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Copyrighted, 15:03. by BEADLE Asp AIIAus. ENTERED As :s‘mumn OLA» MATTER AT I‘m; NLW Ynm". _‘{. Y.. 1’»? HH-‘H'L‘. May II), 1893.

      

 

   

 

 

“Imus”? gs WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK. “'00 ‘ h“

 7 5 9 Published Ever; “Effiewdé    LS , *9? ’11 /)/ 1 5/1 (1 I'h. Ten Cents a Copy. V   X—
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lmlllulllulll

 

    

on,

Th3 Three Sharks of Big Ledge.

BY JOHN “Z ()SBON,

AI‘THOR ()F‘ “ ROYAL RICHARD. THE THOROI’GH-
mum,” “ Tm: RIVAL GIANTS 0F MMHAR,"
“GOLD DUST DAN, THE TRAIL PATROL,"
ETO., ETC., ETC.

 

\  «71‘ ‘

37/22)”.

 
 
   

 

 

CHAPTER I.
T H E A M B U s H.

“YAS, sir, things aire on ther ‘boom ’ in Big
I Lodge, 311’ ye kin jest putt uE yer bottom scad
“\v tlwt our leetle Camp aim boo 'ed fer ter be that
_ 3 \\\\ . 010% City 0v ther Nnr’West! Min’ ye no“—
\  ‘3‘  l’m quotin‘ solid, gospel fac’. Ye c'u’ n’t lose
    on sech a bet! Why, Eastern capital’s jest up
A\\ ‘-.\\Q0\~‘_\M\\  hreakin‘ et'l neck for a. chaince at ther b
‘ H “mm-‘44 prize, an’ labor’s on a buuvrush from 9. them
“SPURT, Yx‘mc MY HUSNEMI Axn 'lHrI MARSHAL LAII) HIS HAND ON THE summon“) hills!

MAN’S .sIIuI'LIucII. “ G’Iang, Juniper!”

    
 

III
\ \\

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‘Sindycutt—thet is, they runs ther two mines in

city of Big Ledge!”

1

' full cock in each hand, hedarted direct‘to the

‘ nerved sport, his face, new stern and hard, wear-

  

. ’riginal diskiverer.

2.

"Ta Spur-t Louis. ,

 

 

And Giddy Norton’s whip rang out merrily.
The tall, lean Jehu was in an exuberant mood.

The handsome, nattlly dressed passenger be?
sidp him on the box laughed lightly.

‘ Su-ay, old man, ain’t you a—piliu’ it on jest
a leetle too thick?” he exclaimed, peering sharp-
ly into the face of his companion. “ Not that I
think you’d help stock the cards against a
tenderfoot, you know, but this ‘boom’ busi-
ness has gotten to he a sort of fashionable craze
in the gold-camps, and wherever a fellow gees
it’s the same old song, with maybe a new line in
the chorus.” v

“ Nary n mite too thick, boss!” Giddy averred,
with a good-natured grin. “‘Facts be stub-
born things,’ es tho feller sez, an’ et’s ther
stubbornost kin’ 0’ facts I’m u-layin’ down ter ye.
Why, jest look ther I:le in ther face. Three
0’ ther most promisin’ mines in all ther Nor’-
west; two—ther’Golden Horn an ther High Hoss
—in stiddy operation, an’ ther third, ther Lone
Hunter, flttin’ up for bizl—an’ ev’ry domed one
0’ them showin’ more ounces ter ther ton
than you hev fingers an’ toes ten times over!
Spgrt, I reckon ye’ll find Big Ledge ’1! do to tie
to! v

“ Sounds like it. yes,” smilingly admitted the
passenger, his quizzical look vanishing. “ I
suppose these bonanzas have .all been bought in
by Eastern ca italistsl”

“Not by a erned sightl” Giddy declared, as
vigorously as prom tiy. “ Dandy Jim Crocker
owns the Golden Iorn, an’ I tell you. Jim 1}
a dgndy, too. He got ther lead from Si Haydoc,
The High Hess is owned by
San! Bartel, who bought it from Billy Briggs,
fa’st hand. Saul’s a good feller, too, but jest a
leetie uppish; hasn’t been. ion in ther hills. As
fer ther new mine, ther one Hunter, et’s
owued by Major Myst, who diskivered ct.

“ Jim an’ Saul hev formed w’ot they calls a

cahoots an‘ whack upon ther profit. I’ve heered
thet they tried tor rcpe ther major inter ther
combine, but he fought shy.”

“A syndicate, eh? Not a bad idea, I should
say,” and again the passenger laughed light! .
“But pray let your tongue run on, Gid y
Norton—I’m getting interested in this embryo

' “ We’re mighty nigh thar, Sport—ye kin See
fer yerseli’ inside 0’ thirty minutes,” chuckled
the John. “ But I don’t mind tellin’ ye w’ot I
kin, as ’tain’t in me ter snub a stranger.

“ I reckon ther camp’s got about two hundred

pie now. Thar’s two hotels—ther Cherry

once an’ Riata’s Ranch. an’ fer a quiet feller I
kalkilato ther Cherry’s erbout ther thing.” -

“ That’s my ticket,” the passenger declared.

“ Yaras; wal, ye’ll find et all I tell ye. Kate
Cherry runs ther place, an’ I’m open ter bet
she‘s es plucky an’ harnsum a leetle woman es
ever putt foot in ther hills. No foolishness thar,
though they do say thct both Major Myst an’
Dandy Jim Crocker hev got their caps set dead
fer ther purty icetle widder.

“ is for Riata’s Runch et’s a hang-out for
sports, mostly. Dandy Jim an’ Saul Bar‘tol
putt up thar. Both sire counted bang-up card-
sharps, clean, white—”

Giddy Norton‘s tongue never uttered the re-
mainder of the sentence—never another Syllable.
With the word “ white," the off fore wheel
struck a bowlder lying in the trail, and the
coach Veered sharply. At the same instant. a
rifle cracked in the bushes a hundred feet dis-
tant, and without so much as a groan poor Nor-
ten sprnu erect, then toppled back upon the
stoutly-rai ed roof of the vehicle, (leach-shot
through the brain! ’ ,

A sound akin to a groan ease. the tight] -
drawn lips of the passenger. u an instant
had seized the lines and drawn a revolver, from
which be sent shot after shot at thespot marked
by the telltale pull of smoke. ‘

A sharp turn of his wrist brought the horses
to a staml-still. A quick, cat-like leap cairied
him to the side of the trail, whence, with the
speed of a professional sprinter, a' weapon at

covert of the lurking foe.

The thicket was vacant! ‘

The exact spot upon which the dastard had
stood was easily found. 9 leaves of a shrub
near by were sprinkled w th blood. showing
that at least one of the passenger's furious snap-
shots had found a human billet.

But the earth was dry and hard, and the trail
of the retreating miscreant was not discernible.

Back to the waiting coach strode the iron-

ing an inscrutable look.
be itII iggsgalpgmth: lad inside, for ssgmrg,u;t
l' 0 en 0
muttered, as heheared infinitim
% surprise greeted him. -
he lady passenger had disa red!
There were no signs of a l lglgle. Every-

C

thl was in order within the coac .
“ trangel” muttered the sport, with a ick,
suspicious glance at his surroundings. “ 'here

is a mystery here!”

Not a fool:- could he discover to show that
she had align from the vehicle. Around and
around, in ever-widening circles, he strode, his'

 

head bent low, his blue eyes eagerly seeking the

slightest clue to the manner of her disappear-
ance.

All in vain! The stony trail stubbornly re~
fused to yield up its secret. Even the iron-shod
feet of the coach-horses had but faintly indented
its ilinty surface.

Then, as a last resort, the sport called aloud,
not once, but again and again, until his mellow
tones set the echoes ringing.

His calls eVokod no response.

“ By my soul! This bailiing mystery angers

me!” he exclaunod, when he had at length de- ,
sistedfrom his ell‘orts and turned toward the ,

coach.
woman fairly haunt me.
the risk of all else!”

A handsome fellow was this sport—a man
somewhere near six-and-tWenty years, trimly-
liuilt and muscular, with all that case and grace
of carriage so marked in the born athlete.
Bronzed and ruddy, with clear blue, eyes and
black hair and mustache, he was a picture of
manly beauty no less than of. health and
strength.

There could be no question as to his calling.
His garb, his .weapons, his Very bearing, pro-
claimed him a sport.

His face was full of determination and his
eyes flashed darkly as he turned toward the
couch. Climbing into the driver‘s seat, he
made poor Giddy Norton’s body fast to the top—
railing of the vehicle, then took up the lines
and resumed the interrupted journey.

“Lucky
ride," he muttered, recalling the dead Jehu’s
words as he noted the ra id lengthenin of the
shadows. “ By George! Phad no idea time was
flying sol I have fooled away all of two hours
on that stony-faced trail 1”

Again the Whip, run out, new with something
shar and spiteful in fts tone, and the Sport set
tied himself in the seat, his face looking grim
and lowering in the deepening twilight.

That he was no novice with the ribbons, how-
ever, was evident. Even Giddy Norton could
scarceiy have guided the heavy coach more
smoothly over the rough and sinuous trail.
Around the base of a hill and up agraduai
slope, went the horses at a swinging trot, and
then—

A mile below, at the foot of a long slope, just
visible in the darkening shadows, lay the comp.

“ The die is cast!” gritted the Sport, his breath
coming hard and fast, the face cold and white,
his blue eyes aglow with'a strange tire. “There
can be no retreat! It is now do or die!”

And down the slope at a. dead run plunged
the horses, compelling their driver’s closest at-
tention. -

“The face and eyes of that beautiful
I’ll know her latent

 

CHAPTER [1.
A now STAND.

, THE camp of Big Lodge was fairly throbbing
with excitement.

The “ hearse” up from Gopher Lode was some
hours overdue and the popular belief was that
it had been held up by road-agents.

The marrow was the, regular monthly pay--

day at the Golden Horn and ,the High Horse
Mines, and it was now an open secret that to
Giddy Norton had been intrustod the task of
conveying the necessary funds from the bank at

her. .

ll, sundown, fully one~half of the camp’s
den zens were gathered in and about Riutali
Ranch. It was a rough, turbulent crowd, made
upof the toughest characters in Big Ledge.

Before the ranch, and slight] apart from their
fellow, stood Dandy Jim Crec- er. of tire Goldcn
Horn and Saul Burial, of the H! h Horse.

The two men were engaged u a low-toned,
earnest conversation. ’

Crocker was amen who would have'attracted
attention .anywhere. He towered nearly two
inches above the tallert of his fellows, and his
form was one ofmatchlale symmetry. As if to
render himself yet mom conspicuous, he wore
clothing of snowy whiteness, a hi h white hat
covering his heat , while his shape y feet were
incaeed in glossy patent leathers. At his mid-
dle, a broad gird e of maroon-colored silk sup
ported a ten~lnch bowie and a brace of heavy,
spleud ly-mounud rev vars.

Yet 0 the sunny side of forty, genial, free-
hearted and tit-featured, with a massive
brown beard and a bright gray e e, Dand Jim
wasbylougodds the moat po r man the
cam
Bflcompanlon. Saul Bartel, was a thin, dark,
nervous-looking man, in age anywhere from
thirty to thirty-five. Dusky almost as an In-
dian, with arcing hazel eyes, jet-black hair and
mustache had a crafty, dangerous look. He
was plainly dressed and well armed, and seemed
to shun observation. ' ,

These two men ruled Big Ledge—had ruled it
almost from the tint. '

“I suspect,” Crocker was saying at the mo—
ment we introduce him to the reader, “I sue-
pect, Bartel, that we had better get a posse

ogethor and kgo down the trail. The non-

arrival of G dy Norton and the coach be-
glue, to my mind, to look pretty darned sus-
picious.” _

/

    

Big Ledge is within thirty minutes’ _

 

“ Exactly so!" terser affirmed Bartel, rest-
lessly shifting from one. foot to the other.
“Giddy has a considerable amount of boodle
aboard this trip—a fact that has doubtless gotten
ab;l)ad despite all our precautions to keep it
qu et.

“ Yes, yes; the odds are about a thousand to
one that he has run afoul of a pack of prowling
road-agents and gotten the worst of it. But it
is growing dark now, so that we couldn’t pos—
smly find their trail before morning; we can,
however, fully satisfy ourselves as to the. cause
of the delay;

“ Call the men together, pick out a half-score
trusty fallous. and let us be off.”

Dandy Jim Crocker needed no urging. Has-
tily mounting an inverted box in front of the
ranch, he raised his hand with the words:

“ Gentlemen, attention 1”

His deep voice rung out like a trumpet, and
an instant hush came over the turbulent gather-
lug.

A moment thus, then, ere the big mine-owner
could utter the words trembiin upon his
tongue’s end, down the long slope, orne by the
mountain breezes, came the rumble of wheels,
the swift, ringing stroke of iron-shod feet.

“ Ther hu’ssl—by Christopher!” burst from
the lips of a bearded rough within arm’s reach
of Crocker and then up from the crowd went
a throat-3p itting cheer.

Doscen ing from the box, the man in white
hurriedly sought out Burtol.

“No need for the Vigilantes just yet, Saul,”
he muttered, his voice heavy with anxiety, his
gray eyes peering sharply around. “What in
the game can have broke loose, do you sup-
pose a

“ Wait,” was Bartol’s uneasy response. “ We
must let Giddy speak for himself. The hearse
will be in in a moment. It is coming like mad.”

Saul Bartol’s assertion was true. The coach—
horses were descending the gentle slope at a
killing pace. Within three minutes from the
time Dandy Jim Cracker hail mounted the box
to address the crowd, the coach came to a full
stop directly in front of Riata’s Ranch.

Even in the gloom it was plainly to be seen
that the man in the driver’s seat was not Giddy
Norton.

“ Bear a hand, gentlemen,” sung out a clear
voicw from the conch-top. “ Here—catch the
ribbons, some of you, and let us have a light of
arms kind. Giddy Norton’s in a danced bad
iix, and I reckon I’ll have to ask for hch to get
him down decently.” '

“What was it— road-agents?" queried Dandy
Jim, eagerly elbowing his way to the front rank
of the croud,"his voice rising distinctly above
the confused murmur following the Sport‘s an-
nouncement. “We’ve been~ fearful of such an
attack, and my pard and I Were on the point of
raising a posse to hunt up the coach when we
heard it coming in.”

" Nary road-agents,” was the terse reply.
“ Gidd ‘ Norton was shot from ambush—mur-
dered y a cowardly assassin! That is all I
have to say, just now. Let us get the poor fel-
iOw down. After that, any explanation you
may want that I can make, gentlemen, is yours
for the asking.”

And the Sport was as good as his Word, turn-
ing a (lrflf car to the constant flow of questions
from the eager, curious crowd.

A moment sufficed to irate-all nccessary ar-
rangements. At the request of Riata Joe, the
conr‘pae was taken into the bar-room of the ranch
a placed at full length on two tables set end
to em .

“ He hung up with me at this ee d of his run,”
Riaia explained, “ nn’ mw ’at 9’: passed, I
reckon I ain’t goin’ for be too uppish ter give
him shelter till he's ready trr plum. ’Sides. et’ll
be handy-like, seein’ as ther marshal hangs out
hyar. too.” '~

The remote] accomplished, it was discovered
that the marshal was miming. Riata announced
that he was-innit roam tsp-stains, sleeping of! the
effects of a ted spree, and a man was dis-
patched to trim him.

Pending the (,fiiclal's appearance, Dandy Jim
invited the crowd to oin him at the bar—an in-
vitation that met wit an acceptance as prompt
as nerai. ’ l

he Sport, however, declian to take anything
stronger than water, much to the surprise of the
"3"?" ti * hi
erewas n so a nceters ilesomem is
good ii nor,” the burly Riatap declared. is “(i
reckon keep ther best p‘izcn in ther Territory.”

“ I’m no reason to dis ute that,” was the care-
less rcspcnse; “but I ave found that liquor
isn’t ood for my head, andso I never drink it.”

“ en your head ain’t screwed on jest right!”
vowed Riate, and’forthwith drowned his disgust
in a brimmi bumper.

Saul Barto then treated, and, a moment later
the landlord followed suit. This last round had
just been finished when the marshal made his
appearance, look considerably the worse [or
t e interruption of is drunken slumber.

Dan Bu was his name. He was a solidly-
huilt fellow full six foot in height, bull-necked
and heavy-handed. A keen dge of human
nature would at first glance ave pronounced
him a domineering, brutal scoundrel.

  
   
  
  
  
     
   
  
   
  
   
 

  
 
  
 
     
  
 
 
   
     
  
     
  
 

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“ What’s up—what’s up?” he surlin demand-

ed, stepping just inside the door and running
his bloodshot eyes over the throng. “ Si Hay-
doc tells me su’thin’ erbout Giddy Norton’s bein’
killed. Fact?”

“ Gospel " returned Dandy Jim, coming for-
ward. “ iddy was shot, down the trail a ways,
and the coach has just been brought in by a.
passenger.” -

“ WharIS ther passenger?”

“ I’m the man, ’ and the strange Sport stepped
forward, meeting the oflicial’s suspicious gaze
with a grim little smile.

“ Good 'enough; we’ll go clean ter ther bot-
tom 0’ this affair, right away,” Burgess declared,
with the swaggering, Self-confident air peculiar
to him on such occasions.

“ Curly Slayback, you ’tend the door. Let in
all who come, but mind no one goes out ’thout
my Shy-st).

‘Now, then, Sport, cubesom yerself. Don’t
dodge or Wriggle over a p’int, but jest let ther
hull thing out. '

Again that grim smile parted the thin red
lips of theS rt, and an ominous glitter ap-
peared in his steel-blue eyes. Had the mar-
shal’s head been a trifle less beclouded with
liquor. the real significance of these seeming
trifles would have been apparent to him. The
Sport realized that his situation might at any
moment become one of supreme peril. He
knew, intuitively, that from the moment he put
foot in the Ranch a subtle hand had been shap-
ing affairs against him, and he was quickto
suspect Burgess an enemy.

ln a plain, straightforward way he told all
that he really knew of the ti ail tragedy.

When the story was done, it became evident
that the marshal was sorely puzzled.

He scratched his head dubiously, then with a
look of owlish wisdom, started in on a rigid
cross—examination.

As the third question passed his lips, a man
hurriedly entered the bar-room with the start.
ling announcement that the treasure packages
were missing—that the coach had been robbed!

Instantly. all was confusion. It required the
combined efforts of Dandy Jim, Bartel and the
marshal to restore even a semblance of order.

To the Sport the declaration was no great sur-
prise. The thought instantly suggested itself
that the robbery had been committed after the
stage‘s arrival at Big Ledge. Otherwise, the
young lady passenger must have had a hand in
the crooked deal, and he felt that that was an
idea too repulsive to be retained a incuient.

But he was too shrewd an observer not to
see that this last phase of the mysterious affair
had set the tide strongly against him.

Not one in ten of the Camp’s denizens present
but had at once jam to the conclusion that
the handsome Sport, if not an immediate party
to~ the robbery, at least knew considerably
more than he had disclosed, and the looks leveled
.at him were dark and full of suspicion.

Yet, his face was as calm and unruflled as
ever. The smilé’howring over his lips was even
less grim, now that he knew whence the impend-
ing blow was to come. He stood with his back
to the wall, at the front end of the long bar, a
cigar between his teeth, the fingers of his right
hand toying with the seal dangling from his
watch-chain. So far as up nose Went, he
was utterly ignorant of the danger threatening

im. -

The marshal, Dandy Jim and Saul Bartel had
drawn aside and entered into an earnest consul-
tation. ,

Five-ten—flfteen“ minutes passed, and the
continued suspense was rapidly becoming un-
endurable to the half-drunken crowd, when
Burgess suddenly turned and strode straight up
"to the suspected man. »

“S rt, ye’ne my prisoner!" and the mar-
shal aid his hand on the suspected man’s
shoulder.

will wear longer. And while you are doing it 

we can stand still, quite still, just as we are, and 1
reason together.” , l
A score revolvers were leveled at the reckless I
‘fellow, yet not a man dared press trigger, all i
knowing full well that underneath the half— 
mocking strains lay hitter truth—that even a l
fatal shot would almost certainly be followed by 1
the marshal’s death. i
“ There are nevor less than two sides to a case, ,
gentlemen, ani I assure you that I do not intend g
to chance dying with my side unheard,” the 1
Sport continued, his eyes gaining in brilliancy, l
the smile on his red lips in moi'kery. “ Lii’e—”

“ My dear sir, you have gotten the wrong idea
into your head, ’ Dandy Jim interrupted, his 
voice ringing out sharply. “ No one is going to ‘
murder you. This is a civilized camp, and you
will be given every chance to clear your skirts.”

The Sport laughed ironically.

“I hold to a different opinioa, my Titanic
friend, he exclaimed, briskly. “ The bullet that
laid Giddy Norton lifeless wasintended for me!

“ Should I surrender, before morning I Would
be dead—the victim of a hawling mob!

“ I thank you, but such ‘ fair play ’ is not the
kind 1 seek. I prefer the chance to die game!”

Steriin his voice . rung through the room,
causing more than one of the eager crowd to
sh'il'ink back as under the stroke of a whip-lash.

hen:

“ Brave words, bravely spoken, Delll

“ By heavens! I am with you to the death l"

The speaker was a new-comer, standing just
inside the door—a handsome, muscular, black-
evcd man, with his left hand tightly bandaged,
his right gripping a revolvm'.

With that hold declaration, be advanced to the
side of the Sport, saying: ,

“ My friends, if you have taken this man for a
thief or an assassin, you have struck decidedly
the wrong scent.

“ He is Dell Daunt. known in the gold-camps
of Idaho as the High Card from Top Notch, and
a whiter man doesn't breathe!

“ Crowd him, and you‘ll crowd me!”

The man who thus boldly and 1{lipenly took
sides with the. imperiled sport was ajor Myst,
Owner of the new mine, the Lone Hunter.

CHAPTER III. _
run nun unnasmcn.

Jusra moment of doathlike silence followed
the mine-owner’s sharply-uttered words, then up
from the gathi-ring of roughs rose a hoarse,
ominous murmur. .

The potent liquor so liberally supplied them
had done its work.

The were ripe for deviltry.

Ha there been one among them bold and
reckless enough to take the lead, the High Card
would have been torn limb from limb the
moment be bid defiance to the marshal.

They regarded the advent of Major Mvst
with anything but favor. At best, the mine-
owner had never been popular with the rougher
class of the camp’s denizens. and now that he
had openly avowed him elf th» Sport’s champion,
their indignation knew no bounds.

From that moment, they were as bitter
against him as against the sport himself.

“Down with ’em, partial" grated a fierce-
looking rough a pace in the rear of Dandy Jim.
,“Rope ’em both! They’re in cahoots, dang
em!

“ Kill them i” ,

“Kill thcml”
d_“x’¥as, yes—wipe ’em out! They ought ter

ie

These cries and many others went up. and
then the maddened crowd surged forward,
brandishing Weapons of evrry description.

A terrible crisis was at hand. -

Like lightning, Dandy Jiin whirled around.

 

“Ye’re safer under lock an’ key, till we git
rat the straight ov this thing!” '

The marshal ke in a fierce, blustering :
tone, as if determ ed at the start to overcome '
Vang latent disposition to resist his authority.

0 little knew his man.

“ I’m sorry, Johnny—awfully sorry,” the
Sport exclaimed, in the smoothest of strains,
as he gracefully knocked the ashes from the
tip of his cigar, “but I can’t go with you this
evening—I really can’t! And that settles it [‘1

The change in his voice as he uttered the last
words was absolutely startling. In some way.
too, a cooked revolver had found its way into
his outstretched hand, and its frowning muzzle
stared the officer strai ht between the eyes.

Burgess had loo n accountedaman of

'iron nerve. but he s runk perceptiny and grew
white to the lips.
_ “ Ilesteasy over there, gentlemen l” deliberate-
] enunciated the Sport, witha slight nod to
t e thron back of the marshal. “Don’t at-
tempéto rink me, please—‘twill be the death of
our ear y beloved here, if you do! For even
should you succeed in gettinga bullet through
my thick head, the mere-t spasmodic con-
traction of the muscles in in lingers would be
Melanoth his a! brains to the
four winds.

His clubbed revolver rose and fell, and the
leader of the rush went down, senseless as a

lo . ,

g‘ Back! back!” the Titanic sport shouted, his
voice full and terrible. his revolvers staring the
foremost oi' the excited men in the face. “ Back!
By heavens! I’m runnin this thing! Let a
man put foot forward till give the word—if he

,dares!” . - "

“Shoulder to shoulder, pardnerl” uttered a
quiet voice at his elbow—the voice of San!
Bartel. “Go back, boys! Let J lm and myself
settle this matter. If we find we can’t-”

A peculiar twist of his neck gave strength to
the hiatus. Not a man there but read his mean-
ing arightl ‘ '

“Jest as ye say, boss; butet’s hard!” mbled
Si Haydoc, who stood in the front ran .

“ Hard, yes; but give the man a chance to
come to terms, 8!. If he‘s guilty, you may
gamble on it that he won’t escape!”

“ My friend is not guilty. gentlemen,” broke
in Ma r Myst, with a mirthless little laugh.
:‘Whieyou are gambling, you may put your
money on that, too!” ‘

Dandy Jim turned upon the owner of the
Lone Hunter with a savage imprecation.

“Don’t you think you are runningapretg

cause

 

 

V “Sokeap cool. gentlemen, and your friend

big risk, :- in. chain on the
that-thaw ’  in“

.Norton and the examination wamu

  

“Dell Danni, if you please, c010nel!" softly
interrupted Myst, a lurid glint shewmg in his
dark eyes. “ He is a gentleman, too, if you
can appreciate the fact!”

“Odds the “nine—~lt’8 the man we want,"
grewlsd Cl‘M‘kt—Pl', flushing to the temples. “ He
is under direct suspicion of having had a hand
in the murder of Giddy Notion and the roll y
of the stage, and the citizens of Big Ledge oe-
mand that he be placed in safe-keeping until’ the
mutter can be looked into."

The major smiled sardonically.

“I understand just how the case stands,” he
declared, in a resolute tone. “\Ve all know
that suspicion is not evidence. I do not believe
my friend here is guilty. 1 have heard his the—
ory as to the shot that killed NOilmi, and l lac--
lieve it is the correct one-iliat the bullet was

A intended for the passenger, not the driver.‘ If

this he so, Daunt has an enemy in llicsu l-ills‘,
and that enemy is douhiless right herein Big
Lodge, ready and willing to Work himJiai-m.
Under the circumstances it would be the height
of folly for him to yield an inch.”

“ Bosh l” ejaculated Bartel. “Why, you
must admit yourself, major, that your friend’s
part in the affair has a suspicious leok. You
must understand, too, right heregthat we intend
to take and hold him—if not peaceably, then by
force of arms.”

Then, for the first time since the entrance of
Major Myst, the suspected Sport spoke.

“ It is useless to argug the matter, gentlemen,”
he exclaimed, his han some face as placid as a
May morn. “ I must firmly decline to yield
myself up as a prisoner. That means that you
must take me by force of arms—not a hard
task, maybe, but one in which I assure you some
one Will be hurt.

“ And, now, major, let me beg of you to with-
draW. Leave me to paddle my own canoe.”

“ Never 1” calmly declared Myst.

Dandy Jim raised his hand imfiatiently, and
strode across to the opposite wa , closely fol.
lowed by Bartor. ..

“ For the last time, do you surrender?” cried
the big mine-Owner, his gray eyes beaming
wickedly.

I_‘;dYou have my answer," the High Card re-

l O
p “ And mine,” added the major.

Dandy Jim looked at the crowd of miners,
and caught Haydoc’s eye. .

“bGo ! ’ be biased, bringing his broad palms to-

et 91'.
g “ Stay I” and Major Myst’s long white finger
pointed from the open door to open windows.

The crowd moved not, while a bitter impreca-
tion escaped Dandy Jim; he and his friends were

i Covered by no less than a score leveled repeating

l'lllvfil .

“ What is the meaning of this?” he demanded,
savagely, his flaming gray eyes darting hot. sus-
picious glances at the High Card and his friend.

‘ Havs you turned robber chief, major? ‘Do
you intend to raid the cam

“I simply intend that my friend shall have
fair play, whatever the cost,” was the stern re-
ply. “The sooner you get that fact through
your head and come to terms the better."

“ Terms—the devil! What terms do you
want?” gritted the Titanic sport, his face purple ‘
with chagrin. '

. “ I merely want it 'underttood that you and
your crew kee hands off my friend here until
the death of (giddy Norton and the robbery of
the stage can be looked into. Know all men,
too, that myself and my property are to be held
I'esp-nsible for the appearance of Dell Daunt.”

“ That seems reasonable enough,” exclaimed
Bartok, with a swift side-glance at the face of
his partner. “Why, major, couldn't you have
expressed yourself as plainly at first?”

“ It is sometimes necessary to knock a mu
down to make him understand,” was the sug-
gestive retort. v

“ I don’t see wh we should object to the to: ma
you name,” Dan y Jim charmed, reluctantly.

'Al'iythlng to save bloodshed.”

“ hen call your men «if, and we’ll go right
ahead with the investigation. It Will relieve
Burgess here, who reminds me of nothing» more ,-
than sham on a meatrhook.” “ V 

‘The marshal soowlcd darkly, but remained
motionless The muzzle of theSport’s revolver
was within a foot of his face. '

Surlil , Dandy J im'ga—ve the word; the crewd
fell ban and put in: their weapons.

This done, into, t e bar-room filed the men of
Major Myst, flvezand-twenty in number, bra wn y
miners from the Lone Hunter mine, all armed
with repeating rifles and revolvers,

“ Ma 9 yourselves easy, b0 sl” said the major,
with a wave of his bandsg band. ,“I hardly
think there will he a call for your services, but
if there is—well!” .

The ejaculation was signiflmnt endolggh. There
wasnotamaninthemomwhof tooatch

the mine-owner‘s meanin
“ You had better not the examination.
Burgess.” he continued. “ I would suggest that
we take a look at the corpse, first of all.
Comp , the marshal led the way
to the table the body of poor-Giddy
n.

Tbebullsthadentersdtbe offlzoun-

 

 
    

 

4

fortunate Jehu an inch above the right eye
and passed out sli htly above and to the rear
of the left ear. he absence of powder—stains
showed that the shot had not been fired at
very short range.

“ Looks es ef ther bullet might ’a’ come from
a repeater," the marshal observed. “ ’Tany rate,
pore Giddy never knowed w‘ot hurted ’im.”

Be 0nd this, the examination of the wound

: deve oped nothing. The next step was to go
' through the dead man’s clothing.

Here, an important discovery was made.

In a skillfull -hidden pocket in Norton’s shirt
was found a olded sheet of paper, which the
marshal opened and handed to Dandy Jim.

Major Myst was eying the Titan sharply, and
fancied be detected a look of relief on the big

' mine-Owner‘s face.

“ This is a most important document, gentle-

men,” Dandy Jim declared, with due impres-

, siveness, after a moment. “ It certifies that
the bearer, Bridge Gerry, of Denver, is a mem-
ber of Cook’s Detectives!”

“Or in other words, thet our Giddy Norton
was a durned fraud!” viciously added Riata,
breaking the silence following the mine~0wner’s
words. “ A wolf in sheep’s clothingnlyin’ in
wait ter nab one o‘ ther lambs 0’ Big Lodge!”

“ Exactly—barring your rather harsh way of
putting it, the Titan sasented.

“And n0w, gentlemen, that Norton is un-
masked, and we have a hint at the nature of his
real business here, a trifle of the mystery
enshrouding his taking 011' clears away.

“ What more likely than that he has fallen by
the hand of the man he was seeking?”

“Yes, but who was that man?” put in Saul
Bartol. “ That‘s the sticking-point. ’

“ And will probably remain so,” was the
Titan’s grave rejoinder. “As the matter
stands, major, this discovery goes a long way
toward upsetting your friends theory of the
shot.”

“ That remains to be seen,” returned Major
Myst. “In any event, remember that I am
responsible for Mr. Dauut’s ap arance.”

“ That is understood, comings.”

Dandy Jim and Bartol then drew aside and
entered into an earnest canversation. Without
appearing to do so, the High Card kept an eye
on them, and, discovered that he was the object
of frequent but furtive glances from both.

The examination of the corpse proceeded with
no new developments. When it had ended,
Burgess spread a handkerchief over the ghastly
face, and the crowd began to break up.

At this juncture the door of the bar-room was
violently flung open, and a tall, ungainly man,
with blood-stained face and clothes hanging in
tatters, staggered inside carrying a rifle at a
trail.

“ W ho- Wal, dang my eyes! ef ’tain’t
Sandy Parsonsl”utterei Riata, in deep—toned
sur rise, as he sidled around to his accustomed

tion behind the bar. “ W’ot on airth’s ther
. matter, Sandy ole fei.? Look like ye’d bin in
at with a grizzly!”

“ Wuss luck 1” groaned the wretch, reeling up
to the bar. “ Fer ther love ov heaven! pour me
some whisky, nick! I’m clean dyin’i"

The burly iata needed no urging. With
deft hands he set out and filled a glass, then
gave his customer a critical looking over.

Sandy Parsons was certainly in bad she .
His face and hands, earth-stained and blood”,
were bruised and torn, and he was so faint that
it was onl with the greatest difiiculty that he
ke t his set.

'Fhat he had a tragic story to tell, none doubt-
ed, and the inmates of the lace quickly wd-
ed up, eager to hear the fa l rticulars of the
efperience that had left him n such an awful

ht.
p ‘ W’ot was et, Sandyi—w’ot was at?” Riata
demanded, when the disfigured miner had emp-
tied his second glass without speaking. “Not
another shifter—not another drop, min’ ye, till
ye onbosoni yerselfl”

“That’s boss sense,” the marshal declared,
pushing forward to a position beside Parsons.

‘ Come, Sand —you’ve got a story ter tell, an’
we’re all wait ’ ter hear at."

“Don't crowd—don’t tech me!” grated the
miner, buskily. “ I’m sick, au’ as sore as a gum-
}i’ilel Thar’s time a-plenty, an’ you ain’t suffer-

n l .

“Barkeep’, jest one more, or not another
word this hi ht!”

Riata caug tan approving nod from Dandy
Jim and reluctantly set out the bottle.

“ Now, I‘ll tell ye, pards,” Bandy Parsons
continued, his hloodshot brown eyes furtivel
surveying the crowd, as his fingers closed greet;
ily around the whisky glass; “Giddy Norton
was killed to—day, an’ I seen et all I”

A hoarse murmur went up from the throng.

“Yas, sir, I seen et all,” pursued Parsons,
with the utmost deliberation; “an’ I tell you,
et was a mighty nasty trick. Giddy wasn’t
given even ther ghost ov a show. His murderer

ay hid in ther bush and guv et ter ther pore
devil from un’er cover.”

Without heeding the cries for him to continue,
or the demands for the name of the assassin, the
miner slowly sipped his liquor, then
saying:

proceeded,

 

The Sport from St. Louis.

“Ye see, at was like this: This marnin’ I
took my gun an’started of! through ther hills
arter a bit 0’ fresh meat; but I was in oncom-
mon hard luck, for not a shot at anything wu’th
ther p0wder c’u’d I get, an’ so along to’ards
three o’clock I started back ter camp.

“ i’d walked an hour, mebbe, when I came in
sight 0’ ther trail, an’ saw ther huss’ comiu’ wi’
Giddy an’ a passenger on ther box.

“1 war on ther hill four or five hundred
yards east o’ther trail, an’ had jest made up
my min’ ter hail Giddy fer a lift inter camp,
when a rifle cracked in ther bushes below me,
an’ ther pore cuss fell back—done forl

“ Quicker’n a wink ther passenger war down,
bangin’ away inter ther bush at every jump.
He drove ther villain out 0’ kiver, an’i was
jest bringin’ my gun up fer a shot when the
stun I war standin’ on slipped iin’ threw me,
an’ let me down ther side 0 ther hill quicker’n a

ash.

“ An’ thet was ther last I knew till I come to,
less’n an hour ago, clean tuckered out.”

“But you did nor recognize the murderer?”
demanded Dandy Jim, with no little eager-
ness.

“ I putt ther two eyes 0’ mine onter him, an’
knowed him,” was the deliberate reply. “He
was Hermit Hart I"

“ Hermit Hart!” Saul Bartel ejaculated, with
a sort of fierce incredulity.

“Hermit Hart!” echoed the crowd, wonder-
in lv.

fiYes, pards, ther hermit,” asseverated Par-
sons, bringing his clinched hand down upon the

ar.

“ By heavens! then he shall hang!” Dandy
Jim declared, wrathfully. “This explains his
queer actions—his hiding away in the hill. He
is a fugitive from justice. Recognizing Giddy
asa detective, he has killed him to avoid ar-
rest!”

“ You’ve called at straight es a string,
colonel,” said the marshal. “I’ll getafewo
ther boys tergether an’go after him.”

“ You can save yourself the trouble, Mr.
Burgess,” spoke up a small, dark~visaged man
near the end of the bar, Gabriel Deubar by
name, by profession a lawyer. “ The hermit
will beat my office at noon to morrow.”

“ But this affair may keep him away.

“Little risk of that. He has five thOUSand
dollars at stake.”

“I would think that would fetch him in,”
Bartol observed.

“I’ll risk it, anyway,” declared the mar-

lhal.

“ It’s little odds whether he’s taken in to-night,
or to-morrow,” said Dandy Jim. “The main
thin is that he doesn’t escape.”

“ ell, when he is brought in, ust remember
that there are always two si as to a case,
Colonel Crocker,” suggested Myst, as with the
High Card he turned to leave the room.

“Always!” was the sneering retort. “Let
me beg of you to remember, too, that our
Sportive friend isn’t out of the woods yet. hat
robbery charge you knowl”

“ We’ll attend to that char 0 in due time, in
Titanic friend, and when t is done with
have a word to say to you,” returned the
High Card, 9. gleam of fire showing in his deep
blue eyes.

The two men then quitted the ranch.

 

CHAPTER IV.
TRIACHERY.

Smmnr tohis room at the Cherry House
3:35 Major Myst with his friend, the High

“ It would hardly be wise in us to show our-
selves any more than is necessary to-night,” the
major remarked, as he strode along beside the
Sport. “ There are some mi hty bad citizens
among the men of Big Led. ge—fellows who
would take long chances to lay out a man if
well paid, or even to square a fancied grudge.”

“ No doubt of it!” returned Daunt, with a
grim little chuckle. “ And it is equally true,
major, that just now we are not the most popular
men in the camp. I fancy there are a half-
score or so of these vipers, ranging from Dand
Jim Crocker down to thelowest rough tom ra -
ly deprived of his month’s ay by the ro bery,
lvlvfiho would fang us in the k with a keenre-

h.

“ Yes, yes; it behoovss us to carry ourselves
guardedly until we have strengthened every
siuew for the war. Then let strike who will 1”

“My view, precisely. I have done all i could
do on such short notice, but much remains un-
done. As this is hardly the [place to go into
details; we’ll lay that part c the subject by
untill safe in my room.”

As the major concluded, be led the way into
the hotel, makin use of a part of the hall en-
trance from whic a steep flight of stairs led up
to the second story, where be occupied a corner
chamber, front.

The upper hallway was but dimly lighted,
long and narrow, and uncarpeted.

“ The Cherry House is not much in the way
of elegance, but it is thorough] honest,” the
mine—owner observed, as he nnloc ed and flung

 

open the door of his room. “ I bid you welcome,
Dell. Make yourself at home.”

“Thank you, major,” the High Card re-
turned, his blue eyes sweeping restiessly around
the room.

The chamber was plainly but comfortably
furnished. The rough board walls were bare,,
but the two windows were curtained and a
carpet covered the floor. Two cuts, a couple of
chairs, a small square table and a lamp, com»
prised the furniture.

The front window was closed and the curtain
lowered, but the lower sash of the one.in the-
side wall was hoisted and the curtain raised,
the better to admit what little air was stirring.

Leaving the dear wide open, Major Myst-
moved the table near the center of the room,
in a position to command a clear view of‘
the hallway, then placed a chair for the High
Card. '

“I suspect that it will be just as well to
guard against any one’s listening at the door,”
he remarked, seating himself. “I noticed that
we were followed when we quitted the Ranch,
and I have resolved that the Paul Prys shall
work for all the points they obtain.

“ It would be as well, too, Dell, for you to
keep an eye on that open window. There is
a shed roof five feet beneath it which may
tempt some of the prowling gentry. I have
takvn due precautions, but we can afford to take
no chances."

“Then I’ll look out for that point,” declared
Daunt, as he selected a cigar from the box on
the table. “ I have an idea that we are to hear
from cur friends, the enemy to-night, and it
will never do to permit them to steal a march
on us.”

“ If they attempt it, they will find that that:
ca r is hard to work,” the major returned.
“ When Pete Jenkins arrived with your message—
last night, I immediately set to work and called
thirty good and reliable men from the Lone
Hunter force, and five of that number are now
in and around this building, doing guard duty;
and should the miscreants succeed in penetrating
this guard line, they would yet find us up and
ready for business. ’

“ Not a bright outlook for a spy, truly! But,
ma 'or, when did Long Pete leave on his errand.
to ray Wolf?”

“ About twelve, last night. He kept under
cowr while here, and there’s not a soul who de--
tected his presence in cam .”

“That is well. I fear for a moment that
Dandy Jim and Bartel suspected something to-
ni ht, if they had not indeed hired the assassin
tofiie in wait for the stage.”

“You still hold, then, that the shot was in»
tended for you?” 'queried the mine-owner, his-
face betraying deep interest.

“Oh, yes! It was by the morest accident,
too, that the driver was slain in my stead. At.
the very instant the shot was fired, one fore-
wheel struck a bowlder, causing the coach to
lurch violently to one side, and Giddy Norton
received the bullet intended for me.”

“ And the stor told by Sandy Parsons!”

“ A deliberate y concocted lie! That man was.
himself the assassin!"

“ heavens! I can hardly believe it!”

“ ell, I am retty positive I am right.
Aside from the lood-money the fellow was,
doubtless to receive, he swore a couple of years
ago to have my life because I chanced to save
Indian Pete from his drunken fury. So, if he
was at up to my identity, he would have had a.
doubYe motive.

“ But who is this Hermit Hart whom Parsons,
accused!"

“ Oh, a hill vagrant—a mysterious old fellow,
living—the Lord knows gilt where,” replied the.
mine-owner, lightly. “ e is rumored to have.
discovered and to be working a rich lode, though
I think that re rt the veriest nonsense. It is
also said that c has a daughter of marvelous
loveliness.”

“Not at all strange, then’, that he keeps 53..
mt his place of habitation, the High Card rs-
marked. “ The white no less than the red rene-
gades, prowling through these hills, would lose
precious little time in getting possession of her
did they but know where to strike.

“ On the whole, major, I’m sorr the stage af-
fair has taken the resent turn. It’s long odds,
the hermit will be ynched when he appears to-r
morrcw.”

“He will, undoubtedly.”

“ Can’t we prevent it?”

" Wh should we?”

The
ly utte query, and into his blue eyes flashed a
half-angry half-suspicious leam as he red
keenly at the partly ave face of his friend.

“ There are numerous good reasons why we-
should interfere, the chief of which is that the.
man is innocent ” he replied, slowly. “ But let
the matter pass.

" It would he folly to add to the hazard of our
situation,” the miner-owner declared. “You
must remember that the odds are fourtoone
against us now, and we must make, not lose
friends.

“ The Lone Hunter men, with the single ex.
ception of Tom Sawyer the superintendent,
have not the slightest inkling of t e

i h Card’s face darkened at the careless-- ,.

in...“

{real issue, ‘

 

 

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l
4,

  

 

   
  
   
   
   
  
   
   
   
   
  
   
  
  
    
    
  
    
   
  
  
   
 
  
  
   
    
   
     
      
    
  
   
   
   
   
  
   
     
  

 
 
  
   
  
    
   
   
 

.alhorbs.

 

The  St. 

 

“Km. 1,  ..  

.117“. .5" I: a W. _ C k 3‘
,. . - .

 

 

and it would be poor policy to crewd a fight up-
-on them in defense of a man they have long re-
garded with suspicion.”

“ Let it ss—let it pas,” entreated the H
Card, hi nga awn behind one of his trim
white hands. “ think I shall turn in, major.

I am about tuckered out.

“ By the way, I notice you have your hand
bandaged.”

Major Myst started, and a look of annoyance
rcrossed his handsome face.

“Yes, and that recalls a deucedly disang
able subject, one that I had for the moment for-
gotten.” he exclaimed, holding up the injured
member.

“ Then I am‘ sorry I mentioned it.”

“ It is better that you did Speak of it, for the
matter may be one of prime importance, in the
light of the stand taken by Dandy Jim and Saul
Bartol to-night. In fact, I may say that the
circumstances under which this wound was re-
ceived go a long way to show that the shot
which killed Norton was really intended for you.

“ To explain. For nearly a month past there
has beeh hanging around the camp a fat, greasy—
lOoking oli rascal, whom the boys have dubbel
IVhisky Bill from the quantity of free liquor he
Just how he manages to live has been
n problem too deep for the average man to solw.
He struck the camp broke, and hasn't been
guilty of an hour’s work since his arrival, so far
as is known.

“ Well, shortly before noon today, I had Saw- I

yer come up to the mine office to complete ar-
rangements for having a number of men on
hand when the coach came in, so that in the
event of your being recognized and attacked the
enemy Would not have things all his own Way.
' “ The office doors and windows were open,
commanding every possible approach, and as
the coast seemed clear Wu talked freely in rr-
dinary tones, up to the point of arranging our
plans for this evening. We had spoken of your
comingin 0n the stage, nnl l was just at the
point of telling Sawyer t i get the men out too
'hv-urs earlier than usual, when a loud sneeze just
'beneath the rear windmv interrupted me.
“Sawyer sprung forward, drawing his revol-

‘ver, one of those new double-action tools: but

his elbow struck thecorner of the desk, and one

‘L-na'nbcr of the weapon was .lischargeri, the hall

plo » ing an ugly lurrow across the back of my
hand. '
“Then up fr0m the ground beneath the win-

-dow rose this flashy bum—this Whisky Bill—

wanting to know, in an aggrieved tone, what on

earth We meant by disturbing a gentleman's

aluvnhers ll) 8') illl(‘8i‘8illODl0llS R manner.
“The fellow bud been listening to our talk, I

--am certain, though at the time he ~ucceeded in

'hnmhnggiug both- of us into the belief that he
had siianjily been lying there enjoying a nap in
the sh e. -

“ So we let him slip. Note the result: In less
'than an hour, as I have since learned, he was
seen in close conversation with Colonel Jim
Cracker!”

"Undoubtedly aspy,” commented the High
"Card. “ His presence under the office window
«ex lains the ambush.

‘It looks more and more like a tough fight,
major: but I am determined to oust these scouri-
drels, avenge my , and restore the Golden
Horn and the igh' Horse to their rightful
owners. a

“To-morrow I will go down to the Lone
Hunter, and you can formally turn the property
over to me."

“The sooner the better,” declared Myst, knit.
‘ting his dark brows. “But do you know, Dell,
that the dice pearance of that lady passenger
during your a on from the coach today puz-
zles me! Could it be possible that she abscond-
ed with the treasure?”

" Possible, but hardly probable. It is my be-
'lief that the treasure is here in Big Ledge, that
the lady became frightened during my absence,
~Turlg from the coach and fled into the hills.

s soon as I obtain posse-sum of the Lone
Hunter to-morrow, I shall organiZe a poses and
.go in search of her, for I undetermined to solve
the mystery of her disappearance.”

“fund {at she may: hav‘e beg that reckless
cores re n0wn as , a ta n the Lad
Bandit, of whom I wrot: you.” to, y

;lAilfllIM” ‘

lore ‘the conversation closed. ‘
'Card ruse and made his prowl-anonqu "‘35:
Before lying dawn, however, be mad (or .;
,gl-iss of water, and as there was none in the
forgo: the major descended to the first floor to
,ge it. ~

No sooner had the Sport been left alone than
he approached the lamp and carefully owned a
bit 0’ Duper which he had held crumpled in his

. hand during the interview.

Pencilwl upon it was the following message:
fibrin. DAUNTI— —

“ You are trusting one who is false. and who will

"M you. cautious and wary, for you are in
deadly denser. Heed this, or the Lone Hunter Mine
will cost you your life. B. D."

 

 

 

Lighting the message at the
 it to ashes. '

 

 

 

, self."_

i

i

 

A moment later Major Myst returned with
the water, then the Sport flung himself wearin
Epog one of the cots, with his trusty weapons at

an , r

Scarcel had his head touched the pillow when
his eyes c osed and be sunk back inert and help-
less, as one under the influence of a powerful
so rifle.

or a moment Major Myst regarded him with
a look of strange intentness, then stealthin rose
and approached the cot.

 

CHAPTER V.
THE HIGH CARD‘S cousins.

“ THAR is ther camp—ther scene 0’ action."

Long Pete Jenkins uttered the words. He
stood in a sheltered niche in the side of the hill
overlooking Big Ledge from the east, his eyes
bus with the features of the gold-camp.

'l‘ 0 old ranger would have attracted attention
anywhere. He was all of six-feet-six in his
moccasins, lean and sinewy, with a well-knit
frame.
circled the base of his skull and fell 'in thin
whisps about his shoulders, but his dusky face
was beurdless. He was clothed in buckskin,
and heavily armed.

It was the night before that on which occurred
the scenes narrated in the preceding chapters.

The shadows Were lengthening in the valley

A fringe of yellowish-gray heir en-'

 

I

below him, but the lawn eyes of the ranger j
‘ “Then, too, Jezebel, my mar’, hes ther eyes of

readin made out the lay of the camp.

“Not hate a bad place, irom ther looks o’
things,” he muttered. “ Rf I (*‘u’d on’y— Yes,
t at’s it, thet tree by tier side if ther trail.
NOW for Jezebel, then he! fer ther rendezvous.”

Retreating from the leafy covert, the tall'

ranger made his way along the hillside, keeping ,

under cover as much as possible.
ten minutes he was greeted by a low whinny,
and, a moment later, halted beside a speedy-
looking sorrel mare tethered in a clump of
“"08.
‘ Very leisurely, it seemed, Jenkins tightened
his saddle-girth, then untied the animal, mount-
ed and rode away. His course win; a circuitous
one. and it was fully an hour before he arrived
at the marked tree beside the Gopher Lode trail.

The spot was a lonely one, and the ranger
peered into the shadows sharply as he drew rein
just outside the pale of the wide-spreading
hrancheu

“It’s a condemned purty place fer a night
ambush," he could not help thinking. “In
course, it’s all foolishness fer s’pect anything 0’
thet kind, as thar’s on’y one man in twenty mile

v 'round es knows 0’ m "comin’, an’ be esnigh

square es they make em, but et’saleetle best

ter be keerful, fer of a feller gets caught a-doiu'

his best he cain’t blame hisself fer what hap-
ns. EVen Jezebel hes guirption—

“ Thar! some ohe is comin’ up ther trail.”

The always alert ear of the ranger had de-
tected a stealthy step a few yards down the
trail. The sound was not repeated. After a
moment of silenc , the cry of a night-jar rung

harshly through the darkness.

Jenkins drew a breath of relief. The cry was
the signal he had been expecting: and he at once
answered it. '

“ Is that you, Peteri!’ demanded a voice.

“You betl~—Long Pete!” the ranger replied,
dismounting. “ An’ you are—”

“ I am Major Myst,” the voice returned, and
the speaker advanced with quick, restless
strides.

The two men shook hands warmly. .

“Come with me," Ordered the major, when
they had exchanged greetings. “ This is hardly
the place fora confidential talk. These hills are
literally swarming with outlaws, while hostile
red-skins are not source. We will go dOWn to
the camp and slip into my room at the hotel,
and no one Will be the wiser.”

“Sart’inly, of you think best. major.” Inns
Pete returned. “ On’y I don’t want ter be seen;
at might 11 set ther boss’s plans.”

" I’ll ta 9 care of that," assured the major,
and then the two men took their way toward
the camp. .

0n the outskirts of the place,- Jenkins teth-
ered his mare in asecluded spot then followed
Mvst to the latter’a room at the Cherry House.

The move'was adroitly performed,‘ and was
without witnesses, so far as the two men were
able to determine.

When he had secured the deor, the me, or
placed a chair for his guest, then produ a
demi ohn and glasses, saving:

' “ little of the oil of joy, friend Peter, to cut
the cobwebs out of your throat. Help your-'

“Thank you, but I never touch ther critter,”
avely responded the ranger. “ I’ve seen it
own too many good men. By your leave,
though, I’ll take a pull at mflpipe es we talk.”
'“Fll‘e away.” returned yst, tossing 011' a
stiff glass. “For my own part, I’m fond of a

, little good li uor occasional] .
v. The High Card's expression did not change. 4 q y
' ‘ fitve that the gleam in his blue eyes grew a trifle
. . :moreprenouueed'.

. I ,
a - " I
“‘

“ But now that we are under cover and com-
fortably settled, let‘s do business.

“ You have hrmig ht a message from Dauntf”
“ Jes’ so: hyar et is,” and ' Jenkins drew a

At the end of '

 

  

letter from his pocket and placed it in the hands
of the major.

“Et will tell ye jest what ther boss wants
done,” the ranger explained. “ Some things he
didn’t keer ter trust ter paper I’m ter tell ye,"
and sinking his voice almost to a. whiqler he
spoke rapidly for several minutes.

Myst proved a deeply interested listener. Not
a word escaped him. When the terme ex-

ressed statement was finished, he opened the
otter and ran his eyes over the written words;
but his preoccupied air showed that he gave
little heed to what he read.

His eyes gleamed darkly, and there were hard
and sinister lines about his mouth. Try as he
might to hide his feelings, it was plain that be
had heard something of an extremely disagree-

' able nature.

This fact did not escape Long,r Pete.

“ You say you are. not to remain here until
Dannt comes?” queried the major, after a mo—
nwnt.

it No.”

“ May i ask what you intend to do?’

“ l’m goin’ on ter Gray W oil.”

“In furtherance of this same matter?”

H 37,18.”

“ When will you leave?”

“ ’i‘u-night. es soon es we finish our businesa." .

Major My st uttered a low whistle.

“ lt’su nasty-road for a night ride,” he re-
marked, his annoyance visibly deepening.

“ Ei‘s a bad trail, fer a fact, but I’ve bin over
ef before,” returned the ranger, ccmplacently.

an owl. Guess I’ll risk et, maje, for this is a .'
matter ’at “ cn’t wait.”

“ Very well, if you know the trail,” and Major
M) rt nodded grimly.

“ But if you will excuse me a moment, I’ll
slip down and send a messenger OVer to Super-
intendent Sawyer. He has mapped out a big
hunt for tomormw, but ihe word you bring
will cenipel him to postpone the trip for awhile.
He is one of the few men Daunt can rely upon
in a pinch."

Long Pete inclined his head, and his host quit-
ted the room.

The moment asked for lengthened into
hour.

Then Myst re-entered the room, in haste and
out of breath. '

“ Pardon my delay,” he exclaimed, again fill-
ing his glass. “ I was com lied to go myself
and Sawyer being absent rom his cabin, had
to hunt him up.”

“ Oh, I’ve time aplenty,” carelessly averted
Jenkins. “ A half—hour or so either way won’t
matter much, an’ ther later my start from hyar,
ther less likely am ter be seen.”

“ True; but am glad my absence has not
been annoying to you,” Myst returned, resum~
ing his seat. r

‘ About this trip to Gray Wolf-is Dsunt ex-
pecting help from that quarter!”

"Cain’t say; suppose so though.”

“You carry a messagel”

U Y‘s.”

“ Written?”

- H No." _

Jenkins was growin reserved, yet maintain-'
ed an appearance 0 frankness. With him,
caution had become second nature. 7

“ To whom is this message to be delivered!”

“ I don‘t know.”

“You don’t kimwi Well, that is singular!”
exclaimed Myst fixing a piercing glance upon
the imperturbable face of the ranger. His own
vi e wore a look of increduliw.

“ hat is the nature of this manage—you
can at least tell me that!” ‘

" I could, but I ain’t at liberty ter do so,"
Lon Pete bluntly declared. “Thenboss didn’t
say wasn't ter tell ye, nor he didn’t say I was.
In each cases, I allers keep a still tongue in my
head. No harm kin come 0’ that, ye know.”

“ Certainly not,” responded the major, gnaw-
ing savagely at his nether lip. “ But i am quite
sure Daunt meant you to tell me all.” '

“ Then it war his mistake in not sayin‘ so.”

an

There the matter rested. Not another word I 

on the subject could the major get
ranger.
It was near midnight when the latter
depart. Myst offered to accompany him to‘ths
t where the horse had been left, but Long
I’ll-9w protected against his taking the trouble,
addin ‘

"‘Tgar’d he jest double ther chaince o’ bein’
seen, too, major. I (kin putt my hand on my
nag in a jiffy. an’ no one ther Wiser. So-long,
till we meet ag’in l”

Luck go with on!”

“ So-l , Jenkins!

Closinzntghe d00r behind his de ng visitor
Major Myst caught up the lam ,a co
the window and raised the cu :1.
minute a broad ray of light was threwn into the
darkness without. while the major peered sharp-
ly in every direction. _

“Not a soul visible,” he muttered dropping

the curtain and replacing the lamp on the, 
“ But it isa very dark night, and I fear > .

table.

' W" ‘ ""rsiéar :  "" :4 ’  r ~~  v» .

‘

y:

are  5».

that Peter Jenkins is doomed to meet willie.“

serious mishap!”
helped himself to another bumper. ~_

   
 
 
 

And smiling grimly, the major forthwith T ’

 

 

   

 

  
  

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I. , breathin

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Thu

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he    

 

CHAPTER VI.

THE TWO WARNINGS.

0N reaching the street, Long Pete Jenkins
stopped a moment and narr0w-ly surveyed his
surroundings; then, as there was nothing of a
suspicious nature to be seen, he hurried away
with noiseless steps and soon gained the spot
where he had left his horse.

“I’m a-goin’ ter shake ther’dust 0’ this hyar
camp oi‘f’n my feet mighty sudden l” he ex-
claimed, mentally, as he prepared to mount.
“ Danged of I don‘t believe thar’s ther biggest
kind of a chaiuce ter run up ag’in’ a measly
brace game. At best thin s ain’t runnin’ as
smooth es ilel Ef I c’u’d on y git word ter ther
boss—which I cain’t ’thout back-trackin’, wuss
luck 1”

Ma be Jenkins swore softly. He was not ari-
dic to profanity, but the “ state of mind ” he
was in was enough to have caused a truly good
man to let slip some pretty heavy words.

“Ef I was sure he was in danger— But the
boss is no fool, an’ he’s comin’ with ther two eyes
ov hisn open. He’ll see ther drift. Dang a
snake in the grass, anyway!” v

The ranger swung himself into the saddle and
turned his horse’s head straight toward the
cam .

“’ ember {e’re walkin’ on aigs, Jezebel,” he
muttered, so tly patting the long neck of the
animal. "'“ Don t ye cut up an didoes till we’re
cl'ar ov ther pesky place, or ’1! larrup ye till
yer bones crack!”

Out into the trail and directly through the
camp rode the ranger, his eyes busy with his
surroundings. When he had reached the oppo-
dte extremity of the place, he drew rein and
looked back, listening intently. '

Nothing was to be seen, nothing heard, to in-
dicate that he had aroused the suspicion of any
of the denizens of Big Ledge.

,But; before he could resume his rogress, a
low, intense voice, coming, apparent , from a

clump of bushes bordering the trail, roke the
silence, saying:
“ Hold a moment, Peter Jenkins! Let me

warn you of danger!

"Enemies are ahead of you, lying in wait
samewhere, and before an hour passes others
will he hot upon your trail!

“ Beware! The odds are big that you will
never reach Gray Wolf camp!”

The tall ranger was startled—startled so deep-
ly that for a full minute,he was unable to utter
so much as a syllable in reply.

Of what portent was this strange warningi

How had his presence in camp, his very

identity, hecome'knmvnl

Had there been a witness to his meeting with
Major Myst on the Gopher Lode trail? Or, in-
finitely worse, had an eavesdropper overheard
the conversation in the m-ojor’s room? »

, One of those two things, assuredly, or—
treachery!

Like lightning, these and kindred thoughts
flashed through the brain of the rangeryfor
the moment rendering him incapable of speech.
- “ Hallo! hallo!” he exclaimed, at length, vain-
ly striving to get a glimpse of the mysterious
unknown. “ Who is it speaksi”

A gruesome silence followed the query.

Again Long Pete spoke, and as before no an-
swer greeted him.

“ The critter vamosed ” he muttered, dis-
sppointedly. “PM not kick, though, for I’ll
bet big odds he’s sarved me a good turn. Ther
question now is, what shell 1 do? '

“ Inimies ter ther fore, ini‘ruias tor ther rear,
an’ nary a side-cut short o’ DeathGrip Canyon!
A party go, by the Lord Harry!

‘ Cain’t go back, t‘iet‘s settled! I’ve jist 0t
tor it ter Gray Wolf an’ back, hot-foot! as,
et’a her canyon or bu’stl”

Long Pete urged his horse forward, deter-
mined to make the best time possible before

reaching the rougher and more perilous portion

«the trail. He had every reason to believe
that if‘ dan or really threatened it would be
onooun at a point many miles from Big
Ledge, and accordingly advanced boldly.

An hour—two hours slipped by, and Jenkins

I calculated that he had covered at least fifteen

mung, The way was Ms» growing rough and
difficult, and unknown perils lurked on every
fine, Halting closo against the face of an over-
hanging bluill’l, the ranger gave his horse a
spe .

“A 'm is more, Jezzy, ddrlin’, an’ we’ll slip
.out inter Death-Grip Canyon.” Long Pete
muttered, stroking the dripping neck of the
. ‘ On‘y a mile more, but ther wu’st mile
on ther trip! beggars ain’t likely for
leave a chainoe open fer us ter slip through ther
canyon ’thoutatussle fat or! Drat ’eml ELI
hed‘ my good ole pards, Big Dale sn’Yuba Dan—
Whoa! ye caintankernus critterL-aWhat in

. ' _ tarnalation’s got inter ye now?”

Jezebel ha turned half-around, and Wit

i hears pricked up stood locking down the trai .

ng Pete knew that the action portended
. and he listened intently. '

ot a sound to indicate the approach of man

\

or beast could he heard.

" It’s rlinged queer,” he muttered, after a mo-
men “ Some ’un’s comiu’, though.
don’t make mistakes."

J my

 

 

I lei vi
,  mining-gins of’Gray Wolf.
 f i L ‘i ’ 1

He knelt and applied his ear to the earth.

From down the rude trail came a low, monot—
onous sound.

“ They’re comin’, an’ ther critter in ther bush
back thnr war right,” he exclaimed, springing
up. “ Ther ’tarnal sneaks! theye've mnflied
gherihosSes’ hoofs an’ are slippin’ up hand OVer

am i

“ But I’ve got a good five hundred yards’ start
of ’em, an’ ef the overhaul me an’ Jezebel
the ’ve got ter run rickety-split!”

he ran e; ’s actions kept pace with his
thoughts. linging himself into the saddle, he
urged the mare onward at breakneck speed, de-
termined to hazard all on a bold dash for the
canyon. Not Once did he look to the rear, but
peered sharply ahead, grimly expectant.

Fivu minutes at that mad pace then happened
just what he had expected, yet dreaded, for out
of the intense darkness came the stern hail:

“ Halt, critter, an’ put up yer hands!

“Pull trigger, an’ we’ll shoot ye ter pieces!”

Uttering a growl of disgust. Jenkins drew

rein.

“ Halt et is, boss,” he returned. “ Ef et’s
takin’ toll yo’re after, et’s darned skinny pickin’s
ye’ll get, I reckon l”

“Shet, critter, an’ keep shetl" was the gruff
retort. “ Up, boys, an’ close in. Ef he moves
or tries any gum games, jest riddle him for
keeps!” -

A swift rush of feet followed. Confident in
their numerical strength, the desperadoes threw
caution to the winds.

A half minute, then from the lips of their chief
bu‘rst a yell of rage and chagrin.

The ranger’s saddle was emptyl

“ Scatter, lads—quick l” came the boarsc com-
mand. “ Ther critter’s vamosed!”

'The desperado’s assertion was correct. Long
Pete Jenkins was out of his saddle and ready for
flight afoot even as he responded to the halting
hall, and he was fortunate enough to evade the
ruffihns as they troo .d about his horse.

The harsh cry 0 the chief warned him that
there was not a breath of time to waste, and he
glided forward, rapidly, stealthil y.

A dozon paces carried him to the barricade the
desperadoes had placed just within the branch-
ing canyon—three tough rawhidelariats stretch-
ed from wall to wall. Through these he slipped,
pausing only long enough to out each taut strand
nearly in twu ere speeding onward with noise-
less feet.

IA hundred yards thus, at his best pace, then
he uttered a whistle—sharp, shrill, penetrating.
An anewering whinnyzcamo from dawn the
trail, followed by clear, ringing hoofstrokes,
above which rose a medley of yells and curses
and pistol-shota- -’ .

Too late had the (leaperadoes discovered the
wily trick played, upon them. The weakened
lariats snapped like threads before \the flying
mare, and, untouched by'the storm of bullets,
she gained the ranger’s side.

“ Wul done, Jezzy, darlin’, wal done!" chuckled
Jenkins, springing into the saddle and giving the
noble animal free rein. “ (F show em a clean
pair 0’ heels thro’ Death-Gr p Canyon, an’ let
em foller ef they dare!”

At that moment a fresh Babel nf- cOnfusion,

rose at the scene of the ambush. The squad of
mounted desperadoes had arrived, and query
and reply fell thick and fast.

“ We’ve got ter make a dead run fer ct," J en-
kins muttered. as he caught the sonnd of muffled
hOofs in his rear. “ Dang etl ther cusses aire
hell-bent on ketchin’ me, an’ all fer'what? Thet
some onemay make me give up the message I
kerry ter Grin Wolf!”

A derilive smile curled his lips. If his pur-
sners only knew how little he could tell!

“ Et’s a blind chase the ’re on, but et’s not for
me in pull ther scales rom theyr eyes!” the
ran er chuckled, his grim face re axing a trifle
as t e sounds of pursuit rew fainter.

Mile after mile fell be ind the tireless mate;
the canyon grew wider, and the rim walls
broke awa , shelving terraces and mag slopes
taking the r places. I

An hour before dawn Long Pete drew rein
and dismounted. Removing the trappings from
the mare, he gave her a vigorous rubbing
dawn, then turned her loose to crop the scanty
herbage.

Retirin to a sheltered nook hard by, the ran-
ger sprea his blanket and with the saddle for a
pillow lay down to sleep until sunrise.

With the first gleam of red light on the rocks
aboye him, he awoke and sprung to his feet. A
moment of listening convinced h m that his pur—
sucrs were not in the vicinit , and he hurriedly
packed up hls blankets and led and bridled the
mere, mounted and rode forward.

For nearly two hours he kept the mare at an
easy lope, skirting the foot-hills, then turned
due west to enter a narrow defile leading back
into the main range, where the roughness of
the way compelled him to reduce his speed to a

walk.
Just at mid-day, he drew rein, dismounted
and tethered his ores, and climbed briskly to

- the of abort-en spur jutting from the moon-

tain do high above the trail.

a half-mile to the} westward,

 

  
 

“ Now for ther message,” Jenkins exclaimed,
after a careful scrutiny of the distant camp,
and with the air of one thoroughly familiar
with the task before him he set to work, col—
lecting moss, twigs and dead leaves from the.
gullies and benches in the mountain-side.

That done. up from the barren crest of the
spur rose a dense, black column of smoke, the
time-honored signal of the red-man.

For full thirty minutes Long Pete held to his ‘

task, feeding the smoldering moss with a cure-
ful hand, and then from a point nearly a mile
beyond Gray Wolf rose an answering column.

‘ Ther cuss hes bin expectin’ it, an’ had every-
thing ready,” muttered the ranger, vi ith an ex--
pression of satisfaction. “ Now, ter get back
ter ther boss.”

Scattering the fire with a few welldirected
kicks, Jenkins hurried down from the spur, se-
cured his horse and at once set about his return
to Big Ledge.

All afternoon he pushed on at a steady gait,
and short! before sunset halted for the n ght in
a grassy g ado a half—mile off the trail.

The sorrel mare was thoroughly jaded, and
stri ping off her tra pings the ranger devoted
halfpan hour to “ rub ing her down, ’then turn~
ed her loose, with a muttered adjuration to be
on hand when wanted.

Jenkins had selected a sheltered neck on the
edge of the glade as his own resting-place, and
after a hearty supper from his provision-pouch,
lighted his pipe and smoked awhile, then rolled
himself in his blanket and fell asleep.

Day was beginning to show in the east whom
he was awakened by a light touch on his face,
and he sprung to his feet, revolver in hand.

It was a peculiarity of the old ranger that he
could see almostas well by night as by day; but"
now, look which way he would, no sign of an
intruder could he discover.

\\

“Et’s dinged queer!” he muttered, uncon- ’

sciously speaking aloud. “ I war mortal sure I

felt ther tech of a hand—‘-a hand es soft es vel-- K

vet, too, but at must ’a’ bin a’dream."

“No, it was not a dream, Lone Pete Jen—
kins,” uttered a voice, low and clear, and
unquestionably that of a woman. “You did
feel the touch of a hand upon your face,
and "the hand was mine. r wished to awaken
you.

The ranger started and again peered sharply
at his surroundings, in a vain attempt to de-
termine whence came that mysterous voice.
As before, no one was visible, and he was
forced to the conclusion that the speaker was,
hidden in a clump of bushes a few paces dis--
taut.

, “ You are in danger and I came towarn you,""
continued the voice, after a brief silence. " You.
are going to Big Lodge, and your enemies are in
ambush for you at two or three different points

along the way. You must abandon the trail, '

make a circuit and enter the camp from another
direction.

“ And let me urge you to lose no time,
for your friend is there and is in deadly
danger.”

“Ther dickens he is!” ejaculated Jenkins.
“Et’s ‘est what I feared! But, I say, m’am—J’

“ Ca l me Kate," interrupted the voice. “ I am.
ku0wn as Captain Kate.”

“ Not ther Lady Bandit!” V
‘ “ Yes—so called, though I have never harmed
an honest man. Likei'Dell Daunt, l have a.
mission to perform, and the end must justify
the means. _ - '

“ But I must urge you‘to hasten, Peter Jenkins,;
or you’ll be too late.

“ And, now—adieu!” ‘

A faint rustling in the bushes verified the
rauger’s sns icions as to the whereabouts of the
woman, an a moment later a rapid clutter of
hoofs announced her do tnre. \

Calling up his horse, .ong Pete lost little time.
in quitting the glade. ’ On reaching the trail, he
waited until sunrise, when be carefully noted
his surroundin s, then plunged into the path;
less hills witlrt 9 air of one thoroughly familiar-
with the country.

 

CHAPTER VII.
Tan BICKERING or WOLVES.

Carcmxo the stupelied Sport by the shoulders;
Major Myst shook him roughly, withoutevoking
so much as a sign of consciousness. ' ' ,

“Abe! the little powrler did its work well,”
the mine-owner exclaimed, drawing back a.
pace and again bending upon the sleeping High.
Card that strange, intensedook. “ Bow helpless.
you now are, Dauntless Dell! How imputentto.
Overthrow your enemies!

“If I dared! One stroke would end it nil,
and the Lone Hunter with all its yellow riches
would be absolutely mincl Curse it! those new
veins have put murder in my heart! But for-
them, i might have served you well'to the bitter-
endl an~”

A grating little laugh followed that grimly
significant word, and Major M st’s long fingers:
closed sharply around the km’ ethandle protru-

ding from his belt. The sleeping Sport was near

unto death just then.
“ 130, ml The sure way is the safe way,” the:

 

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mine-owner muttered, movingka from the
cot. the better to resist that dire temptation so
fiercely assailing his maddened brain. “ I'll not
give over my purpose, but another hand than
mine must clear the way.

“ And now, to workl”

Pouring himself a brimming glass of brandy,
he swallmved the potent liquor, then Secured
the room against intrusion, carefully examined
his weapons and quitted the hotel.

Straight up the street he strode, with the air
of a man bent upon a mission he knew to be
dangerous. On the threshold of Riata’s Ranch
he paused a moment to send a searching glance
OVer that portion of the street he had just trav-

ersed, then boldly entered the crowded 'bar- .

room.
“So far, so good,” he mused, his eyes busy
W with the faces of the throng. “No spy has
dogged my steps, and there is none to suspect
my mission. But Dandy Jim is no-—"

“Aha! there’s that accursed bum, Whisky
Bill, hobnobiug' with Sandy Parsons! What
can that mean

And the handsome face of the mine-owner
twitched nervously. I

Buta moment’s reflection served toconvince
Major Myst that his fears, whatever they may
have been, were utterly groundless, and with a
muttered oath at his vague fancies he pushed
his way‘ through the crowd to the rear of the
room, where he hurriedly passed the tables sup-

rting the body of the dead detective and en-

ed that part of the building given over to the
sports of the camp.

Here the throng was less dense, and after a
brief scrutiny of the players at the various tables
the major stepped through a side door into the
hotel proper. ‘

Ascending to the second floor, he slipped
stealthin along the‘unoccupied hallway and
rapped sharply upon a door from beneath which
came a ray of light.

The murmur of subdued voices ccased. A
moment, then hasty steps sounded Within and
the door was flun open, disclosing Dandy Jim
Crocker and Saul artol.

Both men started at sight of the mine-owner,
and dropped their hands to the weapons in their
belts with a celerity born of long practice.

“ czs'iy, gents!” warned Major Myst, nothing
daun . “Business first, pleasure afterward;

horse-sense, then horse-play—if you want it!”

“ Oh, we’re open for business, major,” Dandy
Jim blandly returned, rising and comin for-
ward. “ You must excuse our hostile att tu c;
it was an error of the head, not of the hen t.
You took us completely by surprise, and I must
openjfeps that for just a breath I was badly rat-
t .

_“ Yes, that expresses the situation exactly,"
averred Bartol. with a grim little smile. “ Come
in, Myst, and join us in glass. It’s been all of
an age since you did us 8 honor."

Nodding curtly, Major Myst strode into the
room. Passing around the table at which the

' two men had‘been sitting. he so Ltf’d himself ivitli
his back to the wall, facmg the door. ,

If they noticed that prec ution on the part of
their guest. neither Crock nor Bartol betrayed
the fact. On the contrary, Bartol uietly closed
and locked the door, while Dandy im procured
an extra glass from a shelf against the wall,
and then with smiling faces: both joined the
major at the table.

“Your gooi health, gentlemen!” exclaimed
Myst. as he raised the glass to his lips.

“ May friendship ripen between us!" Bartol
tlietur‘ged, with a covert sneer, and then the three

ran .

Putt! ,down his empty glass Major Myst
tipped hs chair against the wall and coolly
lighted a cigar. '

“Surprised to see me. ehf" he chuckled, his

I bold black eyes shifting from one to the other of
the villainous pair. "And why, may I ask,.
dear friends?”

“ And why not?” retorted Dandy Jim, with an
angry frown. “ Wasn’t it enough that you
forced that dismal fiasco upon us a bit pgo?
You balked our game, and we parted as
enemies.”

“ And it takes a bold mantocross Crocker
andmyself ,and then deliberate] walk into our
den!” supplemented Bartol, grim .

The major uttered a short. bard’lsugh.

“ You are bad bo s—both of you i” he sneered,
suddenly bringing is chair to a level and look-
ing from one to the other mockingly. “The
more so that you admit your game was tosnufl'
out the life of the stranger Sport! If—r'“

“ We admit nothing!" crisply interrupted

Dandy Jim. “We acted solely in the interest
of law and order."
. “Of course!” drawled Major Myst, with an
irntating smile and a short nod to each. “ I
might say something on that line. but what’s the
use to dwell on the matter? If thin come
around right, it'll remain a thing of t a past
forever, and a day to boot!

“And wliycut good time to pieces? Can’t it
suffice that know you both—stint two blacker
hearted, colder-blooded Icoundrels never went

4 unhanged l"

At those hold words, a vicious snarl broke

from the heavy lips of Dandy Jim, and he deftly

w

 

 

whipped a revolver from his belt—only to lower 1
it with a grating oath, while Saul Bartol shrunk
back in his chair, his dark face ccnvulsed Wth
impotent rage.

For, swiftly as their hands had clased upon .
their weapons, the attempt to draw was. dis-5
counted by the iron-nerved major. A smgle
lightning-like motion of his arms, and his trim
white hands shot out, each grasping a derringer
at full cock!

“Easy! easy i" he warned, softly, yet with a
volume of deadly meaning in his purring tones.
“ Don’t tempt me too far!"

Dandy Jim flung up his empty hand.

“Let it ass,” he growled. “It‘s a rough
deal, but we ll say it’s true; what then?”

Major Myst did not answer immediately.
IIis brows contracted, and with 'half-closed eyes
he looked hard at the two men for a full min-
ute.

Then a wolfish smile disclosed his sharp white ‘

teeth, and he replied:

“ Simply this; if you are black, I am blacker.

“More than that, I am going to join issues
with you and push the game to a close!”

“ But what game?” demanded Bartol, sullenly.
“ You talk in riddles, iiiani”

“ The old game—the game for gold i” was the
sneering reply. Then, with a flash of fierceness:
“ Why whip the devil around the stump? You
can’t deceive me, and the quicker y0u begin to .
talk straight English the better for all concern- ‘
ed. Stand out and make each blow count l” ,

For just a breath the eyes of Dandy Jim and
Bartol met in a glance of strange intent-ness.
Then the former, with a decided shake of his '
head, exclaimed:

“ It’s no go, majorl We don’t catch your
drift. You are too deep for us.”

Major Myst nodded, and the frown on his
face deepened.

“ Have it that way, then," he gritted, his fin-
gers toying‘ with the triggers of his leveled

 

weapons. You simply compel me to re t a
bit of—sa ancient historyl Shall we cal‘lle‘ilt a
truce till am done!”

Both men gave a muttered assent, and Bartol
s ke:

p:j‘But, what’s the good .of so much "palaver? 
You’re on the wrong scent, Myst. Neither
Crockcr nor myself ever saw or heard of this
Dell Daunt before this night.” '

“ So?" in itli a mocking flash of his fierce black
eyes. Must I say it, simply because I hold the
master-hand! Then have it: You lie!

“ Now—shut, and stay— Steady I” an angry
snarl breaking the mellOW tones as Dandy Jim
and Bartol, goaded into fury by the caustic
words, again dropped their hands upon their;
Weapons. That again, and I’ll forget I hold the ‘
leash and end it all i"

“Have done, you devil!” grated the man in
white, once more cowed into a semblance of sub-
mission. “Say your say, then-r”

“ Then we’ll see who takes the bitter dose i”
broke in Bartol, viciously. “An even show is
all I ask! New—crowd ahead i"

“ Clean business at last i” laughed Myst, set-
tling himself conifortabl in his chair and low-
ering his Wen ns unti his hands rested upon
the table. “ ad here she goes, straight from
the shoulder:

“ Five years ago, here where now stands this
flourishing camp of Big Lodge, was almost a
lone wilderness, untenantcd save by two hardy,
venturesome fellows, prospectors in search of
the ‘auriferous.’ One was an old man, gray-
haired and feeble, but a thorough mountain-
man, and noted as an expert gold-hunter; the
other, yet in the flush of youth, Was a tender-
foot all the way from Old Virginia, a gentleman
bv birth and education, though poor in purse.
The first was known throughout the gold regions
simply as Old Missouri: his pard answered to
the hail of Randolph Coleridge.

. “ The keen about of the old mountain-man car-
ried him true, for here the two found the object
of their search, and as a result located the
claims known to-day as the Golden Horn and
the High Horse.

“ When every preliminary requirement of the
law of the mines had been met, Old Missouri,
leaving Coleridge in charge, took the back track
to secure men and machinery. ‘

" It was a fatal move. ’ "

" Led on b the mountain-man’s reputation
as a old-fin er, five men had trailed the pair
into t e hills, and, as soon as Coleridge was
alone, shot him from ambush and took possession
of the two claims. To make the matter sure
two of the rnflians followed Old MisSOuri. and
came up with him at the edge of aprecipice.
In the strug is that ensued, the old miner was
killed, and body was flung down into the
canyon. I ~

“ And now comes the strange part of thetale.
Nearly two years after the double murder,a
wandering hunter. passing through the canyon,
picked up a small oil-skin packet containing a
number of letters, all sealed and addressed
reaedty for’mailingl, and turned them in. with'a
bri account of t air discovery, at the nearest
stage station. '

“ That hunter was Hermit Hart, and of the
letters found two were addressed to Mrs. Ran-
dolph Coleridge, the daughter of Old Missouri!

 

    
 
 
   

   

naked, torn and bleeding

“ Do you see whither this bit of history is
tending, gents? If not, to let the light through
your thick skulls, it may be necessary only to

9 add that the five assassins were yourselves, with

Si Haydoc, Billy Briggs and Indian Pete!”

Dandy Jim cowered back in his chair. held
at bay only by the pistol-muzzle staring him in
the face.

“ You lie! you accursed hound!” he grated, in
a voice hoarse with murderous fury, his ipng
fingers working convulsivrly. “I‘ll tear your
dainty throat—~”

“Enough said, Crokeri” harshly interrupted
Bartol, no“ the cooler of the two by far, though
his dark face was hli odle~s. “ Let’ not talk
till We can back our Words!"

Major Myst nodded a mocking approval.

“ That is sensible!" he siieered. “ But to con-
tinue: ‘

“ In due course, the wife of Randolph
Coleridge received the letters, together with
Hermit Hart’s explanation. For mom than two
years the woman had heard nothing from either
husband or father, and that long silence, taken
in connection with the hermit’s note, hinted
so broadly at a dire tragedy that the shock pro-
duced brain fever, from which it is said the poor
creature rallied but slowly. But when she did
rqcowr, it was to find a fortune awaiting her
through the death of an uncle, and then the
Search for vengeance began.

“ Why trace it step by step? Isn’t it enough

‘ to know that her trusted agent, Giddy Norton,

or Detective Bridge Gerry, was killed to-night,
when on the eve of tearing the masks from your
lying fuCes? Killed, and by whom? Ah.
gentlemen, that would be a fine question for
good Judge L’ynch to decide !” .
“Never by our hands, so help me Heaveni'f
aned Bartol, feehly, quxck to see and realize
the peril of the climaxhinted at by the cowering
major.
“ But the motive-the circumstances leading
up to the killing! Think you One man in ten

thousand could be found to hold you innocent!

“No! your end would be speedy and sure!”
and the minev0wner laughed exultantly, seein-
ing to find pleasure in the intense mental torture
suffered by the two men.

“ That is only one horn of the dilemma, how-
ever,” he continued, after a moment. “You
can pay your money and take your choice of
the swinging routes! _

“At the time Mrs. Randolph Coleridge re-
ceivcd the two letters, her husband‘s younger
brother, Delmente, chanced to he on a visit
from the far Southwost. Without loss of time i
he hurried here to learn the m stery of
Randolph’s fate, and in the guise o a miner
made his way into Big Ledge;but for overa
year your cunning baffled his efforts.

“Then chance lefrieuded him, and one day
he came open Indian Pete down in the gulch at
the very spot now marked by the entrance to
the Lone Hunter Mine. The ruman was dying
from a knife wound received at your hands,
Saul Bartol, and out of revenge made a full con-
iession of the murder of Randolph Coleridge and
Old Missouri, and told how and where proof
could be found. . '

“ You remember what follnned? The the of
you came u, n the scene just as the ruflian.
breathed his, last. Your suspicions “fare
aroused, and on tried to compel Delmonta
Coleri' ge tog ve up lndian Petes secret. He
refu , was knocked downtnd dragged away
into the hills, where he was flOgged within an
inch of his life, finally going down unconscious,
but nith sealed lips. In that oondition.baif—
he was lashed
Mazeppa-like upon the haul: of a maddcned
horse and burned away, as you believed, to
meet a death as certain as horrible.

“ And just there you builded your own ruin.
A knife~thrust or a bullet Would have rendered
you safe for all time, but out of petty revenge
you chose the risk of that torturing ride, and-—
your victim escaped l" :j ,

Mutely Bartol and Dandy Jim eyed each Other ‘ '_
for a moment; then rage ot .the better of 
Titan's prudence, and he ercel1y exclaimed: < ‘

“Curseiti Saul Bartol, I tod you as
the moment I put e es on that ,Sport  g
and you hooted t e idea. Conic what may, “
wash my hands of the job you’ve botched from

first to last!” , -
“ Botched nothing! It’s your own pig-headed-

ness that’s brought us to book!” snarled the lesser ‘ 

rascal his curl lips disclosing his sharp white
teeth. ' “ Tell "flows Randolph Coleridge?"

The giant winced.

“ It’s too late for useless recriminations, my 4.
boys!” broke in Major Myst, with a sardonic -
smile. “ Let it suffice that i am an independent .
detective. I have been here over a year in  [-
employ of Delmonte Coleridge, who chanced 90‘
be an old friend of mine. At last he has fully
recovered from the terrible injmes received at '

a your hands, and is hereuiot for vengeancei

“The question is w

t are yougoingtodo '.
aboutit!" ‘ -_

CHAPTER Vlll.
ran coarser. ,
“ Wan are you goi to do about it!"
Major Myst repeated equation slowly ,

.1]

I

 

‘2“st

‘4‘.

 

  

 
 

   
 

I _

V y

"and 1'"

4c;

     *   

     

  

 

 

distinctly, his burning gaze shifting from face to
face, strivin , it seemed, to read the very
thou hts of t e guilty pair.

“ t’s all a lie!” blurted Dandy Jim, after a
moment. “Bartel and myself did give the fel-
low a sharp dose of the leather, but it was sim-
ply to make him ’i‘ess up to the murder of Indian

etc. We bought our mines, and we never
heard of Old Missouri or Ran—”

“Cork u , you blundcring fool!” viciously

ritted San Bartel, springing half erect and

ringing his open palm sharply across the lips of
the Titan. “Keep on, and you will rope us
both! Leave the talk to me, can’t you!”

“Good enough; I’ll pass!” muttered Dandy
Jim, settling grimly into his chair, his senses re-
called by that stinging blew. “ It all goes, pard;
nor!” with a wolfish curl of his bleeding lips.

“Then you keep out till I give you leave to
open! Say the hound has got the right trail, we
yet have the best of the game!

“And you, major: suppose we admit every-
thing you haVe charged is trne—-whut then?
What are you going to do about itl" '1:

“Hang you high as Ha'nnii—if it so pleases
me!” calmly enunciated Major Myst. “But—l
am not here to make threats; I came to talk
business.

“ As I have told you, I came to Big Ledge in
the employ of Delmonte Coleridge. One of my
duties was 10 hunt out tho ovideuce to hang the
murderers of Randolph Coleridge and Old Mis-
sour}; but, warned by the suspicious: circum-
stances attending the death of Indian I’ete, you
had taken effective steps to suppress or destroy
the proofs of the crime, and my task was not so
easy as we had at first believed it would be.

“ Then, to give us afoothold here, and the bet—
ter to mask my real purpose, I was delegated to
open the Leno Hunter Mine—a rich lead discov-
ered by Delmonte only u day before he was
driven from the camp. For this latter service I
was to hold a one-fourth interest in the mine.

“ It is needless for me to tell you that the Lone
Hunter has of late been quoted as one of the
promising mines in the district; but within less
than a week past new veins have been tap )ed so
rich in gold as to more than quadruple the

ield. In other words, the Lone Hunter is to-
ay worth a round dozen such mines as either
the High Horse er the Golden Horn 1”

“The devil you say !” ejaculated Dandy Jim,
the desperate, despairing gleam in his gray
eyes giving way to one of covatous eagerness.

“It can hardl be possiblel” Bartel exclaimed,
with a sharply rawn breath.

“Oh, yes; I am stating the exact truth,”
the major affirmed. “ And now we’re begin-
ning to get right at the heart of the matter,
and I warn you to listen closely, for upon
your decision it depends whether you s all
die at a rope’s end or live and wax wealthy!

“But,to resume: So far as the denizensof
Big Ledge know, the Lone Hunter is my pro-
firty. The claim was sutured by me, and l

ught the machinery and employed the men.
The onl possible thing that could di-possess
me of .t e mine is a written agreement existing
between Deimonte Coleridge and myself. bearing
our signatures and witnessed by a plainsman
known as Peter Jenkins and Gray Wolf, a
Crow chief outlawed by his tribe.” 1

“Not the red miner after whom the cam of
Gray Wolf is named?” asked Bartel, with a
slight start.

The; very buck, and he is ‘the shmwdest
red-skin I ever attempted to do business with.
Al the case new stands, Jenkins is dead, or
near death, and a ve few words s lien in
the right quarter woul' made it t_to bet
that Delmonte Coleridge never sees the light of
another day. and then between me and absolute
security would stand only the life of the indian

c f l
_ “ Isn’t it enough to tempt a man i” 0
“ Yes, yes; but the paper—-that agreement?”
usrled , Dandy Jim. moistening his fevered
ps. “ Might it not turn up to spoil your game
and bring you to book!” .
“Trust me for that?" laughing lightly. “ I

L

never do thin s by halves!” .

A peculiar ook crossed Bartol’s face.

“You spoke of joining issues with us and
crewding the game to a close,” he observed,
glowlv. “ You meant what?” ,

“ Business, "8 you "light have learned a 2'0011
half-hour ago!” was the crisp rejoinder. “ You
want Delmonte Coleridge out of the way, and
0'0 do, I. Say the word and I’ll point out the
way. -

," You really mean it?”

“ l'really mean it. This is no seating matter.
As surely as io-u‘orrow’s sun nds Coleridge
aliw r i n things will happen: he will possess the
{loin ii inter Mine and you fellows will stretch
ieuu-E"

“ But the spoiler—What division of ‘the spoils
will \ vii inakeg" apt ke up Dandy Jim, greedily.
‘ “Navy divide} You keep what you’Ve got,
.8 that mine dresn’t get aWay. The
difleren e in the value of the claims is more
than_equolized by the fact that four of you are
fighting off the noose.”

‘And if we decline to accept your terms?”
demanded Bartel.

 

“ You can do as you please about that,” re-

tumed Major Myst, with an expressive shrug
of his shoulders. " But in that event I shall
remain faithful to Coleridge until you are safely
hanged. After that—who knows?

“ Let me add that I am ready for an answer
either way. If you accept, well and good; if
you refuse, I have only to sound acertaln signal
to bring up twenty well-armed men to drag you
out and string you up to the nearest treel

“ New decide, and decide uickly.”

Again the eyes of Barto and Dandy Jim
'lIl‘let, as if each would read the other’s thoughts.

hen:

“ If I were only certain it is no trap—”

“ Don’t be a bigger fool than God made you,
Jim Crocker!” sternly interrupted the major.
“ I’ve preached straight goods from A to land,
and I’m here to back my words with hemp or
gold-just as you elect.”

“Then why did you block the game down-
stairs?” with a vicious snarl. “ If you say true,
We were playing right [into your hands, and
with cher a Word from you 1”

Major Myst laughed meckingly.

“ And into whose hands would that accursed
agreement have fallen? Yours, of course,
and I would have been rqmezad as dry as a
last ycar’s lcmon! Trust me to know my busi-
ness, Dandy Jiiiil

“ Now, your answer?”

Again the expression upon Saul Bartol’s face
changed, and a gleam of relief slkot from his cyi-s.
Putting out his hand, he exclaimed:

“Shake, majei! Your game is our ame;
point out the way, and we’ll do the work i‘

“ And so say I,” added Dandy Jim, quick to
follow the example of the lesser rascal. “As
we’re all in much the same boat, I reckon we’d
better play pards.”

'L‘hon Major My:t put up his weapons, and the
trio shook hands and drank to the success of
their villainous Compact.

“Down to limitless at last!” lightly la'ughed
the major, as he again settled himself coma
fortably in his chair und rclighted his cigar.»
“Henceforth, Big Lodge shall rejoice in three

rulers instead of tool"

“ Yes, but this other matter—let us settle
that,” said Bartel, hastily, a slight frown
gathering upon his .hrows. “ I’ll never feel
safe, new that Coleridge is back in camp, until
the game is ended.

“Even now he may be moving against us,”
he added, his face growing grim and hard at
that disquieting thought. “ Lay outthe course,
and let us follow it at once."

“Easy, easy! We’ve till morning to work,”
was the cool response. “ I took the precaution
to ‘dope’ the entleman, and he’s powerless to
lift a finger. ow—"

Major Myst paused abruptly, and looked
fixedly at the door, with an evil glitter in his
black eyes. -

“There’s some one outside!” he exclaimed,
sinking his voice to a whisper and nodding to-
ward .the hallway leading past the room.
‘ Curse lti can we have been overheard?”

Alarmed and dismayed, both Bartel and
Dandy Jim sprun to ~t eir feet, with weapons
in hand: before e ther could make a movs. how-
ever. there came a sharp knock at the door.

“ That’s Whiskg Bill! Dandy Jim exclaimed,
with a long breat of relief. “ He’s been in our
pay of late, major, and was to meet us here
at this hour. I had forgotten the appoint-
ment.”

“ it won’t do for for him to see me here ” de-
clared Myst, making a hasty survey 0 the
room, and then gliding behind a curtain stretch-
ed across one of the rear corners. “ Get rid of
him as quickly as possible, for the other matter
is pressing. ' -

Noddieg assent, the Titan stepped forward
and opened the door.

instead of Whisky Bill, it was Rlata J 00 who
stood in the hallway.

The brutal countenance of the landlord wore.
perturbed look, and as the door swung back on

ts hinges he past a hasty glance around the
room.

“ What is it, Riatai"

“Curly Slaybnck jest brung me word thar
was some one listening outside yer door,Crocker.
an’ I slipped up ter see about it ” the landlord
replied. “ But as I came up the ark way, ther
galoetr slid down ther front stairs with his boots
in‘his band. I thort best to warn ye store I
went hack, for very likely it war some‘ friend 0’
My: or his new pard, ef not the major him-
se .

“ Hardly that, Riatn, for the major is square
enough, if he has taken the wrong side in this
matter. ' .

“ But I thank you for the warning. and here-
after we’ll keep a lookout for such spies.”

“And, Riata,” sphke up Bartel. “ when you
go down send out a half-dozen, trusty scouts and
see if they can’t scare up the critter. I’ll_give
an even hundred to the man that catches the
sneak.”

“ That’s the talk!” cried the landlord. “ But
I’m afraid ther cuss hes too much ther start this
time.” and with a dubious shake of his head the
burly milieu hurried down stairs.

Mafir Myst rtepimi from behind the curtain.
'“ I ink we have very little to fear from the

\fii

., , a} I

:

  

 

1,

eavesdropper, as we spoke in guarded tones,” be
averred, yet with a doubtful frown on his face.
“ The mere fact that some one is anxious to hear
what we have to say, however, is the best of
evidence that we cannot flnish our work too
quickly.

“ The question is, how shall we proceed l”

“ Leave Crocker and myself to raise a mob,”
uttered Bartel, quickly, a wicked glow appear-
ing in his dark eyes. “ There are half a
hundred men in caiin deprived of their pay for
two weeks by the robbery of the stage. They
will do the work.”

“If you can keep your own skirts clcnr—”

“ TruSt us to do that !” with savage emphasis.
“ Give us an hour’s time, and the thing will go
through with a whirl!” ,

The major nodded grimly. ,'

“ So be it!” he exclaimed. “That will give me
time to sparc."

Then, With their eyes on the open doorway,
the trio conversed in whispers for several min-
utes, perfecting the details of their ruthless
scliemc.

When everything had been arranged, Major
Myst took his departure, silently passing down
the front stairway and out into the street, while
Dandy Jim and Bartel, after carefully locking
the door, went down the rear way and through
the gambling den into the saloon. ,

Jlist below the ranch. the major overtook a
drunken miner reeling along toward the cabins
at the foot of the slope and ‘n a thick voice mut-
tcriiig praises of Whisky Bill.

The fellow was Sandy Parsons, the man who
had'sworn the murder of Giddy Norton upon
Hermit Hart.

With compressed lips and glittering eyes,
Major Myst shrunk back, then with averted face
darted by and stationed himself behind a tree in
the gloomiest part of the street.

Knife in hand, he awaited the approach  his
victim.

 

“It is a domed shame, boys, but you know
just how Crocker and I are fixed. “ We can’t
risk keeping much money here in camp, and
so you’ll have to wait two Weeks for the
stuff. You can get every dollar then—pro-
vided, always, the thief doesn’t get in his work
a rain !”

“'l‘her dirty curs’ll never git ther second
chuincc, boys—mind thetl” in a sullenly defiant
tone. “ Et‘s a clean cinch he got ther bun'le, an’
we’uns o’ Big Ledge know what- tbet means! A
dead wolf kills no sheep!” A .

“ Don't do anything rash, Curly! Better get
the boys to turn back, and give the Sport a fair
chance in the morning, when all heads are
cool. Inhaven’t a doubt myself the fellow’s

uilt —

8 “Then stand out 0’ ther way, Saul Bartel!
Jestice hes miskerried once 100 often in this
cam ), an’ this time we take no chaincesi

“ {Nhat say, pards?” I

An assenting yell went up from the crowd of
roughs, and then under the leadership of Curly
Slayback they surged forward with drawn
wee ns. impatiently thrusting Saul Bartel and
Dan y Jim aside; .

The two letters stood silent and motionless
until the at man had passed. Then Bartel
turned to the Titan with the uery:

“ What do you think of it, rocker?”

“ It was done adroitly, from first to last!
The life of Dell Daunt isn’t worth the flip of a
copper!

“ But come—let’s be in at the death 1”

CHAPTER IX.
CAPTAIN KATE, ran LADY BANDIT.

RETURN we now to the Cherry House, and to
the apartment in which we have seen the.
' stranger Sport, Dell Daunt, succumb to the pow-
erful dru secretly administered by his treacher-
ous frien , Major Myst.

For several minutes after the departure of the
mine-owner, not a sound broke the silence: then
there suddenly came a slight clicking noise, and
a closet door in one of the walls swung open,
and a woman boldly entered the room.

A tall woman, of queenly mien, rolled in deep-
est black and wearing a full mask of some soft,
dark stufl’, was this intruder, and in her gl 'ved
right hand she carried a revolver at full .

Her magnetic dark eyes darted a touching
glance around the mom, and beneath the cling- .
ing folds of her mask her red lips curled with
bitter satisfaction. '

“ The scoundrel is indeed gone, and the way is
clear to cheat him of his intended victim,” she
exclaimed in a‘low, intense voice, advancing to
the side of the cot and peering into the half-
averted face of the drugged Sport. “ How for-
tunate that we have of late kept our eyes upon
the major, tool Dragged .and insensible, this
man—”

The. woman ended with a sharp gasp, and
started back with her hand pressing her madly
throbbing heart, a strange, wild gleam in her

 

beautiful 6 es.
“‘Uanit ? No—no! Yethowlike.and how--

      

room foralitile wrinkle I have on hand, and \.

. <gw.‘

unlike !" she faltered, vainly striving to wnquer ‘ 'V W

   

     
    

    
       
     
     
       
           
       
         
         
     
       
     
       
       
           
     
       
     
         
         
       
     
       
       
       
     
     
     
       
     
     
     
         
     
     
     
    

 

    
     
       
       
         
         
 

 

    
 

 

        
       
     
           
     
     
     
   
         
       
       
       
     
       
   
     
     
     
       
     
     
       
   

      
         
     
     

  

         
       
 

     
       
         
       
     
       
     
    
       
        

 

 

 

o

The Sport from St. Louis. 9

 

 

her agitation. “ Heaven help me to endure the
bitterness and the hardness of my lot! It is
years since that cruel day, but the pain is as
keen and bitter now as then.

“And may Heaven nerve my arm to strike
for vengeance, for it is all that now remains!”

At that moment a strange thing happened.

The apparently unconscious Sport swung his
feet lightly from the out to the floor, and sat
bolt upright!

“Your pardon, lady!" he exclaimed, with a
courteous inclination of his head. “I am not
dead, nor even sleeping. On the contrary, I am
in full possession of all my faculties, and in jus-
tice to you I feel that I should make the fact
known, lest you speak things you would not care
to have another hear,"

For a brief Space the woman stood in silent
amazement. The shock occasioned by the unex-
pected action of the Sport produced a complete
revulsion of feeling, and when he spoke it was
calmly and deliberately.

“ I am the one who should crave pardon,” she
returned, with a graceful how, her voice faint
with humiliation, ‘for I have intruded.”

“ Do not mention it, pray,” remarked Daunt,
quickly. “From words you let fall, I know you
Were inspired by the best and purest of motives
—that, in short, you came on an errand of
mercy. You have my thanks.”

“ Yes, that is true,” the woman admitted, her
dark eyes eagerly scanning the face of the Sport.
“ And yet,'1 owe you an explanation.”

“ I shall be doubly pleased to hear you, lady,
from the fact that a man I have long ago re—
garded as a friend has as at last proved false,
and it seems likely that your explanation will
throw light upon his pt-riidy,” returned Daunt,
rising and offering the woman a chair.

“ It will, most certainly, if you refer to the
person known as Major Myst.”

” He is the man.”

Bowing slightly, the woman seated herself,
and then for a moment seemed to be thinking
deeply.

"‘ Do you know who I am?” she suddenly asked,
lifting her head and again closely scanning the
face of the Sport. “ Do you care to hazard a
guess at my identity?”

“ May I speak frankly ?"

“ Assuredly.”

“ Then, lady, I believe you to be Captain Kate,
the Lady Bandit.”

The woman uttered a bitter laugh.

“ You are right!” she exclaimed. “ I am that
unfortunate creature, and bad enough, Heaven
knows, though not so black with sin as some be-
lieve or profess to believe.” ~

The Snort bowed.

“ My wrongs haVe been bitter, and my mission
is one of revenge,” Captain Kate continued.
“ When I say that, the level upon which I stand
must at once become clear to you; for when a
woman puts aside the weakness of her sex and
turns amazon to hunt down her enemies, dc-
manding a life for a life, she quits a sphere into
which she can never re-enter, for the iron must
sink deep in her soul, and all that is best and no-
blest within her dies.”

“ You judge yourself harshly, madam!”

“ No, no! it is the simple truth I speak, and it
is better that we both understand as much.

“ The men I seek I believe to be here in Big
Ledge, and for months t, aided by others in
my employ and shield b the only friend left
me, I have used every e ort to uncover their
crime, but in vain. _

“ That is all that need be said of in self. Now
I shall speak of the treachery of Me or Myst.

“ Last night Peter J eakins, your courier,
reached this camp, and was brought here by the
major. One of my agents gave me timely no-
tice of the fact, and by means of that cunningly-
arranged closet I succeeded in hearing nearly all
that passed between them. Let it mflice now
that, thou h I heard nothing of personal interest
to me, I (Iid learn through the major’s actions
that he was about to become false to a trust re-

in him. And I believe that Jenkins, too,
iacovered as much.

After talking a while, Myst withdrew for
about an hour, under the plea of consulting his
mine superintendent. During his absence my
agent kept him under constant surveillance, and
learned enough to definitely confirm my sus-
picions of double dealing for on quittin the

otel the scoundrel di himself and stra ght-
way sought out a number of the most desperate
men in camp and hired them to waylay and kill
Jenkins at a certain point on the trail to Gray
Wolf camp.

“ This fact was at once communicated to me,
and I at once arranged to give Jenkins due
lwarning, so that he escaped the trap set for

ma.

“ Lady, that act alone makes me your friend
forever!” cried Daunt, impulsively. “ I could
never have forgiven myself had that kindly old
man gone blindly to his death."

“ Now {{ou magnify trifles,” gravely returned
Captain ate “ But let it pass, for time is
pressing. Major Myst may return at any mo-
ment, and we must be prepared to act when he
appears.”

“ One word—it was from you, then, that I re-
ceived that warning note to-nighti'!

 

“ It was by my instructions, yes. It was de—
livered to you by my agent, Bolly Darrit.”

“The bravest, shrewdest old sleuth-hound in
the Rockies l"

“ He is making headway where others failed,”
the woman averred. “But it is slow, slow
work, for the miscreants have most skillfully
covered their bloody trail.

“ But to return to our subject: I decided to be
on hand again to-night, for I suspected the major
would attempt some unscrupulous trick. From
his wordsI inferred that he had succeeded in
dragging you, and so made my appearance.
You may he assured that I was surprised to find
you colis‘cious.”

“It might have been otherwise but for that
warning note,” the Sport declared, his brows
knitting ominously. “To test the matter, I
acted a part and, presto! the fish was hecked!

“The question is, what is to be done? The
wretch left here with the avoived intention of
seeking atool willing to finish the job, and I
must so arrange the matter as to catch both
dead to rights in their game.

“ You will observe, Captain Kate, that I am
taking you into my deliberations. I feel'that
your shrewdness and wit are fully equal to;the
occasion, and that with your assistance in ar-
ranging a plan I shall be able to treat the major
to a most disagreeable surprise.”

A vivid gleam shot from the dark eyes of the
woman, and then she averted her face to con-
ccal her agitation.

“The task will not be at all disagreeable to
me,” she asserted, after a moment, frankly
meeting the gaze of the Sport. “ I must confess
that i feel impelled to lend you all the assistance
in my power.”

" And I shall be pleased to have your help, so
long as it does not lead you into danger,” Daunt
declared. “You certainly have my warmest
sympathies, for I am here on a mission similar
to your own, and at any time I can be of service
to you, don’t hesitate to mention it. I, too,
must own that I am drawn toward you by a
strange and subtle influence.”

“Then, to use the vernacular, we shall be
‘ pards’,” exclaimed Captain Kate. “ That is,
secret pards, helping each other from time to
time, without betraying the fact that we have
ever met.”

“ Exact] .”

The allies shook hands warmly.

“Now let us settle the plan of the present
campaign,” continued the woman, abruptl .
“ Darrit is watching Myst, and will probany
return fully informed as to the major’s intend-
ed movements. Moreover, Darrit will be here
in advance of Myst, and as soon as the detec-
tive reports I will communicate the situation
to you, and we shall be prepared to act intel-
ligently.”

“Pursuin that course, we can do nothin
decisive until Bolly Darrit arrives,” remark
the Sport, reflectively. “ But it strikes me as
the best plan, for it would be folly to expose our
hands until we have the major just where we
want him.” ,

" That is the idea, exactly.”

. “ Yes. I have decided to punish the scoundrel
for his treachery, and when I strike I want the
naked facts of the case to sustain my course,”
and a dark look crossed the face of the Sport.

“The plan comes to me now. Myst willre—
turn before his hirelings appear, for I have in
my ion a paper he must obtain, or run
the risk of losing all he is scheming to gain.
L9aving that closet door sii htly ajar, you can
witness the fact that be ta esthe pa r; and
thengwhen his men appear, we can as one of
them and squeeze him into disclosing the whole

game.

“ Caught with that per in his possession,
and with the evidence orbit captured accomplice
dead against him, the major must be slippery in-
deed to clear his skirts.” ~

Captain Kate nodded her approval, than

said: a .

“ But if the paper is valuable, is it not risky
to let it pass into the major’s hands even for an
hour or so? The chances are he’ll lose little
time in getting it safely out of the way.”

“ As to that, I shall adopt the major’s tactics
and resort to trickery,” the Sport replied, takin
from the breast ket of his coat a large bil -
book, and from t at a long envslo , unsealed.
“This paper is the agreement tween the
major and myself gOVerning the development of
the Lone Hunter Mine. With this in his poses-
sion and the two witnesses out of the way, the
scamp could laugh at any claim I might set
up.

Taking out the agreement. Daunt inserted a
carefully folded sheet of bluish paper, then
sealed the envelope and passed it to Captain
Kfirerifor inspection.

tten upon it in a cram and irregular
hand was the following: ped
“ [OriginaL] \
“ARTICLES or AGREEMENT Ba'rwnan DELL
DAUNT, or Tor Norca, Borsrr Consrr,
IDAHO, AND MAJOR Mvsr, or Danvaa,
COLORADO:”

“You would be able to identify that paper

anywhere?”

 

“ I would know the envelope anywhere,” the
woman replied, returning the document to the
Sport. “But suppose the major takes time to
investigate before departing with his supposed
prize; what then?”

“It will make trouble—for him,” was the
significant reply, as Daunt thrust the sealed
envelope into the breast pocket of his coat.

“And now, Captain Kate, I want you to
take charge of the real agreement and of this
bill-book until I have squared accounts with the
major.” '

The woman shook her head.

“ I would prefer that you let me turn them
over to Mrs. Kate Cherry, the landlady, for
safe keeping,” she returned. “The life I am
leading is apt to get me into serious trouble at
any moment, and for that reason, if none other,
your property would hardly be safe in my
hands

“ You can put absolute trust in Mrs. Cherry.
She is the friend I spoke of awnile ago, and I
know her to be thoroughly reliable in a matter of
this kind.”

“ \‘ery well,” asserted the Sport. “There is
a chance, you know, that in this joust with the
major I may coine out at the little end of the
horn, and in that event I want the papers to
fall into the hands of my friends.

“Kate Cherry will see that they reach the
right parties,” Lady Bandit declared, rising
with the bill-book in hand. Q»

“But before I go, Mr. Daunt, there is one
thing I wish to call your attention to— a secret;

means 01" escape in case your enemies appear in '

greater force than you are expecting. Enter
that closet and turn to your right. In the end
wall, slightly higher than your head, is a large
nail. Press sharply against it, and a door will
open, letting you into a narrow corridor, from
which a flight of steps lead down to a like
passage below, where you will find some one in
readiness to let you out of the hotel.

“Now 1 will carry this book to Kate, with
your request. I may decide to wait the de-
tectiVe’s return below, but you may depend
upon my presence in the closet when Myst ap-
pears.”

Daunt opened his lips to speak, but at that
instant the faint tinkling of a bell came from
below.

“It is Darrit’s signal!” exclaimed the wo-
man. “ He is here and in haste.

“ Now be on our guard I”

In another minute the Sport was alone.

 

CHAPTER x.
IN DANGER.

“HERE is a remarkable state of affairs,”
soliioquized Daunt, seating himself on the edge
of the cot from which he had risen. “Iam
trusting my life and my fortune toa woman I
have known scarcely an hour, and that woman
an outlaw by repute if not in deed!

“And now that the step is taken, I have no
ualms of conscience-no desire to undo what is
one, so perfect is the faith inspired by this

Captain Kate.

‘“ It seems, somehow, as if I had known her
all my life and I certainly would put myself to
considerable trouble to do her a favor.

‘ I cannot understand it at all. Did I not
know that it was utterly beyond the possibilities,
I should imagine that was falling in love with
my mysterious pardl” and a bitter smile curled
the red lips of the Sport. _

Then for several minutes he remained with
his head bowed in then ht, his handsome face

cold and stern, his deep b ue eyes filled with a

light not gocd to see. .

“ This tricky deal of the major’s upsets all my
welldaid plans,” he exclaimed, at length, in a
tone just audible. “He has all the evidence in
his poaession, and so it must all be hunted out
again. He will hold it as the price of his lib-
erty; and, as I am resolved to mete out full and
due punishment to the dastard, we cannot come
to terms.

“ Among them, they have cast a poll over my
life that can never be lifted, and here I shall
remain, to haul them down, be the odds what
they may 1”

Then a startling thought whirled through his
brain, and he sprung to his feet with clinched
hands and blazing eyes.

At that moment the closet-door opened and
Captain Kate again entered the room.

“There is but little news and that bad.” she
announced in asuppremod tone. “Darrit laid
in wait for the major and trailed him to the
room of Dandy Jim Crocker and Saul Bartol,.
where the three held a long conference—a re still
talking. in fact. The mine-owners have quar—
ters at Riata’s Ranch, and owing to the watch—
fulness of Riata Joe, the detective was unable to
hear much that
the little he did gather, it would eeem that Myst
is attempting to force the others to join hands
with him, and if he succeeds, you will have the
worst to fear.” ‘

“ It had just occurred to me that he would
attempt something of the sort.” the Sport ex-
claimed. “ Both Crocker and Bartel are deci-
dedly unfriendly toward me, and as the major

passed between them: but from‘

re

   

Wiliu > . "2:4;‘7 '*

 

 

   
  
   
  
  
    
 
  
  

 

  

‘ .

   
 

.1 the

’ risk as that! .

' Gray
any danger in the trip.

, BDCO

, undertake the trip.
‘ to would not accomplish your purpose.

‘ where to find him at any hour between this and
snowing.

' ' mu " observ
all, it

 

‘_ ‘0
happens to have the whip hand over them he
has determined to compel them to do his wor .

“ And on the whole, I am rather glad that it
is so. It may force a short cut to the end I have
in View.”

“ You must be on your guard,” warned Cap-
tain Kate, speaking slowly. “ All three are

cu ning, as well as unscrupulous, and when

ll; strike, you may depend upon it the blow
will be a secret one, well-nigh impossible to
trace to them.”

Dannt sh rugged his shoulders.

“ They are cunning knavesl" he admitted.
“ I have discovered that to my sorrow. But if
I can succeed in holding my own 'for a few
days, I know a trick that will forever break
them of playing With fire."

“Darrit made another discovery of a very
disquieting nature,” the woman continued, ab—
ruptly. ‘ It seems that Peter Jenkins is by no
means out of danger.

“ A number of the major’s agents are camped
down the trail, waiting to ambush the old man
on his return from Gray Wolf Camp. "

As may be imagined, this bit of information
was anything but cheering. The face of the
Sport grew dark with anger.

“ The inhumandastardsl” he gritted, his blue
eyes g10wing luridly. “Is there no crime so
enormous as to stay their ruthless hands?”

“ They will stop at nothing now,” declared the
woman, “and nothing but prompt action can
possibly save him; for, infuriated by his escape
on the up-trip, the miscreants havo taken erery
precaution to insure their . complete success
when he returns.

“ I have planned to balk them, and have in-
structed Darrit to take m place in the closet
during your seance with ajor Myst, and will
get my horse and start immediately.”

D unt uttered a slight cryvof astonishment.

“aYou go over the ray olf trail to-nightl”
he exclaimed. “ Captain Kate, I cannot permit
the fulfillment of your pledge at such a terrible

 

“ No, no! I shall await until the major has
come and gone, then myself ride on to warn
Jenkins.” ‘

“ And he riddled with bullets for ‘ our pains l”
returned the woman, the folds of he mask hid-
ing the odd expression that for the moment
crept into her face. '

“ Let me tell you, Mr. Daunt, that both myself
and my horse are thoroughly familiar with the
olf trail, and that for us there is little if

Moreover, if I am not greatly mistaken, af-
fairs hFrH/In Big Ledge uring the next few
hours will require your undivided attention, if
you expect to play a winning game."

“That is true enough, Captain Kate, but I
would throw up the game before deliberate]
losing Jenkins his life or putting yours in such
jeopardy.”

“Oh, thatis no way to talk!” protested the
Lady Bandit, stoutly. “I can take care of Jen-
kins’s life and my own too. You attend to this
usiness in camp, and leave the other to me. I
want to see you win, and I am willing to confess
that it is from purely selfish motives, too, for I
expect to profit b your success,

“ You know t at i am here alone, almost,
fightin r a hard fight. One of these days I shall
in (3)1118?ng the enemy,fiind when it
comes to the finishing stroke I shall want some
one back of me whose influence will strengthen

my cause. . -

“I know that the Lone Hunter is by long
odds the richest mine in the camp, and that its
Owner will hold almost absolute sway. There.
fore, if you establish your claim tothe mine,

on will shortl be the most powerful man in
‘ g Ledge, an the one whose influence I should
desire.

“You see, I am perfectly frank about the
matter. I know precisely what I am doing,
Judas! am a free agent you cannot blame
{courself for any risk I may choose to,assume

help along your light.”

The S rt smiled grimly.

-“No, suppose not—putting it in that light,”
he admitted. “ But on are beatin away from
the main point. Ash 9 from the ris you would
run, there is a good reason why you should‘not'

“ You would be unable to find Jenkins, and
,.“ And on the other hand, I know exactly

[know that he‘is dam ,l for the
nightin a little glsde a half-mile o the trail
Ramps twomles above the upper outlet oi
. V th~G Canyon. We were very cal-eful in
planning his campaign, so that each might
now just where to find the other at a given
time barring accidents” ,
"' nd this e(glans is a half-mileeast of the
the woman, narrowly watohln
port. “ It is an ideal. camping place, wit
grass and fuel in abundance; and best of
is» hemmed in by the surrounding hills
on to afford the greatest seclusion.”
Dsuutstarted. "
“ You know the place!” he exclaimed.

“G

..r.. ~   ,4“... a”

  
 
  

- as. u». -u. ..

a

  

to that very spot, and can reach it in less than
three hours.” ,

“You had better withdraw your objection,
Mr. Dnunt, and permit me to do the errand.”

“ Well, you are a pard worth havingl” the
Sport exclaimed. “If you can avoid the
danger of the ambush, you have my consent,
for I admit that with the errand in good hands
I would prefer to remain right here in Big
Ledge.”

“ I will at no time be within a mile of the
thugs sent out by Major Myst,” declared the
Lady Bandit. '

At that moment the tinkling of the bell again
sounded through the house.

Daunt looked inquiriugly at the mysterious
visitor.

“ The major has entered the hotel,” the
woman terser explained. “ I will givo way to
Darrit in the closet. If it comes to an open
caSe, his evidence would carry greater weight
than mine.”

Again the secret pards shook hands and then
Captain Kate disappeared within the closet,
leavgidg the door slightlyvajar while Dell Daunt
exte ed himself at full length on the cot, in the
exact position in which Major Myst had last seen
him.

These moves were executed just in time
for in another minute the door was unlocked
and flung open, to admit the desperate schemer.

A single glance at the major would have con-
vinced one that he was fresh from a trying
ordeal. His face was grim and white, and a flt~
ful glare filled his dark eyes. His steps were
unsteady and his hands shook nervously.

Closing the door and turning the key in the
lock, Myst cast a hurried look around the room,
then strode straight to the side of the apparent-
ly unconscious Sport. '

” The drug still holds him fast,” he muttered,
bending forward and peering sharply at that
ywhite, alf—averted face. “ How fortunate that
I possessed it!”

At that instant, the echoes of a distant yell,
shrill and penetrating, interrupted the msjor's
musings, and he started and shrunk back, as if
suddenly confronted by an apparition.

Too well he knew the significance of that

sound!

Saul Bartol and Dandy Jim had succeeded in
their mission of evil—had aroused to mur-
derous fury the disappointed roughsl

He knew, too, that there was yet time to re-
treat,,to abandon his devilish purpose and save
the seemingly helpless Sport; but all that was
bad within him rose in opposition to such a
course, and with rimly compressed lips and
burning eyes he iciously fought back that
merciful impulse. ‘

“ The game has gone too far!” he gritted, and
a sin bending forward he rifled the pockets of
his victim, assured himself that he had secured
the cowted document, and hastily quitted the
room, leaving the door unlocked.

Dell Daunt uttered a soft little leugh,half-
earnest. half-mocking, and spruu to his feet.

“Are you there, Bollv Derrit?’ he called out,
turning toward the closet, the door of which
stood slightly ajar. “Did you see the major’s
performance?”

“ Oh, yes; I'm ri ht here, and I watched
every move 3119.3“wa made,” the detective re-
turned, in a muffled voice. “I reckon if he’s
not might careful We’ll have him in an extreme-
ly nasty hx before many hours.”

“ Vtht; do you think, will be his next move?”
“That I can hardly say. AS‘Cfllthlanfiie
doubtless told you, the vigilance of Riatu Joe
thWartwl my attempt to overhear the plans of
the rascal, and I am fully as much at sea in the
matter as you are.

“ It seems to me, though, that he has certainly
adopted one of two courses~eitber hired an
assassin to stem into you room. and finish you,
or turned the matter over to Be rtol and Crocker.
« “ If he has chosen the first cdurse, the plan
outlined by you ’and Captain Kate will doubt-
less work toa harm. We'ranseize thecnt~thrnat
and force a confession from his lips that will
effectually dispose of the major, .
“ But if Myst has joined forces with Bartel
and Dandy Jim 6nd turned over to them the job
of getting on out of the way, as I strongly
suspect he as, we’re likely to have a mighty
rough time. Both mine-owners are dangerous~
men, the more so from the fact that they abso-
lutely control a large elsmont of this camp’s
famniotic!» If they have taken hold of the mat-

, they will be very likely to Operate through
a mob.’  ”

»“ That is the very thing we must guard
against,” Daunt exclaimed, after a moment’s
reflection. “ All the conditions are favorable
to just such a proceeding on the part of Myst. I
hap n to know that he is in a 'tion to com-
pol andy Jim and Bartel to do is will, and by
that course he would conceal his agency in the
matter from all but the two mine-owners, who,
to protect themselves, would have to keep quiet.

‘ Yes yer that is his little game, and now
comes the of -importsnt question, what are we
going to do about it?” -

 

“Yes, I haVe cam there on several 00-
vculous. More than t at, I know a secret routs

 

    
 

4.
4

til you are absolutely sure just which way the
festive feline is going to jump. If it comes to a
mob, you’d better take Captain Kate’s advice
and get out of the hotel by this secret stairway,
and keep shady till the thing quiets down a bit.”

“ Of course you don’t have to take my say-so-
not a bit of it; but a mob’s amigbty tough thing
to buck ng’in’. Once in awhile you hear'of some
sandy galoot making a bold‘stand and bluifing a
crowd out of their boots, but it’s always on
paper. About nine hundred and ninety-and-
nine times out of every thousand thata fellow
1tofucliies a job of that heft he gets beautifully

e t.

“ Oh, yes; it’s the height of folly to jump into
agame of that kind,” assented the Sport, in a
peculiar tone. “ Sometimes, though, a man has
to take his chances just that way."

“Well, it’s a heap sight safer and pleasanter
for a fellow to get away while he can do it
easily,” Darrit averred. '

“ And now, Sport, l’m going below to keep
an eye on things. If I fin it‘s only one or two
men get the job in hand, I’ll pull the bell once
to put you on your guard, and then come up to
give you a lift. But if she rings twice, quick
and sharp, you may know it’s a mob and you’ve
got business somewhere else."

“Very well,” returned Daunt, quickly, and
then a succession of faint sounds told him the
detective was uitting the closet.

Carefully reoading his revolvers, the Sport
turned the lamp low, raised the curtain and
hoisted the lower sash of one of the windows
overlooking the street.

At that mompnt two sharp peels of the bell
rung through the house. ,

——-—.

CHAPTER XI.
canvass).

"‘AHA! that means business, are and
simple!” Dell Daunt exclaimed, as tile ringing
notes of the bell died away. “ Now to see from
what quarter and in what force the belligerent
knaves are approaching.”

Taking his stand at the open window, the
Sport peered out.

The night was clear and st'firlight, but the
shadows of the surrounding hills lay dense and
black ove'r the camp, shutting out from view
objects at a distance of less than a dozen

pflCt‘S.

'1‘qu hotel was closed, and nota ray of light
pierced the gloom. ’. ’ r»

“ I shall have .to trust to my ears,” mused
Dnunt, after a vain attempt to pierce that inky
pail. ‘Ii is unfortunate, too, for I had hoped
to size up the leaders of the mob.

“ Ah! there they come!” .

True enough; up from the abysmal darkness
came the heavy trumping of feet, and the mur-
mur of subdued but angry VOICiS.

For several minutes these sounds continued, ‘
and then a thunderous knocking atthe door
jerer through the house.

“Open! open!” sternly ordered the leader of
the web, as the clamor ceased fora moment.
“Do ye henr, Kate Cherry? Open the door,
for we mean business!" '

Kate Cherry, the landlady, had been sitting

in the hotel office, quietly awaiting that wry
summons. , .
. “Who are you and will“ d°,ym1' Want?” 5110
returned, rising and approaching the heavily
barred door, her voicc ringing out clear and
cold. “Say it nick too. The hour is late,
and I’ve nu “ms or idle words.

“ You open that door, Late Cherry l” sharply
commanded the spolfflnmn 0f the waiting
run he. “Ef you’re m 8 hurrl‘yso're we, but
when I talk I reckon ye’d better find time ter
listen.

n pm Cur] Slayback.~ an’ I’m chief o’ther
Big Ledge inilanles. We want the strange
Sport Major Myst_brunz ter your house 12,.
night, an’ we want ’11!) badl”_

Kate Cherry laughed disdainfuliy.

“ So it is you, Curly Slayhack 1” she exclaim.
ed, her vowe half-earnest. half-mecking. “I
thought as much, the moment on spoke.

“ Now, about the stiange port: to the best
of my knowledge, he is no longer in this house.
He. was warned of ‘your comings good half-I
hour ago;and as no man in his sober scum
would care to remain and face sucha gang of
drunken loafers, I presume you'll havoto look
elsewhere. ' .

“In any eventildo not intend to open my
doors to you, as know to my cost that on an
occasion like this you and your men have an
unhappy penchant for carrying oi! anything
and everything of value you can get, your
thievish hands upon.”

A moment’s silence followed the woman’s
bold words, and the listening Sport smiled
grimly. '

Then the rage of the crovrd found vent, and ’
the air was filled with exemtions loudand
(lee . , .. ,
“pYou are mighty brash, Kate Cherry—you
are!" howled Curly Slayback as soon, as he
could make himself heard. “'But 3m bekass'

 

matter var, i t replied. “.But I

u Well, Spomvngv’p lfizrdl time to ponder the
would so that. you simply keep quiet un-
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you'rea woman you mustn’t think we'll let ya ‘

      
     
           
       
      
    
      
        
     
       
       
      
        
     
       
     
   
 

   

       
     
     
       
 
        
     
           
       
     
       
      
      
     
     
       
       
     
       
       
         
     
     
         
    
         
       
         
     
       
     
        
      
     
     
     
      
       
     
      
     
       
      
      
           
          
       
        
       
 

  

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we are, an’ we’re in s’arch o'jestice. You’ve
got a pesky thief in your house an’ We’re goin’
ter hev him!

“An’ now you open thet door. or down she
.gOes!”

“ And down y0u‘ll‘ go with it!" was the
resolute retort. “ Don’t attempt to crowd me,
Curly Slayllack. for I am armed, and I feel
wicked enough to do mischief!

“The Sport is gone, but even were be here
you could not enter to take him, for I want you
to distinctly understand, sir, that under no pre-
text do you put foot in my house.

“ Now, clear out!”

“ Oh, yes! we’ll cl’ar outl” sneered the rufllan.
““ All ou’ve got ter do is ter say git, an’ we
gits! e’re built jest thet way—in a horn!

“ No, no! ye cain’t pull no wool OVer our eyes,
Kate Cherry. We meant business, when ye
went inter this hyar leetle game, an’ all of an
hour ago we putt guards ’round the house an’
therstables, an’ so we kn0w our man’s in thar

at.
y “ Nor thet ain’t all nor ther wu’st of et, Katie!
I reckon es Vigilantes we’vo got a leetle score
ter settle with you, mo, fer we ve dropped outer
ther fact that ye’re hand in glove with Captain
Kate, ther Lady Bandit—st ye‘re not that ow-
-dashus critter herself l” ,

The Sport listened intentl to catch the we-
gun’s reply, for the same i as had occurred to

m. .

But Kate Cherry remained silent.

Two or three minutes dragged along quietly.
'Then Slayhack uttered an order in a low tone.

A swift rush of feet followed, and a heavy
«crash boomed through the house.

“ They are battering down the door!” Daunt
ejaculated, unconsciously speaking aloud. ” I
must go below and offer my services to the land-
lady. She has fought my fight so far, with the
result that she is new in more danger than I
am. It is too late to retreat now, if I would.”

“ You are right,-sir. It is indeed too lateto

' retreat,” uttered a musical voice, and Kate
Cherry stepped from the closet into the room.
“Our only chance is to drive them back, then
slip down to the stables, mount and make a dash
Efor it.”

“ Darrit has gone!"

“ Yes—at my request, as he can do more
‘ al service out there’thau in here. He is thor-
- ghly, disguised, and is generally xyarded by
the roughs as one of their number. nder such
conditions, he easily slipped out and through the
line.”

At that moment a second terrific blow against
‘-the door shook the building.

“ The kuaves are certainly determined to
;force their way in," observed the Sport. -

“Oh yes; Slayback is an obstinate rascal,”
Kate (Sherry returned. “But he will find that
to force an entrance through that door is no
light task. It was built to withstand just such
.an attack."

Daunt was silent a moment.

“ Where are your guests?” he asked suddenly.

“ I have but two besides yourself and the
major,” the woman replied; “ and by some
freak of fate or fortune both happen to be
absent.”

“And the servants?”

“Both are away. I hurried them off at the
first breath of trouble, as I could depend upon
neither.”

“ Then We are alone in the house.”

“ Absolutely alone.”

Again that. dull, crashing blow rung out, and
this time was followed by a hoarse, triumphant
you from the mob. I

" That door is yielding,” declared Daunt.
" Within five minutes they will he in the build-

in .

5 Lady, can you escape alone?” ,

“Alone? Yes, there is a (hence, but I had
promised-J

“No matter bout the promise. If you can
make your way. at, do so. I see my way clear
after that. So go new, and I will cover your
movements.”

The woman hesitated, than yielded and bar—
ried down the, secret stairway. ~ ,

.Crossiu‘ the xpom. the Sport seized the lamp
and, _ ed it the open window. Hustily
thrusting hish here i into the top of the
chimney, he turned the ck h h up, inverted
the glass bowl, and flung it into midst of the
crowd. I; '.

.. A single warning yell, then came a brilliant

‘l‘flash, quickly followed by aloud eXplosion. The

: mob scattered right and left, skulking back from

—“the glow of the burning oil. ’

s “ Even better than I eXpected!" muttered the
Sport, his keen blue eyes busy with the scene
below, while he kept out of range of the window.
“In fact, lmay say it was a brilliant success,"
smiling grimly.

“ They are all there, toov—Dandy Jim, rtol

V and the rest. Cum theml’theydowell to t

*  cover, for I’m in the mood for throwing

'A moment thus, then the light died out, and

fiatrau‘lplngof booted feet announced the re-

‘  of emgmand theassault upon the door
was renewed w redoubled fury.

say sech things ag’iu’ llsl We’re honest men,‘

      
  

 

With noiseless tread Daunt crossed the room ;
to the window overlooking the shed roof nlen- l
tioned earlier in the evening by Major Myst. l

Putting aside the curtain, he softly raised the i '
L the blasted oak, a burst of flame, shooting up

lower sash and looked out.

A brief scrutiny dispelled his suspicions that 9
the roof was guarded, and, stealthin slipping .
through the window, the Sport lowered himself
to the sloping boards, where. he sunk upon his
hands and knees and crept toward the rear of '
the building. ,

On reaching that point he paused a moment, !
with every sense on the alert, then stole down "
the roof, swun‘g himself over the edge, and drop-
ped lightly to the ground.

'As his feet touched the earth Dauut drew a
long breath of relief and deftly loosened the :
weapons in his belt. That deadly peril now lay
before him be well knew.

“Hist! be war , now!”

In strains so ow as to be almost inaudible
came that terse warning, and the startled Sport .
shrunk back a pace. then braced himself, knife I
in hand, just as a bulky form gilded around the
corner of the building and paused before him.

“ You are—” x

“I am Dari-it!” guardedly. “Come—let us
get away from here. The door is ‘down, and in
another minute it will be known on have es-
cap‘ld. and the beagles will be at on your
trail.”

“ But Kate Cherryl” .

“ Out an’ one!” impatiently. “ Don’t tarry,
maul The gevils are in ambush all around us,
an’, my head ag’in’ yours, we’ll rue it if we lose
another half minute i"

“ Move, then. I am—”
“ Look out I” -
Too late! Even as that hasty varnin es-

caped the lips of the Sport, a d0zen sha owy
forms rose from the earth in obedience to a
sharply—uttered signal and flung themselves
upon the two men with all the fury of hungry

ti ers.

iEtud so deft] executed was that maneuver of
the enemy the. neither Dell Daunt nor the detec-
tive could find time to draw and use a weapon
ere they were struggling in the clutches of the
ruilians.

A moment of hand-to—hand fighting, then a
heav blow from the butt of a revolver brought
the port to his knees, half-senseless. He strug-
gled gamer to rise, but in vain. With howls of
mingled rage and triumph, the‘roughs pressed
upon him, and in another minute he was bound
and helpless. » _

Darrit. boweVer, fared better. Foot by foot,
with stubborn ferocity, he fought his way, his
pondcrous arms and legs working like flails, un- i
til he had fori'l"‘i a passage directly through the
hmvling throng. Then, beating down the last
of his assailants, he skurried away in the dark-
ness. followed by a harmless Volley.

“ Follow, hottontl—- you, Pawnee,‘ an' you,
Windin! Bladeul" fiercely snarled the leader of
gang, as he spat out a tooth loosened by the
heavy 'ilst of the detective. “He’s hand an’ i
glove 'ith ther ’agent, an' deserves the rope~ther'
darned hunk o’ soapfai! Don’t let ’im eacapel
Take ’im, dead or alive!” »

, A burst of imprecations followed the furious-
ly-uttered sentences, and the two desperacloes
addressed dartdd away in the direction taken by
the flesh; detective. Neither dared disobey the
raging bu ly. .

“Now, up with ther ’agent. boys, an’ trot
him ’round ter Slayback,” continued the chief,
striving hard to ierce the darknem with his
glowing eves. “ urry, too, fer ther hull b’ilin’
are comin’ right this way, an’ we must hustle ter
make our claim, clear.”

“ Et’s mellbe a cool hundred out 0’ this gang’s
pockknts of we fail ter git thar,” supplemented
a burly desperado. “ Don’t let ’em etch us at
a standstill, penis, or some 0’ ther darned
galoots ’ll jumpin an’ call sheer an’ sheer alike
-ef they don’t make a grab fer ther hull pot!"

A subdued growl of assent came fmm'the
roughs, and jerking the Sport to his test they
hurried him toward the frontof the hotel, push-
1m: directly through the on-ooming crowd at-
tracted by the sounds of the brief struggle.

At the oornercf the building they encouno
tel-ed the Vigilante "chief. Curly Slayback, and
the capture of the Sport was at once announced.

“ We’ve turned a mighty neat trick, and I
reckdn we’ll take that leetle reward," cried Red
Rate, the leader of the gang, as hedelivered up
the prisoner. “ An’ o’uy fer us, ther galoot
’u’d 'a’ give leg-bail, ter boot.”

“ 0h. ve’ve ’arned ther yallenboys, an' they’s
Yours ” Silayback replied, tolsing the fellow I.

o on n. w

“An’ now, Red Rafe, do you an’ Blinky
Dargan help me git the critter our yender ter
Jedge Lynch’s oak; an’ while we're at at, hev
yer .meu call up all ther boys. Thor’s lots 0’
pestlferous citizens et may be a warniu‘ to!”

Red Rafe obeyed, and the captive S _ , éwu'
half-dragged, half-carried 'to Judge Ench‘s
oak, a huge, lightning-rivet: tree standing in an
open space near the center of the camp. From
the earliest days of Big usage. this tree had
done service as a, gallows,a under its life-

 

less branches the Vigilante chief intended to
hang Dell Daunt. ‘ '

CHAPTER
0 EXILED.
As the steadily-growing crowd surged toward "

Xll.

from the rear of the hotel, (-astnvcr the stir-
ring scene a lurid glow, which quickly deepened
and brightened until it brought into clear and
full relief nearly every visage in the moving
throng.

At that first flush of red light, Dell Danni:
started, and llielel-th grated audibly. Without
so much as a backward glance, he realized the
truth. ‘

The Vigilantes had fired the buildingi

“ Curses on the dastard~l Because Kate
Cheery befriended me, they have destroyed her
property !3

Even as that thought whirled through the
brains of the Sport, his captors halted beneath
the oak, and Slayback called for a rope.

rim, silent, keenly alert, his blue eyes
gleaming like living coals, the doomed Sport
glanced from face to face, vainly Searching for
his arch-foes, Major Myst, Dandy J im Crocker
and Saul Bartel—covertly straining at bjs bonds
until the perspiration stood in beads upon his
white forehead. ~

“ Don’t e do et, Mr. High Card—don’t!”
mocked S avback, quick to detect Daunt’s
desperate efl'ort to free himself. “Reckon
ye’re booked fera clean home-run, an’ ye'll look
a durned-siglit better when ye land thar of ye‘
jest keep cool an’ smilin’l An’ ef et’s on’y exer-
Ciro ye’re wantin’, ye kin give yer laigs a~plenty
in 'hfitg minuteil”d 1 id]

e port smi e p ac y.

“ Don t you worry, m pretty boy!" he re-
torted, softly. “But if wanted any .inters
as to ‘laig ’ exercise, you’re the man I’ seek—
thank you i"

The S rt’s manner, rather than his words,
provok
grew red to the ears.

“ What d’ye mean by that!” he blustered.
“ Ye don’t dar’ hint—” ‘

“ Oh, I didn’t hint anything. I simply meant
that if your face was in dan r your legs would
run away with your head—t at‘s all i”

The titter grew into a guil’aw. '

Among the more peaceably inclined of the
camp’s denizens Slayback was heartily detected
ring, cowardly bully. Many of

'1

as a swaggs
these men Were now present, and, while they en-
tertained no idea of interfering with the red
work of the Vigilante chief, they were prompt
to :iiest their appreciation of the plainly-stated
ru

For fully a minute Slayback stared at the
Sport as if he could hardly believe his ears.
Then: ‘

“D‘ye mean thet, pilgrim?
jokin’?” ,

“ Dead sure—so sure, in fact, that I’ll bet you
a hundred to one I can force you to sprint if ‘
you’ll take oi? these ropes!" ' -

“Yes—sprint after you!” sneered the des-
perado. “No, no! ye don’t ketch methan-
way Mr. High-Card! ' .

‘. Et’s a dead sure cinch ye putt books on ther -
money ther buss brunz
don't take no chaincesl" .

Some one had thrown a re over one of the.
limbs of the oak, and as ayback finished
speaking he caught the loose end and deftly
formed a noose. which he slipped over the head
of the helpless Sport.

Sure ye ain’t

in, au’ up ye go! We;

ave-:6 31}. y. w. it". .  :v

an audible .titter, and Slayback n

g‘

“Thar‘s yer necktie—wear at!” he grated, his F I

eyes flashing -’venge fully.
“Up. boys! Swing—” \ I ‘ ‘ ‘
“Hold! mos’ lordly suzerain, sap~hesded
satrap an’ envoy extra-omery 0’ his satanic
majest 0! ther lower regi-unsl-hold!” inter:

points. a wheezy, bellowing’voicq as t ‘ 

the throng a men of short and .bulky flgn‘rsm
forced his way, to-halt beside‘the Sport and

sever the re 'witb a single sweep of a glitter-h
lug blade. ‘BOld. my royallv cute can from‘

Jimplecute, till I, Whisky Bill, a man 0’.

01' 

an’ a gentleman still, tho’ a bit down et t ,, ,

heel, doth brats a few simple facts inter thine 
expansive auricular appends es. t’otbgr 
known as years! Then. an' not ill then,  
execution perceed—by gadl” \ “ " '

  
 

Thesingular permuage‘ who ’3; __
e "'" “a
imperiled port, was as mined. B (nah of slam" 

way throu h the crowd and to’tho

and bulky figure ye one possessing wondrous
agility and prodigious strength. His hair and

heard were all? red—the hair tan led and .g.

matted, the be coarse and brlst ing and .
reaching almost to the deep-set, gleaming blue,

e es. . '

yBis clothing was of the .. v
ragged, greasy, and covered with;_, ., ,
patches of various colorsandar _, 7  ... I'-
lutilitaribaalsa,‘andlie goon-ea hamsthtshata

W. . 4'” Rhona-v ’ ’ - .

But his visa ‘ were  the revolvers

in his broad ,ther girdlebeingsolidfieliabit
while the bowls he brandished in 
V was as handsome a  ’
men of the steel~wor er’s art as man 
Andtbsrswerem lu‘BigLedge, ' "‘
and! willing to that thiadi

   
 
 

too. ready
hie-looking oldvagrant oouldusskn fend 

 

v.

 



-33 

.\

 

‘

 

12

 

The Sport from St.

Louis.

 

 

with all the skill and dexterity of a professional
master-storms.

“ What say? Will ye listen, an’ letther crowd
pass on ther truth of my say-so?” he hissed, that
burlesque, air giving place to one of deadly men-
ace, his blue eyes glittering with a devilish light
asihe abruptly craned his bullet—head forward
and brought the keen point of the gleaming
blade squarely against; the scrawny throat of
Curly Slayback. “ Understand this, too: ther
Sport’s no friend 0’ mine; but he’s innocent, an’
—-l’ve see’d many jest like him strung up out 0’
pure cussedncssi

“ An’ now—speak nick! I’m a butcher by
trade, an’ my blood b iles ter stick a hog, be et
two-legged or four!”

Every word uttered by that harsh, whoczy
voice reached the ears of the motionless throng—
every move was distinctly visible in the glow of
the burning hotelg'yet not an effort was made

=, to avert what at any instant might become a

' Slayback that

-...A-

blfi‘mly tragedy. for [Wt a mill! or all the scores
groupeu fll‘Olmd failed to rcalixc the exact truth
—-that not even a bullet in the brain of the

va rant; could save Curly Siayback should

i .. ..
S W iisky Bill Will it otherwise!

And oven the Vigilante chief read as much in
the vivid gleam of the cycs lixud so intently up-
on his own—read the grim truth, amd yielded!

“ Say et, than!” he. gratcd, hearSely. viciously,
though with lips paliiil with craven fear, as his
eyes shifted from face to face among his follow-

ers. “If the man’s guilty, your knife, won‘t
save him! Ef he’s innocent, he goes frce, in
courso.”

“ Ye charge him ’ith havin’ robbed ther
stage?"

“ Jes’ thet, Whisky Bill.”

“ \Val, he didn’t do at, Curly Slayback! Thor
critter who tuck ther money lies dead over yen’,
stabbed through ther heart from behind. I
mean Sandy Parsons I”

A murmur of astonishment Went up from the
crowd, while a look of incredulity appeared on
the face of the Vigilante chief.

“ An hyar’s ther stuff ter prove ct,” pursued
Whisky Bill, with his left hand drawing a com-
pact parcel from a capacious pocket inside his
coat. “ ‘ Money talks,’ they say, an’ in this case
I reckon she does, fer hyar she is,all tied an’
sealed, an’ not three minutes from the dead
man’s pocket!”

NOW 8. breathless silence for a moment held
the excited throng, while a hundred pairs of eyes
eagerly scanned the precious package held aloft
in the hand of the vagrant; then, with one ac-
cord, the miners broke in yells of delight.

“ Prove thet ye got at ihar! Prove thet you
an’ther Sport ain‘t in cahoots i” savagely grated
Slayback, as soon as the tumult had subsided.
" Et looks putty derned suspicious, you turnin’
up with ther money jest at this time!"

“Whisky Bill came by ther money jest es he

, claims, Curly!” sternly declared a tall, blue-

eyed young man, pushing close up beside the
two. “1 war with him when he got et, an’ so
war Marshal Dan Burgess and Gabe Denbar—ef
they’ll tell ther truth i”

“ Your word goes! Tom Sawyer!” Slayback
returned. “An’ tbar’s bin ’most enough said
all ’roundi

“ Ther Sport don‘t hang, gents; but he’s done
with Bi Ledge all ther same! Thar's bin some
queer t ings happened this night, an’ I ain’t
quite clear that this Dauntless Dell, as ther
major calls. him, is innocent of et all. Least-
ways, he’pears ter hev brung us on’y bad luck
an’ trouble, an’ out 0’ camp he goes, with a taste
of what he’ll git of he ever comes back!

“ What say?”

A yell of approval came from the Vigilantes,
and before an opposing band could be lifted,

i they had closely surrounded their victim.

Warned bfthe peculiar glitter in the e esof
threatened Daunt, hisky
Bill had leaped k to take his stand beside the
helplea Sport-only to reel and fall under a
heavy blow from a lndgeon in the hands of a
watchful Vigilante.

In an instant Tom Sawyer had taken posses-
sion of the money package, and with the help of
a miner, dragged the unconscious vagrant from
beneath the trampling feet of the surging crowd.

“ Et’s a burnin’ shame!” slowly observed
Sawyer, as be straightened up and gazed
thoughtfully toward the Sport. “ I don’t be-
lieve ther man’s guilty of anything wuss then
makin’ a livin’ b his wits; leastways, he’s clean
out of ther mur er an’ ther stage, robbery. But
what kin we do? Ef I call up ther boys an’ go
in tor help him of! with a hull hide, some of
ther blamed serpents ’11 fang him in ther back,
fu’st off!”

“ Thet they will," the miner assented. “ We’ll
hev ter keep han’s off. I reckon. But I tell you,
Tom, et’s high time Curly Slayback an'his gang
was turned down i"

‘The superintendent of the Lone Hunter Mine
bowed his head in acquiescence.

 

“ Stiddy, critter-darn ye! an’ foller yer nose
straight ahead!

“One-—two-—three! Lay on, Macduff!”

With a shrill, whistling sound, the short,
knotted ropes cut through the air and fell across

 

the naked shoulders of the doomed Sport, each
lash raising a red welt on the firm, white flesh.

“One—two—three! One—two—threel More
povvei' to your arms, my boys!”

Mockineg came those words from the Vigi-
lante chief, each one emphasized by a vicious
stroke of the terrible lash.

Dell Daiint was indeed completely in the
power of his merciless tormentors. Naked from
the waist up, with hishands securely pinioned
before him, and half strangled by the ropes
thrown around his neck to hold him in check, he
was forced along, step by step, while that storm
of blows fell with clockdike regularity and pre-
eision.

And that the Sport suffered dc. iy, was evi-
denced by a single glanca at his 'notted fore-
head, his glaring eyes, or einpurpled face. His
teeth wore hard—set, his hands clinched till the
nails buried themselves in the flesh; but not a
word, no: it $293“; Passed his tightly-dram),
blood-flecked lips.

And his agony of mind was fully as great as
his physical suffering; proud, high—spirited, he
keenly felt the indignities put upon him by his
ri-lemless foes.

Straight past the smoldering ruins of the hotel
and up the winding roadway serving as the
principal sti'cctof the camp troopcil the Vigi—
lantes, booting, yelling, cursing and shouting,
driving their victim step by step, plying their
horrible lashcs till tlw blood came—on and on,
till Big Ledge lav behind them and the Gopher
Lode trail stretched away through the hills be-
fore them.

Thcn, at a word from Slayback, the evil gang
halted, and the rows and pinions were remove!
from the victim, leaving him weak and train-1
bling, scarcer able to stand.

“ That’s ther road, Daunt‘ess Dell! You
m‘f f” uttered Curly Slayback, viciously. “ Jes’
make up yer mind ye’re done with Big Ledge,
fer ef ye ever come back—wal, to-night‘s a pic-
nic to!“ what ye’ll ketch l”

Not a word spoke the exiled Sport. For per-
hapsa half minute his glowing eyes remained
fixed upon the face of the Vigilante chief, and
then he turned and walked slowly away in the
darkness.

 

CHAPTER XIII.
LETTA, THE iiERMiT‘s DAUGHTER.

“ MAY Heaven guard that hold Sport! He is
far too brave a man to die by the hand of a lurk-
inguinal-min!”

he words, uttered in a low, intense tone,
came from the lips of a beautiful girl sheltered
inaclump of bushes at the edge of a terrace
overlooking the Gopher Lode trail at that point
where stood the coach with Giddy Norton, the
driver, lifeless on the box, slain but a moment
before by that dastardly shot from ambush.

For a full minute the girl remainedat the
edge of the terrace, her shapely hands clasped
asif in silent supplication, her dark eyes nar-
rowly watching every move of the aroused
Sport as he beat here and there through the
undergrowth in his unavailing search for the
trail of the murderer; then, with a sigh and a
lingering glance at the stage and its ghastly
burden, she turned back from the verge, and
with quick, restless steps hurried intoa wind-
ing pass leading deeper into the range.

The girl, it may here be said, was none other
than the lady passenger whose mysterious
evanishment had so completely baffled Dell
Daunt, as narrated in the opening chapter of
this story; and that it was her design to baffle
and avoid pursuit was evidenced by the pains-
taking care with which she selected her course,
over choosing the hardest and stoniest surface
even at the expense of an occasional consider-
able detour and much severe exertion.

For nearly an hour she followed the tedious
windings of the pass, speeding along with the
assurance of one thoroughly familiar with the
course, and displaying strength and endurance
strangely at variance with her delicate] -mold-
ed form. Then one of the frowning wal s broke
away in easy slopes and terraces, and she mount-
ed agilely toward the summit.

Up0n the crest of the ridge she paused. and
for some minutes busied herself with an atteno
tive survey of her surroundings. The scene
was one of rugged grandeur, even sublimity:
but it was all old to the girl, and utterly failed
to bring so much as a flash orngleam to her

e es.
y" Thank goodness! there is no one visible,”
she at length exclaimed, with a firm com-
pression of her red lips. “ Since that day I was
trailed from here by that rufflanly hunter, I’ve
never crossed the ridge without some feeling of
misgiving. It is true that papa gave the
fellow aterrible drubbing, but that fact only
adds to my uneasiness of mind.”

“ Which same shows yer sense, Lotta Hart!

“Throw up yer han’sl Sandy Parsons hol’s
the: trump keerd at last, an’ he’s game ter play
etl

Tauntingly, the hoarse voice jarred out upon
the breath of silence f0110wing the girl’s low-
spoken words, and above the crest of an ad-
jacent bowlder appeared the head and shoulders

\

 

‘ upon her arm,

 

of a man, his outstretched right hand clutching,
a cocked revolver.

At the first word, the girl turned quickly.
Her face paled and her dark eyes dilaied With
terror as her glance encountered that evil
visage peering over tic rock. Her arms
dropped inertly at her sides, and she reeled
blindly as the truth flashed upon her with crush-
ing force.

he was entrapped! Any attempt at flight
meant death, as a single glance at that grimly
pitiless face at once attested!

“ Don’t ye try et, my‘purty ’iin!” hoarselv
warned the ruflian, rightly reading the first
thought to force its way through the (land.
brain of thcgirl. “I mean straight bizuessi’.
I’m not ter be cheated o’ my revenge, an’ ef ye»
try tor move hand or foot afore I give ye leave,
lI’illdsFoOt ye same as of ye wararabbit or a.
,l l‘

” Now, stan’ still! I’m comin’ out.”

At that moment, had the May been perfectly
clear, Letta Hart could not have nioved a step.
Ever an ugly ruflian, Sandy Parsons now
seemed a demon incarnate between his contend-
ing emotions of hatred and triumph, and the
expression mantling his empurpled face chilled
the girl to the heart.

lVarily, keeping his eyes on his prey and boldl-
ing his weapon in readiness to fire, the desperadd
made his way from the covert and awkwardly
lunged across the space intervening, to seize the
arm of Letfa Hart in his eager clutch.

Not until that moment had he felt quite sure
of his victim. An exultant laugh broke from
his bearded lips, and he gave the arm within
his grasp a sharp wrench as be, lowered his
head until his hot breath swept the girl’s pallid
cheek.

“ Eh, my party ’un? Not even a kiss or two
ter——’

Amused no less by the threatened indignity
than by the iron grip of those grimy fingers
Letta Hart suddenly wrenched
herself loose and with clinched :hand dealt the-
desperado a stinging blow in the eye, then turned
and ran away, fumbling at a small rcvolva in
the pocket of her dress.

Sandy Parsons, though fairly staggered by
that one Swift stroke, was quick‘to recover.
Uttering a low growl, he hounded forward in
hot pursuit, gaining-'on the fugitive with every
breath.

Across the sharply—defined summit, d0wn a
short steep slope, and thence along a narrow
terrace overhanging a dangerous recipice, sped.
the girl, until the hand of the ruffian fell heav--
ily upon her shoulder.

“ Cuss ye! stop! Don’t—”

A fierce execration filled the hiatus. Againr
had Letta Hart broken away from that vicii u.-
clutch, this time to face resolutely about, leveled
revolver in hand.

“Stand!” she cried, sharply, her dark eyes:
kindling with a warning gleam. “Take one
step toward me, you ruflian, and I will shoot.
you dead!”

That the girl was in deadly earnest could not:
be doubted; at that moment Sandy Parsons:
was face to face with death, and he knew it.
The fierce light in his eyes gave way to a glare.
of fear, and he poled to a sickly, yellowish»-
white. He stood at bay, balked, yet with the
rancorous fury of a devil in his heart; stood
at bay, watching the girl and anon stealing;
swift, sidelong glances at his surroundings.

There was little in his environments to reas-
sure him. The long and narrow terrace was ab-
solutely barren of bush or b0wlder behind which
cover might be sought, while the ed 0 of the-.-
precipice was so near that a single also step.
would hurl him upon the rocks below.

Had Letta Harts action been calmly and (19..
liberater planned, it could not have stripped,
the rufiian more completely of advantage, A3-
this fact forced itself upon him,.Parsons gave
way to the murderous fury which had seized
upon him, andlquickly leveled his revolver, de..
termined to hazard all on a single shot.

I: was a fatal move.

Before he could press the trigger, the wee.-.
pen in the hand of the girl spoke, and with a
wild yell the rufiian staggered back, reeled;
Itflindly, then toppled our the edge of the preci--

co.

High up on the sharply‘sloping side of a loft '
peak, kneeling with Winchester in hand at ch:
outer edge of a tort “ bench,” intently watch-
ing the scene being enacted upon the terrace, .
hoping and praying that the fates might decree 
him a single shot-at the burly form of Sandy '3
ParsOns without risk to the girl—kneeling there, a
with glittering eyes and stern face, was a tall. '
old man, gaunt, and as gray almost as the rocks
themselves.

This man was Hermit Hart, the father of
Lotta.

On] a moment of that intense anxiety, that.
forc inaction, then the girl’s revolver crack-
ed, and as the old hermit miner noted the re-
sult he sprung to his feet With a sharply-drawn.
breath of relief.

“Lotta! Letta!” he shouted at the top of his-
old/voice. “Lettal Lotta! 'Ilhis—a-way, gal !”

But if Letta Hart heard, she gave no answer--

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ing sound or sign; indeed, at the very moment
Parsons staggered over the verge she sunk in-
ertl upon the narrow terrace, senseless if not
life ess.

“‘ Sw00nded, or—” _

:Hermit Hart’s thin, gray-bearded lips closed
tightly as he choked back the remainder of that
terse sentence. Unconscious his daughter might
be, but as yet he would not harbor even the
thought that her condition could be anything
\worse. Yet the fear Was there, as his next
words attested.

“.Ef ther devil’s hurted her—cf he‘s putt so
'much es ther weentv finger 0’ his dirty paw onto
finer, I’ll skin ’im an’ grill ’im by inches ef so he
‘thar’s a mite 0’ life left in his dirty carcass!”
he gritted, starting down the spur at a reckless
puce, rifle in haiid., “ Pity I didn’t fergit I was
human t’other time i”

The thin old lips settled into grim and rigid
lines with that last hitter sentence, and a mo
went more found the mountain-man at the foot
of the perilous slope, ready to ascend to the ter-
J'lice where Letta lay. ‘

Even as his heavily-booted foot pressed the
zigzag 'path leading to that upper height, the
temptation was strong upon him to swerve aside
and learn the result of his daughter’s shot—to
supplement it if life remained in the rufflan’s
body; but his intense anxiety, his love, proved
even stronger than his fierce desire for ven-
geanca, and to that simple and natural victory
of the aifections Sandy Parsons owed the brief
lease of life remaining him.

Up—up, with an agility little short of mar-
velous in one of his seemingly advanced age,
clambered Hermit Hart, until the terrace was
gained; then straight to his daughter he sped,
.aiid sunk upon his knees at her side.

Searchineg his gleaming black eyes scanned
'the deathly upturned face. .No mark of violence
was there.

“Thank ther Lord, et’s on’y a faint, after
all!” the mountain-man exclaimed, with a long
sigh of relief, as he drew a flask from his pocket
'(lllii poured a few drops of potent liquor between
the set, ashy lips of the girl. “ Et don’t seem in
'riater fer ther Harts terdie ’ith theyr boots on,
ntihow." Now, thar was tliet oulucky tumtle 0’
llll'le—

'l‘he hermit checked himself abruptly. His
‘hrows contracted, and his hands tr mbled so
that the flask almost slipped from his nerveless
lingers. .

" Why will I think 0’ that!” he grittod,

I vehemently a uliar light appearing in his
’ u ‘be

' “‘Nee’n’t ter worry ’bout e

\

-

. .with an appmving nod, as they

«lurk eyes. will et Come back ter me
.rng'lin nn’ ag’in—thet one black, blank spotthet
nikeenl me so I lose my senses? God! of I c’u’d
toii‘y fergit et, es 1 fer it what et was an’
\what went afore eti But cain’t—I cain’t!”
And almost with the abandon of utter de-
1 ir, spoke Hermit Hart, swinging his long,
t in hands and glaring aroundlike one dementr

A long, fluttering sigh from Lotta recalled his
wandering senses. Putting the'flask to his lips
ihe took a hewv dram of the liquor, then re-
?tnrnsd to the tea on hand.

.Little remained to.he done. save to remure
(the girl as she abruptly started up, half is ter-
:ror,aaif in defiance. ’w and fidd ’

‘ esgonc,Letta,an sa anceoa
Ebad ’nu,” gravely uttered Harm Hart. laying his
«hand caressingiy upon his daughter’s shoulder.
nuther. A fall
over ther rocks jest thar w’ud kill a goat; an’
of he warso awkward as ter tumble. over a-tryln'
‘ter dodge yer bullet, why none's ter blamo but
thisself. serves ’lin Jest right, too—dang ’iml”

Ififiauttcndnowordinrctnrn. Atthat mo-
‘me 1; the full horror of thotingedy was before
her. and she stood up . -

“ I see’d all that happened hyar,” the hermit
icontinued, gently drama the girl along the
terrace to the path b wh ch he had ascended.
“You did me pron , pet—- did all their
Harts that ,ever, lived pron l" with win
dmpreesiveness. “ Thor great, lumberin’, hulkin

brute! may thsr devil grill him brown 1”

“ Hush! hush—”

“ Let be, pet! Et’s nary a word amiss. Sech
'critters deserve all ther hard .knocks ye kin
-give’em. An' he’d ’a’ fared a heap sight wuss
‘ef‘l c'u'd 'a' ‘ al a bit sooner—es I jest
~w’u’d but for low of a Gabe Denbar!"

With that, the mountain-man. lapsed into
silence. The path leading down from the ter-
race was at hand. and, hardened as he was with
the trembling, shrinking, about helpless girl, it

1

- would require the closest attention and all his

energies to accomplish that perilous descent
without mishap. .. ‘

Slewly, surely, ate bystepthe two preceeded,
Lotta steadily rally ng under the exertion de-
manded, so that ere the narrow level lying be-
tween the two ridges was reached she was again
the cool, clear-headed girl who had so resolutely
faced Sandy Parsons. ‘

“Good enough, pet!” uttered Hermit Hart,
used for a
breathing-spell at the foot of the cl fl’. “ Ef you
ain’t a nut-an’-out Hart, they never was onel
.Jest wait till I take a look ’round h or at that

ttcr, an’ then we’ll mosey on tor t er cahi ."
. V “No, no, father; l’ll go with you." Lotta e~

' “ Lit in ther bush an’ then lit out.

 

turned, promptly rising from the bowlder on
which she had seated herself. .

But the mountain-man shook his head in a vig-
orous negative. saying: A

“ ’T’ain’t no fit sight fer such as you, gal. You
stay. .

Letta obediently returned to the stone.

The old man was not long gone. When he
came back there was disappointment plainly
visible in every line of his rugged face.

“ Ouly winged,” he announced, sententiously.
Come!”
Silently the two took their way homeward.

 

CHAPTER Xiv.
\VHAT THE HEBMIT FOUND.

ABOUT four miles due West from the Gopher
Lode trail, and perhaps six llllii's to the south-
west of the chmp of Big Ledge, nestling in a
secret nook in the range, was a small cabin of
rough. unhewn logs.

1n the rear of the low building rose a shelter-
ing, overhanging ledge, while at a distance of
fifty yards a cunnineg-trained, Chaparral-like
growth served as a screen to the front and ends.
A stoutly-built log stable adjoined the cabin on
the north, and a vegetable—garden filled all the
remaining s ace. A rill of water, bursting
from the le ge, fell noisily intoa lou Wooden
trough, furnishing water for man and Eeast.

It was certainly a snug retreat, secure from
prying eyes. Approach from the rear Seemed
impossible, and there was not a break visible in
the smoothly-trimmed inner wall of the Chapar-
ral.

Here it was that Hermit Hart anl his daugh-
ter lived.

Just at the break of day on the morning fol-
lowing the events narrated in the receding
chapter, the door of the cabin was soft y opened
and thc he mit appeared. For a full minute he
remained on the threshold, surveying his sur-
roundings as narrowly as'the uncertain light
would permit, then silently closed the door he-
hind him and crossed the garden to the wall of
the Chaparral.

Every step, every move, was made with the
stealth of an Indian warrior creeping upon a
sleeping enemy. At the outer edge of the gar-
den he paused again, and bent his head to listen.
A moment thus, then he began to move slowly
to and fro along the line of the gloomy grOwth,
peerin into its dark recesses with furtively-
gleam ng eyes.

Not until every foot of the dense hedge had
been sub’ected tothe severest scrutiny did he
desist. hen a crafty smile crossed his thin old
face, and he complacently etclaimed:

“Crazy Hart has been too sharp for ther
huma’n hawks. They’ve failed ter find his dove-
cote!

Every morning at that hour, from the day his
daughter had 'omed him in his mountain coli-
t do, Hermit art had proceeded in just this

ay, and had invariably ended his reconnais-
sance with the words quoted.

After a moment’s chucklin the old mountain-
man the garden an entered thestable,
from which he shortl emerged leading a stout-

limbcd horse w ich he carefull groomed
walla-emf! fed ’ y '

That done, he returned to the cabin, whore

iie'gound Lotta busy with preparations for break.
a ..

“ Goin' for leave ye alone tends t.” he an-
nounced, seatin himself in springi- life the neat
little room and nning a careful examination
of his was us. ‘ Goin’ over ter Big Ledge.
Sold Gabe snbar ther lawyer sharp over thar,
thet played-out be e in ther hillside down yan
yistiady, for five thousand dollars. Hosp 0’
most? he’ll make out of that deall Mighty
suiLet ladwyer, him I”

ta rapped her work and turned a pained
and startled face to her father.

“ Fatherl you should not have done thatll’ she
exclaimed. with the tone of one reproving a
willful child. “ Mr. Denbar certainly can knew
very little about mines or mining, and it is very
wrong in you to take advanta of  You
must return him his money. by, ‘mins’
is utterly worthless l” ' ~
h Bgt the old mountain-man doggedly shook his

ea . i l ' .

“ Gabe”- a sharp, sn’ I’ll allers skin ssch crit-
ters of I kin,” he‘ retorted. ‘9 Five thousan' is a
pile o' mono , too—more’n’ any 0’ ther Harts
ever had, so ’members of. No. no. not! I’m
ter git ther mone ter-day, an’ I’ll keep ct, too.
With at an’ what ’ve got, we kin git out 0’ that
hills an’ hunt a safer lace for you; ’tain’t no

its {3r you hyar, an ther sooner‘wegit ther

,. .

The look on her father’s firm old face told
Lotta that any further remoustrance would be
worse than useless, and she silently returned to
hehwogk. ‘

a sun t ate ver sparingly of the tern ti
viands placed before im that morning. and) xiii:
till he rosette quit the table did he speak.

“I want ‘ye ter he might keerful ter-day,
pe ,” he remarked laying is hand gently on
Le ta‘s shoulder and ion lng down at her with a
troubled gleam in his dark eves. “‘Pears es of

I ain't jest right in iilel‘ head this moruiu'—-

 

kind 0’ clouded an’ hazy like, an’ thet black spot
keeps comin’ back. Mebbe it’s a warnin , I
don’t knew. Anyway, you be keerful, an’ of I
don’t git back, you know whar iher money is an’
what ter do.”

And bending his head, be pressed a kiss on
his daughter’s brow, caught up his rifle, and
turned to leave the cabin.

Lettu followed him to the door and again
attempted to dissuade him from going; but he
was unyielding.

“ Cain’t lose sech a chaince, pet,” he protested,
backing out of the cabin and on toward the
stable. “ Et’s a heap 0’ money fera Bart—a
heap, a heap! Take g(od keer o’ yerself, an’ be
a good girl, an’ l’ll be back soon.”

Putting saddle and bridle upon the horse, he
vi ared a farewell to the girl, then led the animal
around the end of the stable and disappeared
within a narrow fissure. in the lcd e.

Straight into the depths of the bill this fissure
second to lead, but a hundred feet from the en;
trance it turned altiupily.‘ to the northward, and
here Hermit Hart encountered the first obstacle
in his way—a wall of solid rock.

Bending his head, the old mountain—manhu-
ieued intently a moment, then produced a rude-
ly—i'ashioned iron key from an adjacent niche
and thrust it into a crevice in the rocky wall.
A sharp wrench, a grating, rasping sound, and
the huge stone slaw y moved aside, disclosing
the remainder of the fissure, with a faint, grey
light in the distance. \

When Hermit Hurt had led his horse through
this subterranean gateway, he turned and pried
the ponderous block hack into place by means of
a panerful lever hidden in the wall, carefully
locked it and secreted the key, tLen mounted
and rode slowly toward the distant light.

As he neared the end of the passage, the sound
of running water became distinctly audible, and ‘
a moment later the hei mit rode out from an
overhanging bank into the middle of a foaming
mountain stream.

And so sinuous was this brawling, shallow
current that one might follow its course for
miles with never more than a hundred yards of
it visible ab0ve or below him. Its banks were
lofty and rugged, in many places rising in sheer
precipices of great height, while at almost
every turn were to be seen fissures similar in
appearance to that from which Hermit Bart
had just emerged. ,

Down-stieam the mountain-man laid his
course, leaving his horse to pick its way through
the winding current,while he kepta watchful e 0
upon his surroundings. For nearly an hour
rode on thus, slewly, cautious] , until, finally,
at a it ng break in the northern nk he quitted
the stream.

And here again was his cunning evinccd, for
at the point he left the water a wide, barren
waste so hard and stony that the iron-shod boots
of his horse would leave not the faintest impre-
of his course. ,

Straight across this dreary level he took his
way, heading for a small heavily~wooded emi-
nence overlooking the Gopher Lode tr: ii. In the
shelter of the densest of the timber be halted,
dismounted and tethered his horse, than crept .
back to a point where he could survey the open
just traversed. ‘

For nearly half hour, he is patiently waiting
and watching, then rose'wi that crafty smile
again stealing over his face. a

“ Thor hawks hev given et upl'.’ he muttered.

“ Thor trail 0' Hermit Hart is buried too i

to;  sharpest beak in the hills. His; dove
as e

Carefully skirting the eminence, the mountain;
man next stationed himself for a brief survey of

the Gopher Lode trail.
,Bere, as on the the waste there was nothing
he turned back to

toaroushissu‘spiclons, and
A?“ ‘ th. he ab pt] halted ith
OED on to W
hishundsu thewea sinhis’belt. '

Before , i see downward, in the ‘

shadow of a clump o bushes, was the body of t - ,

man—a trim. well~built fellow, whose naked
back and shoulders were crossed and

with an ry wits and wales, .with here . '
e hermit discount! no  f"
h. chm 

there a vid
So much
With two or three quick strides

the body and gently turnedit to not: life was ‘ ‘
tinct. ‘

ex
The face thus brought to the gore of Hermit

Bart seemed to chill hisvery soul. Utteringa V

cry of terror he sprung hack and sank in accw-
ering, shivering heap, pressing his hands toni-
eyes to shut out that grisly si ht. ' .
“ God! it is that bitter, back spot again an"
more terrible than everl” he groaned, “Might--
tering tenth.

hack! Why—why—why t It is notthetscol

like”??? of again an’again, an’ it is not the face,
Bee ,

b Thiii last thought rallied the courage of an
arm
the grim white v e gleamin there in tho
shadowof the g A -
It was not a‘ bad face, surely. nor re ‘ ’
barring its bloodnecked deathii‘nees. ’A

a trifle, and he stole a fleeting glance at,

s -"

/ ,

“ Why should that faccgfctch it 7 ‘

with thatone stolen look. Hermxt Bart routed 

his weakness.

4’.
v:

; *‘Is :3 

 

 

 

 

 . - -
. , , . . . v

, tion.

  

 

l

“ He’s some poor devil given ther lash by ther
toughs 0’ Big Ledge,” he muttered, rising and
passing his h'aud over his brow in a. troubled
way. “’I’ears es of some o’ ther critters~ down
thar war meener’n ther Old Nick hisseii'i"

Again approaching the body, the hermit knelt
and resumed his task.

“ Ther critter‘s not (lead, shore enough,” he
exclaimed, after a moment. “ He’s bed a mighty
ti ht squeak, though, an’ of he ain’t fixed up a
bit he’ll go yit. New, what’s tei' he done?"

With Hermit Hart, there could be but one gm—
swer to that question. Despite his eccentricity
and his knavish cunning, the old man was of a
kindly nature, and the pitiable condition of the
helpless stranger appealed strongly to his sym-
pathies.

As in Letta’s case a few hours before, out
came the ready flask, lately replenished, and a
few drops of the powerful Ii nor was sent gurg-
ling through the livid lips o the sadly-battered

,man, while another portion was applied to his

temples and nostrils, accompanied with a vigor-
ous rubbing and chafing from the hermit's harsh
palms. ‘

But the work of resuscitation proved slow, as
several minutes elapsed ere this vigorous treat-
ment evoked the first sign of returning anima-
Alarmed at the tardiness of his patient
recovering, Hermit Hart at length turned him
on his face and with deft touch applied the
liquor to the ugly wounds marring the firm
white flesh of back and shoulders.

The effect was electrical. -

Uttering a cry, the man rung half erect and
confronted the hermit with lazing e es.

“Back! backi you "devils!" he‘figitted, strik-
ing saysgely, right and left. “ t me die in

It was but a fleeting aroxysm, however, for
with that one exertion h stren th slipped away
and he sunk back, weak, moan ng and helpless.

“- Easy now,” cautioned the hermit in a quiet-
ing tone, as he reapproached, flask in hand.
“ Here—take another drink 0’ this; it ’ll brace
you up."

The voice of the old mountain-man seemed to
fall upon the ears of the wounded 8 with a
tamiliar ring. Lifting his head slightly, be
fixed his keen blue eyes in a piercing stare upon
the kindly yet inscrutable face bending over

1m.

“Like, yet very unlike.” he muttered, then

' motioned to place the flask to his parched

 

lips.
— “NOW, rest easy a bit. an’ you’ll gum
strength,” advised Hermit Hart drawing back
and returning the flank to his pocket.

The Sport turned upon his side, and wearin
closed his eyes. Theyery presence of the old

mountain-man seemed to exert over him a'

soothing influence, and in a few minutes he fell
into a light sleep.

Patiently the hermit awaited walking to and
fro with a stealthy, cat-like trend, and anon
stealing long, furtive glances at the face of the
sleeping man. Where had be seen that clear-
cut, resolute. facebeforei Somewhere, surely,
but a long time ago. It was a friendly face,
too-that much the dazed brain of the old man
could recall—that much, then the “ black spot”
would come over his inner vision, embellished
now with the visage of his nightly dreams.

To and fro, to and fro, forgetful of his
errand, Hermit Hart slowly glided, drawing

his hand across his brow as if to brush aside

that'flimyclouii hanging between his past and

his present.
—“ I’ll find that face!” he savagely vowed,
suddenly pausing with clinched hands and burn-

. ing 0 as. “I’ll find that face, some day, an’

' teat

‘tnor
, Uningest Hart that over iivedi
, _.dev

r truth from its devilish. cruel lips! It
can’t 'tonnent me always. an’ always give mo
, slip! No, no! Thor Harts area cunning
race, an’ Crazy Hart, ther hermit, are the cun-
Look out, you
i, fer when I meet you I shall kill you!”

» Fortunately, the Sportat that moment awoke

andlu‘tup.

“Hallo! hallo!” he exclaimed, in a voice in-

dicative 3f,” returning strength.» “Are you ill,
on

m. fri
, -' , y“Jest .a-thinkin'-,-that’c all,” replied the
' mountain-man, craftin changing his expression

With that cunning smile.

~ 5“ And your thoughts were unpleasant ones,”
thaBport asserted, gazing keenly at Hart and
speaking with my assurance. “ Say, do you
know ,you remind me very strikingly of an
old.: friend of mine—a gold-hunter caile Old

3 Wufll, ‘ .v
. lam fell backhoe if confrontod by a grin-

uozd"muau§-mb§ 
i and nervously workin‘li I

’ ‘ .“Thsreblack spo

averting his face
cog, sinewy bands.

“ Missouri! whar ov I hccred that name?

Old

, 0b,, y‘esl ” I ’member now! I know him before

a tar. .
_ ‘f ’Bofore and after ’---what?”
" _ ti

“The black spot. What was that!”

> . “ That's my business!” the mountain-man ro-
tnrned with apitlablo assumption of dignity.
f‘An’ lookoo hyar, atrownger, yo’re gittin’ a
dulled sight too qnlsitinus-vmmd thetl l’m

> wflllfi’ tor doa critter in your flx a aarvico when
i g I -

 

 

. 4.. ., ~._..__-7 .iflfi.-_a_~k.~..- .. m-.. L

I kin, but don’t you ask too many questions.
Understand?"

“ I beg you pardon. I really meant no
OWQHSP, but you reminded me so strongly of my
old friend that the question slipped out before I
knewit.”

The Sport spoke lightly but his eyes were
fixed on the face of the old man with akeen,
absorbing interest.

The hermit‘shifted about uneasily.

“ I’ve bin awaitiu’ ter dress yer back afore I

putt on,” he renmrked, in a slow, hesitatng ,_

tone unusual with him. “ While I do et, I don’t
mind tcllin’ yo whatIknow of Old Missouri,
though et's precious little, as I’m gettin’ old an’
forgetful. Jest wait a minute till I gits a
lotion an’ some lint I always kerries in my
saddle-bags.”

The Sport nodded, and narrowly watched the
retreat of the hermit. .

“ Strange! strange!” be muttered, in an
undertone. “ Like, and yet so unlike l”

llart was not gone long. ‘When he returned
he was followed by his‘horse.

“ I ain’t much .time ter spare,” he observed,
with a glance at the sun. now nearing the noon-
day time. H I’ll fix 6 so them hurts ’ll easeuup
a. hit. an’ then they’l heal all right.

“ Now, for what I know.

“ M name’s Hart—‘ Hermit Hart ’ they call
me. knowcd Old Missouri a good many years.
The last time I saw him, he was dead, an’ had
bin dead along time. 'He was layin’ at ther
foot 0’ a cliff, an’ alongside him was an oilskin
packet containin’ three or four letters, which
same I kerried ter ther nearest station an’ putt
in ther post. An’ tbet is all.” '

“ Can you remember the address on any of
thOSe letters?”

“ No, I can’t.
or four ears.”

“ An the body—you buried it?”

“ [—I can’t remember,” and pausing in his
work the hermit passed his hand across his

row.

“ This clifl' you
pursued the detect ve.

“ Three or four miles, mebbe.”

“ Could you take me there?”

“ No, no! not now i” cried the hermit, in a
tone of protest.

“ On your return from our errand, then i”

“ No, no! not then! me day—ct may be

’Twas a long time ago-three

k of—is it far from here?”

_a long time—mebbe I will. Don’t ask ques—

tionsl’

The agitated manner of the mountaiusman
warned the SpOrt to give up his questiongienig
for a time, and with great reluctance be con .

Hart hurriedly completed his task. The Sport,
looming that the hermit was going to Big
Ledge; cautioned him to keep silent as to
their meeting, and commissioned him to pur-
chase a supply of weapons, clothing and pro-
visions.

After a few words appointing a place of meet
on his return, Hermit Hart mounted and
eaway.

Left to himself the Sport crept deeper into

the bushes, and, in spite of his painfully

lacorated shoulders. saga sunk into a refreshing

in

when he

sleep.
The sun was low in the Eastern sky
0 was no

awoke, and to his intense surprise
longer alone.

A bone and rider had approached the knoll,
and the rider was none other than Captain Kate,
the Lady Bandit! ‘

CHAPTER XV.
oarram sin-rs RETREAT.

“ HALLO! hallo! can it really be youi” the
Sport cried. with the air of one most agreeably
surprised. and he sprung to his feet and shoo
hands with the mysterious woman. “Do you
knew, tho very sight of you does me good I
have been extremely uneasy lest you had fallen
into th’e clutches of those scoundrels over atthe
cam - '

“ b, no! no such ill-luck as that l” responded
the woman, in a pleased tone, as she warmly re.
turned the pressure of his, hand. “ I accom-
plished mgerrand with perfect case.

“But you—you seem to have been less fortu«
note!” ,

“More fortunate tha
made me their. swofh f i” the Sport returned.
calmly. though a wicked glittonap red in his
bright blue eyes. " As you .aee, have been
through their hands, and that fact must stand as
an expose for my present deplorable appear-
am.

The dusky orbs of the woman shone with sym-
path through the folds of her heavy vail.

“ ay no more about it,” she exclaimed,
quickly. “I saw parrit this morning and he
told me all I need know. He attempted to fol-
low you last ni ht, but lost you in the darkness,
and since we have both been searching
for no.”

“ c is near. then?”

" He is within sound
call him." '

Captain Kate . draw a small silver-plated
whistle from helpockct, placed it to her lips and
blow a shrill bl

In a few minutes, the short, bulky figure of

the devils‘who have

of this whistle. I will

V I ‘ ii i    

 

 

Bolly Darrit, or Whisky Bill, as"be was known
in the camp of the Big Ledge, appeared below
in the trail. Catching sight of the two figures

'on the knoll, he clambered up at a pace which

set his ruddy face aglow.

On reaching the crest, he paused a moment
and drew long bro-nth.

“ An’ so he threo meet ag’ini” he unctuously
exciammd, advancing and taking the exile by
the hand. “ Sport—noble sumrain, I am yonrn,
yourn, yournl Command, an’ humbly I (béy!
Make known—”

“ Tushi' Darriti Drop the c10wn and come
to business,” interrupted the Lady Bnndit, with
u 8 ice of impatience in her subdued voice.
“ r Daunt is fully acquainted with your real
character, and, in his present plight, I dare say
he is hardly in the mood for jesting.”

“ As you will, madam,” the mountain detec—
tive returned, turning as he dropped the Sport’s
hand and inclining himself profoundly. “ A lit—
tle buifoonery will do our friend no hurt, but—
business is the word, after alll

“ I had intended to suggest that we seek cover,
and I now do so. It has come to my knowledge
within the past twenty minutes that two armed
parties have quitted big Ledge in quest of Cap-
tain Kate, with instructions to take her dead or
alive."

“ That is a pleasing outlook, truly i” the Lady
Bandit exclaimed, with a grim compression of‘
her lips. “Now, what has spurred the honest
denizens of the camp to this extraordinary-
movo?”

“ The honest denizens of the camp have notho
ing to do with it. Methinks the evil genius back
of it is none other than our friend, the major
who has doubtless discovered the trick played
upon him at the Cherry House last night in the-
matter of the envelope supposed to contain the
articles of agreement between himself and the
gentleman here, Mr. Daunt. Failing to find
that coveted document in scion of Mr.
Daunt when searched, he had- is choice of two
conclusions: that it had been destroyed in the
Cherry House fire, or had fallen into the hands
of Kate Cherry and been carried away. He is
firmly of the opinion that you and Kate Cherry
are my ergo the pursuit.”

“ I he love you have hit upon the correct so—
lution,” the Sport exclaimed. “ Certain it is
that the major must have that paper, or at least.
every assurance that it has been destroyed, and
I know him well enough to feel positive 9 will
scruple at nothing to obtain it or eviden e of its
destruction. In his false position it would be an.
extremely awkward thing to have turn can

“ It would indred.” affirmed the Lady dlt.
“ But if he expects to flpd it through capturing
me, he'll making a great mistake. The docu—
ment is in a safe place.”

“ That is all very well, but we had better be
moving out of this,” the detective urged, bende
ing a sharp glance on the trail below. “ One or
the other of these scouting rties may appear
any moment, and they coul make it very un-
pleasant for us, to say the least.”

“Yes, we 'had better go." agreed the Lady
Bandit. “ In finding Mr. Daunt, we have ac»
complished our errand, and the sooner we seek
the shelter of my secret retreat the better we
shall fares" .

Then the Sport spoke:

“I am sorry that I cannot go with you,” he
said. " I sent to Big Ledge for supplies by Her»
mit Hart, and am to meet him at a point a. little
way: down the trail on his return.”

‘ That promise should not keep on here,” the;
detective qu'icklyaverrcd, a pecu or look cross-
ing his face. “ on must remember that it was
agreed last night that he should be arrested on
his appearance in camp to-day, on the charge of'
murdering Giddy Norton, as Bridge Gerry.
In all likelihood, the hermit will never return.”‘

Daunt Etarted, and looked'distrcsaed.

“ True l” he e claimed. “ That matter had-
slipped my min entirely. I‘ should have re--
membered it and warned the hermit.

“ You may ease vour mind on that score, my
friend,” returned arrlt. “ I saw Hart, and
warned him of his danger, but he booted the
idea and pushed on toward the camp.”

“ Come, now; let us get away from here.”

At that juncture the haying of dogs at no
great distance gave nodes that there was no
further time to be lost, and the trio at once quit-
ted the knoll, the Lady Bandit leading the way
afoot, walking beside her horse.

Straight across that barren. stony waste to the-

 

  

 

 

 

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‘E'Hwfiw. ;

... ."T..,,,,..j 7,... a,

goint at which Hermit Hart had left the stream, ..
l

irried the party.

“I am sorry, gentlemen, but you will have ‘

to wade almost a mile, Captain Kate an-~
nounced, at she “forced her horse into the edge
of the stream and settled herself in the saddle.
“Had I foreseen your returning with me, I
should have had a boat at hand for you." '

“ It’s little odds to us,
wa or the other," thedetective'declared. “The
ma n thing is to dodge these confounded dogs.
They have reached the knoll, back there and
I’m precious glad the water’s at hand to break
their scents.”

The trio started np-strram. For near! amile-
they proceeded in unbroken silence, with an 0c-
,cndonal backward glance; then they quittcd,

just now, madam, one. '

 

 

 

 

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the main stream and entered a narrow branch
coming down from the north through a
gloomy canyon scarcely a dozen feet. in
width.

“ We are llt‘al‘lllg‘ my retreat now," the
Lady liandit remarked, as the roar of stead-
ily falling water greeted the ears of the
party. “ .lust beyond that angle in the wall
yonder is the lower fall of a series of cas-
cades. and the descending water completely
screens: the entrafice to my den. Follow me
closely, and in ‘a moment more we shall be
safe.”

Even as the mysterious woman mused
speaking. a magnificent scene burst upon the,
gaze of the two men. .\t, the same instant,
however, the heavy report of _a rifle rever-
berated through the narrow confines of thé
lower gorge, warning them that a moment‘s
delay might prove fatal, and with quickened
steps they plunged straight through the vail
of falling water.

“ liasy now!” warned the woman, as the
trio halted in the mouth of the gloomy cav-
ern back of the fall. “That rifle-shot may
or may not have come from a party follow-
ing as up the stream. To be safe, we must
not leave the fad unguarded. Remain here,
the two of you, until I return.”

The Lady Bandit awaited no reply, but at
once disappeared with her horse, crossing the
moist. sandy tioor of the cavern,as silently
as a shadow.

Several minutes passed, and nothing oe-
eurred to alarm the exile or his detective
friend. The gloom rapidly deepened into

' darkness, and both knew that night was at

hand.

Then, suddenly, and so silentlv that neither
man detected her approach, Captain Kate
returned, accompade by a slight, shadowy
form.

“ Come—follow me,” the woman ex-
claimed, in a suppressed tone, as she laid a
hand on the arm of each of the waiting men.
“We are safe now, for I have fetched-a
faithful friend who will guard against surv
prise or intrusion.-”

Uttering not a word, Darrit and the exiled
Sport followed the Lady Bandit back from
the waterfall, and upward through a nar-
row, winding corridor into a lofty, roek‘
walled chamber. Here, a huge tire crackled
and glowed on the white, dry sand, giving
light and warmth and robbing the place of
its natural dreariness.

“ This is my house," the Lady Barfiit an-
nounced, not without a trace of bitterness in
her voice. "Here 1 have found a safe rc-
treat from my enemies, and here you are
welcome to remain so long as danger threat-
ens.”

The Sport warmly expressed his thanks,‘

and then the trio settled themselves close to
the fire to dry their dripping garments and
form a plan to meet the perils pressing upon
them.

Nearly an hour passed, and the discussion
was at an end, when a cloaked and eowled
figure entered the chamber from one of the
numerous branching passe es,- deposited a
"bountiful sup 1‘ upon a gut-topped bowl
der, and silent y withdrew.

“ Eat, entlemen—“ mt, drink and be
merry," ‘aptain Kate exclaimed, rising ab-
ruptly. “ And pray excuse me. My at-
tendant-s have signaled that I am wanted at
some one of the oavern's numerous outlets,
and I must go.”

The men nodded and silently approached
the table of stone, while the woman disap-
peared in the nearest of the fissures.

fNeither Daunt nor the detective was in
a mood for speech; in utter silence they
made a hasty t on h substantial meal, after
which they resum their positions at the
tire and patiently waited. ,

The lady Bandit was not long absent.
When she returned, her agitation ’was so
extreme that neither man could help notic-
ing it, although the ever-present vail com-
pleter concealed the play of his features.

“ You must leave here at once!” she ex-
claimed, ausing before .them and pressmg
her ban 8 sharply together. "The exist-
ence of this cavern is no longer a secret, and
our enemies are beating the brush in every
direction, save one. lou must go, are that
last outlet is-hedged in. " ‘

“And leave out—Never!” ejaculated
Donut, impulsive y.

 "’Hsvonofair for me. If you remain,

’hé’rié'r'ssfio

i you but cumlwr-my movements; alone, they
l cannever find me.”

“ f’aptain Kate speaks the truth," Darrit
earnestly declared, turning to the Sport.
“ Athidcand seek. she can outwit the shrewd-
est. fox in the hills. (‘ome——wemust not mar
her chances."

" Yeswyes! go!" urged the woman, glid-
ing restlessly to and fro. “l do not forget
the compact between us, and any time I
need you, night. or day, you shall know it.
Should you have need of me, put this ring
upon your finger and wear it, and i shall not
be longr in appearing."

The Lady ’mndit -ceased. Drawing the
bauble from her finger she thrust it into the
hand of the Sport,‘then hurriedly led the
wav from the chamber.

A brisk walk 'of perhaps three minutes
through a tortuous corridor brought the trio
to an outlet screened by dense, tangled un»
dergrowth. A moment of waiting and lis»
toning-a brief, lt)\\'-\'0i(3('(l interchange of
words, then the two men stepped forth.
~ As motionless as a statue stood Captain
Kate, until the last low sound of their retreat
had died away. Then a long breath of relief
parted her lips.

“Safe!” she muttered. “Safe, and an-
other step toward vengeance taken, for,
with that hold Sport for my allyl cannot
fail 1"

Slowly, moodily, “she, returned to the cen-
,tral chamber, and there seated herself on a
rude stool, to gaze dreamineg into the
smoldering embers of the fire.

Seated thus, deep in thought, the time
slipped by unnoticed until the crunching of
a heavy foot on the. sand recalled her wander-
ing senses. A swift upward glance, and the
wonatn sprung to her feet, then sunk back,
white and helpless.

And well might terror and despair over-
whelm her.

Not three paces distant, his bright gray
eyes gleaming like livinlr coals, stood the
white-clad Titan of Big edge, Dandy Jim
Crockcrl "

——___..

CHAPTER XVI.
Tun unnMrr’s HOME INVADED.

“ Bn'r is ther way clear? Ain’t thar jest a
‘ehainee thet. ther gal ain‘t all alone? llernlit
llart’s cunnin'———cain’t git back 0‘ thet fact,
Reddy Flack; an’ et ain’t in nater fer a ole
daddy tor leave sech a wee bit 0’ sweetness
es Lotta Hart. alone an’ unpertected. Mebbe
we‘re edgin’ ’long toward a trap!”

“ Trap—narthin’, Ute Jack E" retorted the
rough addressed as Roddy Flack, with a deal
of subdued ex alosiveness. “Seems ter me,
Ute, ’svef yc’ flinch et yer ‘own shudder.
Didn’t we seo’ the ole man go? Didn't we
see ’im levaut through the hele in the rock?
Don’t we know he’ll never come back no
more? Don’t tempt Proverdcnce by doubtin’
ther boss's saysoa—don’t!” ‘

“ Oh, I ain’t flinchin', an’ I ain’t doubtin’,"
Ute Jack protested. “ But I alters feels
safer of I’m keerful—thct’s my game—keer-
ful an’ sart’in. Ef ye’re ready, so ther
word an’ we’ll purcced ter pay Miss tta a
visit.”

“ Ready is etl—an’ me a-proddin’ ye ther
last hour ter move onl” with a smothered
oath. “ Come!”

The two des eradocs quitted the covert in
which they ha. been lurkin , and with rapid
strides ap reached the' leggoliko growth
screening t 1e hermit‘s cabin.

“ Now, Roddy Flack, do be kecrfnl,”
cautioned Ute Jack, with an ominous shake
of his head. _“ Cain’t help ct, but et strikes
me we’re hittin’ ther biggest kind ov a
trap. I hain’t felt. jest right sence ther her-
mit come peepin’throo then! led o with eyes
lookin’ like two coals of fire, ear y this-morn
in’. Seemed ter' hoodoo—” "

“Stuff!” growled Flack. "Don’t ye
s’pose we’d heerd from him of he’d scented
our game or caught onto ther lcetle racket
we ,worked last night? Shet, now, an’ foller
me. ‘

Then, as the within laid hold of the outer
bushes, a startling fact (mine to light. ' t

A narrow pathway had been sawed straight
through the seemingly impenetrable jungle.

To cover this secret task of the long night
hours, the stout bushes had been left stand»

 

ing, supported by the interlacin twi "
branches overhead. g El and

" ‘~v..r.

uis.

 

So llermit llart, with all his shrewdm-ss
and cunning, had been fairly outwitted.

l’ulling; and thrashing the severed bushes
aside, the two desperadoes made their way
to the open space surrounding the cabin.‘

“ 'l‘her door‘s t)1H'll——lmw forward?” utter-
ed lleddy Flack. crisply.

Their approach was undetected.

-l.etta llart, wholly unsuspit-ious of any
unusual danger, was busy within the cabin,
and her first intimation of the presence of the
despcradoes was the hail:

“ llallo, little 'un! hallo, tharl"

it was lleddy Flack who uttered the
words. He stood in the doorway. his hands
upon his pistol butts, his fo\y face aglow,
his ferrety little black eyes agleam with
triumph. '

l'te Jack was just behind him.

Letta started, then quickly confronted the.
intruders. ller cheeks paled, and a look‘
of alarm tlashed from her dark eves. '

 

A sing‘le glance had been alltsuilicient it}. ~

determine the true character of the smiling
“visitors.”

“They are ruflians—desperad'oes of the
meanest stamp. and they mean mischief!" the
gjyl could not help thinking. '

" l)‘on‘t—be——be skeeer of us, little one——
Miss Letta," half»stanmiered, half-chuckled
Flack, for the moment abashed by the pure
loveliness of the hermit‘s daughter. “ Don’t
mean ye no harm, we don't. Jest goin‘ by,
an‘ thort wo‘d drop in an' see of We c’u’d git
a bite ter eat, an‘ make a sorter friendly visit. ’
See?" ‘

And the ruflian ’coolly advanced and
plumped himself down into the nearest
chair. ‘
Awkwardly enough, Ute Jack followed
his e 'ample.

Letta silently eyed them for a full minute,
just a trace of anger and disgust visible in
her mobile face. Then:

“Very well, men. You shall have your
breakfast, and welcome. No man goes hun-
grv from here after he once enters.”

ller full, clear voice betra ed no alarm.

“Thank ye, little ’un," {eddy Flack re—
turned, with a grim little laugh. “ ’Tain’t
many es hes found ye, I reckon, an’ ‘taih’t
allers we're in seeh blessed luck! My eyes,
no! Now— Wait, tharl—let me. hev thet ’ar
bucket, little ’un! We’re a couple 0’ rough
cusses, we is, but we e’u‘dn’t—we jest:
r‘u’da’t think 0’ lettin’ sech a little tech 0’
human sweetnesstote yater fer us; hey,
Jack?" - ’

“Nary time!” solemnly asseverated Ute
Jack, quick ,to detect the other’s meaning.
“ 'Deed, no!" .

“ Jack an’ me hev hed all-fired good
bringin’hp, fer all our rough ways. now,” -
smilingly continued Flack, .taking the iron
water—bucket from Letta's reluctant 
“’Jest Wait—I'll be back in a jiffy.” '

Too goods general to betray her discom—
fitune, Letta ( uietly assented, and set about
preparing f0()( for the two roughs.

Ute Jack furt.ively eyed her ever move
until Flack re—entered the cabin. T en the
two roughs conversed in a rambling way un~

_til breakfast was announced.

The meal was disposed of in almost on;
broken silence.

" Now, little ’un,” said Reddy Flack,'with ‘
acomplaeent grin, as he at length drew ,

back from the table, "sence ther wants 0’
my inner man seems satisfied, I’m ready tier
tak

business, fer business is really what ,

brung us hyar!” '

“Indeed!” exclaimed Lotta, just a  '

aeridly, despitegher effort to appear uncon—
cerne . x
' “ Yas, business,” calm} pursued lf'lacir.
“ We’re deputy~sherifi'8, ac an’ me is, an’
we’ve got warrants for ther arrest 0’ Hermit.
Hart ari' his darter, which some is you!" ' U V
“ A warrant—star me E” gasped the girl.  ~r

“ But-w haVe 'I done?”

“ A heap, mebbe; ’tany rate, the warrant,
charges ve ’ith bein’ Captain Kate, ther my 

Bandit, an’ ’ith havin’ robbed fiber Big
stage yistidd '

“ ptain Thirst-41m ideal” and the ‘girl’s ,»

lips curled scornfully. “ You know— I

, “ Now, don’t!" interrupted Flack, ' 1
his hand wamingly. “This ain‘t no go
o’ jestice. an‘ we don't want ter hear a 
Jest git yer traps tergethcr an" make '
ter go with us. ” v ‘

“ Edzactly,”aflimml the rough, pitilessly, 
at r

x

. '4‘

in.

A ‘_—l...‘-.‘—..A.....L..—AA—$~w-ui-«.I«~£Lp£“‘ A
. . ._.

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‘ enunciated a low, intense voice.

" ~‘ "His" eyes not

- if finger pointing tothe door.

$3x1‘4%W§%:F'E—t“  i'fi?%‘:m:f*‘ 
m ..~~ 1, .  . . 'v w. , «.. ->« >

” But my father—can you not wait until
he returns 2" «
"Nary wait, for he nevcr‘ll come back.

     

He went tcr Big Ledge this mornin’, an’ he's

wanted thar fer‘killin' (iiddy Norton yistiddy.
" An‘ now, critter, make haste an‘ min'thet

ye don't ’tcmpt any funny business on us,

j for we’re bound tcr take, ye, an'a—wc’d hate
ter use ye rough!" \

For a moment Lotta Seemed on the point
of rebelling. llcrcycs flashed irefully and
her hand crept toward her bosom; but the
devilish look on licddy Flack’s face warned
her that any attempt at resistance would be
most disastrous, and with a weary sigh she
turned to her enforced task.

It required but a few minutes to pack a
small hand-bag, but (hiring that brief time
her brain worked with “'()l)(ll‘(‘)tlS rapidity.

"Your warrant—l must see. it!" she sud-
denly exclaimed, stcrnly confronting the two
miscreants. .

Again licddy Flack uttered a grim little
laugh.
~ “ Ye do, eh?" he sneercd. "\Val, yc're

/ goi‘n’ tcr be disapp’intcd, ‘ca‘se We‘ve got no
warrant. Fact is, we're. not even deputy
sheriffs. int we want you, my lady-bin ,
an‘ with us'niight makes right. See?"

.Letta Hart‘s mobile feat urcs changed in a
manner as mysterious as l)l‘(_)!.l(lllll(f(,‘ti. The
subdued, fearful look gave place to an ex-
ression of righteous anger and int'iignation.

,, Icr sachet fell unhccdcd to the floor, and

again her hand darted swiftly toward the

, weapon concealed in her-bosom.

But Reddy Flack and [to Jack were too
old in villainy to be caught off their guard.
Forward they sprung, with the litheness
, and supplcness of wild beasts, and in a
twinkling, almost, therhermit’s daughter was
helpless in their relentless grasp.

b “Dem ye, let up!” growled Flack, shak-

ing her savagely, as his sinewy fingers closed
rou hly on her shoulder. “We‘ll take ye,
dead or alive, an’ we’d jest a little rather it‘d
be dead!" *
“ Help!
, help‘!"
‘ ' .“ Shut up! Shut, an' stay—" '
The sentence was not finished. A quick,
light step at the rear door of the cabin had
startled the keen-cared desperado, and with
drawn revolver he whirled about just in
time to catch a terrific blow aquarcly be-
tween the eyes. ,
He fell to the floor like astrickcn ox.
The duller-witted Ute Jack sprung back
with a yell of alarm. I
. ; ‘J Sti dy! ' stiddy, ye ungainly. hound!”
“ Yc’vc
insulted ther lectle lady, an’ by ther sword
0’ Gineral Jackson! y0‘ must answer for at
ter Long Pete Jenkins 1”

help! Oh, mercy of heaven,

 

, CHAPTER xvin.
'. ~ ' aouns'r onus. ‘
INTENsELY dramatic was that scene in the

; home of the Hermit Miner.

Stretched out on the floor, senseless as a
log, lay‘ Redd Flack, his face white and
ghastly, with t 9 blood oozing from his nose,
mouth and ears. The blow of a tri hams
mer could scarcely have been more amag.
ing than that vengeful stroke of the giant
ran cr'sflst." '

‘ ear the fallen dcsperado, overcome for
the’momcnt by that sudden transition from
fear to hope, crouched fair Letta Hart, .with
her face buried in her hands as if to shut out

/ the h( rrors gathered about her,

* Ut . Jack stood as motionless ass statue.

 The dull-witted dastard was'ovcrwhclmed
 'with cogStcrnation.’ lie longed to flee, but
 This legs stubbornly refused to do his will.

 'Of the for occupants of the cabin, the
last corner a one seemed to retain full posses-
sionio! his faculties. There was a look in
ood- to. see, and he towered
above the crin ng outlaw like an avenging

' Nemesis.

For a full half~minutc he stood thus, glar-
jag with blazing eyes at the culprit before
 ‘ ; then with two swift, impetuous strides
, crossed the intervening space.

Ute Jack drew back with a menacing

8

, - grow}; but he, proved helpless as an infant
’ n

the sinewy hands of v the giant, and iii an.

'_ other minute was disarmed.

-."Go:” uttered the ranger, his long index

. ..,.4...‘..,.." . _ .

 

Just the one word, but that one in a tone
to strike a chill of terror to the cowardly
soul of Ute Jack. littering a doleful howl,
he turned and fled from the cabin, helped
onward in his flight by a series of vigorous
“lifts” from Jcnkins's foot.

Without so much as a second glance at
the retreating wretch, the ranger crossed the
room, and closed and fastened the rear
door. ’l‘hen taking Reddy Flack in hisarms.
he carried him out. of the cabin and laid him
in the shadow of the Lodge.

A brief examination convinced Jenkins
that the. rutlian would remain unconscious a
number of hours, with, indeed, a probability
of his never awakening,

“ Scch varmints are tricky, so I‘ll draw his
teeth, anyway," the old ranger muttered,
and, disarming Flack, he returned to the,
cabin. ,

lietta llart met him at. the der, still ner-
vous and agitated, it is true, but rapidly rc-
covcring from her terror.

“’You came in good time, and I thank
you," she said, simply, extending her hand,
with a look of trust in her dark eyes. “ My
father is away from home, this morning,
and your comng is all that saved me from
those evil wretches."

“ 'l‘hcn l'm mighty glad I came,” Long
Pete returned, gently patting the slim,brown
bandhc held. “I was cuttin‘ through ther
hills tcr strike ther Big Ledge trail over yen’,“
when lhccr'd ye cry out, sol jest left. .lczxy
ter take kcer o‘ herself an' slipped in by a.
path fresh cut through ther thicket. ” ’

A faint vell, following by a confused jar-
gon of voices at. that moment warned the
ranger and the- girl to defer any further ex-
planation.

“ Those cusses hcv friends near,” Jenkins
exclaimed. “ Keep in the cabin, gal, till I
kin see who an’ what they are. I’ll not be
long gone.”

“ Wait!" urged Letta, laying a restraining
hand on the giant’s arm. “ If they are com-
ing in] any force, we would better abandon
the cabin and retreat to the cavern yonder,
for then we can escape through a Secret out-
let if hard pushed.

Pausing only long enough to nod ahasty
assent, Jenkins hurried across the little in-
closure and entered the path leading through ‘
the thicket. - ‘

A single glance through the narrow open-
ing was all-sutlicient to determine his course
of action. '

Not only was Ute Jack returning, but with
him were an even half-dozen as desperate:
looking ruiiians as ever disgraced a camp.

One burly scoundrcl had appropriated the
ranger’s mare and had fallen considerably
behind the ot iers to secure his prize.

“ I on’y ho ther cuss ’11 try ter ride
her!” chuckle Jenkins, griml , as he noted
the hands into which the faithful animal had
fallen. " It’s a mighty queer thing about
Jezzy, but she do seem ter hatoadarned
boss-thief!

“Now, I’ll jest make their gang show
the r hand,\’ and in a stem voice the ranger
cal ed out:

" Halt, thsr, gentle critters t—halt, or out
cold lead!"

The effect of the words was electrical, and
naught but the the cunning of the giant
saved him from serious wounds, if not
death itself, for Ute Jack and his allies in-
stantly poured a- volley of bullets through
that narrow pathway, then broke right and
left in quest of cover. '

" Even the infirm in possession of tho mare
seemed to forget his yearnin for strange.
horse-flesh and disappeared in a clump. of
bushes. -

In anticipation of that vollc , Long Pete
had thrown himself ‘flat upon. iis face, and
as the’ leaden hail hurtlcd‘ over him he hastily
quittcd the thicket and rctracod his steps to
the cabin.

. Lotta, having secured her weapons and
{locked the door, was anxiously awaiting

im. .
“ We'd better'make for the cave,” Jenkins
aver-red, kec ing a Wary eye on the point at
which the esperadocs must present them-
selves. “Thar’s seven 0’ ther critters, an’
the mean mischief."

Silently, Lotta led “the way to the fissure
through which Hermit Hart! had taken his

 

 

 
 
  

  

     

dc mire moor threehmirs earlier.
“my ‘ PM?“ 60?“) the I gloomy-woorridor

s”-  “ '
.

  

 

 semis.     

n“ O

and just behind ajutting angle in one of
the walls, was a deep recess, (-(mnnanding a
full view of the entrance with but slight
exposure, and here the two took their
stand.

Slowly the minutes paSScd. without a
sound to break the fatal silence.

“ 'l‘hcm cusses arc plottin' deviltry," utter-
cd Jenkins, at last. "They know we hcv
come in hyar, an‘ they likewise know ct
‘u'd be pesky bad business tcr try tcr foller
us. They won‘t bother us before night. au’
so l Inchs we go on ter ther outlet.

“ And from there straight to the camp of
Big Ledge, for i fear that my father is in
trouble there, ' added Letta, and she hurried»
1y explained- the nature of the hermit’s
errand, together with the possibility of his
having been led into a flap.

The major listened attclxtchly, then grave-
ly nodded his head saying:

“ lit do look bad fer him, Miss Letta, an’
I rather guesses yc’Vc called ther turn; how-
somcvcr, I've got some friends down thar,
au‘ cf they hain’t in trouble, too, We'd orter
be, able tcr pull ther old man out. Jest yc
lead ther way out 0‘ this pesky hole, an’
we'll ln'cakstraight fer ther camp."

Quickly, Lett-a led the way down the
passage, and with a key taken from the
pocket unlocked the huge gate, of stone,
then telling Jenkins how to close and rclock
it, the girl disappeared within a narrow
fissure, from which she shortly emerged,
lakiaring a bulky package wrapped in oi1~
s m.

“it is father’s money, she explained,
frankly as she yielded the package to
Jenkins. .

Then the two hurried on to the outlet,
now just Visible in the distance.

Arrchd at the water’s edge, Lotta pro—
duced a light boat from a sheltered nook
hard by, and embarking, the two pushed
boldly out from beneath the shelving bank.

"'l‘urning down-stream, Long l’cte urged
the light craft forward with powerful strokes,
and within a half-hour had passed the cross-
ing of the Bi Led e trail. . . ',

Acouplc o hun redyards below the trail,
the ranger pointed the boat’s prow shore-
ward,'sa ing: .

v “ We’ land hyar, hide ther canoe in thet
bit 0’ bresh, an’ p’int our noses straight for
ther camp.” .

Lotta nodded aequicscently, and a moment

’5

undergrowth.
Unwittingly, the giant nd his protegee had
entered a fight against espemtc odds.

 

CHAPTER XVIII.
ALARMED.

“Foams! Now, what is to be done?
With .that tell-talc paper in existence, my
well-laid lans may miscarry at the last mo-
ment and" light forever the golden’t hgrvcst
I have worked so earnest] to gather! Even
with the hermit dead on his daughter my
wife,'I would yet be in deadly danger, for
with that accursed document in their posscs~
sion either Dell Daunt or Captain Kate could
wrest the mines from me and doom me to
the allowsl, , . - ,

“ must secure it, but how—how? I know
not where it is, not who holds it; I know
only that the Sport cheated me of it, and
that he would not have permitted it to perish
in the Cherry~House tire."

Major Myst strode rapidly, fiercely, to and I
fro as the words came from between his
clinched, hard-set teeth in hissing, barely-
audible strains. His faecwas deathly white,
and a despairing gleam lurked in his somber,
bloodshot eyes. " r

The desperate
quarters at Riata’s Ranch, and it is in a
meagerly furnished room overlooking the.
main street of the camp that we find him,
some two hours after the banishment of Dell
Daunt.- ‘ - v

To. and fro, to and fro, until he? reeled
blindly from sheer weakness and sank heav.
ily into a chair, to grasp with trembling
hands the bottle and glass ‘on the table be-
fore him. -. ._

” it must done!" he muttered. filling
the glass to the" rim.1 “One of the four—
Daunt, Kate Cherry. Jenkins or (in; Wolf

 

help me to get it t"

later they were pushing through the tangled '

adventurer had secured I

—-has that paper, and my new pa _ shall

 

 
 
   
      
  
  
    
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.m-i . (5 out“ . i ,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MW. .T..,..<,...,.‘ ._‘,,,,..  H. ,2  V.

.JB".'~’

 

 

    
  
       
       
       
   
       
     
   
     
   

 

l
r

Draining the glass, he lighted a cigar, rose
and walked to the door, then paused and
glan d anxiously at a crumpled sheet of

on the table.

“ No danger there!" he grittcd, with an
oath. “ I wish there was!"

Quittingr the room, be carefully locket] the.
door, thrust the key into his pocket and
strode along the hallway to the apartments
in which he had found Dandy Jim and Saul
Bariol earlier in the night.

The murmur of Voices within told him
both‘ minc-(m’ners had returned to the cham-
ber, and he rapped sharply.

Bartel appeared.

in?“ ‘

.f,f...

stepping back and inclining himself pro-
foundly. “ Major, walk in."

The invitation was superfluous, as Myst
was already making straight for a chair at
«the table at which (‘roeker was seated.

(‘losing and loekingthe door, Bartel quiet-
ly joined. the pair. '

“ Well, major, what is it 2’" he asked.

“Something unusual must have turned up
’: s to bring you here at. this hour."
" “ Something unusual has turned up,”
Myst replied, a sinister «gleam leaping into
his dark eyes. “ Something so desperately
dangerousto us all that you must place the
services of your tools, (Iurly Slayback and
his Vigilantes, at my disposal at once, wholly
and unrcServedly !"

Dandy Jim uttered a prolonged whistle,
while Bartel shook his head in an emphatic
negative.

“Not until. we know the purpose under-
lying such an unheard-of demand,” he de-
clared, his gaze shifting from the major to
Crocker, then back again. “Such a con-‘
cession would leave us Well-nigh powerless.
~ And—we have not been the best of friends!”
‘2 s Myst uttered a savage oath.

«sq»... ..

9 ‘ “Tush! The past-is gone!" he exclaimed,
if; impatiently. ‘.‘ It is in yourinterest as much
g}. as m own that I make the demand.”

" hen pray explain," Bartel requested,
" _,.-. his hach orbs meeting the fiery gaze of the
” major untlinchingly. .

“ Yes, for we shall never take such a leap
in the dark,” added Crocker.

Major Myst hesitated a' moment, then
seemed to rally his failing powers. A dead! r
.smile crossed his white face, and he sait ,
harshly:

i ‘: If you will out good time to pieces, have
t so!

“ Four lives stand between us and absolute
safety, and any one of the four may doom us
"to the gallows.

“ That precious agreement has slipped me,
and it is now in the hands of Delmonte Col-
eridge, Lon r Pete Jenkins, Captain Kate, or
the outlawe Crow chief Gray Wolf."

“.Your ruse, then. to obtain possession of
the paper was not a success?" interrogated
Bartel with curling lip.

“No; I obtained the envelope, duly in-
dorsed, but a Sheet of blank paper had been

,substituted for the originalagreement. The
. Sport must certainly have bio’u ht the docu-
ment to camp with him, andi he did so it
has passed into the hands of Captain Kate,
or as we know her better, Kate Cherry. But
if the' document did not accom any him, it
must be in the hands of Long ’ete or Gray
Wolf. At any—”

“Wait!” interposed Dandy Jim, bending
forward with a peculiar light shining in his
magnetic gra eyes. ” Did I understand
you to ,89. t t the nameso Captain Kate
and Kate berry belong to one and the same
Woman?” *

" Assuredly.” w ' j

“ Are you positively ure of the fact?"

" As certain of it as am that death ends
life!” asseverated Myst, forcibly. “ More

than that, I can assure you that Captain
Kate, or Kate Cherry, is none other than
:the rat'de of Rath Coleridge I”

“Impossible!” ejaculated the two listen-

 

 

 

  s. L

blank paper and an opened envelope lying ‘

“()ur friend, the major!" he exclaimed, '

 

matter of time, but we could not escape the
‘ inevitable end. No, no! gentlemen! we are
all three in the same boat, and a mighty
frail boat it is, with that damning paper
lying like a sunken rock in our course! ’l‘akc

i

cuts. in

,‘ Myst stepped out of a group near by, his
5 face pale and careworn, his dark eyes gleam-
‘ ing savagely.

. the men, 1 say, major—takeSlayback and his ,

infernal gang and use them as you may
think best to retrieve the point we have
dropped! l

“ What say, Saul?"

“I agree," aiiswercd the lesser villain,
savagely gnawing at his nether lip. “ Any.—
thing to ward off disaster."

“ Then let us haye Slayback here at once,’
Major Myst requested. “ The sooner every.
thing is arranged, the safer we shall be."

“1 will summon him, innm-diately,"
(‘rocker returned, rising. “lie is in the
card room below.” ,

The Titan hastily (piitted the room. Out-
. side. the door he paused, and in the semi-
gloom of the hallway shook his clinched
hand at his allies.

“ You devils! you shall not. harm her!” he
Vow'ed, in a deep undertone, his gray eyes
gleaming like coals. “I'll stand between
her and harm; and if it comes to the worst,
your necks shall bear mine company to the
halter!” ,

When he re-entered the room with the,

o

 

of his agitation remained to betray‘him.

For upward of an hour the four men re-
mained in close consultation. \thn at last
their plans were perfected, the gray light of
dawn was showing in the eastern sky.

Sl‘ayback was the. first to depart, and he
(:tll‘l'lCtl with him a round sum in wold.

The major then took leave of his allies
and proceeded straight to his room.

“ I can feel easier now,” he mused, as he
strode along the hallway. "‘ With two
strong parties read ' to scour the hills in
Search. of Captain hate and Coleridge, a
third lying in wait for Jenkins, ant the
cards stacked to shuffle the red-skin off as
soon as he appears, affairs certainly seem in
better shape.” .

Entering the room,_ he carefully locked
the door, then looked around him.

Everything seemed just as he had left it.

" I can get an hour’s sleep, and then be up
in time to see the expedition start,” be con-
tinued, throwin" oil his coat. “ It is better——
Aha! that cursed paper! I'll destroy it !”

Pickin up, the crumpled...sheet of paper,
Major ll yst was about to :1 ply it.to the-
flame of the candle, when he rew back with»
a cry of astonishment, which quickly changed
to fear.

Penciled across the sheet in
was the single line:

” Wno KILLED SANDY Parsons?”

As his eyes drank in the fateful words, the
or died upon his alsied‘ tongue, and with
a ace of deathly no the adventurer sunk
fainting to the floor. \ ‘ -

At the same moment, Whisky Bill was
stealthin quitting the hotel.

bold strokes

 

CHAPTER XIX.
.SAUL Mirror. nacnrvns A SnOCK.

THE day dawned clear and bright, and at
an early hour the camp was astir.

By sunrise a dozen miners ,had gathered
about the blackened ruins of the Cherry
Ilouse, to discuss the events of the preceding-
night, and the unanimous verdict, as ex—
pressed by the gray-haired veteran of the
mines, had been; -

“ Et’saderned bad piece 0’ business, pards,
an’ that's more ter come——mark thetl”; "

"Then had come the report that the
Vigilantes were up and stirring to take the
tmilsun search of captain Kate, the Lady
Bandit, and the din and confusion resulting
therefrom had speedily brought the entire
cum to its waking senses.

“ t’s a shame, partis, ter hound thét wo-
man down,” the veteran remarked, as he

 

ers, in a breath.
“No, it is a simple fact. Howl learned
the truth is neither here nor there, let it '
1:8utflce that it is so. ' 4
“And now listen: you will urge, both of f
' you, that I and I alone am threatened bythe 
existence of this document, but—J
' “We can urge nothing of the sort,” Dandy l
Jim interrupted, with animpatient esture. l

‘

‘_‘ Your fate might discount ours a tri ein the l

, watched the Vigilantes go trooping out of

camp. "Mebbe she’s a bad ’un—I don’t
know; but I‘ll take oath she’s no whss’n ther
gang trailin"at her heels.” '
“By heavens! you said the truth then, "
Larkspur!" cried 'l‘om Sawyer, the superin-,
tendent of the. Lone limiter Mine. “The

l Vigilante chief a few minutes later~ no trace j

; ing out such characters as (.Iaptain Kate and

pouring himself a drink.

~ through ther line,

 

Vigilantes are a menace to the camp?"
“ Keep a still, tonguein yo

i

 

‘ head, Tom , -

   
  

Sawyer!” uttered a harsh voice, and Major

   
  
   
   
   
    
  
  
  
  
    
   
   
   
   
  
  
   
   
 
  
    
  
    
 
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
     
  
  
   
    
  
    
 
   
    
  
   
    
    
  
    
   
  
  
   
 
   
   
    
 
   
     
   
   
   
   
   
  
   
   
    
 

“ In hunting down and rout-

that accursed Sport, so summarily dealt with
last night. Slayback and his men are doing 1
good work, and. so long as you are in my
employ, I do not choose to have you criticise
them. Do you understand me?"

Sawyers honest blue eyes flashed indig-
nantly.

“I think I understand you, major—per—
fectly!" he returned, coolly. “ My opinions
are my own, however, and if 1 see fit to ex-
press thcm, 1 shall do so,"

“ (‘onsider yourself discharged!”

“ Willinglyl” .

“ An' hcur goe
miner near by.

“An’ heur!~—an’ heur!"
more.

“ Fools!" uttered Myst, laughing sardon-
ically. “ Your places can be easily filled.”

Illay be they kin, an‘ may be they cainjt
returned some one in the crowd. and then,
amid a storm of jecrs and epithets, the major
strode away toward Riata's Ranch. '

The forenoon wore slowly away. At ten
o‘eloek the bodies of Giddy Norton and
Sandy Parsons were carried down to the lit—
tle cemetery below the camp and given dc-
cent burial, the Old miner known as Lark-
spur acting as master of ceremonies. .

Shortly after the return to camp the miners
in the employ of Dandy Jim Crocker and
Saul Bartel were paid off by the latter from
the contents of the money-package recovered
from the body of Sandy Parsons the night
before, and, at the men’s urgent request, the
mines were closed for the remainder of ' the
day.

s with Tom!” shouted a

roared a dozen

"’

 

When Major Myst reached Riata’s Ranch
directly after his renconnter with Saw 'er, '
he found a man awaiting him in the ar~
TODD).

The fellow wore the dress of the mines,
and was well armed, was of slender, wiry
build, dark almost as a red-skin, and bore
upon his face the expression of a born cut:
throat. ' 

“Well, Dusky Dave, you are here at last,
Isee,” exclaimed the ma'or, as the fellow
started toward him. “ mpty-handed, too,
I’ll wager! Game must be getting scarce!” ‘

/“ Sca’ce? Wal, I should sues so!” the ruf-
fian returned, while a grin distorted his
brutal mouth. “ Come, now, ma'e, cain’tge,
set up a leetlc su’thin’ ter drin ‘2 I’m so
do -goned dry my wind-pipe rattles!” , .

t a sign from Myst Riata set out a bottle
and losses. , r s
” out the back'w and go upstairs,”
whispered the run or, w on the burly land-
lord’s back was turned. “We must not be
seen talking together. I’ll meet you up
there. " ~

Dusky Dave closed one eye in an expres- ,
sive wink,.then drank his whisky and walk:
ed back to the gamingstables. .:

A few minutes later Myst went out the
front way, paused on the sidewalk to light a
cigar while he glanced up and. down. the
windin street, then stole softly up-stairs.

The esperado Was in waiting.

“ This way,” uttered the major, and in an-
other moment they were locked in the privacy
of his room. « - »

“Wal. boss." remarked Dusky Dave,  ll ‘ .
seating himself at the table and la 'ng I! 
of the bottle, “I know w’ot’a ’ on~3§ér,"v
an’ I won’t waste no words. ' , a _

“ We didn’t git yer man.” . , ., “I - ,

“ You didn’t get him?” exclaimed Myst,

incredulously. . _ i .
“ That’s w’ot I said,” the rough declared,
"We didn't get
him.” ,  -
” How was that?” .
“Bekase he was up ter snuff jesta woe
bit better’n we were. Goin' up, he'bro’fi‘e
an’-—-—he never 

  
          
 

no more 2” .
“ The, deuce he didn’t!” ' V * _ *
“No. boss: he didn’t. We laid traps in ,

Death Grip Canyorian’ on ther trail this aid

    
     
  

 
 
  
      
      

     
  

an’ that men are thar yet. But he 
Major Myst.» sunk into a chair and

comeback.”  . a,
 uttered
oath'nfter mth. , . I _ p -
“ Et’s no use ter cuss. b088," Dusky Dave

  

 

 

""“‘W  . M ,
, ps‘ , ..  h. v.‘ 4:1,“.
. _ I .,

  

7......94-.. _ -



 

 

~   

 

 

 

protested. “Sech things will happen, an‘
thcr on’y thing tcr do is tcr try ag'in."

“ You are right, Dave,“ the villain admitted,
springing to his feet, ‘ro back to your
men. l1 is not too late for him to return, as
he may have been delayed.

“ And mark you, Dave, if he, does come,
and anything should happen him, I Want
you to fetch me every scrap of paper you
find upon him, and I will giro you double
pay."

“ Kcrrcct, bosswl ketchcs on.”

“And one thing more, have: have you
ever heard of the outlawed Crow chief. Gray
Wolf ‘1"

“l hes,
hoss." .

“Well, he is coming down here from
the camp that bears iris name, and it may
be that he will be With Jenkins. in any
event, serve him just as you have been
told to serve Jenkins. bringing me the papers
.found upon him, and I will again double
your pa  -

‘“ I’ll( oct, major—I will,byjehocus cried
Dusky Dave, rising. “An' don't ye worry
t-het either one o’ them’ll ever git inter Big
Ledge over ther Gray-Wolf trail!” 4

Myst then unlocked the door and the des-
perado departed.

Alone, the major stretched himself at full
length upon his cot.

' “I don‘t like this delay," he mused, star-
ing intently at the ceiling. “ Jenkins is a.
cunning rascal, a thorough plainsman ,and
mountain man, and the chances are big that
he’ll give Death Grip Canyon a wide berth
on his trip back. But I can’t move a step
‘urther than I have gone.

.“Curse it! how complications are crowd-
ing upon me! As if this fight to hold the
mine were not enough, I must needs fall out
with Sawyer and the men. As soon as things
cool down I must eat humble pie and repair
that bit of mischief}!

Like one in a trance lay the adventurer,
unmindful of the flight of time, his brain
dee ly steeped in villainous plots and plans.

ot until the noon hour did he rouse
himself, and then as he sat up the hum of
many voices in the street caused him to
(sipring'from the cot and' hasten to the Win-
ow.

A hasty glance up the.street, then down,
and a sharp cry escaped him.

i Coming toward the hotel; walking side by
' side, were Long Pete Jenkins and Letta Hart,
the. hermit's daughter!

O “Good God! Ruddy ‘Flack and his pard
have failed!" grittcd the ma'or, clinching
his hands until the nails bu ed themselves
in the'yiclding flesh. “Whall shall Ido‘!
.What can I do? I must see Dcnbar at once,

' in spite of every hazard! The entire plot
may have miscarried !”

' Hastily preparing himself for the street,
Myst quittcd the hotel by the rear door and
slipped around to the lawyer’s office in the
next building. /

Gabriel Denbar was " at home.”

“How now !--how now!" he cried, _, -
ing up from his office-table and nervousy
running his fingers through his crisply-cur -
[in black hair, as Myst burst into tie room.
“ hades of Blackstone! man, whymust on
act like a saVage, or a lunatic, or a drum on

. idiot? Can’tyou enter like a civilized being?

' If you can’t, keep away—~that’s all! 1 ob-
ject to being start ed like this!”

L And Denbar angrily resumed his seat.
' The major uttered a raspin 'oath.

'. . “You’re too squeamis , gy half, Gabe"

. Denbarl” he snarled, glaring at the lawyer
with the look of a wild beast brought at

’ .  . “If your nerves will permit, I would
‘ . suggest that you go to the window and take
' , 8“ 00k into the Street. There is something

'1: there which should be of vital interest to

"7

.011."
"What do you mean?” asked‘Denbar,

“ hat do I mean? ‘ Simgéy that the tools
, your choosing have tail —-that the her-
mits daughter 18 here in Big Led é, under
the, rotection of -'a man amply a le to de-
fond er against all ordinary oddsl”

‘ “ImpOssible t” -

"No; I am stating the exact truth. Goto
' the window and convince ymlrself.” '
‘ Denbar rose, crossed the room and looked

 o l 7
His face turned a dull, yellowish white.

1

N

 

boss, an’ they do say he‘s a?

“I see—«I see!" he muttered, thickly.
“ It is queernqueerl l do not. understand
it. How could Flack have failed?"

 Don‘t ask me any questions," grumbled
Myst, glmnnily, “i suppose the
.precious plot is knocked to picces. 'l‘he

girl has slipped through our lingers. and I‘ll
gamble that the hermit doesn‘t show his
Pau- in liig Ledge this day!" ‘
“ I don‘t know about that.
. count on his coming. even yet. We'll know
‘ soon, and unlil~ By the Lord Harry!
major, that girl and the old plainsman are
headng straight for my ollicc, and Tom
Sawyer is ‘with them!"

“ l‘hen let me get out of sight,’
' Myst, hastily, as he sprung to his feet.
is better they should not see me
IIavc-”

“ You can't get out. now without, being
seen," interrupted the lawyer, in a tone~ in-
dicative of returning courage. “Come—

i think" We, can

v

ihere is a closet in which you can conceal

I yourself until they are gone.

7

Major Myst needed nourging. The steady

i trend of feet on the stairway told him that
l
he had not a moment to lose, and he entered

the closet and closed the door.
Denbar resumed his place at the table, and

‘ took up a package of legal-lookingdocu-

ments.

Searcer had the rascal thus settled him-
self, when the office door was opened and
Tom Sawyer entered, closely followed by
Letta Hart and Lou r Pete Jenkins.

“ }0(xl-niorning, III‘. Denbar," quoth the
Cit-superintendent, advancing to the table.
” This lady and gentleman—Miss Hart and
Mr. ,Jenkins expressed a wish to see you,
and I have brought them here."

“0in red, 1 am sure,” Denbar tersely re-
turned, using and smiling blandly as he mo-
' tioned the trio to seats, “ May I inquire as
to the nature of your business with me?”

“ Sart’in you may," Long I’etc replied,
assuming the otlice of spokesman. “Miss
Lotta IIart, hyar, wants ter know of her
father hes bin hyar this mornin’?”

“ Ilermit Hart?”

“ So he is called. ”

“ No; he has not been here. ” '

“ lie was .ter hev bin hyar, waSn’t he?"

“ Yes, sir, he was."

“ 'l‘er git five thousand dollars for a claim
he sold you yistiddy, ch ‘2”

Denbar turned to Lotta.

“Miss Ilart, do you wish that question an-
SWCred ?” he asked. ,

“ I do,” the girl replied.

“Very well, then. That Was Hermit
Hart's purpose in coming here. By agree-
ment, 1' met him at his claim yesterday, ex-
amined it, and, on behalf of a client of mine
who does not wish, to appear in the transac-
tion until the sale is consummated, agreed
to pay him for it the sum of five thousand
dollars."

“Ilain’t thet a putty steep figgcr fer a
mine up thata-iivay?" ‘Jcnkins asked.

“ It would seem so,” Denbar replied, shift-
ing about in his chair. “ But the claim is a
good one, and the money can easily be got-
ten out of it.”

“ Ye think the hermit will be in yet?”

“Unless he has changed his mind. Asl
have said, the claim is a good one, and Her-
mit Hart is as shrewd as you find them.”

Jenkins remained silent, and Letta, after
a quick glance at his bronzed ol.l face,
asked: ‘

“Mr. Dcnbar, is there any likelihood of
my father's getting into trouble of any
kind when he comes here ‘1” I

A slight frown gathered on the lawyer’s
brows.

“ Yes, I think there is," he admitted,
frankly. “ But I am so situated that I
must decline to answer any further questions
under that head. " '

Lotta then thanked the lawyer, and after
a few commonplace remarks the trio quitth
the oiiicc. '

‘ Denbar at once released Myst from the
closet.

, “Curse it! man, wh didn’t you find out
something about Fine ‘2" cried the latter,
angrily, as he stepped out into the room.
“ We're as much in the dark as ever. You
might have drawn them out !”

' “And in so doing, pointed to myself as

 

 

' lawyer. “ Notxnuch.

 

the instigate: o.’ the attack!" snecred the
major.
l

,‘w

 

("’1

“hold

 

. killed his brother.”

, .

“But you stay here till’l return. lnllist
set, a man to watching every m)ve of that
girl and her friends. and, my Word for it.
it'll not be many hours till you haw another
chanccto win a wile)"

Myst sullenly assented, and helped himselt'
to a chair.

l)cnbar had not been absenttive minutes
when the door was again opened, and Saul
liartol stepped quickly into the room.

“llallol major, you here!" he exclaimed
leaving the door ajar and advancing to the
center of the room. “ Where's .l)enb:u"."'

“ (lone out."

“(Dorie out, ch?
looking for (rocker.
and been gone since morning.
but l'd find him here."

At that. momenta slight noise at the head
of the stairway startled the Ininejowner, and
he whirled around.

A brawny lndian stood in the doorway.

At sight of the red-skin, Saul Bartol stag-
gered back, while and terrified, his dusky
eyes atlame with horror, crying:

“ Great God! .It 2'8 Indian Pete—or his:
ghost!”

Well. no matter. I’m
The big rascal’s gone,
Didn't know

 

CHAPTER XX.
(:nRY wow.
THE Indian bestowed on Bartel a look of"
strange intentness.
“ Me no ,lnjun Pete—me Gray Wolf, the-
Growl" he exclaimed, in a dignified way.
“ White man’s eyes see crooked."

“ Noble red-skin, thou hast spoken with a, -

straight tongue!" cried Myst, with a flour-
ish. “To say the truth, our friend here

has dallied too long with‘ the flowing bowl,»

the fire-water. lie is drunk!"

Bartol was quick to act upon the hintthus.
covertly conveyed.

“ Yesh—ycsh! Indian Pete's ghost-
drunksh a lord!" he muttered, thickly,
staggering about and finally dropping limp y
into a chair. “ Don't wantsh ghost! Take
ghost ‘way!”

The crafty mscal's acting was vividly real

—so good, in fact. that Myst looked at him '

(ioubtingly, but that expression of terrified
desp‘fdr yet held its grip on the minevowner’s
face, and it disclosed the. exact truth to the
keen-eyed major. as clearly as words could
have done it. ‘

“ Heap drunk 3" hay \Volf observed, nod.
ding sagely, yet with a cunning gleam in
his dark eyes. ' “White man’s afool! Fire-
water bad medicine!" '

“ The worst on earth!” solemnly deplared
the major. *

“But does not. Gray Wolf remember me?”

“ Gray Wolf know you; '011 Major Myst."

“ Yes. And now, may ask, what brings
you here if" -

“ Gray \Volf came to meet his white bro-
thers, Long Pete and Coleridge, the miner.
Man told Gray W'olf Long Pete up here, but.
me see him gone. Me go. too." v

Major Mysit would willingly have detained
the Indian to question him further, but ere
he could utter a word Gray “'0” had step~
ped back, turned and silently started down
the narrow flight of stairs.

“For God‘s sake! let him go!”hoarsely
uttered Bartel, divining the thought upper-
most in the mind of the major. “It could
do no good to keep the red rascal here, but
would very likely hasten trouble." ’ -

M 'st looked sharply at his ally.

“I‘low, what is the matter with you?" he
demanded, rising and confronting the cower-
ing mine-owner. ” What is there between
you and the red-skin? It is more than a
fancied resemblance to Indian Pete on his
part which has so complete] y unnerved
(~l.” 1“ I o
y " There is nothing between us,” Bartel
protested. Weakly. “I don't think I eyer
saw him before to-day. Bathe is the living"
image of Indian Pete, who was his brother.’

The major nodded grimly. '

“I think I-understand!” he exclaimed.
“Having killed Indian Pete, it was only
natural that the sudden appearance of his
living counterpart should throw you out of
balance.” v

" That is it, exactly. But my peril at this
moment may be as yreat—nay, it is greater
than it could possib y he were this. red-skin
really Pete returned to lie for Gray Wolf
has sworn to hunt'out and slay, the man who

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“ Humph! your nerves are unstrung, and
you magnify trities. Even were Gray Wolf
sure on are the man he seeks, the odds
wouh yet be in your favor."

“Ordinarily. they would be, but in this
case they are not. Gray Wolf is no ordinary
Indian. lie is said to he the greatest, war-
; rior the Crow tribe had produced in many dc-
-L- cades. His personal prowess cannot be called
in question. He is a master hand with every
_ weapon the border knows, and he is as
i 7 fearless as he is cunning and wise. I would
rather be pitted against any three men in the
camp than against this one Indian, fired as
' ;' he is with the spirit of revenge.”

" r, _ ,- “Quite a pancgyrie!” sneered Myst.

r ' “ Saul Bartol, you are a fool! A knife or
a pistol in the hands of a paid bravo would
forever settle this paragon of the smoky hide
within the hour!"

“ You are over—confident," the mine-owner
Morned, with a visible effort to rally his
powers. .“ Let' me tell you sorncfhing:
Three times have I sent a fighting-man to
Gray Wolf camp to wipe .out this .accursed
chief. Not one has come back, and Gray
Wolf yet lives!” '

“ You should have sent the three at once,”
observed Myst, coolly. “ In a matter of
this kind, you should riever give the man
you are going after an equal chance, for if
you do there are long odds that in the end he
will give you worst of it.”

“That is true,” Bartel admitted, rising

,~
1
i
i

a
n» .
7 fi~«_.~.;—. :- horrid! ‘

r33, .

,H .3

 

.. j «v;

 

and Racing moodily to and fro. “What
woul you advise at the present time,
major?”

 

Myst reflected a moment.
skin in our calculations this morning,” he
at length remarked, meetng the anxious
“but. if] were in your shoes, I’d bank
a ainst my mishap by getting two or three
for a chance at him myself. That’s what
do.” .
claimed, with a desperate gleam in his dark
(3 res. “ Thank you, major, for the suggeg.
’11 be minus a partner!"

Assuring himself that his revolvers were
his departure, determined to hazard all on
crowding matters to a head.
himself at the window, to await Gabriel.
Denbar’s return.
feelahundred per cent. better,” he muttered,
as he azcd listlessly into the street.
hardly have time to double-hank me.”

The lawyer was not long absent. When

“Well, we included this troublesome red-
gaze of his ally with an (1 little smile;
f; ucky fellows to work at once, and then I’d
I, “And that’s what I’ll do,” Bartol ex.
tron. -If I fail towin the trick, Dandy Jim
in perfect order, thqmine-owner at once took

Major Myst lighted a fresh cigar. and rested

“Now that Bartol’s got his hands full, I
Grav olf to look after, the little rascal will
he mentored the room, he wore the air of

“ They can't give us the siip,” he an-
nounced, in a Cautious undertone, when he
had clOsed the door. “ I’ve put two of the
keenest nosed sconndrcls in camp to watch-
in, them, and you can go bail we’ll be up
wigth every move made”. .

“Where did they take ‘the girl?” asked
Myst, eagerly.

“Down to Sawycr’s cabin, and that’s just
the point I Want to talk about, for the move
threatens to endanger your schemes.”

“ How so?"

“ Through the
to each other.
means badolooking, and the girl—well,
the man that gets berg-“that‘s all !"

The major’s brows darkened ominously.

“ I’ll be cursed if that hound gets her!" he
cried, shaking his clinched hand savagely.
"He’d better beware of crossing my path a

’ second time I” I ,
Gabriel Denbar gave an approving nod.
“That is the proper spirit!" he exclaimed,

rubbing his thin hands softly together.

“But seriously, major, you made a bad
, blunder in quarreling with Sawyer this mornv
' ing, and you may feel its bad effects in more

ways than one. You have made him your

enemy. and you can count on the most of

. your force siding with him.” .

.  I “Let the whole pack go, and rt's,good

'  riddsncel” grated Myst, with an oath.

.. “Have it that way, but you'll find you’re
mistaken,” said Donner, tgravely. ‘ They

 all well armed, and Sawyer takes a

l

5

girl and Tom taking a fancy
’ou know Tom is b ' no
en-

  
  

  

  
 

 

“ With ‘

one having important news to communicate. .

 

notion to back the girl and her father these
men will afford him a strong support—mind
that!”

“ “hat. is if you want me to do! -

“ I want you to make peace with Sawyer
and to put him and the men to work.”

“ Never!”

“ You're making a mistake!"

“ You may say so, but I think not. If
these men are so ready to turn against rue, it
Would be madness to put them back in the
mine. You know that trouble may occur at
any hour now—that (‘oleridge may return
and attempt to jump the Lone llunter claim;
and if this thing does happen, I don‘t want
men in the mine ready to desert me and join
the era-my.”

“There is a great deal in that,” Denbar‘nd-
mitted, reluctantly. ’

“ There is so much in it that I shall hold to

u

‘the course I have laid for myself." Myst (ic—

clared, firmly. “1 can count on Slayback
and his men, and they will probably return
some time during the day or night."

“Which will be soon enough, unless
something wholly unexpected should turn
up," the lawyer remarked, reflectively.
“ In fact, I don‘t think you have anything to
fear from this Coleridge, as it is not at all
likelyr he‘ll ever return to Big Ledge.

“ ut right here is the point: When we
arrest the hermit,‘ Sawyer and his friends,
urged on by the girl, may take a notion to
set him‘at liberty and give him a safe convoy
to a point beyond our reach. That step, as
you must know, would place both the
hermit and his daughter beyond your power
and abort the whole scheme.”

Myst nodded grimly.

“ If anything of that sort is attempted, the
hermit shall not live to leave the camp—
tlmt I promise you!” he vowed. “ More
than that, the night shall not go by without
seeing Letta Hart safely in my power!”

” Very well, We‘ll call that point settled,
and proceed to the next. "

“ Assuming that the hermit will certainly
appear and meet with arrest, let us take a
look at the evidence against, him. What.
have we? Absolutely nothing!” .

“ Oh, yes, we haVe! There's Dandy Par-
sons’s story, you know. Half a hundred
men heard that last night," Myst returned,
with a perceptible tremor in his voice.

“ Yes, but unfortunately Sandy cannot
appear, now that he’s «needed, and the fact
that the money-package "was, found upon
him is leading to the belief that Sandy him-
self wasthe assassin. But for this fact the
tale would suflice in a camp like this.

" No, no! we haven‘t an atom of evidence,
and we’ve got to manufacture some mighty
quick, if we succeed in hanging Hermit
Hart!” ‘

“ You ought to be able to fix that!” ob-
served Myst, bitterly. '

The lawyer laughed. , ,

“Sure!” he returned, complacently. f‘I
can produce evidence that no man in camp,
with a due regard for his health, will dare
dispute. But it will come high.”

“ How much?"

“A thousand dollars " ,

“ A thousand devils!” and Myst leaped
angrily to his feet. “ Denbar, at this rate,
in a few days you will bleed me of my last
cent of ram y moneyl"' , '

“ (‘an’t help that. I'm. no common tool,
ready to do the dirty work of a dirty rascal for
a altry few dollars. When you forget, Major
) yst, that I am a gentleman of professional
standing, it is high time that our relations
cease. Do you understand that?”

"Have it your way,” growled the major,
sullcnly resuming his seat. “ Go ahead."

“ Let me first assure myself , that there is
no one lurking about that stairway,” Denbar
returned. “ Do you know, major, I believe
this camp is infested with spies? I do, real-
ly, and I suspect that the greasy old vagrant
known as Whisky Bill is the king-pin of the
lot.”
Myst started, and smooth escaped him. ’~

“ You are not far from right!" be ex-
claimed. .“ But, right or wrong, a little
exmr precaution 'just now will do us no

' harm, and it ma insure victory in the end.”

“That’s the idea exactl ,” and, nodding
approvingly, Denbar locket down the. stair;
way, then left the office door wide 0 en and
returned to his conference with. s ' client."

For upward of an hour the two talked in

k , '

   
  

I chanlged. .

 
   
   
  
    
   
  
 
  
 
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
 

subdued tones, keeping an eye on the door-
\VilY.

Then suddenly a. firm tread sounded on.
the stairs. and a moment later llan Burgess,
the marshal of Big Ledge, walked into the
oilicc.

“ llermit llart‘ll be in camp this side 0
live minutes." he announced, cornng to a
halt in the middle of the room. “ WhatI
wants tcr know. Gabe Denbar. is, shall I I;
‘rest him out thar, or lay fer him hyar‘f' i

“ Lay for him here," the lawyer quickly
replied. “If he is not intercepted by his
daughter or Jenkins. he will come straight to
my ollice, and there'll be. less chance of tron»
ble here than in the street."

“ 'l‘het's GOspel!" grinned the desperado,
and then the trio impatiently awaited the
hermit's appearance. '

Not long were they kept in suspense-
Perhaps ten minutes had passed when, with ‘2
the stealthy steps of an Indian warrior, Her—
mit llart entered the room.

l’ausing near the oilice table, he glanced
restlessly from face to face, then turned to»
the lawyer with the abrupt query:

“ Denbar, are ye ready ter pay?
hyar fer my five thousan" dollars!”

“ I'll be ready tafray as soon as one other
little matter is so ed,” the wily lawyer re-
turned.
~ “ Major, please close the door.” I ,

Myst moved forward in response to the:
request, but ere he could complete his part
of the programme a tall form bounded light-A
~ly into the room.

It was Gray Wolf, the Crew Chief! _

Uttering a sharp, snarling cry, Major."
Myst leaped forward and attempted to push
the intruder out of the office.

A single pace the red-skin drew back,
then his sinewy right arm shot out, and .,
with a low moan Myst dropped in his "
track.

Resolutely, Gray Wolf confronted Bur-
gess and the law er. 

“The Crow ief is no child!" he cried,
an'angry flame dancing in his dark eyes.
“Let the ale-faces beware!" ' ' 0

And he ore the startled gaze of the evil,
pair he brandished a gleaming knife. * ' L

I'm

    
       
     
       
     
       
       
       
   
       
     
       
     
     
     
     

      
       
    

 

 
   
 

CHAPTER XXI.
" 'rnn ARREST.

FOR a full minute not one of the four men.
in Denb'alr’s oflice uttered a word. '

The lawyer was the first to speak.

“And who are you, my red-skinned
friend?” he demanded, with a threatening:
curl of his thin Ii 8. v ,

“ I-am Gray I 011’, the Crow!” the chief-(l
tain proudly replied.  

Denbar nodded curtly and his expression

    
         
     
       
     
       
   
       
     
 

have heard of Gray Wolf, and heis

a brave man," he returned, with forced com—
posure. "May I ask why the red chief”
comes here?" , V . , :
“Hart, the hermit, has been touched ‘by'
the Great Spirit. The wind 'whisrrered that
Gray Wolf should watch over him and see.~
that no harm comes to him." ‘ f
The marshal laughed disdainfully. “

" Ye’ve bin confabulatin’ ’ith the: long;
laiged tramp down et Sawycr's cabin, yo red

 
       
       
   
     
       
   
     

  
    
      

im l” he cried, in belligerent tones...
” how, you mosey! Ye’rc not wanted.
hyar'.” ' 1' "

 
   

“Gray Wolf is free.- He comes or
not at the white man’s bidding!” re "
chief. ’ g o 
‘ Burgess drew his revolver. .  ' . _ . ,
. “Now, you git, I sa'yi” he blustered, ,-
brandishing the weapon in a threatening >
manner. "Yen've come ter awhrte man’s . 
camp, an’ by‘ther ghost o’ ole Brigham! ye- ‘
’ll toe ther mark or take a white mm
,medicinel ' a

“ D'ye heur me, smoky-hide? D’ye kn ”*
who’s doin’ this hyar shoutin’?”' . ,- 

'1 Your name Musket-mbuth‘ffl’ . 
Chieftain, with the faintest trace at
lurking in the corner-sot his wide mouth.
‘ “Muskrat-mouth! Nary, ye nod impti":
roared the marshal, dancing with fury
" Pm Dm‘mrgws—‘Dcspemte Dan,” the:
boys call mo--an’ I’m Marshal 0’ Big 
I’m the son 0’ a big gun, I am, an? '

 
       
 

 
   
         
        
 

  
    
     
   
    

    
      
  
 

  
 
 

   
 
   

 

 

   

 

     
  
   
 

I‘M“ ’ii“ buck!!!“ an’ chain 'limrttnin'i '
, When I 3P“, I Spit fire an’...  M V,

  

  

f- , lawyer, retreating to the win ow overlooking

 

 

~¢ -... ...._.-...7 .. -. -.-. ..__._.

 

 

\

Swift as thought was the action of the
blustering bully, for even as he spoke his
revolvers dropped to a level With the
breast of Gray Wolf; but swift and admit as
was the move, it was discounted by that of
the cunning chief.

From the moment the revolver was drawn
from its sheath, the piercing gaze of the
red-skin had not wavered from the eyes of
the marshal, and warned of his peril by the
wicked gleam. therein he had nimny sprung
aside just as the weapon exploded.

Like a flash of’light the knife hand of
Gray \Volf shot. out. l’oint first, straight
as an arrow in its flight, sped the gleam-
ing blade, sinking to the hilt through the
wrist of Burgess. v

L'tteringa yell of pain, the marshal dropped
his revolver and'staggercd. back, then, un-
nerved, sunk: to the. floor. ,

“You devil!” grated Dcnhar, now white
to the lips, as he drew his knife and lcapcd
toward‘the red chieftain. “You devil! I‘ll
have your life!” -

“White man isa fool l” scornfully returned
Gray Wolf. deftly catching the lawyer‘s
wrist and wrenching the knife away. “ Mo
no hurt you now, but you have a care or
Gray Wolf taktfyoui‘ scalp yet!”

Disarming Deubar. the chief thrust him
'aside and. turned to Hart.

 ‘During the brief but stormy scene just

closed, the hermit had stood like one daZed,
his eyes fixed dreamin upon the faCe of the
Indian chief. . .

“Howl” exclaimed the latter, extending"
his hand. “ Does the gold-hunter remember
'Gray Wolf, the Crow?"

“ Yas, yas! ye are Gray Wolf, the Crow,”
the hermit replied, slowly, and, it seemed,
.most reluctantly, while a troubled look
crept into his face. “ Yas, yasl An’ whar
is—is—” . . _

His voice faltered, then failed, and he
:passed his hand wearily across his brows.

“Et‘s thet cuesed black spot!" he mut-
‘tered, gloomily, after a -moment. “ Et
comes, jest a speck, then spreads and spreads
‘ till a shets ther light all out! Ef ’twa n‘t fer

z I,

"The gold hunteris in danger,” interrupt-
-ed Gray Wolf, with a gesture of warning.
‘ "“ The white dogs seek to take his life, and if
he not go soon with his red friend they will
, have it. Come!”

_' \ .“No, ‘nol 1 have come for my money,
v nn’ '1 must git et," the hermit protested,
hiserrand recalled by the, thought of leav-
ing. “ You, Gabe Denbar, you rascally sharp!

‘. Shell out!” ‘ .

“ Not a dollar!" sullen] growled the
the street.‘ “I told you there was another
matter to be settled first."

' With the snarl of an enraged beast, Her-
Init Hart stepped across the prostrate form

z-of Major Myst and darted toward Denbar,

. his face aflame with passion, his long fingers,

' Working nervously. r

“Stoplt' ordered Gray Wolf, sharply,

“The gold-hunter forgets him-

! . The hemit‘hesitated and glanced back at
. the face of the chief, thencame to a full stop,
mumbling from head to feet.
.“:What would I do!” he exclaimed, in an
 Voice. “ I hcv no right ter lift
my hand ag'in' that man, mis'abul liar though

 “The gold-hunter speaks the word ‘of
‘ .wvlsdom,” Gray Wolf retnmed,and then-bent

_‘ ‘his head in the attitude of listening.

3' , The steady .tread of many feet at’ the bot-
“t‘Om of the ' narrow stairway greeted his

1-. . .

_ "The white dogs are coming; and it is
“too late for the gold-hunter to escape," he

' {announced ‘

  {It 0 ,hermit’s face cleared as if by magic.
~V-En’nd‘ e cunning gleam so characteristic of
" the man again appeared his eyes. , -

f‘Et’s jest as tta sai l” he muttered, in-

 ; keen undertone. “Butrl’ll fool them yet!

_- “The _’ll‘ find thet Hermit Hart's ther keenest

,0! ' ther Harts!”

!  If the cracked brain of the old mountain-
) film has! conceived a plan to elude his one!
.mies,he was given little time to study it in
detail; for even as that boastful, half audible
’ sentence passed his ll 9, Riata Joe entered

“Throw up yer han's, yer measly ole
galoot!” shouted the ruflian, leveling a re-
volver at the hermit. “Kiver him, pards,
an’ of he stirs a peg, pun!” '

Mechanically, llermit Hart raised his
empty hands, while Denbar, with a look of
intense relief, quittcd his position at the
window.

“ You're in good time, Joe—mighty good
time!" he exclaimed. “II-ad you been a
moment later, I‘m afraid I would have suf-
fered violence at the hands of the murderous
old scouudrcl !"

“ lit do look cs ef ye’d been havin’ sum'at
o' a scrimmage," liiata responded, with a
glance at the prostrate forms of Major Myst
and the marshal. “Dcrned lucky I hccrcd
the!“ racket nn’ got a fcwo' thcr boys fer--
gcthcr tcr ’vcstigntc thcr matter, by criminy!

“ 'llullo! hallo! cf hyarain‘t thct bcrdangcd
impident smoky-hide ag’iu !”

“ (lray Wolf here—you bet!" the outlawed
()row assevcratcd, boldly stepping into full
View of the crowd. “ The white dog barks,
but the red chief fears not him!"

“Thcr red chief is brccdin' a funeral fer
hissclf,” rctortcd liinta, with an ugly scowl.
“'l‘wice—" . -

“ lie careful how you cross that red ser-
pent, Joe, for he is dangerous,” quickly
interpolatcd- llcnlmr. “ If you want any
thing to back what 1 tell you, look at Myst
and Burgess."

“ He did thet?" «

“ He did.”

liiata uttered an oath.

“ i think we‘ll gather him in tool
boys—J" ~
“ White dog try that, some one die—t—qm'clcf”
enunciated Gray Wolf, sharply, and with a
quick step backward he swung a brace of
cocked revolvers to a level. “The Crow
chief no coward to run away! When hi
wanted, he here to meet the men he hunt!” -

“Better let it go et that, Joe'!” warned
Denbar, into whose mind a wholesome re-
spect for the prowess of the red Chieftain
had crept. “ After all, both Myst and Bur-
gess forced the fight upon him.’

“ So be ct—ye’re boss 0’ this much!” grit-
ted Riata, sullcnlv. “ Ef I’d my way, Jedgc
Lynch ’dhcv a job almighty quick!" .

“ There’s more than one way to reach the
same end," obserVed the/lawyer significant-
1

Draw,

“And now, Joe, take our friend, the
hermit, over and ‘slap him into the lock~up.
Warn Rough Bob to treat him decently,
but to guard him closely and to admit no
one to see him, as he is charged with de-
liberate murder. ‘

“And there is another point to be looked
after.‘ This manmust have a fair trial-—
no more, no less. To insure him that, the
lock-up must be closely guarded, or some
of the hot-heads of the camp may take a
notion to batter down the doors and lynch
him. .

“ Do you understand, Riata ‘2"

“,I'm dead outer yer graft, boss. ”

“ And you’ll attend to these matters?"

“I'll fix everything good an' hard, boss.”

The hermit was then isarmcd and search-
ed. .That 'task completed, his hands were
securely bound behind him, and he was hur‘
ried down-stairs and across the street to the
rude log structure doing service as a lock-up.

Rough Rob, the keeper of, the place. a
bulk young German with‘tousled light hair
and ward and sleepy- looking bluo' e es; met
the party and ordered ,them into t 9 room
adioinin the prison proper.

lerc t to hermit was duly committed to,
the jailcr's care. Riot-a then explained
Denbar’s instructions pertaiuim to the treat-
ment of the prisoner, and with ' is menwith-
drew from the building.

Gray Wolf had followed the crowd 'from
the lawyer's office, had watched the pro-
ceedings at' the lock-up with jealous care,
and was the last to leaVe the gloomy place.

There was a look in the iercing eyes
of ‘the red-skin that beded- mi of.

 

CHAPTER XXII.
run'rwo s'rnANos sronrs.
LETTA HART was in an agony of fear and
foreboding when she learned that her father
had been ested on the charge of murder.
r It hadf llanto the lot of Tom Sawyer to

 

7 “the office, at the hen of a fullhalf-score
' 'well-srmed men, ' '

  

. .9 I ‘
W4. «  ,

      
 
 

' too.

say that the bland Hercules acquitted him.
self of" the task with a degree of tact and
delicacy hardly to be looked for in a rough
man of the mines.

“They will hang him!” sobbed Letta,
while the tears coursed down her white
checks. “ ()h! I know they will hang him!”

“ Never!’f vowed Tom, who was almost as
pale as the girl. “l don't believe your
father ever killed (iiddy Norton. They'll
have to prove him guilty first, anyway.”

“Sure‘s shootin‘—q]' they lct ct go tcr
trial," added Jenkins. with a peculiar glance
at 'l‘om. “ "l‘nny rate, Miss Letta, yc kin
’pend on us doin’ all we kin tcr save ycr
daddy. licckon Tom an’ me c‘u’d putt in
some mighty big licks fer your sake.”

“.‘lc, too,“ put in (lrny'Wolf, with the
utmost gravity. “ Me know I goldhunter
many moons ago. llc fight then for Gray
“'olf, (iray \Volf fight for him now.

“ But the pale-face girl speak with straight-
tonguc. 'l‘hcy hang gold 'lnintcr tonight,
try him him to morrow‘.”

l.ctta's,sohbing grew more violent.

“ Ye shouldn‘t say that, chief. Et on‘y
distresses thor gal," Jenkins protested, in a
tone, of impatience. “ 'l‘imc enough for her
tcr know ther wu'st when we hev failed!"

“ Gray \Volf tell lhc ll‘lllll*ll() use to lie,"
the chief retorted, calmly. “ We know
something,and pale-face girl know something,
She stop her cry and talk, we find out
a heap, mcbbe. Then we know what do.”

“ Gray ’Wolf’s right. lt. is weak in me to
weep now, when should work," Letta
avcrred, brokenly, but with a brave effort to
repress her grief. “] do indeed know
something which may throw a ray of light
upon the dark predicament in which my poor
father finds himself.”

'l‘hereupon, the girl related her ad-
ventures with Sandy I’arsons the preceding
day, and repeated the conversation between
herself and her father concerning the sale of
the hermit’s worthless claim to Gabriel
Denbar. Then followed the story of the
hermit's departure that mornin to collect
his money, and the subsequent finivasion of
his retreat by Roddy Flack and his desperate
pard. ' . i . r

The three'me'n listened attentively, even
eagerly—Long Pete, to obtain more light
upon certain points touched on but briefly
during the girl’s hurried narration to him at

cunning brain; and Tom Sawyer, that he
might know just what to do to serve this
fair girl in whom he felt such- a deep and
growing interest.

“Me see now !” Gra Wolf exclaimed, with
a vigorous nod, as mtta ceased speaking.
“ We fix ’em— on see!” \

“ There has ccn a vile plot against not
only your father, but yourself as well, Miss
Hart, ’ declared Sawyer, his blue eyes spark-
ling with indignation. “ I have come to the
conclusion that a gang of the meanest rascals
unhung infest this camp, and the sooner we
rid ourselves of them the better for all con-
corned.

“Ye’re jest right thar, youngster!" Jens
kins affirmed. “ An’ from what ye’ve told
me, an’ from what I already s’pccted, I opine
thet this hyar Major Myst is ther meanest
varlct in ther lot.

“ Et do look es. of I’d orter 0 find my
partils'tl'ail an’ hunt him up, but fcain't tear
myself away from this lcetle gal jest yit'u
My pard w’u’dn‘t lxeer tcr et, nohow, an so
I am s till ther game’s played."
" utt ct ‘thar, ard! het was spoken
like a white man!” Sawyer exclaimed, uncon-
sciously lapsin‘g into t 9 camp vernacular.
“ I‘ve got a, plan I think’ll work. 'Efmss
Hart’ll stay hyar, we’ll go in t’othcr room an’
talkzet over. ” . -

Lotta bowed in hopeful acquiescence, and

4

of Sawyer’s cabin. I

 

~ We must now go back to the lawyer's
oflice. v~ . ‘
As the posse gotten together by Riata Joe
crowded down the narrow stairway with
their prisoner, Denbar hastened after them
and touched the rearmost on the shoulder. a,
“Hunt up Skaggs and send him to mé

 

bear the new; to her. and it is poly just, to‘

around. “Here’s adollar to ut win 3 on
your feet; and tell Skuggs to furry." 

 

 

  

  

 
 

 

 
 

 

 
  
 
  

 
  
  

  

an earlier hour; Gray Wolf, to find facts to W
sustain the theory already formed, by his .

 
 

the three men withdrew to the outer room . 4

       

 
   
 

   
 

Billy.” he requested. as the fellow turned  .5,

      
    
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
  
  
   
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
  
  
  

 

    
  
 
   
  

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“new “ya. .. gr 

My,  mt. sit-“g...

FW;‘£¢‘1‘{ "ref-{‘43 

 

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, for in a Very few minutes he h‘adboth Myst
‘ and Burgess upon their feet—the first. with

4‘ anxious look,

  ~- The “smattering-«g; Louis."

 

 

 

The man grasped the coin, nodded, and
pushed on after the crowd, while the lawyer
returned to his oilice window.

Hkaggs was not long in making his ap-
pearance. lie was a lean, ragged. miserable
looking scallawag, a complete wreck physi.
(ally and near the verge mentally; but he
possessed some knowledge of surgery, and
as lights were of frequent occurrence in llig
Ledge, he managed to keep comfortably
drunk off his income from probing for bid»
lets, sewing up cuts, and patching broken
noses. .

“ lines a couple of little jobs for you;
doctor." announced Denbar, laying particu-
lar stress on the title. as the \vretch stepped
gingerly into the ofliee. “ 01' course he no
wish to hurry a loan of your ('alibcr,b1ltld
res rectfully rceonnncndthat you lose mighty 
little time in getting to work."

” Nothin' scr'us—nothin‘ ser'us. I ‘sure
you," Skag’gs replied, with a lofty gesture, }
as ho laid aside his battered tile and e‘lancedl
froinonetothe other of Gray \Volt's \'l(‘—‘
tims. “ Some gallons o~ good blood wasted,
mcbbe, but now ‘at I'm hyar I reckon they‘ll ,
I'ckivcr.” v {

'l‘he vagahond then removed his coat and ;
pushed up his shirt sleeves. These pre- i
liminaries over, he rubbed the tip of his red 
nose rcllectively, and again looked from 
Major Myst to the marshal. 

I
f
I

 

 

“ (lot any good brandy, (lain-‘2" he asked,
turning abruptly to the lawyer, “ This ,
job's goin’ ter be tougher‘n ] thort—a heap 
sight!"

l)enbar produced and handed over a well-
iilled flask. Doctor Skaggs took a long pull
at the ardent contents, then shoved the bot—
tleinto his hip-pocket and set to work in
earnest. _ '

That'the vagabond had at one time been a
skilled surgeon was evidenced by his Work,

a broken nose and badly damaged face; the
marshal with a neatly bandaged arm, which
would be useless as long as he lived.

After a few finishing touches, Skaggs exA
traeted a fee from each of his patients, then
departed, accompanied by the marshal,’
whom he had promised to help up to his
room at the Riata’s Ranch.

“ Well, major, it strikes me you tackled
the wrong man this time," the lawyer re—
marked, as soon as they were alone. “By
George! I don’t think I ever saw sobadly
disfigured a mug! Nose broken, one eye
swelled shut, and one check cut to the bone!
All at one blow, tool That red-skin must
he a——-"

“Let up!” snarled Myst; with a furious
oath, his voice\ snifl‘lin and indistinct.
" That red has struck his own death-blow!
You 0 out and hunt up Bruiser Bill. .I
want him i" .

“I‘ll go, dear boy; but I’m going to tell
you, you're pifiking mighty )oor timber to
go agaimit‘ th t red-sk n. otter wait. till
. Sla back turns up. ” . v

.l st lared savagel at his adviser.

“ etc Bruiser B W he 'gritted. “I
know what I‘m doing!" ‘ . ’

“And that settles it—of course!” ancered
Denbar, turning awa 

Fortunately for t w patience of Major
Myst. the object of the lawyer’s search was
soon found. Sending the rutlian on to the
office, Denbar strolled leisurely about the

cam .

. "I’ll kec clear of that deal," he muttered;
:31 shrewd ook crossin his thin, dark face.
" o and mncomeo it, and—it may end
mighty bad!” * i.

 

The remainder of the afternoon passed
without the occurrence of anything worthy
of note, and with the coming of night the
chm )'8 denizens began to appear in consid—
erable numbers at Riata‘s Ranch.

All felt that the night was to be one of
excitement. perhaps of peril. and as a result
nearly every man carried his full comple-
ment of weapons.

NotiCeablc among the crowd were many of I

l

 

the Lone Hunter men. Their faces were an

bu their nerves seemed I

-, steady, and in the e es of each could be seen 5
a determined glitter. They drank sparingly I

a and held aloof from the curd-tables. ' l

Riata Joe was absent from his accustomed

'be heard-on every side.

post until after eight o’clock, as it had fallen '

to him to perform the marshals duties, in
the way of posting guards about the lock-up
and otherwise looking after the safety of the
prisoner. '

The burly landlord was not the only one
of‘ the :amp’s notables missing. Bartel,
Major Myst and the marshal were all absent,
while it was currently reported that neither
Dandy Jim (‘roeker nor Whisky Bill had
been seen all day.

It was also a matter of comment that
Gabriel Dcnbar had not put in an appear—
ance, as he Was usually one of the’tirst to
Seek the card-tables for an evening game.

'l‘al<c!l’"all in all, there was just a tinge of
mystery in the air—~a faint, indescribable
shadow hinting at somethingimpending, and
each man felt that he was justified in having
buckled onan extra weapon.

Shortly after liiata .loe had returned and
stepped into his place behind thebar, the
whisky began to flow freely—a fact which
(mused the-more sober and ])(‘:lt'(‘tll)l(3 of the
miners to shake their heads gravely and look
askanec at each other.

lly tell o'clock fully one-half of the in-

mates of the saloon and gambling-hell were 5

so far under the influence of the villainous
liquor as to be ripe for any dcedof evil.
(hubs became more. frequent, and muttered
threats and allusions to Judge Lynch could
Then the rougher
and lower element of the crowd, headed by
three' or four of the more notorious ruilians

‘ of the camp, began to gather in groups be-

tween the. bar and the. cardtables. Here
their voices sunk to husky undertones, and
it shortly became evident that an important
move of some sort was under discussion.

About this time, the Lone lIunter mcn
began quietly to leave, going singly and in
pairs and attracting as little attention as
possible. By eleven o'clock, but four re-
mained out o a number originally exceed-
ing a score. Two of the four mingled
freely with the conspirators at the rear' of
room, while the remaining two stood at the
upper end of the bar, near the door.

Suddenly, there came a lull in the low-
toned, earnest etmversation. As if pursuant
to a prearranged plan, the various groups
massed into one, and from oneof tho loaders,
in a hearse, impassioiied voice, came the
words:

“ We‘ll hang the hermit! VVe‘ll h’ang him
high as Haman!”

And almost to a man,
and repeated the words. 4
But at that moment came a startling diver—
sion. -

.Into the room strode a man of massive
build, armed m the teeth, and garbcd in an
odd admixture of the raiment bf the cowboy
and the minor. His hair, in color a deep,
glossy red, rested in a tangled mass upon his

the Crowd caught up

shoulders, while a short, stubbly beard, only ,
a shade lighter, covered his face almost to the

eyes. ,  .

And that face! It was an incarnation of
hrutishness, heightened and intensified b
the wolflsh glare of the big, black, bloody-I
shot eyes;

In each of his huge and powerful hands
this villainous desperado held a cocked re-
volver, and as be advanced toward the crowd
he held the weapons/level, swinging them
from side to side in a way at once careless

and threatening. v

' “ Whar is he? ‘Whar is he?"he howled,
in adcep and penetratin voice, as he ad-
vanced step- by step. “ or is he? D'ye
hcur w'ot I say? Show m ther critter es
wants ter turn a white man’s camp upsi’
down! D'ye hour? Trot him out! Don‘t
hide him. ye skulkin’ houn’s, fer Ihes sw’ared
ter wear is skulpt Hide him, an’ I’ll take
you. " t 1 .

A moment of intense silence followed his
vivid’ outburst.

“Who is at ye want, Bruiser'Bill?" in—
qnired Riata Joe. in a respectful tone.
“ Nobody hyar, I hope!”

"Nobuddy hyar, ye hope!” snarled the
desperado, with merely _a glance at the
burly landlord: “Dang yer hope! I’m
lookm' fer 'thet ‘ar perlifcrous red-skin es
mangled up ther whitest manin ther camp-—
meanin' Des‘prit Dan, in course? They say
Dan’ll never use his arm ag'in, an" though we
‘hain‘t allers bin jess ther best 0' friends,:I’m
ther bloody pirit ter, avenge him!"

a
x 

 

“ Et's ther Injnn chief, Gray ,VVolf, ye
want.” said Riata, hesitatingly. “But,
Bruisci‘——"

“ Bit nor but—nary!" yelled the desperado,
with a frightful burst of profanity. “ l’se
hcered ther red devil’s in yer shcbang, an"
ct's Gray Wolfl want!”

“Gray Wolf here!” and with the quietly
uttered words the Crow chief stepped into
the room.

A thrill of surprise ran through- the crowd,
while Bruiser Hill with a quick bound plant—
i cd his back against the wall and resolutely
i faced the bold red-skin. ‘

t “ Gray Wolf here!" repeated the dauntless
1, chief, grimly. “ \V'hat Big ’l‘ongue want?”
, Then a murmur of :uliniration rose from
; the crowd, for all saw that the cunning red-
 inan lrcld the drop on the blush-ring bully.

q lrniser Bill was quick to realize that he
thad been too slow with his we:ipons-tliat
:he was at the mercy of the man he had
sought: to slay, and in a Voice hoarse with
sullen rage replied:

“l wants ycr life, an’ l wants ct bad!

. “ l‘ll fight ye squat", lnan tcr man !"

“Gray \Volf fight!" was the prompt rc~
spouse, and then a wild cheer broke from
! the turbulent spirits at. the rear of the room,

; for all felt that this bully of llig Ledge had
at last met. the man who Would give him tlfe
' fight of his life. ‘ .

In the midst of the confusion, two strangers A 
slipped in unobsei'ycdly. and took their stand "
at the front end of the bar.

That both were sports a single glance ,_ ‘4
would have decided, for attire, w aipons and
hearing all attested the fact. '

One was a trim, nicely-built man of mid—
dle age, dressed in a suit of black'velveteen
with buttons of solid gold, a glossy beaver
hat and patent-leather shoes, while a sash of
sonic soft crimson stuff encircled his waist;
and supported his side-arms.

His face was a pleasant one, with bright,
blue-gray eyes, and a glossy brown beard
descended almost to his waist, while his
dark hair fell in waving tresses around his.

 

 

’ I,

 

shoulders. ,

The second sport was of short, bulk ? fig- l
me, with blue eyes, closely-croppet red |
hair, and carefully trimmed mustache and '
imperial. He was several years older-than .i
his companion, and was clothed and armed _ ,5.
in much the same manner. '  

 

When the tumult following Gray Wolf’s:  ‘
prompt acceptance of the challenge had, in a ‘ ,
a measure, subsided, ’the younger sport ' t.
stepped back from the bar, flourishing a.
handful of crisp bank-notesover his head,.
and cried: «.

“ A thousand dollars even that the red--
skin whips his maul” , ‘

As his voice rung out, clear as a bugle's .:
pcal, an instant hush came ové‘r the crowd,.
and all e ‘es turned to the strange sport.

Then rdm the rear of the room, in tones-
hard] y recognizable as the voice of a human,
came the response? ' , . - . -,

“ I’ll take: that bet. And if Twin, every " ‘
dollar of the money goes to Bruiser Bill!” ' > a yr

The ‘speaker was Major M st, and with '
g1: last words he strode rapidly toward the

r.

 

CHAPTER XXIII.  .
m manor: seems TAKE A man. ' I

" Ed’s Magi” M st, an’ his money talks ’"
exclaimed ( ata’ oe, addreséing the twp
strangers. “But tech him lightly, , for
hgs bed a fall with ther red-akin ' “l .' , ' 3 ,

“Do tell!” the sport gjaculatedywithla»  ‘
hardlittle laugh, as he stepped back to the“
bar; " “ The fellow’d make a mighty good
sign for a first-class hospita !" ’ ,_

“Yes, I ,guesses he would," admitted~ ‘
Riata. . reluctantly. “Howsumever, ther"
Crow didn’t do all of ct, es ther major bed a -
pistol wound in his hand, which he hurted,
when- hc fell. so ’ut he’s got ter 
arm in a sling for a few days. 5,. ’  £72.21;
. “But hyar he comes, pards, anief 'yé’l?’ ..
J‘est sling me yer handles I’ll give yea

neck-down, so’s everything ’li be reg'lar-

like.” ‘
‘“ I’m called Cool Cy, and I’m all them;

from Cheyenne,” the sport returned. “ .

cor ulent, gentleman with me we call Royal , -
- At, that juncture, Myst: approached

‘ .

V‘F-a.
-;

 
   

 

 

 

 

     
 

 

 
 

The" sport ' fra-

'~  . ., ,m. 5.-.“... ..
‘r - “a, ‘3“ maul"; '.I \
[Fin-1'. '3 ‘*

P

 

 

 

m St.

 

 

ill

 

 

bar, ahd, when the landlord had gotten
through his form of introduction, which in-
cluded a drink all around, the major pulled
a plethoric wallet from his pocket, saying,
in his broken voice:
"2011. Put up or shut up!"
“Ilyar she is," (.‘ool (.‘y cri‘d. nimbly

I counting otf ten crisp new hundred dollar

l s from the roll in his hand.
‘Myst promptly put up his money, and
Riata Joe was named as stalw-holdcr,

say Royal Godsend knows a cinch when he
sees ct, an' I reckon I‘ll hcv tcr ‘hang up a
bluff of a thousand ther same way,” wheczed
the fleshy sport, softly slipping in bcthen
the two men. “ Et do look like j umpln‘ on
a cri ple tcr say ct, but I’ve hecrcd ct whis-
perer , since I’ve bin in this hyar camp, thct
.ther red-skin’s almighty handy."

The major’s single eye glared balefully at
the ruddy visage of the speaker.

“ Understan , I ain’t a-crowdin’ ye,“Boy-
‘al Godsend Went on to say, in the same
wheezy, yet cohtident voice, as he pulled a

" handful of bills from his pocket and slowly
counted out the sum named. “ I‘m putty
square, fer a curse so round as I be, an’ I
don’t mind sayin’ ’twouldn’t be jest right ter
take advantage 0’ yer feclin’s in ther matter;
'Imt—o” ‘

“Ring off!” grated Myst, with a savage
oath, again openin
ing a bundle. of bi ls.

00d man, no doubt. but he’s no match for
ruiser Bill, and my money says so.”

“ And that puts it into my head that I can
squeeze another bet out of you, major,"
Cool Cy remarked, a tantalizin‘ smile part-

_ .ing his bearded lips and disclo. ng two rows

of gleaniing white teeth. “ We’ve got to

' profit by the mistakes of others, you know,
:and [confess I'd like a chance to rope in a
:a‘ few more of your s ads.

“The case stands just like this: I’ve got an

' even thousand left, and l’d like to go it all
.that you lose both your wager.-!"

“' Done!" grated Myst, despite a warning

strangers had run in a “ ungcr” to line their
typock'ets. “Done! but it’s the last bet I’ll
- make to-night, win or'lose!" '
» ' “‘Enough’s as good as a feast
‘Rn al Godsend, with a chuckle.
uring this bit of byplay, Gray Wolf had
a - kept Bruiser Bill consmntly covered. much to
that rniiian's disgust, for he was wild with
«anxiety toteatch his cunning foe otf hisguard
and thus get in a dcath-slmt. ‘ \
Such tricks were “directly in the line of
Bruiser Bill’s tactics, as he scruplcd at noth-
. .- log to win a light, An arrant hraggart and
bully, he yet possessed‘ desperate courzure
endeared little for human life, as was amp y
attested by his red record in Big Ledge.
I. “New for the picnic!” cried (fool ()y,
' when the last stake had' been )lach in
Biata‘s hands. “As a challenge 'has been
w , iven and accepted, I move that this af-
a‘ir be conducted strictly according to the
“'l‘hat's‘it! that’s it!” ~llcd some one in

the crowd. ' “ A reg'lar duel!”

Al‘oar of assent greeted the proposition.
"""‘Thet suits me!" gritted Bruiser Bill,
savagely. “ We'll fight with revolvers, an'
 _" tight to thcr death !” ,

. * . .“ Hold out hold on!" the sport exclaimed,
I staring hard at the enraged bully. “ You're

altogether too fast, young man! ,

5 “As the challenged party, the’red—skin
"holds the choice. of Weapons. time and

"V,

  

 
 
  

  

   

l e.” .
. Cipfiflevolyers all right,” Gray Wolf re-
s; {marked ‘ ‘~‘ '
.E’  t “ When and. where do you want to
 ,ffight?" r

 ‘V‘Here—y-now,” was the terse re ly, and
“again a roar Went up. from the crowd.
U  g} This is whooping things up with a ven-
. ‘5 sconce," observed '001 (t , with a cynical
9 smile, when the tumult ha subsided. '
 W’i‘u‘va, there's another point to settle.”
, {wording to the neural way of doing such
fthlfi'gii”'each of these thirsters for gore.
instituted too second, and if no each in-
clined to’kick I’ll volunteer to act for the
' red-skin,‘glv,ing the major here the privilege
'01 performing. or naming some one to per- i
~I’orrrn, a like other! for his man.

   

  

 

. “ I'm here to cover your money, gentle }
“ (Tchx‘ it!" ;

“ Well, now, major, Idon't jest like. this j
hyar thing o’ bettin’ permisc’us, but they do 

his wallet and extract- !
“The red-skin is a ;

. "lock from Riata, who began to suspect tin: .

quoth ‘z

   

I. “ What say ?”
Myst looked (
then said;
“ If Riata ’ll
, not—-"

Ioubtingly at the. landlord,

act, Well and good.

. landlord put in. “ I'm a leetle rusty in sci-h
i rackets, mebbe, but what I lack in line lig-
; gerin‘ l kin make up in hossrscnse."

“We'll call it a go, then," nodded (TooJ
(3V. “.\nd I reckon the sooner we. get

:ey‘erything settled
concerm-d. "

‘f ’I‘het‘s thei‘ ticket," Ithita declared,
i coming from behind the bar. “ Sn ' we put

thcr critters fifteen paces apart an' . rn 'em

looSe, ch?" ’ .
I “ I suppose that'll answm'. Put them back
3 to back. When all is ready, our friend God
send will count one—~two—threc, and at the
gword three both are at liberty to turn and
5 fire, or adopt such other tactics as may seem
i best to them." w .
I “Thet sounds like good boss-sense, an’ as
T one plac‘e is es Wood cs another I'll jest take
. Bruiser Bill badk an’ put him in posish, while
' you take your man for'ard 2111' do thcr same.
Q Beckon we kin guess at thcr distance nigh
i enough."
“ Yes, yes; a step or two more or less will
I make mighty little difference,” the sport re-
5 turned with the cas ' assurance of a man con~

fident of winning, his wager, and then each of
the seconds advanced toward his princi—
pals. '

“ Hold up a minute! Thar‘s one other
lectle matter es might ter be understood,"
: exclaimed Royal Godsend, “ I’ve bin

elected as Sort of master of ceremonies, an‘

I jest want ter say thet ct thcr fu’st show o‘
' foul play oncither side I’ll bore somebody’s
‘ head with a 44-bullet! Understand—all?”

“ Thet's ther caper," assented Riata, ur-
banely, and the fleshy sport drew and
, cooked his revolver. I
1 Then, while the crowd parted right and

now, the better for all

I

left and fell back to the walls, the duelists'

were placed in position, Gray Vl'olf facing
the. open door, Bruiser Bill the card table, at
the rear of the room.

That done, the seconds joined the crowd
ranged against the walls. and in’a sharp, clear
tone Royal Godsend 5am: the words:

“ ( )iu_-——tWo—fhree . - o

Simultanmusly, the motionless dublists
‘sprung into uciionmllt'lliscl' Bill wheeling

squarely around and tiring a splendid Iinc
.shot; Gray Wolf leaping nimny aside and
‘ falling to his knees are turning.

A wild shriek of agony from the st rectwa
bitter oath from the over—confident bully—~
then the weapon of the cruming red—mall
cracked thrice. the three N‘porls ringing
out almost amine, and Bruiser Bill i'cllin
an. inert heap, shot through both shoulders
and with his right ankle shattered.

i Again was Gray Wolf trimnphant,_and
‘with a face as colorless as ashes Major' Myst
turned and hurried toward the rear stair-
way, ‘to seek the seclusion of his room.

“frec'on ct "ll be some months afore
Bruiser Bill hunts another tight,” Biata dry-
ly remarked, when "the noise had so far
subsided that-he. was able to make him—
self heard. “.An' I guess he ‘ll never be.
i quite ther man he was, though Skaggs ain‘t
I no slouch at patchiu’ it man up.

3 “ But, sports. 'hyar’s yer money. for ye’ve

imadc ct. square. An' cf ye ’ll take a fool's
advice we’ll git thet dcrned red-skin out o’
Big Ledge jist es Soon es ye kin. Bruiser
Bill’s no petin this hyar lectle camp, but ct
do go ag'ln’ ther grain ter see a smokyskin
do up a white man.”

“ From the width of the swath Gra 'Wolf's

' been cutting In this camp, I kinder t ink he:
' ’ll be able to look out for himself,” Cool Cy

returned, as he pocketml' his money.

‘ At that juncture, four men entered the
place, beating a slender, black-clad ‘form,
which they gently lowered to the floor.

These men were the guards whom Biata
had stationed at the lock-um and as the
crowd surged forward and looked down at.
their ghastly burden. a murmur of surprise,
not unmixed with horror, arose.

In that slenderform lay, all that was
mortal of Gabriel Denbar, the lawyer. The
single bulletfli’ed by Bruiser Bill had pierced
his heart! " ‘

Before a, Word could be uttered. however,
a hmvy formp-cam‘eiunibering through the

A c

  

  

If,

“ (Hi, I'm yer h‘arpin——bet yer boots?" the "

i i .
idoorway, and Rough Bob, the jailer, now
.a picture of fright and despair.confronted
l the crowd,

I “ l)er brisoner!“ he splu’tered, clawing"
jhclplessly at his ilaxen hair, “Der bris-
oner!"

“ Thcr prisoncr— what '3" thundered Riata.
with a swift glance around the room.

“ .\ch (lott! der brisonerl del' mob!"

“)Iob!" repeated Itiata, and thou like a
flash of light the truth came to him, and
with a bound he cleared the bar. revolversin
hand, just as a steady trampling of horses
without announced the return of the Vigi~
Ianies. “ Foller lll(‘, pards! Et‘s Sawyer
an' his crowd, an' cf we don't look sharp
they'll get ther murderin' hermit away! Fol
lcrme, quick! Slayback‘s with us!"

“ 'l‘het I be, of ye‘ve said true!" and with
the wordsthe Vigilante chief appeared at the
door. _

L'ttering a wild yell, the roughs of Big
Ledge surged forward, weapons in hand,
ready and anxious for the;battle to open.

“ Come on, pardnerl We (ain't roll back
the tide, but we may yet cheat it of its
prey!" uttered Royal Godsend. sharply, his
fingers fastening in a grip of steel upon
his companion's arm. “ ’“rare hawks! a bad
play now may spoil all!" '

“Truth, every word of it!" Cool Cy re-
sponded, even as the lurid glitter in his blue
eyes deepened. " Move! I’ll 'follow!"

A bound carried Godsend to the door, an-
other into the darkness of the street. with
the man from Cheyenne at his heels. There
the tall form. of the Crow chief confronted
them.

“How!” Gray Wolf exclaimed, gn‘ppin
the hand of Cool Cy. “The eyes of the red
chief are as keen as the eagle's. He see
where white dogs are blind.

“Come! Follow Gray Wolf 1”

“But the hermit!” ,

“‘I‘Iim safe—you bet 3" and the chief drew
the two sports away from the jostling
thrt‘mg. “ White dogs plot to kill him, but
the (‘row chief hear, and tie (‘row’chief fool
‘em! White dog tell guards when pistol
speak at saloon, guards must run awa to
‘see, so mob come git the .goldLhunternnd
ha .him. Crow chief go to saloon and
fi rht, and guards come see. told-hunter‘s
friends go to lock-up, get him; when mob
come, be gone. .

“ You snvey?’

“ lleap saw-y!“ chuckled ,Godsend.
reckon you're no slouch, chief!" _

“ (lray Wolf chat chief, ’.’ the red-Skin dc-
clared. with the utmost complacency.

At that moment a wild uproar at the lock-
up attested the truth of the chief‘s statement
concerning the hermit.

The vanguard of themob had reached the
building, only to find the cage empty.
The hermit had indeed escaped. .

“Heap h'urry now, or we no meet our
friends,’ the chief urged, dashing away in
the darkness. ‘ ' \

(.‘ool (‘y‘kcpt at his heels. and was in turn
closely followed by Godsend, who displayed
agility and lightness of foot. little short of
marrelons in one of his bulky build.

in I

\

tied the three to the lower endof the camp,
where Gra ' Wolf Blackened his pace to a
brisk walknnd uttered fa clear bird-like
signal. V  y‘ ‘

An, answering call came from the shadows
surroundings. cabin a few rods away. and
.in another minute the sports and their guide
were surrounded by Tom Sawyer and his
friends. . '

Gray Vt'olf briefly explained the presence
of (loci .(‘y and his pard. vouchin
in such terms as could leave no on 

their trustworthiness, and the “Win. V were
heartily welcomed. ‘  i

5.

Every friend counts,” Bret-red Sawyer,
earnestly. “ Slayback and. 1118' "crowd are
easily two toljom‘ one. bl“ they, “MC Tlllcfl
the camp with-fa ‘rod of iron as long as we
can endure it. and here and “(l-w we pro
pose to bring the gang up With a short
turn.” ‘ " ' ’
Before eith ' of the sports could utters
word. a. war'n g signal came from a sentry
posted some dismnce away, Calling Sawyer
to the front; then. another. and the man came
running’ln- . , » .
."They’re comi‘n. Tomi"

 

   
   

        
  

 

A sharp run of perhaps three minutes car- -

for them? ‘I

. . . the nard’lan- 
pounced. i1: ufhusky undertone,  he . met. '

         

 

    
     
   
         
     
 

imfi'f’efle‘r» Haw x  v.

     
  
      
       
 

 

    
     
       
     
     
       
       
       
   
       
     
         
       
   
         
         
       
   
       
     
     
    

   

    
       
         
     
     
       
     
     
     
       
       
       
       
       
       
     
         
     
     
         
     
     
     
        
       
      
       
         
         
       
 
   
 

 

      
       
       
      
       
       
      

 

‘ "  The“ Sport from ‘ Sty-ins." I  i 

   

 

   

Sawyer a few yards from the cabin. Thar's
in ther dark ter give us a surprise.”

“ Go back to the boys, Mike, and tell them
to stand ready," Sawyer returned, and then
as the man sped toward the cabin the ex-
superintendent's voice rung out, e1 tar and
cold.

“ Halt! you scoundrels! Don't attempt to
crowd us!"

A moment of silence followed, broken
only by the. low murmur of voices at a dis-
tancc. Then in hoarse tones came the ques
tion

" Thet 3/011, Tom Sawyer?”-

“ You‘ve called it, (Turly Slayback! And
now I warn you and your gang to clear out
for take the. conqullcncesl"

The Vigilante chief uttered a jeerin
laugh

"'Quinsequences bedernedl” he retorted,
in a blustering tone. “ Ye talk mighty
brash, T om Sawyer, but we know what
force ye got! ,

“ Now, you give up ther hermit an’ we'll
let ther hull matter drop. Try ter keep him,
an' we‘ll wipe yer leetle gang otI'n ther face
‘0’ the’r airthl"

“ You .say so, but try it once, Curly
Sin back?” was the undaunted retort.
“ e're thirty strong, and well-armed, and
we mean business!

1r
0

we've organized as the Regulators of Big
Ledge, wrth the avowed intention of rooting
out the Vigilantes! ,

" Now, rtit’s fight you want, come on!”

And with that hold challenge Sawyer
turned and strode l)€1((l{ to the cabin, while
an angry yell went up from Slaybaek and
his men. ‘

It was the beginning of the endl

The camp was at last divided against it.
self, for the area of Big Ledge had resolved
themselves into two distinct, opposing fac
tionst ‘ ’

A silence deep and unbroken succeeded
that wild outburst Then a sharp command
jarred through the blackness of the night,
and the Yigilantes swept toward the cabin
with the fury of an avcnging horde!

 

CHAPTER XXIV.
DANDY JIM s sEenE'r MISSION

“ LADY! have no fear of ‘mc' Not for the
wealth of worlds would I harm so much as a
hair of your head, wicked as I aml’

The words burst from the lips of Dandy
Jim Croeker in strains low, intense and can»
est as he suddenly confronted the Lady
Bandit in her cavern retreat.

3‘ I have no fear!" the mysterious woman
coldly responded. steeling her ucrws to mce
the intruder fearlessly. “\‘l'hy should I“!
My men are'withiu reach of my voice, and
the brave fellows do my bidding andulo it
well‘” , b

“ I doubt it not, lady, foreveul would find
it a )lcasurc to obey your slightest wish,’.’
the Titan declared, his burning eyes never
leaVin thevailed face of" the woman.  ln-
decd,’rt is to Serve you that l airrherc!”

“ Indeed!" and (‘aptain Kate's voice rumr

‘with scorn “You surprise me, (‘olone
I, I

Croekerl

\ “Dont condemn rue unheard, ladyl'en—

treated Dandv .lirn, impetuously advam-ing
a pace. " I ravobeen a mighty black sheep,
it is rtrne, but you should. remember that
, even the‘ meanest of creatures have some. re-
, deeming traits."
‘ “‘Oh, yes! that is true enough," the wo-
man admitted, with a reluctant nod. “ But
it is equally true that exceptions prove the
rule You ave..- to ut it mildly, never
been a friend of mine, "olonel Crocker!‘

“ You will pardon me. madame, but it is
there that you make a mistaker From the
day you
Che . you have. had no warmer, truer
fricn than Jim CFOCkOTl" '

Captain Kate laughed bitterly. ,

“ You have at last penetrated my secret!"
shecxclaimcd, ina cutting tohe. “It is as
well, colonel. for the dual role will 'no longer
serve me_ Last n‘i rht's'work settled that l”

“ You attribute that outrage to me i”

“ In dpart. yes. Why '

,Dan y J im‘s face grew

- On , his broad forehead heads of sweat
, .‘,’,gleamed coldly tn the flickering firelight.

A.

  

  

not ‘2" ,
white and agitated.

   

“VVc‘vc grown tired of your rule, and

rst entered Big Ledge as Kate.

l

a big crowd of ’cm, an’ they’re erecpin‘ up ‘ to the level of the brutes?" he cried, hoarse-

l

 

’ ii re

'Icircuinstantics, upon which I need not here

" Great Godl woman, would you sink me

ly “ ()utlaw and desperado I am, I fully
admit, for contact, with mankind has made
me that, and more, perhaps; but to delib-
erately or knowingly wrong a woman, is a
step lower than Jim Crocker has ever fallen.
77ml I swear by the memory of a. sainted
rnothcrl"

And the voice of the Titan, clearing as he
proceeded, rung with unconscious pride.

"For your own sake, I am glad you can ,
say as much, (‘olonel Crocker," Captain ‘;
Kate returned, coldly.

“That I have spoken the truth, and that I
am here as a friend, let me prove by word
and act,” pursued the Titan, bitterly, yet in
a calm strain, his gaze, wandering from the
vailed fuel to the flicker-hm embers of the

" has humiliating task, but my duty
is plain, and now that the path is open before
me, I cannot shrink.”

“ Spare yourself, colonel! I have sued
for nothing at your hands—not even naked
justice! It is utterly useless for you to
speak. for though you lay your head upon
the block in my behalf, 'et would I regard
you as an enemy. The b ackness of the past
can be obliterated by no present sacrifice,
however great!"

Dandy Jim started as if stung, and again
his burning gaze met the coldly-gleaming
eyes of the Lady Bandit.

"Stop!" he GXelaimed, with an imperious
gesture. “ It is of that past that I am here
to speak, to lay bare. the whole hideous truth,
to otfer'sueh atonement for my part therein
as you ,may demand 2“

“ You know. then—”

“I know that Randolph Coleridge was
your husband !" swiftly, almost fiercely. '
“ I learned as nruch last night. and—-

“Shall I speak plainly, madame, or hide
the bittor truth and conceal the motive im-
)clling me to come here at the risk of life
itself to tell you‘all?”

“ Speak plainly!” tersely replied Captain
Kate. for the first time betraying a sign of
tnore than passing interest. ‘ ‘

“Then, madame, permit .me to say that
that knowledge turned my heart to ashes!"
continued Dandy Jim, in low. intense tones.
“ From the moment ,yon had entered the
camp as Kate t‘herry, i had loved you—-
secretly, but ferVently, ardently‘.

“ Stay! it is not to urge that hopeless pas-
sion upon you that I am hem! ‘Zhat would
be useless—useless'
that youmay be assured of my sincerity in
attempting to right whatever o wrong you
may have suffered at my hands, directly or
indirectly." ‘ ' I

In utter silence the woman inclined her
head. ' I . -

“ To make all clear—to lay the naked truth
before your eyes that you may ‘ choose the.
proper course—I must go back to the begin-
ning." pursued the Titan, his gate again
seeking the. glowing embers. as if from their;
lurid depths he. would conjure the scenes of
the horrid past. A . ‘

" It was in Boise. City, nearly six years
ago, that five men, all fugitives from justice,
were thrown together by a peculiar train of

dwell. Let it answer that the five were. Saul
Bartel, Curly Slaylmck—then known as
Billy Briggs—Si llaydotk a red-skin widely
notorious under the name of Indian Pete,
and since then killed by Bartel. and lush——
myself. fl As but one’course. was left to any
of us. and that (curse outlawry, we banded
ourselves together by a fmrful oath, to break
which was death. ,

“In Boise City at that time 'was an old
mountain—man famed the West over"as a suc—
Cessful gold hunter. With him was a man
many years younger, As the twO'wore on
the point of starting on a prospecting trip
into the gold-hills, we decided to follow them,
assured by the reputation ofthe old man
that. gold would almost surelv'bc found, and,
that our initial venture woult pay us, could
we , sneer-ed in jumping their claim‘ or even
in rOhbing them of the contents of the
‘ pookets ’ they might find and empty. '

- "These prospectors, it is almost needless
to so , were Old Missouri and Randolph
Colcndgc—yourfather and your husband.

“ Straight a9" a bee flies..aln,rost, over the
mountains and through the wilderness they
made their Way—straight to the present site,

 

I disclose it now, onlywothers to shut him in a c ve. near by until

'help, he could never have made, his waym a

 

 
    
  
   
   
     
  
   
  
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  

of Big Ledge, where, true to the unerring
instinct of the old man. a pay-streak was
uncovered.

“ Patiently we waited to assure ourselves
as to the extent of the find ere striking, lurk-
ing in the surrounding hills and keeping the
venturesome pair under surveillance nigh’t .
and day until nearly a month had rolled f.
round. _ 

“ Then, one morning just at daybreak,
Old Missouri left. the camp to return to Boise
City, leaving Coleridge behind to guard thé
newufound tr’asure. That decided the mate,
ter so far as we Were concerned, for we knew
then that it had been no rrrere ‘pocket’or’f
‘ sport ‘ they had uncovered, but a paying ‘
vein, and we hastened to act.

“Billy Briggs and Hi Ilaydoc were hur-
ried after the old prospector, with instruc—
tions to make short and sure work of him,
while Bartol, Indian Pete and myself were to
dispose of Coleridge.

“ Neither party made a success of the part
assigned them. Old Missouri was OVertaken
and stabbed, but in the struggle fell over a
cliff, and it so came about that the letters he
carried were afterward received by you, for -
it. was a difficult place to descend, and, feel.
in g sure that their victim had perished,
Briggs and Ilaydoc returned to camp with~ ,
out going down to rifle his pockets. That
he really did meet his death at their hands,
however, has never been disputed."

A choking sob burst from the lips of the
hapless woman, and her head sunk upon her
breast in an agony of grief.

“ Pardon me for the pain I inflict,” uttered
Crocker, hoarsely. “ I came to reveal all,
and to make my task complete no point must
be overlooked.” '

“ Goon!" (‘aptain Kate returned, resolute-
ly repressing her grief and again meeting the
Titan‘s gaze with a steely glitter in her mag-
netic eyes. “ I have borne much—will bear

‘ .

v

 

K

J!

    
       
     
           
       
     
     
     
     
     
      
      
       
       

more!” ,> .
Nodding curt] , the man in white con-
tinned:

          
 

“ With Coleridge, the case was different,
for be detected our approach and ordered us
to halt, but was shot and badly wounded by ' ,‘
Bartoi, who was in favor of finishing the ‘
job then and there; but the. fellow wasa man
of wonderful nerve. and that fact, rather
than any innate. reluctance to shed blood, won
Indian ‘I’ete and myself to urge that he be
given at most a chance for his life. with the
resultihat, we finally prevailed upon the

      
     
     
     
     
         
     
     
 

we could decide as to the rest. course to par-
sue with him.

“Then Ilaydoc slipped in with Pete and
myself, giving us the majority and we
decided the fellow should be kept acertain. ;*
time, and then be given the alternative of
joining our band or being shot. v' . .

“ So the months rolled by uith Coleridge
a close prisoner. until the middle of Decem-
ber. At that time a heavy snow fell and for
Weeks we were shut oil from the cavern; 80 ,
that the conclusion forced itself  us '
that our captive would no longer trouble. "its;
as mortal man could not withstand the cold
and hunger of those lingering weeks. so"
long and trying even to the members of the
band, comfortably housed and fed as they
were. ' ' 

“ W'ith the break‘in the snow. we beat our
way up to the carern. It was closed, and,_
just as we had left it. but the captive was
gone! _ 

“ Not a trace of him remained!" '

“ lie had escaped?" asked Captqig~-Kfl§€.

    
     
     
       
       
     
       
       
       
       
       
         
       
     
    
 

      
 

leaning forward in‘breathless interest;  w
The Titan gravely shook his-head. ‘ »_ _
"I know no ,” he replied. “The cavern

was a mere hole in the  without a fissure 

above, below, or in the walls. The. fasten. s

ings at the entrance had npt been disturbed; ,.

but Coleridge was gone. Yet, had, he'ofi- .f.

raped in his enfeebled mndition, without . \

    
  

 
 
     
 

  
      
     

  
      
        
      
 
 
  

place of safety. And from that day 
not one ‘of the hand has evict. ,fl, , V .8'
word from an ' Source to indicate“ th 5343.
alive, althoug they have lived in constant‘
dread that he would some day return. ' ’:

" Of course, his. mysterious disappearance
brought suspicion upon Indian Pete and m"
self, and although we both entered a vigor?
ous denial it was many months  ’
were again free to go and without one
df the others dogging our steps, and tum

 
     
 

 
  

      

     

vs

l
>4

   
    

 

        
    
 

 

  

  
  

       
 

 

' '   

 

 

in part through this suspicion that Indian
Pete finally met, his death. .

“ We were nearly two years getting the
first of the mines, the Golden Horn, into
operation, owing to a lack of funds, for we
had to take to the road and hold up stages
to get the money, and that, as you may
know, is sometimes a mightv slow and a
mighty risky way to raise a pi e."

The woman merely nodded, and Dandy
Jim. clearing his throat, went on.

“But as soon as we had gotten enough
together, we bought and put in the neces-
sary machinery, and then the camp of Big
Midge began to boom. 7

“About this time there appeared in camp
a stranger—a slender, beardlcss young fcl-
low, who caused In a world of uneasiness,
for he had registered at liiata‘s Ranch under
the name of l)clmontc (Toll-ridge,"

“ Delmnntc (,‘olcri(lgcf" ejaculated (laptain
Kate, in no little agitation. '-

“ch, I’l)t!illltllltt‘ (Jolt-ridge," the Titan
averred. “ And as no manifested no little
curiosity as to the camp and its‘t'ounders, \vc
stmightway jumped to the conclusion that
he and the man who had so n‘iystcriously cs-
cap'ed us were lu'ot.hers—-a conclusion which

"later event-s h:ch proved was the correct
one.”

A low, tremulous sigh tlnttered from the
lips of the woman, and with a nervous ges—
ture she threw back her vail, disclosing,r a
face strong and handsome, but now of ashy
palencss.

“Go on!" she breathed, huskily.
on!”

“Well, we talked the maticroVer, and de-
termined not to molest him unless forced to
do so to presorve our secret. We Were live

' against one, and as we could watch him we .
felt that we really had little to fear.”

“rThus, nearly a year went by. Then,
with the startling suddenness of a thunder-
clap, we discovered that the fellow had'got~
ten into the gomi graces of Italian Pete and
was slowly squeezing the truth out of him.

“That act of treachery settled the red-
skin’s fate, for within the hour Bartel met
him at a lonely spot below the camp, and
stabbed him to death. -

“ But for an accident, that murder would
harm hastened the very crisis we were striv- ,
ing toavertt In some manner, Bartol had
lost his knife, and, fearful that it might be
found near the body of the red-skin and thus
cause ugly whispers if not direct accusation,
he induced me to go with him in search of-

” (it)

” As we nhared the gulch in ,which the
fatal afiair had occurred, we discovered that
Indian Pete was yet alive; and more, that
Coleridge was with him, listening to the red-
skinZn dying words. -

‘fIna moment we had hurled ourselves

, upon the vouth, and when we had disarmcd
 and bound him we attemptedto force from
 his lipS'the words htterod b Indian Pete—
tricd it even unto torturing im, and failed! -
“But why dwell upon the matter? I
ow sick and faint even yet when it comes

1: to me! Let it answer that, maddened

by our ill-success, we subjected ‘him to the
torments of the damned,-gloatiu over his
a any with the delight of soul ess fiends,
' ‘ruised and helpless, he was at last bound
 the back of a wild cayuse and sent
rift in the mountain wilds, with the warn-
-ing that if he escape with hfs-life and ever
I ' ventured back to Big Ledge his end‘WOuld.
be swift and sure!”
 With a short sharp cry Captain Kate
 sprung to her feet, her bloodless face work-
'-‘,Mlng :paamodimll , her dark ‘eyes gleami-
“ in 'th the VlVli ness of living coals.
- and quivering with pent-up paséion. “ You
» inhuman monster 1—4122! ” '

  if  ,Involuntarily, Dandy Jim recalled a pace;

‘hutgwtth-a spring as swift and sinuous as
that of an‘ enraged tigress the tortured
woman flung herself straight at his throat, a
 p knife glittering in her uplifted handl.

anP'rfna xxv.
THE coxmssios marsnnu,
IN the face of his anul peril, Colonel

'  , Crockcr gamely rallied his courage and stood

unmoved, just the trace of,ot‘ a wan smile
playing over his bearded lips, his head
 ‘,, I V ' .L r-

'  This to me 3" she grated, in a voice low ‘

 

thrown slightly back to exposo his full white 

throat, as if courting death at the hands of '
the Woman he professed to love yet had so i
foully wronged. ' |

“ My life is yours—take it!" he uttered, I
swiftly, swcrving not a hair's brPadlh after
that first involuntary recoil. “ ictter by"
your hand than minc'."

His passive submission, no less than those o
hurried words, recalled the scnses of the
maddcncd woman chn as her knife swept
downward to bury itself in the yielding tlcsh I
of the Titan. l'nstaincd, the gleaming blade }
dropped from her ncrvcless lingers. and with 5
a low cry she shrunk back, then sunk upon
the rude stool and buried her face in her,
hands, while her well-knit i'orm' shook and i
quivmrd in a passion okgricf and terror.

Mutt-1y, llamly .lim gazed down at the
suffering creature, a look of tic-pair in his
burning,r eyes, his strong fat-c twitching with
the emotionslhe vainly strove to conceal. .
Verily, upon his own head his sins had at
last rccoilcd‘, with a force as crushing :ls
bitter!

As the moments wore on. the sobs of the
Woman grew less frequent, less \violcnt.
Again was hcr iron will asserting itself. and
as the dcspcrado noted the fact he stcclcd
himself anew for the ordeal before him. ,

“ You may proceed." uttered ('aptain ,
Kate, at length, in a broken voicc,as she lifted
her eyes almost appealineg to the face of
the Titan. ‘ liut if you Value your life or
mine. hide the foul horror of it all, for i can
endure no more!"

Dandy Jim silently inclined his head.
hardly daring at that moment to utter a re-
spouse.

“ We. had calculated, iartol and i, that
the chances were as good as a thousand to
one that Coleridge would never survive that.
wild ride," he resumed, presently, in a‘sub-
dued, almost inaudible voice. “Ami our
calculations were correct, too, I firmly be-
lieve tothis day. At that time the camp
was hardly a third its present size, pros-
pectors and hunters were a rarity in the
surrounding hills, while hostile red-skins
made. it extremely hazardous for even an
armed squad to venture far from camp; and
added to these facts was another‘and the
weightiest of all—the rarer-present pessibility
of the maddened cayuse’s dashing headlong
over a recipicc or crushing out the life of
his he pless rider against some tree or
bowlder. ‘

“Yet, with all the odds against him,
Delmonte Coleridge escaped!"

“Escaped, you say ‘r” and in a tremor of
nervous excitement, captain Kate once more
sprung-to her feet.

“ Yes, though how I know not, for until
last night there was not a man'of us but
rested secure in the belief that he had
miserably'periahcd.” I

“ And then—what then ‘?” asked the woman,
quickly, a hectic flush relieving the pallor of
her face, her magnetic eyes gleaming like
stars in her intense anxiety.

“ And then the Scales Were rudely pulled
from our eyes. Dclmonte Celeridge was not
only alive, but was in Big Ledge, with his
plans, laid to bring us to boo .”

At that abrupt declaration, Ca tain Kate
reelcd\blindly and would have fail on but for
the good in hand of Dandy Jim.

“ h, . or i Ithank thcel’Shemurmuml,
with clasped hands and streaming eyes. “ ht
lastl at last!"

“Lady, be seated, and pardon me if I re-
mind you that time is flying, and that there
is et much to ca ,” the Titan coldly urged.
” f not dead, De monte Coleridge is in peril
of-his life.” v‘

“One question, then? you may, proceed,”
the woman returned, shrinking away from
the supporting hand. , x

“ Was he the Sport, Dell Daunt?”

“ Yes, Dell Daunt, or Davuntless Dell, and
we were made aware of his identity by
Major Myst, one of his trusted friends," and
then ,in‘ a few terse séntences Dandy Jim
narrated all that had been learned them the
major durin his visit to himself and Bartel
the hi ht be ore. .

"‘ 0 l, the traitor! oh, the sconndrcll" cried
Captain Kate, when the full depths of the
major’s tummy had been laid bare. “ Has he
no heart—no conscience‘l'”.

“Precious little. I reckon,” cooll Mei-red *

'agcnt."

muted, nervously claspin

 

the Titan.‘ .‘T-He is keen, bold am unocm- V
.  gig  up} ‘  g .V .7

‘ "ms 3 
#in I .

. v ‘“
pulous: and I warn you fairly, lady, that, ‘
backed as he is by the cunning brain of
Gabrielllenbar. he is more to be feared
than Bartol with all his desperate follou‘»
crs.

“ ()f the present whereabouts of the Sport,
i know nothing; but it is greatly to be
feared that Slayback and his men have
found him and iinishcd their brutal work.”

“ Oh, no! no!“ ('aptain Kate c.\claime(l, in
a quick, joyous tonc, a light laugh breaking
from hcl‘ lips. an c\ultant tlush appearing in
her dark eyes, " They have not, found him——
they will not tind him.‘ ..

“ it islcss than an hour. (‘oloncl (‘rockcr,
since Dauntlcss llcll quilted this cavern,
under lhc guidance of my most trusted

' A

“ 'l‘hcn, lady, permit me to urge that you
lose no timc in joining the Sport. lie is :1
cool, clcar hcadcd man, and guided by the
knowledge you can give him, will know cx»

\actly how to proceed to avenge his brother's

death and reclaim the I'u‘opcrty.
“ And now, there is little more for Inc in
say. as i must hasten back to camp to avert
l . a .
suspicion. and await the end. lor i shall not
attcinpt to evade the punishment lsorichly
merit.
“ l have spoken. lady. not through fear—A
not to sacriticc my pards that l llllL'ili live,

i but to make such reparation as i could fora

wrong unwittingly done a woman. it. is
not the first time, perhaps, that l have
caused one to suffer. but it is the first time
that the fruit, has been brought directly to
my knowledge. Queer.'isn't it, that I, a
rutlian who would shoot down a. man with»
out a scruple or a pang, should shudder at
the mcrc thought of having wronged that
man‘s mother, or wife, or sister? Queer.
but true! lt‘s .lim (‘rockcr as he came
into the world, and it‘s Jim Crrwker as he‘ll
go out!

" Lady, «dict/f"

As the bitter tones of the man in white
ceased, he stepped back a pace, turned and
with quick, restless strides disappeared in
the shadows. , '

(‘aptnin Kate moved forward, as if to
call him back, then hesitated. , ‘

“No,‘no!" she muttered._ “I eannotfor—
give, even yet!” and with clasped hands and
grimlyccmtracte'd brows the Lady Bandit
sunk down upon the stool, to gaze long and
earnestly into the smoldering tire.

An hour passed—an hour of hard, intent
thought—when she at last rose to her feet
and placed a small whistle to her lips.

As the silvery blast died away, two men—-
slight,athletic fellows, both—came, bound-
ing out of the deeper gloom and stopped be—
fore her.

“What is it, madame ?" the foremost ask~

ed, with a respectful bow. ‘
you.” .
“ We are ready. madame, and eager," was
the rompt‘ res he. “Say the word,'and
wc’ Y’at it, for life in this dreary cavern has
no chamis for us!"

“We are done with the cavern this night,
and for all time, I hope.

“ Mount,R0ger,and ride to the rendezvous.
Tell Marshall to move on to Bi Ledge with:
out the loss of a moment. will join hini
at the ford below.” "

" We‘ll not reach there earlier than noon,
madame. It is 8. ion , hard ride.”

“Noon will do, t ough the 800 er the
better. Urge Marshall not to a re his
horses.” I I

Saluting, the man tumed and hurried:
away.

“ And you, Desmond," Continued Captain
Kate, addressing her remaining follow; .
“you, too, have an errand. '   ~ .

“ Go to Darrit’s retreat andtiyto him that -
I desire him and the Sport t2) return here at :‘
once."  ‘ ,

” You may expect me back In two hours,
madame,” and inclinin himself meonndly
the fellow glided back Into the shadows,

Alone once more. the Lady Bandit replen-
ished the tire and sat down to await the re-
turn of the second courier. .

As the moments wore on, her face grew
bright and eager, and sh‘c started at every

r

und.‘ - v v . V ,
“Can it end in disappointment?" she mur‘

he: trembling ‘hunds. “ s‘it another false

 

“Work—quick, sharp work ‘for both of

and unelasping  ' ’

I. «KIA? n". lI'-1"4‘l'.-.-1I~.’ » m. . . .

 

M...
r

 fzégwwmda... ,V I ,

,
.v

. .;

  

  

 

   

 

hope leading me on to the rock of despair, or,
is it the truth—the glorious truth?”

So, long ere the two hours had elapsed,
the woman wrought herself, into a fever of
impatience, and quit her place at the tire, to
pace the dry sand in agony of spirit.

Shorter by some minutes than the time set,
was the absence of the courier, and as he
silently roentc’rcd the. cavern and glided into
the glimmering tirelight, the Lady Bandit
read disappointment in his smooth. grave
face.

“ Well?” she asked, darkly, almost sharp-
ly, as the fellow paused before her.

“I Was too late, madame. Darrit and his
friend had gone,”

“ Are you sure they had been theref"

“ Iam positive they had, for I waited to
assure myself of the fact." -

Captain Kate lnoved her head, and her
dark brows contracted sharply.

“ They have gone to llig Ledge." she. ex«
claimed, after a moment. “ Desmond, you
must follow them there. Tell them of the
stcpsl have. taken, and say that I shall ap.
pear in camp shortly after noon with what
forced I have raised, as the game is now in
my hands.

" And if it is possible, Desmond, have
them return here with you at the earliest
moment in reason,"

Again the courier bowed and departed.

’

CHAPTER XXVI.
DAIENTLEss DELL r’INDs AN .iLLY.’

 

“ Don's, pards, tlat upon your faces!”
uttered Tom Sawyer, in a low, penetrating
voice, as Slaybnck‘s sharp command broke
that ominous breath of silence. “They're
coming now, but hold your fire until I
give the word, and then shoot low.

A low murmur ran along the waiting line,
telling that the men heard and understood,
and under cover of the friendly night. all
sunk down as charged.

With a swift .rush the Vigilantes swept
on, till less than seventy yards lay between

- them and the cabin. Then came a fierce
oath and the sound of a heavy t'all.

“Look out, pardsl” roared a hoarse voice.
“The hounds hev stretched a rope across
ther path 3" .

True enough; but that warning came too
late, for crc the bellowing voice grew silent,
fully onc~third of the onpressing band had
pitched headlong over the simple obstruction,
and the ranks of‘thc Vigilantcs were in con-
fusion. ,

“For the last time. Slayback, turn
back!” warned Tom Sawyer, coldly, clearly.

“Oh, yas! we’ll turn back!" yelled the
Vigilante chief, now thoroughly enragid.

“ Ready, Myst—fire!"

A heavy volley crashed out, but nota
word; not a cry nor an answering shot came
from the Regulator line. Around the cabin
all was silent as the grave.

“ Yip! we done blowed them clean off the
face o’ther y’arth!” elled an excited Vigi-
lante, prancin r wild y to and fro. “Done
regulated the ogulators like or whirly-gust
0’ cycloonl"

“ Silence, ye fool!” grated Slayback,
viciouely. “Down, purds! Et's a dem-
ed_-'!J

A heavy, steady roar—the crack-crack-
crackl of the deadly repeating rides in the
hands of the prostrate Regulatorswdrownml‘
the voice. of the Vigilante chief, and in
sudden terror he flung himself at full length
on the ground. ‘r ,

, “Down! dorm!” he rolled, frantically.

“Down! or they’ll mur er thcr last one 0’

'V’ a

‘ The desperadoes needed little urging.
Men were falling here and' there, groans and
screams of pain were becoming alarmingly
frequent. Down they went, and. in another
half-minute not a man was standing.

, “ Up, pardsl—up, and charge them!”rung
out the voice of Sawyer, with the clcarness
of a buglc’s peal. “Revolvers first, then
.knivesl”

That sanguinary command completed the
work of demoralization. Up from the earth
sprung the Vigilantes in utter confusion, to
spring away in wild, disordered flight, led,
“win their advance, by their valorous chief,

urlysiaybmkt . ‘

    

 

A few‘scattering revolver shots from the
victorious Regulators gave impetus to their

suit was made.

” It‘s first blood for us!” cried Sawyer
laughing grin’ily, as he listened to that swift
trampling of feet, now growing faint in the
distance. “Anybody hurt, pards‘t"

“ Not a man scratched!” was the prompt
reply. ’

“That is good, but we'll not ,crow till
we‘re out of the woods. They'll try us an
other fall, byand by. Hlayback’sgot plenty
of sand, and he'll not throw up the sponge
til‘l he’s fairly whipped. Just now he's rattled.
but after a bit he‘ll shake himself together
and then look out I" '

“ Now you‘re shouting'." (‘ool (‘y averrcd.
“ And the odds are about a hundred to one
you'll hear from him again before morning.

" It may be pretty fresh in me; an utter
stranger, to ot't'cr a suggestion, but I reckon
I'll have to risk it." I

“ Ry all means." urged Sawyer. “ And if
you're the man l take you to be, I've an idea
it'll pay us mighty big to listen."

“ You recognize~—"

" I recognize your voice, yes,” interrupted

Sawyer, guardwlly. “ But let that pass;
we'll speak of it later."
“ Then the suggestion is in order. It isn't.

very big but it may pan out.

" Don't you think twoor three good scouts
could find out a heap about what these fel-
lows intend to do?”

“ I'ndoubtcdly, if we can scare up the
scouts. "

“(lray \Volf go,” volunteered the Crow
chief, gliding up.

“ An’ I reckon I efu‘d move a pcgthet-a-
way!" Royal Godsend declared, with equal
promptuess.

“There's two, and I'll make the third,"
announced a young miner near by. “ I'm-a
little new at. that kind of business, but as
they don‘t know yet that I‘m trainin’ :with
your crowd, I reckon 'I’ll be able .to pull
through. " I '

“Oh, yes; you can keep in the back-
ground," coolly remarked Cy. “ My idea. is
that Sluyback's got pretty stiff backing in
this little racketlhe’s on, and it’ll stand us
in hand to know the party putting up the
game. ' ,

“ It's an old saying that to desire a
serpent *011 should crush its head. An so
it is wit 1- these 'Vigilantes; if we wipe out
the men directing their movements, we shall
destroy their power for harm.”

“ Hard, horse sense, pardl—every word of
it!” wheezcd Royal Godsend, with a chuck-
ling little laugh.

“ It just is l” Sawyer averted.

“And now, boys, get away with you.
You'll find us here when you’re ready to re-
port." - v x

Silently the three pcouts moved oil’, in as
in the gloom. 

“ Come with me into the cabin," requested
Sawyer, touching the Sport 'on the arm.
“All is quiet now, and it may be our_last
chance to-night to speak of_ the matter I re-
ferred to a bit. ago. ‘

With simply an assenting word, Cool CV
followed the superintendent into the cubiri.

“ Don't think I am trying to pry into our
affairs," continued the'latter, as he care ully

placed a chair at the disposal ofhis guest.
"That. is not my object at all, and it is
through no idle curiosity that I‘spcak.

“I know that youaro the Sport who was
so brutally driven from camp last‘night,
and I know, too, that it must be a power;
f nl motive that impels you to return at this
time. .

“ From words let fall by Jenkins and
Gray Wolf. l have gleaned the morest‘ink-
ling of the truth. You ihtcnd to la ' claim
to one of themines of Big ledge, an to ob-

’bc.

“You have hit upon the exact truth."
avowed the Short, calmly. “That is the
program. toa otl”

“It is not an unusual prOcedure. byany
means," renmrked Sawyer, mileatively. 7

“And now we. come to the milk in the
coeoanut.

 

“ If you feel free to speak, andcanshow

that your claim is a ,vjust one, it is not at

It

flight, but beyond that no charge, no pur—fl

many directions, and in a moment were lost,

closed the door, turned up the light and

tain possession by force of arms if need
I) ‘ '

 

c.-.

.inhuman treatment received at the hands of

:Loue lluiitcr oilice, concerning the. transfer?
v of the mine," the Sport returned.

    
  

all unlikely that you may be able to make a
dicker with my men. Though sbber, steady
fellows and as true as steel, they are out to a.
man, and if they see that you are in the
right they will probably jump ata chance to
go in with you."

“ Some such idea had suggested itself to
me,” the Sport admitted, “and I would be , ,_
pleased to have the thing turn that way. :3

“ It is no ordinary case of claim-jumping ' , 
that I contemplate, as I can quickly convince 
you. and no men need hesitate to take up 
arms in my behalf through fear that I am
about to engage in a dishonest or dishonora-
able transaction.

“ In brief, the case is just this:

1‘ The Lone, Hunter Mine is my prop v.‘
duly acquired by discovery and lawful entry.
Every dollar that basbeen spent in its de-
velopment. and improvenu-nt has come di-
rectly from my pocket, as has also the regu-
lar stipulated salary received by Major Myst,
who. from the day he tirst appeared in ' Sig
Ledge, has been in my employ.

“The major, I may here remark, is by
profession a (lctectiVe, and he has been here,
in a dual capacity~as manager of the mine
and as a spy upon the actions of certain par-
ties of high repute and standing, whose pres-
ence in the camp made. it simply impossible
for mcto appear and claim my own until
at least one of two things had come to pass.

“ (if these things, the first was the. finding
of evidence to com‘ict. the partics under sur-
veillance of a certain grave crime of which
they had been guilty: the second, the ad—
vancement of the Lone IIunter to a grade
which would give its owners prestige equal,
say, to that enjoyed by Colonel (‘rockcr or
Saul lini'tol."

 Exactly!" Sawyer exclaimed, with an ex-
pressive gleam in his blue eyes. “And if
you will pardon the interruption, I will ven-
ture to say that Crockcr and Bartel were the
men." ,

“ Yes, they were,” the Sport admit-ted.
“ They have cause to fear and to hate me,
for they know that if I once succeed in get-
ting a foothold in Big Ledge they will lose
not. only their ill-gotten property, but with
it their lives.

“ To resume; having sent Myst here as m
trusted agent, I took up the life of a car -
sharp in the upper camps, as it was absos
lately necesmry that I 'should have mone
to (push the work here, and, broken in healt
an strength as I was at that time, through

     
  
   
  
     
       
         
       
     
     
     
    

 

         
     
       
           
       
     
       
       
     
       
       
     
       
       
       
     
       
       
       
    

 

        
     
       
       
   
   
       
     
     
       
     
     
       
       
     
     
           
     
     
    

Crocker and his pard, there was no other
course left me.

“Though I disliked the life, I tried to
play a square game, found luck with me, “
and ,won money, and soon came to bc‘knovtn ‘
throughout the camp as the Sport from Tip- a
Top, the High Card, Dauntless Dell, and so
on, rarely, if ever, being addressed by the
name I'had assumed to cover my identity—v
Dell Daunt. ' . _ , , . v

“ Well, as the months went b the ninth; _
reports became more and more iscoumging, a >
andat last, to retrieve myself from utter
ruin, as well as to hasten the real issue, I de- ,
termincd to hazard all, even life itself, on one “
bold venture. ‘ .

“ So I wrote to two tried and true friends
who were cognizant of every feature of the
affair, and obtained their help, and they are
here now in the persons of Long Pete Jenw
kins and Gray Wolf, the ‘Croyv chief. 
soon as I had obtained their answers, I nos,
tified Myst to prepare to turn the mine-ow
to me at a certain day, as I would;ng
here in such a guise and at Such.  hour 
take charge myself. = -  . .r r , ~ 

“ Note. the result: as I approach the camp“
I am fired at from ambush, and stamps“
death by the mereét accident, Giddy Norton
receiving the bullet intended for me.” 3 ,

“.ch, and Myst‘himsclf fired that sliotl’ff'
avowed Sawyer, springing excitedly to his.
feet. “ He was'abscnt t'rom camp all after
noon, and when .he returned he carried-hi3
hand ina bandage." ,  - 

“I suspected as much, although he , Id.
me the wound was the result of accident"
happening during a conversation between
him and vourself yesterday nun’ning, at the

  
       
 
     
  

  

       
         
     
   
     
     
     
      
     
    
     
      
  

   
 

  

 

“ \Ve held no such conversation,” 
declared, stoutly. “ In fact, he has always
affirmed that the mine was hislown  "

      
 

4

.v

j. : mallsef the .

5 The ‘ $130

and frequently expressed a fear that some
one would attempt to wrest it. from him by
unlawful means. It was to guard against
just such a danger that the men were all
provided with the latest and best make of
wen pens. "

“’l‘he infernal hound!” exclaimed the
Sport, wrathfully. “ He asked me for the
money to purchase the w ‘apons, that the
men might be in r aadincss to meet any emer-
gency arisingr upon my aplnrlamnce!

“()h, i see every crook and turn in his
little game now, just as clearly as if he had
explained it in so many Words! .

“ He went down the trail and lay in am-
bush for the stage, with the deliberate in-
tention of killing me, and compelling the
driver to leaVe my body beside the trail, that
he might: secure the papers relating to the
ownership of the mine.

“Failin in that, he saved me from the
mob at I iata's Ranch, fearing that the
pa as would fall into the hands of Creekcr
an Bartel. Later on he attempted to drug
and rob me; then, secure in the belief that

he at last held the papers, went squarely
over to the enemy, and through his know -
edge of their crimes, compelled them to put
up the job that exiled me from the camp.

"Nor is that. the extent of his villainy, for
he attempted to ambush Jenkins on the trail
of Gray Wolf Camp, and naught but a time
ll warning from Whisky Bill, and later from

aptain Kate, saved the life of that brave
old man.

“ From first to last the cunning scounurct
has played me false, for the Lone Hunter is
by far the richest mine in the camp, and for
months past he has held all the evidence to
convict Creeker and Bartel, and their allies,
of murder.

“ Now let him beware! Ere the sun goes
down on another day, he shall pay for his

rperfidy, and pay to the uttermost t'arthing!”

And with eyes gleamingr like lurid coals,
the Sport sprungr 'to his feet and paced the
cabin floor in a fever of righteous wrath.

“Well, pardner, I reckon you can count
on Tom Sawyer," the blow llereulcs re
marked, rising and extendng his [and “ l

. never jump into a game like this till I know

whether it's right or wrong, but when I am
there, I’m there to stay." ’

" “ Thank you, Sawyer. You shall have no
cause to regret it,” D‘aunt *arncstly returned,
as he grasped the proffered hand. “ And if
you demand absolute proof of my claim,
you shall have it at the proper moment.

" But your men——ean we count on them?"

“To the last one!" was the confident rc-

’ spouse. ,

“ And now. pardner, if you’ll take a fool's
adviCe, you’ll jump right into the Lone
Hunter tonight I have been superin-
tendent. of the mine, but was discharged this

'morning, and in consequence all the men

' quit, so that-wile place is now unguarded
and unprotected, unless men have been sent
there during the past hour.

.«AVI‘he hermit and his daughter are now
there, under the protection of Jenkins and
five men, and since’ nightfall We have taken
provisions enough into the mine to last the

‘ crowd of us, nearly a week. as we had dctcr—
“mined to make our stand in behalf of the

l hermit right there.

"4‘ The place is strongly fortified, and if
you once get possession with an armed force,

L nothing short of artillery can drive you
. ', - u 1/ '

(mt.
The Sport listened intently, and a deter-
mined-leok flashed from his eyes.

3 I  “You have said it, Sawyer!" he cried.

“That mine is the. key to the situation, and

' SO soon as the scouts come in \Vc‘ll fall back

end take possession. 'l‘hcn let—-" a.
A short, sharp cry filled. the hiatus. "l‘hen

j~ came a blinding tiash, accompaniml with a
Iheavy explosion, which hurled the four

to a chaotic heap!

———— ..

CllAP'l‘Elt'XXVII.
Tim coxsrmA'rons' i..\s'r PLOT.

[.yfugAGRlNldl) and humiliatcd. Slayback
«halted who} he had put a safe distance be.
tween himself and the Regulators, and
sharply called his struggling follmvcrs to
order. .

 “Et’s no use ter run!" he cried, his dis-

5 agreeable voice taking on a snapping, snarl~
ing tone. “They’ll not come after uslt But

 

x~

we’re whipped, mind yel—whipped f- ir an’
square, an‘ all bckase we jumped in or .et

’with our eyes shet!"

“ W'e kem out with ’em open, all right!"
grimly chuckled a burly rutiian hard by.
“ ’l‘ell yc w‘ot ct wus, boss«—’t wus thet ber-
dcrned kid’s game ’ith ther rope thet floored
us!"

“llold vcr jaw!" ordered Slayback, an.
grily. “ lilt‘s jest cs l'said, we jumped in
with our eyes shet, an' we got ther wu'st of
ct! We're goin‘ back, by an' by, an'wipc
Sawyer an’ his leetlc gang oil' 0’ thcr face 0‘
ther earth; an' ter make a cinch of ct, I’m
goin' ter find w'ot hes happened in this hyer
camp sense we‘ve bin gone, an' jest git ther
lay o‘ ther land ginerally."

“ An‘ what'll We do, boss?" ventured one
of the men.

“ Stay right whar ye are, critter, an‘ same
’ith ev’ry mother‘s son 0' ye! ’l‘har’s no grub
no» no drink this night till We‘ve settled up
‘ith Tommy Sawyer tell yc that.”

And with that the “Vigilantes” had to
rest content.‘ They had sworn to obey their
lcadcr, and each one knew that the slightest
infraction of one of the rules laid down by
him would bring with it punishment swift
and sure.

With that last harshlyuttcrcd word, Slay-
back strode away in the direction of liiatn's
Ranch, quitting'the street as he neared the
building and circling around to enter at the
rear door, which be unlocked with a key he
took from his pocket. ‘

Softly stepping into the hallway, he closed
and unlocked the door, then stealthin as.
cended to the second floor, where he at once
sought the room occupied by Saul Bartel
and Dandy Jim.

A cautious tap brought a summons torn-
ter, and the dcspcrado stepped into the room.

Seated at the table were Saul Bartel, Ma-
jor Myst and Hints Joe. '

" llc‘llo! hello! lt’s Slaybzudr himself!”
Bartol exclaimed, rising to his feet.

“ And how went the battle. Curly?"

“ l)cnd ag'in' us,” the Vigilante returned,
with a crestfallen air.

" lih'.’——you were whipped, you say?”

“ Yas!" snapped the rutlian, with a recur-
rence of his snarlin tone. “Whipped like a
passle of raw seboo he s!"

Mutely, the three p otters looked at each
other.

“ And the Woman, (‘aptain Kate. did you
secure her?" ltskcd Bartel, after a moment.

“ Secure nothin'! She's slycr'n any fox in
ther hills!" ‘

“ Nor the Sport?”

“ Nor ther Sport !"

“1 tell you, Coleridge is here in camp!"
put in Major Myst, savagely; in. a voice
made sniflling and'indistim-l by his broken
nose. “Kill Cool Cy, and you'll kill (‘ole-
ridge!" .

“ 'l‘hen who's the sport. with him—the
flashy galoot 1’”

“ l don't kndw—one of the gang he‘s
bringing in upon us, curse him!"

Slayback helped himself to a drink of
whisky.

“ '\’\’har's Dandy Jim?” he inquired, look"
ing at thethrce men suspiciously.

Bartel slowly shook ,his head.

“‘I don't know. lie‘slbecn missing all
day, and his absence bothers me; l‘do not
understand it."

“ I do!" and a cunning look crossed the
face of thc ruillan. “ thn Dandy Jim
shows up tight—cf he ever does show up-‘~
ye want for watch him! Mind thet!”

"l‘he three men returned his look of sus-
picion, and then llista growled; \

“ Bah! rl‘her liquor's gone ter ver head,
man! , handy Jim‘s as true as'stce l"-

“ You s:1y2sp~—y~u think so, but I know
diff’rent!" was the swift retort. "Jest lis—
ten a minute, an’ you'll change yer mind, I
reckon! ' ,

“\Ve all knows Dandy Jim Worshiped
therground Kate (‘herry walked on, an‘ We
all knows now thet Kate (T‘hcrry an’ Captain
Kate are the same critter. Last night we, de-
cidcd she'd hev ter go under. an' this morrr
in’ Jim‘s missin’, with nchr a mini to any-
body rthct he‘s goin‘.’ Hey! don't et. look
bad?" ’ ‘

" With many a man it would look bad,
yesl” Bartel admitted. reluctantly. “ But.
,when the colonel shows up he‘ll square him-
self mighty Quicktt’ ls "  ’ ‘

7a

 

a from  

“" Ef he ever does show up!" mocked Slay --
back. “ He's nosin" ’round ter find thet wo~
man, an’ of he does find her he’ll go clean.
back on ther gang!

“My men saw him twice tor-day, skulk--
in' in ther hills, an' both timeshe dodged out
0' sight when hailed. (‘ain‘t tell rue—ther
big cuss is goin‘ tcr doublcbank us!"

For the first time a suspicion that Slayback
had hit upon the truth entered the minds of"
the three men, and Bartel uttered a startled
oath.

“ True or untrue, he's away now, but:
when he comes back we‘ll settle the matter
mighty quick!" he cried, his eyes blazing
with a terrible light.

“ And now, pards, we're got a hard nut

to crack, and we‘d better get at it, for if we-
elon't make haste Sawyer will get the hermit
and the girl entirely beyond our reach.”
“Now ye'rc shontin’!" asscvcrated Slay-r
back, viciously. “ Et‘s a tough nut, an"
thet's why ,l’m hyar. fer] wants ter know

w'ot's bin goin' on in this hyar blessed camp-

ter-day. be more blind man’s game fer Inc
—nary !" .

Inwardl ' cursing at the :dclay. Bartel:
briefly out ined the 3vcnts of the day.‘ .t

“ “'al! wall cf 'tain’t a party kittlc 0’ fish
you are all in!" the Vigilante exclaimed,
when the last word had been said. “Den
bar dead, Bruiser Bill an’ Burgess clean laid.
up, an‘ the major hyar skint 0‘ his cash an'
no good fer a fight! ‘

“ l’ards, ef ’tain’t a straight streak o‘ bad’
luck l never see‘d one, an‘ fer a (lospil fact
I feel like throwin’ up my hand an‘ quittin'
ther game!" -

“ Oh, no! ye don‘t want. ter do that!”
Riala protested. “ Luck hes run dead
ag'in’ us so far, but et may turn the next
card out 0‘ ther box.

“ I fer one. am in favor of makin' a good.
stiff tight, win or lose!" '

“ It's the only thingr we can do!” averer
Btlrlol.

“ \Vc cain't throw up our hands, fer ef we
do we’ve got our medicine ter take anyhow
an’ nothin' ter gain," the landlord continued.

“ Now. l've got a lectle idcar workin’ in my ,

head, an‘ I‘ll purceed ter Tlucidmte ct.

“ 'l‘er begin with, I‘ll jest say ther majors
right about tiichport, fer ct‘s (.‘olcridge
ag'in, an’ no mistake, an' his bein' hyar
shows we'Vc got a dead game un tcr buck
ag‘in‘, fcr no common critter 'd stand up un‘
(lcr thet 'back o‘ his. ‘ '

“ Now, right hyar’s ther p'int:
is hyar, an” be, kin muster three pards thet
xve know of—ther old ranger, the red-skin,
an“ ther fat sport; four in all, an' all good,
men. but not good enough to buck ag'in'
ther hull camp. No, sirch 'l‘er make a
winnin‘ tight they‘ll hev tcr hev 'help an’
plenty of et; so w‘ot‘s more nateral than for
them tcr j’ine hands with Sawyer an‘ his
gang? See?" I

   

“And that is exactly the move they wil}
make!" asserted Myst, rut-fully.

"lit's jest possible thcr move i want tcr
sec 'cm make!” Slayback declared, with a
return of his s\\'a::'g:'cring. blustcring air.
" i.ct' 'cni all git tcrgclhcr, say i, an' then
we've got a chaincc tcr win. lit‘s this bang~
iu' away at a lcetlc handful 0' them hyar an',
thar thet won-icsthcr life out of a man."

“ Oh, yes; it is all very well for them to
get together, if we can force a ,souare light
out of them," Bartel renmrked. " iut sup—
pose they jump the Lone lluntcr Mine.
What thcn‘.‘ llow‘sill we drive them from
behind the st m:kadc‘!” ,

“Starve 'em out," cried the Vigilante.
“ An' I reckon a few days with nothin’ ter
cat nor nothin' ter drink won‘t help ‘cm inth
a tightln‘ trim Very fast." ' a

“ Thor's a quickcr way than thet, an" et’sa
part is" my itlcal', too," put in Ilium. impa-
ticntl‘v. “ Ht's war for then" knife now, an’
thcl' harder we crowd our game, ther better
our show tcr win. ‘,

“ .-\s nigh as I‘ kin kulkilate, ther head
cusses o' ther gang are jcst about holdiu' a
confab at Sawyer!» cabin now, an‘ 1 reckon
cf \vc kin wipe them'out. ther tronble's at
anend, '

a r“. mt, a round dom-n bombs down-
stairs, ll ed with percussion caps,. an' I’ll
jest Sm) down ter _thcr cabin an' chuck one
right inter ther middle o: ther head devils,
If they live art er thet, they re made 0’ more’n
bone nn’ flesh l” ' ‘ ., .- . . ‘-

“v

Coleridge i

 

I

a  Simfflngwtr‘fi 3H,, 7 A

 

 

   
 

] she’s

 

 

 

 

Hardened and desperate as they were, this
fiendish proposition threw a chill over the
little group of conspirators.

" Idon’t like the idea!" Banol exclaimed,
with a shudder. "The knife or revolver, I
don’t mind: but to send death to a man in
that way— It is too horrible to think of!
~We’ll try something else!"

" I don‘t knowl Strikes me it would work
tip-top!" Slayback declared, after a mo-
ment. ‘

“Yes! yes! if it can be done without in-
juring the girl!" cried Myst, eagerly. “It's
the leaders we want to dispose of, for with
them out of the way we can bring the men
around easy enough.”

” Then et's a go!" the landlord asserted, a
malignant smile crossing his brutal face.
“ We‘re three ter one, an‘ thet orter settle ct,
ch, Bartol?"

" I’ll waive the scruplc, Riata; go ahead."

“ Yc‘ll heur ct crac this side 0' five min
utes, boss, cf 1 ketch ther critters ther wayI
want ’em!” the ruflian cried, stepping to-
wardthedoor. ‘ '

“ Tell ye w‘at, though, Curly, ye‘d better
hcv Bartol go down an’ help llaydoc hold
ther bo 1'3 study,

sneak (own an see ct all’s straight at ther I
We want ter know jest how ther'

mine.
land lays, fer once thcr bomb cracks, we
Want ter kerry things with a rush.”

“There's sense in that," Bartel observed,
rising to quit the room.

“ Major, if Crocker comes in while we're
gone. show no sign of suspicion."

Myst nodded and again uttered his caution

against harming the girl, and then the three .

deSperadoes departed.

For some minutes the major remained at l

the table, his face gleaming white and rhast-
l in the' flashing light of the cand e, his
Single eye aglow with devilish expectation,
then rose and began to pace restlessly about
the room.

Five—ten. minutes passed thus, then a
heavy, booming report jarred the building.

“ It is done!” the wretch exclaimed, in a
jubilant tone. “ It is done, and Coleridge's
power is forever broken!"

At that instant the door was flung wide
open, and Royal Godsend stepped briskly
into the room, cocked revolverin hand.

“ Throw up your hands!" ordered the cor-
pulent sport, in a stern voice, as he prompt~
1y covered the astounded major.

“ Who—who are you?” was the flattering
reponse. ‘ '

“ Me critter? Why. I'm Royal Godsend,
t'otherwisc \Vhisky Bill, t'othcrwisc B. I),—
which same stands fer Bony I )arrit, ther in-
wincible an’ inwnlnerable. detective' D'yc
ketch, critter? That‘s me, an' if anybody
asks ye what ye're ' took fer, tell ’em
murder!” '

And advancing with rapid strides. the old
detective disarmed and handcuffed the
terrified culprit, then forced him out of the
room and' down the rear stairway.

The lower hallway was filled with dense

, smoke.

"‘ The: ranch is afire," cXplained Darrit,
as he coolly unlocked the rear door with a
skeleton key. “i diskivered thcr fact as I
went up. fow, don't. ye chirrup’ I’ve got
a cocked revolver in my hand, an’ M ther
fu'st sound off goes thcr top 0‘ yer hmd'"

Limp and helpless in the hands of his
Captor. Myst permitted himself to be hurried
away through the darkness in utter silence.

 

/On descending to the lower floor, Riata
'had to; “Bartel and Slaylmek out the back
door: then hurried through the dark and
deserted card-rmm, when he struck a match
and lighted a Small hand lamp.

Under the bar stood a plain. oblong pine
box and as he placed the lamp on the floor
the landlord cautiously raised the. lid. .

At first glance, the box seenmi tilled
simply with cotton “side. but when liiata
had removed and flung :ir-ilea few hand~
fuls of that material. a round metallic object
the size of a man's tist lay rerealed,

"Aha' thar’s ther leelle joker!”_ Riala ex-
claimed, carefully lifting the bomb from the
box and glancing at the nipple and cap
With which it was filled. “ l‘lt’d *ar an
awfu.’ hole in thet quartz ledge. but I
reckon thar's enough Without et.
, ot‘ ter got" .

A Refining the lid, the desperado rose and

while vc make a quick ’

Anyway,

    
 

Z extinguished the lamp, and hurriedly reft
,i the saloon.

A single backward glance would have de—

tected a faint, fiery glow behind the bar, for

i the first handful of waste thrown from the

ibGX' had fallen directly upon the blazing, _
' llVC thousan' dollars poorer then we'd orter

end of the match so carelessly dropped to the
3 floor.

But Riata's mind was completely en-
wrapped in his devilish scheme, and the one
thought pressing upon him was how best to

gaccomplish it. Silently slipping out. of the
2: building, he sped swiftly toward ‘Sawyer's
 cabin, laying his course through the densest
5 shadows, and making a considerable detour
E that he might avoid the Regulators and up.
I preach the cabin from the rear.

No obstacle rose in the way of the soulless
- wretch, and in an incredibly short time he
i had gained the coveted position. A single
! swift glance through the window—a sharp
I cry from within. warning him that his pres-
fcnce had been detected, and Riata sprung
i' back and cast the bomb.
j But at the last moment his finger slipped
l on the smooth surface of the metal, and the
: deadly missile hurtled—~not through the
window, as he had intended but squarely
against the stone foundation of the cabin!

A vivid'flash, a thunderous report, and
Riat-a, mangled and lifeless, whs hurled to
i the ground, the victim of his own devilish

plot!’

 

l
l
l
l
i CHAPTER XXVIII.
! ,TIIE FACE THAT HAUNTED THE nEnm'r.
i TOM SAWYER had certainly acted most
g wisely in sending Letta Hart and her un-
Afortunate father on to the. Lone Hunter
: Mine under the protection of Jenkins and a
I picked squad.
The mine was situated just south of the
5 month of a gulch dividin the massive ledge
' after which the camp hat been named, and
. a stout Stockade inclosed the half score
‘buildings and miners' cabins belonging to
’i the mine. ‘
3 Through motives best known‘to himself,
1 Major Myst had caused this stockade tobe
 built. it was plentifully supplicd with
E loopholes, guarding eVery avenue of ap-
i preach and it had been frequently renuu‘ked
l that not one of the surrounding hights com
I rounded the extensive inclosurc,
, Here, then, a mere handful of m‘bn, pro-
}perly armed and supplied with food and
water, might hold a small army at bay.
Sawycr'himself had conducted the party
there, turned over to Jenkins the key to
main gate of the Stockade, and pointed
out a cabin where Letta and her father
might make’themselvcs comfortable pending
f the settlement of the trouble. ,
Then the ranger and the ex-supcrintend-
, ent had drawn aside for a brief conference,
‘ after which the latter returned 'to his wait-
3 ing fcfllotvers, while Jenkins took charge at

i the mine.
That the task before him was not a light
one, Long Pete well knew, although there
| was little danger to be apprehended in case
fthe ‘liegulators succeeded in holding the
Vigilantcs in check. , V
f: hit every foot of the long stocktule must
i be patrolled to guard against spies or in-
; vaders sealing the wall, while a man must
be kept on duty at the main gate, and with
the limited force at his command the old
,pulilger felt that he would have his hands
: u . _ x .
“ Assigning the sentries to their respective
beats, Long Pete conducted the hermit and
his daughter to the cabin set apart for their
use, where they ar'rived just asthevoices of

Sawyer and Slayback rung out in the dis"

tam-e in bail and countcrhail. ,
‘. .“I must leave ye hyar, hermit, an' you,
Miss Letta,” the ranger announced, musing
at the door. “Keep quiet, an‘. don't be
,oneasy‘. lf Isee they're too many for us
an’ are’goin’ tcr drive us out, I'll see thet ye
both getaway in good time." '

Leila briefly thanked the old man, and he
hurried back to the gate.

The girl then hunted up and lighted a
candle, and carefully put away the oilskin
package she carried, while the hermit began
to pace the floor moodily, tu rgingiabsentl
at his stmggling'gray heart , a troubled:
brooding look in his dark eyes. . ’ j \ ,_

“Sit down, ,‘fatlreri’ urged Lotta: placing

 

‘a chair at the table» “ You are tired and
worn, and you need rest. I'll see if I can
find you something to eat.”

“No, no! ’tain't thct, pet! I'm jist both- “
cred—thet‘s all. Gabe Ilcnbar went square 
back on his bargain ter-day, an‘ we‘re jest

   
  
   

 

  
 

be. Cuss him fer a shark, anyway!"

“ “'ell, never mind, father, we‘ve money—-
Hark!”

The roar of rifles at no great. distance had,
interrupted the girl. i .

The battle between the Regulators and the
Invincibles had opened.

“What's thet?" asked the hermit, ex-r
citedly.

“ltis )Ir. Sawyer driving back the ruf-
fians who had plotted to kill you, father.
lies’t easy; you have friends who will not see
you harme( .” f

“ They are fightin’ fer mc—ter protect me,
you say?”

“ Yes, father, they are fighting to protect
you."

“ Kind heavens! Girl, give me your
wealwns!" and the voice of the hermit,.
changing as if by magic, rung out clear and
shn'll “Fighting for me, and I cowerin “
here like a whipped hound in its kenne -
They don't know Old—Old—”

His voice faltcred, then failed, and with a.
low, moaning cry lIermit Hart reeled back,
a look of agony on his face, one hand sharp-
ly pressing his forehead.

“ Ah! et's ther spot—ther cussed 8 0t!
See! at grows bigger an’ blacker, an’— 'as; V
- 'as! by heavensl thar’s ther face!" he" i ‘

    
     
  
    
  
  
  
  

muttered, hoarsely, cowering back. “Off,
ye tantalizing devil!” _ .
“\Vhat face, father?" asked Letta, anx‘

iously, as she softly laid her hands upon 
shoulders. “ What face ‘2" -

The hermit looked at her with an air of be— e .
wilderment. ‘
" Why, don’t ye know?” he exclaimed.
“The face 0’ ther man who made me what I
ant—who stabbed me in thcr back an’ then.

threw me over~ Did he throw me over?”

“I don‘t know, father. Perhaps the In-
dian, Gray “'olf, could tell you.”

       
    
  

“No! lie nursed me once when Iwas»
sick—that‘s all. He don't know‘—I asked.
llllll. I

“ \Vhat is my name, Lotta?"

” George Rinehart, father.”

“.Rt'rwhart, eh? Wal, mebbe’tisl”and a. ‘
look of cunning crept into his weather-beaten ~ ,. '
face. “But my other name, Letta? I have v
two, ye know!”

The girl shook her head in a puzzled way.

“I cannot tell you, father. I never heard».
it," she replied. . ’ . 

“ I wish my pard would come backl’f. '
moodily, dreamily. “ He’d know—he’d tent”?

Then, with that startling abruptness at,
times caller to him, the old mountainvman
turn from the dim and murky past to the ,
present. A look of suspicion crossed his
face, and he peered sharply, keenly at‘his:
daughter. . =  j  I

“ What ye (loin’ hyar, et? Didn’tI leave
ye at ther cabin?"he emanded. “Don‘t;
ye know ve ought never ter come hyar alone?
‘t’s a wolf’s den-emf wuss!” 

Letta briefly explained. The hermit lis-
tened attentively, and when he had learned '
the Druth a weary. sign broke from his lips. - ‘

“We cain't go back thar!" he mutte
wringing his hands. “ Will we ever hare as“.
home, Lotta, whar ther hounds cain’t fin
usi d’ve reckon? ‘Pears ’sef we’re clean out;
o’ uc‘. " .  
y “ But. thcr money, gall—the? moneyt Didi
'ye' fetch et?” ‘  ' . '

“ Yes, father; the mom? is here.” .  ,

“Good! Take care 0 ct. gal! Now'fitt
Gabe Denbar’s cheated me, we mint-affords.
ter lose a cent!” " ' r , ..

At/that moment a thunderous crash awok
the eehoesvof the night, and with a startleda
cry the hermit sprung out of the cabin. \ ' ,

“Don’t go. fathe'r' Como! backi” 
Letta, in a tone of cntreaty. A ' ‘ ' , 

“ Jest a minute, pet! for afeard fit 
hounds hev a cannon. I’ll go ter Jenkins:
an‘ see."' ' ‘ ’ ‘ 

Straight to the main ate of the stocked
sped the hermit, while ~let-ta caught up; ’
hat and silently followed. fearful thatahét“
father might blindly run into Mania:
actuating to make her presence, ,knowma;

  
  
  
     
 
  
    
  
    
     

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r

~she dreaded arousing his anger. ,~ I
I \V , j - . if“? X 

.p

 “but

“The Sport, from  "Loam 

The gate was open, but just outside Hart
encountered Long Pete. ‘

“ What was et—a cannon ?" asked the her-
mit, shrilly.

“ No; l dou’t know what ct war,” Jenkins
returned, anxiously. “But I’m afeard some-
thing’s happened our friends.

“ Keep watch hyar at the gate, hermit,

till I slips that a-way a hit an’ sees what 1 kin ,

diskivcr. Ef any one comes, or thar's any
danger, jump inside an’ bar ther gate."

Hardly waiting to catch llart‘s muttered
response, the ranger hurried away through
the darkness.

For some minutes the hermit crouched
close to the ground in the gateway, listening
intently to the distant“turmoil; then, as his
eyes grew accustomed to the gloom, he nar-
rowly surveyed the broken expanse before
him.

There was nothingr to be seen to awaken
alarm, yet he changed his position and
.shivered with a sort of nervous dread.

“Et's cur'us—cur'u.‘I” he muttered, and
sinking closer to the gromid he again pccrcd
sharply at his surroundings.

>This time, a dim, indistinct shape, risng
but a trifle above. the surface, met his gaze
and held it.

,“ Stone or wood, brush or dirtAwhich‘!”
he muscd. “Queer. but i didn't-noticc et
before. Mebbe et‘s a man, or—yus, thet‘s ct
—-—-ther blue/r: sput.’ See! ct grows bigger an’
‘ -, bin: er—~eomet~; nearer!“ v '

, f fibw trembling violently, the hermit gazed

*v’ at the creeping, crawling object like one.

fascinated. One minute-~two, and then,

for that fatal hallucination, llermit

Hart would haVe recognized in that stealt hily

approaching object a man, and that man an

enemy! .

“ as! yas! et‘s ther spot, an’ et’ll fetch

with et ther face—ther cruel, devilish face!

Ef I c’u‘d git et by ther throat! Aha!”

, 'Even as that. thought struggled through
the reeling brain of the hermit, the creeping
:spy paused, not five feet away, startled by

. thatform cowm'ing just before him in the
, dense shadow of the gateway.

’ J ust a breath of hesitation on the part of
~"each, then forward they leaped—the hermit

" .‘to clutch madly at the face of his vision, the
' {spy to silencc the man guarding the stockade
. :gate. .

’ So in silence the two men grappled, the

 'Riermit by the merest chance striking the

’ )knife from his adVersary’s hand, just as a

‘jwiild er of aiIright rung from the lips of

, Iaett’a flirt. ,

, " . Tha cry served a two-fold purpose: it dis-

~.pe‘lled‘the hermit’s illusion and brought the

-‘ guards to the gate.

,, “I’vegot ther critter!” harshly uttered
‘Hart, as with a might effort be hurled the

, :8 yto the ground ant flung himself 'upon
11 ' . “ Hyar, you fellows!—~quickl"

' The guards needed little urging; but .lcn-

- .‘Zkins was the first to reach the struggling

men, and in another minute the daring in-
.’ :truder was helpless in the grasp of two
« brawny Regulators.
, "Drag him ter ther cabin, yepder,‘ or-
.,dered Jenkins. “ We’ll taken look at ther
rcfltter. ~ -
“ Boys, guard the ,gate closely. Thar’s
3. more of his ilk out thar, most likely.”
, 'Mntely, three of the men took their stand
. :at the gate, while Jenkins and the others hur-
. tied the captured spy toward the cabin,
‘ closely followed by Lotta and her father. --
 At the door, the fellow made a desperate
, effort to break away, but was hurled licad-
f long into the cabin, where again he faCud his
Lea ters like an animal at bay. ' ‘
 : rly Slayback stood revealed!
',‘ I thort so!” grated one of the Regulators,

“per-ado.
up!" 1
"'gz's'oxword of repl came from Slayback.
With whiteaenSely drawn face and eyes pale.
Alain] glaring With term: he stared at Hermit
art.
"f ,“.Y«m here~—and alive!” he exclaimed,
.hoarsely. . “ You—- ‘
iff‘The facet the face!" screamed the her-
nit. returning that look of horror with a
. glare of deadly hate; and then, with a yell
\pf rage, he sprung straightat the despemdo's
throat. '
BMt‘Sluyback was not to be caught entire-
off his guard.

‘ii . . )-
t . 1,
.v

” Buck e down, Curly! 'Ther jig's

"as his gaze fell 11 on the ugly face of the des- '

 

Swift as thought. he jerked , maneuver

a short, heavy pistol from his pocket, leveled
it and fired. ' ,

The hermit staggered blindly, then fell.

“Take that, ye sarpint 0’ sin!” uttered
Jenkins, hoarsely, and with the words the
metal-bound butt of his revolver crashed
down upon b‘layback’s he: d, felling him in a
lifeless heap!

CHAPTER XXIX.
'rnn RING.

“Aim ye hurt, pardner?" rung out the
strong, clear voice of Tom Sawyer, as the
cchoes of the explosion died away.

“ Nary hurt, but badly shaken up,”
promptly replied the, Sport, blindly groping
about in the murky darkness han_«.:in;_r over
the. ruined cabin. “ Where are you?”

“Right here; and here‘s :l hole, We can
creep out at," and grasping thearm of his
friend, Sawyer pulled him forward.

In another minute the tit'o Were in the
open .air. surroumled by the alarmed and
anxious Regulators.

“ What Was it, boss?" cried one, when it
had been found that the two men Were ,unin~
jtlrcd. “Powder?”

" l’owderordynamite, [don‘t know which.
llut i do know that it was the work of our
enemies, for l plainlysaw the face of Rinta
Joe at the window, just. before the explo-
sion,”

An angry roar i'olloived Sawyers words,
and on every side rose threats of lynching.

“l don't, think you'll c\'ct' how a chance
to rope the miscreant, gentlenwn!" Danni-
less Dell declared. “The chances are that.
he’s cheated the gallows, as he certainly had
no time to getaway before the explosion 0c»
curred."

That the Sport‘s View of the case was cor»
rect, was attested a moment later by the dis-
cover of Riata's body.

“I e’s dead, pards——dcad as a nail!" an-
nounced one of the Regulators. after a brief
examination. “ 1 le tried tcr play ct almighty
tine, an' hurt no one but hisself, which same
surves him exactly right!"

At that juncture, shrill cries of alarm rung
through the, camp, and then came the. shout:

“ Fire !-—lire !—tire!"

" By heavens! it’s Riata’sRauch!” ejacu—
lated Sawyer, as a lurid burst of flame dis-
closed the location of the fire. “ Hark! what
was that?"

“A pistol-shot at the. Lone Hunter!” the
sport averrcd, with glowing,r eyes. “Come!
we’d better hasten on to the mine. Some of
the devils may have slipped around to out
us off.” -

." But the scouts! 'l‘hcy—"

“Scouts here!” interpolated Gray Wolf,
gliding up; slowly followed by the young
miner. “No find out much. Vigilante
chief go ’way to talk, Bartel come and take
his place. .

“Heap big fire at s'loon. 'l‘rick, mcbbe!"

'As the chief ceased speaking, a series of
terrific explosions shook the entire'camp,
completely wreckingr the Ranch and the
buildings adjoining on each side, while the
crackling flames, given fresh impetus, “fierce-
ly shot skywm’d, lighting the rough street
from end, to end. The fire had reached
Riata’s bombs.

" Look out! The Vigilante-s are comin‘!"
yelled a hoarse voice.

it was true. Ignorant of the miscarriage
of Riata’s plot, and careless of the destruc-
tion of the Ranch, Bartel was urging the des—
peradocs forward at a run, with the hope of
taking the Regulators b surprise." .

“ Steady, boys!-—stca( y !" ordered Sawyer,
sharply, as a restless swaying of themen be-
trayed danger of a stampede. “ (live the
critters a Volley, then fall back to the mine
at a double-quick!” ‘

Ileartily _ashnmed of their momentary
weakness, the Regulators hastily ranged
themselves in line, then leveled their uns,
aimed and fired with the steadiness ant pre-
cisloi of veterans.

“ . )od!" cried Sawyer, as he saw the
Vigilantes waver, then halt. “Now ‘fall
back, boys, and we’ll have the stockade for
shelter. ”

\ 'ith a cheer, the men obeyed, and within

five minutes Were in possession of the Lone-

Hunter Mine, ,
'l‘hc Vigilantcshalded by the glow from

the burnin
,‘fgrom, afar, and as the Stockade

. l
.

 

 

 

buildings, watched this last i

a, , If
gate closed gave utterance to-a series of
angry yells.

. “We hold the whip hand now, pards, and
itvwill be many hours before those curs at-
tempt to show their teeth,” said Sawyer,
grimly. “ But in the mean time, be ready
for business.

“As I have some business to transact
with the gentleman here, i shall have to
IeaVe you fora half hour or so. During my
absence, Mr. Jenkins will have charge, and
you will obey him as you would me."

Then accompanied by Dauntlcss Dell, the
Regulator chief drew aside, to rcsunu- the.
('Olth'l‘SltllOn so rudely broken off by Riata‘s
daring exploit.

“ The question that I want to discuss just
now is the one of :tpprising the men of the
two states of affairs," Sawyer explained,
when they had reached a secluded spot.
“ Had it. better be done at. once, think you?"

“ Yes, at once." the Sport replied. “Let
every man know exactly what he is doing.
State the ease plainly, say that. lam here to
do the right thing by all, and then let each
decide for himself."

“ That is my idea of it," Sawyer declared.
“ And i think you can safely count on every
man.

“ llcllof here's (iotls('ti(ll"

“ No. it's llnrl'it, now!" chuckled the
detective, stepping forward. “ l'vc been
nosin' ‘around after our frisky friend, Mr,
Dnunt, here. 1, want him to goovcran‘ take
a look at a couple 0' critters I'w- got caeed
in one o’ the cabins. You'd better walk
along, cap‘n; they're well wu‘th seein‘."

"()h, if there's a show, l‘m in it, "' Sawyer
declared, and then the three walked across to
the. cabin adjoining the (are given over to
the hermit and his daughter.

.-\ candle was burning on the table; and as
the trio stepped into the room the detective
pointed into a dimly lighted corner.

'l‘hcrc, under guard of an Tinned Regulator,
and with wrists and ankles securely pinioned.
lay (.‘urly Slayback and Major Myst!

No word, of ex-ultation passed the the lips
of lhmntless Dell, but that be fully ap-
preciated the situation was evidenced by his
flashing eyes. , .

Sawyer, takin his cue from the Sport,
likewise remaine silent, and after a moment’s
scrutiny the three stepped back to the door.

“Now I'll be off and see the men," said
the Regulator chief. “ l congratulatc; you
in advance. Daunt, for the fact that Say-
back and the major are here and prisoners
in the hands of a detective will carry with it
no little weight. ” _

” I certainly, wish you luck, Sawyer,”
Dauntless Dell returned. “We will join
you irescntly.” .

“ ieckon you'll make out now, pardner!”
chuckled Darrit, when they, were alone.
“ A heap diff‘rcnt from last night, ain‘t it,
eh?" ’ ' , ,

“ Don’t mention it!” the Sport exclaimed
with eyes aglow. "It’s mighty line salve
for a sore back!

"But where did you get the scoundrel,
Darri t ‘! "

“I took the major at Riata’s Ranch. As
for Slayback, he came spyin’ ’round the
Stockade 2111' was gobbled up b Jenkins an’
the hermit, who brun r him to t c cabin over
thur, whar the rcptilclhrokc loose an’ glanced
a bullet off 0’ the hermit’s‘ bump o’ recollec—
tion, an’ then went down with a whack over
the skull-that ’d ’a' killed a decent critter."

“ Was the hermit hurt?” ' ‘

“ Knocked clean silly, but he’ll pull ’round
all right of I don’t miss my guess."

The Sport uttered a long breath of relief.

“I am glad to hear that. it is not danger. »
ous," he renntrked. “ I heard the shot, and
f-ared some of the devils had sum-ceded in‘ '
slipping in. ‘ ~   2

“Shake, Darritl For the first _time «in
years Isce my way clear,«‘nnd I owe It to m
friends—t0 yourself and my secret part ,
Captain Kate!" - ‘ ~

The two men exchanged a hearty hand- _
clasp. ’ ' '

” And that reminds me of the Lad
dit’s ring,” Dauntless Dell continue . “I
will put it on and wear it, for according to
her promise he wiLl then join me here :
Victory is near, and of all my friends she
should be the one to share immy triumph "‘

“ She’ll come, no doubt,’,’ returned. tlje (in, 7
motive, “ Even here. you are newgrratrrlftgl-g.

 

 

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by her agents, and when the fin appears
upon your hand word will be carried to her
as quickly as mortal man can go ”

The Sport slipped the ring upon his finger,
then stepped to the table and held his hand
where the candle light shone full upon it

3 white face an

Amurmur of surprise rose from the men,
for they had expected to find their new
leader 0001 C , the Sport, but the stern
flashing eyes so clearly dis-

; closed by the glow of the distant fire were

“ It's an odd trinket!" he exclaimed. ad- ;

miringly. “I—whcrc—-"

His voice failed him. His face grew death‘
ly pale, and he trembled violently.

So palpable'was his agitation that Darrit
could not help noticing it, A perplexed
look came over the face of the cunning de-
tective, and presently his look faded and
gave place to an expression of subdued ex-
ultation

“ l kin jest see it!” he mused, softly rub-
biug one hand over the other. “Jest a
glimpse 0' light ahead, an’-- Yes, I'll try
it!”

With a masterful effort, Dauntless Dell
had succeeded in controlline his emotions,
and he now approached the detective.

“Darrit!” he exclaimed, coldly, almost
harshly, “I must know something more of
this woman—this mysterious Captain Kate,
and of her mission here! '

” Believe me, it is through no idle curios-
ity that I ask. I must-3’

“Jehosephat! look at that!" interrupted

Darrit, pointing to a sudden burst of flames ;

beyond the Stockade.
—it’ll take the camp

“ It should wipe the accuer spot out of
existence!” bitterly.

“ Now tell me, Darrit—quicklyi”

” All I can—yes' But I’d better tell you
what I think, fu’sti”

“ Sa it!”

The detective looked the Sport
the e c, then coolly replied;
“ [y think the woman‘s your mfa, man!
That’s all!”

“ The fire is spreadin’

Y”

squarely in

 

CHAPTER xxx
DAUNTLEBB DELI/s nannies.

A snorrr, inarticulat'e cry burst. from the
lips of the Sport, and he drew himself sharp.
1y together. as if to spring straight at the
throat of the smiling detective.

“ Sa that again! If—”

“ 1’! say nothin', pardner, if you say so!”
broke in Darrit. “ You asked, an' I spoke
my mind i” .

“ it’s a cruel jest! My Wife’s dead—been
dead for years!” returned the Sport, bitterly

The detective nodded, then, as hasty steps
sounded. outside the door, checked the words
he was about to utter.

" I’ll see you ag’in, pardner,” he said sim‘
p1 , and then Tom Sawyer sprung into the
ea in.

" You're wanted, Daunt, immediately,”
the miner announced. “ The boys are with

on to a man, and you have been elected to
head your own fight. ‘

“Bartel has come up under cover of a
white flag, and I reckon you’d better go out
and see the critter.”

“I'll go, certainly; but not as I am now.
Wait!” and with a few deft movements
Dauntlcss Dell removed and cast aside the
cunningly arranged beard: and then a wig:
disclosing to the startled gaze of his friends,
not the handsome features of Dell Daunt, the

-v Sport, but the head and face of an utter

stran er! _

” uzzled, pards?" he laughed, grimly.
“I was disguised last night, and doub
disguised to-night. Now you see me as
am so

'A bowl of terror came from the corner,
and Slayback turned his face to the wall

“Oh, Lade oh‘. Lawd! I a now,
fer I is booked fer ther rope er sure!" he
groaned.

“That you are. on heartless devil!” was
the swift response mm the Sport.

“Guard him closely, my man. and you'll

I never grumble at the pay for this night’s

work!”

“Ketch him gittin' away 7” returned the
Regulator, with a significant flourish of his
revolver.

Accompanied by Darrit and Sawyer. the
Sport then quitted the cabin and hastened to
join the men at the gate.

“ Pards, your new chief—not as you have

seen" him. but as he is!” and with that terse ~

introduction and explanation Sawyer step-
ped aside, giving place to Dauntless Dell.

7:".

 

go

: quick to command their respect, and in the

l

breath of silence followingthat first involun- v

tary outburst, a full, powerful voice ex-
claimed

“A man 0’ sand, ef looks count, an’
tharfor'e ther man ter lead us!

“Pards, I moves three cheers fer ther
new chief'”

The three cheers were given with a vim,
and then Dauntless Dell stepped forward,
bowing right and'left, and said:

“Gentlemen, you flatter/me, for you have
given me a Welcome that a king might envy!

“I thank you .from the bottom of my

heart. and pledge m'self to merit your.

confidence unto the em , be that end what it
may !"
The clear, incisive tones reawokc the enthu-

siasm of the crowd, and amid ringing cheers !

Dauntless Dell made his way through the
stockade gate.

Every feature of the broken slope lying
between the mine and the camp proper was
now’ distinctly visible. and a single sweeping

g glance was all-sufficient to apprise the quick-

witted Sport of the exact situation

The Vigilantes, with numbers swelled to
nearly a hundred by reinforcements from the
men of the Golden Horn and High Horse
mines, had approached to within three hun-
dred yards of the stockade, and there ranged
themselves in a long, semi—circular line, to
await the result of the conference demanded.

A hundred paces in advance of his follow—
ers stood Saul Bartel, his errand muteiy pro-
claimed b the whitehandkerchief fluttering
at the en of his gun-barrel

That one glance at the arrangement of the
enemy’s forces, then Dauntless Dell strode
out from the Stockade and paused at a dis-
tance equal to that lying between Bartel and
his followers .

“ Hello, thar!” the Sport hailed. in an easy.
confident tone, as he came to a halt. " Are
you the spokesman for that crowd back
thar?"

“ I am their spokesman,” Bartel returned

The Sport nodded briskly, then continued. ‘

“ And you are here to make terms looking
to a surrender?"

“ Yes. yes, that is the idea exactly.”

“ Well, we’re not hard men to deal with—
we don’t ask much. If on fellows will (is.
liver over to us Dandy . im Crocker, Si Hay-
doc and that rascally little cutthroat they
call Saul Bartol, the rest of the gang may
They don’t amount to much, anyhow. ”

For mmoment Bartel was speechless.

The cool efl’rontery of the Sport complete-
ly unnerved him.

“You’re a mighty smart man, you are!”
he spluttered, as soon as he could command
his vocal organs. “ It’s a huge joke to put
the cart before the horse in that way, isn’t
it? I’ve known some mighty good men to
die from being too free with just such wit,
and I reckon you won’t think it’s so devilish
funny, either, when you feel the rope tighten
around your neck!”

“ Oh. What’s the matter with on?" the
S rt retorted, in a tone of moo protest.
“_ ere I’ve come at your own request and
given you the very best terms I could 
sibly scare up, and What do you do? ly
into a rage, just as if you were an enraged
bull and some one had flaunted a red rag in
yourface! '

“ If that’s a square deal, I don’t know it!"

” Square or not, you’d'no right to distort
my meaning, or to insult me!” the desperado
cried, his voice quiverin with rag: "

“I’d have you know am Saul rtol, and
I came here to demand the unconditional
surrender of Sawyer and his gang!”

” Why in Tophet couldn’t you say so in
the start?" demanded the Sport, in an ag-
grieved way. ‘ It would have saved a heap
of fuss and fury.

“ But if you’re expecting it: to surrender,
you’re barking up the wrong tree entirely!

" We‘ve a strong force, picked men all,
and we’ve got the ammunition and the grub
to withstand a longer siege than you can afv
ford to give us.

“ More than that. we've got Curly Slay-
back, or Billy Briggs. as you used to call
him, and we’ve also got'the major.

I

I,_ "

 

~5).~‘g.-);‘t’é,rzr -. ’19. .;< f . rug-tn}; t 3.. ,..,.4.‘,' $4,..“2 .,

   
  
 
   
 

“Sec? It’s the whip-hand against you
now, and when we crack the lash you’ll
dance!

“Teeter back to your gang, my brave
Bartol, and tell them its 710 .’— that if they
want us they must come and take us!"

For a full minute Bartel seemed lostin
thought.

“ This is a mighty serious matter,” he re-
marked, at length. “ You know what it is
to jump a claim, and you know the penalty.
Sawyer and his man have been led into.
this thing blindly by that aecursed Daunt, as‘
have you yourself, perhaps, and I think that
when the matter is put before all in its.
proper light there will be no further trouble.

“ Go back and send Sawyer out.”

“ Sawyer has nothing to do with the ques-
tion before us. 1 am at the head of the-
game, and if you are acting-chief of the-
Vigilantcs you will settle the question with
me!”

      
     
      
     
         
        
       
 

 And who the deuce are you ?” cried Bar— " .g
to], his anger breaking out,afresh. _.‘~_..'».
In tones that rung like the notes of a bugle: q

came the reply

“ I am Randolph Coleridge! ”

Bartel started so violently that the gun.
slipped from his hands.

“ It‘s a liei—a lie!” he shouted, hoarsely.

“ Oh, no! it’s the truth, Saul Bartel!” was
the calm retort. “ The, claim I’ve jumped
tonight is my own, as are the High Horse:
and the Golden Horn!

“The death-cave was cheated of its vie--
tim, the miner Mazeppa survived his almost.
mortal injuries, and the luckiess Sport ex-
iled by your brutal clan has had the
hardihood to return! As the three in one,
Saul Bartel, I am here for gold and for re—
venge!"

Bartol made no reply. His face turned a.
sickly, yellowish white, his eyes grew cold,
and glassy, and his head sunk forward until
his chin rested upon his wildly-throbbing
breast In a word, his whole as ect was that.
of a man suddenly stricken umb with a.
deadly terror ' .

A wild burst of cheers from the Regular, ..
tors and a fierce answering shout from the' 7
Vigilanies recalled his reelinga senses. ‘ -
Leaving his gun where it had llcn, the
wreteh turned and like one in a dream walked
back to his line ‘ '.

Dauntless Dell returngi to the stockade
gate, where he was met by Gray Wolf.

” That was the white snake?” interrogated
the chief, in a guarded voice.

“That was the man who killed Indian
Pete,” the Sport returned, as cautiously, as he

rodqu and handed to the chief a curious--
y wrought blade. “ And there is the

knife.” . . ,
“ Good! By and by Gray Wolf avenge,
him brother,’ and with these significant  -‘.
words the Crow glided back into the in-%

closure.

After a brief consultation with Sawyer, , .
the Sport ordered the gate closed and. 88-» 
cured, and the guards around the line of the;
stocksde doubled. Then, having empowered ‘ ,
Jenkins to make such or lanstions as wens ’

         
    
         
       
    
   
        
         
     
     
        
     
    
        
 

   
         
       
           
         
       
       
       
       
       
       
     
 

necessa to So er and t men relative to
what bald tween himself and Bin-tel,
he hurri away in quest of Darrit,

 
    

The startiingmrivords uttered by the cun—_
ning detective impressed Dauntless Dell“
most deeply. The Sport knew that Darrin
was no one to trifle with so important a
question, and he now determined to press
the detective for a full and free expire» ,
nation. ' is; 

But in this he was baffled, for the present..-
at least. _ « ,_

Darrit was not to he found. Hem gone,
and his evanishment was as complete as its!
was sus icious. . ' _ _

“ He as succeeded in skipping away, and.
has gone to tell Captain Kate that I wear the: -
ring," was the only explanation that pre-V
sented itself to the Sport, and with that he:
was forced to rest content. “ ‘

Abandomng the search, Dauntless  _
turned to the cabin occupied by the hermit;
and his daughter.

“Imustseehowtheold manispro ‘
ing," he muttered. “It is strange, ut I,
can’t help thinking he is my old rd. He in, 
like him, yet very unlike him. ter all 
girl will be the real test, for .if she is Heine's
sister I will know her, though years have ,
passed since last I saw her.” .~

    
       
  

      
     
            
   
    
 
      
       
  

, .

  

 
 
      
  

  

   
 

  

 
    
    
       
       

 
       

      
        
     
     
   
    
  
   
  
   
    
   
   
 
    
   
  
 
 
 
 
   
    
  
  
    
   
 
  
 
 
   
  
   
 
  
   
    
  
 
  
  
  
   
     
   
    
       
     
      
      
      
     
      
         
       
     
       
     

Thus musing, he approached the cabin and
tapped softly on the door.

It was opened by Letta Hart.

The girl’s eyes Were red with Weeping,
and her manner betrayed extreme agitation.

“ How is your father?” inquired the Sport,
in a kindly tone, while he gazed searehiugly
at the face of the girl.

" ()h, sir, he is badly hurt—much worse
than Mr. Jenkins or Mr. Sawyer seem to
think!” the girl replied. “ [he lies in. a
stupor from which he. rouses only at intervals,
and then he is in delirimn, and dwells con-
stantly on scenes in the“ past.

“ Will you come in, sir, and see him 2/”

, Dell mutely inclined his head, and entered
«the cabin.

The wounded man lay on a rude cot in one
corner of the room, and as the Sport softly
approached he abruptly sat up, saying:

“ Yes, yes, gents! I‘m ()ld Missouri, an‘
I’Vc struck it rich ag’inl

~“ A hundred dollars on the ace! An’ Mr.
Dealer, you may put a copper on the bet on
the nine an' heel it to the six. Therewthat’s
“it. Nine—ace! Aha! I whiprow the turn!”

,The Sport smiled sadly. There could no
longer exist in his mind, a doubt that. the
hermit was indeed his lost pard. The old
. man’s assertion that he was ()ld Missouri
‘- ; sunk into insignificance, as proof of his iden-
tity, when compared with that brief vagary
of the gaming-table!

Gambling had been the curse of the old
‘ ’ rospector’s ruined life. To the demon
 hance he'had yielded fortune after fortune!

“Old Missouri—Old VVhiprow, don’t you
know me?”the Sport asked, laying his hand
on the shoulder of the wounded man.
“ Look up!” .

The hermit obeyed. ’

.. “ 0h, yas; 0’ course I know ye, boy,” he
replied. petulantly, with just glance at
the anxious face'bending over him. " Don’t
sax sech foolish questions, pard!
_ “ An‘ now let me alone. I want to sleep,
j 'nbleep.’ My head is bad!”
,_ With that, he sunk back, and in another
minute was sleeping quietl .
-,  Do you think he will live?” asked Lotta,
‘ anxiously. ,
' '~‘ Oh. yes, he has a big chance forhis life,”
. the Sport returned. “ And when he does
~get on his feet again it won’t be as Hermit
Heft, but George Rinehart, or Old Missouri.

“ And new, Miss Lotta, there is a question
I want to ask you, don't you remember
me?”

' The girl looked at him a moment, then
.aslowlyshook her head. '

“ Xou look familiar—you recall some one

, I have known in the past, but I do ’not re-
. member you,” she declared, simply. .

Dauntlcss Dell smiled sadly, then said:

’ “ I have suffered much and have changed

' . ' greatly; but I am your own brother, Lotta. I
am Randolph Coleridge

‘_ ~ A faint cry escaped the girl. Like a flash,
"the truth illuminet her face, and she sprung
forward and warmly grasped the outstretch-
~00 hand of the Sport. ,, ,v'

4 r .5 ,You are indeed Randolph!” she exclaim-

m

I

71101 nice it at first.
“But—but they said you were dead?"

- , "l have been nearer (L cad than I ever want

“tqu again, little rirl. At the time Father
,Rinehart received lIS injuries I was wound.
:ed and captured by the same men, and shut
 in a mountain cave until the could do-
];‘cidewhat‘should born into. he kept
me there for months, an winter wou d have
: Relieved them of their work had not brave
r old Pet-e Jenkins stumbled upon my prison
' attire beginning of a heavy snow storm. He
, :reseped me, but it was many months before
I'recowcred from my wound and that long
 and; terrible confinement. , -v |
,‘j‘ Then in disguise I ventured back ‘here,
1611‘: into the hands of ,the some men, was
almost to‘death, und~then lashed u n
t ,V the back of a Wild ,horse‘ and sent adri t in
‘the mountains. This time Gray Wolf, the.
“Indian. came to my rescue and nursed me
', tack to life.
"  : ".‘But, here I am, Lotta, telling my story
when other matters are more pressing.
What I want to know now is, what do you
“know of Nellie?”

“ Poor Nellie is dead!” was the low-voiced
, reply. “ For somethin dyer two years
A after you and father left iso City, neither

  

  

 

  

  

  

 

   

“I see it now, and wonder that I did‘

 

ii.

 
 

she nor I heard a word from you. Then one
day two letters came, one from you and one
from father, accompanied with a brief note
written by the postmaster at Gopher Lode,
stating that the letters had been found no
side the dead body of an old miner up here
in the hills by one llermit llart.

“ Well, these letters and the note pro-
duced an attack of brain fever. from which
Nellie was slow to rally, and it was almost
a year before she was herself again.

“ in the mean time, our aunt had died in
St. Louis, leaving each of us a comfortable
fortune.

“So I went back to school in Virginia,
and in less than a fortnight. received a
letter from Nellie which caused me no little
uneasiness, if not downright alarm.

“In effect, the letter asserted the belief
that both you and father had been bascly
murdered, and that she had determined to
visit Boise City, and from there with the aid
of detectives trace youto the point at which
the crime had been committed, and if pos-
sible bring your murderers to justice.

"I returned home lotry to dissuade her
from making any such attempt, but arrived
too late, as she had (-(mvertcd all her 'n'o-
pcrty into money and started W'est two< Lys
before.

“ Then came the report of a steamboat dis-
aster on the Missouri, and as her name ap-
peared in the list of missing I hurried to St.
Jo to learn, if possible, her fate.

“ So far as my object wascomzerned, the
trip was in vain, for from that, day to this I
have heard nothing of poor Nellie.” ‘

“ It was there I lostall trace of her,” the
Sport remarked, in a subdued voice. “ But

I have hopes that tve shall yet find her'

alive.

“I may add that it was in St. Jo, too,
tha you disappeared. "

“ ’03. at the depot the day I intended to
return home I met father," Lotta explained.
“ The recognition was mutual, although we
had both changed greatly since our last
meeting.

“ I saw at once that something was wrong
with his brain. Ilc insisted. or example,
that his name was Hart, and he could recall
but little of the past. As he was growinrr

‘old, I determined to remain with him, an

so came here. I do not wonder that you ob-
tained no further trace of me there, as our
departure was secret. Indeed, father is
cunning and svcretive to a high degree, since
his unl'orttmalc cxlmrience here.”

“It is fortunate that he has become so,”
declared the Sport. “ But for that change
in him. both of you would have fallen into
the clutches of theSc human sharks long
ago.” '

At that moment a hubbub outside attract;
ed the Sport‘s attention, and with a few
words he hastily quitted the cabin.

Day was breaking, and by its dim gray
light he saw that his men were not aiittle
alarmed. . ,

“ What is it now ‘2” he asked of Sawyer,
who romptly advanced to meet him.

,“ e’ve got to tight fire!" was the cool rc-
ply. “ T hose euSses out there have gotten
the running-gears 0!” two wagons, and are
building traps to fire the stockade.”

 

CHAPTER XXXI. »
A nnAVE worms urns.

" IT is you, Darrit?” ‘

“ Yes, madame.”

“ And Desmond ?”

“In-Big Ledge b this time, madame,”
the old detective rep ied. “ Coming here, I
met him, and sent him on to the. camp to keep
an eye on matters ther , _as a dangerous
crisis is at hand.

" Is it true that you have sent fer Captain
Marshall and his men?”

“It is true,” the' Lady Bandit averted.
“ Shortly after you and the Sport had quit-
ted the cavern, Colonel Croc er appeared.
He Was greatly agitated, havin discovered
my identity, audio at remorse ul mood he
made full confession of the crime against my
husband and m father. Havin learned the
truth, I could
captain Marshall and 'ourself.”

, “In doing so, you id well, madame.

“ But I am our rised and delighted to

hear that Cracker Eu

   

 

 

 

brt from so some;

' the land lay, the Sport and myself joined

, moment. “ Aliveb—thc t rec Ihave mourned

0 nothing Jess t an send for

 

weakened and con-

 

 
 

fessed, for the way is now open to us, and
not a shade of doubt remains to be cleared
away.

“ \‘thn my pard was killed, the important
evidence he is known to have secured died
with him, so he had not yet imparted it to
us, and Igreavtly feared that his death would
prove a disastrous blow to all our plans.
But a series of lucky accidents—if i may so
call them—beginning with the appearance—
of [long Pete Jenkins in camp, and culmi~
hating with (lrocker‘S confession to—night,
have stood us in good stead.”

“Yes, yes! I understand that," the wo-
man said, impatient to get to the subject
weighing most heavily with her just then.

“ Did you leave Mr. Daunt in camp,
Darrit‘.’"

“I did, madame: and in that connection,
there are two or three matters I wish to , ,
discuss with you. ‘3: '

“To shorten a somewhat lengthy story,
permit me to say, simplly, that there has been .”
serious trouble In Big ledge during the day Q: '
and tonight. This troub e is the outcome, 2:
in part, of a growing dissatisfactitm at the
reckless course so long pursued by the Vigil-
antes; said course consisting, in part, of the
burning of your hotel last night, the driving
of our friend, Mr. Daunt, from the camp,‘
the furious search today made foryou, and I ~ 
doings of that sort. The real outburst, how- ~
ever, did not occur until the arrest of Her-
mit lIart, today; for the murder of my pard.
ner yesterday. Then, urged on by the her-
mit‘s daughter—a most beautiful young lady
Iassurc you, madame»about thirty of the
best menin camp, led' by Tom Sawyer, rose , ,
in arms and rescued the old man, and secret- , f 1.”:-
ly conveyed both him and his daughter to ' 
the Lone Hunter Mine for safe-keeping.

“ As soon as we had discovered just how

 

 

 

 

 

Sawyer’s forces: with the result that our
friend quickly made terms with the men and
is now at the Lone Hunter, holding the
Vigilantes at bay. "

“ Is that all, Darrit?" asked Captain Kate,
in a tremulous voice.

The veteran detective gravely shook his
head.

“No, madam: it is not all,” he replied.
” Permit me to congratulate you l”

“ My husband ‘2" betrayingintense interest
now.

“ Yes! your secret pard is none other than
Randolph (‘olcridgel I heard him so declare
no: two hours since!"

A low cry broke from the woman, and
tears of joy streamed from her eyes.

“ I knew itl—I knew it!” she cried, clasp-
ing and unclaspinu' her hands. “11:: is he]
monte (.‘olcridgc, for my husband never had
a brother!"

“ The finding of your husband is not the
full extent of your good fortune, xnadame,”.
continued the detective, after a moment. .-
“ I-can assure you that your father, though
now suffering rom a severe wound, is alive;
and with him is your missing sister!”

“Ii‘athch—Letta!" gasped the Lady Ban-
dit, incredulously, and then, ovcrwlu-lmed
with emotion, she sunk helplessly upon’ the
stool, i ‘

“It is all too good to be true!” she ex-
claimed, between laugh er and tears; after a ' .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

as dead! p \

“But go on, my good Dari-it!”

“I hardly know what more to so. just : ' 
now!” chuckled the‘ detective. “ rid—-

isn’t enough as good asa feast?"
“ Ah! no! m good friend—not in this
case! Tell me. nos—does Randolph know?"
“ Well, I gave. him a mighty fine him, but i
he didn't seem to grasp it. He has mou ‘
you as dead." ,»
“ And father, and Lotto?”  _
“They know absolutely‘DO'tb-ing. Your
father, as I have said, is, Wounded. 9nd Just
before leaving the mine! slipped m to see
him, as a sus cion was grown “POD me
that things mi t turnpout so-an -so. And
by utting a few questions to your sister, I
ve fled that suspicionmghty,QUlely.” '
" My father is Harmzt art? she asked.
“'Exactiyl The very old gentleman who
proved, so obtuse in the hands of poor Gerry
and myself when we undertook to question
him concerning the finding of the letters.
, “The truth 8. fOr five years past the old
gentleman has been the victim of an hallua
. I o‘; 

\

 
     
       
    
        
      
     
       
      
         
      
      
 
    

      
   
 

 

 

 

 

«cination, induced by in urics received at the
bands of Bartol, et (ti, and has all along
imagined himself some one else It is quite
likely that when he reeovms from his pres.
ent wound, he will again be in full possession
of his senses At, least. I have seen two
similar cases result. just. that way, and from
; present. indications, Mrs (,Tolt-ridge, I don’t
'think you need have any great uneasiness
“There is one other matter I will mention
now, and then l must decline to talk any
further
" We have captured two among the lead-
ers of our encnlie~i—~Sluyb:ttk and Major
Myst. I have succeeded in squeezing a par
, .tial confession out of the major. and I am
free to confess, madame, that your attempt
to play detective in the dual role of Captain
Kate and Kate Cherry was not a brilliant
success The major discovered the truth
longago, and listened regularly to our secret
Conferences. It was through hlrn that your

  

,.

VHi-iLfe j

% r identity became known."
2, . “I judged as much from Croekers dis

closures," Mrs Coleridge rejoined ."And
yet, I am not sorry that. I made the attempt,
as good has come of it. And the outlawry
of ‘Captain Kate’ was purely fittitious ’
“ Purely so. and good did indeed come of
. it It saved the life of Lon Peter Jenkins,
7” beyond question and the ol ranger has Ccr~
tainly been an important factor in bringing
about the present happy condition of things
Moreover it made you the ’secret pard' of
your own husband!"

“ Yes, yes!” laughed the woman. “ I was
unconsciously attracted to him from the
v . first. .
r] ' “But what do you propose to do next,
” Darrit?”

“I want to put myself in the. way of
Captain Marshall and his men at the earliest
moment possible,” was the prompt reply.

“They will reach the ford down on the
trail some time near noon. They have orders
not. to s rare their horses, and they may ar.
rive b ' e even o’clock.”

" ‘ ill that be soon enough?" and an anx-
ious strain crept in the woman‘s Voice

" Oh. yes, there isn't any particular rush.
It's Just this the sooner we throw Marshall‘s
force into Big Ledge, the sooner the war
will end.

“ It is broad day now, and if you have an
extra horse, we might mount and ride down
to the ford. We can wait. there "

“ Was Desmond atom?"

" lIe was "‘ .

“Then you can take his animal. Come!"
and with a sigh of relief Mrs; (‘olcridge led
the way to the horses

Hastrly bridling and saddling the animals,
the two enveloped themselves u long water
proof cloaks to protect their clothing and
their Weapons, then led their steeds through
the fissure leading down to the cascade,
where they mounted and plunged boldly
through the sheet of falling water

The better part of a halllhour had passed

ere they reached the break in the hanks at
which the Lady Bandit usually entered or
quitted the stream, and here they rode out
upon the stony waste.
- . “ Fifteen minutes will see us at the end of
.  ’ the firm stage, in other words the ford,"
Darrit observed, striking spurs to his horse.
“ And were Marshall there, twenty minutes
more would easily put us in Big Ledge."

There was an undercurrent of anxiety in
th( detective‘s voice, but happily for Mrs.
Coleridge she failed to notice it, rnerelv
nodding and touching her spirited horse with
the whip
., a . Three hundred yards the pair had gone,

3,  when suddenly two horsemen burst into
  view over the crest of a distant; knolL

' ,f .71 “Why, that is Rogers!" the woman cried,

 excitedly “And—yes, it. is Captain Mar-
shall, too!

‘t‘ Come, my friend! Quicken your pace,
fgrl am anxious to, know the meaning of
t is!” ’
i The explanation was speedly forthcom
ng. , .

As the part met, all drew rein.

“Captain Iii rshall, I am glad to see youl”
exclaimed Mrs. Coleridge, with an eager
 flush on her beautiful face. “ Are your men
 . ' with out”

 

 

“ icy are at the ford, madame, I am
I 3a py to say

, .’,‘ the man replied, gallantly
or; his hat. ’ .. . .

 

 

 
  

“ Some four or five hours ago, I became
alarmed at a brilliant glow in the direction
of Big Ledge, and, fearing trouble .there,
roused my men and came on, leaving a
Sentry at the rendezvous to apprise you of
my whereabouts in case you should send for
me during my absence.

“ (in our way here, we fell in with Rogers,
and I an? pleased to know that our action
cannot fail to meet with your approval.”

" Your promptness and sagacity merit
my warmest thanks, (Iaptain Marshall

" liut I believe there is need for haste
even yet, and Mr, Darrit will put you in
possession of the facts while we all ride on to
join your force ” '

"l‘he captain bowed and with Darrit took
the lead, and the four set forward at a sharp
gallop.

Arrivedat the ford, Captain Marshall put
himself at the head of his men, somctwenty-
odd bold, well-armed fellows, and the entire
party at once started toward the camp at a
brisk pace.

In something less than the time named by
Darrit, a point was reached overlooking Big
Ledge, and all drew rein.

It was a startling scene that met their
gaze

The central portion of the camp was in
ruins, and all business had been suspended.

Down at the Lone Hunter Mine the stock-
ade was atire and rapidly burning, while at
a distance of three hundred yards, sheltered
by earthen breastworks which they had
thrown up during the closincr hours of the
night, lay the long line of Vigilantes, with
weapons ready to defeat any attempt to ex
tinguish the fire. .

 it strikes me we are in the very nick 0’
time!” observed Captain Marshall, grimly.

” Boys, look to your weapons! e‘ll
charge that gang d0er there, and every shot
must count!

“ Lad , you must remain behind. Seek a
secludet spot alon the trail, and there await
the issue of the fig it."

Mrs. Coleridge muter inclined her head,
and rode aside. ‘

“Forward, howl" uttered the captain, in
a low, stern voice “ Not. a sound ahth a
whisper till I give the word, then yell like
so many devils—Jar noise does help when
you surprise. odds!"

Grimly, the troop swept down the trail

and through the deserted camp, riding in a '

compact body until less than a hundred and
fifty yards lay between them and the Vigi-
lantes. Then—-

" Ready .t’ fire I"

The eonnnand broke from Captain Mar-
s‘hall's lips in (‘larion tones. His men spread
right and left, forming a long, open line,
yelling, screaming; tiring round after round,
and charging to the brink of the long and
shallow trench ‘

At the same moment, through a gap in
the stoekadc poured the Regulators, ed by
Dauntless Dell in person, and, caught be--
tween too tires. and believing themselves
beset by overwhelming odds, the Vigilantes
broke and lied, led by Bartel.

Within five minutes, the short, sharp crin-
test was over, and the power of the Vigi-
lantes was broken. ' ~

~“ Well, Sport; we got here about rightl”
cried Darrit, as, accompanied By Ca thin
Marshall, he approached Dauntlcss ll.’
“ Hey!" ,

“Just right. Darrit, and if it’s your
doings I thank you for it,” the Sport return-
ed, warmly grasping the detective’s out-
stretched hands. ‘ ‘

“Don’t thank met Thank your secret
pardl ,An'—-—h on she comes!” ‘

True enou ! A black horse, urged by,
the hand of ovc, came flying through‘the
camp, to sto within three paces of the little
group, whie his b‘autrful rider sprung
lightl from the saddle.

" mdolphl”

“ A single startled glance. and the Sport’s
face turned deadly pale. .

"My God! You. Nellie?" he exclmmed,
and then with a bound he caught the wo-
man to, his breast.

 

A few paragaphs, now, and our story is

. done.

Hermit Hm, or old Missouri, regain:
ed his 'senses as. redicted; and withl

 

Randolph Coleridge, yd little trouble in"

  
 

securing legal possession of their joint pro-
erty, the golden Horn and High Horse
lines, while Major Myst publicly confessed
that the Lone Hunter belonged to the
Sport

So ended all dispute on that score, and the
miners of the camp soon realized that they
were the gainers by the all-around transfer.

of the live original plotters, Slayback and
Si llaydoc Were hanged after a fair trial;
Bartol was killed by Gray Wolf in revenge
for the murder of Italian l’cte, while (‘rocker
was never again seen in the camp of Big
Lodge, and his fate remains a mystery, al-
though it is probable that he returned to the
camp and perished in the fire at liiata‘s
Ranch

Letta and Tom Sawyer eventually joined
hearts and hands, and a deed to the High
Ilorsc Mine was one among the numerous
wedding—presents .reeeived by the happy
pair.

The day after the big fight Jenkins discov-
ered his mare, Jezebel, grazing around the
outskirts of the camp, and his joy at the re-
turn of the faithful animal knew no bounds.

There is one event which, in closing, we
regret to have to record—the death of Nellie
Coleridge

Excitement, peril and exposure had sappcd
her strength, and within three months from
her reunion with her. husband, her father
and her sister, she had calmly and peace-
fully passed from this life to the next.

So perished a very brave and an all~truc
woman

Disappointed and imbittered, Randolph
Coleridge remained in Big Ledge a few
months, then settled up his affairs and pre-
pared to leave. to go—he knew not where.

“My enemies killed poor Nellie just as
surely as if they had driven a knife through
her faithful heart," he declared, in answer; to
the expostulations of his friends “Many
of them yet live, and she must not go un-
avenged. ' r

“ s Dauntless Dell they hounded me and
killed her,making life dark and,bitter to me;
and as Dauntless Dell I shall follow them to
the end ”

And he kept his word!

THE END

 

Beadle‘s Dime library.

BY 0].]. COOMES.
619 Kit: Bandy & Co , the Border Detectives.
148 One‘Armed Alt. the Giant Hunter.
137 Long Beard. the Giant Spv.
‘99 The Giant Rifleman; or. Wild Camp Life.
51 Red Bob. the Boy Road-Agent.
4R ldaho Tom, the Young Outlaw of Silverland.
46 Bmvie~Kuife Ben. the Nor‘wvst Hunter.
44 Old Dan Rackback. the. Great Extarminator
43 Dakota Dan. the Reckless Ranger.
7 DeathNotch, the Destroyer.

MISCELL ‘ NEOUS.

666 The Dauntless Detective: or, The Daughter
Avenger. 13v TornW.King

 

 

a

. ... .. -
3', W. 

.1,

542 The Ocean Drift: or, The Fiébtror Two Lives. 

By A. F. Holt.

534 Gré‘q-n Mfiuntfiinm k De
ave. 5' r u e .y. .

518 Real Richard, the Thoroughbred.‘ By- J. w.

s n.
366 The Telegraph Detective By George H. Morse.

Joe: or, The Counterfeite‘r‘l,

853 Bart Brennan; or, The King 0! Straight. Flush.

Bv John Cuthbert.
use Flash Falcon. Society Detective. By W. J. Cobb.
are Kinkfoot Karl. the Mountain Scourge. By Mar.

5 Reliving. .
2:5 The Smuggler Cutter. *1? J. D. Conro
261 Black Sam, the Prairie underbolt.

S" d
J o Yards. By, 00"

190 The Three Guardsmen. By Alexander Dunn-Q. "

179 Conrad, the Convict.
166 Owlet. the Robber Prince. B S B. Um

By Prof. cadmium. . ’ (

15-2 Captain Ironnerve. the Conrail-toner Chief. ’ I r L ‘ '

146 The DoctOr Detective. Lemuel.

144 The Hunchback at Notre nae. Victor Hugo.
140 The Three Spaniards. Bfl Geo. alter.
138 Body the Rover. m Carleton

125 The Blacksmith Ousanw By H. Ainsworth.

110 The Silent  By B. W. Herbert.

102 The W Band. By George L. Aiken. ‘

72 The Mysterious 8 y. By Arthur M. Grainger.

is %° 33.?" M“ "We 33?”? 6'33"
0 ng r. t. . . . am

60 Wide Awake. the .

82 13’]: of Yale. or, The

bbor By F.
11 Mi ipman Easy.

Scrapes off
By Ca otn m -
10 Vidooq, the French Police
9 Handy Andy. By Samuel

yv
V
6 Wildcat 801). By

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Edward L. Wheeler.
A m was every Wednesday.

More» Dune mm to for sale by a,-

Nowadealers, ten cents per 00”. or sent by mail a
receipt of twelve cents each.
13an AND ADAMS, Pm

4 n  u wanna Strut.

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New?“ 

     

   

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,,:~..

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out The Cowh Clan or, The
as Lit-sax! a? 3

’ 189 Wild Bill's Gold Trail; or. The

A.»

Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers,

 

 

 

BY COL. PREN'I‘ISS INGRAIIAM.

748 Arizona Charlie. the Crack-shot Detective.

704 Invisible lvan. the Wizard Detective.

685 The Red-skin Sea Rover.

679 Revello. the Pirate Cruiser; or. The Rival Rovers
672 The Red Rapier; or, The Sea Rover’s Bride.

662 The Jew Detective: or, The Beautiful Convict.
640 The Rev r‘s Ret ibution.

635 The Ex Buccaneer; or, The Stigma of Sin.

630 The Sea Thief

625 Red Wings; or. The Gold Seekers of the Bahamas.
615 The Three ..iiccaneers.

610 The Red Flag Rover; or, White Wings of the Deep.
605 The Shadow Silver Ship. ’

600 The Silver Ship; or, The Sea Scouts of ’76.

593 The Sea Rebel; or. Red Rovers of the Revolution.
597 Conrad. the Sailor Spy; or. True Hearts of ‘76.
581 The Outlawed Sklipper; or, The Gantlet Runner.

The Man from exico.

553 Mark Monte, the Mutineer: or. The Branded Brig.
548 The Doomed Whaler: orfl‘he Life Wreck.

540 The Fleet Scourge; or, The Sea Wings of Salem.
580 The Savages of the Sea.

524 The Sea Chaser; or. The Pirate Noble.

516 Chatard, the Dead—Shot Duelist.

510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore.

493 The Scouts of the Sea.

489 The Pirate Hunter; or. The Ocean Rivals."

482 Ocean Tramps ' or, The Desperadoes of the Deep.
476 Bob Brent.thc Buccaneer; or. the Red Sea Raider.
469 The Lieutenant Detective: or. the Fugitive Sailor.
457 The Sea Insurgent: or. The Conspirator Son.

446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair.

43!) The One-Armed Buccaneer.

430 The Fatal Fri ate; or. Rivals in Love and War.
425 The Sea Swor ; or. The Ocean Rivals.

413 The Sea Siren: or. The Fugitive Privateer.

899 The New Monte Cristo. _

898 The Convict Captian.

888 The Giant Buccaneer; or. The Wrecker Witch.
377 Afloat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.
873 Sailor of Fortune: or. The Barnegat Buccaneer.
889 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea.

$4 The Sea Fugitive; or. The Queen of the Coast.
346 Ocean Guerrillas; or. Phantom Midshipman.

841 The Sea Desperado.

835 The Magic Snip° or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.
an The Gentleman irate: or. The Casco Hermlts.
31 The Indian 'iiuccaneer; or. The Red Rovers.

The Phantom Pirate; or, The Water Wolves.

281 TheSea Owl: or. The Lady Captain of the Gulf.
S9 Cutlass and Cross: or, the Ghouls of the Sea.
1&5 The Pirate Priest; or. The Gambler’s Dau hter.
246 ueen Helen, the Amazon of the Overlan .

$5 Lightning the Man of Chance.

281 The Kid GlOve Miner; or. The Magic Doctor.

254 Black Beam. the Buccaneer.
220 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother‘s Crime.
816 The Comir Planter; or, Driven to Doom.

210 Buccaneer Boss. the Lioness of the Sea.
205 The Gambler Pirate; or, Lady of the Lagoon.
1% The Skeleton Schooner; or The Skimmer.

164 The Ocean Vampire; or. T e Castle Heiress.

181 The Scarlet Schooner: or. The Sea Nemesis.

177 Don Diablo, the Planter-Corsair.

172 Black Pirate: or. The Golden Fetters M stery. .
108 The Mad Mariner: or. Dishonored and isowned
155 The Corsair Queen: or, The Gypsies of the Sea.
147 Gold Spur. the Gentleman from Texas.

189 Eire Eye; or. The Bride of a. Buccaneer.

184 arke Dan. the Colored Detective.

131 Bucks ln Sam. the Texas Trailer.

1% This Chevalier Corsair; or. The Heritaire. ,,
121 The Sea Cadet; or The Rover of the Rigoletts.
116 Black Plume; or. The Sorceress of Hell Gate.

‘ :09 Captain Kyd. the Klnglof the Black Flag.

04 Montezuma. the More ess.
108 Merle. the Mutlneer; or. The Red Anchor Brand.
94 Freelance. the Buccaneer.
so The Pirate Prince; or. The Queen of the Isle.
The Cretan Rover; or. Zuleikah the Beautiful.
2, The Dare Devil; or.-The Winged Sea Witch.

surname Bin. novnns.
By colonel Prentlu Inn-ham.
760 Buffalo Bill's Big Four.
74! Bulfalo Bill's Flush Hand.
m Bulfslo Bill‘s Blind; or. The Masked Driv
M Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men.
781 Buffalo Bill's Douala-‘33 Slllt LassoSam.

702 BuffaloBill on tthar- th.

. 718 Buflslo Bill's Scout 0
710

were.
Bufalo Bill Bottled; or, The xDeserter Desperado.

BB7 Buflalo Bill’s Buckskin Brotherhood.

$10 Buifalo Bill's Blind Trall' or. Mustang 
057 Buffalo Bill‘s Snoop; or The King of the M lies.
of Texas.
afi- Magnum-.3110 Taylor in Texas.
049 Buffalo Bl ’sChle of Cow s; or. Buck Taylor
544 Buffalo Bill‘s Bonanza; or. 8 wer Circle Knights.
m Buffalo Bill's Gri ; or. Oath Bound to Custer. ,
879 Buffalo Bill’s PI 39: or. The Magus of Three.
, Desperate Dozen.
13 Wild 3111‘: Trump Card: or. The Indian Heiress.
1 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot.

ll! 31111310 3111.

089 The G , :nr. Montebello. theM ifloent.
an The 0 Nine: or. My Pards of t e Plains.
414 Bed Round the Indian Detective.

4m One-Armed Ford; or. Borderland Retribution.
897 The Wizard Brothers: or. White Beavers Trail.

' 894 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.

319 Wild Bill, the Whlrlwlnd of the West.
804 Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler.
so The P11, m Sharp: or. The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.

I 3 Gold Bu let Sport: or, Knights of the Overland.

Death-Trailer. the Chief oi‘ Scouts.

fly Loon Lewis, Ned Biiutllne, etc.
882 Buffalo Bill's Secret Service Trail.
629 Buffalo Bill's Darin Role: 0' Daredeath Dick.
517 Buffalo Bill‘s First rail; or. The Express Rider.
158 Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts. >
117 Buffalo Bill's Strange Pnrd: or, Dashing Dandy.
92 Buffalo Bill. the Buckskin King.

'“'" ' ' " 1.. ',_ ~31; :v'.‘:":-.’"§)
' 9"" 733~;W‘153Mf« 15.4.   m

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.

744 Sweepstakes Sam, the Silver Sport.

720 The Secret Sir or. Old Halcyon.

712 The Man of Silk.

705 Bantam Bob. the Beaut from Butte.

693 Kent Kasson, the Pri-uc ier Sport.

683 Bob Breeze, the Rounder Detective.

675 Steel Surry, the Sport from Sunrise.

668 Solemn Saul’s Luck Streak.

661 The Get-There Sharp.

651 Silvertip Steve, the Sky Scraper from Siskiyou.
645 Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective.

636 Dandy Darling, Detective.

027 Mossback Mose, the Mountaineer.

617 The Grip Sack Sharp‘s Even up. -
597 Big Bandy, the Bri adier of Brimstone Butte.
588 Sandy Sands. the S inrp from Sun City.

576 Silver-Tonguod Sid; or. Gri Sack harp’s Sweep.
564 The Grip-Sack Sharp; or. ' he Seraplis of Sodom.
555 Grip‘Sack Sid. the Sample Sport.

547 The Buried Detective; or. Saul‘s Six Sensations.
541 Major Magnet, the Man of Nerve.

535 Dandy Dutch. the Decorator from Dead-Lift.
527 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detective.

514 Gabe Gunn, the Grizzly from Ginseng.

504 Solemn Saul. the Sad inn from San Saba.

495 Rattlepate Rob; or, The Roundhead‘s Reprisal.
488 The Thorou tibrcd Sport.

474 Dadd Don —F.ye. the Despot of Dew Drop.

466 Old ugh and Ready, the Sage of Sundown.
458 Dutch Dan. the Pilgrim from Spitzenberg.

450 The Rustler Detective.

443 A Cool Hand; or, Pistol Johnny’s Picnic.

438 Oklahoma Nick.

433 Laughing Loo: or. Sam’s Dandy Pard.

425 The Ghost Detective: or. The Secret Service Spy.
416 Monte Jim. the Blacx Sheep of Bismarck.

409 Rob Roy Ranch: or, The Imps of Pan Handle.
403 The Nameless Sport.

395 Dead] Aim, the Duke of Derringers.

387 D.ll‘k ur . the Ishmael of the Hills.

379 Howling onathnn, the Terror from Headwaters.
372 Captain Crisp. the Man with a Record.

367 A Royal Flush: or, Dan Brown’s Big Game.

360 Jumping Jerry, the Gamecock from Sundown.
355 Storm Steve. the Mad Athlete.

851 Nor‘ est Nick. the Border Detective.

845 Masked Mark. the Mounted Detective. .

339 Spread Eagle Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter.
331 Chis Charley. the Gold Nugget Sport.

824 Old orked Lightnius. the Solitary.

817 Frank Lightfoot. the Miner Detective.

30‘2 Faro Saul. the Handsome Hercules.

29-2 Moke Homer. the Boss Roustabout.

2% Pistol Johnny; or. One Man in a Thousand.

283 Sleek Sam, the Devil of the Mines.

257 Death Tra Diggings: or. A Man ’Way Back.
219 Elephant om. of Diirango.
241 Spitfire Saul. King of the Rustlers.
233 The Old lloy of Tombstone.
201 Pirate of the Placers: or. J0 uin's Death Hunt.
197 Revolver Rob: or. The Belle 0 Nugget Camp.
1&1 Old ’49; or. The Amazon of Arizona. '
170 Sweet William. the Trapper Detective.

155 Joaquin. the Terrible

154 Joaquin, the Saddie King.

141 E uinox Tom. the Bill'y of Red Rock.

127 So Scott. the Masked Miner.

119 Alabama Joe: or. The Yazoo Man-Hunters.

105 Dan Brown of Denver: or. The Detective.

88 Big George; or. The Five Outlaw Brothers.

71 Captain Cool Blade: or. Mississippi Man Shark.
67 The Boy Jockey: or, Honesty vs. Crookedness.
64 Double-Sight, the Death Shot.

50 Jack Rabbit. the Prairie Sport. -

47 Pacific Pete, the Prince of the Revolver.

45 Old Bull s-E e, the Lightnin Shot.

40 Long-Hal Pards; or.The arters of the Plains.
80 Gospel George' or, Fiery Fred. the Outlaw.

28 Three-Fingered Jack, the RoadoAgent.

BY J. C. COWDRICK.

6m Ducats Dion, the Nabob Sport Detective.

1112 Sheriff Stillwood, the Regulator of Raspberry.
51!! The Dominic Detective.

501 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective.

580 Shadowing a Shadow.

1565 Prince Paul, the Postman Detective.

557 The Mountain Graybeards' or,Riddles’ Riddle.
519 Old fiddled the Rock er

499 Twlllg t Charlie. the flood .port.

478 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-am Detective.
4513 Rainbow Bob, the Tulip from Texas.

486 Kentucky Jean. the S rt from Yellow Pine.
4% Blue Grass Burt. the old Star Detective.

890 The Giant Cupid; or Clbuta John‘s Jubilee.

BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMI.

723 Teamster Tom. the Boomer Detective.

709 godestone Leggy tmhe Chain 1&8! Chestnut Burr.
695 in erSsm, e m e , vs.

688 Rlvgr Bustlors;or t e Detective trom'Way Back
m Stuttering Sam the Whitest Sport of Santa Fe.
m on Adamant, the Man of Roe -.

618 Kansas Karl, the Detective King.

552 Prince Primrose. the Flower of the Flock.
5% Huckleberry, the Foot-Hills Detective.

BY H A BOLD PAYNE.

" D tectlve Burr Amnn the New York Thugs.
734? Dgtective Burr’s Foil;g or. A Woman’s Strategy.
728 Detective Burr. the Headquarters Special.
713 Betective gun-ls Sgth Cglisgg.

pct. ve urr s ven .
% Thad Burr. the invincible; or, The “L " Clue.
690 The Matchless Detective. .
mo XX, the Fatal Clew; or, Burr’s Master Case.

mr imuo‘n nnsonnnmnn’ Bonn.
448 Hark Kenton. the Traitor.

ink The Phantom Mazeppa: or. The Hyena.
156 Velvet Face. the Bouler'Bravo.

 

ALBERT ‘V. AIKEN’S NOVELS.

Dick Talbot Series.

741 Dick Talbot’s Close Call.
737 Dick Talbot in A niche Land.
733 Dick Talbot. the mob King.
729 Dick Talbot’s Clean-Out.
72.“: Dick Talbot in No Man‘s Camp.
384 Dick Talbot in the Rockies: or. lhjun Dick.
354 Dick Talbot: 0i. The Brand of Crimson Cross.
340 Dick. the Gentleman RoadAgent.
107 Dick Talbot. of Cinnabar.
93 Dick Talbot. King of the Road.
41 Dick Talbot in Utah: or. Gold Dan.
3‘1 Dick Tnlhot’s iron Grin: or. The Velvet Hand.
36 Dick Talbot; or. The Death-Shot of Shasta.
35 Dick Talbot at the Mines: or, Kcntuck. the Sport.
34 Dick 'l‘.Ill)0t‘s For; or. Rocky Mountain Rob.
33 Dick Talbot at White Pine; or. Overland, Kit.

Alken’s Fresh 01‘ Frisco Series.

660 The Fresh in Montana; or, Blake‘s Full Hand.
852 The Fresh‘s Rustic at Painted City.
617 The Fresh at Santa Fe; (or. 'l‘h'x Stranger Sharp.
556 Fresh. the Sport: or.le Big Racket at Slide Out.
537 Fresh A ainst the Fie d: 01‘. Blake. the Lion.
l 529 The Fres of Frisco in New York.
497 The Fresh in Texas; or. Th» Escobedo Millions.
461 The Fresh of Frisco on the Rio (jrande.
173 The Fresh in Arizona; or. California John.
97 The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; or. Bronze Jack
77 The Fresh of Frisco.

 

Alken’n Joe Plionlx Series.

749 Joe Phenix‘s Big Bulge.

745 Joo l’henix’s Mad Case.

708 Joe Phenix‘s Siren; or, The Woman Hawkshaw.
700 Joe Phenix's Unknown: or. Crushing the Crooks
681 Joe Phenix‘s S cinls; or. The Actress Detective
’ Joe Phenix in ‘razy Camp.

2 Joe I’lienix’s Master Search.

028 Joe Phenix’s Com hinv ; \ r.the Dandy Conspirator
620lJoe Phenix’s Silent Six.
601 Joe Phenix's Shadow; or.the Detective’s Monitor
419 Joe Phenix., the ,King of Detectives.

391 Joe Phenix’s Still Hunt.

161 Joe Phenlx‘s Great Man Hunt.
112 Joe Phenix. Private Detective; or, The League.
79 Joe Phehix. the Police Spy.

Allien’s Miscellaneous Novels.

717 Captain Pat McGowan, the Greencoat Detective-
674 Uncle Sun Up. the Born Detective.
670 The L1 htweight Detective.
665 The F sco Detective; or, The Golden Gate Find.
613 Keen Billy. the Sport.
607 Old Benzine the "Hard Case ” Detective.
594 Fire Face, the Silver King‘s Foe.
586 The Silver Sharp Detective.
577 Tom, of California; or, Detective’s Shadow Act.
570 The Actress Detective: or. The Invisible Hand_
562 Lone Hand. the Shadow.
520 The Lone Hand on the Caddo.
490 The Lone Hand in Texas.
475 Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective.
465 The Actor Detective. .
440 The High Hone of the Pacific.
421 The Lone Hand; or. The Red River Recreants.
408 Doc Grip. the Vendetta of Death. 1
381 The Gy sy Gentleman: or. hick Fox. Detective-
376 Black ards: 01. The Rio Grande High Horse,
870 The Dusky Detective: or. Pursued to the End.
863 Crowningshield. the Detective
820 The Genteel Spotter; or The N. Y. Night Hawk.
252 The Wall Street Blood: or. The Telegraph Girl.
sin The Double Detective: or.The Midnight Mystery.
196 La Marmoset. the Detective Queen.
1110 Captain Volcano or. The Man of Red Revolvers.
101 The Man from New York.
91 The Winning Oar: or. The Innk
’ 84 Hunted Down: or. The league 0
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fine.
‘75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor. Prison and Street.
:3 The Phantom Hand: or. The 5th Avenue Heiress.
68 The Winged Whale: or. The Red Rupert at Gulf.
59 The Man from Texas; or. The Arkansas Outlaw.
56 The Indian Mazeppa: 0r. Madman of the Plains.
49 The Wolf Demon; or. The Kanawha con.
42 The California Detective: or, The Who can! NJ.
81 The New York Shai- ; or. The Flash of liming.
117 The Spotter Detect ve: or. Girls of New ork.

LATEST AND NEW ISSUES.

758The. tS rtofDaisyDrltt:orThe
Hound Detecgge. By J. C. Cowdrick. '

753 Gideon‘s Grip at Babylon Bar: or The Man With
the Iron Dagger. By Albert W. Aiken.

754 The Man from Texas; or. Dangerfield. the
Doctor Detective. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr.

755 Wild Pete the Broncho-Buster Detective. By
Geo. C. Jenks. . ’

756 Old Burke, the Madison Square Detective. By

. Wm. G. Patten. ‘

757 Buffalo Bill's Double. By 001- P- manhun-

r's Daughter.
Three. ‘

759 The Sport from St. Louis. By J. .W. Osbon.
760 Joe Phenix‘s Lone Hand. By Albert W. Aiken. ‘

761 Buffalo Bill‘s Mascot. By 001. P. Ingraham.
Ready May 134th

758 Old Gri . the Detective. By Jackson Knox.
new? May am.

.4 new tame every Wednesday.
Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by an

 

1451 Captain Crimson. the Man of the Iron Face.

 

117 Buffal » 8111‘: Strange Ford; or. Dashing Dandy. ,

Publishers, 08 William street. New York.

758 The Wizard King Detective. By Lleut. Sims.. 1

Newsdeslers. ten cents per copy, or sent by  I
receipt of twelve cents each. BEADDE a ADAMS, . ' r .