\

y.

 

 

   

. $
~35.-

801 Scott, the Masked Miner.

 

 

om man “high predlc' tions were
yhevms still pond, and
udasticcheersfromthecrowd,

5 Y -
his love of life in his
lat for revenge. he could only sla this
hunting demon—for mortal man he ~ y was
not—hewouldgladlysacrifice h'm ownlife.

i‘ “guilds dig;r dog’ to Y”
on e s on yo.
Fid’nnyFelix, as the giant arose and
lea at his hated conqueror.
it was this warning shout, or
whether his keen ear caught the sound um.
undath made by Shadutz in regaining his
feet, Sol Scott pod swiftly aside and
crouched low down, t as avoiding the mad rush
of the infuriated roman.
rfihadntz had thought only of slaying his
men , and when he was foiled in this, he was
unabe to save himself. One hoarse yell of
bodied rage—a horrible screech that run long
hi the ears of those who heard it—an then
a soul-sickening thud !
801 Scott slowly descended to the ound and
getlyresumed his outergarments, oiled when
duel was in reparation. An eager crowd
him,s owerinegefiraisesand congratu-
lations upon him. The 1 'ng of horror which
came over them as they witnemed the frightful
W 'Vernonhasgadutzbea was sgnllived. A
3 scourge n remov :- terav
dramatic manner, and they were just in 8th,;
mood for raising up a hero in his place.
The tall miner received this ovation as he did
every thing else—in a cool, half-contemptuous
man

ner.

“ You are entirely too kind, gentlemen,” he
said,atlength,atraceotim tienceinhis
tones. “ Go worship the rocks, if you are glad
Vernonfibadutz is dead; they did the good
work, apt I. I only read him a little lesson he
has needed—and one that any man amon

.  ht have given him¢hadthe ‘sand’ no

thecrowdwascooled

la g.
There was little more cheering after this, and
down in a remarkably
short time. The words of 801 Scott cut

. Clearlth would never be a favorite with tge

» maseeeunlesshe

'hadtakensncha

he the truth less bluntly.
All thievrhile. yFelix had stood apart

tron: the crowd strangel silent for one who

V at nterest in the aflfair.

Surelyhe was not isappointod at‘the result?
Hisvolce had ever been loud in favor of Sol
Scott. Twice hadheofleredtoflght against
Jongoddsonhisacconnt, and his bad beenthe
handtbntsavedthetallminer from the bullet
at, Escher Shadntz—his the voice that warned
Mm of his deadly peril.

‘Yet therewasedarkfrownuponhisbrow,a
tabledlookinbisblueeyesasbeborethe
 toward the town. His head

‘ he seemed unconscious of where
his footstepswere leading him, but asif instinct-

 Sol  I
e on wenScottin n
W a... * mg
Inn—another

with several who , his
with them, entered the Dew
considerin the convivial nature of

  Qlea’r something was sorely

  

r.
"Bhrevuiewasbrokenbythesuddenrea
mesa! Bolficott, who had shakenofl‘

whowantedhimto
a night of it, and under
colored obethegaze of'the two strangemen

“1m waitin’toea afewwordsto
"nightan ' y . “I d, (it

theminmaking in
mm lightofthe

"You had instructions to say to all that Iwas
not athometo-day, Luey,”came the response,
a little sharply.

“Please, ma’am, I know, and so I told him,
but he won’t take that for an answer. He
says he must see you, on very ’portant business,
this very hour?” .,

“ What kind of as looking man? Do you know
him? Is he a memenger from the office, think?”

“Old, and dreadfully hairy, and please, I
don’t know, ma’am,” stammered the abigail,
confused by the questions so rapid y put.

Her mistress sunk back u n the sofa from
which she had half arisen at he announcement.

“Gotellhimlwillnotseebimunlesshesends
up his name and some assurance that his busi—
ness is as important as he claims,” she said, do-
cisively.

This conversation took place in 'Denver, one
week prior to the events narrated in the re—
cedin chapters. The last speaker was 
Danie Brown, once Miss Rachel Trowbridge,
but now the wife of ‘Dan Brown of Denver,’
one of, if not the most celebrated member on the
rolls of” the “Rocky Mountain Detective

ne leaf from Dan Brown’s eventful life has
been placed on record, [See “BEADLE’S DIME
LIBRARY,”N0. 105,] telling how he won fame,
fortune and alovely wife, besides earning the

titnde of all honest men, by bringing to
Justice the band of road-agents led by one
Captain Moonshine, wild tales of whose daring
exploits ma ‘ still be heard in the Silver State.

The wife an Brown thus won was as rich as
she was beautiful, and the Agency naturally
supposed they were tolose the services of their
keenest detective, but Dan Brown was in love
with his perilous profession, and his fair yonn
bride was road of the good he had done an
might  do, so after the hone moon, they
settled down in Denver and

rted for service.

.the night before the day on which the
importnnate visitor called upon . Dan Brown,
the detective told her he was under orders to
take the field at mice, to arrest a criminal who
for years had eluded justice, but who was now
run to earth, and then endeavor to break 31:;
gang of road-agents known from the pee '
style of diso'uise adopted, as the Owls.

“Iam glad to be at active work again,”
added Dan Brown, still loverlike, “and only

$232 to leave you on such short notice. The
ball is tomorrow night, too!”

There is no necessity for recording their
further conversation. Some carping critics
might find fault with it as being too “ y ”
for man and wife 0! over a year’s stun 'ng.

Enough that Dan Brown took his d
that same evening, and for this reason Mrs.
Brown refused to receive visitors

“Please ma’am, I couldn’t help it!” half
subbed the little waiting—maid, rushing into the
room, closel followed by the man who would
not take no or an answer. ,

“She ain’t to blame, ma’am,” the intruder
said asheclosed the door andstoodwith
his back against it. “Iwaebound for to see
you, of I bed to bn’st things wide open.”

’ Her eyes flashing, her cheeks Rachel
Brownsprungfmmtbewfgonehandimpe—y

riously ed.
veghe room and home! How dare you

n

trade—

“I don’tmeannoharm,lady,butlcain’tgo
ontelltellyouwbatlcome here to say,”dogo
demiwmmtm or slide tlnr

e a can
hemmme to a desk an); gamma
0. mo er sterin ‘.
mink in the face, E's-harp dwble we?
as the hammer was raised, mphasizing her

“1me with you. have thkmom.
before I can

Brown

der- sn’ ou’llbe sorry on didn’t hear
mame said the W innings”: never
ginchingl from ‘

a hair’s breadth n.
manhuymfyouletmé velong
concerns . ssnighlyee decency,
mBrownmor’aalL” ‘

 

Morlwmeendabnllet_
-Wnrmp ~ * *
“ on shoots! oulike,lmtit'llbemuro

urghenhem

 

“It’lltakebalfanhom'forflie tnglt‘
detective here; by that tine 
go’longwithhim,efyouthink ,-
said the stranger. coolly. ,
To all outward oeemfiamn well, along in
years. Shortstoutly 'fiwith an enormous

unch between his shoulders. A face ‘
lined and weathervbeaten, sun-tanned to the
color of old leather. A prominent nose, eyes anal!
and deep set, but black and. keen as needles.
Thick, matted hair-and Ion heard of a ‘ r
gray. Clothing rough w worn and. tire
stained. Heavy boots of horse-hid still
and spattered with dried mud. ther a
Weeking omment for a

r. .
{Sit down we what In;
—— ow you can J _ mm. ’
coldly uttered the lady. , y r '
“I don’t blame you for lookin’ an’ talkin’
sour, ma’am,” said the stranger. his voice no
longer rough and _ , but usky with
strong though concealed emotion. “ But you
cain’t blame me so much when you howall.
’Peers like I’ll go clean crazy some 0’ these days,
an’ all along 0’ him! ”
“ Whom do you mean by him 3’” demanded.
fiche]. ‘ , '
“Dan Brown of Denver, as he calls W
now— I v
“ Stop!” and the outraged beauty rose to her
feet, indignation flashing from- her eyes. “ You
are speaking of my husband—,” . ‘ v
“ He never was your husband-4w fooled you»
as he has many a poor gal afore you! ”
For one moment Rachel Brown stood like
a statue, rifled by this terrible assertion, »
but then 6 blood rushed back to her heart,
and superb in her wifely  her-re.
volver rose to the level of the stranger’s hasn't.
_ “Take back those foul words—say that you
as, or die with the base calumny fresh on your
11 e '
3 old man never moved. The old (1
nos came into his face, and he gazed .
into her blazin eyes. ' '
“.Shoot. I ain’t so much in love with life as
take tosave it. Shoot—an’ goon living With
till: man Wlil‘O has ,rmnh ' ed ye, who is even new
man w enan owto meetm  child,
is lawful wife!” '   a ,‘
There was the bitterness of truth in his words
and face. The stricken woman stared at him,
the fire fading from her eyes, the brilliant 
from her checks. The weapon was low ‘ '
undischarged, and her brain reeled—she w ‘
have fallen to the floor but for the quick leap
of the man who had dealt this terrible blow.
’ Gently he supported her to the sofa, mutter-

mg: I
“ It’s hard to strikedownad critter like
that, but rough as the truth is, she’d better-
{(1333313ng to live on in bittersin with that
Softly as his words were spoken, Rachel
can t them, and with a despe t
mg! her fainting one m e cam me
beZReturn go your seat egg tell me all—but
rmmm on mustex‘ t use! our
charges. An if you fail to subsf'a‘nhite them
true as there isa heaven above us, you shall
mtpl have to kill you with my own
3

“I’ll stand the resins, , th n seine
mought think it hard hum song: to be

1.13;? dain'ty

ouhave to_

talkedtolikeadog,whenhewss "tosave
whomann—unconam edit I you

“Nomeralizing— 0.: Man: 't
thatlamsnflering'goorse than: thgugo on?
death?” gasped Rachel.

“ Then you can understand the black story
come here to telling: as: old marble eyes

. Fast, w 1n- men 7 '
lfDan Brownofbenver?’  
the metre

n tenet” duty-sent. "by
‘ ' hendidhe "V '
I _‘ {ofidolcondmhe   
4 ‘Yon're sureyeuain’tmadencmieteheifl »
wentto Golcond State, and 

y,this
- WWW-m-

o’clock stage last t!”
Rachel bowed in
in Denver last night.

most, «locum. ‘
“ etIsawDanBrown

let 0’, I ‘ ' ,r- .
e a...“ sense we a w

man.
“ha I he told me bluish-J
Rachel onlytohaveherspeech
e. hemmmtopo’therest—wbatdoer
itmatterl Heralds "that  V 
your eyes.  '

  

ondon‘th’lieve

  
  

 

 
 
    
 
   
     
   

 

s

‘9

Q

iwmionotgoas

I

; low that Sol Scott failed to catch the words.
' this ‘ thoufitthe lady was not the entire
at

‘ _  my w kudos .

  
 
 

' cariouseyeatolook upon yonrwork,

7 {WOW  rather loaeavyearot my
Repeal-nest!  g ' .

l soott, the” Masked Miner.

11

 

5:: ’ A

 

Restrict—to take you, dead or alive."
«.“P’I‘befavorl wish you to , tisofavery
“smut nature. You remain the lady I de-

fended! She-'3 new at the Parker House. I -

wish ‘ to togeflme there sin- a few 
-“ doit, y—myo yregret ing
3 friends, instead
deer.
“Not exactly,” and t 6 white teeth of the
minor gleamed through his tawny mustache.
"‘Sweetheart, then—not so awkward as I
thought,” muttered the detective, but not 80

:‘ got a word ever paged between us before

believed her. It is strange,
he that your keen eyes did not penetrate

legume!”

“ yso‘i Itookhertobeanotber Calamity
Jane, out. on a bender. Surely no reputable
woman would-”

‘ “Stop!” sternly cried the prisoner. “That
lady, sir, wasnoneotber than yourWIfe—Mrs.
DamelBrownl” 

A of utter amazement burst from the lips
of the etective, at this disclosure, and his hand
fell tram the shoulder of the minor.

Thenanequallysuddenchangecame over

Dexter-oust he wrested the pistol from_the
unnerved hand of the detective, while his 11 ht
lnndclaspadhisthroat. Aquicktripknoc ed
theomcer’slegsmmundermwdhewas
thrown prostrate at the feet of the rumor. .

“Not a word—note sound from your 1: ,
DanBrown,orIscatter your brains over t 6
mt!” steruly cried Sol Scott, kneeling over
the fallen .man- andhmtln-usting1 the cocked revol-
verfair .. ‘ ' e.

, 1y agfxtheflmcool couramge for which he was
remat- returned tothe overthrown detec-
tive, as herealiaed that he had been outwitted.
Therewasr not the faintest tremor in his voice
as spoke:

“Don’t threden more than you can ‘ ,
Mr. Scott. Idon’t believe the best. meroscope
emmadocoulddetectanatomotbrainsinmy
had—fies, or I would never have fallen into
such a clumsily baited trap!”

~“"l‘heleastpressure‘of in fig now would
 that . problem," grave y the miner.
“Can “you xiv; anygood reason why I should

in Mad

x,“ 4. the tunes to'
when: reportw maturing

  
   
 
    

,“Youretuseto foryourlltel”
“Afterlbave emchanamof 7, -

r. If you fail
have odou-

     
  

 
   
 
    

 
 
    
 
 
   
  
 
  
   
  
 

, . sake! dreadedflieshame ofthe
isdeade onehrthe $111,!"an
hved these ten

grin on “I “71".: ‘

y a . ‘
,  _hdinp orno feel-
? w the 

  
 

andtake

wi
min

 
 
 

“My orders’ on his lips, and a

of pn'sonerand ,
Your wife, I so 3” }

«. able to solve the no

room,” she -
‘ whohad discree

. maninmm’sclothesl” ' ‘
uuw‘

. worse,
“Bntwhoistohla ?

willnotuttamlfi. toes-filo
todiatokillmysellgnd’m'yonrhandtmm

‘  andobtained .

3 . S - ‘

uponlhesot then kneltathm'feethomng" 'kne
in1.bis’,toheepher "

 

"  Vlipelhesrdthedumlnc

' gleam in his blue
eyes, strange enoug in one whom a shameful
death on the gallows stared full in the face.

Entering the hotel, Sol Scott, followed by the
rough~looking “Funny Felix from Fr’isco,”
figassedh I the landlord Withbzfcool ngd, then ran:
' t u tairs, pausing ore an rapping a
the (1301.12)? the room where he had left the be-
wildered woman. ‘

There was a brief silence, then a muflled
voice bade them enter. Sol Scott opened the
door and entered, the detectivo followmg.
. The woman arose from the sofa where she
had been lying and confronted them. Red cir-
cles were around her eyes, the traces of pas-
sionate tears on her cheeks,'but still she was
gloriously almost peerlesly beautiful.

“Merciful heavens! Rachel, what brought
you here?” V

The voice belonged to Dan Brown but her
eyes were bent upon the face of Sol Scott, be-
having he had spoken. ‘

“ ou throw ed the mask at last!” she ox-

claim , bitterly. .

“Your husband he, lady, not I,” said Sol
Scott, quietly, at 9 same time placin his
hand on the shoulder of the utterly bewil ered
detective.

Dan Brown stared from one to the other un-
ystery. Nor was Rachel less
bewildered. This rough, ill-clad, hairy old man
her husbad? And he, whom she firmly be-
lieved to her husband, to tell her so! Was
she oing on? '

“ chel, w t does all this mean?” demanded
the detective, advancing, but pausing as she
shrunk away with a low cry.

Believing this aflright proceeded from his
rough «Refine pulled the cunnin ly adjusted
wigand from his head an cast them
aside. The false wrinkles of old age, the stain
as of sunburn were still upon his face but none
whohad ever seen the famous detective could
doubt his identit now. ’

Still Rachel runk awa , if anything with
that look of utter horror eepening upon her

hostly-white face, and as Dan Brown extended
is thea‘ffi as lthough to touch her, a gasping cry
par er ps.

“ Never again! back, false-hearted traitor—do
not touch me!”

“ Rachel, are you mad?” was all the defective
could ejaculate.

With a desperate eflort, the wronged wife
gutially regained her composure, but still mo-
oned the detective away. Amused, fearin

she had sudde and unaccountany gone

Dan Brown advanced, pausing only when
the woman, her eyes flushing with hunted de-
spair, turned the muzzleof a pistol u n him.

“ Rachel, my wife—what does all is mean?
Are you crazy, or am I going mad? You draw
a pistol on me—”

A bitter laugh intenm'udpted him. While he
was gm more exci as his bewilderment

, w wing calmer.

“We both to

.

as
$qu on. 3...“ “2°
an w
dygtm-nedghis back upon them:
butwho could not help healing every word. ‘
“Madam,” he mid, turning around, his brow
deeply flushed. “ I should have left the room
at once, but unfortunately I am no longer a free
agent. Your husband has arrested me.” I
“Gimme your. role-or honor «and wait for
Elsinth w,”hurrbdly* cm

L
rown.

“ I will make no attempt to 'escape,sir ” and
bowing first to one, thenthe other, 301’ch
“tithmmx please upon ” said the de-

ow’ . 7 '
tective, witbaet’rongeifort of will succeedng
in beepinghis emotions under, control. “ I t
you safe at home, only a week ago-1 find you
ere—m heaven! it Was you—that‘s")-

ild, reckless—terribly altered tor the
‘ aminotl” thewomanlaughed,bitterly.
' lying! Flows,

doubledaced traitor would-be assaminl”
stood

Shonoted his bewilderment, but set mm as
 count: 
' - , m .
“l have  you the trouble 
orma passed
53m    at'zélast,
myeyesareopened,thatnow lmowllov‘eda
devil «in humongous, rather than an unh—
angel on earth,” I fondlysbelievedl I came
tellyou that Ibave discovered all—andthen.
ousmoracrnnsoncmne.  w 
With a“ panth leap  leached
‘ arm he mfl i

hora With‘a stron

bombs" from‘d‘ohlg
.fherselfaumischht. »  '_ 7   r a
~  ‘tllcw, Rachehyou mm . = Yeah-ve- .
madeterriblechargeahase ‘~ edateomeherrh
his in 

2W 

‘ sworn __ oath of him

your cunning lure, on .1

 

voicetremblingbut her eyesflashlnglea'aun-
utterable.

Dan Drown stared at her in bewildlrmat.
Either he was wholly at a loss to understand
what she meant, or else he' was a most M
acto

r.

“ No husband—4mm my li . you heard that?
he cried. " Rachel, for the eve of Heaven, tell
me what you mean! You are not mad?"

“ You have changed your plan, then? Instead
of murdering me outright, you think your semi:
can be buried in a mad-house.”

“ Rachel, you have said too 'much not to
say more. You must tell me what terrible tln’ng
you are hinting at. As your husband, I have
the right to demand this.’

“ You are not ~my husband—you never was!
Stop! think not to deceive me with plaude
falsehoods. From your own month you stand
condemned—and that you may know how ut-
terly you have been unmask listen.”

In raid words she told that hasbeeu
laid ore the reader; of the visit of Esra
Drake, his sto , the investigation which fol-
lowed, the temble revelation to which she had
listened on the s of the theater, and of the
unmasking of the tar. '

“ It was your voice I heard, your face I saw
when your mask fell. re, sir, istbe e lana-
tion you demanded—the reasons why I said you
were not, never had been my husband.”

In stony silence Dan Brown had listened from
beginning to end, though several time- becould
with difficulty refrain from intermptin her
recital. Now, 6, even through the 
ing stain, her lue eyes shining like polished

steel. he spoke:

“ he , I do not blame you for the mistake
Eon have fallen into, after what I have heard.

at I swear by to ho of heaven—bythe
love I feel for you— y t e bones of m saluted
mother—that you have made a le mie-
take. I never uttered those words. I did not
attend the uerade, because I was not in r
Denver at that .”

“I saw—I heard. Can ears and eyes lie!”
ensconced P .. 

is case y ave. oor ' w
must have suffered!” girl, ,m

“No! never again !”' Rachel cri pushing
him back as he sought to clasp her in or arms.
“It was you I saw—you I heard declare that I
was not your wife-that you loved me
only her! And then you told how you w
remove me from your path, lest I should accuse
you of bigamg!"

With an e oft the detectime-
self, and bowed his head for a moment in deep
thought Then he looked up, and there we

lad li ht in hiseyea. Graspingthebell ,

e p ed it, then sat down upon achairnear
the sofa. In a few moments a colored bell-boy
rapped at the door,and Dan Brownbadohlm

enter. ,
you to and the dalmardm, Hr.
Ellis, and bring him here as as pouibh.
And on your way, bid the  please -
up here. Take this for your trouble—and
the mate to it waitin region it you bring the
marshal here inside 0 h an hem-Who said,
signs tfigdaflgyl a flvgo dollar ole:l ‘ ’
mm ear ear

retreated. , a gut N boy

A few moments later the boat, D. W. Winkh,’
made his appearance. Curious at the ”
vex-ma! wranglinbmst had 
a painfu a going coming
0 that evglning,  had 
Eggnog. hopinsthusmsetatthebouom

7 m ry. r w _

“ . Winkle, this ladyinny wile, Iaqu

Brown—3’ ,

“Not the i

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e r _ :

pens,” annoyinng  film: he!»
Ymmce or ' r of W
WM, “m c“!  a; MK
he  may.» I,

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_ “ ' ,stmekthedrtmkenbmteto
 t was h'm last blow—exha 1
he! atcommandetthemousterwhOm
he had struck, a noose was flung over his head
andhe‘wasbnng—Jikeadog!

“The ca commander was furious. In

 

milling.

“ It may be that he was ignorant of the fact
first my child was aslee inside. His sin was
great enough without  him with what ,'
unmet be, woven. Whether he knew it or not, Ia
the house was setonfireinadozenplaces, and g

be was inside!

"Kmn 31y wife awoke from her swoon, the I
building-was all a . from th midst of
that fiery furnace came the pitiful w of her
idolized infant. There was no chance of saving
it then. The brutal hell—hounds had done their
' work too well. But 1:: wife tried to enter——
would have entered to are the horrible fate of
her only child, had not she been seized and
forcibly restrained. .

“ To make sure, the soldiers bound her to the
trunk of one of the trees, then they mounted
and rode away. '

“Do you wonder that when the faithful old
' negro, who afterward sought me out and told
me the horrible story, ventured from his covert
, and went to his mistress’s aid he found her mad

~herhrain tinned bythe pitiful walls of the
child she was werless to aid?

“ ' died tore the negro found me. It
was so, perhaps. The light of reason
could never have returned to her eyes, for in
her poor, shattered brain, those agonizing cries
were ever ringing. She died, was buried, and
I far away. _

“Only my poor old mother was saved, she
being away on a visit to some friends.

' “ Kot until after the war ended could I learn
the name of the officer in command, but I knew

that it was Federal soldiers who wrought this ‘L,

min, and from that time on I was an avenging
angel. I neither asked nor gave quarter. My
men knew my sto , and they sym athized
With me. They too no prisoners. y and
night we, were in the saddle, and the sure
ra 'dityof our blows gained torus a terrible
calamity. Through it all I was blindly hunting
for the erer of my family, but in vain.
I‘The dark days of the South carn'e,~but we
never surrendered with the main arm . IVs
fought our way through to Mexico, an it was
yeatsbeforelagainmtumedtotbefitates.
. “Inadchauged in name and let my beard
' w, like this. y a few intimate friends
flow and I knew m

 

secret was safe with
them. I was in New ork city that I found
my man, through a friend who had formed one
of a wine supper, given by General Watkyns

Cow wai . .

‘f he general was drunk, and boasting over
his cups, told the story of how nearly he had
cometocapturing me. If. he had been sober,
' hezwouldnot have, blazoned forth his devilish
meltyu-hutthehandol,fate wasmitl ‘

“ “K Mendezcumd himself on plea of sod-
den ' ease and came direct to me, telling me
the frightful boasted or by the drunkard.

~ “ years d but ray hearigaas
litterandfullofm eanceason ebhc y
horrible fate that but;

killed him among his friends:
»who wmtmamaned, or too cowardly to inter-
‘ two revolvers into his

5

   
  
  
   
  
 
 
  
   
  
 
 

descrlp— ‘mfim

 

 

Sol Scott, the Masked Miner.

l, Sol waitedhere and when I penetrated your
uise I yielded myself quietly,” ~
‘ After reading me a lesson such as I shall
never to t,” said Dan Brown of Denver, with
a shrug the shoulders.

“ And me!” interpolated Rachel. “ Husband,
remember what service he rendered your wife.
You cannot—you shall not arrest him I” -

“You hear?” asked the detective, with a
comical shru of the shoulders. “You are free,
Mr. Scott. shall never arrest you—but others
may. Better levant.”

“ No, that is too much trouble. And the end
must come sometime. I shall run no more. Bet-
ter be taken by you, a gentleman, than some
other.” ‘

“ If he does I’ll never

1: to him again !”
cried Booths, looking as

ough she meant all

she sai .

“I? do, ma I be ” bluntly declared
Dan Brown. “ d rather leave the force for-
ever—andI will, too!”

CHAPTER X.
THE coxsrmnrons IN COUNCIL.

“ Yorbsee now what a mom can do!”

“Say devil. rather!” was the explosive re-
sponse. “He played with Vem Shadutz just
as you or I might pie with a year old boy. If
I had known him be ore we entered into Fart-
nership, I’d have taken a second though h -
fore bucking against him. He’s mighty bad
medicine, Gerux.”

“ Didn’t I say as much when you were chuck-
ling over the one way our work was to be
done by your re haired giant? Didn’t I tell
you that Dan Brown had no equal on earth with
list, knife or revolver?”

Bittcrly as the Frenchman hated the noted
detective there was a trace of triumph in his
tones as he spoke of the signal victory gained
by Sol Scott—as he believed, Dan Brown.

The two men—Paul Gerux and King Car-
michael as they called each other—were seated
in a small room situated at the rear of a saloon,
by no means savory scented in the nostrils of
the Golconda guardians of the peace. A rough
table was between them. Water, a bottle of
villainous whisky and a greasgupack of cards
rested upon the pine plank, t the two con-
s ' stars were too usy to deyote much atten-
tion to these. .

They had much to say concerning the thrill-
ing events of the last night, in all of which they
had been liarly interested, and a portion of
which h fallen to their share. i

It was their hands that hurled the chairs to
extinguish the lights, when 801 Scott and his

 

 

masked companion held big Shadutz and his
“ bad wd at bay—and it was the voice of
King rmichael that warned the red-haired

giant of Sol Scott’s unexpected return.
They were still talkin busily whcnalow,
' ra cametromt e other sideofthe
Trier, star 3 them iggo sflcinctgigoit-a moment.

e was ropes ,an nne recog-
nized, for Carmichael said:

“It‘s only Jayhird—heel-com in, you ace
of Tunes!”

T 6 owner of this fantastic cognomen opened
thedoor and entered the room, grinning from
ear toear, bowing and scraping with a queer
mixture of fear andimpudence.

“’Mornin’, men; hope I seesulyer libel
an’ feelin’ d’mmornin’u-powerf dry wor
walkin’ so , gemmeni’ he added, licking his
thick lipsss he noticed he bottle and saw that
it was nearly full. 4

“Hal yourself, dark,” said Gerux. “ But
unless e news you bring isgoodnews, that’s
tag last whisky you’ll ever swallow-I swear
I .

There was a indignity in his tones that
startled the huge negr who was 
ofthebettlezandca himtostart. The ‘ry
co ‘ went the wrong way,” and threw

strangling that
th forevert
e We
335m in his
cod-shot ecu. “ owlhelpwhatudder
{yoksai ‘ Imake hiring" ml?st
on me , say you
hear.’ Den'efit ain’t good—e1 it don’t suit you,
you so. ‘I kill you,damn rascal? Don’tsse
notun dot way.” ‘ ‘

“Then you do hinghadnewsr’marled the
Frenchman. ,

"‘Howme’ know? You'don’t tell me what
went to hear. You myu-Iwatch dat mom——

him intoafit among-ht? and
camenearshuttingoflh hrea
“Too darned bad, boa, on
a when

bl

she word .2: indardeucometell
me. Nigger mun-hen words—he
mtch’emandowainhishead, became,

. But how heknew‘wedder you
fibihadnewsorgoodnm l“ ‘ _
V V n

 

The negro obeyed. Fortunate} than i ll)
necessity for tnnsu-ibing his  in full.

Jaybird-beel as he was known three t
(Alolconda, was the  (fit the Parker

cunnmgrascal, o o mono and whisk-y' '

hehadmorethanonce been of gniceto ' '
Carmichael}. and by him was introduced to Pa
Gerux. pfgnbought the negro soul and
biody, and he fait y carried out his instruc-

one.

These were to keep a close b5...‘x3ret watch
over  Dan Brown; to mark her comin
and omgs; to note her visitors, if she had any,
and earn who and what they were; to over-
hear the co versation that passed between them
in XII-ivate, 1 fissible. .

lfl this he done, and now brought his ro-
po . .

He told how the woman he was set to spy
upon, left her room on the evening before,
dressed 1n man’s cloth' . He meant to follow
her, .but landlord Win is caught him while
steahng away, and set him to work. He saw
her return, accompanied by So! Scott, whom
she took up to her room. ' '

At this a furious curse broke from the ll of
Paul Gerux. and the negro y ducked his End
and threw up one arm as it e expecteda blow
to follow. .

“Dished, by —-—l I could have swore‘she
would have used a knife on him the moment
the met—3’ '

‘ at accounts for his defendin her
Shadutz and his crowd!” interpo ted
cbael. “He must have penetrated herdisgulse
at first sight. Go on, dark.”

The black spy resumed. He had secured a
postion from whence he could see into the
parlor and overhear all that was spoken them
in. With remarkable fidelity be repeated the
speeches of both Sol Scott and Rachel Brown,
and when he came to where the woman vainly
attempted to unmask her visitor, the two
men again interrupted him with exclamation!
of wonder. The had been so sure that 801
Scott was Dan rown in  And Paul
Gerux still believed so, though he cursed him-
self gr not bemg able to explain the seeming
to s ry.

Q"I don’t see why he should deny her!” he
muttered. ~

“Natural enough,” said Carmichael, with a

low laugh. “She unmasked him while. walking
with a very charming woman.”

" you know, I begin to believe that we
must have overdone that ieoe of businesnl"
growled Gerux, but abrup y ceasing at a sig
nificant look from his fellow tor.

negro was listening y, but as the

Frenchman turned upon him, be dropped his
eyes and resumed his to '

He was on the watch when 80] Scott returned
to the hotel; accompanied by Funny Felix from
Fr’isco, and seeming further informatics}, he
hastened back to his place ,0: espial and saves-

dl'ffplnf.
etodthem allthatpemed, greatly to their
M

repeat his words.
‘I feltsurethat 801 Scott could not be on

 fir  mm...

“ w 0 we ve that old ’
[never douBbtedhim fora!“ cu,
reallme town then we we our hm
sfgfififor he could’decelve the very devil him-
\“Disn germustgd, new chimes-ven-
turedhy ird-heel, as th  deb".
for otten‘l f hfinprem’Wnce.I :fielbongibme do

er a no aux, ‘neen,’ ‘ how
Wits 01216603., do, just '  .
is never. now u '

need your services more even". h “

place, even if he does out
must watch the closer than

heareverywom that is mainline:
andforget ” v
Gem

A: he gave , ’ We.
on negro a tweak ' g“

“Nebm'rrmwdn ’  “
birds in onheu’. mm W, 

Forsamohttle  ' a”,
two corals-two “8m 1” “M
douhta mt.   r r h

new... aWfi—MM- 4“"

    

 

 

 

 

' IfDan
.hopaandisthehouestdetective

‘ 

3016 Scott, the Masked 

 

 

crummy latcheme

_ Notwholl tromfear butbecause
Itey remembered the p edges they had volunta-
 the mysterious intruder.

silenoeSamEllisand Edward Rolfe sunk
hackintotheh'chaira 'Ihe face ofthemarshal
were a look of almost ludicrous doubt and
amusement buttherewasa ‘ expression
 looctofsuspicl' on that
was MY convi ion.

“Sin-anger,” cried Enoch Dod , earnestly,
“you my be the blackest tmhung, but
darn me of I couldn’t bug you like a love'sick

I for this! You’re runmu thisreslrtosavethe
_ an’ whitest fri’nd I ever knowed an’ of
flier was a thousan’ murders restin’ onto tyflour
soul, I’d fight ag’inst any an’ everybody as '
to ’rest ye now! You’ve got my word, an’
that’s my hand—”
' “1116 undo! an honest man,too,else com-
monreportlies,” hedDaan ’s double.
“An; man might proud to it as a
users  Mai?“ “new; be!

. la , grave een us, you
know itvnot. day we must have a rock-
mingthatwillendinyourdeathor’mine—
pagans both. For the, precast, resume your
sea

With a Wypunled air, the worthy

,never tear"eoldlyinteqnsed Den
’ , 3‘" youspeah,nri”headd«
ed’l’hefaoeofthe to were aacynicalsmila
‘ l lenthimanunwonted
 m ' H

intanstedinwatch-
lug litfle to , it before the
rig ttinpeomea’? “
“Betterafercethantbebitter,blacktragedy
wouldhaveeausedbyswearinganianocent
manhlifeawayi?’ u _,
Brown is set free, as I ' seem to
havenutil
nowrbelieved him,hewfl1 Megan trail and
‘ right

“ harbouldactas yousa ,he wouldonly
bedoinghissworu (lath; respond» oil‘ the
strange man g 18 . “ «
any means ho’is set freevytheu wewill be even}:
lellhave‘paidthede Iowehi andcan
meet him without fear-orfavor.‘ My has
keptmyheadagainstenemiee ' in con-
ning  . I do not fear what it
can so

,“Butwe arewasting time in idle talk. I
haVeMngbudnemmhmdandnodoubt
,/ wishtoreturntoyourwine. ,I’ll not keep
fi long-onlyto why I have taken

firm manwhoiathemost

“ Who I  myreal name, does not
concern you in the least. Enough that my
early tramm should lnvemeed a safeguard
against mylgallinfiso low—hut itdid not. I

. to. I made myself what I

fieudwmmeettheconseq, uences, like hman
wheat 'lasttumis called. I ooIYmentioued

thepast, to‘explainhow I cametohaveapure
 wife; one whoclung to me
flirough‘ afievil report- “ a ‘ 

lgiunteilfihoflyh the bounds of: the
theuwtvgassfiny V " , ,, c

  ‘     “  acacia
     ‘
,1    i .  1* aim-say“

My"  ‘ f as

  

 ‘ a  blow

 
 
 

 

   

.Alow,m

 

 

very houng would, only thghconlefion wonlg
surer 3 rope» around err own throa

“ I swear that Dan Brown is momenta—that I
am the guilty onc—” .

“ I believe gear oath—that you are gmlty
not that Dan rown is innocent,” 
Rolfe, withahardlaughandapecubarsmile.

“ If one,then the other follows, asamatterof

“ Not exactly,” smiled the banker. I .

“If you saw us both together, side b elde,
my face and 7 ' , which one woul you
swear dealt that blow?”

“If that could happen, I could not swear—-
but it never will, never can—because you are

at Brown himself!” _

Enoch Dodge stand from one to the other in
open- ‘ ed amazement, While Sam Ellis moved
uneas’ y in his seat, hardly knowing what to do
or say, for the same belief had been his from
the moment their strange visitor removed his
mask—{heralse beard and w' that madebim
so tly resemble Sol Scott miner.

(gt them all—the unknown alone remained cool
and composed beneath the startling accusation.

' h parted his lips.

“ It is lucky or the welfare of your immortal
soul, Mr. Rolfe, that on are not now under
oath. Already you ' ve perjumd yourself
twice, since I came in, though I 've you credit
for believing you are i
Brown nevar robbed your ban nor am I he.”

“ What is V601” opinion, Mr. Ellis?” asked the
banker. “ ho is this gentleman—Dan Brown
ornot?”. '

“ I hardly dare sa —-onlg a minute ago Iswore
be was 801 Scott. Dan rown, how 'd he get
one? jam” bed rock!’ ed tb

‘ ow we are nearing - cri 0
unknown. “Mr. Rolfe, if you positively knew
that Dan Brown of Denver was at this very
moment in the ' --that he had not set foot
outside of that uilding since be surrendered
last night—and knowing as you do that he
denies being the criminal, whim I as positively
admit my ncy—conld you. after seeing the
fecal, have wn you, swear that Dan Brown
killed Albus Black and robbed your bank?”

“Answer him use! on was on oath, an’
may the devil grill you erever an’ ever of you
he! cried Enoch

“No.1 could not make oath,if youarenot
Dan Brown ”

‘Theausw'ercameslowl but '9:
y plum ouch.

for the was reallyan and con.
scientiommau.
“'l‘hat settles i then!” cried the unknown,

exaltantly. “ Dan wn is now in jail, strong-
lzguardedandall‘you havetodoistogo
« 1 ram gm?“ “m mug," m7, b-
see you wo stu
Eome declaredel  Riggs?“ so much
ocus—poczis a u g a t busineu
that nothmg lemwfifoonviuce me. Istilldel
clarethatyou are Dan Brown. Ibtlieveyou
pe ' cone
to throw dust in. my eyes. I believe this sup-
per forms a portion of the plot—that bothof
°“ dilemma?  “p “3%”? 1‘51?
e a g y, upon an is.
“Knot—if on are innocent of comgllidtyin
thisboldsceme—Icallonyouto elpme
arrest this self-acknowledged murderer!”
Never before had the naturally timid banker
been so thoroughly worked and reckleeeof
lperil, he would have u Dan
rown’s double, had not the. strong of
Enoch Dodge held him back. ,
“ ywordis an’noman sha’u’tmake
me out a liar. t dowu, Rolfe, an’ ’have your-

! y

“ Another motion like t Hr. Rolfe, and
Dan Brown will be acqui for lack of-«an
'5 “Hr‘y‘, c "Efiht‘m’i’wflem

eisno com ‘

slowl . “Likehim Ianrina‘flfie Ifyonare
Dan town—though I can’t, rstand how
onearthyouma togivetheboysthe
slip, forbnhothem know you couldn't—41m
it is mydutyto erred you, If you are‘not,
thenmy isthesame, and.an
more , tome.”
h “It nBrownIca‘i'igltlbe clearedbyan k.

eroio measures, surrend
 and sum in his stead. .But t testi-
cieumy find” “a? “‘1” mnwwpmm’m”
' on veseenus , .

“litigath 'we askéside by , face to

videdyouagreetomyterms. .
 leave WW‘M
cumus” ise Mono ,, WC
altorlhaveconvincedyeuthatlam

face Rolfe._  ‘
,Ҥoushall have your desire mum

       p    Dan Brown.- You must utter no M,
 “£5 n"

   me while we
wig” Promise y I. will;-

wymwmejaflandtfimuhhefg_ _ 1
illuminaan ”" ‘ ‘

‘ f‘Ym   I.

5.

  

arm totwo

bum mumme‘to

{gar tugs,” said the marshal, unbuctlhg

fAmbelt ofweaponsandplacing ituponthe
8.

“An’ 1 without any eta or ands,” chimed
in Enoch odge, following mitiulliis honest e as
fairly dancing with joy. “ , never ' a
finger ag’instyouinthefumr'ef you kin cl’ar
m old side pardnerl”

e banker said nothing, but drew a stud
revolver from his hi pocket and placed it with
the rest on the  c. He seean dazed, yet
suspicionn. He knew that the man before them.
We.st Brown of Denver, impossible as that
seemed, and he rwolved to detect the imposiv
fiqyfiiaflnfi, 'll bl‘ by] d‘ the

. you w: 0 age me ea 1
way, in company with Mr. Rolfe. Not t I
doubt either of you, but I am playing a beard—
ous game, stakin my life agams notb' and
I would be foolish to throw away a 
chitincab Mr. Dosage, will you ache my gull] “
oojection in rused,‘ e‘quar tee
the room, descended the private flight and
reached the street without seein or being seen

by an person. Then, in the 0 er chosen by
Dali: town’s double, they hastened on to the
321 .

The men. were still on guard du , just as the
marshal had placed them at d and Sam
Ellis drew a doe breath of relief. He believed

e truth. Dan, them iucorrupti le, still befelt that the strong
saw '

must be Dan Brown himself until be
men quietly guarding the jail. Surely their
prisoner could not have escaped! ,

“ All well, Moses?” he asked. “ There’st

no Trlnom trouble!” dad th a

e m'en respon in asthma veflrst,
then in the negative. All was well, and no one
had tried to raise another row.

“ I bring some friends to visit the prisoner. I
know you will be glad to hear that there isa
{gr prospect of clearing him of this dreadful

u e.

“ never gave it a moment’s credit. That
fool banker was so bad scared he could see an -
thing, and so pitched onto the first man that
thought of," replied Moses, h the deep shadow
failing to reodgnize 110..

“ Come in, gentlemen,” hurriedly added
Ellis, desirous of saving the feelings of both
men.

Edward Rolfe was shaping a cutting retort
that should annihilate the disrespectf police-
man, but Ellis forced him along before he could
give it utterance.

Ahead of them shone 3. (Km t, which all
knewcamefronithecellofthe verdetec-
tive, and all else was 1' tten in the intense
interest of the moment. as Dan Brown still
there? Could it be possible that there existed
another man no exact y his double-etc deceive
even his most intimate friends!

Three hearts beatalmostmflocatinlyin
those gear momezzht: elf doubt—then m
Dodge ung 11 cc dour, many open -

We in a otdeligfiit, almost

‘gelourl. o
DauBrownstai-edathisvidtoninblauk
a“Wha‘tnfiisit, t1 3 Sometth new
omen ‘
turned 9" m ' E

“ sthemanwhatkillcd ouqu

cried  pointing to the we.
0'7??? secs? insulated the am
0 e
bewildered. “ How could 
mistake me formmeut , ypausmgaa
beremem ’ a mistake had been.
 t‘hewx’fegtflhhbm m ‘ "
hughg‘d the y   
, are on

"Y .  so , ,, ,
Bone? are   Ir.

“ tlamnot,”stcrnly 
“You   whom alas I bars
have , , r  , ' ‘
you  

 

 

 

 
      
 

  

 

 the cmfiscated weapons to

   
  
    
 
   
  
    
   
 
   
      
    
   
 
    
 
  
    
   
   
 
  
 
  
 
   
  
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
    

under 7 end reached his own instead.
 donned his garments, and uietly

' b ‘ the heavy sack ti over
\bhheadmdeh, Henolo rantici—
‘- treachery, fier- therewas a of blood

Then the cavaleade rode on lihegrimphan—
hudthe'night.

CHAPTER“.

“arms a sans.“

IrhdoubtmliftherewasamaninGolconda
who felt more content with himself and the
mm“ M 6“ Edwfi Semi? Wedge“?

, evenm co es 0-
we. g m 8 A

htbe ls’stronfilrxo
theirstplace, .Roltewasafaithful
dEpicurudwhosepreceptshewisely
'cal nctasa
Hehadspentthelast
thetableinhisroomsatthePar~
toteastbef thyep tthevulit
are e eso gar
‘e—afiwasnowslowly
along the street, in blissful conscious-
vingdonehiswholedutybyhimselt

E

theseloownerof theonlybank

of.
wordconsideredasgoodasauyother man’s
and all who was ortimate e to be
with cash,
Arno heaviest depositors of course
tumors. mam the regular ‘ cleaning
up” day, when m of the
ty stamps whose thunder had not ceased
 days, were collected anddeeither sold to
rs or orgies: company, or posited
' vault of t bank for present keeping. And
3%” before since Golconda had a name and a

El

 

igl

X jmhdesouled fellow—thus was banker
ted by those who had more intimate
dealings with him. Semi-occasionally he would
“on a tear” tousehis ownexpression and
a mouth aha-ward would secretly a ire
' If no a mostdelighttully reckless and im-
fellp‘w. This “ mm for 
W3 W 9V9?! )7 be“
aflorded, 33% drinking on b wine to
his sedate brain to dancing at h 3. And

i

 

3’3

has

i

' send for the city marshal and est a

El

menhehadkilledordisabled: forthough
never had a personal diflicultyin his
and hardly knew the muzzle of a revolver
its butt, banker Rolfe believed that, when
hewas a terrible desperado, who
tat the drgot a hat.” Onthis
t alon hewasatri cracked; inbusiness
and dealings he was sharp as a

g the better of him
now... When he sat unto his daintily pm-
snw, Mr. Rolfe intended to qmt the

,3, E
gigggg

vewa‘gbefore the subtle temptingsot
v11,

3
There was still another reason, Mr. Rolfe was :
Golcondacould ‘ upon hi by saying a word, until his captors

y the next morning the repentant rioter :
repetition of his last night’s exploits—how ,

vh'tuousccmch,butthisgoodreso~

col Seem-the Masked Mm" er;

 

mlity. These were rufians—most

genuine
. likely some of the dreaded Owls—who meant to

 

i

His financial standing was prime, 5

rob if not murder him; possibly both.

The banker was not an over brave man;
many would have deemed him an errant cow-
ard. Certain itis that now, taken at such a
terrible disadvantage, his arms firme held by
themenwithwhom heseemed to betakinga
leisurely stroll, with a knife and a pistol press—
ingbetween his ribs oneppositesidesasthey

up the street, he trembled violently and
wouldhavesnnkan heapontheground,
had they not supported him.

Twice  lantern who would  at‘
tempted rescue a single cal:i each
time he felt those horrible weapons ckh'ng his
ribs,andasotten did he suitor the bold cot:
‘ all:  ' ttheyturnedasid

e pom: porn e
from themain stree and throu h less
frequentedones, not isdainingalle an short
cuts across vacant lots,bnt all t ewhileMr.
Rolfe felt those dreaded weapons in ‘contact
gliborhg—lgnyednkem h c.3711“ 33%? was

an up-an own ulum
in his throat. A misstep might easily be fatal
--a!ter all, was it not a stupendous practical
joke on the part of some of his waggish friends?

Between these two extremes he fluctuated,
but notdaringto break the injunction placed

came toa haltinthe rearofa stable standing

1 not many rods in the rear of the building con-

banked 1511 Mr.‘

S

i

I
l

!

badso much wealth crossodthe;
_thebanhasonthisparticular8atur«

 

his business rooms.

“ p your knife through his ribs if he makes
a motion,” hoarsely whispered the man with the
revolver, for the first time releasing the banker’s
arm.
They stood in the deep shadow, but Rolfe
could see that the speaker was removing his
slouched hat and donning another covering.

inthe ‘ Foramomenthe was in doubt, but then the

startling truth dawned upon him. This new
disguise was the feathered semblance of a huge
horned owl’s head!

He knew then that be had fallen into the
gti 01 those terrible deemdoes, the Owls,
an hehnew thatmoret hislifewasin
dan er.

“glasyflldr. Rolfe!” warnineg muttered the
owl’shead, relic ' his comrade. “ We mean
business, but your (e is safe enou h as long as
you are sensib 3. Cut up rusty, an we’ll leave
you in prime condition for a {metal sermon—-

.Shitham” bhng the tched ‘

‘verin , trem ' , wre prisoner
watched thge transformation of the man with the
knife into the head of an owl, feeling vaguely
that he had ere this seen that clear cut profile,

momently ex to his view. Ifso, his brain
wastoocon toidentifythefaceatthat
moment.

Smoothing down his feathered head
the man with the knife addressed the banker.

“ Mr. Rolfe, {on now lmow who two and
can give a pre ty guess as w we
mean to do. You vs made a gooddeelof
money since you came here, and we have had
our eyes on you for some time. You are fairly
ripe, now, and we mean to no you pretty
dry. But it is only the m3 lucre we are
after. We don’t want your loud—dint we’ll
takesomeot that if we can’t around it."

Just as he felt that, the p out the man with
the knife was not entirely strange to him, so
Edward P. Rolfe felt now that he had heard
that smooth, clear voice before. When or
where, he could not now recall. ,

“Inplaiu ords,we mean to robthebank.
if the alarm shouldbe 'ven before weaning-3
aWay with the p er,I swear tint I ‘
cutyour heartout before I try tdmpe. I
imprem that up’on'your mmd; yourhfe
on our success.

He paused fora moment asii toallowthe
fear-stricken banker time sumcient to fully

&
“ owthen,istherean onesleepinginthe
bank? Isy Alhus B ck actingas night
watchman, er oe‘she remain there sunplyaea

lodgler?’ ‘
“ tycolie," cautioned themanwiththere-
volver, “ it may cost Iyou your life.”

“ sleeps there, Rolfe ‘ to stem

mar. '

“Yonandheeachcarrya .Can on
enter without alarming .him, gym ’ ?
Hindfi‘ weareboundto unauditbewalees
thee ancesarethatbo odymwillgetru
out. Rowsmwer.” -

‘y‘lIeisasound_ . He may-I hopehe
will—-—won’t wake$ ‘gespedthebankerntarce
knowingwhathe '  .

“Somuchthewerse oryouandhimbotbii

 

open. one of
themmhadingtothem-ivateofleeinthe
rear. In this second room AlbnsBlack, the
onleclerkandam’shntkept ’by slept on
8 0111188. *
“Hemustbecared for,”mutteredtheman
with the revolver. “The light or the none
mighta’wakmhmmhekmwmrdnehis

I’llsettletheboylfhesbould up,
throw the mtohiseyesandblhndhnn.
Stead now

000’ as he spoke,the0wlmovedhgbtl'
along tfiepassage his comrade in crime bring):
mg up the rear, forcing the banker
sendmg the light in advance until it fell 1y
upon the face of the sleeping youth.

Sound slumberer he may buve‘been, but be
bright glare awakened him now, and an excla-
mation ofsurpnseburst fromhrslipsashehalt
arose—on]!me fall back agam' with a hollow
green as t man with the knife leaped forward
and brought the butt of a heavy revolvor down
on his head with fearful force. »

No need of a second blow. Blood streamed
from the woundandsaturated thepillowen
which the head lay.

‘ Edward Its almost fainted at the terrible
eight,  was only kept from falling by the
in“ i?” W*‘ "semi ’i‘ifinmgmm”

e may ave was u r ' '
by this ruthless deed. y "

“He brought it on himself!” muttered the
murderer, as it trying to excuse the bloody
deed. “A moment more and he would have
raised the alarm.”

E

“You’re sure he’s settled?’ coldly mired the .

Wild“; W, m

y or a ” with a hard

“Justasyouwillbe,ol mamflyougivem

any trouble. Tsinhieiwamm' b his fate, and do
I as you are or '

mile hesitation as ledl’id him!” you nth as

Passin around the end of the mentor  I

stood be are alarge iron safe—“fire  bur-
glar proof,” its makers claimed, but prdaably
they never anticipated its being attacked m
mg kg i0{lg-at do—d '

on our w to o i ” stern! or.
dered the owl, pointing at the littlé silver-[Lied
knob” containing the secret of the “combine-

Thebankernever even thought of resisting.
though the huge safe contained the fortunes of
a doeen better men than himself. Unlike the
mime dMl‘berai larchmmgefih! ’ at
w cm 9 1 6 one rather t
is this?“ warm W

e e ore e eand with trembling
fingers turned the wheel as be spelled r,
word forming the combination, out a”

Eager! thetallerowl grasped I
the mass’ive door refused to 01:32.9 A m
curse. escapedhxm

“Tryltasain. If oufailthistimo m

scatter omission in
37 over the  he

The {verygexh'emity 1 his

0
compose. Bolfe’s nerves, and WWW“
no mistake. The door was owned, the inner
door unlocked, laying bare the treasure the
03th lmdstamedtheirhandeinhumanbloodto

wm.
Quickly the safe was mixed '-
coin and but notes being thrmtintoth:

bag. _ ,
"' New for the nu] on “no ‘7; has .
tallerOwl. “We hatirenit{votingcine-ha?!“1 m

we need here. lookout '

. There’s en fin and '  ‘

m ertoload Mgmkeyft ,,
0‘71 MflWfiedoor-andumfi-

mg a low, which was My

am when“ “museum

men, whom ore

beneath their slouched hate. u w 

Thevaultwasopened and thebnlfion packed

' tion. Not a dollar’s worth at
‘°&°’mli’£§2m’mmm a. Ow

; 7 f
1parted“? , leavmg' the bgnker anagram!“ the k d”.
0.

B a ‘9 mgr ‘ ’

3 some means on cred mast dropped

hemtbeheadofthetallerOwl—ehewhoeebsnds

had felled Allan Black-sand fell to the

floor ' the unmarked

 

 

 

 

 Masked  '  i. .. w' A ,

 

  
  
 
 
   
   
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
  
     
  
 
  
  
  
  
   
  
 
  
  
 
  
  

the river bank. Cold and im vehe
watched his now an mfg? then
fall over the hand-rail. unloved heheldhis
Ml in readiness for self-defense as the crowd
mhedtorward lestsome among them should
fly to avenge the Denver detective in the mad
the moment Then when the cry
go sent all running toward the
the tall miner retained‘ himfiw
may upon the sh r of .
as toguard against his joining
to remiss—are on satisfied?”
j&il Scott as they two alone
8% don't understand,” fal-
to phy with me,”

tererldlc‘n‘lix."5 l
.‘q‘Bah on s

' Sol 3; fingers 
chmanasthoughthey would

5.
a

as

Wayward: AgainItay,are you sans

“Hemaywcape afterall. Curse him! he has
more lives than a cat!” growled the Frenchman,

Sol laughed lull . ’
-. “Becarriesmyhulle within an mchot his
heart, at the outside as you will see if ever his
unease turns at even if not dead before
his body touched the water—as I believe he
was-what chance has he? Not the faintest.
By this he is among those rocks—when he
pmtheuathevery mother that bore him
wouldnot heabletorec ieehereon!”

Durhgthhspeech, Pa Germ: had time to
collect his wits, and still hoped to throw the
tallmineroflthescent,sofaras concerned his
identity with one of those who planned the
death of Dan Brown of Denver.

“ After all, the matter has but little interest
form. Dan Brown wasonce themeansof

» aendingagoodtriend ofminetothe ows.
011% for that, I would not have much
oneof came out the victor. You

«mono but toactasyoursecond.
filled that position tothe best of my ability,
andyou need my services no longer. There-
tore, allow me to. wish you a very good
the

Not yet, Paul Ger-ax,” firmly in
which . were am (ego wtor Idmust
» to ore we . n crow me
too hard.yo"ll‘he pn’l blood is fairly awakened in
me

this - andyonmaygethurt. Come.
Tinsel-owd bere mafew momenfi
and what I have teeny, roverh
Humane cache ant-throats.”

' rPaulGeruxwasstrongl tempted to-drawa

       
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

not
againsttheman

our

“tit “wk tome-mi}mu mag:
l on your ,you
meniblottheban ” -

“Ital! 0111 have not the power todo so,”
impatieuy ', Gerux. “ amnotMajor
Owlet,noramloneofthe‘hend. Iadmitthat
Bonsawme there, thatnight. Iamafriendot

wlet, and together we. have been working
on killed to—night. But be-
£05K! that trien ' I have not the slightest

uenoe.

“Well, tellhim, then. Tell him this I can
beagoodally, butaworsc enem . Ihave not
week. know where
are rendezvom. I know nearly every mem-

of the hand. More than the
hand it was that robbed old Bo 7
.' If I chose to do so, I could have
the murderer arrested before mornin , and
couldleadSamEllis and his crowd to e re-
treat—but I do not so choose.

“Allthesesecret‘saresafevvithmifthe
Owls keep their pledge. I am to be chief of the
band,and they aretohelpmesecureDan
Brown’s wif . It was for this that I killed Dan
Brown—no less glorious prize would have led
me to lift a finger against him.

“ Tell this to your friend. Major Owlet. Say
that I must have his decision by noon to-moro
row. Ifherefuseeto kee his 8113230, or if he
tfiestoilee,lsweartopu the houndsof
thelawonhistrach, andheadthemmyseli un-
gll he and an connected with him are hunted

own. -

Cold and outwardly unmoved Paul Gerux
listened to the rapidly uttered words; when 801
Scott ceased, he arose and said quietly:

“ I will deliver your message. Beyond that,
I will not mix further in the matter. It is you
and the Owls for it. Have you anything furher

to sag?”

“ nly this. Ihava jetted down all the dis—
coveries I have made, and placed the paper,
closely sealed, into safe hands. If alngthing
shoul happen to me, the has 0 ers to
hand that paperto Sam ‘ without. the loss
of a single moment. It may save trouble if you
mention this fact to your friend.”

“I will do so. Good—night,” and with a cold
how, the Frenchman left the cabin.

But the moment he was out of sight of the

cabin, his enforced calmness disappeared and a

torrent of curses and imprecations poured from
his lips. Be cursed the audacious minor “up
hill and down.”

“If I thought he was lying—if I knew he
had pre no such paper—I would kill the
internal devil this very night! Instead of a
tool, we have found a master—Satan grill him
alive I” he snarled, fairly nothing at the mouth
so intense was his rage. .

He found King Carmichael in the little room
behind Tim Ragdon’s saloon, and closing the

door securely, sunk into a chair with a deep, .

“hing WW' am am ed
e n a in open .
“ What’s up now?” he 9 ted. “» ought

you would be in the seventh heaven of delight
-—as I am. Dan Brown is a dead man—”
“ Have they found. the body?” - , ,
“No, and never will. Those rocks, ch
him into fish bait, But bets dead, no doub 0!
it. I saw him in the vs midst of the rapids.
We have got rid of a term danger inhzml”
“Only to find a worse one in the tool we
chowto send himtothe devil!” snarled Gernx,
viciously.

   

    
  

     

, , gorknlfeand use emashe wellknew _ Hecholteddownhis mllleientlytogiye

,hut amhtle ' «not fear his fellow-conspiratora cearaccount of his m-

, Whig; akiutotlfitf 7m ‘ of terriegithSogtScott. 

" silence" tolloxv’ lead ve n speakin m: e .
mm, m M ' , l , gr:Yon thmknqe’ he spokegthe truth about that
mandamuon lc’u%ap$w?t I gr? 3 and toth ythin

 v r ,a ea e amen an g.

‘wu thieveryJechlm , checkedplzhe Heisa evenmoretohedrcadedthannan
‘ . ‘iinpuheteltbyl’aulflerux. Didhe Brewnwas ' 7 ,

v washermedlifemrwastheinterviewtohe “thecanseDanBrownwasanhonestman.
‘Mmafieram .  onwhomwecouldgetnosnch boldesSol
 The meson answered. The cabin Scott has given us," coolly replied Carmichael

,nearthemouthotthei‘moryotfla- “Heisas lathe mud asweareinthe
gag”! milfi‘!”  ‘ @0an 301  chemwecangetthebetter

‘  ,. to 601111,”.  a “Herrv’ants tooommandtheOwla Goethe

,mmtwhawmnt , seating have the poeifion. We will ' him

,'  side thetahlc. “We ,thfullyandsoongainhisconfidence. _

- semester?" ‘ - or later he will let out the truth. Ifwe can

, r    ml»; secure  destroy safe

,   ‘Rast‘owhatyoawant or'write another, therewm a terribleac—

 H , p ‘ ,  ‘   Wmowlsthavetocleotanether

 - - than enemy,» _ y.   ‘ ~ ,

p.  . w “ er, but on are counting without 8c}
M Scott,“ y :Qerex. “I can’t ex»

plain“,  I» feel same}: this; n
more e gm, Suppose" , only ying
swig 
'  3am “equestrian or firmware
that “ t .mthesomyzhatlatltgux

  

' twiddled his

   
  
   

5% In m1

 »  .

 

“And that a. a 
Natural eneufitafterallthe troublewe have
taken. But canhe too. The

Owlswillpertormhiswill. We carry 06
the dainty madam,andyou canwin her-grati-
tude bycoming inasherboldrescueHn‘ your
roperpolors, of coursennot as Paul Gerux.
tynllbeas ahmeasanyforextin—
guishmg friend tt. I will arrange matters
3 “than...” “$.33” miles

a on can
fair oungwidowinahlazeyotglory.

“ your glass. Here’s to the, good health‘
andshort liteotSol Scott'otherwiseColonel
Owletl” ' '

,j W XXIV.

A cumuno 'rnrcx.
. Tm daylshadpassedawaysincelhe even.
111 on whic transpired the tragic encounter ‘
be eenSolScottandDanBrownofDenver. 3

During that time, close and persistent search 
hadheenmadeforthehodyofthedetective, ' 
but in vain hymen under thedinect super-
vision of Enoch and Rachel Brown.

Pale, 11:117me 2gth com the
young ' e on e , otter-in hea
rewards for the finding of her hmbandgdeadg
alive. Buttheseamhwasunavailin .asnearl‘
evgrytllylody knelwd it. must be. M '
an ctr crue enzzens rarel ' a 1
victim . r y ml up a 
It was early evening of the third day, when a "
message was conveyed to Rachel
Brown y the porter.
_A_manwasbelowwhosaidhecould ' her
tidings ogflhgr lost lipusband, but re to say
moreun ewes acetofacewiththela
herselfiaI  iIlilnulem see him! 6’

Rae w silen as th I ' m
trust her yoice, but thec‘fn’egro erstood her,
and retiring, quickly returned with the per-
slateN lit stranger.

o averyprepomessing-lookin fellow rough-
ly clad, heavily~beardedlow-hr§wed an’d evil-
eyed. Unless nature flatly lied, a treac
unscrupulous rascal—so Rachel Brown d ’
afterYa keg: glance atfhis face. '

“ on renews orme salPlease
state it,” she said motionin’gylgn tg a chair
anghseasggg herself. ed ’

e nger grinn a little sheepashl‘ as he

. greasy hat between his ylingers.
Eudently he had not counted on such a {rigidly ~
calm reception. For a young widow, so recent. 5
l bereaved in such a terrible manner, Mrs. Dan "

{own was wondeng 00
“his.” about Dan town, your husband,
“You have found the bed i” a qmc' k flush‘
comi to her cheeks- but tile was the only
sign 0 emotion he co 6‘ detect.

“ You reckon he was killed then!” asked the
fellow, abruptly. '

“There can no longer be a doubt of that. If
alive, he would have returned to me long ere
thlshseid Rachel, huskily. ~

“. ebbe yes, mebbe no,” grinned the rascal.
adding quickly, as he saw a dangerous litter
leap mto her eyes: “Ef you cain’t at to
hear the truth, ma’am I’d better go. Thor’s
more’n one p’mt ’bout Ilan Brown, as even you i
never suspected. I kin give ’you 50W ;
qu’ar information, pervided you’re ’ to

me fer my trouble.”

thatisreliable,

 

“_

 

Pay ,

‘If you have anyiuformation
speak out. But I warn you that I shall silt it
closely, and It you try to deceive rue—ii on
aretrumprng_ aliein hopes of ' g
.isour _ is tie laid, not gold.” ‘ ’

e spo e, s e drew a revolver from ‘
the table—drawer and placed it before her;
Themanshifiednnesmyonhismbut do i;

clared: ‘ _ .

“Ilrinprovewhatlsa . But'ef ’don’t
wanttohearit, I’ll to Ellis. 
mg no kin make a. tug-ode.” be

“You have said too much, not to say ' .
You don’t leave this room now unions you
clean of it.”

“How mueh’ll you pay?’ persisted the
though it was clear thathehynomeansrelish
his prescntsituatiom-

“All the information is worth."

“I’m willin’ to unstyto your honor, of you’ll
sw’arlyou’ll pay me what it is wuth,” he cried,

y.
“fieYouhavemypremiseggoon—wdwuteno
more time than you can helpfcoldlyntteled
thgwoman. W38“ ‘m_  .
yonwon urn-den loom, use
with that pepper-bogetwhat I myth

ve . ,
“Nogiflthink are! "I‘ll 

hand yonovertomjyrngiend, 

xiii knowed that  Brown 9’

alk-  wla My head

‘6‘1‘1‘319194 . . .

   
  
  

   
  
  

. «m to; ma,» 

*fiYoui to,
w, .  m

  
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“l

w'Vm‘Mhewaekmwn to those
7' mgm‘mm'”m clumsy. brutekilled
WY.

-“ ' youwmthecsuseofhiedeathr’firmly
cried one oaths 0wls,in avoicewhich Sol
. . I .

one of the Owls marked
prisoner. “Sam Ellis told
sleep ‘ until you had done
mischief, Backer adutz.”
you learn here will never be made
tnov‘vn outside of this judgment ball, 801 Scott,”
alternly cried the chief. “ A dozen witnesses
swear that you caused the
one of the family. A sacred oath binds
new not blood for blood. The instant Vernon
‘Shadlts met his death, your fate was surely
 though the worms were already bat-
 earcass. Take your last look
minndyou. Never again will your eyesrest
W earthly objects.”
I’vefaoed death too often to play the craven
now,” quietly uttered the prisoner. “ You are
wise to make an end of mewhile youhavea
chance. Ihave got a clew to your identi now,
andifyoufail tomakea cleanjobof it,

“Death—death!” cried the Owls in chorus,
plainly enraged by the dauntlem threats of the
‘ neoner.

PRI‘ Owlet waved his hand imperiously,
“that extent of his influence might beesti-
mated by theinstant Subsidence of those men-

“ the faintest shadow of mercy had re-
mained in our prisoner, that reckless
2 h would have ob 'terated it. You are
med. Executioners,leadhim tothe brink
of his grave!” .

Two of the Owls replaced their revolverséggd
vastheline of mmksparted,they ledSol tt
forward a few paces pausing on the edge of a
dark ab from the black depths of‘which
came a manninan sound as of boiling
wammmwhilehotpuflso steamascendedtohis
nos

“Behold your grave!” solemnly pronounced

' Major Owlet. “ Mortal eye will never look

11 your remains, and you will vanish from
t world as completely as though you had
never been. You were doomed to cast in
there alive—but you are a brave man, and may
select a brave man’s death, if you With.

“Choose! willyoubeflrst shot, orcastdown
intothose boiling waters, 9. living victim?”

“If you really mean to give meachoice,I
prefer tube shot; if you are playing with me,
as I suspect, tch me over l”

Not the ‘ test tremor was ptible in
his voice; and even Rocker S utz, bitter as
was his hatred, could not but stare at him in

sullen admiration at his nerve.

“ You shall be shot. Brethren, prepare 1”
rumbled Major Owlet.

Sol Scott was led back a few then left

tofaoehisexemtioners. his baa: to the black

pit. The owl-headed outlaws raised their cocked

revolvers, and covered their victim.

 while you can—in ten seconds you
Deliberately Major Owlet counted. At the

fatal number the pistols exploded! A hollow

groan—thenall wasstilll ,

_.,axasronxsumenxamnon.
concessional theatmoep
re_ ofsoman

fiYougofrm‘hedl‘owm Winlouncver
m. it mm “were M.“ "n
a, w ,
9 «  " y* *
flewicamthatotflolScottsudastbe


mg, as cool  
in! inhls blue -. 1 ‘

‘  film“   Ly ~; of
“W'W  my . “mm

 

' law chief.

 

 

o

801 Scott, the Masked Miner.

' mock SolScottrela intchisformer
fidcamleg’ssness. peed

“So! youare not ‘te so reckless of death
as you would have us lieve ” mocked the out-
“You would fight, and fight hard
for the life you pretend to despise—”

“ Not for especial lovo for it, but because no
man cares to die baited by mad-dogs—and be-
cause I could kill a dozen orsoof ourcowardly
curs before going under my ” came the
taunting inter on. .

“ Major Owlet,” said one of the masks, whom
Sol Scott believed was Rocker Shadutz, step-
ping forth from the ranks. “The prisoner
crows loud. He is insolent, and should be taught
alesson. Last night he was kind eno to
show us some rare sport before he kill our
“3%”; if“ “s it” ill ifimfis m;

on ave 9 ng my son.
Speak plainer.”

“A moment since, the prisoner declared his
readiness to fight for his life, against one or a
dozen of our best men. I 1) putting him
to the test, and letting him ’prove whether he
was sincere or only boasting.

Major Owlet shook his head slowly. Evident-
ly he did not fancy the reposition thus made.

“There is a great wor beforeus. to successful-
ly accomplish which we will ‘ every arm
we can muster. The prisoner, like any other
cornered dog, will fight desperately, and even
though conquered, as of course he must be inthe
end, might seriously cripple us.”

A harsh, venomous laugh came from the owl’s

“ I do not mean toplace wee in his hands.
The poor fool is so terrified t at he would be
more apt to hurt himself than any of us. No, it
is sport and amusement, combined with exercise
that I am after. There~ are among us men
who can wrestle, fence, box—pmficients in all
manly sports. We practice among ourselves,
but that grows tiresome when we have once
learned the strength of each man. We may
learn some new tricks from the prisoner, and
for that reason I make this so on. Let his
hands be released. Let him face each man who
may choose to challenge him in an specialty.”

“You are wasting a good do of breath
Rocker Shadutz,” said 801 Scott, with a cold
laugh. “I do not feel in an accommodatinfi
mood (lo-night. The only amusement I '
furnish you, you can put in your eye.”

“A crayon-a white feather when it comes to

the pinch l”

th;Yi“'gm‘9n“i§‘°s§31”&i§‘il’d§fi 1‘ I if“ an”
g o 0 go on n~

in your ey ~ t’l know what thgv end 

A llet or a 'fe thrust—or maybe a headlong

tumble down yonder pit. Socut your mum-
merv short and make an end of me."

“ Major éwlet, I have the most at stake. The
£55011“ has recognized me b my voice. It

goes free, Judge L ch ' be hot on m
trail. But d . its th I repeat what I saiti
with this addi on. If the prisoner fairly con-
?uers each man who challenges him, let him go

orth from here, a free man, on solemnly swear-
ing to never make known what he has seen and
heard this night.”

“You brought the charge—you demanded
his punishment according to our laws—if you
choose to withdraw your claims, to son, not
even I have a ri ht to deny you,” s owly said
gag?!» Owlet, an as Sol Scott fancied, reluc-

Unliil new be had believed therapeech of
Rocker Shadutz on] part of a prearranged
schedule, and inwar y resolved that he would
foil them by ' the odor. But the re-
luctant consentof the outlaw chief ve him
hopesthathe was altered an actualc ancetor
hisfifaaudhedeterminedtomakethebest
fightinhisgower.

Oneoi t emasksdrew Major pwletaslde,
aud‘whispered a few words in his ear. The
chieftain' nodded amt, then returned to his
. Instandytbesuhduedbumingwasstifled. .

“Hymns, you all heard the demand made
byyour brother owl. If there are any among
you who have any reasonable objections to
crummy 'f nshisxyquestplmadé
vanoeand make , known. -

Fora moment  was breathless ,
thenoneoftheowh stepped, _ forward, spoke

mashrillvoice. I
'“ltlsnottoobjechmesterfihatmImKM

r to make is
imply ' men? If: ‘ . limbs  freed,
know that. ‘ awdm'mmend 

 

 

toshootdowneachaudeverymanwhoat-
tempts torun. That will make
eating, and give them something to
theirwea on. AndeillwageI-ahatfull
of gfit t if the honorable owl who shotd
his before me, will act as one
lengers, hewillbetheflrstonetotastelead.”

The masked man thus bitineg alluded
took one step forward, but paused as Hader
Owlet raised his hand.

“Those who wish to test thencrve andskill
of the prisoner will range themselves beside my .

3

throne.”
Four masks to t1 advan among them
Escher Shadu€z tile mfig’had proposed

uncle.

“ e others will form a double circle, and
prepare their weapons. But remember, the one
who dares to fire a shot unless the prisoner at-
tempts to escapeislg flight, shall be deemed
guiltyofahighm meanor, and becestalim
mto the boiling lake yonder.”

Thecircle was formed, some tenyarrhiudiv

ameter.

“Cover the prisoner, and I will release him
from his bonds.”

801 Scott smiled grimly as he noticed the
caution of Ma r Owlet, and a wild project
flashed across 8 brain—to seine thechienain
and make his life answer for his own—but was
bams‘ bed as (Enemy as formed. Unarmed as he
was, the Ow would riddle him with bullet
before he could fairly grasp the Owlet.

flgdoiwlet quickly severed his bonds, th.
re .

" If your limbs are benumbed, take time to
recover their use. You will need all your
swength and skill,” he said, coldly.

Sol Scott did not slight this caution, and
briskly rubbed his arms to restore the circula-
tion, closel scanning the four men with whom
he was to 0 battle. He knew that each one of
the quartette must be well skilled in his
clung, else they would never have step :5:
war as champions against one who ad dis-
plged such prowem against Vernon Shadutx.

e knew t at Rocker Shadutx would elect to
wrestle, and he knew, too, that in him he would
find a more troublesome watcmer than B'
Vern, for he had witnessed displa s of his '
on more than one occasion. (gay in brute
strength was be inferior to his giant brother; in
activxty and suppleness, for his superior.

Of the others, one was tall, broad-shouldered,
witlaéon , paustgulaa arms. hAngther was small,
sen r evi en ytoug an ' asst
cat. The last—and Sol Scott notedmhim most
closely of all, for he was resolved to learn him
alessouif itla inhis power never to be for-

ttcn-was t e Owl who had suggested lib
gang to escape by flight.

e was of the medium hight, but so bread-
shouldered and mamively built as to appear
several inches shorter.

His limbs restored to their wanted so
Sol Scott dolled his flannel shirt, appearing in a
tight—fitting knit shirt, the sleeves cut ofl above
the elbow, revealing a chest and pair of arms
that caused more than one of those forming the
circle to secretly thank their stars that they were
not amon the challengers.

Remo ng his heavy boots numb, Sol
Scott stood forth in stocking feet drawers,
ready for the fray. As he coolly nodded b
Major Owlet, that worthy asked: Y

“My son’s, arrange the orderofbattle among
yourselves. . .

“I claim the firstchancePhsstilycdedRuek-
er Shadutz, advancin ’
clothing, then his ow s-head mam. " Youknow
me already,SolScott,eo I can show in
freely. I challeiige you to wrestle -,—hest We in
three—provided douotkill you in the first-
catches-catchesn.” '

E
i
g
,.
a
5

wouldask our-horned allttle ‘ on:
onepoiutyYou heard w 
{ustnowz Hemeanstokillmeifheean Am
to havethc  will on.“
wouldbeall rgtht so has, murder-tum}!
“Ms “row ,Shadutaepoh
W‘tismantomanlasknosheeu‘ M
annotmto Killmeit‘youmfmx
meento youif '” ’ _
“Thatisonl ,"cametheshrillvdeeet

 
  

 

 

 

 l  ‘ ' 1 seen. [the Masked Miner. ‘ ‘ - s

 ‘ Fort stem war in them i “ We are fit allies, then.” interposed the . and a low mocking laugh burst from
yer istonLrodso’ your: I ‘ " 01:)?!” l miner,a. bitter cadence to his tones. “ I don’t is 1&3. ’ _

_ “  or on may get more fun than value m life a farthing, but I’ll fight hard he- “ ' kenny cats over 11, from the howlin
you can  y, it you would be so kind fore suc curs can boast of rubbing me out.” 3 they hee up in yonder! y for her, I wouldn

 

' astoretire-this is no place for you-—” Under ordinaryeircumstances such conversa- , ask any tier fun than to have sta. ed in the
i 3‘ And leave you alone to sufler for my folly tion would have been impomible, for men act “ me and stirred them up a little. ern Sha-
‘ snow ‘ swiftly when thirsting for each other’s blood. uty has run the term long enough—”

1- , The words rung out y, and were em- But just now matters were at a dead-lock. A faint st 1e on the art of the woman

. ‘ by the actions of e mask. .,With a i The radians feared to advance, retreat or . brought his b of soliloqu an abrupt close.
. revolver in each hand, cooked and ready for g make a single movement while those four pistols 5 He released his grasp an allowed her to loan
3». use. she stepped ’ forward and stood beside Sol covered them, for they knew that such would against the side of the building.
. Scott. Awoman ofnooommon conra wasthis. prove the death of some of their number. , So “You are safe enough for the present, lady,”
Whatever Scott may have felt, he ew there they were keenly watchin for some favorable he id, and there was an unusual softness m
7' was no time‘ to parley with this willful beauty. opening, in readiness to instant advantage his tones as he spoke. “ Those ours are biting
‘ Vernon Shadutz was once more 11 n his feet, of it. and snarling at each other in there still, but
' all the more dangerous from has once and the On the other hand, Sol Scott was seriously they must soon find out that we have given
deliberation of his movements. hampered 3 the presence of the masked them the slip. For your sake, perhaps we had
' All in the saloon saw that worse was to come, woman. H she been out of danger, had he better increase our distance.”
andthosenearestthe door began to edge their been alone, with only his own life to guard, “I have troubled you enough—by my folly
way outside, eyes fixed upon the rival forces, Funny Fehx would have seen the “ fun ” begin, I have already made on bitter enemies—”
readyio dodge if any stray lead came in their long since. For the miner Spoke true when he “ Not if you mean em Shaduta and his hard
direction. sai that be valued his life but lightli, anda crowd, lady. A collision between us was only
, One of the most nervous was the worthy more daring man never drew breath of 'fe. a question of time. Hal they have dbcovered
Isaac. Not only was his persm inequal danger Tampkin, encouraged by the delay, peered their mistake l”
but his hardly acquired roperty must surely out from under the bar, but the veteran seemed As he spoke, the red—hahegegiant plunged
suitor incase of a pitched ttle. ' to have eyes all over him, and one  of through the doorway and gl furiously up
In desperation he snatched ug a double-ban his levsled pistol was enough to send worthy and down the street, revolver in hand.
reled shgg—tinn from under-neat the bar, and Isaac once more to cover. “ Keep under cover of the shadow and hasten
raising hammers, cried: “ Spit it cut, cuts,” added Felix from Fr’isco back to the hotel, lad ,” muttered Scott, the
, “Gents, I’ve been bn’sted up inbusiness twice noddin tower Shadutz and his men. “Shall red 1i t of battle nah; his eyes. “Even if
s’ready by free-fights, an’ dumed of I stand it the l y take a. back seat while this chicken they 5 cold discover you, not a finger shall
any lea ' l The man as burns powder inst dancestoyour music instead?” ‘ touch our person whilelbreathe.” , '
inside ' I ranch, ’ll git a load 0’ buckshot, Shadutz gave a surly growl that might have “ t would you do?” and the little hand of
sure! 60 outside an’ amuse ourselvesall you been taken either for assent or refusal, and the masked womanclosed upon thesinewy arm
’ want, an’ I’ll never kick—what doherel” Funny Felix chose to interpret it to suit him- of the miner. , ' _
While speaking, Isaac turned the muzzle of self. He slid from the bar, with ashrill crow “That rascal and his gang are looking for
his battery first toward one, then upon the of delight, but the woman made no effort to re- me, and I never yet willingly disappointed an
other party, and all could see that he meant treat. Instead, words droppedin asoft whisper enemy.” . ‘
business: I , . . I from her lips: “Surely you cannot displal‘i less courtesy
“ Dnrn a man that lets a few dollars stan’ in “ Look out—they mean mischief—see his toward a friend! You call me 6. , despite my
thevway of each a h o? tun l” cried a shrill eyes!” unwomanly conduct; then, as a la , I ask you
voice, and asngme - direction The tall miner made no reply, but he too had to gourd me sat back to the hote ” ~
he saw that it was the 0.11 ’fier. r ftly the w s were uttered; an a

o

t

 
     

  

seen the quick lance of intelligence which

    
  

. upon he counter mil between party. He feared that light shone forth from the holes in the m ‘K
, _ y ' t hand er was drawing near from behind, but he Few men could Imve resisted such an appeal, v,
var, the ’ never removed his trom the inflamed face and Sol Scott was no misogynist. ' “ ' “

   

  
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
   
  

‘   them 8’ g m first“ i bet 812:0 0 so would‘be fatal, as he BYglurmqnestisammmamhdy,” he said,’  7";
, . :_ , w w . an . ‘
“may,” said the veteran in a cheerful The notes of the horned owl echoed 83“ It wisonce, but now-4’ \ ‘ ‘ V
cone, 9‘ easy! Efren crook your finger-onto tin-o thereom. The softly breathed sentence ended  I
them) ‘ beatuneral to-morrer, an’ At be same moment, two chairs whirled sigh, and Sol Scott felt the hand that ' .

a  sale in this here‘shehan , sure I Strike through the air and striking the two chandeliers, his own tremble. But he did not care to s
«  _,  let ,t e tun begin. broke the lamps and extinguished the lights in just then. Somehow the, welfare of this V
-  Full”: _ . lace—which is mo—en' an instant. , woman seemed very precious to him, and from
,   filsee fa’r pie 2” Several swift flashes light up the gloom only cover of the shadows he could see Shsduts and
Y ,  saw  he  do nothing‘more. torender the darkness the more intense. Shouts, his comrades in evil glaring about 3 
" Didheattempttoturn his wgzpon uponthe cursesandangry yellswere mingled with the them,pomingcursesandflerce qu “upon
= rookies veteran, a. bullet w d check the heavy trampling 0 feet. I the scattered crowd. - ‘ r W
_ , movement.  new dropped from his Bewildered and terror-stricken the tors Sw and silentl they glided along under

;  A the bar, mthabowl aimingled flocked tethe door crushing down at trail the ow unnoted ythe infuriated 
l ‘@ ;W.hedoveundercover,toet berrie‘rintheirm hastetoesca thestorm be d. Theyturned the caramel-Minis
r least‘savehis owubacon.’ , , , ‘ i of bullets which they felt must fol ow. b and were soon at the toot of ‘me 
yhadcansed atemporary Andhigh aboveallarosethepiercingscream h otstepsleadinguptotheboteleutrancfls:

 

"rem—mm.“ ...<.— v, ..

     
      
 
     

of a woman! I 7 ‘You are safe now, lady,” said pm

whom _ "" " ‘ ing. “In the garments more suitable. for 

their CHAPTER II. sex than these, there is no dau$r of your 
recognized. or if youare, D .Winkleis

WAS sun Ilsa-amt

   

the man to suffer his fair guest tomato

rage, Bornthemaskedwomanand SolScott drew harm.” '   ,.

gig? theisstantthe lights were extinguished, __ glintthemaskshowed no intention of“ "  "
Of t was the red late of these shots that gthehfnt. Insteadherflngerscloeed'moi'efimz"

re momently tedu’pt scene. itthe saw alyuponhisarmmndtherewuarlngalnmot' ‘

1 athat‘their had been wased,‘ emon commndmhervoiee,asshe. 4e: -‘ ‘ '23,,

a " , “ ,- Shadutzandhisbackersbavingleapedswiitly U“We_willnotpaxtjustyet, you’ 

, . vaolv- aside and were now crouching low down,  We must come toaperfectundemg " 

_, ,1  was  tpiespuponthetwain. ~ dayhaod thereisuo  

myshots‘yanld. en V . y,  . , ,

   

        
       
    
     

i That Woman’s man‘th all who were .

    
 
 
  

  
 

Y _ , * within hearing, came train the mask, as strong The miner gased curiousl into her 
    5 her form,._raisiug her from the: moment, then quietly yiel ed.   
moohiuglys’s heQ‘noticed floor as ugh her we' t was but thatot a lightly up the "through  once,

   

st ,
leather. Her first belie was that thepred33..éthen asecondeifiéhtofstaira' _ . ' -
mwflgedgimnadclntchedhermndw  Sol ttnoddedshortlytomm » x“, v
(Mpg-atlas estroveto raise a pistol against stared open-mouthed mg“ “5",. . _ ,
us rhliig‘t“ ‘htemk hermifiow'fia'rp j: “$35th “'8' '  '  " '
"m m a ‘ 3° w ‘ e  , I
and the wen u was knockedme her hand: motioned thggmmertoienwfig‘g

  
 
  
 

  
 
 

  

     
     
 
  
 

 
 
  
  
 
  
  
 
  

  
    
 

  
  
 
  
  
  
   
 

  

 
  
   
 
  

7 .7 , Then that reins Mmd her senses in himself in aoomfortah‘l-   m’
 youmgget it?”  reeled. , , 7 ' miles. " The rush relieving, and
g  'fffl‘he emulswmhsvea  to Sol Scott. By thedoor  A
Wit—formulate; J‘wosthyother the sol . us _, hthesawthattheoddswere ‘ wedhimthats'hehadwithdra ” the
 a    f_  snag, them, '6 ache was,th e buthesaidnothing. j    ‘ r
 :F' resolved at all ' to save fixewomanin W ithere for me."themaelr 
‘ ~ : whomhefeltsuchapowerfulinterest.question—’ d ’ ‘

. y .“l-  ‘ ‘
ablethoughheractionshddthusfarheen.  ‘ 
: 'Quiclrasthought,hethrustonepistolintohis * * - ,
bosomthenflunganarm aimed the woman, , "   "
minute lfisshomderasheleaped swiftly inner chamberandcoeed
 .  v ‘ ' _ , “Notes much’da‘ngerot'alove '" 
None-women. Ks  heavyti‘nmp- all,”he Milehurely j " 
“Yet: I  swear" I

  
    
 

       
     
   
 

13:5 ,asVerngn Shqu  in “d. / 3 5.1”", r
mendevealelthie windofthelr ' ' ,~ suggedg    
thearmotthe'chief rufl‘lau i;th Givebhei', um ' jar  ‘-

   
  
     

the paetoltromthe . ottheniashthm
 either her life or that other hold the
°  The Ring ale-stricken crowd

v   ~ g... as = sandston'hficfimmmm i
 w  '  u“. m. .- 
   crowd  breggnshmldmedded by. hand  toot.

  

   
  

    
  

,n,

 
  

  
       
   
 

,   H I  «figment»: which  e ,qu meg: 
“a 1,”, m I I“ . 15‘] E_ p
 ,'  ‘ ' f f 1  mkuponhislettarmit’heminermbedm
“L  f“ ‘ thesuuetwhere‘thelght 

    
 

 

 

marinatmchhm.  ~ _
‘* 71W  WWW 

 
    

 

  

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
     

 

mahotthe Owls, and sent for hit to
matter through. Dan Brown-
wouldhardlyreoognise me as Paul
—believeameoneo£ his best friends; as
Iwaauutilheintroducedmetohiswife.”
“You don’t mean to give over your schemes
her,theu?”asked KingCarnnehael.
“Rotmuch. Imaantowinher forawife—
guithenretimtrom business as detective,and

'thher ealth.”
alofim w: w par; you

w

,.. we”  m s“ s.
on n' , it e o uuc
guDrake,” laughed tieyother. “She w

bore your brain-piece with a bluzfill, or slip a
knife’between your ribs, husba or no hus-

“It she ever makes the —- es. But
let that pass. Now that we know 1 Scott
knot Dan Brown of Denver, you will give over
your little plan?” . .

“I can’t, evenif I would. He killed Vernon
Mun—or was the cause of his death. She-
m was lieutenant of the Owls. We have an
invlolahle rule among us that death shall

he thepenaltgfor harming or killing an one of

the hull”? loodcalls for blood and Scott

is as inyhgoomed to death as though already
grave.

“You know young Shadota—Ruclter—was

h Ellis, for trying to shoot Scott, last

at (me of the boys managed to get

word with him, and he demand that we

a his brother's death and mrryout our

oath. Wecan’t refuse. Thievery night

Bolficottwillbetaken prisoner and conveyed

toour old, there to be placed on trial

 You can easily guess what the end

0!

“Iwfil with youandseewhateortof
metal the allow is really com of, when
certain death threatens him. t may be that
weoanputhim tobetter use than to killhim,
and it so,.law or no law, rules or no rules, you
mm give him a little grace.”

Sarmichael shook his head slowly.

“a ‘ s. new . 

ax, ni nty. ‘ r ' won"

We the dim-tor his thread of life is cut, the
 shall be suited. He can’t escape. Your
oath can be kept at an time.”

“That may answer t I don’t think you’ll
find Mm a very pliable tool. He showed mighty
stern metal last night.”

“ So much the shorter his life. then. But let
him gofortbepresent. After all, he is onlya
seco  Our greatest danger
is from Brown. There is no telling what
discoVeries he has made while humming around
as Funny Felix from Fr’isco, and he may be
down on Iyou and the band at any moment.

. When he oesstrike, hestrikesswift and terri-
bl y sure!”

“We can watch him, and  abit of steel
under his bump ribs when he isn t thin ' ;”

v “No, thatwould make her stillthink ima
hero, and she is ‘ust one of those romantic
women who live single until death for
aakeotone she loved. No; he must bekilled,
but in cache manner as will coverhim with

not

the

~ . “ i I have it I” cried Carmichael, a devilish
mile ligh ' up his sleepy blue eyes. “We
cannot only ' of him forever, but at the
samaume make enough b the operation topay
“‘5 i? We d ttleded tag”, '

r w y omen seemmg
Irenchmau.

Wheel was about toenphinlfissutauic
M, when a rap was heard at the door,
dmilar tothatwhich hadheraldedthe

    
   
   
 
  
    
   
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Sol soon, the Masked Miner;

you mustpretendhhvant. Gooutoftown,
and wait forusatthestronghold Icounnand
' I

“Take him alive, then. I’ll draintheheart
dryot an manwho dares to robme of my
regg- y killing him!” grated the young
w leavingtheroom.

And then, once morewithfastened door, the
twoco ' tors sat bytheta . concoctmga
diaboli Bloathesucceesotwhic waddsurely
giveDau mwntoashamefuldeath.

CHAPTER XI.
more To mural

NanamiletromthecityotGolconda, up
the river, lay the mine known far and near as
the “ Glory of Alabama”—-a rather bombastic
name, but after events justified the enthusiasm
of the original discoverer, and proved the strike
an extraordinarily rich one, even for that
region of recious deposits. . .

The In y‘prospectors lost no time m rtect-
ing their claim, developed it sufiiciently to
reveal its true worth, then sou ht and found a
cash customer, ina “solid” firm of mining
speculators.  _

These gentlemen, after a personal examina-
tion, became con ' that there was more
money in working the mine for their own benefit
than m t ’ng to sell at a profit, and the result
was Sol fin. was placed as foreman over a
strong force of miners, every ounce of the
gum: being reduced by the speculators, own

Where the quartz was so valuable as this, it
offered strong inducements for nocturnal thieves
and to avoid such losses, a stout log cabin was
built in the side—hill near the main tunnel,
where the overseer dwelt.

Science was also called into use, and at no
time between sunset and sunrise could an per-
son not in the secret enter the mine Without
causing an alarm bell to rin above the bed of
the foreman, if at home, or ' absent, the wires
were connected with a heavy charge of giant
powder, whose report, if ignited by the electric
spark, would echo much further than Golconda.

It was an earl hour of the night next succeed-
ing that on which big Vernon Shadutz met his
death.

Sol Scott sat alone in his little cabin—clout
with the bitter memories of a bitter past. A
guttering candle stood upon the rude table be-
side which he sat, its flickering ra cast upon a
glittering object which be held in his hand—a
golden case, now open containing the painted
images ole. mother and her child—the rtraits
of his murdered wife and little son, ta en only
a short month before their livas ended, and
borne away b him as a precious talisman on
the very morning of the terrible tragically.

Telling his tragic story to Dan rown and
his wife, had in a measure broken the icy crust
beneath which the hunted man had learned to
hide his real feelings, and now, his day’s work
over, he was indulging himself in a brief um
railing of his real heart. Bitter tears were roll-
ing silently down his bearded cheeks and falling
upon the pictured faces until they grew dim
and blurred before his vision.

A cautious tapping sound ‘at the window
aroused him from his painful b over the
past. Swift as htuiug the gel locket
vanished, and wit the same movement the
candle Was knocked tothe floor and extinguished,
while Sol Scott himself leaped aside, a revolver
in his hand.

These movements, one and all, had been .
ly instinctive, the result of long years of mg
hunted ,by human blood-hour: s, for in that
moment’s glance, 801 Scott sawa face '
against the little window, and recogn it.

“Hold hard, mate! Is that the sort of re—
ception give friends when they come to call
ouyou cried the clear, ringingme of Dan
Brown at Denver easily recognizable, even
thro the closed 'ers. .

“ is there with you?”

“Hohody but Funny Felix from Fr’isco,"
wastheprom treply. “Theothernameistoo
well known orme w shoot it out. Com, old
fellow, let me in. Sin-e as you live vae found
out all about that double!” ‘

.“Allright;waitnntilletrihea light. I saw
your face against the window, and ‘
t,hut mgolliandwasquicker thanmy brain,”
laughed‘ Scottashestmekamatchand
‘mngt‘mh‘ “were... a; a a he
' on e ‘
unharmed the door and threw it wide open; t
terribly was his confidence betrayed!
still swifter .

 

Aswiftlea blow,andSol
Scottwashurledtothe floor,hleedlng
ckaepant twomenwere

    

splacedmtbesaddlamfeetheingcmeted

on
‘mm sighth one that lawman

todeathhysueh
' “ soothes

I .fi.
——‘"."

Sol Scottwas raised from the fi«
astout while another-bound'himfut
By. etime thiswaadone,herecovesed
ligand?“ an. yandtbe
. u 7 ears, man
whohadsosuccéflubgyfgamtednaullmwu
otDenver,rodeup ’ hhnandfiungaheavy
sack over-bis head and shoulders, where it was
firml heldinplaoehystoutcm’da
“ mireyesaretookeentobeleftatliba'ty,
now, Sol ” he said, mockingly.

“Youareboundona ' ' sonata-est-
mag: scenerythat ou Wm to
reThe surgeon saw, for _' ,pu'ccaHe I“;

not no response. a
shrewdp ' as to the hands he had
talleninto, at to breathe this couldonlyren-
der his situation more perilous.

"You are not as talkativeas youwerelast
night,” added the abductor, a little annoyed.
“ t_be sure_we know away to make you
speak in good time.” * _

“Less talk,”growled a hoarse, huskva
“While you are palavering here someot his
gates maetchance’:1:fn  trail us home.“

or u s on .

Sol s23“ Infill his wits abouthim, despite
the dull pain that racked his mainfrom the
ugly blow dealt him, and as the party rode
rapidly away from the cabin, he strove to im-
print upon his memory the direction they took
andthevanousturns m the trail. Foratime
hewassuccessful, butthenhebecameeonfused.

Everybody knows that when one is riding in
total darkness, or with the ‘ es tightly closed,
how easy itistofan that eyaremovi in
anexactlyopifiosite  ' n,and howquic y
that fancy w seem the truth, even when they
know it is false. And if they are helplessly

bound and b1' their'very effort to clear
 brain will the more surelycoufusa
111.

Thus itwaswithSolScothandsocmhe
abandoned the effort as wome than uselem. He
believed that death awaited him at the end of
that journey, undeveu if he should remember
the various creeks and turns, the knowledge
would be of little service to him. '

For full two hours the paltgrode ,
then drewrein. Sol Scott was 'fted from
saddle, two men clutching him firmly bythe
arms, as though they feared he would give
them the 32;), blinded and with his arms bound.

“He smil - grimly beneath the sufiocating
sack ashe realized how highl his rowess was
estimated, and inwardly reso ved ‘ his cap-
tors should hold a still more exalted opinion of
him are the end, it hewasgiven the slightest
will?” ded h f reed '

us guar e was 0 mm and
from the echo w ‘ch followed their fee he,
knewtheywere passing intoaomesortot

cavern
Therewereseveralcroohsandturus, thenthe
echoes w more distant, and there was a de-

cided c ange in the atmosphere, ashe could tell

even through the quilting sack-a petmliar

warm dampuem and decent as of steam.
“Brethren, prepare!” uttered a deep, hollow

Sol Scott felt the
but he stood m ‘ u ‘ m
am shuflin : around,

was intended for him to makeablind dash
for freedom, when he would be merciless!
slaughtered, and beaniled 'ml as be
his _ . Valuelemashe dlife, how
no}: Unomnglyghglay into mgr-m ‘
nmask prisoner ram
 o. n the sack
y co were cut
suAatchedfromhgahead. Eh 
,we scenemet gala.
Hestood macavermtheextentot
was not clearly revealed by the dim
Around were nearly two score wares,
human from the shoulders down, but above
the hinged horned owls! Hrs? arm was ex-
grimmusslesalll ' he. “If”
could
tram the

whifll
BM

i

terms. ... m.

3! . a _

rechletnretort“mhteratherthanm
meme : ~

 

 
 

 

 
 
   
 

. melanomas»

     
    
  
 
  
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
  
    
 
 
     
 
 
  
 
 
  
    
  
   
 
    
 

  
  
 
   

 / V'Hc‘tfl .H‘   i ,i.  ,1,

 

 

 

'tt, the: Masked  I u g '

 

‘ , , -

midterm-mam» warm

   
 

k“ melts Mes... we:

fl

 who. could this unscrupulmis “double”

(Inmheetrovetomlve the mystery. There
wannotthefaintestclewtoactnpon. All“!
' ,hlackandunfathomable! .
carried, both bodily and mentally,

r Dan
_ Brownlaydownnponhiscotandsleptlongaad
. t n .

Daydawned, waxed 

2d“ still pondering upon that

ten-Rilepmblem,

hut tlynonearerthosolntion thanbeo

fore, a sudden lightfloodedhismystifled
:Mandbeoriedaloud: ~ *

“Thundeer ithe that some one hasgot

Bo:le ceased,tor manhutlly‘tered
,, en
mood]. twaeSamlilie,hhfacedeeply

clouded his ties: _ v
« “It‘shitterblacknewsl ' ail-,Browul”
heeaid,hkvoiceunstea‘d . “ the faintest
dew havcweheen able

kugandnow—

prom
inproportiour mum
Womtahedallthedelicaciesot thesg:

l
l

chm ‘
Mindanao! Golcondaoouldaflordtogive

o “wine on ,” at, the So and tower t

—were those who a decline me a

campaigns glen!

 

 

 that kCltyMarehal Ellis

W lbochDodge, yorpt Gmada,
' , are particular trend 0

Bro andhimself. Themayorfl-auklyadmit-

MAMMfeltsuro more must be seineng

‘ 1m ' Browne: Denver,

rmwunaelxedhymeumot a private stair-
withoot enterin W‘Wt proper.

  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
 
   
  
  

  

 

      
   
 

65
' _ you
i;ch

fillers; w

thehulliontheserascalsstole—hutiflcould re-
covereverymillotthatloss, byswearing false-
ly, ‘I would cut out my tongue by the roots
rather than yield to the temptation. ’ -
. -‘ “ I b’lieve you would,” said Dodge, sincerely.
“ I never met you afore, but I’ve heard 01 you
often enough, an’I know that you’re a honest
man,clesn through. Neither Ellis—nor me meant
any sling at you when we spoke of a mistake.
W know on are honest in sw’arin’ as you did.
But in sec close quarters as them, human eye-
sight is monstrous deceivin’—” v
‘ I was cool enough at that moment,” Banker
e ‘ to say, speaking with grave
“Thebrutal murder of poor. lack
seemed to turn my blood toice in myveins.
My brain was never clearer, though my limbs
seemed benumhed.
,“Thetwoprlncipalrobhers called in six
others, and the carried off all the- bullion that
had boon etc in the vault. The shorter ras-
cal who had me more particularly in charge,
turned to make sure that nothing of val

us was
left in the vault, casting the rays from his dark
lantern into it as he did so. -MechanicallyI
looked inthe same direction. Then we were
both startled by a sharp, angry exclamation
fromthelipsof the taller man who stood be-
hind us and we looked  The smaller
robbertlashedthe ' htfullinto theface of his
comrade, whose lea, cred mask had dropped to
53% flfi‘: 1.3%” 1” “Fwd; Emmi?” m“
- er sun, saw -e recog-
nized it in an instant for that of Dan Brown 2”

“ Or of somebody who strongly ’sembled

him ” suggested .

“ho, sir—Dun Brown and none other!” posi.
lively W the banker. “ I havo seen the
man frequently, not only here but in Denver.
He had money on deposit with me. I could not
possibly be mistaken. His face is a marked one,
and once seen, not readily forgotten.”

‘5 Dan Brown is called a more than commonly
smart man,” slowly observed Enoch Dodge.
“E! hewas the man, wouldn’t he be a pesky
£0301 not to Wgoug,wmd’ at once when

saw on A in:

“ Ho; much mercy did he show! What
chance had I to escape with life enough to tell
what had really occurred—what I had dis

d , covered? Iwas gmhmnd handaud foot.

in several places, with
pitchpine andturpentine. The door was closed

“ Yet on did escape with only a few burns ”
oheervegmlis. ’ ’

“Thanks to the fire bein discovered almost
immediately after they let . But you inter-
rupted my statement, and jumped to a wrong
conclusion; for neither of the robbers knew that
I had noticed the unmasked face.

“ The quick wheeling of the man who carried
the , threw me behind him, and in the
shade. Thus I could seeandnotheseeu. The
murderer was in the act of stooping to recover
hiemaskwhen Imwhim. Beforeheroseerect,
I was awning the vault.

“ i demanded whetherl had noticed
his face, but was gaggedandofcourseeould
not answer. His mate spoke for me, and tie
elated that I could not have done so. The
other man~Dm Brown-va not satisfied, but
then said that it mattered little, for dead men

could tell no tales. Then they set the place
nfircaudlettme.” '
' a “Asueatabito’devfitryaseverlknowedf’

mid Dod , reflectively. “But it won’t suc-
ceed. N much! Dan Brown’s double hes got
to pa for the work his hands did.”

ulousl exclaimed checker.
“I The hull thingwasput up

fromthe start,todown Damon at tiresome

time make a neat little haulto pay ’em lei-the

troublean’tharesktheyrun. m ‘

yom- eyes db: 0’ prejudice, an’

look at it from thestan’p’into’common sense.

Snark theworhhi’s-fromfusttolast. Woulda
manwho aflthmughthejobsocooleshe
beans to all outan his facecameon—
dn’the’a’ soonerclapped 
ag’inwithoutaword,or anyhow turnedhs

of  onto ye-afore he spoke?

masthehigtoolhemadeyonthinh‘gouldu’the
hevelityoorthroatatonce rather nrunany
witnessing

o. It was an Brown’s

“lace Isaw,aud none other. Irswore tothat
'w‘heu thud '
jurywhen heishmughttotrialior
m .4” ' . .

 .mu, 1%”me m a, a to, mum '

Ellis arrest limb—J will swear to it

 distinct these words rung through

I "(Ed notcomefmmthelipo

go or the city marshal.
toward the door,,andswiftly they glanced

 

‘by discussing

stillbelieve mkiendinnocentl’? ‘ ah

,helplesstoperighinthefinme ;  _

. .falsewigandh'eard.  -.  .
song thef’ly’lfiwedtorelayed.outinthe L “DanBramorMedoublabpltIaeW'
an~wa . ‘ « < r l '

r “ «onymayyugue untilyour headis whitees ‘

snow, but I’ll never change my ‘ on,” on y
 ‘

 

 

of carelem grace, matallthh
rough at a miner, whose big eyu were
blue, w heavy heard and mud . were
tawny, and whose white teeth glen W
the heiryecreenwith a mocking smile-thatat
leasttwootthetriohadseenbefore. , ’
How bad hereached this positiou.without
attracting their attention? Enoch Dodge after-
ward swore that had looked the dose and
put itihe key pocltzet, the  to
gun again. mg m mupted w amica-
l ' thecasetorande' Dan,
Brown of Dcnvor. None of them heard the
door open—not one suspected the intrusion until
Whigs“ mfi‘i‘éwi’kf’ FEW“ “will
“ o , y a ts o l e' ‘
Ellis, starting to leave his chair. .
. “Keep your seats, gentlemen—don’t let mo
mterru t your little drinking bout,” uttered

thebo mtrud a moreemhaticall‘.
“Nay Iifisist—g’epdgiofii‘reeats!”  

W 1th dexterous rapidity that showed how
thoroughly accustomed he was to ’ '
the_tools, a brace 01 revolvers came out from
their places of concealment and covered tho
astonished trio at the table. , .

_‘_‘ All above-board this deal, gentlemen,” the
stranger cried. “ Place our empty hands «I.
no: “as as?“ p MW.

e mm 6 cm. 111 not .

anxious to burn wder, but if it must he done,

I’ll‘gllefieiréutge firs salute, mind thatl;
trick' is mash-an er, coollynid
Enoch Dodge, obeyiygg orders 5nd placing his
naked hands upon the table before  but
on caiu’t keep up that whack all nig t. It
idn’t cost you nothin’ to come in, but you

won’t git out so ea mebbe.”
V Sum Ellis ammerfiolfe followed the

example of their com "on in silence, but
there was a one in the eyes of the
marshal that to] he was only hiding his time,
that the hold game was not yet ended.

"Gentlemen, you look on me as aninsolent
intruder, and are even now g to devise
some means of turning the, to es come. If

7on should succeed, you would be deal!ng your
mend, Dan Brown, is deathohlow!" -

“_Talk is cheap, but it takesrocks for to ‘
whisky,” granted Dodge. “You hain’tno
fer to come in here without I: invite; S ’ out
what you got to say, then puckachee inn any,
or I’ll crawl all over ye!”

j‘And thereby doom them you call your
friend to certain death. I know the whole
story,and Icame here to tell. you the plain
truth, it on willletme. Dank-own is ask):
nocent
asthe babe yet unborn l”

“Btrmger, make them words angina" I’ll
stand b on ag’i’nst the hull war i” cried
Enoch earn! estl .

“lcame eretoclearaninnocentman tram '

suspicion, at the risk of my. own life; but it is
uncomfortable, talking across loaded revolvers.
Pledgemegour words of honor that on will
not take a vantage of my courtesy, and I’ll put
up these playthings.” . , I
“You hev my word, stran , an’ mood
trl’nds though both these gents .to me, aiore
they~ tetch you they‘must cmwl over me!” im-
pulsively cried Enoch Dodge. r r .
- “I agree but onl l. ause Iamanxiousto
get at the hottom gets of this stunge case,”
coldlyadded Ellis. “Sol Scott knows he can
tmtmnnily word.” ,, . -
“ ’ sodoI,”smfledthe mangerflie teeth
gleaming. ‘ , , , t
“ I meat you,” bluntly added the city mar‘

“30 on think I who! Scott? And
Mr. liege—whom do: you take me for?“ 
« “For whatyou are; Sol Scott, oratleast the
man who is known here by that name.” ‘
“No doubt you wouldvbeJ-willing to «ratio
that, on oath—another proot thatmn’e 
isnotinfallible.   e.
Am Inot theman whorobhedyoumhostmck
downAlhusBlackandleft' 

~9'Nol' mtherheorare-may.w  
say so. . can war that you   at
“Wmmflwjas hat: ' J oath n
‘ proves ‘ w, r
worth,” ,sneered the  lie

 

m W‘fi’h‘e‘fi‘fimmms ’
w s \ ,
ofSamEllisashe stared at the lace um
mptlyunmaskedn-thelaceotnan

 

we ypegflect .,
Oneinetant stupefled amusement-thaws

 leapedfimtherr" m

to seize the bold intruder

 
 

9

Butthestrmewuannmvewmmn; ‘ .
m . o I " ’
WW 3  -

  
   
  

wasnot‘to

  

beware how you try .

 

the double crime charged, against him ,

‘ ,

-, Biomass
'Deuver detective, orelsethat at one beermg‘

‘ ‘ resemblancetohim' ‘ ‘

   
 
 

 

  
        

 

 

Sol  the Masked Miner.

 

a

 

,,  U  ‘ ‘  annatake? Wastherenot
, \ v th ves, and hence always
ready to when in others, the Owls
held * res in readiness to flee should their

new-born fears prove founded on fact, but each
one inwardgévowing to send one bullet at least
in quest of traitor’s heart.

It Sol Swttsuspected ought of this, he gave
no signs; Like some in: statue he sat his
horse, his keen eyes fixe upon the point where
theiranticipated game now put in an up as
«tourmale team loaded with freight, as the

wed Owls had surmised.
in was only one man visible, and he be
strode bk near wheeler, plying whip with
melodious cracks. ,

. “ Halt! and throw up your hands, stranger!”
 Solfieott. as the team reached the moon.

lighted directl before their ambush.

“Ham it air!” promptly responded the
hamster, first jerkin T his mules. then rais—
ing hoax hands above his head. “But hain’t
you a leetle out 0’ your reckonin’, boss?” he
added, as 801 Scott rode out into the moonlight,
thus revealing his fantastic head-dress, worn as
Colonel Owlet. “This ain’t no stage-coach
grey ca’rt. Only groceries, dry an’ wet,

y.

“Exactly,” coolly , nded Colonel Owlet,
Wishinfinomnce towhichhismen
iuetan surrounded the teamster. “You can’t-
, tell us anything about your freight that we
don’t know already, even to that precious sack
, of beans! When you get to Golconda, tel] old
Rolfe hem me that he showed very little judg—
ment lnpelocting such a bi
We. Colonel Owlet is a nian, and
lit nae naturally detects any attempted adul-
teratiou'oihisfavorite beanacookedorun-

The Owls stared at the chief while these
anions words rolled trippineg oi! his tongue,
wondering, whether he was not seriously
“ (rt-asked, but the mule-driver onlytoo readily

ded his me . -

“ told the darned old col somethin’ crooked
wouhiturn up aforelgot the peskystuflinto

yl” he uttered in supreme 

“Then becan’t blame you, of course,” hed
BolScott. “‘ ys, therestof ouclim ’
that wagm and ' hout the-freig until on
Mahagot tenavyheans;bagmu¥ed
with letter B.” ‘

0:}. ’t be hewas fool enough—-—”hegan an

,‘illorareyeufoolenoughto r whenI

" sternly cried the new c ef—clearly

ve
Owlet,holdingtltepackage soall
t. “Nothadwagssforafemutea’
k. for you, mate,”to the teamster.
“hntoldllo cisiuhisgecond ' and!
“You’vadone themisehief on kin: now
I_hiugo,ls’pou?’ sullenly mended the

3%
g

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    
    
    

place for his A

m .

‘ through

lg

 

used to disemhling, and mothered his rage,
hiding his time. _

Neither Paul Gerux nor King Carmichael
were amongathe volunteers for that night ride,
though the that worthy, after, searching vainly
for his friend mung those remaining, came to
the conclusion that the Frenchman had at-
tended Colonel Owlet, for some reasons of his
own.

This was exactly what Gerux intended he
should think. He had resolvedon a bold stroke,
to which he knew Carmichael would ob‘ ,
lest, in his rage at being outwitted. 801 t
shoulde alltheirdark secrets to the om-
core of the law, as he had oncethreateued. ,

“ l’ve run too much risk—stained my hands
and soul too (1 1y, to falter now,” were the re—
flections that s ped themselves in the busy
brain of the cunnin schemer as he crept noise-
less] through the 1: 00m to the cell where Colo»
nel wlet had left Rachel Brown.‘

For many long months he had been trying to
devise some plan by which he might obtain
complete possession of this gloriously beautiful
woman and her large fortune. It was his hand
thatgfinally put all this cunnng machinery in
motion, and now, just when his long coveted
reward seemed almost within his grasp, this an-
dacious fire-eater stepped in between them,
claiming the prize himself. ‘

“His bridal couch shall be a ve curse
him!” snarled Gerux beneath his reath. “I
can brand him asthe chief of the Owls. EVen
if that r should be produced, who would
believel , against my oath? Bah! cunning as

ou think yourself. Sol Scott, you are no match

or e!”
msedforamomont at a narrow niche
from which he took several articles, then crept
on until he reached the rock chamber where
Rachel Brown still lay as 801 Scott had left her,
dimlgeoutlined by the dull l' ht above.

“ cautious, lady !” so y breathed Paul
Gerux. “I am a friend, come to rescue you.
Becautioue—a single word abovo your breath
might reach the ears of our enemies, and surely
doom me to death 2” , _

Rachel Brown now gave evidence of remark-
able nerve, slowly risin to a sitting posture
without sound. though 17 e words of her vimtor
must have thrilled her with stron emotion.

“Who and what are cu?” s e demanded,
softly, as Paul Gerux forward within the
dim circle of light.

“A friend, lady, risking his life in yourbe—

half ” he rephed.

“ ow came you here, then, if you are an
honest man? It I wrong you, pardon me.
once this night I have been foully betrayed by
one inwhom'I placedmytrust. Howamlto
know that you are not acting from some similar
motive?”
th“Can any fgteheheamfihwfil which

reatens on. m ones
in); feathered head-dress. “ Colonel
Owlet, whom you know as 801 Scott, only a
few minutes since, declared to his men that this
night they should ratifies over the .hridal bot
their chief—that on ' return from a brief

lundering expedition, you should become his
Bride. How, you can guess, when on reflect
whatplacethisis,andhowun itisthat
either priest or ice can be I my
unite you. An even were such at ,the
blood otyour husband lies on that demou’ssoull
Would you sufler this!"

“I can die,” slowly uttered the woman, her
facepale,huthervoicecalmandsteadyas

fate. v
“Betterligefit onlyto avenge the death 01
van.
would I escaped! I could;butthat
islnlxposx lo.” ‘
“ ot islmpossible. Listen. lady. I was

I‘

swim capturethiseveningaJ’
b;And aedthfimmtfiugggvgen
onewerd, one you ve
fofledhimf’emclahnedllachel.
“Iamhemtomakeamendgitlerred,”
coldly thedisguieed Frenchman. “I
am ,e,aenthereonpu?oeetodiscover
ottheOwls. Imig t “bl have
i W Irrdsnm‘ltof owou
more are struck. I didso.

I
where the outlaws underarm, and if
:33 :6 “$3339ng

‘ orce
entire hand."

 

 

 

  
  

 

. by
who.  firm, the I
again mien near enhance.

stole ‘ ' ,flhgnlpaseghyhispost,

flit  death, «your umtinued 
lathemoft’hemuwhokflledyour
“Who: you « Sure! (have heard a
' king’s y 3m,”

' owl-mask upon her head, and fol

‘ but because he now felt that the, glorious

 



“Paul 66me exclaimed . _ Win
ed Myst

guard
“Paul Gerux since my arrival in Golconda;
before lthat—seel”and as he a the lien
black beard came, of! in his “W
away this dye, and I am Dan Farrar.”
, Rachel knew him now, and with ‘
choked back a of amazement Dan Farrier"
wasanofilcialhi inthe licecirelesof Den~
ver; to all seeming. an ar , nt friend to hersell
and husband. Spiel she could trust him.
.“Ybu are satisfi, l”he asked, replacing his

guises.

“Yes. Iwill gowith vyou,it you think“
can escape.” ' _ .

“ By donning these thin , I knew we can.
Let me unlock those handc 5—50. Now I’ll put-
out this light. Some of those rasc als may take
a noticinthto m here to? a surreptitious
peep 9. en‘ 1198!}. ' >

As he spoke, Dan fisher—Paul Gerux no
longer—arose and extinguished the dull light.

“Arrange your disguise, while I make sure
that there is no one spying upon us,” he added,
drawmg a knife and  away through the
darkness. ' "

Rachel did as she was hidden placing the

ding the Ion
cloak around her. ‘ Even in broad lighto
day she might have passed without her sex
bemg suspected. In the darkness—for even in
the jud ent hall, only the center of the room
was lig ted clearly by the skull-lamps—there
was scarcely a chance of suspicion bein a
by her passage unless some one of the J: M,
been eavesdrome there. . "

Ip afew mo en , Farrar return

‘ So fares can discover, my movemenln
have not been noticed, or acted,” he said in
guarded tones as he touch her hand. “In
ten minutes more we will be in safety, if no un—
fortunate accident occurs.” ' L ’

“If it should—if by any chance we are dis-

covered—leave me to my fate and secure your
own escape,” breathed Rachel.
. “Can you think that of me?” and there was
Intense passion—the passion of a fiery love—in
his veice as he spoke. " No—I will rescue you,
or die in defen ng your honor!”

'“ Let us hope there will beno suchneeessi ,”
responded Rachel, and the keen‘ear of 
Farrar detected a coldness not there when she
Splits gill)”. hunse

. w ycursin ' lffor ‘ soim *
sive, alarming hergbefore the me firwptlgr
pinching the dainty fruit he had sworn shouln' ‘

‘h%3t aiply cost, e  ,

‘ e w go now. uide If h In
cloak, and do not release it unyglulagouchy on;

. Then wait unfillam out of sight. t
fifty then follow in my tracks. If any one
should Oder to stop you. Iwill come toyour
rescue at once. You understand?" -

“Perfectly. Lead on and I will follow.”

Dan Farrar led the way until near the circle
of light cast around by the skull~lam , then
reached behind him and touched  hand
where it clasped his cloak.

He felt her relax. and moved slowly
forward, unnot by the Owls 
around, t h his course led him close
several. At is point he paused for a moment,
uttering some careless remark, then moved on.

Rachel watched him untilhe disappeared, the:
after a brief period, followed in his tracks.

Thanks to the gloom and the disguise the
mgthetaskwas encasierone thanshehad
do hope.

Nomenppearedtonoticeher orifthey '
none addressed her, doubtless ’mnn bin-mfg;-
zvhléatsheseemed,asgoodan0wlast‘ bested

m ,

“ Safe, so far—follow me as before ” breathed
alowvozce,” Farrar' edheriuthe
darknesaroondthebendin egradmllyconw
tneungpassage. “Wearealmoetnutetthe

den-49.A fndefiu we wing:ng

cw s more, t " m

« the hollow hill into the blightexynoonli it.
“Quick! thereare no guards now, me

oftherasca-lsma chance to comeou and; if

weare it will result in t t 

life!”
Dan Fan-3' was terribly/in earnest. Be
pla a bold game where detect meantm
, led ting rapidly, div
rock trailu yfollowedm‘ Owls, *
p ‘ «when?!

’ h' freel‘wh b.
ly-shaprfi 

“was: F’he almeagasped, m
washisrelief~not on monogfor few
men more animal courage than he did,
for which he had Rated tinned dag]
mathstwhollyphiswnfnd 'w I” _
a?ng 

I marge adiollowed“ ‘hiIn-‘rithouta'
questioner  tireless: ’ “ one ?
wmhflwaaidthotshe mama-m " .

 

 

 

:—
‘*‘

Calmly as he spoke. every word was audible
tothose below, and Vernon Shadnts uttered a
hoarseanarlof rageat thewild crythatarose
to his for it told him how bitterly he was
executed thegreat majorityof the specta—

such ‘a‘desperate look that Funny Felix silently
stole up close beside him. A
“ Now look to yourself, for I meannbvusinesel”
Lnesolligfoeg‘ng his ‘ gleaned in th
weapon a
' t, and as Shadutz parried his thrusts

andblo aglitterlng wall of steel seemed:,to
separah> an mats. All theakillofthe
' twas now into requisition to keep

flashing blade at bay, without mahn
stroke or thrust in return. Great drops 0
sweafitofodtou: on his browt.“ tgluon as was his
arm, e 1 beginnin ire.~ or an
lower sunk his heart e knew not? that he
haddared his-doom where he countedvictory
awn-ed beforehand.

“ Youare growing carol fellow,” said the
tall miner, as the pomt of his lade shone red in
the moonlight. “ Areyou tiredof life that you
blindly run against my blade?”

“Are you man or devil?” gasped the red-
haired giant, dashing the sweat from his eyes
and taming aside another vicious thrust.

“A man—and your master, dog!” cried Sol

. a low, mocking laugh following his
words. “For months you have been a terror
to all honest la in Golconda, wearin the
lion’sskin. Now strip it 03, and reveagl the

r ass!”

As he e, Sol Scott seemed to redouble the
vigor of assault, and then, with a sudden
turn ofhis powerful wrist,he tomthe knife
from the giant’s hand and sent it flashing like a
meteor through the air, = fallin to the rocks
whereihmetallicclinksonnded ‘ e the death‘
knell of the defeated duelist.

With a hoarse bowl of despair, Vernon Sha—
dufileaped back and crouched down upon the

edge of theflplatform, looking like some
minnow ‘ wild beastat bay, rather than a bu.“

man being. .

 “Bay prayers, Vernon Shadutz!” cried
 t, in a cold, measured tone. “ The
devil your master has deserted you in our
fime of need. The innocent blood you ave
shed, callsoutloudlyforvengeaneel Sayyour
prayers, dog!” _

Intensewasthehorroroffiucker Shadutz as
he saw his brother disarmed, for, evil though
they both were, blood-stained with man an
atrocious murder, the same mother bore in
‘ and their love for each other was strong and
date. He knew that such an act, though it
'mivht save his brother, would surely doom him
to death at the hands of an enraged mob, yet
heleV‘eled his revolver and took a swift aim at
Sol Scott—then pulled trigger! ’

,9 ‘ CHAPTER V.

" _ new men use vasqmsnxn. '
SHABPUI the ol report rung out, but the

Wtwhistledt htbenightairwzdeofits

intended victim

 ' ari hi: the
«desperate logkkupon the face g}! R mi; budget:
knocked,  pistolhand, en,w Nope
"no Whit  to tothat which had, an hour
ibefore, laid the elder brother low, his hard fist
struck the would-be amnesia beneath the ear.
 him headlong a douen feet away.

“Durnacrittersopizenmean asto wantto
 ntopsech'gelofioais tun_ asthma!” thefiveteran
W monument a  w W

' an ‘6 y

i-“{l‘hatdirty‘”cus' yonder. He miledon sol

‘iLy'gch  Throw‘ him over into the
’ ’ in high sugar, for

gnuwmemm   giant:

 

the managing filfia ' athwartthedaintgv
“"533 math °J§° {hm "° ‘mmg"
mean 0 e mat wi again '

himself within arm’s-length of his adversary.
It could be easily done. At that short distance,
his stro arm could hurl the heavy bowie
knife wi force sufficient to split the skull of
the thick as that might be, and soswiftly
thatglo ude the missl‘ 9 would be utterl

m.

poem e. y
As the crowd below thought, so believed the
defeated duelist, and bent on revenge even in
death, he prepared to leap upon his terrible ad-
versary knowing that, even if death-stricken
midway, let him once gra file with his de-
stroyer, both must fall from. c narrow plat-

form upon the ready rocks far below.

Once more that cold, mocking laugh, as
thou h 801 Scott the power to read
that oughtsof his anta ' , and knew that
they were fated never to realized And then
the knife was cast—gleaming through the moon-
light like a silver wheel as it turned over and
over in swift revolution.

Cries of astonishment came from below—the

excited crowd could scarcely believe the evi-
dence of their eyes.
, Instead of piercing the brain or heart of Ver-
non Shadutz, the bowie knife was hurled high
into the air, descending swift] and burying?)-
self forever with a sullen c ug in the k
waters of the little river! .

“A good blade once, but it was stained with
the blood of a cowardly curband would soil my
hand were I to use it again!

Cold and biting came these insulting words
and half-stupefled by the strange action, ye
feeling as a great criminal must when the suffo-
cating noose is removed from his throat by a
reprieve, Vernon Shadutz rose erect and
duelists once more stood face to face.

“A dozen times to-nigbt have I $33? you
your life, Vernon Shadutz,” said 801 t, his
voice ringing out clearly. “Not through any
love for you, nor yet com ion on our
crime laden. soul, but to ma c you feel a] the
bitterness of death, time and again—to show
you that, feared bully, fighting man and fire-
eater as you are you are but a bungler in the
bands of a man .

“ You haven’t rubbed me out-maybe the
crew of triumph will come from the other side,
after all I” hoarser growled Shaduta.

He was not averse to this delay. Bis strength
and wind had both been severely tested, and
ev moment he was growing more fit for the
den grapple which he knew must come. He
no lo er underestimated his antagonist. Un-
lesSo Scott was far more than an ordinary
man, he would never have voluntarily disarmed
himself. Yet the subtle tricks of. fence and
pugflistic skill could avail him little now. There
was no spare footing for attack and retreat, no
chance to avoid pugmhment by minder agility.
They must stand cc to face, f overlapping
feet, and give and take, or else grapple an
trust all to mere strength and endurance.

“ Come !” shagply uttered 801 Scott. “ Toe
the mark-han to hand, breast to breast—and
I will finish the little lesson I set out in givetgou.
lcould haveslain you asyou crouched” ere,
like a wild beast, tremblin with terror, but I
ask odd of no man—mac less a cowardly
roman like Vernon Shadutz I” r

He stood with his foot 11 the center crack
of the little platform. 8 adutz hesitated a
moment, meditating a fierce rush thatmi ht
force his taunting enemy over backward be ore
he could deal a blow; but the risk was too
greet.
him or elivering another of those Ii
blows, Sol  might easily reverse the pro.

- “ Your stomach turned already?” mocked the
mil miner. “ Then down upon your  and
abjectly a 10%? for having wanton} insulted
aladyasgi'a veyouasheavenxsa vehell!
Swear that you-will leave this part of the
comma: to, return again under penalty
of dea nd take your craven life!”

"‘I’ll take yours, instead, curse on!” snarled

neafiy everymanpm thosredahah'edgiamfivithones tstridemeet

- sent.  _ ' -  , v i thespeaker. ~ ‘
‘ "*“W’seeflhath‘eldon’tgivean moretréuble,” “i [0me excitementwent upfrom
 'ng  thefitorshelowmat saw-thoth
‘ " " ' ' the mice!  melons indea their muwular
 unwound otherwithsuch

 the

 

 

 

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dough exams-cock

 bu  i
l I ‘ .wg’dnmugaghfunmm‘old

womahtchedmekifiia’thocookt” *

nimny stepping aside and  ‘

mt;

 

, cashew. scaver

Sol  the MejSked   “I i , '7’

the“nnder- "both afghisarmsbelowthme
ofhisad

One short holwl of fury told how bum]

Shaduta felt at being thus outgeneraled, my: :

then he f0 t in silence. That terrible
sure upon ‘ ribs
breath to spare, not an ounce of strength to

waste did be hope to escape defeat—end defeat "

meant death.
Twice be felt himself almost lifted clear of

the floor, while all he could do could not budge .

the feet of Sol Scott an inch. Never before

had he grappled, with such an antagonist, never ‘
tralieed ~

before had his boasted strength been neu
asnow. ‘

In each moment that that terrible wrestle
lasted, Vernon Shadutz felt what Sol Scott had
said—all the tortures of death, for he to
believe that this was no merely m man
with whom he was contending.

A gasping groan in unison came up from be-
low. A heav cloud was creeping over the face
of the moon— lack shadows were about to veil
themscene-shut out that terribly fascinating
erg

“Git a broom, somebody, an’ sweep them
cobwebs away!” cried the irrepressible Felix
from Fr’isco. “Jest as the funny ,part was
comin’— By heavens! they’re down!

The black shadow swapt over the sceneand
shut off all view of the uelists, but there 

m the darkness above, a sound that could
u the mistaken—a heavy thud upon the plat-
form, followed by shuffling and thumping
sounds that told the ants omsts were will dos.
perately stru ling for t e mastery! S -
ling like wil beasts, in utter blackness, wit
at a few inches of safety surrounding, them
separating them from death. A sin erevolu-
tion—tbe turning over of the one an op by the
theman beneath—might hurl them from the
narrow scaffold to the rocks below! '  a :

The uncertainty, the suspense was absolutely
agonizing, and the spectators below must have
sufiened nearly as much during those brief mo-
fiifents as did the men above who fought for

e.

Then came a sudden silence—the sounds of
 ceased abruptly—and the crowd
brea essl listened,in awe, exgting tohear
the horribe thud of a human
upon the rocks. But instead, there came a voice,

still cold and even: the voice of 301 Scotthad. ‘

dressin Vernon Shadutz:
“ Yie d or you die, curl Con few that you are
a cowardly dog for insulting a lady whose shoes
you are unworthy to kiss—confem that are
a lying braggart, and swear to leavet part
of the country as soon as tylour legs can
on, or go to meet the den your crimes have
or}? deserved l" ‘
ot a-sound came from the
listened for the answer, painf y strainin
eyes in the vain endeavor to pierce the ck-
ness that enveloped the windmill, scarcely dar-
ing to even draw a breath.
‘ Kill andbe-—-—l” cameahusky growlfrom
the defeated giant.
A brief, furious struggle—the last desperate
oflort of a (1 rate wretch—and then the cloud .
passed away mm the face of the and

once more her silver upon tbe‘m- ,
08

no; one of strange, he bf

'11 erect upon t arm was Sol;
Scott, bulging Vernon Sharing-with both hands
pinnedto ha sides, head downward over the
edge of the wafi'old. Let him roleaeehis
an the red-haired giant would plunge
ward to a horrible death. '

“Take your last look upon earth, than!”

the Youwilllieashattered manned
fleshandbonesupontheminoneminutemnleu
yourepeatthewozdaldictatetoyou. [haw
sparedyouadocentimesatleast,» that
nowIsolemnl swear that unless youcontaq'
aslhidyou, ,tymahalldiel” r

While. darkness lasted, Shadnta was firm
enough m d that beagdmed death,
butmwitwaa erent. H «helpless-she
which

was, .
,hemustfa andhiahrute‘ 
.5301 Scottu’slowly  seconded

his}: respite. ,
“Confem thatyouaresorry faring a;
lady—swearthatyouwmneveragainhe'
aluminum .Ownthatyou cream \
mandrel, tomath the ammo! Indecent
mankind. Wmlevantassoonas

       

 

Vernon

toldhimthathe no‘

lag crashing ‘

tatonasm‘

Enoughal cave!” Ire-gasped, suflocatingly. ’

the but

 

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919 Buflnlo Bill's Relentless Trail. By Colonel
Prentiss Ingrsham.

973 The Drend Shot Four; or. My Part]: of the
Plains. By Col. W. F. Cody.
964 Buffalo Bill’s Invincibles; or. The sable Shad—
. ower's Sublime sacrifice. By.Col. P. mm-
900 Buffalo ’Blll's Blue Belt Brigade; or. Sun-
flower Sun of Shasta. By 001. P. Ingraham.
956 BMW‘BHI'S Volunteer Vigilantes;
Mysterious Han inBlue. By Col. P

950 Bnflalo Bill at Bay; or, The Gold Seeker's
Doom. By Col. P. Ingraham.

943 Buffalo Bill’s Block Game: or. The Mounted
fifllners of the Overland. By Col. P. Ingra-
am.

936 Buffalo Bill's Block: Pal-d: or, The Gold
Boomers ot the Big Horn. By Col. P. Ingra-

921 Buffalo Bill's Bluff; or. Dusky Dick. the
Sport. By Col. P. Insraham.

921 Buifalo Bill's Quandary; or. Velvet Bill's

I Vow. Br Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

915 Buffalo Bill ad the. Surgeon Scout: or. Go-
wnn—go. the Redskin Rider. By Col. P. In-
graham.

or. Red Butterfly. By

001. Prentiss .

‘ 904 Bufl'slo Bill's Tangled Trail; or. Gentleman

Jack, the Man of Many Masks. By col. P.
Ingrshsm. r

900 Buffalo Bill's Rough Riders: or. Texas Jack's
Sharp-Shooters. By Col. Prentiss Inmham.

96 Buffalo Bill’s Secret 1111?; or. The Tom’s
Double. By Col. Prentiss Ingrahem. ‘

soot Bulfle Bill's Life-Stake; or, The Pleased
Three. By Col. P. Ingrshsm.

882 The Three Bill‘s; Buffalo Bill; Wild Bill and
BandBox Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth.
Inst-sham.

By Col. P.
Braves; or, The Card
By Col. P. lngrah’am.
Agent Ronndollp; or, The
Man in Blsck. By Col.

. , Queen’s Last Gone.

one Buffalo Mrs Road

mysterious naked
Ingram

‘ flies: non-an Bill's nutrient-m; or, The man
Withths' . Byumth

Scar
86? manor; Royal Flush; or The Pony Ric
“ ‘ Run By Col. ntiss Ingra-

rflfl  Double Dilemma: or. The Great
Scout's Big Three. y Co . . Ingram.

or,'l'he
.Ingra-‘

820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt; or, The _Mlner
Marauders Death—Track. By Buflalo Bill.

816 Buffalo Bill’s Red Trail; or. The Road-Rider
Renegade‘s Bun Down. By Col. P. Ingraharn.

812 Buffalo Bill‘s Death-Knell; or, The Red and
Riders of the Rockies. By Col. P. lngta am.

07 Wild Bill. the Wild West Duelist; Cf, Thfim
Mascot of Moonlight Mine. By Bunnie ,.‘

807 “Wild Bill. the Wild West Duelist; or, The Girl
Grande Ralph. the Cowboy Chief. “By Bu:-
talo Bill. 

794 Buffalo Bill's Winning Band: or, The Masked
Woman of the Colorado Canyon. By Col. P.
Ingraham._

787 Buffalo Bill’s DeadShot;or,T’heSkeleton Scout
of the Colorado. By Col. Prentiss Ingr

781 Buffalo Bill‘s Brand: or. The Brimst ”
Brotherhood. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.

177 Buffalo Bill's Spy-Shadowerror, The Masked
Men at Grand Canyon. By Col. 1?. lngraham.

m Bullfan Bill's Ban; or. Cody to the Rescue.
By Leon Lewis.

769 Buflalo Bill’s Sweepstake; or, The Moe-out
at Last Chance. By Col. Prentiss Inmham.

765 Buffalo Bill's Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam.
By Col. Prentiss Ingmlmm. _ V

781 Buttons Bill's Mascot: or. The Death Valley
Victim No. 13. By 001. Prentiss Inst-sham.

757 Budslo Bill’s Double; or, The Desperado De-
tective. By Col. Prentiss Ingraluun.

750 Buffalo Bill's Big Four: or, Custer‘s Shadow.
By Col. Prentiss Ingram.

743 Buffalo Bill‘s Flush Band: or, Texas Jsck’s
Bravos. By Col. Prentiss Ingrnham. ~

739 Bunnie Bill's Blind; or; The flashed Driver
gt Death’s Canyon. By Col. Prentiss Inm-

am.

735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry lien: or The
50m. Hood Rivals. By Col. Prentiss ism.

731 Buffalo Bill's Beagles; or. Silk. Lasso Sam.
BY 00).. Prentiss Inmham.

727‘ Buffalo Bill's Body Guard: or, The Still Hunt
of the Hills. By Col. Prentiss 1W

722 Buffalo Bm- on the War Path; or. sin:
Sun, the Will-outlieka By Col.
graham.

716 Buifalo Bill‘s Scout Shadowers: or. Bane!»
ald Ed at Devil’s Acre. B! Col. P. lamina.

710 Barely Bill Baffled; or. The Desertet Des.
perado’s Defiance. By Col. P. Inmham.

cod: or

697 B 7 L Bill's Buckskin Brotherlt
09%
graham

Lasso
P. In-

Up a. host m1. By cm. 9. mi

 

\ [imam].

653 The Lasso King's league; or, The Tigers of
Texas. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham.
649 Buck Taylor, the Saddle King. Buffalo Bill's
Chief of Scouts. By Col. P. Ingraham.
644 Buffalo Bill's Bonanza; or, The Knights of
the Silver Circle. By 001. P.‘ Inst-shun.
639 The Gold King; or. Montebello, the Magnifi-
cent. By Buflalo Bill. -

629 Buffalo Bill's Daring Role; or. Dnredeath

‘ Dick, King of the Cowboys. By Leon Lewis.

599 The Dead Shot Nine: or, My Ford: of the
Plains. By Buffalo Bill.

517 Buffalo Bill’s First Trail; or, Will Cody. the
Pony Express Rider. By Ned Buntlins.

414 Red Renard, the Indian Detective; or. The
Gold, Buzzards 0: Colorado. By Buttslo Bill.

401 The OnecArmed Pard; or, Red Retribution in
Borderland. By Buffalo Bill.

397 The Wizard Brothers;
Trail. »Bv Buffalo Bill. . ,

.394 White Beaver, the Exile ot the Pluto; or.
anymnged Ken's Red Trail. By Buihlo

or. White Beavers

Col. Prentiss In

329131111310 Bill's Pied ; or, The Lennie or
Three. By Col; P.  '

axe Wild not. the Whirlwind ot‘ the West. By
Bunnie mu. 7

504 Texas Jack. the Prairie Battier: , or. The
Queen ot‘me Wild Riders. By Bum Bill.

243‘ The Pli 'm She, ; or. The Soldier‘s Sweet—
heart. .3 Butte Bill. Government Scout
.and Guide. _

189 Wild Bill’s Gold Trail; or. Th0 We
Dozen. By Col. . lngrahsm.

175- Wild Bill’s“ TrumlgreCsrd: or. The noun
Harem ‘Berol. , ntlss lament. ’

188 Wild  the

, , lion’s Double. By (:01. menus:

158: Bum am. Chief of Scouts: or. The , s

‘ Boned. By Dr. Frank Boiliih 

111' Buffalo 3111': Strange Paul

V. the Bonnier of the

D. Burr.

92 Bnifslox-  the Buckskin King. or,
moon 9! the West. By W

' 83 Gold. Bullet.

' Overland.- By Bnflslo Bill.

Bill. .
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362 Buffalo Bill’s one; or. Oath-bound to Custer. ‘
BY graham. ‘

 

 

 

Pistol Deed Shot; or. Dagger ‘

Hfimm'n? nos: ‘ V k
5, I  l‘, .

Sport: or. woman of-‘the;_ '

slimmer-rm, theChief m;; ,2.  ~ "
gnome in s  

       
        

Human mire Redskin Rose; or. Texas Jack's . ‘ i ‘ _. .

km Mm: 31”“ 31' 0°” Pram“ W“ 591 Buffalo Bill’s. Blind m1: or, The W 931 Eage‘flgfgélgcwe grog. 3t. '13:: Texas 

em The W Kiln Dead-Shot; or; Texas Jack's or the Regimentuay Col. Prentiss In 982 r s Creme {3 Wk?!“ 0“ Ruffles. I”; 
“ « W’ ' By 3‘“ Em‘ - i 682 Buffalo Bill's Secret Service mu. By imm- MC“ any Vaxg“ mnblgle 
, m,m1mo§n;- stoan garage} nehfgmmm Dangerfield Burr. Mom we ‘ ‘ f V , 
 "Bond's 04m. y l.  . _ . . _ 

   -- m , 037Man BillsSwoomor the King ofthe 933K“ move Km meg ‘ $3.6“
Emgggfium‘! mfg; 0; Egasum"‘°“ Hines. By Col. muu'mmam. drier. Ready August g“ x I. d;    1
, ' '7 7. ' _ fl- ‘ E‘ . ° ’ ' m' clan: or. The Tigress ofTens. 1934 Buffalo Bill’s Life name; or. The:   n '
‘ “can flan: cm.   the m  Prontlse myths-m. ' Three. By'uOol. P.‘ Inn-alum.  ' ’

 

 

  

sci Séott, the Masked Miner.

 

:3

 

 

  
  
 
   
   
  
 
   
  
 
   
    
   
    
  
  

woman ended with a bitter laugh.

“ No doubt you believe you have goodreasons
for your actions,” said Scott, speaking slowly

, utbongh carefully choosing his words. " An
3:: it dues not seem pomible that your husband
d give you cause for doubt."

“ A very neat compliment, Mr.—- by what

name do you choose to be addressed, just at

present?" .

“801 Scott Will serveall par I reckon ”
was the’cool response. “It is short and easily

ken.

“And quite as much yours as that of Dan
Brown, no doubt.”

“ Precisely as much, madam,” smiled the

miner.

“Then you acknowled that your rightful

name is not, never was, an Brown?” demand-
‘  thelady, her cheeks glowing vividly, but the
rest of her face pale as a corpse.

“Ida, cheerfully. Will you kindly tell. me
when lever laid claim to that name?” molly
asked miner.

“When yonswcu'ethatlwasallinalltoyou
~when {in vowed, that you loved me and me
alum—w 11 you married me!” exclaimed the
woman hereyes ' asthoughonflre.

 scott smiled fain y, and then brushed
one hand across his eyes as then h he would
clearhisvision. There was no le ty, no care-

lessness in his voice now as he spoke:
“ I uttered those words—I recorded those
vows—m it was ears emwhen you were
once a wife—as fair

“I ve todowiththepast. The
mat a blew]: bitter on God knows I”
uttered the woman, ions , advancing
mtflwitbinarm’s- of the nor.

At the sound of her voice, the face of Sci
Boottoncemore w composed,” impenetra-
bleaathat ofa
“all? doubt tM little dramade be huge;-

, to me, , were on 've me 9
man“ can As it Sir, I anywholly the dark,
in all politenes allowme to ask, what on
earthhave to do with your domestic troubles?”

The women into his eggs with

' but 3 she hoped read any con-

...p'm simian“. on “if "9 “W '0
y er game was re-

turneg‘.) The miner even smiled until his white
teeth were vidblo under his heavy, drooping

macho.
“Bayou know, I am powerfullme to
hill‘youasyoustandmoekingatme?’ cried he

         
    
     
   
   
  
   
  
  
      
    
   
   
    
   
  
  
  
      
  
    
  
 
  

beautilnifury along, dagger
from her hood: and ' x it dangerously
marthefaeeoftheminer.

tell me as much, even if
so fairs hand
, and as Ihavenoypare

ultrasonic” outryit “
Had ' orattemptegtoreasonwith
her, in all probe . '
wouidhaveput into execution,
til“ '
be
i

   
  
  
   
 
  

  

herthreat and
flickeenbladetoits halt in his breast.
hawthiaormhereallyeocamlemof
' sheiiung' the dagger
flmmwhhedbitteriy

   
 
  

 then
'w- a ‘ 0309. _.
andggatlylaidhbhmduponher

   

  

burning damn

I ‘m‘n,
me
me.

gYethifiyouwouldnotEo there.”
law-bettian  [be]

“ “it u I Scott, nuanced
'Mthewoma’n. “11y
,emhardlythink. It maybe that]? am mie-

; enumng  _. , 
 ‘5 mymIMdeflvenfrom Stateto

_.   l V  .. g;

" ardon me, lady—I could not help it. A.
sinner lecturin a saint! But for the tiara I for-
got who and w t I am.”

“Shall I tell you who you are?” the fire again
leaping into her eyes, as she moved closer to the
miner. ,

“If it will be any comfort to you, I don’t
mind,” cool] . '

“The man whom I once believed to be my
husband!” ‘ I

“ Icmlld wish your words were as trueas
you think them, lady,” was the earnest response.
“ F0 my sake, if not yours. I know your hus-
ban by regutation at least. He is an honest
man, one w 0 has no reason for hiding his face
3; his real name from the pure light of

y.

A short mocking laugh checked his speech.

“ You are as modest as you are truthful
See! how easy it is to unmask you—” '

With a swift motion her fingers twined them-
selvos in his Ion , heavy tawny beard, and

ulled sharply. cry of, astonishment burst
rom her lips, and her face grew ashypale as
the luxuriant hair refused to come away.

Quietly 801 Scott bore the infliction, and
smiled broadly at the discomfiture of his fair
“amigo f hbad'disgmse”

on me oryour us n ,m .
I fear the worthy detective would not think
your mistake a compliment to him, if ever he
comes to know me as I am.”

“ You are~you must be Dan Brown!”
the bewildered Woman. “I could not have
made such a mistake!”

“ Lady, calm yourself and listen to me. I
tell you now, as said before, I am not Dan
Brown, nor am I our husband. Ins I am
one whom he is untin down—whom has
sworn to bring to the g owa—a blood-stained
criminal!”

The woman stared at him in mute amaze-
ment. Not yet could she believe that all her
instincts were at fault—that this man was a
stranger, and not the one whom she had loved
dearly enough to call husband. It was incred-
ible! Surel there was “ some cunning leger-
in in this!

“You still doubt me, I see,” added Sol Scott.
“ I have confessed myself a criminal—have told
you that human blood has stained myhands,
andthatthecmcersof 'usticeareon mytrack,
honodingmetothe ows. Are {go wise in
still disbeli me—you, a peri beau --
awoman for w m a man might well barter
his very soul? Lady, it is an awful temptation
for one to torswear oneself!”

Calm though his tones were, there wasaburm
ing ' htinhisbig blues thatcaused the
2e flrgdwomanptgl ' awaytromhim as

or ace grew er.

Instantly that glowinglight softened, and with
a low, soft laugh Sol Scott resumed:

“Pardon me, lady for my presumption, but
Iconldnot help reading you a little lesson in
prudence. With such a glorious tom
fewmenconldresistaclaimsnch a you have
put forth.”

“Ido not know what to think!” murmured

premingbothbandetoherbrow.
“Yourbrainis disturbed bythescenes on
have witnessed. Inthemorningallwillbe
clear. Thea,“ cuwish ‘
a... we ’mwfi‘afii‘l
name, yourmeesago

. tum-dhghtotdmwmmhow
dimerentlamtromyourh "
Astheminerseemed

youeanseeme

pocket.

“Ymintmdretnrningfothat saloum
be expected, and as I
”_ Idon’tcareaboutbeing

“ltyouarethemianwhomlhavecalledhus—
bud—“Imuststfllbelieve—Iknow how an-
‘isyourwmwlwnonceitistbrmed.

“It! were your has

  
  

“Thenfleewhile  ' eleried
’ hall awgiri. I

,*tahm-thatyouarewhatyouea If
, within-wed! MEM,‘
 sworn hcntyoudowmnothingeisem

\hutI’havetumedm back momma.
, V ‘ettbelawforthebstthgg hitches
jhttleath'actiontorme new. Blood calls or
encouraged: ' "l' "’1

 

 

thewretchedwomanfiinkinguponthesod’aaud‘

mommies“,
‘theladyaruseanddrewthekeylromher

' ‘ Themsmiled;butitwasacold chillin comesthewarninglwouldgiveyou. Remem- sunkdownn flieso aeobbingmoanbmfiv
 learn. And there was a bitter,alniost cong her that if a woman’s fair fame is once he» ingfrom hex-Pigs. fa’ , ‘ '
~ ‘ Waringtohervoiceasshespoke: smirched, even if only in seeming, it never CanIbemistaken? Surelythatmans’cmy
“ vs I not fallen terribly low? To act as a shines perfectly clear again.” ‘ husband!” .
my upon m husband—the man whom 190 There was a brief silence, then Sol Scott , """“‘
fondly vow to love, honor and obey?” and the la bed softly. CHAPTER 111

“Trance looked bouoxmin” fer a spam who;I
diditallgoto? Wharisthefun lathe
cold meat for breakfast? Ain’t an -—an’ 't, i:
them good old days ’round Han (gage
eye orDead Dog, many the time hevIsee’da
lees promisin’ prospect pan out tun an’ stilt ’uns
enough to run a crowner’s mill for a week, tail
an conga” Things ain’t as they was then-more’s

e 1 .

0%) course. it was the old ’fier spanking, and
he relapsed mto silence with a sigh that seemed
to come up from the very soles ofhis boo as
heleaned ‘ tthebarand amdow’ y
Into the ole ed countenance of Tampkin.
, Time was money to a saloon-keeper in Gol-
conda after the sun set, and the doughty Isaac,
though not wholly recovered from his panic,
quickly had his lace put in running order
again, after Sha utz and his crowd left it in
search of 861 Scott and his masked companion.

Not much harm had been done beyond shat-
termg the lamp-bearing chandeliei's. No shots
had been fired after the first volley disc
by Scott and company. These four
formed a line in the end wallzthanhs’ to the
sw1ft movements of Shadutn and his crowd no
blood had been shed. The saw what no one
else noticed: that two frien were preparing to
break the dead-lock. They knew that Scott
would shoot on the instant, and as the chairs
whirled through the air, they ducked low down
and let thebulletspassharmlemlyoverthdr

s, _,

“They’s only two bright specks in the hull
fizzle,” resumed the veteran gold-hunter as
Tam kin only scowled sunenly: ’

“ hem was the love tap that tw
quartz-crusher lent the raw-head-an’hl y-
bones, an? the cute way in which on ducked

every

under the her an’ drawed in your
me a-p’intin’ my shooter at
mud turkle—”

time on ketched
ye. was‘ekiltoa '

m on want around ‘
anyhow?” soany demanyded T his ' '

“was? rs mu Ira’xsco."
2

“ What blazes do
are

face turning redder as he t
amonghispah'onswhoseatte-gggn‘  “
gogfihg’ ‘ Fortw ‘ are natural
. econ , come ‘
mop the floor mth‘ your  ,ef cal to
pg,ng fer pullin’ on me when wasn’t lbok- "

“Take out your charm-Job 1" chuckled
the veteran,teseingatwenty ' 
upon the counter. “It’s bin a b 0’ time
meéwfisfusemargrog,an’mebbe ' gettin’

0 er w likefim shtireckon
thar’llhetwoeentswutho’tnningtb , ’ .
Pile out, Johnny! Spit onto your. _- 'an’
hatch bolt. Yusyouronmmanlryar’syoar

 

nor—the  is g, to rig-k, chem

    
 

     

  
 
   
 
   
   
   
      
     
     

  

 
     
    
  
 
 
   
        
  

braking” Run

 

 

 ioosue‘ m ‘  his}

 
 

 

 
 

 

 

 

 

COPYRIGHT. 1884, 81’ Emma {s ADAMS, ' h- MARCE. ‘90}.

 

 

‘ . M. J. “121:5 a: $0., Publishers,
“9  Publish“ Every mums SULLIVAN. Pmmmmnm, 19 Cents 3' CGI’V'  
‘ ‘ ‘ month' 3'79 Pearl Street. New York. 3100 a Year” " "

 

 

‘ M. AMMWNN- -MWW ‘ ...._,_._.~....,.~_._.~

80L SCBTT, THE MASKEB MINER; or, DAN BROWN’S BBUBLE.

BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR.,

mm: or “m~mamn JACK," “Gosm GEORGE," “m mare HAIRED yum,” “ow EULL’S mm," “mm mm,”
“JACK mm,” “CAPTAIN COOL-BLADE,” £73.. ETC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

r

 

1/.

e ' some  Masked Miner-

 

 

   
   
  
 
    
  
   
  
    
   
   
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
 
 
 

man who killed the general,

 

icions were wrong

lgrly Miami flLe story Ra

rs; what  ’

 

ermwondu-lng could ’
asuddenidea struck him, bntiuutterenee was
fie 01mm ‘ ‘- »
-‘1 I sue deetlned'oo hear
his mus-legs with

   

3‘ soul]:-
' Rachel made a maskdf
And Boo Brown;

 

-> rmrvueee~ *nwmv~wwsa “m
 ‘ you r Gerufimeto
::&1merflhdukifll

_ ‘   rename

event: page:

wenweefiwmmrwmrfiw

onto.

Don wuefDenver
' mom rbelioved tobetheoriminsl

haven " w:
" settled down .in Golconda on a tumor finally
tin: word that the long-sought criminnlwas
“ nuderthe name of 801 Scott,“
 that Dan Brown be sentto er-
Socunning and  ' was the Denver-de-
tectives - as ‘F‘nnnyFelixfromeioeo,”
that “801 ” failed to recognize him until

 hehadresouedRachel Brown'fromt-he‘
at Vernon Shndutz To solve all doubts,
‘ ‘ that afiecting story of the A
‘ watclnng Dan
‘ Brown close , and gradually becoming eon-

Pflifiw “i
tors,theirnegro

away before the two detectives
'elseflxelrend-j
,, . e

I did notcmfwshhnnmslfioglnt?

n . nmwitha :21anrrlnmn.
mm“ V" ‘3 22 Ten 8:; 8mm
ycarvedbyormms '3Nmo.mNmn-r.

    
  
 

94 ..
325TnnBormnm. By 

' mkhgym’é‘fglg

WJM mhtfim ~68

 
 
 

' Qnmmmn. Amman
8) We Roe. Byte“! L. Wheeler ... v .
. : on.

82 Km  ‘

. 89 lessen Jug. 3Bmecehddgel‘Kem  
90 Ten Dunn Rm By G. 

 

., -gwnetneemem~w¢cnm . _
g.e.éfififlleereyeeeerpweee;tx;-

  

pm regulations would allow. And then, one
¢ "the whole oity‘wss astounded by the
notice ‘1; Randolph had escaped! r

I; devoted ¢Ofmm$gfi mm
W ’ ' t- was e o o .

Dan Farm: raved almost.“ lucky. He was
found guilty of aiding the robbery of Beliefs
bank. and despite his great influence m_mogzs-
aerial circles, was sentenced to State’s pnson for

‘ ten ears.
‘ Bé’ore he had served six months he

to  ho bod peered to know
esca. w no yap , _.
Budgie, edge  serves  as Its.
mayor, and his big heart grows mgger every

do.
‘ gen Brown and his'wife still make their

head-quarters at; Denver, and be sure, Rachel
will never again doubt the truth and fidehty of
her husband. ' I

As soon as Fe Randolph was sentenced
to death, “Sol ” returned to Denver,
where he and Dan Brown entered into partner-
shi as detectives, “ glvate or otherwise?“

llt’is berelyposslb that we maysgemtake
upthepenwrmordthehdmngdeedgatme

{one time. .

in
mm

 

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on ........ .i 
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135 Glenn PAUL. By .
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LONDE BILL. By Edward L. ee
rues, JR. By,T.G. Ba

 

145 0mm Fm. ,
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1%.,” Snf. By J. Alexander Patten. .. .. .
«, Edward L. W]:

. eeler:..
Capt. F. Whittaker... .

.2144 Dunn Inner. Tms Bow 8mm.
BY Edward L.

1m Ann Lasso.
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154 THE Swomfimwm. By ".
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woon I)ch or Dun
Mm Mme. By Charles

’31”. I“.th 5
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m DANDY Bocx’s Riv
174 Box: Room.
;5 Carriage Amzom.

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190 Dmnr Dem W R E ery w
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, 194 Bermm Bnr’e Bur. Capt. A.
' 195 meoon Dion’s Duran.

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8338

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.,

838883333833833’

 

199 Fmrmmom. y
201.! Tm: Ber Fromm. By Capt. F.
Ten BLACK Hm Jrzrm

.203 Tn 130qu J
€04 601.9 mm. By Col.
Efifimmfip”nmf%m. nee

ARK Am. m ER .
237 Mm su‘n. ByT.C.H

men-Ber Drwmtvr. 

E‘Badger“ '7 g. Jr...
By ‘ ‘ em

 

210 Fun Fawn o
Comm mu. By Joe. B
we Dsmrngy Charles

«magnum;
216131302:

£17 Omsm Cmfikcm' '
svifl‘mm Tor. By on (room

 
 

fs,.zssgeggg

 

 

  
 

 
 

301* Scott.»- the“ Masked 

 

 

r - :2
will. ‘ , ace biatluuatashere- nestimidem head,bumin’louder’n thunder, 
h “ “Manama: ’ an’Ididn’t ketch what youshouted.” .siraint. ‘ , . ;    - 
. . , , hid in uttered the - “You’re ownnow,thoughI couldn’t knock “Have you veu, lemon. v ape-
” L .soquifiacccptedhy y . youdown—andl don’t believe there’s another with- WWII” mockedSol as
'” shew «hum-ate awaited manoneartb who could havestoodupunder for ‘tho
-  ' sues ‘ extraordi- thosefourblows,ifIdosayitl” nchman. "If so, get down to sober
lmyhil. he not aflordto “My hoofs is so p’izen big, pard?” faintly business—unlessyou are ready to own flour—
too breathandfm'ceinaproh-sct- grinnedthepugilist. selffairlyvanqmshed. Ifso,takeyourlig—”
.. edstrl‘ggieattheoutset. “'l'imel”rumbledthesepulchraltonesofthe mocking speechwascut‘ahortbyafuri-
Hehew toothat his life would never besafe Owlet. ous assault, to guard agamstw called for

 

whilethe brother of the red~haired ‘ .t lived

--I:uew that the wrestler meant to him now

3 he resolved to either kill Or be
at once.

AsShadutzclasped himaround the ribs, 801
Boottflungonehandbehindhisadv ,his
the base of his w ' e his
htforearmwasthrust underhisc '
udibl . giggling chis a neg!”
a 0 mg up er
MT’IZK’ backward a dead  neck
Acryofhorrorcametromthe Owls as they
realised the terrible truth, and there was an
omhious rattle of arms,but the victorstood
meticulous in the circle, his arms folded, a
roomful smile uponhislip,acold,deadly
gleam inhis blue eyes. Oneman defying two-
score!
f SharplytheOwlet cried outtohismen:

“Beware! our word is pied . Shadow
declared that it wasto edeath. The

h manwhostrikestheprisonernowahall dislike

 

, _
i ,'
i 
i

rhead and features w
Boo

a b my hand!”

Wk, your royal highnesel” cried Sol
Scott, with a mocking bow. “ You are more of
a gentleman than I thought you. But send in
“0:321; champion. I am not fairly warmed
u l

pgagestnrefrom the Owlet,two masks ad-
vanceda’nd bore the dead wrestler outside of
w, then once more resumed their places

’ e thus enga , the second champion,
the tall, laced-shoe dared fellow was stripping
for the” contest. He removed his outer gar-
ments and appeared in the orthodox ring cos-
tume, bare to the middle, knee~breeches, stock-

ingaud shoot.

1 Scott smiled grimly. He knew now that

all this had been for beforehand, that

“I and e bth as but the farci-

e arranged s e nerves.
TH; seco’ud champion of the Owls also dis-

carded his fleathered mas revealing a bull-(lg

y unknown to

way ’ is it!” laughed the
ellow advanced and thrust
, oust, in true ring fashion for
shake. “Well, old follow, on
and big enough to aw ow

tt.
“tetop and
miner,” tjgg
outhiahand

the customary.
looklikeagood

' meatadn lemon 2111' but oucan’tmoetal—
mammogram generally to I’ve been there

6

 

',

 
 
    
   

ore!”

figémei” rumbled‘the deep voice of Major
Fora fewmoments   lets sp’arred
cautiously, in rin vernacular, ‘feeling each
other; then, asif satisfied, Sol Scottopened the
concert by sending in his rizht, tapping  big

fellow on then leapi back to avoid the
oval!

noothsrwa can anoldring terbe
mommely“ "and Sol Scott, wit.
Hefeltthathewasthebigfellow’smaster,“
healsohlewhewasamanwhowouldtakclots

“beating before throwing the . Two
:52), and El Scott

couldnotad’ordtothmwawayachance.

 a favorable

‘mdatmwhnpmvegwi‘t. mm

‘ ‘ mthemmeweach stroke

‘Mvingthebig fellowafew

 totallanox,
,donothtngmom. , was,
“Mapltiful ’
mam mac , laughed aloud
V‘iuonmw ’ theflrst 'I I
 .» r can , man ever .
rqilmmls"withythatlcouldn’thnochdow¥iul’tf

,f‘g
x i
5

“

 
  
  
   

 

“Time, an’be darned! Come down an’ try
it yourself!" growled the  fellow, never offer-
ingto arise. “ Mate I dont want no more. A.
hour ago, I thought I, was the best man in the
min AIP’izen cuss come to me an offers me
good pay ' I would punch the stuffin’ out 0’
some dufler—meanin’ you, I reckon. I was
‘ shoal on the bar ’—hedn’t the price of a drink
about my clothes—an’ so I said sartinly. Mind
ye, I don’t say I’m licked—but I do say that
of we was to go on, you would lick me. , An’
90, to sorter save my credit, yar’s my hand!”

“And mine upon it!” warmly cried Scott.

“ I am glad to hear that you don’t belongto this
scaly set. You look like an honest man, and
I wish "you may neVer fall into such com.
Wy— '
“ Sure, s’all I have re honaire?” at this ’unc-
ture interrupted a voice, and turning, Sol ,ott
saw that the third champion had entered the
ring—-—the little wiry man,’ who stood bowing
profoundly and extending a long, slender rapier
toward him.

CHAPTER XIII.
as men anvnnsmv.

80!. Soon stared at the bowing, grimacing
champion in wide-eyed amazement, real or

pretended.

“Your horned highness,” he exclaimed, turn-
ing to the Owlet, “ I have i ht two of your
best men' killed one and made 1t mighty hvely
for the ot er. I have shown that I am neither
a coward nora slouch. But having fought men,
and being a man m if, I decidedly object to
being pitted a ' a little withered, dried up
ape, armed wi ovorgrown clawing-needles!”

A low laugh ran around the circle, for the
diminutive fencing—master was no favorite with
the Owls, being malicious and showing them no
mercy while giving them lessons with the foils.
Few among them would mourn his fall.

. “ Sure, you have-a insulted me!” cried the
little Frenchma with a sharp stamp of the
foot. “You 3’ give-a me satisfactione, sure!
Before you spilt aem vords, I onlysink to read-a
you a lessons, but now—monsieur, Is’all kill-a
you! I s’ell proceed to run~a you t’rough so
stomgque, sure, wiz my darn’ needle, sarchgot

“Your ma hears,” coolly said Sol Scott.
“Your pet ape I) ainly declares that he means
to kill me, and as plainly declare that I shall
take his life to save my own."

Without more words he grasped the hilt of
the proflered rapier, having effected his purpose
eenraged his adversary, thus gaining an im-
portant advan where such delicate tools
were to be use for no man can handle a
rapier to.perfection whose brain is heated by

“Eagerly the wiry little Frenchman attacked,
their pliant blades twining around each other
without clash or clatter, but emitting a peculiar
hissing sound not unlike that of an enra ed scr-
nt. Anderenthisearlyinthefigt, Sol
saw cause for gratulation at having en-
raged bis antagonist. Though the smallest and
a parently the most ' t of all the
c pious, the fencing—master in reality was
byfar themost dangerousanddifl‘lcultto
Acomletemeeterofhisweapon,
active as a cat, 11 as oil-tempered it
he could fence “for blood”from
' tmthesettficolthesun. Hisonly weak

“ You a’all

 

‘ point was hischo

“Aha!” he snarled, ' '

r eeemtnemonkee knows tousese'darn’ needle!
.Is’all'have-azehonairctomakeamleetlehole

fulfil: you’
“ canwhile there’s an air-hole in your
front  intern tedBolSeott,ashis
needle—l blade '  sword arm of
his antagonist, between the elbow and shoulder.
Quick as thought his weapon was withdrawn
in flme to parry a vicious counter-m only
that marve oars activity and a hoe leap
saving his throat perforation. .
But little blood followed the withdrawal of

t began to infallihility
’ he attack slow! dri th cool
_ ed, y vine s -ne

endaroundtheirc ‘ hose ard
couldneitherbeforeed c b,“ a“

tbetoughakinofhis tagmm .
ofdauger. {gnaw allitde

_ encemorecaufiouly
onlytoallowhisdevflkhtempertoflafli

   

,, not while
nowandthen his osmium-

 

th‘l'hfiertéa scream 
e nchmer‘xj as w w A posed m-
side the mine 3
the cry was ech
saw the point
they believed fencing
made his word good.
But instead of a
lau camefrom thelipeofthemiuer. r .

o and the duel, he had deliberately provoked
the thrust by laying himself open. Straight
for his heart the keen weapon wasphmged,
but by a swift, almost imperceptible motion,
Sp] Scott permitted the rapier to glance along
his ribs, drawing in his left arm closely, pinning
theweepon to his side. It was smartlywitln
drawn, but not soon enough to gory the

min

counter-thrust. Swift as thought
long arm was extended and his inted blade
buriedhalfitsleugthintheleft ofthe

Frenchman

A wild-beast-Iike screech of mortal agony—a
frantic snatching at the biting blade, thenred
blood burst from the horny beak of the owl’s
head and the duelist fell bac hisheart punc—
tured, dead ere his carcass tone the ground!

His fall snapped the fatal blade, andSol Scott
stooped to draw the broken point from its
bloody sheath, then arose, cold as at first, his
blue eyes glowing like white-hot steel.

f “Ngstgr gogfiellowi” he cried,  a
orwa p, u ting" as the fourthchamplon
ma‘dle 30 c: tindin 130w.

‘ on wit ammg’ ' -needles, thank
you,  said at; slignn, ‘ voiee,sound-
mg 0 one w comin from ' a
stunted ercules. g such

“ Name your tools, then, for I am anxious to
mtvzhicb one of us will run from the circle

“ How are you with the wen u of acavalry—
man? Canyon handle a saberpoaswell as that
bit of wire?

“Better—as I hope to show you are men
minutes. . Come! strip yourseltandgetto
or these honest gen emen will conclude that
your tongue is your best weapon!”

“ If it’s all the same to yo I’d rather not,”
squeaked the squat Hercules. ‘ I have a young
and interesting family ban g around myneck,
and really have no ' ht commit suicide by
confronting such an agmirable Crichton as you.
haze lgwed on ."v

t am to understand this?" stem!
692mm y...” y

. t y own In vancuished
without crossing weapons with you,” math:
com reply.

“ cravenl I th
suggested such precau
avg-51X!” sneer-cg the miner.
.. man 0 common some prudence,
my???” tters I m Hm
. ma little what call v
lfictions sptcleak louder tlaan wfi. Wei here I
tend, gen emen awai 'n our
there anv more 
don’tbebashful. gotm good ml
dgu’t knowhowl spend 
nightwith more refit tothebonest of
mankind than by in stew moresucb
asthoeeIhavcalread torestforeveri”
hold The owl.
heads turnedfio glance at other, but no
one left the hue. ,The wonderful display mode
bythegludiator,wse such that‘no‘
man cared to stand up before him 

flgfimaugm moulds ‘ ’ ‘
caved his challenge». em menu ‘°’
‘ .or

as:
shin-covered

t as much when you

ting further amusement germ“,

unscrew... .. r ,m
' Y ‘ MI? oldhv
lie that life 5 , '
 “liken .washrfeihdaayway 5’:
van.

against my running V

mm.

 

 

 

4

Sol Scott, the - Masked Miner.

 

 

“9,1 lingeredalittle tool

  

high] recommended,
anduhe mightbe of considerable help tome
inlay chief introduced us,and we

heretoge .

“You know that you took me by surprise
when I found you here, and you know that I
Davenot spoken a word to any one since that
is: have not heard. Any collusion, then, with
, . Ellis, is simply impossible. If he confirms
my oath—that was not in or near Denver at
the time you believe you saw rue—then surely
you will admit your mistake?”

WM“ Mal? ” ‘y’ {3' 5"“ 335?“ “2’5”
apps-one an on e our open ,
the marshal of Golconda entered.

Dan Brown gave the boy his plunked re-

then closed the door.

“ . Ell'm, m wife. Alittle misunderstand-
ing, which I  lain sometime, led to my
landing for you. on remember the date on

which you left Denver last!"
or." ‘21:“? °‘ “‘21 Midas,“ °’°‘°°“
ev g, pump y rep ' ‘ accept
in‘ the chair offered him.
When and where did on first meet me?”
Wu ili’hfi‘l M13? twilka
a a -q e y
Hountaln Detective Association.”

“What brought about that introduction?
You can speak  I will answer for the
discretion of m ' e,” added Dan Brown, as
the marsh] visi ly. hesitated about replying.

“ I never doubted her, but you remember we
were bound to strict secrecy and great caution.
But the cause is easily told.

“ I'vzent to Denver, baggingéealgnedl some 
portal: factscoucermng c w . suppose
could have worked them up m self, but as I am
Iowellknownaround here, I t u ht it best to
have a man sent out who could not
You werelthe man chosen by the chief, and so
we were introduced.”

“ Where and when did I join the stage?"

“A few miles out of Denver. You explained
that you hadbeen delayed, and so missed con-
nection.” , 4

“How often have you seen me since that

our?”
“ E day, and dozens of times each day.”
“ lpossiflyhavebeeninDenveronthe
It}:or gain but 9511de t in
gun y no
b?! . were in the coach with yme, that
n

as I well know. When we upset, KW

downoumystoumchaohardthat I’ve ad

thenightmareever sinceP’declaredtbemar-
Mfltbaruefulsmile.

door,DanBrowuturnedtoward
Bachehandheldouthisarms. Onemomentof

then she was reclining upon his
breast, sobbing as though her heart would

Bhobelisvedhkts'utbnow, but who was his
ovfl“doublaf’
CHAPTERIX.
mmmm_m

Wannachdfirown itwuallcw

The clear and W wmby
herhusbaudthathewasmanymilesawayfrom
Denverattha moment she was ea
the of the

the , “forno common
malomfldha wham—
m patchwork truth and talsity, or have

you whatthat hunchbaeh  my

W m ldon’t‘meaurn nothhnfithe
e 1 ~Wulm£Imemm ve
* so

how could herb: found out
place?

  
 
 
   
 
 
  
 
 

 

 

Mylar-am: mtothe

“Thereis onemanintheworldwhoml

only ,
have ex on that terrible nigh ” said
seen. eept t,

Bachehslowly afteraspaoeofpuzsled ,
“whom Icon mistake foryou, even when in
disguise. That is the man who calls himself
Sol Scott.” ’
“TheverycriminalIwassentheretoar-
I” exclaimed the detective, a flesh cloud
gessin over his brow. “I never had a harder
uty e is a noble fellow, even if his hands are
red with human blood. I have arrested him,
and he will have to hang, but I would gladly
give a year of my life if could save him. -

“ He risked his life to defend me from further
insult,” said Rachel, a vivid flush suifusing her
face as she remembered her mad folly. “ You
must release him, for m sake.”

“I sawit all, and knew howtoact. I
knew he was the man I had orders to arrest,
dead or alive, but when he stood upso boldly be-
fore those long odds, something held me back.
Better a sudden death like the one he was dar-
ing than the noose.

‘But why did he interfere in your behalf?
You never m‘entI more? b
Onlyon as as wasgoingtote
saloon in search of you. He spoke to me on the
bridge, and the wand of ' voice gave me ‘a
dreadful start—for I leggy allmtifi have;l sworn
i was you speakm' g (1ng was unting
for you, I fled, half—crazy. You know—you
have not forgotten the terrible words I heard
at the theater—”

“ And thought I meant to fling you over into
the river?” ‘

“ I was half mad—forgive me,” murmured
the wife.

“ I can make allowance. I know that the
evidence must have been fearfully strong and
cornplete, before your love and trust in me gave
way. Heaven pity the cunning scoundrels when
we meet, for I’ll show them no mercy 2”

The last sentence was uttered with an intens-
ity that startled Rachel. Never before had she
known her husband so wrought u . He saw
her face pale, and the black frown oft his face.

“ I will go and bring 801 Scott up here. We
both owe him our thanks, and it is barely pos-
sible that be can throw some light on this
dark mystery,” he said, arising and caving the
room

He found the minor quietly awaitln him in
the office, talking with the city marsial, who
had not the faintest suspicion of his being under
arrest, or accused of any crime.

Bidding Ellis goodnight, they returned totbe
room where Rachel awaited them. Then Dan
Brown said, gravely: .

“ In ustice to both my wife and myself, Mr.
Scott, must ask you to listen to a strap
story. It is barely possible that you may
able to throw some light on the subject.”

Clearly and rapidly Dan Brown repeated the

hehadheardfromtheli o hiswife
omi 3 nothing of moment. 80 Scott listened
gimptly,butat the end shook his head neg»

ve .

“ whole affair is as much a mystergoto
me as it pomiblycan betoyou. Indeed, w
could Ihnow anything of the matter? I have
not begin outside of Golconda for several

months.

“ Yourwordisenough and Iashpardon for
my suspicions,”respon edthe detective. V‘FBut
they were not unnatural. M wife h
{douformefindisguisa Audthmyoudef -

“And with awoman’scm'iosi ,llr.8cott,"
blushed “letane ask you dared
such beavyoddsiu my behalf? Surelyyoudid
nail? madam,‘  hit h'rli to

‘ . or 18
conceglarisingnnile. “Iwas ' organ

forImadeamore unpardonable mistake.
VI'tookyoufotr much the same as did mum
Shadow—bu still, wereawoman, as
such,hadaclaimog?lltmemm—or evm a
red-handedfugitivefrmjusfice,suchaslt”
“llascptathkplaoumeinavery

“It neednot. You know our duty, air, and
are sworn to Mom it.  this
night on have saved my life. that
to thelittle mlgfiggrtunate‘enougg

render w: e, accoun even,
coldl migraines».

“ douotbelieveyoucanbeguiltyofmmder!”
Rachel unpulslvel «led. You have been
wrote y Ifegl it!”

ouarewrong ,
faint, tremor in  a
into his eyes

I stand"

Matheworldmerates. Ifitwouldnothe
attic toomuch,andyouwouldlisten~—”
“ ithpleasm‘e-beeauselhopestillthatyou

mayhesavofiinhonor~hutsaved you shall
union Ihave lost all wifolyindueneebymy
P’criedll’acbel. _
“ at withmyconsentshallyouemask
your hwband to break his oath,”flrmlyluid‘
them. “Helium-mine. He must

[meet

pony, attheend of a

 

annexes—m

born and raised there. Mgflfather,“ ht

father before him, believed outlth

' ts,andbeingthus reared,of course] did

nothes‘tate lo incastingm fortune-with
that of the Sout ,when it

“Ihadjastbeenmarried,toaspureaud'

lovely 3 girl as heaven ever looked down

but not even her charms were tog»
me from the field when honor I
acompany of gallant moon ‘ and fitting
them out at my own cost, altered ' services '
to the government. ‘

“I don’t mean tohore you withanaecount of
a“ “m w fills?“ “a b... ’ '°
sawours o ' g an t
corporal’s guard  of my original com-
o f - lfimulom" i"
comman o a“reg1men asever
bore musket or knapsack. ya

f‘ During thisyear, I on] visited bemoand
mfeononeoocasion,andw£enl§ade wife
a tearful good-b , itwaswith‘stmngel tarsal“
hope and fear— or in a few weeks was to
become a mother. .

“We were hard pressed then,andI.wu.—
able to get leave, even for a day. Then came a
message. I was the the father of a man-child,
and all was going well!

“ Two years passed by, and I hardly saw my

- family often enough for my noble little boy to

remember that he had a father—then came the
terrible blow that crushed out of existence an
entire family—that made me what I now am
a blood-stained fugitive from justice, over whom.
ban the shadow of the hangman’s- noose!

“ had been fortunate during the war
thus far. _ Not only had I through a
score of fierce engagements Without re’ceivmg a
single scratch, but every enterprise wherelwu
Intrusted with the command,

This fact, be' noted at headgmrtera, I was
given common of a regiment o cavalry, that
my field of time might be extended.

. ‘ Itis not or thesake ofhoastingthatlmen—
tron the great success that attended my career;
but to explain why the enemy were so '
ofeitherkillin orca, ' me. , r

f‘Among ot r Federal ofilcers detached for
this service, was a colonel of cavalry, Watkyns
Cowperthwait b name, a brave and daring
officer, but one w mrried an utterly merciless
heart  hisbreast~oneofthoeemen who are
more like wild beasts than ought human.

“I learned thewhole story from a faithful
old negro servant, whom the wonders over-
looked, and in time his account of the terrible
deed wascorroborated by one ofthe Federal

ca men concerned in the affair.

“ Co ouel Watkyna Compartth t for
meat my home, and came near me,
too. I hadron left there at daylight—became
 ml no ' —

Mad WIS ridin' ' ehe m
good~ho ahead would {gammth ’

other way, andeould lave shared thefatoot
m dearo

searchforme thebouse,
somerareoldwine which theoflloenmade
free useitisonly usflcetobelieve he
waswhollydrtmkw hegaveaders‘ ' fertile
whoNefimethathassuukhhsoul the
lowestpiteof'l’artarus.
“Homtonandtmtbfullyfihatlhadheax
there, but was new not.

  

 

y'
i
1}
3
g
.3
g
:

801 Scott, the Masked Miner.

,m-wwvww; _-, q, v“we, jaw-5r. V,

 

“1’ hard the whole thing, and I knew then,
what I say now, that either there was, some
‘ in that pretended ‘double’
Minor that they one and all swore toa
point—blank lie! Bah! the whole storyis alie
on its face! They say they had the real crimi—
nalinthe jail, face to face with Dan Brown.
They were four to one, and a strongguard out-
side. Yet, the fellow escaped—hooked Sam
Ellis down, mounted a horse that stood mighty
convenient and rode out of town. ,
“ I don’t blame you gentlemen of the jury: of
course you had to dec1de according to the evi-

dence. I don’t blame the guard, for they may "

have been hoodwinked—but I do say this much:
if the prisoner had been anybody but a so-
called oficer of “notice, with a powerful rich
and mighty ban me wife. the chances area
thomnd to one that no such marvelous dis-
covery would have been made. and that for
(nice a cowardly assassin would have to pay the
just punishment for his crime 1”

Almost in silence this bold denunciation was
received. Since his duel in the air with big
Vernon Shadutz, Sol Scott was regarded as a
privileged character, and none there cared to
cross him even by venturing an opinion con.
trot-y to the one be e ressed. All saw that he
was drinking unanile heavily, and felt that
the tall miner was on t e war-path.

Several of them, busy-bodies who would like
nothing better than to see a collision between
two such notables as Sol Scott and Dan Brown,
sli away and rapidly spread the news. In
h an hour it was Own all over Golconda,

 

i l y watching them.

and wherever Sol Scott went, the.crowd fol- ‘

lowed, eager to see the “ fun ” which was almost
certain to follow it Dan Brown, Sam Ellis or
Enoch Dodge got wind of the facts.

In the Dew Droplnn, sol Scott was even

‘more severe in his strictures

“I believe Edward P. Solis swore to the
truth when hetlfiad Dan Brown: herniated:
he swore just e contrary a t e inquest. per-
haps Dan Brown or Dan Brown’s pretty wife
can tdl. Yet the old dandy is such a softy,

that he may have been deceived—I have no

lwith him, and am willing to give him
c benefit of the doubt; but the man who
says orbelieves that Dan- Brown did not rob
f  and murder Albus Black, is worse than
a ool—'
“Isa he didn’t, an’efyou sayso you lie!”
The :1 voice from the,

why'

door, and :

ear,
Sol Scott wheeled swiftly in that direction, hand ?

arranger. .
The 1 form of Enoch Dodge stood

: tioularl satisfactory to the crowd, for by this
just i means hey could witnem the movements of

withinthepor ahardlookuponhisruggedT
face, a blazing If?“ t in his honest y eyes, a
cooked revolver his hand and ha -leveled.

. tly there was a wide, clear space be-
tween the antagonists as the crowd hastily di-
vided and fell back. Ike Tampkin once more
dove beneath his bar, cursin

* Dodgefigsng’aul Gem concluded.
-. t. a
the fates that . g0

madehia qloon such a tavo to place for the .

nauseating of flreeaterswhen about to burn
* r. x

W
When Sol Scott mw who the bold speaker
‘ his hand dro
look on his softened.

“ Hard words these, Mr. Dodge-e” *”

“I’me back ’emunmister man-who-
aver-you:be, bluntly interrupted the mayor of
 ,‘-'Tain’t‘my natur’ tostan’ by an’
hour a kind slandered. Draw gun, an’
udl in. ‘I said you'lie, an” new I 331:? r

“then no particular quarrel with you.
water, b thunder!” cried Dod
km"? W, you crow

IV "uw‘svlm’d GNP battalion?  “a
"ram-ire Q a?  

   
 
 

 

 

fromhisweaponmudthe;

; strong reasons for not mixing himself up in the

-, interesting because, under such circumstances

iyou mseekin .

 

flculties,” he said, as cool and composed as
though not. covered by a weapon that seldom

its aim.
“ Pull trigger an’ I blow ye through 1” snarled

“ 'et, Enoch,” a ly said Dan Brown.
“ Put up I,i‘our weapon. his quarrel is between
me and . Scott.

“ I ask odds of no man,” said the tall miner,
calm] lowering his weapon and returning it to
his be t. “ All want is a fair deal. This camp
isn’t large enough for us two, and if you ask a
regular duel, I’m your man.”

"Most happy to hear it—if you had not, I
should have insisted on a. duel. on have foul-
ly slandered me and I mean to It you,” coldly
uttered the detective.

“ Unless I do that little job for you, instead,”
retorted the tall miner. “Just so one of us
goes under. I don’t care much which. There
can’t be two ‘chiefs’ in Golconda l”

“ Enough of idle talkfi’ impatiently cried Dan
Brown. " If you have a friend ,present, name
him. Mr. Dodge will act for me.

“ I’m not particular—you will serve me, Mr.
Gerux?”

The Frenchman bowed acquiescence, though
he inward] cursed the chance that led Sol
Scott to patch on him for a second. He had

alfair but was taken so completely by surprise
as to be unable to refuse. '

Gem: and Dodge drew aside and conversed
earnestly for several minutes, the crowd eager-

A duel. conducted according to the “ code”
was a novelty in Golccnda, and all the more

and with two such men as principals, it was
almostcertain to end in the death of one or both.

At length the two seconds separated and
Gerux said, aloud: \

“ Gentlemen, this is the arrangement we have
decided upon. The principals are to be armed
alike with revolvers and knife. Mr. Brown is
to cross over the river and stand at the further

end of the bri e, Mr. Scott occupying a simi-
lar position on side. Neither Is to draw a

weapon or advance until the word is given.
When it is given, they are at libertva ogen
fire at isonce, or ttzgvancgtegt wilL h obotder
person permi upon t e ri go
up]? 011:9: both of the gentlemen fall, or cry

It was a curious arrangement, but one par-

both parties from beginn' to end without dan-
ger to themselves, asthe o lam aided by
thogfu'l moon ' hted up the entire ridge.

"One word or my own self,” said Enoch
“Ef ou’ve
, Mr. Scott, in this crowd. w y not
make it a fo’-handed afla’rl It’d give more
fun for thar money to these gents. an’ suit me
monstrous well.”

" Will you accommodate the fire-eating:I l
tlemanl” demanded Scott. turning quic 'y to

The Frenchman flushed hotly even through
hisswu-«thy ski and replied hastily;

“I have no terestin this . I. You
forced me to act as your secon

” I’ll do no
E‘You’re 1n hard luck Mr. Dodge,” said
Scott, withagrimsmile, “liutiflcome out of
this rightsideup: I’ll h'yha‘i‘d togiveyou what

“Enoch. lax-(guise me one thing." interposed
Brown. ' ,
“Whatever youax. it’sprombeddorehand?

3...?“ "m “Many...” “mamas
as serious . m
 saeback to Denver.
our-to her ielafivea" '
Themayor «Grenada modes 
FYm’ve‘ hatched  learners out I won t

“g‘shegmfe. mmtohunthimup,
.ru ‘ ou - _ ,

“Aslmean' ' wmnmmmm
minerfi‘Andl’ll nofhahardtofindfifm

“Thuworldwouldn’thfls

e « an s
to, agree»  a

“ r   new

 

At'first {twas feared that the citymarsbal
would try to stop the fight, and many were
the anxiouzgances cast around in search of hi
tall form, eager questions asked concerning
his whereabouts.

“I see him‘en’ some 0’ the ho rideouto’
town ‘ afore sun-down,” at lengt volunteered
one ellow, and the welcome information was
quickly circulated. ’

Their last fears putat rest, the crowd cunning-
ly maneuvered with’ each other to secure the
most advantageous 'tion from whence to
note every detail of be life and death encouno
ter about to take lace.

All was in readiness. 801 Scott stood at one
end of the brid , Dan Brown at the other, each
clearl outline by the mingled moonlight and.
the g are of the lamp beneath which they wait-
ed for the signal. Their arms were folded
across their breasts. The stem, set look
their faces told all that this was to be no every-
day aflair—that Golconda could have only one
“ chief,” and he the survivor of that duel.

“All ready, gentlemen!” rung out the voice
°‘ Brawl w ‘ t. W

“ a . came e rom from
both due ists. p pt

_“ ghen cut lowe—an’ may the best man
win

Slow] , with deliberate steadinem, the well-
match foemen stepped u n the bridge and
advanced toward each 0t er, their revolvers
drawn and cocked. Nine men out of ten would
have opened fire at once, hoping either to disa-
ble their ants onist or flustrate him, but not so
with these; t ey knew each other’s metal too
well for that. ’

Not more than twenty paces separated the
duelists, when the first hostile motion was made
by Dan Brown of Denver.

Swiftly his weapon rose and exploded the no
meat it reached a level, but even more rapidly

Sol Scott stooped low down and lea swiftly
aside, the tagged lead hissing harm y above
his head.

Like an echo his revolver s kc, and a gasp-

ing cry ran alon the ranks o eager spectators '
as they saw the nver detective reel and stag-
er dizzily back, only kept from falling by use
ow hand-rail of the bridge.
They saw him raise his pistol—but it fell from
his hand undischar d, and then Dan Brown
fell headlong from t 9 bridge!

 

CHAPTER XXIII.
80!. soon nus nvsmuss.

Insulator all was excitement the meet h
tense.

If a sound came back from the lips of the ill.
fated duelist, it was drowned by the half- ,
half-yell that came from the crowd of
tors. But even through this could be istin»

uished the sudden plush as the body of the
Denver detective struck the dark, mitts-ennui;
waters under the bridge.

Those who were near enough inatsutl flocked
upon the bridge, the others lining high
banks. all peering over, eager to catch the first
gli of the dead or dying man.

“ bar he goes!” screamed Dodge,
shrilly. “ The current’s ken-yin’ him down
to’rds the rapids! Peel out an’ git a boat-41 he
tetches them rocks, he’ll be ground intonddp
meat! Cl’ar the way!” -

Like a mad bull he plun headloqu the
crowd that had followed in: onto the hm
andwhentboeecom f itdldnogor “
not, a a 1m soon enough

kneeling the

. m
bony ts came into “fl play,
ohetruc ‘ and A
unplug

   

 

 

 

 

 

sm Scott, the Masked Miner.

 

 

ve thousand dollars in the

neflt of‘the whole fam y,
more of that family
treacherous blow in the back!

I seek my captive
queen, but she is not where I e t her. The
handcuffs are unlocked, the cords cut, the lady

“ This could not have been done without the
aid of at least one traitor. And now I demand
his punishment, according to the laws of the

“You.” my hand—why?” asked the man,

Im'prne.
“Becausemyeyee are open at last,” she re-
her vows ringing out clear and scorn—

some one or

is dealing me a bitter,

“What do you mean? Are you going ur future
may!” '

“I mean that I know on at last. That I

whole life, so at as it concerned me

e, inthe past, must have been a lie black

Dan Fairer stared at the speaker, hardly able
to believe his cars. What could have
this wonderful alteration?
could she possibl have made since leaving the
judgment hall 0 the Owls?

, Before he could answer his mental questions,
or recover from the surprise her bitter words
threw him into, Rachel added, her voice full of
acorn and coan t:

_ to be a friend to my husband
and me. You succeeded in im ' upo
butI never liked you. Instinct to d me our
heart was black and corrupt at the core.
what my husband did not see: that you envied

him his wife and her fortune-but I, even 1!
did not dream to what de the of inf
could descend in your vile

“ Rachel Brown, are you mad? What do on
menial; he hoarser uttered, advancmg' as ' to

“ k! or by the moon above! I will kill
you!” she cried, facing him with a cooked re-
“1 know you, Ezra Drake! Hal that
touches you to the quick!” she laughed, con-
y, as he started as though stun .

know too much I” he snarled, wic edly,

leaping forward and catching

, that the hammer fell upon his palm.
have sealedyour fate bythose words. I would
have conducted you safely to Golconda, content
towooandwinyouasa truelover should but
new I will use other means.
these wilds until you
“Don’t be too sure of that, mate:
through his brain like a verita-
——«theooiee of Dan Brown ofDeio- -

encourageme-
out,andDan Farrar
hurledheadlonga

erxox 50mm.
heard the wondering ry

the lips of Colonel Owlet when he discov—
fnct that Rachel  no

What discoveries While this charge was being made the brain
of King Carmichael was b .
why he had failed to find
worth was boldly retrieving the march their
new 0 'ef had stolen upon them both. For, un-
til Sol Scott made his appearance in the
stronghold with Rachel Brown 9. ca
evening, neither of them even sue
purpose was to he carried out so soon.

“Let him ‘find out the truth—let do eat
deg!” were the reflections that busied ajor
Owlet’s brain while Sol Scott was '
“ Whichever way the fight between them turns ' gr
out, I can hardly be the loser.
tcomnch. He could slip the noose over my
head whenever the notion took him. So with
801 Scott. Let them come to
the devil aid them each to kill t e other 1”

Thus mentally, then aloud:

He
aul Gerux. That

Gerux knows
ther, and may

upon any rson
9 family, he shall be  for
you have the ‘ htto
t brothers ’

fix his punis ment. A
An through the

A deep murmur of ease

crowd.
“The lady could onl have escapsgservthroxlzlgh
anyone 9 or

that murmur, now of ne tion.
“ on hear, brother?” asked
turning toward the accuser.
their innocence, since they swear none of them
has seen aught of the missing
“'80 foul a traitor would hard]
lie,” sneered Sol Scott, his white teeth earning

the slightest idea t

the revolver so

this hall of Judgment.

You never leave
go as my wife—4’

ybalkata

himself. A. hard that shot
was lifted from his feet and
doom feet away!

1: the criminal is here. Of
fled with the lad ,andbythistime
may be near Golconda, no
cheat the law in his own case by
all to Sam Ellis and his blood-hounds!”
Exclamatious of alarm came from the Owls.
Th‘m was a new and terribly serious
the affair which, strangely enough,
til then struck them.
" Silence and order!” sternly cried Sol Scott,
3 “Not a man shall leave this
hall until we all know who the traitor or trai-

“ The entire family was present

mustbe ecflminals.
mayouwmombyomadvancei
' table,placeyourweaponsupoult,then
remove'your mask so all can see
Then, that there ma
theeewho have

part
haveIspoken well?”
“Ioauseenoobjeetiontoyour
Carmichael, yetfee
uneasiness w ich he was
It. “Asanexampleof

placed it upon the
moved his feath-

hastenlngto

cthatburst

\

dine
sexnsmfim

“MPand the command coins boat-sol
fromthecurvedheakofthe owl-mask.
n-iestopaumenow dislike
brace of revolvers his
darkmunleeco‘

- ofhisfeatheredheud—dren.
meanfrmtin amudaMIndthose

“Some 
tofindouttha
- WW:

mailing.
the ordeal will stand a;

meka the rest. finder Owlet,

ashamedtoconf
as.
tablebeforesol

an bimtb‘e thmngtherednghtfallfnllupon

.
H

mantth
 whemmmcanthave

‘childreanoomodthedeep
I, M,Khe&mmdu Owlet.

, .m
duponhisfellows. 11'

Scam. arrest them,
Own “mamk‘cfimgt
ttle doubts the ve
' h were smothered I) this

thefamilyare
pweruiffromoneman.

are the traitors!
for such treachery!"

Can
oacockl"cametbean~
What k the

  

Yell: of angry mement‘hurst from they

* and
New”

 

, laboring

ew now
ptive that
his

speakmg. 3

Owlet,
declare

ave not

haseof
notun-

“ii-“3.?

method

," slowly
a strange

  

  

die!“

 

  

 

ado-endark lantern- whoudidmhadbm
bu r dpenedwhagd as the Owls stared
B In lama M man W
doublegflckate ' Z! y

Before them, with a ready revolver in each
hand, stood the man to whom this terrible aurb
rise was due—no longer Sol Scott, for at his

t lay the blonde beard and Dan
Brown of Denver! .
stated in stupefled amazement,
tern was opened sevaral yards
to the rear of the others, its brilliant stream of
light bein moved slowly from the right to the
'sclosing a close rank of men whose
leveled revolvers covered the outlaws. And

them were recognized, ' Sam

snarled King
crouching low down, then leap
a wild beast, straight at the throat of the dar-b
ing Denver detective.
Ashis feet touched the
flame issued from Dan B
Major Owlet fell backward

rominent amon

floor, a jet of
n a revolver, and '
without cry or

“Beware!” thundered the detective. “ Throw
up your hands and surrender. The man who
dares hesitate shall bare the fate of that fallen

do? Unarmed, covered by
the onl avenue of

ockaded by the men

pens.

ew that almost certain death»

ht before the bar of ‘

ands went up above
ends as though all were impelled by the

“Sendintwomen withthehand ‘
ordered Dan Brown.
Keep them covered, and if an
resist, load him full of bullets!

Two men advanced, beari

in place, fetteri
w to the left wrist

What could the
a full score of rea
escape to the outer world
holding those won

them when bro

“ Manacle them in pairs.
y one ventures to

Whabundle
y dextmuol
ngthe righthandof
o hiscomrade.
“A lorious notary, old man, and I con-
u on e perfect
Kristi Ellis, advancin

am sorry on were that fellow-"
y creased

which came oil in his hand, rev
marvelously liketh 0 Sam

him, dealt the
capture, not d

‘emusthavecl
whocametousthat
t—rv

cared your—itwaehe
pond

.  wind-.4»; «: A

  
   
 
   
      
    
 

  When I come down the steps,
1 g j grid; me to follow.”

 

so seem, the Meeked ‘Miner.

27

 

 n...
'—

" ‘ on“ as dead as ,‘you think fer!”
 lowdrowed rascal, once more recs

V ' '  convulsivel -—-then closed her

the words that
few moments she

as to
m... “in. me 1.... .
' ~ with deep emotion; but when she
" “dom‘butdon’tl ’ ind warning What
on: o m .
you ywillhavetohefid gr.”
.“fe‘et so on me what it’s wuth, I’m
5' gay
Wed, ma’am,

-

haw “B b said the fellow clfiuckled cont;

‘ y. u as wasssymwenyoupu

tillath me, DanBrown wastheheado’ the
Owk, or Owlet, we called him-fer I own
up I was one of the  a .

.“ It was him that rob old Rolfe’s bank an’
killed the younfifeller. Iwas one o’ thesix
"men unburied o the bullion from the vault.

“ You think I’m lyin’—-I kin see that in your
two eyes; but atore I’m done, mebbe you’ll
Wyournotion.

v‘,‘ cuknowwhathap nedwhenthe boss
hedthat‘flghtwith Sol tt:thefustpartof
it, any way. The boss was hit the blue pill
” scrapin’his temple an’ makin’ him a bit
' like. He ag’inst the rail, an'
'theniell over—but edict {ton se!”

“60 on "uttered Rachel, co y, as the fel-

low _ as though togive her achanceto

- him-
. “I cain’t sw’ar to why he did it, th h
.mebbe Icould give a guessnotsowideo’t e
truth. Enough for now that he did it, on the
upper side o’the bridge. He struck the water,
a plenty thar, an’ sworn to bank inthe
more, creepin’ up an’ hidin’ under the tim-
“  hers, while thede thought .he was floatin’
down to the riflles. Some said theyseehim
bobhin’ ’rcnnd ’mon the rocks, but they either
Bad or was  An’ while they was
huntin’ for him down thar, Dan Brown stole
awe to what his wife was waitin’ for him—”
“ llamhiswife,and1havenotseen

hint-J
“ Ieastwa tea woman that he calls wife,”
‘ yad ithe stra 1-. “Whether the
ever tied ’em toga I cain’t say, but
beam ’emcall each other husban’ an’ wife,

an’ I know they’ve bin livin’ together as sich— ‘

that they be livin’ ther now-4’

“You said you prove our words,” in~
ted Rachel her ace bed, her eyes

glo . “Proveéhemncwfindname ourown
eventhongh it. hem whole ortune—

butifxyouarelyinngwear willkillyoulike

a . »

9%Itake outowhar youkin seehim,
won’t that mdflo   rascahtighfl k
one e ew on e so 5
hythzse slenlder, white fin ere. Ҥgg be
satisfied totlook onangyit 0:: low? fer 'EIB
bossmcugh knockmy opes er a
kite of he hatched sight 0’ youpgiyi’hsigw you’d
IonndtI himout.” mm

' promise an take me to~ this
cabin—to where you an myinsband is alive-—
with another woman. fiou lie, I’llkill. ou-
it  truth,l kill him her,

' persimmon rough-looking

he . 4 v  long "foolin’ with
 to  ’tzinlt my fault

wearing a lockfi, stern deterlnimtion.
, f‘ You mmbe pl: ‘ V
the risk. now, wait for an: come. «a

way you

mm” "were
moccasins yes 'eshould

 

' The wee all from grasp
‘ halt-way ac’orgsa  quivering

yfimm.m1wmm ’

 

never a
figure glided silentl forward, looking neither
tohtliez righ' t nor the eft, bhnd' 1y rushmg‘ upon-—
w a .

The busier portions of Golconda were quickly
left behind them, and lower end of the valley
reached. Then the low-brewed guide paused
and pointed up the hillside, where a faint
light now glowed through the shadows of even-
in

g.

“ We the place, ma’am. In that cabin the
woman lives that calls Dan Brown her husband.
Mebbe he’s that now—but of he ain’t he will be
soon. I hearn him tellher he would come this
evenin’.”

“ Lead the way—quick!” huskin breathed the
woman. w

“ The path is lain- you kin foller it easy.
As fer me, I don‘t go no fnrder,” doggedly re-
sponded the fellow. “I think a powerful ' t
0 money, butvI think still more 0 my life.
Brown would shoot lost an’ ax questions arter-
ward, if he should lay e co onto me.”

“ Coward!” exclai Rachel, strong con-
tempt in her voice. “Wait here for me, then. ”

As she spoke, she hastened up the steep trail
leading to the lone cabin, roceeding more can—
tiously as she drew near, t on pausing abruptly
as the subdued sound of a voice came to her ears
—-thf voice of Dan Brown, the Denver detec-
tive

Only for a moment did she hesitate. The red
light came tin-ctég'lhngge halt—open door. She

forwar- the ticket barrier o
EWM the hold. y pen
A man ceased aking and wheeled gnickly
asshe entered. man, but not Dan rown.

She stood face to face with Sol Scott, the mys-
terious miner!

There were two other men in the room, but
she did not notice them. From behind her
came a low, grating lau hyfrom the lips of the
cunning rascal whoha decayed her hither—-
and Rachel, Brown knew that she was en-

tra .

‘82?th thanks, fair lady, for your kind-
ness in granting me this intemewl” exclaimed
Sol Scott, with a profound bow, then stepping
forward as though to clasp her in his arms.

“Back! contemptible Villain!” cried Rachel,
her right hand claspi a leveled revolver.
“You murdered Dan rown~thus does his
widow avenge him i”

As she slpoke, her finger contracted and the
hammer to l '

CHAPTER XXV.
A DOUBLE 31.0w. ~

SOL Sco'rr never flincbed from before the
leveled weapon, though it bore full upon his
brain. Instead a reckless laugh bubbled from
his lips as his bi blue eyes boldly met the gaze
of the entrappe woman.

In desperation she pulled the trigger. The
hammer tell, but no report followed, and 301
Scott was once more preserved from what ap-
peared certain death.

Rachel uttered a cry of bellied r839. but be-
fore she could cock the faithless weapon,
it waswrested m her hand and she herself
clasped firmlzeto the breast of the tall miner.

“ You are 191 my precious one, and may
as well ' d grafiully to the inevitable. Be
wise, youshall be treated nsly. If
not—our lives are too valuable to society to be
sacrificed to a woman’s idle whims.”

Ilachehdespera asshestm ledtcfree
herself, felt her hen touch the l: t of a knife
at the waist of her captor. She . e
and snatched it forth from its sheath,

 

wee
but v so can to be uvengcdupon the
traitor  last he .

andflew
asitatuck

upintheflcor.~ .

Again Sol Scott laughed, but there was a
traceofangerin the tons thatchilledthedes-
pernic-woman’sbloed. ‘ _ . ,

“Blame yourself, not. me, lady!” he grated,
as he dexterously ' .a pair of handsome
herwrietsasheforced her arms behind

u ,
“I would have treated was the lady-
'love of Colonel .Owlet be served, but
Eon wouldnot haveitso. Open yonrpretty
0w m}. Sol Scott and la‘ ’himselz!
as newpece ' -
all a gag between Rachel Brown’s teeth,
’ itflrmlyin

“Youneed wear that until

- wagetsefarawayhnm town Mano-canons
p earseauhearynnr gentle v0 

the miner. “I, am
Wrestler schism“
a an ve .
‘ way t them: L "”
Imam lilacs-ensued T o!ka

awaiting us tonight-one the:   out

 “sum--

on behind him. The dark,vailed

semi.

 

Icesthanan hour carried thcmthither,and
entering the “' t hall,” where the re-
mainder of the we were con ted, Sol
Scott lowered the helpless captive to the rocky
floor,caslingaswittglancearound him.
 thedim.

upon. small e only servin to
render the scene all the more fantastic. 3

.“ Gentlemen,” rung out the clear voice of the
tall mmer. “I promised you a double treat
to-nigahit, and I mean to make my word good.
This lady,“ some of you may be aware,
was once the wife of Dan Brown of Denver-—
now his widow. I have brought her here, to be
ourqueen. Andsheisto yaprominentpart
1n one of the rises promised you. In

lain words, we have a genuine wedding
ere to-night,when MmDan Brown will be
tx-ansformed into Mrs. Colonel Owletl"

A taint cheer followed this announcement.
Evidently the Owls were not ' crazy with
joy over that rtion of the eve ‘ treat!

Colonel Dyezhshcwed heiswhite teeth in a
mocking smile, on resum :

“But business comes before  alwa
gitbfldal feast must give p to theotge‘r

“When Iconsentedtotake commendbfthis
honorable order, I informed you that I had
scent of a veritable bonanza. That I spoke
nomorethanthe tmth,thisnightehall
prove.

“Edward P. Rolfe has determined to open
his bank again, and he has seventy-five thousand
dollars in greenbacks now on the road from
Denver. Gentlemen, we can that bundle
3f wea’lth without firing a shot, you care to

0 so.

There was nothing half-way about the cheer
that echoed t h the cavern now. The man-
riage of their chic and the coward installa-
tion of a beautiful queen of the ls, was all
very well in its way, and no doubt all—imper~
tent in the estimation of the expectant bride-

m, but it could not a to the pockets of
be mass in general as ‘ this vision of many
cri greenbacksl

“ our lungs are not alfected, after all, as I
fee.ch from your former cheer ” laughed Colt.»
nel Owlet, sarcastically. “ ever mind. A
man’s own money is honor than another man’s
wife. But we have no time to lose. A dozen
of you get your horses ready, while I place
your future queen in a place of securi .”

Raising Rachel Brown in his arms, Scott
strode toward the rear of the cave, seeming
thoroughly familiar with his so '
though they were now in almostperfect dar .

ness.
Presentl using, he y deposited his
helpless by en a a p e of blanhete, then

“‘2”? “ Whit cameras
‘ ow, a y, e

“I must leave you for a short time. 
am gone, weigh your situation well; and when
I return, meet me with a smile, like a sensible
woman. Bury the past. Live only {or the
future-«and your humble slave l" .

Sleeping, he removed the g from her jaws,

then pressed his lips arden y to hecfi arising
and mtreat' qmckl as' though he cared a
passionate on nrst on er part.
Brief as had been his absence, 801860“ found
the number of men he mentioned in readiness for
the night ride, and he showed his white teeth in
an a proving smile. a, ~ ‘

“ kto om'weaponsandeeethstthe are
in serviceab e condition. though it is not fieiy
ill have occasion to use than tovnzht.

rather

  
  
 
   

        
     
     
   
   
   
   
      

    
   
   

 

     

 

 

 

coroner, but owing to
' reach the

 

 

 

 

 theMesked Miner.

 

_ y .”
“ audlthinklcandoit, “But
mma’nehava audacidedw oneot
astwoisthecrlminel

“Dir: Burgwn’s double tug-nod .away. with a
a accompanied Ellis and Dodge,
leggtheprison. y ‘

'lfh'e instant they passed the shattered doors,

“‘Ihavekept my word. You are outside—
nowsurrenderl”

eraflash
felledhimtothe I
darted around the corner or the jail—thencame
theclattu'othoofsandamochng hl

CHAPTER XXI.
am m anm.

Tn unfortunate clerk, Albus Black died in
the anus of his fair young betrothed just as the
sun was sinking to rest on the do following
the bold robbery of Bella’s bank. nlessit was
when he rushed forth from the blazing building
with that maniacal m'eech, his scanty clothing
all afire, his consciousness never returned after
receivin that dastard blow from the revolver
of Dan wn’s dtnble. When it was seen that
he could not long survive, ' tent efforts
were made to obtain his den -bed deposition,
but in vain. He died without sound or sign.

Word was  dispatched to the

' erent causes, he did
m befuutflhighe next day, and}
was noon ore Jury‘ wasimnanne
and all in mdinem for hearing the evidence.

But little work was done in or around Gol~
condo that day. From the first, excitement
the gathering of the frenzied

scenes at and around the

 

sinquest unnecessary, besi consum-
spaoe which can he better employed.

,sensation e - ' b the en crowd
came whfin fifitg reg-infill: testi~
. e sto , e cun—

KingCarmichac and’duall edgedhis
we
étovrga y 'swifthors:

      

, ’
cool!
it

 

“There's

somethin been

stand,andyou’vagottomakeitclear.”
“Ionlywishleonld2”nnttered0armicheel.

Gerux laughed hang}; but neither of them
mdéaexgthmg more on ‘ they were safely en-
seon inthelittleroom behind the groggery
where we saw them receive the startling report
of their negro spy. nearly a week before.

Gerux drew a revolver. cached it and covered
King Carmichael as that worthy turned around
from loc ‘ the door.

“ New, 0 man,” he said in, a low. deadly
tone. “tell me why you have been playing a
double hand in this game?” .

“Lo’w‘iar yonrt ordevilhgwordwflll
speak eclared vegahond, face a shade
paler: but giving no other evidence of fear.

bodeddangertothetall
g

» w m
' sphsolhutt. “nominate-creed
25$ sandcs w in W
titlesand mouldnot when
theceatis“ overhisshoulders.’

“Ipm nosthe mauyouthinhheidm
speaking more composedly. “I an: only his
messenger.“ to reocrveyouranswer to the

'tion made you one wreckage.”

“Concernin Dan Brown, you men?

The Frenchmimnoddedmt.

“Supposel tell outhatI’ll have
morede wfih matter? ThatInever
mungfmdbut gave yowtpledge been:
my '9 on it ' amaw 'te
mafi,notacowardly assassin northetoolet
amssins'”

“Do  give me this answer!” dunanded
“I said suppose. Whatwould betheconso-

complied, so far as resting the weapon quence?’

' thetable,butstill keeping it cocked and
his‘fingeronthe tri ' er
gfiwspe’akout.

you.

“ What do you charge me with? uie de-
manded Carmichael. q fly

“ Bah! you know well enmgh. Why did you
undo all of our work, by playing that cursed
trick? Only for you, Dan Brown would this
moment be branded a manor—9’ I

“ ouarebarkm‘ up 'wrongtree,pard.
never layed thatghand because I know that
while an: Brown breathes“??? threat is in

danger. Iwasnotintovm nighgaslceu

prove by a dozen witnesses. Idxdnt get in

until after daylight. Tim Bugdon can tell as.

much.”

“ Then who the devil could it have been?"

“ No friend of ours, be sure of that. Who,
I can’t even guess.”

“ It not you. then there’s three Dan Browns
in the field! By the Lordl theground is grow-
ing s or our feet 2”

‘ There’s only one we need fear—the original.
The other, whoever he ma be dare not show
his face after the conf he made, for he
would be mob sure!”

“ Youareno er. Letmebututterahintof
the truth, and your cunning disguise would not

save Iyou.”

“ d live long enough to other gear death-
warrant, anyhow,” coolly retorted smichael.
“ But let’s drop this We can’t aflord to quarrel
just now. Wdre knee—doe in the mire, and
there’s only one way out o! t. Dan Brown must
die. Youmuststirfiol Bcottup. Ifhe can’trub
the cuss out, then I mean to “throw up my
hand in the game and levant.”

at the end
_ u m

“Ifyou trythat, you’ll bring
ofarope,” fiercely cried the Franc
set the blood-gaunt? or; your track agile first
sign 0 time g. on 9 see some
out. Dan Brown mm ghetto! Brown
musthemy wife-J

“You agreed SolScottshouldhave her.”

“Idon’tthinkhe’lllivelongenough to claim
his reward,when once his vmrk is done. It
DanBrondon’tsettlehimthegallowswfll.”

“It’s a pitytospoflsuchagoodmambut
haveyourownway. Whendoyonmeento
seehiml"

“As soon as I can change myrig. Doyou

waitformehere‘l’llnotbegonelong. Itma
bethet Sole willturn ,andwehavz
to trysome other planfsaid

room.

  
 

-

edyou last
Sochott. leometorecelveyourdeclsion.
“GmmdmmwhW
if you want me to ’ you,
! mm' ll
you we
trying

 

Areyou
on some


 'ifvhluahleexwughto
sticktoyourflngmldan’treckm,”drawled
alumna.

Wind man, to

unable WWW he may
themomgntthewordsletthiehpa m

 

 

yonaryto deceiveme,.

doyoutakemefiorf'growled‘

 

“ThattheGlm-y of Alabamawouldhelook-
ing for another foreman tomorrow.”

‘Not more surely than that the Owls would
have to hold another election for chief,” cried
801 Scott, leaping Egon the astounded rascal
and flinging him to e ground before he could
tsgiifch a weapon ormakea moveto defend hm-

But his cool nerve quickly returns ad
therewasnotmceoftearinhisvoiceas ut-

tel-ed:

“You are barking up thewren tree Sol
Scott. I repeat I am not Major Owlgt, onl’y’his
messenger. You can kill me, or hand me over
to the authorities if on think you can establish
acasee ' me, ttodoeitherwillseal

our dent -warrant. All the band know Ian!
Zero. If harm befalls me, you will not live an
 longer. Put that in your pipe and smoke
I e '

Sol Scott laughed coldly as he released his
grnsp and suffered the  conspirator to

arise.

“ Iknow you are not the chief of the Owls. I
acted as I have, because you came at me, notes
one comrade in crime should approach another,
but as then you thought me your slave, con-
demned to 0 your bidding and hear your ino-
lence in fear and trembling. It you are note
fool, you will take this little lesson to heart, and
govern yourself accordingly.”

Paul Gem: arose and rearranged his beard,
which had partially all away when he was
overthrown. Then cco as ever he ded:

“ Once more I ash your answer. Is is eitha
your life or the life of Dan Brown. Kill '
and the Owls are at. our command. Refm,
redden their beaks in

“F tterhowjustsohedies Thedevil
dadetectivehesasman ‘livesesacat?
“hereundtown to—néhgandmayheyou’ll

“What doyon mean!”
“ Just this: befommorningeither

men summarily!
Gonoozuueeemed fatedtoenjoya
canton at startling sensations.

i
3

ed. His magma ran ,and pom ‘
Withpehonw y m m
upontheinqmst day.

   

 
   

 

  

 

 

 

 

1 .mw  tthe

close-muhg garb:
' ‘ him, M1181
1 “PM

I s
the ballet l‘s hand and
woman Aterriblfir esi knees

 

 c
e‘nne worker, and she sunk into aehair, faintly
norm

“Take me away—I am dying l” _
“You ain’tsure, yit—thar ma be someone
the,” hurriedly whispered t old man.
‘ “’Iooki they’re comin’ this way. For land’s
 don't give way now!” ,
‘ Throughadancingmist Rachelsawthezuap—

preaching, ' , arminarm andastheyreachedthe
aisle, turning to reach'the floor, she heard the
voice of Dan Brown utter:

“We must have curtail: out before the crowd
comes. Overonunstagawecanbcsecret

and.»
“53151:.-

she heard was enough.

“ You kin prove now whether or no I lied,”
whispered the monk. “ ’M
kin git h fer to hear what they say—
’n_ough, anyhow, :- you to see that I told you

the the downright truth.” ‘ ‘

He was eigendgbis breath needlessly. The

few worth a h determmedtglachleé
tohearmo nolonger oug

of lea ' lVibe mend was wai to
M333? uustrung and avgan the

nerves,
appearance offollowing the gay couple on par-

p°§°ieQw themcmssthefloor andreachthe
The foot-lights were not aye? turned on,

‘ the jetet‘hzbove among the were bug}.
’ M a “use  a 9

I , cast int}; obscuritgfavorab for

h

in.thth rear-of theata ,saw
cavalier bring a chair for the balgtgir
thenoneforhimself. She rawtbemsea
side by side, and hidden almost wholly

E

from few 0 upon the floor.
“We kin close‘ _ ahind themwan’ they
never know anybody ni ," eagerly whis-

who was resoved that not the
btehouldre’uhainin themindof
as to the truth of the terrible
toldher. “By «goin’. around-to
~ then heepin’ under kivcr of them
git whar we kin hear every word
'But kin on do it? Kin 'oubear
be libel hear, an’ not ve way?
‘ a scene, {he police ’11 tales a hand in,
he monstrom rough Onto alady like
a ,chilling laugh fell fromthe wronged
have borne worse than death now—my
- is dead, I tell you. Nothing more can
move it Come, let in go.” I ’
If! Ezra Drake was not satisfied, he dared say
no more, but silently tendered her lead.
lfore than onepairofeyeswereturnedemi-
the somber or;ng as they made
the edfi: the lath until
w of

Amonger ma

‘ soft, clingin folds of the nun’s habit
cabinetme "them rbformof
Rachel Brown,.ands e looked  amfigy

‘ ushe‘glided dlenfly forward. Be (1
shonedthemmhwithhishugehunchbut

' inward “Willi?

. n e' , w W

 was  drawn toward

El

eta

E 5
523
all

s
i-

egg
3%.:

s.

E-

al

stage‘ was reached,‘  Rachel M
behhidoneofthewin hiddenalikefromthow
, _ “e, twain whose '

i, I ,i _

  
 
   
  
  
 
   
  
   
  
  
     
 
 
   
 
 
 
  
 
  

yctlo' {obedieaitall

themwingswe.

on ’cstagefizhen‘

‘ cause.

live”
‘_ t3

"‘Lcould'beno "  for
 C furtherpr ,

   ’

 

saidyouhadmarried again—warehvingwitha
rich and beautiful young lad . Yet you swore
to me,onlya fewminutes form he came in,
that your love for me was stronger than even
in those davs of the Est, befom”

“ Before I played e fool—exactly.”

“Thenhe sai true? You aremarriedl You
got a divorce?”

“Icouldnotfindorhearan ' g ofyou. I
came to believe you were (I or I might have

t a divorge,hwhen t‘lee d,temptl:itio:d$lme
inmyway, te iersai quic y “g:
“I am glad mafia not know, now, for you
are mine by law, whether you are
heart—are you, Rose darling?”

A ’ that low, hard laugh; musical, but
who y devoid of soul. '

“ I am not so impulsive as I once was, Harry.
I for to hear on out before committing my-

either way.’

“ I can’t blame you. I taught you the lesson.
But you will soon see that your suspicion wrongs
me. ‘Let me convince you.

“ Of course you know that I am Dan Brown,
now, the famous detective. Little more than a
year a I made the acquaintance of ray—of
the who, at present passes with the world
as my wife, in a peculiar manner. I saved her
life and fortune, from a brace of scouudrels
who were plotting against her and it. She was
young, lovely and teful. Of course there
could be but one ending—we were married.”

“ But shejs not your wife!” hastily uttered

the ballet—girl. ,

“ I know: occupy that enviable position.
But marri heringood faith, and never re-
gre the action until I met you and recog-
nized you yesterda . In aninstant the old love
-that which we I t before trouble came—was
born: again, and tenfold stron er. I can’t ex-
plain it, Rose but if a thousan pure, innocent
women like hashehstood between us now, I
would crush them one and all without a pang
of remorse, rather than lose you, my peerless
one

There came the faint echo of a his follo '
these passionate words, and never before di
Dan Brown stand so near death’s door as at that
moment. The white hand of the betrayed

stillsoin

‘wife clasped a revolver, and she was on the

point of stepping around the to confront
hetraitor,whenEzraDrake yclaspedher

arm.

The silent warnin was sufficient. Once
more the nun stood ikea statue,listeningto
the damnable revelations. .

“If I could only trust, only believe you,

l”came the rich voice, now grown soft
and truly musical. ,

“You shall, and that before this night is
spent,” was the earnest reply. “Let me tell
you what I have planned sinceI left you, last
night, and then you will see that I am deVoted
to on alone. I
‘ Rachel believes in rtant business has
called mete Golconda. mean to start for that
glaceiu the morning. metherel ' send
so” ewe-e: overseen-

, m ans. y e
bug she wifi gover- come back again!”

Imagine. _ how terribl those words fellupon
thesoreheart of the wernged wife! Even the
ballet-girl 'was startled. , ,

“ Surely you Would uot—not—-”

, “Kill her—whélgomt you spit out the ugly
word? Isthisa atobesos'fiieeamish! Loo
bow Istand. Imarried you.
marriage still exist. Your father. was awit’
new, and he can brin the proofs to light when-
ever he chooses to use. He hates Inc—you
know that. I don‘t (ime that he has good

He knows,or wi soon fiudmathatl
have been married'agai can lave, me
arrested for bigam-y—and I would. sooner die
than have that take place, and my buried §et

or

beraked u asafeast‘forthecurious.
“New lookatthe other  It would he

V would you
‘ worse than death to, Radial, such an :-
lose berm

V. She would far rather die than
me, in such ashape, too! She is rich. It
comes to rue—and w it, Rose

wecan w _*nooneknowsourpagt,and
measly happy.” , ' , . ‘ 
7 toshedherlood—ashehas been asthe

.wifefof your bosoml, Bad as lam,now,it is

emmtbinkoffl

$00 .
‘ “01ml.me tstrilmtbeblo
:‘couldu’t. Butthere “0 “I

'aremany hardupfellows

whowouldfeelnosuchm Andtooneof

, '7 them I mean to intrust the Veggie—hush!”

Darin thieconversationtbehallhadheen

.  . The was now. turned
- d   much. ’ -
‘ upon  .  

W-

   
  

. 1 ,4 v

proofs of this,

 “Your-kind

 

, m‘ r, imer

:mm‘vm‘ v

 clear y

 

mammal-aghawwkuum
you.”

madam '

Rachelmadeno ly,but 
joined the other couples as they slowly marched
to the me music.

The cars Esra Drake entertained were with—
emz. foundation. There was no den other

’ a “scene.” b fainting. at heart
seem to have died Within her while listenin
to thediabolicalplotoftheman whomshe
loved as onlya true,passionate soullikehern
could love. »

As he watched her keenly, Em Drake bit hi1
lips nervously. He misinterpreted her stony
calm, and thought she was not yet convinced
that the cavalier was her husband—that she
fondly clung to the belief that all this was part
of some cunnineg atrocious plot. 7 , ‘_

“Ef you kin b’ar to hev your last doubt
blowed away, watch me,” he muttered, starting
to join in the movie crowd.

‘ What do you mtend doing?” Rachel de-

manded, also arisin 0! 
glee that man—unmask

“Show you the
a p’inen traitor I”

‘ Good! Wait until they come aroundaga’m.
then fall in behind them,” said the nun, her
voice as steady as fate. - ‘

Ezra. Drake seemed nervom and uneasy“
she took his left arm, but he dared not raise
any objection.

Quietly they slipped in behind the cavalier
and hiscompanion. A few, steps, then Rachel
pressed his arm and quickly released it.

With a swift and dexterous movement, the»
hunchback reached forward and cut the string
which held the silken mask over the face of the
gany dressed cavalier. The mask fell to the
floor, and its wearer wheeled around with an.
angry exclamation, revealin the bold, hand-
some faee of Dan Brown, the tectivel

Rachel quickly raised her mask and con-
fronted him, her face pale as death, but infinite
scorn flashing from her e es.

One moment—then t - unmasked traitor
abandoned his ‘on and rushed in head-
long haste from the !

 

CHAPTER VIII. .
nan snows, on n13 “me
“80:. Soon, you are my prisoner!” ‘
As he uttered these words, Funny Felix from
Fr’iscd clapped the tall miner on the shoulder ‘
With one hand, while holding a cocked revolvor
ready for usem the other. Clearly he was dis-
poeedndtgfltake no change; gig: agate? such.
we prowess as tt at ni ht
exhibited. I 5
To all appearance, such caution was unneces-
sary. The man thus strangely arrested. nevur
evenetarted, and of thetwain, bewraclearl
the least agitated. That low, mocking lung;
broke from his line, and he steadily met'tho
keen ae ofthe detective. L . ~. w
“ y dear sir,” he said, a faint trace ofcon-
tempt in his tone, “ you are puttin ourself- to'
a [goal of  tron 152.11;! {as
w: you quie y. ou migh ve ad
the compan of a friend tothe ice-station,~
instead ot siting as escort to angular.” ,
“ You know .me, then?” asked the disguised

“Since our meeting under the» red globe back.
yonder, yes; before that, no. Ictock you for
whamou seemed-45 ‘olly, big-hearted, reckless
sold the dang y. I idwonderat your
taking such an interest in me and my fortunes,
this evenm , butnevcr once suspected the truth
until I me your'geneas I left the DcwDrop’
Inn. I'must con tulate you on your disguise
and aolnng, Mr. I! Brown of Denver!” ‘

“So you know me, then?’ ejaculated the ,
‘de‘teftkigemfu ' , » i. " eh  
,* cw mwaeonmuarmm.
'ferred your idenzity.” wasvthaydool m w:
~“Iamgladtbata mastered them! beam
‘me. not a common bungler.” . , A r: ,

“If you knew {was after- you, w didn’t"
you levantl whydui youmabeyoursd ‘ secon- ,

spicnmlstoni ht?” . s ,.  .
“Paths westired of running—panama
We?“ on?” t  ‘ m. '
_ ‘ son: grew ascome to r
can provethecharge‘ false!” cages-ly‘ 'dmnanded
thefiztecgzeéfi   a
‘ o; argo-isperfectlycm-rect. killed
. ’Iwasinhy I that, ,, I W
A; it klmmmtdogduov,
has a moredhgluahleouew
tone emboldene  ' '
favori Er. Brown.” said Sol Bantu,

“Wil you a?   “

“1w

thoughan

I perform.”

         
 
  

  
  
 

' maul-argueth the ' was - “n  a w  

engraspedthehandolllachefinddrawingit Mummers”  I ' 

 hither; ,, _ r .awayfrmu l y ‘  w i.  ‘
 7 of. .1 before-the tgirland ‘ ‘ ‘

 
  
  

 

nuggets a"

 

Sol Show, the ’Masked 

 

 

J‘Dil _, seem facet—curse litI
M” ’y You

1‘! don’t  he did,mate”answered the

otherOwl. “The lightwasonlyon you tor a

and his head was turned the other

wag. it he had, what matter?”

quest W’ifiihmfi o‘i‘WW“ this

, e grew
more $311 as he heard it.

“True,Ireckonhe’ll never tall tales of this
hadn’t ht to liv a mvelget d “lib:

oug an way. own
t and twiethhis   hint;

. exewaea orn emeamngm e31eaker’s
tones rather than words, and Edw Rolfe,
believing his death was resolved upon, made a
Wm at to escape. But he was like a

dinthehan of those two powerful men,
and was quickl thrown down and heldhelpless
bymwhile e other hound him hand and

O'Ii'eteh him, along, mate,” laughed the taller
CW1. arising. “Put him on the lounge with the
her dead man. They were friends in life—in
death they shall not be divided!”
mswordswereobeyed. Deadandli ‘
lay  by side upon the narrow, blood-s '
«cone '

“Go hringinthekin mate,” continued
themm-derer. “Let’s get e job over as soon
as we can. The boys have got safe out of town
with the plunder by this time.” _

In silence he was obeyed. 'lhe shorter out-
.hw brought in two great armfuls of ine knots
and laced them in several piles w ere they
would~ soonest communicate their flames to the
woodwork. Over all was poured a quantity
of turpentine, and then the subordinate Owl
wlgfioutside to make sure that the coastwas
e .

“Asthma? you hegr hoottff Ian (aw all:
man, e begins, gnan y aug
Owl. “ In ten minutes later you will get a fine
forete’ste of what awaits you hereafter—ha!”
as a low, lugubrious hoot came to their ears.
“ That’s your death-note, old fellow!” .

*“Li hting a roll of paper, the robber quickly
set_ to the dgfefent piles, {vac rgd denies

nnfign' u as‘ y ‘0. en ehast'y
,lgft t  closin the care after him.

And-higher l the llamas, shooting out
 toward the hvmg and

CEAPTERXVL

 v-l assor’rwrxrwmnmn warns.

A near horrible situation!

Bouadhand and foot, his tonguefettered as
well lying beside a dead or dying man, his
head upon the same pillow, his cheek in the
dummy, ting blood, ' eyes alone
‘poesmhdnefin anypower overthemselves, andthese‘
one by the leaping, dancmg, growing

Trul EdwardP.Relfe.was“makingan t
edit,” tinafardilferentmannertmm
mw’iofimgfiinggmmmr hands,
‘ ‘ra y is
hkfe‘ehhis wsv-ithecmzldoulyelipthegag,
hisscreams orhelpwwldsoonbflrmtothe

got-«bu t in vain.
mtheworhand h'n ‘ousefi'ortswereall
inuin,though herolled heavil to the floor
while striving to release . But that
only carried him still nearer those ‘
tonguesofflre. _
Itseemedhours to him—agiasotbitter tear
and torture suchas ' ht turnone’shair
, blacktowhi' treally onlyavery
“minutes ‘ the ' of

, nee
theOwlaeas'ssinbeior-ea ' ‘ shout
‘ wild,tlmllmg

“'Firel l Belte’s bank is on fire!”

 

n in his eyes.
psiSearcel

 

almost into the face of the minor, driving him
back half blinded. But only for a moment.

A shrill, unearth! scream came from within
—followed b a wil maniacal la hl

“Some y’s in thar, roastin’ ' e!”
the man who had driven in the door, as two
men dashed up to the spot.

“Guard our face and let’srushin! Quick
——or we’ll too late!” cried one of the new-
comers.

Pulling his hat overhiseyesandbowinghis
head he madeaflashattheopening, onlyto be
driven back and almost overthrown by a wild,
spectral shape that seemed vomited forth by
teflame-tinged minke—a shapewra' in
fire, with pale, blood-streaked face an staring
eyes from whence reason had fled oreverl

Once more that horrible laugh—unearthly,
figment-tiling! Then the figure fell lifelem to

“ mm!” the man who had raised
the alarm. “ It 8 you Black—that’s bin foul
B: —he’sbin murder P’he gasped aswith

' hands he tore away the burning rem-
nants of the night—clothes worn by the unfortu-
nate clerk.

Acrowd was around him now, but the two
men who had first answered his alarm were not
among them.

One glance at the flame-wreathed form, then
they bowed their heads and gaunged into the
burning building ' by sounds which
came from the hel ees banker, whose feet were
kept lustil' {nthump the floor. Together they

,andtenbeatahastyretreat
m the doomed build' .
A terrible cry went up 111 the excited crowd

as they saw and recognized the banker. Bound
hand and foot, securely, gagged, left in the
building to die a horrib thl Heaven pity
the devilish criminal or criminals it ever dis.
covered, for these men would never show them
will

“ 0 did it?-—give us a clewl” uttered a
voice in the ear of the nearl dead banker—a
voice that caused him to shud er and his blood
to run cold in his veins, for it wasa counts

of the voice he had last heard when left helpless 7

on that blood couch!

And there, nding over him pale and stem,
was the face of the speaker- he same face he
had seen by the flash of the dark-lantern when
the dropping of the owl’s head mask drew that
cry of annoyance from the lips of the robber
who had stricken down oung Albus Black!

Thelbandsome face cod strangely—then
was swallowed up by darkness as the senses of
the banker fielded. He swooned, and lay upon
the nd 'ke a dead man.

“ arry them to the Parker House, some ct
you. The rest pitch in and t the fire—come
on I” cried the voice that had so terribl startled
Rolfe, and its owner was the most not ve of all

in fighting the flames.
There were no l :13. Nearl every man
doing bminess in conda had a direct interest

in the banking-house, and the fought the flames
as only men can ii ht who be 'eve their worldly
all is at stake. t their efforts were all in
vain, so far as the bank building was concerned.
The flames had gained toogreat headway be-

had ‘ fore being discovered, and in an hour more the
i got was marked only by a heap of glowing em-

rs.

Both Rolfe and his clerk were conveyed to
the hotel, where their injuries were carettu
attended to. The banker was in manager-,1;
few burns being the extent of his injunes, but
gale who lookedverygravewhen theysaw

e .

Hisskull waserushedinbythat terribleblow.
If he lived t the night, it would be httle
lessthanamirac goertainlyhe could not sur-
vive another day.

yhadheleftthehetel, when a 

mechandmkedtobe'“

 

“"9 ""115 v'nitor .3 L slipped

. one
“Tlfere is notause for alarm, Hr Bolts,”
quietly said the detective, ' this action

t. “Asanoflicerof justice, havecalled
to the truth of this black ' ht’s work.
Kati-738%? any clew tothe perpetragousot this
on
his'l'he bankgrnd moistened hi1:g probed lipstowiht

tongue, a strange , m
bloodshot eyes as the droo ore the
steayganeof thede 've. uthishand was
not removed from the revolver which {laybe-
neath hispillow.

“Timeisof tim rteneeinruchacase
as this,Mr.Rote,"ad ed Dan Brown.” the
ermadeno “Agreatcrimehes
w committed. you  anyuclew 3
rpetrators, on owe] curse new
as. uplla those whoyhave had  '
Withyou,tpspeakout ' yandatonee.
“AmInghtin udingthatthebankwes
made a clean sweep—both safe

t fight " s
were ow many
through

‘( 

Tell me the whole . I do not ask

si lecurlosity,llr. lie, but as anoillcerot

the . Youhavenofighttokeepbackashr-
le point-nor will you, it you really wish to

am the criminals to justice."

“ f!” ejaculated the banker and there when
burninghght inhis eyes as t ymet thoseot
the detective. “ The murdered Albm Black—-
they robbed me an all my cmtomers—Athey
bound and gagged me leaving me to roast to
death! ,Yet yousayii I'Wishtolrlngthemb

justice?
“ Blame yourself for the doubt, not "
coolly uttered the detective. “ But it is a (1
you may bear expressed by more than one pair
of lip}? when 1italfibecohxxililis knownthatt you are giv-
ing e crim' ' to soon "fusing to
state the whole facts of the 0881:” y
“Youmean thatI will besccusedotmying
mtbatrmen will think I an a h
ro

“Unless you bestir yourself, yes.”

The banker laughed, low and bi .

“ If they escape, my personal lose w ll be over
fifty thousand do not counting that for
which I am responsible, the amounts placed in
my kee by depositors—”

‘Somuc the more reason wh youlhould‘
lose no time in setting the mac ineryof the
law at war ” quietly interrupted, Dan Brown.
“Hal Ellis, am glad ycu came,” he cried, a
the door opened and the cit marshal entered
the room. “ Perhaps Mr. R0 e will hare-more
faith in you. He hesitates eta-angel aboutglv—
in me affiaount of littladaflf .”

mne appea some ember-raged,
but the banker came quickly to the rescue;

“ I was not satisfied that you had the right to
ask, but Eviléntell” you the whole may now-—

is.

youand .

With feverish ra idity but clearly
the hanger define? hist’tiadventuree 0:“ m,
memora e orge ng nothing.

rtanee,butt storyneednotberepmdueed

ere. ~
“It was them who struck poorBlock,"he
mtg] coming to the point where the (authored
dr from the face of the teller rob-
ber “ eutteredacryuittellgndnotknow»
ing what was the matter, the other rascal
turnedtherligehtoihklautunrulluponthem
othiseom .”
Bl;‘)Youwerelooking-youslrcrhhfuaeelluthml
wn. _
“figplainlyu l mwmafihm
men ~
“Your?! sweartoititemyeu see that

“Yes—and more-J haveswomtu itF'crled
Rolfe, exultingly. “Mr. Elli at this moment
holds the warrant for-the urea or tumbler
and ass-mini" 4 '

“when:mean m. as
before 

EgallthatIholdncr-edto theme

tothehengman rope   
mezfim W 

Swirtly head can tune 

pillow c a cached
of  lullin:

Cold! thedeteefive aching  l
menhtheuhis 
mnedwm mm' ,  

 

 

 

 

.. y i,  H, ,

   
 

sol; soon, the Masked Miner.

 

 

MW at the marshal. ~ “Johnn
" , {I’dgiw him twocents,he{i
Wflpfllehullfioorwitbmyold clotheaan’ I
W tuck him up, at his offer. _ r _

. “Johan would make more money fooling
amdtpebuttendofayoun  un-
leselmmsmyguess,”saxdfilisw1 agnm

“Don’t 've me away, boss, or I’ll never git
is yer diggmgs,” uttered Felix m a
theatrical whisper; then advancing to the bar,
he thrust his hand across it. .

r “Shake, young man. For all I’ve d1d,.l
heartil axyour pardon, an’ of I sp’iled your
fun a  a 0, I’m ready to make amends by
payin’ fer the damage done by them cusses.
figs wasn‘t“?! 1 fed th tr red

am ’ 'n r‘y acoe e to e
hand, gut imflefiamy‘ wished he hadprefused,
_ ,he felt the bones ,fairl giving Way beneath

terrible ressure 0 those sinewy fingers.
Funny Felix 'd not appear to notice his con-
tentions but called out in his skull, peculiar

tones. , I
“ Gents, all hands promenade to the bat, an’
dome proud by helpin’ tie my nifillxlt-cap for me !”
Save the dealers at the mb ‘ g table: who
perforcelmust keep their rains cool, an two
other men, the entire company advanced With
alaority to accept the frank invitation. The
keeueye of Funny Felix noted these exceptions.
“Gents, you beam my. invite? Wont yen
honor as?”
‘ “Thanks; we are temperance apostles and

never indulge,” One of the two men re nded,
barely lensing towardjhe veteran, u re—
 oonversation in low tones.

“ 0 loss without some gain-it’s a half a do].
lar saved. any m,” coolly uttered the old ’49er,
' the

to .
hegdrinks were fsewallowetd 
the after ttina w ues‘ons o
   , thg marshal insiste on
Funny firs hearing him oompan home.

' Meanwhile the two men who he claimed to
be temperance apostles, seated at a table in the
further corner 0: the room, were conversing in
guarded on matters which nearly con-
cerned at least one of the characters introduced
to the reader. . ,

‘ “I tell you I cannot be mistaken,” repeated
,Athemanwho had answered Faun Felix. “I
have  the follow for years; vs worked
inthesuheegses with him, and can peneti'iahte
an' disguise‘ a we assume a a co. e
felim you call 801%th is none 0 er than Dan
Brown, the soealled famous Rocky Mountain

detects "70.”

m " ‘33s twill" “5 “21“
com ‘ was a prommen y
in events, mg’hieh were to, astound Golconda and

'  surroundings, was ashort, heavily built man,

Us ,tlynearthemiddle eoflife.Ilis
,. was dark and swarthy, is face heavrly
‘ y  black hair 1011 and curling to his

, broad (raiders. His {eager-es,
- not masked by hair, were and hand-
  His eyes were ' brilliant and steady in
' glam Bismescular form was clad in
flash gar bislinen whiteandwell
.  sparklinginthefronts
'  general appearance, he
Z. :10r any thing 8pm?-
to; a retired merchant or capi-

plaid for,
em kin

        
    

    

7;."  . ’mmmsmm..wm
  ' ‘ atthel’arkerfioaseasl’aul

Plainlyhisoompanionwasalesfavoredson
forums.  ori ‘as his
“I w " i '  5i, dreams
 as ', hitsweafiei:

 face  blue as t
'V i has???“ whennetmblgrged
‘. I w ., ‘

or

  
 

  

firecseWagainstthename' of
,,,1Iotthatan_crimeoreu~

a j"  r
steadilyatwi 


' ' ’l‘om tive
 here JIM

such as were.

  

 

“You called me, King?” he asked, in a low
tone of voice.

“Yes. You know the fellow called Sol
Scott? how long has he been bossing the ‘ Glory
of Alabama ’3”

“ I hired out to him three months ago yester-

da .”

XHow often and how long has he been absent
during that time?”

“Not more than twice, and then only for a
single day each time.” ‘

“That will do. Go, but keep an eyein this
direction. I may want you again,” said Car-
michael, whose words were obeyed with an un-

.q£1estioning promptness that might have opened
t

e eyes of many in Golconda who looked upon
him as a drunken, worthless “enemy to none
save himself.”

Carmichael made no comment on the infor-
mation thus obtained, but slowly shuffled and
dealt the cards which Were used only as a cover
to their conversation.

“There may be a mistake, butif so, I have
not made it,” do edly muttered Paul Gerux.
“ The man you ca ‘ Sol Scott is none other than
Dan Brown. You have been deceived by some
cunning trick—he is wily as a fox and sure as
death. He has played some ‘ double ’ on you,
to throw you 01! your rd and enable him to
work under cover. He as sworn to run you to
earth, and he will keep his oath unless on get
in the first blow. It is your life or his, or once
on the right scent, as he surely is now, death
alone can choke him off.”

“I don’t see how 801 Scott can possibl be
our man; but if he is, our work may be one
for us easier than you think,” said Carmichael,
as the door opened and Vernon Shadutz with
his “ hard crowd” blustered into the room, after
a vain Search for the man who had knocked him
down.

“ You know the fellow, then? Can money
buy him?” eagerly asked the Frenchman, his
black eyes glittering.

“ Better than I do you. 0f one thing be sure.
Either Sol Scott or onder giant, Vernon Sha-
dutz, will be ready or a ccifin before another

‘sun sets. Shadutz has ruled here too long as

lc’cllck ,ot the walk, for him to overlook that
ow.

“ Unless he strikes from behind, or shoots
without warning. Your big friend will lead the
mourners, then?” said Gcrux, rimly. “ I hate
Dan Brown as the devil hates oly water, but I
never yet saw his equal at fighting, from naked

n .”
“ wall I’ll not shed many tears, whichever
085 an er. Shaduts has been wing more
ublesome— Is that drunken fool bent on
suicide?” he exclaimed in amazement. '

It was Funny Felix from Fr’isco who drew
forth this uncomplimentary ejaculation. ‘

Bly some means he had eluded the city mar-
aha , and returned to the saloon, entering close
upon the heels of the “ bad crowd.”

With characteristic impudence he approached
iSIhadutgiglpd clapped him on the shoe der, say-

oor y:

g Stra 1', come an’ hi’st some p’izen. I owe
ye as mm: for I hadn’t see’d a smell 0’ fun (er
a month until you—”

“Clear out, you drunken cur!” growled the
bloody-faced rufllrm, raising his fist, threaten-

l . ,
yneng Felix lea back out of reach. then
. shrilly as e leaned essly ‘

“No stranger. Ef you won’t drink
Iwon’t ‘ theliquorto yfer. Mebbe ou’re
right. Whiskyispowe ul bad fer blue eyes
-—an’ a neuter ’ pa’r then them 0’ yourn I

‘ “ “I’m nigh" fond o’ tn but
en'twantnohrickhmn‘gtamn’ontog’o’me—

not much!” 7 .
‘ lnsfimtive 
gathered around the our
time their haste was need

‘ ing

 

Tome, as Funn Felix lowered bk m
t ough stillkeepixngit cooked and in hlshand.
“I ain’t the man to force fun onto a teller
when he ain’t feelin’ like long in’. But I’m
so I heped we was goin’ to ave a little
jam me all to ourselves. Say l” he added, as.
brilliant idea seemed to strike him. “You
couldn’t make b’lieve I was that feller you call
Sol Scott, could on?” ’

Shadutz stared‘ at him with an ugly scowl, but
said nothing. -

“Mebbe ef I was to sorter stir you up—call

you a cold water drinker. or a honest cutle—
man, or some other sich insult—wouldn that

hefito fetch about some feelin’s 0’ fun in ye?”
a sublime impndence of Funny Felix pro-
duced an effect exactly contrary to that intend
ed, and Shadutz fairly lau hed aloud.

“ I’m afraid ou’re too eavy for me, stran-
ger," be said, With a smile that was even more
repulsive than his frown. “My arm] is not
with you, as I said before. But don’t to
rub it in. I’m not always in a ood humor.

“ I was never known to crow a stran er, an'
sol won’t try to tickle you any more,” ankly
said Felix, putting up his weapon. “ But meb—
be some one 0’ our crowd would like to la
circus fer awh’ e—jist to please the gents lgok-
m’ on. I’m old an’ purt nigh wored out, but
I’ll do my best to make i interestin’.”

.tdtall, athletic young fellow stepped for-
wa . ' 

f‘ I don’t mind tr ing a fall, just for luck," he
sang; smiling. “ t is, if you can wrestle a

1

“Never tried it sense I used to wrestle with
my gal, an’ then she throwed me every clip;
but anythin’ for fun,” rinned F 'x. ‘ It’s I
squar’ thing—no double ankin’?”

“ There’s gentlemen enough around to insure
fair play,” replied the your: miner, and an
eager murmur. accompanied y sun signch
cant clicks as revolvers were drawn to” ull
bore out this assertion. “Catch as catchoau;
if you don’t object.” , " '" a

“ Burn the odds, so long as thar’s any fun into
it,” responded the veteran, removing his belt
and laying it upon the counter.

Eagerly bets were offered, but without takers.
The odds were all on the side of the young miner,
well known as a good wrestler.

Funny Felix only smiled as he heard the
general opinion. » y

“ Whenever you’re ready, say so, boy,” he
exclaimed.

“ I’m ready any time,” smiled the wrestler.

Just how it was done, nobody could tell.
There was a swift rush, a momentary
then the young miner was hurled headl
the bar into the pile of glasses and bottles

“ Look out thar’l you ll bu’st somethinL—durn
seek a kcerless feller, anyhow l” shouted Funny
Felix, rinning. ' ‘ ,;

At t at moment a sharp voice shouted‘lloud
the warning: ‘ ' '
“ Look out, Shadutz ! there W801 Scott I”

\

CHAPTER IV.
A. DUEL In run an.

Vmon Seamus, in common

res had become whogylabsorbed in 

tween Funn lam: tram
oung wrestler. o ~'gittunse,in {or
{he red-haired giant called the youngmahthlah
brother—Bucket Shadutx. But as that warn-

lo,
our

 

ing run out clear and ' he whhbd
arena to p the door,  alone hfi
enemy could enter

Smft the crowd sea falling not
either god; lea-Want: and 
four com ns 'g'alonewlth noun

em and the, door, * '

  
  

.‘neversawl Wheefisgoodabettergohome between m_ m M
an’ ‘ ultiee’eml” ‘ Scott, eachhand garevolver 
TE battered giant. glared at theaudacious on , merandto outrigger. ' M
 that firstcatches ’ ht carelessasbeseaned,nonepmsemmckm5¢
either-ed . 'l‘henhetookonestride or— mean businessmdwouldmaheth Wyn
ward witha ‘ cum-onlyto useasggnick- the “hard crowd”dared ' . ,
ggforawcbedrevolverwasstagghhn in “ All stance, "growled
r « , hatred ‘33 ~ badly battered counte-
“E’i‘l’i’ “we”  said seam. it“ ' '
come er, 11:, n g
M leveled tube with a coolness doubl

 

 

 

 

 
     
   
   

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gyouwuntt

  

    

  

      

   

.pTousetbe

3:; he )on to be remembered in the
mm the middle of July,

‘ down the steps of the?

 man edpast the stranger, but was checked
‘ , bra clear, musical voice: . ~ '

 I}: m" “‘5‘”

 ,   801  the.    

 

 

 

4801 Scott, ‘_
THE massan MINER;
m ,

DAR BROWN’S DOUBLE.

, BY JCS. E. BADGER, JR,
amonor “man Jon,” “nan snows or
nuns,” “CAPTAIN coonmmu,” no.

CHAPTER I.
m on a “mean.”
Tn “city.” «Golcondath aliveanda
' place—thismuchwasfreely

hirsil ‘valsl ” tohe 'ght W1d
vern rn an or
ble’f't. Trne,someofg:g

 

 

m added that the name
was somewhat bombastic and not
exactly appropriate, since the only diamonds
dealt with in this flow World Golconda were all
of the same shape and color, and of much
ter value to the Knights of the Field of
teen, than to reputable lapidaries. Good
Golcondans never noticed thisvile calumny, or
if so, laughed at it. Slander helps change many
atown intoacity, and so their httle ‘boom
went steadily on. .

There «isa strong family resemblance between
all ' g towns where the precious metals are
wanted from the bosom of mother earth. The
day» devoted to work, the night to pleasure—
. grim‘sort of pleasure that too often resulted
in “a man for breakfast.” Yet the contrast
was less startling in (iriolconda tgalndainlthe
placer. towns o a genera '01: ago. y ong
was the cluttering of machinery and the coder—
onesh'okeoot the mighty “ stamps ” useJto pul-
veriae theiis'lvervbetmng quarts. - The earth
mmhledaud “ “ againasthechargesot
premier exploded in its bowels. Cars

with quartz cranked along tramwags,
or passed frcm pit to mill. at
Golconda was not fairly awoke until 
{gazebo was red- t,

and ' over w t
Itjwfim thenigbt when this chronicle

A dark in masculine attire, ran lightly
House, then paused
andcastaquickglance upenddown thestreet,
as though in doubt which way .to turn.

Stars and moon were shining 
whether the stranger was of or c or
banaly could only “mgr-i, oralight cloak
and a alde but shielded both tom and res.
tires. Yet not satisfied with this, the manger
drew forth a flexible mask of ilk and caret“ 1y

adjusted it in place.
A . ‘ vily bearded

“Smeang‘ouintorm mewherelcanllndthe.

“Certainly '  W 3031118!”
mtmpsmifisatthis W to the left,
and youlwglseea‘redglobe. y'l‘hatiic 

“W  refineries 

on.”

cutting , the‘ilithe waist. '
“y._"Withaswiftg

       

to that...» . 1

"  ‘ ' use  (er
it shouldglvcway beneathyour

   
 

-  limb’é’ihg‘l

ea,

2 Ipeharp- of
th " ‘fhcr,sb?_ , ,-, ,_
, m, funint

, the walkfashehad so, often, him» ,
cowedhy as counsel.» ltm a bitter“

' . .A  of thanks for the

bud not usln 'agam’ until beneaththered
" lobgetMt sgzne ' a fierybeacon 

cor 01 the Dew Drop .
Aquickglancedowntheetreet failed to dis-
cover the miner, and attena moment’s
hesitation, the stranger aside the door
will entered' be had already coepted th
nun: r a e
fan ' 1y 3worded invitation to “d in,” for
this establishment, mn by

Emuire was the favorite resort of all
money ’and ability to “buck the g‘ger,” or
“throw the Ives outside of” firsth
price he the riterion—liquors.
A moment the stranger paused to cast a swift
glance faround the spacious I'OOtItlilaS though in
nest 0 some mmcular' rson, » enpassed
go the bar and ordered a Eosnonade. up
The lite bark r—the redoubtable Isaac
him —stared at e stranger open-mouthed,
as he noted the black mask; but only for a
moment. he turned to the tools of his
grade, a broad grin upon his not ill-looking
ace. . _
Never a man in Golconda had a keener eye
for the fair sex than Isaac’s, and that one glance
told him that his customer was a woman! The
garb was masculine, but could not wholl dis-
uise the rounded outlines of a superb orm.
he breast was too full, the shoulders too slep-
ingutihe hips too swelling and the lithe waist too
sma

“ Some gal on the look-out fer her feller—an’
means busmes, too, from that battery she’s got
slung to her middle!” [mac thought, his eyes
busy as his fingers.

The woman—for such the masked strange
undoubtedly was—did not notice the scrutin of
the curious Tampkin. Her eyes were wan er-
ing swiftly over each form in the room, now
dwelling a moment as though the man she
sought might possibly be in disguise

The apartment was large and
The moral laws of Golconda were not very
ri “cl, and rennin a gamblinghell was con—
si cred purely legi ate business. 7

There were three taro tables, each with its
row 0: devotees; a roulette wheel, a‘ manic
bank, besides a number of round tables where
those who preferred the solid comforts of draw
poker, seven up, encher or kindred games, could
please themselves. r

From the ceiling depended two chandeliers,
each bearing a cluster of oil lam

“ A she-critter! Burned of I on’t b’lieve it’s
{hilarity Jane! Old gal, give us a buss for
no o

These words rung out in a shrill,
voice, and all, even the stolid fare dealers,
looked toward the bar. A woman had rarely,
if ever, before crossed that threshold. '

None were more surprised than the mouth!)
haddrawn forth thisrude salu ‘ n. ,

' slowly

,

The mask was leani ‘ bar,

the crowd, when the door opened and half a
dozen men entered the saloon.

The leader, a giant in size and breadth of
frame, timed rudely in flannel and mommy,

Y 3 . . r a
Thetall nian’  ly‘ butgazed‘  rakishly over one eycywasthe man who spoke.
.. W1  cloakedig’gni‘e as it  ‘  attitude of the wmnan, unconsciously to.
‘h‘pkfiyaw ' r _-   , , he [fully revealed the rounded curves of
  ” her L ificent  the light cloak falling

. ‘ hgck overhershoulder usher unoccupied ban

rested upon hip, arm ho. An ugly
light filled the bloodshot eyes bf the hall—drunk-
enminerastheyrestedupon thatsu bshap’e,
and striding swiftly forward, wit the rude
pushed aside the glam’and

ips against those at: the
mask, just visible below the silken shield.,}, And
at thesame time one arm "was slipped 

a motion, thewornan‘h'eed
hersellfmmhis oathsoine ,theu,'witha
anger, as the giant moved toward
the v in bich had

Fair between " cs ‘e-midle‘ stmc
treating into a. pieces. With chow
Yam pam' the blinded roman ' ’
back, bin  bloodanfi igquor
othcr‘ ' p v
 hisbclt. ‘
r ‘7 g , ’Pttodrn'fi'tlmt ._
deadean criedthe '
bellandste‘rn as fate. ‘“ pwith yourhands,‘
ami‘apologbe for that foul insulflerlflrel”
A cooked and [leveled revolver cmggasized

this J lib-The ' at, ,throughrt blood
that wed  6% 1: doses arts,

revolver hi

, _ “"0793
hehnewhnmhermthatshewasnotthrmt-

en  '  r , 
,1! tobe
ad

'1
aonehe

 

 a

bye

    

     

warning, then hotel-nod and hurriedover the . ‘ t

Isaac 

1' ,

wén fitted up. ,

unpleasant interfered.

sipping her lemonade, er eyes still searching

>with:.huge horsehide boots; a broad belt with ‘
 v revolyers and bowie-knife; a slouch hat cocked

*‘npon hitshoulder, his fists
' but the V.

 ~

  ,

 a ’

,nin tomfrom
reogred, and“ am

couldsee feven‘ltfi efailed'tod' ,cro J ' '
thshotfirethif’thnt streamedbm And not:

,8 “cool: of .

 

neck kept him from  over. " ‘  '
A  curse parted his li 
mg the bowie-knife from  the sins

   

made a. vicious thrust ethic [

A swift, snakelike twkt of the hodyal‘one:
saved the man who had tel-Med himself, Eel.
Scottfrom the gleaming steel.  '
keen weapon slit open his flannel shirt and, 
aredlineacrosshisstomach. ' L‘ ' ‘

Adextcrous dart of his no 
giant uttered a. bowl of fierce ‘ not 
with ' and wonder, for 4 wrist 

wrenc edterriblyand the  his“
grasp. A thud follOwed—the deadly -wedpon
uricd its pomt in the ceiling and hungth‘cre

quivering. . ,

“ Never hit a man when he’s down! Up, your
lumen, and face the music!” cried Sol'Scott, ,
with a cold, hard laugh. ‘ ' a '

The spectators could scarcely heifers their“
es, and the nearly sobered giant wasprobqbly
t _e most surprised, as Sol Scottraised himfrone“
his knees wrth one hand, twisting him around
until they stoodtacetohecethendmw back-his
free  l a] / g.  ‘3  ,fi  '. 

ustln ivey e   i to . 
hands as he Iurched crward, but 
would not be denied. With terrific forcetbe?
clinched hand shot forward and landed fairly
between his e es. A blood spray followed
that wonde stroke, and are age
raised clear of the floor, fell headlong amonghis.
astomshed mate with a fir that  the en—
tire building. . ‘ ‘

An enthusiastic cheer areas at this display of -
power, for the majority of those Eresent felt no
ove for bi Vernon Shadntz, as e fallen bully
was can But only one of them an drew- '
nearcrto the bar for they lmew thatthe end
was not y , and the armies of Shallots formed

Sol seemed moved alike “that cheer,
orthe u looks of the V ".‘gathered
around fallen leader,  toward
hr,me  f {defame _ 
_ y pardon ,"be' said,  a.
fraukhow his tones as fiend evenaswhen
in first  hens  oétenghllfriere

otherwopcsaflmrs " t i";
imam“ ’ mu 

the» masked stranger

, \ kenough tubereckl ,
“Another  and he  have

‘IWleadf ,_ thewcman, the   1d
9’10“ ebuttherevmghintmln. 
. m mile]. vomirthac  such :5. . , H

Waning newm  life on rie r  . 
should not stam thehands of a la   Forging
85 » n, l I 5 I: r 7,,
.“iA'n’s monstrous." “  , wound” and

'1“??er “new;

ShotthehOuIder. “N O“ ‘9" 8“
driver-swank ye, all t
8018ch wheeled

sir—J ain’t “  
ems   t “a”
around as he  that-hand

  
 

. leaped lightly,
y. V IH '

 

  

  
   

   

    

 
 

onehan  , ._ ~ ~ 
:Flag  Won’t hit frilhdl"
_ Windham, on, and whatdolyou want?”
v  Add“ '  r, 3., 4h
 “new. sheep” * o’ Israe   
naming reassure kan'i, ‘ neg;
“gig”, _,fiLn-,E ’ my: 3  matte
. , *e‘ v.” e ,, N i
the lust men   ‘ 'efiggggv
 o the  , ’Mfim sh“ got a
 It my hotel: in my
Sammie-gig to  moor
We... who...»  he“  Wm
 microns. "
“head 
w p 9,” ‘
893g  
Heuffifittth

 

 
 
       
         
    
 
 
       

  
 

  
 

 

 

 

 

“w n ‘Igfiww.m ,—

 

-'  "was

   

I 1.833013, theT,.Masked Minef.

 

 

fimnownhatheuhyourfaeehwben that

,, , p. y. , V . ,_
‘5 \“And awarrant for mygrrest,’ on
I  g .V r . l4, ,
“Ya. ~ Ibelievo can when it all away,
but Ieoulddo else; on mmtgowith
g untfl the dirtyrmstake can be cleared up,
“Arrest him—put handouts on him, orhe’ll

‘ “E; ' ’m'runnin  thing now”
than Wm “Gill‘s meyoui'word nc’u;

to any trouble, Brown, and no one shall
know that you are under arrest.”
Dan Brown hedtated, but only for a moment.
"I . and thank you for your con-

sideration. old fellow. Get me out of here as '

quietly as possible. Let my poor wife have one
more night.”

“ of them, I hope,” cheerily. an-
 the bigvheartedmarshal. “Ofcourseit

i all a mistake. I’d sooner believe myself,

guilty! I know you couldn’t do it i”. .

Dan Brown made no reply tothls impulsrve
mach, though he felt it keenly, and together

Thaw the room. ,

ofllce was thronged by excited men, who

crowded around the twain with eagerquesti
Int: Ellis bluntly declared that he could
them nothingh more than they knew already,
and shaking em 01!, reached the street.

“To the stone‘jug,’ afcoursel” half-

“Yes,”answeredEllis, his face flushing. “It
h the salient place. Not," be added, hastily,
“that-I 3040:: will to escape, but the

19 are to hly wor up about this aflair,
if they learn that you are a I’m

Lafraid there’ll be serious trouble. A mob is the

devllan’dalltocontrolwhen itoncegets
“You can’t keep the secret long. Someone

will scent it out.”

“ mghformetocollectthewitnesees
who can swear that on were somewhere else
when the an murder tool: place. Then
old Rolfe can’t e1 withdrawn: his charge,
andwe twowill ta etheileldan neverletup
untilwehaverun the realcflminals toearthl”

.Dan Brownmadeno response tothiswarm
speechi’and no more was said until the jail, a
small ut stout stone structure was reached.
Asitwasem’pty, there wasnoone on duty, and

marshal carried the ‘

“It’s not quite as ortable as the Parker
,’ said the marshaLas they entered the
Early building.‘ “One comfort: you won’t
u to heard here long.” ,
‘fThat onthemob,”saidDanBi-own,
‘9‘ film“) you out of here before anybody
howsofthieridiculouscharge. Otcourseyou

course I can’t,” was the re-
“Rolfeswearslwasthepriucrpalrob—
ben~ewearatbathesawm faeeand d

word
“ ‘mnhfl’sfacemnedpabheneaththe
diluraysdthe lantern. :Dan. Brown laughed
softly as he noted the consternation of his

, “ltloohsugly,don’ti oldfellow? I set as
done thiafternotm, I, had found a
do theth the'Ow Ifollowed it

and '
 Otcmn'sel
oncetothespot,artiving just."
they’earriedMMIeoutoftheblasingbufld-

nm the
it? ,

“Aflnela%'bohlenoughtodo what he
thought/right, nidone big, hairy-teem! miner
amongthe crowd that thronged, the Dew Drop
Inn. "' He didn’t drink, nor smoke, nor cuss
an’ fight like we tough masters, but it wasn’t
fiausehtte sang was Llnclrin’.1 When he came out

re, is met er—a  one widdy' woman,

to, she madehim promise not to, an’ henever

. fi ,

““Wuss then all,” broke in another fe110w
the last man in the crowd a stranger would
havepickedmxtasovvningsucha soft and sen-
timental heart. “ That’s the pore gal as he‘was
to bev married—the day set, "an all ready.
She’s over the: now aside him, an’ takin’ on
most turrihlel They do think her little heart’s
clean bu’sted wide 0 u an’ that the same hole
in" the ground ’11 he] all two both on ’em !”

‘Rou h thou it this h was, it touched a.

w ul char in the sorts of thew present.
Rep and bitter curses were showered upon the
foul assassins. mob was slowly but surely
growing ripe for an outbreak—would they find
the victim?

S ntaneous as this all seemed, there were
hid en hands at work, cunningly manipulating
the wires. Not only at the Dew but at
each saloon or place where the excl citizens
collectedz there the some arts were brought in-
to requisition though the master workmen kept
careful} in the background. Those who talked
the mos bitterly were quite as free with their
money as with their tongues, and those who
drank repeatedly at their expense qmte natur-
all accepted their leadership.

naseveral hours were spent, the evil pas
sions rising higher and higher, only lacking a
word to give them direction—a word that was
quickly to come.

A wild yell arose just without the densely
crowded Dew Drop Inn, and then the tall form
ofKin Carmichael was seen forcing his way
tow the bar. Close behind him came the
huge, gorilla-like negro porter of the Parker
House, his ugly countenance bearing an expreo
sion at once proud and frightened.

“Make way, there I” shouted Carmichael. “ I
gagged you who murdered poor Black! This'

“ Killhim—lynch blur—roast the cuss alive!”
flawed 3 dozen furious voices, and as many eager
ads were outstretched to grasp the now ter-
rified negro. '
“ ’Tvz’a’n’t me, gemmeu—don’t kill a pore
er!
" , gentlemen!” cried Carmichael, knock-
in aside the nearest hands. “ The nig er
' n’t do it —- he brings us word who d,

thou‘fil”

“ oora fer thedark’! H’ist himu on the

bareowea kin see an’ hear him!” e ed the

rough—looking fellow who had wax pathetic

oBVi'erlzhe grief of the betrothed bride of Alb-18'
ac , '

With a friendly force that left him well-oi h
naked as hecaxne into the worl and fairy
drove the breath from his body aybird-heel
was hoisted upon the counter, coking down
upon a mass of terribl excited faces.

“Givehim afair c ce gents!” criedCar-
michael. “ You’ll  him clean out 0’ his
sewnteen senses. noel Speak up, blackie.

Tell the truth audyoushall not be hurt. Spit, it

out!”

Thenegroeouldnot so readil recover from
either his airtight or his rang handling, and
hisspeechwasboth rambling and obscure—too
nmchsoto be recorded here at length.

Enough that, his curiosity aroused, he had
contrived towerhearall that transpiredinthe
remnwherethebankerla . Here ted the
accusation made to Sam ' : how the
banker obliged him to swear out a warrant-
toldhowDan BrownofDenvercame inandof
the strange interview which followed. And

toeap the dimmtorthe first timehe
men ‘ whowastheaecosed.
, “Hares Rolfe swan dat do face hesee’din
dar-ndefaceoldemandathwekedlillymsrse

,Blachondehead—hesworedatit’lonedto

marseDaanwnobDenvm-l” ,

rooteeauawe’wenldhemigh to
' red-hotmrbiml Eotmuchl  up?
“Who is this Dan B

 

 

withthev criminals ‘toba'
“" 3%.?“

hun' down. 

honest detective I’d was uptodecidewhichone
I’d best 531‘ ‘ ' for.”

“We know much about DanBrown (1
Denver, outside of what common rumor says,
but we all of us know Edward P. Rolfe. A

ntleman, boom, truthful and on the square.

a would never swear to a lie. He does swear
that the man who butchered Alhus Black was
afterward unmasked by an accident. He
swears that his mate turned the lightfsir on his
face—and that that face was the face of Dan
Brown! So positive was he thathe swore. out a
warrant against the detective, and Sam Ellie
made the arrest.”

“He’ll git his just deserts of Sam isrnnnin’
the machine,” cried an ardent admirer of the

‘2A uarer man was never made: Itranlrly
admit t t. But what. can Sam do! Only
reduce his prisoner when called fen—the mt
'es with the judge, the lawyers and mutttm-
headed jury. Does an man here forasingh
moment believe that Brown will be con-
victed, even though the evidence Was ten times
as direct? If so, he isa fool! It would be'oom
sidered a mi disgrace to each oflicer of
ustice. e would he decided insan0,or else
$Mfellowscavengers would swear to an

1 .

“One of these two things,de be done, if»

Dan Brown of Denver ever be brought into
court on this charge. I say if. And I willedd
jifhedOesgototrial, thenweoneand allure
his accomplices in this foul murders—for he will
sung; go scot free through favoritism.

“ ntlemen, the assassin is in the jail yonder.
What shall be done with him?”

“ Take him out an’ hang him! 'Lynch the
durued ’sassinl”

A single voice broke the silence, but it Was
enough. Just as a spark will explode a mighty
flame, so one word can set a mob in motion.
m wlhaernd once startedika mob of such men as

see y tumors is e anavnlanche—qurte‘
as hard to check. ‘

“ $pread the news!” shouted Carmichael,
leaping down from the counter. “ Tell all the
boys so none will be cheated out of a share.
Down with the murderer!”

Again the moonlighted streets of Golconda
rung With shouts and yells, but far more terrible
and awe-inspiring than the tumult which reigned
earlier in the night, for that arose from a land-
able desire to save-now to destroy! It was
the cry for. human blood!

The two good men whom Sam Falls left to
guard the stonejail, h9g2 the wild outcry, and

pendent'upon them. They knew that this was
ne_ ordinary mob. The m'lifity volume of
united yells told them that. '
their post, g a few out of the should
they elect to stand their they
would, and that without serving him in the

least. Just thecon . It blood h

Dan Brown would be he awonntab‘lzufzre‘it
They in Mincei and read ‘ ch

other’s hearts. rig: theygdidw is nine glue

men out of every hundred would have ‘
they stole away under the shadows, leaving the

 

 

a... ,sfiemmw .. .

 

.n

801 Scam, the Masked Miner.

21

 

 

 W of death—and then die
lfiB‘e f him, perho‘ 1“Iliad his lt bee

liar or . crue n
has ,, 3P8: 5'

At that moment a muscular form pressed
mm the crowd, and with two swift blows,
- ed Carmichael and Gem headlong to the

their prii’sotner at ' l
e cried, pus Dan
' , then facing the minced
inch with a revolver in each hand, cooked and
read for me.

“ ohnndred ontoone man ain’tfair play
gents,” he said, cool as an iceberg)? all outward
appearance. ‘S’pose we maket game a little

“Kill the infernal scoundrel!” splattered
Carmichael, as he scrambled dizzin to his feet
after that terrible blow. '

“Itcain’tbedid quick enou to save you,
stranger for at the fast move I’ make you cold
meat. ’ what Enoch Dodge says, he gen’-
rally backs up.”

’ Just then another diversion came. A strong
horse was ur with bloody spur thmngh the
crowd, knocking over-those barring the way

. soatte- them like nine-pins. Then
hold rider to- the nod and stood shoul-
der to sh with bold cit-marshal of
Grenada

It was Sam. Ellis, and his hands clasped a
brace of revolvers.

“Fall back, you cowardlycursl” he thundered,
his big blue eyes aglow with a dangerous light.
“ Dan is my prisoner, and before you
take him from me, you’ve got to kill me. Back,
orI’llopen fire—andshoo tokill!”

“Twenty-id bullets an’ plenty 0’ cold steel to

fall back on!” la ed Enoch Dodge, recklessly.

“Sail ’ te,w ver you ’15:: read .

megawatt... seems

gittin’ a squar’ meal I”

Lightas a cat,Dan Brown slipped past his
my Gemx, all? 13333 upon fietsh‘gnjfl-

w o more: '

Flinging him to the ground, he tore the leather
belt from around his waist, then leaped back
(almost before his action was noted, much less

understood by the mob. .
“Just to make it a little more interesting,
finflemen,”he cried. with a car-elem laugh, as
faced the mohcoeking the pistolssodex-
teronsly obtained. “1 consider myself Mr.
gins pfisoner,and 2; his commatnfidem'll lay
wn my “ p w come
and , themg M ‘ m’
“ oumustmurder meilrst! Weliveordie
together!”
A woman’s voles—a woman’s lithe form—but
braver, truer heart never faced deadly peril.
RewiwbkndfiachelBi-own stoodbeeide
er husband?

mfigrmm berm pro-

snot

mmtman enough, this
thech

 
   
 

 

Brown never struck Alhus Black—he was not
intown at the time. We have positive
that he is innocent, and by hanging him, you

would have been guilty of foul murder!

“Ed Rolfe swears that Dan Brown struck
the blow that will or has murdered Albus

Black!”

“And he behaves the truth of the oath he
took, no doubt, but when he learns all, he will
be the first man to apologize to Mr. Brown for
the terrible wrong he has done him. You all
Have I ever lied to

A moment’s silence, then an honest murmur
polarity of the ci mar—
won,

“I know who the criminals are. Theyare

know me, gentlemen.

you?”

bore evidence to the
He knew that is point was

and made a bold stroke;

at this moment within homing of my

“Name—mama! P’int ’em out!” yelled .the

crowd.

voice I”

“For you to lynch?” laughed the marshal.

“No, no, gentlemen—I’m a lover of law and
order and then the capture of these rascals will

be a big feather in my cap. You

My plans are so carefully laid that I
pe. They

flank.
have no fear the scoundrels will esca

seelam

are watched, and at the first attempt to flee,

they will be arrested.”
“Bah! he’s givin us tairy, boys! Provo
your words, Sam " bytes-ointing out the
lids you say you have spo ”

Go slow, King
marshal, meaningly.
derers shall be lynched.
only after a regular trial.
lionelslt1 portion of you a little hint.

‘5 9

they raised this cry against Dan
Denver. Those v

than the truth."

“And so give you a chance to run the real
murderer out of danger!” cried a deep voice

from the shadows beyond.

“ If by that is meant Dan Brown of Denver,
he is still my prisoner, and I pledge you my
word that he shall remain in custody until thm

afialr is entirely cleared up. Mr. Brown, hand

me W88

pom”
“ illingl ,” said the detective, surrendering
justice.

Carmichael,” cried the
“I don’t mean the mur-
The shall suffer, but
t I will give the

Owls committed this crime, gentlemen,
and then, to cover their tracks as well as to
dispose of a bitter enemy to all such scoundrels,
Brown of
assassins were the loudest
in c ing for his head. Watch them one and
all one: suffer one of them to leave town—
and you will see that I have spoken no more

his pistols. “I did not arm against

only injustice.”

A rin cheer from the honest ma‘ '
€338 action, and all present hem
‘ hearts and

andthenlhope

ietly " added the city

marshal, frankly. ‘ff I spoke plainlyand
performance

1; Victory was won. thanks to true
readgolemnds.
“ wordmore, .

insideafterthedetective
him

tthehoomt marsh-rebound

Baehelcaugh
impound ittoher '
Fermgmlgubaad’s 

from amour she

for
“ Conn-tell: will
' fool’d eve; dream 0” Dan
‘ dirt onto anybodyuan’ the.

much

bated Wfifi’.
wn .v
hm

proof

 

Ellissayhe’s . 
down? Aiglghckany'mamln-

“Beginwith me, than old frie "in
the man 1, with a sickly amend“ I agno—
but I knew that there was no hope of getting
clearofthatm-owdwithouta ht—andthe
firstshotflredorblowstruckwoul havealgui
our death warrante—unlem I could convince
them that Mr. Bro ‘
sure that the real criminalswere among the
mob, but who theyare, I have no more idea

the man in the moon I”

“A helikethatain’tno lie at all. But now
tell me the hull a’fair. Who’s bin killed, an’
why, an’ how did myold mate git mixed up
into the scrape?”

. “$tillinignorance-and yet youriskedionr
hfieiny defense, not knowing but what w”
as y—

“ Easy, mate!” interrupted the worthy mo.
of Grenada, as the detective impulsive]

“I ain’t no fool, of I do say It my . I‘ve
knowed you sence long store the pin—feathers
begun to sprout onto your face—an’ in all that
time, I never once hatched you 01! o’ the squnr’,
never knowed you to play crooked, even when
the keerds was stocked inst yon.

“ I j got in town this evenin’. I been: the
yelpin’, an knowed than-war fun afoot. Course

peeled out an’ j’ined in. But when I been
your name-when I saw they wasgoin’ to lynch
you—then I knowod the? was foul play some-
whar, an’ I tuck a hand in.”

“And saved his life,” broke in 8am Ellis.
“I feared something of the kind and as I met
with no success out in the h' I hastened
back to town. I heard thenproar,andmade
my horse travel for all be was worth, but I
wouldnhave been too late, only for your brave
move. ,

“He was my mate,” wasthe aim leresponn,
as though that fact comprised all. p

A genuine heart of gold was—and is, I am
glad to state—that worn in the bosom of rough
old Enoch Dodge. 1

Dodge again asked forenl tment, and was
if.“ ““l‘a‘iitiifei “4° ‘39” mmwm

em. e m nee, a
frown wrinkling his brow.

“It’s a t- job-that’s cl’ar enough,”he
common . “ knowold Rolfe; aqneereuongh
critter in some ways, but one who wouldn't
knowin’ly tell a lie or say anythin’ to are n
innocent feller bein’feruntold gold.~ Heb ‘ vet
he eee’ddyour face—”_ '

“He id seeit, Ihave no doubt,” uietly

the detective,

  

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

.   w \ 6 I - . , Rel;  ‘

r . . . ' - .

.i Whoa-y Wednesday. anhIssueCmnpleteandSoldattheUmfmmh‘weofTenOeMs. NoDoubleNumbem N

_ P—v‘, , 7 ' ' . ‘ ’ L
in BY JOSEPH“ n. BADGER. JR. BY WILLIAIII n. EYSTEB. BY com. PRENTISS' INGBAHAM.

Old Sobersidee, the Detective of St. Louis. Dead square . 00’ .8 0mm
I“ White-Hone Wheeler, the Revenue Detective» gg go? Velvet, the 145.3%; Sandi-oak. :3: g: fié‘tfi‘mkgfi" 0" m t any”
g {as DWI “fiat. theggggga No he an Genteel Jim. ngwge. ‘ 854 The Ocean Gipsy. ' '
. us Silky Steele the 3mm Show w re- 3317 Phi Gimmequ Sport ’8 w'mm $3 R: {5% styrtmgmm' Tm he“ Tm
’ . . ' 7 . . v o fist .

- 3‘0 T99» “Eggs mg.“ Nfigglir‘fifirfifd. 852 The Stranger S ’s Shake-u . ‘ 8% The Last of (fieePirategg or, Doom Driven. ‘
a gig“ Rgb th V s 033 ‘ 1:20“? 828 Kirk King. the from ' . 80] The Water Wolves’ Detective; or, Trapping the;
g The ouwhso MR3“? Ch“ , at r 818 Gentleman .Dave, the Dead Game Sport Grave Ghouls.

“8 The Rival RYEMI“ S‘ufle’i’ - 783 The Kinan Trump. 791 The Coast-Relder’s Rummage. ‘ ..
Km me on 3- n 767 The Sport of Silver Bend. 748 Arizona Char-tie the Crack-shot Detecttve.
m Gilligan ~ 6333:1390 - V; - 77$ gfinglfimfegmg Bounce. 6% 'filvisible lieustegeggiurd Detective.
WP“? . e Red-s u .
816 The 803% mach-d s «87 Double Cinch Dan. the Sport With :1. Chem. 679 Revello. the! Pirate 033w; or. The Rival Item
a Tamil D'm. - Defwuvmnb Th 9"? 677 My. Jackson, the Gent from Jaybird. 672 The Red Rapier; or, The Sea Rover-’3 Bride.
"a 9 1317500th meres mu? 83810- g Guemzlzgtghp 2) or, Roltéan and His Rovers. 662 [The fiw Drtficetive; or, The Beautiful Convict.
.3 . , , Luck r e no Han . he var’s t foution.
 The Jogonrgwge 189- 634 Old au‘t's Big Dump. 635 The Ex’Buecanee-r: or. The Stigma. of Sin.
whim . Do the vet . r m The All Around Sports. 625 Red Wing; or, The Gold Seekers of the Bahama.
954 {who D, Deni, . — d. m 003 Desert Alf, the Man With the Cougar. 615 The Three hue-cancers.
Dewa‘Pme em- or! W 690 Gentle Jack, the ‘ h Roller from Humbug. 610 TheRed Flag Rover;or,WhiteWimsof the Deep.
,1“ WSW has - the Silvers Seven Shot Steve, e Sport witha Smile. 605 The Shadow Silver Ship.
m The Sum, or Old mu m The Dude Detective. 600 The Silver Ship: or, The Sea Scouts of ’76.
m The of Silk ' c370"- Hm-rah Barry, the ‘ h florse from Halcyon. 59:5 The SeaRebe]: or. RedRovereottheRevolutioq
- . mm a“; Bea Bolshamr-Bfick, the mm! of Blue Blazes. 59? Conrad. the Sailor Sp ; or. True Hearts of ’78.
m . e . 30‘“ But“. Oregon, the Sport WithaScar. 581 The Outlawed Skipper; or, The Ganflet Rum,
mm! The Dude from Denver. 560 The Man from Mexico.

Pinnacfe Pete; or. The Fool from Way Back. 553 MmkMonte, theMutineerorflhe BrandedBa-k.
gflgr Sunshine, the Man or Three Lives. 546 T3”: Doomed Whaler: or,"rhe Life Wreck. v
rTom of Bed Bend. 530 The Sav _ of the Sea.

E53§§§§§§§§5§5§§§§§§

 

      

     
 

The Get- ere Sharp. . so, _ Th , , .
“I swam, Steve, the Sky 8 W m sfigpg; m, or. . e Angels 'Flat Racket. 524 The Sea user. or. The Pirate Noble.
. from W per ve, or, The Gut Ed . 510 El Moro, the Corsair Commodore.
:3“; ymngfifikfh” Dwaimmfive‘  (igloo the Three in One. 86  493 The Scouts of the Sea.
a: M _ 1033,1119 lemming. . e an 'some rts, pr, The Combination. 457 The Sea Insurze at. or. The Conspian
‘17 The Sack gnu-098 E,“ _ Demnger chk, the an thh the Drop. «6 Ocean Ogre, the Outcast Com.
507 Big ' y, the B adier’ot  Magicfllks. ‘he Man of Frills. 435 The One-Armed Buccaan _
m > m, the r ,9me 8.13 on . . Captain Cutsxeeve: or. The Little Sport. 4:!) The Fatal Frigate; or. 311813 in Inn-ll! Wan,
m m,“ s- ; 0,. Sack 4’, SW The Two Cool Sports: or, Geme or the Gulch. 399 The New Monte 0mm. ‘
m The " ck 31m, ; or, emmwmom. Hands Up; or, The nghts of the Canyon. 893 The Convict Caption.
555 Grip-Back Sid. the Sample Sport, r Soft Hand. Sharp: or, The Man with the Sand. 37? Afloat and Ashore: or. The Corsair 00!:th
m The Buried active: or, San“ Six W I Pistol Paras; or, The Buent Sport from Cinnabar :32 gig gust Coasmr: or. The Siren or the -
 E  ‘ffeMggcgmetmflg-m D u I BY NED nnmrnmn. 34, The Sea $3360?" The Queen °‘ W“ 0°“
~ I) ' Diamond Demon“. W  the Privateer. $36 The Magic Snlp' or. Sandy Hook Fro-cheaters.
V» from 533 Sea 8 y. 825 The Gentleman Irate; or. The Cuseo Harm!
2‘): m%t?§ebw Rm gmgnfifim m The Red lg-ivaveer; or. The midshlpmen Rover. 318 The Indmn uuccaneer: or. TheRed Rovers. a.
, . . 58% fire Feather. the Buccaneer Ki . 807 The Phantom Butte; or. The Water. Wolves
{g TRatthhepate Rog. has The Roundbead 3 Reprint! 517 Buflalo Burs First Trail BK 256 The Pirate Priest‘ or The Gem oler‘e he».
{74 Dada fl‘gfwfim of new  m Tombstone'Dick, the Trai Pilot. £46 333w Helen, the'Anfazon of the Ove
0k). is and ’Ready the of Sundown 1” 83“: Sabberday. the Idiot  , 235 ntuhxg the Man of (finance.
gm c... D»- m P... ' m  - 1:; e:  demo!”- e we... “fit?” mien e. c.
A ~r; ’ . . . _; . . e er ;0r 1-9 or“: me.
ya omhofiifingicfi‘ . Lyon“! 3 H 16 Themes Wand; or, The Seminole Prophet. 2‘32 guhwaaneefi Begum [Kong-:10! tfhtehgen.
hing -" ’ Pad ‘ e mer rate';0r, yo Logo“. ’
m The amlfigfiymggm 88m SW at JACKSON KNOX—“01d Hawk.” :3: $.13.) skexezgnscsfhooner; or'igrlefiazsllénfilefia ~ , ,1
. 16 Monte Jim. the Black Sheep-of Bismarck. 333 on G Btu] Hunt. 0 Scafle ooner: or. e e ..
. g: £321?” meg: or, The finpe or Pan Bundle. 32,7 $te§éi€ w 3519,]? we?” on Grip, % Monteztuixirzuii 3
“m 90”- ‘ ‘ 7'78 9 t :- tecive’ or. 8011p ' 1519' ‘ vnw MW? \
B M Aim, the Duke of Derringem. 770 The Showman Deco give, 1‘
:R Dark . the Ishmael! the Hills. 7“ 01d Grip. the Detective. m  ;II‘%;PMS' ,‘v‘nnn‘
’3 03$,” . “1° m With 3 W 748 Captain Clew, the Fighting Detective. l » Dan Adam? 0 0: “mg? M
a A yal muse: or, Dan Brown’s Big Game. 739 The Hurricane pfmfivfi. 583 Captain 7 1r. the h t e n .
m. Jmnping Jerry. the Gmecock from Sundown. “3 Charlemagne, the 3mm Sifter, 533' 0mm Midnis t. t 6 N88 cm“.
at Stan-ha; Steve. the Mad Athlete. - _ gm Magi-ms. the weird Detective. Mt The Back to Back Fords.
a: N“, wathghim  "I" g   crust Dem 233 m3? $33k, the Centaur of the m
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'3'“ 0mm Charley, the Gold N et  574 Old Falcon’g Mme. 431 California t, has Alwayg on mud.
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555 P13” 109m : 01" One Man in a W- 586 om Falcon 3 Foe: or. The Detective‘s Swell Job. 338 Y “1% B “at” T
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to seem _ 7 Ringo! Reuters. ‘ 494 513%., pge‘mmctimfs 3%,; :07 on D 38:0. or, I “was? enndhb um.
fiTheOIdnoyofTomhetone. \ , mmwmmega, rum lgflfitemm o t n eerie, .
135- 535395,?“eflmml ‘ 11:.M mm :75; Pfi‘mmmnffims; “made, so A lien 3r Nmme- cream the Dwuf.
«no eweee William. the Trapper Detect-tie. 455 Then“ fiec‘fmve. ' *~ 5‘ Alwm on Rani: or. The Foot-Huh sport.
1% W. the errible , Ir “1 Gripng the, Rocket Detective‘ M :9 Tiger Dick. Faro Kin . or, The Camel”: Cru~
mioaqum, the-Saddam. a .  h. 444 Thelnfikbetective: or, TheHiddenHend. ' ‘ mm‘PDer- 01" “mammal. er
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  “ ‘

 

 

 

 

 

 

’hllin the face

_ HMWmdthemissfle
 'Themmthcncfiger-likeleap,
I ' washeddethe throne andbending

neck drontingsterny:
-*“-‘l§ackl dare tomiseevenafinger,andyour

the‘death of a (12%! And you
011st, struggle even the 'gbtest, andI

bleau.

inter holding the owl-beaded
chief pairinlly oubled over the table, his blood-
Itnined weapon resting its keen point directly
overthe seat of life, his blue eyes flashing de-
fines at fire crowd of weirdly masked men,
were gm, bfigo dared rig;
attain tense them, the1r' ' an mas r
should’itii .

“Bid your men lay their weapons on the
floor, then fall back to the pit, yonder. Heel-
tate, and by the heavensebove us, you die, even
though I perish the instant after I”

“Do as he directs,” huskin uttered Major

let. 4

Slow]? the masks obeyed, disarming and fall-
ing boo to the edge of the abyss, where they
formed in line. -

“Hold up your hands, I don’t care to trust

u gentry too far, after the specimen of double-

_' this sweet—scented beauty has shown.

There-that looks begeiite Remain so_ until you
permission r your p051 .

Whiley speaking, Sol Scott, still holding his
weapon in place, deftly unbuckled the belt
worn by Major Owlet, and first assuring himself
that the revolvers were loaded, stepped back a
couple of paces so as to command the whole
pargyawith the brace of pistols which he deftly
one o . ‘
“Keep your seat, old man, and never mind
about turning your head; I’ll excuse your
back,” he cried, as Major Owlet made a motion
to arise. “ Now ask my pardon for the treach-
ery on showed me--”

“ " if I do 1" growled the enraged outlaw.

CHAPTER Xi V.
run PRICE or DAN nnown’s mm
801:. Scour. laughed pleasantly at this blunt
nee. '
“ That sounds more like a man than anything
I have heard you say yet.

i
a

 

A few more hours
of association with a gentlemen, and you will
be 'te decent com uy.”
“ on can mock, into you have me foul,”
wled Major Owlet. “But one thing is sure.
gt?!) can never escape from this stronghold
alive, to boast of how you played With the
Owls. You can kill me, but before you can
flreasecond shot,the crowd will be on your

book for vengeance.”

“ I don’t place a very high value on my life,”
laughedSo Scott, “but Iamnotsmhafoolas
to exchange it for yours alone.” .

“ Come, call a. truce]I the t
Hercules. “ Let’s talk the matter over to at

W? ease-—

“ Still there in the oponr’sneered the miner.
“I thought I sawyou dodging underthe table,
to save your us carcass. ‘

“My dear sir." was the cool response, y
are annoyed because I showed myself a man of
more sense than my fellow challengers-because
Iwould notconsent to stand upand let you
knock medown, slash ander cut andthrust
just as though I didn’t cost anything. I frankly
owned that you were my master at ting,
and withdrew my challenge, not altoget bee
 Itearsd death at your hands,bnt be-
came I had more importmtwork for youto

do. - ,
“‘Oncwonldthink,toheer mtalk,that
~you wererunning thisshow. hoax-cyan,

we 1" ~

W01:sz saved you trombeinghutchered
without havhig‘ even mahostofashow foryour
m’lsquenked the “If  my,

“ on, do," was the grad? response. “The
at)!” wand“ havehgaehbofiedhaintosouplong
‘crethis, e on me vein we —-
, “Mdmyybutflgm.m&gbtgadlx

These mnoeoun emu: , as
Solace“ feltwell assured. The camellia!
 , y ‘ atheingthushumilntsd
r‘ filly word. here is low, Er. Boeflfirssmned
 “and were I to give the

even

wflmfisgywofi

H

jor
,~_“,  mums.”
"  “7,”.

not them

  

:thisletterand

_  to

301 Scott, the Masked Miner. -

binding to me,unless I so pleased. But now,
whameragreetqwillbemlflllod.

“ You were ca tured and broughtheretosuf-
ferdeath scco 'gtothe rules governin the
Owls. Nb mortal power but mine could ve
saved you. I saw you handle ourself last
night, and I knew then that it re lived a
man who could kill Dan Brown of Denver, you
were he.”

“k , you picked me out to do an nssassin’s
wor

“Would it be the firsttime?” swiftly retorted
the mask.

Sol Scott flushed hotly, then turned pale as
death. There was a da rous light in his blue
eye and never before the not Hercules

nearer death’s door than in t at moment.

“ I have spies who serve me well, Sol Scott—
i! that is the name of your choxce,” quietly
added the mask. “ I did not know you ’were
other than you seemed, last night, but before
noon today, I knew all about you.”

“ Indeed?” eered the mine r.

“That you were arrested by Dan Brown of
Denver—that you and he went togither to the
Parker House, where boards the <1 you res-
cued from Vernon Shadutz—t-hat e is’Dan
Brown’s wife-4hr“: you told them the story of
your t lite and the crime for which you

were unted down—”

“An adroit spy, truly ” coldly interrupted
Sol Spam, “but could he read between the

“ I don’t know as I exactly understand on.”

“Many a smarter man has‘said that fore
you, old fellow ” retorted Scott, laughing soft-
y. “ After all, what do you know or me?”

“Enough to hang on, if I chose to hand
you over to justice. I now that there is a re-
ward of twenty thousand dollars still offered
for gar capture, dead or alive—” .

“ ouble that amount, and.you would be
more 11' ht,” coolly said the miner, “though
you won d have to visit hall a dozen States to
collect the. blood money. You seem to know
fiart of my history. You know that I fled from

ew York, just ten years , with the life-
blood of an enemy on my ban But you don’t
know how those ten years were s nt; you
don’t know what various shapes an dis ' es
the ex-colonel of cavalry assumed. Shall tell

you? -

“ In Mexico I earned the name of El Diablo.
In Texas men turned pale with fear when they
heard whispered the name of Captain Satan.
In California, I was the Death King, while in
Nevada I gained some little notoriety as Steel-
Spring. Othernames I have been given, but
“i? “11.1%” “lestk’imfid u: speak

I' awet e we upon 9 or,
while even the squat gamules involuntarily
shrunk back. Each one of the titles enum-
erated, had been borne by a reckless and merci-
lessdare—devilinthedaysgoneby whohad

ed himself a terrible sec to
tested. Crimes enough were
of each, enough to damn their author
forever. It did not seem possible that one man
alone could have performed all these—and yet,
after what they had that night witnessed of his
marvelous prowess in three widely dilferent
flelth, nothing scorned im ble after all.

Low and mockin 1y 80 Smith laughed as be
noted the eflect of disclosure.

“Dofyou wonder now at my reckless disreo
gardo lith Athousnndtimes I have seen it
trembling in the balance-sevensepnra noose:
have been drawn around my throat-yet I still
hmmdhavewmctobelievethatlwin never
die with my boots on.”

“Ityonareall that youclaim thenmore
‘thaneversm I glad that I saved your life,”
said the mask, slowly. ‘

“ That I may do the dirty work, you are
afraid to attenmt?” mocked 80 Scott. ‘I have
ledtool toaetasanymnn’stooi now. Be-
sides, Dan wu is a white man—white clean
through. By a trick be but be-

the regions
at the door

in.”
mgBecause your wife 1pleaded for you, sud'he
had erroneous ornotcrossingherwrll,
open at least. But last night Dan Brown
Mam-Maitmthesealyetunbmken
--butI wager my fighthandlcangneuin
contentsn-omtheeddrm”
“Themdlighttromthe skulls shone npouthc
gilteenvelopanudSochcttread mouldin-
It was directed to the Ghicf
Mountain Detective Association, at Denver,
“Be bisword nottoerrut but
you telemet- Yonrefused. ewrote
mailed it. Icon 
tentawithm U¢M.Nmm
“You  foremoth detectiveto

 on make same-wand Solace

.9“le

 mi‘

them-ck,
an! id is.

 

 

me,
causelchnncedtomehiswifqhesetmofm,

oftheRccky‘

  _
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discover his presence. He uh that ogood

manmayhesentouttotskeyou in.” ,
Withadark frown SolScctttookfinletter

and read it himselt. The mask had spoken

trul . w

22% I fillhg’wl m“ momma”
on proo in your

said the mask. q y
“Bah! I have seen bolder tricks than that
layed. M mi ht have written this—and far
ore likel to t Dan Brown of Denver,”

bluntly cried the miner.

“That can be readily proven,” calmly re-
turned the mask. “ I will seal the letter again.
They will think nothing of the direction being
in a strange hand, for naturally Dan Brown
would not want his presence here 2 ted,
and the tmark might tell talesat the nvsr
office, w erehis hand is known. Inside of a
week, the new detective will be here. Dan
Brown will point you out to him. When he
makes the arrest, you will be convinced.”

“No doubt,” dryly uttered Scott. “That
would be convincing I"

“ You are hard to please,” laughed the
mask. But fasting aside, Dan Brown wrote
that letter. I the man sent for don’t cane in-
side of a wee he will write again. His honor
is pled ed at t e oflice to bring you to 'ustice.
It is eit er yourlite or his. Take our c nice.”

“ Tell me why you areso set on ‘s death?’

“That is none of your business, but still I
will explain. Dan Brown came here to break
up the Owls, “list as he did the hand of Captain
hooushine. am interested in this family, and
besides that, Captain Moonshine was one of my
nearest friends. For these reasons I have sworn
that the detective shall die. I came here, in-
tending to do the work, but now that I have got
a hold on you, I prefer taking my revenge
through a de uty.” .

“ Suppose refuse, what then?”

“ You will never leave this stronghold alive!
But you will not refuse. You know that Dan
Brown has dealt you one treacherous blowin
the dark, and feel that he will not hesitate to
follow it up with others, if necessary.”

“ You Will not be satisfied with anything less
thrfiirdeathl Would not his disgrace answer as
we .

“ No, he must die, ” came the stern response.

“What security have you that once own
from here and a free man, Iwill not brea
what pled you my exact, and betray you
and these ellows‘i” * , v

“ The very best of security. We all know
Lou, while you are in utter ignorance concern-

gus. True, you may res ct, but sue icisn
does not go for. You were rought here d-‘
folded, and you will be taken awn in the
same manner. It you had the new 0 nblcodv-
hglllnlg, you tgold nogretrttajce yourst b And
s ou you . you ie. mqu
one or more Owls will be watc log you? 

night and day. Your ev movement will
be noted, your every w overheard and
brou t to me. M V ’

“ on have seen none of our faces, ave those
of Rocker Shadutz and Turk Elder. ‘ of
those lies dead, the other knows no more than
you—for he was brought here in the some man»
nor. Even our voices and our forms have been
disguised. You might pass an one or us on
the street within the hour, never suspect

our: . r

‘_ "I kfrankly, for I want you to under—
standt at thereisonly one courses nfcr you
to follow. 00:! man as young itc-

in thedark, shallot from emhnshmraspdnka
ling o: strychnine on yonrmsutcsnlayyon
low;and itDanBrown is divest the end
of a washer you ctr/em togivewth‘c
slip by lcvanting, you will hymn! than
1'3???ka lainandtc‘ " t-- illl"
.f on  ' _ aw
boldiyretume'ii Sol econ. “ any.”in
wordssahrotherrssalmt nBronn‘
Denver shall die-on one condition.

,cndDen

 
  
 
  

 
    
   
    

      
     

 

 

 

 
    

 
   
 
    

 

 

 

 

his could cover both ’ .
mum to' t,I’ ' toba’

. ‘ t 1:: going ve
E manor _
Vernon Shallots was the first to oheythis

' order, by cing his revolver, and
momma ° "3%? °%J'§smma°%’ u.

W83 3 P Y 9

s entrance of marshal.

“ cheap way togsin a reputation: for cour-

age, Sol Scott!” he sneered. “Almost any cur

would _ zout; bold from, when backed up by

Sam
“You see, Mr. Ellis, what a false position
' our interference places me in,” cold] uttered
golscott, turning to the officer. “ ot thatI
mind what that overgrown bully says, but there
may be some honestmen resentwhomaythmk
the same—that I only re ed here because I
knew you were at my back. Oblige me by re—
tiring, and let us have it out.”

Themarshalshook his head,his stern coun~
tenanoe not relaxing.

“Then you place me under the disagreeable
neeemity of begfilng the name and address of
me who will no as your friend, pointedly ob—
served Sol Scott, cool as an iceberg. ‘

To an the worthy marshal washstonished, is
to put 1: case very mildly indeed. He had in-
tattered on behalf of one man who was threat-
ened by half a dozen—for by this time the dis-
comfited wrestler had recovered his wits suf-
ficiently to range himself alongside his brother
--end new, in retum for saving him from al-
most certain death. that man was coolly chal-
lenging him to mortal combat!

‘ or the lore o’ humanity, bum don’t bu’st
the circus up altogether};ng Funny
Felix. pathetically. “Ropes disa ’intgnents
on seen a tenderp’int’llsurely sen memtoa

declin
“The calaboose, more likely,” bluntly inter-
' - V, turning agmanol Scott, he said:
“ cannot answer your last speech just at
present, because 1% on «minds? let first rgst
orthepreeent. i you in yexp ’nw y
you think I should withdraw? What is the
quarrel between you and big Shadutzl”
“A naturalcuriosity to see which of us shall
reignchietof the town,” carelessly replied the

inner.

"Don’t you swaller that, boss!" cried mey
Felix, earnestly. “ A gal-critter slamanaded
in yer dressed out as a lie-man, an’ was enjoy-
m’ of herself all alone, when puny black eyes,
yonder, pranced to her an’ smacked her
right on the gob. ’gonrse she bn’sted her glam
in his face, an’tbeu this gent, yer, he made old
Erick-top git down on his bunkers and ex par-

on— .

A savage growl from Shadutz as he started
toward the veteran with clenched fists, cut short
the valuable account,'and Funny Felix whirled
about, hands up in good shape, by no means
anxious to avoid the an giant. But Ellis
mambo? Shadow back rwi a significant look

to mistaken. ,
"You’re none  for it, even if it isn’t

‘ “I
rmwmespons

true,” he said, then turned again to Scott.
2‘me are determined tohave it out with them, ,,
‘ Ir. Scotti”

“Certainly; Shadntz bears my mark, and he
, h’t the kind of animal that forgets easily. We
must come together sometime Aprovided he
couldn’t sli in astroke whenmy back was
tamed now is as any other."
“ Your ‘ lis with him alone, then?”
V “Well, he is the one I mean to markflrst,
first not particular as to One or two more or
run together, and form such a sweet
.  crowd that it would be a pity to scatter
“new. Thesixwill ‘ ,abontanave e
 and I’m willing to take them in a lump.
‘ There was a  insolence in the
wordsandtone of t speaker that electrified
gal-om! and almost maddened» Vernon Sha-

  

 

 

    
 

a,

s..."‘-‘Y:?‘ ~ "firemen?!"
‘ n e w ' o a ea

be of y “But'yoigapmgtahog, 

, g buckskin.
 added, coaxingly,addremin Scott. “You’re
, ,fiwillin’ to Weill) With a friin ,min’t ye? That‘s

thrash“ forum,
too. henthebom,

 
 
 
    
 
   

  
 

.‘ ywhofirst

am to arrange the details—you can have your
littleamusementjpstassoonasypu .’

“Iamagreed, saidScott, . “And,
marshal, I ask your pardon for the hasty words
I spoke a moment since." .

‘ toAndSOygu, Shadutz?” asked Ellie,’ after how-

0 t. '

in?“ It would have been settled before now, only
for your interference,” was the sullen regains,
“ but you’ve wasted too much time in king.
Look at my eyes—they are nearly blind, and
full of bits of glass. Am I in condition to
fight a’duel? Ican scarcely see acrossthe
room.”

ezd ht :sghcross a haulilikezcnléiet, and ting-dials;
n oey't,cooy, evenoonm
ousl uttered 801 Scott. .

“ want to kill you, but not bad enough to
commit micide,” said Shadutu, with an angry
scow .

“Mr. Ellis, Iwillmakeone more
If that is refused by the other

heisnot very anxiousto tme. Fixa

ew boards onto of the windm by the gulch
fora platform. t us up there, armed only
with a knife each—or just as that follow prefers.
The moon gives light enough—everybody can
seet’hefnn, andatthesametimebeouto den.

ger.

“That’s better, and I’llagree—knives alone,”

eagerly cried Vernon Shadutz.

o o the rufllan justice, he was quite as
anxious for the fray as was 801 Scott, but he
spoke true when he said that his eyes were in
no fit condition for fighting a duel with fire-
arms. They had been injured by the glass
which the masked woman had shattered in his
face, and b no means bettered when Sol Scott
dealt him t at terrible “mule kick.”

On a narrow stage, where dodging was out of
the question, where the combatants must stand
up breast to breast until the weaker gave way,
his enormous strength must revail. And then,
too. he was an e ert with e knife.

With difficulty e smothered a shout of ex-
ultation, lest Marshal Elli who he knew was
no friend of his, should thi the odds too great,
and refuse to let the affair go on. The
officer did look ve, but the pro ition hav-
ing come from ott, he could me e no objec-
tion without shewing too plainly where his
sympathy lay.

As already shown, the moral laws of Golcon-
da, as is generally the case with young mining-
towns, were not very rigidly enforced, and
duels and street fights were nggreat rarity;
but there was something orig“ about this
gigging and the outsiders were correspondingly

Volunteers to arrange the platform were not
lacking, and chief among). them was Funny
Felix, who took a strange interest in the affair.
Plank, mers and nails were procured, and
the crowd moved quietly t h the town,
pausing just beyond the city ’mits whom

oomed up a massive structure, yramidal in
shape, the blunt apex surmoun by a round
top of heavy timbers, some eight feet in dis.

meter.

This was the frame of a, windmill, as yet un-
finished, and on this, when covered with planks,
file airduel was to be fought.

“I’m ’ally h’ilin’ over with fun,” said
Felix, when the planks were firmly nailed in

lace, looking over the edge, “ but while
hold my sober senses, you won’t ketch me
fightin’ a man mountin’ on no sech hi -toned
riggln’ as this—not much! What life t e knife
19317 thewa down yonder ’11 take p’isen
nasty o ‘
’ Thirty feet below, lying thickly on all sides
were‘rough bowlders, a fall on which could-
hardly be other than certain death. Not far

mggestion.
,then I

away, some twenty feet lowar, ran the dark

waters, breaking here and there into team over

' a sunken rock.

Funny Felix descended and reported all in

"Gentlemenfsaid Ellis, midi-easing the duel-
ists, “let one thing be understood. As marshal

,ofthis town,Imeantoseethatbotbofyo)¥

have fair play. After the flight oueo begins,
course you each look out or yourselves, and
snytrlclrsyouma seeflttouse in gainin an
advantage over other, will be conm‘ red
{strand part of the Buttrngtil I 've the
sign youarsnnflr can a sense
the mean shines down 0%,,1' wilth the man
“Nowle ouwineachonebesearched
to make sure that neitherbearsanyconoealed
gill tom or w . ’

man who

me his side, stickh’isknife-poiut down in the pun

  

‘closetotheed

some thatnofrlend

 

gs. Hewillthencomedo’
man will do the same thingonly

other
the side.
waemhedagamtomab

“9
“W

,manwhowont

'ish rhtinthoeeblnee asneerin
_ 1 Hz yes. 8

 

duel, and the bestman hasgotto
satisfied? Is there any point V
stated that you dmi’t fairly understand?
“ Nothing could be clearer, and I, for one,
am ect- y satisfied,” said Sol frankly.
wled Shaduil, “ but It seems to
me ’re t 'ng a mighty of
getting us to work.”

“ You maythankyourown hard reputation
for that,” cool] retorted Ellis,  a
gold eagle. “ ds or  Shadn Gall
outwhile the coin is in the air.

“‘Headsrcriedtbe ' asthe’eo'm revolved
swift] over their bee and tortune seemed to
hes  upon . ,

g .

“ Heads it is, and you have first click.

Stand and let me search you,” said the

quickly assuring himself that the giant

no weapon save his long, heavy howi ' 'fe.
With a devilish Inn of anticipated triumph,

Vernon Shadutz clim up to the platform,

chose the side where the moonlight would fall

n his back, stuck his knife into the

t en descended, Sol dScott went he the

same per ormance an returned- tot ground.
By this time Shadutz was researched, and

five minutes later the two deadly enexnies stood

u n the platform, back to back, handselevated

a ve their heads, every muscle in readiness

for a swift leap for the gleaming weapons the

instant Marshal Ellis should utter the fated

signal.
“Gentlemen, are you ready!” demanded
Ellis, his revolver raised and covering the

motionless d ' . I

Promptl _ the answer came; clear and cold
from the of Sol Scott; hoarse and vengeful
from the r -haired giant. ,
. A brief pause of suspense almost painfulin
its intensity, then: '

“ TIME 1_” thundered the marshal of Golconda. ‘

.Ones‘mft stride carried each duelist to where
his knife stuck in the floor-at the same instant
their fingers closed upon the handles—then a7
gasping cry came from the “bad crowd ” that
sugarted Vernon. Shadutz, for t‘ saw the
k e shp from his fingers! Inhis stetobo;
first armed, he had not fairly grasped the

handle! ‘
Afiercecurse from his lips ashetumed tore-
gl the expected attack; but the tall form of '
1 Scott stcod motionless. Acold laugh echoed
thrimgh the night air, and he said, contemptu-
ous v: ' '
. “Pick up your knife, blunderer, andhandlo‘
it more cleverly than that. Or Satan will has
yogi-(3%;th {services forever!”
. o earcretoverthegian andhe
involuntaril ‘ shuddergd as he once morggra *
his knife. is was no ordi man aga
whom he had ittcd himself, and for the firfl
time he doubt the result of the duel. ‘
He had little time for neflection, however.
The moment he was armed and stood erect, Sol
geott strode forward and boldly attacked him
in his own position. . ‘ "
“qu to one in hundreds ontoSol Scottr’en-
thosiasticall cried Funpfi'elix, as those below
3 n .

“so a. I w
‘ p ,o man!”criedElli 
“K0 "milling on life and death while 1%:
aroun .

“You cain’t choke me of! from seein’th fun,
an bow,” grumbled the veteran ’49 er. e‘llm
sic fun—look at that!” '

a metallic clash the long hea knife»
’shllt‘lriyllypar-

  
  

      

 

 

. With
blades came together as Shaduts
tied a blow that would otherwise have cleft his

heart in twain
lateel: ahet’dgelisstts £0: stood  tootover»
appangoo ree' reast,tbeir’e_glow-
lug bitter hatred into each other,  one

sternly resolved to cemqner or die! '
Like statues the stood from the  »
To retreat or be orced back meant   7

park

 

       
  
 
  
       
 
  
   
  
   

  
    
 
 
  

the rocks below. Baphil their blows f
swiftly thrusts were madeg—hnt each was .

tied. They were veryskmful in the '
Eugen?)e and the  ~
rs wthong t eqm mate mt
Shaduts knew better. There was a cold, devil-
. smilethat
the white teeth through the tawny
mustaches, thattold him he was being at
with, that his mastersth before hint- 
The knowledge made him furious, and his
Vining blade was handled with 
creased fury. A Slowly, inchbyinehfiolficott
 and from the lips otRncher
Shadutz, below, came a wild yell of. triumph—— '

otthe' ‘

  

  

  
   
  
 
   
  

  
  
 
 
  
  

hut‘ittoundno echo in' theheart,
m ’ Thatsl'eady‘smlleot
 contempttoldhimthet '

ngflnggroundofhis f 

‘ onwmstandingsoneartbeedge

 
  
    

 

 

. Sperksflewfromthetenipemd 

  
 

.
2'
i
«i

J,’
.

 

 

 

 

801 Scott, the Meeked Miner. 9

 

m

These Mm‘spolen doe-iv, cehnly, but
may cost thewoman agony beyond the power
a! pen to depict. 7 -

‘ Letmetell you the story from thebegin—
 lady, an’ then you kin git at the rights of
' tter.

‘11 . - ‘

“MynmeisEm Drake. Five year ago I
hadagood fnnn, wellstocked and fixednpin
Kama. I was gittiu’ along in life, but I wasn’t
sansfied' to make hastebzlowly, egg rgggiymti’xed

in a mi yin t we usi-
fige; thatggyteglain' bossesgg’ other stock, an’
refinirn’ ’em dowgigSomh to agarket. h I ,

» ewsss gsug,w1 reg’lar wsan
rules,,a.nd. spread over half a dozen States. We
hedasmart‘ man for chiegan’ we would each
oneo’theband, hevlaid our livsson hisfaith~
follies. You can gm how bad we was fooled,

 whenlmythatombosethemis the man now

knowed as Dan Brown, of Denver.”

Dara Drake paused, as though expectingan
outburst of indignation from the listener, but
she only nodded or him to continue. Despite
herself, the cold, matter-of-fnct manner with
which the old man gave these details, was
slowly but surely underminino her faith in the
man who had wedded her. I7'or now she re-
membered that long ago, soon after they were
married, Dan Brown had told her something
of this gigantic league, had said that he was the
chief means of breaking itup and destroying
the head crimith this b ' ° texploi
proved the first stifling-stone to t ‘ pinnacle
of fame which be since reached sea success-

ful detective.

“They was only me an’ my son an’ my
da’terRose in the fau‘bly,” resumed the old
man, his voice growin harder and more bitter
as he proceeded. “ don’t say we was clean
0’ sin an’ wrong-dohi’, but I do say we wasa
happgsf‘ombly ontel he come. I knowed from
the that it wasn’t fer mv comp’n nor yit
the sake o’ Jehudi’s talk that the an’some

chief called so often an’ skipped so long
ate me, but I didn’t keer then. was read
to tell the truth for I honored him, an’t ought
m Rose con dn’t do no better then to marry
' But the day come- when my eyes was
was. ’

“I cain’t talk
lady sn’fthen such stories wasn’t ’tended for
cars like you're. ~ Enough that our chief growed
tired of Rose, an’ left hen—mined an'disgreced.

opened, an’ I saw the human sarpiut as he

_ y' farmer-as
used tohsngarounda’terRoseonte heeewhe
stood no show, ’longside the hen'some onn
strangenwho so e,woresec rlcfi
Rd and hadsomneh money. ButRose

to mull, an’we fetched him back atthe
mindset a

havediedlihea I

“We tuck him k an’he married Rose.
l‘hey lived a 9 while, onto! the

y come, he meg We didn’t

the fsctflmnhntall whilehem

quiet after the ,he was plottiu’an’
schemin’tobreakupthel

“This do mhhllleagu: w rreetegna
Almost a we or
killed. Jehudiyan’mewsstnckamong

“g
i
5’
i
3
i

‘ histh wife!”
$5335, ’ .... n a foul m-
ention  I” cried Rachel,

of it easy even now,

She ,
went dou’tob I’llla downoh the 110’ an’

 

she felt that this terrible accusation was foumisd
on fact.

“I don’t or you to trust my word alone,”
grist}? said Drake. “Go ax at the office of

an rown hes bin sent away on secret duty-—
of he left town by the Samoa say he told
yougou kin Peru by the ’ ’ agent.”

“ e may—he must have had good reason—
but that he is the husband of your daughter,
that I never will believe!”

“The marriage is on record; I kin bring the
judge as spoke the words over ’em,” coldly
added the old man.

“ Some villain assumed his name, then-x”

“Could a rascalborry his face nu’ form an’
all, too? Here is a. picture which he bed tuck
fer Rose, the same week flit-3y was married.
Look at it—nn’ read them we 3 on the back.”

Pale as a ghost, Rachel clutched the oto-
graph Drake extended, but n blood- mist
swam before her eyes, and the could at first dis-
tinguish nothing. vBut then, like a phantom
slowly shaping itself out of nothing, the face
and fl of the young, handsome detective
grew c ear and tomb) lifelike.

Even she could don no longer, though the
picture had been taken some years before she

new Dan Browu; it was the likeness of the
man whom she had called husband! She turned
over the card, and read the words written upon
the back:

“ To my wife Rose—«HARRY DUPONT.”

“That was the name he went by when he
was our chief,” said Ezra Drake picking up the
picture from the floor, where it had fallen from
the nerveless fingers of the stricken woman.

For a few moments there was silence, then
once more the undyih love which Rachel felt
for Dan Brown firm up in his defense. Inch
by inch she was contesting the ground that
seemed sliding from under her feet.

“It sounds terribly true—but I cannot, will
not believe it?’ she gasped, her voice hoarse
and unnatural. “It is some diabolical plot to
destro him and me. Why do you come here
me these dreadful lies?”
ry word an’ every p’int I kin prove so
that even you’ll be forced to believe me,” said

, slowly and coldly. “ ’Tain’t for love 0’
you, nor yit to save you the sin 0’ livin’ with a
man who’s already lgot a wife. You ain’t
nothin’ to me. I Won «1 not turn over my hand
to open your eyes, of the man who hes fooled
ye was any other than Dan Brown. But I do
this because Ikin so deal him a bitter blow—4
not in the heart as he (1‘ me, but in the pocket,
whar he’ll feel it harder.

“You dor't believe me, I see. Wait, an’ of
you keer to know jest how low the man is
W I
this ve night. Your own eyes,
ears: helptocondemnhim, of yyouhev
the coursg‘e--” - t . 1 A
Rachel rose uprlgh laughing sharp y.
sudden change came dyer her. She was cold
and venge- woman.

“ The courage shall not be lacking.

rmyourcbsrgesoryonwfllneverlivetosee
sunrisezgiam! Iwillkill you like a mad-
ou f I”

if
dog'lwgn’tlflhomneh asafingerto bender

“J‘m ” a , m, "m.u 
Ezra M3 was 1;)m’all uighhyan’ of

i3

’stimetostart.”

mm
manner-ran.
Tnhsthopefledfrom breastatthia

 

t tosdeadseaofhitter trad. 1:»
duo treachery“he fwagon” I l h 
n wen V
Suvit'talllsapiledonproo’fandyth’iuhtminolougerpoe-
‘lrmnicrnnmwmmycm .
herli “twill Mmthtandit
there truths Mind! “than!

 

once loved—my God! the man I still love, even,
though he be the lawful husband of anothw
woman I”

An explosive snort from the nostrils of Earn. '
Drake startled the wretched woman. She
stared at him for a moment as th b unable to
account for his presence in her private room,
then her face once more grew cold and stern,
for she remembered all.

The old man was lying on the sofa, breathing
heavily, like one worn out by fatigue and loss
of also}?a Considerate even in her tmibledis—
tress, chel moved about softly, and instead
of summoning the maid, went in est of her,
lest the rest of the man who had stricken her to _,

the heart should be disturbed.
It was night when the soft touch of her hand
awakened the slumberer. yawn, rhu

stretch, then Ezra Drake was ready for bu-
ness.

“They’s one thing we ferg " he an ab-
ru tly. “Tickets!” I 0t’ id,

‘1 have them here,” said Rachel, tin-nine
from the chair on which she had spread a
monk’s hood, gown and rosary. “I have for—
gotten nothing. This is your  In ten
minutes the carriage will be at the door.”

Ezm Drake looked keenly into her face. Even
more beautiful than ever did she up at then,
robed in somber black, a white fillet iding her
hair—a nun such as one occasionally beholds in
paintings, but never in real life.

Her voice was cold and passionlesa as she

“ You think you kin through with it—sce
an’ hear what you’re 0st sartin to, un’ yfi
neVer give way?”

“ I am ice—my heart eez me dead within me.
I could gazs upon him, dying at my feet, and.
never shed one tear."

Ezra Drake shook his head doubtlugly. He
saw that the woman was calm enou h now, but
would it last? Then he laughed to lnmself soft-
ly. It would last long enough for his purpoas.
filter his blow was struck, what matter b

m

Enterin the carriage, the monk and nun
were whir ed rapidly away through the lighted
streets, then pausing before the open doors of“
the theater building in which the masque ball
was to take place. Rachel thrust the tickets of
admission into the hand of her companion before
they alighted from the coach.

Asusunl on such occasions, a rabbleof’ho s
and loafers surrounded the doors, but the he
backed monk pushed through them, andpeb
won the vestibule, ascended the stain.

balwas agubhc cue,and so thesewas

no didicul in ob iniug enhance to those who

could bu hots. At midnight all were to un-

mask, w such improper characters as had

food admittance won! be promptlyejectet‘
y the strong police force on duty.

The hour was an early one when the man;
and nun entered, and but few persons were

resent. ,.

pAfloorlnghadbeen laid level with the
runningo‘rertbeto ofthechsinintbeypar»
uetteandbuckto edremcircle. Ontbhthe‘»

eony. ' ’
ofthewmngedwifeu umber
ystaflf” of acorn crept over he: as she