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' Copyrighted. 1896. by BEADLE AND ADAMS. ENTERED AS SECOND CLASS MATTER AT THE NEW YORK. N. Y.. POST OFFICE. December 16. 1896.

 

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THE BOAD'AGENT EMERUED INTO A CURIOUS OPENING 1N THE HEART OF THOSE ROCKS, EVIDEN'ILY 'EUE CMATER i\.‘..‘-L';‘.ZV‘J:~).

 

   
  

Cool Chris,

THE CRYSTAL SPORT;

on,
The Firebrand Detective’
on. Mission.

Mysteri-

1 Romance of Deadwood City.

 

BY JOS. E. BADGER, JR.

CHAPTER
FOR MORE THAN ROBBERY.

“S‘TEADY, now, pardl Make a slip-up, and
it may land ye in glory l”

“ Reckon 1t‘s the right critter, then?”

“ ()ur meat, to a dead moral!”

“ All right. Which’ll I take: two legs or
four é”

“ Four. Shut his wind with a yank, then take
a cinch with the loose end, ag’inet my wanting
ye. It’s odds I throw him stiff, but if it should
happen—”

“ I’ll be ready to climb the critter, never you
Worry, Hank.’

These sentences passed rapidly between two
coarsely clad fellows as they crouched under
cover alongside the stage-road running into
Dead wood from that point of the compass, and
then, with their understanding complete they
separated a bit more widely, each pair of hands
busy with the coils of braided leather which
grease and smoke and patient manipulation had
taxidered as pliant and pliable as so much plaited
s] .

Their covert had been carefully selected, with
an eye to what was about to tra ire. No per-
son journeying either way along t at road could
detect aught of the ambuscade until it should be
fairly sprung, et a single swift stride would
carry the bid en men to a point of ’vantage
from whence they could make their casts with
naught but lack of skill to hinder or to mar per-
fect success.

Their heads were slightly bent in acute listen-
ing, and they could measure each foot of advance
on the part of their prize: only another score of
those leisurel strides, and both horse and rider
would be at ‘ the dead linel”

Not a sound warned the unwary traveler, and
even as those masked shapes broke cover with
swiftly whirling lassoes, read to kill if they
could not capture, their (1 ned victim was
carelessly humming a bit of song as he swung
along lazily in his saddle.

True to their aim, the 11 g loops closed over
head of man and head of east, the lassoers giv-
ing vent to cries of savage exultation as they
flung both weight and muscle upon the ropes
one causing the startled horse to plunge an
snort with terror, the other plucking rider from
his careless seat, to fall with stunning force up-
on the stony ground.

“ Snub your critter, then lend a hand in case
of need i” cried the taller of the masks, at the
same time sprin g upon his victim with vicious
energy, hands opping lariat to grip throat,
Compressing the wind ipe so fiercely that any
attempt at outcry wo d have been in vain.

But no such effort was made. Falling upon
head and shoulder, the horseman was completely
stunned and made no resistance to that savage
assault.

Tl e lesser rascal ex rienced little more diffi-
culty in carrying out is art of the programme,
for, as the asso-loop c osed surely about the
throat of the sorrel horse, the roper took a swift
turn with the slack around a convenient bowl-
der, a deft hitch making all secure, thus leaving
his hands at liberty to aid his comrade in case

I of need.

“ Got him tighter’n a cayuse in double-cinch l”
grimly declared the taller mask, glancing up at
that offer of assistance. “ Soother down the
boss critter, pard, and git out o’ the road afore—
I‘ll tote this bundle of luck—good or bad, I’m
never telling yel” and the road-agent picked
that limp and nerveless shape up in his muscu-
lur arms, bearing it away from the stage road,
among the thick-lying rocks, following hard up-
on the heels of the captured horse as led by his
comrade.

A ver brief space of time sufficed to ca rry all
out of s ght of the trail, and thus feeling beyond
peril of discovery by any chance wayfarers, the

wo masked men paused in order to satisfy them-
selves a bit more thoroughly of the value of
their ca ture. .

[Rude y dropping the prisoner to the ground,
his immediate captor stooped over him, closel
scanni that face, much as one might who is t
recognition on ht to follow that scrutiny.

There was little expression left in that face,
just then. The dangerous jerk given his neck
added to the heavy fall upon the stony road, ha
caused all muscles to relax, and to. a certain de-
gree destroyed the personality which goes to
make up what we term “ expression.” Just then
that countenance might have been likened to one
‘who had drank to insenslbihty.

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0001 Chris, the Crystal Sport.

“ Reckon it’s the right critter Hank?” ven-
tured the shorter mask, leaning forward for a
view, yet still holding fast to the uneasy horse.

“ That’s fer the boss to say, and not me,” came
the gruff reply. “ We was to rope in whoever
come this way, unless we knew they had a clean
ticket; and so—”

“ An’ we didn’t hev no time fer to stop an’ ax
him fu’st fer that ticket, nuther ” cut in the
other knave. “ It’s even divvy, hank?” as he
saw those hands slip inside the garments of the
unfortunate wayfarer; but “ Bank” was in no
haste to reply.

His trained fingers were not long in summing
up the contents of those pockets, and then, be-
fore going any further, he gruffly spoke: '

“ We’ll make his own critter do the toting,
pardner. Get all ready for the ja’nt, will you,
while I send up the smoke?”

WithOut waiting for a reply either way, Hank
turned away from their unconscious victim,
moving hither and yon as the stray bunches of
grass and last year’s pine-needles rendered neces-
sary.

These wore by no means in great abundance,
for that was a desolate, almost barren tract;
but the object he had in view did not require a
very liberal supply of fuel, and ten minutes
sufficed to comp ete his preparations.

Touching a lighted match to a bit of paper
taken from his pocket, the road-agent quickly
ignited the little pile of fuel, causin a dark,
almost blacx spira of smoke toclim the air,
thus forming a signal which could be caught by
watchful eyes for many a long mile, even in
that wild, thinly—populated region.

faulting bare y long enough to make sure the
tiny heap of damp fuel would burn to its end-
ing, Hank turned aside to where his mate was
busy with his part of the arrangements.

“ All’s ready for a lift, Hank, when on be,”
was his salutation. “ Ef you reckon we d better
divv now, than later on, why—”

“ h, bite that off and swallow it, J immyl
Wait and ask the boss for a divvy, if you’re
hun ry for—eh!”

“ t’d be more lead than gold, I reckon l”

“ That’s where your head’s coming level, boyl
I’d pretty nigh as quick try to pinch the boss in
his own poc eta, as to think of holding out on
him this clatter. And so—boost will ye?”

In sullen silence the lesser mask bore his part
in what followed.

Between them, the insensible traveler was
lifted into his own saddle, and tied securely
there with one of the lariats used in effecting
that capture; then the two Knaves moved still
further awa from the stage road, plunging
deeper into t ose gloomy hills.

Before long they came to where a couple of
horses were tethered, and with a promptitude
which evidenced their ownership, they took pos-
session of the animals, and resumed their journey
at a more ra id gait.

For some little time the captive swayed limply
in the saddle, kept from falling by the lariat
alone; then, little by little he seemed to rally
from the shock he had received, and as he began
showing sl us of dnll curiosity concerning him-
self and his surroundings, a halt was called by
the taller mask, and the rope was slackened suffi-
ciently for his removal from saddle to earth once
more.

“ Who are you, critter?” demanded Hank, in
his gruifest tones. “ What’s yer name when
ye’re to hum—eh!”

“ Name? 1 don’t—my head is all—what’s the
matter?"

The captive spoke in husky, uncertain tones,
and when he tried to lift a hand to his bruised
head, the movement was pitiably weak and aim-
less; like an infant, he seemed unable to judge
distance or direction correctly.

“ You stubbed yer toe, an’ tuck a tumble onto
yer cabana,” facetiously answered the road-
agent, with a covert wink at his pard, though
that was rendered ineffectual by the half-mask
which united with his shaggy beard in conceal-
ing his features from casual observation.

“ I don’t—my head! It’s all—~hold it fast!
Don’t let me fly all to bits, for—ah—h—h l”

The luckless wayfarer ceased his efforts to
arise, sinking back and looking like death for
the moment. Yet life remained, and the fellow
who answered to the name of Hank, ave a
chuckle as his fingers tested the wrist-pu se.

“ Playing it mighty fine, pardner, but ’twon’t
pan out wu’th a cent 1”

“ Then he bain’t—J’

“ That’s what, so you hold your hush, pardner,”
interposed Hank. “ Jest kee a good ready fer
to bounce the slippery critter e he takes a notion
to jump over the traces, will you?”

“ You bet I willl An’ he’ll neVer want more’n
the one jumpin’, nyther l" coarsely declared the
other knaVe, standing on the alert.

It seemed the height of cruelty to even speak
of that ghastly pale bein as playin a part with
hope to deceive, but such was Han ’3 meaning,
ind such he clearly believed to be the situa-

ion. ,

His first move was to slip the belt-buckle which
held that girdle of webbing about the risoner’s
middle, and he seemed at ease only w on those
heavy revolvers were beyond reach of that
uerveless right hand.
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“ Best this way, I’m reckoning, critter,” he
said with a short, hard chuckle as that precau-
tion was completed. “ Orders was to snipe ye in,
stiff o-r limber, an' we’d drop ye quicker’n you
could work a trigger of ye was to try it on; still,
this way feels a heap sight more comf’table, to
my notion.”

“ Tryin’ to chin him to death, be ye, pard-
ner?’

“That’s all right, boy. When you’ve layed
a game like this as often as your uncle So omon,
ma be you’ll know half as much. For now—
Ho d your breath, stranger, ef you’re any ways
ticklisii ’bout the short ribs, for hyer I’m coming
at yel

With a low, amused chuckle which betrayed
in part how thoroughly satisfied he was thh the
game as far as gone, Hank once more fell to
searching that unresisting person, and this time
extending his duty further than those previously
ins ted pockets.

'Ilhe captive made no resistance, although it
was easy to see that he was slowly recovering his
bodily powers, and that he was at least dimly
conscious of trouble having befallen him. I

From those pockets were turned sundry arti-
cles, some of which made the lesser villain snap
his eyes with covetous longing, and when a
pocket-flask with silver cup attached was re—
vealed, his hidden lips gave an audible
smackl

“ Thrapple choked up with alkali-dust, eh,
pardl” laughingly asked Hank, at the same time
tossing the coveted article over to that eager
hand. “ All right. Sample it, boy, and if
there’s enough left for a man I’ll help ye turn
the bottom on top. Drink hearty, pard.”

Between two such men a flask of that size was
quickly emptied, and then Hank completed his
search, for the time being at least. .

“Mighty little to divvy up atwnxt the lot,
Hank,’ suggestiver muttered his mate, as the
taller mask began returning the small amount
of mono to their prisoner’s pockets, just as
found. ‘ Ef they done the work like we’re doin’
of it now, reckon they’d stop to think of us?
gouldu’t they say findin’s keepin’s? Wouldn’t

ey_n

“ Oh, hush! You kin make aman more tired-
er than ary other critter I ever met up with,

b0 l”

Eank finished replacing those various articles,
then once more attempted to question the stran-
ger, now speaking sharply and harshly, then as-
suming a wheedling, coaxing manner when the
first failed.

But now, as before, he had little more than his

trouble for reward. The stranger wuld not, or
would not, compghend his meaning, and hardly
a word could drawn from his lips save a
pliiiut of paining head and thoroughly befogged
w ts.
“What makes it so?” he thickly muttered,
staring dazedly about, yet makin no actual ef-
fort to regain his feet. “ I felt a 1 right until—
who hit me! Was it—where’s my head? I
can’t—look out! I’m going to fall again 1”

His fingers clutched spasmodically at the
ground, and his lids closed as though his brain
was turned dizzy bya whirling tumble. His
face turned white and his muscles contracted
until an entirely different facial expression met
those keenly watching eyes. ”

“ Looks like he was going to croak, pardnerl
muttered the shorter inask, in half-awed tones
as he stood watchin t eir rize.

“Which is what ghe wagts it to look like,”
came the skeptical reply. "Oh, he’s a mighty
slippy cuss, but it takes your uncle Solomon to
foolish the fooler, and so— Stiddv l”

“ What ye gwine do now, pard'l”

“That’s all right. You stand read to jump
the critter if he tries to make a brea ,” grufliy
ordered Bank, at the same time unknotting the
lariat which had been wound closel about their
ca tive when taken out of the sadd e.

hat precaution appeared wholly unnec ,
however, since the unfortunate traveler m _e
no attempt at breaking awa , even when his
persOn was entirely freed rom bonds. He
seemed thorough] dazed by his heavy fall, and l‘
Hank experienc no trouble whatever in hi. 1

urpose: that of removing both coat and vegg .
¥rom the stranger. .'

“ What comes next!" asked his comrade, squ. ‘
ily, as Hank cast those confiscated garments ;‘
over his own saddle. ‘_

“ Give him a boost up, and we’ll be mogging l
aloug, Jimmy,” answered Hunk, pushing their
prisoner a bit nearer blS horse. “ Reckon they’re »
thar and waiting for us, by this. Eh?”

“ Jimmy ” made no answer, but sulkily assist-
ed in securing the unknown in his saddle as be-
fore; then, mounting their own animals. “39
road—ruflians rode briskly away, plunging “111
deeper into the hills. .

Whither were they bound? What doom “W313-
ed the lucklcss traveler?

 

CHAPTER II.
THE CRATER RENDEZVOUS.
Foa little more than half an hour longer the
two road-agents pressed forward through the
hills with their captive, speaking nothing, c

.nothing it seemed, save to reach their presen

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0901 Chris, the Crystal Sport. ' ‘.;.'

 

destination with asjittle further loss of time as
mi ht be,

heir prisoner gave them no trouble, although
kinder-beamed mortals might well have worried
Over that strange, semi-idiocy, born of that se—
vere is}; when the lasso took grip.

Faint mumblings came from those thickened
lips, and ever his plaint was Of his head: now it
had been lost from his shoulders, and he was
begging aid in finding it; then he would spit and
sputter in helpless distress, declaring that a
swarm of bees were preémpting his skull for a
gun, and he couldn’t keep them out of his mouth
and nostrils!

Jimmy seemed a bit shy of his oddly-mumbling
captive, but Hank was made of sterner metal,
or also his natural suspicion was Of ranker
growth, for the more wildly the traveler raved,
the more jealously did he guard against a pos-
sible break-away.

“Not that you cauld turn the trick, critter, so
never ye think it,” he bluntly asserted, after giv-
ing another warnin . “ We was told to go fetch,
and that’s just who we’re doing. Time we turn
ye over to the boss—well, mebbe you’ll see what
you do see, then 1”

All this seemed a mere waste Of breath, so far
as the prisoner was concerned. He stared dazed-
ly into that dark mask so long as its wearer was
speaking, but when that grui! voice ceased, his
odd maunderings were resumed, and so it was
when another halt was called.

“ Reckon we’re fur ’nough, dner,” declared
Hank, drawing rein and slipp ng out of the sad-
dle, at the same time casting a keen, comprehen-
sive glance around the spot.

“ But this hain’t—”

“ Play it was, then, and hold your hush boy I”
sternly interposed the leading spirit, a
swift gesture to back 11 his words. “ That clap-
per of yours needs wi ng up a good bit, J immy,
and ,you want to mind it don't get the doctoring,
too!

“ Doctor—where is he?” huskily exclaimed the
risoner, with an unsteady movement of his
head as his eyes glanced around in quest of
something suggested by those words. . “ Call
him in to—my head is—what is it? I surely had
a head—once—but now—doctor!”

“Shut up, dug-gun ye!” commanded Hank,
one hand closing over those callinin the same
instant. “ Yelp out like that ag , and I’ll
plaster your gob so tight shut that you’ll have
to sigg through your nose for the rest of your
life!

“ What’s the peppergram, anyway, pardner!”
asked Jimmy.

“ I’m going on, but you’re stoppin here until
further orders,” was the reply. “ eep all eyes
Oplen, you mind, for this slippy cuss isn’t playing
a these roots for nothin .

he wasn’t born that»

“ He’s turned crazy
ra-awayl”

“ Don’t you think it, pardl He’s smarter now
than a dozen like on, and I’d never leave you
alone with him if could be! it.”

“ What ye doin’ of it fer, urn yet”

“ Beca’se orders is orders. and all the more go
when they come from a boss like the boss,"
oracularly declared Bank, at the same time run-
nin his hands over the bonds holding their prize,
“ ou’re all right as long as you keep your eyes
peeled and your wits on top, Jimmy. And
maybe it’ll help you do all that when I tell you
.so much—”

The conclusion of that sentence came in a
whisper so guarded that Jimmy alone caught its
full meaning and he only, because those heavily-
bearded lips isiriy brushed his ear.

Seemingly satisfied now that their cause would
not suffer through negligence or lack of vigil-
ance, Hank took a final glance over those bonds,
then turned away to where his horse was patient-
ly waiting.

Swinging himself into the saddle, he pauSed
long enough to add:

“ Hold the critter fast, pardner. Ef you can’t
hold him hot, hold him cold. You know what
that means, I reckon?” '

“ Means that I’ll Open a hole big ’nough fer a
11“ y dog to jump through, fu’st clatter!”

‘ygght you are, J immy! Kill him rather
than lose him any other way, and don’t waste
on; cartridges in warning shots, either.”

. lackening reins and touching up his mount
with the spurs, Hank rode away, uickly losing
sight of the others as he pas among the
rocks.

When fairly out of their sight, and far enough
away to have distance deaden the echo of his
hoof-strokes, the mask turned to the left at an
abrupt angle, then pressed along still more
briskly. _

“ They’ll be growing hot under the collar
waiting, I reckon,” he mused With a half-chuckle
at the thought. “ If they saw the smoke—and
that’s what they were to be looking after—they’d
make for the crater, and waiting is mighty slow
work, such times!”

That ride did not last long. Swinging him-
self out Of the saddle, at the same time taking
from his pommel the articles removed from the

person 9 the Unknown, Hank step briskly
along that rugged wa , new seemingly about
g mass of dingy gray

tobebarredbyatow
reeks.

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It appeared to be a case of "J no thoroughfare,”
but the road-agent was thoroughly familiar
with his present surroundings, and moved on
without hesitation, closely followed by his well-
trained steed.

Turning to the right when those gray rocks
barred their way, Hank passed along for a few
rods close to that grim base, but then turned
abruptly to the left, entering a narrow gash
through the rocks barely wide enough for a
horse to pass through.

After several more turns, all so abrupt that
one could see but a few feet in advance,the road-
agent emerged into a curious opening in the heart
of those rocks: into what evidently was the
“crater” rendezvous of the gang spoken of by
Hank.

As he did so, he caught a glim Of human
figures seated a few rods beyon , their faces
turned his way, evidently in expectation of his
coigéng, since one Of them flung up a hand and
cm :

“ At last, Redmond! Well, what luck, old
fellow?”

“Smoky luck, boss, or I’d never have sent it
up,” answered the road-agent stepping clear of
the rocks, still followed by his horse. “ You
glim sad it, of course?”

“ hy would we be here, else!”

“ What did on strike,Hank?” asked the other,
both upon the rfeet now, and each one betra
eagerness or anxiety to hear the truth. “ ou
surely didn’t—”

“ If you called us Off for a false scent, old
man, I know who’ll pay the penal !”

“ If it’s a false scent, boss, you k n blame or-
ders not me,” just a bit doggedly returned
Hank, dropping the garments at the feet of the
two men, th of whom wore half-masks similar
to that which helped his shaggy beard toconceal
his own features.

“ You sent 11 the smoke. That told us to
draw oil! the tra l and come here to hear news.
We’re on deck. You’ve come. Now—out with
it, old man!”

“ That’s one said, and so—I’ve struck color on
in lead, boss ”

‘ What sort of color? And how rich 1”

“That’s for you to decide, sir "and his head
nodded toward the coat and v . “ I fetched
a few specimens for assay; maybe you’d better
see what you can make out of ’em, bees.”

One of the masks stooped to pick up the
clothes, turning them around with a keen glance
at the same time, then muttering:

“ NO red paint!”

“ Because we didn’t have to upset the pot,
boss. Just roped him, as easy.”

“ What did you do with him, then?”

“ Left him oudyonder,with Jimmy Johnson on
deck. Reckoned maybe you’d rather settle first
just when and how you’d see the fellow, than to
have him run in here without fair warning.”

"That‘s where your head’s flat on top, Red-
mond; I just would,” the chief replied, at the
same time ex lorin the hidden recesses of those
garments wit nim le fingers.

Hank Redmond watched all this, with his
coarse beard twitching slightly, as though from
a vailed smile of mm amusement. He said no-
thing more until t at hasty search was completed
and a growl of angry disappointment came from
the lips Of the chief. -

“ A water-haul, or I’m a liar! What did you
tote these duds here for, Redmond! There’s
nothing of value in them, and if you haven’t—”

“ Sure you’ve looked deep enou h, boss?”

“ What do you mean by that, ank!”

Before answering, Redmond slung the con-
fiscated belt of arms upon his left arm, then
took hold of the coat, running his fin r-tips
over a certain portion of the garnient. ausing
at 1Ilength, he reached out the coat, saying
cOo :

_“ Fyeels like there might be paper Of some sort
hid away in there, sir, don’t it?’

With a partly-smothered ejaculation of new
interest, the chief caught at the coat, then
flashed forth a keen-pointed knife to rip open
the cloth and extract a folded paper, sure
enough!

“ I happened to feel it crackle, like, ye see,
boss,” added Redmond, with a touch of triumph
in his tones. “ Of course I didn’t stop to take a
closer look, for I reckoned you might want to—

"Look at it now, then, confound you!”ex-
ploded the other mask, tossing the unfolded pa-
per that way. “Nothing but tailor-padding!
Just a blank, and it’s big dollars to little cents
that your whole haul don’t pan out a whit more
valuable!”

Redmond gave a half-stifled imprecation as
he picked up and stared at the pa r. for the
chief had s oken true: it was a bank with
never a tone Of pen or printer’s ink to lend it
value.

“ What more have you to Offer, Hank?” drny
asked the chief, after a brief silence. “ DO you
reckon the fellow himself would pan out any
richer on closer examination i”

“That’s for you to say, boss,” answered the
road-agent crestfallen at the outcome of his
su dposed d scovery. “ For me, I did what I was
to z’yanked in the first stranger that came my
my.

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“I’m not blaming you so hard, old fellow "
the chief hastened to add, “for any one of us
might have made the same mistake. And, after
all, you may have drawn a prize. A fellow
smart enough to come or be sent out on such
business, would hardly carry his name and pro-
fession printed in plain letters, and— Those are
not your guns, Hank?”

“No; I took them from the fellow, first-Ofl',
alnd just happened to fetch ’em along with me to
t is ’

“They look as though they had seen service,
and were ready to do still more; let’s see ’em a
bit old boy—sol”

“What sort of looking felIOiv was it you
r0 , pardner?” asked the other mask.

‘ Just a plain common-truck, for looks,” came
the answer. “ aybe thirty-five, maybe forty.
Not far from my bi ess. Maybe a bit shorter,
and a mite stockier. ’

“ Beard, or smooth-face?”
“ Like a parson for that, but he’s got a chin

and pair of jaws on him such as no Gospel-sharp

has any use for, I take it I”

“ A fighter, you think?”

“ Or he might sue his face for l ' g, yes!” de-
clared Redmond, positively. “ ive him any-
thing like a fair show, and I wouldn’t mind
risking a stray dollar or two that he’d bother
any one man to take the measure of his back in
the dust.”

“ Yet you found it no trouble?”

“ Because I didn’t give him that show, nor
anything like it. Because I make dead sure at
the jump—off, and so— Hello, boa!”

He broke oi! abruptly, for the chief, who had
been examining the brace of confiscated pistols,
just then gave vent to a fierce ejaculation, at
the same time springing to where he could get
a clearer light to fell upon the wee ns.

“ What is it, pardner i” ask the other

ask.

m

“Something carved on these—— Take a look
and see what you make out of it,” his voice
husky with poorly-suppressed emotions.

“ Le a sort of monogram, isn’t it i”

“ Something that way maybe, but what let-
ter-'3’ What do you make out of them, pard-
ner

“ I make it R. F., or F. R., but what—”

“What does that stand for! For Richard -

Fyerbrand—Firebrand Dick, no less!” almost
savagely cried the chief, with a fierce gesture.

 

CHAPTER III.
FRIENDS on romaan

Jm JOHNSON raised no further objection '

against being left in sole charge of the captive,
and during the few moments that it too for
Bank Redmond to pass beyond their vision, he
maintained that guard with handdgripping
pistoLbutt, and eyes that seemed actu y aglow
with fierce suspicion.

But the stranger showed no signs of giving

trouble along that line, although his head was .

kept in uneasy motion, and mumbling speech
came from his lips.

He seemed wholly unconscious of impending
peril to himself, but the heavy shock he had re-
ceived when jerked from saddle to earth by that
choking lasso had apparently shattered his mind,
or at least sorel mixed up his wits.

“ Shoo i” bet 'ckly mumbled, giving his head .

a flinching, recoiling shake at the same time.
“Go’wa with ye! Don’t let—- I‘hey’ll sting
me to oath, and then— Drive them 01!,
please!”

Johnson chuckled in grim amusement. This
human “bee ” was someth' to laugh at,
instead of being scared at.

fright at his warning.

Who was the fellow! Why had Hank warned
him so earnestly against letting him get away?
th had he been so anxious to capture him, in
the rst place?

Right there lay the keenest sting of all,_for
Jim Johnson privately considered imself ust
as good a man as Hank Redmond, and even t—
ter worth a confidential trust. _

Yet he was kept in perfect ignorance, while
Hank knew it all! He was expected to do the
work, while Redmond took the rest!

“ Whish-hoo!” Johnson exclaimed, snatching
off his hat and flourishing it about the head 0
his flinch’ charge. “Scat ye dug-gun bum-
bly—bees! l’ar out an’-—- Thar they go, pard-
ner! Clean off, an’ they’ll never come back
ag’in,while the big boss is on deck fer to head
’em!‘

“ Have they— Don’t let ’em— Oh, how good
that begins to feel l” huskily said the Unknown,
at first flinching as he had ever since that whim-
sical fancy assailed his disordered wits, but then
beginning to rally, to finally sit almost erect in
the sadd e as those imaginary swarms took to
fli ht before that greasy hat.

‘ An’ it’s a beginniu’ which’ll keep on cl’ar
throu . h to the stoppin’-place, ye want to know,”
genial assumed Jimmy, his e es glowing
throng the slits cut in his di we the while.
“Jest ketched onto the p’izen sex, or I’d ’a’
done skooted ’em afore. That is, soon’s Hank
done racked out. He wouldn’t hear to it he
fetched the pesky stingers for to bother ye, I

\‘_’

mond was an .
ass, and he was mighty little better for taking I

.1}. .V',t_..
i. i. 4;, "-3
I, . '. .1 I: ,  W

  

4

reckon, ’long of— What’d ye say yer name

 

was, ardi”
“ ame i’ What was my name when—
They’re coming back again!”

The stranger flinched as far as his bonds
would permit, his face wrinkling with terror.

“ Whish-shoo!” cried Johnson, flourishing
wildly with his hat, and frightening his own
mount into a series of plunges which came near
sending him out of the saddle. “ Stiddy, dug-
gun ye fer a skeery fool hose!”

And Jimmy again drew close alongside the
prisoner.

“ ’Nough. ‘o’iyer pesky foolishin’, pardner, an’
it’s axin’ ye ag’in I be: who in time be ye, any-
way? What’s yer name, an’ why was the boss

Yer name, I’m axin’ of ye, critter!”

“ Namei Didn’t i lose it when— How came
I here—like this, tool”

The stranger uttered the final words in
stronger tones, and tried to lift his hampered
arms, but something of the awkward truth ap-
peared to flash across his brain, and a tinge of
color came into his ale face as he found him-
self helpless to use is own limbs.

“ That’s all right, pardner,” hastil y assured
Johnson; “ we jest hed to clap a hitch on, don’t
ye see, fer to keep them blamed blumbly—beee
from swarmin’ all over the cabeza of ye—

"I?

“ What’s bees got to do with .it? And what’s
, the reason I’m tied up this way, when I never
broke law or— And where am I, anywa 1”

“Right hyar, ’long of me, pardner,” immy
hastened to assure, “ an’ I’m jest waitin’ fer to
find out which an’ who ye be, 30’s I kin sarve
ye all the better; an’ so-what‘s the name 0’ ye,
pardneri”

“Stone Roland Stone.
like this

“ An’ e jest come ’long Deadwood way, sorter
on the oose, like?" persisted the masked man;
“ wasn’t sent by nobody, nur nothin’, was ye?”

" I can’t, somehow— What’s the matter with
me, man?" demanded Stone, as he called himself,
swaying dizzily in the saddle to which he was
securely held by that lariat. '

Johnson, bewildered, and hardly knowing just
what to do, broke out with:

But, who bound me

“ Go easy, thari Durn it, critter, don’t make
a fool out o’us both! Brace up, consarn ye,
man l”

Roland Stone apparently made an effort to do
just that, and did draw his body erect, straining
at his bonds like one trying to lift hands to
throat or to head, while something like fire
glowed in his eyes; but, all that seemed part of

is strange illness, so Jim Johnson never thou ht
of casting a glance behind himself, in wh ch
direction those e es were gazing.

Even if he ha done so, the road—agent would
never have sighted what had inspired that glow;
for, remaining in sight barely an instant while
crossing from one rocky covert to another, a
third person was now invisible.

The prisoner, now alive and alert, knowing
that rescue was coming, sought to engage the
attention of this stupid knave a few moments
longIer.

- “ ’m falling l” he mumbled, his muscles seem-
ing to relax and letting him fall helplessly
against his bonds. " Don t let— Hold me fast,
for— Help, if ye be a man!”

Distinctly were those final words spoken,
meant as they were for other ears than John-
son’s. .

“ Augh, quit sech durn foolishin’, critter!” the
road-agent angrily exploded, yet moving a bit
closer.

“ I can’t; save me, or I’ll—ah-h-hl” and his
voice died away in a smothered gurgle, his face
dr00pin to the mane of his horse.

Now t oroughly frightened, believing that the

_ prize on which Hank Redmond set such high
store, was about to escape them all through
death, Johnson forgot all caution in the prospect
of coming trouble to himself.

“ Don‘t take it so—git a brace on, cuss ye!” he
almost howled, grasping the sinking form, and
giving it a fri htened shake. “ Ef ye don’t—"

“ I will, 01 fellow!” came a low but clear
voice, and with an agile leap forward, the new-
comer fastened a pair of sinewy hands about the
neck of the road-agent, tearing him from his
s‘alddie and hearing him to earth With a stunning
s oc !

Swift as thou ht that droo ing figure sprung
erect, that hus y voice cal ed out in almost
vicious accents:

“ Choke him! Kill the brute! Don’t let him
give a single yelp, or it will fetch the rest of the

nfernal gang down upon as!”

Never a word came in answer from the rescuer,
whose attention was entirely devoted to Jimmy
Johnson just then and whose strong hands were
grinding the road-agent’s l-ips into the ound.

Despite the interest he naturally too in that
affair, where he could lend no material aid, the

risoner felt a sting of wondering curiosity as
he took note of that odd] ~garbed stranger onie
ent-

cut

to ankles was

whose clothin from nec
red to

fully besprink ed with what up
gems or polished bits of glitte ng crystals!
This much he was enabled to see, before an-
other decided move was made by the new-comer,
who, to silence the rufiian writhing under his

I
.N‘,

 

0001 Chris, the Crystal Sport. ~

grasp, seized a stone which lay handy, and with
two or three heavy stroke»- on the head, left the
man a helpless mass of humanity.

“ Don’t trust the devil!” cried the bound man,
as the stranger was about to arise. “ Hit him
again!”

“Enough ought to satisfy a hog, old man,”
retorted the man of jewels, rising to his feet;
“ I’ve turned the key in the lock, and by the
time he feels like doing any more—”

“ Well, friend, haste is the word now?!” cried
the prisoner, “so cut me free. Those other
devils may come back at any moment, and if
I’m caught like this— Your knife, man!”

“ I thought there was only our other, pardneri”
casting a careless glance around as he added:
“Where do you reckon he went, anyway i”

“ To meet others .of the gang, of course! I
played silly on them both, but i could only part
way fool that tall devil. But, don’t wait, pard;
cut me free, and then I can talk.”

“ All right, stranger!” drawlingly spoke the
other, but making no actual move that way; on
the contrary he turned to the silent Johnson and
lifted his mask for a glance into his face.

“ Never saw him before that I know of, and
he’s not pretty enough to make me banker
after—”

“Oh, do cut these infernal coils, pard; don’t
wait!” urged the bound man on the horse.

“ With all the pleasure in life, dear fellow i”
repeated the man of crystals, stepping briskly
forward and suiting actions to words. “That
is what I dogged you so far for.”

“ So far!" echoed the prisoner, stretchi
his arms as the severed rope fell away an
him at liberty.

“ From the stage road. Just happened to
catch a glim e of those rascals getting away
with ‘your aggage, and so— y the way,
mi t I ask your name? Seems I’d really ought
to now you, but—”

“ I can’t recall your face or form. What shall
I call you?" was the retort, without an answor
to the other’s query.

“ Chris Cresson, and sometimes called Cool
Chris, the Crystal Sport, through my fancy
for— Augh-gh-h!"

It was a sound difficult to render in letters, but
the mingled cry and grunt was drawn from the
Crystal Sport’s lips by a strange and dastardly
action on the part of the man whom he had so
recently set free.

Fist and foot struck Chris Cresson knocking
him dizzfly backward!

CHAPTER IV.
mannnann DICK, run nmcrm.

As those words came from the masked outlaw
leader there in the crater rendezvous, both of
his comrades started back, evidently with any-
thing rather than feelings of pleasure.

Hank Redmond made an involuntary snatch
at the brace of revolvers, but the holder drew
his arm back, turning part way around, then
taking another look at the cunnineg involved
monogram which had caused so much disturb-
ance.

His eyes had not deceived him. There the
letters were, distinct enou h once they had been
picked out from the masso dexterously executed
gmving: an R. and an F.

“ I can’t make anything else out of it, pard-
ner,” came his declaration, after that brief

use. “ And you really reckon!”

“ Wasn’t we expecting something of the sort?
Didn’t our word ut us on guard against a
human bloodhoun 1 And," his tones growing
still more vicious through their very calmness,
“ where will you find a more thorough
bloodhound than this same Firebrand Dick i"

“ Who’s he, then!” ventured Redmond, unable
to longer smother his burning curiosity. “ Who’s
Firebrand' Dick 1"

Both of the other masks turned quickly his
way, with similar ejaculations of mingled sur-
prise and disgust.

“ You ask that? Then y0u don’t know him!
You never even heard of that devil in human
shape, Hank i”

“ Never afore you spit his name out, jist new,
boss. Is he sech a mighty chief!”

“ He’s a devil on ten wheels, and don’t you
let that all your memory, old man i” grimly de-
clared the eader, once more takin possession of
those weapons, and turning town the light the
better to study those tin lettem.”

“ Well, devil or no, ’ve got him foul this
trip !” declared Redmond. “ I wish now I'd
fetched him right in here with his fans, but it’s
only a step or two out to where unmy’s kee
ing guard over your devil—0n ten whee s, eh

‘ No danger of Johnson’s lett‘imhim slip, is
there?" asked the lesser of the t . “ He’s a
mighty bad man to hold, I’m thinking!”

‘ Don’t you worry that we , then,” was the
confident reply. “J mmyis leyee open, for I

ut a flea in his lug before leaving him on duty.

e’ll hold or kill—one or the other, be sure!”

“ I’d take killing for choice !"

“So would I, later on,” more calmly asserted
the chief, letting the weapons drop to one of the
blankets which had supplied them with seats
while waiting for the arrival of the one whosent
up that smoke-signal. “ But before creaking,
I d like a bit of chin-music.”

out
left

 

. Us .’ . fly???“ /’ .154

 

“ Reckon you can make him
though?”

“ Well, that’s doubtful,” udziiiéted the leader.
“Still, it’s worth the lime an! trouble in may
take, and we’ll—”

“ Shall I fetch him right in here, boss!” asked
Relmond, whose curiosity was plainly waxing
higher and hotter. “ Nobody coul:!n't hear him
yea), let the critter howl fit to split, and—eh ?”

is master was laughing.

“ Not so much at you. Hank, nu at your words
in connection with the Firebrand. 1-1 in; squeal?
Why, man, you might skin Richard Fyerband
from top to toe, an inch at a tune, and all that
with a red hot knife, yet I doubt if you could
draw a note other than curse or scoff from his.
lips, through all!”

A strong testimonial, and sounding all the
stronger because he who gave it was very chary
with his praises toward friend or foeman. Yet
those who heard him now, knew that the speaker
fally believed what he had said.

Redmond lifted his half-mask far enough to
give a cornerof an eye a gingerly scratch before
mutterin in comment:

“Then 6 must be a tough nut! And he’s the
one on was looking for, boss!”

“ 0, or I’d have given word to shoot at sight,
rather than run any long chances. And you two
fellows downed him, too!”

“ So ' hty easy that I’m beginning to think
mebbe we ve ketched a jackass in a borrowed.
hide,” spoke the road-agent. “ He just asked us
to snipe him in, boss! Do you reckon he was
after us, or the—”

A gloved-hand struck his lips smartly, and the
chief harshly cried;

“ Name no names, you fool!

tune up,

Don’t you know

better than to—”
“ There’s none other within earshot, pardner ”
expostulated the other mask. Don’t punish—’

“ No further than I’ve already punished, ard—
ner,”cutting that remonstrance short. “ ank’s
too good a man to pay oil‘ in hotter coin, and
yet—you’re old enough in the business, Red-~
mond, to know better. ’

“I wasn’t going to call names, boss,” dogged—
ly assured the road-agent. “ All I meant was
to ask—but let it go, then i” .

“ You wanted to know something more about
this human bloodhound, Ell?" with a return to
his usual calm tones. “ W'ell, that’s not hard
work. A man has abundance to pick and choose
from, when it gets down to talking of Firebrand
Dick and his exploits. Eh, mate!”

” Bet your sweet life, pardnerl”

“ He’s a detective, then, boss!" ventured Red- 3
mond half-timidly.

He had heard just enough to make him thirst
for more information concerning this blood-
hound, the bare mention of whose name had the

war to blanch the cheeks of that leader,

imself a “ chief ” of no mean note in fighting-

land.

And this mighty terror had fallen before his
single band! .

“ One of the Pinkerton tribe, I take it; at
least he was working for them when I made my
stampi -grounds in the States, and I’ve no
reason or thinking he’s been converted since
then.”

Hunk Redmond laughed softly. Inspecting a
joke lying back of those words, Ind by no means
averse to playing toady when he saw an open-

“ They keep some mighty good\ men on their
payq‘ou’ too,” commented the other mask,
grave] , “ But of them all I’d hate most to
have till: Fin-brand Dick on my track—I would
that, now!”

u It's a, mighty not name, anyway,” ventured
Redmond, "Sets things on fire, mebbe?”

“ You’ll think as much if ever he gets loose

h to “7 to pay off your score,” assured
the ader. ‘ But, even yet I can’t make it
seem true! I can’t think it’s Richard Fyerbrand
out here after us!”

“ Why not him, as well as another, pardnerf"

“ No reason at all, only—surely there’d word
come in just so many letters, if Firebrand Dick
was astir our way!”

“ Word did come and—”

“ Word to keep all eyes open, but not a hint
tint Igirebrand was on the road. You know it,

to!

“ Yes but—well, there’s one way to settle all
doubts, fancy."

“ By going to him, you mean!”

“ Surely, yes. Why not!”

“Noreason, only—what ought a fellow to do
with him, nowi”

“ Do with him! Iook

With a swift leap, that ile shape cm
couple of yards, then struck with spurred heel.
A small rattlesnake writhed there with head
crushed and bleeding as the mask sprung back
once more.

A low laugh broke from his lips as he said:

“ Not so bi nor so terrible tolook at, pardner,
but chuck in 1 of poison, and certain death if—
if I’d only given a chance for a bite!”

There was no mistaking that thinly-veiled
meanin . And a moment later the masked
chief sa :

“ I reckon you’re right, mate. lVe’d be worse
than foolish to wait for a bite, wheh we’ve got

I

I.

4..

t

a; 's.

 

 

+

vavv.

 

 

 

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 
   

5

’

 

achanceto mesh the poisonous head. So lend
the way. l.t.--d:v._..,;ii‘ and we’ll take a squint at
this prize of y . s before we say more.”

Witiia snap of the fingers to his obedient
steed, Redmond turned and left the crater ren-
dezvous by the same intricate passage along
which we have watched him thread his way.

He was followed by the other masks, neither
of whom appeared to have mounted with them
although it was morally certain they won]
not journey far through such a Wild region on
foot.

Ashe drew near the point from whence his
first viewcould be had of his mate on guard
duty, Le lmond put finger to lips and sent forth
a quawriiig whistle of warning. No answer
came back, but that gave him no uneasiness
His call hardly required a response, and
then-—

He recoiled with a sharp exclamation of
amazementashe caught his first glimpse of—
not bomesund riders, but a space which was
(xx-11pm! only by a single human figure, and
that lying like one dead upon the stimesl

“ Where is—-— Tricked, by holy l” cried the
chief, whipping forth a revolver as he thrust
Redmond aside, then sprung forward, finger on
trigger, and flaming eyes roving in quest of his
ha ted a nil dreaded enemy.

in that single instant he had recognized that

rostrata shape as that of Jimmy Johnson, and
seeing in lying there, with no horse, no prisoner
nigh, th a rest was only too readily guesSed at.

CDC“ again that tireless bloodhound had
bI’Oh'hli binds!

Neither shot nor shout greeted his reckless
charge, and that lack quickly convinced the
chief that the dreaded detective had surely
made good his escape before their coming could
be heard by even his keen ears.

“ if not, he’d have stopped, though a score of
us Wore) c iming, tail-onendl" he avcrred, almost
involuntarily.

“ Look 1” and with that sharp cry, the lessor
mask picked up a pi cc of braided leather. “ A
clean cut! Now — who did that much for
him?”

“ He had help, for that proves it," mmdily
assented the chief, touching that telltale end of
lariat. “ Surely Johnson wouldn‘t— Is be
alive, Redmond?”

[lis e es passed over to where the taller road-
agent was roughly handling his partner, tum-
ing hi-‘i face upward. .

il'nsc rough handling had its effect, for Jimmy
John...” showed signs of recovering the senses
which had been choked out of him by the sin—
ewy fingers of Chris Cresson, and soon, with a
groanund gasp, the bewildered ruti‘iau strug-
gle-l to his seat.

Qae~tions followed, of course, but scanty was
the information he could give. He had been
taken completely'by surprise, and handled so
deftly .thac he had lost his senses without hav-
ing caught even a single glimpse of his assail-
ant.

Hiirdly necessary to say, Johnson tried to
lessen his fault by lying; swore that at least
half 2i dozen stout, fiercelooking devils jumped
upon his back before he could sound an alarm,
but he dared not lie far enough  name any
particular person as being one of his assailant...

After the first question or two, the mask who
had been in company with the Chlef at_the cru-
ter,‘turn6d away, looking for possible sign, and
finding something of the sort so quickly that it
seemed little less than a miracle.

The rays of the bright, unclouded. sun were
reflected from a rather small object lying among
the gravel, and with a low exclamation, the
mask stooped to pick up—a diamond? .

So it would seem, yet a pure gem of that size
would have been worth a king’s ransom. _

Although finely cut and perfectly polished,
only a poor judge of precious stones would have
mistaken that for a true gem, or other than
what it'was: a bit of pure crystal, fitted ug as:
a button; which those gloved fingers now eld
up to common view.

“I found it lying right here! Now—what
does it tell you, chief?” .

“The Crystal Sport, or the devil himselfl”
avowed the chief. .

“I reckon we’d better look to Chris Cresaon
for an answer to that query!" ,

“ It was he, then, who set Firebrand Dick
free!”

“It certame looks that way, to a man up a
tree,” dryly.

 

CH APTER V.
cums cansson TAKING nous.

THOUGHT itSelf could hardly have acted
quicker than did he who had _given the name
of Roland Stone, when once his determination
was fairly formed. and his success was all the
more complete because the Crystal Sport certain-
ly was not expecting any such reward for his
recent serVices.

He had drawn closer_to the rescued stranger,
and was gazing keenly into that face, now look-
ing more its natural self than it had at any time
since that lasso-loop had closed about his throat
to luck him headlong out of the saddle.

9 hand was lightly resting upon one of

  

 

those muscular thighs, and though there was
strong curiosity in those dark-bmwn eyes, even
the man on horseback could not accuse them of
glowing with enmity.

And yet, with both members acting in perfect
concert, there came a fierce kick and a heavy
blow, one striking fairly in the stomach, caus—
ing the Crystal Sport to bend involuntarily for-
ward, thus lending something of his own weight
to the fiststroke. And that, falling squarely
upon a bearded jaw, drove both head and body
back again.

Almost lifted from his feet by that double as-
sault, and turned sick by that dastardly kick,
Chris Cresson reeled back, to trip and fall at
full length, even before his temporarily un-
nerved hand could close upon the weapon which
his fingers instinctively sought.

For once in his life the [Crystal Sport was
fairly and squarely “knocked out,” and, oddly
enough, such was his thought while falling.

A brief, anything but graceful scramble there
on the stony ground, while the swift clatter of
hoof-strokes sounded in his confused ears, then
Chris Cresson rallied sufficiently to lift his head
and body, one hand supporting his dizzy weight
while its mate drew a revolver from scabbar .

His first thought was that the road-agent was
coming back, with others in his company, but
then, as he failed to see aught of the two horses
or the man whose bonds he had cut for such a
base award, something of the humiliating truth
flashed across his brain, aiding in part to clear
away these ugly mists and doubts.

So much was certain: Roland Stone had van-
ished, taking both animals with him, for those
hoof-strokes were receding so rapidly as to be
barely distinguishable, even so soon.

“ V’Yell, if that isn’t gratitude enough for a
hogl

Grime whimsical that ejaculation sounded,
coming as it did from suffering lips which
might well have . been excused for breathing
anathemns instead; but Chris Cresson clumsily
rose to his feet, catching his breath painfully as
he did so, his unarmed hand pressing tightly
against his troubled stomach.

All the same, his bright, keen eyes were at
work. swaeping around to take notes of aught
else gone wrong; and awkwardly though he
moved as yet, let the occasion arise and even a
stranger mi feel assured that Chris Cresson
would not be found lacking, even now.

The treacherously—acting stranger was gone,
and, mounted as he was, it would be worse than
folly for a footman to think of giving chase,
even had the only one there present been capable
of making a long and earnest pursuit for re-
venge.

The road-agent lay as he had been left by those
muscular hands; all the change might be summed
up in very few words: a faint shivering, which
heralded returning consciousness.

Swiftly enough the Crystal Sport made these
notes, then turned and flashed a look around at
those gray rocks, here piled up in frowning
masses, there lying less thickly scattered, with
only an occasional spot which could rightly be
termed soil. A -

There was no sound other than those natural
to such a region, yet something warned the bold
rescuer of coming peril, and once more he acted
in obedience to pure instinct, hurrying away
from that spot, picking a path through the rocks,
an occasional contortion of face or hm; y telling
plainly enough how scutely the eil‘ects of that
un ateful kick were still being felt.

reason had hardly gained the nearest cover,
When his still keen sense of hearing warned him
to make yet greater haste.

“ Horse and man!” he muttered, barely above
his breath, at the same time casting a glance in
the direction taken by Hank Redmond when
leaving their prisoner under Jim J ohnson's
guard. “ Time to lay IOW, Chris, Old man!”

The danger was even nigher than he fancied,
else the man of polished glass would never have
attemde to scale that rugged pile of rock: ra-
ther would he have taken a shorter if less prom-
ising route.

Cressou was barely half-way up that pile,
when his watchful eyes caught first glimpse of
a horse’s head as it gavo an impatient toss, and
knowing that the enemy must be hard by, With
eyes ready enough to fasten upon any unusual
o. ject, Cool Chris sunk down into the nearest
niche, hand on gun, ears bent in listening since
his eyes must be denied their natural privilege.

He heard all that followed that coming, and
hjul the grim pleasure of knowing that his own
discovery would surely end in murder, unleu he
could kill before being slain.

H6 mule a note of each name as it was spoken,
and tried his best to re ister each voice, since
his eyemght could serve im nothing.

.But when that sharp ejaculation broke forth,
his curiosity overcame his prudence, and lifting
his head just far enough for a look, he had to
bite his hps sharply to check the ugly sound
that rose in his throat.

Even before a word was spoken the Crystal
Sport recognized the danger accident was shap-
ing for him ; his eyes at once recognized yonder
glittering object.

It looked like a rare, wonderful brilliant,
whcse value must be almost beyond computa-

i

i."

 

 

tion, zince it was fullyas large as a grown man’-
thufll l

b‘l‘ One of my buttons, by all that’s miser-
a el"

His free hand mechanically passed up and
down the front of his suit, as though searching
for the vacant space where yonder bit of pol-
ished stone ought to be; but his eyes and ears
1were devoted wholly to what was going on be-
ow.

An uneasy murmur rosc in his throat as the
chief caught at the imitation diamond for a
closer inspection, and that frown grew
darker when his own name was mentioned.

Although no steps were being taken, as yet
for his detection, thanks to their ignorance of
what had actually transpired, Chris Cresson
was waxing more and more uneasy the longer
be Played spy.

‘ 1t surely looks like one of his buttons,
but—” hesitated the slighter mask, only to have
the chief grimly add:

“ And surely is what it looks, tool That devil!
I nave: liked him from the very first sight, and
now—

“ What?” .

“Back to town, of course,” with a sudden
softening to his tones, but that change hardly
came through a softened heart. “ Back to meet
them both before they can fairly hatch their
serpent‘s setting! We’ve got two to handle,
nowl”.

H Two?”

“ Yes: Firebrand Dick and the Crystal Sport,
of course.”

“ To handle, you say?” still hesitatingly spoke
the one who had discovered that unlucky button
of crystal.

“ To handle, yesl And that means to fix those
two devils for a high lot on the hillsidel”

Cool Chris drank in all this eagerly enough,
although it could hardly be said the hearing
wasa treat to his ears. Yet it was better to
know the worst than to remain in suspense and
doubt, surely.

His head ducked swiftly out of sight as he
saw one of the masks apparently about to face
those rocks, but then he heard Redmond speak:

“Reckon Jimmy’s better fixed for talking
straight, boss. Shall I ask him how come it so,
then?”

“ Did he sight any of the gang, as he calls it?
Can‘t you swear to own one, Johnson?”

“ Don’t I wish it hard 'nough, boss?” came
the whining response. “ Ef ’twasn’t fer lyin’ to
ye, wouldn’t I say yes in a double h irry? But
—wuss luckl—they jest drapped do n on top 0’
me like it mought be comin’ from the clouds,
an’ so I never—hope may die ef I did, sir!”

The chief gave an impatient gesture, then
turned his back upon the lesser lights, speaking
to his more especial comrade:

“That’s all the good .we can expect of him,
you see] Now, get to our nags, and back to
town as sudden as you all know howl"

“ And if those two devils keep ahead of us?
If they are trying to stir u trouble, even ?”

“ Kill ’em first, then exp ain after 1"

The ghost of a smile crept into the face of the
Crystal Sport as he crouched there in cover,
making his ears do double service since any fur-
ther attempt to take visual notes might easily
end in discovery, and that surely meant death
to himself or to that trio of knaves.

“ Don’t come this way, then, my venom-
tongued covey!” he muttered, as he silent]
cocked his istols for use in case of need. “ f
you do— ell, I’d hate mightily to end all by
killing: yet better that than to be handled your
fashion!”

No such contretemps took place, however,
and a few minutes later the Crystal Sport was
listening to the fading-away sound of hoof-
strokes over that stony trail.

“Gone, and never a trigger pulled 1” com-
mented the Crystal Sport, at the same time
cautiously working his way along through the
rocks, keeping carefully hidden from sight in
case any enemy should be upon the alert for
some such maneuver. “ Wonder what the loyal
citizens of Deadwood would say to that, if they
onl knew? That I was tarred with the same
stic , no doubtl”

There was nothing to indicate that watch was
being kept by the enemy, but 0001 Chris told
himself he was not going to increase his diffi-
culties through any lack of ordinary prudence,
just then. _

“ Bad enough to get in over my ears through
the fool tricks of another, and that other-—
Who is he, anyway? Where have I seen that
jaw before?” .

As though that word reminded him, a hand
went up to his own face, gently pressing that
thick, chestnut-hued beard under which lay a
dull pain, the regults of that ungrateful blow
from a hard fist, driven by an unusually mus-
cular arm.

“ Smacked my 'aw, and threw in a kick .or
good measure! onder if the facetious gentle-
man will be ready to pa soot when I hand in
my bill for damages! onder if— Well I've
nevsr kept a man waiting on me longer than I
could help, up to date, and I’m not going to be-
gin now 1”

Those aching jaws squared themselves a bit.

I I j : -(v,.:.r:". -"

 

 

  
     
   
  
    
  

. strong eyes wink and

 
 

6

 

 

 

more than usual, and he whom Deadwood knew
as Cool Chris Cresson, the Crystal Sport, quick-
ened his pace a bit, having by this time won
fairly clear of that patch of rocks.

His keen brown eyes were constantly in mo-
tion, roving hither and yon, taking in all ob-
jects, ready to send their owner to cover or to a
close in case an enemy should be sighted. But
none such came in sight, and as he drew further
away from the spot where he had risked his
own life to give freedom ham: to an ungrateful
stranger, Chris Cresson grew more at ease, and
could giVe his thoughts a wider range.

Although he had only recently made his ap-
pearance at the metropolis of the Black Hills,
even so soon Chris Cresson had won distinction,
if only because he was the most oddly orna-
mented character to be met with in Deadwood.

From neck to ankles he was garbed in dark-
gray corduroy, every seam of which was studded
with flashing, glittering stones, all cut in perfect
8 la, and only lacking thepeculiar combination
0 colors to seem diamonds of the first water.

From their countless facets the sunlight was
reflected now, making the Sport, at times, an
almost painful object to gaze upon, despite his
gracefully athletic figure and his really hand-
some face.

That face was partially masked by a short,
crisply curling beard, almost the exact color of
his dark-brown eyes, and upon his finely-shaped
head rested a cap of otterskin, the tail of which
blended with his hair, worn long and curling
over his neck.

A frown now rested upon that more than
comely face, and muttered words were passed
through those lips as Cool Chris hurried along
toward the town.

“Devil kick me for chipping when ’twasn’t
my turn! What matter i they were pla ing
roots on a stranger? What business had to
buck on his side, when—and every step I’m
taking already an object of interest to—whol

“ That’s the int!” with a short, fierce ges-
ture of a tight y-ciinched hand. “ Who are
they! What they seem, or what my instinct
seems to say? My game, or my hurt? And now
—-have they aught to do with this bit of nasty
work?”

It was a considerable distance to Deadwood
City, but the Crystal Sport had food for thought
sufficient to last him double that distance.

 

CHAPTER VI.
rHii: CRYSTAL SPORT.

,7 Tin: da waned and nighthad fallen.

Leisure y crossing the narrow passage-way
which divided the dining-room from the office
and bar combined, one of the Midland guests
cast an indolent glance around while chewing at
his toothpick. _

There were nearly half a score persons already
in the oliice, and rhaps ’twas nothing but
natural for all eyes {datum that way at sound of
his coming; and havin once gone so far, the
marvel was less that leyes rested upon that
glittering, almost gorgeous shape.

Chris Cresson had dressed for the evening be-
fore coming down from his chamber to the
supper table and as he wasa little later than
usual in ma ing an appearance, none of the
guests now in the oflice had caught even a
glimpse of him, until this moment.

Like pretty well all of Deadwood, they were
used to seeing the oddly-ornamented man of
glass, but not one of them all had been given a
view such as this; for the Crystal Sport now
stood arrayed in a full suit of cream-colored
corduroy, free from spot or blemish, soft as vel—
vet itself, and almost as costly.

Like his other suit, this was covered with cut
stones, fastened in double rows like buttons
flashin and sparkling in the yellow light of
those Oil-lamps, makin more than one ir of
link as they caug t that
dazzling reflection.

NeVer before had a she. 1 yet muscular
figure been more rfectly dfifp yed by clothes
alone; one coul almost trace each swelling
muscle and pliant sinew, thick though the im-
ported cloth was.

The Crystal Sport paused, as described, but
whether it was to take notes by way of assur-
‘ ance that he had no personal peril to encounter
just then and there, or merel as an excuse for
permitting an inspection of h glittering make-
up. can on] be surmised as yet.

Enough, owever, that nothing more danger-
ous than a low murmur of envyin admiration
was brought forth by that exhibition, at least
so long u n remained standing on the
threshold.

As he leisurely advanced into the bar-room,
one of the more remote figures sprung into mo-
tion, pressing toward the Sport, at the same
t.time uttering in strong, yet slightly husky

nos:

“ Oxcoose me, mein friends! Oxoooce me
vhen I makes me a e—und you, main
hen, oxcooae me ufl l—glory to Abraham!
dot ac?"

. A none too clean hand shot out toward the
bocomoftheCryatal Sport,andonlyfcrhiain
ltiuctivc recoil, those grimy fingers would have

 

. ¥ I
,,. , . , , . i ,
 ~.-~"‘9v 1 ~ '\ w
 1 xi  loaf) our 5 /.. .. . ; , .w' W’. ;, . H ._ '- .V v  , . ,

  

0001 Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

closed about a gem of unusual size and bril—
liancy.

“Go easy, pardnerl” came warnineg from
those brown-bearded lips, and at the same time
Cool Chris put forth a hand which caused the
other fellow to stagger a bit as he recoilerl.
“Fmgei' oll‘, unless you can show cause, for
i’m not—

“ Oxcoose me—twice oafrr, oxcoose me, mein
horrl” spluttered the stranger, ) et without once
removing his gaze from that flashing stone.
“ I means me no wrong, any (limes. i dinks me
~—mein Gottl Oxcoose me, but vhas dose—vhas
dot ginooine, neinl”

A dingy finger made another dive at that
flashing ornament, which was harulybrighter
than those eyes, shielded though they were by a
pair of smoked-glass spectacles.

“Genuine?” echoed the Crystal Sport, with
real or finely assumed indignation. “ Are you
genuine, sir? Of course it’s genuine, and pre~
cisely what I claim for it: the finest, most per-
fect stone ever—”

“ Mein gott in himmell Ginooine? Den—dot
vhas vorth more as—oxcoose me, I beg ou, sir .’
Ginooinel Und me so—mei’n 0086! 01: vhas
twice oafer more bigger as dot Kohinoor tia-
mondtl Und—gi’nooine!”

“ Yes, sir, genuine—crystall” sternly repeated
the Sport, with a maliciOus twinkle in his brown
eyes as he made the addition. “ And as I never
laid further claim for my pretty pets, of course
they are genuine from top to bottom.”

“G-rystel? Ginooinel Dose tiamondts vhas—
oh, mein cruciousl Giff me a shake by an arm,
somepody—kevick l”

“ Anything to keep peace in the family, pard-
ner,” laughineg cried the fun-loving Sport, at
the same time catching the bewildered Jew or
German in his arms, whirling him inadizzy
“ bear-waltz,” as he added:

“ Shake our feet, Sheenyl Shake ’em until
your toe-nails rattle, and your too-powerful ac-
cent begins to drop off, for other boots to stum-
ble over! Shake, or be done shuck, then i”

Those more sluggish limbs seemed unable to
keep pace with that mad gyration, and at the
same time so port the weight of that rather
bulky body be onging to them. And so, even
as the little group of guests were laughineg
making way for that ludicrous exhibition, legs
gave way, and that so suddenly Chris Cresson
could save himself from sharing that fall only
by abruptly breaking hold.

“Well, well, if you haven’t drop some-
thing, pardner, I wouldn’t say sol’ half re-
proachfully cried the Sport, as he brought up
against the sleeve-polished bar, back to the
wood, fingers clasped light] in front of his
swellin chest, thumbs twiddl ng indolently as his

amus eyes watched the movements of the
stranger.

That stranger was something middle age,
to judge from his time-fros hair and full

beard, to say nothin of his rather clumsy figure,
with its bowed shou ders, almost sufficiently so
to be termed a deformity.

But if well along in years, the fellow showed
himself reasonably active in picking himself up,
and more than usually good-humored, since he
frankly foined in the laugh which welcomed his
downfal .

“ Dot vhas goot choke on me, aind’t it?” he
chuckled, the sentence broken by an asthmatic
gasp or two, “Vhas pooty slow by bicking
don: chokes oudt, mnype, but nopody has dose
riglldt to say I takes me no dumble to it—
nein?”

“And I’m ashamed of my part in the trick,
pardner,” frankly said Crcsaon, stepping for-
ward with extended hnnd. “Shake? if not,
I’ll siger have to think you still hold a grudge,
man

“ I shake—but easy—more easy as ou shake
me dot odder dime, ufl you bleasel” wed the
German, With atouch of grim humor. “Und
now I makes me meinself known—sol"

With a deep bow he presented a card, on
which the Crystal Sport had no difficulty in
making out the letters:

“ MORRIS ROSENBLATT. Diamond dealer.”
“j And you took m poor goods as the pure
quill, did you?" ask the Sport, with a smile
which contained a trace of contempt. “ Well,
if you follow the same manner of judging
“993‘?” 1
n y dot ” with a ginger y poke of a fore-
finger toward that gleaming stone. “ I makes
me mein eyes all diuy mit dose sbarkle-all-oafer,
and so—I see me now, blenty blain, dot vhas

schust girl/stat, sure I”
“ Or ’d never be displayin it in Deadwood,

be sure,” curtly commented t e C stal Sport,
slippin that card intoa ket, en paesin
throng the front door to e dimly illuminated

street.
N 0 one cared to follow him, either for a more
extended view of his gorgeous arb, or to recs
upon him com y which he h not ask for.
Although Chris Crecson had shown nothing but
good nature during his brief stay at Deadwood,
only a novice in the art of reading human nature
would make the mistake of crowding in upon
him uninvited.
Without showing any signs indicating haste,

»  “v  vi: 1, y  ‘ »  M” i'

 

Chris Cresson cut very little time to waste, but
strode along like one who has his destination
fairly in view; and so the Sport had. ,

A glaring red light caught his eyes down the
main street, and quickening his steps a little, an-
other minute saw him pausing at the threshold
of Deadwood’s then most popular “ sporting
place,” or saloon and gambling hell combined.

This was the “ Impire,” and both saloon and
those who ran it in connection with a “ game,
limit oil,” Were known by evl-ry man inSide the
boundaries of the Black Hills.

Both money and fairly good taste had been
lavished upon the Empire with the usual result:
both roughs and gentlemen were attracted
thither, some to drink, others to play, but all to
give their share of admiration to the being 11 11
whose beautiful face and superb figure C is
Cresson was even now gazing, his eyes all
aglow, his breath slightly quickened.

That gaze was of brief duration, for those
brilliant black eyes let Very little escape them,
and Josephine St. John, or “the Empress” as
she was usually called, no doubt after the
saloon title, caught sight of the curiously orna-
mented Sport, and with a gesture visible to his
eyes alone, bade him draw nearer the easy-chair
in which she was luxuriously reclining, ciga-
rette daintiiy held by her rosy-tipped fingers.

Not a sound followed that quick advance, for
the floor was c ted with a rich tapestry,
thick and sound- ' 'ng as Velvet, and forming a
strong contrast to those coarse, cowhide boots
which the majority of all resent were.

A rough, uncouth crew was ranged along the
bar, some emptying their glasses, others oddly
smirkiu at their owu reflections in the great
mirror ck of the barrier; and the ugliest of
all were the least impatient for the coming of
the drinks for which they had called, tool

Close to where the Empress was reclining, stood
a square card-table at which one man on] y. was
seated: the dark, foreign-looking proprietor
who was familiarly known as “ French 3' Frank ”
Mitchell. _ .

He was toying with a pack of satin-finish,
gilt-edged cards, and his lids seemed lazily
heavy as he glanced up at the Crystal Sport’s
coming, barely long enough for a brief nod of
recognition. .

But Chris Cresson met With a very different
reception from the Empress, who rose erect in
her sent, her smile gradually growing more pro-
nounced and brighter as her black eyes passed
slowly up anddown that athletic shape.

Readily falling in with her apparent humor,
Chris Cresson slowly turned himself about upon
his heels, like one on inspection, never cracking
so much as a smile, until the St. John musically
murmured:

“ And ’tis really you, Christopher? _Do you
know, my boy, l’ve actual] been fluttering m)“
self that you would follow my friendly advice!”

“ As to what, may I ask, Empress”

“ Alteri your style of dress. of Course,”
with a bare y perceptible touch of irritaiion en-
tering her tones.

“ Then you really don‘t appl'OVO Of DIV taste?”
asked Cresson, passing a_hand over cloth and
buttons, his own lips smiling EDPTOVRI, what-
ever else might prove lackmg- I

“ Approve?” echoed Josephine, leaning forward
a bit, and tapping his arm with her boringed
hand. “ How can I apprOVe, my lad? When I
see you the center of—is It admxratmn, then!"

“ Isn’t it—or envy!” coony asked the Sport,
in turn.

“ You know better. Creel-9011! You know
the“, gluing bite of glass are covering you with
ridicule, covert if not yet openly. But that will
come in time; a man can’t invite ridicule, and

'yet escape it!"

“ Just so it does not issue from your red lips,
Empress, I can—”

An impatient gesture cut him short, then
Jmophine added, more gently, with more than
ordinary feeling in her musical tones:

“ Wh do I take so much trouble, do you ask
yoursel . Mr. Cresaonl I will tell you, once for
all: because I hold you as far too cod a man to
needlessly invite such harsh criti ms.”

“ A compliment for which I heartily thank
you, Empress,” in like modulated tones. “ If
my person’s wishes could prevail, he sure yours
would come on tori). Andyet—if I » till clin to
this rig-out, you’ th think and call me a 001,
no doubt?”

“ Well, perhaps not quite that bad,” with a
half—smile, “but I certainly will give you m
pity, that folly should so mislead a good maul

hris Cresson bent a bit lower, to bring his-
eyes squarely before her sparkling orbs, then
softly whilpered:

“ Non) I can tell you wh I cling to this garb,
Josephine! Your 'ty w i be mine, you say?
And haven't on and what sentiment pity is
akin :3? S I spell that word right out, Em-
press

Aswift flush shot over that more than fair
face, and those long-lashed lids as quickly valled
those lustrous balls; but the St. John was not a
woman to long remain oi! guard, and when her
eyes met his, nota trace of embarrassmth
emotion remained for his reading.

“ Love, you of course. but that’s-—plii.y'e;dl
out, long ago. I simply say it all over:

 

 
 
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

 

 

C991 9mm? l1“? Q’Vstal Sport

 

sorry you will persist in Setting yourself up for

less worthy men to make a jest over.”
“ I’ve never heard thOse jests, EmpreSS.”

“ You on ht to sue them then, unless ou are
g i

willfully blind to the truth which is plain enough
——for instance, then !” with a slight nod of head
and turn of eyes toward the front door, through
which a group of rough-clad, well-armed men
had ushed a brief space before.

“ 00k to the front, please! See how those
tough cases are staring at you. And'for why?
Because they take you for a holy circus, of
course!”

Chris Cresson sent his glance that way as re-
quested, and the next instant his right hand
smoothly moved back until it rested c10se to the
butt of a revolver at his hip. For there, fore-
most in that group of armed men, he recognized
the face of Jimmy Johnson, the road-agent whom

he had treated so unceremoniously that same

afternoon l

CHAPTER VII.
MISCHIEF IN THE AIR.

THERE was no room for donor,

Cool Chris Cresson knew that he saw before
him the very man whose face he had exposed to
the light of the sun, and whose throat even yet
must be smarting from the vigorous choking it
had received from those muscular fingers.

His name had been mentioned more times
than one during the minutes following that dis-
covery, and it was now close to the tongue of
the Crystal Sport as he casta careless glance

pack of sweet-scented ducks, don’t you
fancy, Empress?” he drawlingly commented, a
moment later. “They hard y ornament the
Empire, to say the least of it.”

"‘See how they are watching you, man i”
came in barely audible notes. “ Are you eager
to attract such attention, then?”

“ The sour with the sweet, and still I’m ahead
of the game,” darineg whispered the Sport,
bending a bit lower, yet without materially
altering his position, or entirely losing sight of
those grimly forbidding faces near the door.
“ So long as you are~may I say it?”

' “ En garde 1”

Cool Chris could not be certain from just
which pair of lips that sibilant whisper came,
but if not from Josephine, then from Frenchy
Frank Mitchell, though a swift 'glance showed
him still manipulating the cards for his own
amusement, and seemingly lost to all else.

Certain it is that he had not cast a look
around since that little squad of rough-clad
fellows put in an appearance.

Careless though he was in outward seeming,
Chris Cresson had never been more completely
alert in all his life. The instant he recognized
the road-agent whom he had robbed of his
human Ezey, the Crystal Sport felt morally
certain t t mischief was brewing, and that he
would have to do battle for his life before that
evening was spent.

There was an even half-dozen in the gang,
and while he could identify but one,-or Jim
Johnson whose half-mask he had lifted after
choking him to insensibility, was it not natural to
believe the others were tarred with the same
stick?

Empress Josephine made no answer to that
audacious whiSper, but as she veiled, her fan-
face with a cloud of scented smoke, the Crystal
Sport again caught her low tones, saying:

“ Look—closer, manl”

“ I see them, but—what of it?” asked Cresson,
giving the gang a cool, leisurely glance, then
sinking his eyes to that fair face as he asked the
question. .

“Can you ask, man?" with a touch of ir-
ritation entering her tones, and a more vivid
flash filling her black eyes as they lifted to meet
his gene. “ What was it I set out to say? That
you had far better resemble those toughs,

onder, outwardly at least, than to court atten—

on such as your ridiculous garb invites!
Unless—” .

“ And ‘ unless,’ Empress!”

Those gleaming orbs searched his face for a
few moments as though their Owner hoped to
read what might lie back of that imperturbable
mask, but in vain. If Chris Cresson held any
agents there, he knew right well how to guard
t em.

A white, slender-fingered hand lifted to touch
his sleeve as his left hand rested easily upon the
cushioned arm of her easy-chair. Those
brilliant black eyes claimed his in turn, and
while holding them thus bya woman’s war
the Empress slowly added, in low, sign ficant
toues:

“ Unless you have a secret urpose in laying
such a role, Chris Cresson_l m I right}, ave
I hit the mark when I believe you are playing a
cunning part for some important and?

Questions so couched call for specific au-
swers, but the Crystal Sport was spared the
necessity of replying at all, for just then the
trouble came! I

Stepping quickly forward from his mates, one
of, the recently arrived gang drew near that
easy-chair, and as though throu h clumsy
blundering, planted

 

a heavy cow (is boot

i

squarely on Cresson’s foot, even as he lurched
heavily against that oddly-garbed figure while

 

“ There’s other places, I reckon,” surlily
gr0wled “‘atkins, yet without fiinching in the

stooping over the reclining Empress to coarsely ; slightest from those ugly muzzlcs.

utter:

“Bellow, sweetness!
smack, for old time rocksl”

A grimy forefinger thrust out as though to
chuck the woman under her chin, but if such
was his intention, the two never made connec-
tion.

Swift as thought the Crystal Sport drew that

ready hand back a few inches further, then,

sent it forward and upward, striking the rufiian
squarely under the jaw, actually lifting him
clear of the floor, then toppling him over like a
falling tree l

t was a magnificent stroke, and one into
which the Crystal Sport fiung weight, muscle
and hearty good will, for he knew an insult
was aimed at himself, far more than at the
Empress.

The instant his stroke was delivered, Cresson
sprung back a pace, both hands flying to a level
with his chest, and each set of fingers gripping
the butt of a cocked revol'er.

“Steady, you ducksl” rung forth his clear
tones in additional warning as those grim
muzzles swiftly covered the little squad near the
entrance. “ Chip without showing good cause,
and some of you’ll drop heap sight harder than
this clumsy mate of yours 1”

“ A dirty foull” angrily cried the fe110w
Cresson had recognized as Jimmy Johnson.

“ You gave him no show, curse you!” harshly
said another, stepping to the front as one ac-
customed to take the lead might have done.
“ What made you hit—"

“ Down him! L :ok at Hank—killed, or—”

An uproar now broke forth from the crowd,
something of the truth having just made its
way through their liquor—thickened Wits; and
not knowing from what quarter the next blow
might come, Chris Cresson swiftly leaped back
and aside, bringing his back conveniently close to
the solid well, thus guarding against a treacher-
ous assault from the rear.

All was confusion now, but those few seconds
had given those more deeply interested time for
decision, and that advantage promised good
results.

Chris Cresson had not stopped to see just who
the rude knave Was, although he had taken
it for granted Jimmy Johnson would be most
likely to take the initiative; but even as be dealt
that blow, he saw his mistake, and knew he was
striking a complete stranger, or else one of the
two tall fellows whose masks and heavy
beards had foiled his curious scrutiny there
among the rocks.

Raised off his feet by that blow, the rutfian
fell heavily against a corner of Mitchell’s card-
table, then rolled oil‘ to the carpeted floor.

The cards scattered like falling leaves as
Frenchy Frank sprung to his feet, hands arm—
ing themselvos on the instant, his dark eyes
glowing redly as they flashed around to take
in the situation. '

Then came those angry cries, and close upo
them that incipient rush; a movement which
might mean so much unless promptly checked
by one with sufficient authority.

That one was the swarthy-faced proprietor,
and as his glittering guns came to view, his
sharp tones rung forth:

“Steady, gents! No rowing under this roof,
or I’ll handle the red paint-brush my own
self! Steady—and quietl’

“ He downed pore Hank, an’—-—”

“I’ll down you to balance the scales, unless
you simmer,” coldly interposed the gambler,
turning a muzzle squarely upon Jimmy John-
son. “You all know the Em ire rules, gents:
 and good order, if we ve to fight for

“ And onder drunken brute got far less
than he eserved?” just then came the cold,
almost harsh tones of Empress Josephine. “ Mr.
Cresson was rightin knocking him down, though
I almost wish his hand had been less swift; I
meant to have killed the cur—like a dog, tool”

In her white right hand there showed a silver-
mounted, pearl-handled revolver, and this look-
ed none the less eifectivo becxiuse a little curl of
scented vapor was rising from the cigarette
those white teeth had closed upon.

Such cool nerve in a woman was just the
thing to draw forth a cheer from these rough
yet gallant diggers, and that substantial roof
fairly quivered as the cheers came on time!

“That’s all right,” doggedly uttered one of
that little squad, not only holding his round,
tut showin signs of advancing. ‘ Ma be
Hank was aiit too fresh, so to speak, but t at
don’t excuse a dirty cur from hitting him unbe-
known like—-”

“I hit him, just as I’d hit you, for lanting
his toad-masher on my foot with ma ‘ce pre-
pense,” coolly called forth the Crystal S rt.

“ He never—you took him foul, and I —”

“ Stand back, I say, Barney Watkins!” cried
Frencby Frank, leaping in between those two
men with ready pistols, to add in deadly tones:

“Halt, I say! If there’s any shootin to be
done in the Empire, I’m the man to pu trig-
gers—and when I do that, I’m drawing to fill a
graveyard, too I”

\

\' fl' "(Kw  "u .

Give us a hug an’ a ,

 

" And in those places you can fight it out to
suit your sweet selves, for all of me,” instantly
cried Mitchell. “Go outside—anywhere, just
so you’re on the right side of my limit. But— I
do what shooting and cutting the Empire needs,
bear in mind, all i”

“ And what Frank lacks, I’m on deck to sup-
ply, gentlemen,” coldly supplemented the Eu-
press. “Talk enough. After this ’twill be ac-
tionl”

Barney Watkins scowlingly gazed at one and
then at the other face, reluctant to even seem to
back away, yet knoyving hr-w powerless he was
to advance further. And then, luckily, it
seemed, a diversion was cuuscd by Hank Red-
mond himself.

That blow had been sufficient to almost kill
any ordinary man, but the road-agent was of
unusual toughness, and had not entirely lost his
senSes even for an instant, though pretty
thoroughly “ knocked out.”

Now he scrambled dizzin to his feet, cursing
savagely, though in tones so thick he could
hardly have interpreted those sounds himself.

But his meaning was sufficiently clear when
he fumbled for a gun, his other hand brushing
the tangled hair out of his eyes as he glared
around in quest of the Crystal Sport.

“ Whar is he? Stand him up afore me, and
I’ll bloody murder the out that tried to— Whar
is he then?”

“ Right this way, my howling cyclone of
fur and fury,” coolly answered the Crystal
Sport. “ Steady, burrol Careful, or you’ll
take another tumble all over yourself, Johnny
Raw l”

“ Cuss yel You tuck me behind—you hit me
foul and—”

“ You lie in saying so,” sharply cut in Chris
Cresson, stepping forward with cool delibera-
tion while add' “You led fora row. and
you got it. 0 y, ou made a mistake in
insulting a lady, for t en I just had to lend you
a pcultice—seei”

For the first time since the row began,
Empress Josephine left her easy-chair, and
thrusting the muzzle of her pistol almost against
the tanned face of Hank Redmond, she coldly,
steme cried:

“ You mangy curl I ought to shoot you like
the bound you surely arel And—I will so ser“o
you, too, if ever you dare act that way toward
me again i”

Redmond never flinched, though that muzzle
was fairly touching the skin of his face, just
then. And it was with a touch of native dignity
hardly to be expected in one of his looks, that
he slowly made reply:

“ You’re a lady, ma’am, and that bars me
from talking back—to you I But as for yonder
dandy devil-dude—I’ll kill him, or he’s got to
down me for kee s!” ,

His empty left and rose to point his meaning
more clearly, arm the general interest was by no
means lessened as a smile broadened upon the
face of the Crystal Sport just then.

Cresscn took a leisurely step forward, but be-
fore he could utter the words his brain was
shaping, Frenchy Frank chipped again, his tones
icy cold, his manner all the more dangerous be-
cause So calm.

“ That’s all right, Mr. Redmond. You can
fight it out to suit your own sweet selves, but
not inside these four walls. We have our rules
and regulations, and if they are unknown to
you it’s not my fault."

“ know, Fi-enchy, but—”

“ I’m not arguing the case, Mr. Redmond.
I’m makinga simple statement of well-known
facts. I do the fightin for this establishment,
and if you insist on ha g a circus—”

“Not with you, air, but that cussed dude—
I‘ll kill him, or he’ll make cold meat out 0’ me!”

“ All right, I say, but not in the Empire. Step
outside and settle it according to taste. I’ve
said my say. now— lay or payl”

Hank Redmond ashed another ugly glare at
()reason, then cried:

“ You take it in, critter? I‘m ready, be you?”

“ Oh, I’m always ready,” came the careless
reply. “ In fact, Billy Blowhard, I was born
just that way l”

“ Then come an’ see me, you devil’s dude!”

CHAPTER VIII.
“PURTY P’Izau, ran JAW-SMITH.”

As soon as Hank Redmond had shown him-
self on bio of talking if not of acting for
himsel the rough-clad coarse-bearded fellow
whom Frenchy Frank had addre-sed as Bar-
ney Watkins, fell back a bit, in l' ping silence,
yet holding himself in readiness for backing up
his comrade in case hostilities should culminate
in actual warfare.

But now, apparently realizing how oorly
fitted the tall rascal was for copin wit that
cool, keen, steel-nerved Sport just hen, Wat-
kins pushed forward and gripped Redmond by

 

an arm grufily speaking:
“Fightin goes, but it’s gotto be on a level.
Come par ner: we’ve got to have a bit of

chinnin before burning powder, I reckon.”
“Tsk g water, so quick!” cried a aooflng

\ .

 

  

8

 

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

voice from somewhere among the crowd, its
owner doubtless fearing the loss of an amusing
spectacle—to the lockers on l

“ You lie, whoeVer says it!" harshly chal-
lenged Watkins, hand on gun as he glared
around the brilliantly lighted room. “ Come
outside, and I’ll make you eat those words my
own poor self, then l”

“ Order, gentlemen all l” rung forth the clear
tones of Em l’E‘Ss' Jo. “ Is this a bear-garden
to—night, I’d like to know 3”

During this bit of an interlude, Chris Cresson
was watching and waiting with apparent care-
lessness, although his partly vailed eyes suffered
piecious little of any importance to escape
t em.

Yet he gave a slight start and gripped his
pistol-butt more tightly as a hand tapped him
on the shoulder from behind. He had heard
no sound from that direction, and until that
instant had believed his rear perfectly protected.

“On guard, pa .iiier I” came a low whisper so
nigh that he felt the warm breath stir his beard
slightly. “ Thi y mean to double-bank you, sure
as fate and Doctor—J

“Who are you, then?" coldly asked the Crys-
t‘ll Sport, turning part way around, and step-
}iiig slightly hack and aside at the same in-
.- fruit.

“ Mighty little, for looks, but good enough—
b’ file it up, mun 1"

Swiftly, almo~t hissingly came those final
W ~rds, drawn forth by the flash of startled re-
cognition which came into the eyes of the Crys-
tal Sport. And yrt — is he had said, this stran-
gwr was not much lor looks, if good-looks were
understood.

There were many dirty, greasy, ragged dig-
gers prf-Swll; that ingot, as was the case every
night since the l‘hnnire first “opened up,” but
surely it would have been no easy matter to
pick out another man there who bore such a
disreputable, “don n on his luck” appearance
as. the fellow L'hr’s Cresson confronted just
the”.

His garb was that of a prospector, or a day-
laborer in the mines. His coarse overalls, his
ho= ts, his shirt, his list even. showed holes that
were only (.mtmimhered by grease—spots and
ru-lely-stitchwl m tches.

Coarse hair was visible through rents in that
greasy, bandless fol!) tile, and a still more brist-
ling beard surri ending that face, only the nose
and eyes of which. were open to curious inspec-
tion.

Only one of that countless horde which the
wealth of the El .ck llills had brought to Dead-
WH-Xl, and yet—Chris Cresson knew better!

incredible though it seemed. startling though
the alteration we, he knew this seeming digger
in hard luck was none other than the man whom
he had so generouslv risked his on life to save
from the grip of Nine“! human vultures!

“You know me, just as I meant you should,”
swiftly whispered the stranger, glancing around
with seeming carelessness, and never a hair of
his beard stirring as he added: “ I know you,
‘n'l‘iv, if I didn’t thrn. I’ll explain all, later,
one for now—pick me as your second when the
fight is on 1”

A cool brain can work with marvelous rapid-
ity when the tired arises, and just then Chris
Cresson was busy 'u ith thought. He half divined
the truth, as his memory recalled certain words
let fall by the masked road-agents out in the
hills that ai tel-no- n, and when the stranger
ceased murniurinu, his decision was made.

“All righ“, and it’s a. be gain. Watch the
ri ht time, then come up as a stranger.”

urning away, u ithout even a glance toward
that disguised face, the Crystal Sport moved
back to hisformer position beside the easy-chair,
now once more occupied by Empress Josephine.

The woman greeted him with eyes rather
than voice, and Chris Cresson flushed slightly as
he caught that rmliant glow.

“ You hariilv expected an illustration so soon,
I fancy, Mr. Cro ssou?” her words came musical-
ly, yet almost sadly. “ Only for your unfortu-
nate taste ft m the whimsical and— ’

“ I would have lost the chance of avenging
you, Empres.-.”

“ I could and would have done that myself,
and never—”

“ I knOW,” at the same time gently touching
that white hand as it rested light] on the cush-
ioned arm of her chair. “ But 1’ rather kill a
round score of such mangy curs, than to have
this hand—~90 small, so shapely, so beautiful!”

“ Compliment-i, sir?” with a faint smile which
was almost instantly hidden behind a veil of
cigarette smoke. .

“ The truth is nota compliment, Empress, and
this little hand—ugh l” with a slight shiver,
either real or admirably counterfeited. “ It
ought by rights to know nothing harsher than
kisses, nothing less—"

That blue vail parted before a scented breath,
and afforded just a glimpse of a yawn, then
Empress J 0 bid that pearl-rimmed cavity with
one of the charming hanrfs the sentimental
Sport was a costrophizing.

Above to * band glittered a pair of laughing
eyes as Cilfl.“ (“resson recoiled a bit in blushing
confusion. l .- l in a languorous murmur came
the bit of slang:

 

“ Ah, you make me tired, Cressy 1’”
Before the Sport could rally and return to the

l

“ Purty P’izen, the Jaw-smith, an’ I’m doin’
ther chin-music for Glimmer-glass, hyar—

attack, the door was rudely driven back upon I which is what, dug-gun ye, critter!”

its hinges, to give admittance tothe burly figure
of Barney Watkins.

Back of his broad shoulders showed several
hairy faces, which were easily recognized as be-
longing to the little gang of which Hank Red-
mond and Jimmy Johnson formed members.

Neither of those worthies was visible just
then, and after a quick look around over the
crowd, Barney \Vatkins recognized the Crystal
Sport, and immediately strode in that direction.

Not a word was spoken during that brief
walk, for all eyes were fixed upon the new-
comer, and every one then present felt fully as-
sured Watkins had returned for the express pur-
pose of forcing a duel upon the Crystal Sport.

“My man’s ready and waiting, sir,” Barney
Watkins Said, making a stiff little bow toward
the smiling fellow who stood at clue leside Em—
press Jo. “ If you’re not a coward—”

“ Shall I give you proof to the contrary, sir?”
smilingly asked Chris Cl'esson, stepping forward
with thumb and finger l7] readiness. “ A cow-
ard would hardly d e-f}iis!”

Swift as thought is grip closed upon that
prominent nose, giving it a twist and a wrench
so forcible that, stout knavo though he undoubt-
edly was, Barney Watkins doubled up and gave
a mufih d haw! of agony!

Just as swiftly did the Sport drop his hold and
step back, hand on his hip once more, ready to
draw and fire in case the fellow should attempt
to catch the drop himself.

“ That blots out your coward, pardner," cold-
ly said CresSon, “ and now I’m ready to hear
the rest of your message.”

“ I’ll drain your heart dry for this, curse
yon l” learselycried the fellow, his nose stream-
ing l‘lOl':rl,l~utl1iSliauds making no move toward
his guns. “ I never-4’

“ Well, I did for you, then, pardner, and I’ll
do even worse the next time you address a gen-
tleman as though you were merely talking to
year own reflection in the glass.”

“ VVhoop-up an’ whooploverl” cried a coarse
voice just then, and with a clumsy caper, that
ragged, greasy, disreputable figure came to the
front and made a dive for the hand of the Crys-
tal Sport, shaking it vigorously while adding:
“ Done it slicker’n I mought, Jim-josey, an’ ef
the molds hedn’t bin bu’sted jist at my liatchin’,
billy-be-jo—hammcred ef I wouldn’t take my
solemn davy you’s my own twin brother hornded
a year or so later on-so I would, now!”

“ \Vell, I hardly see the resemblance, save in
good looks,” smilingly answered the Sport.

“An’ my man’s waiting for—will you fight
him, you devil?” rudely interposed Barney
Watkins.

“ ll'il.’ hell Will he fight ‘iml” roared the non-
descript, as he whirled that way with a snort of
contempt and angry scorn at such a base and
baseless insinuation.

“ Who’re you, critter? Git out of my road,
or I’ll—T? _

“ Steady, gents!” once more warned Frenchy
Frank. “Talk all you like, but no fighting,
under penalty, remember.”

“W o’m I, is it?" asked the stranger, striking
an atti ude, and looking down his reddened nose
at the impudent quevtioner, his own face almost
entirely hidden by.th limp brim of his greasy
hat. “ An’ this to me? This to the one an’ only
Purty P’izen, the J aw—smithl This to— I say,

rdner,” turning toward Chris Cresson and
oweri’ng his voice to a coaxing, wheedling pitch,
“jest choose me for your backer in this yer’ bit
of a. shindy, an’ then—don’t ye see ?

“ Don’t I see what?”

“ Don’t 0 see that while you’re moppin’ the
alrth up with that mangy woman-’sulter, I kin
Do battin’ the moon with yender p’izen critter
fer a bat—see?"

Chris Cresson laughed a bit, just as he would
have done had he not been anticipating some
such request and other voices joined him.

Barney \V atkins seemed stung to the very
quick by those sounds, and he took a long step
toward that tall figure, which seemed perfectly
willing to meet such an advance, too.

But once again Frenchy Frank chipped, to
the int.

“ ’m beginning to grow tired saying it all
over so often, entlemen, and when I do get
that wa —-well, enough is enough, and you
ought to n0w it without furt er telling.

“I’ve no pointed objections to you ents talk-
ing in here, so long as you keep wit in decent
bounds; but you’re crowding the limit too close
for comfort, and so I tell you this:

“ If you really mean fighting, fall to work
and get the preliminaries over with. On the
contrary, if it’s only wind—and none too sweet
at that—rack out of this for some other place
where your fuss will cause less annoyance to
decent people.” _

“ I’m all business, and I’ve come here to ask
you, air, will you meet the man you—”

“ Augh, looky hyar, I ask ye!” indignantly
splattered the fellow who had given his name
and title as Party P’izeu, the Jaw-smith, making
a wild flourish with his clinched flat as he cut
that labored speech short.

".Who’re you, them".

  

‘» I. '4’ V ' '1 l .r I
-a'~«':~n: 
an: in.“ ‘5; 1.23.3.1 ‘«

 

Frenchy Frank stepped forward and gazed
keenly, suspiciously into that anything but
clean visage for a few seconds, then turned
up0n the Crystal Sport to ask:

“ Who is this fellow, Mr. Cressonl”

“ You sure] y heard him blew his bazoo, pard-
ner?” laughingly answered the adventurer, with
a careless wave of the hand by way of further
introduction. “Know each other, gents. Mr.

‘ Frenchy Frank, Purty P’izen, Esq.”

I—a

 

lay of.“ 

“The J aw-smith, both 0’ ye,” with a clumsy
duck of his head and backward scrape with a
foot. “ Which that’s the main part 0’ the firm,
at ye only knowed it, and of ye don’t, why jest
et me—”

“ And you agree to his serving you as second,
Mr. Cressmi?” asked the gambler, in tones of un-
disguised amazement.

“Why not?” with a shrug of his shoulders.
“ It’s only a form, after all, for I’ll lay that cur
out so cold there’ll be no room left for question
or dispute.”

“ See that Redmond don’t turn your toes up,
first!”

“ An’ you cornlind yer chin-music right this
yer’ way, critter. or fu’st ye know ye won’t
know ary dug-gun thing! An’ now—that fool’
pard o’ yours wants to ketch more yit, does he?”

“ He wants to play even with the fellow who
hit him from under cover, yes," grufily asserted
and amended the other.

“ That’s ’nother lie you’ve done hatched, crito
ter, an’ of 'e keep on a-doin’ of it some more,
durned of i don’t make ye swaller p’izen by the
quart!” indignantly cried the Jaw-smith.

“Enough talk, both of you fellows,” coldly
interposed Chris (lresson. “ I‘ll give your friend
aLl the satisfaction he wishes, only name the
style he’d rather take his last medicine in,
please.” .

“ My man’s outside, with a gun in his fist,
Wailing f« r his get—even, then,” bluntly de-
clared Watkins. “ You say you’re not a cow-
ard; prove it by stepping outside yonder door,
to light on equal footing!’

“ With all the pleasure in life, my dear fel-
low l” assented the Sport.

CHAPTER lX.
MARKING ms MAN.

WITH a step as careless us his tone, the
Crystal Sport was moving toward the door, but
his self—appointed second promptly interfered,
crying out in real feigned indi ation:

“ Whoa-up! I-‘t’ar back an come to a halt,
the whuil dug-gun shootin’ match of ye!”

“ What’s the matter with you, ,now?”

“ ’Tain’t so mighty much me, now, as it
mought be. m pard, Glimmervglass, then,”de-
ciared Purtv {D’izen with a portentous scowl at
the angry “'atkins, then giving a knowing nod
toward the street as he added: “ Reckon we’re
all two both on us clean cracked an’ done gone
crazy? Reckon we’re gwine to prance right out
yender ’thout ary kiver nur s’curiiy as _how that
p’iZen pard o’ yourn hain’t a-laym] right that
for to catch snap-jedgment onto Glimmer- lass,
hyar? Augh, what sort 0’ blind kittens 0 ye
take us fer, aryhow l” _

Putty P’izen rattled off this string of verbal
pearls so rapidly that even Barney Watkins
\\ as unable to slip in a ward edgeways. although
his face was fairly lowing with honest indigna-
tiomor what 100k like it. ,

Chris Cresson paused at that first command,
smiling a bit as he listened to the argument
odered by this strange customer whose life-path
seemin 1y had begun to blend closely with his
own; at it was more through a malicious
pleasure in seeing Barney Watkins chafe under
such an ugly suSpicion than because he really
put faith in such foul play.

“ You don’t take no stock in such— Tell him
he’s a cussed fool fer even thinking that way,
Cressou l”

Watkins made this fiercely subdued appeal
to the Crystal Sport, but Crusson was perfectly
willing to give his second full swing, and coldly
showed as much, by saying:

“I’m in the hands of my friend, here. Com-

lete your arrangemc ate with him, if you please,

1-. Watkins.” '

“VVhooray fer me, which means we, us an’
comp’ny i” cried Purty P‘izen, with a, stamp of
his foot and a snort copied after that of a start-
led mustang on the range. “An’ now you’ve
k6“?de the cairb, critter, gee nlong straight as
a strmll’. or dug-gun cf 1 don’t climb into the
saddle my own self!”

“ I’ll talk to you on that point later, sir,”
coldly menaced the other, then Speaking rapidly:
“ Say h0w_y_ou want the affair to open up. My
man’s waiting out yonder all this lonesome
time!”

Having once asserted his authority and up-
held the dignity of the office he had so coolly as-
sumed, Purty P’izen showed himself amenable
to reason, and while he stubbornly held out
against everything which could possibly throw
the advantage against his principal, it did not

 

take very long to reach an amicable understand- ,

ing, so far as the seconds were concerned.
This done, Barney Watkins passed outside to

 

 

   

 

' couldn’t do

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport. ’ 9

 

post his principal, while Part P’izen took occa-
sion to enlighten the Crystal rt.

“ Talk it out so all can hear, ’ said Cresson, as
the curious crowd began to press around.
“ The more witnesses the better, I take it.”

“ Which is what, of I do say it my own purty
self,” modestly declared the Jaw-smith, giving
his greasy hat a flourish as he jerked it off and
glanced around with a fascinating smile. “ An’
right hyar ye hev the sweet meat,'gents, ready
picked out for yer grinders, tool

“ Guns—twen ty paces—outside in street-wait
for word, then git thar Eli 1”

So crisp an explanation was hardly to be
looked for in a fellow who had shown himself so
fond of hearing his own melodious voice, and the
very contrast probably had something to do
with the cheers which greeted that announce-
ment.

Purty P’izen romptly took it all for a compli-
ment to himsel and once again that dilapidated
tile cut a flourish through the air, and his shaggy
head went bowing toward all points or the com-
pass as rapidly as his neck could pivot.

“ Ye do me proud, gents, an’ you, gelorious
madam of the starry eyes! Ef I bed so many
dukes, I’d more‘n love to shake the lot 0’ ye, but
sence them as couldn’t ketch a’ air] y turn
mought git up onto thar ears with hot indi ’,
why—shake I’m shakin’, an’ each one 0’ ye k n
play,y0u’re the chosen critter picked out fu’st—
seel

The J aw-smith gripped his own paws, shaking
and grinninglblandly.

Empress osephine laughed softly as she
leaned back in her chair, gazing at that oddity

‘through .long-lashed lids that nearly concealed

gross starry orbs so adroitly rung in by Purty
man.

That hard-favored worthy seemed more than
favorably impressed by her charms, and it was
with an audible smack of 'his densely bearded
lips that he turned toward 'the Crystal Sport,
huskily whispering:

“Finest chunk of a heifer I ever did glimpse,
pardnerl Ef you hain’t got no cinch their,
mebbe a galoot of my size an’ giuer’l ’pearance
mought try for to paw sod that way—eh l”

‘fLower, you fool!” sternly muttered Cres-
son, his own face flushing more hotly than that
of the Empressas he shot an apprehensive glance
her way.

He could not doubt that the St. John had
caught that incautious whisper, for her cheeks
showed amore brilliant color than usual, and
one white hand was lifted to touch the gilt and
jeweled dagger which was thrust through her
thick coils of raven-black hair.

“ Get outside, man, unless ou want to taste
cold steel!” sternly whisper the Crystal Sport,
at the same time pushing Purty P’izen toward
the door. “ She heard on, and—”

"Axin’ pardon of I m tromplin’ over your
private range, boss, but, as I said afore, never
ylt did the two eyes 0’ me—”

“ Bite it off. or you’ll have a worse brush to
handle than I’ve got on the string," again in-
terrupted Cresson.

This time Purty P’izentook the hint so bluntly
administered, and without further remarks he
plunged eagerly into the business on hand.

Whatever might have been their intentions
had the Crystal Sport recklessly accepted that
informal invitation to step forth into the street,
no attempt at foul play was made now that
such had been so bluntly charged by the Jaw.
smith.

Hank Redmond was standing in the middle
of the street, here quite brilliantly illuminated
by the flood of light streaming through the

'open door and wide Windows of the Empire, to

sag nothing of the clear moon and starlight.
ven as they came across that threshold, they
caught sight of Barney Watkins stepping of!
the distance agreed upon, digging his heel into
the ground and plowing the dry dirt as he
reached the end Opposite his principal.

“Twenty steps, an’ thar ye hev it, critters!”
he called forth with ugly defiance in face and
tones as he glanced toward the other party.

v“ Mehbe ye’d like to kick on that, too!”

“Why wouldn’t we, then?” boldly retorted
the Jaw-smith, his very board bristling with
scornful d net as he viewed tholists. “ Ef I
.tter'n that, durned ef I wouldn’t
go has: my head an’ lay down to soak—I jest
would now!”

“ What‘s the matter with it, you bag 0’ wind?"

“ What’s the matter? An’ you’ve got the
cheek to ax that, hey? Waal, didn’t ye walk
with one short leg, an one long one—s—a-a-y?”

“ Didn’t I—whati”

“Didn’t you take a he-ole straddle for your

ard, an’ then a weenty baby-hop fer mine? An’
Eain’t ye tryln’ fer to sot up my gent twicet as
close to your pard’s gun, as your critter is from
my gent—hey i” .

Purty P’izen fairly roared this forth, seeming-
ly so much in earnest that Barney Watkins was

I confused and half-awed until the burst of laugh-

ter coming from all sides cast a ray of light upon
his brain.

“ I’ll even ye up fer that, flannel-mouth l” he
began. but before he could say more, or Purty
P’vzen could come back at him with another flood
of words, Chris Cresson into

I_.' '\

 

‘3 Get down to business gentlemen, and post-
pone your horse-play until star. I reckon the
town’s turned out to see something else than a

' sparring match with tongues for weapons.”

“ Set ,her to rolling, Barney!” harshly cried
Redmond. sevmingl y nettled a bit by the lusty
cheers which greeted the speech of his enemy,
just then. ‘fl’m ready, and I’ve been waiting
so long I‘m growing blue—moldy l”

“I kin smell it, cl’ar from here!” croaked
Purty P‘izen, one paw lifting to close over his
nose in a suggestive manner.

But then Chris Cresson saved further trouble
or loss of time by stepping forward to the mark
scored by the heel of Barney Watkins, drawing
a revolver with his right hand as he faced his
adversary.

“ Fall back out of line, gentlemen,” came his
easy warning. “I’ll agree not to waste any
lead on outsiders, but of course I can’t answer
for my friend owposite.”

“You’ll know mighty quick whar my lead
has gone, cuss yel” viciously threatened Red-
mond. “ Who gIVes the word, Barney ?”

“I do. Steady, now, fer durned ef I’ll yelp
until i see that both ends is ready sot an’ wait-
ingI for the word!”

either of the principals spoke further, and 'i

as the eager witnesses saw them thus prepared,
silence fell over the entire assemblage.

Barney Watkins seemed hard to suit, or elsc
was trying to shake the nerve of the Crystal
Sport by prolonging the strain; for second af-
ter second passed by without the word coming,
until one minute had almost grown to a couple.

hen—

“ Fire I”

As though an electric tie connected that
tongue with his leveled revolver, Hank Red-
mond fired on the instant, then sprung swiftly
aside and stooped to peer under that curling
ball of smoke.

It was a son shot, pure and simple, but for
once in his life dmond found his really mar-
velous skill as such had failed him, for Chris
Cresson was still standing, and gave no signs of
being touched by that shot.

With a fierce, snarling yell, the angry duelist
leaped forward, meaning to close before the
Crystal Sport could secure anything like the de-
liberate aim he seemed trying for.

Instead, Chris Cresson pulled trigger at once,
then lowered his pistolsrm before even his keen
eyes could take full note of the result.

lVith a hoarse, gurgling cr , Hank Redmond
staggered forward, dropping is pistol, his hands
fluttering, his head flying back as he fell like a
mass of clay upon the stony street.

An instant’s silence, then wild Iy‘Iells of hot rage
burst from -the gang to which ank Redmond
had belonged, and there came a menacing surge
in that direction which might easily end in worse
than threats.

But Purty P‘izen was on the keen alert, and
springing in front of his principal, drawing guns
as he did so, he thundered forth:

“Back, ye hounds!
he who dar‘s to say contrary, hes got to climb
up my,back afore he kin git at Glimmer-glass,
hyarl

A strong band caught his shoulder and whirled
him half-way around, leaving the Crystal Sport
to confront the enemy himself.

“ Don’t fly oil? the handle, fellows, until you
know just what you're kicking about. I’Ve only
marked Redmond—barely creased him—for I‘ve
no grudge against the hangmaa, that I should
rob him of his dues!”

“ You‘ve bloody murdered him, an’ now—”

“ I‘m talking to gentlemen, and that bars you
out, Barney Watkins,” coldly cut in the Sport,
then adding: “ Don’t take my word for it, but
look to yonder brute before you waste any more
sympathy.”

Turning away as though he had no further
interest in the matter, Chris Cresson let a hand
fall heavin on Purty P’izen’s shoulder, givmg
him a half-turn which brought their eyes on a
lewl. then coldly saying:

“ Novv then, my flne fellow, it comes your
turn! Which is it to be—explain. or fight?"

‘ The good Lawd I”

“ You‘ll need a heartier prayer than that, old
11(13an you elect to play on as you’ve begun,"
81591130311? adding: I fl i

m e next shot re w ll ' ’
ye mind,” go plum center,

Flirty P’izen casta quick glance around them,
and seemed relieved to find that attention was
fairly centering abOut the fallen duelist. An
altered expression came to his face, and in low-
ered tones he made answer:

” 1 ll explain, of course, sir. Shall we go to
your hotel, or to mine?”

“ W here do you hang out, first?”

“ At the Midland.”

_ “ So do I. That cuts the choice down to noth~
in , and so—one moment, please!”

urning so as to more squarely face the crowd
which was densest about the body of Hank Red-
mond but still keeping a hand on that arm, as
though resolved to guard against another auda-
cious breakawaty on the part of this stranger,
Chris Cresson li ted his voice to call forth:

“ I'll leave you fellows to patch up my work, I
reckon, but if there‘s any cue among you all
, I .

‘ ., s  pg

, A

’Twas fairly done, an"

 

': . - i. . ‘
i-* '4. . a. . r,  .. run, g,’

 

who fancies he’d like a bit more fun with Chris
Creason, all right! I’m one of the easiest fellows
to find-for fun or for earnest—that you ever
tried to buck against!

“I’m hanging out at the Midland Hotel. I’m
going back tnere now. it wanted, just ask the
landlord to call me, and HI be on hand likea
glove, if not quite as Comfortable to the
wearer!” .

Chris Cresson paused a few moments for a
reply or a possible Challenge from another one
of that rough and tough gang; but none such
came, and slipping his hand through Piir'v
P’izen’s arm, the Crystal Sport moved away
from the scene of his latest triumph.

“ You did that up right neatly, pardner,”
observed his companion. a few moments l;f‘.='.
“ Was it merely a bluff, trough, or did y. .u
actually play for a crease?"

“ You in ard what I said, didn’t you, sir?”
coldly askei Cresson.

” Yes, but—” 0 .

“ All right. Are you so pzrtial to lying your.
self that you can’t give a gentleman credit for
speaking the truth?”

“ You’re digging it pretty roughly, my—

“ Any rougher than you dealt forth tms after-
noon?"

The Sport’s tones were growing colder, harder,
but now Purty P’izen broke into a low, chuc‘. -
ling laugh, his form shaking witii what ser ‘1’".
nnalloyed mirth. That sharp query evidently
touched his humorous cord, one would fa. ncy.

Possibly Cresson might have brought matters
to a focus then and there, stung by that laugh
over his recent humiliating defeat; but before
he could take a step further, PurtyP’izen deftly
kicked both feet from under him, then hurled
him violently to the ground!

CHAPTER X.
cums CRESSON GIVES WARNING.
PURTY P’iZEN 1.11 win his companion. his
powerful arms closing about tie body of the
Crystal Sport, thus. effectually hindering Chris
Cresson from striking a blow or drawing a wea-

I,

f

 

pon.

But the instant their bodies struck groun i, the
self—styled J aw-smith freed me hand to wnip
forth a revolver, from which be discharged sev-
eral shots in rapid succession, at the same time
crying hastily:

" Easy, Cresson!
meat, and—”

A strong hand ipped his throat, cutting
short those words, ut even as he secured that
deadly grip, the Crystal Sport began to recog-
nize his mistake.

He saw that Purty P’izen was tiring. not at or
upon him, but away in the darkness out of
which came a half-stifled cry, as though at lea~t
one of those hasty missiles had found a semitive
target. ,

“ You’re not-—
man!” .

At the same time Purty P’izen freed his throat
by a dexterous twist and writhe, then bluntly
answered:

“ Quit playing fool, and I’ll do it, Cresson!
Only for you, l’d have witnesses lying out you-
der; but now—you’re fuller of wriggle than a
soorched snake, pardnerl”

Swiftly as these sentences were fl .ing hack
and forth, they were hardly completed before
the silence which naturally f0110ws closely upon
~ n outbreak of this description, gave wav be-
fore the chorus of cries and calls and sound of
trampling feet. .

Tiw tWo men were at no great distance from
the Empire, and it required no pause for reason-
ing to tell them those sounds came from the
suiie crowd who had witnessed the duel by
moonlight.

Neither was there time for consulting over
their wisest course of action, and with a barely
noticeable pause for thought, Purty P’izen lifted
his voice and shouted forth:

“ This way, gents! Fetch lights, and walk like
’twas on eggs, for—”

“ For 1‘“ check any rush with cold lead!”
sternly supplemented the Crystal Spor', now
upon his feet once more, and each hand filled by
the butt of a revolver. “ I’m getting hot unsal-
the collar, and whan I do begin to sneat— Go
may, or fall heavy 1”

his stern warning was intended fully as much
for Purty P’izen as it was for the coming crowd
in general, and thou h the spot where the two
men now were, was led with gloom, the Jaw-
smith had eyes keen enough to ice that one of
those grim muzzles was turned his way.

“ Don't shoot unless I try to run ( r dodge,
Cresson,” he said, in low tones, hut which cer-
tainly showed no signs of fear. “ I had to down
you, or you’d have caught the knife, instead of
the wood yonder.”

There was no time for further explanations
just then, since the rush was coming, and re-
quired a check to guard afimst ible treach-
Ery on the part of some of ank ond’s out-

t.

Those curs are after cold

Explain, confound you,

“Steady, once more. gentlemen!” rung forth
the voice of the Crystal Sport in warning.
“ Wait for the lights, yonder, please.”

“ What’s the racket, any our; i"

“ More dirty play, of course. Dcn’t crowd,

.

I I " 179113;

10

0001 Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

or somebody else will get hurt. Lively with
those lights, please l”

“Which is what, an’ ho may never see the
back 0’ my neck sg’in e Purty P’izen hain’t
gwine fer to eat his bigness, dirt or no dirtl
Dm‘n sech ways 0’ runnin’ a town! Double-
durn them as hain’t got no more sense then to
sling their hardware round on the loose like—
will ye take a holy squint at that, then ?”

By the li ht of the first lantern to come up,
and which urty P’izen snatched from the hand
of its bearer, the J aw-smith pointed to where an
ugly-looking weapon was sticking in the un-
painted boards of the shanty close to which the
wo men had been passing at that critical mo
ment.

A buck-horn hafted knife, the ten-inch blade
of which was fashioned after Bowie’s model.
The keen, curved point was hidden in the dry
wood, which fact alone was sufficient evidence
as to the murderous pu ose of its owner.

The brass handguar , the iron shank, the
brOad back, where the blade was nearly half an
inch in thickness, all had aided the strong band
to bury the point deeply; and more than one
stout fellow turned a shade paler as he saw how
hard it was for Chris Cressmi to wrench the
weapon from the side of the building.

If sinking so deeply into seasoned wood, what
might the bowie not have done had it sped true
to the mark of flesh and blood?

“Hold ’em stiddy so, Glimmer-glassl” cried
Purty P‘izen, grasping another citizen with a
lantern, and shoving him in the direction from
whence that weapon must have come. “This
way fer a squint, gents! I tuck a few guess-
shots over hyar, jest on the chaince of ringin’
the bell, but don’t reckon— Struck color, by
p’izen l”

iSnatching away the light from its bearer,

Purty P’izen flashed the yellow rays upon a
spotted stone, and then knew he had made no
error; it was color, sure enoughl And that
color was red!

Like hounds on a hot scent, the little crowd
scattered the next moment, rushing hither and
yon, eagerly searching for the body from whence
those crimson drops had been extracted; but all
in vain. .

Although there could be no doubt as to some
person’s having been wounded by one of those

ast , almost random shots, the sufferer had
vanished, either throu h the assistance of his
mates, or upon his own egs.

“Jest knocked the bark off, I reckon,” de-
clared Party P’izen, giving the ground a more
careful examination by the lantern-1i ht.
“ Hyar’s whar he tuck a trip an’ a stumble w en
he felt the spur, and then drape leaked out afore
he could squawmble up ag’in. Then—-waal, looks
like he mmidged fer to squoze the hole up
with his paw, like, an’ so thar don’t no more
color—” ‘

“ Over this way I” just then came an eager
cry from where the other light was passing
swiftly from side to side of the narrow street.
“ More colorl He’s took this route. for—”

“ All right, me coveysl” cried Purty P’izen,
rising erect and resigning that lantern to its
rightful owner. “ Foller the float-rock, an’
mebbe you’ll find the vein. Ef ye do—wasl, I
do reckon me ’n my pard, Glimmer-glass, over
yender, ’11 pay as big a price fer the pan-out as
ary other spec’lator you’ll be apt fer to run up
ag’inst.”

“ Don’t you ’low to track ’em up, then!” asked
the lantern-bearer.

“'It’s too blind a lead fer me, pardner, an’
then thar's— omin’, ardneri”

With long, rapid strides Purty P’izen made
his way across to where Chris Cresson was bold-
ing his portion of the crowd, but with growing
impatience on his part.

‘ What’s upsot now, Glimmer-glass?” asked
the Jaw-smith, as he hurried up :in response to
the call sent forth by the Sport.

“\Vl’mt did you find over there?”

“Jest color ’nough to show that thar was
flesh an’ blood at t’oiher eend o’ the knife-
route, but hardly ’nough fer to foller up.
Why ?”

“ Tell these gentlemen what you saw, or what
on heard, please. I’m mighty near as much in
he dark my Own soil, or I’d save you the

trouble. Yousaw—whatf"

“Waal, ’twasn’t so dug-gun mighty much,
gents, an’ yit ’twas plenty heap fer a hog!” de-
clared the Jaw -srnith, squaring himself as
though for one of his windy orations.

“ Bod it down, pardneri” coldly interposed
the Sport. “ All we care for right now are the
naked facts.” ,

“Jest so, an’ of Purty P’izeh caiii’t do the
b’ilin’ of it down, then Purty P’izon wants some
dug-gun (‘Tlttel' fer to show him the reason why.
Mebhe you kiii' do that same, (Ah ,2"

His head shot suddenly forward, his glitter-
ing eyes fixed 'upon n_heavily-bearded face which
showed imperfectly in that dim light.

“Business, P’izenl” reiterated Cresson, his
hand falling heavily upon the nearest shoulder.

H No one now present had aught to do with the
dirty trick, of course. Talk straight,‘and talk
fast, will you, man?” "

“ "Joni, I didn‘t know but what— All right,
blame yel” giving a’writhe and a squeal as

'.I' I / I '
i  I ll _ . , ‘ »‘ m

 

Cresson’s fingers seemed to sink into his flesh.
“ An’ we was jest a—moseyin’ ’long this yer’ way,
gents, all, when I ketched a glimp’ o’ somethin’
over yender; couldn’t say jest what, nur yit
jest why I done it, but I up an’ kicked Glimmer-
glass on the legs, sn’ tumbled all over him my
own self, jest in time fer tu miss ketchin’ that
p’izen butcher—so thar I”

All in a breath came these words at last, but
the J aw-smith made his meaning perfectly clear
to those who listened, and that was all needed,
just then.

“There you have it, gentlemen,” said Chris
Cresson, speaking In his turn, and holding that
ugly blade up to full view. “A mighty few
words will finish my part of the introductory
chorus, whatever else may follow.

“ I’m fond of fun. I can enter into and enjoy
sport or frolic with the next best man. But—
and this is the kernel—I do like to have it just a
weenty bit more even i

“ I think I’ve taken fully my share this eve-
ning, and so I feel more at liberty to give you
all—and that ‘ all’ includes those absent as
well as those present, you will observe—fair
warning that if any further tricks are played,
Tm going out gunning for cold meat !

“ A nd now, a last word for to-night,” holding
that weapon aloft where all could see it. “I
mean to hold fast to this bit of steel until its
owner is found, or he comes to the front after
his property. And,as a further inducement,
I’ll say just this: I’ve got an even five hundred
dollars that is ready for the owner when he puts
in a claim for this knifnl”

“ D’you offer that five for proof as to the
owner, boss!”

“ No, for Iyreckon I can find the fellow for a
great deal less. The offer is confined to the
owner, when he plucks up grit enough to admit
himself an assassinl”

W ithout waiting for further nestions, Chris
Cresson thrust that bared blade (into his gir: le,
then slipped a hand through Purty P’izen’s arm
and moved away in the direction of their hotel.

None of the gathering ventured to follow
them, and it was not lon before they could
talk without fear of having other ears catch
their words.

Chris Cresson was the first to break silence,
and his words were an odd mingling of warning
and thanks.

“ This makes twice ou’ve downed me by
hand and foot, Purty ’izen, but I’m not quite
so hot over it as I was back in the bills, this
afternoon.”

“ Well, that sounds half-way hearty, Glimmer-
glass.”

“ Twice, I say,” repeated the Sport, his tones
hardening a bit as he added: ‘Still, Ireally
reckon you’d better give fair warning before
you try that on for the third time, P’izen l”

The J aw-smith gave a low, brief chuckle be-
fore speaking:

“ I didn’t have time to spare for explaining,
or for asking your permission, Glimmer-glass.
And then—are you so dead certain that bit of
cold steel was meant for your benefit?”

“ What do you mean, now?”

“ That I’m by no means certain it wasn’t in-
tended for my quietus, not yours,” quietly an-
swered the J aw-smith.

“ What?” and Cresson turned to squarely face
him. “Then y0u are res-11 what those rascals
said—Firebrand Dick, the etective?”

“ Which? Who? Me? Good Lawd, pard-
ner, I’m jest Party P’izen, the J aw-smithl” de-
clared the stranger, resuming his dialect with
cool assurance.

CHAPTER XI.
A LITTLE SPARRING-MATCH.

TAKING this as an indirect assertion that
Purty P’i'zen was not yet ready to make full con»
fession, Chris Cresson replaced his hand, and
once more moved along in the direction of the
Midland Hotel.

“It’s all right, if you can only think so,
P'izen. And yet, don’t you know, I’ve about
made up my mind to get at the bottom facts,
whether with or without your kind permis-
sion.’ ‘

“Some critters is built that-a-way,” easily ad-
mitted the Jaw-smith, betraying no uneasiness
at that significant tone. “An’ef I was you,
reckon mebbe I’d be doin’ of pritty much the
same thing. Ef little is good, wouldn’t the hull
hog eat still better?"

“:3; that p’izen, or merely a flrebrand, pard-
ner ’

“ Which?”

Despite the annoyance whiCh he really {8117.
Chris Cresson could not refrain from smiling,
so blankly innocent sounded that query, and so
utterly blank looked that bearded face,‘ just
then visible for a few moments as the pair
passed in front of a saloon.

They were not for from the hotel now, and
wi'tlndrawing his hand, the Crystal Sport coolly
sail :

“ Pitv to coerce you, isn’t it, stranger? Now,
if you should hap en to feel as though impor-
tant business cal ed you in another direction,
you’ll not be obliged to use hand or foot on
yours truly.”

“But you, Glimmer-glass? Ef I should take

, \

, .
.c-,. '_“m‘,- ,,.i_.,' 7, V /

 

 

sech a notion, reckon you wouldn’t try fer to
play men all into a heap, would ye, now!” ’

“ Find out by and experience, as I have done,”
came the dry, noncommittal response; but there
was light enough from the moon and stars to
show the stranger a hand that was toying with
a revolver-butt.

“ Which makes it all the more bindin’, in the
words of the way-up poic, Glimmer-glass; an’
ef ye was ever ketched into a cuckle-hurr patch
afore sheddin’-time, then mebbe ye kin guess a
bit how p’izen tight the J aw-smith is gwine for
to stick to ye—untel thar hain’t so dug-gun
many chainces fer a gun to bu’st a ca‘tridge,
srywayl See the p’inti”

" All right, P’izen, and I’ll count myself just
one shell ahead at least until after you’ve be-
gun explaining how your hoof happens to. be
hung so limberly whenever I happen to be With-
in its range.”

No response was given to this pointed hint,
and neither of the men spoke again until the
hotel was reached.

As though through common courtesy, Cresson
ste ped back with a motion for his disreputable
loo ing companion to take precedence, and the
J aw—sniith was first to enter the lighted office.

Until that moment the Crystal Sport was by
no means certain that Purty P’zen really intend-
ed to enter, or that he actually had taken lodg-
ings at the Midland; but no sooner had the fa -
low entered than he briskly cried out, knocking
back his limp hat-brim:

“ Back ag’in, hash-boss! Hope ye hain’t bin
losin’ fleash over worryin’ for fear the Jaw-
smith ’lowed to give ye the dirty shake?” _

Chris Cresson heard only the first part of this
characteristic address, for his foot had barely
touched the office-floor when an excited cry
broke forth, and an excited person bustled for-
ward with both hands extended, like one inti-
mate friend greeting another.

“ Dot vhas you, nein? Mein gottl how all-
oafer-feel-goot dot makes me shiver! Here?
Lilfing? All veil as eiferi Und dose grazy vools
howl all oafer dot Grystal Ghris vhas gone
deadt py hiinseiluf, tool”

Of course the speaker was Morris Rosenblatt,
the dealer in diamonds and precious stones, and
before Chris Cresson could evade the excited,
enthusiastic rush, his right hand was clasped by
the German, :and shaken as thOugh a thirsty
man was working at a pump—handled

Hardly knowing whether or no this sudden
solicitude in an almost perfect stranger might
not cover another vicious attack, the Crystal
Sport quickly twisted his hand free, but not so
soon that he left behind it the bit of paper
which Rosenblatt had held an instant before.

Swift as thought their eyes met, and a flash of
warning passed from J ow to Gentile. And when
Cresson brushed past the diamond-broker, there
was nothing to be seen of that paper.

“ Und dot vhasn’t drue. 1 see me?” exclaimed
Rosenblatt, still seeming strongly excited over
the Wild rumor which apparent] had reached
the Midland before the Sport. “ hears me dot
you vhas gilled—vhas plowed vide oben py do“
——und I vhants to see you later, mein tear sir! I
hail? me somedings to ask—’poudt' sdones, and
tiamondts, und—I gome pack again, you see—-
nein?”

All splatter and excitement. Morris Rosen-
blatt permitted his erratic prancings to carry
him to the threshold, then he vanished into the
night with ludicrous agility for one of his age
and build. , , ,

“ Waal, ef he haln t got em, an’ got ’em
mighty bad, then I wouldn’t say sol” drawled
Purty P’izen, his jaws closing With an audible

click as his shaggy head nodded in that direction. .

“ In a hurry, too, wasn’t he?”

“ Possibly so.”

“ 1n sech a p’izen hurry he went off an’ fergot
somethin’, too, didn’t he?” persisted the Jaw-
smith, grinning broadly and winking an eye
facetiously as he gave a sly nod toward that
closed right hand. -

Chris Cresson coolly stared back for a brief
space in silence. then quietly asked:

“ Anything that you claim, pardner?”

“ Wouldn’t know what to do with ’em of I was
to pick ’em up,” declared P’izen, with a. sidelong
glance toward the few persons present, all of
whom showed more or less interest ill what was
taking place there. ‘f Jest dropped his man.
nerS.’ an‘ fergot to pick ’em up afore rackin’
outi’

As he gave this CXDilinathll, Purty P’izen
moved so as to bring them closer together, and
without outward show of speaking, he softly
whispered:

“ Dollars to cents that paper concerns me, all
the same 1"

Once more his eyes flashed toward that closed
hand, thus pointing his meaning too plainly for
a mistake to be made by the Sport.

“ All right, P‘izen. If it wasn’t against my
principles to bet on a dead sure thing, I might
go ye.
if you’re not too bnsy—”

“ Never too busy fer to ’compnny a old side-
psrdnei', an’ ef you hain’t jest that, Glimmer-
glass, then I’d like fer to knew the reason l”

Without waiting for more. or showing any
solicitude as to what the little company might

As it is—I’m going up to my room, and .

 

i

 

 

Cool‘Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

 

‘11'

 

think of his associates when such a specimen as
the J a w -smith could lay unrebuked claim to his
friendship, Crystal Chris passed from office into
ball, then motioned for Purty P’izen to precede
him up that narrow flight of stairs.

“ After me is manners, eh?" carelessly quoted
the fellow, grinnin as he made a mock bow,
but showing no re uctance about going on in
advance. “ Bin a monstrous long len’th 0’ time,
Glimmer-glass, sence Imet up with a old pard
so chuck-up—an’-runnin’-over with perliteness es

ou l”

“That’s all right, P’izen, but a man’s worse
than a fool if he gives a second opening before
the first trick has been explained to his satisfac-
tion,” coolly said the Sport, treading close at his
heels. “And you haVen’t quite cleared your
record, remember.” . .

“ Oh, ’tain’t me that’s kickin’, Glimmer-glass,
an’ when you say— This the den, eh?”

Chris Cresson slipped a key into its lock, gave
it a turn, then pushed the door open, saying
crisply:

“Step in, pardner. Room enough, I reckon,
if you don’t try to play circus before I strike a
light. If you should— Better don’t, all the
samel”

Even as he closed the door behind them, Cres-
son struck a match, and when its brief light
showed him the candle resting on the rickety lit-
tle washestand, he had another match ready to
touch the wick.

When this was alight, he locked the chamber-
dOor on the inside, and motioning his guest to
take the single chair the little chamber could
boast, he sunk down on the edge of the bed, his
face showing cold and stern—set by the candle-
li ht.

gParty P’izen accepted the chair as a matter of
right, and now gazed blandly into the face of
his host, showing no uneasiness, seemingly never
more entirely at his case than right then and
there.

Their eyes met, and held each other for the
space of nearly a minute, but while those of the
Sport grew sterner, Purty P’izl-n seemed hold-
ing back a chuckle of mirth, or of—was it
scorn!

Crystal Chris began to tingle all over as that
doubt assailed him, but when he spoke his tones
were cold and steady enough to cover all that
weakness.

, “ You’re not exactly what you claim to be,
Purty P’izen.”

“ Are you, Glimmer-glass?” swiftly cut in the
other. .

“ You are playing a cunning part for isome
end, evrl or good, and I’m dead sure of so much,
at least."

“ Well, so are you playing a part, and hence
ought to be perfectly willing to call it even—
stephen,” again retorted the stranger.

A faint smile flitted across the handsome face
of the Sport at this cool assurance, but his tones
were hardly softened as he added:

“Hardly that, P’izen. It shows you’ve not
forgotten to carry your nerve with you, though,
just to hint at so much.”

“ Was it a hint? I really thought I made it
an open assertion."

“ Hint or assertion, never mind. I’ve brought

on here on sober business, and we’ve seen a
bit too much of each other to stand on a shade
of meaning, one way or the other.”

“All right, pardner, Just so the shade isn’t
all piled on my slice of the pudding. It is
pudding, you reckon, Glimmer—glass?”

If Purty P'izen hoped to Win a laugh through
cool impudence, he was disappomted, for Chris
Cresson grew colder, sterner as he saw that his
unwrlling guest showed a desire to delay that
explanation.

“ Pie or pudding, you’ll swallow the share
portioned out for you, I reckon, P’izen, now
I’ve brought you equarely up to the fodder-
rack.”

“ Well, why not? You’re trying to get at

. something, pardner, and if you’ll just flinga

hint this way. see how terrible sudden I‘ll
lend you a boost over the stile!”

“Thanks, but haven't you loaned me just a
trifle too much, already i” asked the Sport,
with another fleeting smile. “And that’s the
very point I was leading up to, P’izen.”

I“ Didn’t I say I’d give you a boost, Glimmer-

ass?’

“ You’ve said more things than one that
need an explanation, sir. and you’ve donc-—what?
I saved you when those whelps had you foul,
out in the bills, this afternoon—”

“ Ana I saved you tO-nigbt, when that dose
of steel was searching for your weak spot,”
quickly interposed Purty P’izen, dropping some-
thin of his former flippancy.

“ dmitted, although you did hint the cast
might possibly have been intended for your
benefit,” coolly said the Sport. “Still, even
that service fails to square our account. I still
owe you a blow and a kick, even giving you fu
benefit of this offset." '

Party P’izen gave a careless wave of one
grimy paw at this, and with the lazy draw] of a
millionaire regarding a worn penny, he Spoke
again!

“ Don’t mention it, pardnerl I like to hays a
gentin my debt. and you might keep on owing

 

me double times over that much, without my
chuckinga dun at your cabeza—-yes sir I”

“Thats all right, from our side the fence,
no doubt, P’izen, but I was rought up to square
all accounts at the earliest possible moment. I
owe you a lick and a kick; will you have them
both right now, or can you show good reasons
why not?”

Very easily, almost mildly sounded that voice,
but Purty P’lzen was shrewd enough to realize
that he was only increasing his own peril by
protracting this little sparring match, and his
manner underwent an instant change. ,

His 10w, amused laugh died away, and his
facegrew sober, in keeping with his frank,
manly tones,as he leaned forward a hit, his
open palm extending the while.

“ Now you’re striking color, Mr. Cresson,
and I’ll gladly meet you on the dead level. I
do owe you an apology for that trick, and right
here you have it, sir!

“ I felt myself in a mighty tight box, when
you came up and set me part way at liberty.
i knew that it meant almost certain death to
me if I couldn’t escape the knaves—see?”

“Wasn’t I helping you escape from them,
then?”

“ Now I can believe so much, but then—
Well, if ou knew it all, Cresson, I’m retty
sure you d say I was at least partly justi ed in
doubting whether or no you weren’t one of the
same gang and—”

“ After Ichoked that cur dewn i"

“ It was only choking, remember, where al-
most any man would have used knife, or gun,”
quickly said the stranger.

“And so called his mates to make worse
trouble; that is mighty poor reasoning, P’izenl”
retorted the Sport.

“ And I was in a mighty poor fix for reason-
ing coolly, don’t forget, Glimmer-glass! Then,
too, I’d been warned to look out for tricks,
and particularly warned againstfithe Crystal
Sport!”

Chris Cresson gave a start at this blunt hint,
and a wave of color s read over his face as
those dark eyes watch the effect of that shot.

CHAPTER XII.
cams cansson‘s COOL CUSTOMER.

“ ARE you turned crazy, man i” ejaculated the
Sport, frowning darkly as he met that half-
gtuifiiical gaze and read in part what lay back of
l a .

“ Not that I know of, pardner; why, pray i”

“ You said—warned? And against me?”

“ I said nothing more than the sober truth,
Mr. Cresson,” declared the other, once more
losing that touch of millery or sarcasm, ak-
ing quickly yet earnestly. “ I’ll say it a over
again, to avoid further mistakes.

“I was warned to keep on my guard against
dangerous tricks. And in particular I was to
keep a keen eye open for a party who was pass-
ing in these parts as the Crystal Sport!”

‘ Of course that meant me, then,” slowly spoke

Cresson, his brows contracted, and something.

like a look of trouble coming into his face. “ As
I’m the only man in the Black Hills who is en-
titled to that name, of course it must have meant
me. Eh?” I

“ I reckon it did, particularly as the name of
Christopher Cresson was added to the other.”

“ By whom? Who warned you against me?”

Purty P’izen leaned back in his chair, that
half-quizzical smile returning to his face. , For
a moment or two he met that impatient g ze
squarely, then lowered his eyes, giving a sli ht
nod toward Cresson’s right hand before saying:

“Since one keeps a secret, why not another,
Mr. Oresson?”

“ By which you mean—precisely what?"

f‘ That you received a warning only a few
minutes ago, and that same warning, I’m will-

.ingwto lay odds, concerns myself. N ow—catch
on

His meaning was clear enough, and Chris
Cresson .could not 33061 to misunderstand his
words: it was a vailed proposal to give con—
fidence for trust, or a thinly disguiSed threat to
hold fast his secret in turn.

Somehow he could not help feeling that he
was meeting his match, if not something more,
in thrsghb-tongued stranger: yet this feeling
gave him more wonder than anger, even with
those oervasional twinges of pain in his stomach
where that heavy foot had fallen.

For a few seconds lengei' neithcrman spoke or
made a move, but at the end of, that period, the
Crystal Sport slipped a hand into a pocket,
bringing forth a crumpled hit of paper.

f‘ Have .a light, Glimmer-glass?” asked I’urty
P’izen, qmckly picking up the candlestick and
extending it, with a grim smile bristli g his
beard and draWing wrinkles about his eyeg.‘

Without further hesrtation the other opened
that paper, and upon it his keen eyes made out
the penciled words:

“ l’roVe before trusting. Hardest of all to parry
is a blow from cover."

There was neither address nor signature, but
Chris Cresson could not well doubt what and
who was meant, nor who had written that

thinly vailed warning.

o 1

\

 

He glanced up from the paper, to meet that
quizzical gaze. and once more he felt something
akin to shame as he knew the color was rising
to his temples. Why should this stranger have
power to stir his blood after such a fashion?
Who was he to—

“ Shall I rattle it 011, mind-reader style,
Glimmer-glass i” coolly asked the stranger.

“ If that means I’m afraid or ashamed to show
you the note, let this answer you, P’izen,” cold-
y spoke Cresson, pushing both light and paper
toward his present companion.

“ If that s meant for a blufl', see how elegant-
ly I call it down, will you, pardnsri” chuckled
the J aw-smith, turning the pa r so the penciled
wards met his keen gaze. ‘ Sorry, but I’m a
regular old woman when it comes to unadulter-
ated curiosity."

“ Well, since you‘ve read the words, maybe
you can give a guess as to the one I’m warned
to prove before trusting?”

‘ Means me, of course, but the fellow is
cracked—decidedly cracked, or else was born a
crank!”

“ That’s easily spoken, but—”

“ Because only an idiot or one who has good
reasons for wanting to make you fight shy of
your best friends, would even think of sending
you such a warning. Why, man, dear, what
possible reason can you have for fighting shy l f
a detective?”

“ A detective, you say?”

“ Exactly,” with a cool little nod, seemingly
paying no heed to the start which Chris Cremon
gave at that title, or to the flush which as briefly
tinged that face with warm color. '

Just as swiftly the Crystal Sport rallied, and
there was nothing‘ out of the ordinary in either
face or voice as he spoke again:

“ Then those fellows were right, this after-
noon 3”

“In roping me like a maverick, do you
mean i”

“ In what was said after you left me—short of
wind and long of toothache, of course!”

“ Unluckin I wasn’t nigh enough the spot to
hear just what they did say, but it could hardly
have been complimentary i”

“They took you for a detective, called Fire-
brand Dick. Vere they in the right of it, so
far?" came the blunt question.

“ So far as deciding I was Firebrand, yes,”
admitted the detective. “ And in taking the
scare, as they surely did, they’ve unwittingly
shown me one way to strike home!”

“ Then you’re here after road-agents?”

“ Well, not exactly,” was the answer, coming
with a touch of hesitation, though there was
naught in those frank eyes that savored of doubt
as to the reliability of the Crystal Sport. “ That
is, you understand, I wasn‘t sent here to break
up a road-gang, but I begin to fancy they are
mfixgd up in the case I’ve undertaken to
si t.

Chris Cressou lowered both eyes and head
for a hit, his right hand going up to thought-
fully feel of his dense beard, like one who is busy
with thoughts which can hardly be termed
agreeable. \

Firebrand Dick, to give the detective the title
he had acknowledged, sat in equal silence, cov-
ertl y studying that handsome face, yet in readi-
ness to veil his interest the instant those long
lashes should in to lift the vail.

That silence sated for nearly a minute, and
when it was broken by Chris Cresson at last, his
voice was as grave as his face.

“ That’s a good disguise you’re wearing, Fire-
brand, but I saw throu h it the moment you
spoke to me over at the mpire.”

“ Wasn’t it because I intended you should re-

cognize me. though?" the detective asked, with v

a faint smile.

“ I don’t think so,” quickly asserted the Sport.
“ And as proof that my eyes are not so excep-
tionallv keen, how about those otlw r fellows?”

“ Meaning Barney Watkins and co Liipany, of
course ?"

“ Yes. They surely saw that you were some-
thing 7inure than you looked on the surface,
and—

Crystal Chris broke off abruptly for the de-
tective Was laughing in his face. And yet it
hardly seemed like an insult, either.

“ What if I tell you that is precisely what I
wanted, friend?’

“ You mean—"

“That I was playing for just that mhch. I
mean, that P intentionally exposed myself to
suspicion, for I felt morally certain those fellows
were, in part at least, those who roped me on
the stage trail.”

Now the Sport did give a start, and his flush
was one of part anger at least, as he caught the
full meaning of these cool words.

‘ “What! Yr u dared—why, you infernal—”

“ Go easy my good friend,”quickly interposed
the detectiVe, lifting one hand with a depre-
catory gesture. “ At least wait until I’ve finish-
ed my rxplanation before flying clean of! the
handle, please.”

“ But when you— Well, go on, then!”

Christopher sunk l ack upon the bed, drawing
a long breath as though he felt the need of sour -
such bracer to keep his resolution.

Possibly Richard Fyerbhnd was keen enough

i
'

 

s. as- £-..

 

 

      
     
  
 

 
 

 

12

torealize how strong that temptation was, for
he deliberately turned back a few hours, in
order to give Cresson more time in whichto
cool off.

“ ell, my good friend, I’ll try to make it
all clear to your comprehension, if you’ll bear
with me a few moments longer in patience.

“ You know now why I was so eager to give
those knaves the slip, and why I was so ready
tOSPSPOCt you of belongingto that same out-
fit ’

   

“ I can’t see just how you reason that all out,
but—go on l”

“Thanks, muchly ” with a light little nod.
“ Well, then, when saw an openin , of course
I jumped at it, and while I’m apo ogizing to
you for such rough usage, I won’t deny that I’d
act precisely the same way if it all had to pass
over again. ’

“ Drop that part, and come down later: why
did you mix me up in what was and still ought
to be your own private muss! That's what’s
biting me keenest, just now, hear in mind.”

Chris Cresson spoke with undisguised earnest-
ness, but Firebrund Dick merely chuckled,
barely above his breath, just as though he was
congratulating himself on his shrewd fore-

si ht.

g“ Well I’ll tell you, Mr. Cresson. As I hinted
before, was warned to keep on my guard
against a. certain personage who was figuring
herein Deadwood as the Crystal Sport, and—”

“ Warned by whom?”

“ Let that come later on, please.”

“ Suppose I insist upon having it settled right
now f”

“ You would suffer disappointment, and I
might sufir'er death,” coolly bowed the detective.
“ In other words, it must be later on or not at
all. Trust me so far, and I’ll finally meet you
on the square, provided, of course, you can read
your title clear to that trust.”

Their eyes met and remained fixed for the space
of half a minute: an age, under such circum-
stanCesl

Cresson saw that Fyerband was in dogged
earnest So far, and he had seen quite enough of
the detective to feel fairly confident that not
even the menace of death Could weaken his re-
solution, once it was formed. And he had no
wish, for his Own part, to go quite that far in
order to gain his ends.

“ Well, rather than run long risks, Mr.
Fyerband, we’ll let that point pass for the pres—
ent; but not until I’ve given fair warning that
I mean to call you to a. strlct account for your
words, as well as your actions. Understand?”

“ Perfectly, and I’m willing to promise full
satisfaction, in one way or the other, at the
earliest practical moment.”

“ Enough. You set out to say i”

“That I really wanted those tough cases to
see 1 was in disguise,” declared the detective,
promptly picking up the dropped thread. “ If

on ask my reasons for so wishing, you can

ave them, sir.”

“ What are they, then?”

“ Well, the first runs like this: if these fellows
really belong to the gang who meant to make a
holy example of me, out—”

‘ One of them did, at least,” cut in Cresson.
“ I recognized the fellow I caught with you in
bonds, and heard him call Jim, or Jimmy J ohn-
son. He was one of that sweet-scented outfit to-
night at the Empire.”

‘ Thanks. I thought as much, myself,” said
F erband, with a nod of grim satisfaction.
“I acted on that belief when I made myself
knownto you and afterward cutasplurge as
the J aw-smith.”

“ Wh did you trust me at the Empire, when
on co dn’t trust me out in the hills only a few
ours before?” bluntly demanded Cresson.

“ Because you were being crowded upon by
the gang I had such good causeto fear,” frankly.
“ And so I chipped, partly to giVe those deVils a
misleading clue; they’ll waste precious time
hunting for Party P'izen, don’t you see? For
they’l. feel morally certain he is Firebrand Dick
and they’d give— Ahem l”

Chris Cresson’s lip curled a bit at that abrupt
break, but he made no mention of it as he spoke,
quietly:

“ That is one reason, Mr. Fyerband; but you
had another.” _

“ One more, yes,” with a curt little nod of his
shaggy'head, at the same time casting a glance
toward the closed and locked door. “ Do you
real] wish to hear that as well?”

“ b not go the entire porker, pardner?”

“ We l, I exposed myselfand chipped in heavy
on your side so as to turn their suspicions to-
ward you, Mr. Cresson,” coolly said Fii‘ebrand.

“ What! Do you mean it, man?”

“Certainly I mean it; and right here you
have my explanation and my excuse, both in
one,” calmly added the detective. “ Knowing
I’ve tackled a big job, and feeling that I might
need a good, true man to back me upin my fi ht
for the right, how could I insure such back ng
easier than by mixing on up in the case?
You’d fight if crewded, course?”

“Well, of all cool hands, you carry OR the
ice-house!” exploded the Crystal Sport, amused
despite himself by thlt supreme assurance.

" Easy, pardneri The coolest hand is right

I

. l .,I v 1 . V ,. ,h ,  
‘ I 41. I ,

 

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

out in the hall yonder, playing spy at your key—
hole! Open and see, if you don’t believe it,’
came in a swift whisper from those bearded lips

 

CHAPTER XIII.
'rnic DIAMOND-DEALER.

AS Firebrand Dick made that whispered an-
nouncement, his dark eyes seemed backed by
living fire, and his gaze to pierce that wooden
barrier as though it was nothing more substan-
tial than a thin vail of mist.

For a brief space Chris Cresson could scarcely
realize the truth of those words, but then, as his
quickened hearing caught a faint sound coming
from the corridor, his Own eyes caught a dan-
gerous glitter, and springing from his bed, he
turned key and knob, then flung the barrier wide
—or as widely open as that deftly-placed obstacle
would permit.

In acting so swiftly the Sport could not pos-
sibly have given a thought to the personal peril
he might be inviting, but it was different with
the detective; and with a deft spring, Firebrand
Dick placed himself behind the opening door,
where he would be out of sight in case his sus-
picions of spies or eavesdroppers proving cor-
rect.

Opening the door so suddenly cast the light
squarely upon the bent fi are of a single man,
and as o. simultaneous exc amation found birth,
Chris Cresson recognized Morris Rosenblatt, the
diamond—dealer !

“ What the deuce—”

“ Mein Gott in himmel! how you vhas vrighten
me oudt—”

Cresson flashed a glance up and down that
gloomy passageway, each side of which ran a
row of small bed-chambers; but he failed to
sight any one else, and then returned to the
char e, just as a match flashed up in Rosen-

_blatt s hand.

“ What are you trying to play, you—”

“ Look! py glory, uif I vhasn’t find it so
kevick, ali‘eadt l" spluttered the diamond-deal-
er, springing orward a few feet, pointing to
where a preCious stone was gleaming on the floor
in that double light.

Although he seemed so hugely delighted by
his good fortune, Rosenblatt made no attempt
to retrieve his loss until the keen eyes of the
Crystal S ort could follow the direction of that
pomting nger, and take full note of that glitter-
tering excuse.

“Holy Keristopher!” once more exploded the
broker, giving his hands a wild flourish as that
tiny torch burned to his finger-end, then thrust-
ing‘ the smarting member into his mouth.

but obstacle did not stop his tongue, although
it rendered his accent still more intricate for the
moment.

“ I vhas dinks me so mooch oudt—more a bile
as I makes me brofit dis Teadtvood insite uif, so
hellup me Moses! Und now, vhen I makes me
gome up dis vay, on a goose-vild hund t—looks
you py dot!”

Out came his scorched finger to point once
more at onder gleaming spark, and the dia-
inond-de er gave a laugh that shook his clumsy
figure from crown to sole.

It was admirably played, and might possibly
have taken in the Sport, only for actions and
words which had gone before. Surely this
stranger was taking too close an interest in his
movements to be altogether what he seemed on
the surface?

Morris Rosenblatt, having explained himself
sufficiently, nimbly secured that glittering ob-
ject, and turning back to the Sport, held up the
gem for inspection, hurriedly speaking:

“You see, mein herr? It vhas not kevite so
pig as a voot-ball, but vorth—vell, vorth more
as I likcs‘me to lose py garelessness, eh?”

“ “Tell, I reckon you have been a bit too care-
less, stranger,” coldly assented Cresson, but be-
fore he could sn y more, Roeenblatt broke in.

“ I say me dot, too, aind’t it? I lose me dose
shewel—bure vater as you vind oudt in a hurry,
eh? Und vhen I dinks me quL' I bet dose py my
vingers to show for sale—see? Dot vhas glean
gone mitoudt so mooch as a. goot—pye sbeakink l”

“ Careless, I said, stranger, and just how care-
less I’m not so mighty sure you fully realize.
So—take my word for it, please—you’d a heap
sight better lose a diamond than find a chunk of
lead. Catch on i”

“I dond’t—i viuds me dot tiamondt, und so
she vhas not lost in soper drudth, see!”

“ I don’t think it was lost,” with pointed em-
phasis, his dark eyes gleaming dangerously as a
finger tapped the diamond dealer on an arm.
“ I don’t believe you thought it was lost, either.
glad so I say just this much, Mr. Morris Rosen-

latt:

“ The next time you come searching for pre-
cious stones in the dark, outside my chamber
door, better don a bullet- roof overcoat first!”

ROsenblatt shrunk bac a hit, his eyes show-
ing very wide back of those tinted glasses, his
heavy eard not entirely concealing how his
lower jaw drop . He formed the very picture
of surprise an mortification, and his defense
came in an indignant splutter.

“I nefifer—dot vhasashamel I vhas schnst
bunding me dose broperdy I lose me, and vhen
you—~50 hellup me Keristopher—"

‘ v i s 1. ,
‘9 ' '  -  ft:-»."A?¢1i;‘;/.Q piste] V" 1,5,, ,' a, 1],,»

1 l

 

 
 

 

 

 

“ It’ll take more than one saint to help you
out of the mix, pardner, if y u try this little
scheme on again,” curtly int—rrupted Cresson.
“As it is, I hope you caught enough through
my keyhole to pay for your time and trouble?”

“ I neifer did—” _

“And you never will but once more; mind
that, Sheenyl” sharply cut in the Crystal Sport,
stepping back inside the chamber, and closing
the door as before.

For a moment it seemed as though the insulted
diamond-dealer meant to assault that barrier,
fonhis clinched hand flew up, and he even took
a step nearer the portal; but then his intention
must have altered, for without word or sound
he wheeled to the rightabout, and passed down
the flight of stairs to the ground floor.

The distance was by no means great, but when
Morris Rosenblatt gained the office, his features
were composed as usual, and his strong emotion
no longer betrayed itself.

As luck would have it, only the landlord was
in the room just then, and as he turned a care-
less glance that way, the diamond-dealer evi~
dently thought it might be worth his while to
ask a few questions.

“ I vhas so dry like a godvish in bickle, landt-
lortl” he ejaculated, giving vent to a deep
breath that lacked little of being a sigh. “ Vix
me a trink; make it so I gool off off I vhas too
hot. and so I varm me some more uif I 1. egin to
shiifer—eh i”

“ Easy as taking a tumble down hill,” declared
the landlord, bringing forth a plain decanter
and a glass. “ Faith-cure, Sll‘. Just 1: take a.
wish whichever way ye want it, and it’s right
tharl"

“ Is dot so?” ejaculated Rosenhlatt, eying
the decanter through his smoked glasses as
though it must contain something beyond naked
whisky.

“ That’s so. You touch the critter, and
imagination does the rest.”

“ I vonder at dot! Vell, anyvay, you dond’t
pe avraidt to bite your own tog a biece off,
eh?”

“Just as soon drink with you as anybodyI
know of, friend,” laughingly assented the land-

lord, reducing a. second glass. “Help your—
self. rink hearty, and may it hit the hungry
spot!”

“Same vuy py me," with a bow, and their
glasses clinked softly together. “Bur-r-r-rool
dot pites me schai‘b like a baber nil“ bins all
coing grossvays town 1”

“ J ustawrcng belief, I assure you sir,” bland-

ly asserted mine host, smacking his own lips.

after the libation. I“ The pure quill, and my own
particular brand.”

“ Vell, next dime I ask me vor adder prandt,
see?” with a forced laugh as be tossed forth a
coin by way of payment. “ Und now—vouder
you vhas too pusy to ask me some answers,
nein?”

“ To— Oh!” with a flash of comprehension.
“ You have simething to ask me, is it!”

“Dot shentlemans who makes a show-vindow
all oafer himselluf: is he glean grazy !" earnestly
inquired the diamond-dealer, a rather dingy
hand reaching over to gently pat the landlord 8
arm. “ Vhas he resbonsiple vhen he preaks oudt?
Vhas he—eh?”

“ If you mean Mr. Cresson—”

“ I means me dot vheller dose lies say vhas all
killed in a lieab, schust a leedle vhile dis eafen-
ing. I means me dot shcndlemans who has
room up her——I knows me not his numper, but—
vhell, he veers himselluf all oafer grysdals—
see?"

‘i J ust so, “Yell, what about him?”

“You dond’t vorget how clad I vhas vhen he
gomes himselluf pack all oaier lifely, eh? I
vhas a tealer in bl'eciOlN sdones. 110 vears dose
grystals, nnd dot— Vell, it show he opbreciates
shewels, eaten vhen he dsin’d vhas rich enough

to v r de shenooine vones—eh‘!”
(( es'p’ .
“Dot’s so! Und I vhas clad he nefl’er '1:

killed, so, too! Und vhen I goes me and 0t
vay—und I vinds me I hefi' lose a tiamondt—
see?” bringing forth that gleaming gem and
rolling it on the bar befone those suddenly-ad-
miring eyes.

“ Look at her glimmer, will ye, man é"

“ Burest vater, und vor sale so sheap—maype
you like to puy, is it so?” eagerly spluttered the
dealer. “I makes you dotso low a mice on, you
crow rich in dwo minudes dose vatch py— yes!”

Mine host'drewliaCK the better to resist temp-
tation, shaking his head decidedly enough, how-

ever.

“ Couldn’t do it, even if I wanted to, sir. Put
’er up! And—you started to ask something
about the Crystal Sport, didn‘t cu?”

“ Dot so, und now—I vindt gan’t vind me
dot tiainondt vhen I looks me all oafer, and I
hurry me pack here like a tog on a rappit—drack.
Und I hurry me py mein shamber—you know—
und vhen Ivhas making me hundtdot hall oafer
mein shewel afder—out shumbs dot gra zy vhel-
ler, und makes like he schwallow me in a von
bite—yes I”

“ Thought you was listening at his door, may-
be.” coolly.

“Und dot vhas a insoolt so plack as [crow
mad all oaferl’”

   

    

  
 
  

“ a.“
.......__, ’.

,...:

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aw i

. A
an

 

.* ‘1’— Jug.-._..__

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.mzwmtrvfisrmurr::wtwqecuazts‘ p: y «2—. «1?.- -:«=,. '.,: -.:v,~;.~.~.v—..— .

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

13

 

 

“And you want me to carry a challenge to I

fight, of course '9"

“ Holy M is s— mc? Vight? Dot grazy mans?
Vhell, th l', off you dond t makes me dink you
more grazy as him!” angrily spluttered Rosen-
blatt, whirling away from the bar and sham-
bling in hot haste out of the hotel.

Whether intentionally or not, Morris Rosen-
blatt followed almost precisely in the footsteps
of the Crystal Sport at an earlier hour of that
same evening, and, also like Chris Cresson,
when his eyes were caught by the glowing red
light in fmnt of the Empire Saloon, his steps
turned thither, and pausing for a brief space at
the threshold, the diamond-dealer permitted his
gaze to w- iider over that brilliantly-illuminated
scene.

It was pretty much the same thing which
greeted the eyes of Glimmer-glass not so very
long before him, and there certainly was no
sign remaining of that exciting play in which
the Sport had taken such a prominent part.

Now, as then, the long bar was beiiig liberally
patroniz-d, with rough-clad men in the large
majority, although cash payments ruled as a
matter of course.

Still, thut was nothing odd in a mining town.
The raggwiest, most dilapidated-looking person
to be mot with might easily turn out to be the
richest. man in camp. '

To the right of that long bar showed the cur-
tain-«iraped archway by way of which admission
was had to the gaming department of the Em-
pi e, anl from his position Rosenblatt could see
sufli :ient to know play had fairly opened for the
night.

If the diamond-dealer had been a witness of
that little fracas at an earlier hour, he might
have recognized Barney Watkins, Jimmy J obn-
son, and several others who had taken a more
or less active part in it, now gathered together
in a corner of the saloon, covertlyiyet keenly
keeping guard over the front entrance, possibly
anticipating another visit from the Crystal
Sport, or Purty P’izen, his talkative second.

But all minor details were passed over, if not
forgo ten, the moment Morris Rosenblatt rested
eyes upon that velvet-clad figure reclining in
yonder easy-chair—the figure of Empress Jo,
who never looked more bewitching in all her
life than right then and there.

The light from the chandelier above fell fairly
over hcr richly-garbed person, and the rays
were reflected from the jewels she wore.

I’osunly these had something to do with that
fascinated gaze; it could hardly be termed less,
since the diamond-dealer slowly, inch by inch
as it were, moved toward the seat of the
Empress, his head slightly forward, his fingers
Working nervously, his eyes glowing back of
their nnsking glasses with far more than cus-
tomary fire.

Possibly it was this very intensity of his gaze
that c nused it, or the Empress may have taken
note of his entrance at the time; but be that as
it mav, only a few minutes passed after this
fashion before Josephine St. John uttered a
faint, sibilant hiss, which caused Frenchy Frank
Mitchell to lift his head, and his eyes from the
cards he was still toying with at the little table
behest h the chandelier. ‘

His eves caught a silent dispatch from hers,
and rising to his feet the gambler leisurely

assed around to pause for an instant back of

er chair—barely long enough for Josephine to
whisper in guarded tones:

“ Yonder he is again! Fetch him over here,
Frank.”

Apparently the diamond-dealer had been
spoken of before, else how could Mitchell have
singled him out so readily from that indefinite
command? And he strode directly up to Morris
Rosenblatt, with what those who knew him best
were wont to cail his danger-smile upon his lips.

CHAPTER XIV.
A DEAL IN PROSPECTIVE.

“ GOOD-EVENING, sir, coldly saluted the gam-
bler, bowing stifll y as his coming caused the
diamond-dealer to give a start, through having
his vision blotted out by that sable-clad torso.

“ Gooceafening—goot—eafeningl” spluttered
the broker, shrinking just a bit as he met those
cold, yet glowing eyes. “ I dond’t vhas indrood-
ing, is it so?"

“ The Empire is free to all. so long as they be-
have themselves, yes; but-—"

" Und l heil' me not sbeak un iil you vhas
sbeak foorst, so I dond’t pe wrong, eh?" nervous-
ly chuckled the merchant, rubbing his dirty
palms together, smirking and grinning very
much like one who. feels the chances are rather
in favor of his getting “bounced,” after all.

Frenchy Frank seemed a bit taken aback Oh!
this unex ected manner, but as quickly ralli ,
one thum making a slight gesture toward the
enthroned Empress as he coldly uttered:

“ That's all right, far as it goes, stranger, but
eyes sometimes say more than tongues, and
yours have been talking—just what?”

f‘Holy Aprahaml I hear vhat you say, but
uff Iv know me vhat you means, lie all oafer
dot vatch! Idalk out uif mein eyes? 1 makes
me— So bellup me holv cracious, I dond’t vhas
make it oudt, anyhow l”

The agitated merchant was shifting his weight

l

. hat and bowing his gray head lowly before say-

 

i
from one foot to the other, then back again, his

fingers writhing and twisting in painful embar—
rassment, his face alternately fiushin g and paling
before that cold, piercing stare.

“ Of course, if you meant no slur, no insult—~”

“I nefl‘er means noddink like dot ! I vhas
high oafer peing so low town as dose .' Und— I
vhas a shendleinans, sir!”

A faint smile curled that mustached lip at
this rather dilator y assertion, but then Frenchy
Frank added in the same icy tones:

“ I sincerely trust you may prove your claim
correct, sir, but your peculiar Stare has already
caused yonder lady intense annoyance, and——"

“ Laty? Annoy—oh, vhas dot der madder?”
his face lighting up and the shaddow of a smile
coming into view as he hurriedly added: “ Ox-
coo=e me, tear sir! I vhas heifer see dose laty,
not voncel”

“ What?
long?”

“ Look py her two cars, und dot vhite neck,
und dose leedle hands, und—look py dose shewels,
I say i” with a husky whisper that sounded
strained, and evidenced an effort which account-
ed for the swelling of the veins on his temples
and that access of color.

“ What of those jewels, sir! Surely you don’t
—who may you be, anyway sir?”

Those active fingers quickly roduced a bit of
pasteboard, and on it Frenchy rank beheld the
name and trade,” Morris Rosenblatt, Diamond
Dealer.”

“1 vhas dose, you see, my tear sir,” eagerly
explained the broker, tapping that bit of board
with a nervous forefinger. “ 1 teal me in tia—
mondts, und brecious sdonee. I draiI-tl der
goundry oafer, und bick me up pargains like
dose a mans nefl‘er vi uds gomcs is vay vhen he
sdicks his store inside of—seel”

“ And you reckon—do you take this establish-
ment for a junk-store, Mr. flosenblattl”

” Vhas I sooch a vool in my vace, den?”
asked the diamond-dealer, with a faint grin
and shrewd twinkle of his masked eyes. “ Vhas
it a pig grime I makes me, vhen I atmires dose
shewels? Uff so- Vhell, I makes me mein ox-
conses, aind’t itl”

Passing the gambler by means of a deft duck
and glide, the diamond-dealer marched square-
ly up to the enthroned Empress, dofling his

After staring so intently, for so

ing:

" Oxcoose me, matam—oxcoose me all oafer,
I peg me meeklyl”

“ Sir!"

“ Oxcome me vor— Peg bardon vonce more,
but uff I may— Mein craciousl”

Seemingly forgetting the elaborate apology
which he had started to utter, Morris Rosen-
blatt bent still lower, at the same time draw-
ing nearer that richly-laden easy-chair, his glit-
tering gaze fixed upon—not the woman, but her
earrings!

Flushing warmly, Empress Josephine drew
back as far as that cushioned rest .would r-
mit, her right hand flying up to grip the ew—
eled hllt of the dagger which she wore in her
hair Spanish-fashion.

“éirl Dare you offer an insult to me?" she
steme demanded, yet with lowered,rather than
raised tones.

Time enough to call for assistance when she
found herself powerless for self-defense—a day
she had never yet known!

Again was the diamond-dealer cast into con-
fusion and covered with painful embarrass—
ment, thanks to his unlucky passion for precious
stones.

“()xcoose me—dousandt dimes oafer, blcase
oxcoose me, latyl” he mumbled, smiling and
bowing, rubbing his hands and cracking his
finger-joints after what would have been a
ludicrous fashion, had it not come nearer the
disgusting.

“ Will you explain yourself, then, sir?" coldly

asked the Empress.
_ “ It vhas dose tiamondts, matam,” still bow-
ing, still smiling painfully, his back working as
though the spine had suddenly been filled with
so mg’ch quicksilver. “ I vhas a— Bermit me
—so.

A card similar to that given Frenchy Frank
was hastily produced and dropped into that
velvet lap, then the diamond-dealer smiled still
more earnestly as he watched those fair hands
lift the bit of paper.

 

An instant change came over the Empress,
face and manner, as she read those printed
words, and looking up into his face with a
brilliant smile and a flash of her dark eyes
which fairly dimmed the sparkle of her jewels,
JOSe hine spoke:

“ ad on have diamonds to sell, Mr. Rosen-
blattl 0w delightful!”

 

“To sell, and to puy, matam," with a more
natural bow and tone of voice, now that the .
breakers were being avoided. “ I drades either i
vhay, schust so I makes me a broflt—”

“ Cent. per cent., of course!” with a soft little 5
laugh. ’

“Holy Aprahaml” with hands flying up and 1
eyes lifting for an instant. “Ufl? dot vhas so, i

1 how long you dinks I vhas co vandering all

shendlemans, der mittle uff a vamin inside ufl
——eh? ’

“ You are a man of family, then, Mr. Rosen-
blatt? ’ asked the Empress, with the faintest
possible accent of—was it disappointment?

Morris Ros’enblatt smiled and smirked and
bowed afresh just as though he believed he
knew how to answer that query. And when he
made answer, it was with a sigh which spoke
equally plain on his part.

“ Nod a vamily, as yet, matam, but vhen a
rich man—a shendlemans who has peen making
shent ber shent—ehl Is it nod so, matam!”

“ He has but to pick and choose, you think,
then?”

But even so quickly the broker's fidelity was
shaken, or, rather, his notice was returning to
his first love, and with glowing eyes fixed upon
those glittering stones, his head was bending
lower and nearer, like one under the fascination
of the serpent told in fables.

For a few moments Empress Josephine watch-
ed him in turn, with eyes half-vailed, yet full of
a strange fire; but then she made an impatient
movement which quickly recalled the man to his
senses once more.

“Oxcoose me, mataml I nefl’er see me more
bure shewels as dose, uif dey vhas not kevite so
pi as— Oxcoose me, 1 peg bardon l”

‘Granted, Mr. Roseublatt, although I’m—at

woman,” murmured the Empress, with a be-
witching smile curling her richly red lips.

Once again the diamond-dealer seemed to
catch her meaning as by instinct, and he re-
turiied that smile, bowing as he whispered,
soft :

“ Xch, mein Gottl how vhell I knows me dot,
mataml Eaferypoty vhas vree to atmire a
shewel like dose—a lifeless sdone—but vhen it
gomes to do most brecious BheWcl uff all dis
vorldt gondainsl”

“ Touch lightly, my dear sir,” murmured the
Empresa, with a swift flash of her eyes toward
the table at which Frenchy Frank was once
more seating himself.

Morris Rosenblatt heaved a mighty sigh,
shrugging his shoulders and throwing out his
open hands in true foreign fashion.

“ Is it nod so, matam? A tiamondt is vree to
all atmiring eyes, bud vhen a pody gomes to look
at a laty, whose vace is more vorth as a d’ousand
tiamnndts—”

“ Enough, I say,” with a sudden touch of hau-
teur in her tones. “ You deal in precious stones,
you say?”

“ Yest, matam,” with a meek bow, his hands
clasping and touching his hollowed chest as that
low now was duplicated. “ Brecious shewels ufl
all zorts, bud tiamondts a sbecialdy. Oh, how I
loafes dose burdy sbarklersl How I oes mein
kenees town on, und vorshibs deml t is so,”
with solemn earnestness, as the Empress gave a
little start at his wildly-exaggerated speech. “ I
loafe me dose—”

“ Are you buying, or merely seeking to sell,
Mr. Rosenblatt?’

The diamond-dealer was not so obtuse that he
failed to see what was made so evident: this
lady had no further use for ecstatics, but was
bent on business of some description: just what,
was his part to‘find out as quickly as practi-
cable. '

“ More puying as selling, bud—you vhas baf
some more as you gare vor, matam?”

“ Well, that depends, of course,” with a white
finger tapping an ear-pendant. causing the dia-
mond to flash like living fire as it swung to and
fro. “ A reasonable price might tempt me, but
—of course you only purchase at your own

rice?"

Morris Roseublatt flung out his open palms
once more, accompanied by a shrug which spoke
volumes.

“ Uif gaurse I had! me to make a brofit on, or
how vhas I lit! und oxbenses bay uh?" he said,
with a faint grin, which vanished as he added:
“ Bud vhen 1 teal me a laty vith—dot is tifi’er-
endtl I bays her brice den, und makes it eaten
off dot nexdt gusdomer—see?”

“ Especially when that lad has a fair knowl-
edge of gems and their tn 1 value,” pointedly
added the Empress. .

“ So? Den here she vhas; I teal mit you like
I vhas your own prother. py craciousl I tivides
all broiits mit you—nein 3’” .

“ Well, that certainly sounds fair on the face
of it, Mr. Rosenblatt, and I’m not so certain but
what— By the way, thOu h,” like one struck
with a second thought. “ on are trading on
your own capital, of course?”

“ Surely in last offer dells you so much,
matam?” hal -reproachl'ully answered the dia-
mond dealer. “ know it vhas gusdomary to
shoke at a Sherman Jew—I know all dose vile
shokes—bud ufl‘ I vhas only von achent vor a
gombanv, how I makes dot offer to tivide bro-
fits, eh i"

“I beg your pardon, sir, but—let that pass,
then,” said the Empress, with a conciliatory
smile. “ And you are well-heeled? Pardon
again, I beg,” with a charming blush at the in-
voluntary slang. “ I meant to ask if you were
rich enough—”

“ I helf me moneys bleniy, so var, matam,”

@650 Vilfi regionsdmusb? How long I vhas pe i quietly said the diamond-dealer, like one who
in gedding pack py home, do seddle town a rich appreciates her embarrassment and is more than

:3”. ~

 

. avw‘l“ 25—. . 5 . w"

     

f
V.
J

 

14

It

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

 

willing to help her out. “ I bromise to bay gash
town, vhen you vants to sell me—is it dose ear-
pops, matam f”

‘In part, maybe,” slowly answered the Em-
ress, shading her eyes from the light with one
and, yet steadily, even piercingly gazing into

that gray-bearded face before her seat. “ But
if I had others—a vast value, all diamonds, in
fact—you could still make the trade, for cash?

“ I hefl me mooch money, matam, and I heff
me vays ufi? vetching me more as dot, vhen I see
me a brofldaple drade aheadt. Und — you
really heif dese tiamondts, matamf You really
vandts to drade mit me, min 5’”

That keen scrutiny still endured, and it was
some little time before Empress Josephine spoke
again, her voice lovvered to a guarded whis-

er:

p “And if that profit was large enough, it
would seal your lips, Morris Rosenblatt? If I
knew you could keep a secret which—”

Her whisper died away without completing
that sentence, but the diamond-dealer never
changed a muscle, nothing save his vividly glow—
ing eycs betraying his thoughts, born of that
strange whisper.

“ Dot pelongs to de drade, matam,” he Softly
murmured, then added, by way of more explicit
assurance:

“All I ask, all I looks me oudt vor, is dose
shewels vorth do moneys? Is dose tiamondts
shenooine? Is dot all blnin tealing, and no
dricks blaying?”

“If I conclude to trade, be sure I’ll offer
nothing but genuine stones, and that of the very
first water, sir I”

“ Und den—listen, matam! Ufl' I pay, I seal
all mein libs tight oopl Und uff dose sdones
vhas—vhell, somedimes my tiamondts gadder a
leedle tirt, or maype a sdain: I vipe it off, and
who knows pedder?”

Vailed though he kept it, no one who contem-
plated crooked dealings could possibly have
mistaken his meaning, and the Empress gave a
swift nod, as of full approval.

At that very instant, just when the gang
under lead of Barnev Watkins was moving past
the twain thus talking in whispers, the lights
went out with the rapidity of thought, and be-
fore he could utter a cry or in any manner de-
fend himself, the diamond-dealer was pounced
upon and twisted off his feet, then as rapidly
hustled away through the darkness!

CHAPTER XV.
ran nsrncrivs’s CHARGE. «

IT was hardly the most dignified position ima-
ginable, but Firebrand Dick gave that consider-
ation recious little thought, just then.

His een sense of hearing had told him at least
one human being was rowling about in that
gloomy corridor, and a most certainly playing
spyjupon the occupants of that chamber.

nless he was mistaken altogether, that
meant mischief, and when the Crystal Sport
acted so hastily, and with such reckless decision
upon his whispered hint, the detective lost just
as little time in lacing himself under at least
artial cover. hat frail barricade would do
ittle in the way of turning a bullet in case pow-
der was burned, but—
‘That was geod enough excuse for Richard,
and fully as far as even his swiftly-Working
mine could go before action was taken. And
then, with right hand gripping a pistol, which
had replaced the guns taken by Hank Redmondp
Firebrand Dick listened and looked—for he
could even catch a passing glimpse of the two
figures by pressing his nose tightly to wall and
to-crack.

Thus he heard all and saw part, and was back
in his seat once more when Unris Cresson gave
the diamond-dealer that final grim warning and
-;tepped back to close his chamber door as be‘

ore.

The Sport stood with bent head, listening in-
tent] just inside the little apartment, until he
hear Morris Rosenblatt pass along the corridor
and descend the stairs.

Not until then did the Sport glance toward
his oddly-acting guest, and he frowned darkly
as he caught that sneering, cynical smile.

“ Didn’t leave you another enigmatical warn-
ing against the mysterious unknown, did he,
Cresson?”

“ You heard, I reckon, didn’t you i”

“ Well, I heard enough to pretty well convince
me the fellow is interested in something more
than diamonds and other precious stones,” was
the dry response. “ And you?"

“ When did you first hear the fellow?” blunt-
] dagked Cresson. “How long had he been out-

(-‘.

“ Well, hardly long enough to have a broken
back through the load of information he’ll carry
away,” came the answer, after a barely per-
ceptible hesitation. “I can’t say how long he
may have been out there, but his plea of search-
ing for a lost stone falls mighty fiat, don’t you
reckon?"

“ That of course, although he pointed out the
stone readil enough.”

“Droppe. for the occasion, doubtless, when
you first touched the key. And—_ Well he
totes a pair of "mighty light hoofs, for ali his

 

clumsy seeming!

a ‘1‘. .

 

 

Chris Cresson resumed his seat on the edge of
the bed, plucking at his neatly-trimmed beard,
frowning blackly, looking like a man who is by
no means wholly in love with himself or his re-
cent actions.

That smile faded away from Firebrand’s face
as he sat watching his best, and his eyes seemed
to grow more serious as well.

“ It might have been Worse, Mr. Cresson,” he
observed, when that silence had lasted fora min-
ute or two. “I hardly think we uttered any-
thing even an enemy could nae is a weapon
against us, those last few minutes.”

“ Then you really think he was playing spy
upon us?”

“Doesn’t it look that wa ?”

“ But—what for? What interest can he have
in my—in either of us!” asked the Crystal
Sport, both tone and look seeming more sorely
perplexed than at first.

Firebrand Dick frowned a bit, and his lips
compressed almost fiercely. Only a brief glimpse
it was, but if Chris Cresson had not been too
deeply absorbed in puzzling out this fresh com-

lication in his Deadwood experience, he might

ave gained a pretty accurate idea as to the
sort of adversary that detective would prove
when once thoroughly enlisted in man—hunt or
finish-fight.

Apparently he saw nothing of this, however,
and the revelation passed as swiftly as it showed
itself. Then, in dry, indifferent tones, the man
from Chicago said:

” You answer, pardner, for blamed if 1 know
how 1”

Chris Cresson frowned afresh, and his in-
stinctive dislike for this cool customer gained a
fresh impetus.

Not only was his tone flippant, but there was
something far from soothing in the expression
of his face, just then. Hardly an insult, and
yet words would have stung less acutely, Cres-
son felt.

Still, he was not quite ready to break the
truce under which he had brought this man to
his room, and sitting in grim silence until he
felt he could speak without too plainly flaming
forth, the Sport finally broke the silence which
had fallen over them both.

“Let the Sheen pass for the present, then,
Mr. Fyerband, an hark back to the explana-
tion which I requested, first-off.”

“Meaning my unceremonious leave-taking,
out yonder in the hills?” asked the detective,
with a fleeting smile at that recollection.

“Not exactly, although I may fetch that
point up before finally biddin you farewell,”
coldly said the Sport, with a brief show of teeth.
“What I had reference to in particular was
your actions at the Empire.”

“ Where I certainly served you tothe best of
my ability.”

“IVith what ends in view, though! Didn’t
you admit that your purpose was to involve me
still more deeply in your—in this scrape!”

“And by so admitting, I surely made my
a’polo‘ y, sir.” .

“ X\ (:11, hardly!" with a short, grim laugh, as
their eyes met squarely. “ Do you consider it
an apology to tell another man you have de-
liberately played the fool in order to draw at-
tention and dangerous suspicion from your
shoulders to his ?”

“Well, that puts a different face upon the
case, I’m free to admit,” came the answer, with
more frankness than Cresson looked for. “ And
yet, if you are really the true, honest citizen I
deem you—”

“I lay no claims to such distinction; Hr.
chrband, and would prefer your sticking to
facts, not drift off along the flowery path of
em ty compliments.

‘ The simple facts run like this: You not only
played his dirt out yonder in the hills, when I
was risking my life in tryin to help an utter
stranger out of an ugly hobb e—”

“For which I ask your pardon now, as I’ve
already craved it, sir.”

“Wait if on please,” with a wave of his
hand which eclined the member extended by
the detective. “ You not only did this, which
I might agree to overlook on your explanation,
but—

“ Then why refuse to accept my later explana-
tion, sir?"

“ Have you made one, than?”

“I surely thought so. but If you‘re not con-
tent, I see nothing to hinder my repeating: In
turning suspicion your wa , 1 not only muddled
the enemy more thorough y, but I stood a fair
chance of winning a valuable ally over to my
side the dead-line. See?"

\Vith admirable coolness the detective put in
this plea, and his face wore such a bland expres-
sion of innocent complacency that Chris Cresson
smiled in place of frmvmng.

“ Well, of all cool customers l”

“ Part of the paraphernalia, my dear fellow,”
laughingly declared the detective, but sobering
up as swiftly, leaning a bit forward to gently
tap his host one. knee while adding: “May I
speak further, and without diazuiae, Mr. Cres-
son? May I tell yOu just why I was so anxious
to win a solid backer out here!”

‘ “ Why no?! Seems to rre I’ve been trying to
get at something very much like that.”

,-.\ ,. .
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“Then we both ought to have sufficient pa—
tience for the explanation,” lightly commented
the detective, leaning back once more, and pass—
ing a none too clean hand over his bristling
beard.

With the light of the candle falling fairly
across his face, that disguise was own more
than ever visible, and Cresson felt a renewal of
his curiosity on that point: since the detective
found it necessary to disguise himself at all,
why do so in such a manner as to invite rather
than repel suspicion?

“ I’m pretty nigh as anxious to explain as you
are to hear, Mr. Cresson,” began the cutective,
speaking slowly and in lowered tones. like one
who has taken full warning by that evidth at-
tempt to play eavesdropper. “ I know you can
be of great service to me, if you only wi‘l—v ”

“That depends pretty much on what excuses
you can oifer.”

“One excuse is a burning desire to bring a
hardened 'Criminal to the bar of justice, an! at
the same time to remove a foul blot from the
memory of one who I firmly believe \\ as in-
nocent in life, as in death!”

“And that criminal is—whom ?"

“ Yet to be discovered, of course,” with a swift
alteration of tone and manner. “ Back in a big
city—well, call it Chicago, to localize matters—
there was a firm doing an enormous business in
diamonds and other precious stones. This in
connection with a general jewelry business, of
course, you understand?” ‘

Chris Cresson nodded assent, but said nothing.
His face seemed pnler than usual, or else it was
the angle at which the light fell across it that
gave the impression.

If Richard Fyerband noticed this change of
color. he gave no signs. His own eyes seemed
downcaat, and as be altered his position, leaning
an elbow.on the edge of the washstand, hand
supporting his head, his own features were cast
into shadow.

“ Well, where a business is so extensive as the
one I’m Speaking of, at times there must be

roperty cf enormous value under its roof. So
it was with this firm, and while every possible
precaution Was taken to guard against robbery,
open or covert, the time finally came when a
big haul was made.”

“ The establishment was robbed, then?”

“So the papers stated, and so everything
looked on the surface, at first. One thing is
beyond dispute: diamonds and a number of val-
uable rubies were missing, and their cdst price
ran very nearly up to a cool hundred thousand
dollars!”

The detective broke off as though he antici—
pated an outburst of surprised interest at those
figures, but none such came. Instead, Chris
Cresson said, in lowared tones:

“ And the robber? Who turned the trick?”

“ That’s where I never could quite agree with
all the rest of our little WOTii l,” frankly declared
Fyerband, his eyes now fixed upon that pale
face opposite himself. “ The crime was quickly
fixed upon a confidential clerk, or bookkeeper,
or—well, I’m not exactly positive to this day
jucig what manner of position the young man did
he . ‘

“ Go on. You were saying—?”

“That the proprietors, as well as the police
pitched upon this confidential clerk as the one at
the bottom of it all, but Ican’t make it seem
that way! I know he was mixed up in the af-
fair, but I belie-v0 he was far more sinned
against than sinning!”

Chris Cressrn leaned forward and gi-as
that hand, shaking it impulsively, at the same.
time speaking in husky, far from steady tones:

“ Thank you for that, man! Thank you over
and over, too!”

The detective gave a start at this action but
his fingers tightened upon that member, an his
dark eves glowed vNidly aS'they gazed with
keen intensity into that bearded face.

“ You thank me, sir? And why? What for?”
he asked slowly, meaningly.

A faint smile crept into that face as his eyes
seemed trying to read the answer evon before it
could be shaped by tongue, and the Crystal
Sport even gave a. low, gentle laugh before
making reply:

“Why thank you, is it, Fyerband? Because
your words have blotted out an ugly belief I’ve
always held; because your manner right now
has removed an error I’ll never fall into
a sin.”

“That is?" .

“ I always thought detectives were heartless-
bloodhounds in human shape, with no higher
motive In life than to run criminals to earth,
and never caring a curse whether or no those
luckleas devils were really in the wrong, just so
they could manufacture proof sufficient to
ma ethem appear so in the jaundiced eyes of
the law!”

Chris Cresson spoke with growing feel’ng, and
so much so that the detective felt his recently-
formed suspicions growing into almost convic--
tion. And acting on this now belief, Firebrand.
Dick spoke:

“Did you ever hear of this Horwood aflair'
before Mr. Cresson?”

“ I think so, yes.” quietly admitted the Sport,
meeting the... keen gaze without flinching in the

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0001 Chris, the Crystal Sport. 15

 

slightest degree, although his face did seem a
bit paler than ordinary.

“ Did ou ever meet this clerk this Kenneth
Horwo , then?" persisted the etective, still
maintaining that firm grip on Cresson’s hand.

“ Yes, to that query, too, sir.”

There was a brief pause after that admission,
brlokSn finally by the detective, who slowly
as re :

“ How did you escape death, Kenneth?”

“How did l—what are you trying to get at
now, man alive?”

"' What do I mean? That you are Kenneth
Horwood, and nobodyelse I” came the swift,
almost harsh accusation as Fyerband sprung to
his feet.

CHAPTER XVI.
run DIAMOND ROBBERY. ~

annnann DICK acted and looked as though
he antiCipated a violent outbreak on the part of
the man whom he just then charged with being
a criminal, but if such was his expectation, he
was agreeably disap inted in the outcome.

In place of brea 'ing away or making any
move toward drawing a weapon to resist arrest,
Chris Cresscn never even a tempted to free the
hand which the detective was still tightly grip-

ping.

Instead, he leaned back a hit, his face show-
ing a half-mocking smile, and certainly there
was no fear in his laughing eyes, no grave anx-
iety in his tones as be easily drawled:

“ Sold again, pardnerl Do I even begin to
133k, like a moist, dank, fish-nibbled corpse,
e

"How did you know I meant that sort of
death, then?” quickly asked the detective, by
nofmeans assured his suspicions had misled him
so ar. -

An instant change came into the Sport’s face,
and wresting his hand free with a sudden force,
he said, sternly:

“Sit do-vn, pardner. I’m not going to run
away, and if you are really idiot enough to think
of arresting me—”

“ 'gi‘hen you have some reason to expect arrest,
is it ‘

“Not from any man of solid sense,” with
blunt carelessness as to how his shot might
sting. “ Still, if you are bent on writing your-
self down an—aheml—put it Dogberry, then i"

“ When you can prove to me that you are not
Kenneth Horwood, sir, I’ll be your pardon for
both words and actions.” a ittle stifily began
Detective Fyerband. “ Until then I’ll stick to
my knitting, and run you in just as surely as
though I had you on the most public street of
Chicago, instead of out here in the wilderness,
where a single yelp from a inched hound is
enough to fetch the. entire gloodthirsty pack
howling at an officer’s heels 1”

.“ Holy smoke! Will 6 listen to that, now!”
ejaculated the Crystal . port, lifting his hands
in mock awe. “ All that, is it! And who dares
to say sensation hasn’t run mad when— Well,
well, if I ever, no I never l”

A hot flush leaped into the detective’s face,
visible in spite of the hairy mask which so near-
ly covered his entire countenance. And as that;
low but merry laugh followed, his anger was by
no means lessened. "

The change came swiftly, and the laughing,
mocking adventurer of one instant, the next mo-
ment was the grave, serious man of busmess.

“ Enough of nonsense, Mr. Fyerband. I
really couldn’t help playing you joke for trick,
but new—once more I sincerely thank you for
the words you spoke a bit ago.”

“I‘ll shake, when you prove that this isn’t
another of your little jists, as you call them,
Kenneth Ilorwood,” coldly said the detective.

“ Are you in sober earnest in calling me by
that name, sir?”

“ Are you in sober earnest w hen you hint that
it is not your rightful name, rather?”

“ I am not Kenneth Horwood.”

“ You never passed by that name some two or
three years ago?”

“ I never did,” came the instant response.
“ You’re barking up the wrong tree, pardner, if
you really think I’m the fellow you name.
am not KennethHoru'ood. 1 never passed by
that name. I never lived in the city of Chicago,
nor was I ev'er a confidential clerk in an es-
tablishment where diamonds and other precious
stones were made a commodity.

“Now, my dear sir, if this isn’t explicitenough
to satisfy anvcommon hog, just give another

mot, and I‘ll tackle the problem again i”

Through all this the detective was keenly
scrutinizing that handseme face, but he could
find nothing therein t) confirm his suspicions.
Either this man was falsely Charged, or else his
nerve was fully equaled by his inipu.lence.

“ You are not—yet I could almost take oath
to your face 1"

“ If by that you mean my face is the face of
Kenneth Horwood, then you are mighty nigh
perjuring ourself, pardner,” came the quiet
retort. “ nd so far as I know and believe.

. Kenneth Horwood is dead and in his grave.”

Their eyes met steadily for the space of a, few
moments, at the end of which the detective re.

4

 

sumed his chair, a hand slipping into his bosom,
from whence he produced a flat notebook.

A faint smile came over the face of the Sport
as he saw that book come open, and he quietly
said:

“ I see you don’t believe in toting all your eggs
in one, basket, Mr. Fyerband.”

“ How so?"

“ Else that would hardly have escaped the
fingers of Redmond, JOIlDrOfl & Co. So far as I
could see, lying under cover, they made a pretty
thorough examination of ourself, out yonder.”

“ Exactly. 'But what wanted was to show
you this card,” at the same time passmg over a
small-sized photograph, representing a young
and handsome man, whose frank eyes secmed
smiling upon the observer, and whose face, taken
as a whole, certainly betrayed no evil character-
istics such as one naturally expects to see in the
face of a bold criminal.

“ If you-had a glass to hold up—so I”

As he uttered the words, Firebrand Dick held
up a small pocket-mirror, so the Sport might
compare his own face with that represented on
the curd.

“ You really think there is a resemblance,
then? I can’t see it, for my part,” calmly ob-
served Cresson, after a leisurely inspection of
the picture/.1. face, varied by brief glances at his
owu comer reflection. “ Une consolation, at
any rate: ycu’re comparing me with a fine—
looking lad l”

” And one who, with a few years added—~for
that full beard ages no little, to my thinking~—
might be mistaken for yourself by even a close
relative, sir,” gravely declared the detective.

“ Which is about the same thing as saying you
are not yet convmced I’m speaking the simple
truth when I tell you I am not, never was, Ken-
neth Horwood.” -

“ If not, you are his moral l”

“ But I always understood young Horwood
died?”

“ Would it be the first instance of a pretended
suicide, sir!”

“ Of course not and of all the men now living,
I ought to be glad as the next one, if such a hope
might come true 1”

“ Who are you, then, if not young Hor-
wood?"

“ Chris Cresson, the Crystal Sport,” promptly
came the answer, and with it the adventurer
cast off all traces of emotion. “Now pardner,
if you are not convinced as yet. reckon you’d
better run me in. That is, of course, unless I
should take a sudden notion to play we don’t 1”

Firebrand Dick laughed softly at this charac-
teristic ending, and he likewise a peered quite
willing to resume their former off- and tooting,
for the time being.

“ Well reckon I'll let you run your rope a bit
longer. f you are really my man, you’ll try to
give me the slip when I’m not looking, or else
you’lldown me for keeps to save yourself—1' f you
can

“ But as I’m not your man, all these ifs and
ands fall to the ground, old fellow! Now—tell
me something about this diamond robbery, will
you, please?”

“ I thought you knew young Horwood?”

“ So I used, but that’s no sign I’m thoroughly
posted as to his later doings, either actual or
supposed,” came the cool retort. “ In good truth,
sir, I was not in America when that ugly affair
came off—worse luck l”

“ Why worse luck, if I may ask?"

“Because, if I had been within reach at the
time, poor Kenneth would never have gone so'
far—would never have taken his life, at least.”

There followed a brief )ause, during which
both men seemed busied wit their own thoughts.
Then Firebrand Dick abruptly Spoke:

“ You don’t need for me to go over it all, then,
Cressonl”

“ Why not? Remember, (I was not in the
States, and even after my return from abroad,
I somehow never had, or took, time to look up
the papers giving the daily details.”

“ t makes a rather long story, but—"

“ Boil it down, then, or merely touch upon the
main points. Of course I know all about the
young fellow, and have a pretty good general

dea of the unfortunate affair; still, it may give
mea bit of new light to have the case stated by
other lips,” ’

If he thbught this a somewhat cool proceeding,
Firebrand Dick gave no indication, but slowly
lgegan his account of the great diamond rob-

er .

“ The firm of Hilton & Jarvis, as you know,
then, had in their employ a bright, bustling,
smart young fellow named Kenneth Her-wood.
l’m not so mighty sure just what position be
filled, but confidential clerk comes near enough
to the meaning, I reckon.” ‘

“ I understand. Go on, please.”

“ And filling this position, mind you, young
Horwood was free of all ordinary rules, so to
speak; and when the right time came ’round, he
had every chance in the world to get away with
the boodle.”

_ “Ianhich he never attempted, as I’ll go bail,
Sll'

“ Well, I’ve caught myself thinking pretty
much that same way myself, sinceI was first
placed in charge of the case,” admitted the de-

I

tective, with a faint, peculiar smile wrinkling
the corners of his eyes.

“ Yet you can cast mud on the good name of
a dead man 1”

“ The very best of us will make mistakes in
the long run, sir, and for proof of that, you need
look no further than to the date of the great
Hilton 8.: Jarvis diamond robbery. For right
thi n and there Kenneth liorwood made the
grand mistake of his whole life!”

Chi-is Cresson gave an impatient gesture, but
said nothing, possibly because it seemed to him
the detective was expecting another outbreak
on his part, and was playing for just that mis-
take.

“ All right. Faster suits me just as well.
And right here you can begin catching plain
facts by the armfull

“The first hint ofa big robbery came one
Monday Incirning, when the janitor opened the
store for the purpose of sweeping out, and get-
ting matters in trim, as customary. For he
found Kenneth Horwocd lying on the floor near

he great safe, just inside ti o fireproof vault
which contained the burglar proof affair.

“Naturally enough, the janitor was frighten-
ed half out of his wits, for he thought he’d
stumbled over a graveyard for certain, and the
first thing he did was to give a howl of horror,
then run out of the store for help.

“ When acouple of policeman came in, they
found Kenneth Horwood, szeniingly half-dead
from hunger, thirst, fright, and some hinted, re-
morse; anyway, he was ina pretty bad way
when the gag was cut away from his mouth,
and the bonds taken from his limbs.

“ His story was quickly told, however, for as
the partners came in a rush at the first alarm,
to find their safe Opened and robbed—of a vast
amount in diamonds and precious stones, it was
rumored—they gave young Horwood mighty
little peace until he’d told it all.”

“ Kenneth always swore he’d been victiinize l,
as I heard the story.”

“ Yes, that‘s what he maintained throughout
the whole all‘ air,” admitted the detective. “ He
swore by all mankind holds holy that he had
been acting for what be deemed the best inter-
ests of his employers, but that he had been
shamefully deceived and betrayed to his un-

mag.

“The story, as he told it, runs something like
this: He fer-med the acquaintance of a gentle-
man and alady—his wife, as the introduction
made out—at the hotel where he roomed. And
as they quickly grew more intimate, the plot
was finally hatched.

“The Couple in ere very wealthy, and had a
passion for diamonds. They were thinking of
making a heavy investment in precious stones,
and had about concluded to favor Horwood’s
firm with the order, when, after dusk on Satur-
day, they rGCPth‘d a cablegram calling them to
England v~ itliout delay.

“ THIS they told Kenneth at the dinner table,
and on his lamenting the loss of their custom, in
addition to their pleasant acquaintance, 'the
Woman Wondered why they could not effect a
trade, even then?

“They were to start East on the midnight
train. Roth Hilton and Jarvis had gone to their
suburhaiiliomes to remain over Sunday. And
then it was that the trap sprung, according to
the young fellow.

“ To cut it short, the married couple proposed
going to the store with him, there to inspect and
and select the stones they desired. These could
be laid aside until they remitted the price, when
the diamonds could be sent to wnatever address
the might send.”

“ enneth was wrong and foolish. of course,”
soberly said the port, as the detective paused
for breath at this juncture. “ Still. I hold per-
fect faith in the lad; he was blinded by a wo-
man’s cunning wiles, and—” .

“ How well you‘ve got hold of his plea!” ejacu-
lated Firebrand Dick, in real or admirably
affected surprise.

“ Because I believer! it lhcn, and never more
entirely than I believe it now that he lies in his
dishonored gravel”

“ Are you SO mighty certain he does fill that
grave, Cressoni” ‘

“ What!” with a start and sudden paling of
face. “ How can you even affect to doubt
that much, man alive?” !

CHAPTER XVli.
FIGHTING FOR DEAR LIFE.

IT all happened so Suddenly that Morris Rosen-
blatt, the diamond-dealer, was taken utterly oi!
his guard, and before he could really divine
what peril menaced him, a heavy mufiler was
twisted tightly about his head and the ends
doubled at his throat so viciously that suffocation
became imminent, and an outcry was among the
impossibilities, fight as desperately as he might.

Each limb appeared to have i s particular
guardian just then, and muscular fingers seemed
gripping eVery practicable hand-hold on his
person, one and all of them working in perfect
concert, all pushing or hauling or carrying him
forward to—whati

 

 

With all this comin upon him just wheuall
seemed working wel for himse f, with all
around him quiet and peaceable, with not even

1‘ ,.

 

:,,.~. A ._._ ., r__;.;;.'.--.. ~..;..-...~.s=..»»..

 

 

 

    

'16

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

 

the tiniest cloud in sight to herald the coming
storm; it would have been strange indeed had
Mort-is Rosen blatt not lost his head for the mo-
men .

He struggled with his utmost power, trying
not only to break away from those many hands
——in his wild excitement they seemed scores, at
the very lowest computation—but to shout
aloud for aid, knowing that among so many per—
sons there surely were enough honest souls to
effect a rescue.

Every nerve and every muscle was called in-
3);:‘37, and his ungs seemed on the point of
bursting with his tremendous efforts. If he
could only free his throat long enough to utter
even one shout for assistance!

To his excited brain it seemed as though an
age was spent in that fruitless attempt, but in
reality less than a single minute sufficed for the
bold abductors to overpower their appointed
prey, and to hustle him across the floor of the
saloon, where all was noise of confusion worse
confounded; where men were yelling and curs—
ing with mingled rage and terror as all strug-
gled for the exit—anything to get out of that
utter darkness where deat might be lurking,
ready to strike home at any instant.

And, bewildered though be naturally was,
lilsrris Rosenblatt knew that his unseen, un-
I; ‘own assailants had forced him to the wall,
and then out through an opening of some sort:
how could it be a door, when he felt morally
certain that they had been fighting away from,
7 rather than toward the front entrance?

The pressure upon him became terrible when
that exit was attempted, and the change of grip
which his captors were obliged to make in order
to pass through at all, more than anything else,
told the diamond-dealer that they were leaving
the Empire proper.

And yet—surely their feet were still upon a
board flooring?

Even then, while fighting as only astrong,
thoroughly deSperate man can fight for an en-
dangered life, Morris Rosenblatt had room for
such a thought; and with it came the ugly sus-
picion that yonder black-eyed beauty surely had
something to do with this outrage?

Then came another jam, lasting for a briefer
space than the first, and an instant later Rosen-
biatt felt his feet strike sclid earth.

Yet it was little more than instinct that told
him of these changes, as made. Eyesight was
denied him. Ills limbs were so fiercely ham-
pered that they could do little more than what
they were forced by the enemy. '

Worse than all else, that suffocating muffler
was still about his face, added to by a savage
grip about his threat: a noose of some sort, as it
seemed. And his brain was beginning to whirl
and dance and throb as no thoroughly sane
brain was ever known to do.

Now that there wus more space in which to do
their work, the gang evidently found less diffi-
culty in handling their prize, whose struggles
were growing less fierce as suffocation lessened
his strength.

The diamond-dealer was lifted clear of his
feet, and then carried off through the night at
a rapid pace, as though those committing the
outrage had goed cause for fearing punishment,
unless they could reach a secure covert before
the alarm coull spread, or the bewildered crowd
win fairly clear of the darkened Empire.

How long that rush lasted, or how f or he was
carried, Morris R :senblatt had no means of de-
termining. He was losing his senses through
the horrible smothering caused by that cursed
mufiler and—

A sudden jar shook him sharply, and his wits
seemed to take a brightened spurt through that
same impetus, for he caughtthe sound of a hu-
man. voice, although he could not distinguish
the words lpckcn.

He rallied his powers for a final struggle, and
lurchin ' heavily as he tried to shake off that
suffocat ng weight covering head and neck, the
diamond-dealer felt much like a strangling
swimmer whose head has just come above the
surface to pure air. -

The mufll r was loosened, and that unknown
to his enemies, for their number had been great-
ly lessened since leaving the saloon where that
bold ca ture had been effected.

Mo s R isenblatt caught a single glorious
breath of cool, pure air, that filled his lungs
with the sWeetest draught he had ever tasted,
and at the same instant he heard a low, hoarse
voice utter:

“ Kill him if he makes a break, for-J

Stron hands were touching him, movingas
though n search of something hidden; or else,
it might be, meaning to make still surer of their
game by pinioning his limbs before going any
further.

The diamond-dealer did not stop to learn just
which was being attempted, ut made another
struggle to break away from he ruffians, great-
ly strengthened by the partial liberty he had al-
ready gained.

As he strove thus, one of his hands broke
away, and his fingers felt something cold and
hard n: 1","7 struck against the person of one of
his assaiia rm.

heoogniv‘ca v"as instantaneous, and with a

f ' fierce muffled L._", Morris Rosenblatt gripped

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that knife-hilt, jerking blade from sheath and
making a blind stroke with all the power left his
partially benumbed arm 1

He felt the weapon strike home, and a sharp,
vicious cry burst from the lips of the wounded

man.

“ Hell fire! I’m out! Kill—don’t let—kill
him, I l

The diamond—dealer felt the harsh grip
slacken, and making another blind lungs with
his knife, he strove to break entirely away—and
succeeded l

Staggering, reeling, he flung off that heavy
muffler, and caught the night-lights just in
time to glimpse one of his enemies falling back
and down, but at the same time jerking forth a
pi~tol whose angry flame flared out as its owner
fell prostrate! '

Morris ROsenblatt reeled afresh, for some—
thing seemed to hit him full in the chest with
cruel force, knocking the breath out of his lungs,
and folio wing itself up with a spear of scorching
flame—no less than that would describe the
horrible sensation.

Staggering, the diamond-broker lifted his
voice in a wild shout for help, straining his
lungs as it seemed to him, and yet his ears could
barely distinguish the sound of his own voice!

At the same instant his right hand—his left
had gripped the knife-hilt—«caught at a revolver
which he wore concealed from casual obs-Irva-
tion, and sighting a lusty Mom 8 who was in the
act of leaping upon him with flashing blade,
Rosenblatt fired once, twrce, thrice!

All this takes time to record, and time to
realize; yet it all b..ppened within the brief
space of two ordinary breaths.

The gasp of fresh air, the ugly menace, the
blow and the break-away; the cry and fall of
the stabbed rascal, his shot for revenge, the
rUsh of the second abductor, and then those
shots; all following each other with such rapid-
ity that they might be called simultaneous
action.

And then, with a faint, dizzy sense of seeing
his second enemy fling up his armed hand, to
fall backward in a limp and nerveless heap,
Morris Rosenblatt staggered off, still clinging to
his weapons, but feeling himself too badly in-
jured to make effectual use of them.

It was purely instinctive on his part, this
action.

He knew not how many more of the evil gang
might be aiming at his life right then and
there. He had adim, sleepy sense of others—
or bad they fallen off before—what had hap-
pened, after all?

His brain seemed swimming on a blood-red
sea where he was being tossed up and down,sway-
ing, swi-gihg, now slowly, now so rapidly that it
made him catch his breath and—why was be
turning so ill? Why did he stagger and reel as
though-surely the ground was swayingand
heaving like uneasy billows before a rising
wind?

()r—had he been drinking too much? Was
this drunkenness, in a new shape? .

These, and even wilder fancres assailed the
diamond-dealer as he reeled onward through the
night, hearing yet not understanding the alarm
which was spreading rapidly behind him, where
men had been startled by those shots and that
fierce yell of angry pain, coupled with that
h0nrse appeal for rrscue.

That burning pain which followed so closely
after the numbing blow of the bullet, had a1-
m0st died away by now, but as he reeled dizzily
onward through the night, Morris Rosenblatt
rradually arrived at the truth; be was danger-
ously wounded, and unless he could find assist-
ance ere long, he must surely succumb!

“ Help—when? \Vho Will—how can—”

Iiis foot struck a stone lying in his way, and
the greatly weakened diamond-dealer fell heavi-
ly forward, one hand and arm doubling under
him, but without the pewer to support his
weight, or to materially break the force of his
fall. '

It was his left arm, and in that hand was still

ripped the knife which had so strangely come
into his possession. Fortunately the point was
buried in the hard earth,_else the end of that
desperate fight for life against long odds might
have ended right there.

Instead, the warm blood wet that hand, and
helped restore those bewildered wiq to some-
thing of their usual clear ness.

From the rear came loud, excited cries, and
not knowing how many of them might be raised
by his unknown enemies, the wounded man no
longer thought of calling aloud for assistance,
but lifting his head to gaze aroupd, he quickly
made out his immediate surroundings.

In that blind, unreasoning retreat from his
assailants, Morris Rosenblatt had passed away
from rather than toward the more thickly-
settled portion of Deadwood, and was now al-
most at its extreme edge, where the buildings
were little better than huts and shanties, and
mm they but scattered at wide in! ervals.

Yet, as he rose unsteadin to his feet and
moved on, it was still in that same direction,
without thought of seeking aid in the town

ro r.
That awful dizziness came back to the wound-
ed man as he exerted himself, and all was dim-

 
 
 

     

 

 

mer than the gloom of night would account

for.

And still, despite all this, Morris Rosenblatt
passed by at least two occupied buildings, to
stagger much further before reeling up to the
front of a third—poor, small, rudely construct-
ed, yet the very haven toward which his hopes
and lengings had turned ever since he could
fairly realize what had befallen him.

A dim light shone through the single window
in the front of the cabin, and thus guided, the
diamond-dealer gained the doorstep. He even
lifted a hand with which to appeal for ad-
mission, but before he could strike, the door
swung open and the tall, gaunt figure of a man
stood revealed in the opening.

A gasping, choking cry, then Morris Rosen-
blatt sunk limply down on that rough stone
which Served as a doorstep, his face touching
the foot of that man before it could be drawn
back, as it was the next instant.

“ Great Scott!" e iaculated the tall man, shrink-
ing back, yet with eye seemingly fascinated by
that corpse-like vision. “ What in the name of
time has— Eb?”

Rosenblatt lifted his head a bit, gasping f ainto

y:

“ Help—hide~—save, for love—of Heaven!”

Again his head drooped, but his appeal had
been heard by one who, if only by virtue of her
sex, would never permit it to pass unheeded.

“ Quick, father!” and a trim, neatly-garbed
figure sprung to his assistance. “ Help me—in-
side, and shut the door before any one can see 1”

Even as she ’spoke, Agnes Dempster was bend-
ing oviar the injured man, and slipping her brown
little hands under his shoulders, she essayed to
lift him inside the cabin.

Left to himself, it is doubtful whether Saul
Dempster “ onld not have paused to ask more
questions than one before taking in a stranger
who made application under such unusual if not
actually suspicious circumstances; but Agnes, as
her fathr-r often remarked in loving jest, ruled
him as with a rod of iron, and what she said
went without question.

so it was on this occasion, for San] gently
pushed Agnes aside, and raising'that nerveless

orm in his sinewy arms, bore the diamond-
dealer across the threshold, crisply speaking:

“ Close and bar, Aggie, girl i”

The daughter quickly acted upon this hint,
and by the time that was done, Saul Dempster
had placed his burden upon a narr0w bed near
the rear of the room, and drawing back a bit,
was staring at—what?

That heavy gray beard had partly fallen away
from Rosenblatt’s face, proving beyond the pos-
sibility of a doubt that he were i disguise!

CHAPTER XVIII.
DEAD on LIVING?

Cnnrr Cnsssox Certainly appeared intensely
earnest while expressing his amazement thus,
but Fli‘elll‘find Dick smiled faintly, his keen eyrs
partially veiling themselves as he looked across
at that handsome face.

“Well, sir, of course I can’t show you proof
positive—as yet, I mean—that Kenneth Hor-
wood is still in the land of the living, but, all the
an e, I more than half believe he is still living.”

“ impossible, sir!"

“ Do you say so? Then I wonder what you’d
think “ ere I to add: I believe him alive, and I
believe he is not a dozen miles away from this
very chamber to-nightl”

Cresson stared with wide eyes into the detec-
iive’s face, but then, as he fancied he read the
covert meaning underlying these deliberately
spoken words, his lips curled and he scofiingly
Said:

“ Still harping on that string, pardner? Well,
only a fool or a knave himself would even in—
directly charge a gentleman With lying, unless
ho ho both proofs and sand to back up his
opini n, according to rule.”

“ Meaning that you are not Kenneth? Well,
am I saying you are he?”

“ Isn’t that what you mean?”

“ Not necessarily,” came the cool retort.
“But suppose you permn'. me to reach the rack
by following my own path f”

“ All right. Go ahead, Mister Man,”said the
Sport, resuming his former careless attitude,
yet watching his guest w1th suspicious keen-
ness.

H As you probably are aware, Mr. Cresson,
suspicion turned strongly upon Kenneth Hor-
wood, in spite of the fairly plausible tale he
told; one which had no little in it to back him
up, mo 1” -

“ Proof enough, surely, to spare him from a
suicidal gravel” muttered Crystal Chris, with
frowning brows and darkened visage.

“ Just so. And yet—but let me run over the
facts, as they showed in his account, and on the
other side of the line as well.

“ HorWOnd swore that he had taken his two
customers to the store, and for their gratifica-
tion, and to make their choice of gems, had
opened the vault and the safe inside. 'Then he
was struck down by a blow from behind, and
when his consciousness returned, the two crooks
wvre just completing the robbery. I

“ That part of his story relating to the coupl'é
whose acquaintance he formed at his hotel,

 

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proved correct. So, too, was their departure on
the evening of the robbery ; but instead of leav-
ing for the east, on the midnight train, they
went west, at six o’clock. See the point?”

“ To leave at the first station, and return, of
coarse.”

“ So young Horwood reasoned while trying
to explain all to the satisfaction of his em-
ployers,” admitted the detective, but with a
half-malicious t winkle in his dark eyes. “ Odd,
isn‘t it, how two minds will sometimes run along
the same channel?”

“Not so odd when you consider that both
minds belong to honest men,” came the Swift
retort. “ ‘till, it may puzzle you to under-
stand.”

“Score one, and I’m not kicking against the
pricks, Mr. Cresson.” the detective lightly an-
swered. “ But business is business, and time is
rolling along, regardless!

“To hark baCir, then: Horwood’s employers
were not satisfied with his explanation, although
they deferred placing him under arrest, no
doubt hoping to catch him tripping, and maybe
trap his confederates through some rash attempt
on his part to renew communication.

“Nothing of this sort took place however
and as the hottest search failed to find anything
of the stranger couple, it was about decided to
serve the warrant (which had been sworn out
almost immediately after the robbery was dis-
coverer’) on young llorwood, when he took
matters into his own hands and sprung another
sensation upon the public.

“ W en the officers went to serve that war-
rant, Kenneth blorwood was gone!” '

“ W hither?”

“ To meet his death by drowning, his note of
explanation said.”

“And that note surely told the truth,” said
Chris Cresson, half-defiantly, yet with tones
softened materially by undisguised sorr0w.

“So nearly every one of his acquaintances
thought, and so eVen his most bitter enemies
were forced to think when what purported to
be the body of Kenneth Horwood was fished up
out of the hike.”

“ It surely was his body! How can you
doubt it, man?‘

“ It’s not my story I’m telling, Mr. Cresson,
but that of Kenneth Horwood,” quietly an-
swered the detective, then adding, before the
Crystal Sport could chip again:

“That corpse was identified, although the
fishes had been at work before its recovery.
That corpse was buried, and the record made
Was that Kenneth Horwood, of such an age,
lav interred at such and such a place.”

1 (‘1‘ Where his bones are lying to this day, poor

a l’

“Wait, please. The body was identified, I
say, but it was not until some time after the
burial that some person was heard wondering
why no description was given by any of the
papers of that peculiar scar."

Chris Cresson as though involuntarily lifted a
hand to press it over his left breast, and as he
caught that motion, the detective smiled bland-
iy, leaning forward a bit he asked:

“ Can you tell what sort of a scar it was, Mr.
Cresson? Can you even mention what part of
his body that scar marred?” .

A hot flush swept over the face of the Crysta
Sporr, and his hand quickly dropped away.
But he met that bland gaze without flinching,
and his tones held never a quiver as he an-
swered:

“Yes. to both of you queries, Firebrand
Dick. Why not, when it was my hand gave
the hurt that caused that scar?”

“ Is that so?”

“That is even so, sir,” with an access of
hauteur in both face and tones. “The scar
formed a small red crescent, right here,”tap-
ping his breast, almost directly over the heart.

“An-i you inflicted the wound—mayI ask
how, sir?"

“ I’ve nothing whatever to conceal, although
your eyes and your tenes are plainly insinuating
as much, Firebrand, and so—here you have it!
That hurt was inflicted when Kenneth Horwood
and myself were schoolboys together.

_ “ Never mind just where we both lived at the
time. Not in Chicago, though, for, as I said
betore,lnever made my home in that city.
But we Were friends, and none the less warm
chums after that hurt was inflicted by a care-
less hand.”

\“ Do on seriously object to state just how
young orwood got urt, Mr. Cresson? ’

“ What makes you think I might have such
an objection?”

“Nothing, unless it is you’re a mighty long
while getting around to the ex lanation,” re-
torted the derective, with a short augh.

“ If that is all, [’11 remove your doubts in
short order, Richard,” his tones likewise light-
ening considerably. “ It all happened one day
when we were in swimming, Kenneth and I
by no means the least jolly of that gay young
crowd.

“ There were mussel-shells in abundance on
the sand-bar. and I was skipping some of these,
when one took a sudden curve and cut a deep
gash in Kenneth‘s left breast.

“ I was scared far worse than he was hurt,

 

for the wound bled very freely, and I remember
begging him not to tell my parents. My father
was very stern and very passionate, and I knew
he’d flog me severely in case he should learn of
the hurt. And so—well, Kenneth and I de-
cided to keep it a profound secret, and do the
healing ourselves. a

“I’m telling you all this, sir, mainly to ex-
plain why a wound so comtparatively slight
should have caused ascar so eep and perma-
nent. Of course neither of us had a diploma as
physician or surgeon, and—well, the result
was just that,  a deep, red scar, which would
last even longer than lifel”

Swift as light the detective caught at that
final expression.

“ Longer than life, you say? Then tell me—
what had become of that scar when I closely
examined the body which was buried for that of
Kenneth horwoodi”

“ Do you really mean that, sir?” asked Cres-
son, his face showing unusually pale as he
leaned a bit forward to meet that piercing
gaze.

“I mean precisely that. Mr. Cresson,” came
the grave response. “I repeat that I saw the
corpse, and it bore no such scar as you have de-
scribed.”

“ Its color may have faded in death—of course
it would i”

if But the
away, think?

“Of course not, but—the fishes had been at
work,” his voice lowering a bit more, and grow-
ing husky with suppressed emotions.

Flrebrand Dick shook his head in dogged ne-
gation. Even that excuse would not be accept-
ed‘ b this human bloodhound.

“ ’m free to admit that the corpse was marred
by the work of time and fishes, but, as luck
would have it, neither breast had been touched,
and even the skin was unbroken when I made
that examination.”

“ Yet even so keen a bloodhound as yourself
might have made an error, or been deceived by
your memory. Didn’t you say the corpse had
long been buried before mention was made of
any such scar?”

"Not so long; less than a couple of weeks,
Mr. Cresson.”

“ Long enough to give solid grounds for my
belief, though.”

“ Or would be, but for a single fact,” with a
faint smile showing in spite of his disguising
beard. “And that fact is this: the proper au-
thorities caused that grave to be opened, and
the corpse exhumed. And I can now make
solemn oath to what I now aver: that scar was
not on the body 1”

Chris Cresson shrunk back, seemingly awed
or shocked to silence, but Firebrand Dick quick-
ly added the words:

“I hold it was all a cunning trick. I believe
Kenneth Horwood is right here in the Black
Hills, if not in Deadwood itself!"

“‘Well, what are you going to do about it,
pardneri"

All in an instant the Crystal Sport changed
his manner, and from one who shrunk back
from that piercing gaze almost as a convicted
criminal might, he seemed once more the care-
less, jaunty “Glimmer-glass” whohad taken
Deadwood by storm.

Firebrand Dick plainly did not relish this
alt ration, or the dark frown which flashed
across his visage belied itself; but he likewise as
swiftly rallied, to speak in pretty much the
same sort of tones:

“ Well, of course that prettv much depends,
Glimmer-glass. As a sworn officer of the law,
it is my bounden duty to make the arrest of—”

“ First catch your hare!” softly bummed the
Crystal Sport. .

“Of course that comes first. but When you
can seea bit of quivering fur at the end of a
shallow hollow in a tree—eh?”

“I remember one time when I was rabbit
hunting and a shallow hollow yielded me up a
—I can smell it even yet!”

But if Firebrand Dick was expected to laugh
over this bit of boyish experience. Chris Creaswn
was disappointed. The detective had been in
harness far too long for leading astray on a
false scent, and dismissing that frivolous by-
path with a wave of the hand, he spoke
gravely:

“It’s exactly as I told you, Mr. Cresson. I
believe Kenneth 110er is still in the land of
the living, and this belief of mine has brought
me clear out here to Deadwood. I firmly be-
lieve he is in this town this very night i”

“Impossible!” ejaculated Cresson, very pale,
but showing no other si us of agitation. “ I’ll
never believe that, Fyer and l” ,

“ If I arrest him, and call on you to identify
that scar, will you’l”

“ I’d kill you before you had time to pro-
nounce his name!”

CHAPTER XIX.
DIAMOND DELL, THE CONFIDENCE QUEEN. i
1N slow, deadly tones came those words, and
the only attempt Chris Cresson madetolend
them emphasis other than they carried on their
£8.09, was by a gentle wave of his right fore-
nger.

gcar couldn’t have faded entirely

 

 

Firebrand Dick sat smiling faintly, his dark
eyes held by those chestnut orbs; and he, too,
seemed cool as though naught more dangerous
than milk-snd-water compliments were being
interchanged.

“ Do you really mean all that, Mr. Cres-
son ’1”

“ Better take my word for it, sir. There’ll be
no time left for asking the question or digesting
the answer—then!”

“ That sounds as though you actually meant
it all, tool”

“ So thoroughly do I mean it, sir, that if I’m
anywhere within sight when you attempt to
make such an arrest, I’ll lay you out for the sex-
ton before your lips can finish pronouncing his
name, or the devilishly false charge against
him !”

Still in that subdued, gently modulated tone,
and without more than the usual tinge of color
to his handsome face; yet one hearing the Crys-
tal Sport just then would have made affidavit
{re meant each and every word that passed his
ips.

None could better appreciate this than Rich-
ard Fyerband, but instead of fiinching or of
showing anger against the threatener, be looked
pleased, if anything, and his voice held a slight
drawl as he spoke again:

“ All that, yet you have been declaring our
firm belief in Horwood’s death! Isn’t that ght—
ing windmills, Mr. Cressoni”

“ You set me the example, surely. ’with a slight
bow. “You spoke of arresting Kenneth Hor-
wood, and asked me if I’d help you in clinching
the shackles. I told you what I‘d do, instead.
But since the poor lad is dead and turning to
dust, we’re both. chewing wind to mighty poor
profit.”

“ It seems we’re bound to differ clean through,
no dear sir,” placidly utti red the detective.
“ Instead of wasting my time, as you more than
hint, I consider it very well improved, if only
through showing me what a true friend and
stout backer you are.”

“ Must I bow in acknowledgment, Mr. Fire-
brand?" -

“ Not unless you are really anxious to take up
the little time we have left. l had no intention
of flattering you, be sure; if anything along

that line, ’twas toward myself for having so.

correctly summed up your character.”

Chris Cresson frowned a hit at this. Although
the detective hardly seemed sneering or making
a jest of his host, yet it was no easy task to in-
terpret his words diflerently.

For once in a way, the Crystal Sport felt him-
self at a loss what to think or just how to ex—

press himself- This man from the Lake City -

was e(proving himself an enigma not easily
solv

“ I’m taking no credit to in self, and least of
all would I accept it from one ike you, since you
declare yourself hunting d0wn an unfortunate
lad whose worst enemy stood inside his own
skin.

“ As for showing m if a true friend and
stout backer, 1 only Wish I might have had a
chance while Kenneth— Drop it, will you i”

Harshly, almost savagely those final words
came, but Firebrand. Dick was not yet ready to
act upon them, and quickly said:

“ Help me rove Kenneth Horwood living,
Cresson, and ’11 give you just that chance to
show your perfect faith to all the world l”

There was a brief silence after this earnest
speech. during which the eyes of the two men
met and seemed tryin to explore the depths
lying beyond. Then hris Cresson spoke in
measured tones:

“ I’ve already taken a solemn oath, Mr. F er-
band, to make all the world see Kenneth or-
wood as I, his friend and one-time schoolmate,
have seen him through all this sad affair. I’ve
taken a Vow to never give over until I’ve made
his perfect innocence clear as the light of day l”

“ If so, and it may even be that you are right,
you’ve come to the right quarter of the globe to
clap hand upon the (prime criminals, Mr. Cres-
son,” gravely asserts
resolved upon casting aside all evasions and sub-
terfuges now that he saw a fair Opening for get-
ting d0wn to solid business.

The Crystal Sport smiled faintly, but showed
very little elation at this. Possibly be consid-
ered his own judgment fully as valuable as that
of the more or less celebrated detective.

“ Is that so?" he murmured, almost languid—

y“ I really think as much. Unless all my rea-
soning has gone wrong, you are now at the right
spot to begin that work of clearing away all
doubts as to who really committed that diamond
robbery.”

“ Of course you have no doubt, after what you
said concerning young Horwood.”

“ None at 9.1 as to his being mixed up in the
affair but as to his being a willing parti t
——well, that’s a gray horse of another color, on’t
you see?”

With an affected yawn of weariness the Crys-
tal Sport leaned back on one elbow. ll‘irebrand
Dick smiled at this silent protest, but showed no
signs of dropping the subject, or of cutting his
visit short.

“Keeping you too long, am 1? Well, don"t ‘

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forget that you rather urgently invited me up
here and—”

“So brought far worse upon my poor, fool’
headl”

“ Not if you are really in earnest about clear-
ing the memory of Kenneth Horwood from this
stain, sir,” with sudden access of earnestness.
“ For I believe I can give you information lead-
ing t0ward that end, which you might spend
years in hunting after, yet never find it then 1”

“ Are you in earnest now, Mr. F erband i”

“Never more so in my life, Mr. lresson.”

The Sport moved uneasily on the edge of his
bed, and all his nerve seemed powerless to hin-
der that betrayal of excitement, if not of some-
thing still deeper. Yet he strOVe. to conceal this
self-betrayal by hurriedly saying:

“ Prove that to me, sir, and 1’]! not only wipe
off all scores against you, but consider myself
deeply indebted. Only it comes mighty hard to
climb over all old prejudices!”

“ Une of which is that no good can come out
of—Pinkertoniai” the detective laughingly said,
but adding before his host could agree or dis-
sent: “ Well, possibly 1 may be able to'help
you over that awkward stile, too—who knows’.l

" Now, let me tell you one reason for my com-
ing to this part of our wonderful country: I’m
on a woman hunt, old and world-worn thou b
you behold me! And that woman one of t e
most charming, most bewitching, most captivat-
ing of all her sex 1”

“ You’re meaning double, I take it, pard-
ner?"

“ Which shows how level (your head is on top,
Christopher! Yet each an ever word goes,
all the same, single sense or doub e. Diamond
Dell is ’way up for beauty and witchery as a
woman, and when it comes to using these words

i in'connection with her operations as confidence
queen— 0 hide our heads, all other sirens!”

“ An you t ink this Diamond Deli, as you
term her, and the woman Horwood spoke of,
are one and the same?”

“Unless they are, then my hope and your
assurance as to his innocence of actual guilt—of
aught worse than carelessness—falls to the
ground, and we haven’t ot a leg left to stand
on,” coolly declared Fire rand Dick, yet, with
all his outward carelessness, maintaining a

' keen if covert watch upon his opposite.

“Isn’t it rather late in the day to take up a
new trail, though? Frbm your manner of
speaking about this Diamond Dell, I judge
that she is a well-known character, and so—”

“Known better through fame than by taco,
form, or conviction, worse luck!” cut in the de-
tective, with an irritable gesture to match his
sudden frown. “ Although it’s morally certain
that a more dangerous woman never entered
the army of crooks, and although at least a
dozen heavy operations in the precious-stone
line all point in her direction, Diamond Dell
has never been arrested, and her lovely phiz is
yet to ornament the rogues’ gallery.”

“ What makes you think she had a hand in
that afl’air, then?”

“ I’ve picked up a stray bit or two—we hu-
man hounds have ways and means peculiar to
ourselves. of course,” with a brief chuckle.
“And while there is no actual record to show
that the confidence queen was in Chicago on
that particular date, I am morally certain she
was, and that the woman Kenneth Horwood
mentioned was none other than Diamond Del 4”

Chris Cresson gave a slight start at this, and
his lips parted as though to speak. But they
closed again in silence, and apparently without
noticing this change of purpose, the detective
continued:

“ When we have more time on hand, I’ll tell
you something concerning this beauty—for

eauty she surely is, despite her ugly record!
But just at present—what do you think of the
Empress Josephine, Cresson?”

The Sport gave another start, and plainly
changed color at this sudden shot, although he
must have been in a measure prepared for some-
thing of that sort.

“What! You surely can’t mean that she is
Diamond Dell!”

Firebrand Dick gave a low, amused, yet
grimly-sounding chuckle before answering this
exclamation, which he did after his own fash-

0n.

“ Well, young gentleman, just you whisper
that name into her .shell-like ear, and see what
the Empress will say—or do I”

“ And—you really think—”

“That on second thought, though, I’d advise

an to put on a bullet and-knife—proof overcoat
fore giving that whisper.” .

,“ Would she use her knife, do you think?"

“ It wouldn’t be the first time, else her record
lies,” came the blunt answer. “ I haven’t
run it clean back to her dcbdt, but Diamond
Dell has a private graveyard, and at least
three mounds therein to her greater Or less
credit.”

“The Empress—Jo St. John—with such an
ugly record!” muttered Cresson, his eyes staring
at vacancy, his brows gathered in a frown which
Firebrand Dick took considerable interest in
nudging from under cover of his light-shading
han . ‘ It teem: incredible, but if true—I say,

' f  pardnerl” abruptly rousing himself.

I

J"

 

 

l

“ What is it, friend i”

“ You declared your belief that Kenneth Hor-
wood was still alive, and right here in Deadwood.
Now—on what grounds do you base that .belief,
Firebrandi” ,

Chris Cresson put that query with an interest
which was only thinly vailed, leaning forward
with aze riveted upon that hair-masked face
opposite, as though he would read the truth in
spite of mask or subterfuges.

But before an answer could be given, even had
the detective been both ready and willing to lay
bare his professional secrets, an interruption
came which caused the Crystal Sport to spring
from bed to floor, and at his second swift stride
reach the one narrow window with which his
bedchamher was supplied.

From down—toivn there came the rattle of fire-
arms, and min ling with those explosions could
be distinguished sharp, fierce cries, even before
the Sport’s ready hands unfastened and flung up
that window-sash.

Without giving a. thought to the peril which
he might thus be running, after his racket with
the Redmond gang, Cresson listened to those
warlike sounds for a. few moments, then turned
his head to speak to the detective—only to start
so sharply the sash fell with a crash.

For he alone occupied the room.
had vanished l

CHAPTER XX.
THE CRYSTAL SPORT SURPRISED.

Cams Casssos stared about him like one in
a walking dream, unable to comprehend how
that vanishment had been effected so swiftly so
silently, and without leaving a single sign e-
hind to tell how the trick had been turned.

Twice over did his startled eyes sweep all
around those four narrow walls before he could
trust them; and then, with almost ludicrous
haste he squatted down, hand on pistol to peer
into the gloomy space beneath his narrow bed!

Nothing was to be found under there more
formidable than dirt and cobwebs, however,
and then, fully convinced that Firebrsnd Dick
had actually escaped from the chamber by way
of the door, Cresson caught the knob and gave
it a wrench—yes!

He distinctly remembered locking the door
after his odd interview with the diamond-dealer,
and how the key had been turned.

Of course the detective must have done it, but
how that could be, and the door both opened
and closed again, without the slightest sound
coming to warn him, passed the Sport’s compre-
hension.

Fiinging wide the door, he sprung forth into
the hall, bending head and guarding face like
one who more than anticipates an assault with-
out further warning, and at the same time grip-
ping pistol ready for a shot or a blow. .

Neither came, and as he flashed a keen, angry
glance alon that narrow passageway, the
Crystal Spor failed to detect aught to explain
the new sensation; if Firebrand Dick had actual-
ly made his escape in that direction, it was per-
fected before the Sport sprung forth from his
bedchamber.

“I say, pardnerl” he called forth, at first
softly, then a bit louder, until he knew that any
one on the same flocr, if awake and in full pos-
session of their senSes. could not have avoided
hearing him.

With this as a -urther proof that Firebrand
Dick really meant to give him “ the dirty
shake,” Cresson returned to his room, and again
lifting that sash. paused for a brief space in
listening.

Beyondadoubt there was something out of
the ordinary run taking place in town, and that
at no extreme distance from the Midland. The
firing had ceased, but he Could hear an ominous
humming sound, mingled now and then with a
cry ora. 'ell; sounds which, finding birth in a
live and ively mining-town such as Deadwood
was at that date, tell an “old hand” far more
tlian any such uproar in a more civilized sec-
t on.

“A circus of some sort, and I wouldn’t wen-
der if the fellow’s took a prance down that
way,” mused the Crystal Sport as he drew in
his head and lowered the sash. “Well, why
not?

This answered a question born only in his
busy brain, and without stopping to count the
possible consequences, Chris Cresson blew out
his candle and left his room, locking the door
and taking its key with him.

Almost any other man, after a similar ex-

rience at the Empire, would have thought at

east twice before hastening d:recti toward
that same place; but the alarm came rom that
direction, and Cresson never gave a second
thought to the likelihood of again coming into
contact with the Redmond-Watkins gang.

The instant his feet struck the street, Crystal
Chris looked swiftly around in search of Fire—
hrand Dick, but though he caught a fleeting
- limpse of a couple shapes. flitting rapidly along

11 the direction of that row, neither of them ap-

peared to be the detective, and without wasting
more time, he also broke into a swinging trot,
his interest in yonder “circus” growing the
plainer he caught the sounds.

Firebrand

  

 

 

“ If he isn’t there new, he will be,” were some
of the thoughts that flashed across his brain
while hastening onward through the night.
“You couldn’t keep him away with less than
chains and a clog, or he’s no true detective—
and if he isn't a thoroughbred, then I want to
know?”

Almost involuntarily this bit of compliment
was wrung from the Sport, for with all his dis—
like, his repugnance, in fact, he could not help
feeling that Richard F yerband was a more than
ordinarily smart man.

It did not take long for one so light of foot as
was the Man of Crystals, to reach the scene of
action, and pausing where his form had the ad-
vantage of a bit deeper shadow than else-where,
Chris Cresson took visual notes “ with both eyes
wide open.”

He saw at a glance that this had been no
ordinary drunken squabble where sound so
vastly exceeds fury, but that hot and deadly
work had been on hand.

The fighting was all over, long before he could
gain the spot, but both dead and living witnesses
were there to give evidence.

In a little circle of light by himself, lay a dead.
man, his limbs contorted, his upturned face dis-
torted plainly provmg how painful if swift his
death had been.

But Chris Cresson only gave that shape a
glance in passing, for his deepest interest lay
with the living, just then!

Hardly had the Crystal Sport reached the
scene of trouble, than a well-known voice rung
forth. sharply, commandingly:

“ Make way, here! Way, I tell you, fellows!”

The crowd had even so quickly grown to a
considerable size, but the units of which it was
composed, showed none of the hot, heedless ob-
stinacy customary on such occasions, but fell
back to either side as though mere waves divided
by a vessel’s prow.

Chris Cresson took an involuntary step for.
ward, for he recognized both voice and figure
on the instant, but then he recoiled as far, with
those grim words of the Firebrand Detective
ringing through his brain.

And, breathlesst watching her every move-
ment while holding himself under cover, Chris
Cresson beheld Empress Josephine part that
crowd, to sink upon her knees by the side of
yonder groaning, gasping, cursing wretch, heed-
less of her rich garmentsgpaying no attention to
her surroundings, with thoughts and cares only
for the suffering mortal who apparently was fast
floating out on the death-tide.

So it seemed to the large majority of those
present, no doubt; and so it might have seemed
to the Crystal Sport, perhaps, had Firebrand
Dick been less free with his hints and insinua-

tions.

“ Watkinsl"cried the Empress, as she lifted
that shaggy head in her hands, thcri shifted it to
an easier p isition upon her lip. 5‘ Who has done
this foul deed? Speak, man! Name the foul
assassin, and you shall be bitterly avenged—'
swear it, on honor!”

Hardly words or sentiments calculated to
soothe a dying man, but they sounded nutural‘
enough to nearly all who heard and saw; pos-
sibly Chris Cresson was the only man then pres-
ent who felt a doubt.

“ Is it another trap for me?” he inv oluntarily
asked himself, and his right hand gripped a re-
volver-butt in readiness for action.

Barney Watkins opened his eyes at that ad-
dress, and gave a subdued groan. It seemed to
Cresson that the knave shrunk away from the
woman who was so generously caring for him,
but that may have been nothing mi re than an
involuntary movement of pain, causel by his
wound. .

“Tell me, Watkins,” the Empress repeated,
her eyes seeming on fire, so vividly (lid they
burn by the light of the two lanterns which had
by this time appeared on the scene. “ Who out
you?” Who murdered your mate, lying yon-
der?

“ Cuss him—tho Sheeny !” hoarsely _panted the
wounded man, lifting his head suifluently from
that supporting lap for & gimme W“:le ‘thafi
corpse: the last of Jimmy Johnson, as Chris
Cresson now realized, thanks to those il'ishing
lanterns. ,

“ What?” cried Empress Josephine, her voice
rising higher, harsher, 1! such a term may be
apDiled to an organ which was owr musical.
“ You surely can’t mean— Not It’osenhlutnm

Watkins was groaning afresh, see ningly in
mortal agony, but now he rallied with a. touch
of the fierceness which showed in the woman’s
tones, and with remarkably strong voice for a
dying man, he vowed: ,

“The Sheeny—Morris Rosenblatt! We was-
n’t— He never gave us a show for our lives,
but cut an ’shot—poor J imniy i”

There on me a brief pause, then Empress Jo
glanced from livmg to dead, giving a nod to—
ward the last as she spoke:

“ Look to him, some of you.
be dead 1"

That examination lasted but a few seconds,
for death was written in every liine of that face-
and form; but when the answer came, it was
greeted by a deep, ominous murmur, which no
man can ever forget after once hearing.

Is be alive, or is

§

\

 

    

 

 

0001 Chris, the Crystal Sport.

19

 

“ By the Lord! she’ll hava a fire going, toohot
and too wild for any— I knew it!

Chris Cresson inwardly uttered that sentence,
and the abrupt conclusion was brought about
by the next move made by the Empire queen.

“ Dead? And you, poor fellow—cut to death,
maybe? You hear, men of Deadwood?" her
voice lifting until it rung forth clear and thrill-
ing as a trum t call.

“ Foul murggr has been done, and I, for one,
earnestly vow to know no rest until these poor
men have been fully avenged i”

“ Down with the Sheenyl Lynch himl Scat-
ter and search! Catch und run him up a tree so
mighty quick he’ll never git through kicking!”

It takes so little to set a crowd of this descrip~
tion on fire, and the cry for human blood is
far more readily raised than silenced. So it
seemed on this occasion, for that single voice,
lifted by a man on the opposite side of the

‘ crowd from where the Crystal Sport was stand-

ing, was quite sufficient, coming as it did lullllev
diat-ly after the fierce outburst from the
woman’s lips, to'set the entire crowd roaring
for vengeance upon the dastardly killerl

But then, as thong? this Was going further
than she Wished,- i mpress Jo lOwered/ the
wounded man‘s head from her lap to the ground,
springing to;her feet and crying, shrilly:

“ Stop! haltl Arrest and hold the Jew if
found, Lut no lynching! Two wrongs never yet
made a right, and there are honest men enough
in Deadwood to see full and ample justice done
to the lawless l”

. “ VVhooray for the Empressl”

“ Go, now, and search for the villain,” the wo-
man said in more natural tones. “Go—arrest
Morris Rosenblatt, and when found, fetch me
word at once—without faill”

More than half that assembly melted away .in
obedience to the im ulse thus’ lent them, and
Empress J 0 cut very ittle time to waste in car-
inglfor both dead and injured.

er slightest wish seemed equal to a command,
lank was
man was

that evening),d and at herhdegireaa
soon rocur upon whic t e
placerfand carried away. A

A couple of stout if coarse blankets were
quickly turned into a fairly comfortable litter,
and under the supervision of the Empress, Bar-

'ney Watkins was lifted from the ground and

placed upon it, then lifted by a couple of strong-
armeil fellows, who followed the lead of the wo-
man as she turned away in the direction of the
Empire.

Chris Cresson had watched through all this,
with emotions which need not be detailed just
now. He felt a very strong interest in the whole
affair, yet he had grown cool-witted enough to
realize that the less he thrust himself forward
just then;the wiser.

Turning awa in the direction of his hotel, he
had taken bu a few steps .when a hand in
swinging at his side, brushed against a hit of
paper pinned to the, skirt of his snug-fitting

now.

With a wondering ejaculation be secured this,
and by the aid of a ighted match, he deciphered
the penciled words: ,

“See you later. my lad. Don’t chip, until I’ve
shown you a lead.”

No signature was appended, but Cresson knew
Firebrand Dick had written those words. Only
-—how bad be fastened them there, unseen?

 

CHAPTER XXI.
GOOD BAMARITANS,

SAUL Dnnrsrsa could not well doubt; the
evidence of his own eyes, and they plainly told
him this wounded applicant for refuge was in
dis ise.

uring that desperate struggle with his as
yet unknown assailants, Morris Rosenblntt had
received any amount of rough treatment, what
with the force necessary to hold him helpless, to
hustle him out of the Empire and away through
the streets of Deadwood to a point where their
nefarious schemes might be carried out to the
end with less fear of interruption before that
end was fully gained; and with that smothering,
blinding muffler thrown over his head.

Cunningly though the disguise had been ar-
ranged, nothing in art was substantial enough
to withstand such harsh trentment, and hair,
as the diamond~deuler lay senseless upon that
humble couch, his deception was only too evi—
dent.

Hi8 iron-gray Wit: Was awry, and the heavy
beard showed signs of coming off that face
without help of soap or razor.- and when Agnes
Dempster turned from closing and barring the
door, she saw her father recoiling from the bed.
side, a look of mingled surprise and anger show-
in upon his gaunt visage.

it the same instant there came floating
through the night those wild, fierce, blood-
stirring yells of an awakening mob, telling the
tale of crime and cruelty even more plainly than
words could have done. .

“The lynchers —- after him!” hoarsely ex-
claimed Dempeter, falling back another pace,
and his face s owingl still stronger aversion as
he glanced back at t at helpless intruder.

Agnes likewise shrunk for a brief space, for

I

  

 

on one prior occasion it had been her ill-fortune
to witness the terrible rush and frightful ending
of a lynching-bee; but she as swiftly rallied,
andl her glorious blue eyes almost glowed as she
spo re:

“ He came to us in sore need, father; can we
turn him out to—to suffer like that other poor
wretch?”

“ But—if they‘re after him, and— Look l”
his voice sinking to a husky whisper as be
grasped his daughter with one hand, the other
pointing to where a bloody left hand hung in
full View. “Red—wet with the blood of— If
he‘s (L iiim‘dcrer, child i”

“It maybe his own—~look,p00r man!” and
Agnes pointed in turn to that patch of ominous
color showing above the vest of the unconscious
4 iamond-deaier. “ He surely is badly injured,
and we are— Help him first, father, then
’twillbe time enough to think of law and jus-
tice."

While this hasty interchange was going on,
that ominous roar without had died away, as
the reader knows, through the swift interposi-
tion of Em ress Josephine! And with their
worst fears in a measure lulled by this favor-
able sign, father and daughter fell to work over
the luckleas mortal who had so oddly been cast
upon their mercies.

Yet both were purely human, and as they
were forcod to shift the position of the injured
man the better to look to his hurts, that dis-
guise became more evident, and busy though
her fingers were, Agnes Dempster could not
help seeing how repugnant‘her father felt his
duty was.

ln-addition to being a woman, Agnes was less
suspicious by nature; and n0w, with as near an
approach to reproof as her gentle tongue could
eVer attain when a dearly-10ved one was in
question, she murmured:

“ He came to us, a stranger,.in soth need,
dear. Then—who are we to turn him away
unaided? What right have we to condemn him
unheard!” !

“ I know all that, Aggie, pet, but—he may be
the vilest criminal unhungl" said Dempeter,
with that strong aversion showing itself in both
face and voice, although he still kept at his good
work the while. “ You heard that yelling, out
town-ways?”

“Yes, but that is no positive proof of his
guilt father.”

“ I‘l’ot when taken alone, but—” and he glanced
toward that blood-stained hand, then over that
diam-ranged diaguise.

“ It looks all against him, father, I admit, but
does that hinder our lending him aid so sorely
needed—like this?" gently asked Agnes.

“ Of course not, but—I’ve you to think of,
Aggie! And in helping this fellow, I maybe
risking your very life—who knows?”

“ God, he knows, father,” solemnly answered
the maiden, then resuming her kindly ministra-
tions like one who has not a fear for what the
future may bring forth.

Saul Dempster was silenced if not convinced,
and then he noticed a fact which could hardly
have escaped his attention so long, had not his
fears for the onl relative death had left him
been so strong: this disguised stranger was con-
scious, as well as alive.

So it was, Morris Rosenblatt had not entirely
lost his consciousness, although he had been ut-
terly unable to help himself or to lighten the
burden these good Samaritans had assumed with
his coming.

Like one in a dream he had heard the father
and daughter speaking, and while so nearly lost;
to earth and its ordinary senses, the diamond-
dealer realized-still as one hovering between
dreams and awaking—that Agnes Dem ter was
pleading for his rescue, if not his very ife.

When that brief, but unaifectedly pious sen-
tence dropped from the maiden’s lips, he was
stung back to both life and motion, and making
a. feeble efi’ort to raise himself from the bed, he
huskin muttered:

. “ He knows I’ve done no wrong, lady, but—
] ll 9,0,! I’ll never—those demons may—I’ll go—
nou'.’

“ Father?" came from her paling lips, and
her blue eyes said all the rest: enough to change
’the sentiments of that father, and with a strong
but kindly hand he restrained the wounded
man, presging him gently back while hastily
saying: .

“ You can’t do it, man, even if we’d let yel
You’re hurt—badly hurt, don’t you know it?’

The diamond-dealer was very easily handled
now, although fewmen could have made a more
desperate fight against odds and crippling
disadvantages than he had only a few minutes
before.

His brain turned dizzy again with that sudden
effort to arise, and again that deathly sickness
came over his person as he sunk limply back up-
on that friendly couch.

Their sympathy quickening with each minute
that passed along. both father and daughter
hastened to restore their stranger guest, and
succeeded so well that era long Morris Rosen-
blatt was able to whisper with greater distinct-
ness, and much less incoherenc . , '

IIe assured them that he had been guilty of no
crime; that he had only fought for his life

, y
l , .y.
‘ , 4- r .- LA. .1 “git.

       

 

against merciless knaves who surely intended
him evil of the worst description.

All trace of his former painfully-labored ac-
cent was gone, now, and knowing that his cun-
ning disguise had betrayed him to these people,
the wounded man seemed particularly desirous
of clearing his record in their estimation. Or—
was it because Agnes gazed so Compassioname
upon him?

Be that as it may, Morris Rosenblatt would
not be quieted, although these kindly Samari-

tans urged him to forget all else save the iieces- a

sity of rest and quietness; he would not he un-
der the imputation of being an impostor longer
than it took to explain away those damning cir-
cumstances.

“ It is gospel truth, good people, however
much you may feel inclined to doubt," he said,
with feverish brilliancy in the eyes from which
those disguising glasses had been lost during
his furious fight for liberty, if not for life itself.
“I have done no wrong, I am sinned against,
rather than sinning.”

“It is so, then, and being so, why not let us
take it all for granted, air?” out in San] Demp—
ster, his bony hand still resting above that hur-
riedly-panting bosom, ready to increase in
weight should another rash attempt to arise be
made.

“ Because you doubt—I heard you say—”

“That was then, this is now, Sir,” quietly in-
terposed Agnes, a soft, maidenly blush rising to
her cheeks as those dark eyes turned her way
with an even reater brilliancy.

“ I know. g1 heard, when—I was unable to
move, to speak, yet I heard the kindly, woman-
ly words which you spoke, ladyl And ii I ever
forget them, may Heaven—”

A small hand was placed over his lips, then
withdrawn, yet not so swiftly the palm failed to
feel a kin—warm, almost feverishly h« it.

That blush grew deeper. and the maiden re-
ooiled, instinctively hiding that hand beneath
the apron she wore. She glanced toward her
father, but if Saul Dempster saw aught more
than what showed 11 n the surface, he gave no
sign, but held himse f in reserve for a more fit-
ting moment.

All he did was to press a bit heavier with his
hand, and gravely utter the warning words:

“ You‘re doing no good to yourself, stranger,
by trying so hard to talk. Better he quiet, and
let us finish ’tending to that hurt ; it’s not
so mighty bad for looks, but I’ve known less
to.—

“ Father, dear l”

“ There’s nothing killing in the sober truth, ,

Aggie, and he’ll feel none the worse for knowing
that he’s hard hit. Not but what I reckon he'll‘
pull through safely enough, but he‘s got to help,
in place of hindering. You understand that
much, stranger l”

“ Yes, but—I heard what—let me explain, and
then I’ll submit to whatever you may think best,”
almost pleadingl y spoke the other.

Saul Dempster shook his grizzled head frown-
ingly, but Agnes, with the swifter, truer intui-
tion of her sex, whispered:

“ Better so,'father.~ ’Twill trouble him less,
and he sooner over. Let him explain, and then
we’ll do the rest.”

Softly though her tones were pitched, Morris
Rosenblatt both heard and understood. Once
more that glow of gratitude warmed his eyes
and face, and he earnestly uttered: '

“ I thank you for that, lady; how gratefully,
may I be able to make you Comprehend, long be-
fore our final parting comes ’rounu l” ,

“ We’ll take it all for granted, s’ranger, but
if you insist on telling how came ye so, better
get at it. The less talking due the quicker
iion’ll get to resting easy, is my ’pinion about

tl’

Grave, yet kindly, and still the wounded man
felt a chill as he was brought bar it to plain
prose. But then, with eyes fixed upon daugh-
tei' rather than father, he resumed his explana-
tion.

He declared that he was a detectiw, on the
trail of dangerous criminals, hence felt fully
justified in wearing a disguise. own as he
played a part strongly foreign to his nature.

“ I thought no one could pi-netrate Ivy secret,
but it seems they must have done so, since I.
gave not the slightest excuse for lit-ins: treated
so brutally,” his explanation ran: a nd then,
without distinct] stating ju=t when. he was
first assailed, orw 0 be blamed for that. outrage,
he told how he had fought for life and liberty
as any honest man might.

“ I had to strike hard. for— Will ” with a
faint touch upon his bullet-pierced ’i oily, “ you
can see! They shot—40 kill] And I. t ought
their evil work was done, too!"

Then he told how, faint and dim; , almost
like one dying in a dream. he stagger: -- «inward
through the night. He told how, a
astrsnge town, with never a friend in vouch
for him, he had dimly recalled an in gel face
seen several times since—

“That’ll do, stranger,” and Denirwh r checked
further speech by layinga palm over He lips.

“ You’re a stranger now, and a siren gcr you’ll ‘

have to remain until— What?"
Just then there came a sharp rap at the cabin

door. .‘

[ranger in ,

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20

Cool Chris, the  Sport.

 

 

CJAPTER XXII.
TURNING moan TRICKS THAN ONE.

UP to that instant, the Firebrand Detective,
as “ Purty P iz-n," had given no signs of wear-
ing the velv» t foot; but his vanishment from
that chambv-r was effected precisely as the
Cr tal Sport finally concluded.

or reasons which hardly require further
elaboration just at present, the detective was
desirous of breaking short that almost enforced
interview, yet hardly wished to do so by a show
of actual force.

For one thi g, he began to see that this oddly-
garbed fella might well be of greater value as
an ally than as an adversary. And, too, bold
and reckless though Firebrand Dick could show
himself when the occasion demanded, he knew
that any attempt on his part to break away
against the will of Chris Cressoh might easily
prove ditastr0us to one or to both.

And so, when that convenient alarm broke
forth Without, calling the Crystal Sport to his
window, the detective instantly resolved to
make the most of his opportunity.

He hardly dared hope to get clear away from
the chamber without detection, but he made the
effort—and succeeded!

Turning the key and knob at the same time,
he swiftly yet silently drew the door open, slip-

in through and pulling the barrier to at his

ass, all the time keeping the catch drawn
fully back. Then, when the door was entirely
closed, he let the handle gradually turn again,
and the catch was in place without the faintest
sound to warn the eagerly-listening Sport of
that adroi t 9((‘8 be.

“ Stud—boss luck l” grimly muttered the detec-
tive, as he sped away on tiptoes, making hardly
sufficient noise to meet his own keen ears.
“May look just a bit cowardly, but enough
sight better than to have to bluff or fight one’s
wa through! Now—good-hy, Christopher!”

ichard Fyerhand had spoken sooth when he
declared he was putting up at the Midland Ho-
tel, and all he had to do after escaping from
that one chamber was to steal a few yards along
the glooiny corridor, then enter another room
on the opposite side.

This was acetimplished successfully just as
that chuckling farewell was whispered—th for
Crystal Chris to catch, but merely as a safety-
valve for the detectiVe’s triumph.

Cresson had hit the mark in the center when
he spoke to the detective about his not intrust—
ing all his eggs to one basket, as was plainly
proven nor-r. Although the roarlvagents had
sti-i ped him of all property, and nearly one-
hal his clothes, Firebrand Dick found all he re-
quired in that chamber, and without running
the risk of striking match or lighting candle,
which fact might draw dangerous attention his
way, since he he could hear the astonished Sport
just then flinging wide his door, he fell to work
in the dark.

That was relieved to a certain degree by the
moon and star light which found a’ way in
through his one wind0w; but even without that
dim assistance, Fii'ebrand Dick could have
wrought the swift transformation which now
Occupied his fingers and thoughts.

With marVelous rapidity he cast of! the dis~
guise worn as Party P’izen, and opening a
capacious valise at the foot of his bed, be pro-
duced a change of clothes, together with facial
adornments to correspond.

Had there been both light and an audience,
eyes or brains Could hardly have realiZed each
c ange. so swiftly and certainly were they
brought about; accomplished there in gloom,
with the stern necessity of maintaining perfect
silence, the feat certainly reached the mar-
velous. ’

Dirt and stain vanished like magic beneath
the swift application of a medicated cloth, and
then the detective stood forth a full-fledged
“sport,” a model for gamblers to pattern after!

All this while Firebrand Dick was straining
his ears to keep himself posted as to the move-
ments of the Crystal Spoi t. He chuckled a bit
as he heard that call, so guarded at first, then
rising in volume with each brief repetition, and
growmg flercer in proportion.

“ You don‘t really ex ct an answer. pardner,
and that lets me outl' he mentally answered,
but without lip or facial muscle moving; for
even so soon his skilled hands were at work
fastening in place an “adorable” pair of mus-
taches and imperial!

With a silent chuckle, too, he heard Chris
Cresson close and lock his chamber door, than
hurry off down-stairs. , ’

' “ Bound for the circus, or I’ve read his nature
wrong,” mentally commented the detective,
swiftly completing the lightning change, draw-
ing key from lock and slipping it into a pocket
‘while crossing back to the window. “ l’d rntber

. he wonldn’t, if only because I Want to take a

squint that way myselfl”
He dufilv raised the sash, then glnnced forth.
The ground beneath appeared clear, despite the

' gloom, for that stunted tree yonder cast a shadow

to the base of the building directly beneath his
window.
“ ‘1 Ju’i-e getting rather old for boyish esca-

' f pades, Dicky, lad, but better cha,noe this than

he'll" ‘“""’.. '. ’ A. a ’ ~

 

r .". .  V ' .' ..
r  , , r . _ ,,.‘ ‘_._.,,'_.
i l' r"’.‘

risk having the Sport jump on your back as you
go out the fi out way like a gentleman 1”

Only a man accustomed to working under
cover, and to Winning the great majority of his
professional points through cunning rather than
direct fighting—although Firehrand Dick’s past
record could show up many a hard, desperate
fight against long odds, when nothing else Could
save or carry his game— would have given ,
thought to such a thing as Chris Cresson‘s lying
in wait at the front exit; but that p0ssibiliiy
was strong enough to lead the detective along
his odd course.

Fastening the window in place, Firebrand l
Dick slipped his feet and body through the ‘
opening, hanging for an instant at the length of
his arms, then loosing his hold and dropping
safely to the ground.

Thought itself was not quicker than his wheel-
ing and his leaping to one side, hand on revolver
as his keen eyes swept around that semicircle
of visible space; but nothing showed up to justify
that caution, and with a l0ng breath of relief
the detective stole swiftly around the hotel by
the rear way, then moved off in the direction
from whence that alarm had proceeded.

Rapidly as he had moved, Firebrand Dick was
too late to catch a sight of the Crystal Sport as
that worthy hastened toward that same point of
the compass; but he was not long in spying
Cresson out once he had gained the scene of
death and bloodshed.

That was just in time to hear the Empress
speak first to the wounded rough, and as the
lantern-light flashed across their faces, the de-
tective had no difficulty in recognizing Barney
Watkins in that injured person. And with that
recognition came pretty much the same thought
which struck the Crystal Sport; might not the
scoundrel attempt to cover his own sins, and at
the same time try to play even With the adven-
turer who had so dangerously interfered with
the success of the plans that evil gang had been
shaping!

Then it was that the Firebrand Detective
scribbled that hasty warning, and fastening it
to a stout pin, one end of which be bent into a
book, he watched his opportunity for deliver-
ing that warning without running the risk of
another squabble with the suspicious Sport.

That came when the first uneasy swaying
caught the crowd at mention of the slayer by
Barney Watkins; and the detective instantly
improved the opening thus offered him.

Feeling secure against detection in his new
disguise of “ flash ” sporting man, or “ tin-horn

ambler.” Firehrand Dick brushed past Crystal

‘hris from the rear, at the same time deftly
fastening the bent pin in the skirt of that cor-
duroy tunic.

If Cresson saw at all, he certainly never sus-

ected what was in the wind; and by shifting
Bis station just then and thus, Firebrand Dick
made yet another discovery which he fancied
might result in his own benefit as a professional

man.

Although Empress .10 so quickly quelled that
first dangerous outbreak, the man on whose
partiallyeshaded face Firebrand Dick was then

azing surely must have had experience in wild
Fife snfiiment to convince him this fight of law
against disorder had only begun; yet that man
turned and stole silently away from the center
of excitement without waiting to Witness the
struggle which must almost surely come.

The dark eyes of the detective caught a red-
dish glitter as he saw-this, and in his throat rose
the murmur:

“ When a man of his caliber pulls out of a
game like this promises to be, there’s heap sight
more afloat than the stakes shown aboveboard,
and [just know itl So—here’s for a flyer, any-
howl’

Trained brains work with wonderful swift-
ness, and their owners kn0w how to decide
where one less thoroughly broken to harness
would hesitate and lose the golden Oppor-
tunity.

And that pale-faced man had hardly turned
his back upon the dead and living, silently
stealing away, than Flrebrand Dick had formed
his resolve, and was moving off in the same di-
rection.

As a matter of course he was too shrewd to
think of following in the direct course of his
game, articularly while so near that crowd;
for be new the chances were great in favor of
the fellow fearing some such move, and tak-
ing precautions to guard against it, if so.

Firebrand Dick chuckled to himself as he saw
those frequent backward glances so long as the
crowd was in sight: but as he, himself, was an
the opposite side of the street, where he. could '
keep fairly well in the shadows, those keen eyes I
had precious little chance of discovering him or
his espial.

As those ominous sounds broke forth with re-
doublcd fury, the man in advance quickened his
pace almost to a run, and havirg seen nothing
to cause him alarm through those rearward
glances, he now showed little fear of trouble
from that quarter moving still more briskly,
until he came with n fair sight of a lighted win-
dow in a sniall building on the extreme edge of

 

town. .
Eli-shroud Dick hkewise noticed this dim

.l-—-.-,~ ,-« . u.‘ ,»-i -
'1‘  n' i  ;v '. u‘t‘ s- -.: ~in:‘-.“Sh‘rvi.,}»l;.r.“ '-

light, but it told him nothing, until he saw his
game slacken pace materially, and turn from
the beaten trail in that oirecti’on, using more

' caution than he had shomi since fairly winning

clear of y inrh-r gathering.

With his curiosiiy increasing, the detective
crouched lower and kept closer to c0vcr from
that moment on, but never losing sight of his
game, and mentally registering eVery movement
for possible use in the time to come.

Ho saw the fellow steal silently up to the win-
d0e , which was curtained by a white cloth, but
one edge of the glass was left uncovered, and
through that space he stared for some little
time.

" What isit, you villain?" murmured the in-
terested detective to himself. as he watched this
espial. “Don’t do, as well as act, or 1 may
have to— Steady, you p’izen sarpintl”

For the fellow was shaking a clinched fist at
something visible to his prving-eyes, and know-
ing the man as he did, Firebrand Dick would
hardly have been surprised at seeing him draw
gun for a treacherous shot at 'whatever object
his anger had been aroused and directed.

Instead of this, however, the fellow seemed
content with that mute expression of his sen-
timents, for a few seconds later he turned from
the window and glided silently away, now head-
ing toward town.

Firebrand Dick lay low ,in hiding until his
game had passed him by without suspecting
how closely all his movements had been watched;
but then, lifting his head to gaze after the vil-
lain. the detective muttered:

“ Go your way, old fellowl I’ll know how to
find you when wanted, and just now—what sort
of Side-show’s in there, I wonder?"

He crept up to the window, and caught sight
of Morris Roacnblatt lying on the bed, talking
with feverish interest to father and daughter.

Drawing back a bit, the detective scribbled a
few Words on a leaf torn from his note-book,
then moving silently to the door, he stuck the
warning fast by means of a pin, then clinched
his hand and gave a vigorous ra , the next in-
stant darting arou d the cornero the cabin and
taking to hasty fli t.

CHAPTER XXIII.
rm: amrnnss AROUSID.

JOSEPHINE Sr. J or” found plenty of willing
hands to do her bidding among the citizens who
had gathered in answer to that wild alarm; and
she showed no disinclination to exercise the au-
thority a beautiful, dashing woman of her c
seems to hold as a birthright.

It was her will that the remains of Jimmy
Johnson should be removed to a vacant house
which had come into possession of the Empire
proprietors throu h the natural line of business,
and there guarde until its final disposition was
decided upon.

That might be through the regular channel of
the law—for that district had been duly organ-
ized, and had its legal officials, even if Judge
Lynch and his grim aides were wontto claim
the larger share of punishing real and suspected
criminals—or it might end in a quaint “ plant-
in g,” where grief and hilarity blended grotesque-
ly together. ’

But the Empress apparently held a farstron-
ger interest in the living than in the dead, since
she herself took the lead in conducting groan-
ing, cursing Barney Watkins from the spot
where he had come by his richly-merited pun-
ishment, to the Empire.

None of the citizens who heard the orders
given the bearers thought anything strange that
such should be the woman’s decision, for nearly
all knew that the wounded tough had acted as
one of the “bouncers,” or fighting~men regu-
larly attached to the gambling—hell; and while
he had, no doubt, come to grief while outside
the regular line of that business, Empress Jo
was hardly oneto go back on even so humble a
friend as this.

Closely followed by the bearers of that blan-
ket litter, then, the St. John led the way direct
to the Empire, and o )ening a door at one sideof
the building, steppe aside until the men With
their groaning burden had passed inside.

All was dark beyond that entrance, but the
bearers had been well selected, and showed no
doubt or hesitation as to what was expected of
them. But, turning toward the curious group
of followers, Empress J 0 said in clear, crisp

tones:

“ Thanks, awfully, my good friends. but you
can serve us better outside than in. You heard
what poor Watkins said: that he was cut with-
out anv just cause or provocation, by a Dutch
Jew. Morris Rosenblatt.”

“ We know the Sheeny, Empress!”

“ Then, knowing him, do your level best to
find and arrest liml Don’t kill or cripple “‘1'
less it’s either that or his escape. Take him,
for fair trial and wise judgment, but—take him,
all the some I"

With these words in conclusion, Empress Jo
stepped back and closed the door, putting it in
shape to resist admittance for any save those in
the secret of its fastenings.

This done, the almost utter darkness in which
she found herself proved no hindrance to her

 

 

swift, almost noiseless movements. And in a
few seconds more, a bright light showed at the
end of that narrow passage, along which the
men quickly carried their n oundrd comrade.

This passage terminated at the door of an up-
stairs chamber, and Empress Josephine nodded
toward a robbed, upon which the groaning
wretch was presently depoaited.

“ You can go, now, lads,” she said, imme-
diately this was done. “ You know the way
down through the hall ; take that route,
please.”

“ Can‘t we help with him, first, Empress?"

“ No. I can manage. it not—well, I’ll send
in a call to Morgan, by the tube. Good-night,
lads. And you might skirmish round a bit, to
have a finger in the pie if the Sheeny is caught-—
seei”

“ Do you really want him kicking, or is it—
good-by i” .

“ Kicking, if you can be sure of holding
your grip until I can take charge. If not—
over the range I” coldly answered the woman,
betraying no more emotion than would have
been the case had she alluded to a chicken for
her dinner.

In ossession of her will on this point, then,
the itter-bearers left the chamber, and the
Empress turned toward the wounded thug, giv—
ing.an impatient ejaculation as he groaned
a sin.

“ Simmer down, Barney, can’t you? Just to
listen, One would think you an old woman, or
else in a terrible bad way of yOur Own!”

“ That devill He hit hard—l'm cut all to lit-
tle bits! l’m all shoestringsl I’ve got my last
sickness, and— Oh, curse him from top to toe!
curse him from this to all eternity! Curse—”

“ Shut trap, you bowler!” angrily cut in the
Empress, one of her fair hands dropping over
those lips with a degree of emphasis which said

recious little for her sympathy, or else broad-
y hinted that she held this groaning wretch as
far worse scared than hurt.

Turning the light so that its best rays were
at her service, Empress Josephine fell to Work
over the wounded man in a truly business-like
manner, laying open his garments with the
assistance of the gold-hilted dirk plucked forth
from her hair, and then washing away the clot-
ted blood until she could give that ugly cut a
thorough examination.

Biindly though he had struck, Morris Rosen-
blatt had sent the steel home with savage force,
and had not fortune stood friend tothe thug,
his death Would have come almost as swiftly as
it had come to Jimmy Johnson.

As it was, the b0rrowed blade had buried its
len th in his flesh, narrowly missing the abdom-
ina cavity, yet slipping between two ribs, and
making a wound which might even yet end in
death, unless care and wise nursing came his

we . -
Empress Jose hine saw this much as soon as
she had clean the mouth of the wound, but
it was her role just then to make light of the
hurt, and so her first words were almost of scofl-
ing at those unmanly groans and babyish flinch-
n s.
‘g‘ And you never tired of vaunting vour grit
and your nervn! Don’t you put on that suit
again without first stealing a look around to
make sure I’m not within laughing range,
Barney l”

" Then it isn‘t—I’ll not croak, Empress?”

“You’ll never escape the gallmi'eit you de-
pend on this cut carrying you across the great
divide, pardner,” came the instant quip.

“ But-it bites like a snake l”

“ A hurt that means business never tells what
it’s at, remember, Barney. Why, man, you’re
hardly able to get up and dance a jig, I’ll own,
but so far from creaking, I’d insure your taking
your regulars inside of two weeks, for half the
cost of one of your big drunks!”

Hardly the manner of speech one would ex-

t from such lovely lips, but Empress Jo
Eggw her man, and could always adapt her
language to her immediate surrOundings.

Her first business was to lessen those craven
fears, and then come toa more perfect under-
standing as to just how that trouble had come
to a head; something she knew had not been
,told, as yet.

Barney Watkins was a born liar, and none
knew better than Empress Jo how surely be had
been falsifying out yonder, when surrounded by
that eager, curiously~listening crowd.

She rather preferred lying then, but now—-
that was different!

All the while talking to “ brace up ” her pa-
tient, the St. John neatly and expeditiously
finished caring for that hurt, and really did the

.work up as scientifically as any medical man apt
to answer a call at that hour Would or could-
have done. ,

“There you are, Pal'dnel‘. a wiser if not a
handsomer man,” she declared, as her deft fill-
gers covered over that bandaged hurt: than
drawing back alittle to let the light fall more

uarely upon that face, she spoke the words
w ich had so long been held in check.

“Now then, Watkins. out with it in a lump!
How did you fellows come to make such a mis-
erable fiasco of it all?”

The wounded desperado shivered a bit as he

 ,i ‘ r
. 1-4»  Hm It
<  ,,. _. .. w

 

«a a ' ' —:w— x» —.‘ \

Coolghris, the Crystal Sport.

21

 

caught that gleaming light from her dark eyes,
but he k..<-w the ‘woman by reputation, and
cared not attempt to deceive her, even on the
chum-e of lessening the blame which might be
attached to himself.

He told a fairly accurate story; told how they
had hustled the diamond-dealer out of the saloon
by the secret door, through the dark passage to
the side entrance, then into the street.

“ We hustled him away, until it looked safe to
leave him with the couple 0’ us, ye see, ma’um‘
for then we could play it was a case of too big a
jag, and 80—”

“ How did he get away from you? Boil it
down, I tell you, maul"

“ We hustled him over to where you found us,
then, and reckoned we’d save both time and
trouble by putting the hobbies on. And then-—
he cut me, and sent me spinning 1”

“And you two fellows let him get away with
you both? When you had him foul! When
every advantage was with you, too! Ohl” with
a savage gesture which fitly matched the vicious
restraint she ut upon her mad passions.

Barney atkins shivered with fear, and
shrunk to the wall at the rear of his cot. But
then he managed to utter:

“ I shot him—I was falling, sick as a dog, but
I plu ged him right where he lived!”

“ hen where is he now ? Why wasn’t he
found there with the rest of the carrion? Oh,
one woman is worth a million such miserable
puppets as you trash! If I’d only trusted to
myself, when—”

Empress Josephine. broke off abruptly, turn-
ing away to stand facing the blank wall at the
other end of that room.

She was plainly fighting against herself, and
it was with mingled fear and superstitious awe
that Barney Watkins watched her.

That it did not take longer for the woman to
win that battle, was yet another proof of her
great nerve and strong will power. And when
it was fairly won, even the signs of struggle
were banished, and it was with all of her cus-
tomary composure that Empress Josephine re-
turned to the cot on which her wounded hench-
men was lying.

in a very different tone she asked him ques-
tion after question concerning that ugly affair,
and never gave Over until she knew all Barney
Watkins cOuld tell her. And he stuck to the un-
varnished truth, too, so far as possible, wisely
deeming that less risky than any lyin gloss.

“’Twas a crooked streak o’ luck, ut I done
my level best,” he concluded. with another husky
groan of mingled pain and chagrin.

" Ayl How crooked you haven’t even made
a guess, man i” exclaimed the Empress in fierce,
yet suppressed tones. “ A streak of crooked luck
that will end in the gallows, or at the Pen, un-
less our cards are played to better advantage
than this last deal 1”

Something in her manner, own more than the
words she uttered, gave her henchmen the clue
he had failed to grasp as yet, and givmg a start

in bed he hoarsely simulated:
“ What i You on’t— You surely don’t
mean—” -

“ l”inean that warning word came here all too
late!

“ And that— Surely, no I”

“ Surely, yes I” with a vicious emphasis in her
tones. “The cursed bloodhound was on our
track before that message reached us, and now—
Oh, why was I a woman? Why wasn’t it so I
could act as well as plan ?”

Springing to her feet, Empress Jo strode up
and down the length of the Mom, her hands
tightly clinched and shaking, now making a
blow, now shooting out in curved fingers as
though clutching at the throat of a hated ene-
my; but through all showing how terribly
arou=ed were her worst passions.

“If you’d only give a hint so we could ’a’
known what—” the wounded man ventured,

finalll‘y.

“ 0 what end, you miserable cur?” flashed the
woman, whirling to face the tremulous speaker,
her eyes all aglow, her face far from beautiful.

CHAPTER XXIV.
Two or A KIND.

EMPRESS Josernme once more checked her
fierce temper as she saw how that helpless
rwretch was shrinking from her in abject ter—

or.

"I’m a brute to fiing out at on so hot]
Watkins,” she forced herself to gay, in moire:
natural tones, as she resumed the seat she had
abandoned when that vicious spasm overthrew
her forced com ure.

“I done my level best, ma’am,” meekly
assured the wounded thug.

“ And you might have done better had I only
trusted you more thoroughly, is it?” with a
faint smile as she read the words he dared not
openly pronounce. “ But, unluckil for us all,
Barney, I.didn’t make the full iscovery in
time to give you the otfice.”

“ Then—it’s dead certain, ma’aml”

"To my we of thinking, yes,” with fierce
emphasis. “ ord came all too late, and the
devil was on our track before we tried to cross-
scent him 011'!”

“ But—the other one ?"

l

 

Barney Watkins put this query with evident
fear and trembling, but before an answer could
be given, even granting one u as ready for such
a humble member of the “ family,” there came
a peculiar sound trembling ti‘rough the air, and
springing to her feet, Empress Jo crossed to a.
tiny break in the well, and apparently gave a.
puff—surely it was not w rd or whisper?

” The old man’s Coming, Barney,” said the
woman, turning away ll‘u m the wall. and cast-
ing a glance toward the cot with its helpless
occupant as she crossed the room toward the
door. “ if he tries to pinch you too hard, you’re
hurt so badly you can‘t talk much.”

“You’ll not let hini—-”

“Of course not. Here he comes, and seems
to be in a hurry, toe l”

The sounds of swift, almost silent footste'is
reached her listening ear, and Empress o-
sephine turned the knob and opened the door.
Just as she did so, Frencby Frank Mitchell was
revealed, and before the woman could speak, he
abru tly demanded:

“ ow is he? You’ve got him in here, of

course!”
“ Of course he’s in here. Where else should I
Hallo,

take him i”

“ Then he’s not croakedi He can—
Barney! How the foul fiend did you contrive
to make such an infernal botch as this?”

“I didn’t—never had a show to—” huskily

moaned the woundsd thug. and true to her
prcliiniise, Empress Jo interposed on his be-
ha .
“ Don’t shake him up too roughly, Frank, or
we’ll have another grave to dig! He’s cut
mighty badly, and then I’ve been putting him
through his paces, ou know.”

“ Let you alone or thatl”

“Of course, being a woman," with a short,
mocking laugh. “And you, my stern censor?
Of course you’ve not been idle all this while,
even if I did have to play a lone hand with the
lads, dead and crippled!”

“I was looking after business, you can be
sure.”

“Well, that’s a bit more comfortable. I
didn’t know but what you‘d been— On busi-
ness, ehi Where, and just what, Frank?”

A fleeting flush passed OVer his naturally

pale face, and as she caught this telltale sign, '

Empress Joe gave a low, irritating laugh.

But she had won her first point,since Frenchy
Frank no longer pelted the wounded desperado
with dangerous queries.

“ You’ll be all right after a bit of quiet, Bar-
ney,”said the Empress, in an off-hand tone, then
tapping Mitchell on an arm as she turned away,
with the request:

“ Come with me for a bit, Frank. I’ve got
something to say to on, and unless that hang—
dog face of yours te Is lies, you’ve got a dose
bottled up for poor me!”

“ Why wouldn’t I have, then i” sullenly mut-
tered the gambler, but following her lead through
a side door, which conducted them into another
better-furnished chamber.

The wanian closed the door behind them, and
thus insuring perfect privacy, she cast aside the
half-mocking smile she had worn since the arri-
val of her confederate, and sinking into an easy-
chair, bowed head upon hands, like one on the
verge of yielding to despair «tr grief.

If Empress Josephine thought to disarm the
gambler by acting thus. her care and arts were
thrown away, for without ceremony Mitchell
blurted forth:

“ Well, what have you got to say about it,
anyway?" ‘ _

“ About what, pray!” coldly asked the wo-
man, lifting her head and meeting his scowling
stare with a look of angry defiance.

“ You know well enough. What made you
take such long chances Just to pinch that Sheeny ?
Couldn’t you wait to pluck him after the ordi-
nary fashion?” '

“ ’You reckon he was worth the plucking, don’t
you

“ That may all be. but why in ,such a mighty
hurry? Wasn’t one row fat enough for the fire?
Couldn’t you wait until another night, unless
you found a better chance outside the Empire?"

Empress Josephine was gazing keenly, curi-
ously into that handsome face, like one trying to
read an enigma. ,

“ I wonder if you are really the blind innocent
your tongue is trying to make me believe,

rank?”

“ And I‘m beginning to wonder what cause
you have for dread)”: to give a direct ans“ er
answer to a plain questiOii ?” bluntly retorted

the gambler. “ Haw you been back-capping the '

deal, girl! Have 011—”
" Naither 0”“ “Mme Other. and right Well you

know as much, Freiichy Frank,” coolly inter-

posed the Einpress, even smiling into his frown-
derkeued face for a brief space.

But that did not last long. She was far too
anxious as to the probable result of that recent
fiasco to extend that adroit sparring longer, and
somethin
gambler hark back to his former point.

“Why not out with it,[ Jo? Why did you
take such long chances with this Sneeuy dia-
mond-peddler .’

“ Wail: ii Lit, pardiit-r.

in her altered countenance led the .

Lrt‘s go at it slow and:

  

 

4

adding with quickened but lowered tones:

22

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

easy, if you can come of! your high horse for a
moment or two. And new—pray just what is it
you’ro blaming me with?”

“ You know already, but since you prefer to
have it that way, all right,” with a touch of
returning irritation entering his tones. “You
caught that Jew on a string this evening, didn’t

on?

“ Well, what of that, Frank!”

" Just this much: You gave me the sign, and
that is one we’ve sworn to obey without stop-
ping to question, no matter what may be the
seeming peril, or what our surroundings. Isn’t
that so?”

“ Straight as a string, Frenchy,” admitted the
Empress, easily.

“ Of course it is! And when you gave that
signal, at the same time inting out the fellow
who was buzzing you, w at else could I do?"

“ What el~e did you do, pardner?” with a
provoking drawl, plainly showing that the
woman was maliciously prolonging that suspense.

” Passed the signal on to those in waiting, of
course. Why ask me what you know fully as
well as I do?’

“ Possibly because I’m like you Frenchy: fond
of .asking foolish questions! Why, man! can’t
you begin to see through the hole in the mill-
stone, even yet?”

The gambler passed awhite hand over his face,
smoothing his heavy goatee to a oint before
replying, although the woman fanc1ed she could
detect a half-fierce, half-mocking glimmer in his
black eyes.

Could it be possible that he too was purposely
sparring with words even while affecting the
strongest anxiety to get at the bottom facts of
the case?

If so, knowing him as she did, Empress Jo-
sephine felt morally certain the gambler had
been up to something he was either afraid or
ashamed to confide to her ears.

“ I know what has happened, and that’s about
all,” came his assertion a moment later; and if
he wasn’t very much in earnest, then his face
and manner flatly lied. “ You know something
more that that, Joll You had a better reason
thana mere hope of boodle. to make you run
such long chances to down the Jew?”

“ No more a Jew than you are a Sheeny your-
self, Frank! If he had been nothing more than
sh0wed on the surface, do you reckon I’d have
called such means into play?”

“ That’s just what’s been biting me ever since
I caught that secret si ti], girl, ’ with a return
of his anxious scowl. ‘ But if he isn’t what he
pretends to be, how did you find it out? And
when?”

“ I never for an instant doubted his being just
what he laid claim to, up to his bowing before
me this evening,” serious y declared the Empress,
rapidly adding: “ But as he stooped closer to
look at my diamonds, I saw that he wore a false
beard, and that—”

“ is hardly excuse for risking so much, Jol”

“ Not whenl taken alone, perhaps. I know
there are others wearing disguises just as cun-
ning inside the limits of Deadwood,” with a
short, not exactly pleasant laugh. “ But when
I felt—well, I gave you that secret order, pard-
ner, and if you had failed to obey it—”

“ I was bound to obey, and I did obey. But

why—”
‘ Why did I give it you ask?” slowly,‘tl}i3en
t
9.
cause the pretended German Jew was none other
than a detective in disguise, Frank Mitchell 1”

The gambler gave an involuntary start at this,
and his face seemed to turn a shade paler, though
that may have been the result of his shifting
position, which brought the light at a different
angle across his handsome features.

“ A detective? Do you really mean that, old
girl?” A

Somehow his manner was hardly emphatic
enough to thoroughly fit either words or subject,
and once more that odd suspicion returned to
the Empress. Leaning a bit closer to the gam—
bler she said sharply:

“ What’s the matter with you, Frank? You’re
not at all like yourself, and I’d lay odds you’ve
either had or are expecting fresh troublel”

“ What makes you reckon like that, J o?”

“ You do. What’s gone wrong your way,
Frenchy l"

“ I haven’t said anything has gone wrong,
but something has happened, if that’s enough
for you.”

“ What was it, then?”

, “ Tell you later on. Just now—this fizzle of
yours. What makes you think the Sheeny is a
detective, J o?” v

The answer was not very prompt in coming.

Her brows wrinkled, and her red lips were

turned redder by the pinching they received

from nervous thumb and finger.

It was as though the woman hardly knew just
how to put her meaning into plain speech, but
as the gambler gave another impatient gesture,
Empress Jo spoke out:

“ Well, call it instinct, for lack of a better ex-
planation, Frank. I saw that the fellow was
wearing a false beard, and at the same time I
caught a flash of devil-fire from under those
tinted glaSses of his. Call it instinct, then, but

‘ , I’d wager my very life on the fact: he is a de-

 

tective, and he has come here to Deadwood ex-
pressly on our account, too, or I’ll neVer make a

see again l”

“ After us?" ecl-oed the gambler, with a start
which was purely enuine, no matter what the
other had been. “ hat for, girl!”

“ Because of the diamonds, Frenchy, and you
know that without my telling you!” sharply re-
torted the woman, with a vicious gesture. “ The
diamonds, and he’ll have them—or he’ll fill a
bloody grave I”

CHAPTER XXV.
LAYING ASIDE 'rmrm MASKS.

WITH that utterance came a final dropping of
the mask she had assumed for the occasion, and
Josephine St. John stood revealed in her true
colors.

No one who beheld her then would ever think
of calling her beautiful, much less lovely.
While her regularity of features might remain
the same, in those e es glittered an unholy fire,
and about that red- 'pped mouth showed an ex-
pression that was almost tigerish.

Nothing of all this seemed new or startling to
Frenchy Frank Mitchell, and as her anger in-
creased, his appeared to calm down.

Yet his countenance showed that he held this
fierce charge was well worth closer attention,
until its truth or falsity was finally deter-
mined.

“ He’ll never lay gri on the first, but he
may find what he‘s given Jimmy Johnson,”
coldly declared the gamester. “ But, after all
that has happened of late, I’m not taking so
many things for granted, old lady.”

“ Which means you don’t believe my words?”

“Which means that if this idea should turn
out a mistake, ’twould not be the only one we’ve
put on record, J o.”

“ Through who. fault, then?”

Fiercely came that question but in place of
flinching, Frenchy Frank mere y smiled, show-
ing the edges of his white teeth below his jetty
mustaches.

“Surely not through fault of. mine !” added
the Empress, hotly, now giving free vent to her
fierce passions, as though by way of making
amends for the stern restraint of the past. Had
I been only able to take part in the outside
game, nothing of all this would have happened l”

Frenchy Frank gave a low, prolonged whistle
as he gazed at the beautiful fury, then softly
murmured, as though to himself:

“ And she really looks as though she believed
all that, too!”

It was a risky venture to make with a woman
of her nature, particularly when the Empress
was so thoroughly aroused as she surely was
now; but the gambler had known her for a long
time, and quickly saw that he had made no mis-
calculation.

A brief pause, during which Empress J o fought
the fight and won the victory; then, in greatly
subdued tones and manner she spoke again:

“ I really do believe it all, Frank, but maybe
I’m in the wrong. If so, of course, you can set
me right?”

Very quietly came the words but back of them
lay the storm, as none could know better than
the man who so smilingly met that gaze. Yet
he felt that he held the power now, and was de-
termined to make the most of it while the calm
lasted.

“I’m less sweeping in my remarks than you
seemed inclined to be, Sweetheart. I can’t deny
that there have been blunders made and wise
moves‘neglected, but I’m not charging all these
against others; I’m even willing to admit that I
may have made one or two my own wise self l”

“ Why wouldn’t you, then?” with a rising
sneer. “ The record will show—”

“ What will the record show, Angel?” inter-
rupted the gambler, with a gesture which de
mended rather than requested attention. “ Sup-
pose we run over a few items on that same record,
then? Will you?”

“ And while we waste time in idle chatter,
that devil in Sheeny shape is making the best of
his opportunity!”

“ You didn’t stop to think of that when you
were playing with my curiosity a bit ago, did
you, Precious?” sneereil the gamester; but then
ad! ling without waiting for an answer: “ That's
all right, Jo. I’ll go his bail that Morris Rosen-
blatt won’t run clean out of our reach in the few
minutes it’ll take to run over our cue-card to
date ’

Empress Jo gave a start at this confident
speech, so unlike the usually cautious, “ hedg-
ing” sporting man with whom her fortunes
were so closely allied.

“ You know more about that devil than you’ve
been willing to tell, Frank! You’ve seen him
since—wile e, and when?”

“You’ve been filling the space so full I hadn’t
a chance to do any telling on my side, Jo,” re-
torted Mitchell, with a brief chuckle. ” If I
can coax you to button up for a minute or two,
now'—" ’

“ Go on, you villain!” cried the woman, lean-
ing back in her chair and accompanying her
words with a smile that seemed to herald the re-

, _
\ '..1=. ' -'  -, ‘

 

turn of good humor. “ ~:‘elk a straight string,
and I’ll do the listening up to the queen’s own
taste!”

“ All right,” with a curt nod, squaring himself
in his seat and marking off each point as made
with forefinger tapping open palm. “ Just turn
your mind and memory back a few hours; to
the coming of that message of warning which—”

“ Which came too late for the caution it con-

veyed!” broke in the Empress, with a fierce ges-,

ture. “ Even then that devil in human guise
was right here in Deadwood, plotting how best
to dewn us for all time!”

“ By which you mean this real or counterfeit
Sheeny l”

“ Of course. Who else should I mean?”

“I haven‘t come to him yet, on the record,
J 0, so just try buttoning up again, will you?”

“Go on, since you’re determined to play the
game out that way.”

‘ “ It ought to be a straight, square deal when
only you and I are the players, old girl,” with a
touch of sincerer feeling in his tones. “ But as
1 set out to say, that warning from our pa],
back near the big lakes, told us to ’ware hawk,
and gave us an idea about when and in what
shape to look for the enemy.”

“ One too late, the other a mistaken guess!”

“ And acting on this warning, we did our level
best to clip the wings of that same hawk, before
he could work any further mischief.”

“And how did it all pan out? A fizzle! A
mere flash in the pan which left us far worse off
than if we hadn’t taken a single step! You
know that, Frenchy, if you know anything at
all!

“ If we did fail, through whose fault was it?”

“ Does that mean ’twas through fault of mine,
sir?”

“ Wait a bit, J o,” with the shadow of a smile
flitting across his pale face as he shifted his posi-
tion slightly, the better to slip a hand into a
breast pocket, holding it there while he contin-
ued: ‘ You know the sort of work we did out
gonder. You know that we guarded every trail

y which any save one thoroughly acquainted
with the Black Hills could possibly enter Dead-
wood.”

“ Yes, and what did it amount to in the end i”

" We caught a duck who answered to the hint
sent us, anyway,” without show of irritation
such as these fre uent interruptions might well
have excused un er the circumstances. “And
when we found that monogram on his guns——
You've heard tell of Firebrand Dick, my girl?”

“If I’ve heard, I certainly haven’t seen him
in these parts,” came the malicious retort.
“ HaVing, why didn’t you hold, Frenchy? And
then, is Firebrand Dick the only man living
whose names begin with those letters? But
your geese were ever swans, old fellow !”

With a cold, half-sneering smile the gambler
heard her to the end, then withdrew his hand
frOm his bosom, reaching it toward her, then
opening his hand and revealing a glittering ob-
ject! ing in his palm.

“ ou ask wh we didn’t hold fast what we
had won, J 0, an right here you have a partial

answer to that uestion. Did you ever see any-
thin like this ass button before?”
“ on know haVe. It came from the dress -

of the fellow who calls himself Chris Cresson.”

“The Crystal Sport—just so! And when we
came outtolook at the hawk our fellows had‘
caught, we found— just this I” .

“ Wasn’t I right in saying you made an in-
fernal fiasco of it. then?’

“ Firebrand Dick was gone, taking with him
not only his own horse, but one of ours. With
him was gone the one who must have cut his
bonds, and only for this bit of cut glass, we’d
never have been an atom the wiser for all our
wondering and speculation l”

“That nchr could have happened if you’d
had a head as well as hands with you,” coldly
declared the Empress, her black eyes glowing
redly by the light. “ Oh, if I’d only been along!
If [only had I” ‘

“ If so, of course all would have run smootth
as sliding down a toboggan built of butter, ’
murmured the gambler with mock meekness in
his voice, which was ,fiatly contradicted by the
ugly glitter in- his eyes. “ But when you had a
chanco to make amends for all our mistakes,
how much better did you pan out, old girl l”

“ When I had—what do you mean?”

“Who defended Chris Cresson when I de-
clared my firm belief.he was crooked and play-
ing a nasty hand against us?”

“I did. and I’m not yet [convinced my belief
was wrong,” boldly asserted the woman,
although she must have caught his secret mean-
ing.

"Yet you fell in with the plan to down the

'Sport-”

“ A plan of your forming, kee in mind,
Frank Mitchell,” came the swift nterjectk n.
“ I fell in with your idea, because you seemed so
cock-sure ’twas either that or a fall against us.
But when I agreed to play my part in the little
trick, what else did I say?”

“ Too mighty much for one man to repeat,
even if his memory-sheet was big enough to hold
it all! .

Empress Jo laughed a bit at this but it was
at his tone rather than his words. Just then she

/

W‘

 

 

 

 

0001 Chris, the Crystal Sport. it

 

 

felt she was scoring a point, and it made her a
bit more good-natured.

“ Didn’t I warn you the Sport would prove a
mighty tough man to handle? Didn’t I warn
you to lay him out cold, before he could fairly
show fight! But you—” _

“Acted all for the best, and if you hadn’t
looked too long and too steadily at that Glim-
mer-glass, you d be among the very first to see
as much, too!”

“ If you mean to insinuate—”

“ I’m casting no insinuations, Jo, an- you
know it. I’m merely mentioning facts which
are already on the record. _ But as I started to
say, I couldn’t fall wholly in with your idea, be-
cause—- Why, woman, would you have Judge
Lynch taking full ession of the Empire!"

“ Of course not, ut I’d never spoil my record
as ou spoiled yours, Frenchy!” -

he gambler made an impatient gesture, and
his tones were far from loving as he spoke
next:

“ That’s a woman, all over. Why, confound

on, girl, wasn’t that your own suggestion, then?
Didn’t you lay the plan! Wasn’t it you who
wanted one of the boys to openly insult you i”

“ Why don’t you put it all in, Frank 1” in
pretty much the same tone of vo'ce came the re-
tort. “ Didn’t I want that mock insult to end
in a finish fight? Didn’t I say that we could
easily get away with the Sport in that manner,
and no one ever know exactly how it all came
about, outside of our own selves?”

“’Twas mighty easy to lay suchaplan, but
when it came to action in place of theory i”

“ ,TWUUId have been even more easy,” stub-
bornly insisted the Empress. “ If a free row
could have followed that knock-down, asI want-
ed, even if Barney and the other lads had failed
to score their int—”

“ As they a most surely would have failed.”

“ If so, then I surely would not have failed l”
declared the woman, with vicious emphasis.
“ I would have laid Chris Cresson out, and not
another living soul could have told whose hand
gave him that quietus.”

“ Some one would have seen it, though, and
brought it to light."

 

CHAPTER XXVI.
uxsnnarnmo Him CLAWS.

EXPRESS J o shook her head in negation, yet
even with that strong faith in her own daring
scheme, she was ready with a defense of the of!-
chance ns presented by the gambler.

“ Well, supposing such had been the case,
then? I had been insulted by a drunken brute.
A gentleman friend attempted to punish the
rascal, and in so doing got himself mixed up in
a free row.

“ Of course, being a’ woman, I was somewhat
excited over all this, but I couldn’t think of run-
ningaway to leave my gallant defender to bear
the runt, and so—shot at the goose, and hit the
gander !” ._

Empress Josephine gave a low lau h at that
bit of childhood slang, but Frenchy run]: was
hardly in a jowal mood just then, taking his
frowning face as evidence.

“ Of course it’s easy enough to say whgt might
better have been done or left undone after a
thing is past mending; but at the time I believed
m scheme promised the best and safest re-

ts. ’

“ I’m willin to rant_ you credit for meaning
well, ardner, at ’d mightily hate tohave such
luck ollow me always!"

“ Redmond had a double excuse for downin
the Sport, and I surely thought he’d prove equa
to the task, too! I never knew of another man
who could even come within sight of Hank at
shooting by moonlight.”

“ Until this Crystal Sport came to the front,
you mean." _

“ Of course,” with a deepening of that frown.
“ The devil surely stood at his elbow, for that
couldn’t be anything more than a chance shot;
a crease, by moonlight, too!” I

“ He called his shot, all the same, though!”

” And you are defending him, even yet?"

“ Well, 1 mi ht be standing up for a worse
fellow, I take it, pardner, but maybe I’m run-
ning the jest into the ground. Still, you’re
so cock-sure Frenchy Frank can never make a
mistake that it feels mighty good to rub pep-
per into the raw when once you’ve taken a
tumble !”

“ Don’t carry it too far, Jo, or ou may find
some of the hot stuff flying back your way.
Blit hB-Ck'capping in” business, and I thought
we came in here to do something of that sort!”

“ Who first threw out slurs, Frenchy?”

“ Never mind. Let‘s_flnish with what we’ve
begun. And so—even if we did fail to down
ChrisCresson, and lost the services of a mighty
convenient tool for a few days—”

“ Then Redmond will recover!"

“ Sure! ’Twas nothing more than a scalp-
wound, and he’ll be about by morning, and
sound as ever in two or three days.”

“Too late to help in fighting those devils,
though l”

“ I’m not so sure of that, Jo,” with a thought-
fulfrown. “Even if this Sport'did help that
fellow give us the slip, we played our part so

 

well in here that Cresson could never have sus-
pected us. And, even so, he surely can’t find
any proof that we have or had anything to do
with that pretended road-agent outfit.”

No interruption came until the gambler had
finished that slow, reflective speech; but then a
short, almost grim laugh broke from the red
lips of the Empress, causing him to start and
flush up hotly as he caught her mocking

lance.

“ What’s biting you now?” he growlineg de-
manded. “ A fellow’d almost think you’d taken
a contract to drive a man era with your in-
fernal sneers and jeers! Whats tickling your
funn , I’d like to know i”

“ on are, with your childlike simplicity,
Frank! Why, man alive! are your eyes blinded,
your wits gone wool-gathering, your ordinary
common-sense stowed away in camphor to keep
the moths from eating!”

“ You surely haven’t found any of them, or
else you don’t know what use they are intended
for.’

“ That’s all right, but—speaking about Chris
Cresson not suspecting anything, how about
l’urty P‘izen acting as his second and backer in
that bit of a racket with Hank Redmond,
Frenchy 3”

Mitchell shook his head ting edly.

“ [’m not so mighty sure 0 that, either. I’ll
admit that I did at first think the fellow might
possibly be Firebrand Dick, in a new disguise,
helping the sport who had helped him before;
but now—”

Then the Empress fairly threw aside that false
composure, her cheeks winning two spots of
scarlet, her white hands in vicious fists and
motioning until the jeweled rings flashed and
flamed in the lamplight.

“Fancy, and think, and doubt, and— Oh,
for a man! Oh, for anything like a man! Oh,
if I only had a gal who was even half-way as
good a man as rilliant Bert was!”

Frenchy Frank shrunk back a bit as the Em-
press sprnng to her feet in that vicious fury, but
a tinge of color leaped into his pale face at
mention of that name: the title which his pm
decessor in that alliance had worn with noto-
rie if not with honor among his fellow-men.

T is was not the first time he had been taunt-
ed with his inferiority to that once meteoric
individual, yet the lash stung just as sharply
now as it had the first time he felt its crack, and
his white teeth began to show themselves as
though preparing for battle.

Em ress Jo paid the mbler no heed, just
then, ut strode to and r0 the length of that
small chamber, gesticulating wildly, givin full
swing to her volcanic passions, so long he d in
subjection. .

it would be difficult as W611 as needless to re-
port all that passed her lips in those moments of
unrestrained passion, but little by little Frenchy
Frank plucked up his courage to retort in turn.

Sweeping around with fiery grace, the Empress
stop short in frontof her accomplice, a white
han gesticulating swiftly as she spoke:

“ One hour of Brilliant Bert in such a crisis as
this, would be well worth a year of such—men!
Where are they? Who are they? If men, why
do they act even more poorly ’than so many
crip led, idiotic kids’l”

“ f you mean to say—”

“ I mean to say just this much, Frank
Mitchell, and even your gall isn’t great enough
to give me the lie, either! I mean tosay that
when Brilliant Bert wae to the fore I never had
to plot and plan and execute and all that!

‘ Why was it, then! Because Bert—saints
rest him this night! It was because Brilliant
Bert asde no man to do work which he could
do better! Because he never left to chance what
a little ains, trouble or forethought could make
a certa nt !

” That {s what i meant when I longed for a
man as is a man! While Bert was to the fore,
all ran smoothly ! So lOng as he lived—’3

Thus far the gambler stood it out, but now his
hot rage burst bonds, and in an evilly meeting
tone he cried out:

“But your Brilliant Bert rode the wooden
horse at last!”

“ Yes, and took the last leap with a jest and a,
laugh on his lip, where you—pah! you would
have p‘erished from fear, long before the drop
could eloosed 1” /

Contemptuous rather than angry was that
swii t retort, and once more the gambler shrunk
back in his chair. Although only a woman, it
was not easy for even a man of strong nerve to
face her down in such moments as these, and
Mitchell knew from past experience that his
Wisest course lay in keeping a shrewd silence
until the surplus steam was blown off.

Didspace and time permit, it would be an in-
teresting study to put on record many of those
wild, half-insane ravings which crossed the \lips
of Empress Josephine during those few minutes,
for they told all too plainly in what school, and
under what tutor, she had learned the danger-
ous arts which Went to form her record.

‘And sundry glimpses of that record were
given, 00, in her utter abandon. Glimpses
which, roviding the Empress was indeed the
Diamond Dell mentioned by the Firebrand De-
tective, went far toward proving his assertion

A 
_,, ..

 

that a more dangerous women never drew
breath of life than this sums confidence queen.

But Frenchy Frank was learning nothing new
through all this tirade. For years back he had
been perfectly familiar with the record made by
this brilliant beauty, and all he cared for now
wash) hold her harmless toward himself until
that insane fit could wear itself out.

That came about all the more quickly because
of that intense fury. No mortal physi us could
for many minutes resist such a terrib e strain,
and before long the Empress staggered in her
man-like stride, her voice breaking off in a husky
gasp, one hand flying up to her throat and the
other pressing tightly over her heart.

With cat-like vigilance the gambler had been
watching for this collapse, and when it dame his
assistance was ready.

Catching her failing form in his muscular
arms, he supported the Empress back to the
eas -chair, then deftly unscrewed a pocket-flask
an held the nozzle to her blanched lips.

It was powerful medicine, but this was not
the first time the Empress had felt the recupera-
tive effects of fourth-proof brandy, and she at-
most greedin took a lengthy swallow.

When her lips refused more, the gambler re
moved the flask, and barely wetting his lips
with the powerful liquor, replaced the top and
put away the flask.

The woman was radually recovering her
natural color as she ay back in the cushioned
chair, but her long-lashed lids were drooping,
and her languid eyes were nearly hidden from
his sight.

Still, Frenchy Frank knew from past scenes
that the Empress was in no physical danger, and
that she would quickly recover without more be-
ing done for her restoration.

Feeling at ease on this point, then, perhaps it
was nothing more than natural for the gambler
to feel like making his points while he had a less
intractable 0p its to deal with and take
thought for. nd so picking up a thread which
had been dropped just prior to that wild out-
break on the woman as part, he said, slowly:

“ I thou ht of retty much the .same thing
that struc you, fancg, J 0, when that fellow
chipped on the Crystal port’s side. And what
gave me that impression first, was a doubt as to
whether a man could get so dirty, greasy, rag-
ged and generally down-at—heel, unless he was
made up after that fashion for a disguise-
soc ’ ‘

Emprem J o nodded slightly, and that nod
meant more than assent to his final query: it
meant she held to her former belief. ~

“ But I’m not so mighty sure of it, now, Jo.
Still, I took ains far enou h to set a keen watch
Over Purty ’izen, and i he makes a crooked
move, be surewe'll know of it.”

“ Maybe too late to parry the blow, though!”
murmured Em ress J o.

“ Of course t t’s a chance we’ve got to take,”
with a frown. “ We failed to stop or knock
them out, both in the duel and the knife-
throw—”

“ Another fizzle !”

" But that wasn’t of my get-up please bear in
mind,” tartly retortcd the gamb er. “ Johnson
undertook that on his own book, and he’s paid
the full penalty, I reckon. I’d never have coun-
tenanced such a move as that, had the hot-
headed”fool thought of asking my advice in ad-4
vance.

“ Because ’twas a bold action, eh!” languidly
scofied the woman.

“ Of . course not, but because ’twould raise a
bigger row, create more talk and excitement,
than I think at all wise with our affairs in this
condition. You must remember that Deadwood
is gr0wing, and that we can’t kill men just for
sport here, now !”

" N 0, we can’t, but others can, it seems!”

“ You mean 3—”

“ This escape of the counterfeit diamond-
dealer, of course! That is another of the flat
fiascofizzles I spoke about, pardner!”

CHAPTER XXVII.
COMING TO THE POINT.
Tnimn was a touch of her recent venom in

 

those words, and Empress Josephine gave other! "

evidence as to her rapidly recuperating by sit-
ting erect in her easy-chair and hurling her sen-
tence at her confederate.

Frenchy Frank flushed up redly, and before
his unusual color had time to fade away, his re-
tort was made, hardly less spiteful than the one
which drew it forth.

“ Your crazy fit isn’t Over yet, girl, or you’d
never lay the blame of that on my shoulders!
’Twas all your scheme, from start to finish, and
only a woman would have nerve enough to shift
the blame that way!”

“ Who picked the men to do the work,
Frenchy '9’”

“Who had time to pick any men, with your'

infernal hurry? Of course the lads on duty had
to

do—

“ If they only had done, though I"

“They tried, at least, and one of them got his
billet fora high lot on the hillside, didn’t he!
Too thin, my lady,” with a short, ugly laugh as
he shook one of those white hands—regular
“gambler hands ” they were, so white, so soft.

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Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

so long-fingered and neatly cared for—in front
of her face. “ The blame for that fiasco-fizzle as
{an pile it on, belongs to the one whose busv

rain hatched it up, not to those who did their
level best to carry out hasty orders.”

Frenchy Frank rattled this off in haste, just
as though he expected an interruption before he
could finish his say; but for once his expecta-
tion in that respect came to naught.

No doubt that recent severe fit of mad passion
had exhausted the Woman to_an unusual degree,
and her spirits had not yet rallied as they doubt-
less would later on.

‘ Empress Josephine let her tense muscles relax,
_and her lithe yet powerful form sunk almost
limply back in her chair.

Her eyes were d0wncast, her face remarkably
pale for one gifted with her rich, Southern com-
plexion. And her tones were husky and barely
audible as she muttered to herself rather than
to her ally:

“ That Sheeny! IVhy was he so hot after my
diamonds? What made him stare at them so
keenly? Why so curious to learn ifI had any
itones to sell or trade? Surely he wasn’t—could

e be—”

“That‘s just what you ought to have made
perfectly clear before calling such a dangerous
trick for turning,” bluntly interposed the gam-
bler, who seemed rather inclined to repay the
abuse and criticism he had recently received in
such great plenty.

Either his words or his manner served to rouse
the Empress once more, and there was much of
the former fire in her eyes as they fastened upon
his face. '

“ ’Twas a trick that turned to perfection just
so long as I had anything to do with the man.
agement, Frank Mitchell, and right well you
know that! After—of course it had to turn
wrong, as all your doings are apt to upsetl”

“ In your mind, why not add, Jo?”

“In your face I’m telling it, rather! You
stand responsible for the wor your picked men
did—or, rather, left undone! And now—Frenchy
Frank, you’ve got to make all that even, or
you’ve turned your last trick, and I know it!”
J “”What is it you’re trying to get at now,

0?

“ Trying to get at a man, but I’d hate most
mightily to even take long odds I’ll have better
pay for my time than my trouble!” viciously
snapped the beautiful Virago, even yet unable to
resist the temptation to snub her coadjutor.
“ But here you have it, since you can’t see that
far through an open hole for yourself.

“ That Shevny is no morea diamond merchant
than we are, but he has shown too deep a curios-
ity concerning my holdings to be let run his
length any longer. He got away from your
sweet specimens, but now you’ve just got to fer-
ret him out, and never give it over until you

sitively ‘know just what and where Morris

senblatt is l”

“You’re giving me a lighter job than on
thin for, Josey,” said the gambler, with a ow
chuc 1e.

“How sol And better do something before
laughing, ou fraudl” ‘

“Then ’ve already earned the right to one
laugh at least. Sweetness, since I’ve found out
just- where your Sheeny has put up for the

‘night, if no longer.”
be Empress stared at her ally as though
strongly doubting the truth, but as Frenchy

Frank met her suspicious gaze without fiinching,
she demanded:

, “ What do you mean by that, Frank? That
he stops at the Midland? I could have told you
that long ago, but it’s not at all likely he’d go
back there after laying Johnson out for the
boneyard.”

“Did‘I say he had gone back there? Did I
even hint that way, J 0?”

Their eyes metfora brief space, and though
the gambler smiled as if he held all the trumps
in his own hand, the Empress came again:

“Out with it, pardner, unless you really
want me to think it either a lie for a bluff,
or else— Speak out, can’t you, man?"

“ Didn’t 1 say I knew right where to find your
i Sheeny, J o?”

‘ “So you said, but ’twouldn’t be the first lie
.I’ve caught you in, old man. And so—facts
and figures, if you please I”

The sporting member seemed to be taking his
laughter by installments, for he gave another
low, amused chuckle before replying:

“ Well I’m telling it white, just now, old
lady, and dealing it off straight as a string. I
was at your bit of a circus retty near as soon
as the first, but, somehow, reckoned I could
scoreflhigher by keeping my 'finger out of the

“ As being something less dangerous, of
' course!"

“Have your fling, Josey. They don’t harm
me, and may be the means of sparing you an-
other of your crazy fits.”

“ Wt” you get along, Frank. Mitchell?”

“ As fast as your woman’s tongue will let me,
Jo. I’d have been clean there and back again
only for your chipping out of turn—and out of
tune, ton 1”

It really seemed as thou h the gambler was
but on irritating his coat erate beyond all en-

 .-,. "l . ’ 
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’ durance, and possibly because she saw some I

thing of this, Empress Josephine leaned back
in her seat once more, fr0wningly waiting his
pleasure.

“ Well, that’s a bit more like it, and by way
of reward—listen! I was there with the first,
as you may know, Jo, but seeing you assume
charge of affairs at that end, I bethought me of
the missing;and when chance or instinct, call
it what suits you best, led me near the Dempster
home—”

A malicious laugh from the woman cut his de-
liblfrate speech short, and Empress J o sneeringly
as ed:

“Why not be honest for once in your life,
Mitchell? Why not call it—love, adoration,
Worship?"

“ W ell, I might do just that, yet tell no lie,
either,” coolly retorled the gamester, but with a
certain air of bravado which evidenced he was
hardly positive just how that admission would
be received.

" Why don’t you freeze fast to a good thing
when it comes your Way, Frank?” still lightly
asked the Empress.

“Stranger things than that have happened
since the world was first formed, my lady? But
business ought to come before pleasure, and so—
will you listen to what I saw and heard at the
Dempster home?"

“If you give me a chance. of course I will.
Rattle it off, Frenchy, and I’ll try to sift chafi'
from wheat as you go along,” answered the
woman, even now unable to quit her “nag-

gingi‘” .

“ ell you later just why I thought of taking
that line, Empress, but when I heard Barney
vow he’d plugged the Sheeny—though it’s just
as well everybody didn’t catch his words right
then—something told me I might strike a pay-
ing ,lead over yon’ way. And so—I just did,
too! ’

“ Not that you found the Jew there?”

“ That’s just what I did find, old lady,
though.”

“ And you left him—how i’”

“ Just as I found him, of course.” '

“ I knew it!” sinking back once more in her
chair, with a gesture of poorly-suppressed rage
and contempt. “If Bert— But the mold was
broken when he hopped the twig l”

“ That’s all right, my lady, but I’d seen quite
enough of botch-work through acting on impulse,
without stepping to fully reckon up the cost, and
I wasn’t going to make a bad matter worse by
gumping without knowing where to land, and

ow.

V “ Go on. What did you do then?”

“Nothing to spoil the doing when the ri ht
time rolls ’round, you can rest assured of t at
much Empress. For one thing, I made sure
your Sheeny diamond dealer wears a disguise.”

“ I told on that much, didn’t I?”

“ Posslb y, but you tell me so mighty much it’s
easier to forget a portion than to hold the whole
of it. But, as I set' out to say, I caught a fair
look through the window, and the fellow la on
the bed, being cared for by the old man an his
dau hter.”

“ he angelic Agnes—Saint Agnes, I should
have said i” '

“ You’ve told many a worse lie, Josey, but let
that pass, lease. And from what I both heard
and saw, know Morris Rosenblatt is no more a
German Jew than tither you or I are.”

“ What did you hear and see? Anything
about us? Anything to show that he had tum-
bled to our littie trick!”

“Nothing of that sort, no. I could see that
he was wearing a disguise, for I heard the old
gentleman speak to Agnes about it; and then,
as they moved about, I could make it out for
in self. He is a young man. too, Empress.”

he woman gave a sudden start at this, and
there was an odd catch in her breath as she ex-
claimed:

“A 01mg man, Frank? It wasn’t—surely
not— ermeth Horwood?”

It was the gambler’s turn now to show sur-
prise, and for a brief space he stared into that
pale, almost superstitious face as though unable
to fully catch her meaning.

“ Kenneth Horwood? As dead man or as
ghost?” he asked, with a shearing echo in his
tones a moment later.

“ You said— Who was it, then?”

“Not that poor, weak-brained fool, be sure,
my lady! Why, even if he hadn’t fed the worms
long ago, young Horwood could no more play
sue a part than he could fly without wings!
And suicides-do they go to the wing-window,
wonder?”

“ If not him, who could it be, then?”

“ Of course I can’t swear to it, but this is my
opinion, Empress. I believe this false diamond
merchant is a detective, and if so, he’s almost
certainly out here working to trap us for—you
know what!”

Once more the fiery temper of his ally flamed
forth, and with face as white as his own, save
for'those hectic spots of color, the Empress cried
in deep, .itin ing scorn:

“ A detect ve? And you left him there! Fair-
ly under your hand, yet you crept away like any
other cowardly cur, and left him there—alive
and unhurt f” -

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Frenchy Frank showed his teeth in a vicious
smile before making reply to this scorching
speech.

“ Yes, I did just that, Empress. But if you’ll
agree to back me up in my plaTH, l’li place him
in your hands to deal with as 3 « .u ~ee fit.”

“ It’s a bargain, pardnerl” (Ilium the instant
response.

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
SHIFTING HIS GROUND.

THE reader will remember that our last sight
at the Crystal Sport was taken just after he
turned away from the spot where Jimmy J ohn-
son had come by his death, and Barney Watkins
had received an installment of the punishment
rightly due his many sins; and that he had not
taken very many steps toward his hotel, before
he discovered that bit of paper pinned to the
skirt of his tunic.

Although there was neither address nor sig-
nature, Cresson found it an easy matter to in—
terpret the meaning of that brief warning:
Firebrand Dick had written it, and 1e feared
lest the Crystal Sport should take some hasty
action which might interfere with his own
plans.

This was the most reasonable interpretation
to give the warning, but as he moVed slowly
onward in the direction of the Midland Hotel,
Chris Cresson found an abundance of thinking-
matter.

Who was this man of many names and faces
to correspond? Out in the hills he had been
Roland Stone. While figuring at the Empire,
he had announced himself as Purty P‘izen, the
Jaw—smith. And only a brief while lan-r he had
admitted himself the detective, Firebrand Dick.

Of them all, which was the right cognomen?
Or—were any of them rightfully his?

“ What is there to prove he is really a detec-
tive even?” mused the troubled Sport while on
his omeward way, paving no attention to the
sounds given forth by the excited citizens wi 0
had scattered in quest of the suppoSel dig-
mond-dealer, who had at least one human life
to answer for when found,

Now that he took the trouble to l rok hack
and take notes from memory.'Chris Cresson
could find no positive proof that this audacious
stranger was really wlmt he claimed to be. In-
stead of being a detectiVe, might he not be
some cunning knave, playing an admit part—
gomething like the other puzzle, Moria Rosen-

latt’l

Taking it altogether, the adventurer had con—
siderably more to puzzle out than he could
fairly arrange during the brief interval it re-
quired to reach his hotel; and when once there,
the Sport passed directly on to his Own cham-
ber, feeling in anything but a talkative mood.

From the sound of voices there was quite a
little gathering in the onion, but as he had his
key with him, and a candle in his room, the
Crystal Spert had no occasion to show himself
where he would almost certainly become a cen-
ter of interest and curiosity.

Closing the door behind him, Cresson lit his
candle, then threw himself upon the outside of i
the bed. He had no intention of going to sleep
for the time being, hence made no preparations
toward that end.

Lying there, hands joined back of his head,
staring vacantly up at the boarded ceiling,
Chris Cresson gave imself up to thought, try-
ing as best he might to unravel that tangle,
which had been bad enomzh before, but which
was growing with eyery m0ve the parties
made.

Possibly an hour had been spent thus, when,
without a single preliminary sound, there came
a slow, gentle scratching at the outside of his
chamber door, and instantly all of his faculties
were on the keen ulert.

Without moving a muscle the Crystal Sport
lay and waited, listening for a more distinctive
sound, feeling sure it would come, either for good
or for evil.

After a brief interval, that scratching sound
was repeated, this time plaiuer than before, as
though he or it who made it, feared lest the oc-
cupant of that chamber had fallen asleep, even
though the light was left burning.

Never a sound. never 8 motion made the lis-
tening Sport, and after another brief silence,
there came a low yet distinctwhisper:

“It: Purty P‘izen, pardner, with news of

R

Unless that was the voice of the stranger who
had so unceremoniously given him “the dirty
shake” earlier in the evening, Cresson’s ears
were playing him false, or else a most adroit
mimic was waiting out yonder in the dark-
ness.

There was a bare possibili'v that this last was
the case, and so Cresson waitel for further in-
formation. That was not long delayed,

“It’s all right, pardner, and If you’ll o u up
a bit, I‘ll explain just what I meant by t at bit
of a note—remember?” ‘

After this there was scarcely room for doubt-
ing, and leaving his bed, Chris Cresson turned
the key, stepping aside and pressing close to the
wall at the Side of the door. illi‘l.) saving;

 

1—7—1— run—3;. -

 

 

 

 

0001 Chris, he Crystal Sport.”

.= xx! - . -,,.  “Hi

25

 

 

“ Come in if you like, stranger!”

“I do llKe, but there’s a flag of truce in each
of my fists, please bear in mind,” declared the
detective, turning knob and pushing the door
open, pausing an instant before venturing across
the threshold. “ Honest Injun, Cressonl”

“All right, my dear boyl’ gently said the
Sport, and as he looked that way, Firebrand
Dick beheld a cocked revolver staring him
squarely in the face, and not more than a couple
of feet away, either. “Shut the door behind
you, please. I’m dreadfully modest, you know,
and if any other than such an old and familiar

riend as you, dear boy, should happen to look
fin—why, I’d set my very hair on fire with my
blushes!” .

“All right, but please don’t set mine on fire
with that gun,” rewrted the detective, prompt-
ly acting on that hint, but really exhibiting a
very creditable amount of nerve under the awk-
ward circumstances.

“ Good enough as far as it goes, Dicky-bird,”
approvineg said the Sport, then adding in those
same smooth, persuasive tones: “ Kindly oblige
me by movin all ng yonder, ardner; take that
seat, if your egs feel in the cast trembly; but
don’t try to slip either hand into a pocket, for 1
never could stand anythiii like that !”

As Firebrand Dick meek y complied with each
command as isssiied, Creeeon slipped along until
his unocc led band could grasp and turn the
key in its ock. Then, with something like his
ordinary manner, be seated himself on the edge
of the bed, gazing half-curiously, half—quizzical-
ly inti the face of his visitor.

“ Visited both barber and bath~house, haven’t
you, cully? And not entirely neglected the
gents’ furnishing house, either. Well, it makes
quite an improvement with the outer man, but
as for the inner—wonder if that didn’t need
renovation still more?”

“That’s all right, pardner, and I wouldn’t
begrudge you your pay for the little trick I
played on you awhile ago,” soberly declared
the detective, “but if you’re really the honest
gentleman I’m taking you for, there’s work of
far greater importance awaiting your doing.
The only question is, will you lend a helping
hand?" ,

“ Never a doubt as to my claim to that title,
sir,” coolly assured the Man of Cut-glass.
“Still, there is another question in my mind,
which may have a hearing on the other, and
that is——”

“ I’ll cheerfully pay the penalty of your gibes,
Mr. Cresson, provided you ll hear me out, first,”
a little impatiently cut in Firebrand Dick.

“ if I hear you out, will on promise meI may
see you out, the next time, Mr. Will-o’-tlie-
Wisp?»

“ that, too," with a fleeting smile, then add-
ing in swift, earnest tones: “ I saw you yonder
at the racket, Creeson, and know you must feel
some sort of interest in that fellow—well, call
him Morris Rosenblatt, since the name appears
to fit his fancy for the resent.”

“ What about him, t ni”

“ Of course you heard what was said: that he
had downed those two rascals without cause or

revocation on their part? And you likewise
eard what the Empress Josephine said to the
crowd?”

“Of _course, since I took my ears with me.
Go on. What about this Rosenblattf”

“ I’m working round to that, but it’s just as
well to smooth ofi.’ the trail as we lay it. if only
to prevent the neCessity of turning back for a
second look,” more deliberately said the detec-
tive, seemingly satisfied now that.he had fairly
can ht the interest of the Crystaliie.

“ hen I saw that the trouble had caught
part of the Empire gang where the wool was
short, and heard that woman begin pumping
Watkins, my first thought was that they meant
to turn the mob against you, and that is why I
scribbled the note—you found it, of course!”

“ I found it, yes. Go on, will you, pard-
neri”

Chris CressOn had successfully covered over
whatever of interest he might be feeling in the
affair by now, and his tenes sounded as blank
as his face looked. But far from feeling dis-
couraged by this, the detective spoke with even
stronger interest than before.

“ Of course I meant to see you through the
scrape in that case, Mr. Cresson, but when I
saw the turn matters were real] taking, I felt
you were safe enou h and so— struck another
trail which I fanc mi ht prove well worth
the risk and trouble of fol owing up.

“ You remember that cool sharp at the Em-

ire of course-Frenchy Frank they call him?

ell, he it was I spotted making a sneak out of

the crowd, and on the off-chance of making ex-
penses, I followed him.”

“ Whither?"

“ To a cabin out on the edge of town, but I’m
not so sure I can describe it so ou’d recog-
nize the place,” hesitated the defect ye.

“All right. Ireckon it’s no killing matter,
after all,” came the careless rep] .

“ Not to you. sir, but It may to another,”

uickly and soberly declared Firebrand Dick.
‘ I foll0wcil that fellow to the cabin, and I
kept close watch until I saw him take the fill of
his eyes througn the lighted window. And be-

fore he left, he shook his clinched hand at some
one on the inside, then skurried away as though
in hot haste to get somewhere. After Frenchy
Frank left, I stole up to the window, and peer-
ing inside, I saw what he had seen: Morris
Rosenblatt, lying wounded on a bed, being
cared for by a man and a woman!”

“ The last of which ought to explain the stage
antics of our more or less angelic Frenchy, don’t
you see, pardner?”

“ I can’t icok at it in that light, nor do I be-
lieve you do,” the detective bluntly declared,
then adding: -

“I know that Frenchy Frank meditates mis-
chief and it’s nothing more than fair that you
and I leud this fellow a friendly hand in need.
Surely you’re willing that he should have a fair
shake, Cressonf”

The Sport frowned slightly as he scanned
that face so interested, yet so difficult to red
aright. . urely he was holding something back?

“Tell me, first, why you take such a sudden
and owerful interest in this diamond-dealer,
Mr. yerband!"

“ Well, only to mention a single cause for that
growing interest, I may have to give him the
shoulder, in time,” came the deliberate reply.

“ Arrest him, you mean?” ejaculated the ad-
venturer. “ IVhat for?”

“ For taking part in that bi diamond-robbery
you and I were talking over t is evening, sir.”

Now that enforced com sure fairly gave
way, and without even an e art to disguise his
intense interest, the Crystal Sport leaned for-
ward on the bed, hoarse] y ejaculating:

“ Whatl You surely can’t mean—you surely
can’t think—”

“ That this feuow who passes as Morris Rosen-
blatt, dealer in diamonds and precious stones
here in Deadwood, is none other than the long
supposed dead man, Kenneth Horwood?”

“ Impossible, man alive I”

“So you say, but—I’m good reasons for be-
lieving young Horwood is alive and iii the
Black Hills. If Morris Rosenblatt is not he,
then—”

“Well?” hoarser asked the other, his face
strangely pale.

“ If he is not, then you surely are my man !”
said Firebrand Dick.

CHAPTER XXIX.
A DANGEROUS GUEST.

SHARP and distinct that rap on the door
echoed through the Dempster home, and follow-
ing so close upon the partial statement made by
the wounded guest as to the peril they might be
running through giving him succor, small mar-
vel that father and daughter should turn one to
the other with glances almost of fear.

Morris Rosenblatt saw this, and With a gener-
ous impulse strovo to leave the bed, huskin
speaking:

“ Backl Let me go—spare you any—”

His bodily powers seemed to be returning,
but he was poorly fitted to do battle for him-
self, much less assume any danger which might
menace others; and seeing this with womanly
intuition. Agnes Dempster sprung to the couch
arid gently yet resolutely hindered his leaving

“ Not yet—you are not fit to— Fat-her?”

Half question, half appeal, drawn forth by
the action of Saul Dempster.

Conscious of no sin, no wrong, the sturdy
prospector quickly ovorcame the instinctive
doubts which had assailed him, and crossing to
the door, removed the fastenings and partly
opened the barrier.

“ Who is it, and what’s wanting?” he demand-
ed his body filling the crack so as to perfectly
shield daughter and guest beyond.

No answer came, nor could he catch sight of
the kiiocker, but the movement of the door
caused that piece of paper to flutter a bit: not
much, since the leaf was small, but yet enough
to catch those keen eyes.

“ . o is it wants me?” added the prospector,
widening that aperture a little further, and
leaning orward until he could win a fair glance
along libs immediate front of the cabin.

No livmg mortal was in sight, and when fully
satisfied on that point, Saul Deni ster stepped
forth for a look around his humb e home. He
found nothing to explain the signal, and hurry-
ing back, tore down that white evidence, and
stepping inside, to close and secure the door once
more moved nearer the light to examine that
bit of aper more carefully.

“ W at is it, father?" asked Agnes, her fears
yielding in good] part to curiosity. “ What
does it all mean, t en 'i”

Adeep yethalf-stified exclamation broke from
the man‘s lips as he deciphered that hurried
scrawl, then handed the leaf to his daughter.
She found even less difficulty than he in making
out the words:

“ On guard l Frenchy Frank has been taking notes
through your window, and went away cursing-—
guess what, and why 7"

Agnes read this, then looked up with ale
face and half- frightened eyes, her lips tremb ing
as she uttered:

“ Oh, father! That man—I’m afraid of him!”

 

 

Morris Rosenblatt had been watchingeéimugh
all, with emotions not so readily descri . For

 

one thing, however, he seemed more uneasy on
the account of these good samaritans than for
himself.

At that involuntary exclamation, he lifted
himself u in bed, and supporting his still partly
benum body with one hand, huskily spoke:

“ I’ll go—I must go away i”

Saul Dempster instantly turned that way, and
his first glimpse of that pale, almost ghastly
face reminded him how totally unfit this stran-
ger was to move, much less quit that friendly
shelter for the night air, there to shift for him-
self.

“ You’re crazy, man, dear,” he said, moving
tOwiird the couch. “ You’re not fit to be let go,
even if we were in a hurry to get shut of you."

“ Which we surely are not, sir,” chimed in
Agnes, with even better will. “ As for this—”

“May I see it?” asked the diamond-dealer,
holding forth a hand.

Agnes shmnk back, but Saul Dempster took
the warning and gave it to the wounded stran-
ger. Rosenblatt quickly mastered the contents,
and once again did he essayto rise and leave
that bed.

His feet wei e on the floor, and he succseded in
taking a single step; but that was all.

His brain reeled and turned him deathly sick.
He staggered and would have fallen to the floor
in that sudden dizziness, only for the instant aid
rendered him by the prospector, who guided his
failing form back to the couch.

Having done this, Dempster moved back a
pace, that regained warnin in his hand, a
troubled frown wrinkling his brows.

Agnes divined something of his mental per-
plex1ty, and slipping an arm around him, her
soft cheek cozily nestling against his shoulder,
murmured a few words which seemed sufficient
to banish that cloud from his honest face.

“ You’re right, little woman, and we’ll do it!”
he declared, giving his gaunt form avi orous
shake, like one who has decided upon his ' e of
action.

Turning again to where the diamond-dealer
lay breathing heavily, though showing signs of
speedy rallying from that sudden faintness, the
OWner of that humble refuge spoke again:

“ it’s all right, stran er, so far as we’re con-
cerned. Surely there’l come no harm to us,
who have never even meditated evil, much less
wrought it. And you—”

“ Father—please?"

“ I’m casting no blame, daughter, only ’tis but
right that I should speak less—”

Saul Dempster broke off without fully ex-
plaining his sentiments, for once more the
wounded stranger was attempting to rise in bed,
and this time he proved a bit more successful,
sitting up without areturn of that sickening
faintness.

“ You’re right, sir, and I’m only too anxious
:3 explain how I happened to come—here—like

is!

“ Father, he is not strong enough to talk
much,” murmured Agnes, looking as thou h she
was fairly aching to exercise her woman y au-
thority OVer this invalid, yet restrained by a
fear—of what?

A faint smile came into the stranger’s face as
he caught sufficient of that whisper to compre-
hend her fears, and then he said, in turn:

“ I’d be weaker yet, Miss Dempster, if I were
content to remain here, an almost helpless
charge upon your hands, without at least at-
tempting to explain away what I know looks so
black against me.”

“ We re not demanding it, sir, but if you’d
really feel better for explaining matters a bit
more fully, why—”

“I ask nothin better than that same, sir,
only—tell me fran 1y, I beg—will my remaining
here cause you trouble from that villain, Frank
Mitchell?”

Those ray eyes turned toward his daughter,
that 100 of uneasiness growing more pro-
nounced. And Agnes likewise betra ed some-
thing of consciousness as a blush crep over her
face in answer to the stranger’s gaze, which fol-
lowed that of the prospector.

“ If Mr. Mitchell is a family friend, sir, I
deeiilzy regret—”

“ 0 friend of ours, please Heaven!” came the
impulsive reply.

“I’m glad-doubly glad to hear that l” cried
the wounded man, his voice soundin much
stronger than it had at any time since his com-
ing to this friendly door. “ He’s an evil maul
Heés got fit to associate with honest people,
an —

“ You’re not wise to give way to your emotions,
stranger,” interposed the owner of that refuge
with a touch of reserve entering his tones. ‘
reckon maybe you’d better put off more talk
until—that is, except naming your friends in
town, who might— Eh?"

It was a quick gesture from Rosenblatt which
caused the break, and by way of explanation for
making that sign, the diamond-dealer said:

“I have no friends in town, sir. I’m here, a
stranger, to depend on my own exertions, and
with my life in my hand. And that—you

see?”

With the ghost of a smile he held up his left
hand, where traces of blood still showed too
distinctly for the meaning to be mistaken.

"(.3 >. _-~,. , .V 3- <A.“;V
“A . ..__. _ —  

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26

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

 

Although it could hardly have been so intend- 1 taking the trouble of repeating an old story.
ed, this action and the words which accompanied 1 Oh, come off, Frenchy! You know as well as I

it, gave Saul Dempster a still more decided feel-
ing of repulsion, and his face surely betrayed
as much to those keen if somewhat feverish
eyes.

“Not that way—you’re taking me wrongly,
sirl” the wounded man hastily exclaimed, tr -
ing to recover the ground he had so unwittineg
lost. “If I’Ve shed blood to-night, ’twas only
while trying to save my life from those assas-
- sins, I swear it, by the grave of my sainted
mother!"

“ Father, wait,” interposed Agnes once more.
“ Be is not strong enough to hear so much ex-
citement. Wait until later, please?”

“ I thank you for that, Miss Dempster,” huski-
ly said Rosenblatt, before the father could make
answer. “ But, if you will kindly allow me. I’d
much rather tell—explain what I can about this
--—ugly scrape.”

“ Quiet, Aggie. I really reckon ’twould be
best so, stranger,” said the prospector, gravely.
“If we know just what is what, and who is
which maybe we’ll feel better fixed for dealing
with the lot of it—seef”

Hardly as lucid as might have been, perhaps,
but Morris Rosenblatt caught his meaning with
sufficient distinctness, and as soon as he could
gather strength enough to make his tones audi-
ble, he spoke again:

“ I can’t recall just what or how much I told
on before, sir, and you, Miss Dempster. but
hat don’t matter so much. All I’ve got to say

islfnaked truth, so I can’t well contradict my-
” .

“Then—I‘m a detective by trade! And I‘ve
come here to the Black Hills, hoping tomake
the great stroke of my life!"

“ After some one, then. I take it, stranger!”

“ After some of the worst criminals that ever
disgraced the human shape~~yesl” With almost
savage emphasis, his eyes aglow, his face gain-
ing a slight flush of color the while. “After
those whom I have vowed to bring to ustice, or
add another life to their bloody recor by losing
my own at their bidding!”

‘ And they—gavs you this?” asked Dempster,
with a nod and a motion toward that now ban-
daged wound.

'  was given me by one of their tools,

“Then they know you are on their track, of
course?”

“ They surely must know it, and yet—I can’t
believe they know just who 1 am I” with a low-
ering of his tones, and a brief catching to his
voice. " But even so, they’re too cowardly to
strike at my life save from under cover, and I
wouldn’t take worry over this last—this warn-
ing to you—only---—”

“Father! he is too weak for—he is almost
fainting, now!" agitatedly whispered Agnes,
whose eyes had been watchin that working
‘oountenance with undisguised nterest through

“ I’m—all right, Miss Dempster,” declared
Rosenblatt, forcin a smile to his face as his
eyes met hers. ” 'm hurt pretty bad, and I’m
not feeling quite so strong as an ex: but I’d
rather die alone without help or friend nigh me,
than to fetch fresh peril upon true friends such
as you have proved yourselves this night, Mr.
. Dempster!”

His words were addressed to the father, but
his eyes spoke to the daughter, and spoke so elo-
quently that A nes felt the warm color suffus-
ine: her face an throat, and her eyes sunk be-
fore that ardent gaze with a degree of bashful-
nesssuch as was far from common in her ex.
perience.

Saul Dempster was not too busy wei hing the
situation to take note of all this, and is brows
"Ethersd as he began to realize how dangerous

is guest might rove in the end. And with
IOmething of that read in his tones, he said:

’ “ If you’ll tell me where to go, sir, I’ll look up
your friends, and they can see to your removal
“finickl as— Eh ’

- orris osenblatt sunk back on the bed, pale
as a corpse, which he so closely resembled, just

 

CHAPTER XXX.

rauncnr FRANK’B cosmssrox.

_ “ Ir’sa bargainl”repeated Empress Josephine,
leaning forward in her chair, with hand goin
‘out to clasp that which Frenehy Frank Mitche l
was only too willin to proffer.

Shrewd though 0 considered himself, and
shrewd though he undoubtedly was after his
own fashion, the gambler had never thoroughly
learned this woman’s com ition, and too often
had he found himself left n the lurch just when
he felt moat confident of having her hearty co-
operation. ,

“ You don't stop to ask just what I need your
backing in, Empress?”

" What’s the use of wasting breath in asking
what you’re just aching to five for nothing.
pardner?" with a half-sneer in or tones.

“And a promise with you is nothing when
you care to take it that way why don’t you
addl” snarled the amber, irritably.

L“ Because you ow as much without my

IU'C

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do that we can‘t afford to quarrel in good
earnest, so long as these devils— How many of
them are there on the loose, I wonder?”

“ Too many for our fighting indoors, as you
say, Josey,” with his tones softening and man-
ner growing more conciliating. “ We’ve got to
both pull together, old girl, unless we want to
go down—or up, even 1”

With grim facetiousness the gamester made
sign and sound suggestive of one suffering on
the gallows, then, without awaiting Empress
Jo’s Comments, he added in graver tones:

“We’ll settle all that a bit later on, ardner,
but for just now, let me give you an i ea as to
what I meant when I asked your backing.”

“ That’s not so hard to guess at, Frenchy."

" \Vhat do you mean by that, Jo?”

“ The little Dempster girl, of course,” with a
touch of contempt in both face and voice.
“But promulgate, old maul”

“ Try to turn it into a jest or a mockery if
you like, Jo, but, all the same, it’s sober busi—
ness with me,”deliberately said the gambler,
closely watching her face as though trying to
discount the effect of his risky words. “I
never was more in earnest in all my life than I
am right new, when I tell you I’m dead stuck
on that little Dempster girl as you call her.”

Whatever Mitchell may ave antici ted, be
certain! did not expect his bold assertion to be
so quiet y, almost listless! received by the Em-
press. Rut so it was. an his heart beat faster
and higheras he read her utter indifference.

“Tell me what you prefer, and I’ll call her
that then, Frank.”

" And y0u wouldn’t—you’ll not-—”

“Kick uparow, is it?” With arching brows
and openin lids. “ Why should I be so foolish,
man! Am in the habit of going into tragics
over nothing? And this is worse than naught,
to me. ‘

“ Well, that’s all right, and I’m jolly glad of
it, too!” declared the gambler, with an em basis
which could hardly be misunderstood. ' And,
for a fact Jose , girl, I’ve long been struck
with this little udy, and now that I begin to
see a way to get at it, I’m just red-hot to show
her as much, too 1”

“Well, you think you see that chance, do
you! And nOW?"

From smiling so decidedly that it verged on a
grin, the gam ier grew serious, and when he
spoke it was in a tone far more sober than he
customarily made use of.

“ You may reckon I’ve turned crazy, or am a
fool, Jo, but I honest! mean to win Agnes
Dempster for a wife, an to teach her to love me
as truly as I know I new love her i”

Em rats J o leaned back in her chair, breath—
ing a eng, low whistle as she gazed with undis-
guised curiosity into that pale face opposite.

This was a new and totally unexpected phase
in Frenchy Frank Mitchell, and one which she
found difficult in realizing.

“ And he speaks as though he really meant it
all, too!” she muttered barely above her breath
while continuing that puzzled stare.

The gambler flushed up hotly, and something
of anger came into his shaky-seeming eyes, but
he wisely smothered that risky feeling, content-
ing himself with saying:

‘ That’s all right, if you mean it for a joke,
Empress; but the longer you’ll wait to find
out whether you’re Winner or loser on the
turn.”

" All right, Frenchy, and the deal goes on!
Only—it’s not so often such a marvelous curi-
osit comes my way, that I can see it turn up
wit out showing curiosity to match: under-
stand?”

“ Is it so terrible strange, then, this falling in
love with a girl, and wanting her to pay it back
on the square?”

“When you are at one side of the board—

I

“It’s a solid fact, all the same,”d godly re-
ating: “ I’m going to win Agnes empster
or my wife, and teach her to love me, just as

hard and clean-white as I’m loving her this holy
minute—so there!”

His tone was a defiance in itself, but for once
the Empress declined to accept a challenge. In
grave, earnest tones she said:

“ Go in, Frenchy, and take my heartiest ood
wishes with you. Should you win, as I’m op-
ing you may, that little girl will leave youa
great deal better man than she found you,
too I

Analyzed, this speech would have panned out
odd! enough. but since it was so much more
and tter than he had dared expect, the gam-
bler felt grateful in proportion.

“ That s hearty, Jo, and I’m in our debt just
so far. Then you’ll help me p y the game

u

“ Wait a bit, Frenchy.” with a fleeting smile.
” You’ve pointed out the rich stake you’re play-
ing for, but where am 1 to come in at?”

“ You surely haven’t forgotten that counter-
feit Sheeny l” x

“ Is it at all likely, theni”

“ Well, isn’t he are at the Dempstar shack!”

“ So on said. yes.’

“ An so I'll prove to you whenever you care

  
 

My?! . »- I'

.__,l.

 

 

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to test it, Empress. He is there, too mighty
lively for us to feel safe, but hardly in a fix for
taking a tramp without assistance. Begin to
see the point!”

Frenchy Frank gavs a low, knowing chuckle
as the woman leaned a bit forward in her seat,
eyes vividly aglow with deepening interest; but
while she might, and no doubt did, catch a por-
tion of his meaning, Empress Josephine evident-
ly preferred plain speech to guess-work.

“ Uncover that point a bit further, pardner,”
she said, coldly. “ We’ve made at least one
botch through ack of lain speaking, and it’ll
hardly answer to run a ike risk just now. You
mean—what?”

“What’s the matter with making a raid on
the shanty to-night, yet?” asked the gambler,
lowering his tones, although both knew there
was no probability of eavesdropping going on in
their vicinity.

“ Making a raid for what purpose, Frenchy?”

“To carry them both oil', of course!” with a
touch of irritation at such obtuseness. “Then
[ou can do what you reckon best with your false
gheen , and I’ll begin taming my pretty canary
—Gee?

Empress Jose hine broke into a sneerin
laugh. her red ips curling with undisguise
contempt as she leaned back in her cushioned
seat to gaze into that slowly-flushing face op-
posite.

“ Now what’s ticklin you, I’d like to know?”
snarlingly demanded itchell, his evil temper
once more on top. “ What better scheme can
you hatch up, I ask you, woman?”

“ Well, so far as my game goes, that might
answer, but I was wondering at your folly in
thinking you could turn the trick that way.”

“ With the girl, you mean?”

“Of course I mean the girl. You said you
wanted to give her a perfectly square deal, did-
n’t youi”

“ I did, and so I intend, too. Only-—of course
I‘ve got to get her where I can be sure of a hear—
ing, haven’t I? Say?”

“ You're a fool, Frenchy, and I’m standing
your best friend in telling you so,” bluntly as-
serted the Empress, quickly adding: ” That sort
of wooing might ibly win with my sort, but
never with a g y-goody girl like that Demp~
ster child. She’d cry her eyes out, and end by
faier hating you, Frank. Can’t you see it, man,
dear?”

The gambler shook his head doggedly. Al-
ways obstinate, he was doubly so now, knowing
how he stood with Agnes Dempster so much bet-
ter t on the Empress could know.

“ I know what I know, and I’m going to stick
to the line of play I’ve marked out for myself
Jo,” he said, coldly. “01in promise me you’l
back me up by trying your evel best to Win her
over to my side, and I will, for mv part, put
Morris Rosenblatt in your hands to treat as you
may see fit. Wth say, Jo?”

“ What I said at the send-off, Frenchy:
agreed,” quickly answered the woman; then
adding curiously: “ When will you try to turn
the trick?"

“ To-uight, of course. What’s the use in
waiting longer, and so running the risk of losing
your man i”

“ None, of course, providing— liow about
the men to work with?’ .

“I’ll find them in plenty, never you worry,
old girl i”

“ Don’t ick them 11 at random, though,”
with a su den thou h ulness in both face and
voice. “ It’ll set Dea wood all ablaze, Frenchy l”

“ \Vhat of it?” with a law, sneering chuckle.
“ Won‘t you and I be on deck to lwlp cheer the
poor devils who’re fighting that samn fire? ‘And
then, when all’s over—eh, Josephine?"

With a sudden gesture the gambler sprung to
his feet, showing in both face and actions the
strong excitement which his will power was
holding in subjection.

“ Where are Lou going to take them, Frank?
Fetch ’em here, it?”

“Nevera bit, and you’ll see why when you
take a second thought, Jo. It’d be too_risky,
for one thing. No, they’ll go the hills, of
course.”

without affording further light as to his
plans, Frenchy Frank hurried away from the
room, eager to set his tools to work.

CHAPTER XXXI.
FORMING AN ALLIANCE.

To all seemin , Detective Firehrand rather
expected an exp osion to follow that blunt in-
sinuation of his. but if Crystal Chris really
caught his thinly-vailed meaning, he gave no

outward sign. ,

Making an impatient gesture, the Sport spoke
in his turn:

“You’re still holding something in reserve,
Mr. Fyerband, and until you can make up your
mind to trust me wholly. where’s the use in ex-
pecting me to meet you on the level i”

“ I thought I was speaking with remarkable
plainness, friend.”

“ Possibly so, for one of your chosen pro-

fession. but—”
“ Is that profession not yours as well, Cree.

sen
Christopher gave a positive start at this, and

 

u

 

 

 

 

.. g ,  gur‘ 3:34- 
‘v’ ._-;§;Ir‘ ‘2‘ .‘4 We“; ,, , . "4.3%,:‘angjiyl‘j ' '

 

 

 

  

0001 Chris, the CrystalMSport.

 

2'7

 

 

his dark eyes seemed full of half-angry amaze-

ment.
“Well, that does bid for the entire bake-

shopl” he ejaculated, after a brief stare into 3
8— t

that inquisitiver glowing face. “Am I
Well, well! Two or three more innocent breaks
like that, parilner, and blamed if I don’t have
to call your right to the title of detective into
question myself l” '

“ Then you surely are—the other thing I”

“ I reckon I must be, although that’s rather ,

indefinite,” said the Sport, with a low, short
chuckle, seemingly gratified rather than dis—
pleased by that frowning, perplexed scrutiny.
“ But this isn’t hurryin the business along at a
race-horse gait, So— ou’re holding something
back, Firebrand Dick.”

“ What do you mean by that, Cresson?”

“ For one thing, what brought you back here, .

after giving me the dirty shake, so—fashion?
You want something, of courSef”

“ That’s natural, isn’t it, my friend?”

“ Between friends it may be even so, but—
are we that, though?”

“ Why not?”

“ You tell, for were I to do the talking,
there’s only one station I could fetch up at, and
I’m mightily afraid you wouldn’t relish the
name of that.”

This was turning the tables with a vengeance,
and apparently the detective concluded he had
better call it even before the tangle grew still
worse.

“ If you and I are not solid friends, Mr.
Cresson, it‘s because ou can’t or will not meet
me on the same level ’ve made my mark across.
Haven’t I given you every chance to explain?”

“What, and why? Are you a peripatetlc
confeswr, Mr. Fyerband?”

“ Not exactly that, but I do believe you’d be
better off, and I know I’d have a mighty less
sight to puzzle over, if I could only win a. free
confession from your lips l” asserted the man
from Chicago, with refreshing candor.

Chris Cresson laughed briefly, scanning his
odd acquaintance closely, seemingly engaged in
making up his mind just how much of this was
genuine, and how much owing to guile.

“ You carry your nerve along with you,
pardner, don’t you think?”

“I have to, when dealing with cool hands

' like you, Cresson," declared Firebrand. With a I
return to his former admixture of gravity and for

off — hand candor. “But we‘re running all
around the barn, without making much head—
way according to string—measure, don’t you
think?” .

“ That’s self-evident, pardncr, but you’re giv-
ing the lead, remember. I have only to fol-
low.”

“ Will you follow, though? That’s my main
reason for coming back at you to—night, Cres-
son ” with real or well —assumed frankness.
“ atters are rushing a mighty sight faster than
I had any idea of, when last you and I were to-
gether, and so—here you see me I” ,

“ I’ve seen you looking worse, too,” with a
critical scrutiny. “One would take you for a
tin-horn gambler, just setting up as a full—fledged
sport, probably through luck running a shoe.
string into a regular wadl”.

The detective nodded his head in a proval,
both of this keen judgment, and of thes ill with
which he himself had selected his disguise,

“That’s precisely the character I wanted to
act out, Cresson, but now—With your help—I’m
beginning to hope l’ll wind up this bit of sport
without having to play my part much longer.
Will ou lend me a helping hand, then?” .

“ ot unless you give me a clearer idea of
what you’re after.”

“ Will you do it then, thought”

“ Tell you later on, pardner,” was the cool re-
ply. “ If I said yes, on the spur, and then found
out an expected me to play against my own
han merely to suit yours, wouldn’t there come
a healthy old kick? And when I do get 'into'a
weaving way, after that fashion, a mule isn’t in

t 1’

Hardl the sort of answer the detective hoped
to win, gut by this time he had studied the Crys-
tal B rt closely enough to realize that he had
nothiiiog to gain. and at least valuable time to
lose through chafiing, so his words came still
nearer the mark both were aiming at, though as
yet neither cared to show full trust.

"All ri ht, Cresson, and here she goesl You
kn0w byt is time what rims object fetched me
out here to the Black ills. Without entering
into another dispute or meat. I’ll re at
this: I firmly believo Kennet Horwood is a ive,
and not far from Dead wood!”

“ If so. you'll never at him under arrest for
that diamond robbery, i r.-Fyerband. At least,
not while my head is hot and my hand heavy l”

“ I’ll either arrest him. Or jerk the real crim-
inals, Ore-son.” came the cool. deliberate re-

. “And if you aresooertain the young
fellow was more sinned against than sinning,
why do on hang back and refuse to amist me
in bring ng the whole truth to light!”

“ First, co’nvince me that Kenneth is here, or
even alive—

“First. tell me‘this: on honor, are you not
Kenneth Horwoodi”

“ 0n honor. I am not Kenneth Horwoodi”

 

‘ I: '  ‘ ,i, ,g.’

“Then—your hand, old man i” leaning for-

i ly aglow with pleasure at having scored at least
one important point.

But the Crystal Sport made no move toward
‘ taking the proffered member, gravely saying:

“Time enough for clasping hands Fyerband,
when you’ve read your title clear. Inever did
feel easy at wiping out a fellow whose paw I’d
crossed in amity—don’t you see i”

“All right: ’twill come with heartier good-

I will when We’ve played our part in company, I
l dare say. And now—let me tell you something.
| “I’ve been’pretty busy since I pinned that bit
‘i of paper to your skirts, and for one thing, I’ve
2 found out where Morris Rosenblatt took shelter
i after leaving his paint-pot upset in the street:
l understand?”

Chris Cresson nodded his assent, and the de-
! tective continued:

“ I’ve just come from investigating the latest
row at the Empire,”an'i he gave a brief account

1 of that affair, then added: “And taking it in
l connection with what f0110wed on the street, I
I could make only one thing out of it: a deliberate
| attempt to down Rosenblatt for good and all i”

‘ “ For his diamonds, or his money, probably.”
l “ You don’t really think that, Cresson, and

I‘d wager ten to one that no such motive set
i Frenchy Frank to playing window-spy at yon-
l der cabin, as I saw him doing tonight. If ever
I man meant bloody murder, that sentiment stuck
' out all over the villain as he shook hand at that
l lighted window I” .

l “ Yet he went away without making any such
‘1 desperate break.”

I “I’ll admit that much, but wasn’t it merely
; to get a good ready ’3 If the crowd should
‘ tumble to the Sheeny, and once get him in their
grip, very few words from either of the Empire
magnates would suffice to set the rabble on fire;
and you’d ought to know just how much that
means, out here, Cresson.

“I do know, and l’d take a heap sight of
trouble rather than have any such muss arise
wherel’d even have ‘to hear of it,” soberly de-
clared the Glimmer-glass Sport. “ But we two
fellows can’t well buck against the whole towu,
; pardner.”

“ I‘m not asking you to share in any such

1 long contract, Cresson, but I do ask this much:
l help ’i’ne keep an eye on Morris Rosenblatt,

I
l
l
l
l
l
l
l
l

“ I’ll do better than that, pardner,” abruptly
cut in the adventurer, as he arose to his feet
like one on the point of making a itive move
of some description. “ I’ll go wit you to this
shanty of refuge you so fortunately discovered,
and together we’ll ask this oddly-acting gentle-
man just who and what be real] is. See!”

Firebrand Dick seemed slight y taken aback
by this businesslike proposition, but his hesita-
tion was of brief duration.

“ All ‘ ht, and we’ll call it a square bargain,
Cresson. ut—as I came in, the fancy struck
me some shady fellows were acting remarkably
like spies; and I’d lay an odd dollar or two at
fair odds that they are watching the hotel to
see either you or Purty P’izen—” .

“ In front, of course?”

Firebrand Dick nodded assent.

“ All right, then. Let ’em watch on. What’s
the matter with our taking a short cut by way
of the window route?” molly suggested the
Crystal Sport, at the same time moving a hand
toward his candle, doubtless intending to extin-
guish the light as their first move.

But Richard Fyerband quickly checked him,
speaking of his own chamber window, which

oubtless was still open, and Where no atten-
tion would be drawn from the enemy by a
change of lights.

" V a can drop out yonder, just as I’ve al-
read _done once. and if any e es are fixed on
this .ighted window of yours, esp ’em fixed by
haying the candle burning. Catch on ?”

You’re right, as usual, pardner, and so the
old thing shall work.”

The two allies quickly left the hotel after the
manner outlined, and were hastening toward
the Dempster cabin, when a startling event oc-
curred. Chris Cresson fairly stumbled ever a
prostrate figure, Which bore all the appearance
of a corpse!

 

CHAPTER XXXII.
Tun BLOW FALLS HIAVILY.

WITHOUT sound or warning Morris Rosen-
blatt fell. back upon his bed, eyes closing and
face turning ghastly pale by the lamplight.

Doubtless somethin of this sudden faintness
was caused b the evi ent suspicion with which
he was r ed by Saul Dempster, but the col-
lapse was primarily due to his having over-
tasked his physical powers before time was

iven them to fairly rally from the severe shock

ealt by hisEmpire adventure and his severe
wound.

That in itself was not of a mortal nature, as
Saul Dem ter was sufficient] versed in gun-
shot-worm s to declare, but t e hurt was bad
eiiaough to need no adverse help from the out-
! 6.

Agnes Dom betrayed strdng omotio
yet she was a 10 to lend her father such 8.19“..-

 

. ance as he required; and after a‘few minutes

1 ward with suppressed enthusiasm, his eyes fair- ;

. . ,
5,. - 2

l of wearing anxiety, both man and girl gave a
long breath of genuine relief as the stranger
! showed signs of rallying.

That restoration was quickly made, and, as
; will sometimes happen, the wounded man actu—
[ ally seemed better for the fainting spell!

He rallied so strongly that Saul Dempster

made no further attempt to keep him pillow-

} fast, although he would not hear to the injured
man’s leaving his bed, as yet.

“ You’re not fit for it, and that’s the case in a
nutshell, sir.”

“ I’m stronger than you think—stronger than
I look,” declared Rosenblatt, sitting up and
swinging his feet around so as to touch the floor
once more.

Yet even as he took this action, the wounded
man’s eyes closed, and his head gave a weak,
dizzy droop before he could summon strength of
will suflicient to fightback that sudden faintness.

“ You seehow— Father, he must notl”agi-
tatedly cried Agnes, her womanly heart aching
for this stranger who seemed so helpless, so
friendless, so entirely alone in the world.

“ What more can I say or do!” muttered the
prospector, an arm closing about the girl, his
one living relative, his one care, as well as joy
and treasure on earth.

“ I'm all—right!” almost doggedly insisted the
diamond-dealer, rallying as he had rallied be-
fore, forcing back that deathly faintness, and
gaining strength of body through his strength
of will. “ I’m all right, sir, and if I had a cane
-—-or crutch—”

“You’ll not leave this house until daylight,
at least,” declared Dempster, possibly moved a
bit by the shiver which his encircling arm felt
agitating that lithe, graceful shape at his side.
“ And even not then, unless—”

“ I’m awfully grateful to you—both,” liuskily
said Rosenblatt, with his face and eyes speaking
even more earnestly. “I’ll never forget your
kindness while a breath of life is left me, but-—
that cowardly cur, Frenchy Frank!”

“ He’s gone, if he ever was here.”

“ If not here, why that warning l”

“ And if one was friendly enough to give us a
true warning, wouldn’t that one have been hon-
est enough to tell us more? Would he have run
away like one guilty of some dirty trick?”

This was a point of View which Morris Rosen-

blatt had not once taken, and for a brief space
it seemed to afford him food for earnest reflec—
tion. But then he spoke with even greater earn-
estness.
“ I can’t claim to understand the matter bet-
ter than you do, sir, but one thing is beyond all
dispute: my presence here is known to fill least
one outsider, and whether that person is friend
or foe, his knowledge may, by spreading to
others, fetch annoyance if not actual peril upon
your house.”

“You say you’ve acted only in selfdefense,
and that is no crime.”

“ No, but it may be made to resemble one, b
unscrupulous enemies,” argued the diamon -
dealer, growing more earnest as he forced him-
self to take a fair view of the matter. “ And
sooner than fetch trouble upon your heads, I’d
go offer my throat to those who-”

“If you had any friends in t0wn‘.”

Morris Rosenblatt gave a slight start at this
involuntary exclamation, and bowing his head
upon a hand, he sat in deep rumination for the
space of a full minute. Then, looking up with a
faint smile, he said:

“ I’ve just one acquaintance, whom I mi ht
claim as a friend, if he once knew who I
am. And—will you take a message to him from
me, Mr. Dempster‘!”

“ Where may he be found, sir?”

“ He has a room at the Midland Hotel.”

“ I’ll go look him up the first thing in the
morning, then, but now you must not—”

“ Will you not go to him to-nightwat once?"
asked the diamond-dealer, almost feverishly,
seeming all the more eager because his heart
was fighting strongly against his better judg~
ment.

That judgment warned him he ought to win
himself stronger backers than Saul or Agnes
Denipster could prove themselves, true and on-
est though they certainly were, but his heart
rebelled at vcluntarily yielding up a refuge
where one whom he had learned to love even be»
fore passing a word with her, stood read to-
lend him kindly aid, and to nurse him bac to
strength once more.

. “ hut—you surely wouldn’t leave us to-night,

sir

“ Not unless thispouible friend—Chris Cresson,
he is called—should deem it wisest for all eun-
cerned ” said Rasenblatt, compromising with
himself. “ Will you bear a message for me to.
him now, Mr. Dempster?” '

“ If you really wish it so, of course I’ll do
what lies in my power for you, just as I would
for any stranger cast upon our care under like
circumstances,” just a little stifo answered the

prospector.

Although he knew it would be better and safer
for both himself and daughter should this truly
dangerous guest take hisd rture, this dogged
refusal to accept his pro cred hospitality on'
that guest’s part, touching his honest iride. ’

Morris Rosenblatt saw nothing of bat silent.

 

v.;,‘.
1.. ..

 

pi—

 

  

... ,_. Cm. .
9-»,

d

.28

 

 

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport. 5

 

struggle, for his head was bowad, and his eyes

closed, his brain busy trying to decide upon just

what message he ought to send to the Crystal ,

Sport. But that pvl‘iOd of indecision lasted only
a minute or two, and taking a memorandum
from an inner pocket, and writing a few words
on a blank leaf with the pencil attached, he fold-

ed this, and holding it t0ward Saul Dempster, .

spoke in far from steady tones:

“I feel as though I was imposing upon good
nature, Mr. Denipster, but I earnestly pray
Heaven the day may soon come when I can ex-

lain everything to you and your daughter.

en—but my p.>ss|ble friend,” cutting his im-

ulsive speech sh- irt. as he noted the fr0wn which
involuntarily came to the face of the pros-

pector.

“As I said, he rooms at the Midland Hotel,
and no doubt he is there at this moment. Please
ask for him at the office, and say that you have
important business with him. Don’t let any
one else see this note, for it might make my
fix still worse than it is now, and that is need-
less!”

Having suid this much, Morris Rosenblatt re-
signed that folded bit of paper, and sunk back
upon the bed. feeling faint once more, yet forc-
ing a reas-‘uring smile as Agnes gave a low ex-
clamation of anxiety.

Saul Denip~ter drew his daughter apart for a
brief whisper, then he passed through qhe door
and hastened away in the direction of the Mid-
land Hotel. engvr to complete his errand, now
the had fairly token the first step in that direc—

ion.

He recallei the many occasions on which he
had noticed t2. 4 stronger in the immediate
vicinity of his cabin, of recent days and now,
also recallin; twat li-ok and softened tone when
Morris ROSenbintt thanked Agnes, little wonder
that Saul Dernpsrer would gladly welcome the
idea of removingr this dangerous guest from un-
der his roof.

But it was not to be after his fashioning, poor
fellow!

Hurrying along when fairly inside the town,
Saul Dempster was met and recognized by one
who had ponerful reasons for quieting him for
at least the time being; and without sound or
word of warning, a cruel blow laid the unsus-
pecting messenger low, be falling to earth \vith
never a cry, lving as he fell, a summing corpse!

“ The devil’s Own good luck 1” muttered the
villain, bending low over his victim, and at the
same time casting a keen, wary glance around
to make sure no one bad witnessed that dastard—
ly assault. “ He's knocked clean out of the ring,
and now for the other ducks!"

Having paused barely long enough to make
sure Saul Demp’iter was beyond the p0wer of
raisin an alarm for some considerable time, if
ind he was not slain outright, Frenchy Frank
Mitchell arose and hurried away in the dirm -
tion of the (ratio at which he had played
windo w-spy once before on that same night.

Before this spot was fairly gamed, he met
with several rough-clad fellows, whom he greet—
ed in a friendly manner, then gave them a few
hurried directions in a whisper.

This done, the gambler crept up to the wm~
dow, and stole another look through that cen-
venient crevice, smothering a deep oath as he
did so. And yet—what had he seen to so waken
his savage wrath?

Nothing more than Agnes Dempster holding a
cup of cool water to the feverish lips of the
diamond—dealer.

Gliding back to the door, and signing his men
to hold themselves in readiness, Frenchv Frank

tapped gently against that barrier, then per—

fectly imita'ing the voice of San! Dumpster, he
softly called forth:

“ Unbar, Aggie! I’ve forgotten the— Let
in daughter!”

Without a thought of deception, A nes re-
moved the fastenin sand opened the cor—to
be tight-clasped in itchell‘s arms the next in-
stant, while his fellows sprung inside, to pounce
pron the wounded diamond-dealer before Mor-

3 Recon blast could draw a weapon to defend
himself or the maiden whom he was fast learn-
ing to love so ardently.

‘Slit his throat if he even tries to squeal!”

ordered Mitchell.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
WATCHING FOR AN OPENING.

JUST there it was too dark for that silent,
motionless shape to attract the attention of the
hurrying Cryslal Sport, and the first intimation
Chris Cresson had, came in the shape of that trip
and stumble.

With some little difficulty he saved himself
from falling outright, and all the more so be—
cause he was moved by the strange instinct
which warns us iigainet needlessly injuring
aught of unoffending flesh and blood; for, at
first contact with the unseen obstacle, the ad-
venturer knew it was human.

A l.)W cry of startled warning broke from his
lips, an! put Firebrand Dick 11 n the keen
a art; but the detective had pii that body by

without seeing or touching and it was not until
Crease”! 0 mid speak that he divlhed what had
gone wrong.

“Look out! Dead or drunken—in the path 1”

 

 

That was sufficient clue for the quick-witted
detective and by the time Chris (‘resson had
recovered his lost balance and could turn in that
direction, Firebrand Dick was stooping over
that dim, indistinctly visible mass.

“ Keep an eye out, mate!” he said, in guarded
tones as the Crystal Sport Come up. “ W nit un-
til I strike a match, for— Feels like a dead man,
for a fact i”

One sensitive hand was making that examina-
tion while the other felt for a match, but now
the man from Chicago used both palms to form
a shield and reflector for the match he had just
ignited.

By this means the tiny glow was hidden from
any curious eyes which might be directed tow—
ard that quarter, and at the same time the yel-
low rays were centered right where the light
was most needed.

They showed the face of a man something
East middle-age, his features slightly distorted,

is face marked with blood which matted his
iron~gray hair and was still trickling down from
a lacerated scalp; but Firebrand Dick took no
more than that single glance, for by it he recog-
nized Saul Dempster, although he merely knew
the prospector by sight, and could not even have
given a guess at his rightful name.

“ Devil’s to lpuy, and I just knew it!” was his
startled ojacu atlon, as he drOpped match and
sprung to his feet. “Lively, Cressoni It’s the
shanty-ow ner where our game lies!”

Even before the finnl words were spoken, the
detective was up and away at full speed, head-
ing as directly as possi bio for the cabin in which
he had caught a glimpse of the person upon
whom his profes~ii0nal attention seemed about
to center; and after a bare second of hesitation,
born of doul t as to the propriety of abandoning
that unfortu.iate without at least ascertaining
whether he was living or a corpse, Chris Cres-
son likewise Sprung into action, and Was quickly
at the heels of the Firebrand Detective.

“ Dollars to cents we’ve lost our chance l” came
from the lips of the detective as the two men
hurried along through the night. “ While I was
trying to win you over, the other fellow was
working! Well-”

“ To 1 much chin!” came the curt interruption
from Chris Cresson.

There was no time for getting into a dispute,
since the distance to be covered was not great;
and despite the excitement which he must na-
turally he feeling, Firebrand Dick kept to the
right trail as surely as though he was n. veritable
bloodhound: and even as the Crystal Sport sent
in that blunt shot, they came in sight of the lit-
tle cabin.

The moon had sunk almost out of sight by this
time, but the heavens were nnclouded, and the
star-light quite an item. And so, as the two
men drew nearer the little home, they mutually
made a discovery. _

Something was going on there, and living
shapes were indistinctly visible as their pace in—
voluntarily slackened a bit, the better for their
eyes to Work.

The distance was by no means great, but the
ground rose higher back of the cabin, thus add-
ing to the indistinctness of that vision.

“ Closer—cautious!” muttered Firobrand Dick,
gliding silently ahead, all the time using his eyes
to the best possible advantage.

That little blotch of mOving shapes were quick-
ly resolved into human being», and as his strain-
ing gaze ir ade out even more than that, the
Crystal Sport jerked revolver from holster, hiss-
ingly saying: _

‘ it’s the gang, or I’m a liar! They’ve made
a. raid, but—jump ’em, hard, pardncr!”

Firebrand Dick made the same discovery al-
most simultaneously, but in spite of his strong
interest in the diamond-dealer, he was cooler
than the Crystal Sport, and whirlin around he
caught that weapon with one han , while the
other tried to cover those mustached ii 3.

“ Easy, man! Do you want to ill Hor-
wood!”

Any other name than that would hardly have
affected his purpose so swiftly, so surely, but as
it came, the Sport flinched and hiinse f threw
the pistol-muzzle upward and backward.

Luckily the weapon was not discharged by
either hand, and the moving enemy yonder
showed no signs of taking the alarm.

“ But—they’ve got him—don’t you see?” huski-
1y mumbled Chris Cresson, for once in a way
almost completely unmanned.

“ Looks that way, too!”

“ Then why—jump ’em, man! We can lick
’em out of their boots!”

“ And while doing that how about Kenneth
Horwoodi”

“ They’re running him off ! They’ll murder
him, ifnonly to cover up their devilish past! Oh,
man ——

“ Brace up, and be a man, then!” with as much
stern scorn as could be crowded into a. voice
which prudence forced to a whisper. “ If they’d
run such loag chances as this, wouldn’t they do
more? Wouldn’t they knife or shoot the young
fellow rather than let him get away 9”

Tongues can move with wonderful rapidity
when the necessity arises, and all this consumed
but a few seconds of time.

During that brief period, however, the gang

ii . i
,,, t -. HA.» .i_y . ,-~,i_

 

 

was working, and now the two adventurers saw
them moving briskly away from the little cabin,
even though they were plainly incumbered by
prisoners.

So much was beyond all doubt, but the light
was not equal to telling the Sport and the detec-
tive of what sex those captives were, or, indeed, 11*
whether there was more than one or not. ,

Wooew-r they held was powerless to lift c '
or alarm, and with remarkable celerity the rai -
iug gang passed away from the Dempster cabin !
and met the fellow who had been left in charge 1
of the horses provided in advance for their re- 
treat.

When Chris Cresson beheld this, he made an-
other brief eifort to win the detective’s backing
for a bold charge and strong fight for the prize i
so many persons seemed to feel an interest in; -
but the result was still the same. '

“There’s five, at least,” declared Firebrand ,1
Dick, counting the rascals as well as he could by ,
that indistinct light. “ Vi'e couldn’t down ’em 
all in a lump, and the others—what? They‘d ',
dowu the young fellow first, if only to keep him 
from bearing witness against them! Can’t you ,
see it, Creeson i” i

There was just enough shrewd good sense in
this manner of reasoning to hold the fiery-tem-
pered Sport in check for the time being; if less,
he probably would have spurned the detective
gs akcraven cur, and made the dash on his own i

00 O l
By the time the gang was mounted and ready
for taking the route, the two spies had crept up !
close enough to not only count their numbers. J
but to make out two captives, bound and muf— 1'
fled, one of them surely being girl or woman!

“ And that makes it still harder on us, don’t {
you see?” whispered Firebrund Dick, still keep- ;
ing a cautious hand on his compunion‘s arm as a '
more perfect safeguard against any rash break.

“ A man might hoe his own row, but a woman
——we’ve got to follow ’em on, Cresson l” g

“ l’ll free Roeenblatt, or leave my bones out ‘
here for the Wolves!” doggedly muttered the
Crystal Sport, moving ahead as the horsemen
advanced, heading away from Deadwood.

Provided the nature of the ground is against I
too rapid progress, it is by no means a difficult 
matter for a footman to play spy upon a .
mounted force by night; nearly everything is in l

I
!

favor of the former, and this occasion was not
an exception to the general rule.

The gang showed no signs of a fear of ursuit,
for their raid had been accomplished w thout a
cry lifting or a shot iinging forth to call atten-
tion that way. Then, too, the hour was one
which found all honest ople housed, and after
those first few minutes eadwood was left farto
the rear.

As yet, the two bold advanturers who were
taking life in hand by d ging the law-breakers,
could make out nothing urther than that there
were two prisoners: both Seated on horseback,
with an armed man perched behind the saddle
guiding the horse with arms reaching around
the body in front of him.

But then, as time passed on, and the day be-
gan to show signs of breaking, the spies could
distinguish objects with more readiness. And
when the party of horsemen Were windin
leisurely through,that rough, rugged scope 0
country, their probable lans were being dis-
cussed by the two bold ellows who had never !
lost sight of them since leaving Deadwood. I

There was sufficient light now for the friends
to recognize Morris Rosenblatt in one of those
captives, while the other was Just as certainly a
woman.

“ Well, what comes next, pardner?” asked
Crystal Chris, fumbling with his revolver as
though strongly tempted to open fire without
further delay. “Going to follow them clean to
the North Pole?" _

“ They’ll not travel far by daylight, Cresson.
We’ll keep on their track, and if discovered be-
fore the bait for good, we’ll shoot to kill! If
not, we’l play roots on ’em when they go into
camp—see?”

Firebrand Dick laughed grimly at the thoughts
thus conjured up.

CHAPTER XXXlV.
MAKING A CLEAN swnsr.

Wrrnour suspecting ought of that persth
espial, the party of lawless knaves rode steadily
on through the hills, now and then casting a
careless glance around and toward the rear,
but never once catching a glimpse of those
crouching, skulking shadows, and never once
detecting ought in their surroundings to give
them uneasniess or worry. .

The last mile or two was covered at a more
rapid pace, for the day was dawning, and with
such valuable prizes in their care, t was poor
judgment to run any unnecessary risks. 1

Then their present destination was reached: a;
small, secluded vale, surrounded by rugged hills;
and reached by one of several narrow passes by
which communication might be had with the
more even country around that temporary ‘7,
refuge. ‘4

That it was merely a tempor stopping-
place was clear from the lack of s elter other
than the three or four trees which found root in
the little valley, and the fact that the outlaw;

 

 

  
 

 

 

 

 

 

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

29

 

made no move toward erecting any sortof cover
for either themselves or their captives.

Up to their reaching this valley, the heads of
both Morris Roseublatt and his companion in
misfortune had been kept muffled, not enough
so as to seriously interfere with their breathing,
but preventing them from taking notes as to
their route for future use.

Before these mufilers were removed, there was
a hurried consultation among the rascals, well
beyond earshot of the captives, which ended in
a division of their little force; four of the num-
ber putting on masks, while the fifth and last, a
half-breed, known among his fellows as Injun
Joe, stole noiselesst away through a different

ass from that by which the secluded valley had
been gained. . .
By making this choice of routes, inJun Joe

, escaped an encounter with the two spies, who

were even then stealing cautiously yet deter-
minedly upon the abductors, feeling sure from
certain signs which had not escaped their
watchful e es, that the party was about to halt.

The ha] breed was out of sight before the
spies gained a point from whence they could
overlook the valley and its occupants, and for
some little time that absence escaped their
notice.

“ It’s a halt, but for h0w long?” muttered the
Firebrand DetectiVe, as the two men crouched
there under cover, taking notes the while.

, “ Long enough for us to get in our work, pro-
vided we don’t fall asleep over it," somewhat
tartly answered the Crystal Sport. “And I’m
serving notice on you right nOW. cully, that this
f00t- race has come to an ending.”

“ Which means!”

“That I’m going to foolish yonder rascals,
even if I have to play a lone hand against the
pile—with you thrown in to make weight l"

Chris Cresson s ke just as thou h he meant
all he said, too; ut he had all a ong chafed

' sorely against the cool prudence betra ed by

this man from Chicago, and now—we] , fight-
ing had got to take the place of delay, and that
was all about it!

“Glad to hear it, pardner, for I was on the
point of making pretty much the same remark,”
coolly declared the detective, lifting his head a
bit higher, to win a wider view. “ Only—I’ve

' last one man out of the crowd, Cresson!”

Glimmenglass took another view of the scene,
and he likewise missed one of the five composing
that gang: only four remained within the val-
ley in addition to the two captives.

“ Where do you reckon he’s gone to, friend?"
uneasily asked the detective, taken aback by
this totally unexpected change in the case.

“ Gone to report to their boss,” boldly asserted
the Crystal Sport as he took another look at his
pistols, making sure no accident had befallen
them during that recent crawl among the rocks.
“ And that’s all the more reason wh we want
to get in our pretty work without facing any
more time. See?”
~ “ I’d rather wait until—his going away may
spoil all our calculations, Cresson l”

“ Not mine, for I calculate to spoil some of

onder rascals—or their good looks, at least,”
bluntly retorted the Sport, at the same time
creeping along to the next bit of cover.

Firebrand Dick saw that all further argu-
ment would be but a waste of time and breath,
followed the daring Sport, and managed to coax
him to wait and watch for a surer Opening, by
pledging his word to make the assault just.”
soon as they could see a fair chance of equalizing
the forces at their first stroke. .

That time came round sooner than either of
the spies dared hope for, and bya very little
adroit maneuvering, the two adventurers were
able to leap from cover, each upon an armed
foeman, strikinglas they came.

Knowing as t ey did that success must be in-
stant and sure, else the other brace of masked
villains would ruin all their hopes, and with
them claim their lives, neither Firebrand Dick
nor Chris Cresson stopped to measure the full
force of their blows, or to ask how thick were
the skulls those blows were directed against.

The knaves hardly had time to realize that
trouble was breaking, and only one of them was
able to utter a single broken org, before they
were down, senseless and out of t 6 fight.

“ Hands up, you devils!” shouted the Crystal
Sport, his revolver instant] covering one of the
remaining outlaws. “Kyick or squeal, and
down goes your— Didn’t I tell you so,
Johnny?”

One of theimasked men was bold or foolish
enough to spring aside. in hopes of baffling that
aim long enough fOI‘ him to snatch a gun from
its scabbard ; but Chris Cresson was at the other
and of that instrument, and swift as thought
his aim shifted to amt. and his last words blend-
ed with the sharp explosion of his revolver.

With a fierce cry of pain and rage the tough
dropped his gun just as it ca me away from his
hip, and his left hand filled with hot blood as
his fingers closed over that maimed right arm.

“ Steady, I say!” again cried the Crystal
8 rt, his pistol again eta level. “Next time
I‘ l shoot to kill, not to wing!”

“ Don't shoot—I’m killed already !" groaningly
cried out the wounded rascal,while his comrade,
flinching, shivering, said narcr a word as he

‘ 

 

found himself covered by the mate to that un-
erriiig gun.

‘iStendy, then, the both of you!” added the
Crystal Sport. “Go you, pardner, and disarm
the fellowx. Keep out of my line, so I can
throw ’em cold at the first suspicion of a
kick l”

“ Lift your dukes, my pretty lad," coolly sup-
plemented the Firebrand Detective as he moved
toward the unhurt knave. “ Pity to spoil your
good looks, but don’t forget that I value mine a
notch or two higher than I do yours. So—play
easy, or you’ll fall mighty hard I”

With two such cool customers holding the
drop, neither of the thugs were reckless enough
to offer further resistance, particularly as they
now saw that their mates had already been
downed.

First disarming both men, Firebrand Dick
qu1ckly tied them, hand and foot, with portions
cut and torn from their own equlpage; and it
was not until the entire quartette had been
placed beyond the possibiiity of doing further
mischief, that either of the rescuers paid any
close attention to the two captives on whose be-
half they had taken such long and dangerous
chances.

Chris Cresson was the first to pay them a
visit, and his were the bands which set both
Agnes Dempster and Morris Rosenblatt at lib-
erty, the man from Chicago appearing afflicted
with a bashfulness as sudden in its cmning as it
was powerful in its entirety.

Naturally enough the rescued ones were great-
ly excited over the fight which had taken place
fairly before their startled eyes, and that no
doubt accounted for the agitation betrayed by
Agnes; but how about the real or pretended
diamond-dealer?

He seemed powerfully afl’ected, and his first
motion consisted in lifting hands to face, where
that gray beard and mustache appeared woe-
fully rumpled up by the bandage he had worn
for so long, or the rough usage he had experi-
encod at the hands of his enemies.

Chris Cresson apparently found nothing out
of the ular course in all this, but chattered
on in live y fashion, telling much about the dis-
covery and the pursuit, laying the first to pure
accident, and the last to a mere love of sport.

“ ’Tisn’t often a fellow gets a fair excuse for
turning man-hunter, you know, and when the
opportunity does offer itself—well, it isn‘t my
mother’s son who could throw such a chance
over his shoulder 1”

But, with all this rattle-te-han , Chris Creseon
was not unmindful of the rescu couple’s wants
or needs, and through his kindly questions it
came out that, so far from suffering detriment
throu b that enforced ride, Morris Rosenblatt
felt al the better for it!

Chris Cresson would not admit this strange
remedy could produce any such result, so con-
trar to all rules and regulations, and insisted
on p aying surgeon to that hurt.

The diamond-dealer yielded, as the easiest
method of proving his assertion, and almost be-
fore Firebrand Dick understood what was bell!!!
done, the amateur surgeon was busily engaged
over his patient.

Leaving the captured knaves to themselves
for the.time being, the detective silent] glided
up behind Chris Cresson as the Sport 'nelt at
the wounded man’s side, his eyes filled with an
almost fierce glitter as he peered over that shoul-
der, to see—nothing which he hoped for!

That white shoulder was partially 8 0
but it was not the breast Firebrand Dick burned
to see, as the surest, quickest and safest method
of solving his ugly doubts.

” Well, what’s the matter with you, pardnerf”
bluntly demanded the Crystal Sport, turning
head as he felt that hot b th.

f‘I came to the Black ills to wind up the
Hilton 85 Jarvis diamond-robbery case," coldly
said the Chicago detective. “Now—which one
of on two fellows have I got to arrest as Ken-
net Horwoodf”

As he spoke, his revolver clicked warningly.

CHAPTER. XXXV.
'ro 'rrm RESCUE.

Dnsnarnn by both friend and foe, Saul Dem
ster lay as he had fallen beneath that d
stroke, until the night was Well along toward
morning. And when he be an to revive it was
with sorely bewildered b , and a parkal loss
of memory.

Through instinct more than reasoning, the
poor fellow staggeringly made his way back to
21:33:21: homp, whelre he had left his only child,

urviv n re ative in '

waismded “mu (gr. , company with the
he sight 0 that familiar lace in good!
measure cleared away those megital clouds, bui
as he failed to catch that expected glow of light
through the unshuttered window, Saul Demp-
ster instinctively divined trouble in store for
him and his.

With a low, apprehensive cry. the ros tor
quickened his pace, and his right an was
lifted in readiness to sound the familiar signal
to announce his coming, when he saw that the
door was flung wide!

And then the worst blow fell! *

For a few minutes the poor fellow was fairly

 

i

 

dazed, unable to realiZo the dread truth, et
feeling his very heart bursting with the terri ler
knowledge that Aggie—his all in life, was
gone!

He wasted precious minutes in calling huskily
upon his child, and in groping through the
cabin, around the premises, here and there,
every spot where the. household duties were
wont to take the maiden; but then, while feel-
ing fora match in his pockets, Saul Dempster
touched the bit of paper leiiriiig that warning
against Frenchy Frank Mitchell.

His dazed, indistinct niutterings changed to a
fierce cry, and from that moment his actions
were more natural, le>s those of a bewildered
lunatic.

He struck a light, and saw for himself that
both Agnes and the injured guest were gone,
and while there was nothing left behind to cer-
tainly show how and why, no entirely sane per-
son could for an instant doubt that force ad
been called into play in order to effect that ter-
rible change—tcrrible to Saul llempster, and
surely as terrible to those torn away from
friendly shelter.

When he could no longer doubt the meaning
of that darkened home, and never once givin
thought to his own hurts, S sul Deinpster rush
off in the direction of town, an indistinct mem-
ory causing him to strike first for the Midland
Hotel, where his half-crazed cries and lamenta-
tions were not bug in collecting a goodly-sized
growd to hear of this, the latest sensation of the

our.

It promised to be more of a sensation than
those who caught the first alarm had any idea
of, for San! Dempster, half out of his head, pro-
duced both the note written to Chris Cresson by
Morris Rasenblatt, and the warning which he
had found pinned to his door, charging Frenchy
Frank Mitchell with playing window-spy that
night.

Still, there could he no room for doubting
that an outrage of some description had been at-
tempted, since the condition of the poor fellow
who raised that alarm spoke for itself; a doctor
took him in charge, mid while pronouncing the
hurt notl‘ing very serious, at the some time ex—
plained how the stroke, by lacking a very little
of being at direct right angles, had narrowly
missed crushing the skull.

As the alarm spread throughout the town,
it found Frenchy Frank Mitchell swift to re-
spond, and when he learned how shamefully his
good name was mixed up with that outrage, his
anger was almost too great for expression.
And then, as the surest, quickest method of

roving his guiltlessness before all the world
fay in running down and bringing the actual
criminals to the bar of justice, he flung himself
with stern energy into the business of raising a
rescuing party.

The ambler said nothing for record when the
Crysta Sport could not be found, and the fact
of his chamber window being open, with deep
footprints on the ground immediately beneat
was made known; but. there were not lackin
other tongues to make scathing comments, an
long before the party was in readiness to scour
the surrounding hills in quest of the enemy,a
general vote would have showed many honest
citizens who firml believed both Chris Cresson
and Party P‘izen ad taken part in that abduc—
tion, far too prominent for strict honesty.

The new day was dawningr before all was in
readiness to begin that well-nigh hopeless search,
for San! Dempster had lain 1: ing with his senses
lost, and since then had wasted more precious
time, thanks to his great grief and bruised
wits.

But now, when the search was fairly taken
up, Frenchy Frank Mitchell kick the lead as
by common consent, and he pushed matters
with fiery zeal, yet showing a cool, shrewd

eneer such as even his most intimate

riends never thought of crediting him with,
to date.

Saul Dempster was one of the party, but when
that is said, all is told, so far as his being an im-
portant factor in the case is concerned.

The poor fellow was better fitted for bed than
for the saddle, but in his dreadful anxiety con-
cerning his idolized child, only death itself could
have kept him to the rear. o

Trul remarkable success seemed to reward
the as constituted leader of the rescuing party,
for Frenchy Frank was the one to first hit 03
what seemed to he the trail of the ravishers,
when once fairlybeyond the more fre uented
grounds surrounding Deadwood; and reachy
Frank it was who, from time to time, called at-
tention cf the trailers to signs which had so far
escaped their keen eyes.

These discoveries came from time to time, and
at intervals brief enough to hold the enthusiasm
of the searchers warm: yet nothing was said or
done by the shrewd gambler which would possi-
bly awaken a suspicion of the truth: that he was
cunningly directing the party along a course
agreed upon beforehand with Injun Joe, the
half-breed.

Such was the fact, however, and while taking
the same general course as the abductcrs, it was
leading tna point where the fake sci nt was to
Send the quest for out of thc wiiv, soon to be lost
entirely, after which the. laif-hrcr-d had left no

A

 
 

4

  

'30

 

' 0001 Chris, theCrystal Sport.

 

further sign, but cut across to join his mates
and journey with them to the end.

As a matter of course, much time was wasted
at each one of these losses, but as Mitchell justly
said, better a slight delay in proving the right,
than to try to save time by headlong guesswork,
which in the end must almost certainly lose their
only chance of finding the enemy and rescuing
the captives.

Thus the hours passed along, and it was a little
after noon before aught was sighted which even
bore the semblance of a human being, keenly as
dozens of true eyes were keeping watch, and
eagerly though honest hearts were praying for
a fair sight of the enemy.

As was the case with nearly all of the minor
discoveries made that day Frenchy Frank Mit-
chell was the first one to glimpse yonder rapidly-
moving figure and with strangely pale face he
commanded a halt, bidding his men hold them-
selves well under cover until he could decide
just who and what yonder moving shape repre-
sented.

At a signal from his hand, one trusted aide
rode forward with the gambler, both men doing
their level best to make out what was coming,
and each ready to act should the necessity

arise.

“It’s a fellow riding tail-on-endl” muttered
Mitchell. strainin his eyes to their utmost, and
then looking stil further off than the reckless
rider now was; to utter another savagely-grating
oath as he caught sight of at least two more
shapes just coming into view from yonder far-
awa tract of rugged rocks and wind-bent
shru bery.

“ A chase, boss!” ventured the fellow selected
by Mitchell to share his advance. “ And—
lookl” with his interest suddenly increasing as
his marvelously keen e es made a real or half-
fancied discovery. “ he does that head crit-
ter look like, Frenchy l”

The gambler had been devoting his attention
to those more distant sha , but now he shifted
his gaze, and for seve seconds stared with
pain ul intensity at the nearer horseman.

“ Isn’t it—Hank Redmond for rockel”

“ The deuce!” exploded Frenchy Frank, the
hand which was gripping a pistol-but: now
jerking forth the weapon even as he, too made
that startling discovery. “On, to meet him,
Dani We’ve got to drop those two devils, yon-
der, and that before the gang behind us can
take a tumble to the trick we’re turnin i”

As he savagely uttered these words, t e arch-
villain rode rapidly ahead, making a signal to
catch the notice of that fu tive, fearing lest he
render success more difiic t, if not impossible,
by veering to the right or left in case the ground
should seem more favorable in that direction.

After that brief hesitation, there was no lon-
ger any doubt as to the identity of the fugitive,
and knowing that such a flight could only mean
danger to his cherished plans, Frenchy Frank
med his horse onward at reckless speed, giving
a low snarl of satisfaction as he saw Hank Red-
mond recognize his signals.

While this was taki place, the other knave
was aying more attention to the pursuers, and
as t ey came into more open view, where the
sunlight could strike them fairly. a flashing,
glimmering, sparkling light seemed to envslop
the leading horseman, and a sharp cry turned
the attention of the gambler in that direction.

“ The Crystal Sport, or I’m a howling liarl”

“Now we’ve got to down ’em—just got to lay
’em out!” viciously vowed the gamester, as he
drew rein and sprung to the ground directly in
line with the chase, knowing well that Hank
Redmond would ride straight, and hoping that
the pursuers might speed unwittingly on to their
doom l”

His horse reeking with sweat and bleeding
from more than one injury caused by the rocks
over which that race for life had led, Hank
Redmond came up, and almost tumbling out of
the saddle, cried hoarsely:

“ Gi’ me a gun! I didn’t have— Kill ’em, or
we’re cold meat I”

And armin the road-agent, fire was uickly
opened upon t e two pursuers, with dead y pur—
pose, to say the least.

. CHAPTER XXXVI.
COOLING a FIREBRAND.

ten Chicago detective uttered thoae words
mm grim emphasis, yet there was something
like a smile in his eyes as they flashed from
face to face, and though his revolver was
drawn and cocked, he hardly held it as a man
who really expected to be obliged to use the
was. 11.

orris Rosenblatt gave a subdued cry at that
blunt query, but the strong hand of the Crys-
tal Sport ept him from risin , and Cresson
looked undauntedly into that ffl‘yac
moments before bluntly asking: .

“Now who told you to begin playing fool

in, pardnerl”

“That’s all right, old fellow,” with a touch
of doggedness coming into his tones. “I’ve
played second fiddle long enough, and now—I
ask it over once more: which one of you two
is Kenneth Horwood!”

“ Who said either of us was!”

“I saw it new, if no person said it before.

 

e for a few

 

One of you two men is Kenneth Horwood, and
that one is my meat I"

Pale and trembling, Agnes Dempster had
watched and listened to all this, but now, as
that voice grew sterner, and she saw that ugly
weapon seemingly about to come into play, a
cry of fright and imploring broke from her
lips, and she started to spring between the ene-
mies, as these men surely must be.

But as Morris Rosenblatt caught that sound,
and saw her alarm, he lost sight of his own
fears, and boldly cried out:

“ Pm Kenneth Horwood, sir, and if you have
a warrant for my arrest, show it, and I’ll sur-
renderl”

Swift as thought Chris Cresson grasped that
weapon, and with a single wrench tore it from
the detective’s hand, at the same time whipping
forth one of his own guns and thrusting its
muzzle fairly into that sturdy face, grime cry-

in :

E Cool off, Firebrand! Must I lift your roof,
pardneri”

Instead of makin a struggle, or of attempt-
ing to regain the vantage thus sudden] lost,
the detective broke into a low, amused augh,
showing not the slightest anno ance or per-
sonal fear, even with that pistol a most rubbing
the tip of his nose.

“Take it easy, Glimmer-glass,” he spoke, in
tones to suit that demeanor. “ All I wanted
was to find out just which one of you fellows
had th’e best right to answer to that name; and
now-—

“ I am Kenneth Horwood, sir,” repeated the
one who has thus far figured as Morris Rosen-
blatt, the diamond-dealer, lifting himself to a
sitting position, closing the garments over those

bandages.
“Then you ought to be able to show a pecu-
liarl shaped scar on our—”

“ ike this, you mean,” in steadier tones, as
that red crescent was briefly revealed. “ And
now-J

“ And now, Glimmer-glass, don’t you reckon
we’d both be a bit more comfortable if you’d

“ I’m just on the point of doin so, Mr. Fyer-
band,” interposed the C stal port, rising to
his feet without giving t e detective even the
shadow of a chance to turn the tables. “ And
as the first movement, will you elevate your
dukes!"

“ But, man alive—”

“That’s more than you’ll be in a holy min-
ute, Firebrand, unless you prove yourself an
apter gupil. Last call— ands up i”

Wit uncompromisin earnestness came that
command, and with f ' smile the detective
com lied, beginning to 'ze that matters were
far rom being so agreeably shaping themselves
as he had recently imagined.

With much the same dexterity displayed by
the detective in disarming and binding the road-
a ents, Crystal Chris now rendered Firebrand
D ck powerless to work mischief to any person,
placing him in a fairly comfortable position near
the little camp-fire which the enemy had kin-
dled for the purpose of preparing their break-

fast.

“That’ll do for a starter, I reckon,” the Sport
declared, stepping back and cooking head to one
side as be viewed his work. “ I’ve seen many a
better-looking fellow than you, pull the hem
supplied by Judge Lynch, Richard; and if we
should-”

“ You don’t dare, Chris Cresson l”

“That’s what you say now. If there happens
to be any method of sending dispatches from the
lower world, pardner, we’ll be glad all over to
has}; from you on that same pointabit later
onl

Turning away, Chris Cresson spoke for some
little time with the wounded’ man, in guarded
whispers. Either his words, or their subject
matter, caused the admitted Kenneth Horwood
great excitement; but beyond the mere fact that
such was the case, Firebrand Dick was kept in
the dark, and feeling Very uncomfortable, too.

Crystal Chris pair a visit to Bank Redmond
and the other road-agents before returning to
his latest captive; but they were securely bound,
and no danger was to be apprehended from that
quarter.

While the Sport was engaged after this
fashion, Kenneth Horwood, to ive him the
name he had the best right to c aim, was ex-
plaining matters to Agnes Dempster, whoae
good opinion he now valued above all the world
else. And he was not nearly through with his
explanation when Crystal Chris begged pardon
for chipging, but would the gentleman consent
to enlig ten the stranger from Chicago a bit
further? ,

Kenneth expressed himself as more than will-
ing to do this, provided Miss Dempster would
honor him by listening to his explanation.

“Only for you—and your noble father,” by
an afterthought, “I must have perished with
this awful stain still covering my name, my

memory; but now—thanks to friends here on ,

earth, and another in heaven, the time is near
at hand when all the world will know how ter-
Eibl 1}, have suffered, merely through a venial
a t

It was not long before the little group was

 

 

 

arranged to the satisfaction of all, unless it
might be Firebrand Dick, who visibly chafed
against his unmerited bonds. And then Ken-
neth Horwood be an the story of his past life.

To give a liters report here would merely be
to repeat much of that already put on record,
for Kenneth Horwood told his story pretty
much as the papers of the day had given it to
the world.

He admitted his rash credulity in putting such
full trust in the man and woman whose ac-
quaintance he had made in the dining-room of
the hotel where all were boarding at the time.

“ And I was wrong in permitting them to o
with me inside the store, after hours, and ll
more so in opening vault and safe for their in-
spection; but there lay my worst sin. All the
rest was theirs to do, mine to pay the penalty l”

He told how terribly he suffered, in mind even
more than in body, before help came; but all
that was as nothing compared with his torment
later on, when eyes of suspicion turned his way,
when old friends began toavoid him, when he
learnt that a warrant of arrest had at an early
hour been sworn out against him, and was
merely withheld in hopes of his betraying his
confederates, if permitted to remain free.

“ At last I couldn’t stand it longer. I had
not a relative to uphold me with sympathfi' or
trust, and seeing no hopes of clearing 111 so or
finding the actual criminals, I determ nod to
drown myself 1”

“ Whose body was that, found and buried for
yours, then?”

“I don’t know. I meant to drown myself,
and so stated in a note which I wrote to my only
livin relative, then across the ocean—”

“ hris Cresson, for dollars 1” impulsively cried
Firebrand Dick, his perplexed countenance clear-

up in oodly measure.

‘ I ma ed that ex lanation, then went down

to the lake-shore. at when I knelt down to
ask forgiveness in prayer, I found I couldn’t
carry out my desperate resolution, and so— ust
how ’twould be fartoo long a story for te g
now—I changed my name and face, even my
figure, and leavin Chicago without detection,
began a personal unt for the man and woman
who” had brought all this wretchedness upon
me.
“ And you found them out here in Deadwood!”
once more broke in the detective. “ You struck
the same trail I dldl You know that Diamond
Dell and a robbed Hilton & Jarvis. You
know that mpress Josephine St. John is the
old-time Confidence Queen 1”

“ Before high Heaven I believe that it is the
truth 1” earnestly cried Kenneth Horwood.

“ And if this hot-head hodn’t caught the drop
so smartly just as he did I’d have told on as
much, the instant I was fairly certain w ch one
of you fellows was the real Kenneth l” asserted
Firebrand Dick, with a frown of disgust toward
the now laughin Crystal Sport.

“Tit for tat, ichard, old man!” cried Chris

Cresson, as he removed those bonds and handed .,

back the weapons taken from the detective.
“ You played it mighty low down on ours
truly, once or twice, of late, and so— nder-
standl” -

“ You merely played to get even, then!” slow-
ly asked Fyerhand. ‘

“ That’s what! For I’d retty well made 11
my mind that you were ito give Kennet
Horwood a fair shake and I new that would
be all he needed: one of his name couldn’t stoo
to crime, even were a wagon—load of diamon s
to be won by so sinning l”

“ Modesty}, thy name is— Not Glimmer-glass,
at any ratel

With matters once more on a friendl footing,
the little group—of which A es em ter
formed one, by virtue of the hefiing han she
had held forth when Kenneth Horwood was in
such sore extremity—sat tggether, eating the
food so thoughtfully provid by the abductors
for themselves, and discussing the present, the
future, as well as the past.

Richard Fyerband explained how he had
studied out a different theory from that enter-
tained by the authorities as to the bottom facts
of that great robberi and was telhng how he
had learned his probe le game was to be found
out in the Black Hills, when an interruption
came.

Agnes Dem r uttered a sharp cry, and they
saw her poiu ng to where one of the prisoners
was just leaping upon a horse, to dash awa
across; the valley and into a narrow pass, at f
speed

 

CHAPTER XXXVII.
HUNTED DOWN.

So entirely unexpected was this breakaway
that neither Chris Cresson nor Firebrand Dick
thought of their weapons until after the fugi-
tive had vanished from sight amid those thick-
lying rocks whichjmasked the mouth of that
narrow pass leading out of the little valley.

And even then they could not believe it
possible that the reckless riderzwas one of their
prisoners. It could only be a venturesomo
horse-thief, who— ‘

“ Look! One of ’em’s gonel” cried Kenneth
Horwood, now on his feet and pointing toward

l

. .7  V.’ ‘:": ~
\ "n.3,. ‘1‘.

 

“71‘

  
 

(f
V

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 
   

31

 

 

the spot where the prisoners had been placed,
under s'i-ide of a couple of stunted trees.

With that for a guide, the rescuers sprung
across, to find that the wounded man spoke
sooth: one of their captives had surely broken
away, and as Chris Cresson flashed a glance
over the others, he cried out in savage tones:

“Hank Redmond, by the Eternal! Mount
and chase, pard! VVe’ve got to catch him,
or— You stand guard, Kenneth, until we’re
back!”

Even before those words could pass the
Crystal Sport’s lips, Firebrand Dick was in
motion toward the tethered animals, and only
pausing long enough to cast that warning to-
ward oung‘ Horwood, Chris Cresson likemse
dash of! in that same direction. .

Fortunately for their hopes of retrieving this
error, Redmond had been unable to stampede
the other animals, or else had feared to lose
precious time in making the attempt.

“No time for saddling up!” called out the
Chicago detective, as he slipped on a bridle,
then slashed a knife across the picket-rope.
“ We’ve got to get him, or he’ll kick all the fat
into the fire!”

With the keen instinct of a born man-
huuter, Chris Chrisson imitated the example
thus set him, and so successfully that Fire-
brand Dick had hardly crossed the back of his
animal before the Crystal Sport was mounted
and dashing off along the still hot trail of the
fugitive.

Apparently neither of the men gave a second
thought to the wounded man whom the had
left in charge of three desperate crimin , al-
though this might have been different had they
not supposed Redmond’s escape had been wholly
owing to his own exertions, unamisted by one
still outside of bonds.

With Firebrand Dick only a few ards in ad-
vance, the two pursuers eft the ttle valley
and thundered through the narrow pass where
they had caught their last glimpse of the run-
away desperado; and then a low, but satisfied
cheer broke from the detective’s lips as be
caught sight of their human game, furiousl
riding along, yet at a far lea ce in -
vance than he had dared hope for.

Moments seem terribly long when so much is
atstake, however, and thanks to the warning
cry given by Agnes Dempster, very little time
was gained by the fugitive before the chase
opened. . .

“ He’s our meat, Cresson!” cried Fireb and
Dick, with a fleeting glance over a shou der.
“ If I had a rifle, I could drop him right
now!”

“ It’s catching, not killin , though,” came the
0001, determined reply. “ mond knows all
the ropes, and with him to help, we can con-
demn the evil outfit without half trying!

it

i
“ All right, and catchin goes! Bottle, bird
and Box of cigars that {give him the collar
first! '

“ Taken, old man !”

Yet it proved to be a much longer-race than
either of those sanguine pursuers at firstima-
gined, for Hank Redmond had not taken the
very worst of the horses, nor was he at all in-
clined to let humanity toward brute interfere
with his esca . .

Still, littlepgy little the intervening distance
was lessened, and by the time a couple of miles
of that rough ground had been covered, the de-
tective and his comrade were fairly within long
pistol-range of the desperate r who was
mercilessly lashing his panting horse, even yet
hopin to effect his escape. .

“ e’ve got him now, Cresson, and it’s all over
but the shouting!

“We had him then, but he got away, and
even now— ’Ware hawks, man! Breakers
ahead, or I’m a liar i”

The keen eyes of the Crystal Sport can ht a
glimpse of figures far in advance, and rief
though that glimpse was, he felt fairly confident
they were not only human, but felt a strong in-
terest in that chase; if not, what could those
excited estures have meant? _

“ No gnatter,” doggedly vowed the detective.
urging his own panting steed Onward With hand
an heel. "he’s our meat, and we’re going 'to
havo him although a thousand— Ready With
your gunsfimrdner !”

Even now they might have brought down the
fusitlve with their pistols, ibly without in-
flicting serious injury to t 9 mn by mereiy
shootmg to kill or cripple the horse; but; in place
0f taking “1589 Chances the two men thundered
on, reckless of a possible ambuscado, now that
those indistinctly-seeu shapes had melted away
out of sight. ' . ~

“ Steady Redmond!” cried out Firebrand
Dick, barely loud enough for the fugitive to
catch. i“ You’re our meat, but we want it hot,

I not gold I Surrender, and We’ll treat you white

“ The band opens. pard!"shouted Chris Cres-
son, as they saw Redmond violently yank up
his jaded mount and fairly roll from his back.
“ Look out for— I knew it I”

The Crystal Sport ducked low alon the neck
06 his horse as he saw more than one uman fig-
,ure spring into view from among those rocks,

, .
" '.w. ’1 5 ‘.
- i-w ..;.: 

 

, l
and as the fire-arms began to speak, his chase i
turned into a charge, and his guns to echo back 1
those shots.

There was to be no skulking now! There was
no thought given to parley, nor even to pru-
dence, so far as the two pursuers were concern-
ed; and boldly as Chris Cresson charged to a
close, just as desperawa was he backed up by
Firebrand Dick.

Streams of flame-tinged smoke pulled out
ahead of them, and brief as was the space which
divided enemy from enemy, swift as was that
rush, there proved to be time enough for deadly
work ere the close came.

Both Frenchy Frank and Hank Redmond went
down, almost at the same instant, and side by
side, while Dan Weaver gave a bowl of mingled
pain and fear as he broke away in flight through
the rocks and bushes.

“More coming!” cried Cresson as he sprung
from his horse by the side of his fallen game.
“ Down, pard, and hold your man! Don’t let—
I say, you fellows!” lifting his voice higher, and
calling forth a stern warning to the people
whom he caught a glimpse of as they hurried
toward the spot.

“ Flag of truce!” peeled forth the Chicago de-
tective, almost at the same time, springing from
his mount and planting a heavy foot upon the
back of Frenchy Frank Mitchell, his fingers
swiftly reloading his emptied revolver. “ We’re
honest, what are you?”

“Stop, or we’ll stop you!” cried the Cr stal
Sport, as a supplement. “ We’re officers 0 the
law, acting under regular warrants of arrest,
and you trouble as at your own ill”

“ ou’rea man of business . Wheatley,”
added Firebrand Dick, recognizing a merchant
of prominent standing at Deadwood. “ Flag of
truce until we can explain the matter to you
all. If we can’t do that, surely you’re numerous
enough to down us, later on?’

These swift ap had the desired effect,
now that Frenchy Frank, the acknowled
leader of the force, was downed and past ii
an objection; and before the gambler could re-
cover his senses from wound and fall, Firebrand
Dick had shown his credentials as a regularly
commissioned detective, and had even begun to
recite some of the crimes committed by the fel-
lows who had dropped before their fire.

Explanations given and accepted, our two
friends lost no further time in caring for their
human game, and when the two knaves rallied
from'their hurts sufficiently to think of further
thtmg, they were both disarmed and help-

ess

Frenchy Frank was savage over “ this shame
ful outrage,” and even when confronted by his
captors with his latest outrage, the abduction of
Morris Rosenblatt and Agnes Dempster, he
realigned defiant, and refused to admit his
gui

Saul Dempster was all unnerved as he listened
to this and he was only quieted when both Fire-
brand Dick and Chris Cresson assured him the
maiden had suffered no harm, and was even
then safe and sound, at no very conlidel‘lble
distance away.

With this point fairly disposed of for the mo-

ment, the two adventurers fell to questioning
their wounded prisoners, but French Frank
gave them back curses and defiance, re using to
admit or confess aught.
I Not so with Bank Redmond, however. His
injuries were even worse than those received by
his chief, and his nerve was shattered. Ho
wasted not_a little time in groaning and be-
moaning his untimely fate, but then Chris
Cresson got his tongue to wagging, and the
truth began to leak out.

For one thing, Redmond gays a brief explana-
tion of his escape, and told how Injun Joe, the
half-breed, had come back from his secret
gioission, to find his comrades disarmed and in

n 9.

He managed to crawl c1086 enough to Bank
Redmond to cut him free, then left him the
knife for the gurpose of freeing his mates, say-
ing that _he and lose no more time, nor run
further risks.

_“ Where did he go, then!” asked Cresson, be-
ginning to divine the rest.

“ To warn the Empress, he said,” groaned the
wounded knave. “He said his fust duty—to
her, and—”

Firebrand Dick could wait for no more, but
exciKJdli y cried:

“ n if she gets a fair start, ood-bv to both
Diamond Dell and the stolen jewgels! 'I‘o horse,
pardner! We’ve ot to cut her off, or— We’ve
just got to, I’m tefiing you!”

Chris Cresson was hardly less wrought up b
this information, but he was cool enough to sail
for volunteers, and then directing the others
how to find maid, man and prisoners, leaving
them to guard the wounded criminals, the lit-
tle squad dashed away to wind up the affair.

 

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
BER LAST RECORD.

. Tm: afternoon sun was sinking low when two
riders moved at a rapid p.136 away from the
town of Deadworid, taking the same route ata

 

point on which this :“.:'ry open: (..

In the lead rode a tall, slender, yet slouching
and far from graCeful-looking fellow of Indian
descent, even if he was not entirely l’é‘d.

He was well armed, and his mount, though
undersized and looking as though comb nor
brush had ever received an introduction to its
exterior, was plainly of the “ singed cat” order:
very much better than it looked.

Close behind this more or less noble son of the
forest and mountains came another rider, also
seated astride, yet plainly of a different sex
from the leader; but, being a sqnaw of his race,
what else was to be ex cted?

Without word or sign passing between the
twain, they rode on at as rapid a rate as circum-
stances would permit, and in this unusual haste
alone lay anything suspicious: without an ene-
my or valuable game behind or in front, when
did ever Indian so exert himself'il

For more than an hour this rapid rogress
had been maintained, but then the buc quick-
ly jerked up the pony, with a guttural excla-
mation, which found a strange echo from the

flaw:

“ What is it, Joe?”

“ Boss coming—dat way i” with a nod ahead,
his dusky hands busied with the lock of his
Winchester the while.

“Not the stage; on, Joe!” with sudden fury
in her musical tones. “ We can’t be blocked
now! we must ride through or over ’em 1”

‘ Pomihly the boldest course was as wise as
any under the circumstances. To turn back
wo d mean nothing better than a t chase
nearly to the confines of Deadwood. he sides
of that trail were impracticable for horses; so
better trust to luck and bold daring!

Without giving the buck a chance to argue
for or against such a course, the squaw drew a
revolver from beneath her dirty blanket, and
urging her shag pony on, she dashed past
the Indian before could fairly realize what
her intention waa

Then, heels battering fiercely against the ribs
of his pony and black eyes glaring ahead as
he gripped his Winchester, lniun oe plunged
onward to save or share the ate of his wor-
shiped mistress!
in‘Izn lesls1 than a sgore of misgeéonds from tone};

_ up or pony, he see new came
sight of themfiarty whose ho'gf-strokes had
alarmed the -breed, and at their head rode
a figure whose person seemed framed in fire of
many hues—the “Glimmer-glass” of Party
P’isen, the Jaw-smith!

Sharp cries broke from the party of horsemen
as they caught sight of the squaw, but before
they could even recognize her sex or race, the
seemingly crazed creature screamed shrilly,
opening fire with her revolver, urging her pony
on at full charge!

And the next instant a second rider came up
with a rush, his rifle beginning to talk the mo-
ment he passed that sharp turn in the trail.

What else could a party do, when so savage-
ly assailed?

Shot echoed beck shot, and amidst all that
mad excitement there rung forth the wild,
fierce yell of Injun Joe as he caughta glim
of squaw and pony going down in a ranged
heap together, hardly two yards away from
where that glassy shape was visible through
the curling smoke-wreaths.

“ Don’t—you devils! Don’t kill—she—a wo-
man!”

And the last word was hardly clear of his

lips before he, too, went down in that blood-
stained road, never to rise again without as-
sistance!
“ ack ! Hold fire, men!” thundered the
Crystal Sport, leaping squarely over the head
of his horse as the quickest method of getting
within cover-in distance of that first-falling
enemy. “ It’s t e Empress, and if she isn’t—”

Something resembling the squaw partially
rose from that tangle, and with a barely articu-
late cry of defiance and undying hatred, she
fired one shot, the flame from her weapon al-
most reaching Cool Chris Cresson, who reeled
back at her shot, one hand flying to his breast
like one hard hit.

“Never! You die yourself, Kenneth Hor-
wood!” shrieked the Empress, as she beheld her
sparkling adversary reel and fall.

And then, as Firebrand Dick came leaping
through the smoke to save or to hold, the des-
perate woman turned the muzzle of her pistol
upon herself, and with that final explosion, her
record came to an earthly endi

 

While others gave their kindest attention to
the wounded, amon whom was Cool Chris
Cresson, the Cr stal port, Firebrand Dick first
assured himsel that the woman disguised as
an Indian squaw was indeed she whom Dead-
wood had known only as “ Empress Jose bias,"
the woman sport and gambler; then is t with
practiced fingers for the valuable treasure
which he 'felt morally certain the beauty with
a record was bearing about with her on this flit-
ting.

Disooverlng a hidden package, and feeling of
it sufficiently to assure himself that it con-
tained those precious stones. the detective lifted
the body in his arms, bearing it to one side or:

 

3.;

          
  

  
   
 

-V--.» —)

\

av~

.w


f.

 

I a long and truthful account of his troubles to his

\

Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport.

 

32

 

the road, then turned his attention toward In- '

]un Joe.

The half-breed was fatally in ured, but still in
possession of his senses, and a is to talk, after
a fashion.

A proaching death seemed to have subdued
his erce nature in a (goodly measure, and from
his lips the Firebran Detective learned much
that was of both interest and service to him.

Among other things was the story of the ab-
duction, under direction of Frenchy Frank
Mitchell, who had left them when the Verses,
were brought forth from cover. He wanted to *
be ready with an alibi in case of after investi-
gation.

Injun Joe likewise told how he set Hank Red-
mond free, then hurried away to warn the mis-
tress whom he fairly worshiped. And then—
the meeting on this trail, which had ended so
terribly!

Leaving Injun Joe to gasp away the feeble
remnant of his life, the 'Firebrand Detective
turned to Cool Chris, whom he found having
his wound examined by one of the volunteers.

“Nothin worse than a bit of blood-letting,"
the Sport c eerily assured; but his dark-brown
eyes were anxrously questicning the man

from Chicago, who gave a slight nod of assur-
ance.
“ We’ve ot ’em—got all we started after,

Cresson, alt ough I’m more ,, than sorry we
couldn’t take her, alive I"

“I’m not so mighty sure of that for my

part,” soberly answered the Crystal Sport, his

ace looking very grave, just then. “ After all,
she was a woman and I reckon she’d rather go
this way than fee the irons!”

Firebrand Dick shook his head in actual
melancholy.

Could he have “ run in ” both Diamond Dell
and Frenchy Frank, alive and unharmed, his
triumph would have been perfect, especially as
he knew now that his proofs of the perfect in-
nocence of Kenneth Horwood would be accepted
as final, by any court of justice; but now—
well, he must make the most of his other prize,
the gambler!

And to dispose of that portion of the subject
once for all, it may be ut on record ri ht here
that Firebrand Dick id take Frank itchell
back to Chicago. where he stood trial, and was
i’entenced to a lengthy term of years in “the

en.

Part of the “evidence” consisted of the dia-
monds themselves, which the bold robbers had
not dared dispose of, as yet. The were wait-
ing for the excitement to wholly ie out, when
they intended to reap their harvest.

Instead, that harvest was death to one, im-
prisonment to the other! Cool Chris was not
dangerously wounded and was able to o with
his younger brother, Kenneth Horwood, ack to
Chicago, and to stand by the side of the once
confidential clerk when his fame was cleared of
all stain!

Not until that trial was over did Firebrand
Dick fully understand what relationship those
two men held; but then he knew Kenneth Hor-
wood, when contemplating suicide, had Written

elder brother, Austin Horwood, who was then
traveling for pleasure on the Continent.

That brother hastened home as soon as possi-
ble, but it was to find a body buried as that of
his unfortunate brother, and learnin how uni-
versal was the belief in Kenneth orwood’s
guilt, Austin vowed to kee his identity secret
until he had probed the my ry to the very bot-
tom, and brought the actual criminals to the
bar of justice.

Hank Redmond died of his hurts but not
until after fully implicating Frenchy Frank
Mitchell, and explainin the few mysteries et
remaining. Then, wit vain regrets for is
wasted t, he “crossed the range!”

Saul empster in the end became reconciled
to the thoughts of losing a daughter, since he

ned thereby a.son, and both of “his chil-
n” insisted on his quitting work and living
with them. And so it came to pass!

Austin Horwood—“ Cool Chris Cresson,” the
“ Cr stal Sport,” or “ Glimmer-glass,”—waited
unt his brother’s fate was settled (in a double
sense), then he recrossed the ocean, to ultimately
return with a fair and loving bride in his com-

Pan -

thhard Fyerband remained in harness as a
detective, but the reward given him by the firm
of Hilton 85 J arvis for recovering the diamonds
which they had long since given up all hopes of
ever seeing again, as their own property, at
least, enab ed him to set up an office and small
detective force of his own.

Still, this degree of prosperity did not hinder
him from taking up cases on his own book, and
more than once after this peculiar diamond
case, “ Firebrand Dick” showed himself as bold,
cunning. and successful as he ever had in his
earlier days.

THE END.

 

NEXT DIME LIBRARY, NUMBER 948!

THE BED-GLOVED DETECTIVE.

 

as: WM. n. MANNING.

Beadle’s Pine Library.

BUFFALO Bth NOVELS.
By Colonel Prentiss Ingrahaln.

36 Bufi‘alo Bill's Black Pard.

927 Buffalo Bill's Bluff; or, Dusky Dick the Snort.
921 Buffalo Bill‘s Quandary: or. ‘veivot Bill‘s Vow.
915 Buffalo Billand the SurgeonScouf.

909 Buffalo Bill’s League; or, Red Butterfly.

961 Buffalo Bill's Tangled Trail.

900
H95
990
882

871

Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders.

Buffalo Bill‘s Secret Ally.

Buffalo Bill’s Lif'cb‘tnke.

The Three Bills: Buffalo Bill Wild Bill and Band-
box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth.

Buffalo Mill’s Buckskin Braves.

869 Buffqu Bill’s Road-Agent Round-up.

863 Buffalo Bill‘s Death Charm.

'7’ Buffs! i Bill’s Royal Flush.

Buffalo Bill‘s Double Dilemma.

Buffalo Bill’s Redskin Ruse.

Buffalo Bill‘s Bovsin Blue.

Buffalo Bill‘s Sher 3 Shooters.

:22 Buffalo Bill’s Best ‘ower

Buffalo Bi-l‘s Red Trail.

Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knoll.

Buffalo Bill‘s Winning Hand.

Buffalo Bill‘s Dead Shot.

Buffalo Bill‘s Brand.

Buffalo Bill‘s Spy Shadower.

Buffalo Bill‘s Sweepstake.

B ifnlo Bill's 1’1 zen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam.
Buffalo Bill‘s Mascot.

" Buffalo Bill‘s Double.

7. Buffalo Bill‘s Bic Four;or, C‘uster‘s Shadow.
Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Hand.

Buffalo Bill‘s llhnd: or. The Masked Driver.
Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men.

Buffalo Bill's Beagles: or. Silk Lasso Sam.
Buffalo Bill’s Bodv Guam.

Buffalo Bill on the \\'n:‘- tiafh.

716 Buffalo Bill‘s Scout Shaf owers.

710 Buffalo Bill Baffled: or. The DeserterDesperado.
697 Buffalo Bill‘s Buckskin Brotherhood.

691 Buffalo Bill‘s Blind Trail; or. Mustang Mad 0.
667 Buffalo Bill‘s Swoop; or. The King of the Mines.
658 The Cowbov Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas.

653 Lasso King‘s League; or. Buck Taylor in Texas.
649 Buffalo Bill‘s Chief of Cowbovs; or. Buck Taylor
644 Buffalo Bill‘s Bonanza; or. Siwer Circle Knights.
362 Buffalo Bill’s Grip: or. (Jain Bound to Custer.
329 Buffalo Bill‘s Plel go: or. The League of Three.
189 Wild Billis Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen.
175 Wild Bill’s Trump Card: or, The Indian Heiress.
168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot.

By Buffalo Bill.

839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot.

820 White Beaver ’s Still Hunt.

807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist.

800 Wild Bill, the Dead-Center Shot.

639 Buffalo Bill‘s Gold King.

599 The Dead Shot Nine: or, My Pards of the Plains.
414 Red Renard. the Indian Detective.

401 One-Armed Pam; or. Borderland Retribution.

397 The Wizard Brothers: or, White Beaver’s Trail.

394 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.

319 Wild Bill. the Whirlwiu of the West.

304 Texas Jack, the Prairie attler.

243 The Pilgrim Sharp: or. The Soldier‘s Sweetheart.
83 Gold Bullet Sport: or. Kni hts of the Overland.
52 Death-Trailer, the Chief o Scouts.

By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntllnc, etc.

773 Buffalo B'll’s B m: or. C‘ufly to the Rescue.

682 Buffalo Bill‘s Sccr t Service Trail.

629 Buffalo Bill‘s Daring Role: or. Daredt-ath Dick.
517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or. The Express Rider.
153 Buffalo Bill, (‘hief of Scouts.
117 Buffalo Bill 5 Strange Ford; or,

Dashing Dandy.
92 Bufl‘alo Bill, the Buckskin King.

BY HAROLD PAYNE.

883 The Man from Mexico in New York.

872 The King-Pin Shark: or, Thad Burr‘s Ten Strike.
861 The Tenderloin Big Four

853 The Quaker City Crook.

844 Tracked to Chicago.

836 The Policy Broker‘s Blind.

829 The. Frisco Sharper‘s Cool Hand.

821 The Tramp SlindOWe-r‘s Backer.

813 The Sllarn S tter‘s Shrewd Scheme.

806 The Grand treat Gold-Dust Sharpers.

798 Detective Burr‘s Luna ic Witness

792 The Wall Sin-vi. Simrner’s Snap.

784 Thad Burr‘s Death Drop. 1
742 Detective Burr Among the New York Thugs.
79A Detective Burr's Foil: or. A Woman‘s Strategy.
728 Defective Burr. the Headquarters Special.
713 Defective Burr‘s Spirif Chase.

706 Detective Burr’s Seven Clues.

698 Thad Burr, the Invincible; or, The “L " Clue.
690 The Matchless Detective.

680 XX. the Fatal Clew: or, Burr’s Master Case.

BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS.

914 Snowflake Sam's Double.

897 The Six-Shot Spotter.

687 The Stranger Sport from SpOkane.

873 The, Sport Detective’s Colorado Clew.

860 The Spangled Sport Shadower.

813 The Crescent City Sport.

932 Gid Gale's Block Game.

804 Tue King Pin of the Leadville Lions.

786 Chicago Charlie's Diamond Haul.

776 Chica 0 Charlie, the Columbian Defective.

758 The V 'izar 1 King Detective.

7,23 Teamster Tom, the Boomer Detective.

709 LodeStonu Lem, the Champion of Chestnut Burr.
695 Singer Sam, the Pilgrim Detective.

6&3 River Bustiers; or, the Detective from ‘Way Back
673 Stuttering Sam, the \VhltPSt Sport of Santa Fe.
666 Old Adamant, the Man of Rock.

618 Kansas Karl, the Detective King.

552 Prince Primrose. the Flou’e‘r of the Flock.
528 Huckleberry. the Foot'Hills Detective.

i“ .. ,‘ .,  A 1
 2;  .2".- l    . w-

ALBER'I‘ W. AIKEN'S NOVELS.
Dick Talbot Sall'li'hs

741 Dick Talbot‘s Close Call.
737 Dick Talbot in Apache l and.
733 Dick Talbot. the Ranch King.
729 Dick Talbot's Clean»()uf.

5 7-2;. Dick Talbot in No Man‘s Callle

:51 Dick Talbot: ()l, The Brand of Uziizzson Cross
36 Dick Tanot; or, The Ut‘lltll'SlllJE of' Shasta.

Aiken’s Fresh of Frisco Series.

. 8‘35 Fresh, the Race-Track Spa-f.
E 600 The Fresh in Monfannrf‘r. Blake‘s Full Hand.

 

65?
(>17
556
537
497
461

97

The Fresh’s Rustic at Painted City.

The Fresh at SID)th Fe: 4 r. ’| h Stranger Sharp.
Fresh, the Sport: or. The l‘i;r Ravi-rt ntS‘ide Out.
Fresh Against the Fic‘d: or. Blnkc. the Lion.
The Fresh in Texas: (2r '1!) i“.- (Jllfl'fli) Millions.
The Fresh of Frisco on fhc Bio Grundc.

The Fresh in Big Walnut (Jump; of'. Bronze Jack

Alison’s Joe, Phenix Series.

865 The Female Barber lu-tecfiv : 0r, Joe Phenix in
Silver City.
Joe l’henix’s Great Bllw Diuun ni Case; or, The
New York Sport at Long Brnnvh.
Joe Phenix’s Decny: or. ’lhc Man of Three.
Joe Phenix‘s Lone Hand.
Joe Phenix‘s Big Bulge.

Joe l’henix’s Mad Case.
708 Joe Phenix‘s Siren; or, The Woman Ilnwkshaw.
7 Joe Phenix‘s Unknown; or. Crushingr the Crooks
681 Joe Phenix's Specials; or. The Actress Defective
6‘37 Joe Phenix in Crazy Camp.
6‘32 Joe Phenix's Master Search.
628 Joe Phenix‘s Combiw ;~ r,f1.e. Dandy Cons_
620 Joe I‘hcnix’s Silent Six.
' Joe Phenix‘s Shadow ; orJi'e Detectives Monitor-
419 Joe l’henix., 1119 King of iii-rectiw s '
161 Joe Phenix‘s Great Mun Hunt.

The League.4

799

793
760
749
745

’01‘

E
d
H

112 Joe Phcnix, Private, lll‘h'f‘llVC; or,
79 Joe Phenix. the Polici- Spy.

Alison’s Miscellaneous Novels.

940 Captain Jack, the SCf‘llDOl‘

935 The hawks and \\ elves of New York
932 Detective Gordon‘s Grin.

926 Old Sunflower, tueSih-nf Siniter.

‘ 92% Old Sunflower. the Hayseed lieu-olive.

901 The Hotel Swell-Sharp; . r, The Siren Shadower.‘
893 The, Countrymnn Deli-clive, 1,
876 Gold Button Sport: or, Th» Miner Sharps.

‘12: Teton Tom. the‘ Half-171: od.

: 1435 The King—Pin DI fecfive.

 

614 The New Yorker AlllOflL' Texas Sports.
775 King Dandy, the Silver Sror .
753 Gideon’s Gri ) at l‘ullylon l or. ‘
717 Captain Pat cGowen, ti (- (in Ol‘.(‘0:;t Detective”
674 Uncle Sun Up, the Born I‘ueuivc.
670 The Lightw eight, Detective.
665 The Frisco Defectivv: fr. The Golden Gate Find.‘
613 Keen Billy, the Sport. _ .
607 Old Benzinn, the “ Hard (‘nse " Detective.
591 Fire Face, the Silver King‘s. Foc.
586 The Silver Sharp Detective. ,
577 Tom, of Oahu rule; or. it. fecfive‘s Shadow Act.’
570 The Actress Detective: or, The invisible Hand.
562 Lone Hand. the Shadow. ‘
520 The Lone Hand on the (kiddo.
490 The Lone Band in TrXilS.
475 Chin Chin, the ChiueSe Dru‘cfive.
465 The Actor Detective.
440 The High Hor. e of the l‘acific.
425 The Lone Hand; or. The ill-u River Recreants.
408 Doc Grin. the Vt ndefta of llt‘flill.
391 The Cy )sy Gentlcn-nn: 1 r. bit-l. fox. Defective
376 Black Beards; (l. 'lhe 'ix'n- (4rrrde High Horse
370 The Dusky Defrcfive: or l'nrsued to the End.
363 Crowningshleld, ill“ Defective,
3'30 The Genteel Snotfrr: or 'l l.(' N. Y. Eight Bawk.
252 The Wall Street 1 lood; « r. "file Telegraph Girl.
203 The Double Detective: cr.'l he Mn night Mystery.
196 La Marmosct. the Lofccxlve Queen.
101 The Man from New hork‘.
91 The winning Oar; or. The lmvkeeeer’s Daughter.
84 Hunted Down: or, The 1.4 ague of Three.
81 The Human Tiger: or. A limit of Fire.
75 Gentleman George: or. Parlor Prison and Street.
7:! The Phantom Hand: or, The 5111 Avenue Heiress.
56 The lndinu Marianna: or. Madman of the Plains.
49 The. Wolf Demon; or. The Renae-ha Queen.
42 The California Defective: or, The Wiicbes of N.Y.
31 The New York Sharp: or. The Flash of Lightning.
27 The Spotter Detective: or. Girls of New York. '

BY J “H OSBON.

9'22 Gilbert Goldspur, the Dandy Sport.
905 Shasta Sam, the Sparklcr.

877 Cool Creedc, the Dead-Shut.

759 The S rt from Sf. Louis.

518 Roy Richard, the Thoroughbred.

NEW ISSUES.

946 Dashing Charlie's DcmiSlmts: «’1‘. Black Horse'
Bill‘s Vow. By Col. 1’. Ill.‘l‘.‘ll'{llll.

947 Cool Chris, the Crystal Sport. By .l. E. Badger.

948 The Red-Gloved Defective: or. Crushing the Gold
Grubber Gang. By Win. 1!. Manning.

919 The Doctor from T--xas: or, ch Phenix’s Shadow
Clue. By Alb rt W. Alkt'll.

JUST ISSUED.
942 The Night Hawks of St. Louis; or. Dam-DOV“
Dan‘s Revenge. By A. P. Home.
943 Buffalo Bill's Block Game: or. Rounding-up the
Mounfed Miners of the Overland.  lngraham.
944 Joe Phenix’s Right Bon'er; or. The Fifth Avenue
Police Spy. By Albert W. Aiken.
9&5 The Sport from Hard Luck; or, Bummer Billy’s
Bluff. By Jos. E, Badger.
A new issue every Wednesday.

Beadle’s Dime Library is for tsale b all
Newsdealers. ten cents per cop . or sent y m on
recei t of twelve cents each. EATILF. & ADAMS,

Publ shers. 92 William street, New 3 crf;