Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 64) (1885 04 01)

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Copyrighted, 1885, by Brapitx axp Anams, Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., as Second Clase Mail Matter. Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams Price, Vol, Vs. : . a*¥ean Sonam Wiss be; Rew Tock prevents. No, 64, ROSEBUD ROB; or, NuGGET NED, THE KNIGHT of the GULCH. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR oF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK,” ‘‘' THE DOUBLE DAGGERS,” ETC. —~— ‘YOU MAY CALL ME BY THE NAME OF MY ORIGINAL BLACK HILLS BAPTISM—‘ ROSEBUD ROB ’—‘ A MAN ~ ~4 {TO SUIT ALL CIRCUMSTANCES,’ SORRY I HAVEN'T A VISITING CARD FOR YOU, PON HONOR,” 5

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2 Rosebud Rob, [The Author Reserves all Dramatic Rights.] Rosebud Rob; Nugget Ned the Knight of the Gulch, BY ED, L, WHEELER, AUTHOR oF ‘‘DEADWOOD DICK’ NOVELS, ETC., ETO. CHAPTER I. “nH LITTLE BROWN JUG”—A FW OLD RESIDENTS IN THE OPENING SCENES. LooatTion—Dead wood City. Time—half-past nine of a dark midsummer’s night, when the heavens were hooded in skurrying clouds, and the air was sultry and close. Place—* The Little Brown Jug.”’ a combination of saloon, tavern and miner’s club-room, at the upper end of the main street in Deadwood gulch, kept by an individual who styled himself Kentucky Jake. Scene—a matter of eight or ten men gathered around, some seated and some standing—men gene- rally rough in appearance, curiosities in ex,ression of countenance and cast of features, inasmuch as no one resembled any other. First might be noticed for consideration, the cin- namon-haired proprietor of the “Jug,” Ken-ucky Jake. A six-footer was he with a broad chest and brawny limbs. incased to the knees in top-boots, while a heavy beard swept to his belt. He sit behind the bar, upon a hig4 stool, where hs kept an eye upon the throng, an! acted as casbier, while two boys served out the beverages. Tae bu:ly individual, wi h the bal | head, and Judi- crous cast of features—the chap who sits in a hugs arm-chair with his heels elevated upon the deal table, that’s Colonel Bill Stokes, a veteran of the Black Hills, and likewise, one of its pioneers. Those two individuals at yonder deal table—the SA a eae looking Duteman and the fop, with is hair parted in the mid ile, and eye-zlasses affixe) to the bridge of his nose—they are lizhts of tha lezal fraternity in Deadwood, respectively “ Juige” Jake Schriner, and Adolpus Syriagus Cole. Then, there are three rough, long-bearded, blear- act toughs, loafing upon a long s+ttee, smoking their pipes, and watching every arrivaland depa't- ure—men with evil-expressioned faces, and a siper- abundance of belt weapons, which classed them among that lawless type who fight and shoot at pleasure. The names of these men were, Tespec- tively, Hayseed Jim, Holy Moses, aad_ Popular Pete, and each has won notoriety in Black Hills his- tory. The man who is pacing up and down the room, looking as fisres as a tiger out of his jungle, is the an‘ leader of the tourhs, whose name is Hick- ory Hank, otherwise Captain Hickory. He is a wolfish-looking ruffian, with terrible blood- shot eyes, a dusky, villainous cast of countenanc», and a heavy black mustach> to lend him an appear- ance of the brigandish. He is a larze, powerful man, with limbs of iron, and a deep chest of enor- mous muscles. He is dressed in the usual miner's blue shirt, buck- skin breeches, and knee-boots, while a broad-brim hat slouched tow wey his forehead. He seems entirely oblivious of the presence of others as he paces to and fro, a curse occasionally breaking from his lips. Ha! here is another we have missed—a personage, beardless as a boy, sitting perched upon one end of the bar in lieu of a better seat, engaged in puffing a cigar, and watching the ruffian as he paces up and down the room. This is a character almost as well known in the West as the eccentric Calamity Jane, whom she re- sembles only in the faultlessness of her form, for her face is more prepossessing, her eyes bright, and her manner a trifle more cool. Her name is Baltimore Bess. Where she came from no one knows, nor is her history familiar to those among whom the mingles. It is enough that she dawned among them even as the sun rises in the morning, and after illustrating lainly enough that she was proof against insult, ‘orce, or persuasion, she had taken her stand as a “citizen. Now, one more figure makes our tableau complete, This is the man of massive trunk and limb, who stands in a retired corner, half leaning upon his ri- fle, while he strokes his blonde mustache with one hand, at the same time bebjae ta: those about him with an eagle glance from his blue eyes. ‘Though not exactly a handsome man he is a brave one, and is well known as Persimmons. bill—a hero of as many daring exploits as those which have made Buffalo Bill famous. Kentucky Jake is a a conversation car- ried on between Colonel Bill and Judge Jacob, while he occasionally scratches his head as if tuck- ing away a bit of valuable gossip in his large crani- um, with its shock of cinnamon hair, “I tell ye w’at, judge!” the colonel was saying as he lit a fresh cigar, “‘my opinyoun o’ thet Munro Malvern ain’t none 0’ the best, bari.’ he hain’t nev. er dons me any purtick’ler harm, He allus *peared ter hev a sneakish expression in his eyes when a fel- ler luks squar’ inter ’em, an’ I don’t allow he’s got any great beauty to brag on. Fer instance: take sech a galoot as me, and you’ve got somebody ter ut before an artist or a fortygraffer wi’out blushin’ er ther model, I hain’t no brag. pilgrims, but teen ido remark, an’ kin back et, thet I war awarded ther gold medal fer sweetness o* temper, modesty, an’ winsome beauty at ther late Centennial exasper- ation—no, Exposition, Barkeeper, fetch me a* wid- ow’s tear,’ if you please!” - ' And the bald headed veteran filliped a silver-piece up into Kentucky Jake’s awaiting grasp. “Ho! ho ho! you ish der vainest man ash vat I never saw, Colonel Villiam!” grunted Judge Jacob. “*T n2fer see but von man vat I tink more ash purty ash you—” “Spirit of old Methusalah!” the colonel gasped, jumping to his feet and then dropping back again into his seat. ‘* Who is thes cavortin’ cuss? Show me thet posey.” “Vel, my dear Villiam, dot old sassenger pe Cap- tain Hickory Grim. Ha! ha! hal” : amt ar laughed loudly, as if there was some joke in the idea. “Yas! I don’t know but Grim aire ruther a pre- possessin’ pilgrim, boyees, but then et’s an insult fer rank his beauty wi’ mine!” the colonel replied. ‘Te is not a lady's man, while I am, purty much, I flatter myself. Such a frank, open countenance as mine would warp ther heart uv an anchorite—eh, Baltimore?” Bail'imore Bess took the cicar from her mouth, sod Eston Stokes from head to foot before she replied: _ - ‘1 don’t Imow, Bill; I hardly think ye’d make a fu’st-class charmer, ner an anzel, ner a heart-mash- er, fer all ye’ve got a big fist an’ a big heart. There are. untoubtedly, homelier men than you.” “Don’ vas send ’em ter Deadwood, den,” cried Judge Jacob, deprecatingly. “I ves get der night- shackass every goto-ped fer seein’ so many on- healthy sights.” : , “ Spirit uy old Methus’ler! that’s al! reht, Dutch; Tl get even with you in the sweet by-and-by. Ken- tuck! take keer ye don’t sell Jake another smell of tarant’ler on my 2-c-c, Hello! what do. vo want?’ the interrogation being addressed to Hickory Hank, who had paused. in his walk directly before.the col- onel, with arms folded across his massive chest. “‘ What dol want?” he questioned, his terrible eyes

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‘ Rosebud Rob. oh gleaming wickedly. ‘ Well, I don’t know as et’s any o’ your bizness, ye galoot. ] war jcstruminatin’ on yer beauty thet ye war puffin’up!” And with an impatient but sarcastic lavgh, the ruffian turned away to resume his pacing to and fro, *« Guess something’s pinchin’ somebody’s corns!’ Baltimore Bess observed, as she puffed away at her “T say, Hank Hickory, what’s the matter with you f” ; : “Yen thousand devils! Is it any 0’ your busivess what the matter is with me?” the rough demanded, as he wheeled toward his interlocutor, with a savage snarl. “Jest ye keep your tongue still. girl, or Pll spoil that pretty dare-devil face for you!” “Ta! ha! On! ye will, will ye, Hickory Hank? Bah! you're a Vlowhard—a coward! Answer mea fair question—did that galoot ever come to Dead- wood as ever won a victory over EBaltimcre Bess?” ‘“*No! no!” shouted several bystanders who had dropped in. : ‘No, Less, gal; nary a time!” cdded the colonel, rising and bowiug graciously. ‘I acknowledge your supremacy humbly. ‘*You’re a brick and I’m the beauty, an’ thar’s no gettin’ around it.” “Haw! aw! yes; you i von eons Phil Stokes, like ash vat my oldshack-mule pe, so helb me!” put in the judge, with a grip. “‘l'ut, shentlemons, vy dis quarrel mit one and der oder? We war yust dis- cussin’ der affairs mit dot Munro Malvern. who owns der Big Bullion mine. You say, Mr. Stokes, vat Munro Malvern don’t own dot mine, sir?” “Waal, now, Iallow them war about my logikal remarks a bit ago!’ the man of beauty ass nted, lighting a fresh cigar, ‘an’ in my belief ther p’iut o’ them war kerect.’ f *Goot! Villiam, you dell us apout it, an’ I dell you vat ido. Itreat you mit a ‘ vidow’s tear, der fer- ry virst time I draw mit my pank!” ‘*Ho! ho! your bank’s in your eye, you old Dutch sauer-kraut barrel; but | tell you ther same, as *iain’t gittin’ late. Well, you see, this Munio Malvern, who cum among us an’ opened up the Big Bullion, come by the papers o’ ther lease in a manner thet warn’t direct honest, I calkylate, an’ w’en he struck et rich pebbles 4 war sorry, because he ain’t no favorite heer in Deadwood, Now, hyar turns up a new customer—a good looker he ar’, too—who sez the mine's |.is, and he’s going to have it, hit or miss, Tl bet he’s a gallus coon, ef he ain’t much more’n a younker, an’ ef he’ll h’ist Munro Malvern out o’ ther ig Bullion. Pl give him this hayr right paw o’ mine to shate as long’s he’s got ther grip—that's ere, Colonel Bill Stokes, ther beauty o’ ther mines!” The miners gave a responding cheer, for the senti- ments of the veteran were exactly their own. Hickory Hank and his vals were the only ones who didn’t participate in the enthusiasm. “ 1] bet my bead thar'll a passel 0’ ye galoots go ter Su phur City afore Munro Malvern drops his king pin!” the rough said, with a peculiar Jangh. ‘*He’s got more’h money enough ter buy substitutes fer a few sech as you.” “Then I suppose he classes you among his pur- chased friends, Sir Tough!” exclaimed a ringing voice, and a new-comer stepped within the scene. ** You. I presume, are his counselor and legal ad- viser!”” Hickory Hank growled, as he wheeled about to confront the stranger, who stood regarding him with a keen, unflinching gaze. ‘Hey? Waal, I reckon when the boss wants me I’m generally around handy, younker. But, who're you? What bizness is it of yours who I am?” ‘In the second place. it isn’t the smallest part of my business to answer questions propounded by a tool of Munro Malvern!” the new-comer replied. coolly, as he folded his arms and returned the ruf- flan’s stare. “In the first place, which I have left for the last. I think you'll find my autograph written in the hotel * In Deadwood dictionary “a drink of whisky.” register at the Metropolitan Hotel; or, if your pedal extremities are too weak and weary to do the differ- ence between me and the Met, you may call me by tie pame of my original l lack Hills baptism— Rove- bud BR b—*a man to suit all circumstances.’ Sorry l haven’t a visiting-card for hs ‘pon honor.” The speaker was an individual of an age just in the promise of dawning manhocd, with a form tbat, though erect and slim, was closely knit and compact as iron, as was aitested by the quickness in eve move, and by the swell of the various muscles. His face was a handsome one, the skin being pure, and the features quite perfect. The eyes were brown and of a penetrating cast. and the hair of the same hue, while Le wore a slight mustache, and “sides” along down in the front of either esr. He was dressed in neatly-fitting pants of come grayish stuff, and these were in turn met at the waist by a tlue minér’s shirt, with bread collar, and a belt around the waist, bearing upon it in large gold letters the name— “ Rosrrvp Ros.” A jauntily-slouched black hat wes upon his head, and patent-leather bouts upon his feet, the leathern leggings reaching above his kn: es. So much for the appa ance of the young stran- ger, as he sto: d ccolly confronting a man acknowl- edged by all to be the werst despirado in the mines. By this time Rosebud Rob had stared the reffian out of countenance. and with a cool laugh cauntered toward the bar, against which he leaned, with a graceful pose, as 1 e ; Jarnced about the rcom, ‘Hain t seen a chap in here by the copnomirious appellation cf Munro Malvern, have you gentle- men?” Le said, presently. as he lit a fresh cigar. “Nary a time, stranger!’ the colorel mace bold to answer. “1 don’tallow thet Munio Malvern hes any desire ter git inter ther Jug, bcin’s we ain’t got no purtick’ler Juy for Lim, in purtick’ler, ef I know et.” * Oh! a that so? Well, then add my affection in with yours_in that respect!’ Rosebud Rob replied, with aJavgh. x ie you con’t luv ther owner of the Big Eullion mire “Tf you mean Munro Malvern. no! No, athovsand times, Perhaps if ycu were to tell him that Rese bud Rob, the Dandy, Sport, and Man to Suit all Circum- stances, hated him, he’d be surprised. as] dere sa he never heard cf the above-mei tiored irdivicual, Lut he shall know me, ere long! ba! ha! Yes; he shall know me, Gooc-evening, gentlemen; if lbave cisturbed you, pray pardon me,” and the Sport be- gan to move toward the decor. But he paused involuntarily, when Baltimore Bess slid down from her seat upon the bar. “Hold up, pard!” she. said, gers bs! out a fair, faultless hand: “jest giipe thet paw before ye go, and count on Baltimore Bcss as yours truly!” “What! a woman in these strange surroundings?” the Sport gasped, gazing sharply at the strange girl —‘a woman in men’s garb?” “Waal, now, you chalk et equar’, pardner, thet I am jest about one o° them “arsame, an’ no mista es, *Spect ye calcylate a female ken’t wear breeches, an’ be a fu’st class article, eb? Ji st ax old Beauty, yon- der, an* he'll give ye my pedigree, so fur as he knows.” ** Yes, ye purty much bet we kin, stranger!”’ Colo- nel Bill made haste to say, as he rose ane limped for- ward by the aid of his ercoked cane. ‘*Thet ar* Bal- timore Bess ain’t no flunk. ner no slouch, an’ don’t ye furget it. She ar’ made o’ stiff timber, an’ when ye Jere her sleepin’ thru’a sermon, jest let me now!’ “Tam glad to know it, sir, and I thank you, miss for your proffered friendship. Believe me, i shall not forget you. For the present, however, au 7é& ° wan IY V3 : ees a moment more the dandy was gone from © eam ‘i “Oh! heaving! w'at han hawful swell!” gasped Adolphus Syringus Cole, readjusting his eye-glacs_s

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4 Rosebud. Rob.. tl back to the bridge of hisnose. ‘‘ Aw! Isa-ay, friend Jacob, was that all weally troo—no deuced sham?” “Tspects ash vot et vas all shenuine mitout an counderfitts!”" the judge replied, with a grim no “Bh? colonel vat yout’inks?” “Thet he war a brick—a ginnywine, double-geared, masheen-compressed, patent-polished brick, Thet’s my estimation, judge ! ‘ ‘And mine is, that he’s ther purtiest galoot as stands above five feet, in these hayr mines!’’ cried Baltimore Bess, slapping Stokes smartly on the shoulder, “What! what! Bess, ya don’t mean ter go back on yer uncle, who actooally won ther gold medal fer sublimity uv indervidual beauty, at ther Centenyal Expersityun?”’ 7 “*Can’t help et, old covey; Rosebud Rob's jest ther very purtiest in these hayr mines, an’ hayr’s what kin lick the galoot who wants ter go att o’ my de- claration."”’ ““Mebbe ye want’er lick me/’? growled Hickory Hank, with an insolent leer, as he stepped nearer. * No! Hank Grim. I want nothing to do with you; not thatI am afraid of you—you know better than that. But there are others who want to get a clip at you, and I won’t stand in their way! t away; our breath smells of Kentuck’s bed-bug poison! on’t tempt me to shoot—you know my aim|”’ The ruffian muttered a flerce curse, and turned toward the door, with a beckon of his hand to his comrades. “Never mind, girl! A day must come soon fora settlement ‘twixt you and I, Never mind, I say. I'll get even with you yet—ha! ha! ha!--yes, V’ll get even with you in a way ye little dream of, curse ye!” Then thé rufflan issusd out into the blackness of ie midsummer’s night, followed by his pals in vil- ny. CHAPTER I. THE MILLIONAIRE — MINE OWNER AND STEP-SON — A STRANGE VISITOR, Monro Matvern was classed among the wealthiest men in Deadwood City. He had come there a man of no particular impor- tance, and, as was supposed, purchasing the claim, now known as the Big Bullion mine, had opened it up ona large scale, and as a result it yielded the greatest per cent, of gold of any mine in that sec- tion of the Black Hills. His residence in Deadwood Gulch was of modern style of architecture, with every convenience at- tached, and the few who had ever been inside it dl cp it a palace, compared with the other wellings in the Golden City. Let us pass along up through the crowded street, and ring at the door of the palatial mansion, A colored servant answers our summons, and ushers us into a handsomely-frescoed hall, up a Sece eS ead iat stairs, and to the door of the mill- onaire’s sumptuous library. Let us pause and peep in. The room is furnished in grand ba ja for being so far toward the setting sun. There isa rich, bright- hued matting, dotted here and there with plush rugs; and the furniture, consisting of marble-inlaid center-tables, Juxurious sofas, and large cushioned chairs; while against the walls stand towering book- cases of polished walnut, and filled with choice bound volumes; here are magnificent oil landscapes, and there are vailed statues in either corner. On this same night of our opening scene in the “Little Brown Jug,” the owner of all these magnifi- cent surroundings, sat reading a local paper by the light of a shaded lamp, while he smoked a scented ar, @ was a man of between forty-five and fifty posts: but as well preserved as though he were ut thirty. In stature he was of medium hight, with a pesien that was neither massive nor yet undul. thin, His face was whiter than robust heal: would warrant, where it was not covered by a jetty beard, and bis eyes had a treacherous, snake-like gleam, calculated to represent a sinister nature—a man born to plot evil, and scheme deeply to accom- plish his own plans. The advance courier of age had not even silvered his black hair or beard, nor unsteadied the fair hands of the mine monopolist; few would have deemed him even well in his thirties. , As his glittering gaze swept over the lines on the aper, a confident expression hovered about his lips, nally breaking into a triumphant smile, ‘ ‘All my plans and financial schemes work like a charm!” Le muttered, blowing a cloud of smoke up- ward, and watching it dissolve into space. ‘‘ When Icame here to this rough place, over a year ago, I had not a hundred dollars to my name, while here now, the papers estimate me worth over a million o: dollars, and compliment meas the most go-ahead and successful speculator in the Black Hills coun- try. How sweet is the fascination of flattery! Ha! ha! ha! especially when one deserves it, as I do. Ha! ha! ha! Whydo Ll not deserve it? Humph}! things are working in an open groove, and it is about time for me to be casting about for one of the Supe site sex, with whom to form a copartnership, Ido not think I am_yettoo old to swingin double. har- ness. if I can only find the right butterfly !”’ “Haw! haw! Unky; so you think a7 are capa- ble of catching butterfly belles yet, eh?” laughed a cool voice. Munro Malvern wheeled about with a startled ex- clamation, then smiled as he saw the stalwart, black- mustached young man who stood in a careless atti- tude, just within the door. “Oh! it’s you, eh? Comein, Ralph, and be seated. So you overheard my soliloquy? Well, yes, I flatter myself that there are many women who would not despise the idea of marrying me, with my youthful appearance and the Big Bullion mine to back it.” “Hal hal hal Very true, Unky, and as your ws i son, let me congratulate you on your awakening to the fact!” the other replied, elevating his heels to the corner of a book-case, and settling comfortably back into his chair, to enjoy a ci ar. “T dare say you have already cast your eye upon some piece of calico. whom you would be ple to make Mrs. Munro Malvern.’ “No, Ralph, it has not come to that yet, that lam aware of. There is but one woman in Deadwood that I’d give a snap of my finger for, and even she has long ago refused to open her doors to me.”’ “Ah! whom do you mean?” and Ralph Lamont elevated his brows as an indication of surprise. “Her name is Jessie Mapleton!” the millionaire replied, an evil light flickering in his eyes. ‘Phew! not the little washerwoman who holds out down the guich?”” “The same. She has a wicked temper, albeit she is but eighteen years of age.” “And, old-maid-like, prefers to be independent and work for her own living, rather than depend Uper the charities of an unscrupulous millionaire, eh?” “Tt seems ¢o, Ralph—but you do me a greatinjus- tice in calling me unscrupulous, when you know I am strictly honest, like yourself ”"— with a shrug of the shoulders, and a hoarse chuckle, ‘Hal ha! Good joke. Of course you're a para- gon of honesty and eri aoe Unky. But how is it that the little competitor of our Chinese nation, is downon you?” “Oh! there was a slight matter of business be- tween myself and her father, concerning his right to a controlling share of the Big Thunder gulch claim, and when theold man suddenly skipped out of Dead- wood, she accused me of conniving at his disappear- ance. Naturally, I arranged matters so as to con- trol the mine, giving her a dividend sufficient to satisfy any one but a sanguinary personage.” ‘ ** And she kicked, eh?” 1 “Exactly !|—kicked me out of the house, when i)

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Rosebud Rob. & went to make her an offer. But, curse her, she shall yet feel my power—I have sworn it.” “Ha! ha! The girl isa brick, after all, and as I am about to make a debut into her graces, Unky, I trust, for the sake of the lave lamented Mrs. Mal- vern, who was my mother, that you will the lapels of your plethoric purse once more open, and make me a liberal donation!” “What? Why, you rascal, it was only last week I gave youa couple thousand to invest in a mining scheme. Where has that gone?” “Evaporated, iy ea gh evaporated—gone into the cash till of Charlie Baggs’s money-drawer, where bills of so large a denomination are usually deposited. Faro took it all.” “Then you may go penniless, I am not obliged to support you.” “*But you wouldn’t leave me to starve, Unky, when you're rollin’ in wealth and luxury?” | “Curse it! go to work and make your pile, as I have!” the mine-owner growled impatiently. “Oh! Lcouldn’t Unky. You knowI haven’s got the business tact, nor the capacity, nor the unlimit- ed cheek required to earn one’s living.” ‘“And do Tunderstand that you intend to depend upon me for support and spare cash, you spend- fut yoo lazy loafer?’ “Really, I don’t see how else I shall get through this world, dear as 2 Just ruminate back upon the late lamented Mrs. M., and—” “Hang Mrs. M. Tr you want more money, you must work forit. The girl, Jessie Mapleton, must and shall be my wife, so that I can tame her—” “But, hold up! You're encroaching upon my cornfield. I have already made her acquaintance, and mean to go ahead at once into her graces.” “The deuce! It must not be. The girl shall be my wife, if I have to spend every dollar [ have. Do you hear? You must not interfere, except as I direct. What do you care about her? Bah! nothing—abso- lutely nothing. There are a thousand better than she for you to pick up. What you want, is money to make you a silent partmer to my individual schemes.” “Bully boy! Unky. you’ve just hit the nail upon the financiaj head. Shake! I’m your accommodat- ing pb cee be so long as the jingle of coin pro- duces music from the depths of my pockets.” “Very good. You shall be well paid, if you serve my will. However, I shall not advance you money until you perform your part. Here is what you have to work on: ‘““This man Mapleton is dead, and his daughter be- lieves me his murderer, or in some way connected with his disappearance. She must be persuaded dif- _ferently. Here is aletter 1 once received from Ma- leton; you are a skilled penman, and must forge a etter purporting to be from the old man, some- where up in Washington territory, where we will suppose he is engaged in prespecting. In the letter Imust be PROT exculpated, and lauded with praises. Do you see? It will be easy for the sup- sr writer to say in the letter that he, Mapleton, aving become deeply involved, it was necessary for him to fly for safety, and that it was only through the leniency of Munro Malvern that he escaped a violent death, etc., ete.” “Phew! you old scheming rascal!" the dutiful step-son exclaimed, as he ran his fingers through his hair, meditatively ; “so that’s your game, eh? Well, I don’t see as I can do less than follow your orders. So give me pen and ink and paper, and cigars and wine, and then leave me, and I will try my hand.” Without a word Munro Malvern set forth the re- b Mt articles, and stepped into an adjoining room, urnished nearly the same as his library, ‘ In the coursé of an hour he returned and fourd Lamont idly engaged in emptying the wine bottle, “Well! have has done?’ “Exactly. Please examine,” and he tossed a Bheet of paper on the table. “It has been done grandly!’ Malvern replied, as he ran over it. ‘‘ Here is a hundred dollars for your pains. Now, then, I want you to deliver this to Jes- sie Mapleton, and tell her you received it from her father up in Washington Territory, but had quite forgotten about it on your first meeting, You are then to take your leave. Of course the letter will produce its effect, and in time I will call upon the girl. Do yousee? And if I win her—” “Exactly! If you win her, what then?” “Til ke you richer by five thousand dollars!” “Hurrah! that’s me to a dot! The thing is set- tled. The girl shall marry you, or I'll go drown her in Whitewood creek, aS sure’s my name is Ralph Waldo Emerson Lamont!”’ And seizing the forged letter, the dutiful step-son made a hurried exit. After his departure Munro Malvern sat for many moments absorbed in a brown study, while he smoked innumerable cigars. “The girl must be the third woman who hes taken my name,” be muttered. ‘Ha! ha! what pleasure it will give me to tame her, as the buchario does the wild cayuse! Not that I care for herany more than does Lamont, but 1 am anxious to break and subdue her strong, independent spirit. I think I can trust Ralph. as Tong as I feed him with money. Ah, Brass!"—to the servant who entered, bearing a sil- ver card-receiver— what now?” “ A gallus gentleman, Mr. Malvern, who sends up his card.” “*Humph! I wonder who?” the speculator mutter- ed, as he took the delicate card. from which arose a delicate perfume of white-lily. “Few of these illit- erate denizens of the mines boast of cards in their ealls. Ha! and such a name—Rosebud Rob! Won- as what and who seis? Yes, Brass, you may show im up.” * No, Brass, you are let out of that job, for I have come of my own accord. You may retire, how- ever!’ announced a voice that, though pleasant, was sarcastically cool. : a there stood Rosebud Rob, just within the por- Nearly frightened out of his wits, Brass made an abrupt plunge out of the room, Munro Malvern was alone with his visitor, Rosebud Rob came gracefully forward, and coolly accepted the chair but recently occupied by Lamont. Since his visit to the “ Little Brown Jug ’ he hed made a general change of wearing apparel, and looked even more the dandy spert of the mines than before. His pants and coat were of the finest light wool, while the immaculate white vest and shirt- - front were remarkable for that rcugh region. A diamond pin gleamed upon the latter, and scintil- lated a thousand dazzling rays. His boots were patent-leather; his mustache was slightly waxed at either point; there was a delicately-tinted bunch of rosebuds of various colors attached to the lapel of he goats a whitish slouch hat was set jauntily upon is head. ““ Weil?” Munro Malvern said, as he surveyed his caller, ‘‘ of what service can I be to you, sir?” “Eh? What service can you be to me?” the Sport repeated, as he lita cigar. ‘‘ Well, let mesee. You read my name on the card there?” “T did, and a very strange name it is, too.” “Humph! yes, when you've a mind to think so. Emanated, you see, from a personal spouts of mine, of always carrying for an emblem, a budding rose, pinned to my coat. Sometimes, of course, I have to substitute an artificial one, when the cold snows of winter are low over the graves of the dead and unavenged.” The millionaire started violently, and gave the Sport a quick, searching glance. But that personage was engaged in knocking the ashes from the end of his cigar, evidently uncon- scious of the effect of his words. “*By Heaven! Iam glad it was not an intentional stab,” the speculator muttered, in under his breath, Then, aloud, he added;

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8 Rosebud Rob. “T suppose you have another name, sir, in ad- dition to the nom dz plume you have assumed?” “Of course I have another, which I use on private occasions. Perhaps it is a name you have heard of before. since my father was once your partner in business transactions. My name chances to be the same as his—Robert Mapleton. at’your service.” “Ry ert Mplicn!” the miilionaire gasped, leap- ing to his feet with a colorless face—" 22.bert Mapte- ton? “'That’s what I said. Can't yon hear? Robert Mapl-ton, or Resebud Rob, for short—a chap purty much calculated to suit all circumstances, you see? It was several seconds before the mine-owner could control his avitation, tnen he reseated himself, “Well,” the Sport remarked, with a quizzical smile, * the announcement that I was Robert Maple- pie Esquire, seemed to cause you considerable em.0- ion “Yes, iadeed, young man. The namo came down upon me s> su idenly, that [ was little els» than over- owered by strange memories. [f you are the son of ‘overt Mapleton, kno'v then that heandT were boon companions. and sworn frien’s. When he suddenly was tak=n off, it seemed to me I had los’ my own brother.” **Ah! Tse; you were very muc2 agitated when I mentioned his name, and the bottl: on the tabla sug- ests only too plainly how you bave been trying to rown your sorrows!’ Rosebud Rob replied, with stinging sareasto, which made the millionairs wince. **An! let me see—how long ago was it the oll gentle- cy tied his departure from this earthly taber- nacl> “Overayeararvo, It isstrange that you should “ay cu it, if you were in communication with m. “ Well, you ste how it was, the old gentleman and I were not on very exc-llent terms, as it chanced, In early you'hI mail sted a reckless, roving disposi- tion, and one day when I attempted to do Shak- spearean char c’ers in the hors -barn, the unkindly sire furnished the necessary adjuncts with a horse- whip. My ambitious spirit was set on fire, as wellas the sensations in ths back of my waistcoat, and bid- ding the old homestead an affectionate adie, [ wounded my way down the old country road leading out into the world. * For ssveral years I battled with grim death in all its phases, and occupied positions in almost every trade and profession extant. Chancing to be out in thi: latitude of the hemisphere, and having been apprised that the governor ha | hied himself hither- ward, I thought I'd call around and see h m.” “Well. sir, you cam? too late. From all we can learn, R»bert Mapleton, S*., has been in his grave a matter of fourteen months.” “ And did he leave any wealth behind” — “Not a copper. Hoe died inselvent, having been very unfortunate in his speculations, and his credi- tors mourn his loss!’ the millionaire said, with a peculiar, rasping laugh. * Poor fallow! Poor, poor fellow!” Rosebud Rub sighed. ‘‘ flow very sad to contemplate! “But, perhaps Ihave wearied you, Mr. Malvern, and I will retire, We will talk again upon this sub- joet. Au rero'r!” And with a meek courtesy, the Dandy Sport arose aud abruptly left the room. After he had gone, the mine-owner sprung to his feet his hands clinched and eyes gleaming, as he walked the flor. x “TIa!l evil take the fellow! He is as cool as an ieeb rg, yet decp enough to drown all the devil's imps. Is he not hers with a purpose? Certainly; though he may try to hide it; but, curse him, he shall bo defeated at every turn! I wil have him watched; I will guard every avenue. Then we will see what the young vagabon‘l can do. This head of mine is older than his an] more educated, I flatter phen in forming casily-executed and efficient emes. So that if I caunot outwit bim, it will be a seventh wonder of the world. Ila! and the you washerwoman—she ts his sit7r/ Curse me, but things are becoming interesting!” CHAPTER IIL. THE CONCERT SALOON—FICKORY HANK ON HAND—DEL HELENE—HOW CINNAMON GULCH PANS OUT YOUNG LAvs, oanaee coeds, you have heard of the Jardin Mabille of Deadwood City. If not, you have but to inquire, and any citizen of that ntorious city can locate it for you if you wish to pay it a visit. A scene of our romance calls us thither, and we go as an eye-witness of a picture pec in it and confined to the mining-regions, It is a piace with a wooden front, but after you pass through the portals, you find yourself in a can- vas-roofed garden, with sidings of rough boards, and Jit by flaring blazes of benzine-gas from overhanging erie gaciieu fa Wabds f db he garden is used for a variety of purposes, bein: Page and commodious, with a a ibatantal rosea ere is a long bar at one side, with a villainous- looking chap behind it in his shirt-sleeves, and be- hind him stilla glittering array of bottles, decanters, glasses and mirrors. Yonder is a space allotted to dancers, and here is a number of tables, ever surrounded with gamesters who deal the brace and fleece new-comers out of their money on a variety of games of chance, Yonder, at the further end of the room, is a small rostrum, furnished with a drop-curtain, and from this direction, the crowJs that’ flock to the Jardin Mabille are generally grected nightly by a song from some person, hired for the purpose, by the enter- prising proprietors. Several nights after the scene just pictured in a preceding chapter, the Mabille was p cked almost to suffocation with rough miners and rougher des- peradoes from the surr .unding gold districts. It mizht have appeared that the whole population of Deadwood was present within the cone rt saloon and garden, but you had only to step out into the thronged main street to be convinced of the er- roneous impression. Anyhow, the place was uncomfortably full, and consequently the bar reaped a bountiful harvest. A star was booked upon the boards of the Jardin Mabiile to-night—one Bz1 Helene, a dead shot with the pistol—and, therefore, the crowds flocked in. Many were the conjectures concerning her, among the crowd, some of which were amusing to hear, “*Purty!” said one burly bull-driver, with an im- pious expletive. ‘Why, she lays anything in the shade that evyer stood on high-heeled gaiters, you bet! Sese’d her down at McDannell’s Bella Union in *Shian, I did, you heer me, ther Wolf o’ Wyommmg, an’ she ar’ jes’ as purty as—” “Me!” exclaimed a voice, and Colonel Bill Stokes ushered himself into the circle; “fer they do say thet I am actooally the handsomest galoot as ever sot stogy on the Black Hills soil. Why, feller citi- zens, I tuk ther gold med | fer sublime beauty at be late memorable Centenyal—fact, I'll sw’ar to e _A boisterous laugh followed the colonel’s asser- tion, and no one offered to dispute the fact that he attempted to estab ish, for Bill was an anthony ie correctness, belonging to the firm of Schriner & Co., attorneys and legal adjusters. Close behind him’ followed the ever-present “Judge ” Jacob, accompanied by his faith clerk, Adolphus Syringus Cole. the Ly ‘ - “ Hayr we ar’, ther hulllegal fraternity o’ Schriner & Co.; so dish up yer amusement!” the colonel yelled, as he limped along with the aid of his beayy eine. “Hello! ef hayr cin’t the galoot they cal Rosebud Rob! Shake, ye g2loct! “Certainly!” the Sport replied, as he extended ee “glad to meet you, Quite a ciewd to nig!

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Rosebud Rob. sf “Spirit of old Methus’ler, yes. Ef et wara sermon on ther great question o’ future punishment, ye'd not see a galoot hayr. But, ye know, these hayr pil- grims 0’ Deadwood would go a mi e any time ter get aglimpse uv a descendant uv old Eve. Mr. Rese- bud, make ye acquainted with “Judge” Jacob Schriner. uy ther legal bar—also, Mr, Adolphus Syringus Cole, cleark o’ common fleas.” “Awl Peas, sir, Pleas!’ Adolphus interrupted, in an affected drawl. “Happy to meet Pee gentlemen!’ Rosebud Rob repli Mowing: “T suppose, like myself, you have come here to see what is goin’ on eh?” “Vell, dot ish yust apoud der size uv id, Mr. Rose- pud!” the judge NM ieacs with a rs pea strut. “Thope you will enjoy yourself!” and with this remark the Sport strolled away. Not unnoticed, however. a There were many cyes that centered upon him curiously. Seldom did candies turn up in the city of Deadwood of his peculiar type. His dress and appearance were in every sense elegant—nearly faultless. Then he had the evo) independent bearing of one who had had a vast deal of experience—one who was utterly unconcerned and fearless. It is this type of strangers whom the roughs of a mining region at once mark out as hard customers tohandle. Their Study of human character enables them to point out the man they can bull-dcze, and the onethey had best let alone, at a single glance. As he strolled toward the rostrum he espied a piano, the instrument which furnished music for the dance, and without a request from anybody he sat down and ran his fingers dexterously over the key=, calling forth a strange, weird barmony of sound, Then he struck cff into a lively quickstep, which filled the garcen with exquisite sounds of melody. Involuntarily the crowd surged around him and everything became quiet, as the roughs and miners listened with keen appreciation. Such playing had never been done before within the walls of the Jardin Mabille, and the roughest, most uncultivated spirit could but pause from revel- ry to listen, entranced, to the beautiful music. Hickory Wank and. his gang stcod back near the bar, and the ruffian leader watched the Sport with an evil glare in his terrible es. While he gazed thus he felta touch upon his shoul- | der, and wheeling about with a grunt, he came face to face with Munro Malvern. The mine-owner was attired in an elegant suit of broad-cloth, with a diamond-pin in his immaculate shirt-front, and a polished silk bat upon his head. He raised the gold-headed cane to his lips to en- join silence upon catching Hickory Hank’s glance, and. turning abrup‘ly, left the place. The ruffian leader followed him a few minutes later and they met in a dark shadow of the mountain walls. which towered above the gulch like grim phantoms, where the moonlight shot in bars through the spectral pines, * Ab! is that you?” the millionaire said, as the ruf- flancame up. “Iom clad that you came. Have you been drinking heavily?” “No; haven't had half a dozen snifters to-day.” “All the better for my purpose. You saw the dandy devil who was arousing the spirits out of that on Se individual who styles himself Rosebud ie) “Shedn’t wonder ef I'd cast my eye at him!" was the ve response. “ And whatis your opinion of him?” ““Thet he ain't no slouch. He’s got thunder, a rel an’ a hull voleano tucked under that white vest of his’n.” f “Hal ha! then you're afraid of him?" ‘Did T say so?” “Not exactly. Anyhow, I want you to pick a quarrel with him somehow, and you're certainly a J oe fri me to handle, so you can easily get away wil 5 ry -oihap much insurance ye goin’ ter put on my ee li “Oh! leave that tome. You shall be well paid if you do the job well ” “Do you want him knifed?” **}'m not particular about that. Suit yourself.” And, wi h this understanding, the twain separated, entering the garden again soon after. Rosebud Rob was still entertaining bis rough audi- ence upon the piano, and to the music of a lively waltz several had paired off, and were adding to the entertainment in terpsichorean revelry. But the music was destined to cease as suddenly as it had begun, Hickory Hank came e!bowing his way through the crowd, backed as usual by his bull-dog pals, and ad- vancing to the piano, he slammed the heavy lid down with an oath. Rosebud Rob narrowly escaped having his hands smashed by the descending cover, and he leaped to his feet, a hot flush riotiug over his countenance. ‘*What do ycu mean, you fool?” he cried, sharply. “Did you intend to jam my fingers?” ““Shet up, ye Gandy galoot, ef ye don’t want me ter make chow-chow out o’ yer ear!’ Captain Hick- ory cried, with a hoarse guffaw. ‘‘Reckon I’m pur- vy much boss hyar, an’ ef I want ter stop the music ther’s nary galoot as sez I ken t!” “So you think you're boss, eh?’ Rosebud Rob said, coolly. ‘* You're a big bullying bloat of a bull- dog, ond I'm the very lad as kin back it.”’ Amurmur of applause ran through the garden, for Captain Hickory was perhaps the mcst unpopu- lar man. among the mining class. in the » hole town, though there were few who cared to cross him. He now stood half-crouching, glowering at the youthful gery with deadly intensity. And the Sport met his goze with a cco), unflinching stare, while a grim smile lurked in the corners of his mouth, “What! what! ye call me names, ye Jeetle imp?” the burly captain yelled, as soon as he could find bis tongue, after the astonishment created by the words of the Sport—** ye dub Hickory Grim a bloat and er Lull-dog?” “T reckon I sed something of the kind,” Rosebud Rob replied. with a provoking smile, “and Tl allow [ didn’t cum purty much out o’ ther be So if you ere in for a fight. jest say the word, and you'll find me the right man to suit this very circumstance. Come! don’t be bashful about speaking up.” A loud cheer wert up from the crowd. Hickory Hark gave vent to a frightful curse, and, quick as thought, whipped a pair of revolvers from Li ea and cocked them, with an ominous click! click! * Oh! ho! T’'ll show ye—ye leetle bantam rooster! Pll stop_yer spoutin’—” “Hold! Back, you cowardly dog! Would you shoot down a man who has no weapons?” cried a ringing voice, and Baltimore Bess leaped sudden! in upon the se: ne, clutching in hand a pair of revol- vers fullasimposing as thoce of the ruffian, And close at her heels came the blonde scout, Persimmon Bill, C lonel Bill Stokes. and Dutch Jake, the worthy * Judge;” seeing which, the miners every one whip- ped weapons from their belts. * Curse ye!” Grim hissed. perceiving that the odds were heavily against him. ‘* You and I shall yet hev a day o’ reckonin’, girl!” “Shack ’em Jump-up! dot’s fifteen hundred unt sixty-swi times ash dot. pig loafer say dot same t’irg, Pessie!” affirmed the “‘ Judge.”’ “1 cave—I'm beat this time!’ Grim srid, restoring is we» pons to his belt, and turning asifiogo. ‘‘As fer you, ye bantam dancy, I'll bore a hole through — os inside o’ a week, or my name ain’t Hank rim!” ‘But, hold on; don’t be in such a hurry!’ Rose- bud Rob said, coolly stepping in front of the rufflan and blockading his path. “1 haven't got through with you, yet! You offered me an insult, and I

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never receive one of those bon mots without proper retaliation\”’ “Hip! hip! hurral” cried Baltimore Bess, swing- ing her hat above her head; ‘‘thar’s a lad fer ye, pilgrims—a reg’ lar ourang-outang up-an’-down sport as is a brick, an’ Ill bet high on his keerds, every time. Pull off yer shirt, Hankey, ye posey, and show us ef ye kin fight!” “if the younker wants fight, let him pull his per- forator, an’ I’m ready!’ Hickory Hank growled, reaching toward his belt. “Hold up! I will not fight you with weapons other than those with which nature adorned us—fists! Them’s my terms, an’ ef ye ain’t a coward ye'll come to the seratch!” cried Rosebud Rob, handing his hat to Baltimore Bess. Grim began to strip wichout a word, Not so with Rosebud. He simply discarded head covering, but retained all of his elegant garments. Fighting lines were chalked upon the floor by enthusiastic admirers, ca in a few seconds the two antagonists faced each other, Hickory Hank was a man of powerful frame, and as he stood stripped to the waist, his giant muscles excited a murmur of admiration from the bystand- ers. The Sport heard it, and looked his formidable op- ponent over with a keen, criticising glance. % are ‘ou ready?" he demanded, a moment later. “Rea confident gleam in his eyes. In an instant the men had squared off with clinch- ed fists, toeing the chalk boundaries, over which there was no pete Rosebud Rob looked insignificant in size to the ruffian; nor did he push the battle. He simply ward- ed off the other’s blows But in doing this he is simply biding his time; he is watching an opening for investment. Ha! there! He strikes a blow in an unguarded moment, full in the face of Hickory Hank, and he goes reeling to the floor like a log. He is up again in a moment, however, and on his guard, an ugly bruise under his left ae the rapid swelling of which will soon render that mem temporarily useless. ; More sparring uow, which is done creditably; then suddenly there comes another resounding spat, and Grim again goes floorward, with a frightful yell His pals rush forward and would raise him to his feet, but find him utterly unconscious; while upon his forehead is the print of a human fist, in livid coloring. ; “T think the game is over, gentlemev!”” Rosebud Rob said, with a queer litcle laugh, while the garden reverberated with wild cheers from a hundred throats; ‘‘anyhow, I’ve given you a brief illustra- tion of how Cinnamon Gulch pans out young lads. Now, then, is there any one else desirous of coming to see me on the same uncertain grounds?” No one, evidently Hickory Hank had hitherto been counted the best boxer in the diggings, and the example that had been made of him was convincing argument that no one wanted to run afoul the “‘ breakers’ of Rosebud ‘Well, well, if there’s no one confident, I'll con- tent myself with one victim, though I’d much ruther a half-dozen had bothered me at the same time!” And resuming the wearing of his hat, the Sport was about to take his leave, when the curtain rose from the little stage, and the manager of the Garden led out the star of the evening, Bel Helene, the Pis- tol Queen. Instantly there was a wild shout, and clapping of hands, to which the young woman bowed graciously, after which she began her exhibition of marvelous target-shooting, with a revolver. She was evidently not yet arrived at the majority age for woman—she looked even younger. Her form, however, was strikingly developed, and her y!” the border ruffian replied, hoarsely, a | g Rosebud Rob, face pretty as a picture, in its wreath of Done, Id- en hair, with a sweet, expressive mouth, ani en ing eyes of blue, Her dress was of Spanish make, with short skirt and spangled leggings. She went through with her performance with ad- mirable skill and exactness, aed each bullet where it was intended to be sent. Then, with another bow she retreated behind the scenes, amid ringing cheers from the motley assem- lage. And after she was gone the question seemed to pass generally from lip to lip—'* Who és she?” Hickory Hank was taken out into the open air, by his pals, and brought back to consciousness, so that he was enabled to sit on his haunches, and glare around at his pales tools. “Cuss ye!” he gritted savagely, “why didn’t ye lay thet dandy out, when ye see di war ketchin’ it heavy?” “Thar warn’t no show!” protested one. “Bah! how often have I told you ter watch me, an’ foller my example. When I laff, ye laff; whenI sw’ar, ye sw’ar; when I fight, ye fight. Neow, I don’t want ye ter forgit it Pe or ye ken’t serve onder ther flag o’ Captain Hickory Grim|!’’ CHAPTER IV. SOME DIABOLICAL SCHEMING. Bet Hewens, the Pistol Queen, after performing her proererene before the patrons of the Jardin Mabille, left the place by a rear exit, and with a dark cloak wrapped around her, hurried up the dar- ker portions of the gulch, until she came to an un- ae pit board shanty, over the door of which ung a squeaking sign, bearing the inscription: “ WASHING AND IRONING.” After hesitating a moment, she rapped upon the door and then waited breathlessly. Sounds of some person stirring were heard inside, and then the door was opened by a fair-faced young woman, handsome of form, and with an expression of weariness hovering about her eyes and lips, Sie started with a low ery, as she beheld Bel Helene! “What! can it be possible—you, Nelly Austin?” “Sh! Yes, 'tis I, Jessie. I have come all the way to this rough, lawless country since we parted three years ago!” There was no time for further explanation just then, for the two girls were locked in each other's embrace. But later, after the first friendly greetings were over, and Bel Helene was seated beside her school- mate of other days, she gave an explanation. “Dear Jessie, you ask me what fetches me so far from the home of my birth. I can tell you a little, but not all. Since last we met, dear friend, all is changed, Shortly after you moved out here to the Black Hills, from the States, my father and myself emigrated to the Indian Territory, where he had been appointed agent over one of the tribes. “During our residence there, a bold. handsome devil in man’s shape, came into our midst. “*T feared him from the first, because Lucifer was in his eyes. He ingratiated himself into my father’s confidence, and tried to pay me particular aften- tions, but I repulsed him at every turn. I could not bear him. I grew to detest the very sight of him— his every word and action was disgusting in my eyes. “At last, I think he grew to hate me, for he took every enpornantiy to provoke my anger, and pub- licly insult me. “Hearing of his doings—but not from my lips—my father attempted to chastise him, when the heart- ss ea drew a revolver and shot him through the ear’ “Oh. merey!’ exclaimed Jessie, ‘ And did he es- cape?”

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Rosebud Rob. 9 “Escape? Ah! yes, but it was with me close upon his trail!’’ the young woman cried fiercely, “T have “ag him with the perseverance of a bloodhound. I have daily sworn before my God to kill him, and I only live to keep my oath. Jessie, you are my friend. We have been as sisters in the days that have passed. I want you, now, to shelter me, while I seek the man who destroyed my father, Oh! d-do not say no!” and the girl'dropped upon her knees, and burst into a passionate fit of weep- ing. * Of course you shall stay, Nelly, dear!’ Jessie Ma- pleton replied. pityingly. “I, too, am an orphan, and alone in the world, with no one to whom to confide, or that I can trust. It is but little that 1 have, but = shall share it as long as there is anything to me? “Oh! thank a thank you, sweet sister. I will help you all within my power, and at the same time watch for the man that robbed me of all.’’ “ What!” Jessie cried, starting back, a look of hor- ror in her large brown eyes. ‘ Nelly, you—” “Ay!” the girl cried, almost fiercely. ‘‘I beara blasted life, and the accursed wretch is still at large. Ob! God, thou merciful One, how long—oh! how long have | yet to wait?” “There! pray calm yourself, and let’s talk this matter over.” “Oh! no! no! I cannot—will not—cannot talk it over. It makes me mad/ map! See! Iam not un- armed. I have a pair of revolvers, and a knife of the truest steel, and with one or the other shall I take the life 6f the wretch whom I am tracking. Both weapons I know well how to handle; I have traveled from town to town, giving exhibitions of my shoot- ing. Ha' ha! how earnestly I have trained myself, so_hat I might.be prepared to meet my foe!” Jessie oe shrunk away, and dropped into another chair. She was more alarmed than she would have cared the Pistol Queen to know; she ly knew what to do under the circumstances, ‘*You need not feel afraid of me:” Bel Helene said, noticing her agitation. ‘for sometimes I get wild, but am pont armless. I will stay with you, and bunt for the man who wrecked my young life. He is here in Deadwood, I believe, and if so I shall find him, even though he be in the deepest disguise. It has been nearly a year and three-quarters since I lost track of him, but I am confident that I am now once more upon the right scent!” On the following morning Ralph Lamont, the scheming step-son of Munro Malvern, called at the little shanty—the most unpretentious one in all Dead- wood ch. The day was a warm one, and the door being open, he entered without knocking. Jessie was engaged in ironing some finery for a party of ladies at one of the hotels, and she did not notice the stalwart, well-dressed rove. until he stood quite near at hand. Then, she gave a little scream, and Fr en back haughtily. “ Sir “Oh! don’t be in the least disconcerted, T pray!’ Lamont said, with one of his most winning smiles, at the same time laying a card from bis elerant case upon the table. “There is no need for alarm on your part, as perhaps you remember me as the young gentleman who chanced to rescue you froma party a attacking roughs, several nights since—do ou not: “T certainly remember, sir!’ the pretty laundry- keeper replied, without relaxing. She wes quive alore. Bel Helene having gone out into the town, and she liked not the fawning. sinister appearance of the man. ‘] believe I thanked youat the time?” “Ahem! well, yes, I believe you did,” the dutiful step-son of Munro Malvern was forced to acknow]l- edge. ‘But when I am sent upon an errand, I gen- erally try to execute it to the letter. For ra- tion; here I haye a letter from an old covey, whom Imet during my rambles up in Washington Territory. The old gent had been prospecting it seems, and having struck a gold mine, he gives me a couple o nuggets, and commissions me as mail-carrier of a letter to one Miss Jessie Mapleton—which I believe rd xR name, from all I have been able to ascer- nD. “Tessie Mapleton! my name, sir? Oh! what can this mean?” the girl gasped excitedly. ‘Let me have the letter. sir! What old man could wish to write to me? Oh!—oh!—if—” ‘Don’t be excited, my dear young lady. The let- ter will doubtless tell you more than I can; but I reckon the old gentleman was your father!” “ My father—clire! Oh! yes, God be praised, ‘tis even so! Here is his writing—ay, and his signature. Oh, Mr. Lamont! how can I ever, ervey thank you enough for this priceless gift?” the happy, over- joyed little soul cried, clasping her hands in ec tasy. ‘By prizing the dear old father, who is even now blessing you in his distant miner’s camp,’ Lamont replied, bowing prcfoundly. “ AJlow me to wish you a very pleasant good-morning.”’ He oniy retreated to the door, however, where he stood watchirg Jessie, as she ran to the window to read the dearly-prized letter. ‘*Oh! what happiness is now mine!’’ she muttered. with a reverential glance upward. ‘Poor Nelly! she has no father, a letter from whom would glad- den her heart! My own father alive? It does not seem possible, when I have so long mourned him as dead. Let me see what he says: ** “WASHINGTON TERRITORY, i “Camp Gotp Pike. June 16th, 18—. “BELOVED DAauGHTER:—This letter will take you by surprise, as you have probably mourned meé as dead But I am alive and well, and by an inesti- mable Bhs gentleman, I at last send you a letter. When I left Deadwood (where you will remember I had a small interest in a mine), I was deeply in debt and my creditors were threatening me with impris- onment, ay promised to lynch me if I did not square pp. I could not, and so I was obliged to fly for my life. Munro Malvern (God bless him!) assisted me to escape when death stared me in theface. He had helped me to money a number of times, until he owned my share ten times over, and yet his generos- ity did not cease till the Jast, for he gave me money and promised to pay yon a competence from the mine. He is a noble and a good man, without a self- ish thought or a fault. Iam rich now, and in a few months shall be with you, to settle with my credit- ors, and live in peace and happiness the rest of my days. SoIsign myself, 3 “Your loving father, ‘*“Ropert MAPLETON.” Jessie folded the letter, with tears of happiness in er eyes, “Dear, dear papa!” she murmured; ‘and Mr. Malvern, too! ow wrong I was to think of him so unjustly. Iam sure he will never forgive me for my cruel suspicions of him.” tan ing in the doorway, Ralph Lamont chuckled softly to himself. “The thing works." he muttered: ‘ and Unky’s star is in the ascendant—likewise my purse will be attacked with a twinge of inflation. Ha! hat That letter was aclever affair, after all. How deucedly fine I got in a personal puff about the ‘inestimable young gentleman!’ Ho! ho! Ralph Waldo Emerson mont, you’re no fool yet. And fnow, it behooves ycu to go draw upon the governor for cash assets,” During the remainder of that day pretty Jessie was supremely happy, and went about her work with a brightness in her eyes that had been a stran- ger there of late. During the afternoon there came a knock at the door, and on answering the summons she was sur- dead = find Munro Malvern standing upon the threshold. The millionaire mine-owner was attired with scrus

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10 Rosebud Rob. pulous neatness and elegance, and he raised his hat politely a3 he beheld the pretty daughter of his for- mer partner. “Pray excuse me, Miss Mapleton, if my coming is an intrusion, but I once more present myself to re- quest that you accept what is duly yours—namely, a@ revenue derived from the small mining interest which your father owned in the Thunder Gulch lode. The mine, lam happy to say, has panned out hand- somely of late, and for your small interest you have a dividend of one thousand dollars!” “One thousand dollars! Mr. Malvern, I could not think of accepting such a sum. Please ot J inside, and I will give you my reasons,” Jessie said, hand- ing him a chair near the door. : Hal ha!” the mine-owner muttered, under his breath. ‘Lamont has been here, and the plot is succeeding that well that her pre; udice has been overcome, and her ne allayed against accept- ing money from me, herbenefactor. Softly, old boy —suceess is staring at you!” The miner accepted the proffered chair, and then turned toward her whom it was his purpose to en- trap as a victim. “And now, Miss Mapleton, your objections against taking what is rightfu ly your own?” “Mr. Malvern, your kindness I have never been able to appreciate until to-day. when I received a letter from my father,” Jessie replied. ‘In it he fully clears you of all the unjust charges I made against you, and showed what a faithful friend you had been to him. I therefore feel it my set f to ask you to forgive me for all the wrong I have believed of you.” “Forgive you, my dear lady? Why, most assured- SN I have never cherished any but ths kindliest thoughts of you, for I knew you to be in error. the old gentleman has turned up at last, eh?” “Ohl yes, yes,andlamsoglad. Mr.—Mr.—I just forget his name, brought m3 a 1 ther from dear apa, who is getting rich. up in Washington Terri- ry. But, sir. he states that at the time of his de- parture he owed you a great deal more thau his share in the mine was worth; and therefore, I could not think of getting further into your debt by ac- cepting money of you.”’ *Ha! ha! you independent little pus3!_ You must excuse me if Iadmire your spirit. But those mat- ters cc other days are all canceled, long ere this, by the yield of the mine, and you have your own dividend besiies, Pray take it, without further hesi- tation, as it is rightfully yours.” And the million- aire laid a neat package on the table. “T_T don’t know as [am doing right to take this, sir!’ Jessie said, lifting the parcel and handling it carefully. “Tat! tut! Quiet all such thoughts at once. Now, having freed my mind in this way, I have one favor to ask, and then I will be gone!” “Name it. sir, and my gratitude will cause me to do your will!” Jessie cried, gladly. “Well, I want you to marry in2!” “What?” Ths girl reeled bick a pace, in sudden peer oa “Marry you, Mr. Malvern—I marry you?” “Pxactly! Is there anything so horrifying or out of the way in that? You are ees bi Tam rich, I offer you a chance.to become a lady of rank and sta- tion, and you—accept?” "No! no! Oh! t could nev-r marry you—apny one. main single.” “And I prefer to the contrary. Promise me to become Mrs. Munro Malvern within the week, and I will leave you in peace.” “Sir! Itold you no! Is that not enough?” “Curse it. no/ You must say yes!” “ Must? You dare to s1y I must do a thing? Sir! There is the door—go/ This interview has been pro- longed too far.”’ “Very well; I will go!” the baffled schemer re- plied, as he picked up his hat and strode toward the at would be impossible, sir, I I prefer to re- door. ‘Iam of the belief that you will become my wife—ha! ha! yes, Iam of that belief!” And then he took his departure, leaving poor Jessie in a state of extreme agitation, as she paced up and down the floor. While, as he strode homeward, Munro Malvern was flercely biting his lip with vexation, and cursing himself without limit. “T was a dunce—a blockhead, to attempt to rush matters so fast!” he growled, savagely. “I fright- ened her by my cursed vehemence, and gave her an insight into my character.” And with contracted brows the schemer strode along toward his own mansion further up the gulch. On his arrival he found Hickcry Hank seated in the library, enjoying the best the sideboard afford- ed, in the way of liquors and cigars. ‘The scene maddened the millionaire, but he re- frained from saying anything, for the border ruffian was a tool in whom he must trust for dark work in the future. “ Well,” he said, laying aside his hat and duster, “I see vou are on hand, Grim.” “Ruther reckon so,” was the sullen reply. “‘Cum over ter get paid fer doing sum o’ your dirty work.” ‘Hal ha!” Malvern laughed, surveying the rough, critically. ‘*I should say you got all the pay any one but a hog ought to ask for. Ha! ha! ha!’ ‘Curse it; governor, the little cuss war an electric volcano, pe as Itold ye. He basted m>» two sock- dolagers in the bazzoo, an’ J didn’t stand up ter take no more, Ther ak o’ his knuckles hayr, on my forefront, ‘ll foller me ter ther grave.” * You shouldn't have trusted yourself to fight a fisticuff duel with one who is evidently a trained boxer. Why didn’t you shoot him from the word “ He woulln’t hev et thet way, cuss him; and hed thet devil-cat, Baltimsre Bess, to back him, an’ ther heft o’ ther crowd, so I layed off.” “Weil, we shall have to study up some other plan to get rid of him.” the schemer muttered, as ho aros® and paced the floor, ‘Hello! where's the packet of notes I left here on thetable? Did you lake them, Grim?” ** Waal, Cruther reckon not,’ the outlaw replied, with a chuckle. ‘Ef I'd got hold 0° ’em, most likely I shed hev slid out. Ye can search me yerself, ef ye like, an’ see ef I don’t adhere ter ther gosp*l truth.” ‘*Never mind. Perhaps Ralph took it, the rascal, Now, about this Rosebud Rob. What appears to be his business here in Deadwood?” “ Ask me sumthin’ I know an’ [ll tell ye,” Hickory Hank replied. ‘‘ Pears to me he don’t hev no object more'n ter ply ther sport.” “Good! Let him drop for the present. T'll tend to his case myself. Now. there isa girl whom I want arrested ona chaige of theft. You are to get your gang together. along with the sheriff, and go search her house. No doubt you will find a packet of mo- ney in her possession, which she thieved from me, Do you see? She must be arrested, and taken off to the jail, and stand her trial, 1'll turn up. at the right juncture. and take the case off your hands.” “Waal, Lreckoa. ye'll hev ter pay a good sum fer seech a lay-out.” “Ofcourse. I'll give you a hundred dollars if you do the job up in good shape. Do you understand? There must be no botch-work, asin the Rosebud Rob case,”" ** You bet your boots the gal will be in the ‘Castle,’ inside of two hours, guv’nor!” Hickory Han‘: re- plied, as he arose and left the room—“ that is, ifany money can be found.” ; “Good!” Munro Malvern muttered, after the ruffian bad disappeared. ‘Although it may cost me a deal of money, Lam bound to win the day. yet. Once! get the ball a-rolling, it must not stop until it has crushed out of existence these two children of Robert Mapleton, who stand in my path. Ha! hal did they but know it, and had they theright papers, they could easily dethrone me from the ownership

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Rosebud Rob. qi ee ee UE rennEEny tt of the Big Bullion mine, of which I owned not one penny’s worth at thetime of Robert Mapleton’s dis- appearance. But, they have not the right papers; Lucifer only knows who has; and consequently the Big Bullion claim is mine!” CHAPTER V. THE MOUNTAIN POCKET—THE KNIGHT OF THER BLACK PLUME. As windeth the trail of tho serpent, the sinuous gulch upon which nestles the City of Deadwood, Relnks to the north and the south. Branches of it here are in a plenitude; narrow fissures and wider forks,some of which the foot of man hath never trod; deep vales or pockets, mountain - locked, through which flow streams whose waters are yel- low with the “signs” for which the prospector seeketh, . In such a pocket, in between giant mountains, and communicating with Deadwood gulch by a narrow, subterranean seam between the stupendous walls, there is a solitary ranch or cabin. set down in the flower-decked bottom, and so neatly surrounded by towering hemlocks, as to be invisible to the naked eye, from the mountain-top. The fact that horses grazed about in the little vale was the only evidence of habitation, for no person micht be seen stirring about. But inside the large cabin, there was_a scene wortby of description—a scene peculiar to the moun- tains and the life thereof. The cabin was simply one large apartment with- out any Civision, or partitions. A dozen or more network hammocks were strung up near the rouf, which could be lowered for sleep- ing purposes; rifles, knives, belts, and the general paraphernalia of a ranger—or, rather, of a dozen of them--were strung abcut the walls, and_in one cor- ner a heap of saddles and blankets was deposited. Rough deal-tables were scattered here and there, and also a variety of rude camp-storls end skin- couches. And, distributed about amidst this scene, were perhaps a dozen men, either playing cards at the tables, cleaning weapons, or playing upon some instrument, several varieties of which are here and there about the room, All of there men are masked, and attired in the costume of the mountaineer—the inevitable knee- boots, buckskin breeches, and fringcd hunting- skirts. and slouch hats. Suddenly the inspiration seems to seize upon them, and, to the accompaniment of a violin and guitar, they break out into a wild harmony of song. a round dozen of well-trained voices, that pick up all at once every note, from the low to :he high, and ren- der it into a wild peculiar melody: “Hurrah! hurrah! for the mountain free! The golden | ills my home to be; The flowery vales and hidden nooks; The pine-crest dales and cancing brooks, Hurrah for the life upon the trail! The gay free ride—hurrah! all bail! Tis life to the death, the days, the nights; With thouzhts that are free, and then free fights. Hurrah! hurrah! we sbout with glee, A merry band of pards are we.” “Ta! ha! ha! well done, my boys. Iam proud of so fine a corps,”’ exclaimed a ringing voice, and the door swung ajar to admit a new-comer in o the re- treat—a figure clad in the same manner as those within the room, except that from the hat floated back a graceful black plume, The upp‘r por ion of the face was covered with a black mask, through which ‘peered a pair of eycs like Cancing diamonds of coal, “Turrah! it’s Nugget Ned, our captain!” cried the ap ngeip as he laid aside his instrument and arose o bis f et with a profound bow. ‘TI allow, chief, that the Knights of you back,” the Traij are glad to welcome 4 “*T doubt not that you speak the truth, Idyl,” was the pl esant reply, and the youthful chief clasped his officer’s hand warmlv. “Youare a faithful band, and I would be more than an idiot if I were not proud of you. I see you are all here,’’ with a glance about the room. * Ay! all done!” replied the lieutenant, smiling. “When zou order, they deem it best not to disobey the Kni ht of the Black Plume.” “Which proves Leyond a doubt their loyalty, Idyl. Now, if you will fetch me a glars of water, t will rest a bit, and then tell you of my trip, and what T learned.” And while the chief sunk upon cne of the stools, Idyl hastened to bring him a glass of sparkling wa- ter which he quaffed at a draught Then he bowed lis head upen his hand, and ap- peared absorbed jn deep thovght until the licutenant aroused him with a touch upon the shoulder. “Cheer up, captain! ycu are not downkearted. I hope, after your wild mountain ride?” “Ha! ha! no, ldyl—not exactly downhearted, but rather in a mood for reflection—fcr recalling the past—the aceursed—” “Tut! tut! chief; reflection is what throws you into one of those moods which breed the storm, I beg you will cast off the spell, and tell us of your trip to Deadwood.” tent ha tellus of the trip to Deadwood!”’ ex- claimed the men, in a voice, “Well. then, so be it, comrades, though of the tri proper there is nothing to tel]. I arrived in Dead- wood to find that our v orst fears have been realized. We have been epotted in cur mountain home, as road-agents |” “What? Can this be true?” Idyl exclaimed; “we branded as road-agents?” “Ay! tis even so. The busiress which brought us here, and Jeagued us into a brotLerhood, has teen misinterpreted, and in the eyes of these citizens of the Black Hills we are a band cf outlaws. and the name of Nugget Ned. the Knight of the Gulches. is daily growing famous—is cach ey. being handled keg lying tongues, and stands a rival to the notoriety of the widely-known name of Deadwood Dick!” As he ceased speaking, the young chieftain rose tohis feet. avd paced to and fro across the room, his hands working convulsively. “That is bad, captain; there seems but one path open before us.” “What is it, Idyl?” “Mo dissolve the brotherhood and scatter, leaving the secret, which we have guarded so faithfully, to be found out by the world.” “Ha! ha! are you mad, sir? Give up that for which—bab !—no /” the knight cried sharply, break- ing suddenly off from the completion cf a sentence. * When the oath is broken and the band dissolved, I hope I may be dead! Only one line lies before us— as brothers we must adhere to it.” **And that is—?”" “To fight, when it comes to that—fight as Cevils, not as men. ‘The secrets of the order must remain intact—the trailor must die!” “The /ravtor. captain?” “Ay! that is what I said. The traitor, be he the best in the crowd, must die!” A low, hushed murmur from the men annovneed ps approval, and, to a man, they rose to their ‘eet. * But, captain, that is a hard word, even in a whis- per, to utter—that word tailor! Can you bring yourself to believe that there is such among our comrades?” “Can I? I know if, Idyl. Has Nugget Ned ever given youa chance to question his judgment? No. Well you know that he makes «re of bis points be- fore he plays them. Look at this!" And stepping to cne of the tables, the chief drew a piece of paper. the shape of a man’s foot, from an ho pocket, and laid it where all could gaze upon

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12 Then stepping back a few paces, he drew and cocked a revolver. A hush like death prevailed within the cabin. Not a man moved, but all stood as if rooted to the floor, gazing alternately at the Papa tad foot-shape and the masked, stern-eyed chief, whom they were bound to obey, by an oath such as men ne’er before had uttered—an oath such as a demon would have shud- dered to have taken. “You all see the print!’ Nugget Ned said, as he let the hand drop by his side which held the revolver —‘youall mark it sharply. Very well; that is the exact track of some person who left this ranch, crossed the pocket, and went out through the fissure into Deadwood gulch. There, in the other prints m the stage road, I lost the trail. Now, as none of the band ever leave here except on horseback, unless that member is sneaking away unbeknown to the rest of the band, and there is but the one foot- trail across the pocket bottom, I am positive that the man who furnished the news to the Deadwood authorities isa member of my band—one of you who are gazing at me asIspeak. Boys, I hate to suspect any of you, but the oath we all took must be adhered to and the traitor punished. “Therefore, | brought this paper, which is an ex- act measure of the foot, Let every man step upon it, squarely, and we will see who is the traitor!”’ -- “But, cael, will it be just to judge a man by the size of his foot, when several may wear boots of the same size?” interposed aor “Nos” Nugget Ned replied, sternly. ‘‘I am no murderer, and I will judge no man guilty until [can name further proof. Go on! I will shoot the first man who hesitates, for he is the traitor!” Without a word the lieutenant proceeded to set the example. He spread the paper out upon the rude earthen floor and stepped upon it wit. precision. A murmur ran among the Knights. “‘You are not the man!” Nugget Ned said, bend- ing over and scrutinizing the impress'on. “Idyl, you may step aside. Number One, you next.” A short, stout fellow complied promptly, quite covering the slip of paper with his stogy boot, * Not the one!’ Nugget Ned announced, grey rey there was a stern glitter in eye. “* Newt [° Number Two, Three, Four and Five in succession stepped upon the fateful strip of paper, but covered it “by a large majority.” Number Six, a tall, strong-limbed fellow, straight as an arrow and compactly built, next stepped for- ward to measure, He had only a medium-sized foot, and the atten- tion of all was called to him. He was seen to tremble visibly, as he caught the stern eye of the chief. “Step upon it!” N ugget Ned said, sharply. ‘‘Idyl, look to the measure. | think we have our man!” Number Six trembled violently, as he placed the right foot upon the re ‘hat was to tell the tale. It is exactly the size of the measure, captain!” Lieutenant lay} replied, amoment later. “A shoe- maker could not have cut a better pattern of the bot- tom of Number Six’s boot!” “Ag 1 thought,’ Nugget Ned replied, ‘‘ Wesley Dandleton is the traitor. But [wouldn’t hang a dog even on that proof, Some one bring a piece of sodded earth larger than a man’s foot. Number Six will step upon it, and if his foot leaves an impression of a star in the heel, he is the man we want beyond dispute.” One of the Knights turned to leave the cabin, but a ery from Number Six caused him to pause, “Stop! you need not go to that trouble,” the ac- cused said, hoarsely. ‘‘I will acknowledge that. the star is upon my heel, and that 2 am the tratior! God in heaven help me!” And the wretch fell upon his knees, and began to groan and snivel. “Stand erect!” cried Nugget Ned, sharply, “Keep may be wante Rosebud Rob. back, boys,”’ as the Knights pressed forward with leveled revolvers, ‘I'll atiend to this case, if you please. Wesley Dandleton, stand erect, I say!” With a groan the traitor obeved, but hung his head and trembled violently; more than he would, per- haps, had he not feared instant death. “Look at me!” Nugget Ned next commanded, and in a tone which caused the guilty wretch to comply —for he knew refusal or hesitation meant instant death. He gave a single affrighted glance and then Cones his gaze to the floor. ““Wesley Dandleton!”’ the Knight of Knights said as he cleared his throat, “‘you have acknowledged yourself a traitor among us. You are well aware of the penalty which we ail swore by an awful oath to mete out to that member who should deal by us treacherously. Ineed not say that itis deaih. You have done more than betray the secrets of our brotherhood—you have branded us to the authori- ties as road-agents, and we are henceforth as out- laws, though we have done no deed of outlawry, Will you make a clean breast of the matter? Tell us the why you betrayed us, and how far?” “No! what would it avail me?’ the poor wretch demanded, hoarsely. “It would be death all the same. “ Ay! it could make no difference in that respect.”” “Then, I will carry my secrets with me to the death. Cio ahead and kill me. I am as brave now to meet my doom as I can ever be!” “You need not look upon me as your execu- tioner!”? Nugget Ned said, calmly. “I will leave your fate in the hands of those who have been your brothers during our Jeague asa band. Yonderis a box, upon the table. Let each man write ona sli of pa r ‘Yes,’ or ‘No,’ and east it into the box. will then count them, If there be more nays than yeas, you are free to go whither you will. If to the contrary, you shaJl hang to the noose which does its work for many a traitor!” At a motion, each of the eleven knights wrote upon pe 2 paper, and cast them into the box as di- rected. In mute supplication Dandleton dropped upon his knees, and raised his eyes toward heaven. Nugget Ned next went to the box, and with a coolness born of experience in critical moments, counted the strips. At last he turned upon his heel, and with a new- born hope the zuilty man half sprung toward him. But ne shrunk back when he saw the shake of the knight’s head, “Tt is not what I had hoped for!’ he said grimly, pate is not one nay in the box, and your doom is sealed!” “Oh! merciful Heaven!’ the traitor murmured, dropping flat upon his face with a pitiful wail. Nugget Ned turned aside, a on to hide any agi- tation he may have experienced, although the mask was over his face, Several paces about the room; then he paused and glanced about, into the faces of those who had served faithfully under his flag. “Comrades! I leave you to execute the work you have unanimously consented to do—ramely, the lynching of Wesley Dandleton. As for myself, I leave this valley for good. You can follow me into the neighborhood of Deadwood, and hold yourselves ready to answer the call of mysilver shrick, Re- member! the order of our union is not yet broken, and though you know not and never have known who: is your leader, under the disguise of Nugget Ned, I believe you have enough confidence in me to follow where I lead.” “Av, ay! captain! I can answer as to that for the boys!” Lieutenant Idyl cried, enthusiastically, “Good! I am glad to know it. But now, adios/ 1 ay to Deadwood on business which brought me into these Hills, Be you in waiting close by, but not ina body, with disguises in your saddle-bags, for you at any lustant, When they hang

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Rosebud Rob. 13 Nugget Ned for a road-agent, it will be because he eannot pull a trigger in self-defense,” And turning upon his heel, the chief of the myste- as Knights left the cabin, without a backward ance. . Lieutenant Idyl then motioned to one of the num- ber, and from up among the rafters the noosed end of a strong cord was brought down, until about nine oy from the floor, where it hung, swaying to and TO. Not a word was now spoken, The men went at their work as if they thoroughly understood what devolved upon them to do, While several bound the doomed man, band and foot. others placed a table beneath the noose, and a stool beside it. Dandleton was then led forward, and lifted upon the table to a standing position, so that the horrible noose dangled before his face, as if to mock his ears. “Mercy!” he gasped, appealingly. ‘ **No! mercy is something I know notin the execu- tion of my duty!” Idyl replied, sternly. He then stepped upon the table beside the pris- mi and adjusted the fatal noose about Dandleton’s neck. Then, he stepped from the table to the floor; there were several minutes of silence, after which the table was suddenly jerked from beneath the doomed man’s feet, and he swung by his neck in mid-air. Idyl then turned to his companions with a shud- der. “The job is done. Placard the body, and then each man away to the outskirts of Deadwood. Let nota moment be lost. Number Seven, blow the call for the horses; the rest of * es gather up the traps.” The order w“s obeyed. In fifteen minutes the cabin in the hemlocks was dismantled of everything portable, and the Knights were ready for a start. At aword from Idyl they mounted and dashed away across the valley, and soon were lost to view in a crevice of the mighty piles of craggy rock which rolled up. into the picturesque grandeur toward a sunset sky, Scarcely were they out of sight, when a man rose from among the natural flower-beds of the pocket, and glided to the cabin door. Tt needs but a glance to recognize him as one we have met before, and that one none other than the mine-owner, Munro Malvern. “The devil is to pay!” he hissed, as he skulked up to the cabin door and listened. ‘‘ Dandleton, my spy, Was not among those fellows. What does it mean? He was to meet me, an hour after dark. Canit be—” . He pushed gen the door, and peered into the cabin with a shiver. Then he leaped hack with a yell. A frightful spectacle met his gaze—a distorted corpse dangling to a ropein mid-air, near the center of the apartment, And upon the breast of the lynched traitor was fastened a placard, upon which was written in erimson, the words: “A traitcr—A warning to those who would imitate his crample !” “Ten thousand furies!” Munro Malvern gasped, turning away. ‘‘Again am I foiled by that devil in mask, who styles himself Nugget Ned!” CHAPTER VI, COMING TO AN UNDERSTANDING—BEL HELENE ‘‘ TAPS” ; LAMONT. 4 WE return to Deadwood. Itis now several days since the occurrence of the incidents, last narrated, in the mountain,pocket. Munro Malvern sat again in his library, and there was a dark expression upon his countenance. “Curses on_ this Sef which is now constantly upon my mind!” he cried ouf, fiercely, glaring at the figures in the matting upon the floor. ‘A month more of it will put mein my grave. Curse the dandy. Rosebud /Rob=clirse everybody and everything; I hate all! Ha! ha! they are working to hedge me in, these enemies of mine, ahd crush me out of exist- ence. But, they shall find me steel to the last! I will fight them with weapons made of gold. Ha! hal the Big Bullion mine is yet mine own. They cannot get itaway fr m me—unless Robert Mapleton should come to light!” “Robert Mapleton has already come to light!” cried a triumphant voice, and the guilty mine-owner wheeled around with a startled oath, to behold— Rosebud Rob, the Sport, standing just within the room, attired as usual with the greatest precision. “Hal you |” the millionaire gasped, a glare of hatred coming into his eyes. “Rather calculate that it isn’t no one else!” was the cool reply. ‘One would have guessed that you were expecting to see a ghost by the way you looked around!” “Iwas not expecting you, curse your impudence! How did you gain admission, sir?” “Oh! that was easy enough. I allowed a small- sized six-shooter, which I generally carry, to grin at your Ethiopian servitor, down in the hall, and he made himself invisible in the wink of a cat'’seye .” Munro Malvern arose from his seat, a haid ex- pression coming over his features. ‘*See here!’ he said, bending toward the Sport a devilish glitter in his eye—‘t we may as weil ur.der- stand each other at once. You have come here to Deadwood for a purpose. You need not dewy it, for I know to the contrary. What isthat purpose, curse you—what is it?” . “Tut! tut!’ Rosebud Rob said, calmly; ‘don’t et excited! We can just as well take things like an icicle, as to boil over with a superfluity of wrath. RAR gl find it to your advantage to not get un- ru alvern fairly frothed at the mouth, as he heard and glared at his cool visitor, All the evil passions of his evil nature were aroused—he could have flown at the Sport and clawed his heart out. “Furies take you!" he | issed, his fingers clinch- ing ne opening convulsively, ‘‘What do you want?’ “You shall know!” Rosebud Rob said, a sudden rimness coming over him—* you shall know, Munro alvern, I have come here to investigate a few matters relating to the decease of my father, Robert Mapleton, and to his estate. You must know that I would naturally have an interest inthe case. Ihave not been idle—oh! no, I have been digging dee, after the truth—searching for the truth that woul hang you pen a murderer’s gallows, “Hal ha! you start, you black-hearted villain— you start! you tremble! What better acknowledg- ment can there be of your guilt? Tell me, Munro Malvern—where is my father, the owner of the Big Bullion mine, whose plece you are usurping?” And the tones of the speaker were fierce and threatening. : The mine-monopolist staggered back, like a wolf at bay. Blast you!” he gasped, his face distorted by a terrible rage, ‘What do you mean? Would you brand me with murder, you viper? Get clear of my house, before Iam tempted to murder you!” “Hal hal” Rosebub Rob laughed, coolly. ‘No doubt you are sorely tempted to do that very thing, now, but you realize it is out of your power. Sit down, Munroe Malvern, and Jet me relate a little story. It is not of great length but serves to intro- duce to you the man you see before you— A Man to Suit All Circumstances. il you listen?” “Go on,’’? the mine-owner growled cele en be 5 will hear you, standing. When you are through— “Exactly! When I am /hrorgh, I will go, I assure you. Now about the story. To begin with: - “Once upon a time, as all fairy tales open, there

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14 Roeebud Rob. came into the precincts of the mining strike in Cin- namon gulen, a queer old customer of the tramp species, who had in his possession a youth whom the tramp fondly called ‘sonny.’ This youth was a led who had buffeted the world alone for some years, until he had joined in with the tramp. “Bad of Chapter First! “In Chapter Second we find the youth developing, under the old man’s instructions, into a first class actor, albeit this same youth had previously been upon the stage, in minor paits, The old man fur- nishes him with money in plenty, and tutors him into f manready to suit all circumstances—a dare-devil —a prize-fizhter, a young bully—yet, @cenileman ! “Quapter Third. This youth ‘pans out in purty much good style,’ in the vernacular of Cinnamon gulch, and men soon und-rstand that, although a dandy, a sport, a mn to suit all circumstances, this individual is a man whe fears naught, and that once upor th-szent of a foe, bloodho ind like he follows— ferret-like he pursues with a vengeance, until the game pauses, baffled, cornered, foiled at every turn, with an eternity at either hand—a yawning gulf over which there is no escap?! “Chapter Fonrth, ie old tramp dies, and dis- closes an Ppa Ne rE secret, and wills his money to this pard of his. with the provision that the young individuil, who. from a fondness of wearing button- hole payout *ts had earned the so -riguet of Rosebud Nob, would agree to certain things which he might nane, * Of course this Rosebud Rob did agree, where- uponends hesinguiny romance. Do you see the po nt, Munro Malycrn?”” ““fsee no p‘int in your nonsensical attempt at story telling, sir.”” “Phen, know you, that I havo struck the scent, and shall hunt you down to the enl of tho trail cf guilt which you are following. Tshall not have the least m*rcy on you, because yo ars n t of those merciful, You murdered my father, Robert Maplo- ton, Senior. I cannot prove it, and accordingly shall not nois® it abroad at present. But, I shall guard you as I woul a nugget of gold—ha! hal yes, and when it comes han‘liest I shall accent the Dig Bullion min? from your hands, while your neck is nt-insids Jidge Lynch's accommodating noose. Ha! ha! hal” An}, as he finished speaking, Rosebud Rob turned part'y toward the door as if to depa t. In an instant, the rizht hand of Murro Malvern flew toward an inside pocket in his coat; but he dropped it, half-reluctantly, to hi3 side, when he saw that the piercing gaz> of Rosebud Rob was upon him, Tho Sport smiled coolly, as he saw the s‘eely glit- iy in tho villain’s eyes change to an cxpression of shame, “Tio! ho! s> you would murder me when my bac is turned? Well! well! we wiil lo k out for you. I will watch vou as tic cat watches the ynouse. To you,I will be omnipresont. I am go- ing now. Munro Malvern, so do not get unduly impatient. But. before I go, ticre is one question I would ask you: If [lot you off and allow you to escape, with the arreoment never to pursue you for your crimes, will you surrender to me the Big ] ullion mina, and point out to me the burial-place of my father?” ‘No! ten thousand times, no/” the miner-million- aire cried. “Lt defy you, Robert Mapleton—I defy you! The Big Bullion mine belongs to me. You cannot prove that your fathor ever owned one p2nny’s interest in it; n rcan you prove that Thad anytting to do with the sudden disappearance of your f vther, over a yeer ago.” “ We will seo!” Rosebud Rob sail, grimly. “‘ Mr. Munro Muilvern. I bid you a pleasan’ goo !-evening— a bear & very pleasint 7od-evenin®.” An, turning suddenly, the Sport was gono, leav- ing his foe glaring after him in a silent paroxysm of rage, . When he could once more find his tongue, a fright- ful volley of oaths escaped him. "Infernal curses overtake that fellow!" he roared, pacing up and down the room. |‘ He is cool, crafty, cunning—all this and more. His little story was meant to intimidate me, He is a ferret—a sleuth, a bloodhound, and I am not so blind as not to see that he will work against me with deadly determination. But I shall return fire for fire; 1 shall discard path aie and, aided by my right bower, the evil, it will be strange if he cannot be put out of the way. Are there any unguarded points? If so, they are not visible to me. “This old tramp he speaks of—who was he? Bah! why make a retrospection? Were you to look back over your career, Munro Malvern, no doubt any number of old skeletons and unearthly visitants would grin at you. Ha! ha! ha! Hal ha! hat” And the heart-hardened man of the world laughed hoarsely, as if there were some huge satisfaction - his words that touched the secret spring of his humor, The city of Deadwood boasts of gambling places in great number—pcrhaps, of more than any place of its size in the world The great mining country, of which Deadwood is literally the venter-p'n, has its great hosts of toilers, and hence the numerous dens where games are run by sharpers whose only business it is to lay for and fl+eca the unwary at every chance. Amonz all its competitors tlhe “ Bucher Deck” has probably achieved the greztest notoriety dur- ing the latter days of Deadwood, for being a den of games and gamesters, These latter sharps, of whom the *‘ Eucher Deck” es ablishment had a host, were generally leagued together, and it was rarely that a “fat customer entered ch? place and came out with a cent in his ockst. It was also a stand at which pickpockets cl] forth; so that, between the two evils, the *' ten- derfoot’’ was doomed to be relieved of his wealth, unless he showed evidence of being an ugly cus- tomer, ard was an cxpert at handlinz one of those deadly instruments known as the revolver—which, by the way, is the best friend a man can have in the mines. The ‘‘Eucher Deck” was oa favorite r-sort of Mr. Ralph Lamont, who, it will be remembered, was proud ia calliny himself the dutifal step-son of the man of millions, Munro Malvern. Every night, and often the whole of the days, foun’l the spendthrift within the gambling estahlish- ment, cither watching the games or takinz n hand, When he was so fortunate as to have extorted a sum of money from his step-father, he played until he had lost every farthing; then he wis a snectator, until he coull obtain another gift, or could induce somebody to lond him a sum. This was seldom. however. There was hardly a man in the place whom he had not borrowed from, but never had he met his obligations. To-uight, again, he was penniless, having lost the last dollar of the money he had taken from Mal- vern’s library, in consideration for services render- ed, as hitherto mentioned. Nota penny had he left. and the game of chance s2emed more alluring than ever, now that he had no roady cash to invest, Indeed, the scene within the “‘ Eucher Deck” was el imposing, even though it wasa place of gam- ing. _It was one vast apartment, with rough walls, and lit by lamp-chandeliers suspended from the cciling, The floor was dotted with tables, with a bar at one end; and gathered in this scene were both malcs and fomales—for the latter take the precedence as gam- blers in Deadwood; the red-shirted miner, jrss out of the mines; the gentleman of leisure, who ten times ont of twelve is a pickpocket; the bullying rough; and all phases of human character peculiar to the Western mines. Among the women whe nightly were the habitueg

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ae Rosebud Rob, of the ‘Bucher Deck,” there were many who were handsome, elegantly dressed, and probably not of shameless repute, except they were drawn to the board by the fascinations and allurements attendant upon high gambling and gs Most. unfortunately for Mr. Ralph Lamont, these fair votaries of the games of chance had had their experience with him, and would no longer notice or play with him, unless they were morally certain he had a fat pocket-book. And, altogether, the dutiful step-son of Munro Malvern was down in luck, to- night, likewise, very much “down in the mouth,” and thirsty at that, “Not a red cent!” he mused, as he dove for the twentieth time into his pockets, to find them empty. ‘ Dash it—the same old, old story—bw’sed. I wonder if the governor hasn’t gotsome more forgery for me to execu'e—some love-letters for me to indite? Not a show for me here, to-night. without wealth—not a single smell. by Jove! ney all know me. That’s the deuce of being notoriously popu ar in the fine art of borrowing and never paying your dues. Con- found it, and how I would like to rub my stomach against a sherry cobbler. See the black-hearted in- grates pour down the sparkling spirit, without ten- dering me the use of their empty glasses to smell of even. That would be more sat sfaction than stand- ing here looking on. Hello! whois this? Perhaps a new one. who does not know me. Jove! and she is e pi gotak as a grizzly cub six months after rtb 1’? Hs gazed, as he uttered these latter words, at a female who had just entered the * Eucher Deck,” and was sauntering toward him—a young woman, evidently not yet out of her teens. and, as he had re- marked, very pretty, in a Spanish Mexican costume, with short skirt, and fancifully-beaded leggings. As she sauntered along, a pair of plereing black eyes swept the scene at a glance. and finally rested upon Lamont, who was the only one, perhaps, in the whole room who noticed her, so devoted were the spectators and players to the games, which were at the hight of their interest. Approaching Lamont, the Pistol Queen, for it was she, smiled sweetly. although there was a burning fire in her eyes which the spendthrift failed to notice. “Do you play cards, senor?” Bel Helene asked, with a glance toward a table which was just being vacated, “ Why !|—well—that is—yes!"" Lamont stammered. as the horrifying thought of bis empty pockets rushed upon him—and here was a chance to spend an hour with one of the prertiest women that had ever graced the ‘‘ Bucher Deck.” *‘ But, you—you receive. my dear lady. 1 am N.G.—D. B BLT. hat is to say, bu'sted, by thunder!” “Hal ha! dead broke. eh? Well, that will make no difference, as long as I am blessed with a plenty. Besides, you may be able to serve me in a way that will repay. Come! before the table is taken, for there are others standing ready.” Highly pleased, the dutiful step-son of Munro Mal- vern followed his strange acquaintance, and soon they were seated at the table, with a bottle of high wine between them, engaged in the popular game of the mines—poker. “Drink and he merry, Mr. Lamont!” the Pistol Queen said, merrily. ‘We will have another game —then.I want you to oblige me with a little informa- tion.” “Ask me any thing inthis wide world, my dear creat»re, and I will answer with the greatest plea- sure!” Lamont assured, graciously, for his spirits were becoming more buoyant the faster he imbibed the bottled spirits. The game was soon played through, and by that time the spendthrift was jus: boozy enough to be communicative. Bel Helene had been watching him narrowly all the while, and an expression of triumph shot into her eyes now, as she saw that her time for playing had arrived, + ‘‘ Listen to me!”’ she said, bending forward toward him, and enchaining his gaze—“‘ listen tome; lam in search of a man; I believe him to be here in Dead- wood. Perhaps you can tellmeof him, Did you, sir, ever hear of a man whose name was Sanderson ~—Garyl Sanderson?” “Phew!” Lamont gasped, leaning back with a drunken chuckle, ‘I guess you’ve pretty near struck ile the first time. my beauty, Garnl Sander- son? Why, that’s the very name my old Unky used to travel under, sure’s I’m a champagne bottle!” © Your Unky !” Bel Helene half whispered, leaning further toward him, her f- atures working with emo- tion, and her hands clinching until the nails cut into the flesh. ‘ You must tell me of him! Who is this man you call *Unky?’”’ ““My dear creature, he is my beloved step-father, from whom I occasionally make a spec, when I am hard-up fer cash.” “ And his name—his name?” “Phew! Must be a stranger here, eh? espewially if you don’t know the cognominious appellative cf my representative—aw—my,business-manager, you see- Munro Malvern, ma’am.” ‘* And this is the man who once traveled through the West under the name of Garyl Sanderson?” the Pistol Queen asked, nervously. “The very same old nabob!’? Lamont assured, emptying the bottle to the last drop. ‘ Ye see, he’s got up in the world some, since then, and assumed is genuine name!”’ *'Then, Malvern is his name, eh?—his real name by birthright?” ‘So far as I know, it is!” “And tis is the man, then, whom I reek—the wretch whose life 1 have hunted so long!” the girl muttered, under her breath. ‘Oh! father, I am elese upon his trail. and you shall be avenged!” Then, aloud, she addressed Lamont once more: “T must get into Munro Malvern’s house—I must, Tsay; nothing but death can stop me. You are toy aE with the place—you must tell me how | can get in “My beloved creature—anything to accommodate you. Bring me arother bottle cf the \lonions spirit with which you have enthused me, and I willsurren- der unto you my night-key, which will admit you into the palatial mansion of my governor!’ Bel Helene did not wait for deliberation — she knew the bargain was to insure the success of her plans. She ordered and paid for the wine; then receiving the keys from Lamont, and leaving him to make a night of it, she hurried out into the gulch. * Now, Munro Malvern—now, Garyl Sanderson, the hour of my vengeance has arrived!” CHAPTER VII. A WARNING—A CKIME—AN ARREST, “GREAT spirit uv old Methus‘ler! they do say thet we aire roin’ ter Lev an actooal resurrection o’ ther days o’ thet cuss, Deadwood Dick. wi’ thes galoot, Nugget Ned, whem ther paper’s blowin’ so much about, fer ther chief center ; ole ter ther pavilion o' vice an’ road-agenty e; Neow, in the legal opinyun uv ther court, of whom J, Colonel William Henry Harrison Stokes. ar’ an ann’inted an’ reverend re- presentative—a beau iful model of the eG collos- sal statue 0’ justice—thes bizness orter be nipped in ther bud. In the revised statuary _o’ ther latest im- proved laws o° ther city o’ Deadwood, it ar’ laid down thet road-agentry consists 0’ a band o’ masked galoots, bizness unknown, who ecavort thru’ ther labyrinthian recesses, an’ crooks an’ crannies uv a mountain deestrict, fer ther purpuss 0’ pillage an’ plunder, an’ ter intimidate widders an’ children an’ scare old maids out o’ ther growth which nature de- mands, wi’ ther advance o’ years, Them’s ther laws; an’ thet ther offense ar’ punishable six feet above terra-firma, wi' a stout Jimb an’a hemp cra- vat fer ther acting judge. Now, then, I say, swing

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16 Rosebud Rob. al up oe new road-agent, as an example ter ther world. ** Who knows fer sart’in, colonel, thet Nugget Ned and his Knights are road-agents?” ventured Balti- more Bess—fur the scene was in the “ Little Brown Jug,” with the usual characters that frequented the place. ‘Et hain’t been proved thet they hev com- mitted any depredations of a lawless turn.” “Ah! Bess, gal, ye don’t understand ther intrica- cies 0’ ther great rejuvenated laws o’ ther United States o’ Ameriky. In ther natteral course 0” hu- man events, et becomes us as a populace ter keep an eye on everybody, and if the breeze wafis one suspicion, ter grab et an’ freeze ter et like grim death ter a nigger. By the sweat o’ yer brow work ther {suspicion inter a tangible shape, until et as- sumes ther dimensions uv a certainty; ef ye lacka few p'ints, add ’em in yerself; superfluous padding is fat fer ther printer, an’ he rejoiceth thereat. Spare no efforts to add to, and, in due time, you will have a case before ye, an’ will hev laid ther founda- tion uv yer success as a star in the firmament 0’ le- gal jurisdiction!” “Yaw! dat ish sol” assented Judge Jacob, with a wise shake of his head. ‘Der colonel ish right, so drue as [ ish der shudge mit der court!” “So you would condemn this Nugget Ned as a road-agent, eh, without a single proof?” Baltimore Bess asked, as she lit a fresh cigarette. * Bess, gal, ye shed not ask ter kno’ ther secrets 0’ ther Blackstone profession. There are various in- tricate complications of the law, which we are, as a firm, compelled ter Jock within our individual bo- soms, and which can only be extracted therefrom by the turning of a moneytary key.” “Wal hal so that is your game, eh? You banter for prices in your profession, you old rascal.” "Exactly, Bess—as I ama beautiful specimen o’ manhood.” “Ha! ha! such a beauty! But, here comes a stran- ger—phew!” All eyes were involuntarily turned upon a man who had just entered through the open door—a straight, wiry figure, of medium hight, clad in the costume of & mountain ranger, while over the upper part of his face he wore a black mask. He stood for a moment and glanced about the room, as if in search of some one; then, turning suddenly, he left the saloon without a word. “°Sh!? Baltimore Bess said, ‘“‘there is the man you would condemn, colonel; that was Nugget Ned!” “Ethereal spirit of old Methus‘ler!” gasped the “beauty of the mines,” in great surprise. ‘War tht the saloot who knows so much and yet says so little? Isthat the road rider, whom it is ther in- tention o’ ther committee on elevation ter hang, at first opportunity?” “The same chap!” affirmed Bess. “her i-dentical galoot!” chimed in Kentucky Jack, from his perch behind the bar. “J pet my life he vas one tough tuyfel ter handle!” from Dutch Jake. “‘Sh!’? Bass said again. ‘Don’t you hear the tramp of horses’ feet, outside? Something is going ter happon. Keep still! I'll plug ther first galoot as motions for a weepon—that’s me, Baltimore Bess. Ah! here comes the Knight, again.” True! Nugget Ned again stepped inside the sa- loon, and glanced around, once more. Seeing no weapons drawn, he a‘lvanced, with a sheet of paper of large size, and with the butt of a revolver, tacked it to the wall. Then, with a low bow, to each of the puzzled spec- tators, he slowly retreated to the do-r, and bowed himself out into the darkness of the night. A moment later, hoof-strokes were heard rapidly receding. “Phew!” Baltimore Bess said, after the strange visitor was gone. ‘He war jest as cool as a frozen cucumber, you bet! An’, lookee thar, pilgrims, at w’at he has tacked to the wall—a notice!” _ * Read it, Bess, gal: grunted the colonel, with a % “ Sumhow, I never ked get thet dratted mess e fixed in my mind so thet I ked read. In beauty, my sire fergot ’ wi’ my accomplish- sigh. of languag: ther early cultyvation o° m: ter add in readin’ an’ spel ments!” “Listen, then!” the girl said, as she gazed at the writing upon the poster. “Here is w’at the galoot sez: “ *Dmapwoop, July —, 187—, “© Ty all whom it may concern; “* Whereas, the authorities of Deadwood and the surrounding districts have branded Nugg.", Ned and his Knights as road-agents, they had besy look out that innocent men are not drawn into a life of out- lawry, which would terminate disastro for those who would be the oppressors. The its aim to harm none but those who shall harm them, but they shouid not be crowded upon! * *Nuager Nuxp,’” Bel Helene, after leaving the saloon where she had so successfully inveigled Ralph Lamont into her p ans, hurried Lee the street, until she came to a place where the buildings were few and scattering. urther on, the mansion of Munro Malvern stood, almost isolated from neighbors, and looking impos- ing compared with the rude shanties which made up the popular mining town or city. ag eee in the ow of an unoccupied building, the Pistol Queen glanced about her to see that she was not observed, after which she narrowly at the mansion of the man she hated with an intense, deadly rancor. “There is no light!” she muttered, cautiously. ‘Perhaps he is not at home; or is he in bed? Ha! ha! it would be a capital place to surprise him. Curse him! how I hate him! How I yearn to do what I swore to doin retaliation! Murder! ugh! I shudder at the sound of the word; yet he did not hesitate to murder the father. or worse than murder the daughter. Why should I hesitate to ree my wrongs? I will not hesitate! My game that I have ae so long shall not now escape me—I swear _ She glided forward, with a strange fury glowin, in her eyes—an expression upon her features tha poo} not good to see upon the face of a woman or girl. That portion of the gulch street was deserted, as the main oo had long since concentrated fur- ther down the gulch, where the stores, saloons and dens were located. She approached the house like one upon some dark mission, glancing eae’ about as if expecting a surprise from some hidden foe. Softly she crept up the steps. and fitted the night- key into the latch. ‘Then she listened! All was silent within. It was near the midnight hour; probably the inmates were asleep. She waited a moment, then unlocked the door and —ame face to face with Munroe Malvern! She started back with a little scream, and her hand flew into the folds of her dress. But the mine-owner was too quick forher. Witha savage oath he cocked a pistol which he held in his hand, and fired full into her breast. She threw up ker arms with a gasp, and would have fallen, but he oo forward—caught her— dragged her out into the street. “My God! another murder upon your soul, Munro Malvern!’ the guilty man gasped, in a horrified whisper, as he saw the blood spurt from the wound, when he dropped the body upon the ground, ‘‘And her, too? Bah! Why shudder? She was coming to murder me, and I simply was lucky’ enough to get my hand in first. She swore she would trail me, and she was true to her promise. Poor girl! She is out of her misery, and IT have one foe less, Hark! I hear a footstep—I must get back into the house and—” ERB AS ae Without completing his sentence the murderer

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Rosebud Rob. dropped the weapon with which he had committed the crime, and slunk back into the mansion, closing the door softly after him. few seconds later a man came striding along, whistling merrily, and he nearly stumbled over the body, which was lying in the center of the road, ‘Hello! the Dickens! here’s somebody down— either dead or dead drunk, A woman, too! Ha! here is blvod ! Sheis dead. Who could have done this job?” q 4 oe Rosebud Rob, ee elgem ) it was ppvero Wo ered, as/ae gazed at the ghastly spectacle lying in the silvery. tlood of mconitight. ae “Hal by Heaven! it is the same young woman that I saw at the Jardin Mabille, whom they called Bel Helene! This is a bit of foul play—and directly in front of the mansion of Munro Malvern! Could he have done it? No! his house is dark Ah! here is a revolver which the assassin has left behind him! Espying the weapon the Sport picked it up out of the dust, and wiping it off, proceeded to examine it in the moonlight which flooded over into the gulch from the mountain-tops, where tall naked pines stood like ghostly witnesses to the crime which had just been committed. Failing to find anything pe- culiar about the weapon, except that it was hand- somely finished, Rosebud Rob once more bent over the murdered girl. “She is quite dead!’ he muttered, awed by the ghastly sicht—‘ deai, never more to return to life!” “And, Sir Murderer, you are my priscner/” cried a voice close at hand, and several hands were laid hesriy upon the Sport. “ What!” he gasped, wheeling out of their grasp with a lightning movement ‘You accuse me of this dastardly crime? Stand back! The man who moves an inch will cause me to do murder in ear- nest! And the Sport’s hands held a dae of cocked re- volvers, which he had drawn and leveled at his ac- cusers, who comprised the sheriff, George Shelby, aud a half-dozen others, who had been attracted the spot by the pistol report. So rapid had been the Sport’s move that he was upon the defensive seemingly in an instant. “Do a deny that you killed this woman?” Shelby demanded, incredulously—for he was a man who believed in giving every dog a chance, before punishing him. ‘‘Do you deny that you fired the rot ga we found you with the revolver in your an “Exactly. Icame along a few seconds after the work had been done, and nearly stumbled over the body. Noticing the revolver lying in the road, I naturally picked it up, just before you came upon me a accuse me of the crime,’’ Rosebud Rob re- plied, ly. “That story, though plausible, will hardly prove satisfactory, sir, and we are in duty bound to arrest you!” Shelby replied, sternly. “*You do so at the peril of your lives then!’ Rose- bud Rob cried, a ai his revolvers leveled upon them. “I did not do the deed; I'll fight before I'll suffer arrest!” “Hal what means this parleving over the arrest of a murderer, Sheriff Shelby?" cried an authorita- tive voice, and Munro Malvern, attired only in his ntaloons and shirt, stepped out of his mansion into he street. “ He isa murderer, and shall be hung for hiscrime. Arrest him, I say, at once!” “ But he denies the crime, sir!” the sheriff replied, scarcely knowing what to do, with the pair of revol- vers in Rosebud Rob’s hands leveled at him. “Denies it?” cried the mine-owner, with a cool, eynical laugh. ‘ Why. I was looking out of the window, and sa him shoot the woman!” “That settles it!” Shelby decided, sternly. “Sir, will Fe surrender or must we fake you?” “T will surrender!” Rosebud Rob said, grimly. “This man, Munro Malvern, is the bitterest enemy I have in the wide world, and he has taken this oppor: i? tunity to strike me this blow. I thank you, Munro Malvern, for manifesting such an interest in my welfare, You laugh now, but he laughs best who laughs last, That will bel, Though you have put a crime upon my shoulders, whith no doubt was committed by yourself, you wiil find me game to the last, Hal ha! Do you tetmember that little story I related to you about the good Samaritan of my younger days? Well, go you into your home, and ponder overit, and turn over in your mind the name of Carrolton—Leslie and Lotta Carrolton, Ha, ha, ha! Mr. Sheriff, Iam yours truly!” And throwing down his revolvers, the Sport allow- ot va officer to handcuff and hurry him away to the jail. While Munro Malvern turned and re-entered the mansion, like one just recovering from a blow. “Ten thousand furies take the a Sport!” he gusped, hurrying to the library, and gulping down a glass of brandy. ‘How much does he know about the Carrolton affair? Has he any proofs, curse him? Ifso, he can put my neck ina noose. I must find out. Ha! the devil! the revolver that bears the name of Munro Malvern, upon the butt, was the one I used, and carelessly hurled Gown, where some passer-by should pick 1t up. Curse me for an idiot! Imust re- gain pcssession of it, or the heir to the Big Bullion mine is a free man, and I am doomed!” lela 8 on his boots and coat, he once more de- scended into the street to search for the weapon. At the time of his entering the mansion, a crowd had been gathering abc ut the body of the Pistol ae out of curiosity, and the report that the andy, Rosebud Rob, had shot her, created no little sensation. “T don’t believe a word of it!” Baltimore Bess said, as she pushed forward, and gazcd at the dead 1, ‘‘an’ hyar’s what don’t keer who knows it. That Sport warn’t one o’ther kind to war ag’in’ wimmin, an’ don’t ye fergit it)’ “t's a dratted shame!" allowed Colone! Bill, limp- ing forward. “I'll sell out ther bull o° my beauty ef Idon't b’lieve thar’s shennanigun here—that’s me, Bill Stokes, attorney and counselor-at-law!” “Pick up ther poor gal an’ fetch her to my cabin!" a miner said. ‘She can’t lay here in the street.” Accordingly the lifeless body was raised and borne down the gulch, followed by the curious crowd. One mau lingered behind the rest, long enough to yea up the hitherto unnoticed revolvers of Rosebud ob, and the one that had been the executioner of Bel Helene. ‘These may te of use!’ he muttered, then he joined the crowd and was lost to view. So that when, a few moments later, Munro Mal- vern descended into the gulch street, he failed to find the tell-tale token of his crime. “Curses on my idiotic head!” he swore, when a careful search revealed not the weapon, ‘‘Some wretch has odes it up and carried it off. Doubt- less some thieving rough whose only idea was in securing the weapon for its value. By Heaven! I hope ‘tis no worse. The net of complications in vil- lainy is drawing around me, I must sit down and reflect!” Returning to his library. he poured out and swal- lowed another brimming fa brandy, after which he threw himself into a chair. “The business demands consideration from all points!” he muttered. ‘Here are two heirs to the Big Bullion mine, whom I ra! regard as strictl dangerous—the girl, Jessie Mapleton, and the Sport, Rosebud Rob. Both are undeniably the children of Robert eres whom I decoyed and—but, never mind what I did with him, The Sport is in prison. for murder. That is good. How easily I put the crime off upon bim! And he must swing if I've mo- ney enough to bribe witnesses, and I think Ihave. For instance, I must post the darky servant, Brass, with what /e is to do. for he has served me many a turn, and T ean trust him!" And acting upon the resolve, he touched a call-

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i 8 Rosebud Rob. bell, and the colored man-servant entered, with a bow, He wasastravping fellow, with a round fat face as black as jet, and eyes, the whites of which were particularly addicted to rolling, But, in his suit of blue. and bass buttons, he made a genteel looking servitor. **You call me, Mr. Malvern?” “Yes, Brass. Come here and sitdown. Havea cigar, and a glass of brandy.” rass, alias Osasar Ulysses Skeyter, made haste to accept. It was_not often he was invited to share such honors, He made a dive at the brandy, first, aad plued the mouth of the bottle to his lips, after which there was a suspicious gurgling. _ ‘ “Hold on, Brass,” the mine-owner said, seizing him by the arm, * Leave a little for Charity!” ‘““Who’s Charity’ Brass demanded, reluctantly setting down the bottle. ‘Fo’ sure, dat’s bad whis- ‘Very bad, Brass! But, sit down. I wanted to speak with you. Did you hear orsee anything of what happened. vo-night?”’ “ Guess’o!”’ was the reply from behind a cloud of cigar smoke. * You saw me shoot the girl?” “Guess so!”’ ‘*And palm off the crime upon the Sport who has been here several times?” “ Guess I did.”’ “Well, that man is my enemy, and must die, He will have a trial, and you must swear that you heard a shriek, and looked out of your window just in time to see the prisoner shoot the girl, Do you hear?” “Guess so!” “ wraas, how much do I pay you for serving me? Twelve dollars a month, is it not?” “Guess dem’s the perzac’ figg-rs, sah!" * Well. now listen. If you will swear as I have directed. I willinerease your pay to twenty-five dol- lars a montb. Do you understand?” * Guess sol” “Very well, Take that bottle of brandy, you ras- cal, and clear out of my sight!”’ With a grin of delight the s rvant obeyed. “Hal ha!” the scheming villain laughed. ‘‘ There is one man T can depend on. That darky is as sharp as a razor, and as tru> as steel to my interests. I'd stake my life on him!” in the lower hall, as he was skurrying along, Brass was suddenly seized by the shoulder and whirle| around to confront a stranger, in whose hand was a cocked revolvar—a man attired in black, with a mask upon his face, and a hat slouched down over his forehead, “ Hist!’ he. cautioned, as the darky suddenly be- gan to quake and tremble; ‘“ not a word, or you're a dead nigger. Listen! There is a devilish plot afoot to destroy Rosebud Rob. I just overheard your Bivens to your master, You must not keen them. 1 cut your black heart out before you shall. You must sivear that you saw Munro Malvern shoot the girl. Here is a purse of mon*y. and remember, if you do not swear for Rosebud Rub, you shall not live a day after you leave the court-room. I swear it, as sure as my name is Nugget Ned!” Then, suddenly throwing a handful of pepper in the astonished negro’s eyes, the Knight of the Gulch softly raised a window in a neighboring room, and dexterously erep pat out into the night. In ten minutes ho was far from the location of the house of Munro Malvern. CHAPTER VIII. ARRESTED—SAELBY GOES BAIL. Hickory Hank, the border ruffian, did not always attend to his business punctually, bnt generally had a drunk of it while his money lasted. when he would “Jay for’ some other job to replenish his wallet. Therefore, he did not attend to the case given into his charge by Munro Malvern, until the morning after the midnight arrest of Rosebud Rob. Pretty Jessi2 Mapleton, the prop ietress of the Acme Laundry—of which she was aiso the acting worker—was just finishing an early ironing, when she heard a hum of voices outside her shanty, and the next minute Sheriff Shelby, followed by Hickory Hank and his gang, burst in‘o the little kitchen, * Hooray !”’ Grim ejaculated, as bis greedy, wolfish eyes res ed upon the startled maiden; ‘ thar’s the ee ee very indeutercal gal we want. Hal a! ha!’ f are to do his bidding, the ruffian’s pals also laugh ‘d. * Hold ont” Shelby said, pushing Grim back. “You let me manage this matter, please. I am the sheriff, not you. Tne young lady cannot be arrested until we prove that she has the money in her posses- sion.”’ “The money !* gasped Jessie, stepping back, her face paling. “‘ What do you mean, sir?” “We mean, my purty, thet we've cum fer the money you stole from Mister Malvern, a few days ago!’ Hickory Hank leered, triumphantly. ‘You needn't putt on any airs, ner play any gum games, fer ‘tain’t no use. fe av’ my pards heer see‘d ye stupefy ther guv’nor with drink, and then steal a package out o’ his pockets. We see’d thet, you bet, an’ we'll sw’ar ter et on a pack o’ Bibles higher then Grizzly Peak—-re will!” “My God! what vile conspiracy is this!’’ the astounded girl gasped, sinking upon a chair, her face now colorless. “Is this the way my foe has taken to strike me?’ “You will excuse me, ma'am.” Shelby said, hurl- ing Grim back again; * but it is a very unpleasant duty which hrings me here, A warrant has been issued by Mr. Munro Malvern, and placed in my hands by Hickory Hank, charging you with theft, and necessitating your arrest if the money can be found.” ‘Oh! sir. this is a vile plot to ruin me!" Jessie cried, bursting int» tears. “I did not steal Mr. Mal- vern’s money; he gave it to me as my—as my share—” * Too thin, me purty!” chuckled Grim, evilly. “‘ Ye ken’t make sassyfras bark go down a’coon’s throat, ner ye ken’t twist out o’ ver crimes nohow nather, Hayr’s myself, Hank Clay Grim, E-s-q., an’ thar'’s my pards, Hayseed Jim, Popular Pere, an’ Holy Mo- ses—the latter bein’ a clercyman but recently re- tired from the pulpit. Now, we are all good law- abiding citizens, you bet yer boots, an’ we do sol- emnly sw’ar an’ asservate thet we did see ye steal a packag® o’ money frum ther pockets o’ Munro Malvern, arter ye hed got him deunk on drugged lemonade or something or other.”’ ‘Liar, base wretch!” Jessie e-ied, indignantly. “You are paid for this work. Go on, Mr. Selby, and do your duty. I have said all that is neces: sary “Yas, go on, sheriff.” Grim urged, with a diabol- ical ler. ‘'S’areb every nook an’ cranny, an’ ef ye don’t find a thousand dollar’s worth o’ creenbacks my name ain’tan honor ter the town o’ Deadwood— that’s all.” Shelby obeyed. It was his duty to believe no one, as an officer. without proof, yet he could not bring himself to believe that this fair, pure girl could be what she was accused of being—a thief. He went carefully over the room, and examined everything that eld contain the alleged stolen money; but he failed to find it, Jessie, unable to utter a word, so overwhelming was her horror. sat_half-crouching upon the chair, and watched him with wilaly-starinz eves. “ Better s’arch the gal,” Hickory Hank suggested with a grin. ‘Ten ter one she’s got the rhino stored away among her clothin’!” “No need o’ tnet,” interposed Holy Moses, rising from a search under the carpet. ‘‘Heer's ther money, now,”’

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-~ Rosebud Rob, id emt A scream—a fall from the chair— Jessie had faint- } * You deserve arrest more than she does, Grim!” Sheriff Shelty said, angrily. ‘Give me the money; then go send mea carriage, You have no further action in this case at preset.” Hickory Hank bowed, and, after Holy Moses had delivered up the package of money, the roughs all bid their departure, Grim promising to send a ve- icle, After they were gone George Shelby set to work, and, in the course of a few moments, had Jessie re- stored to consciousness, “Don’t be alarmed, Miss Mapleton,’ he said, as Jessie opened her eyes with a convulsive shudder. “Grim and bis men have gone, and there is no one to anncy you, unless itis me, and I trust I may ar- range so as not to annoy you,” “'put—oh! sir, they found the money!” “Yes, it was found. Which was bad, under the circumstances, as your prosecutor, Mr. Malvern, isa rich, and, in one sense. an influential man. But, though I am an officer of the law, I believe there is some little villainy here, and 1 promise you that I shall not desert you. I save been sheriff in Dead- wood long enough to learn some points, and you shall] ave the advantage of them, Willyou be kind enough to tell me how you came in possession of this money, which Munro Malvern claims was stolen from him, by you?” ; “Oh! yes, sir, and if 70u only believe me, I shall not feel utter’y friendI*ss!" Jessie cried, eagerly; and then she related ail that is known to the reader coneerning the letter brought to her by Ralph La- mont; the visit of Munro Malvern, and also some items of her previous Jife back to the date when her fat'er had mysteriously disappeared Shelby listened intently, and ocersionally jotted down something in his note-book. He seemed deep- ly interested. “IT have heard you!” he said, when she had com- pleted her narrative, ‘and you can rest nssured I shall take a lively interest in looking into this case. There is some strongly romantic points inthis cose, and ‘also some chances for a villain to put in his schemes!” “*And must you arrest me?” “Yes, that is my duty, as the money was found in your prssessicn, But, a!l that is necessary for you to do, is to come with me to the office of the attorney- judge, who has charge of such cases, and T will pro- cure your bail, so that you are free until you are summoned to appear on trial.” E “Oh! sir, you will do this, and save me the dis- grace of imprisonment?” certain ly, dear lacy, and as much more for you as I can.” “Oh! thank you! thank you! Your kindness I shall never forget!” “Never mind that, ma’am. As my time is not my own. if you will oblige me by coming with me—” “Oh! yes. Iwill get my hat, and be ready in a moment, With such a protector as you, sir, I shall not fear to face my enemy!” ; fone rising, she hastened to attire herself for the street. George Shelby watched her narrowly as her back was turned. “Tnever knew there were women in this rough city who possessed so many personal attractions: he muttered, an admiring light in his eyes. “She is graceful, pretty, intel igent—three indispensable qualities in a woman. Moreover. she is a victim of a conspiracy, itis evident. which makes her ad- citionally interesting. And if I don’t do her jus- tice, if there is such a word as justice, may T be lynehed for a horse-thief! Malvern, millionaire, or no pat them are my sentiments! Ah! ready, ma’am “Quite ready. sir,” Jessie replied, tying on a co- quettish straw hat, “ And I think I have mustered up enough courage even to face Munro Malvern!” “The meeting with him need not necessarily de- mand any great courage, as I shotld advise you not toaddress him at all,” Shelby replied, as they left the cabin, entered the carriage, and proceeded up the thronged main street The seat of justice in Deadweod was then (and undoubtedly is, yet)in a large room of a building near the center of the town, the upper story of which building was used as cffices of so styled law- yers who had flocked into the mines, But as it happened, the firm of Stokes and Schriner was the most ,-opular, inasmuch as the latrer had bee elected judge of such courts as were inaugu- rated in the mining city, f A crowd of curious individuals were banging about the doors, as Shelby and Jessie entered the court- room. Inside, as the poor girl had anticipated, were gathered Hickory Hank, his pals, and Munro Mal- vern, A triumphant. expression was upon the mine- owner’s face, ashe saw the girl who had refused to recognize his greatnevc, called up on a charge of theit. But it cut him, when he could not even catch a glance of her eye. Judge Jacob occupied a seat behind a high pulpit- Jike contrivance, over which just his hcad could be seen, Colonel Bill Stokes sat close at hand, his bald pate shining like afull moon. Adolphus Cole. recording clerk, « genmien another conspicuous position. Sev- eral other legal aspirants were gethered around. “ Hello! vat heft you got dere. sheriff?" the judge demanded, bouncing to his feet, on Shelby’s en- trance. — “A young Jady, your Honor!’ Shelby responded, leading Jessie forward. “Von young lady, clerk; register her!” command- ed the judze, * Sheriff, vatish der charges mit dis young vim- mens?” “She is charged with theft. your Honor!” “Clerk, wride ‘im down. Sheriff, vat did der young yoomans steal?” “She is charged with stealing a package of money amounting to one thousand dollars.” “Clerk, wride ‘im down. Sheriff, who from did dish girl sdole der money?” “from me! said Munro Malvern, stepping for- ward. “ You lie!” Jessie cried, indignantly—‘t you lie, you sch: ming villain!” “Clerk, put dot down. Sheriff der trial is post- oned until der-morrow at swi' o'clock In der mean dime, der young vimmens ish committed mit der shail in default of—” ‘Hold! the young lady shall not go to jail, for I will go her bail inany sum the court mays e fit to name!’ cried Sheriff Shelby, stey ping forward. “ Curse you, man! what do you mean?” the mine- owner hiss: dinavrage. ‘“ The girl shall go to—” “Der court accepts von t’ousand dollers pail.” yelled Schriner from bis judicial pulpit. “ Der girl ish free; Cer court ish dismissed ten minutes fer re- freshments!”” Shelby turned upon the mine-owner fiercely. ‘You will find that Miss Mapleton has a friend in me, Mr. Munro Malvern!” he said. “Though you are a man of millions, I do not fear you. Ob, no!” ‘Mr. Sheriff, youst arrest that men for contempt mit der court. by swearin’. I fine bim five tollars.” ‘* Keep off!” Malvern gritted, as the sheriff moved toward him. *‘ Here,” and he threw a helf-eagle upon the floor. ‘1 could buy off.a hundrr+d such courts!” and with anugly laugh he wheeled and left the court-reom. “Shimminy Shackson! vot a vool I vas not ter say ten collars!” grunted the judge, as he descended to the floor to secure the gold piece. “Shentlemen, all. I pid you adieu, I have to go see & man up der street,”

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ae 86 Shelby turned to Jessie with a smile, “Your prosecutor Reina left us in a savage mood, Miss Mapleton, Shall I see you home?” “As you please, Mr; Shelby; I ami not afraid to gd alone,’ “Then, I must beg tu excuse myself on the plea of business, I will secure you ‘goad counsel, and call for you at two to-morrow,” Jessie bowed, and then left the place to seek her own shanty honie, After she had gone, Shelby turned to Colonel a Stokes, who had all this while been a silent spec- tator. “ Well, colonel, you have heard the case. Money was found in the young lady’s place of residence, which Munro Malvern is ‘ready to swear was stolen from him; and also proposes to put up Saeed Hank and gang as witnesses, What do you thin about it?” “T think it’s a gum-game—sure’s my name is Bill Stokes!” the colonel replied, slapping his knee, en- thusiastically. “The gal’s no more a thief than you orl. I uster know old Bobby Mapleton, an’ he warn't ther daddy o'no light-fingers, you bet!’ * What did you know about the affairs of Mr, Ma- pleton previous to his disappearance?” “Very little, sir, because, ye see, I warn’t in town much, them days. I know thet he war in part- nership in a small pav-claim, wi’ this Mal- vern. He also owned a parcel o’ land, whar ther Big Bullion mine ar’ located. It war considered worthless, then, an’ it seems that Malvern claims to have bought it of Mapleton for a song.” ‘Ah! ten chances to one that Malvern’s claim is fraudulent, Who owned the parcel of ground, pre- vious to this man, Mapleton?” *“A galoot who lives up at Duck-Tail gulch. His name is Hartley!” * Did Mapleton have any particular friend, in whom he reposed confidence?” “None thet I know on. He warn’t much o’ a galoot fer social sprees, an’ didn’t have many inti- mates, He seemed sorter sober, like as if he war allus cogitatin’ over sum deep sorrer.” “Td give a good deal to find out who knows whe: ther or not Munro Malvern is the rightful owner of the Big Bullion mine!”’ Shelby said, as he turned to go. “By the way, will you defend the girl’s case, eolonel? I'll foot the bill, and if you free her Vil make it well worth your while.” “Then, ye ken count on me, sheriff—great speerit uv old Methus'ler, yes. Ef thar’s enuff p’ints in ther hull legal judasprudence, thet ar’ gal shell be clear- ed, I sw’ar ter et, as sure as lam the acknowledged beauty o’ ther mines, an’ hev a gold medal fer ther same.” Shelby bowed and left the seat of justice in deep thought. “T take an interest inthis young woman’s welfare; I shall work for her. My first move will be to visit this man Hartley, of Duck-Tail gulch,” he said, The Deadwood jail, known as the “ castle,” was built of stone, ana was as creditable an affair in ap- pearance as any within the magic a. There were several cells on each side of a corridor, on the bl a floor, the ground apartments being de- voted to the uses of a grocery store, The entrance to the cells was by a stone staircase, and up these steps Rosebud Rob had been led to his confinement. The number of his cell was ‘‘4”’ and here he had been confined ever since his arrest, only being visit- ed twice a day by an ignorant-looking janitor, who fetched bis food. But this individual could not be induced to talk, and all that was left for the incarcerated Sport was to talk to himself, at times. It was now the night following the scene in the court-room, and the prisoner sat upon a poorly con- structed stool, gazing moodily at his surroundings, Rosebud Rob, “T wonder how long T am to remain in this ¢oti- founded hole iii he muttered; as be bowed his head upon his haids, ‘* I’ve beefi dete lotig enough to suit my fastidious tastes,I flatter myself. And still no show of reléase, Ah! and this is the very hour when I should be free, to fight peAings my ene- my. But, he ae played a powérful card against me. and one which bids fair to result in my ulti- mate suspension above terra jirma. Still; I would laugh at this demon, and deny his power, if I could only be free. I’d show him that I did not lie, when I told him I was a man to suit all circumstances, Ha! a noise in the hall, outside! What does it mean?” “Hist!” exclaimed a low voice. “Do not raise a Pee but keep mum. I am here for your inter- est.’ Then there was a fumbling of metal against iron, as if a key were being tried to a lock, Rosebud Rob listened a moment, then arose cau- tiously to bis feet, and crept toward the door of his cell, his black eyes piercing the gloom. But, all he wus able to discover was a man working at the lock, outside—a man as black as the night itself, with a mask to conceal! the features. ** Who in the deuce are you?” the Sport demand- ed, curiously, for he resolved to know, before allow- ing the entrance of one who might] prove a deadly tool of Munro Malvern. “Sh! don’t make a noise, Tamone who has come to release ae if we can strike a bargain, I am Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Gulch.” Rosebud Rob gave vent to a low whistle of sur- Hea He had heard much of the Gulch Knight and is night-pajrol—had heard them branded as road- agents, and had heard them vindicated by old min- ers who did not believe in the stories that were float- ing about. ugget Ned was not long in picking the lock, after Leh he opened the door to the cell and stepped in- side. Pod Sport and the Knight stood confronting each o er. “'Sh!” Nugget Ned said, calmly. ‘Be seated, pray. I wish to speak a few words with you.” Rosebud Rob obeyed quietly. He was determined to hear the fellow through, at all hazards, “Thave a bull’s-eye lantern here, but I dare not deal with light in these close quarters,” the Knight continued. ‘ Besides, darkness will answer tha - same purpose. You are Rosebud Rob, are you not?” “Exactly.” i! ah good. As I stated before, I am Nugget Ned, You have heard of me, no doubt?” “T have, on several occasions.” “Those who spoke of me, endowed me with en- dearing epithets, no doubt—eh?”” d “You have been widely spoken of as a road-agent, sir. “Hal ha! they still persist in calling me that. Well, I can scarcely blame them, since they have had a siege of road-agency during the past years, But Iam no road-agent, sir, noramIarobber. For what 7 came into this country no one knows except myself and H+ who knows everything. I brought with me a band of men who were eager to enter into the life of a miner. We had not been two weeks in the hills, when we made a discovery that we all took an oath not to reveal to the world fora stipulated time. The discovery necessitated our riding through the mountains at nocturnal hours, There was a traitor in our midst, and he was the first to circulate the infamous report that we were a band of road- agents. The report has gained such credence that it would be useless for us to think to vindicate our- selves, There i3 a spirit working against Sag ee in particular—backed by more money than I can muster, This spirit is invested in the flesh of a man —or a human demon who calls himself a man—and he is equally your enemy and mine, for I spealz of Munro Malvern, the mine-owner !”” “Ha! then lam not alone in my hatred for that

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Rosebud Rob. 4 ie devil !” Rosebud Rob exclaimed, fiercely... ‘‘ Go on, sir. **No, you are not the only one who hates Munro Malvern. Perhaps J have the best cause to hate him of all his foes, But the whys and wherefores matter little to you. It is enough that he is working dead siebe, you. And he is also working against your sister!’ “ My sister!” Rosebud Rob gasped, leaping to his feet. ‘My sister!” iy “Ay! your sister. Were you not aware that you had such a relative, young man?” * Alas! no, Iheard that my little sister Jessie died shortly after I fled from my boyhood home.” “Then you heard wrong. Robert Mapleton brought his daughter with him to the mines, and she is living here in Deadwood since his disappearance a year ago.’” “By Heaven! Can this be true? Are you trifling with me, sir, to give me misery?” ‘*On the contrary, no. Miss Jessie Mapleton is alive, well, and, J may add, the prettiest young lady in the mines.” “And you say that Munro Malvern is working against her?” “With all his power. He has had her arrested for theft, but luckily she got bail; I cannot say as yet how the trial will end.” “And why do you come here to tell me this?” Rosebud Rob demanded, as he arose and paced to pies fro, with clinched hands, ‘‘I cannot see your object. “Tt can easily be explained,’ Nugget Ned re- sponded. “I have taken a sudden fancy to your sister. I believe her to be good and true, and just such a woman as would suit me for a wife, If I will release you, and work for you to clear you and ber and establish you as the rightful heirs to the Big Bullion mine, will you give me your sister’s hand in marriage, if I first gain he. willing consent to a union with myself?” “Vo! ten thousand times, no!’’ Rosebud Rob cried, fiercely. “I will not sacrifice a helpless woman even to save myself from the hangman’s noose. Go! Sir Road-agent! Our interview is at an end!” Nugget Ned bowed, and without a word left the jail, locking the door behind him, CHAPTER IX. NUGGET NED ABROAD. Tuat honorable member of the Deadwood Bar, Colonel Bill Stokes—the bald-headed beauty of the minues—was on this same night returning from the upper pone of the city, at the midnight hour, where he had been paying his respects to a certain claim-owning ‘“ widder,’’ on whom the gentleman of legal technicalities had cast a matrimonial eye. For the colonel had a particular passion for ‘‘ widders with a surplus of cash, and as the one in question was never dead-broke, and was of a gossiping, con- ee Rerarn the colonel often dropped in to spend an evening. And it came to pass that in many instances, when the veteran dispenser of Black Hills jurisprudence wended his way homeward, during the wee sma’ hours, he was in a state of happiness that finds ex- pression in bacchanalian song, and while his houghts wandered aimlessly in the path of melody, his feet and legs were also in the habit of wandering out of a bee-line. 4 As me on ight, sa penis was ‘* pee to over- owing song and melody, as he zig-zagged along through a portion of the gulch that was not rticularly inviting to the ordinary pedestrian after ark, The trail was bordered on either side by frowning Gpeparzale. back of which piled up nearly perpen- dicul the jagged mountains, on whose ‘wing top- most ridges stood ghostly sentinel pines, which cast their naked shadows far down into the moonlit gulch, This locality, being beyond where there were many dwellings or other bitations, had witnessed many —— ee, + o- crimes, and was regarded as an outlaw am- ush, But to-night it had no terrors to Colonel Bill, He was a supremely happy being. Every thing around him seemed to be inoculated with the glorious speil which the ** widder” had cast around him, Even the fat, grinning countenance of the moon, it seem- - to the “Jegal limb,” was pregnant with jollifica- ion. And he sung and he sung, until the whole gulch was re at him in detonating echoes. (Hic!) ther ole gal she sot ’em up scrumpshest —(hie!) bet yer boots!” the colonel volunteered, as he paused to gaze up atthe moon, ‘ didn't she, (hic!) old fellow? A fine (bic!) ole gal ar’ thet same w-wid- der, an’ (hic!) I feel like a corn-fed turk-(hic!)-ey, an’ don’ ye (hic!) ferget st, (hic!) I say, (hic!) old fel- ler w’at’s your (hic!) opinyun o’ (bic!, rats? Hey? W-why don’t ye speak. piel) ter yer (hic!) unkle? Beneamto me, thie !) ole fe ler, you-ser leetle (hic!) off color!’ And the colonel shook his fist at the moon, with a sly wink. “ (Hic!) Ye ken’t shet m-my eye up, ye old Dutch aloot (hic!) fer I know ye, bet yer (hic!) boots. Thar! thar! (hic) don’ stand up thar a-grinnin’ (hic). but come erlong wi’ me, an’ (bic) assist me ter shed a widder’s tear!” “Shut up, you drunken fool! Do you see this?" and, as a masked man suddenly stepped in front. of the colonel, the muzzle of a large revolver was thrust under his nose. But, alas! the good member of the bar had not the power of comprehending very difficult thin; and mistaking the glistening deadly tube for the nozzle of one of those glass receptacles from which the innocent toper derives his moisture, a grin of gratitude shot athwart his grotesque features, and with a gracious “ thankee,” he ges ep his lips over ae end of the tube with a smack of hugest satisfac- tion, But he drew back the next moment, suspiciously. and first eyed the tube, and then the masked man who was holding it in a firm Lb “Gone dry, eh?” he queried, with a tipsy leer. “ Waal, thet is all right!’ And he would have once more turned his attention toward the silvery moon, only that the mask Knight seized him rudely by the shoulder and gave him an unceremonious shaking. **See here, you drunken lout, wake up, or I'll put a bullet through you in quicker time than a cat can sneeze!’’ the stranger said, and after a series of vio- lent efforts, he succeeded in partially bringing the “beauty of the mines "’ to his senses. “W-what the devil (hic)’s the matter wi’ you?” the colonel gasped. ‘I n't got a red cent, ef that’s w’at ye’re arfter, ye galoot!” for he ee supposed his assailant to be a road-agent, from hi being masked. “I don’t want your money, ye old fool!” the Knight said, sternly. “I want your blood—your life, unless you promise me what I demand!” And straight on a level with the colonel’s heart came the revolver. “T promise!” that frightened individual gasped. “T promise, ef ye won’t salivate me, pilgrim.” “Very well. What I want is this: There is a as in the Deadwocd jail, accused of murder. you hear me speaking to you?” Ye-s!’ Stokes gasped, watching the revolver, suspiciously, and occasionally glancing up at the moon, to assure himself that he was not dream- ing. f Well, this man. Rosebud Rob, is innocent, and must not be lynehed, or convicted, even. You must act as his attorney and counsel, and "ge must so twist your tongue into the intricacies of the law as will result in freeing him, Do you hear, sir?” ig You bet yer (hic) boots. Come, let's g-go take a smile. "No! hold on! Remember you are to free thig ia ee ey

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22 . Rosebud Rob. man, with such proof as I shall be able to furnish | And now that the darkness was banished it was ou. If you fail, I'll fill your carcass so full of bul- | easy to seethat the nocturnal prowler was the mask- ets that you'll answer fir a first-class sodering- block. Here, lest you = forget my name—Nugget Ned, the Knight of the Guich—I’ll slip a a card in your pocket!” Whica the road-agent cleverly did, after which he darted down the gulch. And fastening his eyes upon the moon, which he still firmly believed to be the Dutch Judge, Colonel Stokes zig zazged slowly on toward Deadwood, occa- sionally bursting out into hilarious snatches of song as: “We sha’n’t go home till mornin’, We sha’n’t go home till mornin’,” etc., etc. The body of Bel H=len>, the Pistol Queen, had been taken to the shanty home of one Miles, and as- signed a room not occupied by the family, where it was to remiin until the trial of the accused murder- er, Rosebud Rob. On this s1m2 night, a couple of hours after Nugget Ned’s meetin with Colonel Bill, a dark shadow was hovering in the gulch near Miles’s cabin. Now and then you could see the reflection of a man’s fizure in the sp2ctral moonlight which stream- ed over the mountain crests; then. for a few mo- ments everything resume its customary aspect. The town was more quiet than at any time during the twenty-four hours, very few being abroad except in the business part of t :e main street. Oseasionally a gang of drunken miners would pass out of the town toward their respective claims, mak- ing the night hideous with their boisterous songs _ shouts. But they soon were out of sight and earing. Hu! ow the shadow emerges from a growth of pines, and ass1mes a more tanzible shap2—the figure of aman. Stealing, after a sharp glance around bim, across a space of moonlight, he fina'ly gvinel the dark shailow lying before Milo’s shanty. Here hs paused again and listensd, while nis sharp eyes, which were visibls through a mask, swept ths surroun dines. Noting this tha prowler give a satisfied sigh, and stole toward a window which he had previously as- certained op2ned into the room where the body of the daad girl had b3en plicad. “Tey are ali asleeo insile. and now is my time.” he miittered. “*{ must get into the room where the corpse is, and seireh for some proofs that will add to that which Ialraady have. It [ cannot get further proof, it may zo hardwith the Sport. T must work for him, or mv hopas in the direction of Jessie Ma- platon can never b » realize 1.” Listening onc3 mora to assure himself that there were no other prowlers around than bimself, he carefully tried to raiss the sash communicating with the dea l-ro>m. Ab! it yielded, and ho raised it slowly until it cauzht and fastened with a spring. This much of the jon was accomplished at least. His next move was to rais3 himself upon tip-toes, and peer into the apartmant. It was wrapped in deep gloom; h3 could distinzuis no single object. A strange, sickening smell, pecnliar to a room in which the dead are kept, blew out into the prowler’s face. “Uzh! that appstizes of the unearthly,” he mut- tered, with a shiver; ‘‘ but I must not hesitate in this way. I must getin there, and search the clothing worn by the girl at the time of her death. If there is any guilt to bo attached to Munro Malvern, curse hin! perhaps this search will reveal ths clew.” Hesitating no longer he carefully pulled himself upon the window-ledge, and in a moment was inside the room, Befora venturing in search of the body, he lowered the window and also a curtain, He next produced a dark lantern, from which he shot the slide, and a bolt of light sprung outwith brilliant distinctness, ed Knizht, Nugget Ned. Flashing the light about the room, he perceived the corpse lying upon a blanket on the floor, still robed in the costume worn at the time of the shoot- ing. A pool of blood had coagulated upon the floor, making a ghastly spot, * Puor girl!” the Knight muttered, as he advanced toward the body, ‘‘what a pity she had to be cut down so young. Bel Helene they called her—I won- der what her real name was?’ He paused above the pelea and gazed Beae the cold, rigid features with a shiver. A purple hue was upon the face, the jaws had fallen apart, and the eyes were wide open, with a giaery stare. Setting the lantern upon the floor, Nugget Ned knelt beside the corpse and proceeded to make a hasty search of the clothing. It was a ghastly job at the best. and ke was in no mood to lioger long in company with a dead body. Each pocket he examined hastily; then, a thought striking him, he felt in the bosom of the dress. An exclamation burst from his lips; a newly-writ- ten sheet of paper rewarded his search. Hustily holding it before the light, he read the contents, a deadly glitter gradually stealing into his eves. It seemed to be part of an unfinished letter in pencil writing, and vead: ‘Deapwoop, July—, 187—. “T have found the man I am searching for—the man who ruined me and murdered my father, Iam not positive—I saw bim to-day, and am almost sure ‘tig he. They call him Munro Malvern, and he is rich. Iwill find out, and if it is Garyl Sanderson, my knife shall drink his heart’s blood, for he would murder me if he should find thatIam here. I will go now and test the matter.” This was all. but it was enough to cause a chuckle from Nugget Ned. “Tha verv proof that I wanted!” he muttered— “the very proof which must be the means of hang- ing Munro M lvern where be would have Rosebud Rob hang. Ha! ha! surely but slowly are the tables turning vpon this man, wh se whole life has been ons trail of guilt. The devil has prospered him hore- tofore, but now—now the old fellow has turned tail and has left his victim in the lurches! Ha! ha!” Storing the paperin his pocket, the masked knight prepar-d to leave the dead-room. Casting a parting glence at the corpse, and th-n stealing cautiously toward the window, he shot the slids back over the lantern, and all was dark. He was about to roll up the curtain preparatory to rais- ing the window, when he heard a noise that caused him suddeniy to become motionless and silent. There was a sound against the window pane, as if some p2rson were searching for some place to get a hold whereby to raise the sish. ‘Ha! there is some ene trying to g1in entrance to the room, like myself!’ Nugget Ned muttered under his breath, ¥ ** Who is it, and what object have they in coming here? Ah! perbapsit is Munro Malvern, coming to remove anything from the body that might throw wit cee upon him. I will get back in the shadow, and see!’ With the stealth of a cat he stole away from the neizhborhood of the window. and secreted himself as well as possible behind a bundle of skins which lay in one corner. _ The faint noise at the window continued for some time; th«n the sash was cautiously raised, and afew moments later a man drew himself up and dropped into the room, ‘Ah, 'tis darker than the shades of Hades!” he muttered, ina hoarse tone, ‘I should have brought a lantern, for 'tis acoursed okish business, this searching dead bodies after dark. Y will search the body, and hasten to leave the place, all the same.” ” * Hold} Munro Malyern—you need not go to that

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Rosebud Rob. trouble,” hissed a low, stern voice; then there sud- denly shot a bolt of light upon the figure of the mine-owner, and a revolver muzzle was thrust for- ward directly into his face. “i ist! not a word aloud, or I'll blow your brains out.” The millionaire reeled back, with an oath, fraught with terror. *“Who are pac he gasped. “One who has sworn to hound you down to the death, Munro Malvern, demon that you are!” the Knight of the Gulch pe ain in a fierce whisper. “Start not, curse you! You know me now, for this is not the first time we have met. You know me as Nugget Ned. Not until you stand upon the scaffold for your crimes shall you know the real name of the sleuth who has dogged you for over a year. as per- sistently as has your half-brother, the devil ” “What do you want?” Malvern gasped. hoarsely. “ What are youin this room for? I will raise an alarm—” “Dare to do it,and I'll blow your brains out, as sure as] am accused of being a road-agent!” Nugget Ned said, viciously. ‘Go, now, and don’t attempt any more of this afterdark villainy, as you will surely be found out. Go! I say, and my revolver wi'l attend your exit!” With another bitt+r curse the baffled man turned, See out of the window, with the Knight at his eels. “You shall pay dearly for this!" }e hissed, shak- ing his clinched fist savagely at this man, who had been a bloodhound upon his trail. “YT fear you not,” Nugget Ned replied, calmly. “You are a villain, but a coward, witha), and I re- gard an in the same light I would a snarling coyote, Andit isonly a matter of a few hours before I shall take my long contemplated revenge upon you. I shall not commit violence upon your person, nor shall I Lire ruffians to kill you—oh! ro! Ishball sta you so deep with the hand of the law, that you wil gladly seek the lyncher’s noose to rid yourself of your nccursed life!’ “Ha! curse you—curse you!" the scheming mil- Yionaire rasped, crcuching as if he would xpring upon his foe—“ I defy you. But, by the fiends, you shall tell me who youare, r-¢cr that mask, that you sheuld bear me enmity. You shall teil me, I say, curse you!’ and in h's rage he sprung toward the Knizht of the Gulch, his eyes glaring like those of come.infuriated wild beast, and his fingers working convulsively. F But.the leveled revolver in the hands of Nugget T have done ro one wrong that they shovld Lead for vengeance!” the millionaire replied, sa7- agelv. “Your memory must be at. fault. then!" Nugget Ned sneered, “But go! Iwill cover you with my revolver, aslongas rou areinsight andrange. Go, Isay, without another word.” Malvern obeved. He foresaw that it ecnld do him no good to resist, when the implacable Knight had the drop upon him. He accordingly turned with a growl, and strode away down the street. Nugget Ned watched him until he had disanreared from view, then he tooleft the vicinity. and the night crept on foward the break of another day. Munro Malvern returned to his own mansion, in a ate of almost savae ferocity. Unexpectedly end to his satisfaction. he found the ruffian. Hickory Hank, making free over wine and cigars, in his library. “Ah! so you are here, eh?” he demanded. “ You you know the fellow they call Nugget Ned—the one who bas been eccused of road-robbing?” “Do IT know ’im?” Grim iuterrogated. ‘* Wal, no; Tshed say not. Jl allow thar hain’t menny es hes ther honor 0’ his acquaintance.” “Well, | want him ieee You understand; he must not even stir—the bullet must be planted in a sure spot.” “Humph! is the galoot another ‘un after the pat- tern of thet Sport ye sicked me at?” * About ther same caliber; if anything. a little cooler, and harder to take,” the plotter replied. “Then, ye ken let ther job out ter sum one else. I ain't got a purtic lar weakness for snaggin’ myself ag’in’ corrugated voleaners—nary atime!” “*Pshaw! You are a fool, Grim. jt will be easy enough to drop this customer, by hiding in the bushes and laying for him, whi n he’s about, which is generally efter dark One well-directed bullet is all thet is required 10 do the job.” “How much rhino is thar back o’ ther job?" “Oh! as for that—here,” and the arch-plotter threw down a small roll of bills upon the table. “There are a bundred dollars, with a promise of more when you bring m2 a piece of his ear to assure me that you have executed your work,” Grim arese with a chuckle. “Bf I don’t drap ther galoot 'twixt now an’ ter- morrow this time, ye ken count me A, M. S.—a mis- erable shyster. You bet yer boots ther galoot’s a ead ‘un in less’n no time.” CHAPTER X. BESS SHOWS HER HAND. Arter Grim had gone the millionaire threw him- self upon a couch and tried to snatch a few hours of sleep; but it was impossible. His puilty’ conscience woiked against bis desire and though he closed his eyes, no slumber visited bim; he was conscious of everything. Memories, and evdently unpleasert ones, come surging buck upon him, untilat Jast, just at Bap demnipe leaped to his feet in a state Loi de1irg upon desperation, “Curse it! I am all unstrung!” he muttered. re- sorting to the brandy-bottle for solace. ‘ I never yassed such an eccursedly wretched night. All the scenes of my life since I was a Loy passed ir re- view before my mind’s eye. A dozen devils, becked by grinning skeletons of the pest, seemed staring at me from every corner of the room, Jam as nerveus as acat. Ifeellike one haunted. Thedevil has de- serted me, and left me to shift for ryself. My ene- mies are multiplying and crowding upon me. Ah! but they shall not win—ch! ro, they cba] not win, if there is money encugh tolbangthem. Ha! is that vou. Frass? What cells ycu out cf your bed so early?” ‘Pardon, mass'r tut a gen’man left a letter fror vou, an’ sez as how | was to give you his respects!” Brass replied, hancing a large sealed envelope to the mine-owner. and then retiring, “Who can this te fircm?’ Malvern muttered, turning to a wirdow. ‘None «f my Lusiness ac- quointanees write in so graceful a hand!” He tore it epen. half-suepiciousiy. As he pulled out a sheet of peper a photogrerh in cabinet size fell 1o the ficor. With an ejaculation of surprise, he stooped end picked it up. A glance at the picture—then. he staggered back with a frightful oath which ended in a horrified shriek cf terror, and the photograph fluttered to the floor, He gasp- ed. and staggered to a seat. his eyes fixed glaringly unon the object on the carpet. “Ah! what blow is this? My brain is afire! my senses must ke wander- ing, No! ten thousand curses—I saw it—tbat scene which bas haunted the dreams of my life—saw it photorraphed upon that card! Ah! a-a-ah! curse me! Why am Iso cowardly? “Tis orly a picture— ah! ava-ah— ” The man was in a frightful state. He arpeared like a rnadmap, so fiendish was the expression cf hig are just the man I want for some dirty work, Do | features and eyes, as, crouching upon his }inds and

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24 knees, he crept slowly toward the picture, as if he were afraid to touch it, lest is should dissolve into som ‘thing that would annihilate him. Every nerve in his frame seemed strung at the tightest tension—he was in a spell of terror border- ing on actual frenzy. Now! he reaches the picture, and with a low gasp- ing growl, not unlike some mad beast, he gazes down at the scene which is photographed upon the card. ‘Tis not a scene calculated to inspire any man with pleasant emotions, much less to the crime- haunted mine-owner, around whom the meshes of the retributive net are gradually gathering; nor isit a scene that often occurs on ordinary photographs. Itis of a room, in the center of which a coffin is laced uoon the support of a pair of trestles. The id is removed, and, wrapped in a shro_ 4d, there lies within the coffin the form and deathly face of a wo- man. 2 Beside the coffin is another figure—that of a boy, not yet in his teens. He kneels, with hands clasped and eyes upraised toward heaven, as if taking an oath. The features of both the boy and the corpse are distinct and recognizable to one wao had seen the originals in life. Munro Malvern h1d@ seen them, and recognized the dead face now, with a horrified oath. “Tam not mistaken!” he gasped, clutching the curd between his hands. “lam not mistaken, curs- es upon her! It is she! and the brat! Ah! the devil —what thought is this wmch strikes m>? Can it be —can it be fe, this sleuth who has dogged me so faithfully? By H-aven! it is too horrible for cre- dence! Bunt, even though such is the case, they shall not foil me—oh! no! they shall not foil me. The Big Bullion mine is yet in my power, and—ah! there somewhere is that which Robert Mapleton left, that should it come to light would dethrone me. But it is buried where no one could find it, or else it would have been used against me longere this. Yes, Mun- ro Malvern, you have every chance of winning this little game yet, with your backing of gold!” Persimmon Bill, the scout, whom we have casually mentioned in previous chapters, was @ man wit! whom few in the city of Deadwood cared to meddle. He was stern and reticent, and was unpopular among the majority. He put in a share of his time in the mines, where he owned a small pan-claim; or, when an opportuni- ty offered, went as a guide with some exploring ex- peditin or emigrant caravan. Among those whom he counted his friends was the eccentric dare-devil, Baltimore Bess. They had met many times, and became as brother and sister to each other. Yet the seout had watched the girl with more than ordinary interest, for she was after his own liking in her dashing, vivacious, dauntless character. Indeed, Bess had no lack of admirers among the **oll residents” of the thriving city. All had learn- ed that it was best to respect her, rather than to tender disrespect; for she had set an example suf- ficient of its kind by knocking down a couple of roughs who had insulted her on her first appearance among ther, in the free and easy character which she sustained. No one dared to even think of or talk of her as they had of her predecessor, Calamity Jane. She was of the same general type of character, but was invested with a something which made an impure idea of her seem ridiculous. As we have said, Persimmon Bill had watched her observantly, only to learn that she was “all on the uare.” He was not doing this for motives of ma- trimonial inclination as may be supposed, but for reasons which he made known to her this same day, which was to be the trial day both of Jessie Maple- ton for theft, and Rosebnd Rob for murder, He had seen the dare-devil enter the ‘‘ Little Brown Jug,” and he followed her there, to find her engaged | Rosebud Rob. in conversation with Kentucky Jake, the red-nosed proprietor. But she turned with a pleasant smile as she saw the scout. “Ts et you, Persimmon? What's gone wrong with your traps, old fellow!” ‘Nothing, Baltimore, only I came to have a little talk with you—something a little private, you see,” = scout replied, taking a retired seat by a deal ble. “A private talk with me?” the girl cried, birstin intoa merry laugh. ‘Ha! ha! ha! a private bit o conversation with me. Eh, Kentuck, ye old hoss? how do thet sound ter you? Leetle thet way, ain't et?” and she laid a hand in the region of her heart. “Haw! haw? I sw’ar ef et don’tstrike an observer sum so,”’ Kentu Jake affirmed. “Wal, jest you keep a revolver handy, then, Jake, and ef ye see me go ter gettin’ soft an’ squeamish, like, haul off and plug me one fer all ye’re worth.” Then, laughing heartily at the idea, she crossed the floor, and joined the scout at the table. “You needn’t have feared, Bess,” he said, pleas- antly, “ for it isn’t my business to make love to any one. Ithink I ean get along through life without a woman tied to my coat-tails.”’ “Hurra’!”’ Bess cried, bringing her hand down in an enthusiastic slap upon the table, ‘‘ bully fer you, Persimmon! I admire your resolve. A woman is oor stock at best, bet yer boots! Kentuck, ye rute, fetch me a cigar on that. Now, go on, a “But you are a woman, Bess!” Bill said, in somo surprise, as he gazed on her with admiration beam- ing from his eyes. “Um! um!** was the reply, with a shake of the head. ‘Sence I tuk ter wearing the breeches, Bill, I count myself just as big a man as there js in the mines, though I'll allow thar’s sum a das' sight meaner.” “True enough. And it is on a subject akin to one of these which I wish to speak about. You jen ably know that this is the day of the trial of e- bud Rob, for murder. In my opinion it’s going to give the poor fellow a close rub for the limb of a tree. The man Malvern has no end of money, asthe Big Bullion mine, alone, is yielding him something above a thousan’ a week.” “Yas, et’s goin’ hard for the Sport,” Baltimore Bess said, gazing moodily at the floor. ‘‘ An’ he war a cool sort of ’coon, wi’ plenty o’ funin him, when et eum ter fun.” “You are right, when you say that there is fun in him. Ifhe had not got into this murder trap, there’d have been a new proprietor for the Big Bullion mine, I’m thinkin’, I say this as an admiver of the Sport—for he regards me as a being less thanaman, all because of a littls matter between us up in Cinna- mon gulch. usual, of course, there was a women in it, you see!”’ “T know’d it!” Bess said, with a sage nod of her head. ‘Never vet heerd of a quarrel ’twixt two men, yet, whar thar warn’t a woman in it. Thet's ther confounded fecirenap? o’ hevin’ ’em luxuriatin’ in this glorious country, Bill—they’re allus gettin’ us sterner sex inter trouble. Wh men born men like you and I, Bill?” “T cannot attempt to ie the conundrum, Baltimore!” the scout replied. ‘* But, to the story, Another person ran away and Jeft me in sucha posi- tion as was a reflection of dishonor, and after that Rosebud Rob very justly cut my acquaintance. On coming here to Deadwood I was accidentally placed in charge of some papers which I have found to Rosebud Rob, and will no doubt be the means of clearing him from Judge Lynch’s noose. 1 have been studying for some time if I could trust you with the possession of these papers, as I do not wish to hold them, and am not over eager to present them to the Sport in person. I have found that you were trusty, and I now wish to place them in your hands, that you may give them over into the hands of Rose: bud Rob's ¢9 warn't all the wo-

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Rosebud Rob. “ What! give anything of the value of a pin into the hands of the colonel?’ Bess exclaimed, ‘ Not much fer Maloney! I’ll just plead a part o’ thet same case myself, providin’ you give me the 2) 5 “ Very well—do as you will. Here are the papers; and if my eyes are not at fault, you’ll make them count advantageously for Rosebud Rob. Now, good- by, for I am off as guide of a train to Big Butte creek. ‘ive my respects to Rosebud Rob, and my hopes that he may escape from the toils of his foe.” Then, shaking hands with Bess, the scout shoul- dered his rifle and left the tavern, first having left a package of papers upon the table. After he tad gone, Bess picked them up and turn- ed triumphantly to Kentucky Jake. ‘Thar! ken ye dare ter say thet I hevn’t got the trump card now, ye galoot? Hurra! jest ter think thet [ve proven myself a man among men by under- takin’ ther responsibilities uv a lawsuit! Ther female sex ar’ discounted—ar’ nowhar! They’d faint at ther eiantic duties which devolve upon us men—wouldn’t Jacob?” Yas, I opine they would purty much do thet same,” allowed Kentucky Jake, graciously. ‘I've allus kerried ther ijeer thet them feminines warn’t o’ much a2count more’n ter wash dishes an’ darn socks.” **On course they ain't, Wharfore I put on britches an’ assumed ther dignity o’ a man!” Bess said tri- umphantly. as she left the saloon, Just outside she met Munro Malvern, who sprung upon ber with an oath too vile to repeat. **Give me those papers which the scout just gave ou!” he gritted, ‘ Give them to me, eurse you, or Yn murder you on the spot!” “ Will you?” the da-e-devil cried; and then she ex- hibited her wonderful self-possession and power by suddenly lifting the millionaire off his feet and cast- ing him heavily upon the earth. The next instant her right foot was planted upon his breast, as he would have risen, and a pair of revolvers jJooked threateningly down into his face. “ Oh, ho, Mr. Munro Malvern, ye will purty much murder me, won’t ye? Oh, yes, you bet your pile! You've ee gore right plum in yer eye, ain’t ye?” she said, mockingly. “See heer, ye bloated old blasphemous buffler bull—d’ye know w’at I’ve a no- tion to do? D'ye know, Isay? Wal, I've got a no- tion ter put a lead perquisite right inter yer nod- dleum, and don’t ye disrecollect et. My name is Baltimore Bess, E-s-q., ef ye never hed one o’ my keerds, an’ I reckon as how yell find me bizness clear ter cher roots 0’ my toes!” “Let me up!” Malvern gasped. white with rage and mortification, for a crowd was gathering, and he lying at the rae, of a mere girl. lt was exasper- ating to him in the greatest degree, ‘‘ Let me up, curse you.” ; “Eh? what d'ye say? Me se Ye, up!” the girl mocked, “Ha! ha! thar és sumthin’ like the sound o’ circus in thet, to be sure, Et sounds like ther plays w’at they play on the stage. I’m ther galoot as got you floored, an’ now ye must beg my parding, or I won't let ye up. —ain’t thet et, sf’ “ Hurra! thet’s et, Bess, gal!” yelled the colonel, in delight, as he pushed forward, while the rest of the men gave ash ut of enthusiasm. ‘‘ Thet’s ther ticket, Bess! Give et ter him, ole gal! Ye're a true he’rine, ef ther gold medal fer sublime beauty do de- scend ter me, as ther purtiest flower o’ mankind, thet evyer bloomed an’ blossomed in ther classikal shades 0’ Deadwood gulch!” ; ‘Let me up!” Munro Malvern gasped, again mak- in fieree attempt to rise. : ut Baltimore’s foot quickly pushed him back, and the cocked six-shooters were thrust nearer to his nose. “Bog my parding first, an’ ye shall get on yer pegs | as quick as ye please!”’ she said, grimly, “T will do nothing o’ the kind!” was the fierce re- sponse. “Oh! ho! ye won’t, eh? You want ter spoil ther romance, do ye? Well, as a novel writer sez, add in a leetie more blood and thunder—so now, either beg my pardin’, or in Jess’n five minutes by ther wigglin’ o’ Bill Stokes’s ears, you’re a dead man, Ain’t thet right, boys? Sha’n't I salivate him, ef he refuses to do honor ter my request?” ** Hooray!” cried the men. “ An’ ye’ll purtect me from hangin’, ef I do bullet- doze him?” x “Hooray! We will do jest thet leetle bizness!” eried Colonel Bill, who, with the rest, had caught the cue. “So, heave ahead, Bess, an’ give ther un- dertaker a job. I'll stand by ye likea true beautiful disciple 0’ blackstun, which lam. Plug et right to him, an’ ye’ll hev a bull army o’ backin’, and hold a Wake-Nickodemus over his carcass, you bet!” “You heer ther universal verdict!’ Bess said, gaz- ing triumphantly down at the discomfited million- aire. ‘ Yoheer what ther honest citizens say about it. Ter make ther romance complete, ye’ve got ter pony up an’ beg my parding, or I'll diabolize your speerit with presentiments of cold ber die ol “Curse you! I'll have your life for this gross in- sult!” the down-trodden villain cried. ‘‘ Let me up, Isay, or P1—” “hare! thare! Don’t go fer ter git gore in yer eye again!’ Baltimore Bess cried, shaking the re- volvers threateningly. ‘*Come! come! yertime fer angelical pere rinations aire purty nigh up, by ther wigglin’ o’ Bill’s ears. D’ye beg?’ “Yes, curse you, if it will do you any good!” “Hal ka! it do thet same, purty much!” the dare-devil laughed. ‘* Do ye beg wi' all yer might an’ main?’ “Yes! Let me up!” ‘Dye promise never ter lay violent hands on a di- minutive earthquake ag’in—ter nevyer show yer authority about é/’s town?” c * I promise anything you may ask!” was the faint reply. * For God’s sake let me up!" \ith a cool laugh the girl removed her foot from his breast, and stepped back with the revolvers still in her gre Munro Malvern staggered to his feet, witha vile oath, amid the grins and chuckles of the spectators. Just at this instant his dutiful step-son, Ralph La- mont, came zigzagging along. with the appearance of a man who had been on a week’s‘**bum.” His clothes were soiled and disarranged, his hat battered in, and hishandkerchief vailed one eye, which had been effectually closed for repairs, in some drunken spree. Altogether, Mr. Lamont had a grotesque ap- earance, as he staggered forward. But his eye lighted op with a glitter of recognition, as he beheld the dust-bedrabbled millionaire. ‘*P-poor, dear Unky!” he said, making a vain at- tempt to brush off the dust. ‘‘ How J suffered that thou shouldst be cast beneath the feet of thy foeman; b-but you s-see, old man. I couldn’t git here before!’ “Ho! ho! pilgrim; luk w’at a purty pair!’ Balti- more Bess cried, pointing at the twain with a merry peal of laughter. ‘Aint they sweet as canned peaches, now? They remind me o’ a pair o’ Greek statters. Hooray! I vote thet we bounce ’em!" “Jest my notion, perzactly, Bess!” assented Colo- nel Bill, in huge delight. “‘ Bounce *em—thet’s ther true word fer et, old gal. Ah! Idon’t know w’at og boi hills’'d do wi’out yer wit an’ my beauty, ess, “Sure enough, Bill, you dandelion! But, come; let’s clear the street of this trash. Feller-citizens, sum 0’ ye grab a couple o’ sharp-edged poles!” ‘The proposition was greeted with hilarious shouts, but the step-father and son did not stop to see how the affair might terminate. They suddenly seemed imbued with an unknown terror, and the way they ran up the gulch was a novel end refreshing sight. Nor did they pause until “~ y gained the steps of the Malvern mansion, when

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26 Rosebud Rob. the millionaire turned and shook his fist savagely back at the crowd. ‘*He’s madder than a rheumatic old wassup!” shouted Baltimore Bess, returning the fist-shake, * but et’s no use 0’ his tryin’ ter git ahead o’ us fel- lers, is thar, Bill, my beauty ?” CHAPTER XI. TN COURT AND SCENES THEREOF, Tue coming trial of Rosebud Rod had elicited much interest among the Deadwoodites. Principal- ly, because a trial for murder was an uncommon event, as nine times out of ten the murderer es- eapad, and if caught ap all was informally lynched by the Vigilantes. But, here was a case for which the accused was to stand up and receive trial, and be deals with accord- ingly, as the law might see fit. In his short residence in the magic city, Rosebud Rob had attained no little notoriety as a cool, daunt- less spor’, and he had won hosts of frisnds among thus? who discount nanced evil, and worked, for ‘ood results. And very few among those who ‘had eard th report believed that Rosebud was guilty of murder. The gossip was in the mouths of nearly every man to be met, and during the forenoon of the day set for the trial tne main street ia the gulch was one mass of humanity, and the words * Rosebud Rob,” “ the Sport,’ ‘‘ murder,” and so forth, were to be heard on every hand, By soon all the space in the court-room, that was available, was filled, and an eager, restive multi- tude surged outside. Such space as was necessary for those concerned in ene trials had been fenced off, to keep back the crow. Judge Jacob sat in state in the judge's stand, pre- pared for the duties of the day. Adolphus Cole, elerk of court, had a seat and desk directly beneath the shadow of the judicial throne, and upon either side of him were tables for the legal fraternity, who were to “‘argy the case.” . OF these latter Colonel Bill Stokes was to be the defendants’ counsel, both for Rosebub Rob and Jes- sis Mapleton. The case of the former was not to be called until the larceny ease had been tried. Munro Malvern, realizing that he must make a strong last effort in order to save himself, had en- gaged a lawyer who had won several suits of late, en was considered good authority on legal mat- ers. At the hour for the trial of Jessie Mapleton, Sheriff Shelby led her into the court-room, and gave her a chair, after which he took one close at hand. There were also present Hickory Hank and his three pals. the dare-deavil, Kaltimore Boss. and the einnamon- haired proprietor of the ‘ Little Brown Jug,” Ken- tucky Jake, anda man in black with a mask upon his fac>. Shortly after, Munro Maivern entered, accom- panied by his attorney, 1 man of villainous counte- nance, namel Small; his duviful step-son, Lamont, and the colored servitor, Brass. After they were seated, the {uige took a nip from a bottle which ornamented his pulpit, and which bore a flaring label, “‘ Daadly Poison!” Then, with a commandiug ahem! he arose, and glared down upon those below him, grandly. “Silence!” shouted Adolphus Svrineus Cole, ris- ing and rapping upon the tabla. “Teall order. The ease will now be opened by the Right Honorable Judge Sehriver. from the nine hundred and sixth Congressional district. Order all! Ihave the honor of introducing his Excelleney!” ~Dot’s me!” the worthy judge announesd, ‘ dot’s me, der shuige mit dis a’gust shury. Veller-citi- zens, T vas most happy ter ca!l up von case vich de- mands » heap of consideration—dat is ter say, der case off Miss Shessic Mapleton, accused of larceny aod ee th ee it mit our. distinguished townsman, Mr. Munro Mal- vern. Mr, Sueriff, you vill conduct der trial,.ef you blease, an’ der first man dat lies, you shoot him deadt—lll pack you!" Shelby arose with a bow, and turned to Munro Malvern, ; *: Have you all your witnesses, sir?” “Thaye. Tney_ consist of Grim, Hayseed Jim Holy Moses, and Popular. Pete, besides myself au step-son, Mr. Lamont," the millionaire replied, tri- umphantly. * And this colored chap?” “Oh! he comes on in this next case.” ““Abl” and Shelby turned to Colonel Bill, *‘‘ Mr. Stokes, what have you on the defense?” Stokes arose with 2 bow. ‘EE ye please, Mr. Sheriff, thet shinin’ beatitude o’ ther 1emale firmament, Baltimore Bess,”' ‘\T object!” eried Munro, Malvern. “Sileucel’ roared the judge. ‘‘ Clerk, fine dot man five dollars for contempt mit der court!” * Bess ar’ one!’ continued the colonel.‘ Then, thar is thet honest, law-abidin’ citizen, Kentucky Jake, he’s another. Then, there’s the masked chap who calls himself Nugget Ned—’ “Stop! that man is a road-agent, and shall not testify!” cried Munro Malvern, furiously. “Silence!” roared the judge. “Clerk, fine dot man fife dollars. Mr. Malvern, I pat you swi’ drinks vot you lie. Dot man vill testify, ef der old court knows herself.” “Don’t that make three?” the colonel cried; *' then hayr’s ernuther witness in my own beautiful indi- viduality.” Five witnesses for the prosecution and five for the defense, myself included!” Shelby annonuced, Mr. Smail. I believe you onen the prosecution.” T doin a brisf and concis? mannorfor mv client, Mr, Malvern!” Small announce’. loftily. “Indaed, f feel assured that there is need of but little argument to convines the most honorable judge that the ac- cused is deserving of punishment.” “*Dot’s me!” nodded the judee, rising to take a nip out of the bottle, and then sinking back again. It appears,” added the lawyer for the prosecu- tion. ‘that the Right Honorable Mr. Malvern was enticed into the house of ths defendant on the after- noon of the —th instant, for purposes of consum- Mating a rascally scheme.” _ “Stop! dot’s a tuvfel aff a lic!” vociferated the judge, hotly. ‘Clerk. fine der prosecution for devi- atin’ from der truth—fine ‘em ten dollars!” ‘We men!’ continued the eloquent Small, ‘are all fond of female society, and we cannot attach blame to the prosecutor for being led astray. As it apnears, he was treated to liquor, and it being drug- ged, he was stunefied. ““While in this state his pockets were rifled of a package of money, amounting to a thousand dol- lars; and that package was found sines, in under the earpetin the defendant’s room, by the sheriff, here, and Messrs. Grim, Moses and two others. J believe that is a plain statement of the cass, Mr. J 1dge. and T appeal to vou to consider it. and deal with the eul- prit as she justly deserves. If you like, Mr. Malvern will take oath.” “Silence! I vonld not dake dot shvster's oath mit a pack of Biple so higher as mv herd!” cried Schriner. ‘Bill Stokes you swear dem vitnesses for d*r hrosecution. Cle of der Court, put down every syllable vot dey say.” Hickory Hank tonk the stand. and, after being sworn. testified in eff2ct that he and his pards were crossing the eulch on the afternoon of the theft, and seeing the defendant heckon the prosecutor to enter her shanty, they smelt a rat, and crept to a window to watch, and saw the defendant sit upon the lap of the party of the prosecution and tempt him with liquor. until he was in a maudlin state, after which she took a package of bills from his pocket; then supporting him to the door, pushed him headfore- most into the street,

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Rosebud Rob. Banna mng mais 27 Witness and pards had picked party of prosecu- tion up. and supported him home, where, upon be- coming once more himself, he had missed the money. Hayseed Jim, Holy Moses, and popular Pete were BEmt S WORRY and testified to the same. as Hickory ank, ‘Is the counsel for the defense satisfied?” Small demanded, triumphantly, ‘Nary a time!’ replied Colonel Bill, mounting his table as he began to warm up to his work, ‘‘Narya time, ye leetle spindle-shanked flunkey,! Wherevs,in ther coorse o’ hooman events, et becomes me, ther beauty 0’ ther Western hemisphere, to be counsel in so grand an‘ glorious a cause as thet pure an’ inno- cent leetle lady there—resolved thet I may be ti oto- ally steeped in ther fires o' ther crater o’ Vesuvius ef I don’t lay fer ther job, hull hog or none. Feller- citizens, et’s a grand—a geelorious thing ter bev et in yer power ter labor fer them tender leetle bits o’ hoomanity o* ther f¢minine sex—darn my eyes ef et ain’ thet same! I glory in et, bet yer boots, “Tt is my passion ter labor for their innercent an’ inoffensive cause, I love ’em; they’re a being thet ar’ supremely magnificent. Now. in this case, Mr. Hickory Hank Grim. w'at_hour was et thet Mr. Mal- vern entered the hou e of Miss Mapleton?” “ Half after two, perzactly, as I remember Jukin’ at my wa'ch!’’ Grim replied, rather nervously. “ Aire thet kareet, Mr. Malvern?” iG Certainly !”’ was the reply. “Grim, w’at time war et when Mr, Malvern issued forth from Miss Mapleton’s place of residence, in the manner you describe?” ** Exactly a quarter o’ three!” “Then, he was inside the presence o° ther defen- dant Just fifteen minutes eh? Well, J suppose you wert rect hum wi’ ther party o’ ther prosecu- tion?” *-Y-ves!” i 4 “What time did ycu arrive there? “At ten minutes to three.” “Mr. Malvern, ar’ thes kerect?”’ * Quite so!” “Mr. Lamont wull please be swore Lamont testified*that he was at the door when Grim brought the prosecutor home, in_an insensible and drunken state, and that on waking he had missed the money, “Is thet all ther testimony you hev ter offer fer ther prosecution, Mr, Small, or w’atever yer name is?’ Colonel Bill demanded. “‘T helieve it is,” was the reply; and it is strong enough that no sane jury ought to pause for deli- beration in rendering a verdict.” “Don you vas be too sure apoud dot.” eried the judge. “It so hanpens dot I pe shudge mit dis shu- ry, unt Iam canable of rendering von verdict. De- fendant. we will now hear from you.” ‘Tn behalf of Miss Mapleton, said Sheriff Shelby, rising, ‘‘T will say that we have proof that the testi- mony given before this court by the witnesses of the roseention amounts to a pack of base, damnable ies, Mr. Small, you are at libe:ty to swear the wit- nesses for the defense.” Baltimore Bess was then sworn, , “Shelby ar’ purty much right.” she said. “ Et's a hull devilish plot o’ Munro Malvern ter ruin thi young woman, because she refused to marry him. jt was J who chanced ter overheer ther interview ‘twixt Miss Maplet mn and Malvern, I seed him go inter ther shanty, and, out o’ curiosity, I played epv and, as it appears, quite fortunately. Malvern ha called to offer her money. which he claimed was due her frum an interest wich her father hed hed in some claim or other, up in Thunder gulch. Miss Malvern had just received a letter purporting to come from her father, in whichicertain charges ag’in’ this Malvern were cleared up. Jn gratitude she finally consented to receive the money, but she hed ee hoBo gale s0 when Malvern offers ter make her wife. — “Tt is an accursed lie!’ Munro Malvern. cried, springing savagely toward the dare-devil, only to be hurled back by Shelby, ““Itis—" |. “*Silence!"’ roared the judge from his box. “ Clerk, fine dot feller ten dollars und, costs.”' “Miss Mapleton scornfully refused ther cuss,” continued Baltimore Bess, * w’en bis motives Leenm plain, an’ she ordered him from ther house. He went, swearin’ ter hev revenge Isee’d him leave the house, an’ he warn’t pitched out nuther, nor was he drunk, They had drunk no licker tergethber, for Miss Mapleton ain't that kind o’a hair-pin, ye bet yer boots! Hank Grim nor his pals warn't nowhar around w’en Munro Malvern entered an’ left Miss Mapleton’s shanty.” alvern paced up and Cown i a ee (u s'ng like amadman. for he saw ti at the care-devil's testi- mony was dead against him. ve * that all you have to say?’’ Small, demanded, sternly. “Not quite. I saw Munro Malvern waik toward his house. and enter.” “How about the time, as given by Grim, young woman?’’ “Wal, as ter that, the time o’ Mslvern’s entering and leaving Miss Mepleton’s place, et war purty much correct. But Grim war nowhar in the neigh- borhood at ther time.” Kentucky Jake was next sworn, and gave his tes- timony. “Hickory Hank war in my saloon, ther ‘ Little Brown Jug,’ for fifteen minutes, commencing at half-past two. They drank, an’ then Grim whispered to his pals, and left. 1 follered him to ther door, an’see’d him go up ther street an’ enter Malvern’s house. Chancin’ to Jook down ther street, I see’d Malvern cum out 0’ Miss Mapleton’s, an’ go ter his own place. He warn’t no more drunk than I am. That's ther end o’ my testermentory,”” “Nugget Ned,” said Sheriff Shelby. “have you eny information to offer in this matte: ?” “Not a great dea! in this case, but more in the ease to come.” the young Knight of the Gulch re- plied. “You all have known me, and counted me a roac-agent. But you_have been mistaken, My business in the Black Hills is mainly 1o hunt downa murderer to death—not to kill him with weapons, but to hound him to the gallows, I am aman of the night and day. J go and come whenever and wher- ever I please, “T chanced to be in the mansion of Munro Mal- vern afi his return from Miss Mapleton’s. This ruffian, Hickory Hank, was also there. I played the part of spy, and overheard a plot between Munro alvern and Grim, to the eff ct that the latter was to do as has been done—that is, arrest Miss Mapleton on the ch rge of the theft of the money, which he, Malvern had givenher. I even overheard Malvern plot to himself how he would visit the young lady in va cell, and offer to procure her release if she would marry him!” , As the Knight finished, loud yells of indignation arose on the air fromthe spectators; revolvers flash- ed at every hand; all was excitement of the most in- tense nature. “ Silence!’ roared the judge, mounting the ex- treme top of his judicial pulpit, and waving his hands to enjoin the silence he would establish. ° Si- lence. I dole you, Yust make so much noise ag’in mit dis court-room, as der drop off a pin. unt I plow you all ter dunder mit my revolfer. Dot's der kind off a hand-organ T am!” ‘Hoeray! them’s my philosoffikle thoughts. too,” put in Colone) Bill. with a victoricus pigeon-cut on top of his table. ‘‘ Yer most august end excellent honorable judge, ye’ve heerd ther testimony ¢iven on fu’st one side then on t’other. an’ we do most cheerfully submit it ter ye fer considerashun!” “Shimminy Shackson! I discharge der case,” cried the judge. ‘* Mr. Sheriff. der prisoner is free to go. She didn’t stole anydings, as has been clearly proven, Arrest dot man, Munro Malvern; I fine him

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* Rosebud Rob. a in a dark hour, and pointed out to me a path to tread through life. Henceforth, I shall bid adieu to old associations, and follow the path of virtue and religion. tithe devil take your nonsense!’’ Munro Malvern said. “Ha! ha! you were ever a good actor, Ralph, Listen: If you give testimony against the Sport, ‘ou a be a thousand dollars richer when he is nged.” * Attempt not to lure me from the path of godli- ness, thou man, lest thou shalt be smote by mine hand!” the ice at said, turning away, and looking out-of-sorts with the bandage over his eyes. Munro Malvern glared after him with a puzzled stare. “What's got into the cursed fool?” he muttered, “Ts he fooling. or is he in earnest?” If the court-room had been full during the trial of Jessie Mapleton it was packed nearly to suffocation now, and it was with difficulty that Sheriff Shelby entered with the prisoner. A murmur of applause emanated from either hind, as the Sport stood proudly erect in the ce allotted to him, a cool, defiant smile upon bis face. It was evident he had more friends than enemies in the vast throng. There was one noticeable fact, also, that a number of the men within the room were attired and masked the same as Nugget Ned. Munro Malvern had been one of the first to notice this’ fact, and he trembled as he caught the stern, piercing 1 ye of the Knight of the Gulch. It was the same out in the thronged street as in the court-room. These masked men had suddenly made their appearance in undesirable numbers— from whence no one knew. All wive armed, and they were too numerous for a thought to be enter- tained of their arrest as road-agents. Inside the court-room the trial was about to be- in. Judge Schriner occupied bis judicial pulpit with grand dignity. Likewise cid Adolphus Syringus Cole and Col. Bill Stokes sit like statues of justice at their respective tables. The witnesses were disposed of in positions facing his Honor. *“Shentlemon mit der shury!”’ said the judge, aris- ing, “‘dis case must be tried shorter ash quick, vor der day ish openin’ his arms to embrace der night, Ve vill hear vot der prisoner has ter say. “Mr. Sheriff, you will swear all off dose witnesses pefore any destimony ish given.” Accordingly the strongest oath in the Black Hills bh hei was administered to the Sport, Rose- ud Rob, and to Munro Malvern, Lamont, Brass, Baltimore Bess, Nugget Ned, and Persimmon Bill. Rosebud Rob then took the stand, without the least visible embarrassment, and glanced at every person present before he spoke. “I don’t know as what I have to say will produce any marked effect!” he remarked, a little smile hovering about his face. ‘* A man accused of mur- der is not_to be generally believed in giving testi- mony. What I have to say can be said ina very few moments. Iwas coming down from my_boarding- place, the night of the murder. It was late, but I was in a restless state, and I concluded to go down to the Mabille, to see what was going on. When I had arrived in the neighborhood of Munro Malvern’s house, before which if seems the murder occurred, I hearda pee shot, but attached no great importance to it, as they are frequent sounds here in the mines, 1 walked on, and just in front of Malvern’s house L stumbled over a body lying in the middle of the road. In horror Istopped by it, never once think- ing that I was in a suspicious position, I even pick- up the revolver, with which the crime had been committed, from the road where it had been left. I wiped off the dust and endeavored to find if it was ed, but could make out nothing in the moon- light.. At this moment Sheriff Shelby, here, and several others came up, and just then, Munro Mal- yern stepped from his mansion and accused me of the crime, saying he had seen me commit it. That is the extent of my testimony, except that I may add that, being the son of the late Robert Mapleton, Iwas searching into my father’s affairs, with the suspicion that he was the real owner of the Big Bul- lion mine. Malvern knew this, and probably fore- saw a good chance to get ridof a dangerous claim- ant by charging me with the murder of the Pistol jueen,”” A deafening shout of = Suirriee rent the air, as the Sport concluded h. simple testimony. It was evident \/here the generai sympathy was. Munro Malvern next took the stand, “ The clever lying of the defendant I see fas had a marked e%ect!” he said, with a contemptuous smile, ‘ But crafty villas with murder in their hearts usually are graced with a very flippant tongue, and the prisoner is no exception to th: rule, Unknown and unvouched for, he comes into our town, in the character of a bravado, with a foppish make-up, and first we know he isthe hero of a mur- der case. It is generally the result that this gay, — individual finally eluces justice, only to hie himself to another town, to repeat the programme of his late career. But, in the present instance, he was caught in the act. ‘© On the night of the murder I was not sleepy, and sat at my window till past my usual bedtime. look- ing down upon the street. At last, growing tired, I partly undressed, then, hearing a noise upon the street, I glanced once more from my window. I saw a female figure running up the gulch, from in the direc ion of the ‘Eucher Deck’ place, closely pur- sued bya man. Justin front of my place he over- took and grasped her by the shoulder. “She ede to scream, but he clutched her by the throat, and drawing a revolver. shot her throug: the heart. In horror 1 rushed down to the street, to find that Sheriff Shel | he already arrived on the spot. The murderer 1 had recognized from the win- ow as the Sport who styles bimselt Rosebud Rob.” “1 pet fife dollars vot dot vas a pig lie,”’ declared the judge. excitedly, “Mr. Sh . we will hear from you.” “My testimony amounts to but little,” Shelby re- plied. ‘I heard the pistol-shot, and hastened to the spot, to find the prisoner standing by the body. with a revolver in his grasp. He denied that he had aught to do with the murder, and submitted to arrest,” 4 : “Itis ote: useless to proceed further with this case,” cried Munro Malvern, with a smile of diaboli- cal triumph, ‘‘as sufficient proof has been shown that Rosebud Rob was the murderer, I propose tbat we burry him out, and hoist him to a tree. Hurrah! what do you say? Or, if you want more, here is my colored servant who witnessed the act, and also my step-son, Mr, Ralph Lamont.” “Shut up!” roared his honor. * Clerk, fine dot man finf un swanzy dollars an’ costs. Ve will hear every vitness, ef der old court knows goot lager, unt ve dink she do.” Brass, the servant, next took the stand. He was very much scared, evidently, for the whites of his eyes rojled ludicrously, especially when he caught a threatening glance from the masked knight, Nugget Ned. “Dis yere nigger see’d der murder, fo’ suah, an’ he’s goin’ ter make a clean breast of it. I went to bed about haff an hour before de t’ing happened, but, hearin’ de massa up, 1 slid out an‘ went down- stairs. Isee’d de massa standin’ nigh up to de hall door, but he didn’t see dis chile, nohow, Purty soon, de key turns in de lock, an’ de door dun slam open. Den dis chile shore see de massa thrust a pis- tol for’a’d, an’ shute de gal. He catch her, an’ drag her into de street, den run back in de house, an’ pull off his coat an’ boots like as if he done jes’ got up out o’ bed. soon he go out in de street, an’ accuse de chap wid de rosebud o’ murder in de fu’st degree. Shuah, dot’s eberyt’ing dis nigger knows,

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30 Rosebud Rob. - ED, *cept dat massa wanted me to sw’ar ’g’in de BS ‘he sensation was rreat. Shouts of indignation rose on every hand, and died into a sullen, hissing groan, Munro Malvern, who had been instantly seized and handeuffed by Sheriff Shelby, raved and swore like a madman. “Ten thousand curses!’ he roared, in furious rage. ‘Tis all a damnable plot toruin me. That black devil has been bribed to swear acainst me!” “Silence!” yelled his Honor, between sundry nips at the ‘‘p’izen”’ bottle—‘‘silence! Let der c1se go on. Ve vill naff a thorough hearing mit dis marter, so sure ash Ipe von gran’ shudge. Nugget Ned, take der st ind!” The Knight of the Gulch complied, his black eyes glittering, keenly. “Tie darkey told the truth. Munro Malvern un- doutedly did’ murder the girl!” he said. “I have here a piper which I ob'ained from my seeret search of the dead girl's person, last night. Ib is to the effect that the young lady was to start on a search for the min who murdered her father_and ruined herself. This person she believe 1 to bo Malvern, as he is hers known, and she was going t» pay hin a visit to find out forcertain. Here is the document sheriff. Furthermore, in testimony, I would add, t was on the spot at the time Rosebud Rob wasarres’- ed by Sheriff Shelby. At the time of Shelby’s arri- val, th2 Sport dropped the revolver, which he claims to have foun near tha body, and drew a pair of his own. But, on being accus2d by Malvern, it seems no concluded to surrender, and dropsed his wexpons. S> that, after the crowd had dispersed, I made itmy business to pick up all thres weapons Here they are, now,” and he laid the three weapons upon the tabls, ‘The two list droppe 1 by Rosebul Rod, bear his own name, R ‘bert Manleton. The other one boars thenams of -Mimr> Mdvern™ Examination proved this t> be correct. Whit2,; and speechless at the crushing evidence being brought agains: him, Manro Malvern had sun's Ed a chair, where he was closely guarded by elby. ‘Ts this all, witness?” the sheriff asked. ‘Not quite!” Nagget Ned replied, tearing off his mask, and revealing a handsome young faze, with regular features. and piercing blac vast monsay-wea'lth, and the brile came into » her portion of the fortune five years after her mar- riage with Garyl Sanderson, During that time yon- der villain hovered at her side, anything but a du-i- ful busban1; but, no sooner had she received her money, than he murdered her in cold blood. and fled with the whol? amount in his possession. I chanced to b2 the only result of their unhapoy union, and was, at the time, about four years of age. “The murderer fleland escaped. My uncle, Leslie Carr Ilton, spent nearly the best part of his fortune in trying to find him. Immediately after te mur- der he caused ms to take an oath over my mo- ther’s coffin, and ho caused the scene to bs painted, an a photograph was afterward taken of it. ‘* He staved with me, or rather took me with him, for eight Jonx years of search. But, at the age of twelve, he sent me out upon the world, well supplied with money, and bound by a terrible oath never to — Seeage3 until I had hunted my own father down to eal “T have kept my oath; I have been a sleuth upon his track; I have known his whereabouts fora year past, but have been watching a chance to nab him. Here are two warrants for his arrest as a murderer, but, as he can hang but once, they are useless. Now, Ihave dove my work!” And, replacing his mask, the Knight-detective left the room amid wild shours, In ten minutes more, neither he nor the other masked men were in sight. “T have a little matter to fix here,’’ said_Persim- mon Bill, stepping forward. ‘‘You are all aware that a miner, Robert Mapleton by name, disappear- ed in a mysterious manner somewhat over a year ago. Be was a quiet, unobtrusive man and very few knew anything about his affairs. Everybody sup- posed that he had got tired of laboring at such claims as he had. and had gone off to seareh for richer fields. Probably, none out of a hundred would have believed that he had been murdered. Yet, such was the case. I accidentally came upon his body, after he had been shot in a half a dozen places through the body. He was not dead yet, and gasped out to me a confession which I took down. “He stated that he owned a tract of land which only that day he and his :pard in some other deal- ings, had discovered to be vasv'y rich in miveral ore. Upon finding this bis companion, Munro Malvern, had decoyed him into the lonely confine of the moun- tains, and shot him. Bess, please hand the package I gave to you, to Mr. Sheloy.” h he serif? examined the several documents, and then said: “The witness is ent d right. The confes- sion is the late miner’s own, I feel certain, because I have been able to gather its s+veral facts from per- sons who knew him. The other pavers are a will, leaving the property known as the Big Bullion mine to Miss Jessie Mapleton with the exception of a dol- lar, which is to go to a truant son, named Robert, shonll he turn up, There is, also. a deed of the Big Bullion property to the late owner.” * Der court is dismissed!” announced the judge. “Rosebud Rob pe free, an’ Munro Malvern he go mit der shail, unt be hanged mit der neck, ter-morrow, on lil he ish deader as sixty-swi door nails. Sur is shusticein dis city of Deadwood mit der Black Hills.” Accordingly, there was a general liaving of tho seat of justice. Sheriff Sh Iby had the honor of escorting Munro Malvern back to the cell but recently occupied by the Spcrt, Rosebud Rob, who now was free to es- cort his tister, with whom he bad previously had an interview, to her humble but cosey home, where of course thera waa gladsome reunion. And among those invited to a pretty little supper were they who had testified in behalf of the two children of the late miner. They were tbe worthy judge ef the court, and_the festive Colonel Stokes, along with Raltimore Bess, Persimmon Bill, the ne- gro, Brass, Kentucky Jake, and several others, Sheri Shelbv dropper in, and was warmly re- ceived by bo’h Rosebud Rob and Jessie—esp2cially by the latter, who saw much to admir® in the stal- wart, handsome man, who had proven himself a generous friend. And there was a giadsome tims within ths little shanty home. The party were at the supper-table, when there came a knock upon the door; it opened, and Nugget Ned stood inside the apartment. CHAPTER XIU. VENGEANCE—CONCLUSION. “Do not let me disturb you, pray!’ the Knight said, pleasantly. ‘* lmerely dropped in to see if vou piece ye yourselves, after the scenes of the vial. ‘Let me assure you that we are!" Rosebud Rob said rising and advancing with extended hands. “* Shake, Sir Knight. and at the same time accept my strongest thanks for your efforts in my behalf, You did act nobly for me, and I welcome you asa guest at my sister’s board.” “Tecan tarry bit a mument, thank you,” Nugeet Nod renlied. ‘*One more job. and then the Black Hills country has seen the last of me and my so-

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_ Rosebud Rob. 31 styled Knights. Befo-eI go, I have a gift for some one among you, andI know of none more deserv- ing than you, Mr. Mapleton. Since you have been iznored in ycur late father’s will, here is a map of the Black Hills, with directions for ee one of the richest shaft mines which the world has ever known. I freely give it to you, and bequeath to you the control of the army of men whom you will find working the mine any time you may visit it. “They are all bound by oath to serve me, and never disband until by universal consent. You must, therefore, mask yourself, that they may never know that you are notme. All depends upon your main- taining the secret. You can become a rich man, if you p ay the game honestly, under disguise. That s all, sir. I wish you aJl bappiness aud unalloyed bliss for the remainder of ycur lives, and that no scheming rascal may evcr try to put you into a criminal court, as bas my villainous father!” Then, turning upon bis heel, the Knight suddenly left the shanty. Rosebud Rob sprung after him, but too late. He had vanished from sight. * 4 strange fellow,” said Shelby, as Rob returned, “Ts has kept. his boyish oath, by trailing his own father into the hands of the law, His uncle must have been a bitter man,” “He was a queer customer!’ Rosebud Rob re- plied. “I chanced to meet him up in Cinnamon gulch, He kind ¢f adopted me, and trained me into the Coolness aud nerve which I possess. 1 w to think a reat deal of bim, and when he died he left ; me! is money, although it was no great sum. * “He also told me the story which Nugget Ned re- lated in the court-room, and set me in pursuit of the eu y villain, As soon as I first saw Munro Malvern, was satisfied that I had found the man whom Les- lie Carrollton had spent the best part of his life in trying to find,” The little gathering at the shanty finally broke up, and all but the brother and sister dispersed to their various places of abode. lt was when the brilliant spectral light of the mid- night moon streamed over the pine-crested moun- tain-tops into the golden gulch, ‘that the city of Deadwood was aroused into a great ccmmotion, such as it: rarely had known before Out of the guich at either end of the town dashed what seemed to be an army of masked men. with wild yells and shouts, Here they come, nowrushing in a great body of cavalry, down into the center of the main street, where they meet in front of the sone jail wherein is confined the murderer, Munro Malvern. From a thousand points the astonished Deadwoodites look on. 2 They do not raise a band to. stay this strange band, for they recognize Nugget Ned at the head, and of the masked Knights of the Gulch there is such aswarm. that it would seem an act of madness to a them with a hope of preventing the lynch- ng. Besides, very careless are these pe ple of Dead- wood how a criminal dies, or by whose bands, solong as “he gits sent off in geod shape.” Hark! Nugget mses in his stirrups. and his tones, clear as an Alpine horn, ring through the gulch: “Bring forth the prisoner, and hang him to the THE limb of the handiest tree. Though he is my father, I will not show so vile a man mercy.” There was a commotion—several of the Knights had dismounted and entered the jail. “By Sheminy Shackson, et’s a pad day mid dose prisoner,” cried Judge Jacob, who, with several others stood in front of Rr sebud Rob’s shanty. “T don’t vish ash I vasin dem boots mit Munro Malvern.” “Great spirit o’ old Methus’ler, no!” put in Col- onel Bill Stokes. “But et shows thet virtue, pluck an’ sublime beauty triumphs over the evil o’ man- kind. Reauty like mine can nevyer perish.” * Bill!” said Baltimore Bess. deprecalingly, “wen will ye ever let up a braggin’ abcut yer beeuty— especially w’en ye’re cast in the: shace by our Sport wi’ ther rosebud in his buttonhole!” At this minute the prisoner was led out, amid wild shouts from the Knight-Vigilantes, and strung up to a tree in plaiv sight. Then. upon the cal] of a horn, they all dashed off down the guich, headed by the man who called him- self Nugget Ned, and were seen no mcre. When the citizens arrived at the scere of the lynching, and cut down the body, the spirit of Mun- : oO bd Shae alias Gary! Sanderson, had taken its ight. And pinned to his breast was a copy of the strange photograph which t) e guilty man had received pre- vious to the trial and bis crushing defeat. Jt was an emblem of man’s enmity toward man; ittold the strange, truthful tale of a son’s ha red, ard his trailing of a criminal father down to death, Few that gazed upon the stiffening Lody could say that they were sorry. ¢ A little more will complete the story proper under the title of Rosebud Rob, The bedies of Munro Malvern and Bel Helene were buried on the following day, and headstones will be erected over their graves at the expense of the new heiress of the Big Bullion mine. And in all probability Sheriff Shelby will be the “Jucky dog” who will jead the graceful and worthy Jessie to the altar of Hymen, sometime during the coming spring months. True to his word, Nugget Ned was not seen again in the vicinity of Deadwood, and where he seeks a foot field for exploits can only be a matter of con- ecture. Colonel Bill Stokes, his “Honor” the Judge, and Persimmon Bill still make the magic city their head- quarters while Baltimore Bess is ** still a man of the people.” And, wonderful to relate. there is now in Dead- wood a very reverend gentleman by the name of Ralph Lamont, who, at last accounts, was trying to get up a Sabbath-school. Whatever caused | is sud- den change I am unable to relate. We wish him a grand success. Hickory Hank was shot in November last forhorse- stealing. Of his associates | am uninformed. Rosebud Rob is rather uncertain in his movements, He is literally here, there. and everywhere. He is still the cool. nervy Sport of old, and often takes part in adventures wortly to relate. Doubtless we shall hear from him again some future day. END.

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82 OCTAVO PAGES. BEADLE's “.. PRICE, FIVE CENTS, POCKET LIBRA? eoooogcoo ooo cosooosooo5oON a (999999009009900060005055006 \. ISSUED BvERY \ — / WEDNESDAY. / 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, By Edward L. Wheeler. 2 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. By Buffalo Bill. 3 The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 4 The Double Daggers. By Edward L. Wheeler. 5 The Two Detectives, By Albert W. Aiken. 6 The Prairie Pilot. By Buffalo Bill. 7 The Buffalo Demon; or, The Bor- der Vultures. By Edward L. Wheeler. 8 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. By Olli Coomes, 9 Ned WyIde,the Boy Scout. By “ Texas Jack” (J. B. Omohundro). 10 Buffalo Ben, the Prince of the Pistol. By Edward L. Wheeler. 11 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer. By Col, Prentiss ingraham, 12 Nick o°? the Night} or, The Boy Spy of °76. By T. C. Harbaugh. 13 Vellowstone Jack. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 14 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. By Edward L. Wheeler. 15 Diamond Dirk. By Col. Ingraham. 16 Keen-Knife, Prince of the Prairies. By Oll Coomes. 17 Oregon Solj or. Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy.. By Capt. J. lr. C. Adams. 18 Death-Wace, the Detective. By Ed- ward L. Wheeler. 19 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. 20 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Reckless Ranger. By Harry St. George. 21 The Boy Clown. ByF.S. Finn. 22 The Phantom Miner. By Edward L. Wheeler. 23 TheSea Cat. By Capt. I’. Whittaker. 24 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes., 25 Rattlhing Rube. By Harry St. George. 26 Old Avalanche the Great Annihila- tor. By Edward L. Wheeler. 27 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 28 'The Boy Captain. By R. Starbuck. 29 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. By Capt. F, Whittaker. 30 Bob Woolf, the Border Ruffian. By Edward L. Wheeler. 31 Nightingale Nat, By T. C. Harbaugh. 32 Black John, the Road Agent. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. $33 Omaha O}1, the Masked Terror. By Edward L. Wheeler. 34 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. By George FE. Lasalie. 35 The Boy Rifles. By A. C. Irons. 86 The White Buffalo. By Geo. E. Lasalle. 37 Jim Bludsoe, Jr. By Edward L. Wheeler. 42 Whe Border King, 43 Old Hickory. B 44 The White Indian. 48 Dandy Jack. 49 Wurricane Bill, ae 50 Single Hand, By W. 51 Patent-leather Joe By P.S.Warne. 62 The Border Robin Hood. By 54 Old Zip’s Cabin, 56 Mad 57 Deadwood Dick on Deck. 58 Hawkeye Harry. 59 The a Duelist. 64 Rosebud Rob. 65 Lightning Joe, the Terror of the 38 Ned marel the Boy Trapper. By Capt. J. I’. C. Adams 389 Deadly et” the Unknown Scout. By Buffalo Bil 40 Nick Whiffles’s Pet. By Capt. J. F, C. Adams. 41 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. By Edward L. Wheeler. By Oll Coomes. vy aed leer ¥. C, Adams. Comte ta 45 Buckhorn Bill. By E. L. Wheeler. 46 The Shadow Ship. By Col. Prentiss Ingrabam. 47 The Red Brotherhood. By W. J. Hamilton. By T. C. Harbaugh. J.E. Bales, Jr. J. Hamilton. Buffalo Pill. 53 G ld at the Sharpshooter,. By Edward L. Wheeler. By Captain J. F. C, Ad A ams, 55 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. By Oll Coomes. Tom Western. By W. J. Hamilton, By E. L. Wheeler. By Oll Coomes, By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 60 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. By A. W. Aiken. 61 Corduroy Charlie, the Boy Bravo. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 62 Will Somers, the Boy Dete tive. Ty Char es Morris. 63 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. By A. W. Aiken. By E. L. Wheeler. Prairie. By Capt. J. F. C, Adams, 66 Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk. By T. C. Harbaugh. 67 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. By Oll Coomes, 68 Idyl, the Girl Miner. By E.L. Wheeler. 69 Detective Dick ‘-o The Hero in Rags. By Charles Beadle’s Pocket Library is for sale orris, ; by all Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street New York,