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N  PubliathEvnry ,:/;mu/[e, ()4 Vz/(Ianzds', (Publishers, TencentlnCopy.
0. o Wednesday.

93 WILLIAM STREET. NE-v YORK. “'00 ‘ h“ Vol' 

llamlu 11011, the flenver Detective.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR.

 

 

I, «'W‘uufium V

 

 

 

 

 

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‘THIH IS THE P‘UI'RTH MAN WE HAVE FOUND MURDEHED.

 

wuo IS MARKED To uu NEXT?"

 

Dandy Don:—

THE DENVER DETECTIVE;

on,
THE MASKED FARO QUEEN,

Romance of the Chloride City Death
Riddle.

 

BY JOS. E. BADGER, JR.

 

CHAPTER I.
THE DANDY AND THE TOUGH.

"NOT so mighty much for looks, stran-
ger,” with a comprehensive flourish of the
whip which included the mining-town and
its immediate surroundings, “but what ye
see ye do see!”

“ And that's Chloride, is it, driver?"

“ That’s Chloride City, you kin wager
your saccharine existence,” assevcrated he of
the box-seat, with a half-humorous twinkle
of his near eye as he safely discharged that
mouthful. “ Not so wild and woolly as she
used to was, mebbe, when she was a healthy
young kid in knee-skairts an’ don’t-givc-a-
durn-ef-I-do; but the he-olc fun is right tho/r,
fer al, jest so ye scratch deep enough to git
further in then the varnish. An’—I say,
boss?”

“What is it, driver?”

Billy Delaneey cast a half-shy glance back
along his side of the coach, then lowered his
tones as though afraid of being heard by less
friendly ears, then added swiftly:

“Mebbe I’m a fool for my trouble, but
things is a-bitin’ me jest about like this:
Know Pike Hunter?"

“ Never heard of him or it to my knowl-

“ edge. Why?”

“It‘s a him, an‘ ’tain’t a hymn 0’ peace,
nuther,” with another of his humorous
twinkles. “Got aboard at Blizzard Bend,

‘baek ycnder, an’ cf he hain’t been gnawin’
his sorest paw ever sence't, then Idon’t want
a copper!”

“ ()ne of the bad men from Bitter Creek,
is it?" asked the dmdified pilgrim, with a
faint arching of his dark brows.

“ That’s what! An’ Pike hain’t growcd no
sweeter into the temper of him, all this lone.

o some ways. An’ why? Beca'se [to bed to
go inside, or take (leek passidgc onto the
ruff!”

Don Darling looked the faint surprise he
was feeling, and that answered the purpose
of words, since Delaneey added in those same
guarded tones:

“’CourSe It’s jest a habit, like, stranger,
but fer a fact Pike Hunter makes out like he
had a fu’st morgidge onto the seat you’ve kept
warm, an’ so—-— Waal, hyar we be! An’ of
Pike don‘t kick up a nasty bit of a row over
it all, then I’ve been ehavfin’ wind all fer
nothin’ !”

Driver Delaneey hurried his words faster
than ever in order to complete his friendly
warning, for b this time the stage was fair-
ly inside the limits of Chloride City, and a
dashing swing of the double-span carried the
dusty old coach intothe fairly broad thor-
oughfare which was bordered on either side
by the main buildin of the place.

Something like a town came him the face
of the stranger, who was for the first time
gazing upon the more or less. celebrated
mining-town, for he was by no means anx-
ious to celebrate that event by sharing in a
street squabble, even with so noted an indi-
vidual as this Pike Hunter appeared to be.

Letting his memory revert to the eu-
phoniously named town which the stage
had last left, Don Darling dimly recalled a

3 tall, roughly-clad individual who had ruff-
ly growled in answer to the driver’s c eery
salutation before plunging into those dusty
depths. , ‘

Was- that the typical “ bad man” of
Chloride City? If so, why hadn’t he en-
tered his claim to the seat beside the driver?

“I’d have yielded, meekly enough,” ran
Darling’s thoughts, though his handsome
face betrayed naught of the uneasiness he
wasactually feeling. “Whynot? Arow—
ugh!” .

The dandified-looking ssengcr gave a
little shiver of disgust at tie bare thought,
gripping the iron railing as the stage gave a

 

Dandy Don, the Denver Detective.

 

sudden jolt and swinging sway as a wheel
on his side struck a sizable stone, the four
horses now laying down in a swift trot as

they beheld their immediate destination be- ‘i

fore them.

Seemingly giving no further thought to
the stranger whom he had kindly, if rather
tardily.

usual halting place. “The Grand," a fairly
imposing building which appeared to be the
principal hotel of (‘hloride City.

Here the usual number of sight-sech had
gathered in anticipation of his arrival, rather
than through any ardent expectations of

receiving any particularly important mail ‘
dust followed stage '

matter; and as the

rattled up toa halt, the perfunctory cheer

was giVen the turn-out as a whole, with a

good-bummed quip or two for Billy
claneey in particular.

" This was nothing beyond what Don Dar-
ling had witnessed at each halt since leaving
the steel trail for the stage line, but the
novelty of such primitive customs had not
yet worn off, and for the moment he forgot
that annoying hint let fall by the driver; but
only to have it rudely brought back to mind
almost before the dusty coach had ceased
swaying after that adroitly managed halt-

in .
gl‘he side door was flung open before that

halt was fairly cempleted, and thrOugh that -

opening plunged a tall, gaunt shape, clad in
flannel shirt, copper-riveted overalls and
coarse, heavy knee-boots.

An unkempt mass of sandy hair was
topped bya grease-spotted white-felt hat,
below the dirty brim of which gleamed two
small, vicious-seeming eyes, now turned to-
ward the box—scat where Don Darling still
maintained his position, an innocent smile
upon his really handsome face.

Flattening that slouch brim with an open—
handed slap, fairly exposing his freckled

face to the rays of the declining sun, then }

resting bony hands upon the cartridge-sunl-
ded belt which encircled his middle, l’ike
Hunter gave vent to a shrill, peculiar Squeal
such as must have come from an enraged
stallion in duress.

This warlike sound brought all eyes his
way, and having carried his first point, the
freckled desperado gave an additional snort,
nodding his head toward the dandified stran-
ger, then burst forth with:

“ (‘ircus a-comin‘, gents, an’ right that ye
kin hev a free glimpse of the ring-tailed
monkey! Jest a scabby sample 0’ the turri-
blc wonders which ye’ll gawp at when the
hull menadgery comes to town! An’ ef Mix
yer’ dose don't kill ye off too mortal fast,
the rest 0' the grand show’ll do ye all proud
in jue timcl'l .

Pike Hunter seemed determined that no
doubt should linger as to his full meaning,
for his sinewy left hand gavean appropriate
flourish as accompaniment, then a bony
finger pointed directly at the startled pas-
senger.

Unless that handsome face bore false wit-
ness. Don Darlin
aback b this sudden address, and he by no
means , elped the situation any by his in-'
stinctive action; placing a menocle in lace
as he. gazed perplexedly around, seemingly
unable to locate the animal mentioned by the
desperado. ’

“ Ring-tailed an’ glass-eyed!” immediately
improved Pike Hunter. “ One 0’ the mummy-
boy monkeys which chaws fgum an’ sucks a
warm milk-bottle! Jest a ree sample sent
in ahead 0’ the main show, and the loss would-
n‘t come to nothin’ ef the frost did nip it in
the tender green!

“ High-yah! This way, gents! ' Free show,
but it’s gwine a limmerin’ in a holy minmt
of ye don’t git a ustle on! Totes its holoin
a ill-hex. an’ gittin ready fer to crawl 1n-
s'idb—look at the pore critter. shake an’ shiver
'long 0' hearin’ a 7mm blaat!”

The brawuy desperado burst into a loud,
insulting laugh, which had a goodly number
of echoes from the more or less amused
gathering near the stage.

Don Darling himself forced a rather sickly
smile, but Billy Delaneey frowned as an
elbow gave his passenger a warning poke,
muttering:

“ Better ’light, stranger, for I’m gwine on
to the stables.”

“I don't—does he really mean-me?" fal-

‘1

warned of breakers ahead, Billy .
Delaneey brought his team up in front of the ‘

was taken completely '

tered Darling, giving what seemed to be a
nervous start, then staring half-vacantly
through his monocle at those grinning faces.

“llyar‘s yer step-ladder for to climb
down, monkey-baby!" coarsely Called forth
the tough, little e es fairly aglow with
malice. as he move( a step or two nearer,
reaching out a freekled paw as though to
‘ clutch the stranger by an ankle.

1‘ Instead. however, the dandy evaded that
i evil aid, springing lightly from box-seat to
J‘ ground, the jar of alighting robbing his eye
1 of that goltl-rinuned ornament, and slightly
displacing the silk hat which he wore.

r “ Gook joke really witty, don‘t ye know,
gentlemen," he declared, smiling blandly as
he settled the glossy tile more firmly in place
with a neatly kidded hand.

A figure familiar enough along the city
pave, but certainly out of place in even a
latter-(la mining-town such as Chloride
City [)I‘i( ed herself on being.

A figure which would have given even a
fashionable tailor a bosom-glow of pride and
satisfaction, so perfectly was it appointed,
from silk tile to patent-leather shoes.

Yet there was something more, something
better than a mere dandy or tailor-dummy
in this gentleman from Denver, despite that
half-simpering smile and nervous twirling of
his griicefully curling brown mustache; but
that something was of too fine a metal for
Pike Hunter to fairly reco nize, and so he
recklessly pursued his evil ancy further.

“ Wuss then a joke of the shower ketches
ye, lads!" the tough fairly howled, then
; grasped his sun- urnt nose with a snort of
supreme disgust. “ Grinnin' monkey. fast
enough, but crossed with skunk, or whar’s
that he-olc smell comin’ from? Talk about
{ yer menadgery! Why—"

“ This is a modern three-ring circus, jen-
tlemen, as you can judge for yourselves,"
chipped in the Dandy from Denver, smiling

 

 

 

;‘ and bowing as he added the appropriate ges-

tures with kiddcd hands. “ Merely the count

carriers, but what better can you ask?

1
E “ Yonder the band-wagon,” indicating the
Hiusty stage, now getting under headway

once more. “ IIere the ringmastcr, very
much at your service. and yonder," with an
additional bow toward the freckled rough in
order to lea'vc no room for doubting his
meaning, “the yellow dog I’ve engaged to
do my barkingfor me!" _

The point was none too delicate, but was
all the better appreciated by that gathering,
and instantly the laugh was turned against.
l’ike lluntcr, whose \wits, none too keen
under the most favorable circumstances. and
now materially dulled by over indulgence in
bad whisky, only sluggisth groped toward
the truth. -

“ Ef you mean— What do ye nLean, cuss
ye, critter?” he growlingly demand d, lifting
a menacing fist as he leaned a bit forward.
glaring at that neatly-garbed, pleasantly-
smiling stranger. . '

“To call it quits, if you’re Willing, Mr.
, Hunter,” declared Don Darling, frankly.
likewise extending a hand, but with fingers
open. “ Surely the white winged angel of
.peace—”

, “ White-winged thunder!”

“Thunder goes, if you really like the
sound better, my dear sir," still with that
cheery smile in sight. “Anything to keep
peace in the family, is the motto I’ve hoisted
to my--* 'What!”

The smile was gone now, and the Dandy
from Denver started back with a sharp ejac-
ulation on his lips, but too late to wholly es-
cape the insult aimed at him by this red-

' shirted milieu of the mines.

A jet of tobacco-juice shot through those
bearded lips, and true to its aim, thorough-
ly befouled one of those shining patent-
leathers.

There could be no mistaking the fellow's

urpose: insult showed from each and every
line of his now thoroughly evd counte-
nance. '

Slight and whimsical though his excuse
for hating this dandified passenger may
seem, still it was quite sufficient in his own
’ *  insult and the

  
 
   
 
 

,, " coarsely
I uting that in-
' U r. “When a
’crort 71/7

. ,’ "'l‘ar‘s

stinetive recoil to p ’7'
glass-eyed dude c I
stampin’grounds li _-

 

 

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gin:

-denly, so limply,

. I pither speak or
Hover the fallen

15w .“ .t ‘. ‘,  .111" 

l I Dandy Den, the Denver Detective. .

3

 

 

too mighty much 0’ ye top an’ bottom, an’
not nigh 'nough heft in the middle to keep
all from sp’ilin’."

“ Did you really intend— Sir, amI to con-
sider this a deliberate insult?"

From boot to ruflian glanced the brown
eyes, that handsome face turning very pale
as its owner forced himself to ask that ques-
tion.

More than one of those present saw trouble
coming, but Pike IIunter could hardly be
sail to form one of that number.

Anger or resentment with him had but
one method of expression, and those low,
even trcmulous tones formed its very op-
posite.

“Insult? You 7” loudly exploded the
rufiian, then burstin into a horse-laugh as
he spat a huge quid mto his curving fingers.
"‘Hunt yer hole, critter! I’ve daubed yer
underpinnin', an’ nowaslloot that hat!”

His right hand swung up and forward,
hurling that wet mass 0 tobacco straight at
that glossy tile with a purpose which could
not be misunderstood; but there was suffi-
cient warnin in his words and movements
for Don Dar ng to guard himself now.

Yet the range was so short it necessitated
;.a violent jerk of the head to elude that dis-
gusting missile, and the effort dislodged the
silken tile, sendingit rolling in the dust of
the street.

With a howlvof vicious exultation, Pike
Hunter sprung toward the fallen property,
yet even then clumsily disguising his real
purpose by crying out: .

“‘l'Iyar’s‘ yer hat, mister! But—augh!”

The fellow dropped on all-fours in his
:saeming hasteto secure the fugitive tile, but
one heavy hand fell squarely upon the hat,
crushing it to a shapeless mass, even as Don
Darling sprung forward to make a swift,
.dexterous motion with his befouled shoe.

The patent-leather crossed that hairy face.
leaving a band of dust and moisture mark-
ing the heard of which Pike Hunter was so
proud; then the man from nver sprung
back, smiling lightly like one who feels the
balance is not entirely against him.

The dcsperado scrambled to his feet, left
hand sweeping down his long beard, while
.a savme howl burst from his lungs as he
realize( the humiliating truth.

“ Cuss ye. I'll rip yer heart out fer that!”
he cried. jerking forth a long-bladed knife,
giving it a ferocious flourish as he leaped for
the throat of his smiling adversary.

Knowin retreat to be well-nigh impossi-
ble, Don Darling struck out straight from
the shoulder, but at the same instant Pike
Hunter flung up his arms, staggering back,
to fall limply as a‘ dead man! ‘

l

 

CHAPTER II.
A MYSTERIOUS KILLISG.

Wr'rn ver few exceptions, the crowd be-
lieved Pike {unter went down because of
that swiftly-aimed blow, but a few others
besides Don Darlin were so situated as to

feel confident the uremic sta red back
ddsd knui ins fairly

even before these
touched that face.

The man from Denver gave ‘a startled.
«ejaculation at this totally unexpected move-
ment, and stepping xfinickly to one side in
«order to foil any can ng snare, he stood o
_ uard, ready for the rally which must sure

ollow at once.

Instead—Pike Hunter lay precisely as he
had fallen, his only movement consisting of.
:a faint, bare] rceptible shivering which
lasted barely f a score seconds.

“ Knocked out in the fu'st round!" cried
.one taunting voice from out the therlng,
while another added the expl

g“ Squawmble up, Pike! Glass-eye's com-
in’ for or pelt, red-hot!” '
The hot flush of anger was fadin from
Darlin ’s face, fortsomething in t is un-
matura uiet under such circumstances
warned h m of still worse to come.
by did Pike Hunter make no effort to
reg in' his feet? Why had he fallen so sud-
“ 3 c fore that blow could

   
  
 

fairi reach his
wt ~

    

 
 

. a; mbly, and for a
few seconds no no seem - willing or ableto
0 move- then a man bent

  

  
 

vs warn- -

 

amination, to start back with still paler face,
and the words:

“ Dead—killed too dead for skinning, 
gents!”

A chorus of startled cries broke from the ;
crowd, and distinct above other voiCes came a
that of the danditied stranger:

“Impossible! It can’t be true!”

“ Pike's dead, and—who's to blame P” add-
ed the pale-faeed friend. “ Who killedhim,
than .7" ‘

Half-frightened, half-angry eyes turned
toward the stranger, and knowing how little
it takes at such times to set a mob into mo- ‘
tion. Don Darling quickly cried out in self-
defense- .

“ Not me, gentlemen! I call you all to
witness that he deliberately picked a quar-
rel, and that his insults were repeated before
I even attempted to resent them.”

“ He's dead: Who killed him .9” almost
monotonously repeated the man, who had
made that brief examination of the prostrate
desperado.

“ Whoever or whatever did, ’twas not I."
earnestly repeated the 'other. “ I struck
but once, and that wasn’t hard enough to
hurt a fly!"

“He hain't no fly," slowly persisted the

accuser, pointing toward the motionless
shape. “ ou hit out, an’ thar be la 3'. Ef
that didn’t do the job, what did? f you

hain't to blame fer his death, whar kin we
putt that blame? Say?"

.The fiercest of accusations would have '
been easy to meet, compared with this calm,
dull, even listless char e; and with face
growing still more pa (3, the endangered
stranger shrunk visibly, turning half around
as though meditating actual flight.

Right or wrong, this was the interpreta-
tion placed upon his action by at least one
of that gathering, for a stern voice rung
forth with the warning: !’ -

“ Block the way, there! Don't let him run
off! It’s another secret killing, and—down
him, boys!”

Then it was that the sup sed daddy dude
showed the metal of which e was composed,
for, ere a single hand could close upon his
person in obedience to that startled and
startling call, be swept ralf a dozen lusty
fellows away from his fr, nt, then hacked to
the broad steps leadin up to the hotel front,
each gloved hand he ding a revolver-butt,
while over those polished tubes of- possible
death ca'me the sharp challenge:

“Back, entlemen! I’m ready to stand
anything li 'e a fair trial, but no mob law!
Back, I sa !"

o “Don t et him got away, friends!” sharp-
ly added that voice belonging to Jerome Fel-
ton, a well-knoWn citizen. “If not bloody
murder, w at' else can you call it?"

“ A lic,l yOu try to fasten such a crime
nponyne, sir!” sternly retorted the stranger,
moving the muzzles of his weapons back and
forth in ordervto command all of that excited
gathering if possible. “ Keep back, I warn

on. one and all! I'll stand fair trial, but

’11 kill the man who dares lift hand against
me before that square deal is guaranteed!"

Jerome Felton said no more, and none of
of the others then present seemed better pre-
pared for speech. As for action—well) even
a dandy dude at bay,is no trifle to facedov‘vn,
especially when nothing save apparel dis-
tinguishes that dandy dude from the vegiest
fire ester! - , - ' v
i It looked like a deadlock ust then, for if
the crowd showed no irnm ' e intention 'of
downing1 the accused, it' Lust as surely was
gutl of is power to see safety in actual

i It.

his truce could hardly last long, at the
very best, and when it was broken—well,
there could be but one endin ,asno man

F. “ Ah!

up his hands and was falling backbefore
that fist could reach his face. A mere-touch:
nothing more than that!

But. Pike Hunter was a dead man!

Before any one of that gathering _(-ould
(lccidc to break the dead-lock by taking do
cisivc action, a clear, strong voice rung,r
forth:

“What appears to be the trouble here,
gentlemen?”

The owner of that voice pushed his way
toward the nearly cleared space about which
the interested crowd had gathered in a semi-
circle, the hotel steps and long piazza form-
ing a cord to the arc.

Seemingly every one present save Don
Darling recognized that voice, and'passage
was hurriedly made for the owner. even lit-
fore a glance was turned his way, so great
was his moral influence.

“ It's murder, no less!" sternly exclaimed
Jerome Felton in reaponse.

“What! You surely can’t mean that!"

“Look for yourself, Eldridge,” with a
swift gesture toward that motionless shape
lying in the dust. “ When you hear—”

“Hunter! Surely not—who killed him,
then ?”

From incredulous amazement to stern
anger shifted that voice, and Ransom Eld—
ridge turned to flash a keen, almost burning
glance over the figure of the Dandy from
Denver, whose attitude plainly proclaimed
him a prominent factor in this mysterious
killing.

“There he stands, and—”

“ I’m as innocent. as you are yourself, sir!"
sharply interrupted Don Darling, but still
standing on guard. “I was publicly insult-
ed by yonder person, but the man lies who
says I harmed him, much less took his
life!" .

Ransom Eldridge gazed into that pale but
handsome visage for a few seconds, then
turned his eyes across the street, as though
guided by instinct, for he promptly called
forth: r

‘fThis way, doctor! Make haste, and~——
room, gentlemen, if you please! Of course
we’re after the bottom facts, but there’sa
wrong as well as a right way of getting at
even the naked truth.”

The physician, a portlv, massively-built
man of middle-age, nodded briefly in re-
cognition, then, catching sight of the mo-
tionless figure on the ground,‘clmred his
throat sonorously.

Hum! A case of—accident ‘3”

“ That’s for your skill to decide, doctor,”
gravely said Eldridge. “(‘all for such as-.,
sishrnce as you may need, please. Andf
now-—"

Paying not the slightest heed to those
leveled pistols, Ransom Eldridge turned to-
ward Don Darling once more, moving closer
to the stranger in spite of the fact that one
of those menacing muzzles already covered
his person. I

“ Take care, you sir!”

“The same to you, sir,” coldly retorted
the larger man; for Ransom Eldridge was
a man of weight in more than one sense.
“Put up your guns, my ood friend."

“Pray, who ma our» . , then?"

“‘ My name is l ridge. I am mayor of
Chloride Cit '. I say’it again, as one gentle-
man to" not er; put up your guns!”

A plump. white, stron‘ hand pushed that
menacln muzzle aside, e action been dug

not the aintest shadow of doubt of ear.

Yet, too, Ransom Eld e was , acting
blindly, for his knuckles did  shifting,
the position of his hand being such that t
would be impossible for him to grasp the
weapon. ,
At the same time it told the stranger- he
was bent onl on peace. .
t e weapon, that plump hand

better knew than Don Darling imself. Passin
Still, his only svrnptom of fear or of uneasi- tdroppedIi ht! to an arm, its pressure seem-
ness as to the final outcome lay in his nn- ing actua y ly as the voice came
again; , ' .v’

usually pale visage. and that was mused
more y this inexplicable happening than
purely personal ap rehension.

What had cause the death of this rum-n!
For—surely he was no longer livln 'l Unless
death was present, why that! ho is inert-
ness? Why did he not give some sign, make
some movement?

And yet—how could it be death?

‘ As Don Darling had so hurriedly declared.
his well meant blow really would hardly
have injured a fly, for Pike Hunter- had flung

r”

 

 

“ As yor of the town, then~” »

“Good? swiftly interjected the other, his
armed hands lowering as though he felt him-
self free from peril after all. “Then you
can vouch for me, as I am—” - ~

His lips came closer to an ear, to add the
rest in a whisper, but Ransom Eldridge
showed minty emotion at the tidings,
although a fa nt smile did show for an in—
stant about his firm lips before the calm,
grave words found utterance:

    

 
    
  

  
    
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
     
  
  
   
  
   
    
 
   
  
   

v

 
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
 
   
  
   

 

   
 
  

 

  
  
    
   
  
 
 

 

   

 
  
  
 

. coul

1 ii ht of law and justice

9

' room lathe Grand here. ”

. iy," gravely bowed Brewster. “

tamed tobeing obeyed without , q
. arghment. Ransom Eldridge here some of

i all. doctor, and it's to

_ as the men summoned
' cor se.

“Very well, Mr. Darling. You shall
have a fair show, and no honest man can
ask for more than that! '

Meanwhile, the doctor 11 (1 been busied
making an examination 0 the stricken

; desperado, but now he. lifted his head, cast-
. ing a glance toward the spot where the

‘ mayor was standing

'5' “ What's the good word, Brewster?” quick-
' i asked Eldridge, without waiting for fur-

t or invitation.
“There is no ood word, properly speak-

, ing, sir, but—i unter is a corpsci” in an-

swer to that impatient gesture.
“Impossible! I never—” impulsively be-

, gan the man from Denver, but breaking of!

as that hand ripped an arm warningly.

“ If poor lunter is indeed a corpse, his
death could hardly have come about through
Eurely natural causes. Then—what kdled

im, doctor?"

There was a brief silence, during which
the physician stared gravely down upon the
body; but then he uttered, slowly:

“ As to that, sir, I would not like to say,
positively, without making a more careful
and thorough examination."

“ How long will it take to fairly make up
your mind, Dr. Brewster?”

“ That depends, sir, of course; but—”

“ Very well, doctor,” with another per-
em tory wave of a hand. “ Time is yours,
and’we’ll wait until four decision is read
for utterance. Be so ind as to fall to wor
at once, will you?"

The physxcian bowed just a thought
stifliy, but as he again bent over the dead
man, the mayor seemed content to let that
point work itself out as best it might with-
out further help from himself.

Up to this moment almost perfect silence

‘ had reigned throughout that gatherin . now

an assembly of quite imposing dimens ons as
tidings of another tragedy took to itself
wings and spread over the town as by magic;
but now an ugly muttering sound came from
a portion of the mass, while here and there a
word was let fall which boded ill for the
stranger whoso advent had been so terribly
marked. ‘

Eldridge calmly faced that mass, his tones
smooth and even as ever in all his life,.al-
though no man knew better than be how
surel , how swiftly, how easily such a mob
crush his life out in case the murder.
ous whim should fairly take possession of

. them all. .

i “ No timelike the present, friends and fel-,
low-citizens," he said, in his blandest tones.
“ As you One and all know, Pike Hunter was
in friend and partner in life. In death—if,
this really prove to be death—he is still more
dear to me as man and brother.” .
" Yet you’re shielding the fellow who kill-

. ed him 2”

“Only from mob law, not from simple
justice, elton,” ver answered the mayor.
"If he is prov guilty of murder, then I
will be the last man on earth to stand in the
But-—-" -
._ r. Brewster jusit then turned from the
cor , ravel sa ng:

'yf‘ingst beg of y on to let the body' be
moved from here, 1‘. Eldridge. Say to a

‘ *“ For further examination, of course, doc-
tor u _

‘ “For more careful examination, recise-
ve me
half on our 11- myself, and I‘ll tell you
what kil ed Mr. _ unter." ‘

" You shall have the time, sir,” came the
instant response. - H . “

nun—o...—

 1' . CHAPTER III.

. VHO KILLED mun nux'nm?
annulus like one who was well accus
uestion or

those present lift thelbod between them

 ’ and bear it intothe hote, naming Jerome

Felton among others. I

’ “It’s the s mple truth we’re after, first of
you we have to look
for the first link of that," he added, gravel ,
thered about t 0
“Unless poor unter came‘to his
, h purely natursl'causes—v" ,. I
“ oupghall know the wholo‘truth as to

  

 

:« ' <. ’

Dandy Don, the Denver Detective.

“ Thanks, doctor; Call aid if you require
any such, and send or bring me word as soon
as the result is past doubting. "

“ Where will I find you, then?”

“Under the same roof. This gentleman—
you will keep me company,-sir?" turning to-
ward the latest arrival b sta e.

That question scemer litt c more than a

mere matter of- form, since the mayor slipped
one white hand through Don Darling’s arm
as he spoke, facing him about to ascend those
broad, shallow steps leading to the hotel on
trance.
‘ No actual opposition was made, either to
the body being removed or to this more leis-
urely movement; but a surly, ugly mutter-
ing made itself audible just then, and Mayor
Eldridge deemed it worthy his notice.

Facing about, hand still in charge of the
supposed slayer, he spoke in earnest accents:

“ You have seen and heard everything so
far, gentlemen, and you shall not be cheated
out of the denouement. let that pan out as it
may. Doctor Brewster says he requires pri-
vacy in order to exactly determine the cause,
or method, by which poor Hunter came to
his death.”

“ ’Tain’t Doc, but this yer‘ monkey-dude!”
called forth a coarse voice, with a pla ia-
rism from the desperado so strangely aid

- low.

“ If by that you mean Mr. Darling, he is
in my charge, and I hold myself perSonally
responsible for his appearance when and
.wherever needed,” col ly cut in the mayor.

“We are oing inside the hotel, there to
await the ecision given by Doctor Brew-
ster. You (an wait out here until his re~

poxit is ready, then ’twill be given you, as
We 7) '

As though there could be no room for
questioning his decision when once deliv-
ered, Mayor Eldridge passed up the steps,
crossed t 1e broad porch, entered the build-
ing, acting both as guide and guardian tothe
now,hatless Dandy from Denver.

Not a hand was raised to prevent this, and
hardl scan or a word could be heard in op-
position to the will of the mayor.

It was a strong testimonial to his influence
as chief of the city! . "'

Passing along a bare. cheerless entry, the
stranger gave a little shiver as he caught a
glimpse of a grirnly‘burdened. table in the
big dining-room, but neither Darlin nor
Eldridge seemed anxious for more t ana
ssing glimpse, and they passed on to the
ingy ittle “parlor” which lay nearer the
rear of the barn-like building. '

Once seated in here, Mayor Eldridge ques-
tioned his char e concernin the affair, scan;
nin the troubed face be ore him as Don
Daring told of the part he had been forced
to play in that unfortunate aifray.

“'1‘ met; only one explanation I can
give, " the stranger from Chloride City added,
with a troubled frcwn. “The fellow hast
have had heart disease, for he was falling
before I struck out at him! Why, my dear
sir, ’pon honor, my glove barely touched his
see! ’ ‘ ‘

‘f No doubt you firm} believe all that,
too,- yet a man ows ex ted and hits much
harder thank- ' ark!" r \ '

Eldride'gle cut, his speech short as the sound
of hurrl foottalls came to their waiting
ears, and as the two men instinctively rose
from their chairs, the door was pushed open,
a heard was thrust in, for its owner to rapidly

splatter: g ' i
you, boss! He’s found out

H

f‘Doc wants V
what killed Pike Hunter!"

“ I'm oing with you, sir," decided Dar-
ling, hal doggedly. ! ‘

“ Perhaps youd better.” assented the
mayor, but with a sligl}: twitching of his
smoothl‘ .ishaven upper p. ' '

Toget er they passed from the room. along

, the corridor, then entering the door of the

dinin «room, where Jerome Felton was on
gun: duty. ‘ ‘

’ The dead man is upon cab of the long
tables, but grim an glmstly as that spectacle.
undoubtedly was, neither pair of eyes gave
it more than spanning glance. just then.

Dr. Brewster was standing beside the
corpse, one bi hand resting lightly upon its
breast, theot 'r‘ closed save as to thumb
and frnefln’ger,,between which was hold some
mllobieeg.» ‘7 ' _  2' .-

   
    
 

  
 
 

officiai head of

stood read

t

sir!” was his salutation, professional reserve-
and dignity proving insufficient to wholly
mask his triumph.

“ Name it, then!"

“ A bullet. from rifle or pistol!”

As he spoke, the doctor held up his ri 'ht-
hand, the bit of lead showing with fair ( is-
tinctness there in the room; but neither
Eldridge nor Darling seemed able to at once
believe his testimony.

“ Shot? You can’t mean it, Brewster!"

“ Inever heard—was there a shot, though ‘3'”

“But I most distinctly do mean it, your
honor!" declared the physician, his heavy
brows gathering and a flush of professional.
irritation coming to his massive cheeks.
“ I say it once more: Pike Iiunter was kill-
ed by a gunshot wound, and here you see-
the bullet which I found and extracted from
the wound.”

“ I can hear him out so much, Eldridge,”
gravely spoke up Jerome Felton, coming;
forward from his station hear the hall door-
“I saw him out it out. myself!”

“ You can follow the track of the bullet
for yourself, sir, if you see fit to take the-
trouble,” brusquely declared the doctor,
turnin to the corpse and utilizing the sandy
heard, or parting those jaws. “It entered
right here-there is the little cut in the
tongue—closer; sir, if you wish to judge for
yourself !" '

Seemingly losing all thought of the man'
who stood charged with that mysterious
killing, Eldridge obeyed, bending over the:
dead man and. following the physician'as,
with hands and tongue, be illustrated the
fiacts which investigation had brought to-

ght.

“I first noticed the tinge of blood which
marked the subi'ect's lips, ou understand?
And that shower me the slight laceration of '
the tongue. Neither seemed a very im—
portant clue, as you must admit, but lacking
any more definite data, I—ahem I"

he ma 'or gave an impatient gesture
which Dr. ireWSter was swift to interpret.
as intended, and after a brief cough, he-
spoke with greater directness. '
Having secured the privilege of elbow-
room, he lost no time in following up that
faint clue, which resulted in the discovery
of a bullet resting only a little ways beheath
the skin at the back of Pike Hunter‘s.
neck! .
“ hen it was easy enough to connect the:
two ends, sir," concluded the physician,
wiping the flexible probe which had been
lying upon that red-shined breast. “The-
man was shot from in front. The bullet.
entered his mouth, without cutting or abmd-
ing either lip. then passed through his neck, t
cuttin the spinal marrow very near the.
base 0, the brain!" '
Don Darlingl had forced“melf to keep
silence throngi all this, but now he burst in
earnest spoec . saying: ,3  \ ,
“f The whole crowd can bear witness that
I had no gun in my hand until after this
poor fellow fell to earth! And even his.

{fiercest partisan will not dare say I fired a.

shot, then or later on!”

outside. Beyond a doubt the messen er
who had brought word to Mayor Eldri
of the doctor's discovery, had taken, t e-
tidings elsewherqfor just then the excited
roar of many sturdy" voices broke forth, do:
manding the regort gmmised them by the‘-
blori e City.
“We'd better all go, I fancy," gravely
said Eldridge, once more taking the lead
“Gun '
may
noose! _ I...
It was byno means a cheerful Prospect. -
facing - yonder howling, yelling mob. but .

.i

prove a link to connect neck with.

Eldridge l .him toWard the front of the
hotel, nor did he flinch when his appearance
was greeted._._b still flercer cries from that
excited assemb y.

The mayor held up a hand to command ‘ _

cc, and almost instant silence followed.
Telugu: he stated t r f ' - wster had com-
pleted his exam : ion of he corpse, and
to ma his re . v

In obed ence to - how i (1 partial with—
drawn], the physic n step 0 more promi-- ‘

  

  
    

 

. nently to the front, ivin

g a leer, nongtech-
8 no an   b

  
 

 

nieal repert, and l w

i.‘ H» . ‘ I
.v ,5) 1 ts,

There was silence in the room, but not so r

Don Darlin made noresi‘stance when Mayor 1

    
 

      
      
      
   
   
        

 
   
         
         
        

when ITPrompt decision was called for. . 
that bullet, please, doctor, for it. v

     
      
     
     
 
    
  
      
      
    
     
     
   

      
     
   
  
 
 

 

 

 

 

   

  
 

 

 

 

 

  

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. I x '
in g the cause of Pike Hunter‘s death, unless ; any such outrage as that would prove, under

his report was taken to be an audacious
fabrication.
“ Did my blow have anything to do with

, that death, Dr. Brewster?” the stranger from

Denver asked, calmly.
“ it did not!” came the positive assertion.
“'I‘hcn——-I leave it to yourselves, gentle-
men!" now appealing directly to the crowd.

 

i proved to his own Satisfaction at least, that

the circumstances."

Cntchin his meaning with sufficient clear-'
ness, Dr. rewstcr stepped into the breach
as a stop-gap until the mayor could regain
his wonted nerve, and s10wly runningr over
the facts his surgical skill had elicited,

 

the mysterious slayer must have fired that

“ You were near enough to see and to hear ’ silent shot from directly in front of the now

m’crything that took place between us. Did :
I draw a weapon or fire a shot before I’ike ’

Hunter fell back, dead?"

“ If he “was shot, and you didn‘t do it, trim '

did?" demanded a voice.

“ \Vho shot Owen Yarwood?" cried Mayor
Eldridge, striding to the front once more,
his strong features showing poorly suppress-

ed excitement, his large brown eyes fairlyd

glowing from the same (muse as they glanced
swiftly over those faces assembled on the
level below. -“ Who killed , Michael Ma-
honey?”

instant silence fell over the crowd, and
those nearest the steps reeoiled a bit, as from
some infernal machine. Flushed faces turn-
ed pale and sturdy figures cowered during
those few seconds of silence.

Ransom Eldridge recovered something of

his customary composure, and making no:

attem t to answer his own questions, he
mover closer to the side of the stranger whose
entrance into Chloride City had been so
‘mysteriousiy marked. With white hand
'lightl touching a shoulder, the mayor stood
thus or a. brief space, then spoke again:

“ The deed was done before I came upon
the ground, as doubtless you Mil recall,
gentlemen, so I am dependent upon your
testimony. Now—did any one of you all
hear that death-shot tired?"

Only a few made answer, but nearly every
head there swayed in negation.

"‘ Did this gentleman draw a weapon be-
fore poor Hunter fell back ‘1" g

The same answer came, with a few words
in addition: no weapon was drawn, but a
blow \vas aimed and deliVered.

“That blow cuts no figure whatever,
since Dr. Brewster declaros that death came
from shot of gun or pistol,” remindedtbe
mayor. “ Let there he no mistake, I beg of
you, citizens! ()ne of our number—my
wersonnl friend of many years, and partner
of latter days—has been most foully done to
death, just as similar fates have overtaken
others whose names are still fresh in your
memory. We must avenge this assassina-
tion at an and all costs; but—not by doing
foul mur er in turn!” -

The white imnd rose and fell lightly as
though to emphasize his meaning, then
Ransom Eldridgeaddcd in less somber tones:

“ This [gentleman could not possibly have
killed Pi e Hunter. also some among you
would assuredl have heard theyshot and
noticed the smo e of burning powder.”

“ Pike’s dead, hain’t he?" demanded the
owner of that monotonous voice he had cut
.a prominent figure before. “ 0 did kill
.him. then?" ,

. At this blunt question that forced com-
osure gave way, and for once in his life
Yinnsom Eldridge permitted the rubble to
«catch fair view of his unmasked visage. . ‘

His hands clinched tightly, flying up with
an almost spasmodic gesture, his massive
face flushed until it seemed nearly purple,
while his mobile lips quivered and h 9 voice
broke into a hoarse, groaning cry as of one
in mortal agony.

” Oh, I’d give one half of all my property
_ good right
 bg noticing I on d solve this
awful mysteryfir ' —-’7 . _

He broke off nb‘m tip/fighting back his
choking emotions. t on huskin breaking
forth anew with the questions; '

“ Who killed Owen anwood? Who mur-
dered Michael Mulroney? What on d the
still unexplained disappearance o Dayld
Mhmcle? Who? Who, but the same piti-
iess ,demon whose latest atrocity we have
but now, conic. from viewingepoor Pike
Hunter!” , :

Turning abrupt] away like one who feels
ashamed or‘nnwii , to make a further ex-
hibit of his emotions, the mayor muttered in
an undertone to the waitin physician:

“Give it to ’em again, newsterl There's
some of them still hankering-after the rope.
and for the city’s good name we can’t permit

_ l

 

 

l

 

  

dead man.

“The missile entered his mouth, and I cut
the bullet out from the back of his neck.
Now, if you can decide among you just 7mm
Mr. Hunter was facing when he showed the
effects of that secret blow, at least you will
have a clue as to the spot where the assassin
must have been standing when that fatal
shot was fired!”

The matter might have been more clearly
put, perhaps, but Dr. Brewster was perfect-
ly satisfied with both summing up and him-
self, judging from his smiling visage as he
bowed his conclusion. '

If nothing else, he had give Ranson El
dridge time to rally his powers once more,
and now the mayor claimed their attention,
his hand again resting on an arm ofthe bare-
headed passenger as before, but with a sig-
nifieant difference: then it was as a. guard,
now as a friend!

“ You have heard all that is in our power
to explain, as yet, my good friends. How
ardently I wish it was more, perhaps you
can guess!”

“Then we hain‘t gwine to do nothin’—”

“ What can we do, more than we have al-
readv done, I ask you ‘2”

‘ “ Kill the devil who butchered pore Pike
—that’s what !” g

“ And so we will—I swear it! And since
you all agree that this gentleman -eouldn’t
possibly have killed Hunter, I'm doubly glad
he’s here, to help us out! For, who can do
that better than Don Darling, the Denver
detective!” ‘

. ‘ CHAPTER IV.
'rnn DANDY AND rim; MAYOR.

A'r this totally linexpected ending, the
stranger in town gave a little start and sad
den frown of annoyance; but the harm, if
any, was already done, and open resentment
would only make a bad matter worse.

If Eldridge noticed this, he gave no sign,
speaking rapidly to those assembled before
the hote. ‘ '

“You all know how intimately I was
ac uainted with them all: with Sarwood,
an Mahoney, and Ashmol'e, and now-—poor
Pike Hunter! You know that. so to speak,
we were as members of a single family!
Yo know that for many long and troubled
yea 8 Weshured like and like together, bear-

ng up under the storms of adversity until

 

now—curse the demon who‘has wrought all
this bitter, black ruin!"
.. It was the final outbreak of passionate
nature, seemingly, and the mastery was re-
gained as soon as lost, outwardly at least.
, "Knowing this much, then, gentlemen,
you can more- fully appreciate my senti.
ments when I repeat: I’m glad that Mr.
Darling has been publicly drawn into‘this
ugly tra edy, since it was fated to occur,
for now ewiil have a personal interest in
solvmgthis horrible mystery! , .
“ This is all I care to sa‘ , for the present;
except just this: If there,s on man pres-
ent within reach of my voice “speak, who
still holds a doubt as to t operfectdnno-

cenee of Mr. Darling-let that p‘cimnho
up his hand, or'olse step fran y to e

front.” , , -

Neither hand, word nor step challenged
the stranger, and after waiting for somethm g
like half a minute, the mayor gave a grim
nod of approval, adding: ~ I

“I thank= you, in the name of my friend,
Mr. Darlingfi’ with a grave bow which in-
cluded all t os'e within eye-range.

Taking it for ranted that the stranger
was fully cleared mm all suspicion of hav-
ing an actual hand in the mysterious killing
of the freckled desperado, Mayor Eldridge
turned away, to let drop a few words into
the car of Jerome Felton. .. §

“Take char (3 pt the body, Feiton, you
and Creed allnce, please. You ,nnd‘er-
stand what remains tobc done. of course?” -

” [reckon so,” with low but grim empha;

 

 

sis. “This isn’t the first. time, Ransom,
but—will it prove to be the last, I wonder?"

“ I hope so—I could almost. pray so!"
came the husky answer, as their right hands
met in a close grip.

All of this Don Darling took note of. qui-
etly remaining where left by the mayor.
Until he had a more perfect idea of his sur-
roundings, he was quite willing to remain a
dependent, so to speak.

Turning from Felton to his more recently
formed acquaintance, and for the first time
seeming to notice his bare head, the mayor
gave a nod which drew the other after him
into the hotel.

“ Your baguage is here, of course?” El~
dridge asked.

“ liardly, I fear,” with a faint smile.
“What little I had—a pair of grips—went
oil with the stage, I fancy.” ,

“They will be safe enough, at the Ex-
press ()lice, then. But you have no hat?"

“Thanks to your—to Mr. Pike Hunter—a
no,” with a slight shrug of his shoulders.
“I won a wrong idea as to the nature of
your town, Mr. Eldrid c, else I’d hardly
have worn a silk tile rom Denver! And
now—only for that hat, he might be alive!"

“ I don’t think that ' way,” came the swift,
guarded interjection from the lips of the
mayor. his big brown eyes casting a wary
glance around as thou h fearing espiai from
some hated and feare enemy. “ I believe
the trap was ready Set and only waiting for
the opportunity! But let that pass for now;
wait here for a moment, will you ?”

The mayor hurried away, passing into the
office, from whence he soon reappeared,
bearintr a fairly presentable felt hat which he
handed to the man from Denver.

“ Put it on, until you can do better,
friend. Now—you’re going with me, of
course!"

This was an assertion, rather than a
query, and with a degree of meekness by
no means his customary habit, the young
man yielded to that guiding touch upon
his arm, and the two men left the hotel, pass—
ing up the street, neither seeming to notice
the curious glances which were cast after.
them by the still lingering crowd. .

But few words passed between the two as
they strode along, and those hardly touched
upon personal matters. The mayordid ex-
plain that he was bound for his own resi—
dence, where he lived a bachelor life with
only a male housekeeper, but beyond that no
information was vouchsafcd.

Although for several years quite noted in
mining Circles, Chloride Citv Was byno
mums a metropolis as to dimensions, and
hence it did not take many minutes to cover _
the ground lying between The Grand and
the mayor's residence, although the, last-
named structure was pretty well up to the
northern limit of the “city.” o

Don Darlin gave an involuntary nod of
approval as t c house was pointed out to.

1m, for this was something better than he

ind expected, in such a. town.

AlthOugh only a story and a half in.

height, built of wood, the house wasnenllyf?

pictures ue with its pointed gables and dor- ~
mer win own, where an unusual amount of
f‘gingerbread work ” had been indulged in
through jig and scroll saw. The point was

neat and fresh, and several shapely trees had " ,_»

been left as nature , lanted them, a

ago.‘
In front of the tan ng ran a bros

Porch. ’
edb an ornamental railing. 
l of this Don Darling took in at t“

passing glance, but his mind was

seriously disturbed by the unfortunsto'cvcnts ]

of that evening for him to do mornthnnfigivo

that brief tribute to the tastefl'of‘ mg pm“ I 

guide. , v , . ,
Entering the building. then, Ransom) .
Eldridge turned to again clasp the hand of
his guest,‘ his voice earnest enough as he
uttered: .
“Welcome, Mr. Darling! And doubly ,
welcome if~ns I dare to hope—your 

in is to rove the signal for more lightl'tg' } ,1.

. note of re lying with equalrfmkncaa
the man from ‘ nver cast a keen, search,
ing look around, then glanced inquirineg 4
hate the face of his host.

the slightly sloping roof of which was guard! 

   
   
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
    
     
    
   
  
   
  
  
   
    
  
  
  
  
    
   
 
   
  
  
   
 
    
     
      
         
          
     
       
          
      
         
   
   
     
       
      
       
     

      
          
      
     
     
 

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i

     
   

 
 

    
   
 

I.

       
 
     
      
        
         
         
  

  

 
 

    
       
  

  

       

  

     
   

  

. "‘ There is no oneto hear our words, if ;
tintis your meaning,” came the instant  g .
“My man is out at this hour, 

rustling up something for supper.“ But. I ‘

aurance.

     
      
        



  

   

 

9+

“,7”  ‘g‘er  _. iv ,»~

 

 

even if he was here, and impudent enough
to listen to what was none of his concerns,
he‘d surely expose himself through his own
infirmity; Dick is almost as deaf as the pro-
verbial post!"

While giving those explanations, Eld-
ridge was leading the way into a side room,
where a table strewn with papers, and a
small desk rovidcd with writing appli-
ances, proclaimed it the master's particular
sanctum.

Brushing the papers to the desk from the
table, Eldridge begged his uest to be seat-
ed, then placmg cigars an liquid refresh»
ments on the table before taking another

seat for himself.

Neither man seemed in haste to take ad-
vantage of these hospitable arrangements,
however, and the mutual drift of their
thoughts was shown by the words next let

_, , v fall by the mayor.

 “ I'm glad to see you—and safely in here!
' At one time I hardly dared expo such a

 , hafipv ending to that—ugh!"

‘ ldridgc shivercd perceptibly as he

ast, and his tones

 
 

mentally recalled the

- I were not steady as he a dcd:

 “You surely were born under a lucky
star, Darling! If not, you’d hardly have
stood off that crowd long enough for me to
work to the front, as I contrived to do, at

'length!”
b“ There was actual danger, you think
t en?”
“ Moria; Iknow there was! Although he

“i, : hardly looked that sort, poor Hunter was an
‘ almost general favorite n Chloride, and to

see him downed by a complete stranger, as

it seemed—well!”

=1, 1' A frown crept over that handsome young

 face, and almost as though talking to him-

 self, Don Darling muttered:

 _ “ Poor devil! Who could have killed him?
 ' ‘ And how was the trick turned so smooth-
 l ?’I

“That’s part. of what we earnestly hope
you will bring to light, sir!"

That frown deepened and a half-angry
gleam came into Darling‘s hazel eyes as he

luntl retort'ed:

“ I ardly think as much, sir, from your
words back yonder!”

Eldridge gave a start of undisguised sur-
prise, then asked:

“What do you mean by that, my dear,
sir? Surely I never-3’

“Why didn't I come to town with a brass

_, , band at my heels, and an advertising wagon

 . for my chariot?"

At this query, the ma or gave another
ostart, but this one was 0 comprehension,
’ and his uzzled ex ression gradually alter-
ed toa ook of lg m decision which fltly
matched the low ugh which followed.
“ I catch on, as the boys say, my friend!”
“ ’Twould have been more to the ur use
if you’d caught on before," bluntly eclared
the man from Denver. “ What crazy no-
tion made you publish my name and pro-
fession broadcast to all that rabble?" .
" Well, for one thing I to clear your
skirts from even the sus ion of havin

é - taken part in the death of poor Pike,” sc -

t , oualy explained the mayor, seeing how

thoroughly in earnest his opposite now was.

, “ If I hadn’t, your head would have turned

_. r mighty frosty, this very night!"

; ._ “Doyou reall think ‘twould have gone
so far as that, E drid r” «

" I don't merely ink, I just him it
would! And. for another reason which I'll
explain in good time. "I wanted to give full
notice that the flghfzto the death was‘now
fairly on i" .

, “ A finish-fight, but with whom?”

r No answer was immediatcl forthcomin
tothis question. Ransom Edrid e how
his head, mvering both eyes with is white
hands. And he remained thus for the space
of fully two minutes, Don Darling keepizfi
equal silence, possibly because he alsoh
ample food for thought.

;, ‘ I promise to give you all the information

 in in power, Mr. Darling,” said the mayor,

3: finaly lifting his head, his fac'e showing

trafes of more or less intense emotion stil .

bu his voice sounding cool and firm. “ But

I would refer giving your eyes a chance 

,1 1 ~. fore regaing your ears.”

I. " V “ In other words, sir?” ,

' “I believe I can show you the identical
creature who has Jwrought all this trouble!”

 


3' ~_;
.,_ 1
’1‘; .

 

) .
impulsively cried Eldridge, his eyes now al.
most glowing with their fierce ardor. “I
Ifirmly believe I can point out to you the
! assassin—not only of Pike Hunter, but of at
: least two other good men, if not three—this

 

I VC'liy cveninai’
h

is was 1far more than the man from Den-
ver dared expect, and his own face caught
an unusual flush as he listened. Surely Ran-
som Eldridge would not make use of such
positive terms unless he had ample grounds
for believing what he said.

“ You say you can do all that? Who is
the man, then ?”

The mayor shook his head, with a fleeting
smile, then said:

“ No man at all, m dear sir! That is,
supposing my careful eductions are correct,
as I now firml believe they are.”

“What! 0 man? Surely you don’t—'
not a woman, then ?"

" Or what passes in Chloride City for a
woman, yes!" positively.

“ It hardly seems possible!” declared Dar-
ling, still shaken. “What woman is it you
mean, then ?”

“ Wait until on see the Silver Queen, then
ask me that! n angel of light to some, but
to me—a three-fold murders.” l"

 

CHAPTER V.
THE SILVER HORN.

RECENT events bad in a measure prepared
the Dandy from Denver to look for some-'
thing out of the ordinary rut, but this came
as a positive sur rise, and his handsome face
betrayed as muc l.

“A woman? Surely there must be some
mistake, sir!”

Ransom Eldridge gavea shrug and a hand-
gesture at this.

“ You forget that this is Chloride, my dear
sir, ” came his half -sneering reminder.
“ What might easily prove impossible in
New York, or even your own city, Denver,
comes almost as a matter of course with such
claSSes as gather to one of our big mineral

 

 

rushes. And so I repeat—I believe this mys-
terious slayerto be not only a woman, but
one who just now is all the rage in Chloride

Cityx -

“I cally seems incredible, as I said be-
fore," gravely uttered Don Darling in turn,
“but of course you are by far the better
'udge as to that. Still, if so positive in your
belief, why have you delayed action until
now ?”

“Belief is not proof, remember," came the
grave res once, and from that moment Ran-
som Eld dge suppressed all show of excite-
mentor of angry prejudice from face and
voice. “ What might fully satisfy my mind
might make no impression whatever upon
you", and though we both might feel firmly
convinced our case was proven, still others
might honestl dispute our action, even to
swearin blac was snow-white."

Don arlin simply bowed in answer to
this speech. t was a self-evident proposi-
tion, and called for no argument.

Of the two bases thus far presented him,
he rather pre erred the impetnous, because

,the more natural, side 'of that character.

Still, it was the man himself he was most de-
sirous of studyin just then, since he had
come all the way rom Denver toenlist under
his banner for what now bade fair to prove a
death-struggle.

‘ So far the impression had been more than
favorable, as it doubtless would have been,
even had not that opportune arrival materi'
a y lessened the awkwardness of the dilemma

abruptl confronting him.

As prev ously intimated, Ransom Eldridge
was a‘ large man, hysically s akin ,both
v as to height and to readth, say ng not ing of
thickness. '

Fully six feet tall, with erect frame and
broad shoulders, this had gradually altered
with growing years, the framework filling
and rounding out until now the mayor of
Chloride City was .portlywithout being fat,
di fied without being pompous, a comely,
we l-preserved gentleman of something like
half a century‘of life.

He were no mustache, his firm upper lip
being shaven, but for the rest his heard was
worn uncut though neatly kept. Both it
and his rather scanty crop of hair had once
been rich chestnut in color, but now the

 

 

1c

silver threads were lending both a grayi‘slir
tinge.

fiis big brown eyes showed no signs of

growing years, however. and as Don Dur-
ing met their gaze, he 0 uld feel their mag-

netic power, eVen as the large majority of'

{Shim-ides citizens had experienced it before
um.

These notes were taken ly the Dandy
from Denver during the brief lause which
Ransom Eldridge made in order to let his.
mtaning fully impress his present guest;
and now the mayor added:

“ Since you follow me so far. Mr, Darling,
I hardlyvthink I need press that “oiut fur-
ther. bile almost wholly satisfied in my"
own mind as to the evil spirit who is and.
has been at the bottom of all‘ this trouble,
I greatly prefer making no positive accusa-
tions until after you have been given a fair’
chance to judge for yourself.” ‘

“ You speak as though such an opportunity
was readily won, sir?”

“ I see nothing serious in the way, Mr...
Darling.”

“So much the better for our side, thenl’
You were sayin ‘2”

“That while firmly believe Madam Sil
ver is at. the bottom of all our trouble, stilii
I must decline to actually accuse her of mur-
der until I have given you a chance to see-
and udge for yourself. Do you agree to:
this, r. Darlin ‘2”

“ If it rests With me to give the decision,.
es,” promptly came the answer. “ Only—~
ow will you bring it about?"

“ Easily enough,” with an air of growing
confidence, now he had won that first point-
“ Madam Silver is on exhibition nightly, at.
the Silver Horn.”

“ A sportin resort, I take it?” came the-
half—query, ha f-assertion, as the man from.

Denver arched his brows a bit beyond the:

natural.

“ Saloon and gambling-room, exactly,”
canie the confirmation. “ We are a full--
fledged city, so far as title and airs can make-
one, but we are still hardly beyond the wild-
and-woolly stage,rcmember," said the mayor,.
with an apologetic smile in passing.

“ .And still run things wide open, I fancyy ?”‘

“Wide open all the time, and under h gh.
pressure for the most part," was the frank
admission. “ And thats one mason why I
have so little hesitation in promising you a
fair view of the Silver Queen this very night.
if you care to take the trouble. ”

“le0 runs this sporting resort, then i"

“ Well, not 0 enly, at least," said Elddd e,
hesitating slig tly like one hard] know ng~
just what word to emplo for s purpose.
“ Fred Freestone, an al -round sport and‘
gambler, takes that credit' to himself; but.
the Silver gueen takes a turn nightly at.
dealing faro or all comers, and I more than.
suspect she has a full interest in the pla'ce,
ever; if Freestone isn’t playing proprietor on.
a sa :1 .” .

So far Darling’s ueations had come freely
enou .h, t now 0 hesitated, frowning
dark yas e twisted the end of his brown
mustache between his thumb and forefinger.

“ I’m more than ever so that on s ke-
so free] ,back at the bots , Mr. ldri e,”
be sai , presently. “ Of course it's ike
crying over spilled milk, but I can't help
sayin it!

“ I fully intended to-act under cover in
this case when I accepted the offer made me,
else I would have come to Chloride City un-.
der a very different aspect. But, now—"

He was checked by an uplifted hand, fol-.
lowed by the grave words: -

“I beg your pardon, Mr. Darling, if you
really deem an apology called for on my
part. I acted for what I deemed the best,
than, and as yet I have seen no cause to alter-
that belief." g

“ Ypu think it in sign of wisdom, then, to.
publicl notify your game before taking up-
ts trac f”

“ I’d rather not attempt to argue the case-
right now, sir," with a touch of stiffness en-
tering his manner, although his tones re»
mained all that the most exacting could wish.
for. 'iI acted for the best, as I told you be
fore. I will explain more fully, later on,
and when you have heard my reasons in ca:-
tmao, I hardly think you will fault me for so
actin ." >

As e uttered these words, Ransom Eld~
ridge rose from his chair, adding quietly:

e

 

an...

 

 

 

 

 
  
 

 

 

  
  

 

 

 

 

‘ "  x r    s" * vs.

 

 

“ If you will kindly excuse me for a few .
moments, ,sir, I’ll give orders about supper. }
My man has returned, judging from the}
racket he is producing, kitchen-wards. 3
Meanwhile, completing his Sentence by a.
graceful wave of his white hand toward the l
refreshments, then calling attention to a '
small but neat collection of books against 1
the wall. "

When left alone, however, the Dandy !
from Denver turned to neither of these
creature comforts thus suggestwl, but sat
with elbow resting on table and brows
clasped by fingers, staring at vacancy while
his brain slowly passed in review the truly
startling events which had signalized his ar-
rival at Chloride City.

Before starting on that trip which termin-
ated so tragically, Don Darling had been-
warned to expect something out of the
ordinary rut, but even with such a significant
hint in advance, he was wholly unprepared
for anything like this.

\Vho had killed Pike Hunter? How had
that dmth-shot——taking the report handed in
by Dr. Brewster as accurate—been winged
without attracting notice of a single one out
of the many there assembled?

Visions of ainguns and powder both
smokeless and soundless, assailed the musing
man, but through all that perplexing mist
still drifted, confusing all things if only by
distortion.

Then, too, what about this Madam Silver?
This Silver Queen?

Surely a woman could never have com—
mitted such atrocious crimes? And yet——
would Ransom Eldridge sa so much, with-
out the power of sayin sti l' more?

Don Darling was stil lost in mazy thought
when his present host came back to assure
him supper was being hastened as rapidly
as possible, and without actually intruding
upon him, the mayor so contrived his move-
ments as to hinder anything like connected
thought for that hour of waiting. '

Don Darlin suspected as much, and his
idea was con rmed by the mayor himself
after the masculine housekeeper and cook
combined had left them to enjoy the really
appetizing meal his hands had prepared.

“I’d rather you wouldn’t even try to
cipher it out until after you here had a fair
view of the Silver Queen,” formed part of
his frank admission over that meal. “ Wick-
ed as I honestl believe that woman, I want
you to judge er without even a trace of
my prejudice, Mr. Darling.”

- The Denver Dandy sai nothing, one wa
or the other; but his mind was busy enoug
to make up for lack of speech.

Was Ransom Eldridge really so impartial
as he tried to make out? It so, why any a'l
thatthad passed his lips? Surely he had
done enough to prejudice even the most im-
partial of judges! ,

Supper leisurely discussed, the two men
lighted cigars and left the house, arm-in-
arm as they strolled down-town. nothin in
their outward appearance betraying eir
serious business now fairly in hand.

“Of course you must be prepared for
more or less staring," warned the mayor as
they walked along through the pleasant
evening. “ You'd have your share of that,
even without the sad happening of today:
but so lon as you are under m wing,
staring is t 6 very worst you no appre-
hend.’

“I‘ll tryto endure it," coolly answered
the dandy. “ I left off modestv when I at
on my insignia as dude. and if I only d
your cane, with a half~humorous lance
toward that article, “ i’d be re for—
Isn’t that our sign, right ahead)?" '

“ The Silver Horn? Yes " rom tly dc-
clarcd the mayor. “We'il top in there‘
first, just as though we'd set out to do the
town in regular order. Now—eyes wide
open, and cars at full cock!”

Without further delay the saloon door was

seed, and Don Darling had barely time

or a swift glance around, to take note of
the customary appointments: bar, mirror,
glitterin glasses and decanters; sanded floor
and brig it oil-lamps; buzzing customers and
bustling bartenders; in one word, the many '
items which all combine to form a prosper- i
ous resort of this description.

Then his attention Was claimed by thei
mayor, who cordially spoke: ‘
“Friends of mine ought te'know'each

l3

 

other, so—Mr. Darling, Mr. Freestone; Fred.
this is a gentleman from Denver, come here
at my urgent request to help us get at the
bottom facts of these devilish assassina—
tions!”

“Happy to meet you, Mr. Darling, ’ said
the sport, bowing with cold grace as their
hands joined in a firm pressure. “ May you
prove successful in solving our mystery,
and I’ll be one of the foremost in singing
your praises, in season and out!"

“I can hardly hope for success where so
many better men have failed, yet there re-
mains the good old saying as encouragement:
A fool for luck!” easily uttered the Dandy
from Denver, softly joining in the laugh
which greeted his words.

The proprietor of the Silver Horn, tall,
athletic, perfect of form as he surely was
handsome of face, seemed in an earnest
rather than a merry mood just then, for both
face and tones were grave as he addressed
the mayor:

“Not that I want to seem crowding the
mourners, Mr. Eldridge, but—how about the
share or shares in the Climax which Hunter
held?”

“How about them?” echoed the mayor,
seemingly at a loss to mmprehend just what
the ambler was driving at.

" es. How are they to be disposed of?
By private sale,.or openly to the highest
bidder?"

“I can give you no information on that
point until after the board has had its next
re ular sittin  gravely said Eldridge, his
li( s droOping fore that keen, almost intense

3

.e.

“Cannot, or will not, Mr. Eldridge?"

“ Either or both, then!”

“ Thanks,” with a cold bow. “ At least
you will permit me to say this much while
we are touching on the subject: the Silver
IIorn stands readv to outbid any and all com-
)etitors for the share or shares which Pike

Iunter held in the mine Climax at the mo-
ment of his death. ” r .
“You talk just as though you meant it,
w ,

“ I do mean it, sir! If those shares are for
sale I’ll buy them, provided ready cash can
do that much !"

“ You know a good thing when you see it,
then. Freestone ?”

“ If you mean the Climax by that, I think
I do,” was the cold reply.

” Still, ou’d hardly buy in at the price of
murder, red?" spoke the ms or, his voice
sounding almost painfully d stinct to all
standing near.

CHAPTER VI.
run srnvna, QUEER.

A vrvrn flush leaped into the face of the
gambler, then vanishedasquickly as it came.
leaving him absolutely colorless save for his
eyes and heavy, drooping mustaches.

Instinctiver more than one stout fellow
shrunk away from that immediate spot, for
such words as those, even when uttered so
smoothly, almost surely call for deadly mis-
siles; but instead of dealing blow or drawing
weagpn, Fred Freestone coldly spoke:

“ ow it is my turn to ask your meaning,
Mr. Eldridge. Am I to take that: thinly-
varled insinuation to myself, theii ?"

“ Don't you think it even for an instant,
man dear!’ impulsively exploded the mayor,
white hands going up with added (19:11“!-
tion.

“ Still, you said—"

“ That no matter how highly you might
estimate the vain}: of Climax stock, you’d
never try to buy it through killing a' rior
owner," promptly repeated the other, w th a
neat shiftin _ of words. ~

No actua fault Could'be found with this
explanation, yet the keen sting had gone
surer home, and was now rsnkling bitterly.

Still, an apology so frank. so open, so
complete as this could not well be i, ored,
and the Silver Horn proprietor how his ac-
ceptanco.

.“Of course that settles it, sir, since you

. disclaim meaning me.”

“ ()f'coursc I knew you'd never be guilty
of su h a thing, Freestone.”

“ hen why make. use of words which
certainly favored that interpretation, Mr.
Eldridge?”

“ Becausemothing less positive would ex

 

press my meaning.” came the quick response.
"()f courseI know that. youx could never
stoop to such devilish means for gaining an
end, but I firmly believe that some one is
trying to scare the rest of us out, since they
can’t buy in!”

A little outburst came from the interested
witnesses, but Freestone betrayed no emo-
tion at all, coldly saying when that murmur
died away: ‘

“Right or wrong, I have nothing to do
with that, Mr. Eldridge. If the belief you
express is meant to convey a hint, it ails
to touch me. For,” with a slow, peculiar
smile lighting up his really handsome visage,
“ whenever I have occasion to score, I just
straddle the blind and—kill!”

Like one who feels all has been said that is
essential. the Silver Horn Sport turned away
with a low bow, seemingly deeming it his
duty as host to entertain other guests in
their turn. .

Throughout this rather peculiar inter-
change of words, Don Darling had said no-
thing and done but little more.

Falling modestly back, as' any stranger
might, be made a pretense of carrying out
the role under which he had seen fit to enter
Chloride City, and with monocle fixed in his
eye, he gazed half-vacantly around the
place, for the time being only lacking his

ruined silk tile to be the veritable Dandy '

from Denver.

He saw prett much what may be seen in
at least one-ha] of the larger, more exclusive
sporting establishments to be found in live
and liveliyy Western towns which are backed
by a soli mineral boom: a large structure of

frame, the front end of the ground floor be- '

ing devoted to the bar roper, with a wide
archwa and heavy woo en curtains serving
to partiy or completely shut off the larger
space beyo (1.

Even while that brisk passage of tongues

was under way, Don Darling took note that
a few persons were slipping through the
portions, evidently finding still greater at-
tractions beyond the bar; ’
/ And now that the once threatening aspect
had turned to blissful peace, stil
moved in that direction, thus relieving the
then uncomfortabl full saloon proper.

Almost mechanically Don Darling ed ed
nearer those masking curtains, and no ng
this fact. Mayor Eldridge likewise moved in
that direction.

But just as the Denver Detective’s hand
closed upon the soft, rich material, and be-
fore he could draw the curtain aside for their

e. Eldridge grasped an arm, whisper-
ing Without visibly moving his lips:

“Take another glance back, Darling.

'Note who Freestone's talking to just now,

please."
Without change of expression or any

movement to call attention his way, the

Dandy from Denver complied with this
wish. finding no difficulty in doing so,
thanks to the recent thinnin of t crowd.

The back of the Silver on Sport was
turned that as , but this onlyngzve Darling
a more favorab view of the gin whom
the mayor appeared to feel an nterest of
some description. and he made the most of
his op rtunity. .

Freestone was a. tall man, but the

rson with whom news: now cage was

taller still; fully four inches above t e six-

foot standard, and seeming even taller than
that owing to the gauntness of his frame.

Garments of coarse, cheap material.
showing ample of us of ion wear and hard
u , yet neat y patch wherever the
ori inlet cloth had given way too utterly!“
darn g. '

A bandless and nearly shapeiess list. A
rust leather belt, to which were appended
kni e and revolver, while the little narrow
loops were filled with fixed ‘amrnunition for
the Winchester rifle now lying easily in the
hollow of his left arm. t

Lon hair which fell to his stoopin
shoal ers, and mingled with a full beard
patriarchal length and prideful luxurianoe.
now of almost snow whiteness, five fora.
band of tobaocoy low reaching several,
inches below his lower lip, - ‘

All of this the Denver Detective took in
almost at a glance; but shomlived as was
his scrutiny. a score of years might have

rolled over his'head without. obliterating the ,

photograph thus taken by his brain.

others i

1"

d

 

1..

 

 

 

   
 

w.—

7 hands down to the last joint of thumbs and

fin box. 4
_f_  n a slow, drawling voice the blapk
brewed . employee who “kept ease”-gave

i' interest, mingled with curiusity concerning
:,-the‘$ilver ' ueen.

 woven with aperture: to fit the eyes, nos-
 fills and lips, ‘

, who was best known in Chloride City as

, that naught of g m. feature or mortlfying
; ‘ disfiguratio led the Silver Queen to adopt
, the habit f

2mm swiftness. and for the moment for-

' web the Silver Qieen resided, her pink-

. card ex
" Within t 'e

times were good, and patronage more, than
' .fair, though a portion of this was undoubt-

 

    

 

 

Turnin" and passing between the heavy
curtains, Don Darling cast a c<.)mprehensive
glance over the scene thus laid bare before 4,‘
them, at the same time imitating the guarded f
whisper of his guide: I
“I’ve taken his likeness: why should I, 
though?” ;
“Give 011 my reasons later on, only—I

that was l euben Reeves, and he is at least a !

possible factor in.the puzzle you've come !
here to unriddle for-us!”

“ And yonder is-«thc Silver Queen?” soft-
-l murmured the Dandy from Denver, his
dark-brown eyes winning an additional glow
as the sudden moving of a man who stood
at a fare-table adown the room, gave him
an unobstructed view of the personage
then occupying the chair set apart for the
dealer.

“Madam Silver, for ,a fact!" aillrmed the l
mayor, both face and voice betraying a touch
of unusual excitement {11st then. “Look
your fill, my dear sir, am never fear giving
offense through betraying your interest!
That is part of the programme! That he-
longs to the role of the Silver Queen, don't
you know!’v’

If he heard, Don Darling paid no out-
ward attention to thoselbittcr sounding sen-
tences which came so hotly from the. mayor’s
lips. For the time being he had eyes and ‘
thoughts only for the mysterious creature

 

“ Madame Silver,” or as the “ Silver Queen."

Either title seemed wholly ap ropriate t0 '
the Denver Detective as he StOOt there gaz~
ing upon that statuesque figure during those
first few moments. ,

The woman was tall and bf nearly statu—
esque perfection so far as physical outlines
went; queenly was the right term to apply,
he thought. .

Yet it was not this perfecti which so
powerfully impressed Don Daring at first
si ht. He had'seen beautiful Women before
this. And yet—was the Silver Queen to be
classed among the ornaments of that beauty
list?

If so, the decision must be given on faith,
for not the slightest glimpse of her face
could be caught, although her position was
such as to give the man from Denver some-
thing better than a mere profile» view.

From crown to sole. this myster was
covered with cloth of silver; it seemer noth-
ing less than woven threads of the unallolyed
metal, shining as though each thread lad
been carefully burnished, whenever a move-
ment of her superb figure caught the lamp- i
light at a different angle.

', From crown to solo, yet all contrived so v
cunningly as to mask w thout distorting, to
conceal yet let see, to form the most thorough
pf disguises while rmitting one 'to decide

 

Robed silver threads from crown to
sole, et remaining a thing of beauty as well 5
as o grace. Covered face and neck and
hair—with long gloves that covered her

lingers, those bits of pink nature being left
unprotected, because to carry the mask fur-
ther would seriousl impair, if not utterly
destroy, her servicea leness as fare-dealer.
All this Don Darling took in with mar-
et his aide’and ’ roteetor as a lamb
g “:gwolxe‘e,‘be movedptoward the table at

ti hands of woven si ‘er‘now slip in
thgpzfiliufiicd cards beck intojthe silver

, l.

 net phrase announcing that the deal was
chord to be in, and naming the “soda,” or
posed by 'the pack being Placed

box, 300 upward. '
Although the evening was still‘ young,

edly attributable to, the sentiment which
was now holding Don Darling a spectator:

 

Recon Seenow that her mask was
at while glfing one a tanta-

‘ lizing‘glimpse of the face agar, its were

 such as to defy. one's Retaan 

"g .,

  

when exercised in an endeavor to decide the
actual age of the wearer.

As far as judgment went, the Silver
Queen might be still in her teens, or well
along toward the turning-point of life. all
depending on the one who made the nearly
blind guess.

Neither Eldridge. nor Darling attempted
to press near enough to the table to place a
hot, but securing a position from whence
they could observe all that was going on,
with the minimum of fatigue or‘inconvexr
icncc to themselves, they waited: the mayor
in cold patience, the detective taking mental
notes as he covertly studied yonder masked
mystery.

Then an incident took place which went
far toward casting light of a certain sort
upon the Silver Queen, and at the same time
showing her by no means untitth to occupy
that rcsponsib 0 position.

Among the payers who had been unable
to obtain seats at the table, and who were
obliged to lean over those seated in order to
place a bet, was a burly, roughly-garbed
ellow, who 'ust now leaned forward to
shove a waiting bet from one painted card
to another close by.

It was nothing more than was being done

. at brief intervals, but the dark ey'cs of the

Silver Queen Were upon the alert, and that
dirty paw had hardly touched the chips be-
fore her gleaming hand shot out a revoIVcr.
rapping those knuckles sharply with its
plated barrel. l

“ You are burnin, your fingers, sir," the
Masked Mystery salt , in low, but deep and
perfectl clear tones.

“ Ree on I‘ve got a right to— Quit, dug-
gun ye, critter!”

That bit of metal rose and fell with
stronger emphasis, and a tiny spot of blood
showed where a. knuckle lost aportion of
dirty skin.

“ Hands off, sir!
a bet, and—~”

“Steal nothin’!”
with a show of honest indignation.
you wasn’t a woman which-"

“ This is not a woman, Tom Birchwood!”
came a cold, almest metallic voice from the
fellow’s immediate rear, and at the same in
stant .the cold muzzle of a revolver chilled
his .cheek and almost barked his nose as he
turned in that directions—to encounter the
coldl -blazing eyes of re Freestone.

“ 1y never—I didn’t—don’t shoot, boss!"

You are trying to steal

blustcred the fellon,
“ If

i huskin gasped the cowcd knave, shrinking

away from eyes even more than from pistol.

Space was cleared as if by magic, but the
rascally fellow could not retreat further than
the table itself, and there the Silver Sport
pinned him while demanding of the case-

eeper and eneml locker-out what had
caused the dis urbance. «

“ Tried to snoop a sleeper, sir," came the
answer, confirmed by the careless player
whose inattention to his ovtn Wagers had
given Birchwood the opening for his bit of
fraud.

Fred Freestone coldly obliged the fellow
to admit his trickery, and then to beg par-
don of Madam Silver. forinterruptlng the
game. , ~

This ,done, " he " replaced .his weapon and
jerked tho clinging knave away from the
table, giving, him a kick and a shove that
sent him into the brawny arms'of' another
emplo on who generally acted as “ bouncer.”

"K ck him out. lIarry,". coldly ordered
the proprietor. ” And you, Tom Birchwood,
comeback here at your peril!” '

Without "waiting to observe how that
order for bouncing was performed, Fred
Freestone bowed toward the masked dealer,
ang‘tlic game Went on. as quietly as before.

' n
the st ver ,box and the lay-out cleared from
bets, for then Madam Silver rose from her
chair in obedience to another bow from the
pro rietor, passing around the end of the
tab 0, then glidiagrto a side door, through
which she vanish . ' ,

 

CHAPTER VII. .

\ANO‘l‘HEh snow FOR run 1mm
As though that r’egally clad figural had
been .in reality a cunningl fashioned ma -
net, all eyes followed the Sliver ueen and!

like v , lull


until the cards were all drawn from

  

 

ed 1mm view thro ht at private
, ‘ DI Mng.even§%aught himself.

drawing a long, full breath as though that
operation had been partially suspended dur-
ing those moments. --

’l‘he Silver llorn Sport stood at one end
of the card-table, his handsome face cold
and pale, only his unusually brilliant eyes
betraying any degree of excitement beyond
the common. ()nc neatly kept hand rested
on the painted cloth, the other at his hip, not
far from where that business-like revolver
had vanished from sight it short time before;

As soon as the gentle echo of that closing
door (lied away; Fred Freestone moved alon g
to slip into the chair so recently vacated, at
the same time rapping sharply with his
knuckles on the table, coldly saying:

“A moment’s attention, please, gentle-
men. As the majority of you ought to

'know by this time, the Silver llorn is

mighty poor soil for rowing warnings,
friendly or otherwise. ow—take notiCe,
please!

“I have given one warning this evening,
and that is crowding the limits. If another
should become necessary tonight, I'll dc-
liver it through the mouth‘of my deputy~.
this!”

As he uttered the final word, Silver Fred
produced the same weapon which had caused
the chip-stealer to “ wilt" so abruptly, giv—
ing the muzzle. a little tap against the lay~
out before placing it most convenient to his
pistol-hand.

Ilaving said so much, and evidently
deeming further speech a mere waste of
words, the proprietor of the Silver llorn
deftly squared the deck for shufiiing, only
that aint, breezy ripp e breaking the perfect
silence which greeted is terse address.

Slipping the cards into the polished box.
the tall gambler coldly waited for the bets
to be placod before slipping the soda card.

"l‘he delay was brief indeed, for among
others who might be said to be there for the
purpose of killing time; or spending an
otherwise idle hour, there were a number of
professional players, who would hardly
hesitate to accept the new coffin of a close
relative as a support for a faro‘lay-out lack-
ing a less sentimental convenience.

'Iayor Eldrige had availed himself of the
openin to slip into one of the chairs, mutter-
ing :11po ogetically to his dandified charge: \

“ or t to good of the house, understand?
I’ll not be long, Darling.” ‘

Standing back of that chair the Dandy
from Denver uiet watched as .the deal
progressed, and ha ng rather more than a
superficial knowledge of the game himself,
he saw that Eldridge was by no means a
novice at playing fare.

The city's higicst ofilcial betrayed no in-

clination to “plunge,” yet he was xv no ‘
1

means niggardly in planking his bets, ow-
ing at least average judgment in their‘dis-
sition, and winning pretty much as ho
ost, although only a Critical observer would
have known that, since his ventures were’ef
ready cash, and his winnings discharged m
like coin. ' ' v
Ma or Eldridge merely sat through that
one cal, then gracefully resigned his seat
to another player, draw ng back quietly to
rejoin his companion, the change causing no,
disturbance, and hardly attracting a glance
from dealer or player. '
“Time enough. to ,
fancy is 'on, In friend," was his low-pitched
greeting, but on Darling shook his head,

re 1 n : .

aging: ' on my dear fellah, Ihardly know
one 'cahd rom anothah, don't ye know?"

“Then! suppose we might as well be
moving?” '

The Dandy from Denver offered no ob-
,jection's to this suggestion. and as there
seemed no use in s ndin further time on
the chance. of M am Bi ver’s returning to
the tables, the two men‘ nietlymoved away
in the direction of the la . n. ‘

As Eldridge swept the heavy curtains
apart, both it of e esqtookhote of the
same fact: uben ever: was gone from
thesgace before them,for his tail, gaunt fl . re
coul
crowd far more dense than then occupied
the white-sprouted bartenders of the Silver

Still acting on h s motto. of “ good of the
house,” Major El ridge called for drinks,

tryit a whirl a a."

not well be overlooked, even n - a"

the-Denverl)andy joining him at the barn
each sipping a delicate drink after  cue: . 

 

n :a—Jrapm‘  .‘v.-1?:~;i:.x'4

 

  

 

m

a
. are? . arm .

 

 

 

  
   

   
 

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i: I

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‘C

 

 

tomary fashion. And then, leaving a yellow
coin on tire bar to wipe off the score, and
pleading urgent business as his excuse for
not waiting “to see it out,” Eldridge led the
way from saloon to open air.

A rearward glance showed the mayor that.
they were not. being followed by any of
those they had thus politely parted from,
and locking arms with the stranger from
Denver, he strode quite briskly along, turn—
ing the first corner they came to after cross-
ing the threshold of the Silver Horn.

“ You seemed quite strongly impressed by
the Silver ucen, Mr. Darlm ,” was his
first observation, although this id not come
until they had fairly lost sight of the gam-
bling establishment. “ Is it too early to
ask just what was the nature of that im-
pression, sir?” '

“Was this a fair sample of the show,
then 1’”

“Pretty well for an average, yes. The
usual scance was cut short, of course, and
it's not often that the Silver Queen is forced
to make her voice heard, but—s Ha!”

liV'en as he spoke, there came the dull yet
distinct sound of a bullet “ spatting ” against
Solid substance, and with his free hand fly-
ing up to the region of his heart, Ransom
Eldridge staggered drunkenly clutching at
and only saved from falling by the Denver
Detective.

“ Shot—hit hard, but—~cyes open!" he
huskily gasped, as Don Darling braced him-
self against that totally unexpected shock.

The sensitive-cared detective had heard
that peculiar “ slap," yet if it had not been
for the noiseless slaying of Pike Hunter be-
fore. his very face only a few hours earlier,
he would never have thought of such a
Solution as the mayor now offered to that
sound.

“ Shot? You don’t—impossible!” he cried,
yet freeing one hand to clutch a pistol-butt
as he glanced almost bewilderedly around,
vainly looking for the would-be assassin.

Notasound came to his ears to tell of
either assault or of flight as he supported the
shiVering shape on one muscular arm; but
that incumbrance was very short-lived.

Ransom Eldridge rallied with marvelous
swiftness for one at all seriously injured, and
jerking forth a rerolver from its usual place
'of carriage, he hoarsely‘uttered:

“ This waE—right ahead!
back me up, arling!"

Betraying no signs of weakness or material
injury, the mayor rushed ahead through the
night, now in the middle of the street, seem-
ingly confident as to the point from .whence
that silent missile had been winged for his
heart.

Thoroughly amazed, since he had seen
neither shape nor flash, had heard no sound
or footfall or explosion, Don Darling still
gave the backin g called for, and with gun in
grip held himself ready to ii ht or to foot-
raee, whichever might offer i lf first.

The stars and moon were out in unclouded
glory, yet objects at any material distance
were va nely outlined and indistinct. Still,
it seem out of the question for even so
adroit an assassin to have you within night
shooting distance. yet mpgnunoeen.

Ransom Eldridge sped n g until at the
next corner, then came to an obru t halt in
the middle of the crouin , his p stol-hand
goin up to cover an indist nctly seen figure
not at ahead on one of the side streets.

‘ Stead , you!” rung forth his stern chal-
lenge, fo owed almost instantly by the
words: “What! ’thyou Reeves?

At some instant Don Darling recog-
nized t tall, grunt shape by the ht of
the moon, and as Eldridge resumed h 8 ad-
vance, he followcd‘snit, randy to giVe what
assistance might be called for. 1
_ “ An’ who give ya a hoon‘seafcr to hold me
up, Ran Eldridge?" tame the grad retort
from those white-bearded lips, and at the
same time the Winchester Iwung its muzzle
more to the front, ready for use in case of

Follow and

' necessity.

" I wasn’t, looking for you, exactly, but—
who ran put here  now, Reeves?"

“ Never a livin
came the instant answer.

Another pause, during which the mayor
seemed at a loss just what to any, or the
wisest action to take. Darling paid nothing,
contenting himself forthe present with net-
ing as a reserve force. ,

soul, to my knowin',",

 

“ Look like somethin’ hed hit ye crooked,
boss,” ventured the old hunter, permitting
natural curiosity to overcome his real or as-
sumed dislike for the official. ‘ -

“Well, these are evil times, my friend,”
gravely spoke the mayor, evident y having
chosen his course for the moment. “ And—
you say no person passed you in ahurry just
now?”

“ le once sayin’ hain’t plenty, reckon I kin
double the dose,” sourly returned the gaunt
fellow. “ They didn’t nobody pass me until
you come, an’ Pm mighty free from henderin’
your gittin’ by, nuther!”

“ Beg pardon, I’m sure,” the mayor has—
tened to say. “ I thought it at least possible
that you might have seen—"

“ l hain’t sec’d nur yit hearn nothin’ that
eonsarns you, Ran Eldridge, I don’t reckon,”
grumbiingly cut in the other.

“ Let it pass, then,” still with remarkable
good-nature under such trying circumstances,
his weapon vanishing from view unobtru-
sively. “ I must have been mistaken, of
course. Still, now we have met—you have
not been around lately with either fish or
game, Reuben.”

“ Ef thar hain‘t plenty to go ‘round, some-
body’s got to git left, ’pears like!" .

“ Well, please trv to make my turn come

 

’round toanorrow, lit-eves, for both fish and
birds, if you can so arrange it without too
much serious im-(mvenieuee to yourself,"
pleasantly added the mayor, then bidding
the surly fellow a cordial goml-night, he
slipped a hand into Darling's arm, moving
briskly away through the moonlight with no
further attempt to discover the would be
assassin.

For several minutes he waited for the ex-
pected solution, but, while almost certainly
moving in anything save a direct line to his 1
place of residence, Ransom Eldridge said:
nothing more:

“ \Vell?" finally hinted the Dandy of Don-
VCl‘.

“ Anythin but well!” exploded the mayor 1
moodin ad ing: “Another blow for the.
mine! Only for m —-and no clue—no sign "
left behind to tell who is doing all this devil~
merit!” "

“Was it really a shot, do you think, sir?"

“Why think, when I positively know?"
almost surlily retorted Eldridge, his free
hand rising to his left breast, just as it had I
when he gave that startled cry. and recoil.

“But there was neither flash nor report!” ;

“Was there either or both when Pike
Hunter went down ‘2” |

“ No, but—did that bony fellow try it on, !
think?”

“ You heard him say—no!" l

“ Of course he would not own up, but— ,’
who and what is he, sir?”

Instead of making prompt answer, Eld- f
ridge dropped that arm and caught at a
weapon, crouching down and ring aheird I
from under a shading palm; ut almostas!
pbruptly he rose erect once more, mutter-

ng. t

“ Only a shadow, after all! I fancied it ;
was moving, but—never mind not what and 1
who old Reeves is, Darling!

safel reached home!”

“E dentl abandoning all hopes of finding
the myste ous marksman for the time being.
Mayor Eldridge
hisaplnce of residence, noitherman s
cg n until the steps lending up to
door were reached.

One or two moving figures were seen by'
the way, but Eldridge paid them no particu-
lar attention. Even i

brought against him, or her?

Nothing took place to add to their uneasi-
ness, however, and as they gained the broad
piazga, Eldridge gave a long breath of grim
relic

“ That feels amighty good! Of
course you can ardly appreciate it, Mr.
Darling, but—well, never mind—for right
now !"

Breaking OK after this abrupt fashion, the
mayor opened the door and stood aside for
his guest to enter, then closing the barrier
behind them, a deft‘ finger causing a heavy

v bolt to fall into place.

Don Darling-noted this act. although he
made no remark. It seemed but a fixation
of the grim mystery into which he too

i the lamplight.

me enough 3
to show you the entire lay-out after we’ve :

led the way directly tozianrd ,
8 z
front i thought of the man into whose hands the

the secret assassin ,
should be one of them, what proof could be ‘

 

3 three bits of

I- suddenly dropped, however, and his face

was grave enough as he followed his host in-
to the room where he had awaited the pro»
partition of supper a couple of hours earlier.

A kerosene lamp was already lighted,
though burning rather low during the pro—
prietor‘s absence. and turnin the wick
higher, Ransom Eldridge gave %is person a
hasty inspection, then pointing to a bullet-
hole in the left breast of his coat, drily ob-
served:

“Pretty fair aim for a moonlight shot,
don't you reckon, Mr. Darling? Squarer in
line with my heart!” _

CHAPTER VIII.
wuo wILI. BE NUMBER FOUR.

This certainly seemed proof positive that
an attempt had been made to slay the mayor
of Chloride City. for even at that distance
the sight of the Denver Detective was keen
enough to assure him that it was indeed the
mark of a bullet to which his attention was
being called.

Don Darling leaned forward to make a
closer inspection, but as if in ignorance of
that desire, Ransom Eldridge turned abrupt—
ly away, saying almost curtlyz/

“Wait for me, please. I’ll be back in a
moment or two.”

The mayor left the room by a door cut
through the rear wall, and from the brief
glimpse he caught through that opening,
Don Darling felt assured that this was the
chamber sacred to the repose of his host.

From beyond that closed door came a few
muffled sounds, but before the Dandy from
Denver could grow at all impatient through
waiting, the mayor made his reappearance,
a peculiar smile on his strong face, and a
small parcel held in his right hand.

This article gave an (.dd sound as it fell
upon the table at which the Denver Detec—
tive had taken a seat, and Don Darling gave
a low eyaculation of interested surprise as
he caug it a fair sight of it;

“ A skirt of mail—isn’t it?" he cried, even
before touching that dully gleaming object

as it lay before his eyes. a V.

“My lifeLprcserver,” amen (1 his best.
with a low, strange laugh as he oved nearer

. the table, his white finger stirring that. little

heap of cunningly fashioned metal links,

“ Only for this“—m.”’
V Catching the skirt up and giving it a deft
mg, Ransom Eldrid e slipped it over his
, shaking it into p cc, the flexible links

adjusting themselves to his added sin-“,4

thanks to the garments he wore. \
Smoothing the skirt down over the breast,

and slightly bending his body to make

amends for the contracted len h, a finger

ltip touched a barely perceptible dent in .

those close links, directly over the heart of
its wearer.

“Right there, you see!” explained the
mayor, his bigbrown eyes all aglow under
“ You heard the slap, and
now—well, where. would I be right now,
onl for this—Jife-prcnemr I”

ith another sudden twist and writhe,
the mayor came out of that steel network, and
deftly spreading the cunning ‘ifabric across

i {he table-top, drew a chair for his own/seat-
n .
Don Darling with undis uised interest y

bent over that an
ing the skill of

b bit 0 work, admir-
e nrtison and the fore-

olmost priceless bit of work had fallen.

Even without testing the mail with other
than his eyes, Darling knew that 'no slight
blow would even mar the integrity of those
ingeniously linked bits of finely tempered
steel; and the dent showed with what dend-

ly force that dlentfihdt must. have been 5

win . And—ho! ' /
Es quick eye caught sight of a second

dent, and a ,

broke from the firm‘ lips of is host.
"Not one, but two others, my

friend,” he said, in explanation. a deft»! '
' chan eofthe shirt showing the other dent
“And here, to complete the little 

as we
museum!” ,
As he spoke, Ransom Eldridge placed,
y flattened metal on the,
table at which they were sitting. , ‘ ’
“ Bullets, the lot of ’em Y” e aculated the'

detective, after pickfiggup an glancing.» g

the bits of battered

wow-.mmm . mw-aWWw-w <

low, amused, yet bitter laugh '

A: ‘— .. m M...

 

 

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“Precisely,” confirmed the ma 'or, then never go to the initial expense of engaging in mind that this bullet is the :worSe bat-

pointing out one among its mates, e added:
“And this one you heard smite—not me,
but my pet investment!”

One side of this distorted bullet showed
brighter than either of its mates, while pow-
der had lackened the other side, where the
ring wh rh denoted its caliber was still

i plainly perceptible.

That alone was sufficient to show a prac—
ticed eye that the lead had come from a shell
of modern days.

Don Darling thou htfully weighed the
piece of lead on a finger-tip, after taking
note of the ring-impressions visible on the
brighter side, then flashed a half-inquiring
glance across at that stern visage before

' muttering:

“ Plainly a killing was meant, but—your
life or mine?”

Eldridge gave a slivht start at those words,
and a bit of color shot into his face, while
his forefinger almost viciously tapped those
older dents in the shirt of mail. I

“There are three, as—‘your eyes can tell
you, Mr. Darling, and either one of those

its of lead would have bitten mighty nigh
the seat of life, only for this protection.
‘ Now-look!"

lie at ain slipped on the shirt, and once
more ca led attention to those three dents;
one over the heart, one at his left side. the
third almost squarely in the center of his
back as he turned around.

“ Three shots, and eve one of them struck
me hard! The two car] er ones left me as
many reminders—4 can show you the fading
bruises to-ni rht if necessary!”

“No nee , my dear sir,” the astonished
detective hastened to say. “ I’m more than
willing to rant you all such distinction
without a (fispute, rest assured! I merely
wondered if that shot could have been in.
tended to finish what Pike Hunter seemed
inclined tobegin’?”

Ransom Eldridge laughed faintly at this
disclaimer, but shook his head with return-

, ing gavity) at that rising inflection. .
' ‘i o. oer Hunter had been drinking,
and althou b that did not always make him
quarrelsoi 0, your occupying the box-seat
which he whimsically held to be his_natural
privilege, led him to impose on one whom
is just as naturally deemed a dandy dude.”
“ That was about the explanation I gave
it myself," admitted Don Darlin . “Well,

2 - inting that this shot was inten ed for your
" '7 .1 h

a

, what on ht to be our next move?”
Before m lug reply, the mayor removed
his shirt of ma l, tossing.it aerossto the
.desk for the present.’ Then, resuminr his
chair, he lightly fingered those bits 0 bat-
tered lead, at the same time muttering as
thou h for his sole benefit: * '
“ ondcr if Madam Silver has an ex-

clusive patent on a metal face~mask ?”
His inference was plain enough, when.

0

V. taken in connedtion with the information he

‘ suddenly,
, was the grim rep y.

.  tongue . , .
- . ‘Are you may to trust the clean throu" h, or
am

had already given his guest concernin the

Silver Queen, yet Don 'Darlinga ask the

[question which was evidently expected: a
“What ade ou think of that woman so

ldri go?" V

I“ Less abrupt! than you think, maybe,"

can't connect that woman

v "But yen surely

 the shoalrnan, dear?”

The man from Denver seemed thoroughly
in earnestsshe said this, but his best was
hardly shaken b that show of incredulity.

“ I’ll) be nni g to‘believe in the old say!
lug, that era’s nothing certain but death
and taxes! Andree-l so
twender if Madam Silver as paten. ‘her

» invention Y's

Don \Dariing gained steadily into those
{glowing brown orbs, and then‘slowly‘ utter.
ed the words! r ‘ .
' “You  ‘s- t deal more than I{our

has let. ii; so! far, Mr. Bill dge‘.

.«ex - to keep on working“ ' the

 ,' dark not i I can supply light for myself?

f‘ Would that be ‘wisdom, think ?'

i  man from Denver gave a thoulder-
‘  before ansWering:

v " t'l for you to decide, sir,-since you
are toioot‘sll bills. If I filled your shoes,
however—4"" ‘ ' ‘

 

 I!

J to the

it over, a ' inzz

~ 0' ual weight.»

   

3‘ What tread wbg'your  step under he!

‘ practice can bestow,

 

hisservices,” was the cold reply.

, .Ransom Eldridge laughed softly, his own

face smiling as that of his opposite turned
dark and frowning. It seemed to restore
his usual good-humor to see that of another
destroyed, even for the minute.

That smile quickly passed away, however,
and with an abrupt return of gravity to face
and to voice, the mayor said:

“ Of course I did not mean precisely what
I said, still it was not altogether nonsense.
You've seen enough tonight to know that
I’m a marked man! Av!" with a. fierce,
passionate gesture as his right hand clinched
tightly. “ I’m a marked man! Mz'rked for
the grace!”

“ I hope not, sir,” almost feebly consoled
the detective, hardly knowing w at else to

offer, just then.

Ransom Eldridge gave a short, bitter
laugh, then broke out with:

“What grounds have I to base such a
hope upon, Mr. Darling? What reason have
I for even doubting that this night may
witness a fourth attempt upon my life?
And," his tones suddenl growinga it more
husky as he added: “ hat’s to hinder the
next—and last—shot from being aimed at
my brain, or at my throat ?"

Don Darling attempted to murmur some
reassuring words, but his well meant if
rather clumsy efforts were coldly rejected
by the mayor, who was brave] rallying
from the fit of gloomy Ides (ency into
which the startling events 0 recent hours
had cast him.

“What grounds for such a hope have I,
then ‘3" be repeated, almost harshly. “ Three
good men lave been killed by this same
secret enemy, yet never the faintest clue has
been found to nail down the devilish assassin!
Three good, stout, fearless’ lads! Now—-
who m'll be number four?" v

Don Darling kept silenca for the moment.
knowing how little avail his words would
be so ion as that bitter mood lasted. But,
like one who realized valuable time was be-
ing wasted, Ransom Eldridge fought back
those thought-phantoms, and once more
seemed his ordinar self. '

v‘f It’s not often give way like this, Mr.
Darling,” he said, a’polbgetically, forcing a
faint smile that rendered his strong face
more natural than it had seemed since their
return to the house. “ I reckon "it‘s mainly
because I've counted so much on making a
confidant of you! So long as I held a tight
rein—well. let that pass, please!" .

The detective gave a grave bow of com-
prehension. and their hands met above the
table with a close and cordial grip. It was
a silent compac-t, but none the less binding
for the lack of words.

“You hold, then! that the same hand
which killed l’ike liunter today. sent this
shot at your life to-night, Mr. Eldridge?"

“I certainly do think just that, sirl”

“Have you anything more tangible than

a bare belief, though?” / v ,
, ' “Wait a moment, pleasefl'gravely asked
the ms or, leaving his chair and crossing
ask at the further and of the room.
bending over it for a few moments before
retracing his-steps. ‘s‘ I’ll show'you at least
a portion of my proofs, sir!” ;

n his hands earned sidelicately-adjwcd
pair of the ny scales which came into

.vogue with the gdid fever of '49. and which

are still po uhuly known as " ndner'sscales,”
bein u ' to this day for the purpose of
weir ing out gold-dust. . ;‘
ani ulatin these delicate, scales with all
the skil wbir only long familiarity and
Mayor ldridge first
weighed the two older bits of and against
each other, proving them of almost exactly
ext, be weighed the bri htest bullet
against cachet t 6‘ two first; a turn, then
roduced the bullet which Dr. Brewster
d , gut from theneck of Pikstflunter after
est . ' '
' Up to this moment Don Darling had teen»
ed rather listless, but now his ‘ brown eyes
began to glitter and a faint access of color
showed: itself- in bbth checks ashe leaned.

.close‘rtotlie mayor. ‘ ‘ ,

nearlyhalanced, that side
bullet sinking a 

  

   

The scales. v

  

f fisheries,

:tcred, and that from contact with ridged
’ metal," gravely explained the mayor.
“ Now, another fact, please; here is the
weight, in grains, and here you have that of
a regular .32 caliber bullet."

I “Lighter than the ones you have saved
'from the secret slayer!" Don Darling ex-
claimed, then frowning a bit as he turned
one of the latter over for another look at the
ringed butt. "And I thought—it surely
looks something smaller than the regular
.32, Mr. Eldridge?"

“ You carry a keen eye in your head, Dar—
ling,” with a short, odd laugh, then pro-
ducing a pair of small calipers, the points of
which he adjusted to the base of a regular
.32 bullet which he drew from its brass case.
“ llow keen, let this demonstrate!”

Dropping the unmarred bullet as being of
no further use, Eldrid e picked up first one
and then the other 0 the secret missiles,
passin each unmarred ring through the
jaws o the calipers without touching either
side.

“Smaller caliber, for a fact!” ejaculated
the detective. “ Yet too large for either a
.22 or a .25 unless my eyes are at fault!"

“ They serve you most remarkable well,
Mr. Darling,” assured the mayor, as he
brought those si niflcant experiments to a
c ose for the t me being. ."The bullets

hich struck me thrice, and the lead which
carried instant death to poor Pike Hunter,
are of neither caliber mentioned, And this
bein so, what inference do you dmw‘l".

“ but these shots were fired from gun or '
pistol of special make, and once seen, it ought
to be read 1y recognized!” '

 

CHAPTER IX.
THE flour on THE MINE.

MAYOR Ennnnmn made another of, his
abrupt gestures, as though to pin attention
to that point for the moment, then said:

“If once seen, yes! But how is that dis-
covery to be made? Can you see the invis—
ible? Hear the soundless? Grasp the in-
tangible? Do all these things, Mr. Darling,
then even 1' may hold some faint he s of
your being able to solve this death ri 10!”

Under different circumstances, no doubt,
the Dandy from Denver would have been
ready enou h with an answer, but sufficient
had transp red since the declining of that
day’s sun to convince him this was no ordi-
nary case, and before he could fairly decide
upon the proper answer to give, Ransom El-
dridge permitted his stiffened sinews to re»
lax in a measure, and sitting more at ease in
his chair, abruptly spoke again: .-

“ It’s nothing more than right that .you
should know just what sort of a case on
are being asked to grapple with, Mr. 1‘-
ling, but in order to make all clear even to a
man of your trained wits, I’ve. got to look
back over a geodlyspace of. time, if not of

ground.  r  . a

“Will you listen to my explanation,
then?” -

“ My time is yours, Mr. Eldridge.”
' “ Because I pay for it, eh?” with a, short,
odd laugh at that formal response. “ I’d
rather think of you as a friend thanas a ser~
vant, Darling. and rat—«small blame to,you.
eitherl"with a s - touch of bitterness en-
teringhls voice.  .“At best. fwe’re hardly the
most creditable customers, I’m free to
Flushing a bit, the emissary from Denver
hastened to remove the disagreeable im-
pression‘bis words appeared to hays made,

ut the mayor gravely cut his apology short.

“It’s hardly worth mentioning, just now,
Mr. Darling. I can readin understand your
feelings,\and am more than willing to Wait
for your final judgment until after you‘haVe
iairlylooked the whole nutter elves-f , To do
that. however. you’ll oughutolearnsll about
the Climax Mine.”   '-

“Whenevcr yousee fit to tell me. sir,”
assented the detective. '

ning, no doubt." ~ilu'uptly commenced the
mayor, frowning as he stared almost dream-
ily past his est at the blank wall beyond.

 

histories have begun: just happened so!
3 3‘1: don’t know now just what ., it was,
brought us all tmether m the flfltphce.

  

l'l‘hat is, beyond the mere fact. that waiver;  '
‘11. ‘

in poor, a1 eager to grow rich,_sll 3

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momma, 3 .. ,  .. .- ~

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l .
“ It will sound prosy enough at the begin. ,

"named act like hundreds of other life- I '

 
  

 

 

     
   

 

  
       

   
 

 

 

  
 

 
 

 
  
 
 

 

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that the quickest if not the only method of
doin that same was to keep stirring, keep
hust ing until one or more of us had actually
‘ struck it rich!’

" No three of us came from the same sec-
tion of ‘God's country,’ even. I had my
particular chum, and others had their side—
pardncrs, almost as a matter of course; but,
taken as an entirety. our Company was com—
posed of rank strangers, that day of the be-
ginning.” '

” A sort of mutual benefit society, I sup-
pose?” observed l)on Darling, after a pause
which the mayor seemed little inclined to
break.

He was gazipg at the wall, beyond, but
those eyes seemed to see very little, and his
wits to be astray. ' /

Ransom Eldridge gave a swift start at
sound of that voice, but as quickly rallied,
cs eaking more like the cool, business man
t e Dand from Denver had grown acquaint~
ed with smce the m sterious slaying of Pike
Hunter in front of he Grand.

“ Some such title as that was proposed for
»'our little company.” he admitted, with a
faint, half-cynical smile, “ but it was voted
down as savoring too strongly of frills. We
were lain men, with on] one object in life:
to stnke it rich in the briefest ssible time!

“We lacked just one of being a dozen;
I-eleven in all, counting myself, you under-
stand? And we talked it all over until it
seemed that every oint was covered, every
:contingency provi ed for. And then—this
is the sort of agreement we made between
us, Darling.

“We were to split up into small bunches;
:in couples, with one trio; and scatter over
the mineral field in‘diverging courses, but
with one single end: that of finding a pros-

ect rich enough to amply justify the time
: 1: would take to fairly develo the claim.
“And, you understand, w ether one ora

~2SCOP8 of such strikes were made. it was to

make no diflerence what bunch did the find
ing, we all were to share and share alike.

“ Do I make my meaning sufficiently clear,
Mr. Darling?”

“ You formed a sort of tontine company,
not?”

“ Somewhat modified, yes,” slowly as-
;sented the mayor. “ It. was a sort of
general grub-stakefyou understand, where
.all expenses of out tting and maintenance
while fortune hung in the balance were to
be pooled, and where the clean-up was to he
gshared in like manner whenever good-luck
:turned our way." ,

Takln ‘ this in connection with what had
alread een said to him or in his hearing,
Don rling had no particular dilficuity in
comprehendln the method under which
that arty of o d had be .n work. '

“ hanks. I'm cote ing on. I had the
general idea, but wanted to be sure. It
.SichS time in the end, I fancy, to cover each
step carefully as one gees along."

“ Don’t mention, it, Darling. I’m only too
glad to have you ask questions, for doing so

‘ :assure‘sme you’re entering sincerely into the

,

-case.* And see-now I'll arable on!

“ When everything seemed fairly and
squarely understood between us, we split
up into little parts each taking the coane
» thou ht most favors his, but with the'under-
.stan ing that, make or break, We were to
meetiat a certain time, and at a certain point,

to re rt pro as and compare notes.
"' erbme circa was my mate; then, al-
fliuu there Were a number or years differ-

ence: n o,_ r; I so. Still, our folks hadpelgh-
bored  barbie! fn 'God’s‘co’nntry,‘
and that helped even upfthe‘» ’ db, i",

“ We struck plenty of indications, and
even found what/,Wouldm for the work
ing, yet nothing extraordi ly rich. Still,

- ’twas heap sight better than 30 find at all,
and we were not quite hmrtbroken when it
came time to keep our rendezvous. ' ’ ’

"Well, to cut .it short, inside of forty-

' eight hours~ from the one named for our

' therln  ' her, the eleven pards were on

. 'nd, an had begun comparing notes.
“ Of them all, only one couple had utter
failure to re ' The rest had struck pros-
promised to pay fer pushing

 ts which V
vmher, but" of them all,‘ one pair had been

most fortunate, as we all agreed when their

 specimens were exhibited, passing from

 to hand in turn. , . -
auTliey declared those samples only a fair

 

' ited it or him."

and impartial specimen of the silver ore‘

which lay in a body hardly to be estimated,
off-hand. And without a single dissenting
voice, it was voted that the company first
visit that prospect, to investigate an a com-
pany. '

“That was the beginning of it all!" said
Eldridge, with a long—drawn breath.
“ That offered us the wealth we had sworn
to attain, but—more times than I can re-
call, now—I’ve often can ht myself wishing
that those two pards had ied before making
known their lucky strike!”

“ It was what is now known as the Climax
Mine, of course?"

“ The Climax, yes, assented the mayor,
that grave interjection seeming to restore
his former nerve. “And when one of the
company enthusiastically declared that it
simply capped the climax—well, the name
seemed gust made for us, then f”

“ Wit rout a single dissenting voice it was
decided to let all other prospects wait on this
one. We would all fall to work until the
Climax was thoroughly opened up, ready to
put in a plant, or to be sold to a company,
just as the day might determine.

“ We did just that, too! All hands
pitched in with hearty good-will, for each
night proved our morning‘s hopes less,
rather than over the mark, and now the days
of wealth really seemed drawing near
enou h to date! .

“ ell, when it was roven ast a
doubt that a big stroke of uck ha come
our way, the two pards who had reported
the find, seemed to turn sour and surly,
scowlin where we laughed, growling where
we felt ar more like sin ing.

“ Now and then they et fall words which
left a disagreeable flavor in the mouth; hints
that what was ample for two, was povert
when shared among many! But ive let al
that pass by without much heed, for we
could understand their feelings—or what we
fancied their feelings were, rather! ,

“ Even Without puttin in another stroke
of work, the Climax ha rich ore enough
brought to light to insure a ready sale at
big figures, once it was brought before mon-
eyed men. And, only for that binding
agreement of ours, all this would belong to
the two lucky pards!” .

Ransom Eldridge gavqanother long breath
at this point, then shook his massive shoul-
ders, forcing a brief laugh as his eyes met
those of his present guest.

1’

“ It’s harder to tell than I fancied it would _

be, Mr. Darling," he said, apolo etieally.‘

“Why not omit the minor etails, sir?"
gravely suggested the Denver Detectiv .
“ Merely summing up the main points w: 1
be snfilcient, don’t you think ?”

The Mayor of Chloride City shook his
head in negation. ~

“ As you said a bit ago, it may save time
in the end if we Cover each step carefully

while taking it," reminded Eldridge. ."‘ Andso -

-—I will tell it all, now the ice is fairly broken!

"A31 said, we tacitly agreed .to pay'no
attention to those ugly looks and sour hints.
for never a one of us all but believed ‘twonld
pass over without more than rowling, if
webad only-shut we didn’t, and
was no written! ‘

“I‘hayen‘t mentioned‘their-names, as. .
nor will I; for the present. Neither-w I

tell you ust which one of Our little ' ’ I?
it was w made the nextdisoovc ' :mg
less than a- diabolicatplot to m a nine 0
“8 1‘. s 1 V . ’ K

‘ “.Is lt possible?! e minted Dnrllng,i-start-
led indeed. ’  " ‘ * 

" We doubted a, too, mg: was the m
mony of one who had, luckily for us, chanced
to overhear those two chums shs in; the

‘diabolical plot. It seemed ’ bio, and

had that rte: not- been one of the m:
stead , reliable men who ever drew the
brca of life, vie would never have 

foil. that
scheme?"

“Of course. . Yet we weald take nothing
for granted where so' much was. at stone,
and after a serious consultation. it us do-
cided to let matters take their course, on the
surface, then to act when'the proper time

came ’mund. I , .
upon m 

“0f course‘you took steps to

"The scheme a '

sure dose ofd y? can inthoroflee,
which could be ’ ehth  $1

 
  
 

  

I reckon it

 

since we took turns in preparing the get:-
«éral meals, and that was the chums’ week on
utr.

“ Well, the hour came, at last! lVe knew
the Coffee had been doped, unless the plot-
ters had suddenly weakened, but we wore
ready for the test.

“Neither of those two came to table!
Neither of them cared for a bite, or even for
a cup of coffee! And when we insistml on
their drinking at least one cupful ulilcct‘,
they showed fight I"

“ Self-convicted!” '

“ Just that," gravely assented the mayor,
his tones cold and firm, although his face
showed an unusual degree of pallor. ‘ But
we were not satisfied with so much, and
OVerpowing them before they could do any
serious harm. we bluntly charged them with
the meditated crime.”

“ Which they denied, of course?”

“Of course. We looked for no less, and
had prepared for just that. If innocent,
they had not put poison in the cofiee. If
the coffee hadn’t been doped, one cupful
apiece certainly cbuld do them no serious
harm.” .

Ransom Eldridge s ke slowly, almost
like an automaton. gon Darling felt a
cold shiver creep along his spinal column,
and more to relieve this “ creepy ” sensation,
asked: '

“ Did they stand the test, then?"

“We had agreed in secret council not to
take so much as a single step without due
deliberation,” said the mayor, still delaying
the finale, like one who, even after that
lapse of time, finds it a very difficult point
to pass. “And so-——we sat in cool, calm,
impartial judgment over the two prison-

era.

“The member who had discovered the
plot, gave in his testimony. Some of the
others bore witness to the covert threats let
dro by the accused, from time to time.
An then they were called upon to plead to
the indictment drawn up against them.

“They swore ’twas all lies! That they
had never given a thought to harm any one
of the company, much less to murdering them
all, h , poison!

“ ’hen asked why the refused to drink
the coffee which no han s save their own
had prepared, they swore that they feared

some of .us had introduced the drug, to put,

them out of the way! That ’twas all an
atrocious plot to rob them of even their

pitiful share in the mine they had dis- ‘

covered.

‘ ‘ We listened to all they could offer in self-
defense, then went into secret session.
verdict was—guilty l”

CHhPTE’R x. ' , .
THE CURSES *coxsnrpxa.
"It: could not well be anything else. from

Denver. , « _  ,_ 
“Such was our judgment, reached after

long “and painful sir." is.th

sober , , “Andi _ our verdict was
deh‘ve [to the seen , bye—by 1119,0110
elected to preside over all. ‘ r , »

“Pho- runners were. sentenced to drink
whtfuleup of the Homecofietheyhad
prepared for us.

awful. wrong we haddone them... we agreed

. to abandon all claimson the mini“. in   

"ltwaswhnttbenmhch' gm": filing” , ..

“VOL m y  . .
‘thhat was far more can
pm”!!! .

K

      

r
1 .

trains upon before he nuance v s of.
and void, an if innocent——w , I go could
not, for him W’s lake crs

our 7 . . .  .

Ransom Edridge paused t6  s 
.grynpawiththefipof his .  
er Iktcctive ebulan ,  how, ’
..dfiflcultntslethcmnym In? 0 1f f:

 ' . _ : ."x v . 
s ammohtenowto atrial-v»,
outseyingmorsmndthomrratouoonpicbd 

inpthothmendhehadletdmp.

The primersrofused to none that  ‘
dict. so—Jt was an ugly mfifvworkl” 
with, 's shudder. “And so—the coffee was r

Cure,

the evidende,” gravely said the Dandy from - i

If innocent, they could . , .
come to no harm, and as recommnsefor‘the 'v '

. . . n W ,
with mucus]? had injured :0 

Fianna.

 

   
    
   
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
  
  
       
     
       
     
     
     
       
     
     
     
         
       
   
   
     
       
     
       
         
       
       
       
       
       
     
     
         
    
       
  

  

   
           
      
    
     
 

 

“ ' ‘7'3‘ 13‘,  017*“- var. > ,- , ’ "t .. ’ '
, as V .5".   a.  ,r: i  _ f » __ "1,, ‘1 

  
   
  
  
 
  
    
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
     
 
    
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
  

O

   
 

12

 Den, the Denver Detective.

 

 

forced down their throats! And, drawing off
a bit, leaving them still in bonds, we waited
for the result!

“ That was not long in showing itself, for

‘5 the dose had been made of cruel potency.
The symptoms indicated strychnine, for
which we were already prepared. We had
several bottles of that in camp. For wolves,

; not for human beings, though !”

Another shiver, another brief pause, then
a more rapid resumption.

“ One of the poor devils fell into a heavy
stupor after his first spasmodic tit, never
lutteringa word after the dose was forced
1 down his throat. But his mate—from first
i to last he raved and cursed and threatened!
from start to finish he swore by all the

, powers of Heaven and of hell, that he would

" have revenge on one and all of us for
murdering him thus!”

“ He called'it murder, then l"

“ lies, even in the same breath that he ad-
mitted his own guilt!” came the swift re-
sponse from the mayor. ” And then—I can
hear him, even now! A (l then—he swore
he’d come back to wrea vengeance upon
us one and all, even if he had to kill Satan in
order to get free from Tophet long enough
to make his vow good 3”

Again the mayor broke off his recital, and
again Don Darling broke the silence after it
had lasted near] a minute:

“ And the en was—~what?"

“ The” batik-died!”

Eldridge left his chair and rocured a
decanter of liquor. He filled a g ass for his
guest, then poured another full for himself,
tossing the fiery poison off as though it had
been so much limpid water.

“ It’s not often I do the likes of that, you
understand, Mr. Darling,” he said, apolo-
getically, placing glass and decanter on the
table between them. then resuming his seat.
“ But this is the first time I’ve even tried to
recall that awful day to another in its
entirety. And so—can you really blame me,
sir?”

“I’d come nearer faulting you if you
could tell it all without a show of emotion,"
bluntly declared the Denver Detective.
“ And yet, so far as I can judge from this
distance, you acted with no more than

justice.” ,
Ransom Eldridge bowed his thanks, his

. somber face brightening a bit as though he

found such words very grateful to hear,
just now.

“There was nothing else we could do, as I
looked at it than, as I regard it now, certain-
ly in cold blood after all these years!"

“ This was an almost entirely unorganized
territory, then. There was no law, no
courts, no one duly authorized to pronounce
—-but, why any more on that point ?”

“ No use at all," roadil assented the dc-
tectivc. “It was bore notice, of course.
And yet—Icon understand how that poor
devil felt like covering you with his
dying curses!" . ' ,

Don Darling had strong norm, but that
picture had been drawn with such terribly
realistic touches that ho shuddercd curb-did
he draw back with actual repugnaan

Ransom Eldridge so interpreted his mo-
tlon,ondali t u o! are leaped into his
big eyes, w ile his voice grow stern and
mnwnguhopourod torththo

, words:

“Hoveyon forgotten, so soon! Don’t I
tell you we were clean out of civilization?
There wuno‘ law, no notice, nopunlsh-
meat save that d y men who were
absolutely forced” an, in order to live!

,“What safeguard could we have. cave
fish, firewlth tire? Andifwe took the
hw in our own handy—i! we administered

rum pa fault ll

Maria M1 

even for a shoe -killing our, ought in the r

1 act!” * m, .

‘ as the Very death they deliberaton
chose for nine of us." come theater-n retort.
“We were all unsus ng them of evil
thou ht: up tothat very hour when they do.
cidcd‘jnst when and how we ob‘ould rich.
We W "with them. We "won have
oflered our very lives h their defense had
the occasion arose. And well, ’twu
two lives, or the lives offline mm!”

“Those two lives were justly forfeited. I

admit, and I'd never ‘say so much as one
word against their punishment had you—”
Ransom Eldridge reached forth a hand and

lightl touched an arm. A faint smile crept
into lis strong face, and when he spoke

again it was with greatly mellowed tones:

“I understand you. far better than you
comprehend me, as yet, Mr. Darling,” he
said, gravely. “I told you they made the
potion cruelly strong, and had they not per-
sisted in swearing to their perfect freedom
from all thought of evil, we might not have
forced the coffee down their throats against
their will.

“ But—when the poison began to show its
workings—well, we fell to and did all we
could to save their lives!"

“ If you’d on! let fall a hint-” .

“Why shoult I?" with a curious smile.
“We had not granted them absolutiou for
their sin. it was merely a different death
we wished to give them. I'll not lie about
it, even to win yrmr favor, sir!"

Smut-how Don Darling found it difficult to
say more, just then. Without exactly un-
derstanding how it had been brought about,
he felt himself placed very much in the
wrong!

Although Ransom Eldridge was far too
shrewd an observer to mistake thcadvantagc
he had gained, he let the opportunity pass,
and by so doingr improved it best!

“ We did all we Could to save their liVes,

sir, but failed. The poison was too strong
for our ordinary remedies, and both men
died. ()ne never uttered a word after his
first lit, passing away like some literally
dumb brute.
' “ The other~he who cursed usall so her-
ribly for murdering him, even while he ad-
mitted that the )oison had been prepared
for us—-lw died, li ewise, but with his latest
breath he called down vengeance upon our
heads. And—he called upon a woman to
wreak that vengeance I"

Slowly, distinctly came these final words.

as though the speaker meant to leave no pos-
sible room for doubt as to their full mean-
mg.
A brief silence followed, during which
the mayor seemed trying to read the Denver
Detective's thoughts, through his pale face:
but presently Eldridge resumed the thread
of his narrative.

“ They received a decent burial, when
nothing more remained for us to give them.
And then, gathered in council together, the
nine survivors of the original company
solemnly renewed the old agreement, then
pledged ourselves under the most impressive
oaths we could devise-—

“First, to never reveal by what manner
those two men came by their deaths, without
the free consent of each and every survivor
was first secured.

“Second, to share and share alike in the
fruits of the Climax, with the further under.
standing that, in case any one or more of the
company now reor nixed... should wish to
sell is share, or mild die while still in
as! standing none of the Silver League,

first chance should be ven his mates.

“This. inbrlcf. in the w under which
the Climax has been run from that day to
this, Mr. Darlingim’Wc have no quotations
on stock, remain . No person outside of
the Silver League known at what figures we
hold the sham of stock. orcnn give anything
more than a vague guess at the value of one-
ninth of the mine, such as poor Pike Hunter
died accessed 0 .” V ,

“ t lately multlcak out when his share
in the prtégerty is disposed of, though i” half
alerted edotcctive. -

“Not no. air. Hi; there will be taken by

from of us. or else divided up between:

number of. the League. His legal heirs may
know how muchownqcomea tothcirhands,
but that in all. "

Darling. said nothing further. and after
waiting a few moments to give time for
Waning, in case on was thought essen-

l, the run or resume hisnarrative.

“It won take all the frost of the night

Darling, to properly explain how we worked
rightly: boom which has wn into
0 , ride City," he declared, wl a touch of
pride in both face and tones. “ Enough for
now that we bad-the Climax in readiness for
actual work magician the strike wind,

  

 

 

  
 

and remains ta‘big rush won purely
 on the x 3 of that announcement,

  
    
 

        
 

 

we made sure of the most promising claims-
on the line, as indicated by our develop--
ments.

“ When all was in readiness, we told of."
the new discovery, backing up our tales.
with a display of almost marvelously rich.
specimens. That was enough, and to spare.“
In less than a week, thousands of fortune-
seekers were here, each and every one ('On
fidently anticipating an independent for»
tune! X

“ Of course the many failed, where a fev.“
met with moderate success; but that is ever'
the case. The (‘limax alone would justii'v
a town, with crusher, reduction works, etc:
to so nothing of our other claims.

“"0 cut it still shorter, the town came~
and so did the necessary works, with ample.
machinery, as you can see for yourself.
And now—only for those awful curses and
their fruits, we'd have been happy as is often
given to mortal beings to feel!”

“ Then you think—~—”

” \Vait yet. a little longer, please,” with a.
swift gesture of repression. “ Was it these-
curses coming home? I‘ve tried to heat
back that horrible thought, only to have it
return with double force! If i)ot——b11t let
me tell you, Darling!

“Blows, heavy, unseen, not to be guarded.
against, began falling, and—all smiling xome
member of the St'lrer League!

“ Passing by the many minor happenings:
which, no doubt, you could by patience
trace back to purely natural causes, I’ll be---
gin with—Owen Yarwood. ,

“ He was found lying on the broad of his
back, early one morning, cold and already
stiffening in death!”

“ \Vhat killed him ‘1"

“ What killed Pike Hunter this day?” a1»

eyes glowing rcdly under the lamp-light. “ A
bullet had passed through Owen Yarwood‘s.
heart, striking him in front. That was 1110:.
only mark visible, save a slight scalp-wound
caused b ' his head striking a stone when he-
fcll, the J"

“ And the bullet?
you tested to-night?”
“We took it for an ordinuial 32 caliber,.
then. Remember, sir, we be nothing to
stir our suspicions deeper, at that time.

d so—we put poor Owen in a deep lot on.
the hillside, then hunted for his assassin.

“ Hunted, not found, bear in mind!”

The detective nodded his comprehensiOn,,
and Eldridge continued ;,

“Next, and still within that month, the~
second death-blow fell! It caught our:
‘Wild Irishman,’ Mike Mahoney, and we:
fluid well have spared a better man—poor

s !" .

“He was shot, like the other?”

” No. A knife had been driven through:
his heart, the blow plainly coming from be»
bind, the t entering clone to the collar,»
bone, on t c ri ht side, then ranging down--
ward and to e left. ‘Twns a deftly d'e-J
livered stroke, and when the narrow hole.-
was measured, and some one recalled how

rtial the forci ere—of the Mediterranean:
ales, for examp e——are to that stroke—”
th“You think a Sicilian killed Mnlioney,

en?!’ '

“ Wait, pleat! Tht was the occond‘.
blow. Then David thmole,.onothor good
lad, die: without word ,or._ warning!
And now-today saw the hatdelivercd:
death-stroke, when he Hunter was slain!”

Thero’followednbrief silence, then Darling;
quiet: naked: , .

“ t sort of a man was this David Ash-
mole, Mr. Eldridge i”

, CHAPTER 31.
m mum 

Qmmv, evenly as this query was put: it:
was by no means a difficult matter to divine
the suspicion which lay back of the words.

V poodva Ransom Eldridge had ex-
pec something of the sort, since he be-
trayed neither curiosity nor surprise. And,
shaking his head negatively, the myor
made answer;

“AI white a bid as ever drew the breath,
of life, Mr. Darling.”

Did it resemble those:

 

“ How long did on live with those two-
:giigio before flnddig than out, if I my;

most sharply rctorted the mayor, his brown. s

,t»

 

 

      
     
     
    

 

     
      
      
       
   
       
       
     
     
     
     
      
      
    
     
         
      
       
       
         
        
        
   
       
     
      
           
 
     
     
        
      
          
           
      
    
   
  

  
  

 

 

 

    
  
   
   
  
  
    
  

 

    

 

  

 

 

Danny-non," the i   -*

 

 

.knowledgcd the hit, but still he declined to
admit that possibility, even for a moment.

“ I know what you’re hinting at, Darling,
but you‘re wrong. David’Ashmole had no-
‘thing whatever to do with those killings. I
say this, almost as readily as I would answer
for my own freedom from guilt!"

“ 3 of you admit that Ashmole disappear-
ed, without leaving any trace behind him,”
persisted the detective.

“ Just as I‘ve already told you, yes.”

“ It‘s not so easy to makea full grown
'man vanish from everybody as that would
:app'car, Mr. Eldridge. A corpse is one of
the hardest things on earth to dispose of,
'without leaving Some clue behind. And in
this case—of course, grantingr that Ashmole
“was innocent, you lay his disappearance to
'the same agency which laid your other mates
'low T”

The mayor bowed in the affirmative, that
faint smile still visible.

“ Was any effort made to cover up those
two murders? From what on have said, I
rather inferred the secret s ayer chose time
:and place with a view to making as horrible
can impression as possible.” _

‘~"And succeeded. too! ’

“ There you feel the
make, then,” uiekl adt ed the Denver c-
‘tective. “If ')avi Ashmole had come to
his death by the same agency which doomed
his two mates to a bloody ending, the
parallel would almost surely have been car—
.ried out to the end.

“If it was thought to strike still deeper
terror to the souls of his friends and partners
by spiriting him away, surely some sign
would have been left to tell those survivors
whom'they had to charge with yet another
blow ?" '

Ransom Eldridge listened to this close
:argument in grave silence, for he felt its
purer logical force. Still, the inference did
:not agree with the one he had drawn, and he
offered his reasons.

" You reason carefully, Mr Darling, and

oint I’m tryin to

your argument proves that you have entered .

nto the case with a brain as well as a body;
but, all the same, I'm boilnd to say that I
must differ with your conclusions, in toto.”

“ You think Ashmole was murdered and
his body concealed, then ‘2”

“No, sir. I believe David Ashmoie is
alive and well to this very day!" came the
:swift assertion. .

“ Yet you deny that he has or had any
band in these crimes?" ,

“For which I am ready to ofler my
reasons, air,” with another faint smile a he
aquamly encountered that keen gaze. “ As
,I said; bit ago, a. whiter lad than Dave
lishmole never drew breath the of life. But
—-of course he Was not perfect, since he was
human! ‘

“Davie was honest as do , yet he was
covetous as a miner. He'd sk his life in
defense of a friend without stopping to
take thought, yet he’d nearly break his neck
fleeing from a much gslighter peril which
.111an only himself. ct .I consider the
strongest of all his weaknesses was hiein-
‘tcnse nu ition!" \ ‘

Don arling gave a little stir of downing
com rchension, now, but as he uttered no
wor , the mayor continued: ,

“ I know that'Ashmole was terribly fright-
ened by the killing of Owen Yarwood. and
that the terror we: added to by the death
of Mahone . I feel sure that nothing less
a.})¢)VV.'e_rftIlt his t Ion 'ng for unlim-
'ted weelthkept h from t rowing up his
interest in “the Climax when that first awful
blow fell. When the mud one come—that
«lid cap the climax!

“ Ile vanished, scored away, as I firmly
believe."

“ And his interest in the nine?"

“Took that with him, be sure!" witha,
brief laugh. “ He gave his interests in
charge of a Denver law firm, and y have
collected his share of the mine e age ever
since. u a power of attorney!”

“ It was regular, of course?" hinted the
detective. N -

“Perfectly regular, you me be sure.”
come the instant response. “0 course that
was our first care.”

“ Then it wily ought not to be dialcult

’0’

The elder man smiled faintly as he ac!

Didn't we try? Didn‘t we all unite in an
appeal to our old friend to make his hiding-
place known to us? But no word, no sign
came from him, nor could we induce his
lawyers to enlighten us further.”

“ Yet you never turned suspicion his way,
you say?"

“ Eccause we knew the man too thorough-
ly, I repeat."

There was a brief pause, Eldridge evi-
dently deemed he had said it all in that sum-
ming up, and the detective was shrewd
enough to realize the futility of arguing that
point further.

“Knowingr the man so intimately, of
course you are a better judge than I can lay
claim to being,” he admitted, presently.
“ h‘till, some one dealt those blows, and if not
David Ashmolc, (who ems it 7"

There was a short pause, during which
Ransom Eldridve slowly passed a hand
across his wrinkled forehead, time and time
again, like one seeking to clear a troubled
brain. But then, looking u to meet those
brown eyes square] , he spo e:

“We were curset in the name of a wo-
man. We were threatened with terrible re‘
tribution, also in the, name of a woman.
That miserable wretch died with the name
of a woman upon his lips. You follow me,
sir?”

“ You believe a woman is trying to carry
out those threats?"

“ I surely do believe just that!"

“ You all pledged yourselves to complete
secrcc , didn't you?”

“ e did, and that oath was taken in per-
fect good faith, of course. "

“ Then how did that woman named by
the dying poisoner ever learn of his threats
in her name?”

j‘ That forms part of the puzzle which I
am trying to hope you will solve,” frankly
admitted the mayor, without trying to gloss
over the one weak oint in the theory he
certainly had shop for himself. “ I’m
simply telling you what I know to be facts,
and adding my firm belief'to that.”

" I beg your pardon. Please go on,”
quietly said the detective. '

_“ A strange woman came here to, Chloride
City, only a short time before the first link
in our Silver League was broken b a vio-
lent death. That woman kept aloof rom all
save one :man: her close confederate. She
never gave another mortal so much as a
glimpse of her face, but wore a cunning
mask both ni ht and day.

” Why? lfi’hat reasons had she for
remaining a maske mystery t"*

“ Let us hear your explanation, first,"
gravely said Darling. ,_ ~

"Theyore brie y spoken, Mr. Darling!
Because she had resolved to get full posses-
sion of the Climax Mine, and at the same

discovered the lode!" /

"There still remains the int {touched
upon a bit ago," gravel an ' the min Ito!!!
Denver. “ How could his masked mystery,
as you term the woman,‘hav'e learned of the
punishment? Of course you none of you
told the full story?”
“ No, but—Achmola might have hinted at
n’ ghostly message,” with a faint smile. “ but
I can merely admit that the solution has
beyond my owers. Of course ’twould be
easy for one a woman to learn thatthetwo
men died; we never attempted to conceal so
much, of course i” ' ‘ ’

“You are 8 king of the ma you
took me to see t ’is evenin , of course?"

“ Madam Silver, es. _ firm believe the
is the source of al the bitter b ck trouble
which has come it ‘ n no, as a League!"

"You 'have colloected evidence pointing
that war , then?” _ '

“We . for one thin . I know that th
Silver Queen. through or ally, Filed Frie-
stone, is Very anxious to secure one or more
sharia}; the Climax.” i ‘

" use the roperty 5 pa more
than handsome diigdends, maybez'mg’

This quiet suggestion seemed m'irrltotc
the mayor past endurance, for he gave an
im , tient gesture, and his voice grew harsher
as e abruptly demanded: « 

“ Are you pleading her cause, then! Are
y)? acting as Madam Silver's advocate, Hr.

rling?’ ‘ g

I merel wkh

 

findifig Ashmo
“ 0t dinioult, but simply impossible!

I

u Not at all. Mr. Eldridge.

 

time revenge the death of those who first,
* stone, without her nan-k3 rDo you mean by

both sides of the shield before deciding as to
its color or the motto it bears,” came the in-
stant response.

“If the woman is wholly innocent—if she
is here with honest motives—why maintain
such careful secrecy?"

“ May it not be with a view to drawing
more custom to both bar and card-tables,
throuvh stirring the public curiosity, Mr.
Eldri ge?"

The mayor gave another impatient ges
ture, yet he could not deny the perfect
plausibility of that suggestion. It was
nothing more than had been done time and
time again, even within his own knowledge,
although the advertising whimsey had taken
other shapes than this.

“Mimi you, Mr. Eldrid e,” the Denver
detective said, after a brie pause. “lam
not saying that you are wholly wrong in
charging this masked mystery with being at
the bottom of all 'our trouble. For one
thing, Ihnve rcache the ground too lately
to form more than a shadowy opinion, one
way or the other.”

“And I can on repeat my firm belief;
Madam Silver kill my mates, from Owen
Yarwood to Pike Hunter!” almost doggedly
declared the mayor!

“ You have more positive proofs implicat.
ing her, then?” i

“ I’m not sure on would call them proofs,"
slowly answer the elder man. “But I
can tell you this much, right nowr Madam
Silver could have fired each One of those five
shots: those which laid anwood and Hunter
low, as well as the three missiles which
searched so keenly for my own heart!"

“Tb-nightb" '

“You remember how she'left the gem-
bling-hall? She could easily have left the
Silver Born, in disguise, to intercept us,

Dnrlin l”
w. But could she haVe dealt the

“I
blow that killed your other mate?”

" The ‘ Wild Irishman "i Why not? Ask
any practical surgeon, and he will tell you
that even a weak-armed woman might bury
a ten~inch blade to the very hilt if that pre.
eise point was selected,” declaredthe mayor.
touching himself with a white finger-tip at
the lace meant.

“ t may be. I’m not so well posted on
such facts as I ought, perhaps,” gravely ad
mitted the detective; then adding the query:
“ But how about Pike Hunter today i”

“What do you mean, Derhng?”

“June a still, clear day; you remember,
up: the town seemed pretty well astir just
t n.” '

“It usually is when the stage is due. But
you mean something more than M, of
course?" -  « 7 ~

“You stated M long ago, M- this
Modem Silver was never seen-(by mom! be;
ing, unless it might be her ally, Food Free-

this tintshe wears it inthestneet, uwellns
at the taro-tablet" a -
“Whenever she is seen abroad, yell" -
“And you admit that thezsilvortneen is
:‘dseouroe 0100an out“! here» ‘Chltr
Q” . v A» . Ho "5 ; I
“ That gcu‘ ‘ vim , it,” impe-
tiently, 5 can 10' his temper
under an action for the time behg.
"Sure  in wery‘good motto for n
deteddve ‘io nil untimuylear air," sully
add‘fie m from 

prayer mod” 4 .
we to’-=bed-roek,*¢a youeniiit.  ~.
'_ "If the person » wan “names
was abroad at the t me Pike Hunter mettle
doom, and nutmughto the-huth
hotel to are Moonlighter she
would have been 8&-
%‘ ‘3”...ka >
Until now Bun-em ‘ had listened
with forced patience, but at jmoture he
c‘ugfi' ! amaze 3!: Mn :Ipleuei
no. _ en, . ' s.
New ’ you nodee‘jutmthoailva
Hometoodto-night?’ “’ . "  " ‘ ‘
"I don't—ean your running”. bit;
“classifiplm” _ « ~t  2
,“I’ll do w, dr,‘ with o‘lhrt, metallic
laugh. “I seem yondon’t “on, even
yfietbtaut you surely will when I tell you that
6 var mm m m‘ oppooi' to
The Grand!"

 

to view all points, to take an honest _ k at .

Don Darling gave  Mat-tit no.»

   

“But now I'm gdting ‘

“N

  

 

 

In”:

 

jar. 
kI

nouncement, for he at once can ht the point

 

_ {or user
' « ofhisabi‘afi’
. "But it no matter-ofrfact case, you

. awn!”

 over it than I do,

‘ “‘14.;—

 

      Detective.“

 

 

 

 

Eldridge was trying to make. f true, and
he ha no reason to think otherwise, that
matter of locality would explain away the
principal diiiic‘ulty he had noted.

“ Then you think?” he began, slowly.

“The Silver Horn is a two~stor building.
IVhat's to hindera shot coming rom one of
those up—stair windows, striking down a
man who stood where Pike Hunter found his
death, this day i” 1

CHAPTER XII.
a smmow or run mom.

THAT swift statement made his meanin
perfectly clear to the listening detective, an

e had no further questions to ask, concern-
ing that particular point.

On his part, Mayor Eldridge seemed con-
tent to rest his case there.

If not proof positive, he had proven the
possibility of that death-shot coming from the
Silver (iueen. "

His si once told the detective that the mayor
had produced his strongest proof, or, at least,
that he had brought forward all that he was
ready to lay bare at so early an hour of their
ac uaintance.

more sensitive man might have chafed
under such caution, but not so the man from
Denver. He had seen and heard enough
since enterin Chloride City to keep his
brain busy gar hours, even should noth-
ing more come to the surface to demand
consideration.

Mayor Eldridge was the first to break that
silence.

“You shall take a look for yourself in
the morning, Mr. Darling. You will find
that I have spoken nothing more than the
exact truth.

“There are two windows in the upper
story of the Silver Horn, both looking out
upon the street. Diagonally opposite stands
the hotel, where the stage makes its first
regular stop, and where you became mixed
in an unfortunate altercation with Pike
Hunter.

“Both of those upper windows are kept
curtained. as a rule; any one in Chloride can
tell on that much! And-a cool, skill-
ful s at could easily pick of! a man at that
ran 9"

“ ut the flash, smoke, report?"

” All might have seed unnoticed during
that excitement. T en, too, since the. nitro

owders have come to the front, all those
items have been reduced to a minimum.”

It was evident the ms or had given that
mystery abundant thoug t, his answers came
so promptly and sounded as reasonable. If
refuted at all, it would requires more careful
study than the Denver Detective had as yet
been able to re the affair.

‘ After so , or brief pause, Don Darling

spoke up: .

“I’ll take hold of the case, Mr.,Eldridge,
and ash: duty bound 'll do my layel best to
solve the mystery s bring the guilty one
to justice."

“I tlnnh on for that, sir!"

“No ".with s fleeting smile. “ In
these matterof-fact da s a gentleman hardly
thinks it necessary to g ve his servant thanks
performing his duty to the best

Wadi" earnestly declared the mayor,
 Microfilm over to grip that of
the . "If you really do clear up
this awful mystery, 'igisn’t mossy alone
that can Ute yd! and the Silver League

> Don Darling returned that ardent grip, but
even while smilinggto that strong, earnest
face. he gravel . red; .
" "As I sold, 'll do my ditty to  extent»

 ' of my ability, sir, but I can’
the . ‘

eip re tting
words you spoke back there on t or hate
steps. this «me11”
“ About our ngadetectivemfcoursei”
; V “Yes. ’d have; far better chance of
solving this enigma b h
roug t me to

Chloride."

Darling frowned a bit as he uttered the
words, but Eldridge ga’vs s low, odd chuckle
which brought

a flush to the cheeks ofthe
1.1.le mom like lau bin
fl. Eldridge," hcssdtf,

ts 

manly. .

if on hadn’t publicly.
_ announced the object w

“ I beg your pardon, Darling. but I really
couldn‘t help it,” declared the other, re ain-
ing his composure with an evident c ort.
“ It just struck me what a comical cartoon

crowd that off-hand introduction to you!”

“ Call it ‘ disgust,’ and the whole would
express my sentiments passing well,” coldly
retorted the younger man, pushin r back his
chair as though about to take his< eparture.

“W'ait a moment longer, please,” swiftly
cut in his host, dropping all signs of banter»
ing, both face and voice growing grave and
full of earnestness once more as he added:
“ I feel now, as I felt then, Darling, that
Madam Silver is plenty shrewd enough to
have ferretcd out your real profession with.
out any assistance on my part; but—”

“ Why go to so much extra trouble,
then?” came the blunt query.

“ I promised to explain, at the time, and
I’m read to do so now, if you will only per-
mit me,’ coldly asserted the mayor.

Don Darling settled back in his seat, with
an air of grim resignation while waiting for
the promised explanation.

It was not so easy to forgive this rash step,
since he had carefull prepared the role he
was to play as the “ andy from Denver ”
in this half civilized minin -town, while
studying the death-riddle whic i had brought
him to Chloride City.

“I don’t believe I’m actually a coward.
Mr. Darling,” gravel spoke his present
employer. “ I’ve he (1 my end level in
more than one rough bit of work, as all men
must who follow a life the one I have led
since early manhood.

“ But, honestly, I’m be inning to grow
nervous over this strange a air! I've more
than once caught myself jumping at fancied
sounds, and only came to myself when I was
all in a cold sweat.” ‘

“ I think I can comprehend that much, Mr.
Eldridge."

“ Then I needn’t dwell u n the point. It
isn’t the most agreeable ood for thought,
and hardly more pleasant to talk about,
even to one who is surely a friend,” frankly
admitted the ma or. .

“ Well, then, ring in mind what I have
already told you,” with a slight nod toward
the desk where that shot-dented shirt of
mail was 1 ing, “it will hardly surprise you
when I ad that I feel the chances are stron n
iy in favor of my bein killed before th s
black riddle is safely re 1" ' g
“ You oughtn’t to yield to such thoughts,
sir.”

“ How easily spoken!” ejaculated the
mayor, with one of his short, peculiar laughs
that held so little merriment in their notes.
“ But, let it ass. The fact is that I do feel
that way, an I believe it is facts gentlemen
'of our profession are fondest of?’

n Darling bowed in silence. , He frown-
'ed a bit, too. Why did this man beat about
the edges,“ the bush so persistently? Was
hean (1 of laying bare the whole truth?

“I thought I might as well reap the credit
myself, you understand, and so made that
public announcement. The secret sin or
would surely find out what your ' val
meant, and my son ncement would put the
enemyon guard. ‘iian a regular detective
on the scene, surely they would not take
such long chances!"

Don Darling caught the point being made,
but bluntly said:

“‘Yet on were shot at only a few hours
later, , w lie actually in my’hcompany! A
precious safeguard, trul i y, man, dear,
we were walking arm n arm when the, at-
tempt was made against your life!”

the plot to you. beyond all Y , ,
doubt!" positively declared Mayor Eidrid e.
“ With, my ion as chained for all time, w, 0
else could so in iy post you i"

There was a . use. then. during which
both men seem busily thinking over the
situation.

If Don Darling was not entirely satisfied
with the explanatiOn .given him by his em-
ployer, he knew that further reproach was
w than useless. The harm was done,
and e must makethe best of the situation,
altering his plans to suit the changed con-

“ .

ntly he spoke a in:

 

   

1‘ obscures I am , ex _ to make
. the  one way or- the other, without

. l

 

your face would have made when I gave the

“ On the chance of blocking my story'of .
reasonable.

 

  

 

1
taking time to look deeper into the case, Mr.

Eldrid e. Still, from an off-hand point of
view, ’d sooner bank on that last shot hav-
ing been fired by the old man, ihther than.
the Silver Queen.”

. “ I‘ll have to differ from you; as to that,.
sir. "

“ It's 'our privilege, of course. May Iask
who am what he is?"

“ Reuben Reeves by name, hunter, fisher-
man, trapper, just as circumstances.
justify,” came the prompt response. “ I
take him to be one of the Kit Carson breed;
a relic of days dead and gone by forever.”

“His character is good, then?”

“ The worst I ever heard brought against.

the old man is that he is surly and even dan-
gerous whenever he drinks too freely."

“Does that happen with any degree of‘

frequency ?"

“Very rarely, in fact. uAnd since he set-
tied down only a little ways outside of town,
on a truck-patch, I can't recall his ever et
ting drunk. It’s his daughter who keeps im
sober, I reckon.”

“ He has a den hter, then?”

“Yes. They ive together, alone. Her
name is Ethel, I believe. But ou’rc wide-
] astra if you connect old eeves with
tllese ki lin rs. He never took part in either
of them. I eel quite positive!"

“ Still, it is strange that he failed to see.
aught of the one who fired that shot at you,
this evening,” thou htfully observed the.
detective, lowering his lids with a perplexed
frown. “Whoever it was, must have fled.
thaty‘ay, else we’d 'surely have caught at.
least a glimpge of him.”

“ Or of r,” emphasized the mayor.
“ Still, is it any more strange than that no
one saw or heard an ht of the person who‘
shot Pike Hunter, in road daylight, and in
the midst of a crowd of his friends?”

It was a grwt, almost an appalling mys-
tery, and Don Darling silently admitted as.
much. Yet he did not despair of solving.
the riddle, give him time and opportunity.

Just then Mayor Eldridge awned, as
though involugtarily, and so a rufitly that.
his hand coul not rise swiftly c oughto
mask that wide opening.

" I be your pardon, ‘Mr. Darling, but.
there is a. p of work ahead for both of us,
to—morrow, and I reckon we’d better be:
thinking of bed.”

The detective ‘instantl abandoned his.
chair,pickinglup his hatas e did so, showin
a slight tone of confusion as he a oiogizeg
for kee ing the mayor up so long;a ut when.
he won (1 have beaten a retreat, nsom El-
drid e quickl objected.

“ 0t muc ou'll n'ot!" he bluntl de-
clared, cuttingt ose words short. “‘ told~
my factotum—Dick, Lane—to prepare room.
and bed for a guest. You’re that est, my
dear fellow, so say no more about, .‘f

Readily seeing that the mayor meant to!
have his we in this respect. theDenver Dc~
tective yielded that p0 nt, and was {shown
up-stairs by his hos itabie host, who only-
left the chamber w en fully assured noth-
ing further could be done for his comfort,
by Darling. '

A single glance at the window igld the-
detcctive he was located at the front 'of the
house, and as the moon was still shining
brig tiy, and the. window without wooden,
shut rs, he tool: a comprehensive glance:
around the con chamber to fairly localize
himself, then b cw out the light. .

A glance at the dial of his watch had told
him the hour was hardly as late as he had
expected to find, but even if it had been
at erwise, Don Darling felt preciously little:
inclined for sleep, Jlust then. .

Silently lifting e sash, Darling moved a.
chair noiselessly to the window, sitting there.
with the faint, cool night breeze just touch:
his face as it fl ted t the house fnont.

He had amp e f for thou ht, slthou h
he he might so few hours wi iii: the iim to
of Ch 0 1: City. ' '

Although the moon was shining bright] ,.
the front of the budding was cast into dar ~
ness. thanks to its rentage, and the mellow
light barely touched the outer ortion of the:
low railing which surmoun
roof 5 t ow his window.

Sitt ng t ere, then. with no risk of attract-?
ing attention in case an belated citizen.
should chance to glance his way in . .
Don Darling gave himself up to brooding

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over the tragedy which he had witnessed,
and those others of which ‘he had been told.

Who could have fired that silent, smoke-
less shot? Who could have followed this
assassination up so closely with a hardly
less audacious attempt upon the life of the
chief of the Silver League?

The arguments made by Major Eldridge
vividly passed in mental review, but as he
recalled that statuesque figure, clad from
crown to sole in dull yet lustrous cloth of
silver, he could not believe the woman guilty
as sworn!

And then—the Denver Detective gave a
slight start, his confused thoughts taking it)
instant flight, leaving. him once more the
trained detective, with every sense and every
nerve ready for swift action in 0388 the

necessity arose.

“A shadow! It looked like a shadow,
but—it moved like a—hal Again! And—
a woman, by the helical"

Although below his breath. there was
powerful emphasis placed upon those words,
and leaning a little forward, Don Darling
watched while waiting for that living shadow
of the night to come more distinctly within
his field of vision.

Then—the Wished-for took place! The
shadow came a little past the edgc‘of the
moonlight, looking up at the house, and—

“Is it the Silver Queen?” Don Darling
asked himself, just then.

CHAPTER XIII.
snADowrNG THE srunows.

11' came to the Denver Detective almost
like a revelation, for certainly there was
naught in the general appearance of that

hantom-like shape to recall the presiding
city of the Silver Horn taro-table, unless it
was that more or less vague instinct which
is apt to volunteer its services when least

ex .

e could not be ~ positive that the moving
shadow was even of the feminine gender,
for whatever it might ultimately prove to
be, the shadow quickly drew back out of
the moonlight, and seemed to vanish: into
thin air. ‘

Don Darling gave a muttered sound of
disappointment, but that feeling did not
last many moments. As his eyes accommov
dated themselves to the change, he once

 

more distin uished that silent shape, stand- '

ing well bee in the shade, apparently gaz-
ing intently in his direction.

“ Playing spy, but what for?" the detec-
tive asked himself. “ For whose benefit?
On my account, or that of the mayor?”

That was a point more readily resented
than solved, bearing in mind wlnt taken
place since the arrival at the %~

“If he hadn‘t been so intern ly undid!”

Don Darlinghad not entirely reconciled
himself to the cool move made by Ransom
Eldridge, as yet. At nearly ever . turn that
hasty introduction gave signs 0 bothering
his work, and even now it left him unde-
cided as to what might prove an important
bit of knowledge.

g Was this feminine shadow drawn to this
spot by thoughts of Mayor Eldridge, or was
it trying to war points concerning the de-
tective who come from the Queen City
of the Plains with the avowed purpose of
clearing ,up that death-mystery?

If a w man, as that brief view in the hgzt
of the m had nearly convinced him, «7 t
woman? Who could it be save the who was
locally known as the Silver Queen?

“And :f Mgdam Silver—wondcrdid she

“n t! '

. Almost; nvohrntarily this thought, flashed
across the dctcctivc’s hula, and from that
instant of time” his decision was taken.

Risin to his feet, he Merely swung
the chair aside, then stood—for a brief space
in doubt. r

“Shall I let him know? If shed and.

r aslce too risky! She might be gone he-
forc could get .im afoot, and then—which

new
last words applied tohimself. for Don
Darling had determined to play spy upon
that shadow, if only in ho s of learning its
.identity beyond the possi ilit of a doubt.
The next question was, whic way had he

that turn?

He recalled how Ransom Eldridge had
bolted the front door, and knowing as hc

‘ . now didwhat powerful cause the mayorhad

 

to rigidly guard his life, it was easy to be-
lieve that still other precautions might have
been taken to render a noiseless passage in
or out impracticable for one not entirely in
the secret of those defenses”

“Of course I could explain, it he wasn't
too mighty sudden on trigger,” mentally
said the detective. “But t at would take
time, and—it begins to look as though I
wouldn’t have any too much of that, sure!"

A movement by that sluidow led to this ,»

grim conclusion, and without debating the
qr/estion further, Don Darling silently slip-
ped through the open window, trusting his
weight upon the roof of the front porch.

As heretofore stated, the front of the
building was cast into shadow by the si-
tion of the moon. and the cldarness o the
light beyond only served to render that
shadow the denser b ' contrast.

There was really ittle fear of his being
discovered by even the keenest of eyes from
such a distance, but Don Darling took no
unnecessary chances, and slipped along the
front of the house for the end of that gently
sloping roof which was cast into deepest
shade.

Once at that end, it was easyzfor the agile
detective to swing himself over the low rail-
ing to the ground, crouching where he
alighted until he could make sure that sus—
picious shadow 'had not taken the alarm
throu h any of his movements.

“ St ll on deck!" the Dandy from Denver
muttered as he made out that vague shape,
occupyin the same spot where he had
spotted it before leaving his chamber.
“ Well, play 1am, too!”

Since he had closely marked the lay of the
ground before taking his first step on this
nocturnal adventure, the detective was at
no loss how to act now, and making the best
possible use of the various bits of. cover, be

assed over the worst portion of the ground
fore his object of interest materially alter-
ed its pose. ,

Even “that change of position threw the
shrewd, detective back but a few moments,
for, at the end of that time, he was crouch-
ing under snu cover from whence he could
secure a fair v cw of the unknown.

It was a woman, as he ,had suspected al-
most from the first glimpse, and almost as
certainly that woman was-

“ Mat am Silver, for ducats!"

Yet, if so, the fare priestess had donned a
different disguise from the one which she
had made famous to Chloride City; for her
figure was dark-robcd from crow to ankle,
ghfd covering falling in limp an curveless
o s.

Still, Don Darling hardly doubted her
identity,land this belief was strengthened
by her actions almost immediatel after he
made the mental decision-ch “has just
been recorded. a

The woman was facing that house, and
suddenly throwi ' up a] ,d, she seemed
shaking it men n ly toward the home of
Ransom Eldridge; might have been an
oath her lips‘werc silently registering!

Although standing with n the shadow
cast by one of the trees which the artistic
taste of the mayor had left standing before
his house, as that right hand flew up, the
keen sight of the detective noted a dull
grayish flash, and he told himself once
more: I ’ ‘

“ 17168610"- Queen! Still tn mm, for
that’s the sheen of her glove!"

ngfpingther clinched hand the woman
turn army from that spot, lbllmved by the
gaze of the detective, ice shrewd- to risk
premature discovery by leaving his covert
too soon.

She had gone, but a short distance when a
low, quiverin whistle came floating through
the night, a as he saw her pause short off,
Don Darling rose nearly erect, to wina beffisr
view of the uarter toward which the Un-
known turned at that si 1.

“For signal it sure H was, and meant
for her ears too!” meats y declared the in-
terested spy, then catching his breath slight-
ly as he noted a movement beyond.

A tall shape came into the clear 'moon-
light, and as it hastened toward the motion-
less woman, Don Darlin saw that the new-
comer was a man, an from its extreme
hfiht, as well asi’tstgcneral makeup, be
h little didiculty in deciding just who that
man was. !

‘ “ Reuben Reeves, folI big money! Now—
fricnds, of course!” as he saw the woman
move toward the man, like one who wishes
; to meet rather than avoid.
‘ A low, barely perceptible sound came to
1 his eagerly straining ears, as though one of
5 the shadows had spoken, but the woman
made a swift gesture, then motioned to-
ward the house, and now that low hum died
3 out.
1 “Easy as big print to read, even if I can't
I catch a word!” grimly muttered the detec-
l tive playing spy. “ If I could only invent a
‘ bit of a haze just now! I reckon ’twouldn’t
be all lost time, listening to those romantic
parties!”

In the total absence of haze, fog, or other
atmospheric cover, the Denver Detective
determined to make the best of such as he
could find at hand, but he had hardly laid
out his safest line of advance, when the
couple began 'slowly moving away from that
locality.

For a brief space Darling’s hopes sunk
very low, for they moved in the direction of
town; but shortly after, their course shifted,
and pluckin up courage the Spy crept after
them as close y as he dared risk.

It was not until the pair had fairly draan
outside of Chloride City that they came to an
actual halt again, but when this did happen,

to talk or consult at their case. ,

The Denver Detective had kept track of
them without any especial diflicult , although
a more unfavorable night for p aying spy
could hardly have been selected; but now he
paused, giving a frown and a low growl of
strong disgust.

The bushy top of a tall, slender-holed tree
cast an. almost circular shadow on a ibare
spot of ground, and the night-walkers had
seen fit to select that precise place for their
confab.

The shadow gave ample protection against
discove from distant eyes, and it would be
well—nig impossible for any chance way-
farer to come near enough to sight them

tice, which warning would enable them to
readily flit to still safer cover.

All this Don Darlinng in with that pre-
liminary glance, and this it was which gave
him such vicious thoughts. .

But he had not taken so much trouble to
fail at the first balk, and only waiting to
make sure the twain in whom he felt such a
powerful interest ' at then really intended
to pause there, he rew back and looked for
a more favorable line of approach.

This was poor, at the best, but refusin
to give up beaten, the Denver Detective laid

is course as far as he could from that
point, then stole forward with all the skill
of an Indian stealing upon an armed victim.

Twice the detective was near enough to
catch a low murmuring sound as those two
persons taikcd- together, but neither time
wasldhc within understanding range. He
cou
but he could learn nothing of what they
were talking over, and this war-the infor-
mation he
shot for!

1 Having and. hi. third sun. with no bet»
ter success,- and failing to see how he
could poaciligbctttr that effort while the,
cou main
the end, ’uain his eyes for all th
worth, sin
existing circumstance. '

whom Ransom Eldridge had called Reuben
Reeves, for that tall, peculiarligarbed shag
could not be,confoundcd wit anybthcr '

old hunter's present companion was the who.
as Harlan: filly r.

legato gesture w ch had conil
e .
cring fell and there was a dull, brief

gleam as 0 silver cloth.

was fo

straining his‘ ears without the who

 

occasional word
not one of thoseisolated syllables gave him

 

 

they faced each other like persons mganing ‘

there, without first attracting their now

, he could even hear to a degree, ’

prinedhighlyenoughtorisk a. l 

ed their station, Don Darling  I
sctt dawn under Cover grimly awaiting

were w
cchts ears wcrcof nos _

He know now that the manwas Wool

Chloride City. And, almost as surely, the ',

G .
An doubt on that t which might 7
gig yam  b wasitizemofvcéih 
r s m a re t n o e - .1
" “m  
that am went. aptitude:  H

For‘ full half It! tonne detective  i‘
really to crouch there  War. ,

catch even a sin ‘scntciice‘, al ough-au  
id make itself heard; but 3 z ‘

     
    
  
  
  
  
    
     
  
   
   
  
  
    
   
  
   
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
     
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
  
    
   
  
 
   
  
  
  
    
   
    
    
   
    

 

     
     
      
      
           
       
      
   
      

  
 

 

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more than a vague, unsatisfactory clue to

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1

the subject of their consultation.

“ They are not quarreling, for one thing,”
Darling mentally recorded, for lack of more
profitable occupation. “ Not enemies. if
not actual allies. Are they that? If not,
why were they both shadowing the place?
Why come together on signals? Score one!"

Better than nothing, no doubt, but how
much less than he would reap could he
only catch each sentence as it fell from those
1i 8!

I)“Who knows? It might even solve this
death-riddle i”

It was thoroughly disgusting, and the
knowledge that he had done all any man
could do to better the case, failed to con-
sole the ardent detective, and it was with
some relief that he noted an action which
promised at least a change of scene.

“ Finished all they had to sa , I reckon,
but I'd better be in bed than out ere— Talk
louder, ’confiiund you!"

The cloaked shape was speaking], and in
more distinct tones than any which adbeen
used since U011 Darling came upon the
scene; yet even now he was unable to learn
anything of value.

So far as he could make out, another
rendezvous was being arranged, although
he could not say whether that was to be
here, or elsewhere, by day, or under cover
of night. ~

The man' muttered something in res ease,
and then the cloaked figure turne and
glided swiftly away, leaving Reuben Reeves
still standing” there in that circular shadow!

The detective bit his lip until the skin was
broken, for this was an additional disap-

pointment for which he was totally unpre- -

pared. ~
He had counted on a chance to trail that

cloaked figure to its destination, and thus
make sure his belief in its being Madam
Silver was right or was wrong. But now—-

“Getahustle on, on lengthy idiot! Are
you going to stem there until you take
root?"

Reuben Reeves made no move, lgazing
after that cloaked shape which was ready
becoming blended with less substantial
shadows as it moved toward town.

While he stood there, Don Darling could
not follow that shape. Even to leave the
frail shelter under which he was crouching,
would be to invite discovery from that gaunt
sentinel; and Reuben Reeves still carried his
Winchester in the hollow of his left arm,
with right hand resting close to i“‘e ham-

9 v .

mer.

“Be just like the old fool to shoot hrs
and question after!” muttered the no
thoroughly disgusted detective.

After a! short Space of time, possibly be-
cause that cloak figure had now passed
beyond his range of vision, the old hunter
heaved an and bio sigh, turning partly
around and then slowly moving out of that
small shadow. ‘

Don Daan

0

, sunk closer to the‘ ground,
with one han cautiously 'feelin for a pis-
tol-butt, for it seemed to him t‘ t Reeves
was heading directly for his place of hiding.

A chill crept over him. at the thought.
Not that the. man from Denver was a cow-
to guess what swift

' a man who ,heen reared as Reuben
Beneath“, would take' on stumbling over
one who surely had been playiig spy.

To be' discovered meant shoo ug 0r being
shot. and since he had no‘ positive roof that
Reeves wasille ‘, lly en , Du ng hardly
knew which to of a dilemma would

e the worst! a

Before that discovery came, however, the

‘ veteran paused for another glance town-

ward, then muttered loud soon it for those
keen ears to catch without mu , rouble:

/  t “,Good Lawdi Ef ’twas me. I’d heap fight

ruther hev a starvin‘ she-painter campin'

. onto the mil 0' mel‘ It she‘d kill—40kg
A Mr! - .

A‘ use, then that abrupt“ on.

W thout attempting to ms or it aloud,
Reuben Reeves turned and advanced at a
brisket pace than before.

 

cums xiv. ‘ '
sworn mst n worm, -
It the old hunter had been expectingan

 

      

ering that crouching figure, for he passed
close by the side of that straggling bush,
and even had to alter his course a hit to
escape an actual collision with it.

But the (lenmwnwnt was not to come after
that fashion, and without even SUspecting
how narrowly he had escaped a dangerous
meeting, the veteran pressed on through the
moonlight.

Not until those Indian-like footi'alls had
died away from his ears, did Don Darling
dare draw a full breath, but then, cresting
his headand glancingover a shoulder as he
lay, he caught sight of that tall form re-
ceding, and, resolved to make the best of
what chance remained, he likewise got un-
der motion. '

“ if I can’t take oose, I’ll have, ander!”
was his grimly~p iilosophic dec aration.
“ Who knows? It may be all for the best—
though I’m doubting that all over!”

The detective found it no very difficult
matter to shadow the old hunter, for Reeves
never once cast a glance behind him, but
evidently without a thought of enemies or
spies, he hurried on with long, easy, even
strides which carried him: swiftly over ‘the
ground.

“ Not much like a bloody conspirator, for
a fact!” concluded, Don Darling after a few
minutes of this sort of work. “ And yet—-
so far as my present stock of light goes, it
rests bctWeen the two: Reuben Reeves, or
Madam Silver!"

That journey did not last very long, yet
the DenVer Detective had time enough to
mentally run over the main points of what
1(1)? had picked up since reaching Chloride

ty.

It was no easy matter to think that a we-
man—even one so nearly unscxed as it comes
natural to deem a fare-dealer to be—-could
work such peculiarly atrocious and desper-
ately audacious crimes as had marked the
existence of the Silver League.

Still, Ransom Eldridge was in a position
to see deeper into the actual facts than any
more outsider could, and he seemed firmly
convinced that the Silver Queen had thrice
done men to death.

And now, surely it had been Madam Silver
with whom he saw the old hunterin friendly
consultation? ‘

“Don’t that connect the pair, then? Don’t
that make him her confederate, almost be-
yond a doubt? And—could I force the truth
out of him by tight pinching, I wonder?”

B the time he had progressed this far
wit his musings, Darhng took note of a
change in the landscape, and that recalled
the words let fall by the mayor, concerning
the resent occupat on of the old hunter.

iis was “the t ck patch,” and yonder
—a lighted windovz1

“Run to earth!” declared the detective
but hardly with triumph. “ I’d rather ’twas
ahnost an other place, since I’ve made a
water-ban so far. I’d stand a better chance
for playing even on the whole deal,
then!” , I

Reuben Reeves kept strai htushead, like
one' who feels sureof his we come, but Den
Darlin came to a halt where he had cover to
blend is shape with in case the veteran
should take a backward glance. ,

The path led across one Corner of “ the
truck tch,"‘the greater portion of which
lay to he right, along a gentle slo , cleared
from rocks and undergrowth, wit only one
or two small trees left standing. '

Glancing across this tract in the moonlight.
Darling saw a number of shallow ditches for
irrigat ng purposes. and even with his-inter-
ests turned souttecly in another direction,
he could not help marveling obit at the
change which must have been wrought in
this. an old trapper and Indian—fighter, be-
fore he could turn to gardening!

Waitin until the door of the cabin opened
and cl aftei' its‘owner, Don Darling stole
cautiously forward. making a little circle to
avail himself of better cover. but aiming for
the window in thecnd of the mountain home
th'rouglld1 which gleaned the light of lamp or
CID 6. ,

This fact recalled another memory. and
the detective caught himself wondering

’whetharthc d’su tern enof b his or
v to v

Eldridge made" a »to sit up wit a
light as company “gory time her father was
lstein getting be ‘P ‘

a

 

“If so, and tlfe old man‘s often out this
late, reckon she's growing mighty lank and
hollow-eyed by this!" grimly mused the spy,
as he drew nearer the lighted window, then
slowly lifted his head until his eyes could
win a fair glance at that interior.

The man from Denver gave a start and
barely managed to smother an ejaculation
which might have aroused dangerous sus»
pieions, for what he saw was so utterly dif-
ferent from what he had been imagining, an
instant before.

Father ami daughter Were just drawing
apart, us'though they had been embracing
each other, and as the girl turned, Don Dar-
ling caught a fair view of her face, as well
as figure.

“Mighty lank and hollow-eyed,” he had
mentally decided, but this by no means an-
swered to that idescription, and a more com-
plete contrast between father and. daughter
could hardly be imagined.

Ethel Reeves was almost fairy-like as to
size". although her figure was rounded enough
to seem perfectly proportioned in every re-
spect.

Her hair was jetty black, and curled pro-
fusely. Her eyes, large and lustrous as
those of a yearlin g doe, admirably matched
hair, and rich, healthy complexion.

So much Don Darling saw, and actually
caught his breath with a gasp, so complete-
ly was he taken by surprise.
mAnd, too, his cheeks flushed until the
fairly tingled with a sense of shame at fin -
{33‘ himself engaged in spying upon—

i .

He was here as a detective, and duty came
before silly sentiment!

Just then Reeves said something, and the
distinctness with which he caught those
syllables, still further recalled Darling to
his professional self; and creeping still
closer to that window, he saw a portion of
one lower pane had been broken out.

As he shifted his position, Ethel Reeves
likewise altered hers, and now father and
daughter sat side by side on a rude, home-
made settle, talking together in lowered
tones.

This did not ap‘pesr to come about through
a fear or expects on of being eavesdropped,
but nothing more than their customary man-
ner; still, it amounted to prett much the
same thing, so far as Don Darl g was con-
cemed.

He could not follow their talk with cer-
tainty, and dared not invite discovery by
pressing face too close to that uneurtained
window. If caught thus by the old Indian-
flghter-Mell, onl a footnoe could avert 9.
flin , to the finish -

Thus restricted, the Denver Detective
heard just enough to wish he might hear
more! Enough to convince him that the
s are felt: a crful interest in Ransom

ldrldgc and' world] stairs, yet not
sufficient tQ‘.enligbtcn m as to precisely
why that interest was held. v

After all, that tantalizing test did not last
very long, for Ethel presently gave Reuben
gother bu and several kiswz,‘ ttlii’endbade

in good- htsn passedout e «tec-
tlve's view, fibrough a door which no doubt

opened into'hcr chamber. 

Left alone, Reeves filled his and
doubled himself up before the ittle fire
which had burn on the

ham kept

stone ' man, hows on knees, and bony
hands arching from chin torcars as he stared
at the coals with their ashen coatifig.
Minute after minute passed laws without
the slightest change in that Kasl’tion, and
failing that he was not at all i ely to learn
aught further from that quarter, the shadow
silently withdrew from his post beneath
that window, sndthen faced toward Chloride

Cit . ,t a * v
githou h he had gleaned far less than he
had be for, Darling was not entirelv dis,
sstisti with the results of his night-es-
capade, and fell into deep thought as he
moved toward the house under whose iroof
(12:31! so unexpectedly found himself quar-

m3 deeply sunk in thought, as it proved ;.

for, without noise enough to warn him of
coming peril, Don Darling was assaulted
from out a mass of shadow through which

he was passing ust then, andth coping
cry.  Delverjlbtasctlvc fell lining! to the,

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Stiff, chilled to the bone, his head throb-
hing fit to split wide open as he made the
exertion, the Dandy from Denver lifted him-
self upon hands and knees, then, after a
dizzy stare around him, added to that effort
by staggering to his feet.

A brief spell of dizziness. then he felt bet-
ter, and stared half-bewilderedly around the
spot, at the same time instinctively feeling for
his Weapons and his valuables.

Nothing seemed to have been taken, at ,
first, for his fingers were benurnbed, but
then he made the discovery that he had been
robbed!

Weapons, watch, money, and——

“ lily now-book ."’ he ejaculated, as he vain-
ly sought for that article in his breast. .
“ Who turned the trick? And why ?"

The absence of watch and moneywould
seem to anSWer that with sufficient plain-
ness, but Don Darling was far from satis-
fied with that solution. If merely a foot-
pad, why take a book which contained only '
pen and pencil marks?

Seeing and hearing nothing of his as-
sailants, and findintr no bones had been
broken, no 'wounds inflicted worse than a
painful lump along his crown, Don Darlin
resumed his way, staggering a bit with dizzr‘
ness, and with occasional fits of excruciating
headache.

Still, he managed to reach the home of
Ransom Eldridge, and feeling unprepared
to stand a siege of close questioning, ire re-
gained his chamber by climbing up a post
at an end of the porchgand thankful'that
he had done'all this without raising an alarm,
the detective sunk upon his bed, jhust as the
gray of dawn began to lighten to eastern
3

ky.

 

I

_ CHAPTER xv.
TEE SILVER LEAGUE IN SESSION.

Conran to his expectations, the Dandy
from Denver fell asleep almost as soon as be
stretched himself out on the bed, and when
a summons came for him to rise and dress
for the morning meal, albeit feelin lack of
sufficient sleep, and a general “ roc ' " con-

 

dition, he really found himself but little the
worse for wear. .
His dressing consisted in removing what ;
he could of the soil marks gathered by his ,
garments during that nocturnal espial, but !
when he took note of the blood which had I
trickled down from the hurt on his head, i
> Darling concluded not to conceal his ;
adventure as hehsd at first intended, but to I
makeseonildantofhishost» ‘.
His stow“ told while at table and
Ransom , , go betrayed a siren degree
of interest from start to finish, Willa the .
questiom he asked told how his thoughts
were drifting. ,
They were mainly in relation to the cloak- ‘
ed figure, and when there remained nothing I
further to tell, there was a touch of rim
satisfaction in his tones as he asked for I)“-
’3 opinion concerning Madam Silver, af-
ter this bit of personal ex riencc.‘

An answer was given, at hardly a direct i
one. The detective was not yet 'resdyto;

squarely face the issue. and really apmred
to feel more uneasiness concerning the

connected with that bit of adventure. ,
i

“If only money or money‘s worth had

been taken, the answer w uld have been I
oodily.  e as were turned the r way.

ens enough.” he said. smost

“ W there footpad would have:
6 least one share in the mine when he 'died 7”

given a.st g nee!"
'i‘if”“‘°” ma h
or c‘ ’ntawy,”sug t e ms or.
“Out of thoquestlo . sir. I

"7

else. ' -
u Sudy it held no dangerous secrets, Mr.
lin r

“Thgt depends pretty much on whose

hands theabook falls into," was the almost  g ‘
t “‘ can tell on nothing further, Mr. Frec-  Denver as Andy Shelton and Neil Vance, ,
The first named was short, fat, blondennd‘

moor. “ But—drop it all; please!”

But litth more was said while at table, but ‘

after leaving that for the room where so

much had been told relating to the Silver;
touched , nuty ask?" 

league. Ransom Eldridge gravely
upon that sub{ect once more.
“ I had a on ler or two this mornin before
on come down, Mr. Dnrlhrg, an 'we de-
cided to bury poor Hunter this forenoon, if

2 the Silver" League, led 03 by Ransom Eld~

; gies to avenging their murdered friend.

his note-book than of aught- else which was 

t it was. a pocketbook, 5
It was a mem- ;

orandum-book, plain and simple, and even 5
an idiot couldn’t well mistake it for ‘aught I

i politely yet blunt y w0rded question, and a i

all arrangements could be completed in 3 buff; but the face of the Silver Horn pro-
tirne. You will attend, I presume?” ' prietor showed no change. and in the same

The defective bowed assent. Since he had  polite voice, though speaking considerably
become publicly identified with the Silver é louder, like one who wishes all present to
League, thanks to the canny caution of the take in his full meaning, he added:
mayor, he hardly had any excuse for declin- “ Since those meetings are sacred to mem-
ing. ‘ bers of the company, Mr. Iildridgc, of mmrse

After a few more words, which told of 31 am barred out. int I‘ll make my offer
time and place and manner of conducting  mm, which is just this: I will pay cash down
the ceremony, Darling took his leave of ‘, for this share of (‘limax stock. and give ten
Eldridge for the time being, and experieer  per cent over andabovethesumanyotlw'rper-
ing no difficulty in finding the Express-office , 8071 is willing to pay.
by following the directions given him, he 5 “Do I make my meaning fully understood,
secured his pair of gripsacks, and transferer I Mr. Eldridge?” .
them to The Grand. , “ Perfectly, sir,” with a slight bow. “ I

Engaging a room here, the Dandy from  will make your offer known when the board
Denver was enabled to renovate himself, ; next convenes.” ’
thanks to the elaborate preparations which  “Thanks, awfully!" and for the first
he had made beforehand to sustain that ; time since that interview began, Fred Free-
dudislr character. f stone smiled, and, smiling, looked his every-

It did not take long nfterleaving his cham- , day self.
her in his fresh rig, to convince the detective i Don Darling had been close at hand when
that the mayor‘s rash introduction had made I: that request for a few words was made, and
a sort of public character of him, for nods v he had both listened and watched through
and winks and vailed whispers were indulg- what followed with no slight interest.
ed in by nearly every male citizen under Still, no remark was let fall from either
whose eyes he chanced to pass that forc- ‘sidc as he paired again with Mayor Eldridge
noon. [in returning to town, nor was the matter

These were many, for the dead man was ; touched upon at all until Eldridge paused in
still at the hotel, and the funeral procession , front of a one-story building near the center
was to start from that place. This being so, E of the town, when he spoke: ‘
The Grand naturally became the center of “This is my office, Darling, and it is
interest, thanks to the mysteriously tra ie l here the board meets whenever there is im-
manner in which poor Pike Hunter had e-  portant business to be disposed of. You will
parted this life. ‘ join us?”

In spite of the general curiosity with which “ Why should I?" rejoined the detec-
lre wasregarded, Don Darling was not in- ltive not a little su risod. “I naturally
truded upon, nor, did any of the citizens see . supposed such meetings were sacred to
fit to address him as they might any other i members."
new-comer. It was this difference, too, i “As a rule, so the are,” with a faint
which made the detective feel most thor- ismile, as he unlocked . door and pushed
oughly how well his business was now ,it open for their convenience. “This is an
known to all Chloride City.  exceptional pceasion, though, and—please

There was little pomp or ceremony 0b,- ‘stef inside, Darling?”
served in pa 'ing the last rites to the murder. i No option being left him,' the detective
ed man. he surviving members of the .complied, and almost before he had time to
Silver Let: me. had taken char e of all, as a E take note,cf his present surroundings, a rap
matter 0 course, with the president, fat the door called attention that way, and
Mayor Eldridge, to lead the way and d'rrect ; giving admittance to Jerome Felton, the
matters. ; mayor ve him an introduction in due form

A prayer was read, a few words were :toDon arling.
spoken, a Volunteer choir gave a brief song; 3 Although he had noticed this person while
tken the plain coffin was lifted b the graVc- § mixed up in the. tragedy of the past evening,
faced mourners, Ransom Eldri go walking Darling had paid him little attention at the
in front of them as the Other members of the ‘ time, and it now seemed pretty much like
Leaguo bore their dead friend out to where , inspecting a complete stranger.

a wagon was in‘ waiting. ‘ , creme Felton, whom Eldridge had hunted

In silence the mayor took the detective’s as his “side-partiner” or particular chum
arm, and with the procession falling in be- ,during the prospecting tour which ended
hind them, the journey was made to the i with tbediscoveryofthenow famous Climax,
cemetery, where a red pit yawned for its ; wasa man of probably flve-and-thirt years
pray. I, V. iof age, with a touch of frost marking his

he ceremonies here were still briefer than 1 black hair.
they had been at the hotel, consisting simply g In build he was broodrnnd burly, evident-
of a few words in, turn from each member of ly gifted with more than common p?ysical
wers, yet quick motioned and ligh upon
is feet. ’

His complexion was dark almost to smith-
ilness, but clear and“ indicative of perfect
. health. His eyes were black as his hair, and
' he wore no beard of any cut, his strong—~ face
, bearing a dim iikcness'to the portrait of the

ridge. Followin his exam 1e, each sur-5
vivor solemnly p edged .hist me and encr-

When the end was reached, and Ransom
Eldridge was in the act of l'esvin the ve-
side, the tall, elegant figure 0 the ilver
Horn Sport step before him, bowing , famous Corsica, Nopohon.
gravely, then spec in‘g:  The next member toarrive was introduced

.“CanI have a we , with you now, Mr. :ss .Orced Wallace, personal appear-

s of Eldridge?” i once well his surname: both were
“ With pleasure, Mr. Freestone.” { pug? Beach. I ‘ ‘-
" Thanks. What Ihave to will not nDnrling felt a little disap ointment

detain you long,” giving a quick, keen lwhen, as their hands met over .
glance around as thou h to note how many jduction, the new-comer addressed him in
“About the janything but the broad Doric he had ex-
imax, then; of course poor Hunter held at ;' ected: it seemed an intentional mm , to
; ear oneofsuch muksdchnmctaiscimm
"He held one share, yes,” with a sit ht. ;; without the faintest moo/of accent, r
bow, his face secmin to harden ashe loo ed ; hi bland or lowland. w .‘
squarely into thosebue e 'es. i all, gaunt, rawboned; sand ban- and
“And that share will disposed of, as g freckled moo; long ' narrow , with
«filters have been under somewhat similar vmighty nose and sienmmious chin; that
circumstances, sir ?” I summed up Cred Wallace, so far as outward
Ransom Eldrid e drew back a bit ,at this 5 mnth went. , -

‘ members come in to

[ her. two in number.
a ' Fund were introduc-

tinge of deeper color came into his face as
to the stranger from

col i made reply:

stone, until a ter_our next regular meeting 
is held.” , ‘ . hold; his blue eyes learned full pf laughter,

" When will that meeting take place, if I l and if their master no not inhuman
frank, full of life and cod spirits, en .
At the call of the gresident.” ‘ general appearance to lies. ’

As pretty much all hloi'idc City if w he
who pronounced these words was that me . mtg,
ofilcial, this took the shape of a decided re- thi

'hably a year or two short of hih
e, to hazard a guess.-

t intro- -

Shortly sfterward‘thc last of the surviving '

Neil Vance was the youngest of the com;

 

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. necessary

  

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m. ....r: .9-

Don;

 " ’

 

His hair, mustache and imperial all were
black as the plumage of a recently moulted
crow, and the manner in which they were
, kept hinted at something of a dandy.

His face was ham some beyond the
ordinar , but to acritical observer it bore
too OVlt ent marks of dissipation to be entire—
ly pleasing.

It was with something more than the in.
stinct which seems inseparable from his pro-
fession that Don Darling looked at these
men, summing them up pretty much as has
been here set down.

They were members of the League which
had already lost nearly one-half of its
membershi ), and since at least three of those
one-time allies had perished by the hand of
the secret assassin, it was no easy matter to
refrain from wondering who was doomed to
fall next?

With the arrival of Vance and Shelton the
gatherin was complete, and though one or
two of t t number cast half-uneas looks
toward the Denver Detective when I nsom
Eldridge rose to his feet and cleared his
throat, none of them saw fit to object to
that outsider being present.

“Gentlemen, and fellow-members," began
the president of the League, in grave,
measured tones. “ Once more we are called
to assemble here, by the loss of a member in
good standing at the time of his death. For
the third time, and all within the limits of a
sin is year!”

is voice grew husky as he made that an.
nouncemcnt, and a slight, nervous stir took
place among the members. .

“ I will call for a full and free expression
on that point later on, gentlemen, as well as
say a few words myself," added the presi-
dent his tones growing hard and metallic,
but in that manner alone betrayin the emo-
tion which it was perfectly ustyaf he should
feel under the circumstance . “ For the

1 present, we will proceed in regular order.

“It is hardly necessary to remind you
under what terms and conditions we hold
our membership in the Silver League. You
all know what the rules as in regard to
sellifig or otherwise dispo ng of Climax
stoc .

“ Yesterday, there were nine shares, re-
presented by six shareholders. The number
of shares remain the same, as they always
must, but one shareholder has passed over,
leaving as a part of our sworn duty—this !”

Then, abruptly changin his grave
manner to one more business. ike, the presi-
dent put the question which all were expect-
in : who claimed the share of Climax stock
is by Pike Hunter? .

You know the terms. entlcmen: market
price, with cash on the us] where there are
0311 heirs known to be in erdstence. There
ares in this case, and the purchase money
will turned over to them without un-

delay." .
The members looked at each other, shifts

ing’ uneasily on their seats, seeming in no

grcathastotoaddtothe burdens ywere

already carryin . And so. to expedite
matters, the p out spoke tq‘each in turn,
takin them as they sat, beginning at his

‘ r! ht d.
, qI’his selection brought Jerome Fulton-last

on the list, st he wastheflrstonetoad-
Vance a postive claim for the pending

M _ ,
'7 1’“ take it, with a thank-ye thrown 13,".

 his d I blufitone. “It‘swort all
. ‘ the mogcy.  in rains with each

"Little that mom a, though
body has to leave it—as Pike {luster

 

 left his share!” gloOmily m Creed we.

lace. ,
“When I lave mine, life will go at the

same Rams,” coldly declared Felton, “and

after a man’s dad, .wlnt matter the rest?"
Before more could be said, the president

, 5.;
“I must let on In his Felton.
Your claim hg'lds ‘toyonre‘Squ butthe

s in my name from this

i do on.” . s v. .
"L  was no objection raised to this. for

all was working according to rule: and with

I that matter finally disposed of. Ransom El-
*  once more addressedth usembly’

t‘ or the third time—«omit.tin1g:heas yet
unexplained disc penance of . vid Ash.
palsy-we are

 

t
_ , I

ilish deed of murder most foul!" he began,
in tones rendered deeper than usual by pow-
erful emotion.

a ainst us? Why is it that only members

or for bullet?

who hope thus to frighten us into selling
out or abandoning the Climax? Or—is it
the black and murderous work of a sworn
avenger?"

“ Touch lightly, Eldridge!” sharply cut
in Jerome I! elton, pointing his meaniirfr
further by a swift glance and nod toward
the man from Denver. “ We’re not alone,
remember, man!”

“ Not alone, but all the better prepared to
cope with our secret enemies for this com~
pan , Felton," responded the mayor, with a
smi e as he bowed toward the detective. “ I
have confided fully in Mr. Darling, and m
reasons for so doin r ought to be clear enough
without actual eXp mations.”

“ I was merely acting on our old rule, sir,”
a bit stitily rctorted the burly member of the
Silver League.

“ You were right in so acting, and I owe
an apology to the members for not posting
them in advance. Yet ’tis not too late to
make amends.

” At our last meeting I was authorized to
negotiate with Denver authorities for a first-
class detective. I did so, and Mr. Darling
came in answer to my request.‘

“I have told him all about the trouble we

cast upon this uglg) affair. Why wouldn’t.
I, then? If he is to 001' service to usin this
case, he surely ought to know all that we
can tell him?"

“If an member objects to in presence, I
am pe ectly willing to wit 1draw, sir,”
goldly declared the etective, rising to his

eet. '

“You will remain, Mr. Darling,” almost
sternly said the president. “ We have noth-
ing to conceal from you, and had I not been
too .badly tiustercd over this terrible affair,
to properly attend to my duties as head of
this board, never a whisper would have been
lifted against your attendance here and
now.”

“ I withdraw m ob action, and express
my regret that I sai aug tto raise a breeze,”
more cordially spoke up Jerome Felton.

“Then all is ri rht, and I’ll add this: I've
told Darling of t s woman avenger, and I
repeat: I bds'ou the is killing ofthe 1”

CHAPTER XVI.
'rrrn SILVER ansn’s wansrne.

IT was the day after the funeral, when the
mortal remains of Pike Hunter were “ plant-
ed on the hillside. ”

Ethel Reeves was alone at her cabin home,
standing at the front door, gazing half-
dreamily out across one cornero the “truck
patch,” toward the rising ground which
eventually became a  and forbidding
range of mountainous a tit de. -

It was one of those lovely days when it
seems a sacrilpge to remain cooped up with-
in doors, and as she had no pressing house-
hold duties to occupyemind or hands, just
then, it was not lo fore the really fairy-
like little maiden eclded upon taking a
leisurely stroll With her own thoughts for

mWany. \
ith one who lived after such a modest
fashion, it did not take 8 ve ‘ lon time to
make those preparations; a b of nee into
the little mirror has ng against he wall, a
donning of a slattet~ sunbonnet, then Ethel
Reeves stepped across the threshold, shut-
ting the door behind her, but taking no fur-
the recsutions against lawless intrusion.
ere were no tramps about Chloride
City, and as for robbers—they would hardly
think to 53w wealthy over what ‘they might
find ih t humble cabin of stic s and

sea!
WAlthough Ethel kept moving slowly in
the ssmedirectio , it could hardy be that
she had y particular destination in view,
so far as er movements would indicate.

She seemed‘lost in than ht, not. all of
which were 'on leassnt su jccts, judging
from her quivc ng lip and half frown at
times; for nowthatrthe shelter of the moun-

 

 

routacd by a dark and dev-

  

‘Vsd back‘h‘er  letting  rest upon her

“Who is it that deals such (hardly blows .
o the Silver League seem marked for knife 5.

“ Is it the work of some devilish schemch I’

have had, and giVen him all the light I could‘.

Mn attained.,Ethe1 had push- l

r

shoulders, held simply from falling by the
A knotted strings beneath her chin.
" Very lowly the little maiden looked just
then, in spite of her troubled face, and So
1 held he whose eyes had caught that light“
hued dress from a goodly distance, ever
3 since stalking her as cunnineg as ever
experienced sportsman stalked the wary
{ buck.
! ,lanittingly. so busy was she with her'
j thoughts, Ethel wzmdercd from the smoother
more open ground, into a sort of defile, the
rocky walls of which were low, yet forming
an awkward barrier for a woman to cross in
case the ncccssity should arise.

Seeing this, and knowing that the maiden:
could not escape him without turning back,
the man who had followed her for some lit--
tle distance, now quickened his steps, and.
used less care about deadening his footfalls-

As he came near, Ethel caught those
sounds, and turnin r swiftly, she flushed
Warmly and utterc( a low exclamation as
she recognized the intruder.

“ Mr. Vance!”

“What’s the matter with Neil, Ethel?"
uickly asked the member of_ the Silver-
lulguepdmwing still nearer, both hands go-
in out as though to clasp one or both of hch.

nstead of yielding her hand, Ethel drcw
both back with a nervous motion, at the-
same time murmuring:

“You frightened me, sir, coming up so
suddenly when I—plcase let me pass, Mr-
Vancel'

His rejected hands spread out as though-
to bar the wag, and while there was a smile

i upon his dar ly handsome face, there surely
was none in his lowing eyes.

“Oh, come, Ethel! Don’t be in such a.
mighty rush, just because I’ve happened to
find you out here where it’s socozy fora
little friend] chat! Or—is it just because:
of that? Is t my coming that sends you to-
ward home in such a mighty rush, Miss
Reeves?”

He could not withhold that flash of fierce
temper, although he had resolved to act with
more than customary prudence.

“I don’t—no, but I must—J have work to
do at home, sir,” the maiden faltcred, shrink-
in again as he moved 'clOser to her.

er face spoke far plainer than she could
sha her tongue, however, and Neil Vance
co d not help seeing that with her fear was
min led an even less acceptable emotion: she
loa the touch he was offering!

Yet, seeing this so plainly that it set his
naturally hot blood fair! on' fire, the man
would not take his po on, but still more
doggedly resolved to dare all and learn the
very worst that‘woman's lips could mete out.

to man.

Something in his face frightened Ethel
still further, a‘nd she made as thou h she
would him by, to return home; at in

laceo moving aside, Neil Vance barred
liar way still more utterly, attha some time
speaking rapidly: ' ‘ ' -

“Not just yet, Ethel. It's come to be a
mighty hard matter for a fellow like me to

ct more than a passing squint at you. of
ate days; and now that a streak of luck has
come in way, I reckon I’d be worse than a
fool if didn’t freeze fast to it i"

“ When father—if you would wait until-3

"It’s you I want, ahd not your father;
little lady,” cut in the manwith sshort, hard
laugh at the idea thus suggested. “And
what is it! want of you most, Email ,Guess
-—tell mes—try to guess, won’t you?"

No need to guess, after one lance into
those lowing eyes, and e mi en shrunk
swa , owing head an covering face with
han s which trembled ith tire fear.

She had long su ted t

,—

t Neil Vance V

had fallen desperate v in love with her, but "

up to this day he had never treated  save
with respect, after his rough-omewhat un—
couth fashion. . , _

But now—oh. why had she ventured so
far away from the home where she would be
perfectly safe from such as this?

EVen new the man did not press his ad.
van ’ too far. ’ He clasped both hands he
hind 15 back, the bettertoresiu tempta-
tionbgl’though he still barred the way with
his . v '

“ Binge you refuse toeven into guess,
~‘ Epic], I’ll tell you "

' “ No. please
what+don’t, Mr. Vance!” . -

 

 

   

don’t! l’d rather not hear, . n

 

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as.“

  

 

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,‘ “swamp/M 1 

 

a“;
"'v‘R

 

 

 

 

 

 

‘ maiden was beyond his reach

 

 

 

 

“I hate to go flat against you, Ethel,"
with his tones growing’harder and more
dogged, “but I’ve got to do it this time.
There’s no telling when I'll have another
chance, you’re so confoundedly—but I’ll not
begin too mighty rough, little lady!”

There wasa brief silence, which Vance

‘ evidently hoped might be broken by the

maiden in a more agreeable fashion, but as
she maintained her attitude, he began once
more:

“ It‘s old news I’m telling you, Ethel, for
I haven’t worn a mask on 'my face all the
time, and I've come to loving you so terrible
hard that you couldn't help seeing it, even if
you were plum’ blind!"

Ethel Reeves lifted her head and dropped
her hands, now that the decisive wprds had
been spoken. Her face showed marks of
tears, but the moisture was swiftly drying
away before her growin anger.

" have seen it, Mr. once, and I’ve done
alla poor girl wuld do to make you see how
vain—”

“Don’t you,say it, Ethel!" half in anger,
half implorin ly. “I'm a rich man, or I
will be when l sell my stock in the Climax.
I’ll sell out and take you away from here. to
live as a lady, in silk and satin and  and
-—why, dear girl! I’ll just smother you all
over with fine things—and my (one, little
lady l),

It was an odd mixture of vanity, menace,
love and coaxing, but‘ Ethel saw only the
disagreeable features, and she made a gesture
of repugnance which could not be misinter-
preted.

“I care nothing for all that, sir, and I
wouldn’t marry you if you were made of
gold and diamonds! Now—1d me pass, I
so !" ’

)‘I' For another lover, is it?" his fierce tem-
per breaking bonds at last, and his grip
closing upon her arms so viciously that Eels
drew a sharp cry from her lips. “ ed
Freestone, perhaps? I’ve seen him skulkin
near the cabin, buts—look you, Ethe
Reeves,” his white teeth showing viciously
under the shadow of his jetty mustache.

“ I’d murder you before I'd see you marry
any one but Neil Vance! I tell on now,
and I tell you mighty hard: I’ll ki l the man
who dares to take what I’ve failed to win!"

Unconscioust to himself, as it is only
charitable to believe. Neil Vance tightened
his cruel grasp until another cry of pain
broke from t e lips of the maiden, and
then—

“ Break away, there, Neil Vance! Hands
off, or go down a cripple for life!"

' and distinct came that warning, and
as the allow turned his head to glance partly
over‘ one shoulder in the direction from
vs a shiver.

t his brunt sharp] , for
he saw—0w atm- ’ y

She was masked. just as she was when
occupying her chair at the Silver Horn
fare-table, although a dark cloak was secured
to her shapely person: but what interested
Vanoevmost, just then, was the fact that
Madam Silver ‘had him linsd’ simply to
perfection.

"Release that young lady—so!” breaking
off with a change of note as Ethel, twisting
free from that relaxing grasp, brushed pan
her too persistent suitor, and hurried away in
the direction of her cabin home.

All this happened so swift! that the

fore Neil

Vance could even in part rally from that
utter surprise, and now, as though to cut off
an attornpt at pursuit on his part,

vet moved down to cover Ethel's traiL

"Lucky for you. sir.” coldl aid the Sil-
ver Queen, lowering her have ver, but still
kcepinfg it handy for use. “Had you hesi-
tated or even another second, I would have
shattered your right elbow."

" what right—” _ a

“The right of one woman to defend an-
other from insult or injury. you cravsnl”
sharply cut in that deep, mellow voice as the
Silver Queen moved slowly ofl in the direc-
tion taken by Ethel. “And if you molest
that child further, I'll shoot you as though
you were a mad-dog!” ~

. CHAPTER XVII. \
y m mvnn rust LIITID.
Mans: Sum partly rinsed her weapon

\

 

asthmatern warning crossed her lips, and

 

' !
hot though his rage was, Neil Vance flinch- 
ed perceptibly from before that deadly muz- !
zle .

“ If you wasn’t a woman!”

“ If I weren’t ’a woman, ou wouldn’t
dare, even to whine,” came t e coldly con-
temptuous retort. “ As it is, you may go
so far as to show your teeth, but that is the
limit you dare not attempt to cross.”

Since her first stepping to the trail left
by the fleeing maiden, Madam Silver had
kept in motion, steadily yet leisurely follow—
ing the same line Ethel Reeves had taken,
but never for an instant relaxing her guard,
or giving an impening which the rejected
suitor might take advantage of. ;

Neil Vance was nearly suffocating with
rage, for never had he met with a more
shameful humiliation than this. And the
worst of it all, now that Ethel had fairly es-
caped his importunities, was that he failed
tosee how he could turn the tables in his
favor.

Without actually burning powder in pub-
lic, the Silver Queen won a reputation
since coming to Chloride Cit for being
“dead game,"and one who won (1 “shoot at
the drop of a hat.”

Although her face was coveredby that
silver-woven mask, without which no one
in Chloride had ever seen her step abroad,
Vance knew that adam Silver was not
talking merel for e ect, but that she would
wing or slay im without scruple were he to
attempt anything like an assault.

Still, he could not refrain from spittin
forth at least a portion of his venom, a
while following that slowly receding shape,
he said:

“ If you’re doing all this for Freestone—”

“I'm doing this to protect an innocent
girl against a vicious cur, who ought never
to be rmitted within barking distance of
one hke Miss ReeVes,” came the cold re-
tort.

Neil Vance\ turned almost ghastly pale
with rage, and hoarser cried as he made a
fierce gesture with his tightly-clinched fist:

“ I'l play even for all this, if it takes my
life to get there!"

“ Stop!" and her pistol flew up in line
with his face. “ You have come too far,
and said 'too much, Neil Vance. Now—last
call! If you dare to molest Ethel Reeves
again, I swear that you shall die as you have
so far lived—like a car I"

The ounger me her of the Silver League
flinche again. e could ‘read death glow-
ing in those dark eyes, and in spite of» his
fierce anger, he could not dare more: at bot.
tom he was a coward, after all!

As though she saw all this, Madam Silver
for the first time turned back upon the fel-
low, moving rapidly away in the same direc~
tron taken by the mountain maiden, betray-
ing no fear of an assault or even a snapshot
from the discomiited lover.

Yet her mution was not entirely east aside.
Her right hand still grasped pistol-butt, and
she cast ire uent glances, backward to take
note of his oings. ‘ V .

Neil Vance made no move toward follow;
ing the Silver Queen, and when a sit ht bend
in the trail threw a Vine-clad how r be-
tween them, he was still where left, head
lhowcd and white teeth-gnawing at his red

[1.

The instant her leisurely movements cer-
ricd her out of his sight, Madam Silver
s run into swift motion, passi around
t t do and winning a {first from
whence she could command that spot. her-
self unseen by the enemy. . ' ‘

For the s ace. of more thana full minute
the Silver ueen watched Neil Vance, with
each moment expecting him to initiate some
movement calculated to lay even for his
defeat; but when the fe low sunk down
upon a low rock. covering face with hands,
she abandoned that expectation, and dimly
stole away. .

“ Cowcd for the time being. but—the girl
ought to know—the old man shOuld be pmg,
upon his'gnard! Will the tell him?” ’ *

Evidently Madam Silver had her doubts
on this point. for after a barely percsfdblc
hesitation, she quickened her steps an pro-
adcd directly to the cabin home of Reuben

ves. . _

The door was closed and the house appear-
ed entirely deserted when tin malted we.
man «tame in sight, of the place, but  sin

A

 

.wr

drew near the front, the door swung oen
and Ethel Reeves showed herself, unstea ily
speaking her thanks.

“ I couldn‘t stay to see—I was so frighten-
ed! But I thank you, oh, so much! I was
afraid—he wouldn’t let me go! I thank you
——I can never tell you lww gratefully,
ma’am!"

Madam Silver made no answer, nor did
she try to out those plainly embarrassed
thanks short. With dark eyes fixed upon
that face with a strange intentness, the wo.
man moved slowly nearer, until, Ethel
giving way as before an irresistible force,
she crossd that threshold and stood within.
the cabin home.

Ethel was beginning to grow frightened of
more than Neil Vance and his unwelcome
pleadings, but fazlng that safety lay in talk,
she repeated her thanks, until the masked
woman out her short b ' an imperious ges-
ture with one silvercl hand.

That member and its mate dropped lightly
upon the maiden’s shoulders. an for half a
score moments the Silver Queen closely
scanned that gradually paling face, like one
who is trying to trace a certain likeness:
which, do all one might, persisted in evad-
in that quest. '

little marvel, though, that- actions like
this should cause the girl uneasiness, if not
actual fright.

This was the first time she had ever. been
so close to the Masked Mystery, but Ethel
had heard much concerning the Silver Queen,
and not all that was told had been in her
favor.

As though bathed in her hope, whatever
that might be, or else recognizih the
terror she was giving birth to,
Silver dropped hands from Ethel’s shoulders,
and drew back a pace, though without shift--
in her painfull}r intent gaze.

fi‘hen, with a swift movement, Madam
Silver lifted that cunnineg woven mask
from over her face, and tnrmn so as to er-v
mit the clear light entering at t e open oor‘
to fall athwart that visage, she spoke:

“ Look, Ethel Reeves?“ Look close and
carefully, ‘I pray you! Now—have, you\
ever gazed upon this face before?” ‘

Awed, almost fascinated by that poorly
disguised passion, the maiden obeyed, but.
when that question came, she shook her
head in negation. -. »

“ I never saw you before.‘ma’am.” .

A swift change shot into that face,'bnt was
as quick] banished. And once more
Madam Siver spokctothe rl: ‘ a

“ ‘ —-take your time, ' tle one! I can
Wait— have grown accustomed to waiting
—long and o , so patiently! Now-honor-
more: try to remember—now!" '

But Ethel shook her head, shrinkingwa
a little, for those dark eyes seemed strangely '
fire-lit fora face which seemcdcold and

composed as though out out of marble, just. i
n

the

Again the Silver ueen seemed to recog-r
nize the error intonhich her
had outlier, sndforcingasmlistohsrpalc.
face. she said, in deep, mellow, sweat tones;

"My face-lookonce more, liar Reeves. '
Now-dossitawaken no memory! Does it I
notralindyouotsomoone,ous either

t .

“‘Nol idon'tr—ézou frighten moi” ‘

it was

mask trembled perceptibly. She sprung
across the room to the open front door,
clutchingitsed as she peered manner,
other hand part y drawin a revolver. '
anA “‘23” mini“ mum ' i an"
verturn to t the ' E, *,
appearing, and her voice sounding 
even as ever when she uttered: X"
“I thought I heard a» p, haul-must

.havebeenmistaken. 'lcou seenothiagof.
that cur, and so—'-iet Neil Vance rest for the“,

flmebfigthoughl’f . s 

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ver had fairly well covered. over her pow é.
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- success.

Ethel was frightened, hardly less so than
she had been when finding herself cornered
by the man whose fierce love she had béen
evading for weeks past.

Knowing nothing concerning this strange
being save what rumor had brought to. her
ears. the maiden could hardly be expected
to feel at ease in such a. presence, even after
falling so deeply in her debt.

But those dark eyes held such a strange
fire! Something vaguely terrifying seemed
to lurk back of that pale, still beautiful, yet
awe-inspiring visage from which the silver

. mask was lifted for her sake alone.

Thus it came to pass that the maiden un.
' consciously batiied the matron, and her eager-
. mess to win growing stronger with each dc.
feat, Madam Silver made her questions more
.and more pointed, growing so wholly ab-
;sorbed in that pursuit as to entirely tail of
-, noticing the sound of rapid footsteps on the
' beaten ground within the cabin.

Reuben Reeves caught the sound of that
. mellow voice before he was quite to the door,
but though he paused-for an instant to make
2 sure his trained cars had not deceived him,

‘he could not believe without further evi-
‘ deuce.

Stepping silently forward, he stood upon
‘his threshold, sternly gazing upon the little
tableau thus presented. '

Madam Silver had just put one of her
pointed questions, and was waiting for an

. answer, when Ethel, whose face was toward
'the door, caught sight of her father, and
uttered a low, glad cry.

Dro pin the string of fresh trout which
.he ha unt l then held in his hand, Reuben
Reeves strode between the two women, so
unevenly matched as to sizé, age and expe-
rience, on arm going around Lthel’s waist,
the other lifting with a passionate gesture
as though to warn the Silver Queen back.

Her eyes betrayed her anger at this inop-
Rortune arrival, but she only pronounced

is name. ‘-

’ “ That's me, ma’am,” said the old hunter,
with forced calmness. “ This is my shack,
au’ h ar—tltt's 1': my child!”

“ ave I worked harm to either one, Rou~
hen Reeves?” ‘ ,

The old man cleared his throat, which
seemed unusually clogged just then. He
made a slow gesture, then slowly spoke:

“ I'm an old trapper, ma’am. Mebbe
you’ve hearn some hint that way?"

“ I think I have heard something of the
sort, yes. But why?" -

“ An' bein' a old trap or, ma’am, 'tain’t to
be wondered at of a o d critter was to stick

' to ,old ways. And ao—shell I say it, ma’am?”

..¢ %  . I. h be M
“ at so pper moug t expect
. for to do of sech a thing was to turn up an'
‘ ’ or likely fer to come to pass, ma’am.
'. which is sorter like this, m‘o’am,” nodding
.his'whitc-aowned head at each word: .
“ When sold trapper ketehes thotluil of
1 painter oomin' too nigh his home-mm, to
Mini» ‘gwiud for to stop to ax is it a he. or a
.ahaafore he putts out to li ht, mafim!"-'
The Silver Queen listene to the and, with
that vivid ligéiggrowing in her dark eyesr
One far acute Could hardl have
ruffled cold hunter’s meani ,vahd dam
“Silver «Iii read Ms thinly va‘i ed threat. If
'it stirred or at til, it surely did not add
1 too her «honouring emotions, for her
r «was cold and arenas-ho spoke in her
*turn ’

herd, Reuben Reeves, but I row m
1th wolf away from yOur aheaptoid this
i

ids
xWhat’s that?” with a start, nd a quick

tremor entering his voice. “ You done what? I

“.What you mean; ma'am ?”
“ That before you waste time and breath
in throatenlng‘those- who seek only yOur
and the good of our daughter," one
waving totvard' t hidden, who still
clung closely to that gaunt figure, " you had
better gusr your own treasures!"

“ Ef Jon jest say what—~cara’t you,

. ’ami »- ‘ ' I
. hen Reeves spoke in far from steady
tones, just then and from an be had
.tttnod to vague leer. Madam s in: doubt-
. saw this. for when she spoke again her

'me'was more friQndly.

. I ~ ‘

l

""am not supposed to be ygln- shop.

5 Vance, Reeves. He is a cur, but even curs
can work serious injury if let run too long
and too far. ()nl this (lay—”

“Not you, ga ‘3” cried the old hunter,

face of his daughter.

rto bring forth lher past, but all with scanty I “ I can at least warn you to beware of Neil hev some to spare'. Yes, geckon mebbe I‘d

bending low to flash a keen look into the ‘
“Don’t tell me that;

he done you any dirt while I was off, tish- ‘

in‘?”

“No, but—he frightened me!" faltered
Ethel.

“The cussed whelp! I'll cut his fool
heart out cf he so much as dar’s to look
twicet at you, birdyi" sternly vowed the
Veteran.

“ Don’t let the Silver League hear you say
that, Reuben Reeves!”

CHAPTER XVIII.
rim srmnow or comma avatars.

MADAM SILVER pronounced the words,
and something in her tones gave the old
hunter quite a start. And, as he looked
keenly into that masked face, he could see
back of those silver threads a smile that
seemed sardonic in the extreme.

Reuben Reeves was granted barely time
for that one scrutinizing look, then the
Silver Queen turned and passed out of the
cabin. gliding swiftly away in the direction
of Chloride City. never once looking back,
never giving a sign to show that she caught
the cry which he sent after that receding
shape.

After that one vain call for more light, the
old hunter stood in his doorway, watchin
the Silver Queen until she passed beyon
his sight. And then, with an instinctive
glance around in all directions to make sure
nothing else had gone wrong, Reeves turned
back to his daughter.

Ethel was expecting this, and now that
the masked woman whose presence and ac-
tions had impressed her so curiously was
goneuthe girl felt both ablorand willing
to Confess all that happened her that day.

This Ethel did, holding nothing back, yet
making her parent believe that a little less
violence had been used by the angered
lover, than her flesh would have born out, if
exhibited. .

Reuben Reeves listened with set jaws and
frowning brows until the irl came to an
ending; and even then he d less than Ethel
had expected to hear.

“ You'd ought to’ve told me how the durn
fool was puslnn' of {e ag’inst yer will, birdy,
so ye bed, now! ‘f ’d 'a’ knowed what
was gwine on afore, mebbe this m'oughtn t ’a’
come to passi” _

“ I then his Icould freeze himotl’, daddy,”
murmured ‘thel, with a warm flush making
her piquant face even more attractive than
usna . , .

"‘ Men o’ M: sort hain’t so mighty easy
f riz, birdy. An’-—-I’ll rip his heart out of e
dost. to even but a eye at you ag’h}. Ethell

This was a blast of the actual the which
the old hunter was trying to keep hidden
from his child, and anno ed at his own
weakness, Reeves sprung his feet, saying:

“Thar; thar, birdyi Don‘t you worry
one woenty mite over what’s done pastan’

e by, now. Axial—the time to come-—
waal, 1 don’t reckon that Iyoung s'quirt‘ll be
quick to git over bein’ b ufled down by a
woman, an’ afore that euro is worked, meb-
be I'll have a fa’r chaince for to let him a lit-
tle hint drop—so to speak!”

“You’ll not get into a quarrel with Neil
Vance, daddy?’ implorin ly asked Ethel,
standing'hou tiptoe in 0 or to reach arms

neck ' '

around .
git into no mux with

 

“Conrad won’t
the likes 0' Neil Vance," loftilir sniffed the
old hunter. “Illa Lade E! hain‘t clean
for tall 'bout them trout!" '

tly removing those clinging hands,
Reuben Ream stooped to pckmp the
string of r‘speckled beauties " which he
had dropped ,on recognizing ‘ the Silver

m. .

With these in hand, {he passed throu h
the room to the little “bonito.” or “angi-
mer kitchen." where hung the saddle of a
yearlin buck. recently killed.

V... on I’ll wto 'em down to the more,
blrdy," he sai , thoughtfully. as Ethel fol-
lowed htm‘to tprlnitivestorehoule. “He

 

’iowod he a tooth what was ttin’ to
sorter hone 'sech chawia' an,’ I said
I reckoned mebbe I thought fix it We to

 

better mog ’Iong down that way. birdy!"

The very pains he took to lessen her fears
only Served to alarm Ethel more, and new
feeling certain her father meant to look up
Neil Vance, for a purpose which she feared
to even tell herself. she begged him to post-
pone the trip, if only for her sake.

Seeing that he might better act openly
and above board, Reuben Reeves gave Ethel
his pledge that he would not go out of his way
to find Vance. and even should a meeting
take place, that he would merely say 0.
Warning word against the fellow’s coming
about that place {for the future.

“ I jest ’lowed to leave sech a sober warn-
in‘ with Marc Eldridge, honey, but I reckon-
ed mebbe I‘d best git off ’thout lettin' you
know even that much, you’re so turrible
skeery!" ~

Now that all was made clear between them,
Reeves bade Ethel keep the cabin closed un-
til his return.

“ An’ of that blame fool should come skulk-
in’ ’round this ranch afore I git back, warn
him off, plain an’ solid, bird !’

“ If he refuses to go? I he should try to
get in, daddy?’

“ Thar‘s your gun, honey, an’ I reckon
you kin hit the bigness of a man, even of it's
shootin' at a cussed dog!”

After a few more words, the old hunter
took his burden of fish and game, moving
away in the direction of town, but casting
frequent glances around on all sides, as
though it would not greatly surprise him to
see Neil Vance before he should reach Chlo-
ride City. , - ‘

“ Better 11 , an’ so I‘m wishin’ I won’t,”
muttered th old hhnter, his gaunt jaws
squaring as his still keen eyes flashed another
look around. “Not fer his sake, though!
Burn the ornery whelp! Dast to scrape a
wing ’round m leetle pullet, hey?”

But Reuben ves saw nothing whatever
of the youngest member of the Silver League
while on his way to town, not even after he
had fairly entered that bustling place.

,Without stopping to talk or gossip with
those of his acquaintances whom he met-
and that list comprised pretty much all of
Chloridc’s citizens—the eat-trapper passed
through town and drew near to the neatly-
painted, well-kept residence of the mayor.

As revionsly stated, this building was
located)“ the edge of town, to the north,
and had a considerable space of unoccupied
ground around and in front of it.

Owing to this fact, then, Reuben Reeves
caught sight of Ms or Eldridge and another

erson, both sea ’ on the shaded )iazza in

rout of the house, some little time ‘fore he
came within speaking distance.

“ 'l‘har’s him, an’ yonderfithe constable
critter from down Denver;ways,«,l do reckon!”
mentally exclaimed the hunter, drawing his
shaggy brows closer over hiseyes as a shade.
“Fora fact! -7Wander, of; they’re talkin’ it
all over. an" gettin’ a reg! fer to
squelch that 'ar’ critter w o's kic up sech
a jtrhammered racket 0' late?"

A grim smile came into that lined and
weather-beaten countenance, but Reuben’s
long legs were swiftl carrying him nearer
the house. and he d see that hisapprmch
had attracted attention, so his face was
smoothed over for the occasion. ‘ _

“Welcome, old friend!” cordially called

out the mayor, while the hunter was still -

scrotal mds'distont. ‘ “ I knew you were on
the way. even before my eyes sighted you,
my .momh began watering so! Trout-—
venison—look at them, man, dear!" with an
to the Dandy fromDenvor. .
"’Peared like you was honin’ for some
sech chuck, boss. an’ so I never stopped for
to find arythin better,” indifferent] 3010-
ized Reuben eves, as he do the
sh and game on the piazza door; _ , ,
“ Who could ask for anything ($01,681:, I d
like-to know?” quickly exclaimed Eldridge,

pinching the venison and turning over the,

trout, to finally hold up the largest one for
Don Darling to admire.

Ifhis pa, wastowlnasmile ora
laugh from the old hunter, it was all labor
lost. Cold and’ rim, the Veteran waited un-
til hit patron' nished his rhapsodies long
enough to :ask the price, which was ‘im-
mediate ' '

n . I ,
“ Cheap enough. too!” declared the mover,
at once producing the sum named. " Will

 

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21

 

you contract to furnish a similar lot once a '
week, Reeves?"

“ Ef I've got so much to spar’, an’ nothin’
else don't happen fer to hender my eomin’,
sir, reckon your mone 's wu‘th as much as
ary other,” was the a most surly response;
but Eldridge did not seem easy to take of-
fense. this (111 '.

“I‘ll be only too glad to get it, old friend,

and as for the rest, why, man, dear, what is
likely to happen to a hearty old buck like
,on?" ‘
3 “Mebbe nothin’, mebbe a mighty sight.
But l‘ve got jest this much to leave you,
Ran. Eldridge: keep that that Neil Vance
from crowdin’ in whar he hain’t wanted, or
you critters of the Silver League may hev
to turn out fer ’nother berryin‘-bce!"

A swift change came into the mayor's face
at this gruff speech, and as though involun-
tarily he cast a quick glance toward the
Denver detective before speaking:

“ What has Neil Vance been doing to
anger you, Reeves?" '

“Too durn much, an’ leavin’ a plenty
over, at that!” came theblunt reply. “ lIe’s
bin pesterin’ my little gal, an' gittin’ wuss
when she done up an‘ :ole the fool’ critter he
wasn’t her sort; An’ so——-—kecp him ’way
from my shack, Eldridge, or by the Lord
that made me! I’ll kill him quick es I would
a hungry painter I ketched creepin’!”

That dark, troubled look passed away '
from the faceof Mayor Eldridge as he becran
to see the matter in its true light, and w on
he spoke again his tones were more concili-
aiorv:

“ You mean that Neil has been trying to
court your daughter, isn’t it, Mr. Reeves?"
“Which nuther she nur I don’t want it,

our we won’t lure it, nuther, yc want to -

ondcrstand, Mr. Eldridge!”

“Wait a bit, please, my dear sir,” stilll
more afiebly. “Of course i is a matter
beyon my jurisdiction, but I can’t help
thinki g that you may be acting just a. little
too h: stily, Reeves.”

“V hieh?”

“I’ve known Neil Vance for a goodly
number of years now, Reeves, and if any
man living is entitled to say a kindly word
for the youngster, that man stands in my
shoes. And 250— Will you listen, please?”

“ ’Twon’t do no good to listen, fur‘s I' kin

“ Vance is a smart, healthy, bright youn r
man, Reeves. He is more than well 0 ,
holding stock in the Climax, as ou know.
He can take care 'of a wife and amily, and
your daughter." , '

‘1 Is my fambly, Mr. Eldridge " curtly cut
in the old hunter. “She's all I’ve' it to
keer fer, now,‘an' so—cf 'twm her w sh to
take Neil Vance. I’d knuckle down ’ithout a
word; but 'tain’t.

“ She hates him like p’izen! She done told
him so, prittL much, this day that's here
now! An’ wouldn’t play white, but
ripped sn’ cuss nn’ swore he’d play even—
an‘ sech durn foolishness! An"so—ef I'was
to look him up to say it, sir, dumed of I
wouldn’t wipe him clean 01! o’ the face 0'
this airtlii’fl '

Passion choked the old hunter for the mo-
ment. but he quickly controlled that emo-
tion, and swiftly added:

“Neil Vance skeered an’ ’sulted my girl.
She's got the marks 0’ his dirty dogs rip
onto her arms this hol minnit! She (“5n
nay, nur she didn’t in 'em to me, but I
saw it with my own two eyes!

“ An’ that’s ritt much what fetched me
hynr now: to ve fo'r ‘ n', through

I t is, in chord
um

lieep that cussed fool ’wsy from my
gal, from me, from my shock or I'll set my
mark onto him so turrlbie deep that time
nur eternity cain't wi that totem out!”

Without pausing or an answer, the old
hunter turned about and moved swiftly off,
leaving the mayor frowning darkly as he
stared after. '

Ransom Eldridge did not alter his atti~
tude until Reuben Reeveshsd beyond
his range of vision; but then, with s ong-I
drawn gh. he turned to meet ,the grave,"
in airing look of the Dandy from Denver.

mayor shook his head slowly as he .
resumed his lost. but it was fully 11 minute -
before his lips ported, to utter: ' i
“I’m more than sorry this has happened,

 

just now! If Vance had only waited until
——well, of course I’ll have to put a stop to
any further movements in that quarter.”

" Will Mr. Vance acknowledge your
authority, though?" quietly asked

into his handsome face.

“He will—he must!” stemly asserted the
mayor, frowning darkl . “ l on heard what
the old fellow said? ell—we can’t afford
to lose another partner so soon!”

“ You surely don’t think Reeves would
kill Vance?” "

Eldridge gave a swift, fierce gesture, his
strong face seeming almost convulsed for
the instant. And his voice was hoarse and
husky as he spoke in turn:

“ 'l‘hink‘,’ i don't know what to think,
man alive! Is it a killing crime for a young
man to tell a girl he’s in love with her?”

“ Surely not, but when the girl declines to
recipromte 1’”

“I know. You think Vance ought to
swallow the dose, and fall back to give place
to some swain more hi hly favored. But——

Don ,

Darling, with the shadow of a. smile coming l
. pare feathe stroll through town.
A it

 

is this anything more t tan a slim excuse for
downing another member of the SilVer I
League?”

Don Darling gave a slight start, and al-
most repeated 11 former sentence: !

“ You don’t think Reeves would murder 
him, Eldridge?”

“ I‘m almost just thinking. Darling!” 
with a fierce gesture. “I only know that;
the League is four men less, now, and—how
have they gone? You explain that, Darling,
and I’ll pay you your own price! Four men
less, and now—is Neil Vance to be theflfth
victim?” '

 

CHAPTER XIX.
MAKING A DUTY TOUR.

‘

IT was the evening of the second day fol-
lowing the warning given Ransom Eldridge
b Reuben Reeves, for the benefit of Neil

ance. - '

Now,as then, Don Darling was seated cozily
upon the roofed porch, a fragrant cigar be-
tween his teeth, but for the minute having
only his own thoughts to keep him com-

any.

’l‘hese thou hts formed a rare mixture, in
which self-so sfaction hardly filled the most -
prominent position.

The Denver Detective had cut precious
little tune to waste since his arrival in ,
Chloride City, yet now as he leisurely ran _
all points in review, he certainly could not
flatter himself on having achieved a very
flatter-in degree of success.

Still, he had not made any great pro-
gress, he felt fairly well assured that he had
overcome some to nor obtacles which might
have given another man greater trouble, even
if they had not proved suflicicnt to lead that
man wholly astray. .

_ e more cheesy Don Darling looked into
this fish of the liver League and its uri-
ous tragedies, the more sure] it horned up
as a. deep and carefully laid pint

He admitted that much to Ransom El-
dridge on] a short time before, but when
the ms or gen pressing him hordl unto
just W at discoveries he had made, n what
shape his sue clone were now taking, the
Dnndy from )enver “ cried ofl." ,

“ It’s ads you want. not tandem/proofs.
not bilities, my dear sir, and, just now,

 

I have nothing 0! first description to otter spin

terious murders, and how busily he was seek-
ing some tangible clue to the silent slayer.
Something of all this was lmsying the
brain of the Denver Detective this evening
as he sat smoking, for his host had only re-
cently passed into the house in order to pre~

uty tour“ the mayor had lightly
put it, with a quaint quip and airy jest as f
to the wide difference between the same '
office when held east or west.

“ That means a glance at the elephant, of
course,” mused Darling, as he sat waiting;
and before his mental vision uprosc the tall,
white-robed figure of the Silver Queen.

Passing time had only deepened the in-
terest which he had from the very outset
felt in Madam Silver, and while he was by
no means fully convinced that in the presid-
ing goddess of the Silver llorn was to be
found that secret slayer, Don Darling did'
feel almost assured that the woman in mask
would prove to be deeply jinterested in the
solution of that death-riddle.

“ I’d give a pretty penny to win an unin-
terrupted talk of mlf an hour with this
Silver Queen, and—why not? I’ll do it, or
know— Ah, Eldridge!”

The return of the host cut that musing
short, and as the mayor looked closer into
the face of the detemive, all traces of those

1 absorbing thoughts had faded away.

’

“lt'sa bit early, yet,’ said the mayor,
sitting sideways on the piazza railing, his

' foot swinging free as the arm on that side-

passed around the slender post against
which his head was now leaning. “ And—-
I sa ', Darling!”

“ ’ou have my gracious permission, sir,”
graVely answered the Dand ' from Denver.

“Thanks, awfully i” wit 1 a low, amused
chuckle. “ You’re. a mighty si'rht better
fellow than I expected to see, when my re--
quest for a detective was filed, Darling.”

“ Shall I salaam, sahib?"

“And that makes me feel so much more.
at case when, as now, I sim ly hare to take:
an hour of! duty!” declared t e mayor, with
a gradual dropping of the mask which, as in
duty bound, he customarily wore in public:

“ I’ve led a free, active, blunt life, '01:
understand? As a rule, I’ve wom my co ors
where any man could spell them out for the.
bare trouble. And so——Well, when a man
who’s had a training of that sort, finds him-
self dum into a nest hole where he
can’t— rling, if I con dn’t break away
from masks and lots and devil’s secrets.
once ins while I’ either go mad or kill—-
myself, or a better fellow l”

“ You’re thinking too steadily over this:
mystery, Eldridge.

“Too muc !” echoed the mayor, coming
down upon h s feet and uniting the air with.
his tightly clinched list. "How can it be.-
too much, while those r lads are still un-
even d? While the infernal assassin still
runs lter-free! While—oh, if I could only
-—only-—"’

Rsnsom Eldridge broke of, turning sway-

tho len .of that rch.
Don ling e no move to follow him,
nor did he soy ought. Rl ht or wrong, he

believed it was wisest to ct the man sully

u . ,
a“ Mm ea  er '-
ute y ore nsorn ge
mtnood

his steps, s’uint smile upon his '

face and his tones calm and even no he spoke

you." ‘7 We're ml birds, out here, Bolling,
The resident of the Silver League sc- when you spot; of the best end ofthc night.
oepted t rebufi with good st once And so—reckon we might on well get a move
letting the, point drop, sen-i declaring on?” .. {mom

that, as it matter of_ course. . Berlin
knew his trade best; but then he roposed !
that the both “take an eve ng of,”
frankly coloring: ,

“ I’m beginning to feel this steady stain
too severe , Darling. I must‘iet go all
holds ’ for once, on——. Well, I reckon you
can understand what it is I Inesn;hetter.‘
than I can tell you?” '

Dc did understand, and acid as much.

Although hohad 5 room ensued at The
Grand, he hadmsde little used it, yblding
to the solicitations of the mayor, and shep-
ing as well as taking his meals at the house.
And being thus thrown so much into his
society, the detective knew better than say
other in Chloride City how constantly Ren-
som Eldridge was brooding over those ms!

 

 

“ “Eliot’s for you to Icy," but?
his sent an? pattinggtgn til;I hnt‘w had
been i ' n e w e.

“'lfhi'll‘ make s start. then,” declared”
Eldrid e, lesvingthe pious and movin to.
ward town. pro r u soon us ing-
' his side. “ s shit odd toyou,
maybe, but don’t forget that treat isn’t «it, .
nor a. mining-camp a metropolis!" , I

“ I’ve noted I. point or two durum, i’or 
s tact.” drily. , _ ,

“Just sol had there are mayors, and

mayors. my friend! Take it out here, end 2. 1 ’

nu orisaspecicsofpublicpro rtynndif 
hey-etc sny differentlny t e ordinsry
spahhsisstonce set down upumngon
mm»m:mmnm.muythe-
veryleu.”

 

 

 
 

“MM-m his»,
’ ' ~.’,, ’,.;.

u may,

 

.,,,,c ,....s, 5.,   , u
‘l.

1

n, the" “Denver DeteCtive.

 

 

 

 
 
 

In a half-earnest, half-sarcastic way, Ran-
som Eldridge rattled on in this manner
while the two men were moving toward
the main portion of the town, and as the
 illuminated sign of the Silver liorn was
sighted, he frankly owned up to a renuine
touch of the gambling fever, and ad ed:
, “ You can look on and take notes if
«1'. ' nothing else, Darling. As for me, I feel
’ that nothing less than the ripple of cards
and clink of coin and chips can cool my
fever. And that’s no lie, either, although

you are trying to make believe it’s all a

craz jest!”

With a 'pause at the bar barer long
enough to order drinks and empty the
glasses, Mayor Eldridge passed on into the
card-room, where they found pretty much
the habitual'crowd gathered, even though
their first glance showed them the Silver

’ Queen was absent.

Fred Freestone filled the dealer’s seat at
the table which Madam Silver took charge of
when dealing, and finding a seat at this
table, Ransom Eldridgeoat once plunged into
play, betting heavily and'with seeming reck-
lessness.

He took his placeswhen a deal was draw-
ing near its end, and instead of watching
the “run of the cards” while waiting for

- :a fresh shuflie and start, the mayor barely
took a com rehensive glance at the case, then
«dropped 3 bets to’ suit the cards yet un-
drawn.

Ap arently Fred Freestone did not rec0g-
nize t is new-comer, for he, gave no sign to
that shoot, even when glancin across the
table when the deck was shufli and slipped
into the box for a new deal.

Now, as he had begun, Eldridge bet with
:a parent rashness, using old and notes in
' ace of the re ulation c ips; but as Don
'Barling grew nterested in watching this
' new phase in the character of his employer,
he saw that underneath lay a method, and
then he knew, what he had begun to suspect,
that at heart Ransom Eldridge was a .con-
firmed gambler.

’ Dame Fortune showed no particular favor
~ ‘to either side, but when the box was
em ty again, if anything the ms or was a
litti; ahead of the game: An then, in
. 7 obedience to a quiet signal made while wait-
' .ing for those who saw fit to attemp “ catcho‘
'ing the turn,” a slender, pale-faced gambler
.' slip' into the chair which the proprietor
«of, 3 Silver Horn vacated at the end of the

deal. I
 Ransom Eldridge frowned a bit at this
change, and said nothing, and continued his
,pla ,just the same. If anything, fate ran
' ‘st more evenly, and there could not have
been more than a few dollars difference one
way, on the other, when Eldridge - finally
pushed back his chair, with a muttered ejac-
‘ulation of disgust. '

 “ It's like taking from one pocket to. cram
'into the other!” he declared, apologetically,
to the assembly quite as much as to his im~
mediate com' nion, the'lhndy'hom Den
_:ver. ;“’I’ve girl, down enough to buy a re:
,3. ' his mine, .and taken up about the same
,. lie. And that makes mighty poor sport
for... fellow when he feels just ii 0 making
orbreaking!"
.  Darling raised no objections tomov-
<ing ironstone neither Madam Silver nor Fred
Freestone were visible about the Silver
“Herupond after another brie; use at the
' where yer dridge l a. olden
“for the good of the house,” t 0 two
ssed into the outer air. ' ' *
 “ lither now?” asked the detective, but
.  ,any teat interest as to the (have;
'mr’htchmi ht ,given. 5 . 
.,,,ff.Go t rounds, of course,” the answer

    
   
   
   
   
   
    
   
  
   
   
  
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
     
  
  
  
   
   
    
   
   
   
   
    
  
   
     
  

    

 

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resin
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a

  
 
    
  
 
  

   
   
   
   
  

immeainstutly.’ 1‘ Tie , sort .of on tour
.withimohasl toidyqu, Jere. and w the
'Silverigorn is thaws”  an;
,5th ,o agar-5w A a an _' a 0mm
iean’téveli a 0rd to Wholly lgxi’iore. Bow—cal
"amt " ' ‘ ‘

‘mking brief stopsQat each place, and
hearin “thawed ‘0! the house” in
I. or

 
  
 
 

{mi ridge led his ,cmnpian'ion to
 a; each resorts’of similar nature to the
«Eva Horn, though on admirer scale: but
mamas ot“_,them,, did he, take seat at the
tables, thmh dropping affew dollars at
fitness 6. ‘ v '*‘

  
  
  
    
   
 

 
   
 

declared as much when leaving the last of
those places behind them.

“ Surely it’s not essential that I play tag
to your honor, is it?" he added, half in jest,
but with a touch of earnestness below all.
“So long as I saw a chance of studying
human nature through a silver halo, I didn‘t
mind the trouble, but now—shall We look in
at the llorn again?"

Without reply, Eldridge led the way back,
but when they passed those heavy curtains
and glanced down the room, neither Madam
Silver nor her handsome ally, Fred Freestone,
was to be seen.

The mayor looked at the detective in-
quirin rly. Darling shrugged shoulders and
SliOOklllCild, then turned away without giv-
ing any audible answer. And when once
more out in the night, Eldridge turned in
the direction of his home, seeming content to
call his duty tour at an end.

The two men had nearly reached the pre-
cise point where they had stood when that
silent shot struck the mayor, that other
night. And now, as then, a startling inter-
ruption came to their talk.

A wild, shrill yell as of death-agony rung
forth on the night air!

 

CHAPTER XX.
'rnn snanow MATERIALIZES.

“ Harm!" cried Mayor Eldridge, grasping
Darling’s arm with unconscious tenacity.
“ What's that ‘2"

That wild scream seemed echoin through-
out the town, yet everything fe t awfully
still, oddly though the statement sounds.

“ Is it— On guard, Darling!” swiftly hiss-
ed his companion, whipping forth a revolVer
as he crouched with a searching glance
around the spot. “If it’s a trap to—”

Another voice rung forth as that word
came, but while it was hardly less earnest
than that awful appeal, there was a vast
difference between the two sounds.

“ Help! This way, all of ye!" that second
alarm pronounced, more clearly localizing
the scene of trouble. " This way, for—”

There followed a string of’ shots, some
one evidently working a revolver as swiftly
as a practiced finger could manipulate the
double-action. I

This was a method of spreading an alarm
which was far more familiar to sue tOWns
as Chloride City, and as by magic dozens of
shouts arose from as many different points,
all in answer to that appea .

“ Trouble, but no trap—for m!" instantly
decided Mayor Eldridge as the alarm as-
sumed this shape. “ Comc~get there, Dar-
ling!” ,

Breaking'into a run, in. common with
many others, all of whom had in view the
same destination, our two friends hurried
at speed toward the seene of trouble, with
something akin to the same fancy stirring
with brain; was this another stroke aimed at
the Silver League? ‘

“Tim’s Felton, or I’m losing my wits!"
came in hoarse accents from the mayor, as
another. deep—toned.4heut' for he] came

of the town. “ Another murder! If it is—
On deck, old rdl”- ~
_ With that out in answer. Eldridge rush-

ed-on at a pace which taxed the younger (19.
teetive acutely to maintain; and themamong
the foremost, they gained the scene of yet
another tragedy. . ' r ‘

- “ Who islt, Felton t” demanded the mayor.
as he can 1'. light of a primate shape lying
therein t shadow of the enlg, t.

“Neil—Jail Vance, poor boy!” came the
husky mply.» .

The speaker was kneeling: on the ground.
that head resting against his leg, one hand
adding its support, while the! other still
gripped the revolver from whose blackened
muzzlewth‘e alarm had been spread all over
town so swiftly. ' ' . , .  ,

' Asking homers, but giving a bushy sound
that verbal! groan, landmine, the mayor
sch-o pod to his knees oaths other side of the

, makingian’eaaminatioa for himself,
pa :3 no head to/thlexdted cries Mideast!
finances which, poured forth from that rap-
' honingcmwd. ' “ :

 
       
 

    
   

     

 

 
 
  
  

   
  

  
  

  

f H d i I n be to “cm.
W   at  

 to at ~ suddenly
. ' as:

 
 
  
 

through the night, from a point bar ly clear .

were first to sound the alarm, Felton: who
killed the poor lad?"

While the mayor was uttering.thesc words,
Jerome Felton gently lowered the lifeless
form to the ground, striking his bloodstained
hands against each other as he rose to his
feet. Eldridge imitated this movement, and
it was not until they stood face to face that
his fierce questions Were answered by the
Silver League member.

“ 1 was going home—right across yon’
short cut,” with a gesture to indicate the
course taken. “I heard the cry, and as I
turned this way, I caught just a glimpse of
a swiftly moving shape.”

“ Who was it? Where was it? ll'hich
wa (lid it go?” swiftly demanded Eldridge
of llS fellow-'mcmber.

“Don’t know—how was I to know?” with
a touch of irritation as Don Darling fancied.
“ I didn’t even know what was the matter,
then .’ But it was right on my way, and so
I jumped ahead—‘40 find poor Vance!”

“ Dead-—murdered——poor boy i”

“Murdered, yes; dead—not quite—then!”

These words came in jerks, one might' al.
most call that manner of utterance, but El-
dridge gavca sharp cry as his quick wits
caught at-it surely mm a hint. at—what?

" ot quite dead? He was stilialivewhen
—what did he tell you, Jerome Felton '2”

Almost fiercely came this uestion, and
the strong fingers ‘of the Silver argue presi-
dent seemed about to meet in that firm flesh
as they closed upon Felton’s arm.

“ He said that-—- The doctor!”

Felton cut himself short as he recognized
a large, familiar figure forcin away through
the now dense crowd, and iefore he cou'ld
say more, or before Eldridge could repeat
that question. Don Darling came to the front
with a warning whisper: '

“ Slow and sure, Eldridge! Time enough
to share with the whole town after we’re
heard the word—understand ?" »

At a word from the lips of MayorEldridge,
way ‘was made for Dr. Brewster; who
promptly fell to work making a professional
examination of that bloodstained figure.

“Now whisper what you started to say,
Mr. Felton,” guardediy spoke the Denver
Detective as the general attention seemed
turned toward d0ctor and corpse.

But instead of complying at once, Felton ,
shook that light hand from his arm, then
drew Eldridge a little ways 21 art from the
other, letting fall a few hurrie words into
the bending ear. .

Reading this action aright, the detective
gave his shapely shoulders a slight shrug,
then arverted his gaze, watching the physician
at work.

Dr. Brewster had been given a sutiicicncv
of practice along these lines since casting his
professional lot among the mining re ions,
and uncertain though the light was. he ound
little difl‘lculty in reaching a definite conclu-
sion concernin, this mse. ,

“ The man 5 dead." he declared, turning
his head, without rising to his feet, however.
“He has been stabbed, and from a superfi-
cial examination, I-think I am safe in saying
the knife, or dirk touched his hea’rt."

There was a brleikand almost painful Si"
iche following this ve . announcement,
broken! by the clear ‘ , a fated ’tones of
IAgiy Shelton, another mom r of the Silver

e: , . .
“,‘fitllns. makes the fourth man we’ve found
murdered! This is the fifth member of the
Silver League to pass off the roll! Now—
wiw {remarked to 90 met?"
_, Another brief , silence, then an ugl mut-
tering which gmdualiy rose and swe led un-‘
til it became a savage rear for vengeance!

, “ 1pon whom, men of Chloride?" sudden~
1y cal ed forth themayor, his right arm go~
ing as thorigh to compel a h‘ n

u < ‘_ g.
- “The one who done the'hloody’iob, be
course!" cried a voice from out of that'
crowd. 
” Shall we Wait in idleness and fear, until
et here! our idly. lessening number".
{a 113%“! for “or steel?" fiercely de—
mand Andy elton, now more thoroughly
named than any citizen of Chloride could
remember' seein him before. “II for one ,
y. M! Yen cc, men of Chloride!
 .with the devilish assassins who are

 

 

’coyering'y’our fair city with shame  black . (v ’

min the ominous roar broke 

i :

  

  

 

 

 

 
 
 
  

   

 

 

. ~..I f‘x‘m _

 

 

 

       
           
  
     
     
       
   
        
      
   
 
    

 

I . ' i_ on» oabt'touchedif
fl "notgefthis l

 

' may ban. the names team: 7 '_

A  . ‘  v

 

 

 

yet again did the mayor display what mar-

velous influence he lad gained over those
turbulent spirits.

. "‘ Wait, friends and fellowfeitizens! Wait
until we have light to guide us aright.
Then—I'll be one to bark ye on. rather than
hold ye back from dealing out just retribu-
tion to the foul assassins!"

“ Wait—wait—is it forever?" passionately
cried Shelton, for the first time within the,
memory of men openly opposing his president,
.as one of the Silver League. “ If so, we’d all
better name our representatives, forthese in-
fernal butchers will not leave one‘of the
League alive to act as such!"

Ransom Eldridge stepped forward, a hand
touching the fat man‘s arm before he spoke
a few words in a whisper which none save
IShelton himself could catch. ‘

Whatever that communication may have
been, it produced an immediate effect, for
Shelton subsided without another remon«
stranec.

Then Mayor Eldridge, possibly to give the
«excited crowd food for thought, safer than
that which had been flung them b the an-
gered member of the Imgue, caller aloud:

“ Pass that lantern across, you who hold
it! Doctor,” turning to Brewster as he
added, “ please make a closer examination,
will you? Is it not possible that some clue
may be found by means of which— With
me, Mr. Darling,” he broke off, at the slime
time taking possession of the lantern which
was assed over as called for.

Willineg enough the Denver Detective
bore the mayor company, both moving close
to that motionless body from which the vital
spark had so recently tied.

Although he could not even guess what
‘Felton had whispered to the mayor, andi

' which hid almost surely been assed from
the latter to Andy Shelton, rling felt
that Something sensational was pendin , and
that when it broke loose. Ransom El ridge
would be in the midst f it. '

For this reason, the . rather than morbid
curiosity or any hope of finding the hinted

‘at elue upon the body, Don Darling com-
plied with that curt request, and took keen
note of all that followed.

Eldridge cast the light squarely upon the
bloody breast of the corpse, and hold it thus
with untrembling hands while the doctor
opened the damp garments, using a knife
for the purpose of more easily baring that
punctured bosom.

While he was doing this, a small, flat note-
book slipped from an inside pocket, and
stooplhg quickly, Don Darling took posses-
siontoi' it, month: the keen,- aze of the
mavorns he straig ‘ ened up agzfin.

I ’ithout uttering a word, the Denver De-
tective opened the book, holding the inside
cover so that the light fell upon a small
printed label. _

That label contained his name and Denver
address. And that notepbook was the same
which he had lost the hi ,ht an unseen power
struck him senseless as he was uitting his
spving upon thosenocturual sh ows!

Ransom Eldridge gave a slight nod ot‘un-
demanding, and the detective slipped the
recovered property into his breast pocket.

Pa ing no attention to this hit of what
he oubtless considered unimportant by-.

lay, ,Dr. Brewster completed his examina-

flon, and then repeated his former state-

ment: Neil Vance was dead; had come by

hi death through the stroke or thrust of a

 _ r dirk, w , [had almost beyond the

 ndecd it
heart 11 twain.

While. this aspen was being dellvéred.
Eldridge passed the lantern to Darling. and
as the doctor finished, he spoke cut with
stem emphasrsz, . ,

v,’ “ You all hear this, men of Chloride?

'. For the fourth time a friend and business
'partner has gone down in death beforet e
Weapon of a devilish demon of murder! e
pad ,méoome sooner or (lattlzrhtand B'hybzntit

onu1.r_,v,rmitasc or on, .0
Sta? omiimsfpeWhy let friendship ham-
per . .,- ,

»“ ll. forefoot?” cried out Andy Shel.
ton. '.-‘If youknow, or even sus , the
guilty, demonmutwflh it,RanmnE ' a!"

A  0! more Instr voices took 1 that
fiercedemandmnd as though losing 11 8 last
scruplcs by'mtchlng at least a rtion of

en; mynge fire. the mayor s e swiftly

'lik

itplg tlfie rialx-owd, a log. signage, I“ 71.”
0W; ,8 were cote math nfiun 
then—before” the stormn‘gmuld. fairl'i burst

’ four hands grip T’

 

forward and letting a hand full heavily upon
a shoulder, cried in stern oceants: ,
“Surrender, Reuben Ram!” l
With a low, startled cry the old hunter
flinched and attempted to break away, but
those white hands closed upon him and held
him fast. '

 

CHAPTER XXI.
ACCUSED nr THE DEAD.

“ I NEVER—let up, ye crazy critter!" cried
the old hunter, beginning to realize what
that sudden action might portend. _

Instead, Mayor Eldridge only held him
tighter, and lifted his voice in a sharp, clear
summons: '

“ Darling! The League!
guard—to me, all of ye!”

Although he had been in a measure pre-
pared for some decided move, thanks to the
notes he had taken, Don Darling was taken
nearly as much by surprise as was the main
assembly; still, knowing from past ex-
perience how easy a matter it is to tire the
blood of a crowd like this, he was already
making his wa toward the mayor and lus
ca tivc when t at summons rung forth.

elton, Shelton, Wallace, the other mem-
bers of the Silver League, also gave prompt
obedience to the call of their chief, and be-
fore the startled erowd could fairly com-
prehend the state of affairs, the nucleus of a
responsible guard had formed around those
two men.

“Stand back—give elbow-room, men of
Chloride!” cried the mayor, in tones which
reached all present, despite that growing
growl which lacked but a single word to
burst forth in the always terrible cry for
human blood.

“No honest man .will ever attempt to de-
feat ustice by calling for mob-rule!” de-
clare the Denver Detective, now close beside
the prisoner, with a revolver clasped in his
right hand, and a face the stern expression
on which plainly foretold fight in case of
any mad rush. - '

“ I never done ary thing for to—"

" Prove your freedom from guilt l r sub-
mitting to a fair investigation, then,” swiftly-
cut in Don’ Darling. “ Unless you are.I
guilty—” ' ‘

" Whoever dast say I he. lies like a cussed
cur!” hotly cried the veteran, giving a fierce
jerk and twist in hopes of freeing himself
from those strong white hands.

In vain. Ransom Eldridge kept his hold
grim death, and was’able to back up
the plea besides.

” Stand aloof, men of Chloride! And you,
Reuben Reeves, submit to a fair investiga-
tion. Unless the proof is positive against
Y0“. 1'11 guard your life with my own!" '

“Be sensible, man!” added Don Darling,
in lower tones, but distinct, enough for the
old hunter to "oatclswithout difficulty. “ If
it comes to a row now—you’ll be the first one
to die!” . " ‘ , ’

His meaning was pointedb , a suddenout-
burst from the crmvd, Whigs seemed ust
getting at the truth of the matter, helpe by
a fierce crv which Went up from some un-

Close in and

known party. , ‘ .

‘fIIe done it! Did Reeves cut thelaglt
Down May—to ,the rope with the bloody o
butcherl’ ‘ . , ‘

A momentarv recoil .ot' the unitesgt‘lil "

Don Darling swiftly 8 aka to themayor':
" It’s coming! To} to 'em—stollc, or we're
one an"? ' ‘ ,  . , f .
His last words were drowned’by'the, deep,
hoarse. far-reaching roar,su"ch as only a mob
of lynchers can give; but nudge had;
caught his full meaning, and the 0!: ‘er‘
members of the Silver League were rea ,
for the supreme test. P 7 . "
Four , 3 closed upon the licensed. other
, revolvers as W5 it
faced that now o‘wiiug inch with s. ‘ ' res ,-
lution to hold or to die. imprinted upon
eVery face. . , . ' ' I “
,d‘Rsn‘som’ manager ,  . ‘
, shands were free from weapons as he'
steppedalittle in front of‘his fellow-mem-
bers and their ally, the, detective, facing the
crowd where it swayed the ththlqkly.

i law, even" ,if -

  
 
 
  
  
   
  
 
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
    
  
  
   
   
   
    
 
  
   
  
  
   
   
 
 
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
   
  
  
  
  
   
    
  
   
    
     
       
    
 

“ Peace! Hold your hands, all ye men of
Chloride who are clean white and honest
bred! The one who fires a shot or strikes
a blow now, before the whole. truth is ascer-
tained, I bmnd‘ns an assassin as foul at heart I
as was the assassin who murdered poor Neil 
Vance!” .' "

“ Didn't you Say—linin't you ketched him 
red-handed?” ._ 

“ Didn’t Reeves turn the trick?” 3;;

“ \Ve‘ll jest finish the job for you, mare!" "

Sample cries taken from the roaring storm
which poured upon the Silver League presi-
dent, but instead of fiinching or being borne
down, Ransom Eldridge seemed strengthen-
ed for the critical test.

“ It‘s naked justice we demand. friends!"
he cried, his voice ringing out clear and pen-
etrating as the blast of a bugle. We are as
ready to use tongues and hands against mur- 
der, just as we ever have been. And for 
that reason I beg you to withhold your hands ~‘
until the plain truth can be ascertained.”

“ Didn’t Reeves kill Neil Vance?”

“ He’s a dirty dog liar who dast to any I
done it, then!" came an indignant denial
from the lips of the old hunter.

“ Quiet, or you’ll have the gang trampling
the lot. of us to bloody pulp!” sternly mut-
tered Don Darling in the veteran’s car.

“ You hear his denial. friends?" cried the
mayor, deftly turning that outburst to his
own account. “As free men and honest
citizens yourselves, you surely can’t deny
Reeves the right to a fair and impartial
hearin ‘2”

“Di n't he do it, then?” persisted that
vicious voice from the mass. “ If not, what
piade ye bounce the critter so mighty hard

er?" '

“To give him afair trial, such as every
honest man within reach of my voice will
bravely back me up in demanding,” quickly '
answered the other. “I make my appeal,
gentlemen. not as the mayor of this fair
city, but as one man talking to his equals:
hold back until the guilt or innocence of
Reuben Reeves is fully established.

“ 'Whar's the oeurt fer lo try him at?"

“We will 'form one ourselves," was the
instant reply. “ I pledge my word of honor
that no unfair advantage shall be taken of
those who may difier from me as to this
matter. And now—rshow your hands, men of
Chloride!” his voice growing in power as be
capped the climax. - ' ‘ '3

“Sho your hands, all honest citizens!
Those in avornf law and onier over mob
rule, right hands up—flugers empty !" ‘

Mayor Eldridge already knew that his vic- - ‘
tory was won. but; his face betrayed his
stron triumph as ‘full fonrJfifths of the
right ands rose in‘ then r‘in answer to that
clarion call. .

“ Good} Now—those who prefer bloodshed
to law—f’ . \

‘,‘ Thar isn't nary one left, your Honor!"
cried the same voice which had tried the ,
hardest to stir up mischief from the start. ,
“All We want is to hcv plain jestiee Incas-n v :
ure out. Ef Reeves killed Vance-3’ r

“ He, shall * the extreme penalty of the

xFlume to act” the sheriR’s part,
and adjust the . . m 'self!" sternly cried
the mayor, givin, a line Wave of his hand. ‘
thenjnoving back to his allies. '
, , j: Make‘for,‘,my omce with him. a it comes! _
to a Ira-sues"! he said, in tones barely audible"-
to,the surviving members of the 
L ",gue. “ If I can, I’ll keep the mob 
ed off, but—J” ' ‘ ' = 

Fearing to give the crowd too'muoh'timo‘ ,
in which to rallfirom the‘Sfleiitofm 909',
sionate appeal, yor Eld ' " anemone:
«({3de them in charter! ~' that,
for reasons, which would   to
every sensible attain. he did not deem it.
either wise 'dr advisable to mnduct that‘lne
vestigai‘ion further out there in the open!
an. . . ..,,_ ‘ 

z u or man «mares no' new? in may ~
ennugh.to hold you all atone whose-é
here's my offer, gentlemen: Pick is
number of representative'men from‘am” '
,youmlves,'to. act‘o'n . . hehflf.‘ rum, '
tothem‘my partners, and the detective from
Wniisuu wk on  ' he" 1'

‘ , e “0,, . ryjt ‘ cm
on its merits, and when the story is fully
told.,every pointshall he made ' '

 

a .

      
  

  
 
  
     
       

 
 
  

  

 

His whitéhands flew “ witha ‘ " .
ture of appealwm things. 
forced a hearing. l,  " ‘ '    -' 

    
  

  
 
 

 

   
  
 
     
 
  

. _ 1?
)clearfwivm. one and all. befpre (by positive

werdict s rendered.

   
 

 
 

  

 

| x \, nocence of that killin .

   

r-«wwm ' o to...» . g... ...,._

"   "  .

  

 

 

‘ “Is this plain enough? As honest, law-
abiding citizens, can any one of you ask for
anything fairer?” g

“ Whooray for the mare!" cried one easil
enthused digger, flinging his battered felyt
high in air. “He’s clean white, an’ purtier’n
a yaller spotted dog under a. red speckled
wagon!"

In certain respects mobs of this caliber
are very like a flock of sheep; a leader can
take them pretty much anywhere, right or
wrong. And so it proved on this occasion,
for the crazy outburst of a half-drunken
mine laborer carried away the majority, and
the victory was won along the lines Ransom
Eldridge had marked out for himself.

“I thank ou, gentlemen, in the name of
law and or( er," he cried, at once availing
himself of the advantage. “ Nominate your
representatives, please, and let them come
down to my office. We will escort Reuben
Reeves directly there, and be ready for the
session as soon as your election s made
known.”

This was running a certain degree of risk,
as no man knew better than the mayor of
Chloride City, but he was determined to
have a fair and impartial trial, and so took
the long chances.

If he had asked, instead of taking it for
granted, that favor might not have come
his wa ’, so easily; but this only went to
prove ldridge a man among men, when it
came to carrying an essential point.

B this time, too, the old hunter had cool
ed ( own in a measure, and seeing how little
it would take to throw him helpless into the
merciless clutch of the mob, he made no re-
sistance when his uards hurried him off
through the night, reading for the oilice in
which the Silver League held their regular
or called meetings.

This place was reached without aught
happenin to block or to hinder, and turning
the key, nsom Eldridge flung wide the
door, himself fetching up the rear.

A light was quickly struck, and then, feel-
ing that it was fully time for him to make a
remonstrance of some descri tion, the old
hunter once more declared his complete in-

“It jest happene so, that Iwas down
town, an’ jest happened so that I loped
’cross to whar the racket‘cut loose, But—so
help me the good Lawd up yonder! I never
' tetched the critter to hurt !”

“Then Neil Vance died with a lie on his
lips!" O .

"What?" ejaculated Reeves, turning
ghastly pale as he turned upon the stern
speaker. “He didn’t say—how could he,
man ” -

“ Neil Vance charged on with murdering

him, all the same,’ co dly asserted Jerome

Folton, seemingly unmoved by that tremu-

' lous appeal.

The, old hunter shrunk back, shivering
from top to toe, up ntly half-stunned by
the accusation whic came from the, dead!

Rsnsom Eldridge lifted s hand in wsmin
as his keen cars caught sounds of the crow
drawing that way.

. “ no more, any of you,” he hurriedly
utte , at the some time. “Wait until the
others are here to hear and to see that all is
fsiIrisnd above- S." h It“ ‘ l

a step t c door, 0 n t rt
so mt th s p“ y

open, 0 light of the lam shone.
put his portl rson while he warted for
the arrival o t o" re resenhtive citizens,

whom he saw march ng at the hood of the
dense crowd. "

Greetin the mayor, the elected paused in
front of t o oillco while their chosen leader,
a prominent merchant named Wilkinson,
mode s brief address to the crowd, biddin
them wait patiently for their rfiport, whic
would be delivered at the er est hie
moment, bearing in view the g of low
n‘nd justice. "

This brief speech was nits well received,
and then the ten chosen sons were ushered
into the office by its owner, the door was
closed, and after a “tight pause, Ransom
Eldridge called the mac g.to order.

“ Reuben Reeves! You are charged with
killing Neil Vance!"

CHAPTER XXII.
,nnrnnnrxo mum. '
“ I unvnn latched so much as a hair 0' his
I- head, sir!” shnrply cried the old hunter,

4.

/

 

whom that brief delay had nerved after an
almost marvelous fashion.

“ You [enter a plea of not guilty, then?”

“ ’Uaurse I hain’t guilty, an’ nobody but a
plum’ fool would reckon I was, cyther!”
declared Reeves, with risingindignation.

“ Will you be so kind as to coach the pris-
oner, Mr. Darling?” coldly asked the presi-
dent. “ Show him what not to say, please."

“The prisoner pleads not guilty, your
Honor,” gravely said the Denver Detective,
promptly taking the position indicated by
Eldridge.

Now, as though realizing that he was
taking the conducting of the case entirely
upon himself, Eldridge rravclyapologizcd
to the representatives 0 the citizens, and
asked their pleasure.

There was a. brief consultation in whis-
pers, then Mr. Wilkinson said:

“We are perfectly content with your
lead, Mr. Eldridge. All we want is to get at
the bottom facts, and there is no need for
electing a regular court: we can all act as
judge and jury, bothin one.

The mayor declared that his action had
been taken With that view, and saying no
more on the point, he nodded toward Jci
rome Felton, who at once stepped into the
clear space which seemed left for that pur-
pose.

“You were first to discover the body of
Neil Vance, I believe?”

“After the murderer left it, yes, your
Honor.”

“Tell us all about it, Mr.lFelton. You
were near the place, of course, since you
were so early on the spot; but how hap-
pened it?”

Jerome Felton repeated the brief explana~
tion he had given while on the spot where
that life went out, then added:

“It was almost in my road, as you all
know. Somehow it struck me that recog.
niz d the voice, although it was chan ed so
aw ully! And as the notion hit me, hur-
ried on, pulling my gun, of course.

“I caught just a glimpse ofasliadowy
shapetrnovin off toward the rising ground,
but before Ircould have caught the drop,
{’twas gone, completely!” ‘

“ Did you recognize that person, Mr. Fe]-
ton ‘2" asked Wilkinson.

“No, sir. For one thing, I didn’t have
time. ’Twas (just a glimpse, and more like
a movin sha ow than anything flesh and
blood. nd then—well, I caught a choking
cry, and that made me forget all else, just
then!”

” A cry? From the—from Neil Vance?”
asked Eldridge.

Jerome Fe ton bowed assent, a brief spasm
passing over his dark, strong face. But
then, quickl rall ing, he said: - .

“ I know m a sight, sirs, and forgettin
all else for the moment, I lifted his he
from the ground, and begged him to speak,
i]: only a word to tell me he was not badly,

urt." ‘

“’Did he speak, though?” eagerly aske
Wilkinson.

“ Just two words, sir," slowly answered
the witness. .

“And those words? What were they,
Felton?"

Instead of re lying at once, the witness
shifted his weig t uneasily from one foot to
the other, moistening his ips with the tip of

the accused, whose form was now drawn
rigidly erect, and in whose eyes shone a
light of stem defiance.

Averting his gaze with a little shiver, the
witness spoke in tones which sounded husky
and a bit unsmd :

"Hm! I, tell ft, ntlemep? I was hot,
then, but now—~I’m . ginning to think poor
Vance couldn’t really have meant it the way
I took his words, ilrst-ofl'. And so—"

“ You’ve said it oncet, an' I reckon ’twon’t
split the thrspple of ye to say it sg’in,” cut
in the old hunter with grim em basis.
“Spit it out ins 'lzenlump, critter! ou've
done me all the in you kin, a'read .”

In spite of the rude idiom. and e touch
of fierce scorn which tinged these final words,
there was something of native dignity about
the veteran which counted a point in his
favor with Don Dsriin , as well as more
than one of those now tting in; judgment
upon Reuben Reeves.

 

   
 

Ransom Eldridge appeared one of 'thoss
‘(_ , . . ,I .

i

   

his tongue, then casts fleeting glance toward -

L

touched, but only for an instant. then he
gravely spoke to the hesitating'witncss:

“Go on, Mr. Felton. What two words
did Neil Vance pronounce?”

“ They came when I asked him how it all
happened,” came the slow, reluctant answer.
“And poor Neil gasped out, ‘ Recrex~-killcd.” ”

Notwithstanding something of this nature
was to be expected from what had gone be-
fore, a sensation followed this utterance.

Low cries and ejaculations broke from the
men sitting in judgment, and from outward
appearance alone, hardly one among their
number but what felt more serious concern
than did the old hunter, on whom the dying-
member of the Silver League had fastened a
brand of blood!

Having given his damning testimony,
Jerome Fclton drew back to the rear. and
this left Reuben Reeves full exposed to
those e 'cs But he had lost al signs of fear
or con usion, now, and standing straighter
than he had been seen for years gone by, his
head proudly erect, he spo 'e in slow, meas-
ured accents: .

“From the way ye level eyes this yer"
way, gents. I reckon you’re meanin’ fer to say
that it‘s pritty nigh time for the old man to
git a hustle onto his tongue cf he don't
want snap-judgment to be tuck in his case.
Ef I'm right—be .I, Ran. Eldridge?"

“ What can you say in sclf-drfcnse, pris-
oner?” gravely asked the presiding officer.

“ Fu’st, it’s you. I reckon i’d better begin
with,” said Reeves, turning far enough to
wina fair View of his accuser. “I never
(sz take no great stock in you, Jerome
Felton, but I raally didn’t reckon you’d take
the trouble to go plum’ out 0’ your way to.
do me dirt, like this!” .

thou made a deprecatory gesture, then
said. huskily:

" It's the toughest job I ever tackled,
lccvcs! But-what would you have? I'm
as ood as undcr‘toath to tell the whole:
trut l”

“ An’ it’s the plbm’ truth you’ve bin
spittin’ out, all this while?” questioned the.
accused, his lank jaws working nervoust
over an old quid of tobacco the while.

“ It‘s gospel truth, Reeves, though I wish
I could own u to a lie!” ,

“ Jest so. t cuts you clean to the heart.
-A blind critter could see all that, an’ never
,take his head out of a poke, nuther! Jest
so! An’ you didn’t hear crboked, of course?
You didn’t make no mistake as to them
couple 0' words the critter let drap?”

“No. I made no mistake,” coldly as-
scveratcd the witness, seeminga bit stun gby
those grimly sarcastic sentences. “ If 1 was
to fall dead the next moment, I’ll take my
solemn oath that Neil Vance said just that:
‘ Reeves—killed!” ‘-

There came a brief silence to follow this:
positive assertion.

Reuben Reeves gazed steadily into the facet
of the man who was swearing sway his
chance for life, but Jerome Felton met those

littfiri-ing eyes without the slightest sign off

no u .

Thengthe old hunter slowly spoke in his
turn:

“ Ef you hsin't lyin', then Neil Vance
wentto hell withsdirty dog lie onto the.
lips of him i”

Turnin away from the witness ll though
he was hrough with him for all time,
Reuben Reeves addressed ' those men now
sitting in judgment over him spakingin
sober. but calm tones, more“ like one who
held but s slight and passing interest in the
matter, than one whose very life was at,
stake.

“ You see, gents, it looks pritty much
this—a-way. I never had a over-stock o’
likin' for young Vance, take him whcnho was
at his best; but come into days. heggive me.
plenty 0' cause for mishkin’ im oi 'as hot
as ary common critter kin hate 'nother‘
man!” ‘
' “You are not obliged to incriminate your.
self, Reeves," coldly acid Eldrid , at the-
ssmo time frowin a bit at Don rling, as
thou h to remind im of s as locted duty.

“ t’s all ri ht, Mr. El ridge,”c.1m]
said the seen “I reckon you mean t
well for me, but when a critter hnin’t never
done a thing to feel shame for, or toke-
skeer o , that critter csin't do himself '

\

 

 

great harm long’s he sticks to the
man , .

 

   
  
   
 

 
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 

 

   
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
 
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
  
  

wyvs: .‘

  
   
 
  
   
 

     
 
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
    
   
  

 

    
    
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
    
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
  

 

 

 

 

 

  
   
  
    
     
 
 
   

fl

 

   

1' ymw A, In,  

:Wr'fiafil

  

Mrm’mfimmmyg w.

' , impress upon

 

  

 

 

"It’s the naked truth I’m gitting at now,
nur I won’t keep you hangin’ onto the
fence ary a bit longer’n I kin well help.
An’ so—it’s jest like this, gentlemen.

“Neil Vance tried his level- best to ’pose
onto my little girl. She told me, an‘ I sent
him warning, white fashion, to keep his own
side 0' the range, or I’d shoot him on sight
if he tried it over!”

“Careful, Reeves! All you! say now may
come up against you, mind!"

“That’s jest what I'm wantin‘,” bluntly
declared the accused. " Ef they hadn't no
more dirty dog lies fetched ag’inst me then
yrm kin rake out o' my evidence, then the ole
man’s all right, fer keeps!

“I left that warnin' with you, Mare Eld-
ridge, beca‘se I reckoned it wouldn’t be ’zactly
safe fer to hunt up Neil Vance while my hot
streak was scorchin’ me, 'it. That was the
same day Vance bothere my little girl, an’
I’ll take my Bible oath that I raven’t set eyes
onto Neil Vance from that time to this, a’ter
he was layin' up yender, dead!"

Reuben Reeves paused, as though his
story was told, but after a brief wait, E1-
tdrid e spoke up:

“' there were you when that death-cry
out, prisoner?” '
ight by the split-top pine, on the rode

to my place, sir.”

“Which way were you going, then?"

“ Gwine home.”

“ Who was with you at the time?"

“Nobody-but my gun,” with a half-
smile.

“ Where had you been? Who did you
pass the evening ,tvith?” ’

These queries came sharper, sterner, for
less keen eyes could see that the old hunter
was be inning to turn nervous under that
inquisitlon, but instead of makin frank re-
ply as he had until then, the ve cran once
more declared his complete innocence of
crime, adding almost sava ely:

“ An' right thar ye hev it all, dug— n ye,
critters! Ef I’d 'lowed to kill Neil lance,
would I ’a’ used a lamp: when a nlfle‘a so much
.sartainter? Would ~—bah! Ye know I’m
tellin‘ the sober truth, so whar’s the use
chewin‘ wind furder‘l" .

Those questions were repeated, but in
vain, for, the old hunter had sunk into moody
silence from which no effort could draw
him.

This was hardly an ending to be wished
for, but those assembled to investigate the
matter, evidently felt in duty bound tomake

some sort of report to the waiting crowd,
and when it was seen nothin further could
be extracted from the ace _ , they put theiy
“heads together-for deliberation. . ,
Among others,~ Ransom Eldridge oflered

run

(6
V

his views, and ma matter of course they .

were listened to with no little respect by the
citizens. '

He argued that, while the evidence was

uite sufficient to excuse them in holding

eeves for further examination, it would not
fplly justify them in pronouncing the extreme
penalty due a murderer.

“If we all put together, gentlenlcn, we can
keep anything like a. inch from rising, and
so disgracin our fair city by a lynching.
After the prisoner has had time for refleu~

“ I never tetched the critter. an' that’s all
I kin say at I was to take a holy year to do
it in!" surlily out in the old hunter.

In spite of this untimely averment, the
wishes shaped by Mayor Eldridge were
agreed to by the rest, and, it was determined

  .to'hoid the accused for ,fu'rtherinvestigation,
.meanwhile keepin him under an armed

guard, to prevent

CHAPTER XXIII.
LOSING ms nnnvn.

Anna this important point Was settled
upon, it was no very difllcult matter for
those having the matter in hand to_reach an
amicable understanding as to all minor con-
ditions. _ v
— The mayor and David Wilkinson under-
took to explain matters to the waiting citi-
zens, and as there had been ample time in
:which to cool down their worst passions,
this did not prove to be a very difiicult

4 pa or lynching.

 

task.

' Mayor Eldrid? tookparticular pains to
t or assembly that Reuben

Reeves was being held for further investiga-

tion, and not because his guilt was consider-
ed fairly proven.

That was the rock on which a split, if
any, was to come, and the announcement
was greeted with more than one. expression
of open dissatisfaction: but when their own
first choice for office, ‘David Wilkinson, add-
ed his appeal to that of the mayor, all seri—

' ous opposition died away. -

With the formal understanding. then, that
in due time a mass meeting of all the citi-
zens should be called, in order to give the
case the fullest possible consideration. it
was agreed by all that Reuben Reeves should
beheld in custody of an armed guard, for
the time being. ’

A temporarily yacant building in one of
the more retired portions of the town was
selected as jail, and a picked body of men
were placed in charge, with implicit instruc-
tions not to permit a person to draw up to
that building, without first showing a pass,
signed by Mayor Eldridge, and counter-
signed by David Wilkinson.

After this fashion, then, the business was
arranged for the time being; and still stern-
liy silent, Reuben Reeves was marched un»

er armed conduct from the mayor’s office
to the selected jail, their progress being
marked by sundry menacing cries and thin-
ly-vailed threats, but no serious opposition
offered during that transfer.

When this was accomplished, Ransom El-
dridge saw that care would be bestowed
upon the murdered man for the night, and
then, dropping a guarded whisper for Don
Darling’s benefit, and passing similar word
to the surviving members of the Silver
League, he contrived to shake ofl all others
who had played a prominent part in the ex-
amination of the old hunter, and retraced
his etc 5 to his office.

The enver Detective was already in wait-
ing before that closed door, and to him the
mayor said so’berly:

“ We’ll go inside. The others will come
soon: I reckon. I can’t—how many more
times like this, I wonder!"

His tones grew hoarse and strained at that,
and he almost staggered as he stepped across
the threshold. .

So lbn ashe was before the many eyes,
Ransom .ldridge had worn a mask, but now
it seemed as though the real man must show
himself, if only for a brief space. ,

The lamp which had been extinguished
when the accused’ was removed, quickly
shed its light through that apartment, and
the ma or was seated in a chair, his massive
-fl ure owed, his face hidden in his hands,
w ien one after another the three members of

made for them by their president.

Neither of the trio openly remarked as to
that too evident depression, probabl y be-
cause they only too‘ readily realized just
what had causedyit in one usually so well to
the front in all matters. .

The little bustle 'whieh naturally attended
their arrival. served to reuse thepmsident,
but his strong face showed “unmistakable
signs of sore worriment, in spite of the faint
Smile which he forced to greet their prompt
acce tance of his rendezvous.

“ «’m glad you‘ve come, mates,” he said:
his Voice sounding both subdued and husky,

was, at ll displayed in 'keepin” the. ‘o
stead . “ rm be aning o
in so 1", even! ‘An -—until right now, I-ddn’t
th nk I ever knew what it 'nIeant tube afraid
of solitude!” "  ' ‘ '

" It’s a terrible
,gloomily declared Creed Wallace,

“I'd think it even worse, if ‘we hadn’t
caught the devil who laid, poor Neil out,
though !" \contributed‘An’dy Shelton. '

Ransom ,Eidrid (3 gave a slight start at
this speech, and . creme Fulton shook his
head as though involuntarily. '

Don Darling saw bothvactions and railing

his eyes a bit more with their lids, he‘ watch-
ed'and waited, brain busier than ever. -
. Sure] neither of these men could actually
doubt t e, guilt of Reuben Reeves, after
playin the part they had in arrest and ex-‘
am nat on? ‘ - ' ‘ ~‘

Eldridge brdke it.‘ * ' . , ,
~ ‘,' Yarwood~Mahonev~Ashmole~Humer

 

    

each pair of names.I “Elgar :m

the Silver League kept the appointment-

althou it something of his customary nerve '
3;, 1‘8“?
1 “mid of

aflairésimply awful!’.’ I.

. Fora few monients silence, 

--Vance!" he said, with a breakébetwe‘enr

  marten, ,whenyalliwould 

» one of the four still left in the Silver League

* and

 

   

     
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
 
   
  
   
  
   
 
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
   
  
  
   
 
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
    
  
   
  
  
   
   
  
  
   
 

\
other vanished, no one of us can say how or
whence! Five from nine! how—which

is to make the next sensation?”

Each one of the trio stirred restlessly,
interchanging quick glances, but not one of
them ventured to reply to that gloomy
question.

{ansom Eldridge gave a fierce, halfodes
pairing gesture with a tightly clinched hand,
then spoke again:

“Twice in one week have we had to ask
this question! Only this forenoon poor
Vance was wondering when we would come
to the end of it. all. And now-Jae has reach-
ed that awful end! And ere—well, there is
one point less for lightning to aim at!" ‘

The Silver League president made a defiant
gesture, but that, as well as the smile he
forced to his face, could hardly be called
genuine. ~

Jerome Felton caught up the thread thus
let drop, and seemed desirous of giving his
maées at least a modicum of relief, since he
sax :

“1 can’t look at it in the same light lhe'
rest of you appear to do, mates. I don’t be-
lieve this is at all the same as the other.
They were butchered—”

“What do you call this, then?” almost
harshly cut in Shelton.

" Murder, no less, yet not like the others,”
doggedly insisted the swarthy, broad-
shouldered member. “I believe with you
all, that the others were killed simply be-
cause they belonged to the Silver League;
but Neil Vance—~that's different, or I’m
widely astray in my reckoning!" ,

“ I’d far rather think it that way, since
the poor fellow had to go, anyway,” hirskily,
said Eldridge, with a faint lightening up of
his face. “What makes you think it’s
different, Felton?”

" Vance didn’t die because he belonged to
the League, but because he was mad after a
woma ! You know what I mean, I reckon?
Mad er a girl who never gave him a single
thought that way !" .

“ The Reeves girl, you mean?”

“ Yes. You know what the old man said,
to-night? He tbld the truth, so far, didn’t
he?”

“About leavinga word of warning for,
Vance with me, yes,” admitted the-ma tor,-
promptly enough, but his face clou ing
again. . , "

“ You passed the word on, and Neil
promised to heed it. I know, for he talked
it all over with me, later. And 1—] warned
him, too! [told him that a man who had
led the life Rube Reeves had, Was to be fear-
ed more than a sleeping rattler: touch him, -
once, and it meant sudden death without
further sound or warning l” t '

Jerome Felton spoke swiftly, earnestly,_ .
and seemed to fully believe his solution of,
that tragedy. was the only one possible to .
take; but notso the president. _- k

He listened, but without'a sign of comic“ 
tion. And when the, burly member,
speaking. his head shook in negation. r ‘  ,_ 

“ It’s easy to see that gun believe .~ 011'“. ' 
caught the rights of it, elton, but can’t
agree with you in this." i , >

“ What!" in strong surprise. “ Don’t you "
agile“? that Reeves killed. rNeil Vance,

an?” x 1 ' 
I There wasnslight hesitation perceptible, ‘
but then  mayor made answer, slowly v

ve ': w v
“ ’m not saying just that. either, friend;
What I can't make seem true is that poof.
Vance came by his death through- his  L
for; the Reeves girl.” _ f : g r  "  ‘

‘Why else would .tbetoidgman 

him, thoughl',’ .. . i: .r    _ 
 "gesture 

Eldridge made a
this. ' g ' .‘ _  9’ , 

“ Wily ?‘ \ln’t. it all a part ofthls infernal
myster which is satin the very life out 91'
met' on in one wee ! Another member.
gone—another share of Climax stock tube
taken was  i , ' —-  3"
:As though his blood warm-1n: past 
endurance, Mayor Eldridge sprung to 
test, his, face flushing sadly. his 
glow, his voice sounding harsh and strain

“M83347 L   . "w

,‘é‘I’ve fought against 1 the awfulfeeling
men; until it seems as ‘ though I’d 39 craft
I’ire  toihold cut—I’versaidthe re

 

 

  
   
   
      
     
     
      
     
       
     
           
       
  

  

    
     

 

 
  

 
 

   
 

 

    

  

     
    

  
  

   

‘ r H to fight it out along this line, if it takes

. dent. ‘

' tree, too, mi hty sudden!

’ ting at the bottom facts, and until we can do

- Come, men!

 

“    7 

r

 

 

strange laugh as he flung out one trembling !
hand: “Sounds cowardly, don't it? But:
it’s gospel truth; I'm beginning to lose my
me!”

This was so different from anything they
had ever seen in Mayor Eldridge, that the
other members of the Silver League were
taken all aback, even Felton seeming at a loss
what to do or what to say.

As for Don Darling, he remained in the.
background, as he had from the beginnin .
It seemed the wisest thintr he could (0
under the circumstances; and then, too, he
was not entirely idle.

Whether it was the. relief wdn through
this ‘open confession of a weakness which,
as their manner so plainly indicated, not one
of the Silver League had considered in him,
or whetherhe regretted so lainly betraying
that weakness, lansom ldridge quickly
rallied himself, and ina tone and manner
more nearly like his usual self, he spoke
again:

“ I had to let it out, friends, but now—I’m

us a to eternity !"

“We’ve ot the murderer, and can ht
him red-ban ed at that,” said Shelton, wit 1a
de rec of rancor unusual for one of his
jol y, frank disposition. “ When old Reeves
croaks, the end has come, I take it!”

“ I’m with you there, Andrew,'man!" cut
in Creed Wallace. “ Why wait over night,
though? Why not avenge poor Vance out
of hand?”

“And by forever closing the old man’s
lips, maybe leave the devil’s m ster blindcr
than ever!” almost fiercely c ed t e presi-

“ You think there are others in it, then,
Eldridge?” asked Felton.

“ You know I do, man! You all know
what I have come to firmly believe,"almost
from the beginning of this terrible affair——
that both Madam Silver and Fred Fr estone
are mixed up in it, even if they are t the
actual assassins!”

“ And ou count ou—what?”

“ I believe we have caught a clue at last,
which may lead up to the end we've all been
hoping and striving for,” came the stern re-
sponse. “ I believe that the Silver Horn
pards are at the bottom of the whole trouble,
and that if old Reeves has become mixed u
in it at all belore this night's work, he s
merel a hired tool.

“ e’ve got him foul now! A word in the
right direction would have sent him up a
But—isn't it bet-
ter to ban ast to him until we can coax or
frighten t e whole truth out of him?”

“ He isn’t a fellow that scares so easy,
though," moodily muttered Jerome Felton.
“ And he surely did down Neil Vance!"

“ I know, to both points made,” vel
acknowledged Eldridge. “But so 1%.? 9.8%
can see now, that’s our only chance for get-

M, we are walking over sudden death at
each step we taker And so— Hark!

From some little distance, yet still inside
of town, there came an ominous sound: the
death-roar of lynch law it seemed!

CHAPTER XXIV!

‘ worm ruzzmc 'ro sonvn.

Don Dame sprung to his feet as that
ominous sound came from out the ni ht, and
Er t‘llie first time since that reunion e cried

ou :

“ That sounds as though a mob was rising!

We mhstn t let the old fellow
die that fashion !”

“Not if welcsn save his life for better
use!” cried Hagar Eldridge, as he caught up
his hat from w are it had dropped unheeded
to the floor, together with the gold-handled
cane, which 0 almost invariably carried
while abroad night and day.

Without wai n to see what effect his
swift appeal won d have, the Denver De-
tective sprung to the door, turned the key
in the lock, flung the barrier wide, then
sprung into the street. ‘

Eldridge was first to follow. and his hand
dropped on a shoulder as Darling bent his
head in listening.

Just then there was silence. but only for a
few seconds. Then u !y cries and shouts
broke forth afresh, am even a novice who

 

 

.  witnessed any portion of that night's

. I

' been total!

' was to him but a trifle worth?”

But both men drew relieved breaths, for i
out here in the open air it was far easier to :
jud re than in yonder behind closed doors. 3

“ t‘s not a regular mob as yet,” declared ,
Darling as he noted how scattered those !
sounds were. “Still we’d better get on 1
guard, for once men of that sort ([0 form a!
mob, it's terribly hard to block their way!"

“ You’re right, Darling,” crisply cried the
mayor, then to his other friends:- “ Across to 
the jail, lads! It’s there the trouble must I
show itself to be really dangerous; and with
us to the fore—1w lynch ltmfor tonight, re-
member .”’

Darling and Eldridge stuck together more
closely than any of the thers, it seemed,
whether through chance or by design is not
so certain.

They were first at the frame building
which had been selected as uarters for the
accused for the time being, ut found all in
order at that place.

“ I don’t reckon it means anything wuss
then had wind, boss,” coolly said one of the
chosen guards. “ Still, of it means old busi-
ness, they’ll find we’re here fu‘st!"

It is such talk that lends confidence, and
feeling more at ease in his mind now that he
knew the picked guard would do their duty 1
in case serious trouble should actually arise, I
the mayor ventured to press his investi a-
tions further, after consulting with his cl
low members.

“Spread out and cover more ground,”
formed a portion of his instructions. “Cool
off any one you find shooting his mouth too
loudly, but don’t get mixed up in a row if
you can well avoid it. Still,  you must,
make your work count for our side!"

But, as investigation proved, the threaten--
ed outbreak of lynchers was confined to some
half dozen or more fellows who had taken
more bad whisky than their wits could
counterbalance, and the supposed danger
was easily enough handled without either
the mayor or the Denver Detective openly
interfering. '

Don Darling followed the lead of the
mayor until these facts were made clear, and
then, being assured by David Wilkinson that
his committee would see to the immunity of
Reuben Reeves from mob law, the two men
dismissed that fear from their list of possible

rils. ,

For the first time since the discovery he
had so unex act! made while Dr. Brewster
was examini‘: g tg’e bod of Neil Vance, Don
Darling had a chance 0 cred him to mention
the strange recovery of his stolen note-book.

As previous] stated, he had mentioned
that loss to his 0st, shortly after his noctur-
nal adventure; but until this night he had
unable to divine whose hands
had taken t at property.

As they were walking slowly through
town toward the mayor’s residence, Darling
brought up the matter, but Eldridge accrue
to attach far less importance to the discovery
than did Dnrlin himself.

“Wh shoul he assault me, that fashion,
though " persisted the Denver Detective.
“ And, having assaulted me, why steal what

Eldridge gave himself a sudden shake, as
though to rouse u wits throeugh stirring his

bod . And then e suggest .
“n” y it not have been all a mistake, Dar-
5?"

“In what respect, pray?" , .

"Well, you know what Felton said, a'nd
you also heard the warning left for poor Neil
with me, by Reeves. Vance was really half-
crssy over that girl, you must understand?”

“ And you think he saw me creeping about
thecabin, that night?"

“ I do think so, now that you’ve found he
had your memorandum‘boo .”

Don Darling gave a low whistle as the -
sible truth flashed u nhis mind. A jea us
lover, a mistaken dentity,‘ a hasty blow!
But-—

“ If he mistook me for a rival, I can un
derstand the blow, but how about the mm P"

, “That may have been in hopes to cover
up his mistake," thoughtfully suggested the
mayor. “ e recognized you, of course, and
then took what he did to make you think
’twss a case of robbery, pure and simple."

 

ed ht from that point, the solution
seemed fairly plausible, although such an

cleared away, butmbah!” with a short, [happenings could hardly have misinterpreted 5 explanation fiiid very little’ for the morale:
those sounds. ! of

the youngest member of. the Silver
League.
By the time this solution was arrived at,.

the two men came to the mayor's residence, "

and while Eldridge passed inside, to cleanse
his bands which had become stained with
blood from the veins of the murdered mam.
Don Darling sat. down upon the steps, light-
ingr a fresh cigar and giving himse f over to
deep and grave thoughts. .

'l‘hcre passed in .swift review the main.
events of that evening, and as he came to the»
defense offered by the old hunter, he could
not fully belieVe in his guilt.

“it was a man talking, then!” the detec—
tive told himself. “There was nothing of
the cur or the criminal about it. I’d sooner
think—but what interest could he possibly
have in killing Vance?"

It was of Jerome Felton Don Darling was
thinking, just then, for he could not help
contrasting the demeanor of the two: accused
and accuser.

All to the disadvantage of the latter, too !£

And yet, as he asked himself, what possi»
ble interest could Jerome Felton have in put—
ting Neil Vance out of the way?

Unless——was it another instance of un-
bridled jealousy? As Neil Vance had felov
niously assaulted Darling on suspicion of '
rivalry, was it altogether imposs ble that
Felton had dealt that death-blow through.
the same misguided passion?

“It surely can’t be that way !" the’detec—
tive told himself, rising to his feet and walk—
in nervousl to and fro. “Even if he was.
in ove with fiss Reeves-aha!”

'I‘he detective gave a s rt as the thought.
of that person brought to mind another mat»
ter which surely ought to be looked after.

“ Has any one carried word to Miss.
Reeves? Her father never asked that she be
notified, that I caught! And 'et—it’d be a
terrible blow to the poor child if an coarse,
blunt person should blurt it out a ut his:
arrest on the charge of murder!”

Even while these thoughts were flashing
swiftly thrdugh his brain, Don Darling un-
consciously s rung into action, striding-
rapidly away rom the spot where no doubt.
the run or fully ex ectcd to find him, short»
ly; andy almost be ore he realized the fact,
he was well on his way to the cabin home of '
the old hunter.

Althou h he had never interchanged a.
word wit her, Don Darlin had seen Ethel
Reeves several times since t at first limpse
of the maiden through the cabin win ow.

It would be entire y 600 much to insinuate:
that the Dandy from Denver-had fallen in
dove with this fair mountain maid; but it is
well within bounds to state that he had learn-
ed to admire her, if for her piquant style of
beauty alone. ,

It was with a sentiment of strong pity and.
warm sympathy that the detective now huro-
ried along through the night, hound upon a.
mission of mere . Since the poor child
must learn the btter truth, better hear the
words from kindly lips than from those of a
mere senmtion-monger.

But it was fated tobe different from what
Don Darling pictured to himself while on.
the way: the mountain cabin was occupied.
but the figure which came staggering out.
through the o n doorway, most certainly
was not Ethel ves! '

“ Halt!" sharply challenged the detective,
pistol leapiés’g out and catching the drop,
with wond ul swiftness; but then, as he
recognized that burly figure, he added:
“You, Felton? What’s up, now?”

“More devil’s work, or I’m ’way off my
nut!” hoarsel answered the other, as he
recognized s interlocutor. ” The girl's:

“Gone?” echoed Darling, with a strange
ang shooting through his heart, but which
is was too greatly worked u just then to

interpret aright. “Gone w ere? Gone.
how?”

“ You tell, and I'll make it mighty well‘
worth your while, Darling," said Felton, in
more natural tones. “I’ve taken a hasty
look, but couldn’t find anythin to tell-—
wonder if that old devil sent her 0 first 7”

There was a sudden tirelea ing into his
eyes as this idea presented itse f, and with—

,-

out waiting for more, he sprung past the. .

Denver Detective, and hastened away in the
direction of the town.

C

., 1.,”1“. ugfl
‘4‘ F ““Ef‘rkzunv' u‘ *Jhly'i: ,b‘ysza

 

‘ n. _ I 3211 v1: ,4 

 

. .3
, 7‘.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
  

 

 

 

4:33"

Darling hesitated for barely a second. He
saw that Felton was in desperate earnest
just now. and feeling that the right clue
mi, ht be more readily found at the other
end of the line, he sprung after the member
of the Silver League. rapidly cuttin r down
that short lead, and while easily lkeeping
pace with Felton, questioning him as to
what had brought him to the mountain
cabin just then.

"What fetched ' you, then?" grufily re-
‘torted the fellow.

“I went to break the news of her father’s
arrest.”

This frank admission set Felton a good
example, and he quickly explained his pres-
ence after the self-same fashion. But he
found the cabin deserted, the door wide
open, which fact alone was sufficient to
awaken his fears that something had gone
seriously wrong.

"She may have heard, and so hurried
down to join her father,” suggested the de-
tective, although his sinking heart flatly
ref usml to accept that harmless solution.

After this no words were spoken until
their race a inst time was completed, and
promptly ha tin at the stern challenge of
the guards on ut over Reuben Reeves,
Jerome Felton sw ftly explained for both
men. .

As the guards knew what a rominent
part both Felton and Darling h taken in
the capture and examination of the old
hunter. they showed less reluctance about

'ving them admittance to the room where

uben Reeves was under personal watch of
two armed men.

Of course it was out of order, this granting
such permission at all, but at best the were
only amateur officers of the law, an when
two men of such caliber asked it as a favor,
how could they refuse?

Openin the door, the messengers of evil
weread tied, and as the old hunter looked
up from where he was squatting, at their
entrance, Felton bluntly asked him where
Ethel had gone. t

More thoughtful, Darling explained their
mission, and for a brief space the father
seemed fairly dazed by this fresh stroke of
fate. But then, leapin_ like a maddened
panther upon Jerome Fe ton, he  his
throat. throwing him down an rottling
him while savagely crying:

“ It's all art 0’ yer game, ye cussed
houn' dog! an g ins—steal her—but I’ll kill
ye fu‘st, ug-gim ya I"

\

 

CHAPTER XXV.
ammo ALL nannsn or.

So swiftly was this attack made that all
others were taken by surprise, and Jerome
Felton. seemingly powerful enough tocrush
the old hunter as one might snap adried
weed, went down beneath that quivering
heap of savage hatred with hardly an effort
at resistance.

Reuben Reeves was furiously in earnest.
however, and had they been left to settle
the matter for themselves, Felton could onl
have escaped death by throttling, throng
making use of knife or pistol.

But Don Darlin was almost as swiftto
set as the veteran been, and grappling
with Reeves, who seemed more like a mad-
man than aught of sanity, he contrived to
gain the u per hand before the amazed
guards could rally their with sufficiently to
come to the rescue. ‘

“Let up, man!" he cried, ate ly, as he
drag Reeves back from'the hal throttle-d
mem r of the Silver League. " Can't you
tell friend from enem , tint you twist a
home for your own , this way ?"

“ I hsin’b—let you!” raged the old
hunter, striving to k away from the one
who had taken him so wholly at s. disadvan-
tage. “ He’s stole my honey bird, sn’ I’ll—
let'up, or I'll be the death 0' yet"

By this time the guards came to Darling’s
assistance, and in the'powcrful excitement
which rei ned, Reuben Reeves might easily
have fa but illy, had not Jerome Felton
himself interfered on his behalf

“ Don’t harry-he's crazy, but don‘t hurt
him!”

Even against such heavy odds, Reeves
was making a fight as fierce as it was hope-
less, and with the odds of three to one,
Darling and his now assistants found it as -
thing but an easy matter to subdue the o d

1

_l

 

  

Indian-fighter without injuring him mate-

rially.

They were just winning the victory when
another interested person came upon the
scene, and without pausing for Ceremony or
to give the regular password, Ransom E1-
dridge sprung to the front, sternly demand-
ing an explanation of the row.

“ Talk out, and talk while!” he menaced,
gun in hand as he flashed eyes from one to
another, “ You, Darling? And—Flatten!”

“ Devil roast him by inches!” panted
Reuben Reeves, hoarse and worn, yet with
spirit unbroken and hatred hotter than ever.

“ \Vhar’s my honey bird? Whar’s my
little lady gal? Whar’s—make him ’fess, or
the death cuss of a daddy ha’nt ye one an’
all through etarnity !"

Jerome Felton seemed deaf to those fierce
menaces, and hardly paying any notice to
the president of the Silver League, he
hoarsely asked Reuben Reeves:

“ You tell—where is “Ethel, old man? If
you run her off before—did you, man?” ,

The only answer was another desperate
effort to get at the speaker, which ended
only when ReeVes was completely exhaust-
ed, and the now thoroughly angered guards
had hastily bound his arms with a bit of rope
which came handy to their reach.

While they were doing this, Ransom El-
dridge warned them repeatedly a ainst in-
jurin r the old man, or using more orce than
was a soluter necessary.

Not until this was fairly accomplished
could there be anything like acalm expla-
nation on either‘side, but when the guards
drew back, leaw’ng the old hunter helpless
for the time being, Mayor Eldridge almost
harshly demanded an explanation from those
enga ed in this unexpected affair.

“ ou, Darling -— and Felton! What
brought you here at this hour, without the
pass agreed upon? And—what means all
this racket ?”

The two men thus milled upon b name
glanced at each other, and as the aver
Detective made a slight how, the member of
the Silver League spoke first.

“Darling can-bear me out in it all, Eld-
ridge, if my word needs backing up,” began
Felton, his voice betraying a degree of emo-
tion which was seldom exhibited by the
man. ” I thought Miss Reeves ought to
know what was keeping her father, and so—
I went over there. But—I found the door
open, the house empty, things all in dis-
order, like! And then—I ran hot-foot down
this way to see if Reeves knew anything

about the matter."
“Adirt dog liel A dirty dog liar!”

harshly cried the ex-trap ,r, at this. “ It’s
all a foul trickto ruin- har’s my rs gal,
ye houn' do 0' sin an’ deviltry? ake him

tell, Mare. ldridgel Make him fetch back
my pore honey bird, or I'll cuss ye all from
now clean through eternity!"

“ Make him tell. rather!" harshly amended
Jerome Felton, his strong hands clinching
until it seemed as thou h the tensely drawn
slain must burst. “If is didn’t run Ethel
o —'-’

“ A lie—~15 dirty dog lie! It’s all a trick to
——maks him ’fess up, Ran. Eldrid e, or take
my neverendin’ cusses fer play 11’ me all
over dirt!” ‘-

From face to face the mayor was flashing
his brown eyes, seemingly at a loss to decide
between them. With a quietingrgsture for
Jerome Felton, he spoke to the p ner:

.l' Vii?“ av awake...”
p or now e o is e ’s
ance. Reeves? gDon’t ou know—” p

“I never then, but do now/"cut in the
prisoner, his voice hoarse with intense rage
and hatred.
fer to break me all up, an’ t'mv pore little
gal whar— Kill me, ye devi s! Killme while
you‘ve got the bulge, or I’ll prove heap
zight wuss to ye all then the blind killer hes

in l" s -

This threat came with a vicious intensit
which homes description, and strong,rbo ,
resourceful man though all Chloride knew
himto be, Ransom Eldridge drew back, with
a visible shudder!

Noti this, and feeling an intense inter-
est in t ewelfare of the missing maiden.
Don Darling came to the front, but with lit-
tle better success than had rewarded the
ma or. .
uben Reeves plainly deemed all opposed

,7

 

“It's all a dirty dog scheme 1

 

, w:  ‘3'. z  a. w    w; »  ; v r" ‘, .
> .

to him, and with his jaws tightly locked, he‘
glared defiance at one and all.

The Denver Detective told how he had
hastened to the mountain cabin for that
friendly purpose, but failed to see aught of
Miss Reeves. And then he explained what
followed. just as Jerome Felton had done
before him.

The only difference in the reception of the-
twain was that Darling received silent curses,
where Felton had them aloud!

Realizing at length that they could hope-
for nothing better than this, the party with-
drew, and the door was closed upon the old
man against whom such a terrible charges
rested.

With a bit greater sternness than was cusw
tomary with him, Mayor Eldridge gave-
orders for the guard- line to be more care»-
fully drawn, and to permit none through.
without they first showed the regular pass,.
signed by David Wilkinson and himself.

“ Don't pester the old man with too many'
guestions,” he added, after a brief pause,.

uring which he seemed to be deliberating-
busily. “ Still, if he should betray any in-~
cli'nation to talk, try to draw him into tell-I
ing what he knows of the affair: where his:
girl has gone, or been sent.”

Taken downa eg or two by having so.
rankly disobeyedp their orders concerning
the password, the picked men promised to»
do all that lay in their power, and then, with
a esture Wiich commanded Darling and.
Fe ton to follow, the mayor moved away'
from that spot.

But the swarthy member of the Silver“
League seemed far too deeply moved for-
long silence, and burst out With:

“That girl—what can we do for her, El»
dridwe?”

.. “ lsit so certain she wants us to do any-—
fining, thou gh?" moodily asked the mayor.

“She’s gone—and from the wa things:
looked there in the cabin, I coul almost.
make oath she never left of her own accord 3”

rsisted Felton, his fingers closingxand open‘
mg with fierce nervousness. ‘

“What notion took you over there at such
an hour, Jerome?” asked Eldridge, with a.
difierent tone of voice from anything he:
had used, of late. “I thought you had
gone—U ‘

“ Didn’t I tell you why?" with an impa-
tient gesture. “When I remembered no~
word had been sent Miss Reeves, I reckoned
-—I couldn’t help thinking ’twould be now
more than rigth decent, don’t you
m ”

Felton spoke after a fashion unusual Tor"
him. Usually so cool and imperturbable,
his voice trembled and caught, and even by‘
the mgonlight his hot flush was plainly per—~ '
oe ib e.

on Darling felt an odd thrill of rescnt~
ment as he saw this, and Ransom Eldridge
gave a low, prolonged whistle as though his. \
eyes were beginning to open to an, as yet”
unsuspected truth. '

“ Is that it, pardner?” he uttered, slowly, .
in keeping with that note of half-amused.
surprise.

“ That’s it, if you take that way of look-
ing at it,” almost doggedly answered Folsom:

then sddin : “ What ‘csn we do, first 1 It’s.
a burning s me if we don’t act, but—how
an so: f”

"And how do we know that our sctioniss.
wanted, Jerome l’” ,

“Oh, curse your infernal coolness, Ran.
Eldridge!” burst forth the other, hotl .
“ The lis one, and everytfingsbout e2; '
place s ows t at she went against hcrvillt.
ISO—m ought w: to go, list i" _. ,

" can we 0, t oug ?” ' .

" That’s what's =esti me!” psast‘ontely'
cried Feiton, with no r savage suture.
“ I know that something ought to be done,
but what! There seems no clucto work
on! rWhat way turn first? Who to sus‘
pact ’ '

There came no immediate answer to these
questions. Neither Darling nor E
seemed capable of offering a phnsfblcgso »
tion to this fresh enigma, and after waiting—

for,a few moments in ho of shining' ,
lasts hinttosctupon, circa again'hroke.
{out}:

ll I”

got to do somethin ,if it’s onl '*
glad-work! Ican’t—for the t time IL

,, elp me out! How can I help 
Reeves?"

 

 

 

t

“ What can you do, Jerome, without even

the ghost of a clue to guide your search?"
gravely asked the mayor.

 With his last hope cut oil' from that
5‘ quarter, Jerome Felton hung his head de-
jectedly for a few seconds, seemingly think.
ing what else remained for him. Then,
wlth a swift breath he cried:

“ I.ean't take it cool as you do, Eldridge!
I‘ve got to do something if it's only make
believe!"

Without waiting to bear or see more,
Felton turned'away and swiftly passed be-
yond their range of vision, leaving the two
men more thoroughly )uzzled than before.

“ If he hasn't turne crazy all of a sudden,
then I’d like to know the reason!" ejaculated
the mayor, drawing a long breath as he
turned toward the Denver Detective, like
one seeking light.

“ Looks more like a' case of love," grimly
declared Darling, his lip curling oddly as he
mentioned the ailment. “Didn’t he show
anything of the sort before?"

“Level!” echoed the mayor, in tones of
strong surprise. “ You don't mean—surfily
not old Reeves‘s girl, man?"

“Looks sort 0' like it, to me, anyway.
Either love or lunacy, and I’m not so mighty
sure the terms aren’t synonymous!”

Griml , even surlily came those closing
words, but Eldridge seemed to look for
go deeper meaning than lay on their sur—
ace. '

“In lOVe! Felton? .And with Ethel-—
Well, I do wonder!"

He started in motion once more, while
giving vent to his broken soliloquy, and for
some rods the two men progressed without
either one saying an ht further. But then
Don Darling ave a 1 Me start, crying: d

"I wonder f——”

“ You woner what?" asked Eldridge, as

the detective paused abruptly without
finishing his sentence.

’ CHAPTER XXVI.
MORE or THE SILVER QUEEN.

“I WONDER why Neil Vance risked
carrying my note-book on his person all the
time‘t",

Whether or not this was. precisely what

   
    
  
    
   
      
    
 
    
  
    
  
      
   
   

    
 

 

   
  
   
  
 

may well be doubted, but the answer came
so promptly that, even if he was not entire-
ly satisfied with it, Ransom Eldridge had no
. reasonable excuse for showing that doubt.
- , “ Possibly he meant to restore it to you,
" w who found a fair Opportunity for ac-
knowled ing his foolish mistake,” gravely
‘sug ate the Silver League president. 0
" hat sounds something like it, for a
fact," frankl admitted the Dandy from
DenVer. v “ eckon he was ashamed to own
up, tqo‘soon. And then—wonder if he could
havesuspccted that Felton had a longing
eye out that same way i”
“ I can hardl bring myself to believe it,
, yet!” moodily cclared the mayor, his pace
1 ‘ slackening as if unconsciously, to give his
~ brain freer play. “In eve—~Jerome
'yFeltoni" ' '
Silence reigned for a few moments, to be
' brioiken by‘ Darling, who half-doubtingly

  
   
  
   
   
  
   
  
   
  
 
    
 
 

i " I wonder if I’d better tell you just what

' thought it was that struck me, back
yonder Eldridge?”

, , ‘f I'think I could come within a mile of it,

 " on a blind guess," ,cooily' asserted the

 mayor, showing hardly any interest, how

ever. .
, , ” Then-I didn’t throw you wholly of! the

 
   
   
 
 
 

gscent? .
, " Shall I give you proof. Darling?”
' “,1! you can—yes?
" You was wondering whether it could be
outbie that their fancy for the ReeVes r1
1 brou ht about a collision between cl-
to and , ance,”,jquietly said the mayor.
r I“ low far wideant I, Darling?” '
“ Not quite so far as Iwas when I thought
to blind you by a-faiso -double," frankly ad-
mitted “the Dandy from Bearer. “ What do
 Mythink of it, an way, Eldridge?" \
..  1" 1% thin in; of "it for some little
.V . time, Darling, but I can’t make it comeiout
 that we ,” gravely answered the Mayor of
< ' Chloride. , “I will admit—now that you
‘ flich set me the example of candor—that I
,3 jntbcr more than suspected both lads were
14h, love with, the same girl. and that I never

    
 

:1  A

  
   
     
   

 

 

.4-

  

the Denver Detective had set out to say, ‘

I non, the “nearer n

dreamed of that fancy ever causing trouble
between two such close friends.”

“And now 2’"

“My opihion is still the same. Even now
I can't think that Jerome Felton would
lift weapon against Neil Vance, much less

this would prove!"

“ lie was first on' the spot, though!"
thou rhtfully said the detective as though
unab e to wholly dismiss that theory.

“ After the assassin, yes!"

“ You mean old Reeves ‘2”

Eldridge hesitated now, but not for long.
IIe cast a searching look around on all sides,
like one who feels he is about to express
sentiment of more than ordinary danger; but
seeing no signs of eaVesdroppers or any
moving person, he drew a bit closer to
Darling, even bearinga portion of his weight
upon that arm as he lowly uttered:

“ I tell you now, what I've told you be-
fore, Darling: I firmly believe that when
the whole truth comes out—as it surel must,
soon or later—I honestly believe that 1 [adam
Silver is at the bottom of all this murderous
scheme!” ,

“It hardly seems possible,” thou htfully
said Darling. “ She, a woman! ’ would
try the nerves of the boldest of mankind,
E drid c!"

“ now that. I know, too, that there
are a few women who can giVe the boldest,
wickedest of all men odds and a heating at
ought which 'calls for pure nerve and un-
adulterated gall!"

Ile paused, as though‘ expecting some
comment or observation from, the detective,
but as none such was forthcoming, be added:

“Mind you, Darling, I'm not saying that
the Silver Queen has dealt every one of these
awful blows with her own hand. Slicdoubt-
less has confederates. if I am right, Frud
Freestone is a rominent tool, always ready
to her hand am for her bidding!”

“ And you think Reeves is another?” ask-
ed the Denver I)eteetive, as they paused in
front of the house toward which their steps
had been slowly trending all this time.

. step leading to the porch-level.

“ Just as well out here as inside, don’t you
reckon, Darling?" .,

“Better, to m notion," as he likewise
took a seat. “ Tnless that factotum of
yours—-" .5

“Dick Lane? Too deaf to hear, even
should he be awake, which is supposing a
genuine miracle," amusedl y declared the pro-
prietor of the place; then adding, more

rarely: “About Reeves; yes, I (10 think he
sanother tool fitted to the cunning hand of
Madam Silver!" '

“Doesn't it look a bit oddly that no one

from the Silver IIorn showed up, during all

 

murder him in such a dastardly fashion as ‘

 

They mayor waved a hand in silent in- ‘
vitation, then sat down on the low, broad .-

ing uneasily for a few seconds when that
reasonable limit was overpasséil, he broke
the silence in tones a bit colder and more
metallic than usual: .

“Isn’t it about time you were making
some sort of report as to progress made with
the case, Mr. Darling? You surely ought to
have learned something by this time!"

“I really think I have, Mr. Eldridge,”
came the quiet response.

“Good! You’ve asked plenty of ques-
tions, and looked into our hands often
cnough’, gracious knows! And all the time
you’ve kept lock and seal OVer your tongue,
until—well, let that pass, then," with a
short, dry laugh as the Denver Detective
made a deprecatory gesture.

“That's really part of our stock in trade,
don’t 'ou know, Eldridge! If I were to
talk al the time, when could I be listening?”

“ That‘s all right, Darling. I'm not kick-
ing about your keeping secrets from all
Chloride, but-surely I ought to form an
exception. At least, in part. So—when
will you be ready to fully unmask the Silyer
Queen?" '

Ea erly, though trying to vail that eager-
ness, ldridge asked this question, but Don
Darling made no objection as to replying,
for he responded:

“ Very soon, I fully hope and expect, Mr.
Eldridge. Still, youcan't expect me, nor
Would I consent to, spring the trap without
first making dead sure I had the game be-
yond all possibility of its escaping my grip.”

As he said this, Darling rose to is feet,
giving his arms a stretch, and adding:

“ I reckon I feel just like taking a bit of a
walk before banking in, but don’t bother to
wait up for me, Eldridge.” . - .

Before,the mayor could ask a question as
to his destination, or propose joining him in
that little stroll, the Denver Detective strode
away, heading for the main portion of Chlo-
ride City.

When he came to the first cover which
would screen his,action, Don Darling cast a
look backward, giving a little grunt of grim
satisfaction as he caught a glimpse of the
mayor still standing where so uneeremoni~
ousl deserted.

“ 'onder if that sticks in his crew?”

I mused the detective, as he proceeded, turn-

ing at an abrupt angle as 8001) as he was

'fairly out of sight. of the Eldridge place.

“Can‘t help it, if it does. Iwant quiet-—

E and plenty of elbow-roomfor thinking this

j that racket over yonder?” thou htfully ask. 1

1 ed the Denver ’ Detective. “ hey surely
I must have known something out of the
i usual run was afoot!”
' “ Why wouldn’t they know it, then? But
i it seems to be part of their rule to hold aloof
; from all disturbances which find a source
i outside of their own stamping grounds. I’ll
§ do them that much credit, you see!” with a
, low, odd chuckle. v
“ Safer, at any rate,” crisply commented
the detective. ‘

; course! But-«about Reuben Reeves.
is really one of Madam Silver’s tools, and
she egg id him on to down poor Vance for
keeps there is still more fun to come!”

“ What do you mean by that. Eldridge?"

“ That it Im guesisin correctl ' as to the
true inwardn'ess‘ol this at mu r. the Sil-
ver Queen will be afraid to desert her tool,
now that he has fallen into sore trouble, lest.
old Reeves play even by peaching on her,
and giving away the whole sobemel” .

In a low but almost painfully distinct
whisper came these words, and through the

shadow. where they were sitting, Don Dar~ . case, when there came to this

I

all over!”

In sober truth, this was the main reason
why the man from Denver had deserted his
best so abruptly. He felt that matters were
constantly growing more complicated and
worse tangled up. lie needed solitude for
close, thinking, and he could best do that
while in motion. not cooped up inside of
four walls. I

Don Darling hardly knew just what course
his feet were taking, but they unconsciously
led him into the regular stage road ashe

v struck it at the edge of town.

Moving briskly along this, heedless of
time, place or direction, the professional
hunter of men pondered deeply over the in-
tricate afl'air which he had journeyed so far
to solve. . '

me the very outset it had resentoda

' number of strange, if not abtua ly unique

“"l‘hat's one way of looking at'it, of.
If he i

l

phases: and ever since the case had seemed
growing more and more complicated, less
and less easy to find a lausible solution for.

The si ent killingo Pike Hunter. The
noiseless shbt which dented the shirt of
mail, that defense alone saving Ransom El-
dridge from going down in an equally mys-
terious death! And now—the stabbing to
death of Neil Vance, likewise a member of
that same Silver league! ‘

Adding these three important happenings
to all that had gone before. and the sum to-
tal was enough to daunt almost. any detec—

e. i ‘

Darling was busily broodingI

e0
....
4

over the
caring the

ling could detect the reddish, almost cat~like %‘ faint, far-oi! sound of hoofstrokes. and rous-

glow of those bi brown eyes. ’

' The Denver tective seemed deeply im-
ressed by words or by manner, for he sat
a silence for some little time, evidently

 

!

ed out of his deeply absorbing thoughts, the

Denver Detective glanced hastily around, for

the instant unableto place himself, '
“ The stage road! And—rider coming

, meditating-over thepoint thus presented tori from that direction!" he muttered, his right

   
 

. thought, i , . , i . I .
'  Eldridge épermittod him to do so.
 ii: a

 
 
  

’ \

hand mechanically feeling for the revolver

he habitually carried while on duty; “ I ,
«'2. ma afterfidgetl wonder—dot this hour of the night!” -v-.- ., 
>.  .1 -'. .i.’ - "u I.”

 

           
    
      

  
    
 

 

 

:1 tap

Dandy

on, the «Denver Detective.
i

«,2; ~ uzr ,
I

29

 

 

  

., 7v9‘

 

 

 

. w“ . ' ,
  _  , N 3.3“-

I ‘1’  truck

Those hoofstrokes were momentl grow-
ing more distinct, and making sure t at they
Were coming his way, or in the direction of
town, Don hastily sought cover, crouching
under a thick bush which grew only a couple
of feet away from the inner edge of the
trail.

This action was almost instinctive, for he
had no idea who it was likely to prove, rid~
ing at that late hour; but even an honest
man may be excused for declining to meet
strangers at such a time and place.

Darling had a fair view of the road for
several rods, and, as the flier came within
that distance, he gave a sudden start, for he
was almost sure—quite certain, now! And
with a cry to halt, he sprung out in front of
the rider, catchin at the bridle-reins with
hisunarmcd ham , only to be struck down
by a swift blow, as the rider dashed onward.

“ The Silver Queen, by glory!" Darling
panted, scrambling to his feet. .

CHAPTER XXVII.
rm: DANDY mots-s A CLUE.

IT was this firm belief in the sex of that
rider which kept the man from Denver from
making use of the revolver which his right
hand still gripped as he arose so hastily.

He had gone down before the stroke of a
club, or heavy whip, or some similar dull
Weapon: possibly a firearm of some sort: but
that downfall was owing more to the furious
plunge onward of the horse, than to any par-
ticular prowess of the rider.

The alert detective was afoot again in
good time to try a running shot at that rider,
but he made no such attempt. Besides feel-
ing confident he had to do witha woman,
there was his professional pride; he would
unmask the Silver (ilueen living, not dead!

This adventure, owever, ut an end to
Darling’s walking study, and e retraced his
steps to the house. finding Eldridge waiting
his arrival, but askingno questions in words.

' One keen look of inquiry, to which the de-
tective shook a head just as silent, then the
two men entered the house and went to their
beds. ,

The on] special happening which marked
the next ay was the burial of Neil Vance,
the arrangements of which were much the
same as had marked the interment of Pike
Hunter.

After this, there was a meetin of the sur-
viving members of the Silver igue and
the citizens’ committee, when a full discus-
sion concerning the charge brought against
Reuben Reeves was had.

Now, as before, Don Darling formed a
silent member of that tribunal; but as he
had 'no evidenceto offer, justso he made no
suggestion, contenting himself with taking
mental notes, and watching each speaker in
turn.

The Denver Detective said nothing to Eld-
ridge concerning his latest adventure. but it
was not long absent from his mind. For one
thing, he could not helg thinkin the noctur-
nal expedition from w ich the ilver Queen
was returning when he attempted her halt-
ing, had something todo with the as yet un-
ex laincd disa pearance of Ethel Reeves.

)uring the ay in question, Darling made
several attempts to catch a glimpse of
Madam Silver, but in vain. She was not
visible about the Silver Horn, and with no
more valid excuse than he had to offer, the
Dand from Denver hardly dared ask per-
SOnaliv for her.

,, Daring id a visit to the cabin at “the
pate 3’ enterin the deserted home
and making a cri examination of the
place; but f he really hoped to catch a clue
as to whither. how, when Ethel Reeves had
gone, he was fated to suffer dkalpepointment.

The more he that: ht over matter-—
and it almost amazed imself when he fo’und
. how tenacioust the maiden’s strange flitting
held possession of his mind—the more Don
Darlin wondered how far the Silver Queen
had ridgden that past ni ht. _

The result was that aving found nothing
to solvethe puzzle there at the cabin home,
he passed across to the stage road, and won
dered quite a little distance from Chloride

Cit . .
1%, was a blind search, at best, and finally

 

sons who might have business along the -

trail that afternoon.

l'tscemed purely chance that brou ht all
this about, just as it seemed a bit 0 rare
good-luck when the faint, yet not very far-
away whimpcr of a home came to the hear-
ing)of the Denver Detective.

on Darling went down to earth even
more swiftly than when the Silver Queen
gave him her compliments in exchange for
that road-agent-like summons to halt; but
nevertheless he had fairly well located that
odd sound, odd, because no sensible person
would ever think to find horses therein such
difficult ground.

It was not far from dusk, for the sun had
passed out of sight behind the high ground
west of Chloride City. This was a totally
new portion of the country for Don Darling,
but as he carefull scanned the lay of the
ground in that direction, he became con-
vinced that, after all, this spot could not be
so very 'far from the stage-road, recalling a
curve which that road made somewhere
near that section of hills.

With this as a basis for action, the Denver
Detective undertook to see Without being
seen, and thanks to his scouting skill, finally
won his oint.

Instea of one horse, there were three
animals, each one saddled and bridled, ready
for the road, all in charge of a single man,
whose face he could not glimpse, without
running too great a risk of discovery on the
other side. 1

While he was still pondering over the
matter, wondering if this had an ht todo
with the disappearance of Eth Reeves,
and if so, whether that flitting was the work
of friend or foe to the maiden, Don Darling
was fairly electrified by the sudden appear-
ance of another human shape in the direction
of the road.

At first the dusk prevented his making
out for certain just who the new-comer
was, but by cautiously shifting his position
for another more favorably. located, he not
only saw, but heard!

A strange thrill crept over him as he re-
cognized the Silver Quesnjalthou h she was
garbed in dark stuff, now, and e was un-
able to tell whether she were her mask of
woven silver or not. But her regal shape
could not be mistaken by one who had studied
it so carefully, and even before he caught
her words, the shadower was convinced as
to her identity. 0 ‘

He had lost nearly all through the neces-
sity for changing his covert, and he caught
but the concluding words of direction:

“Hold everything in readiness for mov.
ing at the first sound, Wilson.
lect; it may mean life or death for us all!"

The horse guard promised to be on the
alert, and without furtherwords, the Silver
Queen ‘took her departure, in the sauna di-
rection from whence she had come.

Naturall enough Don Darling Wished
that he h won more light on a still dark
subject; but little was better than none, and

after doing some very rapid thinkin ,. he - I

solved to await the result right w ere h
now found. hi elf.
It was a tcd' us spell of Waiting, even for

one so deep?' interested as Don Darling had

become; an more than once he wishedhc

had a better knowledge of the programme, 1

so he could venture further.

He had pretty wen convinced himself nun~

the Silver Queen was planning the rescue
of Reeves, and when, the time for action

came, he knew that his theory .was correct.‘

that far; for from the direction of Chloride
City there came the ruddy glow of a fire of
no mean size, and as thou it this formed the
signal for which he Was ting, the guard
hurriedly took the three horses down to the
stage road, where he had’not long to wait
beme the animals were claimed ,by three
persons. ‘

Don Darlin recognizBd the Silver Queen
, and Reuben

eyes, with a third party. and
asthey mounted and rode away along the
trail he muttered:

trvingl is coming for unmasking the
Silver‘Queen, sure!"

 

I

Don’t neg~ .

“l'll keep on track now, or breaks‘lung ,

far away from the point where the trio-
mounted the animals which had been pro
vided for their speedy fiight, a little gather-
ing was shone upon by a small fire of dry
sticks which blazed upon the stone hearth
of a long-ago deserted mountain shack. ‘

There was a story connected with that
cabin, and with the caved-in prospect-hole
where more than one fond human hope-
layy buried until eternity; but that is another
ta e, and has nothing to do with the present
gathering, save in a measure to explain how '
they had found a secure and secluded shel~
ter there for the present.

That ruddy glow was reflected from the--
silver mask which that strange goddess of
the Silver Horn wore, and the same light re-
vealed a younger, more charming face, new
leaning against the shoulder of old Reuben.
Reeves—the face of Ethel, the missing
maiden!

To one side, leanin silently a inst the'
rude log-and-stone wal ,was Fred recstone,
but in a rough, coarse suit such as he had
never been suspected of wearing in Chloride

Cit .

hiyadam Silver was speaking, the others.
were listening.

“The time has come when Imust keep
the promise I made you both. my friends,”
she said, staring into the fire as though from
there she might draw visions of the eventful
past. “It is not an agreeable tale I have to
narrate, but—’tis gospel truth!” 0

Madam Silver cau ht her breath sharply,
as though overtaken y a pain as severe as:-
it was sudden; but conquering this as quick-
?5 she added with much the same cold,

orced composure:

“ Years agoe—never mind just how many
-there was a woman, married to the man of”
her heart's choice. Never mind their names,.
either. If on ask for them, later on, I may
tell on. or now—the story!

“ t was a love-marriage, then! They
were fairly wrap up in each other, and
Eat made what ollowad so much harder to

rl

” An Eden—and a serpent!

“ That tells the story plainly enough! And
yet—no: I‘ll tell you more, because, of
course, you cannot read between lines, by
sympathy which has not yet been Wholly
won.

" I was thatm arried woman—4km! And
the ser nt—I never liked, never wholly be-
lieved n him, even while he was at his best;
but he was the closest friend my husband
had, before marriage, and how could I blame:
him for wishing to keep up that friendship,
after?" -

“tht was the critter's name, ma’amf”
graycl asked Reuben Reeves.

“I'll tell you that, later, on,.if you wish
when you have heard more. Please let me
tell my story afterm owrifashion—’tis dim--
cult enough at best, eavcn kno‘wsl”

“Shall I tell all that needs to'be told...
sister?" asked the tall apart, from his posh ’ ‘
tion a inst the wall. ,

“ o!" with‘a complete resumption of her

former cold composure. V" I have never
failed throu h woman] weakness, and I
will not bros myreco now! So—thisis

mystery, friends! \

“ As started out to say, all our trouble
came through this false friend whom m a ,
poor husband trusted, because he himse‘ f“
was the very soul of honor, and could not.
ims such vile treachery in one known.
and oved since childhood. - _, ‘ _' ‘f

“ Never mind the details,” with a swift,.;
covert glance toward Ethel, whose bi black ,
eyes were gazing half~dresmil into the. ‘
“Enough for. now that I, * e and time.
a n. was t to reject the evil advances _
0 this humanserpent: and then,‘the mone-
deeply to sting me, he  the mind.
andheartofmydearhus nd" , ; _

“Sn no more now, sister!’ a urged ,
the Slver Horn Sport. ” Or, f  
mwbemld, letmessy the rest", ' _ «:9

s repelling gen.» 7

The Silver Queen made
true, then spoke on; y, . » ,
“I’m n’ot entering into details, 
you would feel no particular interest in
them, and time is too rapidly for ,

theminntes to be so has " . Now—listen? .

 

 

 XXVIII. r
mm mm commis- s'ronr. . _
THAT same night was notentirel spent,
although it was long  midnlfg ‘ 'whsn, 1

realizing as much, Don Darling leftthat
road, striking across the rougher. ground!
heading more directly for town, and so
gum-ding against observation from any, per-

.. ,a

“That demon in human shape did. 
work only too well. He made my husband;
believe that white was black, and innocence: ,
fouls“ guilt! And then, after many 

        

       

 

 

  

   

 

.silver-glov

. .all this bitter black wron !

' the detestable villain he surel

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Dandy Don, the Denver Detective.

 

 

attempts on my part to clear away that‘
‘awfull growing cloud, the nearly fatal
blow ell: my dearly beloved husband ap-
plied for a divorce from me!

“ For weeks and even months I was too
utterly prostrated for aught else but to
mourn my ruined home, my blasted life.
.But then—the case came to actual trial, and
1—] lost!"

Madam Silver choked, her voice growing
hardly articulate, finally breaking off al-
to ct er.

‘red Freestone shifted his position rest-
lessly. an expression of stern anxiety show
.in upon his pale face. -

uben Reeves stole a side glance into
that masked face, his gaunt Jaws working
faster and faster upon his ui ; while Ethel
shyl slipped a little ban across until it
touched that hand incased in woven metal.

Madam Silver quickly but tenderly clasp—
ed that little brown band, and as though

a that sympathetic contact lent her renewed

strength and nerve, she resumed the thread
of her sto . . '

“ How {lived through those terriole days,
I have never been able to comprehend since;
but live through them I did, bearin up
wonderfully, as I can realize now, unt the
«court’s decision was given—«lgm'mt ma!

“ I only know that my husband was rant-
-ed a decree, and that he Was given ful con-
trol of our one and only child. Then—-
something in my poor, overtasked brain
seemed to ive way, and I—oh, why couldn’t
the stroke have proved fatal to life, even as
it had killed my heart, my soul, my hope on
earth or in heaven?” , ,

Ethel pressed that now trembling hand,
and feeling that there was still direr need of
s mpath , silently altered her position until
she coul la warm cheek against that cold,
hand.

It proved to be a most timely as well as
delicately thoughtful action, and again
strengthened 'ust where and when she need-
ed it most, t e.Silver Queen resumed her
recital:

“I was borne forth from that hall of in-
justice, more dead than living, and that was
the be 'nning of a long and dangerous ill.
nose. or weeks I was raving with brain
fever, and then, when my bodily health be-
: an to improve, my tortured brain failed to
keep pace with it; and—when I next came
lmckvto what may be called life, I was an
inmate of an insane asylum!

“ I‘had been an inmate for years—more

' than I dare even now to recall in thought——

years which were as thoughl had never

"lived them, save as a deeper indictment

against that demon. who falsely swore away
my husband; my child, my reason, my
honor! .

“ It was yet a long time "before I entirely
regained my reason, for brooding over my
terrible wrongs helped throw me back; but,
.at last, the day came ’round when 1 left that
horrible prison behind me foreyer, and took
up the burden of life again, for—vengeance]?

“Began life over again. in com an with
“me, her younger brother," said ‘re Free-
:stonc, gravely, thus definitely settling the
relationshi over which so large a portion of
Chloride C ty had debated so curiousl '.

“ And poor, disgraced, homeless, ch ldless',
Zhusbandless woman never was blessed with

- a better, kinder, more'faithful brother!” de

velared the Silver Queen, her tones softening
.as she shot a lovingly grateful look his wa ;
but then her tones grew hard/and metal ic
once more as she added: . i

“ I lived only for vengeance upon the
demon in human shape who had wrought
I never knew
.anythin like rest or we ting until I had
ferrer im out, followln up all his crooks
and turns and serpent- ke windin s, as
though he. knew 8. Nemesis was camp ng on
his trail, and that his sole chance for life lay
in blinding his track so that vengeance could
not catch up!” .

“ I reckon mebbe I. mought give a fa’r
guess at that dirty dog’s own name, ma’am,"
<slowl hinted the old hunter.

" calls himself Ransom Eldridge, now,”
out in the Slchr Queen, " and m
in life is to tear the cunning mas from his
vile face and show him to all tihe world for
a!!!

“ You ’pear to know him to 'ablo well, but
do lame all of him?” .

4g .-: ., are» u

  

soleAim ‘

 

    

CHAPTER XXIX.
THE SILVER QUEEN unmasns.

Tun old hunter asked this question, and
there was deep meaning in his tones. There
must have been something in his face, too,
for the Silver Queen visibly shrunk away
from him, though saying nothing, just then.

“ Ef you did, know all ‘bout the dug-gun
critter, ma’mn, ’pezu‘s like mebbe you’d find it
mighty sight harder work for to sort out the
right ind 0’ words to match his likeness—
fer a nakui fact, ma'am!"

“ If you can tell us more than we know
now," abruptly cut in Fred Freestone,
“ haven't we favored you enough to merit
your confidence?"

“What can you tell about that demon?
Anything—mu you give me any tidings of
my—ob, man!" with a sudden giving way of
those false barriers, tearing off the mask
which had held her face Sacred from the
gaze of all in Chloride (,‘ity save her faithful
brother, and for one brief period the maiden
who was now watching and listening in
wonder.

With strong interest Reuben Reeves gazed
into that face by the dull reflection of the
hearth-fire; but it was the face of a stranger
to him, after all.

Madam Silver choked, and seemed unable
to finish what she started to as '. The old
hunter had little difiiculty in (ivining her
full meaning, however, and slow] shook
his head. silently blasting her awning
hopes.

“ ’Tnin’t the likes 0’ that I meant, ma’am,"
he said, turning to gaze once more into the
fire, his gaunt figure doubled up almost into
a ball. “I’ve knowed a mighty heap 0’
men critters sence I was pupped, though,
an’ ’tain‘t fer me to say, in too big a hurry,
that I didn’t never meet up with the party
'ou’re thinkin’ of, Later on, ef ye like, we

in sort 0' match mem'ries, and see what
we kin make of it. Fer now—thar's Ran.
Eldridge!

“I’ve knowed him this is a right smart
chance, now! I’ve knowed him through my
own findin’ out, an’ I've knowed of him ’long
of what I’ve bin told by other men. An’ so
~—waal, mebbe it’d pan out easier of I was to
foller your ’zample; sort 0’ make a reg’lar
story-tellin’ of it.

“The fu’st word I hed ’latin" to the critter
all Chloride ’pears to reckon totes the sun in-
to his britehes pocket, come my way through
a man which I happened to help a bit, down
near Denver, jest when the pore critter need-
ed hel ), the wn’st sort.” ~

" but man was that?” asked the Silver
Queen. “ What was his name?"

“Jim Van Bushirk,” promptly answered
the old hunter, and like one who had received
another sore rebuff , Madam Silver drew back,
head bowing once more.

“"I‘ain't makin‘ no mighty dif’rence jest
what sort 0’ help that was, es fur‘s l kin see,"
resumed the veteran. “Jim needed it. I
was fixed so’s I could give it. An‘ so—waal,
that’s the hull tale!

'“ Jim bed a powerful sight to tell me con-
sarnin’ this yere Ran. Eldrid xibut I didn’t
make no much over it, than. ’li‘l cwas comin’,
though, when it's all come back :0 me, like a
dream that mought 'a' bin born n childhood
——so to speak!

- “That was after Jim had petered out.
Died, jest 'cause he was tired of livin’ any
ion or, ’peared like, too! I‘Vasn’t nothin’
all in’ of him, fur's me or the doctor could
find out. Jest didtit want to peg ’long any
longer, so  pegged out!" .

Reuben ves heaved a loud sigh at this
stage of his remi ences, but neither of his
lelem callous spo , and after a brief silence

e :

“Next time come later on. 'Twas still
not fur out 0’ Denver, ‘whar I was scra in’
up a fa'r to middlin' livin‘, pritty much ike
I be now; est huntin’ an’ shootin’ an’ trap-

in’ for gru . Thar was jest us two: honey

ird, hyar, an’ the old man. -

“Then, one~.day, while little gal 'nd me
was up~crick for trout, what comes of it but
we ketched glimp' of a stranger critter,
pritty nigh broke’n upI in scraps, layin' on a
side roe whar, of e was to take ’nother
start, he‘d die afore he could half-way hit
bottom! . '

"Wall. ’twas a nut lookout fer a man,
let ’lonesndpof a ,.the way bird was,
then.  ‘tomyinards, {est to

   

       

   

\.- 1:;-

 

     

 

look, an’ measure. an‘ think! But Ethel-
wual, you jest hush, honey!” as the maiden
made a deprecatory gesture. “ Reekon I’m
doin’ this stOry-tellin', hain’t I?” v

“ This mun—you saved his life?” huskily
asked the Silver Queen, that once banished
hope returning to her great eyes.

“ Birdy done it, ruther," promptly dc-
clarcd Reeves. “ I'd ’a‘ bin too p'izcn
skcercd 0’ killin’ the pore critter through
tryin' to do him good, to even try it on,
'thout her fer to punch me up. An’so—
waal, we (It'd nmnige to git what they was
left 0‘ him, thanks to birdy, an' a rope!

“Once down whar it was sort 0’ on the
level, it didn't cost so much fer to make a
pack~mulc out o' the old man, an’ that‘s the
way we toted the stranger down to our
shack. An' there—weal. next thing was for
to fetch a doctor, an’ that I done, while
honey bird hyar, she tuck keer of that bunch
0’ broken bones!

“Doc done his level best, an’ patched
the pore critter up so's he stuck it out fer
pritt‘ nigh two months. Ethel she done the
nursin’, mostly. Come sort 0' nat'ral to her,
seems ’sif, while me—l wasn’t of ’nough
’count fer to be counted!”

“ As if they’d believe that!" exclaimed
Ethel, with a little gesture.

“ That's all right, birdy, an' you jest keep
on a-hushin‘,” retorted the hunter, but with
a loving smile softening his rugged features.
“ An' so—whcn I tell ye this yer’ all-broke-
up stranger give us his name as David Ash-
mole, reckon yo kin begin to guess whar it
was I begun fer to know more ’bout this yer’
little god-a’mighty Chloride hes sot up on
eend fer to bow down afore like dirty dog
heathen Chinee!”

Both man and woman gave a start at this.
but while interchanging quick and meaning
glances, neither one ventured to speak.

“ It’s a solid fact, or I wouldn’t be tellin’
of it to ye," gravely asserted Reeves, read~
ing their actions aright. “ ’Twas the David
Ashmole that was once one o' the Silver

League, an’ when birdy, hyar, hed sort 0' ‘

chirkcd him up ontcl he could let his clapper
run ’thout it doiu' him too much hurt, he
talked to us like we'd bin his best fri’nds fer
more’n a thousan’ ears to'look back on!

“ Then was when I fu’st got to know
pritty much ’bout Chloride City an’ sech
things. An’ then it was he told us why he’d
levanted; beca’se he was too bad skeercd to
stay hyar longer!

“ An', when he got to know us right good
an’ strong, Dave told us why; said he‘d
skipped, fer fear of he didn’t, that the. boss o'
the Silver Leaguc’d croak him, jest es he'd
done others!"

“Did Ashmole accuse Ransom Eldridge
of murdering those other men?" almost
breathlessly asked the Silver Queen. “ Did
he give you any proof, such as would stand
good as evidence before the law f" -

()ld Reuben shook his head as he gravely
answered: ‘

“ I’m afearcd not, ma‘am. I’d stake my
neck onto it’s! bein’ solid truth Dave Ash-
molc told, them days, hut—I couldn’t prove it
in law!” ,

The Silver Queen gave a low groan, bow.
ing her head. Fred Freestone moved to her
side, an arm stealing around her bowed fig-
ure as he bent to w isper. consolingly:

“Patience, sister! The truth must pre-
vail. in the end! We have waited long: we
can wait yet longer, knowing that our time
must surely come!" ‘

“ Then—pore Dave up ’n’ died! But, afore
that, he told us how much his sheer into the
Climax Mine was wu’th, an' makin’ me go
fetch a lawyer-sharp up from Denver, he
willed all he lied to Ethel, fer nussin’ of him
so thoughtful, a’ter savin’ of his life in the
fu’st place!”

“ And you have kept your secret all this
length of time?”

“ That‘s what Dave done told me I’d bet-
ter, ma’am,” ravely. “He said Ran. El-
dridge would s’ murdered Mm fer his sheer
into the Climax, of he hedn’t lit out do sud-
den thar wasn’t no trackin’of him. An’ he
said best fix it all 30’s the lawyers could
han’le matters fer birdy, an’ never let the
boss 0’ the Silver Lea ue know but what
’ltwas Dave, workln’ e old lead under
kiver. ‘

“ An’ so ’twas done! An’ then, to sort 0
keep a,eye onto the prope’ty, ye see, We

_ 123 17:23:12; 7:.‘3;;‘.:.:..'_:._.':;:..:;.:;;:.:;;..;;..;;._L;_;.;_:;:...-;;_; -2‘.‘

      
   
  

  
  

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. 1.. , , 16“? .. m“_ . ,~ ..  ,. g M

Dandy Den, the ' 

river Detective.

m, w.» L. y.  4, - r,“ M :15

31

 

 

moved over this er' way, an’——waal, you kin

lump the rest, reckon, easier’n Ikin tell
e.”

Silence reigned there in the lone cabin for

the space of a minute. Evidently old Reu-
ben considered he had said sufficient for that

(occasion, but not so the SilVer Queen.

“ \Vhy is Ransom Eldridge trying so des-
perately to down you, Reeves 1*”

“I didn’t—mebbe he hain’t, then."

“ You know that he is at the bottom of all
this trouble,” sharply insisted ‘ the Silver
Queen; but shifting her point of attack ab-
ruptly, she asked:

“ This girl: what was her mother's given
name, Reuben Reeves?"

The old fellow gave a start and a shiver,
'but before he could speak or give Ethel a
warning, the maiden anSWered:

“ My mother's name was Victoria, daddy
always told me, ma’am.”

The Silver Queen caught her breath with
a sharp gasp, one silver-clad hand flyin to
the region of her heart, the other going bl nd-
ly out as though seeking support from her
brother.

“Victoria—my name! And your father
-—you are not—who 2': this girl, Reuben
Reeves?" her voice rising as her agitation
deepened.

The old hunter cau ht Ethel in his arms,
Spl’ln ing aside with er.

“ The child 0’ Victoria an‘ Arthur Ed-
‘monds, once, but now—my own little gal!”
he said, hoarse] y, even defiantly as he clasp-
ed her closer. ‘ .

CHAPTER XXX;
wnnzr moons FALL OUT. ’

Tun sun had not climbed very high above
the hills which loomed up in the East on the
morning following the rescue of uben
Reeves from his Pail in Chloride City, when
its yellow rays fe 1 upon a plodding footman,
making his wa along the regular stage road,
heading towa Chloride.

That footman was none other than Don
Darling, the Dandy from Denver; but his ap-
pearance just now was far from befitting
illrli title.

“is garments .showed si us of rough usage,
soiled by dirt and stains rom crushed grass
or leaves, with here and there a rent which
could hardly be termed either useful or or-
namental.

Across one check was a long scratch, caus-
("l by hasty contact with a broken branch in
darkness. His face, neck and hands were
streaked with dust and perspiration.

Taken all in all, Don Darling bore~very
little resemblance tothe elegantly attired per-

 

sonage who had ridden into Chloride City on'

tube box-seat, that evening only one week he-
ore!

And yet, that was a face not entirely gone
t the bad. There was a gleam of almost
fierce triumph visible in those big brown
eyes, and while he moved like one pretty
well exhausted by hard travel, the Denver
Detective certainly did not look just like one
who has lost an important me. »

“Tough lines, but—git! ar Eli!" Darling
said, as a bruise on his foot caused him to
limp anew. “ You’ve gotsto get there, man!
It‘s time for the rand round-up!”

With many a 'g anc'e backward, as though
he feared to be overtaken by some one who
mi ht see fit to interfere with xthe plans he
ha shaped, the Denver Detective hurried
along, sore, hungry, thirsty, yet proving
himself a man of pure grit by persevering in
the face of so man difficulties.

lWhen align; nt algpg theafroad from
w once,  Vt _ h  , Chlo dc
City could R‘wfignmihg eagdirly
strained his e es to‘drink in all that might
be visible. nd at first sight, he muttered:

“ I knew it!” . ~ -,

Right where his keen sense of lonelity told
him the" Vacated building selected as the
temporary prison for Reuben Reeves ought
to stand, there was now a thin, blue haze,
risin from still hot embers!

“ ey burned it down, but— How did
they get the guard away long enough to run
the o d man out ?’" '

That was the question which puzzled the
detective, now. but it did not last long. As
he came more fairly ,in sight of the town.
he saw where, near t e western go of
Chloride, another fire had been raging: then

' the mystery seemed fairly solved.

 

Near both patches of ruins, Don Darling
could see men and women and children
standing, no doubt busily en gagcd in discuss—
ing the exciting events of the night; but
without losing any time in trying to im-
agine aught of these, the Denver Detective
hurried along the stage road, eager to reach
the scene where the final act of the Silver
League drama must be played to its end-
ing. .

zratill, it was his nearest course, and feel-
ing that he was well within reach of his
game in case sudden action should be de-
manded, Darling stopped at the first ruin,
to pickup what information he might.

This was where Reuben Reech had been
confined before his rescue, and without call-
ing too close attention to himself, through
as ing many questions, Darling was not long
in lpicking up all the points be deemed essen-
tia .

It appeai'ed that, when an alarm of tire
was started, the guard forgot all about the
duty which had been intrusted them, and
ran with all the rest of town to the scene of
danger.

For‘danger it was: the worst peril that
can menace a hastily-built town like Chloride
City, where each house is a veritable tinder-
b0

x.

And then—well, the discovery of that
rescue came more speedily than the bold
rescuers had calculated upon, or, in fact, in;
tended.

The jail was afire. All now in Chloride

lity supposcdrthc outlaws who had set the

murderer free, had likewise fired this build-
ing, but later on, Don Darling knew dif-
ferent. This fire had come about through
pure accident, in all robability from a burst-
n or overturned oi lamp.

filaving picked u this much information,
Don Darling passer on toward the house of
Eldridge; but before he could win fairly in
sight of that cozy little cottage, another
source of wild excitement sprung up.

Shouts and cries came to the ears of the
Denver Detectivo, and as the alarm was from
right ahead, he hurried his steps, and then—
he recognized Dick Lane, the mayor's facto-
tum. bare-headed and wild-eyed, his long
arms flourishing crazily as he fioundcrcd
along toward the center of town, his voice
lifted in hardly articulate s ccch.

A number of citizens ha already caught
that alarm. and were hurrying toward the
cottage, but Darling intercepted Lane, giv~
ing him a stern grip and a vigorous shake
by way of arranging his scattered wits.

“What is it? What'has happened, you
idiot?” the detective sharply demanded, now
that he had won notice for himself. “ Your
master—awhere is Mr. Eldridge?” ‘

” Back thercif’ anted the terrified ser~
vant, with a jerk 0 histh in the direction
of the house. " All—~flgh’ting—oh, Lord!”

Gripping him with both hands, Don Dar-
ling turned Dick 'Lane to the right-about,
forcing him along in the desired direction, at
the same time ordering him to tell his story
in a single breath. ‘

The oor fellow was far too greatly upset
in mint to do just that, yet. the masterful
manner of the Denver Detective was not
wholly lost upon him, and by eking out those
broken, disconnected sentences, something
like this was brought to light. ‘ '

Dick Lane heard the sound of voices com-
in g from the which was used by Mover
Eldridge as his home-office, and ancy us:
that he was called to perform some needed
service, he hastened thither; only to find the
door ciosed and locked:

Thenhc heard those voices again, and
despite his partial deafness, he knew that his
master was quarreling fiercely with another

erson. And looking in at the keyhole,
ck Lane ‘saw— \ -

“Master shooting at sorue‘bodyi Arid he
looked like a very devil, so he did! And
then—I just had to skin out—and I skim .’"

By,this time Don was close to the cottage
front. where a number of citizens had gath-
ed, all seeming afraid to venture into the
house. until he set them an example, sternly
crying out: ' ‘ ~

" This we , men! Ready'for hot work, if it
must come! ut—take whoever resists, alive!
Mind; no killing, no harming—take alive I”

The front door was still open, 'ust as it
had been left by Dick Lane in is hasty

 

flight, and springing across the threshold in »

the lead of all, Don Darling came to the
closed door, which failed to open at his
twisting touch on the knob.

“Open, in there!” he called out, sicrnly.
“ Open, or—“

He broke off abruptly, fora sound came to
his ears, in spite of his own speech and the
noise made by the feet of his allies. He list—
cncd for a repetition, and that came after a
few seconds: husky, uncertain, but the
words, easy of comprehension.

“Force the door! I mn‘t—bu’st it open,
man!"

“ Give me room 3" Don Darling command—
ed, voice backed up by squaring arms and
sharp elbows. .

One- vigorous plunge, and the lock gave
way, the door flying open, and the Denver
Detective staggering almost on tOp of—
heavens!

“Back!” called forth‘ a husky yet fierce
voice, and although the curtain was drawn
before the window, there was light enough
to show them all the reclining shape of a
man, literally soaked with blood, yet strong '
enough to menace them with a cocked ,re-
volver. “ He‘s my meat I Don’t dare to
touch him until—back, or I shoot to kill f”

That bloodstained shape was Jerome Fel—
ton, and just beyond, lying on the floor,
bound and gagged. an ugly cut showing
across his artly bald crown, was Ransom
Eldridge, Ni; or of Chloride City!

Swift as tliought Don Darling disarmed
Felton, turning the gun upon the citizens
who stood amazed. steme crying as he
pointed to Eldridge: ~

“'Stand back, one. and all! I’m in charge
here, and I’ll kill the first man the even
tries to chip in!”

“What can you mean, man alive?” de-
manded David Wilkinson sternly.

“That these are my prisoners, andtbot
Ransom Eldridge is the Same! Slayer l”

‘ CHAPTER XXXI;
sOLerG 'rrrn DEATH RIDDLE.

THAT bound and gagged form gave an awk-
ward flounder at this stern accusation, but
with another revolver to back himself up,
Don Darling moved nearer the Mayor of
Chloride Cit ', and plainly assumed charge
of the situation.

With the authoritv of the law back of
him, he might possibly have held possossion
without very serious trouble. but as he recog-
nized David Wilkinson, and one or two
others of the citizens’ committee, who he
felt fairly well assured were honest, trust-
worthy men, he promptly callcd on'thcm to
lend him aid, as a posse.

From the instant of his being so dexter-
ously disarnrcd, Jerome Felton had lain
there in his own blood, showing nothing save
a fierce ileasure in the course taken by the
Denver tective.

If guilt was attached to himself, as seemed
highly probable, the swan member of the
Silver League evidently knew that he had
received his “ last sickness,” and could come
to no worse harm.

Although half-stupefled by‘ that totally
unex charge against the man whom
all Chloride held in such high esteem. Wil-
kinson and his friendsi showed a desire to
comply with the‘wishes of the detective, and
seeing that he would have solid force to back
up his word. Don Darling ordered the room '
cleared of all outsiders, and the house itself
placed under guard. '

This was immediately done, and after the‘
Dandy from Denver had spoken I few words
to Wilkinson, makin that worthy compre- .
head more clearly what domain . he
had secured against Ransom E _ e. the,
merchant showed himself the very t of
cordjutors. ‘ ‘ '~

And so, in less than ten minutes after
bursting o n that door, Don Darling was
placed in all on, with the excited
public excluded from the cottage, and armed
guards vigilantly alert, all taking the cue
from David Wilkinson. ~

Inside, Eldridge had been lifted toan arm-
chair. where he was bound fast for the lame

born . ‘ - .
Felton was removed from the blood-stained
floor to a bed in the adjoining chamber, and '
there Dr. Brewster was once again called
upon to examine and report as to the condis

tion of a member of the Silver league.

 

 

 

‘ , stood atthe edge of the

 point, a sinkin
,‘ ed sinner and
. had spolf‘en his last words: but Dr. Brewster,
4‘ with Don Darling nasal-taut,
good work that Jerome Feiton
'..rallied,.snd was able to finish his confes-

 suspicion from
' tour.

32'

' Dandy Don the Denver Detective.

 

 

This time his patient was living, but that
was pretty much all that could be said in
his favor.

His broad chest was fairly riddled by bul-
lets, and seemed one mask of gore. And,
without going so far as to probe any one of
the hurts, the doctor gravely reported that
death was but a question of time.

“ He may live until ni ht, but I seriously
doubt it. He may die inside of half an hour.
I place the end somewhere between those
two extremes. ” ‘

“Will talking make any serious difference
to him, doctor?” soberly asked the Denver
Detective.

“Not unless he gives way to too strong
excitement,” came the slow reply. “ And—-
if there’s aught of vital importance 'to be
learned---" -- .

“ There surely is, sir!”

“ Then the quicker you set about it, Mr.
Darling, the better!"

And so it was that, after the physician
had done all that lay in his power as such,

, for the terribly wounded man, Don Darling,

David Wilkinson and two other prominent
citizens of Chloride City, stood near the bed
on which Felton lay, istening to his low,
almost whispered sentences, the most of
which were aimed aga'mst the man who had
for so long been a sort pf popular idol in
Chloride City.

Beggin that his words might be taken
down. an declaring that he spoke with full
knowledge that he was about to die, Jerome
Felton fully cleared up the mystery of the
Silver League. ‘ ‘ r

- He swore that the Climax Mine had been
won in the first place by cruel murder;'that
the lode had been discovered by two pros-
pectors, both utter strangers tb the men
who afterward formed the Silver League;
that those poor fellows had been murdered
by Ransom Eldridge and himself, after

.forcing an alliance with them, where all

were to share and share alike in the great
discoveay. ,

Eldri ge formed the plot, and gave Felton
the poison to put in the coffee. And then
——the end was much as the ms or had told
Don Darling shortly after t e detective
reached Chloride City.

Only they two had any guilty knowledge
of that initial crime, but doubtless Davrd
Ashmole discovered or sus ected the awful
truth, later on, and so song t his own safety
in flight. ' .

Jerome Feiton told how Eldridge, while
on a business trip to New York, procured a

' couple-of shirts of mail, which were guaran-
tee

tmturn a bullet, or to foil the most
vicious knife-stroke. And with each so
garded, their later career of crime was

not I

Ransom Eldridge shot Owen Ysrwood,
making use of a riflecane which he had
made to order while on East, and with which
he used shells loaded witha recently invent—
ed nitro wder, which gave a very slight
report, srdly any smoke, yet was of
wonderful strength.

Felton admitted killing the “ Wild Irish-
man,”_ Micifsel Mahoney, using his own
favorite weapon, the kn fe, ust as he did
later on in the case of Neil ance.

Pike hunter was slain b Eldrid e, who
liver am, and
min his rifle~csne. which he could by a
shop 0 tWist ands hidden joint, turn from
was it into harmless su port.

hen the ,terrible con  reached this
spell came over the wound-
m‘atimei‘twas believed he

did such

sion before weakness lot advancing death

returned. a - ..

_ " Yes. I kitted himl” he said. in answer
to a question by Darling. “I killed him
because he was trying \to win Ethel
ReeVes, and I swore she should be no man's

. _wtfe unisss she was mine. And-theri—I
g‘ killazibiml" ‘ -

This, too, was a deed fully agreed u n
by those. arch-schemers, and knowing t at

L the deed was to be done that very ni ht,

Ransom Eldrid' e, to ward off all poss e
imself in the mind of the
Denver Detective, set forth upon that “ duty

 

   

 

gto receiveumsetitree' (its
thus makingsure ofa'perfect «not... . ' it ' ' ' '

When asked why be accused Reuben
Reeves, Felton was no less frank.

" To get him out of the way. and so leave !
men clear field for winning Ethel. Then. 1
too, Eldridge reasoned that your eyes would
he still further filled with dust, and while
you barked along a false trail, we could
work our will with the rest of the Leaf no.”

It was a hideous confession, for helton!
showed no signs of shame or of remorse,
‘more than once laughing faintly at the com-
plete success of their diabolical schemes.

When questioned as to how the fatal
quarrel arose between the mayor and him-
self, he declared that, on meeting after their
vain search for the rescued prisoner, he had
accused Eldridge of spiritmg away Ethel
Reeves for‘ his own evil purposes. That
brought on the quarrel, and with his rifle-
cane, catching Felton off guard, the other
began shooting, to kill.

“ But I downed the devil!” with vicious
triumph in voice and eyes. “ And now—
swear me again! Make it good and hard!
Don’t leave a single loophole for him to
crawl out of! Han himL—make him die the
death of a dog—an even that would be all
too good for him !”

Only once again did Felton speak aloud,
and then to faintly utter:

“ I'm dying—boots on! But Eldridge—
hang—hang—hang 1”

CHAPTER‘ XXXII.
Tm: END AT LAST.

RANsOM ELDRIDGE was not seriously hurt
during his fight with Jerome Felton, but
after trying to laugh that death-bed con-
fession to scorn, and vowing indignantly
that it was all the vile scheme of a still more
evil enemy to avenge his richly meritcdi
death, a change came over him.

One b one the links in a terribly strong
chain 0 evidence were welded together,
and as he saw that the guilt was impossible
to hide, he who had for so long reigned al-
most supreme in Chloride City, broke down
and proved 9. our of the most pitiful de-
scri tion. '

e was confronted: with the rifle-cane
still containin three of the intro-powder
cartridges, wfth their bullets of special
caliber, justas he had too carefully proven
for the still more complete, blinding of the
Dandy from Denver.

Then the story told by David Ashmole
was produced, through Reuben Reeves, duly
written out, signed and sworn to. That
explained how Ashmole happened to ovcr- l
hear‘a talk between Eldridge and Felton, in
the course of which the villains decided to
make Ashmole their next victim.

Then still other points were brought for-
ward by Don Darling, which he had gathered
together since his arrival in Chloride City,
but many of which he had been unable to
comprehend until after he dogged Reuben
Reeves and his bold rescuers to that deemed
cabin, there prouching at a crevice in the
rear of the hzzt through all of their talk, only
it portion of which is recorded, as yet.

And then, when confronted by the Silver
Queen, or Victoria Edmonds, the woman
whose life he had blasted so many years ago,
and who now told him how closely she had i
followed his sinful career in Chloride City,
and how surely she could convict him of
murder, his nerve , ve way. and he begged
for more as a w elp whipes beneath the
merited sh! I

’ His greatest fear seemed to beef mob~law,
and when Don Darlingupromised to sacredly
protect him against t t punishment, Ran-
som Eldrid e made full confessio pretty
much sloug§he lines marked out b Jerome
Felton, his confederate.

He went further, in~one respect, since he
admitted their firm resolve to kill Don Dar»
ling in case he seemed ’to be hitting on the
right scent! A, .

Amos other“ things, he explained the
supp shot of that first night, and shgmed
how'the peculiar sound as of lead striking
his shirt of mail had been produced: a stout
rubber bs iixad to strike his pocket-book
when pulle out, then smartlv released!

, The suit of clothes, also, had been prepared
in advance, by shooting through them as
the hang upon. a dumm : the same on
wh ch hit shirt 0!, _ i it been stretched,

 

Misha Wen-ed

  

she lifted her mask, Ransom Eldridge—to

continue the name under which alone
Chloride City knew him—almost immediate-
ly recognized the woman he had so bitterly
wronged in days one by.

Then, thoroug ly cowed and broken in
nerve, he admitted all, and swore that his
testimony through which Arthur Edmonds
divorced the wife he had loved so passionate-
ly, was false and suborned.

Later on, that same night, Eldridge ad»
mitted that it was his intention to kill off, or

to smre into selling out, the rest of those who.

held stock in the Climax Mine, and when
only himself and Jerome Felton were left, to
finally dispose of the latter, then to Sell the
mine, and cross the Atlantic to live a life of
sybaritic luxury!

Instead—when the sun rose again, it found
Chloride City without a mayor.

Suicide seemed an impossibility, for Don
Darling and David Wilkinson kept wakefni
watch and Ward over the vicious villain all
nitrht. But the fact remained: Ransom Iii-
dridge was dead, and poison had ended his
earthly career, even as poison had been the
beginning of that illomencd Silver League!

 

When peace was once more restored, and
Reuben Reeves knew that the woman who
had passed in Chloride City as the Silver
Queen, had been fully exonerated b the
man who first blasted her reputation m the
9 es of the world, be frankly admitted that
.thel was not his own child, but the daugh-
ter of Arthur Edmonds, whom he had mis-
named Jim Van Dunkirk when questioned,
as to his friend Madam Silver. I

His friendship won through an important,
service, Edmonds, when death came to end
an imbittcred life, gave Ethel in trust to the-
old hunter, swearing him to bring the child
up in complete ignorance of her real parent-
age. And as the surest method of doing
that, Reeves called her his own daughter.

Ethel and her mother soon grew to be-
friends, and when the Silver-,I-lorn was dis-

posed of, brother and sister severed all con _

I)

nection with a “sporting life.

Why not, when their chief end in life was.
fairly won? The past made clear, her repu-
tation restored so far as complete confession
of the only sinner could make it, the crimi-
nal dead, her child recovered!

Before leaving Chloride City for all time,
the building in which Reuben Reeves had
been confined, was paid for.. The other fire
had consumed vacant buildings which be-
longed to the pards of the Silver How, so no.
“kick was coming ” to the citizens on that.
score!

And Don Darling? .

The mystery of the Silver League and the
Secret Slayer was fully solved, even if he
had no prisoner to show for his work; and,
it is a matter of record that,.something less
than one car from the do when the " Daft
dy from nvcr ” enterigv Chloride City, a
certain ceremon was ormed which gave
Ethel Reeves- men s yet another name.
that of Mrs. Don Darling!

Reuben Reeves is s 11 alive, and lives
with "his children,” but Mrs. Edmonds—tbc
Silver Queen—did, not live to see the birth of
her first grandchild. ‘ ‘

With her fair fame restored, and her arch
enemy sent to a merited doom, her object in
life seemed at an end. And, by her own dy-
ing request. she was buried b the side of
her once husband, almost int e shadow of
Pike’s Peak.

'ruu nun.

’ . Beadle’s tine library. ‘

755 Wild Pete the Broneho-Buter Detective. By
an. . e
756 Old Burke the W BqusreDetoctive. By
Wm. .Patten.

757 Buffalo Bill‘s Double. By Col. P. In ham

758 The Wizard. Detective. By ieut. Sims.
. Louh. By J. W. Osbon.

Lone Send. By Albert W. Aiken,
3111‘s fluent. By 00!. P. Ingrahsm.
,- the Detective. 4 Bstckson Knox.

n, the Denver Detective. By Joe. E.

 

an Old G
763 Dandy
Badger

Jr.
min-m hickomueame Sport. ByWillismEm

Haunts

mmbfidymhesnmspm ByLW.Aiken.'

A new tune every Wednesday.

“0’. Dino Library is for sale-lg all
ten cents per Ag
AD

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g of twelvecemseacb. was thy ,, ,, ,
meanwnmmsuvom .: 

 

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