther knot-hole, an’ Dll sling out ther flovid ligbtnin’ half an hour arter you leave town.” The voice sounded sepulchral as ever, and it | sesmed to puzzie the road-agent, though »ome- thing like a smile came over the faces of the regular frequenters of the Alhambra. ** None of your dodging, yow infernal idiot, but come out before we bring you out. If I have to come for you I'll take you all apart.” ‘Well, yer can’t do ther jobin a month ov Sundays. I’m hyar witb ther cash-box, the | barr’l ov mountain dew an’ two Colts thet kick in six-six time. I’m stayin’ byar, an’ don’t yer furgit ir. Ive nerve fur arything.” * And where are you?” “Inside ther bar. It’s. copper-bottomed, iron-clad, bolted to ther rock, an’ convenynt leetle holes ter open an’ plug through. I’ve got yer lined now, an’ I'd send yer down the shute a howlin’ ef it wer’n’t fur ther credit ov ther Bar. Er truce are a truce.” Bullion Boss deliberately raised his pistol and i pointed it at about the spot from behind which ~ the voice seemed to come. “*Oh, blaz3 away. Nothin’ short ov a fifteen- inch siege-gun kin please her. I'll trade shots with yer all. day. Yer don’t think I'd run a ranch at Slaughter Bar without er place ov refooge. It’s inch b’iler-iron, doubled an’ bolt- ed, an’ I put up ther job meself.” Instead of raving, as the Bar expected him to, the captain of the road-agents broke into a short laugh, and advancing, dropped a couple of coins through the hole in the top of the bar which led to the cash-box. “ All right, we won’t indulge in the vial on the shelf; but you can deal it out to your fel- low-citizens after we leave.” He stepped back fearlessly and strode through the whole length of the building. Ifthe people wanted a look at him they got it, and at the same time he got a look at them. He came back, and, standing in the middle of the dance-room, waved his hand, The six mounted figures bowed low. in their saddles, but they never gave up their points, for their weapons kept as true a line as ever. Then, at a slight motion of hands and knees, the six black steeds slowly and in line backed, one after the other, through the open door, van- ishing away in the darkness that suddenly fell, as, with one motion, their lanterns were extin- guished. The agents were going, and no one had enlightened them as to the duplicate na- ture of the sought for Circus Pete, who had dis- appeared in sections. ~ As every one was looking at the point from whence came the noise, the silent, pantherish movements of the Bullion Boss were unseen, thongh at the instant the lights went out bis voice rung clearly through the darkness: “ Gocd-night, and for fear you'll forget ’'J take a hostage.” As he spoke hisarm gathered up Little Lide, who had been a silent and somewhat amused spectator, and holdiag her in his iron grasp, he leaped through the window. Then there was a pistol report outside. CHAPTER XIL VERNON’S ADVENTURE, Miss Nevuie, from the time of the advent of the three strangers, had been ina state of wonderful excitement. Through the open door she looked, and watched what seemed to be the progress of a quarrel. Although com- paratively new to such scenes she showed but little fear, and during the bit of juggling she clapped her hands in hearty applause. During the game she waited in breathless eagerness; and when the three, at its close, suddenly arose, He. ber o ~
Page 11
-volyers as though she would have gladly inter- fered in behalf of one or the other. i Something like a sigh of relief passed her | dips as the intermission came without blood t *having been spilled, and she looked at Harley Vernon with a glance that seemed to say: “That is the kind of men we raise at ‘Slaughter Bar; how do you like them?” And then cime the, interraption mentioned at the close of a preceding. chapter; of - which she, perhaps, aloye knew the secret, for to every one there the voies was so far unknown that but few could even make a guess at its -y:po:sible owner, and they were thinking of somc- ‘sthing else. While the attention of the crewd was di- verted by, the bit of by-play with the disre- putable Howlin’ Billy, throurh tbe dorway there strode the tall, broad-shouldere! man, with the,face darkly but s'rangely handsome, who carried in either hand a cocked revolver, Hardly had he entered the room when one of Nis barrels dropped. in. line with, the neare & Cirens Pete and his challenge.rung out with startling c ea ness Ani then Nellie saw Lightning Dick take a <a ry 3 ieee snip chot at the ropes which upheld the caudei- sabrum. At that sho turned and caught Vernon by the arm. “Come,” she said, in a quick whisper, ‘' This tis no place for us now; itis time that we were going.” He was a little surprised. .At that moment veverything looked morelike business. than at vany time; ho v did it coms that,she wanted to be going just now? He said as much, in a fow swhispered words. ‘*Have you any friends there?” she asked ecoolly. “ Scarcely.” ‘“ And do you want to kill anybody?’ “Not.at all,” “And you scarcely are mid enough to want to die yourse fy so cowe oa and k-ep your eyes well open, for sty or gv, you are in no little danger.” “ And your father?’ “Tf he chooses to live at Slaughter Bar he must run his cbance:.” The two were already on the move, passing out of the door in the rear. Vernon stured at the young lady. Ifthis was the sort of filial affeetion that was developed in the West its ‘ix.fluences must be deadenivg indeed. He had no intenticn of deserting her, how- ever, until sho was safely stowed away at her home, wherever that migbt be, He hurried on by her side, dropping the Albambra imme- diately behiad them; and they were just in time, When they had gone some distance Vernon asked: ** And what is likely to be the end of this? I confess it all looks serious enough for a ter- xible tragedy to follow the prologue.” “ Perhaps. Neone can guess. If things go ‘as before the regenerating efforts of the Vigi- lantes they will begin to shoot away in the dark til every man has wasted all the charges he thinks he caa spare. Then they will hold on, some one will light a lantern, they will pick out the dead from the badly wounded, call it a drawn game, drink, the music will strike up, and the ball will goon, There isa strange elemeut there tonight, however; and what the actual result will be I cannot even guess.” ao ““You mean the strangers, T suppose. are they?” “Exactly. You know mest as much of them . as Ido. They bave probably heard of the Bar, } aand each on his own account has come down an bo test what it was worth. They will carouss around until they get shot, or are obliged to Jevant; though they seem abundantly able to hold their own with almost any odds against them. Such men have dropped down here be- fore.” ‘And that strange girl, Little Lide! Who isshe? Certainly she is not of the class one would expect to see carousing at such a place. * Now, you are propounding a question you can hardly expect me to answer. Who is she? How ean I tell? She is sn anomaly, Long as - I have been at the Bar I have never spoken to » ae 3 her, though I have heard of her time and S again, and been near her more than once, There must be some instinctive spipeths on my part or hers, for the life of me I cannot” feb mich tt bas hc ae Say Who | SoS" eae “The Lightning Sport. ** But you have heard who she is, and what she does here?” ‘ Little Lide they call her, and I don’t know that she claims any other name, I will say for her that she is a sharp, sbrewd woman, or girl, that knows how to make dollars, and how to invest them, and the oddest thing about it is that she has the quietest man in town for a partner, John Ouks, a cripple. They keep a store over yonder, you can see the builoing there, and a very gvod thing they h.ve of it, It seems odd—but she manages to get even so tar as filthy lucre goes, And now what. are you doing here? A lonely traveler, searching for sights, would valley ; you do not look like an investor, and I am pretty cerian you are not a sport, Are you @ man with a tission?” ‘ Pirdon me if I do not answer your ques- scarcely penetrate to this | tions with a!l of your own engaging frankness; | but Ido net yet know myself. J s.ppose I am on what, in your western parlance, is called a ydld goose chase;.and I bard'y know what’ | hope to find. U.til I do, perhaps I had better keep my fancies to myself.” “Thank you,” said Miss Nellie, with cool sarcasm-in her tone, | * As youare.such a very self contained gentleman, I doubt if I have any , further uss for you; but, should you desire, at some future time to mako the revelations, you know where I live. I wish you a very good night,” Vernon put ont bis hand, perhaps to detain her, perhaps to say good-night over it, but she waved it aside wiih a short liitle laugh, and turning, disappeared within the building in front of which they had balted, leaving bim standi)g alone upo | the lonely st:eet, not alio- gether satisfied with the termination of his ad- venture, He thrust bis bands in his yocket, shrugged bis sh vlders, and stepped backward until be could obtain a good view of the house. It was not. a palace; but it was about the | best residence that Slaughter Bar could boasi of.* It was a stoutly. built little house, and though it had some pretensions to ornamenta- | tion, Vernon saw that it was possible to turn it into a regular fortification, There were heavy window shutters, and the building stood by itself on higher ground than any of the neighboring ones. Moreover, and what was unusual, it was possessed of an upper story, or what passed for such there, though on the eastern side of the mountains it would not bave been dignified with a grander name than attic, These observations, and such others as. he made, Verncn jotted down on his mental tablets, and then turned away—not positively certain in which direction he should wend his way. The Alhambra was nearly half a mile dis- tant, for Slaughter Bar was a straggling town, and 3 udge Schneider bad chosen a spot at the opposite end, where. he was removed from close. contact with the head-quarters of the under elements, and had three or four honest, respectable neighbors within supporting dis- tance. Vernon did not care to wend his way back to the saloon, for ho was of the opinion that the game of pistol draw would only be interesting in a professional point of view. He had thought he heard shots in the distance but that hardly drewhim, If the wind-up was a riot, he was nat so insanely curious to see the result of it, and the very truth was, though he hardly knew it, that he was thoroughly tired from several days’ traveling and several nights’ loss of sleep, The attractions of the only partially tested accommodations at the ‘‘Pilgrim’s Pride” seemed to grow in their possibilities, and he decided to, turn bis. steps thitherward, his shoulder, and as he did so a little line of light streamed out through a crack in the heavy shutters of the attic. ‘‘ Bright spark of hope, shed your beam on me,” hummed the young man, and then broke off with a laugh. “The idea!” he muttered, ‘The fandango belle—what a passport that title wou'd be to society everywhere, And yet the cool young Juno-could: hold her own anywhere, I doubt } not... For beauty, intelligence;,and ,education, few are more than-her peer. .And she has all of the jealousy of her sex. I fancy if I wanted to advance my. catise it was not the best plan to introduce the name of Little Lide, She is the rival near.the throne. Strange that He gave a Jast.glanee back over | two such girls should be found at this spot, the i : dast on. earth one would suppose a woman Who il had had a taste of refined life and was uncom- pelled by fate would choose to stop at.” He stopped in bis soliloquy and held up hie head to listen, Through the night there seemed to come the sound of a distant swelling roar. «What these Americans would cal! businese appears to be in the air. There's noise enough for an army, and the advance guard alone could gathtr mo in at a mouthful. Unless F cut and run for it ’m in a fair way to»fall in with the rabble; and running is so very un- dignified after one gets out of jackets. No Vl stand my ground, though {t does seem like a charge of cavalry.” . ———%4 Notwithstanding this decision the young. TEnglishmau looked around him in search of ome near end convenient biding-place of re- luge; Unfortunately there was a gap in Slaughter Tar at that precise spot. Four a 1umber of rods around bim there were no shanties, and it was doubtful if he coukd reach the cover of the ncarest hut with ever so great an effort. Lookir g closer, however, he saw that fate lad been kind to him, since he saw a dark , shadow near Ly, «bere a huge log lay, nod far 1:¢m the roadside, He was bebind it in an instant, and bad his vevolvers Cut, for though he hoped there would le ro. ceecasion to use thém, he knew it was just as likely that be would bave the chance, And there was no mistake about the horse- men beir g in {Le sdvance, though probably from the noise of the shcuting, there was a swarm oi footmen a lo g way in the rear. What dia it all mean? A dez.n phantoms suddenly loomed up be- fore his watching eyes. A dozen feet high th y seemed. bolt upright, ghastly and white and coming on like a whir'wind. He could pot believe his own senses and in- voluntarily he c: wered close to his log. Yet just as the Jeading horsemen. were abreast of him he heard, from one that lagged a little behind, first a smothered sort of sound —and then a women’s clear, ringing, earnest cry. ‘* Help! help!” And tbe voice was that of Little Lide. Vernon's pistols were ready, and the cry nerved him to inpstunt action, He felt reason ably sure of his aim, and as the rider came abreast, without any thought of his own dan” ger, he took quick aim at the horse, and fired. The shot was more successful than he had dared to hope. The horse gave a bound inte the air and then a great, floundering pitch for. ward, showing that he was hard bit, while the white figure upon his back swayed violent! as though almost unhorsed by the sudden sh pe At the same time a small, dark figure shot down into the road, bounded over the log, and running for dear life, disappeared in the dark- ness, though the laugh of Little Lide floated back, as if in mockery, Evidently she had made good her escape. Harley Vernon had drawn his hammer bagl for another shot—and then thanked his lucky stars that it was not needed. Horse and horseman shot suddenly forward at runaway speed, and the other phantoms, or whatever they might be, went along, a happy mistake of which the young man took instant advantage, He sprung up and away in the wake of the girl fugitive, and though he did not overtake her, he ras soon in the rear of the nearest row of shanties. He kept straight on, and thus escaping thé mob, jof which he bad a glimpse, he finally came to the very goal of bis wishes—the Pil. grim’s Pride, Satisfied that the young lady had made ber escape and that bis help would be unneeded, he entered, and was shown to his bed without a word of question or explanation, CHAPTER XIII. A GRISLY JEST, Tur intelligence of what had been transpir- ing at the Alhambra bad not yet reached the Pilgrim's. Pride when. Harley Vernon retired, so that he remained in blissful tgnorance of - what might mean the white-robed figures that he had encountered. If it had not been for his native reticence he might. bave mentioned something at the Pride which would have brought out a hint of the. probable truth and raised.a ripple of ex- asleep. was reader will remember citement—that only came after he was pie:
Page 12
12 The Lightning Sport. =_—_ — ——— SS eee ee : = @he chandelier, and the darkening of the dance- | hall, Nellie Schneider had taken possession of her escort and quietly slipped away. The climax seemed to have arrived; when no fur- ther prelimivaries were left and the shooting $n the darkness must begin. Yet the climax had not come, though the majority of the people in the room supposed go. Some started to make their exit through the rear room, and others threw hands to re- wolvers with an angry snarl, though hesitating to draw and fire. The musicians made a clear p into the bar, and the two Circus Petes, whom the darkness seemed simply provi- dential, took a brace of flying leaps through the windows by which they had entered. if the dark-browed gentleman who answered to the name of Bullion Boss had, at the time of #he request for an elevation of hands, a line on Circus Pete, he was a shade too late about crooking his finger. And Lightning Dick’s plan of proceedings, that he bad hastily mapped, did not hold out either. The blazing candles dropped, to be sure, and the lamp on the shelf behind the bar vanished; but so also did the money on the table, of which he had firmly intended to take charge. He, thought that be heard a sweet, tinkling sound, and when in the blackness of the room he sprung to the table, he found it empty. The fact was, Howlin’ Billy, just as the lights went down, held his hat at the edge, and with one sweep of hisarm gathered coin and purses in. Then he tucked the battered cha- peau under his arm, dodged into the next room, went out just behind Nellie Schneider and her escort, and Jjarting to one side, almost immediately, ran away as fast as his legs could carry him; while a moment later Light- ning Dick followed in hot pursuit. It was not very dignified, but the battered old hat of the bummer held treasure enough for a dozen sac- rifices to dignity. “He, he,” snickered Billy, his limber legs getting over the ground at a rate that one would scarcely have believed possible. ‘‘ Twelve aces on ther board an’ three decks ov ’em in the’r boots; an’ hyar's Howlin’ Billy, ov Black Dam, takin’ ther pot with one leetle old pa’r ov jegs. Who'd ’a’ thunk it? Ole Daddy Bender, ov Black Dam, a millyonare. Ther whisky skins an’ b’iled terrapin at ther Astor! Oh, Hilijur fish bites! Hyar’s fatness fur these yere ole bones at Jas’. We'll turn up a spade till they git the’r eyes shut, an’ then Howlin’ Billy Bender, ov Black Dam, ’!l go Yeast.” He did not cease from his exertions, how~ ever, for his legs ran along even faster than his thoughts. He reached the bluffs that ran up from the west of the Bar, and without ever giving a glance behind him, plunged into a little canyon, whose narrow mouth could only have been found by ono familiar with the spot. He found the spade, too, of which he had spoken, hidden behind some bushes. He drew it out, carefully deposited the precious hat on a huge rock, and then, finding a soft spot near that suited him, he began to dig. “(Pm plantin’ ther hull crop in one furrer,” he continued, to himself, as he leaned the spade against his thigh to spit on his hands, ‘an’ Tl bet any man rocks I kin tell what ther harvest '!] be—br'iled ’isters at Delmoniker’s, canvas-backs at ther Winzer, an’ soup at ther Bowery hash-houses, Ob, Elijer, won’t I sprout? An’ thar, [ reckon ther hole’s ov ther right bigness, an’ ef I kiver it keerful, thar ain’t no two-legged snipe ’cept Daddy Bender ez kin find that ante. It would hold a post. Yah! Ouch! Murder! Don’t! It’s only me, Howlin’ Billy, ov Black Dam, diggin’ fish-bait, I say, hole on!” sudden change in Howlin’ Billy’s manner was brought about with a simplicity that was astonishing. Just as he stooped lowest to peer fnto the hole, he heard, right at his ear, about ag startling a sound asa man well could hear _ et uch a time—the hammer of a pistol, forced : back, At the same time something hard and - gold seemed to be crowding its way right into the drum of his ear. There was no trouble about his recognizing what it was, and then it was that he began to dance up and down, though taking care to keep his hands up, and not to attempt to get away. Hie rather expected that he was in for a wooden overcoat, in the first flush of his astonishment, though the muzzle kept its position as it there, he twisted bis head around until “fhe could get e@ glimpse of the trouble, a ee : Set ~* — Pa SA ee The hat remained on the rock; but there was a young man sitting on the bat—Lightning Dick. He drew back a little the pistol that he held to the bummer’s ear; but at the same time raised another. Mr. Bender’s hands went up if anything an inch higher, and he flopped down upon his knees, Then the Lightning Sport carelessly threw his pistols back in their holsters and picked up the spade, which had fallen from the hands of the frightened Howlin’ Billy. He measured the depth of the hole and nodded. Then, still silent, he measured the bummer with the handle of the tool, and marked off his exact length on the ground, handing him the spade with a significant gesture. There was not a particle of doubt concerning the intention; Billy took tbe spade and set to work, while the sport sat down again on the rock, The soil, fortunately, was mellow, and pro- gress was rapid. In a short time he had a narrow little trench dug. He stopped once or twice, and each time the silent figure raised a band, that again held a revolver. Finally, as he stooped over his work, the silent avenger quietly approached him from behind, and snatching away the spade, by a single dexter- ous wrench flung him at full length slong the bottom of the trench, above the sides his heels appearing an instant in the air before he went down with a prodigious bang, that momentarily took away his breath. When he recovered, the Lightning Sport was quietly filling the dirt in on him. “‘Great Elijer!” he shouted. ‘Hold on! I’m alive yit. Yer wouldn’t bury a man w’ot wasn’t a corpse?’ The question was pertinent, but apparently unfortunate. For a man buried alive there might be some hope; for ‘a dead man there would-be none in this world; and from Howlin’ Billy’s record here there was very little hope for his hereafter. He should certainly have known better. At the question up came the ready revolver once more, ‘Blijer fish bites, don’t! Shovel in ther gravel, but let this sinner live,” yelled Billy, at the sight; and then he Jay motionless, while the other heaped the loam upon him, patted the top nicely into shape, and stuck the spade in for a beadboard, It was a ghastly, cruel jest; but Bender almost deserved it. However, the dull sounds of the retreating footsteps had scarcely died away when there was a young earthquake within the newly- made grave, a regular upheaval of the alluvial, and Billy came to the surface, comparatively uninjured, He spit and spluttered, sat for a moment to rest and recuperate, and then, picking up his battered hat, which he found was empty and as flat as a pancake, he jammed it upon his head, and deliberately retraced his steps, steering once more for the Alhambra, All this’ was unimportant, but it explains how it came that Lightning Dick happened to be counted out of the affair at the saloon, which, perhaps, for him, was very fortunate. There was one person who was quietly ‘holding his age” during the greater part of the time that the Bullion Boss held the Al- hambra. } That was the favorite pupil of Dan Rice; the man who was supposed to have made his escape on the steed of the defunct road-agent. Not a bit of it! It was true that he had deftly put his knife through the masked outlaw, and caught the reins from his stiffening fingers; but he had no intention of leaving, and his defiance was only a blind. He turned the horse’s head away from the building and gave the animal a vicious prod with his reeking knife, When the steed bounded off he quietly stole around the further end of the building, just in time to avoid being seen by two of the outlaws, who had been told off to keep guard outside, and who, alarmed by the noise, ran to the aid of their comrade, So it happened that this Circus Pete played hide and seek, while the Bullion Boss held the inside, and having changed his head-quarters from rear to front, was crouching at the win- dow as the masked horsemen came trooping out. Then he raised his hands, “They're hunting Circus Pete, are they?” he muttered. “ Dog-gone ’em, he's right hyar; let’s soe what they'll do when they fiud him.” ee ee ee ee ae ae ep tae its He ra‘sed his thumb, the hammer dropped,. and at that moment the Bullion Boss, with Lit- tle Lide in his arms, came through the win- dow and knocked bim endways, the bullet: hurtling harmlessly into the air. When he: sprung to his feet, after a few seconds of men- tal blank, the phantom-like forms were fiit- ting away in the distance, while the Bar, mad-- dened by the breach of the truce, was swarm- ing out into the night air, too late worked up to the point of resistance, and realizing at last that there was something more than a simple frolic in this visit of the road-agents. For perhaps a minute @he hubbub lasted, and! ; f then there were a dozen mounted men to take: the lead, and a great cfowd of footmen. Im the wake of the agents they started, and in the: , van, mounted on a spotted mustang, rode Cir--* cus Pete. As the crowd reached the store of Johm ~~ Oaks, a shout went up, and a dozen bangs: sounded at his door, while various voices yelled: “Git up, John Oaks, an’ rell out ter hear ther news. Yer pard, Little Lide, hez gone up ther flume.” John Oaks made no sign-—he never did om such occasions—but a light appeared at the next window, and Little Lide herself put her head out, “‘Scarcely, scarcely,” she said. ‘‘ He caught me on the up grade and kept the brakes down: a bit, but it takes sand to hold Little Lide Thank you all, gentlemen, but I got away, and I'm still here to stay.” A hoarse cheer arose as she closed the win- dow, and the pursuit ceased, though parties patrolled the town the rest of the night, CHAPTER XIV. THE JUDGE MEETS VARIOUS UNWELCOME FRIENDS. & WHEN Mis: Nellie and her father met at the breakfast-table the following morning, the judge had an abstracted air that did not escape: the keen eyes of the young lady. As she was still busy with her own thoughts, the meal passed with scarcely a word said. Then the judge looked up sharply. “TY hope you were satisfied with the rosult: | “ Tolerably so, my venerated parent; though: for the amount of wool there seemed a very great cry. The Bar is really not as blood- thirsty as I supposed.” “You are a foolish girl, and know nothing: about it. It was the luckiest chance that there was not a general cleaning up.” *‘T think that prudence had a little to do with it. I admired the judgment that kept: coolly calculative under the aim of the young: man who introduced himself as Lightning Dick.” The brow of the judge wrinkled in a frown, for there was a sarcasm in the young girl's tone that was hard to bear, ‘An impudent, treacherous, worthless brag- gart, he is; and Slaughter Bar would sooner: have his room than his company. He will find out before he gets through with us that: this is not the place to come to put on frills. He will be warned out of camp to day; he and the two roffians, who so boastingly laid claim to the name of Circus Pete.” “And I wouldn’t mind a small wager that he won’t go. The man is no braggart, as you will find out; and the two ruffians, as you call them, are about on a level with our elite. I expect to meet them in our first circles,” The judge scarcely understood what the young lady was driving at; but it was certaim that she was not in a very penitential state of mind over her escapade of the night before. He did not, therefore, tell her of the sequel, and the danger that had menaced Little Lide. Instead, he arose rather abruptly, and swung himself out of the room, forgetting even to ask the questions that he had intended to in regard to Harley Vernon. Nellie, however, followed him to the door. ‘*By the way, if you bappen to stumble across him you might as well thank that young Englishman for seeing me safely home last night. He is a gentleman, anyhow; and left at the most interesting part of the exer- cises, without a murmur, to accommodate # lady. Don’t forget, dear.” She shot this after him; but when he turned: to hear fuller particulars the door went shut with a bangs and he went away with oc fur- ther information on the subject. He did not seek the Pilgrim’s Pride, howe of your excursion last night.” Le —— —: hes a
Page 13
“— The Lightning Sport. ~walked away in the direction of the Hair Pin Lode, where he expected to find Sandy Mc- Quoid. It was only a mile or so from his house, and the judge scarcely thought of meet- ing any one in his walk; but before he had gone half that distance he halted suddenly, -and looked suspiciously at a figure that unex- pectedly appeared a Jittle in advance, It was the handsome young sport who had made his appearance at the Alhambra the night before. The sight of his face then had produced an irritating effect on Judge Schneider; and the | wight of his back had pretty much the same effect now. He halted but a moment, and then strode forward; but this time with a cat- ‘like step. It was more than likely he had not ‘been seen or heard, and once more he tried his spakelike tactics, which had failed the night before. Lightning Dick belied his name this morn- | dng, for he, was proceeding leisurely enough, strolling along with his head down, apparently in deep thought. The man in the rear gainet rapidly. He had already drawn and cocked Asis revolver so that no sound would startle his intended victim. Five yards nearer and he ‘would be ready to raiso it; and he did not be- lieve that he could be foiled as he had been the night before. “T’m wrong—I know I’m wrong,” be mut- tered to bimself, ‘It can’t be—and yet I'll ran the chances, and kill him for good luck. ‘He took his life in bis hand when he camo here; and if he’s Clinton Bride’s son, so much the better for me, If it’s not, what differ- ence?” He kept on, taking three steps to the young man’s two, and his hand was just nerving to vise when he heard the same careless laugh of the night before; and, over the shoulder of ‘the pedestrian, with a sudden swing, came a -pistol-barrel, “Don’t you try it, judge, or I shall haye to ‘salt you; and at this’ stage of the game it don’t ‘suit my hand, You saw my back-handed work last night, and I’d be just as sure at the bridgs of your nose as I was at the blade of my ‘knife.” “Hold on, young mao!” exclaimed tho sother, sharply. ‘‘ I’ve no bad intentions, but in this country when you see a man draw. its ‘generally time to begin to shoot. I saw you “were ready, and I tried to be in shape to de- fend myself. You have the drop on me, though, and Ill put up. What is it you “want?’ It was very true that Lightning Dick hell athe drop. Schneider was cooler than he wes “the night before, and even then he knew when the was lined, though it was a mystery just ‘how the thing was done. ‘‘Tiet that hammer down very carefully, sand put that pistol back in your belt. That’s what I want,” Then you can drive on as fast vas you choose. I’m out for fresh air, and to stretch my legs a bit. Bless your soul, I dunt ‘wapt a man for breakfast.” “That’s a likely story,” growled the judge, ~who nevertheless carefully obeyed the order, “* More likely that you are here spying aroun | to get some points on the Hair Pin, or some- thing of that kind.” ‘“Acy thing to please you. “was; what then?’ “This: we don’t want you here, and you had better leave before it gets too hot tor you. ‘Take warning. You or Slaughter Bar has got sto move; and I guess you know it won't be ‘the Bar that will go.” “Why, judge, what’s the trouble? - I thought T’d be right at home here, act as a kind of safety-valve Double, back-acting, self-regula- ting balance-wheel, so to speak.” Supposing I “You struck the wrong camp to set up | such a lay as that. We’ve gut no surplus pop- ulation here now. A week ago we remove.l call that we wanted to lcs3. The men here mow are honest, bard working miners; and if -you stir up bad blool now you strike at the ‘whole commuvity.” “That sets it down very straight. Engine Jack and the crowd that gathers at the Al- ‘bambra are honest, bard workers—in a horn, “You men that have stamps invested here ought to pay me if I make a little elbow-room. All | the same, this is the third hitch you've had, /#nd now I want to know—why?” ‘So far the sport’ hai flung his words back- -ward. Now he wheeled suddenly, and looked he judge firmly in the face. , 5 ver, but soon iting the camp bebind pre | | tentions, | that face! | out as pards.” | movement; as it was, he scowled in silence. *¢ You are mistaken,” was the hasty answer. Pp “Tam one of the representatives of law and order here, and unfortunately we have: to pro- ceed with weapons in our Hands. You have chosen to come here as an acknowledged des- perado and king-pin of sports. As such I must keep an eye on you. Probably you are my superior with the deadly weapons of your trade, yet you will find me ready to defend myself at all times as best I can, though I searcely believe you would be mad enough to court the certain death that would follow a | deliberate murder. Had you selected a dif- ferent role I would have met you with friendly frankuess; as it is I can only give you full / warning that you tarry here at your own risk. I want no further quarrel now; do you bar my path, or shall I pass on?” “ Ah!” With the simple exclamation for answer the sport bowed low, and waved his hand to indi- cate that so far as he was concerned the way was clear and the conference ended, If he put a world of sarcasm and unbelief into the monosyllab'e it was no wonder. The judge’s explanation did not hang well together, though it had one redeeming feature. After hearing it there could bo Jittle doubt of his in- He said nothing in response; but stepped briskly forward, passing the young man, who stood with his arms folded, though one hand was suspiciously near to a revolver. He was ready for any attempted treachery, yet showed no concern. As the judge came | abreast of him he walked leisurely away, directing bis footsteps toward Slaughter Bar, vanishing presently around a bend, perhaps a hundred yards distant, The judge had halted a moment before. Risky or not, his curiosity overcame his pru- dence, and he turned for a last. glance at the disappearing stranger. | Although he had managed to keep from any | manifestation during the interview, there was | no question but what he was deeply sbaken by the meeting. Now his lips moved. Without knowing it he spoke aloud; “Can I be right in this infernal -suspicion? | All the facts are dead against it, it is utterly impossible that it should be true, and I must be losing my nerve to even dream of it, . And yet, There cannot be two such faces in the world. And I ought to know it—even in | the bottomless pit.” “Right you are; and no fool would you be, there or elsewhere, to want to spoil its beauty. | But he can teke care of himself, and for the | present I’ll claim your attention,” The judge looked bastily around, and as he did so he saw a face which he instantly placed as that of the outlaw leader known as the Bul- lion Boss. Was it chance that brought them together again? CHAPTER XV. A SLEEPING WEASEL, “You see that we have met again, judge, | Your hand seems to fit into mine, and it strikes me that it wouldn’t be a bad plan to play them The judge looked sulkily up. It was evident that he did not admire the man or the meeting, | If be bad had eny money in his peckets it is | possible that he would have made an offensive “You don’t like that idea, That’s becauso you think you hold a big band, and don’t know anything about the strength of mine. You're a tolerably large man here, where they don’t know you, and it Jooks as though you owned all out doors; but Slaughter, Bar is your small- est ante, eb? You are setting up a cold deck to wring in for millions. Nothing small about | you.” **T don’t know what you’re driving at, but I | cau tell you that if you are after plunder, you | have come to the wrongshop. I haven't adol- | lar in my pockets, and | never have. You can turn them inside out if you want to. And I | think you're shrewd enough not to want to do me any harm, When anything happens to me there are twenty or thirty men that wou!dn’t rest or sleep much until they had roust«d out | the party that did the job.” | “Ah! It strikes me toat you are threaten- ing me. My frievd, wolf don’t eat wolf as | long a3 there’s mutton to be had for tbe taking; | but if the time shonld come that I want you, | Vl gather yeu in with youn twenty or thirty men. You've heard of m>. “ Yes, if you to!d the truth last night.” ‘*Ir? Be a little careiul there, There’s not | fect on the judge. | that’s bad to have in the ring, a | it is, the man, living that can say { broke my word, or told him a lie, There’s not a man living that ever did say it. | Some few may have tried it on, but they died shortly after.” The Bullion. Boss chuckled and folded his arms. The words seomed to have a tranquilizing ef- He studied the face of the outlaw, more thoroughly, and noted that it-was not threatening. What the man said was solid , enough truth, but the tone was careless, the s sudden demise of the doubters was, spoken of as a matter of course, If there was any way of avoiding it it was better, also, not to have this man for,an enemy, The judge seNEss his. tune, ‘See here, I’m willing to put hands on the table, if I don’t for the present show my carder, You want something of me—what is ivy” : “Now you talk. It’s no use, you see, to dodge when I pull the trigger, so you stand up to the rack, That's what I like to see, and for a send-cff I’ll tell you one or the other of us; ain’t just as safe as might be, and maybe both. Tbere’s a detective down here now on a trail - that may run one fox to earth, if not two.” ‘“What have I to fear from detectives, my friend. Down here I am the law itself,” ‘* Stuff! I reckon this man won’t take much account of such home made articles. If there’s anything in the pastor prospects for the future that you don’t want raked up, there's one man and the first letter of the name he goes by here is Cireow | Pete.’? “Which man do you mean? There seen - to be a dozen of them. We hung one lass week, What does he want of me?” “You hung the wrong man, then, and it’s - just_as well you did, for 1 want him first, It’s, the man I had lined last night wheu the abe went out.” * And I can’t say which of them it was. No - matter, You are'talking in riddles. My life is open to the world.” ‘’ “So is mine; and a mighty bad sort of life Clinton "Bride and Clinton Bride's son ~ would swear to that, eb?’ “Tknow nothing of Clinton Bride, should you bring up his name?” “That’s right, stick to your platform. Probably you never heard anything of Milton Waite either, or the Vernons of Vernon Hall. ~ Why, man alive, I know you.” Instinctively the judge put bi bis hand and said: “ Hush!” “That brings you, does it? Suppose I tell - yeu that you are Roger Vernon, and as big a scoundrel as the’ worst of the younger brothers © Why : | ever are, with more crimes on your head than there are letters to your name, and that out; law though Tam, I ean give your neck to the; rope? won’t you?” In very truth that was what the judge did, - for he threw up bis hand with a warning ges- - ture and looked around as if in fear of a possi- ble listener, “You needn’t trouble yourself, No one would believe the words of a road-agent: against an honorable man like yourself—until they heard his proofs. 1f Clinton Bride left a son, for instance, he might storm around a ~ It was big money that disappeared— - little. some say a quarter of a million—and the boy ~ wigbt want to get his fingers on the stamps ag well as on the throat of the man who killed his father.” “What have I to do with this rigmarolef Speak out. Let me know what terms you want me to make, You wouldn’t waste time if you didnt think you had me where you could dictate terms, and if you bad not some- thing to gain by enforcing them, What ig it?” “Thanks for your suggestion. I see that yon are coming to your senses at Jast.. Pm ready to taik. The facts are brief. Unfor- tunately [am known here and elsewhere too well to have the run of the town without a small army at my back. Otherwise 1 would let you go abead and make my points at the muzzle of the pistol, As itis, I see that the game is coming to the critical moment, and I stand actance to be lett in the cold. While I am removing obstructions you, will scoop in’ the plunder and he beyond reach. Halves! That’s my idea. Give me the help of your score of ruffians that you know you picked with an eye to business, and I will return the | compliment by putting mine at your disposal. Finisk up your job in the same style that you You will’ want to say ‘hush’ again, °
Page 14
14 have begun it, and then I will either take a Gxed sum—say a quarter of a million, or we will go in and occupy together.” “A quarter of a million! You must be crazy. I can command no such sum. AllI am worth is the interest’ that I have here, and you know yourself it would be hard to realize that without going to the money centers.” “T understand. There might be some un- ’ pleasant recognitions if you went, Very well. If need be, when we have finished up our work here, I will go. We wil] each have a hold over the other. There will be no break- ing of compacts.” ‘‘But the work here? You demand a big price, and so far as I can see for silence only. What is there in which you can aid?” The judge had changed his tone altogether, He watehed his vis-a-vis keenly. It began to look as though he saw some reason in this strange proposition, Slaughter Bar might have been astonished to see it, but certainly he was bargaining with the outlaw. “Silence is a great deal in some cases, Then there are several removals to be made, the wecessities for which perhaps I see more clear- fy than you do, and which you cannot safely move in,” “For instance?” “There is this detective. He has matters arranged) in a quiet sort of way. If anything happens to bim, it will be well if you can prove ean alibi. Of your hands his partners will ask his life, though they know nothing of the bottom facts. A false scent at the outset will save you. They can hunt and welcome for the outlaw whom men know only as the Bullion Boss. ‘ “True. What else?” “This girl. She is sharp as a steel-trap, Would it not be better that I should deal with her?’ “ Ah!” The judge started. Then, in his firmer tone, eontinued: “And what more!” “The son of Clinton Bride. He bears, or sbould bear his father’s name, He is a better man; and you will fiud him no mean foe, if he js indeed on your trail.” You're on the wrong track. The Brides, father and son, are dead, ‘The warm soil of the Missouri bottoms covers the one. Tous of rocks the other. Of them I have no fear.” “Why, then, did you risk your life drawing on the handsome sport?” “Why? Because the face moved me in apite of myself, I hate any man who wears euch likeness, though Clinton Bride ba dead.” “ Nevertheless the son lives.” The outlaw spoke in serious, earnest style— and in the silence that would otherwise have followed there came an answering echo. From the gulch that lined the one side of the trail it wandered up, faint yet uamistakably the tones of the Lightning Dick whom Schneider had watched disappearing down the road. “He does indved!” Then followed a short, bitter laugh; and again all was still. It was only for an instant that the two men stared at each other, thunderstruck at this evidence that at this spo’, where they seemed safest from interruption, the most unacceptable of eavesdroppers was around. Then the Bullion Boss sprung recklessly over the steep bank, plunging downward in the direction from whence the voice proceeded, A little more cautiously the judge followed. It was a good time and place to have the settle- ment that, after this, he knew must come; and he had, perhaps, a faint hope that the old story of the Kilkenny cats might be repeated if he held back alittle. It would be a blessed relief if the outlaw and the sport would shoot each other; if the chance came for a certainty he would not object to assist in the mutual opera- tion. The two men reached the almost level ground et the bottom of the gulch at almost the same time; and had seen nothing of their quarry. No one had hidden along the side of the slope; and yet they had heard nothing of a retreat through the bushes. What could have become of him? They moved along more cautiously now, and (a a few paces came to a leafy covert. Before this the outlaw halted, From under its dense foliage there came a gound which it wes easy enough to recognize— @be regular breathing of a sleeper who snored. The Lightning Sport. ‘What game is this?” thought the judge, as he listened; but con the instant the Bullion Boss jerked out a pair of bandcuffs, and flung himself recklessly through the bushes, upon a sleeping man. As the boughs parted Schneider recognized the face of a Circus Pete—which one he was unable to say, The grand fact remained that here was one weasel asleep, and the hunter’s hand hanging over him. CHAPTER XVI. THE WEASEL AWAKE. Wuat might be the game, if any, that this man who hailed from Bitter Creek was trying to play, was not so plain. Perhaps none at 1 His regular breathing remained unaltered until the very second that the hands of the Bullion Boss touched his wrists, over which, a moment later, the handcuffs would have clasped. Then he seemed to come suddenly to his senses, for his wrists flew apart, and he began a short but desperate struggle. Out from the bushes the two rolled, nearly overturning the judge as they came, the one trying to fling the other to the ground and keep him there, while he, in turn tried to break the iron gripe upon his wrists, The two were certainly evenly matched, since eacb, working at a disadvantage, was un- able to accomptish his end. Meantime the one spectator remained neu- tral. It he had followed the promptings of his brain, he would have drawn his pistol and shot them both; but in the presence of two such chiefs a single prudential consideration restrained him. While he was getting away with the one the cther might get away with him. He only had the one revolver, and in the breath of time required to cock it and turn from the one to the other there would be a fatal opportunity. Besides the sounds of the shots might at- tract spectators whom it would not be so safe to dispose of; and the judge had a horror of dying declerations. They carried more weight than the words of an unbarmed man, especially if made by a detective. So he waited, with a nervous smile on his lip. After a time the struggle ceased. The twd men stood facing each other, and breathing, a little rapidly. The Bullion Boss still bad bis gripe on the wrisis of Circus Pete, who still held his hands apart. They rapidly regained their breath, and the judge was looking for the struggle to begin again, when the silence was broken: ‘See hyar, boss, yer got bold on ther wrong weasel. I’m a terrer on wheels; but so be you. It’pears ter me that on this yere hand it’d be better fur us ter be pards,” ‘‘Tt’s no use, Dan Sliter. You've taken the contract and you'll never let go till you’re planted. I was after you last night; I’ve got you now. I reckon J’ll keep you.” “Tf you picked mo up fur Dan Sliter—De- tective Dan—the best thing you kin do is ter drop me an’ go on ter ther next camp. I’m not yer game; though I kin give yer a point er two-ez'll make yer eyes snap. Look me squar’ in ther face an’ say ef I’m yer man.” He looked up bluffly, seeming to court the searching gaze that fell upon him, and to enjoy the expression of doubt that he saw creeping into the eyes of his captor. “Tf you are not Circus Pete, who are you, then?’ He spoke thoughtfully, and was evidently struggling with a memory that he could not altogether grasp. “Oh, I’m Circus Pete, sure enough. It’s ther other chap ez is ther fraud. Ef Dan Sliter is on this trail it’s more ner likely'ez you'll find him a-stealin’ my name; we’re much ov a bigness, an’ thar ain’t no other man livin’ c’u’d ’a’ capped my tricks like him.” ‘““The other?” The outlaw spoke inquiringly. “Yes, I reckon yer don’t know ez thar war two ov us at ther Alhambry las’ night. Ask ther judge, thar, ther sort er game ez war put up on me when I bounced through ther win- der an’ sot up fur a chief.” The judge advanced and in a few brief words told the story. When he had finished that he turned to the captive: “You're pretty mach of a likeness, but I fancy you are the man who had the deal ia that wonderful game. Now can you tell me how each one of you came to hold four aces?” “°Tain’t ser easy; but I kin give er sorter~ guess, an’ in this sorter game, ez you don’t ldok like er card sharp, I'll sling out my idear. “Three sich men ez we war couldn’t be- fooled by no sot up deck. Each one on us rom ther keeards througb, keerless like, afore ther game begun, an’ see’d thar war no age in em. Then I dealt meself four from ther bottom, ther other Pete raised four; an’ ex fur ther~ Lightnin’ Srport—I opine ther ratty young heifer they call ‘Leetle Lide’ slipped em’ im his hand. So thar we was; an’ when we draw'd it war sich an even thing thet all three held tber drop, an’ if any cuss hed shot it would ’a’ got erway with ther hull crowd.” The Bullion Boss seemed to listen to this: | explanation with interest. The fact of dupli- & cate Petes intrcduced a new feature into the game. He looked from the judge to the speaker and back again. “Ts all this a fact?” he asked. “A man of yocr bread intelligence and) extensive knowledge oughtn’t to ask such @ question, It’s a fact, however; what are you going to do about it?” **T must see.” Then to bis prisoner: ‘‘ Who are you; where did you come from; what do you want here, and what did you mean listen- ing to our ta'k?” “You've got my handle, but ef yer don’t like it pick up another; I ain’t choicey. I kim hyar by dergrees, roamin’ back’ards an’ for- rards, wharever ther war a sbow fur fodder, an’ an openin’ fur a sport o’ my size. I heerd ov Slaughter Bar, an’ thort it'd suit my gait, to byar I ar’. I wavt a show, that’s all. Don’t keer what. Ive tried ’em all in my time, Ez fur talk, all I've beerd war at ther muzzle ov a revolver, so ter speak. I hev bin asleep hyar fur hours. Ef I hedn’t ’a’ bin, yer kin bet yer bottom dollar yer wouldn’t ’a” caught hold with me at er disadvantage,” ‘Tt sounds like the truth,” said the other, reflectively. “It might be the best thing te take youin. You would make a bright light on the snaffle lay. What say you, judge?” “ Run your own game,” answered Schneider, a little sulkily. ‘I’ve nothing to do with you or your road-agents,” ‘“'That’s so. Maybe you could use him to better advantage yourself.” ** Perbaps I could.” “But I reckon yer won't. No, yer ain't ther sort er man I'd keer ter tie to. I go fur ther best every time; an’ ther discount on you are purty heavy. Ef ther boss hyar wants a msn, he kin have bim, Ef be don’t, what’s ther use cv foolin’? He kin go his way, an’ I kin go mine. From ther looks ov things I don’t think Ill linger long at Slaughter Bar. It ain’t no good place fur fun. Ef the openin® don’t grow larger I’m off fur Mexico.” “Tm not so sure it’s policy to let you go. I am satisfied that you are not the detective I was after, but I’m afraid you may be some one else,” “Allee lightey! Hold on, then, an’ hedn’t we better sit down awhile ter make ther job last longer? I’m not sufferin’, an’ when you quit mebbe Till begin. I could stand yer a right smart of a wrastle now.” The man stood very much at his ease, and there was a great deal of truth in what he said, as the Bullion Boss was ready to acknowledge, “That isso. This is boy’s play, and it hae all been pretty much of a mistake. We can ery quits until the next time we meet; but one thing I would like to know—what are you doing here asleep in the brush?” As he spoke he carelessly loosened his hold and stepped backward a pace, ‘“That’s not hard ter sling a reason fur, In that leetle game las’ night I put me las’ duckat: on ther table. When ther lights went out them some galoot that wanted ter be smart raked im 4 _ all ther antes an’ left me shoal on ther bar. I treed ther wrong coon on it, too; an’ so I steered for ther woods. I’m goin’ ter look round this mornin’, an’ ef I don’t find that galoot er an openin’, I'll hev ter climb some travelin’, j'ine ther agents, er starve.” “That’s about the way to talk it. I see you're a real desperado, We hardly want you, for our number is about full; but I’ll consider- over it and let you know in a day or so. Meantime, here’s something for a starter, andi if you want to earn money watch the judge.. If he should try to bolt plug him on the spot.” The Bullion Boss tossed the other a twenty» dollar old pieca
Page 15
The Lightning Sport. SRR Se Se ae aa a Soe “Ts that a job?” “Tt is if you want it,” “Then I'll take it, you bet. Jedge, I’m yer guardeean. Consider yerself watched, an’ don’t yer try no snide games with yer uncle Ezra, Oh, I’m ther baddest ov ther bad men from Bitter Creek, an’ you kin spell it with big let- ters.” “Thank you for the information. I think I can take care of myself, though. One thing— is Buck Brandon a pard of yours? He was claiming something of the kind last night.” “Don't know ther critter from Adam. Reckon he’s a fraud. He hauled in his horns too sudden when he heerd my trump a-tootin’ ter be a man ov sand. Mebbe you'd like me ter settle Lin. Kin take ther two jobs to- gether on’ sa\e trouble.” “Not at p'esent, not at present,” answered the jud.¢, hastily, and then added: “ve nothing further to say. You are a dangerous man, and a marked man. If you atay at the Bar twenty-four bours you will, in addition, be a dead map. ‘You hear me.” “* And if you leave the Bar before I tell you to get out my men will hunt you up and hang you. You hear me?’ “ And I reckon ther upshot ’ll be Circus Pete 1 plug yer both, Goodenough! I don’t keer, Ef ther’s nothin’ else wanted I’m off fur ther Bar an’ grub. You fellers ez hes hed yer breakfas’ kin sot byar till.I get back, an’; Boss, if yer want me, ye’ll find me at ther Pilgrim’s Pride at hash hours an’ ther balance ov ther time at ther Alhambry, er some ov ther s’loons. Day-day! I’m goin’ now,” Then this singular sport, having nodded and winked, went off down the gulch with a light, springy step, leaving the two men in doubt whether they had gained much by their inter- view. “And now,” said the Bullion Boss, as the man passed out of hearing distance, ‘if this was not the eavesdropper, who was and where was he?’ “T am puvsled, yet I'll swear it was not Clinton Bride’s son. Sooner would’ I believe that it was Bride himself back from the other world. No, it was this Lightning Dick, who somehow eluded us. He has some game to Jay and he heard enough tohelphim. Hence- forth he is dangerous,” * Yes, to both of us. He must dio. send the men in to-night to do the work—you see that Slaughter Bar don’t roug them out. You are in for it now. Henceforth we work Ti together. I will see you again. Good-day.” CHAPTER XVII. THE MAN ON THE MULE, Tue judge was not surprised at the hasty departure of the outlaw, since, at that moment, he heard tke noise made by an approaching horseman, riding down the trail that led from the Hair Pin Lode, He did not believe that it was on his own ac- count that the Bullion Boss left so abruptly; but rather that, baving said about all that he wished to say, at present he did not desire their incerview to have another witness, whose word might be of more account at Slaughter Bar than that of the man who had just left them, Hastily the judge scrambled up the bank; but finding that he could not reach ths road in time to prevent the way by which he entered it from being seen, be remained crouched in a convenient clump of bushes, The approaching horseman was nearly op- posite to him before Judge Schneider had an opportunity to see what he looked like. Whn he did see him he gave a great start, and came within an ace of losing his foothold and rolling down the bank, “Gracious heayen! he almost exclaimed, though be kept the words from positive utter- ance. ‘It is Clinton Bride, himself.” And it turned out that the rider was mount- ed on a mule; a gray animal, sleek and spry, that was picking its way down the stony road with short but sure steps, apparently rather proud of the man on his back, who was a pale, ‘undersized person, with a keen, black eye, and dark, flowing hair, whose head was bent downward as though in deep thought. His garments were worn and travel-stained, as though from a journey, and his pale face had the look of one who had. passed through much suffering. There were lines of determination written there, too, as if he might be a danger- ous man to meet when stirred by the remem- brance of a wrong and faced by an enemy. , The judge regained his foothold, and looked more sharply at the advancing man, who would have to pass@etthin a few paces of his covert. $ It seemed to him that there was no mistake, Although the face was bent downward he could obtain a pretty fair view of it; and there was no mistaking its outline, It was doubly familiar, too, since it was the face of Lightning Dick, with twenty-five years of suffering and experience added, ‘The Missouri bottoms have given up their dead,” thought the judge. ‘No flesh and blood is this, but a living soul, And yet I buried him with my own hands. He is bere on the trail, after all these years, as desperate and vengeful as ever. If we meet face to face it will be his life or mine; why should I not try once more? Surely my hand has not lost its cunning because I have held it since I came to Slaughter Bar. They hardly suspect, then, what I have done, what I can do when reckless or at bay.” He drew his pistol again—the weapon which instinct ever brought to his hand and prudence stayed until it was too Jate. The trayeler came on; the judge leaned further forward. His face had not altogether lost its expression of astonishment and super- stitious terror, yet there were hard lines be- ginning to form there, a wicked smile to curve around his lips. . “Tt was he all the time, and in his disguise I thought it was the son—even when I had heard his voice. That accounts for the mystery. When I had once beard him speak I was crazy to think it could be the boy, altered though the voice might be. When I knocked away the timbers in the Ground Hog shaft, at the risk of my own life, I settled for him forever, Now, hand and eye do your duty, and at last you are done with the Brides.” Yet it was not so easy to control the nerves that had received such a shock. His hand trembled as he softly cocked the weapon, and looked nervously out to see if the advancing man had noticed the slight sound. The down-bent. head never even started. The man on the mule advanced like a sheep to the slaughter, When he was nearly opposite the wavering wrist went up—and then drop- ped again. ‘Curses on my coward nerves!” thougbt the man in ambush. “T cannot hold the thing straight. Is it hate? or is it fear? I would miss him at ten feet; and then there would be no’mistake as to what would become of me, I seem to see him not as he is; but just as he was when I struck him down with the spade, years ago in the moonlight.” The rider passed on. He might be a ghost from the grave for all the sign he gave, His hands drooped listlessly down, and the mule seemed to wander at will. Then, suddenly, the neryes of the judge came back, He felt in his wrist tho firmness of a rock, and he threw up his hand with his finger on the trigger. “Ha, ha!” laughed the ghost; and then the laugh was cut short by the crack of a pistol. But it was not the pistol of Judge Schneider that spoke, It almost seemed as though the would-be as- sassin had been watched from the first, impos- sible as that appeared to be; and then a very miracle wound up the performance, Just as the judge’s weapon was rising into line there came from the man in the saddle the sepulchral laugh: and then without raising his head, or anything more than a lightning-like movement of bis arm, he threw up his own weapon, which, unperceived, he had carried drawn, and fired. Snap shot though it was, and, as far as mor- tal eye could see, utterly without aim, the bul- let sped very true, striking the revolver of the judge just below the barrel, at the furtber end of the cylinder, where it wedged itself. Away from the judge’s band flew bis wea- pon, while he himself uttered one short howl, and pitching backward rolled heels over head and then head over heels, down the bank, into gulch. As he disappeared the man on the mule clapped his heels to the sides of bis animal and galloped down the trail, CHAPTER XVITI. VERNON GOES OUT INTERVIEWING. HARLEY VERNON, when he awoke the fol- lowing morning, found the Bar quiet enough, The fun and frolic of the night was over; the 15 — labors of the day had begun. In spite of the reputation of the place—its oceans of gin and its miles of graveyards—there was a great deal of solid work done there. The dancers fairly earned their money with which to pay the piper. There were loungers about, however, and when he had had his breakfast he found no difficulty at all in obtaining an account of what had occurred at the Alhambra, after he had left it, though there was one little unex- plained mystery on which he himself conld have enlightened the natives if he bad chosen to speak, No one knew how Little Lide had escaped from the road-agents, It seemed very strange to Vernon that such a band of men should overawe the town and after holding it at their mercy for some time and riding away with a citizen as a captive, should be suffered to depart with only a sigh of relief, no ono seeming tu dream of pursuit, He expressed his opinion guardedly, and was met with a smile of pity. “That’s nothin’,’”’ said Nicodemus Mudge, the oracle of the Pride. ‘ That's jist one ov his dog goned jokes. I opine yer don’t know ther Bullion Boss, Foller him! Heavings an’ yartb, what is ther ter foller? Ther on’y thing we're afeared on are that he won't go ’way. Ef he skips he’ll leave ’bout ez much trail ez a flea—an’ go ez lively. Ef he don’t skip he'll let yer hear on him soon ernuf. More ner likely he’ll be robbin’ a mail forty miles from hyer ter-day. Then, ag’in, it’s probable he's up ther in ther mountings, whar er six-legged goat couldn’t foller bim, jist layin’ out devil- ment by ther cord.” “But you don’t mean to say that this eut- law can Jay a whole town, and I might say a very brisk, wide-awake town, under contri- bution? Why, I thought this was the last place on earth such a thing could be done.” ‘““Thankee, stranger, fur ther recommend; but ther sports ov Slaughter Bar are kinder under ther weatber- sorter moultin’-like—an’ hez dropped the’r hackles onder the inflooens ov ther recomembrans ov what occurred las’ week. An’ then they ain’t jist so sure who's a- standin’ in with him,” “You mean—” “Oh, I don't mean nothin’. Consider that a blind lead, an’ knock out yer stulls fur a new stope, In course, fur Little Lide, ther boys would ’a’ chipped in heavy; but otherwise ther safest plan are ter hold yer edge till yer see what the other bands are goin’ ter do,” Other speakers had taken abcut the same view as Mudge; but he gave the young English man an idea; and after a few careless inv quiries he sauntered out. The dashing girl who seemed such a general favorite had in- terested him greatly before; and the fact of his having been able to do her a service brought her still nearer. He took a sudden notion to see her by daylight, and he wandered away in the direction of the store kept nomi- nally by John Oaks; but in which it was gen- erally understood that she had no small in- terest. The establishment was open, and doing desultory sort of business. When Vernon en- tered Oaks was invisible, and there was no one present but the young lady behind the counter. And Little Lide was one who did not suffer by the full glare of daylight. Sbe was, if anything, bandsomer now tban when seen by the light of the candles, in the great ball of the Alhambra, Vernon noted that she gave him a keen glance as he entered; and that her revolvers were right at hand, ready for instant use, ; She evidently had no intention of vsing. them. On the contrary a beam of positive sunshine ; overspread her countenance at sight of his | face, and, springing to her feet, she Jeaned over the little counter with outstretched hand. “Don’t you go another “step; put it right thar, pard. You're a brick an’ I’m another. Between us we made things lively for the boys last night. Shake, pard! 1 owe you one; and when Little Lide says that, she means it, and nothing shorter,” Vernon was a little surprised at the free- and-easy nature of the address. In looking at her handsome face he had forgotten that she was the acknowledged pet of Slaughter Bar, In repose there was nothing that wes bo'd or wicked about her features; but, on the con- trary, there was an intelligence and refinement
Page 16
* answer at once. 16 The Lightning Sport. about them that seemed strangely out of place | just there. Certainly he had never clasped a softer little hand than that which met his answering pres- sure with a steady grasp. Perhaps he looked somewhat confused, for the girl gave utterance toa clear, ringing little laugh, “Oh, you needn’t play modest. When any one stacks up his checks on my lay-out I gen- erally know who plants them there, If it hadn’t been for you last night I wouldn’t be here this A. M. The way you plugged that quadruped was just too sweet for anything.” Then Vernon laughed, too. Gushing girls are pretty much the same all the world over, and he felt that he was getting on his own ground. ; “You and I seem to share a secret between us. I wouldn’t claim any merit, but when it’s thrust upon me I don’t see why I should be bashful. Yet don’t give me credit for more than I deserve. My intentions were good— none better ever existed—but it was a special providence that my blundering shot didn’t make things worse instead of better. When I knew what I had done I actually shivered af the thought of what I hadn’t done. Yet one thing I would like to know.” ‘* Propel, my friend. What I can’t tell isn’t worth the knowing.” “ How, then, did you recognizs me as the lucky individual of last night?” “A pair of cat’s eyes, that can see in the dark, helped me out on that. Iran away like a fine fellow; but I didnt go very far. When I got where I had a chance to make the trump IT held on and kept you in sight. I don’t go back on my friends and leave them in hock, So 1 saw that it was the Englishman I had noticed at the Alhambra, and that you got safely off to the Pilgrim’s Pride. After that I had just time to get to my ranch before the~ boys were pounding at the door.” “Very true. Just so it might all happen, and no doubt it did. I had noted you at tho | saloon, also; and half thought I recognized | your voice when I took the snap-shot at thp | runaway outlaw. But I had no idea of being | recognized when I came in here, though I had. | hopes that I might obtain some information.” * As to what?” The girl spoke shortly and sharply, and at the same time threw down upon the coanter a box of collars. It was not likely that they would remain Jong without interruption. It | was necessary to talk fast and be ready for any casual caller. “Tam here, perhap3, on a wild-goose chasa, as I have alreaty remarked. You bave guessed rightly when you say that I am an Englishman.’ To my own hurt, perhaps, [ am looking for s me relatives.” “ A good place to search for them—what in | heaven’s name brought ycu to Slaughter Bar?” “The dying confession uf a villain gave me the idea for the search; after that had begun some one else suggested ‘this section as being one that might repay me for a prospecting tour.” ** And how does it strike you since you have taken a look at the ground?” “Y¥ confess I scarcely know where to bog'n; and I have not been here long enough to make much bead vay through that blundering chanes that bas always aided me more than my brains. Yet I have seen a pirty that mighs possibly be the man.” “ And the first letter of his name is Judge Schneider. Good enouzh! What does he say about it? and what answer dil the prett7 Nellie give when you broached the subj-ct of | cousinly relatioa last night?” Harley Vernon was too much surprised to Why should she have picked out the judge? You*don’t want to answer. too,” “No; you are only mistaken. I bave said nothing to any oue. I am not anxious to help set up a fraud; and this matter requires to bo handled carefully—for certain reasons that. I do not care to «xplain. Yet I do not mird | confiding in you. Judge Schneider, as be is called herve, is the man, and I am in doubt whether to approach bim or not. I might make a m’Stuke—cr he may know everything I have to tell him and still prefer to keep dark, Do you know anything about him?? “P ecious little; and the little that I do know is no good, I might ‘ell you more about Miss Nellie 1f I chose. She is a little lady, That is right, | who knows nothing, and to whom say nothing. “a PReEND.” anyhow, if we don’t speak. Two queens, you see, at Slaughter Bar could hardly be on amicable terms.” ““Why not, if the reigning monarchs pre- side over different kingdoms? “You should par- cel out your different subjects. But tell me. I feel strangely inclined to confide in you. What would you advise? How suall I best obtain the confidence of this man, so as to satisfy myself of his identity, without expos- ing my hand?’ 5 Little Lide raised her eyebrows with a com- ical grimace, ‘‘ How shall you reach the North Pole, or find Utopia? my friend, you are proposing more than there is‘in the wood, All that can’t be done. You might find out who he is, but you won’t doit from him; and I reckon, whether he is awake or asleep, a tiger is not the confidential sort of an animal for a youth to foolaround, The judge is a bad man and it will depend upon his interests whether you get away from here alive or not. If you do be will have squeezed you dry, every time.” ‘Good enough advice perhaps; but you can hardly expect me to take it when I have crossed an ocean and a continent to meet him. No, I must investigate—and as I am working for his interest, if he be the man I suspect, ho certainly ought to meet me as a friend,” ‘*Ho is more dangerous as a friend than a foe if I have read him right. Better let him rest in peace and try another lead. There’s the Bullion Boss, now. He’s a likely man to tell you all you want; and safer to fool around,” ‘*What? the road-agent; the outlaw?” “That is the man; and I tell you I am in solid earnest. When you get through with him you'll own if too,” “Thanks. But I'm not anxious to push con- fidences in that direction. Legitimate ex- penses are heavy enough without paying tribute to a gentleman who calls himself the boss of the road.” ‘*My friend, when you go out to shear don’t carry any wool of your own with you. Then, if you come home -empty-handed, you've only lost your time. ~ The fact is, I’m inclined to help you; but I don’t want you to interfere with my game. Take advice, and remain quiet at the Pilgrim’s Pride, looking around as though you wanted to invest here. The judge will suspect you of course. Then he will either show his hand, or waste his time watch- ing you. In either case, if you happen into avy danger, Little Lide, who owes you cne, will ba around,” The advice seemed good, though Harley Vernon heard it with a feeling of disappoint- ment. He had hoped for some more definite information, though from the vague way he had expressed himself he could hardly expect it. He bowed and answered: ““Toanks; but I bepa 1 will not need your kind officesin that way. I shall, for the pre- sent at least, do as you say. I cannot tell you more without going mto a long story, that I am not. altogether certain you should hear, Yet I hope to meet you again, and until that time —gvod-day.” He made a small purchise, and turned to withdraw, Jus then Howlin’ Billy, a shade more dilapi- | dated than usual came slinking into the room, He held in his hand a crumpled note, and | stared around in a wooden sort of way as bo held the piper forward exclai ning, ‘‘ Copper- heads an’ coal ile, you’re ther chicken!” CHAPTER XIX. VERNON WHILE IN DOUBT WITNESSES A NEW ARRIVAL. Vernon took the note from tbe hand of tho battered old man, end glanced doubtfully at the superseription. If wores went for anything it was undoubt- edly for him, since he saw his name written in a very fair hand. He opened it in some surprie and read the contents, which ran something like this: “You are here on a mission that may mean harm | to some one of your name however honest you may be. If you want to learn the true facts in the mat- ter which you are probably tracing up meet the | bearer of this at the western end of town, to-night | at nine o'clock, He will take | put you down to the bed-rock, ' doubts leave your money and bring If you have any our revolvers. But above all things say nothing of this to any one and atter you have read this return it to the bearer, . sage age Pl ee the judge’s hand is in that. Sy eee Vernon grew thoughtful as he concluded reading this note. It might be a bona fide | offer; it might be a trap. No answer was needed; and all questions seemed useless, He looked over the paper again and then handed it back to Howlin’ Billy. The hero from Black Dam made a wry face as he received it. Then he gravely tore it into strips, and placing it in his mouth, after | a little mastication, tried to swallow it, Little Lide looked from one to the other, | and then, thoroughly amused by the grave look on each face, burst into a ringing laugh. “Whatever the contents of the note may have been, there’s not a doubt but Billy here has the worst part for his, Here, old man, wash it down.” She threw out a tumbler and set up a bottle with which John Oak was accustomed to cau- tiously treat his favorite patrons, amd the old loafer was not slow to take advantage of the invitation. Floating in a brimming tumbler of whisky, the paper went down without further hitch or hesitation. ‘“Thankee, miss; you’ve an eye fur an ole sinner. Ef that bug-juice don’t prove his eternal salvation he’s dead gone bu’sted, Mornin’ to yer, an’ hyar’s hopin’ biz’ll call me this way ag’in.’ His eyes were fixed on the decanter as he spoke, and his head never moved, though under it his shoulders turned around slowly in a semicircle, as though the connection worked castor-wise, Little Lide raised the bottle and let the amber fluid drop slowly into tue glass in a trickling stream, glancing during the operation from it to the old man and back again. It was deliberate temptation. The shoulders turned back; the eyes set in an appealing look. Vernon saw the two glances and smiled. He caught another from the girl, that was cast at him, and smiled again, It said as plainly as possible, “If you want me to sound him, get out.” He understood, and, nodding, vanished; tLough not before he had noted a satisfied gleam in her eye. “What she don’t worm from him will hardly be worth the knowing,” thought the young man, as he strode away. “And what she finds out, Pll know later on in the day.” As yet he had come to no decision in regard to what he would do in the matter of the meeting asked for; but he had a number of hours in which to make up his mind, and he went siowly cn toward the end of the camp, thus unwittingly passing the judge’s residence, At the edge of the town he was passed by a man on a mule; and even in the careless glance he cast at him he thought he recognized the handsome young sport who had helped carry on the disturbance at the Alhambra the night before, ‘In the way of a partner, I judge he wouldn’t be a bad man to pick up, I wonder what he wants bere. He Icoks like a man with a purpose, too. If I can meet him this afternoon I might sound him, for I begin to think I am the merest tyro alongside of these people, and this Judge Schneider requires to be approached carefully, If he is my man, I don’t s°e why there should be any antagonism between us, but one can’t most always some- times tell. From all accounts be was rather a desperate man in his youth, and I guess a Jife- time spent in such associations as these bas hardly made him any better. Of course ke must know who I am, and it’s more than likely he suspects my errand. It is a celicate sub- ject to broach; end yet, perhaps, I should bave gone to him the first thing this morning. He may not—of course dces not—know anything of the new deve’opments, and if he should happen to declare war, he could make it both unpleasant and dangercus, Perhaps I bed betier turn rigbt now, and se if I can find him. Jf he is at home, half an hour would settle the bus’ness, one way or the other.” So impressed was he with this idea that he instantly wheeled about, and tock balf-a-dczen steps toward the judge's house before the memory of the note lately received came into | his head, Ah, that’s it, money that you It is anything like even choose to put up that Evidently he wants to feel his way carefully; and I'd be foolish if I didn’t bumor his bent. He would have a distrust of me in the very outset if I didn’t. Til do just as he says; and he will open his eyes very wide when he hears the
Page 17
rs ¥ The Lightning Sport. truth. And meantime, for fear that he» moy suspect the honesty of my intentions, I will go back to the Pilgrim’s Pride and keep quiet for the remainder of the day. I had better not be seen doing; the agreeable to either the charming Miss Nellie, or the fascinating Little Lide, theugh the two girls seem to have hold of different ends of the same mystery.” As he went by the judge’s house he looked ap at it sharply, but saw no sign of ils in- mates. The fact was that the judge was up at the Hair Pin; and Miss Nellie was down-town taking a constitutional. Vernon saw nothing of either of them on his way to the Pride. When he reached that haven of rest, how- ever, he found that things were a great deal more lively than when he had left, and from what he heard there he judged there was a hundred per cent. more excitement further on, down about the Alhambra. The cause of the excitement was two-fold. The Bar was waking up to a sense of the indig- nity that had been put upon it by the various strangers who had made their appearance the night before; and in addition there was a well- grounded rumor that a wonderful strike had been made at the Hair Pin. And as the mine -was defended against entrance with as much vigor as if it were a Government fortification, mo one thought it worth while to go out to see for himself, but all trusted to being able, that | night, to worm something out of any of tho men who might happen in, though they were the sort of hair-pins that didn’t have much to say. Taken altogether, circumstances had com- bined to waken up the Bar once more, and, as Nicodemus Mudge had it, ‘‘Ther cloud hez rolled over, ther moonlight hez riz, an’ Slaugh- ter Bar goes ‘round on wheels.” So much interested was everybody in mat- ters of local concern that the stage arrived and deposited its living cargo without the usual manifestation of curiosity upon the part of every one within half a mile of the Pride, As Vernon was not, however, so intent on these topics, he had eyes for the coach and its contents, and be smiled as he ‘saw the one sole passenger disgorged. The passenger was a female, and an Irish female, too, with a corporosity that was cer- tainly scarcely less than two hundred pounds avoirdupois; and a broad, red face that showed traces of intelligence nevertheless. At the very moment that she disembarked and cast her twinkling gray eyes sbrewdly around, Miss Nellie Schneider came sailing along. At sight of her the Irish woman gave a start, and then suddenly swooped down upon the young lady with outstretched arms, exclaim- ing in joyful tones: ‘Och, sure an’ praise be wid all the saints, ‘but it’s me own little girrul that I foinde the firrust thry! It wor no mistake that tourned me fate fur Slaughter Bar, but ther blessidest tay chances. Och! Molly dear, come to me arrums!” : Vernon felt that he was peculiarly fortu- mate in that he was, at that moment, looking straight at the face of Miss Nellie, Sucha look of intense disdain it had never before been his lot to see, as the young lady, with a rapid motion swept away from the intended clutch, and sailed on up the street, leaving the Irish- woman seemivgly as much puzzled as angry at the haughty sneer with which her advances were received, “Thry agin, darlint; sure it’s a quality girrul, an’ the daughter o’ the joodge yer talkin’ to.” The laughing voice of Lightning Dick sound- ed in her ear, and the woman wheeied with a flush on her face and anger iu her eye. The | handsome sport was just passing in company with one of the Circus Petes. Sbe opened her mouth, and Vernon expected a torrent of abuse. What was his surprise at seeing her fall back with a look of actual terror on her face. ‘‘Howly saints presarve us!” she exclaimed. *S Be the rock o’ Cashel, it’s the ither one!” The words were not loud enough, apparent- dy, to reach the ears of the two sports, for they passed on without answer or delay, while no one but Vernon seemed to have noticed the brief bit of comedy and its ending. At another time be would have thought no amore of it; but just now his eyes were wide open for anything and everything, and he scented a mystery that might have some bear- ang on bis own affairs. He stepped forward mow as polite as a candidate for Congress in a | glance told him that it was the Circus Pete = = nner creer == doubtful district; and it was under his escort that she entered the Pilgrim’s Pride. In the course. of a very few moments he had made so favorable an impression that the two were talking quite confidentially together; and though he could not quite understand the drift of her story, Vernon was possessed with the idea that he was on the high-road to a revela- tion, Meantime, Lightning Dick and his partner passed on down the street, Circus Pete doing a great deal of talking in a low tone, while the other listened in interested silence. Neither appeared to give a second thought to the Irish- woman, ‘Tl bet my head for.a foot-ball that ther two will try ter play it low down on each other; but you kin stake all yer duckats they’ll both be very square in goin’ fur you, an’ ef we're round this hyar burg ter-nighb we kin have jist all ther fun we want fur both ov us. Ef we want ter git in our work an’ thin ’em out from the start, there couldn’t be a better time ter begin, me backin’ your game, an’ you standin’ up fur mine. But I don’t like the idee ov yer comin’ in arter ther music’s begun. Mebbe it’s a woman ez writ yer ter stay away till aftee nine, an’ mebbe it’s a handsome womatr; but I’d bet a handful oy slugs she wears whiskers, This chap they eall Buck Brandon ar’ spreadin’ ’round town ter-day, swearin’ he’s a chief an’ are goin’ ter show it, an’ frum what I heard an’ know he’s an agent, an’ partly my meat. Ef he hes backin’ an’ sand he may rake yer pile. Are yer sure ov yer grip?” Lightning Dick made no verbal answer. He only smiled, shook his head and waved his band, He meant, go your way and I will go mine, I can take care of myself, and men like Buck Brandon are notbing to me. A little further on they separated. CHAPTER XX. PETE. STRIVES TO EARN WAGES. THERE was as much truth as poetry in the rumot in regard to the strike at the Hair Pin. It had been made, and it was very rich. When Sandy McQuoid met him he was so full of his intelligence that he had no eyes for the judge’s apparel and confused looks; and after he had imparted his intelligence, that was enough to account for everything. Yet, after the singular experiences of the morning, Schneider was scarcely in condition to properly rejoice, for, try as he would, he could not help but fancy that there were tvils gathering around him that one day soon he might dash himself against in vain. As he listened to his foreman, however, his hopes began to revive and strengthen. Here, without need of further plotting or adventure, was the fortune for which he had struggled and sinned. It might be Jess than a million, to be sure; but then, it might be more, With that behind him, what need to carry out a scheme that he had been working up, which would bring him wealth and an excuse to leave the country? The trouble was that he had started the ball to rolling, and now it was not so easy to bid it stop. And though he was not afraid of tho Bullion Boss, since be was an outlaw about whose disposition in any, otherwise, unortho- dox wey he need have no hesitation, he was most unpleasantly affected by the presence of two men—Lightning Dick and the one Circus Pete, The one was a detective who probably had a clew; the other was an avenger who would strike him in spite of his millions, To get rid of them he was perfectly willing to em- ploy the hand of the outlaw. Then there was something else that would need rearranging. This daughter of his, who had lately juined him from the bourding-school, where for so many years she had been domi ciled—she would be an heiress, but in a differ- ent way. Right there he thought of Harley Vernon, and ground his teeth. He was another uone- cessary adjunct of the play, and yet how was he to be disposed. of? Tbe judge spent an hour or two at the mine, and then departed. As he passed the spot where he had inter- viewed the several parties he looked anxiously ONE CIRCUS HIS | around, but saw no traces of any of them. When be had reached the bend in the road there was a man sitting on a rock that had hitherto been bidden from View, and a single whom he and the outlaw had captured asleep in the bushes, “Vm ’round ag’in, an’ ye'll ginerally find me round,” be remarked, as Judge Schneider came near. “I’ve got my eye on yer, an’ I'll keep it thar ez long ez me side-pardner, ther Bullion Boss, keeps it thar. Ef yer want me ter plug Buck Brandon I kin carry that’ contract, too. Fur ther futur’ call me Pete Mahone, Ther’s too many Circus Petes on ther trail, an’ I don’t want no-mistake. Pass on, now. ‘It won’t do ~ fur us two to be seen a- “tallcinn’ together too} free.” ‘*You don’t mean to say—” ‘That I’m a-watchin’ ov ye? ‘You bet. ° That’s my name, Go whar you will, Pete * Muhone ’!] be round, Pass on.” The judge recognized the threat and went - by. There was no use to argue with this man, » and this was not the place to try to bribe him. , He was another complication of which he had not thought, In his present schemes he was a grain of sand which might disarrange the deli- f cate machinery without his presence being re- cognized until too late. ' When the judge got home Miss Nellie was out, and he had the house tohimself. He tried , to think, and the effort was a failure. When |. he went to the window there was Pete Mahone . in the distance, idling around, watching the - house, f After a little Nellie came in. : There was a preoccupied look on her face, and she would have passed straight to her attic “ if the judge had not confronted her. * “Just as Isaid, Nellie. It took nerve to fol-* low it up, but the end came around all right. | We've struck it rich at the Hair Pin, and there’s! a million iu sight.” “ Well?” { “You don’t realize, then, what opens out‘ for us, Witha million in sight we can bond the mine for an unlimited amount, Why, there’s no end to the wealth that is to be, gathered in. I can make*a stock company | that will be solid, dividend-paying, and sell shares up to five millions? When once we get things in fair running order Slaughter Bar will scarcely hold me long, I’ve had a lifetime of !, hard work; I’m going to have a few years of pleasure now,” ‘* And what is to become of me?” ‘What a question! Are you not my daugh- { ter?” “ Am I?’ At this point-blank question the judge a gel tated just the least fraction of time. “ Why, what do you mean?” “Nothing. I asked because the only evi- dence of the fact seems to be your word. I: have a woman's curiosity, You paid my way ; at the peénsicn for an indefinite number of ' years, but io all that time you never came to see me once, I wouldn’t invest much on your natural affection. At last, when it™seemed to suit your hand, you came, and in an under- hand sort of way got possession of me. You are the man that paid the bills —how doI know that you are my father?” ‘Girl, you are asking your questions too soon, Wait until we have bid good-by to : Slaughter Bar, and perhaps to the continent, ' Then we will go over the facts together, and [« cau tell you who I really am, and who you * are. For the present it is best that you sbould know nothing. And yet, lest you may mis- : understand me, I can and should tell you this much, Years ago, when I was young and confiding, a man who was near and devr to me—we will say a bosom friend—committed a great crime, and in trying to save him I be- came involved in the meshés, ‘Since then I have lived, more or less, the life of a bunted man; for there were great people, who, if they could have found me, would have pushed me to the wall. Meantime your future bas always been provided for ss well as it could be managed from the time you were placed, an infant almost, in the hands of the woman who afterward left you at the school, ‘Now it seems as though the hours of trial were about over. I understand there bave been developments which show my innocence, and I could boldly claim the fortune that I abandoned to save my life. Whether I wiil submit to the vexations of such a course re- mains to be seen. In any évent we will drop, as repidly as possible, all connection with these people about us, and as soon as our affairs can be arranged we will go out into the world te live and enjoy.” —— eer rs
Page 18
18 “ A very grand future; but it doesn’t answer the question: ‘Who am If” He looked at her earnestly. Why was she so anxious to know? He had been too full of his other affairs to suspect; now he began to consider, Some one must have been talking with her lately. A flush of anger appeared on his face, though he spoke calmly enough: “You are spesking parrot-like; who has beon tallimg to you?’ “No one!|—Yes, Iam mistaken! An Irish- woman who eame in on the stage tried to. I think she would have embraced me if I had given her the chance, She called me ‘ Molly, I passed en, leaving her rooted to the spot. Was that a mistake? who she may be?” “Tcannet, Certainly that was some ridicu- lous mistake. Never mind. I cannot expect you to have every confidence in me at once, but only be patient. In time you can read my heart aright. After that you will no longer have a doubt,” “That wiil be a dangerous time for me,” muttered Nellie, under her breath, as. she turned away. She liked the judge less than ever in his affectionate moods, She doubted him most then, though fortunately, sha never feared him,” A little after dark the judge rose up and pre- pared to go out. As he buckled his belt around him he remarked: “Am 1 to have your company to-night, or have you recovered your senses and decided to stay at home?” ‘No Alhambra for me to-night,” she an- swered, decidedly. ‘* And why not, my dear?” He was rather amused at the vigor ef her tone. ‘ “Ob, I could stand Slaughter Bar, for I know the most of the men like, and the rest of them know me, and they wouldn’t shoot my way fora fortune. But these strangers—these bud men from Bodie and Bitter Creek and thé rest—ahb, they tou¢hed the Bar lightly last night, but it seems to me I smell murder in the air every time 1 think of them. Not any of them for me, if you please. I'll stay at heme until they leave the town.” “They’re not as dangerous as they look,” answered the judge, somewhat surprised at her apparent nervousness, ‘“ These jugglers with vheir trick shots, and all that, hardly ever pan out well for real, bard, solid work. Slaughter Bar has better men than any of them, as they will probably soon find ont.” “Pll take your word for it; but when you find them let me know. Good-night, and look out for your precious neck, I’m not ready to be an heiress yet, and remember, if anything should happen to you I would fall ‘heir to the Hair Pin Lode, and its big bonanza,” He started as though bitten by a snake, then went hastily out. Twat was a contingency of which he had never thought before. CHAPTER XXI. A DANGEROUS DOUBLE, AFTER reaching the outside the judge hesi- tated. He had said very little about the dance at the Alhambra, and Nellie had seemed inclined to say less, but somehow he distrusted the girl to-night. Probably her last words bad put him on his | guard, He reasoned that if she insisted on going to the saloon the evening before, when, by wait- ing twenty-four hours, she could have gone incognito, it was not without reason, Under his guidance she had learned the lay of the fand, and was able to explore it still further alone. It only took the judge a moment to make up his miod. He walked briskly down the road and re- turned quietly along by the rear of the house, Tf Nellie was going to make a move of any kind, he wanted to find out its nature, Then he could keep ber under surveillance, or sternly interfere. He knew his own house we'l enough to execute his maneuvers sucessfully. He had not been mistaken eithe:; but what he saw through a loop-hole in the shutters made his heart almost stand still, In front of the looking-glass, stood the tall, Juno-like girl, with a queer smile on her face, aad her form. clad in a well-fitting suit of ihlack velyot, ibat was spangled here and there witb a oucton shat Hasned like gold; while | bent on her own destruction, dear,’ im a way that quite went to my heart. | Perhaps you can tell me | The Lightning Sport. — drawn low down over her brow was the broad brim of a white sombrero. She was almost the exact counterpart of the Lightning Dick who had appeared at the Al- bambra the night before, When, with a short, little laugh, she applied a black mask to her face and stepped back with folded arms, it would have taken a keen eye to have dis- tinguished that she was only a counterfeit of that magic marksman, The judge recognized the resemblance on the instant, ‘Good heavens! the girl must be mad and In thet garb she will be taken for the strange young sport and shot, unless he comes in his own proper person, Even in that case, the risks are awful. I must warn her, or insist. She bas had the costume made and never thinks of giving it up, probably never realized the danger. ‘Yet it is unpleas- ant to interfere, and I cannot doit bere. It would be too ridiculous.” While he was considering the qnestion, standing with his eyes cast down in thought, he lost bis chance, for there suddenly sounded in his ears the near rattle of horse’s hoofs, and looking up he saw a dark figure galloping away. When he applied bis eye again to the peep-hole the girl had vanished. “That settles it,” be muttered. ‘‘She has gone to the Alhambra, and I must follow ber. She shall not come to harm if I can help it.” Hesitating no longer he hastened away. It was altogether a matter of choice, in re- gard to disguise at these masked balls. Those that had old scores to settle, either on the creditor or debtor side, preferred to go in some unrecognizable garb; and though the costumes were none too elegant, as the half of Slaughter Bar belcnged to ono class or the other, and a good share of the balance was of the sex feminine, which adores mystery, the majority of the attendants at the Terpsicho- rean revels came thoroughly disguised. The judge had a costume prepsred and in keeping at a shanty down the street. Ho slipped quietly in, and when he reappeared on the street, few would have recognized him in the burly monk, with the firm stride, so unlike his usual cat-like step. At the Alhambra he found the candles were again blazing on the rude chandelier; tho | musicians were working away on their ele- vated platform; the room, around the walls, was filed with a motley throng, while the open space left for the dancers was occupied by twenty whirling figures—the waltzing at the Alhambra was at times rude—it was always energetic, The monk looked over the floor; and grinned under his mask, There were five other monks, and they were all as like in appearance as half-a-dozen peas, Another trick of the Bar, The chances were five to ene if anybody began settling up he would hit the wrong man —that was, the wrong man for him. As each man atthe Bar was more or less hunted by some one waiting for time and place, and as each rather suspected that he himself was wanted worst of all, his logic was applied only to his own affairs, or he might bave seen that after all the chances were about even, The judge looked, anxiously around, but could see nothing of Nellie, although she had | had time to arrive. He stood leaning up against the bar, and finally turned to the masked man behind it, speaking in a coarse, guttural voice; “Yer haven't seen nothin’ ov ther fancy leetle sport, as chipped in on ther Circus Petes las’ night? I thort mebbe he’d be ’round an’ I | could bunt him.” “Nary leetle sport; but ef yer want him real bad I reckon he won’t be hard ter find. When | yer get him keep him—ef yer can.” The answering voice was as clearly dis- guised as his own. It was not Engine Jack that spoke, and that was all that Jude Schneider could be certain of. As the man turned away to wait on a customer, the judge gave a sideways glance—and ‘saw the muzzle of a derringer peeping out from the sleeve of | one of his counterparts, The little steel tube pointe full and square at him. **Go slow, jedge; I’ve got yer kivered, an’ me name are Pete Mahone. Keep yer tool in yer boots, yer lip in yer pocket, an’ don’t meddle with ther sport from Bodie, Ther boss an'me ‘ll tend ter that. An’ keep yer paws offer me fur I’m heeled to ther nome, an’ er bad man ter mount, See?” With bis other hand Circus Pete slightly pusbed aside bis robe, and showed a belt. bristling with knives and revolvers. “* Paw vobiseum !” broke in another voice, as harsh as anyof them. ‘Hyar’srichness! Six ov usat ther Albambry on er dance night, ’ste’a ov at home, sayin’ ourpaters. Whar yer think we'll die when we go to? Eh? But when ther frolic begins we’ll warm ’em up, wen’t we, Pete? I tell yer I've got eyes open, an’ I'm: fixed for fun.” It was the other Circus Pete; and as he made the familiar movement with his left hand he showed the same array of belted weapons. While he spoke a masker entered from the further door—that led into the smaller room— and as the judge saw, he started. Was it Nellie, or was it Lightning Dick? Of course no one else had any doubts, though the sharpest eye could not see behind the black ‘ mask. There was the costume of black velvet, and the white sombrero, and the familiar belt- ful of firearms, This advent stirred up a ripple of excite- ment, Nearly every one had an idea that if the three strangers showed up there weuld be: a good chance for music in the air, and there were plenty who had imbibed sufficiently to be well primed for work. The sport in Llack velvet glided into the: circle of the dancers, and his arm wes around. the waist of a partner whom every one recog- nized, spite of mask and domino, as Little Lide. The young lady had the reputation of keing the best waltz r that had ever entered the Albambra, and there were few men at the bar who would not bave backed her for all they were worth, as a fashionable dancer against any one west of the Rockies. There might be girls that could show more vigor, or execute more pirouettes, but they were professionals. They danced recklessly, for profit; she danced in a womanly way, for pleasure, For once she had a partner worthy of her, and ’round and ‘round the two spun, in perfect: time and motion, until the musicians stopped to rest. Then the girl tock the arm of her partner, and strolled away, halting at last very near to Judge Schneider, who had left bis post of observation and mingled with the crowd, He was listening with all his oars, and heard Little Lide: ‘*No, don’t thank me, ‘You are a manina million, 1’d spend a few dollars just to keep you where I could have you. In the name of creation and the rest, where did you come from?” The figure in black bowed gracefully. That was all the answer, but the movement was so grandly made that it seemed sufficient. The little lady was not offended at the silence, “Tt’s hardly worth while to warn you, for E judge that you are able to take care of your- self; but you must know there is trouble brewing, Look out for yourself. You have a few friends here; and a great many enemies, ‘You seemed to want to make the last—why E do not know—and you have been successful, Yet I sometimes think our hands are intended to be played together. When you are sure it’s so let me know, and we'll name the game. Ta, ta, I can’t stand still forever, and there’s Fowler Wilson looking for me—a good young man, and solid.” The young lady moved off toward the per- son indicated, and at the same instant the judge slipped up closer to the supposed Light- ning Dick, and twitched lightly the black velvet sleeve nearest to him, “In heayen’s name, what are you doing here? This is no place for you. Don’t you know that they will take you for the man you represent, and go for you, tooth and nail? The pitiful coward was afraid to come himself; and that leaves you without a chance.” The judge spoke low but earn stly, Tnstend | of answer the dark eyes turned to the clock, where the bands pointed to a few minutes of nine, yet undoubtedly the words had been beard. “Perhaps she is too agitated—too frightened to speak now that she recognizes the error,” thought Schneider. ‘I must act for her,” F He would have clasped the arm that had been drawn from his touch, but it was sudden- ly drawn away, as its owner turned and har- ried away. : And then came the very catastrophe he wa seeking toavert. A burly form planted itself squarely in front of the slighter one, while » barsh voice exclaimed:
Page 19
“You'd waltz right over ther sports ov Slaughter Bar, would yer? Not while this hyar rooster’s round, trimmed an’ heeled. Draw er drop yer backles. I’m goin’ ter try yer sand; an’ it’s me, Kiddy Klyde, thet’s sbhoutin’ to yer.” Then, from different sides, other toughs elesed in, and the Lightning Sport stood in the midst of the circle, still voiceless, and with bands on revolvers, ready to draw, but with an’ upraised, shining knife poised above his breast. CHAPTER XXIL BODIES FOR BREAKFAST. A nusH fell upon the room, and every eye was turned eagerly toward the spot. It wasa matter of interest to see the man who was willing to take the risk of opening hostilities— especially when the singular fact is mentioned, that the actual and original “‘ Kiddy '’Klyde had been dead a month. Perhaps this dupli- cate would follow in his wake; and perhaps not. He certainly held the advantage just now. The knife did not at once descend, For that there was good reason, since even Slaughter Bar would not stand a public assas- sination of an unresisting ‘man; and the way public opinion wanifested itself was with an immediate bullet. There were two courses open for the young sport. He might attempt to draw; then down would come the knife. He might throw up his bands, which was probably what Kiddy Klyde was playing for; and after that be would have little reputation for sand, and no social standing at the Bar. In either case he would be disposed of; and then would come the turns of the Circus Petes who bad put upon the placa the same affronts, “Dont you draw! don’t you draw?’ ex- claimed the judge, warningly, and he was about to step forward when one of the monks slid directly in front of him. “Keep out, Jedge; ’'m a-lookin’ after you, an’ it ain’t your chip. Tl hev to sea yer through, an’ I might salt down ther wrong men.” This was what Pete Mahone said; but at the fame time there was the unmistakable sound of the cocking of a pistol to his right. The other Circus Pete was watching the affair from under his cowl, with an eye intent on busi- . ness. Meantime the dark eyes of the threatened sport were gazing unwaveringly into those of ‘Kiddy ” Klyde, and suddenly and unseen his fingers opened. Down to the floor dropped something with a light thud; and just in time, with a graceful bound, the intended victim sprung back. There was the sound of a slight explosion; and then, covering the retreat, a little sheet of flame shot up, followed by a thick column of smoke, that quickly enlarged, and for the mo- ment obscured everything from view, while the air was dense with a horrible odor that sent everybody rushing from the spot. Evidently the party inthe whife hat had been prepared for some such emergeacy, and had used a weapon more potent than a pistol, and one with which the Bar had had little or no experience. Kiddy Klyde received the full benefit of both fire and smoke. He dropped the knife from his hand and staggered back, while a chorus of coughs and oaths arose from those nearest. Those who were so fortunate as to have a back seat were startled at first, but were inclined to laugh, though a few of the timid ones did make a movement for the door. For three or four minutes everything was in confusion. Then the smoke cleared away, the terrible stench began to be more endurable, and people began to look more sharply around to see what was to follow. Apparently nothing. The little sport had disappeared, white hat, velvet coat, gold buttons, revolvers, and all, No one knew exactly how he had gone, but public opinion rather pitched upon the window as his means of exit. That seemed the convenient and much-used avenue of es- cape. Maybe there were two or three who could have told, but they held their peace. Kdyde was furious at his disappointment and Over the ridiculous figure he had cut. “ An’ that’s ther kind ov a sport ez wants ter shine round ther Alhambry. Dog-gone his - mangey top-knot, I knowed he didn’t hev ther The Lightning Sport: sand, MHyar’s ther stickin’ plaster ez shut his mouth up. When a man tackled him right close he war all smoke, and he danced outer ther winder, It’s good fer him he left, I tell yer, boyees. Slaughter Bar ain’t got no fur- der use fur Lightnin’ Dick!” ““Ye’d better sing er leetle smaller, Kiddy. He may be skimp ov nerve, but get him started an’ he’s a desprit shuter.” The interruption came in a mocking voice, that was almost a taunt. ‘Oh, I never took water for ary two-legged mule on this byar footstool, an’I ain’t afeard ov him. TI ain’t no fancy shot, but I kin draw an’ plug with ther next one, an’ ef yer don’t believe it, tiot him out. Yer thought he war a boss, didu’t yer? But wharis he now? He ain’t frolicking round this stub-horned ram ov ther Rockies.” ** Don’t be too sure of that, Kiddy. I think he’s coming now.” A voice from near the door was raised in interruption, and Klyde turned in wrath, But just then the clock sounded the hour of nine, and on the stroke, through the doorway, with careless swing, came the Lightning Sport, masked and heeled. “Cut an’ co’ again!” remarked the cheerful tones that were already so well known to the Bar. “‘ You’ve come back, hev yer?’ shouted the man with the knife, as he shook the blade in the air, “Then, dog-gone yer, yer my meat, Stand up ter this hyar rack if yer want er taste ov ther fodder ez grows at Slaughter Bar.” “Look out for his other hand, Dick!” inter- rupted another voice, that sounded like the judge’s thinly disguised. The warning was not unprofitable, for Klydo had his left hand in his side pocket and thes» words showed his intention, While daring the Sport on with the bran- dished knife, he intended to shoot him as he advanced with the concealed derringer. A very pretty little plan, theugh so cowardly that it might not have been suspected if ono pair of eyes had not noticed his quick motions. The words disconcerted the would-be assas- sin. Between them there were half a dozen moving forms, and behind a swarm of dark faces. At that distance it took a certain marksmaa to risk a shot that must be aimed high, and had to be deadly. He had to act at once or give up his plan—and he chose the former. His wrist turned, aud-there was an almost imperceptible movement of the skirt of his coat. Then came two sharp reports, just a shade apart, if, indeed, they did not blend with each other. The road between the two was not altogether clear. Klydo waited an instant and Lightning Dick did not, but threw the muzzle of his ready revolver forward and raised bis thumb. The bullet cut through between Klyde’s fiagers, struck the hilt of his knife, and g'ancing, entered bis head, felling him to tho floor, while the derringer in his pocket ex- ploded, and the blade dropped beside him with an angry clang. Immediately upon his shot, Lightning Dick sprung forward, a pistol in either hand. Brushing recklessly through the crowd, and stooping over the prostrate man, he tore away the mask, reveajing the face of Buck Brandon, the first of the four strangers that bad almost simultaneously appeared at the Alhambra, the night before. At the noise of the shots the floor between and around the two men was cleared as if by magic, and there was a combined cry of sur- prise at the sight of Brandon’s face; but while Lightning Dick yet bent by his side he seemed to become aware by instinct of a movement in his rear among those he had passed. Three men in the familiar garb of monks were raising their hands. * Ah!’ exclaimed Dick, throwing his hand over his shoulder, at the same time drawing back his thumb, which then slipped off the clicking hammer. Motion, report, and a muf- fled cry from the rear came almost together. Then the Sport wheeled like a flash, with thumbs back and revolvers poised, holding the lives of the two men absolutely in bis power. No snap shot could help them, because, when his thumbs loosened, certain death followed. “Hold on, hold on!” shouted the two in chorus. ‘We weaken. You've got the dead medicine on us!” “ Hands out, then!” said a voice that seemed 19 to come from the young sport; but just at that moment there was a single report, followed by two others, and Lightning Dick and the two monks crashed heavily to the floor. Some one else had taken a snap shot and got in his work well. Slaughter Bar looked aghast; but while the natives peered cautiously around, and the foldg of Judge Schneider’s robe dropped together again, covering the yet smoking pistol he tbrust into his boot, through the doorway dashed Howlin’ Billy. In one band be flourished: a pistol as dilapidated as himself, in the other his battered old hat. ‘* Plijer fishbites! but if ye’r’ men, git up an’ howl, This time they got her sure,” A dozen voices spoke up, “‘ Who?’ “ What?” ‘* Where?” ‘*Little Lide! Ther Bullion Boss an’ his _ men in white! They war goin’ fur her lively, an’Irun ter kerry ther nooze! Go fur ’em, an’ p’r’aps it ’tain’t too late.” CHAPTER XXIII, WITH HOWLIN’ BILLY FOR MASTER OF CER&- MONIES. Tax diversion of Howlin’ Billy was made at a fortunate time. A Jittle sooner or a shade later would not have done so well, The Bar was just in the right mood for action and yet: had not fairly become entangled in the work at hand. There were five men on the floor, to be sure, but they were all outsiders, as far as could be told, and Little Lide, who was every man’s friend, was worth the whole of them. And as a whisper had already started around the room, that the Vigilantes were going ta take a hand in, the conservatives were all the more willing to stay out. A dozen or more men crowded around Billy, taking in bis hasty and not more than half in- telligible explanation; and then dashed away under his guidance, in search of the masked: outlaws he had left following on the trail of Little Lide. Three monks were down; three others were- grouped at the other end of the room, One of these stepped forward and raised the prostrate: Lightning Dick frcm the floor, throwing the: body over his shoulder. “T reckon he’s done fur, an’ ez he war a. solid leetle man I'll see about plantin’ bim while some oy you fellers kin mop up ther~ rest.” As he strode away the judge reached once more forhis revolver. It was a fair chance to dispose of one be believed to be the supposed de- tective, Dan Sliter, and to escape from the complications that had of late been gathering: around bim, ‘No yer don’t!” interrupted his bete noir, at: this critical mement. ‘Yer got away from me one’t, but yer can’t doit agin. I give yer warnin’. Not while ’m a-watchin’ ov yer. I ain’t sure Lut what I orter take yer in outen. ther wet ezit is, but we'll let her go this time, an’ef ther's nothin’ better on the board we might ¢z well go, an’ see what’s become ov Leetle Lide. Hyar! hitch on! Give us yer arm! I mean it, so don’t yer try ter crawfish: out.” There was no escape without fight; or, at. least, so the judge believed. As be was not ready for that, he silently acquiesced to the demands of his tormentor, and the two passed out tegether, following in the wake of those who had the advantage of a minute or two in the start. And now, to go back only a brief portion of time, to see what was the foundation of the re~- port of the man from Black Dam, Harley Vernon had sauntered up the town again, but had not succeeded in obtaining an- other interview with Little Lide. Conse- quently he was left to bis own resources, and had plenty of trouble making up his mind to: meet the unknown correspondent who had ask- ed for an interview. Of course be bad to take the chances of its being a suare of some kind; but in some way it had got into his head that the writer was. Judge Schneider—and he was the very man he. wanted most to see. So, after one or two false starts, he set out, passing the Alhambra without being at all: tempted by the music he heard drifting out: through the open door and windows. Persons: were passing in and out, but ao one gave a sfcond glanee at him, as he strolled along: without any apparent aim. It struck him, tbat while these masked balls might be inter
Page 20
20 The Lightning Sport. esting enough, they did not add to the security of the town, He looked around in search vf the shamb- ling figure of his guide but saw nothing of him. Perhaps he had been afraid to come; or per- haps it was alla joke. It did not occur to him that he was too early on the scene, though he waited in patience, with arms folded, for fully ten minutes. Of course he did not intend to stand there statue-like all night, Tired at last he, gave utterance to au ex- clamation of disgust, and turned to retreat. Then, from the ground not half a dozen yards away he heard a voice. “Copperheads an’ coal. ile,, but yer in a hurry! Ding-blast yer pictur’s, can’t yer al- low a gentleman ter take er snooze, ’thout wakin’ him up an hour afore the time? D’yer think thar’s no one but yerself in the world?” Howlin’ Billy was there—had been there all the time—lying on the broad of his back, taking his immortal ease. Perhaps he had been asleep; perhaps he bad been too lazy to ‘speak; and perhaps he had been waiting on the chance of picking up some information by over- hearing some soliloquy. Thinking himself alone Vernon might have spoken aloud if he had been of the kind of men who indulge in that way. He recognized the danger that he had es- caped, aud was in no better humor for so doing. “You wretched, worthle:s foxy vagabond! You're not worth the salt it would take to save you; you’ve been sneaking arougd, trying to | ¥ 8 y overhear sometbing, and if I did right I would tan your hide well for you and go back to the Pride. No good can come of. an interview gained through such a Heaven-forsaken wretch AS you are.” “It’s right you are, me lord. Ef I war you Td go, an’ never find out no more nothin’. Why, ding blast yer hide, did yer think you’d meet Prince Ed’ard an’ ther Seketary ov State with an escort ov ther royal guards? body but vle Daddy Bender of Black Dam, an’ et yer don’t want ter tie ter me—amizzle, I don’t keer—cos I’s paid .n advance, you bear me? But if yer wants ter see ther party ez writ that note foller right straight erlong. I reckon ther time’s up by this hyar blessed hour. What yer goin’ ter do?” ** Follow, of course. more talk or nonsense.” Billy, who had propped himself on his elbow, now arose Jeisurely, and having given a glance around to satisfy himself that there were no spies or inti:uders about, led the way, taking the same course tat he had followed the pre- ceding night, guiding his charge straight iato the little canyon. “Hyer yer be,” said Bender, cheerfully, as he pointed to the yery stone on which he had -de posited his hat and fortune. ‘ Thar’sa com- fertable seat, an’ yere’s quiet an’ secloosiun. Doubtless ther party ez is ter see yer’ll bo 7round soon—per vided he ain’t started no frolic with ther boys sence mornin’ an’ got bis chunk put out. -eau’t miss findin’ yer way. Ef thar’s any- thing in the way ov er small pecooniary testa- taeni ov yer gratytood, ez yer war goin’ ter present, now’s ther time ter hand it over, ’cos thar’s ther chance, yer know, when I oncet skip out, ez we'll not meet ag’in,” Bender waited a moment to sea the result of his appeal. When he saw no movement that looked toward tbe production of coin he turned away. ‘Hold on, hold on! Cortainly you are not going to leave me alone here in this desolate place? Id 2s soon be in a graveyard.” “This are a graveyard,” answered Billy, lingeriig Berried alive—an’ ef yer don't believe me look at me grave. It war an orful nigh squeak. I thort Daddy Bender war goin’ up ther flume,” He pointed to the ground ‘near Vernon's feet; snd thee, sure enough, was the broken earth, ju-t sufficiently visible in the uncertain light to shapa the outlines of a grave. The young Englishman looked—and shuddered. ‘You say that was your grave. How did if happen that you were interred; and how «did you escape?” “A short story. Me an’ ther Lightnin’ Spert hed er differuns ov ‘pinion an’ he sot me iter work with er spade, When ther hole got deep enough ter suit him he tumbled me in an’ tkivered me up. Er desprit. sort ov er chap he are, an’ don’t yer furgit it. Take iteasy. I’m Lead on without any Vm no- | Ef he hez, an’ den’t show up, yer | ‘‘ Leastwise, J war berried hyer. | orff,. Day-day! Yer won’t hey long. ter wait.” As there were no signs of the gratuity com- ing, Billy rather hastily withdrew. He knew that it was a silly prejudice, but somehow he could not bear to linger about the spot where not long before he had come so near to his de- mise. Harley Vernon sat there alone and un- comfortable. If he had. known that this was to be the manner of his reception he certainly would not bave allowed himself to be caught in’such a situation; but since he was here, the British bull-dog in his nature was aroused, and he swore he would see the adventure through to the end. When the sound of Howlin’ Billy’s footsteps bad died away in the distance, aod for fully five minutes he had remained grasping his re- volvers and seated in the shadows, he heard a light footfall, and almost immediately after- ward, a slight, daxk form bounded into view. He was wonderfully surprised at the sight, for, if he was not very much mistaken, he re- cognized the dark clothing, the white hat and the swinging gait of one whom he had seen for the first time the night before. ‘So you are my unknown correspondent?” he said, rising. ‘* Well;I-am here, and wait- ing. I cannot imagine what may be your in- tentions, but I warn you that though I may not be your equal in the use. of deadly wea- pons, Iam armed, and if needful will protect my life as best I can. What is it? Speak quickly.” “Wait! Listen!” answered the new-comer, speaking, at first, with some difficulty by reason of hurried breathing. ‘‘I bave but a few mo- ments, and in that time would gain your con- fidence and give you mine. You are here for a purpose; soam I, We two must work to- gether.” ‘¢ Ahem! That remains to be seen.” Harley Vernon was inclined to be doubtful, “Listen, Some months ago, in London, a man called at uight at your rooms and prom- ised you strange revelations in regard to your family affairs if you had the courage to follow him. Am I right?’ ‘*'You are; but how in the name of wonder do you know this?” Vernon was at the very outstart surprised and interested. How did this person know the secret, which he believed was in the possession of but one other besides himseli? “Enough that I know the fact, unless you are willing to give me your confidence in re- turn for my revelations. I believe you to be honest, and I haye as much interest in this matter as you have,” “Speak, then. The moment I am satisfied that I am right in‘doing so I will tell you all that I know,” “ My story will go back a great many years, when there were three brothers of the houss of Vernon, all more or less dependent upon their father, who died not many months ago, cov- ered with years, and sorrowing because for a score of years he bad not known whether tho two elder sons were dead or living, and be- cause, if the world would have to shave in his kvowledge, he would sooner remain in igno- rance. Am [I not correct in my preface?” Perhaps. Goon.” “One of thess brothers, frantic through jealousy, which, however, was without grounds, killed a gentlemon by the name of Milton Waite; and the other brother, innocent though | he was, became invulved in the crime, They both fled, though not together, And the elder took with bim his child, ever heard a word of the missing brothers.” “Trus, true! Go on,” He was impatient over this preface, though it showed that undoubtedly the stranger knew | much of the effairs of the Vernon family. “Weil, to show you my real interest—I am | , y 5 that child—the child of Edwin Vernon, Give me your help and [can prove it.” CHAPTER XXIV. THE BULLION BOSS CALLS THE TURN, HarLeY VERNON had not yet penetrated the diszuise, and was stagzered\by what seemed the csolne s of this anneuacemeat. “T won’t deny that you know something | about the Vernon affairs; but so do 1, and this last is entirely too fresh for me to swallow. Haven’t you a handful of salt to help it down? Your story don’t—in western parlance—wash. From that day to the | night I have alluded to no one of the family — —- Edwin-Vernon had a child, but, unfortunately for the truth of your assertions, it was a girl.” He had not noticed that the husky voice had been growing clearer, and now he was astone ished at hearing a clear, short, but unmistaka- bly feminine laugh, ‘*So you take me for the black velvet sport, do you? Thanks for the conpliment to my disguise. Iam the young lady that you had the honor of escorting home Jast. night.” “ Judge Schneider’s daughter? Ab, that puts | quite a different face on the matter. I begin to understand.” | “Tam afraid you do not. I am not Judge | Schneider’s daughter, but the child of Edwin | Vernon, ‘* But he is Edwin Vernon.” “ He is riot a Vernon at all, but a rank im- postor.” ‘* Yet Martin Quigly, the servant who aid- ed in his escape when the hounds of the law were after him, confessed with his dying breath—yes, and swore to it—that Edwin Ver- non had not struck the blow, but that it was Roger, who afterward died, and that I would find my unele in the mines, living and prosper- ing under the outlandish name of Schneider, which he had chosen to adopt. I went to Red Earth, and from there bad no difficulty in tracing him bere. I don’t: know what it was prevented my going straight to him. <A few words would have settled the whole business, Backed by the confession of Quigly, I believe he would haye no difficulty in retaking his place, so long forfeited. He bas the Vernon | face and look.” “Which he. has eultivated for years, No, | sir. The man is not my father, nor is he a Vernon, though I do not profess to know the dark secrets of his past life. You are looking for one of the family—you have found me. Help me to gain my birthright if you desire to be honest. Unmask this villain. I care lit- tle for wealtb, but I do yearn to bear an honest name.” Vernon was staggered, but not yet convinced. He doubted if this was the woman of the night before, and he doubted her story still more. “Then you mean to say that the dying Quigly, who of all men should have known Edwin Vernon, was mistaken.” “Nota bit of it, He was an accomplice. That I know, and it is because I, know it that I am so certain of the rest.” “ Girl, this is a strange story; but if you can prove to me its truth, rest assured that you will find me a faithful friend and. ally. Yet Ican hardly believe that a man of the in- telligence and worldly wealth of him who is here known as Judge Schneider, would be wil- ling to risk such an imposture, He not only lays himself open to a capital criminal charge, but in the risk of proving stands to lose the fortune that he undeniably has. I would rather be- lieve that he knows nothing of Quigly’s con- fession to me, and has no idea or intention of leaving his seeure fastness here at Slaughter Bar.” ‘You are mistaken. He has an idea of leaving here; and until to day his wealth was more of show than substance. He had made a fortune to be sure; but he had sunk it ina dozen unprofitable ventures end I fancy that growing tired of the struggle here he had decided to carry out this game in a new land and run the risks, There is more in it than you bave seen, too, But the strike at the Hair Pin today has already changed his views; and he bas admitted as mach to me, He even tacitly admitted, when pressed, that I was not bis daughter. If Iam not, then heis not HE win Vernon. Of that besure, And ft have anobher reason too—a reason of my own that I scarcely care or dare repeat—by which I know that my belief is not unfounded.” “Without a doubt?” ‘ Yes, without a doubt.” “Then, that is the reason for me to know, , Once co .vinced I shall spare neither time nor experxe in hunting down the impostor who must, already, have been guilty of some crime of which we nor the world have beard. The truth then.” “ Ah, that is the ons truth I cannot tell you | —not now at least. Bat be sure of one thing. | if at any time, you should seem to stand in | his road your life would not be worth much, I | am not cvrtain but what already he considers you one to be disposed of. If he decides to give up the pursuit of the Vernon fortune, then beware.® “T have, no fears; but a great deal of cure
Page 21
The Lightning Sport. esity. Tellme, in a few words, what you know and how you obtained your information, I will consider the matter to-night, and to- morrow—” He ceased speaking suddenly. The girl had held up a warning hand, and to his own ears there had come a slight sound, that might be the noise made by a lightly falling footstep. At that he grasped the handles of his revolvers with a readiness that showed the lessons of the Bar bad not been thrown away on him. An instant later, and an eavesdropper coolly stepped into sight. “No, I wouldn’t shoot!” exclained a laugh- ing voice, which Vernon had no difficulty in reeognizing as that of Little Lide. ‘I’ve been listening here to the yarns that girl has been telling—or if she hasn't been telling them she has beea hinting at them—and they are just too dreadfully dreadful for any use. The fact of the case is that Iam Edwin Vernon’s daugh- ter, the long loeté cousin, the wandering heiress, and all that.” “a You 1” The voice of Nellie rose, scornfully indig- nant. “Yes, I. I am the infant child who was provided for by Mart Quigly. My name was Nellie; and I belonged to the Vernons, I was my father’s child, though, and couldn’t stay taken care of. The result was, that this very worthy young lady slipped into my boots. That was well enough as long as it was only the thin bread and weak tea of the pension ; but now, when my birthright is going you can trust me to claim my own.” Here was a new puzzle for the young Eng- lishman, He did not understand it, and he frankly informed the young lady so. “None so blind as those that don’t want to see. l’m rather inclined to believe that that scoundrel, Schneider, is this child’s father. At any rate no one ever suspected him of being mine. Here it is again, though I don’t see how 1 can make it any plainer. There was a certain sum paid in for my support, and when 1 vanished—I was stolen by a vagabond, by the way—the ‘lady,’ in whose charge I had been placed, had the cheek, the sublime impu- dence, to wring in another girl in my place. The guardian, who managed the little invest- ment which supported me, had never seen his ward, and the fraud was neither a deep nor a dangerous one, especially as I was supposed to be drowned. Those, yer honor, are the bot- tom facts in the case on which we crave judg- ment.” She made a sweeping bow as she concluded, and as she had spoken right out, without any seeming effort to conceal or befog her facts, it was no wonder that Harley Vernon was im- pressed with the brief statement. Nellie Schneider, as it is perhaps best still to call her, was impressed also; but in a different way. She never had shown much partiality, now she positively hated this young lady, and the wonder was that she did not attempt to do her a positive injury. - ‘*Tt is all false!” she exclaimed, indignantly. “You have followed me here, listened to my secrets, and on the spur of the moment, made up this story, not so much to benefit yourself, as to harm me. Very well. Do your worst. Your knowledge can do you no good; I shail see that it works me no harm. Mr. Vernon shall have fair chance to choose between us; after that, if needs be, I will go my way alone.” **Heigh—oh! You are getting tragic. I - wouldn’t, It don’t pay. Listen to the voice of reason.” Which will no doubt cry aloud from the mountain-top; for I am very sorry to say that this conference must come to an end here. A pretty netfull I’ve caught, though I wouldn’t have closed in so soon if I could have helped it. I would have liked to hear how you all made out, but there’s trouble brewing, and I hear the signal in the distance. Hands up, all! ; I’ve seooped you in.” ; The interruption came like a thunder-clap. Jn the distance they heard the report of a pis- tol, and before them, with a revolver in either hand, and a swarm of weird-looking figures behind him, stood the Bullion Boss, who held them at his mercy. CHAPTER XXV. A DEEP-LAID PLOT. Tue judge waited for some time at the Al- bra. He saw the various bodies carried some So andergo. muigery, snd: ethats to await a more convenient season for planting. Although an effort was made to set things moving again, those that remained did not seem in the mood for frolic, and the result was failure, though there was a deal of loud talk ing, interspersed with frequent calls at the bar. The fact of the case was, that the best men of the camp, with Fowler Wilson to lead, were off to the rescue; though even he was not very hopeful of being able to come upon the astute leader of road agents, who had terrorized more than one camp before he struck Slaughter Bar. A man that had perfect, reckless courage, wonderful skill in attack, flight or defense, and a score of picked men behind him, was hard to handle, without a small army and a regular campaign. The judge thought of this, and laughed to himself as he imagined the comical figures the maskers would cut, streaming along through the night, striving to catch a will-o’- the-wisp. If it had not been for other work on hand he would have followed to see the fun. But bis face grew somber again as he stealth- ily glanced at the man who had openly at-: tached himself to his heels as the spy of the Bullion Boss, “Curse him, I would make short work of him if I wasn’t afraid I would need bis master. As it is, alittle caution, and I think I can see my way clear,” A brilliant idea bad just struck the judge, and he rubbed his head and then snapped his fingerand thumb. Three or four men from the Hair Pin bad entered the room, and were listen- ing to a history of the evening’s amusement. All he wanted, after they heard that, was a chance to say a few words in private, and the trouble with this man, who knew entirely too much for the judge’s safety, could be ar- ranged. That he could get the chance, he did not doubt, for his man seemed inclined now to give hinr a little rope, while he himself looked about for something more interesting than the game of wallflower. The men from the Hair Pin recognized their master, and after a bit Bill Cole, a foreman, and a mighty rough when on the war-patb, came strolling up. “A lively old time they’ve had oy it, but if Sandy hadn’t given ther boys a hint not ter come in till late, things would just ’a’ bin a- bloomin’ about three seconds after ther shootin’ un.” ‘Better so,” answered the judge, under his breath. ‘I saw the man who did for the little sport, and he knows it, and sooner or later he’ll do for me if I don’t bead him off. Don’t let on while I tell you what the game is I want played.” - “Pm dumb as a rock, an’ ll took ther other way, keerless like. Propel.” “He has three or four pards with him, but I can’t pick em out, He hasn’t tipped them the wink yet, but he gave me to understand the moment I spoke they would shoot. There’s some bad blood yet about the Hard Pan affair, and half a dozen of them stand to chip in the moment the hat drops. | Now, I can fool him out, and give you fellows a chance to take him. After that—well, he can leave town, or hang, or whatever the boys decide when they know the facts. I guess my word here, where they know me, is just a shade the best, and maybe he will confess,” “That's the lay-out? All right. Call yer game. I s’pose there’s another hundred ‘er so fur ther court an’ jury. We’re ther heft ov ther Vigilantes, an’ it’s time they riz again.” ‘‘That’s the platform. He will go with me to the shanty behind the Pilgrim’s, and when I say ‘ Now,’ chip in, the deal’s made. He’s a sbarper—shoots from under his skirts, and holds dead level—but I can fix him. Draw out as soon as you can and make for the ranch.” “But what’s this about Little Lide?’ “That’s most likely a yarn of that dead beat’s. If not, what difference? I’m working on the other level just now.” > The judge was certainly an adept at this kind of work. All this was done without ex- citing the suspicion of Pete Mahone, though that worthy still kept an eye on his victim. They would have had to be a great deal closer, however, for him to have heard what was be- ing said. » Perhaps it may seem strange that Judge Schneider had not manifested more concern over the fate of Nellie, after her sudden dis- appearance; but the fact was that he was only obeying orders. Just before the flying leap he | haa heard a noise that seemed unmistakably hers, exclaiming: ‘‘ Don’t give me away? Stay!” He felt certain that, seeing her dan- ger, she had made the best of her way home, After that the fun at the Alhambra was too lively to think of leaving. He seemed to weary at last. As yet no word had come from the contingent who had gone to the rescue. He glanced ina tired sort of way, first at the door, and then at the monk who was watching him. Then he rose and went out. As he came out into the open air he heard a shot in the distance, but scarcely minded it. An idea bad struck him that offered a solu- tion of the mystery why this man had been: hired to dog his footsteps. The Bullion Bos» might bave done worse if he wanted to keep track of the papers that had been in his keep- ing so many years, It would be hard to change: their hiding-place without leaving a clew sm long as this sleuth-hound was on the trail. He expected to be followed, and he was not mistaken. He had not gone far when he heard rapid footsteps, and he halted until his pursuer joined bim, “See here,” the judge said, sternly. ‘‘ How long is this thing going to keep upft If I had done what was the right thing you would have: been dead meat before you got back te the Bar.” “Two kin play at that game. Thar’s three —er war three—ov us ez dropped to ther same racket; an’ yer seen how it worked. When I pull on a man him ner Satan kin save bim from bis las’ sickness, fur I hev him foul. An’ ef ther’s ary galoot from hyar ter Frisco ez kin pull trigger afore I git draw’d—waal, it: ain’t you, Jedge Schneider, though yer no slouch when you do let loose.” “Something in that rigmarole, perhaps;, but you don’t answer my question. Why, FE. can raise the Bar right at you.” ** An’ hev ther Bullion Bors, who seems ter” be fly ter yer game, down on yer. No, I. reckon I’ny safe enuf. Ez ter how long it’l? last—till ther coin runs out—an’ it’s gettin” mighty shoal now. I'll see yer home, an” then, ef ther Boss turns up, I kin bunk in, Yll work spell an’ spell with ary man; but I git tired when the work ar’ spread too thick.” ‘Then home I go; and we'll have a little \' talk along the road, There’s one question I would ask, though I’d be a fool to believe your answer, and that is: how, if you are not partners, did you all three happen to come together and buck solidly against the Bar, the first jump?” “ Can’t speak fur ther rest. Ez fer me, I'd heerd ther Bar war lively, an’ ther boys jist doted on sand, so thort I’d give ’em a waking. up from ther go off, an’ set up fur a chief from ther jump. Ther other two must er hed ther same notion, an’ when I bounced through ther winder—thar they war.” This was the substance of his explanation; and in the midst of it the judge turned to the little shanty at which he had appointed the rendezvous with his tools. ‘*Hold on! This is about as far as I care to go traipsing ina gown. I have my duds here, Wait a moment while I go in and peel.” The request was carelessly made, but Circus Pete detected a shade of anxiety that would have been enough to put him on his guard, even if he had not seen the apparent nature of the trap. “ Thank-ee; but I might ketch cold standin®™ in ther draft. I'll go ‘long in an’ shuck meself,, too. Ikin git ther things in ther mornin’— er maybe yer wouldn’t mind loanin’ me ther key. I kin bunk right in an’ save time an” trouble goin’ any furder.” “ That is good enough. Take the ranch for your head-quarters. I wouldn’t wonder if we came to terms yet. I need just such my man as you are.” What the judge meant wes that he needed. bim at a distance—say at Frisco. It was e terrible risk that he was taking, and he knew it. Although a powerful man, and quick with his weapons, the Judge was not too conceited to admit that with such a man as this he had, in a single-handed struggle, very little to do. If Bill Cole and his pards had failed him be was about to do a very dangerous thing, And whether the men were there he could: not tell until he bad put life and all at risk, Not for that reason did he hesitate. He threw the door open and entered, followed by the juggler, who, as he passed through the doorway, struck a match,
Page 22
22 The Lightning Sport. At that inetast the judge sprung backward, and throwing bis arms behind him clasped «Circus Pete around the waist. There was no echance nor time for resistance. Down to the floor dropped the two men together. CHAPTER XXVI. ANOTHER CAPTIVE, AS the two rolied on the floor the judge uttered the signal word and tben shut his teeth hard, and with locked hands held to his gripe, As long ashe could retain that he had little fear, for the arms of the other had bappened to be held low down, and Schneiter had pinioned them both. No chanca had the juggler to obtain a purchase or to exert his strength. Like bands of steel the arms were around him, binding bim to the living clog, Then a flickering lignt appeared, and three amon, heated by Bill Cole, sprung at the rolling figures on the floor, They had been there, hidden in tho shadows, And justin time they were, for, despite his sadviutage, the arms; of the judge loosened, and he dropped almost sevseless. C:rcus Pete bal had one chance, and had used it. Throwins bis head as far back as possible, he had s ung 345 forward wtb all the power of tha muse’es of his peck an! shoulder, catching toe judge just betind the ear, and then had given a roll-n»+, sideways jork, flinging himself loose—but rizh; iuto the arms of Cole and his comrade, Each ons of the three was a Hercules for | atvength, ed a panther in swittness. Th y ewanght his arms and legs, crushel him with their weight, and bound bim with ready cords, ‘Then they tied loosely over bis head a thi | coat, aud set bim upoa a Bench against the wall He could hear, speak; but not s-e bis assailants, who, as yet, were not taking-any schances. lucas: thera shoul! com» ary iner- ruption he wou'd never know wh) bid s:ruck in to ail tho ju lige. The latter rose from the floor, rubbing his thead, and looking around lik3 a max vot mora than balf awake. He was too dazed to be angry, ani it was several minutes before ho had recovered his wits. ‘~ “Tf it please ther court,” began Cole, speak- ing in a thick, husky voi e, that bis own mother would not have recognized, ‘‘ Ther’s ‘bin three er four bloody murders committed at ther Bir; an’ one ov ’em ther Vigilantes must take account ov, not beca’se ov ther party killed, but beca’se er man et hed hed er row ‘with him took ther chance when he war doin’ his best ag’in’ er straight flush ter warp it to him from !ebind, Ef those style gits inter- doosed at Slaughter Bar, no man kin start a ‘it ov fun fur fear some tender-toed cuss ‘Il try er snap shot frum behind er door. We hung one Circus Pete fur jist sich er game; an’ hyar’s another ov ther same stripe, Shake him up an’ see ef he don’t pan out jist thet kind.” “Prisoner at the bar, what do you say to the eharge!” The voice of Judge Schneider took up the strain. No use for hinr to try disguise. 7 say it’s all er put-up job,” responded the prisoner, in muffled tones, understanding that he was addressed. “This hyar gerloot hoz reasons fur wishin’ ter be rid ov me, an’ he’s tryin’ ter pull ther wool over ther eyes ov squarer men than hisself. Ther Bullion Boss are his pard, a bottom deal are his game, an’ I seen him fire ther shot what took ther Light- nin’ Sport out ov ther wet. I reckon yer goin’ ter hang me ter save him. Tbat’s all right. TI don’t kick when it don’t count, an’ I sha’n’t speak another word, Go ov with yer * chickén-fightin’.” Pete closed his mouth with a snap of his teeth that was distinctly audible; and refused to utter another syllable. Whetker he was hopelessly sullén, or too full of pride, he did not even offer to raise his voice to cry for help. ‘The shanty was by itself, some distance in the rear of the hotel, and there was now a sentiiiel outside to givs warning if any cne approached, but certainly the man could have made himself heard if he had made the effort. He stood there, a hooded states, and heard the judge take the formal oath of a court of jaw, and then swear his life away with the most deliberate perjury. Tt was alla farce, to be sure. These men wanted to murder him, and they would haye done it anyhow; but they bad been shrewd enough, it seemed, to plan to do it under a semi-legal guise. He did not even utter a grunt «©f disapprobation when he heard the members ! of the ‘‘ court,” one after another, pronounce | some other lead that will pan out a better crop the verdict of death by the rope. | of truth.” ‘And over his breast,” added the judge, “T U’eve yer afeard ov ther jedge, an’ are “shall hang a placard, ‘Tbis is the man that | takin’ water,” ground out. the juggler, appa- shot Lightning Dick from behind, Tried, sen | rently exasperated by what he considered the tenced and exeéuted by the Vigilan’es.’” col mendacity of the statement, ‘An’ I tied ‘Now, boyees, strip him a leetle, an’ we'll | ter you’cos I thort you-war ther, better man! cart bim down to ther tree whar Circus Pete | Bah! You ain't fit ter lead blind, monkeys ter tuk ther jump fur glory.” water, Ask ther jedge ef I hain’t done ther At Cole’s suggesticn they would bave torn | work jist.ez yer tole me, Oh, pull an’ shoot away robe and cowl, but Schneider held up | You ain’t fit ter kick cripples.” his hand, ** Don’t be so fresh, my friend. How is this, “No, Leave bim ashe is, If any one else ; Schneider? What is this man mooning about?’ ’ saw the shot fired they will recognize the | ‘If you want to disown your agent, leave justice of the sentence, Of with him, Jf he |} him in our bands,” sullenly responded ibe won’t walk, carry him, and maybe you bad | judge. *‘ But there’s no uve for me to tell a better gag him before we start. We don’t | lieaboutit. He’s earned the twenty you gave want the whole town turning out to see a pri- | him this morning; but he’s a deal too sharp, vate circus,” He may scrve you well enough to-day; Lut As the juggler refused to walk, he was car- | to-morrow he'll take us both intocamp. Better ried, and there was some slight yrain of satis- | let him tell you all he knows, which I'l) swear faction in that, if aman coud find satisfaction | im’? much, and then leave him with us.” in anything with death so near, | “And you set up the same story, to, For As the Bar was Jargely occupied in a differ- | a Cozen dollars 1’il wipe you all oat; but there ent direction, and the place of execution was | so:ms a‘ter all t: be something werih looking reachel by a road that led right wway from | into bere, I'll give you my werd—and I ; town, there was noi much chance of interrup- | don’t often lie that neither of you have I} tion, So sharp was tie action cf the commit- | seen before to day.” tee that in about the length «f time some men “Then hold your edge till I seé what I'm would have taken to comb their hair, the con- | go’ng todo on my band,” demned. stood wader the fatal tre, a noose The j dge spoke with quick earnes'n-ss, He about his neck ani J4?go Schneider's hand | was half convinced in spite of himself, rajsing to give the fatal signal. “Nota bit of i. From what I gather, he “Good night, my friend,’ said the jude», | isa very worthy sort of a young man, Tl coolly.. * You know tho old saying, ‘Giv> 2 | tell you what 1’ do. TPIl let you cut for the doz a bad name and hang him,’ You mave a) presert, You and your men skip right ont, mistake when you chose yours. Yuu are num- | and as for Circus Pete, as he calls himself, Pl ber two, and Lsboul!dn’t be surprised if a third | take charge of him,” was turned cff within the month. Keep a ‘But—” lookont, and probably you'll see tbe other Cir- “ Arainst a wall, will you? Skip—I mean’ cus Pte coming over the range. Up with | it! Vl see you again when I know more. him, boys. ‘There's ro further use for him | By by. And don’t forget there’s half a here,” s dozen 1evelvers looking after you. Don’t you “Tm not so sure of that,” interrupted a | stop, or step slow, or there'll be some dead strange voic», ‘A minute, if you please. I | citizens lying round louse,” want to sea what this little game is, Uncover The judge hesitated. j th )t man’s head, and de quick about it, too.” ‘Git!’ repeated the other, in deadly earnest. } The voice was strange, and yet there was Then Schneider and his men, thoroughly something familiar about it. subdued, walked away, leaving their intended « “It’s ther Bullion Boss, by ther jumpin’ | victim in the hands of the road agents. Jehu!” 7 ? Bill Cole supplemented his exclamation by CHAPTER XXVIL - a movement for his revolver, but paused as he AN UNSATISFACTORY INTERVIEW. saw it was a trifle too late for effective resist- THE judge was in a hormble bad hum and ance, The road-agent chief never spoke until | when they reached the street at the Pilsrim’s he held the drop. He and his men had their | Pride he dismissed his attendavts, who chuckled weapons out and aimed. The so-called Vigi- | as they turned away. As yet they had no lantes were in a fair way to be taken in, particular quarrel with Circus Pete, end so Nevertheless, they were men of sand, and | had no interest beyond a financial one in tak- perhaps would have risked the chances if their | ing him cff in an underbanded way, As for at- leader had given the word, tempting the capture of the Bullion Boss, in He did not; but, on the contrary, first and | which there would have been a great deal more highest of all held up his bands as he gave the | money, they had been so thoroughly covered order to obey. and the case was so utterly hopeless that they With the mask off of the prisoner the out- | never once thought of it until they bad repa- law bent forward and studied the man as well | rated from their commander, as possible by the light, . With his bands deeply immersed in hig “They rather have you foul, my friend; | pockets Schneider strode along. .Although he let’s hear what it’s all about.” raw a man strolling abead of him he paid lit- “You're ’round at last,” answered Mabone, | tle attention to him. His form was just visi- thanklessly surly. ‘It's time you.were comin’, | b’e in the shadow of the long, low building. but I thort you wouldn’t throw off on a cove | At another time the judge might have suspect- that war doin’ his level best to earn yer | cdaspy, now he was thinking of something money.” else, As a consequence his rapid gait carried “My money! Me throw off! There’s some- | him past the man, thing strange about you, my friend. What Then he felt a sudden slap on his shoulder, have I to do with your affairs?’ and looking around, there was his bete noir “Don’t play off on Circus Pete—” again, * Ab!” “Ha, ha! Not a balf bad game, jedge. Yer The road-agent gave a sudden spring and | think I can’t climb a chimbley, eh? Nary wool seized the juggler by the throat, drawing him | did yer draw over the eyes ov Circus Pete. I hastily forward, and this time peering into his | see’d thar war a game afoot, an’ I lat-yer plant face with closer attention, and then, with a | ther other man. I'm still around.” quick movement, running a hand over his Schneider uttered a hearty curse as he stag- head, gered back from the thump, and stared at the “Who are you? What doyoumean? Well | man asif he was a ghost. He could not be- for you, at least, that you are aliar. I am_| lieve that be had made such a mistake; and if hunting for the true Cireus Pete; and by the | he had what did the other double want with same token he is hunting for me. Both of us | him? can’t livelong. You ran a big risk when you “So yowre both aftér me, I knew—ox rung that name in on me.” thouzht I knew—what you wanted; but what “Don’t play it that way on me. We talked | was be up to? There can be no mistake. He that all over this mornin’, You tole me ter | and that Lightning Dick were pards, and the watch ther jedge; an’ I’ve bin a-watchin’ him. | black velvet sport wos—” Et I hadn't done it a leetle too well he He finished the sentence tu himself; and the wouldn’t ’a’ run ther risks ov takin’ me inter- | words be murmured were ‘young Clinton night. It war a cute trick ez done it, too; but | Bride.” that’s all right now. It won’t win ag’in, Cut “‘Kerrect, ez I’m willin’ ter put up me coin. me loose, an’ lei me go.” Me namesake are a bad man, an’ he meant ter “My friend, it strikes me you're piling it up | go through yer. Ef yer had ary specie, bul- a little too thick. No talk did we have, for } lion or vallyble papers he war ther rooster ter this morning I was twenty miles away. Strike | swipe ’em in,” a “is
Page 23
* dealt me a mortal blow ere this, The Lightning Sport. —————— “ All right, then, Hés in the hands of ‘the Bullion Boss; and if there’s no mistake about it—which 1 won’t swear—there’ll be no trouble about him. But how about you? If he is Dan Sliter who are you? If he is not Dan Sliter you are. To make sure, one way or the other, the Boss will save you both, for one or the other of you has come here to bunt him down” “ An’ whar do you come in at? Eh?’ “TY have nothing to do with any of you, There’s been a mistake, and to save trouble I was willing to lay my life open to you all, so that I did not endanger my own safety. I had any other reasons, which it is not necessary to explain. I bave found, already, that it is not safe. ‘There isa hand in the game that you and I know nothing about. The Bullion Boss has a double, too; and it was that double with whom we spoke this gnorving. I’ve seen how you could serve the wong man, now I'll give you the same chance over again, to serve the right'one. DT’ma solid man here, and there’s money in my jobs, while it’s pretty near cer- tain death to buck against me, Which is it go- ing to be? Say it now, and quick, For, or against? Mahone listened, was silent, considered, and then broke out: * Apin’ yer, by glory; an’ ther man cz raises ther biggest hand rakes in ther pot! Look out fur y’urself, Fair cr foul, Circus Pete takes yer both, That’s ther only warnin’, Now, step out, I ain’t ready yit fur ther round-up, but look out when ther fun begins,” “ And Igive you warning that in another twenty-four hours, if you linger here, you willbe adead man! Go or stay; it’s nothing tome, Good-night!” For three or four minutes these men had teen watching each other like hawks. If the judge bad seen a chance be would have left the wandering sport there a corpse; if he had made an offensive movement Pete Mahone would have drilled him on the spot. When Schneider tarned away he knew be was risk- ing semetbing; bet he was firm in the b>lief ‘that, unless his own imprudence hastened it, his time was not yet as near as some, perbaps, would have thought. The strike at the Hair Pin had the effect of taking away something of his ready nerve, for he had se much to live for; but it also gave him strength, fer as svon as he bad a little time to Cevelop ke had so anuch behind him. ‘They are waiting because they are not sure cf their game; but do taey know who Clinton Bride was?) Ab!” The judge saw an explanation right there. ‘The story was half known, and though they -were on his trail, it was with nocertain knowl- called and there was no answer. Impelled by a strange, unreasoning fear, he darted up the stairs and knocked at her door. It swung open under his band and the room was empty. Nellie had not returned. The spy was no- CHAPTER XXVIII. A FACE AT THE WINDOW. VERNON and the two girls had no resource left but tocurrender at discretion, though they would a thousand times or more’ have fought it out to the bitter end, if there had been the least hops. As there was not the trio surrendered at discretion, and were sent away captives, under the guardianship of three of the outlaws; all of them, of course, being immediately dis- armed, As for the Bullion Boss himself, ho and sev- eral of his followers withdrew from the cul- €e-sac, but they neither went with the pris- oners, nor did they fall back to meet the out- posts, who barm'essly held the men of Slaughter Bar at bay and then inveigled the greater part of them ina chase which was hopeless from the start, and in which they were finally drop- ped ina way that was most provoking, The few that followed Billy Bender, when the way was clear, met with no better fortune, for they found no traces of Little Lide, or of the other two, concerning whose presence the howler, with kindly reticence, had not said a word, The predictions of the croakers had heen verified, since, without a doubt, the young lady had been taken in. Cures both loud and deep were freely vented in regard to the absent outlaw, and had he been visible at that moment there was hardly a man on the trail who would have hesitated to at- tack him and bis partners, no matter how des- perate the chances might bave seemed to be, But the astute captain was not there; and none there were bright enough to guess thathe would venture right into the town; though} the resder wil remember that he not only ven- tured, but turned up to some purpose at the capture, And even yet the daring road-agen§ was no’ altogetber done with Slaughter Bar. Cireus Pete did not seem inclined to give any trouble, | and so he was sent away under guard, while | the Bullion Boss, alone, followed on a trail which only a desperate man like himself would choose to risk, The result was that he saw the interview be- tween Judge Scbneider and Pete Mahone, heard some little of what passed: between the two, and followed vhe latter—who did not, for the present, go very far, ee Se a a carat ete Sie eo aed 23 He stopped in front of the hotel for a mo- ment, as if debating with himself whether he should make the moveme/s he contemplated, and then went in, ‘That's his game, is it}? muttered the out- law. ‘‘ He's had it out, with the judge; and now he’s going over to the other side. He wants to find out how ladly burt the young man was—for I reckon he knows that he’s still living. Well, I waut to know myeelf and if I know anything about the Pilgrim’s Pride, I guess I'll find out, though I must jook a little out. If any of the shooters see me prowling about they might get the drop on mé before I was ready to begin, Lucky that I am posted.” Without hesitation he went arcu d to the rearvot the building, hurrying like one who knew the way, and yet cautious lest he might meet with some danger. He succeeded in reaching his post of observation just under the window that looked into a little box of a room, Rapid as were his motions thé man known as Pete Mahons had already found time to reach the room, and had begun talking in a low whisper. When ho entered, which was after a pre- limivary knock, he found the man of whom he was in search of—Lightning Dick. The young sport had probably been sleep- ing; but he was wide enough awake now, His hand rested on a revolver that lay upon his bedside, and his dark eyes were gleaming with savage interest. His face looked a litt’e paler than it had done, and there was a cloth fastened areund his head, but he was certainly a very live and very wide-awake man, ‘“Good-evenin’,” said the visitor, with a quick jerk in his tone quite different from the drawl of the night before. ‘ That war a bad racket they put up on you. Ef I'd hed er chance I'd ’a’ took er hand in afore you dropped; but it come so quick it war over afore I see’d it, kase 1 war lookin’ t/otber way. Then it war too late. We've bin a workin’ on seppert leads; but ther time hes come, ef I ain’t mis- tooken, ter pool our isyers. Will yer listen ter a leetle squar’ chin music? Then, ef yer don’t like my game yer needn’t chip in. That’s all ther is about it.” The young sport was sitting up in bed now, with a look of intense surprise vpon bis face. At this proposition he waved his band and nodded his head. Circus Pete went om: “Tn this thing I s’pose I'll do all the talkin’, That’s all right ag’in. Shake yer head, an’ Pil hev more time ter rattle off my chin music. When I'm through you kin foller my lead er jump ther game.’ Lightning Dick nodded. “Its this hyar way. Yer may think lm er fraud—an’ solam. An’ so be you. We're all on er different string—an’ ther same strings are allin one knot, more er less, ’cording ter Lizness. You an’ yer pard kim hyar ter clear out ther road-agents; an’ yer hed an idear thet Jedge Schneider war band in glove with ’em, I'm hyar ter look after ther jedge; an’ I’m mixed up with ther condemned Bullion Boss, an’ et fust I thort you war a side-partner of hissen,” The outlaw, who caught ithe drift of this, smiled grimly. He had not been mistaken; eud by chance he had in his power the strong man of the two that were after him, Still, he listened further. Doubtless there was a good deal that would interest him. ““You are ther son ov Clinton Bride, er man what disappeared mighty sudden-like, when his buildin’s burned down; an’ yer mo- ther war killed, somehow in ther fire, Ain’t thet solid?” The Lightning Sport nodded. * About thet same time u tidy leetle fortune Gisappeared, es. well es Clinton Byride’s letlé darter, You never heard ov her, eh? I’m hyar on ther trail ov them, too,” The young man started, ‘this time violently, and his black eyes gleamcd brighter than ever, ‘‘Yer never heard ov ther gal, Waal, she war livin? then, an’ though some thort rhe passed in at ther fi e, she fre livin’ now, More than that, she’s one ov two gals—er I'm ér Dutchman, Nellio Schreider, er Leetle Lide— one ov ther two will fill th ir Lil, One ey ’em is yer sister, an’ don’t yer furgit it.” The young man was more than surprised— he was electrifled. He sprung to his feet, for- getful of wound_and everything else. He shook bis fist in the direction of the judge's re- pa aud then eptoraly covered his face ay Shere
Page 24
24 The Lightning Sport. with his hands, as if overwhelmed by an unex- | pected po.sibility. “Now yer on ther wrong lead ag’in. Yer jist thinkin’ p’r’aps he’s yer father. Not er bit ov it. Yer father war ton Bride; an’ Clinton Bride war Roger Vernon, er his bro- ther; an’ don’t yer furgit that. Ther jedge is Harold Varley, an’ ther man what killed yer father. I kin take him inter camp fur ther ’ murder; but I want ter make er clean sweep, 80 ex ter show who you be ez well ez him, en collar ther duckats when 1 take ther jedge. “Your pard, the man ez purty nigh blocked my game by settin’ up fur an oppersition Pete, is on his way ter ther head of the flume. The Bullion Boss hez him, an’ he'll take you ef I don’t back yer up. He’s made er clean sweep, fur he hes Leetle Lide already, an’ ef he hez { wouldn’t swear he hadn’t ther other gal, an’ ther young Englishman that’s yer cousin. We kin go inter this thing tergether now if yer say so, an’ I ain’t goin’ ter give yer much time ter study. Put it right down in writin’ an’ then Tl show the balance ov my hand” The man drew out a note-book and a pencil from his breast and laid them on the stand with the air of one who had but little doubt as to what would be the answer. His eyes were fixed intently on Lightning Dick, who, in turn, eagerly grasped the paper. At last he was about to say bis mind, and yet, so firmly were his babits of caution fixed, he still held his ready pisto}, and, as he stooped over the little table, his eyes turned from the paper to his hand, On the second the pistol flashed up to a level and poised over his shoulder, while the ham- mer went back with its usual sharp click. At the window the face of the Bullion Boss had appeared, as he peered into the little rooms It was like a flitting shadow that came and went, but all the same he was seen and he knew it. He had vanished before the hammer could fall, and now, though he moved with the stealthy step of a wild beast, they could hear the sound of his retreat, “ By ther holy beaver, you’ve a sharp ear, er sometbin’!” exclaimed Circus Pete, who had rushed to the window and gazed after the re- , treating figure, which was for a moment visi- ble, but at which he hesitated to fire. “Tt war ther jedge er ther Bullion Boss— _ which, it don’t make much differens. He heared all 1 said, an’ he’ll scoop us now onless we take ’em both in. There’s no time ter frolic ’round. _ It’s biz’ness from ther word go, You hear me?* The Lightniag Sport nodded, but his hand flew over the paper. He was ready for work tn earnest. CHAPTER XXIX. THE JUDGE COMES TO GRIEF. { <A wirrue thrill of fear ran through the * Judge's nerves when he found that the girl was not in the house. She might indeed have lingered around the Alhambra, just as she had done the night before, after he thougbt she had safely arrived at home. In that case how had fe missed seeing her? t Again. Some one might have mistaken her for the man she so much resembled, and made a mortal trouble for her on the way home. ; Had that happened, bowever, he would almost { certainly have beard something of it, unless ‘ the party had discovered his mistake and con- ? cealed the body. } Then a third idea came to him, that gave a : twinge almost like an entering bullet. What * }f the party who entered at the door just after ! Nellie had bounded out of the window was the 2 girl herself come back to try her fortune with 3 the sports of the Bar at the game of pistols and . steel?” That was a wild notion, to be sure; and yet {be had begun to understand that she was a wild sort of girl—wilder, even, in her way, than Little Lide. If such an awful contin- gency could be the fact, what had he done?” No need to ask that question. Though his hand had been low down, it bad been held very straight, and up to this moment he had not a doubt or a hope that the ball had not done its work. “Oh, Tam wild, surely!” ho said to himsel, as he came bounding down the narrow stair- way. “There's a difference in their hight, and I noted the buttons well. If the first was Nellie, and I’Jl swear it was, the second was a son of Clinton Bride. I would sooner believe that the girl has run away. Ah! [I bad not thought of that. By heavens, I half believe it. She suspected something; she has ceased to believe my story; she bas taken the alarm; she is off. Could she have discovered my se- creta?!” The judge had with him still the safe which he had had at Red Earth, It had made about a wagon load of itself when he moved, and had been no little trouble to transport, and at first he had not only guarded it himself, but two or three men and women were so disposed as un- wittingly to watchit. By-and-by, however, he had come to rely on the strength of the door and the complications of its combination lock. Up to this moment be had never thought of the possibility of Nellie having managed to pene- trate its depths. If she had, though! He went straight to the safe, and examined the little disk. Once before a woman had dis- covered the secret of a combination, although that time it had been to his benefit, Why might not such a chance happen again, and to his barm? He moved the light down so that he could see the little revolving disk. Sure enough. It had’ been tampered with; just as it had been once, and only once, before. He always left it in a certain position; he knew that he had not moved it; and yet it was out of place, He saw, and stared, open-eyed, for a mo- ment, too much agitated to try the handle of the door to see whether the safe might not be unlocked, ‘Tf she has taken the papers and fled my game with her is up, but—there wiil be a dead woman.” He hesitated; and then dropped the threat out in a voice trembling with tense passion. Whatever he might have felt for the girl was forgotten in that moment of wrath. Then he tried the door—and found that it was still bolted. He set down the lamp and with quivering fingers whirled around the wheel. As yet he was not frightened 60 much as angered. In the excitement about bis treasures he had forgotten the troubles of a few mo- ments before concerning the girl. The door of the safe flew open and the judge gave ahasty glance within. If the contents had been touched it had been so skillfully done that even his sharp eyes were unable to note any disarrangement. There was some money there—gold in little buckskin pouches, and notes in a drawer that he hastily opened—but his eyes rested longest on a bundle done up with red tape. Though it might never bring him a dollar it contained a secret that he guarded as his life. * Fool that Iwas to doubt. There they are, as they have been, for a dozen years, safe, ‘How could her taper little fingers have found the secret that wise heads have puzzled at? No. Nothing but the crowbar and sledge can ever work away in against my will; and I fear them but little. But Nellie! Good heavens! While I am mooning bere what may not be happening to her? I must find her; and I will.” He swung to the door once more, shot the bolts into place and in another moment would have locked them there with a single whirl of the disk, As his fingers touched the wheel a pair of hands grasped his wrists from behind, a knee was thrust sharply into the small of his back, and powerful man though he was, he felt him- self torn from his feet and then dropped heavily to the floor. “ve got yer this time, jedge. When I war on ther watch er while ago I seen yer usin’ ther peekhole, an’ I dropped to ther game. Not er whimper, sonny, er they’ll be an ink- west in ther mornin’, an Circus Pete ’ll pervide ther corpus. This byar safe’s what I’ve hed an eye on, an’ when I see’d it open I thort I'd jist drop in an’ help yer sort ther papers. Thet’s right, no use ter kick. Ihev yer foul, an’ ther’s only one chance ter save yer bacon. Il’ll hey ter tie yer up er leetle; but you put yer head in er bag an’ I'll sw’ar yer sha'n’t be hurt.” With deft speed a cord was wrapped around the wrists and ankles of Judge Schneider, a gag was thrust in his mouth, a sash was tied over his eyes, and before he had recovered from his surprise be was bound, helpless and voiceless, What use there was to blindfold bim he could not u since he had no doubt as to who we3 was his assailant. The sound of | the voice was growing terribly familiar, everr if a couple words that seemed to have careless- ly slipped out had ‘given away” the now open secret. He could hear the bolts shoot back once more, and the safe door carefully opened, After that he was deaf from rage, and for a. few moments heard nothing, while the con- tents of his treasury were being overhauled. It required the sbarp application of a boot te bis ribs to bring him to his senses, Then he heard the voice once more, mocking and cruel: “T say, jedge, this pans out bully—no end. ov plunder; but it’s on’y a trifle fur a mam thet’s made a strike like ther Hair Pin, Ther’s: some papers hyar thet looks vallyble like, an” Tl take’em along. Ef yer think they’re worth five thousand, call ’round et ther Pilgrim’s §. Pride afore I’ve read ’em an’ ye’ll find me thar, an’ ready fur er dicker. *Pears ter me 1 hey ther edvantage in this game now, an’ ef I don’t hold on ter it, count me up fer three Dutchmen. Day, day! I’m goin’, an’ er mighty neat job I’ve made ov it, all round.” And actually the judge had a sufficient hold on his senses to hear the speaker softly leave the room and the house, while he remained bound, gagged, helpless and alone. CHAPTER XXX. BILLY BENDER SAVES TROUBLE; Tue judge had meandered along a pretty thorny path in life; had taken a good many risks, and been in many dangerous straits, yet he bad never met with one, exactly like this before, and certainly never one in which he had come out to such certain and imme-~- diate disadvantage. There was no doubt in his mind but that the unseen robber was the man from whom he had parted but a short time before; and he felts that Circus Pete must hold a very much stronger hand than that which the possession of the stolen papers gave him. “He thinks he will drain me of all that he can before he springs his trap, and then rake me in without mercy, Good! He gives me time! Only a week ago I hung bis namesake; I would be the poor, pitiful, starveling fool he takes me for, if I didn’t dispose of him, Tk kill him before another twenty-four hours. Yes, I'll kill bim to-night, and it won’t be my hand that sends the bullet, either. I’ve only been waiting to see his game. Only let me get out and at him!” Then an awful cloud of unspoken and scarce- ly-shapen threats floated through the judge’s brain, as he realized how difficult it might be to get out. Unless Nellie came back—and here for a few seconds the white froth of un- spoken curses oozed between lips and gag—it was more than likely he would remain there for the balance of the night, with only a slender chance of being at his work by broad daylight. In that time Circus Pete might have altered his mind and made his escape. Certainly the sport, tough, outlaw, detective, or whatever he was, knew that he, Judge Schneider, still as were his ways and great his self-control, was a bad man to handle, and after such provo-* cation as this, would have his revenge, if he had to wade through flames lower and hotter than those of purgatory to get it. It seemed like an hour, like a number of hours, to Schneider, while his thoughts were thus running on; yet, in reality, it was only a few moments, and at the instant he was thrill- ing with voiceless curses, the chance for hope was nearing. Suddenly, and at no great distance, there rung out upon the night air the report of pis- tols, and a little later the sound of hurrying feet, that scurried past the house, : The voices were, of course, somewhat hushed | and muffled to the judge, yet they reached his ears, causing him to raise his head and listen with an almost agonived intensity. The noise passed on, dying away in the dis- tance, yet they gave him hope. The man who had robbed him had met some of the boys of Slaughter Bar, perhaps Bill Cole and his Hair Pin gang, and there had been an affray. If they took the robbers into camp, and he could only get loose, there would be an end of his troubles. Then he heard a single, returning, uncertain wep, that came to the outer door and halted there. What that might mean he could not guess. Was it some one wounded, or had the robber =. a
Page 25
4 ‘When they unclosed it was only by a The Lightning Sport. 25 seek refuge or revenge? It was neither. Some one attempted to give the door a thundering kuock, and as his fist fell on the panel it flew away, revealing through the door beyond the prostrate form, bound and gagged, and scarcely recognizable as a hhuntan figure in the uncertain lamp-light. “ Copperheads an’ coal ile!” exclaimed a voice, “ what ding-blasted racket er this?” He was a worthless old vagabond to look at, ‘but he had nerve enough and curiosity enough of hisown. Without further delay he stum- bled in and stood over the judge, who was making all the noise he could to attract the at- tention of the man outside, whose tones he had recognized as those of Howling Billy. “Pears to me there’s bin a job hyar, er ‘ding-blasted, dog-rotted sorter cross-geared bit ov work ez orter leave er cumfertuble browsin’ patch fur ther ole man. Elijer fishbites! Hyar's ther safe scooped clean ez er whissel, an’ ther jjedge lookin’ ther wuss fur wear. Dog-gone it, jedge, yer struck et rough, now, an’ don’t yer disremember. It war lucky ole Billy Ben- der, of Black Dam, war ’round, er ye’d stayed thar till mornin’, an’ then whar would yer ‘bin? Chirk up, ole man! Yer ain’t hurt, an’ Howlin’ Billy ‘ll hey yer ready fur red-eye an’ ‘pepper-sass in ther jerk ov er lamb’s tail.” Billy was, in fact, as active with his bands as with his‘tongue; though he used his eyes also, and very good eyes they were. He had recognized the judge, and concluded from his vigorous efforts that he was not badly if at all injured, and had set about releasing him, though the task was not altogether an easy one. He might have hastened matters by the use of aknife, but he had the wit that hastens slowly. He wanted the judge to positively recognize him, so that there wou!d be no mur- » der by m#take upon gaining his liberty. He ‘turned up the flame of the lamp and removed the bandages that covered Schneider’s face. ‘Then he tugged and strained at the knots that fastened ankles and wrists. In the course of a couple of minutes Schneider raised to his feet and stretched out bis arms, that were numb ‘from the cutting, tightly-drawn corés, **Did they get bim?” he eagerly asked. “‘ The villain, the outlaw, one of those who last night at the Albambra styled himself Circus Pete? He fell upon me here in the darkness, attacked ‘me unawares, and robbed me. But I heard the noise of the fighting, and if the boys dropped him I'll divide a thousand dollars in the crowd. If he got away I'll give the thousand for bis body, dead or alive.” ‘Now ye’r’ talkin’ sense; but no Cireus Pete war it thet took ther trick, but ther real, gen- «owine Bullion Boss bisself, fur I’m ther ante- lope ez spotted him come outen that thar door. I war on me way hyar ter let yer inter a bit ov knowlidge w’ich I thort yer orter know, an’ fur wich maybe ye’d loan me er quarter, er s0m9 sich pecooniyary oblergashuns, It war him sure enuff, fur Circus Pete I seen streakin’ it down-town with er chap I takes ter be Lightnin’ Dick—ez I know are lightning, ter my sorrer.” The judge started and eagerly would have questioned; but Billy held up his hand. “ Hol’ on, jedge, till yer hear my music, an’ ‘ther you shout ef yer want ter. I reckon now yer don’t know what’s bekim ov yer darter?” “ What?” “Oh, don’t be skeered; I can’t sw’ar ter ther facks, but ef yer got any tetch ov ther spring chicken about yer gizzard—any sort er weak- _ ness like, when yer hear bad news—jist ketch * hol’ on somethin’ while I bu’st ther budgit.” The judge did catch hold of something, with ‘a fire and vigor thaf showed he had suffered no serious damage at the hands of the out- Jaw. In fact, he eanght hold of Billy’s throat with a fierce suddenness that admitted of no #vasion, “You infernal, maundering, rum-soaked idiot, what have you to teil? Spit it out, or by the eternal Tsk tear your liver out and take you allapart. Speak quick, or l’.1 kill “you! Nellie. Whot of her? Where is she?’ The rattling gurg!e in Bender’s throat showed that he was making a desperate effort to speak, ‘but the pressure on his windpipe was _ too much for him. If the fingers bad closed a Jittle tighter and held their gripe a_ little donger, it is probable that Judge Schneider ‘would never have heard his story at all. eh + doubled on his pursuers and come thither to | | go: between, geous effort that the bummer regained his power to articulate, “ Hyar it are, jedge,” he gurgled. “ Ef ther agents got Little Lide, an’ ef Miss Nellie ain’t got back yit, it’s more ner likely they’ve scooped her, too. She war ter meet er young feller, er bloody Britisher ez I reckon you’ve seen him; an’ Leetle Lide, she knowed it, an’ took in ’er hand too. Ther agent seems ter hey ther others, an’ ef yer gal ain’t got home, I'll put up my socks he’s got her too,” The juige uttered a cry of dismay. If this man told the truth, the Bullion Boss had | struck him for about all that he was worth, since he had his money, his secret, and Nellie. “You lie, you villain, you bring this story to me in hopes of swindling me out of a few dollars, If you knew it, why did you not | come s»oner—when your intelligence would be of some use? Why, if this be true, you must be in league with the outlaw, must be his Come! Do you demand a ran- som? If so, you will get it.” The judge was cooler now, but it was a deadly coolness, He could crush the rackety old man in his powerful grasp; but, instead of once more trying that, his hand dropped to the revolver in his boot, which he brought slowly up, cocking it as it came, “Hol’ on, hol’ on! Elijer fishbites! hol’ on! How did I know it war her? ’Pon me soul ter glory, but I thought it war ther Lightnin’ Sport. She war rigged ont till they war like ez two peas, an’ when she passed me she didn’t say er word; an’ I didn’t see her more ner er minnit—an’ dark et that.” Howlin’ Billy just now did not belie bis name, for he had plumped down upon his knees, and was holding up his clasped hands in an attitude that was meant for one of appeal. ‘And if this be so,” said the judge, with his pistol pointed and his finger on the trigger— “Tf this is so, where is she now, and what is the meaning of this? You know more, old man, than you choose to tell.” A singular look passed over the face of Billy, though he answered: “Pon me soul ter glory I don’t know noth in’, but it ain’t ther fu’st time he’s played ther game. Didn’t he corral ther boss ov a ’Frisco bank an’ his wife, an’ keep’em till they planked down er cool twenty thousand? He knows yer hey ther rbino; an’ he’ll hold on till yer melt —ef yer don’t steal er hand ez kin knock his flush.” Very true it was that report said that Bul- lion Boss followed the methods of the Italian brigands—but there was some chance of his having received a fatal wound, and the judge eagerly suggested it, Not much,” answered Bender, somewhat encouraged, “He plugged two, an’ then lit. Ther rope is ther only thing ter faze him onless we wring in er cold deck. But you an’ me fur pards, jedge, could bring him, fur I know er wrinkle what never growed on er cow’s horn, I'd be yer man ter tie to ef you'll put the Hair Pin galoots behind me.” “You? What could you do?” Howlin’ Billy got up on his feet and leaned confidentially toward his vis-a-vis, as he an- swered in a slow whisper: “Tm er ole perspecter, I be, I know these yere mount’ins like er book, an’ I kin lead yer straight ter his lay-out by ther back door.” “Then you are my man!’ shouted the judge, ‘*By heavens! [ll have him yet! First, now for the Alhambra to look for Cole and his gang. ‘That is tbe quarters they will strike for if they linger around this town.” “T knowed it! I knowed it!” exclaimed Billy, in a kind of ecstasy. ‘Toem ez sez you ain’c got ther sand fur ary job are barkin’ up ther wrong tree. Oh I’ve been a-watchin’ oy yer fur er long time, waitin’ ter strike yer fur rocks, ’ka’se [ know’d yer fur sure ther minnit my peepers lit on yer. But I didn’t think you an’ me would be pards like this. Oh! we’ll make a rustlin’ team, you bet. Ole Billy from Black Dam knows er thing er two, t ut he don’t go back on er stakeholder, an’ he kin keep his mouth shut,” ‘What do you mean by that rigmarole?” said the judge, with sudden firmness. * It ap- pears to me that I begin to recogniza a mad- ness with a method, Bvfore I go a step fur- ther I must know who you are, and what you mean,” ‘Don’t be afeered, jedge. I’m on’y cle Billy Bender, an’ I never throwed off on er pard yit. C.pperheads an’ coal ile, nc! I'm solid. But Iknowed yer back Yeast. I spotted yer fur er lamb fur slaughter when yer war wringin’ in with Clint Bride’s wife. \’d er made er putty penny outer yer then ef yer hadn’t sloped. Elijer-fishbites, yes!” “(And now, to finish this infernal nonsense —who do you say I am—or was?” “ We’s a-wastin’ time,” said Billy, beginning again to be alarmed. ‘‘ Let’s light out on this yere trail. “Ye’ll find me solid.” “One thing ata time. Speak. I am in no - mood for trifling.” y “Well, then,” answered Billy, driven into a * corner, ‘you war Harold Varley back Yeast, an’ er bloody Hinglishman.” : The judge’s face was livid with passion, and even the broken. down bummer had noted the low but tense fury of his tone, though he was not prepared for what followed. » ‘*Then you know more than any other living man—and more than any man can know and live.” His band grasped and cocked a pistol that he brought slowly and steadily to a line with old Billy’s head, but before his finger could ° tighten on the trigger a voice ran through the room, “Hold, there! Touch him and you die! If . you are Harley Vernon—as you are—you have _ to settle with us!” - In the doorway appeared Pete Mahone, and just behind him the Lightning Sport. Quick as thought the judge jerked his pistol up and fired, and as Circus Pete No, 2 reeled away from the shot, with a bullet in his breast, . he fired again at Lightning Dick, whose re- - volver at the same moment spoke, ' Up into the air went the judge’s hands, he : wheeled round and round, and then went to if the floor with an awful crash. f “ Copperheads and coal ile!” exclaimed Billy, solemnly. ‘‘ He’s outen ther wet,” ‘ ’ CHAPTER XXXII. R THE CASTLE OF DESPAIR, ! Ir the Bullion Boss could bave been seen the following day seated alone in his stronghold in a meditative but not unhopeful mood, he would probably have been taken for anything but what he really was, since he had a pleasant, open face, > “Allright,” he was thinking. The game is : made and the ball rolling, and I can't stop, ; I'm in for the entire figure, and make or break I | have to get away from here. A fox don’t” steal chickens near his own hole, and I’ve kept . so quiet that Slaughter Bar never suspected what a hero they had in their neighborhood. | Isaved them up until I was ready to leave, ' and now I’ve got the screws on for all they : are worth. If I had the two sports out of the - way, I could go down to the judge and dicker © with him right in his head-quarters. He can understand that he has to see me safe to pro- tect himself, Curse the sports, why didn’t I shoot them both instead of risking my life to hear their infernal yawp! But they are after him as well as me, and a three-cornered fight it is. * Meantime it wouldn’t be a bad idea, to in- terview my respected nepbew—as he mi, bt , turn out to be in case anything happened to the judge—end see what the necessities are for fitting him for a wooden overcoat. After that Pil look at my gem of jewels. Right there is where the,judge and I will have the split, but she shall be mine if it costs a million. She's worth a fortune in herself. If it don’t suit his hand Jet him throw it up aud I'll deal him an- other one,” It is scarcely necessary to say that he knew nothing of what bad occurred the night before at the Schneider residence after he left, A foot-step bebind caused the Bullion Boss to look up sharply, though be apprehended no danger. “Ah, it’s you, Jean. Well, what is it?? “The. preesonaire,” answered the men ad- dressed as Jean, speaking with a strong French accent; ‘‘ vat shall ve do veeth ze Circus Peto? He ees ze dangerous eenemy in ze camp, but _ shall ha starve to death? Not ze fcod have he eet and ve have loosed not bis hards for fear he get away.” © Cut his throat then,” said the Bullion Boss eareles-ly. ‘‘I had almost forgotten. The in- formation I wanted out of bim—the certainty, in fact—I have obtained from another svurce, Yes, you may as well cut his throat and throw him over the recks, I don't want him; and of course we can’t let him go.” “* Purdonez moi, but ze boys have ze speerit— ‘
Page 26
egy 26 not to assassinate, an’ ze thing may make mooch trouble. Ze man hees tongue have used, an’ say it all ze grand meestake. He have been von grand robbaire heeself.” ‘Can't they spell traitor, then? If he has been, and he may tell the truth, co much the more dangerous is he.” “He baz ze old friend zat recognize heem. He is ze Satain heeself, they say. Ob, he have ze long tongue; an’, sacre Dieu, he used it.” The Bullion Boss uttered a curse at bis own thoughtlessness. He had not considered that Circus Pete—whether he was or was not Dan Sliter—might use his tongue as skillfully as his hands, He considered a moment. “Give him what seems to be a chance, and then, when be makes a break, shoot him down. Bat den’t you give hima show to grab a weapon, or he’ll males a hole in the list. How many of the boys are here besides yoursif?” “ Bleven, mon capitaine. Not too many eef we guard ze pass an’ ze preesonaires while we have ze game vith vat you call ze Circus | Pete.” *‘Bleven and two make tbirteen,” said the captain, musingly. ‘ Anvunlucky number, but we'll run our chances, you can, Jean; and whatever extra it is worth Pil pay out of my share. It was not a bad haul in cash I made last night. What ona of the boys wou'd have had the nerve for that? That will do. See that the prisoners have no communication with each other, and let the men understand it’s a big stake Im paying for. Nona of your fifty-cent hauls, with a chance tor lead pills and a stecl breakfast.” Jean, who held the position of lieutenant and eaptain’s confidant, withdrew, bis beady eycs gleaming at the prospects ahead. He under- 8 ood what was wanted, and had no besitation about doing it. This intermural retreat of the outlaws was well suited for such a rendezvous, glade, let in between the frowning walls, whose sides were honeycombed with cavernous re- cesses, it had its advantages for protection, de- fense, retreat and impenetrability. Long ago, perhaps centuries, it had been used as a baven of refuge by some aboriginal tribe, now ex- tinct, and its secret was lost to the out ide world, Yet it had its advantages of position also for those who knew its hidden trails, since tbe valley in whch lay Slaughter Bar, though its vearest, was Jeast-used outlet. Three or four grazing grounds were within striking dis- tance, and “ihe Bullion Boss had browsed around them, ene; up to the last few days Jet the Bar slip clears, A 0. prisoner young Vernon had been a sue- crs. He did as he was bidden, aud gave no trouble, keeping his fears hidden until he could see in what way this affair was likely to end, He hail more fears for the feminine captives than for himself, though the three had been forwarded with ‘separate guards, and hoe bad seen nothing of the others since the time of capture. He was sitting with his head bowed forward on his hands in one of the sey- eral recesses before which paced an armed sep- tinel. He did not even look up when a harsh voice addres:e1 him, | “Young man, after th’s lesson, if you con- tinue to be an utter fool you deserve al you get. When the Vernon estates were ready to drop into your hands, what devil of unrest made you cross a sea anda continent to nose around for an heir?’ : Here was another strange turn in the game, This cutlaw seemed to know something of the affair that, up toa few weeks ago, was a mys- tery to all tho world. No wonder that Vernon looked up sharply. “Ob, of all guileless simplicity yours is the worst, away felons were dead or living so long as you had the fortune of the family? Don’t you know enough to get all you can and keep all you get?” “*T have heard of honor among thieves,” the young man responded, sternly, ‘‘ and therefere might have telieved that you conld appreciate my course. Perhaps I intended to make sure that no elder Vernon, or his heirs, should arise to oust me; perhaps it was in the hope that I could prove that the accusations that had out- Jawed my relatives and brought disgrace on the family were false. Either of my rea- gons were sufficient. What are they to you?” **Mueh, perhaps, As I judge that your re- @oilections of your rejatives are rather shad- its Arrange it the best | A little | What was it to you whether the run- | | “the The Lightning Sport. owy, I might assure you that I am Edwin Vernon and your venerated uncle.” “Liar!” exclaimed Harley Vernon, starting up. ‘No Vernon of Vernon Hall was ever a robber. No trace of their blood lingers in your fae or voice,” “From murder to robbery the transition is not very steep.” “‘But even of righteous vengeance I have found, et last, the Vernon hands were inno- cent, Yet what have you to do with this? I am a captive in your hands, I suppose, for ransom, I may tell you Iam not as wealthy as I ones was, but if you name asum that I ean pay I will do so, provided I first know that the girls who were captured with me have been set free unharmed. If we cannot come to terms on such a basis, kill me. If you know anything about us, you know the Vernons keep their word and never lose their courage.” “Yes,” responded the Bullion Boss, with a dubious smile, ‘But if I happen to he a Ver- non, too, cf which there seems a possibi.ity, we may come to an understanding.” “But you are not a Vernon, The one brother is d-ad; the otber is in Slaughter Bar. That I know to be the truth, if there was any reliance to be placed in the man who did kill Milton Waite, and who confessed to the mur- der on bis dying bed. I believed him then, and I believe him now.” . “Ob, yes. As far as the particulars of the murder were concerned. They had unfortun- a’ ely made thair threats agaiust bim, and when he attacked E.lwiv, and Roger came rushing toward him with an empty gun in his hand just te see him drop from a bullet fired by an unseen band, it was a little hard to prove that if was a man by the nome of Quigly, a ser- vant on the estate, who did the deed. Besides, it would bave been ungrateful swearing away life of one who bad saved your own, When the avengers struck in, they found that the Vernons bad struck ont. There may be sone other unimportant aiditions that can be made to the story, but that is the truth in a nutshell.” ‘““The truth!” exclaimed Harley, in-wonder and excitemen’s “but bow did you know it?” “TT cught to.” ‘No, L will never, never believe you.” “You needn't to. Ask Quigly there, how- ever, Perbaps as you have taken his word onee, you may accept if again.” Ié was with alo k of absolute terror that Harley Vernon gazed around, He had taken dowu the confession of Quigly and remem- bere his feeble voice as he spoke from what seemed to be his dying bed; yet now, looking up, he siw him standing there, behind the cap- tuin, alive, strong, ready to repeat or deay what he had before said. For an instant only was the young man damfounded, Then a seb look came isto his face, such as one wears who has made up bis mind and can- not be shaken. “T see it now. It was all a trick. This man, who is Quigly without a doubt, was neyer sick, was never dying. He trumped up this story as your confederate, to lure me into your power. My eyes are open, and I can be fuoled’no longer. ‘The Vernons sre dead, and you are scheming to drop into their fortune, That so-called judge is a confederate. You cannot suceee), If you kill me you cannot succeed, “You are nob eyen an Englishman. if you had been that you might have had some chance, bub your game wiil not work, and y only put his own neck into then oose in vain.” : Vernon spoke in a red heat of excitement; and Quigly, without having uttered a wurd, at a gesture from the outlaw turned away, while the captain, with the sneering look still on lis face, responde:): “Don’t be too hard on Quigly. I captured him on ‘his: way to Slaughter Bar, and what I don’t know about bis knowledge is net worth much. The judge has bad this game in view for years; and I have had my eyo on him all the ime, ready to take the advantages nt the right moment, He is the man that employed Quigly. . Between them they did put a job up on” you. He may have told the truth about the murder; but he hadn’t any intentions of dying himself. He let the judge know that he bad roped you in, but it took time to break his trail. On his way to Slaugbter Bar I cap- tured him, The strangest thing was tbat he was ou bis way breathing fire and slaugbter. The judge baving little use for bim, and being : ; 4 afraid to trust him, had set an assassin on him and he barely escaped. He fell in with my views and is now a very good road-agent. He expects to share in the twenty thousand dollars: you will pay us before you re-enter the world.” “No twenty thousand will you get from me, That is sworn to.” **Don’t be too sure, When I turn the screws on you will howl, I’ve a couvincing way. Just consider the matter over; I'll keep youa day or two until 1 see what Roger - the judge I mean, of course—is willing to do.” “Ah. There you show, your mistake, It was Edwin that had a daughter. You are caught agaip, Mr. Outlaw.” “there was nothing to prevent master Robert from taking a wife. He's a lively old uncle though. Before you get through you'll wish you bad trusted me. © It will be money im , if you do yet. Day-day, and consider what ~ I have told you,” The Bullion Boss quietly steppedaway, without waiting for an answer, leaving his prisoner involved in a sea of doubt as to who he really was. As the outlaw strode out, Jean, the lieuten- ant, met him. “Ah, nevaire have I heard the man like to the prisonaire vat you call ze Cireus Pete. No leave this spot will he, so he declares. And what a man he is! Ab, bon ciel, bevare!”’ “He will go, in time; and when he starts look out for him, His life or yours, Jean. Consider which is worth the mest to you.” Without bearing further the road-agent passed on, leaving Jean to consider the prob- lem. CHAPTER XXXII. SOME PLAIN TRUTHS FROM BOTH SIDES, NELLIE SCHNEIDER still wore the black vel- vet suit in which she bad created such a sensa- tion at the masquerade, There was nothing singular about that since she had vothing else” to wear, There was not much danger, however, of her boing taken for Lightning Dick, since with her mask removed, on y a blind man would fail to see that she was a girl of rare, young beauty, She did not seem hopeless or lost in grief; and when the Bullion Boss made his appearance if her face reddened a little and then grews pale, if was with anger and not with fear. The cutlaw made a low bow, To look at he was hanc some enough, and his manners were courtly even though they seem- ed assumed in mockery. “ Good-evening, my infant. You see that my words oid come true. We bave met again; and this time your protector who was so ready with his pistols, is conspicuously absent. You will pardon me, [ hope, for the measures E have taken; but I felt compelled to basten my suit, since I have coneluded to, change my head-quarters, Of course my intention is that you should change yours.” * Perhaps [ shall; but I assure you that you and I will not travel in the same direction, here or hereafter. And my protector may yet appear.” . “ Ligh'ning Dick, as they call bim, is more apt to turn down than up, since a bullet through his bead is interfering seriously with his powers of navigation. Anyway, he can never find you bere.” **T see no reason why he should look for me—if he does he will find me, even if others who try should fail, You understand that your chances were serious enough before; now, you are booked for certain death,” “Hat hat Threatened men live long, and your humble aduirer is not ready to start for that bourne, and so forth. Don’t put on too many frills. I am your friend, now—or more than your friend, I am also slow to anger. Nevertheless I can be raised, and when that } happens 1 am not too nice in my ways and means,” Nellie had drawn herself up proudly, and her words were those of scorn and menace, flung so straight and true that they stung even the Builion Boss. Now she too laughe1, but there was a bitter: ring that showed i» was the meckery of mirth. “A friend! Good heayens! What would a foe be?” “Todeed you are mistaken. You haye fal len upon the trail of a strange story, in which you believe yourself involved. Perhaps you are right; yet, I who know something about — it, was inclined to believe that you are — wrong; though the judge should know what he —
Page 27
SS The Liz fa about, Don’t forget; that is your strong point. Whether you are his daughter or not his freezing onto you is the best proof that your name ought to be Vernon. Unless he is as great a fool as myself, and having fallen a | victim to your fascinations is bound yoa shall be the heiress. That would be a game for him to play.” Tbe latter part of his answer took the form of a soliloquy, and Nellie heard with a trovblet mind, into tho case so fairly as to be alarming. She began to grow interested in spite of her- se'f; to forget the nature of the man with whom she was speaking. “Tais other girl—this Little Lid ! of her? Wh.» is she? I have done wrong. I should have met her half-way when sho at- temoted an ex ianation. I had not the time, Can I not see her now? her no harm?” ‘Too mary questions. A week would not answer them. If you and she came to a square fizht I am not certain that she would not win. I thought so well of her chances that [ was willing to allow her to retire ” * Monster! You surely cannot have slain her? If you have, my hand can avenge ber if Slaughter Bar forgets its duty!” Toe eyes of t 6 Bullion Bors droppe 1 mood- ily and he did not at onca answer. Whea he broke the silence it was iu a different and rud-r | tone, * Accidents w'll happen, an4 it is not always Rdvisable to speak of them. If she threw her- self over the rocks along tae way it wus mad- nes‘; if she slippo! it, was unfortunate. Hither way tho result could only be a cead girl. Trouble yourself n» more about her, She is remove. from your path forever.. I will know the whole truth when the scouts come in this evening —anil will tell you,Lhen if you care to hear,” “And you did that?” : Hoe shrank awuy from her fury. His face even wore a look of regret. For the tims being the Bullion Boss wus in earnest in bis pursuit of the girl; avil he woutd not havo shocked her in this way for a thousand more. Of the retirement of Little Lide he was positively innocent; though up to the present timo he bal not though of the constru Nellie would probably put upoa its ba considered it vather a matter for congratula- tion. A girl who lived among the influen-es of Slaughter Bar might be led to look upon a Cashing roalugant as a bero; but the ¢id- blooded murderer of a woman was something else, This was no time to prass bis suit, “Tr she still livesshe shall tell you that Tam guiltless. Not that bad am I; and when [ have proved as much, I may also show yoa that in other ways [ am not as bad as my reputation. But this much remember at all times, that sooner or later you shall be min« The judge is a half-way villain, who can never reach hisends. Fur years I have known of him and something of his secret, carefully as ho» triel to guard if until the time came when be would dare to strike, Oue spy of mine he killed, crusbei him ina shaft, avd other mur- de;siie heavy on bissoul. Forget.him, Iand I only can give you the wealth ani position you yearn for; and willing or not I have sworn that through me you shall recess them,” And you think you can bend mato yonrr will! Attemptit, andsee Yu bave streng:n and opportunity. Very well, so will I have if I'wait. Sooner or later I will kil you if youwhold me. Notin a vain struggle; but ina silent, treacherous, deadly way. A knife in your heart when you are sleeping, pois in in your food when you least expect it—there ara a thousand ways © resolute woman can find t) relieve the world of a monster; and.| am wise enough to choose the surest. But first of all friends must fail me—as they will not—an 1 escape be impossible, as L do not admit. You eannot break my spirit, and you cannot escapa your doom.” Tn all ber life Nellie had never been so royaliv handsome as pow, when au ordivary girl would have been crushed and despsiring. Horror bad given way to wrath; and with splendid courage she hurled her defiance at its object. And his mood had changed also. or - sparkled and he looked at her with strange fatistaction, “Oh, you are worthy of any man’s love, my gar: no wonder it is that you lave wou There was a suggestion then that fiste. | What | Surely you have done | | ‘hey auswered bim in kind. His eyes | mine, The case is hopeless, is it? $8 > much the more satisfaction in the winning. We will yet enjoy the Vernon fortune together, win fame and name in the Old World, and as for the judge—” He ceased speaking and turned away, afraid to trust himself longer in th» presence of the | girl, with whom he was becoming more and | more infatuated. Yet as he passed silently out, be completed the sentence: “«_T shal) have to kill him.” Had he known he was threatening a ghost, even the Bullion Boss might have felt a cold | ehill of fear. CIAPTER XXXIIL CIRCUS PETE OPENS HIS SHOW, C reus Pete had noted that the closeness of the guard over him had relaxed; but bis eyes were sharp enough to see mure. He joked with the men about the chances of his escape | ' | | | 27 — Watch him, an’ don’t ver furgit there’s m couple carbines thet’s lockin’ yer way all ther time.” Circus Pete shut one eye sagely. He meant that be understood, and that no tempting bait would draw bim into a trap until he was ready to go. “You keep mum an’ J’ll never breathe a whimper. You do me a good turn an’ I wouldn’t wonder ef I paid it back some day.” ‘““Phat’s hunky dory; but it’s ther fun I want. An’ I wanted ter let yer know Joe Byers were yer friend. I won’t msk more talk now, so look out fur yer gizzard.” Then he laugbed, as though amused at some je-t of the juggler, and went back egain, while Circus Pete continued sucking contentedly at bis pipe. After he had finished bis tobacco, he looked carelessly around him. Jt was well on toward | evening now, and half a dezen of the outlaws as if he was bent upon sticking to them, and | Tuey looked upon his coming fate with sometuing like regret; and meantime tcok all the pleasure possible vut of his seciety, Within certain limits he roained eround at his ease, though no chanve was theve for him to reach the excavations higher up in the rocks, where the other c2p- | tives were held. He was seated on a huge bowlder, smoking a pipe, when ene of the men with whom he had been cachanging experi- | ences sauntered along. “You vo got a deal of nerve, Pete; an’ IT reckon you'll need it all aforo this band’s Ceperds en ther keards, Is don’t take much nerve fer hold four aces when they ar rovals, [’s five aves er three thet needs nerve ter stand ther last dollar on ’em,” * That's so, Pete: but for the saks ov old times, I don't mind tellin’ sim keards yer aholiin’ now. Yer kuow much, Eit yer got erway from ther cap even, there's thom, nt ther Bar ez would take yerin, Taey knowod yer war comin’, and they hung one ferer thet carried . yer handle, He got thura couple of. weeks abead ov ther hearse,” “Thankee, Joe; but I'm all sirene. When ther time ter go out ov ther wet hez arrove T'lt drop in ther, bove-yard; atore that, if it rains *hfo ks Ill bev a steel umbreller,” *Ywvil need it, Pete. I dunno how they’ll it, but they’ll put yer out r ther way afore g—you an’ ther other galoot, ef he don’t eome down awful heayy. They can’t pull ther wool over. this chickeu’s eyes. Tbe Cxp’s dead gone on ther calico an’ he won't hev time ter work up sry oher lay, so we'll just bury yer both an’ say no more about it too I'm sorry, Pete, bub] can’t slip yer a keaid; J kin only tell yer ther size ov his hand,” ‘*T know'’d that already, an’ I don’t ask nothin’? They might do worse ner tuke mein a ding-blasted mistak-. they were after, an’ hyer he’s a-rioti:’ round ther Bar, while ’'m took in, But, Joe, T ain’t bunched my hand yet, an’ ez you've done ther squar’ thing, let me give yer this piece oy advica, When they try ter crowd ao Tl most likely cut loose; an’ when I cut loose, stand from under, You hear me,” “Kerrect, I do, an’ I'll keep paws out, I ain’t runnin’? no risks, but I seein’ yer go tbrough ther hull cuttit.” ** An’ yer sure they’re goin’ ter kill me?” “Ez sure ez one kin be in sich.a cussed world. They bain’t give ther sign yet, but iv’ll come,” “An yer wouldn’t mind seein’ a leetle real genewine fun?” © That’s my name,” “Well, tip me the wink when yer. think it’s beginnin’ ter git sultry, Then, ef you want thee fur ter fly, stir ther boys up ter see a leetle of my jugelin’. I give ’em a touch af | ther-Bar ther t’other night, an’ they’ thort it | war five; bub hyar DPll just make ’em shout.” Circus Pete was giving his hand away; but he knew his man. Joe Byer’s had something more in his mind than sympathy for a victim, and the man felt it by instinct, and took his chances, A grin of expectation spread over the hard, battered face, “Pil do it, Pete. I sw’ar Pll ‘do it; but don’t yer make any mistake. It’s a hard crowd ter crawl; an’ that Frenchman’s a devil. yer that it’s mighty | | fur a pard; they’d get a hummer; an’ it’s ull | It’s ther other ebap | wouldn’t mind | were lounging in the litde dingle, gathered together in a knot, While the juggler hesitated, uncertain what to do with himself, though little choice had he, he saw the Bullion Bess and his lieutenant glide into view, coming from a rift in the socks, which Circas Pete shrewdly sm pected led to & pass through which communication was to be Lad with the cuter world, The captain passed straight on, and mount- ing the short but sterp ascent reached and entered cne of the dcorweys that seemed cut into the solid r ck. Jean, the Fienchman, lingered a moment end spoke a few words to several of the men, who nodded in answer, As they cast a glance toward him, Circus Pete suspected that be had heen referred to, If it was to hasten the eutastrephe that Joe Byers had prephesied, he was sorry, fer he was not ready to make his cffort yet. Still, if neads be, he could plvy his little game for all it was worth, and trust to luck for the end to be all right, Without sceming to do so, he searched for Tyers’s eye~ aud caught it. Then he under- shod that the crisis was coming, and he gave an almost imperceptible signal. He saw Byers carelessly specking to bis comrades, and drew no long breath. Unless very much deceived he wuld soon be at work, and despeiate work at Chat. Seon the others seemed to urge, and after a. lnief hesitaticn, Byers came toward bim, * Look sbarp, it’s passed around to get up ® quarrel and drep yer, Two er three men ez feen yer signs an’ grumbled is out ov ther way cn guard, an’ ther’s bad news come in. Ther other gal caw’t be found, so she must ’a’ got clean cff; an’ thar’s a couple ov sports, thet ther captain left a man ter wateb, bez slid outen the Bar an’ is s’pesed ter be on ther war trail. Ther Boss is goin’ ter git rid ov you and move ther gal. Now go slow, ef yer can't climb er chia bley.” Thanks; I kin only try. You stend outen range when ther band strikes up.” ‘Bet high on that an’ yer won’t lose, TI drawed ther wool over ther boys’ eyes, an” they're wild ter see a leetie slight-ov- band,” “ Tt locks like murder, Joe, but them fellers —rousted my mother.” For the first time the man showed intense feeling. It was only for a moment, buf in that time bis face grew to be an asben gray, and the listener heard his teeth close with an angry clash. “Then you are Dan Slitet?: Right yer are, Them’s.ther boys, an' Jean war at ther hend. I'm a sinner on wheels, but if 1% been thar, ther’ would ’a’ bin some shootin’, sure, Go fur fem. Ili tell em you'll show ’em a thing er two, ter bet the’r eyes on, like suckers at a country fair!’ “You may. Ef I kin lead them up Pl make things square; ef I can't they won't go no worse. I'm ready.” Side by side the two men advanced toward the knot of outlaws. “Tyar ho is. He didn’t want much ter show off whar he badn’t ther tools ter do good work; but sich ez he is he’s willin’ ter oblige; an’ ye’ll find him a howler.” Circus Pete smiled dubicusly at the compli- ment. “ Thar ain't ther chance hyar, right in ther open, ter pull the wool over ther eyes ov sich smart chaps ez you be; but ef I had the fixin’s I might make yer stare. Til do my best ter give yer a leetle fun ef ye’ll stand back an™ give meashow. Ther twist ov ther wrist kin beat. eyesight; ef yer don’t believe it waich
Page 28
28 The Lightning Sport. an’ see, Tl begin with somethin’ easy. Gim- me a pack of keards.” The performance began, The juggler seemed to have at his fingers’ ends all the tricks of the trade. He made drawn cards appear from the center of the pack, told beforehand what card would come out here, there, or another place, and when the ace of spades had disappeared it turned up be- tween the hat and head of Joe Byers. He made money fly from’ one hand to another, and several tried in vain to keep correct ac- count of coin that Circus Pete counted half a dozen times into their hands. He spit out bushels of paper, tied and untied knots by a magical werd; and altogether kept them very well amused. “Sea hyar,” suggested one of the outlaws, with a motion toward the hammer of his car- bine, “ef we want ter keep yer, ’pears ter me ther safe plan would be to berry yer corpus, Ez slippery a cuss ez you be ain’t safe ter hev sashayin’ round. When yer wanted ter leave ye'd slide 1ight out.” Circus Pete gave a grin and a nod. ‘‘Thet’s so; but yer hain’s seen nothin’ yit. Yer orter see me with ten knives a-goin’ in the air, all on’em ez sharp ez needles an’ heavy ez a meat ax. Hyer, toss me three or four ov them pebbles. I'll show yer ther style ez well ez I kin.” He pointed toward several pieces of rock that really weighed fifteen or twenty pounds each, and they slung them at him without much regard for his bones. He caught them easily, tossing them one after another into the air, and keeping them going up and down in an endless stream. “‘Now, ef yer ain’t afeared ter trust me with er few knives, toss’em in one after an- other; but don’t be too durned keerless, Yer might spile the fun afore it got started.” Jean Lemaire had been watching the per- formance with all the interest of a Frenchman. He nodded assent; and at the same time made a motion to two men to hold their carbines ready. If Circus Pete tried a rush they could riddle him with bullets before he cou'd reach the nearess man. A pistol would have been -different; they would scarcely have trusted loaded revolver ia his hands, One after another tosssd him a long-bladed, heavy knife, and as. they came hs deftly caught them, and cast them up until they formed a glittering, shivering, shining stream. He threw the stones aside and took knife after knife, at first using both bands, at last only one. It mada even the outlaws wince as they saw the single hand moving in the midst of the dangerous wheel. And then, while they stared, there aroso among the rocks, at the juggler’s back, the crash of a pistol, followed, aftera brief inter-' val, by the shrill cry of a woman, At that the mocking smile left the lips of ireus Pets, and a hard, desperate light, shot ‘from his eyes, The crisis had come. CHAPTER XXXIV. ‘THE MIRROR MARKSMAN MAKES HIS MAGIC SHOT, THE room in which Vernon was imprisoned ~was cave-lixe, but by no means a dungeon. I5 *was similar to the one occupied by Nellie, an: ‘was separated from it only by a corridor through which the armed sentinel sometimes walked, and at the mouth of which he was al- ways on guard. There were no bolts and bars; the man with pistols sSood iu placa of them. The ceilings of the rooms were high, and through the w:ll that faced upon the basin be- ‘tween the mountain tops was eutf a window that just now leb in a flood of sunshine.. If Vernon had hal a ladder he might have reached th: canyon through this aperture with- out much trouble; though little good would it have done him t> get tere, sinc: his appear- ance would have been the signal for a deadly ‘fusillade. There was another hole, not so large, near the ceiling, on the side opposite to the corri- dor, that Veruon, when he could think of any- thing but himself an? his rrouble, looked at witb a curious eye. For that he really wished he had a ladder. He would cheerfully have ‘tried the dark recesses thut be fancied laid be- yond. Still, the ease was weH nigh hopeless. No daider bad he or ansthing else by which he ‘sould eo the provokingly tempting avenue of escape, He could not reach it by a leap; | and if he so much as moved around freely the | guard came back and looked into his cell. Just now that guard happened to be Mart Quigly. As there was another sentinel fur- ther out, who watched him, there was not much danger in ousting Quigly, even if Ver- non should try to currupt him. At the aperture the young Englishman was staring in an absent sort of way when he was startled by seeing a human face appear at the opening. No sound had heralded the approach, and if Vernon’s eyes had not been fixed on the spot he certainly would not have known that a man was peering into the room. At once he felt that this must be a friend and raised to his feet. Then the face was thrust further into the | room, and he recognized one whom he had only seen once or twice—Lightning Dick— with his finger on his lips, in token of the need for silence. He smiled and waved his hand. Hope sprung up at once, but he did not forget his: caution. He would have stood there, noise- less, for a month; if it had been necessary. A rope dropped into the cell—for the Light- ning Sport was not so rash as to forge’ his line of retreat. The next instant he followed. Not a sound had been made, and it was only chance, but at the moment they heard tbe footstep of the sentinel. Quigly was about to make another round. It was only a few steps, and he took them at irregular intervals, He had looked in only a few moments before, and probably the sport had noted it from behind the wall, and hoped for a season free from in- terruption. Lightning Dick heard the step and under- stood what was coming. With bis left band he pushed Vernon gently aside, while his right hand softly drew the knife that was in his belt. There was a tigerish gleam in his eyes; a set look on his face. It was not hard to tell what he intended, Im- mediately after Quigly made his appearance there would be one sentinel less in the world. Vernon had no c»mpunctions—if the senti- nel had been a different man be could have seen him dispatched without regret. But in Quigly he had an interest, that he remembered suddenly, and just in time, Quigly was a scoundrel; but he was an inutel- ligent one, and certainly knew a little more about the complications of the Vernon affair than any man living. To kill him would be to annihilate the oracle. Harley caught the hand of the sport, and whispered hastily in his ear: ‘*For Heaven’s sake, do not harm that man— except asa last resort. He has knowledge that will give or take a fortune, and some day I may make him speak.” The other smiled grimly, and tested lightly with his finger the point of his weapon, It was not a question of fortune now, but of life or death. “T tell you he has the secret of the life of those girls. Slay him, and they may never know who they are. He knows who Schneider is, and whether Miss Nellie is his daughter.” The name of Nellie seemed to act asa potent spell. Back to its sheath went the knife, and Lightning Dick crouched in the corner, his hand on his pistol. Quigly came very near to death when he wandered down the corridor; but his good for- tune was in the ascendancy, since he turned and went back without giving more than a passing glance within the ce!). He did not see the sharp eyes that wero devouring his face. Hard!y had he gone when the young sport rose and pointed to the rope. It was a way ot esc>pe, and the gesture meant—take it. Vernon shook his heod. “Do you think I will leave while a woman | taken with me is in the power cf theso fiends? Never! Yonder is the girl known as Nellie Schneider. I thought she was the daughter of the man with whom she lives, but since I have been here my eyes have been opened. No, I will help to save her or remain to share her fate. -We can save her. Give me a weapon, | and we will try it together,” Into his hand Lightning Dick thrust a revol- ver—there were stall two in his belt—and then again he pointed to the rope, drawing himself | up with an air that said—“ Trust me; shsshall not be deserted.” “Go, then!” said Vernon. ‘ T will trust» you; Bb if you mes yee ree call oe i fui I will come, But, if you can, spare that man. He will yet be the key to the mystery of who owns the Vernon estates,” From the doorway Lightning Dick gave one glance, and then flitted along the passage like aghost. Quigly’s back ‘was toward him, and before the sentinel had turned he had vanished from sight. He came with finger again on his lip, yet Nellie sprung up with a low cry of delight. She recognized him on the instant, and knew that he was there to save her. He checked the words that rose on her tongue with a warning gesture and her voice sunk to a whisper. “ Ah, I knew you would come. good angel. I shall be safe now.” His arm dropped lightly, ‘protectingly, to her waist but his own lips never moved and he placed his finger upon hers while he bent for- ward to listen. It seemed to him that he heard the sounds of lightly dropping footsteps with- out, in the corridor. To be discovered now meant desperate fighting and fearful danger. Not that he cared for himself; but he dre aded the risk for the girl he was striving to save. The fact of the case was that Quigly, still nervously anxious, had stolen back to taken sly glance at the man whose escape, should if happen, would cost him dear, He looked in. and there, with one hand on the rope, uncertain whether to go or stay, stood Vernon, The guard did not comprehend, at once. He stood staring, and while he glared the prisoner suddenly made up his mind and sprung up- ward, catching the rope with both hands. Almost instantly he reached the aperture and was drawing himself in when Quigly aay and bounded forward. Into his very arms dropped the youg Eng- lishman with a quiver and a groan. It was a snap shot but it had geoye very true. With the smoking revolver still in his hand Quigly staggered back, and then, turning, bounded into the corridor. As he reached it he found himself face to face with Lightning Dick. Instantly two pistols went up and the two men had each other covered. Only, the young sport had his hammer back, Mart Quizly had not. Ani at that they held their hands. In this outlaw Lightning Dick recognized the man that Vernon wished to preserve, and even in this moment of danger he hesitated to slay him, Quigly hesitated too; but from no such generous motive. He with the rest had heard of the men of the Alhambra, and the strange weapons they carried, In fact he had seen two comrades go down before him, even when he was dropping senseless from the treacherous shot of Judge Schneider. He understood the rope in Vernon’s cell—and he understood something more. To cock his weapon would be bis death-warrant; and even if he got in his own wirk first the answering shot was sure to come when the thumb of his foe, at the stroke, relaxed but a hair’s breadth, For a few seconds they stood thus facing each other. The long, slanting rays of the setting sun came drifting in through the open end of the corridor lighting up the face of the outlaw, showing it white, set, desperate, and waiting. He knew the report of his pis ol would bring help. He could hear scurrying footsteps already and he was waiting for Dick to turn, or his eyes to wander backward. * De did rot se the eyes of the sport drop to bis left band, for at that moment his own wander- ed. A scream arosa, and thenthe hoarse voice of the Bullion Boss: “Down with ‘him, Quigly, or bold him level a moment. The boys will be with you, and this cursed wild cat— I’ve left my tools—” 2 Nellie was fighting like a panther. She struggled and struck, though after that first ery no sound issued between her gleaming teeth. It was a sharp struggle, but short. Tbe outlaw ga!hered her wrists in one strong hau.d, and with the other bore ter toward the mouth of the passageway, through which had suddenly rolled sbouts of dismay and the sounds of a couple of straggling shots, Tae weaponless belt of the chief teld why he fell back, ; And at that instant, with his eves fixed in Youare my | the mirror in the butt o his leftrhand Lightning D
Page 29
Tees w _The Ligh vtning Sport. ——— “s —— — = = oyer fis shoulder, and fired full at the skull of the retreating outlaw. With a great crash the Bullion Boss went down, just as Harley Vernon, wild-eyed and bleediug, came staggering through the doorway at the back of Quigly, and felled him with one swinging, right hand blow. Then Lightning Dick wheeled, and with pis- $0l in either hand, rushed’ along the passage- way toward the canyon and camp beyond, CHAPTER XXXV. ALL WITH THEIR BOOTS ON, ¥ At ihe sound of pistol and cry the outlaws started; the hands of the men with the car- bines tnade a quick movement, Something had happened; they knew not what, or whether it was any of their concern, Tho captain had just gone in that direction, and he allowed no meddling in his affairs. The waoment of hesitation had its terrible price. From the wall of rocks behind them rose a harsh, croaking voice: “Hands out, all!” it said; and the men part- ly wheel ed. Then they heard another voice, which they knew was Circus Pete’s: “T’ve been on your trail fora year. You're the men that sacked my ranch and murdered my mother, and at last I have you foul, Curse you, I’ve come to slay!” They wheeled again, quickly, at the ery. Several scattering shots tore around him, and then he got in his work, The stream of steel still flowed from his left hand up and back, but knife after knife he caught with his right and hurled, No man could have emptied a revolver quicker or with more deadly aim. No jest was it now, but simpls slaughter; and first of all dropped Jean Lemaire, with a knife driven straight through his heart. Two men were left standing. Circus Pete caught the last knife by the hilt and bounded toward them, as for a second time they cocked their * volvers. Though the juggler seemed to er a charmed life, the chances were with them, and seeing it, they were cool enough to take deliberate aim. They dwelt a shade too long. Another shot had sounded from the cavern in the rocks, and now Lightning Dick, appearing at the open doorway, fired twice. From the miscellaneous stock of weapons the juggler armed himself, and then made his way up to his friend. Save for the outlying senti- nels and those away on duty, the band of the Bullion Boss was annihilated; and these two held the camp. Joe Byers remained to be sure, but he did not count; and Mart Quigly was in their hands a prisoner. « How, in ther name ov George Washington, did yer git hyar? I thort I war playin’ a lone hand, but I held a born natural, with two aces ter back it, an’ that kind ov a hand Pll stand on every day in ther year. I see yer hev found ther gal. Pistols an’ death couldn’t keep yer back from her—I might er knowed it— but how did yer find yer way in?’ Lightning Dick smiled, waved his hand and beckoned. He supported his double—Nellie, who leaned upon his shoulder, white-faced and shivering. No wonder, Death seemed all around them, and tho night, black and cold, was gathering in. They could just see the outlined form of Mart Quigly as he staggered to h'‘s feet. With a spring Circus Pete was at his side, with the muzzle of a pistol in his ear. “ Hands up!” he shouted, ‘If you move ter draw I'll drill yer.” The unlucky Quigly thrust his hands up and in a moment they were bound together, for Vernon faintly gurgled: “Do not harm him. The girls have need of him.” “So you’re here, too,” muttered the juggler. * Quite a tea-party; but ef you’ll take a fool’s advice, yer wouldn’t wait fur refreshments, but move right out. I’ve cleaned out ther Boss’s pockets, an’ ther rest ov ther camp won't pan out much plunder.” . Nellie looked from one to the other. Cer- tain things puzzled her, yet there was no time now to ask ‘or explanations. The hand of : Lightning D: « drew her, and the others fol- lowed. The: sntered the cell in which Ver- non had bec confined, mounted the rope, a ik ae lantern gleaming faintly in the distance. With- out hesitation they pursued their flight, When, after a tiresome, though trief, jour- ney, the party came out upon a narrow patb, which led vpward and outward, a disreputable- looking addition was made to their party, in the shape of Daddy Bender. “ Blijer-fishbites!” exclaimed the hero from Black Dam. ‘‘Didn’t I told yer so? All down but mine—set ’em up on t’other alley. An’ thar’s me ole side pard, Circus Pete. No fraud are he, but ther clean, white article. Shake, old boy. An’ byar’s ther dashin’ Nellie; an’ me friend ther sexton ez berried me alive so’s I’d think he war a desprit case; an’ down yonder’s Leetle Lide. When we march inter Slaughter Bar, ther’ won’t be no big eyes ner nothin’, an’ they’ll sot ’em up solid fur Billy Bender, ther man ez cleaned out ther Bullion Boss gang. An’ coin! Copperheads an’ coal ile, what coin I’ll hev when ther gents give mea starter accordin’ ter merit.” “Oh, hold yer yawp!” said Cirens Pete, wearied at last at having the bummer pranc- ing around. ‘‘ We’ve got ther back trip ter make, a funeral ter attend an’ a cussed sight of chin music ter listen to afore we got time for you, We can't make ther Bar ter-night ef we fool away time on the road.” Howlin’ Billy found it convenient to take immediate heed. He was a queer compound of alternate courage and cowardice, and knew by sad experiences that whichever way ho turned he was pretty sure to get into a scrape, though he had been peculiarly fortunate, so far, in getting out again. If he had been instrumental in doing a great deal of good by leading Lightning Dick hither, he was not at all certain that he would have any other reward than an approving conscience. The bit of talk had served to distract atten- tion from Little Lide, who was hurrying to meet the party, and now quietly joined it, The two men had stumbled across her on their way thither, and it had been difficult for the Lightning Sport to prevent her following him into the outlaws’ retreat, Her face flushed a little at the cordial greeting from Nellie, and it flushed still more under the pressure of Har- ley Vernon’s hand. ,Then, together, they went down the mountain side. CHAPTER XXXVI. THE GRAND FINALE, Tue Bullion Boss had executed his maneuvers so skillfully that Slaughter Bar had been thrown completely off the track; or, rather, it had followed the wrong trail. Of course, there were plenty who paid very little heed to the matter of the girl’s abduction; but even they were startled the noxt morning when exag- gerated reports of what had occurred were freely uttered and discussed. It was understood that some half-dozen per- sons had been shot at the Alhambra and in the street, as many more were missing, and Judge Schneider had been found alone in his residence with a bullet in his brain. By rare good luck and thorough management no one knew that Pete Mahone was lying in the Pilgrim’s Pride with a hole through his body that would have let out the life of almost any one else, Several indignation meetings had been held, the town was up, the Hair Pin mine men were raving. It was just as well that the latter were off on the search for the road-agents, whom they accused of the judge’s death, When the weary little party from the mountains reached the Pilgrim’s Pride there might have beén some questions asked that would have led to an explosion. As it was, Peter Van Vedder hustled them in, and shut the doors before the gathering crowd had a chance to follow. - The girls had been informed of the death of the judge, and had been led to expect develop- ments, but nothing definite had been told them of their nature when they found themselves by the bedside of Pete Mahone, over whom John Oaks was watching with tender care, At the foot of the bed, on a low stool, sat a compara- tive stranger, the Irishwoman who had arrived by the stage and with whom Vernon had had some conversation. The two girls came straight forward and looked anxiously down at the wounded man, with whom the other Circus Pete had been closeted. “Tell us the truth, if you know it,” said Nellie, anxiously. Sho scarcely knew what to *¢ At least I was no kin to that man who claimed me as his daughter. No father of mine was he. I could see it in his eyes.” “You are right,” answered the man, in a reedy voice, ‘‘be was a villain—worse even than he or you dreamed, since he slew your father. Ho did not know that, though, for he was deceived, like the rest. Tell me, first, what you know of the story.” “Oh, I know nothing—nothing. I suspected him from the very start, when, after years of silence, he came to claim me from those whe had at least sheltered, if not lovel me. Then I found a letter from a miscreant in England that opened my eyes, though everything was indistinct, like a picture seen through a vail. Who are you? WhoamI? Who is this girl— Little Lide?” ‘*My dear, I will answer your last tion first. Little Lide is my daughter. Ae Edwin Vernon, come back to life after weary yoars of wandering, and you are the daugh- ter of my brother, of him who bore the name, for a time, of Clinton Bride, but whose right name was Roger Vernon.” As he spoke the man looked furtively at Little Lide, who, as she heard, drew nearer and nearer until at the last he felt her warm hand clasping his, Not very much of a father to own judging from what she had seen, yet such as he was she accepted him, He kissed her hand once, and then continued: “Tt is strange that so many should move in the Vernon affair at the same time. Fate, I suppose. Each of us has caught up a thread or so of the hank, and now all is straight and plain. Here is the straight story with no em- bellishments, or explanations of who furnished the separate links, “Very unfortunately a man was killed yeare ago under circumstances which seemed to im- plicate us, and we fled, Roger and I. “Roger had the wealth of the family, his own and mine, and settled down to business, called himself Bride and afterward married. I put the true Nellie in what I thought good hands, in San Francisco, and wandered away, I could do ’most anything that was worthless, from the tricks of a juggler to riding a racer. I acknowledge that I cared.little for my child and less for my brother and my fortune. I was all over the world, and being concerned in a South American revolution spent years in- prison. When I got out I began to look for my own and could not find them, After a time the trail led me here. I adopted a dis- guise intending to array myself in opposition to judge Schneider, and shoot bim down, whem I could safely do it, without mercy. I knew that the girl he had claimed was not my daugh- ter, but I believe now that he did not. ‘The judge, in the East, was known as Har- old Varley. He brought an awful calamity on my brother, and afterward having robbed him, as I believe, took his life. He had, how- ever, the private papers of Roger, which ex- plained the lives of both of us—and in the West he adopted the name of Schneider be- cause that was the name I had given my daughter. I am not certain, either, that he ever knew who Clinton Bride really was. He had an outline of his scheme even then, though years elapsed before he perfected it, when he had met and got into his power Martin Quig- ly, a servant of ours. He intended to claim my daughter, who was heiress in her own right, through her mother, to a large estate, and taking her and Quigly pass himself off forme. Part of that he afterward modified by having Quigly make a dying confession and afterward clear out. "My brother bad a son, who was born \ dumb, and by the calamity I have mentioned . was thrown out into the world to shift for him- self. Some time ago he met Schneider, as he was called, and was recognized; but did not himself know his own history. He ‘found it out afterward, to a certain extent, and by a strange chance came here with another Circus Pete, who, I suspect was the origina], and who. was on the trait of the Bullion Boss and his gang. ‘They formed the same idea, to astonish the Bar—and we were nearly drawn into col- lision, My double knew a thing or two, how- ever, and found friends that helped him well. “My brother had a daughter named Mary, who was sent to the West in charge of Mrs. Macarthay there, When the true Nellie dis- appeared, you, still an infant, and very much. of a white elephant, took her place. Mrs, Macarthy is now a very worthy woman, and she recognizes you beyond a doubt—which ' was what she was brought down to do, ' wut. aS
Page 30
30 The Lightning Sport. “The jude is dead—how he came to his end makes little difference—and his schemes are at anend. He has considerable property here that you might fall heir to, but I do not know that it is worth while to sacrifice your name to take th tofa villain. I would advise letting it go. If what I suspect is true—the judge hints at it in his papers—the fortune of ‘Clinton Bride’ that disappeared so mysteriously is in a safe, hidden in the debris that chokes the cellar of his ruined mansion; while for Little Lide, as she will not long be called, there is a fortune await- ing her in Engl and, “As for myself, [ am innocent of the crime that I fled for, and I am going back. Vernon, hora, will go with me, and I think I see the way clear. Itis true I have an ugly hole in my side, tut, as you observe, I am still strong, and I don't mean to die for the present. “ But my brother—you say he is dumb, yet I have heard him speak, There must be some mistake.’ As Nellie murmured this, her only objection, a smile came to half a dozen faces. ‘That was what puzzled the judge—between them they mystified him awfally—and what even puzzled me, The fact is that Circus Pete. is n ventriloquist, an i was generally around to do the talking for both. As for his shooting — well, he isa wonderful § shot, but a good deal of it was an old trick anplied to practical uses. He looked and shot to the rear by means of little mirrors, and I must say that with their aid he got in his work beautifully. “There now, cousins, sisters, brothers and children,’ give mo a rest. I’m weary, and 1 want to sleep.” After the very full explanation given in the conversation jast related, it is scarcely wor.h while to dwell.upon any minor points that may not have been touched on, The family reunion and the story of the elder Vernon brings the narrative n turally to a close, As ty giving a history of how Li shtning Dick and his sister found their own, and more than their own, in the hidden safe "which wos unearthed without much trouble, and how Edwin Vernon safely re-established hims lf in his native country, and how younys Vernon eventually marrisd his cousin, and how one-half of Slaughter Bar filed the catches of their r=vol- vers, so they would need no triggers, and how the other half practiced mirror-shots until the deadly reputation of the burg was much en- hanced, and how John Oaks was provided for, and Howlin’ Billy was set to: his knees in coin. and how everybody else was happy or miser- able as the case might be, and the Simon-pure Cireus Pete went out to seek more adventures with pistol and cards—these are all matters of history, tion The reader has reached THE END. BEADLE’S Half-Dime eee 1 Deapwoop Dick. By Edward L. Wheeler 2 YeLLowsTone Jack. By Joseph E, Badger, Bia: Be 3 Kansas Kina, By Buffalo Bill 4 Tur Wr.v-Horsz Hunters. By Mayne Reid... 5 Vacanonp Jog, By Oll Coomes. .. 4 Br. Brippon, TRAPPER. By Edward 8. Elis... 7 Tue Fiymna YANKEE, By 8 Sete Jones. By Edward 8. Ellis rer 9 THE ADVENTURES OF Baron MuUNCHAUSEN...... 40 Nat Topp. By Edward 5. Ellis 11 Tue Two Derecrrives. By Albert W. ‘Aiken... 12 GuLLIvVer’s TRAVELS. .. .. ... 3 Tue Dome Spy. By Ol Comes. 14 ALADDIN, .. 15 THe Sea Cat. By Capt. Frederick Me nc 5e 16 ROBINSON CRUSOE |... 2... peeves 5e 17 Ravpnw Roy. By Col’ Prentiss Ingraham, Sa Oe 18 SINDBAD THE SAILOR... . ....-. = ee eee ee irae WO 19 THe Paantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill me OC 20 Tae Doverr Daccers. By Ed. L. Wheeler. ... 5c 21 Frontier ANGEL. By Edward 8. Ellis 22 The Sea Serpent. By Col. Juan Lewis... 23 Nick o’ THE Nicut. By T. C. Harbaugh,. 24 Dramonp Ding. ~By Cok Prentiss Ingraham... 25 Tut Boy Capra. By Roger Starbuck ..... 26 Croven Hoor, THe Demon, By E. L. Wheeler. 27 ANTELOPE ‘ABE, THE Boy G\1pE, Oli Coomes .. 28 Burrato’ Bren, By Edward L. Wheeler ©. 20 Tue Due Paczu.. By Capt. F. Whittaker.. 30 RoaRING ze Rockwoop, By H. St. George. $1 Kees-Knrre. By Oll Coomes * 32 Bop Woo r. Be Edward L. Wheeler .... 23 Te OceAN. BLoopsounp. By §. W. ery 34 Oreaon Sox, By Capt. J. F: OSA» 35 Witp Ivay. By Kdward L. Wheeler.. 26 Tue Boy Crown. By Pranks. Finn ..... 27 Tux Hmpen Loper. By T.C. Harbaugh . 88 Nev Wyipe, By. Texas Jack 39 DratH-F'ACE, THE DETECTIVE. ByE. i Wheeler 5e 40 Rovinec Ben. By John J. Marshall. . 8 Be 41 Lasso Jack.’ By Oll Coomes .. 5e 42 ‘Tur Paantom Myxer. ByEd. L, Wheeler. ©.. 5¢ 43 Dick Daruine,. By Capt. Frederick eas 5c 44 Rarrnina Ruse. ane ay St. George apy >: 45 Oto AvaLaNcuE. By Edward L. Wheeler.... 5c 46 Giass-Eye, nee Capt. ee F.C, Adams ©. «.... . Be 47 Niautinaatz Nat, By T.-C. Harbaugh.. 5c 48 BLACK JouN, THE Roab-Acent, J.B. Badger, . Jr 49 Omana Onn. By Edward L. Wheeler... 50 Burt Bonxer. By Charles E. Lasalle. . ; ‘St Tue Boy Hurues By Archie C. Iron,........-+ but need not further here be men- | 138 Bionpe Bru, By Edward L. Wheeler ' 141 Soup Sam, By Edward L. Wheeler 52 a THe Wuire Burrato. By Charles E, Lasalle... De Jim Buupsor;Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler. 54 Nep Hazet. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.. de 55 Deapiy-Eye. By Buffato Bill.. : Se 66 Nick Wuirries's Per. By J. ¥. C. Adams..... 5¢ 57 Deapwoop Dick’s Haaurs. By BE. L.Wheeler.. 5¢ 58 Tae Borprr Kina. By Oll Coomes............ 5¢ 59 Otp Hickory. By Harry St. George ... be 60 Tae Wurre Invian. By J. F. C. Adams.. Lite) 6t BvekHoRN Bru. By Edward L. Wheeler 5e 62 THe SHapow Sup. By Col. P. Ingraham.. 5e 63 Tae Rep Broruernoop. By W. J. Hamilton . 5c 64 Danpy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. PEt Sten eg OS 65 Hurricane Buu. By Jos. 8. Badger, Jr be 66 Sincir Hanp. By W. J. Hamilton............ 5e 67 PaTent-Leatarn Jor, By ee > Se Warne... 5c 68 THe BorpER Rorin Hoop. v Buffalo Bill. 5e 69 Gotp Rirte. By Edward 1. BY heeler.. Ee 70 Oup Zip’s Canin, By J. F. C. Adams. Se 71 Detawarn Dick. By Oll Coomes. fe 72 Map Tom Wustern. By W. J. He rmilton.. be 73 Deapwoop Dick on Deck. By BE, L. Wh eeler., fe 74 Haws-eyve Harry. By OllCoomes......... .. 5e 75 Tue Boy Durust. By Col, P. Ingraham Se 76 Ane Court, tHe Crow Kunter. By A. W. Aiken, fe 77 Cerpuroy Cuarur. By Edward L, Wheeler... Fe 78 Biur Dicx. By Captain Mayne Reid 7 fe 79 Sot Gincer, THE Gunt Trapper. A.W, Aiken fc 80 Rosrerp ton. By Edward L. Wheeier . be By Captain J.i.C. Adains. .| 5e By T..C. He esbetien: Lia :tntnG Jon, Krr Hargroor. 83 Roto, TE Boy Raxoer. By Ol C joomes Sore bC 84 love, Tee Girt Minen. By Ed. L. Wheeler .. fe 8 Brox Buckaam. By Captain J. F.C. Adams... 5¢ 85 Danpy Roex. By G. Waldo Browne : fe Tar LAND Pirar By Capt. Mayne Reic Proroerapn I By Edwerd L. Weel 89 Isnanp Jim. By Bracebridge Hemyng Bc 99 Tae Dreap Riper. By G. Waldo Browne. fe 91 THe CApratIn oF THE CLUB. By Braceb rides: Ec Hemyng 5c 92 CANADA CHET, By Ew ard L. Wheeler . 5e | 93 Tur Boy } INERS, vy Kdward 8. Ellis be | 94 Mipnicur Jack By T C. Harbaugh fe 9 Tue Rivat Rovers. By Tieut. Col, Hazeltin @. Te 9 Watcu-Eyr. By Edword L, Wheeler. fe 97 THe Ourtaw Brornrrs. By J. J. Marshall. fe 98 Ropms Hoop. By Prof, stewart Gudersleere.. 99 Tue TiceR or Taos. By George W. Browne... fc 100 Dzapwoop Dick in LEapvi1e. By Wheeler, 5¢ 101 Jack Ha KAwAy IN New York. By Brace- bridge Hemyng. . be 102 Dick Deap-h fre, By Col. Prentiss Invraham. . §c 103 ‘tam Lion or "HE Sea. By Col. Delle Sara . 6¢ 194. Drapwoop Dick’s ae oy Ea, a Wheeler, Se 1% Oup Ruse, tHE Hunter. By Capt. H. Holmes . Se 106 Op Frosty, THE Guipg. By T.C. Harbaugh. « 6¢ 1% One-Evep Sor. By J. L. Bowen ... .. « BC 1.8 Dartne Davy. By Harry St. George..... Se 109 DEapwoop Dick AS DETECTIVE. Wheeler 5¢ 110 Tae Biack Sreep oF THE Prarries. By Bowen 5c 111 THe Sea-Devin. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.. 5¢ 112. THe Map Hunter. By Burton Saxe ....... oe 5e 113 Jack Hoyue, By Edward L. Wheeler... . . 5c 1l4 THe Brack ScHoonrer. By Roger Starbuck... 5c 115 Tae Map Miner. By G. Waldo Browne...... 5e 116 Tae Hussar pag 8 Ss we Ccl, P. Ingraham. 5¢ 117 Grur-Epeep Dick. ward L. Wheeler... 5c 118 Writ. Somers, THE Boo! Derective. By Mor ig 119 Musrane Sam. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr...... . be \ » Tue Branpep Hanp. By Frank Dumont .... 5¢ 121 Crsnamon Crip. By Edward L. Wheeler...... 5¢ 122 Par. Harpy, THe Boss Boy. By Chas. Bean. Pa 123: Kiowa CHARLEY. ne Ae C. Harbaugh . 124 Trppy, THe Texan. By George Gleason... 125 Bonanza Brut, Miner. By E. L. Wheeler. . 126 Picayune Pere. By Charles Morris............ 127 Wup-Fire. By Frank Dumont......... ..... 128 Tux Youne Privateer. By Harry Cavendish. 129 Deapwoop Dick’s Dousie. By E. L. eceaes 130 Derective Dick. By Charles Morris.. ... 131 Tue Gonpen Hanp. By Geor; me Ww. Browne.. 182 Tue Honrep Hunter. By Edward S . Ellis... 5 133 Boss Bos. By Favard L. paaeere: Se 134 SurE-SHor Sern. Ol) Coomes... . be 135 CapTarn Pavt. By C Biko bg G10) Saree par . be 136 Nigut-Hawk Kir. By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. Be 137 THe Henetess Hanp. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 5e 139 Jupee Lyncn, Jr. By T.C. Harbaugh . 140 BLvE Brazes, By Frank Dumont 142 Hanpsome Harry. By Charies Morris 143 Scar-Face Savi. By Oll Coomes. 144 Darmry Lance, Tux Boy Srorr. By Badger. 145 CAPTAIN FERRET. By sdward L, Wheeler. . 146 Su.ver Star. By Oll Coomes... 147 Witt Witprme, By Charles Morris. 148 Suarp Sam.. By J. Alexander Patten. 119 A Gamm or GoLp. By Edward L. Wheeler. . 150 Lance anp Lasso. By Capt. FP. Whittaker. . 151 Pantner Pave. By Joseph EB. Badger, Jr.... 5¢ 152 Buack Bess. By Charles Morris .... 5e 153 Eacie Kir, rue Boy Demon. By Oll Coomes. 5c 134 THe Sworp-Hunrrrs, By Capt. F.Whittaker 5c 155 Gotp Triccer. By 'T, GC. Harbaugh.. he 156 Deapwoop Dick or Dgapwoop. By Wheeler. 5c 157 Mike Merry. By Charles Morris A 5e 158 Fancy FRANK oF Cotorapo. By Buffalc Bill.. 50 159 Tua Lost Caprain, By Fred. Whittaker..... be 160 Tae Brack Grant. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr, OC 161 New York New. By Edward L. Wheeler fe 162 WiLL WILDFIRE IN THE Woops. By C. Morris. 5¢ 103 Lirrie Texas. By Oll Coomes .. . Be | 164 Danny Rocx’s Pieper. By Geo. W. Browne . 5c 165 Bruty Bace@aas, THE RAtLROAD Boy. mecenette: 166 Hickory Harry. By Harry St. George. . 167 Asa Scorr. By Edward Willett 168 DeapLy Dasu. By Joseph E, Badger, Jr. 5e 169 Tornapo Tom. By T. C. Harbaugh. sv OC 17) A Trompe Carp. By Charles Morris........<.. 5e 171 Exony Dan. -By Frank Dumont... -....... 172 TaunpeRrsoir Tom, By Harry St. George.... 173 Danpy Rocr’s Rrvau, By Geo. W. Browne... 174 Bon Rockerr. By Charles Morris ....... 4... 175 Caprars Arizona, By Philip $8. Warne .... 176 THe Boy Runaway. By Lieut. H. D. Perry.. 5¢ 177 Nopny Nick or Nevana. By E. L. Wheeler.. 178 Oup Sorrrary. By Oll Coomes. 1179 Bos Rockerr, THE BANK RUNNER. ByX Morris. 5¢ 181 Wiip Frank or Monrana. By 180 Tne Sea Tracer. Lieut. H.D. Perry, U.S, N. 5¢ E. L; Wheeler, 5¢ 182 Lrrrte Hurricane. By Oll 5e 183 THe Hwpen Hanp, . By Chas. M } 196 184 Tue Boy TrRaILers. y Jos. E, Badger, Jr... 185 Evin Eyre. By Teenk t JUMONG TE isa cot omne 186 Coon Desmond. By Col. Delle Sara . 187 Frep Hatyarp. Ey Chas. Morris .. .. 188 Nep Tempter. By nie C. Harbaugh 189 Bos Rockert, 1HE CRACKSMAN, By C, Morris 190 Danny DARKE, By Wm. R. Eyster . 191 BurraLo Bruix. By Capt. A A.B. Taylor, U.S.A 192 Caprams Kit, By Lieut. H. D. Perry, "U.S.N. 193 Tue Lapy Roap-Agent. Ey Philip S. Warne 1% Burrato Br’ Capt. A. B. Taylor, U.S.A 195 Deapwoop Dick’s DREAM. By E. L. Whee: SnapoweEp. By Charles Morris Lirrte Grir, “By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. . 198 Arkansaw. By T. C. Harbaugh 199 FEATHERWEIGHT. By Edward Willett are 200 THe Boy Brerovins. By Capt. F. Whittaker 201 Tue Brack Hitts Jrzeprn. E. L. W ee : £02 Prosprcer Perr. Ly O}l Coomes. £03 THe Boy Parps. Jos. 1K. Badger, Jr. she 204 Goin Piume. By Col. Prentiss Ing rakam . £05 Drapwoen Dick’s Doom, yy EB. L. Wl eeler. £06 DsrK Paur, TRE TiarE Kine. By C. Morris, 27 Navago Nix. Vy T. C. Herbaugh £8 Tur Poy HracurFs. By Oli Ccomcs ‘ £09 Fritz. cae Bernr-Beoy Deticrrve. Wheeler. £10 Faro Frsyk oF Fie Pin By \.R, Fyster... 1 Creoxer Caner. By Jcs FE. Bedger, Jr.. 2 Dasnma@ Dive. Ry Cl arles Morris Friooz To tHe Frony. By ©. lL. Wheeler... 14 Worra@sre. By Copt. Freceric ‘+k Whittaker 15 C.praix Berur. y T. C. Barba: gh 16 Piscn Err. By Col. Prent'ss Ingratom... 7 Cvptars Crick-Snor, By E. L. Wkeeler. ! 197 8 Tiarr Tom. Py Ol) Coons 9 Drrparr, THE Durvist. By Prilip 8. W arne, 0 Tem Taxyyrr. B y Charles Mortis. =“1GaR-Coater Sam. By Edward L, Whecler rit, tre Bravi Sport. By Col. Ingralam. ZARK ATP. by Edwerd Willett TEA ssrixe Tick. By Ol Ccomes 5 Sam Cuarcos., TRE Priemicu Da PRY. Charles Morris Fed 226 Sncoz R, HE Boy Sv arp. Ry F. 1. Wheeler. 227 Drsxy Darr bt, Tra: rrr. By F. Emerson 28 Lirrn Witrrm- By O} Cocmes. . 229 Crime Kat. By Col, Stu are Ingrab am KE: Pagan, D. Clark.. 2u Puecey Prim. By T. é Ye rhavgh 232 G to-Dust Dick. By F, L, Wheeler, 3 Jok Buck oF ANSTLB. By Albert W, Ailen.. 4 Bowito, tuE Youn@ House-LxesKer. By BUCKBEIN SOM. = oo t0 8 Pe oe ee sDOW SAM, THE “Messrxarr Toy. Charles Morris. 295 Apvotto Pauw. By Edward L. Wheeler + 237 Loxe Svar, THE Cownoy Captain. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, ; Soares 238 THe larson Detective. By Oll Ccomes 239 Tue GoLp-sEEKER Guire. By Mayne Reid. 240 CyctonEe Kir. By Edward L. Wheeler. 241 Brut Bravo anv His Bear Parps. By I. C. PATS uRD ty. a is 242 THE Two ‘Broops.’ by Charles Morris. ° 243 Tue Diseuisep Guire, By Oll Coomes 5e 244 Stsrra Sam, THE Wnoniren Ferret, ‘By ra ee ward L, Wheeler c 245 MERLE, THE Mippy, ‘By Prentiss Ingrah am. Se 246 Grant GeorGr. By Buckskin Sam 247 Otp GrizzLy AND ae Pers. By Captain 4S Britin AMM 2 wc. chee Te Cree 248 Srerra SAm’s SEcRET. By E. L. Wheeler 249 Mixo Romer. By Captain Fred. Whittaker. .. 250 MipsurpMaN Murinees. By Col. P. Ingraham. 251 Ligut-HousE Lier. By J. F.C. Adams....... 252 Dick DasHaway. By Charles Morris ........ 253 SrerRA Sam’s Parp. By E. L. Wheeler...... 254 Tne Hatr Broop. By Edward §. Ellis. .. .. 255 Captain Apotio. By T. C. Harbaugh. . 256 Youne Kentuck. By Captain Mark Wilton. . 257 Tue Lost Hunrmers. By J. F.C. Adams... .. 258 Srerra Sam’s Seven. By E, L. Wheeler. . 259 Tue GotpEN Harpoon, hy Roger Starbuck. 260 Darse-Devit Dan. By Gil Ccomes.. 261 Fencus Fearnavant. By George L. Aiken. 262 Tue Youna Sieutus. Fy Charles Morris. 268 Deapwoop Dicx’s Diving, By FE. L. Wheeler. 24 Tue Fioatine Fratner. By Col. Ingraham. 265 Tue Tiger Tamer. By Capt. F. Whittaker... 266 KILLp’aR, THE GuIpE. _ By Ensign Charles Dudley Warren, (of the Engineer Corps.).... 267 Tux Buckskin Derective. By Harbaugh.. 268 Deapwoop Dick’s DearH Tram. By Ea ward L. Wheeler 269 THe Goip Sup. By Col, Prentiss Ingrabam. 5e 210 Buzzarp Ben. By Captain Mark Wilton.... fe O71 THe Huece Hunter. y Edward 8. eaten ee 272 Minkskin Mike. By O}] Coomes,. Se 273 Jumpo Jor. By Edward L, Wheeler.. . Sc 24 Jotty Jm, By Charles Morris 7 Arizona Jack, By Buckskin Sam . tz EE G € D - By SESS ES 2 seegeeess * aE geaeseeeeeseeeseees en 27) Merte Monre’s Cruise. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahatiy 2: oo 2 = Seep pen ee oe eee aes 277 Denver Dott. “By Edward L. Wheeler... .. Ry Maj. LW. Carson. By T. C. Har- hy Tue THREE TRAPPERS %9 OLp W1NcH, tHE Rirce Kine. baugh ; Se 280 Merim Montr’s Farr. “By Prentiss Ingraham 5e 281 Denver Dor1’s Victory. By HE, L. Wheeler. 5¢ 292 Tae Tyro Derectivye, By Edward Willett,.. 2°3 InprIAN Jog. By Major L, W. Carson. 4. PA Tur Sra Marauper. By Prentiss Ingraham.. 285 Denver Dorw’s Decoy.. By Ed. L. Wheeler. sa ps Lage 286 JosH, THE Boy TENDERFCOT. Wilton $87 Birty Buve-Fyrs. 238 Tae Scabp Kine. 29 Jotty Jan's Jos. By Charles Morris 200 LirtLe Foxrtre. By Oll Coomes.... 201 Turk, THE Feerer, By Edward L. Wheeler. 202 Sancho. Pepro. Py Major EB. L. St. Vrain. -. 293 Rep Claw. By Copiain, Comstock 264 Dynamire Dan, Be C, Harbaugh... 295 Feanvess Puiu, iy Edward Willett 295 Denver Dout’s Drirr. By E. L. Wheeler. 207 Tue Taranrora or Taos, By Buckskin yeti be 293 Tue Water-Hoonp. By Charles Morris... . be A new issue every Tuesday, Whe HMalf-Dime Library is for scale by all — Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each ‘BEADLE & ADAMS BY. Conk J. F. C, Adams,
Page 31
Srorirs. Wa Seok) be ‘ H BOLKES. BUNNY HUMOROUS PUBLICATIONS. THE. CELEBRATED LAUGHING SERIES. BIG JOKE BOOK SERIES. “OH! MAMMA, BUY ME THAT!” Illustrated. GRIN’S CATECHISM OF FUN, THE TROUBLES OF MR, AND MRS. BOWSER. Illustrated. 64 pages. McGINTY'S JOKE BOOK. WIT AND HUMOR OF THE BENCH AND BAR. 48 pages. { WIDE-AWAKE SKETCHES, { SOME SCREAMING YARNS. ROARING JOKES FOR FUNNY FOLKS. “JOLLY JOKES FOR JOLLY PEOPLE.” “THE BUTTON BURSTER; or, FUN ON THE RAMPAGE.” LAUGHING GAS; or, DRIVE DULL CARE AWAY. PUT THROUGH; or, FREEMASONRY AND ODD FELLOWSHIE EXPOSED. By “ Brickrop.” “FUN ON THE ROAD.” A Recorp or American Wir anp Humor. 48 pages, A Co.iection or Jotty Joxns AND Funny 64 pages, Illustrated. 64 pages. Illustrated. 64 pages. Illustrated, 80 pages. 64 pages. Tllustrated. Illustrated. 64 pages. Illustrated. 64 pages, Illustrated. 64 pages. Illustrated, 64 pages. Illustrated. 64 pages. . PRICE 12 CENTS EACH BY MAIL. POSTAGE STAMPS TAKEN. | MY MOTHER-IN-LAW. By “Bricxror.” Hopkins. 88 pp., Paper, 8vo.° This is one of the most humorous stories of the day. Every man and woman in the country should read this serio-comic experience of a man with his mother-in-law, who made home torrid for him, and how he succeeded, after ‘Many attempts and failures, in getting rid of her. YOUR FIRST BABY; or; Tue Inveticrrms or Our Honry- moon. By the author of ‘‘ My Mother-in-Law,” etc. Lllus- trated. Paper, 8vo., This is a witty and charming narration of a young married couple. It pre- ts vividly the first attempts of a young husband at housekeeping. MITH IN SEARCH OF A WIFE. By the author of “Our First Baby,” etc. 64 pp., Paper, 8vo. | This story is not founded on fact, but there is so much comical human ‘nature in it that truth couldn’t make it any better, It should be read by every: jbody contemplating the great lottery of marriage. Laughably illustrated by Thomas Worth. | ARMING FOR FUN; or, Backyarp Granars. By ‘‘ Briox- top,” Illustrated by Thomas Worth. Paper, large 8vo. A laughable story. The experience of Timothy Budd and his wife at city jgardening is brimful of fun ; and thousands who read it will exclaim: “I've es there!” Tlustrations by {PARSON BEECHER AND HIS HORSE. By ‘“ Bricxrop.” Illustrated by Thomas Worth 96 pp., Paper, large 12mo. This is a thoroughly enjoyable book, brixaful of fresh, brilliant humor and saughkable situations, the author claiming it to be the best of his many humor | ous productions, ‘FRED DOUGLAS AND HIS MULE. Companion to ‘Parson a Beecher and His Horse.” By the same author, Mlustrated. 96 pp., large 12mo, Asa story of the late war it deals with people who ‘‘ were there,” and will be doubly popular with the ** Vets,” many of whom enjoyed the very fun that is here depicted. BOUNCED; or, Tar Apventures or an Untucgy Man, Br} Joun Carsoy. Illustrated. Paper, 8yo. THE QUIET YOUTH; or, Jusr Lixe His Uncix. By “ Brice trop.” Illustrated. Paper, large 8vo. BEANWHACKER’S TROUBLE; or, Nor a. Bir Lixe Hs Uncie. A sequel to ‘‘ Just Like His Uncle.” By Jonny CarBoy. Illustrated. Paper, large 8vo. DEACON BOGGLES AND HIS LIVER PAD. By Wu | Wanver. Illustrated. 64 pp., Paper, 8vo. This book is a humorous record of the Deacon's frantic struggles with that’ malignant enemy of the human race—the dreaded Liver Pap, THE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS SHOWN UP. By “Barcs-| ror.” Illustrated. Paper, 8vo. ‘Don’t make any mis- take.” JOINING THE GRANGERS; or, Experience or SassaFRas | Donerr. By the author of “My Mother-in-Law.” 64 pp., 16mo, | DRY GOODS DRUMMER. By Tom Wonner. 88 pp., 16mo. This is one of the funniest of all the Laughing Series, and its glimpses of the triais, scrapes, and troubles of a Drummer on his travels are precisely the medicine to cure the blues and make the reader happy. TRIP OF THE SARDINE CLUB. 16mo. By “ Brroxtor,” Profusely Tiustrated by Thomas Worth, This book is full of fun and sentiment, giving personal observations aud historical reminiscences of places on the Hudson between New York and Albany. SCRAPES OF FARMER SKOOPENDYKE. Tilustrated. He buys a Billy Goat. He Gives Widow Snugg a Sleigh-ride, His Experience with Dr. Bungle. Mrs. Maloney’s Goat, etc., etc. Paper, 8vo, 80 pages. 96 prs Any of the above books sent by mail on receipt ef 12 cents. Postage stamps taken, . — | ) | : 'M. J. Wers & Co., Publishers, (ames suttivan, Proprietor) 379 Pearl Street, New York.| ee Ley ; : pee tre ae we. Se A ee Sat Sees Seon Lae
Page 32
pit te and sgented complet me Oe Wy LHD SEADLES eADAMS=N EW YORK It Eee HANDBOOK OF WINTER SPORTS, EMBRACING; Zoe emtench each se ba vies OP mp ICE-SKATING, ROLLER-SKATING, RINK.BALL, CURLING, AMERICAN FOOTBALL, AND ICE-BOATING, Together with the Special Code of Rules for Prize Skating of the Skating Congress; and Records of Matches at Base-Ball and Cricket on the Ice. Edited by Henry Chadwick. \OEy aa ene sna a Remeacie s nei peels Dene APS 10 cts, each, ss