Beadle's Pocket Library (no. 73) (1885 06 03)
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Vol. VI. a2.50 Published Weekly by Beadle and Adams, Price No, 73, ; a Year, No. 98 Wrn1tam St., New YorE. Five Cente. PHOTOGRAPH PHIL, THE BOY SLEUTH; “Scarrranance BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. A STRANGE, SIBILANT HISS SEEMED TO EMANATE FROM THIS PARTY AS PHOTOGRAPH PHIL ENTERED,
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" ¢ Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. Photograph Phil, THE BOY SLEUTH; Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, AUTHOR OF ‘‘DEADWOOD DICK’’ NOVELS, ROB” NOVELS, ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. PHOTOGRAPH PHIL—A BOY OF THE PERIOD, AND HIS ROGUE’S GALLERY. “On! Photograph Phil Is a glorious Pill; A boy of the period, you bet! And the coins he rakes in, Are not ea*ned by sin, But made by the brow of his sweat.” “Yes, pilgrims, Photograph Philio am I—a wonder of the nineteenth century—a marvel fer two or severial continents. Walk up, ye benign-faced de- scendants of the ape—ramble hitherward, ye anglers fer ther golden grub, and behold the various peculi arities o’ yer humble servant—then smile, on realiz- ing that you have blundered plum squar’ upon the Mecea of yoursanguine anticipations—that you have found a Multum in Purvo, right hayr in the city of Cascade. ‘“ Velier-citizens, Iam nota publiclecturer, aiming ata position in the Capitol, neither am La quack eure all for all diseases and afflictions, as ye might all suppose. No sir, my intelligent hearers, I am none of these, but something grander—a spontans- ous outburst of effusive nature, sandwiched with seven pounds of brains, and more tongue than mor- tal man e’er had before. “Ts there ary pilgrim, with thoughts so base or motives so evil. as would durst say Thad not the right to wield my gabby applianes for my special earthly maintenance? No! three hundred and fifvy thousand times no! In the words of the poet: “A man may dress in garments rough, Or dress in habiliments sleek; He cannot be a gospel tough, Wi’out a plenty o’ cheek.’ “ Allow me ter add, geelorions apples of my eye, that the poet had glued his gaz3 upon m3 when he wrote those poetical lines. Oh! bawhiskered mon- archs of the pick, let me impress if deeply unon your minds, that 1 am the cominy man, the con- ueror of science, the professor o’ the American sleuths, Behold in me, oh mighty hosts, the son of a seventh son! A man whose un<lerstanding sur- asseth thine own, even thourh mine years number utin the nineteenth column of life. Look at me— slap your optics straight upon m», ye suspicious mortals, and apprise me ef ye see in me anything unnaturial—if I am particularly a monstrosity, a mermaid or a catfish? “Humbug? Where did I hear that whisper, then? Tt wafted unto me like the cackle of an eight-day heifer! Where isthe man who durst say I am not— a boy of the period, a vagabond, a scamp? Where is that pilgrim who durst aver that Iam nota beat, asleuth, a sno-zer, gifted with a gab like unto per- petual motion? Hooray! the idea of a nineteen-year- old sharp, attracting such a vast concourse of peo- ple, who stand with bated breath and_ fly traps agape, listening to the discordant notes of a Boy of the Period—a graceless scamp, who has tried his hand at nearly every trade and profession, from cheating babies out of their bottle of milk to mur- csving blind mice out of pure cussedness. K. * ROSEBUD er “Here you all stand, with your hands in your pockets, and grotesque grins upon faces—bums, bullwhackers, and beats, all taking in what I say, and wondering what I am about todo. Oh! ye poor half-witted sons’ of sea-cooks! prepare to be as- tounded! dumfounded! agitated as by a gigantic earthquake! Be ye in readiness, I say, to be demor- alized and panic-stricken by me, the wonder of the nineteenth century, when I reveal unto you the se- erets of my visit here. “Gaze at me! protrude your eyeballs at me! watch the incessant and mechanical motion of my tongue! Allow me to assure you that it is all my own. Polit- ical parties have even engaged me to harangue to mivhty multitudes, and, as a result, there are ninety indictments standing against me for talking sundry senators and sardines to death. I have actually the assurances that I can sta d here and talk longer and gas you longer than any mortal man extant. “As I said before, gaze at me! You behold an or- dinary chap, five feet four high, weighing a hundred and forty pounds saucy-looking, independent chap—and the biggest rascal east o’ the settin’ sun, I stand upon a dry-g ods box, in the main streets of Cascade OUity, surrounded by a multitude of people —a hard crowd 0’ ‘citizens,’ at the best. Behind me, upon the dry-goods box, stand several frames, and an object covered with a blanket, which might be a sewing machine, a camera, or a surveyor’s instru- ment. Itis the middle of the three—a photograph- machine, for taking the picture of man or b ast, with equal accuracy and dispatch. “Here, let me arrange the frames, and unvail them. There! you see you have pictures of four hundred individuals, distinct from each other, I call this my rogue’s gallery, and these are my rogues. Every man you see there pictured is a con- summate rascal with a reward set upon his head. Walk up and gaze at the artistic collection! It costs you nothing to look upon the features of brother- beats and scamps. Ten to one every man in the crowd is a villain—a ruffian of the deepest hair-dye! I have come here that you might hav» the chance to add your faces to the distinguished collection. Here are kings, ministers, gamblers, deacons, merchants, theater dead-heads, beer-guzzlers, stage-drivers, tramps, avd photographers, all as natural as life. Walk up. pilzrims, and view the collection, Maybe you'll see the face of some dear relative, and I can foe youa duplicate for the moderate sum of a dol- ar! The crowd surged forward to get a peep at the col- lection, which the young sharp had so gabbily an- nounced in his peculiar harangue. The eccentric individual had quite described the scene; let us devote a little space in deseribing him, He was a well-formed youth, about nineteen years of age, attired in a stylish suit of gray, with panta- loons tueked in his boot-top ». and a battered “ plug” hat cocked upon one side of bis head, after rowdy style. His whole appearance was that of a flashy, b jeweled jockey, except you were to make a study of his face Here you would stop to digest former impressions, in order to mak» room for new ones. Tt. was a strange face, that of this Boy of the Period, as he had aptly styled himself. There was an expression of good-nature in the prominent linea- ments as wellas signs sug restive of a cunning and an independent, dare-devil disposition, and a will firmer than rock. His features were of ordinary mold, with firm chin, fat, health-tinted chee’s, and a mouth ever haunted witha waggish expression or a smile, The eves were blue, keen and sparkling, the forehead hich, the hair brown and curling close to the skull. This gave him a strange appearance, as viewed among the straight and long-haired miners of the town, Whence he had come none knew, except that the stage had brought him into the town. with a super- fluity of trunks and boxes; and now, under the moonlight of the early autumnal evening, with its soft Indian-summer breezes, he had gathered about
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Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. 3 him such a crowd as ne’er before had assembled in the main street of the :own—or city. For the town of Cascade City has made rapid strides since we bade it adieu in ‘‘Idyl, the Girl Miner,” to return and chronicle another strange and eventful story of the mines The monthly moon- tides now came regularly, and covered the gulch- bottom with golden sands, even as the moon fulled in the heavens. Consequently, ina few short days, the gulch was a second Deadwood, with its hosts of people, and hundreds of saloons, shanties, stores aud tented habitations, wherein dwelt and traded the heterogeneous masses. Several miners had attempted to trace Cascade creek above the noisy falls, but they had never re- turned and, as a consequence, others had little desire to follow their example. Changes, too, have come among those whom we have formerly known as characters. Sir Tom Somerset and his wife Idyl, bave gone Fast, and of all the faces we see in the crowd which surrounds the sharper, Photograph Phil, there are but two we recognize. One of these is Baltimore Bess! The girl dare-devil herself, as natural as life, with the same coolness which has given her her fame— the same bountiful supply of ‘* brass,’’ so much need- ed, if one exp: cts success in the Far West. Bess stands and gazes admiringly at the eccentric Photo- graph Phil, for he is a novelty in the mines, and evi- dently no “slouch.” We cast around for the rext face which we know. Carefully we gaze over the human sea, but sce none familiar in our memory, unless—can it be possible? Can it be that we are not mistaken in that fellow, not farfrom Bess—the blear-eyed, red-nosed, rag- gedly-attired bummer, whose legs seem unable to support him, and whose drunken hiccoughs and ex- clamations are the cause of many a shout of laugh- ter? A new “citizen” in the town, is he, evidently, for nobody seems to know him, At the best he is a filthy-looking, greasy old wretch, with unkempt hair and beard:—no, we are sure, now, that we have never seen him before. It was a faint gleam in his preternaturaly brivht eyes, which called back the recollection of another “Hic! hur-r-rah-er!” this individual would shout, occasionally. ‘Tsay (hic!) young feller, d’ye know ae D'ye (hic!) ‘ever remember o’ takin’ my forty- raft?” eM Most noble duke, I am sorry to aver that I never had that honor!’ Photograph Phil replied, with a grin. “ Although I’ve photographed nearly all the crowned heads of Europe, I never had the opportu-’ nity of taking your most sublime phiz.”’ “No! I guess-ernot, young feller. I (hic!) guess-er not. D’ye know mie (hic!)—ye know who J am?” ** Ain’t the Grand Duke Alexis, are you?” “No! guess-er not!” the old bummer muttered, seratching his head through the crownless part of his old hat, as if to dig up the roots of remem- brance—‘ guess-er not.” “Ner Dom Pedro, the emneror?” “Ye-e-s—Dom Pedro—dom it (hie!) as much as ye please, young feller. I(hic!) play pedro, an’ get (hic!) er beat. D-d-dead broke.” “Oh! maybe you’re George Jackson, then?” the Boy Photographer observed. ‘*w-n-no! Guess-er not. Don’t know me (hic}), hey? Well, (hic!) my handle’s Bully Ike. now, you b-b-bet (hic!). B-bully Ike, frum the six hundredth (hic') congressional deestrict. P'm a b-b-bruiser, I am (bic!), an’ don’t ye fergit it—a reg’lar (hic!) masher frum ther old (hic!) sc’ool. T-t-t-take my (hic!) fortygraff-er, young feller?” _ _ ©“ Weit till you’re sober, old_nilgrim, and spruced up. Then. come around, and I'l set you off in style. Now. feller-citizens, I guess you’ve seen ther sub- jects o’ my rogues’ gallery. an’ we'll adjourn till ter- morrer. Then, all I request is a visit from those who desire to have their pictures taken. Thanking you for your kind attention, I will now dismiss ou.” As the show was evidently over for the time being, the crowd began to disperse, and soon the stand lately occupied by the lively-tongued photographer was cleared of its freight, which had been trans- ported to a boxed wagon, drawn up at one side of the trail asif for repairs, while a superannuated mule grazed close at hand. ; The boy artist had, in the mean time, wandered through the town, with no intent, evidently, except to see the sights; for there were many strange ones to be seen in the little mining strike of Cascade City. Saloons, dance-houses, and gaming-hells flourished at every hand, and. in some instances. the three oc- cupations were confined to one building. Cascade City also now boasted of a real theater, which wasa large frame shanty, and was designated as “ The Home of Mirth.” Into this establishment Photograh Phil paid his way. in preference to whiling away his leisure in the saloons. Passing inside, the young photographer managed to obtain a seat. although the place was packed. He was not alittle surprised to find the perform- ance of a less immoral nature than that of many of the Eastern variety halls. and after he had thorough- ly enjoyed a part of the programme he left the place, with the intention of returning after getlinga breath of fresh air. But an event unforeseen prevented his return, Just outside, he was touched upon the arm by a young female. poorly dressed, with a bit of shawl over her head in place of a hat. “Please, sir. would you be so kind as to give me & few pennies? Mother is very sick—brother was kill- ed last week, and we have nothing to eat, nor no money.” It was a plaintive, childish voice, even though the speaker was full-sized—very pretty, both of face and form, Photograpn Phil thought from what he could see of her in the gloom, which reflected from the theater. “Whatis your name and where do you live?” he asked, eying her keenly. © My name, sir, is Millicent Vere,” the girl replied, after a trifle of hesitation. “‘We live in a cabin down the gulch.” “Thank you. If you will permit me to accompany you to To home, I will willingly give you aid!” Phil said, politely. “If I find that you are worthy of assistance, I shall gladly render you any assist- ance in my power.” “You are very kind, sir, but I would much rather you would not come—at ‘east not yet. Good even- ing —excuse me, for the intrusion—” * But, say, hold up!” Phil remonstrated, rather authoritatively. “Jest don't gitin a hurry.” And fumbling in his vest pocket, he drew forth a roll of bills, and thrust them into the es beggar’s hands. “There you are, miss—guess there’s enough to keep you from starvation awhile. °Sh! no words about it, now-—just salt onto it and bounce. When I give a charity lay-out, I give it, you bet, and don’t allow no back talk. neither, begging your pardon all the same, for my rude speech. Take the money, freely and go on your way, rejoicing.” “But—but, sir, you are robbing yourself—you—” “Git out!” the Boy of the Period said, with a chuckle, ‘“ Why, that’s nc thing—I am rich.” « Anyhow, I thank you very much,” Millicent Vere said, gratefully. ‘‘I shall try to repay you. Before T go will you tell me to whom | am indebted?” “They call me Photograph Phil, miss. As for be- ing indebted, get out!” Millicent bowed, with a murmur of thanks, and turning hurried away, swiftly, down the gulch. She presently emerged into the moonlight, and the boy stood gazing after her, notine with appreciative eye her gracefulness, and trim. willowy form. “I told her l was rich!” he muttered, “and so I am ina superfiuity of tongue, brains, and cheek, I
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Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth, believe. But certainly not in gold, when the money I gave her censtituted my whole fortune, with the exception of a few silver pieces. But, pshaw! that hundred dollars will make their hearts gladder than it ever could mine, Photograph Phil bas been too long a waif of the world, o fear starvation, when short, a few. Ho! hum! the next thing is to look out for a place to lodge, to-night.” , He was about to turn up the street into the main part of the town, when his sharp eye caught sight of something lying upon the ground, just where Milli- cent Vere had stood while addressing him. | He stepped forward, and upon examination found it to hea piece of paper. Many would have passed it by; but not so with the Boy Sleuth, He had long since learned to regard trifles as the foretaste of greater things. ad ait He now picked up the paper, and bringing it where the moonlight could play upon it, discovered that it contained the impression in black ink of a skull and ¢ross-bones, and alsoa black belt or band. Inside this band were the three letters, “ 7. of B./” “Well, I'll be shot if there isn’t something queer here!” Phil muttered. ‘‘f don’t believe there is a drug-store in the place that owns so peculiar a Jabel. Probably itis the sign or password of some secret orzanization that has its existence here. But how did itcome hee? The girl may or may not have dropped it—probably not. Let me see: what does T. of B. stand for?—Tim of Ballwhack—Temple of Bacchus— Hello! Now that 1 come to think, there is a place up the guich here which bears that same name. I wonder if this applies toit in any way?” As he gave vent to these mutterings, he wandered along up the street and soon paused in front of a smal shanty better finished than its neighbors, and over the door was painted in du'l letters: “TEMPLE OF Baccuus.” Tt was not an invitine-looking place, for the win- dows were of red-stained ¢'ass and the doors closed. * Phew!” SN as ig a Phil muttered, as he stood still and gazed about him. ‘I’ve a mind to tackls that shebing. If it’s nothing more than a saloon. all right—or if it?s somathing else, all right. Haven't I got the papers and sufficient brisst> get out? It won't be my first little scrap2—that’s certain.” Watching an opportunity. when som? one had partly opened the door for the purpose of peering out he advanced swiftly and pushed the door fur« ther open and stepped inside. CHAPTER II, THE STRANGE INITIATION. “Tame coolest cuss in ther mines!” The exclamation came from a brawny, fat-legged individual, of rough appearance, who stood leaning against the bar of the ‘ D'stillery,”’ one of the most popular resorts in Cascade City. He was surround- ed by a knot of men of similar appearance, whose blue or red shirts and long, bristling beards pro- claimed them to be miners, “Yes, sir-ee! thet, same galoot aire ther coolest cus3 in the mines!” the first speaker averred. “If I war a good Samaritan, w'ich I ain’t, I’d like ter see thet Sport git rich a1’ married off.” * Pshaw! guess ye don’t know his caliber, do ye?” grunted Mattice, the barkeeper, as he mopped off the counter with a filthy rag. ‘That Rosebud Rob hed ther ch’ice 0’ one o’ ther purtiest gals ye evyer set eyes on, when ther ’citement fu’st broke ont hayr. an’ he wouldn't take it, hang me if he would!” “Ye don't mean ter say ef, thet ther Sport yonder, wi’ a rosebud in his buttonhole, refused ter j’ine in double harness wi’ a vrettv petticoater?” ‘ He jest dil that same.” *Cuss him! He ought ter be shot!” and the miner emphasized his views by pounding the counter smartly with his fist, which was a huge mass of bone and flesh. “* Whar’s ther pilgrim as wants ter marry me off ter a good-lookin’ feminine—oh, whar is he, ther brute?” The center object of the foregoing conversation now came forward from the inner room, where he had been watching the dancers, of whom there were some two-scors upon the floor of both sexes, Rosebud Rob, the Spotter Sport! He needs no reintroduction to the reader, to whom he has made former appearances. The same cool, handsome Sport he was yet, with his elegant make-up, rivaling that of a Broadway swell. Everything he wore was the best of its line, and you had the Spotter Sport’s photograph. “Al! good-evening, gents!” he saluted, as he sauntered up, with a bow. ‘I presume you are en- joying yourself this eveninz?” “Waal, who said contrary?” the big miner grunt- ed. _‘* Who’d I hear mention fight?” “Tt might have been me!” Rosebud Rob replied, withasmile, ‘Somehow fighting material is rather searce to-night, and bravado is below par.” He then sauntered on into the gambling-saloon, where all kinds of games were running in full blast. Seating himself at the table just vacated by a couple of miners, he lit a cigar, and watched those around him sharply. There were men in the room whom he suspected belonged to the famous Joaguin, Jr.’s, band, but b: no action did they reveal anything to warrant his suspicion, Baltimore Bess came in, after a while, and occu- pied a chair opposite the Sport. She was looking very pects. in her semi-feminine hunting-costume, with the hat set jauntily upon her flowing hair, and top boots reaching to her k ees. ‘Theres was a healthful flush upon her cheeks, and a fascinating expression to her eyes, which ever caused the Sport to regard her with admiration; and sometimes he pondered and wondercd why it was she had come out into the mines in the guise of a cases when she was fitted for a higher station in life. For he had long rince found that her rough language was but simulated, for when she chose she used as good Webster as any ordinary mortal, “ Well,” she said, interrogatively, ‘“‘ what is the news?” ‘None to speak of,” Bob replied, with a yawn. “Things are getting monotonous here.” “So they are. Did you see the photographer who arrived this evening?” “Only from a distance.” “ Heisa brick. Can talk more inless time thana dozen phonographs,”’ jaan that pretty steep, are you not, Bess, gal?’ “No, not a bit. But. something else fetched me here, Mr. Mapleton. What do you think about the Temple of Bacchus down here in the gulch?” “The temple of what?” “The Temple of Bacchus,” “Tam sure [don't know. What is there peculiar about the place?” _ Well, just cast your eye at it when you pass next time. ft is kept under lock and key, and no one is ever seen to enter or leave it.” “Umph! that is strange. I'l’remember your suggestion, Bess,’ as the girl dare-devil arose to go. Let us return to Photograph Phil, whom we left after he had pushed the door open and stepped in- side the Temple of Bacchus. He found himself in a little vestibule, dimly light- ed by a sputtering candle, and confronted by a meekee man, who held in his hand a cocked re- volver, The door was instantly slammed shut; and Phil was alone with his savage-looking confronter. “Hist! no noise!” the masked man ordered, per- emptorily, “What brings you hers, young man?” “What is that your business?” Phil demanded, ‘Don’t I belong to this byer lodge?” —
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2 Photograph Phil, “Let’s see your slip, then!” was the gruff com- mand, for the man evidently disbelieved this parry. Not a little doubtful as to the result, Phil produced the Mies ag he had found in front of the theater, and handed it over. After scrutinizing it a moment the guard returned it, with a grim “ ae bea “ Pass on!” he said: ‘‘I guess it’s all ght. You'd better never try the front door again, however.”’ Phil nodded, and passed on down a dusky hall along the walls of which were racks containing a sorts of masks, and hooded black cloaks. “IfTain't in a scrape this time, you can sell me out for a cent!” he muttered, dubiously, as he paus- ed before a rack containing a large black gown and mask. ‘I've got tomake a deiut of some kind, and I calculate I might as well collar one of the turnouts, Was ever man insuch a fix before?” Not without considerable uneasiness he managed to envelop himself in the huge gown, and affixed the mack to his face, after drawing the hood over his head. The next act was to enter the door tothe main apartment of the building, which he did, Lis teeth set, and his mind fully made up that he would see the elephant after making this lunge into the mys- teries, or burst. As he entered the apartment, he glanced nervous- ly around him. There was much to surprise him, Tbe room was large, and was plastered, papered, and carpeted. Long benches were scattered here and there about common deal tables. Upon these benches, figures arrayed the same as Phil himself, were engaged in playing cards, under ee dim light of chandeliers, which pended from the ceiling. Further in the middle of the room was a large dais, well carpeted and ornamented by a revolving stool, upon which sat another grim masked figure. A strange, sibilant hiss scemed to emanate from this party as Photograph Phil entered, and mechani- cally each and every figure arose, and a double score of accusing fingers were pointed at the intruder. “Consarn their pictures!” Phil muttered, under his breath, ‘what do’ they mean? Reckon I've stumbled upon a lot of mummies, like Rip Van Winkle, in the play. Wonder what a fellow’s to do, anyhow. Guess I'll waltz for’a’d, and kneel before the old shellbark on the turn-table stool, and see what he’s got to say for himseif.”’ Vaguely wondering what the result would be, Phil summoned up his courage, and marched boldly for- ward and dropped upon one knee before the dais, then arose and stood with folded arms before the unknown master of these strange beings and sur- roundings. “Ha! thou art punctual, Cross-Bones!”’ came the words, in a deep, hoarse tone of voice, “ What news for thy brethren bringest thou?” “None, chief!” Photograph Phil replied, in a dis- guised voice. ‘‘The information for which I sought was not to be had.” “Why address me as ‘chief,’ Sir Pirate? Dost thou not recognize the differ nce between me and thy high-commander. Diablo?” “* Av, [readily perceived the difference, your honor, but chose to call you chief. because thou art acting in the place of the grest Diablo!” At this juncture, Photograph Phil become sud- denly aware that he had made a great blunder, for there was an instant hiss from the masked gamblers, and aseries of revolver clicks! and the young ad- venturer had but to glance around to find that a score of six-shooters wer leveled at his head. Whil the firure upon the whirling stool suddenly stood upon his feet, stern and grim, in his uncouth robe and mask. “‘Impostor!’’ he hissed, fiercely, ‘‘we trapped for you and caught you. 7 am Diablo, and you are not the spy, Cross-Bones, whom we sent out from our | midst,” the Boy Sleuth. 5 “Well, supposin’ I ain’t? What are you going to do about it, anyhow?” Phil demanded, tearing off his mask, **My autographical signature is Photograph Phil, every time, and if you want anything of ine, jest speak out!” Asironger hiss came from the mysterious crowd, followed by a groan. “Oh! you needn’t hiss and groan, as if you had swallowed an overdose of goose and mince pie!” Phil continued, seeing that no one offered to argue the point with him, ‘ You can’t scare me worth a cent. I’m proof against sech foolery. If you're blacklegs, say so, and I shall be most happy to take your ees AS al “Thou art a stranger, whose wit hath led thee to penetrate into the Infernal Fcrty tribunal,” the fig- ure upon the throne spoke. ‘‘ Therefore, unless thou takest oath as a brother. thou artadead man, We are just forty tavored sons of the devil, all workin to one end—foity, jusi—no more. If a man is ad- mitted, he is put through the initiation, and we mark him. He then draws lots with such a man of the band as a jury shali name, and if he wins he lives, @ ledged member of the Black Band, who are doomed orever to labor for the God of Gold, urder the earth, while the other member dies, and vice versa!” Phil nodded grimly. **Go on,” he said, coolly. “Thou, the intruder, hast the choice of two chances. Either thou art to subject thyself to in- stant death, or submit to the terrible initiations of our Infernal Brotherhood. Which will yeu have? Will you be a servant unto the God of the Christian or a slave of me, the great Diablo?” Photograph Phil gave vent to a speculative whis- tle, and was somewhat alarmed at his position. This was a little the tightest fix he remembered of ever having beenin. He had the choice—of death, or of joining what he had already decided was'a band of robbers and ruffians! He took some time to turn the matter over in his mind before he made any reply to the chief’s ques- tions. * Come! time is up; make your choice without any more hesitation!’ Diablo cried. ‘* You will ac- cept—which?” **T will join your band!” Photograph Phil replied, deliberately. “As 1 don't care about bein’ put in under the ground for awhile yet, it seems my only turn. *Thou hast chosen wisely!’? Diablo said, with a horrible chuckle. ‘The devil rejoiceth when he catches a fish like you.” ; S a asucker like yourself,” Phil retorted, with a laugh. But. a strange, sibilant hiss from the band seemed to indicate that they did no’ relish the point of the joke; but the chief chuckled audibly, his burning eycs fastened upon the Boy Sleuth ina gaze that was anything but pleasant. “Brethren of tiie Infernal Forty.” he said to the band, ‘‘ thou beholdest here a new candidate for po- sition in thy ranks, You all know the rules of our devilish and unprincipled order—where a new ap- plicant is sent in, either the applicant or one from your midst, must die. An election is held to see who shall be the man to draw straws with the new candidate. Such an election will now be held. First, however, let the new candidate be disarmed, and his feet bound. until he is ready for initiation. Several of the outlaws advanced upon Photograph Phil, who threw up his arms and allowed them to go through his clothing, but they failed to find weapons of any sort. He was seated upon one of the benches. and his feet securely bound, so that he could not wallr. When this was accomplished, the chief. Diablo, descended from his throne if such the dais might be called, carrying in his hand a box. “Let every man get ready to cast his vote!” he ordered. ‘Every man shall write be a piece of paper the pame of the man that is, in his opinion,
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g Photegraph Phil, the Boy Sleuth, the best prepared to die, and drop the vote into the box, The name receiving the most votes shall be the man to draw straws with the new candidate.” A strang :, unnatural silence prevailed in the room. Each man received a blank slip of paper from Diablo, and betook himself to a different part of t e room. wherein to write out some fellow-mortal's death -warrant. * Photograph Phil sat looking on, wondering what the issue would be, Each man, ia the thirty-nine voters, seemed to wish their next neighbor to remain in ignorance as to whom they cast their vote for, and accordingly they ape lensige ‘d, to write their death-message. The chief Diablo seated himsel! at one of the tables, with the box before him, and when the masked brethren had written th ir votes, they passed by the table in single file and dropped them into the’ box, retiring thereifter to a respectful distance, where they awai'ed, while Diab!o counted the votes. He went over them carefully, sorting out each man’s vote by itself. [wo men seemed to have more votes than all the rest combined, and it looked doubtful which of the two would come in aheal. Two pair of evil eyes, in the meantime, were level- ed alternately upon the table, and at Photograph Phil, who came to the conclusion that they belonged to the men who were, one or the other, destined to be his opponent, in the pull of death. After the last vote had been ssacked, and Diablo arose, with a suppressed chuckle in his voice, there was a moment of deathly sileace, Seemingly not a man moved or breathed, but stood with bated breath awaiting ths issue. Diablo finally spoke: “The votes have been counted, and it falls to Diuena, the Spaniard, to pull the death-straws. Seize him, knights, and bind him, that he may do no one injury; then prepare to give the new can- didate his initiation, What is your name, young man?” “Photograph Phil, at your service!” “Very well, sir. Steel your heart to pain, and repare yourself for the excruciating agonies of our nfernal torture!” “Go ahead!’’ Phil replied. He was resolved that if others could liv2 throuzh che torture, he could. 4 Preparations were made according to Diablo's or- ers. The man Diuena was seized, bound and disarmed, and thrown upon the floor. Two of the brethren approached Photograph Phil, and tightly bandaged his ey.s so that it was impos- sible for him to see, Cotton was then stuffed into - his ears, and he was seized bodily, and carried about the room by the he1d and heels, while the whole gang followed in his wake, howling in a fri¢htful manner, making a din that he could hear, although, to him, it was but a faint, indescribable pandemo- pium of sound. After awhile he was laid upon the floor, but was speedily seized again and raised, but this time upon a blanket, from which he was unceremoniously bounced into the air and caught again, Shall we at- tempt to describe the feelings of the Boy Sleuth during this interesting performance? Our pen would eventually fail us in depicting the strange and varied sensations he experienced. The bouncing process was finally finished, and he was stood upon his feet, and stripped of his upper garments, to the waist. Then there was a strange silence! What was going to happen? Ha! the chief now speaks, his hoarse, eruel voice bearing a spice of devilish exultation in its tone. “Bring torth the red-hot ‘forty,’ and mark our man for life!’ There was a hiss from the men, then the bandage was torn from the eyes of the Boy Sleuth. He started with a cry of alarm and horror, at the awful sight that was presented to his gaze! CHAPTER III. A MAIDEN IN DISTRESS—THE INEVITABLE THREE OF A KIND. Our under the moonlight of that same eventful night, the gulch was crowded with miners and ad- venturers—a perce cneoes mass of people who were hurrying to and fro, or gathered in knots, con- versing upon the main topics of the day. The night was balmy for November, and the moonlight enchanting enough to warrant lovers in taking a romantic stroll. But very few lovers were there in this lively town of Cascade City—unless sey were all lovers together and of one thing— gold, What a scene was that presented there under the full rays of the great soaring moon! In one place, two brutal toughs were engaged in a rough-and-tumble combat with knives, ringed in by a crowd of admiring friends. In another pee the wily Eastern three-card monte man had pitched his stand under the dome of the movnlit heavens, and was plying game with abundant success to himself. Man after man crowded around this new sensa- tion, and many a poor fool put down his last pouch of dust upon the cards with the hope that he was going to win. But all in vain. He lost every time, while the gambler won every time, and shoved the proceeds down into his pockets with a chuckle. fle was a brawny individual, with a superabun- dance of fat on his limbs and in his florid face, and was dressed in the fantastic costume of a sporting gent from Texas, His eyes were particularly sinister in their expres- sion, and he boasted of such a monstrous mustache as but few men could cultivate, it being full and thick, of a sandy hue, and the ends, fully two feet in length, were thrown back over his shoulder. “ Now, don’t be offish, gentlemen!” this man cried, with a complacency of voice that was designed to be encouraging. ‘Don’t git skeert, or, as my name’s Colonel Bilf Sandford, I'l pull up stakes an’ go ter blazes afore I'll stay in this yere town. See hyar! ‘jest as easy ter ee up ther winnin’ card as ter eat buff’ler meat. Look at me, now! Watch my ever move and motion, and I’ll flip the pasteboards with my eyes shut, and pick up the Queen of Hearts be- fore I open them!” And the ** Colonel” kept his promise, and not only yieod up the card, but likewise astonished the * na- ivas.’ “No use of backing out because vou fail once, fel- ler-citizons. Allis done simply by the twist of your wrist. Walkupnow! Where's the man as dare buck ag’in’ fate?” ‘Here, every time!’ exclaimed a voice. and the Sport Rosebud Rob stepped forward with a cool smile. ‘Here I am, Sir Monte Knight, and I have come to make you lame!” “Golonel” Sandford gave vent to a prolonged whistle 1s he caught sight of the Sport. He recog- nized him by a description he had previously re- ceived of the Sport, and a twinkle of satisfaction came into his sinister eyes. Rosebud Rob swaggered forward, his silk hat cocked to one side, glasses bridged upon his nose, and lavender kids upon his hands. The rest of his make-up was in accordance with the character he represented, and he was the impersonation of a handsome band-box dandy. “Awl! I sav, weally, did you—aw—speak to me, sir?” he inquired. squinting reflectively through one eye-glass at the gambler. “ Did I[—aw—understand you to say that you—aw—would like to flip the—aw —cards with me?’ . 2 “Waal, now you bet I could skin ve in about five minutes by the moon!” the Texan assured, complacently. “But T'll take compassion on you, young feller, an’ adwise ye not ter buck ag’in’ a comet—a regular solid rock practitioner. Ye better go d’rect yer attention ter ther cultivation 0’ rose- budsan’ parfoomery. Ye’llmake more outen it than
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| / } : e could buckin’ ag’in’ my three-keerd monte table. re ken’t flip a card worth two cents!” ‘“Aw! you weally don’t say so!’* Rosebud Rob drawled affectedly, with a yawn. ‘‘ You are deuced- ly clever witn your praises, you know; but, aw! start the game and we will see!’ **Queen of Hearts is to be the winning card!” Bill Sandford announced, expertly throwing the three asteboards upon the table, ‘‘ What will ye do, ye ittle sleek bantam ?”’ “Tl deposit a hundred dollars thet I can pick up the ‘queen,’ aw!” Rob announced, counting out a stack of greenbacks. ‘* Will you cover it, aw! Sir Gambler?” “On course!” the Texan replied, triumphantly stacking an equal sum upon the Seas “chips.” ‘*Go ahead, ye durned, bleedin’ Yank, an’ nominate yer keerd!”” : “Aw! anything to accommodate you, aw!” the Sport replied, with a chuckle, and iege xup the card nearest to him, he held up the eGaeen of Hearts.” Col. Bill Sandford uttered a curse. A murmur of applause came from the crowd. While the Sport serenely removed and wiped his ds © Hang you!” Sandford growled, ‘‘ you only blun- dered into it. Ten to one you couldn't do et ag’in?” ‘i701 hol’? Robsneered, *‘ 1t’s all done simply by a twist of your wrist, youknow. Bess?” “ Here | ar’, pard!”’ and the girl dare-devil pushed forward from among the crowd. *‘‘What’ll ye bev wi’ ugarin it?” “JT want you to hold my money !”’ Rosebud Rob re- plied. sarcastically. “‘D’ye see that individual across the table, who sports the enormous mus- tache?” : “Do 1?” Bess said. closing one eye obliquely, and regarding the gambler coolly. ‘‘ Wal, I recky Ido thet same. Ye mean the chap wi’ er hoss’s tail sproutin’ frum his upper jaw?” “The same. Now, ye see, he is an expert gambler, come down here to fleece these gullible citizens of Cascade Guleh out of their hard earnings, There- fore it behooves me, as a guardian angel o’ the peace, to sail in and bu’st his bank!” “Kerwhoop! Jest my sanctimoneyous thoughts, exactly!” Baltimore ess assented, ‘* Beat the du- eats cl’ar out of him,” ‘“Qolonel”"’ Bill Sandford from Texas, scowled savagely, and seiz.d the cards fiercely, and shuffled them. “Ye Yankee Brag!” he taunted. “lll go yea thousand dollars ag’in’ a thousand thet ye kent pick up the Queen of Hearts this time, one trial.”’ “Stack your chips!’ Rosebud Rob cried. “I'll either loosen the strings to your purse, or go bu’st- ed. Bess, gal,can you lend me a_ hundred, to fill out my pile? I seem to be a little behind the stake.”’ “Waal, now, I shouldn’t weather!” and reaching into a buckskin pocket, the girl dare-devil drew forth a handful of gold coins, two of which she gave to Rosebud Rob, w!o then deposited his wager, The crowd now surged eagerly nearer, for this was momentous and extraordinary gambling, such as was not of everyday occurrence, Sandford shuffled the cards with unusual care, and was not a little nervous. for it was seldom that he met so dangerous anopponent. He had been one of the wealthiest monte gam- blers in the West. but had lost nearly all in a disas- trous speculation, lately, and had come to Cascade City with but a matter of fifteen hundred dollars in pocket, hoping to retrieve his vanished fortune, But, from all indications, he had tackled the wrong For although he threw the cards in as dextrous a manner as he knew how, the Sport picked up the fatal ‘“‘queen,” with a laugh, and raked in the stakes, , Sandford swore roundiy, and whip ed two heavy 45-caliber reyolvers from his belt, but before he Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. y could raise them, Baltimore Bess had “covered ” im. “No ye don’t, Mr. Mustacher!’’ she advised. ‘ Jest ye restore them aire pop-guns to yer belt, or I'm an embodied spirit of Christopher Columbus ef I don’t bore a hole through ye quicker’n a cat kin sneeze. “‘I')] allow l’m capable o’ keerin’ fer this fragrant ros: bud, an’ kin lick ary man as says he hain’t a bull hoss!”’ “Curse you!” Sandford growled, returning his weapons to their holsters, ‘‘ curse you. I’ll get even with you yet. Gentlemen, the bank’s broke, and there will be no more gaming to-night!” And giving the Sport an ugly look, the man from Texas slunk away among the crowd; while Rose- bud Rob smiled good-naturedly, as he shoved his winnings into his pocket. “T reckon that chap won't play monte again, anyhow!” he said. ‘At least, not until he gets even with me. An ugly bruise to his pride, it was, tobe beaten at bis own game. Didn’t you see him, as he waltzed away? Oh! but he had blood in his eye—likewise gore!—to some extint, coegulated crimson! Oh! yes, muchly! His very soul thirsteth for bloody reve: ge. Like some Saracen he will fall upon me with a sword of huge dimensions, and mow me down like a blade of grass.” “‘No he won't!’’ Bess assured, with arms akimbo. “See hayr! ain't lon hand? When thet big Texan steer gits on your trail I allow J'U be on hand. Every woman was made’specially fer ter be ther natural purtector and guardian of sum man—ther guidin’ clement ter his wid moments—ther proppin’ hand ter his dispondent sj ells—ther bleedin’ 0’ his ocket-book. That's me, Posey—me, clean thru rom A to alphabet, you bet! Fate ordained et thet Baltimore Less should allus be a strong arm 0’ pro- tection to the wcak and innocent!” “But ’'m neither weak nor innocent, Bess, so I re- lieve you of your self-imposed responsibility,” the Sport replied with a smile, as he sauntered away. Later a little, feminine cries. and the clatter of hoofs attracted the attention of the throngs in the gulch in the direction of the stage-road which wound down into the valley from the bluffs to the east. Screams that were fraught wit! alarm and terror, too, they were, and that echoed and re-echoed upon Oe silvery moonlit atmosphere of the autumnal night. A horserran—or, rather, a horsewoman, shot out into view, and was seen spurring a white horse madly down the slopes into the heart of the gulch. Everybody stares! What is the cause of her af- fright—her screams~ her undue haste? , Ha! As she comes nearer, the cause looms into view not farin the rear in the share of four horse- men, who are lashing their animals to extraordinary exertions. Mechanically the crowd surged forward to see the thing through. As she came before the great breastwork of hu- manity, she drew rein and ceased her screams—sat erect upon her saddle, her hair pushed back in wild een and her face lit in the streaming moon- ight An inyoluntary murmur of admiration ran riot among the great crowd. Such a face had never be- fore been seen in the mines—was not often to be seen in a lifetime, if searched for the world over, Tt was a brilliantly-expressive face of perfect fea- ture. fired by a pair of large brown eyes full of smol- dering passion, and half-framed in wavy wreaths of chestnut hair : The eyes wore a startled look now; the maiden’s breath came in quick gasps; a burning flush had been aroused in her cheeks by the wild ride, And although she was scarce more than seven- teen she possrssed a form that was willowy and all that was graceful. A ridmg-habit of some expensive dress-goods, to- gether with a hat swung by the strings about her
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8 . Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth, —. neck, and a cloak about her shoulders, constituted her outer garb. After drawing rein, the eyes of the maiden were turned first upon the coming pursuers, and then appealingly upon the crowd. It was evident that she was too much out of breath to speak. “What is it, miss?” a big miner asked, whose name was John Mason—a miner he was, with kind- ly face and tremendous flowing whiskers. ‘‘ What’s the matter? Be you afeard o’ them ar’ galoots?” “Oh, sir! do notlet them come up! They are bad, villainous men, who have pursued me here to force me to stay under the guardianship of a man whom I loathe and fear!” the pial cried, passionately, ‘‘I appeal to you as men of honor not to let those cruel villains touch me!”’ “That settles it, miss,” cried a cool voice, and who should push forward but the Spotter Sport, Rosebud Rob, closely followed by the dare-devil, Baltimore Bess, and the bummer, Bully Ike. ‘* We’re on deck every time when a woman appeals for aid— fe the Mutual Life Protective Association! Eh, ess?” “Waal, now, you just bet!” the dare-devil replied. During this short speech the pursuers drew near- er, and the foremost rode close to the horse of the trembling fugitive and drew rein, “Thank God, my Are misguided child, that I have been so successful in finding you!” he said, in an oily tone, and he laid one hand upon her arm. ** Come, dear, let us ride out of this crowd and find abotel. By the earliest stage to-morrow we leave on our return to Blackstone Hall, your Virginian home.” ‘No, no! I will not go—I will not! Let me alone! Help me, somebody! I will not go with this base villain!” the girl fugitive cried, shrinking away in sudden terror, ‘‘Oh! God help me!’”’ ‘* Keerect! His envoy is on hand!” Rosebud Rob announced, stepping forward. ‘‘ Mr. Whatever-you may-call-yourself, jest be kind enough to oblige me Le waning your dirty paws off from that young ady: “Sir, what do you mean?” the new-comer cried, in evident surprise, his clutch still upon the maiden’s arm, “T mean just what I said,’’ the Sport assured; ‘*and if you don’t follow my instructions in erbout the twinkling of old Jupiter's left eye, I’ll make per- forated card-board out 0’ ye fer Jadies ter work mot- toes on, you bet your best chips. My name is Rose- bud Rob, if you want to know it—‘a man to suit all circumstances!’ ” “Young man, your insolence is pardonable when Icome to regard youin your rudesurroundings, But eae should use more respect in addressing one of ‘od’s servants, for you will readily perceive that I ama minister of the Gospel—the Reverend Lucas De fo at your service.” osebud Rob gave vent to a prolonged whistle, while Baltimore Bess danced about excitedly, her fists doubled up in warlike array. “Tl bet he’s an old liar!” she proclaimed, vo- ciferously; ‘‘two to one he nevyer see’d ther inside oa church, Luk at thet figger-head o’ his, will ye? Phe-e-e-ew! I thort he was a half *twixt er Spitz cur and a perarie coyote, darn my stockings if I didn’t!” The crowd cheered at this point, and the Reverend Lucas grew wrathy. ‘Tig a shameful disgrace—an insult to the pul- pit!” he growled. “Bah! you contemptible hypocrite!” the girl cried, scornfully. ‘‘ Release me, sir!’’ “Nay, [ will do nothing of the kind,” the Virgin- jan hissed, savagely. ‘‘Young man, will you put down your weapon and allow me to pass? I am an innocent man in a land that I am unacquainted with. Tam willing to do everything that is fair, and if you will call upon me to-morrow, I will show you proof that Tam an ordained minister of the gospel, and that I am also guardian of this wayward child. who took a wild notion into her head to leave my house and home on no pretext whatever.” “Tis false!” the girl cried, passionately. ‘I fled from this monster’s house because he insulted me— because he abused me and whipped me. As God hears me, this is the truth!” “Tt is false—utterly false!’? Lucas protested, in holy horror. ‘* My child, will you never see the path of righteousness lying in your way?” “Not while you are around, you base wretch!” the girl cried, her eyes flashing vehemently. ‘ You are a hypocrite—a bad, bold man. wearing the cloak of the church to cover your sins—a wolf in sheen’s clothing!”’ “Young lady,’’ Rosebud Rob said, ‘‘I believe you, and you shall be freed from him for a time at least, Your name is--?” “Jennie Grey, sir. Oh! if you will please make him let go my arm—I—I—he is pinching me with all his strength.” **Let gu of her arm, you old devil!’ Rob cried, fiercely, and the menacing way in which his revol- vers came up to a level caused the Virginian to relax his hold with a shudder. ‘‘Now then, Miss Grey, if you will allow me to assist you to al'ght, 1 will hunt up a place for you to stay until further arrange- ments can be made. Bess, old gal, will you shoot this man, if he attempts molestation?” “You're jest shoutin’ 1 willl’? the dare-devil as- sented, covering the Reverend. ‘An’ hayr, too!” announced the bummer, Bully Ike, who had become somewhat sobered, by this time, ‘I’m one of ther crowd—ther new candidate frum ther 663d congressional deestrict, an’ kin pum- mel the mug of ary pilgrim fer ther drinks!” As Rosebud Rob gracefully assisted Jennie Grey to alight, the three companions of Alyne, who had halted some distance away, came spurring forward. One was 2 dark-complexioned, black-mustached individual of five-and-twenty years, attired in a hunting suit, while upon the faces of his two older companions was plainly written ‘ river roughs.” The younger man, as he drew rein with an oath, also drew a revolver. a “Drop that girl, curse you!’ he cried, addressing Rosebud Rob, and covering him with his weapon. “Deliver her back to the saddle, or I’ll blow your brains out on the spot!” “ Hold up thar, pilgrim!" Baltimore Bess cried, as she and the bummer, and the miner, John Mason sprung to the Sport’s side. ‘T’ll allow thet three of a kind allus beats two pair, and besides, we’ve got the crowd to back us!” And a yell from the crowd sealed the verdict. CHAPTER IV. MORE OF THE INITIATION—PHIL A DEMON—AN INFER- NAL OUTLAW. We will now return to the scene wherein we last left Photograph Phil. As stated, he uttered a startled cry at the sight his gaze rested upon, when the bandage was re- moved from his eyes. It was a scene that must have startled the strong- est-minded person at first. The room had been darkened, and before him the Boy Sleuth beheld a couple of human heads perched upon poles, all dripping and gory, as if they had just been cut from bodies. Beyond these yet, and forming a circle entirely around him, were human skeletons, standing upon the floor. as if possessed of life, while their bony arms and hands were stretched out toward him, and their grinning skulls seemed the impersonation of hideousness inasmuch as they were surrounded by a phosphorescent halo of light, Perhaps Phil shuddered a little at first, but he pd soaeelt regained his composure enough to realize that all of this business had been arranged with a view to frightening the wits out of him. Accord- ingly he gave vent to a prolonged whistle, denotive of surprise, followed by a wild laugh.
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Instantly there was a hiss, and the skeletons and heads suddenly disappeared through the floor, and Diablo and his imps Rood in their place. The transform tion occurred so suddenly that Photograph Phil was unable to tell how it was done, a he rightly concluded, by the aid of traps in the oor. “Thou didst not fear the doomed spirits of the dead that rose out of Hades?” Diablo said, surprise manifested in his tone. “Nary a time, yer honor!’ Phil replied, with a chuckle. “Guess not! Why, them ar’ bones were of no account in scaring me. ‘‘ Say, how much will you take to let me photograph thet scene? 1 could make a fortune out of it.” “Thy fortunes are bound unto me, Diablo, the acting superintendent for Satan! I own thee, body and soul!’ 4 “The deuce you do! Git out! don’t sling your taffy at me in that shape, for I don’t swaller it worth a red cent.” “Thou art certainly possessed of a brave heart and a glib tongue. and a valuable acquisition thou art to mine Infernal Forces. Thou hast yet another jos aes to take before the administration of the oath!” ** All right—shove ahead!” “The chief has spoken!” was the grim response, and the man, Diablo, retired to the revolving-throne, where hc seated himself, with a wave of his hand. Photograph was next seized and borne to a wooden eolumn which arose from floor to es near the center of the room, but a few feet from tne throne. He was placed with his back to this, with his face fronting toward the throne, and bound, one rope be- ing passed around his ankles, another at his knees, waist, and throat, making him a helpless prisoner, The whole band, with the exception of Diablo, then passed around and around the pole, chanting, hissing, and groaning, until a whistle from the chief caused them to cease and pair off into line at either hand. The whistle was also instrumental in bringing for- ward, from an adjoining room, the man Diuena, bearing a large kettle of live coals, in which were thrust several irons for the purpose of branding. Phil perceived this, and a hard expression came over his features, for he realized that he was to be branded with red-hot irons ! A shudder involuntarily ran through his frame. It_was a horror of horrors, truly. “Ha! ha!’’ Diablo cried, triumphantly. ‘‘ We will see the bravo squeal, now. Diuena, you know your work. First the ‘40’ stamp, then the ‘skull and cross-bones,’ and then the ‘fraternity’ stamp.” The Spaniard bowed, and an exultant chuckle seemed to come from beneath his mask. Diuena seized one of the irons from the fire, and approached. e iron was made in the shape of a4 and 0, and when imprinted upon anything left the impression of 40." This stamp was six inches in length, by four in width, and was at a white heat. The fair, smooth b-east of the young Sleuth was bare, and was prepared to receive the cruel iron; nor could the prisoner have burst the bonds had he tried. Nothing, then, remained for him to do but to bear it to the best of his ability. His teeth were set like a vise, and his whole frame drawn rigid. ; Nearer—nearer came the brander, his eyes gleam- ing through the mask like coals of fire; his every movement seen fraught with devilish exultance, Now he poises the red-hot brand, and then push- es it down savagely against the breast of the cap- tive. The irons burn deep into the quivering flesh—the sputtering of the burning flesh and the sickening nch that arises. but adding to the terrible scene. At last, apparently satisfied with the pain he had inflicted, Diuena removed his instrument of torture, and stepped back to the kettle, Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. 9 A livid ‘‘40"" stood revealed upon the breast of Photograph Phil, seared deep into the skin—a terri- ble mark, never to be obliterated. All eyes were instantly raised to the face of the young Sleuth, to note the expression there. It was a smile of scorn that mantled the coolly- composed features of the prisoner. There was not the least visible shade of pain—no tears, nothing but that mocking smile. Diablo uttered an admiring oath! Such grit he evidently bad not seen before. “Diuena, thou needst not mark the forehead of the prisoner!” he said. ‘Only the body need thy hand touch.” ** And why tnis change, most noble chief?” “For reasons best known to myself, Sir Imp. Proceed with thy work. Brand the prisoner yet with the skull and cross-bones, and pour salt water over him, after which bring me the oath-book.” The instructions were followed to the letter. For a moment it seemed to him that he should yell outright, so intense was the smarting sensation resulting from _this briny bath, but no sound came from him, much to the wonder of Diablo. “Release him!” the chief cried, sharply. ‘ A man of his grit deserves the honors of the Infernal Band. Now, then, Sir Photograph Phil, I will read the oath of allegiance, and you are to repeat fit after me, word for word, with a revolver against temple. The least hesitation will cause that revolver to go off, and as a result you will be a dead man.” “Very well, sir. Go ahead with your machine; I'm ee Phil replied, grimly, for he knew that if he could stand the excruciating agony of the burning- irons, he certainly could bear to take the oath; for he was not taking it in the sight of God, but in the sight of the devil. Hence he argued there was no arm. The chief began to read the oath, and word for word Photograph Phil repeated it after him. Dear reader, we refrain from giving it upon ‘a * “*And now,” Diablo said, closing the book, “dost thou understand what thou hast sworn to—what a terrible vow binds you to us, young man?” “T should judge that my understanding must be in some degree aroused by this time!” Phil replied. ‘* And thou knowest that thou art bound to me, body and soul—bound to obey my every beck and nod—bound to execute your best work in my behalf when I shall so command it?” “T ain’t deaf, you old son of a gun}”’ “Take care! provoke me not, lest I smite you,” the chief replied. “Brothers, release and anoint the prisoner.” This was Pages done. The bonds which confined the Boy Sleuth were cut, and he stood upon the floor, while ready hands dressed and anointed his burns and rubbed the blood in his.limbs into circulation. He was then helped on with his garments, and stood in the garb in which he had entered. Diablo then descended from the throne, “You must now draw for life!” he commanded, exhibiting the ends of a couple of strawsin his hands. “Diuena, you have the first choice. If you draw the short straw twice out of three times, you are doom- ed to be shot until dead!” The Spaniard nodded solemnly, and seized the end of one of the straws, while Photograph Phil took the remaining one, Diuena drew the short straw. Again Diablo retired long enough to get the straws arranged, and again did the Spaniard draw the fatal straw. “You must die!” the chief said, in a low, hoarse tone, and scarcely had the words left his lips, when the Spaniard dropped to the floor with a bullet through his brain, and Photograph Phil was a regu- lar member of the order of the Dread Infernal Forty —was an outlaw among outlaws. “Come!” Diablo said. ‘‘I would see you alone, for there is work for you to do,”
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He led the way, and Photograph Phil followed. He calculated that his initiation was at an end, and that possibly there might be a chance for escape. Diablo led the way beyou. the dais, and stepped within a large circle which hid been marked out on the floor, motioning Phil to imitate his example, which he did, and, to his surprise, they began to go cles downward into a pit of darkness like unto tyria. Down—down—Phil was not able to judge how far, ere the platform upon which they stood grounded upon a rocky bottom, ‘Bs careful, now!” cautioned the voice of Diablo, “Here—take my band, and follow me,” “Photograph Phil will look out for himself, never you fear!’’ was the reply; ‘so sail ahead.” They stepped from the platform into a little niche in the rock, and immediately the platform arose rapidly upward to the floor of the outer-worli edifice which they had recently quitted. “Come!’’ Diablo said, phat 3 “Get down upon your hands and knees, and follow at my heels, until Tbid you rise to your feet.” Phil obeyed, for there was nothing else to do. He found that the passage through which they were to creep was barely large enough to alow of their moving upon hands and knees, and, moreover, that the rocks were wet and slimy. The blackness was intense. From the mouth of the shaft the passage tended slightly upward, and, in many places, water dripped down upon them from crevices in the rock, wetting them to the skin. As he crept along, the mind of Photograph Phil was not idle. Remembering the situation he had oc- cupied when he had left the above-ground retreat, andthe way he had stepped from the platform, he gradually figured it out that they were creeping ina northarly direction, and this decision, added to the dripping of the water, convinced him that they were either traveling in under the bed of the creek, or wer beneath the falls which tumbled into the yal- ey. On—on they crept; it seemed to him that their journey would never reach an end. Diablo uttered not a syllable but moved straight on, and nothing was left for Phil to do but follow in his wake. It seemed many hours ere they emerzed from the narrow channel into a large nicheina the rocks, the size of an ordinary room. Here they were enabled to rise to their feet and stretch their cramped limbs. From the niche, or cave, a broader passage ran on—all of these strange excavations seemed to have been wormed out by water-power. After taking a drink from a canteen Diablo led on, EE es the course of the passage, they soon emerged into a scene which was strange as it was startling. There was a gigantic plateau of sand and rock of five or six acres’ extent. walled upon every side by perpendicular walls of rugged pine-timbered rocks to the hight of several hundred feet, leaving a sori of basin, as it were, locked out from the world. Upon the eastern and western sides of the plateau were rows of small but neatly-arranged log huts or cabins, counting up to the number of forty—twenty uponaside, = And about, within this peculiar scene, were gath- ered two-score of men, clad in the miner’s costume, and wearing upon their faces full black masks, They were engaged in panning out sand or swinging the pick, while, as in one voice, they sung hilari- ously. it was a strange, wild scene upon which the}moon, from far above, poured a halo of beautiful light, Diablo stopped in the entrance to the plateau and £9291 upon the picture with a smile. ~ They are all mine!” he murmured, with evident sitisfaction; ‘tall mine, bound to me body and soul, They are my slaves who toil that I may realize gold Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. from their labors. Dost see them, Philip? Every man has lost his tongue; they work, but cannot speak, but can sing. ‘“Behold the works of a man whose onl aim is to serve the devil—whose only delight is in gold and revenge. Ha! the word arouses me to my work. Listen! I have brought you here to see this secret gold-mine—to show you the slaves who work for the Infernal Band of which [ am chief. But one man. outside of our order, knows of this secret mine. That man is the Sport, Rosebud Rob. He must die, and I have ordained that you shall go into the outer world, as my agent, to kill this Sport. Then, and only then, will our order realize anything from this mine—then, only, shall we be free from fear of detection.” * And suppose I fail to kill the Sport?” Photograph Phil inquired. He was estimating the chances of warfare against these brethern who would use him for a tool—these pards in blackest villainy. ‘* You shall be set at liberty, to enter into that busi- ness which may most please you. But you shall ever be watched as closely as though you were to re- main here. A shadow shall ever be upon your track that will note your every action and report to me. Any attempt of yours to leave Cascade City will be thwart- ed by my band; any attempt at treachery on your part shall bs rewarded with a horrible death. “One month will be given to you to kill the Sport, or who- ever may learn of this secref mine. If the lifeless corpse of the Yankee is not left where I can assure myself of his death, within the month, Isballset my bloodhounds after you, and they shall hunt you down to death, no matter to what part of the earth you may flee!” Phil bowed. Indeed, he did not know what else to do under the circumstances. _ His first thought was to get out in- to the outer world, and leave his necessary plans un- til after that. “There is one more point I wish to advise you on,” Captain Diablo said, leading the way out into the plateau, further. “Phe so-called moontide which washes gold into the valley bslow is also a work of my organization. To the northeast of this retreat a small stream flows re ly along until it reaches a point just beyond us to the south, where it de- bouches from its subterranean course and pours in a cascade into the g Ich. Once a month, three streams which wash gold from the San Guiese mines are turned into Cascade creek, and a great quantity rushes with the tide. and is led off into this cavern by trap sluices. Much of it also goes over into the gulch, but so insignificant a sum _ as _to be pera worth notice in comparison with the Saharas of golden sand which reach us, Several venturesome men have at- tempted to unravel the seeming mystery of the moontide, but they have been summarily captured and dispatched. We will now blindfuld you. and re- turn you to the gulch in a way which you shall know not, forthe ways of the Infernal Forty are many and mysterious.” At a sigual from the chief,two of the masked miners approached. Phil was securely blindfolded and his hands bound behind his back. He was then pushed forward, and the way led b. Diablo. After much walking, climbing and desceni- ing, he came to the conclusion that they were so do- ing in order to puzzle him, and when his nostrils were saluted by the fragrance of mountain flowers, and he felt grass benvath his feet, he was aware that they had accomplished their object. There was a quick cutting of the bonds which bound his hands—then, flying footsteps. and by the tims he had torn the bandage from his eyes, the person who had accompanied him was gone. In vain he glanced in every direction, hoping to catch a glimpse of the alge he had vanished, and the Boy Sleuth found himself standing alone in the valley, near where tho stage-road wound down from among the eastern bluffs,
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Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. ———————————— The moonlight streamed just as brightly as when he had left the gulch. “T am an outlaw!’ Photograph Phil murmured. “and all because of my infernal curiosity to inves- tigate the secrets of that ‘Temple of Bacchus,’ as it is called. lama sworn and brand d outlaw— the servant of an_eartily Satan. Ha! ha! we shall sec how far I will serve y: u, Sir Diabl..!’ We shall see what can be done in your case! Certainly the coings of to-night have given me ag.imp e into a hell upon earth, and it would be queer if I fear to work. In the mean time, quiet shal] serve me best. To-morrow I will go ahead and start up my photo- graphing business, and while I work at that. as Photograph Phil, the ever-watchful Boy Sleuth shall be upon his guard, and work even as the ferret works, As to this Rosebud Rob, | must make him my special study.” Tired and sore, he resolved to hunt up a lodging- lace at some miner’s cabin, or perchance bunk in is wagon, CHAPTER V. MURDER AND ROBBERY. Tue tables were turned fairly upon the reverend Virginian and his backers for evident it was that these citizens of Cascac« Cily, headed as they were by Rob, Bess, and the bummer, were in no way dis- posed to see foul play. The black-mustached companion of the reverend gentleman swore furiously as he saw that it would be death to attempt to fake the maiden from the Sport, who stood half-supporting her on his strong arm. “Curses ae you!” he growled. Then turning to the Reverend Lucas, he continued: “Tis little use arguing with these meddling fools, and we had better retire until we can invoke the aid of the law.”’ “Nay, my son; I fear we have arrived in a border of Hades, where there is no law. Let me appeal to them once more.” And rising in his stirrups, he glanced into the sea of rugged, hairy faces which were turned upon him —some of them, however, with anything but en- eouraeing expressions. “My Christian friends,” he began, in an affected tone of sorrow, ‘‘I wish once more to appeal to your honor—to your manhood, in this my hour of trial. Isimply ask a boon that is in your power to grant— the restoration of my poor, misguided ward, who, I may as well tell you, is at times slightly deranged. Therefore, my dear friends, I implore you to re- store her to my arms—rescue her from that young ruffian who has, I see, cast an evil and admiring eye upon her. Oh, Lord! thou wilt not permit the unholy sacrifice!” At these words a hot flush rioted over Rosebud Rob’s face, and he made a gentle effort to release himself from the fugitive ward of the Virginian. But with a low cry of alarm she clung closer to his arm, seeming to regard him as her protector. “Don’t give me up to him—please don’t let him take me!”’ she cried, piteously. “Never fear, for I do not intend to do anything of the kind!’ the Sport replied, in a whisper. ‘Be calm, and I will arrange all for your personal safety.” ; “Oh! thank you, sir. How can I—” “Don’t mention it, please,” he replied, then dis- eng.ging himself, he stepped to the big miner, John Mason. There were afew moments of whispered conversa- tion, after which the Sport went back to his charge, with a gleam of triumph in his eyes, “Gentlemen!” he said, glancing about, ‘‘as this seems rather a peculiar case, and as this young lady has assured us that the reverend gentleman is a scheming hypocrite, unworthy of the care of a young and unprotected lady. 1 motion that for the present we put ber under the faarilenship of our esteemed fellow-citizen, John son, miner, who is il = willing to accept the charge, and is will'ng to vouch for the readiness Uf his sister, Mis- Priscilla, to care forher, You all know Mason to be an honest, faith- ful citizen, and I feel su.e that you will sar.ction my littl arrangement!” “ Hip! yip! hooray!” yelled Baltimore Bess_ex- citedly, aud thcre rcse upon the air of the night a tremendous shout of approval, that showed how deeply the public b lieved in the Sport, “That settles it!’’ Ros: bud Rob said. ‘t Mason, I turn the young lady over to your care. Miss Grey, I make you acquainted with your future protector, Mr. Mason, whom I am positive you will find in every way a gentleman.” ‘But, my enemies—they will make him give me up,” the girl said, gazing with a shudderat the Rev- erend Lucas Alyne, who had ridden nearer, and was watching the proceedings, narrowly, in company with his swarthy-faced, villainous-looking son. “Never fear about them, miss!’ the big miner said. ‘‘You can bet they'll keep away from the cabin while I’m around—an’ when J ain’t, thar’s m, old-maid sister, Prissy—she’ll dust ’em, now, | tell ye. Priscilla’s a reg'lar teai er, when she’s a mind to e, you bet!” “And as fer you!” Rosebud Rob said, turning to the Alynes and their backers, “the sooner you ‘dust,’ the better it will be for your health!” “Waal, neow, ef thet ain’t Scripter, ye kin count my vote out next election!’ Baltimore Hess agreed. ‘*Come! -hoist yerselves, ye pie-faced coyotes. It's one, two, three—bounce; an’ ef ye don’t bounce, I'll assist ter bounce ye, you hear m: /” Evidently the party came to the conclusion that “bounce” was their only alternative, for wheeling their horses, they galloped away through the town, without a backward glance. Then, Rosebud Rob offered Jennie bis aim, and motioned for Mason to lead the way, which he did, the crowd parting to let them through. As Mason lived some distance down the gulch, the Sport had opportunity for quite a chat with his new charge, and he was agreeably surprised to find that, although she was young in years, she was old in wisdom. { Her conversation betrayed no lack of education or refinement; her movements were graceful—her na- ture that of the impulsive, warm-hearted maidens of the South. “T owe you a great deal,” she said, as she put ker fair, soft hand in that of the Sport, just as Mason’s cabin loomed up before them, ‘‘ and, being penniless, Iam afraid it will be a long time before I can repay you for your kindness,” “The longer the better,” Rosebud Rob replied, coolly, as he pressed her hand warmly, “for I should hope to be shot if Lever was tempted to take pay for a service done a lady. Please do not mention it again,”! “Tf it annoys you, I will not, Will you call upon me, Mr.—” “Mapleton is my name, although I generally hail to the name of Rosebud kob, or the Sport.” “Bul you haven’t answered my other question,” the little beauty reminded. “Oh! as to that—yes, if you like, Perhaps I shall be needed to drive away these enemies of yours.” And, with a quiet laugh, be shook hands for the last time, and, bidding her good-evening, saun- tered back into the heart cf 1he town—for the cabin of John Mason stood partly back against the bluffs, somewhat isolated from cther habitations. The nizht being warm the door was wide open, and a bright light streamed therefrom, cheerily. | “Tt ain’t much o’a palace, miss,’’ Mason said, humbly, ‘' but it’s a purty snug leetle home after all, an* I reckon a pilgrim orter be satisfied wi’ what he can afford, in this world.” ; - “You speak very truthfully, sir,’’ Jennie replied: “and Tam sure I shall like my new home. Only, I feel ashamed that I have no money with which to eompensate you for your trouble,”
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“Tut! tut) don’t speak of it, little lady. Your bright an’ cheery presence will more’n pay for what little you eat_an’ sleep. Come right along inside, and let’s find Priscilla.” Priscilla Mason was easily found. She was seated before a table, paring potatoes, preparatory for the morning. and humming an ancient Sabbath-school song, which she must have committed to memory years before, when she was a blo ming young maiden, For Priscilla could now be safely called an old maid, when five-and-forty years had dragged over her head, and left furrows and wrinkles in her pinched and bony countenance. Indeed, Priscilla ossessed no beauty at all, and years of single life had served to sour her temper as well as her looks. ‘‘ Well, John Miner! is that you?” she exclaimed, in a shrill, harsh voice. “I don’t see what keeps you out-of-doors so late every night. I hope for goodness’ sake you will try and mend your ways, John, You know what the Good Book says about the evils of staying out late of nights. Oh, deary! it makes me sick to be always a-jawin’ of you, John Miner.”’ “Then, for Heaven’s sake! don’t everlastingly make a habit of it, Prissy. But look here, if you ean possibly take your hand off from that potato- pan, and see what a present I have got for you!” Miss Prisciila did look—then bounded to her feet with a feminine shriek, and away went the potatoes and pan upon the floor. “You, John Miner!”’ she gasped; ‘‘ you—you gone and tied a woman to your coat-tails!”’ “Fold on now, ery} don’t get off ther belt, all ter once. This voung lady has been placed in our protection by the miners, and we are to keep away a passel 0’ galoots who hev laid claims ter her. That’s all—so quiet yourself.” “ Dew tell!’ Miss Priscilla gasped, hastily picking up her potatoes, and sprucing about, wonderfully. © So yo’re a regular leetle her’ine, eh, miss, like they tell us about in the novels? Laws! who'd ’a’ thought? John Miner, do you go to the grocery and get some tea at once, for the canister is clean gone empty, and there’s nothing so strenghtening to the nerves as a good cup of tea. Her’ines drink tea, don’t they, miss?”’ she ad ied, turning apologet- ically to Jennie. “Dear me! I clear forget all I ever did know.” “T presume they do,” Jennie laughed, “ though you are overrating me in calling me a heroine, hat is one of the things I never laid claim to.” Miss Priscilla would not hear tu such an idea, however, and continually persisted in making Jen- nie out a real heroine. A plain but substantial meal of venison, oatmeal, and corn-brea !, with a choice of fresh milk or tea, was soon set upon the table, and thankfully the new ward of John Miner proceeded to do justice to it. The meal finished, she was shown to a snug little room, which Miss Priscilla assured her was to be her own; and after bidding the hostess good-night, the fugitive retired for the night, feeling a greater sense of safety than she had for many a long week. Rosebud Rob, after leaving Jennie Grey in front of Mason’s cabin, sauntered back into the town. As he was passing the Big Lode Bank, the only stone structure, by the way, in the town, Mr. Mark Manners, the gentlemanly cashier and book-keeper, came out, locking and closing the door after him. The Sport nodded P cler matty and was passing on, when Manners called him back, with a troubled ex- pression upon his face. “What is it?” Rosebud asked, returning. in some surprise, for he had never known Manners inti- mately, “Oh! I was a little worried, and wished to consult you.” the clerk said. seating himself, and producing a case of cigars, ‘‘ You are well posted as to the evil element in this place, and perhaps can adyise me weatoda? ee | Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. “Maybe I can, if you open up your batteries, so that I can see what you are driving at.” “ Well, in the first place, we are kind of worried, becaus we have an overstock of gold on hand, which we have no immediate chance to ship, as the ‘ Iron- clad’ will not get around here ina month again. Had TI not, from your several acts, learned to trust you Es easel Ishould not tell you this. Perhaps you will be surprised when I tell you that there is a half a million of dollars in gold inside these walls, in addition to the cash assets of the bank itself.” Evidently the Sport was surprised, for he gave vent to a quiet whistle. * All that gold never was taken out of the sands of Cascade Gulch?” he said interrogatively. “On! no. There are two large deposits in the names of men who have recently come from other mines, besides a considerable dust and grains from this valley.” ; “And you feel rather spookish wi’ sech a grist in the tiller, eh?” “Yes, especially as men have been caught in the act of watching the bank upon several occasions of late, after dark.” “ Were they masked?” “Yes, and well heeled,” was the he “Diablo, the road-agents’ men, no doubt. You've heard of them?” “6No.? “Well, you’re lucky then, A new gang of cut- gp you see, under a human devil called Dia- 0. “Trying to emulate the remarkable career of the illustrious Deadwood Dick, eh?’’ ‘*By no means. Deadwood Dick had many gentle- manly traits, but from what 1 can learn, this so- styled Diablo and his gang are human vultures and ee whose only aim is plunder and blood- shed. “Do you believe our bank is inany danger?” ‘*Not if you keep it guarded. How many persons know that you have so much wealth on hand?” “None. excepting yourself, Millicent Vere, and the officers of the bank.” “Ah! who is this Millicent Vere, of whom you speak?” “Oh! she is all a The daughter of a widow, down below here. have known her some time, and believe her perfectly honest, or I shouldn't have intrusted her with so important a secret.” “Well. maybe you did right, and maybe you did- n’t,” the Sport observed, thoughtfully. ‘“‘I would- n’t trust such a secret with a woman, unless she were my wife, and then I should want a muzzle on her tongue.” And so saying, he sauntered away down the gulch, leaving Mark Manners sitting upon the bank steps. From that night dated Cascade City’s history in the annals of crime, For in the early dawn of the morning the startling intelligence was heralded abroad that a robbery had been perpetrated at the Big Lode Bank, and the watchman, Ike Caruthers, and the cashier, Mark Manners, had been killed. The news spread like wildfire, and vast crowds quickly gathered in the vicinity of the bank. Rosebud Rob had been among the first upon the spot after the alarm was given, and he was speedily joined by half a dozen others, among whom were Baltimore Bess, Bully Ike, the bummer, and Photo- graph Phil. The dastardly work had been committed within the bank, for Manners and the man Caruthers la: upon the counting-room floor, a bullet-hole in eac of their temples telling how they had died. The place, even to the single vault, had been ran- sacked of everything of money value, and such articles as were not portable had heen smashed, or damaged to a great extent,
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Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. is And over the kalsomined walls were written, with the devices of skull and cross-bones. the words: * Thas is the workof Diablo und his In‘erval Forty)" “That explains it,’ Rosebud Rob said, pointing to the inscription. “It is the work of that human ghoul, Diablo, In the dead of night they have somehow contrived to surprise Manners and the guard, and murdered them in cold blood.” As he finished speaking, Baltimore Bess approach- ed, and as she caught sight of the deathly tace of Manners lying upon the floor she suddenly grew very white, gave vent to a strange, painful cry, and ina dead faint would have fallen, had it not been for Rosebud Rob, who caught her and broke her fall, ‘* What was Manners to her?” the president of the bank asked, coming forward with a pitcher of water, which he dashed into her face. “You've given me a conundrum!” the Spert re- plied, gazing down into the pretty face of the dare- devil. Bass soon regained her consciousness, Hers wasa strong constitution, and she ever rallied quickly. Rosebud Rob assisted her to arise, and wiped the wet from her face with his handkerchief. She trem- bled in every limb. and was very white—shuddered, as with horror, when her cyes for an instant wan- dered back to the dead face of Mark Manners. **Come!”” Rosebud said, in a low tone, you had better leave this place, Let me assist you—”’ “No, Mr. Mapleton, thanking you allthe same. I am stronger now, and can go myself and alone, I stop with Mrs. Lyoniel, up the gulch, and can easily go there.” The Sport knew that Mrs. Lyoniel was a good, Christian lady, who had several months ago lost her husband in a blasting horror, up at Crook City, and had come into Cascade City, with a view to tak- ing a few boarders. “You had best go at once, then,” he said, in his kindly but authoritative way. ‘If you need my as- sistance in any way, send for me. But, first, what is Mark Manners to you? Are there any directions ou foe leave in regard to the disposal of bis oay . “None!” she replied, a set look coming upon her retty face—so quietly beautiful it looked now, in its unwonted pallor. “Tt was only a moment of womanish weakness which caused me to faint, The dead man is nothing to me.” She turned and left the bank. There was a surging crowd gathered on the out- side, but they Beers respectfully, for her to pass through, for all in the gulch city knew that she would brook no indignity nor familiari y. In the mean time. the bodies of the murdered men were taken to their respective homes, where they were prepared for burial Manners was an old bachelor, as nearly as could be learned, and boarded at one of the shanty hotels, but lodging within the bank, Caruthers had a wife and several small children, and lived in a little cabin further down the gulch. Rosebud Rob, ever on hand and accommodating, superintended the arrangement, of the bodies for purial, and such things as were needed, he pur- chased with his own means. It was his way of do- ing a kindness. “ After everything was prepared he went back to the ban’, and had a short conversation with the directors. They were men-about-town who had accumulated some wealtn and put it info the banking-business. Their respective fortunes were now broke. «s well as those of the depositors, until the money could be recovered. P There was a meeting between the depositors and officers, and all agreed, by unanimous vote, that the Sport was the man to put upon the trail. ‘After some thought, together with an offer of one- third the booty recaptured, Rosebud Rob signified his willingness to hunt up the perpetrators of the robbery and murder, provided sufficient time was given him for his purpose. He then left the bank, and turned his footsteps to- ward the cabin of the miner, John Mason, He had become acquainted with the Masons, and he felt comparatively at Lome in visiting them. And if it was a pleasure to visit them hereto- fore, why should it not be now, when the calin was enlivened by a ray of of sunshine in the bewitching, artless person of Jenny Grey. The waif had made a deep impression upon the Sport. Pare 2 CHAPTER VI. JENNID GREY’S STORY, As he approached the cabin he perceived Jennie sitting in the doorway. engaged in paring some wild apples which had grown upon a tree nigh at hand. She was attired ina wrapper, which had evidently some day belonged to Miss Priscilla, and wore one of the latter’s aprons—altogether making a charm- ing picture, She arose with a welcoming -smile, and put forth her fair little hands trustingly into tle Sport’s rougher ones, as he came up to where she was standing, “Oh, Lam so glad to see you, sir. One never for- ets a friend, I believe, in an hour of need; and she aughed, showing her pearly teeth to advantage. “Thank you for the compliment,’ Rob replied, leaning against the doorpost, and gazing down upon her as she resumed her seat. ‘One would suppose you quite happy and contented.” “Tam sure I feel very contented here, Indeed, why shouldn’t 1? Mr. and Miss Mason are both very kind and generous to me; and while my _grati- tude to them is earnest. my gratitude to you knows no bounds, For, but for you, my enemies would even now have me in their possession.”” “T trust not. I am sure there are plenty of men in this town who would stand up for a defenseless. woman,’’ “But how many are there. Mr, Mapleton, who would take a woman’s word in the face of the plaus- ible lies of the meek-faced hypocrite who passes himself off, and would hide his blackness, under the clerical garb? Ah, sir! but few. In fleeing all the way hither from Virginia I have had ample experi- ence, which has taught ne that a wolf may hide in sheen’s clothing, :nd be a wolf withal.” “Very truly spoken, We little know when our best friends may. liferally, display a cloven foot. Have you seen anything of your enemies.” ‘* No, sir; but their silence, I believe, means evil to me. Oh, Mr. Mapleton! if you could but know how Tdread that man, Lucas Alyne, and his unscrupu- lous son, Jean! A chill of horror creeps over my flesh every time T think of them.” “You should not entertain such feelings, but should be brave. Although these men may be vil- lains, fear them not, for you have true friends who will be eager enough to fight your battles, Would you object to telling me more about them and your- self?’ “Not at all. Prav be seated,” and she made room for him in the wide doorway; por was he loth to ac- cept a position nesr this fsir girl,in whom he was becoming more and more interested. She was mod- est and refined—somehow so different from the women generally encountered in the mines, and hers was the warm impulsive nature of the bonny maid- ens of the South and the tropics—of those women who love intensely and hate even stronger, And she, with ber artless ways, was the one out of a hundred who could particularly interest the cool, ealeulating Sport. : “To begin with,” she said, her starry eyes gazing away into space, ‘‘some five years ago. after the zuaaen death of my mother. my father found his pe- cuniary circumstances grea ly embarrassed, and de- termined to seek his fortune anew in the Western territories, where gold was to be found for the dig+
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Photograph Phii, the Boy Sleuth: Our grand old estate, called Lionsfold, was the auctioneer’s hammer, unless money could be raised to pay off certain debts, and in a blind moment my father turned to this Lucas Alyne, who was the minister of our parish, and re- quested a loan of money, as the minister was said to have more money than he could conveniently ging. threatened b; e. ** Alyne at once consented to loan enough money to papa to square up all his debts, provided a mort- gaze was given him upon Lionsford, to be foreclosed in seven years, if the money was not returned with six per per cent. interest.” ‘How much money did your father borrow of this money lending mimster, Miss Grey?” “Ten thousand dollars, sir; and it took every cent to pay up the long-stan \ing debts, with the excep- tion of barely enough to bring my father into the West, where he hoped in a few years to earn enough to redeem the mortgage held by Lucas Alyne against Lionsfold. Alas! how one’s hopes may be blasted! “In the mean time, we were to be left under the guardianshig of the pastor, Lucas Alyne—in saying aoe, L refer to my elder sister Pauline. and myself. Poor papa had every confidence in Mr. Alyne—in- deel, the whole parish belisved him to b»a moral and self-sacrificing Christian maa, and therefore we were left under his guardianship, until papa should return, or until we should become of age. Having arranged all to his satisfaction, and believing that his children were in the best of care, poor papa set out for the West. “And we have never heard from him since. Woether he is alive and still laboring in these West- ern mines, or whether he has been killed, is a prob- lem we have never been able to solve. “The first two years of our stay at Lionsfold, whi- ther Lucas Alyne had removed his family, were en- durable bacause Paulie ani I were much in school, and. too, Mrs. Alyne was alive. She was a kind, good lady, aad although we obtained an insight in- to her husband's nature, and that of her son, she did all in her power to screen their sinister acts from our observation. Nevertheless, we both grew to regard the father and son with aversion, that desp2ned into positive hatred on the part of my sis- ter—although [ cannot say that Lever really hoted anybody, no matter how deep my disliks may have gen, “At the end of the second year after my father’s denarture—which, by the way, was thres years azo this month—Mrs. Alyne disd, and we, two young, in experienced girls, were left alone to battle with the two wolves in sheep’s clothing. For, though a preceptress or governess was provided to look af- ter us, she was literally our enemy, being in all the schemes of the minister and his son, and we re- ceived nearly as many insults as though she were not in the house. “Panlie was at this juncture eighteen years of age. while I was but sixteen; but we were both plucky, to some ex'ent, and fought our enemies like yous rebels, But soon there came a change. aulis fellin love with a handsome young lawyer, and I believed that he returned her pure affection, until he absconded with alarge amount of funds which had been intrusted to his keeping, and left her a cold, cruel Jetter, stating that he had but been trifling with her—that he had not the least spark of affection for her—bidding her seek another lover who would be more befitting to her station in life. Poor Piulie! It nearly broke her heart, for awhile, she loved him so; then she grew changed—was no lonzer herself, but a wild, reekless, harum-scarum girl. Nor was I greatly surprised at the news that came oO m4 one morning. “Tt cane in the shape of a note from Paulie, stat- ing that she still loved her deserting lover, Dick Tur- : nea in search of him, had gone out into the rid. _ The Alynes made every effort to recapture her but oy to no avail, and they therefore turned upon me, Ishall hot try to enumerate to you the miser- ies [have endured in the time which has elapsed since, up to four months 880, when I gathered to- getLer sufficient courage and a little money, to flee from a life that was one routine of slavery, insult, and torture. Thank God that I am at last tempo- rarily out of the power of my enemies!” “The mortgage has not been foreclosed upon Lionsfold, yet, then?” ‘*No; nor can it be for several years yet. The property, being in close proximity to a growing city has, in the interval. greatly advanced in value, an consequently, the Alynes are desirous cf retaining possession of it. In order to do this, the reverend reprobate proposes to marry me to himself, and thus secure it. For neither the father nor the son eee to anything else than that poor p.pa is ead. “They may slip up on their calculation,” Rosebud Rob said, rising. ‘I thank you, Miss Jennie, for what you have told me, for it may perhaps enable me to serve you further in your trials. I must bid you Goodmans now, hoping you may find your new home abundant with comforts which breed con- tentment.” ‘* But, you must come and see me once in awhile,”’ she said, offering her fair, shapely hand. * Am I not excusable if [long for younger companionship than that of dear, good Aunt Priscilla and Mr. Ma- son?” and a sweet, expressive Jook took possession of her eyes as she gazed into the deep, fathomless eyes of the Sport. “ Surely you are to be pardoned, and if my occa- sional presence will in any way please you, very likely I shall be on hand when wanted. Now, how- ever, I must bid you adieu!” And, raising the pretty hand gallantly to his lips, he saluted, and then strode away, just as the dave- devil, Baltimore Bess, crossed the gulch at right- angles, not far away. That her sharp gaze had seen the parting, tho Sport felt sure, and a peculiar flush dyed his cheek, as he approached the spot where she had halted, evidently waiting for him to come up. **So! so!” she exclaimed, in an aitempted merry tone, which Rosebud Rob could see was feigned. “The Romeo has found his Juliet, eh, in the waif of a romantic adventure?” * Why so, Bess? Cannot a fellow be gallant wit- out his motives being misjudged. eh. old gal?” ‘*Oh! it’s all right,” she rep ied. with alight laugh. “Tt’s none of my business, of course.”’ “ And why not, Bess? Of late we've been sort of pards, and got along first rate, for our interests seemed mutual.” “*You jest bet on it, they were, Sport! But that was before you tackled on to a new lode—that is to say, before you took a new responsibility upon your hands.” “ What do you mean, Bess?” ; “Oh. nothing! nothing!” she said, hastily, turning her face partly away that he might not see the moisture in her eves. ‘‘I hear that you are going to undertake the capture of this man Diablo?” “Yes, and shall want you to help me,” he said. But I want you like yourself, Bess—t want the fearless dare-devil, instead of the woman you are now. No more of this jealousy then, if you are a pard of mine. Remember, in this hunt for Diablo there is money to be won—or death!” Her eyes glistened. She seemed firmer and more fitting to the strange character she sustained. ‘When you want me—whistle!” she said; ‘I will be ready.” “Bess, why do you not call upon the girl, at the cabin yonder? You are nearer her age than any es woman in the mines. She is a sweet little bin.” “T haven’t the least doubt of it,’ she replied. a spice of sarcasm in her tone—“ leastwise, the fra- _~vnt rosebud and the honey-bee are sometimes ag- = .
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Photograph Phil, the Boy Sieuth. 16 sociated together. lady soon.”’ And with a smile, she walked away in a different direction than that taken by the Sport, as he wend- ed his steps toward his hotel. Perhaps I shall visit the young All that day, the excitement was unprecedented in Cascade City. Men lay idle in order to participate in a general pom about the tragedy, and about the bloody- anded desperado, Diablo. During the day Rosebud Rob sauntered about here and there, keeping his eye “‘ peeled,” to use a ee expression, and hearing as much as possi- ble without saying anything. It occurred to bim that the dead cashier had made mention of Millicent Vere as being in the secret of the large amount of bullion in the bank. By careful inquiry he man- a to ascertain the dwelling occupied by the eres. It was a sort of hut of logs, which had been hastily thrown together—could scarcely be called a cabin, and was not inviting as a habitation. He lingered about in the neighborhood until some p’rson issued therefrom, which proved to be a young woman, As near as he could learn, she was comely of face and ot but poorly dressed. More the Spotter Sport could not ascertain. During his rambles he stumbled accidentally upon Jean, the younger of the Alynes. He was, in com- pany with a crowd of others, engaged in looking over a stock of photographs which Photograph Phil had spread upon a hastily-constructed counter in under an awning or tent which he had erected as his place of business. “Conservatory of Fine Arts,” read the sign painted upon the canvas. The eyes of the younger Alyne and the cool ones of the Sport met in a steady gaze almost simultane- ously,end uttering a curse, the Easterner drew a long knife from his belt and sprung forward. “Curse yo!” he gasped, hoarse with sudden rage, which flamed all over his dark, swarthy counte- nance, “tell me where the girl is, or I'll knife you!” Rosebud Rob smiled in his peculiar wey. Then, making a sudden dart forward, krocked up the weapon of the young. ruffian, and with the other hand struck him ablow between the eyes which dropped him. A commending nod of approval came from the youne photographer, whose acquaintance Rosebud ad formally made during the fore part of the day. “Good!” he said, as the Sport approached. ‘‘ You have saved me the trouble of serving the chap in the same manner. He was growing very troublesome.” “ And deserved worse than he got,” the other re- lied. ‘** Gentlemen, will some of you who are chari- ably disposed be kind enough to drag him, heels a to the entrance of his hutel, wherever that may e?" No one seemed to be thus “ charitably disposed,” however. ““How are you makingit?” Rosebud Rob asked, glancing over some of the pictures, which had been Ae Spectra “*Do you find it as profitable as igeing gold?’ alge think 80, yes, inasmuch as Thad not a red left in my pocket this morning, while now I have some- thing over ten dollars as the result of my labors. It is a novelty, you see. in these out-of-the-way places, and a good many stray bits come into my coffers through such individuals as have a curiosity to know how they look upon a piece of tin-type. Have your picture taken?” : “No, thanks. I have no desire to add my nega- tive to your already large rogues’ gallery.” ‘Hal ha! Call around azain.” Promising to do so, the Sport went to the shanty hotel where he boarded, and took his supper, after which he set out once more upon the gulch street. As the evening progressed, he dropped into one of the ae saloons devoted to drinking, gambling and concerts, Not that the Sport had any ¢esire or intention to gamble or drink, ! ut he always found some new phase of character to study out. it happened that he was the person necessary to produce a first-class row, as usual. The Easterner, Jean Alyne, and his two compan- ions, Peanut Joe and Stumpy Sam, were ranged along the bar, among others, pouring down the vile decoctions served up under the name of whisky. The roughs took no notice of the oper, al hough it was evident that they were aware of his presence. An ugly discoloring of the right eye probably accounted for Alyne’s non-desire to sample the com- modity in the shape of Rosebud Rob’s fists. The entrance of the irrepressible Bully Ike seemed to be the starting-pin for a row. For his coming was with the usual blustering swagger and flow of gab. ‘ et I am, feller citizens—Bully Ike, the bruiser, right frum ther 668d Congreshional deestrict, you bet. Lookee out, now—a reg’lar old tarantula am I! asecond cuzzin ter an ’arthquake, an’unkle tera hurricane, an’ a nephew ter an electric thunderbolt. An’ the fac’ thet 1’m jest in trim ter-night, wi’ an ekal ballast on both sides, prompts me ter make ther gratuitous an’ liberal wager thet I can put er wreath 0’ crape o'er ther eye o’ any galoot in ther room, for ther drinks!” Few who knew the irrepressible bummer would have thought of taking sides against him, for he was an expert in fisticular amusements albeit his appearance was against him. ut the two low-browed, sinister-faced compan- ions of Jean Alyne were unaware of the bummer’s prowess, and accordingly stepped forward. Two more ruffianly-looking fellows probably never before came from the East. “Say, look heer,” Peanut Joe grunted, ‘‘did ye are ked lick me fer ther drinks?” “*T reckon them’s w’at I sed, an’I don’t nevyer chaw ther retrospective.” “Oh! ye don’t,eh? Mebbe ye don’t know what fer style 0’ bair-pins we are—me an’ my pard, yon- der? We're Bowery roughs, we ar’—Bowery roughs, right from ther city of New York, you beer me?” ““An’ you heer me! Hayr’s old Bully Ike right frum ther 663d Congreeshional deestrict, as kin lick ary galoot that evyer emigrated from severarial New York cities!” - And to prove his assertion the apparently-stiffened old bummer was all lithe and active in an instant, and springing upon the New York ruffian, dealt him a terrible blow upon the e: d of his proboscis which caused the unlucky braggart to go sprawling upon the floor. . And when Stumpy Sam and Jean Alyne sprung forward, they followed in the wake of Peanut Joe; whereupon here was an ominous drawing of re- volvers! CHAPTER VII. THE WOUNDED SPORT—BESS SOFTENS. Evripent it was that the life of the bummer was in danger, as there were savage looks among the roughs who thronged the saloon, and they grew more threatening as Jean Alyne rose to his feet, with a frightful oath, 7 “Kill the son of a sea-cook—knife him—fill his car- cass full of lead!” he roared. staggering blindly abeut. *‘‘Tll give a hundred dollars to the one who- ‘ll fetch me the old cuss’s sealp!”’ A dozen sprung forward toward the bummer! Knives and pisto's were held significantly in hand. But there was something which caused them to ause—a single shot, which brought «ne of the ruf- Baus writhing to the floor, and then Rosebud Rob scepped readily to the bummer's side, a pair of handsomely-mounted six-shooters in han. At the same instant the door opened, and Balti- more Bess and John Mason stepped inside. Com-
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ié6 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. ters et rehending the situation at a glance, they unhesita- ingly joined sides with the Sport and the bummer, just as the former cried out: “Come on, you black-hearted cut-throats if you want to fight it out on thisline! You'll find you ae quite run this town yet awhile, if I know my- self!” This was what was wanted. The ruffians, after imbibing large quantities of poor whisky, were stimulated up to the fighting point, and did not need more than ordinary coaxing to engage in a pitched battle. With wild howls they now sprung forward, firing as they came. The shots detonated thick and fast; yells of haman agony were heard; missiles were hurled promiscu- ously through the air, and there was the accompa- nying crashing of bottles and cheap mirrors. Bully Ike went down from a club-blow upon the forehead in the first of the battle. But Rosebud Rob, Bess, and John Mason fought like tigers caged Vn ms lairs; but Rosebud Rob soon staggered and ell, Baltimore Bess saw him, and a gasp of horror es- caped her lips. ‘Fight them off until I can get him out, Mason!” she whispered in the miner’s ear. ‘I fear that the devils have done for the Sport.” The words seemed to inspire the miner with re- newed strength and courage. He seized the stout sai of a shattered chair, swung it aloft, and sprung ‘orward in the face of half a dozen men as brawny as himself, Swish! The ponderous weapon hissed through the air and dropped the foremost tough like a log, while in alarm the remaining five retreated, step by step, until they were forced back into the gambling-room. Here, Mason quickly slammed shut and barred te door, thus temporarily imprisoning his foes. He then turned in time to see Baltimore Bess leav- ing the room, carrying the inanimate form of the Sport in her arms as if it had been a light rifle she were carrying. Dragging the senseless bummer out into the gulch, John Mason set off toward his own home, for he was severely wounded in several places, and was growing weak from loss of blood. Baltimore Bess in the mean time carried the Sport from the saloon and to the house of the lady with whom she boarded, Not one woman of a thousand could have accomplished the feat, but she did, with seeming ease. The widow stood inthe door as the dare-devil ap- proached with her burden. “ Why, Bess, what 7s the matter?” she exclaimed, in horror and amazement. ‘‘Who have you there? Mercy, how could you ever lift such a heavy man?’ ‘“Pooh!”’ Bess gasped. ‘‘Latmein. This is the Sport, of whom I've often told you. He's often been my partner in a row, aod now that he’s got plugged, I’m goin’ to take care of him.” Mrs. Lyoniel readily acquiesced. Boss bore the Sport up-stairs to her own room, as every other apartment in the widow’s shanty was oc pied by boarders. Among taem was a young physician, and while Bess and the widow retired, he was left to make an examination of the Sport’s injuries. A half-hour of anxious suspense it was to the girl before the physician came down to the parlor, where she was seated, attired, not now in her male suit, but in a neatly-fitting dress more suiting to her sex. Scarcely the same person did she look; in her own attire the dare-devil was lost. There was an eager, anxious look in her eyes, though, as the doctor entered, and she half-arose er her seat, the words of inquiry trembling upon er lips: “Mr, Mapleton—is he badly hurt?” “ Not dangerously, I guess,”’ was the reply. ‘‘ The bullet tore a passage not far from his heart, but I have extracted it safely, and all that is required now is for him to lay in bed a day or so, for his is the flesh that quickly mends.,”’ “Could I see Mr. Mapleton?” “Certainly. There could be no harm in it, unless he were to get excited, which might not aid his re- covery.” Baltimore Bess hastened up-stairs and into the room of the sick man, The Sport was bolstered up in bed, and although there was a pale streak about his lips. he appeared his own cheerful self. He started as Bess came in. He had never seen her in feminine attire before, nor known how wondrously pretty she could be as a woman, There was a dazzling expression in her eyes now, and a tempting flush to her cheek that he had never marked before. She glided forward to the bedside, her old peculiar smile coming to her relief—the smile she had only for those who possessed her friendship. “Tam so glad you are not dangerously hurt,”’ she said, taking his hand between her own. ‘Do you know I never fought so desperately before as I did to-night? Iwas just in the right mood for a pitched battle with somebody,” and she gave vent to her old reckless laugh. “ Bess. you are a strange girl—or rather a wo- man,”’ Rosebud Rob said gazing thought ane. into her face. ‘‘Why did you bring me here—why not have taken me to my hotel, or to—” “Mason’s!” she interrupted—“ no, never there! I wanted you here, where I could see that you were eared for. Is not that enough for you to know at present?” “ Well, yes, I suppose it will have to do,” he re- plied, with a faint smile. “I shall try, however, to get well very soon. The work of that Diablo must be attended to as soon as possible.” “Then you would not even thank me for bringing yen here?” she said, looking away to hide the tears ~ hat sprung to her eyes. “Most assuredly 1 thank you,” he replied: ‘TI should be a brute if 1 didn’t. AndIam also glad you brought me here, if it will in Soy way add to your happiness. There, brush away those jealous tears, Bess; you are getting out of your old sorts. I shall be wishing directly, that Miss Grey was any- where else than in Cascade City.” “T wish it already, Mr. Mapleton,”’ was the reply, in a choked voice. ‘ Please don’t think me a fool, or vindictive, but I cannot think of that girl without a pang of—” ‘ Jealousy,” he said, finishing for her. ‘ Own the truth, Bess—is that not it?” “Yes, if you wish. Iam weak for telling you so, but T cannot help it.’’ was the reply. She still kept her face averted, but he could judge by the tremor which passed over her form that she was peel. agitated. ‘* Bess,” he said, reaching and taking her hand and raising it to his lips, even though the effort cost him pain, ‘‘ you are very good and kind, and I think I can comprehend something of your feelings, for woman has been one of the studies of my_life. Leave me now, and return when you are calmer, and, above all, entertain no thoughts of jealousy against that pure-minded, innocent girl in the care of John Mason,” She arose from the chair by the bedside, and turn- ed her gazo upon him—a look that startled him, it was so pregnant of thankful gratification. And then, before he could check her, she had bent and kissed him softly upon the forehead—turned and glided from the room. . While the Sport lay upon his bed. a puzzled ex- pression came upon his face—a knitting together of the brows that denoted perplexity. His spirit chafed in this confinement. He longed to be out and abroad. > -_ But there was no use of wrestling with impossibil- ities, and knowing this, he summarily dismissed all thoughts from his mind, as he had acquired the habit of doing, and sought rest in slumber,
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Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. i? How long he had slept he knew not, but he was awakened by an almost imperceptible touch upon the arm, Opening his eyes, he saw a man’s figure standing beside the bed—a figure wrapped in a long black cloak, with a mask upon the face, He was startled at- first, for it was something to him, unexpected. But when he saw that the gen- tleman of the night carried no weapons, visible, his curiosity became greater. “Well?” he finally interrogated, ‘what will you have and have it sweetened? Seems to me you've been taking a mighty sight of liberty.” “Sh? the other whispered, raising a finger, warn- ingly, ‘‘ Not so loud, or you will disturb the house, and I am sure you wouldn’t wish to get a friend into trouble.” “A friend?” “Yes—a friend, in disguise. I shall have to com- municate to you my intelligence, in a low tone, as no doubt ears are eagerly listening to hear what I tell you. Several times I bave been upon the point of telling you, but my motives have been interpreted by unseen enemies, and I have been warned by a hiss to desist, Therefore, my coming here to-night is secret.” ‘*Well, lam prepared to hear what you have to say.” the Sport replied. “Thave not much to say, and therefore can say it in a very few words,” the masked visitor said. “T have come to warn you that the desperado, Dia- blo, is seeking your life. He evidently hates you, and will endeavor to settle accounts with you, while you are lying here in bed. Therefore, let me ad- vise you to keep your revolvers handy, and do most of your sleeping in the daytime,” ‘'Who are you?” Rosebud Rob asked, his curiosity now fully awakened. “Who lam it is best you should not know,” was the reply. ‘‘It is enough for you to know that 1 last night was forced to become a member of Dia- plo’s band, in preference to death. Aftera frightful initiation, I was sent out again upon your trail to hunt you to death. You see how faithfully I am | obeying the orders of the chief. By my soul, they shall find me a coal of fire in their hands, before they get through with the, that will scorch and burn them at every touch. Heed my warning, and be watchful, lest they surprise you!” Then turning, the masked fo:ewarner stole softly from the room, and descended the stairs, which{were dark, the lights having all been put out for the night. Softly opening the door, he stepped out into the night. All was dark, the moon being under a cloud; and the gulch was nearly deserted by people, a few drunken stragglers being the only ones abroad. No, not the only ones, for as the masked man stepped out into the open air. three others quickly surrounded him, they all being masked like himself. ‘Sh!’ one said, as the disguised prowler leaped back and drew a stout lignum-vitee club from under his covering; nor did he wait for a conclusion of the warning, but springing forward like a panther, he Jaid out the first two at a stroke, — i The other gent of the night evidently had no es rations to share the other’s fate, and turning, he bolted for dear life. we Photograph Phil—-for it was he who had visited Rosebud Rob—gave vent to a low laugh, as he watched his Infernal Brother dash away into the darkness. : ; 4 “Too much of a good thing was not to his taste,” the young Sleuth muttered. ‘Now, then, let’s see who these fine birds look like with their masks off.” Producing a small-sized pocket bull’s-eye lantern he knelt beside the two men whom his club had felled senseless to the earth. ; Shaving back the slide, a tiny bar of light shot out into the night, which he threw full into the faces of the two outlaws after removing their masks, Their faces were smooth, and he could not remem- ! her ever having seen them before, but upon their foreheads was a mark which could never be erased— a burnt disfigurement of letters which formed intoa simple livid word—* Diablo.” “Hal ha! as I thought! they were shadows set to watch upon my trail. Let me see: their pulses beat and they live. Shall I not finish ’em up and done with it? No, I'll be more merciful than that—I’ll bind and leave them here for the Vigilantes to string _He soon had them fixed to suit his notion; then, rising to his feet, he removed his mask, and strode down into the center of the gulch. All of a sudden the moon burst out from its con- cealment, and flooded mother Earth with an unsur- passed brilliancy of mellow light. Photograph Phil started forward, now, witha balf exclamation. The girl, Millicent Vere, had been crossing his path a few steps away, when the moon Kona forth, but started to run when she saw him so close, It required but a few flying leaps to overtake her, which he did, and placing a hand upon her shoulder, wheeled her about facing him. “Don’t be ina hurry, please,” he said, in an au- thoritative tone. ‘‘As a guardian of the night, I have a right to interview all those abroad after the midnight hour. Where have you been?” “None of your business, sir! Release me, or I shall ery for help!” the girl gasped, endeavoring to break from his grasp. ‘In which case I shall choke blazes out of you,” Phil assured. ‘See here: I don’t want no fussiness out of you, but plain, straight answers to my ques- tions. Now, then, what fetches you out so late at night?” “Tt matters not to you, sir!” the girl replied, haughtily. ‘ Your insolence is unpardonable.’ “ Maybe you don’t recognize me?” 7 “Yes—I do not often forget faces.” “ Well, you haven’t answered my question yet,” “Nor do [ intend to, more than to say that I was not out for any evil purpose.” “I doubt the truth of that statement, miss, for few women are out for any good after midnight. However, let that question give way to another. What do you know of Diablo and his Infernal Band?” The eyes of the Boy Sleuth were fixed upon her face in a searching gaze—he expected to mark some change, but there was none, “T know nothing of the parties you mention—why should 1?” “You do know all about them!’ Phil asserted, sternly. ‘‘ You dropped a passport at my feet, the other night, bearing a skull and cross-bones. That admitted me into the Temple of Bacchus, and 1 was made a member of the so-styled Infernal Forty!” A dilation of Millicent Vere’s eyes was the only answer. “T have to thank you for the pain I endured dur- ing that accursed initiation, and since. Girl, do you ae what you are?—a thief, an outlaw, and a mur- lerer “No! 10! God help me, not so bad as that!’ she gasped, the moonlight reflecting a paler shade upon her face. ‘‘ You tell what is untrue. I know noth- ing—nothing.” “Hush! do not perure your soul by more lying!”’ warned the young Sleuth. Do you know that I could have you strung up for complicity in that bank robbery. and the murder of poor Mark Man- ners and Caruthers?” The girl put up her hand, as if to ward off a blow —staggered back. with a gasp. “Devil! who are you?” : ‘One who knows all,’” Photograph Phil rerlied. “T have all power over you, and you must assist me!’’ “How?” There was a tithe cf eagerness in her tone now. " “By obeying me, and bulldozing that cuss, Diablo, What obligations bind you tc his service?”
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is Photograph Phil, the Boy Sieuth. She hesitated, “Tell me, It will be your own salvation to make a clean breast of it.” “TI am under no sworn obligations to the chief, except that ir has been to my interest to serve him,’ was the reply. “Since you have asked me, I will tell Pape that my brother was a member of Diablio’s band -uibeknown, mind you, to my mother, who is old and iofirm, My brother did not wish to worry her. At last, my brother was doomed to die, by drawing lots agains’ a new member, and | was sent for, and he entreated me to promise that I would jure as many into the trap as possible, and would marry the chief, Diablo.” * And you promised?” “Tdid:?! “ Poolish girl! But never mind; you shall break that 5 mates and turn your hand against that man, Diablo.” ‘*No! no! Ieannot, sir—oh! I—”’ “ Dry eth ‘say you / cil, and that settles it,”’ Pho- tozraph Phil sail, sternly. “‘Go home now, and awatacilfrom me. My name is Paotograph Phil, and when I want you you'll get_ my card, when I erpiben bart you to hunt me up. Do you hear?” # -28! “Thon mind that you heed. Disobey me, or at- tempt trevchery, and up you go tothe limb of a Ly e, for com plieity in the murder of Mark Manners. dw go! Sie neeled not the second command, but sped away wi h the swiftn+ss of a deer. “ A strange. confoundedly-perplexing character!” Phil muttered, as he strode away toward his tent. “{ must us» her for my strong card, but must be wary, or she will flip me yet.” CHAPTER VII. MISS PRISCILLA’S RO.1S9—BESS’S LOVE. Taree days passed. Three glorious, late autum- nal days, such as cause ths hearts of lovers to beat high with rom mtic fervor and peacefil j vy. n Cascade Gulch the lapse of three days had yee no pacticular change in the routine of daily ife. At his primitive art gallery, Photograph Ph'l was winning not oaly money bus golden opinions for the excallent work turned out with his photograph “ma sheen.” At the cabin of John Mason, miner, pretty Jennie was settled down quietly into the family, and was reully enjoying herself. John Mason was a big man, and likewise had a big heart. Therefore, as Jennie was considered a child of adoption, many donations of money and trinkets were pressed upon her, Somehow she had grown into the habit of askin after the whereabouts of Rosebud Rob, since he di not coms to the cabin, but Mison ever avoided a direct answer, careful not to mention about the Sport’s hit, John Mason was more than kin1 to his pretty ward, but no more watchful and devoted was he over her than was Baltimore Bess over the Sport, who still lay upon the bed, unable to get out of his room, for the physician had pronounced it danger- ous for him to move upon his feet, inside of a week, or five days, at least. Boss hal baen almost constantly by his be side, stulying his ev>ry nee, and flying to do his bidding as a loving sist r would have done, only with per- haps more eagerness. i She was no th» sime crenture now, that he had known as Baltimore Boss, the dare-devil—at leas’ not the same in attire, roughness‘and manner of speech She was gentle, womanly, tender. She endeavored to r»press all traces of jealousy, and when Rosebud Rob did not mention Jennie she quite succeeded Everything that could be done for the Sport’s comfort, she did, even to sitting by his bedside and reading to him as the brilliant afternoon sunlight would stream in through the single window of the room. And it was not strange that a man of Rosebud Rob's great experience, should grow as he did, more and more interested as each day dragged by—gold- en days that possessed a quiet enjoyment with him, despiie his pain—perhaps because the pretty sha- dow of a devoted woman hovered evernigh. For he could not hide it from his eyes. his mind, his con- science, this Sport, that this faithful watcher loved him—not as the world loves, not as man or woman usually love, but with an unconquerable passion— a self-sacrificing love that, when confined, with no arom amounted almost to a bitterness, so intense was it. He knew, moreover, that her quiet seeming con- tent, was but a smoldering of t. e flame into ethe- real haze that again concealed the flame—he knew that she could not be put off as Idyl Abbey had been put off; be knew. in fact, that the whole volume of affection from Bess’s heart, was his to discard cr keep. It would not be long ere the bubble would burst, either—only a matter of time, when he should leave that bed and go out into the world and the presence of Jennie Grey. Then, the storm would burst—he looked for it— knew it would come. And what should he say—do? It was a vex :tious question which constituted one of his chief thoughts, as he lay bolstered up on the bed—a question that fretted and chafed his spirit, for he could not foresee the end of the matter for the life of him. In the mean time, somewhat of a sensation had struck the town. It was in t:e shape of the Reverend Lucas Alyne, who had literally taken to the *‘ stump,” and nightly toa to such as wouid cougregate to listen to is iscourse. The flock of lambs who congregated to listen to he sermon were generally miners’ wives, to the number of a couple of hundred, iat fresh from the kitchen. wit hatless heads and sleeves to the elbow. Occasionally a pilgrim could be defined among the scattered crowd, perhaps perched upon a stump, but as a general thine the spouses of these aforesaid seekers after truth, in nineteen cases out of twenty, were congregated in sone of the neighboring sa- loons engaged in the edifying and lucrative ‘‘amoose- ment” of playing “* whisky poker.” Among tne audience of the feminine persuasion Miss Priscil a Mas on did ap: ear. A thorough going Christian Miss Priscilla undoub$- edly was. And when it came to pass that Sister Jones praised the new and good man, Priscilla “went” forthwith. And she arrayed herself in the best out of her wardrobe, and took a front seat upon ‘he ground to listen to the discourse of t e eminent “iblical philosopher who had strayed so far among the perils of the wilderness. _ And when she caught the beaming and enthusias- tie zaze of the good man rive upon her she blushed and felt pleased, Could it he possible—but oh, no! there must be some mistake. \Vhat man could be so imparti 1 to the beanty gathered around him as to gaze for a single instant at her ? Ah! a thought struck her. Perhaps it was the beauty of heart—of soul—which he was searching for? If so, could not she show as fair a record thought! So, when she looked up again, his kindly rlance was bent earnestly upon her, and she blushed a sec- ond time, The beloved brother’s eves beamed. and Miss Priscila was as rosy asaschool-girl throughout the sermon, This was upon the first night,and Lucas Alrne, designing hypocrite, had played his cards well, for as the rest of her sisters? Happy _ >
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=3% BZ Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. is ee Miss Priscilla went to her humble couch to dream of the gifted servant of the Lord, John Mason knew nothing of Miss Priscilla’s visit to the meeting, or he would have put a stop toit, as he thoroughly despised the man who could wage war against pretty Jennic Grey. The next night she had gone again. And through the kindness of Sister Jones, our old maid was formally presented to the ‘ preacher,’ who after the sermon escorted her to her home, but left her at the door, From that time on, unknown to either Jennie, or to her brother, Miss Priscilla and the parson met, and while in the heart of the aged girl there was awakened the first love-flame of her life, Lucas Alyne pleaded his case with the ardor of a seventeen year-old lover, who had mastered the languages and committed Milton and Byroa tomemory. But an obstacle stood in the path of the two aged lovers— John Mason, and the girl, Jennie, “Bus for them, dear Lucas, how gladly would I invite thee to my home, instead of coming out here like a thief to meet you beneath the sta.s and moon,” “ T would, dearest, sweetest Priscilla, that it could be even so,” he would reply, with asigh. ‘‘ What sweet comiort it would be to see thee ever in my pres.n e, dear Priscilla. If you could ever coax your brother toadmit me to your table as a hoard- “A*! if I but could!” with a deeper sigh. ‘Oh! cruel fate beneath that binds me to astern brother’s will. My sweet Lucas, hero of my life if you could bus disguise yourseif and get into John's fa- vor— The Virginian started at the suggestion, “Tt can easily be done, my darling, and for the Jove of youl will make the daring attempt. ‘ All’s fair in love or war,’ you know, and the line applies directly to our cas . So fare thee well, my precious, and if a stranger euters thy home, mum’s the word, until we arealone. So long as I can keep the secret 1 bid fair to remain by thy side.” And they billed and cooed like turtie-doves, thera under the moonlight, until it was time for the smit- ten Priscilla to seek her home, On the afternoon of the following day (the fourth, by the way, of Rosebud Rob's confin ment to his bed). Jennie Grey took a took from Jobn Mason's meager collection, and wandered Gown to the old cottonwoo 1 upon the banks of the rushing er ek. She had grown less and less expectant of meeting with her foes, and the old cottonwood furnished de- lightfyl shelter, under which to sit and read. ot long had she been seated, however, ere she heard a heavy footstep, and looked up with a startled ery, to behold Jean Alyne standing but a few paces away, regarding her with his evil gaze. aA «Oh! hol” he exclaimed; ‘‘so my pretty bird is caveht at last. eh?” ; ‘ “No, Jean Alyne! your bird is not caught, at alll” Jennie cried, springiny to her feet, quickly. ‘t Why have you come herr, sir?” The young Virginian chuckled horribly, as he step- ped nearer, rt ‘““Why have I come here?’ he growled, a sinister glow upon his bruised and bloated features, ‘‘ Wal, you ought to know. Haven’t you alwavs heen my friend, and haven’t 7 always been yours? Hoy, we * were allus sweet on each other, weren’t we?” “Bool? the ward of John Mason replied, con- temptuonsly. ‘'T don’t bel’eve two mortals ever despised each other mere than you andI. Go, sir! your presence is disgusting.” “Humph! you're as sassv as a gander girl. Per- hans I do Jook rather dilapidated, for I’ve been han- dled rouch, since I come here See here! do you know what T came her? f’r this afternoon?” “No! nor do I wish t }now.” | “Wal, I'll tell you,” be said, with aleer. “Oh! ye needu’t try to escape for 1 can outrun ye, an’ no one looks up this way often. concilliate.” “What?” Jennie gasped, an expression of min- gled surprise and disgust upon her face, “To concilliate,” he repeated. ‘ You see the old man’s set a trap for you that you’re hound to fall into, an’ as the old man an’ I’ve hed a fallin’ out, ' tell you what Plldo, Vl take you, and we'll go to some other place and get married. Then his rever- ence can bounce.”? “Ob! ain’¢ youkind!” Jennie cried, contemptuovs- ly. “If that is what you came here to say, you can ‘0. Iwould even consider the proposition of wed- ing your rascally father ere I’d look at you. Go)!” “Hang you, no!” he growled. “1° bave you, avyhow, My horse is near, and you'll be off in the mountains before you know it. Get ready—here I come!” he said, gathering his strength evidently for a leap upon her, “And here you go!” and ¢ pages from a fringe of willows which grew upon the bank of the creek, as he gave vent to the ery, John Mason seized the Virginian about the waist, raised him above his head by the strength of his powerful arms, and hurled him headforemost into the rushing waters of the stream. s “There, you land-shark! maybe you'll tackle a defenseless girl again just for the fun of it! Come, Miss Jennie, 1 will accompany you to the cabin, where you will be safe.” Wal, I come up here to There had been two eye-witnesses to the scene, soe distance—Baltimore Bess and the wounded port, The head of his bed lay close beside the open win- dow, and commanded a full view of the cottonwood on the banks of the rushing creek. Rosebud Rob had seen the trim, pretty figure of Jennie Grey go down to the cool resort. Bess had also seen her as she sat at the window with an open book in her hand. Then both s:w Jean Alyne rise and confront the defenseless girl. “Bring me a rifle!” the Sport cried, excitedly. ‘“‘ My nerves are not so unsteady but that I can drop that fellow, curse him!" “Stop! there is no need for you to interfere,” Bess said, jubilantly. ‘The young lady has a protector in John Mason, How opportune that he was wait- ing in the covert to me: t her!” it was just then that the miner bad leaped from the bushes and tossed the Virginien into the stream, ‘Just opportune cncugh to prevent me taking re- venge upon the accursed Virginian,” the Sport growled, with a frown. “ Mason is taking Miss Grey toward the cabin. Now, go on with the piece you were reading to me, Bess.” That evening, jus’ as dusk was creeping over the room, the physician came in, and after an examina- tion, thought it practicable for the Sport to leave his bed and take very mnoderate exercise in the open air, It was joyful news to Rosebud Rob. for be bad grown. heartily sick and tired of lying abed, and rs soon as Bess came in he communicated the intelli- gence to her, dreading the result, It was not far from what he had looked for—had expected from tho first. She sat down beside the moe with a face which had suddenly grown very pale. © You won't go yet?” she said, almost pleadingly. “Stay until you are better able to care for yourself. Surely you can bear a few more days before going back so her--” “Don’t, Pess; you agitate yourself without cause, Why will you persist in having it that Miss Grey is anything to me?” “You admire her—at Jeast rou cannot deny thar?” she acensed, her face half-- verted, while glist ning tear suffused her eves ‘* You wil/ not deny that?” * hy should I? Is there harm in it?” “Yes, there is harm in it,” she replied. earnest’y, “because eee to fall in Jove with that girl, and wed her, would ve my deaih-Llow |”
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20 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sieuth. She hastily arose as she finished speaking, as if to leave the room, but Rosebud Rob caught her sleeve, and pulled her back to her chair when she burst into tears, and buried her face in the cover. “Bess,” he said, gravely, ‘‘is this equivalent to a confession from you, of love for me? Can it be pos- sible that you, a sensible. sound-minded girl, can have seen aught in me to admire—to love?” ‘*Need L answer you yes?” she said, rallying, and looking into his face with her tearful eyes. ‘* Need I tell you yes, when you have known it, all along— ever since the girl came, and have been struggling bravely for the mastery of yourself? Oh! I have known of your struggle—have read each thought bat allowed to pass through your mind. Tell me ruthfully, Mr. Mapleton, have you gained mastery over yourself?” “T have,’’ he replied, earnestly. ‘* And you have decided—”’ “Tn favor of Miss ca i Bess, can you ever for- give me for thus wounding you—can you think of me as one who wants your friendship? I know Ido not deserve vour love, but—” ““You shall have my love until I die.” she replied, in a choked voice, and drawing him quickly toward her she_ kissed him, passionately—once—twice— thrice; then sprung from the room and ended the interview. She did not return, and it dawned upon him that Baltimore Bess had gone away from his love-life. The next morning Rosebud Rob was up and outin the gulch with the rising of the sun. He felt like himself again, for all an occasional twinge of pain came from his breast, where the wound was healing as fast as nature would permit. Many acquaintances flocked around him and wel- comed him back to their midst, among them Photo- graph Phil and John Mason. ‘“And by the way.”’ the brawny miner remarked, with a good-natured laugh, ‘I’ve been turnin’ over in my mind the feasibility of turnin’ in an honest p ciehand at keepin’ boarders, as well as digging gold. here’s Priscilla says she is willin’ to ksep care on ’em, what with the aid of the little gal, Jennie, she’s well able to do. So thar’s two chaps as want good board and are good to pay fer it, so I reckon we'll have to take ’em in.” ‘““Who are these men?” Rosebud Rob asked, glancing toward the cabin. “Oh, both o’ them miners and pro pecters—one o’ ’em from Nevada and t’other from Arizona. Both old-timers, I reckon.”” ‘What is their name?” “Oh, one calls himself Jeff Harkins, and the other’s name is Bill Greeland. He is the pilgrim who lost so much bullion by tha bank robbery. He war well heeled before, but is pretty low now, I reckon—least, so they say.’ Bidding the miner good-day, the Sport sauntered from place to place, expecting to find Bess. But she was not to be found, nor did anybody seem to know what had become of her. The day passed without incident. The Sport did not visit Jennie Grey. He fought shy, per saps, out of respect for the feelings of Baltimore Bess, whom he believed not far away. As Bess had signified her intention of not return- ing soon, Mrs. Lyoniel still Pore the Sport to occupy the room where he had lain during confine- ment, He retired that night and tried to sleep; but it was a poor job at the best, and he was wide awake eed midnight, when Mrs, Lyoniel burst open his oor. “For Heaven's sake, Mr. Mapleton!” she cried, * Diablo and his gang have surrounded my cabin!" CHAPTER IX. PHIL ON A NEW TACK, Sue then rushed back down the hall to alarm the rest of her boarders. 2 Rosebud Rob slid from the bed into his boots and hunting-shirt with wonderful alscrity, and with the exception of putting on his hat and belt, was all ready for the work; for, like the average border- = his breeches he never removed on retiring at night. Below stairs the pounding at the heavily-barred door was loud and peremptory. A plucky little woman was Mrs. Lyoniel, and she bravely descended to the lower floor, although the was careful not to open the door. “What's wanted?” she demanded, in a shrill voice. “Why do you come disturbing honest people at the dead of night?” “ Keep still in there.” replied a hoarse voice. ‘* Do you wish to arouse the town? Open the door and et usin. We want to get the Sport, Rosebud Rob, and then we will go away.” “Yeu can’t gei in, nor you can’t, have Rosebud Rob, you ugly robber!” the widow replied, sharply. “Come! no more tongue, but open up, or down comes your hash factory on a run, Boys, get the torches, and set fire to the shebang, if she don’t open up inside of a jiffy!’ cried the voice of the lead- Bas had previously announced himself to be Di- ablo. At this juncture Rosebud Rob, from his window, opened fire upon the gang below with his revolvers, and succeeded in dropping four of them ere a rat- tling of bullets forced him to dodge back, Howls of rage now came from below. “ A hundred dollars for a ladder! roared Diablo. ‘*Fire the cabin! If we can’t get them out one way, we can another.” From the upper windows of the cabin Rosebud Rob and the remainder of the boarders kept up a fire, but seldom made an effective shot, as the out- laws had retreated to the shelter of the northern and southern ends of the cabin, where there were no windows. Presently the smell of smoke and the crackling of por a warned the inmates that the cabin had been red. Rosebud Rob comprehended the result, and step- ping forward to where the most of tbe inmates were congregated upon the landing, he said: “Tt’s no use to hold out against the ruffilans. I will deliver myself up, and thereby save the rest of you. “Hold up!” cried the physician; “you will do nothing of the kind, The town people are coming to our assistance.” He spoke truly. By glancing through the window, the Sport saw that miners and citizens were turning out é masse, and rushing toward the scene of conflagration, 7 The outlaws had seen their approach. too, evi- dently, for with baffled yells they leaped upon their horses, and spurred away up the stage-road, among the bluffs, carrying their wounded with them. When they were gone, the inmates of the burning cabin escaped into the open air, and the flames were put out without much difficulty, but little damage to the cabin having been done. The road-agents dil not return that night. although a lookout was kept for them, by the Vigilance Com- mittee, until the rosy day dawned again. In the morning Rosebud Rob took a walk to John Mason's cabin, and found Miss Priscilla and Jennie washing dishes, from the breakfast. He sat down in the doorway, and chatted with them for an hour, then arose to go, as no oppor- sankey was afforde1 him to see the miner’s ward alone, “By the way, we have two new boarders,”’ Miss Priscilla announced. ‘* just came to breakfast, for the first this morning, and went away to work. If we could have a lively soul like you to board, it oe be so much more pleasant—wouldn’t it Jen- pie?” ‘Yes, indeed, aunty,” the ward of John Mason re- plied, a blush stealing over her cheek, ‘It would, I think,” ;
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Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. 21 Rosebud Rob called upon Photograph Phil, next, before returoing to his room at Mrs. Lyoniel’s. “T have come to see you on business which is of greatest importance,” Rosebud Rob said. ‘I have been putting this and that together, and have come to the conclusion that you are the masked indivi- dual, who visited me at the widow's and warned me to look out for Diablo. Am I not right?” “Yes, you are right,” Photograph Phil replied, glancing about to see that nobody was within ear- shot. “I came masked, but for all my pains was laid for by a trio of the devil’s own band, two of whom I grounded as uicely as you please. I bound them and left ’em lying in the guich, but they some- how got away before the next morning.” ‘“*Very well. You told me you were forced into this gang, and that you were their bitterest enemy.” “So Iam.” “Then listen. Iam going to break up that gang, or die in the attempt. To-day a fresh reward has been offered for their capture, and the whole sum now offered amounts to three thousand dollars, part of which you shall share if you will help me with my plans.” “You can depend upon me, reward or no reward. T’ve no love for these outlaws, you may rest assured.” *Such being the case, it will be a part of your business to set fire to this so-styled temple of Bac- ehus, which you say is the head-quarters of the gang. First, however, tell me—is there not an un- erground passage leading to some other retreat?’ “There is. It descends from the floor, and from the bottom of a shaft worms its way northward to a mountain-locked pocket or cavern.” »“AsIthought. There isa passage under yonder eascade, which, no doubt, leads to this identical lace. Now, then. to-morrow night, when you can re the old rookery without being seen, do so, and in away that cannot fail to demolish the building. Then lay low, and keep a watch upon the two men who are boarding at John Mason’s. See that they don’t get an opportunity to work any villainy, should that be their purpose; also keep an eye on the young lady, Miss Grey.” “Ts this all I am to do, to aid you?" “Tt is enough, You may find your hands full, in the bargain. I will undertake the rest. If I am wanted, hunt up the passage under the rocks, and blow a shrill whistle. I, or some one in my service, will hear it.” Then after a few more instructions, the Spotter Sport strode away toward his lodgings. As he en- tered the doorway, he came face to face with aman who was coming out—a brawny, bewhiskered indi- vidual, with a kindly face, and the attire of a miner and prospector. “Hello! maybe you are the pilgrim I’m hunting after,”’ he said, flocking: the passage with his brawny proportions, ‘‘Maybe you are the fellow they call Rosebud Rob?” “There can be but little doubt that you are gazing upon the genuine representative of that name,” the Sport replied, with a smile, ‘What is your handle, may 1 be so bold as to inquire?” “My name reais Bill Greeland, miner, at the election polls,” the other replied. “If you are Rosebud Rob. who is in the mouth of every galoot in the gulch, you're the pilgrim I want to see.” “Then walk up to my room with me, and unravel your business,”’ the Sport replied, “though T mar- vel that there is anything left of me to give you audience, if [am in so many cannibalistic mouths.” They ascended to the Sport’s chamber. and the man from Nevada tock a chair facing the Sport. “The reason I hunted you up,” he said, ‘was because I heard that you were going to take a bunt after the robbers who broke open the bank. and relieved me of my whole fortune, some two hundred and fifty thousand dollars in gold.¥ = “Yes, Iam just about taking the trail, now, as soon as I can get ready. Isuppose you want me to put in a plea for your pile, eh?” “Exactly. I want you to regain possession of that gold, if possible, and turn it over tome. Yours shall then be a rich reward.” “T shall not forget your case. In the mean time, as you are stopping at Mason’s, you will perhaps do me a favor, in exchange.” ‘‘Most certainly; you have but to name it, and I promise.”* “Ttis that ae keep a protecting eye upon the young lady who is stopping there, under the tem- pety, guardianship of John Mason, where I placed er out of reach of a rascally guardian, who has proven her worst enemy.” A faint smile passed over the miner’s face, as he stroked his long beard. “T ain’t much of a hand for lookin’ after women,” he said, ‘‘but I'll _keep an eye as you request to the irl’s welfare. She isa pretty one, and no doubt at east one heart beats in sympathy with her own.” “Thank you for the sling-shot,”” Rosebud Rob re- plied, with a smile. ‘No doubt but that she has.” Greenland soon took his departure, and then the Spotter Sport prepared for his solitary adventure, Stocking his haversack with cold meats, and fillin his ammunition-box with fresh cartridges, he lai out two pairs of revolvers and a knife for use, after which he threw himself upon the bed, to await the phe ig of night again, when he could go to work, safely. ; _Miss Priscilla Mason was not a bad woman in prin- ciple, but simply love-blinded. She could not believe that she was doing wrong in keeping the Reverend Lucas Alyne in secret under her roof, consoling her accusing conscience with the reasoning that they were soon to be made one and inseparable. And now he was safely harbored under her shel- tering roof, where there would be many a chance for a quiet lovers’ talk. But though there was a great satisfaction in pelouse. this, the spinster was puz- zled. Of her two boarders, she did not know which was the parson and which was not. Narrowly and eagerly during the first morning and noon meals she did watch both, expecting a si, from her disguised lover. But none came, and she had to quiet her aged, pulsating heart until she should be able to decide. That night. after ead oa Mr. Greeland went into the parlor, while Mr. Harkins slouched on his hat, lita Fie and tramped away out into the gulch. “That settles it.’ Priscilla mused, her heart thumping so Joud that she was frightened lest Jen- nie should hearit. ‘‘ Mr, Greeland is my dear Lucas. What a clever actor he is, too! Dear, sweet Lucas! how I love him!” The dishes were never washed so rapidly as to- night, when the spinster was all anxiety to have an interview with ber reverend lover. At last they were all wiped and washed, and Jennie was gone on an errand to a neighboring store. Then Miss Priscilla brushed back her silver-thread- ed locks, tied a fresh ribbon at her throat, and stole on tip-toe to the parlor of the cabin. At the thresh- old she paused and peeped in. Mr. Greeland was ensconced in a chai’, with his back toward her. and his heels protruding through the open window. Such a shocking posture for a minister to assume, too, she thought, and, horror of horrors! he was puffing away ata pipe ten per cent. grimier than that Mr. Harkins had lit when he went out. ‘But, the poor dear soul, he must have some com- fort in his lonely bachelor’s life,” she murmured, under her breath. ‘‘1’ll just steal on tip-toe and sur- prise him, bless him!” And she was successful in gliding across the floor noiselessly, and mi poy a position directly in the rear of his chair without his knowledge of her pres- ence. ‘Oh, my sweet, sweet darling!” she said, the next moment, and throwing her arms about his neck, she drew his head around, and implanted several warm kisses upon his forehead. “Heavens and earth!” gasped the astounded man,
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22 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. tewing from her embrace, and confronting her. “Wht in the deuce do you mean, woman, yippee A slobbering ar und me? Hang me if it isn’t the land- lady at that?” “A ial my sweet lover in disguise, ’tis no longer use for you to play off when I recognize you full well;” and Miss Priscilla would have given him a playful slap, but he leaped back with a grunt of dis- gust, “See here, old Jady,” he growled, keeping her at arm’s length, “this won’t do, at all. What do ye mean? Are yecrazy, or what? Blast my rocks ef I ever was in sech a predicament!” Ani to impart excitement to the scene, both John Mason and Jennie stepped into the room at this moment, : * Lordy!” the big miner gasped. ‘‘ What kind of a circus is this? Priscilla, woman, what do you mean?'t Poor Priscilla! Here were all her fondest hopes nipped in the bud. At the sound of her brother’s voice, she sunk quietly to the floor in a swoon. She was soon revived, however, and sent to her room in disgrace. Bill Greeland explained as well as was in his pow- er, and thus the incident came toa close, and was hushed up for poor Priscil!a’s sake. John Mason was extremely puzzled over his sis- ter’s conduct, and could in no way account for it. Probably the feelings of Miss Priscilla can better be imagined than described by us. On the following morning she received a sly look from Mr. Jeff Harkins, which satisfied her that she had seen the right man at last. After breakfast she met him in the parlor, where her unfortunate meeting with Greeland had occur- red. Nobody was in the house, John Mason having taken Jennie with him down to his claim, and Bill ap having gone off on a hunt to the moun- ains. “You are a fool!’ the disguised Virginian cried, as Miss Priscilla sunk upon a stool by his side—‘‘a consummate fool! Why did you make such a deuc- ed mis—”’ “ Oh, don't, Lucas!” she interrupted, imploringly — don’t! or you'll lacerate my heart, I thought it was you.” ‘Well, take care that you don’t make any more mistakes, or they may lead to the detection of our little Jover’s plot. Priscilla, my dear, report brings to me the story that thy brother has a goodly supply of gol len wealth ” “You must not listen to idle gossip, dear Lucas,” was the evasive reply. “Nay, ’tis no idle gossip, an’ thou knowest it, my star. Tell me where this gold is kept, and the amount thereof, my Priscilla, for the Great Adviser | hath sant me strange warnings concerning it—told me to watch over and guard it, as a brother, for a brother, lest robbers should carry it away.” “Mercy! Then I must fly to teil my brother!” Priscilla gasped, in alarm. “Nay, stay!’ the plotter commanded. ‘ Tell not thy brother, that it shall worry him, buc tell me that I may smite the Philistines, and win favor in thy brother’s eyes.” “My noble hero,” Priscilla cried, her heart pul- sating afresh ‘‘How I admire your noble traits! My brother's gold is in the c lar, in a wooden box, and amounts in all to ten thousand dollars’ worth. Oh! if it owt? be stolen, what would we ever do! Oh! dear, brother John would go crazy.” “Fear not about brother John ” the reverend ras- cal said. ** The robbers will have to pass a mountain of rock, in my holy self, to achieve a victory.” Jennie Grey had gone down t> the claim with John Mason, but the labor of washing sand w s monoto- nous, and ere the first hour had passed. the pretty Vi-zinian was over at Photograph Phil’s studio, looxing over his pictures, with a great deal of gravity and interest, .“*Tt must be very nice work to take pictures.” she said, looking up into Phil’s face as he deftly ar- ranged a new stack for ber inspection. ** Well, rather, ma'am; it depends if a fellow is naturally lazy, or not. It you find one of the chaps, like myself, for instance, who’s made up his min that he'll get through the world on cheek, and as little work as he can—he’s the chap suited for a pic- ture-gallery, every time.” “Then you are not partial to work. eh?” Jennie asked, her big blue eyes roving over the jolly face of the young artist. ‘* You despise manual labor?”’ “When I can make an honest livelihood by my wits,” Phil replied, with alaugh. ‘“ You see, nature rave mean unlimited installment of cheek, with a een sight, and an unusual allowance of tongue, so between the three, I manage to eke out about as good a living as the men who toil all day with the spade and shovel.” “You are « strange young man!” the little Vir- ss saia; then asked, candidly: ‘How old are you * Grasping after manhood by a few months. May I return the compliment of asking you a like ques- tion? ‘Certainly; Iam ’most seventeen. Will you take my picture?” d “With all pleasure,” Phil replied. gallantly. The unabashed yet innocent naivet- of this little ward of John Mason was particularly charming—at least in the eyes of the young artist. Assisting her to a chair, he carefully arranged a series of screens and cloth scenery, after which he popped bebind his ‘‘masheen.” Next he went into a dark wigwam which he had erected, and soon came out again with the slide which he inserted, just as a pretty smile about the mouth of the fair Jennie revealed a glimpse of her pearly teeth. The picture being a tin-type was soon finished, and Phil handed it over to the owner with consider- able pride. For it was really well executed, the features and dress taking well, and the light and shade good. “Ohl? Jennie exclaimed, as she glanced at it; “this is not 1, sir.” aon assuredly, yes. Do you not recognize your- self?” “ Well, I must give you praise. It is the very best picture L ever had taken. If Zecould only learn!” “You can, perhaps, if I tarry in the gulch long enough.” “Oh! that’s a good fellow! I begin to like you al- ready. Will you come up to Mr. Mason’s to-night, and teach me the first lesson?” : “The first-lesson in what?” Phil laughingly asked. “In love?” “ Yes. if you are smart enough to do it,’’ was the sbarp but merry answer, as the light-hearted fairy went dancing away, like a butterfly on the wings of golden sunshine. “You may bet I'll be there!’’ Phil said to himself, as he went back to retouchin, some card negatives, ‘By Jove! it would be a huge joke if a fellow of my unpretentious bearing should succeed in winning the daisy away from that gallant, heroic Sport. There’s been greater miracles accomplished, too. But stop! I have other work to do to-night!” CHAPTER X. IN THE PASSAGE. WE must now return to the nigbt previous, and to our Svort, Rosebud Rob, After the departure of Bill Greeland, he threw him- self uron the bed. and smoked and slept away the greater portion of the day, except when he was cn ae below stairs to the noonday and evening meals. He thought a great deal about Jennie Grey, and a great deal more concerning Baltimore Bess and her whereabouts. She had not been seen since the previous evening, Where had she gone--what had she done? “=e =.
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cae? Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. 23 This was the question which most puzzled him, It was a relief to bim when night began to cast its shadows into the golden gulch, and the early moon dipped its bow in the east, preparatory tocomme c- ing its voyage across the blue dome of the heavens, As soon_as it was dark enough for his purpose. Rosebud Rob armed himself with revolvers, rifle and knife, and bidding adieu to the cabin, set out through the gulch toward the cascade which poured down over the northern precipice with its accustom- en din and roar. As he passed along, he glanced into several saloons, hoping to catch a glimpse of the dare-devil Bess, but was disappointed. She had not been seen since the previous night. ‘T shall bave to proceed to my work, then, with- out seeing her,” the Sport muttered, with disap- ointment. ‘I wonder what «an have become of er? It would nerve me for my desperate work to geta glimpse of her face. Perhaps I have looked upon it for the last time! Something tells me that Bess has left the town, sad and sorrowing, poor girl, but it shall not be thus, I will follow her, after I have wooed and won Jenvie—we will$follow her and both make it our study to muke her pe cs With these thoughts flitting through his mind he neared the cascade. 2 The cabin once occupied by the Abbeys, still stood upon its former site, and was the only one in the immediate vicinity of the falls. The Abbey establishment had been wholly con- verted into a saloon, but being out of the popular current, was not Jargely patronized. Glancing in, Rosebud Rob caught a glimpse of Jean Alvne and his two confederates, but saw noth- ing of Bess. Passing on he approached the eastern side of the cascade which tumbled from the rocks into a na- tural water-worn basin, whence it debouched through the water-course. The sheet hugged close against the wall of rock in front of which it fell, yet t e Sport had previously discovered that a narrow foot- ledge ran between the falling water and the rock, the entrance to it being screened by the constant mist. It was right here, that Rosebud Rob’s perilous task commenced, He had no knowledge of the passage, more than of its existence. If indeed it led to the retreat of the outlaws, it was more than probable that they would have it uarded. In which case there was one stumbling- lock in the Sport’s disfavor. But, in knowing that he was to work for the ri_ht, and in the behalf of justice. he was resolved to stand for no obstacles, but cut down everything in the shape of an enemy fo his mission. Not unprepared had he come, to do battle against these outlaws. Before entering behind the falls, he donned a long and very heavy rubber coat, which was padded, and lined with buffalo-hide. This would effectually shed the water, and with a black mask upon his face, gave him a brigandish appearance. He was also equipped with a small dark-lantern, which he carefully ignited ere he stepped into the passige—a Western Cave of Winds. When he was prepares with his coat well button- ed up about his head, he took the lantern in his left hand and his knife in the right, and stepped in un- der the cataract. Instantly the thundering roar of a dozen cannons smote upon his hearing with deafening effect. The mist sprayed into his face and eyes, so that he could scarcely see. The first step he took came near precipitating him into the roaring vortex. He soon became aware that it would require the greatest care to keep upon the narrow footing, so he shot the slide of his lantern, whereupon a flood of light was diffused upon his surroundings, But the falling mist prevented his seeing anything except a gray stream or vapor around him. Carefully—step following step in feeling the un- certain passage, every nerve of the Sport was drawn to the highest tension—his kuife hand kept ready for instant use. On—on—on; at last the mist seemed to grow thin- ner, and the roar of the casvade less loud and deaf- ening. Then he paused, and turned out the light—that is, shot back the slide of his lantern, and all was dense- ly dark. “T must be pretty near out of this confounded passage,’ he muttered, swinging the lantern at his side, ‘and now, I must go it blind. 1 wonder how many guards I shall bave to silence. J lood is a nasty thing to dabble in, but, nothing must stand in my pati to-night.” 2 With the stealth of a mouse he glided alorg. and soon had the satisfaction cf discovering himsclf out peat mist, in a drier passage where footing was safe, Here he paused again. He was resolved not to go further until he had ascertained if there was a guard to the passage. Carefully groping about, he found a bowlder, and seated himself upon it, Knowing full well that he had his own time at his disposal, be resolved to take things coolly and by slow degrees. Listening, he could not at first hear any suspicious sounds; only the roaring jar as of falling waters came to his hearing, from the direction of the misty passage Fully an hour he sat upon the bowlder, and lis- tened faithfully. It was much tco dark for him to outline any objects further off than directly before his very eyes. A foe might easily have stood a yard away, and did he not betray his presence by some manner or move. it would not have been known by the watchful Sport. But no enemy was so near, evidently, and grow- ing tired of the silence Rosebud Rob rose to his feet, intent upon following the further lead of the strange pence: As he did so. and attempted to peer ahead nto the dense depths of blackness, something caught his sharp, never-failing eye, which caused him to sink back upon the bowlder with an exclamation. It was like the flash of a spark upon some black object ’way off in the distance, which lasted buta moment, and then died out, utterly. “Hal” the Sport muttered, ‘* there is a guard, but he is some distance away further up the passage. The flash was from an ignitedjmatcb, no doubt, with wetg ae lit his pipe. 1 wonder if he is coming this wa. y pressing his ear close to the poche eeehs he was enabled to learn the affirmative. ular steps, very faint, but yet perceptible, were coming down the passage, which, as near as the Sport could guess, ran in a north westerly direction, “Tt is the guard, undoubtedly, making his regular route,” he decided. crawling back to his seat upon the bowlder. ‘“‘It behooves me to lie low and keep still, and. perhaps. I shall escape his notice, Other- wise, I shall be obliged to tap him upon the bead.” Nearer cy me the guard, bis steps now quite audi- be although they were all that denoted his com- ng. Rosebud Rob crouched as far back as possible, with the hope that he might escape notice. Still nearer did the guard approach; then stopped, sud- denly, in front of the spot where the port was crouching. Firmly Rosebud Rob’s fingers closed about the haft of his knife, and he pe pared to spring upon his foe. But he did not, for he scon perceived that the guard was not aware of his presence, inasmuch as he seated himself upon the identical rock bac’ of which the Sport was crouching, and began softly whistling some old-time tune. Rosebud could have thrown his arm about his neck, so close was he to the intruder, He was cer-
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Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. tainly in a desperate situation, and was put to his wits for some resort to extricate himself from his difficulty. A happy thought finally struck the Sport. He would take the guard a prisoner! It could be done easily enough, he concluded upon reflection; all it required was a little risk. Cautiously drawing his revolver, he waited until the guar] was coughing, when he suddenly cocked it without the click, click, being noticed. The next minute the cold muzzle was pressed against the out- law’s temple, and the Sport spoke in a deep, stern tone: “Stop! breathe but a word, or move a muscle, and I'll blow your blasted brains out! You are m prisoner, and unless you obey me to the letter, I'll Shoot you so quick you can’t speak!’’ The fellow started with a muttered curse, but made no attempt to reach toward his belt, as Rose- bud could see by the aid of his lantern, which he had brought into play. Reachin forward, he removed the weapons from his belt and appropriated them to his own use. “Now you will please stand up and fave about,” the Sport ordered, in his commanding way. The guard obeyed sullenly. “Now, sir,’’ Rosebud Rob said, following him to a standing position, ‘‘now, my jewel, do you perceive that my revolver is leveled on a squew-gee with your life pulsator?” “Yes, cuss yer!” was the reply. “None of your cussin’, you brute! I want you to obey, or drap you 5) after which I shall assist you to a shower-bath in under the falls on a strictly Turkish plan. Did it ever fall to your lot to hear of a festive coon whose name is Rosebud Rob?” ae outlaw started and gave vent to an affirmative grunt, “You he?” “You stack your chips that I’m the precise char- acter answering to that Sunday-school baptism. For instance, just cast your eyes upon my physiog- nomony!”’ And off came the mask, and the coolly handsome face of the Sport was turned upon the outlaw. “Well, what d’ye want 0’ me?” he demanded, sur- lily, seeming fully satisfied as to the identity of the “man to suit all circumstances.” “First, I want you to discard the wearing of your mask,” Rosebud replied, as he restored his own to his face. ‘‘ Nothing like knowing each other’s cast of countenance, yousee. It elevates and instructs.” ‘Guess L won't,” the outlaw replied. ‘‘ You never see’d me, though I’ve heard o’ you in a casual way.” ‘All the same, take off that mask, just to please me and to save you the moderate expense of a six- foot hole in terra firma!” The fellow obeyed. As soon as the guard tore away his mask, Rosebud Rob turned the full rays of the lantern upon his face —a rough, stubbly countenance the Sport could not remember of seeing before. “What is your name?’ he demanded, “Jack Jillett,” was the sullen reply. “And ‘iow belong to this Diablo’s Infernal gang?” “Can't youread? Diablo’s stamp is on my fore- head plain enough.” ““Yes—so [ now perceive. Well, now what shall I do with you? Which way would it be best and easi- est for you to die?” “Not at all, Itis unnecessary that I should die, you see, when I may be able to help you!” “You help me?” “Certainly. You've fairly caught me, and I sur- render to your will. Ineed not tell you that I am not particularly in love withDiablo, and I’d just as soon bu’st up the league as not.” : 3 awa Rob gazed at the man, sharply—search- ingly. “Do you mean this?” he asked, sternly. ‘“ Re- member, the first sign of treachery I see, my knife Shall hunt 4 passage into your heart!” “T hear and understand,” the outlaw replied, “and I mean alll say. If you willenlist me in your service, I will reward your confidence by strict at- tention to your commands]” ‘*By your language, I should judge you had been reared in different surroundings than these, sir?” “Ay! I have seen better days, years ago, until whisky and gambling took me down the hill.”’ es What can you tell me about the secrets I wish to learn?” ‘‘ Much more than you think. Iam general guard of the secret mine, and, in fact, of the whole con- cern, My orders are next only to the chief’s, and none dare to question me but him, He seldom no- tices me.” 4 “Good! Know you where the treasure of this robber band is stored?” ‘ “T think I do, when I pass the spot fifty times each day.” % * And you have access to the gold?” “No! itis locked within an iron box, which Diablo had brought from Deadwood.” “ How many modes of ingress and egress are there to the secret mine, then?” ‘“‘Three; one near where the toll-gate of Joaquin Muriete stands, another underground passage which comes up in under the temple of Bacchus, and the one we are in at present.” ‘‘Did you serve under Joaquin’s flag?” aa! did. These passages were discovered together with the secret mine over a year ago, and Joaquin bound us together as a band to remain in the mine and work it for him, after our first captain, Nugget Ned, so strangely disappeared.” “He was a good master, eh?” “Ay; better than either Joaquin or Diablo. The latter two are very much alike in cruelty and flerce- ness. “ Joaquin’s life was imbittered to some extent by the separation with his wife,” the Sport said. ‘‘ But, I must not tarry here. My business is to get into the secret mine, secure possession of the treasure hat was in the Cascade City bank at the time ol the robbery, capture as many of the outlaws as possi- ble, and then get back into the outer world.” “Am Lwith you in the adventure?” “Yes, if you promise to be faithful, One act of treachery upon your part, and I will kill you if it is the last act of my life.” “ Ay, well Tuaderstand the terms, For, not only shall I be serving you, but fighting for that freedom Tecan never have until the Infernal Forty is out of existence.” “ How many men has this Diablo under his con- trol altogether?” “ Highty odd, I believe, including the miners and the forty who run the road-agent business.” “We are two against eighty! Phew! an un- healthy aspect of affairs—for the eighty, I should say. We must play our cards slow but sure, in or- der to have any show for winning.” ‘Ay, all depends upon our success in one item,” Jillett said. “And what is that?” “In slaying Diablo.” “ But I wish to a him.” ‘Nevertheless, take my advice and strike him down, at the first re tg The man is possessed of the devil. Allow him liberty and he will outwit old Satan himself, mark my words.” “«T fear him not, and would rather capture him and deliver him up to justice. Come! let us move on, for I would to the work,” “Nay, you must not hurry. I will first go to the secret cavern, so that the way may be prepared. You remain here, and trust allto me. If I do not return before to-morrow night at this time, be not uneasy. All depends how successful I am in matur- ing my plans.’ _And after a few regulations between them, as ta signals, and so forth, the outlaw stole noiselessly
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, Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. 25 away, up the passage, leaving the Sport to make the best of his situation. ; : Which he proceeded to do. Turning out his light, he threw himself upon a convenient rock, and went off into alight but re- freshing slumber. During which he was visited by a strange dream. In it, he thought himself sitting in the room at Mrs. Lyoniel’s house, when two men entered bearing between them an inanimate form, to all appearances, which they carefully deposited upon the bed. ph ue ess! my God! is this you?” the Sport cried. A faint smile flitted across the deathly countenance of the dare-devil, as the Sport bent over her. “Oh! it’s but astab inthe side, from that Jean Alyne,”’ she replied, with an attempt at her old-time recklessness, “Tt hasn't bled externally, but I’m fast filling up, inside. Iam glad of it, Rosebud—I have been want- ing to die, all along, but couldn’t, till Alyne helped me, We were old enemies, and he did it with a good grace. I didn’t want to live and see her yours, and aoa es going before—and I am so glad—I am so— s0 glad—”’ With a start the Sport awoke from his dream, and sat bolt upright, in a dripping per: piration. “God grant that was a mockery—that hideous dream,” he gasped. Footsteps were coming down the passage, before him—friend or foe? CHAPTER XI. WOOING IMPROMPTU. Lravine the Sport still in the passage, we must dee on into the next day—ay, into the following night. After Jennie Grey left him, Photograph Phil con- tinued retouching pictures until the sun went down, when he locked up his apparatus in a huge chest in his wagon and adjourned to a hotel for his supper. After he had satisfied his appetite, he spent an hour in making bimself presentable, after which he started toward Jobn Mason’s parlor, For it was there he naturally expected to meet the impulsive, warm-hearted Virginian, The family were at supper when the nl Sleuth arrived at the cabin, but fair Jennie hastily arose and escorted Phil into the parlor, joy shining in her beautiful blue eyes. Bill Greeland, miner, looked after the pair with evi- dent satisfaction, “The boy’s a good ’un,” he muttered, under his preath, ‘‘and the leetle gal will be all right in his care. ‘Twixt him and the dashing Sport the little beauty will be over ears in love ere she is aware of it. ell, well; she can’t learn life’s strange lesson much younger.” The Tuner seemed to take a fatherly interest in the oung and winning Virginian. Or was it because the port had ordered it so? : ; Jennie conducted her visitor into the parlor with girlish triumph. “Do be seated, and teach me the merry, merry art of taking photographs,” she said, leading Phil to a sofa, and sitting down beside him. ‘‘I am all im- patience to learn so desirablo an art.” “here, 1 beg,” Phil replied. “As I'm a live sin- ner, I actually forgot to bring along my book of in- structions. Isn’tita shame? I will start now for ” Meno. you will do nothing of the kind, sir,” Jennie said, decidedly. “If two young people cannot get along for an evening without instructions, they ought to be blackballed.” © Well, just as you say. Lead ahead upon any- thing from politics to love; from d goods to min- eral ore, BEAT will endeavor to instruct you to the best of my ability.” “Oh! you a Eeaty. boy! Tobe sure, what should I know about mineral ore, or politics, or—” “Or love,” Phil said for her, “That is a dainty subject to handle, so we will discard it ” “No, we won’t!” nen Jennie firmly, ‘ Love is the very subject. I love flowers and poetry, nice cats, fruit, sunshine and photographers, and—” “ And photographers?” Phil ejaculated, gradually becoming more and more amazed. ‘You don't Ee mean to—” “Yes, I just mean to say that I love you!” the lit- tle minx cried, defiantly. ‘Now, say as much for yourself, if you dare!” “Why! why—’’ Phil began, beginning to grow as red as a cherry, conscious that her saucy eyes were trying to peer into his—that her fair round hand had clasped his own. The truth was he was in just such a fix as he had never been in before. He had always flattered him- self that being gifted with plenty of cheek, he could not be easily abashed, but here this pretty little sprite had cornered him in her boldly innocent and charming way, and was evidently hugely enjoying his blushes and confusion. “There! there!”’ she said, the next minute, throw- ing her arms around his neck, and kissing him, “don’t be scared a bit, for I don’t mean half of it you know. Iam one of the awfulest madcaps you ever saw, and I do so leve to tease anybody.” ‘* And so you selected me for a victim, eh?’? Phil managed to ask. “Of course I did, you great good fellow. I knew. I could mix you all up like molasses candy, the first glance I got of you, this afternoon. 1 knew you were the one I could amuse myself with, without base misconstrued, or risk being insulted.” “Well, since you have seemingly derived consid- erable amusement from my presence, you wiil per- haps be satisfied to let me take my departure,” Phil said. a little seriously. “No, you bet I won't!” the little minx declared, emphatically. ‘‘ After I have caged my bird, do ‘ou suppose Iam going to be foolish enough to let m fly away from me? Not much!” And she kept a grasp upon his coat-sleeve, in a prompt way. ee at do you mean to do with me?” “Oh! hold you a prisoner for the best part of the evening. You see, Guardy is usually out till late and aunty is going to call upon Mrs. Jones, and there will be no one here with me except that Mr. Jeff Harkins, as Mr. Greeland says he is going to the theater. I fear thatman—my flesh creeps eve time he looks at me with his cold, steely eyes, c) reminds me of my enemy, Lucas Alyne.” “‘Perhaps he is the same in disguise?” Photo- aph Phil, suggested, the thought coming readily 0 his mind and forming into words. “Oh! sir, fps do not deem that possible, do you?” Jennie asked, in alarm, “Tt is quite possible, but ‘not i ci Phil re- lied. ‘* Anyhow, if you will be kind enough to al- ow me the privilege, Iwill act as your protector until your gallant and handsome lover returns,” “To whom do you refer, sir?” “To the Sport—Rosebud Rob,” A quiet flush stole to Jennie’s cheek as she heard the name. “*T don’t know why you should call him my lover,” she said, with a shy glance into hiseyes. “I am a great deal indebted to the Sport. but am in no faa bound to him, And Iam sure I like you just a little the best.” r - PR Why will you persist in giving me taf- ‘There isn’t the least bit of taffy in it,” Jennie as- serted earnestly, her big blue eyes dilating. ‘I’m meaning every word I say, so help me John Rogers! Don't think me gone demented or trifling with you. Tf you was half a man, you wouldn’t have let me do this much of the courtship.” “Phew! if Ee ain’t a brick, I never saw one. But since you will have courtship, my little irrepressible, T propose upon the spot.””
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£6 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. “Propose that we get married?” “Propose that. we take a walk out in the early moonlight, and sip the fragrance of ambrosia from the cup of the moon.” “Oh, dear! fan me quick, or I shall faint—I know Tshall!” the 1 ttle Virginian cried, in much alarm, *Oh! Mr. Phil, if you have any regard for my nerves, you will never start off so gushingly again.” And then she burst into a merry laugh, in which Phil joined her. “You ara incorrigible!”’ he said. ‘‘And you are a great bear,” was her reply. “Why, lean pick out the smallest definition of a man in Virginia, and he can make love better by far than you.” . “Then go and find him,” Phil growled, rising w:th a view to departing. “Well, where are you going now?” “Tome, Miss Inquisitiveness. Got any particular objections to offer?” - “Of course [have. Didn’t 1 tell you I wanted you to spend the evening with me?” “Oh, yes! I'd forgotten, Now, then, I'll sit down once more, and let’s be sensible. Do youreally care for me, as you said, Miss Grey?” “Why, of course,” she replied, nestling close to him. ‘Do you suppose I should have said so if I hadn’t meant it? I do think ever so much of you, Phil, for I believe you are a nice, good boy.” ‘Thank you then, little sweetheart, for I already return your affection, and shall try to merit your warmest admiration.” “Toere! that was nice of you—that speech, Phil. It sounded grand!” the little witch-fairy exclaimed, in delight. ‘‘And now that we are lovers, say the rest—you know what—and then seal the betrothal with a kiss.” “Will you marry me, my pretty?’ Phil asked, now in dead earnest. “Of course [ will, Phil, and you see if I don’t make you a good and faithful, loving wife.” And it is unnecessary for us to remark that the lovers’ compact was sealed with a kiss which caused volumes of joy for the two concerned. Phil was justly proud of his new charge, and Jen- nie was contant to know that his presence was all- desirable to her happiness. “We are both rather young to get married, my pet,” Phil remarked, ‘* and yet—” “Pshaw! we are nota bit too young, Phil. I be- lieve in people starting early in life. and by striving together they can soon get a foothold with their fel- lows, so that by and by they will have enough to keep them comfortabl> in their old age.” “Jonnie, you are a philosophic jewcl, and a prize I would not part with for the world. You have but to name the day, and I’ll be on hand.” “Pll think when [ should like it to be, and let you know to-morrow, Phil. But it neel not be put off long, and I feel assured we shall get along happily togeth +r, for I, on my part, have had a great deal of experience, and no doubt you have, too; so that I believe we shall, to use a nautical expr-ssion, suc- ceed in weathering t'\e shoals and breakers of life, and sail upon an open and peaceful sea,” “Tam of the same opinion, dearest, You can de- pend upon my faithfulness. But, dearest, are your hand and heart free? Is not—’’ ‘Tam aware what you would say.” she interrupt- ed, ‘‘ You would mention Rosebud Rob’s name, He is not—never can be—anything to me since you and Thave met. For, young lovers though we may be, Phil, I believe we ars made for one another.” And Photograph Phil thought so too, as he drew her within his strong arms, and covered her face wi h kisses. He remained by her side, and they, as lovers will, talked over the prospects of a happy future, until the little parlor-closk struck ten, ushering in the coming of Miss Priscilla from Mrs. Jones’s; then Phil kissed his little betrothed, and took his departure, promising to call the next day, After he hed gone, Jennie had to, of course, ap- prise Miss Priscilla ot her new departure, and that estimable lady, after chiding her heroine. went straight to Mr. Jefferson Harkins, alias the Reverend Lucas Alyne, with the intelligence. His reverence swore. under his breath, and excus- ing himself from Miss Priscilla’s presence, he resort- ed to the gulch street, in hopes of finding Jean, his son. He was fortunate enough to meet that sorry look- ing individual, rambling aimlessly about—a wreck of the sprucely-dressed villain he had been on coming to Cascade City, such a short time before. “You're a cursed fine-looking sp-cimeu of human- ity—you are!” the Reverend Lucas said, angrily. “Come aside, out of hearing—I want to see you. What spree have you been into now, that your eyes are all bunged up, and your nose is knocked out of plumb?”’ “Oh! just my luck,” the young villain growled. “T’ve been pounded and knocked about ever since I first came here. Just got into askewrup, back here, with a vailed female, whom I tried to kiss, and she pte my nose and one eye quicker’n no time. I tell you what—I’m goin’ to pull for the East.” ‘Not vet, I have work for you to assist in, first— work which interests us both. We must bring mat- ters to a focus, at once.” “Why—what’s the matter? I thought you had a safe plan ahead?” “Tt won’t work now, for there is no time to be lost. The estate is liable to be snatched out of my hands at any minute.” ‘* How?’ “The girl has engaged herself to be married to the FOuRs devil, who runs the picture place, down yon- er. ‘*Phew—and how does this endanger our financial prospects?” “Why, in this way. The papers which bound the childr n over to my care, had the provision that eet oS pated ceases at the marriage of one or voth, ‘And they come into the property at the same time?” “Exactly. So you see not amoment is to be lost or the Virginian estate is gone, and we are begzars. That accursed Photograph Phil must be put out of the way and the girl abducted, It is our only chance.” “Good enough! Leave the artist tome, and I'll smash his skull so that he won’t be able to make love again.” “Very well. When you have finished his case, leave a note to that effect in care of the barkeeper at Tony Ribleau’s saloon, and linger about the gulch for further orders from me.” “ What has become of the Sport, Rosebud Rob?” “Gone in search of Diablo, the road-agent, they say. Sohe is safe out of the way, and there is noth- ing to prevent our working with sucesss.”’ With this understanding the two villains separated, the Reverend Lucas going back toward Mason’s cabin, while his son meandered to the first saloon to refresh himself out of a coin which his liberal-mind- ed father had condesceuded to drop into his paw. For without a certain amount of stimulus in him, the young rufflan was without his usual courage or fe- rocity. We must again return to the Sport, who, awaken- ing from his frightful dream, heard footsteps coming down the passage toward him. He was uncertain if or not it weve Jack Jillett, and he resolved to be on guard lest it should be a foe. Drawing his revolv:r, he crouched back into the dar'cest corner and waited Nearer ond nearer came the footsteps, and then a shr'll whisper: “Sh! do not be scart; it is Jillett. Are you ready?” “Before I answer I’ll make sure,’”’ Rosebud Rob
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oe Photegraph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. — = replied, and he turned a full stream ef light wpon the new-comer, who was indeed Jillett, with his mask off in his hand for the occasion. ‘Well, are you satisfied?’ he asked, coming for- ward witha anh ‘Quite so. hat news do you bring?” “Good news. You must come with me and hide. Itis just dawning day, and the men will soon be re- leased from their cells to work in the mine. You must hide for the day; to night we will work.” ‘* Are the miners imprisoned?”’ “At night, yes, or a few of them would make their escape. In the daytime I keep a close watch upon them.” “ How about Diablo?’ 3 “He isin the Temple of Bacchus, gambling with the Forty.” “Humph! to-morrow night at this time, he won’t be there.”’ “Why not?” “Because the Temple of Bacchus will be in flames, or, better still, in ashes.” “Maybe it will be all right. but the driving of the outlaws into the cave here will bother us more. But come along, and I will secrete you where you will not be molested.”’ Taking the lead. Jillett strode rapidly away up the passage, and closing the lantern-slide, Rosebud Rob followed in his steps. The passage was a trifle ascending, and in the course of twenty minutes they emerged into the secret mine—the same grand masterpiece of Nature which Photograph Phil had entered previously, in company with the chief, Diablo, The Sport was surprised at the strange tableau, and gazed around him as be passed across the sandy bottom of the basin with a great deal of interest. This was the mine, then, which Nugget Ned had given him (as related i: Rosebud Rob), This the place where immense fortunes lay in the golden sands under their feet. Pausing a moment, Jillett related to the Sport the eause of the so-called moon-tide, and the whole working of the gates which flooded the mine with golden grains, which were brought along into one stream by a hundred gold-bearing tributaries, and finally, after settling in large deposits, was precipi- tated by means of hewn out sluices into the mine. Some of the golden sand, of course, went over the cascade, and thus the miners of the cave-basin were ge'ting ten ounces to the one of that of the gulch- diggers. Passing across the basin to the rocky walls on the north, Jillett unlocked an iron door which led into a dungeoo. Pushing the Sport in first he entered after him, closing the door in his wake. They were now in total darkness, but the Sport relieved that by turn- ing on the light from his lantern, The dungeon was but a hole in the rocks with a door toit being a s’apeless affair, and inhabited by picks, shovels, and mining implements of every description. P A large cast-iron box, shaped like a trunk, stood in one corner, and to this Jillett directed the Sport’s attention. re “That is the treasure-box, and its contents in- clude all of the cash and bullion taken from the bank, besides a large amount of gold taken trom the mine.” é “ All right, I'll keep a good watch over it. By the way, is there anything to eat in this den?” “Yes: Ihave provided you wiih meats and corn bread, in a basket yonder. Now, good-day; keep quiet, and when it is time, T will release you.” ‘And go saying, he took his departure. leaving the Sport alone in the cave—alone with the treasure. The first thing he did was to tackle the edibles, which Jillett had thoughtfully provided for his use. He was exceedingly hungry, and consequently made | a Food hearty meal. uring the forenoon he heard the men working in | the basin mine—heard the cchoing reverberations of their picks and shovels, but the sound of no voice, except that of Jack Jillett, as he paced to and fro on guard. In spirit Rosebud Rob was restless. He chafed at this confinement—longed to be abroad, in search of the one woman he now knew he adored most—and that one was no other than brave and courageous, self-sacrificing Baltimore Bess. The dream constantly reverted to his thoughts, and naturally increased his anxiety. “What a blind idiot I was to refuse her, when she would have so joyfully grasped at the chance to be- come mine, and make me happy! Why did I not aecept her—why could I not see as I see now, that she, of all women was the one for me? Gud knows if anything should happen that we should not meet again in this life, I should be the most miserable devil in existence.” The day passed slowly, to the, as it were, impris- oned Sport. It was gloomy in the cheerless cave, even with his lantern lit, and he longed for night to come, and with it action. Night at last began to fall, as he ascertained by peering through the keyhole out, into the basin, and by the cessation of the ringing of picks and shovels, Then came a long blank, during which, for several hours, he could hear no sound of human presence in the basin. Then, came ringing footsteps, the door was hastily thrown open, and there stepped suddenly into the presence of the Sport—D/ablo, the Terrible! CHAPTER XII. PHIL’S EXPERIMENT—DEATH OF BESS—CONCLUSION, THERE could be no mistake about it being the rob- ber chief. Rosebud Rob had often heard him de- scribed, and the tall, waving plume in his hat bo- spoke that he was chief, or at least an officer of rank in the outlaw band. As he stepped within the cell Rosebud had invol- untarily stepped tu one side of the entrance, so that he was not immediately seen—not until he made an agile leap upon the intruder and bore him to the ground. Then there was an instantaneous grappling of the two men and a fierce struggle for the mastery—a struggle between two powerful, determined men who were desperately res Ived to win or die in the attempt—who knew that one of their lives must necessarily pay the forfeit. Over and over they rolled in a desperate hug; neither cou d draw or use a weapon; the victor must eventually be the man who possessed the greater amount of endurance, Twisting, panting, squirming about,they continued to struggle, neither speaking or showing signs of weakening. Tt was a strange tableau there in the streaming light of the Sport’s lantern to see two strong men sneaged in a death-hug, working for a doubtful vie- ory. The Sport could have shot the chieftain down upon his entrance easily enough, but chose rather to capture him and let him expiate his er:mes through the stern code of Black Hills justice. Over and over they rolled, endeavoring to dash each other against the rocky projections in order to produce insensibility. But their efforts seemed un- availing. and thus the struggle continued. Finally the mask of Diablo beeame loosened and torn off, and the stream of light from the Sport's ee fell full upon the undisguised chieftain’s ‘ace. Rosebud Rob uttered acry of consternation and eae at sight of it. is at could this mean? Could the dead return to ife? Tor the face was that of Joaquin Muriete—Joaquin,
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28 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. whom the Sport had last seen lying dead in the great cavern northwest of Cascade City, as related in *Tdyl, the Girl Miner,”’ Yet here he Jay locked in the grasp of the Sport! Rosebud Rob could scarcely credit his senses. ‘Joaquin Muriete, can it be possible this is you?” he gasped, as for a moment there was a cessation in their struggles. ‘Did I not see you lyingin death beside your wife in the great cavern?” “You saw me in a state of unconsciousness that, no doubt, resembled death, but was not,’’ Joaquin replied. ‘I awoke after awhile, buried my wife, and came hither with the sole purpose of reaping riches and a sweet revenge upon you.” “Why upon me?’’ Rosebud Rob demanded, ** Because [ hated you—because you had the secret of the existence of this mine. I intended to destroy you, but now—” - “Now,” said Rosebud Rob, “it is nip and tuck which wins.” The words were the siarting point for a new strug- le. Both clinched harder and worked desperately or the victory. Over, over and over they went, straining to break each other’s hold—working to erush each other, or dash one another’s head against the rocks. At last Rosebud Rob heard the sound of approach- ing footsteps, and his courage was hightened, for he recognized the step as that of Jack Jillett. A mo- ment later the renegade outlaw came bounding into the dungeon, and he uttered a cry of surprise as he beheld the two men writhing upon the floor. “Great Heaven! Joaquin?” he gasped, standing aghast. “Yes, Joaquin,” the Sport replied. “Help me to secure him,” Jillett obeyedin silence. He first secured Joaquin, Jr.'s feet, and then his arms and wrists were broken from their clasp, and bound, Then Rosebud Rob arose to his feet, not a little sore and stiff as a result of hislong struggle. Diablo lay upon the rocky floor of the cell, cursing like a trooper, “Gag him, or do something to stifle his yells,” Rosebud Rob directed, and Jillett tied a handker- chief over the captured outlaw’s mouth, which had the desired effect. Diablo was nearly purple with rage, when he found that he wasa prisover and deprived of his power of speech. Tho tables were fairly turned up- on him, ‘* How have you got matters arranged elsewhere?” Rosebud Rib asked, ‘Are we in danger of being surprisod?”’ “No! Every man of the Infernal Forty is drugged to st ‘pefaction and securely bound,” “Wheze are they?” Md In the mine here, whither I dragged them one by one, ‘* How came Diablo—or Joaquin—here?”’ “T know not. He was not in the Temple, and I came hither in search of him. Lucky it was Icame in time, or yu’d have been stiff by this time.” “Trine enough, andI have you to thank for my life,” Rosebud R»b said, earnestly. ‘* Now. the ques- tion is, how shall we get our treasure and our pris- oners into Cascade City?” “Hasily enough, only we shall have to make two trips. There is a passage leading out of the mine to the entrance [I spoke of, near where Joaquin’s toll-gate once stood. In the i or are five mules on whom we can load several of the prisoners, and the treasure-box. What do you say to setting the miners free, as they were compulsory servants of Diablo?” “T leave that to your judgment,” Rosebud Rob replied. ‘But, come! let’s hurry up with this Job, for other work demands my attention.” Very well, remain here and guard the chief, and I will go for the mules,” Jillett said, after which he departed, He was gone about ten minutes, when he returned, leading five pack-mules. The Sport had, in the mean time, dragged Diablo out of the cell. and left him in the vicinity of his captured confederates, while he went back after the treasure-chest and succeeded iu dragging that out, as Jillett arrived. The work of loading now began. The iron chest being heavy was assigned as the burden of one mule. Some twenty of the prisoners, including Diablo, oe then tied in a line or lashed to the remaining mules, “You had best set out for Cascade City alone,’’ said Jillett, ‘‘ while I remain here to guard the other prisoners, All you have to dois to follow the mules, and they will teal you into the passage, which you follow to the end,iy the face of a wall of rock, Search about the floor at the foot of this wall, and you will find an iron foot-spring that, when you step upon it, will cause the walls to part for the space of a couple of minutes, when they will glide to- gether again. A spring on the outside will serve to open them for you on your return,” “You will remain here?” “Yes,as there is one who might come and re- lease the rest of these fellows, should I leave them alone.” “To whom do you allude?”’ “To one Millicent Vere, who is the affianced bride of this Diablo.” * Ah! Thaveheard of her. Well, youremain here, and I will soon return with a posse of Vigilantes at my back.” And with these words Rosebud Rob set out in the rear of his mule train, which was connected together by lariats, By following them and Jillett’s directions, he was soon out upon the toll-road, and proceeding toward Caseade City. ‘The night was not moonless, nor was it particular- ly light. Upon glancing at his watch, as he descend- ed the bluffs into the gulch, the Sport found that it was two o’clock, A. M. The town had mostly quieted down, very few per- sons being aboard. The first persons Rosebud met were Spee ey the president of the late bank, and Bill Greeland, the los- ing miner. Both re short, as they met the Sport with his cargo of gold and buman freight. “Oh!” exclaimed Rob, “it’s I, with the fruits of eapture. I have all of Diablo’s treasure, and some of his men, including himself. What shall we do with them, for Iam in a burry and wish to return for the rest of the robbers, whom IJ left bound and in ane of one Jillett, who assisted me in the eap- ture “Then leave this caravan in our charge, with the assurance that we will care for it promptly,” said Greeland, ‘The bank will make a first-class prison, for the present.” Rosebud Rob ready assented, and leaving mat- ters in their hands, he hurried off through the gulch in search of those citizens who had formed them- selves into a vigilance committee. Soon collecting a half dozen men, he set out once more for the secret cavern. Entering the secret_ passage from the toll-road, they traversed it until they debouched into the ba- sin-mine. Here a great surprise awaited them—especially, the Sport. The prisoners whom he had left in charge of Jil- lett were gone, while the renegade outlaw lay in lags ae with several bullet-holes in his forehead —flea ‘By Heaven! they are gone!” Rosebud Rob said. ‘i Was the Temple of Bacchus burned to-night, Le- on? ‘‘Yes; the flames had but died out when you ar- vived in the gulch, Sport.”
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FDied, Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. 29 ws “Then these outlaws, aided by a woman, have made their escape. Let us look to the cabins.” An examination was made, which resulted in the discovery that not only had the outlaws escaped, but the imprisoned miners had been liberated and were gone. A thorough search of the strange cavern resulted no better. The outlaws were all gone, or so secure- ly hidden that thev could not be found. “There is no use of our looking further,” Rose- bud Rob said, at last. * The woman, Millicent Vere, has beaten my game when I held a sure hand.” * And the sooner we get out of here, the better!” cried one of the Vigilantes. ‘*Lookee hayr, will ye?” and directing the light upon the ground, he enabled them each to behold a copious trail of giant powder, running from one center in a score of directions. Every face suddenly was possessed of a white, seared look, except that of the Sport. Outwardly he was as cool as the proverbial cucumber. “True enough,” he said, grimly —“ a plot is on foot to blow us up, and it only remains for us to make a run of it.” 2 Arid they did make a run of it. Taking to the passage through which they had en- tered. they started off at the top of their speed, and succeeded in getting out upon the highway, near where Joaquin’s cottage had stood. And not a moment too soun! There was suddenly a tremendous jarring of the ground, beneath their feet, as if an earthquake had come upon them—then, a roar as of a hundred wide- mouthed cannons. ’ The blow-up of the mine had no visible effect up- on the country above it. The cavernous basin was so deep, that only the jar was felt in the outer world. ft ““We have had a narrow escape pilgrims, and I think we have reason to be thankful, » Rosebud Rob said, with a shudder. “I pity any one that was alive within that secret mine when she blew ee : ‘“Hayr, too,’ assented one of the Vigilantes. “Thar’d be a poor show fer ary mortal in thet ex- plosion, you bet. your top boots.’ “The mine being worthless now, and the outlaws escaped, nothing remains for us but to revurn to town,”’ the Sport said. ‘There, at least, we have a few victims in the hands of the law.” Accordingly they returned over the rugged stage- road, and descended into the golden gulch just as the first streak of day-dawn touched upon the far eastern horizon of lofty peaks. hotograph Phil, after leaving the cabin of the Mosons, returned to his ‘schooner’ wagon in the gulch, where he usually slept. z He was feeling far happier and more apprecia- tive of the world and things worldly than he had earlier in the evening. _ Crawling into his vehicle upon a couch of skins, he dropped off into alightnap. from which he awoke in about an hour. But in that hour he dreampt that danger was menacing Jennie Grey. Peering out of the wagon, he saw that the gulch was nearly deserted. Mason’s cabin was dark and wrapped in slumber to all appearauce. F *T must now to my work,’’ the young artist mut- tered. ‘The building must be burned according to 3) *s direction.” - pyre himself with a can of kerosene oi], which he carried among bis effects, he left the wagon and dodged about in the shadows of the gulch shanties until he came to the robbers’ nest, known as the le of Bacchus. Tee Scdeertng, to find that there was no one in the immediate vicinity, he proceeded to saturate the walls with the inflammable oil. : As soon as he had accomplished this, he set fire to some old grass that would communicate with the building, and then skulked away to his wagon. In ten minutes the “Temple” was wrapped in flames, and the cry of fire which sounded through the gulch had the effect of bringing out a large crowd. But as soon as the place had Syarnpel to the ground, they all crawled back to rest, and the gulch was deserted. About an hour before daybreak Phil was lying in a semi-drowse, when somebody parted the curtains of his wagon, and an excited voice called to him: “Mr. Phil, come be to the cabin. for Heaven’s sake! Something awful has happened.” He recognized the voice as that of his betrothed, Pas Grey, and he was out by her side in an in- stant. “What is it, Jennie? Tell me.” “Oh! Phil, it is awful! We have just found Mr, Mason lying in his cellar, his head split open with an ax, and his money has been stolen.” Photograph Phil uttered an exclamation of hor- ror. “ By gracious! this is awful, true enough! When did you discover the crime?” “Just a bit ago, when I went into the cellar for some articles for an early breakfast. Oh! Phil, Miss Priscilla is nearly distracted.” “Poor woman! Itisasadblow. Wait a moment and I wil! accompany you back to the cabin,” He crept back into the wagon, armed himself, and then went with sweet Jennie to the miner’s cabin. Although it was approaching daylight, and the town was yet asleep, many had heard of the shock- ing. murder, and had flocked to the cabin. he body of the murdered miner had already been brought from the cellar, and laidupon a lounge. He had received a blow witha sharp ax in the back part of the head, which had nearly cleft the skull in twain. It was truly a horror of horrors. “In God’s name, who can have committed this ghastly crime?’ Photograph Phil exclaimed, as he viewed the work, surrounded by the weeping friends of the dead man. But no one seemed able to answer the momentous question. Whoever was the guilty wretch, he had struck a sure blow, and stolen away with the gold for which he had stained his hands in human blood, Miss Priscilla was inconsolable, and Jennie was Overcome with genuine grief, for she had become greatly attached to the sturdy, honest miner, By daylight the news of the crime had spread throughout the town, and though crowds came none were admitted, except a few friends. Rosebud Rob and Bill Greeland viewed the body, sorrowfully. Both had grown to esteem him, and it was asad sight to behold him lying so cold and si- lent in death. As soon as Sigeere Rosebud Rob sought out Photograph Phil, and found him talking to Jennie in the parlor. Both ceme forward to meet the handsome Sport— Phil with a guilty flush on his cheek, and Jennie rosy with blushes. But, much to Phil's relief, the Sport said nothing of their being together—rather, sj. ke of the crime. “What do you think about it?’ Rosebud Rob asked ‘Do you suppose the murderer has fled the town?” “No, Ido not; and Jobn Mason being dead, 1 dare say he will come here to-day!" “Hal then you think you know the guilty man?” “That I cannot even tell you, Mapleton.” the Boy Sleuth said—‘ not at present, anyhow. Wait, andif the rigbt man comes. I will endeavor to prove my suspicions of him.” Under the supervision of the two young men, John Mason’s body was taken to the parlor and robed for burial. after which all but the family were locked out of the dead-room. : Many of the townspeople, however, lingered about the cabin, and a spirit of the revengeful was rife among them, Mason had ever been a first and foremost citizen,
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85 Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. and dark were the threats of the people against the murderer. About noon Reverend Lucas Alyne presented him- self at the cabia, in his disguise as Jeff Harkins. The moment Paotograph Phil saw him, he nodded to the Sport. “That’s the man, ten to one,’”’ he whispered. ‘* Do you know him?’ Rosebud Rob shook his head. “Nol Whois he?’ “ His name is Lucas Alyne,”” “What! that man Lucas Alyne?” ‘Sh! Yes, it is he, in disguise. Keep still, and leave ali to me. First, let us see what he has to The disguised minister paid not the slightest atten- tion to either Phit or our Sport, but went to Miss Priscilla and offersd her comfort in a few well- Ghosen words, after which he proceaded into the parlor and viewed the body. When he came out ha hho ae shade whiter, and evidently somewhat agi- ated. There were quite a number of people in the cabin, and glancing around, he said: “My friends, this is asad affliction which has vis- ited us in the death of Mr. Maison, whom [ knew to be a good man, alyhouzh we were not friends exact- ly. You may, some of you, remember me as the Reverend Lucas Alyne, for this bearl I wear is merely false. I had to adopt the disguise in order to be near my ward hore, who was cruelly taken from me and placed in Mr. Mason’s charge, Now thatt.e poor min is dead, I am sure that none of you present can object to returning her to my loving care. And as he finished speaking ‘he reveren1 rascal removed his false hair and beard, and stood forth in his true colors “Ay! T objact!”” Photograph Phil cried, springing to his feet—'‘ I object, and give two reasons: one of them is, that Miss Grey here ’’—and as_ he spoke he drew Jennie to his side—‘‘is my afflanced wifs Another—her father and own natural guardian has just turned up, and will assume her protection,” A cry of surprise came fron all—a joyous ex- clamation from Jennie —a baffled oath from Lucas Alyne. “Tt is a lie!—a base plot to rob me of my ward!” he cried flercely. ‘* Do not believe them, my friends. They are conspiring against m3 —against justics and the Lord, I pupes to you—I appsal to you!” “Do not use the name of hs Lord in this case, Lucas Alyne,”’ Photograph Phil said sternly. ‘‘ For you to pretend piety any longer, is out of al reason, Tf you so desire, [ can produces William Grey, the father of the young lady here.” “Tis false! I defy you to produee him, you young Philistine! William Grey is lonz sincs dead!” “You err!’ said Bill Graeland, the miner, as he too stepped forward, and pulled a mass of bushy false beard from his face. *‘ Look you, Lucas Alyne —l amthe man!” The defeated guardian staggered back. “ You—you .”” he gasped, his ey2s glaring wildly. “Yes, I,’ said the handsome elderly miner. “ Af- ter all your devilish seheming for wealth, Lucas Alyne, I have survived to wress one of my children from you!” and as Jennie flaw to his embrace the returned wanderer clasped her fondly to him. Lucas Alyne, purple with passion, turned toward the door, But the Sport and the young Sleuth in- stantly blocked his path, “You will pardon us,’’ Photograph Phil said, slip- ping a pair of handeuffs upon the wrists of the con- ounded man quickly with Rosebud’s help, but we beg to detain you upon the suspicion that you are the murderer of John Mason. Perhaps we are wrong, but I choose to try an experiment which will either vindicate or convict you. Ladies and gentlemen, if you will be patient, I wilireturn soon.” And so saying, he left the shanty. Great was the excitement among those within Excusing himself, William Grey took Jennie to a hotel. where more fully they could understand the happiness of their glad reunion. notograph Phil soon returned to the miner’s shanty, bearing a tiny camera or photographing in- strument. This he took into the parlor, where lay the dead body of John Mason, The others followed him, curious and excited, and Rosebud Rob also marched the prisoner into the room, Alyne was now ghastly white, and trembling in every limb. Photograph Phil went calmly at his work. He placed his camera upon a p=destal, at the foot of the improvised bier, after which he propped up the body in a sitting posture. He next opened the eye- lids of the dead man. so that the glassy balls were revealed, and then turned to the wondering and ex- cited spectators, “What I now rropose to do,” he said, ‘‘is to pho- tograph the pupil of tha dead man’s eye, You all probably know that the last object a dying man’s eyes rest upon, before life becomes extinct, is indel- ibly photographed on the pupil of his eye. By tak- ing a photograph of the pupil after death, you can reproduce that object as naturally as though taken from life. It is an art I once learned in the Kast, and have used several times in convicting murderers, I will now proceed with my work!” Lucas Alyne at this juncture gasped for breath, and fell on ths floor, where he lay, panting, his eyes glaring with insane desperation. Phil went calmly at his work, and in the course of ten minutes he produced a tin-type from his ma- chine, and retired with some che :icals to a dark room to finish it. Not long was it before he returned and gravely passed it around for inspection. Many were the exclamations as those in the room gazed up nthe faint but distinct picture. for if was the suce of Jef’ Harkins, alias Reverend Lucas Alyne. Th murderer of John Mason was lynched that night at sundown, in the presence of a large con- course of people, and at the same time Diablo, other- wise Joaquin, Jr, and those of the Infernal Forty who had been captured, were launched into eternity. Tt was the biggest hanging ever seen inthe Black Hills country, and to-day many a miner who was resent can tell you much more than I can of the orrors of the “ Jast hoist.” That night Rosebud Roband Photograph Phil paid a visit to William Grey and his daughter, and were gladly received, thoug» of course Phil was the re- cipient of tho lion’s share of pretty Jennie’s atten- tion. While they were passing away the evening a note eame for Rosebud Rob in the handwriting of Balti- more Bess. It made his heart beat faster as he caught sight of the beloved handwriting, but he quickly grew deathly white, and a groan of anguish escaped his lips. The note read: “Mr. MApLeron:—Will you come tome? I amdy- ing, and want to see you once more before I cross the river to eternity. [am at Mrs. Lyoniel’s. “Your loving Brss, alias PauLine Grey.” “My God! Can it be true?” the Sport cried, burst- ing into tears. ‘I will not believe it until I see for myself.” ? Seizing his hat, he rushed from the room, leaving the note behind him. Mr. Grey picked it up, and as he saw it he groaned aloud, ‘ “My Heaven, Jennie!” he gasped. ‘It is from your sister—from long-lost P-uline! Dying! dying! Oh! God forbid! Philip—quick, boy! Guide us to the place where we shall find our darling.” Rosebud Rob was the first to reach Mrs, Lyoniel’s, and he rushed up-stairs to the room he had former- ly occupied Opening the door, he softly entered, — Se ee rer
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esi Photograph Phil, the Boy Sleuth. Si Mrs. Lyoniel was crouching by the bedside, and a physician stood near by. ed very grave. Hews was lying upon the bed, deathly white, but still possessed of consciousness, for a glad smile came to her face as the Sport came forward. “Oh! | am so glad!” sne said, in a low, sweet voice—“ so glad you have come to see me, Rosebud. Iwas afraid you would get here too late, or would not come at all.” “Bess, my darling, do you think that I could have stayed away? Bess, what cruel fate was it that caused me to scorn your love, when you are the dearest object of my life? You ure not dying, my treasure? Oh! for God’s sake, tell me that you are not dying!” The Sport, strong, self-controlled mon that he was broke down utterly, and sobbed out his anguish—his repeutance of one sad mistake—his regret that was insatia e, * Don’t cry, Rob,’ Bess said, taking his hands in hers— don’t cry, dear. "Tis for the best that the Lord has summoned me toHim. My life here be- low has been productive of very little actual goud, although IT always strove to sin not, and am happy to die, Rob. if you do care for me after all.” “Care for you, Bess? Cau you doubt it?” “No, I believe you, dear. If I could have known it before—but—but, it is too late. I could not live ‘and see you wedded to another, and so 1 threw my- mie into a quarrel, and got a knife-wound in my side. ““Who did the deed, Bess? Tell me who did it, that [may hound him to the death he has bespoke for you.” You would do this, Rosebud?” she interrogated, brightening up. “T swear it, Bess!” “Then, it was Jean Alyne. Did Jennie tell you her scory, Rob?” “Yes: and you, Bess—” “* Am the sister who fled from the cruel guardian- ship of Lucas Alyne, in pursuit of a recreant lover. I—I thought I loved him, un—until I met you. Then the whole bubble burst, and I realized the truth that it was you I had been fated t» love.” “This reereant lover was Mark Manners, eh?” “The same. Ah! it is growing dark, my darling. Won’t you light the lamp so :hat I can see you?” “The lamp is lit, Bess,’’ the Sport replied in a choked voice, fears streaming down his cheeks. “Ah! then this is death that obscures my sight. Bend nearer—there,” and she threw her arms ebout his neck and drew his face closer to hers. “I can see you for the last time. ThankGod! Iwas afraid Icould not see you. Kiss me, Rob.” The Sport obeyed, covering her lips and forehead with passionate caresses. He saw she was going very fast. and partly raised her in bis arms, so that her head rested against his shoulder. The change seemed to relieve her, and she appear- ed content. ‘ Both the physician and Mrs. Lyoniel knelt in silent prayer by the bedside, while, convulsed with grief, the Sport held bis darling to his breast. and watched her life-tide ebb away, while came to him the realiza- tion that the de»rest hope of his aching heart was doomed to float away from his grasp, where it could never, never be recalled to this life. She rallied a little once more, as if she would pro- THE od life for the knowledge that one man loved her. and that he held het close to his heart. For the full dawning of their love was with the going out of the life of Bess. “You will soon join me in the better world, dar- ae she murmured, her eyes gazing lovingly into is. “God grant it so, dear Bess!” he replied, softly kissing her. Then turning to the physician, he asked: = are are yousure there is no hope—no hope at all?” “ Positive!’ was the low reply. ‘‘She has not bled externaily, you see.”’ **No! there is no hope,” Bess replied, seeming to have caught their words. “Iam dying. Ah—dark —now! Oh, look! the sun has burst from the clouds, and—and— kiss me Boad-by, Robbie—” He kissed for the lase time in her earthly career the lips that were growing cold, and softly her life went out, leaving a sweet half-smile and expression of peaceful joy upon her features. altimore Bess was dead! Dead eae a moment before the door opened and William Grey and Jennie, accompanied by Photo- graph Phil, entered the room—too late! Our work lacks but a little of completion. The next day was truly a day of mourning in Cas- cade Cily, for both Pess and the dead miner, John Mason, had many friends in the golden gulch, Both funerals were attended by large assem- hlages, and when the sun set over the western mountain-crests, its dying light shone upon two fresh-made graves upon the slopes, wherein reposed two true and faithful hearts—two beings that had died by vhe assassin’s band, but were surely given a welcome by him whose Power is mighty, And whose love is infinite. Later, William Grey left the mines for his Virginia home, accompanied by Jeunie and Photograph. For his services in recovering the stolen treasure, large compensations were offered Rosebud Rob. but he declined them all, stating that he had enough of this world’s wealth to carry him through, or, at least, to satisfy bis wants. A grief-stricken man. he shortlv after left Cascade City in search of Jean Alyne, with but one object in view—that he might survive long enough to avenge the death of Bess. The gold stolen by Lucas Alyne from John Ma- son’s cellar, was found in the villain’s room at the hotel, and restored to poor Miss Priscilla. It is not improbable that the Virginia papers may ere long. herald the nuptials of Jennie and Phil, for, though their love-making was sudden and youthful, their hearts are still bound together in the strong bond of true affection. The outlaws who escaped from Diablo’s strong- hold, aided, as was supposed, by * ilicent Vere, have never been heard of since, much to the relief of the few souls who still toil for gold in Cascade Gulch. And shall we surprise any to announce that * Bully Ike of the 663d Congreshional deestrict’’ has taken to himself a wife, and now is ‘mayor’ of the town? Let us write here: END,
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