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COPYRIGHT. 1834. BYVBEADLE&;DAX&  . . . . . ..  . . . . . . . . . 4 ‘.  . . . .  . . . . . .  .. . . . . .  . . . . . . 
n Publilhed Every NI. J. l‘ [ﬁlth A: ( 0.. Publishers. 10 Cents a Copy.
(JAMES SULLIVAN. Yuornm'ron). 1 00 Y N 0
' ' month' 3'79 Pean Street. New York. 3 ‘ a e ' ' '

 
A SPORT SPEGTAULES: or, THE BAD TIME AT BUNco.

 
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A Sport in Spectacles.

 
IA Sport in Spectacles;

STHE BAD TIE AT BUNCO.

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BY WM, R. EYSTER,

James or “PISTOL YARDS,” “HANDS UP,”
“'rwo COOL SPORTS," “MAGIC MIKE,” am.

 
CHAPTER I.
A' nsraosrncr.

BUNCO was then in its earlier infancy when
mining meant muscle and not capital, when it
was the cradle and not the crusher that brought

to light the hidden wealth that was waiting for ‘

the lucky ﬁnder, and when a man would shoner
have hung himself off-hand than have gone to
work for wages.

Bunco was two weeks old, and had a popula-
tion of two hundred, but the noise of the wash-
ings there had gone abroad and the rush had
started. Just at the head of it came Hunter
Brawne, with the dying man he had picked up
in the Narrow Canyon.

Don’t fool yourself about Bunco. It had
several lawyers and doctors, with probably a
fair sprinkling of preachers incog. For the
latter no one thought of there being any use
in a professional way; but one each of the
former stood by the bedside of the dying
man.

As the doctor had pronounced him beyond
hope, the lawyer was engaged in drawingup
his last will and testament, a process that was
materially aided by the fact that in years gone
by Hunter Browne had known him well, and
not only had his conﬁdence now, but was able
almost by intuition to know what it was that
Edmund Farrell, the devisor, wished to say. He
was evidently sorely troubled by the plight of
the old friend whom he had found by the
merest chance, and it was only Farrell’s cool-
ness that ke t him at his work. «

“Come, 0 d man, dry up on that,” said the
dying man. “ It has to come some time, and I
guess I’m as near ready now as I ever will be.

t’s not for myself that I care; but it’s going
to be rough on the kids, though there Will be
enough to kee them. oing or the present,
with a chance or somet ing big in the future.
I want you to look after.them though“ They’ll
need a friend. You’ll stand by them both, old
man. Won’t you, now?”

“You know I will, Farrell—as though they
were in own.’ But where are the i”

“ The b0 must have got here wIth the train.

I If I hadn’ stra ed away from it perhaps I’d

have been g for twenty years yet. Look
him up. Ed Burke is the boss. He can tell you
all about him. And my sister has the girl,
Huldah hates me, though. Don’t believe}.
word she says.\ And yours to take char of
the. g3), too. Have you got that own,

uire .

“Squire” Bradley gave a brief aﬁirmative.
He was inclined to fear that his client would
die before the important document was duly

signed.
‘Yes, Huldah hates me, but she ain’t a bad,
woman. Give her ﬁve thousand dollars fer/a
starter,‘out of the box that’s int wagon.
Burke will know which it- is. hen the id
get the balance, and all I left back East. If 0 e
of ’em dies the other gets it all, and if both‘ die
before they growtpvand get youngsters of their
own, the whole of it goes to on; and so do my
discoveries. It’s rough,» to p ay out when I’ve
found where to strike it rich. Oh, it will .make
our mouth water when you see, that vein!
here’s a map of it my belt, and I did enough
work to hold it till on can get down to it; but
play fair with my youngsters—and that’s about
all. Have ydu got it down, squire?”
Again the lawyer gave ‘an afﬁrmative.
“ hen I’ll si it, and Hunter can ve you a
hundred out o my belt. If it stands of twenty
years, call on him and he’ll give you a thousand
more. Put that d wn, too, and give me a pen.
I’m going fast. ’ an’t wait for the tide to
mm , ,

The addendum Was scribbled. Edmund Far-
rell afﬁxed his signature, which was duly wit-
nessed by a brace of men who were called in for
the purpose,,and then the mangled man very
leisurely di . ’ -' '

There was one observable fact—that he did
not ask for any search tOobe made for his child.
He whispered that the boy' would have trouble
enough ndourse of time without hunting'him
up now?) see his,.father die. If Ibo-had try
other reason he kept it to himself, had w 
morning dawned Hunter Browne-warlei‘t-in‘
possession as'executor. He regulated the inat-
ter of the funeral, doing everything that was
needed after the” regular manner, even to the
ﬁnding of the child n'Ed Burke’s corral, and
bringing him—after taking charge of the box
before mentioned, and other visible effects—to
witness the burial.

Somewhat to the surprise of Neil Bradley—-
the lawyer who drew up the will—everyth 'n
was found just as the deponent had stated; an

Hunter Browne continued to attend to things
in the same energetic way in which he had

begun.

e was not a family man, so far as was pub-
licly known, but he looked after the comfort of
his little charge, and wrote to Mrs. Huldah
Waring, inclosing a copy of the will.

As he was executor under a carefully-drawn
instrument, no one questioned his right to the
papers of the deceased, even if any one thought
anything about them; and he certainl did not
lay them open f r public inspection. f he was
quietly doing agfything with or in regard to
them, Bunco was not informed, but went on its
way prospering while its placers lasted. it soon
became a canvas city of some thousand popu-
lation, and the circumstance of Edmund Far—
rell’s death had been forgotten by all exce t
those most nearly concerned, when a lady mar e
her appearance at the Jefferson House, inquir-
ing for Hunter Browne. -

That gentleman was not hard to ﬁnd, nor
was he surprised to learn that the feminine
stranger was Mrs. Waring, who had answered
his communication in person. 4

She was a young woman, and a handsome
woman; but in a ver brief period of time
Hunter Browne found t at Edmund Farrell had
not exaggerated the state of his sister’s feelings
toward him.

“ I could have “killed him myself,” she said,
frankly, “so you need not expect me to feel
much sympathy for him. He did me a wrong
I can neither for et nor forgive. He killed in
husband in cold 100d. He murdered him! f
I had known where to ﬁnd him I should have
tracked him to the gallows, If he had any
money he stole it from my poor husband, and I
shall certainly claim his effects to satisfy the
debts undoubtedly due me.” ‘

Hunter Browne listened quietly. Some men

might have been moved, he only appeared
amused. He did not belieye muc in human
nature, anyway. He heard her through with-
out any interruption, until she had develo ed
the nature of her intentions, then he remar ed
cold'lly:
“ here seems to be some misunderstanding
on your part. Mr. Farrell was possessed of
some property but, it was all. with the excep-
tion of a triﬂing legacy, left to his children. I
fm empowered to pay you ﬁve thousand dol-
ars—

“What nonsense is that? Edmund Farrell had
no children.”

“Granted, but there were certain children
that he said were his—a boy and a girl—and so
long as we can prove their identity the money,
less the legacy to you, will go to them. You
have one of them in your possession, a girl,
Ethel by name. I must insist on my guardian-
ship‘cver her being acknowledged.”

‘ Id‘ﬁy the existence of any such child.”
“ Cor iniy. That is your privilege. I shall
inquire in. a general sort of ' way. If she is dead
there will, be so much the more for the ,boy.”

“There is no boy,~either. It is a scheme for
a barefaced robbery which I shall ﬁght as bit-
terly as Iknow how. If Edmund Farrell had a
dollar when he died it belonged‘tp my husband’s
estate, and I, as my husband’s only heir, am an-
titlddtoit.” '

"Possibly; yet you will hardly be so foolish
as to throw goodmoney after none at all. You

Ed understand that I am the executor? That word

is fully comprehended, even in this wilderness.
If there is'no boy then I am here. In my oﬂi—
cial capacit , acting under the last will and
testament o the-deceased, I aim 1y defy yog‘to
get adoliar more than the ﬁve t ousand st 0
you byyourwor brother. I offer you thatIas’a
matter of grace, and if you do not chooseto

raccept it-within a reasonable time the offer will

be withdrawn. It will. be that much more for
the-axecutor.” ' »
Mrs. Waring had feund her match. After
consultation with the leadingqpractitiouer. of
Bunco, who he pened to be
quietly accepte
which she gave a receipt in due form, refused
to lookat her young nephew, and took her de-
arture with as little ﬂourish of trumpets as she.
ad made on her entrance. .
If Mrs. Waring had remained two days long-
er sbe would have been joined \by an ally who
might have helped her to make a better ﬁght.
As it was, Hunter Browne met and conquered
the enemy in detail.

man—a pale-faced, hol low- chested man—though
no doubt he was wiry enough when not quite
so near to death’s door. . .
' His name was Prim. He was a_ detective by.
twig. and he was making as vindictive a searc
for dmund Farrellas any mortal could well
_ make. It, was really a so. infectionwto Hunter
Browne to note his intense.;disaat s actioa when
he learned the facts connected“
death.
“Dead, is he? Then fer half a cent I’d dig
his corpse up and hang him.”
“ Guess not,” interposed Hunter Browne.
“ We’re men here—white men. Wouldn’t try
it for no such mane . wouldn’t be enough to
pay for a storb box, et alone digging a grave.”

 
If Mr. Prim felt like getting on the war-path

eil Bradley, she '
the ﬁve thousand dollars, for, ‘

The next person that sought him out was a -

th Farrell’s -

 
a second glance into, the coolly resolute face of
Browne altered his intentions.

“Well what’s this stor I hear about his
having alien over the si e of a canyoni I
don’t swallow it. I cut him all to pieces my—
self, if he did crack m skull.”

“ Cracked your sin , did he! Needs investi-
gating. He didn’t say anythin about it; but
perhaps you pushed him over?
weaponf I don’t ever do. anything rashly..
What was the racket, anyhow!”

“He killed, a man and I’ve followed right
along on his'trail—except when I missed it.
I’m hard to beat. Icaught up with him, but
he must have smelled me coming for he jumped
the train just a little before I reached it, and I
struck him alone in the woods.

“ He was a good man, I’ll admit: and rather
had the best of it when I clinched in on him
after I thought he was done for. He must have
hit me with the butt of his revolver. Anyhow,
the next thing I knew I was waking up at Plum
Gulch, where they’d nursed me through. But
I’d have had him. You’re sure there’s no mis-
take about it, eh i”

“Moderately sure. If Ed ain’t dead he can‘
stand being buried alive longer than most
men.”

“ There’s no other man such luck Would hap—
pen to. Look here, I want to see that signa-
ture. - Maybe I’m after the wrong man.”

This sudden suggestion was received by Hun--
ter Browne with the same coolness that had
characterized him all along. Mr. Prim not
only had a sight of the signature, but an inter--
view with the subscribing witnesses.

“ Perhaps you would like to see the kid i” in-
quired Browne, kindly. “ If on had been here
sooner you might have met rs. Waring. I’ll
show you her receipt for ﬁve thousand if it will
do you any good. Anything at all in reason.
I’ve got a contract to manage this business
and $th to start out on a square founda’
tion.

The “ kid” was actually inspected as well as
the receipt, and Prim gave up vanquished.

“ You wouldn’t like to engage in a little
game of draw?” began Browne, in a. hesitating:

way.

Prim gave him a ’ ance of disgust.

“ What do you to e me fer?" he said,hrutally,
and left the honest executor without a word of
thanks.

His exit from Bunco occurred the following
morning, and for twenty years nothing more
was seen of any in uirers into the affairs of the,
deceased Edmund arrell, and the town had for‘
gotten that he had had any.

No wonder. 0f the original hundreds not.

twenty Keople were left.
», Tbsp cers had long since been worked out—7
the town had passed through a siod of great
depression, and now, Phenix- ike, had risen
out of its very ashes into a place of some im-
portance.. -,

Hunter Brbwne was still to be heard of. He
was in quarts up to his e we, and doing we! 1.
‘ith the ShadowStreak Mine, and it was ru-r
mored that he would do a rent deal better with
something else if he could nd out h0w to man-
a e some extra- refractory ores in the Bunker

ill‘shaft. ‘ . '

He was still a bachelor—a hard, healthy-look.
ing man of flit , and apparently alone in the
world. Hugh arrell ha gone away ears ago
to be educated, and had never come ack: and
Judge Bradley was the only man in the “ city "
that ever gave a thought to the matters that in
the infancy of Bunco ad excited the ublic at.
large. .It will be remembered that Nei Bradley
had a pecuniary interest. howeyer, and, pros-

rous as he now-eves, he did not intend to over-

ook it. He had waited a long while. with his

‘eye on Hunter Browne, but the time for the set-

tlement 9f the estate was at hand, and he heped
at last to realize. ~ ,
CHAPTER II.

A SPECIAL COACH iron BONGO.

 
Fitox.Walnut- Bar the trail led southwest,

ssing through the thrigiug mining-camp of

unco. -- I x

The stage made a trip; week each way, and
Very often there were. coach on the road to
convey passengers who could not Wait for the
re ular, and to whom-time is as money.
' t was an extra that was standing in front of
the station. / . ,

It had come in hrlf an hoursiuce and had dis-
surged a fair load of passer) rs, With appetite.

all set for the bountiful mes - rovided at John:

Rogers’ hostelrie. As thed ’ver,had informed
the passengers that he intended  make a halt
of an hour, they had plenty of time, and leis.

urely enjoyed their meal, afterward strolling -

onion the covered porch .

At least amajority of the passengers did, and
to givethe'probable reason why the move was
so unanimous it may be as well to say that Slim
Jack, the renowned driver of the vehicle now
en route for Bunco. neVer had a fairer fare than
a certain blueeyed little damsel, who took the
lezid in the lroceszgon.b h

t is rea y as his ing 0w inform - .
a read.‘ There was not a passenger, dgggngfs)
e Wailo,the Celestial with almond eyes and a.

on’t feel for a.

 
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#—

 
A Sport in Spectacles.

' 3

 
one, that did not know the name of Miss
ﬁllie Vandelenr, and every one seemed only
too delighted to do her honor though Professor
Elderberry the young man in goggles and store
clothes, rather had the inside track, much to
the disgust of the rest, and especially to that of
Plumb Center Pete, whose glances at the lanky
looking professor were anything but kindly,
though Elderberry was not the sort of person
with whom he could conv ientiy pick a ﬁght.

Miss Vandeleur had an escort of her own, a
gray~headed gentleman with a paciﬁc and re-
tiring aspect, who had little to say, and who
rather left the young lady to her Own devices.
This fact allowed the masculine portion of the
cargo to pay her numerous little attentions,
which they eﬂected more or less gracefully.

Professor Elderberry evidently understood
what was due to the sex; but there was a stiff-
ness and angularity about his movements that
was next thing to awkwardness; and he seemed
to know very little about the local history of
the region through which they were passing, so
that, though he had been thrown more or less
in her company all the way from San Fran—
cisco, he was not as intimate as might have
been expected.

At various points of interest Pete Blockey—
otherwise known as Plumb Center Pete—came
prominently to the front as historian, lecturer
and general instructor; an office which be ﬁlled
in a satisfactory way, though his speech was of
the rough, free and easy style natural to the
man who had been knocking around the slope
since ’Forty-nine.

Occasionally only was he at fault when, by
chance, an name was mentioned; and. be
always ha a ready answer to the questions
that Miss Vandeleur asked—and she had as
much curiosity as the average woman.

When the travelers reached the porch after
dinner a little knot of citizens stood within

heariinig distance, talking about some one, to,
1

Miss llie, of course, unknown.

Nevertheless the chance words which she
heard interested her.

“ I tell you it’s him, sure enough. It’s a bad
sort of a day that I don't know Derringer Deck
when I see him. He’s up to some sort of a
game. and don’t ou fergit it.”

“ Well, that ain’t the sort of a man I took
him to be, nohow; and he hain’t been doin’
nothin’ very bright here—jest bummin’ ’round
town. He looks to me like the biggest ﬂat that
ever struck the burg.”

“ Looks! That’s all you know about him. I
never seen the man yit thet knows how Derrin-
ger Deck looks er orter look. You jest go over
an’ try ter mount him, er holler ‘draw ’ at him,
an’ see how soon he’ll land yer on yer back.
No, that’s him, an’ he’s ot a ame on 'hand
sure. Hush up, though. e’s p’intin’ this way;
an’ they say he don’t like ter hear hisself talked
about.’

Miss Vandeleur heard the greater part of
this, and noting the furtive glances with which
they were eying some one in the distance she
strained her eyes in the same direction, though
it was some li tle time before she was certain
that she had singled out the right individual.

Then her ﬁrst feeling was one of disappoint-
ment. .

He was, as far as outward appearance went,
an ordinary looking chap, of medium build and
dressed after the average manner of the coun-
try. He had the broad brimmed hat, high
boots, heavy revolvers and broad-bladed kia'fe
that, to Millie, seemed the most necessary part
of the true western costume and he carried,
sometimes in his hand and sometimes tucked
under his arm, a whip.

The latter adornment, however, was different
from the quirt that the cowboys were the most
familiar with, being a comparatively short
“snake,” braided from one piece of rawhide,
with probably half a yard of stiffening in the
handle.

Face and hands were bronzed and roughened,
and now and then there was a curious gleam in
his eye; but no One would be apt to take \mm
for a man that would set the river on ﬁre.

Nevertheless, there was something attractive
in his face, as Miss Vandeleur decided when he
came nearer, and she watched him with an
earnestness that was unusual. It happened that
she alone of her party had heard the conversa-
tion detailed. When she noted that he steered
straight for Slim Jack, the driver, she gave a
little start, and turned away. It was possible
that the desperado, or whatever he might be,
was about to become' a fellow—passenger.

Pete Blockey had stolen away in search of the
bar, and was coming back, temporarily “ re-
freshed.” He seemed just a_shade confused at
the sudden meeting, though Miss Millie did not
at all notice it.

“ By the way, Mr. Blockey,(y0u hava pat the
genealogies of the different ha men-did you
ever hear of such a person as Derringer Deck?
His name was mentioned in my hearing a mo—
ment ago, and from what was said I imagine he
has a h story, that really might be interestin .”

“Derringer Deckl- Well, I should smi 9!
Why, miss. he’s too bad a man, in his way,
fer you to know anything about. though
heisn’t apt to show his face down this here-

 
aways. Not thet thar’s much danger ov his
showin’ his elle nt hisiog’anywhar at present,
ez it’s ginne y a lowed that he’s gone over
ther range.” .

“ Over the range?
mean, Mr. Blockev?”

“ Ha, ha! I will 'i'urgit, miss, bless yer soul.
I must recomember thet you’re ez lam’like ez
I war when I come hyer a tenderfoot in ’Forty--
nine. Over ther range means up ther ﬂume,
miss—outen ther wet—passcd in his checks. In
fact, he’s dead.”

Miss Millie gave a gesture of surprise.

“ I didn’t understand it in that way. Dead?
Why__n ‘

Then she checked herself, and might have
turned the conversation in another direction if
Pete Blockey had been willing to allow it, but
Blockey had been applied to for information,
and he intended to give it-—-by the cord if need

9

Which range do you

“In course you Wouldn’t understand; an’
I orte: knowed better. But, Deck Bright war
a hull team, an’ ther yailer dorg under ther
wagon, besides. When he cut oose suthin’
(lrnpped, you bet.”

“ But, what did he do?” asked Miss Millie,
her interest again aroused.

As she asked the question she gave a furtive
glance around to see that by no possibility the
man could be within hearing distance.

“I’ll tell yer what he did, fur one thing: he
beat taro every time. He could jest skin the
man ez invented keyards; an’, by gum, he did
it tool An’ be war holy wrath when hegot on
ther war-path. He’d ,waltz right up to ther
nozzle, ova pair ov sixes with ther hammers
drawed, ’thout keerin’ a continental fur ther
ﬁnger ez war on ther triggers; an’ thar warn’t
no man ez could say when he had ther drop on
him. He bed a way ov shakin’ his derringers
outen his sleeves ez wer’ jest too sweet fur any-
thin’. Nerve! oh, git out! He war all nerve,
an’ he’d been gyratin’ round yit if he hadn’t
tackled ther wrong gang-a gang, mind yer—

’ez laid him out when he warn’t expectin’ it.

Yer see Dee Brown are a hard man ter climb,
an’ Deck orter knOWed it. They blowed him
inter so many leetle bits thet ther corpus never
war found; but, allee samee, he’s very dead——
er somebody, beggin’ yer pardon, hez lied most
orful.”

The brief history seemed satisfactory; and
just as it came to a close the voice of Slim Jack
was heard, shouting: v

“ All aboard!”

There was an immediate hustle and rush;
but even in the excitement of starting out
again on their journey, ’Miss Vandeleur saw,
perched up by the side of the driver, the man
whom theob iging citizen of Walnut Bar had
pointed out as being beyond radventure, the
redoubtable sport, Derringer eck.

 
CHAPTER III.
In FLAT mom WALNUT BAR.

IT is not every ordinary man who can safely
aspire to' the post of honor by the side of a
driver—especially by the side of such a driver
as Slim Jack. f the nosaccount-looking ac—
quisition at Walnut Bar succeeded without
question to that position, it is most likely that
it was in coasequence of a good and sufﬁcient
de sit of collateral.

lumb Center Pete looked u with a snort of
disgust, and then crawled insi e. He could not
be in two places at the‘ same time: but he had
started out in the position now occupied by the
stranger, and it seemed to be next door to an
insult to have the place so ﬁlled. ’

He growled out something about Slim Jack’s
wxiiialnt of taste, which was overheard by Miss
I i lie.

“ What is the trouble now, Mr. Blockey f”

Probably it was a suspicion 'that there was a
chance for furtherthnli’ghtenmeut that caused
her to ask the uestion.

“Why, not in’; on’y do -gone my tail-
feather, ef it ain’t enuf ter ma e a boss sick ter
see that gerloot up there puttin’ on airs.”

“ Which person do you mean, Mr. Blockey?”

“ Ther feller ez jest got on—ther Flat from
Walnut Bar. Tenderfoot Toni they calls him
thar. Why, blast him, ef what they sa ' about
him are ther truth, be orter be satisﬂe ef this
outfit would take him alongin the boot.”

Miss Millie was evidently astonished—not at
the impudence of the Flat from Walnut Bar so
much as at the rapidity with which Plumb
Center Pete gathered his information. An ex-
pression to that effect resulted in an additional
stock. ‘

“ He calls himself a cowboy; but he hain’t
got half sense enuf fur a shop erd evcn. An’
the give him every chance; but he never

ulied his irons once. I dunno what ’n thunder

e’s goin’ down ter Bunco fur, a place wliar
they Jist make bad men.”

“ I am going there, , myself. Mr. Hockey
and I have never given much indication 0
being an expert with revolver or cards. I have
heard of it as a business place, and perhaps his
Tenderfoot Tom may be a business man. He
really seems to be a quiet, unassuming fellow.”

Blockey rubbed his forehead, and was silent

 
for a minute. The ssihility that a man might
be a worthy candi ate for a position in Bunco
society, Without being able to hold his own
with the roughs and toughs of that unsanctiﬂed
town, had not before suggested itself. and being
presented by a non-combatant, whose opinions
were worthy of consideration, he was willing
to give it due attention.

“ Wal,” be said at len h, with due solemnity,
“I don’t think much 0 men ez calls ’emselves
rich, thet can’t hold their own end level. Ther’s
a place fur ’em, no doubt—but it ain’t hyar.
A teller ov thet kind’s jest throwin’ his life
away when he steers down towards Bunco.”

Millie Vandeleur’s blue e es twinkled, and
she uttered a pleasant little augh.

“ Then you think that my friend here, Mr.
Allbright, and myself, are making a mistake,
and you mean that as a gentle warning. Thank
you. But I don’t intend to be frightened; nor
do I intend to turn back. Bunco may be bad,
but I don’t believe it will harm any of us.”

“ 0h, bless your soul, miss, I didn’t mean it
in that way. You’ll jest do Bunco proud, you
an’ your friend; but it’s sich no-’count’, triﬂin’
chaps ez him thet brings a town a bad name.
They’relayin’ ’round, beggin’ ter be tooken iii
an’ dun fur. Ef ther boys was angels they
couldn’t help it; an bein’ jest mortal men, the
grease the’r boots an’ Swaller em’ hull. Mr. A1 -
bright area perfessional man, of my eyes don’t
mistook me; an’ perfessional men an’ iher sex
ain’t surposed fer handle ther irons, onless they
sets up in that line. But a 00wboy thet don t
ﬁght at ther droo ov ther bat, an’ actooallyeate
sand—waugh! Kerry me out I”

“Eat sand? That is another of your Arizona
terms that I don’t—well, as you would say, I
don’t catch on to yet.”

“I’ll tell yer how that were. Though it ain’t
Enneraily known ther gelloot come inter ther

ar lookin’ fiir one Kunnel Johnson. Sez he war
ter meet him hyer. an’ he put on frills enough
ter make a cat sick. Ez everything war run-
nin’ on wheels thar warn’t no trouble till ther
other night, ’round at a fandang’, some ov ther
boys got ter pluggin’ at his boot-heels, an’ you
kin jest take my straps ef he didn’t turn sick an’
beller murder.

“ Boot-heels. Again I don’t understand. You
must think I am awfully ignorant.”

“ I’ll sallivate ther man ez sez so. It’s a way
they hez. Ther genooine cowboys an’ rustlers,
they kin shoot ur keeps, an’ so, when ther
dance is a-goin’ on, all on a sudden ye’ll hear a
bangin’ away like a young army at work, an’
then boot-heels ’ll begin ter ﬂy. ’cause they
shoots ’em off on each other. They ain’t no
danger, onless a feller kicks ther wrong way.
Ther’ ain’t no rustler ez’ll try it on onless he kin
do it, an’ at he hit a man they’d hang him, sure.
But yer see tlier cuss didn’t hev ther nerve.
Now he’s goin’ down ter Bunco, still a-lookin’
fur his Kunnel Johnson.”

“ Is Bunco a dan erous lace, ah i”

Professor Elder m ad not apparently
been listening; but the question showed that
Blockey’s words had fallen on other ears than
those of Miss Vandeleur, and there really
seemed to be a quaver in his voice as he asked.

Plumb Center Pete turned toward him with a
look of disdain.

“ Ther’ ain’t no place yer ever seen thetwa’n’t
dangerous ef yer time was nigh at hand; but I
don’t think it will be extree‘dangersome ter you,
ef yer‘keeps outen the road. Now, I’m goin’
down there ter See what I kin make outen
Hunter Browne. I heerd he wants aboss fur
his works, an’ I’m jest his meat. That suits
me—but I‘ reckon it would bedang’rous fur you.
You wouldn’t last two days there. But you
kin sell pain-killer, er corn mederciu‘; er any
sich ez comes nat’r’l in yer line ’thout stirrin’
up much bile. You’ve got your line, an’ I’ve
got mine. When I sling ead it oes plumb-cen-
ter; an’ when you sling pills, s’ so they git
thar, t'oo. You’s goin’ ter start a actor’s shop,
I shed judge. Eh?”

Professor Elderberry looked as though he
might be a young disciple of Galen; and Plumb
Center Pete had seen the name in full, Dr.
George Elderberry, on, Mass. so that his

ess was not altoget er without warrant.

till the professor did not seem at all inclinedto
advertise his intentions, and only responded in

.a enerai sort of way:

‘ I had thought of stopping there a while, ah,
provided I found, ab, an opening commensurate
With my abilities; but, ah, I do not like to learn
that it would be accompanied with, ah, any
personal risk. Whatv-what is the especial
danger that you will be subjected to, ah i”

“ Bullets, steel, p’ise‘n I When yer hev a
gang 0’ men ter manage, ther butt-end ov ’em
are bad. When yer knock one down his pard
sometimes plugs without stoppin’ ter argy. You
hev ter shoot quick, en’, plumbcenter. That's
me. Down hyer it don’t take skill ter run a
mine so much an nerve, en’ that’s what Browne
wants, I’m a-bettin’; an’ that’s what I travel
on. an’ you don’t.”

As Plumb Center Pete-actually without
meaning it—took on rather a bullying tone, Pro-
fessor Elderberry looked more than ever uncom-
fortable, and said nothing further. He gave a
speculative glan a moment later at Miss VII-

)

a

 
4

 
 Sport in Spectacles.

 
Lia

 
deleur, evidently wondering how or why she
could enjoy conversation with such a rufﬁan.

But Miss Millie had her own notions, reasons
and schedule of rates, and as 'Pluuib Center Pete
was careful to say nothing oil’ensive the fair
passenger continued her quest for information.

“ You spoke of acting as superintendent for
one Hunter Browne. I should suppoSe if he was
a man worth working for he would look after
his own :ilfairs. What sort of a permn is hv?‘

‘* hunter; Browne? Well now, l‘tell you,,he’s
jest hie i.izziiess——” ’ ,

Hi: (tribe-l speaking suddenly, for at that mo-
mi-nt from the roadside there rung out the harsh,
but well known order:

“ Halt, tbs-r, au' hands up! Don’t you mow,
Slim Jack. or we’ll drill you. Hyer’s the. toll-
bar, on" we’re the dopity tax collectors! inside
an’ top sidegit ready tar shell out cash or brains,
it. don’t make ntuch tliiforence'which."

At the Very ﬁrst woi d5 the coach stopped.
Perhaps the horses understood the game as well
gas/M‘s; cargo; perhaps Slim Jack had an ort-ult
way f drawing his teams to a halt. Miss Van-
deleur gave a little nervous scream; Mr. Ali-
brightr looked very uncomfortable; Professor
Elderberry sat bolt upright, as it too frightened
to do anything else, while Plumb Center Pete
swore softly. The latter was just as wise as any
man, and small blame to him it’ he recognized
the fact. that for the present there was nothing
else to do. but all the time his Pnl‘S_Wel'e Open to‘

xoatch all that was going on without. ’

Slim Jack was a veteran, and as he knew t i;
so long 11st one started a circus he would '

erfectly safe be retained a marvelous coolness.

is foot rested ﬁrmly on t e brake, and his
handa'wvre held high, thong as he threw his
body backward, he kept astrong pull on the
reins. C -rtainly there Was not the sign of a
quiver in his voice as he answered back:

“Go slow, Mister rMen! This cargo won’t
ﬁght nohow, an’ all yer got tor do is ter rake in
labor duckats', so that" ain't no use ter. be p’intin’
them irons this way." .

' ” Never mind them things. They’ll be mighty
bad medicine if any one tries to cut up rough;
and you needn’t mind ’em if they don’t. Who’ve
you ot inside?" .

“ l tandem-feet but Plumb Center Pete, nn’

he's not a level head, an’ no coin.” .

“ You insiders, ther get’roedy your plunder.

Therls a woman thar— I heard her scream. vWe
don’t Want to be rough with the sex, but I can
tell you the ﬁrst crooked mayo we’ll just stand
back and ventilate that coach!) ._
“Oh thunderl” putin Slim’Jack. “Do yer
think l got nothin Rt do but-sit hym: with‘my
hands up in the: air! “you want yer plunder,
come an’ take it.” . i

“All in time.‘ The mlbealthiest thing you

could do would he to get so tired. auto drop

your hands.” - I ‘ .. _

u was a new s canyon at the {root now,
and as be uttev the warning, by a,wavo of
iii-hand he counted his followers to advance.

Ouuide, the Chinaman, who had scarcely.
uttered a word {routine very commencement

‘ of the jouruegghad turned so pale that he was
actual] . roen. ' -
_. Trade not Tom’s bands had gone up at ‘the
Very ﬂrvtgordorxwhipsud all, and he sat there
very much like a. of hard times, his,
mandniouth w doc .
Inside, Miss Mil to was in a world of trouble.
9‘ Will theytalu all that We have?! she asked

at large. ’ . . .

“l wouldn‘t give a dollar for what the leave
in. thsr lino ov cash,” responded B cckey.
“This gang’ll in dead bu’stod’ when they get
throfgh.” .

“ hon we may as well die right hero”,

She clasped her hands, and looked almost“
though she meant it.  l
, “ﬁlm . ' fur yo,‘llttlo woman; but it u’t
no la in; teir gating. circus. hit}! I o. t

h a’ In t. in other curse an »try'l
3:: bu{  033565ka the whole ' contract.
aunt Browne wool ’t liq name for me afors'
I got halt-way til In. PlumbCIutanPeto
hit shootrhtut ho vi a show tur his whit.
one. aforobe beam?" 
ooondOleueo bed one exec? itmmod. to
rouse the‘anger of thoyoong is .‘ Her eyes,
W, and-rho was about to We some sharp
am, win them com a warning hint from

P‘By '1» awaiting. he
i or they . cm mu r t
balance when the We overﬂ-

Strsigbt up toms;- csme‘ the road-agents
and from the clutter boots. it seemed pretty
certain that then mot the host half a dozen

of them.

W to throw
meo-

_ ,. vly wished the jthan 0:.
~ - ‘ new 0901,

'  \ animamhumkmyg‘olrdnm. but.
' 1_ IoaMuanh-upo‘rum

I
. ,_ r z e. V
O - ,1 ‘*
" r , 1‘

    
yo

      
Tender’foot Tom had said nothing, and no one
expected him to do anything. He held his
arms up so high that they were straight. and
behind the left one lay the whip that had gone
11 with his hands. Itnever seemed to occur to
him to drop it, and in the way it was held it
was not likely to attract attention.

The outlaws evidently believed that they had
a sure thing, and prominy reconsidered their
original intentions. The well laid ambuscade
was br. ken up, and though the louder remained
in the background, the rest advanced with
drawn reviilvers, but without much caution.
They were disguised in a sort of rougLyuniform,
and each face “as masked.

One held Slim Jack in check, two others paid
mole particular attention to We Waiio and.
Tenderfoot Tom, while the rest looked after the
inside.

"No nonsense, hyar,” warned one, rapping
sharply on the ledge of the window with the
barrel of his revolver. “ We’Ve got. you (ann
line, and know just What meat We're after.
The rest uv yer hes tor Sht'll out, in course; but
there’s a Mister Allbright liyar, tbet lie-z a
twins-end cash. an’ et' he don’t roll out that
amount, there’ll be a merry little war hvar;an’
there’s a Miss Millie Soniething-or-0ther that
lug: along a purty stiil' boodle. If she don’t
fork ever her she re, there’ll be trouble.
MwAllbright? Shell out!" .

“Yes, yes,” said that gentleman nervously.
“ The money—hers and mine—45 in my valise.
Take it, and go.”

And at the same time a revolver was being
pointed up toward Bowers, while its owner
growled: ‘

“ No nonsense, now. Out with yer stamps, er
there’ll be a dead duck l" ‘

“Oh, new, come.” pleaded Bowers, ﬁnding
voice under the pressure of necessitv. “ I ain’t
got barely more nor enough ter take me down
ter Bunco an’ keep me goin’ till .Kunnel John2
son comes. I’d sooner see
ther me ter nu.” ,

The tones indicated an exasperating good
faith, and the road-agent was angered accord-

ingly‘} , ~
“ hat or take me fer? Shell ,out, er I'll
hexlv’yer 0 en thar in ther shake ov a buck’s
tai . i - .

To emphasize hi Words, be shed his horse
up nearer, and allowing the uzzle of his re-
volver to droop, he made a gesture as though
he intended to carry his threat into instant exe~
cution. , ' _

Then occurred a very remarkable phenome-
non. ‘ - '

Mr. Bowers, pt the near prospect of complete
bankruptcy, became suddenly galiauizod into
action, and he moved in a. way that was as
novel as it was unexpected. ‘ W'

The whip that had been hanging along his
left ann, described a circle'with lightning
speed, and the lush fell with a sharp swish
acres: the brow of the road-agent, cutting
through the mask right down to the bone. -

Then he leaned over arid gave another swish,
and reached another road-agent. -' .

At . time his whip {othhut this time on
the w cellars, and as the horses can a furious
spring there was a short sharpcmck, followed
instantaneously . by another, top good-agents
droppi , to two dorringef-sh _ . Four men‘w
werepu hora du combat-in ii a more than
four seconds; and Plumb Center Pete had 'not
yet had och cod,“ he wanted it. to begin get-
ting his war in. All the show lashed was a
snap shot at the astonished chief aethe coach
ﬂittod past, and there was at least the satisfsc.
tion of seeing him 'throw up his hands with a
sudden start, as though hard hit. .

Probably to the satisfaction of every om,

there was no‘purhuit. .
Ouch havin his team in motion Slim Jack

kept them go 3, and left that dangerous no h-
boruoodat a for greater rate of speed than 9
bad ds ed to hops-for, and to Which his passen-
gers m o no manner of objection. ,

They were in high s‘pirits now. The inter-
ruption had come just n time for Mr. Allhrigbt
gimp. bundi outhis valiso, and if Pete

who had a taken as prominent part as
 m t have liked to he had shown his/good
mmmomm high heldti tr ifht

“ can -ee'i-n6t,,ta
ain’t {ﬁrm thin out on Nigel-agents,” ho
summing he row in his head from:

look“ the roar. i ,

‘ " , ,o’d uvtbunlr Teuderfoot .M war slob a
shorter when he‘cuts loose! Didn’t he took tber
braid to’em? But, what ~I’d like to know is,
who ﬁred them shots. It warn’t no slouch. on
don‘t or furgit it.” ' ’

“ bich shots, Mr. Blockeyr'sllred Miss Hil-
lio. “ I thought it was the roadugenta dri at
gantil I saw two  them tall. Didn’tt y,

. esteem . eta »

“,Nsvy’ time. an‘ that’s what (its no. Elia

w’wm’t’e’douiiguottur rocks, oil-sat

‘“ ’3   V l I G.“
T‘ﬁm“ i???” 53.” “will...”

Ready,

 
j
interoc J  Elder

“i  ' "’"' 
' , a

Ti.

  
nimity, “that it must have been—~sh-a—tho
Chinaman.”

If the choice had not been narrowed down so
closely, in. Blockey‘s mind, he would have
laughI-d such an "idea to scorn. As it was,
he caught at it in an amazod sort of Way.

“A heathen Chineel oh,jumping John, I can’t
swaller that!) ,  . .

But, at. that vex-yams the upside down face
of We Wailo appeaer at the window. his eyes
twinkling wi satisfaction as, for the ﬁrst time,
they heard in s voic : .. ‘

“Chinee shoo’ee belley ,wellee, allee samee
’Mclican man. Allee louudee, ebleg‘timeel”

» ‘. w ..
CHAPTER lV. “’
THE FIRST SYMPTOMS OF THE BAD TIME.
BUNoo was well aware of the fat‘li that a sec-
tion of the gang of roadagents that had terror-
ized the road betWeeu Glory Gulch and Walnut

 
the traveling public at a point nearer than
Usual to the thriving camp that was by no
means yearning for their presence. .

When the couch drew up in front bf the Jef~
ferson House, still thfgirincipal hotel in the
place, there was quite utter of excitement at
the appearance of the passengers, which was
soon to be intensiﬁed by a kn0wledge of the
dangers through which they had asﬁeg.

As it wns the evening hour," efore sunset,
the Usual loungers were on the piazza. Hunter
Browne was there, talking lazily to Senor
Manuel Pereire, a. sleek little man, clad in
black, with a dark face, large, white teeth, and
hot, glistening eyes. who smoked his cigarette
in a slow, methodical manner, that somehow
contrasted strangely with his general appear-
once.

As Hunter Browne was a prominent man
among those having mining interests, so an-
uel Pereirs was grandam among those having
purely commerc l. cues; and it was generally

yer later, of it’s all -supposed that the two together could buy

considerably more than hal the camp, thong
they were not at all related'as to business, and
Pereira was comparatively a newcomer.

Besides these there were half a dozen other
men of more or less standing, who boarded at
the Jefferson Hausa. I ,,

The appearance of Mice Vandeleur was an
agreeable surprise. Young ladies were not
plenty in*Bunco.-and handsome ones were very
scarce. Senor Pereira throw away his ci a-
rette, and» Hunter Browne uttered a little exc a-
metiouthat probably meant satisﬁed astonish-
ment—though he was almost old enough, tuner-v0
on 4; pi nob/us the young lady’sﬁ-smitstber.

Very one was interested in , at youtg lady
but these two particularly so, though ey did
not suspect it until, as she passed through the
portal of the Jeﬂerson House, their eyn were
in some occult way drawn toward each other.

What each saw produced a revelation as to his
own feelings!

,lmmediately upon the stoppage of. the ve-
hicle Tenderloot Tom rolled oil on the street
side and disappeared. He had a some ind’
guiriehgf Slim Jack, and was satisﬁedthat the

lite-rson House was not for him.

We Wailo, who had made hominid), and
seemed to know notth of Emma dllhieown
wishes, discreetly waits until the beluga.
tion of the load was ill rged before 133
down. Then he scram led oil and s 1 con.
tomplating the J eﬂerson House with m insinu-
ating smile on his face. \ r _ "

ylumb Center Pete was on the pointer follow-
ing the others up the stops, though b some
chence the professor ﬁnd gotten elicit! 9 him in
,attentions to Miss M lie. Some remark. made

man from whom '9‘ had not board since the m.
malignant. just after the light with the road.
a n . . .

8%. turned around abruptly withoutstrelcbed

" yer heathen, ye’r.’ ssolld ma tor (is too!
er be s leetle nigh outer Jolie:-
{or binneso yer that. every time. Shake!"
We Wailo s smile become a little more idiotic
but be put his or in that of BIOCRey’s without
the least hesit ion.

Center Pete ar‘ _ ov ye." loudlyu ,

the Bouncer; “ an' o! 101’ ever lubricate it,

dome big to set ’01:: up. in) inside, uni-in!

show ’91:: n a Chime hero. In’ nominate! ~ .

“We silo nachos ﬂadee Mellow m 90
n "

likes. V,
The Chiqu had probably had songs ex-

rianoowith th kee rs of , cull.
guy was doubtfu or he: recepgo": at 3 Jo -
son House. It Blockey hsd not , he
weaning?)ng insemhotsbbuso
more soc .
Bait bBlockey did insist. and M libin withs
ﬂours . . _
mini. m ' ' how:

two»

 
, set '
AI  .
' ” ; stat-Mot m1“... 1...
mmuhﬁim'feto, who had the  
MW'S’i-F?‘_P“ﬁﬂli°mh”emu-ta, ,

 
Bar had lately been paying some attention to)

by s bystndﬂ', at. him in mind of the China...

b. n ,
d tuned-W.‘  u
My. alarm stealth

“ Yer ain’t no slouch, Taller Skin, sn‘  ‘

  
n.

  
"9 i' v.4 .
iii: .  ..

   
' here
“You've ,me' colu- l’ . k“ '
Aﬁbﬁﬁhﬁm  in“iou’r'”m'w’ 19° m

,him right in on Jeﬂerson.

A. Spo“ is

  
ectacles.

~__...‘¢...« m M ~-—1—“

  
Bunoo; and the mention of road-agents made
matter-swore interestin .

In almost no time t are was a circle of
questioners, and the history of the l ﬁ‘air, as
supplemented by‘ Slim Jack. was received with
enthusiasm. I! enderfoot Tom had only waited
he might have been as much a hero as any of
them. His exploits with the whip were all that
the driver could vouch for, but as Jack took on
trust the statements of Plumb Center Pete and
We 'Wailo—though the latter had not very
much to say for himself—the Cbinaman’s repu-
tation was made. '

“And now, George Washington Jcﬂerson,”
added Bl key, addressing the proprietor, “of
{3; wan a bang-up, A Number One, black-yer-

ts-fur-a-quarter, washee washce, that’ll be a
credit. ter yer house, this hyar Chineeman are
open for an engagement, an’ yer had better rake
him in.”

Plumb Center Pete spoke ﬁrst for the China-
man, and with success. Jeffermn had an open-
ing for just such a man, and before the other
arrivals had had time to seat themselves at the
comfortable rrpast prepared for them, We
Wailo had become a regular attache of the
house. . .

After supper Blockey began to look after his
own interests, and approached Hunter Browne
in r ard to the superintendency that be under-
sto Was at his disposal. ' -

“I was wanting a man, Blockey,” was the
thoughtful response; “ but I’m not sure that you
will ll the bill. I know you got along ﬁrst-rate
in the old Red Jacket, and all that; but this is
something else. I want a man who can man—
age my new strike. I’Ve had several hands at
it, and they just couldn’t do anything at all;
but]. think I’ve.got the man I’m after now, if
recommendations go for anything. I’ll see him
byand'by; when his grub has settled a little,
and if he pans out well, I’ll have to give him
the job.”

“All right; no harm done,” responded Pete,
cheerfully. “What’s he like? Does he know
beans when ther bug’s ontied?” ,_

“You ought to kn0w. He came down in the
stage. His name is Elderberry, and he has ﬁrst-
class recommendations from the college sharps
back East and a couple of mines that he worked
in with ores something like mine.”

“Goggle Gawgel \Vell, I will be hangedl

Kerr me out!”

“ V hat‘s the matter with him?” asked Browne
shar ly. . »-

“ othin’——-oh, nothin‘ l” answered Petr, spread-
ing out his bands in a quick ges‘ure, indicating
that he mightspeak bht did not want to. _

"Anything wrong about him? Ain’t he 11
ago 9 man? '

.“ ay be square enough in his way but you
want a man With sand. He’s a tendertcmt, I
don’t keer what mines he’s worked in. Ain’t no
more idear ov a regular jamboree ’th guns n’
knives—oh, he’d be jest fresh what ur ' er
he 3!” . 1 _ .

gThare’s something in that, Pete, ang I ought

hays thought about it. I‘ve at t haves
3m with brains get outwhat know I have,
and I' reckon Pl have tq run acombinatlon
10am. Do you think you and he could pull to-
gether?” " , , ,
. “No, sir-ml, Sorry Browne, but at my
wane ways don’t sail in hey u- go furder,

2;" you’ll lose a mi t good than. ,1. can’t yoke

noodle - cusses. When the take

, .y jest In?» tbiugds wide open ti they

sou lease, hammere inter ’em an’ tbats

5  ’1: her ter helﬁsin. I teats my
on no: es my own lgala.” but a

, appear - to angry a

but on nothavin anyt

bin to
. tlitheaeu‘ an rintandent. a meme to
argon closed, but Browne had

. :7
.WWrtouy. _
“ ht Boolean;andﬂ onshouldre-
swaths?” l2.  “
a __ r * CEI‘O
hing ' " ’ :{um-‘la “

3
81.198;  ﬁll gs her doim

“ MI , ,0“ Mn  old ' tleman
that is wili her. “ Who is be, than? can

" I‘ll neVer tell-$110th I reckon. artei' all,
thet he's a law sharp from Friseowards.
They're up ter methln’. but they’re close ez
clams. I talked a Prom but, but my would...
an amp e “in? . '

“so you think the have a mission! Did
they inquire altar any )7 impel-denier? You
'mi‘ghttat at it in thatway, you know.”

I Not a soul in, Pnﬂik 191'; en’ everybody in
ogin’ral. Ther Chmee ’8 ther on’y party in the
all outﬁt that’s wu’tb shackster cookie, and he

. seq lamb agile war, lookin’ fora; ‘wasbee.
4 ' blac

um ’Melican boon-e, n’ I wrung
’ o ‘ r “.1 
hiked halt esrduar’ Id ’a’l’elt like “pin; he,
ofer ther riﬂe, Mebbe you knows 5mm":
’bout her emit. ’Twouldnlt he more oullkely

, ' ﬁn ’Prolessor Elderberry war yam-1n,

v ." v v
100de cur-Ionst at the mine-owner and

_“ .  pom aa pin." vo-

 
sponded Hunter Browne, slowly shaking his
head. “Her face reminds me of some one,I
don’t know who; and she’s as handsome as a
dream If she needs a friend here, she can call
on me; and you can suggest as much if you
keep 11 p our abquaintance.”

“.Qh, {reckon she’ll nod when we pass by.
Thar’s nothin’ stuck up about her. But don’t
you furgit‘it. Browne, of she wants a friend
Plumb Center Pete are ther man fur her to
ketcb on to.” ‘

“Don’t be jealous, Blockey. I’m too old to
make a mash, and 1 don’t suppose you’d go seri-
ously galiivanting around a kid of her age,
either. We can both be her friends, can’t we?
I don’t like the lawyer, though.”

"Neither does I, though I tell ycr he’s got
heaps ov boss sense. He never speaks when it
ain’t needed. Ef haain’t on that square with
leetle divinity she’s got a mighty tough road to
travel.”

“ if he’s not on the square I want to know it,
Pete. ' I’ve got some little itﬂuence here, and
I’d run him out. before he would know who was
after him.” ’

“ Hyar’s with yer. Browne.”

If there had been any lingering hard feeling
about the supei'intcndency it seemed to have
disappeared when Pete Blockey extended his
hand, in a gust of enthusiasm.

“Putit thar, pardl Put it tharl Eh? “’hat’n
sanctified blazes be those?”

Browne gave a start. Blockey gave another;
but along with it he made a motion that was
like a ﬂash. B( fore the mine owner could
wink twice Plumb Center Pete held a cocked
revolver in each hand; just as there was a grl at
crash, and a jingle of breaking glass. _Then a
man came ﬂying out of the Jefferson House,
window-ways, t: ing a lower sash with him.

As the man struck the ground Plumb Center,
Pete looked up,,and then. in the window frame, '
he caught a glimpse of We Wailo, who shOok
his ﬁst once or twice, in evident wrath, and
then disappeared, in time to escape the possible

are of the victim, who sprung to his feet and
s ored wildly around.

“ Carambalf’ howled the man.

“ Who strikes me? His life will I have; the
coward ;’. the dog 2” '

A knife of extravagant length was making
circles in tl hand of the maddened man; and
the man we no other than Sen rManuel Per-
cira, the well known capitalist gm prominent
citizen of Dunco. ____

. CHAPTER V

we WAILO IS STILL "ALLEE LOUNDEE."

\VHEN he had “once taken in the size of the
row Plumb Center Pete was quite at his case.

His revolvers duo ped back into their res )eo-
tlve receptacles, an be advanced toward er-
eira.

‘Tho senor was bewildered. Though mad
enough to fight, and aware that some one had
done somethin to him, he’did not seem to un-
geradland exact, what, it was, or from whose

on s. ' ' ' *

He stared kit at ’ Blockey, who was not at
all cgernedyhu patted him lightly on the
5 O ,7 . ‘ ‘ ' .
ff Pearsofer me yer ofter'hey more lease than
ter he'd Nn' sich groun’ an’ lofty tumbliii’.
How’s yer apple‘tite, an’did yer sleep wet-nag
nigbtl ﬁt it wa‘n’t you, ole mahde sw‘ar yer
bod ’em: I. ain’t'allte nth ,' yer ain’t.”

“‘Sancta Maria-4w it? “howled Pereira,
the h somewhat soothed by thallium)“, re-
spec ul tone.

“' inﬂame," answered Pete, wit/bout hesita-

 
tion. ‘

“ Er yer knowa'what’s good far' or you’ll-
trv ter diet down, an it some  ‘

Pr , 1y nothi,‘ hammer-dual; uncon-
cam and mat r-ot-i’aet mariner of the,‘
s aker saved, him from immediate attack.

erelra glared at bias for an instant without
8 aiding; and in that‘hriaf ﬁt 01338060006011

own amazingly. ‘ " _
v It was only when etcited t t the speech of
the senorwas s‘o idiomatic; an be was a man
of too much strength to'howl around long with-f
fut doing anything, . Besides he knew who

lockb was by sigh, and reputation. ’Withan
effort , e curbed is anger, and pnttln away
his knife, bovi'ell quite politely-Lao thong just
seeing Plumb Center Pete"; ' _‘ ‘ , '

“ Pardon, senor, well in ht your mistake he
made, as astrahger I am ,  though I have
seen you before. ‘I forgot'vmyaelf, that is all.
Some one attacks me from-behind. when I have
no chance to resist and the ﬁrst thing I know I
ﬁnd mySelf here.” . '

He waved his hand around, and then inted
downward to the ground on ‘which a was
standing; , _ ' ‘

, “Bee 'on I’ll have to believe you; but when
law you coming feet ﬁrst, out thnmgli ther
winder, hanged ef I didn’t think it war a case
0v man nth ther poker. Who was hot What
had an en doing?” ’ ,

*“ h, now I see,” answered Pei-elm, leaking
up. “’I wasginsideand I came out. Nothing
but” done. That has been one of y mains.
IFQﬂ in.  "l was attacked  behind
ﬁtment-me v1. amides-«Maw! ._ .

' 5,“:

 him' i" “ '
~ “ulstfc’hn much d‘lnnkeetjumpee out win-

 
? if”? r

Altogether there came a. very deadly coolness
over Manuel Pereira, which Plumb Center Pete
noticed, but for which he did not care a par—
ticle. For reasons of his own, though not in-
tending to start it, he did not at all Cure if he
did have a little unpleasantness with the worthy
senor: but as he was pretty well satisﬁed that
We VVailo had had ample time to make his re-
treat he was not sufﬁciently interested to Eur.
ther interfere. '

The 5. nor took two or three steps toward the
house. Then he turned abruptly and strode
back toward Blockey.

“There! see! behold! It is the truth I have
told you. On my neck see you if I cannot feel
the marks of this hand."

It was an actual fact.

There, on the back of Manncl Pereira’s neck
was the imprint of a hand. The gripe the: had
left i. there must simply haVe been enormous.

“ It‘s thar, sure enough, old man, an’ 1 don’t
want ler git any of that clzap’s ﬁngel s in mine.
Ef you’re wise, you’ll keep catch his way till he
ain t quite so much on the rampage.”

“ Wise am I: but ﬁve hundred dollars will I
give to know jusr who put such marks there.
See! If you know, tell. It will be good for
you. The money waits.”

Pereira looked keenly at Blrckey, and un-
doubtedly he had a vague smpicion that. if that
gentleman would speak he might be able to tell
a thing or two.

He might as well have talked to one of the
posts of the piazza.

“ That’s a bee ) 0’ money, senor, when a fel-
lcr’s bu’sted; but can’t tell a lie.”

That was enough. The senor went into the
house. mwr heeding the half—dozen that tiied
to stop him.

“Queer sorter racket, that; don’t *er think
so. Browne? Kinder strikes myel' e hedn’t
b’cn up ter somethin’ crooked We’d ’a’ heard
him shout r-onsiderbul louder.” ,

Hunter Browne concurred: though he was in
too detp thought to more than half get the
idea. As he simply ncdded Blot-key said noth—
ing more, but strode away, entering the hotel a
moment or so after the senor; but, as Percira
turned in one dysection Plumb Ci nler Pete, once
inside, . took anothir. He wanted to see the
Chinaman: ﬁrstly. to know what It was all
about; and secondly, to give him warning.

“'e Wailo had dropped to .the gccgl lel y of
the place as if by instinct. Pete met rim rur-
rying toward the rooms of the new-comers with
a trunk on his shoulders, and stopped him right
in front of a door.

“H or, Chince, bein’ cz I‘m yer foster dad,
I'm a tern p‘int or two, a‘n’ I’ll give yer a warn-
in’ fur nothin’. He don’t know who bounced
him, an’ I’ll never tell; but you’d better keep
outed his way cz much (2 ycr kin er he may
drop to ylr. Now, what was it all-about, an’
who helpcdyer?” ' ‘

The eyes of the Celestial expanded to their .
widest extent, and heshook his head.

“ We Wailo no sabhe.”~ . ‘

,“ Don’t ay‘ ter play that on yer uncle Ezra.
Idxes yer fur what or tlnrowcd thcr Greaser
outed ther winder. a’u't I thar, an’ didn’t I

d ,

 obstinateinnr ceac‘e was more making

than convincing, and when We Wat 0 made a

govement'to take upthe trunk he had.“ down
lamb Center Pef‘é’s' face ow dark.

And just at that crisis t "e door‘at w hioh they
were standing new wide a, and Kiss Vande-
leur making her"  nee, addressed We
Walla, point-blank:   '

, “ it was you that cameto deﬁatarce.
Alla me to thank outh a r the ﬁrst
It was over, I “one ,ouibt'bul that I

M , have held in} . own very well. Boa’t he
a Mr. Roche}; will hot  you nil-
they-will I, Accept  you please. am
glad to be abléto give it toiyon.” " ~

Ilia: NWHehaidbm her hand; and the China- » *'
plan without a =w0rd,  his. prcketlng

he flue-dollar gold aea‘witbiach rapidity that ,
Pete scar-eel aw t ecoin obit passed between
the two. hen he suddenly strong the trunk,
into the room, and without waiting for any fur-
ther orders shipped away.

“Goo”, mica. therheathen are ri ht. ’Twonld-
n’t healthy fur him ter win’ ’ronnd

 
“what he’d done. Might githls ch31; pm on; I  »
. yerreally

afOre he knew what war goin' on

are thankful, ther less yer any ’hont him the!   i

better. Manuel Pereira‘ areiorealbad man.” ‘
“Pereii‘al Ah, that was the name (it-tho man
I found in m room when  back from
supperl, He . rung at  foreseen-i ht-
ened that I ran into  A ht‘sroom.
I heard a little noise.'and  " ' ' the eat.“
1 “That’s enou' h. .Yon‘have‘ down no, an’
’2’“ “'23” 5i. mmwm’ledpemmﬁtJ‘E‘dﬁi
e’an'v' of" , fou’ u ‘
‘round. lu’m thy owg'mlr'o, ' golf at yer need a
trauma kin  {linger tb “
am nter ' 'me «on. . .
“Frank‘s,  l  I'will notheed.
39.9.1, .,  .
 if? 10 1'
our: » iguana:  3%.

v»? 

  
,/ 7, J

«

tinder/one or about _  

   
e

 
. ﬁlmmw...‘ v w v- ~:- ' " "

A Sport in Spectacles.

 
Yer wouldn’t like ter tell what’s on board?
Mebbe two hands are better than one ter build
frum.” _

The girl looked sharply at the speaker.

The two had been on easy terms since almost
the ﬁrst moment of meeting; but this was some-
thing else. After a moment’s hesitation she
spoke.

“No, sir—I will not——I cannot—now. Yet I
do not expect to blind your eyes to the fact that
I have a mission and a secret. I must know the
truth first. After that I may also have some-
thin to avenge. But I cannot tell you more,
and beg of you neither to ask me nor to men—
tion what I have said.” ‘

“ All right. I ain‘t ther talkin’ kind. Ef yer
needs me call ’round, an' don’t furgit tor keep
an‘eye on P reira. He'sacondemned snake,
anyhow. an' he’ll hate ye like p’isen arter this.
So long.”

Miss Vandeleur nodded and then looked after
the retreating form in a questioning wuy. Per-
haps she would have been delighted, if she had
dared, to give him something more tangible,
but she returned slowly to her room, thinking.

“No, no. You have the good will, perhaps,
but I dare not risk you,since it may well be that
you are one of those whose interestsley counter
to mine. Your friends are more than likely’to
be my enemies, and to trust you would be mad-
ness. And yet, if things were different, it
might well be to my interest to have him willi-
in call, if he is such a man as he re resents him—
self to be. I wish I could see him tested. I
wish [ could trust others more thoroughly, and
that I was not working so in the dark. must
get more light for myself.”

The girl was evidently in a thoughtful mood;
and hesitating as to her proper course.

“I must make no mistake. He may be the
most arrant coward alive. The other man
~IIBVBI‘ hesitated when the road-agents were

around. I feel as though I could trust him. It
is certain that I must get a view from another
stand-point, so that I can know whether I am
A being truly dealt with. As for Blocks ——he
talks too much, and he is too willing. even
half—suspect he knows something of the misaion.
If so, appearances have been wonderfull y kept
up. I will see.” ,

CHAPTER VI.
ran Paornssoa STRIKES :rnouaLn.

Tail: Jefferson House was not by any means
destitute of the ordinar conveniences of a
mining-town hotel. Loo ing around her little
seVen~by-nine room Miss Millie discovered a
bell-rope, and as she had some questions to ask
in regard to the town and its inhabitants she
gaVea tug at the tassel, hopin to gain infor-
mation from whoever answer the summons.

~ She was not aware of the fact that on the
average one might ring loud and often without
attracting ver much attention. As she was
an exceptions ly favored boarder however,
some one did answer the call. I‘rett soon
there was a soft scurrying of feet in hall
outside, the door new 'open with a bang, and
We Wailo to into the room, with a smile a
yard long on ‘s free.

“ Bell lingee; We Wei lo allee loundee. What
for ’Meliean glil lingeei"

Millie looked thoughtfully at the Chinamau.

8h- wasin search of a true kni ht. but evi-
dently We Wailo would not out rely fill the
bill. though he had given evidence of being
something beyond the average Celestial.

She had not fbrgotten the aﬂsir with the
road-agents; and, besides. a man who could so

ickly ﬁnd a place in Dance, and so suddenly

‘ of web a dangerous character as Senor

/

 
'Pereirn appeared, to be, was certainly a man all

_ resource and nerve even if his muscle was
' small. NevertheloQ, the h be mag: heable
to take care of himsel t e preju against
is race was likely to such that it would
, unproﬁtable to attempt to bring him pecu-
- liaal’y into her rviee. , -‘
_: , t3) all this mind Miss Vandeleurﬁeoi
't on a few questions. ,
' Noth'ng loth WeWailo listened and kept up

his end. ,

“ I did not think I‘ w , IM‘ apt to see much
of you‘atter we had reac our Joureoyls and,
 yhutit seamsth'dt we are . ' ed to be under‘the
’ V r001. How did‘ you manage togeta foot-
'  rig here so soon? I suppose you understand?”

. WeWailosabbe ables thrice. Him ketohee
light oaee. Much likeer’Melican mane'e’s eat;
on him feet" blee times. Jeﬂolson wantee good
name; We silo, lightee in town.” .

, "The facts speak for theniaalves, though I

would not otherwise have believed it ible.
I begin to thliik too, rm we are more ndebted
to on than I first understoodiu thematter of

' _ road-agents. It does seem as thou b you

. and that‘man with the whip were the on y per-
sons seasoned of true courage. Were you not
afrai to run the risks of'auch odds _ Even
{gatnulfwetyled desperado, Plumb Center Peta

' as. ' l ' ‘ . ‘ . ,

r “We Walla not some anyt’ing bah heir.

Him. '  - . mm ﬂoured!“

  I receptacle in his relaxant

"‘ ft ' \ n I

u‘.‘.

wood manbglil hab

. be was Amentitlippmliilvt birth beyond a doubt. ' Ho

 
We Wailo suddenly produced a brace of revol—
vers, which he ﬂourished around in a very loose
and unorthodox fash n, the muzzles covering
in succession the door, he window, and finally
Miss Vandeleur herself. ,'

That young lady did not seem as nervous as
might have been eXpected. She simply waved
her hand, with a gesture that might indicate
satisfaction or anything also.

“ '1‘th will do: I haVe no doubt but that you
can use your weapons well enou h on a pro wr
occasion but there is no use for them now. ’ut
them up and listen. From some things I II. \ »
seen I believe that you are disposed to be my
friend.

“ Hai-yahl We Wailo ﬂ’end whattim he
can. Lookce out num a one come topside.
’Melicau gill next. Data 10 plo la pidgin. Ehi”

“ Yes, that is all right. Loo out for number
one ﬁrst; and after that, my interests come
next. I believe you are willing to aid me, and
I may call on you and I will pay you well for
whatever favors I may ask.”

“ We Wailo no takee wun piecee tin cauda-
roon. Him hab nip te kashe, much plenty g’low.
Him flin, ’way uppee."

And to show his earnestness the Chinaman
drew from a pocket a handful of Coin, gold and
silver, and held them out.

“Thank you, I believe you witho t that; but
I would prefer to pay you, neverthe ess, when I
put your friendshipz to this test, as I think of
doing even now, on remember the man with
the whip, do you not?”

We Wailo’s smile faded into a look of grave
attention, as he nodded and stood in a listening
attitude. .

“ Do you think you could find him and bring
him where I eduld have a few moments’ conver-
sation with him?”

H“ You betee. Bling him this side belles quick.
ail

“ Do so then—say in an hour from now. I
would have a little quiet conversation with him,
observed by no one. Suppose you tell him that
I will be watching for him, and if he passes
along the street I will give him a hint of where
we ma have our conference unobserved.”

We Vailo snapped his ﬁngers, nodded, and
left the room wi'h a hop, step and jump. He
asked no further questions, and at out on his
errand as though the aﬂairs of George Wash-
ington Jefferson and his hotel, were a. very sec-
ondary matter. As he had prudently learned
in advance of his arrival the names of the dif-
ferent proprietors who would furnish second-
class accommodations, his quest for Tenderfoot
Tom was not so likely to prove vain. As he
had the names he only had t look for locations,
and Bunco was not so large t he would have
much trouble.

In about fifteen minutes he came hopgiqg‘
u

back and aftera prudent rap stuck his has
“he “or is...“ a a... T n...

‘ e a o n rst . e grass-
dgin inside he mouth, him
ko-hoin. rww men say man-man heapee
bun ley ko—hom by’mb ,soon. Alice Iightee.
We ai‘lobeloundee ch oyl HiYah’i"

With the parting and meanin less inter ec-
‘irousthe Chinaman took himsel oil, and is:
, andeieur waited seine little time, now and
then glancing uneasil out of the windows.

It was growing dar er than she had e ted
and the hour was somewhat late. for «a onely
promenade through Bunco. -

Her nerve did not fail her. Something like
half an hour later she slipped um”? out
without stopping to inform Mr. rig t of
where she was going. ,

As her door closed behind her anion leaned
from the w nd’ow of the next little coo of a
room, and whippered to another man, in: 0 was
ionI ngbelnw: d  j ’ 

‘ yes open, per a ,s a-comin. o yer
ugly best. ter keep on her trail, fur I tell she
means bizzness, sure. I’ll be down bob ii her
el.‘ shedon’t imme ther slip.” ,

_ There had en an unsuspected listener ,to the
conversation, and Miss andeleur‘ was already
a marked young woman. . ,

'I‘he eavesdromier was cautious enough about
being seen. It was certain that if his presence
was noticed any further information could not
beIgained in the same way. ‘

t W” not P a, however. .-

Thit than wool make two of the senor; and

won. tall, we, man, with. a keen
who had beet) an initiate the Jefferson ones
for a week or more, a was known b the
name of Kale Cater. _ Who he really we and
where he came from were questions that bardl

troubled the people of Bunco,. since he .had _’no

so far, tumbled them very seriously; but they

9.79!

had their suspicious. . A man of keenlocka. who

appeared to have no especial ii rest in the
regular, business of the place w more than
likely to be a gambler and might be “Him
a favorable opportunit to set uprli’or 3.0th -
If he should turn out tobeu real bad man no
ongould be very much surprised. .
, Reclaim mm   thlll with a
“givers r . . . 9’ “We
him was (“wok little lamp “hut-single
the now darkened and deserted corridor and

~ shoulder of Gr: as he

 
the man gave an anxious glance toward the fur-
ther end.

To his suprise the girl had already vanished.

He had wished to time his exit so as who
able to catch a glimpse of her in the distance;
but she had been quicker or be slower than he
supposed.

A low growl of disgust came from his throat;
but he hastily closed his door and started in
pursuit.

As she was out of sight no particular caution
was now needed, and he dashed along the hall
at so rapid a rate that he did not notice the sud-
den appearance of a shadow in the diqiness nn~
til he came in sudden and violent collision with
a man u be had emerged from one of the rooms
along the hall.

Kale Carter was decidedly the heaviest
weight, and of course the other man went down;
but somehow in the going his feet ﬂew out and
his legs became entangle with those of Carter,
so that the two fell headlong.

“Good gracious, ah i” exclaimed the under
man, in a tone that was very suggestive of his
having been set down on. “ Where, oh, where
are you going?”

“ m goin’ fur your necktie,”growled the other,
as he sprung up, and swung one foot back, with
the eVident desire of kicking the life out of the
unknou ii man who had caused his downfall.

The kick was gi‘; en. and was followed by a
howl—from the giver, as his toes struck the
wall. ,

To his disgusted surprise the intended recipient
had been a shade the quickest, and scrambling
out of the way had darted into his own room
and slammed the door shut behind him with an
energy [but showed that he believed his life to
be in serious danger.

Kale Carter’s hand went down to his hip and
he hesitated a moment, while a look of wrath
convulsed his features.

There was no better way in the world to drive
him wild than to slip out unhurt after euch'a
ridiculous iuibroglio. If he had not had an ur-
gent call in the other direction, he would pro-
babl y have forgotten prudence and gone to get
even. ' .'
As it was, he only hesitated for a moment. A
shot through the door would be unsatisfactory,
besides bringing a crowd around him. which
was the last thing that he wanted. . 1

“Never mind. You’re the high old sport in
spectacles. I ain’t time ter bu’st ther door down
now, but I’ll git eVen with yet yit. Ef I don’t
it’ll be because yer scalp won’t pull. You git
afore I kim back er I’ll skin er alive.”

The last words were ﬂung ck over his shoul-
der. as he hurried away. ‘ ,

The time already lost was at the moment
when it could be the least s ared. Wahen Kale
Carter struck the street, illie Vandeleur had

been‘swallowed up in the darkness, and he had M

no idea in which direction she had gone.

“ Ther luck has been ‘comin any we , an’ of
ther be m ain’t dropped out reckon or plan
are tern, ang traight ahead. I can’t wrong.
E! I do Billy I be tbar on ther trail.
ther trouble are I daren't b’l’eve him on outh.
I ought to hive been around Do that he couldn’t
ring in sbouncer on ,me. Ah!” ‘ ‘ '

As he hurried along, Carter had been com-
muni with himself at length. but somewhat
after t e fougoin fashion.

Now. he steppe suddenly. Bill Gra was
in front of him, crouching lbw, wi  _ 3
pr against his face, While he  '
torep ed the green that was tryingto'
out. ‘ “ ‘

Sousa men mi
identity of the ‘
i“ “an” slam“ “  Mfr 3's:

orw 'an 8 "gene  , n __
agar, and 

him like a er'worryln ‘I

“ What. the fiend’e naxg uk‘a‘this. Bill  -'

Have “ r ’ém ski or d they put u sonic
game I): yer? What, it! Speak quick. 
way did they go?”  v
“Hanged of l know,"enswered the other in
a, lower tone. “Ef yer kin show the I‘ll ve
yer asight fur yer money._.-au’ turn u u ‘I and
tenderan fur stakes. Curse ’em, tber N
tber whip, muster smelled a mouse fur’ he hung
ther lash down on sight“, an' then him‘an"ther
gal” pkippedf Kin yer hear ’em‘i- It’s M a
minnit‘ago, an’they can’t be fur.” f 
“ Hear them, no; but they kin  You

   
,kinb'et the ’ila‘ IOW. The is guinow
an’ we mayuweIl go back  1 l . 876 out .
who We are. But I would have“, V "1 Slag'to
know what she'll say to that 1- 433011 ga-

loot.” , ' ~ .
“Git ei- sliig ready, then fur I’ll tel yer
whenl _ beck. l’mhard ter at. Au’l’ e at
it in font at tenderfoot; and when yer 'see h m
lyin”around in ther mornin’ with his arms
out wide-open don’t yer“ say a word. Bmy
Gray’s bin t an” , ‘

“Kill hi iLyou want to, but hands ox the
girl. We’ll the a try to ﬁnd but You go
that way, an’ I’ll, go this, an’ keep yer ears open,
Here goes.”  v e s "

tlous.

him, ,

‘hsvo hesitated m: the .
mu thus wand-Buffalo Csr- '

l ' .

Th l .- treason-m ' ,  - " a. .» 
twogiai'  it  I  

 
.. ..u*_..._ ._..._.._.,_._.

i

 
“be thar.

 
.4.........-,.

A Sport in Spectacles.

 
CHAPTER VII.

mes varmnntun‘s CONFIDENTIAL AGENT.

‘BiLLY Gas! hardly cared to eXplain to his
partner the precise nature of the way in which
he had been taken in. Miss Vandeleur had left
the J eﬂerson House some little distance behind
her before she became aware of the fact that
she was followed. In his eagerness Gray had
crowded up too close, and when she halted he
came so suddenly upon her that she gave a little
scream of alarm. _

He was surprised himself, and answered With
a rough growl. .

Then the whip fell, sharp as a knife-stroke;
and Miss Vandeleur vanished.

Tom Bowers showed that he was not by any
means an idiot, whether he was or was nota
tenderfoot. He caught the youngJady by the
arm—though she already recognized him—and
drew her away, without a word. .

The two walked rapidly, makin a turn or
so, and by the time that Kala arter had
learned that his game had, for the present, es-
caped him, they were well away.

“ Follered yer, did he! Blast him, I‘ll bet rocks
I marked his ugly mug. I ain’t much on ther
shoot, an’ I don't keer fur a row, but I kin just
swing a whip nasty. Now, miss, beggin’ yer

ardon, I’m in towu; what’s ther round up!

hat Chinaman’s pigin-English ain’t none of the
plainest, an’ I dont know whether I sized up
ther rights ov it er not. Ez nigh ez I could make
out, you want ter talk at me a leetle, an’ I’m
willin’. Drive on.” _

"Thank you for the permissnon. I suppo e be

‘ told you that I wanted-or might want to secure

your services.”

“ That’s what got me. I ain't the sort-
~er man you’d be. wantin’. I kin slin a whip
.an’ drive mules, that’s ’bout all. I rec on you
ain’t. goin’ inter stock very heavy; an’ ef yer
war I couldn’t do yer no good in ther long run.
I’ve got er boss on ther way ez I’m jest a-waitin’
on--Kunnel Johnson. Mebbe you’ve heerd on
him?” 1

“I am sorry to say I have not.”

“ He's a good man, he is; one to tie to every
time. He sent me word ter try Walnut Bur an’
then lie ’round Bunco ’bout this time, an’ he’d
He’s sorter dependin’ on me, don’t
yer see, an’ I wouldn’t go back on him fur no
money.”

“But meantime you would have no objec-
tions to enter my service if I paid well enough?
Perhaps you might ﬁnd it to your interest,
reyen, to furnish your friend, the colonel, with a
substitute if became before my object in visit-
:in this lace was obtained.”

iss illie’s smile was entirely thrown away

in the darkness, but something of its sweetness

was in her voice, and Tom Bowers would have

peleni more than an ordinary man if he had not
e t t.

He hesitated a little, however.

“ Don’t yer see, it wouldn’t look well fur me
to be crackin’ my whip fur another  when
ther kunnel kim in. He’d think Id rowed
him oil, sure. An’ I’d hate ther dangedest ter
.hev ter quit a job jest when I war a-whoopin’
’em inter ther pen. No. I’m afeered it won’t
work. What yer want me ter do?”

. There was a quick change in his voice that
mdicated a sudden wavering in his purpose.

Miss Vandeleur marked it, but at that minute
had her own dou and she answered slowly:

“There is a deal of truth in what you
say. A person who goes in with are must stay
with me clear to theeud. And yet I had hoped
tor—even counted on—your assistance.”

“I ain’t much of a man, miss, beggin’ yer
pardon; an’ I’m afearedj wouldn’t do yer much
:good. onless it war on mules.”

“ How about two-legged mules?”

“ I ain’t a-sayin’, miss-them ain’t in my line.
Ther kunnel allers manages _t . I ain’t a
sinner. When there’s a ructio I gets in what
work I kin with ther whip. n’ then gits under
'ther table. There’s heaps be ter men than me.
Why, bless er soul, ther fellers call me ther
Flat from alnut Bar a’ready. I neared ’em
while my back war turned. an’ I 8’ they’d
jest ez soon do it store my face. don’t want
ter take hold onless yer sure I kin ﬂll ther bill.
What kinder two-legged mules.yer mean? Ef
‘yer conﬁdes in me you kin bet I'll never tell.”.

“ I believe in you that much. though I hardly
IbelieVe the first part of what you have sai .

. You were pointed out, by one who ought to

know, asaman with a record: and your courage
since then—first, in the stage, and second, in the
quick, resolute way on dealt with that Villain,
leads me to suspect that you either are not domg
,yourself justice, or have some reason for con-
»cealing your identity. _

“ Now, in plain words, what I want is this—
:and mind you, I am willing to take you entirely
at a venture. Perhaps you haVe come to Buuco
With 6 Far I certainly have. It is not
very probable that our interests will clash. To-
night, for instance. I came out alone and ap-
parently unprotected. I expect to do so again,
and more than once. For one thing, I want to
have on around to see that no harm comes to
no. hip, fists or pistols-I am not particular
how you dispose of the enemies who may arise
in my path.’

 
- “ El! 1 war goin’ ter stay in Bunco, that would
be jest my name. I am sure I’d try ter be
’round every time.

“ But I want ter heva ood send-’of‘l’. Gimme
ther drop on ’em, an’ I in bring ’em right u
to ther rack; when they git ther drop on mall)
sing—oh, lordy, so small. What else!”

“You can make researches that I cannot. I
have even an idea that you are particularly
fitted for the part of a detective. I will confide
in you even more than I had at ﬁrst intended
to do. Nearly twenty years ago there was a
tragedy if some kind enacted near Bunco. It
was a long time back, but 1 must know its true
history.” ‘

“ Twenty year are consider’ble bigness ov
time, an’ it ain’t hard ter furgit a heap in that
long. Fact are, miss, I wouldn’t take a story
on George Washington’s oath twenty year after
it happened!”

“ I know that it is discouraging, but I have
taken an oath mysclf, and it is one that I shall
keep at all hazards. There were halfadozen
men concerned in the affair, as I n0w believe,
though some may have been innocent and
some guilty, some on one side and some on the
other.”

“ Gimme the names, then; an’ ther p’ints. I’ll
do what I kin.”

“ There was an Edmund Farrell, that was
killed; and a Hunter Browne that proﬁted by
his death. There was a Huldah Waring, sister
to the dead man, and two children of Farrell.
There was a detective who hunted him to his
death, and a lawyer named Bradley, who drew
his will. Between them all. they know the
truth, and I must learn it. And I must know
what has become of Edmund Farrell’s fortune,
and the children that were to inherit it.”

B “ A, purty good job fur ther Flat fl'i in Walnut
ar ’ ‘

The man laughed low, as though the idea of
turning him into a detective was amusing, but
not altogether unpleasant.

“ I’ve bin wanim’ trr see ef I ain’t good for
somethin’ besides mules, an’ here’s ther chance.
Count me in. Now, I should jedge it’s time ter
be gittin’ back towards ther Jefferson House. I

' don’t s'pose yer left word at ther cﬂice thet yer

were goin’ out, an’ of yer are missed, there’ll be
a lively ole racket. One thing more, though.
I’ll keep my ears open fer them ez you named;
but it ’pears ter me of you kin pump George
Jefferson, you kin git ez much satisfaction to
ther square inch outen him, ez‘outen ther rest
ov ther sown put tergether. Hé’s bin hyar
since ther first rush.”

“ Thank you for the suggestion; it is a good
one, and I will follow it out.”

“Don’t rush matters. Mebbe he’s one 0’
them kind ez talks when nobod wants ter lis-
ten, an’ when they does is dum 92 a clam.”

“Right again. Oh, I was not mistaken, I
see, when I came to you for aid. I have much
I might say but this is not the time or the

lace. Come, walk with me as far as the hotel.
really care not who meets me now.”

“Mebbe you don’t, but I can’t say I’ve any
use fur the feller I stroked with this ole mule-
com ller. If. I didn’t cut his eyes out it
wou dn’t be wonderful ef he war layin’ fur me.

Ef so, an’ it’s all ther same ter you, I guess I ll-

retire on sight."

“ Do as you choose; I have conﬁdence in your
coura e and skill. When I want to see on
again will send the Chiuaman for you. hen
he says come, do not hesitate.”

After all. the interview had been rather a
tame one; but Miss Millie had had an access of
caution after setting out; and she had evidently
said enough to throw Tom Bowers into a high
state of excitement.

NOW, as they had got oﬂ pretty well toward
the edge of town, they turned about and began
to make their way straight toward the Jeﬂer-
son House.

They saw nothing of the two spies, and came
almost within stone-throw of the hotel without
interruption.

Then Bowers began to sniff suspiciously.

“’Pears ter me of I’m goin’ inter this h er
thing ther less on an’ me is seen tergether t er
better chance t er be all ’round; this hyer’s for
enough. 1’]! stand an’ watch, an’ of ary thing
turns up in course I’ll come gallopin’ up, an
that’s ’bout ther best we kin do. Ez fur ther
collater’l on was talkin’ ov, thinkin’ it over
maybe it u’d'be kinder better ef you’d make a
imail ,deposit, jest ez an encouragement, you

now, .

Miss Vandeleur was not at all surprised. She
had not much believed in his protestations of
disinterestedness, though the change of base was
a little more sudden than she had looked for.

Without hesitation she held out her hand,
with a gold coin between her ﬁngers.

“ Don’t misunderstand me. I have no money
to throw away, and I do not expect to ay
more than your services may be worth. ere
is what I think I can afford as a pledge of my
intentions; after this you will get what you
earn, perhaps a little ni’ore. You can go back
now as soon as ou ch ; you have already
set me on a tra lthat I want to follow up my-
self, and I leave it to your Own judgment
in what direction you are to work. Good-night!”

 
Bowers stared after her as if unled, until he
had seen her run nimhly up t 9 steps of the
hotel. '

Then he wheeled.

As he did so a werful hand dropped on his
shoulder, seizing it with a gripe of iron, while in
front of him another man rose upanddashed
strai ht at his throat.

“ 0, ho, Mister Mani we hev you anyhow
an’ it’ll be do goned curious of we don’t ﬁt
right down ter d-rock nowl Bunco’s a durned.
sickly place fur a sneakin’ spy ov a detective
ter put. up in, an’ you’ll wish you‘d ’a’ farmed
out ther johter some one else afore yer 
through with it. I’ll git even fur that lick, ,
afore ye’r’ many hours older. Jest lift yer feet
now, an’ him right erlongl”

The speaker was Billy Gra ; and from the
way he tightened his hold on enderfoot Tom’s
throat, it was evident that the very feel of the
ﬂesh did his soul good.

The Flat from I’Valgut Bar was taken so whol-
ly by surprise that e was completely in the
toils before he had .a chance -to begin re-
sistance.

The gripe on his throat grew tighter, and the
man at his back transferred his grasp from
shoulder to elbows, growling out in an under-
tone:

“Dry up, Billy; you talk too much with yer
moutl.! As fur you, if you make asound I’ll
lift ther whole top of yer braiii~pan—you under-
stand! Come along with us; we have aleetle
matter of business ter talk over, and here ain’t
the place to do it. Let up on him, Billy; You
choke too hard. If you shut (-ff his w nd,
ther next thing we know he wou’t know
nothin’.”

Evrn when Gray loosened his gripe, Tom
Bowers could do nothing; and to tell the truth,
he did not seem very anxious to make any
effort.

The suddenness of the attack had unmanned
him, and its violence almost rendered him
speechless. He just dropped into his captors’
arms, and allowed them to propel him forward
at their own sweet will.

What fate was in store for him he did not
ask, but be rather thought he was going like a
lamb to the slaughter, and had about as much
volition as a thoroughly drunken man has going
down a steep hill. The man behind him pushe
him forward, and Billy Gray, who had pro«
duced and cocked a revolver, trotted at his
side.

But as he went along he was made conscious
of a sudden diversion in his favor. There wasa
snap behind him, something less than the report
of a pistol, and the two hands loosened from his
elbows, as their owner fell against him with a
force that almost knocked him from his feet.

“ Run!” shouted some one in his rear, as Billy
Gray went to grass from a second blow that
followed only an instant after the ﬁrst.

Then some one caught him again by the elbows,
whirling him around and propelling him back
toward the heart of the town.

This time the grasp was a friendly one; and
without stopping to earn from whom it came,
he took the advice, and got over the ground
with long strides that rapidly bore him away
from the spot.

The grasp on his arms remained there, how-
ever, and is unseen friend f0110wed with a
lock-step that made him seem part of the same
machine. '

'A few moments later, Tenderfoot Tom halted
under the glare of a huge red lantern. At the
same time the hands dropped away from his
arms, while he heard a voice that was not al
gether unknown to him. '

“ We Wailo allee loundee, ucbee topside
glow eblee timee, first chop etli ee allee sameo
’Melican man.”

The Chinaman was very much around, and
:toodththere laughing, while Bowers panted for

rea .

 
CHAPTER VIII.
DUTCH COURAGE.

Arms. some minutes, Kale _Carter recbvered
his senses sufﬁciently to scramble to his feet.
Though his head was by no means clear, he
could understand without any questions what
had happened to him.

Some one had applied a hard fist to the back
of his head with such force that it seemed to
him the bones must be cracked. With one hand
he rubbed his eyes: with the other he {erked
out a revolver, cockin it as it came. t was
on a level with a dar form in front of him
and it was only a chance that he had not pulled
the trigger before he discovered that the
gark ﬁgure belonged to the disconsolate {Billy

rav. ~

“ Fire and furiesi” he groaned out.

“ Who did it? Curse you, can’t you speak!
Which way did they go?”

“D inno. They’ve ﬁred an’ fell back. I
sh’d jedge it war a man with a sledge-hammer;
an’ he meant ter drive us "inter keep. Any-
we s, they‘re both gone.”

‘ Both! ,There were a dozen of ’em. Cusses on
’em, I feel as though I’d been trampled todeath
with wild mules. Why didn’t you shoot! If
Pd had a cocked pistol out it seems to me I‘d

 
~ I ,  gem of cards.
' ' flit athﬁ‘iéihh‘umtii i l n am
.19 n . a n, a y
m ‘ trons of Hamel) 8132i?

—l

‘ When the Flat from Walnut Bar looked around

'1

.-

/, foreecnodbycidodogn.

I O laugh and a nod.

'nowlydound friends imbibed a

' at.

have had a corpse or two to sh0w for the
frolic.” .

" Mebbe so; but I didn’t see nothiu’ ter shute
I reckon they must ’a’ come outen a b’loon.
You had yer claws on
him; what yer let go fur? Bet yer swim-it life
yer can‘t take him in that way agin.’ It war a
slick job, sp'ilwl in ther ﬂuisbin’-touches, an’,wc
may ez Well hunch ther kierds now.”

“Bunch be hangedl" growled the other, and
he had in a great measure changed the ioneot’
his voice.

“I’ll have bishoalp on my belt afore mid-
night. I'll show him a thing er two—”

“ A durncd pity it would be thet he couldn’t
lee it, when you got through. i But ef yer lay
for him ter-nlght how much will yer know
about him tor-morrerl I’d ’a’ bin willin’jpr
land '11: right up lber ﬂume when we tackled
him 9 yer had‘n't sod, lay low till we kin git
some p’iuls."

“ That‘s so,” answerwd Uirter, more calmly.

“We know ther size of his lay-out, an’ next
time we won't do ari'y fool‘s work. Kill him on
sight of We git toer chance, nn’ skeer ther facts
outen tber girl. I feel it in my bones they’re
settin’ up a double game. I half-.b‘lieye Trouble
hez sold us out. I got word, straight as a die,
that Johnny Snort wer’down this way. Trouble
ain’tther man ter make a divvy on a hundred
thousand of he kin git out. Ther )ile’s too big.
I wouldn’t wonder of be war scl in’ gal, gray-
board an’ t-her gang, an’ 1 know thcr gnl’s lryin’
for sell him. S’posin’ ther ﬂat were Johnny
Short. after all; EM"

“Now \{e’r’ sizoutin.’

No use tvr cuss me.

' Anyway, he’s some-
wheres in Bone), an’ 1 ex rothin’ better
than to' find him nfore mornin’. Ef it’s a
straight killin’ match it won't be hnrd ter pick
a row, an’ I‘m hyer ter take then-j nb,1 tell yer.
I want ier git even for that whip work, an’
13m goin’ ter do it. Men nor angels can‘t stop
mgag’m, an’ you needn't try, Kilt) Carter."

“Don‘t- he alarmed. l’vc been there once.
Shoot him on sight. if you choose, but. look out
for yer own precious neck. I can’t afford tcr
lose it than like you. I’ve got something to get
eVen fer, too; and I tell you, when Bunco sees
how, I do it, they’ll just all howl. You hear
me?’ .

There was no trouble about hearing him,
either.

The two men were in deadly earnest this
time, and Tenrlerfuot Trm had two enemies on
his trail who meant murder from the word go.

Meantime, while Tom Bowers was I'eCOVerlrg
his wind, We Wailo had quietly slipped away.

him he discovered that .he was alone.

. ,“So ther Chinaman war around ag’inl” be
observed to himself. “Wouldn’t ’a? thunk it-
pv no leetle heathen like ,him ter hit so straight
from ther, shoulder. but they do y ther’s some
,orful sluggers among ’em, an’ 1’! bilieve it after
this. Now, whar am I: an’ what’s" thcr next
ﬁat lad”? brunet”, his in d '

' , , g t a rove~ on was a Sign
manual of what was behind it, and the Flat from
Walnut Bar considered a moment, and then

we is in. There was such an ir of Sabbath
ml ess‘ at the place that who of, the
.npinioni must be a, 1'0 resort. If his com-

pany was not Wanted ey coul‘d ﬁre him- out-—
comm-o he that had occurred to him more
. oneeIpeﬁore in such establishments.

As her ushed o the door bosom that he
 not been this ken in the character of this
Whit?" u ' exiles tue‘ with n

.. W. 8 a. o 0
min 2%)!!! when amt smaller 033

t one end there was, a bar; through the
 cm various. as could be soon, on-

ﬂog“; the front of

was no .
aa- 9 t . Everytth
instill“ and orderly, and font at that momeiﬁ
there was no one but himsef going in or out.
Tenderme Tom a learned a. thing or two,
and when he ombl up to the bar he canton
Mounting look at those alr standing there.
time? he ‘said brieﬂy, w , a wan of his
toward the array of bottlesbebind the

‘ “.Our as o. stranger,"aoswered the nearest
of the half onen. . '

“Set ’91:) up. then. berkeep’. Accordin’ ter
my means I’m ea lib’ral as they make ’em when
'3 mike or new town. When I seen then-light I
 that-.mou’t be fun inside an’ drifted in.

its allri‘ t, ain’t it?”
ff‘Et it s :9: We’re ther

ht; ain’t we Jimmyl”

-« he opposite the bartender was followed by

boyees or" make it

“ Ei‘ i didn’t say, yes you'd won .the ﬂoor up
with me. éb? Oh, well, ez long c2 ther stranger
behaves his-:elt he‘s é: welcome b or as any-
Take yer p‘lspn an’gi «someone
was get out. and Tom Bowen’and
pd fell back,-
 tho door  to admit I ,ctill lam‘

w

‘ ucc.

 Mtle

 
,expcc'; te'r see things bu'st.

  .59.

A Sport in Spectacles.

the lead was Hunter Browne and Senor Pereira;
While between them, coming quite reluctantly
it looks went for anything, was Professor Elder-
berry. Behind this trio was Plumb Center Pete,
and severg? of the regular loungers about the
Jefferson ouse.

They did not approach the bar; but went
through one of the side doors, into a room
where most of the work done in Hazard Hall
was not in.

“ Did yer see them gerloots?” asked Big
Frank, the leading spirit of the half dozen with
whom Bowers had been drinking. '

“ They’ve got a Victim in’tow an’ what he
has in his pockets when he leaves this byer
s’loon wOuldn’t open a sweat cloth game at ﬁve
cents a tlLrOW. It’s a dog-gone shame.” n

()ne of the others made a low hisaing sound
with his lips, and jerked his thumb, in a court
sort (‘1' way toward Tom BoWers.

"Oh, we’re all gentlemen hyer an’ I don’t
reckon he’s goin’ for he skeered at what 1 say.
K'm along, an’ we’ll see what sorter game they
Set up. Cuss ’cm, we may wring in yet afore
everythin’ ’s played out.”

Big Frank led the way into the mom,
already in the tenancy of Hunter Browne and
hi< friends. as well as others.

The bartender looked uneasily in this direc-
tion, but. said nothing to them. The gambling-
rooms were out of his dirrct jurisdiction, any-
how, and from what has already been teen it l5
doubtless ev1<lent that he had no desire fora
row. He had not heard the convl-rsation since
the gang stood a. little apart, and talked in low
tOnes, that did not reach his ears with any
plainncss; but he had l.is suspicions.

In their anxiety to see what Hunter Browne
and party were u i to Bi;r Frank and his men
overlooked the fai‘t that Tom BoWers dropped
hack: and when they had preceded him, he
turned and We nt to the bar. _

“ ’Nothrr like the last." he said, without
raising his voice more than was necessary.

“An' (2 ther room’s party nigh tcr empty
an’ them 07. are hyer are strangers, s’pose yer
j‘ine me yerself.” ‘ '

The barkeepcr nodded, Set out the glasses in
an abstracted sort of way, and made a‘ sem-
blance of drinking; but all the time his eyes
Wore mu nrd the still open door. \ e

“ Pur y frit-ndly Sort ov fellers," snirl' Bowers,
indicating the Set by a motion of his thumb.
‘~ Fin. m ter hev tber eentcrest ov evoi y critter’s
wrlffare under their nests. What Sort halibut
Big Frank. anyhow t" I ‘

“Young man.” answered Jimmv, solemnly,
“ef yer knbws when ye’re wegl 'c’ﬂ ye’ll leave
Big Frank alone. He’s a chief, he is: an’ of he
takes ther notion [or begin ter shoot he won’t
kecr cr Continental ef e‘r’ standin’ right in
tlirr' Way. I’d give a do to. ri ht now, of be
war StimeWhPl‘es also. Be an’ iis gang looks
purty much oz of thy’re ready fur ther ramp-
nqe, an’ of they start on ther war-path y‘er kin
II I war y0u I’d
just slip right out an’ git whar he can't ﬁnd er
for I tell yer, he’s marked or fur his game. ‘

“ He’s a bad, man, is he asked Bowers, with
enlarged interest. ,

“Bad! that‘ain’t no nameior it. ’ He’s jest
Satan on" wheels. An’ﬂhe’s aboss~there’s' no
life trym’ for go back on that. He'kin drew an’

ug‘qgiclzer, shoot furder and plumber center
ban t e man w’ot invented sixes. He’s got it in
him fur Mr. Browne, I’m afeard, an’ Ionly
Vial: I could tlfl him the Wink." ‘ '

I "What's ter hinder?” asked the Flat from
Wal at Bar, with innocent surprise. ' ,

“ f- or iln’t' no one for leave in ‘yei- place
I’ll ten bar tiif you kim’back.’ ’ «

“ You gosh blamed. Bl Muir’s ter-
hinder. If be seen me doih‘ a th ng of the kind
he’d obfert mighty bard. An’ when he objects
lometh n‘ dro .” ' ‘

“ Oh I gauche ain’t that had. I'll tell him
at ye’ll pint out tier one yer call Hunter
Browne.” , .

“ You dry up, won’t you! Ef é’r’ anat’ral
born fool tryan notshow it. Ef rank would

0 fur me he’d jest slaughter you. ‘ Why, when

a winksin this camp, every man that sees it
"jest has tel“ blew his nose." ' ‘

“ 0b,.git out! Yer think I’m going ter stun
by an'see a man murdered ‘tho t giving 'l

warnin’.‘ Jest watch me an‘ ace ho a man kin
git 'round it. I ain’t afeard, I tell er. I jest
wish Kunnel Johnson war hyer. ’d mﬁke

that rooster wilt down. 'An‘.ef they etch me

‘they’ll hev the kunnel in bhe'r'wool, l0 they

will; an’ of they say anything ier me that’s

” jest what I’ll tell’em. So long. I’m oin’ fur

ther tigeit”, _

The bad whisky wasprobably beginning to
work, for with a parting wave 0 his band, the
ﬂat from‘Wadriut Barvstaggered away toward
the card-room.

‘ , ,’ CHAPTER 1X. .
, Al‘ N twain) mitoses, ABOUT moans.
,j Wound that the room in 0 which he
pun, was not near asla‘ as the f .
a that it incognito wolf and.  7 ‘88
a "mixing had be; there? ‘wumhm in
0 mm ott‘nntr : ‘

, I,“ v, as“: m-
cl tabla.    m

  
i

, had zittracto d any attention.

once then; but in addition he gown palrlof very

"my to indicate to v

'Tenderfoot Tommy, titer Fiat from Walnut Bar.

anew a man like 1' '

 
was a friend or two, who was looking 0"?!“ his ~. g ,
shr older and giving hints as to the safest plan. A 

Hunter Browne and his set had already got. "
to work. l

From appearancos an expert would have been
apt to judge thatcither Brownohad been warned?
or something had arisen to excite hiasuspicions.
He sat in one corner of the room, between the
table and the wall, and there was a window
near, that, in case of need, would furnish an ex-
cellent line of retreat. Pereira satuext to him,
on the one side, and Plumb Center Pete on the
other, while nearest to the crewd was Professor
Elderberry, who looked as little at home as a.
hog on ice.

The game had already opened, though it was
not running altogether smomhly. .  ,
Not that there was any deﬂculty about money' 1.
matters; for very little of that was going, and i
the playing'was seemingly more for amusement . “

than for anything else. No one was going to be ‘
ver badly hurt as long as it was four-handed
euc r, at ﬁfty cents a corner. ~ ' ,4‘

“Indeed, gentlemen.” the professor said, at;-

Hunter Browne gave a grant of disgust at a
movement of his, “I would a good deal sooner

look on. Why,I haVen’t touched a card since I i
left college; and somehow the games have 
changed smce then. They don’t play them now '
as they did there; I’ve got an assistin band,
and of course I assisted; and n0w Mr. rowne
says I ought to have ke t mv mouth shut till it.
was my turn to cross the suit. I don’t under-
stand what he means.”

' “ Don't be worried, professor,” answered Hun-
ter Browne, more amicably.

“ In those days, I Suppose, when your partner
assisted youcould o it alone; but we don’t play , 7
that way here. ill) a bower up if you could-  ' >,
n’t go a one you ought to give me a chance, or ' :‘g ,
lay back for a eucher when they made it next,
I puess we’ll manage to make a point between
us.” ts '

The game then went on. and the parties
scarcely suspected that the amiable altercation

 
Big Frank and his pards were taking it all in,
though. ’

“ What fur confounded anamile are he, any--
how?” growled one of the men at Frank’s heels.
“ I’ll be durned of he ain’t got a b’iled shirt on,
an’ I wouldn’t put it past him ter mount a plug;
bat an’ begin tor rustle ’round town for a boss.
Shoot ther cuss! It ’u’d do me good ter see even
Hunt. Browne gqrthrough him.

Tom Bowers lWas where he could overhear,
and his good inten ions Were not checked much.
when these words e1! or; his ears. He slipped

ast, an before any one had noticed him he!
lad edge in behind Plumb Center Pele, so as '
to be near enough to Hunter Browne to speak
in a low tone if he could once attract his atten-
tion‘. -
‘ Before making any efforts in that direction,
he took a glance around at the hostiles.

He saw that Big Frank had noted his appear»

fierce my eyes ﬁred upon him with an angry ; '
stare at was enough to make the cold 0 ll 3' /' .1
run and down has back. I Mr. Kale C to!"

had trucked him down, ud‘was standing re,“ ‘
looking at» him in a’way that seemed to say he ‘
was ready to ’ bus vmﬂoﬁly.

‘ * "Two points, , with Hunter . , turning"
the deucolof clubsiup Mr the _htmot on the»

 
“'R my parturi- hadn’hwonite I0 fresh
we’d have spelled 0 U-T,  letters. But
we’re in more» wbct’ “Menace about

the ahead,- ' to. anddeol.” ,
T e ' our, shear-deith and her-

gan a shame; while mush Center Fetched time-

to look-around-him. v ' , 
The very first thingbbgluoo rested on Tom *

Bowers. ,
At the si t hisoyec opened widely. "
“ Well, 1 ' e darned!” machined, a grin
or pleasure ' ting unlit-toot "Ef it ain’h g .

An’be’r’live an’ kiokin’! Bhutaole‘mn. Yer I
did yerself  out-“that among thcr  ‘
agents, and ve been wadin’ to my on.” w .

Re‘ hold out his hand with such on undeniably" 1 I 
friendly -’air that Bowen grasped it en ti ht. ” .42.;

“What did yer git 110, Tommy! I- lied .. ,
round thei- Jefferson for it war to treat. ,r‘
I put ther heathen ' t intern. soft cc. sn’

mobbe ldu‘d ’a’ wrong? you in somewhat” till. ,
that kunnel ov yonm ts ’round. ﬂown: crea~ _ 7
tion did yer git-layer, thought .I tell «yet don’t]
slide out now. I want ter talk cigar brew-bye;
Jest DOW- 1 pass."- '

He had’mechanicall ‘ up; his cards
with his left hand and? glance at 

 
Peron: scowled—bot BOWEN a d
partner. He was known “in eager ﬂay ,‘ 
any sized stakes, and the levity t t- would?"

underfoot Tom to take an»
on; the 

 
01'

 
atonition taut fhould, be solely
or was W I . - . H
n““’“" ‘mgvianuw'h 5%...th “m” 3”" “I‘-

mne’ m it”:  ‘ ‘

    
themai’llnﬂx"
"' mar 

 
r_ t
‘1.-

    
7  n't want'i’ar hi

‘ but l'ﬂ'he blast of I know him.

, M44,

7 ... __,....m~.M-.-- o4»...-

 .. Wan-u... nu ‘—

I
9
war.

A Sport in Spectacles.

 
ii- I oon’t keep my end up, on’ yourn are be.
ginnin’ tor slop over. Say, hyer‘s jest about a
match for Goggle George, an’ I’m goin’ ter
give him my cheer till I see how that keards
run. We’ll be settlin’ down ter draw next, an’
then it won’t be so purty tor hold all pot-keards'
‘an’ no two alike." 1“

Pete Blocky was in the best of good-humors,
but he meant what he said. Rising, he caught
Bowers by the shoulders and forced him down
into the seat just vacated.

"Gents, this hyer‘s Tenderfoot Tom, ther
man with nerve an’ a whip, an’ ther Flat from
Walnut Bur. Diin’t fool yerSelves on him,
though, fur he means biz all ther time, an’ kin
,get in ir :m iher word go. Fur keards Ijest
opine he’s about er match fur iher perfesmr,
:an‘ I want ter see ’em at it. Tommy, this hyel"s
Manuel Pereii'a, lber chap a hat owns tlier on-
dervideri half—interest, spot cash, ov Bunco; an’
this hyer‘s Hunter Browne. ez Owns tlier rest.
ange Elderberry an’ you hev met store.”

'i'endeztoot Tom smiled at large. He drop-
ped his whip from under his arm to a position
across his lap, and laid his bony hands on the
table.

“ I ain’t ser sure ezI kin do jsstice ter ther
keal‘ds like Pete, but I’m nllers agreeable ter
try. Ialn’t broke yet, an’ w hen 1 are ill jest
squeal an’ drop out. Ther kumiel ’ll be ’round
soon, an’ he’ll see ez I don't suffer." -

Then he leaned over toward Browne, and
looking him straight in the eye, added in a low
whisper: , ' ‘

“ Keep yer peepers peeled. Big Frank, there,
an’ his gang, is a-layin’ fur yer, an’ I said I’d tip
yer iher Wink.” .

“ Can’t say that I ever seen you afore,”un-
swered Browne, with seeming irrelevance,'and
in aloud key. ’ ’ l

“Ad‘ I don’t know who you mean by the col—
‘Onel; hut strangers that do the square thing are
always welcome at Buuco. Now let‘s have
more-cards and less chin music— Elderberry,

.‘ go ahead with your deal,"

Pete Blockey had not risen ‘ 'th the intention
«of watching the game, and hat once drifted
out into the other room, leaving his friends to
their fate. It was likely that his bringing in
Bowu's was more in the nature of a minimal
joke on Pereira, than anything .else. 9 knew
his own value as a partner in a game that
gradually increased. in interest; and that the
. lexican capitalist would do anything but relish
the change after the introduction he had given
the new man. -

Every one else was satisﬂid, or appeared to
ho, so there was no room for complaint until it
was proved how interesting Bowers Could make.
things. At the admonition of Browne the pro-
fessor began to shufﬂe, and then the play went

(in.
rPete Blockey had held no great card, but'he

’ had at least layed them for all they were worth;

Tenderioot om held a little more than the
average hands, and couldn't have played them
worse it he had tried. 0! course no one but
Barrera knew the secret of his'own nervousness,
for no one also noted Kale Carter's black look
-or was aware of the little controversy that he
going on not long before at the edge of the
team. it they had it is likely they would have
been plintle to kmw what was the secret of the
“MIL. Kale Garter was one that looked as
h he would hard! let his Vengeance cool;
at milking there av dently was to make him
itote. clocked more keenly than ever at
Tezdmos . ,
I droppedﬂghtiv on his Iboulder, and
turn 253mm in; Frank staring at him in a
puzzl . or way,» ‘

k hm. _ minute, ," said Frank
with I jerkot “Ohm: ‘ Are on after an
(Willow “10th 3! 70:50 h s yer old side:
yard, workin’ on the some level.”

t (ma-mix.

wt Gum‘s «a

Ar the low-valued on , x“. cum
wheeled the y. -

I “Whot’st ti Bouthtng’inan’nn itsiow.”

“ Slow er ~ tbu'i'm .mh in It, .1 ygr

tch hone! In’nuko a team.

' or look on though yer '5" itqbin’ter thor

downwi- open. an‘ I "W" 1 W’s mind

3h0iﬂn' yer a back way inter thei- Jacket.

t‘il take keeer work tor 61'le under the:- can.

‘ m for bar‘s aoanplo men thorn aromas.

0111' on t ' draw.” M
“ I’m otter the:- roller that jist sat down, thu-
MI (MN beer about. I'd had him do"
aforo this, only I don’t like tor end a picnicviu
a strange woods.”
“ Win that thunder are he! 1 thort lknow'd
,‘dl than bad man that drift ‘ronnd the» regions,
' 'ral be I h iE’ft h. “in”:
not m or 0 son nosonc
ﬁll  nigh] Dixi’t'hootjen play it 0! up
’ no , I ' .
“R‘ lit are. HUI the kind that it ain’t
ﬁfe fqu my me tor luv ’round.”
“ kin than. I'll bet rook! he's hard to
"Visor-u woman You ought to:

 raw and H-

wbnt’s ther best way tar get a shy at him with-
out stirring up Judge Lynch. l’m ’most a
stranger here, an’ I’m not sure how much Bun-
co ’ll stand.”

“ Ef you don’t hit ther wrong man, an’ make
yer bet still enough, there’s a good show ter
bluff Bunco. They don’t keer ter mix in a ga me
where there’s no proﬁt. If that consarned ﬂat
war ther only man in th'r case, I’d tell yer to
wade right in. But there's a couple big men
there that I’m layin‘ fur myself, an’ it’s best ter
go a leetle slow. Ef yer wants ter know my
idear, though, I kin giVe it to yer.” _

Kale Carter and this man had never not be-
fore, yet they fraiernized at once, and Garter
“as honestly in enrm-st about tnking’advice
Lrom a kindred rpirit. ,He nodded and whispered

' 'erctly: '

“ Spit it out, then. Iswear, he‘ll be half over
tin r range afore you begin to talk.”

‘ Don‘t be. ﬂustered. I’m layin’ fur ther
other ’uns, lint we may make a clean job of it,
Mound my ards layer hev been lookin’ther
n utter up, a ther best thing we've st: uck is ter
sit down at ther l ext table an’ git .up a leetle
circus of our Own. Then it you misses ther
man yer plug at, an’ hits ther pidgecn over
[liar—‘speshully ef you hes a clear case, es 1 kin
make it fur you, it’s yer own fault. l’m jest
that bad a man,an’ that Well known, that I
don‘t keer what ther game is, I kin kerry it
through an’ not be a durned bit further below
par. Say, now, stranger, what he yer name,
an‘ how much yer give me of I set ’em up fur
yer on a leetle game ov draw i”

“For my name, I’ve been around here long
enough for you to knew who Kala Carter is
when you hear them talk about him: and as
for the game, l’m willing to let you 5“ indie me.

an adVHntage l’ll kick—and kick hard. I guess
we all'sabbe, and it we are going to do anything
of the kind it is time that we begun.”

z Biz Frank winked shrewdly.

“All right. I’d do it fur half that money;
but youﬁon’t want him very bad er you’d oﬂ'er
twicéjrhat pile. Mebbe you ain’t well heeled,
ycrself. If yer ain‘t We’ll take yer note for any
balance you d like ter throw in.”

“Not a dime. It’s not often I pay any man
for playing my game, but I'll do it to-nigbt [or
more reasons than one, if you’ll quit gasing
and get to work.” ’

“Work it is; an’ thar's ther table we've bin
a-waitin‘ fur. Squattyvoo, afore some ‘un else
slides in.” - ‘

As it to help them the party at the very table
which they were wishin to occupy rose—one
or. two of its members aving so nearl gone
burst that 91ers was no fun in‘continuing the
game. ,/ ’ , . ’

“Hyer yer are, stranger,”said Big Frank,
in a tone loud-enough to be heard by any lio-

ener. .

“We don’t oﬂen take a dar’ ’round hyer, on’
me an’ my psrd, are zest men enough tor play
yer anything from igh, 10w. Jack to draw
poke, till. yer the-nails drops 03'.”

And seeming] touched by the hunter-ins
tone Kale .Car throw himself in the chair
that faced the Hunter Browne party, while
Big Fish and two of his pards occupied the re-
maining laces.

Then the e begun. ' 7
While thi: bit 0 play was going on,

the Flat from Walnut or was so nearly on
needles that it was a wonder the other plavers
did not noticeit. But when he sow Kale Car-
ter and his men with whom he had been hit!
lug taking their places his game underwouta
an den and wonderful improvement. Hunter
Browne, perhaps, an at thorooson; but he
said noth rig, and probably did not suspect the
whole truth. ,

. Bowen in fact felt that immediate danger
was over. Though for a little, he kept acou-
tioos watch on‘ the a who were not so far
away but that snatches or their'eonveroation
could be hairdryet alter a time. when loo fact
was patent that-luck was coming his way, he
'began to give his undivided attention to the
'work at hand. i r ‘

As had been anticipated by more than One,
Pereira p , a change; and the resuitmal
that Tende foot Tom was holding wonderful
hands, the professor he just obnut' holding h‘w
own, while the lump experienced players were
losing about as heavily as they chose to put up
their monay. ‘ . ' -

At a sign from Big Frank a c e of his lol-
lowon occupied positions between otwo tables
in such a manner as to keep the way, clekred of
every one elso;nnd as they ad on i than of
what w oto happen-it who robable t at they
would h vs gumption eaoug toget out at the
mad When the time came. -. ‘n

Biz Frank understood that it would not be
well topush on forms riot at once. It aerally
takes some drinking and considerable [5: rig-to

he had been playing ver ion he began to soc?
that it he wanted pay {an inthntgame he
would have.» work an. be knnwvahow to. wit;

o\

the!!!
as.

 
Mn.
nuly,,ldm’toaro.am farther! rest. Row,

rm"  ‘
mania-meg" my  

out of a hundred. After that, when you play)

p i
get to the‘point they were waiting for, atom,

 
to tbet pair like a major, and blame me, if Idou‘t
half expect yer be: ro ed me in, an’ihinkov
raking up my Shekels. his ain’t tber fu’st time
you‘ve thumhed Satan’s prayer-book.”

“Not the ﬁrst time; and I hope it will not be
the last. if you’re afraid draw out while you
have the time. I tell you, I‘m a rustler on
wheels wheri I get to rolling d0wn hill.“

“ l’ll rustle yer; an’ of yer bin a—rustlin‘ the
fur my Stamps you’ll be so sick to-inorrer
niornin’ that yer won’t know whar yer head is,
an’ where’s yer heels. You heer me?“

“ I’m not deaf; and when anv one says cards
they ﬁnd me hard to bea'. Rl file (if those pic-
tures and let the sport prom-en.”

“Hyer they go. then. I lhcrt melbe you‘d
have nerve en: ugh to lay up a leetle blind. some
one, an" a couple straddles On top 0v it. I Want
it lively while it lasts. What are ycr all
doin’i”

The different players tl‘rew in their discards,
obtained the rumter they named. rnd opened
up mildly. When Big Frank raised ﬁf‘y dollars
it looked as though he was l'lLﬁ-Eitg. and when
Kale Carter saw it and wett ﬁl'y boiler it
seemed as though he thought so, and l ad a. tol-
erany gOod hand to ask the quy-sfizn on.

Big Frank looked owr ilS cards (nee more
and then saw the ﬁfty and, went ten hettrr.

“I’ll see it,” said Curler, throwing the tr-n
carelessly down with the othervstakeo. “It’s
alwa 5 worth while to ﬁnd out ou’ what kind of
a band a stronger wants to win your money.”

“ Three jacks,” answered Frank, inquiringly,
still keeping his cards in his hand.

“ Good enough for me if ycu slow ‘hem. I’ve
got two pair.”

“ There they are,” answered Bi Frank,
dropping the three blgh-ilfelé‘d genuem/n, or
their pictures, rather, upon the board, at the
same. time drawing in the pot.

As the others had staid out after the first
fifty-dollar bet he was alone with the stranger.

“Hold on there. Drop that,” said Carter 

sharply, half rising, and a. ﬁerce look in his
eyes.

“I’ve got a hand that must talk for itself.
Maybe it‘s bigger than I thought for—jest as
you've got another jack, back.” ‘

“ Don t keer a cuss what you’ve got back, or
what l’ve got buck. Ef yer two pair make
four kings that’s your loss, 'cause yer said that
three jacks would take the money of 1 showed
em.’

With provoking commas Big Frank began to
stall the money, in his pocket. ' '
“I‘m not talking again.
pair, and they just make {our queens. If they
don‘tlay over your jacks I want llier boss of
ther house to say 59, and, you drop that money
out again while Somebody that knows beans
takgs the matter all in. Drop it, you hear

me , .

His voice sudden] raised from the guarded
tons in which only t had been heard, and rung
througiethe room, load and ﬁrm.”

It

same time his land- snatched hastily" ’y

at his revolver, and his eyes, looking beyond
Big Frank, rested in a piercing glance ca Tom
dori'oot Tour. ‘ ‘

It was a very pretty quarrel as it stood, for

. Big Frank's bands went pistolqu at the some

moment, and every lounger had his eyeson that
im, just in time More the two men spring "'
t ' feet and their hands go up.

' cameo Xi. 

601123013? more or run moon or 8mm)
HALL. ‘

Kim's: CARTER was no man’s fool, and knew
well enough what to could‘do with a man chat
at a dozen fast. as would hue given , oath
taught: rfoot Tom would  Just. bk

, w I: up. ..
i Ahgdnl: never would have been worn holed, ,
II .

Theorytbothe modeth the situations:
the bystloden to the nature of his W! was
his mistake, for it homndthot at IIth

. “I!

Browne’s tab afresh in program,
and as ' i}: wurunning on we cards Ton-
dertoot won V that we ..

It may have been a memoir tic! of, dan-
ger; it womb-roman that his norm m»
jolt in that. condition who almost anything
would .MIO them beyond control; it ﬂy
have been that he had had his , ‘
o"! ,the scheme. As Carter ruse Boom m.
demand, it anything, the ioker. '33:, N
form swayed forward, and on ndork, snake-
like linosbet forward and ward.  m
a sharp crack: the lights
where theywere hangi ,upmgoimt

lag. and than they cam L 'htotbo 

a ﬂaming «sunﬁsh.» there was the  of
h l! a dozen ghtohhots, followed swiftly by
t jingle of ranking. lava, 81
chance, u it seemed, the amps, that that! been
attacheddto a toe-James“ candekhram, and
«Mir-Me 1mm. roof‘ , y t was. songs:-
tinuiahodastbeymh  ,~ '

For a 19* new, 
datum. self. ,_  .

_ My
“9%”? it?“

       
Ti-ere’s rry two 1

mod to , 
Mata e

   
n

10

 A.

A Sport in Spectacles.

 
In the midst of it all the door leading into the
room, which, in some way had been
closed, ﬂew open, letting in a stream of light:

The lamps in the other room helped the mat-
ter somewhat; and Charley Cole, the pro-
prietor, with a powerful bull’s~eye in one hand
and a navy: revolver in the other, helped it still
more. The ﬁring ceased, and every one looked
ground curiously, to see what damage had been

one.

Several minor individuals were more or less
severely picked, Kale Carter lay stretched mo-
tion a on the ﬂoor, his face covered with
blcal, Hunter Browne had a revolver aimed in
perfect line for Big Frank’s heart, and his finger

‘ on,the trigger, while Pe'reira, Professor Elder—

a

r

berr and Tenderfoot Tom were missing.

“ lm‘y Moses!” said Plumb Center Pete,
pushing past Cole, and looking keenly around.

“What’s all this. Browne? Looks ez though
you'd thr0wed oil? on yer old side pﬁrd, an’
started ther circus jest when he wern’t ’round.
Who’s been ravin’ round hyer in ther dark an’
tryin’ ter take yer buildin’ down'l Jest p’int
him out an’ you’ll see him drop.”

“Oh, dry up, Pete. I don’t think there’s any
one much got hurt, unless' it’s that man on the
ﬂoor; and a Philadelphia lawyer couldn’t ﬁgure
it out who hit him. Not me, for I’ve got all
six‘ barrels loaded yet, and I guess the shooting
is over—unless Big Frank over there, wants
his checks called in. I had an idea he’d been
looking my way, but I didn’t want to shoot‘till
I knew it.

“ But whar‘s Pereirer an’ ther perfessor—an’
ther Flat frum Walnut Bar? Some on ’em must
’a’ got left. ”

“ I should judge that hole was about the size
of their bigness. I heard the glass smash as
some one put a chair through it, and that’s the
way they skipped."

‘ Tommy didn’t, fur ther he goes now,”
responded Blocke , looking over his shoulder
with a rin on is face, as Bowers. with his
whip tuc ed under his arm, shot out from the
corner behind the door, where he had been
crouching, and scudded aWay without a word.
Mr. Bowers was evidently more scared than

"‘ Then Pereira and the professor went by the
window, and I suppose it was the little Mexican
that left his card for that gentleman with the
sore head. I saw the ﬂash just as Elderberry
went thro b.”

“An’ w’ot war it all about?” ~ ,

Blocks had edged his way over to BrOWne’s
aide their conversation was in a low, unex-
cite‘d tone. ‘ \ .

“That’s what I’m thinking. Tom Bewers
may be a flat, or a fool, or a'tenderfoot from
Wdlnut Bar or from ’way back, but I tell on
he ain’t a bad man to have in the house, an be
thhow to take’ care of his own royal self
a t as well as the next man. He ti ped me
’ wink/that those galoots were a‘ter me,
and just as they were sailing in be upset the
lights with his whip and slid out of/ the way.
It saved me the trouble of using the ill-boxes,
and I aha’n’t forget him in a hurry. at what’s
that! Our' friend with the bloody nose is com-
i to. Either he hadn’t any brains or Pereira
d n’t blow them all out.
saw such luck as that—4m, of course, that user,
in the dark, he couldn’t have done it on pur-
pose. The Mexican ain’t much of a shot, any-

wa .” ~ " ,
JAn’ Goggle Gawge don't shoot at all, or this
court diog’t know herself. Let’s see whar be war
9 .v ’
Carter was really coming to his senses,
and without having received an serious harm.
A‘ ball from some onc’s pistol a'd creased his
head, cuttin
bringing the lood that covered his face,
As Plumb Center Pete came over to look at

him he gathered himself up, staggerin to his

~e;' ' pr
1'

I abdutou a level with the crown o

\
my

_ cord, tor without a war

feet wit one hand against the Wall, w lie the
other held the revolver from which his grip had
neVer loosened. , -
“Where is he?” he mumbled thickly. “ Did
I bring him? - Curse the heuudi I‘ll have the
soul out of him yet. if I didn’t.”
Then he glared around with
fag streugt . .. .
,When the li hts went out,” said Hunter
Frowne, with re reshing coldness, ‘tyon shot~a
ittli too high. You see, it takes practice to do
in the dark.

rapidly increas-

neat" we Here’s your mark.

You can allow for variations better, the next

time you try it on.”
He. pointed up at a bullet-marKin the wall,
f his lie/ad as

up. , , .
If Browne looked. for any sudden explosion to
follow he was very much mistaken.

1

‘ :- turned awa

‘ ‘v With something like a snort of disgust Kale
“ 1?)! job” lookin’yfur Big Frank I seen him a:

glo' out ther door a bit ago on thougbhe bed
mess up Street. Go fur himef yer want tor
ketch'him.” ‘ " ‘ '
, ‘ Plumb Center Pete’s suggestioh hit the right

’ of res once, Carter
 , his revolver still on and cooked.
 Fe“ M Wasatch

V

Queer, too. ' I never

a small vein on his forehead,‘

'with the

 
if. . '5,

A bystander who had been in as much danger
as anybody but who took things so coolly that
he was open’ to a suspicion of having hada
hand in the cannonading. made the remark as
he gazed after the retreating ﬁgure: .

“ An’ I think he’s solid ter make cold meat.
He’s one er ther kinds ez only knows how ter
argy a p‘int at draw with his shooters. He’s a
lightnin’ uller, he is; an’ he won’t shoot wild
ag’in! l t ink 1311 foller in ther distanco an’ see
ther fun.”

The disappearance of Kale Carter and Big
Frank, together with some of the men who
were known to train in the company of the lat-
ter, had its effect cn the crowd; dissolving it a
great ital quicker than Charley Cole’s revolver
and lantern could have done. Some were con-
tent to stay and recount the history of the
rumpus to new arrivals, who looked into the
room ﬁrst, but immediately afterward reported
at the bar. ‘

“I guess, as the others have jumped the
game, we may as well go too,” remarked
Hunter Browne. “We’ll see what laS become
of Elderberry; I‘ll bet he made arter—horse
time, and he couldn’t well miss the way to the
J eiferson House." ,

“You’re ther doctor,” responded Blockey,
“an’ I’m ready ter take most any dose. It
kinder tickles me about Tommy though; He
can’t play fur sour apples, but somehow he
come outer this game ’wny ahead.”

“Don’t worry ourself about Tommy. If he
wants a job let him come my way. I can’t get
it out of my wool that he saved my bacon to-
night; and the lad that does a. good turn to old
man Browne don‘t have to ask for interest
when he gets it back.”

The two were striding
Hall, and were so engage in convarsation that
they hardly heeded their steps as Well as they
might have done. Had any one attempted to
follow them or been crouching near they might
have noticed it, yet Hunter Browne walked

straight ahead until he stumbled over a man

that was lyin in his way.

“Blazesl What’s that?”
Blockey, with a start. ,

Then seeing the dark form over which
Browne had fallen, he stOoped.

When he laid his hand on the heart of the
prostrate person he found it was periectly
motionless. To all appearance the man had
been dead for an hour.

CHAPTER XII.
A samovs CHARGE. »’

“ DOG blast my hide!”

At his discOVer Blockey was unpleasantly
surprised, though e‘was no more novice in the
matter of dead en.

And it was no, altogether that the (Bid proved
to be a corpse. ' '

“ It’s too cussed sing’lar for anything," .he.
continued toHunter Browne, who had speedily
recovered his equilibrium. -

“ What in bi h ole lie-goats war he a-doin’
‘round byer? tell yer, it jest knocks me stiff,
so it does.”

“ What’s the matter now? Who is be? Do

on know him? It ain’t the Whip-man, from

alnut Bar, is it?”

“Blame yer whip-maul Ye’r’crowdin’ him
down my throat till I'm jest sick on him. No,
it ain’t him. 1 Wouldn’tbe so surprised at it
war. But it’s that lawyer-looking hOVe thet
didn’t have anything tar as fur hisself, an’

ejaculated Pete

"come ovor in the hearse-— llbright are his

name. What I want terknow are, what war
he doin’ round h or?” .

“ And who kil ed him?” added Browne, stoop-
ing down to obtain a better view.

“ No need ter ax that' last, of we’ve knowed
ther fu'st. Ef we could tell whose road be war

in, we’d know who killed him. But ketch out

It won’t do tor let him lie hyer. He b’longs
over at ther Jeﬂerson, an’ I uess we can stag-
ger under him that far. Ef', eorge Washington
lets his boarders wander’h'ound Bunco this time
er night, he orter told ’em what‘theymight ex-

P t "

‘“With some repugnance Browne assisted, to
raise the body, and between them they carried
it to the hotel, where they were receind by
We Wailo, the Chinee. c a‘

“,What for you bliugee dead maul Him no
h’lOugey beam» Jeffersmtl-Iouae Ioosee facee.
’Fu’st "chop house. No co’pse wanted

W . y .. ‘V I

“y at he does belong here,” answered Browne,
earnestly. . I ‘

He was afraid that We Wailo would shut the
door in their faces. .

“This is Mr. Allbright, who, in cornpan
oun lady, came in than ecoac
as yourse f. e’ve just. found him dea , and it
he don’t stay here over night, 'I don’t see where
we could get him in.” . ~

“ Dat culis,” answered the Chinaman, shak-
ing his head, but no longer opposing their en.

rauce. . r

“ What fohhvdo lunneloundl Links so no
pl'opla-’Melican kwoi big as- houseom Bunco,
an’ might know he catches him fu’st pop. W’at

fo’ho no takes We.Wailo do he tai dolla’;
“In  W? 'W

away from Hazard.

 
an’ be ’volver lound. Me talkee be, but him
’m-chung zung, no bittee use. Bling he in.
Bettee lun fo’ pill-man.”

“It ain’t no case fur a doctor,” said Plumb
Center Pete, shaking his head gravely; “ an’ I
don’t see £2 a crowner ar’ wanted very bad.
Hyer’s bk: last sickness. It ’u’d be throwin’
away time ter ask twelve ma: what he died ov..
Whar’s his room? Better kerry him thar, tuck:
him in, an’ tell J1 iferson ter ’range fur a.
funer’l in the mornin’.”

“ Allee lighty. We Wailo topside gallow ebley
time. Thisa-way.”

The Celestial took matters quite coolly after
the ﬁrst surprise was over, and led the way
with cheerful alacrity, followed by the two.
men bearing their ghastly burden.

They had as much as possible avoided making-
a noise, and no One appeared to interrupt them
in their progress. Without stopping to ask what»
view Jeiferson would take of the matter, they-
laid the body of the unfortunate Ailbright on
the bed—which was so solid that it was not
likely to cause any distortion.

“Quite comfortable he looks,” said Pete,
taking the light from the Chinaman and hold-
ing it down so that the face of the corpse was
brought out in strong relief.

And just then Hunter Browne gave a start
and a cry that caused Blockey to look up at him.
in sur rise.

“1 now him—I’ve seen him before!” ex-
plaimed Browne, pointing excitedly at the
ace.

“ Where did he come from? What was he
doing here?” '

“Can’t prove it by me; but don’t make sich
eyes over it. I Sw’ar, Browne, yer look ez:
though yer bed did it erself,”

“ s he did, by his rain, if not by his hand.
Hunter Browne, will lightnin s~ never blast
you? If this is another victim, swear itchall.
be our last.” a

be two men turned in quick surprise, not
unmixed with horror.

The voic was a woman’s voice, action the-
threshold, pe'enny'nto the room, was Miss Van~
deleur.

She had heard them as they approached the»
building and from herwindow was an unseen.
witness of their conference with We Wailo. '

She had hastily thrown a wrapper over her-
night-dress, and as'shestood there, her face-
pale from excitement, her large eyes gleaming,
her uplifted hand quivering, she seemed quite
a diﬂerent being from the in uisitive, but free-
and easy mannered girl wit whom Blockey
had traveled. ,

Hunter Browue seemed to note the diﬂ'erence,.

too. .. ,

He passed his hand ovor his eyes and stared
at] h:r as though he had suddenly seen a
g 08 - ,

Evidently there was more in this affair than:
appeared on the surface: but Plumb Center Pete
was not the man to hesitate when he saw his.
com nion at fault.

“‘ xcuse me, miss, but that’s rather a rough
charge ou’re making, and I guess ou’re jest
aieetle it wild. 'Browne are af-sol d man at
Bunco, an’ you can’t hurt him; but ef you war'
ter talk ’round loose that way ’bout some men,

\ it might he cant ter i’n ’em their last sickness.

It don’t sometimes ta 9 much tor start a mob;
but you’Ve no idear what a nasty thing they be
ter audio when they git ter oin’. Sing &
leetle small, Miss Millie. ef yer on’t want ten
do more damage than them purty eyes 0’ yourn:
would keer in look at.” '

‘She listened, tho hher use was lued upon.
the form on the . As ceased: speaking,

“Perhaps you are partly right; but for all’
that, l have spoken but. the truth. Tubman
ex ted to have trouble with Hunter Browne .
an it looks as though he had had it‘hotand.

-She drew herself up to her full night:

"deadly. To every one else in Bunco he was a‘

stranger; no living soul else had any interest in
his removal. .Examlne his pockets andieeif he

has not left a statement to that effect—and see,

too, if he has been‘robbed. Only one that killer

him for you cause would leave his valuables-v
untouched. I heard shots in tlm d18th -
probably it was one of those that brought him.

‘ down.”

“ But, ofyMOS‘es, miss, do yer see what or,
Eilin’ on 1531! Hunt Browne an' I be in ther seine
oat. El aha» cleaned out [ther old rooster, I
must 'a’ had a hand in.” , 1 ' '
Plumb Center Pete seemed dosed by the an-
expected charge, the full bearing 01' which he
understood batty than did Miss
sol . ‘
“ No. You are his victim, t00,” she answered
obstinately. _ I
“ Perhaps, when the
round you, brought you to the spot, and be-
guiled you into a seemiiliéimplioation.” .« g
" Wait er minnit. an Browne, bevin"_ 
péckedbup Gog le Georgi—«Which
er c a
uiet leet e racket tel-mi hit. an’ Whenl'got
i , I stayed tam , I ain’t rod spy eyes ones him
some upper. we am Me“. an playb’ *
u . an! went inter the; next room-tor as V
in  WWI together;-

 
ecdeleur her-3 _  I
deed had boondons,he.  "

thersameano.  :
cal ed Elderberry—went of! on u.  ’

 
gray-sis. «1'3.» 

_ g. ;~; 3.

xi: ’ “xixn ,

 
—-

ther when we picked up ther corpus, an’
were together now. You kin make ther best
0v it, an ther wu’st ov it; but ’pears ter me, ef
I war you, I’d retire an’ think over the till
morniu’. Ther Chinee ’1] look ’round an kee
of! ther rats, an’ I’ll see he’s decently plaute .
More ner that no man c’u’d promise.’

“ Talk is cheap, but 1’m enough of a Western
woman to know that it takes money to buy
land. You are two men; I am one woman. I
ask you to search his pockets and give into my
hands the damning proof that I aver you Will
ﬁnd there.” '

Browne stood now with his arms folded. His
coolness had come back to him, but he was tak-
ing no part in the conversation. His interest,
one would have said, was more in the girl her-
self than in what she was saying. I

By neither word nor gesture did he caution
Blockey what to say. . _

“ It’s no nice job yer puttin’ on me, miss. I’ve
seen meat for breakfast on ther bill ov fare
oﬂ’en enough, but I don’t fancy feelin' in or
dead man’s pockets. But ter obleege yer I will.
I guess ef there’s any vallybles you re ’bout ther
ri ht one ter hold’em. Yer seem ter hev his

’ints down ﬁne enough ter be a side pard 0v
is’n, anyway. Hyer goes; you watch me, so
you kin sw’ar it war on ther squar’.”

Very deliberately he took out the stub of a
pencil and an old memorandum-book, that still
had in it a few blank leaves. Then he began
his unpleasant search, jotting down the name
of each article as he remOVed it from the

d .

“yAhl” exclaimed Miss Vandeleur, at length;
“ you have it at last. Read that! He told me
it was written.”

In her excitement she stepped fully_within
the room, and with only a momentary hesita-
tion moved between Blockey and Hunter
Browne. .

Plumb Center Pete unfolded the paper—a half
sheet of legal cap—and looked at its contents
with a curious eye. \

The writing was a clear, round hand, and he
had no trouble in deciphering it, little as he was
accustomed to reading manuscript.

“ 7b Whom it May Concern:—

“I do solemnly declare that it is my belief that
Hunter Browne is a. fugitive from justice—an un-
tried murderer. Should anything happen to me it
will be at his hands, and 1 char e whoever finds this
to see that ustice is done. mo my effects, a
more detail account of the case wil be found.

‘ “ SIMS Amateur."

CHAPTER XIII.
a plasmas-m m'raunnn.

FOR a moment after reading these few lines,
which he did to himself, Plumb Center Pete
stood fairly nonplused.

Then he turned to his companion.

“Thar’s suthin’ in what ther gal sez, though
not es much ez she thinks. This speaks about a
bill ov perticklers ’round hyer somewhar. Ez
I’ve knowed of er, end on end, fur nigh ter
twenty year, I on’t think it's much account;
but ther l orter- hev a squar’ shake. What do
yer say, rowan Be yer in’ ter give her a
clean swing, er be yer .goin ter cut up rough?
I’m yer friend, Browne, an’ I don’t ax yer ter
help yer git inter a scrape, but ther gal hez
started ther ball, an' ther best plan are ter let it
roll.” 7

“And roll it shall, while mylife is spared!”
exclaimed the girl, excitedly; but Blockey only
looked inquiringiy at the miner.

“Have it as you will, Pete.” answered Him-
ter Browne, coldly, his arms still folded, his
eyes still ﬁxed upon the girl.

“Perhaps I. ought to get on my dignity. and
all that; but it’s really better for. her to make
herself sure, if she can, that there is some foun-

 
_ dation for this string of nonsense some one has

been stufﬁng her with. Look around, and
whatever you find turn over to her; but you’d
better have Jefferson up here before you begin.
They don’t administer on goods and chattels of
adeceased in uite so primitive a manner as
the did when ﬁrst struck this camp.”

Tliere was a peculiar gloominess about
Browne’s tones that made Plumb Center Pete

pause and gaze inquirineg at him; but before

e made answer the Celestial was heard from.

“ We Wailo tinkee lobber man before tim be
henh, cleauey ebley thin .up—no hab ﬁnd mon-
1ey,’ paplee, anyt’ing. indow SPOilllm BbIey
t’ing muchee dolla wylo ch’bOY-”

“By thunder, Browne, that beathen’s-’bout
right. [t‘ looks as though the robbers had been
here, and taken everything of any‘value. We
ought to have noticed that window ourselves.”

The Chinaman’s discovery put a new faCe on
theaspect of affairs, and even the cool-headed
Blockey did not care to linger there longer un-
less the proprietor of the house was brought in
%MB6 notice of how things looked. This time

6 Wailo was dispatched in earnest, and soon
the coatless Jeﬂerson arrived, rubbing his eyes
and cursing at large. '

When he understood more fully what had
happened it was hard to say whether wrath or
consternation predominated.

“ l’ve been hyar twenty year," he howled,

 
-...,.W_~W_.ﬁ._.-..~ .n ,. . _ w _ ,..

A Sport in Spectacles.

“ an’ nothin’ like this ever happened in my
house afore. I’ll ive a hundred dollars to ﬁnd
out who bu’sted t at window; an’ throw in a
rope ter hang ther infernal cuss. This hyar’s
a—goin’ ter be an’ all-ﬁred expense, an’ blast ’em,
they ain’t left ernuf ter pa fur ther w’ar an’
t’ar ov a coolin’ board, let er one a cofﬁn. This
hyar burg hes jest got ter pass round ther bat
an’ put up ernuf ter jestify ther berryin’ er
you’ll h’ar suthin’ drap. This hyar’s too
much.”

Disgust at the mercenary nature of J effer—
son’s lamentations drove Miss Millie away
a good deal sooner than all the commonssense
that Pete Blockey could have uttered. She
watched in silence the search that was made,
and when it was certain that the intruder had
made a clean sweep she ﬂitted from the room.

In the hall she met three men just stealing 1n.
Pereira led the way, looking neither to the
right nor the left, and Tom Bowers, followed,
keeping a tight hold on the elbow of no less a
person than Professor Elderberry.

The latter looked the worse for wear, and evi-
dently had intrusted himself, body and soul, to
his companion, who was in decidedly good cen-
ceit of himself, though they had been dodging
around town, keeping out of the way of the
bad men who had crowded them so at Hazard
Hail. It was only a chance that brought them
together, but a happy one, since Professor El-
derberry expressed his delight, while Tenderfoot
Tom had mide up his mind that this wasa good
3pportunity to transfer his head-quarters to the

«demon House. - 

The meeting with Pereira was just as cordial
on the part of the two men as it could well be.
They had come across him standing on a corner
as though at a loss which way to turn, and had
brought him straight along with them, as being
able to show them the way in at that hour of
the night.

After the rough handling the Mexican capi-
talist had received on account of Miss Millie, it
was not very likely that he would care to meet
her—and she did not give him a second glance
—but she looked sharply at Tom Bowers, and
made a little motion of er hand, as if to indicate
that she had something/to communicate.

If he saw the gesture he gave no sign, and as
the hall was but dimlylighted it was likely that
it escaped him. He went on with Elderberry,
and turned ' to his room. If it seems stran e
that Tom owers would place his head within
reach of the lion’s mouth, it may be as well to
add that he had not the slightest suspicion that
Kale Carter had his head-quarters at the J effer-
son House.

Somethin likeacurl of disgust distorted Miss
Millie’s usua ly ﬁnely chiseled lips, but she made
no other effort to attract the attention of the
Flat from Walnut Bar. If the three men had
not enough curiosity to take a second lance at
a handsome woman wanderio aroun the ho-
tel at that time of night, she did not intend to
trouble them. especially when she had enough
already to occupy her mind.

She had entered her room, and closed the
door behind her before she noted that the light
she had left burning dimly had been totally ex-
tinguished.

Vexed. at this, which she thought her own
fault, Miss Vandeleur was temporarily thrown
01! her guard; yet at best it would have requir-
ed sharp earsto have detected the presence of
any other .livmg being there until the instant
that a gripe settled upon her throat, closing
With a nervous energy that seemed to indicate
that the one who gave it meant to slay.

_ Not even .an attempt at a cry passed Millie’s
lips; but (pick as a ﬂash her hands went up in
an answering grasp, and her ﬁngers closed. in on
hewssailant.

Then she uttered what was even from her
handsome lips a grim lau h. Her one hand
caught a round, shapely wrist, the other closed
upon a slender throat with such vehemence as
to break the gripe upon her own.

She did not hesitate either, but ave a vicious
spring that forced her anta onist ack.

Once started, Miss Van eleur never halted
until the window was reached. There she
forced the unknown downward, until the pale
light streamed in on the prowler.

“Ah, as I thought,” said Miss Millie coolly,
and in a discreet whisper.

“Lucky for you that I recognized the touch
of a woman’s hand. I am here with my life in
my hand, and I am ready to do as the people of
Bunco do. I can pull a triggeraswell as the
best of them, if need be. But who are you i”

It was indeed it woman who had made the
unlooked for assault—and that she was in dead—
ly earnest the knife held in the uplifted hand
gave grim evidence. Surely i't’ was something
more than a were lucky chanCe that enabled
Millie Vandeleur to clutch that wrist before the
blade fell. .

Without knowing it her grasp tightened. and
suddenly the knife dropped to the ﬂoor with a
ringig jingle, .while the woman herself doubled
up in a swoon that was too complete tobe a
fraud. .

féIthhe {fiau‘ijelof wonder what is all thifi”
am 133 an e eur, as she ate hast 1
back and lit her extinguished lamplmbd y

.4...“ -..-. .e..- ..._. .._ , .. g. .,.,..,. - ,

 
II

The cold lips gave no answer, and Miss Millie
proceeded to raise the rostrate woman and
throw her on her Own . She was not as ten-
der about it as she mi ht haVe been under other
circumstances; but a ter what had happened
small blame to her for that.

Then, by the light of the lamp, she narrowly
scanned the face before her.

It was that of a perfect stranger.

“ Who can she be? Certainly I never saw
her before. Is she an ordinary thief; or is
there something beyond what I can see on the
surface. It may be as well to have her beyond
the power of doing harm when she recovers ,her
senses.”

The idea was too good a one to neglect, and
her ﬁngers deftly knotted strips of cloth around
wi’lstsand ankles. v

After that the study of the face was resumed.

 
CHAPTER XIV.
rwo WOMEN u was.

THE person, whoever she was, seemed to be
little more thana girl as to ﬁgure, and Miss
Vandeleur, who was a shrewd guesser, fancied
that she was about her own age, or a little
older.

It was a wonderfully handsome face that she
read by the lamplight—in almost everything
the opposite of her own.

It was dark, in spite of the present pallor of
coma, and there was a great mass of jet-black,
crispy. curling hair, that was clipped short as
though it belonged to a boy, though there could
be no mistaking the delicate contour of the

, featu res.

Miss Millie was more puzzled than ever.

A happy thought struck her.

“Surely I never saw that face before; but it
looks to me like a face with a urpose. Suppose
I examine her pockets. It wi i be hard indeed
if there is nothing there to give me a clew to her
identity.”

But no clew was there on her person.

While en aged in the search, the closed lids
opened, an the ﬁrst thing Miss Millie knew a.
pair of midnight eyes were watching her with.
very much the expreSsion of a hopelessly-trap-
ped wild beast.

“ Ah, you are coming to your senses are
you?” asked Miss Vandeleur, as cool] y as if this
was a room—mate, recovering from a slight in—

disposition.

‘ You didn’t think I was so well “able to take
care of myself, did you? I’m sorry for you, my
little friend, though, as you probably came'in
here to kill me, my regrets are,of course, thrown
awa . ’

Nay answer; and, between the reddening lips,
the speaker could see a set of perfect, gleaming
teeth.

“ I am sure I would like very well to know
what you crawled through that window for. ”

“ To kill you,” came the answer, in a savage, ,
but well guarded, whisper.

“ Ahl Then you are either an idiot or a mad-
woman. Of course you see by this time that I
do not intend to be killed, though I confess I
don’t, understand exactly what to do with

ou.’

“Kill me,” responded the girl, still in the
same low tone.

“ If not now then one day or another it will
be your life or mine, I give you fair warning,
so why should you hesitate. There 18 my.
knife over yonder where it fell.“ Take it and
thrust it into my heart. It is your Only
chance.”

Was the girl mad! .

Surely, if her words went for anything, she
was; yet Miss Vandeleur thought, in a the
sullen recklessness, she could see traces of the
hidden meaning for which she looked.

“ Reallv, my dear, you are too foolish forany-
thing. Why should you want to kill me—if on
can—and why should you think I would a ow
such an undoubted madwoman to perambulate
this region?”

“ Why did you come here then, thief that you
aria? I have been watching for you for a week
and when, this night, I knew you had come I
struck at once.”

“ You didn't strike, my dear. There is where
you made your mistake. You wanted to tell
me you were going to do it. That’s a womanall
over. And you answer in question by asking.
another. That’s woman- ike again. Now, if
you are going in for man’s weapons, drop the
woman’s. Give it to me square and solid. I»
don’t know how I‘can do- any harm to you
unless you throw yourself in my road; and
unless you are afraid for some of your_friends-—
and, by the may, I am almost Certain that I
never saw any of them—it is almost a sure
thing that you came in here to steal. Are you
here on your own account, or did you come for
some one else? It makes a good deal of diaer-
ence both to you and to me which it is.” _

“ I have told you once,” answered the girl, in
a passionately low tone. . “ Now. after that last
insult, I refuse to speak a ain_. Kill me if you
choose; give an alarm an bring all Bunco here
if you will, I will not say more. But beware
what you do. One way or another you are cer-
tain to die; but if it makes any difference to

 
:.

 
, An open con ession is good for the soul. I don’t j

Amt of me all you want to know when I tell you

i and surely

r it was withouton ll of. fear.
'°’r ’ ﬂier.
cf voices in tile ball, but at this moment's".

; Withoutcuution or hesitat

. .yx‘ltlittioaﬁalrutbenlrﬂmnonaahardly

12"

A‘Sport in Spectacles.

 
i
you how, you will handle me carefully. I have l
riends.” ;
“ No doubt. But see here, little one, was it i
one'of your friends—or a dozen of them—that ,
killed Mr. Allbright, and robbed his room of [
whatever valuables he had with him?” 1
“ What do you mean!" answered the girl with g
a perceptible start. i
“ I know nothing of any man by the name of ,
Allbright.” l
“Perhaps not. He may have had half a dozen
names in his time, and one of the others may'|
have been more popular. One thing is certain.
Within the last hour or 5'0 some one killed him ,
on the street, and riﬂed his room. The landlord ‘
and some of his guests are examining the matter
now. I was just over looking at the corpse OTI
would have probably shot you as you Came'Jn.
I tell you. my hands can protect my ‘hend
against fair odds every time. He canie here
with one. It is natural to suppose that if we are
both attacked on the same night it is by the
same party. Yes. That is the only conclusion.
You wanted to rob and murder me as you have
robbed and mumered Silas Allhright.” ,
“ It is fals~ l” uttered the other. “ You know i
it is false. My business is with you alone. I
would die before i l00k aught of yours save
your life. I know nothing 0 the man, or what
as happened to him.”
" Boyousa , but who will belieVeyou? Como. ,

want to see harm come to one of my sex i she is
truly repentant. Who were our acco plices,
and what did they murder him for? If it was
not simply for his money then tell me what
was Alluright’s errand here. Unburden your
conscience by full confession and I swear you
shall go free. Make haste, though. You can
hear that the house is aroused. if anything
should prompt them to make a search and you
were found. here I could no longer save you.”

“ You are mocking me now,” ansWered the
girl, a glint of anger replacing the ﬁre of hate
it her eyes. “ You in] , perhaps, of some man
who never lired. You think you can wring
to‘lww you how far who you are of the mark.
I am not a. tool. What story I will tell to the
others you Will onl know when they come.
Now '1 am done,. rom me you do not get
another 10rd." .

Heriips closed tightly and there was an obsti-
nate look i er eyes that showed how much
she was in en nest. . .

MisQVandeleur had a white elephant on her
hands and no mistake. .

She was fairly puzz‘ed what to do with it.

t The idea of charging the girl with complicity '-
in the Allbright aﬂair was repugnant to her;
and, besides there was an uncertaint 'v as to
the style of instice meted out in Bunco. tmig.y ht
be sudden and riotous, or it might be of the
kind that views the prosecutor with the most
,auspicion. She had not even succeeded in ob-
taining the name of her prisoner, or found out
whether or no she was a recognized citizen of

the town.

“va I let on go will you swear tome not to,
come back ’ she asked at length, after some
moments of silent consideratiop.

, No answer.

“ I ma be'foollsh, but you seem‘ so much in
earnest t. at I do not care to harm you. At the
some time it would never. do to have to hire a

’ ‘rd every time I wanted to snatch a few

’ rs of ales I hays an‘idea that I can trust
,to your wor , and am willing to try lit. Will

, isef Mind you, I so nothing of what
no; Ito/dons elsewhere. - l on y ask that you or

any one sent you will not try again to enter
hora—out of t is I will take care of myself as
but I can.” “

She spake earnestly and ’at last her words
samba to have some, eﬂoct. In apiteof herself.
time. 0 spoke.

teTharomu-t beanmething good about you’
you are very brave. Yes. I will
at much. . Lat Inﬂow I vow yin
will not see me here again. re will be w ;
In. it be when on come out of your don.
Now k pyourwo .” - ‘~
~ Without speaking lisp Vandeleur removed
tho bandages from iher wrists and ankles. If
We watchful eye on the girl as she did

hora wasno head to
; The mambo: she was freathe girl bonndr
ad from/tho bed lightly to her fat. , _
\ ,I‘or an instant she stood in a listening atti-

m0. ‘ ‘ i
There had been hurried stops and the sound

. without was ‘qulot. ,

. A, Iaiiloof estimation curled the full. lips.
Withoutfurtber hesitation the would-be assas-
sin, instead of ‘ retreating through the window,
coolly threw open the doorand looki. once,
backward with a singular £2300, walk . away

1

V {7 - r'w'  xv.
m

 
41mm could. «fit; in-

r
I to

time and tools.

Other men had been found dead on the street ;

before the luckiess Allbright, and as he Was so

totally a stranger to the people of the burg they ,
very naturally were whling to wait for his ~

friends to come and hunt the matter up.

Of course no one of any conse uence thought ;

for a moment of identifying
with the affair, and those few who had heard
Miss Millie’s charges the night before very pru—
dently kept the matter to tin mSelves, since the
young lady did not refer to it the mxt morning.

Neither did she refer to the singular adven-

fture with He unknown assailant, though she

kept her eyes open on the chance of seeing that
interesting young lady by daylight. '

Professor Elderberry crawled (.ut, looking the
worse for v ear. and after a moderate breakfast
hunted up Mr. Browne, to repoyt for duty.

Hunter Browne had been quietly making all
_necessary pl‘tpl-l‘allOllS for the funeral, in pur-
suance w ith an arrangement entered into with
George Washington J. ﬂerson.

unter Browne :

.m ,x___ __\____-_A_.._..._ e_. .

That dutv having been performed, he .vvass

ready for business just about the time that El-

: derberry seriously began to search for him.

The professor hustled up with outstretched

i hand.

“. I was afraid, aw, Mister Br0wne, that some-
thing, aw, had happened to you, I should have
seen you again last night—aw—but I left that
(but of wickedness in such haste, aw, that I did
not have time to make an appointment, aw.”

Browne smiled. ' / ,

“ Your head was undoubtedly level, and I be~
gen 8) entertain a high respect for y(.u just
about the time 1 saw you polka out of the win-
dow. it’s not every tenderfoot that wruld have
had sense enough to catch on when he saw
I’ereira shew a lead. How did you get in? All
right of. course, or you wouldn’t be here this
morning. I had intended to look you up last
night and see, but I had s'ime rather unpleasant
adventures after we separated, that drove you
entirely out of my mind."

“Don’t remember it, aw. I met a late fellmv-
passenger, who was very kind, and then We on
fell in with Mister Pereira, who,aw,led us’to this
p'ace. I do not know, aw,-w'hat we should have
done without him, though, w, he was a man
of very few words. The 0th r man—a Mister
Buyers, 1 st from Walnut ar—was the gen-
tleman w took his seat at on able when
Blockey left us. After we got here took him
to myfoom, aw, because he seemed undecided
a bat; b do; and we had along talk. He seem d-
quite adrift, nw, as to the future, having en
uisappOinted in meeting a Colonel Johnson,
whom he expected to find here. As, aw, he had
a limited Stock of oney, he would acct t al-
most any position, w, that would pay his ex-
penses, and I promised him that I would repre-
sent lhe matter to you in its pro r light.”

“ Well, I)" be hanged !” said outer Browne,
with a short laugh. "-That’s (qual to getting
the cart before the horse. He must jer sohu
lightuin when he talks confidentially, and have
the chee ofa brass monkey. 11,8 not so sure
thatl can do anythin for you, let alone your
friend. If you can’t to anything with the re-
fractory ore that’s in sight~and there’s millions
of it—I won’t want you {he Flat from Walnut
Bar. or anybody else. l‘ 1 close up the Bunker
iHill shaft quicker than you can any Jack Rob-

nson. .

“ Don‘t be excited, Mister Browne," drawled.
the professor, not at all excited him if. “You
have no idea what I can do for yo , aw, with
It’s not like a new thing, am.
You know the gold is there, and I know, aw,
that I can get it out.” - -

“ That’s so. I've been here a score of years,
and\between you and me, I have known
spot where we have soul; the Bunker Hill a m
for pretty nearly the a hole of that time... And
I knew net as well th t I. could do nothing
with it. ow, it’s died or eat the hatchet.
I am‘wil ing to pay for aving you try our
hand at and if you succeed you can junta ut
name your own price.”

“ Aw, you will find me nagood as my repre-
sentations. It may taken fewvdaya, aw; it no
take a few weeks, aw; Sqoner or later on wid
find me there Thoﬂrat thins. MV. is to aspect.
I can soon tell yo . aw, whether you will have a
place for Thomas wars.”

“Net-y true, very true; Come with me. I
up on my way to the spot, and it will be better

, for us to find out by inspection than to take a

month. Get y« or Flat from Walnut'Bar, if you
want him, and we‘ll take a look at things.
You’ll find I've got a start with ore that will

.work.”

. . Professor Elderberry. no doubt, believed this,
for he indicated'ﬂnt he was ready at once, and
that Bowers was waiting to no what would be
the result of the interview. v ._
"Brio him along, than,” said Brown. “ And
m min t illfitnate amt it’s not healthy to be
.,cwlious when he rst drops amongratrangcra.
men on’tﬁpllevo in people that'a‘ too
may questions? ’ \ «   l
The "professor Indivon prompt‘ly that 
wbnld v I: for his .young mama u went off
ta‘inform ha a thochaueooy Than the three

'2: ttolooklaftrth' thaw bei .
;i§od°iiimaenterhiuw; " ﬂ. 

 
,tinnAhan was absolutely
. ton

' re sistance.

Once there Professor Elderberry took hold
like a man that understood his business, and
finally stated decisively, that Hunter Browne—
having machinery and capital—had the best
thing that was known in that section of the
territory. He thought that in a few d ya he
would have things running to the satisfaction of
every one.

Having heard this report with asmilcihat

indicated that he took it for what it was worth
Hunter Browne departed, leaving the professor
to make any Lurther researches Le vished, and
to get better acquainted with his surroundings.
As for himself he had various matters on his
hands, including the disposition of Mr. Ali-
bright's corpse, and other ( ifects.
. At the shaft cgnsidrrable progress had al-
ready been made, an i Elderberry fou'nd things
so well to his hand that it was not hard to guess
that he was brought. in to try for 81100638 when
others had failed. He had his coat off and be’
gen really to look like work when Tenderfoot
Tom came hurrying in.

“See hyar, gosha’mighty, there's trouble in
iher air au’ you d better skip afore ther cyclone
bu’sts lOose. Looks like Browne hed put up a
job ter see what sand ycr kerry; an’ it’gn dog-
blasted mean one, too, so it are." -

“What, aw, is the matter with you? Mr.
Browne said he would have a, place, aw, for
you if I made a success out of this, and I‘m go-
ing to do it. lf-you want to go back to Bunco,
aw, no. I can ﬁnd my way back alone.”

“You don’t ketch on. The trouble ain’t at
BunCo, bya long slap: but right hyer. Ther
men are goin’ ter feel ov yer right now, an’ ace
wao’s goin’ tcr be boss. Some on ’em wanted
Plumb Center Pele fur boss, an’ ther rest didn’t
want you; so, «2 Browne ain‘t hyer, the ‘re go-
in’ ier get up ther ripest size ov a row. heered,
’em, au’ of ye’ll take advice 1 say, scoot.”

'1 he professor stuttered and stammered for a
moment.

“Aw, aw—I don’{'—lthe-—the men, aw, can’t
bocruzy.’ If, if the shaft shuis u they must

stwp work. I’m their—their frien ,don’t you
see—aw?” '
"I kin—but, dog'blast ’em, they can’t.‘

They’re jest on it bigger ner a‘wolf, an‘ it’s too
late ter talk. The 're hyer now.” ,

Tenderfoot To 3 announcement was only too
true. Every in t man in the employ of Hunter.
Browne had dropped his tools, and gathering at
if by some preconcerted plan they ame in-
to Professor Elderberry’s presenc‘eﬁwith a
rush. . 1
It was pretty certain that they did not come
in a friendly mood, either, though there was a.
good deal of coarse laughter as they elboWed
each other, each‘one axing togetarfaear po-
sition to the brawny-l ing fell w who led the
gang, and who was now, as on ther occasions,
their spokesman. ‘ x k r -

Coolness came back to the professor with aur-
prising suddonness. He had already drawn on
his coat, and as the crowd halted wiihki a few
yards. the only sign of newousness that be on.
was the short, quick way in which he at us .
his spectacles. Then, from under his glasses

red at them benignnntly giving ﬁrst a little
alt-nod at Buck Beans, the but y leader'be-
fora mentifned.

As for T nderfoot Tom—in default of a con-
venient table unde’r .hich to crawl, ho had
subsided into a orne bind the professor, and
certainly did u intend to attract wanton-t
DOC Q ’
The un wavsring attitude of the new superin-
nt had some effect. « ,

I he was too’innocent to befrightenod, there
was little likelihood of his offering any serious
With all-hands sober, instant mur-
der was not at all what they were afterﬂnd
there were men there who would have to on.
his part sooner than have seen him not upon I
fore receiving any warning. ., . ',

80 Buck Beans. not at all uneasy under the
steady gone, after waiting a warehousing:
of time for a question, was forced tnopon
ball himself. ' ' .

“See ‘byor,fmister. We come in that fa“
place ter a a nation or two. an' then,
tar lay do , t :- law. Be you. e book on
ther superintendent on old man rowna'f. ,
bum: in tar show us no-acconnt gel-loot: how
ter run ther Bunker Hill!” , i 4

justed his

Professor Elderber ad spectacles
Once ﬁre before angering, and than folded
his ar behind his back.

in correspondence with. llr. Browne; and, a
had the conditional'cﬂ of the, aw, s s,

tendenc of the mine e poses deveoping

here. t will taken. scient tic man to do . .. ,

thin here. ,Indz, Iw I believe that l have a

abili y. When I live, aw, convinced . " ,'

Browne. I understand that I will be placed 4,

mntlyin charge, aw.” .~ ,  .7 , _,
Thelmth of t e professor‘s answer Ill-1"! . 

ﬂciehtto brln out minent" the pseudo, .~ 
in his speechzvmichprv‘vaa morznotioeabla  , _

than . under other surroundin . th
ceased, there was aroar of ugh . ‘ ,,
“Wan bl’bexclaimod Bel s. at

 "amen ‘1

 
“ Aw, I am the gentleman that has been, hwi _.

 
3’

a
.‘
i

    
1',

w 0.... . “M4 ww‘m

, Wgr;v-..:£“:§f;--s ;* :j
t.

jAJ§port in Spectacles.

 
- is

 
ther’s a hail man like Plumb Center Pete layin’
’round loose?” ‘
“But, aw, gentlemen, allow me to reason
with you a little. Mr. Blockey is an extra-
ordinary .man, no doubt. but he can’t do any-
‘thing here. Ican, aw. Mr. Browne won’t want
your services unless they bring him in some

. value, and so, really, aw, I’m your best friend.

GiVe me a week, aw, and I will convinceothe
worst of you.” ' s .

The professor tried to be impresswe; but to
the men of Bunker Hill shaft he was only ludi-
crous. A howl of derision was the immediate
answer. Then Beans struck in: '

“You think er man with er b’iled shirt an’
goggles kin l’arn us anything: Waughl_ Next
thing you’ll stick one plug hat an’ a yard er
frills. We don’t want-yer hyar, an’ I’m er com.
mittee erpointed ter say, git." .

“The 's so. We can’t stand no sich, hyor.”

“Better lay yer tracks with ther heels this
wa l” _ , ,

‘ Slug him!” '

“Run him out.” ,

" No b’iled shirt an’ goggles hyer. He ain‘t
said drink once.”

Half a dozen voices joined in a medley of.a'

chorus, and it was evident that the crowd was
becoming more and more in earnest.

“Gentlemen, aw, I heard some one say some-
thin about drink, aw,” interposed the profes-
sor, astily. _

“ Perhaps it was an OVerSight, my not men-
tioning it sooner, but, aw, I am not yet thor-
oughly accustomed to your ways. As a. new-
comer, aw, I shall be happy to rhyme you all to
drink at my expense, aw—to-night. A barrel,
aw, if necessary.” _

“Roll out yer barrel, then, and right now.

‘1 Hooray! Let’s take him right down ter
Bunco.” . .
The mention of a barrel of whisky ~was,
.maslerestroke of policy, if it was unintentiona .

“Excuse me, g'entleme but I couldn’t go
now. Your time, aw, be ngs to Mr. Browue,
and he might, aw, be justly angry. To-night,
though, aw, my time will be at my own dis-
posal. Go back to your work now, and meet
me, aw, at the Jefferson House, aw, at half past
seven.” ‘ I.

“You'd play us. fur ﬂats, would yer? Cuss
you, you’ll go now, er We’ll jump yer quickerner
thtnin‘." 4 ,

f‘And I say, aw, gentlemen, I, aw, wcn’t go.”

 
CHAPTER XVI. »
ran rowan or KNOWLEDGE assnn'rs ITSELF.

GOGGLE GEORGE. us Plumb Center Pete had
nicknamed the professor, spoke with an increas-
ing coolness, and as he spoke he deliberately
turned his backnpon the assemblages-and with
his nose in the air and his arms crosSed behind
him under his coat-tails, took a step or two
gamthough with hardly the haste of a re-

“. .

f"

‘ ’Ilhe idea of one man defying the crowd—end
‘there had becn’atleasta were facing him-«was
so extravagant that it took the breath away of
some, and perha saved him from a "general
attack. or all, claBeaus was the only man
’ that spruu forward. 7 ‘

'3i8-han adr'yp‘ad'haavil'y’on the shoulder of
 newly-ﬂedged superintendent, while - he

uted hoarseliyﬂ: '~ " ‘ . ' .
“ Blast yer w te-livered kinkiss, we’n shout-

..f in’, en's! yer know what‘s goodf'ur ye ye’ll

Come out of‘tbatl”
vs a powerful jerk, one that would
have almost b t a cinnamon bear out of a
small hole. It bro ht the professor. . /
Onl , it brought\ im’ at much more easily.
than ans had expected that he was entirely
m, ‘ lf'anythlng Elderberry helped
'in he movement, and llan ed against in with
unforeseen violence, just as Tom Bowers, in at-

s'ln ' sine .
us

tempting to craw‘lsout of his corner,.was imme-d

‘diatcl at his bee ‘
Ova); the Flat from WalnutiBar'went Buck
Beans head dawn and heal! up: striking with a
' thwack that was enough to makes. man's heart
sick. Up jumped Tom Beware with a yell, and

. h m, with a‘ tolerably correct idea, that
hits liefewilepanded on the rapid! y with which},

he could vanish. Professor Eld thefry recov-
. cred his equilibrium, 8831!! ad lulled his spec-
 tacles, and now facedvtbe crow alone. v

As usual Bowers was in luck. He evaded-
the rat of two or three bands, thrust out to
data in in), and shot .down the hillside’with
the d of a lightning expres train, and there
":83: a semblance of pursuit.

Buck Beans was not exactly knocked sense-
less by the concussion; but he was sofar dazed
that he only raised to a‘ sitting position, when

"he sat ‘echl‘ess for a minute or two until be
. could ta e in the fact that his fellow-workmen
was actually laughin at him. .-  _ .
 ' Then he sprung to h s feet,th face livid with

x I“ ' V  and glared around him

_ Reached out thel': m: refund; bull y fur old

" tell” exclaiméd a is lug voice. “Sag,

’ , . hadn’t yer better he ,in yer horns! e
parachut- “'butl‘vieseemstsrhea

Jack at.
' thisli ~ ~
.811;  ~- 7‘ ‘r . I I 1 .K I,

 
alone that will sometimes happen. Buck Beans
was fairly exploding with wrath; butit was all
directed at the Just speaker.

“You think ye’ren slugger, Mike Madden.
Blamed ef yer sha’n‘t try him yerself. Dog-
gone him, of he do w‘ar a b'iled shirt an’ a black
coat, he’s full ov sand clean up to ther, maz-
zard, an’ I’ll bet yer can’t make him holler, ef
yer kills him. I ain’t used ter cripplin’ babies.

hat’s yer line—wade in."

“Curse you, Mel: Beans, do yer. mean ter
say l’m not ez good a man as vou be any day?
I’ll mash him fuﬁt, nn’ then I’ll bu’st yer jaw.
Stand o'uten ther way, an’ let me at him.”

The laurhter was all gone out of Mike Mad-
den’s voice. There had been a rivalry between
him and Beans that had not as yet led to
blows, but ill dden was by no means averse to
willing in that way who was henceforth to be
me lending spirit of the gang, though the turn-
last; owr to him of the new superintendent would
he the ﬁrst‘point in his favor.

“ All right, 1‘“ attend tar you afterward.
Fir-= away at him; but give ther little man a
chance. A man ez cool ez he be kin cinernlly
handle hisself; ez maybe you’ll find out. Fair
play. an’ no gougin’. S'ill in of yer dar’.”

“A minute gentlemen, aw, if you please, I
have not the physical strength, aw, of my pro-
posed antagonist; but it is p' ssible that, aw, I
may have science, that will be compensatory.
I have paid some little attention, aw, to the
subject of self-defense. If, aw, I castigate this
champion, will, aw, this matter stand adjourned
until we meet as friends, aw, at the Jeﬁ‘erson
House? Some such guarantee as that I certainly
should have, aw.”

“ You bet,” responded Buck Beans. “ l’m
runnin’this gang, an’ pf you kin git to ther
Jeﬂerson House an’ be ’rouiid fur ther frolic
ter—nlght, we’ll kerry yer on our hands, we will.
Shack yerself now, an’ hand me yer specs.
If Mike drives ’em in yer peepers. yer won't
hev mdch use fur ’em, er anything else."

“Thanks, aw, but I prefer to keep my prdp-
ertyZ-aw, where it will do the most good. if
Mr. Madden will advance, I will do my humble
best? I cannot have much inﬂuence, aw, wi'h
you men unless I can meet you on the same
ground.” ' '

Mike Madden uttered a contemptuous growl
as he pushed up his sleeves and sprung for-
ward. ‘

“No hitting a man when he‘s down, aw,”
said the professor, speaking a little more rapid
ly than usual. ~

“ Nary bit,” answered Buck Beans, stepping
to one side and motioning the crowd back, even
while Madden lunged forward with a powerful,
though reckless blow, that was heavy enough to
fell an ox. ‘ '

Professor Elderberry immediately assumed a
sitting posture, and very coolly thrust his spec-
tacles in the breast- ocket of his cOat. Whether
he had been scieuti c enough. to .drop just in
timegor whether he had chanced to miss the
full force of the blow, were subjects for discus-
sion. ' . \

The ateutifact was that hehad not been seiii

ouﬂy armed.
addeu would no deubt have thrown himself
upon the man, but w'as checked by-a warning
growl from the crowd, who had begun to take
a sudden interest in the stranger. '

»“ He sha’n’t come. ther drop game too much,
Milreﬁ ﬁled the self-appointed referee; “but,

onless r’s willful foul, I tell . yer it‘s
goin’ 131- he fa’r an‘ squar’ stan’aup work.
mic , . - ~

Professor Elderberry’s arms were‘held pretty

the ground with an agi ity the heavier man 
incapable of. ' ' ' - ~ _ .
w Again Madden led o! with what was intended
to be d-stuunar: bu this time the professor
parrled neatly and t in a one~two—-three,
Pgiven so quickly» the blows oouldhardly be
seen. ,
They Were all sharp.,chopping hits, that cut
wonderfully, though the had-no stunning ef-
fect. , hen he danced k, blood was visible
. on Madden’s face, though he wascaiﬂiughard
to prevent its dropping from his bugle. .
‘- “ Fu'et hlo’od fur ther superintendent“ Didn’t
I say he carried gravel!" ‘; V .
adieu groundrhis teeth as he‘heard’ the ex-
cla ation of his rival, and dashed in for close
ﬁghting; Such blows as be had received would
not wh p him in a week. He would cheerfully
take a dozen of them to get a gripe on Goggle

rge. . ,

. But Goggle George was not to be had. To
the left or right he shifted as the case required,
dodging. parrying and striking. ﬂinging in his
blows left or right as Was. most" convenient, at
times beating a regular tattoo. ,‘

“ Ah-yahl ,I’ve get yer now!" howled Mad;
den at last, as he ﬂung his left arm around his
nimble persecutor, and drew back his right to
strike. He only asked for unit crushing blow;
and  looked as though here was ‘his chance to
get . " 7‘ » - " .. ‘

‘. N36 yet, all!" drained the protest».

.With wonderful skillmud

w

 
l

that worth

epistolme
!‘~ '. "i‘ 

r ', a“: mi.
. .

 
much straight up and own. and he danced ovar '

Then three times he struck full on the mark
with his left. ' _

They Were only half-arm hits and round at
that, but they captured Mike Madden’s wind.
and as be doubled up from the hot ones in his
bread basket Elderberry let go, and threw his
whole weight into one, lightning-like blow, that
went straight for the butt of the ear.

The professor had the chances in his favor“
but. the chances were just where he had put
them. The blow; on the mark. comingin so hot-
ly and unexpectedly had set Madden all abroad,
and the right-bender was the coup de grace.

“ Didn’t I told him so?" shouted Beans.

This was a diff-rent thing from his own over-
throw, and Mike Madden had been whipped on
his own merits.

More than that the professor had, for the
time at least. gained a victory over the rest.

could not well 0 back on him, nor did he seem
to want to, whi e the men followed up the cue
they had taken from him so nearly unanimous-
ly that Madden’s friends. seeing they were in
the minorifv had nothing to say. Some of them
dragged of! their champion, who looked as
though he had had a close-call to a broken neck,
and if they growled, it was not likely that they
would try to bite.

“Put her that, Goggles," continued Beans,
holding out his hand.

“If yer kin do ez well handlin’ refractory
ores cz yer kin handlin’ yer lives this hvar gang
arc willin’ ter giVe yer a trial. A teller kin
sometimes be a man ef he does wear a b’iled
shirt.” ‘ a

“ Thet‘s so,'Buck, that’s 50. He’s a sacred ole
slugger frum Slaughter T0wn,‘ ain’t he?
talked the matter over‘ with Hunt Browne
las’ night, an’ I guess he’s ther man yer want.
I’ve struck a job anyhow, so yer don’t want ter
r razie Iiimhp on my account.” /

1 Just as the rofeswrand Buck Beans classed
5 hands Plumb enter Pete stepped forward. n~

? seen he had been a witness of the pugilistic con-
: test. Beans looked over his way.

“ Ye’r’ bloody right: at it ain’t every day a
man gits fair play like w ive him. ‘Ef they’d
’a’ begun ter shoot whar would he ’a' bin? It s a
reesk. ter hev sich‘a man fur a ﬁggerhead, fur
what’s his good ef outsiders begin ter crowd us
an’ he don’t know a m‘vy six from a hand—
saw?"

“ But, aw, I can learn,” said Elderbeiry so
earnestly that there was a roar.

V‘l’ith the laugh his position was established.
and though here was some good-natured chaﬂ
f. -r a while, the threatened emeute wasover and
the men sooa .went back ,to work.

“ Aw, I think it would be wall if some one
informed Mr.- Brawne that everything had
been arranged here. If that, aw, fugitive ivés
his version, he may, cry, be brought out ere
for nothing.” .

The gofessor spoke in a low lone toaPiumb
Center etc; but that worthv only laughed.

“Don’t yer worry ’bout unt Browne, an’
he won‘t worry ’bout you. He ain’t hirin’ men
on can‘t ‘take keer ov theirselves. an’, at on
can‘t he wants to know it. Ef I see-him 1’ let
him know. Pitch in hyer,’ au’ keep things
movin’. Look out fur Madden. an’ keep outlier
right side ov Beans. So long.” a  .

Bier-key took his departure, and on ﬁle 101-

 
shown any loss of time for the day On sum

occurred.

. . _ e
' CHAPTER XVII. _
“mam 'rox nuclear-u {commit .
Tatum Toucouki hardly help sings.
glimmering idea that he had not a ared‘to
he beat edits gain the little s30
Bunker Hill M , ._ He had warned the "o-
.iessor of what was coming, crawled into-a cor.
her when the trouble began,and~at the ﬁrst
op rtunity ran awa .

9 did Ilot run 1 the way to Bunco; but
when once assured that pursu t had'been given
over, be halted and listened. 1 _

Not hearin anythi ' for some tint-Jabs-
gan to creep esilating y back. He id not in-
tendto venture into danger. but he 6 want?!»
find out the result of the l. ﬂair before he 
the intelligence of
l to rintendent. ., . ._ W

o bed sharp ears: for after some-timehad
been wasted in lacking about he heard the
yoices of two ’ rents in con'versalioulwhowrre.

his interest wesceutered.  ,-

the d, , ,  I I
0‘ cilmsebo listened. S - r

other whom hedid notiﬁer,» w" ‘1”
that‘Bowu-g  nmﬁmgh *hw 
seemed 1.. m
worse

 
all (this . in run mama . 

:«g  . .. 

 
~ ' simpler“, » .m.

Buck Beans afler so far espousing his Oath,

lawing Salmday the pay-rolls would not 
Professor Elderberry :arri‘vedmad nothingelse _

irat‘the'

 
the actualdeath of m  .3:  "

approaching ,im from'the direction-§ii.'svi_tioli.._lw  x
Having‘no desire to- he segnfﬁowers darted -=
into the, bushes and threw   ‘

The" speaker was Plumb Genie  

to b" . . 41.3mm”. _ I  ' 
.Nxmi‘g  ghntiftégﬁce' 1 »

 
’Vz

  
:

A ’ chances are that it will he

[ “ii

-

14

no

at

,A Sport in spectacles.

 
handled hisself war jest a caution. It’ll take a

ood man tor dump him out of he once gits
' old. -I dunno when I war more fooled on a
man than I war on him. Oh, it war jest too
lively fur any use, an’ Madden got fun by ther
cord. An’ him a-lookin’ ez innercent ez a muel.
Next thing he’ll be a-shootin’.”,

“But what became of the other mun—the
greenhorn, ou know?”

“Tender oot Tom? O‘a, be skipped, a good
deal more scared than hurt. H’e jest knows
when’s ther time ter git. Fur a. real, up-an’-
down ijeot, he hez more sense an’ kims out
higher ther top than I’ve ginnerally seen ’em.”

“Idiot be hanged! They don’t make them
much smarter. He’s not down here nosing
around, fer nothing; and if some onedon’t drop
him in his tracks something will break. I’ve
@t'my eye on him, and I tell you if he tries
any of his games my way I’ll pull and cut loose.
It will ta e a man to down him; but if he
spreads too freely the man will be found.”

“Hellol” ejaculated Blockey. “He’s been
stompin’ on your toes, hez he? Br0wne thinks
he's a bite; an’ some others thinks he’s a durned
fool. What’s your ’pinion?"

“ I think he s as near ready for sudden death
as men generally get before they go off the
hooks. ' hat’s enough. If he ran away he ran
to grind anax—when he comes again some-
body had better be waiting for him, if they
don t want to get the edge.”

The two men passed on out of hearing; and it
was not at all necessary for Tenderfoot Tom to
heaﬁny more. He had learned that the pro-

, fessor had pulled through without harm, and
that he was in some dangerhims‘ell’. When the
~way seemed clear he'aroso and followed from
afar, reaching Bunco without interruption. '

As he entered the Jefferson House the China-
man touched him on the shoulder. I

“Glil wantchee see grasswoori man belley
muchee. Hop lound first chop ch’hoy."

“Tell her I’m ’round; but ter sin low.
There’s b d men on ther move, and 1m her

g . only hold.”

' “ We Wailo t’ink grasswood man all lookvse—
pidgin. No mattee, Chinee allee hunkee dolle,
g’alow. Hai yahl”

With the contemptuous expression of his
belief that BOWers w all a sham We Wailo
skipped away to at nd to his duties, which
were numerous if light; but he found time to
bring Miss Vandeleur and the Flat from Walnut
Bar together, shortly.

“ Weill” she said, interrogativelf. ‘

“ Well, I didn’t do jist so bad or jist so good;
but ef things work right I think I’ve caught on,
sorter. Thor perfessor toted me along out ter
Browne’s mine, an’ they talked as though I
mi ht go her w’u’k thar. Thar wa’ a leetle

at got kicked up, an’ ez thet wsrn’t per-
cisely in that bill, I cut out; but I’ll come ag’in.
I kin tell yer fur one thing, ther’s more her you
an’ mo oteyes on this hyer Browne.”

“ An why! Who else here has an interest in
him? What have you learned?”

“ t much;' but ‘I’ll know more Mebbe

be a racket hyer tar-night, anll‘ll hevw

ski ; but ez ion es I kin stand ther pressure

 ﬁnd the do n’ my level best. I ainit much

look at but at yer jlst trust ter Tom

Bowers you’ll' find him in town, when ther

”‘ toned-up’s over. All I‘m afeard on is that

some ’un’il he nesin’ ’round axln’ what her

buses ﬂours a‘fter. I wanted ter i‘n yera

, hint. ood-lookin’ gels are ska’se yer; an’
Bunno’s mighty suspicious.”

“.Tban'you for the warning,” answered Miss
Vandeleur, who had been regarding him with
a dy stare.

“ have already given an acoount of myself-

that' l disaqm suspicion—and have had an
I w with the landlord, here,’tbnt turned
 than I ‘liad dared to hope. I a
» partly to you fonsomo hints and I wi
- still trust you; yet doubt you at times, Beware
if you would pla me false.” o
“ What yer ta me furl" exclaimed Bowers,

’ntl .

“ or stﬁiething perhaps, that you are not.
Enou h of that. Thereis one.thing I want to
meal a to'you. Last night my life was threat-
ened by a woman—a women young and hand-
some. Today I can ﬁnd no traces of her in
Bunco. I want you to search for her, and see
if «you. cannot do better. Be, sure and excite no
suspicions. If you kee your eyes open you
may and someone watc ing‘ me: and then the

s It may be that
my life will do ,on this. For some reason
she hates me— wish I knew why.”

“Mebbe she’s befriend ov Browne’é?” suggest-

Boweis, who at once seemed interested.
“ What were choline-dark or fair, old er young,

er lactic?” " I ‘
Yona , dark, of medium hight. It does not
seen: his that she could be a manger here;
has w would she wish to kill me, upon whom
labs“ before?” I

6.

never laid eyes

“-

_   he
,«wfthoutaword‘inf‘answex'. she” turned

\

  
H 'yer‘thor’aamaa lather-cue,” aaid‘tho.
 V beaten ndtant‘eﬂect.‘ kiss Ellie’s
‘ . “ﬂash ' :-

away and closed the interview. If she could
trust Bowers she had said enough to put him on
his guard. If she could not trust him further
words might only harm herself.

Bowers looked after her thoughtfully.

“Suthin’ ov the Spitfire 'hout h'er—ain’t all
mush an’ merlasses. Dunno what ter make 0v
sich er gal. Wonder of it could be me ther
black-eyed gal are arter? Oh, gloryl Tom
Bowers on ther mash! I kﬁseeit—over ther
left—but I womhr what ther perfesser would
sav ter that?” I ' . , .

That the professor might be angered at the
way Bowers left him in the lurch never seemed
to enter the thoughts of that individual, and his
own conscience was evidently at ease in the
-matter. He loafed around Bunco for the rest
of the afternoon, eat his supper with a good
appetite, and afterward with unblushin frank-
ness held out his hand to the late-arriw Elder-
berry, who seemed to be another man of much
the same kind. _

“Yer skinned ‘em alive, so they say; but I bin .
a—waitin’ ter hear full pertick’lers. I didn’t
leave till my time come, an’ I wouldn’t ’a’ done
no good by stayin’.”

. The professor shook hands warmly.-

“Aw, ther's not much to tell. had, aw, a
personal difﬁculty with one Madden, aw, and I
was the victor. I, aw, learned once how to
strike and guard, and, aw, I don‘t forget
much.” _

Then the professor gave a brief history of the
row, as already related, and Tom Bowers shook
his head when he heard that the gang he had
seen wildly clamoring for blood would be turned .
loose in town an hour after dark.

He had little faith in such sudden conversions,
and so he said, and he promised himself that he
would keep out of range when the bullets be-
gan to ﬂy; for the rofessor did not seem to
mind his warning a. it, and went off to speak
to Hunter Browne, who had left the house
shortly before his superintendent had arrived.

It was while the Flat from Walnut Bar was
communing with himself how he could best and
most safely spend the evening that Plumb-Cen-
ter Pete found him. 1

“ I’ve b’en lookin’ fur yer, Tomm , an’ it’s
jest a good ole chance I found yer. want ter
gi’n yer a p’int thet may or may not be wu’th
suthin’ ter yer. Thor’s a man 92 moves when
yer pull on ther handle ov Kale Carter, an’ he’s
hot for slaughter soon ea he soesachance ter
pull yer in. Ye’r’ a good leetle man, an’ I‘d hate
ter see yer checks passed in jest ez ther game
war gittin’ interestin’. W’ot yer b’en a-doin’
tolhi’ml I tried ter pump him, but he wouldn’t
to l.’

Bowers shook his head.

“ Bless yer soul,‘ Mr. Blockey, I ' ain’t b’en
doin’ nothin’ ter nobod ; an’ en fur Carter—I
don’t know him. Coul n’t you tell him how
he’s mistook an’ ther matter? I’m a peace-
able man, I be, an _I don’t want no trouble
with nobody.” '

“ It ain’t no use. He won’t listen ter reason,
an’ honor bright, he’s an awful bad man. Ef I
war you I’d make up my mind mighty sudden,
an’ Id either ﬁght er skip. Ef not, pay fnra
wooden overcoat. cash in advance an’ save
ther charity fund ov ther town ther funeral ex.
pensee.” ' ~

“ Sure, you don’t mean that. Wh , Mr.
Blocke , I ain’t no ﬂght‘in’ man, an' didn’t
nevsr o no harm ter this Mr. Carter.”

" Tell that ter ther marines, Tommy. I guess
when therpills are in order you’ll seeKa e git
his full dose. ’ I 'onlE-thbrt I’d gi'n er warnin .”

“Thankee, Mr. lockey; but w y den’t yer
hel me out? I‘ve got suth'ln’ te'r do hyer, an’
of I‘m all ther time a-watchin’ 'fur him whar’ll
I kim out at? Keep him of! an’ I sw’ar'l’ll. give
yer suthio’ handsnm’. 1 I kin go es high ez ﬁve
dollars right now.” - v

Plumb Center Pete laughed... a The site of the
offer was not as ridiculous as the tone of the
man who made it, and Blockey was inclined to
enjo himself at the expense of the party who
con allow his fears to run away with him.

“Don’t laugh,” continued Tenderfoot Tom.
“ I’m jest made for gittin' inter scrapes—an’ We
only hog luck trgits me out. Thor kunnel ain’t
’round-—-he’s sorter my guardeen—an’ ef yer
war squar’ ye’d help me out till he comes.”

“Oh. dry up on that. One way er t’ollher.
ye’r’ therdog-gonedest fraud outen jail. Ye’r’
\playin’ it on me er yer Iplayin’ it on Miss Van-
deleur: an’ I Wouldn’t ha f mind takin’ a shot at
yenmeself. I warn yer I wouldn’t go outdoors
tor-night, not fur no money.. Thet‘s all. E'f
yer does they’ll be a racket."

Pete would listen to no more after that, and
simplg shrugging his shoulders at the appeal
that owers was about to make, be hurried
away beforthhe first half-daze: w‘ords were

spoken. . , . , ,
“ Mebbe I kin sheer him of! ther trackd’ 
gested— Blockey to. himself. “ ‘Ef he’s what,
think. it’s a shape ter killhlm; en’ ef-he am t,
Kale Carter ’il bring him, may an' ' either way

WW3)"th poem 

 
' lithe ,u ,m . Elit don’tl’lltakea
 59’ _' seamen-age"
Coat-r M

. not entirely understand

1‘.“

CHAPTER XVIII.
' IN TOWN.

FOB some little time Bunco had been on its
good behavior. SeVeral had men had been
lately killed OR, and a lull had occurred in
affairs, though no one would be very much' sur-
prised at learning that they had opened up

again with all the vigor that had given to the '

mm. the full meed of her reputation. The sin 10
fact of Mr. Allbright being picked up in t e
s‘reet in a condition necessitating a funeral,
caused no excitement; and if any one heard of
the raid on the town that was contemplated by
Buck Beans and the rest of the men in the em-

loy of Hunter Browne, it gave no uneasiness.

hings went on just the same—eVen to the fan-
dango nt Hazard Hall.

Everybody went there at times, and though
now and then thero‘was a traces on such nig 15's,
the place had, perhaps, a better reputation than
it dawned.

The large room was full of dancers, and the
jollity was at its hight, when a terri c whoop
announced a new arrival. Through the door
came a number of men, with Buck Beans at
their head, half dragging, half leading, Pro—
fessor Elderberry.

The new superintendent looked very much
the worse for wear, thtmgh he had only fairly
started on the night’s dissipation. If he was in
such company the inevitable corollary was that
he had been drinking. '

The truth was he had been pouringdown ﬁre-
water freely, and instead of making him foolish
it appeared torender him sullen. He said but
little, as he paid for drinks for his men, and then
stumbled away from the bar toward a corner
in which there chanced to be an empty table
and a seat, into which he dropped without any.
one attempting to hinder.

" Fora little while he stared around with an

owl-like gravity; then he turned around and
dropped his arms on the table. He was not
asleep, as was indicated by hisoccasional move-
ments; and if any had noticed him, it would
have been thought he was simply trying to re-
cover the wits that had started to wander.
Just then no one did notice him; for. the crowd
at the bar drew the majorit of the eyes
thitherward, and the dancers clhimed the bal-
ance.

With music rinlgeing, feet going, the bar bus ,
and Optima Char y dealing fare in one of t 9
side r00ms, things were very much livelier
than the were the night before, When the hours
were d icated to short cards and the casual
drinkers. . ,

As for the ladiee at the Hazard Hall, they
were the uieting feature that generally pre-
vented bae canalian revelry. and the fatalfra-
cos. They were, for the most part, daughte ‘
and even wives, of the miners, and by u enera
tacit understanding they were all make .

The disguises mig thase been more thorougr,
but no one was inclined to be ,criti'cal, and a
case any one wasxpuulod, he accepted the situa-
tion with alau h. Iftlho attom to be in-
quisitive he go a hint. and if t bin had to
be repeated, it came again in such aaol d shape
that somebody or other not hurt. ' '

The presence of Back Beans and his gang was
rather a menace, for they *ﬁlling up in a
way that showed,they were a ter whls y rather
than dancing, and they were not of the stamp

to swallow manure-water Without its having a' .
or

hellicose effect. ' Afew men were wring

row;but the dancing and music went on with- "

out cessation, the devotees of‘ 'I‘erpsiohoi'e mak- '
{ﬂute most of their opportunities while they

,1. .7 .

“ What’s the meaning of this‘l” '
, Plumb Center Pete had come out of the card'-
room upon hearing the racket. and he, first
man he met, so to speak, was Hunter rowne,
who touched him on the arm as he asked the
question. .

“You orter know,” answered Blockey, with
a snort. l I . ‘

“ Goggle Gawge are on a tear, an’ be: brupg
his crowd erlon rwith hhn; He‘s a brisk young
man fur a tea- rty, ez yankin see ef\ e ll
yer eye over ther gang frum ther Bun er Hi I.
Ef he’s got ’em that had used p ther fu‘st
night, what’il they be when he’s ed ’em in his
private trainin’ fur a month or so?"

Browne stared at .Blockey, and then stared at
Beans. He did not catch on to the drift of
Pete’s remarks. - ‘

“Oh, mehhe yer didn’t hear w’ot a ﬂow), a; :7

'tlfme they he‘d up that: tihis  M.. 23;; 
bet sport}. n spec ces est u- e  ,
the;- crowd on thou h he traveled on ills make ,
.g' loried in it. eslaughtered “Wilden,
‘1 him out stiff erneugh tenirut up inter
whalebone, an" then axed "small" in fora big
drunk tor-night. They're liven,” ' .

,“I see they are,” said Brow“. drylS’. and
then -t ere Wu
face. I , ,
after I left, but understood the professor 
their] altos perineum... york Wanton”,
usu . . , , .
thing sothat ‘ . ‘

to! ‘ '  .

tallon  “id

 
a shade of bane ance on bus  ﬁ» 7' .
‘ I hear there we: some nae "cum. ,

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f“. M.  . "» *."..:‘:ﬁ$:£’”$"r"“r*’" ' " " . v a‘f"':r‘:r.ﬂ*:w‘:r~

A Sport in Spectacles.

1‘5

 
tr f

 
“ Mehhe you didn’t s’poae there’d be a racket
of yer went away an’ left him alone with them
.innement lam’s 3v yourn?”

Browne gave short laugh.

“I guess you want to ﬁnd ut what kind of a
'man you’ve got hold of w on you put him to

work in a place like 'mine. The would have
known better than to be too roug ; but if they
could have run him out, easy, I’d have bunched
the cards and started in for a new deal.”

“Not much mud erbout ther perfesserahe’s
tall sand, assorted sizes, an’ sixteen ounces to
ther pound. Only, see h er, Browne, take keer
he don’t run you out. here’s things bin did
'that wer’n’t half so likely. But I ain’t sayin’

anything ag’iu’ him, recomember. He may be
.squar’ ez a die, 92 fur ez I know."
“Don’t fret yourself about that. I’ve got a

square hold and I’ll keep it, unless some one
Jumps the claim that’s got more nerve and
.sixes than I carry.”

“But it strikes me ef all ther boys kin be
brung of! tar Bunco on a racket, it wouldn’t be

.a bad time fur some ’un ter slide in. IBM
Who’s ther now?" . _
“Don’t ask foolish questions,” res nded the

mineowner, shortly. “This isn’t t 9 place to
palaver‘over them, anyhow.”

“ Thet’s so. This are the place for sixes, an’ I
hope yer hev yours along. It strikes me ther
‘l‘acket are about begun. Ah!”

There had been some crowding and harsh talk
around the bar, and at this moment there rung
out the sharp crack of a plSlOl: . .

Fortunately the shot went wul’d, striking over-
head, and without an instant‘s elay, the man,
who had ﬁred at the bartender, was caught up,
his weapon being wrenched from his hand, and
he was given a ﬂing toward the'door. As yet
the ﬁghting era in the night’s history had not
.set in. ‘

Up went willing hands to catch the unfortu-
nate shootist, and from one to another he went,
sailing overhead, his progress never ceasing for
an instant, until ﬁnally he was tossed fairly into
the street.

No one went out to inquire whether any bones
'were broken.

Only Browne, Plumb Center Pete, and a few
others had seen his ﬁnal exit, but every one
.knew what his fate would be, and cheerfully
concurred in his mild punishment.

It; was Plumb Center Pete’s curiosity as to
whether he knewthe man that led him to look
after him with more than ordinary earnestness;
.and he gave vent to an exclamation of surprise
that caused Browne to follow the direction of
his eyes, ,

rough the doorway came two persons, who
11: d made a narrow escape from a collision with
the‘unfortunato. ,

One of the two was Tom Bowers who halted
just inside. His companion was mmked; but in

spite of a change in rments, and an attempt~
ed dagulse in her w k, Blockey recognized in
date low‘traveler,'Misl Vandoleur. \-

8he was hatter-ht home after escort, and
dropping hirerm, sheila I lately mingled with
‘Ecnwwi' bat does» a s ’ ri

, gory w, {wan yer was
.‘Pete’symental comment; and it did seem a natu-
ral one. ' ' ’ . "

The girl was very well disguised, and per-ha

ockgy would not have recognized her if e

a teen he? company. .

“But Tenderfoot Tom was not likely to have
«made many if any 2s ua ntahccs in Bunco' and
'if he had brought Mil ie ondeleur there i was
not likely that he had done so of his own idea.

For that reason Pete Blocks asked himself
what she wanted there, and ad ed: , ,

u “who had tor come, why ner thunder
couldn’t she hev caught on tor me? I’ll keep an
.e e on her, fur I reckon if there’s one or ther
o d time rows Tommy’d look out fur number

i ‘ .

Olle. I ‘

‘ Hunter Browne saw a Flat from Walnut
.‘Bar, and took no lnteres in him. While Pete
wuscogitating he Stained the opportunity to glide

way, nevsr recognizing Miss andeleur at all.
. a did not even notice when Kale Carter brush.
'01) t him, with an angry gleam in his eye.

lamb Center Pete was more observant. He
caught the expression, and for some reason it
He turned awn y, and then gave

The result was he came into Collision with

rCartcr, who uttered a wicked growl as he looked

.to see who it was that had so clumsily got into

wa .

ockey was innocence itsalf. (and his eyes had
a far-away look. ’ ~

“Where are you pushing'to, man?” rapped

out Carter and just as he spoke Plumb Center
Pete saw Bowers, who had taken alarm at the
diet movement of Carter, dodge out of the
door in instant retreat. 0 '

'cuA Prim 3m;

'  xuvasrs mm DOLLARS, on ran
 , . H, A ‘omn. v ,
,1 Wm‘KaiaCarterhhfter his exclamation,

Wﬁmho than?I :0 trees gram (germ:
n ’ w, t v .

 ' ‘ ‘  “hymn”

motions inquiries wasnoono who

‘ rance of the ladies when viewed through

 
noticed his exit, or would give him any infor-
mation. . ,

As it appeared likely that he had min led
with the crowd, Carter seemed to decide to ide
his time, and leaned against the wall with fold-
ed arms.

“ He war goin’ fur ter git even, war he!"
chuckled Pete.

“ Ef yer don‘t watch a weasel
apt ter ﬁnd that he ain’t thar.
blazas are Goggle J awge after?”

The professor had risen from his seat, and
without a glance around was making straight
for the door.

“Good-by, ole man. If er strike some ov
ther Bunco toughs er lost a game won’t be
doin’ yer much g , onless ye’r’ a durned site
more sober ner ye 100k. I wouldn’t wonder if,
in a few mihnits, there would he sounds from
home outside. I b’lieve I’ll go out and listen.”
.. There was a shade of delay in making his way
to the door, and by the time he reached the o n
air the professor had made more progress t an
was expected. In the distance his rapidly re-
treating fooisteps sounded faintly, while close
at hand there was a coarse laugh.

“Yer come at him too ﬁerce, Billy,” said a

er ‘consarned
ow, what ner

voice. “ Ef yer hed gi'n him more time he’d bin
tOO skeered ter skip. It war a caution how he
run away.”

“ Yes, curse him, he run like a house aﬁre;
but he’ll pull up afore long. That’s ther good
ov hayin’ two strings tother bow. Listen an’
see ef yer can’t hear him drop.”

There was no answer. The two men, as well
as Plumb Center Pete, were intent on what was
to take place further on dOWn the street.

“ Curses on it!" suddenly cried Billy Gray, as
a couple of ﬂashes ﬂared up, beyond which they
could distinctly see the ﬁgure of the still run-
ning rofessor.

" 3 got by ther careless galoots, an’ they hed
ter use the‘xirons.”

“Er somebody else hez chipped in. Come on;
we’ll go down an’ take a hand in.”

“ Guess not, boyees!” said Plumb Center Pete,
his words explodingr like ﬁre-crackers, and the
sharp clicking of h s pistol-hammers emphasiz-
ing his warning.O

“ Fair play, yees. When two mounts one,
Pete'Blockey are around l” “

The surprise, and the mention of his name,
completely demoralizsd the lurkers. They
wheeled and ﬂed the othhr way, while Blockey,
the coast being clear, hurried of! in the direc-
tion whence he had heard the shots.

When he had about reached the spot, he found
there had been a mistake somewhere.

Two men Were doubled up in a heap, perfect-
ly motionless. If they had tried their hand at
shooting, they had certainly got the Worst

of it.

“ Hum hl Dog oned curlous.”‘he muttered,
as he hen over the allen mon.‘

“ Looks as though some one else had chi
in whit ther wrong pigeons. I’ll swear he
didn’t stoghlong dn’ough ter lift his sins—if he
hurries a useful axial” or household an’
kitchen furniture. I’ ive live dollars ter
know jest who’s bin stack ’ ther keel-dc.”

“. Flo’k oveleol We Wailo‘ bin loundee,
shootee ebley time ’wav uppee. No let lobber
lun ’way with Gogfl Jawge. Hi-yahl"

“You consarne eathenl on mean ter say
yer hev bin shootin’ down Christian w to men?

ain’t killed er victim fur a week, an’ ’ve half
a notion to be in on you.” .

Blocke s e in such' good earnest that We
Wallo d appeared with the same mysterious
suddenness With which‘he had coma. To be
sure, he only jum d into the shadow of a
shant and then ipped away, but there was
somet ing weird-like n his coming  .

“ I bed orter shoot ther frisky heathen, sig a!
Blocks , regretfully. “EL nry ’spi’cious oh-
comeaong, tn might think ther two sti
belonged 0n y rivate di’ry. Lemme see of I
know em. Shol’ ~ . ’

The men were not dead after all. They moved,
and one of them sat bolt upright.

At si ht of that, Pete B ockey took a leaf out
of We ailo’s book, Slidingdnto the shadow,
he left the two men to their own devices; and
as neither the professor nor the Chinaman were
in sight he made his way back to Hazard l,
lu‘hﬁere t lugs-were going on much as when
e . '

His ﬁrst movement was to look around for
Miss Vandeleur. ’ ‘ . ~

It was_ not so e topick her out'now, for
there was a good den .of sameness about the ap-

t] e crowd; but ﬁnally he thought he had found
er. ‘ ' " '

She was standing in the corner lately scented
by Elderberry, and Kale Carter Was trying to
on go her in conversation. ,

' (3:188 not hard to see that his reseucewas
un sired, and ’ that the girl was gaining roan
line of retreat. ' - ' '

“He’s foolinlfrouud er gentle leetle mien-‘35.. ‘1
thought Pete, as baptized toward;   .
  

‘-~«

th h taking are that his. 

  
, , crane “urn , 
Chance furorodhhh. for;

 
general. movement that brought. him right in

their neighborhood, without the least snort on
his part. While his attention was apparently
directed elsewhere his ears were open, and in
spite of the medley of confused sounds he heard
something of the conversation.

“Yer needn’t look after ther ﬂat; he knows
when ter take a throu h ticket an’ go. He
knows I’m goin’ ter kill im some time but he
ain’t in a hurry about passin’ in so he’s slid out,
an’ now I want a leetle squar’ talk with you.”

“ Threatened men have a double lease on life,
and if you really menace the man who accom-
panied me here—he will dance after our fune-
ral. Be careful that he don’t help to ay out the
corpse. I am not to be frightened; and I wish
to hear nothing from you.’

“ Mebbe not, mebbe not; but I want to hear

something from you. You, Allbright an’ ther
ca t’n Set up a game an’ draw’d us in. Because
Al bright’s dead we ain‘t goin’ ter let go. Ef
he didn’t tell yer I tell yer now. We're yer
pards an’ yer don’t throw OR on us nohow. Ef
yer try it there‘ll be blood on the mean, even of
Capt’n Trouble htz sold us out an’ bucks you
n . ’
“ I do not know what' you mean. The name
of Captain Trouble I never heard before, and if
Mr. Allbright had any dealings with you they
were not authorized by me.”

“That won’t wash. I knowed last night yer
hed changed yer hase-an’ ter git rid of us you’d
sell us out. We got word hyer ter watch
Trouble when he come back; an’ We’re doin’ it. ,
Ef you, an’ him, an’ Johnny Short- thinks ter’
git away with us, ther sooner we strike in ther
better. There’s no go between now, an’ this are
iyer ’last chance. Make yer bid an’ play as

air.

“I havevno bid to make, and fair or foul I
will hold my own. Bunco will give even a wo-
man a chance.”

“Such a chance as it give Allbright—a wood-
en overcoat.”

“ Very well, try to ﬁt it on and there will he
a call for a dozen.” ,

Miss Vandeleur was at her best, and dealt
with Carter as man to man.

.“More. I don‘t believe that Iwill ﬁll one
either; I don‘t know who you are; and I don’t
believe'I care to know,‘ in spite of the interest
you profess to have. I only give you warning
and pass on.”

She attempted to move away, and the a par-
ent conﬁdence in the movement actuall re
Carter of! his uard. He gave back the lee;
bit, and she  advantage of the opening for

esoape.

He wheeled an instant later, but she had al-
ready entangled herself in the crowd, and-if he
desired further coaverso with her it was not“
hard for him to aeejhat he had lost his chance.

No doubt she was aimin straight for the
door; and in that direction is Carter cast his

eyes. .

Pliﬁnb Center Pete, who was watching him
curiously heard him grind out an oath, and his
eyes instantlywent someway: In the door-
way he saw what it was that ad called up the
nor htoous expression: , . 3 .

“ u’at m sixes of ther ain't Tendorfont
Tomm' ag’ n, large ea life. Are that dog-
bla fool b er fur a racks
back ter loo fur ther twinklum dew-drop!
Beecher life ther band strike. up. fur Garter v
are ex nigh to: a ﬁghtin’locn ck en they make '
‘em,dan’” can’t make him ’l’eve he's wastia’

w er.

The man with the vgdp id not seem alto-
gether asy in hismin . e hesitated a mo-
ment and then came slow] *forword, looking .
this way and that. though y chance his gun
never reached Garter. . ‘

. “Efthergah‘ees himsn’fresmsonﬁerhhnhs’ll
take her away an’ then ther frolic?! begin out;
side. Efnotéagter ain’t quite slab or tools-
not ter work ther-matters: so enter one 
own neck—he can‘t shoot h right down, his
in Bunco—an’ it strikes me it’ll be worth seein'
how be its down ter biz. An’smebbe Tom
ain‘t sic a fool cz he looks. I‘m goin' tor
by an’soe it out.” ,

Miss Millie did not a
was doubtful, after a little, .if she would

since she had‘“ sling] so thoroughly out of " 'l -

view that Blockey gun to believe that 
must have left the room. a , . 4
Instead of seekin the bar Bowers turned into

the faroroOm, and { ibetime that Carter and 1‘
0

Pete Blockey had near to him the Flater ’
Walnut Bar, had tained a good positioned”
to the table I ' e 

“E! he’s. iooki’n'fur achqnoe fur a  

sw'ar he wuldn’t ﬁrst: picked a better ‘
thought Blockey, as hetookjinthesitna . ,

.vThore was a good deal of wild \ 

on, and thumb asunblancaof
been observed there was too mayhem-drunk

Bungee .-

 
 rhsiea s ,.
_ I.  a,“ _, l, 

t, erhel-ho coma R

wear to see him, and it . 

v.

201‘“

o".‘

   
 "fl. - 3
mm“ 'm,. ; pres—Ir-.. v.

   
16

When he threw down half a dczen chips on'
the ueen and won, Blockey shook his head.

“('l‘har’s somethin’ rotten right hyer,” he
muttered. I

“Ef ther thing keeps on there’s goin’ ter be
ther dog-gonedest time outen jail. I’m stayin’
hyer, ter see.”

At that moment the Flat from Walnut Bar
dropped ﬂVH dollars on the queen.

CHAPTER XX.
IN HOOK.

THE balance of the deal went through with
solemn regularity, and the queen never came
out once.

There was a very good reason for that since
the gentle females had all made their appear-
anca eaily in the deal, as Mr. BOWers might
have Seen if he had taken the trouble to consult
the one box.

“ Well, 1’" be dog-goned,” was his surprised
remark asthe last card came into the door.
" That's the best luck l’ve bed in Arizony. All
that fun, an‘ it hain’t cost me a cent.”

“Not a cent,” said Mr. Cole calmly, as be
swept the stakes up into his own heap, and
then looked up with a quizzical leer in his

e e.

y“Dog rot yer icture, what, yer mean?”
howled Bowers. “ ’ycr think yer kin come
any ov yer skin games over me? Jest lay that
back er they’ll be war right hyer. I ain’t no
tenderfoot ter stand sich crowdin’ ez these."

“ Go slow there, Tommy, and don’t try to get
‘ upa muss here. If you’re one of the squealing
kind you ought to ask after the rules of the
house before you plank down your money.”

It was evident that Cole had full conﬁdence
in his heelers for when he had delivered his
opinion he began to shufﬂe the cards without
paying further attention to the man at whom

0 had just aimed his broadside.

If Bowers did not know how to frame an an-
swer in words he had one in deeds all ready. It
was natural that his instincts should go to his
Whip, which was a weapon that he could use, as
had been proved on several previous occasions.
On this it started to come into play once more.
His hand griped the stock, and the lash gave a.
ﬂirt into the air.

If he had struck straight for Optima Charley’s
face as he very well might have done, nothing
could have saved the j'lUllly dealer; but iliere
was a preliminary ﬂourish and while the lash
trembled in the air a se: of strong ﬁngers Closed
upon it. 'When he attempted to bring it down
the result can easily be imagined. There was a
'erk, a howl, Tenderfoot Tommy was wheeled

alf-way around; and Kale Carter was left in
possession of the whip. -‘ -

What followed was as hard to describe as the
antics of a hurricane.

As the Flat from Walnut Bar wheeled a chair
rose from right at his side, apparenti ’ of its
own volition. The man who had been sitting
in it went sprawling, and Carter, who drew
with one hand as he snatched at the lash with
the other, went staggering back, just as Billy
Gray and another rutiian like to him sprung at
Tenderfoot Tommy.

Bowers steadied himself, and shot out two
blows, left and right that took effect, and then
braced himself for the rush that immediately
followed. '

It was, for the time being, one man against
the room, for the outsiders that broke up a

me when there were few losers had no friends.
There were plenty of men then ripe for a on-
eral row - and that fact had an element of as. ety
in it. as the usual pistol practice was postponed
until after the assault with ﬂsts had had its
turn. I
Somehow the blows intended for Bowers
failed to connect after the schedule. and as they
had to reach somewhere there were some hard
ra given and taken. that produced the natural

iffct. Before another minute had passed Kale
Carter and his chief of staff were under a score
of trampling feet, and each man who could re-
main u right hit wherever he saw a head. ’

Bip, ip; bang, bang! _

The blows poured in and there was the liveliest
racket going on that Hazard Hall had seen for
many a day.

In the midst of it all two men shot out of a
side door that led to the rear of the building.
Plumb Center Pete had locked his ﬂn ers to-

ether and dropping his arms around t 9 tea-
gerfoot, so as to pinion him com letely, had, by
main force dragged him out of t e melee.

As they came in’o the open air they fell
a art, and then. quick as a tiger. the man that
P umb Center Pete had hauled out sprung upon
him, with a gleamin knife in his hand.

“ Cues yer, stand aside. Kale Carter’s my
meat, an’ I’m goin’ ter trim him up afore this
frolic are over. Git outen ther way; I don’t
want tar hur yer.”

“ Guess no ., Tommy. Yer uncle Ezra hez
luthin’ to: s y ’bout that. You let Kale Carter
be, or ou'll hev ter settle with me.”

Bloc ey was cool as an iceberg while he

be, yet he drew a twelve-inch bowie and
gated himself square] across the track of his
would-be antagon at, w o ceased‘hie mad rush
‘ be new the movement.

 
A Sport in Spectacles.

“Look out fur yer ears, Tommy. I’m goin’
ter l’arn whether they be iron-clad, copper-
fastened, A1 clipper—rigged, fast-sailin’. Do yer

urtiesf, for store this fou’t are over I’m goin’
er see whether you be a man er not. You’ve

been puttin’ on innercence long ernuf ef it’s all a
ﬂu m.”

" Git out o‘ my way, Pete. ef er don’t want
ter be hurt. I tell yer it‘s Kale arter er me,
some time er other, an’ this hyer are my night
on. Next time he won’t spring his rattles, an’ I
won’t hev no show.”

“ Not to-night, Tommy. I’d sooner yer took
water; but ef yer don’t, 'ou’t yer must."

“ Fou’t it be, then. You‘re too big fer yer
britches, anyhow, a}! hyer‘s ther boy (2 kin
give yer alesson." '

Plumb Center Pete, outside of the danger of
the charmes, was taking a gory good way of
gaging the amount of sand the tenderfoot car-
ricd. If he backed down, of course, that was a
settler. If he fought, it would take a wonder-
fully good fencer to get the better of Blockey
with a knife.

Without longer hesitation, Bowers advanced,
and the tw0 blades crossed with an angry clang.

The knife is the test of courage every time;
and the man that can hold his own in a scieritiﬁc
duel with an expert is to be counted no slouch.

Bloekc feund before long that he had his
hands fu l. When the sharp steel touched him
once or twice, drawmg blood, and he felt his
own careless thrusts easily arried, he began to
understand the nature of tie contract he had
undertaken. In addition, he lost his temper
somewhat, and began to show an eagerness to
make his blows count, that he had been far from
feeling. .

“ So yer reely think yer kin get at ole Pete
with yer rib-persuadcr. Ah, how’s that? Missed,
did she? Hyer’s another, an” hyer’s another.
Eh, glory!” \

Blockey jumped back like a cat and stared at
his antagonist. It was not that every one of his
straight vlcicus thrusts was avoided, but that
Bowers. instead of taking advantage of an open-
irg, had made a clean and almost successful ef-
fort to disarm him.

“ I rcckcn some One hrz been mistook in this
hyer circus, an’ Kale Carter kin git on his knees
fur thanks (2 l sashaycd yer outh reach. Yer
n desprit fighlcr, an’ I dunno right what ter say
’bout this hyer affair.”

Thoughtfully Plumb Center Pete began to
)ick his teeth with the point of his bowie.

thn he saw that the Flat from Walnut Bar was
as coolly strapping his blade on the leg of his
boot. he broke into a short laugh.

“ That’s ernuf. I wanted for be sure yer war
up for some game, r-n’ now 1 know it. Go ’long
in. Ef yer strike Kale Carter, you kin give a
good account cv 3 crself, an‘ I won’t feel called
on ter chip.”

“ Yer did more damidge than yer awar’
a’ready,” answered the other. “ I war on ther
war-path with blud in me eye, an’ ther luck my
way; Next time it’ll be diff‘rent, an.’ c-f Tom
BOWers goes outen ther wet,.his host ’11 ha’nt
yer. An’ at any harm comes tera eetle Woman
Lz I’m tryin tcr keep an eye on, ye’ll hev ter
settle with me—an’ I’ll use er thing with er hole
in it. You hear me?”

The tone of the speaker was so harsh, and his
gesture so threatening, that it is likely enough
Blockey would have felt called upon to take up
the quarrel in earnest. Just as his hand drop
ped toWard his hip, a feminine ﬂgure slipped
out of the door. to .

The woman halted suddenly, looked sbar ly at
the two. and then advanced with confi once.
It wa iss Vandeleur. .

“ Come ” she said, extending her hand toward
Bowers. ‘This is no place for us. Those whom
Isought are not here' and I have only thrust
myself into frightful danger. They are killing
i'nen in there-take me away." 0

No wonder that the tones of th girl faltered
a little at last. The noise of the r of: within had
deepened into an infernal racket, and they
cou d hear shouts and shots at the front of the
building). '

Plum Center Pete listened an instant, and
then did not linger.

“ Yes, git her away from hyar. Tommy, it
’ain’t no p ace fur you an‘ her; but I’m goin’ in.
I reckon I ain’t too late fur ther fun.”

He rushed in through the door, which they
heard him close, and lock behind him, and the
two looked at each other in an inquiring sort of

way.

“ I am in earnest,” interposed Miss Millie. “I
have seen enough, and more than enough.
was mad to come here.‘ Let, us’hurry away,
while we have the chance to escape without at-
tracting any attention. Unless I am again
greatly mistaken in you, I doubt not but that
you are as anxious as I to get away from this

ateful place.” ’

“I ain‘t sure ez I- wants ter go. It’s Kale
Carter ez I’m gunnin’ arter. While he’s a-livin’
there’s danger fur both ov us; an’ now would be
a bully good timeter turn his toes up.”

“He said you were a coward, and I believe
him. Would you shoot him in the back like
any desperate cannula? Come with me at once,
or you will ﬁnd that if I an only 3 willful

 
A).

woman, I at-least know how to work my own-

way.”

She put her hand to her breast in a manner
that was suggestive, and the man’s eyes dropped
before the blaze in hers. r

“ Hev yer own way,” he answered sullenly.
“ I’ll take yer b ck to ther Jefferson House..
After that I’m in Own man till I git even.”

In silence the two Went away, without aback-
ward glance.

In a few moments they had come to the spot
where We Wailo and Plumb Center Pete had
had their interview.

About them all was quiet. They could hear
the nmses that they had left behind than, and
the sounds of running feet in the distance, but
here no one would have suspected that there
was a. single element of danger.

Yet that night the darkness seemed to be‘
peopled with lurkers. Bowers halted and
dropped his hands to his revolvers, but he was.
a shade too late. With a swish, something
struck him sharply on the arm,'and then a rope-
wound itself round and round him, until he re--
ceivtd a blow from the heavy ball at the end,
while Miss Millie, who had taken the alarm and
given a bound or two, felt the grasp of a steel-
like hand on her neck and was ﬂung heavily to»
the ground. The two had run into an ambus—
cade, and in another moment Were prisoners,
bound and gagged.

CHAPTER XXI.
A STRANGE STORY.

HUNTER BROWNE bad the reputation of being
in the presence of danger a cool man, hard to
handle; but he was not apt to anticipate or see
the trouble until it ran plump upon him. When
he had taken ordinary precautions, he let the.
future provide for itself. ‘

He had no remonition of evil when he stroll-r
ed into the fall of Hazard to see what was
going on there; and even after the surprise at
seeing the most of his employees and the. semi-
warning of Blockey, he had no anticipalicn of
impending‘danger, though he was coriscious of
a slight uneasiness.

Without making himself conspicuous, he-
took occasion to draw Beans to one side.

“What‘s the meaning of all this, Buck? I
don’t morethan half like the way thir.gs look..
If there’s trouble here, there won’t be much
work done at the Bunker Hill to-nzorrow.”

“Don’t you fret, Mr. Browne. Thcr new
boss hesjest axed usin fur a leetle fun an’ be set
’em up all round town; but we ain’t on ther
tear, cz big ez we look, an” we’ll be gitlii‘.’ rut
shortly. Mike Madden didn’t feel nuch léf‘c
comin’ out ter-night. so he an’ his ’cl:un:. K. ; ~-
stone Black, are on ther watch. Ef ye’d ruthii r
hev a couple more men thar I’ll send ’em out.”

“ Oh, I’m not uneasy, and I guess it will all
be right. Don’t et too lively, and I’ll risk the
chances. I see lderberry has crawled cﬂ’.
He‘s not much of a drinker.”

“ Not much; but he’s ther best leetle man ez
ever were spectacles, and when yer git“ things
in shape fur him ter git in his work things are.
goin’ ter hum."

“ I hope so,” answered Browne.

The fact that Beans was so much more sober
than he looked had a tranquilizing eﬁect,
though Brawne had received a distaste for the
amusements of the evening. A few minutes
later he sauntered out, and turned toward the
Jefferson House, without having any definite»
oh 'ect in view. ‘ .

e stopped, at several places on the way, con-
running some little time, and without happening
to pick up any acquaintances. As he move
away from the postoﬁice he heard a‘ familiar
voxcs:

“Cunlee Blowne, ho, ch’hoyl” ‘

He waited at the call, and We Wailo came.

skipe‘iIng up.

“ e Wailo Iookee ebleywha’, no ﬂndee.
Glil wantchee see Cunlee Blowne muchee bad.
Say heap shu’ comde in hap owl, numblee
sixt -fon’,JeffelsonHouse. Hapowl, go longee.
Wa lo take him ﬁnd glil light side top side
g’low. Him come longee."

Browne nodded acquiescence, and strode away
in a manner that kept the little Chinnman trot-A
ting. He understood that there was a young
lady in sixty-four who had been anxious to
meet him, and he knew that sixty-four was the
number of Miss Vandelcur’s room. From the-
moment he ﬁrst saw her he had felt a strong
interest in her, and so he was not at all averse-
t‘ohan interview. If the half an hour~rendered
‘ a
not likely to make any gr- at difference.

At the door of the hotel the Chinaman put his
hand on Browne’s shoulder:

“Cunlee waitee beyah. If Wailo no come
back ten minites Blowne go straight sixty-fou'.
Glil no’wantcjee see ’um We Wailo come back
shuah.’

With this arrangement Browne, in view of
the numerous duties of the Chinaman. was con-.
tent, though he had an idea that Miss Van
deleur might have found a more intelligible-
person to arrange things. When. after ten
minutes of waiting, the Chinaman did not rt‘~
appear be accorded a ﬁve mum’m

owl” by We Wailo— had elapsed it was -

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“than walked straight to‘sixty-four, and gave a heard how Hunter Browne came back to the “Hellol It’s the professor—what’s up?”

gentle rap.

An unmistakable feminine voice told him to
enter, and he did so without hesitation.

There was a lamp burning brightly. and the
room seemed to be tenantless but as the door
closed behind him Browne heard the key turn
in the Kick.

Whirling briskly he saw that he was in the
presence of a young lady; and that she was a
perfect stranger.

He smiled at the idea of locking the door, if
the intention was to kee him in. The ﬂimsy
walls of too Jeiferson ouse, would scarcely
cage a kitten. ‘

“ Hunter Brown," said the young lad , eying
him sharply. “I sent you word that wished
to se-.- you, and I am glad that you have come.
There is much Concerning Which I would speak
to you, much about which, I mustand will know
the truth."

“Excuse me, miss, or madam, I confess that
on have the advantage over me. Do you think
am of the kind to give my conﬁdence without

knowing who receives it! And ceitainly you
are a perfect stranger. I Came here expecting
to meet a Miss Vandeleur—who are you!"

"Who am I? Well, sir, caution» was never
one of my virtues, and whether for better or
for worse I tell you the whole truth at once. I
am the daughter of Nita Goytisolo.” .

“Ah. indeed. And who may the hereinmen-
ticned Nita be? The name is unfamiliar, and I
cannot see that the question can be one of in-
terest to me, but courtesy requires that I ask
it.” '

“ You are one of those, then, that forget very
well. I “ill bring certain truths to your re-
membrance. Of Course you do not remember
her. She was only Hunter Browne’s wife.
am her daughter.”

“It is false,” answered Browne, quickl and
sharply. “ His, wife was nooutlandish foreigner,
but an American woman, good and true, Who
died yen rs ago. Her name was Florence Styles.
The records will shew it.” .

“ Years ago. What of that? Hunter Browvo
is no infant——nor am I. Years ago I was a
happy child, playing in the sand, waiting with-
out impatience for the father that never Came
back unless by stealth. I have waited long
enough; itis time to search for him. Perhaps
he has been lost.”

She spoke ii a quiet tone, that gave little
token of H; exci ement that Browne knew
must b:- r~ig u: within. He stared at her with-
out answ ering. ‘

M on, you need not keep silent until you c-m

conjure up some plausible falsehood,” the gm
continued. - .
. I,“ They kept the truth from me for ycarsand

years, but it had to come out at last. When it

did I swore a‘ great oath that justice should be

dune, and I am here for that, and nothing else.

No rest have I know night. or day. There is hot

blood in my veinsLand on one side at least I

came of a rape that has always, moved quick to

their revenge. I give you the choice—justice. or

death.” ,

"My girl.” Interposcd Browne, speaking in
the calm. even tone of e who weighs his
words. “ VOu how certain 32’ been wofully de-
ceived, Yonrmotber ImeVer saw. If I had
done 80 You have not yet made it clear why I,
should die in consequence. Who as she. ,where
i) did she litre. and what crime is it that you
Charlie unionism! , her, I am noaa fool-
hardy boy. that might take deli ht in stirring

a feud. or warring with an ungnwn woman.
ﬁring “’0 1'3? Pill" 0' m I Have striven to
be 3i»: to all; It you can w me that you
had "any claim upon melt w‘ould be jusit to
you '

' ' t\
t "I have told you I mm 4 k on, the
t h. Imaem to tell you  a. my “ can.
 is bitter the greater is your fault. ,
" Yenrsago you werea goler in Mexico,
a Wanderer in a strung; laud,_wounded by
Ap ches in adesperate ht inwmch your two
centipanions were killed you crowed down from
where you had bid in the mounting, um begged
your life at the handsdf my mother. .
“You were young then andpm", and!
“doubt not that you ,were handsome, In my
brother’s abSence‘she took you in. cared {or
on, dressed your wannds and. kept the little
{its vou still had in your body. . V
old story over again-rm; it al-
andplans will be. allocated
cu; you won her heart. Tools you martini
er. and a yea afterward I came jam "ﬁg
world, though y eyes never rested on you “an
tilafe'w do a 0” ’ -
“Atietx1l”y:zaidg ﬁnnterﬁrow‘ne. Interrupting
forlthe sake of interrupting.” I’m not so my;
, that they rest upon me now. ‘ I ,
 “ his no jesting matter, as you will ﬁnd out
” "slam done with you. You lefthcr, and:
{when the mangled conga: was brought tuck
‘tbat Was supposed to yours, the light of
 went from her eyes IOI'GVOI'.‘ Her heart
 broken, and though she lived bar reason
‘  i t'For; Veer! the,truth

“It was the
ways has been,

——

web-m.

 
friends that had deemed him dead. He—my
uncle—sought for revenge, but the villain
PSCH
justice shall fall is ready to strike.
is h ft you.

wrought.
sealed!”
If’the young lady was theatrical she was in
earnest, as Browne could very Well see.
He did not seem to be very much affected by
her story.
“ D0 I understand that the elder lady in the
case is still living?”
"She is.”
hV.TLe eyes of the girl were ﬁxed eagerly upon
1m

Fail in that and your doom is

“ And is a lunatic?”

“ Made 56 by your ﬁendish desertion—yes.”

“And youn suggestion is that I adopt her as
Mrs. Hunter Browne—of course taking you into
my fold as my daughter?" V .

“It is."

“Thank you, then, I think I would rather
not. In all this story, so far as I am concerned,
there is not a word of truth. I newer saw your
mother, never was married to her; strange as it
may seem, never was in Mexico. I haveliVed
an open life here for twenty years, and there is
not a living soul who would believe such a
yarn. I have no wife, no child, no relatives, no
nothing, except what I have in Bunco, and
that I intend to hold on to with tooth and
nail. It must have been some other Hunter
Browne.” ,

“I expected no other answer, yet I would not
see even you attacked without fair warning and
fair chance. Now, I say the priest lives who
wedded you; the records exist; your course
eVery day, from the time you passed over the
mountain range to the present hour, has been
tracked. All will be proved; and then—after
that comes night and death.” .

The‘deadlv earnestness of the girl would have
shaken .manyvmen; it had no effect on Hunter
Browne. ‘ .

“Very well; prove it all, and I will still ﬁght.
NOW. havmg said your say—and I admit that
you have spoken remarkably well for a young
woman brought up on the other side of the
border—I must bid‘you good-night.”

“Ah, I had not told you that. For years I
have liVed, in the East. In many ways I have
become an American. All that is onl another
added wrong. How-it happened, was too
young to understand. Only, my mother, with
a glimmering (sf reaSOh, an s that _Huu!er
Browne, not satisfied with t e ruin he had
wr-nght, sneaked ban to look on his victim,
anéelest some day It should rise in judgment
against him, stole the child away, and ythen
abandoned it to the hands of strangers‘who
Were more merciful than he. .I have been well
and no thanks to him: Go, now—you go to
your doom.” , '

“One question. Are you the woman who
came in on the stage last night—the young lady
known as Miss Vandelwri” , H 1

Browne halted at the door for an instant as
the shot after him viciously the answeri

‘fNo. A thousand times, no!” . .— .

“So much‘the worse~for you, then. Good-
night.” . _ '

 
., CHAPTER XXII. ,

ran BUNKER arm. censor. '

THE interview between Hunter Browne and
the irl,woman who claimed tobe his daughter
had an a__ trying one, though each were a
masbi the presance of th9,other. When
Brow retired withcomething vex- like 3
threatNita Goytisolo—for such was t e arise

the had home previous to herappearan at

Bunco—sunk‘ back on o‘ seat and coVerod her

face with her hands. The room was notlar

lucky spot for her since twice had the and
defeat in it. . . 1
Hunter Browne did not no way to i113 feel-
ings. but when he [cache .his own a meat
he was evidently in a thoughtful .m . He lit
a cigar, threw. him into a chair, and a hard,
stern look came ovor is faca. r
. For perhaps ten moments he remained thus,
thinking deeply, then he arose and ﬂung his
half-consumed cigar out of the window ‘withh
vicious jerk. as he remarked to himself, ma dis-
tinctly audible tone:  ~
. “And the meanest art of the business is that
lthe story is all true. ’11: getting too old to ﬁght
for fun: but the uncle is going to keep me busy
if I'mistake not, unlesd‘he’s goingin for heavy
blackmail, «The girlﬁs in earnest; and some-
how Iifeel as if there was going to be a general
round-up.” .
. 3° W88, rising, whether to go 63!: again or to
retire said not knew himself, and t on hi; on

the, 9 (if what he would do was ecked
by hearing a sudden rush of footste along tho
haikﬁhlb came to his door and  ceased.
Some onowithout was.‘listening‘. .. '

an audio donations

"Comlh.”.ssid"3mwne. and . . psi-i" on:

  
ped him. New the hour when the hand of f
One chance '
As well as you can, repair the:
harm you have done, the misery you have'

 
The mine owner recognized the clothes, and
above all the spectacles; and had an idea that
George Elderberry was about to inﬂict on hm
some tiisy conﬂdences.

” ’Sl-l” answered the new-comer, stepping
forward 0n tip toes.

“I aini: Elderberry; but don’t yer breathe a
word 0v it.”

It was Tenderfoot Tom, and in a high state of
suppressed excitement.

“ What confounded game is this?" asked
Brewne, sternly. "

“ For a ﬁrst day my new 5 perintendent is
doing well. It’s nocenough that he must do
his best to prove himself a drunken heat: but
he must masquerade as a bowling idiot.. What
do you want? Speak up.” '

“ Go slow a niinnit, au’ ye’ll hear suthin’ (it‘ll
make yer ha r stand on eend. ‘Tber erfesser
ain’t no more drunker than you be. e's fast
a solid‘lectle man frum ’Way Back.”

“I don‘t care what he is—or you are. This
. “Hold on, jest till I git my breath. This
hyer’s ther way it war. Ther gal took er notion
fer freeze on ter me, an’ bein’ (Z the kunnel
ain’t come, an’ I war hard up, I sed, letter
frszr. She wanted ter go ’round to ther fan—
dango tor-night, an’ I bed ter take her along.
There I struck Kale Carter,betwich him an’ me-
thar hein’ some sort er onpleasantress, an’I
skipped. Then the perfesser come in an’ said
ther gal mustn’t be left that alone, an’rz I’d
brung her thar mebbe he couldn’t git her away
ef she knowed it war him. so he tole me ter
shuck meself; an’ be crawled inter my clothes,
an’ I inter hissen, an’ he went back, an’ jest
raised ther biggest time outen jail.

,“Then I hesred tlier noise an’ther shoutin’,
an’ crawled out, keerful like, an’ now I‘ll tell yer
what I hated. Thar was two cv ’em a-talkin’,
an‘ one ov ’em said: ‘Mike madden are goin"
ter skip ther ranch. ther bovees are goin’ ter pile
in; an’ fo-morrer Hunter Browne kin jest open
his eyes au‘ hon-l. We’ve got a priur title, n i'h_
ther law on our side, an’ be kin dust or starve
whichever he wants ter.’ An’ Elderberry an"
Miss Millie are tooken, an’ thar’s tter Very dick-
ens ter ay, anyhOW.”

Tom '

a thing won’t do."

owers had not tried to shorten his story,

‘ or he might have saved a minute or two of val-

uable time. NOW, yvhen he expected an answer,
question, or recognition of some srrt, l.e got
none, verbally; and the next instant helcumi
himself I ing dnhis back, too confused-in i how
what ha happened. Huntr-r' Browne bad dash-
ed him out of 'his Way with a side sweep of his
handthat was a knock-down blow in eva-rytbing‘r
but the name. -

IV hen Buyers staggered to his feet Laheard a,_

noise without, and looking from the window

can ht a glimpse of a man on a muslapg. Hun——

ter rowne‘was already mounted and speeding
away for the Bunker Hill ﬁnd. If he had l no“ in.
the truegstate or affairs there. he might, per-
haps, have‘ been a. little slower in starting. and
reached the spot a little hr .ter able to cope wj.h
the new and untoward ore r ofvthin-ss. . ._

When the majority of the men employed at
thejBunker Hill had turned their faces toward
Bunco that evening there was nothougbtof any
dfnger menacing the proer of their sin;
p oyer. K _ - *

Browne himself was largel to blame. ‘

He was not aware of the
knew that he had been applied to by Plumb
Center Pete, or that there was any disguising»
tion in regard to the choice that he had made.
Had be known, he would have been “more can:

L, Wishing to g the stat! out which ﬁre
prolessor was me e belied ,givea uck Beans a.

pretty stron hint.

ﬂow that int wasadted uponﬁhe reader has I

already seen. . « . .
The result was a triumph for the autism
in spectacles and when he invited al hands to
meetzhim’ at 1B
more than was expected; nor was‘uie ref
Mike Madden and his rincipal chum likely to
cause any suspicion. adden’s reputation as a
,bruiser had suffered, and it was natural that ho
would feel a little sore over his defeat. .

Hardly had the gang, headed by Bank B ,
left- the shanties. in which, they usually‘s
the night, when Madden made his appearance-
with a bundle under‘his arm. , V ' '

“ Yer comin’, Ned?” be called, looking toward.
a neizhbo ing but. ‘ 

“ No, l' hyer,” was the answer. and a stout ‘
squatlooking individual calmed,  
twin bundle. ~’ i ‘ i '

“ It’s (not very like I'd be

sheerov ther leenle pocketéyou (3’ at
luck ter strike. Fur “half a seat 1767
under (her shanty an’ ﬁend, j 

kingdom e."
“ I ain’t uyin’l _ y , .
 that lehaﬂlsot'oo .minf-m

005

 
«um .M. '2 M.,_d-kv

'ct thatxths men. ~

once that evening ‘it was-nothin ’ ~

I   L .
axial Browne ter be takin’ a «divy  my. _

t 

doddn‘ I ’t‘  is;  

~. _=

We ﬁlm“ raga 'ﬁhi’méﬁ‘i‘ﬁ?‘ 
' " ' ‘   ‘3ng  

n8
, the
, ‘ _ lml' wum   . «hum ‘ “thumbnails, .hhn" w e ‘  
g  have  to dander s, . ﬂ  w p ‘ i. 

 
)9 " .

 
l

 
L,'

 
~.

    
I ‘ing mustang, and drawipg aside,

‘ ,‘ slender en

18

 
“C’rrect yer be. H er’s luck for ther gals
'we leave behind us. he no one’s goin’ ter
run away with things. f they does, guess
they can’t kerry ’em so fur thet Hunt Browne
can’t ﬁnd 'em.”

The men joined in a coarse laugh, and set of!
together, bending their course toward a narrow
mountain trail at no great distance.

Four hours perhaps, had passed before the
stillness was again broken. 

hen a. long line of men—a score or more
' ere were of them—came in sight, from the
direction of Bunco.

They approached carefully, for the cabins
were so arranged as to be an almost impreg-
noble little fortress, and half a dozen good men,
well armed, could have laughed at ve times
their number.

Just out of pistol-shot range the party halted,
and one man crawled up to the cabins and dis-

appeared. _

n ﬁve minutes he‘ had completed his explora-
tions. Then he gave a low whistle'which caused
'the immediate advance of the rest.

“ Come without a fear,” said this man to his
nearing allies. “ Senor Madden has been so

00d as his word. He has gone, taking his
griend with him; and the rest are all gone also.

'88 quiet, though, till we get settled. It is late
and the rufﬂans, they may be returning.”

The warning came in time to check the cheer
that was just beginning to go up as the men
crowded in.

“ We're in fur it now, Pereirer," said the
foremost man, “Thar’s hot times ahead, an’
you’ll hev a. chance ter show whether your
gripe are ez good ez Hunter Browne’s nerve.”

‘ It is your gripe and my nerve that are at
stake.” answered the senor.

“To. hold the mine for me I pay you. My
share of work yvill I do at Bimco, and in it, if
it fails will there be the most of the danger.
.Do not give up. Keep them out: An army
"cannot drive you here unless you basely ﬂee.
Before many days Bunco will all be on my side,
as the most of it is now.”

“ Don’t {or be afeard. That’s what we’re
hyer fur- onest miners we be from Glory
'Gulch, an’ above thar him up ter help ther
innercent, an’ we’ll hold on till ther cOws’ tails
‘drop off.” "

“i can trust you to do that; and if there is to
be a fight I’m not sure but that you will make it
welrome. Now, since I have seen you in 5-
-session, I must go back. There are other strings
10 hi], and it-is time that I was at them.” ,

[go gave afew hast directions. and than hur-
ried away; Evident y Pereira had had no in-
tention of doing anything more than directing
the attack.

He'hurried down the trail until near the ver
spot where Tom Bowers had ambushed himse f
:not so lon before. ~

Then he card the hard gallop g an approach

miter rowne

dashed by. v

Perelra’s hand m on a revolver, but the
swea n was not dra . '

“ tter not,”. he muttered. “ Somehowi

- the Satan’s luck always has been his, and

might misshim again. The friends abovea
ﬁnal account will, ve; and better for me will

be if they slay h in. That mad girl else may
force meiuto h . His wealth it is firstto
snake sure of. on her life."‘

Browne suspected little 'of his danger there:
bgvhe was not the one to fall into a trap
a e. .

His eyes were on the alert, and he suddenly
rained up as he caught at ht of half adozen
chalking forms beyond, w o..had notsought
cowr in time to elude his gaze. No friends of
his could the be, and he jerked up his pistol
and ﬁred a s ugle shot with unerring aim, then
Wheeled, Just as a regular volley rang out in
answer; ' ' ' ‘

There was some pretty close shooting done,
for Browne heard the bullets whistle over, un-
comfortably near as he dodged- down in his
:saddle'. Before there could boa repetition, he
was beyond range.‘ '1'

Then a mocking voice called out:

it Keep erwey, ‘Hnnt Browne. You’re
inf-ted u root an’ branch: an’ we’re in parses-
‘lion for t e rightful heirs.”

CHAPTER xxnl.
. ' sums ALL AROUND.

. Miss mea and her escart were whisked
awn sosuddeniy that they had hardly time to
con der who had taken them awa before they
were out of the extreme limits 0 Bunco, and
on their way into the intricacies of the moun-

tains. ' - ' ,
jAf-ter'that the chance of aid or rescue was

It insight have been less ’appallin for‘ Miss
,inllie, bad right and 11 been a ed her.

Y LAqu waa,.both gagged and blindfolded, all

she cwld know oreflnd out was that, mounted

‘ '_ s’infron't of a man of teemingl hercpiean

.' 'th, she "min conveyed. wi h reckless
mm and ever-rising road”

 . , , aha ,

‘ 1 I ﬁshes”? in Wimbledon as there
"  to y'ninohtattoallon usher
  enlistees

'  i. ’u'

 
ma..-uom_

 
A Sport in Spectacles.

between wear and worry, in almost an insen-
sible condition. ' .

Heroine or not the attack Was too much for
her. She did not even hear a. harsh voice up-
braiding her captor for not' having treated her
more tenderly. When released she simply
sunk down in a little heap upon the rude couch
uear which she had been placed, and knew
nothing more to; hours. >

Morning had dawned when she awoke from
the troubled yet lon sleep into which she had
fallen. She opened ier eyes and gazed around
with wondering uncertainty.

The place was strange an very cheerless.

It was not even a. cavern.

Overhead there was a ceiling of overhanging
rock, but it was simply a huge niche in a rocky
mountain’ wall. On three sides and above there
was rock, on. the fourth side the niche was
open, and she saw beyond a broad ledge, with a
narrow passageway at either end.

As she turned arOund she noted a man seated
at the further end of the niche. There was
something familiar in his appearance, and her
ﬂist thou ht of course was that it was Torn
Bowers. t required a. second glance to‘tell her
that she was mistaken, and that it was none
other than Professor Elderberry.

It was the spectacles that ﬁrst convinced her.
After seeing them she was able to recOver her
wandering wits, and then became more con-
fused than ever.

What was the meanin of his presence there;
and what had become-of underfoot Tomi

She stared up at the professor wildly enough;
while be regarded her with a benignant smile.

" What has happened?" she asked, making a
brave struggle With what she half hoped might
prove a nig tmare. '

“ I am sure, aw, I cannot tell,”. he replied,
with his customary deliberation. “ If I could,
aw, distinguish a possible motive I should say,
aw, that we were prisoners.”

“ Prisoners! Why, how, and to whom!”

“ The, aw conundrums of daily life are
always pecu iarly exasperating, aw. Their
solution requires patience and waiting. If aw,
they intended to remove us permanently it
would havo been done ,at once. Consequently,
aw, some one will appear to explain the mystery,
gw,”and meantime am, aw, very uncomforta-

lo

“I should think so. And hungry besides.
But how did you get here and what has become
of Bowers, the F at from Walnut Bar as they
will call him?” , r —

‘‘I was taken at the same timeas ourself,
aw, while escorting you home frOm t e ues-
tionable place of resort known as, aw, the all
of Hazard. Mr. Bowers with commendable
prudence, aw left earlier in the evening.”

“ What is the use in any such rigmarole; you
know there is no truth in it. If you tell me a
deliberate falsehood, and one that I know is
such, I have nothing left me but to believe that
you ,are in some way responsible for this out-
rage. "That—or that you ware too drunk to
know what really be ed. Which is the
most charitable suppooi’ ion!”

Miss Millie was in earnest. Her eyes glitter-
ed. She rose to her feet witball of her courage
and most of her strength recovered.

“Aw, neither are necessary. It is ibis
that there is some misunderstanding. ou in-
terru ted a little aaalr with that singular man
who I known as Plumb Center Pete. But for
him and you I would, aw, have returned to the
Hall of azard. which would have been, the
better course. Instead, I led you away, aw,
and we were suddenly set it n and cher-
ousl taken. We are, aw, u cute com

n onshi , and, aw, i do not think it advisable

t we a ould quarrel. If, aw, lappeared to
resemble Mr. Bowers, that aw, was one of the

essities of the case. if on would wait in
mimics, aw, events would btless give you
a further explanation, aw.”

The rofessor did not d091hdtrW0l'th while to
rise to is feet. ' Miss Millie looked down upon
him with 'scorning eyes, and then turned or
back upon him, and marched to the furthest
side of their prison pen. With such a man as he
appeared to be, it was disgraceful to handy
words. .

Elderberry, to be even, turned his back to-
ward her, and contemplated the rooky wall
above ‘his head. ' I ‘

Miss Yandeleur held the most unpleasant sue."
picions in regard to this man, for she had not
the remotest idea that on the‘ previous evenihg

she had been deceived. it is true that since

their brief acquaintance bad commenced he
had been ver much at her service. but she had
only aocep his attentions because she could
do nosbotter. w his presence began to’be hate-

fu . ’ ~ , r
Perhaps-hungerh‘ad something to dowith her

feelings. " , e » v .

' Before tn‘eakfast one is not alwaysat his or

her beet: and it the meal istoo long'delsyed, a

quarrel with even) a bosom-friend is the most

natural thing in the, world. I '

, After a few‘ moments“ of silence Mid Millie

» 13h- . stir-awtmwmmiﬂ

v

 
can gilt OH dons ' sling 1d,.” 
S "y 3 swi'ailiﬁrﬁm = ' on lungs-m

 
j:

formation; for all he seemed to care for her
she might have been a thousand miles away.
She saw him raise his ﬁnger, 5nd move it along
as though he was tracing the strata inhn ecstasy
of scientiﬁc discovery.

That he had forgotten her was an dded in-
sult. She had hated him as hard as s could,
it few moments before; but still he was a' man,
and might offer a reasonable suggestion asto
when breakfast might be ready.

‘fWhat are you doing there?” she said,
shargly.

“ eologizing, aw i” responded Elderberry.

“ You are. Don’t you think it would be bet-
ter if you were turning your attention toward
devising some means for us to get out of this?
Where are we?"

“ 1 am sure, aw, I don’t know.”

“ Have you looked about to see?”

“Naw.’

“ And you cannot tell what there is to hinder
us from marching out through yondero ning
and ﬁnding our way home without urther
molestation?”

“ New, I havo not‘looked. It is no use. If
aw, we were put here it was, aw. to stay. i
shall wait, aw, upon developments.”

“ You may if you choose, but I am going.to
see. I shall pro ably ﬁnd either a way of es-
cape or a chance for my breakfast, and
one or the other would be very acceptable just
now.

There was some shrewdness in the suggestion,
but it did not present an attractions fur the
professor. He retained his seat and manifested
no desire to continue the conversation. He was
simply and thoroughly resigned.

Miss Millie arose and looked around her more
sharply; with no evidence of guards or barri-
cades, it angered her to think that the idea of
ﬂight had not sooner suggested itself to her
mind. She might at least have obtained some
sort of an idea concerning the spdt where she
found herself.

But Miss Millie had lost time that was more
or less precious, for as she moved out from un-
der the overhanging rock she heard the noise of
careless steps approaching, and immediately
afterward a Voice which had something straugw
ly familiar in its tone. '

“ All right in thar, is it, boy'eesl” '

“ All right, capt’n. The two hez woke up an’
bin a-chinnin’. Dunno what they said, but
we bin a-lookin’ fur ’em ter come out a-
whoo in’.” 

“Let’em whoop. I’ll go down an’ stir up
ther anamiles.” '

The s¥akers were evident: on a higher
rude. hat explained the re stance to going
own. There was a noise that might be ca
by one end of a coil of rope being ﬂung some
little distance and shortly afterward some one
dropped lightly to the stone ﬂoor of the ledge

be on . 4

Miss Millie folded her arms. Her captor
whoever be m ‘ht be, was coming at last, and
she made ready 0 meet him. ‘

-Without hesitation the man advanced, turned
the corner of the we'll of rock, and stood on the
leafs, facing Mia Millie with a good-humored
en: lo on his faces ' ’

Of all the so see she might have imagined,
. this was the lea ' v ‘
The man before her was Plumb Occur

Pete. .
“You!” exclaimed Miss vandal'our, in‘amaze- '

merit.
" Yes, me myself individuroll -Cie n
Trouble. the man with the tin ear.”y 
Blocks laughed cheerfully. Evidently he
enjoyed r amazement, and had no desire to
conceal his identity. - '
“JYer see, my dear, we’ve started ther round-

up, an’ it looks (a though our herd war goiii tor ,
pan out well. Iwa’e’t uite*ready‘fur’you,.l’il '

admit; but as Johnny S art was needed had,
an’ you two war thick is thieves, we lied tor
pull yer both in." ‘

“I don’t un erstand,” began Millie. “ Who

this outrage!”
"Johnny Short, my dear, are brief fur Ten-
derfoot Tommy, ther boss mountain detective,

ter take Captain Trtuhle an’ make a thousand
dollars. That’s who he is, ‘an’ he’s got ther

demned shame he won never liev no chance
tenuse ’em. Eh! what nor biases are this?“ ’\
Plumb Center Pete ceased ‘
stared in wonder at the professor. who ha
turned so astoface thetwo. ‘ V " '

The surprise-was evidently genuine, and after '

catching that lack Miss Vandeleursfelt, that she
‘collusion. '
Blockey carried at his

 
instantly to them: When he had satisﬁed

sor E'l erberry,"ha advanced with a manual

mow . ,5. u , .. ‘ . g V, vi 3
> .u Hyﬁg’g‘w' I ;'V‘What’l' the ‘ meenln’ ‘O‘V
~anally“: "9"?" E..Wh"j‘"  

.g as.” replied 

...~V ‘,  . l >‘ ‘ ' 
‘v _. .. _.,‘.  ‘

 
is Johnny Sho , and what lathe meaning pf 

and the man that came down to Walnut Bar -
poinls down‘ﬁne on yours truly. lt'sacom _

SpOﬂkin‘s anal ‘ T

could no longer believe that these met Were in“ '   .

«an the usual paltry“ , f ,V ,j
hernalia of weapons, and his hands  '  3'
m- ' ‘1‘“

self he and a doubt‘that this than was Protest 

 
e. ":53
r '33“

 
 nil-1c!

 
19

 
A Sport in Spectacles.

 
gravating coolness, “in the language of the
poet, aw, is in his skin. He begged me to take

is place, and, aw, as I am tender-hearted Icon-
seated. You, aw, could have no feelinga ainst
me, and as it is natural, aw, that you s ould
desire to remove Mr. Bowers, as I have so far
known him, the substitution was, aw, tosay the
least, judicious. He tells me, aw, that the basis
of your hatred lies in the fact that he got the
better of you in a ﬁght with knives, had in the
presence of this young lady, aw.”

Blockey was a little puzzled by the calm,
~even sp ech of the professor. He even look
sharply around to see if Tom Bowers might not
be lurking somewhere near. It was not easy to
understand how the substitution could have
been effected.

“ I’m kinder sorry,” said Plumb Center Pete,
at length. “ You might ez well have kept onten
this racket. I intended ter kill Johnny any-
how; but on you know too gaul-durned much
I’ll hev ter kill vou too." V

As he spoke Pete cocked and drew his most
convenient revolver.

CHAPTER. XXIV.
A DREABY OUTLOOK.
As there had been a changein her opinion,

 
even though she did not know what to make of

her companion in distress, Miss Vandeleur could
not see unmoved the preparation for his slaugh-
ter. \Vithout a thought of her own danger she
sprung lightly in front of the professor, holding
up both hands, and shielding him as well as she
could.

“Hold!” she exclaimed. “What harm has
he done to you? Would you murder him in
cold blood?”

“That latter are about ther size ov it. It’s
not ter be expected ez you kin git ther rights
ov it; but it’s a clear thing he’s got Lei-(1133p-
pear. Things hez run too contrairy fur any
use, an’ we’ve got ter make ther best ov ’em.”

“But why—what? Oh, I cannot believe that

such a wretch as you would make yourself out

to be can live.”

“Thankee, miss, but ther hard facts ov life
bringout wretches by the bushel; an’ I guess
I‘m ’bout‘ther averidge. I’m sorry fur you;
but mebbe we kin arrange your affairs. We’ve
’b'eu fooled most oudacious by ther perfessur;
:au‘ ez he lgin give ther hull thing erway we’Ve
got rver take him‘in.” .

“ Why have you been deCeived b him? Had

on let him alone it is certain that 9 would not
have troubled you.”

“That’s it; thet’s jest it. He wouldn’t ’a’

' troubled us—he war on a different lay alto-

gether; but thet infernal tenderfoot hez jest
fooled him right inter this; an’ hyer we be. I’d
give a hundred dollars ter know whether he
seen you go; an’_how much he knows about me,

.an’ rlnly sheer in it.
U 0

than

wsomedever thet’s neither hyer ner
I’ll allow 1 orten’t ter git r'iled, er shed
ore in ther presence ov a lady. I wen’t kill
im jest now, an’ I’ll talk it overwith ther boys.
Mebbe we’ll see our way cl’ar ter use him.
Thar’s another party‘after him, an’ the jest
missed puttin’ his light out las’ night y er
ha’r‘s‘ breadth. Prehaps we could make er trade.
Take it only. We’ll send yer down some grub.
an’ you kin be thinkin’ over ther vanities 0v life
fur ther balance ov yer days. I s’pme there
ain’t no use 0’ my axin’ on who sold us out.”

Blockey turned shn y to the professor, who
bvlfhls “1110, bid odge?away from behind Miss

I re. .

.He shook his head gravely to the question.

“I know nothing about it, aw, except that

*younare a villainous reptile. Do your worst,
.IW.
“You’ll sing a diﬂerent tune before we get
'throu h with yer.” res nded Pete. “It’s a
cold ay when Captain rouble gets left on a
job; we’ll make our money outen yer mutton
,yit Solou$-”. .

And then, With something of the air of a lion-
tamer as bode-Parts from bl? den of beasts,
Blocks stepped backward. until he was hidden
'bevou the wall of rock.

Then he went qmckly “long the little ledge,
and catching at a rope. which hung down from
above, made his way upward With wonderful
a hit .

gTheyascent was scarcaly above a dozen feet,
When he had crawled over the edge of the rock
and regained his feet he stood in t 0 presence of
three men, who were armed after the same
style as himself, and had a rough: desperate

look.

“ Well, Cap,” said
the reco nized spo esmen. _
.out ov ’egn? How’s ther job om’ ter pan out!”

“ Pan thunder!” snarled ockey. You re a
:sweet-SCented pack 0’ pap-fed calves. Dasl’i’ your
black hearts. you’ve got ther wrong man.

“Then it’s ncause yer painted ther wrong
man out.” answered the ﬁrst speaker in a sullen
tone, that showed he was by no means pleased
with his treatment.

“ Mebbe it’s ther wrong gal,  Elam, Chuck
"em both over the ledge, an’ we ll go back fur a

ne‘v‘vl‘lieahTh l i rl t ough' doh’t er
. en i
o e sir 5 8h ther word, an ass

dar’ tor harm her till yer git

one who appeared to be
"What yer make

'world that would put

 
yer see sutbin’ ha pen thet she’s bound ter git
away. Then it’s lie or death, an’ she may hov
ter go. She’s come ter an appetite an’ I guess
mebbe it’s ez well of yer gives ’em both a squar’
feed. Blamed of I knew what ter do.”

Plumb Center Pete was discussing an impor-
tant roblem in his mind.

“ ho is this bloke, then?”

i Blockey answered the question without look-
ng u . f —

“I FiJ'eckon he’s about what he lets on ter be—
ef he ain’t he’s in ther pay 0v ther other part

ez hez rung in ther Bunker Hill. Ef so I don t
jest keer ter take him off. It makes a mix.
Hold him hyer au’ I’ll go back an’ see how
things look at Bunco. Ef Johnny Short hes
reely dropped ter me you kin look furariot;
but I’ve got ter stand ther chances, an’so hez
he, though I'vaear I hate ter send him over ther
range till we know who give us away. There’ll
be no livin’ in this gang till We ﬁnd out of thar’s
a traitor. Ef ther are I don‘t guess thar’s any
doubt what’s tar he did with him.”

“ He swings,” responded the other.

“Then git yer rope ready, Dandy Dave, fur
I’ll show yer ther victim afore another twenty-
four hours is over. Keep an eye on them two,
an’ see they don’t give yer ther slip. I’ll be
back by night an’ tell yer ther news. It’s goin’
ter come thick an‘ heavy now.”

Pete Blockey left his minions to their own
devices without further instructions and went
his way. When fairly out of sight Dandy Dave
proceeded to prepare the breakfast according to
orders he had received. It was plain and sub
stantial, being bread and meat, with a jug of
coffee. Placed in a blanket it was lowered by
means of the rope with which Blockey had de-
scended, and then Dandy Dave hailed the pris-
oners who, so long as they were in the niche,
remained invisible.

“ Hello, down thar. Hyer’s yer grub. Ef
yer wants it one 0v yer come au’ take it afore
it’s drawed up ag’in.”

The call was welcome enough to Miss Millie,
who looked at the professor.

“ You h‘ear that—don’t make them ask twice.
I am starving. Go for it.”

“Thanks; but. aw, it strikes me there must
be some deep laid scheme and I would rather
not. They may want to shoot me, aw. Go
yourself and I will watch how the land lays.”

Too disgusted to answer Miss Vandeleur
stepped straight out from the shelter of the
rocks, and advanced boldly to the wall, at the
foot of which lay the bundle of provisions.
When she had possessed herself of these she
looked upward and saw Dandy Dave leaning
over.

The outlaw had not an unhandsome face, and
something of his appearance can be judged
from his sobriquet. The men at his back
could not see his features, and so did not note
the smile that was on them, or the undeniable
wink that he gave when Millie’s eyes met his.

That young lady saw. it, and was uncertain
whether to be. offended or hopeful. It had its
meaning, no doubt, and she was inclined to take
the best out of it. She nodded lightly.

“How long do you think you are going to
keep me in this miserable hole?”

“ Don’t talk to ther guard,” answered Dave,
ina oodv natured rebuke. “It’s ag’in' orders,
an’ ’I make yer trouble.” '

“Oh, I'm not anxious to talk, unless it is
business. I only want to remark that if you
desire to get any ransom out of me it is just as
well to begin at once. There is no One in the
, ma cent for me, and
I’m not gonng to grow h while you keep me
cooped up here. have just one thousand dol-
lars, but it is at Bunco. If one of you will ac-
company me back I will hand him that amount,
swear to say nothing of this, and he can go on
his way rejOicin .”

“Thankee, miss, but money can’t buy us.
G0, eat yer grub an’ when ther capt’n comes
back you ll hear somethin’ furder."

And yet while he spoke Dandy Dave repeated
3 sign that somehow gavo her conﬁdence.
“‘You are an elegant man for a tea-party,”
was her exclamation, as she rejoined the pro-
fessor.

“I had half a notion to make you go out
there for your breakfast, or let you stay here
and starve, What are you good for, anyhow?”

Professor Elderberry heaVed a sigh at her
shar address. : i

“ Xt present, aw, to eat. Some day, perhaps
uW, you will find out how you have mistaken
my 0 aracter. I kn0w, aw, many things, but
not 0 actly how to handle these people. It is
better. aw, to keep out of den or as much as
possible, aw, until I do. And wouldn’t talk
mu“). aw. I think they'are listening.”

_ With such a man, on such a plathI‘m. it was
“We use to reason. and not much satisfaction to
talk. They only seemed to have one point in
common—the rations.

They discussed them in silence, and in ﬁfteen
minutes were much refreshed.

 
CHAPTER XXV.
“CAGED.
ALTHOUGH the place seemed so secure that the
outlaws had not even attempted to impress

n

 
upon the minds of their ca tives the futility of
any attempt at escape, iss Millie was not to
be satisﬁed without investigation. Having
courage for two she went boldly out to the edge
of the ledge and took a cool survey of her sur-
roundings.

To the right the way was blocked by an over-
hanging wall. To the left was the alcove she
had entered to receive the provisions. In front
was a sheer precipice of perhaps ﬁfty feet, at
the foot of which was a small plateau, which
looked green and inviting. it was reached by a
narrow passage, bounded on the one side by a.
further precipice, on the other by a bank.

No one was in sight, though she could hear the
near murmur of voices. Satisﬁed that there
was nothing more to see, she returned to the
professor, and described the position.

He looked from one side to the other of the
niche, rubbing his hand through his hair, and
readjusted his spectacles.

“ if we were able to drop down there with-
out bei g seen, aw, do you think our condition,
aw. would be in the least improved?”

He spoke in a. husky whisper, and the unex-
pected interest shown was sufﬁcient to give the
girl a thrill of hope.

“We would be no worse off, and might be
better. At any rate it is worth the trying.
Yet how can we get there? The precipice‘be-
low is like the one that hangs over our heads.”

“ Wait and see. It is toe soon, aw, to run the
risks. By and by they will be less vigilant, and
then, aw—a graduate of Harvard can do some
things as well as others.”

The professor had a proﬁtable Opinion of him-
self, after all: but as he stood there, with the
tips of the ﬁngers of his right hand pressed
against those of the 1eft,‘and his head thrown
back, Miss Vandeleur was not nirtid that he
would set many rivers on ﬁre. If she had not
found talking to him such slow work she might
have worked herself into a state of enthusiasm,
but as it was she gave a bitter smile as be ex-
pressed an opinion in favor of waiting, and
threw herself down once more on the couch that
had served for her resting-place the latter part
of the night before.

Her thoughts were more bitter than her
smile had been if the varying expressions of
her face went for anything; but in time the
very excess of feeling were her out, her eyes
closed, and she dropped into a troubled sleep.

It may seem strange that slumber should
overtake her -under such circumstances; but
though she was a girl capable of more than
ordinar physical endurance, her rest for some
nights ad been so broken that s‘ie felt the
need of rest and had the force of will not to re-
sist its wooings.

She slept for some time, as she knew by the
position of the sun when awakened.

Professor Elder-her was standing over her
with his ﬁnger raised a warning.

Looking upon him in a startled way, for it
had been his touch that had aroused her she
saw him point toward the ledge over whose edge
she had red so hopelessly.

“ Quic . Follow me. have heard their
steps moving away. We have a minute to get
out or the range of their eight. Have courage,
keep your hen , and we v. baffle them yet.

In his earnestness he had lost his draw]; he
spoke ﬁrmly and with conﬁdence.

Taking her cue from his whisper she nodded
and rose, with a gesture that meant he should
lead the way. V

He did so. Without wasting time in telling
her to precede him the professor swung him-
self directly over the ledge bya rope which was
fastened to a huge bowlder. The sight of it
was a surprise, but she lost no time.

“Come,” said his whisperin voice, and lean-

ing over she saw that he ha loosened his hold
upon the cord, and was standing upon a narrow
shelf, barely visible from above.
' Some women would have sickened at the risk;
but Miss Vandeleur grasped the rope without
hesitation and lowered herself hand under hand
until her feet rested upon the shelf.

“ Pity, aw, that We cannot get the string.
Those whelps may see it, and though it is only
a few feet long it might help us. But, aw, I
think we can make the drop, aw, at the bot-
tom. This shelf makes a regular path almost
all the way down. The trouble, aw, was to
reach it.” '

The professor told the simple truth.

It required care and labor, but clinging al-
most to the face of the rock the two won their
way safely down until they came to what was
the jumping-off phce. .

There the professor lowered himself by his
hands as far as was possible and then let go.

With nothing more serious than a hard shock
he struck the ground, and gathering himself to-
gether almost instantly be looked upward to-
ward his companion, bracing himself as he
whispered: .

“I will catch you, aw; I assure you it is per-
feCtly safe!” ‘

There was a thing else to do no she dropped
into his outdre bed arms. - ,

Stock in the muscular prowess of the pro-
fessor rose fully a hundred per cent. Be on ht
Miss Vandeleur, breaking the force of her

    
\

2O ' A Sport in SpectacleS.

so neatly that she struck the ground as lightly ’ “ ’Melican glil bettee no mo’ah chin-chin. We vent excited no attention, and he had an o por-
asthough she had only sprung from a horse. Wailo loundee now; follee him come out first tunity to learn what was the state of a airs,
“ Thanks. You seem to have the strength of E chop, c’hoy. Lettee Goggley Gawge do owney without asking any questions that might bring
a dolen ordinary men. I know of no one who talk-talk. No good stay heah.” him into prominence. . I
could have done that so well.” The Chinaman was more than usuallyin ear- It looked very much as though there was go« |
“Gymnasium, aw. I took everything I could [ nest, and his advice..was worth taking. In his ing to be civil war. Buck Beans and several ofl
obtain at college. And you are superbly gifted. round-about pidgin-Engiish way he explained his men were in a. heap of trouble, and no misc
But. aw, there is no time to talk.” that he had discovered the abduction of the pair take, for Charley Cole had been killed, and hi’I
Again the professor led the way, aiming for I and had followed as well as he could,arriving on death lay, or was supposed to lavat the door 03.
the natural gateway to the little glade. l the carpet just in time. He was sure he could the party from the Bunker Hill inc. 3
The supposition was that those on guard I lead thmway back to Bunc which was a num- Cole was apopular man, and at his fall than:
above had no notice of their departure. For her of miles below them: am he was confident rose a yell for vengeance that was caught up by
this reason they went on with some conﬁdence that if they could reach it before dark there Plumb Center Pet-~, who came rushing in from
-—and all the worse it was for them. would belittle danger of falling in with the out- the scene of his difﬁculty with the supposed
Rising, as if byaspring. and from the ground, laws, unless there were others on guard besides Tendert‘oot Tom. Through the drifting, thicken-I
two men appeared before them. the two at whom he gave his thumb a signifi— ing suioke he ﬁred twice. and each bullet found
They came with the drop, too. In each hand cant jerk. a mark. Then half a dozen men s rung to his
each man held a cocked revolver, and one, with The conversation did not last as long as it side, and he led them on in a straight-forward
a mocking laugh, exclaimed: ' takes to write its outlines. Without hesitation charge. '
“ Hands up, sonny! ha! hal We ain’t takin’ they left the s of, We lVailo acting as guide. ” Go fur Beansl “’har id be? Cuss thcr rasv
chances. if yer crook yer ﬁn er, jest, we’ll Seeing that illie gavea troubled look at the C’ll, he’s slipped outl Ab, (liar They gol Pump:
take yer all apart. It's shoot u’st, au’ argy bodies, the profesor waved, his hand with a therlead inter ’em. posiea, yer can’t go wrong.

 
afterward.” . motion that meant disgust. They’ve downed Charley Cole an' robbed ther'
“Crook be hanged,” growled the other in 8. “Give them no second thought, Miss Vande— bank!”
deadly tone. . 'leur. Their comrades, aw, will no doubt find Blockey’s cry was taken 'up by his followers,

  
“Stand aside, miss, a:.’ watch, ef yer want them and provide for their disposal, aw. I would but there was little time given them for action.
ter see him jump. We've hed foolishnessenough sooner they should ﬁnd them than us.” Buck Beans was something of a general, and he
, -he's dumb eza boiled clam—an’ I’m goin’ ter That was so plainly true that'the girlhesi- saw that he was in a. tight place. A regular
.. shoot," ‘ ' tated no longer. set was being made against him and his men,

Professor Elderberry looked straight into the Neither of the defunct road-agents answered and if he remained there the result Would be, a.

muzzle of the poised wea on, and he could see, to the appearance of Dandy Dave; and that fact general massacre. His gang was under fair'

. by the ominous koittingo th man’s brow, that , was rather a satisfaction to Miss Millie, since discipline, but it was no part of his policy to-

the shot was about to come, y t he neverwinced she beliewd he was inclined to befriend her if kill at large for the sake of killing. and mixed

or started. He simply halted. as if to listen in he had the chance, and might not be so keen to up as they were with the regular hobitues of

what sort of communication these suddenly intercept the fugitives. Unless 9 had been the place, they Could not pick their actual fees
ap arin men might have to make. called away on duty it seemed hardly possible from those who were at the least indifferent.

' ﬁeiss illie was not so cool. that he missed hearing the shots that had been At a signal, his men gathered around him,

' She gave a sharp cry, and then stood, with l fired, and if he was really desirous of prevent— just as Plumb Center Pete’s had dbne: but.
dilated eyes and clinched hands, waiting for the ‘ ing her escapeﬂie would have put in an appear- when Blockey charged, Beans was in full re-
deadly shot to come.’ Sometimes there is some- ' once before this. treat. .
thing in a. tone of voice that tells beyond it : But moments passed, they won their way Out from the. Hallof Hazard they biirst in a
. doubt that is owner means business, andshe rapidly downward and still no one barred their compact little mass, Clear ahead of the rush,
. - recognized it here. l progress. and went up the street in a swarm. lf nmhing
For herSi’lf she was not afraid; but at that 1 Darkness began to close in, but at no great had interfered, they “'l uld have found their
moment she realized that there Was no hope for I distanco gliinmercd the first lights for‘the eyen- way to the Bunker HillV'n a Very bricfatime.
. her companion. ' I ing. Bunco was hardly n riﬂe~sbot away. But an interruption lbcy were fated to meet,
I ~ There would not have been the shadow of a I It seemed strange that they had met no one. for not a hundred yards awa they Were con~I
hope for him if he had ﬂinched a ariicle. The l The two or three cabins that they passed were fronted by a ringing call to lialt, and iiith is.
least movement on his part woul have caused l deserted. Several times they had halted to came ashower of' pistol-bullets horn on unexe
the ﬁnger on the trigger to tighten; and after rest. and then scarcely looked behind them, so profs-d foe that throw irself rirht in their path..
that came certain death. ’ , fearless now were they of any pursuit. an at Buck Bean’s shoulder wrut dewn,
“Really, aw,” he drawled, “it strikes me i They maden last bait, and gazed Bunco-ward. wl etwo or three fell back wounded. This

     
1: I that. as I showed you a point not dawn in your I Miss Vandeleur, who had scarcely been able to new enemy hit hard and shot verv straight. If
' books, Common, gratit‘ide would assure, aw, a. ' dragons foot after another, brightened. it had been daylight. Hunter Browne would
 mere cordial reception.” I “ We are nearing safety, and I feel as though have made a lit'le fortune the ith pay-day.
 ’ “We’re not dealin’ in gratytood,” chuckled l Icoulil draw a long breath. One or the other, Meantime, Plumb,Ccntcr Pete and his crowd

 
the OutlaW, “but at yer growlin’ over this, ; or both of you, deserve my thanks for either were coming up from .the'rear, ﬁring as they

"hat .yer goin’Iter sa when'we makes it hot  l courage or skill. Perhaps by daylight I will we came.  a ' - ' ,I

Sorry fur ye, pardy, at we hed orders for kill 1 more clearly. You have stood my friends Buck Beans saw the danger, and w ' hout hes-I"

yer ef yer fried-tar (mape, an’ dash yer eyes, i when I needed friends most, and Labs]! not for- itation, took his own way to meet i‘. Catchin - ,
e’ve actooally did it. Say er prayers, if yer get on. since to-mormw I must he in Bunco.” up the fallen man, with an encouraging yell ' ,

Know any, an then sail up t er ﬂame.” Miss Vandeleur‘lcoked from one to the other he turned squarely to one side, and ﬂung him-
“Pmyers, aw, belonged to the elective course as if trying to decide which was Worthy of her self at the door of the nearest house.

at our institution; I shall not saythem to you. warmest thanks; and with her words lingering In the party burst, and in an instant were at

If you want to shoot, shoot me in the back, aw. on her lips there rose at her backa harsli,.mock- bay, just as, a dull explosion. and after that a

   
, You ain't ﬁt to have a man face you. Good-by, ing snort of laughter. . I rapidly growing ﬂame. told that scmething had
' Miss Vandeleur. Ixcan' take my departure as - “ Ha ha! Hands up thar, an’ fingers empty— gone wrong at Hazard Hall” - V
i 1 well as the best of them.” , you! lhev yer foul. You could take in them Although his party was so largelyoutnum-- \
The professor (lrewhimself, up with all the oorsh‘otes: all. DandyDnye’s around now, an’ bered, Buck Beans now had the advantage“ .
’ di it in the world, quietly'dropped his arms. e's a-talkin’. You h’ar him?" position, and w hen one reckless charge had frito ‘
be in his back, crossing them a ’der his coat— They did hear him. / Miss. Vandcleur’s nerVes tered away before his steady fire, the eople of
' tails, and turned uponbis heel. ‘ ' must have been all broken up, since, at the Bunco sat down just outside of easy. p «to shot
 ‘. “ His manner mums the study, and he sound'of that voice she sunk silently to the distance, and Beans found out that be was sur- 3‘

  
\ ﬁnger lingered a moment on thotri wh is ground. . rounded and in for asiege. If Hunter Browne-

II the outlaws glared at the rum ams t was so Stranwr yet was its effect on the others. ' expected any of his friends to aid, him at the
coolly deﬁant. ' , , ' I Wd ailo uttered a shriek and sprung Bunker Hill shaft he was certainly doomed to '

.I Then there was a she , sharp, double report away—Professor Elderberry moving a. second disappointment, for- none of them Were willing

'- two cracks almost bl ~ng into one, follows or so later, but keeping up the same headlong to march outta face cert death. ‘

, .h the sonnd of a wwiiqwn voice cutting, the gait. They did not stop to listen or .to ﬁght; Neither side weakened. There was an 000*

I ‘a . n air: I . ' but without ceremonywent at once, their speed sional exchange of shots, but no great damage

“We'Wailo alleeloundenneyuse’l. fu’stchop accelerated by a couple of pistol bullets that done. Bunco yelled to those in the ease to

 
. , . ebley time. Shoot ellee names ’Melican man, went singing past too close to be comfortable, come out and be hung; while those in t 0 house , ,
we upge. Bf—yahl” . I . I though a the darkness, it would take tine slip wed that the-yhad nointeniion of doing anyo’ " g I»
I / 1nd. a Wailo showsd himself on the crown shooting to hit a mark the bigness, even, of a thing of the kind. ' ' I '
I , - iof therbank along the entrance to the Blade. a .man. 30, hm" after bomﬂ “‘9 3“ lutedI NON“ I '
revohef in either, hand, while stiffening in “ Sorry for ye. little woman,” ,\ said Dandy many men were on guard an?3 there wasp fre— ’ : .\'

  
sudden death lay the two outlaws, a bullet in Dave. as he raised Miss Vandeleur from the quent change, but the discharge of a pistol
the brain of each. » I , ground. “Them tellers ain’t wu’th shuclis on a would have been suﬂicient to‘ bring. the town
'~Mise Yapdelear was startled by the sudden re— pinch, an’ you’ll hev ter consider yerself d. pris- there. . ‘

. rt. and shocked by the fall of the men; but oner ag’in’.”'

     
/ \
I > That was the situation when [Professor Eldcr— ‘
‘ " ‘ and all her faceshowed sur rise. I ' ' l berry nervously stc d into the Jefferson 5
. , r ‘ Whmtbe m ning of th 5?” she said, go- CHAPTER XXVI. House, after ma ing a, ew inquiries and obtain- "
I\ , V 5 over in Eiderbe ry, turning him around and PLWB cssraa ma paces. log; a hast sketch of affairs as he Mme along.
135nm him sqwire in the face. \ BUNCO was a very nice place when every- , belan lord received him,and evidently with
. t‘Wbo ﬁred those shots?” , x , - thing was going on well, and fate was stroking some surprise. , ’ ‘ ‘I
“ What shots, aw}? drawled the professor. I. its fur the right way. ‘ ' “ Hello! I’ll sw’ar ef it ain’t that perfessor, in

 
, “Nonsense. Do not think to hoodwink me; But Bunco. underacloud,.with half a dozen specks’, turned up a ’in. There’s his weepin’!
longer. There is something strange about all prominent citizens ready, or almost ready,‘to go ' ’bout you, Mr. Elder rry. Some sail a". how
this. [is/int to know who illedjhoso men.” I under the sod, Was an antigely different scrt of you’d bin tooken in at thpr row at Heaard Hall;

 
. “Are they dead?” ~ . team. -If he had not already taken it pretty an’ some sed you an! Hunt Browne hed charter- ' ‘1
.‘H’e eta ed curiously at the. motionless bodies, well in”, Professor Elderberry would have, eda.charyut an’ gone ter glory tergetlie ‘; but I ‘
4, 'ng ram under his spectaclesybut notoﬂer- thought twice before he recognized it as the sod yer would kim beck safe. Areal ge tnever.
_ n‘ to advance. , ‘ . i sure enough article after- l;is return ﬂow the skipshis board bill, an’ 1 knpwed yer Wouldn’t I
 bile/she looked We Wailo came skipping puainn . but involuntary journey into the leave tell yer h‘ed settled all counts. Ala’tthet:
" ' into View, ﬂourisbin his revolvers. mounts as. I solid?“ ‘ ' ’   '

   
 “Ali,” saidel r” ry, “there is the man Enougil: had happened to stir up all the bile Jefferson spoke heartily, and thumped Eldon

   
, “ .1 ' 7 Ipro bl'y: Ask . , , . ~ in t ein ab tants’. . , . , berry on the back with a familiar greeting that . i ,, ,
I  , , I “ col me salons". Thigh! not theﬂrst time. , 0 first t. ing that the rofessor really noted might have endeared him to a mule, but made ..  ., I
He takes the credit and some-one else does the was a heap of smoking to as where once stood the professor “duct-L " i

     
wqu. Are Main-id to father ltf” , the building known asethe Hall of Retard. Then the latter lookedﬁround cautiously and. . . ' '
_ “What do on mean, aw? Iturned myback Ilia tor the night before had culminated saidlna low voice - ‘ I , , ’ 3 .  2'
/ I * on the moon , is and. aw, left them to do their in a con agration. I i . . N i, aw, got‘ﬁﬁg; (mm that den'of “my” a... 
I , mam Mild not know m, that 1 had the Man informal sort of coroner‘s jury was rapldl Muss i knew how, and would aw, “ '
 whammy command, aw, ti! mks-ea elee~ viewin the remains at three or four men, all the ‘ safe herewith you aw,i I beds.“
, , ,- I-Iltt  not that Maps of who ad “died withtheir boots on.” and met With ' ‘ uﬂ’lemry '  a.
 was.  tardy . ., I humbled ‘   ’ 

8w" manta-om Mumm- mama Valium.» roe,  .1; 

    
Ix,  ‘

 
- I...

 
vi

     
3 . _ no man, if I did not do it.

V Oh. nothing personal in

I yer.‘ i reckonthoy’lltellyer ter leﬂoiniher

palate

T’ 'rweqnon"
m it,»

 ,g~ka.,~.~._~-¢.» «4...... » > ‘- 4..-...

 
l I ,

i")

A Sport in Spectacles.

 
when, aw, I ask your advice.
'me. has anything happened to Mr. Browne?”

“Happened? I dunno; stranger, how you’d
call it, but it's ther general b’lief he’s passed in.
D’yer mean ter say yer didn‘t know ner hear
'nothin”hout it.”

The professor adjusted his glasses nervously,
and ans'Nered that heﬁhad heard nothing in re-
gard to his employer for the l st twenty hours
or so, and asked for further particulars. .

“ It’s a. long story when yer spread it out
thick, un’ I ll only chip oﬂ.’ ther corners a leetle.
Brewn come in hyar with ther rush nigh ti‘veniy
year ago. He~picked up an ole sidepard as
were booked fur kingdom come, an’ Side pard
made er will, leavin’ his youngsters everythin’
he had an’ makin’ Browne the‘r guardeen.

“Browne, he took it all in, deescaveries an’
all. Bunco seen some rough times arter that
till this last boom come on, an Hunt drifted
away several times. but allers come back. Noﬁr,‘
ther kids h: 2 both disappeared an’ Hunt Browne
gobbled every thing in, meaniu’ ter make a stake
wu’th talkin’ about.” ’ '

“Excuse me, ah, but I don’t see who has a
better right to it.”

“ But that’s tber p’int. I dunno whether
Pereira’gb’in layin’ fur blm all along, or of he’s
on’y rest teched bottom; but he’s found out «2
Browne war wiped out las’ night at the Hazard
.Hall row, an’.that Browne war a runaway
husband ov his sister.

“ When Browne turned up missin’ he wont
fur ther widder’s rights on sight: he jumped
th r Bunker Hill un’s holdin' it now tonih an’
nail. To-morrer ther case oomes up afore Judge
Bradley, ez war one 0v ther ’rig’nal settlers

"‘ Ther Bunker Hill gang gittin’ inter trouble
byer kinder kept them outen ther mix. an’ iv’s
s’prisin’ how few keers ter interfere, now ther
camp thinks Browne’s one under. There’s bin
a few up perspectin’ ound. but thar wa’n’ta
man ez wanted ter above into tber biz when he
wa’n’t ’round ter lead ’em. That’s one side ov
tber story anyhow. Mebbe there’s a dozen
more.” ’"1

“ Aw, the cowards! Hunter Browne is not
dead. When, aw, be comes back, he will make
them ﬂy.”

“' Don’t be too sure. There’s a gang up thar
hard ter handle. It would take an army, don’t
yer doe, an’ one man or so ain’t no business
char.” ' .

i. “ I have," responded Elderberry sternly.

“ Mr. Browne, aw employed me to look after

interests. and in his absence, aw, I would he

not act it is time, aw, for honest men to take
hol . Can you lend me a pistol, aw?”

A vie earnest question George Washington
J edema lpughed.

“You bet—half er dozen. But be yer sure

or know which end are which] With Big

mkﬁat one end an’ you at t’other I’d give
highodda that you’d drop, even if yer hed thor
hp‘mmer drawer): a: yer be, an’ don’t yer
1001 eraeif that she ’tload " ‘

With an ‘o‘ily chuckl‘o’lthe , on! extended
a“ revolver of respectable dimensions, which
Professor Elderberry grasped firm , if awk-
wargky, by the stock, and then who ed sudden-
]ya stood face to face with Plumb Center
Pete. who a rod in the opposite doorway. ,
I “ Drop that ” exclaimed Blockey, aternly,
and even as he kc his hand shot out, gar-

. nisb’ed with a revolver.

“ No foolia’, gle Jawge. What ner
thunder yer dom’ byerl You tr an tricks on
me. an’ l’llindunt yer. high. Sagbel‘y

The promo" W” full’ofﬂanger, since Plumb
Center Peta not only had the, drop, but his pie-
to! was 8 39" cock“! 039. and the hammer was
"bed by the pressure of the afeady ﬁnger
almoat to the last notph. . v -

The proggggor had _a revolver in his hand to
be sure, bu the mosaic was down. and the bent
at experts could hardly hlVe railed it without
“was Blockey a chance to an twice_ .

The professor did not MW?“ it, and trough~
he evidently made a desperate econ to retain
his ‘coolnesa‘; theta?” 5 WrWibio unavor in
his voice as 0 99° - I

“ Excuse me, ah. Mn many: but I meant,

t d “a?” me
here and found my "en l - . 38. dia-
appearod. I walla :11, 1"“ “ring that, ahhl ~
w I ‘ ‘

?P'€o%“§fm?t or. no: lest is- What rm,
min’ are, how n blam did 3'" 9“ byeﬂ” '

“ I‘declare " answered Eldeﬁfm'yi “XML
a: the ﬁercely-put question. 1—1 ‘0” ‘ km".
a .

r (b    don". Yer   “
1her ahapty with that RODK- E! I [fear 0' °"
'doio’any more blowin’ round hi" I n ’m. 91‘
hull mp ov yer skull‘off. NOW I?” lily t5“ 3‘1
on aim bar, take yer night-cap. an Padth
Cor bed. till thor boys on what’s ‘97 be did "Ml

.mornin’) . 4 e
i “ I obey, aw, under protest.” responded EM"?
 I _“ Mr. Jaﬂempi hm. "'1 “

But. aw, do tell

When the law does .

50ml! directly to the Bunker Bill or by ﬁrst

l of range. He knew nothing of what had occur
I red in the mountains, but he saw that for some
reason Blockef' was willing to pick a distur-
l bance, and he saw, too, that the eyes of the
sport said “ shoot.”
He stood scarcely a pace from Elderberry’s
shoulder, and the latter turned and handed him
back the weapon without a word, in spite of
the jarring laugh of three or four Spectators
Who stood near, and the grins of as many more.
They felt little fear that Plumb Center Pete
would miss his mark, and hit them.-

And just at the moment there was a loud re-
port, and Plumb Center Pete went down like
lead, whileaa strong smell of gunpowder per-
vaded the room. There was neither ﬂash nor
smoke-burst to indicate the hand that had ﬁred
the shot, though the report seemed to come
from the little group that stood nealr to George
W'ashingion, Jefferson.

Professor Elderberry gave a bowl, and
snatched back i he weapon.

“ They’re going to kill me, my!” he shouted.
“ They’re going to kill me! Stop theml Stop
them!”

Then as the crowd rushed toward the fallen
man, he darted out of the rear door at the end
(if the bar,ibrandishing the revolver as he went.

“Plumb Center Pete all bloke uppea,”ex-
claimed We Wailo, as be skipped in from the
door by which the Professor had left, and
pranced toward Blochey. “ W’autche collonel
mutchee bad. Who hittee him i”

The question was easier asked than answered.
As We Wailo had just entered, and the two
doors Were not in line at all, it was pretty cer-
tain that he was not the culprit,.though any
one else there was liable to suspicion. ‘

“Mayzwell kallee him off an’ belly him.
Passee in him check—hi—yahl No uudlestande.
Him bettlee ten dead man—looksee bettlee,
reap, ’way uppee. Luck out!”

The Chinaman had been more practical than
the rest, sinc:~,he bad quickly‘stooped down and
raised the head of the fallen man 1’ .m the ﬂoor.
ft was'for this reason that he, ﬁr t of all, be-
came acquainted with' the astonishing fact
tililat Plumb Center Pete was not dead after
{1 '.

“That‘s Derringer Deck’s work, I’ll bet a
tonl” said a harsh voice. “He’d always sooner
crease a man than kill him. 'Whar is he?”

The crowd looked curiously around, but could
see no unfamiliar face, wuile if Derringer Deck
was present he gave no anSWer.

 
CHAPTER xxvn. O
PEREIRA’S srnanoniann. ‘

BUNdo was more than half inclined to believ'e
“that Hunter Browne had passed in his checks,
either in the r at ‘Hazsrd'Hall or at the" time
the Bunker Hll property was jumped. .

Under other circumstances there might have
been more questions on the subject; but with
the riot in tpwrl, and the received opinion that
those who were interested in the affalrat‘the
mine had certain 1 al ri hits that. would be
clearly shown at the gal nveatigation prom-
iSed at an early date, the better part of the citi-
zens maintained a masterly inactivity, waiting
tosee wbat\_waa to come of it. and turning a
credalous ear to all sorts of ﬂying rumors, of
which there were plenty. .

The town qu livelier than it had been for a
dong time, and the end was not by any means

ye .

For such reasons is these _ emorrEiderberx-y
was like] to have a mono in any clone to
be made insist Hunter, rowne, and his sud-
den exit from the Jel’ferao House was not like-
ly to unit the opinion of what he might
effect, though he was 'not as scored as be
looked. ’

No one offered to pursue, and build not form
to anticipate any trouble of. that kind or care
much if it came. He stuck the revolver away
somehow under his waistband, and his specta-
cles in his vest pocket. Themhe glanced in each
of three directions—the Bunker Hill shaft. the
Jeﬂerson House, and the shanty where Buck .
Beans and his gang were still-imprisoned.

It struck him that Beans was in no great den-
ger there. So long as he kept'awuyl from t: e
Bunker Hill there were some men t at would
not int rfere. and Elderberry guessed that fact
I! “daily as if he had been on the inside of the

tin . ,

get, if he seemed to hesitate in which direc-
tiontoturn, it was because he was uncertain
What-her he could do Browne the most good by

in: What could be done for Beauty

t was fortunate that be lingered. .

. man came alouching toward him in the

“What and he racognimd in the skulker Ten-

derfoot om; ' . ~ '

' V0!" would have gone by without a word

if he had been allowed the opportunitvc but inst

a: .5" "elbowing, with afartive was over
. eybouieer Elderberry held u his and. .

g“ lb“ You. aw, Thomas! ‘ f so. hold on.”

9' was a flitile more emphatic than

 
humawt W”

at watched the men? with in— , . “Bme the instant. A

Aug-3]" Put it was not hard to recognize. a .

‘ harem, watch‘house,

allﬂred glad ter see yer. Oh, I’ve bed an orful
time sence you left. Whar yer binl”

“Never mind, ah; I’m back now. Did you
let on. aw, to a living soul of the change we had
made?”

“Nary soul. I jest kept dark; an’ you. kin
bet yer stogies ther’ ain’t uo'sich swappiu’ names
a ’in.” -

“It might have been worse for you if it had
not, ah. been done. They carried me away, ab,
thinking they had hold of you; but I dripped
my top coat over a canyon, ab, and put organ-
other pair of spectacles, and in the morning, ah,
there “as fun.”

“ Yer don’t say. How did yer git away i”

“ NeVer mind that part of it, ah. I did that’s
enough. And a preti V mess there is, here, ah.
\Vhat has Lemme of Mr. Browne?”

“ Now ye’l’ torkin'. Yer wouldn’t think it,
but I’ve got ther thing on a string: an’ I’ll
never tell. When I knowed yer hell gone 03
ter danger I gut'eo Will'de up i couldn’t stan’
it, an’ started ier foller. keerful like.

“ Thdt way I bed a chance ier hear what war
goin’ on up at ther Bunker Hill I strikes back
tor hunt up Br0wne, an’ be thort I were you till
he see’d better, au’ when I told him ’bout ther
game they were settin’ up on him he jest
knocked me d0wn an‘ stomped on me, an’ ther’
ain’t nobody but me ez htz heared wharLe went
to Sence then.”

“And where has be gone to, aw, and how,
aw, do you happen to know ?"

“ Hist, there’s a Woman in ilrer‘case. He's
rirnned away from her, an’ she’s goin’ ter bring
him right down ter his milk. D0n’t yer furgit
it. Pereira’s in ther mix. too; an’ are runnin’
half a dozen jobs fur all they’re worth.”

The professor had seemingly overlooked the
coniradiction; h t be came back to it now.

“I thought, w, you said you had not told
any one of our exchange. ”

“ No one but Browne, an’ he don’t count. Ez
I war sayin’, I overheard some things I told
him; an’ bein’ round loose this evenin’, with
that dog-blasted, honary cuss, Kale Carter, out-
en town, I bed a chance ter 'hear more. My
ears are open. an’ don’t yer fnrgit it.” .

‘f Not very likely, aw. \Vhat was it you
heard?" , '

‘ ' That Mexican cuss talkin’ ter‘hls two pards;
mv’ l~\' iher livin' glory they war both women.
I ot ’em coopei up in a shanty hyer, rl t
in Jo. He must be an orful bad man: t
Pm—ipr stock are up terday, an’ I ain’t sayin’
nothin’ ag'in’ him.”

“Two women.” said the professor thought.
.fiﬁlv. “That is strange. Who are the 1”
“Not knowiu’ 1 can’t say; but‘I k 11 show
yer whar they hang out, of ye’ll ﬂake ther
resks, an’ fuller ’er Ieetle bit.” ‘

“ To be sure I will, aw. P l.”

Tom Bewers moved of! cant ousiy' and kee
ing a watchful eye on his sur ndings.
seemed unc’er'aln at times whether to go on or
retreat. but at no tima' w he at a lossto and
his way, and as 1146 one appeared to hinder his
progress in a short time, he had halted near the
shanty of which he was in Search:

“ Taar ye he,” he said, pointing it out. “New;
61 ye’r’ goinwy harder, go; but I'm, pullin’ '
out. You’ll d me at the Jefferson Home
when yer want me, an’ I wouldn’t advise yer
tor want me much afore mornin’. I ain‘t one
ov ther old rounder-s. an’ I haven’t had a'rquar'
sleep fur a week. By-h .” ' ,

“ Odd sort of genius t at,” thought Proton-or
Elderberry, looking after him with alhahot
thallead. ' . \

“It is just possible that ho mgibo 9a big a

matter 1 how in’hanﬁ. Now I
‘ or whatever it may
turn outto be. Thero’afsomethlug‘iheu ‘ ' .
the knowing. If glexican Omani: " to
my good intention, think b will learn: '
imfnre I et thr h with  sowill 1.
Perhaps t is is on y a waste of time. I 1711!
soon see.” ~  2
The professor wasoa noiseless and stealthy as
a panther, as he approached the building upon
I: he kept like as so curiously ﬂxw. - ~
It was a stout itt-le shanty, its one window
secure]; shuttered with slabs,- and it‘waa evi—
dent t
taken by storm. I -
just assured himael that no one wps watching.
againat which no man can guard h'
was little daan his hangings:
took advanti‘geoftbe shadows aswdi ,
most experienced of Indian transient“ bi"; .
done, and made his waytothopofat‘hodadrod
tors-och with rapid secrecy.  a.  ,
Once in the shade, f the bowl, 
paused and listened,  the '
' A few faint lines at t crept 
chinks that by da‘yllpbengbwotﬁd, have ' , . in-
Visible, but within all was W - - -

 
, .

 rum. is.  ban  a. i

  
 woman of'whom 7 7‘

vfraud as thereat fus. Ifso wh chi-game! .
I’ll-look arter {in when I’m don with tha‘
'Peieiii‘a

at the mapaniadid not in'tenditobog . _
When nineteen-7mm his advance mm. _ 
Al‘ter'that.unlessitwasbyonagtq,ﬂse . H  )

H‘Iwzwwmutmnw , 
h" m!” sea. yet/midi: 

 
\

22

 
A Sport in Spectacles.

 
spoken and thought it possible that he might
succ . Ifghe did not there would not be
much time lost.

After waiting a few moments he made the
circuit 'of the house, a thing not hard to do,
since, though other buildings were near, this
one stood by itself. a

No one was moving, the neighboring houses
being probablyrempty of occupants' and had it
not been for the faint streaks of light he would
have believed that this one was also.

Still hearing nothing he crawled closer: and
immediately was rewarded. .

The building was made of logs, and right
where he approached it there was a place where
the chinkiiig had fallen out. Elderberry de-
tected it at once, and by tryin with his hand
found that some articles 0 clothing hung
against the aperture an the inside. As he gent-
ly gathered them in. his hand, which he was
able to put through the o ning, a rent eye of
light appeared causing' im to w thdraw his
hand quickly for fear it might be seen by some

' one ata distance, who might be watching the

 
V female fl e rather undersi
- black. gm ’

 . thereof of the ca

. , -' .~ ,1 ~ or
' at.» in?  a» ‘4»; ‘19:
. M  , 'i . ‘

spot. .

Although his eyes had as yet fallen upon no
one he was conﬁdent that from this point of ob-
servation he could command the whole inside
of the’room; and now he waited to see what

-was to come next.

, Something did come—~so quietly that he had
to drop to the ground suddenly and lie there
without motion, and almost without breathing.

Some one had approached so near that had he
stooped he could a most have touched the pro-
fessor. ;

Round the house, once, went the man in,a
furtive cat-like wa , and then Elderberry
heard the noise of a ey turning in a lock and
the new arrival entered the building, closing
the door carefully behind him. .

“Hast thou found 3mm?” ask d a voice that
was feminine. though it had los all the fresh-
ness of youth.

“Not yet; but be patient a little. C’aram-
but He cannot have ﬂown away. Some
traces must he have left, and these to-night will
be found. No bloodhound closer to the trail
can stick than Gomez, and the eyes of the
others are not closed. Wait, little one, in
patience. The end is not far off.” ~

Au indistinct murmur was the answer—
words spoken so low that the listener could not
catch their meaning. Doubtless they were a
complaint, since Pereira~for the late comer
Yale that individual himself—responded cheer-

u y: . ~

“Not for so long have we trailecbhim to lose

him now. Though he run like a hound we wil

overtake him, and then, sister min‘e, thou shalt

work thine own sweet will on the man that has
crazed thee. A day more; that is all that I ask
of thee. Be patient One little twenty-four
hours yet. To-morrow will all be settled, since
noone is then) here to take his part, and he
dares not come for himself, evon if he can. .No
outlet was there for/him to escape- no chance is
there for him to hold his own hen we own i
the mine, and the wealth that he be: here, and
thou hast drawn out his heart’s blood, then
wilt than be satisﬁed?”
" “ Yes, then, then, theni”. . v ,

Her voice went upward in, it pitch, until it
rose into a shrill scream. *

A. monient later the woman grew calmer, and

asked: 1 .
ll""I.‘o-tnori‘ow night, you will take me to
1m . ~ "
‘ “ as," was Pereira’s cold. respOnse. “ro-
morrow. Wait.”_

, ' CHAPTER XXV II.
mama's; 18 susrmsan s vnan. nuns.
Buornsson ELnnalsaiqu smiled and shrugged
his shoulders at the promise that was. a threat
as well. , ‘ , ‘
1" And what will I be domg?’ he thought to

. “ I haves oettaint if I follow theni up to-
morrow. night, for M strike Mr. Browne at the ,
endof their trail. But :1 have an idea that
blackvfaced Mexican ws‘ where he is now,
and may try to get his work in between now
and then. 'lllook around and see if I can’

checkmete in this little me. I would like .t

",see Willow’s talking to, oweVer. It is worth

the.

. l in e - »
 ' Vt??? cag'refully Elderberry pushed aside the

garments that obstructed his vision and peered

’ .iidsi'

 Pereira was there, and“?! him' was a
and clad in
’ More than that he. could notice, since the face
was in the shadow, the other Occupant-r of the
cabin, if there was one. bein evidently so close.

I' to the wall-against which he eaned as to be in-
. visible.

While he was oraning his neck around, lathe
effort-to get a better view,‘ Profeuor Elder-
. . .mt with a mddensurprise. . '
" " clone silent}, but lightly dnopped from

utohislidep ‘ a 
, unwanted... lost, however. Hialeft hand
on

,‘w d alongsto their rest

“ ’Shl Don’t be fool fu’st chopeo—We Wailo
loundee ebley time.” . ' a ‘

It was none other than the ubiquitous China-
man, who cringed under the ripe on his neck,
but ave no sign of discomﬂture.

Without a word of answer Professor Elder-
berry led him away._

When they had put a hundred yards between
them and the spot Elderberry loosed his hold.

“ See here, aw, for once you stand on your
own merits. I wasn’t on t at house, and I’ll
admit that you were. Mebbe, aw, you are as
big a fraud as I am, but what did you see there
anyway?” '

“We Wailo see glil .in black, setted back,
lookee likee cly. See othlee two alle‘e both,
samee as Goggly Gawge. You beah ’em,
Chineeman no can tell bettlee. Whatche wantee
know?” ‘

“ You didn’t, aw, shoot any road-agents; you
dirln’t help Tenderfoot Tommy; you idn’t, aw,
throw Pereira out of the window; what I want
to know is who are you? What is your game?”

“ We ng10 no can tell what Goggly Gane
wantchee. Him no humbug; him on’y loundee
eble time, see Plofessler no get hu’t.’

“ he hired you, aw, to sp on me? You
haye followed me like a sha ow, aw, and I
begin to sus ect aw—” '

“ That eWailo luu away. Good nightee,
Gog 1y Gawge. No hap use you jist now. See
you ymby, soon. Ha, ha!”

The latter part was shot back by the China-
man, who had twisted himself out of Elder-
berry’s loose grasp with marvellous rapidity
and started away on a run. The rofes‘sor
heard the short laugh, and then e Wailo
vanished in the darkness.

Elderberry made no attem t at pursuit. He
walked away with his head own, and his arms
crosses! behind his back under his coat tails-—
evidently his favorite attitude when in danger
or doubt. Just now he 'was thoughtful—per-
haps too much so, or he might have noted a
little more carefull whither he was going.
Before he recognize his surroundings, he was
within a. couple of hundred ards of the shanty~
which was still occupied by uck Beans and his
men. He looked up with a start on hearing the
low tones of a speaker who was not very far
distant.

‘f This hyer’s all dog- oned nonsense,” re-
marked the unseen iudivi ual. ‘ -'

" Buck hes jest camped right down thar, an’
he’s oin’ ter stay ’thout a small army watchin’
ov h in. El he’s wanted, ther only way are ter
bring him out; an’ at he ain’t wanted, and ther’
ain’t tor no haugin’ match, why, what’s ther

so 0v 1 a dozen good men a-starviu’hyer.
’m tired.” . '
‘.‘ Oh, hush! ‘Y er make me sick. It’s a heap

ez we git paid fur sottin’ hyer, I’ agreerable.
By-an-b ,wh'en ther frolic beﬂs, you’ll find
that smal army‘ ’round; an’ ye’ll wish they’d
stayed in winter-quarters. It’s our biz ter keep
them hyer till ther ole man comes; then you kin
hat, of ther’s a show, I’m goin’ tel-slide outen
range. Whisti I wouldn’t wonder he’s comia’
now. ’ ,

Sure eno'ugb, there was the noise of a steady
will?“ 1' ’ ’ s d 'd d ' i.“ a“...

re oessor a roppe qu y- e,
groundgars soon as be halted. Now be partially
raised up looking keenly in the direction of the
approsc ing man, who halted by the side of
the .videttes and spoke in unmistakably the,
voice of Plumb Center Pete.

“ Are they ther yit, boyeesl“

“ You bet they’re ther, boss.”

“Kee a close eye on ’em. - Ther boyees are
all waitin’ at Flamin’ ‘Fred’s, an’ when. I git
back an' give ther word, ther doors open ag’m,
ther ban strikes up, and ,ther circus begins
over. They’re all mixed through each other so
92 a Philardelfy sharp couldn't tell t’osher from
which, an’ I want ther Bunco men ter kerry all
0’ their end, an’ en much ov yourn on yer kin
onload onto km. This byer is ter be a popular
uprisin’; an’ poor Charley are ter be ther pass-
word fur  niglhtk” , B ,t ”

‘ ggea t ‘ t u s posen unco won come.

“ git out. yAll I’m afeard- age they’llgit down
ter solid work afore I .git thar. It’s ter keep
’em squar’ ter ther rack them (want you fellars.
hyer. When they’re straight on ther War-path,
then’light. an’ git out to ther Bunker Hill ’thout
foolin’. Thar’s whar ther fun kims in. I be ii
ter b’lieve there’s been a leetle mistake- ut
thar' ain’t no harm did yet. an’ everyt ing’s
goin’ on wheels, ’cept ther money ain’t pannin’
out es rapidly es we hoped fur.” «

“I’m ittin’ mi e; that’s ou’re lookout.” sn‘
‘swered e man ith a low ugh. .“ I'tell yer,
of ther cash wasn't paid down, you’d see me

ocootin’.” . ;
‘ “And you would see me shootin’. Ye’r’ in
yer furgit it. Eyes

\

this till ther ﬁnish, an’ don’t ‘
open, now, an’ wait till yer hear me comin’
back at ther, headov ther bush.” v . .

“ We’re hyer, I tell er,” answered the man,
,a little impatiently. ‘5 ’1; keep as waitin’ too
long, That’s all. , x , .- _
“ All right. Work will begin soon. V Pass the

more safer outen range than in it, an’ as long -

than he then was. The

 
I ' ockeyddjlﬂh’d
 V 1' _ "I h

in'iiim‘. swimmer

to see whether hisorder was obey'éd or not. If
he had done so and been cautious he might have
seen a third man rise from the ground shortly
after the other two had set out. Professor
Elderberry was making a commendable effort-
to see the matter through, and in the face of
the late unpleasantness at the JeffersonHouse
was taking more risks than most men would.
have been willing to run. a

Flaming Fred’s place, .a shebang where red
hot ﬁre—water was sold and a great deal of
wickedness was concocted. was some little dis—
tance away—Bunco might have fairly been
called the western city of magnificen distances.
Plumb Center Pete had not got more than half—
way there when he met a man coming toward
him, who gave a low, culiai' whistle.

Blocke answered it promptly in kind and
held out irhand.

“ Hold on, Pete, there’s bin suthin’ like a
fresh deal, an’ Cap sez he must see yer quick.
Ez he hez his heavy harness on he don’t wanter
promernade Bunco, an’ you must kim out fur a
minute while he gives yer ther points.”

“Bosh!” answered Blockey., harshly, “I gi'n
him all ther p’ints. It’s ther sand runnin’out
thet’s ther matter with him. Thar’s holes in
his boots, that’s what ails him.”

“ Ef it is I ain’t ther man ter tell him so; an’
of yer reel y think it yer better go say itryerself.
There’s extree coffins fur all ther kickers, an’ ef’
yer don’t want ter ’bey orders yer best plan arer'
ter crawl right inter one.”

“You tell me I’m afeard ov Kale Carter er;
any other two-legged man ov this hyer foot-
stool? Blast yer ’l giv it' to him straight now
an’ see how he likes it. An’I wouldn’t stop
much ter drop you. Whar’s he at?”

The messenger had managed to put Blockey
in a tearing passion, and seemed to have some.
doubts about the propriety of haying done so.

He answered a good deal more respectfully:

“ Excuse me, Mr. Blockey. I know that’s all
ri ht, an’ I didn’t mean ter make yer mad. ‘
ou’ll find ther captain waitin’ close by. He-
sed he didn’t want ter keep yer more ner a

minnit.”

While he spoke he led the way—and Profes—--
sor Elderberry, who had been taking this all in,
followed at a respectful distance, though some-v
what in doubt, since at times he shook his head
and looked as though he would like to utter‘his .
protest. V - .

His judgment was not at‘ fault. When ey
had got out of range of probable stragg ers,
while the guide was saying something in a low
tone he suddenly threw his arms around
Blocke ’s waist and uttered the same whisthn,
that  derberry had

CHAPTER XXIX.
marannormxu, _

Am all his gilt-edge reputation as dismi-
shot and sport, Bunco knew very littleabout
Pete Blocks . For that matter, the most of
:ihe towns w ere he ﬂourished were in the same

1:. ,

He was a, drifter who had been among the,
camps almost from the time of Butter." He
knew a good de bout mines and mining, that
was certain, and ad positively been connected.
with some very good men. .

No one at Buuco‘suspoctedhim of having-any
dealings with road-agents and outlaws. Profes-
sor Elderberry had learned that much by a few“,
carefully-worded (questions. and then bought it
expedient to hol his peace, evan, t ough he

 
I.

"might expect a “circus ’~’ the, next time they.

met. - . , ‘
Of course, the taking away of the man that;
had so lathly threatened. his ife was interesting ;'
that he should continue to follow, after having
seen the develo ment of Kale Carter’s hand,
may seem ama ter of su rise; but he had his
reasons—of Which Plumb nter Pete might not ,
have approved.  . 
That worthy had been hit to stay. -
Instant death was not what his assailants wares
after; but they meant to have no more mum"
sense nor did the , since it was. a good ﬁfteen,
minuhs before eir captive recovered his -
senses and found himSelf bound hand and foot.
He eeped warily around through
open eyes, being careful not to ca l . ttgntion
to his reviving condition, and in an almost in!"
perceptible way tugged at his bondtto seeif ..
they were tight beyond looswing. 'v ' q
The outlaw'ﬂngers had been skillful enoughi,
He mighthave lain unmolested for a week» -'
have been a good deal further oﬂ from esca’ ’
carried him alon w tn
very little show of ten crease and it reqa, ' d a
good stock of nerve to stand  treatment‘that,
would have made most strong ,men groan with
anguish. . Hiserms were knotted together at -
theorists, his «aides secured in the same way- ,.
Astana pole thrust betweenwristsand' ankles ,,

was carried by four men, two'atcithei‘ end, and ‘  -

as-be swayed there itwas bard-to believe that

he could recover new“, empato lose them-f 5

"ﬁrm mi i did “a .‘a j a “fair! 
ever can 9 a u , 
identiﬁed ’ . “y
halted and ‘wasthrown to the green ,

careless cruelt that was enough to-roak"!379'$._
 ye i x . r I » l i : ~ 'I

heard before, but louder. 

is 'half- - I

y .

.hissnrroundin when the  
gs  ithaV» ' , ;,

 
' Kb ‘M

9
Lemma

‘ "uni

3.1;. e -- u w» -

 
A Sport in Spectacles.

23'

 
“ He’s hard ter hurt,” said one of the men,
with a reckless laugh, “ but of it breaks a few
bones it won’t make a dif a biterence. I reckon
he won’t hev much use fer ’em after ter-night.
Ther feller thet plays bugs on us, pards, are
mighty apt ter ﬁnd we git even in ther long
mu )1

“You kin risk yer hull stake on that every
time.” responded one of the others, as he brutally
jerked the pole away. “ Wake up, Pete, Wake
up! Hyer’s the capt’n an’ all ther boys Jest
ready ter glory in yer spunk, when yer trots
over ther devide, boots on an’ nary a grunt.”

So saying, he spurned the seemingly uncon~
scious form with his foot.

Pete gave a low, gurgling gasp and moved

feebk'.

“ iiright- he’s coming to. Send Word to
all hands. This thing wants ter he did ter-
night. I’ll bet he ain’t half ez dead ez he
seems.” .

“ What yer goin’ ter do?" gasped Blockey, in
a scarcely audible whisper.

“Goin ter show up yer gen’ral cussedness
fu’st, an’ hang yer fur it afterwards.”

“Don’t shout too loud, er yer mayn’t hev
breath enuf left ter spell a-b-l-ei” answered the
captive with explosive harshness.

At the sudden return of strength, the man
nearest him lea d back so quickly that there
was a laugh at his expense from the others.

“0h,I ain’t dead yit.” continued Blockey;
“ an’ when er git this thing down ter bed-rock

. somebody e se’li be in my place, er I’ll kn0w

ther reason why.. There’s white men in this
gang, I’ll still allow, an’ somebody hez took ’em
in. What I want ter know are, who he are an’
what be 592 I’ve bin a-doin’i”

“I am ther man that puts up ther charges
against yer, an’ I say you’re a doubledyed trai—
tor that has sold us out to Johnny Short—or

. would, if you had the chance to deliver yer

goods. He ain’t one of ther kind that pays in
advance.”

“ It’s a lie, Kale Carter! You’ve been scttin’
up a job while I war away. You an’ yer bums
hev drawed ther wool over ther eyes 0v hon-
ester an’ better men. Ef yer dar’ give me a
show an’ ﬁght it out, I’ll prove it on yer head
with knife, pistols er ther bar’ hands.”

“ Not very likely we’d give yer ther chance
now. You’ve got erway with enough men as it
is. No one is so in’ thet yer don’t know how
ter use ther too 3 as Well as any man here; but
when you begin to use them ,on us, it’s time that
you retired. There’s them ez sez ou went the

are quill in ther stage racket. here‘s Dandy
ave an’ his two pards that we ave you to run
your little game with at Castle ystery‘i”

As well as he might, Plumb Center Pete

‘ shrugged his shoulders at the uestion. ’

" Thet’s their conunderum. hen I war thar
they was safe enclﬁh. Ef a gal ez big ez yer
ﬁst, an’ a half-bake idiot, could git away frum

' ’em, they ain’t wu’th the’r salt 1”

“That’s it. They couldn’t get away unless
some one bed helped them. You was thar, an’
no one else. Pete Blocke , you sold us out!

“ Bring in ther bodies.’

‘ Blockey could not at once frame an answer.

0! course he knew that an of some
kind had been en ineered the moment he can ht
a glimpse of Pro essor Elderberry at the Je er-
son House. He had attempted to scare the pro-
fessor into silence, but he had not as yet had
time to follow the thing up and discover just
what had happened. If the Man'in Spectacles
had got away With Dandy Dave and his two
assistants, then Goggle George was a good deal
better than any one had given him credit for

bein . .

While Pete cogitated four men stepped out of
the shadows, each pair bearing a body.

“Thar arel T‘ucson. Tgntii] an’ his brain-box

ies a ho a n I. 168 er same size ez thei-
Egg-ﬁnger of Plumb Center Pete.”
80 said the spokesman on one side of the
tette. - v , _
q“? n, byar's Bad Mike. About him I says:

‘ 1’

Dl‘EtIgiumb Center Pete, What have on to gay g”
asked Kale Carter, as the _b0dl were laid
down close to, and in p13"1 View Of, the bound
mi;le say, whar’s Dandy Dave? Ef this are all
yer hev ter say I kin giVe 1": WP 3": straight ez a
String. Ther gal bribed hrm; hes turned ther
prisoner loose, an are of! With a good-heap of
stam s." ,

“ ou lie, Pete, you know you do- No one
but you knew where they were conﬁned; no
footsteps but yours point toward the spot, and
you all came away together. 7’Pelie, you V9 501d
us out, and you’ll have to die. . ,

“ Ye’r’ pilin’ up a heap er wordfy PM 5:81; am t
provin' a’cent’s wu’th. While yer foolin hyet;
with me things are jest goin’ Wild at Bunco, an
you’re counted out‘ov ther racketjwbal', may be.
there’ll be more slugs than glorv. ’ _

“ Proof, is it, that yer‘want? H'yer Y” he" “3-

“ We’ve sed thet your steps pomted that; 311‘
none other. That’s something, but not the
most. Hyei are two derringers that you can ti
deny are ours. They were found empty near
the spot w are the two bodies lay. What s ther
Ila talkin’?”

Blockey’s mouth closed with a snap at the sight
of the derringers. He recognized the weapons
on the instant.

“ Nothin’ r say ter that, hev yer?”

“ Say! hat’s ther use er sayin’? Do I iook
like ther man ter be throwin’ such tools ez them
around i—ther best I ever looked over? In
course they’re mine, an’ ef you’ll ﬁnd ther man
ez stole ’em you’ll know who shot Tucson Tom
an’ Bad Mike.”

He spoke with a conﬁdence that he did not
feel, and the harsh laugh that Went around the
fircle told that his explanation was not be-
ieved.

“That’s too thin, Pete; a good deal too thin.
They’re men yer bed a grudge at, an’ men yer
couldn’t bu . Mebbe Dandy Dave hesn’t passed
in, an’ mebbe he’s in cahoots with yer; an’ at so
it’s dead open an’ shut you’ve both sold out ter
Johnny Short. It’s a pity, Pete, fur yer hev
yer good p‘ints; but in course we had it all down
ﬂue afore we brung yer hyer. Now my vote sez
yer got ter die."

“An’ mine.”

“An’ mine.”

So the word ran around the circle, voice after
voice taking up the refrain.

Of all the hardened, desperate-looking men
there, not one gave him a relenting glance.
Evidently they believed him guilty of the
treachery charged, or worse; and in such a case
they would have no mere .

Bound as he was glockey managed to
straighten chimself up. He could stand, and
“that seemed to be all.

He gave a cold glance around.

“You’ve tired ov a boss thet gives yer all
money an’ no murder; an’ fur fear he might
s ueal ef yer turn him loose yer want ter settle
.him. It’s Kale Carter’s work, an’ let Kale Car-
ter ﬁnish ther job. I’ll bet yer he ain’t got ther
nerve ter settle a man. You’ve got a knife
thar, Kale' use it of yer dare.”

He put all the sneerin emphasis possible into
his tones, and looked ale Carter who stood
gust fronting him, full in the face. More than

ikely was it that Blockey had hit the truth for

there could be no doubt about the hate in the
eyes of the other, who did not hesitate an in-
stant but tore out his knife.

“ We’ll see who has nerve, Pete Blockey.
Take that.’ i

The knife glistened even in the semi-dark-
ness. It rose and fell.

 
CHAPTER XXX.
Pars: BLOCKEY TAKES A NEW SIDE man.

THE fall of Kale Carter’s knife was followed
by a succession of surprises.

With marvelous coolness and quickness
Blocke threw his hands up so that the blade
passed tween his wrists. If it cut his hands
it cut, as well, the cord that he was straining
almost to bursting;

Then Plumb nter Pete fairly fell upon
Carter, and ground him down to earth, snatch~
ing from his yielding ﬁngers the knife, and a
pistol from the convenient belt. -

A second later Blockey’s limbs were entire-
ly free, and the rattle of ﬁre~arms had com-
menced.

Just as fast as thumb and ﬁnger could work,
two or three shots were fired; and not one of
them was altogether wasted.

So unexpected was the movement that not
one of the outlawe had a. weapon out, and if-
they had been almost any other sort of men
there would haVe been a anic. ‘

They were used to bu lets though, and had
been trained to act, until to draw and ﬁre Was
almost mechanical. Quick as Blockey was
there came an answering volley that swept the
ground, and should have annihilated him, as it
would have done if he had only been there.

But he knew the power of the men to stay,
and just in time had given a backward spring,
and then darted behind a bowlder.

As he .disap ared a sharp voice from some
one ensconced ﬁghind a neighboring rock, rung
out: '

“Hold on, there! Take water or bite dirt!
We’ve got you in a box, and mean business!
Hands upl” ,

The last words were punctuated by the crack
of a pistol and an outlaw dropped motionless at
Plumb Center Pete’s back, his revolver being
harmlessly discharged as he fdl. He was a
man who had been left on outpost duty, and
had slipped back so quietly that Blockey had
‘no notice of his approach, and would have been
taken from the rear in another moment.

At sound of the shot and the strange voice
the outlaws took to cover with a rapidity that
showed they were ,not altogether reckless of
dan er. ,

“ reckon we’va got yer now,” sung out Pete,
as he peeped waril y over the rock that protect~
ed his front.

“Me an’ my pard, hyer, are in town, all
dressed up; an’ ef we ieavea hull scalp in this
outﬁt, yer kin call me a bloody liar. Hool
Wake snakes! we’re comin’!”

Immediately after this howled threat, Blockv
ey, as quiet as a mouse, slipped backward a

 
dozen feet, threw himself overa ledge, dropping

 
ten feet, without noise or injury, and then
started on a run down the mountain-side.

He had not gone a dozen steps when he heard.
a low, “ Histl’

The man who had chipped in to back his
game was still with him. ' ’

At last, as he wheeled at the sound, pistol in
hand, a dark ﬁgure dodged behind a tree With-
out offering a shot at the inviting back only a
few yards in front.

“Don’t be a fool, aw, Peter. By this time
aw, you ought to know that I can shoot; and
I’ve got you foul if I want your nieat.”

“Goggle Jawge ag’inl All rightl If yer
want ter pard in, fur this night only, I’m yer
man. But I’d ez soon ﬁght ez eat, an‘ I’m only
goin’ ter ﬁre an’ fall back.”

“ Honest Injun, aw?”

“ Honest it areI You helped me through ther
drag, an’ now ye’ll ﬁnd me squar’. Kim on!
Ther hornets ’1 be buzzin’ round lively soon (2
they take stock 0’ damages, an’ we aimt got
time ter tarry.” ‘

Without the least hesitation Professor Elderw
berr sprung out from behind his tree.

“ gitate your extremities, awl You’ll ﬁnd
me with you in a foot-race till We can get where
the advantage, aw, is not all on the other side.”

“ You’ve bin hyer afore?” said Blockey, as
shoulder to shoulder, they hurried down the
narrow trail. « .

“ It is so reported, aw. If you don’t believe
it follow and see.”

“ Ef yer know the short-cuts better ner I do
peel ’em oﬂ. Them ole side-pards ov mine are
playin’ fur keeps.”

“ Come!”

With the one word the professor darted to
the side. Without protest or hesitation Blockey
followed. ‘

“ Durned of this don’t beat cock-ﬂghtin’,” the:
latter said, after a few moments of Silence.

“Who’d ’a’ thunk thar war a short-cut like‘
that? Why, blamed at it ain’t a mile ’round. I,
don’t give shucks fur ther chances ter ketch up
now.”

“ I wouldn‘t give, aw, shucks for them if theyl
did,” responded Elderberry. “Now, aw, what; ‘
I want to know is, Where is Colonel Browne?”

“It can’t hurt yer ter know, young man. I,
reckon tyou’ll ﬁnd him in ther Bunker Hill
shaft, e yer must know it. That’s what we:
ﬂggered outen it.” ‘

‘ Dead or alive aw?” '

“All alive, ef e hain’t starved ter death"
Bet yer sweet life that gang don’t know he’s
thar. He’s layin’ low, waitin’ fur Beans ter)
jine him.” "

“ But, how did he get there?”

“I kin show yer, ef yer think it’ll do any]
good. Now it’s my turn: Whar’s ther gal!”

“I left her in charge, aw, of Dandy Dave.l
He was shooting at the time, aw, and I did not
wait to inquire What he intended doing next.”

“ You git out! You ain’t foolin’ me no more.i
My leetle racket’s bu’sted, but I ain’t playin’.
inter your hands onless I kin see my wa ter a‘
divy. Fingers on ther table now. hat’s
ther game? Dry up on that draw], and give it
to me straight.”

“ Straight it is, aw. I am backin Hunter
Browne’s cards: and I want to make t e others
show their hands, all ’round.”

“ An’ how about ther leetle woman—Millie!
Strikes me yer bin a-lookin’ that way purty.
sliar . Eh? What’s she to you 3’” ~

“ couldn’t tell on, for sure, aw; but I some-'
times think, aw, t at she is—my sister.”

“Well, dog ’my cats ef that ain’t a sockdol-
agerl Why, censarn it, I thought he was ther
other feller. I’d laid that up fur Tenderfoot
Tommy, ef he didn’t turn out ta beJohnny
Short. Old Allbright sed so, an‘ I war half
beginnin’ ter believe it.”

“And Allbright and you, aw, were in part-"
nership?” ~

“ Partly, partly. May ez well blow ther
game, ez ther chances now, are nixey.

“This Millie had ther ole man in tow as
kinder her agent. Ther ole man got me ter
take hold ov ther string4er easy things out his
way, but he left me' half in ther dark. I took
in pards north, south, east an’ west. If we’d
got hold we’d ’a’ kept; an’ ef Kale Carter hedn’t
been a fool, we’d ’a’ caught on, spite ov Pereira.
To-morrer ther gal would ’a’ proved who she
are, an’ ez we’d a’ bed things our way I don’t
jest guess thar would ’a’ bin strength enough in
all Bunco ter turn us out. An’ we wouldn t ’a’
went ontil we hed our share, either. "

“ I guess not," remarked Elderberry sar~
castically. “ Now, who killed Allbright? Was
that some of Kale Carter’s work?”

“ I’ll never tell, Kale thort he was playin’ a
double game, but if it were a uessing-match
I’d put ,my stamps on the iitte Mexican fur
ther 'ob.” .

x “ hat, Pereira?”

“ Ther same. He’s ther ﬂy in ther ’pothecary’s
’intment, but I ain’t got down ter ther depths
0v his wickedness yit. Allbright bed a. will an’
some papers. Oh, I’ll own up. Pereira he:
always kept one day ahead.”

“It’s not necessary, Pete, it’s not necessary
gorknow more. What, aw, do you propose to;

o ’ r

 
I .m..,...m«e«.. u, ‘
, -.

A Sport in Spectacles.

 
F

“ Skip by ther light 0v ther moonlight, pard;
ship by ther light 017 ther moon. With Kale
Carters back up, an’ you an’ ther gal ﬂy ter
ther facts about Captain Trouble. I don‘t
think it’s healthy hyer.”

“ Don’t be a fool, aw. Better go to get even.
If Kale Carter is not dead he won’t hurt you
much, and we can be deaf and dumb. I need
your help badly, aw, for I've got the-contract
to clean out the Bunker Hill to night. Things
are not as I thought they were, and, aw, I must
set them up on the other alley.”

“I’m with yer. It’ll jest snatch Pereira bald-
‘headed when we come down ter work. Hyer’s
with yer. Make yer game, gentlemen, while
ther hall’s rollin’.”

“ And play it mighty careful, aw. I suspect—I
barel y suspect—that we'll ﬁnd Millie there, and
maybe in trouble."

- “ Heavens an’ earth! Yer don’t say sol Why,

ard, of she b9 «the game’s all broke up. El.’

erelra its ther chance he’ll‘make cold meat ov

' her an’ rowne, all both, an’ swing out fur ther

‘hull’stakes. Ef she Went ther—she’s jest a dead
1 ’ v

, a .
g Blockey’s tone was low and earnest, and be
turned hastily, as if he was anxious to instantly
settle the doubt.

“ It is, aw, dreadful to contemplate, but, aw,
Peter, she went. I sent her will] Dandy Dave
to keep her out of Pureira’s hands.”

~ CHAPTER XXXI.
. mLLIE VANDELEUR STRIKES A DEN or woLVEs.
To be so unexpectedly wrecked when just in
sight of port was more than Millie Vandeleur
could stand. The unaccountable cowardice of
Professor Elderberry in running away without
even Venturing one snot gave her, moreover, a
shock hard to stand. Somehow she had had
conﬁdence in him in spite of herself, and here
she found at the ﬁrst real test that he was worse
:than worthless.
Dandy Dave found that he had a fainting girl
on his hands. I r
He looked at her curiously. and shook bi
head with algorithm of dissatisrac 'qn.

 “ Hyer’s yer gel with nerve, p ayed out (2
bad ez-ther wu’st. ov ’em,” be said to himself.
“She’ll ba’round all rigmz, an’ listenin’ ter rea‘

‘ son, store I 3: but that ain’t doin’ no good jest
now. Dani y Dave, yer in a ticklish persisb, an’
yer ﬁve hundred dollars—M! yer git it—won’t he
a t tor givp yer much comfort ef yer once strike

ale Carter an’ ther boys. Ther’s a blessin’,
though. It! sh won’t come ter terms there’s
some one else e will. She seems ter be bracin’
up a bit. L 138 trv what we kin do any how.”

He had placed Miss Millie in a leaning posture
against a tree; when she recoVered a mriety of
her strength and resolution he was standing just
in front at her, eying her with the some not
altogether unfriendly look that she had already

_ noticed. ' _ -

“Don’t be too much skoered, miss,” he said,
with a cheerful grin. ' »
- “I don’t want ter hurt yer onless Ihev ler;
yer got half ther sense 1 think yer hev,
on on me kin come terterms ’thout much time
n therldickor. Yer see, I’m a suﬂ'erin’ orphan,
an! a ﬁt oubjink fur charity; our that line about
how big are ther size 0v yer an tel"
“ I’ do not understand you,” was the response,
glue with returning vigor.
‘“ What do you: expect, to gain by this treat-

meat!" l '
“ TDI316QM on what ya} think yer life’s”

wu’tht?’ . .
t, would you kill me?"

 
an"et

u,

‘ “ Not‘or hit ov lt—onlbss yer {moo mo tor do
it, location-save er lite; otlt’s wﬁ’th ther
loosin’. Ia course can’t go round roeskin’
.mloo fur nuthln“ an’ it .wduldn’t he noways
soai‘o tar let yer golthout. some sol-tor a swan.
too. Now, what’s it wu'thl Put up er shut
an,” '
.O I
a li , , 4
‘ Fur thq savin’ or it, miss. Fact are it ain’t
altogether Into, fur em ,ma tor crawl inter
.Buneo an’fnr onw- cent-in deem)!
“I do'not orotnnd. It you have any fears
, turn his” loans and allow me to run my own
chm:an bus! will o you ﬁve hundred dol-
lars if you will‘take to the Jefferson Hon a
*wbolrg’: all the little money I have in tho
I u'of ' ‘
“ Can’t he did, min. Thor ﬁve hundred would
ibojest about the prioogov o thro h ticket in
that directimi‘but I hope, I may 0 of yer lite
j. would he 'wn’t apeony store mornln’. hey’ro'
'Jaylu' fur ye—thor’ wonder are that they bovn’t
toolwn yoriu Moro-this. They’Vo tried itrono
may or another ain’t they. miss?" '
Millie was about to give an indignant dia-
= reloilner-wbon she thought of the ht le scone in
her awn room. and her denial bootun a hesitatf
his one at least. _ ‘ _ '
ﬁt his see it in yor cyan, so don’t yer-Joy on-
W. Hunt Broivne’o' ther, only .mnn
*thor van t i trust.” * ' ‘
‘ “Hunts Browne! Ah.‘"ho is my ,
Jun:ch in what [expected ‘lt is be that I
whi- ;.Huntor Brown’s. oh. it you m a

nu,-

boliovofou want to bargain with me for
fe—" K

 
 ,. ’ or. can in no use mosh 
_,lot,t«iow " has  this «tomorrow.-
‘Y, , I i ‘9. . I I

*1  \.' _:,

 
worst. tub; v

 
.lﬁ’

He would drive me away by fraud or force. If
he cannot do that he would not stop to kill me.
I would not be the ﬁrst of his victims, if report
is true." ' ‘

“ Yer needn’t be giviu’ yer hand away, miss;
and if ye’r’ tnkin’ ther kuruel fur anything but a
real squar' man yer off yer eggs bad. Take my
advice, miss. Don’t say much ter me, but 3' st
show him yer keards an’ ax him how ter play
’om. See el' he don‘t tell yer right every tune.
He‘s ,8; 1mm from ther ground up, an’ I’ll swear
to it.

If the words of Dandy Dave did not convince

they called her more thoroughly to her Senses

and put her on her guard. She closed her lips
on the words she was about to speak.

“ Hyer, I‘ll give it to yer straight. It’s your
life an’ minu ter try ter go inter Bunco ter~nigot
-—-though to morrer it may be different. Et’
you’Ve got that ﬁve hundred ter spare I’ll trust
yer for it till IIunt Browne’s ready tcr pay it.
1’” take 311‘ ter ther Bunker Hill, 911’ cf he ain’t
thar I‘ll send for him, an’ mebbe he kin tell yer
a thing or two.”

“And it’ I refuse?"

“\Vell, then, i guess ther best plan are ter
take yer buck whar yer come from, an’ see of I
can’t make a better bargain frum thar.”

“Enough,” answered Millie, with a shiver.
“ It I' had not been disarmed, your victory
would not have been so easily obtained. Lead
on and I will follow you.”

“Not that I‘m a—doubtin’ yer, but it'lpears ter
the it would lOLk more sociable like ef we wont
Side by side; yer needn’t be afeard. Give me
yer hand on the r ﬁve hundred au’ we kin trust
each other till the list horn blows.”

Friend or foe, Dandy Dave did not for a mo
ment take his eye off of the young lady, or give
away theudvantage that from the ﬁrst he had
possessed. He held out his band now, and gave
a solemn shake to the little ﬁst that was placad
hesitalingly in his, and then, in spite of Miss
Vandeleur s tired Keeling, hurried her away.

It was quite a t me after, and with all the
confidence in the world that hemarched boldly
up to the litllelquster of huts that ,marked the
location of Hun er Browne’s mining venture.
Not a doubt had he until too late, torhe did not
recognize the jumpers, even when totally sur-
rounded. Then, b ore he could make a move»
ment for def-“use, e was seized, his weapons
tak'en from him, while a brutal laugh went up
from the gang that had appeared at his sum-
mons. , ~

“ Browne? Browne don’t live here now,” was
the cool explanation of Big Frank, who stepped
forward. “ Thor’s a good little man Duuﬁd
Peron-a that’ll be ’round after a bit, vn’ he‘kin
’teud to yet case a. good bit better. We’ve sent
fur him, 11’ when he comes We’ll let \ er know.”

“ Whatever may be the state of ail‘airs here,”
said Mi Vandeleur, picking up a little of her
courage nce more, “you can have no ( tject in
detainin mo. Tx.is man was guidi :g meshere
simply t at Mr. Browne, who is a stranger to
me except by sight, might aid ‘me on my way
to Bunco. I was separated from my friends and
lost in these mountain paths. I have no money
with me, but I will be prepared to amply re-
ward any one that will guide me safely to
town.” ' x ,

“Right you one. miss, of we sabbo yer hog
Latin, Pereira's ther man oz Jun do that up ter
nature, an’. make afair dlvy since no boys ar-
terwards. You a just wait ti 1 .hh comes.
Wo'Vo sent him word an’ he’s on ther wav.
Sorry ther tin-nitnr’ ain’t arrived from Paris,
but you kin makeﬁut ler sot aroundsomewhar,
I guess. Delft try only foolishness, either. Ef

yer doearyou’ll git lelt bad, woman or no wo-

man. o're hyer ler stay.”

Miss Millie looked-around her, and thought
that she had made a poor exchange. [TnoSe men
were even more dooporotodooking than the out-
laws from whom the had lately ﬂkd; and Pro-
fessor Elderberry was. not hero to keep a her
a trite. She felt the loss of his cool draw , and
s a would have given her thousand dollars for
the chancelto exohange Dandy Dave for him.
The latter, just now, in the language of the
mines, Was ‘: no good.” :Ho understood only
too well what had he pened. and kept his face
in the background w th a persistence that ar—
gued a tear of on. nploosant recognition.

He who was opo esmon of the party looked
u at him keen and at the samo‘ time made a
sl ht motionw 1h iii-hand. ~ A

dork-local! Mexican touched Millie on the
arm and led her away. As she «not she heard
Big Frank so in a low tone: 4

“ It’s Dan leaVe, hoes-thief and road-egg;

Take him out on’ string up\ Buncn ’11
that. you bet.” " -
“ Better wait till ther boss camel. Re ay
kick it o-misses’ ther fbn- I’ll swear I won .”
The a . gention bod its weight.
" Ye’r’ right es allot-s. Tie him up {n' chuck
him in ther caboose. They kin all goup ther
ﬂame together." . ’

CHAPTWXXXIL , .
, comm. aonssowamvns. s
As this  world we: not amrotOitthtgo
we on r~ uco tam , -, . ‘
ordall the combed, there WI!" "

n

to , you alllotor.”

prevent people that were on the way from
arriving.

What might happen to them after they got
there was a problem for them to face and ﬁnd out.

The disappearance of Plumb Center Pete was
not specially noticed, but the lynchers were
halting wit out a leader, and public 0 inion
was not half as ravenous against Bur-k eans,
an l the men from the Bunker Hill Mine, now
that Kale Carter’s men had, withdrawn to turn
their attention elsewhere. Still there was enough
of the old lava working to insure lively times if
the crowd poured in much more benzine; and
the town was not the most pleasant of places for
a stranger-to be set don u in.

Slim Jack was away behind even his elastic
schedule and was coming along with a roll. He
had applied the braid quite freely for the last
half dczvn miles, lul now, recognizing thelhonle
base at last his horses responded Will] a freedom
he hardly expected and came rattling into
Bunco at a great pace, the noise of the wheels
drowning other noises that might have'altracted
his attention.

These other noises in turn probably killed the
rattle of his wheels.

At any ratea man suddenly appeared, run-
ning with his head down and apparently for
dear llfl‘. ‘

He darted right into the path of Slim Jack’s
leaders, and though he recognized his danger
and made a des erate effort to evade them the
effort came too ate.

- The near leader struck'him. ﬂung him down
in the middle of the read, an he lay like one
hereftotsense in the midst of the tramplin
boots, for at the same moment the driver be
thrown down his brake hard, and given a strong
{pull on the lines.

It was not altogether the danger to the man
on the road either that caused him to actso
promptly.

There was a pack in full cry just behind the'
fugitivo, though it was. a chorus of human
throats that raised up the bold]. There was
also a shot or two ﬂaring in the darkness, and
‘Slim Jack stopped as quick for the mob that
appeared an instant later as if it had been a
gang of road-agent's with the familiar “ Hands
u l

“ That’s one of ’eml ’ shouted the mob.

“ He’s a cussed spy of Hunt Bron ne’s.”l

“ What’s he doin’ slinkin’ round hyerl . He's
the man that Started ther mass at Charley
Cole’s. Fit on a hemp necktie while we.got
him. Ther rest will keep. Hurrah! Hyer’s
fun at last.” , - " . .

So, from diﬂerent throats the cries went my,
and half a dozen of the more reckless ones a;-
tuall threw themselves under the v ry heels oi:
the $3588 in an effort to drag ou'Et eunlor-
tunate that they were houndlzig.

To the surprise of all the intended victim was
very much alive and in full ssession of his
sensrs. He .eluded the bonds t at were clutch-
ing for him. sprung up in the 'midst of the,
horses, placed a hand on the back of either
wheeler, and with a vigorous swing threw him-
self up on the foobhoard.

1“ For goodness’ sake, gentlemen l” he shouted,
“hold on! It’s onl me, Tenderloot Tom, es,-
they call me, ther lat from Walnut Bar. ‘I’m
only cut hyer waitin’ fur Kunnel' Johnson. I
ain‘t nothin’ ter do with Hunter who, on’ I
didn't raise no row. 195 all a mistake l”

“ Mistake or not, we want yer. Throw him
dow‘n,Jock, or we’ll her tor drill on".

The threat was ro-onforced by be clicking of
a pistol-lock, while one or two men began to
climb up over the wheels. ' ‘

“Up with yourcbrako and drive on. or I’ll
blow you cold,” uttered a grim voice in Slim
J ack‘s ear.

‘ This was sometbin also. The order name
short and solid, and ,ock felt the hardme .
o:  revolver pressed against the hue at his ’
s u . , .

“ Don’t yer do it, buss.” be momentum 3
his eyes around in an unsuccessful eﬂort to ion

back over his shoulder. . ‘ ‘

“ There’s an many of ’om. , )
loetlelnn now: but hoyl're how in‘ ti rs when ,.
they ‘git tbe‘r dander 11:, an' you on me can’t
ﬁght ther hull ov Bunoo.” .

Jrck knew to whom he was opohkiug.

He had two pasoengers inside and one behind

himontop. _ ' , .
It was the latterthotdiad just sold his ray. .
Strep thened as the appeal was by theeold '

touch tho ,rovolver, it might have proved in- " '

caectunhfo. the drivor knew-well enough tho
temper of 0 tool) around him; butat hat
moment Bowers tmkup the! meat 1 his ‘ ‘
best hold of the whip. Come what Ight, ho‘: _

never dropped his most effective weapon; and r .

once more it saved him in an emergency. ,' ,
Downit came with mightily stinging force,

and as it‘ fell mllck’s foot loosened the

brake. soothe teen: [banged forward. ,

' “ All right boys.” outed hack the man

top,“ the h tell a t at the's-ddeo rush.
~“ Goo lit le slow. e’vo got  we, . r

I no» it's only a

   
sidearm just hold your homes. , of  (0
Jl'ﬂt-rson’réond dump tth on  _ you and
loan argue the matter a llama}.  dill oeo

bong 

_/

s ' I

 
A

A Sport in Spectacles.

95

 
“- A howl that-was as much of amusement as
of anger, was the answer, the coach rolled on
with rather increasing speed, and the crowd

trotted after, while Bowers, after one eager

glance, shouted in happy tones:

“ Bless my soul, hyer’s richness.
it ain’t ther kunnel at last!”

“ Right you are, my boy. For driving mules
and getting into. masses you beat the world.
As usual. I’m just in time. What have you
b6en up to now!" '

“ Mel [ain’t bin'doin’ nothin’; jest lookin’
’round er leetle till.) er got hyer. But I sw’ar
I thought you'd nevpr come.” 5 _

“ Perhaps it would haw been safer for me if
I had staid away.” said Johnson coldly, as he
took the hand that was thrust at him.

“ There will be a circus when the hearse
sto s: but I’ll do the best I can. “If we don’t
pu I through it will be the ﬁrst time.”

“Oh! Iain’t afeard. They’ll listen ter rea-
son when you Spout it at ’em; but they don’t
care fer me any more than fer old shoes.”

“ Hello, what’s that?” a

Johnson looked QVer his shoulder at the
sound of a pistol-shot, well oif to their rear, and
was surprised to see the crowd in their wake
suddenly halt, stare about, and then go ramping
hack.

Buck Beans. seeing the way clear, had made
a sortie, and was on the: high road to getting
clean away.

The vehicle coming toa sudden stoppage at
the Jefferson House, allowed Bowers’s answer to
be more plainly heard.

“ There’s war in town, an’ I guess ther crowd’s

oin’ terdro me an’ feel for Buck Beans. Cuss
- em. I wish ’d never seen ’em.”

“ And who is Buck Beans. and what have

you to do with his crewd?”

Hanged ef

somehow ther camp bez, riz at ’em, though
cussed ef'I kin understand it. Oh, there’s lots
0v trouble hyer, an” when that goes, my luck
gits me in ther thick ovit.”

“ Himler Browne, all I” -

Colonel Johnson repeated the name aloud and ‘

thowhtfully as he climbed'down.

Johnsonhad stated, were of the feminine sex.
One was an elderly lady, clad in an old-

fashioned, stnifyrlooking dress and who held on '
to a grip-sack as though it was worth a pile of ,

money.
“ Bless my soul,

'Where‘s mv niece? She ought to be out here to

menine. Oh, dear. this is a horrible country I” ;
“Excuse me, madam, but I don’t recollect i

you exactly, and m sure I don’t know who
your niece kin bu. But come in. We kin make
you comfortable, and tomorrow you can look
around.” - ‘

“ Don’t know m'e, don’t know'me? I, so pose
at; it’s a good many‘years since I was ere,.
ookin after my brother and it 968318le me
that lgmet on their. I‘m looking now, for a

n nam ntor Browne. 1 am Mrs.

‘Ei‘lldah Waringuaor'what is left of that much
~ icy-Led woman. A , _ l : ‘

. Waring was inclined to be ﬂighty in her
conversation; the non-appearance of her niece
had already ceased to trouble her, and she ale
lewed hersel! to be led in by Jeﬂerson,'who
looked as though'h’e thou b that there was
enough left of her yet, an that it would be
wisdom ,for, him to hold his peace.

“Slipper?!” said. sharply. “I am almost
tarnished. We should have been here hours

a o. '
g"All ready. madam and waiting. Scrub '03
a little of the dust and by that time l’llsut you
down to a lay-out such as you don’t do every
.1. in your life. The‘town is a little 1! t;
mionrything goes on all right. here. fter
ou’ve had your feed we’ll look over them ques-
lons 0v 'yourn, 811’ mobile I kin answer ’em
)1

1
‘.

P“ That reminds m’e. IsIflllie here! mesh-1

was to be at the best hotel. Perhaps the", is a
better establishuﬁentpn Bunco. I-‘dou't want to
makean mists es.
' “Ming?” res onded Jeﬂersen thoughtfully
-acratching his cad. He was tting down
from his stilts and lapsin into in everyday
style of cODVersation very est. ,

“I’vo neared that name before. P’raps ye,-
mean Miss Vandeleur.”

“Yes. That is the name. Where issth
Why does she not Show her. face when rye
come here, all the way, in her interestr’

“Well, the fact are, she’s jest ste ped out.
Hobbs she'll be back afore yer git thr ugh Wm,

rub. E! she don’t we kin send out an' gee.

aka yerself at home, now. It will all be

Hyer" e Walla! Where in thunder

are that Chime] E! he don’t stick ’rqund

closer l’ll'bhnnce him. He won’t earn in:
. ,5 , ‘

Isl.”

' ' ’ but Hrs. Warln
 slim 3mm“°’.l3333%m ..  .:
fem l who was as silent a mute,
’, Shaeruvvaaamplza
 V ‘ , l \ '

 
landlord,” she wheezed.;
“The town is worse new than when I Was here ,
theothcr time, and it was bad enough then. '

5 much
I the sl "'1

 
2

Mrs. Waring did all the talking and the other
the listening. .

In a little while the two reappeared and took
their places at the long table in the dining
r0om behind which We Wailo suddenly skipped.

At the other end of the table were seated two
men, who- between mouthfuls, conversed in a
low tone. The two Were Colonel Johnson and
his satellite, Tom Bowers. It seemed that the
crowd had chased the latter mainly for the
sake of seeing him run, and had speedily for-
gotten all about him in their renewed interest
in Beans.

The Flat from Walnut Bar had a good deal
to say; Colonel Johnson listened to him closely.
Both looked up in some surprise at hearings.
or}; from Mrs. aring.

hat lady had risen to her feet with a care
lessness that came near to wrecking chair and
table, and was vigorously prodding with her
forefinger the air in front of her while she ex-
claimed:

“ Who are you; who are you? I would know
your face in a thousand.”

Then she dropped back into her chair and
stared sternly, like one who had just received
a great shock. ‘

CHAPTER XXXIII.
A MAN ON THE ROPE.
DANDY DAVE was silent as a wolf in a trap,.
and just about as vicious on opportunity. He

hours in spite of the fact that the mind of the
girl was busy with the dangers and the duties
of her situatibn. .

in that time she had thought of a thousand
things. and lastbf all came to ht an idea that
contained a spark of hope.

c lantern burned but dimly, yet it might
8i her to remove the cord around her wrists.
She arose steadily and moved over to where it.
was standing. With the utmost care she han-
dled it, since it was possible in her efforts that
the light might become extinguished. To be in
total darkness was the only added horror that
was needed to break her down completely.

It was an oil lantern, the cup ﬁtting into the
glass. and secured by a spring. Her wrists had

een bound back to hack. Taking the handlcof
the lantern in her teeth she pressed back the
spring. and after Several efforts drew down the.
cup. exposing the ﬂame. '

Carefully she set the‘ cup down, and then
held the knot of the cord in the blaze until it
broke into a slow, smoldering ﬂame.

It was not as hard to do as she had feared.
There was a little scorching and some pain.
That was all, for she did the work slowly.
When the knot was through the rope loosened.
With an effort her hands were free.

Hope grew stronger. Leaving the lantern she
went, out into the passage, and was abdut to
feel her way to the right toward the opening,
when she was startled at hearing a noise behind

 
showed his teeth but made no snap, since he
saw no chance for his teeth to meet. Millie *
felt that there was no help to be expected from ‘
him. There was just one chance left, and she '
had been too much startled to try it sooner. She
turned on tit man who stalked by her side.

“Perhaps there has been some mistake. If ;

' ;you have turned Mr. Browne'smen out in;
“ He‘s Hunzer Browne’s right-hand man, an’,

whose interest was it done? Do you or did you

; know a man by the name of Silas Allbright? Is ‘

be your employer?”
“ No,” a swered the Mexican, bririly.
“ But A lbright talked of procuring some men I
to do this very work; indeed, I think he had
his arrangements made, though he said it was ,

. 1 best for me to know as little as possible about I
Jt'ﬁlslm was already out, and looking after .
the interests of the inside passengers, who. as '

that part. He was my friend. Are you cer-l
tain that you are not injuring one it is your ‘
duty to protect?”

“No difference does it make. Work we for :
Senor Pereira. He killed the American dog.
himself. Thee will he kill also most likely;
yonder man certain. Speak nothing, my ears v
are closed.” , .

“But if you were all enemiesof Mr. Allbright, ?
how does it come you are not friemisot' Browne?
Perhaps I havc‘misundersiood you.”

Tint could hardly have been ossible, but:
when Miss Vandeleurrhalted an asked the
question she certainly could doubt no longer. "

“Browne! Curses on him!” shouted the Mexi-
can, his face sudden] convulsing with rage.
“Ah, the vile thief! _f Manuel had not stayed
me, the hand of Gomez Ca-Villo had slain him in
his blood. What is ’gold when? revenge Inuit
waitl,Beware. If aught thou ft to Hunter
Browne thy blood will ﬂow with is. We will ‘
crush'the whole brood nit-ones.” ' l .

Io thexsemidarkaess 1mm “could see hiseyes
gleaming with a threatening llamas, and she
did not doubt but that he would be as good as
his word. She closets her lips-tightly town-em
a" scream, and had nothing'nlore to say. C'evilio
waited an instant for an answer. 'and then,
rm: 6:11 impatient tug at her shoulder, urged
er "

“In there,” be said, pointing strai ‘tﬂto the
darkness: and she went forward illudlyll as'
though there could be no choice ms. civils
that'were before her. ' .

It was neither a cave ' nor-a well into which
the descended' simply a slope, leatﬁng into
theBunkerHil u . Ferallthatam thr-
nble enough. The plate! manya'glrl would
haveb down entire "y. - ' *

After a little thereflxas a techie glimmer of
light. Pothelaftr'an-a narrower ‘ ‘
reaching to a cell-like excavation in wt
burni a lantern. ‘ .-

“de up thy two hands,”ordcud Gomez,

harsh» . , .
Millie held annex-round

w
s33;

Without hesitation
little wrists. and about than: Cavillo’ speedily
knotted a cord. ' '

He looked at her sharply, half doubting
whether she was secure en h; but aseheaun
noiselesst down, ap renty exhausted by.
fat! no and her em, ions, he thought there
cou d be little da gore: escape, with the solid

‘ mountain behind er, and the men on guard at

the point of egress. _ .
“Stay there. When the senor comes will
thy‘fate be decided. He and his sister hold thy
neck’in their ﬁngers. For me—l could crush it.
He receiyed no answer, and thought the girl
terriﬁed beyond speech. though, actually, she
was silent as much th h wonder at what
Hume; Browne could have {ions to awaken so
ate. ‘
quick steps ohm ﬂexica‘n sounded along
While; . ,savalldelouwu,” with

Erna

her, that seemed to come from the inner recess-
es of the shaft, while from the outside came.
two men running.

She drew back at once, and just in time.

The men stopped at the Very spot, apparently

a listening. She heard one of them say, with a.

careless laugh:

“ The old fox sticks hard to his hole. I reckon
if we hadn’t caught him sleepin’ he’d hev down—
ed more ner One ov ther boys.”

“Hush yer gab,” answered the other.

‘ 5 “They‘re hringin’ him. Ef ther boss knew.

what war what he’d ﬁnish things up in ther.
Ef‘ he giis outside he may talk too loud. I ain’t
altergetlier easy yit, fur he‘s a man that’s hard
ter beat.” ,-
“Harder not‘the job’ll be did ‘ afbre mornin’.
Ther pile are hyer somewhar, an’ We’ll liev ther ’

5 secret outen him of we hcv ter roast his heart

out. The Mexican may howl ef he wan‘s to.”
The steps from the depths of the mine came

; nearer, and from the noise Millie judged that a

captive was being dragged along by half a
dozen men. He was silent enough, now; but
from what she heard no doubt he had struggled ‘
hard, even though he knew the struggle was

l hopeless.

Behind her she suddenly heard a dull thud,
that caused her to start and then turn quickly.
To her surprise on the rocky ﬂoor lay a few
coiled rings of rope, and an end, reaching up-
ward, was lostin the night above.

Strata iy-enough she had not thought» to ex—
ami'ne e‘ ceiling ‘Mone, though little good
would” it have done, since all she could now see‘
was that the rape went up until‘it was no lone
g‘el‘ visible; "

It had not been there before, and it hid not
come there of itself. Possibly there was some»
one near that would aid her. ‘ ,

She called as loudly as shedared, but there
was no answer. I ' ' " ‘

She egg" at the rope. androimd that it re~
stained , and seemed to reach a- gust way
up.  . . ,

“Wherever it goes we»! at much the end'
and Ieaabeaeworse omthen‘ 'ha‘lre. Good
for use that l hawk the that Icw
‘ NW!) haw had. “imam-sore worn.
out than 1 he! Imay’giﬂ th’hﬂhe slip. New,
wrists, your duty) .  ' ' r

to said to herself .h'TW and coolly
catching hold or the  unheated
We Mr Q ~ I v *’ ’

coal was at our, the ﬁlled her
,s' hiriy "well an - when she [had a»
‘7’"‘l‘3lmi'hg‘twm g“ in?“
"e egn'n  . I air ‘ i0
reached out a hand oneithérlide and found the
wall of rock all around her. The place seemed
». like a large chimney. ,1 hou’gh honeys could not-
descr as yet any queuing at the to
.. Ila ga short restshemmed :- upward
journeys-hearing was startled at‘ feeling the
rope vibrate. as it may by someone above
who was descending. '

thought, “and
warning.” 
' Tﬂeu, aloud: , ~ ~‘ I . - ' ’
“ Hill». above there i Do you want to shake, .
me om Climbb‘ck and gm me a chance to, a
ct out of this. I’m a woman, and those vileg 
gins below wouldmurdcrmo." ‘ '  , K 
“Can’t do it. Hold still!“ Be careful,  
letmego past»~»yw. . I it no danger" 'y "
will ﬁnd a mdm.nud who 1. t I. gm. 1
thiembﬂowthemﬁl' a merry tie transact ,
don’t; munch. Imkmm,*~a§ldnuedu9 _
‘ {w “)5 -.‘v" a; 'V r » _.

if so new heufest to give him “i, 

I
n/

, The
 r“

 
‘ I, I  _, I. ., ... ._ g7, -. s

,, . ,- .y

{we} _  f ,4 /  
.v , - n \j-“wr ,' -  iii .3 . , {kg-e, I h \ k

 
“It must be a friend," lies ‘Vaadcleur 

011.57

 
26

..

c ifgr, and then slid on rapidly not haeding
f or warning to halt.

There was no time to waste in speculations;
the strain on her wrists was becoming too great
to admit of any delay, though fortunately there
was another knot only a few yards above, on
which she braced her feet and took another
brief rest. Then upward she went until she
.heard a hoarse voice almost in her ear:

“ What’s ther racket? Comin’ back ag’in’.’
'I thort you‘d lose sand when yer saw what sort
er a hole was afore yer.”

“ Don’t fretyourself about sand, but help me
out of this.” gasped Millie, who, at the rospect
of near assistance felt herself sudden y grow-
ing weak.

There was a grunt of surprise, followed by an
exclamation of delight.

“Good girl! Ef she hain’t played roots on
’em all my name ain’t Plumb Center Petel Hyer
yer be. Stiddy by jerks!”

An arm went around Miss Vsndeleur’s waist,
and with one wave of strength she was swung
from the rope to a footing on the solid rock.

” Say. yer hain’t seen nothin’ 0v Hunt Browne;
hev yer?” asked Blockey, transferring his grasp
from her waist to her arm. “Me an‘ my pard,
ther perfessor, hez come in ter back his ame,
an’ now 'we wants ter ﬂnd whar he spreads his
lay out}!

“I do not know,” gasped Millie, her breath
half gone from her recent exertions.

“They are all thieves and murderers below.
They have a prisoner. I could not see him but
.I believe they said it was Browne. Oh, they
are all wicked men to whom killing is a joke.
What can we do!"

“ Are yer sure it war Browne? El’ he’s down
thar MW in blazes did his rope git up hyer?”

Miss Vandeleur had no answer, ready for him
so the darkness answered for her.

“ We Wailo bling lope uppie. Chinaman allee
loundee, top-side ebley time! \Vhah Goggly
.Gawge!’

“ Cussed of it ain’t ther Chinaman ag’in,” ex-
wclaimed Pete, with a start.

“ You bettee. W’hah’s th’ plofessle?”

“ He’s d0wn thar, Chinee: and I've a ood
notion to chuck you over and let on go out
'him. How in blazes did yer ever nd yer way
Lhyer? Ye‘r’ beginnin’ ter git dangersome.”

“ Huntee Gogeg Gawge. No can ﬂudee.
Bee 510wnee clawl uppee and We Wailo heah
come too. No can climb down lope; pulle lo
uppe. Allee same. Blowne no lun away. h,
choy? Be heap fun heah soon. Eblee bodde
comee. Want see Huntee Blowne heap self an’
, take cah plofesslee. What ’Melican glil want-
.chee?” - .

“Never mind the girl—hark! I hear some-
'thin bett‘r worth listening to."

Ne lie’s keen ears had caught the noises that
‘were barely audible. She turned toward them.
.At a little diktance she saw through an oriﬁce
(stars twinkling, and broke away to reach the
outer air. In a dozen steps she had reached a
rocky ledge, and gazing downward saw a
strange sight.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

A BESURBICTION FROM Till DEAD.

, Ar Huldah Waring‘s cry We Wailo had
«aven a start. The finger of the woman pointed
very much at large—no wonder if he might
think it was pointin at him. It was the vorce
of Colonel Johnson t at undeceivsd him.

v“ I’ll be testotally condensed if it ain't. My
ears or my eyes are not worth a cent any more
or l’d have he out of this mix. Yes, don‘t

lower at ms t at way. It’s your former hus-

and, alive and very much kicking. Now touch
me lightly. It would be a shame to spoil the
harmonies after all these years of separation.
Ah, she must have broken. Confonn it if she
hasn’t fainted. Why, she used 10 have more
nerve than a cast-iron camel with a bronze
hump, and now she throws up her heels gust be-
cause she thinks she has seen a ghost. hack a
pail of water ovsr her, Chinee, and see if you
can bring her round. I’m really too hungry to
waste time with such fooling.”

And then the colonel actually applied himself
to the edibles with a vigor that showed such a
thing as a fainting Woman could have no effect
on his a petite.

The hinaman was more solicitous for her
welfare; and the woman who was Mrs. War-
ing’s companion was not backward. Between
them and nature the fainting woman returned
to consciousness about the time that Colonel
Johnson had taken the sharpest edge of! of his
hun er.

“" aring, is it really you? No, no, it cannot

 
Then followed three or four little cries, some-
where. between a shriek and a groan.
“ Oh, come now,” said the colonel coldl . “ If
on keep on like that you’ll have the who 0 house
zero laybe you helieVe in ghosts, but l’ll
swear I don’t. ,If none of them are deader than
I am they’re thundering frauds. I’ve been
dodgin you for pretty well on to twenty ears
-—d‘ve n divorced \for fifteen, and be my
name legally changed b act of legislature
' the same time—an now it’s about time

A Sport in Spectacles.

to have a general clearing up. I suppose you
are aware that I am not dead; but, on the con-
trary, ver mut h alive.”

“And dmund Farrell did not kill you?”

“ Small blame to him if he didn’t. He thought
well enough that he had done so, and for about
a month I thought so myself.”

“You worthless wretchl And on your ac-
count I hunted my Own brother to death. Oh,
I was mad, mad, mad. It was on my account
he quarreled with you; I sent after him the de-
tective that hounded him to his grave.”

“Scarcely, my dear, scarcely. I had no de~
sire to put an oar in—I don’t hate Ed Farrell
half as much as I once did—but now that the
matter is broached, I may as well give the
whole thing awn . Unless he has handed in his
checks in the ins few weeks Ed Farrell is still
alive."

“ It is false I" cried Mrs. Waring.

“I saw his freshly-made gravu, and the copy
of his will which left me ﬁve thousand dollars.
More I got the money.”

“ 6 could write the will a great deal better
if he was living than if he was dead, couldn’t
be? And I wouldn’t think much of a man who
wouldn’t give ﬁve thousand dollars to be rid of
you and the detectives together. I gave four or
ﬁve times that. The fact is, Huldnh, that while
you were a very honest woman you were a per-
fect screamer.’

“ But I do not understand yet.”

“Whewl you have changed. Twenty years
ago if I had said that much, there wouldn’t
have been a whole plate left on the tatﬂe
by this time. What is it you‘don’t under-
stand?”

“How could such a. deception be possible?”
responded Mrs. Waring, ignoring the reﬂection
on her temper.

“ Simple enough. After our little racket,
out of which I came out second best, he
got away, and so did I—in different direc-
tions.”

“ Your detectives were after him-almost had
,him. It was necessary to do somethin to
throw them off, unless he wanted to go entirely
to the bad. He stumbled across Hunter Browne
when the latter was just climbing the range to
pass over. Your brother had been prettv badly
cut up, but he kept that to himself, and Browne
was really dying.

“Ed had some money and had made some

discoveries; Browne was in a worry about a
little girl of his that he was afraid would come
to want. Farrell proposed a change of names,
and he would provide for the girl. He had a
girl of his own, but he was willing to let her
drop in the background. There was a he in
the matter, too, but I don’t know rightly w ose
son he was. At all events Farrell agreed to
take care of the children until the youngest was
twenty-one, and then divide between the boy
and Browne's irl the ostensible fortune that be
then had. He gured that by that time he could
make anothe; fortune for himself, and if he
didn’t, it wouldn’t make much difference. What
do you think of that for a story, eh? I saw Ed
Farrell not a month ago. He’s quit the disguise
that fooled his Own sister, and he has no idea of
the neat little revenge I had on him. He‘s
lost twenty years of his life to~save himself
from being hung for a man that isn’t dead. I’ve
been thinking it all ever since then. and when I
heard the games that were being set up against
him I wea ened at last. I’m going to straighten
thingzxup the best I know how, and then Tom-
m , re, and I will go on to the next campand
d ve mules.”
Colonel Johnson told his lon story with a
coolness that was both wonderfu and convinc-
ing. His former wife shuddered and listened as
if fascinated, though when hb ceased she was
able to speak quite calmly. v

“I have changed since those da s, I hope;
but no matter. know that l have one wrong
in something—I, too, came here to make an ef-
fort to set things right; and yet, what a maze I
was in. I have been searching for my bro-
ther’s dau hter- and found hcr. She had been
swindled y those in whose hands she was
placed, and had had a hard life of it, yet had
grown to be a handsome, courageous woman.
A true woman, I hope, though she was a
trapeze performer. A man by the name of
Allbright—a brokemdown detective I think-
had lately given her an idea of who she was—-
or rather was en posed to be—and she was
coming here to ght for her rights. Poor
girl. he intended to fight her Own father.”

“A tragpeze performer? I think, my dear,
you are 0 your eggs. What was her name?”

“ Millie Vandeleur was her stage name—and,
indeed, the only name to which she had ever
answered.”

“Then you are just as wrong as you over
were. The dau hter of the real Edmund Far-
rell—the man t at goes now bathe name of
Browne—was brought upashita oy'isolo: and
the oddest thing is that she looks ike a Mexi-
can senorita and isn’t; and the other girl doesn’t
and is. It’s an elegant mix, but we’ll straighten
it out in the morning. Have you taken it all
in, heathen!”

We Wailo had remained judicious] in the

 
background but he had listened wit unc‘is-

 
* as:
uised-interhst, and was in no way disconcerted
y the sudden question.

“ We Wailo genlee allee loundee. Takee in
belles well, topside, g’low. Wantee ax who
Dellingel Deck. ’

“ How did yoB come to know anything about
it. Derrin er eck ist he boy in the case.. He
went by t a name of Farrell for years, but
Whether he is son of the living or the dead,
Hunter Browne—as they call him now—alone
can tell. Hello! what’s the matter with you I”

“ Heap sollee. Hunter Blowne in bad scla ,
no get out soO'n kickee bucket all ovelee. e
Wailo lun see.”

The Chinaman pranced OK; but Colonel John-
son shook his head as he saw him go. He had
detected symptoms of a deeper interest than he
could understand. Had he watched the Celes-
tial he mi ht have seen him sllnk from the
J-fferson I ouse, and when once fairly away
break into a run. He was going straight to-
ward the Bunker Hill Mine.

The reader has seen how he appeared there;
but the explanation of his haste is yet to be
given. .

 
CHAPTER XXXV.
A MAN AT BAY.

THE disappearance of Hunter Browne had
been partially explained by Plumb Center Pete;
but even he had not anticipated the little game
of We Wailo, that cut off the possibility of re-
treat and left him walled in, with the mountains
on one side and Big Frank and his gang on the
other. The brief conversation overheard gave
the facts of his capture. He had been taken
asleep; and now was dragged out for a pur-
pose.

There was a little circle of a dozen before
him, and though the light was so dim and un-
certain that anything like recognition was al—
most impossible, the men were all masked.

One stood a little apart from the rest, and
addressed Browne in a mufﬂed voice, though his
words seemed for the others:

“Ef this man keers fur life he’ll hev ther
chance ter show it. Ef gold are vu’th more
than a hull skin he kin figger it out in est one
minnit. Brethren, tie him to ther post. ’

Willing hands knotted the ropes around
Browne’s wrists and ankles. In a trice'he was
fastened almost beyond the power of motion,
while behind the post stood a man holding a
scarf, ready to stiﬂe any stream, should it be
necessary.

“Now, Browne,” continued. the spokesman,
“we know yer hcvn’t bin runnin’ thingy: er
all fur fun. We’ve bin a-watchin’ yer wgen

er least thort it. We know yer hev put out a

cap, but there’s a cold hundred thousand
somewhar, an’ that’s ther pile we’re after. It
ain’t yer money er yer life; but it’s yer gold
sure, an’ maybe yer life afore we git through
gittin’ it. Are yer ready ter p‘int out whar yer
hid it, er must we do worse?”

Browne looked haggard and worn, but there
was no sign of quailing as he answered:

“If I had a million you shouldn’t have an
ounce. Do your werst. I defy you all! It
looks like your time now; mine will come by
and b .”

“ ebbe yer don’t know who ye’r’dealin‘ with.
This ain’t no milk an’ water gang. We’re jest
bizness from ther ground up.’

“ 1 don’t care who you are, or what you are.
You have my answer.”

“Mebbe you think we dassn’t go through
with ther job? Ef yer do ye’r’ badly fooled.
We’ve changed ther deck an’ begun/a new
deal. It’s ther gold we want, sn’ then we’ll
skip. Ef yer kin ketch us on kin git it out
ov our hides, an’ ef you , on’t ther Bunker
Hill will soon make you evr-n ag’in. We ain’t
jumpip’ yer claim hyar; that war ther other

an .

“ It makes no difference who you are, or what
you are,” responded Browne, sturdily. “You
get nothing out of me, and I’ll be even for this
work or die tr ing. Now, do your worst.”

At the chal enge, two men stepped gravely
forward.

Each held an end of a long rope, which they
ke t stretched between them.

hey moved forward until the center of the
rope touched the body of the prisoner, and then
walking in great circles, they wound the cord
round and round him.

At ﬁrst, it was no great torture.

At least, it was one that could be borne.

‘ But inch after inch of Browne’s bod was
covered with the ti htening coils, until at length
he began to feel only too well the ingenuity of
the scheme for torture.

Then another pair cf men stepped out, and
took up the work where the ﬁrst pair left ( if.

“Don’t you fellows make any mistake,” "called
out Browne. “ My gold you will never get.
alone know where it is, and I’ll never tell. You
are going to kill me inside of the next ten min-
utes, and I just want to say it strai ht to you
heforeI 0, that you’ve been curse ly ha‘dly
fooled. cod-night, you villains all. I’m on
the marl now, and I’ll make the landin before
monin . If you’d given me a show, would
have \ on the heft of you along till the roads

 
.m_-\a..a..‘ .—

 
i .-).A"

 
A Sport in spectacles.

2'7

 
forked. Curse on, all for cowards. I‘m OK,
but my ghost m I come back to haunt you."

His bitterness moved no one in the slightest.
"They simply went on winding slow death
,around him. He felt the paralysis of the
checked circulation, and the horror of an un-
certainty about the end.

Then came the sound made by horses gallop-
in recklessly along the trail that led to the spot.

The noise gave the fainting man a little thrill
of hope, and at the same time puzzled the in-
quisitors. There were men on picket-duty, be-
yond, who should have given notice of the
approach; yet the new-comers advanced with-
out challenge or hindrance.

A moment later they knew the reason.

Pereira, with eyes ﬂashing, hair ﬂying, a re-
volver in his hand, dashed into the circle. He
had leaped from his horse just at the limit of
the little clump of shanties, and without hesi-
tation or fear. sprung to,the side of the prisoner,
and as he sprung he shouted:

“Back, you dogs! Gomez. where art thou!
Art thou a traitor, too? Mexicans, stand by me
if you would share the gold. This man belongs
to me and mine.”

As he spoke his knife ran down between pris-
oner and post, the razor-like blade under his
whole weight and skillful management passing
through many of the rings of rope and loosening
the rest, while the revolver he had transferred
to his left hand menaced the crowd before him.
'Though Hunter Browne was still bound beyond
the power of motion the crawling death had
been turned back.

At the challenge of Pereira one of the mask-
ers stepped uickly forward.

“ The said that thou wert false to us. That
thou ha st led us into this trap to take posses-
sion for thee, and that then thou wouldst come
upon us with the Americans from the camp
and cheat us of the gold which thou alone could
ﬁnd. Even if thou hadst done this thing I
would care nothing. Gomez Cavillo is here for
revenge. No other hand than his can take ven-
. eance on yonder dog for his wrongs to my
Elite. He won her and cast her aside. So I
helped him to his-denth-agonies what was it to
me if it be Manuel Pereira or Big Frank who
stood by my side? We would not harm thee,
but aside thou must stand. I hate thee, Manuel
Pereira, since but for thee I would not have lost
my Nita. As her brother onlyl can not kill
thee Yet if thou art across our way thou must
.fall.”

His hand had been on his revolver. At the
closing threat it sprung up in true line with the
senor’s heart, covering him with deadly aim,
just as a great blaze shot up from one of the
neighboring cabins. ‘

At the ﬂaring light all save Gomez turned in
spite of themselves, since it seemed like a signal
of instant attack. As the wheeled there came
the crack of several pisto -shots, followed by a.
mocking laugh.

“You'd set Dandy Dave up to toast, would

you? Ha, ha! Into you it goes chuck up! Take'

me ef yer kin l"
One man dropped dead, another sta gered
away, wounded. Ir Dandy Dave had eld a
air of sixes he would have stayed for the gang.
3 nfortunately for him when he had worked
himself loose the weapon of which by chance he

{guessed himself held only two loaded chem—-
rs.

When he had touched a match to the oil
die had scattered and fired his two shots he ran
ﬁeell)’ any m "19 1008. dark shadow at the
rear of the hOuse.

Pereira wassta'rtledfGomez never moved his
«eye from its aim. Neither noticed two shadows
ﬂowin from either Sldf‘.

The st shadow resolved itself into Prof ssor
Elderberry, with spectacles on his nose, and a
revolver in each hand. .

Go gle George dropped his (1me

" ock it to ’91:), boys!" be yelled. “Don’t
throw a shot am!  Shoot to kill, am} 1*“ pay
:for the cor . row in your men rom the
rear, Beans‘fﬁsnd we’ll hold up this end. Here
you have it!" _

The punctuation of his sentences was a lime
irregular, but it was done With his revolvers,
land the rand stop came when he abrupt!
ﬂung out his ﬁst sidevmys. When Gomez Cavi -
10 went d0wn at the ﬁrst fire Pereira turned,
uplifted knife in hand, toward the very man
who had come to his. aid. Such treachery could
hardly be expected or guarded against, _yet the
professor met it. Just when he was in true
range he dashed the butt of his reVOlver into
Pereira’s face, the one blow striking the Mexi-
can senSeless. Then he had to turn to meet the
rush of Big Frank, who had gathered his men
by the cry: "

“All together, here! It's only one man!

They 8110!! as they came, and the professor
dropped the revolver from the left hand as a
bullet went through the ﬂeshy part of the arm,
$1139.: the same time he took a snap-shot behind

in.

The other shadow that had crept in was the
madwoman he had already seen conversmg
“with Manuel Porcin. Like therest of her race

the knife was her Weapon, and in another mo-
ment she would have had it in the heart 01 mm‘
“1' Browne.

 
The bullet struck fairly on the blade and the
woman reeled back from the unex ted shock.

A shout went up from Big Fran ’8 men. Six
of them were down, but as the seventh fell
Professor Elderberry toppled over. ~

Small blame to him! There were ﬁve bulle
in his body!

“ Now, out with that ﬁre! We’ll have all
Bunco up hyer cf they see it. One of you take
that madwoman away and a couple of you see
if there’s any life in this carrion.”

“You bet there’s life in it,” howled a harsh
voice in response. “ I ain’t never one back yit
on a man I made my pard. yer’s’ Plumb
Center Pete, come ter kill.”

Again the shaft dis orged—this time Plumb
Center Pete and We Wailo.

The latter ran straight to the Mexican woman
who, recovered from her shock, had again ﬂung
herself at Hunter Browne.

“ You fool you!” he hissed. “ This is not
Hunter Browne at all. It was he that ﬁred the
shanty! He has gone and you never will see
him again.”

For answer Nita
bounded toward the
Wailo with ready
Pete Blockey.

That individual talked a good deal, but he
knew a thindg or two about a ﬁght against odds.

The crow was between him and the ﬁre.

Just in time to barely miss the valley that
answered his defiance he threw himself full
length upon the ground, his outstretched hands
1holding his self cocking sixes, and his work

egan.

gave a great cry and
burning building. We
revolvers turned toward

 
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE GENERAL ROUND or.

PLUMB CENTER PETE was cool as an iceberg,
and deadly as fale. Almost invisible, save by
the light of his pistols’ ﬂashes, he had fair marks
for such wonderful good shooting as his, and
yet, until he could reach Big Frank who seemed
to bear a charmed life, the end was in doubt.

Everything was passing with blinding quick-
ness. Shot after shot Blockey ﬁred without
waste, while, in return, the bullets whistled
around him, or sunk into his ﬂesh; but the
deadliest danger came when Big Frank, spring-
ing in from the side, stood almost over him.

“ Curse you!" he shouted. “I have you
novv 1”

His ﬂnger was on the trigger when there was
a double report as loud as a youn cannon.

' “ We Wailo loundee ebly time, ’ shouted the
Celestial-looking little one, a smoking pistol in
each hand; and, as if in answer to is words,
there came a hoarse cheer, followed by a cry of
dismay.

There was no shamming now.

Buck Beans and the remnant of his men were
indeed around.

At the time of the diversion caused by the
pleasantry with Tenderfoot Tom he had made

ood his retreat, and by a devious journey, cgme
k to the Bunker Hill just in time.

As he and his men charged in with the cheer,
the remnant from the savage fight broke away.
Up to this they had taken their chances. The
fewer the survivors the fewer there would be to
sharethe hundred thousand dollars’ worth of
gold they were sure Hunter Browne had hid
away. Now, with the odds all the other way,
there was no hope to hold them, and their
greedy courage was gone.

Plumb Center. Pete, though wounded more
than once, rose coolly tohis feet to meet the
new-comers.

“ Ye'r‘ late fur ther frolic, boyees, but ye’r’ in
good time fur ther funeral. Look after ther
boss. Some stray lead msv‘nev reached him-
otherwise he’s a I right. I’m afeard m
hez gone up ther ﬂume, but ef he has ther never
war a better man ner Goggle George went out
ov ther wet with his boots on.”

Hunter Browne, as he still may best be called
in spite of the revelations of the of dam
Waring, was not seriously injured, and We
Wailo was already caring for him. Buck
Beans, after a hasty glance in his direction,
turnedhis attention toward the rest.

“Oh, I’m all right, Pete. There’s a reason-
ably fair lead shaft in my anatomy, but I’m as
good as three dead men yet. It was only the
shock. Derringer Declris hard to kill; though
this is the closest shave he‘s had yet.”

“ Dog gone your pictures l”

Blockey too in the disclosure with surprise.

So yer bin playin’ us fur ﬂats all ’round, an’
made ther turn. All right; I’ve heard ov you
afore. Close month an’ hands on ther board. I
don t want ter skip jest yet, an’ I won’t unless
you give me awn .

“There’ll be ‘ t‘rouble’ if I do. 0. K. old
man! we’ll see how the land lays. And. by
the way, if you see anythin of Dandy Dave
take his part. He’s an old is depard of mine,
and helped me throu h the riﬂe. If we both
slippedup a little on he girl, she’s safe anyhow.
Now tie me  If on look you’ll ﬁnd me
fuller of holes an a skimmer.”

“ Au’ none of ’em very bad,” answered Pete,
who had already begun his work.

" Glad to hear it. H0w’s Browne! I hope all

 
of us cripples can be moved down to Bunco.
Beanscan hold on here, now that he’s in posses-
sion, especially if you and Dandy can stay and
see the thing through the dra ."

“Right you be. With alI this dead meat
piled up b er, ther ghosts alone could keep ther
ranch. ou bet they don’t want no more of
Plumb Center Pete in theirn.”

“Get Brown| and the women away before
Bunco comes out after Beans. And look after
Pereira a little. He tried to kill me just when
I was backing his hand the heaviest, and I hit
him for all I was worth. I didn’t want to kill
him, though; and if he’s not done for handle him
kindly. He may talk, and he knows a heap.”

Without much searching Pereira was found.
He was just recovering his senses, but the butt
of the professor’s pistol had ﬂattened his nose
almost even with his face. The so-called Hun-
ter Browne had alread regained his strength,
and had been giving a ew hasty directions. He
had even darted into the shaft to see, of course,
what mischief had been done. As he came out,
his face lit with a satisﬁed smile, he saw Pereira,
who had been bound as a prisoner. Millie was
just behind him, but of her he took no note.

“So you wanted to get me and my mine, did

ou--and your tOols went back on you? Better

uck next time. I‘ve a mind to turn you loose
to trv.”

“Curse the mine,” retorted Pereira, savagely,
“thou it was that I was after, and thy mine
was but the bait. What was gold u lien we la-
bored for revenge!"

“That’s it, old man. I can make some allow-
ance when I think what an idiot you haw been.
You’re after (he wrong man. unter Browne
died—well, close toward twenty years ago.
took his name to Save my neck, but I didn’t
shoulder his misdeeds at the same time. If the
Goytisolos want him, supposing they go look
for him in some other world. I can swear that
I never harmed them. If I set you free will you
take your niece and jump the camp?”

“ My niece?”

Pereira had been startled by the statement of
the man he had known as Browne; but the
word niece seemed to strike him most of all.

" Mistaken art then? The child died when an
infant. Only Nita and I are there; and Nita—-
my sister—is mad.”

“Not so mad as you, I guess. Anyhow, take
her and go. It is the gospel truth I told you;
but if you ever want to try it on again, I‘ll take
better care. They as she went as my ﬁnger
points; follow her. hould you still doubt, I
can give you proof at: better time. For the
present, we don’t need you here; It’s too great
a temptation to murder.”

Pereira hesitated, even when his limbs had
been set free.

“ Is it the very truth on tell me?"

“ The very truth. y name was Farrell,
and I had killed my man—just as you no doubt
have ’done. Go, now, or my offer will not hold

“ It has all been a mistake,” answered Pereira,
in a subdued tone. " You hold the whip hand,
and I submit. Yet beware of Bunco! Your
foes there are not all dead yet, even if I be not
there to urge them on.”

He turned then and went his way, lookin for
his sister. , Neither of them ever came back.

 
Down in Bunco some time after breakfast,
there was a little family gathering. There
were certain mysteries even yet which Hunter

Browne—as he rsisted in bein called—could
alone unravel. a had met’Wa tricoldly, and
yet with acertain pleasure, and e revealed

that he had had his shock a month befo‘re, when
he had almost positively reco nixed the man
whom, for so long, be supposed he had killed.
His story was brief. a

“I do not object to telling everything now.
I had always intended to keep to the letter of
my agreement with poor Browne, and if I have
not done it altogether, it was not my fault.

” We had known each other years before, and
had been pretty good friends. had had a 11 ht
with a detective, and had been badly cut, ut
had kept my nerve up. Browne was booked
throu h. certain. He had a‘boy he wanted to
provi e for. I had left behind me a girl. He
told me, too, about a Mexican senorita whom he
had treated badly enough, but who, he thou ht,
was dead. I agreed to take care of his Iioy
and give him half of whatl was then worth,
leaving the other half to my girl, whom I
would call after the senorita he had abandon .

“ The ho is the young man yonder. He h ‘
been gone or years, has received a college edu-
cation, and has graduated in mining matter
as well as sport in the West. As Profe
Elderberry he fooled even me; as much per-
haps because he was better posted in sul hurets
than any man I ever met. Through is dis-
guise as Derringer Deck he has madea record.”

“Then I am actually the son of the dead
Hunter Browne?” asked the professor, an
earnest look in his face, and a quaveikin his
veice. .

“ So far as his word goes, there isevidenee
that Koo are.” V

“ nd the girl known as Nita Goytisolo-dslhe
your daughter!”

 
28

.3...

“ More two Nita ,Goytisolos,” answered f
Browne, gravely. “ The one left with a Mrs.
Hammond, in'Snn Francisco, was my daughter.
The older one claims to be the daughter of the
dead Hunter Browne. Yet Pereira. told me
that the child died. I cannot understand.”

, “Whose daughter be We Wailo? Eh?
Much ﬂaidee kin no ﬁndee plopla papa if him
don’t speak soon. Any cash piecee going him
loundee ebley time.”

The Chinaman had remained in the back-
ground unusually long, for him. He slipped
forward now with a simper on his face. and ex—
ecuted a low salaam, then stood, with his hands
folded and his head bent down, in front of
Browne.

“ How in blazes do on suppose I know, hea~
jinn. if you don’t! gut if you “know what is
good for you'you’ll draw out. v This is a family
reunion, and outsiders are not wanted.”

“We Waiio belly much belonge-e to sidee
ramhly. If you don’t b‘leevo um ask oggly
Gawge. We Wailo no him blothlee anyhow
c’hoy but him loundee 'neah, eh, ~ Dellenglee’
Deck?” .

The tones of the Chinaman changed; he look-
ed up saucil into the fuce of the professor,
smiled cheeri y, an threwing him a kiss from
the tip of a very taper ﬁnger skipped hastily
out of the room.

“ What sort of a lunatic is the Celestial, any-
way?” inquired Browne, puzzled and looking at
his young superintendent for an explanation.

“It means—wait and you will see. Ibegin
to believe that more than one of us has been de-
ceived, and that he has the means of removing
a. haunting fear that drove me here to learn the
worst, it need be. He will be back soon. You
can prepare for a suiprise.”

“An , meantime, to repeat the question,
whose daughter am I? Is Millie Vandeleur out
of the m stery altogether, and only the poor
tra ze g 1‘] she was when Allhriglit found her?”

ﬁne stepp..d forward and gamd around in-
quiringly.

“ Allbriglil?” said Colonel Johnson uneasily,
as he ﬁlled his mouth with tobacco, and gave a
covert glance at his former wife. “ All right? .
That’s’the same old coon that used to he called
Detective Film, and he’s had his'eye on’ you for
a long time. my dear—0n you and your mother,
though he never suspected the relationship be-
tween you. I am not sure that you will rejoice
in your relationshhut I have rchson to believe
that you arethe daughter of Hiildah Waring,
and that I'htive the honor to be your paternal
ancestor. If there is un' mistake in the infor-‘
mation I regret it excce ingly, but I give it for
what it is worth. I stole you away from year
“mother in your infancy providing certain traces
pointing toward the deceased Farrell’s family,

at} now rejoice in the reunion with th proud
consciousness of one who has done his duty.

More facts to'follow , All’prerious declarations
to‘the contrary are ereby recalled.”

Huldah Waring‘QQVe a cry a ,d fell into Mil-
lie’s arms just as a beautiful gir glided into the

whim "
‘ O
“ Yang:

 
tisolo l” exclaimed Hunter Browne;
yourd‘aughter as w‘cll.’ Tue s'tor
I you' ' e other height was a nrble‘d and:
’n 't broug an ,’fuul of mine. ,d o’ve -,
£1 dthevapo, ans 0: a madwoman and mi!
ﬁsh for truth; thing‘s , prudence
not}: reveal mﬁvsélf ignt £6510th lando’wlinen:i
u e , Jena—sew emsu on an
f "   Deck-r“ what it was thatgirrove
 'ﬁyu’ﬂde, ad  on 
 goose-chase , j ﬁnally Ian ou‘here.
.. am brim melt! was mad y lesions
' ' Mowedyoul‘ Will‘ylo forgivemeif you
i that: the .jealo , near y‘co‘otanotherimd
_‘n‘m§009§t one her el”,
. " ‘Ia‘m, all “eminent. but’I foetal if I lad
nothinfto fo'rgm. You were-3” 
“We Walla, and, ,a  ,‘helleo' 1m" ch
.4‘, ’tota‘keoil m‘ it t, coredit’ofw at
' done. Attire w ‘14 general] believed
 I salmyonr wife _as oer-ta“ y been a
germ to you. 'Triut me, I shall never attend
mitt”. ' ' ‘

two—-

Itia wean-inane,” the reader to enter too
close} into explanations when the'closing Fairies
have .he hero!»st heroines allallvwd airy
ﬂourish-lag What used to say more? ‘

until a

aged into a cameraman it,
under the management of
hex-rare, who, with, his charmiﬁggwire, remedied
for veral years at nee-e nnter Browne
he had lost. neither t mine not the boarded

id reaidin-r with them. a professor, how-
ever, ‘ discards?! spectacles, except on emer-
gency. Bis sight was as heat; as that c en
Chile. but with the glasses he had had gr and

lally for the urpOse he could see what was

F on behind. im,‘ , 7 The trick is well known:

rat"? to practise! “

m 2.?“ t“ newscasts

' “n ‘ ' u ’once ea .

Carter 8nd ﬁgyrank. but Plqu Centc’r Pete

' around Bunco's‘everal days before
are  ﬂares. ' »

capeer ﬁnely

 
‘ left he said to Derringer Deck:

’ run, an’ I won't do so no more?”

Booker Hill was stocked ,and ,
olesso'r Elder— .

  
pectacles.

....a....,-.

 
A Sport in S
a time. the woods seemed full. Just before he

“ i‘suppose you’ve caught on to‘ther [fact thet
l whooped ’em u fur ther Chinese because be
war, ez I thong t, saliVatin' ther other gang;
"but, mebbe, you don’t know what became ov
Johnny Short. I’m him! I war just experi-
mentin’ on ther proﬁts in ther road-agent ring—-
with mebhe an eye to ther divy when I raked
’em all in. It dontpaif out well in ther long

Huldah Waring took her daughter and went
back Friscowards. The companion wont along.
She was the woman to whom Col .nel Johnson
had intrusted his daughter, giving her the
name of Vandeleur, but leavin some few
tokens that it might be Farrell. e was a cold-
hearted sort of fraud, for he seemed to have
for years utterly forgotten her.

Tom BOWers, after all the pros and cons that
had been weighed, was the Flat from Walnut
Bar and nothing more. He was a master hand
with the whip, but beyond that relied on the
colonel. Johnson had sent him to Walnut Bar ]
and Bunco with orders to find out all he could
about half a. (ioz~'n people he named and he did I
the best he coiild. The two drifted away to-
gether in search of mules, or somethin else.
He might have ﬁxed the murder of All right
on Pereira, but for what use? He remained
silent. The Mexican was adjudged to be dead:
an administrator took charge of his efforts,
which di 1 not pan out as immense as expected,
and thelittle town again went round on wheels.

 
THE END.

 
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__ Published Every Wedmsday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Genie. No Double Numbers.

 
v'.
I BY JOSEPH E. BADGER. JR.

8928 Old Sobersidcs. the Detective of .sr. Louis. _
925 White-Horse \Vlicelcr. the Revenue Detective.
918 The DOUlllt‘ Edgcrl Detoclive.

’907 Maverick Mark. the Man from Nowhere.

898 Silky Steele, tneStay-in Sport.

884 T was ttcr-Spni‘t’s Nrck-Tir‘ Party.
870 High- Voter Mark; or. Silver-Tip Sid.

1962 Riata Bob, the Run c Chum )1011.

f 855 The C whov (‘hicf s Sure-S 0t.

848 Tim Rival Red-Hat Sports.

837 Curlv Kid. the Cheyenne Sport.
824 The Soft Hand Detcctive.

1815‘ The Soft H'nid‘s Clutch.

8091 Dan Dunn the Soft-Hand Sport.

“796 The Frisco Detective’s Thug-Tangle.

.89 Sam Cary. the River Spurt.
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 ﬁrigge {ohm gegctivc S “131816.

‘ :1 inn, 1 c enver 9 cc No.
.751 the )lllan from Texas; or, Dangerﬁeld. the

Doctor Detective. .

744 Swoe stakes Sam, the Silver Sport.
720 The Secret Sir or, Old Halcyon.
712 The Man of Si .
"705 Bantam Bob. the Beauty from Butte.
893 Kent Kass/m, the Preacher Sport.
‘83 Bob Brreze, the Rounder Dt-tective.

‘75 Steel Barry the Sport fr- 1n Sunnsc
868 Solemn San ‘a Luck Strmk
661 The GetrThere Sharp. .
345% Silvestip St-:ve, the Sky Scraper from Sisxiyou.

Gopher Gabe, the Unseen Detective.
636 Dandy Darling, Detective. _
'62? MOSsback lose the Mountaineer.
617 The Gr! Sack harp’s Even u ).
597 Big Ban , the Brigadier of Brimstone Butte.
588 Sandy minds, the Sharp from Snap City.
576 Silver-Tougued Sid; or. Gm) Sack Sharp’s Sweep.
664 The Grip—Sack Sharp: or, The Seraphs of Sodom.
555 Grip—Sack Sid. lbé’ Sample Sport. ‘
647 The Buried Detectivg; 025134 1‘s Six Sensations.
641 Ma or Magnet, the an o erve.
3135 Daddy Dutch. the Decorator from Dead-Lift
1127 Dandy Andy, the Diamond Detccnve.
5'14 Gabe GIIDII. the Grizzlilfi-om Ginseng.
6m Solemn SsuL the Sad an from San Saba. _
495 Battlcpate Rob; or. The Roundhcad’s Reprisal
188 The Thoro bred Sport.
0'4 Dadd Den -Eye, the Dcsoot of Dew Drop.
Old Bough and Ready, the Sage of Sundown
Dutch Den. the Pi! rim from Spitzeuberg.
448 A (3001 Han' g; or. tol Johnny’s Picnic.

'6 Oklahoma ick.

it; in; Loo; or. Sam‘s Dandy Ford.
as 9 Ghost Detective: r. The Secret Sol-vice Spy.

41. Keane Jim. the 13le beep of Bismarck.

'09 Bob Ranch; or. The Imps of Pan Handle.
Ills Tno NIIMKBS Sport.

, Aim. the Duke of Derringers.

u . the Ishmael of the Hills.

; tain the Man with a Record.

A yal Fmsh: or. Dan Brown’s liig Game.

mo Jump Jerry. the Gamecock from Sundown.
as Storm tove. the Mad Athlete.
35 Nor' est Nick. tho Border Detective.

Masked Mark. the Mounted Detective.
' to Sam. the Hercules Hide Hunter.
Oblong Charley. the Gold Nugget 80011.
817 Frank thtfoot. the Minor Detective.
293 Make Homer. the Bone Roustabout.
ms Pistol Johnny; or. One Man in a. Thousand.
883 Sleek Sam. the De of the Mines. ‘
257 Death Trap Diggin : or. A Man Way Back
249 Elephant Tom. of Duranzo. \
941 Spitﬁre Saul. King oi! the Bustiers.
$3 The Old racy of Tombstone. V
201 Pirate of the Pincers: or. Joaquin's Death Hunt
180 Old ‘49; or. The Amazon oMrizonn.
170 Sweet William. the Trapper Detective.
165 Joaquin. the Terrible
1M Joaquin. the Saddle King.
141 Equinox Tom. the Bull of Red Rock.
119 Alabama Joe: or. The azoo Man-Hunters.
am pm Brown of Denver: or. The Detective.
a Big ‘ ; or. The Five _ tlaw Brothers. -
71 Captain 00! Blade: 01211:. siDpl Man Shark.
.07 The Boy Jocxey; or, Honesty vs. Crookednees.
«50 Jack Rabbit, the Prairie Sport.

av Wu. G. PATTEN.

Dec

- . the Always-on—Deck Detective

Sig 3:33.335; R2, the Go-it Alone Detective,
rim-r Sharp.

:1"; $3333.... Hal. the Cowboy Hotepur.
669 Old True Blue. the 'l'ruSty.

ant ; or, Sold to Satan.
$56 . the Rough and Randy.
‘48 id Glove .ad the Inn of Grit.

210C boner-t Nomad.

1 CNouel the Santa Fe Sharp.
one Ca. Nanak-9. the Hon-min lystery,
671 Cl Dismal. the Rang: Do‘totéiilw;t
“5 Hustler Harry. the Who! PO -

BY GEORGE C. JENKGO

3E

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I

 
I

BY WILLIAM R. EYSTEIR.

916 Two Dead-Square Sports.

9052 Soft Volvet, the Man from Sandi-00k.

hill (iontcel Jim, Spm‘t-at-Largc.

881 The Clubmun-Crook’s Cat‘s-paw.

867 The Frisco Sport.

.' The Stranger S )ort‘s Shake-up.

828 Kirk King; lho. iiun from Kirby.

818 Gentleman have, the Dead Game Sport

783 The! King-Pin 'l‘i‘umi).

767 The Sport of tilver Bond.

718 Unc’e Bedrock‘s Big Bounce.

707 The RivaLRovci‘s.

687 Double Cinch Dan. tho Sport With a Charm.
677 Mr. Jackson, the, Gent fimni Juybird.

659 Giltllilirc Johnny: or, Roldan and His Rovers.
650 Lucky Iii-star‘s Lone Hand.

634 Old Hand‘cart‘s iii: Dump.

622 The All Around Sports.

603 Desert. Alf. the Man With the Cougar.

590 Gentle JaCK. the High Rollor from Humbug.
04. Seven Shot Steve. the Sport witha Smile.
568 The Dude Dott-ct-ive.

55S Hurrah Harry, the Hi h Horse from Halcyon.
549 Belshazzar Brick, the aim? of Blue Blazes.
538 Oregon. the Sport WithaScar.

508 The Dude from Denver.

478 Pinnacle Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back.
459 Maior Sunshine. the Man of J‘hrce Lives.

429 Hg. 1‘ Trigger'l‘om of Red Ben .

402 Snapshot Sam; or. The Angels’ Flat Racket.
396 The Piper Detective; or, The Gilt Edge Gang.
375 Royal Geo e, the Three in One.

356 Thr e Hanc some Sports; or, The Combination.
333 Derringer Dick. the Man with the Drop.

268 Magic Mike. ‘he Man of Frills.

229 Captain Cuisn—evc: or. The Little Sport.

214 The Two Cool Sports; or. Gcrtie of the Gulch.
182 Hands Up; or, The Kniizlits of the Canyon.

160 Soft Hand, Sharp; or. Tho Man with the Sand.
145 Pistol Yards; or, The Silent Sport from Cinnabar

BY tum nun-runs.
657 Long Torn. the Privateer.
633 The Sea S y.
621 The Red vatcer; or. The Midshipman Rover.
584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King.
517 Buffalo Bill‘s First Trail.
861 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot.
122 Saul Sabberday, the idiot SE.

0:
1‘6

111 The Smuggler Captain: or, he Skipper's Crime.
18 The Sea Bandit; or, The Qu . n of the Isle.
16 The White Wizard; or. The Seminole Prophet.

BY JACKSON KNOX-“Old lek.”

838 Old Grips Still Hunt.

827 Detective Walden's Web.

778 The Butler Detective' or, Old Grip‘s Grip

m The Showman Dete t ve.

762 Old Grip. the Detective.

740 Capt-tin Clew, the Fighting Detective,

732 The Hur cane Detective.

648 Castlemalnc, the Silent Sifter.

616 Magnus. the Weird Detective.

Mlle Drop Detective.

595 Wellbmn, the Upper Crust Detective.

582 Jot-am. the Detective Expert.

5’74 Old Falcon‘s Double.

561 The Thug King' or, The Falcon Detective‘n Foe.
548 Falconbri . t e Sphinx Detective.

536 Old Falcons Foe: or. The Detective's Swell Job.
515 Short-Stop Ma 9, the Diamond Field Detective.
509 Old Falcon, t e Thunderbolt Detective.

501 sgrliigsteel Steve, the Retired Detective.

494 T o Detective‘s Spy).
485 Rowiock. the Ear r Detective.

477 Dead-arm Brandt. "
467 Mainwaring. the Salamander.

462 The Circus Detective.

451 Grlplock. the Rocket Detective.

444 The Magic Detective: or, The Hidden Hand.
424 Hawk Heron’s De uty. ,

886 Hawk Heron. the laicon Detective.

BY J. :. cownnlcx.

752 The Sus S r.‘ of Daisy Drift.

6m Ducats ion, t e Nabob Sport Detective.

612 Shot-it! Stillw'ood, the Regulator of Raspberry.
508 The Dominic Detective.

591 Duke Daniels. the Society Detective.

580 Shadowing a Shadow.

565 Princu Paul. the Postman Detective.

55/7 The Mountain Graylmrds; or. Riddles’ Riddle.
519 Old Riddles, the Rock ' Ra or

499 Twilight Charlie. the pOrt.

473 Gilbert of Gotham. the Steel-arm Detective.
452 Rainbow Rob. the Tulip from Texas. .

436 Kentucky J can, the S rt from Yellow Ens.
4&2 Blue Grass Burt. the old Star Detective.

890 The Giant Cupid: or Cibutn J ohn's Jubilee.

BY EDWARD WILLIE".

488 Flush Fred. the River Sharp.
868 The Canyon King; or. a Price on his Md.
348mm Dillon. Klnv of Crosscut.
337 Old Gabe. the il‘oupmin Tram .
3E7 Terrapin Dick. the Wild wood Detectith
315 Flush Fred‘s Double; or, The Squattem League
ans Hemlock Hank. Tough and True. .
m L vgzor Lem; or. Lib in the Pine Woods.
Ell Flush Fred‘s Full Hand.
974 Flush Fred. the Mississlp 1 Sport.

Montana Nat. the Lion Last Chance Camp
83 Bill the Blizzard: or. Red J ack's Crime.
~ Buck Faring. the Bonanza Prince. ‘
1” lidmippi one: or. a Strong Ian‘s Sacriﬁce.

IY CAPTA IN MAYER REID.

I? The White Squaw.

’4 Tho Hunter‘s Frost.

2H The Wild Runner: or. The Squatter.

too The Riﬂe Rangem: or. Adventures in Mexico.
74 The Capt-tin of tho Riﬂws: or. The Lake Queen.
66 The Spa-cm Barque. .‘l Tale of the Paciﬁc.
Ill The Scalp Hunter! -- Emulsion of the Plains.

 
‘1

BY con. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. ;

911 The Blue Blockader; or. The Coast Greyhound. ‘

906 The Cuban Cruiser. '

8:34 The Ocean Gipsy, .

831 The Wild Steer Ridvrs;0r, Texas Jack’s Terrors.

819 The Rival Monte Cristos. i

805 The L‘lSt of the Pirates; or, Donn Driven.

801 The Water \Volves’ Detective; or.’1‘rapning the
(inn 0 Ghouls.

791 'l‘lw Coast-Raider’s Death Chase.

748 Arizona Charlie, the Cravk-sr (it Detective.

704 Invisible lvan. the Wizard Detective.

685 The Redskin Sen. Rovvr. .

679 vacllo. the Pirate Cmiscr; or. Thc- Rival ﬁve:-

672 Tim Rwl Rapier; 01', Tile Sea Rover’s Bride.

662 The Jew lI~ teciivc: or, The Buiutiful Convict.

610 Tic Rov r‘s ltd, lblllli n.

621') The Ex Bum-lino 1- i 1‘. The Stigma of Sin.

6'35 Red Wings; or. The Gol-i Se ekers oi‘lhc Bahamas.

61:”: The Thrcc liCC&ll€(‘l‘S.

610 ’i‘ln- Rxd Fla: llover;0r,White Wings of the Deep.

605 The Shadow: Sliver Ship.

600 The Silver Ship: (1‘, The Sea Seouts 01' ’76.

59:5 The Sea Rebel: or. Red R Ners of the Revolution

597 Conrad, the Sailor Spy; or. True Iieavts of ’78.

581 The Ontluwul Skipper; or, Thc’Gantlet Runner.

566 The Man from lliexico.

553 No.3 Mont‘e, the Mutincvr; or, The Branded Brig.

546 Th Doomed \Vl)al~r: or, The Life Wreck. ’

539 The Savages of the Sea.

524 The Sea Chaser: or. The Pirate Noble.

510 El Moro. the Corsair Commodore.

493 The Scouts of the Sea.

457 The Sea Insurgent: or. The Conspirator Son.

446 Ocean Ogre. the Outcast Corsair. _

435 The Oneal-med Buccaneer. ,

430 The Fatal Frigate; or, Rivals in Love and Wu.

399 The New Monte Cristo. -

393 The Convict Captian.

377 Aﬂoat and Ashore: or. The Corsair Conspirator.

369 The Coast Corsair: or. The Siren of the Sea.

54 The Sea Fugitive: or. The Queen of the Coed.

841 The Sea Desperado.

886 Tim Magic Snlp' or. Sandy Hook Freebooters.

3a The Gentleman ‘rste; or. The Casco Hermite.

818 The Indian Buccaneer: or. 1118 Red Rovers.

W? The Phantom Pirate; or. The Water Wolves.

255 The Pirate Priest; or. The Gambler‘s minty.

246  Helen. the Amazon of the Over .

235 [Agntningtbe Man oi! Chance.

224 Black Beard. the Buccaneer.

220 The Specter Yacht; or. A Brother‘s Crime.

210 Buccaneer Boss. the Lioness of the Sea.

205 The Gambler Pirate; or. Lady of the Lagom

1% The keleton Schooner; or. The Slammer.

184 The at or. The Sea nemesis. _

104 Monte-um. e e 988-

108 Eerie, the Mutineer; or. The Red AWN

BY PHILIP S. WARNE.

ﬁll Dan Dir King of No Man‘s Land.

583 Captain dair. the Cattleng.
56? Captain Midnight. the Man of Craft.
:3; To? 13%;”

e am on

502 Bareback ’uck, the Centaur of the Pit.
47% Six Foot Si; or. The Man to “ Tie To."
431 California Kit, the Always on Hand. .
401 Silver Sld' or A “ Daisy " Bluﬂ. '
880 Tiger Dick Pledge: or, Tne Golden Sex-pong,
859 Yellow Jack. the eetizo.
838 Jack Sands. the Boss of the Town.
299 Three of a Kind; or, Dick. Despard and theSpoI-n
251 Tiger Dick vs. Iron 1) _rd.
207 Old Hard Bead: or. W lrlwlnd and his Man.
171 Tiger Dick. the Man of the Iron Heart.

114 The Gentleman from Pike.

80 A Man of Nerve; or. Caliban the Dwarf.

54 Always on Band; or. The Foot-Bins Sport. ,

29 Tiger Dick. Faro King; or. The Cashier's Orb}

4 The Kidnapper: or, The Northwest Shanghai.

3f CAPTAIN MARK WILTON.

823 Hotapur Hugh; or. The Badded Brotherl.
811 Heavy Hand: or. The Marked Men.
3(5 Silver-Plated Sol, the Montana Rover.
an Horseshoe ﬂank. the Man of Big Luck.
285 Lightning} Bolt. the Canyon Terror.
g6 gen Ch cltthtgehSouthwest Detective.

i tonenst. o 'uﬁet d.
266 Leopard Luke the ﬁgrﬁorse-m’m
263 Iron-Armed Abe, the unchback D”
258 Bullet Head, the Colonz-To Bravo.
23? Lou Haired Max; or; The Hack o.
227 Rue shot Ben, the Man-Hunter oi! Id: 0.
228 Canyon Dave. the Man of the Mountain.
219 The Scorpion Brothers; or. Mad T0m‘s I!”
m Cactus Jack. the Giant Guide.
191 Don Sombrero. the California Road Gent.
178 Ladv Jaguar. the Robber Queen.

BY 01.]. CWHES.
01! (it Bandy & Co . the Border Doteotlver.
148 Ono-Armed Alt. the Giant Hunter. .
I! The Giant Riﬂemsn; or. Wild Camp Info.
48 Dakota Dan. the Rockies: Ranger.

Int con. Thomas H. nons'rnnl‘.
238 Chart: 'on Sun; or. The Monarchsof the“ .
150 El Ru Bravo. King of the Swordsmen.

BY DB. NOEL DUNIAB.
910 TheSen Scout; or. The Patriot Privateen.

888 The King of Crooks.
ass Number One. the Dead-net Detective.

50 n. .
730 Duke w, a». Gambler Duelist. _
604 The Detect.in in Run; or. The Grim Shed“
no The True-Heart Purl;
t m lame (my Wednesday

Beadle-u DI-se Library is for Isle ‘
Newsdealers. tan cents per copy. or sent by -
receipt at twnlve cents w '

4"

\r

 
numbers

‘m—w—V”-. ._ V...  . ., ,...;

Dime American Speaker, No. l.‘

,lYou America,
,‘Birt y of Wasbirifaton,
tor the Maine W,
at on the Battleﬁeld,

Italan Struggle,
dance,

hoe
  of Man,
Character 0 the Revo‘n,
The Fruﬁs of the War,
The Sewing-Machine,
True Manhood,
The Mystery of Life,
The Ups and Downs,
The Truly Great,
Eelagy Retiring and Ris’g,
. ard‘s Oration,
‘rue Nationality,
’Our Natal Day,
Salterino, .
utel ' enee the Basis of
e ar, Liberty.
rgul of L' t do,
After She Ba ,
l'ﬂie Glass Railroad,
(Jase at Mr. Macbeth,
\Prot'. on Phronology,
nnahel Lee. '
' on’s Name,
The :3 ' or Boy’s Syren,

Dime National

Union and its Results,

ﬂur Country’s Future,

The Statesman’s Labors,

«‘X‘rue humortaiity,

Let the Ohildless Weep,

gur Country's Glory,

, nion a Household,

lndeggndence Bell,

The holar’s Dignity,
of Pro

Th ' ., m,
 Chant, t

an}? 333’?“
of meta 1010’ s

so . .,
Three M, 11

ash-um

1' Great

W

Bu Inheritance,

‘ on Ienry Clay,

l Dine Patriotic

merica to the World,
ve at Country,

_ t of Sell-Preserva-
0n12o mils. mm
A n u’s .
Kentucky new
Timidlty is Treason,
lhe Alana,
égeril 15, 1381,
Th redo“ mnl’rltag

e ’ us a e,
Thejrish Element
512‘“ mil,

rl ’s
Let M5? Alone,

oer-General,
The Draft, '
Union Square Speeches,
The nion. 9

e an roe,
L—e—g On My Leg,

1 v
a

l to 24, inclusive.

 
‘ THE DIME SPEAKERS.‘

Each Speaker, 100 pages 12mm, containing [Tom 50 to 75 pieces.

 
J. J eboom’s Oratien,
A Dutch Cure,

The Weather

The Heated Term,

Wlmﬂpm

Penny Wise, Pound Fool-
Tme Cleanlines§ [ish.
Sat‘d‘y Night’s 11,103 ’ts,
“ In a Just Cause,’

N 0. Peace with Oppres-

men,
A Tale of a Mouse,
A Thanksgiving Sermon,

' The Cost of Riches,

Great lives In risbable
The Prophecy or the Y’r
Unﬁnished Problems,
Honor to the Dead,
Immortalit of Patriots,
Webster’s olit’l System,
A Vision in the Forum,
The Press

Woman’s 7Rights,

Right of the Governed,

{3 Ladder,
email,

Alone,
The Rebellion of 1861,
Disunion.

 
Speaker, N o. 2.

Ohio,
Oliver Hazard Perry,

Our main
mtems of Pellet,
Indian Chief,
The Independent Farmer
Mrs. Grammar's
How the Mono Comes,
Future of the asbions,
Loyalty to Libert ,
Our Country Flux,

s,
British Inﬂuence,
Defense of Jeﬂerson,
National Ham'eds,
Murder ,W ill Out,
girl” ior_tho Best.

r 1m!
Doom oi Kindness,
Gates of Sleep,

t.

‘ TheB , -

A H sh Gem,
Purity of the Struggle,

Old Asia,

Dean :11 and True

The Worm of the Still,

Man and the: 311mm,!
e o 0 Eng 6,

[mutem

The De uge.

Speaker, 0. 3.

Histo of Our Flag

T. F. geagher’s A dress,

We Owe to the Union,

Lincoln’s M

Last Speech 0 Stephen
A. Douglas,

Great Be Roland,

The New Year and _the

Kin Cotton, [Umon,
Batt e Anthem,
The Ends of Peace

’
Freedom the Watchword
Crisis of Our Nation,
Dut of Christian Pa-\
tl ots,
Turkey Dan’s “ration,
A Fearless Plea,

Catholic Cathedra
The “ Speculators. '

 
Dine Comic Speaker, No. 4.

Elebc ergoss on the War,
Age ntly Considered,

um Rising, «
The  and the Bee
‘iomic Grammar, No. i,
ﬁn Not a Si is Man.
A, Ward’s A vice,
Bum on Pickwick,
homes and Juliet,
Happiness,

Doss.
"P9P Eul '
exan um,
3 on to be a ml)“,
lThe United States,
Bell’s Acc't of mull,
Practical Threnolegy,
Seaman», ‘ '

 uww Iiile

‘4.

- I

'A Song of Woe,
Fard‘s Trip to Richm’d,

aroiiiy,

The ountebank,
Compound Interest,

A Semen on the Foot,
Old Do Jock,

The Fis es’ Toilet,

Brian O’Dinn,

Crockett to Gilles-seekers
Who Is My Opponent?
Political Stump S 601:,
Comic Grammar o. ,
Farewell to the iottle,

The Smack in School
gnarl; Deﬁnitlon of Wife,

 
motors on on.
Mrs. Saudis on Umbr’lla.
- . l ‘

Prussia. and Aust
.W '

 
Dino Elocutionist, No. 5.

SEC. I. momma or Tam: humanism—Faults
in Enuneiation; How toAvoid Them. Special Rules
and Observations.

SEC. II. Tim ART or ORATORY. Sheridan's List or
the Passions: Tranquillity, Cheerfulness, Mirth,
Railiery, Buﬂoonery Joy, Delight, Gravity, In-
gluiry, Attention, Modesty, Perplexity, Pit , Grief,

elanchol , Despair ear, Shame, orse,
Courage, asting,
Commanding, Forbiddiug, Alarming, Denying,
Difference Agreeing, Exhorting Judging, Approv-
ing, Acqllittin , Condemning Teaching, Pardon-
ing, Arguing], ismlSSlTI$ Re using, Granting, De-
pendence, eneration, ope, Desn'e, Love, Be
spect, Giving, Wonder, Admiration, Gratitude, Cu
l'lOﬂltg Porsuasiov, Tempting, Promising, Affecta-
tion, ‘loth, Intoxication, Anger, etc.

SEC. 111. Tim COMPONENT ELEMENTS or A}. ORA
Tron—Rules of Com osition as anplied to Words
and Phrases, viz.: urity, Proprlety, Precision.
As applied to Sentences, viz.: Length of Sentence,
Clearness, Unity, Stren . Figures of Speech; the
Exordium the Nal'ra ion, t e Proposition, the
Conﬁmlatlon, the Refutation, the Peroration.

SEC. IV. Rsmsasnrlvs Exnncxsss in Paces AND
Vases—Transition; A Plea for the Ox; Falstaff’s
Soliloquy on Honor; the Burial of Lincoln; the
Call and Response; the Be onet Charge; Histor
ofaLife; the Bu e: the oils; Byron' Macbet
and the Dagger amlet’s Solilo uy; Old Things;
Look Upward; king William Ru us the Eye; an
Essa Onto Musik; Discoveries of Galileo.

SEC. V. OBSERVATIONS on Goon AUTHORITIES.

Dime Humorous Speaker, No. 6.
A Sad Sta? Poetry Run Mad,
A Stri o Onions, Right Names,
6 T; c Story. Scientific Lectures,

a , The Azer,
Courtship, The Cockney, ‘
Debt The Codﬁsh,
Devils Fate of Sergeant Thin,
Dow, J r. 's Lectures, The Features' Quarrel,
Ego and o Hamerican Voedchuck,
Fashionable Women, The Harp of a Thousand
Fern Thistlos, Strings,
Good-Nature, The Last of the Sarpints,
Gottliob chbcyergoss The March to Moscow,

Schlackenlichtcr's snake, The Mysterious Guest,
Hosea Bl law's inions, The Pilingé .
How the oney The Sea rpent,
Hun-ki-do-ri’s Fourt of The ,
July Oration
o

r.
If u Mean No, Sa No, The Useful Doctor
Jo ﬂows on Leap Yeyar, The Water! ‘ '

Lay of the He ked, To the ors‘ Union
Lot Skinner‘s on. e.

Matrimony, Uni States Precision”,
Nothing to Do V aries oi Popping the
Old Caudlc‘s Umbrella, you.

Old Grimes’s Son, What- Wouldn’t Be

Paddle Your Own Canoe. Yankee Doodle Aladdin,
a on “ Araby’s Ze Moskeetare,
Daughter," . 1983.

Dine Standard Speaker, No. 7.

The World We Live In, John Burns Gettysburg.
Woman’s Clal'mﬁ No Sect in eaven,
Authors of our berty, Miss Prude‘s Tea~Party,
The Real Con ueror, The Power of an Idea,
The Citizen’s eritage. The Beneﬂcence of the

Italy I Sea.
The Mechanic, Dream ol! the Bevelers,
Nature and Nalure‘s God HowCyrus Laid the Cable
The Modern Good, (Sun, The Prettiest land,
Ossian’s Addrem to the Paradoxical,

Inde ndeuce Bell—1777, Little Jerry, the Miller,

 
The eck, The Blarney Stone,
Fouza'flh his, The Student of Bonn
The ies’ an, Broken Househol ,
Life, The Bible,

The Idler, The Purse and the Sword
The Unbeliever, My Count ,

The/Two Lives, True Mor Courage.
The True Scholar What is War?

Judges not Inromhle, Butter

Fanaticisxn, 3% Deborah Lee,
Instability of Successful

e Race,
Agriculture, [Crime, The Pin and Needle,
Ireland, The Modern Puritan
The Foo e Always 'Con- Immortality of the Soul,
Music 0 labor, [quer, Occupation,
rla, , Hermsm and Daring,
hing, A Shot at the Decanter.

Dine Stump. Speaker, No. 8.

Hon. J. M. Stubbs’ Views The Limits to Ha piness,
‘ on the Situation, Good-nature a B esslng,
Hans Schwackheimer on Sermon from Hard-she
Woman’s Suﬂrage, Tail-elders, Baptist,
All for a Noxnination The Value of Money,
Old Ocean, a Meteoric Disquislticn,
The Sea,the Sea, the open Be Sure You are Right,
Star Bangles Spanner, Be of Good Cheer
8 Where You Belong, Crabbed Folks, berew,
Life‘s What You Make , Taming a Masculine
“5931’sf My M621”, Farmers, [Our Country

ﬁne rom once, The True Greatness o
en’s Relation to The Cold-water Man,

 
ids, Obstinacy, Au ority,‘

 
iii: ' “  ' - *vr'vvﬁiLvm.

Permanency of States, Astrcmomleal,
Liberty of S eech The , has
New Englan and nion, Dut of America ti.
The Unseen Battleﬁeld, The Man,
Plea for the Republic, Temptations of Gilles,
America, [Fallacy, Broken Resolutions,

“ ht of Secession” a There is no Death.

Life 5 Sunset, Races,

Human Nature, A Fruitful Discourse, ‘
wyers, A Frenchman’s Mariam

Wrongs of the Indians, Unjust National Aequi'n.

A peal in behalf of Am. The Amateur Coachman
series of War,[Liberty, John Them '3 Don’t

A Lay Semen, House Clea

A Dream,

Dime Juvenile Speaker, No. 9.
A Boy’s Philosolgly, How the Raven Becamt
w,

Hoe Out Your Black,

Six-Year-Old‘s Protest, A Mother's Work.

The Suicidal Cat, The Same,

A Valodiction, Who .0108,

Pop lug Corn, A Sheep Story,

The ltor, A Little Connepondont,
The Same, in rhyme, One Good Turn

The Fairy Shoemaker, My Dream, [Am
What~ Was Learned, Rain, .
Press On, I'll hover Use Tobaocg
The Horse, A Mosaic

The Snake in the Grass, The Old ﬁachelor.

Tale of the Tropics, Pragr to light,
Bromley’s Speech, Utt Jim

The Same, second extract Angelina‘s Lament.

The Fisher’s Child, Johnny Shllmps on‘BoeI‘
Shaka 'an Scholar. Mel-v,

A Mai en’s Psalm of Life, Chelee of

A Mixture, Poor Richard’s a“
Plea for Skates, Killed Toni .
Pinyin Ball, N othinz to Do

Ab, y, Honesty lest Policy.
Live for Something " Heaven, ‘

Lily of the HenPec'k'od, no for the Fields ~
The Outside Dog, Fashion en the at...
Wolf and Lamb, On Shanghais,

Lion in Love, A Smile,

Frogs Asking for a King,

Sick Lion, om Sena,

Country and Town Mice, Nose an . ,

 
Man and Women,

Home, A thanked Yem'

REW’PMW‘  Sermons, “I

e in . e

A Ba ‘s Sgﬁloquy, Saunas on , ,
gen so The e m l

A lea for The Gone -1 m

Humh Pa 0 in, Do little—De it'd-

Night A ter Christ-as, Lime .

Short Legs, Base- ever,

Shrimps en Amusements, Preserl on for ring

Dime Spread-Eagle Speaker, No. 1%

 
n Buster‘s Orstion, Drum

ans Von Spieiel’s dish, Schnitzel-1's
Josh Billinﬁf’s dvioe, “ Woman’
Allard-she Sermon, Luke Lather,
The Boots, The log,
lamm’ Devil, it”): 8pm“ Tm

- an ow

A Lover‘s Luck 1 t ’
Hifnlutin Adel us, Jacob Whittle's
Digestion and aradise, em
“galore Disadvant- gu Sneaks,

ml ages, v eel,
 techie ......,

o otion ‘ on

Speaking for the eriil', ‘ ll Trovaiese,
Baking a Shweat, Kissing in the Straw
Then and New Scandalous,
Josh Blllin s‘s Lectmenﬁ. ﬁghﬁ Mixed,
Doctor De lister’sAnn , e ce-seekleg‘
Co menu, d Bachelors,
gmn 'ves' Speech Kamila Ni

an ryant’s , e ems,
A Colored View, eonle Will

1’
Original Maud Muller, ‘ Buchanan:

Nobody Who Wouldn’t be ‘ v
Train of Circumstances, Don‘tDe cubedde
Good Advice, ; Music of r

The Itching Palm, ‘ The American Ensign.

Debater and Chairman’s Guide No. 1 3.

[IL—CHAIRMAN‘S Gum,
Its Ofﬁce and Usefulness, Ordinary Meetings ant
Formation of, Assemblies,
Constitution of, The Organisation,

l.——DEBATING Socrm.

gyiLawfsgf, t Order of Business and
ll 88 O overnmen

Local Rules of Order: The “ Quﬁn’  now 3
Local Rules of Debate, can be Tree

Subjects of Discussion. The “om” How u
Il.-—How re Dunn” be Con '

Why there are few good to the ,
Debate ll of a a
Pre. ulsi s to Oratori- the
cal uccess ngYeasand ys,
Wing a V

The Logic of Debate,
The Rhetoric of Debate,

 
Maxims to Observe, re Churn

ghs Preliminary Prtemise, tins, or 'Gee. _
1 er a rgumen 0‘

Summary. [Print-av

It Is Not Your% ngi‘less. V.

 
use. ‘

 
lL'lhh

 
 BEADLE’SiDIMEiﬂBRARY:

 
C

BUFFALO BILL NOVELS.
By Colonel Prontlee Inn-elem.

94 Bonnie Bill’s Lone Hand.

W9 Buffalo Bill‘s Marked Bullet.
Butaio Bill‘s Life Rome.
Male Bill‘s Relentless Trail.

34 Buffalo Bill‘s Invincibies.

9m Bnﬁalo Bill‘s Blue Belt Bri e.
Buﬂaio Bill‘s VolunteerV‘ ntes.

. Buﬂalo Bill at .

043 Buﬂnlo Bill's Game.

'936 Buffalo Bill s Black Paul.

‘92? Buffalo Bill's Bluff; or, Dus Dick the Snort.
Ruthie Bill‘s Quandary: or. eivet Bill‘s Vow.

5 Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon-Scout.

Butalo Eli‘s League: or, Red Butterﬂy.
Bull'nlo Bill‘s Tangled Trail.
Buffalo Bill‘s Rough Riders.

. Buﬂalo Bill‘s Secret Ally.

898 Buﬁ'aio Bill’s LiteStake. .

882 The Three Bills: Bunnie Bil1.Wild Bill and Band-
hox‘ Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth.

874 Buﬂaio tili’s Buckskin Braves.

‘m Bull‘ale Bill’s Roed- ent Bound-up.

883 Buffalo Bill‘s Death harm.

on Buﬂnlo Bill‘s Royal Flush.

851 But!th Bill‘s Double Dilemma

84:5 Buﬂelo Bill‘s Redskin Ruse.

8% Buffalo Bill's Bovs in Blue.

8% Buﬂalo Bill's She octets.

822 Bumalo Bill’s Best wer.

816 Bun‘nio B 11‘s Bed Trail.

812 Buﬂelo B i’n Death-Knoll.

794 Bnﬂaio Bill‘s Winning Hnnd

Brand.
777 Buﬂalo Bill’s gpy Shadower.
769 Bnﬂale Bill‘s w e.
705 B-rﬂ'alo Bill‘s Dozen: or, Bill: Rian Sun.
761 Bulelo Bill’s Macon.
757 Buffalo Bill‘s Double.
750 Bunnie Bill‘s Bx Four; or, Custer's Shadow.
743 Buihio Bill‘s Flush Hand.
789 Buﬂelo Bill‘s Blind.- or. The Masked Driver.
’785 Buﬂalo Bill and E8 Merry Me .
781 Bimalo Bill‘s Beagles: or. Silk EnssoSam.
W Bud'nlo Bill’s Body-Guard.
72» Bonnie Bill on the War- nth.
g! Buﬂnlo Bill’s Scout Sha owers.
‘- 0 Buxnlo B l Bottled: or. The I)eserterDesperedo.
t”  Mir" mm m...
‘ l r lo ‘1! Min mi - or. us .
he: Bill‘s cop; or. The King or the Minus.
The (10va n: or, Thg T cl)! To?

. Leena ’e Leaguezor. uc ey or in oxen.
.649 Palm's Chief of ()0wa ; or. Buck Taylor
1 s Bonanza; or. S Iver OircieKnights.
. Bunnie Bill’s an ; or. Ontn Boundto r.

Bundle Bill’s Pl e: er. '1‘ e League of .
109 Wild Bill‘s Gold Trail; or, e Desperate Donen.
iii’s Trump Card: or, The Indian Holmes.
1‘ Wild Bill. the Pistol DeodShet.

lly Buﬂ‘nlo Bill.

W3 The Dread Shet Four.
Texas Jack, the Lasso
The Ranch

King
Dead-Shot.
White Beaver ‘1:
WM

5
5

5
S
I:
w

PV\

1 Hunt.
net. the Wild West Duelist.
Bliﬂhe Gli’t‘lrihCenter Shot.
ale ‘n .
Dead Shot hiring. HyPardn of the Plains.
Renard. the Indian Detective.
Armed Pall; er. Borderland Re .
Wizard Brothers: or. White Denver’s .

Denver. the Exile'of the Platte.
Dill. the Whirlwind of the West.
Jack. the Prairie Bower.

Sharp: or. The soldier's Sweetheart.

Manor-t; or, Knights of the Overland.
tit-Trailer. the Chiet of Scouts.

By Leon Lewie, Ned Buntllne, ete.
Duﬂnlo Eli’s Ban; er. Cody to the Rescue.

.773 Service Trail.
 Buﬂale Eli’s Doria Role; or. Daredeath Diclt.
5 7 Bill‘s First rail; or. ThoExpress Rider.
58 m Bill, Chief of Scouts
‘11? Buffalo Bill s Strange 1" ° er, Desiring Dendy.
’ n2 Buﬂaio nm. the Buck 11 King.

BY HAROLD PA YNE.

' M trom Mexico in New York.
5?; $2: Xi‘aIg-Pln Shark' or, Thad Burr‘n Ten Strﬂre.

The Tenderloin m”
in"; Quaker City to

E

E??? l
E?!

335’
at

33?.
tag:

is
3

'1‘ Red to Oncego.
Thnefl’olicy Broker‘s Blind.
e F "9” ° 8"”. 5°“ 0%." 39;?"
S n owr’s _
82; Tl: $123329 tter‘s 13th Scheme.
The Grand reet Gold-Dust Sherpen.
ill Detective Burr‘n Lunasic Witness
m The Wall Street Sharper s Snap.
N Thad Burr‘s Death Drop.
74% Detective Burr Among the N eyv Yorlr 1'3.
734 Detective Burr’s Foil; or, A \‘v omen 5 my.
72. Detective Burr. the Headquarters Special.
713 Detective Burr'n gepirgr 
' ‘ v n . .
g  lndncihle; or, The “ L" Clue,
090 The Matchless Detective.
69 XX. the Fatal Clew: or, Burr’s Master Cane.

IY COL. THOMAS H. MONSTBIY.
0% The Czar's S 5
We l-ren Wrist. trig Swordmaeter.
Champion Sam; or. The Monnrchs of the Show.
El Ruble Bravo, King of the Swordmen.

BY J'. W. OSBON.
ﬂ? Shndrech. the Spert Detective

or, the Dendy 813°"-
Sheeta Sun, Sparkler.
C W

 
,, it Iii-ownich ..

an CAPTAIN n‘ownnn Immune.

929 Gentleman George, the Showman S rt.
91:! Some] Joe's Lone Head. ' m

871 The Croo Cashier.
859 Clew-Hewk Keene‘s Right Bower.
847 Hiram Hawk, the Hnrlern Detectim
840 Halo:- Bullion. Boss of the Tigers.
88! Shadowing the London Detective.
817 Pi sh Velyet, the Prince of Spotters.
803 T Bogus Broker's Right Bower.
788 The Night-Hawk Detective.
779 Silk Ribbon‘s Crush—out.
766 Detective Zach, the Broadway Spotter.
751 The Dark Lantern Detective.
736 The Never-Fail Del ive.
724 Captain Hercules, he Strong Arm Detective.
711 Dan Damon, the Gilt-Ed . Detective.
701 Silver Steve, the Brand Sport.
694 Gideon Grip, the Secret Shedower.
684 Velvet Van, the Mystery Shadower.
678 The Dude Desperado
871 Jason Clew the Silk-Handed Ferret.
661 Monk More the Man-Hunter.
654 Sol Sghinx, the Ferret Detective.
842 Red ard and Yellow.
608 Silent Sam the Shadow Sphinx.
502 Cs tain Si , the Shasta Ferret.
579 01 Cormorant. the Bowery Shadow.
56!) Captnin Cobra, the ﬂooded Mystery.
551! Danton, the. Shadow 
550 Silk Hand, the Mohave erret.
543 The Magneto Detective.
5‘32 Jack Javert. the Independent Detective.
523 Reynnrd of Red Jeolt: or. The Lost Detective
5153 Captain Velvet’s Big Stake.
506 Phi Fox. the Genteel Spotter.
496 Richerd Rednre. the Two Worlds‘ Detective.
487 sunshine Sam, a Chip of the Old Block.
480 Howkspeer. the Man with a. Secret.
468 Coldngp in Deadwood.
460 Captnln Ooldgrip. the Detective.
453 Captain Cold??? ‘n Long Trail.
447 Volcano. the ~goo Spy.
m The California . ,
er ynx. the Wonder Detective.
421 r33.” Ferret. the Frisco Shadow.
413 Captain Coldgrip in New York.
on Captain Co '8 Nerve: or. In an Nick.
400 Captain Cold: : or. The New ork Spotter.
392 The Lost Bonanza; or. The Boot of Silent Hound.
382 The Bonanza Band: or. Dread Don of Cool Clan.
874 Major Blister. the Sgort of Two t, es.
365 Keen Kennerd. the hosts Shade
352 The rate Dozen.
847 Denver uke. the Men with " Send.“
840 Cool Conrad. the anotn Detective.
336 Flash Den. the Nabob'. or, Blades of Bowie Bar,
321 California Claude. the Lone Baum, ~
294 Broadcloth Burt. the Denver Dandy.
941 The Shadow Sport from Frisco.

BY WILLIAM R. MANNING.
948 The Red-Gloved Detective.
’81 We Frank at Glory Gulch.
930 The Montana liner in New York.
9% The Doomsday-Den Detective.
all The Double~Quick Detective.
838 Yellow (lid of Dark Divide.
$5 The Expert Detective‘s Shake-up.
875 Tang,i the Reno-Track Judge.
864 The Special’s Dilemma.
849 The Genteel Sharper-‘5 Combine
an Grnydon's Double Deni.
888 The Sport Detective’s Grip:
828 The Athlete Sport About own.
808 TheOrook-Deteotive‘l Pull.
799 Pin r Pete, the Bnce'l'reck Detective.
782 Roy Rock, the Round-up Detective.
774 Steve Starr. the Dock Detective.
734 The New York Sh ’e Shedower.
788 Detective Cinxton. t Record Breaker.
714 Gabe Gall, the Gamholier from Great Hump.
703 Spokane Soul, the Samaritan Sus at
892 Dead—Shot Paul, the Deep- e lorer.
055 Strawberry Sam. the Man wit the lrthmark.
646 Dark John, the Grim Guard.
688 Murdock. the Dread Detective.
823 Drinoerous Dove, the Never-Beaten Detective.
611 1min A the Genre Chicken from Tens.
506 Rustler Ru ; the Round-Up Detective.
535 Dan Dixon's Double. ‘
57o Steady Hand. the Napoleon of Detectives
563 Wyoming Zeke, the flotsam of Honeysuckle.
551 Gerry Kean the Man vi Backbone.
539 Old Doubledark, the Wily Detective.
531 Saddle-Chief Kit. the Prairie Centaur.
521 Paradise Sam. the Nertht Pilot.
613 Texas Tartar. the Men With Nine Lives,
506 Uncle Honest. the Peacemaker of Hornetn’ Nest.
49s (kntml Paciﬁc Paul. the Mail Train Spy.
492 Border Bullet. the Prairie Sharpehootor.
48‘ Kansas  the Northwest Detective.
479 Gladiator Gabe, the Samson of Sassajaclt.
470 The Duke 01' Dakota.
483 Gold Gauntlet. the Gulch Gladietor.
455 Yank Yellowbird, the Tall Hustler of the Hilll.
449 Bind Burke. King of the Boohiee.
442 Wild West Walt. the Mountain Veteran
487 Deep Duke: or, The Man of Two Lives.
a? The Rivals of Montana Mill.
416 Hot Heart, the Detective SPY.
405 Old Baldy the no: ier 0 ‘Buck Rain.
29? Colorado Rube. the re Arm'of H0 or.
am The Gold Dragoon; or. lifornia Bi and.

KY NED DU “141va

07! Doug Tom, the Privateer.
an The Sea 3 v
'21 The

Red iateer; or, The Midshipmen Rover.

584 Fire Feather. the Buccaneer King.
517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail.
861 Tombstone Dick, the Train Pilot.
1: is‘nhnlgnhherday‘. the Idiot  SH ‘8 Cd
e . mugs er (napkin; or, e r me.
18 he Sen Mt; er, «59:11:».

 
f Published Every Wednesday. Each Issue Camplete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Ten Cents. No Double Numbers.

ALBERT W. AIKEN’S NOVBLS.

Dick Tnlhet Seriee.
901 Dick Tnlbot at the Mines: or, Xentnot. the Sport.
88 Rocky Mountnin Bob.
978 Overland Kit; er, The Idyl of White Pine.
741 Dick Lnlbot‘e Chloe Call.
7W Dick Talbot in A 0 Land.
Tnbet. the King.
Tnlbot'n Clean-Out.
Telbot in Ne Ken‘s Dara».
‘ Talbot; or, The Brand ' Gent
‘ck Talbot; or. The Death-Shot of

Aiken’e Fresh of Friece Seriee.

Fresh, the Race-Tree): Sport. 1
The Fresh in Montana' or. Blake‘s Full Hand. ‘
Toe mar- Rustic at hinted City. .
The Fresh at Senta Fe; 01', The Stranger Sharp;
1:. the Sport: or, The Big Racket at Slide Ont.
' : Blake. the “on.
The Fresh in Texns; or. The Esoobedo Milieu.
The Fresh of Irieco on the Me Greek.
The Fresh in Big Walnut Camp; er. Bronze J

Alken’n Joe rhenix Series.

Joe Phenlx‘s Mascot.
Joe Phenix’s Double Deni.
Joe Phenix in (mime.
949 The Doctor from 'l‘exesmr, Joe Phenix's Cine.
9“ Joe Pbeuix’s Hi I Bower.
835 The Female Bar r Detective; or, Joe Noni: in
Silver City. .
799 Joe Phenix's Great Blue Diamond Close; or, The,
New York Sport at Long Branch.
793 Joe Phenix'h Decoy' or The In. of Three.
:23 30c genix‘s Iﬁoige ﬁend. .
0e. emx‘s Bake.
745 Joe Phenix’s Mad Gene.

5?
7"

8§§§§
iii

9

i

tit stttttttr
i
ii;
i
E

703 Joe Phenix‘s Siren; or, The Women 
i e

700 Joe Phenix’s Unknown, er. Crushing e
881 Joe Phenix's Specials' or. The Actrem Detect
687 Joe Phenix in Crazy 

832 Joe Phenix's Master Search. 3,
Joe Phenix’s Combim ; or,the Dandy Conspirntel:
620 Joe Phonix’n Silent Six. 

601 Joe Phonix’s Shadow;or.the Detective’n Monitor

419 Joe Phenix., the King of Detectives. 

161 Joe Phenix’s Great Man Hunt.

112 Joe Phonix, Private Detective; or. The Innate.
79 Joe Phenix. the Police Spy.

Aiken’e Mine ellaneenn Nevele.

9m The Ail-Around Athlete.
940 Jack, the Sealper ,
985 The Hawks and Wolves of New York
982 Detective Gordon‘s Grip. ,
9% Old Sunﬂower, the Silent Salter. i-
9” Old Sunﬂower. the Hnyseed Detecﬁ '
901 The Hotel SwelLSharp; or, The Siren
$2 The Conntryman Detective.
are Gold Button rt; or The Miner Sharpe. J

Teton Tom. e Helf- ed. J
ng-Pin Detective

dy. the Silver Spert.

Gideon‘s an at Babylon Bar.

ptnin Pet cGowen, the Gremceet Detective;
ncie Sun U , the Ben Detective.

t Detective

tw .
D alive or The Golden an» M
@t t...  ’
Be no the “Hard Case" Detective.

Face, the Silver King’s Foe.

Silver Sh nrp Detecthe.

cm, of Calif onto; or, Detective'e Shadow Aﬁ
e Actress Detective: or. The Invinlbk Ha

Lone Hand. the Shade

F*E§2§??°9

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Chin Chin, the Chinese Detective.
it} Actor Detective.

e High Horne ei the Poetic.

e Lone Band; or. The Red River Recreate.

Grin. the Vendetta of Death.

.1115 Gy y Gen tleniu: or. Nick Fox. Det

Block gains: or. The Rio Grande High
rsued to the End.

Crown'

motive
The Go i Spe tter: or The N. Y. Night Bowl.
The Wall Street flood; or. The Tole ' h Girl.
The Double Detective: or,1‘he Midnig t yntery.
La Mormoset. the Lemcnve Queen. .
The Hon from New York.
The Winning Oar: or. The Ink ‘9 Daughter.~
84 Hunted Down: or. The League 
81 The Human Tiger: or. A Heart of Fire.
75 Gentlemen Georte: or. r. and Street.
72 The Phantom Band: or. The 5th Avenue Barrel}
5% The Indian move: or, on of the Pi e..‘
49 The Wolf Demon; or. he ewhe 
42 The California Detective: or, The Wire of NJ.
31 The New York Sharp: or. The Flash of'Lizhtninf
27 The Spotter Detect ve

NEW ISSUES.

5000 Buffalo Bill’s Grim Guard. By Col. lnzrahamd‘
1691 ngbgrand—Bnrnersof Cimarron. By John W.-

n. >

1002 Silver City Sam. Bv Jig: E. Bedfr.

1M GvgldADan; or, Diclr 'l‘n t in Uta . By Albert
. r on.

1004 Buffalo Bill‘s Death Deal. E Co]. Isfahan.

1005 Foot-Hills Frank. By Joe. Dodger.

1006 The Sea Cadet. By Col. 1’. Inﬂation.

JUST ISSUED.

use in un Dick. the Shanta Deed Shot. 3 Aiken.
907 Hakim“- Hail, the Sport tro- Hnrd geek. By
Joe. E. Badger

Jr.
4906 Captain Beowulf, Privnteer. By Ned
999 The Velvet Hnnd' or, The Iron Grim-
Dick. By Albert w. m.

A mu issue every Wednesday. ~

THE 31MB LIBRARY in for sale by all.

Newndeeiers :nn canteen-my, «earthy-ell o!

W Of Illne- hu...‘ ~.  W
um“ um

52:6

a§§§§§$§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§Ei§§§i§ﬂ§
F]

: or. Girls of New Yak. . .

M

 
Each Number

 
Complete.

 
979
973
964
950
056
950
943

930

927
92

p

girl

900
89

91

860
882

874

8%

Band-Box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth.

 
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Buffalo Bill’s Relentless Trail. By Celone13820 White Besver's Still Hunt; or, The Miner 653
Prentiss lngraham. Muriiuder's Death-Track. By Buffalo Bill.

The Dread Shot Four; or. M p d of m i816 Pufi‘nio Bill’s Red Trail; or, The Road-Rider 049
I’lmns. 13y Lug, \v. F, Cody-y 8r 5 e‘ litncigudes Run ’Down. By Col. P. lngraham

i
Buaaio Bill's Invincibles: or, The Sable smei- ‘ 3‘3
ower's Sublime Sacriﬁce. y Col. P. Ingra-i
ham. I 07
Buffalo Billis Blue 'Belt Brigade; or, Sun-l
flower Sam of Shuts. By Col. P. Ingraham. :80?
Buffalo Bill's Volunteervmilsntos; ol', Thel
Mysterious Man in Blue. By Col. P. Ingres.
ham. l79
Buffalo Bill at Bay; or, The Gold Seeker’s
Doom. By Col. P. Ingraham. 787
Buffalo Bill's Block Game; or, The Mounted'
Miners of the Overland. By Col. P. Ingro-
ham. .
Buffalo Bill's Black Ford: or, The Gold
Boomers of the Big Horn. By Col. P. Ingra-

4 Buffalo Bill's Winning Hand: or, The Masked

iii;:;‘..iv) lllli‘s limith-Knell; or. The Red Hand 644
ititiurs of the Rockies. By Col. P. Ingraham.

Viili Bil tl.e Wild West Duelist; «r, The Girl 639
Mascot of Moonlight Mine. icy Bulittli) .uiil.
Vi'iid l’lill. he \Vild West Duelist; or, The Girl
Grande R oh. the Cowboy Chief. \By Buf-
falo Bill.

829
599
\Voman of the Colorado Ganyon, By Col. P. ‘
I-ngrahani.

Buffalo Bill's Dead Shot; or, The Skeleton Scout
of the Colorado. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Brand: or. The Brimstone
Brotherhood. By Col. Prentiss lngra‘uum.
Buffalo Bill's Spy-Shadower; or, The Masked
Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. P. lngmhum. .

517
(14
401
397

ham.

" ’ ' Rescue
Buffalo Bill's Bluff; or, Dusky. Dick. the HS Buffalo Bills Ban, or, Cody to the ‘ . 304
Sport, By (30L p. Ingrahsm' By Leon Lewis.

Buffalo Bill's Quandary; or, Velvet Bill's
Vow. By Col. Prentiss lngraham. '
Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon Secut: or, Go~
wan-go, the Redskin Rider. By Col. P. In-
mhum. ‘

Buffalo Bill's League; or, Red Butterﬂy. By
Col. Prentwalngi'ahum.

Buffalo Bill’s Tangled Trail; or.
Jack. the Man of Many Masks.
Ingrahum.

Buffalo Bill's Rough Riders; or, Texaﬂack's
Sharp-Shooters. By Col. Prentiss lngraham.
Buffalo Bill's Secret Ally: or, The Texan's
Double. By Ool. Prentiss lngraham.

Buffalo Bill's Life-Stake; or, The Pledged
Three. By 001. I’. Ingraham.

The Three Bills; Buffalo Bill. Wild Bill and

Gentleman
By 001. 

735

By (:01. P. Ingraham. 731

Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Braves; or. The Card
Queen's Last Game. By Col. P. Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Road Agent Round-Up; or, The
Mysterious Masked Man in Black. By Col.
P. lnzrshsm.

Buffalo Bill’s Deatthharm; or. The Man
With the Scar. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Royal Flush; or, The Pony Ri-
der‘s Death—Run. By Col. Prentiss Ingra-
hum. 7

Buffalo ill's Double Dilemma; or, The Great
Scout's ig Three. By Col. P. Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ru ; or. Texas Jack's
Death Shot. By Col. Pr tiss Ingraham.
The Ranch King Dead-Shot; or. Texas Jackie
Proxy. By Buffalo Bill.
Buffalo Bill's Boys in Blue; or. The Brimstone
Band’s mot-out. By Col. P. Ingrsham.

727

722

716
710

697

691

682

 
Buffalo Bill's Sweepstake; or, The Wipe-out
at Last Chance. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill‘s Dozen: or, Silk Ribbon Sam.
lly Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

Buffalo Bill’s Mascot; or. The Death Valley
Victim No. 13. By Col. Prentiss lngrahum.
Buffalo Bill's Double; or. The Desperado De-
tective. By Col. Prentiss lngrahum.

Buffalo Bill's Big Four; or, Custor's Shadow.
Dy Col. Prentiss lngraham.’

Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand: or. Texas Jack's
Bgnvos. ,By 001. Prentiss Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill’s Blind; or, The Masked Driver
of Death's Canyon. By Col. Prentiss Ingra-
ham.

Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men; or, The
Robin Hood Rivals. By Col. Premise Ingra-
ham.

Buffalo Bill’s Beagles; or, Silk Lasso Sam.
Dy Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

Buffalo Bill's Body Guard: or. The Still Hunt
of the Hills. By Col. Prentiss lngraham.

n the War Path; ortSilk Lasso

Buffalo  
Sam. the li-o'-the—Wisp. By Col. P. In-
zrsham. “

Buffalo Bill's Scout Shadowers: or, Emer- 83

aid Ed of Devil's Acre. By Col. P. Ingrahum.

Buffalo Bill Baffled; or, The Deserter Des- 52 Death Trailer, the Chief of Scouts: cr, Life
perado's Deﬁance. By Col. P. Ingruham. and Love in a Frontier Fort. By Buffalo
Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Brotherhood: or, B‘"
Opening Up a Lost Trail. By Col. P. In- NEW ISSUES To 00”“.
graham. ' i

, . 961 The Gold Lace Sport; or, The Texan Sam-
Buffalo Bills Blind Trail. or, The Daughter an”, Wide Swath. By Jo“. E. mu", J"

of the Regiment. By Ool. Prentiss Ingrshsm.

Buffalo Bill's Secret Service Trail. By Major
Dangerﬁeld Burr.

 
982 Chris 'Crewley's Winning
Rue

\

The Lasso King's league: or. The Tigers 'of
Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingr

Buck Taylor. the Saddle King. Buffalo Bill’s
Chief of Scouts. By Col. P. Ingraham.
Buffalo Bill’s Bonanza; or, The Knights of
the Silver Circle. By Col. P. Ingrnham.
The Gold King; or, Montebello, the Magnifi-
cent. By Buffalo Bill.

Buffalo Bill's Daring Role; or, Daredath
Dick. King of the Cowboys. By Leon Lewis.
The Dead Shot Nine: or, My Pards of the -
Plains. By Buffalo Bill.

Buffalo Bill's First-Trail; or. Will Cody. the
Pony Express Rider. By Ned Buntiins.

Red Renard, the Indian Detective: or, The
Gold Buzzards of Colorado. By Buffalo Bill.
The One-Armed Pnrd; or, Red Retribution in
Borderland. By Buffalo Bill.

The Wizard Brothers; or,_ White Beaver-my
Trail. Bv Buffalo Bill. ’ .
White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte; or.
gmwronged Man's Red Trail. By Buffle

_--—.

Buffalo Bill's Grip; or, Oath-bound to Custer.
By Col. Prentiss Ingrahsm. _
Buffalo Bill's zPledge; or. The League of

Three. By Col. P. ln‘graham.

Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West.
Buffalo Bill. ‘

Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler; or, The
Queen of the Wild Riders. By Buffle Bill. .
The Pilgrim Sharp; or. The Soldier's Sweet-

heart. By Buffalo Bill; Government Scout
and Guide. ,
Wild Bill’s Gold Trail; or. The Desperate

Dozen. By Col. P. Ingraham.

Wild Bill's Trump Card; or. The Indian
Heiress. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. .
Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot; or. Dagger

By "

 
Dozen, By Dr. Fr 11‘ Powell.

 
Buffalo Bill's Strange Pard: or, Dashing
Dandy. the Hotspur of the Hills. By Major
1). b'urr.

Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King; or, The
gmazon of the West. By Major Dangerfield
urr.

Gold Bullet Sport: or, The Knights of the

Overland. By Buffalo Bill.

Hand;

ally Vaiet's Double Game.

Morris.

‘a

Buffalo Bill. Chief f Scouts; or, The Doomed
P j

 
. .- 087 Buffalo Bill's Swoop: or. the King of the 983 Kid Glove Kris. the s t. By J. C. Cow-
826 melooBmesg'mhgaézl-fg  Mines. 13y Col. Prentiss Insraham- drick. Ready August 2%.“
. ' . i. th 658 The C wboy (nan; or. The Tigress of Texas. 984 Buffalo Bill's Life Rafﬂe: or. The Doomed
822 gxﬁskﬁ‘g‘ill 33139380 1.30;;th ggﬁﬁtﬁg? 8 By Ccﬁonel Prentiss Insrsham. Three. By Col. P. Inn-sham. Rudy Sept. L
‘ c c ‘  e
z e / a o THE DIME LIBRARY is for sale by all Newsdealers, Q Q Q Q
a o & \- i : ten cents per copy, or sent by mail, pro-paid, on re- .3 g 6,? % s e.
o o .
Q g ‘ ' . "9 o o ceipt of price. 3 ° ﬂ 6 6
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“W >

 
Don’s Double. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
"i
or, The
By A. .