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Copyrighted. 1896. by Emu AND Mun. Inn" All SECOND CLASS MATTER n- ‘rm: N: YORK. N. Y.. Pos'r omen. August ‘26, ms

 

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Published Every (fieadle (f' fldams, Q LLbZ Lsher’s, Ton Cent; 3 Copy.
N0: 9  0 Wednesday. 92 WILLIAM STREET, NE IV YORK. $6.00 t Year.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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GANG." 
BY WM. 11. MANNING, '   W 

Al‘TlIOR nv “s'nzvr: shim, 'rm; nucx DE- (4 (V /
'J‘EC'I'IVE," “ mmxuun mans," ETC.

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CHAPTER I. 7'

THE AVENGER. ;'

“ HAL'I'! Warn-n Addison, stand or die!" ‘ ' ““w
H Winn, you lnr my Mu"! _v«.n mvhuco me mu) mmsnx. SNARE!) LIKE AN I'GT.Y SPIDER, STRI‘m-LEI) T? i itili?

 

 

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you? Do you‘knowwhere you are at
present? "
“A few hundred rods from the camp.
'of Glory Gulch." _
“ Do you know that place? ”
“Somewhat. As I stand here I ca
see the smoke rising from where the
,_ camp nestles among the hills and gulch-
:a‘ji: es. Above it tower the peaks of the
 mountains of California. They are al-
most untrodden and Wholly trackless
mountains, with a mining camp scat-
tered here and there, some ten or twenty
, miles apart, and oftener more. Do I de—
 ; scribe it well? "

  

“You evade the point. What I mean,

\ is, do you know the reputation of Glory
Gulch? It is a law-abiding place, and
this talk of shooting is but a silly men-
ace. Put up that revolver! "

“Presently, sir, presently! My object
is accomplished in part. You have stayed
to hear me speak." a

“ You need not have taken that man-
nor of doing it."

,/ I “I preferred my own way. .It did me

/ good to point the weapon at you and

fancy what would be. the result if I

pulled the trigger—so! ”

“ Reckless fool! You raise the revolv-
er again! Stop it! But why should i
care? Blaze away, if you want to! "

“ Do you care so little for» your life? "

“ I care not an ounce of gold-dust."

"You take a strange stand, Warren
Addison.“ .

“ Again my name!
knows me so well? ”

"‘ H ve you no eyes?"
“ I h ve the eyes, but the sight is al-

most useless, I admit. If I ever knew

you, I do not recognize you now."

“Turn your thoughts back, Warren
Addison. Of all men you should remem-
ber me .the first. Of all men 1 know you
that. lBeét, did I say? Worst would be
more truthful. We have met before; I
have shared your bed, drank with you
.after the days of toll, eaten from the
same meagre fare, known the saime
friends—aye, known the [same persons,
Warren Add  l‘ .

“It may berso. Your Voice rings in

.; .. my rs with marked familiarity, but
 ,. my' yes are dim. I am,a young man in

" years, but body and mind are old—so old

‘ that. you may level the revolver and lire.

/ It may' hurt my flash; it will not hurt
. 'my mind-- Fire! " \
"Not so: [have more to say to you.

’, Yonder lies Glory Gulch. It is .years
,.  .since Lhave walked its streets; but once
i‘ L I was there every day. Nobody knew it

better. -I was a Glory camper of 'the
(early days. YOur face still o‘xpresses

'  perplexity. Let me be morevexplicrt."

‘~ ‘.Z “Speak!” , », .

 .  ‘f I knew ygn, well. Men knew me, too,
 , and my rep tation was of the best. I

g  ;,..wao a beardless boypalmost; but 'I had

 was , way to make in the world, and my

 reputation‘utas much to me. ‘You took it
 View”. , You lied away all I had.” i
  ‘i'Man, you are crazy. Who re you? "
- “,  owner-of Claim 10." - -,
“ hat! Are you Frisco Frank?"
3‘I‘am JohnF’rankfort." ‘g I -
'n   ,

 

Who are you that

  

 You’iare startled! "You back off!\Your'

_» ‘ , Color changes! " 1"  - _
. " I did not think to. seeyou here."
' , “I am comes I see you have heard of
.,  E! me. Men never thought of calling me
' r  ,‘Frlscb Frank when I was inGlory Gulch
. . m n v I ‘\

:fill'riseo‘ monk." , ,.
i' . "‘Yeii heardI right! Ever since I left
1‘ here I havebeen in the city in some ca~
: ,hacity, as a worker for the law. For five
 years I have hail some reputation as a
detective, and under the name you en-
 .flon. Odd, isn't it. when we réme her
,3 ,‘under what ci instances you drove me
 from Glory Gu oh?!’ \  = , ~
’ “Frankfort, that was longago."

1 {3 "‘It was; but my memory

 was res ed here, and t are ire-loo ,e
 MN .u%lth fin, Claimao.‘ . Yong)?

V I. , . ' . :‘ “J 

 

    

‘ sbught to ruin me in the estimation 0

, ,,“ I have heard that you were a detect»
We ‘41; San Francisco: and known as,

   

cused me—slyly, so as to hide your part
in it—of robbing other mines. ‘Judge
Lynch tried me‘; but judge and jury were
tolerably fair.
not proven; but I was ordered from camp.
I went, only staying to sell my claim. I
never have set foot here‘ since. Now, I
am back. Can you guess why? "

“ You have threatened my life.
pose you are here to kill me.”

“ You speak calmly.”

“That is because I caregllttle for my

I sup-

life. What does it matter? A little
time more or less. I ask only one favor
of you.” ‘ .

“What is that? "

“Give me a little time."

“ To get back to camp and send men to
arrest me? "

“No. I will not do a thing to offset
your purpose. If you wish to remain
unknown, I will tell no man who you
are. If they are as slow to recognize
you as I have been you are safe. Give
me that morsel of time and then—~do as
you will.” ' ‘

" What do you wish to do in the mean
while? " ,

“I cannot tell you. Let it suffice that
I desire the reprieve. If you are not dis-
posed to grant-what I ask, why, .flre away
now! "

Warren Addison folded “is arms and
stood immovable. Frisco Frank. was
slow with his reply, and both stood in-
active. They were by the side of a gulch
which cut deeply into a ridge that led
away from the camp of Glory Gulch, so
called. It was a wild place, and there
was not much danger of interruption.
Nobody would come there on business,
and idlers were not likely to do so.

Back of Addison was the place that
was home to him. It was a mining set-
tlement more than ten years old;._but
it never would be more. The region was
too barren for ordinary purposes.- Be-
yond the camp arose the peaks of the
Sierra Nevada ‘range, bristling with
rocky ramparts, It was wild Nature,
with man there as a speck on. Nature's
face. - '

In some parts of these foothills Were
mines which Were worked with all mod-
ern appliances. 't was the only indus—,
try of T the reglo , except such as had
_sprung up 'to cater to the camp and to do
its small business.

Frisco Frank was curious to see the

lace. He had: been long away; he was
now returning, with a definite purpose
in view. As luck would have it, he had
met an old enemy before entering the
town. ‘He had come to talk with the.-
man, somewhere! 'h’e gladly acceptedthe
chance to=do it promptly. .

The pause grew long. It might have
continu much further, butJohn Frank-
fort final y spoke again. ‘

“ You and I,"'he added, “,know why I
was hounded out of this place.
,falete that I had meddled with any man's
money orgdust, and you knew it well.
.Tha‘tcharge was only a cover for a pur.
pose hidden from all but me. Peter
West, the minor, had! a daughter. Yo

Dorothy.W,est." . . ,
"‘ansense, Frankfort.” ‘ 
,‘3Why deny it? Do I raw over lt?’

Ami I,ll e one given up todespair, or
ad WI rage? Have I’not been'quiet

all these years? Boar that in mind."
“(If roman-e reconciled toxthe loss of

,Doroth West, why speak of‘it now? "

- ." use, stories have come to my

ears in far Fring that-aroused. my In-

.dignation—enot‘for myself, bilt’for her-—

for Dorothy. sue cast me off. .Well, so.

.be It: but she is a' an still, andwith

no one to carefpr er and her interests},

'but old Peter West.'-aged. weak of body

’and'of mind. I am here to be her pro-
tector." , _ v , ' .
“Does hhe.need‘one?',’ « .

" You should kn w beet. Peter West ‘

owns Claim 473.;
um?"  V .  _
. .“It pays no better than it did when

hat is it worth in.

  

They found the charge .

It Wflisv

    

 

 

you emanate. w ’Frnfit means, “pays Just

‘wshiszlr

enough to keep body and soul together
with father and daughter.” '

“ Yet Peter keeps on working it? 5’

(I Yes-’9

“Unfortunate Peter! Unfortunate Do-
rothy! She suffers because he lacks
mental equilibrium. if he had been con-
tent to go forth with pick and spade, and
work alone as a surface miner, all might
have been well with the Wests; but he
was not content with such a humble lot.
He was uneducated alike in books and
mines, and he grew ambitions to emulate
those who owned big mines.”

“ This is all history.”

“Have patience with me. I want to
let you see how well I know the history
of Glory Gulch since I left here. Peter -
took up with Claim 47—a piece of
ground everybody else had rejected. He
has been working at it ever since. He
has never made it pay, but the more ill ‘
luck he had the more he stuck to his I
mine. .He has put in expensive machin.
ery and worked Claim 47, as if it was a
bonanza to him every day. What is he
worth in dollars and cents? "

“ Nothing.”

“ Is be square?”

“ I think not.” ,

“I know he is not. Why, he is thou—
sands of dollars in debt."

“ I fear that is true.”

“Fear!” echoed Frisco Frank‘, with
sudden bitterness flashing into his for-
mer cool dellberation.‘ “Fear! The
word becomes you well! " ‘\ 1

“Why shouldn’t I‘use it? Have I no
heart? ” . iA .

“Not an atom. You are a scoundrel,
remorseless and cunning.”

Warren Addison drew a deep breath.

” There was a time when I should
have resented that!” he exclaimed.

“ You shall have all the chance you
desire; but, like you, I ask for time—
three minutes! When it is up—well, 1
have a suggestion to make to you.”

i Addison shook his head and said noth-
ng. ‘ 1

“ The plain fact is,” proceeded the de-
tective, “that Peter West is simple-
minded and, always was. He has 30110
daft over Claim 47, and has persisted in ,'
working it when such a course was seen
by all to be madness. Why nobody put
him under a guardian Idon't know; but,
maybe, the restraining in uence was the
same that led Peter on— on him on to
sink more andmore money, sir. What
is the resultY; er! and. Dorothy are beg-~
gal-s, and there is no hope of ever pay-
ing outthe big sumo/f money that some—
:body has allowed Peter to borrow. Who
has loaned to him?”

“You seem to be telling the story.
Who has?” .

ft on! n

“ -hy ,should
thing? ” , .

“To reduce Dorothy 'to bowl?» and,
then get her into your power. She"
knows as well as-I do that it timid kill
old Peter, to stop ‘him from catering to
his hobby—to stop network fin 013111147-
That has been the plot all along.”

“ Why do you say I‘hlafve done this rash

I do such at mad

'loaning? ".' ,

" My informant could. not tell me who

had su'pplied‘f‘the money: but I needed  ‘

not the information. It has been youl—V
you, air, with your’ fiendish cunning and
your bid lfor Dorothy, regardless of'cost.
My informant could well “afford, to .be
ignorant of .the identity of the snake-in:
the grass." ~ 7 i .

   

spoken of resenting this.
in would askfor a delay

5’
*‘of but three minutes. Let as waste no

extra time. We are here with a' small
level along the gulch-«enough for all our.
purposes. Draw,your revolver!” 1

“ No! ” 1‘

Warren Addison spoke ‘with perfect  ._

coolness. ‘Therewas such .51 suggest!

.of supreme indifference in the reply that ';

     

Frisco Frank Was angered. fie looked _,
x ’ at his old ‘enemyg ‘ .
a,“ I (.721; ‘. I _- H :5

ll answer- in one time?

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“ Where has your spirit gone? ’7. he
finally demanded.

“ With my strength. Don’t hurry this,
Frankfort. Give me the reprieve I have
iasked for, and, in the mean while, keep
on to Glory Gulch and see what sort of a
situation you find there. If I misused
you once—if I did, I say—it may be that
you are on the wrong track, now. Go to
the camp before you do anything rash."
\ “ What shall I find there? ”

“‘ Enough, if you hunt for it.‘ I do not
hate you so much, but what I say—Lyou
are a detective—go to the camp and use
your skill there."

 

CHAPTER II.
Tim RIDER FROM BUZZ-SAW.\

Frisco Frank looked curiously at his
companion, but he learned nothing from
the scrutiny.

“What is there'for me to find at the
camp? " he asked.

“ Perhaps. nothing;
deal."

“Your answer is far from being satis-
factory. I am not here to deal with
myths or dreams. The settlement with
you is my full business."

“Again I say, give me a little time——”

“ To run away? " bluntly demanded the
detective.

“ Not one step shall I run, and I will
explain why in good time. You will find
me when wanted. Go on to Glory Gulch
and be patient. Rest assured, you will
have all the chance you desire for your
work.” - 

“ Do you think the other citizens will
be as slow to recognize me as you were? ”

“ Very doubtful. When you were here
you were a young man; new you are past
thirty. I cannot say how much. you have'
changed in personal appearance, but,

possibly a good

‘ though time and stirring experiences

must have done much for you, the men
of this camp have always had you in
mind. Your reputation as a detective has
traveled far, and much we have wonder-
ed that the man who left town under the
ban of our people should have risen to

‘suoh lofty heights.‘ California calls you

‘ The Veteran Detective,’ not because you
are old in years, but because you have
seen a decade in that line and made a
remarkable record for skill, success and
rough experience with dangerous crim-
You are a veteran in spite of your
lack of old age.” .

 You seem to have kept close track of
me, yet you did not recognize me when
I appeared to you just now.”

“There is a reason for this, John
Frankfort. Look critically at the. Do I
seem like a well main," ‘ ' .

"Hardly, I should say."

“ I am near to death." '

“You are still young." ‘

“ When Death marks a man as a Vic-
tim youth avails nothing. You wonder
at my lack of reedgnition. Know, then,
.that my eye-sight is so poor that it is
no wonder at all. To me. as we stand
here, you are little more than a dark
shape. I should not know a neighbor
except by his voice.”

Frisco Frank was silent. His eyes

were of the best, and he studied Addi-v

son’s face sharply. The signs went to
corroborate‘t'he man's claim. He did look
like'a' sick man, and Frankfort was com-
pelled to believe he was sincere, though.
whether there»st ,an exaggeration he
could not lay. -

Addison leaned [heavily on his staff.

“ Have you more to say? ” he inquired,

, presently.

“,po you wish to return to t camp? ”
I ll Ya'1l ‘ . I.
,, “ Go, then. I-will see you again."
“canron me there. When I am ready
to see you I will send word. ‘It may be
,tb-‘morrowr-what is the hour? "
" Seven o’clock.” .
“ It may be to-morrow." .
mnkfort, failed to see the connectio
of these Words, but he did not say as

. much, and,‘after a pause Addison added:

soon—very soon." Just

“I‘m-‘Iv‘w‘ili‘ see you
‘ten you of things un-

‘how much I will

     news»! 

(

face that was full of firmness a

".to his ears.

lop, its-if with business of.

 

 

have time to think this over.

shall startle and surprise you.
see. Our interview shall not be delayed
long. I may send for you to-morrow.
Seven o’clock eh? I must back to town.”

With this he turned and moved down
the slope. His steps were slow and weak,
and he surely had the manner of a sick
man. Frankfort looked after him with
growing curiosity.

“I don’t understand the matter,” mut-
tered the man from Frisco. “ He is not
at all like the Addison I used to know.
Has his malevolence gone out with his
strength, as he said? Well, I’ll know
soon. I’ll go to the camp, and when there
I shall have business on hand at all
times.”

Wheeling, he made his way among the
rocks for a few rods and then arrived at
where a horse stood between two bowl-
ders. It was his own property, and a line
animal in every way. '

There were two ways of getting to Glo-
ry Gulcih from the outer world. One was
by stage from Buckshot Bar, where con~
nection was made with the railroad.
This was the route used by those who
traveled with money and heed for show.
The second course was across the range
from the camps to the westward, Where
the foothills were lower and 1e air of
civilization a little more prono need.

It was by the latter course that Frank—
fort had come. It was a line that brought
fully one-half of the travelers into town.
and free from all restrictions, since 'those
who used it had to supply, their own
means of locomotion, and, as there was
but one, it was not an unusual circum-
stance to see horsemen winding along the
rough trail. ' , '

Thus it was that as Frisco- Frank lin-
gered by his own steed, stroking his
neck without being fully conscious of
what he was doing, so deeply was he
thinking, he heard the sound of a horse’s
feet on the rocks and, moving a'step to
gain better view, saw a rider‘come along
the so-called Stone-B ise Trail~the‘Way
he had lately ,approa bed himself. ,

The new arrival was not of the pic 11,
sober fashion of the detective in a y

Perhaps I
We will

manner.

He was about thirty years old, of medi-
um height and muscular development, but
he did not seem like one who had wrested
his daily bre d from California’s auri-
ferous soil. en like him the observer
had often'seen in San Francisco, but less
frequently in thednining' district.

‘ He was elaboi‘ately‘clad in rich cloth-‘
ing, and, as a rule, this attire followed -

the system of civilization, but there were
departures of striking and becoming na-
ture. . I '

On'the whole he was'something of a'
dandy and his flaxen hair and. yellow‘

mustache would have made him look ef-
feminate ii” there had not been redeeming
waits—namely, a brace-of revolvers.in
a,i’ancy belt attached to his waist ,and a
fire;-

“A sport!" . ' ~

Frisco Frank knew theclass, and he
sought no further for light as to this
traveler of Stone-Bruise Trail. “

The detective was not seen in return.
and the stranger passed on an disap-
peared around  hend in the -tra l.

' Frankfort 3 ll lingered. , His gaze
often strayed toward the remoter part-of

the trail, but darkness fell and left him '

watching. The moon climbed above a

peak and cast its light down on the lower

elevations, but, though it touched the
middle line of the trail, Frisco Fault was
still in the shadows. I '
Finally he becameimpatient. -
“I’ll watch no more!” he exclaimed.

“I may as‘ well go on to thmoamp and

attend to, my own ,_business. Others can
see to theirs. =Come, Ebonyi,” 

He swung himself into the saddle and
was about 'to emerge from his place of

concealment when another sound came
Hi8 bent his, head and 118- '

toned. , » i , ‘t
“ Another horseman on the trail. 'I will
see who be it. He comes atfa hardgal-
, portance on
hand. he comes! "

g

It may bee-flihi‘fh‘

   

 

\

 

\ A'man by his side, who carried another; ," '

- marked his expression.

   
   
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
    
   
  
    
  
    
  
   
   
   
    
  
   
   
  
   
 
   
 
    
  
     
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
    
   
    
  
    
   
  
   
    
    
   
     
  
  
    
     
 
 

The pounding feet had drawn nearer,
and a horse dashed along the depression~
where the ribbon of light fell upon him
and his rider. Frisco Frank nodded with
satisfaction.

“ Here he is!”

If he had watched for the man (he did
not wish to intercept him. He saw a
youth of slight figure for a few seconds;
then the horse shot around the curve and
was gone toward Glory Gulch.

“ The same stripling who was abbre-
vlated Little Alf in Buzz-saw Valley. He
has secured his horse, after all—more, he
has ridden him hard. He nears the
camp, and I will go on and learn why he
was in'suc‘h desperate haste to get there.
Forward, Ebony!" .

The. detective rode out of the pocket
and pressed on his way. He did not want
this beardless boy from Buzz-saw to
know he was followed, so he hung back
enough to remain undiscovered, yet' kept ‘
close enough to watch him in this remain-
ing journey.

Glory Gulch was but a short distance
off. The glitter of its lights was soon
seen, and it was a familiar view to the
man who had once owned Claim 10.
There had been steady growth since his
day, but most of the old structures were
there—the shanties that had been the
camp in his day—for the growth had
been on the outskirts. '

There was one hotel, and one, only, and
this was so rendered conspicuous by nu»
merous lights that any stranger, seeking
the business center, would invariably go
there. ' , .

Little Alf clattered up to the door, and
Frankfort saw him toss the rein to a ‘
hostler, leap to the ground and make
for the interior. '

The detective finished up his own jour-
ney with haste, went through the some vi";
ceremony and was speedily inside the '
hotel. ._

At one glance he took in the appear- .
shoe of room and occupants. He saw a
bar, with men leaning upon it and
grouped in front of it; but out of the
whole crowd his eyes singled out two as
censpicuous. ' ,

The Sport of the Trail leaned upon the
bar itself, cool, careless and rather hand-
some, .while Little Alf was a few feet
from him, pen in hand, facing the clerk.- ‘

“Any sort of a room .will do me," the '
youth was saying. his voice clear, keen
and acute; “ and. as for supper,,it is only ~"~.
a passing event to me. I‘ want to ask You-
a question: Has the stage arrived 
day? u i i _

l .

“ Got in a full hour ago.” ‘ . '  g. m

“ Always due at dark, this time a 
year, and always on time." ‘ , . f
\This was an interruption. It came 
from a-lank man who held a whip in one 
hand and a lasso in the other. He had _
all of the appearances of a driver, and ,~
this tribute to the punctuality oil the‘ *3"
stage‘easily proclaimed him its pilot.» 

whip, echoed the last words: H
“ Always on time! ”~ , 

y , The attentien of Little Alf had been .\ , ,.
diverted. He gave the men a, mitts”;
glance, and then impatience and disgust,  -
He turned 

1y. hack to the clerk. , '  {is
' “ Who came on that stage w—mght'rj'i .. I
“There were several." 1 h '3
.. Wu there a man—1. m _ -:~’,’ . 5‘“
Plainly the youth. intended to aim r
something, but his utterance died away ‘

 

  

   
  

     
  

i y ,
o ‘ .1 Ha!-

   
       
     

 
 
 
 

 
 

    

strangely. ‘ h *i - , ,.
“ There were several men,” rotili -

the clerk. ‘ I. ~  . L, 
u  n V .1  
The clerk ‘ the register 
“Well, s the named? 

   

i.

  
   
   

.none‘too manly. . , a _, _ ,.'.«-‘.i7:;,,;.; ‘
"I hm looked; but the 
writing—were thereno more than those 1
hererecordede ~ a. ‘ - -  K
“Of course such as were citizens   .
not'come hat-eat all.“   - «g. i‘ “
_“I should, have rcmembered— . _ .
recorded. The name is not there." i 
Frisco Frank was watching and listen:

   
      
 

 
  
 

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 He had-.ceen‘iattie All in 

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, A.

i,‘ '

   
    

   

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' 4

Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch.

 

 

saw, and there the youth had been nerv-
ous and erratic. He was not over it yet,
and his indirectness in asking what
might have been a simple question was
noticeable to one who had previously
gained a line on his ways.

Very few were taking any heed of him.
The majority of persons present had
things of more importance to them than
listening to a beardless boy whose great—
est concern seemed to be that he wanted
to know what passengers Sol Jennison
had brought to town; but all did not
seem so unconcerned.

A man on the outskirts of the crowd
moved closer to Little Alf, and when
Frisco Frank had seen him once he was
not disposed to forget him. A man of mid-
dle age, not tall but of tremendous width
of chest, and with arms like a gladiator’s,
he was dressed shabbily and in sore need
of soap and water.

All this was nothing in Glory Gulch,
‘but when Frankfort noted his face he
felt a curious thrill of repulsion. It was
a. broad, coarse, animal face, roughly
bewhiskered, and over all was an expres-
sion of cruelty and surly ferocity that
was impressive even when kept under
control.

“A human brute!” thought the de-
tective. “Why does he listen so raptly
to Little Alf? ”

“ Bad Benson wants another drink! "

The remark was made by one citizen
to another; but he nodded so unmistak-
ably toward the fellow with the ox—like
chest and shoulders that Frankfort knew
who was meant. He had the name of
the giant.

He had yet to learn why Bad Benson
looked so evilly at Little Alf.

 

CHAPTER III.
BAD BENSON BREAKS noose.

The stripling from Buzz-saw was still
talking with the clerk, but not only was
his manner preoccupied, but he talked so
much at random that the man behind the
register was looking at him with dissat-
lsfaction. It was the fashion at Glory
Gulch to talk to the point, and even the
chance of getting hard dollars from. the

youthful stranger did not make his ways.

agreeable to the clerk.

Little Alf was thinking intently. That
was plain, and he suddenly broke in
upon a sentence that was being spoken
by the clerk, with the abrupt statement:

“I want somebody who can give me
the names of every person who came on
the stage, and tell where every stranger
went to who was of that party! ”

With this Little Alf wheeled suddenly.

Ordinarily this would have been of but
little consequence; but now, as Frisco
Frank had previously seen, Bad Benson
was at hand. The tough had been edging
toward Little Alf, and, as Frank noted
the threatening gleam in his eyes, he,
too, had come somewhat closer. He had
thought that the slight traveler might
need aid, though why he should was not
clear. _

Little Alf turned at the wrong mo-
ment, and, as a consequence, he collided
lightly with Bad Benson. It was one
of the slight mishaps that often occurred
and nearly as frequently passed unno—
ticed even in Glory Gulch; but it was dif-
ferent now.

A snarl of rage escaped Bad Benson’s
Hps.
“What ther blazes you mean?” he
cried; “ want to have a muss with me?
Think you kin whack me around that
Way? Wal, you can’t, by Judas! I kin
take keer o’ myself. Do yer hear me? "

It was easy enough to hear him, for he
spoke in reverberating tones; but he was
still further impressing his presence
upon the clearly surprised traveler from
the Buzz-saw Trail. He had seized Little
Alf and was shaking him and glaring
upon him in all his vindictiveness.

The grip of his muscular hand hurt,
and it proved that his slight opponent
was not disposed to endure such treat.-
ment with meekness. The small hand
of the youth was doubled up; it shot for-

 

‘ ‘ i
" If. . li‘“ *

ward and planted a stinging blow on the
bully’s face.

“Let me go, you scoun-drel!” he ex—
claimed.

Bad Benson howled again. He had
been hurt as a stroke from a larger man
would not have hurt him; there was a
sting to the small fist which maddened
him.

“So, that’s yer game!” he shouted.
“ Wal, I’ll show ye my game, too! "

From his pocket he whipped out a re-
volver, and, if the motion was not fully
decisive, his looks were. Frisco Frank
knew that Little Alf's life was in danger,
and the detective started to the aid of
the smaller. man. Somebody else was
nearer and fully as active.

The Handsome.Sport had been close
to the stage-driver and his companion,
and with remarkable celerity he
snatched the lasso from the driver’s
hand and flung its center over Bad Ben-
son’s head.

It fell squarely, checking the motion
of the revolver and flinging that weapon
a dozen of feet away; then, before Benson
fully realized the situation, the sport had
taken another spurt, and, by dexterous
manipulation, had added several snake-
like coils, until Bad Benson was com—
pletely enmeshed.

Glory Gulch was yet to learn fully that,
the sport was remarkably quick of mo-
tion, but they had a hint o- it then.

Next, he pulled backward, and, as the
rope tightened, the burly tough was for
the time being out of the race.

Nobody in camp liked Benson, and it
Just suited the whim of the stage-driver
and his friend to aid in the work. They
caught each an end of the rope, pulling
st'outly, and making the victory doubly
certain. The sport seemed content to let
Benson escape or keep in trouble as he
liked, and he stepped back, abandoning
the work he had begun, but holding his
hands in his pockets in a suggestive way.

Little Alf was not idle. He had pluck
in plenty, and the moment he was re-
leased he drew a revolver and faced
Benson with flashing eyes and apparent
willingness to settle the score then and
there; but a bystander caught his wrist
and prevented any rash action on his
part.

Bad Benson snared, like an ugly spi-
der, first struggled to free his arms, and
then twisted around so that he faced the
men with the rope. His face expresed
his mad anger, but his captors laughed
openly and held fast.

 Let me go!” he bellowed.
go, or I’ll kill ye!”

“ Give him a taste of the whips! ” sug-
gested a locker-on.

“Let me go! Let me go!
whole cowardly lot 0’ ye! ”

He strained at the rope; but even his
great strength could not break it, and
it was held so taut that he could not get
his hands free.

He was taken seriously by many, but
others had seen so much bf wild life that
it was regarded as more of a joke than
anything else, even with the man in
such a rage. How this could be so,.'with
his nature expressed on his face, was not
clear; and Frisco Frank, willingly let-
ting others attend to the case, felt that
it was not well to trifle with Bad Benson.

Little Alf, held back and out of the
race, looked upon the struggling bully

“ Let me

I’ll kill the

'with a bold front, and it seemed that he

was ready to have it out with Benson.

" Oh! if I could get at ye! " grated the
captive. “ Ef I could I’d fight the whole
lot in the room-"

Once more the sport stepped forward.

“ Men! " ’he commanded, “ cast off that
lasso! " ,

“You put it on," reminded the stage-
driver,

“Then, I’ll take it off.”

The sport seized the rope, loosened it
in his aids’ hands and whirled it wholly
aside. Bad Benson was free again. The
sport stood within a few feet of him.

“ You have-your wish," he deliberately
remarked. “The rope is off. What are
you going to do about it? ”,

 .i ,q, . ‘
wr i, ,. l§‘>',t,»'-I32.rf{;“’5'ha'_ 4.--:v....a‘xmi‘v.tf  '

It was the question of a man who
could look out for himself in any and all
phases of life. Even Bad Benson reala
ized that, and the headlong ferocity
somehow faded away from his face. He
stood and looked at the sport, but more
in bewilderment than anything else.

The latter did not move, and his man-
ner was quiet and cool, but Frisco Frank
noted a watchfulness that told its own
story.

The sport was fully capable of caring
for himself.

This fact was clear even to Benson,
and it acted upon him forcibly. He was
a mere bully, with a record that should
have landed him in prison—or out of
the world~before then; but he had
somehow held his own at Glory Gulch,
and kept his freedom. He had used
his immunity from punishment to the
terror of others, and there was general
wonder to see him so meek now.

“Say, who be you?” he asked, in a
low growl.

“My name is
sport replied

“ What more?”

“There is no more. I have told my
name because it pleased me to do it, not
to oblige you. I shall tell no more. My
history is none of your business.”

Bad Benson winked rapidly.

“Do ye know what ye've done?” he
inquired, beginning to recover his spirits.

“ Do I look as if I had been asleep?”
retorted Rover, coolly.

“You interfered with my business.”

“I believe I did.”

i “I don’t allow any man ter do that—-
not an’ live!” _

“I have no intention of dying.”

“ Do ye know who I be?”

“ No, and I don't care a rap."

“ I’m Benson!”

“A matter of indifference to me.”

“ You interfered with me, and I allow
no man ,ter do it——"’

“ You are repeating yourself. Dmp
that! A remark from your lips is not
sweet-scented enough to make it endur-
able twice. As near as I can glean from
your rambling talk you don’t like my
style. Well, what are you going to do
about it? ”

Robert Rover stepped closer to Bad
Benson, and he seemed to grow taller
as he did so. He was quiet and cool,
but there were men in that party who
were old fighters who arrived at the cen-
clusion that hey did not want trouble
with Robert, themselves.

Frisco Frank was an officer of law,
but he was aware that he was back in
the mines. Being there, he did not
Wish. to turn Glory Gulch into a town
of Silence. He could not do it, and
if tried he would only get himself into
111 repute. He remained quiet, but he
deculed that there was a fair-sized
chance that Bad Benson would get his
last hurt within a few minutes.

It was at this critical juncture that
there was an interruption. A man rushed
into the room, broke through the group,
and reached its center. He was panting.
’as if after a hard run.

“Quick, quick!” he gasped.
" What’s up?” asked a citizen.
“ A man has been killed! ”

Robert Rover,” the

“ Where? ”
“Up on the West Slope."
“ Who did it? ”

“I don’t know, but it is at Warren
Addison’s house. Terrible things have
happened there. Didn’t you hear any-
thing? come quickly! Murder has been
done there!”

--——.—_..

CHAPTER IV.
THE WEST SLOPE TRAGEDY.

Frisco Frank had lost no part of this
dialogue. He had nothing to say, as yet,
but he was interested. The manner of
the man who had brought the news was
enough to indicate that the death was
not of the ordinary kind, and the ,de-
tective had loci-ed for a tragedy from
the timn of the first announcement.

 

The final words capped the climax—-

.131...” ,w— T. v

..-..m»««u~».... u- ; aw.“ ..~ (ingumug . ‘Ju. ._,V.J,‘._.._,,‘) _Q q \ » ".1

 

 

 

   

I b

   

."\.
.y

I

 

 

it was at Warren Addison’s house, and
murder had been done.

Glory Gulch was a law-abiding place,
 as a rule, and the hearers were unis
 versally thrown into a state of excite-

i1

i

i

  

ment.

“ Who’s killed? " was the excited ques-
tion of the messenger.

“ Addison’s brother.”

“What! the chap who just got here

.5 to—night? ”
. ; tiff “ Yes.”
E  “ He came on the stage not two hours
~ {'1 ago."
3 ,. “ He never will go away on the stage—
’, 3:" ., not alive.”
, . . “ Who killed him?"
 “It is all a mystery."
1:, “ What does Warren Addison know
 about it?” ‘
 “He is too badly hurt to say."

“ Then he was attacked, too?”
I “ The explosion did it."
y “ What explosion? ”
 “ Didn’t you hear it?
:1 house blew up—some think it was by
:1, design. and done by the slayer. The ex-
fi 'ploslon served Warren nearly as bad as
1 f; the assassin did his brother.”

' “ Who is up there? ”

Powder in the

‘ “Doctor Gifford is in charge. He has
; sent me for help. His orders are that all
y. turnout to hunt for the slayer. Some:
 b‘odycome and did the deed like a. cow-
' ard, but the doctor thinks he must be
it near. He says to me, ‘Tell the men to
9.-  scatter and search! Let them look every-
wherel—let them hunt the wretch down! ’
That's what Gifford says.”
" And we are here like a lot of stones.
‘Come On, boys!” . I
’ ‘ The man who had suggested this made

 

i
l
i. . the start, and others were not slow to
 ‘,  follow. There was a quick emptying of

.'  the room, and all who went seemed to
 L?  f feel eager in the cause of justice.

The recent quarrel was dropped even
by-Bad Benson. ’ ,s
  _ Frisco Frank was not backward in
 7‘ . A this crisis. He had no knowledge of a
  “brother of-Warren Addison, but in the
. ~ latter he was interested, so he deter-

mined to be on the scene quickly.

The crowd, as a whole, took the direc-
tion which, as it‘ ptioved, Was that'where
lay Addison’s house. Frankfort found

;‘ himself near the messenger, and he~im—
 proved the chance to speak with him

' further. ._.

- “When did this happen? ” I

“ Must have been nearly an hour ago.”

 

 

  ' “Why has not the alarm been ,given .

chef?"‘~ ,

I 7‘  .“ We have been working over Warren."
.gjj  :‘Fn‘o you live with. him?"
  .‘ 'fDo_I?. Well; Igguess not. I, live
‘ with myself.‘ I am a neighbor, though,
‘  and I turned to and gave my aid." ‘ ‘ ,
' ‘ - ‘ What about the explosion?" " .
“ I reckonihe‘murdorer did. it."

“Is the house wrecked?”  »
“ Not a bit of it. Only one.ro0m was

‘4 brothers were." ..
T *3‘,‘I never heard of this

, : brotheié—the
murdered man."

 
 
  

. lgfor‘hlmuyou'see, and he came on the
stage. It was a sad reunion. for he is
dead and Warren isn’t much better."
j 'Franltfort, ~:'had ‘more questions he
; wished to. ask, but the messenger [was
’ too much out ofgbreath to talk, and the
party raced 01,119 the hill without more
1 information. ' ' i '
 They Were soon. in a vicinity which
‘bad been unsettled in Frankfort‘s former
residence there.
'=~*$lhce,’~* and they “were the best in Glory
women. “The West Slope,"' in that see-
‘ v tilingmean; the aristocracy of the camp,
.such omit wasu' '~‘  f h  "_ _, .,‘-
, ~2As theyraecended the steep ridge Frisco
; Frank noticed that‘Robero 'ver was of
" the party; The sport was 6 f o: toot,
., and he kaptwbll at. the front. Now and

abanflaedetective eouldseoi his face. and

 
 

    

'5‘

      
  

  
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
 
 

 
 
      

   

, injured, and that was the one where the?
“ no only got in to-night. Warren sent 1
several" voices rose,

' that their»; OWners
to ~ the id

ouses had sprung up.
“elbowing his Way

wheh'it Woe so. listinger placidity in”): {gullichilllqmfiduwipotg, ' mi

   

Within). new oii‘the were
 "F51  scamm- anon

 

Looking for others who had figured
prominently at' the hotel, Frank failed
to discover them,and this led to a men-
tal query on his part~— Had presence at
the hotel served as an alibi in case tnere
proved to be doubt as to the identity of
the slayer? v

Clearly, if the time of the deed had
been correctly given, no such alibi could
be e tablished for anybody who had been
there,,for time enough had elapsed to
enable the perpetrator to make such a
change of base. This line of meditation
was purely mechanical with the de-
tective; he had no theories as yet, and
certainly none that pointed to any. par-
ticular person.

Well up on the West Slope the mov-
ing crowd found another crowd gath-
ered by a building. It was a scene of
activity all around. Those in the street
surged to and fro, and there was con-
stant action within the building.

Frisco Frank looked the place over
quickly. It was aineat dwelling-house,
and of unusual size for a towu like Glory
Gulch. If it‘ was Warren Addison’s
house he had lived well._

The propensity of all to crowd in-
doors had led to the denial of. access to
those who came later, and, as a' result,
the detachment from the hotel brought
up at an impassable barrier. ,

All they could do was to question
those who had“ been there before, and
Frankfort stood silent and listened to the
dialogue. _.

“Who has been killed?”

“ Warren Addison’s brother."

“I didn't know he had a brother.”

“ Then you must have been mining in
the woods. His brother Homer came
to camp to-day, and now he’s dead—and
dead only an hour or so after he arrived."

“Who did it? ”

 Nobody ‘lknows.
caped.” ,

" Was it 'done in this'house? ”

"Yes." , v

“ Can’t Warren explain anything?"

“He is too badly hurt, himself. He
is in a room, with Doctor Gifford work,-
ing over him to save his life.”'

The assassin es-

l

“‘I thought the doctor was out of ~

toWn."

, “ He went'East to bring Homer Addi- ‘

son here. They ‘came in onthe stage
to—nigfht. I; The stopped at the hotelier

.fawh ’ .‘ and then went on tO‘Wa‘rren’s.”

“ ‘hen Warren didn't
hotel?” ' '

“ No. he was too sick. You know he
has been in ill .health, for a long while,
and the reason Homer came here: was
that he was the heir, for Warren knew
he must die, and he wanted to settle his
snail-s before he cross, ' ~ the last divide."
’ _“ so the brother has (1 ed beforeahira? ”

“Yes. He came-here in good hedlth,

meet them at the

but 'he‘s gone on, now. The. assassin’p.

knife removed the heir We the sick
man died...” ' '

Frisco Frank hadbeen' silent, but he
bowelsmke quietly. lie-had ‘a question
0 ‘ > , -.

“ Who'd! the'h'eir now?".' ' _

“ I. don’t “know. ‘- Any of ‘ you
 u a, r ‘ v A ‘ ‘ .

There" Was

that
a brief nameless than
with »"the' cenfes‘slon
_ had noiknowledse- his.
I entity, otgthe' new heini , ’No
wonder weaken)! used by anyone;

Fra‘nktart was doing some thinkingp’rhei

stroke cutie-anus nah remevédrani- 
pediment from somebody'gipath. . 

had benefited by. the murder? . . 1” ‘

That might prove. to been; important
question. _ a if -» i    
“Just ;,then there wasfa new U version.
The outskirts of the‘crowd sway , notice-
ably, and then somebody cameg‘roiighly,

. to, the front. ’Friéco'
Frank recognized Littlest”. The Young’s-
face Was strikingly. leans :cnereiwbs'afl
good dean exhne = f ‘  ‘ 1
tuition. .consiernati

     
  

  
    

   
    
 
    

 v  

 neebervhew

e" :co

 gckhggschm. runs .
   In   r .can
."' “manly  " 

    
     
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
    
   
   
  
   
  
    
 
  
  
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
    
   
    
  
    
    
   
   
    
  
  
   
  

“ Where is he?—where is he?” Litth
Alf demanded.

“Where’s who?”
miner, sharply.

“ The man—.the men! ”

“ Wal, hyer’s some few 0’ them, I 
should say.” *‘ 
“But the othersl—the ones the talk is

all about? "

“ The Addisons? ”

“Yes.” x

“One 0‘ them is gone ter a land that
another sun lights, or wuss. The other
brother is checkin’ his trunks fer the
same clime.”

“ Dead, both dead? ” .

Little Alf gasped these words, and
then he shrunk back, with his face the
picture of consternation and his eyes
wildly staring. !

“ Only one dead so fer, lad,” answered
the miner, his own manner growing gent .
tier as he watched the agitated youth.

, “ And he—he? \Vho is he? ”

“ Homer Addison.”

“The man who came on the stage?"

“ Yes." .

“ No, no! It can’t be; I won’t have it
so. Dead? There is some mistake. You
didn’t know theiman; he was a stranger
here; why should you, know him? There'
is a mistake of some sort. Call out his
name! Summon him here! Shout for
him! ” ' ,

Li-‘tle Alf flung his arms wildly, and
the entire crowd were startled into"
silence. There was a variety of opinions‘
as to the cause of this agitation, and
some thought the yout was deranged, ,
but Frisco Frank arriv at no such can; .:
clusion. Greatly wrought up the .
might be, but he was‘not deranged. \ p '" '

“Call!” he reiterated. ' g‘ '

“What shall we call?” . A k
' “ His name! Shout it in, thunder
tones. Shout!" ’ 

“ He will answer only to Gabriel.”  a

“ We will see!’ .I' will call. I'll sauna '
his name— Ah! his name, his name! - , 
' Little Alf bent his head; then hey-‘sude'fifz "
denly straightened up, threw, back 
shapely head, and his voice rung out! 
:clear and iercing: ‘ ‘ .. 5 j “i

“ Homer Addison! What, he! 
forth! Homer Addison, come! WWW:
“make answer What, ho! Come! " 
even though it e from your grave! 7’ . ,__.i»',‘

Wild, strange. and impressive wa‘s  i
call, and the big miner shrunk back:  

consciously. . .  ,

demanded a big

e

“Mad!” he .muttered.
-March hare!"  - u g,

Frisco. Frank was strong or nerveglbgf
he, too, was much moved by tibial-3:99.
markable incident; What did it 
What secret was in the mind. 
slight youth? But. While. all WW! ;
again came the call;‘ '  -‘ I; '11". “Q

‘fCome (cunt Homer mamrwiw
way! Come, comacomo!” .'  l 

I ‘37 < -,  
‘ ‘- THE,§HE81FP8 ACCOUNT.  
Frisco Frank bestirred, him it. 
beardiess youth was like a 
Vainly beats itswings against its cage
and heatelt moveduto use his‘ 
"years/and wisdom to: mam.  ', f ‘
forward and  Mine-{mt on
firm?“ Therm! whefledquicklw   ,.
 "T'Eriend,"  . ‘ , ,
" you waste .100N,M « in ,flii’s:  
Living or dead, the? j  ;.y¢u..,.uama.tuim‘
likely to" respond; "in ,.1?’sucn~“~ s 
‘Aregou a stranger hotel”? "   
f¢.eQ‘lo In.
_“ You. have  tanner-ed nervous
this attain “Control yourself, and
you-areagY/n 
inmates-[matterasthusw' "
inea‘n that/zen 
I ‘ 7 uretehedidénotltn ‘
swam  hurriedly.
- artifice-0011M   over-m:

   
  

    
           
 

.1}.

   
  

     
     
 
    

  
 
 
 
  
  
     
 
 
     
  
 
 
 

      
  

 
   
     
    
  
     
     
 
    

    

   

   
     
      
  

  
      
 
 
  
  
  
 

 

an: -. were a are,

 

     

Frisco ~

 

 

 

 

 

gaze was upon his companion, and there
was a sort of child-like submission. His
tense muscles seemed to relax, and he
sighted and seem to reel on his feet.
 . “Ah!” added Frisco Frank, “is some—
. v body. coming out of the house? "
’ ' Every one followed the direction of the
intimation. They looked toward the
door, and then the detective bent and
softly whispered to [little Alf:

“ Remember where you are! You can—
not recall what has happened, and the
only way to know what that happening

     
   
   
 
   
  
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
    
  
    
    
  
   
   
   
  
  
    
  
  
   
    
  
   
  
 
  
  
    
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
    
   
  
 
  
      
    
 
  
   
 

has been is to wait. Be atient! Be
strong! Watch! Listen! Guard your
secrets!"

What these secrets were the adviser

. did not himself know, but he was averse
to having Little Alf show his hand too

' plainly. The notion was fixed in Frank-

fort’s mind that eventful scenes were

yet to occur, and he was willing to hold
the winning cards.

Little Alf was submissive, but the de-.
“tective, turning a trifle when he saw
that he had carried his point, found Rob-
. .ert Rover by his side. 'The handsome
fisportw'as mild and sympathetic.

“ Partner," he remarked, to Frisco
Frank, “ your theories and ways are
right, but, if this night's beginning is a
north star to the future, there will be
more calling in the futurq. We may
yet all call, ‘ Come forth! Conic, come! ’ "

It Was an interpolation too vague to

. be solved, and before the detective

could reply, another stir at the door he-

tokened somethi g of real importance

there. .

“It is Sheriff Dowe,” exclaimed an ob;
server. " “Now we shall hear something
about the case}: r
' I “Dowe must have come in by the
a, rear. ‘He hastened off to find the mur-
r *derer—nhe’s back, and that means‘ that
‘he has news from inside and out. Ha!
-'he‘is about to "speak! Listen!” .

A big man who had appeared at the
‘ door was aning his hand, and the crowd

,‘ became perfectly still. _ '

I » ‘ j “ Men! ” cried the sheriff. " Why
 dpfyou stand here inactive? hay don't
" yeti get away on ,the track of the assas-

-rsin?" v I

“ Which way did he go? ” I

“I don’t know. Nobody does.” ‘ The

 ,ly way isto start out anu hunt every-

1,,w11ere.” ,, l 4 t

" ’ “Sheriff, who did it?”

y, ‘ "I can't tell you, for I have no idea.

 t‘ was done, and that: is all that is'

sown. There‘st remains to be dis-

\."'mvered.‘n ' I ‘ i

 , ‘11.; won’t do much good to go rushing

 about“ in this pitch darkness. He has

f] ,had.’ time to get out of sight, and he's

 ‘ dolls it. Sheriff, what do yen know about

, git,,anyhow?f’

 " You shall bear the ’story as I, got it

loom Doctbr Gifford d Mayor Everell.‘

, Gifford got baolc from I 9 East to-night.

'-.,He“l\ad' been there. as most 0f you know,

_. bring Warren Addison's brother to

f  ,Gulch. fWarren was to meet them

 hotel, for he had been ex eating

 for seVeral nights, and, regu-

g,  met the stage, but this night he

 had alpoor spell run before stage-time,

{i and he didn’t meet themfat all. , ..

“The result was that ’Doctor Giflord

 the brother up here alone.‘ They'

same right to thehonse, and, t? doctor
techfiomer Addison in, and true broth-

," .

\

 
 
 

  
  

 

  

 
 

/ -  .
  "la few minutes Gifford went
at}; (orbs had businessof his own..to,
'iiend‘to, you‘rsee. Thea/brothers were
[left with nobody‘at hand but the house.-
' keeper. old Agatha Beetle. , ‘ ~ '
.  n so happened that,'soon utter-khan
business with ‘Qliver Geo, owner of the
  Mine. ~ I droppedin and found
, ord there, It was only a few min»

 
 
  

    

  

‘ «if. at out on the»;th hurriedly.
,x'plosion was unusual, and. though:

 
    
 

.1 \ 
,-i fix.

nothing-unnmslr

 

«date:- when we heard an explosion. V

K

notva anythingwrongé we ,
' ' V r , . .= I»

‘walked the same way,

 

cused himself and went again (0 Addi-
son’s. Fifteen: minutes later Gee and I
but when we
reached the front of this house, Gifford
appeared at the dour and called to us in
great excitement.

“ Then we heard the news. Homer Ad-
dison was dead and Warren was des-
perately injured. '

“It was then thought that both had
died by the explosion, which had been
powder kept here by Warren, but it was
soon found that life remained in War-
ren, and v investigation proved that
Homer had been murdered. Somebody,
we know not who, did this vile deed, and
it must be avenged. ,

“Men, I call upon you to act in this
crisis. Do not stand here like! posts.
Get away on the trail. Search the whole
camp; and see if any sign is found. My
duty keeps me here now. You are not
needed. I tell you once more, get away
on the trail!” '

The call was so urgent that most of
the men obeyed. There was a general
rush, and only tenlpersons stayed be-
hind. One of the latter was Frisco
Frank. .

The sheriff did not at once return to
the interior of the house,‘ but he looked
the crowd over critically. ’

“I want three of you in ‘here to be
witnesses to the way things look now.
I will select—Hallo! what do you want? "
Little Alf had pressed forward ex-

citedly. ,

“Let me be one! ” he replied, eagerly.

“ You—~21 beardless boy! " , , 

“ I can see as wellas anybody.”

~ “ You are too nervous; you shake as if
you had an ague. Keep back—i don’t
want you. Here, you three men nearest,
come inside.” « ‘ ,

Frisco Frank heard the selection with
interest. He had determined to be one
of the party, even if he revealed his
identity then and there, and he had gone
close. The choice freed him from the
necessity of argument, and ,he-prepared
to followu ‘

The sheriff had stepped bank to ad-
mit them, but he suddenly grew angry.
Little Alf had essayed to slip in past
the men unseen, and the sheriff was
obliged to check him with a heavy arm
that was not used any too gently.

“ Well, you are a persistent seeker
for ghastly sights! ” he exclaimed, irldta'é
bly., " Get out of, here before I bowl
you over!-", 1 r l ,‘ ‘

He Closed the door with a bang, locked
it, and shut Little Alf out. Frisco
Frank’s last sight was of Robert Rover
pressing close to the slight youth.

The detective let ,Little Alf ,and his
affairs rop f In his‘ mind. and his pro?
fession, we came to the from. He
wanted to see the sightsrof this place “of
tragedy, anthis ambltion"Was not less
because Warren A-ddisOn's brother fig-
ured in the affair. -' t ‘ i

a“ It is strange:‘ he thought. “ thatthe
young man died so soon after getting.
here. I want to hear Warren explain it.”

warren was not visible Where the in-
vestigators stead. They were .in a large
room,'comfortably made, but! with the

‘ strict plainness- that. predominated at

Glory 'Gulch. Just then there were
buokeu windows and blackened .Walls

'that told their own story. .

“ Here‘gentlem‘en,” explained thesher.
in, “is where the explosion took- place.‘

Look around'and see ,w'hat is visible. or
course. there‘wa‘s not much powder to ,

explode; a large quantity would have
sentithlsr building sailing ,Iskyward ' in
small pieces. The actual quantity was

,iust'enollshio’bmk thrust! up shuttle,
and severely-injure W ' 'h . 

    

4‘ weapon, .bodles here?'= asked a
witness;,,-‘.  ’ l‘ ‘»
\ firm." 2" t;-: ,. ’ > i . ‘ N _ 

"‘Qne dead, andz.the other—what was

is, condition? " ,

, "in (in unclean“ 1:;  -. p
a a . ...  v» has.

   
  
 
 
 

  
   
  
  
  

. He .mibsed the

   

" What does warren Addison say? "

The last practical question was from
Frisco Frank. He saw,_no need of theo-
rizing if there was chance to get closer
to the truth. ‘

“ He has not explained it."

“Why not?” 7

“His condition is too serious. Doctor
Gifford is withuhim, working hard to
save his life. He says it won't do for
anybody to disturb Warren now.”

“Should he not tell his story, and thus
aid Justice in finding the criminal? "
added Frankfort.

“He will do so as soon as possible.”

“And, in the meanwhile, opportunity
will be given for escape.”

“ We have charge of that,” stifil re-
plied the sheriff. “Now, gentlemen, I
will show you the body.” ' ‘

CHAPTER v1.
THE DOCTOR OF GIDRY GULCH.

The party of inVestigation entered an
adjacent room. A light burned there,
and three occupants had possession. Two
were watchers; the third was the victim
of the murder. ,

Not only the assassin, but the explo-
sion had used him roughly. liis cloth—
ing was scorched and. blackened, and
his hair singed, but the face had escaped
with but little damage. Singularly peace-
ful was that face, when the violent end
of the man was considered.

“ Look!” directed the sheriff.
isthe body of Homer Addison.”

“ That’s right,” agreed one of the in-
vestigators. “ I saw him when he came
in on the stage—that’s Warren’s brother,
sure." ' '

u 

cannot have had any enemy here.”
.9 He had time to make one."

quickly to his work of revenge.”

Thus talked the ordinary men of the
party, but Frisco Frank did not heed
them. .He forget all but professional
zeal, and he moved forward and, bent
over the dead man. He found’no diffi—
culty in finding the fatal 'wbund.
end had come. = , . x, ',

" Killed by a hard, desperate blow,"
thought the detective. " it was delivered
from behind, 't'cio. It isixin me right side

would' hit.- from . the rear. The blade
sunk deep, and life did’ not long linger.
Probably he never spoke after he got
that stroke. Why was it given? ’1 ‘

Sheriff Dowe considered himself the
chief man present/ and he had been so
busy with his comments that'he did not
notice Frisco Frank especially. (Now
his attention came back, and he scowled,
when he saw the position of the'détect"

e. ' . . '

“ What are you doing“! " he demanded.
sharply. ,' ' i .,'_y '  ,

“Looking at the'wotlnll.” calmTY'al‘ew
plied Frankfort. _ . 

r“ Couldn’t youwaitl until. got around
'0 that?” i L ’ ‘

"-1 have ripe removed the Wound,”
quietly answered'iFHSOO Funk-

“ Absurd! Who said you had? All i
want is‘xfo‘r’ ymt wmemember what you
see here, and able to certify to the
facts ‘when you are’called upon.
call your attention to what is necessary.“

The sheriff spoke with the air, '

utupid‘person. and Frilico Frank did not
take the trouble to make the suggestion
t ‘ t perhaps he .was as well qualified to
affinitgwith‘iudgmentas was the local
0 c a " ‘

I mmessed him. it was a
[.fairly'goodanalysis or {he plainest‘ facts;
but there “70.8110 real" skill in his work.

 

   
 
  

7569M?

  
 

shoot, 1‘:

 

, Ch
w w E;- 3 until!

“He took a fatal journey when he
came to Glory Gulch.” ‘
“ Who could have killed him?‘ He

.“ Then the enemy must have moved

A deep: gash on ‘the neck, told ,how the ‘

of' his neck, just where a. secret slayer L

I will, "

aginan '
who Was trying to be patient with a.‘

gowe won ‘on to call attentim’ to such‘
,, , things as '

Suggestion that we ml nd " .
2’ had mungdelivomd from him,
 m it‘qu  , » >

Wt:qu

   
 

 

 

 

 

     
     
      
        
       
       
    
    
   
      
         
    
    
 
  
   
    
  



 

.fl

 

 

   

He had just finished when footsteps
sounded, and the party turned quickly.

“Doctor Gifford!” murmured one of
them.

 For the first time the detective saw
 1‘? , the man who had been so often referred
, f Fit; to by name.

Gifford was about thirty-two years old.
He was tall, well-formed, and well-
dressed. There was nothing in his ap-
pearance that would have suggested that
he was a,doctor.- He was more like a
well-to-do man of the world, and of
marked intelligence. He might have
been a speculator, if looks had been con-
sidered.

Just then there was considerable per-
turbation in his manner, and he looked
the investigation party over with quick-
ly-moving glance.

M “ Doctor, how is Warren Addison?”
~ asked 'the sheriff, hastily.

'- = “ He is a sick man,” Gifford replied,
shaking his head.

“ What is the extent of his injuries? "

“He suffers from shock. He has no
wound, and no injury further than what
I have mentioned. That is quite enough,
however—the shock of the explosion has
, fallen heavily upon his already weak-
, ened frame.”

 Is he conscious? "

 

. i “ Partially.”

 “What has he said?" demanded
f  Frankfort. .
s , The doctor's gaze wandered, flashed

, quickly to the questioner.

A“ “Nothing,” he answered.

“ Does he know who did this deed?"

 and Frankfort pointed to the body on
the floor. ,

“ He does not know of it, sit.”

‘f Would it not be well to tell him,’ and
learn what he can explain? "

Gifford had seemed to resent questions
from. one who was a stranger to him,
and he now replied, with some sharp-
ness: .

“ He will not be told. I am a physi—
cian; I know best what to do."

“,Pardon me! 1 did not mean to ques—
~tion that. I think you will admit,, how-
ever, that his statement would be‘ very ,
imporant if he couvldfgive the light by
which the assassin'could be run dOWn
promptly.” ‘

“Your views are correct; your infor-
mation is meagre.‘ The shock has been
such that Warren‘Ad ison now lies in
a. semi-unconscious state. There is a
 ‘ glimmer of reason in his mind, and he
f hasgtwice answered me when I asked
if ,how‘he Jolt:- To this. inqu'ry he has
i, dully replied,“ 'Better!’ It as a me—
? chaniCal response, To all intents and

purposes he lies,.in ’a stupor."
 7 , There was an. air of stubborn defiance
i - . about the explanation that Frisco Frank
$5

 

 

 “is...” a at.  . ‘ . i 

 . : 

r.

r u_ . 
. - A...

a

j:

‘ ‘ZT '“- 

i could not help noticing. Either Gifford
was particularly unwilling to have an-
other ,voice raised in the case. of a. pa-
tient, or he had other reasons fpr re-

 v senting what had been'said.
’. pi,” “ Will he get well, doctor? ’_’ askgd me
  , sheriff. ’ 5‘
V   Again Gifford shook his head.

“"I will not venture-to predict. 
‘ now he has been sick. Now he has a

  

ouble burden to struggle under. =I in
going to fight hard to save his life."
. “ Who, is with him?" , ‘
 “ Agatha. Beese. She proves to be a
I

most capable nurse.” ,

- ” Was he in the room of the explosion,
with his brother,-when found?" asked
Frankfort. ‘ ' .

  .fioctofififford suddenly bent his brows
 into it own, and his eyes did not ha,Ve
a‘ pleasant light as he looked at the
‘ 1," questioner.  I ~ ' , ‘ ‘
' 4‘ “May I ask what your deep interestin
this case is? ” he curtly responded.
“Most assuredly." was the answer.
'“I am a detective." 7 ' ’
f.‘ Aft-what? "
‘.“A detective."

A
.61

, say

 
  

 
  

 stirred out  his usual"

  
 

« them? ”

Wits!th your the'dry as to the-trag- l
 pl 7 ~ . ,1

 

  media-r scat,
.. :i- .. . , I, _ gv‘l‘;‘r~vvy;{:;g .

v . Ffigcb  - at  Gulch.)  .

and received it, but he who had given it

'was impressed with the belief that it was

not especially good news. On the con—
trary, the physician appeared to be
flustered.

“ A detective! " echoed
“ The dickens .you are! "

“That is my calling.”

“ Who are you? ” demanded Gifford.

“ My name is John Frankfort.”

“ What! Frisco Frank? ”

“ I "have been called so.”

A deep, audible bleath welled Up from
Gifford’s chest. The revlation was not
received as a commonplace affair. It
was good news or bad to the doctor, but
the detective was willing to wait until
the future gave more light before de-
ciding fully how Gifford was impressed.

“ Are you sure you are not romanc-
ing?” demanded Dowe.

“Quite sure.”

I “Then you are the right man in the
right place. ‘The Veteran Detective'
they call you—that’s what is needed here.
Gifford, we are in luck! ” I

“Decidedly so,” returned the doctor,
absently.

"I shall be glad to turn this case all
over to you—~” ‘ .

‘? Not so fast, sheriff! I did not come
to Glory Gulch. to assume such hard
work. 1 shall have to -be consulted.”

Frisco Frank made‘ the reply quietly,
but with more than trivial meaning at
the bottom of it. He had" explained
himself because he believed it necessary,

the sheriff

.but he did not care to be too prominent-

ly installed at Glory‘Gulch. He waved
his hand to the sheriff, and added: _

“Keep your case, sir. I shall be at
your service for purposes .of ’cohsuita-

‘tion, if desired, and I cannot help being

interested, but I am unw...lng to em-
ploy my vacation~,with to hard labor.”
Was it fancy, or did r. Gifford look
relieved on hearing this decision? Frisco
Bank had watched him keenly, but se-
cretly. He thought his eyes did not de-
ceive him, and “he drew his own con-
clusions. .
The physician next took up the thread
of conversation. ~
“ We are all glad to haveyou among
us, Mr. Frankfort." he asserted, “ and
you will find us more than willing to co--
operate with you. ,As' to my theory in
this case—-have you ever heard of the
Gold-Dusters? ” - .
“ The na e is new to me.” i
“ Glory ulth ,haé been cursed with
gold thieve . zOriginally, I believe, there
was ‘a ban of road-agents that worried
good people here. That day is past, but
the Gold-Dusters still exist.” I
“ Hang them! ”. muttered the sherifl.
“Gold thieves, eh?" replied, the de-
tective. ' f " W
“ Yes. , Practically. they are What i
might call sneak road+agenta They are
too coward-1y to work (in the open, so no.»
body is ever held up ,on the road, and
the stage .has never been molested by
them. They aresneaks." -
“ Where do they opera 9,” ‘
“Wherever they can ' plunder.
Their specialty islsteallng the dust that
honest men mine, but they. now and,

.then» rob, a lone pedestrian near town; or.

eyed sneak into a: ban and rob it. A‘
bold road-agent. may be hunted
hated, but he always gets a measure a
respect for hisvalor.
get none, Jar they are errant cowards—~—
sneak-thieves.” ‘ ' ‘ ,

“ Where‘ do they hire? " .

Z in he mountains.” ‘ ‘ *

“Yes, [but without succ, : ~We‘. know
nothing of them except t at they robes
I have described. We call them. the
Gold-Dusters, and, supposingxthat they
have a leader, wecail him Chief Dhster.
You see We can only guess as to their
identityand names.”  j y , _ V
a): glut you think the GoldeDusters did

a u ‘ 3'1- 4. . r V A, f

u) .
I

   
 

 
 

. that the man who had been ..

The Gold-Dusters ‘

‘ V 't‘octive, “ but it is
uppose you hatze hunted tori

      m
' a: remained ‘

 

“ Such is my guess. They may have
been discovered, and, cornered, they
would have to fight. See? ” '

“Yes.”

“A spark from something may
ignited the powder accidentally,
caused the explosion.”

“Your~theory is clear—cut,” answered
Frisco Frank. “Until we know more, it
will be well to keep it in mind.”

“It would be just like the Gold-Dust-
ers," added the sheriff.

“Now, gentlemen," continued Gifford, .
“I must go to my patient. Warren Ad-
dison is in desperate condition. I hope
to bring him to his senses, and his story
will place the blame where it belongs.“

   
    
   
   
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
   
  
  
    
   
   
  
   
  
    
  
  
  
   
       

have
and

 

CHAPTER VII.
THE MAN Wm; THE KNIFE.

A few more words Doctor Gifford said, -
and then he retired to his professional
duties. The she ‘fl’ and his party were
left to do as they pleased, but the-re was
but little more to- see to then. They
moved around and considered the various. 4'"
points as they wished, and .then all flied
out of the house.

A crowd still lingered at the door, but
Frisco Frank looked in vain for any of
those who, in one way or another, had.
made themselves of interest to him.

Robert Rover, Little Alf, and all th
others had disappeared. \

Sheriff Dowe asked the detective to co—
operate with him fully, but the invita-
tion was not accepted. ,Frankfort plead-
ed that hehad come to Glory Gulch on '
a “ vacation,” and that-he did not want
to bind himself to hard work.

Searchers were still moving around
the camp and its extremities 'fitfully,
and the smaller party joined in the
search. - ' ‘

Frankfortwanted to be alone. and he
accomplished his purpose after half an
hour had passed. Slipping quietly away
from Dowe, he took to the hills, and
proceeded to think upon his’adventures
of the night. . . » V

Matters had not gone as he .had
plannediat the camp. the projected war...
upon Warren Addison had come to. a'
halt with the grave injury to ,the tat-w .
ter, and events had grown out offilt 
that he could not account for oif~hand. - i ..

About all he ‘was sure of was that he
did not believe one-half that had been.
advanced in the way of t ry, and that--
there was ample roomfor detectiize work
,in connection with "the case. i ‘ x *

Frankfort sat down on a’ rock and i
meditated. ' He was on a ridge, with the
camp lying below him.‘ He could see its
lights in full, and, both where the lights ,
were and beyond their circle, the seam, -., .
ere who sought to find the slayer offing
night. .'.‘ 

Furtheraway‘ro'se the higher peaks of. '
the mountains,lg‘reat..apires that faded,
away into gloom in thedeepershadow of;
the main range. A mild hreeZe sifted.
along from the west, , and the whole
brought back Frankfort's oariyidays 
camp vividly. ~ \g‘ 

Once he had beenordered awa , _
Glory Gulch with a stain on his nope“
—-an unjust stain, butail the‘moreg‘ iw
ter on that account. New hegwadgfoi

 

 

 

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.'¢,,

' fit.

   
  
  
      
      
  

   
 
  

     

  
  
      

for his disgrace was-lying infilis‘ 
at the point of death, "and with a myste.‘ a
‘lefts behind him that was’jtakingt‘
rtime ofail‘the ’
_ “ He may live

   
        
    
 
  

  
   
  

  
 
 
  
 
 

I think there will be work ‘for me
in any case. I will make, horsash ii,
there is yet much for me to locate, _
case. ,1 will mike inc haste; 
is yet'mnch for me tolook to here? “ M

,  in th ht was the 11233ng
Frisco, but he . as one that never, . ,
toured himself “to “forget: his situation”

     
  
  

   
     
  
 

  
   
 
      
     
  
  

  
 
   

 

     

3

 

 
 
 
 

  
 

 

‘  * magma

   

  

-a.—..._.... WW-... N. i.............'w.’. .~~_....

paces from him?
among the rocks? ‘

Frankfort did not turn his head, but he
was all alert. 'He listened with glow-
ing interest. .One "hand strayed to his
belt, where rested a ready revolver; then
it fell away. He had other plans.

The seconds were on. 'lne detective
remained impassive. Not a thing told
that he was conscious oi‘ What was trans—
piring around him. 'it' there was any-
body who .had evil designs it would
seem that the way and the means were
fully open. Perhaps somebody Was gloat-
ing over anticipated triumph.

Then came a change. Frisco Frank

leaped to his 'feet, as t. ilung upward by
a. resistless force. lie turned, 1.00, as he
.moved—nhe faced toward the west.
, . Before him was an impressive picture.
'IL man half—stood, halt—crowded there,
leaning eagerly forward, and one 01 11w
hands grasped a knil‘e, whicn was raised
for a blow. .

kaught in the act, he‘ 'was yet a dan- ,
,gerous factor, and Frisco I at... realized
it iuily. lie acted accordingly.

.' = Su‘iftly he sent out one of his hands.
There was goo-d aim in the mow—inc
arm of the foe was caught, and the knii‘e
Vent whirling away, falling 0.1 LAC rocks
with a noisy rattle. Fast on the heels of
._ the stroke came the sharp interrogation
" of the detective:
4"“ Well, what do you want here? ”
A deep breath weii'ed up from the
 j _ would-he assassin's lilioat that was like
a gigantic sigh.
rage was-expressed in Lhe exhalation.
Then the big body shot forward, and
 “ a. pair of big hands was outs.r'etc/l:’ed to
it: seize the detective. It was a illI‘IOUB as-
f  sand, but it was met with the customary
4’ coolness of the man from Frisco.
1.- gl‘ranktort stepped back, and, in place
«of-.mcoess, the foe received‘a blow that
landed full upon his lace. He had a
It: tough, hide, and only uttered a snarl of
I singer, and pressed Oll.'- lie rere.v«:timore
,‘ _,l.q'h)ws, but/he tell. able to ,(A0 something
‘ Visa that line, himself, and the, “mar re-
solved" itself into a pugilistic encounter.
*Hbitri'ed to get at Frankfpruwltn all his
mu,“th a storm of blows was rained
uponhis face, until he reeled and weak-
ened under the punishment, and finally
 it up by failing to the earth. '
j, th‘ttered snarls still escaped his lips,
but he was‘berett of sight and strength
than, and hexcould do no more.
   Frank whirled him dver upon his
 Kandip‘lant‘eda toot upon has chest
,v'flithfno delicacy ot‘touch. a " ‘
“  vv'B‘ensonl "- the ‘

.afiw, .-..

‘Was there a. rustling

. .

a:

     
  
  
   
   
  
  
 
 
 
 

 

" detective lex-
iif‘fGrdrrj-r-r! " grated the mush, in im-
potdm.‘ wrath. - r ‘ ' -

'“ .‘fYou Wanted to kill me.

- “we reunite? " ',

Vii-fl .Bonsonugroaned dismally. l

'1. has» (lights: you are not a success,"

 addedvtheman iron: Frisco.

"g"  ion-could worst ,me?

mafia ‘whwi'tnybody? " ‘

Emmet uhfanasn at ye! "
v. I i . V

U (“want who out or your beauty"
_ "‘_li’ou,:pldyod* trick. enter me.
Vfls W01“! Blow 'M e, an” you

A

 

I How do Iron

   

  

 
 
 
 
  

I, do“ issue-hammeer like this! "
a find“ whatly'oil didn’f‘flb. «11" Ydtu'

.  area a

  

me you would. have got 03;“

.vever intake such a  9:

'Qgia,‘ orwsomobedtv' will
it

  

'20 I ; coin. myth

 
  
 
  
    
    
 
  

more ..
.  Runaways“ almanac-a
figural. swpl".:§hwiiéit'dnad. Benson; is“,
r " Let the hem. met do you no;

    

 
 
 
 
   
 
 
   

   
 
    
  
  
 

 
 

Get up!
‘- fliy Frisco»
. _ a

 fills 

win

 

      
  

‘

Disappointment andl

' hopped at minke a mini-ll: ‘Wkit-

‘; stew: ,havéjai..kair5-l '

T’mmiwméiw as mix-z   v .
V "  “v v M-‘,. ‘21” [Hi- " 1

chance to fight with success, but he had
no intention of throwing himself upon a.
loaded revolver. He stood inactive.

Frisco Frank looked at him in silence
for several secondsfithen he imperiously
demanded:

“Who sent you to do this? ”

“Who sent me? ” mumbled Benson.

“ That‘s what I said.”

“ Nobody sr‘nt me."

“Benson, why do you lie? I can read
you like a book. You are not pleasant
reading—«a common man would recoil
from the print that is stamped on your
face and soul, but I am used to meeting
with fith in'my proi'ession. _Who sent
you?”

“ Nobody.”

“ Benson,
ping! " i

5'“ N0, blame yo, no! You’ve hammered
my face all inatr Jelly now, an' I reckon
I have concussion 0' the brain.”

“Rest easy on that point~you never
had a brain to be injured! "

“Curse ye! can’t ye use a man do-
cent? " _

“Do yourfeel that you haven’t your
just deserts? ”

“ Yes."

“Then make your will, and Hi try
to finish the job I’Ve begun.”

“Hold on, cuss. ye! Hold on. Dzn‘t

you need another whip-.

hit me again; i’m a mass 0‘ bruises
now.”

“Enough of fol‘ly, Benson. Who sent
you?”

“I tell ye, nobody. Don’t, I know—7”

“You are a fool as well as a knave,
sir. This was not a‘chrtuce attempt on
your part. It was thought best that i
should not live to watch another sun
climb over the mountains. You were
chosen as the means of my taking oil.
You followed me; you sneaked dp behind
like the coward you are; you drew your

How do you like the result? "5 a,
Bad Benson shook hishead stubbornly.
“Where is. the man who. hired you? ”

pursued Frankfort. "‘Is not my money

as good as his? I will pay you to tell
me who sent you. What do you Say? "

“ Youire‘ wrong, all wrong. Nobody
hired ,me, an’ I never meant ter do ye no
harm, It was aliphance that I happened
ter be here by ye when you turned an'

seen me—-—”' ‘  - > h
“ That will do! I' haveno', more words

to wa‘steupon you. .Brute,.-‘bully, and’

liar, we must live in; the same town for
awhile. Let. me whisper in your ears.

It you meddle with me again—«it you, seek

todo me harm—4 will out your ears oil!

Hear me? ' Absorb.myg,wo‘rds while-you

have those big ears left on your head. I_

am‘ done. Go, Bad Benson, And lose no

time about. it. Get «away- from here: "

, CHAPTEZI;R V3111.
. it 3, answer: , HI‘QMMY.‘ ‘\
Frisco' Gnk reached gut and, ye his
late assailant a push. It alm‘ostf‘. ' l the
bullyI golf from his feet, and when he
recovered his balancemo turned upon
the dete‘ctivef'with fresh? fury ,flaming in
this eyes. . tou'nd bimbo}! looking at a
leveled revolver.  .1 t i - _ " ,
“Youihad‘better go! " it‘dde‘d Frank-
fort..‘calmly. s . 3 i » ‘
There. was an ugly gurgie in Benson’s
throat, but he know he wee nbt in condi-
that to? proceed to hostilities. Frism‘
{Frank’s blows‘had fallen more heavily
than even he thought, and the bully Was;
,lor once, Weak and confused; It was no
time ‘to fight. '  - "f'  ’ E   '
Sullen’ly he turned canfl‘walkedi'away;

 

‘and ,hot'onoe’dld holocahack, ‘5' 

 
 
   

 
  
 
 

      
    
     
 
 
   

   
   
 

 
      
  

 

knife and gloalted over your, triumph. v

t , Frankrorh’m:

the pause;

    

  
 
 

 havemade an on. “whet/willie.“ ‘-  \ ' ' - '  '
his Mm kill me .  , .',1“mix,tt6tédif newsman. must have been. about eigh— 
thefietwtivc- .' -'i _ net" “teemth flier-loaned, and ;I believe 
in“  lt-to‘nig i» rifihfi ,. .. isomébuuy‘ said HomerivVaéeven younxd K.
“"“h’hti‘i’i'm W5 9 69.111  ae-rt’y‘  t" .   .    ..
littlegfieltdgvg foésé', canvassing? .‘jgngfiam'flwfi’! ~-   ‘  .
 .Wh...,'v““. ti“ ‘3  32.} "i  .,9fi£.’,_6¥' ; .mv‘vbaoh  h   
'1: #5 here hie m iii when '21. .ggipfarfii‘teen unusaghwmrm "5.,
h ..

 

     
   
   
    
     
   
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
   
   
 
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
  
   
  
 
   
   
 
   
  
 
    
  

Lingering no longer, Frisco Frank went
on toward the hotel, but he had not
reached it when 'he was accosted by a.
man who was a stranger to him. He
did not remember having seen him be.
fore, but the man stopped him with an
appearance of eagerness.

“ Say, pardner, kin I have a word with
yer? " he demanded.

“Two of them, if you wish.
is it? " ,

“ You are the detective? " "l '

“That is my line.” - ‘ ' ’l‘ :15

“Wot do Yer think 0’ this affair at
Addison’s‘.P ”

“Being a stranger here I cannot have
any opinion. 1 don’t know the men. Do.
you know them?” ‘

“ All but the one who was killed." .

“ How do you study it out. ‘

“Pardner, it strikes me as ‘mighty .g
queer that Homer Addison was killed '-
jest as he reached this here town?“ ‘3-

“It surely is, unless some theory can
be advanced in the case."

W hat

Lu

.“I'm wonderin' of it can have been ,
planned.” ' . 
“Why should it be planned? Who . 
would naturally plan it?" 
“Now you git me. I ain't no detect- 
ive——” 
“ By the waytwho are you?  - a. ;

“Name, Tommy Wrenn—occupation,, [
superintendent 0’ Peter West’s mine here I
“Claim 47."

“Ah! yes, yes; I have heard at the

. .
.« a-M—IMn
\

mine. it (loesn’tlpay richly." ‘
“Partiner, some i'msts fall at. inter: 'Z
vals, but the frost at Claim 41 nev‘er‘le‘tsi ”" 3

up. That hole in the ground is the
worst I ever see—~it is a gigantic grave,
and the place where Peter West‘s money
an’ hepes lies buried—an' he with a line
darten—ofh! say, it’s melancholy! But we
was speakin’ o’ the murder. Say, I don’t
like Doctor Pownall Gifl'ord! ”

“ Why not? ” v .

“ Instinct, I reckon—instinct! Here he
is ‘a doctor, though how h gets a livin'
in this camp I don't knogr; yet he has
time ter trot of! East an’ bring Homer
Addison here. It looks queer ter mei‘" ‘*

“ Why was it necessary for Homer Ad- "
dison to have an escort here? Was he *
not capable of coming alone?‘g’fjg  

" WaI, yer see that, Warren hadn't seen" .
his brother let a good many years; when  ’4
he draWed nearf‘his‘piily; with a: fatal r 3
disease enter himhherwh‘nted ter settle .‘ 
up his affairs. 'Ho,o ned a mine here—- 
Misery-Mine. when it—a'n’ was worth ‘ "v
a good-pile 0’ money: an‘ he wanted tor
know who his heir, was. See? ” .

".Not. fully. Didn’t he know? ”

"‘No. ‘Ye see; he'd been so long away
from the East, an’ had never communi‘
cated with his relations, that he did ’t.
know what'relations he had. He did ’t
even know whether his brother was aliVe
——hadn’t heard from him fer a lull 

-  urn;

 

 

 

 

year-“or so.” ' -  
‘ “ hat part did Boater  
“‘He’ was sent by " arson teri '

gate. He wanted him, ‘-
mer was alive.- qn’fifnha‘. fit
him here. Gifford  _ .
brought him,-‘ ‘  ‘ 5m Bitter-
I-rx‘.’i~(- r V‘ I 4 '«g l L

vatlod." '1 ‘ [pf _ .9 [1‘

,. slant».  was looking
fixedly at Townwifln. .but, really, he
did “0'13. 593?.‘7‘:T9§3..¥5m any The new
features'o‘rthp. M V,’had.'impressed Friso : , .
‘ "Vényll‘rfmfife" than Wren ei_ ‘- _

 w z i; 

er'ihad, relapsed mg}, 8119 ...:, ‘
.a'nd itiwap‘ 1717‘!!ka“ Who finail! E’wa
' ' 5‘ ,.  If. {33-2 

  

          

     
     
    
   

   
 

    
  
       
      
     
  
   

 
 

«,g" wigs-trodeshad no: meta'iitétsi
.m.)  I ‘ . V ,t ‘ gy.  L “H

   
 
 
     
 
 
 
  
  
  
 

   
    
    
  
 

  
    

   

'fii‘teep yam '7
3131 'a i"'tlifl‘

 ‘mfievw
if . lid ‘ '

   

1'} vr>rly.

‘ was a wild teller in his youth, an’ be run
aWay from home. He never sent word
back, her knew ef any 0’ his kin lived
or died, an’ he didn’t keer until he took
sick an’ his nerve Weakened. Then,
when he thought 0' the money he must
leave, he began ter think 0’ his brother,
too.”
“Did he write to him? ”
“ No. Jest sent Doc Gifford ter the old
'home ter look Homer up."
“ Humph! Who saw the brothers meet
here? ”
. "‘Nobody but Gifford,
know."
7- " Then, it is not known whether they
recognized each other? ”
“ Why, no; though the doctor could tell

  

as far as l

5'; that.”

 “He Would doubtless be willing."

1 Tommy Wrenn looked critically at the
 speaker. He thought there was some-

thing significant in Frisco Frank’s reply.
The ,detectiveis expression could not be
well read in the dim light.
“Strange,” added Tommy, “that Ho—
, mere come all this way‘ only ter die by
. an assassin’s hand the hour he got hyer.”
“ It was strange.” Z
“ What d’yer make of it? ”
“Again I- say, I am'a new-comer here.
)What is your theory?’ '
Wrenn thrust his bearded chin for-
mm and then briskly rubbed the brist-
ling forest thereon. I
“I dunno,” he contesseu, slowly, "1
dunno; but, pard, betwixt you an’ me, 1
don’t like Pownhll Gifford. He may be
all right, an’ then again, is he all right?
.He has been mig 1y active in Warren
addison’s again, an’ ‘he’sstm keepin'
1 of it up.” ‘ -
1‘-‘It’ Homer is dead, who is Warren's
' 11.91???"  ‘ ‘ "
' “.I don’t know.” . ‘
“Would Gifford profit by it? "
“ How cauld be? He ain’t one o’ the
family, an’ I ain’t inter the secrets they
.have. What beats me, though, is that
..Homer'come all this‘Way, an’ was killed
right after he got‘here.” :
_ “ Surely Warren would not have done
it.” » _ ' ~, ' -
“ Why ShO‘llld he?” . ‘ . , ‘ ,
“ If there was a league against Homer
,.  ; . the blow would have fallen before they
.   ,reached here, I should say.” , V
" ‘;'~ " “ Yes. Looks perplexin‘, no‘ matter“
, I _ which way you turn, don't it? " I _
j - '2 » '1 ,“ Wrenn. hetirank. Have you any real
" .- ‘ p. . reasons for looking upon the doctor with
- I: I,  I. I ’
. fi “No, ‘ All}! can say is, there has been
.1 Hagkflunfiaan', I don't like Gifford a bit.
 V sewn, preiudieod, agaipet‘him—he’s
 too}: Moment, Claim-~47 vter suit
omen».  '. .  ., ..
“;How does he,meddle?”-"u" ' .'
, , - ,  _ .. “ Oh! .he’s aware ,aqvlain'  old 'Peter
 ,5. : West, an', he don't know no more about

. .r

V _ p a .
.x; ‘I ,Mmm-W—«m «r, «app .17.,» -,
.- \ v . - . ~

4 .. .. ur.,-.

 

 

 

 

’ for an old miner tor superintend a claim
.Where thar ain’t no‘iudzmeut used' by
'- ’ body-0’ I I "

was ings ~are bad \' With \wWest‘s

‘ fiquired Frisco Frank, his voice

  
 

 _  a.
 swim , ..- . .
x x     , W3: butter for. the necessaries
 =i.of:l’lioi-3rhe and his family?” , e
. ' ’  ,‘,‘ .19.»!81, ‘ “no family but hisdarter
‘ : homily; are lucky for him. ,3: I
‘ ' had each aadarter I“ shouldn’t want no
,n‘wre.’ 'JSheuwoui'd be enough, an‘ all. othe-
‘ on; would‘ be dead ‘weighta 'She’s a seed
oneeland 0’ love! ain’t she a sweet one,
gh!"  fl :
.211 f".%llt theyxare poop—av“ pom-7 n
7  .3“ 88-” ' T * ~
 » ~ fillnlortunaté ‘Darothytr-r;
laminate-Ween?  p 1-. ‘
«Kristel-soon tor? homing; he suitors in
 0 never was cutout fer a;
miner. EL-you'evermeethini, ,iest lis-
;.e't'ea her ,‘his‘ talk. , It will, be an about,
"' ossucuttinfso many recto: mineralized
'  s sympommmm our, t
 or .813 110,9, an  a.
p ‘ flinch. fie ’

l ' l

  

1“

h.”

     

     
 

g

  

. he

mines than Potendoesugsafygjt’e tough”

mean, un-g ’

    
   

. “Hardly”, ‘ ‘ .
“I’m a practical-miner; but I‘m. uned-
ucated. He‘s the last, an‘ he ain’t prac-

tical. He keeps chewin’ over his scien-
tiiic terms an’ dreamin’—~»oh! say, poor
old Peter. i feel fer him-*1"

“And Dorothy! ” deeply added Frank-
fort. ~

“ Yes. Poor Dorothy! "
, “Hang the m‘inehany'how! It’s no

good. When I took hold I really thought
I might strike something for the old man.
I hain’t, an' now I would quit only 1
really pity the old chap—an’ Doro-thy! ”
John Frankfort moved restlessly.
“ Poor Dorothy! " he murmured.

 

CHAPTER Ix.
THE SECRET FOES.

Tommy Wrenn seemed pleased to find
such re dy sympathy, and he lingered
with Fr 5430 Frank for some time long—
er, but his story was told as tar as he
knew it then. The two men finally sep-
arated, and the detecrive walked back
to his hotel.

The hour had grown late, but the min-
ers were men wno did not give .much
heed to. sleep in hours of excitement like
the present. Frankfort could have found
plenty of company in the main room,
but he was ready "to go to bed, and he
went without more delay.

Before falling asleep he meditated on
‘the changed condition of aflairs. He had
come to Glory Gulch with the intention
or having satisfaction from" Warren Ad—
dison. Other events hadcome to the
front, audit seemed as if he would have
more than onedrama‘to occupy hisnime.

There were mysteries at the camp, and,
as all lcentered‘around the man who had
practically driven him out of 'Glory’
Gulch, years before, all seemed, well
worth looking into. ‘ ,
‘ He passed a restful. night, and “morn—
ing feund him more than ever eager to
take up the trail in full.

Inquiry of the clerk gave him no ad-
ditional light; It was not known 
any report had come from; the Addison
house, 'so the condition of the wounded
man was unknown.‘\ V I ‘ ' ‘

Frisco Frankate a good breakfast at
hislei'sure, and seemed to-have‘no con-
cern outside oi the meal. Afterward
the smoked a,qigar, and would have. fol-
lowed thiswl‘th shrink-through the camp
had he not been informedbeiore he could
start that he had a caller. ‘ K ‘ '

" It ‘is Ma‘yorf Everell,"‘~ was

ditional informs on. . a, g . .
‘It occurred to? Frisco Frank that he'
had. prohably‘beenvseleued to take-tun

charge of the murder case. « {1an he did.

to relapse wholly intent» detective; but he
had no objec lento seeing theJeadfng‘,
'man otthe n.»   x '- ‘,

’He went to the; pri. life room, where
Mr. Evert-ill awaited him;  A » ‘

an old  He" might have been tony“
but henid not look he mange-k,
fat, a table-looking man, nix-this been,
ingot the ~deti'eotiveidid notyseem exactly
in ‘ke'epi’ngWith thetwcy or Whility..,
. Ho; waved, is uncouth new: 
abruptly di ted: ,  ’ _  Mr" 
"s1t"dpwn,'sirt".; 3'in    1,.
FriscoiFrank was qul it} to take-shim“
The interview had notop'en‘ed. with; and
he bowed. and ‘calmly'lrepiiedg‘  , ‘f‘: ‘ _
a.  told that ,‘you" width-to ,5w‘flie,‘
r. r‘ w " ‘  " “a

" You are John  

‘ .

 

."Yes." , - ,l v . . t _
" gummy or this town; 2%,;  '- .; 
It  ’l  ’ ‘7‘: - , 1 .

" ' ' "'" ‘.6 '15:, \
“ Icalled ih regard toathslt.

 

was told somethin or your. historyafi ‘- ‘-
‘pheri here": 3 " ,
i " It is rs
plied .Evereliw
,rressedmit I!

»-my-~coiistituehts. ‘ _, p
, I shall feel that, I am a negligent (new

not intend to doI‘i‘or he was not there .

The official . hem apt the Mp  not .

 unethiww
\ . 

3 _   
that »y0u...fonco;_ Ii .de"’.h61‘9.‘74!1d’35h3‘34 1? I
e. 1, dld‘notfkno‘wfithat I; has a. hunts-l .. ' "

   
     
    
  
   
   
  
  
    
   
    
   
   
   
    
   
   
    
  
   
    
     
  
    
    
   
   
      
  
      
 
 
 
 
   
 

 

“Were you not ordered out of town?’,’

“ Yes.”

“ Don‘t you call that trOuble? ”

“Not for me. It may have troubled
those who worried so much " over me
then.”

“ You admit that you are that‘same
John Frankfort?”

“ Yes.”

“ Then let me ask you if the decree or
banishment ever has been made void? ”

“ I don't.know; I never asked.”

“Yet, you are back here,” .

“ Back in the flesh, as you see. I al-
ways liked Glory Gulch, and I may con--
clude to take up my permanent head—
quarters here.” ; .

" But you were banished." .

“ That's a common thing in the West,”

“Is it equally. common for banished
men to return to the place whence they '
were driven out?” sharply demande
Eyerell. . - ‘ .

“I can’t say as to that.”

“ I think it is not.” ,

“Mr. Mayor, oblige me by'obming to. ‘
the point. We are men of adult years,  -
and there is no reason'why we should ‘
beat around the bush. What do you 
want?" ~ ‘ . ,. 

“ To be frank, my attention has, been ' '
called to the fact that you are under, do.
cree of banishment.” n , e- , ' ‘

“ By whom? " i ,.

“ I have promised not to give namaxf sf

‘\ My accusers are very modest, 1‘, ‘
seems.” - ‘ "

“ Publicity is not
you know.” .

“Well, what next?” - ‘ ' v 1

“Oh! as I asked you before, hasti-
decree of banishment ever]. been  .
nulled?” _ l a .   '

" As I told you before, I don't»knqr>-
anything about it. .The matter-nova! '.
,has inlterested'ime in the least.”   
t “ Do you mean that you ue-lmdifiem; 1:,
o‘it?’ .» -- w m

“That's about the size of it}? ,v ‘, ~ 

‘ Really, this, is remarkabie'laaguigb.
This icon law-abidingr-town.” ‘  

" So, I‘ noticed last night?! ‘

The retort took the mayor down pp.
moment, and lie-hesitated before;m
anything more. Presently he summed ;
his courage and went on with his “
blandness. i v a  ~  't » 
, " You ought to look abthisdn  .
able light, sir.  am mayoriot, iGi' "
Gulch, and I, have a dutyto
Unless I  ’

alviays  be 

l l

rIttyou will t ‘e‘-*‘thia view at“
,we can get a one much better.” ,-  '

"Let us assume th 
What then? ” ~. ;,. . 4.37", ‘
"'I wanted ,‘to k, 

  

 
      

“ Then the alumina heooméhspélpu
3" Be plaid; Hrif'xirerell. 

with order meant, again? ",. .1  
JifBles- m. that is something, 
"neve‘r'has  done in my incumw ,,
It 1*: nnbmt to met-recolonisa- " .,  
magnum: to get   i“ ~
am  that this  
.but you'cee «how than t -
 ‘~‘ Animi- ‘afreid  ‘ '
the-mom. arrest 9 ._ L. ,
7"‘1ihefei‘ee'en’fieeisnidfl . ,
demo .01  

‘ u. '. l ‘

    
   
  

    
 
 
 
   

 
  
   

    

 
 
 

  
    
 
 
   

   
 
  

R I. . >- 45.,   . r
it. to mangled? ._ ;_
your, You: yard-1 '

 
  

      

   

ti

   
     
  

  
   

    
 
      

  
 

    
  
       

 

must 

 

you: 

   

 
 

   

(

 

‘ F 

   
 
  

   

   

k,  

 

  

Everell changed eXpression noticeably.
For some reason he did not like this re-
, buff, and he could not hide the fact. He
swallowed twice, though’there was noth-
ing foreign in his mouth, and then
abruptly arose. Stifiiy he replied:

“I will make my report.”

“Doso, and advise the complainants
to come out of ambush. Tell them it is
cowardly to fight in the woods, and man-
ly to appear in the open. Until they
’come out thus, I shall set them down as
men who have; shady records them.

' selves." .
“ How’s that? "
“ An. innocent man seeks no cover."
"‘Oh! pooh, pooh! There is nothing
wrong in this."
“ let say so to the complainants, and
it Will end their frantic ebullition. Tell
them, too, that they can‘t scare me out
or Glory Gulch. ,As long as I have you
'with me, I feel that I am safe to defy
them. Show them the, sympathy .you feel
me—~why, Mr. Mayor, we will yet have
a hearty laugh over this.” '
Everellseemed bewildered for a mo-
ment, for he had not expressed any sym-
' pathy, but he managed to fin his voice
’ again. - '
.“ I hope they will make no trouble." V

. “So do I, for they will find that two
_ can ’play at that game.”

/ The mayor had reached the door, and
-- Frisco Frank .no-w lsmiled his widest
 ' smile, and opened the door suggestively.
V “Tell them to let me alone or get
hurt! ” he added, with a laugh. ,

Irvin Everell managed to. say good-

   
  
  
  
   
   
   
    
 
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
   
 
    
   
  
  
    
   
  
 
  
   
  
  

.stairs, but Frankfort noticed that his
"steps were slow and undecided. The de-
, geatective did not "take the trouble to watch
mfhim far, but 'reclosed the door and re-
1 .‘l'turned tohis own room. <
V ‘ " “ Plain‘ asdayi‘i he exclaimed: i“ There
 ‘ this. movement to scare'm'e out of Glory
V “ ‘uich, and this knaVe or a mayor, «sun
it. Scare meant? ’Wellgwhen th do
,1 Will go Winingly. When my leg ,run
3'" y mind has no further use of Glory

' insists, he was perplexed on others. He
"than. not expected to find the mayor,of
1' thetown leagued against him, and it was
'jyjtn‘ggestive of the strength of the opposi-
Ltionhe mustexpeot to encdunter. ‘
“I am :1 , wanted here,” he muttere
V “ andthat” constant I must go or iigh .
.:,I’wili”flghti" :  . '-
 t v . 71': l ' \ ‘ k
"i. te ’ CHARTER "X. ‘
. h CASE‘OF anus GLASS.‘;
.;. .Eshbrtly after Frisco Frank left his
 and-erepaired to ttlé'publlc room _._of
*t'h‘e. hotel; It was getting spoilt time to
* sorrow his grasp on the passing events,
. andthere was a possxbility that some,-
 Wn‘g new might ave come from the
" .wouhded man of, e West Slope.
 There was little, doing in the public
 ,The clerk mes tting luxidleness,‘
\ the barkeepefhad ut little more to
' copy his time; Frisco Frank purchased

   
  
  
   
  
 
 
   
  
  
 
  
   

 

 

 

     
   
 

 

.‘li'

  
 

  

others. .

  
 

 Therewvas plenty toiheaaxandlneanlyf
g was concerning the. tragedy»

 

héfnight'before.  . ,

’5” a great‘xpity.‘ " declaredlithe clerk.
w “Homer Addison when he came
it!!! o stifle stage, and I must say heewas

 
  

  

same sort of.face.l’ ' r.
at reckon } he, salami-isms dial. uni

  

remarked: simmer» * g v
_.,."‘ Sure! ” agreed 1a comrade.
;‘;“,Maybe he tell on his own km
f-the' ‘eitplosion cameJ', “ ,1 , . ‘
' “ Then where is the knife, now? "
xsybe the ,explosion blotted theknife
  ‘1 I J J“) , .
Eco, tor a piece offg
he“! 3“ 3W1",'.“s ., w
.Fma as  ' ‘

  

   
  
    

is when

    
 

 

on
‘W

  

« W day somehow; then» he walked.down the‘

 G  n” r ‘
" Frankfort saw clearly on some-tsnbscribers knows his business.

old meet-down. and proceedeu to listen 1‘

 Warren, big brother, as DOES“
" tiemmwe ¢°1°r 0W3“ “WW-

 
  

 

 

, .
back the front door and entered the
hotel. ‘

Some men are born to notorietywand
some achieve it. The new-comer's birth-
right could not be told easily, but he had
elements of appearance that took him
out of thelranks the of commonplace
part of humanity. What first impressed
Frisco Frank was a slngular glitter which
preceded the man, but it took a closer
survey to discover'what it was.

The stranger was not a miner, and he
wore a regulation sack coat. From all
parts of this garment dangled spectacles
of blue glass. Attached to strings, they
were fastened to him from neck to waist,
and so thick that he might well have
been thought a man bf glass; himself.

He advanced briskly, after one inves—
tigating glance. and was soonm member
of the party. Frisco Frank was nearest
to his path, and he paused before the de-
tective.

“ Here ‘you are! " he exclaimed, cheer—
fully. “Glasses for the eyes—~old-fash-
ioned and new—~spectacles, nose-pinch—
ers. English dear—boy single glasses—i—all
the paraphernalia of the trade, and of
the finest stock. Choicest art output of
London, Berlin, Paris, New York, and
Walla Walla. Glasses, glasses, glasses! ”

Somehow he loosened 'Sev-eral of his
ornaments, and then, under his dextrovs-
manipulation, t ey began to swing about
in circles, the trings hanging close to
their owner, but the glasses, themselves,
tra‘Veling their orbits with surprising ac-
curacy. ‘ ' ‘ ‘ ,

It‘,was skillful jugglery, for his only
motion was of the fingers,” but the glasSes
swung before his face and body with
suclihxsystem as never to become en-
tangled. ’

Suddenly be seized all at once, and
stopped their antics.

" Glasses ifor sale!" he added, with
emphasis on the final, word. “ Nothing
to give away. and nothing to loan.
Glasses, for sale! Gentlemen; Observe
them closely. You will see that all“ are
of blue glass. That is because they are a
highly superior article, and because the
Blue
glass is good for man,” woman, chllu,'and
Chinamen. Blue glass does away with

"lumbago, malaria, lung fever. and all

ills i that flesh is heir to here below.
,Buy, that’s your part! Cure, that’s‘the
part of the spectacles. Pocket thecash,
that's my part: Who, leads edit—who
wants art eye-glass that will do for mine,
parlor, orvhome consumption-2 Glasses
for sale!" _ ‘ » , .
once more his hands moved rest esSly,
and the glasses seemed to bewin ep-
dowed with life'.

engaged lathe/strange gyratlons before
noted. . ' .v ’ * i .x 
This time the exhio tion’ was shorts
The” stranger stopped ‘ is show, took
forWard step, and "added: ' .; ~‘ _ , ‘-
“ The x blind see, the :‘deaf hear, the
lame walk-but especially dlpmieyed
get their visiqn back. “Have o‘ne, part-
ners .. :»  :.,.
Theilast Question was of; FriscoFram,
before whom he had stopped},- and the dc:
teetive did not keep himinsuspense.
"‘I know of; no :e‘arthiyéreason why i

should buy glasses, blue,'.r‘ed, or other-

wise.'except‘.that'/a skillful Juggler a9-
set-yes his .iew:t.rd._~_ My eyes are good...
happily, me‘ ‘poiqotéhbok is not totally
empty. Give
tied”. .~  .i. I
,  You will “never regret it, sir. Of an

. the. States I have been in California has a
the .most’ people in'n‘eed‘ of blue glasses,

and no other class is so. qumuy cured of

“mum anankau/‘éir! You Pay 7-ue a
gentleman: P’ut‘on your gamer. ‘ .p I

   

“ Thomson-later."

a, . .3 ,‘f‘Whatldb‘yousuifer frbm mostlytf < '-
lassirom thawing ' “13' n’" " . , ‘ .

  

* i":  ‘s’
" i were i:
am

, ’ljhey started ofit in .
Circles. andsoon the whole collection was

efon‘e ,0! your Collec-g _

   

them well. bet the burning rays of the
tropical son or the strange light of the
polar regions strike your eyes—the
glasses will ward off all trouble, and
your sight will be wonderfully good.”

. “I can but poorly express my grat~
itude," replied Frisco Frank, willing to
humor the quaint vendor. “ It is good
for this camp that such a wise man ha

come among USl" “ '

“ Right!‘ I am wise. Not on books—
I can’t read much, and that little I ain‘t
certain of, but I am wise in glasses.
Use that pair daily, sir, and the remarka-
ble efficacy of bids glass will make its I
known. New line will shoot through yo r
veins in a way that will surprise you.
Who buys next? Glasses to selll‘f" \

Again he agitated his collectio , and
once more the glasses' went sp nning
around in circles. ' ,

The detective took an interest in the
jugglery, but the man was less impor—
tant in his estimation. There was little
about him to call for notice—he was a
commonplace person in all ways to look
at. It was true that his well—worn
clothes bespoke acquaintance with a. de—
gree of hard luck that‘the blue glass
had not ward-ed off, but his bristling hair,
and whiskers were abundant—me was
not poor in all ways. ‘

His luck in selling to others in the
room was good, but not because anybody
felt the need of glasses. He was patron-
ized as unique persons are liable to be
at all‘ times. ‘t.

'hen he was through. he allowed his
gla ses to settle down on his coat, and‘
took a drink at the bar.
joined Frisco Frank. .

“ Live here? ” he asked. ‘ \

,v “Just now I am here.” “a
‘ “ So‘am I, but I make my home where
I can sell blue glass happiness to a. suf-
fering people. I am on my way to’Ore-
gon. There are men and women there
who are suffering from the ills that the
eye is heir to, and I go to succor them.
Not long shall I. tarry in your beautlo
tul tOWn of the mountains.” '
“ gid ybu comeon the stage?"
“ o.

remarkable legs. They wasn’t mate's

originally. One Was sevenpinches longer ’
than tie other, but Iusedbluegla'ss, and -

you see the remit. Lam. willing to ex-
hibit them :in ‘any‘dime' museum now
'at so much a head???  ’

“You~;3eem to‘ hays several ways or
making, money? ~ i ‘ ~

."I find things out that ot are don’t
kn w.» which reminds me— in you
r. n » I ~
 I-could yesterday." '

“ Itmay be so this morning. I found,
something outside the town, blowing
here. and there by thewayward wind,
and I’ll ask you to read it.

pocket, and hei‘now spread iit't'tut hetero
the detective. y‘  ' '
“ Focus your lain
Friscoff Rank 31 |
the request,.but assistance at the'paper

git» tillaw he added.

gas enough tt‘b :d‘ispekhls indifference. ‘

AcroSs its ,Itop was: written in.'a bold
hand thislinie“:   p »

“ Last_’Wil_",g.nd .lTestament of Warren
Addison??? “it”

The detective Etarted. Surely, thorax,“
warreasongwhy he. should feeiginteggf 

ested in such a document.
“This paper—Where did
he demanded? ‘
" "-‘ Found
the town-3’
V .\;a  ~ ’ ‘ I
'~“«Thi.8 morn. at early dawn,”
.:‘ A lost paper, no you gay? H

You as, it? 

L.
«wen, the winds w‘ere making, mi; 4‘
with itnand it waswanderi‘ng herevand'.
as each wayward ripple at breeze ‘

 

me ;_
seized upon . it." a

iii???“ i

 

\

 

 

This done, he

Legs did it—legs! I have most,

‘ I kndw ‘not,
lthewsubject of t'he document. r',..0,blis'e ,'

me. ’ a  , ;;-,7_,;'-.. £2, .
' . He had taken a roll 01' paper «froth his

felt no interest 1m 2

ft. amOhg' the rocks outside or ,

- .‘r‘fmowifis about in 5.. nab-Ward
irfrj  K .

     

    
 

     
    
   
  
   
  
   
 
  
  

 

 

 

 

 

'2; \i

 

    
     
 
     
      
        

 
   

 
 

      
 
 

        
 

         
         
    
       
     
      
   
   
  

  
     
 
  

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

had been boiled down well, and Frisco

'it‘rank mastered .the clear chirography

without diiiiculty. He was one whose
profession called upon him to guard his
expression, but professional skill did not
seem to avail him anyth.ng then. Amaze-
ment was plainly depicted on his face
as he read, and the cool, steady detective
was lost in the mere man.

He had expected mysteries and de-
velopments at Glory Gulch, but he w0uld
have been mad, indeed, to have expected
the revelation of the'words of that will.

 

CHAPTER XI.
A REMARKABIJG REQUEST.

The document so strangely acquired
read as follows:

“1, Warren Parthemone‘Addison, of
the town of Glory Gulch, California, be
ing of sound mind, but feeble bodily
health, ordain and declare this to be my
last will and testament, disavowing and
annulli‘ng all,f0rmer wills made, or pur-
porting to have been made by me, and
declaring this to ‘be my sole and only
true will. Touching my worldly goods
I'hereby make disposal of them as fol-
lOWS: ,'

“Imprimis, 1 direct that all my just

debts be paid by my executors, and my

.‘

 

1 town~—’ .

" two other men as witnesses. .

estate settled as soon as can be done
without detriment to the estate.
“Secondly, I give and bequeath to
John Frankfort, of San Francisco, all
my interest and claim in the mine which
I now own, said mine being commonly
called ‘Misery Mine,’ nd. lying ad-
jacent to Claim 9 in thi toWD of Glory
Gulch; and to the said John Frankfort I
also give all and sundry the appurten-
ances and things pertaining to said
mine, including all present improve-

.ments, all machinery in use therein,

and, in brief, the very land itself, and
all that said land has within the mine
or upon the surface thereof.

" 'i‘hirdly, I give to my brother, Homer
Addison, if he be living, all sums of
money I may have in bank, or in ready
cash; also, all bonds, stocks, and debts to

7me owed. And, if, he, my said brother, he

not living, then I direct that this be:
quest to him be set aside as a fund, the
interest of which shall be applied to the
poor of the town‘-of'Glory Gulch, from“
the time ,of the settlement of my estate
to ime without end.” i
1&8!) followed the signature, prop-
erl “backed up, as it were, by those of
Bewildered,. Frisco Frank looked .up
and met the sane of the seller of! blue
glass. ‘The latter was grinning broadly.
“ Dd you like it? "»,’he askbd. ‘ ’
“Man, what in the world is this? ”
‘,‘ You said’ybu.could~read." ‘ i
“ And you said you could not, but I
don’t believe it, now. Confess that you
know every line of think" '. 4
“ I confess!" : I
“ Confess that it isa fraud! "_
“ Slowly, sldwly, my friend!
know me? ” v g ‘_
ll No.!I  I I >
.“My name is Barachias Bee, ped‘dler
of glasses that cure, soothe, and renew
the mortal man. Can such a man lie-if
I reply, he can! Yet, I have toldvyou Lino

Do you-

'  lietmpt that: I led you to ,believe that

I could! not’r d.” v "
“You; found this paper outside the
“ Blown hither and you by wayward

breezes—i’ . "

, ‘f Without" any other person being near

V» it—I'

.. Tl."‘Likea sheep lost from»
aCom-ect!" ;

the fold.

I“*What did you-«i5? “ i
.“ Picked it up and read it promptly.

‘ I _‘ Then I came here‘-—t had just ridden in
’ by! theme-Bruise Trail-«and, keeping
5 the paper out of slght'o‘i' everybody, I
',_made dueinquiries. '_I asked for War=
“ re’n Parthemore Addison.
that he~was dying. Next I asked for

It was said.

You, and I was directed here. ’I knew.
Werewhen I entered this mom,
‘ had

  

 

Who 30.? . ._ ,
With i _ pointedxout a; me,
‘ "'   W

   

s in our hands,

 

.as I deemed it yours by righté—if Addi-

son could not receive it. I am a busi-
ness man, and I paused to sell my wares
before introducing another subject.
That’s the truth, briefly told.”

Frisco Frank looked into Barachias
Bee’s face, and decided that he~was tell—
ing the truth. It was an honest face,
and Barachias looked candid now.

“Have you seen the date of this docu-
ment? ” continued Frankfort.

“ Yes." _ ,

“July fifteenth: That,was only yes-
terday." ' ‘

“Correct.” 1. _

“Addison wills all the‘mine to me—
to me! ”

“ Does it surprise you? ”

“ More, it astounds me.”

“Then the matter becomes of inter—
est."

“ It becomes the greatest puzzle of the
age. He—Warren Addison—wills his
mine to me»—to me!" repeated Frisco
Frank, with singular ‘ persistence, it
seemed to Bee.

“ Fact! ”

“Yet, he and I were enemies.”

“Aha! that does make it quer. Ene-
mies, eh? Why?"
The detective was silent. In his sur-

prise he had lost his cautiomand spoken
freely. He was sorry for it then. Bara-
chias watched him for a moment, and
then laughed lightly.

“Never mind me,” he! directed. ' "l
have no notion of prying into. your
affairs. Keep your secrets, only remem-
ber this—I am at yo-Ur service if you
want a helping hand. Trust me to fight
for you, if need be, and don’t think you
must go further out_ of your way. I’m
no pryer into other men’s affairs." ‘

" It seems most strange to me,” added
Frisco Frank, “that a Will should ,be
drawn one day and found drifting around
among the rocks the next morning." '

“ Facts tell! You see I own a mule. I
ride this mule. The mule‘walks, kicks,
humps 'himself—wbut rarely trots. This
morning I was riding in along the Stone-
Bruise Trail. Night had overtaken me
in the hills, and. I d camped there,
only to be up and m‘ ing early. Rid-
ing along on Hordtius,‘ my mule,,I found
this paper.” " e - ‘

“ To whom have you shown it'i"

«cTo You."  ‘ ‘

“ Nobody elsq? ” ‘ , ' ~

“_ Nobody but Horatlu's. He is an in-
telligent mule; I showe‘d it to him.‘ He
read it, but he won’t tell.'?

“I 'wish to keep this matter quiet."

“ I’ll do it. Let’s chloroform it.”

“Mention it to nobody." ‘

“,Not a. soul." ' " '.

“I may be able to‘ make this a tin n-
cial success to you; I surely will-do w t
I’ can. But—it amazes "me!" '

.Frisco Frank- spoke trul

«

The aper‘.

u
i

had all of the mar s of genuine essfi‘

.It Was drawn up in'a rough 'way, be-
speaking haste; perhaps, an the plums.
eulogy was that of a person . ith a'smat-
teriu'g of legal knowledge, only. No
lawyer had drawn the wil . V
seemed ,tof'have been done wit a seriOns,
purpose. . r , ‘.  ' ' ‘
Addison and Frisco Frank'mad been
enemies for years. Now—was itpossible
thattthef‘Misery‘Miue waawilled to the
detectiverj ' ‘ -‘ I j ,
“3“ This is a trick!” Frankfort ex.»
claimed. a , . ‘ '1’"
"mg" bywhom?" . ‘ _ 
“ d n?t«know.‘ .It can’t. be'genuinet-J'
” You havexthenames of the wit-
nesses,\'-’ reininded Barachias. " ‘ _ ' ,
They were there,» and they added» to
the mystery"‘ofrthe eaeel- The "names
were those of .Irvin-Evereu and Olivm
Gee. Both names had already been‘mens
tioned in, Frisco’Frank‘s hearing, and

  
  
  
 
 
  
   
  
 
  

, med . 'ively handling w‘lii’s ty

‘ly

yof suspicions against Pownali Giddrdn.

J

Yet, it‘ s
che witnesses.” .

there to tell clinic “will, but set;

 

   
   
  
 
 
   
 
  
 
   
   
  
    
  
   
   
    
  
    
  
       
    
  
   
    
  
  
     
    
    
   
 
  
  
     
  
  
   
    
   
  
    
    
   
    
  
 
  
  
    
  
   
  
 
 
    

i
in, until the room was much better filled.
Barachias had been handling his specta-
cles nervously, evincing a desire to get
to work professionally, but, just then, ‘ 3
there was an arrival that was impor- “
tant in the ,detective‘s estimation.

Doctor POWnall Gifford entered.

The latter gave no heed, it seemed, to
the identity of those already present, but
walked at once to the bar.

“Whisky, straight!” lwas his terse »
order.“ V " 

“ How is Warren Addison?” asked the '
barkeeper, quickly. <

There was no reply until the order had
been filled and disposed of fully. Then ’
Gifford answered: ’

“ Addison is in a bad way."

“Sinking?”

“Well, no, but he does not recover '
from the shock. It was terrible—terrible.
to one in his weakened condition, and it ; “
has brought painful results. He is
blind! ”

“Blind?”

“His sight is totally gonei”

“ Thunder! that’s bad luck! ” '
“,Our old friend is in a bad way, sure-‘
“Is be permanently blind?"

“I am not sure of that. I cannot
examine as fully as I shall do later, if
he rallies a bit. Just-now he lies‘ with.
his eyes bandaged wholly, and well he
Imay—stile light‘of day is as nothing to
1m.” ,

“Then he is not much better ofi than
his brother.” , ‘ , " f 

“We may yet bring back his sight; t
the éuestion is whether the vision has-'- "
been stroyed, or whether the shock
suspen ed the powers of sight temporary
ily. I am doing all I can for him.” '

“ Does he see visitors noW? " \ -

“Impossible!” replied Gifford, With
what seemed to Frisco Fran“ L0 be need-
less haste. “ It will be many days be-
fore he can see anybody. Our worldly
curiosity must be made sécOndary’to‘fl
common decency. He has done only one .
thing of importance? . ‘

“What is that?” i .' ' r

“.This morning? replied Gifford, deu
liberately, “ he maideyhis will! ” ' T g

 

CHAPTER x11. , l. 

wonos. nor AND HOSTILE. v
Frisco-Frank heard the declaration
with’ renewed interest. It came at "a, ."
suggestive time, and with it came a. flood ' '

that had been only yaéie'a'nd half-heath 
ed beforef Impulsiver ' the detective ,_
rose—~then he pauSed and stood awaiting 3 1
the next words. . _, ' , ‘ ‘
“ Made his will, eh? ” replied a miner.
" Them he must be near his'end. or also,
he thinks so.” i ‘ ‘ ,4  V  "
'r “Being sightiesa," added thedohfiil‘, g
»“ he had to resort tothe makingof‘ii‘ls‘Iu
mark, instead of writing his name?  ". ,‘ 7
‘ .“ Who‘ gets his money? Who gets the i .
Misery Mine?" ‘ t “
" I’don‘t know. I. Was not ,‘present.’
“ Who was? ” v * ' l ' ,
“ Amos Conness‘and Albert Snow  .

r ‘i Didn't they t‘eliflwho he willed as" v
‘ “ If they have told, they didn’t ,
me. I have no idea. Homes-“Addison
told me that he 'Iand‘Warren'werefit
,last of their ’family-a-conseqn'e'nitix‘, W
ren had no relativef‘to will anything”-

yOu see." ’ g,  .. I -. '
«Frisco Fran was-net'strre'thaithe, for
impressedimtzt;

Giflord had was

 
           

   

  

      

one, did “see? ifiefias
the ballet-tho}. Pownail

 
  

      
     

gossipi mantwouid tell or it? "H
detectiv ’s theory was correct, the";
teris were preparin (the way for  .
They wanted to:i mathematician
will fully on the public minds-,5  ,
armature touched the  thrice»,
tied in his pocket, It mosaic  
money? will did not leaflet Misery? Hing:
' “fut—is quite Hiram-"v pursned'ithe 

 
 

    

    

          
  

  

 
 

 

    

  

     
  
   
   
   

   
  
   
    
     

  

‘.

    
  
 
 
 

  Willsv'
'   an
s

 

"F
'b

 

._....-q—- »

Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch.

 

‘12

 

We have Homer's word that there are no
relatives.”

Why did the speaker so dwell on the
lack of relatives? The quesmon came to
Frisco Frank and he thought he could
answer it fully. Public opinion was
being formed so that the future would
coincide with public expectation.

Quietly the detective moved closer to
Gifford. There was a slight start on the
Aatter’s part, though Frankfort could
not tell positively whether his presence
there had been previously known.

“ Allow me to ask." evcnly spoke Fris-
co Frank, “what Mr. Addison says of
the murder.”

Gifford frowned.

“I .do not permit him to be inter—
rogated on that quesich. lie is too
weak of body and mind."

“ Weak of mind!" slowly repeated the
detective. “Then he is hardly capable
of making a will legally."

The change that came over the doctor's
face was a. striking sight. With almost
lightning rapidity consternation, chagrin,
anger, and confusion flashed over th
face, and his usually ready tongue was
.mu'te.

Frankfort did not need to study on the
explanation. Gifford knew he had made
a serious mistake, and he was startled by
his own indiscretion.

He hastened to rally, and response was
skillful when it came.

“I referred only to strength, quick-
ness, and lightness of mind. His mind
.is perfectly clear and comprehensive, but
he is so weak that vivacity is out of the

question.”
“Naturally. Well, as to his bodily
condition. If he is strong enough to

make his will, why cannot he tell some-
thing to aid in discovering the murderer
of his brother?”

“ The doctor’s hands moved in erratic
motions, as if he was seeking to grasp
something. Probably he was, mentally.

“ Your reasoning,” he answered, alter
a. pause, “ is that of one who knows noth—
ing of what he is talking about. or
course, in a. general way, we have ques-
tioned him. Mayor Everell and myself
did that. The answer was that the two
brothers were standing- in conversation
when the explosion. occurred. Warren
lost consciousness, and when he came to
he was in bed. He knows absolutely
nothing of who killed his brother.”

“ Nobody was around? ”

“No.”

" Singular that Warren knows so lit-
tle.”

“ Not at all, sir. The murder was
done after the explosion. after he lost
consciousness.”

“ In one particular you err. The mur-
der was done before the explosion! ”

“It was!" almost shouted Gifford.
"Pray, how do you know?"

" The wound shows that. You will
plainly see that the flying powder would
have an entirely different effect on a.
fresh wound from what it would on an
unbroken surface. The victim of the
murder was dead when the explosion oc-
curred! ”

The full-colored face of the physician
paled perceptibly. His eyes took on a

w glitter, and Frisco Frank would not
have been surprised had the angry man
leaped upon him with hostile intent.
But Gifford clinched his hands and con-
trolled himself in a measure.

“ If I were a vain man,” he replied, his
voice low and husky, “I should rczent
this. I am not vain, but I ask you—-
who should know best in this point, I, a
doctor, or you, a mere novico in medi-
cine? ” n

“ How many murder cases did you
ever investigate, doctor? " quietly asked
Frankfort.

“ None! am talking of medicine.
What has detective. work to do with
'wounds on a. human body? That is the
province of medicine.” '

“ Very true, yet no man can deal with
murder cases, year after year, without
learning something of the !results of

 

'4‘ 5., l.

 

certain things like the one now under
consideration. The point is immaterial
-—we need not discuss it. It is but a
passing event."

Outwardly, there was much of meek-
ness in :Frisco Frank's manner. He
might have shown the doctor that he,
too, knew something of medicine, but be
rather regretted that he had already
said so much. it was not his case, pro-
fessionally, however, and he had an ex-
cuse for speaking wuich would not have
existed if he had been allotted the work
of hunting down the slayer.

Gifford seemed to grasp willingly at
the new point.

“ Right! “ he agreed.
matter."

“ No doubt Sheriff Dowe will learn all
soon.”

“ Dowe is the man for the work.”

“ He impressed me as capable."

“I am willing to leave it to him."

“Quite right."

Just then somebody else pushed for-
ward.

“ Why do you keep the wounded man
a prisoner? ”

it was a sharp question at the doctor‘s
elbow, and he wheeled with a nervous
start. Little Alf stood there, pale, agi-
tated, and with a look on his face as if
ire had not rested any of late.

“ What’s that?” demanded Gifford.

“ Why do you kep him a prisoner? ”

“ Nobody is kept prisoner! ” roughly
declared the doctor.

“I went to the house this morning,
and was refused admittance,” explained
the youth from Buzz-Saw.

“Well, did you expect to get in? "

“I wanted to see Addison.”

“ Who in thunder are you, anyhow?"

“My name is Alfred Parks."

“ Do you know Addison?”

“ No, but I wanted to see him on busi-
ness—important business. more, I must,
I will see him! "

Little Alf's voice rose to a high pitch,
and his small list was raised as if he
would deliver a blow to whoever opposed
his wishes.

A look of contempt came to Gifford's
face. He had been alarmed, it seemed,
when Frisco Frank was in the conversa-
tion, but this slight youth from Buzz-
Saw was a very different person.

“When you get sight of him, just let
me know!” sn-eered the doctor. ” He is
my patient. I am a. physician, and i
have the‘say in his case.”

“Do you refuse to let me see him? ”

“I do.”

“ What is your fear?—-your secret?"
cried Little Alf, sharply.

“ Fear?——secret? ”

“That’s what I said.”

“ Boy, be careful! I could crush you
with one hand, but I forbear. Still, you
must use prudence—~”

“Threats will not frighten or beat
meloff. I am not to be scared off, sir.
I know there is a terrible mystery con-
nected with this case—I know that the
house of the West Slope holds secrets
that the light of day dams not shine
upon. What are they? You do not dare
to tell. Guilt never dares—it croucnes in
the dark—it feeds on. its human victims
——it skulks, plots, strikes, kills!"

Shrilly rose the. voice of the slight
youth, and everybody in the room was
listening raptly. Little Alf was highly
keyed up, and his nervous, excited man—
ner was putting everybody else into
about the same condition.

Almost franctic rage and dismay
showed in Gifford’s manner, but he made
a great effort, and after a moment an-
swered scornfully:

“ Mad, mad! Crazy as the worst luna-
tic in California! Why do I talk with
you? I will not talk. Get away, or you
will repent it. Get away, I say! ”

“ Not until I expose you fully! Not
until I learn what crime you seek to
do in that house——~”

Gifford again wheeled upon the Youth.

“Silence!” he shouted. “Be still, or
I will crush you like a snake!”

 It is a trivial

: r‘ I I , _ '. .
{. Hg)“.   ' . 4/

 

CHAPTER XIII.
ROBERT ROVER TAKES A HAND.

Doctor Gifford‘s hand had fallen to his
pocket, and there could be no doubt that.
it touched a revolver, but even in this
moment of nervous suspense there was 23.
light touch on his shoulder.

“There will be no crushing of weak
boys here!“ spoke a calm voice.

Robert Rover, the sport, stood there
with a face and manner wholly calm and
unmoved. Mysteries, secrets, threa's,
and the nervous agitation of others fell
upon him like a passing shadow on a.
rock. He saw, but he was as cool as
ever.

“Men,” he added, “ do not make war
on boys. If you raise a hand to injure
Little Alf I shall shoot you in your
tracks! ”

It was direct talk. and plainly to he
understood. No analysis was needed
as an accompaniment.

Aggressive as the interruption was, it;
did much to cool Pownall Gifford. He
fixed 'his regard fully upon the sport, and
there. was no quailing of manner with,
him.

“You will shoot me?" be repeated,
deeply.

“ Under certain conditions.”

“Glory Gulch is not the place for such
talk, sir.”

“The place is wherever a man seeks
to bully his physical inferior. Just now,
the place is here.”

“ Do you knqw me?”

“ You need not flash social position or
professional rank at me. I know you.
What of it? ”

“ I shall have you arrested for threat-
ening me.”

“It would be a. novelty in a mining
camp. Quite the usual thing, eh? Shall
I be admitted to bail under bonds to
keep the peace? When I am arrested
there will be two of us in the pen. 1
have not threatened a boy.”

Gifford hesitated, and then wiped his'

forehead nervously.

“ I shall not quarrel with one so much
my social inferior," he replied, “but-—
are you in charge of this boy? ”

“ If I am, what then? ”

“ Take him to a. mad-house!”

“I trunk he can manage his owu
affairs. As to defense, I shall see» that
he comes to no harm.” '

“Take care of your lunatic.
what will you have?”

The doctor turned away from Robert
Rover with a scornful air, and then
his invitation rung out loudly. He knew
his audience. The way to keep in the
good graces of the men of Glory Gulch
was to cater to their appetites, and they
were more often thirsty than hungry.

All but Frisco Frank, Rover, and Lit-
tle Alf went to the bar. Barachias Bee
was among the quickest of foot, just
then, and he proved to have an able—
bodied thirst. - /

The sport spoke to Little Alf, who
drew back, and, when the crowd had
given due heed to the drinkable; there
was nobody to- worry Pownall Gifford
further. On his part, he talked lightly
with the ordinary citizzns of the town,
plainly seeking to offset anything that
had occurred prejudicial to his standing
with them. and then, when he had kept
this up lOng enough, he walked out of
the room without. another perceptible
glance at those who had lately angeml
him so much.

Robert Boyer seemed to have a marked
influence over Little Alf. He had quieted
the boy, and there was no one to object.
to Gifford's departure.

The men of Glory Gulch had seen too
many exciting scenes to be long im-
pressed by a quarrel, and the detective
noted that the loungers seemed almost
to have forgotten that the strangers were
there. This being the case, he walked
over and joined them.

Little Alf was plainly making an
effort to be calm, but it was to the sport
that Frisco Frank addressed himself.

Boys,

 

 

 

 

 

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‘9’, v,

 

 Gulch. ’

   

g4

  

 

“' You have juat had the satisfaction of
quelling a bully," he remarked, evenly.
“I thought a few words to the drug-
mixer would not come amiss," responded

Robert Rover, in the same way.

“ You may hear from him again."

“ My’post-otfice is here, just now.”

“ lie is of some power in town."

“ So am 1. His power is of the sort
that skulks in ambush. Mine walks
abroad in day, and it carries a revolver
under its wing. I am not a brawler, but
I think I might convince Doctor Gifford
that it is just as well to let me alone.” '
, “ D031 L fail to defend your friend." ’

Frisco Frank motioned to Little Alf,
whereupon Robert Rover replied with
some haste:

“Let there be no mistake on this
point. I never saw this youth in my
life until last night. I have tried to offer
him the ordinary civilities that one de-

. cent person may offer another in: need.
,3 Little 'Alf has not the years and muscle
that some of us at Glory Gulch have.
I never yet turned a deaf ear to the
needot a worthy human being, and l

,i‘ trust I'do not grow less considerate as
‘ ‘ ' I grow older.” .

., “Your sentiments do you honor," re-
. plied Frisco Frank. “ Little Ali, allow
fl, me 0 ask you a question—” ‘

“ sk me nothing! ” exclaimed the
slight youth.

"“ Boy, lookat me! Do I Seem unicel-
Y/v' ing? Am I weak ‘0! body? Consider

these points, and then submit the dues-

 tion to yourself—is not my sympathy

-, " and help worth having?”

a I “ Emphati-cally, yes!" declared Robert
'~ 5; Rover. “ Tell him so, Little Ali! "
* ' “ Youvare right,” admitted the youth.

* “We can, I think, be of help to each

other-,1! we try.” continued the detect-

ive. - " The main thing is to understand
the situation at Warren Addison's house

You hint at thingsthere that do not

appear on the surface—vat mystery, se-

, crets, crime! What do you know? Con-

g-ilde in ’me—-”_

f“No, no!” exclaimed Little Alf, ex-
citedly. “ I can’t do that.” ' ,

,“ Do you knowthat I am a detective."

’r 5‘ Yes." | I
’ ‘. “Then give me light, and I may be
' able to clear up all the mysteries that
narrow your nerves, and right the cause
ofxinnocence. If you will tell 1110—”
'f‘rrl‘ can‘t, I can't!”
, ",Ydu leave me in the dark."
I  L ', “ All .is dark he !——dark, dark! ”
’ x ” Little All DOW ’ahls head upon his

      
 

 

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M1 ,wv-u- L-

‘QV—r av.- ww‘wfi‘»,
, , '

 

 

\-

 

his chest. Fri ' Frank- looked at
:  » art Rover. buttz't,‘ .latter drew forth a
' - I," " .cigar‘axidllghted it: withsgnmch com-
;,-.'>-, 'posurejas-if notmngwas V ,ngjout
,f-  to! the ordinary course. events; ‘ >
s ’ The detective realized, that, what.ve
the singular pair might know, he m
, not going to get at their secrets by up.
, ' ing. Being wise. he allowed this nib.
l» '_ fleet to rest. '  ’  
’ it was not long after this that Sharla
\ Dowe entered the room ‘
- ..heculiarity or the sheriff’s nature to be
 tive,‘ and he proceed
{mentions freely. '

\

a, 1 y
4” ,
,_i ,

 

 

  
  
  

 
 
 

.3 ,s‘; ;i

Wins. .
v- iiwhh‘teyen'  . I g ,

' " Maybe, though," he _-added, "some
thing Will coins out when Warren Addi-
son gets somecan‘ talk ” ‘

 cheabarkeepém V , l

 2,...“Shouldn't-woodman ally He's in a
. . way. ,I met Mayor Everell just now,
'- .md‘f'i urged him'to let 'me see Warren.
._ ‘ Me" wouldn’t dozit. , Then I asked him
.. his duestidn 'the‘ wounded man, and he
‘ ‘sud_it,cpuldn’t be done now; He is as
lameness-anybody, but he says it Won't

   
 
  
   

as been asked-(him. “It-won't doe; ,

Mitieen’ listening with
seen {was midgdenly ,re-
 «<Gl!{hsd

 
  

Frisco '7an

  

. escaped the notice of the ordinary loung-

 ‘ r * sandman a deep sigh welled up rom ,
obr

,man of goodappearan‘ce, with an honest
It was not a
ed, to. answer,

dammit/ted that he had learned noth-'

nearest his milldl“.Fln Ii , eveq- in
‘0’" the murder. and had no claw ‘ q' 37 It)! 8

 "if: Warreh 'Kddison

“Maybe he will Edie; first,". suggested .

 'They' have’not let Warren know
:what has happened, (and; not a question ~

 

 

   l W W

tioned .Warren together, and that ‘the
patient had declared that he knew noth-
ing of the murder, but that, at the time
of the explosion, he and Homer had
been standing in conversation.

Gifford‘s statement and thatpf Mayor
Everell directly contradicted each other.

For the time being, at east, this fact

ers, but Little Alf raised his head with
a start. It was next to certain that he
did not miss the contradiction. ,

The sheriff ,was not disposed to lose
much time, and he soon left the room.
Little Alf expressed weariness, and went
to his own room. Frisco Frank was left
with the sport.

‘I Mr. Rover,” he spoke, presently,
“What do you know about this affair?”
“ Nothing.” ,

“ You are active for a mob wholly
outside the gates.”

“ I am an idle man. -I have nothing to
occupy my time in Glory Gulch. I have
become interested in Little Alf. He is a
boy; the is among desperate men; he may
need help. I am ready to help him.
That/is the story of my connection with
the affair.” " ‘

“ Do you know his secret? "

“ No.”

“ He is no miner."

“ Think so?" .  ' ,

“ It is sure. He has none of the at-
tributes of miners. I think he knows
little or nothing of life in the mountains.
He wears the dress of the region, but it
is out of place on him; He has drifted
in as so many men do,,with a‘ secret on
his mind. For his sakeLI wish I knew
what it is." - ‘ ,

“ It‘is not one of guilt." ‘: ,

“I can well believe that. I think Well
of Little Alf, but, further'than that, my
sight is clouded. Rover, yod are made
of good stuff. Do you keep yonr eyes
open! Watch over, the youth, and—4i! you-
can shed light on other events *here,-at
any time, do it, Come to me.”

“I will. Just now I am as ignorant
as one-0t mysort usually is. I, may
learn more. It I do—qon‘ ' alder me'your
a y.” I I - '

“ Itfs a. bargain.” ‘ ,  . :

There was more talk, but Rover per—
sisted that he knew of nothing to tell,
and, presently,‘ Frisco Frank rose and
left the place. He had a clear" purpose
in view. In his pocket rested the Will
of Warren ddison, or What purported!
to News wt 1. II-andth'er had been made
the paper possessed by Frisco Frank was
not worth a penny, but’he was interested
in it, nevertheless. ,

l The witne ses had been Mayor Eyes-ell
and Oliver ea. One. of. the twp was
Frankfort’senemy, unless he erred greet-
ly. ‘The other might not be, and he
was resolved to see him without delay.
'.Learning wherevhe harem-the detectives
took his‘ way there, endings sdan'in
his presence; Mr. 666 proved to be a

face and friendly manners.-
He very willi‘ng‘Py entered into conver-:

station with his caller,‘bnt Fris‘c'oFrahk '

was prudent, andonly‘atter long talk
about ‘the murder and attends t circum-
stances did he. approach" ' e‘ ,.suhject

 tavorabie, and hegvbroached ; the ‘sube'

, . Edges, what will.

hecom'e or his property-1‘?  .1 
“ God was silent; His gaze teas {dilly
33:; .glriscoh Frankaandit one 
. Dug unspo en. inquiry.“ Frisco.
Frank waitedlmpatiently.)  Y   j ‘

 

I _ churns XIV.“ v; 
-’ A srnA’Nqn 1 sum; Diagnoses.
I" There" is a rumor-3’. finally'responded
Gee, ‘i that Warren Addisonghaslmaddaa‘
willtmdaylffl , v ' .,  ‘ f '5 5
"Only a ,rumor?”f.c1uestioned Eriscoi
Frank.     
as far arsjl‘hm ‘ ‘ ‘ '
‘5 ‘

r»

' i "why I was

‘ "  *5: amines." he..;si»se.? firm“

  
  
  
 
  
 
 
  
    
  
  
   
  
 
  
    
   
   
 
  
   
  
  
   
  
   
    
    
   
  
     
    
      
    
  
   
   
 
   
   
    
  
    

“ Rumor is uncertain on that point.
I get conflicting accounts, so I don't
know what to believe. Do you know
Warren Addison?" added Mr. Gee, sud-
de 1y.

“ did, many years ago. Why?"

“ Was he an intimate fliend of yours?"

‘1 N0.”

“Did you expect to be an heir?”

“ Was I one? ”

Gee allowed his gaze to fall. He med- a
itated deeply for some time, and then
looked up suddenly.

“I think,” he pursued, “that I see
my duty plain in this case. You were
an heir! ” ',

“ Under the terms of Warren Addison's V
will?” .

‘( Ybs.)’

“ You witnessed the will, did you?”

“ Yes.”

“ How was I mentioned? "

“ Addison's mine was left to you out»
right, with all its appurtenances, root
and branch, as I may say.” ‘

“ Why did he leave this mine? ”

“He did not say. The will was not
explained.”

" Be so good as to describe what took
place." ‘ .. > .
" Briefly, I Was called in as a witness,
the other witness being Mayor Ever-ell, ' _»
Warren Addison had written the‘wm ‘ 
himself, and the ink was barely  
when we arrived. It was not long, and, ' :.
I think, had been written hastily.” ‘ ‘
“When "was this?" , i ‘ ' ’

“Not long before dark, last night! '.
Addison: hurried us, because he wanted
to go to the hotel and meet his brother, _. ,
who was expected, but. before he cot-dd, -?
do so, he was taken with a bad spell; ,
and wasmot able to go." " fl 

FriscoFrank had a sudden'thought. 'i

“Were you there when he was taken ;'

‘ i

A .

x

i

so suddenly: ill? ” I '
“ No. sir.” 4 t ’
“'Was any one there?”
“Mayor Ever-ell was
him.tl : >
“Indeed!” ‘ ‘ , , , ~  
“Everell remained with himgbui:
cameaway." I r » '_ 7;" ..
The ’detectiv'e looked at Gee 
seeing him, Just then. The mayor hat T'-
beenjwith” Addison when? heliwas  ;
'denly taken ill. It was a fact Worthy‘oi."
note. - - » ’  ‘  7 
“ Do‘ you,” asked Gee, with some ,
nestness, .“expect to-be an .helr‘ifn,
new Will I that Addison ‘ is" alleged? to} I!
made?" 3 ,   
£3513 Gee, why should he make 
w ." ’ . ‘ ~  
“. Well, Homer is dead now.” ,.  \g‘
f “What'was bequeathed'xto Homer 
ore; '9 , . \ V, ’V . 3'.“ 'l
“ The testator’s money, bonds, 
and a few minor articles. [noose 
was dead they ‘wenti‘tovd’ ' ~,  "5 '
“Whom?” ,- ‘ - - r  
‘44 Chamy‘n, H ‘ I r__ _ .
+ “ Well,g Huerta
b her. 
'wi l?” .  . 7 .-
‘erG’e'e  aginild mane/He
never amt-tire, and, now; his duty
of emotion was a- slow rubbing
hair. inane 'place‘where ideas "

lurkéf anywhere, i -_
‘ "I don’t see any

"-' a

present "  I

died: before 3 v
was the need at, as "  ..

 
 
 
  
    
 

 
   
         
   
  

      
     

- ' » l. : dim , .
he W999..th monogram than,”
mull-1847.0 "an" ’  ;  .>  '1‘),

« hahponsd‘

"Terrell meinsdetail ,' ,  at? .
Addison's ['hons‘ef‘i ‘Did you; know 7th ~
you there Called? ‘Di‘d Evierell snow? 7‘
uranium you as a companion

 s 1 l «v ‘ r. ' , ‘ . e,‘~‘

 - in w

     

 
 

    
   
   
  

 
  
   
 

11883
I! 

    
  

 
  
    
  
  

  
 
   
 
  
  

Wanted. ' I 
veer. mounts $910th is  lads?
Warns  looking ' , f ‘ l
parent .7 ate-ms: '38 éYéhthsmb -
“not waste time. Out: tramps  '
the table In tront‘ot‘iiim draws W1

W8” «(aided-ghost“ M'Ffipt ' "

stout“:
ML 4-

  
 
 
 
 
   

   
 
  
   
 

 
   

 

 

 
 

 

  

i

 

 

 

 
  
   
 
  
   
    
  
   
    
  
  
   
   
  
    
  
   
   
  
   
    
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
   
   
  
    
   
  
  
    
 
 
   
  
  
 
  
   
 
  
 
     
  
  
 
    
  
  
   
    
   
   
  
  
   
 
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
   
  

to say, but the mayor had. As soon as
‘ he ,reco-vered from his surprise he urged
I Addison to defer the work Until Homer
came, reminding the testator that he was
expected by every stage.

“,‘Life is uncertain,’ replied Warfen.
‘Who knows what an hour may bring
forth? I have been, unpardonably neg-
lcctful in the past—I want to do this
now. Gentlemen, will you sign? ’

“ ‘Certainly,’ I replied.

“Everell‘was not so ready, but he
finallyconsented. Then Addison Sheved
the paper into good views—all but the
writingmand wrote his name in plain
sight of us. '

“ ‘ 'I‘his,’ he explained, ‘ is my signature
to my will. Sign below, as witnesses.’

“ ‘It is customary,’ replied Ev'erell,
'i’or the will to be read before witnesses
, slgn.‘

.“‘You shall bear it read presently,’
promised Addison. , ‘ Sign! ’

' “I put my name down, and the mayor
did the same. He seemed singularly re-
luctant about it, and said he regarded it
as a sign of bad luck to make-'a will.
“‘Sometimes,’ replied Addison, ‘it is
an act of justice.’

. “We both signed, and Addison read
the will in a firm voice. - Its provisions
~ surprised me. I never had heard of you,
and when I heard that Misery Mine had
been left to one John: Frankfort l was

puzzled. It was commented upon by
Addison. '
“‘Frankdort,’ he explained, ‘is. the

detective of that name, You have wit-

nessed my signature—do not forget its

terms! ’ ,

, With this he folded the will, and it

., ,‘wwas done.” i r"

‘ Frisco Frank had listened closely.

I -“ Did youobject to this disoosition of

the mine? ” he asked. I ‘

“(Certainly not. Why should I?”

“What did the mayor say?"

“ Nothing. I think he was surprised,

~ I. .- though; He was standing'back of me,
I and" he made a motion as if he would

, " ,nothing.” : »
' g“ What as done with the will? ”
. “ Addison replaced it in his pocket."
"‘ And then?" a '
. “ I left the house. 1‘ had been busy, and
, chad gone in only with the wish to do a
neighborly act. Whenlit was done I re-
' Raped home." ,
x , (Add V Mayor .Everell ? ” ,
. - , I.“ Remained With Warren .Addison.”
" g,  It was a significant bit of‘ information
“into J n Frankfort. The mayor had re-
, and ed with 3 Addison; the latter had
 soon, been taken in, and—~the strange
agents of the'evening had followed.
"Have you talked with ,the mayor
.abopqt it since? " inquired Frisco Frank.
, If I ‘0‘),
a .“Do you know'where the will is? "
",7,‘ VI do not.” , Y ‘
 , The detective did, but he believed that
' ‘ hawould never be proved in court unless
in! the end of a fight which might not
 wholly, legal. '
;,.‘V!What,”/heasked, ‘fidid- you under~
.,siand by. therex-pression that the malung
‘ bffa will-was sometimes an act of fins-
.-tice?'; A , ’ , «  ,  ‘
1 “-,‘No lug. It was~not plain to me.
put I t ink it was‘no idle remark. Ad-
"flinch, wds very serious—he had some-
?fihing‘on his min .”  ‘
 .'_ Frisco Frank’s mind went quicklydaock
a: ,“ynloing the passage of years. Warren Ad-
‘ dim had done big: a great ‘Wrong in the
| post, bu that am not seem to. be any
4. reason.»- or leavin him the Misery Mine
. by wilt, He local ed that his old foe had
amen. patient under his Verbal (instigation
fishes they met by theigulcn, Perhaps
end’dison had repentedl frhat was all

  

  

  

< got-t as an explanation.\

He recalled, ,too, that on that occasion

 
   

" look {into affairs at Glory Gulch are

a thim ma thenjmade cigar.
..‘:here,is‘ more io'fth 9 ti:
"WW has

I A

step forwand, 'but, he did not. He said

“.3- Very. well. but it did not, satisfy Frank~'

 Addison had earnestly iveduestedyhim, to ,
pron-166mg to hostilities, and had hinted ,

  
  

“, You should know better than any-
body else,” added Gee’, slowly, “if there
was any reason why Addison should
want to do an act of justice to you”;

“What interests me now‘,” responded
Frisco Frank, “ is'this new Will. It an-
nuls the old one. Who profits by the
change?”

“Yes; and why was it made? Addison
is said to be weak of body and mind.
Has he been unduly influenced in the
matter? ’

“,What do you think? "

“ People on their death-beds are rarely
in condition to dispose of property with
reason. If I were you I should‘ feel
like bringing up that point.”

,“ You seem to asétxme that the new
Will cuts me ofi." ‘ ‘ >’

“ It is all guess-work; but report says
you are not in favor with those who have
charge of Addison. If it should prove
that you get the same bequest in the new
,Will I shall be surprised.”

 

. CHAPTER xv.
Till“. DEMAND FOR ADDISON.

Frisco Frank had learned all that Mr.
Gee could tell, so he soon took his de«
parture. As he walked away he could
see the roof of the Addison house rising
above an intervening building. It Was
as if it skulked 'in ambush just as the
conspiriitors of Glory Gulch did.

Several hours passed uneventfully, but
the detective was doing same thinking,
and he finally decided to have atalk
with. Sheriff Dowe when he met him.
The afternoon was well advanced when
he next saw the local officer. Dewe
looked weary and annoyed.

“ What luck?” asked Frisco Frank

“Vile luck,” exclaimed Dowe.

“ What is wrong?”

“I know less about this affair than I
did when I began.” -

“What have you learned? "

“ Nothing! I shall not learn aBYthing,
unless the slayer of Homer Addison
comes forward and owns up. How can
I? The whole range of theSierra Ne-
vadas stretches away to the north and
south. There is‘ room for the whole of
the murderers of California to hide there,
and how am I to track them? Trails

It does not exist. There is?an footprint,
literally Or figuratively.”
“‘1 should not expect anything from

. hunting for footprints on the range.

Theory is the thing in‘ this case, sheriff."

“ Everybody says the Gold-Dusters did
it." ‘ ' , . ;

, “ If there. is a time to doubt-a theory
it is when everybody agrees upon it.
, gheriff, there is dust one thing for you to

o.” v i I

“ What? ” .

“See Warren Addison.” . ‘ ‘

" But Dodtor Gifford refuses to let an)“
body in.” l

" In her absolute
Gulch? "

, “He seems tobe.” .  ,
, 4“ He represents the medical profession
wyou the law. This is a time when law
calls loudly to,.be heard. Pills and PIM-
ters should take a back seat”, yr

1‘ But ‘Giflord says Addison lstoo weak
to sée any one."  _ 
“'He is strong enoughto make his
will.” ' A ' . , ,

“ That does lookstrange, doesn’t it? I
should say he might see me. But Gifford
says that Addison
how it occurred."- . ,_ 4“. v

'“ In a case of pneumonia a sick. man
would not consults. sheriff; in a case of
Ldetectlve Work a doctor ‘knows about as
much as a child. 'You shOuld ‘see Addi-_
son; ask him questions, and get his Ver-
sion , of thelcase. That’s your duty,
'sheriff."*' \ ' l s' ‘ ’ '; .. , ..

‘ "‘ Gifford‘_.wul . refuse me entranceqh
"/Insist upon oing in}? ~ »
“ ~any, ‘ Frankfort,‘_l’ll do it;; if you Wil

has .198  «
* ’ as:

H monarch in Glory

   

 

r ‘Y

myself: ‘b‘i"

  

 
 
  

nsibili,’ ,
pig]

 

atndunt to but little around here, and"
this trail has neither beginning nor end;

knows nothing as to‘

I' rather hesitate, .to ,

 

Frisco Frank did not intend to let the
opportunity pass, and he rose promptly
and stood ready to go. Dowe’s courage
had not been well to the front, but he
now caught the fever, and was ready to
make the attempt with zeal. They took
their way tOWard Addison’s house, and
no time was lost on the journey.

The house was unusually quiet, and
they could see no sign of life: but a
knock atthe door brought a woman to
view. Frisco Frank recognized her in-
stinctively. He had wondered'what the
housekeeper was like; he now 'had a
chance to see. '

’She was of middle age, and far from
being the grim and sinister-looking
guardian he had expected to see. She
was plump and rosy, and, on the whole,
had a prepossesslng appearance that was
not in' keeping with the character of
those she was serving.

“ Good-afternoon} Mrs. Beese,"_ was
Dowe's polite greeting. “We have come
to sce Warren Au... on.” ' ,

“Oh, sherii‘i’, you can't!” she exclaimed.
“He is not able.”

“Sick, is he? ” ,

“Very, very sick, poor man! "

“ Our visit will cheer him up. Besides,
tlhis‘is a matter of law. The law is su-
preme, you know.”

“ Does it. kill sick men?” asked Mrs.
Beese, reproachfully.‘

“ It does nothing (if, the sort. Have no
fear. We will deal‘ gently with your
master. All we desire is to‘ask him
some questions. Desperate deeds have
been done in this town, Mrs. Beese, and
,the, crime will never be solved unless
we can see Warren. By getting infor-
mation from him we ian— ”

“The doctor has ordtred that his pa-
tient see nobody until he is better. sir."

“ Gifford speaks for medicine; I speak
for law. «We must see Warren for a few
moments, but we will hot tire him out
nor make him nervous.” '

“I shall have to say ‘No'
answered the housekeeper, more firmness
creeping into her voice. “Mr. Warren’s
life must be guarded.
you." ‘ .

Frank. He was w'ondering just how he
oug t to deal with this woman; but all
questions “on that head, were: rendered
unnecessary‘by a new, departure. Quick
footste s sounded, and Pownall Gifford
himsel came hurrying along the street.

' “He suspects .
Frankfort. 

The suspicion seemed to be well-
founded. "Gifford’s fade Was flush-ed and
angry an his haste Was‘notiee-a‘ile. He
strode up with long steps, and his voice
rung out sharply. ,_

“What’sgoing on here?” ' 

“ We are here to see Warren Addison,"
replied Dowe, half timidly. I — ‘

’ " Haven’t I told you that, he lsflpot in
condition to see anybbdy? ” 
v, “ That was some it 'e ago—- ”

“I will let you kn w when you can
see him. You can’t do it, new}?

“ But, doctor, law and justice-”

“ The slayer ,0! Addison is
somewhere in‘thenevmou teams, I sup?
pose. Go ahd fin‘d him,“ you .w‘jgh; [
can’t [have my patient meddled With
new.” . \,  ' '
“ But he w 'able to make his will this
mornifls‘r‘," . ’

Gigord'turned upon Frisco Frank.

" This is your work! " hegbitteriy ex-.
claimed. 1‘ You are interfering sum
what does not concern you in thejleast.
Thisls not your/case. Why do you spur
Dowe on to commitinfamy? "‘ .

“Pardon the, doctor; but there is no
infamy intended by us. We seek to do”
only :what justice demands. We shall
not injure Addison in the least. A few
minutes 0t (inlet talk will not weary tor
«excite him to a dangerous degree, and,
law and justice— 

want to hear it again. 1 am phy

"t

t

 

, l'v
\h‘ 3 “.2

    

I cannot admit

our errand," thOughtt

. - "I have heard all‘this before. I don't-_
I , , sician 5’
here. and I shall defend— the’ rights and, 
' thallium my patient. You capacitiesf

 w ' g .4, , r‘

I"
to you! ." '

D,owe cast a. glance toward Frisicol

    

 

 

 

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The: doctor looked at Frisco Frank
with dogged firmness and plain hostility.
He seemed ready to fight if words failed.

“ Do you defy, the law?” demanded

the detective.

“ In this case, yes" ‘

“Are you willing to take the responsi-
bility— "

“ Fully! ” .

“ And give\Homer’s assassin time to es-
cape? ”

“ I will not allow the living brother to
be sacrificed fbr the dead."

“Have you no faith in our discretion '3 ”

“ No.”

"‘ Think twice, Doctor Gifford."

“I have thought; i shall act if my pa- ,
tient is meddled with, sir!"

Frisco Frank turned to his companion.

“Sheriff Dowe, you know your duty."

“1 do, and I’m going in! "

With this stubborn decision the sheriff
took a forward step, but the result did
not surprise Frisco Frank. The doctor
was directly in their path now—Joe drew
a revolver with a jerk and stood his
ground.

“ Stop! ” he commanded. “ If you move
this way I’ll shoot you dead! ”

 

CHAI’T 3R XVI.
rm: 1mm) mmws BITTER.

There was a full stop. Dowe and Frisco
Frank were looking into, the muzzle
of the revolver, and they knew perfectly
well that Pownall Gifford would carry
out lhis threat. Sinceritty sounded plain-~
ly in his tense, hostile voice, and that
the revolver was loaded: ,was certain.
Empty weapons were not carried in

Glory Gulch. .

i The sh‘erif! hesitated; then he moved

back a little and turned his gaze upon/

his ally. It was a sllen’it notification that
he resigned in favor of the man from
San Francisco.

The detective had never presented-a

calmer fron '

“Gifford,” he spoke, in an even voice,

"‘ do you realize what you are doing?”

“‘Fully!” retorted the doctor. “More,
I know what I am going to do if you
try to force your way in. I shall shoot
to kill!” ' i ~ .
“ This is a lawless step." i
“Call it what you will. I have my‘
professional honor to consider. Warren
Addison's life is not to be trifled with
‘by you. As his physician I hold to my

,‘purpose. Keep off! Keep off, or get filled

with lead! ." ,

“ Doctor," purSued Frisco Frank, in his
strangely even tone, “ on this earth there
are many“, things that call for notice be-

| ~ cause they‘are powerful. Above all ranks

'a

 3,

I /

the’law. The 1am With its mighty ma—
chinery! Men'may defy, it, and success
may are n. their efforts roan hile,'but
their day is short, and when t ends—-
then the- law ,is merciless!"- » ‘

“ Threats do not worry me./ You shall-
not enter here! .” stubbornly fiapeated the
man with the revolver. “I mean business,
As (rue as you are a living man now,
you will be a dead one-,if' you seek to,»
pass me!" ' l,- " .

‘7 Doctor Gifford," bluntly continued
Frisco Frank, “why are you afraid to
let us see‘your patient?"‘v ' ‘ ' 1 ,

The Question created consternation for
two ‘ men; Sheriff DOWe: had never
dreamed ’of carrying the crusade so far,
and he was dumfounded at his ally’s
choice of‘words. Gifford was hit equally
hard, it seemed, for his espression' be-
trayedfstr‘ong emotion.

\
“ Afraid ?«"’ lie-echoed, withl sudden un-

.“ ust so."   -' I L
,“_ ,amnot afraid. Why should I be?"
“There it—w’hy? What secret areyou

, htdiqz?" , . .. . .
‘ .f‘ lay-Judas, sir, ~I, don't, like your res
,, market". ‘ ed Gifford. ' -

1

l i' “ You“ inhult' the-,3 air."

1',

"I‘did’n expect Ybu'wouldfin /

r

."1 ask a plain. huest'iona'fi‘he claim

 that-it" cm ham  patient for uno-
'  - seehlm‘for a, moment‘is allsamxbon;
equitknow;

of, the v

  

your re-eleCtion.

.chansesnn cushy

 

 "a mile 69 . mm
M largo; Mr,

' i, ._.-

 

       

I ask you again, why are" you afraid to
have us see him?”

“If you say I am, you lie!" hotly
exclaimed the doctor.

“Who are you that see-ks to run all
of Glory Gulch? ‘Are you an absolute
monarch here? Can you defy law, reason
and justice? W'hen try to get track
of a murderer, ,why do you shield him? ”

“ l. sir~shieid a murderer?”

“ 'llhat. was my query."

. “ By my life, I will not submit to this
lbnger! Your course is infamous, infa-
mous! How. dare you Use a reputable
physician thus? Dowe, do you take the
responsibility for such a course?“ ‘

“No, I don’t!” daclared the alarmed
sheriff. “Frankfort, you are going too
far; you are mad. I will not let you speak
in this way for me.” '

“Then I speak for myself. I, demand
that you let me see Warren AddiSC'n.
sir! ”

“I will not!” retorted wiford, encour—
aged by Dowe's downfall.

“ Let me pass!”

Frisco Frank took a forward step. but
the revolver wavered for an instant and
thenbore fully upon him.

“I will shoot!——I swear it!" cried Gif-
ford. ‘

The detective stopped with his' face al-
most touching the weapon. He was close
to death. and he knew it, but he was the
calmest man there.

“ Enough!” he replied, with icy com~
posure. “ I wanted our relative positions
made plain. It ‘has been done. I am a
detective, and you [have interfered with
me in the discharge of y duty. That
may count for but little i Glory Gulch,‘

but there are higher: tribunals than exist

in this mining camp. You will hear from
me again! " , ,

He backed off. Just then he did not
care to give Pownall Gifford too much
chance—he believed the man would glad-
ly shoot 'him in the back; and: he was
watching his face, his hand, his weapon
——even his nerves, as it were, wl-Ju. eat-
like caution. j I ' A .
,Gifford Was silent. He watched his
opponent go.’ Frisco Frank wasted no
more time, and, when such a course
seemed safe, he turned and walkednrapid—
ly off. He had not stewed to look at
Dowe, but, presently, heavy breathing
we .followed by the appearance of that
val ant official. , -'

“ Oh! What have you done? ” exclaimed
Dowe: . ' ‘ T

,f‘ Notunuch. Did You do in re?” 
f~ “ You have4—-ah!—-talked bar 13V to Gif-
 "D

“Yes.” ' . ; ’ -‘ 1

“I never thought of such a thing. 5:
was all right to'try posse Warren, 1)
to accuse the doctdr, to‘ anger him BIO-:—
Why, he, is a, powerfulman here, and a
particular friend of Mayor Evemll."

“ n other 8. yolk are afraid of
him." 5 ‘ ’ '  '

“W y should We quaniel..‘»with the

leadi ~men’of e tm‘m? When a new
sheriff .is'elected—~wihy, they will oppose
the! ” y > '~ ‘

l

Frisco, Frank stopped short; « , 
“ I do not think they will,” he calmly
answered. 31 They)v will: 'b'e".in favor of
by? Because you are

zealous and successful in discharge of
your official. duties? No! Because you are ‘
a, creature of was in their, hands. They
will I vote «rah yauTgnless there. are
.6110 bet , t atda .
Good-afternoon, sheriff!”   
Waving his hand, he detective! moved

on rapidly, shaking off hisdate associate '

so perceptiny that Dowe'remaihed” silent
and submitted i_ confused uncertainty.

Their union was atan‘ end. M... 7 .
Frisco" Frank did not pause until he‘

was at the hotel. When he entered W

Tom hetwas outwardly calm and. " »

of manner; he;interView,hiid restated
Just, as he egected, and hefsaw’no rea»
sonlto-get e ted over t. ‘ '

r ‘ I

  
 

itslmndgxhe  ‘, y’ for future\

.“mti' h [a
we '0  i' to

 
  

.to-ni-ght, and then look it over carefully. . .

{the explosion of the powder, \ne. drop

as Warren. aged-is   . '

for ,8, moment. There. w
.mannerzith'etFrisc‘o Fran Vex
2121‘. Expressed, u’ ' at, "
G. sudd  ‘

He had ferced t'he’ oppositiarli'ho has, \ , , ,  '
' 11:31:. builds demeanor; 

  , t the on for-twenty};
 aim-ed     A

   

 

   
  
    
  
   
   
    
   
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
   
   
  
   
  
  
     
   
   
  
    
       
   
  
    
  
  
     
    
  
 
   
          
        
   
    
   
      
     
  
  
  
  
    
  
   
 
 
 
      
    
   

. ' \
luck attended his efforts to find Robert
Rover, and it became clear that apart.
of his business would have to wait.

After supper he left the hotel and
walked toward the West Slope again.
Twilight was at 'hand, and the miners
were lounging about after their day’s
work. Some of their talk floated to
Frisco Frank as he passed, but he heard _
no mention of the affair that was intez- 
esting him so much. is

“This is Glory Gulch,” he mused,
“land of crime, tragedy afiid gold. The
hours since murder was done here have
barely stretched into days, yet the mat-
ter “has grown dim in their minds. Nobh» .
ing so plainly tells of the liltleness of
man as the quickness with Which the
dead are dropped by the living. We live,
move, have our friends—we die, and we
make no pulsation of the air when our 3 
otvn breath has ceased to fan it. Man is
smaller on earth than the pebble he
kicks contemptuously from his path. He
dies; the pebble remains." V '

By this time the house of Oliver Gee
was reached. Frisco Frank knocked. was
admitted, and was soon in conversation
with Gee. He lost little time in coming I
to business. . ‘

“ I hear,” he remarked, “that the mur-
dered man is to be buried to-morrow ', =
morning? ” ‘ ‘

u yew.” ‘ . .

“With Gifford and ‘Everell’ to water
the grave with tears.” -. i

“ Yes, and plant a stone to his mem»
ory. Such a stone is already shaped and
carved, and in: will' be set Up immedi-
ately"\ \ I ‘

“Is this to *prevent all doubts as to
who lies there? ”. ' .

“ Everell came to me to subscribe
somethingvand he said it was a kindly
deed to a worthy stranger in our town.” ' '

“ The mayor has a happy flow of 
guage. Mr. Gee, you know Warren Addi—fl
son well?” i

z-l‘.

ts YRS-I) . 
“I am curious to learn; just how in h ,
his dead brother looked like him. ill.
you oblige me by going to see the bed!‘

Note just how much it is like Warrenflb
“ But it is very much like bi-m'. That."
was noticed by all when Homer Addison ,
came. in on the stage, and ' tty much .
the whole town saw t e no. comerth 
and commented upon ~t.« I havebeen’thg v
remainssince, but the explonionnixakes ‘
a. critical survey, impossible. .I can only
Say that the resemblance is still 
Despite the blalckened wounds made ’

coung fail to recognize Warren's 

“ Yet. I wish you would look ,againf'h
j.“ Why? ” , t " = " ‘ 
“I want a reliable identificatieifi’e} .
“Do you doubt that the dead i
Addison?”'. I t ' a ' . 
“ Not at all.” , '
“"Thenw'hy this 'step?" »- ‘ 
“Frankly, .I have been \severely 
buffed there. and I. Want somewitneas.
my own. I want a “reliable, man tocoemi
that he is dead.” I - x
, “ This seems to me arsingular,
IyilHdo as you say.” ,. , .
j "111: Will please me very niu
plausible excuse and go. 
thorough. Youxhad .no  . _
with; Homer, so imagine :yeuialre

I y, ..
a

   

 
  

  
 

sharp!" f l  4
iron“ rmnitwt   .- 1 t,

, e ,s'rhn moynsrrmos. , .1 _ i. w

Seem!)de at his coin ' stingsjilehse“.

 
   
   
   

 
   
 
 
 
  

 
    

 
 
  

3’
E
30‘

   

fl. .

        

 

       
   

' “Theinieakesiett the houseefld ,
tective wa’sglone. To min there
have been something or». twi‘m

  
 
  

    
 
  
  
 

  
 
 
 
  

    
 
 
 
  
 
 

I

   

   

   

  

“You have made a quick examina-
tion," Frisco Frank observed.
:“1 have made none.”
“ No? "
“I was not allowed to see the body."
“ Who forbade it? ” -
“I saw Gifford. I will not say he re—
, fused in the full sense of the word, but
he state’d that the body was in its coffin,
and fully prepared for burial. Practi—
cally. he declined to exhibit it, for he
opposed all of my arguments, but it was
‘ V quietly done." ’ ‘
p ‘ I am not surprise: 

.‘ Mr. Frankfort, what suspicion have
you in mind?” ‘

“ I reply, how do we know that Homer
Addison lies dead there? It would have
been easy, if Warren Addison. Gifford
and :the gang wished to reach a certain

2 end, to substitute-some other body. Per-
haps Homer’s life was heavily insured.

mountains. Maybe there is a big plot to
accOmplish some dishonest end. Under-
htand, I do not charge it; I suggest the
possibility. Now, excuse me if I do not
»' go further into particulars, an~d-—wlll
" you remain silent? " -
, . “Fully, sir! " ' .
 “‘ Good! I feel that I can trust you in
v theinterestsof justice. I will take your
time .no longer.” ‘
 v Frisco Frank rose, and, after some fur-
ther talk, ‘left the house. ‘
1 He did not feel like seekinghls hotel,
and. the moon invited him to ore con-
 genial. spots. He walked on until he was
beyond the line of houses and fully in
the. unsettled district. It was a. surround-
4mg that soothed his spirits and made
vghim feel at peace with the world; The
:1:o’cks, the trees near-by, and the mighty
peaks of the range that, not, far away.
i lowered so. high in air, were all agreea-
Vlie'to him. I .1
A He reached a level,.,open spot. and
was crdssing in the moonlight-when he
suddenly perceived another person just
32h ‘ A of .him, and advancing toward
 More, the other traveler was a

I

  
 
 

 
 

  

  

omen. . , x .
_ , Believing that it was not all interest to
him hay/many women crossedhi-s path,

 
 
 
 
 

e kepton at an‘even' pace. He met the
father Stroller. A  ‘ , i. . '
must, he ea , that she Wasvyoung and,

"retry, 7but this was only the beginning.
 s indifference vanished; he stopped
Wye-11d she'did the same. \ ' ~ g
, roi- a, moment they steed andfiooked
,et :eachother in the .moovflightesthen she
 aroused andf lked on; "Her
tell: he could not look, into her
ng, A. but 'hieg‘iown gaze devoured .‘ he:3
, . v ‘ 2 H I ' a . '

‘r

 
 

  
  

\

 
  
 

\
i

0,6. . ' , . ‘ z y i c, I '

 him»: she‘cb'ntinu “d. toiwalk
gui‘ck‘lypshe  the love and dis-
 mong’the. rocks that lay nears
inflicry Gulch. ‘ r " 
cgh‘risco Frank. aroused, started nerv-
e Ri-meot 'a'sc‘zll to her-it was "no
«a w spertrom his lipsthat
I ' ‘tj'havelm'dhe‘ard a: dozen yards
bum: marsh) ct, meaning" and
e¢ntlh . “to look after her.

say ,.  ,
its'illg I l‘aridlthe‘place Was-amfaIr
I , but he realised lt‘hot. “He Was

  

than. ’

 
 
  
 

 
 

 

  

 
 
   

3

{Audit

  

, _ is thus wet-meet
‘hese yearsi'   v'  
:, washo. longer the. cool, . date-WW, "
abjflm‘be‘diwae he
38 W61! [911355155

   

 
 

 
  
  

(0 stoma/rams:

. red" missed again.
Retell Weeds daughter.
‘ -.,been{ .

amw. 1 Warren Ad'th
8 

  
 
 

 

Maybe he is alive now’, and hiding in the t

, ’rethmatlc do 'ye.use? ” 35 I

 , n, t. ~:'I‘hejmoon"poured .

halibut”. _ .
m- hlsfthohghts, _ .

hiv‘oWn premises 5

.3,__,

around him. Really, there .were but few
minutes in hisllfe that he-Was forgetful
of prudence. ' v '

Again there was a lapse of time: then
he' raised his head a little and seemed to
listen. There was a rustling on the
opposite side of? the rock at his back.
He noted it: he became alert.

Anon a thin. twisting object sailed
over the rock. it might have been a
snake in spring. but it was something
different. Frisco Frank threw up his
arm, struck the object aside and then
leaped to his feet.

He stood facing three men. one of
whom held a lasso in his hand. A cast
had been made; it had failed.

As far as motion went, the unknown
three might for awhile have been stones
themselves. They did not stir, and the
detective had time to take. them in’fully.
There was only one thing remarkable
about themwthey wore masks, and that
was not a fashion in Glory Gulch.

“Well.” sharply demanded Frisco
Frank, “what next?!"

“ Say, We missed! ” muttered one of the
trio. ‘ i
“ Yes, you missed," agreed ‘Frankfort.
“Why did you try it?” '

“Pard, jest you‘ hand over
dust an’ we won’t hurt ye.”

“Would you rob me?”

“That is wfot we’re hyer fer."

“Do I look like a walking gold-
mlne? " i ‘

“ Alltwe ask is that you fork over what
yer have. Be ,it little or be it much, it
will. be welcome ter a_ good cause.”

' “Suppose I put my cash down—can I‘
ithen go free?” i) , i

I“ Yes. All we want is the dust.” '

“I think I know you. Your-smashe—
of which I have heard before-«and your
demand, recall the Gold-Dusters of this
.region.“

yer stray

l  t
“We are the Gold-Dusters." ‘

‘f Mi‘nesrobbers- and petty highwaymen.
Yes, I’ve heard of you. ‘aWell, you will
not get a cent out of met? ' ' ‘

3“ Hold on, pard, hold on! Count us! "r
‘_‘ Three! ” ' . .- ,
"‘ Count yerself! "
“Five!” ' y w * \

. "‘Ther blazps yer arell What sort oi

 “ That ,of poster. Don‘t get the notion
into your heads that I fear you, for it
_will ,be a perversion of the facts. I have
seen much better men. once there were

~(‘rnlch—v-bold,“ dashintn red-handed, Keir
lower—Who. filled, the public heart with»
have rage and admiration. You came
after them as the human! comes for the‘
carrion the well-fed'grlzzly leaves be?
bind man, I' have‘heard you called the
sneak-thistle; of road-agendst? , .

“That’ligdoli’ roared the spokesman;
“You. can’t insult us.) The Gold—Dusters
will show you. this ‘nlght What-sort of.

lien. Men, adiramce and seize tluspte'l-t
low. ,We will, give I, m a? lesson!” ~ if“

-The;spokesman h‘a . held .a revolver.
Now he started to rs sew, but he was a

world too slow. Frisco Frank’s ‘own re-
volver flashed to a podium: where M-
was ready torfire, ‘    a, “ 
- “ Stop! ” she, jot-led, sharply. “ I” have
the drophnyoul." '  r" 4. 
:The GoldeJIuster's headway; arrested ,
, icon“? no exclaimed.
We  threeater one?

(“sex yo ’re 'a-
“ n’t,'y0u. .
.W. 'éi‘km dam?
reasonablelw E! s‘yont’ll yank outjyer “dust
we‘ll. "forgive all. yanwamhm. Med; go
on-aanfltieithe.critters: I". ‘ ‘ V

_J

  
        

  
 
  
 
  

    

 uced ropes,
fled to halo;
veral steps up-

   
 

. ldiefi v

lit-3111131
Q I ,

   
   

 

road-agents in the region around Glory ~

mettle, they possess. The the rmettle of .

‘ the untamed. stallion, and the ‘. hufigry- 'éen'tred Upon them. and when Bar-dent

,0! specks! "

upiwitheut wiukln’; .fBe '

‘ urea;

make  '
  . .-  I, as mgIDustersldared

. Frank} V 

  
  

    

r

“He is a bold fellow, while the rest‘ofi r
us like peace at any price. , If herhad
been here, thar would have been bIOOd,
shed before now.” - V I ‘

The masked man talked as if he meant a El
all he said, but Frisco Frank was grow—
ing suspicious of him. Such remarkable
gentleness and timidity was not usual
in a robber. The detective set him down
as a man of cunning, and himself grew
more alert.

A trap might lurk behind his mild ex-
terior. .,

Turning his head quickly he cast a
glance behind him.' He saw enough
there to interest him at once. Only a.
few feet away, partly but ineffectually
screened by a wide—spreading tree, an— ,
other masked man stood with a. lasso re- ‘ ,1
volving in his hand. ‘ 

Even as Frisco Frank looked the rope "
shot toward him, and with such good aim '
that its results, if left alone, were not
to be mistaken,

Like a flash the imperilled man leaped
to one side. '

The noose passed harmlessly and fell
to the earth. ‘ .v

1.‘ Forward: ” shouted the leader. “ The l
jig is up!——f0rw‘ard! ”

Together they bounded toward the de‘
tective, but his eyes were fully open now.
He had to deal with desperate men, and
he would nothesitate. Again his Ire;
volver came up—Lhe pulled the trigger.

There was a discharge—the leader uty
tered a howl of pain and‘stoppedishort. . '
It seemed, however, that Frisco Frankf A ‘7"
must fight three men, but, at this innate   ,r
me, still another person bounded into 4,6,
the circle with a cheerful outcry: _ -

“Count me in! When the? bullets whiz- J _ 7,
I want my share. Frisco Frank, here‘s : F
the bully boy of the ranges. Count me ‘ '-

CHAPTER XVIII.

in! "
I W.  ’H
. , ll
. THE SECRET L‘II’HER. .‘ .
As the moonlight fell upon the man
who had spoken last there was a peculiar
(glimmer, but it was all easily to be .
understood by, one who knew 'him.‘ It ' ‘ '
was Barachlas Bee, with his ornaments
‘of spectacles.“     n .
‘ But Ba'rachhrs-was more than affiik-j '  *‘ =
lng ad’vertiseine t then. He, appeared ’
with a revolver in shorthand/and, when
the Gold-Dusters (still 91598.9(! forward, _
he added his enortd to those‘ of Frisco
Mann“,—  ' p2: ' g = -» ‘ ~ '
, gfl‘hereLfia'sjqiuecession of shots in .
which, hethhides took‘part, but the mail-l
blade, did‘notblgpt 10118. ' The Gold-Dust"
ere seemed to, and ‘mavters’too warm for
themytheygbroke and, With two eXcep- ‘
tions, fled. ' l l '
‘ The exceptions had been as anxious‘to
g: as the rest, but the brief though .m M
velations of the combatants had placed
them in a niche where they were practi-
cally prisoners. ‘ x“.  
With the others gone, all attention f ' ‘

         
    
  
   
    
   
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
  
    
  
 
   
     
     
  
  
    
   
 
    
  

 

, .
.r. .K A "uh—r. : . , _~«

‘ «‘15

 \r‘ 4-. x ve’my" “19%” 9“

 

 

 
        
  

 

 
       
         
    
 

 

  
   
       

     
    
    

  
       
   

 

      
          
        
  

   
 

i

 
    

‘ .88
flourished his revolverg:_‘m1dm . hey

wildly begged cm- .  .  ..  
1" Down with ' Eyomppns, then! ' Vl-
 a :‘w, r

commanded "Frisco .
J The

  
         
    
 

' tr.

articles   “moms; to _ $3 

    
    

   

 .  f. ‘7 ,, '4' I  _ ? V, r  V“ ' ’
 “ .chiash specialism." ordered the ‘
detective; ‘ -  at >

.Howls ot‘ terriililijroee from the” Dust! .
era. a  : 3 g“  ‘ . ‘i‘ " ‘ ,,
“Spare, mementth sell them a pair    
requested the ’vendor of   *

 
     
 
  
 
 

 
  
   
 
  

 

glasses. 2 - .  . ‘
, “We want a further, look at: them: ' ' "
rn keep them under subjection withthl‘é '
revolver,“ and ’ do youtie: them (5" "Yonder
There‘s a lasso to [do it with.” ' , 
f'And- here's it than .to dovthe'tyingi’.‘ ' ' 
added Eastman,“ rn nxthem so tum 
bnlyap earthquakegset‘mem, loose)” . 
The «peddler, proved millennium. ands -:. xi. '
 ,not resist, he soon  
rest-to. the tree. . 

l ‘3

     
  
 
  

   
      
   
    
       
   

   

 
  
 
 

  
 
  

 

fhad  tied

  
 

 

I

Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch. '

1'7

 

 

“ I have matches by the quart; Wait! ”

Barachias ignited a match and held it
rclose to their faces. As they burned out
he added others, but finally Frisco Frank
reached a conclusion.

“I (lOn't know them."

“Look again!" suggested Barachias,
with a grin. “ Look closer—so! "

lie thrust his match so close to the
nose of one of the pair that he howled
with pain and fear.

“ What’s the matter ‘? “ Bee asked, with
an air of innocence.

“You burned me, hang you! ”

“ Friend, 1 was trying an experiment.
I noticed that your nose was very red.
The question was whether it would ig-
nite or explode. You must use good paint
'Htlhe red is btautiful, and it’s a fast col-
on Now, it seems proof against fire—”

He touched the match fully to the
nose, whereupon he provoked a louder
howl than before.

“Forbear! ” directed Frisco Frank.
 Dusters they may be, but we will use
no cruelty.”

“ If I have hurt the gentleman’s feel-
ings, I am sorry, I do assure him. It is
not my nature to injure beast, bird or
man, and he must come under one of the
five heads. Friend, there is balm for
-every woe. Let me sell you some balm.
Here you will see a choice assortment of
:spectacles, nose-pinchers and eye-glasses
of all sorts, but all of standard excel-
lence. All of blue glass, too. Glasses to
:sell! Pard, they will take the fire out
«)f that nose quicker than you can drink
whisky. Will you buy? "

Barachias had whipped out several
"pairs of his treasures. He held them all
.before the bound men, using the skill
(51f flong practice.

"‘ Blue glass,” he added, with enthu-
siasm, “ will cure all ills. Rheumatism,
Jaundice, spavin and heaves succumb to
it like a streak of harnessed broncho. It
cures measles, evil eye and broken
hearts. Do you suffer from ivy poison,
flooflhache, dropsy or fleas? Buy a pair
.of specks and you will be a well man
:again! ”

All of the glasses but one he replaced
in his pocket, and that one he fitted to
:the nose of the nearest prisoner and then
stepped back to observe the effect.

* “Beautiful, beautiful!" he exclaimed,

admiringly.

“I think your wares are not appre-
ciated," observed Frisco Frank.

“Wait!——just you wait until you see
my order. You don‘t know the Gold-
Dusters as I do. They suffer from azl
sorts of eye trouble. Watch me and I’ll
:sell to the whole band. Gents, shall I
book your order? Discount of ten per-
centum to families, orphan asylums and
road-agents. Sent C. O. D. or delivered
by B. Bee at this depot of traffic. Glasses
to sell!? Do you buy? Best articles in
the business, and all made personally'
by B. Bee! ”

“You will make no sale here—”

Frisco Frank really thought that Bara—
chias was in earnest, and he began this
remark, but the peddler interrupted:

“You mistake, sir! I never missed a
customer yet. I will please these gentle-
men if I have to send back to my factory
for more specks. They will wait while I
send.” .

Maintaining a perfectly serious face
Barachias tried on several more pairs,
but even his hobby and his erratic pos—
ing to see the effect palled upon the de-
tective. 4

“These men are strangers to us,” he
remarked, “ but I want to discover their
identity if I can. Stand back and let me
:search them.”

The Gold-Dusters had endured Bara-
chias’s recreation with sullen reserve.
but they showed more animation at this
juncture. They did not want to be
searched, it was plain, but this only
settled the case.

Frankfort went through their pockets,
but, to him, it seemed that the reward
was small. A few weapons, and the
minor articles that men commonly car-
ried in their pockets seemed to be all—

 

with one exception. One of the pair had
a folded paper, and when Barachias
lighted another match it proved 'to be a
secret cipher.

Here was some food for investigation,
if it could be deciphered, and Frisco
Frank stowed it away in his own pocket.

“Take your spectacles, Mr. Bee," he
directed. “We will go now.”

“ So we will. These cheap Jacks
haven’t money enough to buy such splen-
did wares as I sell, and even blue glass
would never heal their moral wounds.
Farewell, Mister Road—Agents! You must
part from these eye-glasses never to see
them again."

They turned away, but a doleful cry
rose from the prisoners against the in-
justice of leaving them in their present
condition. They declared that they would
starve, but they were unheeded. FriSco
Frank knew their companions must be
near, and that succor Would soon come.
They were left accordingly.

“Not a very heroic lot,”
Barachias.

“They have been described to me as
the sneak-thieves of road-agents, and
the term fits well. They are vicious
enough when they have everything their
own way, but arrant cowards at heart.”

“ Do you think you Can read that pa-

observed

per?”
“That depends. A common secret ci-
pher, so called, is easily read by one

who understands the art."

“Pard, it may be an order for my
spectacles. If it proves so lose no time
in getting word to me."

“Mr. Bee. do you really sell
blue glasses?

“1 don’t give them away. Didn’t you
buy a pair?”

“Yes. Have you seen me wear it? ”

“ No, but I’ve noticed an improvement
in your health," promptly answered Ba-
rachias.

They returned to the hotel at once, and
Frisco Frank went to his room. There
he sat down to study the cipher. It was
made of peculiar lines and angles, but it
did not take him long to satisfy himself
that it was readable.

Applying the well-known rules of the
art to the case he soon gained light, and
he continued the work until all was
made out. Then he had this missive be-
fore him: '

“ Keep shady! There is thus far no
suspicion among the men of Glory Gulch.

those

Occasionally there is mention of the‘

Gold-Dusters, but it is only vague. Even
the sheriff has not faith enough in the
theory to follow up the claw. He works
at random, and the killing bids fair to
remain a permanent mystery. Addison
will soon be buried, and when it is done
there will be little more said about it.
Men are too busy in, the land of gold to
worry long over a dead man, be his tak-
ing off ever so mysterious. The band is
safe. Lie low! Fear nothing! Orders
for another job will soon be sent.”

There the missive ended. Frisco Frank
laid it down, raised his head and mean-
tated. Then he picked it up and read
again.

He shook his head slowly. ,

“ If I believe what I can see on Ithe
surface I must credit the possibility that
the murder was done by the Gold-Dust—
ers. Shall I commit myself to that
theory?"

He handled the paper restlessly.

“ In crime many men are fools.
Strange mistakes are made. One was
made here. If this is what it purports
to be the writer was a fool to commit
himself on paper. If it is only an attempt
to cast unjust suspicion on the Gold-
Dusters, another mistake has been made.
I have use for this paper.”

The detective put it carefully away.
A listener would have found it hard to
reconcile his line of argument with ex-
isting facts, and he did not see all clear-
ly, but he intended that the dOCument
ShOUId play a part in the future.

“ I have not seen the last of the Gold-
Dusters,” he murmured.

Y

 

CHAPTER XIX.
THE MYSTERY 0F ("LAIM 47.

The next day there was a gathering at
the Addison house early in the forenoon.
The gathering was not large. It was
known that the murdered man was to
be buried, but Glory Gulch was a busy
town, and as long as there was gold to
be dug from the auriferous soil, the men
were not going to worry themselves to
pay any final tribute to a stranger.

Enough of the stronger sex came to
make a respectable show, and there was
only one thing that prevented a large
gathering of women—there were not
enough of that sex there to block the
streets. Curiosity brought the greater
proportion of those in camp.

Frisco Frank did not attend. Con-
vinced that there would be nothing to
interest him he kept out of sight, but he
watched from a distance.

A fairly level plot of ground had early
been set apart for a burial place, and to
this the procession wended its way in
due time. From an elevated point Frank—
fort saw the interment and the setting
of the stone. Then the entire party re-
turned to the town and the silent sleeper
was left alone.

The detective waited half an hour, and
then descended to the spot.

Glory Gulch had a fairly good master
of such ceremonies, and the grave looked
neat and orderly. Frisco Frank gave it
but little heed. He walked around to
where he could see the front of the head-
stone and then read the inscription:

HOMER ADDISON.
AGED ABOUT THIRTY YEARS.

I REST HERE IN SLEEP FOREVER.

This, with the exception of the date,
was all. The charitable men of Glory
Gulch had' paid their tribute, and this
was the result. The neat grave, the well-
marked stone, and a memory were all
that remained of one who had met a vio-

lent death in the camp. ul
The inscription seemed to have it fits.

cination for Frisco Frank. He remained
gazing at it for several minutes. What
was in his mind was best known to him—
self, but his abstraction was such that
he did not hear the approach of another
person until footsteps sounded almost
beside him. Then he looked up suddenly.

Another meal was there. He was well
along in years, with hair that was very
gray, a shabby suit of clothes and a. bent
form which made a pronounced curve of
his spinal column.

At first sight the detective believed he
was looking at an entire stranger, but
the old man. began to nod his head and
smile in a way which. indicated a desire
to get into his companion’s good graces.

“Mr. Frankfort, I believe,” he mat/-
tered, half apologetimlly.

“ That's my name, sir."~

“Don’t—don't you know me?"

“I cannot say that I do. Yet, wait!
There is something familiar—are you
Peter West? ”

“Yes, sir. I am Peter West.”

Frisco Frank held out his hand. His
acquaintance of the past had been casual
rather than intimate, but there had been
some association between the owner _of
Claim 47 and himself.

“I am glad to see you, Mr. West,"’ he
remarked. -

“ Are you?—are you, really?”

The old man’s face lighted up, but it

was the delight of a child. The expres-
sion, if nothing else, told how much he
was broken of mind.
. “Certainly, Mr. West. You are one of
the old residents of Glory Gulch, you
know—you date back to my own resi~
dence here.”

“Yes, yes, I was here then; I knew you
well. I was one of your best friends——
always your friend, my boy! "

There was no real foundation for this
assertion, but West appeared anxious to
have it so, and, he shook Frisco Frank’s
hand with warmth and kept his hold.

“Always your friend!” he added, per
tiuaciously.

“That’s pleasant, Mr. West.”

....., gw‘ u.

     

  
 

" In
x ,

“ Very pleasant, very! I have watched
you, my boy. You went out into the
world,as young men do,,and you have
fought and won. You are a great man
now—a great man! You are quoted from

exico to the British colonies. Chief

0 Police in San Francisco, eh? That’s
a. big position to fill."

“Only a detective, Mr. West.”

“Same thing, same thing! You‘ve got
f Ito be a great man. Well, ,I have been

quite successful, mySelf—quiJi-ite suc—
eessful! ”

' Peter drew himself up a little, as it
with pride, and seemed so sure of his
own statement that he prolonged his
words as much as possible. It was a
'melancholy assumption of what did not
exist, for he should have )known that it
was common history that Claim 47 was

‘ the most barren soil in Glory Gulch, or
,.around it.

Frisco Frank felt only pity, and he

answered kindly: ‘

“ You still have the old

West, do you not?” .

“Yes, yes, Claim 47. It is too good a

preps-rty to sell. Sir, within the heart

" of that claim, within the bosom of the
earth, ay, close to where we are working
now, lurk riches beyond' estimation. All
the signs go to prove” it.” ' '

“You have worked the mine some

years." .v ‘

"‘ Ye—e-es, about eleven, but it» was -.not
fluntil lately that I had. modern machinery
‘and appliancesuto do as I Wished. Now
I have all, and I shall be well repaid.
Everything goes to show that wonder-
ful 'riches will s00n be foundwthe signs
are just‘ right. We have cross—cut min-
eralized gangue and decomposed pop-
phyry, of late, and bunches of high-grade
, sore were found scattered through the
,’ . mass. Very soon we.shall strike it rich.
V There is such a marked resemblance be
‘,tween the porphyry and phonoli-te to'that
.‘of'richer‘ mines that I cannot be in
7 doubt. Ah, ah! the old claim will yet
, .pen‘out rich!” ~ > ,

i ' West rubbed his hands and manifested
‘ elation, but Frisco Frank felt only pity.

, V It was sad to see the old man dreaming

. .° idly Marthe worthless miner

 fer. West, about what is 'your total

‘,.s-yield per year? ” he asked. .

mine, Mr.

  
 

./-n

  

 ‘1 can’t say to an ounce Ofidnst.” ,

 3; “This high-grade are you havespoken
a .ofr—whalt will it average in gold?” '
7  “ we haven’t quite got to that, sir. \but

the clear. ore under it.-ah! that is the
-.thing we; are after.”  . ’
.  “ Are you sole owner of Claim 47? .”

' v-West‘shi'fvtéd uneasily from one foot
to another. ' (I ‘

~9,',‘r‘/Ye‘-es.‘ Oh! yes, sir; yes, yesli’ he
irreplied, beginning hesitatlngly, and .hen

  

v: you ask?”Do,you wish to buy a share? ’*
 _‘«‘_.Is*there any encumbrance?” '
 , Again the old man was worried. His
hypmsslon becam
 "Only'a trifle", he‘ finally replied. ~ 
'1‘";Wh0"holds. the eneumbranee?—~the
 ' the nuns?" , . . ,
; ’" 1.“.xgel», really, is it necessary». to men;
rfloniffthat. 1 ~ “ - ’ -\ l

   But it is a friend who will not press
I ‘  a '

  

 
   
 
    

k

    

  

a"

an 3?
 "  What ,friend ? ”

- ‘ fins, ion ,as you wish to buy
_ You. 05,. will tell you. I‘will in-
will».tel.l you. I will in-
I

n, i will

form‘s“; Yes. ., .

  9,376“: 1,-Wmf'98fihin-" . i .
twassnervousi and confined. He
framed to “put Claim-.47 in its best light,
tit the fact was there was no good light:

  

   

He reheated himself simply because- be
In not. know ‘whalt else i say. It 
ourred‘to' Frisco Frank t at the man
0&0. had; taken radyantage‘ot this broken
«miner was agknave of. the’jwmst
sand lashed; been tdldfithat the
‘Mgr"w:is Warrennddison. '
I ort~7

  

 
    

 

 
  
 
  

“Yield?—éper year? Oh! well—hum!—~ '
--.chan‘ging,to eager emphasis. “Why’d'o
e downcast. 

_ and for“, all the.

3 sexual  ,sauently; me

a very good friend, who has-well, loaned
me some money, but he has done it very
unostentatiously, sir—~very! He has kept
even me in ignorance of his identity.”

“ Impossible! ” .

“It is true, sir.”

“How can it be? How can he have
loaned you money without your knowing
who he was?”

“I have never seen him except when
he was‘masked."

“This groWs remarkable. Masked,
eh.? AK masked loaner! Explain!”

“Well, he has come to meéwhenever
I needed money, and given it, but never
openly. First, he came an said to me
that he had heard. that I n eded money
to work the mine. I told him that was
right, and he gave me what was neces—
sary. Then he told me when I needed
more to leave a note in a hollow tree
that he told me about, and that he would
always show up and hand over what
was needed."

“And he has done« it? ”

“ Yes.”

“With a mask on his face?”

“Always! 

“But you signed notes, or something
of that sort?” I “

“Yes.” ‘

“ To whom were they payable? ”

“ I don’t know. They always were filled
out in full with one exception—the name
was left out, and he filled it in when he
was gone, or that was what he said he
was going to do, at least.”

“Mr. West, this is a strange affair.”

“Oh! not so very, not so very.”

’ “Do you really mean that you don’t
know the identity of this‘man?” ‘

“I don’t know it, I have asked him,
but he never would tell. He kept his se-
cret, but—isn’t he a good. friend to me? ”

CHAPTER XX.
rmsco FRANK’S SURPRISE.

’ Peter West rubbed his hands together
and tried to show enthusiasm, but it was
a. wretched failure. Weak of mind he
was: in many respects, but it was clear
that he realized in a‘vgreat degree just
how miserably he was a slaVe to‘the-
.masked'man. ‘ ‘

Frisco Frank went on inexorably.

“ How much do, you owe him? f’

“ I ‘have not flgured’it up lately,” re-
plied Peter.

"‘ What .did

ed? ”  , t

“ Ifdoin’t exactly remember.” '

"‘Let me ‘see.your figures.”

“I haven’t them here.” > ‘

“ Go to your house and get them.”

once more the old miner was taken
with. a fit of fldgetsl He shifted, his po~
sitlon, and kept up shifting it, but rio“
movement was toward his house.

 

fit. foot up When lasting-l

you knOW‘the amount
tress? Have You anything by Wilton it.
can be learned?" . ‘ ~ I iV' .‘ . ‘
Well, no. I haven't. You See,’whalt
dbes‘ it matter? “I’m not good at figures,
and I have Just let him keep the books.
I, knew all along" that When we struck!
real. pay-dirt it would be so rich t at the
smallhums he had loaned me woul 'be of ,
,no account in comparison.",3 * .
“He has paid forearm-king the mine,
modern machinery you
now “.89.. has he???   _.
,"er-es.“ I ' i 
' “Is that a‘ mall blll?"~v .- . .‘
‘ “In ,c‘ompar son‘ with what the mine
isggolngto yl df‘when 1We strike pay;

dlrt-—yes,r sir; est.”  r , . ' .
. Hegclsarlk
been doom: and hum-

or the indebted-

'\

~ Fruco Frank; was silent.

w how west him
bugged. He was not. so clear in estimat-
lheardx the rumor-What! Warren Addison
was'wdoing. this, and eating I get Peter
so. mums his power that. rothywomd”
have immarry wrote as e her‘tather
strom mental train“ and; (collapse. Now». he
given not so;,sure.that}hip, information had
been‘rt t. It;this=,m Mamet,th had

  

“ Be frank,”‘.urged. the detective:' “‘Do i .

195 the exact {scope of the plot. He had,,.

< into on not he

     

A ' \IA

" Now, Mr. Frankfort, if you want
two-thirds of the mineiyou can have it.
Maybe it will all be in the family later
on. You used to like my,Dorothy. Why
have you come back here, unless you
wanted to. see her? If you like her, take

  
     
     
    
   
  
   
     
  
   
  
   
  
   
  
  
    
    
  
     
  

two-thirds of the mine and it will all be 

yours and hers when I die." Ell?
“Dorothy!” murmured Frisco Frank. 
“ A good girl, sir, a most noble girl! " or?
“ True.” ' _7 '7.
“Will you take the minewand Dor— "

othy? ” , I
Peter had suddenly grown eager. His- , 

old eyes lighted up and he straightened -;
his bent form noticeably. He had a hobby
that.pleased him, and he ’wanted to see _' I
it carried out. He. had come to Frank»
fort with that object and no other. ,

“What does Dorothy say? ” asked
Frisco Frank. - ' _

“I have not asked her. I thought ,2
maybe she would—"that is, it will be just
as well for you and her to settle that.”

“ Right, Mr. West, right! I forbid you 1
to mention me in any way to her. But—7 I 
does she ever mention me? " l

“Often, Mr. Frankfort. often!” .2,

“What dbes she say?”

“'Oh, I tell, her you are a fine man-
and she says she has heard of your good
detective work; and then I tell her how
great a business head you have, and she'
says it takes brains to succeed in detec—
tive work. And the other. day I told her
you would make a-good husband,,and she
said she had heard you were never un .,
kind to prisoners. xYou see, sir, s . , 1
praises you highly. r ' *‘

If Frankfort did not see that, he did
discern the natural evasions of a skills
in] woman, and he could understand that:
Peter had been urging the point with '
Dorot y only to have his attempts evaded ;
perslfiently. 4 ‘ i ‘

 

 
 

 

  
  

/.

  
          
  
 

n

     
    
             
    
   

  

It ‘curred to him that diplomacy and
consideration for Dorothy alike re—
quired him to drop this subject, and. he’ ,
headed Peter off just as he was going to
begin another speech. ,

" This masked man,” he interrupted.
“When did you see himllast? "

 A month ago.” ' ‘

“ Where is this hollow tree,where you I p (v
leave letters for h ?" i i,  , ' 

“ OVer' yonder, “not a quarter of Ia'nrile
away. It’s the, one" with ithe broken
branch that hangs straight'down." ‘,

“ I see it. Mr. ‘Westgido you want my
help in this?"9 . ,  _. '
nu Ygs'n‘ ‘ i-ylv  w l‘ v > . I _ ‘

“Then‘write to your unknown and tell
him you want to see him.” '

‘ '.will, Mr. Frankfort.” _ ,

tis hng time that you knew him’. A‘
Write and t 1 him to call on you at a
stated .time. Does he come to. your
house?” w w l ‘ V . ,
“Oh,, no; we meet at the mine, by
night”, ” ‘ I . ' 
, “ Good!
called for

     
     
     
     
       
      
    
 
      
       
 
  

     
        
  
      
      
    

I
\
l

        
      
      
    
   

 
 

Let the next: meeting The; 
that place. tweet“ "be at " - ._
handpi” wantto see. museum“ 
friend.” ‘  .‘j  a  ll  “
‘f You-:eyou wo‘n’t deeming...» an-i
noy himi’fs ' ". - .9.  :f  ‘ ‘
, Peter Was‘stmkwmthffi sudden fear. 1‘:
but~Frlsco Frank; deleted: him. - v s
g “ Rely upon ins, sir. 'I‘ will deal with .-
the_case ,withpru'denCe. I want to know
he he inbuil- 1mm. him to remain jg.
rant army interest in,the‘case. I
want to keep out of his sight: More, I
want you to drop my name in. talking» 3,.
with Dorothy. ‘ Inbrief, I desire youmoQbB  ‘ a.
silent aboutrme to all.” ’ _ x 7 "
'«J‘Tnejminer thought he saw blames}
clear [to new successes as. he'regar‘ded  
these step}; and he promised readily;
some fur in time was devoted to i-m-e’
pressing the need 'of’sec‘recyupon him ‘ 
and then they parted. _West*l, mov 
away with his form .bent "slinky. but?
there wash‘new elasticity. his 
yeah/ought he ’saw",hls’way clearto,
genmcire money for-.Claim 47.x?   ‘ ‘ 
v i“. Uni rtun‘ate'mss!” muttered the dc:- ' .
tectiye. $1He,has'ggne dart overblown; 
,ren mi  and  ' immune he has ’ o't "

       
       
       
  

  
 

     

 
 
  
 
 
    

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V imputed. rig-ts  
1k W'hfirfl‘ ‘  ” Kiwi-«3‘

     
  
    

 

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lars in debt, but it seems that even he.
does not know how much the amount is:
The case is pitiful, both for him‘ and
Dorothy. Poor Dorothy!”

Frisco Frank was ready to go back,
but he paused to look at the headstone
again. There it was, with its lettered
attempt to keep Homer Addison’s mem-
ory in mind, but, as the detective looked,
a smile appeared on his face.

“The half is not, told!” he murmured.

He turned and went down the hill.,

Returning to the hotel he again in—
quired and searched for Little Alf, but
the youth was not to be found. His con-
tinued absence, coupled with that of Rob—
.ert Rover, was suggestive.

The detective went to his private room.
1t was half an hour later when he was
informed that Mayor Everell wished to
see him. This promised something, and
Frankfort directed that the august oifi:
cial be shown to the privaze room.

He came without delay.

The rotund mayor could make a good
appearance when he tried, and he was
smooth and oily when he entered. He
sat do n on invitation and had some—
thing 0 say about the weather And the
latest mining reports. He discoursed'
with enthusiasm of the prosperity of
Glory Gulch, and prophesied a great fu-
ture for the camp, which was hardly pos-
sible, when it was considered that it

‘ perched on the mountain side like an

eagle’s nest on a crag.

All this'was preliminary, and' to make
himself agreeable. Presently ,‘he took a
different subject. .

“ Warren Addison had
night," he'remarked.

“ Is he able to sit up yet?!’

‘f Bless me, no! He is still a. very hick
man—the shock is what he suffers from.
To one in his weakened condition it was
terrible.” , ,

“No doubt. I Would like to see him
to-day.”

“ImpOSsible! Doctor Gifford says he
maybe able to see callers in a week or
ten, days, but not before." '

“What does he isay about ithie‘ trag-
cdy? ” r .

“Mr. Frankfort, his life depends upon

a fairly good

keeping him wholly quiet"; and it is im- ,

possible to mention it to him. He is
beginning to talk, however, and he has
to-day entrusted me with an errand."
Frisco Frank saw that something was
coming; - ‘
V 1‘,‘ That’s’a hopeful ign," he responded.
3 ‘f Yesterday Warrenmade his will.”
“ So ‘1” have heard." ‘ ' r.
“Yes. The'death'of his brother made
it necessary. That new Will.of course
supersedes all previous ones, so the
wishes to take. action,acoordlngly;, He
has sent me to ydu to' request you to re-
turn to him that previous will which is
now in’ yourpossession’!“ 
It was a remarkabldspeech in many
ways, but, chiefly, it lsurpriSedthve de-
tectlve greatly. llehad told nobody of
the will‘he held, and ,Baraichias Bee had
promised to be equally silent. Had Ba-
.mchias proved false to 'his trust?
' "This was the natural deduction, but
a trap might lurk behind’ the announce»

‘ ’ment."
‘ ;"Why ‘should I have his will?

sue-
‘mandcd Frisco Frank. assuming 60. be
“surprised by the words. \
“Well, as to that I don’t know. 'Still,
as you hays it,‘-the point is plain." '
1‘ Tomb it looks very confused.”
“Not at all.. You have the old will;
Warren wants it; I am hereto get it for.

a“...

CHAPTER xxx- _ "

b , A _DEMAND son ' THE WILL.

5 Though the" mayor’s manner was mild
and amiable, Frisco Frank knew that the

‘ fight was on. It was surprising that the

conspirators had taken‘the step, but it
was, clear that they wanted the will and.

 int edto'nave_ltnpqeslbie.. _
‘ 4 ‘%in I ask.“ the demo m. replied, '

Riv-by should I hege-
' it ' Lsay‘that‘po

She-3 Vii 1??" ‘h,

         

  
   

I

 

1' 

 

It is superseded by the fact that you
have it.” w ' r v. .

“ How 0 you [know that I have it? ”

“Warren Addison,” continued Everell,
“ wishes to prepare for all possible con—
tingen‘cies. He has a will later than the
one you hold, and he desires to gather
in all older ones.”

“ if I have what you claim I think I
will hang to it:”

“Since he has made a, new one, yours
is not worth the paper it is written on.
Why do you want it?”

“ If,it is 'without value, why does he
want it?” c

“He ’wants all that is his. Until he is
dead~let us hope that will not be for
many years—~his wills, new or old, are
his private property."

“Since he has the one you say is the
only legal paper he ‘should be satisfied.”

“ Do you refuse to give up the one you
hold? "

“ I have not admitted that I hold any? "

“Yet, you ,do hold it. Somehow that
paper was lost; I know not how. It was
found by a vagrant named Barachias
Bee, and by him given to you. You have
it now, and Warren Addison wants it.”

" He can have it on one condition.”

“ What is that? ” i K -

“I will give it into his own-hands, but
not to others.” , ‘

“But he is too ill to, see you.”

“ He was well enodgh to make a new
will, 1am thid.” '~

“You would'harrow this sick man to

his grave!” exclaimed Everell, his oily
manner deserting him at last.
' “ I would do nothing of the sort. Let
me go to him and have the assurance
from his own.‘ lips that he wants this
paper back and he can have it.”

“Sir, you are unreasonable. Warren
can see nobody, and we will not have
him worried into his graVe," I say. A
man ofVYOUI' DOSition in life should have

some in gment.”

“I think! I have. and my judgment"

tells me that neither Warren Addison
nor yourself need to worry much over
a. paper that you declare is utterly worth-
less." x ‘ '

“ Outrageous! ” , '

“What's the matter with. this new
will? ” demanded Frisco Frank, pointed-
ly. What is its weak point? There
must he one, or you would not be so
anxious to get the older will» into your
hands.” ‘ ' ~ I
- Mayor Everell’s face flushed. ' .

“ My hands, sip-mine? Why, sir, it is
Warren that wants it.” x

“ It: seemsto me that-your sick man
wants eyerything except "the clearing up

.offthe “mystery of the murder.” "-

“ What do you mean, sir-ii”

“ Thls- illness of his isasuspiclouamiie
.is well”en‘ough.,to- make ~wills.and send
errands which relate only to’useless pa—
Ders, yet he is not well enough! to, help
clear lip the mystery,of his/brother’s,
death.” , 7 ‘  . '
Doesn’t Doctor Gifford know just,
what he east endure? z , ‘ 

“ The doctor; probably knows-v very
well!” answered the detective. , '

“Then give slime heed to» what he afl-
vises." ' ‘ . ,, ' , l,

“When the dOCtor takes a, course
which meets with the requtrements oi

law..1ustice'and reason he will and me
quick to co-operate with him. ‘ Do you.

expect me to do so now?’ I have’he‘en

bullied by him, and he has drawn arts;
volver upon me. You‘lknow my return to.1

Glory Gulch has ‘not been marked by

particularly pleasant’ events.oEven you

have scarcely aided to give ‘me a~good
Opinion of the happy family of the West
Slope,‘and, until '
80110.9. radical change, it' will he uses
less to «ins to play into your hands.
You prob biy knew this wheifyou cams"
Everell rosesuddeniy. '
,"I came to ’test your r
and Justice}; , i , .- . , ,
"'Youmneedsno’tgsti  I  Hg,
“What newness}? " '

 

at . is immaterial“ r

  
    

, r a was ram
5 “if '  

’i

xture. Not out

‘n to be comparediwith. the
matters have under- a

, ‘ , : Mine."
_, rd for an

_. mining property! H150. whys-1
compel-cit with W‘..le“‘0f”

       

 

   
   
  
  
  
  
   
   
  
  
  
   
 
  
  
    
   
  
  
   
   
    
   
  
     
  
   
   
  
  
    
   
   
   
      
    
  
    
    
   
    
   
   
   
     
  
   
    
  
  
  
     
  
  
  
  

The mayor looked critically at the.
speaker. He could'hardly have received
a more indefinite response, but presently
he moved toward the door. .

“I have done Warren Addison’s bid-
ding," he remarked.

With this he passed out-and closed the
door after him. ,

Frisco Frank kept his seat and calmly
lighted a cigar.

“The show will now begin!” he mur-
mered. “'I‘he gauntlet is fully thrown
down. I don’t know just what they had.
in mind in making this demand, but it
looks like a bluff. They may, have
thought that I could be decoyed into giv-
ing up the paper, but now must see that
I have it for keeps; ‘so they will now
fight me tooth and nail. Let the fun he—
gin; "

Satisfying himself that he was free:
from observation, Frisco Frank tookout
the document be had received from ,Ba~
charias Bee and read it through care--
fully. ‘

“ Remarkable!” he murmured. “ War-—
ren Addison was once my enemy—just
after he met me by the gulch he hast-
ened home, drew up this will and there—
by gave me Misery Mine as a free be-~~
quest! Remarkable!”  

The will was written in full oil-ome-
side of ,the paper. Ashe t ned it aye!”
almost mechanically he note marks in.-
pencil upon the reverse Side. At first:
they seemed to be ilieébie, but clbse 
scrutiny in stronger light brought. dis-- '
ooveries. I ' /

He 'read' as follows: ~

“Have three leading men measure: 
fully and compare with record of the
claim.” » '3

It wasan off-hand scrawl. and; at‘
first, seemed wholly foreign to anything
that might interest Frisco Frank, but on”
second reading the final words impressed
him. “Record of th claim." As the de-_ ‘
tective’s mind" went ack along the night‘-
of years hed'remembered that the‘term\
meant something in the history of Glpryw
Gulch. . ‘ - w  ‘

The first\' prospectors were seven in}
number. By the, time they were ready
to stake out claims their number
been added to one-half, ‘and fourteen men
drew choice or claims, and each of ~tfi¢§
fourteen chose his land by {pt and duly»
marked it. ’ “

Other settlers came more slowly, 
the end‘ otthe year saw only twenty».
three miners and a like number of;
claims. , .‘ ‘ 

Among the first lot w afman {roman
Eastern .State, who had b nfan‘empihyeer,
of a land concern in former years...“ “
was the first of the“ original Stakersr *
claims to die. and Frisco Frank he er
had seen him, but, tenvyears'betonei of
day the detective read the note ‘Tonfiho
back of the will, stories of the 
staker’s devotion to. forms ’ and scare»
monies wereotten .toid‘. " . ~_

Most orthese had no intemstto Fran "
fort now, but herecalled the fact than?
care was 'iiaken to make every clams
valid, and soproof against all legal ’ '
plicatlons that might. ensue in 
was‘there a. full"

' l

    
   
   

in official q ' era, butthere 
plicate in‘ Glory gulch when m
there before.” ‘ w ’

  
 

“To‘ what should theme“ -  H
the claim " refer itnot to these old:- ‘
ordsa. . g l   *, s a ‘ j

" Bum wondered the detective, 1“ M
claim whe'td-be measured, and why;
records?

    
  
    
   
  

»*si-v¢,’;u'd. tot: , ,
tort, of San Francisco's“ my» ,

    

and claim lathe, mine I, now ‘
mine being commonly; 

 
 
   
  
 

f‘ Singular-l ”-  
“Can he have intended to muslin?

 
   

   
  
  
  

   
 

. sou. thinking, the ‘detecilv
had . himself once}, been

   
 
  

that/in!

    

 

" J   [iFri'sco  at ,

 

 

 y.  h. 
y r, 3  , .

 

 

Claim 10, so called; \Vhen he was warned
out of Glory Gulch he sold. the mine and
it had another owner now.

Misery Mine, the possession of War-
ren Addison, lay directly south of this
land which Frisco Frank had once opcr~
’ated. He recalled its olden appearance
well, and any resident Would tell the
story that it had been a tract which
none of the original claim-stakcrs had
cared to take up. It lay unworkcd until
.after Frankfort left town, but it had
H‘ since become the most paying area of
a ,land in Glory Gulch.

All this the detective now recalled, and
he did not pass it by lightly, for soon he
left the hotel.

First he hunted up a man who had
been one of the original claim-stakers.
 ‘He would surely know where the old

records were. The records were wanted.

   
    
   
    
     
   
  
  
  
   
  
  
   
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
   
 
    
 

 

. CHAPTER XXII.
_ THE DURYING—GROUND MYSTERY.

‘ Frisco Frank found the old settler, but
did not find the records. He was told
» cithat they were in the possession of an-

'. other, old-timer, who was absent from
,.town, but was expected back within a
' “day or two. It was necessary to wait for
his return, but the de.ective and a long
alconversation with the inan he had called
:upon. They/spoke much of early days,
v+~ibnt considerably of the present. *

,On'leaving him Frankuort went again‘
to theihotel, and all day long he watched
 Little Alf and Robert Rover. T‘hey
‘ income not, whereupon the Watcher be-
‘ ‘ frayed considerable annoyance. In point
t fact, they were holding him back from
' taxation. There Were, certain things he
.;,'wnnted to do, and he wan-ted to preface
 ‘with an interview with Little Alf:
:That evening Frisco Frank lay down,
‘ gully'dressed, on his bed: He fell asleep,
Randi“ was past twelve o’clock- when he

  
  

   

  
  

  

 

hygathe window and proceeded to smoke. '

“The ,view was fine. Bright moonlight
“admixed with dark shado’ws‘w‘here the
mountain, peaks threw their-shapes in
routine; He’was noticing ,all this when,
one distant ridge. he Chanced to see a

   
 

a
B
.3.
g
co
m
i

  

 

‘7..'1‘hey.are like two men’carrying a‘
nrden,”lhe mused. “ What can they be
,1 (ring?! The burden is, heayy. They
" M.;t0'haVe some trouble in managing
 they remade: they pass the summit;
'1 " ‘ ’

.disap 2" _. 
ft dig it meant ‘
Recently ‘he arose. ‘
thymus

.’ {Harsh the hotelunobserved, and, once
“flit stda,,.w fixed of: rapidly.‘ .His Way

"up the, cat slope. and then beyond
.  " His face was toqu the‘ridge

  

 
  
 
 

 

 
 
   

  

the champ cemetery. : ~ ‘~ g

, ’is helicon approached; The plot of
'  was ,‘iopevn‘ fully on one side.
a us hemmediin by trees at the opposite
" _ y. He "crossed the, boundary
’33:! v ', dumbed on through the grounds.
_  came to a, sudden halt.
ths'yiotim or the tragedy has
rind. i A change 1) «Ltaken place‘
fie ‘immediatfieils'poti' or, instead, or
'rderly grayed ere-v-‘was ahzhigh,
less piles: earth. :and. catching at:
‘ ' ,I‘it‘iihtlbn‘. Frank leaned forward.‘ to
I. sit; arremsrhabio disco  ‘-
4‘ mslgrayswas open I ' , emptyi:
' a! _ “elective betrayed excitement,’butj
 [great degree of surprise."  g

.  had : snatched the body

  marks ot'the‘, adesgglwere;
’ 7  and the ghouls-we e:probn’biy'
' then limits away. but, thofa‘r for: him :
 {their-nil and pursuit" ~- , -‘. ,

then-dawns stood in place, and; use
 noticed the, linoprlptlon. he;

   

  
 
 

 
  

  

 
 

"\

    
 

  

 
   

   

  

 
   

impmswuwnh the final line: 
'* ’Rést‘ Hero in Sleep Forgiven"; 
,  “the

i

  

  

 

‘3Awoke. Discovering this, he‘ arose, sat '

I will take a. walk," he mun, ,

_ retort.

3 this [you an’» I ‘Will

:"l‘ii‘grrhithatfn sensibleh »N0,w.'f’k
i ' ‘

iraudl"? kills passive ;

covery; even their tracks had been skill-
fully covered or made blind. .

He was retracing his step-s, when he
notice-d another man in the cemetery.
it was Baracliias Bee. and Frank
walked down and joined him.

“Why are you here? "
Frank.

" Just to see the moon."

“ Do you know who did this digging? ”

“ I'pon my word of honor i know noth-
ing about it.

“Pard, this is a mighty queer case,"
he continued. seriously. “ What'mis-
chief lurks back of it? Was a living
man buried here instead of a dead one? "

“Why d you ask that? "

“ Gifford was a doctor. He might have
given the buried man a drug that would
have suspended the powers of life until
they could come again and dig him up."

“Why should that be done?”

“ Do you know enough of their plot to
say it hasn’t been done? ”

“ No, I do not."

“Then set it down as a fact that when
he was buried it was intended that he
should be dug up. Didn’t they, refuse to
let anybody see the body when people
gathered to witness the burial? ”

“ So I have been told. But there sure-
ly was a. dead man. I saw him myself.
It a living man was buried, where is the
murdered man? ”

“There are many things that are deep,
and nothing is sure in this world, but
blue-glass specs. They are reliable at
all times,”

Nothing could‘ be dbne; and, carefully
erasing their own footprints, they re-
turned to the town.

Frisco Frank went to his bed, and a
period of rest followed, but the adven-
tures of the night were not',yet over.
He awoke with the impression that an
unusual sound had aroused him.

'l‘ne moon had shifted around, and its
light/now partially radiatedvhis room.

At first nothing was ‘to‘be seen or
heard, but soon these was avstir like
that or ahuman being softly moving.
Frisco Frank reached for his revolver,
and assumed an 11 right position.

" Halt! ” he exci’a med. “ Stand where
you are, or I’ll'shoot! ”'

A brief lull. Then Frank, saw the arm
of the unknown rising. -' ‘ , .

f 6“ Stop! Hands downer I fire! "

W The hahd tell." V - ,

“ Now, I Want to see you. Walk into
the moanlighti.” was the command from
the bed. i . " .

demanded

 

CHAPTER XXIII.

rmsco FRANK ,oxvss‘ WARNING... '
‘.“I’ll be blamed of I do!” was ‘9:-
clalmed. ' ,’ », 
“ You'll be shot-it.yon don'ti'f was the
“Come with!" ~. 4 ‘
The order was obeyed. The---intruder
stepped into the, light-13nd Bad Benson
was revealed. , ‘ , ,‘
“Aha!” from Frank. 5'80 1 meet an
old acquaintance! What are/you doing,
in my room?!’ - - i .
f‘Nothinfi. I' mhde a "mistake in the:-
roomii" ‘ v i \

 .“A. bad mistake, very! I? was not

,your only mistake: . You came to rob

me. How have you made out?" . ,i
\z“! tell yer I made“ a mistake in ther

. J 111.. You ain't got nothin’ I want”.

run

, ad son: did you; ever; tell the
truth by accident?” 'I  r . ,

‘ See 'hyer, you, em live tar get out o',
_ aveasettieme‘nt-j—i
Bet'yer ,li-f8 -,_on that" "’ milliger avér-red
"the bully. ‘ 'i ‘r, ' ., , . _
V“I,know your ways. 11 big. "loaxerl,

’sta‘indnby‘vyonder wan'wfui hands :wen:

"(when
A "suit:
:00 I ‘ k‘unowjiproizeedem to 

down. i More: what, do ;.

imp,".vprezpise .ov'sif, and discoveries {of

    

this? I "   oi the” carpet:

    
_ In ' a \youbwmifls 89???

  

 

.1’ ‘ N ‘  (i:

 

  

s
‘. '8
i

The moouli

ght showed him what was

there!

“Benson, your plot has failed! A
small quantity of gold-dust. Why did
you put it there?"

“I didn't put it thar.“

“Of course you did. Now, who or-

dered you to do it? Talk to the point.
To” me the name of your employer!” _

“P-ard. I assure you that you are
wrong—"‘
“ Don't lie. Out with the name!”

Frank stepped closer to the bully, the
revolver too menacing to be misunder-
stood.

“ I tell yer I got inter'ther wrong room
by mistake," he persisted.

“ You never told a more transparent
lie, Benson. You were to rob me of cer-
tainithin-gs, and .were to leave this bag
of gold-dust, the purpose being to haVe
me accused of stealing it. Benson, I am.
sorely tempted to shoot you in your
tracks, but shall have to let you take
yourself and your miserable life away
this time. Tell your masters that when
they repeat this scheme I‘ll pin their ears
to the whipping-post, sure. Now git!”

Frank tessed the bag of gold to the bad
man as he spoke, and Benson slouched‘
tOWard the window, stepped out on the
piazza, and dropped to the earth below.

The detective looked after him thought-
fully. ‘

“I will have the landlord shift me to«
morrow. It is necessary for safety. It
was a wily dodge to place dust here, but.

on." v i
The next morning Frank ate a peace-
ful, breakfast, but it was not long before
‘there was an outburst in the camp. The
miners were not all at work when re-
markable news was brought that Homer
Addison's grave had been robbed and
left vacant!
It was the first case of the sortin Glory
Gulch, so was a new sensation. -
Man-killing was common, but grave-
robbing was a novelty. ‘ - ‘
Frisco Fran went ,along with the
crowd toward the cemetery. .
Doctor Gifford and Mayor Everell were
among those who went, and it wasiclear
that they were a seripusly disturbed pairs
For a time they had questions to aski‘ot
everybody, and the doctor mounted to a.
rock and made a Speech in which he told
,the listeners that a dastardly 0 me had
been "committed'. More; he wit ted the

once. i,  . . ,

Sheriii“DOWé came to the front, too,
and he asked the citizens to turn out and
help hini search, but only a small party
volunteere . Such as it was he finally,
got in motion, and the hunt was begun.

Frisco Frank, with seeming small in-
terest in the affair, started toward the.
hotel, but had not goneiar when he Was

of Claim 47: ~ ' _V , ‘”

“Ain't you goin’ ,ther wrongg'sm?;.;."
Tommyasked., ./,f‘,. 

“ How about your own  12"x ‘ ,

“ Same as yours." return "the supeb
intendent, witnosgrinnifssw. hard, I
don’t want to} meddle; but I noticed one
thing. You kept out :9? menu“. but You
wasn‘t unseen. 'iGittord‘ looked at
you, but not lovin'ly. 'Kin he suspect that
you did the; rqbbm’?-” ’ ‘

CHAPTER XXIV.

l
.

 

u     
Sumwts.” replied the detective.  " '

‘-‘ Say/T Went on Wrenn, “I. \don't go&

'hefliord dukeiin Warren Addison's“-
fairs? ’{ . ’ ‘ 
“ Well asked. Why do you think it is

I I"

“ Thei- doctor maybe va»‘bléssed 809‘!”
‘man,” answered we superintendent ,4
deep inter Warren’s,sifsirs from-[then hay?!

mner." j I =

  

 

grave-robbers detepted and. seized at.

“ but I don’t taketei- him. He 

it has failed. It must not succeed ‘lator' '

no great shakes 0n Doc Gifford. Why is -

,‘g-innin‘- Et‘was hisplan that‘hephou'ld; '

Joined by Tommy Wrenn, superintendent;   ,

nonnnr'novrzn snows nos'riLn.v~,  “ 

"\I

r. y. 1‘

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 Jennison brought Homer into town over

 the boy’s part on. an be

.  and the'sptil‘; ,backsilhim up like a big

' ‘  Little Alf speaks—now he makes: a mo-
. ‘tlon [to enter.

“ r; , retreat, bat”  introduced his foot
‘..;hetween 'd

.21.,

, winter et,

gridded to the'stock of evidence, andwhen

‘there had been an evil plot hatched in

"tor Gifftird, himself, who answers the

"you‘llet'us see Wain-en Addison.’ V .
‘ : 'lt so happened that other men hadnps

’ These Frisco .Rrank’ Joined? 

 '. doctor declared,in ugly moo _‘
,l ; ,.+;}f’iWhy 30%;? sallygukedi.

 

at: i do @1113“; "

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Ther latter knew he was nigh ther end:
0' ,his life, an’ he wanted ter fix his af-
fairs. He said his only heir, so fur as
he knew, was his brother Homer; an” he
might not be alive, as he had not heard
from him fur fifteen year or sech a. mat-
ter. He said he would make a will so
that Homer could get his money of he
was alive, an’ ef he was not, ct would go
ter others.

“Ther doctor argued ther point. He
said et should all be done in a business
way, an’ the only business way was fur
somebody ter go East an‘ investigate per-
sonally, an’ he said that, as he had a bit
0‘ business that way hisself, he would
do it.” ‘

“And Warren agreed, did he?"

“Not right away. He said his brother
was as good as dead ter him, an’ that
time had wiped out all ties between
them, an’ he didn‘t care a rap whether he
proved ter be alive or not.“

“ Gifford. carried his point, though? ”

“ Yes, after a good deal 0’ argument.
He told Warren et was his duty ter look
an’ make sure Homer was
worthy, an’ that he would keep up the
family honor with ther name, ef he got
the money. Warren held out fer some
time, an’ when they separated et wasn’t
decided——but you have seen that Gifford
did go for Homer."

“How did you happen to overhear this
talk? " \

“I was nigh them. I was. layin’ in a.
cool place one evenin’, an’ they come
along an’ stopped close ,ter me.”

“Then it. is your belief that Gifford?
urged ,Warren into lettin' him go for
Homer?” , i I

if That’s. jest it.” I I
a. Tommy could tell no more, but he had

Frisco Frank parted from him it Was
with the strengthened conviction that

Glory Gulch long before the day that 801

the ine from Buckshot Bar. ‘

' After dinner the detective decided it)
go to the cemetery and see if there was
anything new. _It so happen‘edvthat he
did not reach that point: then, hoWever.

His course took him toward Warren,
Addison’s house, and as he denied it'
chanced to observe Little Alf and Rob—
ert. Rover in the street. ,

“Ah!” Frank murmured, “they turn
toward AddisOn’s house. Looks as if
they. were going to call..- Yes, they knock
 the door. '«Blttle Alf stands in front, :

 l wondercjw it the iassociation
s-'«between- them? "I don’t believe they
are laid “acquaintancos,£t Rover takes

b V _ ions. 'Anyh0w,g
they are blah? in“ cornbread 1 Will have
something“ Baylohltitlé Alt.” ' j '

The detective bad'stogiped, but he was
watching keenly. ' i '

mNow the door opens. Ah! it is Doc-
knock. I suspect, there is» ‘fun ahead.
Gifford blacks the way;
vitamin not let them‘ip. He, maltose
motion to“ retreat and close the d
hwxfll’é' spoficomes to theiirontt 
_ ‘ Robert , Rover had ste‘poed forward,
ands.“ theghostile manner of the patty
was notediitsm plain that the inter-,-
view wdp‘liable to bring exciting-events
later om-  _. , ’- ‘ ,

., "The ,smgiiwss‘mot more wocesstui
than Littlei‘rAjlt, for Gifford: started to

octane

I easing.
"“\Wait! ",hé direéte’d.  I demand that

preached "and now ;stood ,gs‘ auditors;
' " You can‘t see Warren Ad; ‘Ason! "the

newt;

  
 
  

  

i Np .eutfil._ a“

Imehed to. the rescue. -

,;.do you say???-

lowedgto   he
. x L... ‘1‘ flf,"!.4‘.

 

“ Farce, sir’éfarce? ” L 

“Nobody lfevllieves the sick man is as
bad off as you claim.”

“ I don’t care a rap what they believe.
I am his physician, and will protect him
from idle curiosity and needless agita—
tion.“ ‘

" I want to see him on business."

"‘A moment ago it was this boy "—
motioning to Little Alfe-“who wanted\
to see him.”

“It is still he, but I have needs in that
quarter, too.”

“You may as well go away;
not see him." ‘ I

Little Alf stepped impetuously for-
ward, his face full of feeling.

“Why are you so afraid? ” he cried.

“ Afraid?-of you? Well, I reckon
not!” sneered Gifford.

“Afraid to have‘the sick man seen.

you will

What secret, are you hiding-what
crime?“ f
“Crime? Beware, boy, beware!"

Gifford was trembling. with anger, and
his hand hovered around a pocket where
a revolver might rest, but Rover made
an imperious gesture.

“No .threats here! DOn’t think that
you own Glory Gulch. Even if you did,
it is only a small part of the world, and
there are forces that .can reach you.
Stand aside! Let us in!” -

Once m'ore the\sport tried to pass, but
Gifford drew the revolver.

“Keep away! Keep off, or I’ll shoot
you dead!” .

“ Put up that toy!” coolly directed the
sport, looking his opponent full in the
eyes. “I do not fear it, nor can you
frighten anybody here. You“show the
weakness of your cause; you reveal how
deSperate is the crime you seek to com-
mit. Crime. sir, crime! Do you under-
stand? Your sick man‘is strong enough
to do other business, but not this. Isn't
that a striking affair? Is he strong
enough to do other things? Has he done
them, or is it all a plot on your part}
Are you humbugging all of Glory Gulch
as you are bldffing .the' town‘? ”

.It wasplain talk, audit was hard for
the doctorr to bear. There were inter-
ested. listeners. ‘ .

“ I will listen 'to you no longer!”- be
declared. “ Both you and your ally are
drunk. I'll not daily with "yew-J

Headless of the revolver, Rover threw
himSelf against ‘ the '- doctor. "driving the
doctor back, and thus passing within the
housen" ‘ » ‘ _  ‘.  ~

.‘.‘I aim going to. see the'siek man!"
Robert“ exclaimed, but heyhad hot reck-

oned on. the odds. A warning cry canie 

from Frisco Frank, and MayOrEyerell‘

. 1 ‘ I“ i
i ‘  CHAPTER XXV. __
‘ T‘ THE MEN IN HASTE.- 1  ,
Frisco Frank had ~not A‘n :Ev‘ereli
soon. enough 'to render“ a y (real help,
whatever he might have been glad to! do.
Thus, the mayor had a clear field, and
he improyed it. Passing the crowdquici‘g.
1y, he reache ' the door andrseizedé Rob- .
ert‘ Rover fro behindi {I I , '
"No violence!" he excisim V   
Perhaps he did not know just whether

 

,Was haying, for he proceededrto maybe

violence himself. He ,pulled  at‘»
Renews coat, and as Doctormiford 

- i . x . . .1 was“
’hoyfilfi; fn‘Vthe same directié'gy; guffath
"Was- fOi‘tied outside the door; .5. . i « .

:“The mayor seemed abou‘éWo _ V
that he. was an officer of legend he

raiseddiis arm with the verykpinmf [n.w’“
tention or dealing a blow, Robert .,

Shoot: himself loose " and‘drew we, revel?
er.,..v~ -  

".Géfitlemefih that will down at; an!

351mm». ,“rlf there is more trouble here

it, M“ be“ with. shooting—irons.‘ What" ‘ ‘ ' 

30th: Giff "rd:  Everell  out to?
gather, bidding gas

Sport; ‘ but he_:»ans¥iered, with 
‘ H ” " '{arétiierdébp'
debt 

 
  
 
     

, of ruflianly tactics.

forget." , '

h Other shoot. the?

  

  
 
 
 

   
  
   
  
   
   
  
   
    
   
    
 
 

“Never mind Dowel” interrupted
Robert. “ You will not arrest me.”

“That's just what we will do!” de—
clared Everell. “We have had enough;
Go for Dowel ”

“Here he is, now!” cried a bystander..

The sheriff broke through the crowd
and reached the chief actors.

“ What’s wanted? ” he demanded.

“I call upon you to arrest this man:
for riot and assault!” explained the- I
mayor with emphasis. '

“ What! this Robert Rover? " »

“ Yes.” ~

“ All right; away he goes to the lock-
up. Come with me!" and he reached
out to touch the sport. '

“,I am not going! " coolly responded.
Robert. . - ‘ ‘

“By thunder! you will find you wilii -
Why, no man can defy me thus. I'll
take you, and I will charge you with
resisting arrest, too—”  .

“Wait a bit, sheriff!” directed Rob‘s» “
ert. “ Let, me explain why‘ypu will .
not do this. It is because good Mayor
Everell will tell you not to do it. He
will order that I go free.” I.

“Never!” exclaimed the chief official.
of Glory Gulch, loudly.

“An error on your part You will do; _
as I say, and the reason is that—J _. 'i

Robert leaned toward Everell mar
whispered a few words that were heard
by nobody else. It was not a. long sens"
(once, but it seemed to"“be full of meddle .
ing. The bullying air of the maymshd» -
denly vanished. He recoiled from the
sport and his expression -' lost ’35! 
strength. Frisco Frank knew that a.
center shot had been made, but how3‘ii‘.
was’ done he could act tell. ‘ ‘4'" 

Boyer was now smiling withhca ("aim
unconCern. He faced the crowd, and, s. .
continued in .a pleasant voice that ' '
as striking as his severe 'speechof a.
moment before. . ‘ ,  5

“Fast is,” he laughed, " Mr. Everelii
and myseu are both practical 
We both like-a good jokes—when it‘lifi'te,
Somebody else. When we get h‘it—‘-Wll-,s
you know that is dinerent. Temper, it;
bubble up for a. moment, butan "It
feelings are felt. New, Evereil ‘1;
not think of having the arrested:
not right, mayor?” , 

There Was ‘a brief lull. The,
was silent, but he was making an“
to collect himself. wWhat smug;
had to overcome. nobody but Rover
himself knew. .. Selfeeontroli 
but lie-finally found his speech. ' ‘

“ SomeJoltes are alliright.” her
"They have to be taken.
there will, be no arrest. Sheri,
command you tociesr thwstreets
a crowd, and. so much land 
willw'glo harm to tho-sick. 

    
      
 
      
         
      
        
 
     
     
       
         
        
              
    
       
  

   
  

   
 

    

 
 
     
 

  
 
     
      
 

   

         
 
        
   

      
  
 

   
  
         
     
 
       
 

  
 
      
       
      
  

 
  
  
  

   
    
  
  

  
 
 
 
  
  
   
 
  
   

   
      
  

   

   

miners; We  t have  
Wmn “diesel. 80m “5. scum:
emptory, but s‘ojflit is. Movedheni 

   

The. sherim looked bewildered, 
i"obeyed with alacr’ity». He _ made-
{or the men; and the miners went.
:  Frank was not 80M , .
 [inst a'rock andpajd "'
ble‘ atte floats anybody. bu
the.3consplrators keenly}!!! ,ai:

 
    
      
  

   
 

I

     
   

  
   
  

  
     
 

hoggsaw the  f .

    
     
     
  
  

 
 
  

 
   
 

 did not: as, he i  ,
splinters  his presencai . ’

   
      
   

  

    
    
  

  

 
   
 
        

iytplélvetell. '« ,

' “I’ir  taping;
.emhnlyaandi  ,.j.uus; ‘  »
down the Itwet'iwkn um; ,
Lbefgiud     

4  Maniac, one ., ~

Frisco Frank.  

niche discos. ’ , 
are He  no 
' '  s 

 

 

I

' .the hotel he sen-t his name to both Rob; ‘

l

4
«—

“ Imam sorry "’»he mused, “that they
"made this attack. It has shown the
enemy more clearly that there is a strong
current setting in against. them, and will
make them more guarded. I can manipu-
late all the attacks that are necessary.
I believe, however, that_Litt1e Alf and his
side-partner will contriVe to be danger-
ous from this time on.”
It seemed that Robert possessed some
1 poWer of controlling Everell that Frisco
’ 13?er did not have, for it was fright
and nothing else that had led the mayor
,to drop his project of arrest; but the

4 ‘ power, whatever it might be, was not

sufficient to emboldcn the sport .to press
the demand for sight of the sick man.
That might be explained by the theory

, ‘ that if the conspirators allowed such a

thing to happen they might as well give
dip everything. Robert had known when
to stop. ‘

When the detective finally returned to

art and Little Alf, asking to  them.
,Word came that they were not in, but
he noticed that suppers were carried LO
their respective rooms. The explanation
was not to be misunderstood.

. Itwas nearing bedtime that evening

1 when Frankfort happened upon Barn-

chias Bee. 2 The latter suggested a walk.
and, though the idea at‘first'had no at-
traction for the detective,/ he finally
concluded tofigo. ‘

The vendor of blue-glass spectacles

* was about as much in his confidence as

anybody else, and he was worth humor-

' ing. . , _.

The vendor of blue-glass spectacles
was about aslmuch in his confidence as
anybody else, and he‘ was worth humor-

" ing. ‘ ’ '

. Theywandered off, and were soon tout-

raidether’town. On. an elevated \point

(they 'sat‘down Where they could see the‘

.gtown in the valley and the glimmer of
bathe moon on the mountain peaks.
, 'rachias‘ soon proved that he. had
' more than. idle wandering in View} He
pettistbd that he was a genuine peddler
 spectacles, but stated'that’ he had
 Glory Gulch dr'y. He wanted to
move on to‘another town, or else " have
dome excitement if where he was.
, "Can 'you promise "me a‘chance
."flghtihghere? ” he added. *’ , ‘
L 1‘fPossibly Bad Benson"“-mi'ght accom-
»m§6date you,” Frisco Frank suggested.
. f‘ That‘ain’t it.
“of trouble to settle, here,

for

38m, to arsuffering World, but if I .can
help you. in any muss, just you say so.
 rgady‘for the racket at any time."
,»~‘Subsequent talk ‘prox’ed that flare-
Wellies ’ wad- sincere, and .he. , argued the
“.pol’nt at" considerable length. The de-
iz. lve was willing- to have his aid, but
P. émpnpttprepared to unfold his busi-
“v'ties's; and ‘this delayed‘ asunderstanding
.f.m‘ruu. ' ~
  they talked the moon roseabove

the [Mk5 and flooded the valley. Mid-r

«night-Was at'hand,', nd the lightsof
ry, ,Guloh had at ‘ppeared. For a
time: itrmight: have been ,thOugiht

at gth‘dy.;were the, only persons aatlr,
presently, Baraehias; broke oil! in a
 ' rk. and looked awaysharply.“ y,

i ' a-lloi‘thieré goes somebody! " he ex-‘

enlaimod, “See'him overtherc'l". it
' "lie isr'uiming rapidl‘y.".‘ i ;
“iiYeswand toward? the towns-T”   r
' Heseems to be an alone, but‘his legs
 take him into company.‘ May-

has run upon» the omamustmtana "
_  59365“? ‘ “cf 2  ' ~ . W "
%.%eii, We don’t need to..‘wohder over .

I)
..

i

Dosplt'e this conclusion ythey. watched

Wither, manldisappeared- at the. edge

the. town; Then they, continued their

,hut. mechanically: é‘vwatched the

 nd more closely.
Bertie-bias ho made a'disc'overy.’

’i’Therefs alignt'moving down there,"

’  i » .‘ " 1

'hfigwmved.“
this ways 00

1 .

lg

You have some sort.
. Can I help:
, you? It is my mission to ‘sell blueoglass

predecessors; and Gifford» broke
 silence imp. loud tone,'that was plainly '

Again it
' «bein’, filled ubflrémonstrat

- ' " "5‘ will“??? a4} .l
Embodtgfiaiir with .95 lantern”.    Th ,iimt

 

way. I can see a pair of legs with lt-.
yes,,more than one. Several persons are
on the move, and they advance toward
us.”

“ All hurrying, too."

"I wonder if there is connection be-
tween hem and the man .we saw run-
ning down the slope? They are follow—
ing the course he took.” .

“Maybe the are going up to the
cemetery,” sug ested Barachias, as a
joke. ' “\
“Their course, if kept up, will take
them there, but it is only chance. It is
not likely any more graves have been
robbed, and nothing else would take
anybody there at this time of night.
Speak carefully! They are near us now,
and the leaders of the town are only
too ready to find suspicion in my slight-
est action." '

“ Five oi‘ six of them._ Say. they head
straight for the cemetery!"

“They are likely to branch off. I see
nothing that would take them there?
but they really enter tihe cemetery. What
does it mean? I am interested in this.
Let us move that» way and watc ."

\

CHAPTER XXVI.
'mm onavnvano MYSTERY.
Frisco Frank and Barachias rose
quickly and moved down the slope. The
party of which notice had been“ taken
were in the cemetery, and another strik-
ing fact soon came to the \detective’s

netice.

“They seem 'to be near tine, grave of
Homer Addison,” he remarked.

“ So they do, by ginger! ” agreed Bara-
chias. “What are they doing?"

“Nothingjust now. They stand in-
active; ‘even the lantern does not waver.
They are in a group—they seem to stand
without anything to do. That does not
run in the same groove with their late
haste. Let us seek the shelter of the
trees, and thus keep ourselves concealed.
I am» Willing‘to go light.” ‘

It was easy to get to the desired

.oover unseen, and this was done.

"’ilt's Homer’s gnave, sure_’ enough,”
added Barachias. *
“ Jupiter! ” exclaimed Frisco Frank.

“ What?” ',

“ Don’t you netice anything peculiar?”

“ No. What is it? " i. . __

“ The grave ‘has been filled up.”

“ Well, well, that’s so. How do you
account for t?“

“As to that, it would be a- simple
matter were.it not that I know it had
been left as it was up to nightfall. 01'
course, ,men might 'have been, sent to
fill‘it sincethen, but if the filling was.
done openly, why have these fellOWs
rushed here in such excitement? lt’looks
as f_‘____'y' . > a t \ -' _ ,
I “\Look! there come mere men on the
run\i They dash. up to those already
there, and appear to be quite as much-
eXCitedv—T’ ' ‘ . i

“ Do you see who deads thle new-com-
ers? Doctor Giflord is there-yes. and
Evereiliis Just back of him. Now We
shall see something worth our atten—
tion. ‘ They reach the grave! Say no
moral. Listeni”. , » ’

" parent men of Glory Gulch .were
on efs‘cene. They halted close, to’their
the

audiblefit’oithei listeners among the trees.

. } “ What is thieyopitell us? " demanded
.theidootom ’. . : . .

“ The‘grave has, been filled up‘, again."
“Who.le it?” . -'   I .
‘,‘«Nobody knows.”
‘ *‘ How was’it discovered'h’l 
.0 Danny Mulligan found it... file was
coma iii. from ther hills, an’, e hap-
pen *ter’oome this way, He' oticed-
;that'thei gr‘aivo'was tilledqaga‘in, 0 down
he run'ter tell..'oi'{i-t.”.’ ,_,  . ' ’ i
“I don’tvseeno‘ihln’ great in the grave
ed 9. miner.

I

{flB'iit who should: do],  on x the lady at ‘
Whit." ‘ ' ' ’

. this:

to fill this empty grave, and that any-
body should give the hard work, and
do it at such an hour, is very strange.“

“ Maybe it was a joke.” '

“ It is no joke to shovel earth.”

“Where is the man who found this
state of affairs? ” interrupted Mayor ~
Everell. ,“I want to speak with him.”

The man was there, and he was ques-
tioned fully. He told his story frankly,
but it was one of simplicity in all par-
ticulars. He had seen nobody around
the place, but, when. he found the grave
refilled, it had rather frightened him, and
he ran to tell of the peculiar condition
of affairs. He knew nothing more
about it.

“Maybe the Gold-Dusters did it ter be
smart," suggested a miner. '

“I cannot believe this. was done with
any trivial motive." interrupted Gifford.

«"1 agree with you," added Everell.

“But what motive could thar be?"
asked another man.

“ Gents,” broke in a new speaker,
“you know me——I‘m Johnny Plum, the
sexton. I’m used ter grave matters. 1

want ter hazard an opinion, an’ it is
Thar is a body inter‘ that grave

now! ”

“ W'hat? ” .

“ Notice how well the dirt fits. I kin
estimate dirt by the spadeful, almOst. I
think thar is a body in thar now.”

“ You think the grave would nOt be so
plump ef it Was empty, eih?”

“ Jest my notion. Whoever put the
earth back put in more than dirt, an’,
et is thar now.” ‘ i, ‘

Gifford and Everell had been listening
to, this suggestion, and it had impressed
them not a little. From their ambush
Frisco Frank and Barachias could see
that their manner, was agitated. Now,
the great men of Glory Gulch drew to-
gether and held a whispered conversa-
tion. When it was done the doctor sud‘
denly ordered:

“ Open that grave! ” ‘

“What for? It’s all filled up."

“Never mind-L—open it!”

“ Thar ain’t no spades hyer.”

“Go and get them. 'Away, and get ,,
all the spades that can be used simul-
taneously. This grave must be'opened
as soon as possible; Away! " / ‘ ‘ "

Johnny Plum and another man has-
tened down ’the slope, and. {hen Gifford
and Ever ll drew apart for consulta-
tion.. ,Ther manner showed that they
took a serious viewlot the case, and this
feeling was echoed by Frisco Frank in
his. mbush. What would follow the
.open ng of the grave he did not know,
but it did not impress/him as anything
less than-a‘ very serious matter.

“Keep your eyes wide open,” the de-
tective directed to Barachias. “There
may be a search made bfthis vicinity,
and if there is’ we must not be found.
It mightbe done secretly, too, so, watch
out that nobody leaves the party on
s y.” . .  g .
, “ Pam-d, what are theyagoing tosflndl”
, "Ask‘me something mien? ‘ ' ' v

Frisco Frank leanedng‘alnst a tree and
Watched 6 group, IC’Was‘V‘animpressive
scene;  One of the number still held the
lantern,“ but, iiiusdta'ri ,it was useless.
The moon was‘sqaring brilliantly in the
eastern sky, and its light fell fully upon
the cemetery and the\human figures. '

i

It was a picturesque scene, but n'obody ‘ '

was in,-a. romantic mood, ‘andiit
for nothing. 

After a time the men returned with
the [spades " and then the, digging
without ,de ay. Johnny Plum and one
assistant took this upon menisel'Ves, and
all . of their associates stood, .by and
watched. If Frisco Frank'was‘not so
near, he was not lessidterested. ‘ ,

Again Gifford and Everell walked apart

{all went

" and whispered. For a‘while the detective 7
was afraid they might abandon the work, 

but their curiosity, and,. perhaps, nerv-
ous suspense, was enough to prevent .
‘that.."I}he digging wanton- g . ~y

John?» Plum audible aid began, to sink ,
into . in earth grit

 

a 
side‘s pile official:

z/ “

dirt f 

 

 

 

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swimsuit: on  . v

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it was opposite'to the trees; it did not
shut off the view of, the watchers.

Lower and lower went the diggers, and ,

. then the real interest approached. In a
‘ short time it would be known what was
» at the bottom of the pit.
 There were no more whispered con-
’ versations. All of the regular party
gathered close to the rim of the exca—
vation, and peered down, as if to an-
ticipate the'revelation of the spades
In his ambush Frisco Frank leaned for-
ward as far as possible, and almost
held his breath in Ihis anxiety.»
Ten» minutes passed, and the detective

\resolved on a rash step. If the others
wanted to see for themselves, so did he.
He left cover, heedless of Barachias
Bee's warnings, and softly joined the
group. Maintaining uni-er silence, he
peered over the shoulders of the other
men and awaited the decisive moment.

Johnny Plum turned a begrimed face
upward, ' , ‘

“ My Spade touches something," he an—
nounced. not without nervousness.

(“Keep it up!“ answered Gifiord, in
a tense voice. -

“I reckon it's the—4’

Plum ceased to speak. and, bending,
wielded his spade with new care. Only
a few more motions had‘ been made When
he again looked up.

“The. coffin is here! " he announced.

It was a remarkable discovery, for the
coffin had vanished when the body went

,\ I out of sight. The Coffin was back—what
:more would be found?

Johnny had uncovered a part of the
exterior. ,He proceeded to complete the
work, and, presently. the whole top of
the' box was revealed. His statement
was prOven true. . a

“ What now? " he asked.

“Can you raise thefrbnt part of the
lid?” asked Gifford. ‘
“ Yes.” . v.

“ Do it! ” .

Johnny inserted the go of his spade
and pried for'a mome t. [It was sums
cien-t, and the lid was raised, as desired.
.He cast it back fully. A, succession of

' cries came from the'group above.

"‘ There's a body in it! " . y~

 

 

..-m~.x..;... ‘ - ~ -

’- ic—QH—y—rg—m. -'»_.w..-.

. “A man is there! "\
I ’" i" “ Who ,is it?”
 ‘ “’Tis Homer Addison!" \ ,
“ No! It is somebody else!”

‘ " Out’of the way!" ,'

. gagfavw 1-: y t ‘

beside Johnny Plum. ' r
“\The lantern!" he commanded, im-
periously. ,  f 7‘
, flight was handed to him, and he
' ,‘ ‘ its rays fully. open. the still face
3 . ~ in;th coffin. . Everyone of the party
was keenly alert and interested, and
r they: leaned forward ‘over the pit. A. my
rose in chorus: ' . ~ . . .'
“It is Homer Addison!"t , '1'
CHAPTER xan.
rmsm rmmccurs A unison.
The key in which. these criesarose
would have impressed a stranger with
the belief that something ,remtirigame
 was indicated thereby, for the, voices
j. ' 'were am of impor In pomt of fact,»
' W the men were bimpl ' astounded W the
. disédveryfl ' ~ - ‘ '
.A perlddxzofi silence followed. and than,
' deep sighs rose, and the bent heads were
raised: .5  . a"
“Whetin’the‘mrld does it mean?"
demanded {one man. - ‘ ‘ i
" This is a nigh " re," suggested an-
other. “Hompr‘ Addison ican't be back.
 Why should it,” be so?” .
""‘F hat’s his v- body."fistubbornly do;-
‘.:-‘ ca another. Vi. 1,." '

*" “,"fHowisboll‘di ’? .You never

...1 kin tell. because he to?“ “much
like won'an ddilOfl.”v-I  I,  I:
‘ “So and I- , Besides. didn‘t .1 a“, him
. p at. thohoe‘el When, he come inter cm? ..
v" “ Doctor Gifford in them m was
’ his." '23 .tfithetr - . t .

o , . .
"salt-arms. bird:
While st‘m‘ 

._,.. ..._“'4

 

  

~z *3

   

   

     
    
 
 
 

    

   
  

 350.
NW}?

Pownall Gifford pushed his compana,
ions to one side. and then leaped down'

, slowly. -

 

   

raised a singularly pale Dace toward the
whitemoon. ' \

“ t, is Homer Addison!" he huskin
rep led.

“ Back!"
again! "

Frisco Frank was taking heed of the
pair. He was studying their expressions
with intense closeness, and he could have
but one opinion. They were surprised
and frightened by the discovery.

“Why in thunder should Uher grave-
robbers bring him back?” demanded
Johnny Plum, explosively.

Profound silence followed the ques-
tion. If it mad been hard to guess why
the grave 'had been robbed, it was far
more difficult to‘understand why it had
been refilled 'wibh its human tenant. It
was thus that‘silencefell upon the group,

muttered Everell. “Back

and many seconds passed in utter in--
' was absorbed in thought, so the vendor

activity.

 He couldn‘t have come back hisself,"
muttered Johnny Plum, anon, pointing
to the body. '

The remark broke the lull, and then
everybody had something to say—all
but those who had the deepest reasons
for being interested. Giff-0rd and Ever-

ell looked at each other, but they had‘

nothing to say'until they were appealed
to directly. ‘

“Say, dooto’r," finally ,questioned a
miner, “ what in thunder do ye make 0’
this, anyhow?" _

“I don’t know.” .

“It ain't no easy job ter dig graves.
Now, why should anybody do the dig-
gin’ twice, and steal ther body only ter
bring et back? 

“It is useless to
nothing about it.”

“,1 have a theory! " exclaimed Ever-ell,
eagerly.

“What?” v . .V v

“ It has all been done by a crazy mam.”

To Frisco Frank it was plain enough
that the mayor was grasping at a theory
that would turn suspici-o away into a
new .ohannel, and’ the quickness‘ with
which Gifio'rd caught at the idea‘showed
how glad he was tohave a theory thus
advanced. ~ '

“That’s right!" he agreed, with. em-
phasis. “ You must be right, Mr. Mayor.
It can be nothing else” A crazy man
has done all this."

It was it" suggestion plausible enough

'speculate. I know

to merit. ,creden‘ce from almost any one '

not acquainted with andr part of the in-
ner history of the case, and it relieved the

{miners not a little: Most-rot them joined

in expressing their own belief in the
possibility, but Johnny Plum‘drily re-
marked: ,1 ' ’ V ~ 

p“,Ef that: is so he is a mighty good
housekeeper-.2 This work has beendone
as We] as [could do, it. Rewark—a‘tble
crazy man, I eayvi': , . _,

The gravedigger. was recorded p-as a
skeptic. but he had few followers; The
miners wanted a'theory, and they took
the only one open to them, just then.

It must h ve been dame by a crazy man,

they decided. . 

Frisco Frank had been favored by the
intense interest ‘of‘hls companions, but
he knew he could not ‘lengavoid dis-
do‘very ‘lf he, remained there. He took
his way quietly taward. the 7 trees, and
reached that cover without being "seen. ‘
Considerable talk ensued, what .there
was only one thing more to be done.
For the third time the earthwas shov-

eled. in over the body, and Johnny Plum, *

smoothed, it down with care. .
Gifford and Everell 'had rwovered' a
degree of their composure, and»‘they
directed everybody to accompany them
backmo town. One man offered to stand
as! guard, but they decided that it was
not necessary. '
There was'not much
other robbery. ' - l 
After a vain search for footprints that
might'betray‘ the ~mbbers,"t!he party
litedkoq down the mu. Them land
Emigognmwnarmlas Bee brOke along

danger ‘ of an-

“ were on masses it? v The 

  

. hear.

'tion seemed to fit like about..."

on {business‘f’u - - r

'06er

 

‘ . Stone~Bruise Trait,

“.It is a. deep mystery,” Frisco Frank
replied. ‘

" Ain’t you any suspicions?"

“I have seen no more than you. I
had no part in it, and nobody has given
me any clew." ,

“ All right. I have a notion you could
do some tall guessing, but I won’t pry
into your business. I stick to my own
line. I have blue-glass specks to- sell,
and they‘are superb. Made under my g
own supervision when I was at my home
factory. The blind see and, the deaf »
All ills succumb to the potent
char-ms of the Specks. and California
will be a new land when every man,
woman, and child have my specks on the ‘
bridge of their. nose—their noses, I
mean.” ‘

Barachias became aware that he was
talking to himself only. The detective '\

     
  
  
   
    
   
  
   
 
  
    
   
  
    
  
   
   
  
  
    
  
   
   
  
   
   
   
      
  
    
    
   
   
  
   
    
   
    
  
  
     
  
  
     
  

ceased to be heard.

They had Seen all that‘was to be ob—
served, and they did not linger mush
longer on the high land. They retraced ..
their steps, and Frisco Frank went at
Once to his hotel.

He had new food for thought, and he
gave it ample play before he slept. The
murdered man‘s body was back in'its
grave. Why? Who had brought it? "
What end had been served by stealing it
and then returning the remains?

If Frisco Frank had suspicfons he did
not put them into words, and he fell ~
asleep with the mystery on 'his mind. V

In the morning; when he went to break—,  .
fast, he found Lit’tle Alf already there..._ 
The slight youth seemed in better spirits-
than usual, for he was calm and firm,
but there was a shadowy still on "his face _ . 1
that told of troubles that worried him.

The detective kept away from him- in?
the eating room, but he was determined.
to have the interview that the boy had;
avoided the, day before. He watched
him secretly, and, ‘when 110 saw him
leave the hotel, fell in behind and fol"- v
lowed him at a safe distance. ‘  - '.

Little Alf took to the hills, and then, r- 
when the town was left behind, Frisco ‘ 
Frank haStened on and overtook him. ,
His footsteps evidently startled , the,“
youth /who turned nervously w‘h'en we,

I

deteche tame-up. _.
“Out for .a‘ walk?” cheerfully asked 
Frankfort. ~ ' l  -~  I
“’No," replied the boy, and then? he,
added, slowly, "yes." ' “ .r
The detective did not  the‘,coutra- 
dction. -  I,  t g r
“ How," he inquired, " are'yon coming,
on with your, business at Glory Gulch?"  
“Very well," eagerly answered: Little
Alf. “'i am going to take up a claim.” .,
“Indeed!” ' :. ,
“ That: is why I "am here"  V 
“Then you are 'a. miner? ”  g
“ Why,‘ of chufse." Everybody is 
you know. I,” added the yearly/win!“
a. slight swagger, ‘4‘ am a knight of: the
pick and spade", . - . “‘
‘ have you used them most?”

...-«

“ Where
di'ily'asked Frisco Frank.'

"In rivet-shed, gulch, and—-” '

"Graveyards? "‘ ‘ ’

The detective bmke in with the 

non; hefcouid not help it. The. a, ..

 
   
  
  
    
        
    
 
 

Alt it was a tmnblésometndfli‘ryg
lost his appearance in -.
changed colony Hie _ “to spoilt, .
finain succeedth  N f j   M ,
“ Absurd! "‘he‘exclaimed.” ‘fYM, jest
withmei' _ "  g  -
“ We shouid'gojstraigbtto  y .
in this world Without dents. pita "
mighty serious attain, but . jokes;
down theiéfeizity'or it and Linked:
younger, Dropping idle beaten:
Alt. let me say I hate " to

 

 
  
 

  
        
        
      
   
  

  

         
  

._y

141.): _

  
  
   
 

, Have you a. mine m‘seil?‘f—.Y'~i§ .. ,,  I
. «I regret to say libero-hot. 2-1, is; ’2
but "one mine; and I’soidifm
’y  ago. Little All. ‘1 have 
timetable of you. [saw you 
Saw Valley; when you was have 
for a horse:. I law [you 
and Pressed-mat
. at.  ~ ' ‘

l
V.

  
  
   

         
    
   
      

   

,_ ($- -, .

  

‘5 .‘.-v.\'.' i" . v.) ' 2!. . v ', s

24

Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch.

 

 

this camp. You are a. man with a pur-
pose.”

The slight youth moved uneasily, and
looked at the slope as if he wished
help would come for him.

“ I am a practical miner! " he repeated,
with dignity.

“Let us take that for granted, and
come to other things. What do you
know of Homer Addison?”

It was a blunt question.
'had intended it should be So. and he
was hardly surprised at its effects.
Little Alf fell back with a cry of deep
emotion, and his face expressed dismay
and consternation. He seemed to shrink
away, as if he would make himself in-
visible, and he had nothing to say.

“ Don’t misunderstand me," continued
Frisco Frank, after a pause. “I have
no wish to injure you. directly or indi-
rectly. I assure you that I am your
friend. You and I, however, may be able
to help each other. Regard me as a
friend, and act ccordingly.”

“ You—~you talk wildly! " gasped Little
Alf. “ I must leave you.”

The speaker

 

CHAPTER XXVIII.
LITTle Ale A’l‘ BAY.

“Wait a bit! ” urged Frisco Frank,

kindly. “Remember that you are with
a friend. I repeat, we may help each
other. What do you know of the man

who came on the stage from Buckshot
Bar and met with such a calamity?"

“ Nothing! ” persisted Little Alf.

“Wrong! You know much."

“ I never heard of this Homer Addison
until all these things were announced,
nor do I know more now. I am a stran-
ger here; a stranger to all concerned. I
can tell you nothing—4 know as little.”

“Pardon me, but you came to Glory
Gulch because of that other journeyer to
this land of the Sierras.”

“Sir?” exclaimed Little Alf, assum-
ing indignation.

“ I venture to say that if you had se—
cured a horse at Buzz-Saw when first
you essayed to do so, this killing Would
have resulted differently. You tried to
get here before the stage, and missed it
by a. hair.
man you tried to save? ”

“ I tried to save nobody! ” sharply re—
plied the slight you-th. “ Do you doubt
my word?”

“Greatly! Don't you know me, Little
Alf? - I am a detective. Do you think I
would be against you? No! I am with
you, and anxious to help you. You are
fighting against odds here—is my aid to
be scorned? ” ,

" I orfly say you are in error," replied
the youth, more mildly.

“ I Wish you to say more. My knowl-
edge of the man who come on the stage
begins here——yours ends here, perhaps.
You and I both know that a crime has
been done here—more than the crime
about which Glory Gulch talks. We
know an infamous plot was hatched here
and carried on as far as possible. We
want to stop it. Can’t we work together
in the matter?”

“Why do you say I know this? "

“ Haven’t I seen you frequently? Your
mad haste to get to this town; your
frantic visits to Addison's house from
time to time—all tell a plain story.”

“ Nonsense! ” .-

“And them—the grave robbery!"

“.The grave robbery? "

“ Exactly! Why did you take that
body out and then return it? ”

“I did noth-ingof the sort.”

“ Little Alf, your handiwork is as
plain as the peaks of the Sierras. Will
you explain your knowledge of the man
who came on the stage? ”

“I know nothing of him.”

‘f This is folly, but you shall have your
own way. I’ll waste no more words on
you. But do you know what fora-1s you
are beating our wings against? Do you
know the power of. Doctor Gifford .and
Mayor Everell? They are clearly the
leading men of Glory Gulch. ,When
they will a thing it is done. Even the

J
t

\
I

What did you know of the'

 

help of Robert Rover will not avail any-
thing in a battle against them. With
my aid you will have the strong arm of
the law with you. Refuse. it, and ruin
will come to you. Gifford will drag you
into a pit whence you will call in vain
for my aid—it will be too late for help,
too late for repentance, too late to save
yourself!”

It was a strong warning. and rendered
all the more so by the manner of the de—
tective. He put all of his pathos into
his presentation of the case. Then, when
he was done, he paused and let the warn-
ing revolve in the youth‘s mind.

Little Alf was shaken, but,he showed
no signs of speaking in a way that would
be to Frisco Frank’s taste. Fear was
present, but not an inclination to part
with his secrets. Finally [he broke the

silence.

“ All this would be worthy of serious
consideration if the facts were as you
claim—”

“ Do you deny that they are?”

“ Yes.”

“Enough!” sternly exclaimed Frank-
fort. “ 30 on in your chosen way; go on
to defeat. ruin. and death! " '

He turned away and walked off swift-
ly. When he had gone a few yards he
slackened his pace. He hoped there
would be a call to him. There was none.
He looked back. Little Alf was looking,
not at him, but up the ridge. Even as
the detective watched him he turned and
climbed on upward.

“Beaten!” muttered the man of the
law. “He disdains my help, and we
must each play a lone hand—or is there
hope in seeing Robert Rover? The sport
is cool and logical. I could not work
upon his fears, for he has none, but possi-
bly he might be open to reason. I think
the youth is going to meet him now, but
I will not take the trouble to watch.
Back to Glory Gulch!”

With this he retraced his steps, and
was soon at the hotel again.

One of the first persons he saw there
was the old settler who was said to
have charge of the early records of
claims, and Frisco Frank lost no time in
accosting him. The old resident was
more friendly than the average Gulchite
had proved, and he received the detect-
ive accordingly.

It was only "after a. conversatibn of
some length of time that Frisco Frank
expressed a desire to see the records, and
then he did it in a careless manner.

He was soon walking toward the old
settler’s house. '

“I wish we might have you back with
us again,” remarked the guide, carries:-
ly. “You ought to be rich now. Why
not locate here and take up a. claim, or
buy somebody out? ” ‘

“I might get warned 'out again.”

“ Your career has put an end to that
nonsense of the past, and you would be
received gladly, I know. I am pleased
that you think enough of Glory Gulch

‘to look at the old records, though I don’t

exactly know what you wish to find.”

“ Nor do I.”

“ How is that? ”

Frisco Frank could not tell of the
vague experience that had made him
wish to examine the records, but the
fact had been established that his com-
panion felt warmly toward him, and that
was encouraging.

The penciled note on the back of War-
ren Addison’s will had read thus: “ Have
three leading men measure carefully and
compare with record of the claim."
There was still the old doubt as to what
claim was meant, but it was most likely
that it referred to Misery Mine, the

9

rich possession of Addison himself, so it‘

was this record that was looked at first
of all.

Specifically, it bore the number, 41,.in
the book, though universally known as
Misery Mine. They read the record
through carefully.

“Well, I see nothing unusual in that,”
observed the old settler.

- “ Neither do I.”

 

“ Was it this that brought you here? " .

.w’ i», i . 

r' i

“ Well, I might look at more, but—I.

want to read this again.”
It was done, and, when he leaned back
with a dissatisfied expression, the old

settler spoke, with the air of one to-

whom light had just come.

“I reckon your interea is that Misery
Mine adjoins your old Claim 10 on the-
south.” .

“Considering how well Misery Mine
had paid Addison, it is strange that the
land lay so long unclaimed. It is.
hemmed in by 10, 11. and 9, yet it. was so-
long in being claimed that it bears th<>
number 41. Of course, it was regarded
as worthless, y'I-t the other claims went
off among the first.”

“Something has just occurred to me.
You bought of Benjamin Levis, didn't
you?” '

H Yes.”

“Then you were not among the orig—
inal settlers—I know that, of course, but
-—this never occurred to me before; but
my impression is we first-nighters here.
claimed all the territory this side of
Horse-neck Gutter.” ,

Frisco Frank's eyes glittered suddenly.
Somehow, it seemed as if this remark
was in line with something that had been
in the detective’s mind before. Quietly
he replied:

“It is very easy to forget such things-
All the while that I owned Claim 10 it.
was said that the land between that
point and Mule-Trail Run was public
property, yet nobody took it up. Now,
let us look at the record of my old claims”

Number 10 was easily found. The
record was in a good hand and plain in
all ways, and they read it through to--
gether.

“ Yes,” murmured the old settler, “ that.
was Ben Levis’s claim. He sold to you,
and then he went and got shot——"

The speaker became silent as he no—
ticed Frisco Frank turning over the
leaves of the book rapidly. The detect--
ive seemed in haste to find something,
and when he did he read again hastily.

“Ah! this is your purchase from
Levis," pursued the old settler. “A
deed in full, and a. copy of the official
record. All the lands, equipments.
rights, and belongings of Claim 10, as.
found recorded in the book of claims—
Eh?” ‘

Frisco Frank was whirling over the
leaves again, and the old settler looked
on in surprise.

“ Got something else of interest to
look at? ” he inquired. “It must be the
record of your own sale when you left
us—Yes, here you are. Is this curiosity,
Frankfort, or do you think of buying
back?”

The detective was silent for a mo-
ment; then he suddenly leaned back in
his chair and ceased to read. There)
was a new light in his eyes.

“ Mr. Gray,” he spoke, “ do me a favor;
Read over all these transactions, and see
if you discover anything peculiar.”

 

CHAPTER XXIX.
THE SECRET OF MISERY MINE.

The old settler looked puzzled, but he
obligingly replied: ..

“ Just as you say, though I don’t un-
derstand. Where shall I begin? "

" With the description of the original
Claim 10. Here it is. Now, take this pen-
oil and mark down its dimensions in feet

and rods. Put all the figures down. Have \

you got them? ”

(I Yes.’!

“Now for the record when Levis sold
to me,” pursued Frisco Frank. “ Here it
is. Mark down the dimensions again."

“No figures are given. Levis simply
sold to you all the land of Claim 10, as
recorded in the Book of Claims.”

“ Then we will let that rest, as the
dimensions are just the same, are they
not? ”

“ Certainly."

“Next. my sale to my successor. Here
we are again. Mark down the dimen-
shons.”

“ They are given here. ,‘Down they go!
Black and white tell the story, andr—eh? ”

l
.

I!

_. 11.....-

 

/
. 2n. Mg...» A

. I 

 

Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch.

25

u

 

 

“What is it. Mr. Gray?"

“ The dimensions are not alike!”

“No?” quietly replied the detective,
without nuiving. -

“ Decidezily not. Why. according to
this, you sold only about three—fifths as
much 10 your successor as the original
claim at led for. The breadth is the same,
but not the length. It falls short two-
fifths.  such a matter.”

“'i‘lm explanation is simple. When I
bought of Levis, as you will see, I simply
purchased Claim 10. No bounds were
mentioned. ‘v'e have noted that. I can’t
say who was the cause of it, but it was
'my belief, and common talk, that there
was unclaimed land at the south end of
my property. I nevor worked it, and no-
body rise did. it was regarded as worth-
less. When I sold 1 did not know I
owned that vacant land, and merely told
my 54'; rcssor that I owned to a. big tree
that :4; CW on a cleft in the earth."

“ A1211 the deed gives him only to that
tree ("Id cleft.”

“ Just so. When he bought he was nOt
content to have the paper made out as
mine W111, and, referring to the original
claim; to we measured the lamb—measur-
ing only to the tree—~and it was this
amount that I sold him."

“Thrr ahere was two-fifths of your
«:laim that you did not sell."

“ Just so."

"‘ That \‘ 21s a queer proceeding."

"‘ Mr. Gray, what. is that two-fifths
now?”

Will; iii? question Frisco Frank leaned
back iii 2.3,; chair and looked Gray full

in the f .e. The detective never had
been calmer. but, as the full force of the
.inquiry dawned upon the old settler, his
expression became one of amazement.

“ Why, it is now Misery Mine! "' he ex-
claimed.

“ Just so."

“ But—"lint Warren Addison? ”

“‘ What of him? "

“ If you own that land, what does he
own? ”

“ Well, what does he?”

“ I should say nothing! "

‘“ Looks that way, doesn’t it? ”

“‘ Why, Misery Mine is your property
in full!” cried Cray. “The man who
took up Claim 41 took land that was not
in the market as claimable land, and
when he sold to Warren Addison he sold
what was not his. it was yours. Addio
son has no mine to-(laynit is yours! "

“Looks that way, doesn’t it?” coolly
repeated Frisco Frank.

“ This is amazing." ,

“ I_ am as much surprised as you, near-
ly, though I have had reason to believe
that something was to be found here "—

~the detective touched the book—“ that

would interest me."

“Say, Misery Mine would sell for one
hundred thousand dollars today, I do
believe.”

“ No doubt.”

“ And Warren Addison has taken out
a. fortune.”

“ The barren land was not so barren,
after all."

“But if Addison has taken a fortune
out of your mine, whose money is it
now? ”

“ Here is a fine point of law. Addison
bought in good faith, but the law will
not let him hold what he purchased with-
out a. clear title. On the other hand he
worked the mine at considerable cost
and labor to himself. You can see that
the law would deal with all these poin‘s
if the case went to court, but maybe it
never will. I am disposed to be fair."

“ Anyhow, you are the legal owner of
his mine.”

There was a good deal more to say,
but Frisco Frank took pains to impress
upon Gray’s mind the fact that he would
never do an injustice to Warren Addison,
and then backed the statement up by
exacting a promise that the old settler
would not speak of the discovery to any-
body. It was to remain a secret, as the
detective expressed it, until Warre was
able to deal with the matter himse f, and

 

l

thus secure an equitable adjustment for
all parties concerned.

When he left the old settler Frankfort
returned to his hotel. Once there he
took out the Warren Addison’s will and
gazed at one item with a smile on his
face.

It was Addison’s bequest of Misery
Mine to John Frankfort in full.

“One mystery settled," murmured the
detective. “Addison made this bequest
because he well knew that he had no le-
gal claim to his mine. It was tardy jus—
tice, and it still surprises me, consid-
ering his old hatred of me: but I am led
to infer that his conscience smote him as
his strength webbed away. He said it was
an act of justice. With this will to back
me up I do not think I shall have trouble
in holding Misery Mine—unless a later
will holds. I wonder What is going on in
that house of mystery where Doctor Gif-
ford keeps watch and ward? Are my sus—
picions correct? If so, there is music
ahead.”

A knock sounded at the door, and when
Frisco Frank made answer old Peter
West appeared.

He hobbled forward, took Frankfort’s
hand, and shook it warmly.

“It's come! " he exclaimed, in a mys-
terious whisper.

“What?”

“ The letter! ”

“ From the unknown?"

“ Yes.” ~

“You wrote him that you wanted
more money—"

“Yes, and put it in
I have his reply."

“Let me see it." .

Peter handed over a plain sheet of
paper. It was large enough for consid-
erable writing. but what was there was
very brief. It was as follows:

“Same place. Thursday night, at 11.”

All this was printed out in characters
like those of a child, and the care of the
unknown to hide his identity was plainly
visible. No betraying penmanship was
left behind.

“This is to-night,"
Frank.

"Yes."

“We will be there.”

“Remember, you promised not to do
anything to annoy him," anxiously re-
minded Peter.

“ You can rely upon me to consult only
Your interests."

“This unknown gentleman has been a
good friend to me.”

" I appreciate his real worth.”

“If you should get him mad it would
hurt his feelings, and—and he might
hurt mine, you know.”

“ You are still without any idea of how
much You owe him? "

“I have no means of knowing the
amount, but it isn’t much. We can easily
Wipe out the amount when we get to be
partners. Ah! we will make Claim 47
the richest paying property in Glory
Gulch, won’t we, my boy?"

“ It shall pay all it is capable of.”

“ That means richly, sir, richly. All
that is needed is more money and right
management. I have been thinking may~
be we had better discharge Tommy
Wrenn and get a new superintendent.
What do you think? "

“Tommy seems to be doing well.”

“But he don’t—ahl—he don’t get so
very much money out of the mine, you
know. It is there, though. I expect ev-
ery l-our to hear that a rich pay-streak
has been struck, with wide outcroppings.
The latest work gives some signs of
oxydizcd iron ore, and we are likely to
find’it carrying a splendid yield of dust.
Dont you approve of a twenty-stamp
mill?”

Frisco Frank sighed as the old man
babbled on of his visionary hopes. Filled
with scientific lore of which he had but
faint knowledge of a practical sort, he
could talk indefinitely, but it hurt Frank-
fort when he remembered that Dorothy
had to share the failures, if not the
1101368, 91 the owner of Claim 47.

the tree, and now

remarked Frisco

’ > _ l (

 

If Peter was bound up in his mine he
had another hobby, and he soon reached
it.

“ You haven’t called on us yet," he re-
minded, anon.

“I have been busy."

“ Dorothy is at home,” slyly added the
father.

“I hope she is well.”

“Quite well, and looking splendid. She
grows more beautiful each day; a charm-
ing girl, if she is my daughter. Of course
I don’t mention it to her, but I want you
go see her soon. You can’t help loving

er.”

 

CHAPTER XXX.
rm: MASKEU MAN or (‘LAIM 47.

For Dorothy’s sake Frisco Frank put
an end to the idle talk that was con-
necting her name with Peter West’s
dreams. The detective did not doubt that,
the father was every day pouring like
talk into her ears, and the younger man
had respect enough for her womanhood
to wish to shield her from Peter’s folly.

He brought the talk back to the meet-
ing with the unknown loaner of money.

“The meeting is to take place in your
mine, is it?” he asked.

“Yes. The gentleman has always re-
fused to meet me elsewhere.”

“I will be there. I’ll conceal myself
so I can watch and listen, but be invisi—
ble to him.”

“I beg of you to keep out of sight. It
would anger the gentleman very much
if he knew he was.under espionage.”

“We will not let him know it. Trust
me for that.”

“ Don't you think he is a very kind-
hearted man to do as he has?”

“Nobody else would have done it.”

“So I think.”

“I hope we shall be able to reward
him some day, as he deserves.”

Frisco Frank did hope so, and Peter
expressed the same wish, but the rewards
they had in mind were not at all alike.

When a full plan for the night had

been arranged the miner took his leave.
The first thing Frisco Frank then did
was to look to his revolvers. He reloaded
them with great care.
, “ It would not be strange,” he mur-
mured, “if there was some shooting
when the meeting takes place in the
mine.”

, .o
The detective was prepared for the

night. While Peter had been awaiting a
reply from his unknown so-called bene-
factor Frisco Frank had taken pains to
inform himself fully on the Surround-
ings at Claim 47. He had visited the
mine and had taken heed of everything
near the immediate spot where West
was accustomed to see the loaner, and
had selected his own hiding-place.

There was nothing more to do but to
await the hour of the meeting. ..

Until night fell the detective occupied
himself with other affairs, but all looked
to one end. Since he had no official
standing at Glory Gulch he had taken
pains to secure such standing by other
means. Having personal acquaintance
with the Governor of the State he had
written to him and to a well—known
judge, and by each mail he was expecting
to hear from them.

When he did hear he would have au-
thority greater than anybody in the min-
ing town could give him, and, in this
way, he would be prepared to wage war
on the men who closed their doorslon a.
mystery and a tragedy.

Night fell clear and cool, but with fleecy'
clouds skirting the sky, and this, with
the fact that the moon would not be up
until after the hour of meeting, made a.
prospect of unusual darkness.

Frisco Frank took no chances, as he
thought, and, two hours before the ap-
pointed time, he was at Claim 47. .

It was never a pleasant-looking place,
and on this night it was forbidding. No—
where else around Glory Gulch did the
rocks seem so rough, ragged and ugly,
and they frowned darkly upon the lone
explorer who sought their cover.

i

 

_.i m'. i 'v . '
A ‘v , V 14 '.
. CO

 

1

 5t ‘ G 5w-  3 ' 

 

The mining operations at Claim 47 had
been‘umder several different superintend— ,
ants, and many of qthem had been as lack—
ing in real knowledge as Peter West
himself. It had been said of the place
that it looked as if a crazy volcano had
torn its way out of captivity, and this
was not far from wrong.

gThe entrance was unusually large, and

.. it was a series of erratic fissures with
walls of rock intervening in many cases,
and the whole forming a wild medley of
passages and cavities.

Frisco Frank easily found the way he
had decided upon, and 'then gained his
station without delay. The spot was not
dOWn Where operations were being car-
ried on, but comparatively near the sur-
face, and yet it was out of sight of the
better part of nature. ’

, On one side he had a glimpse of the
sky, but it was only a ,ribbon, and grin’i.

. shapeless and ugly rocks were all around
him.

He sat down to wait, and thus two

,. hours elapsed. During that period he
heard nothing from any Quarter that
would indicate that anybody else was
astir, and the first sound was one so
bold and full that he knew Peter West
ghad come. ' ‘

i The old man clambere-d over the rocks
with muttered words that were not ex-

f pressive of appreciation of the going. He

_ finally paused not twenty feet from Frisco
Frank. "

“I seem to be all alone.” the detec-
tive heard him observe. “Guess I'll light
my pipe.” ,

.l . He did light it, and five minutes passed
, without‘more of incident—then other

j Sounds followed, and a second man Was

. to be seen clambering down the rocks.
Frisco Frank drew his conclusions, but

«he remained as motionless as the, col-
umns of rock around him. Straight to-

‘ ward the smoker advanced the new-com-

: er, and 'then Peter’s voice irose timidiy.

 g. “ Sir, I am here," he announced.

 “So am I,” the stranger neplied.

1“,I' got your letter." '
£2"! feared you might forget to look for

' “Oh! no, I remembered'it.” .
x " Your disregard of money is pro-
verbial.” , . '”‘
, It was plain that the unknown was sar‘
castle, bpt it was hard. to snub Peter,
_ West. He answered most seriously:
7 ,' '-‘ Dear me, no, sir; I don’t disregard it.
’  "like it.” - ‘ ‘
r : *“jWell; we
~ wanted“. V , .
Frisco Frank was listening eagerly. He
I, [had hoped to learn“ something from the
 loaner's‘ voice, [but that was out of the
question. In that labyrinth of corridors
an! voices were alike. and all unnatural.
Even West’s was a husky rumble.
" {:“iI—iI want some mosey!" faltered
. Peter. ' i.
 . w  n ,
f' For the millaair." . ‘ ,a
‘f Isn't the mine to produce, not tost ‘

. ~ I) n . . ,

F'Ob! it will prod ce some soon.‘ In a
_ tile While it will 8963' our toll richly!
The, croppings are promising, and all we
need todo is to find the’pay-streak——” ‘
,  ,‘..‘Yes,' yes, I know! Never mind about
i'~;i’;eliing me of the rest. So you are [still
drinking my cash? How long wil *this

are here again. What’s

_ ‘ gdon’t know togaicent, slr‘—” \ e
" do!” deem the stranger. _“ Iihavei

.z t down in black and white.- I have yam”
 for l you’ve borrowsd, and,
though it is quite a job.- toflfoot ,up the
riots! amount, I am enough of a statistb

sician to do it. It’s a p‘retty‘round' sum.-
Peter When: will you pay?" ' , ..
not as soon as‘ the mine gets to
air. We have lately found more

,. lefuindications. in the" oxydised,

fl. , l. , ,1 ,
PT“: you. D know.

Ain't ‘iortbr slabs.
. e H

asked Peter, I’ eagerly. -

., heund'updn
Jove! More mone ? Well, \I’ll be frank
'with you. Peter.

 

rapturous joy. The more foreign the
rock the more. you ~,would believe that
gold lay under it in solid ledges! "

The loaner Was sarcastic to a surpris-
ing degree, and it occurred to Frisco
Frank that, for some reason, he was tired
of pouring cash into this unpromising

‘hole in the ground.

Of the leaner himself, Frisco Frank
could see no more than that he was
dressed in dark clothes and wore a mask
over his face. He evidently intended to
preserve his identity as a secret, but the
detective did not intend he should.

The latter moved cautiously toward
the talkers. _ '

Peter West was shocked 'by the last
words from his heretofore ready aid; and
he was silent until the masked man
abruptly added:

“ How much do you want now?“

“ l—I think ten thousand dollars will
do."

“ A mere trifle—to a borrower. A loan-
er might have different views. Well,
West, I’ll hand it over on one condiv
tion.”

CHAPTER XXXl.
TO m: vAs'r DOWN 'rmr. SHAFT.

Frisco Frank leaned forward eagerly.
When the masked man began to talk of
“conditions” it looked as if an explana-
tion was not far off, and that was what
was wan-ted. The detective was anxious
to get at the truth quietly, if possible.
He thought he saw hope.

“What is the condition? ” hesitatingly;
asked West.

“You will never be able to pay my
monekback," proceeded the masked man.

“Ohi‘yes, I shall, sir; I assure you I
shall. The mine ,will soon develop a pay-
streak, for the croppings show-e"

“ Dream on, old man! Business is my
motto, however. I hold'you‘r notes for a
good round sum. I‘ll burn the whole in-
fernal lot on one condition! ” .

“ Name it, sir; name it! ” cried Peter.

“I must have my pay in something
else.”

. " What?” ,

“ Your daughter Dorothy! ”"

The secret was out. The mysteriOus
leaner had declared the purpose that
rumor had ascribed to him, and with
such power over old Peter West his
course Was one of victory as far'as the
miner was concerned. Peter could not
refuse unless he gave up Claim 47. To
him it seemed a complete surprise.

“ Dorothy! ” he echoed. ,

“Dorothy!  repeat’ed the  stranger.
firmly.  y I ' '

“ But—I don’t, understand.”

“I wantsher’for my wife! ”

“ But, but—~is sh’e willing? ”

“Let her and me settle that. Alll
want of you is to agree. .Let me see to
the. rest. Peter, you owe-me money you
never will be able to pay. Claim 47 is
not worth so,much as your garden. It
is barren. It, is the grave of what I have.
learned you. Now, want something
back. Give me Dorothy, and I Will aban-
don‘a‘il.claim upon you-" ,
,_ “.And will you" give me more money?

It More?!" '

“Yea: soil can keep on running the
mine ntil we strikelt rich?" . .

“‘~Well, ,w'ells you are a persistent man..‘
Your heart,kmlnd,"body and soul are

this hole in the'grouhd, by

’ll say that—e”, ..
_ If, the sentence Was‘ finished Frisco
Frank did-not hear it. One moment the
detective was standing wit‘in all appear-

ances ofsecurity; the next, and, he was

batten to the rock by. some heavy weight
th t we. hurled upon him without-Warn-
ing: H‘ vitae, quick of with and as he
sprawled thereon the hard surf e he

knew 116 had beanattaoked by men; and’

‘thatthey-were then D ling upon him.

EM Qifiiilame mom, _ Aineculiar sound
W Wbm‘flm. we! Wasting). ,

i “an. at“ ed to much
v ,éd   the

_ had

'hu‘ndredfi'feet deep. We

"and it shill be so,

 

‘  ”

dicament, but he put_ forth all of’ his-
powers and sought to throw off the '
weight. He writhed with the agility and
strength of a young and resolute man,
but the weight was not dislodged.

“ Tie him! ” exclaimed one of the party.

This was something to which Frank—
fort was greatly opposed. and he re-
doubled his efforts. but they were as
useless as ever. In spite of all he could
do his wrists were secured as directed.

“Up with him!” added the leader.
sharply.

The detective was jerked to his feet.

“ Finish it up!" was the further order.

Frisco Frank took a glance toward
the more open region. Peter West stood
there alone. The masked man was not
to be seen.

The detective was hustled along. He
lost all sense of locality, and he
knew only that he was being led deeper
into the mine. The step was suggestive
of trouble to come. Strangers would be
more likely to lead him out than in.
There was a meaning to the course they
pursued.

A very small lantern had been uncov—
ered, but it was held low, and the pris-
oner could only tell that his compan—
ions, 'like the unknown loaner, were
masked. A suspicion flashed upon him.
There was no chance in this misadvent—
ures—the loaner had been protected in
his interview, and these were his friends.

Only a few minutes did they keep on:
then all paused as the foremost man
pulled up. I 2' ' .
' “ This is the place." he announced.

“Are you sure? Isn’t this a. shallow
place?” ‘.

“Don’t I know my business? ‘I reckon
I do. , I~’ve looked this over too many
times. I tell yer this is the main shaft.
Thar is a c‘lear fall 0’ two hundred feet,
and whoever: goesdown, goes ter sure
death!” ‘ ’

The words fell upon Frisco Frank’s
ears with marked effect.

I “Shall we fling him down now?"
asked a subordinate. 4

“When I want a thing done I’ll let
yer know. Hold yer yawp! "

With this the leader took the lantern
and held it forward. He touched Franki
fort and pointed with his free hand.

“ Look, cri ter! " he exclaimed. .

The priso r obeyed. He saw a wide,
black cavity in the earth, but the light
failed to reveal any bottom.  ‘ ’

“That,"_ centinued the leader. ‘4
main shaft 0’ this mine.

is the
It is jest two\
are goin’ ter
throw ye down it!” ,
The detective looked upon‘the speaker
in silence. One thing'he knew then—the
voice and the bulky frame revealed the
fact that the speaker was Bad Benson.
It was a discovery, but it did not seem
very important if he was himself doomed
to go down'the shaft.‘ v ‘
” You know, critter, whqt' the resul
will be... You won’t have no ,life no
shape left when you touch bottoms-See? "
" Not so fast ” exclaimed Frisco Frank.
"I object to this plan of yours. What
business have you to set-tie my affairs
thus summarily”! ". . \
“ The right 0' might. Do yet know us? ‘
We «are theGold-Dusters.” ‘  g
“I have always‘heard them spoken of

as sneaks." ~ ' v

x “ What of‘it? r \

“in will be proved now, if you carry 
out this threat. You are some five men?!“
I am. one. 'More, am bOund. Only-a“
coward would doo a prisoner under
such co ditions. Give me a chance for
my life! you want to fight me, singly ,
or combined? If 80, cast oi! my bonds I
_V Give me a. chance!
Show yourselves-men of bravory." "

“ Critter, We don't care a rap for sen-

timent. We are here for biz,'a‘n' we know

how 'ter do its You are gotn' down that

\

shaft. an’ it «means death."

“. Why do you want to
u Tor   Yul-n I; U '3
 “ExplainiWhy do recounting”!!! ‘ ‘ ‘

’

,do thief,"

my   ’  .» .

 

 

   

.:, ,1“ 

  

'1'— '9

    

 





A
\

 Gulch. L "   ’ ’

 

 

 

 

 
         
       
     
     
         
       
     
       
     
       
       
           
     
         
     
     
       
       
     
       
     
     
     
       
       
       
     
             
       
     
         
     
       
     
       
    
      
 

Think you kin put this off until Tommy
Wrenn an’ his crew shows up in ther
mornin’? It won’t work. You’re goin’
down now—right away. Me'n, git ready! ”
“Am I to have no show for my life?”
“Not one! Down with him, men!
Heave away! "

did not talk to delay operations; he could
not have told just why he did talk. It
looked as if he must be dashed into a
shapeless mass at the bottom of the
shaft. It would be the end of his cru-
sade against the masked loaner and the
plotters of Glory Gulch; the end of de-
tective work, hope, life!

He looked at the black chasm. It
seemed to beckon to Ihim—to draw him
on. His senses became dulled—what did
it matter, after all? At the best, life
was short. This was only a little sooner.
The shaft grew to look less ominous

' and dreadful.

Just as he was thinking thus someL
thing cold glided along his wrists. It
Wri‘thed, serpent-like, and -then—~—hi‘s
bonds fell away from the wrists. A mo-
ment later and he was pulled backward
sharply and a voice called out clearly:

"‘ Come with me!”

It was a sudden change, but Frisco
Frank’s mind rose to meet it; long ac-
quaintance with danger enabled him' to
seize upon such abrupt transitions and
act with promptness. ‘

Somebody was pulling at his sleeve,
and he obeyed the «Erection and leaped

backward. A sudde ,howl rose from
Bad Benson. _ ' ' ‘
“Look out! He’s goin'! "

The detective surely was going. His
guide kept is hold, and they fled at a
reckless 'e. Every imoment Frisco
Frank expected they would fall into a
chasm little less dangerous than the one
he‘thad escaped, but it did not ‘happen,
and they soon adopted another course.
The guide halted abruptly.

“ Be quite!” he whispered.
We can dodge them!”

The pursuit was going on hotly,- but
it was not accurate. The miserable little
lantern did. not give enough light, to
avail anything to those who carried it,
and they had lost sight of their prey.
.There was a moment of suspense, and
then they passed harmlessly by.

, " It is over!” calmly observed the reel
cuer.

“They are still near,” reminded Frisco
Frank. \ ' v x

“:We could dodge ten times theirpum-
berg in this widowspreading mine. We

" may well laugh ‘at them, but more prac-
that efforts will' be best. While they
hunt at random let’s go out of the mine
whol‘y'u I. ,, H - i .

-“ Can we do it unseen?”

“ Easily! Follow met”, ,

“I recognize you-=” ‘ I -

“Very likely. We can speak of it
later. For now, let’s give all our atten-

‘ tion to evading them, e may have a

_ chance encounter.‘ and' at means an

‘ hxchange, of lead. Herer‘ a revolver.

‘ l ,, Now; c/Ome on.”

I \ A
t , CHAPTER XXXII. ‘  '- \
,7 ' 4,340va ON THE ENEMY.

The Gold-Dusters Were Still '~ to .be
heard shouting directions to each other.
Their veices rolled heavily in echoes,
~ but they ohlycerveduto make the safety
" of the if itiyes more assured. \

The ‘ one: soemod to knew the way
' well} and- he‘led on’ without hesitation
 5: for several minutes: Thenghis voice rose

‘j'quletlyz' t -' -  g 
. _,“Here is" amide. salt". he announced.

.They earnersed‘ from thereof of rock

and FriscoFrank sawrthe heavens above,
' with a few stars twinkling among the

.ueecy clouds It was a grateful sight.

g Safel" added .theguide. .. 2‘.

The detective snared his. hand- -

i . "I owe Y0“)?! flit/3., Mr. ’ROVer!” ’he

“ I think

    

‘v

 

 

  

 
       
 

          

Frisco Frank had given up hope. He'

As far . as they could control human
events I was marked for death. You
came, you saved me, and I am deeply
grateful to you. COnsiderIme your debt-
0r!”

“Your words are natural, but I want
no thanks. I :have seen too much of wild
life, and have figured too often as res-
cuer and rescued to heed one lone occa-
sion. I’ve seen\danger in the mines .of
every state and territory where gold is
mined, and it has been a wild life I have
led. Some times the lynchers have
marked me as their own——and all because
I have no visible means of support. Some
people say that Robert Rover is the per-
‘soniflcation of all that is evil, while
others. find some good in him. That’s
life, fate, destiny. Let us say no more of
this adventure from the point of thanks.
I’m glad I helped you. Rather a close
call, eh? ” '

“ It was touch and go with death."

“Well, you're out of it now. Let us
walk toward the town.”

 Not yet. I have to see to a friend
who was in the mine—”

Frisco Frank paused as another fig—
ure loomed up in the darkness only a
few yards away. He recognized Peter
West, and quickly called tcfiihim. The
old man was startled, at first, but when
he recognized Frankfort he hurried up
and shook his hand warmly.

“I thought you were dead!” he ex-
claimed.’ ,

“Did you have trouble, too?” Frisco
Frank inquired. .

“Not a bit; Everybody disappeared
from my sight of a sudden, and though I
hunted I could not find anybody.”

“ What became of the masked man? "

“Hush!” whispered Peter, looking at
Robert Rover, anxiously. ,

“Have no fear. Speak out!”

“He fled from the mine at the first:
alarm.” ‘

“Have you seen no more of him?”

The sport had walked off afew rods

to give West all the secrecy‘he wished,-

and the latter now responded:

“Not a thing. 0h, I'm‘afraid he will
know we played a trick on him, and if
he does he will be very angry."

"Don’t ’lose any sleep over him, Mr.
West..1 réckon you don’t need to do it.
Keep quiet,. and matters will drift all
right. You can ,see him again, and there
is nothing to prove that you had a share
in any plot against him.’,‘ . ,

It required considerable argument to
calm Peter’s perturbed spirits, but he
finally Yielded to'persu'aeion in. a meas«
ure. and, by the time that“ the vicinity
of his home was reached he'was inure
cheerful. He left Frisco Frank. buoyed
“D W, the promise that the detective
would 'uisu‘: anewtfor him. ‘

Robert never had kept along-with,

\

them, and he and Frankfort finished
their journey to the town. On the‘,way
the detective made some effort to get
into confidential relations with the sport,
but‘he was repulsed in a quiet way.
Rover! was ~‘not in a confidential mood;
it seemed. » , ‘ - '
Frisco Frank sought his own room and
VWent'to bed. He had failed, in his cam»
paign against the masked'loaner, and the
fact was» developed, he believed, that the
«loaner Was in union. with he Gold-Dust-
ers. He was confident, 'despite‘the. loam
ere abruptfiight, that the Dusters had

been there for Just theipurpose they had
identi‘cstlon.

served'—‘—tc pretect him from
'or other troubles. - /

The next day the'd'etecttverwaited .to\

make ,But‘e'that P ter West ’ gone to
Claim-<47 and then. eft the ho l on "busi-
MSB of M8 own. Everything thus far
done bY him incOnnection with the case

had been Marked by professional cool»
painfully lacking ontthe'v
. e ’ -’ ’

uses, but it was
pragoi‘ntiolftu n

n 0 paused it
humble cottage, I. 2
He had been exp

 s before wars.

     

 

 

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21nd,,won g ’  t « ,, . r 7.4 t
if” when} in  mt   m m

\\

 
     
    
 

  

  

Dorothy was sitting by the window. _ .

There was no gradual approach by 1
which each could prepare for the meet-g
ing. 0n the contrary they only saw each
other when but a few feet separated
them. Frankfort yielded to a sudden im-vf
pulse and walked, not to the door, but!
to the window where she sat. His words?
were as abrupt as his manner.

“ Dorothy, may I come in? "

He asked it in a voice wholly unlikel
his own, and herreply was low and
faint. It was one word——“ Yes "—and
spoken with a little agitation, but it was}
enough.

He turned; he went to the door; he?
opened it and entered. » '

. He stood in the presence of the woman

who had been so much to him before
Judge Lynch drove him out of Glory_
Gulch. .

“Dorothy,” he continued. “I have -
come. Is there room here for me? ” ‘1

“ Look! ” she answered, in a trembling '-
voice. “Is therelnot room? "

“For me? " x

“ For you! ” , ,

He sat down. His emotion was abat- ‘
ing somewhat, but it was a delicate site
nation. and "he tried to handle it accord-
ingly. Strangelyas he had begun he i».
drifted into subjects of trivial nature: '
and spoke of nothing else for along
time. . . -
This gave both a chance to regain their _
coolness, and' it paved the way for a. 
better understanding later on. '

He remained in the house for two
hours. Before he left he had mentioned .
the things that had brought him there.  
He‘let "her know that he was aware of; "
Peter West's troubles, and sought to
learn the identity _of the masked loaner., /

On this point she could give no light.
She knew of the loans, but not who
made them. The late events in the mine
showed that the loaner could not be, as. -
Frisco Frank. had at one time believed,
Warren Addison. Dorothy never had- be-a
lieved it was he. Warren had exchanged. ’
but few words with her in the last six ,
years; he had practically drifted out off‘
her sight. ' v p  e.“

Frankfort had new and Veil—defined.
suspicions of the loaner’s, identity. and. 1f
he questioned her in keeping withhfizfi
belief. What he learned» was not. .con- '
clusive, but, it was mainly in corroboras‘ ‘
tion of his yiews.  1 .  

When the detective went any 
had been no allusion to prim e affairs"
as between the «two parties to 'e' inter—gs
view, but he went with the understand-2
ing that he was to call again, and 1ng
was worthy of note,that both he and"
Dorothy were in better spirits afterwards, '
than for some time past. i. '  t ‘3’

When the stage rol-led,in~from Buck» _
shot Bar that evening it bipught two lets
ters for Frisco Frank- Which reached him‘
in due time. He read them carefully and
then sought Barschias Bee. ‘ ,

“Are. you a bold man?",h‘e asked.
abruptly. ‘ ‘j'  

machine flirted the blue-glass”,
tachments to' his coat. . 

lied,»

 

      
       
   
  

V

 
  
       
   
   
       
   
      
 

  
   

 
       
   
       
     
     
     
    
 
     
  

  
      
      
 
     
  

  
   
 

‘.‘ With these tat'hand,” be non _
am‘ ready: to; confront . man.  bird"
human or unhumanz" . a < '

V “ Think Wells". ‘ ‘, t 
x. “ It isn‘t necessary.  mil .

is it to rob‘ a‘ban’k, hold 9 a stag:
make love to a pretty girl? "4 "   

“Be serious, Bamhias. If I did not;
th‘iuk you an  re .zhav _
no use for «:you:.Don’t jokes“ - 
know my businessl”. ,. . 

i‘ Y es, and nested sellinger 
a suffering World if i’sir'amoble 
If men ,canft" be curedrpf-thelr: 
shouId_be' put in prison", "-’ -

“You are aware ,that‘jahagei ..
humid hers. Neither  hor‘lshe‘ri ‘
iavmciined tov‘giye me magi aura
pitycorzconsideration. I am out  ;
it now... ‘1 have hare authority-1,, ‘ 4", ‘
Governor ohmic-State, not to‘

"two  was satin. ,

  
 
 
  

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‘1

     
  

  
  
        
  

  
 
  

    
  

  
        
   
       
 
  

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in .
' gallowth

 

 

° 49m». I‘m,  -~ ’

   

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’\ i
...a,_,

I Agar.-
(317.3:

:28

Friscai‘mnkat Glory Gulch:

 

 

 

posse of reliable men to aid me. Can I
count upon you?”

“ More than that. You can have all
my specks along with you.”

“ Be serious."

“I am. I‘ll back you up with word or
blow. Count me in!——I'll serve you to the
end. That's solid! ”

Barachias had dropped his air of
levity, and Frisco Frank felt that he was
to be relied upon fully.

After that the detective ‘went about to
«collect more helpers. He wanted a mix-
.ture of influential citizens and good fight-
ers, and his experience in the town had
enabled him to judge as to who would
:serve him faithfully. When all were
gathered he had seven men in his party.

After due explanation he led them to-
ward the Addison house.

The hour was not yet so late that peo-
ple in general were in bed. Lights
.showed in Addison’s house, and they
walked up to the building with a reso—
lute manner. Frisco Frank knocked at
the door. ‘

“ It will soon be settled,” he remarked.
“‘ My authority is not to be disputed, but
they will not yield tamely. Prepare for a
:fight!”

 

CHAPTER XXXIII.
‘THE Sl'Rl'thSE OF THE RHOM 0F SICKNESS

There was not much delay, and when
:the door opened the posse saw Agatha
Beese before them. She had never looked
.more eminently respectable, and her
:gaze was bent upon them in a mild way
that was encouraging to those who had
.not faced her before.

‘1 Madam,” began Frisco Frank, in a
business-like way, “we wish to see War—
ren Addison.”

“Mr. Addison, sir," Agatha replied,
“is still in bed. He can see nobody in
Ibis enfeebled state."

“ I think he will see us. We will make
Your visit as quietly as possible, and do
harm to nobody.”

“ Doctor Gifford will notify you when
the sick man is well enough to see peo-
ple,” she replied, serenely.

‘" This is not a. visit of frivolity; it is
one of business. We must see the sick
man."

“ You will have to get permission from
Doctor Gifford.”

“ We have nothing to do with him, nor
lhe with us. We will go in.”

The detective made a motion to enter,
but the housekeeper stood her ground
resolutely. Frankfort almost collided
with her, but she did not make way.

“ You cannot enter!”

Her manner was beginning to be dog-
gedly firm, and Frisco Frank pulled out
:an official-looking paper.

“Here,” he added, sharply, “is a doc-
mmen‘t signed by Judge Dilson. It gives

. me authority to enter this house and see

whom I please. More, it gives me au-
thority to arrest anybody who opposes
me.”

"‘ I don’t care for you or Judge What’s-
his-name! ” retorted Agatha, defiantly.
~“ You can’t come in, and that settles it! "

She tried to close the door, but Frisco
Frank promptly introduced his foot as
a barrier and then pushed forward.

“ It settles nothing! ” he exclaimed.
“We are coming in! ”

The woman was shoved back, and the
whole party pressed into the hall. Once

! Agatha looked toward a rifle that hung.

on the wall, but she seemed to think bet-
ter of her impulse The rifle was not
taken down. Her manner, however, was
hostile, and she looked as if she was
more than willing to use a,flrearm upon
the intruders.

“Is Doctor Giiford here? ”, inquired
the detective. ‘

“ You ought to know.”

“Why so?” ,

“ If he had been you would be a dead
man now! ” ‘

“ Madam, you rather over-rate the
prowess of the mighty doctor! ” drily re-
turned the detective. “ I don't think he

I . .

‘ . /

 

‘ {A i i r“ I‘ ‘V ‘.
.':- .» am" '1 sub ‘9' um“. um

 

was born to kill me. Where is the sick
man’s room?"
‘ “ I shall not tell you! "

“Just as you see fit. Barachias, take
charge of this woman.”

“Certainly, captain, certainly!” cried
the peddler. “Mrs. Agatha. I beg leave
to call your attention to a new and choice
line of blue-glass specks that I have
just received from Walla Walla. They
are a bargain, and you will find that
their use will restore your failing vision
and make you see like a girl of sixteen
years. Let me try on a pair—”

It was not a part of Frisco Frank‘s
plan to humiliate the woman, and he
was seeking to interrupt his too zealous
aid, but Barachias was wound up to go,
and he failed. Mrs. Beese, however.
found a way to stop him. As he held out
a pair of spectacles she hit them a sud-
den blow and they went rattling to the
floor and broke into pieces.

One moment the peddler looked in con-
sternation; then he raised his head with
a stern expression.

“This settles it! ” he declared. “ Clem-
ency is out of place here. Mystery and
murder have been done and passed by
forgivingly, but this—-this is too much!
The Governor will take heed of it. I
think the minimum penalty for breaking
vspeeks like mine is twenty years."

It dawned upon Frankfort that Bara-
chias was not the man for a guard, so
another man was appointed. With the
disappearance of Agatha from the scene
the. tense interest of the occasion re-
turned, and it was a serious—faced party
that followed the leader.

The house was not large, and, though
Frisco Frank did not know where to
search for the sic-k man, it was clear that
it could not be a prolonged task to look
the whole house over.

Presently a locked door was found.

“ This is where Warren used to sleep,”
a citizen volunteered.

“ Is any key visible?"

“I don’t see any. Break in the door.”

“Wait a bit. Here, guard, bring in the
woman! ” .

Agatha was 'brought, and the detect-
ive pointed to the door.

“Where is the key?” Frisco Frank
demanded.

She hesitated for a moment; then
thrust her hand into a capacious pocket
and produced the desired article. She
tossed it to him angrily.

“ Much good may it do you!” she
snapped.

Silently he fitted it to the door and
turned it in the lock. The bolt flew back;
he swung the door wide open.

Expectation had run high, and all had
pictured the sick man lying on the bed
with a mass of bandages about him.
What they really saw was very different.

The room was there, and so was the
bed, but the latter was not occupied.
Each intruder cast a quick glance around.
The room was empty!

Frisco Frank turned upon Agatha with
his first sign of perturbation. His voice
was harsh as he demanded:

“ Why do you trifle with us, woman?
Where is his room? ”

“Here!”

“An empty room. Where is he?"

“ I don’t know.”

‘? Again your useless denial-s! We will
find him, and then we will deal with you.
Scatter, men, and locate him as quickly
as possible!”

It was a willing party, and they hur-
ried away. Some took one course and

{81's a different one, but at the end of

ten minutes they gathered again. There,‘

was perplexiiy in every face.

No man, sick or otherwise, had been
found in the house!

The minor members looked to Frisco
Frank for the taking of the next step.
He confronted Agatha with a severity
which had effect even on her deflant
nature. V

“ Mrs. Beese,” he demanded, “ where is
your patient?"

“ I have none."
"'vuil.v‘l.3""3.ei‘~.“: JR  .- z o

 

“Where is Warren Addison? ”

“ I don’t know.”

“ The suspicion has been strong in
my mind that there was a good deal of
humbug about this case of sickness. I
can now see that I am rig-ht. He has
been spirited away. Where has he been
taken? ”

“As far as I know he has not been
taken anywhere. i don’t know where he
is; I don’t know anything about him.”

“When was he here last? ”

“ Not many days ago.”

“ When, I say, when?”

“I will refer you to Doctor Gifford."

“ You will not refer me to anybody! "
exclaimed Frisco Frank. “ You will an-
swer yourself or go under arrest. I de-
mand an answer and want it now.”

“I have nothing to say, for I know
nothing about it. When my patient went
I don’t know; I can only say he is gone.
I am innocent of all connection with his
case. 1 have served Warren Addison well,
both when he was well and sick. I am
willing to serve him further, but I am
not his keeper. He never told me when
he was going anywhere; he did not tell
me when he was going to leave here. He
is gone~that is all I know.”

The explanation was made with evi-
lent desire to save herself from trouble,
but it was so clear she was keeping
something back that Frisco Frank turned
to one of his aids.

“I arrest this woman. Do you take
charge of her, and hold her prisoner. We
are going to find our man if it takes a
week! ”

 

CHAPTER XXXIV. ’
THE PURSL‘l’l‘ IN THE MOITNTAlN.

It was a. serious y perplexed party that
stood there with Frisco Frank as the
central figure. They talked in eager but
low tones, and the many questions re—
ceived but few answers.

Admitting that the sick man was less
badly hurt than Doctor Gifford had
claimed, there was an inquiry that baf-
fled all who grappled with it in words:

“Why should Warren Addison run
away? ”

The minor members of the party could
not tell, and when they asked the detec-
tive he only responded:

" We will try to learn.”

Then came a question from a grizzled
miner.

“Have his enemies killed him? "

It was a possibility that worried the
men of Glory Gulch. Warren Addison
had been as popular as the average, and,
when his long illness came upon him it.
excited additional sympathy.‘ Now, it
was a painful thought that he might
have been made away with while Glory
Gulch sat in idleness and trusted blindly
to others to do their best for him-~and
thus deprive him of other aid.

Frisco Frank had not expected this

set-back. His opinion was that Gifford.

and Everell had taken the sick man
away without his consent, but there was
a grim danger that had been suggested
by the miner. Possibly violence had
been done. Perhaps another murder had
been committed.

The detective was making a last effort
with the housekeeper when quick foot-
steps were heard and a man came hurry-
ing into the room.

It was Tommy Wrenn, and his usually
placid face was keyed to a high pitch.

“Say, can’t yer find him? ” he de-
manded.

“Do you mean Addison?"

“Yes. You don’t find him, do yer?'7

“ No.” _

“ Wal, yer won’t. He’s been taken off,
though lands knows how et was done.
Mighty queer things happen in Glory
Gulch this moon.”

“Who has taken him?”
Frisco Frank.

“I don’t know."

“Was Gifford one of the party? ”

“Was he? Wal, I should say not! Ther
way he howled when he found out at was
done didn’t look like et.’ No!" , "

.“Wrenn, speak quickly and to the

demanded

i.‘

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

point. What do you know of this at-
fair?" the detective asked, imperiously.

“Easy told. I was passin’ of this point
when I heerd loud voices and confusion
in this very room. You know I don’t
like Gifford no better nor I do a gold-
mine, an’ ct come OVer me that thar was
more mischief afoot in his miserable
house. I see that the winder was raised.
an’ I crept up hyer an’ pushed the cur-
tain back a bit.”

,“ Gifford, Everell and this female wo-
man, Agatha.”

“ What were they doing? "

“'Howlin'! ” frankly replied Mr.
Wrenn. “The three 0’ them was in con-
sultation, though at was mostly howl.
Ter b’ile et down, their sick man had
disappeared.”

“ lIow?—~how? "

“Jest what they wanted ter know. He
had been left alone, an’ when they come
back the winder was open an’ he was
gone." '

“ Are you sure of this? ”

' " I’m sur they said so, and the scared
an’ mad look they had was proof that
'they was sincere.” \

“ Then the sick man had fled.”

‘f Not ef they reasoned et out right.
Doc Giffordsaid he would swear that he
hadn’t the strength ter run away, an’ et
was doubtful of he could stand erect.”

“ What was their theory?”

“ That somebody had come in an’ car-
ried him off.” 5

“ Strange " - ,

“They mentionai your name as one
who might have done et, but the guess
was crazy?’ . , ' . _

“ Right, Tommy. I had no hand in it.
Taken away from Gifford and Everell,
eh? This gets linteresting. What more
is there? " p , »

“ They pursued."

“ How did they know where to go? "

“They didn‘t They started off on a
blind trail, but they argued that etlwaénit
passible to take a sick man away very
fast, an’ they might overtake the other
party.” , . .

“ How long ago was this? ”

“ Less than. an hour." _ p ,, , . ‘ H

“ Which way did the pursuers go? "’ ‘

“ Straight up the range. I fol‘lered

 

an’. when I took ter doggin’ Gifford he
runabout like a madman, an’ I soon give
et’ up an' hustled back ter see you.”
“ Ard‘you sure they were sincere? "I
f‘fiiill' bet my last red onter et. They
acted .like‘thEy-rMs Scared ter death over
zine slip."  '

 

 

1' ‘ tinned, and'Frisco {Frank determined to
1.  - ~ act in ‘MMdenm' with his information.

*‘ , If the sweetness-d a theoryasgtofihow
2; *2, .  ’ the sick man had diIappeared he‘jdid not
 ‘ divulge it. ,‘but he  'guieklyfto this

, followers. ‘ ' i ' ‘

“‘ Men," \he exelaimed, r“ you have" in
known‘Warren Addison. I think I can
rely upon you to help 111.!!! when he is in
trouble." '

2’

‘The citizens were with, him, and they»
' said so in unmistakable manner." such
,0“;th as had been reluctant to doubt

 

ing t‘oice,".;‘jet,;u.ljto the range ourselves.
,It is a‘ tangiedf'way and there is no

 crime among the" niches and ridges that
.   this towwin. come,” ‘ -

They rushed thehrzuse, and all

 

' region; and" mess .traekless, but their
seal ,brooked‘ tic-obstacles to, their p’nr-
pose.'*»Frankfort pointedtégnwar¢  1.

""Keep within ’11. drama smegma
‘ readout as ,  was is? gateways, on.

'  "v. L r ,

   
   
  
    
 

 

   

 

 

“What did you see?” r

K after them on the sly, but they separdtéd,’

is out ’of his head. He must
.9 V "' l‘  Wreénn’s geodr'faith was net to booties:

There was a general shout of approval" .

 ,_Gmom;wém now convinced. and they,
. wagging” their share. in the WWII-f
»3 “ 'i‘hen'.” added Frisco Frank. in a» 1' mg"

moon, buffing chancesare as good as ,i
. anybody elsels; ,. a may prevent a dark 

raced westward, Theresisy a" wide, wild

. beat. him’ {nitric in;
p .,men,_an ‘ ' , ’t,

 

The detective realized full well that
their chances of success were not good.
With absolutely no clew to guide them
the one hone that the hunted party, bur—
dened by a man who, it was claimed,
was unable to walk, would be obliged to
move so slowly that they could be run
down; but they had the whole wide area
of wild country to use for a hiding place.
The original plan was carried out, and
the searchers tried to cover all possible
ground. They swarmed upward and on-
ward, and ridges and ravines were alike
seen to with all possible care. That they
could makeasure of anything in the dark-
ness they well knew to be impossible,
but nothing was lost by lack of zeal.
This was the story of the next two
hours, and there was nothing more to
tell. Nobody was found, and, finally
Frisco Frank found himself with four
men of his party who had been drawn
together by the contraction of a wide
gulch they had followed. They ex—
changed experiences, .but one was the
echo of another. There was no_ discovery

~ to report.

,While they stood in a group, with
conversation dying out and. the leader
wondering what was to be done next,
more men appeared close at hand. It
was thought they were of their own
party, and they advanced to meet them.
- At the last moment Frisco Frank rec-
ognized Doctor. Gifford. Quickly the de-
tective resolved on a plan of procedure,
and it was not one of hostility.

“Have you found the lost man?” he

-bluntly/ asked. » .

Th doctor’s-"face could not ’be read in
the a’rkness, but his manner wasdis-
turbed‘and nervous. "

“I have found nothing," he replied,
huskily. .

“We heard that Addison was missing,
so we. started to help find him.”

“ He has wandered awayin the delir-
ium of fever!” exclaimed Gifford.

-“ Was he out of his head?”

“,Flighty, sir; decidedly flighty! His
injuries are severe.”
‘ ’-‘ Do you think he went alone? "

“It must have been so? »

" But was he atle towaik? "‘
a “ I had not thoughtni-t, but itproves
  was." ‘ V _ p _ I , *

“LVEherci have you looked? ” a 

“I may, say, everywhere.” »  ‘,

f‘Wiiat'iwlll you do now?” ‘  ‘

“l..opk*everywhere again.» I have no
more definite plan. Excuse *mei'n'alw; I
must away“ to renew the hunt. Addison
I , he'leounde—
I Will away ,to do it!" : ‘;“ “

 Plainly,.,Gifford_'did"not was: tokeep

Frisco Frank’s” company. The latter.

had no objection, and he .let himigo wtth-'

out a‘ word, but, that" two“ men
kept nearthe jdoc'tOr ministravels. They

1

were directed by Frahkto,rt“to"_’foilow at

all times, but to do it‘.s¢cretly.

The search was ‘ renewed, ,and' there ‘
' was no cessation. Hourspassed, and the‘

men grow“ too ‘weary’t‘o proceed” further.

They. ,must have rest, {and they threw 3

themselves on the ground  they
were and hon-ght_jstrenkth}ror action on
the mbrrow; ,j J . 9’7 3 I 2, ,‘j  _ ‘- 
. ,Erisco Frank :‘arousedgtliélli‘ at day-
break» ,   9 ~ ' ‘
_ .“flom‘e” he directed.
Ithinsjto vsee- b‘elaw."  
.~ . .  onnmEaxnhm ’
‘  ,omanARFAIiE-E 

Where 'e

   

? Jam $0-60 n;

4.

‘  ,, Got. Wm. 

i‘fie 'Smhfim proceeded;  #0, ’
a .fldse'. on the lows; imaflmmmu

_ r.  Rover, you

    
  
  
  
   
     
  
   
   
  
  
  
    
   
  
   
    
  
   
   
    
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
    
 
  
   
    
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
 
 
 

hastened back to town, accompanied by
Bee. '

When they sighted the hotel, they saw
Robert Rover sitting on the piazza, smok~ "
ing, with complacent. composure. ‘

“ Baraehias! ” exclaimed the detective,

“ I have work for you! ”

“Name it, general!”
promptly.

“Keep your eyes on Robert Rover;
Where he goes do you follow. Do it.
secretly, but don’t lose sight of him. If
he goes out, run him down, if possible.”

“I’ll do it!”

Frisco Frank determined to enlist the
most reliable men of the town, and now'
took this step. He interviewed certain
citizens, and then sought the hotel,’
always a gathering place for the idle.

Rover still sat at his ease, and the de-
tective accosted him. '

“ You don’t seem to be engaging in. -'
the hunt, Rover,” he remarked.

“ The hunt for Addison? No! " an-
swered the sport. calmly.

“ Have you no interest in Addison? "

“Of course, in a measure." '

“ Where do you think he is? " .3
“Can’t say. Better ask some of the ’
searchers.” '

“ I ask you, and I think nobody is betf

replied Bee,

ter qualified to tell.”
“ How is that? ”
“ I believe it was you who decayed him _
from Gifford’s.” »,
“ Pshaw! ” v.
“ Mr. Rover, I see no reason to think.
you a. man of evil life, and my impresi-
sions of you are favorable, but I am not
blind. 'Where have you put the missing
man? You can be frank with -me; my!
sympathies align the same way as yours; a ,
We work to a common porpose‘: and that. '~
is to defeat Gifford. Let us join hands; ’
Where is the missing man? " '
Rover was studying his companion
with a serious and perplexed expression-
“ Really, you surprise me, sir,"v he 
turned. “You err in all your mmé
sions. I. have no knowledge or Addison;
and I have not and shall not mix in "with
this Quarrel." ‘ , '  I
“ Rover, I am not blind. What your”
actual connection with the1 case is, 
don’t know—4 suspect you hays 
part only as an ally of Little \Alf: “
for the youth. I comprehend him well.
have. seen, through him ever since.
came to Glory Gulch. I know 'his, i 
est"): 7 ‘ ~ é  ‘ j .
“ My dear sir,” suaver "replied  7 s
‘f why should he “be ‘lnterestedlln‘ midst“
$011.”: if », *. -»  ..
~“Heisnotx” "1{ . 
“I don’t see your',,po‘int.”.~ “if _
“u was the manwho-c ' . '

 
 
    
 
  

  
   
  

well to need aid," .drawled thegqiort.
“ Wrong! I» don’t,“ know has (well. as

I wish- I  I'ido'n'ii _know»‘w~ho lbw”
that came. here claiming to, be H ‘ "
Addison, but I suspect he had'ho
to the name. Who was. he? 79‘!
Little Air's deep interest in
z “ Really, . you are? too: obscimo
_ semester“

 1 have 

. e 

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He walked off, hoping that Robert
would call to him, but the hail did not
come-

When he looked for the sport again he
was missing. Barach-ias Bee was also
conspicuous by his absence.

It was not hard to get the searching-
party, and, within an hour, a. large num-
ber moved on the hunt. Some who
claimed to be good trailers were directed
to make that their specialty, beginning
at the Addison house, but the part of
the majority was simply to make a close
and persistent search in every nook by
the way, and seeking for caves, known
and unknown.

The women of Glory Gulch had much
to occupy their time that day. They
could stand in their own doors and,
looking mountain-ward, see the hunters
ranging over the higher points like hu—
man bloodhounds. It was nothing to
observe one of them swinging, monkey-
like, from a crag, or dangling over a
precipice, in the effort to find some
crevice which might lead to an unknown
cave, and confidence kept pace with their
zeaL

The women were sure they would suc—
ceed.

When the non—combatants were not.
watching they were quarreling. Dis-
tinct charges were out against Gifford
and Everell, and there was a strong un-
der-current against them, but they still
had their adherents, and arguments were
frequent and angry.

Thus the day passed. Not one of
Frisco’s party had returned. It looked
as if a battle was being fought on the
rugged hills, and where victory would
rest nobody could tell.

As night fell the searchers began to
come back, but on all sides the report
was the same; nothing had been seen
of the missing man.

Frisco Frank gathered his forces at the
hotel. All had promised to make an-
other effort on the morrow, but he had
a few words to say to them, to make
more certain of their adherence. His
talk was not complimentary to Gifford
and Everell, for he was charging them
with evil plots, when there was a stir
at the outskirts of the crowd, and Gif-
ford, himself, pushed forward, pale with
rage.

“I am here to speak for myself! " he
cried. “Now, will you tell more lies
about me? "

Frisco Frank looked calmly at his ex-
cited enemy.

“If I have made any incorrect state-
ments, you have only to disprove them,"
he answered.

“I can, I will disprove them—not to
you, for that I seem to do; but my fel-
low-citizens shall see that you have-will-
fully lied about me. Not one word is
true. Sheriff Dowe, come here! ”

The officer advanCed to his superior’s
side.

“ Arrest yonder mu! " ordered Giflord,
sharply.

11 Upon
Frankfort. .

“That of kidnapping Warren Addi-
" son! ”

“ Nonsense! ”

“I say you have done it. You and
Robert Rover are leagued together, and
it is all your work. I am going to put
an end to this, and you will produce
‘Addison or suffer the consequences. You
have done mischief enough here, and I
‘ am going to stop it. Sheriff, delay no
longer. I command you to arrest this
John Frankfort!”

CHAPTER XXXVI.

FRISCO FRANK snows AGGRESSIVE.

The sheriff, not reluctant, moved for-
ward, but Frank stood his ground.

“ Wait a bit! " he replied, steadily. “ I
decline to submit to arrest, and think
it foolish on your part to insist upon
such a thing.”

“ Foolish or not,

demanded

what charge? "

 

I do insist! ”

“ Again I say, wait! I am a detective.
I have authority from both a prominent
judge and the Governor of this State to

 

proceed in this case. Do you realize
what that authority means?”

"‘ It means nothing! ” rettorted Gif-
ford. “You cannot come into this town
and run it. Dowe, do your duty! ”

The sheriff again started forward, but
several of Frank’s followers ranged
themselves by his side, and it was clear
that the arrest could be made only after
a fight. Gifford wavered, but just then
there was a commotion among the crowd.
A man pushed roughly through.

“Here is somebody who ain‘t afraid
ter act! ” he cried, hotly.

It was Bad Benson! A revolver was
raised in his big hand, the muzzle turned
upon Frisco Frank.

Several men sprung to stop the shot,
but somebody else acted with more dis-
patch and resolution. A report followed,
and Bad Benson fell heavily to the
ground, his revolver flying harmlessly
away.

“That‘s ther only way ter deal with
such cattle! ” declared the man who had
done the shooting.

It was Tommy VVrenn, and he com-
posedly held the weapon with which he
had laid End 130an low.

The event. had cooled the hot blood of
the crowd. The bully lay writhing feeb-
ly, and even his downfall was enough
to recall angry men to their senses. lie
was carried away to the hotel, but no
audible comment was made on his fall.
The detective’s partisans approved of the
deed, and even Gifford was too wise to
make the incident a subject of talk in
his own favor. Bad Benson had been
the terror of Glory Gulch, and he had
no friend to do him honor when he
ceased to be its bully.

Gifford’s voice was more subdued, as
he took up the conversation again.

“ Frankfort," he asked, “ will
yield to Sheriff Dowe?”

“I will not!” was curtly responded.

” Do you defy law and order?”

“ No. I maintain them."

“ Sheriff Dowe is supreme here."

“ Not over State and courts.”

“There will be a day of reckoning for
this,”’ pursued the doctor, his passions
bubbling up again. “You 'have come
into this peaceful town and stirred up
contention. You shall answer for it, and
your authority as a detective will not
help you~tlhe law will not excuse crime
and violence committed under any mask.
The law will know no favorites."

“The sooner this matter goes to a
court of justice, the better it will suit
me. I am willing to explain all I have
done here. Is it the same with you? ”

"I am more than willing!" the doctor
exclaimed. “I want to see the case
tried, and we all know we can prove you
guilty of kidnapping Warren Addison—J

“Why should I kidnap him?"

“The reason is plain. Through some
undue influence he was led to make a
will that gave Misery Mine to you, but
his sense returned, and he took steps
to shun! that crazy step of his. He
made another will. It is your scheme
to break up his later one, and to make
the first good. You will be defeated;
the later will is going to hold.”

“ The later one is not worth the paper
it is written on!” declared Frisco Frank.

“We will See.”

“ That will is a lie and fraud!”

“Ridiculous!” cried Gifford, but he
looked ill at ease.

“I repeat, it is a lie and fraud.
you want that explained? ”

“ There is no need,” hastily protested
the doctor. “I know this is all idle
talk. You can do nothing that you say.
The later deed was witnessed by some of
the best men of Glory Gulch, and the;
will certify that Warren Addison was
sound mind when he drew the will.
More, he did it in their presence. What
more can you ask for?”

“ Once more, it, is a lie and a fraud.
Still, I have no breath to spend in at-
tacking it now. Even if it is good, I
shall still hold Misery Mine.”

“ Absurd! ”

“ That mine never was Addison’s. He

7

you

Do

 

bought it of a man whose title was de-
fective, and, for that reason, the sale
was not legal. Warren Addison, was
never the rightful owner of Misery Mine.
It was my property, and mine only. I
am to-day the legal possessor of the
mine, and the deeds of the claim will
show it! ”

Gifford looked hard at the detective,
but it was news to him, and it seemed
so absurd that he shrugged his shoulders
with the sarcastic comment:

“I will let the people judge of your
full pretensions from this one sample.
Men, you have heard. Will you now be—
lieve anything whatever that this fellow
has said?”

N  )l

The doctor’s adherents had been eager
to use their voices. There had bee-n no
chance before, but it appeared to have
come, and they really made the mono-
syllable ring out with force.

Old Settler Gray moved forward be—
tween the rival parties.

“I am too far along in years to fight
for anybody,” he mildly observed, “but
I can speak a word to the point here.
Frisco Frank tells the truth about the
mine. You know I hold all the records.
I have been over them with him, and I

can assert that he is right. He is the
legal owner of Misery Mine. All other
titles are defective. His claim is not

to be disputed."

“It is a lie!" insisted Gifford, hotly.
“ All this is a scheme to wrong a sick
and suffering man. It shall not succeed.
I am not a miner, myself, but—”

“ You [know something about gold-
dus-t, don't you?” interrupted the de-
tective.

“ I do, and—"

“Your knowledge is peculiar!” drily
added Frisco Frank. “Since you are
disposed to make so much talk over
this, I will say something more to let
people see what you are. Men of Glory
Gulch, look upon the secret chief of the
Gold—Dusters! ”

The doctor stepped backward abruptly,
but there was utter silence until Frank-
fort again spoke.

“ For a long time this town has been
worried by a gang of sneak-thieves, men
who stole dust from mines and miners
alike, and also acted as petty highway- V
men. They cared not whence their gain
came, so long as it was safe, though they
were too cowardly to be road-agents.
You know them well, but you have not
known their chief. Look at him now—-
his name is Pownall Gifford! ”

“ It is false, false! "

“I can prove it all. Do you think I
have been alone in this camp with so
many foes around me? No! I sent for
fellow detectives, and, though they have
but lately arrived, they have done good
service. Gifford, this morning you were
hunting in the mountains for the missing
man with a party of strangers as your
aids. These men have been tracked to
their lair—they were the Gold—Dusters,
and those who tracked them know their
mysterious leader. Look upon him now! "

He pointed to the doctor, but, before
the latter could rally from the shock,
there was a cry from the outskirts of
the crowd.

“ Look! Look up the mountain! What
does all that mean? Somethln’ is goin’
on. thar. What is it? Look, look! ”

 

CI—I-APTER xxxvn.
WHO WAS THE WQUNDED MAN.
The outcry of the miner, turned all

eyes to the point indicated.

On the mountain—side lights were visi-
ble. They were large, bright, and flam- _
ing redly, and moved from point to point ‘
like writhing serpents.

“Torches!” exclaimed an observer—-
' a party of men coming down the mount-
ain.” .

“ They are at a rough place. See!
they crook and turn‘, and move slowly
and carefully. Who is it that needs to
carry lights on the Giant’s Hump, any-
how? “

While these speculations were being

 

     

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considered, the lights disappeared, one
by one, as their carriers reached a rae
vine, and so were concealed by an in-
tervening ridge.

Gifford was uneasy; but Frankfort,
determined that he should not leave the
group, pressed his charges so hotly‘upon
him that the doctor had all .he could
do to defend himself.

The light reappeared, and this time
in the town itself. Marching through
the streets came a body of men. heading
for the hotel. Their torches blazed less
vividly, but they made a picturesque
appearance.

“There are over twenty men,” mut-
tered a miner. “They walk in a solid
group, and are carrying some-thing."

At that announcement the doctor made‘
a move as if to slip away, but, at a mo-
tion from the detective, the citizens pre-
sented a compact front, and left no
Chance. ~ ’

The torch-bearers now having reached
the spot. spread out and revealed a lit-
ter in their midst, with a man lying
upon it.

One of their number. a stranger to the
citizens. advanced toward Frisco Frank
and salutai.

“I have done your bidding, chief! ”
he spoke. " The missing man is here! "

“Warren Addison!" was the general
shout. ‘

They would have surged forward to
the litter. but the bearers ordered them
back.

“Place the litter on the piazza," di-
rected the detective.

He was obeyed, and, as they set the
structure down, Little Alf bounded out
of the encompassing group. and threw
himself upon the man who lay on the
litter. ‘ “
“ They shall not harm you! " the slight
youth cried. “ I will defend you as long
as life remains within me! " ‘
“Be calm!” commanded Frank. “ No-
body is to be hurt here. Men of Glory
G lch, here is your missing man! Do
recognize him?” .

Gifford, forcing his 'way toward the
litter, now cried out sharply:

“I protest against any theatrical per-
formances now. I am a physician, and
I can tell as nobody else can 'what is
best todo. I say that undue excitement
will prove fatal to Warren Addison."

“Pail! There is no such man! here! ”
shouted Frisco Frank.

“ Here," pursued Gifford. excitedly,
“do not be cruel, men. Make way, and

'let our fellow-citizen be carried back to

K

his own room. Bear in mind that he has
long been one of us: don‘t take away the
littlse; life! he has left in his wounded
bod L” I 31‘
, Frisco Frank, wanting the  on the
litter: keenly; knew that he as
imminent danger of death. His head
was bandaged, and through the imper~
feet coverings it could betseen that hair
and mustache were singed away as a
result of the explosion, but his anner
Was not that of a main in dire extremity,
The detective shoved his way to Gif-

ford’s side. '
“ Doctor," he demanded. “who do you
say this is? " ‘ . '
... Everybody knows it is Warren Ad-
dison."

 I Buy it is not. He is no more War-
ren Addison than I am. Men of Glory

Gulch, there has been a base fraud here, »

ut the truth is coming now. I assert

hat this is not Addison, but aubase coun»

deficit!” ' i , I
“Let him- speak for himself! ‘ cried

the .doctor. shrilly., “Speak, Warren

, Addison!
, r1811

Speak and proclaim 'your
against this flagrant attack of a
man . would rob you of money, char-
acte , and life! " ' '

1r e wounded man lifted a bandaged

Harm. w

W.

v

“I will speak," he replied, in a voice
of- unexpected power. “ This man is
right—,4 am not Warren Addison!"
The doctor dell back, with a deeper
puller coming to his now ghastly 
. "He is not Warren Addison. Hols 

\1 _’

not in.

man who came on the stage the night
of the murder,” explained the detective.

" Homer Addison! " cried miner.

“No! Nor yet Homer Ad lson! Let
him tell who he is. Speak, man! Who
are you? ”

Little Alf lifted his head from the
wounded man’s breast.

“ No, no! ” was his wild cry. “ Do not
speak! Do not say anything. Be silent—
be silent forever! ”

Frisco Frank touched the slight youth
with a kind hand.

“ Be composed,” he directed, soothing-
ly. “ For your sake we will forgive
much to him. We will pardonl him if We
can. Rise, girl!” ‘

“ Girl?” echoed the bystanders, won-
deringly.

“Men, have you all been so blind?“

cried the detective. “ Have you not seen
through this frail disguise? The slight
form, the girlish ways, the voice—I have
long suspected the.truth. I know not
the name of this young lady, but I soon
.penetrat‘éd her disguise; I knew that
Little Alf was a woman!"

A murmur of astonishment ran through
the crowd.

“You must see it all now," Frank
added.‘ “You have noticed hen devotion
to this man from the very night he
came on the stage. Is it not clear that
she loves him?~that she followed him
here because of that devovtion7—that all
'of. her later acts are thus to be ex-
plained ? “ g . ‘

The wounded man lifted his hand
again, calling for attention;

“ Promise me," he requested, “ that no
harm shall come to this girl because of
her connection with my affairs.”

“I promise that,” the detective an-
swered. ,

“Then hear the truth! My name is
Roscoe Barclay. I am a man not un-
known to the courts in the East. I have
served my time in prison for forgery,
and I ‘ ave lived by mylwits. Just now
there 1. nothing for which the law can
touch me but this affair in your town."

“Tell us the truth about that," com-
manded Frank.

Again Gifford pressed to the front.
His whole appearance showed that he
knew he was near the end of his career,
but 'he was bound to fight to, the end.

“I protest,” he cried, “against this
deranged‘man being led on to testify
falselyagainstz himself. We all know
he is Warren Addison; He is crazed
with his wtmnds new. Didn't I tell you
that 'when he fled to the mountains? He
is burning up with fever, and he is not
responsible for his own words. Look
upon him'. You have known him long.
Is he not Warren Addison? ",2 . 9 p,

“ Yes, yes! "o shouted the doctor sada
herents, loudly. . . - , ;

“ See his hair, eyes, form. I say he is
Warren Addison." _ ' ' , ,

“Of course he is! ’l'thundered the ad-
.herents. “It is, absurd '_to say different,
Let uni/protect, Warren Addison from his
foes! " . x _ 
. “ Stopi,” commanded the wounded
man. “I speak, for myself in this case.
I am the man‘who came on the stage,
and you all said I looked like'Warrem
Addison. I, may look like him, but I
am not he. I am, Just as, I havesaid,
Roscoe Barclaye—no onejielse.”

Gifford had. been making efforts to in-

terrupt, but Erism Frank now " inter?

fared, and by his.
secured and bound; _ ,
Word ‘now came that Bad Benson’s

life was ebbing away, and tint he had a '

statement to make. There was not much
interest in the radian, but the call was
heeéied, and his confession. was soon
ma e. ~ ’ ‘ ‘ A

He admitted he was a member of .

the Gold-Duster gang. and told the whole
secret of the band. « . '  i

Pownall Gifford had been the organ-
izer and captain of the ban
start, and that eXplained -"“why he was
always well supplied-with money. even
if- 'his‘ professional ‘1)

 

 

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their plundering trips, but all were
planned by him. He rarely saw them,
but communicated by cipher with one of
the party, who acted as lieutenant, these
ciphers being left at a given point.

Benson had acted as a sort of agent
and informer in the town, aiding to
discover chances of plunder, and help-
ing all he could.'

Other things the dying desperado told.
and when all was done the listeners hast-
ened back to the impostor. It was his
story——the account of the plot against
Warren Addison, that. was wanted most.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE STORY or THE CONSPIRACY. .

Roscoe Barclay had been made com— ‘~‘
fortable in a room of the hotel, and -
wnen Frisco Frank and the cthers Gems
to his bedside he related his story in
these words: .

" I have explained who I am, and how,
Inhave lived. I will speak tothe point
now. Three years ago I met Doctor
Pownall Gifford in Chicago. I did some
work for "him that need not be told; it
was not creditable to him or me. At
that time he mentioned that I looked
enough like a certain Warren Addison, of
this town, to be his brother. "

“I never saw him again until a few
weeks ago. Then he came East, hunted
me up, and unfolded a scheme to me.
He said Warren Addison was dying, and
had a~pile of money to leave to his heir,

a brother by the name of Homer. Gifé
ford had been sent to find that brother,
but, instead, he .had come to me He
proposed that I palm myself off as the
brother, and scoop in the fortune. ,

“I objected that Warren would know "
that I was not his brother. To this
Gifford replied that he knew en gh
of medicine to be able to say that War-
ren would die before we got here, so all,

I had to do was to accept the money.
My resemblance to Warren would satisfy
people here. \

“I know now that it was the plot for.
a confederate to give Warren a poise ed
drink before we arrived, and thus e~
move him. That was not told to me by,
Gifford. . . .

“ Now, I am not going to seek to ex-
cuse my acts. I cannot. All I have to .
say is that I agreed to the scheme.

“We arrived here by. stage, as you]
know. I was to show myself at once‘at ,
the hotel, to-let people see how  I ‘
looked like Warren. It'was done; then
we went to the house. . . ., .

“Affairs ,had not gone well there; 
The confederate had mixed the draught « ,.
that was to remove Warren. It was said.
that he drank it, but, if he did, the drink-
failed to act. He was still alive. ,i :1 «-

‘jGifford’s aid, howeverythoughtahe ‘
was dead. Warren had fallen asleep on
the bed. It was a natural sleep, butahe ’
confederate mistook it for-death.  f -

“ We three were in an outer room, eon-
‘gratulating ourselves on the success of ,
our plans, when Warren appeared at the V
deer which led to his room. I shudder?
to tell what happened then. Giflord.
chanced .to be standing near the 
He wns'amazed, but he used With 
cision. He had a knife; he stmekgfam‘d“
Warren Addison fell dead! .,  ' "

“ Shortly after the eprOsion W
Warren kept a kegof Meringue, 
a spark somehow fell into it... '
severely burnedm fatally.  t,

“ Now, the scheme for me so warm
self, off, not as “Homer Addison}, but as»,
'Warren, was a sudden tiihnghtn Only a
game of hours before Warren had 

men and made a will. The confluent;
——and this waeMayor Everetl,’ as“ _ 
confgmeshknew/of this will, and r
u gavei‘llfsery Mine to John v ' _,

“ When he helieyed  d _ 
had hunted for the will; It was 

nation was. 'With this winds 6: stones
it would be. of but little gainto us she"

pass me off as Homer Addison: ' a?
-w

     

     

          
       
    
  

    

      

    
  

   

          
     
    
 

 

    
       
  

 
 

    
     

 
 

    
 
  

  
  

      
    

will gave Misery Mine to Somebody

        

  

 

33“‘

andthe chief part‘btm‘ we  f.

\

   

  

32

Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch.

 

 

“In this fix Gifford caught at a new
plan. It was that I should assume the
idently, not of Homer, but of Warren
Addison, and that, to keep the plot from
being penetrated by those who knew
’Warren well, the doctor should forbid
any one to see me, claiming that I was
too much injured to see any one. In
due time I was to make another Will,
and thus the first one would become of
no value.

“This plan was carried out. I was
put to bed, and admittance was denied to
all. Really, I Was severely injured, and
I needed that privacy for awhile. You
can see my wounds even now.

“ In due time I, as Warren Addison,
m e a. will. I need scarcely say that
Gi ord and Everell got the lion’s share.

“ As I lay on my bed, burned, bruised,
and ill, I slowly improved in body, but
my mind was not easy. It occurred to
me that I had put myself in great per-
sonal peril. At the start I was to share
with the other conspirators. It was
still said that I was to do so, but I then
realized that I was no longer of use to
them, and that their interests demaudwd
I should die, as Warren Addison had
died. I became frightened, and cry .ife
was a living death in those days.

“ Danger is a, quickener of the human
conscience. I resolved that if i lived to
get clear of their clutches, I would "on-
fess the whole plot. As my s'xength
came back I resorted to subterfuge. 1
determined not to let them see my gain,
but to wait until I had enough :; rcngtii
to escape from the window and get
amoug honest men.

“Such was the idea I still fostered
when, the evening of my disappearance,
Robert Rover and Little Alf came to mv
rescue. They had other men along, and
the combined force took me from the
window and carried me off on a litter
to a cave.

“ I 'had not known, before, that Little
Alf was near. I will still call this faith-
ful woman by that name. She 'has
known me long, and loved me more than
I deserved. I had deserted her when I
came here, but she was quickly on the
trail, and, tho-ugh she was not able to
follow direct, we took time so easily
that she arrived here as soon as I.

0 “Experiment proved that I could
Stand, and even walk a little, but I have
been shaken up by late events, and I
am far from strong yet. It was the in-
tention of my rescuers to keep me out of
sight in the mountains, but Robert
Rover was dogged to the cave by one

achias Bee and a detective, and they
brought a larger party and seized me;
so I am here. ‘

“I have confessed the conspiracy in
fllllu I can justly ask no mercy of you,
but one thing I do ask earnestly. This
'wloman—she who has loved me and
clung to me when I was unworthy—4
beg that you will be kind to her.”

Little Alf ‘had been lying with her
face buried in the pillow that held Ros—
coe Barclay’s head, but she now sprang
up, suddenly.

“No, no!” she cried, excitedly. “I
will not accept any mercy that does not
include him. Listen, men! He has been
redeemed by my devotion. He swears
that if we see liberty again he will be
true to me and lead an honest life.”

“It was a. sincere pledge," added the
wounded man, “but Marcia, do not re-
peat it here. Such pledges do not count
in law. Leave me to the punishment
they think meet for me.”

The girl flung herself at Frisco
feet.

" “Mercy!” she exclaimed, in a voice
full of pathos. “ Mercy for him——and me!
It will kill me if you punish him! ”

The detective raised her gently.

“ Be at peace! ” he returned. “I make
no promises now, but, here in the mines,
justice is not blind. It may be this man
will be saved by a woman’s love. Wait! ”'

Frisco Frank turned to the other per-
sons present.

“ Some of you." he added, “did not

l

/
Frank’s

 

hear Bad Benson’s confession. From him
we know -. that Doctor Gifford was the
mysterious person who has been loan-
ing money to Peter West, with the in-
tention of compelling the old man to
persuade Dorothy to marry him to pay
the debt. I have suspected this since I
learned that the leaner was not Warren
Addison. We know, too, that Claim 47
has not been such a dead loss as was
supposed. .

“Gifford and his Gold-Dusters have
been robbing the mine at night, but doing
it so secretly that their work was not
discovered. It. is likely that Gifford has
got back every cent he has put into the
mine, so Mr. West owes him nothing.

“ Warren Addison abandoned his hopes
of winning Dorothy years ago. He died
by violence, and was not the worst man
that ever lived. I cannot doubt that he
willed Misery Mine to me as an act of
justice, but my claim upon it made it
unnecessary.

“As to the will itself, I can say noth-
ing definite. The chances are that it
was blown from his window by accident,
to where it was found by Barachias Bee.

“As for the rest of Warren Addison's
estate, it goes to his brother, if he can
be found. Possibly that will be impos-
sible.”

Robert Rover, who was smoking a ci-
gar with a nonchalant air, moved for-
ward a little.

“Don’t trouble yourself on that score,”
ho calmly directed. “I am Homer Ad-
dison! ”

H  ,9

“As a. matter of business,” calmly
added the sport, “I will say that Homer
Addison has called the game! ”

“ You jest.”

“I never was more serious. I don’t
care a picayune for the money involved,
but I am Warren’s brother, as aforesaid.
I have been a wanderer, myself, and
long of the West. I knew of Warren’s
affairs before I came to Glory Gulch,
but I did not intend to reveal myself.
He and I had been strangers for fifteen
years; I saw no reason why we should
not continue so.

“ I have been interested in this episode
of Glory Gulch, however. It was inter-
esting to have another man claim my
identity and my inheritance, but I was
not in haste to reveal myself. From the
first I knew that Little Alf was a W0-
man, and in love with my name-claim-
er. I saw her grief, too, so I have given
her a helping hand. I charge nothing for
it.

“Perhaps you notice that I don’t re-
semble Warren Addison. Well, I never
did. Yet I am his brother, Homer Ad-
dison, all the same. More than that need
not be said. There will be no squabble
over the money he lleft. If anybody wants
me to take it, it’s a go, for I am exactly
what I claim. I’ll not ask you to take
this on my‘ bare statement, for I can
prove all I say, so we need not argue it
now. It is a. trifling affair, at best, and
I shall remain Robert Rover, sport!”

 

The drama. of Glory Gulch was soon
ended. Pownall Gifford expiated his
crimes at the hands of law. Mayor Ev-
erell came to Glory Gulch no more, for
in the search on the mountains he had
fallen from a cliff and lost his life. Bad
Benson died, and the rest of the Gold-
Dusters fled to other regions.

Roscoe Barclay recovered his health
fully. The miners were chivalrous. They
called for his full pardon, which was
granted, and when he and Marcia left
town it was as man and wife and load-‘
ed with presents. In View ol this out-
burst of generosity, it is pleasant to be
able to add that Roscoe has since lived
a life of scrupulous honesty, and that he
and Marcia are happy. -

Barachias Bee and Tommy Wrenn
move serenely along their usual spheres
of action. » '

The law adjusted the financial affairs
of Gifford and West in the famous loan-

 

ing transaction. and decided them square-
Peter worked Claim 47 until he died...
making a fair living.

Before that day Dorothy and Frisco
Frank had more than one long talk. The
ultimate result was that they were uni--
ted in marital bonds. It is said they
make a model couple.

Robert Rover fully proved his claim, -
but he took a sudden fancy to hand hi :.
inheritance over to charity. This he d.d_
and then he drifted away, nobody :1
Glory Gulch knew where.

THE END.

 

NEXT DIME LIBRARY, NUMBER 932?

 

Detective Gordon’s Grip.

BY ALBERT IN. AIKEN.

Beadle’s Dime Library.

BUFFA L0 BILL NOVELS.

By Colonel Prentiss lngraham.
927 Buffalo Bill’s Bluff; or, Du'ky Dick the Snort...
921 Buffalo Bill‘s Quandary: or. Velvet Bill’s Vow-
915 Buffalo Bill and the Sm geouScout.
909 Buffalo Bill’s League; or. Red Butterfly.
904 Buffalo Bill‘s Tangle-d Trail.
900 Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders.
895 Buffalo Bill‘s Secret Ally.
890 Buffalo Bill’s Life-Stake.
882 The Three Bills: Buffalo Bill Wild Bill and Band»
box Bill; or. The Bravo in Broadcloth.
874 Buffalo ill’s Buckskin Brews.
869 Buffalo Bill’s Road-Agent Round-up.
863 Buffalo Bill’s Deal) Charm.
857 Buffalo Bill‘s Royal Flush.
851 Buffalo Bill‘s l ouble Dilemma.
845 Buffalo Bill‘s Redskin Ruse.
850 Buffalo Bill‘s Bows in Blue.
626 Buffalo Bill’s Sher Shooters.
822 Buffalo liill‘.~ Best wcr.
816 Buffalo Bi-l‘s Rod Trail.
812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Kncll.
794 Buffalo Bill‘s Winning Band.
797 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot.
781 Buffalo Bill‘s Brand.
777 Buffalo Bill’s Spy Shadower.
769 Buffalo Bill's Sweepstake.
765 B ffaio Bi il’s luzcn: or. Silk Ribbon Sam-
7‘61 Buffalo Bill’s Mascot.
7.57 Buffalo Bill’s Double.
750 Buffalo Bill‘s Bi» F: ur;or. Custer‘s Shadow..
748 Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Hand.
739 Buffalo bill‘s Mind: or. The Masked Driver.
735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Mon.
731 Buffalo l ill's Beagles: or, Silk LassoSam.
727 Buffalo 1 hrs Bouv Guard.
722 Buffs 0 Bill on the Wnr- mill.
716 Buffalo Bill‘s Scout. Sha owers.
710 Buffalo Bill Baffled: or. The in sorterDesperado-
697 Buffalo llill‘s Buckskin Brotherhood.
691 uffalo Bill’s Blind Trail; or. Mustang Madge.
667 Buffalo Bill‘s Smoopwr. The King of the Mines..
658 The Cowb v Clan: or. The Tigress of Texas.
653 Lass.) King‘s LP e:or. Buck Taylor in Tean-
649 Bull? ilo Bill‘s Chie of Cowboys: or. Buck Taylor
644 Buffalo Bill’s I'orrttza; or. Si ver (‘ircle Knights.
362 Buffalo Bill‘s 6:3); or. (Jam Bound to Custer,
3‘29 Buffalo Bill‘s Pl ge: or. The League Of Three.
189 ilrl Bill’s Gold Trail; or. The Desperate Dozen.
175 Wild Bill’s Trump (‘ardz or, The lndian Heiress-
168 Wild Bill. the Pistol Dead Shot.

By llllll‘aIn Bill.

939 The Ranch King Dead-Shot.

820 White Beaver ’9. Still Hunt.

807 -\ ild Bill. the Wild West. Duelist.

8.10 Wild Bill. the In an Center Shot.

6:39 Buffah Bill’s Gold King.

599 The Dead Shot Mile: or, My Pards of the Plains.

414 Red Renard. the ludlan Detective.

401 One—Armed Part1; or. Borderland Retribution.
397 The Wizard Brothers: or. White B: aver s Trail.

394 White Beaver. the Exile of the Platte.

319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West.

804 Texas Jack. the Prairie Rattler.

w The P11 rim Sharp: or. The Soldier's Sweetheart.
88 Gold Bu let, Soon : or, Knights of the Overland.
59 Death-Trailer. the Chief of Scouts.

Hy Loon Lewis, Ned Bllntllno, etc.

773 l luffalo B We Ban; or. Cody to the Rescue.

632 Buffalo Bill‘s Seer t Service Trail.

6%) Buffalo Bill’s Darin Role; or, Daredeath Dick.

517 Buffalo Bi'l’s First rail; or. The Express Rider,
153 Buffalo Bill, (‘hlef ( f Scouts.

117 Buffalo Bill s Strange Psi-d: or, Dashing Dandy.
92 Buffalo Bill. the Buckskin King.

NEW ISSUES.
931 Frisco Frank at Glory Gulch; or, Wi ng Out.
the Gold Dusfcr‘s Gan . By Wm. H. annlng.
932 Detective Gordon's rip; or, The Shudou-ed
New York Swell. By Albert W. Aiken.
938 Dashing Charlie, the Wild West Detective; or,
The Bravos of Borderland. By Col. P. Ingraham.
934 Sagebrush Sand . the Sport at Large; or, The
Twin TolLTaker s Tangle By Jos. E. Badger.d

- JUST WSUED.
92" Old Sobcrsi'les, the Detective of St. Louis; or,
The Crook-Le igue Lay-Out. By J. E. Badger.
929 Gentleman George, the Showman S ort; or,
Spotter Spwnelus‘ Scoop. By Ca t. H. olme-s.
980 Dashing (‘harlic’s Double; or, he Old Miner'l
Logacy. By Col. P. lngrabarn. ‘
A new issue mwr/x M’e/vrmiay.
Beadlc‘n "I ~--- Llhrhr- is for sale I an
News-lenlcrs. ten cents per r'OpV. or sen by man on
receipt Pf thve cents ear“ BEADLE  ADAMS.
Publishers 92 William sire-L, Sew 1 ork

 

 

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"x.

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