Beadle's New York Dime Library (no. 997) (1897 12 01)
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, — oJ : Sy bee caren ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MATTER AT THE NEW YORK, N. Y¥., POST OFFICE, December 1, 189/. —. Copyrighted, 1897, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, PUBLISHED EVERY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, TEN ~ Beans A OOPY. Vol LXXVI WEDNESDAY, $5.00 A YEAR. ® FROWN AARD LEK __ BX PSTLHADGER | eg iti ——= ~ nin TV TT cuir = ——— AIT TE = THE SPUTTERING
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a — ad I = = — = = 4 = 4 . a —— GP poe peseereREEST A 4 . Copyrighted, 1897, by BEADLE AND ADAMS. =< = Ta se Se veer ae N 997 pusuisuep Every §§ BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 0), . WEDNESDAY. 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. T THE NEW YORK, ee N. ¥., Post Orricg, December 1, 189/. TEN CENTS A OOPY. y y $5.00 A WEAR. 0 ‘ Tite iin hn Uy
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Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. Hotspur Hal, OR, ee LIVBLY TIMES AT HARDSHELL. BY JOS. E. BADGER, JR. + AUTHOR OF ‘‘OLD 49,” ‘‘ MONTE JIM,” ETC. CHAPTER I, TAKEN IN, TO BE DONE FOR. , “Nein, nein, my goot friendt! I makes me no foolishness ’boudt dose dings, al- readty!”’ i “You really think there’s millions in it, then, stranger?” . “Vail, now, mein son, you look py . me here a leedle vhiles. I neffer say me kvite so much as millions. Dot vhas too pig a moudthvull for Johan Halli- boober to shaw up so soon, alreadty. I - gee me a goot shance like dot; I dinks me a goot, schmardt man makes him a bile o’ goot money uff he bays glose ad- dendion to pusinees und makes no drouples mit nopody else in a hurry. Nein, mynherr?” “ You are going to locate in Hardshell, then? ”’ “Yaw. You dinks I vhas not, eh?” “Oh, that’s your funeral, pardner, not ag mine,” with an airy wave of hand and ' just the hint of an easy laugh. “Vuneral? Ach! I vhas me not go deadt, so soon, alreadty! I vhas me ‘live all oafer; yaw! You schust pet your as dwo oldt socks on dot! Und a veller as F dries make me go deadt avore I gids me goot readty all oafer—vail, now, he gits his eyes oben avore he’s avake in de morgen—dot’s so!” Johan Halliboober nodded his head vigorously, not to say belligerently, shy- ing a bit away from the side of the horse whose leisurely pace his own long ' legs had kept tally, with for a considera- ble distance without any great exertion. d , If not actual suspicion, this movement bespoke a wideawake alertness on his part which went far toward convincing Hal Arlington that this chance acquaint- ance of the trail was fairly able to take care of himself, and not nearly as great a fool as his outward appearance would naturally indicate. “A part which I haven’t the slightest idea of playing, pardner,’ the Hotspur hastened to give assurance, “so you necdn’t mind about shying clear out of > the road,” 4 * .“ Vail, now, you see; I vhasn’t me so much avraidt as I vhas schoost a leedle pit scary py der schumb-off,” glibly. de- clared Johan, resuming his former posi- tion, hand on the neatly coiled trail-rope as it hung from the pommel. “ You vhas a schendiemans all oafer; I see me dose } vhen I got me mein eyes glosed dight; pedder _— sate # wo 7 -- yaw! 1” “Thanks! I’d rather play white than play dirt, any day. But—Hardshell! ” ow grack me dose schell, und gits me dose schweetmeadts—eh? ” Hotspur Hal gave a smiling nod as he - gazed into those twinkling orbs. “ Well, you seem to have a pretty, good bees of it, anyway, pardner. No doubt in the world but that there’s plenty. of money ‘to be made in a lively mining * town like Hardshell, provided one sets : about eins it in proper fashion.” « Tes. toons an all-around sport, with 9 ‘poodle. to back up his nerve; or a man j hie: plenty of cash to speculate upon—” ot vhas me; dot vhas me all oafer! ” astily interrupted Halliboober. “I vhas ‘und spegulade und spegulade! ‘me Vv once und sell me dwice— Ee ae wegewweelar p> nyway!” - poots dot’s 3 THE SPORT FROM HARD LUCK; and pick up coe ie 8 nees all oafer in a bile, like a moundain! Und so—see? “T haf me a leedle moneys; not mooch; youst a leedle bile. -I look me ’roundt by dose pig zity, und I see me a croudt und a sham all oafer. Uff a man go schneeze uff his nose, here vhas dwo, six, dwendty schops vly open und mans schumb oudt mit armyvull of handker- , scheef—like dot! “So I say me, ‘Go on, Johan Halli- boober! Here all mans vandt to sell und no mans to puy. Goon, mein son!” “And so you have wandered clear out here into the wild and woolly wilderness, where wolves are heap sight more plenti- ful than sheep, and criminals than Chris- tians. To speculate, is it?” “In mein own vay—yaw. I stardt me oop a leedle segond-handt und schunk- shop. I puy me of dose miner-mans vhen he. vhas trunk, und sell him vhen he goes sober some more. You see?” Again Hal Arlington laughed amused- ly, as his honest blue eyes met those keenly twinkling orbs of red-tinged jet. “Catch them going and coming, and skin them both ways, is it?” “Yaw. Vhy. nodt?” coolly demanded this odd specimen of the genus specu- lator. “Uff a mans gids trunk, he vhas a vool. Uff he vhas a vool, he tond’t got some sense. Uff he got no sense vhat pisnees hef he got mit some oney; hey?” “There’s logic for you, at any rate!” admitted the Hotspur. “T tond’t know me some—lotchick!” with wary shake of long-haired head and shrug of sloping shoulders. “I knows me only pusinees all oafer. I puy me scheeb, und I sell me tear. I eadt me leedle, und I cook me only vhat I tond’t gan sell. Uff I haf me a pite on mein vork und a vheller ‘he say, ‘I vandt dot’ —goot! I sell me dot pite, and shaw me mein dongue undill I hef ’nodder got readty—so! ’”’ It was now the Hotspur’s turn to shrug shoulders, which he did with averted gaze, for this undisguised avarice began to disgust his honest soul. And yet—how much was truth, how much’ adroit semblance? Almost from their first encounter, now a couple of hours and a goodly number of miles further away from Hardshell, Ar- lington fancied this queerly garbed and oddly talking stranger was something more than he permitted to show on the surface. With a keen eye for faces and an al- most perfect ear for tones, Hotspur Hal could not say that he had ever met this man before; and still that curious doubt lingered, ~ Only for that fancy Arlington would have passed on with little more than the usual salytations of the day. As it was, he had moderated his pace to more near- ly suit that of the footman, covertly. studying his chance acquaintance from that time to this, What the result would have been had nothing occurred to interrupt that covert study can only be surmised; but such an interruption did come,’ and in a far from agreeable guise, It was a wild and romantic trail by which the tri-weekly stage covered the leagues lying between Capsheaf and Hardshell, and just now the oddly matched wayfarers were crossing that portion locally known as “ The Divide,” where the road itself was barely, wide enough for a single team to pass, its left hand edged with ragged rocks torn from a nearly solid ledge by drill and explod- ing giant powder. | Beyond this low fence, or guard, lay a deep gulch, its nearly perpendicular walls marked with rock points and darkened by evergreen shrubs, too gnarled and stunted in growth to merit the title of trees. . With never a thot ght of 1 eril entering | | thet minds as they progressed, the two proba bound ‘aged Hardshell - seeing and hearing naught to give un- easiness until they were fairly rounding the abrupt “elbow” in the trail. Then— widening out, with cover springing up along the right-hand side, out of which voice made itself heard in dire challenge: “Halt! Hands up or eat lead!” That snake-like coil resolved itself into an uncoiling lasso, the pliant loop of which settled deftly over head of horse, closing with a vicious pluck almost be- ble was in the air. Although Henry Arlington had barely completed his third decade of life, nearly one-half of that term had been spent amid scenes of danger and trial, and com- plete though this surprise assuredly was, he swiftly took action, prompt as it was decisive. The noose had scarcely: time to close about neck of horse ere it parted from the rest of the lasso with a sharp twang, cleanly severed by the keen-edged blade which flashed through the air the very, next second. The startled animal ‘had instinctively recoiled, resisting the cruel strain which was so suddenly thrown upon its neck, and now, as the rope gave way, it stag- gered on that rocky footing. Hotspur Hal was thrown forward and sideways until he lay far over the with- never have fared worse but for totally unexpected treachery. from the lungs of Johan Halliboober, and at the same instant Arlington felt a strong hand clutch his left ankle, giving pays of his horse, completed his down- a A savage cry burst from his lips as the Sport felt himself pitching headlong out of the saddle, and even as ‘he struck heay- ily upon the rocky. trail he could dis- tinguish Johan crying aloud for mercy! “Cover him, lads!” added that stern voice, as its owner sprang fairly out of cover and made a deft clutch at the bridle reins. ‘Don’t give him a chance to— Take or kill ’em both!” It seemed like breath wasted, for even ,as the words crossed his masked lips ‘sturdy knaves were rushing from am- bush, some pouncing upon the over- thrown Sport, others grasping Halli- and mercy. him, Hotspur Hal proved none too easy a prey, struggling fiercely, writhing and squirming equal to a slipperly eel, final- ly breaking holds far enough to grasp a revolver and work the double action, question while that living mass covered his head and shoulders. That report sounded smothered to his own ears, and Arlington could guess at the results only through catching a say- age curse and cry, unless from the re-. newed ferocity with which he was grap- pled and crushed into subjection. More than one cruel blow was delivered ere that subjection was completed, but when the pistol was wrested from his about his throat, shutting off the breath of life, Hotspur Hal gave in, as any wise man ought. well for their training, the footpads — stripped him of all weapons and knott upon his feet, two of the masked ki gripping each an elbow, while awa further orders, | 4 He who acted as their jenaat wa | ing the horse in subjection, utte SoD. commands, as to JustttR,, ape id n0 The road turned away from the gulch . at a fairly. sharp angle, at the same time © fore rider or footman could realize trou- ‘ ers of his nag, but so good a rider would | There came a howl of terrified protest — him a lift and toss which, added to the : impetus received through the staggering | boober, treating him none the less rudely ~ because of Lis quavering cries for pity | Even with the odds so heavily against . though aiming was wholly out of the ~ grasp and harsh hands closed fiercely With an adroit celerity which spoke - 4 arms behind his back, then jerked him a shot a snaky coil, even as a clear, stern | —_— ‘ ey a Aon
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= a a a ¥ ’ \, ture proved complete, he spoke wp, sharply: “Good enough, lads! Take ’em both back under cover. Clap a stopper on their jJawing tackle if either fellow tries to sing too loud!” Hotspur Hal was dizzy and nearly blinded by the desperate struggle so late- ly undergone; yet he had sight sufficient ' left him to take brief note of his trail companion, likewise in bonds. The brace of captives were hustled off at a lively rate, leaving the stage road and passing through a narrow defile, which quickly widened out into a com- paratively clear and level tract of open ground, Yonder were tethered a number of horses, and coming from that same direction was a figure which, even under such circumstances, caused’ the Hotspur Sport to give start and slight ejaculation. “A woman!” “Captain Judy, at your service, sir!” came the ready, response, followed by a clear, musical laugh, as gloved hands managed neat riding skirt while their mistress hent in graceful courtesy. “Captain Judy—you?” “Why not, pray? Have you any par- ticular fault to find with—” One of those gloved hands shifted to grip pearl and silver butt of revolver, while masked and plumed head was tossed in swift resentment; but Hotspur Hal was far from being a fool, and made prompt amends. “Only with fate that I Punch!” “Instead of being Dennis Pants, is it?” with another merry laugh, which certainly sounded out of place under ex- isting circumstances. “It’s a mighty, flip tongue you carry about with you, any- way, stranger!” Just then a man and horse passed be- tween them, blocking the ready reply which would have come from the Sport, a surly voice making itself heard: “Business, Judy; this isn’t Flirtation Corner, d’y’ mind?” “ All right, major. I wouldn’t flirt with a sick kitten!” Madame Judy. certainly had no lack of good nature, if one was to judge from her ready laughter; and despite his own far from agreeable predicament, Hotspur Hal followed that graceful shape with his eyes as Captain Judy turned away, bear- ing the leader company, as the horse was led across to a stunted pine, there to be tied for the time being. ““Who is she? Surely not—then it isn’t all lies, what rumor has to say about a.woman road-agent?”’ Keen as was the Sport’s curiosity con- cerning this masked enigma, it gave way to. a far different sentiment as a groan- ing sound caused his head to turn swift- ly toward a far less agreeable object: the bound and shivering figure of Johan Hal- liboober. “Ach! Mein cracious cootness! Sooch drouples—sooch drouples all oafer me in a bile!” ‘You infernal scoundrel! What made you give me the dirty dump?” almost savagely exploded the Hotspur, wrench- ing at his bonds, as though itching for a fair grasp at the Dutch member, “T neffer—I neffer do dot!” quavered Johan, shrinking away like one with a fresh access of terror. “So hellup me kee-riminy kee-ristmas all oafer! I vhas s0—ach! stob him, somepody!”’ Failing to break his bonds asunder, am not— yet stung to fury by the memory of that treacherous action, Arlington strode for- ward and aimed a vicious kick at the Dutchman, only to be foiled by Johan with an awkward jump and dodge. Before his assault could be improved upon, strong hands grasped the Sport and held him helpless, in obedience to the ’ gharp command issued by Major Punch. “ What are you trying to kick up such a row about, anyway, young fellow?” was his sharp demand, as he came quick- ly forward. ” tN opd all right, sir,” cried Arlington, 5 ssid 3 Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. ceasing his useless. struggles, yet with | none the less anger in face, eyes, and tone. “Just turn me loose for two sec- onds by the watch, and if I don’t spread you a carpet of sauerkraut, schweitzer- kase, and limburger—” “Do it, Punch—let ’em loose, major!” cried Captain Judy, clapping her hands as one in high glee at the circus in pros- pective. “Yes, do it,” cried Hotspur, “and Ill show you more fun in a minute than you can forget in a solid month!” “ Ach! Mein cracious cootness! groaned the Dutchman, shivering and shrinking afresh. “I vhas crowing me sick some more, alreadty! ” “What’s your grudge against Dutch, stranger?” demanded Major Punch. “Didn’t he give me the foot just as I was about to—” “And so saved your life,” crisply cut in the chief of road-agents, with an im- patient gesture. “I had you lined. An- other moment and I would have—well, you're here and alive, instead of being— heap worse off!” “That’s all right, maybe, if you only think so. I don’t. And I say it all over: turn me loose for just ten seconds—” “For what purpose, pray?” “To thump a free lunch out of that scoundrel who dumped me!” “Acht’ No, no! I neffer meant—I neffer vhas—I scare me so pad I vhas go grazy py mein sdomach all oafer! I hear me somepody say, ‘ Dutch, crap a root!’ Und so—und so—I dinks me dot vhas a root, alreadty!” “ What! you infernal liar from—” “ Dot vhas so; I say, me it in my bray- ers! Uff it vhasn’t so, I go kick me a shackass mid!” protested Johan. In spite of his just indignation, Hot- spur Hal cvuld not wholly refrain from joining in the laugh which this asser- tion raised among their captors; but he was still angry enough to fling a stern threat at the head of his unreliable ac- quaintance of the afternoon. “That’s all right for now, Dutchy. I'll settle your accounts later on, and the payment will be none the lighter for having to wait. Now,’ he added, turn- ing more directly toward the road-agent leader, “what comes next, gentlemen?” “Wait a bit, please,” answered Major Punch; then, turning upon the other pris- oner to sharply demand: “Who and what are you, Dutehy? ” Whereupon Johan Halliboober glibly rattled off a more or less involved ex- planation, the kernel of which was pretty much the same as he laid before Hal Arlington; that he was bound for Hard- shell, there to set up business in the second-hand way. “T yhas a boor mans all oafer, goot shendlemans; so boorer as dot Shob’s durkey-cock in der piple-pook! I hef me dwo, dree, gouble tollars or so, like’ dot. I vhas crowing oldt py mein silfer hairs; see? Und so I dells me like dose: ‘Co you avay oudt vest, mein son! Co you vhere you may puy cheab und sell tear, und lay me ub some moneys vor dot oldt age vich is greebing on dop uff you so schwiftly! Co you und—’” With an impatient mutter Major Punch flung out a gloved hand and_ sharply smote those volubly spluttering lips, cut- ting short the explanation which he had demanded. Johan staggered back, but was quickly checked. The road-agent locked fingers where long hair and straggly beard came together, giving a jerk and pull which brought a muffled how] of protesting pain frum the luckless Dutchman’s lips. Major Punch plainly suspected a cun- ning disguise, but if he hoped to thus tear aside the mask, he was doomed to suffer disappointment, for neither hair nor beard came away in answer to his tug. “Just cork that howl up, will you, Dutch? I'll talk to you further on, but for now—hold your hush. or fare the worse! © anyway, Tab we Pile: B3hL A, Then he turned abruptly upon Hot- spur Hal, saying: “Now, I'll attend to your. case, my pretty fellow!” CHAPTER II. THE MAN WITH A HANDCART. By. this time the Hotspur Sport had — regained his wonted coolness, and was clearly prepared for whatever fate might hold in store. Instead of betraying either uneasiness or dread, he gave a brief nod, then coolly spoke: “Excuse my hand, pardner. I don’t know a living soul I’d rather close fingers upon than—you are Major Punch, are you not?” “Who are you that crows so mighty :. brash, first? ”’ 34) Half-white and free-born. I can tell you who I am not, easier, though.” “What do you mean by that?” “That I’m not afraid to show my face to either friend or enemy. Can you say the same, Major Punch?” “Never mind my face for just now. We’re here for business, not for idle chaff or—” “There’s only one face on the big foot- stool I’d rather gaze upon, and that is— will you favor me, Captain Judy?” turn- - ing far enough to front that feminine a iby bowing with mock reverence the while. “Thanks, awfully,” retorted that enig-. matic dame or damsel, giving courtesy, for bow, then adding: “But I prefer a handaomer looking-glass, my dear stran- ger! ” “And I thought I was so pretty!” with a vigorous sigh. “That’s where two fools met: thought and thinker!” a bit viciously retorted the feminine road-agent, shrugging shoul- ders and turning partly aside, as though done with that subject, once for all, “ Another slap in the face! Well, I’ll try hard to survive. And so—what comes next, Major Punch?” “About this fellow,” with wave of hand toward Johan Halliboober, ‘“ What do you know of him, anyway?” “T can’t tell you just what he is, sir, but I can tell you what he will be.” “ And that is?—’ “The sorriest Sheeny that ever talked through his nose, once I get a fair shake at the scoundrel!” almost savagely vowed the Hotspur. The other prisoner sent up a husky — howl of protest at this speech. “Nein, nein! I vhas me no Shew! I hef me no ‘Sheeny plood inside me, effer vonee! I vhas bure Chermans all oafer! I neffer know vhy—” “Choke him off, lads!” sternly com- manded Major Punch, and on the instant Johan was grappled by a brace of lusty © knayves, who quickly throttled him into , subjection and silence both. Hotspur Hal watched this with curling lip, as one might who felt himself proof | against such clumsy, deception. Right or wrong, he was giving Dutch Johan cred® for belonging to this gang of law breakers, and for playing his diffi- cult part with rather more than average ° acuteness; still, playing a part past all doubting. Waiting until he saw MHalliboober quelled by the footpads, the chief of road- agents turned again upon his other cap- tive, speaking crisply: “Now, then, who are you? What are | you, stranger? nf “Well, since you ask it so politely, here you are. My name is Henry Arling- ton, sometimes called Hotspur Hal. I’m a white man by birth, a sport by profes- sion, and my home is wherever I hang _ up my hat for supper.” “Where from and whither bound?” “From Capsheaf last, headed for Hard- shell. tion depends reckon.” “How are you fixed, Amancially?” “None too liberally. , I owned a few upon w04, and. yours, T Whether I ever make my .destina- |
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* Pets h . 4. dollars a bit ago; just now I suppose that belongs to another master.” “ How long have you known this fel- low?” “Too long. Only for him—”’ “You might have fared heap worse, as I told you before.” * All right. Turn about is no more than fair play, so—who and what are you?” ‘‘Major Punch, for the who; I fancy you can guess at the what without further assistance,” dryly. responded the outlaw. “And I am Captain Judy, very much at your service, sir!” quoth that indi- vidual, tripping gracefully forward, spreading her rather scanty skirts, the sight better to do full justice to her profound | courtesy. Hotspur Hal gazed keenly into that masked face, taking note of the eyes which sparkled through the oval slits in silken covering, yet foiled in his effort to fully determine their hue. A trim-built, brisk-moving figure, clad for ease in the saddle, as well as to please feminine modesty, after a fashion. Jetty hair hanging in a thick braid down her back, while head was crowned with a plumed toque, well fitted for fast riding in case of an emergency. About the trim waist glimmered a belt of stamped leather, with silver mount- ings, fastened to which was sheath for ivory hafted knife and a brace of pearl- handled revolvers. All this was taken in at a single glance, and failing to catch any more definite eclew to her identity, Hotspur Hal bowed with grace to match her own, audacious- ly speaking: “Your servant, fair Mask! Next to holding, I would rather be held up by— Captain Judy!” 4 “Oh, you naughty, naughty man! simpered the fair dame, drooping head ecoyly. and shaking her shoulders with - counterfeit bashfulness. “A fellow who wouldn’t sin for you, Captain Judy, wouldn’t eat a ripe plum that dropped fairly between his lips,” declared Arlington. ‘ “ Ah, me! If fate had only been kinder! If we had met before—’ “ Judy! ” “Oh, gracious! I forgot where—why didn’t you say you were listening and watching, Punch?” In spite of himself, Hotspur was obliged to smile at this folly, but know- _ ing that his situation could scarcely be made worse, he was about to press the play further, when Major Punch inter- posed in earnest. “ Enough foolery, Mr. Arlington. Judy, cork it up, will you?” “Driven home, wired, waxed, and capped, my dear major!” “ Fall back a bit, please, then. "T'would take four men, a dog, and a pile 0’ cats to keep that clapper of yours from ring- ing on the empty air, Judy!” “Compliments on tap—I don’t think!” muttered the insulted female, flouncing off in high dudgeon—appareutly. From first to last Hotspur Hal had been on the keen alert for something more than had as yet befallen, nor was he mistaken. Although they might jest, and even exchange compliments on occasion, these gentry of the road and trail had a keen eye for business, and the fine words which had passed between them by no means prevented a thorough rifling. A neat sum of money, mainly in bank- notes, was taken from Arlington, but he never made a kick at that, although it represented his whole capital at present. But when his pistols were taken, to- gether with the belt which had supported them and his trusty knife, he did enter a * protest in good earnest. “Play at least half-way white, Major Punch,” he said, harshly. ‘ You are wel- come to the money, at least until I can ask for it back; but my guns; draw the loads and see that I haven’t a cartridge Jeft, if you like, but don’t take them!” + Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. “Shut up. You’re too mighty ready to use guns, pardner. ’ Twas only blind luck that kept you from doing mischief out yonder.” * You’re all cur, then, major?” But the road-agent turned away with- out retort or reply, personally searching and robbing the Dutchman, paying not the slightest heed to the mumbled pray- ers and pleadings for leniency on Johan’s part. “Ach! Mein himmel in ghory! Ach! I vhas ropped—I yhas ruint all oafer! I vill me co sdarfe vhen I gits me dot blace py! I hef me no moneys vor—ach! I co me grazy in my sdomachs—yaw! ” “Shut trap, you howling donkey!” “ Ach! I vhas ruint—I hef me co deach school or dake in vashing py, der veek! I hev me—ach!”’ Major Punch flung up a hand, and two men pounced upon the lamenting Ger- man, choking off his moans, amid their own grim cnucklings. Before more could be done a peculiar sound came floating through the air, and Captain Judy cried out, sharply: “ Business, all! That means—” “Some one on the trail!” cut in Major Punch. “Hustle these men back out of sight and hearing, Judy, while I— buckle down to business, my lads! May- be this is what we’ve been waiting for ever since—” So much Hotspur Hal could distinguish amid that general bustle and confusion, but then he was grappled with and forced hastily away, his back turned toward the stage road, his face toward the wilder recesses lying beyond “ The Divide.” Not such a long journey; only. across to where the horses of the lawless band were tethered, in fact; but as ‘Major Punch and his other men moved away in an opposite direction, all purposes were served, and Hotspur Hal was left to feed upon imagination in place of facts. Captain Judy no doubt read aright the powerful curiosity which was visible in the Sport’s face, for she drew a revolver from her girdle, cocking the weapon even as she spoke, in cool, clear accents: “You're a mighty pretty fellow, Sport; a tall man and nice! I feel that ’twould be no very difficult matter to love one like you, if only my heart and hand weren’t already engaged.” “T always was in cruel hard luck!” sighed the Hotspur. “And you'll be in still worse without you’ve brought a bit of good sense to help balance your cheek, Mr. Arlington. In other words—if you try to kick up even the ghost of a row before full per- mission is granted, I’ll lift your roof so high it'll only come down in a red rain!” That pretty weapon rose until the muz- zle lightly dented a temple for an instant, then Captain Judy fell back a pace, standing on guard, with a couple of lusty knaves as aids and backers. Meanwhile, Major Punch and his fel- lows had hastened back to the stage trail, there to reform their ambuscade, warned of coming prey by thé outlaw on the lookout. There was little time to waste in pre- liminaries, for even now a strong, if not especially musical, voice was audible, trolling forth a ditty which, some two- score years before the present date, had been a favorite with knights of the golden fleece. “T soon shall be in Frisco, lads, And there I'll look all ’round, And when I see the gold lumps there, I'll pick ’em off the ground; I'll scrape the mountains clean, my boys, _ ll drain the rivers dry, A pocketful of rocks bring home, So, brothers, don’t you cry! Oh, California! That’s the land for me; I’m bound for San Francisco With my washbow! on my knee!” at the top of his voice, a man in rough garb came within eye range of the wait- ing road-agents, and Major Punch mut- tered an order in eager tones, just as though he felt fully assured the coveted prize was at last well within his grip. “own him—you’ve got to take him, lads!” ‘ And yet, surely there was small pros- pect for rith pickings from yonder typi- cal prospector, now letting his battered: handecart roll of its own weight down the slope, merely guiding its progress with dingy hands, ungreased wheels creaking on rusty, spindle, the whole outfit looking: not worth a second glance from covetous. eyes, The miner was still upon the straight stretch of road, bordered with stone guard to the dangerous gulch, whem Major Punch and his men broke cover, pistols in hand and ready for action. “Hands up, there!” harshly command- ed the road-agent, as he sprung to the front. “Hold, you infernal idiot!” For, seemingly frightened nearly out of his wits by that sudden irruption of armed men, the digger recoiled, then. whirled his rickety cart around, as. though ,thinking to find safety in head- long flight with his humble belongings, Instead, the time-weakened wheels struck heavily against the rocks piled along the verge of the gulch, one giving. way, and so pitching the whole rude out- fit over into space—pick and shovel, pan and coffee pot, meal bag and flitch of none too cleanly kept side méat! With a wild yell of mingled rage, fright, and despair, the prospector stum- bled himself, falling in’ an awkward heap and rolling over and over in his desperate efforts to retrieve his error; and above all rung forth the fierce challenge of the outlaw leader: “Stop, you fool! Hold—hands up, or I'll turn you to a sifter!” With a violent flopping of limbs, the digger turned over in a sitting posture, elevating both arms above his head, shak- ing tangled locks out of ‘his eyes the bet- ter to distinguish those armed shapes. One look that way, another at the point where his belongings had vanished, then the fellow broke into a perfect flood of curses against the foul luck streak which had come across his pathway in life. “Grubstake gone to blazes, an’ me plum’ shoal on the bar!” he huskily wailed, maintaining his position as the road-agents came closer: “My last chaince gwine up the flume, an’ now— oh, help me cuss the luck, cain’t ye, strangers? ” Major Punch stooped a bit, as though for a closer look, then drew ‘his tall figure erect once more, with a mocking laugh, . to say: “Come, come, now; that’s entirely too thin, old friend!” CHAPTER III. WHERE IS THE MONEY? “Too thin?” echoed the prospector, hands lowering far enough to clasp his. shaggy pow and give it a despairing Shake. “It’s a streak o’ crooked luck so mighty thick ye couldn’t give it fa’r measure with a forty-foot pole!” — “Come, come, take a brace, pardner.” “That’s easy ’nough fer you to say, dug-gun ye all over!” growlingly retort- ted the digger. ‘“ But fer me—jest the cv one weenty, grubstake, an’ it gone to blazes by ’xpress; An’ me never two red cents to rub ag’inst the other, nur. credit to kiver even the ghost of a meal! “An” me—” Again Major Punch leaned closer to the mourner, eyes fairly glowing through the holes in his mask. In spite of his seeming despair at evil fortunes, the miner shrunk perceptibly, and then the chief of road-agents drew erect once more, giving vent to a harsh, © mocking laugh. “Yas, you kin snicker to snort, blame ace Ae ye!” surlily mumbled AY ea Mee
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Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. 5 e<rouching there in the rocky trail like a crippled being. “‘ But fer me—’”’ “Ruined, are you, pardner? ” “ Bu’sted so mighty flat that I couldn’t —an’ you make ‘heap sight o’ fun out of dt all, don’t ye, now?” “And you haven’t anything left you, poor devil? All gone; even hope and, ex- pectations? ” “Gone; over the dump!” with a spasmodic nod and flirt of dingy paw toward rock guard-and shadowed gulch. “Durn the luck, aryhow!” Major Punch laughed right heartily at this, head going back and gloved hands ¢clasping sides as though his ribs were suffering through boisterous mirth, Those untimely sounds must have aroused the curiosity of Captain Judy, for she came hurrying to the trail, speaking sharply, yet in tones not wholly devoid of music: “What's biting you, pardner? Have you caught a tarantula instead of—our particular game?” “Caught the original barnacle, Judy; fook at him, will you? The only and Simon-pure original Barnacle! First to hit Cherry Creek. First to strike pick and ply, shovel. First to fill and wash a pan for thé pretty colors which—bah! ” With a swift movement Major Punch came closer to where the fellow was still | crouching; then, speaking in sneering! tones: “Dead broke and eternally ruined, is it, stranger? Well, now, maybe we can help you out of the hole, just for luck. And so—how much will you take for the option you hold on the Hot Stuff?” The prospector shrank a bit further, catching his breath like one given a sud- den douche of ice water. “Ph? I don’t—” “Bah! You’re playing it mighty well, old man, but it’s too thin—decidedly too thin!” cried the road-agent, then mak- ing ‘a sudden snatch at that shaggy, head, tearing away both hair and beard, ex- posing to view a smoothly shaven face and closely cropped skull. “Come out o’ that, Leonard Boul- mare!” he cried, in fierce triumph, as he waved the mass of false hair on high. “Well played, but—” ‘ As though on powerful springs just set free, the counterfeit prospector leaped to his feet, with a hoarse cry of rage and hatred, then surged forward with clutch- dng fingers, as he fairly snarled: “You devil! Whoare you? Show your face or—” But Major Punch was not a man to be @o easily grappled where his interests ran the other way, and, paying no heed to the warning cries as they came from lips of man and woman, he ducked that half blow, half clutch, stepping swiftly aside to evade that plunge, at the same time thrusting forth a deft foot, across which his assailant tripped in his blind rage. Swift as thought itself the outlaw threw out a strong hand, striking the luckless fellow between the shoulders, thus. completing his downfall, With ugly force Leonard Boulware plunged headlong to earth, rolling over and over along that flinty slope, checked only by the stout knaves, who were swift to*act in their turn. “Don’t hurt him, lads!” cried Major Punch, voice full to overflowing with un- holy triumph the while. “Handle him like eggs of gold, for he’s worth more to us than a dozen stage coaches—yes! ” With fellows so handy with their tools, *twas but brief work to disarm and bind behind his back the hands of the un- masked wayfarer, half-stunned as_ he surely was by that ugly fall. While the knaves were thus engaged, Captain Judy spoke in brief, sharp whis- pers to her mate, Major Punch replying in like tones. “What comes next, boss?” asked one . of the footpads, as Boulware was lifted upon his feet and held by pinioned el- "Hows. ~ ““Steady him—so! -Now you can fall j dear fellow! back a bit, lads. I hardly think the gen- tleman will tempt us with a footrace,” grimly. mocked the leader, Left to himself, Leonard Boulware steadied his trembling limbs as best,he could, exposed face paler than usual, but by no means that of either cur or craven. “Not at you, you scoundrel!” he pant- ed, huskily, a hot flush leaping into face as he noted that derisive chuckle. “I’m badly shaken up, but in spite of that, and old as I am, I can make you eat dirt if given even half a chance!” “Oh, we all know you’re a mighty tough nut to crack, Boulware, but this time you’ve bitten off heap sight too much! , And—the idea of a church deacon of your caliber—actually trying to cheat the toll takers, Lenny!” “Tm no church deacon, but I can make you say your prayers—” “While I can take up the collection, eh? So—fork over, Lenny! Pay as you go, and you'll live all the longer, my. Come! you have got more than one man’s share of the filthy lucre, Lenny, and—” : “ How do you know so mighty much?” fiercely cut-in the prisoner. “That’s my business, dear fellow, and you shouldn’t waste precious time by. ask- ing ridiculous questions. You’ve got money enough along to richly repay all the trouble we’ve been put to in holding you up, so—for the last time of asking: fork over what you owe, Lenny!” Instead of flinching or betraying fresh rage at this blunt demand for tribute, the prisoner laughed, shortly, harshly, more like victor than vanquished. *“ Byes open, pardner!’”’ warned Captain Judy, in a swift whisper from where she was taking keen notes. ‘“‘ He means mis- chief—sure! ” “ You'll hardly feel like retiring on the wealth you steal from me, this trip, any- way.”’ “What do you mean by that?” “Just this much: You had the laugh on me when you held up the stage and emptied my pockets, two weeks ago, Major Punch; but for now—the laugh is on my side.” “What do you mean, I say, curse you?” “That you are badly fooled if you think to get any big money from me this trip. I mean just that; neither more nor less.” “Bah! tell that to the marines, for I know better. And to prove it, I’ll just go through your clothes—so fashion! ” With the air of one who confidently ex- pects to make his wildest expectations more than good, Major Punch suited ac- tions to words, swiftly and thoroughly searching his latest captive. He found some money; a few dollars in coin, with a couple of notes by which the total was doubled; but these he flung aside with a vicious curse, to search fur- ther and yet more closely. “You've got all there is of it, Major ‘Punch,” coolly declared the one under ex- amination, only to have a heavy hand smite his lips as the outlaw cried in turn: “You lie, Leonard Boulware! There is more—thousands and thousands of it! You had it; you were trying to sneak in enough to pay for the Hot Stuff! Where. is it, you hound?” ““Where is what, pray?’’ “The cash—the money you needed to pay off Moses Grinberg—to maxe good the option you hold on his claim, the Hot Stuff? ” Boulware forced a brief laugh before making answer. “Time enough and to spare, major. The date is not nearly here, yet. Don’t you worry, though; I’ll have the cool, hard cash in Hardshell amply in time for making good that option, in spite of you or the devil!” Through all this Captain Judy had been on the keen alert, using her eyes and her wits as well. Now, as Major Punch broke into a storm of mingled threats and imprecations, she stepped quickly to the front and spoke toe the point: “He hasn’t it on his person, pardner, but that cuts noice. He did have it, else why such a disguise? ” “A Daniel come to judgment!” quoth Boulware, sneeringly. “That leaves only one other way; it went over the dump with his handcart!” With an involuntary ery and impreca- tion Boulware strove to burst his bonds, the effort fetching a couple of road-agents to his side with a leap, holding him fair- ly impotent, He quieted down almost immediately, forcing a laugh which was meant to con- vey both scorn and ridicule with its de- fiance; but Captain Judy was not so read- ily deceived. “Look at his face!” she cried, in tri- umph, to her mate in mask. “ Ah-ha, my pretty fellow! You can throw dust in masculine eyes, but when it comes to foolishing a woman—not' any!” Again Boulware forced a laugh, but ‘twas too late. He had betrayed himself, and even Major Punch could see as much, now. “ Hustle him back to where the others are, lads,” came his curt command, and, in spite of the desperate struggle which he put up against such heavy odds, Leon- ard Boulware was removed, as directed. Meanwhile, Captain Judy had passed to the point where the rock guard was marked by the wheels of the handeart, leaning far over, to peer downward in search of the real or purely imaginary treasure. “It’s gone clear to the bottom, I reck- on, Punch,” she said, as the major came to her side. “It’s there, safe enough, though! Of course, he had the stuff along; if not, why rig up after such a fashion? ” “Oh, blast the whys and wherefores,” gruffiy cut in her comrade, as he turned away, after one glance down the gulch. “ Come! we’ve got to go around and climb down yonder, or—come, Judy!” The two head outlaws hurried away on their errand, followed by such of the road-agents as were not otherwise en- gaged. It was a difficult bit of work, reaching the bottom of the gulch without going miles around; and that loss-of time could hardly be afforded. More than once both captain and major called for aid from some of their knaves; but in the end the bottom was reached, and in semi-darkness they hurried as rapidly as possible along to the spot where the rickety old handeart had come tumbling down the nearly perpendicular wall of rock. Captain Judy was first upon the scene, giving a little cry of exultation as she found, the torn meal sack and scattered contents of the handcart. But where was the longed-for prize? In vain they searched here and there, tearing open the ragged bag and flinging the remnant of meal far and wide, break- ing down bushes and tearing up vines which might possibly have hidden the treasure, All in vain! Nothing could be seen of the money, and even Captain Judy was beginning to feel like uniting with her cursing consort over their ill luck: when a sudden alarm came from the higher ground. “Hark!” cried Captain Judy, flinging up a hand to command attention. “It’s the devil to pay,(surely!” thun- dered Major Punch, in hot rage. CHAPTER IV. HALLIBOOBER PLAYS A TRUMP. While all this was being planned and executed, Hotspur Hal was standing quietly under guard, like a man who wishes to make the best of an awkward situation, Thanks to the wild and roving life he had led almost since childhood, this was by no means his first practical experi- ence with road-agents and their peculiar
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St SSS TR a Re = - 6 Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. Ways; hence he was better prepared for the test of nerves than might have been other men to the full as fearless as him- sel. Johan Halliboober was a far different- seeming prisoner, lying in an ugly heap beside a gray bowlder, now rocking to and fro, as he huskily mourned his ma- terial losses, then shivered with bowed head and rounded shoulders. There was a little sensation when gounds came from the stage trail, telling of another successful hold-up. Even Johan “took a brace” for the time being, although he seemed unable to forget his monetary, loss for even an in- stant. Then Captain Judy stole silently’ away, leaving only two men on guard over the prisoners. Both of these knaves seemed to take a deeper interest in what might be going on across yonder than in their own espe- cial charge; and the Hotspur coolly test- ed the cords by which his wrists were pinioned behind his back. If they had snapped or slipped suffi- ciently far, there certainly would have been a merry little circus right in that vicinity; but it was fated not to come after that fashion. The thongs held firm, and when the sport threw greater strength into the effort to break away, he made noise and movement sufficient to call notice his way. A revolver muzzle covered him in a flash, and over the leveled tube came the grim warning: “Stiddy, thar, sport! I'll spyle yer pritty looks fer keeps ef ye make ary mo’ trouble. Simmer, now!” “ Ah, now, pardner!” drawled the Hot- spur, with admirgble coolness. “If I can’t do my own work, just scratch the tip of my, nose, will you? Got an itch there that reminds me of the time when —thanks, awfully!” That muzzle moved closer, rubbing against the organ specified until the grateful sport drew back appeased! Satisfied now that he could not break away, but must await other methods of release, Arlington waited and used his ears, trying to keep tab on what might be transpiring over yonder in the stage trail. Presently Leonard Boulware was hus- tled that way, treated with even less cere- mony than had been displayed in the case of the two earlier captives. “Ketched him, didn’t ye?” eagerly eried one of the guards, clearly recog- nizing the counterfeit prospector, now his disguise had been torn away. “Get the boodle, too?” : “Not yit, but we’re gwine fer to—stay putt, blame ye fer a cantakerous crit- ter!” In savage rage, as Leonard Boulware kicked his shins while making another despairing effort at freedom, the burly agent flung his captive rudely across a bowlder, adding while the luckless fellow struggled to regain his balance: “Play white, ye blame’ critter, or ye’ll sup sorrow with a long spoon in great gobs! Durn a contrairy jack-don- key done up into a man’s pelt, aryway!” “Keep a eye on him, mates,” gruffly ordered the other fellow, as he turned away in haste to join in that search for the missing treasure. “I’m gwine fer to holp the boss out; I be!”’ His mate looked powerfully tempted to follow suit, but then thought better of it. This left but three men on guard, and neither of them cared to invite the reprobation of their stern chieftain. Hotspur Hal made an instinctive move- ment toward lending the fallen stranger a helping hand, but only to be reminded of his own present impotency. Mr. Boulware managed to scramble to his feet after a bit, face pale as that of a corpse, save where a little rill of blood had begun to trickle down from a slight wound inflicted by contact with a corner of that gray bowlder. “Tough luck, pardner,” sympathetic- ally, muttered the sport, as their eyes met. “So tough that—” “But it might have been worse, you know,” swiftly inserted Arlington, true to his maxim of always looking on the bright side of the shield when one could be found, Boulware groaned bitterly, shaking his head like one well-nigh lost in the depths of black despair, “Worse?” he echoed, worse with me, sir!” “Oh, yes, it could, pardner. For in- stance: You’re all alive, and that means worth a whole graveyard full of ordinary stiffs, don’t ye know?” “Don’t ye git too turribly frisky, thar, critters,” one of the guards thought it best to give warning over a shoulder, briefly turning away from the quarter in which his deeper interest so plainly lay. “ That’s all right, Mister Johnny-with- a-big-gun,” retorted the Hotspur, easily. “ Reckon there’s no law against our wag- ging tongues, since that’s pretty much the only sample of liberty that’s left us?” “Waal, don’t ye git too turribly frisky, all the same, now!” repeated the knave. “ Devil—all devils!” huskily muttered Boulware, twisting his hampered arms as best he might, only to again feel how securely he was bound. “I’d give a full year of my life lease just: for one min- ute—’”’ “And that’s precious long odds, too, don’t you know?” Boulware turned more directly that way, concentrating his gaze upon that fairly handsome visage like one search- ing for a possible likeness; but then he shook his head, muttering: “T don’t—I never met you before, sir? But—that devil of all devils! I’d rather have given my left hand than had this happen!” “You lost a pretty pile, then, I take it, sir?” observed Hotspur. Boulware gave start and stare, shaking his head, as he drew back a bit with suddenly born suspicion. “JT don’t know you, sir! I have no recollection of ever—you’re an utter stranger to me, sir!” “We're on even terms so far as that matter goes, anyway,” coolly retorted the sport; then, adding in a bit more serious tones: “I hope the major and his imps will find what they’re looking for, though.” “ Why? loss?” “Well, if they fail to find it, they’ll take full pay out of our hides; and I’ve only got the one I’m wearing at present!” Only one of the three guards stood wholly faithful to his trust, and even he was standing with face turned in the di- rection of yonder “ dump,” listening with all his power, in hopes of catching the glad cry which would announce the longed-for discovery. His two mates gradually moved further away, yet without entirely abandoning their charge; and as ‘he noted this, Hot- spur Hal saw something else which aroused no little curiosity within his breast. From one corner of his eye he caught an indistinct glimpse of Johan Halli- boober in motion, and turning that way witbout a sound which could attract notice from the guard, Arlington saw the junk man rising to his feet, eyes upon that same guard, but with a glittering blade bared in his dirty right hand! With a return of his former suspicions Hotspur Hal parted lips to make a sharp comment, when Johan made an implor- ing gesture, creeping without the slight- est sound his way. A brace of seconds later Arlington felt that blade slipping between his wrists with a sawing motion, then felt those tense bonds relax; to actually fall apart and leave him at liberty the next mo- ment! “Tt couldn’t be How dare you.hope for—my “ Keviet, mein goot vriendt!” begged Halliboober, in the veriest ghost of @ whisper, reversing the pocketknife and leaving haft between those mechanically closing fingers, as he breathed in addi- tion: ‘‘ Make him like you vhas, now, al- readty, vhile I coes me make some droubles mit dot oogly tuyfel py yonter! I vhas co grazy py mein sdomach uff ye tond’t vhas—ach; shiminy kee-ristmas! ’” For just then the nearest guard unluck- © ily turned for a precautionary glance at his charges, giving a wild yell of angry dismay as he saw at least one of those captives with arms at liberty. Like a human catapult Johan leaped upon the half+bewildered fellow in time to knock up that armed right hand, let- ting the hot lead fly harmlessly toward the vault of blue, then grappling with and flinging the sturdy knave heavily to earth, Hotspur Hal took fully as swift action, and even before the guard took alarm he was slashing away the thongs which held Leonard pwoulware impotent; then, with yells of fierce joy, he snatched up a couple of rocks to hurl at the other guards, To complete their dismay, Malliboober scrambled to his feet with pistol in hand, to open fire with marvelous rapidity, making an abundance of noise, if doing no deadly execution, yelling and screech- ing the while like a veritable fiend. Taken so completely by surprise, the road-agents “ hung in the wind ” for but a brace of seconds, then turned tail and betook themselves to headlong flight, ducking and dodging both bullets and stones, as those came whistling and hum- ming past their persons, In fleeing they opened fire, after a wild and aimles fashion, doing no material harm, yet seemingly scaring Halliboober into a radical change of tactics. “Roon, poys—roeon like der tuyfel!” he howled, himself setting an example which any fairly prudent man might well have imitated, a few moments later plunging into cover and vanishing from view of both friend and enemy. Instead of imitating that example, Hot- spur Hal sprang across to where t@> half-stunhed road-agent was struggling to regain his feet, hand and foot acting in such perfect concert that the fellow was sent headlong to the earth with crushing force, Hotspur Hal bent hurriedly over the prostrate knave, feeling for the mate to. the revolver carried off by Johan Halli- boober; but in vain! “The devil and all!” he fairly howled, in bitter disappointment, as he found but an empty scabbard upon that hip. “ That infernal Dutchy took ’em both, and— hallo, there!” But Halliboober paid no heed, even if he heard, which was rather more than doubtful. So long as his own life seemed in peril, Johan could and would fight with a desperation which rendered him an awkward customer for anything short of “a chief,” but that necessity past— “T’ll make hi§ dirty heels break his ugly neck if—I say, pardner!” cried the Hotspur, springing erect once more, just in time to catch a glimpse of Leonard Boulware as that worthy plunged into the little defile which led to the stage road. “Dollars to cents he’ll make a nasty botch of it all if—here’s after him, any- way!” ‘i Armed with nothing more reliable than pocketknife and bit of rock, the sport rushed off in pursuit of his latest ac- quaintance, paying no further heed to the: half-stunned guard or his by this time vanished mates, Few men were lighter of foot than was the Sport from Hard Luck, but Boulware: was not overtaken, and when Arlington came through’ covet into the road, he caught sight of the man leaning peril- ously far over the rock guard, peering ee ee ee
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ee “J . .lusty knaves over in a howling, gasping | vod 3 NE Rees yee ; Rout a into the depths of yonder dark gulch, as though he would follow— A shot. from below, and with a sharp cry, Boulware flung up his arms! CHAPTER V. VAIN SEARCH FOR THE CASH. Hotspur Hal saw the man’s head fly back in keeping with his arms, and ’ sprang forward with a cry of mingled warning and rage; for he believed that - shot from the lower regions had surely ended a life. Blood was marking Boulware’s face, _ but that the injury was only superficial was proven by the rapidity with which he rallied, scrambling to his feet just as the sport came up. “JT saw—she shot me—that infernal woman!” he panted, hhoarsely, lurching ‘toward the escarpment and kept from in- curring a repetition of that peril by the firm grip fastened upon an arm by the - Hotspur. “Hold! Are you crazy, man, dear?” “A gun—give me a gun and let me—” “Wish I had one for myself, but I haven’t, worse luck!” cut in the sport, forcing the half-crazed man back from the rock-guard, flashing uneasy eyes about them the while. “But we’ll get something clse not nearly so much to be desired if—come, pardner! Reckon we'd _ better make a break for tall timber in a hurry!” Arlington caught a glimpse of a mov- ing shape lower down the trail, and at almost the same instant a revolver began to bark, lead humming viciously, as the blue pellets glanced off the rocks close by them. Even now Leonard Boulware showed that his thoughts were more taken up by the money he had lost than with fears for his own safety; but Hotspur Hal was not a man to stand on idle ceremony when once fairly in action. “Get a move on, pardner!,” he cried, at the same time fairly rushing his com- panion in peril up the rock wall on the upper side of the trail, following after with a catlike agility which stood him in admirable stead just now. For the demoralized guards were rally- ing their wits and winning back their shattered nerve to some purpose, picking trigger with vicious intent, although as yet just a bit scary about rushing their living - game. From the gulch below came savage oaths and fierce shouts, telling our friends only too plainly that Major Punch and his henchmen were making all possi- ble haste to reach those higher levels, to redeem the fault which surely must have been committed by the guards. “Pretty rocky prospect, pardner, and that’s a scandalous fact!” declared the Sport from Hard Luck, as the two men reached the broken. ground above the trail, where fairly effective cover might be had against long-range missiles. “The inhuman hounds!” gratingly cried Boulware, hands clenched and eyes eglow. “If we were only armed—” “And that’s what ails Hannah Marie, —worse luck! With guns we could bold the fort until the cattle returned, but with only—how are you on the tarow, pardner?”’ Arlington’s hands were fully 2s busy ‘as his tongue, and they quickly yathered together a number of stones, 7sugh and irregular, yet heavy enough to prove quite effective weapons when manipulat- ed by dexterous hands ymd muscular arms. There was no time ‘or awaiting an answer. Satisfied now that «’,+ fugitives had no. arms save those given by nature, the angry guard came v1 with greater confi- dence, shooting -t nearly every stride and yelling wits a vigor which spoke well for the condition of their lungs, _ Hotspur E11 rose up from cover, throw- ‘ng stone after stone with marvelous force and precision, knocking one of the «; > 7 4 4 ‘ 4 Oo gett tree Wenn Es ie coke (tes ee, | heap, and causing his mates to duck and dodge with far more energy than grace. “Oh, play white!” fairly howled the Sport from Hard Luck, as he stooped for a fresh supply of nature’s ammunition. “Stand up and be knocked down like— catch, blame ye!” Fresh shouts came from further down the stage trail, plainly telling both guards and fugitives that Major Punch and his fellows were coming with a rush; but then another change came over the scene. From beyond the apex came vigorous shouts, as though in answer, and as Hot- spur Hal instinctively turned face that way, he likewise caught the rattle of wheels and clatter of shod hoofs upon the stony trail. “Hurrah for us!” he yelled in wild glee, swiftly emptying hands at the dis- mayed guards below, then tossing his hat high in air. “The hearse is coming, and it isn’t our funeral, either! ” Down the slope at top speed dashed an- other masked figure, hoarsely shouting as he sighted his mates: “Rack out, everybody! an’ chuck full o’ cussed guns. while ye kin!” “Hold on! ow!” Hotspur Hal sprang from cover toward the trail, but that very eagerness proved disasirous to himself and his hopes; a foot slipped on a loose stone, throwing the Sport violently at full length. Brief though that delay was, it proved quite sufficient for the baffled road-agents to get under full headway, and Hotspur Hal caught but a fleeting glimpse of Ma- jor Punch and Captain Judy as, followed by their lesser lights, the toll takers dashed off in full flight. Then the stage came rattling down the slope at a fine pace, heads and guns stick- ing out at both windows, while the box seat and the roof likewise showed an armed front. “ Hellow, Sport!” cried a burly fellow as the coach drew up when safely around the turn in the trail. ‘‘ What ye trying to do here, anyway, old man? From the racket—” “Tf you’d made a little less racket on your own hook, Sheriff, you’d have an’ extra feather for your cap by now,” crisp- ly retorted Arlington. “What? You don’t mean that—not Major Punch?” : “And company: exactly. When you broke loose—well, Partington, just throw in a few extra on my account, will you?” For, after a brief stare into that dis- gusted face, the burly deputy sheriff flung hat to earth, stamping upon it in fury. “They've gone! The horses, too!” cried Leonard Boulware, “And mine along with the rest, just to make it more binding. ....., pay day is bound to roll around, and I’ll count that itena Jn with the rest. And—I say, sher- if” But Partington was in no mood for questions just then. Snatching up his hat and giving a savage call to his posse, the whole part rushed off in the direc- tion taken by the road-agents, leaving Hotspur and Boulware sole occupants of the scene. 3 “Which way now, pardner?” asked Arlington, as the other moved away. “Down yonder—to see if there is— My Extra comin’, Rack out Wait for me, if only to— ‘preperty! ” Boulware waved a hand toward the guich into which his handcart and con- tents had been hurled, and the Sport hastened to bear him company, at the same time létting fall a well-meant cau- tion. : “Keep all eyes open tight, pardner, for there’s no saying if one or a couple o’ those rascally knaves mightn’t have taken a fancy to skulk rather than run. And—well, a cornered wolf can snap mighty keen! And we haven’t any too complete an armament, you want to bear in mind.” _ Boulware made no reply, but that was , “Shoe! Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck, rf fairly excusable, considering the natural difficulties before them. More than once risking limb if not life, the two men finally succeeded in reaching the bottom of the gulch, then hurried along until directly below the hold-up point. That was made evident by the scat- tered meal, to say nothing of the less conspicuous portions of that prospecting outfit. : Leonard Boulware searched the spot for yards around, inspecting every square foot, turning over every obstacle which could by any possibility hide the prize for which he was searching; but all in vain. “Those devils! ” he muttered hoarsely as he gave over the vain quest. “They must have found it! ” “How much was it, pardner?” the Sport inquired. “ Too much—too infernal much! ” mute tered Boulware, with a gesture which might be interpreted as one of despair rather than of anger alone. “ Beg your pardon, sir,” and the Sport drew back a bit. ‘ Don’t mean to crowd you, sir, of course, only—well, I’m dead- set on getting full pay for my horse and my guns from this Punch and Judy outfit, and just happened to think I might add a lick or two on your score.” Something in tone rather than words alone pricked the man from Hardshell, and, moving a bit closer, he gazed keenly in that honest face. Hye to eye for a brief space, then it was palm to palm, fingers closing in the firm grip of fellowship. “You're a man, and I’m another,” said Boulware, tersely. ‘‘I can trust you as myself so—’twas twenty thousand dol- lars: no less! ” “ What?” “That's right, pardner. I lacked just so much ready cash to make up the sum of fifty thousand, without which—but J’ll tell you the whole story later on. You're going to Hardshell? ” “T was bound thither, yes.” “Good! I'll see you there, of course. For now—well, it’s no use looking fur- ther around here. Those rascals surely found the package! ” “You had it in the handeart, then?” Boulware nodded assent. “T was rather expecting a hold-up, as yon’]] understand when there’s time for full explanations. I hoped to run the gantlet as a prospector out on a grub- stake, but knew that I couldn’t pass an examination if a hold-up should really come. So—’twas in my sack of meal, yonder!” He kicked the tattered bag with vicious — mood, then tumed abruptly away and made his way to the stage-road above. Hotspur Hal bore him company, won- dering over this queer affair the while, but then banishing it for the time being when he found the stage still in waiting where abandoned by the deputy-sheriff and his posse. A few questions made the situation fairly clear, and once again the Hotspur growled his regrets that Partington had not used greater caution in coming upon the scene. “Out especially to trap the Punch and Judy outfit, yet set up a jamboree just when he might have—confound the luck, anyway! ” “Waal, now, boss, ef ye’d jest hearn — him beleh while we was a-comin’!” vol- unteered the veteran driver. “ Who but him, an’ the hull blame thing over ‘cept yellin’ glory to the ram!” ath “Well, there’s many a worse fellow than Jack Partington, nevertheless, pard-— ner, although he did play the blunder- head just a bit ago. And now—you're waiting for the posse, Johnny?” on “ Waal, sorter yes an’ sorter no. “ee wasn’t nothin’ said "bout me waitin’, ar the depity, he done swore a-comin’ th let him oncet git on a smell of then ters an’ be’d hang right thar on froze over, ef he couldn't ket “em shGeter 9 ac. es eee ee % . / ; gS SP sae ee | bu ‘hl es “9 : ts Savoie . ing ¢ 17). aae
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- whiskey spoken of ail Hardshell seemed on fire with this, the 8 “That settles it, then! ” declared the Hotspur, with an air of relief, as he flung wide one of the coach doors. ‘“ Climb in, please, Boulware. Unless you’d prefer a seat on the box?” “This is plenty good enough for me, but—how is it, driver?” “Waal, reckon thar hain’t no mighty use o’ me stayin’ out hyar for a week or two; an’ that blame depity hain’t gwine fer to ketch up with no Punch nur Judy shorter; you hear me belch?” “All right, Johnny. You’re headed for Hardshell, and there’s heap sight more fun in jogging along than in standing still. And—I say, Johnny?” “Danny; make it Dan Whoozer, an’ keep on a-sayin’ of it, then.” “All right, Danny. What sort of whis- key do they hang forth at Hardshell?” “ Good enough fer a hog, boss! ” “All right. Just play you saw a skin- full right over yonder, and see how snug- ly you can run us up alongside, Danny Whoozer.” Hotspur Hal entered the stage, closing the door behind him. The man on the box cracked his whip and sent his team bowling along at a merry pace, heading as directly as the law allowed for Hard- shell. As a rule Arlington vastly preferred a seat on the box while staging it, but now, wholly unarmed and so helpless in case of another hold-up, he altered his choice to suit. Then, too, he had seen and heard quite sufficient to make him feel an ab- sorbing interest in Leonard Boulware and his affairs. Still, if the Sport anticipated the full explanation which had been almost prom- ised him by his present companion he was disappointed. Mr. Boulware seemed decidedly down in the mouth, which might naturally be looked for in one who had met with such a heavy loss; and not until they were fairly in sight of Hardshell did he rouse -up and speak with something of his usual animation. “You were searched’ and robbed, of course, Mr. Arlington?” “Of my visible cash, yes,” with a faint half-laugh. ‘“ But I’ve always made it a rule to carry at least one fifty-dollar bill sewn up in my rags, and this one was overlooked.” “ Well, they didn’t leave me even that much. But I started to say, you will make your home at my house until, at least, you can do better?” “Thanks, but I must beg off. The first thing is to get a brace of guns. One trick lost isn’t half the game, and I’m go- ing to win out im spite of Punch and Judy and their whole rascally gang!” CHAPTER VI. THE SPORT AND THE SCRAPPER. Before leaving the stage Hotspur Hal removed the precious bit of tinted paper from its hiding-place, and having bidden his newly-made friend a temporary fare- well, strolled on through the rough, un- paved streets of this bustling little min- ing town, lookin for what he soon found: a shop where weapons such as he required were on exhibition. . It took nearly all of his fifty-dollar note to buy a brace of regulation forty-fours, with plain scabbards and belt; but with the tools snugly strapped around his mid- ss die, the Hotspur could draw his breath in freedom, feeling himself once more, After that came a lodging-place, sup- per, a smoke, then bed: and rarely in his life had Henry Arlington put in eight consecutive hours of sounder sleep, After a leisurely breakfast the next morning the Sport “ felt like a fighting cock,” and heedless of his almost empty. pockets, he lounged for a bit in the bar- room attached to the hotel where he found lodging. “There was little doubt as to whether or no Danny Whoozer had found the good ck on the trail; for v =) ee Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. latest exploit of the Punch and Judy gang. ; Hotspur Hal had said nothing concern- ing the affair, feeling as he did that he had figured with rather less brilliancy than ordinary. Leonard Boulware would hardly pub lish to the world his serious loss, or his disastrous masquerade; yet the whole af:- fair seemed to have become publie prop erty, and who else could have published it broadcast unless the driver? True: there was Johan Halliboober, and Hotspur Hal turned frequent thoughts that way; for, right or wrong, he felt fairly convinced that the seeming booby was actually an adroit schemer, playing capper for the lawless gang of road- agents, Although he failed to see the trick turned, he knew that only the ready hand of the Dutchman could have toppled him out of the saddle so deftly, rendering him a helpless prey to the road-agents, Later on, ’twas true, Johan had run some risk in releasing them both while under armed guard; but still that ugly doubt lingered, and Hotspur Hal kept both eyes and ears open for some definite information regarding the odd customer. The hotel bar was fairly well patron- ized that morning, and almost as a mat- ter of course the favorite topic was the recent hold-up. Arlington seemed wholly absorbed in his cigar, making it burn evenly, in spite of its contrary nature, and paid no par- ticular attention to the general chatter. More than once something was said which touched his part in the affair more closely, and an odd attempt was made to draw him into the discussion itself. These half-abashed efforts were easily foiled by one so cool of nerve and ready of wit as was the Sport from Hard Luck, but then came a change which was searcely pleasant. A ~thick-set, smooth-faced, hard-fea- tured fellow came into the bar, and al- most from the first made himself par- ticularly disagreeable in the way of coarse comments and insolent remarks. Hotspur took note of the fellow, ex- perience teaching him that this was one of the ‘“ bad men” of Hardshell. Five minutes later Hal made another mental note; that, for some as yet un- revealed reason, this coarse-mouthed rascal was making a “ dead set” at him- self, needing but a half-pretext to jump from words to actions. Blunter and ruder came the insinua- tions, now openly directed toward the quiet, gentlemanly stranger who leaned so carelessly against the bar. With all his apparent indolence, almost sleepiness, the Hotspur was never more keenly upon the alert in all his life, and plainly foreseeing a row with this fel- low—Dick Fitchner, as he was termed by some of the citizens present—he was trying to discover the real cause of that surly enmity. All at once the light came as the fel- low made a rude gesture, and Arlington straightened up a bit, eyes opening wider and winning’ a keen glitter more natur- ally their own. Just then Fitchner lurched awkwardly forward, seeming to stumble and partly lose his balance, bringing up forcibly against the Sport at the bar Recovering himself, Fitchner gaye a vicious snarl, showing his teeth in bull- dog jaws as he gruffiy blurted out: “Who's ye scroudgin’, ye cussed dude? Fer little I’d—” “You tripped and did the crowding yourself,” quietly interposed Arlington, removing cigar from mouth and speak- ing in soft, placable tones. Tf he expected to appease the bully by giving the soft answer, the Sport mistook his customer, for that very mildness but urged the thug to still ruder words and actions. “Call me a liar,” will ye?” “T didn’t even call you a fool, my dear fellow,” purred the Sport, smiling lan- Sy aN “ en di RL guidly. “Unless you happen to be a mind reader—’’ “Tm a man-thumper, though, blame ye! An’ ef I thought ye meant to play me like that I’d—I’ll spoil yer face, just for luck! ” With these words came the blow, but this was by no means the first time Hot- spur Hal had come in contact with a “scrapper,” and his own movements could almost discount the light itself. Left arm gave guard as head ducked swiftly to the right, then the Sport swung his own right, not with blow of fist for a knock-out, but to crush that glowing cigar squarely between the eyes of the thug, filling them with sparks and burning ashes, to say nothing of the par- ticles of over-dry tobacco itself. Fitehner reeled back with a muffled howl of rage and pain, one hand tearing at his eyes while its mate felt for and jerked a revolver from his belt. There was an immediate scattering of those present, leaving the adversaries alone in the middle of the spacious bar- room; but Hotspur Hal paid attention wholly and solely to Mr. Fitchner. That revolver was scarcely clear of its scabbard ere it was caught by a set of stronger fingers, twisted away, and tossed lightly back of the bar. “Ye devil! ll smash ye would—” “Spell able, first, please! ’’ quoth the Sport, meeting that half-blind rush with bold front, striking down the arm which sent fist toward his own face, then closing with the thug, to give him the heel, driving him backward to the floor with a thud that fairly shook the founda- tions. It was but the work of a moment to tear away that belt of arms and toss all after the first revolver; then, as Fitch- ner scrambled to his feet, fairly wild with rage and impotent hatred, Hotspur Hal grasped him again, lifting him nearly clear of the floor as he ran the fellow swiftly across to the door, then flinging him forth with scant ceremony. All this was done so swiftly, so easily, so surely that those looking on seemed scarcely able to credit their eyes, knowing as they did what a hard customer this Dick Fitchner had time and again shown himself. Hotspur Hal flung up a hand to quell the exclamations which now burst forth, speaking sharply himself, with a note of growing anger in his clear, metallic tones: { “?Tisn’t often that I mix up in a bar- room row, gentlemen, but that fellow— I’m almost open to make oath he’s one of the Punch and Judy gang which robbed me yesterday! And—” “You want to look out fer him, boss, fer he’s pizen; clean pizen from start to finish!” cried one well-meaning citizen. “ An’ hyar he comes like—eyes open, all!” warned another as Dick Fitchner, dripping wet from a hurried douch in the horse-trough which stood in front of the hotel, came viciously through the open doorway. “Whar is he?” with a fiery glare of his now partially cleared eyes. “ Whar is— Now I’ll mash ye like I would—” oii Not! ” For Hotspur Hal, at last fairly confident that this fellow was, indeed one of the armed guards left over him by Major Punch, met that rush midway, striking out as he came. Together the two men surged back through the doorway, Hotspur Hal clear- ing both man and steps by an agile leap through air, but Fitchner turning .a back somersault before reaching the street level. “Oh, swallow a cane if you lack back- bone to stand up in front of a real man, you weak-kneed rascal!” mockingly cried the Sport from Hard Luck, while the maddened thug was scrambling to his feet, wits more confused than ever. Fitchner did not lack a certain brute like I courage, however, and utterly regardlesa we Is Di Rom Be a ae Mamys.! so. a
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} tn, vis a alg the emphatic declaration. Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. of these repeated discomfitures he dashed a ‘clearing hand across his eyes, then with bull-like roar plunged toward the laughing Sport. It was the same old story; science against brute force, where the best man Was morally certain to come out on top of the heap. Hotspur Hal had already taken the full measure of his man, and knew that he had a comparatively easy job on hand; but that in no wise altered his original determination. “You're spoiling for a sound thrash- ing, and right here you're going to get it, my bully!” was his assertion as “they came together. Spat-spat-spat! In rapid succession those hard-knuckled fists came in con- tact with face of scrapper, each blow leaving its mark and driving that head backward in spite of the bull-neck and powerful shoulders. Laughing as he punished, Hotspur Hal shifted step so as to keep his mark con- fined to pretty much the same spot, giv- ing no heed to the cries and cheers of the fairly amazed witnesses, now, in- creased to a fair crowd. “Tt’s easy as eating mince pie for Christmas! ” declared the Sport, brush- ing aside those wild strokes and making his own keep rapid tally. “A far nas- tier job, of course, but a necessary one. It takes a thorough thrashing to do a cur like you any good, Dick, and so— right here you have it, written in red ink!” Having played with the scrapper until content with the punishment inflicted, Arlington deftly slipped inside those vi- cious arms, grappling with the fellow, twisting him around and over one hip, then giving Fitchner a beautiful cross- buttock to finish up with, That really proved to be the capsheaf, for the thug lay in half-stupor for a cou- ple of minutes, then gave a surly groan as he opened his eyes only to see his con- queror standing over him, ready to add more should more be wanted. “Ory enough, you scoundrel, or else get up and take more!” cried the Sport, pitilessly. “ Beg, you whelp!” “I beg, cuss ye fer a—” A deft foot swept lightly across those lips, cutting short the superfluous speech; then Hotspur Hal stepped back at ease, watching while the battered scrapper rose painfully to his feet. A few moments to make sure of his footing, then Fitchner brushed a tremb- ling hand across his bleeding face, look- ing at the red drops for a bit, then with sudden motion flinging them toward the Sport, snarling: “The cuss 0’ blood upon ye by day an’ by night! I’ll scatter ye to the four winds ef—unless—’ “Unless what?” coolly demanded Hot- ceased to come. spur Hal as that voice choked and words Instead of completing his vicious threat Fitchner gave a sickly grin, nodded his head defiantly, then turned and staggered away. Hotspur Hal turned, to confront his landlord, whose face was as grave as his tones were serious. “He’s mighty bad medicine, friend. Better have killed him right out, or else left him go his way lixe a snarlin’ cur 0’ Satan; yes, sir!” “ That’s all right, pardner; I’ve heard curs yelp before now.” CHAPTER VII. “LIGHT ON AN INTERESTING SUBJECT. Mine host seratched his chin with an air of dubiety. “ Of course, it’s more your funeral than mine, Mr. Arlington, but—well, now, sir, you don’t want to go altogether by tne - sort o’ show Dick’s jest put up.” “A regular bad man, is he?” “And that’s an honest fact. Heap sight more bulldog than cur, anyway,” ee ie thse ee th ie Ostia ee ee i] “Thanks,” with a, half-yawn. “In spite of his threats though, I’m open to take fair odds that I'll live to see Master Richard pull hemp, kicking right merri- ly alongside his leader, Major Punch, and— Well, ladies barred, I reckon!” “ What makes you think—” “Something I never permit myself to do between breakfast and dinner, my dear sir,’ politely declared the Spori from Hard Luck, crossing over to the sink and washing his stained hands. After the exhibition so recenuy given, not one of those hard by deemed it the part of wisdom to press this cool stranger more closely, although it was plain to be seen that his words had cre- ated no little of a sensation. On his part Hotspur Hal renewed the weed wasted upon Dick Fitchner, and while igniting the contrary article, ques- tioned the. landlord briefly, picking up in- formation upon which he was prompt to act. Leaving the hotel with the careless grace of a man who knows he can take ample care of himself, Arlington turned aside from the business portion of the town, soon after distinguishing a neatly painted house which he knew by descrip- tion must shelter Leonard Boulware and family; always provided he was blessed with any. The Sport was spared the need of knocking, for his coming was observed, and the front door swung open at his ap- proach, Boulware himself giving hearty greeting. “T was just thinking of looking you up, Mr. Arlington, but—come in, come in! ” The Hotspur crossed the threshold, finding himself in the presence of a more than fair young lady, who was intro- duced as Cora, an only child. Tall and stately, gifted with a more than ordinary share of beauty, her lux- uriant tresses shining like gold, her eyes large and blue as the cloudless sky of Summer, Still, the young lady left an impression of coldness and even hauteur, and con- scious that his present garb showed more or less unmistakable signs of the rough work done in recent hours, Hal drew a bit freer breath when, shortly after his entrance, Miss Boulware excused herself and left the room. “ By the way, sir,” spoke Mr. Boulware, after clearing his throat in a half-em- barrased manner. ‘I believe I promised you to explain a little bit more clearly just why—’ “Wait a bit, please,” quietly cutin the sport, lifting a hand to back his words. “Don’t you begin to think I’m all eaten up with curiosity, sir.’ “Of course not, but a promise is u promise, and so—” “Qne moment, sir. Do you know any- thing of a fellow called Dick Fitchner? ” “There is such a fellow in Hardshell; yes. Why do you ask?” “Who does he consort with, as a rule?” “The lower class. Yet—” “Not entirely, then?” shrewdly que- ried the sport, reading that hesitation aright: ‘“‘He holds dealings with men of a higher grade, too??”’ “With one, at least. Why do you ask all this, sir?” In as few words as possible Arlington axplained his encounter with Fitchner, then added: “T can almost take oath that he was one of the three guards left over us back yonder in the hills. If so, and you can place his associates here in town, seems to me it oughtn’t to be a very difficult matter to strike off the scent of Major Punch himself! ” Boulware listened with undisguised 1n- terest. He frowned darkly, striking clenched fist upon table as he burst forth+ in fierce rage. “T knew it must be! I felt it in my bones! And all this while the infernal scoundrel was smiling and fawning about like— Oh, you cur! aii abet hai Us: fi ia : res a4 bake t DEL’ 4 < } ee tS Nt be a » me y ¥ by ee ely b : ‘ “ : - ak i FS LU RR OCI AP ap eg us 4 7 pati f Sy Mn Ser as sy Po Aes: a +e ’ . a ” . =" 7 . Fy ge bs | set his Heures at an ered: ay t The sport’s eyes won a brighter glow, for he felt that matters were growing more interesting, and that a prospect for fun and vengeance combined was almost surely opening before them. “Any serious objections against ¢all- ing names. Mr. Boulware?’ he asked, after a brief silence. The admirable coolness with which these words came produced an almost instantaneous effect, and Leonard Beul- ware calmed himself, smiling faintly as he met those half-quizzical blue orbs. “Foolish, isn’t it, in a man of my age and gray hairs?” he asked, at the same time rising to this feet, to add: “Will you just step rocm; my snuggery, or ‘ growlery,’ as Cora sometimes dubs it.” “At your service, sir,” promptly re- sponded the Sport from Hard Luck as he rose to his feet, hat in hand. Mr. Boulware led the way to another room, smaller than the first, yet clearly better suited for anything like a confi- dential confab. Placing’ a chair for his newly-formed friend, Mr. Boulware spoke: “This is almost as much my office as the one I ‘have down town. In fact, I reckon I do more business here than there. But that don’t count. You want to know why I thought of playing the clown over yonder? ” * Now, if you hold the slightest pa eta tion, sir. I merely thought—’” Arlington broke off as his host gave a short, odd laugh, through which echoed precious little mirth, however. “Tt’s town talk long ere this, I haven’t a doubt; so why ‘should you be an ex- ception?” he spoke almost harshly. “Just as best suits yourself, sir.’’ With an evident effort Leonard Boul- ware regained his self-control, sitting. for a few seconds in silence, hands clasp- ing temples as his head bowed over. Then, rising erect, he spoke calmly , enough. “The entire trouble started over a partly developed mine owned by a fellow named Moses Grinberg, and which he called the Hot Stuff,” “On which you hold an option?” asked the sport. ; “Of which you heard mention while we - were in limbo yesterday?” “Yes. Excuse me, though. didn’t mean to interrupt you.” “No harm done, I assure you. In fact, as you see, I find it no easy matter to find a suitable beginning to my story, now I’ve undertaken to explain it all.” “The owner of this claim: Grinberg, you said?” “Moses Grinberg, yes.” **German or Jew?” “Neither. That is, he may be of Ger- man descent, but no one would discover as much through his speech or his per- sonal appearance.” “What sort of man is he? one you suspected of—eh? ” “No, no!” quickly cried- Boulware, ~ with shake of head to suit. ‘“‘A far dif- ferent person from that. Grinberg’s ali» right, I reckon, so far as personal hon- esty goes. Of course, he’d do all a man ~ might to call off the bargain, but I hardly — think he’d stop on the wrong side of the law.” “Tt is a bargain, then?” “Tf I can close it—yes. A great bar- gain; so great that I wouldn’t take double the price and call it square!”’ “Tt must be Hot Stuff, for a fact.” “Tt is. And it happened like this,” said Boulware, once more calming down and speaking quietly. “ The claim was promising from the very first, although’ across to my own I really... Not the’ I’ve handled many a prospect equally ass wai good, out of which I barely cleared my" fair commission. “It’s my business—dealing in mini stock, you understand? And so I more than one offer for the Hot always being refused until one day, nearly seven weeks ago. Then Grin)
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10 and I took a sixty-day option mine.” “Which still holds good, then?” “Yes. Time will be up on the 19th.” “That gives you eight days. please,” “Tess than a week after our agree- ment was signed, Grinberg put in a series of shots which changed the situation right smartly; for the facts leaked out in spite of his efforts to cover all over.” ” “$truck it rich, eh?” “Opened the- main vein, if all that’s told is true, yes!” “Sure it isn’t a trick, though?” asked the Hotspur. “Not that. If it was meant for a bait, why does Grinberg try to buy my bar- gain? Why. does he throw every possible difficulty in the way of a fair settle- ment?” “He does all that, then?” “Yes. I’ve offered him three-fifths down in cash, with perfectly good notes for the balance, but no! He holds by the contract, and that reads—look for your- self, then!” Arlington scanned the document with growing interest for a few minutes, find- ing it exactly as represented; and when he returned the paper ‘his host spoke on, rapidly: “Grinberg holds that it means actual cash, and refuses to accept anything in lieu. I have thirty thousand in notes and gold, ready and waiting. I brought the rest part way to town, but the Punch and Judy outfit jumped all over us, and when the racket was past I was twenty thousand out!” “They got the money?” “‘Byery dollar of it, and then cursed me for daring to travel that route with- out a more liberal supply of small change! Confound it! I was hard hit enough, yet—well, when the scoundrel who sails under the 'title of Major Punch game at me like that, I just had to laugh at his infernal impudence!” “And you tried it after a different fashion to-day?” “Yes. I thought I might have better luck, for once, but—well, you saw how it all panned out. My disguise wasn’t worth a cent, and my good money went—over the dump!” “You had it hidden in the meal sack, fdn’t you say?” Boulware nodded assent. “Yes. I hoped to come through with- ut trouble, for I gave out that I was mfined to my house with rheumatism; n old complaint of mine, as about all e town knows. | .“ Still, knowing, as I surely did, how everybody seemed to be bent on spoiling my little speculation in the Hot Stuli, 1 took that extra precaution, knowing that ‘4m case I should run against the Punch and Judy outfit they would be more apt to search my rags than my baggage.” Arlington was frowning a bit by this e, pinching lower lip between thumb ‘and forefinger, a puzzled light in his eyes beneath their partly closed lids. "After a brief silence he spoke, ab- ruptly: “There’s one thing puzzles me, sir. 'As I was coming along I noticed a bank building. Isn’t that doing business, now?” Boulware nodded his head, frowning moore darkly than ever. . Well, in that case, couldn’t you have * gathered in the lacking cash with far Bess risk and danger, sir?” “By draft, you mean?” “Yes. ft in solid cash, twice over. have bought exchange, Punch and his sweet-scented outfit?” “Simply because that would have @alled for a favor—or something like a ‘¢avor—from a fellow whom I hate worse And rather than the rankest poison! eR ore be under even the shadow ‘of an | -—s @bligation to Earl Chonister ,I’d lose all Go on, You raised the money on the outside, plainly enough, since you had Why not sent it here through the mail, then laughed at Major pee a Ve Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. on the} chance of owning the Hot Stuff, even though I knew it would pan out tenfold its present worth!” CHAPTER VIII. WHO IS CAPTAIN JUDY? Hotspur Hal gave a low whistle at this vigorous explosion, through which he caught a far better understanding of the case than he had up to that moment won, “And this same Earl Chonister has dealings with Dick Fitchner, isn’t it?” he cooly asked, after a brief silence. Again Mr. Boulware gave _ assent through a nod of his head. “Yes. And—of course, this is all be- tween man and man, though? ” “Tll hold any confidence you may see fit to repose in me secret as the grave, sir,” came the swift assurance, “All right. It’s coming to a point in the game when I feel that two heads are better than one, and that without some such good man as yourself to back me up, I’ll lose the whole business—if noth- ing worse than that!” “How, worse?” “ Well, my life, perhaps!” * You surely can’t mean it, sir?”’ “T mean precisely that, and I have fair reasons for my belief, too. Let them pass for just now; later on will serve. And— about this dandy banker of ours! “As I said, he is called Earl Chonister. A fair-looking fellow, so far as outward looks go. In fact, many would hold him up as a model of masculine grace, strength, and beauty, but for me—pah!” Leonard Boulware cleared throat and spat over shoulder like one striving to get rid of an unpleasant flavor. “You’re not in love with the gentle- man, I infer?” quietly ventured the Man from Hard Luck. ‘“ Any especial rea- sons, or merely on general principles?” “Both. I never did fancy the fellow from the start. Not that he gave me any particular reasons—then!” “But he did, later on?” “Tl tell you, then you can judge for yourself, Mr, Arlington. In my business, as a matter of course, large sums are passing through my hands, and up to a few months ago nearly all of my finan- cial affairs were transacted through Chonister’s bank. “T never liked him as a man, and never looked upon him as even a passing friend. Then, all at once, he grew still more ob- noxious to me, because he rarely let an evening pass without dropping in here.” “TI warrant he felt he had a mighty fair excuse, though!’’ murmured the Hotspur, with a fleeting smile, “Of course, that,was his excuse—the scoundrel! And when I couldn’t stand it any longer, I gave hima hint; pointed enough, even if it wasn’t an actual kick. “He took it, after a fashion. But in- stead of living up to the letter of my hint, he haunted Cora whenever she left this place, until—well, the end came when Major Punch held me up the first time.” “You surely don’t think Banker Chon- ister had aught to do with that case of robbery, though?” “Wait, please. After that, seeing that I had both open and secret competitors in the fight for the Hot Stuff, I choked down my dislike and—like an infernal fool!— went to the bank and asked for the twenty thousand on my personal note!” “That was plain business, and nothing to feel ashamed of, surely.” “JT was made to feel worse than ashamed of it, though! ” with bitter em- phasis. ‘“Chonister was all smiles and smirks, hearing me through, and even admitting that the security I offered—the Hot Stuff paper among others—was, gilt- edged.” “Yet he refused the money?” .“ He agreed to advance it on my un- supported word, provided I would agree to—let him marry my daughter, confound him!” he?” “T came mighty near spoiling the looks ‘ : vat®, : » es oh, WE Sehr \ i ta J nae y. Oe Ce MEE a “ He carries his cheek with him, doesn’t of it, just then; I would, only for the counter between, too! As it was—well, now you can see pretty well why I wouldn’t even think of taking money from that—place! ” “You refused the honor of his alliance, of course? ” “In round terms, too!” “ And—excuse me, please! ware, herself? ” “Ts my daughter,” proudly declared the mining speculator, waving a hand, as though to dismiss that portion of the sub- ject, once for all. Somewhat unaccountably, even to him- self, Arlington felt a strong interest in that particular phase of the matter, but he could not well do other than accept the dismissal, at least for the time being. Leonard Boulware spoke on, recalling various incidents, trifling in themselves, yet when taken in connection with other known facts, forming a fairly formidable array of proof that he had secret ene- mies at work against his hopes of secur- ing the coveted mining property. “ Of course, Grinberg will stall me off if practicable,” he added, with more natural quietude. “I can’t fault him for that, since I’d act precisely the same in hig place. But I’m kicking against this in- fernal underhand work!” “Like that of the hold-up, for in- stance?” “That, too, although you mayn’t just see the matter in my light. If there wasn't treachery afoot, how came the Pt to be on the watch for me yester- ay? ” “They took Dutch and myself though.” “ Because they were looking for a man . in disguise, and couldn’t take time to see first whether or no ‘twas their game. Understand? ” “ Your view of it, yes. Then you really, think that Major Punch has his spies, allies, cappers, right here in Hardshell? ” “That, or even worse. What’s to hin- der his being a resident? No one has ever seen his face, unless it may be his particular associates on the road. He | might rub against, your shoulder at any turn, and you never be one whit the wiser! ” “T’m willing to grant all that, too. If I was inclined to doubt the practica- bility, my little scrap with Dick Fitch- ner this morning woud offer proof to the contrary.” “You believe he was one of the gang, then?” “T feel morally, sure of that much. I believe he was one of the three men left over us when Captain Judy slipped off to see what sort of racket the major was having with you.” Leonard Boulware gave a short, dry chuckle, then spoke in lowered tones, as he leaned a bit closer to his guest: “ And Dick Fitchner has been employed by Earl Chonister to do more than one job in the last few months. You asked me a bit ago—”, “What?” with a slight start as of | genuine surprise. “You surely can’t — think that chis—eh?” “IT do, all the same,” with dogged nod - of head and squaring of jaws. “I /be- lieve that Earl Chonister is the Major Punch who .has been stirring up this section so nastily of late!” A brief silence, during which the two men looked at each other in quickened interest. Then the Hotspur spoke: “ Of course, you may be all in the right of it, sir. As a newcomer, I can’t say either yes or no, but—one thing, first?” “What is it? ” “How about the other? If Chonister is the major, who is Captain Judy?” slowly, meaningly, asked the Sport. If he had anticipated a somewhat sim- ilar sensation, Arlington was disappoint- ed, for his host frowned blackly, shaking head in puzzled fashion. “Now you have got me!. I’ve racked my brain over that question time and time again, but always with the same re- sult: I don’t know! Wish I did!” Miss Boul- in, 4 ty ee . ss ity 4h , eS oy oe a Be be 507 vat 3 a iy + . ™ -_ ere » Pe | eR eee Shue " ae mae a
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4 “Chonister has no female relatives, then?” “No. He boards at the hotel where you are lodging. Right or wrong, he poses in Hardshell as the sole scion; the last of his race. Good thing for his race, too, I take it!” Beyond all room for doubting, Mr. Boulware was strongly prejudiced against the Hardshell banker, but Hotspur Hal was shrewd enough to make a fair allow- ance for that very prejudice. In days gone by he had learned suffi- cient not to take too much for granted, and while saying naught to offend his mewly formed friend, he was determined to withhold final judgment until he had a fair opportunity for studying this char- acter himself. j “Does this Chonister lean toward the sporty side of life, as it is in the wild and woolly jungle?” asked the Sport. “Nothing beyond the ordinary,” ad- mitted Boulware. “Of course, he takes an occasional drink, and joins in a game at odd intervals; but, to give the devil his due, Chonister is no regular tough.” “And with no feminine relatives to fill the shoes of Captain Judy? Yet, if he is the major, somebody plays Judy!” “JT merely know that the infernal gang moves under a couple of heads, and that one of them is a woman. seyond that I’m all at sea.” As he spoke these words, the specu- lator gave himself a vigorous shake, brushing a hand across his face, as though clearing away lingering shadows. He hitched his chair a bit closer his guest, placing hand on arm with a firm grip, as the spoke, in clear, if lowered, tones. “Now to sober business, Mr. Arlington. if ’'m not mistaken, you’re a sort of roving sport, caring little what risks you run just so you live on the top shelf and have plenty of amusement. Am I wrong?” “You are right as right, Mr. Boul- ware. Go on, please.” “ Good! Now—listen. I am at my last ecard. I’ve lost an even forty thousand dollars in cold cash since taking that option of the Hot Stuff. The Punch and Judy gang got the whole of it, not count- ing what loose change they found in my clothes at the same time.” “Enough to make any man against the crooked luck, too.” “You know how the last twenty van- ished. Of course, those devils found it. Now—unless I can recover that money— well, I’ll give you the entire sum if you ean contrive to recover it!” Instead of betraying amazement at this munificent offer, Hotspur Hal let his smile glide into a low, musical] laugh, leaning back in his chair, as he gazed into that frowning face, to lighty drawl: “Are my bristles so awfully evident, dear sir?” Leonard Boulware flushed a bit, but quickly gave assurance: “Of course not, sir. Don’t mistake my Meaning so entirely, please.” “Then you were in actual earnest?” “Never more so in all my life. If I get hold of the Hot Stuff through your agency, I can well afford to pay that sum as reward, for my profits will be at least—”’ “Never mind that part of it, please,” deftly cut in the Hotspur. “ And if you fail to get the mine, even though I re- cover the cash?” “You're welcome to the pile, just the same. I can afford to pay something for revenge, and if you will close with my proposition—” “Well, we'll let that point wait for a bit. As for the revenge part of it, I’m with you there, heart and hand. Of course, I didn’t lose any such pile as you dropped, but they took my last dollar in sight. And a fellow’s pile is a fellow’s pile, don’t you know?” “My pocketbook is open for your needs, Mr. Arlington.” “Thanks, awfully. But I never take kick ete la tee pe Emre et oe ee or ee es ee eer wages before earning them, so I beg to be excused. _How long does your option run, again?” “ Until midnight on the 19th.” “Which gives you eight full days, counting this one in. Good enough! One ought to make quite a hustle in that length of time. But for now—reckon I might as well be on the move, pardner.’’ “What’s your hurry? At least say that my offer is accepted? “See you about that later, sir. Just now I’ve got to try my new guns out. When a fellow needs them out here, he needs ’em mighty bad, and needs ’em just right. So—must go see how the sights loom up!” CHAPTER IX. HOTSPUR HAL TESTS HIS NEW GUNS. As though reluctant to part with his new ally so soon, Leonard Boulware was a little slow about rising from his seat, but when he did so he mechanically glanced through the window in front, to give start and low ejaculation as he caught sight of a tall, well-dressed man moving in that direction. “Talk of the devil! That’s the very fellow himself!” he declared, in none too amiable tones, flinging a hand toward the window. The Sport from Hard Luck followed gesture with his eyes, taking swift note of the man without, giving a brief nod as he spoke: “Good enough! I’ll have a fair squint at my pretty fellow, and that without seeming to take the trouble. So-long, pardner. And good luck attend our little game from now on!” With this hurried farewell, Arlington took his departure, strolling leisurely along, like one who has no very urgent business on hand, and precious few cares to worry. him in this everyday world. He saw that the speculator’s house was the evident destination of this fair-look- ing fellow, and with all outward care- lessness the Sport was taking a clear photograph of Earl Chonister in his mind. Nothing at all of the typical thug in his appearance, and still less aught that favored the conventional Shylock or bar- gainer in fair feminine flesh and blood. To the contrary: a tall, graceful, ath- letic fellow, yet on the sunny side of his third decade, whose swarthy'skin glowed with clear health, whose black eyes met gaze squarely,, whose jetty mustache curled in a pleasant smile, as well-kept hand acknowledged that meeting with an easy gesture, in keeping with light nod of head in passing. Hotspur Hal did not turn head for another look, but that photograph was very distinct as he walked on, not direct- ly toward the business portion of Hard- shell, but in a course which, if followed long enough, would convey him to the ruder outskirts. 2 “ Road-agent, eh?’”’ mused the Sport, busily. “I’d sooner take him for super- intendent of a Sabbath school! And yet —he’s just the right build for Major Punch, and with that handsome mug hid- den back of a cloth mask—well, it’s a mighty pretty little affair, take it by-and- large; a mighty pretty little affair! ” Giving a careless swing of shoulders and head, Arlington flashed a glance to the rear, seeing Earl Chonister standing at the front door, just as that swung open, with knob in hand of the specu- lator himself. “Two to one the fellow gets inside if— I knew it!” ; For just then the Hardshell banker crossed the threshold of the man’ who had so recently been reviling him with all possible bitterness! “That’s odd—or would be if a fellow ’ didn’t stop ‘to reflect that every story has its other side!’ mentally commented the Sport, as he kept on his way. “ Won- der if Chonister is such an awful scoun- drel, after all? Or, is the old gentleman el ee ——— go ee ee ii just a weenty bit—cracked on that one point?” With the decision that both of these points might prove well worth the trou- ble of thorough analyzation when he had the time to spare, Hotspur Hal banished the matter for the time being, devoting his whole care and attention to the pur- posed test of his newly acquired battery. So far he had encountered none other than the Hardshell banker, and he was just at the edge of the town, with a bar- ren tract of rocky ground lying just ahead; a mast suitable range for target practice such as he contemplated. “ Always supposing the racket doesn’t set the town on fire!” Still, that was a risk he had to run, the only alternative being to pass clear be- yond ear range; and that would take too much time, as well as being entirely too much trouble. “ Business is business, and just now it’s my business to see just how much I’ve got for my good money,” muttered the Sport while selecting his ground for that practice. to burn powder in good earnest before seeing the last of this Punch and Judy affair, and if so—well, a fellow wants to know just how his guns throw their fod- der; yes!” Here and there grew stunted trees amid ~ that barren tract, and picking out one where the ground was fairly level, Ar- lington pinned a playing card against the gnarled trunk, then leisurely measured off an even score of paces, keeping the forenoon sun at his back. Far enough for testing sights, and that’s what I’m after; not trying to show off in fancy marksmanship before an en- thusiastic audience,” the Hotspur mur- mured, while taking his position and drawing his pistols. He was “all business” now, forgetting everything save that one all-important point, standing in an easy position, but firm as a rock, save for right hand, as it rose steadily to cover yonder card, paus- ing for a brace of seconds to hold im- movable aim, then firing. 4 In swift succession, shot followed shot, until the weapon was empty and a little cloud of bluish vapor overhung the . spot. Throwing open the pistol and ejecting the empty shells, blowing through the barrel, then deftly inserting fresh cart- ridges as he strode toward the twisted cedar, Hotspur Hal frowned and gave an impatient murmur. For the card still showed as before, untouched by any one of the six bullets sent that way. He found them closely bunched, almost a foot below the card, and gave grim nod of head as he covered them with the tips. of three fingers. “In true line, but the same old story! { never knew the firm to turn out a poor or imperfect weapon, but—why in time can’t they regulate the sights at the fac- tory? Why put on a knife-edge that a giraffe couldn’t stride over? Why—well, better too high than too low!” Returning to his former station, Hot- spur Hal tested his second gun, with al- most precisely the same result; the weap- on shot true to line, but in drawing a fine sight would throw the lead inches too low at twenty paces. Satisfied with this preliminary _ test, which only confirmed his past experience with those otherwise perfectly’ finished arms, Arlington produced a small file, with which to eat away sufficient of the - silver sights in front, but giving an im- patient grunt as he caught sight of sev- eral men hurrying that way from town. “TI knew it! The Yahoos couldn’t hear a bit of barking without—well, just so they give me elbow room enough to—” “Hellow, thar, you feller!” came a hurried hail from the citizen in the lead. - a tall, gaunt, stoop-shouldered man of probably fifty years of age, who carried — a weather-beaten and time-worn Win- chester repeater, as though both eager ~ it. and ready to make good use of “It’s even money that I’ll have ~
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j ] . Most ludicrous disgust. bullets, Hotspur Hi 12 Fal, the he Sport from Hard Luck. *““Whar’s the circus, an’ . cesliste a- doin’ of it, aryhow?”’ “Good-morning, sir! Sorry to disap- point you, pardner, but the fact is just like them: Trying out my new guns, a get their sights down to business evel.” “ Waal, by jinks!” with an echo of al- “Ff I didn’t ‘low thar was a he-ole rubidunkus bu’sted Joose all over this yer way! An’ it’s only a critter—waal, waal, now! An’ how do she throw the blue pills, pardner? ” “Too low, as all Smith & Wessons will, first-off. I’ve been doing a bit of filing, and now—any objections to my trying it over, friends? ’”’ By this time something like a dozen men, all drawn to the spot by the truly national love of a free show, were watch- ing operations, while still other citizens were on the way. As a matter of course, no objections were raised, the marksman being given ample room in which to show his skill, and for something like half an hour the Hotspur buckled down to work, now filing, now firing, all the time drawing nigher perfection, until at last he plant- ed his six shots all neatly bunched in- side the playing card. Without paying heed to the murmurs ot approval, Arlington reloaded that weapon, putting it up in favor of its mate, speaking indifferently: “Twill answer for rough work, I reck- on, and I can put the finer touches on later. They’re all the same; good as the best, save in that one respect. But— why not make a good work perfect, to start with?” The man with the Winchester—Sam Huckett, as he introduced himself—took a strong interest in this practice, now and then letting fall word or hint which showed he knew what he was ‘talking about, and at the same time favorably impressed Arlington. Now, while most of the others were at the cedar, inspecting the little patches cut up by the bullets, or placing a fresh target, he spoke in guarded tones to the ‘Sport: “You’re gittin’ thar, fur’s your guns goes, pardner, but you want to keep all eyes open jest the same! ” “Ts that so?” “You bet yer sweet life that’s so! Fer why: I seed you thump that ornery cuss, Dick Fitchner, back yender, an’ him— waal, now, boss, Dick hain’t never gwine fer to stan’ up afore ye for a fa’r fought; no, he jest hain’t, now! ” “So much the easier on my stock of ammunition, isn’t it?” “But a mighty sight rougher onto the back o’ ye in a dark night! An’ that’s jest what’s the matter, pardner! Dick’ll play even ef it takes all the hide off, nur you won’t git a weenty word oO’ warnin’ afore he makes his jump, nuther; you won't!” Hotspur Hal was keen enough judge of human nature to realize that this was a whole-souled bit of good will, and gave firm grip of hand by way of thanks to the man with the Winchester. More than that, just then, neither man wished to risk, for the other citizens were moving their way, leaving a fresh target in readiness for another series of shots. Those quickly followed, and‘after them another test when the daintily handled _ file had done its work. Again the playing card caught the six and feeling fairly well satisfied with himself, so far, Hotspur Hal called forth: “Set up another card, please, gentle- men, and I’ll see if I’ve clean forgot how | ‘to play double triggers! ” ‘But it was not to be, for as the Sport - was left standing alone, the spiteful re- ( of a rifle rung forth, and Arlington re’ | with a sharp cry, to fall at full Bs two more CHAPTER x. THE UP-TO-DATE SPORT COUNTS A SCORE. Startled cries broke from the citizens at this totally unexpected event, and more than one of them shrunk back, seemingly on the point of breaking away in headlong flight as though fearful for their own safety. Not so with honest Sam Huckett, the man with the Winchester. He heard the shot, and flashed eyes that way, catching sight of a tiny puff of gray vapor far across yonder among the rocks, but at that same instant, see- ing the Hotspur Sport stagger like a man sharp hit. The other shots followed with such rapidity that it seemed no one gun could possibly have vomited forth the viciously humming lead, yet the smoke puffs came from precisely the same covert. Huckett gave angry ery and sprung forward, just as the Sport partly whirled around, to stagger and fall as though shot through the heart or through brain. But no mortally stricken man could have so swiftly recovered himself, and it certainly was not a corpse which rolled over and scrambled nimbly to feet, dash- ing one hand across eyes to clear vision even as he called out: “ Show me where—show me the dirty whelp of Satan who dared to hit me be- hind my back?” “ Yender—thar! ” cried Huckett, point- ing toward the rocky ambush from whence those treacherous shots had been sped. That was enough for the Hotspur. He caught sight of the rapidly fading smoke, and only pausing. long enough to catch up the revolvers which had dropped from his hand when he fell, partly from the bullet, which had cut a shallow channel through his scalp, but mainly, through a loose stone giving way beneath his foot as he ttied to whirl and face the enemy, he gave an ugly growl and rushed that: way. Sam. Huckett was fully as prompt to take action, but the others hung in the wind a couple of seconds; long enough to see that no shots came to check that reckless charge. After that they were eager enough, shouting to the full as vengefully as either one of their immediate leaders in that rush. “Keep back!” fiercely cried the now thoroughly enraged Sport from Hard Luck, as he caught those yells. “ He’s my meat! Leave him to me or I’ll—man to man, you infernal cur!” he cried, sending his voice ahead in hopes of thus turning his unseen enemy to bay. But not a sound came from the rocks. Not another shot was fired, nor could one of the little company catch sight or sound of the foiled assassin. “ Made a run fer it, the durn critter!” panted Huckett, as he reached the cover, only a yard or two behind the Sport. “ Ef ever I was—” “ Yonder—yonder he goes!” cried Ar- lington, in savage disappointment as he caught sight of a human figure just blending with that of a bay horse. “Whar—who is ‘he—why don’t ye— critter-back, by gum!” spluttered the man with the Winchester, surging far enough forward to sight the same ob- jects. “Too far—too long a pull for a re- volver! ” added the Sport in fierce disap- pointment as he saw his enemy spur steed into swifter flight, at the same time turning head to look backward as a man will who knows dangerous chase is being given. “A nigger, by thunder!” exploded Huckett, as he saw this. “ Black a mug as ever I see on ary—thunder! ” For Arlington snatched the Winchester from his grasp, springing forward a couple of paces to drop on knees beside one of the gray rocks, leveling the rifie over the bowlder and bringing the double ots = Ahh in sights to bear upon that far-away figure. It seemed we: Sars a viet wis even a , men, nur Suibated rr a paar An’ « Winchester of that calibre, but ’twas the forlorn hope which each fleeting second lessened in geometrical degree. Only a brace of seconds did it require to secure the best possible aim, but that almost infinitesimal space of time seemed an age to those breathless witnesses. Then the trigger was drawn, and as the weapon barked, Hotspur Hal sprung to $ his feet the more surely to clear that curl of smoke and see how surely his lead had been winged. The fugitive assassin suddenly straight- ened up in sadde, tossing both arms in frantic gesture, then pitching sideways off his nag, striking the flinty gr ound heavily and rolling over and over as the unburdened horse sped on at doublea pace. “Whooray!” fairly screamed Sam Huckett, flinging his battered and greasy felt high in air. “Punched him right whar he lives, or—whooray fer gun an’ double whooray fer shooter! ” It seemed almost like a miracle, con- sidering the distance and the fact that the living target was in swiftly irregular motion at the time; but Hotspur Hal never stopped to give or receive congrat- ulations, springing ahead at the best pace he could command where the ground was so difficult to cover. Huckett and the other citizens followed suit, none pausing until at the spot where the unseated horseman lay, covered with dirt, garments torn by his ugly fall, and face hidden beneath a mask of black cloth! “One o’ the Punch an’ Judy outfit or I'm a liar!” cried Huckett in wide-eyed amazement. ‘‘ Waal, now, ef I ever—no I never! ” With face hard set and pale beyond the ordinary, Hotspur Hal looked on while the dead man was being handled, for that he was dead not one could en- tertain the faintest doubt after the first glimpse. The mask was removed, and the pain- drawn visage exposed to view. A brief scrutiny, then one of the citi- zens cried out: “T’ve seen, him afore this! yes! Over at Capsheap! ” “His name is Zack Grebe,” contrib- uted Huckett. “I knowed him long afore I come to Hardshell. Nur I never didn’t know ary good o’ him, nuther; an’ that’s a blessed fact, too! ” “ Well, he’s done ketched his last sick- ness this round, aryhow! An’ a cracker- jack shot I never did see sence I was pupped; no, sir! ” “Whar’d he ketch it, Sam?” asked an- other of the men from Hard Luek. “ Thar’s whar he done lit onto his cabeza, but—the lead, man?” Still the Sport from Hard Luck main- tained silence, taking no part in that curious examination, looking grave and even sad. Sam Huckett rolled the corpse over, looking for mark of bullet. He found it right speedily, finger tip tracing the cut in scalp, which told where the lead had touched, and then gave a half-disgusted ery as he caught that head and lifted pind far enough to shake it from side to side. “Waal, by gosh! Jest a weenty graze like that! An’ him—I say, boss! ” “What is it? Surely not—speak up, man, dear! ” “The blame fool done killed him own self!’ disgustedly, once more with that grim illustration. “ See! You jest sort 0” creased the critter, an’ he dumped out ento his cabeza, to break his fool neck, sure!” Hotspur Hal stooped to assure himself of this fact—for fact it proved to be— Skier sb back with a breath of no slight relief. “Tm glad of that,” he said, in low- ered tones. ‘Somehow I felt like an assassin myself, shooting a man while fleeing, and— exploded Sree “That be blamed! ” Huckett. “4ack Grebe never was- I think— - =
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ee C — ee : .{ruy, untortunape affair. came | tp N De dahbdane Rath ik. na a eS Hotspur he was, double times over, didn’t he try fer to drap you out o’ kiver? An’ that ahind the back o’ ye, too?” Hotspur Hal gave a little cry and stooped over the dead man once more, then drew from his belt a brace of re- volvers, giving a brief laugh of pleasure as he made sure his eyes had not played him false. “My guns—my dainty little pets!” he cried, in actual glee, such as only a thor- oughbred sport can fully appreciate, as he fondled the guns. “ That settles it, then! He was one of the Punch and Judy outfit, and fairly deserved his fate! ” “That’s mighty right, too! An’ them is your old guns, boss?” “My old tools, yes! Now that I’ve found them again, these others—whoever will look after this cold meat can have the gums as pay.” Hotspur Hal dropped the recently test- ed pistols upon the corpse, then turned away as though he held no further inter- est in the matter. More hands than one made eager grasp for the tools, but Sam Huckett secured them. both, and promptly clenched his claim by crying out: “ That’s all right, boss; I'll do the ’tend- in’ to, don’t you worry over it, now! I knowed Zack Grebe fer a heap o’ while, nur I never didn’t know ary good o’ the blame critter, nuther! ” Satisfied that the body would receive fairly decent treatment, and feeling con- siderably more at ease in mind since learning just how the road-agent came by his death, Arlington moved slowly away through the thick-lying rocks, heading for the cedar tree against whose trunk he had pinned his card targets. He was scarcely aware of what he was doing, or whither his steps were tending, for brain was over-busy just then, striv- ing to clear a way through the thicken- ing mists. What had he done to cause that law- less outfit to centre upon himself as a fitting subject for capital punishment. “First, Dick Fitchner, now Zack Grebe! I could almost take oath they belong to the Punch and Judy outfit, and—am I marked for death simply because I’ve openly declared my intention to play even for being robbed in that hold-up?” With thoughts thus engaged, Hotspur Hal crossed over to near the practice ground, then giving a start at sound of footstep, looking up to catch sight of John Halliboober! “Ach! I vhas loogink me oudt vor you, und—cracious cootness! ” For Hotspur Hal jerked out a revolver and caught the drop with bewildering swiftness as he sternly cried out: “Hands up, you infernal scoundrel! ” CHAPTER XI. A PECULIAR INTERVIEW. After all, it is not just the easiest mat- ter in the world to bluff a man who will not be bluffed. Leonard Boulware opened his portal ‘with the grim determination to give the banker of Hardshell such a cool recep- tion that he would be only too glad to beat a retreat far less dignified than was this advance; but Earl Chonister seemed to look at the matter in an entirely dif- ferent light. *“ Good-morning, my dear sir,” was his brisk salutation, ignoring completely that dark frown and repellent expres- sion of face. “Thanks! I wiil step in- Side for a moment, since you’re so kind as to—thanks! ” It was not exactly a shove which sent the speculator back sufficiently far, yet ‘just as certainly no invitation was given, ut, nevertheless, Earl Chonister did cross _ that threshold, and as he did so both his hands closed over one of his host’s, shaking it most cordially. “T have wanted to see you, my dear ‘sir, ever since the first rumor of this my earnestly declared the banker, his unk eyes ee with ebay gant such a cl ne ES Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck, rn ee 13 as ought to be very grateful to one in trouble, but which— Leonard Boulware jerked his hand free, recoiling a bit, then grufily speak- ing: “My office is down town, sir. I never admit any here save intimate friends, who are not—’” “No one of whom can more highly ap- preciate the honor, my dear sir!” cried Chonister, dark face fairly beaming with pleasure. ‘‘ There was one time when I began to fear you weren’t quite—er— but I can’t bear to mention such a thing, even yet!” “Tf you want to see me on business—’” “There is no time like the present, of course; thanks! And Miss Cora is—l trust she is very well, indeed?” Leonard Boulware gave a surly growl at this piece of sublime impudence as he considered it, and for a brief space it really began to look as though Mr. Chon- ister had ventured a step too far. “ None the better for your asking, Har] Chonister! And—leave her name out of the question unless you’re honing for a row!” “With you, my dear sir?” those jetty brows arching in dismay. “ Not for all the world! I surely meant no harm by asking—” “ Drop it, I tell you! ”’ came the sharper warning, as the mining speculator turned toward his “snuggery,” instead of fling- ing wide the front door and kicking the fellow out, as he would have vowed to do, only a few brief minutes before. eek as Moses looked the handsome banker as he followed his irate host from the room, but in his dark eyes was a laughing twinkle which would have told tales had Leonard Boulware caught a fair expression of them. It was foot nearly as much as hand that opened the second door, and a very sour-looking host who paused for guest to pass through in advance, but Earl Chonister had a certain point to win in the queer game then being played, and he smiled like one thoroughly satisfied with the way the cards were running. Taking a seat where his face was cast somewhat into shadow, the younger man waited for his host to be seated, then spoke in what was meant to be a sym- pathetic tone of voice: “T am very, very sorry to hear of your recent misfortune, Mr. Boulware, and couldn’t resist the temptation to fetch my heartfelt sympathy. The loss would be hard enough for any man to bear, un- less—by the way, which report is the true one, sir?” “What do you mean by that?” “Well, there are so many wild rumors afloat, you know! One says you lost ten thousand dollars, another doubles, then multiples it until—you understand? I really reckon you are the only one in Hardshell who can give the actual facts, Mr. Boulware.” *“ Don’t forget the one whe—don’t for- get yourself, Earl Chonister!” harshly cried the speculator, dislike winning the upper hand of ordinary prudence. The banker gave a slight start, brows arching in surprise. “T don’t exactly follow your meaning, my dear sir,’ he expostulated. Leonard Boulware broke into a short, sneering laugh, then spoke on: “You don’t, eh? A lie wouldn’t begin to choke you, either, would it?” a Sir? ” “That's all right, too! What else is it, pray? ” “What on earth do you mean, Mr. Boulware? ” “That you know a mighty sight more about both hold-up and lost money than I can tell you; just that, sir!” vigor- ously declared the mining speculator, fetching clenched fist upon table with resonant thump. “That I do?” “That Major Punch does, and that’s a distinction without any difference. Now, do you catch on, Earl Chonister?” That handsome face flushed hotly, then Cee eee Aiea WwW hite Enea APL ing as though in sudden anger, but a moment later all smoothed over, and the Hardshell banker even laughed briefly. “If words mean anything, sir, yours mean that IT am—bah! ” with quick gest- ure of hand. ‘‘ The bare idea is too ut- terly ridiculous! ” “That's all right, if you can only prove it right, Earl Chonister,”’ doggedly -per- sisted the elder man. “ Maybe I’m ’way off my base, but, all the same, I’m open to lay odds that you wipe your lips every time Major Punch takes a drink, so there! ” Chonister gazed steadily into that flushed face, eyes meeting eyes without flinching on either side for a half-score seconds. Then the banker parted lips to sharply ejaculate: “ Are you gone crazy, sir? ” “Not quite. I know just what I’m say- ing, and I stand responsible for each and every word that crosses my lips. Un- derstand? ”’ A very thinly-veiled menace, this, but Earl Chonister showed no particular haste to pick up ‘the gauntlet. He leaned back in his chair, one hand briefly smoothing his neatly kept mus- tache, then dropping away to his lap. There was a faint gleam of white teeth in amused smile before the younger man spoke in his turn: “Tf ’twas any other man hinting at such a thing, Mr. Boulware, I most cer- tanly would call him—if not crazy, the— other thing! ” “Fool is it?” “The word came from your lips, not mine, remember,’ swiftly spoke the banker, “but any milder term would scarcely fit the idea. What? I Major Punch? I, the author of all the recent hold-ups? ” “T believe it—upon my very soul, I be- lieve you are that infernal scoundrel, Earl Chonister! ” It really looked as though serious trouble was brewing, but it takes at least two to make a quarrel interesting, and . nothing was further from the banker’s intentions or wish, just then, to really fall out with his present host. He made a deprecatory gesture, speaks ing with quiet earnestness: “T am sorry—extremely sorry, to find you have such a poor opinion of my honor and probity, Mr. Boulware, but we really cannot afford to quarrel over such a trifle.” “What do you mean by that?” de- manded the speculator. “ After what has passed between us—not to mention what I’ve just said—why are you here, unless to quarrel?” “On a matter of business in which we hold a mutual interest,” was the prompt reply. “I know that you have taken a powerful dislike to me of late—” “With mighty good reasons, too! ” “And I would hardly have ventured here without an invitation had there been less important interests at stake,” evenly pursued Chonister. “What are you trying to get at, any~ way?” “Simply this: the Hot Stuff—” “What business is that of yours, pray?” “None at all, sir, unless you are will- ing to grant that much,” with a bland smile. “Allow me to say my say, please? ” “Go on. Cut it short, though.” “Thanks. As I started to say, you hold an option on the claim now owned by Moses Grinberg. I have taken a strong You hold an option on fancy to that same bit of property, 7 ; understand—” “Don’t you wish you may get it, though? ” “JT really would like it, yes,” with imperturbable good nature. possible inducement to you, ae a ha to make an offer. May I?” ¥ “What is it?” .¢ apa | “This: You paid ae “And asa
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14 down for a sixty-day option at fifty thoussnd. Am I correct, Mr. Boulware? ” “Near enough. Go on.” “Thanks. Now I’ll give you one thou- sand in cash and take the option off your hands. Asa pure maiter of business, of course.” The speculator made a gesture of con- tempt, lips curling as he said: “Bah! You’re too mighty fond of a good thing, Darl Chonister! ” “T really think myself.,’twould pay a fair profit,” easily admitted the banker. “Tf otherwise, of course I wouldn’t take hold of it as a speculation. And as you will hardly make the option good—’” “Who dares to say I’ll not make it good?” “What? Surely you will not buy the mine, after this?” “Surely, I will buy the mine! ” almost fiercely cried the speculator, with gest- ’ ures to match his tones. “ Ay! Dll make that option a-trade in spite of man or devil! ”” Past all doubting, Leonard Boulware meant every word that now crossed his lips, but the Hardshell banker was not materially shaken in his opinion, judging from his half-quizzical smile and his next words: “Of course, no man would better like to see you fall into a good thing, Mr. Boulware, but business is business, and— Tll lay you almost any odds that you never buy out Mose Grinberg! ” The owner of the option sprung from his seat with a low cry of mingled rage and menace, hands gripping chair back as though to utilize that article of fur- niture as a weapon, then harshly de- anding: “What do you mean by that? Is ita threat, Earl Chonister?” CHAPTER XII. ANOTHER, ONLY MORE .SO. If the banker had risen, or made any decided movement, which could possibly have been misconstrued by his irate host, the crisis would have been precipi- tated right then and there. Instead Erl Chonister remained qulet, even smiling as with pleasure up into the rage-flushed face of his antagonist. “A threat?” he echoed, in blandest tones. ‘Not a bit of it, my dear sir! And—pray resume your seat for a mo- ment, will you?” “I thought—you offered to bet odds against—” “Tll explain just why I let slip the ‘words; sorry I did, too, since they seem to have given you fresh offense, Mr. Boulware.” “Why wouldn’t they, after—all right! ” sinking back into his seat and clenching hands tightly together in his lap as though he thought it best to resist an ugly temptation by those means. “Go on, Finish up the business which brought you here, sir.” “T’m free to admit choosing my words awkwardly, but my meaning was hardly as offensive as you seem to fancy I merely meant that it is almost imypossi- ble to break a streak of ill luck such as you appear to have fallen into of recent days.” “Go oh. Finish what you’ve got to “Very well. I’ve made you what I consider a fair offer, all things taken into consideration, Mr Boulware. I met the owner of the Hot Stuff as I was on my way here. Say the word, sir, and I'll _go look him up.” “What for, pray?” “To fetch him here in person, so that we can close the deal without either hhitch or hobble. Shall I?” “Shall you? No! ” “ Think twice before you decide finally,” urged the banker, face now betraying something of his powerful interest in the matier as the crisis drew near. _“There’s a fortune in that claim, Mr. Boulware, and I neéd hardly say that I am willing to share—” “But 1am not!” cried the speculator, Hotspur Fal, the Sport from Hard Luck. rising to his feet once more, now in a eold rage, which was even more dan- gerous than his recent spasm of fury. “T beg of you, sir!” cried Chonister, likewise abandoning his seat. “ Enough—and too much, you scoun- drel!. There’s the door; go! Go, I tell you, or—old and gray-headed as I am, by all the gods of war Ill kick you out! ” Almos* any man would have abandoned the field as worse than lost, but Earl Chonister was hardly one of the common herd, and though he had left his chair, he showed no haste to leave the room or house as well. “Be patient, my dear sir,” he spoke, smoothly, with never a show of resent- ment or of irritation, as he leaned lightly upon the chair back. ‘“‘ Since you posi- tively decline to sell me the option—” “Tll see you in the bottomless pit first! ”’ “Of course, that settles it, then,” with a smile and bow. “ But now I have an- other proposition to make, and I'll put it into as few words as possible: like this: “T have ample funds at my disposal, outside of the bank business. I will supply you with as much cash as you desire, provyided—” “ Be careful, confound you! ” “Provided you grant my heartfelt prayer,” gravely persisted the banker. “T love your daughter—” “And my daughter hates you—hates you, sir, do you understand? ” Earl Chonister stood motionless before the angry speculator, his handsome face a bit graver than usual, but in no other wise did he betray aught of excitement or of agitation. A brief silence, then he spoke in cool, even tones: “T really trust you will excuse me, Mr. Boulware, but I fear you are just the least bit prejudiced against myself. As I said, I love your daughter, and my dear- est hope in life is to make her my wife.” ‘Never, you scoundrel! I’d rather see her dead than— Will you take my answer and—go! ” “No, sir. I’ll only take that decision from Miss Boulware’s lips,’ resolutely declared the young banker. Leonard Boulware turned to the desk which stood near the window, jerking out a drawer from whence he took a revol- ver, wheeling upon the lover as he harsh- ly cried: “Now go, I tell you! You’re too infer- nally contemptible to be worth a ear- tridge, Earl Chonister, but—go, I say! Go, or I'll scatter your brains to the four winds! ” There was no room left for doubting the perfect earnestness of his adversary, now. and like any other wise man, Earl Chonister made the best of a bad bar- gain. “All right, since you are so very press- ing, my dear sir,’ the said, lifting hat from table and moving easily toward the door. “I’d awfully hate to be the means—or cause—of hanging the father of—allow me to bid you a very good day, Mr. Boulware! ” Even the irate speculator was forced to admit that the cool fellow was carrying it off in good fashion, but his gun kept Chonister covered during that brief tour to the front door. Whatever one entirely without preju- dice might have thought, Leonard Boul- ware no longer entertained a reasonable doubt as to the perfect truth of his ugly suspicions. In his mind, Earl Chonister was indeed Major Punch, but—how to make the rest of the world see with his eyes? With far greater grace than one ‘would expect, the Hardshell banker made his exit, even going so far as to proffer hand in parting! Of course, that was labor spent in vain, but the indignant refusal gave Chonister a fair excuse for smile and chuckle as he finally turned his back upon the building and strode easily off in the direction of his own place of business. , eS all. sn 4 q al ee gy 7 gaia ii right Before that place of business ea, b reached, however, Mr, Chonister cauhgws— the eyes of a man of middle age in fai« what good garb, making a covert gestu« what which caused that worthy to fall in ‘ajor Pi hind and dog his steps to the bank bu7« pat t ing itself, bol)? 1 As a matter of course, a half-civilizygnt ¢ place like Hardshell could hardly be ¢m vio pected to put on metropolitan airs, or dot, or business in true metropolitan fashion. pu!” This was an instance which may ‘He fil cited: Chonister’s bank was the omrgled regular financial institution doing svwuffied business in Hardshell, yet the banker b ownin: to unlock the door as he returned fri“ How that profitless business call upon Leone > that Boulware. 4 Earl Chonister ran his place of bu’ ness by himself, and when, as now, # felt drawn away during business hou What more simple than shutting up sh¢ until he could return? Thus it came to pass, then, that » follower found the banker alone with’ JOE Neve nm me igger the building when he came to the nc-@@™ | open door. p With Glancing that way at sound of footfa®* © Chonister recognized his man, speaki UCK crisply: (bility “Come in, Grinberg! ” Be Con The owner of the Hot Stuff enter » ee passing through to the rear of the srain he and wired counter before speaking, g] ay i ing around afver a furtive fashion, whi tingir would hardly have impressed a stra . ger in his favor, The “ Did you git to see him, boss?” ‘ae ; “Boulware? Yes. Don’t I always ge’ | what I go after, Moses? ” Somes “Mhen it’s all right? You made Pins trade—eh?” at te Chonister sunk into his office chair, leg, tt thrust out at full extent, hands claspe k in front of this body, hat tipped far enougpre , forward to shade his eyes if not to mas! ‘ his quizzical smile. ee It was a smile that puzzled Mose rn. Grinberg, evidently enough, and he Shifito th ed uneasily from one foot to its matégorwe rubbing hands together with a far frofaow: agreeable rasping sound. “ “What luck? You said—what lucky - blame it all?” ‘tollat “None, my dear fellow; none at all. “ He swears that he’ll make his option _g¢t¢ good, whether or no, in spite of man or, of devil, was the way he put it before me,” rau explained the banker. you Moses Grinberg gave a savage gesture, « and low, ugly sounds passed through yy, his thick lips. Evidently he had looked pei) for a far different report than this. d “Make it good? But that means—wh cae how kin he? Hain’t he jest lost sech 4 ohm pile—” I ge “Something like twenty thousand, ly D believe,” with a yawn. vhe “ An’ that makes jest double so much) « fer he was stuck up afore.” D “ According to report, that makes for ®*” ty thousand to the bad,” easily admitte the banker, still. retaining his careles PEE attitude. “‘ But you don’t want to let al ooh that close your eyes, Moses,” pas “What ye mean, boss?” vie “That you’d best lie mighty low fo i a couple of weeks, That you'd better g hide out in some snug corner . unti h after the option expires, for if Boulwar thi should offer you the hard cash—” Baas “But—how kin he, losin’ so mighty, %° much?” 2 “ Well, Moses, maybe I’m just a weenty iy bit better posted on some matters than th you are, and so—listen: Mr. Boulware * has at least half the whole sum safely stowed away in his house, where he car | produce it—” hi “ Why don’t you freeze fast to that, too, boss?” interrupted Grinberg, in a guard- | ed whisper, after glacing around to make sure no eavesdroppers were nigh. Chonister gave a start and frown at the words, speaking sharply: “Why don’t I—why, you idiot! What | ® do you mean, anyway?” t “Augh! Come off your perch, pard- ner!” insolently retorted Moses, with: t an impatient yet meaning gesture. “ It’s tol ti
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= ° - - ee ee ee Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. Ler een AO gh IRR yee SET eRe times ~ -” ee — ee ee es " ———— 15 —“] right to play goody-goody afore the €SS Vowd, but when it comes to one who r callhows—” in fai« What?” sestu« what I know; that you’ve bin playin’ il 10 ‘ajor Punch, an’—” Kk buy Bat those words, you infernal scoun- “el!” sternly cried Chonister, as he Civiligyght Grinberg by the throat, shaking y be ¢m violently. “Take that back, you 8, OF jot, or I’ll shake daylight clean out of hion. 54!” may ‘He flung the fellow off, as Moses ie omrgled an apology, and after the miner ig sviuffied out of the bank and away, he ker b owningly muttered: d fri“ How many others-are going to catch eons? that fool idea, I wonder?” f buv ow, - CHAPTER XIII. bg. JOHAN’S SHREWD LITTLE DEAL Never in all his life was Hal Arling- at }2u more powerfully tempted to draw with Weser than when he caught the drop on e ncoban Halliboober. , With all his off-hand dash and appar- otfam@t carelessness, the Sport from Hard aki juck was a proud man; proud of his ‘bility to hold his own under any and ‘ll conditions, and the fact that to this orse than insignificant looking fellow e primarily owed his present almost -lappenniless condition, to say nothing of the : jeast ignominy of bonds, was peculiarly tra: tinging. | Then, too, he had been twice assailed that same forenoon by men whom he ~Nas morally certain belonged to the FS .me lawless gang for which this sham- de pling scoundrel almost as surely played papper. jeg, If Johan had made the slightest ef- spetort to draw a weapon in turn, or even ougproke away in flight, his fate would have nas been sealed past redemption, but instead ‘was it pure nerve, or merely another ae hase of natural audacity? OS€ Those dingy paws flew up in obedience hit to that stern challenge, but head came atforward a bit, little eyes sparkling, and OUnow-familiar tongue mouthing the words: * Vail, vail, now, dot is a nice goons, UCHmy vriendt! I giffs you more as fife yj ellar uff you vhas—” be . “And I'll give you a through ticket to ‘oR steady, Dutch! I’d ought to lift your ‘oof without further parley, you infernal fraud! And I’ll do just that, too, unless isla you can show fair cause why—steady!” : *» “Ach! mein coot vriendt! You dalks a me like somepody vhas coink grazy py h L ne,” meinselluf!’’ exploded the second-hand man, still holding up his thands, but util- izing his shoulders to gesture after an almost ludicrous fashion. ‘‘ Vor vhy vhas I get shooted mit a goon, eh? Vhat vhas I pin doin’ py meinselluf all der dimes vhen I neffer knowed me dot, eh?” “You are one of the Punch, and Judy sr. Sang that held me up, and—’” - “Ach! mein shiminy kee-ristmas! ” ag exploded the fellow, staring in wide-eyed il amazement for a few seconds, then breaking into an odd chuckle, which by ‘no means helped to mend the temper of the Hotspur. A brace of swift strides carried Arling- jj ton close enough for left hand to grip rg throat, pistol muzzle rubbing that hawk- nosed face as he spoke in coldly fierce gi accents: “Why shouldn’t I send you over the y range, you cur? Show good cause, and that in a hurry, or I’ll open your skull s0 wide that the sun will make your teeth ache!” : There was no room left for doubting his perfect earnestness now, and fool or knave, Johan realized his imminent peril. “T vill—I vill dells me efferydinks! ” » he spluttered as best he might with those | steel-like fingers closing tighter and more > | tightly upon his throat. t C Arlington gave him a parting shake, shoving, the fellow back as he relaxed -) that vicious grasp. é “See that you do, then! Talk straight, » / too, I feel like a fool for not drilling you at first sight, but—talk a chalk-line, Johan, or [li fit you for a high lot on the hillside, even yet! ” Halliboober gasped a couple of times, coughing and gingerly fingering his throat like ene in doubt as to its condi- tion. But with that revolver still staring him in the face, even he could not af- ford to waste very much time. “Und I vhas me—vhat vhas it you say me I vhas, eh?” “One of the Punch and Judy outfit, no less,” promptly repeated the Sport from Hard Luck. “ Deny that if you can, and make your denial good or I'll send yow over the range a-kiting, you scoundrel! ” “T deny me dot all oafer, py dunder un& goons! ” exploded the Dutchman, vigor- ously. “I neffer vhas me so low town as dot! I neffer vhas me co grazy like dem—nein, nein! ” “Why did you down me, then? What made you give me the dump when f¥ was breaking away, you cur?” fiercely de- manded the Sport. d Instead of flinching further or betray- ing fear for the moment, Johan Halli- boober lifted finger to lip, flashing a wary glance around, then leaning a bit for- ward to breathe in a husky whisper: “Shh! Dot vhas a vine, schmardt dricks, nein? Yaw! I dinks me so, ny- der! Und-—vait a pit, mein coot vriendt, und I vill me makes—like does! ” His other hand was busy about his ill- fitting garments, and Hotspur Hal was about to take action lest this odd cus- tomer might be after a weapon, through means of Which he hoped to turn tables, but then the paw came forth, holding a well-worn pocketbook instead. “What’s that? What have you got there, Dutch?” Johan gave a low, cracked chuckle, while flashing another shy look around, then held forth the purse and spoke: “Bay dyselluf pack oudt uff dot, mein coot vriedt! ” “What! What are you trying to get through yourself, anyway?” “ Youst like dot: I vhas me no plame scountrel—nein! I vhas me neffer von uff dose’ plooty-mintet sphitzboobs— neffer! Und vhen you say me I gost you all dose moneys, I say me bay dyselluff pack!” “Are you crazy, or only a_ fool, Dutchy?” cried the sport, scarcely know- ing what to say or how to take this queer customer. Again Johan chuckled as he swept an- other precautionary glance around to make sure they had the stage wholly to themselves. “Vell, I vhas me no vools, anyways. Und I vhas owe me dot much py you; I owes me youst so much as you lost py dem vellers vhen dey vhas blay monkeys all oafer py us—yaw! ” Halliboober uttered these words as one might who meant all they sought to convey, and with growing suspicion that there was even more in this fellow than he had given him credit for, Arlington lowered his pistol, though still keeping on guard. “ You’ve said too much not to say more, Dutch,” he curtly pronounced. “ Out with it all, as nearly in a lump as you can twist that thick tongue of yours. Owe me—how do you mean?” Although he had never betrayed any great uneasiness or fear, Johan clearly felt a bit more at ease without that ugly muzzje staring him in the face. That face broadened in a genial smile, and his tones waxed confidential as he began his really needed explanation. “Vell, mein coot yriendt, she vhas britty much like dose vays: I vhas me somedinks pedder as I looks py mein oudtsite—you grap on?” “ Something better? ’’ echoed the puz- zled Sport. “Yaw. I vhas tress me booty rough, I vhas blay me a schunk-schob mans. I. vhas gry oudt I hef me no moneys put a leedle—like dose dem grazy vools_ rop me uff. Und all der dimes I vhas— shh! ” Johan slid a bit closer, to shield lips with curved palm as he added in a ghost- ly whisper: “ All dot vhas a pud-ub schob, you grap on, mein vriendt? I vhas me no dramps. I vhas me no segont-handt tealer—nein! I comes me dis vay oudt to make pig moneys, you see? I hef me blendy vealdth, bud I tond’t garry dose my bockets in—no! “Vhen dose tuyfels sdop us Hkt dot, I hef me tiamonds und odder shewels sewed ub mein gilothes insite uff. Und so—vell, I dinks me it vouldt pe a schmard drick uff I voolish dem vellers all oafer, nein?” “ At my expense, is it, you rascal?” “No, sir, at my expense,” chuckled Johan, again offering his pocketbook te the Sport. “I safe me does shewels, und I hurry me py dot pank in Hardtschell. I make me debosit dose sdones. I giff dot panker-mans von tiamondt, und he giffs me halluf bay. I loog me you ub, und now I say me like dose: bay dy- selluf all dem grazy reskells dake away from you, und I say dank you all oafer dot pargain insite uff—so! ” Halliboober certainly appeared to be in thorough earnest, but it was not so easy to banish such suspicions as he had inspired, and the Sport from Hard Luck bluntly declared his skepticism. “Id vhas drue; all drue, so hellup me cracious cootness!” vowed Johan, ear- nestly “I loose only my leedle schange. I hef me dose tiamonds und shewels safe, I coom py dis vild goodry to py me rich all oafer in dose goldt und silfer mines, Und so—I hef got me adwance from dot panker-mans, und so—I bays me you back; nein?” But even now Arlington refused to be convinced, frowning darkly as he struck dcewn the laden hand, crying out in stern accents: ; * “Bab! That’s entirely too thin. I pe- lieve you are playing cahoots with tha Punch and Judy outfit.” : “So hellup me—” “And I give you fair warning, Dutchy, pull out of that evil company while you’ve got the chance, for if I can prove on you what I now firmly believe, I’ll hang your mangy hide on a barb-wire — fence to scare the crows! Go, now, or I'll expose you to the crowd that’s com- ing with one of your own kidney! ” John Halliboober cast an uneasy glance across the rocky track, to glimpse the citizens fetching a corpse that way, then slunk hurriedly away without further protest. Neither was the Hotspur inclined to take a more prominent part in that pro- cession, and with face wearing an ex- pression of gravity unusual for him, 7 likewise picked his way back to Hardshell proper. It need hardly be said that Dutch Jo- han held at least a fair proportion of his thoughts during that walk, but the more he dwelt upon the recent interview, the less able Hal was to understand it all, “Was it a plant? Was it all a cun- ning trick to snare me worse? But how? If I had taken the money, what would that have done me harm or them any good? And if not—confound the rellow, anyway!” Thanks to his recent arrival in town, Arlington missed the shortest way to his hotel, and thanks to that mistake he once more came in sight of the building which bore the banking sign, and from the door of which just then came a shambling figure. : That figure belonged to Moses Grin- berg, owner of the Hot Stuff, but the- Sport gave him only a glance in passing, himself entering the bank to be con- fronted by Earl Chonister with smiling face and pleasant voice. “ Good-morning, sir. in any manner?” “Tf not against your rules and regula. ~ tions, yes. Has a man named Halliboob opened an account with you to-day?” | % Can I serve you
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16 Hotspur CHAPTER XIV. RUNNING UP A SHOE-STRING. “Why do you wish to know, pray?” “As a mere business detail,” declared the Sport in off-hand manner. “ There’s a trade in prospective, you .understand, and Halliboober referred me to you as a * business reference.” Mr. Chonister looked just a bit irreso- lute, but that quickly vanished and he made reply: “Well, sir, to be perfectly frank with you, I know mighty little concerning Mr, Halliboober.”’ * But he has made a deposit with your bank?” “ Yes; a package, contents unknown to me, but declared to be of value. Mr, Halli- boober begged me to place it in my safe, and [I accommodated him, just as I would any regular patron. But, so far as guar- anteeing him in a matter of business—” { “Oh, I’m running my own risk, you , wnderstand,” deftly interposed the Sport from Hard Luck. ‘I now that Halli- boober was in the hold-up with me, and that Major Punch’ went through his clothes just as though he meant business, " Now Johan flirts a neat little boodle in my face, and when I ask how came he so, says he procured an advance from you.” “On a diamond; exactly,” bowed the . banker. ~ “Thanks, muchly. Do as much for you if ever the chance comes my way,” de- clared the Sport, leaving the bank be- . fore any questions could. be sent ‘his way . by the plainly interested banker. “ Well, the fellow isn’t all liar, any- way!’ mused the Sport as he moved toward his hotel. ‘ Of course, it is bare- ly possible that he is just what he now lays claim to be, but—I wouldn’t swear to that, even yet! He played me dirt back yonder, and—one egg in his basket is fairly proved rotten, and the others be- gin to smell mighty loud! ” There was considerable excitement ‘in . Hardshell over the death of Zack Grebe, but Hotspur Hal kept pretty close to his own chamber, and was not actually called upon to give his side of the story. Sam Huckett and other witnesses could tell all that was essential, and the fact ' that the would-be assassin wore a cloth mask was damning enough in itself to insure a verdict of “served thhim mighty right!” While thus in semi-seclusion, Hal Ar- lington did some busy thinking for him- self, more than once looking at the few coins which alone represented his pres- ent capital. Past experience told him a man with- out funds in a mining town was pretty much like the unshod feline of traditton 4n afar hotter climate than that of Hard- * phell. “Of course, I could raise a stake easy enough,” he mused. “ Dutchy seemed In ‘dead earnest, and then—there’s Boul- ware!” But to neither of these individuals would the Sport appeal while any other avenue was left open, and there was one resource remaining. Rising from the side of his bed where he had been sitting, Hotspur Hal closely inspected his garments, judging them from a purely business point of view. As a matter of course, they had suf- fered somewhat from his recent rough experience, but having been of first-class ‘ material to begin with, were, as a whole, ie ee f that Hotspur Hal took positive action pon his reflections, but then he left the otel and hurried away to a certain es- | in far better condition than could have been expected. * They'll pass, and with a little brush- ing and coaxing they’ll do even better,” ‘was his muttered decision. “Can’t ex- pect a fortune, to be sure, but enough to _ makeva start, and ‘twouldn’t be the first time I’ve run a shoe-string up to a bank - account, either!” It was not until the day was fairly t and supper had followed dinner Wee at bia Hal, the’ Sport from Hard Luck. _— —_—— tablishment upon which his gaze had that day rested. In fact, it was here that the sport had purchased his new guns, the sighting of which bad terminated so tragically that forenoon. The place seemed to be run by a sort of mercantile jack-of-all-trades, for he took it as a mere matter of course when Ar- lington proposed selling his present out- fit, taking an ordinary cowboy suit in part exchange. “Tt’s. the money I’m after, you under- stand,” was the frank admission. “ Never mind about the quality of the duds you turn over; just so I’m covered according to the law.” While the sport showed thimself by no means a petty haggler, he contrived to make a fairly advantageous trade, se- curing even more cash by way of boot than he had dared hope for. Then garbed in coarse trousers of duck, flannel shirt, slouch hat, and cowhide boots, in strong contrast with ‘his usual rigging, the Hotspur left the store, stroll- ing leisurely along through Hardshell with its mingled lights and shadows. There were no street lamps, almost as a matter of course, but as “all-night houses ” were plentiful, each one “ run- ning wide open,” there was almost as much light as darkness, though coming in bands and patches. Hotspur Hal was not roving without aim, for he had prepared a programme for that. evening, as far as anything can be determined in advance. He passed several places where drink- ing and gambling was going on, pausing barely long enough to classify the dens, then moving on to better suit his taste. He lingered a bit longer in front of a saloon and’ gaming-hall combined, the windows of which bore the letters forimu- ing the word “ Arcade,” as did the big red globe over the portal. “Looks more like a white man’s she- bang, and reckon I might as well try it a whirl, anyway,’ muttered the Sport, then crossing the threshold. The place was fairly well patronized, and that by what appeared to be the bet- ter class, judging from the outward man as visible to those keen blue eyes. As is duty bound, Hotspur Hal passed directly to the bar, ordered a glass of whiskey, leaning an elbow on polished bar for a leisurely glance around while being served and disposing of the draught. There was nothing unusual to be seen; a spacious bar, with fittings somewhat better than customarily found in a min- ing camp: a wooden partition between saloon proper and that section devoted to games of skill and ¢hance, in the centre of which was left an archway, now partially sereened by curtains of heavy stuff, moving on a massive curtain pole above. Having disposed of his drink and paid for it, Hotspur Hal easily crossed over to the gaming hall, letting the curtain fall behind him as he paused for another brief summing up. There were tables and layouts for both faro and roulette, with several round tables beyond for such as favored short- card amusement. Neither of these last were as yet occu- pied, but a fair-sized patronage was given both the other layouts, and Hotspur Hal silently advanced toward that devoted to faro. Almost perfect silence reigned within the room, for it is only a green Hand or a fool who prefers to use tongue when cards and money can talk so much the more understandingly. Not the slightest notice was paid the Sport as he came forward, and standing back of the seated players, Arlington quietly watched the fall of cards and fluc- tuations of fortune as the deal prog- ressed, So far as he could see—and the Sport was pretty near being an adept, too— * . . rf Y‘ man given a fair chance for his ,j4q od , ns nae Spons Waiting through another deal to ~ yyo4 perfectly certain, and to catch the Injinin the cards, Hotspur Hal then ‘torpre slipped into a chair as it was Vémaye and slipped into the game as well. jaiqa 1 His little fortune was in coin and {, jez notes—too small for comfort, as he 4 ‘phi ly told himself!—and he did not Dhyan about calling for chips. few es Unless to a confirmed gambler im 4 y of the actual thing, it would hardlgynn, terest the reader to be told in minut, « tt tail just how the Sport from Hard? amb set about “running up a shoe-stringon}y bank account.” fine | Hnough, that, starting in with feW fe modest bets to first test his “luck “bho | determine what style of game he @pandq to play, meeting with a few reversigeft); first, but then “hitting a streak ofg, jh; vet,” the Hotspur began the next ase: with greater assurance, beginning | 415 so soon to exhibit one of the traits Wyo; had helped to win him notoriety throy,,..q out the greater portion of Silverland..oc¢), With but occasional loss to offse « part his winnings, Arlington pressed « ¢ luek to the utmost, hampered at Stalk, th by his limited funds, but that we sk 3 fault which was right speedily mend ison? Coin and bank bills grew up be «c him, lessened now and again by havi! t portion of the pile thrust out of the ,nq in his pockets, and ere an hour crel with Hotspur Hal was the cynosure of all | «14 around. by ; Cool and nervy, he kept up his wintyor gait, crowding the limit as far as post ay after being politely called down fOligay over-het by the man at the box. “ “You can hit us hard enough with fence up, pardner, judging from present pace,” was the grim apology4)jmi “Den’t mention it, I beg. Shall I yy, you lighter? ” ‘plan “Let her went! We'll squeal whetling have to; understand? ” leent “Good enough! This seems to be to ¢ night for grunting, though! ”' t And so it really seemed, for fortethi still favored the Sport, and he alréwoy had a neat little sum as the result of) prec shoe-string dcod: So far the Sport felt fairly confidjghy that the dealing had been wholly on ‘mig square, but knowing from experié y how easy it is for a trained dealefine give any particular player the worstyje: it, he determined to precipitate matt,+jy as quickly as possible. R “One moment, please,” he said, poligne ly, as the deal grew nigh its end. “ R@yre on I'll have to go for the last turn, Jjtro to make it more binding, so—ten-deUthe with queen in hock!” n¢ Without stopping to count his sta@ma Arlington pushed all he had on the boiwa in front, then waited for the turn, at It came, and— |tro “ Now I’ve got to squeal!” gruffly “ tered the dealer as the cards came oul as} order as named “Four to one, and! * yours, stranger!” \ far “Say! That’s too big a boodle for a the one man to take away from here!” cr * a clear voice as Hal raked down his Wor nings. vat CHAPTER XV. ple SPORT AGAINST SPORT. sha Swift as thought itself Hotspur Pfe wheeled in the direction of that voi hin hand on gun, with muzzle tilting 8 snap-shot from the belt in case ‘the should be no time for drawing tth weapon. ith It certainly sounded as though ug“. business was meant, yet matters we not nearly so critical as might haar been. St The Sport as by instinct singled a the speaker, but no gun was in sight, a he caught a smile in place of frown. /0' “ Maybe you'd like to help me tote t)h« boodle, stranger?” asked the Man fre Hard Luck, half-banteringly, half-m@p! the deal was on the square, and every | acingly. eae i f ‘ 4 ue ote
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Hotspur Hal, the his cied, my friend,” came the ready re- sponse from those smiling lips. | to “Hotspur Hal was not the only one he Iwithin earshot who placed a warlike in- nN \terpretation upon that initial speech, both 3 Véplayers and spectators falling to either pane pide with remarkable unanimity, leaving ind fa elear passage between the two men. hei ‘This helped the Sport to single out his ot Dinan, and those keen eyes were but a few seconds in summing up matters. rim A well-built fellow who was still on the arGhcunny slope of life, handsome enough inuWas the world goes, yet plainly tagged araGeambler and all-round sporting man, if riNgonly by his peculiar complexion and his fine linen. ow He seemed in no wise disconcerted by ck “the result of his opening speech, one he Gand lightly resting akimbo, its mate rerSideftly twirling a well-cared-for mustache « Obas his dark eyes met those of the suc- ©XU essful player. n& | Hotspur Hal was no whit less cool, and tS Wthough he made no further motion to- areward pulling a gun, still he left hand and.-esting upon revolver-butt. en “ As how, then?” he queried, crisply. ssed «Ong moment, please,” shifting eyes Stalk the faro dealer, as he added: ‘‘ May I - Wisk you for a little recommend, Mr, John- end on? ” 7 be « Sure,” came the instant reply. “White 1aVins they make ’em nowadays, stranger, the land whatever he says goes in Hardshell ‘Tel without discount.” all! “Thanks, Jimmy,” with a graceful nod iby way of reward, then turning once vanlmore to the waiting Sport, to resume: DOS*« And now I’ll finish what I started to fOlgay, my dear sir. : “T° merely meant that ’twould be a vithinity for a Sport with such a blessed mM Jstreak of luck not to press it clean to the 98Y-jimit; nothing more, I assure you.” Hotspur Hal accepted that partial ex- planation with a little nod of understand- hefing, then finished stowing away his re- cent winnings without taking the trouble be to count them. ' He knew quite sufficient of Western fortethies to feel assured that no attempt alré would be made to take advantage of that to preoccupation Any such violation of the scode would be visited with condign pun- nfidishment, let the offender be whom he on imight. erié faving completed that pleasant task, alefthe Sport turned again toward the gam- Orstbier, ready for business such as he in- natlstinctively felt was in the air. Right or wrong, Arlington had caught Polline impression that this business would “pretty apt to be connected with fresh Ty qerouble, and as he just then recognized -d€Uihe honest if superlatively homely face nd shambling form of Sam Huckett, the staman with the Winchester, coming that botway, he felt that he could depend upon at least one sturdy friend should that trouble actually arise. ly | “No offense, I trust, Mr. Arlington?” oul asked the gambler. nd “Not the slightest, I assure you, sir. I fancy you were merely hinting at fur- Or ther business, though?” ".¢ “Tf you care to press your luck, yes. S WOf course, you sometimes take a hand ‘at poker?” ' “JT have done so when time was more plenty than I find it just at present. One shardly cares to get interested when he r Efeels that each tick of the watch carries voijhim that much nigher the limit, you un- foriderstand? ” ‘thd “Oh, if that is all!” laughingly offset g tthe Hardsheli sport, waving hand toward ‘the round tables at the rear of the room. ug‘ And a round of, wide-awake fellows wecan crowd a mighty heap of genuine haamusement inside of right few minutes. ) all we?” dd “ Single-handed? ” t,a) The gambler flashed a quiek glance . Over the gathering, then gave a nod of te t)hhead as he called out: fr¢ “I say, Carl Erickson! -meiplease.” : This way, ’ anne tert. ons Hep saben SU ORE Les ord eye ght, Dedrick,” answered a young Pee RPOrE OT 1 tutanes Mit kath busine, ook a eepeatiabe-aipksesaamiee “Yes; but not in just the way you fan- man, whose blond head certainly matched well with his Norse patronymic, coming | that way. “What’s up now, Dana?” *‘ Short-cards. If we had another—” “T have him,” tersely interrupted Ar- lington, meeting Sam Huckett and speak- ing swiftly in lowered tones: ‘‘ You join us, pardner; just to help hold things on the level.” The old fellow started to protest, but the sport slipped hand through arm and forced him toward the ‘card _ tables, whither the other twain had slightly pre- ceded them. “ Hello, Huckett, you’re going to cut in, are you?” spoke up Dana Dedrick as the table was reached, while the younger member curled smooth lip with a half- sneering smile. * Like to do it, gents; like it a mon- strous heap,” declared the old fellow, but shaking his head in doubt. “‘ Ef you crit- ters wasn’t sech he-ole, high-rollers! I cain’t, jest plum cain’t begin fer to do it, boss! ” : “Why not?” asked Hotspur. “Waal, now, you see the idea of it all is pritty much like this: my heart ts plum willin’, but my pocket cain’t stand it; no, sir!” “Come, come, pardner, if only to oblige me. You’ve got a pocketful of rocks— I knew it!” declared Arlington as an expression of wonderment flashes into that weather-worn visage. For Sam Huckett found those words contained a .partial truth, to say the least, though he could not explain just how the sport had shifted the cash from one pocket to another without his so much as suspecting the fact until this moment. Before Huckett could fairly rally from that queer surprise, the quartette were seated at a table, and Hotspur Hal was saying, after a keen glance at the clock upon the wall: “T have just one hour to spend, gentle- men. At the end of that time I am go» ing to jump the game, win or loose. Is that satisfactory to all?” “You can’t stretch it out a little fur- ther, Mr. Arlington?” “No. That’s my limit. Unless all agree that I can quit at that minute, I'll have to draw out before I begin.” Hotspur Hal spoke too positively for there to be any mistake as to his fixed determination, and with that understand- ing the cards were thrown around for deal, and the game opened in regular form Take it as a rule, and a man who proves a success at faro stands less than first- class at poker, and vice versa. No doubt this had something to do with the persistency displayed by Dana Ded- rick when he saw Arlington quit. the other table so largely a winner; but it did not take many deals to convince both himself and his youthful chum, Carl Erickson, that a “new chief had come to town,” for the Sport from Hard Luck certainly proved himself an adept at draw. As for the man with the Winchester, he cut but a small figure in the game, playing cautiously and taking no wild chances, evidently deeming it his duty to waste as little of another man’s money a3 might be. : Not so with the others. They played boldly, yet with rare good judgment, backing luck to the limit, yet without crossing to the wrong side of the fence. And yet, while no fault could be found with the Hardshell sports and their meth- od of play, luck seemed to lean a bit from them in favor of the Hotspur. To put it tersely, the Sport from Hard Luck sim- ply outheld his antagonists. As a matter of course, attention cen- tered pretty well in that direction, after the heavy winnings made by this new and cool sport, but neither one of the quartette was affected by the onlookers. Each man had his nerve with him, and acted accordingly. From the v first Arlington saw that Dana Dedrick was to be his particu- ” ca Sai arena eee em RAN akg paceman mio oy einai Sport from Hard Luck. 1 7 lar antagonist, and so it proved; they were more often the ones left in to do battle for the pot, and, though scarcely a word passed over the table, they made each card talk for itself, Sam Huckett drew a long breath as Hotspur Hal raked in another very neat little pot on the show-down, then bunched the cards with his brown fingers, chewing vigorously on a section of plug, as he quoth: “Waal, gents, all; I can’t wade in quite so deep es you critters, nur yit measure scads alongside, but thar’s one thing I jest kin do.” “And, pray, what is that, my boy?” asked Eri¢kson. “I kin deal just as often es ary one o’ ye; so thar!” declared the man with the Winchester, making the cards fly around at a lively rate. Arlington looked at the clock before touching his cards, saying: ‘ “Last turn for me, gentlemen; time’s mighty nigh up.” “Then we'll make it interesting while she lasts,’ quoth Dedrick, pushing a couple of bills to the centre. “ Twenty to come in.” All four staid, making their entrance good, then discarding for the draw. Ar- lington took one card, Dedrick a couple, Huckett and Erickson each a pair, which. might mean that they held a natural ropa or were pinching a high card to draw 0. After the draw betting began at a lively rate, Dedrick setting the pace and Hot- spur Hal easily topping him, face a mere smiling blank as left hand covered his closely bunched cards. Huckett was first to throw up his hand, but Norway Carl was not long in getting his “‘ polite sufficiency,” once again leav- ing it Sport against Sport. Bet after bet was made and seen, then raised, and with another glance at the clock, Arlington pushed a pile of bank notes to the middle, saying: “Five hundred, pardner, since this is the final turn for me.” Dedrick flushed a bit, then left his seat to interview the faro dealer, showing him his cards, then returning to cover the last wager. “Tll have to see what you’re betting on, anyway, my friend.” i For answer Hotspur Hal deftly spread his hand, face upward. . Dedrick stared at the four kings, then gave a fierce oath, shoving back his chair and leaping to his feet. CHAPTER XVI, DUTCH JOHAN CHIPS AGAIN. This really looked as though trouble was breaking loose, and Sam Huckett gave a warning cry as he reared back in hot haste, but the Man from Hard Luck kept his seat, merely leaning back far enough to make it an easy matter for him to bring both guns into play with telling celerity should the occasion justify. Whether this cool action had aught to do with the result can only be surmised, but certain it is that in place of precipi- tating warfare then and there, the Hard- shell Sport forced a dry laugh, then said: “You carry satan’s own luck on your shoulders, pardner, and that’s a scan- | dalous fact! ” . “You give up the pot, then?” demand- ed the Hotspur coolly. - “Do I?” with another and more nat- ural laugh, then bending forward far enough to face his own abandoned cards, “Well, I should remark! And I was hug- ging myself that I had no slouch of a hand, too!” “Two pairs: both queens, eh?” “Good enough to bet’a farm on, don’t you know? And yet—vwell, if I owned — your luck, backed up by. your science, my dear fellow, it isn’t in a place like Hard-— shell that I’d go for a record; not Maria! ” POR pent With all his assumed gaiety, Dana Ded rick was plainly cut to the quick, not. much because he lost a considerable + oO% tw ‘ ay yt
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18 / Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. | . 1 a ce NSN A SR A RSS TT SE TE EL TE TT TT of ready cash in addition to that bor- rowed from Mr. Johnson, as through loss of prestige as a poker expert. Hotspur Hal bunched the cards, then put his winnings into a more compact form before rising from his seat. Now that the first flush of rage had time to pass, he knew there was com- paratively little danger of another va- riety of draw, so far as Dana Dedrick or Carl Erickson were concerned, and, as his sole object in paying a visit to the tiger in his lair was to “run up a shoe- string,” just so he made it his prime - business to secure that boodle against possible loss. Not until this was accomplished to his satisfaction did Arlington make reply to or comment upon that half-quip from the rival sport’s lips, although he had taken it at its full value. “Do you really think so, my dear friend?” he easily asked as he rose to his feet and gave those unaccustomed clothes a settling shake. “Don’t you?” “ Well now, possibly I’m ’way off my base, yet it seems to me that I have made tolerably fair wages right here in Hardshell. Dedrick flushed a bit at this dry re- tort, in which lay a particularly unpala- table truth, and that feeling was by no means lessened when Sam Huckett fairly exploded with: “Waal, blame me, ef that hain’t jest ee-tarnally so! Ef I’d won hafe es much or ef I’d come out into the hole hafe es deep es you have, Dedrick—darn my cats! ” Carl Erickson slipped a ‘hand through an arm and led his mate aside, whisper- ing softly the while. Arlington glanced toward the clock, then turned to leaving the gaming hall, when he was checked by the man with the Winchester, who spoke in quiet tones: “Waal, boss, I’ve got a right smart pile o’ the dingbats left, but when it comes to payin’ back t’other rest—” “Don’t mention it, I beg,” swiftly in- terposed the Sport as they slowly moved toward the curtained archway. “I need- ed you in the game to help hold strangers level, and you’ve more than earned your money.” “ Waal, boss, call that what’s gone the percentage, then, but es fer what I’m still got left—” “ Keep it for good luck, or for the loan of your Winchester this forenoon, Huck- ett.” But this the honest old fellow would by no means agree to, and nothing would serve but paying over the cash then and there. Arlington hardly fancied this, for he felt that, despite their well-assumed care- lessness as to past losses, both Dedrick and Erickson were taking covert notes during this transfer. As Huckett had dealt the cards which gave out two such heavy-betting hands, this exchange might be productive of hard feelings, if nothing worse than that. Still, after the service given by the veteran, Hotspur did not care to risk of- fending him, and with a promise to talk matters over when he had more time to spare, the Sport moved on to the bar. As always happens where a man. has: made heavy winnings quite a little crowd bore Arlington company, sending forth fulsome remarks and sounding his praise after a manner scarcely palatable, though all was doubtless well-inten- tioned. No one knew better.than the Sport from Hard Luck what perils are pretty sure to attend a fortunate player, particularly in a region where law was but little more than a legend; and, too, no man knew better how to fling a sop to Cer- berus. Passing under the archway he paused at the bar, tapping with knuckles to at- tract attention, then speaking in clear tones: ; “TI trust you will oblige ,»me, gentle- _ men, one and all, if only for the good of sid Gil ga sear Al irew by Le aSP & the house. Set ’em up, please, Mr Bar- keep! ” * A more popular speech could hardly have crossed his lips, and the Sport made the most of the genial crush which fol- lowed. Among the rest came Sam Huckett, and slipping a couple of notes into his hand, Arlington whispered, under cover: “Dope ’em again, pardner, after this. I want to slip out on the sly, and get shut of all this boodle before—under- stand?” “You bet yer sweet life, pardner! ” And so it came to pass. Arlington tipped his glass with the best of them, and modestly bowed his thanks for the hail of compliments poured upon both sport and method of play, but then, while the man with the Winchester nobly per- formed the part allotted him, Hotspur Hal slipped silently away, leaving the crowded bar without being noticed, so far as he could see just then. He swiftly moved away, turning the first corner to guard against possible following, then taking a more leisurely course toward his hotel, chuckling just a bit as he thought of recent events. “'Twas running up a shoe-string, sure enough! If I could count on just one week of such a luck-streak—well, don’t know but what I’d take a shy at that wonderful Hot Stuff plum my own self! ” So far as he could tell, not a soul save himself had as yet left the Arcade, and that belief lent the Sport a sense of se- curity which swiftly following events by no means served to justify. He had left the saloon fairly well to the rear and was beginning to look for the hotel, when a number of shadowy- looking figures sprung forth from a mass of gloom, striking as they came. It was a bare chance that Hotspur Hal caught a glimpse of them at all, and pure instinct that made him dodge a bit, far enough to save his skull from a dead- ly blow, but not so far as to entirely escape that venomous attack. Staggered by the stroke, which took effect upon his shoulder, the Sport stum- bled and fell as his assailants came in contact, fairly crushing him to earth, while in his ears sounded a savage curse and cry: “ Kill him! Croak the devil before—” Taken so utterly off guard and by such heavy odds, Arlington still put up a des- perate struggle, fighting as only such a man knows how, but he could not have lasted long had they been left to them- selves. Instead, there came a wild rush out of which a dozen lusty arms seemed flying, each ending in a heavy club, and all fall- ing to the grotesque tune of: “Mein cracious! Mein cracious! ” Over rolled two of the thugs, half- stunned by those vigorous blows, and feeling like one almost in a waking dream that aid was at hand, Hotspur Hal de- newed his struggles and partly rose to his feet. “ Hellup, mein cracious!’”” howled the rescuer, who could be none other than Johan Halliboober. “I preak me some copfs all in a boondle like—I holler! ” These howls and yells proved even more demoralizing than blows, for even so soon the alarm was spreading, and knowing what precious scant law is meted forth to fellows of their kidney, the thugs gave way, breaking off in head- long flight, almost instantly vanishing amidst the shadows of night. Hotsput Hal was partly dazed by the ugly blows he had received, yet he was sufficiently clear-witted to know that any fresh notoriety that evening would work him ill rather than good. Catching Johan by the arm and giving the excited fellow a vigorous shake, which effectually cut short those abominable howls, he cried: “Come, come, Dutchy! Pick up your legs and scoot like—I wouldn’t call any further notice my way to-night for—the devil! ” For Halliboober, by a dexterous twist * . ¥ ’ PP . e . eG tee » y fal AS eet: ae ey ET or. ea Slee = “s 4 j c ae ie . tasks 6 Ss fa! 7 abd Sis & Se 4 | gill » ena. - ee. oe a " a a “ae S « A > ete s age 4 se te 4 ty ait Mepe S Min kee” and writhing jerk, tore free his arm A b shot off into the darkness, just as thoade so hotly wakened to honest wrath * Sc he must capture each and every on@d, 1 those lawless ruffians, od | Only, sad to relate, Johan selecteit w route exactly opposite that taken by &te thugs in flight! ‘ “Well, now, that does cork me! ” /I¢ ploded the sport, staring for a braceuplé seconds after that flying shadow; 4 =< longer, though. ithe Already the alarm had spread $* W considerable distance, men shouting} ‘“ T] calling, trying to more exactly locatewo b disturbance, . Maj With a gesture which expressed fatio plexity quite as much as anger or hd p gust, the Sport hurried away fromiann spot where he had so narrowly escautil death, once more heading for his hotight He was not ready to explain his la“ W adventure, particularly since his }n, t witness had given leg-bail, and felt heat his proper place was in his chambel“ Jc not in his bed itself. rif Meeting only a couple of citizengheel the way, and easily evading them“ T] they hunted for the circus, Hotspur im! reached the hotel and at once proceé Ma} up-stairs to his room, closing and l4@re, ing the door behind himself before pdd a ing to take breath. Then he sat dd“ T: brooding over the event, wondering tu . Jchan was, and why he had run awajay « oddly, Ww ay, CHAPTER XVII. Eon BIRDS OF PREY TOGETHER. ed Thanks to the speedy flight of t RP precipitate retreat on the part of Halliboober, and wise retirement off 2 Sport from Hard Luck, there was #C cious little to satisfy the curiosity)?! those who madeya rush toward the #4, posed “ circus.” ‘“G A vain quest, a number of waeu | questions and surmises, then the 11422 army likewise melted away, each unij Th resume the thread broken by the al@4@ “ Jest some critter who’s bin hitti the bottle too turrible stiddy,” was a Mat unteer explanation. ‘“ Hevin’ a ra? °F long of the man with a poker, an’ Th got skeered out by his own yowlt#0Ul shore! ” nc But there was a sequel to that 1° | affair which was by no means thot ob of. even by the most romantic amP0P those disappointed searchers. A Though scattering as they fled that human catapult with so many a and thumping clubs, the trio of t quickly came together when they fo no positive pursuit was being made. 1 More than one of the squad bore pe 9 ful mementoes of that odd affair in ‘a shape of smarting bruises and swel 1 lumps, thanks to Halliboober’s de wi wielded cane. q In a few moments another person’: joined the trio, coming almost ue I sound, and just as though that m ‘hb B e t cke a thoroughly understood rendezvous the night. io 8 “Steady, lads!” he gave sharp w ing as the thugs separated, each one ping weapon in menacing fashion. “ H®, you lost your eyes as well as your e thn! then?” a) “Tt’s the boss, boys! ” a ““The major—is it the major, thoug “Did the Sport pack your ears as ang as fill your eyes, Dick?” crisply as k the latest comer, at the same time uf al ing a little closer to the doubter. “¥ “Cuss him—cuss him all over!” aR “Amen to that, and right hear t too!” added the chief of road-agents,) ;, this was indeed that noted charad ,, < mask over face and hands in gloves, ae. as he might be rigged out if on the of anotifer daring hold-up along the st trail. “ What is it, boss?” asked another., ear i the thugs. “ Ary new job on deck? ),. q didn’t know ef—” a “What have you been doing? W . was all the racket about, anyway?” Pe a ee ee phi fe NM aoe:
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Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. nn A EE rm A brief hesitation, then Dick Fitchner thoade answer, half-doggedly: th **Some sport #who’d pulled off a big on@d, the boys told me, major, We hadn’t iod time to fix it up in style, of course, ct it we done jumped him to the queen’s by ste an’—” ‘Who put up the stall?” I did, boss,” answered one of the other raceiple. “I see him at the Arcade, an’ he v; a mighty «sight more rocks in his jthes then the law ‘lows, and so—”’ ‘Who had?” “The Sport; him as painted Dicky’s y Major Punch gave start and‘ low ejac- ation at this, betraying both surprise d powerful interest, though after what anner was by no means easy to tell, til his coming words threw a little ht upon the subject. “What? Do you mean—was it Arling- n, the Sport we roped over on the Cap- af trail?” “Jest him, boss, An’ ef it hedn’t a’ bin r some blamed cyclone on twenty eels—wasn’t it, boys?” “That double-cussed Dutchy, m!” gratingly supplied Fitchner. Major Punch gave an impatient ges- lare, reaching forth to grasp an arm and > pid a vicious shake ‘to his words. dd“ Talk a string, confound you, man! g }u held up the Hotspur; is that the OL WT “Waal, we made a sort o’ break that y, aryhow, boss.” “And you downed him? You wiped m out? Say that you sent him over e divide and I’ll pay— You did?” t ti Not! ” > 3 Major Punch caught his breath sharp- off at this significant finale. He drew g pck a bit with a gesture of savage dis- ityypointment. But then he as quickly ral- sr speaking in more even tones: “Go on. Tell me all about it, please. wagu tried to hold the fellow up, yet made , jifizzle of it; you three chiefs? ” et There was a touch of acrid sarcasm derlying that conclusion, but for good d sufficient reasons neither one of at trio deemed it the part of wisdom openly resent the sneer. The story was told, briefly, yet fairly ough, considering all things, Major snch listening without comment until e thug broke off to again pour forth rses upon the head of Johan Halli- ober. “And there was but the one came to mp you?” “Jest the one cites boss,” admitted © thug, gruffly adding: “ But he done cked up racket ’nough fer a thousan’; ’ clubs! Durned ef I hain’t a-thinkin’ 1 yit that he done hed a club fer each in be oO’ them dirty fingers o’ his’n, an’ the rel ll bunch of ’em weighin’ mighty nigh a de’ apiece; an’ that’s no lie, neither! ” ‘Whatever his private opinion may have on?e2, Major Punch evidently deemed it it e part of wisdom not to rub his rascals roughly, and so maintained silence r the space of nearly a minute, doubt- S pondering over the situation as thus resented. When he finally broke silence, ht to the point. “'There’s only one thing to be done, ds; the Sport has got to go under! e’ve just got to down him—for keeps! ” he thugs interchanged glances, shrug- ng shoulders significantly. j‘‘ Waal, boss, we done tried that on, I sckon, ‘An’ he’s a mighty tough nut to ack; now you hear me howl! ” a Bah! I never thought to hear you ke to whining, Vic. And, if the pay 8 the job?” “It’s straight business, then, boss?” “Straight as a string, and business om the word go!” positively asserted ne road-agent leader. “If he hasn’t ean caught on to our little racket, he’s cuss *twas S ar ts ,psing too mighty nigh it for our safety.” 2 ‘Then you really reckon, boss? ” “That he is playing detective, either «yn his own hook as a sideflyer, or else a regular. Either way he’s too mighty SF ene oe ee dangerous to our outfit to be let run any longer. Now—will you fellows down him, once for all?” “Ef we jest hev to, boss,” hesitatingly. “But he’s a turrible tough critter to han’le, an’ that’s no lie!” So far the thug called Vic by his leader had been permitted to do the talking for all three; but now Dick Fitchner stepped more to the front, taking the word into his own mouth. ““Whar’s the sense in makin’ so many benes of it, Major? Ef you all will ’gree to stand to my back through the hull business, IJ’ll take the job an’ see it’s clean jobbed, too! ” * You really mean all that, Dick?” “Every word, Major. All I ax is fer the gang to back me up ef I git into a box; some o’ these yer cits is so mighty finicky! ” Major Punch reached forth a gloved hand to grip that of the thug, shaking it cordially as he made reply: “Don’t you worry about the backing, Dicky, man! We'll see that you have plenty of fair play, and if the citizens get on a high horse—well, we'll just take 7? the town and run it wide open! Although this sounded rather far- fetched, not to say bombastic, Dick Fitchner appeared to be well content with the assurance given, and so ex- pressed himself. “All Yight, Dick; we’ll surely do our part if you do yours. How are you think- ing of turning the trick? And just when?” “ To-morrow, ef I kin ketch him afoot. An’—how about the Dutchy ” Major Punch gave a low, queer chuckle at this, then made answer: “ Leave him for later on, please, Dicky. I fancy the fellow will be well worth cul- tivating after quite a different fashion. Now, do the*job up brown, Fitchner, and we'll attend to the rest.” “Good enough! I’ll do my part, or ’ll never turn another trick in this life; you kin bet your bottom dollar on that!” “See that you do. Kill the Sport; make sure of him, above all else! ” With these vicious words by way of parting address, Major Punch turned away and speedily vanished amid the gioom of night. A brief silence rested upon the trio of toughs, broken at last by Vic, with the query: “How much oO’ all that is straight goods, an’ how much plain guff, Fitch- ner?” “Straight as a string an’ you know it! What’d I want to lie about?” < Waal, you got a job let out fer ye, aryhow,” was the consoling comment. “When we three couldn’t keep him down in a heap, you don’t want to contract—” “That’s all right, old man. I’ve done tuck the contract, an’ ef you fellers’ll play up jest a weenty bit when the right times comes, I’ll do the rest; an’ do it up brown as the major wanted. Hear me belch? ” “Talkin’s cheap, pardy, tougher by a heap-sight! ” “That’s all right, too, but when a thing hain’t jest like, it’s plum dif’rent, hain’t it? An’ so—I say, pards.” “ Keep on a-sayin’ of it, why don’t ye?” “Back yender; I jest hed time fer to know thar was somethin’ comin’ our way, jest a-whoopin’. Then I ketched a clip ongside the cabeza which knocked me a clean rod, Fee Bile Ci Now—who done it?” “Dutchy; don’t you know that?” “The same Dutch we held-up, over yender? ” “Sure! Reckon thar’s room for a couple o’ sech in Hardshell?” “ All right, then. It shorely ought to be easy *nough, an’ it will, ef you fel- lers’ll sort o’ lead up to it, eh?” “Which way, fust?” “Dutch holped the Sport out, didn’t he? Well, turn about’s no more’n fa’r play the worid over! So—like this, ye see, pards.” but doin’s CHAPTER XVIII. TRIPPING THE LIGHT FANTASTIC. Although Hotspur Hal spent consid- erable time pondering over several points which were by no means as clear as he could like to have them b€fore finally taking to his pillow that night, he was up bright and early the next morning, as befits a man who has a programme ready laid out for the day. While disposing of a hearty breakfast, Arlington saw sufficient to realize how little it takes to center the public curi- osity, for nods and winks and whispered comments were more than usually abun- dant among those who shared the dining room with him. Being fairly well accustomed to this rude sort of lionizing, the Sport from Hard Luck gave no sign, yet keeping ears keenly trained for such hints ag might float that far. He caught sufficient to know that the subdued chatter was confined to the part he had played at the Arcade, nothing coming his way to even hint at his be- ing connected in any manner with the brief alarm which had stirred a portion of Hardshell later on. “ Halliboober hasn’t been blowing his horn, then,” mentally commented the Sport, after leaving the dining room and procuring a cigar at the hotel bar. Somehow thoughts of the odd genius who had figured so frequently in his own affairs kept hunting Arlington, though the more he pondered the less light he won on that particular subject. Was Johan anything more than ap- peared upon the surface? Was he mere- ly a shrewd, unscrupulous fellow whose sole idea in life was how to improve his own condition? His conduct at the time of that hold-up certainly seemed to bear this construc- tion, for past all doubting he had given Arlington “the dump,” and so helped the road agents get the better of the Sport. He himself admitted that this action was taken purely and simply in order to come off with less serious loss himself. Having aided them so materially, the robbers would be far less likely to search him so closely, so thoroughly, and thus his hidden gems might escape confisca- tion. : Or—was that but a cunning fabrication, likewise? And yet, if false in toto, why should Johan offer to repay the Sport all he lost to Major Punch? Why even insist upon making restitution. Then, too, the latest event; his bold rescue of the night just past! Hal Arlington left the hotel and moved leisurely away, head bowed a bit more than usual, for his brain was being racked with all these doubts and surmises and unanswered (if not unanswerable) ques- tions. Still, though seemingly paying no heed to his footsteps, the Sport did,not go astray in his preoccupation, thanks to his having laid out a programme in ad- vance, He roused up as he came to the shop which he had already patronized on two different occasions, giving a frown and biting short a sound which might easily have become a solid oath. For there, in full view of whoever cared to turn eyes in that direction, the enterprising storekeeper had placed on exhibition the very garments sold him the evening before by the Sport from Hard Luck! Entering the shop, Arlington Spoke curtly: “Fetch those duds in here, will you? I want them back.” With such an introduction, it was by no means difficult to close a bargain, especially as the Hotspur was now well gy supplied with funds. Paying the price demanded witless: a grumbling at the heavy profit tacked on to the cost price by the dealer, Hotspur — ¢ Hal saw the ie Sor put be in a —
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20 Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. bundlé, then tucked them under an arm and left the store. Just as his feet struck the street, how- ever, sounds came on the air to cause his ears to prick and a bit keener glitter to leap into his eyes; sounds which were as trumpet-blast to ears of an old cavalry horse. “Somebody opening a circus, and that’s the honest fact! ” A brace of pistol reports, followed by coarse yells and laughter, all coming from no great distance, although as yet hid- den from the Sport’s view around a cor- ner. The clatter of swift-falling feet caused Arlington to wheel in the opposite direc- tion, free hand dropping to butt of re- volver, but he faced nothing more dan- gerous than a couple of excited citizens on their way to see the fun ahead. “Come on, pardner! ” cried one of the twain as they rushed past. ‘‘I reckon thar’s room fer one more to see the— whoop ’er up thar! ” Hotspur Hal, feeling that he had al- ready mixed up in ample excitement since his arrival at Hardshell, hesitated for a brief space. ‘TIv'd be wiser to go t’other way, I reckon,” he muttered, fidgeting uneasily the while as another crack of pistol came to his ears. “But wouldn’t those fellows think it queer? If they’d call it afraid—and that does settle it! ” Again a weapon spoke, and once more ¢ame the sounds of wild, reckless mirth from beyond that obstructing corner; but it was the dread of a fearless man lest he be thought a too prudent indi- vidual which sent the Sport ahead in- stead of to the rear. It took but a few of those long strides to carry Hotspur Hal to a place from where he could catch a fair view of what was going on ahead, and only one look to tell him the whole truth. Somebody was being ‘shot up,” and that somebody was—none other than Johan Halliboober! “Trip the light fantastic, Dutchy! Pick up your heels and dance as if—lively, now!” : * Ach! Mein shiminy ecracious! ” fair- ly howled the German, giving a spas- modic leap and letting escape a shrill howl of terror as another bullet ploughed up the dry dirt almost directly beneath his. feet. “Only shooting up a dance; I thought it might be worse!’ muttered the Hot- spur, stopping short, yet with brows gathering in an ominous frown as he watched the rude jesting. For such it showed upon the surface, - and Johan Halliboober was by no means the first tenderfoot to be thus put through his paces in Hardshell. It was all easy enough, barring the prin- cipal actor, several rough-and-ready fel- lows with guns in hand, taking turns at shooting recklessly close to those coarse- ly shod feet, making the pilgrim from Germany hop and skip with ludicrous agility lest even worse befall his under- standing. “ Ach! Mein cracious—mein cootness— mein cracious cootness! ” howled Johan, wringing hands and contorting shoul- ders as he tried in vain to evade his tormentors, every effort only adding to the merriment of the now fairly numer- ous spectators. ‘ “Whoop ’er up, "Liza Jane! Paw the dust, Dutchy! Cut a pigeon-wing fit for —prance, ye blame contrairy steer! Prance in ‘double-quick or—go up the flume a-kitin’!” Leaving out the sense of barbarism, it was a really ludicrous, mirth-pro- yvoking spectacle, to which the peculiar garb worn by Halliboober in no small degree contributed. . “His long-tailed coat went flip-flopping 4m the air as its master wildly cavorted, while the brim of his dilapidated hat was now up, giving a fair view of that 14 visage, then came down to a partial eclipse of both face and \ ee ? Lah S Wa a mi “Ach! Mein holy cracious! Ach! I vhas me no tie like a hock uff you vhasn’t—I bay me tollar uff I Jeds me off all py dis vonce! Ach, shendlemans, my tears! I neffer me do some mores uff I vhas—ach! I vhas a tead mans all oafer! ” For one of those reckless shots came far too close for comfort, the heavy bul- let ripping loose a sole and bruising foot, if not worse than. that. Until now the Hotspur had remained a silent witness, although his anger was steadily rising higher; but now he sprung forward, crying out in stern warning: “Let up on that, you fellows! Fun’s all right enough in its way, but you’re running this clean into the ground! ” This caused a sensation, as might have been expected, and from the capering Dutchman all eyes turned upon this bold intruder. “ And who the dickens may you be that talks so mighty loud, all of a sudden?” harshly demanded the fellow who had misjudged that shot, turning upon the Sport and partly lifting the still smoking revolver, If he really meant shooting, he was a fool for letting tongue talk before trig- ger-finger, especially when he had the Hotspur for an adversary. That package of clothes shot ahead with all the force an unusually muscular arm could lend it, striking upon that pistol arm, driving it back and to one side, the weapon exploding as it fell from fingers to ground. The Sport from Hard Luck was barely a second later in coming, and with left hand shooting forth, the thug was bodily upset, head making a visible dent in even that dry and well-packed dirt. “Steady, all!’ cried Hal, voice rising like blast of bugle. “I’m not hunting a fight, but this brutal sport has got to stop. Come, Dutch! ” The little crowd which had been gath- ered by those sounds of a “shooting up dance” was scattered by that charge, those who really held no malice at heart falling back with a recognition that this was all in the day’s work, but not so the schemers in secret. . As this was precisely what they were playing for, each man was prepared to do his part, and, though one of their number had fallen, temporarily knocked out, the others were still on deck. + “Dump the blame fool, mates!” howled Vic Turner, making a bull-like rush toward the sport, yet all the while keeping a keen lookout for Dick Fitch- ner, Hotspur Hal sprung to meet that at- tack, and again his terrible left shot forth with telling effect, sending Vic backward in a stagger, to whirl half around, then give a yell of warning to his mates as he saw Fitchner coming to play his part in the ugly scheme. Coming with a round ball of metal in his hand, from which smoke and spit- ting sparks were issuing, and which he hurled full at the Sport, at the same time crying out in savage hatred: “Down to hades an’ tell "em I sent ye, Sport! ” CHAPTER XIX. THE VICTIM OF THE BOMB, Straight for the Hotspur flew this spit- ting devil of destruction, but before it could fairly reach its marked victim, a gaunt figure sprung between with clutch- ing fingers, the figure of Johan Halli- boober. “Took oudt! You make some more voolishness py—ach, mein Cott! ” The spluttering missile was caught in sure grasp, and without holding it even the fraction of a second, Johan flung it swiftly back, at the same time leaping backward with a warning cry and despe- rately working arms, He caught the astonished Sport about the middle and flung his whole weight | into the effort, the two men falling to the earth in company even as a thu report rent the air and shook ty buildings around, knocking down > tion of the porch wheron a nul, amused spectators were stationé! ; A brief pause where only the + of the explosion were promineD a screech of awful agony prok* from the cloud of smoke and a shivering debris. iy That horrid scream seemed to be spell which had fallen upon nef), entire congregation, and while a took themselves to almost aimle lest other explosions follow,/,. sprung to the rescue, forgetfu Or else save the fact that a hum le was in sore trouble. Of the two men who fell in Johan Halliboober was first to to his feet, the Sport from Hal b: still lying on the broad of his bay, ing like a fish out of water. ina “Ach! Shiminy kee-ristmas, Ja mans!” cried Johan, stooping 4; helping hand even as his glitter 5 turned toward yonder smoke-veil, _ “Ve hef some more droubles punch uff—vhas you gatch ainy leedle shplit-deffels py your an nein?” ll Another cry of agony and Hot&n recovered breath sufficient to takt, , springing dizzily to his feet hand fumbling for the revolveiy,> that fall, while its mate mechy pressed his shoulder-injured stotjp. “Pack py der house your Sy, on!” came a husky warning frotail boober. “ Here! your goon—ke’ Arlington grasped the weapon? ¢ back in company with the lonor fellow, and from thence they al notes of what had and was still th ing. {ls Yonder, where the ground wel and cracked by the explosion, dce prime mover in this affair, writhat crying aloud in his agony, risep: shattered and torn to shreds, e ments burned and blown off his y¥ face blackened and marked witlor altogether one of the most Wov looking objects imaginable, inc “Who is it?” huskily asked thup clearing eyes with a forearm as, vy men stood with their backs guaré ¢ solid wall. “ Dot same vheller who vhas dar pumb py you,” as hastily answoon Dutchman. “I gatch me dot, unien pack like id vhas ret-hot oe now—vatch me you oudt a leeite Dot vhas all pud-ub schob, ww oder vhellers may—eyes obelg ] now! ” it Such was indeed’ the case; th F sufferer was none other than AE, ner. He who had devised thi8’ty method of effectually disposing dhe whom both himself and mates in feared to face in the open, eviCc long odds in their favor. lib Fitchner fell victim to that dtyr turned infernal machine, the @jy, of which cast his pards into fan much confusion and bewilderm@nc did their particular enemy. al If Fitchner had not been so & g¢ if he had more thoroughly prepwa mates for what he contemplal gy results might easily have been @ their main end might have béo even though the dynamiter himy ] so frightfully disabled. oni But the thugs were completelwpe alized by the peril which they jn unexpectedly called upon to shytr their intended victim, and toa’ could rally wits sufficiently to \q] two men were once more on gulow tols out,'and ready for business. | th That heavy explosion roused gp , shell, and among the earliest that way were Dana Dedrick jy, ; Erickson, splitting the excited ci 5 til they could catch sight of t t ferer, then taking the lead asiat: pronounced spirit will. “Fall back, you idiots! ” ee eis UA Raw OTE Sy et OY
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_ Hotspur ee ea aetna aniline es Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. ee ee a we ee ee 21 } : : ini ding more chen one of the citi- ggering away by use of his pow- WEms. “Give him air and—where’s nus 9 Get a hustle on, you lunk- aE Can’t you see that the poor devil ae is he, anyway?” 1B an voices called out the name of ‘ qr: : ugh so horribly mutilated, Dick x was not losing so much blood, pm his more superficial injuries. net hand and arm were gone to the rope all between them and shoul- a mass of ugly pulp, burned and sted; but that very fact lent the te lease of life. less frightful injury, he would urely have perished from loss of romptly as the doctor worked, quad come upon the scene. back ani out of the way, all you padre can’t or won’t work!” harsh- manded Dana Dedrick, taking . Kd as though by right. “The a3 il can’t lie out here in the open. aa om and bed ready for him. And t= ae ak: pardy! ” instantly answered r {to that part of it, will you? My ll answer for lack of a better. fot§t! And you fellows, some blan- ‘ake to make a stretcher of!” it was arranged. ree dynamiter was more ‘CMandled now than at first, for his stolinjuries were benumbing his en- r Sy, and he could only give low 0d a curses, and inarticulate mut- -key nr doing what was strictly neces- lonore attempting the removal, Dr. fand Dana Dedrick managed mat- till the best of their ability, the \l sport keeping the excited crowd 1 well under control during that on, cession. rithately for the injured man, the rigepared was at no great distance ls, e@ scene of the explosion, and his was conveyed thither without witlor further misfortune. t Wowd was shut out, as a matter of \nd as such an assembly can be d thupon doing, set up a wild howl as, what it would have troubled uar¢ of their number to say, off- as dardshell sport came out with nswpon face, hand going up to com- unlence ere he spoke: read’s eating you all, anyway? Are leelte men, or merely a pack of ), UW wolves on a bender?” obelg he? How’s Dick Fitchner?” | the better for your sort of »; th Paulette. If you’re so mighty | Di¢io work off steam, why not turn | thif’twill do some good? And—who ne the poor devil up like that, any- § in , eviCott in himmel! ” huskily mum- \iboober at this. ‘‘ Pedder I coes it dtvrom does beoples—yaw! ” . 16 @y, Dutch! ” warned the Hotspur, ito tan arm tightly and restraining srm@nctive recoil. “If you run now _all the worse for both of us; so poe ¥ prePwas one thing both men could npla surely eyes were turning their | en how readily ugly ‘words were 2 bé@o lips in answer to the query himy Dana Dedrick. ) one it! Dutchy done it all!” etelYne of the conspirators, fancying | hey in opening for retrieving even | > shgtrous failure. bef a lie, spoken by a cowardly | r to id Hotspur Hal, stepping in front | n gUow shrinking German, gun in| 1€S88.|thumb on trigger. ‘‘ The bomb | sed m Fitchner himself; I swear to_ liest ick ; , all!” sternly commanded ec | ed ci sport, evidently asking noth- of % than to get at the exact truth “If Fitchner flung oH d asiatter. ie: agi it he ale rues igpe ‘Dutch done it! Dick with the durn—’” “ Dutchy merely tossed back what was flung at him—or at me, I tell you, one and all,’ swiftly cut in the Hotspur. “You fellows were making a monkey of Halliboober, and when you carried the joke a little too far, I chipped in and—” “ What interest had you in the affair, pray, Mr. Arlington? ” “ That of a white man who saw a pack of toughs imposing on a pilgrim who wasn’t near able to take his own part, Mr, Dedrick,” came the prompt response. “If you can make capital crime out of that—” “Go a little easy, good friends,’ at this juncture spoke up Leonard Boulware, pressing more to the front to add: “I saw the whole affair, and neither of these men was at all to blame.” “You saw it, Mr. Boulware?” “Yes. And I’m ready to go into court and make Bible oath that Dick Fitchner got no more—if so much—than he in- tended for these two men, I saw him fling the bomb, and I saw it caught, to be tossed back before the explosion,” Leonard Boulware took off his hat to thrust tips of fingers through a ragged tear in the crown, adding tersely: “I was. nigh enough to catch this, Ded- rick, so I reckon I could see the rest without putting on glasses!” ‘The Hardshell sport hesitated, seeming- ly in doubt what to say or to do next, when Leonard Boulware added another sentence: “Tll go bail for both of these men, if there’s to be any after-clap, you un- derstand, gentlemen? ” Perhaps it was fortunate that a man of such powerful influence was at hand to back them up, but ere either Halli- boober or Hotspur Hal could offer thanks a fresh alarm broke forth from no dis- tant quarter. Shot after shot split the air in swift succession. CHAPTER XX. ANOTHER CITIZEN OUT OF LUCK. In the self-same instant every face in all that crowd was turned in the same direction; that whence sounded the swift fusillade, Eyes were of no service just then, for the firing came from a fairly distant portion of Hardshell, houses between shutting off all view. Six shots coming so rapidly that they blended into one long roll as of deft sticks against head of drum, but ere the last one came Dana Dedrick gave a sharp cry, flinging up a hand as he made a forward leap, then shouting forth the thrilling words: “A raid! The bank’s being raided, boys! Come—to the bank! ” Instantly all was confusion, all a wild pell-mell, where man jostled man and hindered progress even while making the most strenuous efforts to hasten in the di- rection of the supposedly endangered bank. “ Steady, Dutch! ” warned Hotspur Hal, shoving Johan closer to the wall the more surely to keep outside of that crazy rush and crush. “All eyes open! Maybe it’s all right, and maybe it’s all a stall to do what they’re afraid to try on in the full open! ” But that keen suspicion was apparently | out of place, for the two men, and Leon- ard Boulware into the bargain, had been | utterly forgotten for the time being. The | crowd had thoughts and cares only for what might be going on beyond; there where stood the Bank of Hardshell. It took barely a score of seconds for Dana Dedrick to win his way to the nigh- est corner, from thence catching sight | of the man whose barking guns had worked all this excitement; a man who was just then wildly gesticulating and shouting at the top of his voice: — “Wire! Fire! The bank’s on fire! ” Direst alarm that can be given in a hit Gh eo at town _ such as all new Smee Dutchy slammed pore | | centres are, Pees water is never any too plentiful, and apparatus for fighting the flames is practicaily nil. “Fire! ” repeated Dedrick in stentorian tones. “The bank is on fire! Play you was each a fire engine, and buckle down to it like—” His words were lost amid that loud outburst, but not one among all that crowd could out-foot the gambler, and his was the broad shoulder which dashed first against the closed and locked doors of the bank. The whole front of the building shook, but the barrier did not give way at once, and catching sight of the yellow flames within, Dedrick bent arm and thrust his elbow through the thick glass in the double panels. With this as a starter, it did not take long to clear a space sufficiently large for the athletic fellow to slip through, then clearing counter and railing with cat-like activity, to pounce upon the flaming mass of papers and waste, at the Same time crying out hoarsely: “ Break in, men! Here’s Chonister, and —murder’s been done, or I’m a liar!” With such an incentive for swift work, it did not take long to break lock and shove bolts away with their catches, Dedrick all the ‘while fighting those flames which threatened to make a bad matter worse. The bank was fairly thick with smoke by the time aid came to him, but Ded- rick, coughing and choking, stooped to fasten grips upon that body, dragging it away from the spot where first discov- ered, Another hoarse cry escaped his lips as he fairly felt the man, for no corpse could shake and writne .atter wat lash- ion. “Not dead! Chonister is alive, and—” Coughing cut short that glad cry, but the sense of it was caught by the major- ity of those present, and with cheery shouts the citizens worked with redoubled energy, soon extinguishing the last of that burning waste. By this time, too, aid came to the bank- er and his chief rescuer, angry cries going up as it was seen that Earl Chonister had been both bound and gagged before being left to his fate. Little time was wasted in setting the banker at liberty, but he seemed almost completely exhausted by all he had un- dergone, working his throat and parched lips with no better results than an un- certain groan. “ Get some water, some of you! ” harsh- ly commanded Dedrick, now as before taking a prominent lead. “He’s all choked up! Wonder heisn’t— Who's got a nip of the real stuff in his clothes?” Several flasks were promptly produced, but Dedrick took only that which first came his way, uncorking the bottle and holding it to the lips of his new patient as head was lifted to his knee for sup- port. “Oil your music box, pardner!” was his curt advice. “We're mighty nigh spoiling for a weenty tune of it, don’t ye know?” “T never—where is—those devils? ” huskily gasped*the banker, making futile effort to arise, but failing through weak- ness of body or dizziness of brain. “Who done you up like this, Chon- ister?” asked Dedrick, curiosity as! strongly impressed upon his handsome face as it surely was upon that of all oth- ers nigh. “Who set the fire, Sedans) ” eagerly — cut in another citizen, coming to the front with a can of water. Dana Dedrick made liberal use of this element, sopping his own ’kerchief in the water and then wetting the banker’s face and head. The remedy seemed exactly what was needed, and for the first time od teealy, rescue, Ear] Chonister breathed and clearly, looked sensible as a man will when wits are clearing and comi 2 back at one and the same oa # re me eat tae RS a : a a
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22 Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. distinct sentence, and that one which ereated quite a little sensation among those who caught his words with full un- derstanding. “Come off, pardner!” cried Dedrick frowningly. ‘“ You set the fire by which you would have toasted like a—brace up, . man!,” “YT did. I had to—just had to!” as- gserted Chonister, with an evident effort rising to a sitting posture, one hand supporting his weight while its mate clasped his throbbing temples. The eager crowd would have pressed him unduly, but Dana Dedrick was run- ning matters, and he kept off the press until the banker was better fitted to ex- plain all. That came little by little, and hardly in sequence as events must have happened, however. He declared he had been assailed and left bound and gagged, lying thus help- less for more hours than he cared to eount or recall. “Twas early last night, fairly early, I mean. I was working here. I wanted my books in order to show—and somebody jumped me from out the gloom-—yon- der!” with an unsteady gesture toward the rear of the apartment. “Water! My throat is—all burnt up! * Again Dedrick supplied those wants, and once more eager demands were made upon Earl Chonister for a more detailed account of this ugly affair. “And if he isn’t lying from start to finish, I’ eat my hat!” surlily mut- tered Leonard Boulware to Hotspur Hal, as they kept a little to the rear of the main press. “Maybe not; the fire isn’t as though—” “ He says he set that, and I know—” “ Then he didn’t, or else your first guess goes wrong,” bluntly commented the Sport from Hard Luck. Meanwhile Johan Halliboober was fid- geting nervously near his two backers for the hour, mumbling in his native tongue or else spluttering in broken Eng- lish, all barely above his breath. After the temper displayed by this tur- bulent crowd, the German felt wary about inviting particular notice his way, but now he could contain himself no longer, pushing agitatedly to the front, wringing hands in piteous distress as he confront- ed the smoke-soiled banker. “Ach! Mein backage? You heff me dot backage safe, mein tear sir?” “T don’t—oh, it’s you, is it?” hoarsely spoke the banker, with sudden frown as of irritation. “Yaw! Id vhas me, mein own selluf, Johan Halliboober vrom Yarmany! Und I vandts me to bay off a bile uff moneys, und so—I coom ask me vor dose backage I leaf me py you, coot shendlemans— yaw!” Earl Chonister rose to his feet, stag- gerin® a bit but catching with left hand at counter while waving its mate toward the rear of the room. “Look for yourself, Mr. Halliboober. There’s the safe, but—all appears gone, and—well, you're in big luck if you're come off winner where all the rest is ‘loser! ”’ ; It seemed a cruelly curt speech to make, but much must be excused by the cir- cumstances. Johan gave a little gasp, then stag- gered uncertainly toward the safe, which had until now passed without notice by those present. All eyes turned that way now, however, and fresh excitement came on top as all could see the safe was wide open, with papers strewn in front as-though the con- tents had been overhauled by ruthless ‘hands! - Putch Johan peered within, and when he failed to recognize his precious pack- age of gems, pressed closer to add touch to sight, but all in vain. The package was not there, and as the miserable truth flashed upon his brain with full force, the poor fellow stag- "gered back, pale as a ghost, hands rising overhead to-clasp fingers in flerce griet, Ae. : y2 i voice rising in a quavering scream to shape the words: “Ach! Mein Cott in himmel! I vhas me ruinet—I vhas ruinet mealloafer! I hef me noddinks lefd now vor keeb me dot sdarfing avay vrom! Ach! I vhas co me grazy! I vhas grazy like a pedpoog!” Stung to the quick by the sight of this poor fellow’s wild despair, Hotspur Hal for the first time took open action in the matter, pressing to the front and grasping Earl Chonister by an arm to force his attention while he spoke sternly: “Who has done all this, sir? Who robbed the bank and that poor man?” Chonister stared into that face for a moment, then curtly answered: “Satan and one of his imps, or else— Punch and Judy, curse them! ” CHAPTER XXI. NAKED TRUTH OR CUNNING LIE? Whether or no it was so intended, this assertion produced another sensation, lit- tle cries and ejaculations coming from those who heard. Upon at least one of that number the effect was decidedly different, for a harsh, mocking laugh made itself heard, and a hot flush shot into the banker’s face as his gaze turned in that direction, to be- hold Leonard Boulware, father of the woman whom he wished to marry. Laughing in undisguised scorn, heed- less of the hailf-startled, half-angry glances turning his way at such untimely mirth. Irritating as this surely must have been, that laughter seemed to serve as a tonic, enabling Earl Chonister to brace ee appear more like his every-day self. “T say it all over, gentlemen,” he add- ed, firmly. “It was Major Punch and Capt. Judy who turned this nasty trick; curse them from crown to sole.” “How did it all happen, then?” asked Hotspur, plainly voicing the desires of those present as well as his own curi- osity. ‘Surely you weren’t—how came ye so, anyway, Mr. Chonister?” “Sit down and take it easy as ye know how, pardner,” cut in Dana Dedrick, bringing forward the office chair and with other hand tapping a shoulder. “Of course, we’re all on fire to know the tale, old -man, but we’re not crowding you past the limit: no!” Chonister smiled his thanks after a faint fashion, but merely rested hand on chair back as though still feeling the need of some such support. Arlington fell back a bit, willing enough to look and hearken while another took the lead just then. And it was to him that Leonard Boulware spoke in surly mutter: “Bah! It’s all a put-up job, and I just know it! He’s playing dirt all over Hard- shell, and—” “Wait. Hear him out first,” warningly interrupted the Sport from Hard Luck. It really seemed a difficult tale to tell, althoush the banker made a fair effort that way. In fact, his wits still seemed a bit confused. One thing Dana Dedrick plainly brought to the front; there was little or no need of especial haste so far as hunting the robbers was concerned; many long hours had elapsed since they turned the trick, and past reasonable doubt of their flight had been perfected long since. “All right. We'll catch ’em up before the thing’s all over, just the same. And now—tell us how came ye so, pardner?” Thus encouraged, Earl Chonister went on to give his explanation of the affair; necessarily imperfect and incomplete, yet plainly the best he could do. “You know I stay here quite as often as I do at the hotel, gentlemen,” was his beginning, pointing by a nod toward the small apartment partitioned off from the bank nroper. at the rear. “I meant to sleep in yonder last night. Instead—” “They surprised you while asleep, then?” suggested the gambler. “No, I hadn’t gone to bed yet. I had some work to do, you understandWé writing that ought to be finished, 2™ —the first I knew was like thaiha noise enough to make me turn and? a bare glimpse of two or three De®, who—” tk “The Punch and Judy outfit, © ! Chonister? ” mi “T thought so— I still belie¥S— that!” with emphatic nod of hez © hadn’t time to do much; hardly t™¢ give a yelp and jump to my feet, i tl I couldn’t even snatch my gun fré shelf yonder! ” par “They downed you so sudden, tPf “Just that! Jumped all over n8 § gave me a clip with a pistol butt ort you can feel for yourself, Dedrick® The banker bowed his head, 4 4 gambler gingerly fingered that sc he ing a brief exclamation as he IP!5' bloodstained hand where all cow as he himself spoke next: ing “You did catch it, man dear! Hon a lump like a bump on a log, bi men! ” ho “Twas heavy enough to lay me *¢, the time, too, but didn’t come so }H sudden that I couldn’t see. I sajPU the rascals wore black masks, an#5P lieve—I honestly believe that ¢®@ | them was a woman!”’ litt “Captain Judy, then!” declarefio rick, with a full breath. “ Woman i I'd like to—” ; fal “Oh, come off, old man!” impat2 cried out Carl Erickson. “Can’t 3th Chonister tell us how the _ tric turned, without so infernally mudf! 8 ping in on the outside?” d “Well, there isn’t so mighty 8! more to tell; about the robbery, tPtes declared the banker, tongue runni 12 ly enough now. “ That clip laid F*_ for the time, and when I began tt, V to,,I was blindfolded, gagged, and*§ just as you found me, Dedrick.” | G “But—your eyes were open;™ Chonister! ” of “Yes, because I’d rubbed the cl@e but that was later on. I woke up /§ to hear the scoundrels finish the?™ heard ’em laughing over the god’ they’d made, and then they rack'V!! leaving me to get loose the best © could.” jou Then, with many breaks, caused: by questions from the more impat® ® greater part by his own weaknellr: sore throat, the robbed banker wer ® give in detail his desperate strug free himself sufficiently far to g??™ alarm, which might, even then,? | in redeeming that loss through? and capture of the thieves with ths uable plunder. BI After fighting in vain for hour¥! his bonds, in the meantime freei?™ through desperate rubbing o against floor, and turned nearly fra'8® the coming of daylight Chonister t@ 7 he finally succeeded in kicking a 2 matches from where it habitually2!¢ then oversetting waste basket, ploding some of the scattered BP © “T reckoned the smoke or fiame? attract attention,” he explained, trying to dampen parched lips dry tongue tip. “ Of course, I kno¥ a big risk to run, but then I was *S nigh crazy! And so—I took my ¢ —and then—you fellows came!” | 2 As though his bodily powers measured to meet his tale, the nt gave way now, sinking limply office chair,;gasping like one on th of suffocation. , | This sudden collapse caused excited flutter, but again Dana L aided by several of the more levelirr citizens, forced the crowd to ke¢d that the suffering man might hajgt ; of the air he apparently stood jad dire need of. rne With fresh water, braced by a7d z whisky, Earl Chonister quickly jasc signs of rallying, and then, lit, | little. his tale was completed. we But, so far as his own knowlec¢ xh ie Natee ane : with his pounding heels. Ch an to t
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a Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. . 2S Sere andwas nothing to fasten the outrage ed, any particular person. thaihad caught a fleeting glimpse of fe ¥ masks, of that Chonister felt e pee, and he had an impression that the party wore skirts, although in jit, © Might possibly be mistaken. may have been a long coat, like— slievs—” he: sentence was left incomplete, but ly fmoving eyes gave hint to at least et, i those listening. , fre Dedrick looked toward the faint- paning Dutchman, taking swift n, tpi that unusually long coat, then r an arm with light fingers as he t orto the’ banker in lowered tones: ricks® Dutchy, is it, pardner? Take a 1 at him and see what you think ‘oaitthat? ” e wpister looked in that direction, but cowhook head, almost despondently, ing a moment later: 1 Flon’t know. I can’t be sure. I’m og, | broken up! ” hough he was stired from stupor me 3, to his ears, inaudible comments, so }Halliboober roused up, unsteady | gaiPushing back his disordered locks an sping temples as if hoping to thus xt ¢& painful throbbings there. little eyes held a wild light, and larenwo saw him just then could for nan instant doubt that a heavy blow allen. mpakaze roved about that disordered ae pithen. settled upon the open safe tridore. That seemed to revive mem- is recent loss, and staggering that dropped to his knees in its front, ty groping therein while his quaver- -y, tptes rose high above the other nni in the bank. aid p! Mein Cott—mein Cott in him- vhas ropped—I vhas lose mein ands all oafer! Gif me pack mein ” Gif me pack mein shewels! Ach! pen me boor oldt mans, und I haf me s left dot sdarvation to vight ein! Ach! My tiamondts—mein s tiamondts!” oober flung aloft his arms, shak- o@y hands in air with frantic vigor, rackl'Ving a heart-breaking groan and bes combined as he fell forward, head ae lying fairly within the sey and actions more than the words npa‘itirred those ‘witnesses to their . wel and for a brief space silence ‘tru Then one or two of the more to girted went to the old man’s as- rg >, fearing he might have really oughred to the trying shock of his h thos. partly vented their feelings in urses against the authors of all reel uble, and almost without excep- ; e imprecatory threats were di- y fr Olgainst the Punch and Judy outfit. i fie not until after this little scene ng a a Dedrick put in shape the ques- ual ich had long since occurred to t from Hard Luck: how had the contrived to open that massive e cl ed ametChonister gave a start as this ed, ame to his ears, and he first toward the safe before making kai ot his account was reasonable wag 28 even Arlington felt forced to re! safe? Oh! ’Twas already open ' ”? - ey jumped me. I was working on the ES: I keep them in the safe, you oly nd? And so— Oh, ’twas all of a on urse the infernal luck, any- sed ina CHAPTER XXII. levelinL ERICKSON ON GUARD. 0 ke(rd Boulware gave a subdued sniff t hast at this, and like one who feels ood jad rather more than enough for rned and pushed his way out of by ard and leaving the bank as well. ckly }asons which he deemed good and n, lit, Hotspur Hal felt desirous of d. A well in touch with the speculat- Se bone ee Bee or, and seeing for himself that Johan Halliboober was still in the land of the living, although plainly stunned by the loss of his precious diamonds, he like- wise abandoned that scene. After all, the story of the robbery had been told, and there was little to be gained by ‘lingering upon the spot. As nearly all others clung to the place with as yet unsatisfied curiosity, it was by no means a difficult task for these two men to get beyond ear range of all others, and it was not until then that the specu- lator turned upon the sport to bluntly ask: “Well, what do you think of it, any- way, Arlington? 4 The Hotspur shook his head slowly, like a man who was not quite, prepared to give a definite decision. “That’s easier asked than .answered, I’m thinking, Mr. Boulware. “Of course, and yet, it looks pretty clear, too! ” ‘a Really? é “Yes. And you're not a man to boggle at giving a fair answer to honest ques- tion, either. So—what do you think of it all?” The sport smiled a bit at this persist- ence, so characteristic of the speculator as he had thus far found him. And then he said: “ Since you seem to make a point of it, Mr. Boulware, I’ll say this much: honestly believe there’s a good deal more in this aifair than has as yet come to the surface.” Something like an oracle, but there seemed sufficient in the reply to please the speculator for all that vagueness. “You're mighty right, sir!” with clenched fist forcibly smiting open palm, “ He’s an infernal scoundrel, sir; an in- fernal scoundrel, who would cheat his own grandmother out of her false teeth if she gave him even the ghost of a chance! ” Whether it was well founded or not, Hotspur Hal had taken to doubting the handsome banker of Hardshell, and what he had seen and heard inside yonder rifled building hardly lessened that doubt, but this was a touch of prejudice beyond his. “Well, sir, I really wouldn’t go quite that far just yet. I’m free to own that circumstances look rather against the gentleman, but—” “Gentleman? He’s a scoundrel—an in- fernal cheat and villain!” forcibly de- clared Mr. Boulware. “You may be right, looking at matters from your point of view, Mr. Boulware,” placably yielded the Hotspur to that ex- tent. ‘I can’t see. it all in quite so dark a light as yourself, but—” “ You haven’t known the fellow as long. You haven’t seen him tried out as I have, or you'd be first to give him a kick down the hill! ” “Let it go at that, then. Anyway, as I tried to say: I do reckon Mr. Chonister is well worth keeping an eye on, at least until we’ve brought this Punch and Judy outfit fairly to book.” “The same thing; it’s all the same thing, sir! ’ forcibly declared the earnest speculator. “You may be in the right of it all, sir. I’m not saying, just yet. But I hon- estly think it’ll do no harm to hold tab on this banker of yours, at least until—”’ “ When?” “ Until the knaves who held us up and got away with your good cash have been brought to the gallows, of course! ” “Well, Arlington, you mark my words: if ever the Punch and Judy outfit pulls hemp, Earl Choister will head the pro- cession from court to gallows tree! ” “ All right. If so, so mote it be!” ac- quiesced the Hotspur, though he was by no means ready to rest full dependence upon that rather too hot prejudice, “ But there is one thing dead certain, Mr. Boul- ware,” “ What is it, Arlington?” “That a member of the outfit was mighty neatly crippled up when that in- fernal machine sBengneeP nd 23 “Fitchner, you mean?” “Yes. I’ve looked at it from every possible point, and I can’t make it come out otherwise. He was one of the rascals who played guard over Dutchy and my- self while the rest of the outfit were roping you in.” “And you really reckon it’s all because of your foolishing them as you did later on that Fitchner has been so hot against you? ” “What other reason, pray?” “Didn’t you give him a thumping, though? ” “Not until after he’d deliberately picked a row, and that was the first I ever saw his bare face, too! So I stick to it, he belonged to the gang, and. he knows just who the head rascals are, be gure! 2 “Tf really one of them, he’d ought to know all that,” slowly spoke the specu- lator. “‘ But—would he tell?” “Certainly not without being asked?” “And if asked? But, you forget, the fellow may be dead by this time, if he was half as badly injured as he looked to be.” “ That’s the ugliest part of it all,” ad- mitted the sport, frowning, yet moving off in company with Mr. Boulware. “If he’d only been badly scared and less se- riously hurt I’d like it enough sight bet- ter.” “Yet he clearly meant to blow you up, Arlington.” “To scatter me to the four winds, even as he vowed to do just after I whipped him,” grimly commented the Hotspur, “T didn’t pay much attention to his words, then, but they came back to me mighty sharp when I saw that spitting devil come whizzing my way! ” “Tt was a marvelous escape. I could scarcely believe my own eyes! ” * Dutchy was right on deck, and that’s a fact. I owe him one for that, and some day may happen to pay it back.” “You were risking your life on his account, even then, remember,” “That don’t count. Of course, [I couldn’t stand idly by and see such a joke run clean into the ground,’ modestly said the Hotspur, then deftly changing the subject back again. “But about Dick Fitchner; pity if he should hop the twig without letting a bit | of the truth leak out, don’t you reckon?” “You mean more than you are saying, Arlington; what is it?” almost sternly demanded the speculator, stopping short to lay hand on arm and catch eyes with his own. “T mean just this, then: That Dick Fitchner can tell just who held you up and put it out of your power to pay for the Hot Stuff. I’d go to him myself only that would be worse than useless. I’ve played too prominent a part in the matter as it is, and he’d only curse my head off, or else shut up tighter than a clam.” “Then you mean—you think I could do any good by going there?” “You certainly can’t if you don’t try, pardner. And now—excuse me, will you? Got an important engagement which can’t wait. See you another time—so-long! ” The Hotspur turned and strode swiftly away in the direction of the bank build- ing, leaving Mr. Boulware standing like one half mad, half bewildered by that unceremonious leave taking. But then the light flashed upon him, and with a slight hesitation Leonard Boulware turned to the right about, mut- tering to himself: “He’s nobody’s fool for a fact! And— I'll try it on, anyway!” The speculator lost no further time, but hastened as directly as possible to the place where the crippled thug had been conveyed. There was a room on the second floor, and not a little to his disgust, Mr. Boul- ware found a man on guard before that © — ies ane who held up a warn- ng hand at t approach, speaking ing half whisper: OE pk oe too much noise, ml
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Fal, the 24 “Hello! You, is it, Erickson? ” “On guard duty, yes,” replied the Nor- wegian. “‘ Ugly affairstoo! 4 “ Ugly, indeed, though, to tell the plain truth, Fitchner brought it ali upon him- self. He was the one to toss the bomb, you understand? ” “So you said out yonder. I know nothing at all about it. Nor, to tell the honest truth, do I wish to be any the wiser.” Leonard Boulware looked at the closed door, and just then there came a half- smothered. groan and cry commingled from the chamber within. “He’s alive, then? It didn’t kill him, Erickson? ” “T’d mighty sight rather be dead than in his fix, though,” almost gruffly de- clared the Norseman. “<A cripple for life if he pulls through! But he’ll never do that, never! He’s got his last sickness, and I know it without being told! ” “We'll hope to the contrary, though,” assured the speculator, to the point he was so desirous of mak- ing. “I think I could be of service to the poor feliow, Erickson. If you'll just stand aside for a moment, and let me—’” “Not any, thank you!” said the Nor- wegian, hand coming forward to resist that attempted advance. “What do you mean by that, sir?” flashed Boulware, hotly. “Not too loud, please! Mean? what it says: no admittance.” * But, I tell you, sir—” “ And I say—speak lower, or else take a walk,” sternly cut in Carl, with a nod of head toward the chamber. “ The doc- tor said quiet must be maintained, and that no one should be admitted without his say-so.” “He will not refuse me if—” “But I do refuse you, sir. Stand back, please. And, if it’s all the same to you, Mr. Boulware—go take a little walk! ” *“T want to see Fitchner. I must see him. He knows who got my money the other day, and I want him to tell me—” “That’s enough, sir, and mighty nigh too much. Wait and tell Dick all that to his face when he rallies, if_he ever does, Go, I tell you! ” And Leonard Boulware turned away, defeated for the time being. _Hotspur Ha Just CHAPTER XXIII. ' A SURPRISE FOR LEONARD BOULWARE. There was a half smile playing around the lips of the Hotspur as he turned away from Leonard Boulware toward the rifled bank. “ Took the bait like a hungry chub, and before he fairly feels the hook he’ll be too well started in the right direction to call a quit!” mentally prophesied the sport, his acute sense of hearing telling him that the speculator had started in an opposite direction. “Question is, How’ll he make it pan out? If I could leave a bit of butter on that tongue of his, I’d call the chances a little more even. As it is—well, he can’t very well make a bad matter worse! ” From all of which it may be inferred that, diplomatically speaking, Henry Ar- lington had not formed the highest pos- sible opinion of the gentleman into whose ear he had just dropped a busy flea! In spite of his recent assertion, Hot- spur Hal had no particular’ business on thhand just then, and had merely turned _ back toward the rifled bank building be- cause that lay in the direction opposite to the place where Dick Fitchner had found shelter for the time being. As he came into fair view of the open ground immediately in front of the Hard- _sbell Bank, Arlington found that the ' crowd was beginning to emerge and to ¥; geatter, doubtless having for the time being exhausted the fund of excitement in that quarter, He saw nothing of Johan Halliboober, “nor was Earl Chonister to be distin- among the crowd, but he did take ies Sam Huckett, taller than his pe Piacat and eepahhy) if then leading up | Sport from. Hard Luck. only beeause of his rude garb and a never-failing Winchester repeater. Arlington was seen at the same time, and clearing the crowd, which scarcely seemed to his liking just then, the vet- eran strode rapidly his way, giving nod and grunt of recognition as he came up to the sport. “A he-ole kick-uppery, hain’t she, now, vardner? Never reckoned I’d see the day which I’d be glad in a chunk I wasn’t a rich man... No, sir!” ‘““A serious affair, I’m afraid,’ admit- ted the Hotspur, the two men moving on, to turn aside from that street into an- other less populous at that moment. This was apparently more to suit Sam Huckett than his companion, since he took the initiative. “You bet your sweet life! Who ye reckon done it, aryhow, pardner?” “You heard what Mr. Chonister said, didn’t you?” “ Yes, but it peared to me sort o’ like— ef he wasn’t jest a-knowin’ of all which he did say! ” Hotspur Hal cast a keen glance into that face from the corner of his eyes as they walked on. A puzzled expression rested there, but—was it anything more? Was this still another shrewd man who seriously doubted the truth and integrity of the Hardshell banker? “Surely you can’t suspect Mr. Chon- ister of holding back anything of impor- tance, Huckett? Anything, I mean, by which the actual robbers could be brought to book? ”’ “Oh, them? Waal, now, don’t you know, pardner? I sort o’ reckon the young feller was in the plum right of it, after all.” “Then it was Punch and Judy?” “Them, or some 0’ the same pesky out- fit; I do so! An’ fer why? They hain’t none on ’em a mite too good fer the doin’ of it, be they? An’ they bin doin’ of heap wuss, too, I take it, hey?” Hotspur Hal gave a slight gesture, with half laugh to match. “T’m not anyways stuck on the party, pardner. In fact, I’d give a nice little chunk out of the pile I won last night just to catch a fair clew tq Major Punch, I’d agree to do all the rest!” There was a brief silence, during which Arlington took note of the fact that they were drawing near the Boulware home. “T know it,’ said Huckett, when the sport mentioned this. “I wanted to come this way, ef— I say, pardner?” “ Well? ” “The idee of it is pritty, much like this: Thar’s somethin’ I knows which mought be pritty tol’able well wu’th the hearin’, ye see?” “Something relating to the road- agents? ’”’ demanded Arlington, struck by that peculiar manner and tone. * Waal, it’s pritty nigh much that-a-way, fer a fact!’ admitted the veteran, giving uneasy twist of shoulders. ‘‘ But, not say- in’ ary much ag’inst you, ye understand, I ruther do the fust tellin’ of it to—an’ blamed ef thar he don’t come right now!” Hotspur Hal followed with eyes that eager nod, and recognized Leonard Boul- ware, with face turned in their direction, walking rapidly, yet hardly with the de- meanor of one whose recent efforts have ee crowned with perfect success, e speculator did not moderate his pace as he saw those two men, apparently waiting for his coming, giving crisp nod toward the elder, then addressing’ Hot- spur Hal without much ceremony: “Tried it on, don’t you know, and didn’t. catch a clam! Wouldn’t let me even have a squint at the fellow, much less talk” “Better luck next time, sir,” inter- posed the Hotspur, with a gesture, which Boulware was still cool enough to inter- pret right. “‘ For just now, Mr. Huckett says he has important matter to com- municate—” *T jest sort o’ reckoned I’d kind o’ like fer to hey a bit o’ chin-chin with ye, Tne ae neionde vith veteran. . 5! aay well, Huckett. so near the house. please.”’ “Thanks, but maybe I’d better wait until Mr. Huckett has had his say out,” faebeigaeyd suggested the Sport from Hard suck, “No, no, now! 1 want you, too; an’ I want you right smart! ” declared Samuel, grasping an arm and obliging Arlington to bear them company. After all, it did not require any vast amount of force, for something in both face and manner had aroused an interest in the sport, which would only be ap- peased by hearing all, either at first or at second hand. Still powerfully irritated over his re- cent repulse, which was by no means sweetened by the implied taunt from Erickson’s lips, that he would be far less ready to cast insinuations into the face of the crippled thug had Dick Fitch- ner been able to stand up for himself, Mr. Boulware led the way into his house, Hotspur Hal flushed a bit as he re- moved his hat to bow in answer to that given by Cora Boulware, and he felt just a bit sorry that he had not stopped to shift his suit before leaving the store in which his usual costume had passed for the night. But the owner of the house did not give his guests time for more than bow and passing greeting, for he led the way di- Glad { met you Come in, both of you, rectly to his own room, shutting door , behind them when all had entered. Sam Huckett looked guardedly around, as though this might be his first intro- duction to these inner regions, but Ar- lington felt a far deeper interest in the matter which had led up to that. call upon Leonard Boulware. Catching the speculator’s eyes, he gave wink and then guarded nod toward the old prospector, which hint was promptly acted upon by their host. “Tt is a matter of business you wish to see me upon, Huckett?” asked Boul- ware, deeming any less blunt approach wholly unnecessary. “Waal, now, boss,’’ drawled Samuel, shifting uneasily on his chair. “‘ Business? An’ yit I do sort o’ reckon ye mought come to pritty nigh call it business, toa!” “Very well, Huckett, I’m always glad to belp an honest fellow, and if I can serve you in any way, shape, or manner, be sure I will do it. May I ask just what the matter is, then?” “Done heard ye lost a big wad oO’ money t’other day, boss?” blurted forth the prospector. “ Was it so, or just town- talk, like?” Leonard Boulware gave a start of sur- prise, his face catching a bit of light and a half-hungry expression leaping into his eyes. That curious manner made him almost hope—but that was folly! “JT did lose some money,’ he said, speaking with forced composure. “ Why do you ask,.Huckett?” “How much was it, ef that’s a fa’r askin’? ” “Twenty thousand dollars—worse luck me!” “Pritty tol’able nice wad, an’ that’s a fact! An’ how was it all fixed up, boss? ’Pears like a boodle like that’d take a mule team to do the haulin’ off! ” “JT had it in bills, mainly fifty and hundred dollar notes. When all was neatly laid and sealed up in stout paper, the sum didn’t make any very impressive appearance, you understand? ” “ An’ the wad was hid into the cart ye sent over the dump, was it, now, boss?” Leonard Boulware could no longer con- tain himself, but leaning forward to gaze keenly into that gaunt visage, he cried, almost fiercely: “You know something—you know : all about that money, Sam Huckett! You have something—out wit “Do you know an though, pardner?” interposed Hotspur it, man alive!” about it, | Hal, in tones less calculated to eae oF, So to offe nd se eae a ee ee ne a eS See ere
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ay trial 4 ontel I kin sort o’ make a strike; the one He er >.< fo ee a iy Hotspur a ' Huckett gave a slow grin as his little yes turned from one face to the other, hen returning to that of the speculator, ho showed how powerfully he was be- ng stirred. } “Waal, now, boss, I reckon mebbe as how I do know a leetle somthin’ about it, ‘an’ so—ef a critter was to sort o’ putt ye nto the way o’ gittin’ your money ack—” “Tf you can do that, Huckett, I'll pay ou a reward which will—” “Stiddy, thar, boss!” lifting hand to «cut the speech short. i “T mean it, though. I'll give you a ‘thousand dollars if you put me in the ‘way of recovering the amount I lost,” searnestly cried the speculator, resolved to have his say out in spite of that lifted paw. ie Stiddy, thar!” repeated the old fel- jiow, frowning as though he had been of- ifered an insult. “I hain’t a hog, ef I do know how to grunt! An’ thar’s only one )way you could sort o’ help things along ‘fer Sam Huckett, ye want to understand, jnow! ” “And that way is—name it, man }money back then?” 4 alive! ” “ Will ye grub-stake me ef I git yer CHAPTER XXIV. AFTER THE HOT STUFF. “ Will I grub-stake you? ”’ echoed Boul- ware, surprised by the extremely moder- ate desires of this queer customer. “Waal, now, that ’pears to be pritty much the size ‘of it, boss,’ Sam Huckett said, more his natural self now that the ice was fairly broken. “’Twon’t take so mighty much of a wad, nuther. Jest *nough fer to run me by my lonesome season, then?” “And if Mr. Boulware agrees to this you will tell all you know?” asked the Sport from Hard Luck. “Sure! All I ax fer pay is a grub- stake ontel I kin hit off a bonanza, which I know to a dead moral is—eh?” For Leonard Bouiware was leaning far enough forward to grip an arm, then speaking earnestly: “T’ll agree to all you can ask, Huckett, if you on your part will or can tell me how I can get on the right track of et money!” “Mellin’ would do, is it, boss?” “Yes. Show me how I can set to work with a fair prospect of regaining my own, and you can name your own terms.” The man with the Winchester parted lantern jaws in a subdued laugh, which left his sharp-pointed nose the centre point. of a world of wrinkles, then as abruptly turned grave and sober visage freeing his arm from that nervous grasp as he spoke dryly: “ Waal, now, boss, wouldn’t it do jest es well ef ye was to see the blessed wad, which—like this! ” Huckett drew a flat package from his bosom and thrust it into the hand of the bewildered speculator, then leaned back in his chair to give full vent to an amused chuckle, “The money, by glory! ” exploded Hot- spur Hal, who had not let his fancy run to that extent. “The money—how came you with it, Sam Huckett?” “Waal, now, I didn’t quite Punch and Judy it, aryway,” coolly quoth the pros- _ pector, plainly enjoying the situation. “Tl tell you jest how I come to ketch it all, ef you'll jest be so good es to take a weenty squint-it-over, boss; jest to see ef she’s all thar in a heap! ” Until now the speculator had sat like one in a daze, holding the soiled package in hand and staring at it with wide eyes yet scarcely able as yet to realize the marvelous truth. The paper envelope was broken at both ends, and one could see the ends of bank ‘pills, or gain an idea as to the value of the whole by ruffling those ends; but the wax was still in place near the centre a ue sia package, and to all seeming those Pers san Smee a pc a ey | ~ Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. * notes had never been drawn away since first put up in that shape. Now, with nervous fingers and bated breath, Leonard Boulware tore the paper off, quickly sorting over the money, while Hotspur Hal kept tab as well. “Twenty thousand, and that’s no lie! ” cried Arlington as the last bit of tinted paper dropped upon its fellows. ‘“‘ Huck- ett, you old villain, you! If I was a young girl I’'d hug you clean out of your boots! ” “ An’ I'd be kickin’ an’ bawlin’ wuss then a bay steer ef ye was!” declared the prospector, grinning all over his face. “Then ye hain’t nyther o’ ye gwine fer to jump onto me es bein’ Punch an’ Judy?” “Of course not, but—tell us all about it, can’t ye, man, dear?” Leonard Boulware gripped a brown paw to shake it cordially, saying: *T can’t find words to thank you right now, old friend, but I'll do it ere long. And your wishes—I’ll double all you can ask for!” “That’s all right, boss. I hain’t no hog, even ef I does w’ar a crap o’ bristles. An’ es fer the rest—I come hyar ’spressly fer to tell ye all about how come it so.” “Go on, pardner. I’m itching all over as if I was in a nest of hungry fleas! ” the Hotspur forcibly put it. “Thar isn’t so mighty much to tell, a’ter all, come to simmer it all down, an’ *twas jest bull-headed luck dumped right in my way,’ Huckett modestly asserted. “The idee of it all is jest like this, gents, both. I was out in the hills lookin’ fer a bit o’ cheaper meat than a feller kin buy down hyar in Hardshell, an’ when I did ketch a chaince, pritty late in the day, ole Betsy, hyar, sort o’ went back onto me, an’ I didn’t throw my deer right in its tracks, as ’pears like I’d shore- ly orter. “The critter tucked tail an’ went off on the keen jump, an’ the ole man a’ter it, see? An’ he tuck to the kenyon, an’ thar I was through the hull of that hold- up business.” “ And you never showed up, even when the sheriff came with a bugle?” “Wall, Sport, the idee of it was pritty much like this: ’Twasn’t my day fer fightin’ ner yit shootin’. I’d lost the deer, an’ I didn’t keer to lose my life, es well. An’ so—then thar was the boodle! ” “ You found it, then and there? ” “That’s jest the idee of it, pardner. I was right thar when the hull blame heap come a splatterin’ down them rocks, over the dump. An’ the meal-sack went bu’st, an’ the package come tumblin’ out so I jest couldn’t holp but see it! An’ so —thar you hev it, in a chunk! ” Although Sam Huckett seemed to think that he had made the matter sufficiently clear for all purposes, he was questioned by both Boulware and Hotspur Hal, un- til the minor points were cleared up enough to suit. He took possession of the money pack- age, and then hastened into secure hiding when Major Punch led his men in that direction after the lost cash. “Twas easy “nough then to git back to town, whar I tuck time to do what I hedn’t afore: count the money by turnin’ over the eends. An’ then I jest sort 0’ lay low, waitin’ fer to l’arn for dead shore who the dingbats b’longed to, see?” Again Boulware tried to force a fair reward upon the finder, but in vain. Huckett doggedly held to his original position: he would take no.cash in hand, but would accept a grub-stake and say thanky into the bargain! And then, after fidgeting with a degree of nervousness foreign to his usual nature, Hotspur Hal bluntly spoke out: “ You’re wasting time mighty foolishly, I take it, sir!” “How do you mean by foolishly?” asked Boulware. “Have you forgot all about the Hot Stuff, then?” The speculator started at this, catching breath -sharply. “You mean—just what?” “That if I stood in your shoes, with your hopes and plans, I’d get a hustle on 4 “a i ool wa +P ye 25 me without further waste of time,” em- phatically declared the Man from Hard Luck. “ You’ve got the full amount, now, haven’t you?” “With this recovered; yes.” “And your option reads that the bar- gain may be closed at any time before midnight, one week from now, doesn’t 5 at ad “Yes, but—” “Well, if the bargain was mine, and I thought I had such a paying snap in hand, seems to me I’d heat my soles hunting for the owner of the Hot Stuff right now!” forcibly asserted the Hot- spur. “You jest bet he’s ketched onto the right idee of it all, too! ” chimed in the man with the Winchester. Leonard Boulware seemed to finally catch the same idea, for he left his chair, speaking hurriedly: “You're right, and I thank you for re- minding me, friends. This unexpected re- covery has partly dazed me, seems like, but now—l’ll do it, and that right off the handle, too!” His absence from the room was but brief, and returning he unlocked the safe which stood in one corner of his snug- gery, taking therefrom a package some- what similar to that so recently restored by the prospector, then turning to his guests to say: “May I beg your further company, gen- tlemen? I’d like you to witness the trans- fer when I’ve found Grinberg. After all the trouble I’ve had over the Hot Stuff, I’m not going to miss a single chance from now on! ” “And you’re mighty right in just that, too! ” declared Arlington. “ Come Huck- ett. Of course we'll see you clean through with it, pardner, if only to help crow over—well, call it Punch and Judy! ” “Or Earl Chonister, confound him! ” amended the speculator, with a laugh more hearty than he had given for weeks gone by. But it was far easier to propose than to perform, as the trio were not very long in finding out. They failed to see aught of Moses Grin- berg, nor could they at first get on his track, though his customary resorts were visited in turn. Finally a mutual acquaintance gave Boulware a hint, which he thought might be worth following up. “T don’t suppose it’s generally known, but the fact is that Grinberg has been sleeping at the bank of late. And if any- body can put you on his track, Chonister surely ought.” Boulware seemed inclined to hold back, new, but Hotspur Hal was too deeply in- terested in the affair to give him such a chance for delay. “Come, sir, and we'll look up Mr. Chon- ister. We're out after the Hot Stuff, and if we don’t freeze fast to it before knock- ing off work for the day, then I don’t want a red cent!” “Sleeping at the bank! Isn’t that— well, birds of a feather will flock to- gether, I reckon! ” muttered the specu- — lator, giving way. Their first move was toward the robbed institution, and within they found the banker, trying to get something like order ~ out of confusion. As Leonard Boulware showed such ; plain reluctance to have speech with the man whom he held in such detestation, Hotspur Hal volunteered to do the neces- sary talking, and when recognized by the banker, he said: _“Hate to bother you while you have so much on hands, Mr. Chonister, but we're looking for Moses Grinberg. Can you tell us where he might be just at present? ” .Earl gave shrug of shoulders and smiled faintly before saying: “ That’s precisely what I'd like to know on my own hook, sir!” “T understand he has been sleeping _ here of late; is that so?” “ Yes. Once too often, I’m thinking, | since he surely set up this job and let a
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= in his pals to down me, even if he didn’t strike me down himself!” declared the banker with sudden bitterness in tones and in face. “What! Moses Grinberg? You mean just that, sir?” “T do mean it, every word. And I'll kill the cur at sight! ” CHAPTER XXV. THIEVES OF THE NIGHT. Until now Leonard Boulware had held his powerful prejudice fairly under sub- jection, but at this he broke forth, bit- terly. “Bah, you villain! Maybe you can throw dust in the eyes of some, but here’s one you can’t even begin to foolish, Earl Chonister! ” “T know you have always disliked me, sir, although I never gave you fair cause,” “ Another lie, and you know it! You have given me cause until—but that don’t count. As for Grinberg, you're keeping him out of the way for fear I'll clinch the bargain for his Hot Stuff, and—” “T pledge you my word of honor, Mr. Boulware—” “Which isn’t worth even the foul breath it takes to name it. Your honor? Ha! Ha! Ha! The honor of a—” “Steady, pardner!” warned Hotspur Hal, slipping a deft palm across those intemperate lips, then almost forcing the angry speculator out of the bank and away. But all further search was in vain. Whether or no Earl Chonister told the truth in declaring his belief that Grin- berg had played him dirt in common with the Punch and Judy outfit, the sim- ple fact remained that Moses was not to be found in or about Hardshell, search as the trio might. And so, not a little to his fierce disgust, Leonard Boulware took all that cash back home with him, and the night de- - scended without finding him full master of the long-coveted mine, the Hot Stuff. Hotspur Hal let drop a hint or two) concerning the risk of keeping so large an amount of money about the place, but the speculator was in one of his worst humors, and rather than risk being thought over-officious, the Sport held his hush after his first rebuff. Still, that rejected warning certainly must have come back to Leonard Boul- ware, when, well along in the night, and after he had lost all memory of his troubles for the time being, he was rude- ly awakened to find himseif in the vicious clutches of— “Punch and Judy!” he gasped, me- chanica’sy, flinching from the light which was now turned squarely upon his face. “Button up, or I’ll croak ye like a mice!” harshly warned one of those masked shapes, grip tightening upon throat as the menace issued. “Lift his roof or slit his weasand, Punch, if he tries to kick up a bobbery,” spoke the second mask. ~ “That’s what I’ll do, Judy! ” declared the first speaker. “ You take that all in, old man, else you’re worse than a fool; and that’s needless! ” It really seemed as though these mid- night callers wished to leave no room for doubting their identity, since they took particular pains to call each other by name, but Leonard Boulware took little heed of that fact, just then. All at once he remembered the large pmount of ready cash which he had with s0 much difficulty and risk accumulated for that particular purpose, and know- ing just as surely that this was an at- tempt to ruin those fond hopes through robbery, he set up a desperate struggle, twisting his throat free to cry out in hoarse ‘tones. , y Only the one cry, for a deadly clutch fastened again upon his neck, . Major Punch forcing him back in bed with sav- age energy. ' * Quiet. you fool! Do you really want me to—kill you?” Te Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. But Boulware was past listening to reason, now,:and thinking only of how he might best foil the robbers, fought with fierce energy, giving his adversary pretty much all he wanted to do, in spite of the advantage he had taken at the outset. Again his throat was set far enough free to give forth a wild, unnatural screech, and then the second mask dealt him a cruel blow with butt of clubbed revolver full upon his unguarded head. . Vicious though that stroke surely was, it did not deprive the struggling man entirely of consciousness. Like one in a horrid dream he knew that his enemies were binding his arms and covering his lips with a folded cloth; not a regular gag, but sufficient to prevent him from giving any sound which could pass the confines of that chamber. With wondrous celerity all this was done, the burglars plainly coming pre- pared for all that might turn up, and each one fully understanding just wha: portion of the work was to fall to his or to her share. For now Leonard Boulware could see what he had at first only divined: these thieves of the night were really those notorious road-raiders, Major Punch and Captain Judy! “Your money or your life, old man! ” harshly muttered the larger of the two masks, at the same time flashing a bared blade before the eyes of their captive in menacing manner. “ Where is it?” “Pay up, or go over the divide, re- member,’ warned Captain Judy. “ Devils—never give—kill ‘me first! ” came through that muffler, yet distinctly enough for those keen ears to catch aright. “Tell me where the stuff is hidden, or T’ll kill you like—” “Steady, Punch! the girl, for rocks! ” For just then certain sounds came to the burglars, which told them those cries had surely been heard by others; by one, at least. And, almost surely, that one was the speculator’s daughter, now on her way to investigate the alarm. Just how he contrived to accomplish the feat even himself’ could not fairly explain, but the fact remains that Leon- ard Boulware slipped that muffler suffi- ciently far from mouth to give a wild screech (it could not be termed aught else) in hopes of saving Cora from worse befalling. Unfortunately for his hopes, that ery was unnatural enough to add to the daughter’s alarm on behalf of her parent, rather than send her in hurried flight to safer regions, and crying out to the father whom she surely deemed in bodily: pain, if not at the point of death, Cora came that way all the more swiftly. “Look to him, Judy; Ill ’tend to the eat!” swiftly muttered Major Punch, as he crossed over to the door, standing where he could grasp the alarmed girl as she first entered. And so it was done, powerful arms clutching Cora as she opened the door in daughterly affright, then a strong hand closing over her mouth as its owner spoke in harsh, menacing tones: “Shut up, you cat! Play half way white and neither of you shall be in- jured, but—obey or suffer penalty, mind! ” For a few geconds the maiden seemed like one paralyzed in body, only her eyes déing usual work. Those told her all; showed her Leon- ard Boulware bound and partly gagged, lying upon his bed with a half-feminine shape leaning above him with menacing knife in one hand, the other pressing hard upon that heaving chest, the bet- ter to hold the man under subjection. Those masked faces, the time of night, her own deft seizure, all told Cora what was in the wind; for she, too, knew that an unusually large sum in ready cash was then beneath that rooftree. Major Punch gave a brief laugh of tri- umph as his clutch was made sure, and Somebody’s astir— posing bosom, he croaked forth: “Sing your little song, Boulware, it’ll turn to a funeral ode, and that in| holy hurry! See! I hold her life in m hand, and unless you pay over th) blessed wad—give him a bit of win Judy, dear! ” Satisfied that no father could or wo remain stubborn when such an awful p alty was the forfeit, Captain Judy co plied, removing the folded cloth whi had smothered the speculator’s voice. “ Where is the money, Boulware? ” manded Major Punch, shaking knife ov his captive as though fairly eager bathe it in red heart’s blood. 1 “Hold, you devil!” huskily cried t | father, struggling to free his arms that | Y might go to the rescue of that loved on “Out with it, then. Where. is : boodle hidden, I say? Speak quick, f salt can’t save either you or this girl! With a desperate effort of will po ¥ Cora broke that awful numbness w Dp had come upon her with that clutch) © criminal hands, and as she struggled fré tically to break away, she screamed for§ W: “No, no, father! Don’t tell—don’t th up to—” ul “Quiet, you scratch cat!” vielou do growled Major Punch, giving Cor fierce squeeze with the arm wrap} to: around her, and then flashing bare blé, @s closer to her widely distended ey sn “Must I bloody murder you all i ‘ heap, then?” €a; Instead of yielding supinely as neg les any girl in like situation might have cri counted upon doing, Cora Boulware ‘ struggled to get free, and at the ans time raised her voice in a shrill, nee reaching cry for help. hea “ Shut off her wind, can’t you, pard) We angrily demanded Captain Judy, at T same time finding her own charge by Was means easy to control. “If she keeps Wil like that we’ll have the whole tow er our backs like a—croak her if this | @nd don’t sing to tune, then!” in fi “TI will: I swear to slit her thi her Leonard Boulware, without you kn A and tell us where you’ve got that bo Who stowed away! Now—last time of in o ing!” : com “ Don’t—I’'ll tell—I’ll give you all r@ Knoy than—my poor child!” hoarsely ¢g noc the half-distracted father. desp “No, no, father! ” again screamed 10 it: maiden, either bolder than her pare W) less fully realizing how terribly it that nent their peril surely was. “I wil) whic let—don’t tell! ” their “Will you hold your hush, faq dark: growled Major Punch, slapping hand) fortu those lips with brutal force. “Andy Oat spit it out, Boulware! Where is there money stowed away, then?” when “Talk true or see her go ove Cor range! ’ warned Captain Judy. and 1 Forgetful of all else save the / to the peril which menaced his only child, ] revo] ard Boulware gasped forth: towar “I will—in the safe. I’ll show ; that o only spare my girl!” upon “Good enough!” cried Major A er with a brief laugh of fierce exultati Shots he moved forward. “ Let him up, }4nd ne and see that he plays all over whit Boulw now we’ve got to—the devil! ” floor For Cora Boulware suddenly / Sprang away from her captor, grown care ing gle he saw the victory won, and while} That through the open doorway her voic¢ COmba‘ out in a wild, piercing scream for ajiN vio assistance! of the senses found } CHAPTER XXVI. robbers POWDER BURNS AND BLOOD the floo “ Look to him, Punch!” cried With Judy in anything but musical tojMan rg the fleeing maiden. Searcely was Cora clear of that Side of ber ere the road-agent was upoljay? jerking the maiden back and then © Bouly ing down her arms as she tried to ords, — against captivity.
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Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. With truly remarkable strength for a woman of her size, Captain Judy quickly overcame the girl, and was dragging her back to that chamber when Major Punch appeared, guarding the father and saying: “Down stairs, Judy, in the safe. Take the girl along—for lively, now! No tell- ing what ears may have caught those yells! ” “Tl slit her throat if she’s been heard, and that’s a dead sure thing! ” viciously vowed the female road-agent, giving Cora @ squeeze and shake which was anything but a loving caress. “Don’t harm—I’ll give up all rather than have—” “Button up, curse ye! Save breath un- til the right time comes for chin-chin, will ye? Now—lively, Judy! ” The two outlaws hustled their prisoners to the ground floor, then into the snug- gery of the speculator, where both gave brief ejaculations of delight as the light was flashed upon the safe wherein re- posed such a snug little fortune in un- traceable cash. With trembling fingers Leonard Boul- Ware turned the plated knob and unlocked the door, Major Punch in his fierce ex- ultation knocking away that hand to do jou. do the rest himself. ‘ora He swung the heavy door wide, and rap} tore out the inner drawer, giving a cry .pblé, @8 he saw—the precious package lying ey snugly there! « it’s there? You’ve got it, Punch?” eagerly asked Captain Judy, not one whit less excited than was her comrade in a p «crime. re “Got it? You bet I just have, then! ” a gf answered the major, snatching up the ul, neat bundie and: giving it a wave over head in triumph. “ And now I reckon ard| We might as well—” at This time it was Captain Judy who e by Was in fault, for, sharing so fully that eeps wild triumph of her mate, she relaxed owr her grasp without being aware of the fact, his and for the second time Cora broke away in flight, screaming for help at the top of thi her voice. kn At the same time Leonard Boulware, t bo Whose arms had been freed from bonds of | in order to let him open the safe, whose combination he alone was supposed to Wire know, sprung into sudden action, partly y ga knocking Major Punch over as he made a desperate rush for a revolver which hung med in its scabbard against the wall. arer Whether through accident, or by intent, ly it that same rush knocked over the lamp wil) which supplied the robbers with light for their nefarious work, leaving all in utter , fq darkness as the light was extinguished, yand| fortunately without an explosion. nd Oaths and cries filled the room, and e ig there was a bit of confused scrambling when ali eyes were blinded by darkness. ove Cora’s shrieks were still pealing forth, and masculine shouts now came to add to the confusion, whilé Boulware, jerking revolver from scabbard, began shooting toward those sounds, for he never knew that others than enemies could have come upon the scene so quickly. A cry of angry pain blended with those shots before the revolver was emptied, and nearly at the same instant Leonard Boulware was knocked ‘violently to the floor by a rushing body, which then sprang clean turouga the window, shiver-, ing glass and shattering sash as well. That fall placed the speculator hors de combat for the time, as his head came ajin violent contact with the open door of the rifled safe, and when his scattered senses fairly returned to their owner, he found himself in a lighted room with the | robbers gone, and one man lying upon p Figthe floor, bleeding from a pistol wound. ied © With spasmodic effort the still dazed al tojman raised his head and shoulders far iftnes}enough to catch a glimpse of his daugh- er, who was just then kneeling by the - that Bide of that man who—who was he, any- 3 upol AY ¢ then ¢;/ Boulware strove to put that query into ried to ords, but only succeeded in making ‘a leer sort of noise; faint enough, yet suf- |. =F ficiently loud to attract the notice of his daughter. . Cora turned a startled look that way, then gave a low cry as she sprung to her feet and moved nearer her father, trem- ulously speaking: “Oh, daddy, daddy! I thought—I was afraid you had been—was badly injured by those awful, awful men!” “JT don’t—what in thunder is it all about, anyway?” demanded Boulware, voice gathering strength as he spoke on, yet feeling curiously weak and thorough- ly dazed. “The robbers—the money, which—’” An oath burst from the speculator’s lips at this time, for the words served to clear his memory in good part. He rose to a sitting posture, glaring around in quest of burglars and their boodle, but instead his gaze was once more arrested by that prostrate figure, which was—it surely was— “ Chonister! He here, and—the infernal scoundrel!” fairly exploded Boulware, as he at length identified that figure with the young banker whom he so doggedly detested. “No, no, father!” expostulated Cora, trying to check that mad rising when recognition came. ‘He never—he came as a friend, dear! ” “Friend .be—!” fiercely cried Boul- ware, as he pushed the maiden aside with a sweep of his right arm. “ He came here to—ha! The fellow thought to rob me so I couldn’t pay for the Hot Stuff, did he?” “No, no, he never—he surely never, father! Only for him we might have been murdered like—like you have _ killed him! ” 3 Her voice turned quavering and un- steady at this, and Cora turned toward the banker, with hardly as fierce dislike in her gaze as filled both face and eyes of her parent just then. There was blood marking Chonister’s face, and as he lay there under the lamp- light it really seemed as though his earth- ly pilgrimage was at an end. For the mark of a bullet was upon his left tem- ple, end unless the lead had turned— **Cora—where are you—my love?” Both father and daughter gav~™ start at this, for ’twas almost like the dead speaking. And ‘then, with a spasmodic movement, Earl Chonister raised partiy up, support- ed by one hand and arm, while the other lifted to clasp his injured temple. He stared around the room like one just rousing out of an ugly dream, then gave a low, glad cry as he at last recog- nized the maiden. “You, Cora? Thank heaven I was—not too late to save—my love! ” With a scarcely articulate cry the maiden sprung to his side, arms lending the support which Chonister as _ yet needed, for the moment forgetful of all else. But Leonard Boulware both heard and saw, and while he was for the first few seconds literally petrified in his tracks, hot anger quickly resumed its sway, and springing forward he caught Cora by the shoulders and dragged her forcibly away, harshly speaking the while: “Stop, girl! You shan’t dirty your hands by even touching the infernal scoundrel who dared come here to rob me of—” “No, no, father, he did not—he could not do so!” “T rob you sir?” demanded the young banker, face flushing with indignation as he caught the full meaning of that mad speech. Boulware shoved Cora away, giving surly growl as he stooped to pick up the pistol, which he had torn from the wall when breaking away from Major Punch. He cocked the weapon as he rose again, crying out.almost viciously as the weapon rose to a level with that wounu.. man: “Hands up, you thief and robber! [1] blow you through like a—ye will have it, then?” For Chonister made an effort to regain 27 :—— —_ his feet, and doubtless imagining an as- sault would follow, Leonard Boulware pulled trigger while the silver drop fairly covered heart of the crippled bank- er. The hammer fell, but no explosion fol- lowed; most fortunately the weapon had been wholly emptied by the speculator himself, ere the road-agents could fairly clear the premises. Again Cora arms about neck of father, heedless of the weapon which was thus pinioned be- tween their bodies, half-sobbing, half- praying for mercy. “ He never—he came to help us, daddy! I know he couldn’t—and when you think that he is one of those awful—” Perhaps it was just as well for all con- cerned that just then a number of citi- zens came rushing into the building, the alarm having spread far enough to fetch a force to the rescue, though rather late in the day to be of much service, Naturally enough all was once more confusion, where questions were poured forth in a flood, without any waiting for answers, Bethinking himself at last that precious time was being cut to waste, which might much more wisely be employed if he hoped to recover the large sum of money taken by Punch and Judy, Leonard Boulware hastily told his story, denouncing the authors of that latest outrage, and beg- ging his friends to make chase without further delay. As the alarm spread more widely, ané the crowd grew thicker, it was no very difficult task to start off a number in search of sign; but even Boulware him- self began ‘to feel that his chance of see- ing aught more of the Hot Stuff fund was sadly slender, indeed. Meanwhile Earl Chonister was rallying from his hurt; nothing worse than a cut through flesh to temple bone, made by one of the wildly flying bullets sent into the gloom by Leonard Boulware himself. The shock had stunned for a time, but no bones were fractured nor was the young fellow likely to suffer any especiaF ill effects from the injury now he had be- gun to rally. And while the father was preaching pursuit and vengeance, the daughter was receiving heartfelt thanks from Bar Chonister, both for the moment forget- ting that too harsh parent, until— \ Again Cora was torn away from the banker, and once again Boulware de- nounced the young man as one of the Punch and Judy outfit. “Go, you scoundrel! Leave my house, at once, or I’ll kill you like a cur—as F believe you are, before high heaven! ” And, forced to bide his time, Earl Chon- ister took his departure. CHAPTER XXVII. PUNCH AND JUDY IN FLIGHT. It was Major Punch who demolisheé that window, electing that risky avenue of flight in preference to one which prom- ised still more serious obstacles to re- treat with his rich booty. l For those repeated screams had surely done their duty, and aid was even then rushing into the house from the front. A word and a touch warned Captain Judy of his intended action, and but a very few seconds separated the notorious. couple as they won clear of the building, then sped away under the mingled moon- light and darkness to make that escape assured. Fleeing at top speed, and heading for a point determined on in advance, it. took but little time for the burglars to win the spot where a couple of good horses were tethered, waiting the result of their bold venture. “ Devil to pay, and somebody hot after us or I’m ’way off! ” hoarsely vowed the: major, jerking knot out of halter and swinging himself into the saddle, too ex- cited or too greatly preoccupied by thoughts of himself and precious burden to lend his fair mate a gallant hand. interposed, flinging her ' -
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28 Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. Not that Captain Judy especially need-| scrub around on thar wits until—oh, ed any such assistance, judging from the | bless that Dicky Fiichner, I say!” agility she displayed in both flight and mounting; and then, as the twain skur- ried off toward the rugged hills, spoke: “ You've got it safe, pardy? You didn’t drop it when—” “You bet your sweet life I’ve got it! And I’ll freeze fast to it in spite of man and devil until—steady, there! ” It was nothing worse than a trip and half-stumble, after which the good horse | trotted more freely than before. The next half hour of flight was filled ‘with doubts of pursuit, and it was not until that length of time had fairly ex- mired that the robbers began to rest easy upon that score. “Better i:uck than I looked for, and that’s a charming fact!” declared Cap- tain Judy, with almost the first full, free breath drawn since that abrupt leave- taking. “You’re right! That precious squawl- eat! I reckoned she’d have the biggest part of Hardshell down on top of us in a nasty heap! As it is—well, it surely might be worse! ”’ * And that’s no lie, either, pardy. So mighty much worse that instead of rid- ing along here, whole and sound, we might be put on exhibition as tight-rope artists, or—even sand-sifters! ” Captain Judy laughed, her voice ring- ing forth quite melodiously, but evident- ly the tune was far from pleasing to the ears of her companion in crime. “Let up on that, will you? This still night air can carry sounds so far that— and I’m not dead sure some of those in- fernal curs are not even yet upon our ascent!” * Oh, come off! If so, we’d have caught something of their yelpings before this, if it was only for the likes o’ them, I wouldn’t be worrying over the prospect; mot any!” “Nor I, only—curse the crooked luck, anyway!” “What now, Punch?” “Dick Fitchner. Only for him, we might double back to town and play the same old game all over again! ” “That’s what! You ought to have doped the howling cur, and I told you as much at the time. With him out of the road for good and all—” “Talk’s easy, but how about the do- ing?” “T’d have done it, rather than left his clapper free to blow the gaff; as he surely will! ” “Tf he hasn’t done that already, why not say?” harshly muttered Major Punch, his horse now at a moderate walk, thanks to the difficult nature of the ground across which the robbers were now toil- ing. ‘“‘ Who’s to be sure what he mayn’t have told the doctor? A fellow of his calibre can’t help telling the whole truth ‘whenever he turns sick.” “If the bomb had only done its work smoother! ” “Or Fitchner hadn’t used too slow a fuse, why not say?” with a vicious snarl in voice. “Everything ran smoothly ‘enough until that accursed Sport came on the boards. Ever since then—botch- work! ” “Until this night, you mean, pardy,” with another laugh, as she rode a bit closer to her mate. “This wad of money, you mean?” “Sure! Fifty thousand, unless some- body has been lying like sin. Anyway, I know that the old man was hunting up ' Moses to close his option on the Hot Stuff, and that meant solid cash on the nail, you know!” “Let Moses gnaw his thumbs until he ‘gets hold of any of it, will you, now?” “And the thick-headed fool. really _ thinks to share and share alike, don’t you know?” laughingly mocked the lésser We: bay “ But that’s nearly always the way of it; big strikes come to idiots, while _fwise men dike you and I, Punch, have to she | road-agents. : “T like the fellow just as much as you do, Judy,” soberly spoke the chief of “T reckoned he was done for at the start, but when he began to pick up a little, after that—” “He never ought to have been let!” forcibly declared Captain Judy. “How could'that be hindered? He looked for something of the kind, I know that by what he said to the doctor; begged him not to let another soul come near him, and even went so far as to in- sist on an armed guard being placed be- fore his door, the treacherous cur!” Captain Judy gave vent to an unusually heavy sigh. “Tough luck, and that’s a fact! We had such a soft thing of it, old man; softer far than we'll ever run up against again, I fancy! ” “Well, we’ve got enough to make a fresh start in the world, anyway. With this boodle and what we left with Moses—” “ Unless he’s played us dirt and skipped with it, all, Punch?” “Don’t you worry over that part of it, Judy. The Hot Stuff will hold him fast enough. You know he’s only in hiding to keep Boulware from closing that op- tion on the claim.” “Well, we’ve got to whack-up with Moses, of course.” “Who says so?” “Don’t you reckon, then?” But Major Punch made no reply, and the road-raiders pushed on through the night, mile after mile, over such a rough scope of country that they might have made better time by abandoning their nags at the start, as they eventually were forced to do. “Mighty nigh there, Judy!” declared the major, as he alighted and tethered his horse. ‘“ We’ll soon rout out old Moses, and ‘then—just you watch until the bullrushes, Judy!” As in duty bound the captain chuckled at this quip, and then the two worthies picked their way past rock and through bramble until nigh enough their pres- ent destination for their purpose, when Major Punch raised forefinger to mouth, blowing a clear yet none too loud whistle. The signal was promptly answered, and in a couple of minutes a shambling shape came out from yonder shadows, to eager- ly ask: “You is it, pards? What sort o’ luck, aryway, then?” “The devil's own, no less! ” vigorously replied the major, moving to meet their confederate, adding as he came: “ The whole blessed town is on fire over our job, pardner, and we've got to rack out o’ this in a howling hurry—” “Or play a tight-rope engagement, Moses,” supplemented Captain Judy. “And that’s no lie, neither, Grin. Who could have thought it, though? A put-up job to trap us, just when we reckoned the boodle was good as in our solid grip! And now—run legs or suffer thrapples! ” “You mean it, honest?” doubtingly asked Grinberg, coming closer to peer into that face, now freed from its sable covering. “Tt’s true as gospel and mighty sight more dangerous,” vowed Major Punch, with dolorous pleasure in making clear the evil tidings. “‘ And it’s a rope-pulling matter for us if caught; you, too, Moses, old fel! ” “No, no!” expostulated the mine own- er, shrinking back. “ They can’t hurt me, for I never—thar hain’t nothin’ to show ag’inst me, an’ you all knows it, too! ” “Ts that so?” ““You bet that’s so! Just give me my sheer an’ I’ll go back thar to kiver it all over an’ make my—give me my sheer |. now!” . “All right, Moses, and—here you have it!’ cried Major Punch, at the same time dealing Grinberg a crushing stroke | on head with clubbed revolver. aR CHAPTER XXVIII. A TRIO OF MAN HUNTERS. In addition to Punch and Judy, there were a few other people who felt an un- usual degree of interest in the Boulware place, or, more properly: speaking, per- haps in what that same building con- tained. When night came nigh without their finding aught of Moses Grinberg, and so being foiled in their eager desire to close the Hot Stuff option, Hotspur Hal took occasion to let fall a few words of warn- ing against Boulware’s keeping that large sum of ready cash at his house, with no more secure protection than was afforded by an ordinary safe. As a matter of course, the purpose of their seeking Moses Grinberg had be- come more or less widely known, and even if the news did not come at first hand to the Punch and Judy outfit, they or their allies in town could scarcely be expected to be kept in ignorance much longer. But Leonard Boulware was a man thoroughly accustomed to having his own way, and lest he be suspected of a more powerful interest in that little for- tune than was his by right, Arlington gave way and said no more. But he could act, all the same, and after studying the matter over in all its aspects, the Sport from Hard Luck took several others into his confidence, and eventually placed a guard over the house, though at a respectful distance. Although by no means wholly con- vinced that they hadn’t a secret interest in that pile of cash which would stand almost contrary to that of its rightful owner, Hotspur Hal chose as compan- ions, in addition to honest Sam Huckett, Johan Halliboober and—Ear] Chonister! “Tf he’s really Major Punch, he can’t work his mischief so long as I can hold him right under my eyes; don’t you see, pardner?’”’ the Sport shrewdly reasoned to the man with the Winchester, whom he knew,to be true blue all the way through. * Which he hain’t ary sech blame thing, an’ I’m bettin’ my grub-stake onto jest that!’ forcibly declared Samuel. younker’s white es they make ’em now- days. Ye know it?” The Hotspur cordially hoped so, but declined to commit himself further until time could throw more light upon that puzzling matter. And so it came to pass that at length, and almost too late to save both father and daughter from far worse than loss of money alone, those screams by Cora Boul- ware reached the ears of the volunteer guard, and an instant rush followed, in which Earl Chonister quickly took the lead. Very nigh to his own undoing it was, too, for he had scarcely won his way into the house when he dropped to floor with a wild ery, stricken down by one of the bullets which Leonard Boulware dispensed with such blind prodigality there in the darkness. Thanks to this wild commotion, capped by the utter darkness which reigned over all save when barking pistol briefly lit up the scene with a sulphurous glow, the rescuing party lost considerable pre- cious time, and gave the burglars a chance to break away in headlong flight. Hotspur Hal struck matches and found a lamp, which he ignited, then as quickly as possible struck off the trail of the robbers. Instinct and cool dtdaraont had no little to do with that, for neither father nor daughter were in fit condition just then to give any information of value; yet Hotspur Hal cleared the house in time to eatch a passing glimpse of figures in flight, headed toward the not distant hills. A guarded eall brought Huckett and Halliboober his way, and just as yonder. horses broke off in a quick trot, the man- hunters caught the right course and from that moment stuck dogeediy hed it bers aes thick and thia. “ Phe. ) . ) 4
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oe te OO, Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. At first it was too hot a chase for much talking; breath could be put to so much better use than wasting it in idle chat- ter! But even Halliboober “ plugged along” without groan or grunt, no doubt upheld by the glimmering hope that, in killing or capturing these robbers, he might pos- gibly recover his precious packet of dia- mionds and other valuable stones. Then, when that flight entered the rougher, less open country, it was a good- ly bit less- difficult for the man-hunters to keep within a reasonable distance of their human game. Not that Hotspur Hal and his present mates were all fhe time within easy view of the fugitive outlaws, that would have been suicidal to his hopes, as no man could better appreciate than the Sport from Hard Luck himself. At times they lost hearing as well, merely keeping to the right line by using shrewd: judgment, backed up by the pro- yverbial luck which Hotspur Hal seemed to hold a mortgage on. Still, as that chase grew in length, mat- ters became easier after a fashion, for now there was barely a choice of routes, and having determined what choice the outlaws made, all the others had to do was to follow after, watching keenly ahead, waiting until a fair chance for closing in should offer itself. Hence it came to pass that at intervals speech was allowable between the pur- guers, Whereupon each man gave his ideas of the matter. As a matter of fact, neither of the trio could say with any, degree of certainty just whom they were chasing and dog- ging. Robbers who had surely captured the money meant to secure the Hot Stuff, of course, but beyond that all was sur- mise and guesswork. “T’m open to lay any decent odds it’s Punch and Judy,” declared Hotspur Hal during one of those breathing spells. “ If otherwise, and we slip up on nabbing those two sweet-scented ducks right here —well, we can always fall back upon Dick Fitchner.” “Br he'd squeal, ye reckon?” “He'll just have to squeal, if we're obliged to pinch him, pardner! ” “Vail, vail! Uff I gids me mein tia- mondts pack soom more, I coes me git marriet py a vrow, und seddle me town like a foolosopher—yaw!”’ declared Jo- han, with dolorous cheerfulness. Bven Hotspur Hal began to find his nerves thrilling as they grew more tense- ly strung when seeing their human game abandoning their nags. “Not fer good, or they wouldn’t tie ’ém up so keerful,” whispered Huckett, eagerly watching. “ They’re gwine fer to —stiddy, now! ” Believing that the robbers were heading for their retreat, where no doubt their other boodle was stored away, our friends erept still more cautiously after the pair of rogues; too cautiously, it soon ap- peared! For, in place of keeping close upon the heels of Punch and Judy, they went slightly astray, turning into a canyon in place of scaling the more difficult slope which led to the hiding place of Moses Grinberg. For some little time and distance the man-hunters were deceived, and only given light then by hearing a whistle sound far above their heads; a whistle which was plainly a signal, since a quav- ering answer came with gratifying promptness. “Confound the luck, aryway!” ex- ploded Sam Huckett at this discovery. ' “Bf we hain’t—” Hotspur Hal caught an arm and gave it a vigorous squeeze while commanding silence; for, just then, the sound of hu- + hae voices could be heard on the higher evel, Breathlessly the man-hunters ‘waited, straining ears to catch those interesting } a sounds, for now there was more than idle chatter going on! _ A dull, sickening s troke! A few hurried 29 scramblings! And then, after a pause, which seemed almost an age, glimpses could be caught of dim, phantom-like shapes far above, and then— A human body came falling over and over down the face of those perpendicu- lar rocks, to crash into the top of a scrubby cedar tree, only a few yards from where the trio of man-hunters stood, ap- palled! Those shapes above stood peering down into the deeper gloom below for some little time, but no cry or groan went up from lips of their victim, and then, clear- ly satisfied that no further trouble was to be anticipated on that score, they moved back, out of sight entirely. “We'd ought to follow, or we may lose them entirely!” murmured Hal. “Wait. Reckon I kin tell whar—an’ yan’ critter may—wait! ” Then, little by little, keeping low to rock and making no more sound than a shadow itself, Sam Huckett crawled for- ward to where that body was lying, saved from worse by that thick-topped tree breaking fall. He was trying to recognize that scratched and bloody face, when the body stirred—groaned—gasped—spoke! “ Devils—kill ’em fer I—hain’t done ary—” “Whar be they gone hidin’, pardy?” eagerly asked Huckett. “The hole whar—Punch an’—devils, the both on—” CHAPTER XXIX. WHEN ROGUES FALL OUT. Captain Judy gave a cry and start as Moses Grinberg went down before that treacherous stroke, for this was all new to her, and Major Punch had not taken her into his confidence so far. “Let up on that yowlting, can’t you?” harshly warned the chief of road-agents, giving angry look over shoulder, even as he dropped upon the felled mine owner to make sure his evil work was thorough- ly done. Left hand caught throat to fiercely con- tract, and thus guard against any out- cry, but the precaution was needless. Completely unprepared for such an as- sault, Grinberg had gone down before it like a log. : Although clearly taken wholly by sur- prise by this action, Captain Judy was swift to rally, and in another moment came a low, bubbling laugh as though the author had just made a pleasant discov- ery! “He asked for a whack-up, and got a whack-down! Sure you’ve cracked his cabeza, pardner?” “T’ve clapped a stopper on his chin- chin, anyway. And if you’re not all fool—” “Don’t say it, Punch, even if you’re just obliged to think it,” Captain Judy interposed. “If you’d dropped me even the weentiest hint as to the way things were panning out, why I wouldn’t—” Major Punch gave a low, odd chuckle as he relaxed his grasp, finding no signs of sensibility in his victim. “Well, Judy, I wasn’t so mighty sure I’d get shut of the fellow in this way, and so—why did he ram his head right in my way, then? It seemed such an easy way out of it all, that I really couldn’t help lending the idiot a jolt—just for luck!” “Cheaper, too, mighty sight,” admit- ted the captain, by this time entirely re- covered from that unpleasant shock. “What was hardly enough for three, will make a pretty little stake for two, eh, pardner? ” “That’s the way of it, all right. And now—” “ Better slit his throat to make dead sure, old man.” “Are you all fool to-night?” almost viciously cried the major as he caught his mate by an arm and flung her back a pace. “ Put up that knife, I tell you! ” “J was only—surely you'll not leave him to get over it?” “Nor leave him as a signboard, which | things that night. might point our way to the gallows, neither. Can’t you even begin to see, then?” “Point it out and maybe I can,” al- most surlily. “Well, that ought to be easy enough, too. First, who knows that Moses has had any dealings with us?” “Just we three, I reckon. Then you. mean—” “To keep anybody else from knowing that much, As for why Grinberg hap- pened ’way out here by his lonesome, mighty few will’ be able to guess, and they’ll get no help from Moses. For why; he tumbled over the rocks an@ knocked the blessed wind clean out of him; see?” Again Captain Judy was compelled to admit inferiority to her devilishly inge- nious chum, but Major Punch seemed just alittle inclined to “rub it in,” as he spoke on, at the same time coolly exam- ining his latest victim for possible valu- ables, which might be worth taking. “That would be the sort of accident almost any fellow is liable to while mog- ging around in this blessed country, don’t you see? Yet ’twould be a mighty queer accident that would slit a fellow’s weas- and at the same time! ” “T can see it all now, pardner, and am free to admit you’re in the right of it. It’s a dump over the rocks, right here, then? ” “Sure! Lend a hand, now, and we'll bid good-by to Moses! ”’ “ Hadn’t you better give him another crack on the pate? He totes a mighty thick head on his shoulders, and—” “As though the stopping so sudden wouldn’t be enough! Grab hold and— both together, now—” - And so the senseless mine owner was disposed of, both assassins peering down- ward as though expecting to penetrate those gloomy depths. The fall sounded loud enough to satisfy even Captain Judy, and after a few mo- ments spent in vain probings of the can- yon, the two pards drew back and turned away from the scene of the “ accident.” Major Punch gave a chuckle of grim pleasure, saying to his mate: “Luck’s coming our way in great big ckunks, after all! Moses could not fairly lay claim to a share in this boodle, see- ing he took no risks upon himself, but for the other—well, he was just scoundrel enough to play he owned at least a third of all that!” “ Well, of course, we couldn’t afford to stuff the hog to that extent, but he did help us, there. Only for him—” “Of course,” admitted the major, but somewhat testily, still leading the way in the direction from whence the ill fated mine owner had come.in response to the signal given. “ Moses let us in, and so made it easier to down Chonister, but we'd have turned the trick all the same, wouldn’t we? Eh?” “Sure! And yet—wonder why Chon- ister cottoned so warmly to the fellow? Certainly Grinberg wasn’t just his style, all told.” “Had a sneaking fancy for the Hot Stuff himself, of course. And, too, as Moses said, wanted to keep him from being got hold of by Boulware. But— > here we are at last! ” Major Punch led the way into a rude sort of cavern, which might have passed very well as a wild beast refuge, but cer- tainly was scarcely fit for human habita- tion; yet the light which now sprung up as a match was struck plainly showed . that the den had been thus utilized. By the light of that match Major Punch sighted a bit of candle stuck fast to a point of rock by its own grease, and with a second little torch he soon had sufficient illumination to serve present wants, “What if Moses—wonder if the rascal would try to do us dirt like that?” ex-— med Captain Judy, who seemed in- — olined to look upon the dark side of ai TS) ‘ 4 > Se Ff ay a. e Ip LRe y ace Ny foe ad - ; ys bs, oa
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Sh ae ed 30 Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. “The rocks? Why should he, then? Don’t play the fool, pardner, when—see! ” Moving rapidly and to the point, the chief of road-agents uncovered the treas- ure, over which his mate plainly held such uncomfortable doubts. “Tt’s safe as safe, and even if Moses took to feasting his eyes while waiting " for us to come, he never let any stick to ~ as his fingers,” declared the major, handling the money and a still more valuable pack- age, which Johan Halliboober scarcely dared hope to ever lay eyes upon again. “All there? Even the. diamonds, pardy?” “Take a look for yourself if that'll help convince you,” said the taller thug’ drawing back a bit to make way for his comrade in crime. Feeling the powerful fascination which so few of us are able to resist on occa- sion, Captain Judy bent over the treas- ure, fondling the notes and jingling the golden coin for a while, then turning to the package and opening it to give an in- articulate cry of almost fierce delight as the gems flashed and sparkled by candle- light. “Look at ’em—just look at ’em all! Think of what a fellow can buy with these, and—add to ’em the boodle from Boulware’s, pardy! Put that alongside all this and just think—what a glorious little pile it makes for just two of us!” Captain Judy was lost in avaricious dreams, but was right speedily wakened to an ugly truth, for Major Punch spoke in harsh, rough accents: “You lie, Judy! There’s just enough for one!” With start and cry the smaller robber turned head toward the speaker to find the major, revolver drawn, and—muzzle pointing that way! “ What? You say—” “ Not nearly enough for two, but a nice little pile for one,” grimly repeated the man with the drop. “Come off, pard! You’re crazy to think —drop it, I tell you! ” the captain cried, yet shrinking a bit as memory came back of poor Grinberg’s recent fate. “V’d rather drop you, Judy. Ready, now, for I’m going to put you where the dogs’]] never—ha! ” For just then his mate gave a sudden whirl and fired a shot without wasting time in drawing gun, and the next in- stant the twain came together in a death lock, fighting viciously, cursing furiously, struggling as only thoroughly desperate criminals know how. ' Two or three shots rung forth, and thus guided, Hotspur Hal and his com- rades rushed into that den, to immediate- ly pounce upon the combatants, tearing them apart as quickly as possible. CHAPTER XXX. THB END OF THE HUSTLE. Tt was an easy matter to separate the two criminals, for even in those few sec- onds deadly work had been wrought, and while one still drew the breath of life, the other barely panted once or twice ere the light went out forever! “A woman—it’s Captain Judy, for a fact!” cried Hotspur Hal as he took note of those half-feminine garments. “ Waal, then, it’s a woman with a man’s head onto her!” grimly averred Sam Huckett, whose lot it happened to be to fasten upon that particular person in separating the rogues. “ An’ that man is —will ye take a weenty squint this way, pardner?” With a little ejaculation as he heard those strange assertions, the Sport from Hard Luck caught up the candle and held it closer to that pain and rage distorted face; yet a face which was instantly rec- d by all three. Tee tat ieri¢ltson! ” exclaimed the Hot- ‘spur, recoiling a bit to flash the light upon the face of the one who had figured as Major Punch in those recent hold-ups. “ And Dana Dedrick!” “That's what’s the matter,” quoth the man with the Winchester, apparently far less amazed than the Hotspur certainly was. “ An’ it don’t stretch my ’magina- tion so mighty blame much, nuther!” “T never would have thought it, for—” “ Ach! Mein Cott in himmel! Vill you look py dose vich—mein tiamondts— mein shems some more!” wildly cried Johan Halliboober just then, pouncing upon that little mass of flickering light and colors, to grovel there in the gloom, laughing and crying, chattering away like some intoxicated parrot, heedless of all else in that joyous recovery. A hollow groan from the lips of the Hardshell gambler recalled Hotspur Hal to his wits, and after a hasty examina- tion told him the young man who had figured as Captain Judy was past mortal aid, he turned his whole attention to the other criminal, hoping from his lips to gain information which would clear up still further puzzling facts. At a hint from the Sport, Huckett left the cave to fetch forward Moses Grin- berg, who was able to hobble along with a supporting arm, his almost miraculous escape from death being accounted for by striking in that dense-topped cedar tree. By the time this witness was brought to the spot, Hotspur Hal had cared for the wounded road-agent as far as lay in his power, stanching the flow of blood and putting temporary bandages upon both wounds; one a bullet shot through his right breast, the other an ugly stab, which the mortally stricken “ Captain Judy ” had been able to deal in those few moments of savage death-lock. These injuries were severe enough, yet Hotspur Hal felt fairly confident that they would not prove fatal, provided even ordinary care was given the out- law; for, in spite of his profession, the gambler had lived a fairly temperate life, and possessed a powerful constitu- tion. Hoping as he did to extract the whole truth from those lips, it was hardly pol- icy for the Sport to lend his prisoner too great encouragement. To the contrary, he spoke gloomily in answer to the ques- tions put by Dedrick, shaking head as he made reply: “T’m afraid you’ve caught it right where you live, old man. WBither of your wounds would—but we'll do the best we can for you.” “So as to see me pull hemp, is it?” huskily asked the criminal. “T don’t think you run any risk of dy- ing—in that way,’ gravely spoke’ the Hotspur, and after this fashion he so deftly worked upon the fellow’s nerves that ere long Dedrick was ready enough to tell all he knew concerning the past. Why not, since his minutes were surely numbered, and nothing could add to the black score already marked up against his name? Dana Dedrick and Carl Erickson had led the “ Punch and Judy ” outfit through all, that double disguise aiding no little in keeping suspicion from turning their way. At first they alone knew their secret, but, as a matter of course, it grew im- possible to always remain incognito, and, among others, Dick Fitchner penetrated their cunning disguise. Among other ambitions, Dana Dedrick hoped to become owner of the Hot Stuff, feeling that a vast fortune lay hidden there, only waiting for the right master to fetch it forth. For this reason he had worked so hard and persistently to hinder Leonard Boul- ware from collecting sufficient cash to make good the option he held on the mine. Moses Grinberg was only of late ‘taken partially into their confidence, and then only to lessen the difficulty and danger which would otherwise attend their rob- bing the Bank of Hardshell. ’ Toward this venture Johan Halliboober unwittingly coatributed, by depositing his Grinberg admitted the two robbers shortly after that game of-.poker with Hotspur Hal and Sam Huckett, and Ded- rick voluntarily cleared the banker from even the faintest possible connection in a criminal way with the Punch and Judy gang. Moses added a word on this point, and a word very much to the point, as well, declaring that Earl Chonister was trying to secure the Hot Stuff himself solely in order to aid his lovesuit. “He offered me seventy-five thousand, ye see, an’ ’lowed he’d make it all up when he could turn the mine over to the ole man, an’ say—’” ° Hotspur Hal comprehended enough, and unceremoniously® cut the mine owner short off, preferring to question the wounded outlaw further. By means of a horse litter, material for which was brought from Hardshell by Sam Huckett, together with a select party whom he took into his confidence, the wounded road-agent was taken back to town, together with Moses Grinberg. Once there, the whole amazing truth was made known, all Hardshell seeing both dead and living, yet for a long time unable to trust the evidence of their own senses. Probably the most completely amazed and thoroughly dumfounded of all was Leonard Boulware, when Hotspur Hal forced him to listen to the full clearing of Ear] Chonister by both Dana Dedrick and Mose Grinberg. There was only one thing lacking to fill his cup to overflowing; the presence of the Hardshell banker himself as wit- ness. And yet, perhaps, Leonard Boulware would have preferred that presence to the actual fact, if he had only known where Earl Chonister was, just then, and how pleasantly engaged! Enough on this point, however, to say that, reluctantly or not, Mr. Boulware was compelled to admit wrongly accus- ing the banker, who might, after all, prove to be quite a decent sort of fellow! While in the confessional mocd “ Major Punch” owned to the Sport that all at- tempts upon his life had been made by members of that gang, under orders from their chief, himself. Coming from+that unpleasant ordeal, bitter enough for one so stiff-necked by nature as he undoubtedly was, Mr. Boul- ware made partial amends by paying Moses Grinberg fifty thousand dollars in cash, and before an abundance of wit- nesses taking the title deeds to the Hot Stuff. . That same night a lynching-bee was inaugurated by a select party, and before the alarm could fairly spread beyond that circle, the dread work was done. And when morning came and search for the prisoners was made, only two grewsome corpses were found: those of Dana Ded- rick and Moses Grinberg. The payment for the Hot Stuff was found Leonard Boulware begged a select com- mittee to take it in charge and look up the dead mine owner’s heirs, which was eventually done. Of course, Earl Chonister won Cora Boulware, and so well did he play his part that within the year his father-in- law was ready to take Bible oath that a finer, smarter, handsomer, whiter young man than his new boy never trod this blessed footstool! To all of which Cora proudly said amen! And Johan. Halliboober? Turned his face toward the East, hug- ging his precious jewels to his bosom, having completely lost his ambition so far as reaping a Western harvest was concerned. And Hotspur Hal? Went his way as of old. And it is barely, possible that we may meet the Sport from package of precious stones in Chonister’s | ffard Luck in the future. T safe. . HE END. . in Grinberg’s cold bosom, and - eo aS O DODO DODDDODD tl ~ Be A Ae ee Ne os ee ie > Ot Oo A, Ob dO EM ata ene = - a a
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i BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 928 Old Sobersides, the Detective of St. Louis. | 925 White-Horse Wheeler, the Revenue Detective. 918 The Double Edged Detective. 907 Maverick Mark. the Man from Nowhere. 898 Silky Steele, the Stay-in Sport. 884 Tae Spotter-Sport’s Neck-Tie Party. 870 High-Water Mark; or, Silver-Tip Sid. 862 Riata Rob, the Range Champion. 855 The C .whoy Chief's Sure-Shot. 848 The Rival Red-Hat Sports. $37 Curly Kid, the Cheyenne Sport. 824 The Soft Hand Detective. 815 The Soft Hand’s Clutch. 809 Dan Dunn. the Soft-Hand Sport. 796 The Frisco Detective’s Thug-Tangle. 89 Sam Cary, the River Sport. ‘80 The Dead Sport’s Double. (71 Prince John, Detective Special. 763 Dandy Don, the Denver Detective. 54 the Man from Texas; or, Dangerfield. Doctor Detective. 44 Sweepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport. 720 The Secret Six; or, Old Halcyon. 712 The Man of Silk. 705 Bantam Bob, the Beauty from Butte. 693 Kent Kasson, the Preacher Sport. 683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective. 675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunris¢ 668 Solemn Saul’s Luck Streak 661 The Get-There Sharp. 651 Silvertip Steve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou. 645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective. 636 Dandy Darling, Detective. 627 Mossback Mose, the Mountaineer, 617 The Grip-Sack Sharp’s Even up. 597 Big Bandy, the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte, 588 Sandy Sands, the Sharp from Snap City. 576 ehver Nongiied Sid; or, Grip Sack Sharp’s Sweep. 564 The Grip-Sack Sharp; or, The Seraphs of Sodom, 555 Grip-Sack Sid, the Sample Sport. 547 The Buried Detective; or, Saul’s Six Sensations. 541 Major Magnet, the Man of Nerve. 535 Dandy Dutch, the Decorator from Dead-Lift 527 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective. 514 Gabe Gunn, the Grizzly from Ginseng. 504 Solemn Saul. the Sad Man from San Saba. 495 Rattlepate Rob; or,The Roundhead’s Reprisal 488 The Thoroughbred Sport. 474 Daddy Dead-Eye, the Desvot of Dew Drop. 466 Old ugh and Ready, the Sage of Sundown 458 Dutcb Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg. 443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny’s Picnic. 438 Oklahoma Nick. 433 Laughing Leo; or, Sam’s Dandy Pard. 426 The Ghost Detective; or, The Secret Service Spy. 416 Monte Jim, the Black Sheep of Bismarck. 409 Rob Roy Ranch; or, The Imps of Pan Handle, 402 Tne Nameless Sport. 395 Deedly Aim, the Duke of Derringers. 887 Dark Durg,. the Ishmael of the Hills. 372 Oaptain Crisp, the Man with a Record. 867 A Royal Flush; or, Dan Brown's Lig Game. 360 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown. 855 Stormy Steve, the Mad Athlete. 351 Nor’ West Nick, the Border Detective. : 345 Masked Mark, the Mounted Detective. 339 Spread Eagie Sam, the Hercules Hide Hunter, 331 Chispa Charley, the Gold Nugget Sport. 317 Krank Lightfoot, the Miner Detective. 292 Moke Hurner, the Boss Roustabout. 986 Pisto! Johnny; or, One Man in a Thousand, 988 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines, 257 Death Trap Diggings; or, A Man ’Way Back 249 Elephant Tom. of Durango. 941 Spitfire Saul, King of the Rustlers. 233 The Old boy of Tombstone. 9)) Pirate of the Placers; or, Joaquin’s Death Hunt 180 Old ‘49; or, The Amazon of Arizona. 170 Sweet William, the Trapper Detective, 465 Joaquin. the Terrible _ 154 Joaquin, the Saddie King. 141 Equinox Tom, the Bully of Red Rock. 119 Alabama Joe; or, The Yazoo Man-Hunters. } 305 Dan Brown of Denver; or. The Detective. ‘s 88 Big George; or, The Five Outlaw Brothers. j 71 Captain Cool Blade: or, Mississippi Man Shark. b 67 The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty vs. Crookedness. . 50 Jack Rabbit, tne Prairie Sport. BY WM. G. PATTEN. 0 Fire-Eye, the Thug’s Terror. : 05 Old Night-Hawk, the Crook Shadower. 968 The Prince of New York Crooks. %56 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective. 747 Double-voice Dan’s Double Disguise. 715 Double-Voice Dan on Deck. 702 Double-Voice Dan, the Always-on-Deck Detective 696 Double-Voice Dan, the Go-it Alone Detective, 689 The Sparkier Sharp. $76 Hurricane Hal, the Cowboy Hotspur. $69 Old True Blue, the Trusty. 663 The Giant Spork: or, Sold to Satan. 656 Old Piug Ugly, the Rough and Ready. 645 Gold Glove Gid, the Man of Grit. 641 Aztec Jack, the Desert Nomad. 431 Colonel Cool, the Santa Fe Sharp, 602 Captain Nameless. the Mountain Mystery. { 371 Old Dismal, the Range Detective. $45 Hustler Harry, the Cowboy Sport. BY GEORGE OC. JENKS. 510 The Arizona Detective, 894 Silver Sam. the Shasta Sport. "s . 880 The Silver Sport’s Double. “t » 868 The Race-Course Detective. . 856 The Hayseed Detective. W772 Captaia Corden, the Twister Detective. 755 Wild P-te the Broncho-Buster Detective. , 7% Fearless Sam, the Grand Combination Detective, 719 Boston Bob, the bas Detective. jie 572 Jaunty Joe, the Jockey Detective. 854 Mad Sharp, the Rustler . Rube Rocket, the Tent Detective. ; Death-Grip, the Tenderfoot Detective $F The Drummer ve, ' LS The Giant Horseman. ie $98 Sleepless Eye, the Pacific Detective, the v 7 : a af + Se x» s > ARe ie. BY WILLIAM R. EYSTER, 916 Two Dead-Square Sports. 902 Soft Velvet, the Man from Sandrock. 891 Genteel Jim, Sport-at-Large. 881 The Clubman-Crook’s Cat’s-paw. 867 The Frisco Sport. 852 The Stranger Sport’s Shake-up. Kirk King, the Man from Kirby. 818 Gentleman Dave, the Dead Game Sport 783 The King-Pin Tramp. 767 The Sport of Silver Bend. 8 Uncite Bedrock’s Big Bounce. - 707 The Rival Rovers. Double Cinch Dan, the Sport With a Charm. 77 Mr. Jackson, the Gent from Jaybird. 659 Gilt-Edge Johnny; or, Roldan and His Rovers, 650 Lucky Lester’s Lone Hand. 634 Old Handeart’s Big Dump. 622 The All Around Sports. 603 Desert Alf, the Man With the Cougar. 590 Gentle Jack, the High Roller from Humbug. 578 Seven Shot Steve, the Sport with a Smile. 568 The Dude Detective. 558 Hurrah Harry, the High Horse from Halcyon. 549 Belshazzar Brick, the Bailiff of Blue Blazes. 533 Oregon, the Sport Witha Scar, 508 The Dude from Denver. 478 Pinnacle Pete; or, The Fool from Way Back. 459 Major Sunshine, the Man of Three Lives. 429 Hair Trigger Tom of Red Bend. 402 Snapshot Sam; or, The Angels’ Flat Racket, 396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang. 375 Royal George, the Three in One, 356 Thre Handsome Sports; or, The Combination. 333 Derringer Dick, the Man with the Drop. 268 Magic Mike, ~he Man of Frills. 229 Captain Cutsiceve; or, The Little Sport. 214 The Two Cool Sports; or, Gertie of the Gulch. 182 Hands Up; or, The Knights of the Canyon. 160 Soft Hand, Sharp; or, The Man with the Sand. 145 Pistol Pards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar BY NED BUNTLINE. 657 Long Tom, the Privateer. 633 The Sea Spy. : 621 The Red Privateer; or, The Midshipman Rover. 584 Fire Feather, the Buccaneer King. 517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail. 361 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot. 122 Saul Sabberday, the Idiot Spy. 111 The Smuggler Captain; or, The Skipper’s Crime, 18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Queen of the Isle. 16 The White Wizard; or, The Seminole Prophet. BY JACKSON KNOX—‘ Old Hawk.” 838 Old Grips Still Hunt. 827 Detective Walden’s Web. 778 The Butler Detective; or, Old Grip’s Grip 779 The Showman Dete “tive. 762 Old Grip, the Detective. 740 Captain Clew, the Fighting Detective. 732 The Hurricane Detective. 643 Castlemaine, the Silent Sifter. Magnus, the Weird Detective. 606 The Drop Detective. Wellborn, the Upper Crust Detective. 582 Joram, the Detective Expert. 574 Old Falcon’s Double. The Thug King; or, The Falcon Detective’s Foe. 548 Falconbridge. the Sphinx Detectivé. 536 Old Falcon’s Foe; or, The Detective’s Swell Job. 515 Short-Stop mee the Diamend Field Detective. 509 Old Falcon, the Thunderboit Detective, Springsteel Steve, the Retired Detective, 494 The Detective’s Spy. 485 Rowlock. the Harbor Detective, 77 Dead-arm Brandt, 7 Mainwaring. the Salamander. 462 The Cixcus Detective. Griplock, the Rocket Detective. 444 The Magic Detective; or, The Hidden Hand, Hawk Heron’s Deputy. Hawk Heron. the Falcon Detective. BY J. ©. COWDRICK. 752 The Suspect Sport of Daisy Drift. 626 Ducats Dion, the Nabob Sport Detective. 612 Sheriff Stillwood, the Regulator of Raspberry. 598 The Dominie Detective, Duke Daniels, the Society Detective. 580 Shadowing a Shadow. 565 Prince Paul, the Postman Detective, 557 The Mountain Graybeards; or, Riddles’ Riddle. 519 Old Riddles, the Rocky Ranger 499 Twilight Charlie, the Road Sport. 472 Gilbert of Gotham, the Steel-arm Detective. 452 Rainbow Rob, the Tulip from Texas, 436 Kentucky Jean, the Sport from Yellow Pine. 422 Blue Grass Burt, the Gord Star Detective. 390 The Giant Cupid; or Cibuta John’s Jubilee. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 483 Flush Fred, the River Sharp. 368 The Canyon King; or. a Price on his Head. 348 Dan Dillon, King of Crosscut. 337 Old Gabe, the Mountain hay, 327 Terrapin Dick, the Wildwood Detective. 315 Flush Fred’s Double; or, The Squatters’ League 308 Hemlock Hank, Tough and True. 298 Logger Lem; or, Life in tue Pine Woods. 289 Flush Fred’s Full Hand. 274 Flush Fred, the Mississippi Sport. 248 Montana Nat, the Lion of Last Chance Camp, 222 Bill the Blizzard; or, Red Jack’s Crime. 209 Buck Farley, the Bonanza Prince. 129 Mississippi Mose; or, a Strong Man’s Sacrifice. 7 BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 267 The White Squaw. 234 The Hunter's Feast. 213 The Wild Huntress; or. The Squatter. 209 The Rifle Rangers; or. Adventures in Mexico, 74 The Captain of the Liane or, The Lake Queen, 66 The Specter Barque. A Tale of the ¢c. 65 The Sealp Hunters. A Romance of the Plains, F263 lron-Armed Abe, the READLE'’*] )IME*|[IBRARY. Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers. aes r - BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. 911 The Blue Blockader; or, The Coast Grayhound. 906 The Cuban Cruiser, 854 The Ocean Gipsy. 834 The Wild Steer Riders; or, Texas Jack’s Terrors, 819 The Rival Monte Cristos. 805 The Last of the Pirates; or, Doom Driven. 801 The Water Wolves’ Detective; or, Trapping the Grave Ghouls. 791 The Coast-Raider’s Death-Chase, 748 Arizona Chariie, the Crack-sbot Detective. 704 Invisible Ivan. the Wizard Detective. 685 The Red-skin Sea Rover. 679 Revello, the Pirate Cruiser; or, The Rival Rovers 672 The Red Rapier; or, Tbe Sea Rover's Bride, 662 The Jew Detective: or, The Beautiful Convict. 640 The Rover’s Ret ibution. 635 The Ex Buccaneer: or, The Stigma of Sin. 625 Red Wings; or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas, 615 The Three . uccaneers. 610 The Red Flag Rover; or, White Wings of the Deep. 605 The Shadow Silver Ship. 600 The Silver, Ship; or, The Sea Scouts of °76, 593 The Sea Rebel; or. Red Rovers of the Revolution, 587 Conrad, the Sailor Spy; or, True Hearts of °76, 581 The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Gantlet Runner, 560 The Man from Mexico. 553 Ma. Monte, the Mutineer; or, The Branded Brig. 546 Tks Doomed Whaler: or, The Life Wreck, 530 The Savages of the Sea. 524 The Sea Chaser; or, The Pirate Noble, 510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore. 493 The Scouts of the Sea. 457 The Sea Insurgent: or, The Conspirator Son, 446 Ucean Ogre, the Outcast Corsair. 435 The One-Armed buccaneer. : 430 The Fatal Frigate; or, Rivals in Love and Wan 899 The New Monte Cristo. 893 The Convict Captian. 877 Afloat and Ashore; or, The Corsair Conspirator, 369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea, 364 The Sea Fugitive: or, The Queen of tne Coast. 341 The Sea Desperado, 836 Tne Magic Ship; or, Sandy Hook Freebooters. 325 The Gentleman Pirate ; or, The Casco Hermits, 318 The Indian uccaneer;: or, The Red Rovers. 207 The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves. 255 The Pirate Priest; or, The Gampler’s Daughter. 246 wees Helen, the Amazon of the Overland. 235 Lightning the Man of Chance. 224 Black Beard, the Buccaneer. 220 The Specter Yacht; or, A Brother’s Crime. 210 Buccaneer Bess. the Lioness of the Sea. 205 The Gambler Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoon, 198 The Skeleton Schooner; or, The Skimmer. 184 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nemesis. 104 Montezuma. the Merciless. 108 Merle, the Mutineer; or, The Red Anchor Brand. BY PHILIP 8S. WARNE, 802 Dan Dirk, King of No Man’s Land. 583 Captain Adair. the Cattle King, 567 Captain Midnight, the Man of Craft. 544 The Back to Back Pards. 522 The Cham pion Three. , 502 Bareback Buck, the Centaur of the Plains, 472 Six Foot Si; or, The Man to “ Tie To.” 431 California Kit, the Always on Hand. 404 Silver Sid; or, A “ Daisy * Bluff. 380 Tiger Dick's — or, Tne Golden Serpent. 359 Yellow Jack, the Mestizo. 838 Jack Sands, the Boss of the Tewn, 299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick, Despard and the Sport, 251 Tiger Dick vs. lron Despard. 207 Old Hard Head; or, Whirlwind and his Mare. 171 Tiger Dick, the Man of the Iron Heart. 114 The Gentleman from Pike. 80 A Man of Nerve; or, Caliban the Dwarf. 54 Always on Hand; or, The Foot-Hills Sport, 29 Tiger Dick, Faro Kiog; or, The Cashier’s Crime, 4 Whe Kidnapper; or, The Northwest Shanghai. . BY CAPTAIN MARK WILTON, 323 Hotspur Hugh; or, The Banded Brothers, 311 Heavy Hand; or, The Marked Men. 305 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover. 291 Horseshoe Hank, the Man of Big Luck, 285 Lichtning Bolt, the Canyon Terrer. 276 Texas Chick. the Southwest Detective. 271 Stonefist, of Big Nugget Bend. 266 Leopard Luke the King of Horse-Thieves unchback Destroyer ; 258 Bullet Head, the Colorado Bravo. ; 237 Long-Haired Max; or, The Black League, 227 Buckshot Ben, the Man-Hunter of Idaho. 223 Canyon Dave, the Man of the Mountain, 219 The Scorpion Brothers; or, Mad Tom's Mission 202 Cactus Jack, the Giant Guide. 194 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent, 176 Lady Jaguar, the Robber Queen. BY OLL COOMES. 619 Kit Bandy & Co , the Border Detectives. y) 148 One-Armed Aif. the Giant Hunter. 99 The Giant Rifleman: or, Wild Camp Life. ; 43 Dakota Dan, the Reckless Ranger. BY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTERY. 236 Charmpion Sam; or, The Monarchsof the Show. 150 El Rubio Bravo, King of the Swordsmen. BY DR. NOEL DUNBAR, 919 The Sea Scout; or, The Patriot Privateer. 886 The King of Crooks. 858 Number One, the Dead-set Detective. 850 The Planter Detective. 730 Duke Despard, the Gambler Duelist, ‘ 604 The Detective in Rags: or, The Grim Shadowen, 500 The True-Heart Pards. s 5 a 4 new issue every Wednesday | ee. Freadle’s Dime Library is for sale a 4 Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by- Ox ae receipt of twelve cents each. — Bayo Si _— BEADLE AND ADAMS, PuBLIsHERs, ona 98 Wiit1aM Sr, New Yor — “ . P wk Wek ra
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; 738 The BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. By Colonel! Prentiss Ingraham, 984 Buffalo Bill's Life Raffle. 979 Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Trail. 964 Buffa'o Biil’s Invincibles 960 Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade. 956 Buffalo Bill’s Volunteer Vigilantes. 950 Buffalo Bill at Bay. 943 Buffaio Bill’s Block Game. 936 Buffalo Bills Black Pard, 927 Buffalo Bill’s Bluff; or, Dusky Dick the Sport. 921 Buffalo Bill’s Quandary; or, Velvet Bill’s Vow. 915 Buffalo Billand the Surgeon-Scout. 909 Buffalo Bill’s League; or, Red Butterfly. 904 Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Trail. 900 Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders. $95 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Ally. 890 Buffalo Bill’s Life-Stake, 882 The Three Bills’ Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill and Band- box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth. 874 Buffalo ‘ill’s Buckskin Braves, 869 Buffalo Bill’s Road-Agent Round-up, 863 Buffalo Bill’s Death Charm. 857 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush. 851 Buffalo Bill’s Double Dilemma, 845 Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ruse, 830 Buffalo Bill’s Bovs in Blue. 826 Buffalo Biil’s Sharp Shooters. 822 Buffalo Bill’s Best Bower. 816 Buffalo Bil’s Red Trail. 812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knell. 794 Buffalo Bill’s Winning Hand, 787 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot. 781 Buffalo Bill's Brand. 777 Buffalo Bill’s Spy Shadower, 769 Buffalo Bill’s Sweepstake. 765 Biffalo Bill’s Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam. 761 Buffalo Bill’s Mascot. 757 Buffalo Bill’s Double. 750 Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custer’s Shadow, 743 Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand. 739 Buffalo Bill's Blind: or, The Masked Driver, 735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men. 73) Buffalo Bill’s Beagies: or, Silk Lasso Sam, 727 Buffalo Bill’s Bodv Guard, 722 Buffalo Bill on the War-path. 716 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shadowers. 710 Buffalo Bill Baffled: or. The Deserter Desperado. 697 Buffalo |iill’s Buckskin Brotherhood. 691 <uffalo Bill’s }ilind Trail; or, Mustang Madge. 667 Buffalo Bill’s Swoop; or, The King of the Mines, 658 The Cowbov Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas, 653 Lasso King’s League; or, Buck Taylor in Texas. 649 Buffalo Bill’s Chief of Cowboys; or, Buck Taylor 644 Buffalo Bill’s l‘onanza; or. Si ver Circle Knights, 862 Buffalo Bill’s Grip; or. Cath Bound to Custer. 329 Buffalo Bill’s Pledge: or, The League of Three. 189 _—ild Bill's Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen. 175. Wild Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress, 168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot, Ry Ruffalo Bill, 973 The Dread Shot Four 969 Texas Jack, the Lasso King 839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot. 820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt. : 807 \Vild Bill, the Wild West Duelist. 800 Wild Bilt, rhe Deaa-Center Shot. 639 Buffalo Bill’s Goid King. 599 The Dead Sh ot Nine; or, My Pards of the Plains. 414 Red Renard, the indian Detective. 401 One-Armed Para; or, Borderland Retribution, 897 The Wizard Brothers: or, White Beaver’s Trail, 894 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte. 819 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West. 304 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler. 243 The Pilgrim Sharp: or, The Soldier’s Sweetheart. 88 Gold Bullet Snort; or, Knights of the Overland, 52 Death-Traiier, the Chiet of Scouts. By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntline, ete. 773. Buffalo Bll’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue, 682 Buffalo Bill’s Seert Service Trail. 629 Buffalo Bill’s Daring Role; or, Daredeath Dick. 517 Buffalo Bi!l’s First Trail; or, The Express Rider. 158 Buffalo Bill, Chief «f Scouts. 117 Buffalo Bill s Strange Pard; or, Dashing Dandy. 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King, BY HtROLD PAYNE, 888 The Man from Mexico in New York. 872 The King-Pin Shark; or, Thad Burr's Ten Strike. 861 The Tenderloin Big Four 853 The Quaker City Crook. $44 Tracked to Chicago, $86 The Policy Broker's Blind. &29 The Friseo Sharper’s Cool Hand. §21 The Tramp Sbhadower’s Backer. 818 The Sham Spotter's Shrewd Scheme, 806 The Grand Street Gold-Dust Sbarpers. 798 Detective Burr’s Luna‘ ic Witness 792 The Wall Street Sharrer’s Snap. 784 Thad Burr’s Death Drop. 742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs. 734 Detective Burr's Foil; or, A Woman’s Strategy. 728 Detective Burr, the Headquarters Special. 718 Detective Burr's Spirit Chase. 706 Detective Burr’s Seven Clues. 698 Thad Burr, the Invincible; or, The *L” Clue. 690 The Matchless Detective. 680 XX, the Fatal Clew; or, Burr's Master Case. } BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. 914 Snowflake Sam’s Double, Ga Pin of the Leadville Lions. ’s Diamond Haul. Charlie, the Columbian Detective, izar | King Detective. Teamster Tom, the Boomer Detective. 09. Lodestone Lem, the Champion of Chestnut Burr. r Sam. the Pilgrim Detectiv he cc! 716 Chieago 05 e, 688 Rustlers; or, the Detective from ’Way Back 673 Bt tering Sam. the Whitest Sport of Santa Fe, e Man of Roc ot Old Ads of Ai BY CAPTAIN HOWARD HOLMES, 929 Gentleman George, the Showman Sport, 912 Genteel Joe’s Lone Hand, 908 The Train Detective. 896 Kent Keen, the Crook-Crusher. 888 Nightshade in New York. 879 Falcon Flynn, the Flash Detective. 871 The Crook Cashier. 859 Clew-Hawk Keene’s Right Bower. 847 Hiram Hawk, the Harlem Detective. 840 Major Bullion, Boss of the Tigers. 831 Shadowing the London Detective. 817 Plush Velvet, the Prince of Spotters, 803 The Bogus Broker’s Right Bower, 788 The Night-Hawk Detective, 779 Silk Ribbon’s Crush-out, 766 Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter. 751 The Dark Lantern Detective, 736 The Never-Fail Detective. 724 Captain Hercules, the Strong Arm Detective, 711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Edge Detective. 701 Silver Steve, the Branded Sport. 694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shadower. 684 Velvet Van, the Mystery Shadower, 678 The Dude Desperado 671 Jason Clew, the Silk-Handed Ferret. 664 Monk Morel, the Man-Hunter. 654 Sol Sphinx, the Ferret Detective, 642 Red Pard and Yellow. 608 Silent Sam, the Shadow Sphinx. 592 Captain Sid, the Shasta Ferret. 579 Old Cormorant, the Bowery Shadow. 569 Captain Cobra, the Hooded Mystery. 559 Danton, the Shadow Sharp, 550 Silk Hand, the Mohave Ferret. 548 The Magnate Detective. 532 Jack Javert, the Independent Detective, 523 Reynard of Red Jack: or, The Lost Detective 512 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake. 505 Phil Fox, the Genteel Spotter. 496 Richard Redfire, the Two Worlds’ Detective, 487 Sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block, 480 Hawkspear, the Man with a Secret. 468 Coldgrip in Deadwood, 460 Captain Coldgrip, the Detective. 458 Captain Cold te Long Trail, 447 Volcano, the Frisco Spy. 441 The California Sharp, 434 Lucifer Lynx, the Wonder Detective, 421 Father Ferret, the Frisco Shadow. 413 Captain Coldgrip in New York, 407 Captain Coldgrip’s Nerve; or. Injun Nick. 400 Captain Coldgrip; or, The New York Spotter. 892 The Lost Bonanza: or, The Boot of Silent Hound, 382 The Bonanza Band: or, Dread Don of Cool Clan, 874 Major Blister, the a of Two Cities, 365 Keen Kennard, the Shasta Shadow, 352 The Desperate Dozen, 347 Denver Duke, the Man with “Sand.” $40 Cool Conrad, the Dakota Detective. 335 Flash Dan, the Nabob; or, Blades of Bowie Bar. $21 California Claude, the Lone Bandit. 204 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy, 941 The Shadow Sport from Frisco. BY WILLIAM BH. MANNING, 948 The Red-Gloved Detective, 931 Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch. 920 The Montana Miner in New York, 908 The Doomsday-Den Detective, 899 The Double-Quick Detective, 893 Yellow Gid, of Dark Divide. 885 The Expert Detective’s Shake-up, 875 Trapping the Race-Track Judge. 864 The Police Special’s Dilemma, 849 The Genteel Sharper’s Combine 841 Graydon’s Double Deal. 838 The Sport Detective’s OK 823 The Athlete Sport About Town, 808 TheCrook-Detective’s Pull, 790 Plunger Pete, the Race Track Detective. 782 Royal Rock, the Round-up Detective, 774 Steve Starr, the Dock Detective. 764 The New York Sharp’s Shadower. 738 Detective Claxton, the Record Breaker, 714 Gabe Gall, the Gambolier from Great Hump, 703 Spokane Saul, the Samaritan poses 692 Dead Shot Paul, the Deep-Range Explorer. 655° Strawberry Sam, the Man with the 646 Dark John, the Grim Guard, 638 Murdock, the Dread Detective. 623 Dangerous Dave, the Never-Beaten Detective. 611 Alkali Abe, the Game Chicken from Texas, 596 Rustler Rube; the Round-Up Detective, 585 Dan Dixon’s Double, 57o Steady Hand. the Napoleon of Detectives 563 Wyoming Zeke, the Hotspur of Honcysuckle, 551 Garry Kean the Man with Backbone, 534 Old Doubledark, the Wily Detective. 531 Saddle-Chief Kit, the Prarrie Centaur. 521 Paradise Sam, the Nor’-West Pilot. 518 Texas Tartar, the Man With Nine Lives. 506 Uncle Honest, the Feacemaker of Hornets’ Nest. 498 Central Pacific Paul. the Mail Train Spy. 492 Border Bullet, the Prairie Sharpshooter, 486 Kansas Kitten, the Northwest Detective. 479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajack. 470 The Duke of Dakota. 463 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladiator. 455 Yank Yellowbird, the Tall Hustler of the Hills. 449 Bluff Rurke, King of the Rockies, 442 Wild West Walt, the Mountain Veteran. 437 Deep Duke: or, The Man of Two Lives. 427 The Rivals of Montana Mill irthmark, 207 Colorado Rube, the Strong Arm of Hotspur. 279 The Gold Dragoon, or, ‘ornia Bl . BY LEON LEWIS, 967 Wind River Clark, the Gold Hermit. 797 Pistol Tommy, the Miner Sharp. 785 fhe Down East Detective in Nevada. 773 Buffalo Bill's Ban: or, Cody to the Rescue. 699 Cow’ Courie 4 686 624 484 dy. the Red | mer, po ective; or, The Bogus Nephew, 428 m: or The'Island Lure, - ALBERT W. AIKEN’S NOVELS. Dick Talbo* Series, 976 Overland Kit; or, The Idyl of White Pine. 741 Dick ‘Vvalbot’s Close Call. 787 Dick Talbot in Apache Lend. 733 Dick Talbot. the Rancb King. 729 Dick Talbot’s Clean-Out. 725 Dick Talbot in No Man’s Camp, 354 Dick Talbot; o:, The Brand of Crimson Cross 36 Dick Talbot; or, The Death-Shot of Shasta. Aiken’s Fresh of Frisco Series, 825 Fresh, the Race-Track Sport. 660 The Fresh in Montana; or, Blake's Full Hand. 652 Tne Fresh’s Rustle at Painted City. 647 The Fresh at Santa Fe; or, The Stranger Sharp. 556 Fresh, the Sport: or, The Big Racket at Slide Out, 537 Fresh Against the Field; or, Blake, the Lion. 497 The Fresh in Texas; or. The Escobedo Millions, 461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio Grande. 97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or, Bronze Jack Aiken’s Joe Phenix Series. 965 Joe Phenix’s Mascot. 959 Joe Phenix’s Double Deal, 954 Joe Phenix in Chicago. 949 The Doctor from Texas; or, Joe Phenix’s Clue. 944 Joe Phenix’s Right Bower. 865 The Female Barber Detective; or, Joe Phenix in Silver City. 799 Joe Phenix’s Great Blue Diamond Case; or, The New York Sport at Long Branch. 798 Joe Phenix’s Decoy; or, The Man of Three. 760 Joe Phenix’s Lone Hand, 749 Joe Phenix’s Big Bulge, 745 Joe Phenix’s Mad Case. 708 Joe Phenix’s Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw, 700 Joe Phenix’s Unknown; or, Crushing the Crooks 681 Joe Phenix’s Specials; or, The Actress Detective 637 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp. 632 Joe Phenix’s Master Search. 628 Joe Phenix’s Combine ; cr,the Dandy Conspirator 620 Joe Phenix’s Silent Six. 601 Joe Phenix’s Shadow; or,the Detective’s Monitor 419 Joe Phenix,, the King of Detectives. 161 Joe Phenix’s Great Man Hunt. 112 Joe Phenix, Private Detective; or, The League, 79 Joe Phenix, the Police Spy. Aiken’s Miscellaneous Novels, 980 The All-Around Athlete. 940 Captain Jack, the Scalper 935 The Hawks and Wolves of New York 932 Detective Gordon’s Grip. 926 Old Sunflower, the Silent Smiter. 923 Old Sunflower. the Hayseed Detective. 901 The Hotel Swell-Sharp; or, The Siren Shadower. 892 The Country man Detective. 876 Gold Button Sport; or, The Miner Sharps. 842 Teton Tom. the Half-Blood. 835 The King-Pin Detective. 814 The New Yorker Among Texas Sports, 775 King Dandy, the Silver Sport. 753 Gideon’s Kay Bye Babylon l’ar. 717 Captain Pat McGowen, the Greencoat Detective. 674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born Detective. 670 The Lightw eight Detective. 665 The Frisco Detective; or, The Golden Gate Find, 613 Keen Billy, the Sport. 607 Olid Benzine, the ‘*‘ Hard Case” Detective. 594 Fire Face, the Silver King’s Foe. 586 The Silver Sharp Detective. 577 Tom, of Calif orma; or, Detective’s Shadow Act. 570 The Actress Detective; or, The Invisible Hand 562 Lone Hand, the Shadow, 520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo, 490 The Lone Hand in Texas. 475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective. 465 The Actor Detective. 440 The High Horse of the Pacific, 423 The Lone Hand; or, The Red River Recreants. 408 Doc Grip, the Vendetta of Death. 881 The Gypsy Gentleman: cr, Nick Fox, Detective 376 Black Renvds: o1, The Rio Grande High Horse 870 The Dusky Detective: or. Pursued to the Ena. 363 Crowningshield, the Detective $20 The Genteel Spotter; or The N. Y. Night Hawk. 252 The Wali Street Blood; or, The Telegranh Girl. 203 The Double Detective; or,The Midnight Mystery. 196 La Marmoset, the Letective Queen. 101 The Man from New York, 91 The Winning Oar: or. The ie ied gM Daughter. 84 Hunted Down: or, The League of Three. 81 The Human Tiger: or, A Heart of Fire. ‘ 75 Gentleman George: or, Parlor. Prison and Street. 72 The Phantom Hand; or, The 5th Avenue Heiress. 56 The Indian Mazeppa; or, Madman of the Plains. 49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha Queen. 42 The California Detective: or, The Witches of N.Y, 31 The New York Sharp; or, The Flash of Lightning- 27 The Spotter Detective: or, Girls of New York, NEW ISSUES. 996 Injun Dick, the Shasta Dead Shot, By Aiken. 997 Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. By Jos. B. Badger, Jr. 998 Captain Seawait, Privateer. By Ned Buntline. 999 The Velvet Hand; or, The Iron Grip of Injun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. JUST ISSUED. 985 The Long-Haired Pards. By Jos. E, Badger. 986 Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster, 1 Bags Monstery 987 Shadrach, the Sport Detective, By J. W, Osbon 988 Rocky Mountain Rob. Albert W, Aiken, 989 Buffalo Bill’s Marked Bullet. By Col. In am 990 Bowi--Knife Ben, the Little Hunter of Nor West. By Oll Coomes. 991 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kentuck, the Sport,. Ibert W. Aiken, 992 Phe winged Witch of the Sea. iy Col. Ingraham oe Sak oat, By Prt oO 8 . n. 995 The Czar’s Spy. ‘ol. Thos. H, Monstery. issue every Wednesday, dee aa THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all sl ios Betis Pa SSeS At Sams Na aren “jets ak ney Casts Tags WE i a a + # 4 as i
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ee es ey ay =. =
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pUFFALG HLL Novels ) 994 Buffalo Bill’s Lone Hand; or, The Unkhown Dead Shot. By Col. P. Ingraham. —« ~ . 989 Buffalo Bill’s Marked Bullet; ; or, The Specter Slayer of the Colorado. By Col. Ingraham. 984 Buffalo Bill’s Life Raffle; or, The Doomed | Three. By Col. P. Ingraham: 979 Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Trail. ( Prentiss Ingraham, { 973 The Dread Shot Four; or, My Pards of the Plains. By Co]. W. F. Cody. 964 Buffalo Bill's Invincibles; dr, The ower’s Sublime Sacrifice. ham. { 960 Buffalo Bill’s Blue Belt Brigade; or, Sun- flower Sam of Shasta. By Col. P. Ingraham, 956 Buffalo Bill’s Volunteer Vigilantes; or, The Mysterious Man in Blue. By Col. P. Ingra- ham. 950 Buffalo Bill at Bay; or, The Gola Seeker’s Doom. By Col. P. Ingraham. 943 Buffalo Bill’s Block Game; or, The Mounted Miners of the Overland. By Col. Ingraham. 936 Buffalo Bill’s Black Pard; or, “The Gold 3oomers' of the Big Hern. By Col. P. Ingra- ham.. — 927 Buffalo Bill’s Bluff: or, Dusky Dick, Sport. By Col, P. Ingraham. : 921 Buffalo Bill's Quandary; or, Velvet Bill’s * Vow. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 915 Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon Scout: or,” Go- wan-go, graham. i 909 Buffalo Bill’s League; or, Red Butterfly, By Col, Prentiss Ingraham, 904 Buffalo Bill's Tangled’ Trail: or, ‘Gentleman Jack, the Man of Many Masks. By Col. P. Ingraham. .) 900 Buffalo Bill's Rough Riders; or, Texas Jack’s Sharp-Shooters. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 895 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Ally; or, The Texan's Double. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. ( 890 Buffalo Bill's Life-Stake; or, The Pledged ; Three. f By Cole P.. Ingraham. 882 The Three Bills; Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill and *.Band-Box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth. By Col. P. Ingraham. 874 Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Braves; or, The Card Que2n’s Last Game. By Col. P. Ingraham. 869 Buffalo Bill's Road Agent Round-Up; or, The Mysterious Masked Man in Black. By Col. P. Ingraham. ~« 863 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Charm; or, The Man With the Scarf. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 857 Buffalo Bill’s.Royal Flush; or, The Pony Ri- der’s Death-Run. By Col. P. Ingraham. uffalo Bill's Double Dilemma; or, The Great cout's Big Three. By Col. P. Ingraham, ” 845 Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ruse; or, Texas Jack's Death Shot. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or, Texas Jack’s Proxy. By Buffalo Bill. 830 Buffalo Bill’s Boys in Blue; or, The Brimstone , * Band's Blot-out. By Col. P, Ingraham. By. Colonel Sable. Shad- the 851 000000000 ten ceipt of 000000000 000000000 000000000 By Col. P. Ingra- the Redskin Rider. By Coil. B,, In- |826 Buffalo Bill’s Sharp-Shooters; or, The Surjzeon Scout to the Rescue, By Col. P. Ingraham. 822 Buffalo Bill’s Best Bower; or, Montebello the Gold King. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt; or, The Miner Marauder’s Death-Track. By Buffalo Bill. 816 Buffalo Bill’s Red Trail; or, The Road-Rider Renegade’s Run Down. By Col. P. Ingraham. |812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knell; or, The Red Hand Riders of the Rockies. By Col. P. Ingraham. 807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist; or, The Girl Mascot of Moonlight Mine, By Buffalo Bill. Grande Ralph, the Cowboy Chief. falo Bill, J 794 Buffalo Bill’s Winning Hand; or, The Masked Woman of the Ingrahéem. 787 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot; or, 'The Skeleton Scout of the Colorado. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 781 Buffalo Bill’s Brand; ‘or, The Brimstone Brotherhood. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. {77 Buffalo Bill's Spy-Shadower; or, The Masked Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. P. Ingraham. 773 Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue. By, Leon Lewis. 769: Buffalo Bill’s Sweepstake; or, The Wipe-out at Last Chance. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 765 Buffalo Bill’s Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam. By Col., Prentiss Ingraham. 761 Buffalo Bill’s Mascot; or, The Death Valley Victim No. 13. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 757 ‘Buffalo Bill's Double; or, The’Desperado De- *.tective. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 750: Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custer’s Shadow. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 743 Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand; or, Texas Jack’s * Bravos. By Col. Prentiss. Ingraham, 739 Buffalo Bill's. Blind; or, The Masked Driver of Death’s Canyon. By Col. P, Ingraham. 735 Bugralo Bill’ and His. Merry. Men; .or,, The Robin Hood Rivals. By Col. P, Ingraham, 731 Buffalo Bill’s Beagles; or, Silk Lasso Sam. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 727 Buffalo Bill’s Body Guard; or, The Still Hunt of the Hills. _By Col. Prentiss Ingraham, 722, Buffalo Bill on the War Path; or, Silk Lasso Sam, the Will-o’-the-Wisp. By Col. P. In- , graham, ; ; 6 716 Buffalo Bill’s. Scout Shadowers; or, Emer- ald Ed of Devil’s Acre. By Col. P. Ingraham. 710 Buffalo Bill Baffled; or; The Deserter Des- perado’s Defiance. By Col. P. Ingraham. 697 Buffalo’ Bill’s . Buckskin Brotherhood; or, Opening Up a Lost Trail. By Col, P. In- graham. 691 Buffalo Bill's Blind Trail; or, The Daughter ,. of the Regiment. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 682 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Service Trail. By Major Dangerfield Burr, 667 Buffalo Bill's Swoop; or, the King of the Mines. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. By Buf- |800 Wild Bill, the Dead Center Shot; or, Rio]: Golorado Canyon. By Col. Pil; “B19 653 The Lasso King’s League; or, The Tigers of Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. Buck Taylor, the Saddle King. Buffalo Bill’s Chief of Scouts. By Col. P. Ingraham. Buffalo Bill's Bonanza; or, The Knights of the Silver Circle. By Col. P. Ingraham. 649 644 639 cent. By Buffalo Bill, Buffalo Bill’s Daring le; Dick, King of the Cowboys. The Dead Shot Nine; or, Plains. By Buffalo Bill. Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or, Will Cody, the Pony Express Rider. By Ned Buntline, Red Renard, the Indian. Detective; or, The Gold Buzzards of Colorado. By Buffalo Bill. The One-Armed Pard; or, Red Retribution in Borderland. By Buffalo Bill The Wizard Brothers; or, Trail. By Buffalo Bill. White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte; or, rE itn. es Man’s Red Trail. By Buffalo B 629 or, Daredeath By Leon Lewis. 599 My Pards of the White Beaver's Buffalo Bill’s Grip; or, Oath-bound to Custer. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. Buffalo Bill’s» Pledge; or, The League of Three. By Col. P. Ingraham. Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of: the West. Buffalo Bill. Texas, Jack, the Prairie Rattler; or, The Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffalo Bill. The, Pilgrim Sharp; or, The Soldier’s Sweet- heart. By Buffalo Bill. Wild Bills Gold Trail; or, Dozen. By Col. P. Ingraham. Wild Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot; or, Dagger Don’s Double. . By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Buffato Bill, Chief of Scouts; or, The Doomed Dozen. By Dr. Frank Powell. Buffalo Bill’s Strange Pard; or, Dashing Dandy, the Hotspur of the Hills. By Major D. Burr. * Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King;, or, The Amazon of the West. By Major D. Burr. Gold Bullet Sport; or, The Knights of the Overland. By Buffalo Bill. Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts; cr, Life ne Love in a Frontier Fort. By Buffalo 362 329 By 804 243 — 189 The Desperate 175 168° 83 NEW ISSUES TO COME, The Czar’s Spy. By Col. Thomas Hoyer Monstery. , Injun Dick, the Shasta: Dead Shot. By A. W. Aiken. 7 Hotspur Hal, the Sport from Hard Luck. By Joseph E. Badger, Ir. Captain. Seawaif, the Privateer. By Ned Buntline, : 658 The Cowboy Clan; or, The»Tigress of Texas,|999 Velvet Hand; or, The Iron Grip of Injun By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. 7 DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all Newsdealers, cents per Copy, or sent by miail, pre-paid, on re- price. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. 000000000 0000000080 O900000000 9AODVODOODOOO The Gold King; or, Montebelto, the Magnifi- \