THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. No. 305. Gentleman Joe's. Vendetta ; THB HUSTLERS OP HARDACRABBLE By JOSEPH E. BADGER, Jr. CHAPTER I. AN AMAZON IN THE SADDLE. “On, you brute! Faster—faster—faster yet.” With each word came a stroke from a sharply-spurred heel, and a nervous hand sent the long reins of the cow- boy-bridle flying from side to side across the blue-roan’s withers, attempting an impossibility; for already the good horse was doing its utmost. From rock to rock the swift echoes were flung, until at times it seemed as though scores of iron-shod hoofs were beating upon that flinty trail, in place of only one set— | from ahead, from the rear, from either side came the mocking echoes, fairly defying the human ear to keep cor- rect score; yet, to that reckless rider, it seemed creeping rather than flying. “Faster! oh, faster! _We’ll be too late—eternally too late. On, you snail! Satan’s holding your hoofs, and— get there! We’ve got to get there, I tell you.” Already the blue-roan’s sides were turning black with sweat, while flakes of froth dappled his counter, and ereamy lather marked each spot where that heated hide was chafed. For miles that killing pave had been maintained. up hill and down, over smooth going and rough, now tearing through a shadowed defile, then speeding along-the verge of a dizzy depth where a trip or a stumble meant certain death to both horse and rider. And now, though the long slope of Dead Man’s Tobog- gan had just been surmounted, no time was given the steed for catching breath, but reins and spur urged him pitilessly onward, that fierce mingling of hope and despair breaking forth at brief intervals, those blazing eyes con- stantly bent ahead, searching for what the reckless rider knew must still be far in advance, whether all had gone well, or all had turned to evil. , Down the slope thundered the good steed, scattering pebbles and bits of Alint with each stroke of those iron- shod hoofs, urged to ‘break-neck pace by his rider, yet re- ceiving little or no assistance from hand or rein the while. To step on rolling stone, to trip or stumble now meant death or broken bones to each; yet only one cry: came from those blanched lips: ‘faster! still faster !” A puff of wind caught the flowing skirt, and wrapped it if she had a horse that was even half-way fitted for such a tremendous stake. “Faster—faster yet, you snail!” Queen Esther almost shrieked, plucking the gilt dagger from her abundant locks, and viciously pricking the blue-roan with its keen point. “Catch’em up! time.” But even as those fierce words passed her lips, the fair amazon caught a sound that turned her face still paler, We've got to: catch ’em up—in | chilling her heart as though a frozen hand with fingers of ice had suddenly closed about it. “ Wheels!” she gasped, her brain whirling dizzily, her head drooping slightly, as she mechanically tightened the reins. “A hearse! Can it be that they’ve—steady, you brute!” She wrenched the blue-roan up, leaning forward in the saddle, and gazing fiercely along the stage-road, listening for a repetition of the sound, which a favoring puff of wind had brought that way. : It came again, and so distinctly that there was no longer room for doubt; clattering hoofs and rattling wheels ; almost surely one of the clumsy coaches which were stillin vogue here among these mountain mining | 9 na camps, and which formed Hardscrabble’s only regular line of communication with the outside world. For a score of seconds horse and rider remained motion less, but that*was long enough for Queen Esther to make sure the vehicle was coming that way, and, with twix spots of red leaping into her cheeks, she sent her horse out of the road into a clump of bushes which afforded an ample screen for her purpose. She drew the dark vail which was attached to her hat, — down over her face, drawing it tightly as a mask, yet through which her keen eyes could pierce with little diffi- — culty. 4 From the silken webbing‘ about her waist, she drew a revolver, thumb and finger deftly manipulating the eylin- der as her eyes told her the weapon was fully loaded and ready for use. ee This precaution taken, Queen Esther waited the ap- proach of the stage, outwardly calm and composed, in- wardly suffering tortures beyond the power of cold type: — to portray. It was a fairly level bit of road, and the team came on at a brisk trot. Less than another minute brought them ~ into view, and Queen Esther caught her breath sharply as she recognized the driver—Samuel Frisbie, or Sleepy Sam, as he was better known in Hardscrabble. s True to his title, Frisbie was nodding in his seat, but for once he received a thorough waking, for horse and — rider pressed through the bushes, and a leveled revolver lent emphasis to the sharp command : = ‘Halt! hands up, Sleepy Sam !” The horses flinched, recoiling, and Frisbie jerked at the. ribbons as he flung his whole weight upon the brake-bar, coming toa halt ashe dropped the reins to fling up his’ around a broken branch; the sharp tug which followed | hands, spluttering : caused rider to sway in the saddle, and horse to partially | break its stride before the leather-bound goods gave way ; “Don’t shoot, fer the love o’—up she goes, mum-sir !” ; “Steady then, or come down in a heap, Samuel,” adde® yet the only notice paid came in the shape of a still fiercer the fair road-agent, keeping the drop on that cowering cut, a sharper cry that was almost a curse. “Steady, you clumsy brute!” rung forth the tones of Esther King, backed by steel and leather. I say !” And then, for the first time in many a long day, some- | the lowered window. The st thing akin to a prayer went up from those lips, for Queen | Esther was riding to save the life of her king, her husband, and she felt that the odds were most heavily against her.: in that attempt. | Only a few hours earlier had she bidden good-by, with fierce exultation burning in her dark eyes, both husband and wife feeling that the dangerous game they had been playing against Gentleman Joe Gentry was all but won. And now? The death-trap might be sprung, but the victim would be Asa King, chief of the Royal Flush, instead of he for. whom that cunning lure had been fashioned. If she had only discovered that damning evidence an hourgarlier. If they had not been so quick in action, or Ri See ‘Fail me, now, | and I’ll—faster! For his life! To save him from—faster, | by awaiting the questions which he plainly caught up the lines and kicked back the brake; but that _ figure with a marvelously steady hand. this trip?” “Jest nobody, mum-sir, fer they ——” . ee A strange, half-suffocating cry cut him short, and Que Esther sent her horse alongside the stage, glaring in ge was empty of all hui freight.. oe SE AES Hither through voice, cry, figure, Frisbie recognized the perso who had so neatly held him up, but that discovery by no means lessened his personal fears, and feeling that he would run less risk in being shot asa flyin target than oresaw, he wasall. _ ’ ke A touch (of the spurs sent the roan forward, barring th road, and, \with the silver drop covering his freckled fac Queen Esther asked : “You hafl a load from Hardscrabble. Asa King, Gent man Joe, Race Eagle, and a strange sharp.- Where did you dump th em, Sleepy Sam?” . “Who's aboard, _ THI - No, 305. “LOG CABIN LIBRARY. 9 od “Y didn’t—they jest dumped me, ma’am, an’ I don’t! know——” “Where, and how? who wore irons?” Sleepy Sam flinched still more perceptibly, and his freckled face turned a shade nearer white. He cowered upon his box, and, if looks go for anything, he surely | wished himself anything but himself, just then and just. there. “Speak, or lose your number, Samuel,” sternly added. the amazon. “I know too much for a lie to pass me by. Was there any fighting? Did your passengers leave you before—of their own accord? Where did they leave you, T repeat ?” “Nigh the Ten-pin Rock, ma’am,” response. -_ Queen Esther recoiled a bit, for now she knew the worst ‘had surely happened. Yet, rallying just as swiftly, she persisted : “Who told you to keep your lips buttoned so closely, Samuel? Lie, and [’ll fix you for planting: talk straight, and I’ll leave you go free, to call others to account. Who warned you, I say, man? “” oade swore he’d skin me ’live, ef I said ary word, mum, an’ that— “He'll only: find a corpse to flay, if you refuse to speak a good many words, Frisbie. Talk or croak! Who warned “you, I ask?” “The city marshal, ma’am, ef I jest must.” “Horace Hagle,eh? And what was it he feared your blabbing, Sam? Out with it, or fare the worse, I say.” “Ef I knowed I’d tell, ma’am, but ef I don’t, how kin I?” protested Frisbie, with a desperate affectation of in- jured candor. ‘“’Twas jest a kick an’ a howl, a hold-up an’ a back-’round, a-droppin’ o’ freight an’ a turn-back fer Scrabble. An’ the city marshal, him jest a-pokin’ his two guns atwixt the jaws o’ me, an’ makin’ his davy he'd send me on a through trip, ef I didn’t keep a tight cairb onto——” “You can chatter, so sing’ in tune, Samuel, or go up “higher,” once more interrupted the amazon, the dark eyes glittering redly through that masking vail. ‘“ You say your freight left you near Ten-pin Rock? You hint ata row of some sort? + Now—which way did they go, after leaving your hearse?” “Jest out 0’ sight, majgm. Jest sort o’ melted ’way, so to speak, fur’s I kin tell, ‘Yong of the city marshal a-shovin’ of his guns——” # * What did they do, Iask you, man? There surely was a row of some sort? One of them held back, or said some- thing, or—which one of the four wore bracelets, Sam Frisbie ?” Sharper yet came that demand, and, as ‘the question was uttered, Queen Esther backed it up with her revolver. Those lowing eyes said shoot so distinctly that the driver could not mistake their meaning, and, as the present - danger always seems the greatest, he abandoned his feeble ~ defense, and blurted forth the truth: \ “Ace Tapes but I couldn’t help it, ma’am. ~ didn’ t— Although she more than, expected just such an answer, the woman was nearly crushed by it, now that it came. A harsh, choking cry rose in her: throat, and there seemed to stick fast. She swayed blindly in the saddle, and both hands moved toward her throat, as though to re- ~Jieve that horrible constriction. The pistol which one hand held, struck her face sharply, and the blue-roan backed out of the road, as the stiff curb answered the jerk given the reins by that other hand. Sleepy Sam saw his chance, and with rare decision for him, at once improved it by giving his team word.and silk, sending them off at a jump, himself dropping flat pon the footboard and covering his precious carcass from he lead, which he fully expected would follow that break- Was there any row, first? Was— came the quavering Y I jest fe een Esther rallied at that plunging clatter, and with ort, harsh cry flung up her pistol-hand; but the driver hi oo from view Just then, a as her horse turned brain, and she had no rents left fe amuel rise : “Too late! Trapped—trapped and murdered! And J—I ‘helped bait the trap! I helped—sheol’s blackest curses on their heads, one and all. Ill play even if it takes my life time. I'll never give over until my darling—oh, Asa! Oh, my love, my soul, my all!” It was a brief, fier ce outburst, where grief, love, venge- ance, all did battle for the supremacy, and, after one short struggle against woman’s weakness of body, Queen Esther rallied, urging her good steed along the stage-road at top speed, knowing that she was too late to save, but might still avenge. “On, you brute! Faster—faster—faster yet!” CHAPTER II. THE TRAP THAT FAILED. “Nothing in sight, yet ?” “Nary a move nur mover, boss, es I kin ketch onto.” “ Keep all eyes open, and, if a sign comes from the point, fetch it to me, the quickest you know how.” “You bet [ will, boss.” Thomas King turned away from the man on watch, pacing slowly back to the cover in which his main force was concealed, only a few yards from the stage-trail lead- ing from Hardscrabble to Camptown, and still more dis- tant mining points among the mountains. “'What’s keeping them?’ he mused, a dark frown wrinkling his brows, one set of fingers plucking at his full beard, their mates almost nervously toying with the ivory- handled revolver at his right hip. ‘‘If all’s gone well, they’d surely ought to be here by this? If? It has—it must. How could there come a slip-up?” Leaving the road, King pressed through the leafy screen, pausing in front of his men, whose eyes were tur ned expectantly toward him, silently asking the ques- tion their lips hardly dared utter. ‘Nothing in sight, as yet, lads,” their present chieftain said, with a return of his wonted coolness. ‘“They’re tak- ing ‘it easy, seems like. ’Tisn’t as though they knew the whole trip had to be made, though.” He broke off with a short, hard chuckle, as thou oe a grim jest lay hidden under those words. Then, with abrupt change of manner, he once more spoke: “What are you here for, boys?” “To do the doin’ you want done, : boss,” promptly an- swered one of their number: a hulking fellow, whose luxuriant beard of flaxen hue could not entirely mask the numerous cuts and bruises which covered his face. « Right, Big Casino,” with a nod of approval. “ And if that ‘doing’ means to ‘do’ for one or two tough nuts, what then?” “Why, boss, we’ll crack ’em, to be course.” Big Casino, as Daniel Diamond was more often called, glanced around upon his mates, and received their ap- proval in nods and muttered words. His answer was theirs, and Tom King had only to command. That arch-knave knew as much before their answer was given, vet it gave a grim smile to his swarthy face, just then, and when he spoke again, it was with milder, more pleasant tones than at first. “Clean white, the bunch of ye!” he declared, with a nod of approval. “I knew that when I told you off for this duty, but it’s none the less pleasing for all that.” “What you say, goes as it lays, boss,” ventured one of the lesser lights. “ You’ve only got to point, for us to lay hold. Yet, wouldn’t we be better able to do the job, if we knew just what sort of job it was before us, sir?” “Suppose I was tp say we’re going to hold up a hearse, Vickers?” “ Hold-up it’d be, of course, boss, Yet, isn’t it rather late—or early—to look for a stage fr om Har dscrabble wa gy Tom King gave a low chuckle at this Bhewe. if timidly offered suggestion. “You’re nobody’s fool, Jim, and since waiting seems to be the order of the hour, reckon I might do worse than to let alittle more light in on the subjegf. So—you know Gentleman Joe ?” “Who don’t in these parts, boss?” “More than will ever poy him tee a this day is & THE LOG CABIN LIBR ARY. No. 305. nade though. Well, you know, too, I reckon, How Joe Gentry has openly made his brags that Hardscrabble is all too small to contain his lordship and the Royal Flush? That he or we have got to go under?” “Something of that sort, yes, sir.” “Tt sounded like wind, first off, though he’s no slouch when he gets ina weaving way; Ill say that much for Gentry. He’s a hard horse to curry, and made his record, even before striking these parts.” “Hoss?” gruffly growled Big Casino, gingerly passing a hand over his badly-bruised visage. ‘“ Mule comes mighty sight nigher puttin’it, I’m thinkin’, boss. Every hit’s a kick, an’ never a one but what leaves its prent so turrible plain a blind man could read it a mile off.” A low laugh greeted this remark, and even Tom King smiled, grimly. “He did make a chopping-block out of -you, Casino, but he paid off Lucky Jackson in still more expensive coin.’ ‘An’? hed small change left fer—I didn’t say it, boss.” . Diamond ducked his big head, as though expecting a blow, but King showed no resentment at that broken re- tort. He felt so fully assured of wiping out all past scores that he could afford to overlook such. “That’s all right, Casino. I’m not denying what all Hardscrabble knows. Pay-day has come around, and I’m only sorry for one thing—Hardscrabble may guess, but she can’t really know just how surely the Roval Flush has paid its debts. ‘*You know of the row we had that night at the Oasis; hdw Gentleman Joe rung himself into the game Lucky and I were playing with Thompson, as he called himself ; how arow broke up the game, and Gentry pinned Jack- son’s hand to the table with his dirk, when Lucky claimed the big pot. And, too, you know he bluffed us both with his guns. “That’s allright. He was smart enough to catch the drop, and ’cute enough to get off without losing it, too. And when Lucky tried to play, even with guns—well, he lost his right arm, and Gentleman Joe did the crowing act in fine style.” ‘‘ Has lost, or will lose, boss?” “ Has lost, Vickers. Doc amputated his arm last night, and Lucky’s card-dealing davs are over, I reckon.” “He'll pull through, though, boss?” “We’re hoping so, yes. But that isn’t to the point ex- actly. You wanted to know just what manner of job this is? All right; I?ll tell you, while we’ve nothing better to do. “Gentleman Joe swore he’d beat the Royal Flush, or lose the number of his mess while trying. He crippled Lucky, and thumped Casino here in great shape. He next took aim at the head—at Ace, you know. And right there we’ve got him, dead to rights. “Thompson, as he calls himself now, made Gentry be- lieve he was on his side at first, and kept dust in his eyes until the trap was fairly set; but, all the while, he was playing in with us to get even for a brother—Dick Turner —whom Gentry wiped out down Silver Gulch way a year or 80 ago. “It don’t matter now just how the trick was turned, but Thompson fixed matters so that ’Race Hagle, the city mar- shal, took a hand in to see that Gentleman Joe had fair play, and it’s mainly on him that we depend for getting Gentry away from Hardscrabble without the gang’s Enowing anything about the little joker. “Thompson plays the regular detective gag, and calls on Aceand Eagle toserve as his deputies, or his posse. They take a stage, held in waiting outside of town, and strike out for Camptown this route.” “An? we’re to hold ’em up,” spluttered Big Casino, eagerly, his light blue eyes glowing with a reddish luster the while. ‘‘An’ ef Gentleman Joe kicks, we’re to—glory to the ram.” “ And if he doesn’t kick, we’ve got to make believe he does,” grimly added the chief villain, tapping the butt of a pistol] the while. ‘“We’re honest toll-takers, out for a much-needed raise. We stop the hearse as a matter of business. We eount on catching a contraband shipment of bullion. Well, if we’re disappointed in that, haven’t we a Perot right ‘to get up on our ear?” pa ef ees Joe i is so low- down mean as to set up a dirty job like sich onto us, hain’t we gota parfict — right to kick? An’ ef we happen: to kick him clean | over. the range? Eh?” ““You’ve got it, Diamond.” “‘Of course, the boss, and that Thompson fellow won’t chip,” hesitatingly observed Vickers; “but how about Eagle ?” “That depends pretty much on Eagle’s own self,” with a significant shrug. ‘*I’1l1 make sure of Gentry—that’s my particular part. IT’lllay him out, too sudden for a kick to do any good. Still, if "Race Hagle is bloody idiot enough to try, afterward—well, he’ll pay scot, of course.” “If he don’t kick now, won’t he later, though? It’sa mighty keen eye ’Race totes in his skeleton-mug, and even with out disguises, I’m,betting odds he’ll take a note or two, for future reference.” That was atielicate point, and Tom King scowled blackly — as he was obliged to recognize it. Not for the first time, either. It had’occurred to his shrewd brain when the plot was first laid before him, but Asa King, the chief of the gang known as the Royal Flush of Hardscrabble, had % overmiled his objections. “That’s a risk we’ve got to run, though I’m hoping hell give usa fair excuse for wiping ‘him out, right here and rightnow. If hedoes, down him, ina heap. If he doesn’t —well, we’ve got an alibi planned, and, with Gentleman Joe out of the way, I reckon we can run the rest of Hard- eae scrabble to our own liking.” leg “Thar’ll be a mighty heap o’ howlin’ done when Hes : news gits out. Gentle J osey’s picked up aright smart crowd 0’ his own, back thar.” ae “ There’ll be still worse if Eagle loses his light, as well, though, and that’s whty Ace stuck out for his being let go, if he don’t insist on having his goose cooked. Take it at the best, it’s a ticklish job, but about the only trick we coul? think of, that wouldn’t bring on a free fight for all the town to mix in.” : Sundry other questions were put and answered, Tom King having each point covered in advance, although some of his conclusions were plainly forced, ‘and could hardly have given entire satisfaction to his present force. . Still, they had served under his leadership before, and were used to following his guidance blindly. Never yet — had he failed them, and this was no fitting moment for helding back, when he said go ahead. After a few more minutes had passed by, a faint, trill- ing whistle came from the quarter where the lookout had been posted, and, as he caught the note, King a ex- claimed : “Don your rig, boys! They’re comin’, at last.” : The disguises were handy, and in less than one minute each one of the quintette had drawn a grain or flour-sack- over their heads, down past neck and shoulders, with slits cut, through which to see, and a rubber -cord guarding _ against the cowl being displaced by any abrupt move-* ; ments on the wearer’s part. Another one was ready for the lookout when he came. racing to the ambuscade, and, as he held forth a hand for ‘ it, he spluttered : 7 “Didn’t stop to see more—dust- cloud coming, boss.” “It’s our game, easy enough,” said King, with a low, fierce laugh as he looked to his pistols, his eyes glowing wickedly through the slits in his cowl. “You each man « know his part; ‘tend to that, and let the rest look on for: their shares Don’t— He broke off ae turning a startled glance up th stage-road, from which direction came the rapid clatter iron-shod hoofs; but the accompaniment of rattling wheels; where were they ? Dan Diamond, no less keen-eared, noticed that same lack, and cried out in husky tones: : . Somethin’ bu’sted, boss. Whar’s the ee Whar" ; | the— “Button up, curse you!” snarlingly ered ithe. e springing forward a couple of paces, parting the co" sufficiently for a glance up the road. , He gave a low, hoarse cry of mingled stirpris rage, as he saw, not the expected coach, but a single and rider; and that rider a woman, ‘whose. lon hair was floating on the bretze: nen by her o motion. ey No. 305. _THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. dD ‘Fire and furies! It’s—you, Queen——” With that hoarse call, Tom King sprang forth from cover, flinging up his armed hand in signal to draw rein. The panting, sweat-dripping horse was wrenched up, just as King leaped aside to avoid being ridden down, and its rider, tearing the vail from over her ehasly pale ‘face, gave a choking cry. Her hand flew up to her throat, like one suffocating. \a She swayed in her saddle, and only the swift movement | and ready arms of her brother-in-law saved Esther King | from a fall upon the rocky road. “'What’s gone crooked, girl?” he asked, even as he re- ceived her limp, unnerved figure. “ Where’ s Ace? Where’s the hearse ?” “Gone! Dead! Tricked*-Gentleman Joe has——” “What! you can’t mean that he’s done us, all?” But Queen Esther was past answering just then, for she had fainted. CHAPTER. III. RIDING TO THEIR DOOM. On the day following the events just described, two men were riding eastward through the rough, broken ground, their faces turned toward the mining-camp known as Camptown. There was little difference in the apparent age of the ~-two inen, both being in the neighborhood of five- and- -thirty years; but beyond this single point, the difference was strongly marked. A stumble on the part of one of the mounted animals brought forth one of those differences, for it showed that he of the jetty beard was by no means a free agent, since he could neither help himself nor aid his tripping steed. “Steady, boy!” cried the other rider, his ready grip _ fastening upon the reins and jerking up the horse’s head. “Bend your head a bit, King, ana I'll put the reins over your neck. Then you can hinder——” Harold Catherwood cut himself short, for in place of bowing as asked, the prisoner bent backward, doing what he could to defeat that precaution. An ugly sneer came into. his face, giving a glimpse of strong, white teeth through that heavy, drooping mus- tache. He said nothing, but that look was sufficient for the keen-witted detective. “Just as you say, old man,” he observed, twisting the reins about the high, flat- topped pommel, still riding lei- surely along the while. -“ Water isn’t very plenty along this trail, but maybe the old saw holds good against falling as well.” ‘Meaning that I was born to be hung, Mr. Thompson ?” “Vou said it, dear fellow,” with a slight bow, his keen brown eyes flashing around them, constantly on guard against a possible surprise. “I might say it myself, only I haté to kick a man when he’s down.” f “Tll be up again before you are, curse you for a smooth, oily- -tongued fraud,” viciously cried the prisoner, clench- a his hands with a restrained gesture which caused a - Gao»k of steel and brought more plainly into view the pol- | handcuffs men which his sinewy wrists were ham- pered. “Keep on ining that way, Ace, if it’ll lighten this bit of a journey any. Of all things, I do despise a sulky, bile- spitting, ‘balky mate. on atrip of this description. And - you—since you’re so mighty sure I’ve turned up the _wrong trump to fit my hand, ny can’t you help me ae ‘over my mistake?” _ “Pll laugh over your grave; curse you.’ The detective took his laugh while Me might, and if there was a tinge of spiteful malice in the notes, who “could blame him? Even a man of his even poise cannot _hear such vicious bits of speech for hour after hour with- - out a desire to even the score, at least in part. “You took your laugh first, Ace King, and right there’s yhere you may count yourself luckier than the general m of your sort; as arule, they wait so long their laugh er does come. But you—well, I can both hear and see yet, snickering i in your sleeve over the gay old job we tting uP on oe Joe Gentry no a ago ‘ their wrists. - -bile, dear man. I swear to you, right in your tec th, that you’re ’ way off. DPU— Asa , King snapped his strong teeth together, as though biting that savage threat in two. If so, he swallowed the remnant, for Harold Catherwvood listened in vain for the conclusion. ‘“You were about to say, dear fellow?” he bliandly asked, an almost coaxing smile coming into his strong, clean-shaven face, from which the false beard had recently been removed. This willingness to listen, probably determined King to pass that vicious oath by for the moment. If Catherwood had betrayed either uneasiness or anger, he doubtless would have spoken freely enough. His eyes turned away from that bland, inquiring gaze, and flashed over their surroundings. In that brief space, a wonderful transformation was wrought in the detective, so far as face and eyes were concerned. Half-bull-dog, half-blood-hound, he looked just then, and his keen, searching gaze seemed hot enough to*blister the face over which it swept, trying to read what might lie beneath that fiercely sullen surface. Only through a half-score seconds of time did this reve- lation last, and before Ace King completed his glance around that facial mask was resumed, and Harold Cather- wood beamed almost mildly into the face of the man whom he had’so adroitly arrested for a capital crime. That face had never been one particularly agreeable to gaze upon, save for the few whose nature could blend with his in harmony... Yet it was a face which would far oftener be called handsome than homely. Each feature was regu- lar enough, and certainly could not be accused of weak- ness or lack of expression; if anything, both strength and’ expression were there in excess. Very nearly up to the six-foot standard, Asa King was built in proportion, and few there were who could justly match him, from a-purely physical standpoint. At or near the completion of his seventh lustrum, he was in the very prime of life, despite the excesses ot a wild, lawless career; and right now, when a shameful death for a merciless crime was beginning to stare him squarely in his face, Asa King had never felt stronger, hardier, better fitted to do battle against odds. His hair, worn of average length, and curling slightly at the ends, was like his thick, crisp, full beard of almost jettv blackness. ’ His eyes would have matched both for darkness, only for the reddish glint which savage hatred loaned them, and his rather short but strongly aquiline nose, added to rather than detracted from his sullenly fierce expression. Harold Catherwood was several inches shorter than the man he had in charge, but this lack was more than made up by increased breadth of shoulder and depth of chest. At first glance, he gave one an impression of heaviness, of sluggish temperament, of a come-slow-and-go-easy fel- low; but those who once saw the detective in action, never again made that mistake. As William Thompson he had figured in Hardserabble, wearing a wig and beard combined, which Asa King had pronounced false at first sight. But so adroitly did he play his chosen role, that the shrewd, suspicious desperado had been content to accept the palpable counterfeit, only recoguizing the terrible truth wher it was too late to ward off that deftly aimed blow. Something of this may have been visible in his eyes as they came back to the face of his captor, for Catherwood chuckled softly like one fairly pleased with himself from a professional point of views “Talk about vitriol and aquafortis. Don’t nurse your Why not grin and try to make the best of it? You surely knew the cards must turn against you in the end?” “Don’t count your blood money so soon, you hound,” | viciously retorted King. “You’ve caught the wrong ’coon. but I'll make you pay just as dear a price for it in the end.” 3 “That’s a risk we all have to run, pardner, and I counted it in as part of the day’s work. Of course, you’re not the man; they never are, when once the darbies close about _ And yet, I can’ oe pees of a Foe a  THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. - tective ever being hung for freezing fast to the wrong fel- low—did you?” . “JT can prove I wasn’t within five hundred miles of Kan- sas City, when that fellow—cattle-man, you said. didn’t ou?” ‘ a Dealer, raiser, buyer, and seller, just so,” nodded Catherwood. “And you say you can prove an alibi, King ?” ‘Solid enough to satisfy the most exacting, yes, culse ou.” me Then why curse me, dear fellow?” blandly purred the detective. ‘“ Why not bless me instead? I never knew one of your kidney who wasn’t on the make from start to fin- ish. I’m a property holder. I’ve good money in the bank. I can pay comfortable damages in a suit for false arrest, and since you can prove your innocence, why not laugh at, if not with, me, King?” King snarled in place of laughing, and the detective abruptly changed both tone and manner, leaning across to hold those glowing eyes with his own while speaking, clearly, coldly : “Because you’re a liar born, Asa King, as well as a foul ‘assassin. Bécause you know I’ve got you dead to rights, * and that hanging will surely follow your return to Kansas City. Because——” “You'll never take me there, and don’t you forget it, you hound.” “Til take you there, or l’ll take you with me or a much longer journey, Asa King. I know what hope you’re clinging to; I know that: you are looking for your twin brother, Tom King, and the gang which hangs at the heels of the Royal Flush, picking up the crumbs they let fall from their table; but I know, too, that they’ve got to jump me before Camptown is reached, or they’l] jump in vain.” “'They’ll follow you clear to Missouri, if necessary, you cur? “If they do, I know another who’ll have a chance to play checkers with his nose back of the bars, my dear fel- low,” retorted the detective, resuming his hght, easy man- ner. ‘There surely ought to bea charge or two filed away against the worthy Thomas, and as for Queen Esther——” |- “Name her not, curse you,” fiercely interrupted King, his irons rattling sharply as his hands made a furious gesture. . ‘ “Only in pity and sympathy, Mr. King,” gravely added Catherwood, frankly encountering that glowing gaze. “That is the only part of the whole affair I at all regret; I had to deceive her, and I fear she’ll have still worse grief to suffer before the end comes.” ‘Drop it, I say, you blood-hound.: You’ve played us all dirt. And I tell you vow, in ample time, that I’ll play even for it all. I never owed debt of that sort without dis- charging it in full with interest added. Ill hardly begin with you, be sure of that.” “Allright, my dear fellow. AsIsaid before, it’s part of the day’s work, and balongs to the profession. I’ve con- tracted to take you to Kansas City, to answer to the charge ef murder. My warrant reads ‘dead or alive,’ and you’v= seen enough of wild life to realize just what that means to a man like me.” There came no response in words, though Asa King flashed a venomous look toward his captor, which would surely have slain could its author have gained his most ardent wishes. For half an hour longer the two men rode along the lonely trail at a respectable jog, both knowing that their destination was drawing nearer, but nerther man fully realizing how surely each one was riding to his doom. An entire day had passed since that death-trap was adroitly dodged, and Harold Catherwood had hardly a fear that the Royal Flush would or could so quickly learn the bitter truth, as to have time to strike again before he was safely at the town where his guards were even now awaiting his arrival with his important charge. There was a grimly joyous twinkle in his eyes, as he thought of the double game he had so audaciously played upon the Royal Flush, making both ace and queen help him in his hour of need; winning them both over to his side as keenest allies, until that game was fairly in the snare from whith death alone could extricate him. | And now—where were the rest of the Royal Flush? ) Far closer than the doomed detective suspected, worse luck. ‘ Without sound or movement to prematurely alarm either captor or captive, a number of masked figures sprang forth from cover, lassces whirling throygh the air to close upon each one of the horses, and at the same time a repeating rifle spitting forth its deadly contents at such range that missing a man was out of the question. A single roar—it could hardly be called cry—broke from the lungs of the detective as that first shot rang forth, sending its cruel lead through his body, from side to side. Only that one sound; he knew that death had claimed him for a victim, and, in that awful moment, he knew, too, that he had brought this end upon himself by his over-confidence in sending away the good men and true who had asked to help him convoy Asa King toa place of greater safety. Harold (atherwood did not cast even a single glance toward those deadly enemies, for he had thoughts only for his oath—dead or alive. He jerked forth a revolver, clutching Asa King by the throat with his other hand, pushing muzzle fiercely against his breast and desperately working the trigger, shooting even as he fell to earth a corpse. CHAPTER IV. A CRY FOR VENGEANCE. Crack, crack, crack ! In swift succession rang forth shots from a revolver of heavy caliber, startling Camptown from its midday meal, and causing all, householders and bummers, young and old, evil and reputable, brave and cowardly, to flock to- ward the rudely kept square, which marked the center of that aspiring burg, and was dubbed the “city park.” Crack, crack, crack ! A second gun was called into service, and the rush to- ward that quarter became precipitate, more than one would-be “ chief” drawing gun in readiness to take part in the “circus.” But as the square, or plazza, came under, view, those half-lifted weapons lowered, and hasty footsteps slackened _ to a more moderate pace: .« Beas Gee A woman was hardly a novelty in Camptown | she had long ago passed that stage of mining existence ; but this woman, pale as death, her face plainly téar- marked, though she sat her horse. so firmly, seemed seme- thing more than an ordinary woman, just then and just there. “This way, gentlemen!” cried aloud the man who had been exercising his weapons, at the same time deftly eject- ing the empty shells and replacing them with fresh cart- ridges. ‘‘Wecall upon you in the name of outr. ged law ~ and justice. Weask you for——” “Vengeance!” shrilly broke in the woman, her black eves flashing as though backed by living fire, her clenched right hand quivering as her arm flew up to its greatest ex- — tent. ‘“ Vengeance upon ‘he hell-hounds who have done my poor husband to death.” 3 ; For afew moments all was confusion, following tis®* startling address. The Camptonians were but mortal, afte all, and while the few women whom that wild alarm had drawn to the spot as vet, stared and whispered with one another, the men showed far greater interest, though in an even less methodical way. os Shouts and cries, a few lusty oaths, a number of aim- = r less queries, aimlessly directed; then a sudden silence _ over all as Thomas King flung up his right hand ina ges- —_ ture commanding attention. “Does any one present know Asa King, or Horace Eagle, the city marshal of Hardscrabble?” came his first ques- tion. | ee “T know ’Race Eagle,” promptly declared a gray-haire respectable looking citizen, stepping a little to the front. “ And I’ve seen Asa King, too. Whataboutit?”? a Have you seen either man during the last two dayg then ?” ae site = “Neither of ’em, sir; but—you’re a King, I take it, sit “Tm Tom King, twin brother to Asa, yes. I’m het after information concerning him, and if you haven’t seek him in Camptown since——” oe a Ws be No: 806. _ past three days. No. 805, oe THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. “He’s dead,” cried Queen Esther, with a passionate | “ Then—we’ve got to look for them along the trail,” gesture. if ve are men born of women. Vengeance for my mur- dered husband! Vengeance for—oh !” Her wildly gesticulating hands flew back to her throat like one on the point of suffocation, and, spurring his horse closer, Tom King flung a supporting arm around her waist, receiving her falling figure upon his shoulder and breast. There was no acting in his manner now, nothing coun- terfeit in the fierce grief which marked his face, as he cried aloud : ‘Look, men and women! See how hardly this poor wife has been hit, then tell me—shall those devils go scot-free ?” He cojild hardly have picked better words for his pur- pose. Once more all was excitement as the increasing crowd gathered around, men cursing and women crying words of sympathy, all eager to help as far as lay in their power. Eager hands were extended to assist the stricken woman, but Queen Esther would have none of it, rallying desperately, hoarsely crying: ‘‘Not me—him. Help him, my poor husband. Save him, if it’s not yet too late, avenge him if—vengeance, if ye are human beings.” Tom King spoke a few hurried words in an undertone, and Queen Esther rallied nobly ; she drew back from his support, holding her fine figure proudly erect once more, “ind her voice was even, her notes clear and distinct as she spoke again: _ ‘One word, first, my friends—for friends ye surely are, else your hearts belie your faces. My poor husband—I begged him not to go, but duty called, and he obeyed. Now—where is he? He should have been here early yes- terday. He should have been back home by now. He has not been there, he is not here, then—help me find him, friends. Help me save him, if living, avenge him if— murdered.” Almost in a shriek that last word issued, and as Queen Esther tossed aloft her rigidly clasped hands, a shiver ran over.cach member of that excited gathering. x It was acting, but the perfection of art, for she felt very word that passed her lips just then. Ghastly pale, Queen Esther drew down her vail, back- ing her horse a little, motioning her companion to take his turn. And Tom King was very prompt in his. obedience just then. _ “Words fail my poor sister, triends, but I—I’m looking for a twin brother, but she mourns her husband. Wait; let me tell you what cause we have for thinking evil has befallen our loved one, then you can talk in turn. “Ag gome of you know, we live at Hardscrabble, the other side of Dead Man’s Toboggan. A detective came there looking for a criminal. -He had a warrant and re- quisition papers in case of need. “He found his man, but was afraid to openly arrest him, lest the gang of heelers not only rescue their boss, but put both detective and papers out of sight. And so, ~ hewqgiled a deputy to assist him, in addition to Horace for asingle moment. That deputy | horse was urged forward, ready to ride downall whe -EKagiet the city marshal of Hardscrabble. was my brother, her husband, Asa King. And he con- - sented to serve the law, though both of us warned him to beware of a snare.” _ ee, A short, \stockily built stranger stepped forward, asking sharply : ea _*A detective, you say, sir? What name, please?” “What is that to you, sir?” ‘“‘Maybe little, may be much,” ‘“He’s been foully murdered, and I—vengeance, added : ‘into view, lying there in their own gore. ‘she rallied, leaping from saddle to ground, running for- fiercely cried King, lifting a tightly clenched fist, as he ‘‘There’s been foul play, and I know it. .One of the party, besides the prisoner, was a sworn enemy to my brother, and——”’ “Vengeance!” shrilly cried Queen Esther, once more. “Death to the devils who’ve foully murdered my dear husband. Avenge him, if ye are human beings. Help me ns hélp me find the villains who lured my love to his oom.” “What enemy? What prisoner?” asked the deputy who had acted as spokesman for the trio, but his voice was drowned by the fierce, wild uproar which followed that frenzied appeal from those blanched lips. Queen Esther and Tom King dashed away from the pub- lic square, heading toward the rock-crowned hills which lay between Camptown and Hardscrabble, and eager to join in the search for the missing people, a goodly portion of the male citizens flocked after them, while others, more prudent or far-sighted, skurried away to procure mounts for the purpose of easier, if not’more effective, work. i The three deputies joined in the latter rush, all feeling that evil work had been done, but holding their judgment in reserve until they had better grounds for shaping it aright. * Intense as was the curiosity to learn further particulars, it was a comparatively easy matter for*the two members of the Royal Flush to evade or postpone answers to the flood of questions and grim surmises. The time was not quite ripe for making the final charge, but it was coming; they two, if none of the others, knew that fact only too well. There was achoice of roads offered, either of which would lead to Hardscrabble, if followed long enough, but without hesitation Queen Esther took her choice, Tom King explaining as they dashed along: “We came by way of the other, and I hardly think we could have overlooked signs such as—curses cover them from crown to sole.” The road once selected, Queen Esther soon resigned the lead, falling back in company with her brother-in-law, weak and trembling so far as those sympathizing eyes could say. And then—only a few short miles away from that haven of safety where his greatest perils would have been ended —the detective was found. A. fierce, yet startled cry, came back from the leaders, which only too clearly announced that fact—discovered, but in what shape? Queen Esther flushed hotly, then turned paler than ever, if that was possible, yet she urged her horse for-: ward, Tom King close at her side. oo “Stop !” hoarsely cried one of the leaders, coming back with warning hand uplifted, but with emotion-blanehed face that spoke even more plainly than hand or tongue. “We've found ’em, but—don’t let the lady come to see what devil’s work——” : Queen Esther recoiled, uttering a piteous cry, but only Then, under steel and leather her should bar her passage. She recoiled once more as those ghastly figures came But once more ward, sinking to her knees by one of the silent figures, a choking sound gurgling up in her throat. Tom King was quickly at her side, and he, too, turned with acurt nod of the very pale ashe gazed upon the cold, pain, and rage dis- _ head which brought two other heavily armed men to his torted features of his twin brother, now a harmless lump y gide. ‘If his name was Harold Catherwood, or——’ “He gave it as William Thompson, I believe.” _ “His traveling name that was. Ourman! We've been waiting here expecting his coming any time during the Go on. oul play ?” a sBecause Thompson arrested his man soon after noon, before yesterday, taking stage for this point, to which caresses. of clay in human guise. Side by side in the middle of the road lay the two bodies, each one with blood-stained and stiffened garments, each one with bullet-riddled bodies, each one with fierce pass- Why do you think there’s been ions frozen upon their faces. Queen Esther bowed over her dead, touching her lips passionately to those which were unable to return her Then, with sudden vigor, the woman rose upon bor brother agreed to bear him company. He hasn’t her knees, one hand uplifted, the other softly yet fiercely y—you surely would have seen him, sir?” i tapping that cold breast, calling attention to the charred - hurely, ves. He wouldn’t have passed by or through cloth which surrounded those death-wounds. Fnout picking us up,” came the prompt response. | vo PS £ us Ps eo? Pp Pp “Look, men!” she cried, hoarsely. “Murdered ! Killed ne 9 oe sect i ; THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY, No. 305. ; es while performing his sworn duty. Assassinated by one whom he thought he had no cause to fear. How else these burns? Could any other enemy come so close to him as; this indicates? No, ten thousand timesno! He was mur- dered, and I can name the human devil who put out his dear light.” . “Don’t it look that way, gentlemen?” asked Tom King, in low, strained tones, as he pointed toward that body, now fully armed, yet with both pistols in his belt, fully loaded, and without bonds or irons upon his limbs. “While guarding an accused :nurderer, would either of these men let an.enemy come so close? Look at the pow- der-stains on them both.” “It’s murder, dead sure,” gravely said the stocky dep- uty, in assent. “But I thought—who was the man ar- rested 2?” “ His name is Gentry, and——” A chorus of excited cries cut his speech short. For very few of those present but what had heard of the man named, aud not many among them all were quite ready to connect that name with murder so foul ag this surely ap-_ peared to have been. “Hither Gentleman Joe Gentry or Horace EHagle,” cried Queen Esther, rallying once again. “Both of them hated | my poor husband, and I warned him against trusting | them. Now—look, all of you! Murdered! Butchered | like adog! Shot down without word or warning, for his. guns are in his belt, and their muzzles free from powder- smoke.” i She caught the revolvers up, holding them aloft as she ied : “See for yourselves, gentleman, all! shell fired! And he so quick on the draw, that—venge- ance! Vengeance on the foul assassins.” “Name them, then,” cried a hoarse voice from the out- side. “Name them? done it?” “Touch lightly there ! vain?” Who but Gentleman Joe could have Who’s taking my good name in CHAPTER V. GENTLEMAN JOE AGAINST THE FIELD. Clear and distinct rang forth that voice, coming from Clean—never a, only ashort distance up the stage-road, where the next curve began. It could hardly be called sternly peremp- tory, yet there was a note of command in the tones which | drew all eyes in that direction, stilling each voice as, though a magic spell had been flung over that fierce ex- | citement. A horseman showed himself at the curve, both man and | steed plainly upon the keen alert, the sharp ears of the' latter pricking forward, its head aloft and neck arched | proudly. The reins lay idly upon that neck now, for each hand of | the rider gripped pistol-butt, the grim muzzles of which | were turned toward that gathering as their owner a He more sharply repeated : “‘Who’s taking my good name in vain, I ask, once | more?” | 3 Gentry 7 : “Gentleman Joe !” “Thar he.is now.” These and a dozen similar ejaculations burst forth from different members of that assembly, and blending with | them came a wild, fierce, half-maniacal shriek of mingied | hatred and revenge from the lips of Queen Esther. | She was among the first to recognize that shapely figure, | and bent on sweet revenge, she cocked the weapons she had so recently taken from the corpse of her husband, springing to her feet the more surely to catch the drop upon that hated enemy beyond. With a clumsiness which, under different circumstances, | he might have found it difficult to forgive in himself, John Dement. the stocky deputy, blundered against the woman, gaving himself from falling by catching an arm just as Queen Esther pulled trigger with each forefinger, sending _ both bullets wildly astray. i Tom King gave a savage curse, but he, too, was blocked | for the time being, and all the more naturally because a scattering took place as powder began to burn. Gentleman Joe Gentry ducked his head quickly at the shots, his own weapon coming more plainly into view PT ea he sharply cried forth : “Hold hard, I tell ye all! Flag of truce, if you’ll take it; if not, then I'll do my share of lead-slinging.” “Don’t shoot. Peace, everybody,” quavered a white- haired member of the search-party. “And you, Mr. . Gentry, how——” “Kill him! fang him! Burn him!” screamed Queen Ksther, fairly beside herself with fury, now that those weapons had been arrested from her grasp by just whom she could not say so intense had been her excitement, so great the momentary confusion round about. ‘“ He mur- dered my husband! He butchered the detective, who— take him, if ye be men. A thousand dollars for his car- cass, dead or alive.” “Steady, there!” came the warning voice of the man thus viciously denounced, his handsome face showing pale above the head of his half-frightened horse. ‘Talk white, and Pl] meet you on the same level, but until you show fair cause—keep your distance, or lie down, for keeps.” Only one man facing fully two-score. but hardly one of all that startled congregation but what would have taken oath—at least, one-half of that battery was directed particularly toward him or her. And back of those guns flashed twin eyes which distinctly said shoot. Tom King knew that one revolver was intended for hii life, and, as he cowered lower, he flung an arm about the waist ot the maddened widow to draw her back, at the same time hastily letting fall a few words into her nearest ear. “Who are you, anyway?” demanded John Dement, the stockily built deputy, lifting an empty hand in token of - temporary peace at least. bs Se “ Half-white and free-born, pardner.” came the quick | retort. ‘“ What’s turned you all crazy inaswarm? And what have I done to——” “You admit that your name is Gentry, then?” “Why not? Why wouldn’t I, when I’ve borne it from the cradle where my mother—steady, all.” In startling contrast to those smooth, musical tones came that warning: cold, yet fierce, low, yet penetrating as a dagger-thrust from a powerful hand; and once more that incipient rush was held in check by a single man. “Steady goes, sir,” answered Dement, quickly adding, “As for the row, you're charged with bloody murder, provided your name’s Gentleman Joe Gentry.” “That’s my name, but he who brings such a foul charge lies in his throat, and if he dares step forward to meet me on a level, I'l] make him own up as much, or pay forfeit my own self.” “TI make the charge, you devil,” cried Queen Esther, breaking away from the grasp of her brother-in law, yet making no further attempt at using a deadlier weapon than her tongue just then. “You murdered my poor husband, who was doing his sworn duty to the law.” “Tf aman made that charge, I’d say helied. Sing#t ~ comes from the lips of a woman, I’ll say—you lieunder a mistake,” retorted the Gilt-Hdged Sport, with a swift bow and swifter recovery. ‘‘And, to satisfy the rest of you, gentlemen, I’ll add that Lean prove my innocence by Horace Hagle, marshal of Hardscrabble.” “He likewise stands accused——” “A lie, false as sheol itself, then,” hotly flashed Gentry, cutting Dement short in his indignation. “If there has been killing here—-—- 3 ee ‘Two men are lying dead, shot to pieces almost,” sternly interposed the deputy, for the first time betraying strong — emotion in face or in voice. ‘One is yonder poor lady’s husband, the other is Harold erwood, who came — ere——” a “To meet his death cut-throats as ever c1 rupted Ge and——” Queen. Esthei urged her horse shrilly cryiz ‘i of as foul a gang of otstool,” fiercely inte Flush murdered hj ‘Into the saddle,% as she charged, : Only two guns, _. Kill him as part pay for the li — she saw Gentleman Jve turn in hasty flight. ¥ £ r# came, madly screaming the old story : _arm, he turned his muzzle upward, sending lead singing knees, casting its mistress over its head upon the rock- | somer than usual as he so boldly confronted’ the startled ‘Down him, if ye be men! Don’t let hirm—fire, ye fools !” i “THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. __ Take him, dead or alive. Vengeance on the butcher! ves of—kill him!” © Gentleman Joe was hotly enraged, but his wits were clear enough to comprehend this move. He saw that this fierce Amazon was acting as a living shield for those at her back, trusting in her sex to protect her own life from his answering shots. — ; : Kiven yet the tradition was sacred: a woman’s life was more precious than all laws, and he who: willfully en- dangered that life was less entitled to mercy than the wild beast which roamed hill or forest. Other guns than Queen Esther’s were beginning to spit forth hot lead, and among them Gentleman Joe recognized Ahe tools of Tom King; and, as he jerked his good steed | around to flee,'ue tried to cover that black-bearded face, now half-hidden behind a vail of blue smoke. Just as he was on the point of pressing trigger, Queen Esther came into line, and, with a quick contraction of the | harmlessly through the air and far away. “She’s a woman—after all’s told,” flashed through his busy brain, as he made the move that so surely added to | And, as he lay flat along the neck of his fleeing steed, he knew that any moment might be his last of life. Yet hasty shooting is almost always wild shooting, and while the hunted man was fleeing at top speed, heading - for the next not distant curve in the road, those in chasé were held back by a fear of riding down the widow in whose behalf they were now acting. ae A backward glance showed Genteman Joe this much, and, as he touched spurs to flanks, quickening the: pace of his own horse, he began to feel as though he would even yet win clear of this great peril. “I must—to pay back Catherwood’s debts,” he sternly muttered, barely above his breath. “I’ll even up his scores, or I’ll die while trying. Come to the front, Tom King.” f If that member of the Royal Flush had complied, even then Gentleman Joe would have wheeled to face them all, while striking one sure blow against the evil gang which he had sworn to down for all time. But Tom King, bold enough while acting against any less dreaded antagonist, took care to keep back in the ruck while that danger lasted. his own peril. For that single shot seemed to set the entire gathering wild with an unreasoning lust for vengeance, and, amid, “Take him, dead or alive,” shrieked Queen Esther, as, “Take him ! | thousand dollars for him, living or dead. He butchered | niy husband! He killed the detective! If he escapes now to laugh at us—take him! we must take him.” As the last words passed her lips, Queen Esther came to the bend in the road where Gentleman Joe had been first | seen, and asharp cry of mingled rage and fear escaped | her lips; for the man whom all had seen wheel in flight, once more stood at bay, pistols leveled, and one of them exploding just as the Amazon mechanically wrenched up ber horse. t True to. its aim sped. that missile, and, with bullet- | pierced brain, the poor horse plunged forward upon its, Seager comme strewn road, while Gentleman Joe, looking even hand- -mob, sternly cried aloud: “fold hard, all of you! I haven’t barmed the woman, but I'll drill any man who dares step to the front before I say come. Tell me, where is Harold Catherwood, or William Thompson. the detective ?” “Dead, back yonder with——” _ A hoarse, fierce cry came from the lips of the Gilt-Edged Sport. af “Dead? Then I swear he was foully murdered by the Royal Flush, and I'll never know rest until—-—” Although her fall had been a severe one, coming as it did before she could prepare for it, Queen Esther. received no broken bones, aud quickly sprang to her feet, jerking forth one of the revolvers which she habitually carried at her waist. She sprang toward the Gilt-Edged Sport, firing as she » “Vengeance for my murdered husband! Kill him! Yor her very eagerness to bring about this hated enemy’s death served to foil her vicious hopes, and once again her lead went astray as Gentleman Joe whirled his good steed | about in headlong flight. y . At the same time, he flung back the words: “See you later, gentlemen! Call on me at Hardscrabble, and I'll make my charge against the Royal Flush good.” Boldly enough the words were spoken, yet even as they passed his lips, Gentleman Joe doubted, if he might ever make them good. ; ‘nigh run, and petting can’t save you. Around the next bend in the stage-road the fugitive thundered, then rose erect in his saddle for a parting glance at his pursuers. He saw that Queen Esther was exploding weapons, savage yells for blood burst forth in overtaken ‘by the mob, but that was all, though he knew _ horrible chorus. she would be*provided with afresh mount, and then the chase would be prosecuted with even fiercer ardor. Still, he knew he had a few seconds’ grace, and improved them by examining the condition of his own mount, though without in the least reducing his speed. He saw that the poor creature was bleeding freely from more than one wound, sprinkling the white, stony way with scarlet drops; and he knew that the end could not be long drawn out. “Poor boy!” he huskily muttered, one hand stroking that steaming neck with a regretful caress. ‘“ You’ve caught it, hard! Better master than beast, perhaps, only for—lay down to it, my beauty,” with fierce earnestness,. once more giving the horse the steel. ‘Your race is well- So—help me out, and Ill collect pay for your life as well.” Stung by those bits of lead far more sharply than by voice, or by spur, the noble creature sped onward, racing as only a thoroughbred can race, with grim death at his heels. Death had surely marked him, yet death could only claim the victory when the last spark of life had fled. And as he raced along, Gentleman Joe took the neatly- coiled riata from where it hung to the pommel, grimly muttering : “I dare say they’d like nothing better than to hang a fellow with his own lariat, but—maybe I’ll fool ’em, even yet. ” g CHAPTER VI. THROWING DUST IN THEIR EYES. Gentleman Joe cast off the double-hitch which bound the coil together, slipping the lasso over his left arm and up across his shoulder, both to get the riata out of the way, and to insure its not being lost when the end should come. This he knew. could not be greatly delayed, although his good steed was covering ground at a racing pace, running with what seemed even greater ease and freedom than usual; but he was experienced enough to feel sure it was but the last flicker of life. i When the end came, ’twould come all at once. The good horse would die running, and his fall would be that of a corpse. ff ‘“‘And they’re coming hotter than ever,” the hunted man said, frowning darkly, as he cast a glance backward, listening to those fierce, vengeful shouts from the rear. Not one of the enemy were in sight, thanks to the devi- & For the second time lead camein whistling showers, Bullet had found its billet. ; How hardly hit the poor creature was, Gentry dared not empt to ascertain just then. The mob was coming in Welling flood at his heels, led by that unsexed woman. i 2 é ‘ ous course which ‘the road was forced to take, owing to : be _and for the’second time his horse gave a spasmodic bound, | the rough, broken nature of the ground just there. . which only too plainly notified his master, at least, one! Yet there seemed scant ground for hope, so far’ as that ‘particular point was roncerned. Winding, devious though the course was, there was but the one line opened for flight on horsehack. On either side rose the rocks, too nearly perpendicular »  e _ trail, thanks to the active, out-door life which he had led ever since coming to that séction of the mining country. - broken here and there by clefts and crannies, with an oc- ‘THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. No.'305. for aught to scale with ease, and wholly impracticable for a horse. A sure-footed man might easily ascend either side-wall, but to do that he must surely expose himself to the eyes and weapons of those in swift pursuit, and long before he could hope to gain a place of hiding, those | enemies would almost surely pick him off to his death. Genetleman Joe only cast a glance in passing at these rough walls, for he was thoroughly familiar with the | He knew, too, that a change would-be met with at no. gréat distance ahead, and his main fear was that death | would claim his goud steed before those swiftly flying feet | could carry him far enough in advance to carry out the audacious trick which his busy brain had already put in shape. : “Bear up, good boy,” he muttered, patting the doomed ereature’s neck with kindly hand. “It’s hard, but I can’t save your life, while you can help save mine if—yet a little longer, good fellow.” It almost seemed as though his words were understood and sympathized with, for the death-stricken steed rushed on even swifter than before, though the red trail became more plainly marked with each rod of ground passed over. Those flying hoofs sent a long roll of echoes to and from the gray rocks, and Gentleman Joe felt a keen pang of pain and regret as he aided the blood-bay with rein and heel. It did seem cruel to thus hasten the inevitable end, yet—what else could he do? Their evil passions heated still more fiercely by that chase, the crowd in pursuit would never pause for word or argument, once they were within fair reach of the fugi- tive; it would be killing, then, trying, and never aman living realized this mo:e thoroughly than did Gentry. Another mile, and he felt that he would have a better chance for his life, than by turning at bay against such long odds. “Tf I can throw dust in their eyes, long enough to get fair start for Hardserabble, I'll fight it out on that line.” With any cold-blooded animal, the end must have come tong since, but the bl6od bay was a thoroughbred, and never once had his mighty stride shortened or faltered since those biting bits of/lead found way to his vitals. When the end did come, Gentleman Joe knew it would come all at once, and the failure would be swift as though beneath the lightning’s stroke. So knowing, he gently freed his feet from the stirrups, and saw that his garments offered no hold for pommel or eantle. He settled both revolvers firmly into their sprin- top scabbards, and swung the coil of pliant rope around to his back, leaving both arms at perfect liberty. And then—the end came, just as he had pictured it. The small head was thrown upward with an almost hu- man-like groan, frothv blood bursting from nostrils and7 opened mouth. The poor beast gave one mighty bound, rising clear of the ground, dying in mid-air, then, falling in a lifeles$ heap upon the rock-strewn road. Suddenly, as the end came, Gentleman Joe was not taken unawares, and though he went flying over the head of the falling horse, he struck squarely upon his feet, those supple joints and active limbs yielding to his weight, thus greatly lessening the heavy shock. Even as he took this half-involuntary leap. the Gilt- Edged Sport swung one hand around to grasp the lariat, and as he recovered his balance with cat like activity, the lasso was opening, ready to play its part in the bold ruse which had been shaped, during that swift, if brief, death- MOE. hi M For the good steed had most nobly performed its part, and, before yielding to: death, had carried its master to the point which had given him a hope of defeating the enemy now hotly in chase. To the right of the road still rose a the nearly bare rocks, casional stunted bush or gnarled tree, a patch of vines or a straggly clump of brambles. On the other side, leaving barely room for two teams to pass each other, lay a yawning chasm, the sides nearly | perpendicular, the bottom densely vailed with trees, | bushes, vines, and brambles. — Springing swiftly forward, uncoiling the lasso as he ‘beneath a juniper bush, just as it might have been left by “a fugitive, whose haste was too great to enable him to waste time in attemp rock above. the hammers to muffle the double-click, then crouched in ran, Gentleman Joe formed a loop in the ringed end of the rope, which he dropped over a projecting point of rock _ near the edge of the gulch, holding it in place, as he cast the remainder down the rocks. . : The lariat hung straight and clear, its lower end hidden © ting to shake the noose clear of the This done, the Gilt-Edged Sport sprang back across the | road, nimbly scaling the rocks, his face turned toward the direction from whence the clatter of iron-shod hoofs and occasional yells came with increasing distinctness. A dark frown marred his handsome face as he caught these sounds, so much more plainly than but a few mo- ments earlier, when the noise of his own head-long’ flight had lent him the impression of much greater distance hav- ing been won. He knew that comparative safety lay but a short dis- tance ahead, if he could only cover that space before—too % late. He caught sight of the leaders in that death-hunt, and knowing how strong a contrast his dark garments would ° form against those gray rocks, he crouched lower, creep- ing swiftly into a little nook, which was the first to meet his eyes. There was no time to spare for picking and choosing, yet-~Gentleman Joe knew that he might have fared much worse, as he cast a keen glance around himself. He was crouching behind and partly beneath a divided - rock. The one afforded a fairly secure breastwork, in — case the enemy should discover his trick and attempt to . capture him by boldly scaling those rocks. The other pro-- tected him from the rear. . A grim smile curled his yellow mustache as a wild, savage cry came from the lips of the leaders.in that man- hunt. They had sighted the dead horse lying in the road, and felt that the rider could not be far distant so soon. “All right, if you only think that way, gentlemen,” mentally said the fugitive, slipping both pistols from their cases, thumb on hammer, and forefinger on trigger, as he made ears do the service he dared not ask of his eyes just then. “Ill be at home.when you come knocking at my front door, and, at least, a few of you’ll never complain of your warm welcome—in this life, at least.” The leaders came up, and sprang from their saddles near the dead bay, one of their number brutally shouting aloud : “We've run him down, now—find, and run him up.” Other vicious ejaculations burst forth, and the hidden fugitive must have felt convinced that discovery could only endin a desperate fight against long odds, where death alone could be his portion. Q@ueen Esther and Tom King were among the loudest there, and they fiercely urged the mob on_ to renewed ef- forts, setting the example themselves. Some of the party pressed along the road, guns ready. to meet a desperate man at bay. Others turned to the rocks at the right of the road, declaring that the fugitive, al- most surely, had sought cover in thatdirection. And still ~ others bent over the edge of the gulch, eager tobe the *¢ | first to win a shot at the already condemned man. is Fortunately for Gentleman Joe, the search of those’ broken rocks was begun directly opposite where the dead horse lay, else discovery must’ surely have followed ina very brief space of time. As it was, he heard the eager searchers as they scram- bled and «slipped, and leaped among those grim nooks, at least a portion of their number drawing nearer his place of concealment with each passing second. He pressed back the triggers of his pistols, as he lifted readiness to open the ball the instant discovery could no longer ba postponed. : “They'll kill, but I'll get in a good bit of work before they fairly know what’s turned loose,” was his grim com- ment to himself. : But fate willed that the end should not come after thag fashion, and just as Gentleman Joe felt he must do or di a sharp, exultant cry, came from the roadway beneath. *  I to No, 306. THE =~ LOG CABIN LIBRARY. Ho “This way, all of you! MHere’s his rope—he’s took to ~ the gulch.” : “ Whooray !” came a stentorian voice which Gentry at once recognized as that of Big Casino. “Now, we jest hev ketched the pizen critter.” There was an instant flocking to that point, and, remov- ing his hat, covering his head with a wnite silk handker- chief the better to mask his movement, Gentleman Joe cautiously peered over the edge of his rocky breast-work, taking swift notes of all that passed below him. : “Down and after him, men!” cried Queen Esther, her lust for revenge growing with delay. “He can’t have run far, we pressed him so hard. Down, and, take him, dead or alive.” \ “ But—s’pose he’s waitin’ fer jest sech a snap?” splut- tered Dan Diamond, shrinking back from the verge as that thought struck him. “S’pose we’d findyhim too mighty dug-gun close; them what ?” Something that ‘sound suspiciously like an oath forced its way through those full lips, and Queen Esther shook a clenched fist in the bruised face of the giant, as she cried : ; “ “Coward !- Do you flinch? Do you ask only vengeance for the murdered, I ask all. Death to the devil/who be- trayed my poor husband tohisdoom. Back, you cowards ! If ye fear to follow acraven blood-hound whose hands are even now reeking with innocent blood, I’ll shame ye—i, a woman, will follow, though perdition’s doors lay gaping just beyond.” , The woman seemed fairly crazed with grief and thirst. for revenge, but she could hardly have chosen words bet- ter suited for the occasion. i Even Big Casino was nerved to do and dare by her fierce example, and, pushing aside the men who pressed toward the lariat, he cried out: ‘‘Fust chance me, critters! Git o’ the way, fer I’m _ -gwine, tail-on-eend an’ teeth a-snashin’. On’y jest—you’ll keep me kivered, ma’am, an’ you, boss?” “Rout him out of cover, and we’ll answer. for the rest, yes,” promptly assured Tom King. “That's” nough fer a hog, an I haint axin’ fer no better, gent’s, an’ you, ma’am,” declared Big Casino, at the same time preparing for the descent by way of the pendant lasso. “Jest you let fly ef he jumps out o’ kiver when I’ve got the two hands o’ me full 0’ rope. An’ ef he waits onitel I kin make a snatch—waal, once let me git my grip good an’ gripped onto him, an’ you’!l hev to keep all eyes skinned, jest to see the dug-gun critter give even one weenty kick.” Gentleman Joe smiled, grimly, as he looked and lis- tened, for his mind went back a few days to the time when Big Casino uttered pretty much the same sort of-brags; _ yet his boasted grip then had lasted’ hardly long enough _to be called one. ‘*Keep it up, you bag of foul wind,” he muttered, draw- ing back his head and casting a keen glance around: “Help keep them busy, for I'll hardly have a better chance to make a double than right now.” _ CHAPTER VIL DOUBLING ON HIS TRAIL Never cooler in his life than just then, Gentleman Joe east. his eyes over his immediate surroundings, marking the only practicable line which he could follow without wholly exposing himself to the view of the enemy below. Even that course would be risky enough, since a single glance in that direction during, the interval it would re- quire for passing over more thantwo rods of. bare rock, would surely result in his discovery, when a single yell of alarm would turn every muzzle upon him.. ~~ After that stretch, brief in itself, but terribly long when lite hung in the balance, should be passed, Gentleman Joe felt, fairly assured of good“cover for his retreat. Pausing only for another cautious glance at the road- way with its dangerous gathering, the Gilt-Edged Sport silently crept out at the farther end of his little fortress, then gathering his energies. ready for a death-dash in case ,e alarm should be given, he stole one more look at his Ssjemies. ; Big Casino had clutched the rope, backing over the edge 2 Fhe of the rock, and was just slipping down out of his sight. The man-hunters were eagerly watching, weapons out and ready to open fire upon the fugitive the instant he should be driven from his refuge; but every eye was turned toward thé gulch and its many dark lurking-places. A better chance coula hardly be expected than this, and with swift, noiseless movements, the hunted man sprang forward, crossing that exposed space, almost erect as to figure, yet thinking this increased exposure was more than counterbalanced by the greater rapidity with which he was enabled to move. . , _ A less cowardly man never drew the breath of life than was Joseph Gentry, yet his skin fairly turned to “ goose- flesh” during that brief transit, and every sound that.came from the man-hunters below seemed like thé savage yell of df8covery. : \Then, with a long, full breath of intense relief, the Gilt- Edged Sport sank down behind another rocky barricade, dAands dropping to his guns, as he turned face toward the enemy, listening intently. : Not a sound came to tell of discovery, and a faint smile crept into his pale face as he realized the complete success of his audacious trick. He had passed over the worst, yet he knew how danger- ous that -immediate vicinitv was to one beneath such'a deadly ban, and how trifling might be the cause that brought discovery. And so, with a parting look in that direction, Gentleman Joe resumed his flight, picking his way among the rocks, leaving the stage-road further be- hind him with the passing of each moment. Not until he had placed fully half a mile of difficult ground between himself and the point where the man- hunters had struck the false trail, did Gentry pause again, turning t@ gaze back along his crooked course, yet hardly with the eyes of one who believes pursuit is being made. Aedark frown was upon his face, and a troubled light shone in his gray-blue eyes, telling how unpleasant were his thoughts, how darkly disagreeable the predicament into which,he had so unexpectedly been plunged that day. ‘“Which “way first?” his musings ran, during those first few m@gnents. “To Hardscrabble? Will they stick to the false scent long enough to let me circle ’em. and get to town first? Or—would I find Eagle at home ?” _ That was another point which gave him trouble, and not altogether on his own account. ‘What was\it they said about ’Race? He, too, of course, but—have they left him to the last, or have they downed the old man, to make dead sure of both ends against the middle ?” : - A fiercer light leaped into those eyes at the thought, for Gentleman Joe could fight harder, more viciously for friend than for self, and the events of the past few days had greatly strengthened his friendship for the gaunt, un- couth marshal of Hardscrabble. “If they’ve done that—look out, you! I'll play even for him, if I fet my own wrongs go slide. I’ll—well, why NOt Gentleman Joe gave a sudden start, his eyes turning in the direction where that tragedy had taken place. He stood for a brief space mentally debating the point, but then he hastened forward, his back toward Hardscrabble, his face toward the dead. “Tf they did butcher him—and of that I’ve nevera doubt, after what I’ve seen and heard this day—maybe they missed his secret pocket, where he kept his real papers. If so—well, I reckon it’s worth the chance.” _ Gentleman Joe gave hardly a thought to pursuit just then, knowing that human eyes could never pick up his tiail across those barren stones, even should the enemy detect the bold-trick he had played them. They might find the niche in which he had crouched during those few minutes, but beyond that they could only be guided by instinct or by guess. Even should chance lead them in his direction far enough to catch sight of him, he felt capable of matching their best, since here no horse could be brought in chase to match four legs against two. It\was purely instinct, then, that led him to cast fre- quent glances back and to his right, for his brain was | busy trying to clear away the ugly tangle into which cir- cumstances had led him.  i 2 tH, LOG He could recognize now the premonition of | an which had led him toward Camptown after completing his busi- ness affairs at Jim Dandy, in place of heading direct’ for Hardscrabble. He had told himself he was doing nothing more than another man would have dome, under similar circumstances; that it was merely to make sure Harold Catherwood had passed through Camptown in safety with his dangerous prisoner, and was ‘now far away on his east- ward trip, safe in the escort of his picked body of deputies. “Dead! Butchered by those hell-hounds! How did taey smoke the trick in time to cut him off? How-—and Ace King, too. Dead or alive, poor Thompson vowed: and he meant just that, it seems.’ Those half-sad, half-savage thoughts acted as spurs to . the Sport, and where the nature of the ground admiited, he ran at speed, circling around so as to strike the sfage- road at the point where the tragedy had taken place, or to which the bodies had been transported by the viciously scheming assassins as investigation might prove. During all that trip he neither heard nor sighted human beings, and as he picked his way for some little distance quite near the road, though hidden from view, he felt tol- erably assured that the enemy had not yet discovered his double. Drawing, near the spot he had in mind, Gentleman Jve looked to his guns, on the smooth working of which his life might depend, then stole silently along until, from a perch among the rocks, he could take notes. At first sight, a scowl of disappointment came into his face, for he had hoped to find the bodies entirely deserted, thus aifording him a fair chance to search that of the de- tective, on the frail chance of finding papers which would surely prove his innocence of that black charge of assas- sination, under cover of which the capture of Asa King had been effected. That hope fled, now, for Gentleman Joe caught sight of two armed men standing near the bodies, plainly on guard, and, as he looked more closely, he recognized the stockily built stranger who had claimed Harold Cavher- wood as his friend or employer. “ Better them than others, perhaps,” flashed thr gh his brain, as the Gilt-Edged Sport looked up and then down the road, seeing none others. “ Maybe I can make ’em hear to reason, if I take ’em the right way.” Before doing aught to make his presence known, Gentry carefully marked out a course for his own feet, for that knowledge would permit him to give closer attention to these armed strangers; then he sprang swiftly forward, pausing only when the faint rattle of a loosened stone called those watchful eyes his way. “Steady, both!” his voice rang forth sharply. his pis- tols rising to catch the drop on the deputies. “Flag of truce, I’m asking, gentlemen, but Ill do all the firing, if firing there must be.” Taken completely by surprise as they were, neither of the two men dared even drop hand to weapon, but John Dement quickly rallied, to ery : “Flag of truce goes, sir, but—who,are you, anyway ?” “Men term me Gentleman Joe up this way, but my real name is Gentry.” “What! not the man who killed Catherwood?” sharply cried out the deputy, seemingly for the first time recog- nizing that face and figure. “No, but the man who’s sworn by all that’s,holy to avenge Harold Catherwood’s death,” instantly flashed back the Gilt-Edged Sport, face and voice both ‘sternly ex- cited, yet brain remaining sufficiently cool for its owner not to lose the drop. “They lied who brought that foul charge against me, as I hope to prove to your satisfaction, gentlemen.” of Tf you only can. onim,”’ a Pi agree to do that, then, if you'll play white on your If you can show us, who did murder side,” came the swift, earnest addition. “Is ita truce for the present? Will you exchange words of honor to try no trick ?” “What isit you want of us ? double back ?” / “Time enough for all that later,” curtly interrupted Gentry. “Will you agree to the ee Pm offering, or must I fight for my rights?” d CABIN LIB ARY. How did you manage to | at ape — + “We'd rather not fight, Dib ne what riguts, sir?” Gentleman Joe chafed against this temporizing, for none | knew better than he how much maybe crowded into a very brief space of time, and how all PepOr as the gain » or loss of even a single minute may prove. He saw that these strangers viewed him i strong suspicion, even if- they were not fully convinced of his guilt inthis ugly case. He felt that, fearing to oppose him in more open fashion, they were hoping to hold him | i. in parley until some of the man-hunters could return to ee claim their prey. ve He crushed down his hot sense of injustice as best he could, and in graver, more earnest tones, gave the two _ men a sharp rebuke: a ee “ Maybe you mean well, gentlemen, but you’re simply / | playing in with the devils ‘who butchered your friend, and working against the man he trusted with his life, when a discovery of his real mission meant sure death to himself.” “ He trusted, you say, yet—héere he lies.” | John Dement pointed toward one of those ghastly shapes with steady finger, but with a sudden tremor in his voice x that lent emphasis to his simple speech. If Gentleman Joe had really been the euiley man he was charged, with being, he must have shown -signs to that ! effect, under those words, that touch of tragic pathos; in- stead, he stood more proudly erect as he met those search- ing looks, to make reply : “Through no fault of mine, gentlemen, as I swear to prove to your complete satisfaction,.unless I am murdered by the evil gang at whose door hisdeath lies. Youare only helping them cover up their tracks, by hunting down ~~~ one of the two men who alone can lay bare the whole truth.” “You are one of those two, sir?” “Yes. Is it truce, gentlemen ? ? Unless robbery has been added to assassination, you'll find the evidence of my in- nocence on that corpse, for Thompson showed me how——” “Truce goes, Mr. Gentry,” interposed Dement, after ex- changing a swift glance with his mate. “All we ask is to pin this death on the right head, and, if you can help us do that, you’re our friend, not enemy.” “Truce it is, then,” eagerly cried the Gilt-Edged Sport, lowering the hammers of his guns and slipping them into their cases, as he nimbly sprang down from the rocks into the stage- -road below. Yet, with all this seeming confidence, Gentleman Joe fee was keenly on the alert, and had faith in his powers of ie swift drawing and rapid shooting to foil any attempt at treachery or. unfair dealing on the part of these strangers, should that outward carelessness Ope them to try any- thing of the sort. Possibly he wronged them in entertaining such sus- picions, or, more likely, they recognized in him a man, who could and would defend himself to the latest gasp, for no such attempt was made during his descent, and when fairly on their level, their chances of success were much less. “It’s not help r m offering. gentlemen, for I’ll avenge Catherwood on my owm hook, or lose my life trying,” he said, earnestly. CHAPTER VIII. iP eS GENTLEMAN JOE’S VENDETTA, “You talk smoothly enough, but——” “Tt’s actions that count, you think?” with a faint smile, as Dement hesitated in his speech. “Right enough you are, too, but just now a few words, as between man and man, may count for much more than you can give credit, off-hand. First, have you searched the—him 2” “What forf Can there be aspark of life lingering, after. —look at his hurts, man!” with a touch of sudden fierce-/ ness. Gentleman Joe glanced that way, a spasm of pain wrinkling his pale face, but his eyes came quickly back to the stern, dogged faces of the two deputies with whom he now.had to deal. . “You're wronging me, pardners, as I hope to make cleay in God’s good time.” he said, with gravity, unflinching meeting those keen stares. “By the soul of my mother an angel in Heaven, now! By her sainted memory, ’  No. 305. THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. 13 swear to you that I never harmed this friend of ours. I vow that Idid all any one man could to save him from this fate. I only knew him for a few short days, but I learned to almost love him during that time.” ~ “¥Yet—you were with him ?” re “Not when he met his death since I’m still alive, sir.” | There was a simple dignity in face and voice which could not help but impress them both, and with milder tones, John Dement asked : “Tell us what you do know about it, please, stranger. Somebody must pay for this foul deed, and if you can show us——” “T found you keeping company with at least three of the assassins, and the fiercest of alljn crying vengeance was Queen Hsther.” ee “What! you can’t mean—why, band.” “Who met death at the hands of the mah. they were murdering, or I’ll never make another guess,” earnestly declared Gentleman Joe. ‘“‘ He said his warrant read ‘dead or alive.’ He swore that death Salone should rob him of his prize, or cheat the gallows. He meant it—howp sternly he meant each word, let his bullet-riddled corpse declare.” ‘It’s easy to talk slick,” put in the silent deputy ; * but whar’s the proof to back it all up?” “You spoke of proof for a fact, stranger.” said Dement, rallying from the emotion which did him credit as a man, if not as an officer. “What proof can you offer us?” ‘First, have you searched his body for papers?” “Yes, but found nothing.” “Not even in his secret pocket under his shirt?” per- sisted the Sport, with an'expression of bitter disappoint- ment. ‘He showed it tome before we turned the trick, and said that it was the best he could do to guard his life; that premature discovery would surely bring on a fight, | which could end only in his death, or the death of the man he had come clear from Kansas City to arrest.” ' “They said you’re that man, Mr. Gentry.” “They lied, but—have you looked, I repeat?” “Yes, and found only a knife-slit.” ae “The devils! How could they have found it out?” oe “You tell, for it’s clean past us.” That dangerous suspicion was reviving, and a touch of, a. it in. those grimly sullen words warned Gentleman Joe. i 8©=©)— COW: rallied quickly, frankly encountering those burning ee glances, speaking earnestly : “Perhaps it’s too much to expect your hearty belief, gentlemen, but the future will bear me out in all I’m say- ing. If I had only you to deal with, or anything less hot than a mob. I'd surrender to you, off-hand, and trust to my innocence of wrong to bear me safely through this hasty mix. As it is—will you hear me out?” ‘“Why not since you ask it, sir?” “T do ask it, gentlemen, and, in fhe end, you'll not regret having given me so much rope, even though right now you’re trying to see a chance to catch me off my guard.” “Tf we wanted to take you right bad, I reckon——” “Vou’d never take me alive, gentlemen, so let that thought pass out of your mind,” came the coldly grave retort. ‘‘When the right time comes round, I'll surrender to stand trial, if it must be, but never until I know I can prove the death of this man against those who took his life so brutally. “Tve sworn to avenge his murder, detta more sacredly sworn by Corsican, th of mine against the Royal Flush.” a “We're talking of men, not:cards, Mr. Gentry.” “Tm talking of devils, not men or woman. Catherwocd, or Thompson, as I knew him best, lost his life through ar- = resting Ace King, the head member of-the evil gang known ~ in these partsas the Royal Flush. And to prove it, in nart, at least, listen : § “That gang holds forth at Hardscrabble, and yonder lump of carrion was its head, just as his wife, Queen fsther, is still its brains. Never mind the rest just now. Some of the mob may come back, and I’ve got more to tell you. | ae ~~ “Thompson came to Hardscrabble, and I won his friend- _ghip, partly because I chipped in to save him from being 1ed by a couple of the gang at poker, but mainly § : vowed enmity tothe Flush, man, this was her hus- and never.was ven- an this vendetta fe | | ‘surely to ‘doing that, Thompson bent the front sights on both of my a “In an open battle with honest men against bogues, I reckon we could have a little more than held our own, but Thompson wanted just one of the gang, and he wanted him alive. ‘“You know the crime for which he came so far to make this arrest. He told me all, but that don’t matter so much right now. Enough that I agreed to see him through, if it lay in the wood, and that Horace Eagle, marshal of Hardscrabble. chipped in with the same intention. * First-off, Thompson wasn’t dead sure which one of two wag, his man, for Asa King had a twin{brother—you saw him to-day; he with the black beard, worn. just as yonder carrion wore his; and the resemblance was so strong that Thompson couldn’t make dead sure, without Setting a chance to find out which brother wore the marks he had noted down. : . “The better to do this, Thompson seented to chip in on the side of the Royal Flush as against me, playing a double part as only such a man could play it to the end. “Never mind just why we were at odds. Hnough for now that both sides had openly vowed to break the other © up, and run the fragments out of town, if/no’ over the range as well. I merely mention it, the better to make you understand the part we both played when the fruit was ripe for plucking. “It was by no means easy to smooth over the fact of my chipping in to help Thompson out—a stranger, being played for a pigeon, as I then thought him—but even that was brought about at last. ‘‘Thompson was bluffed, when he tried to edge in with the Flush, and, to make himself solid the better to spot his right man, he offered to help do me up, and even sug- gested how that might be brought about without rousing the honest part of town against their dirty work. “In exposing the foul play that night, I had toy pin Lucky Jackson’s hand to the pot he was claiming on a cold royal, and that gave Thompson a hint to act upon. He offered to cripple my guns, if Lucky cared to. bluff me into a regular duel. “Well, the trick was turned, smooth enough, and an- other of the gang helped make it seem all the more real, though he*hardly knew the important part he was playing at the time. . : “You may have noticed the fellow; a great, hul brute, with face painted in all colors?” » 4 Both deputies nodded assent, but spoke no words. De- spite the strong suspicion which had been planted in their minds against this stranger, his bold, frank manner was winning their good-will, to a certain degree. Of course, empty speech was hardly evidence, to be ac- cepted without question, but thev were each moment growing moie and more willing to hear Gentleman Joe to the end without actual interruption. “JT painted that face with fists for brushes, and. while / king guns, which I gave him to hold, meanwhile. I thrashed Big Casino,. then -accepted the challenge from Lucky Johnson, of which he was the bearer. ‘The meeting came off, but the conditions permitted m to change guns, and, instead of falling mysélf, I downed Lucky with a shattered elbow, then turned on Thompson and raked him down for doctoring my guns. “That gave him a fair chance to openly side in with the gang, and he played them for gudgeons, until he knew which of the twihs was his right game. “By this time they fully believed inshim and his avowed hatred for me. He swore I killed his brother, near Silver Gulch, and made them believe’ he was trying to play me even. And then, as the easiest method to bring that about, he proposed to arrest me on forged papers, as the man who killed a passenger on the Falcon City stage-linea year” ago. “They jumped at the chance, and agreed to hold up the stage we were to take, wiping me out when I couldn’t de- fend myself. And he made Asa King promise to go along as a sworn deputy. Catch on, don’t ye?” / “If King was really a fugitive from justice, would he trust a detective, even on such a smooth story, though?” .“Why not, since Thompson swore he was an ex-road- | agent, and only playing the part of detective the more | 1 draw me into the death-drap?” quickly replied mn ols t BT a ess PENS C5 Gr  % 14 No. 305. THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. Gentleman Joe. “You'll understand it better, perhaps,: when tHe knot is cut, as I swear it shall be, ere long. Just now I can only give you the naked facts to think over. “Well, Ace King and his gang fairly jumped at the bait offered them. Why not, since it was so carefully dis- guised? And they were red-hot to down me, for good and | all, you must keep in mind, gentlemen. “ That woman took a hand in, luring me out of town _ away from all my friends, as she considered it; then the trap was sprung. Thompson put me under arrest, having the city marshal to back him up, with King as his second deputy. a “T madé no kick, of course, since everything seemed going our way, and we took ste ge without going back to town at all. And then, when a safe distance had been gained, we turned upon King, and put him in irons, never giving*him a chance to begin kicking. ‘“Now comes the part that hurts,” his tones growing still graver as he continued: “Tom King and his gang were to lay in ambush for the stage, hold us up, then lay me out for cold meat. We left the stage at Ten-pin Rock be- fore coming to the ambuscade, and avoided it by making a circuit. “We staid by Thompson until the next morning, and begged him to let us see him safe to Camptown, but he wouldn’t have it that way. He said he’d sworn to fetch his man, single-handed, and that he stood no risk, with the long start he’d already won. And so—we just had to let him: have his own way—worse luck.” ‘How could they have smoked the trick in time to circle him, if all you say is truth?” asked Dement, gravely. “That I can only guess at, but I’ll swear Queen Esther had a main share in the nasty work. I’ll pay off her score with the rest before I give up, or go under—hist !” Gentleman Joe’s hands dropped to his weapons, as he caught a sound coming from the direction taken by the mob. He did not pause to make out its precise nature, but. hurriedly added : “Tell all who care to know that I'm going direct to Hardscrabble, and those who wish can find me by inquir- ing at the Occidental Hotel.” While speaking, he backed away in the direction of the two horses which were tethered ata little distance, adding as he drew a gun: « “Sorry to play horse thief, gentlemen, but they killed my nag, and timé is mighty precious to me just now. Tl just borrow—I know the clay bank—Watson’s beast, and leave a deposit with you as guarantee of good faith.” Gentleman Joe dropped a little roll of bills in the road, backing around to the farther side of the chosen animal, keeping both astonished deputies covered with his revol- ver while using his other hand to free the halter from the stunted bush. He sprang lightly into the saddle, still holding the two men under the drop, while adding: ‘Pay Watson, please, and say I'll trade back any time he wishes. Tell those who are coming back tc look for me at my hotel, where I’ll be after this night, ready to enter- tain callers and to meet all charges which hy be brought against me.. Now, good-by, pards.” “With those words, Gentleman Joe gave his confiscated horse free rein, riding toward Camptown, still holding the BrOD; until at a safe distance. \ ™ OHAPTER IX. ; SHERIFF FULLER IN CHARGE. Viewed from a mining-camp standpoint, ardacrabbie was an average town, being neither very good nor very wicked, very rich nor very poor. Many another mineral strike had built up a town which could easily discount Hardscrabble when it came to a point of “toughness,” yet no wandering missionary had as yet seen fit to pitch his tent within her irregular con- fines, for the purpose of spreading the gospel. The first year of her existence had, indeed; been a “hard scrabble” to keep alive, and from being “ frozen out” by starvation among other drawbacks. From that year of : toil and trouble had come her final christening, and as ‘Hardscrabble the camp would end. y _ If there was rather less fighting and “ original sin” afloat in this town than in the generality of its kind, there wag quite sufficient: to call for some sembla ne of “law and order,” but now, as in almost everything else, ak Hiafdscrabiie contented herself with taking average fare so far at a time. She had more than one admitted “chief,” oe never a mayor. Three or four ‘‘judges,” yet none of them duly elected to fill office. But, as an average compromise, she did elect, a city marshal, ‘then placidly rested on her lan- rels, watching honest Horace Hagle fall to work with what backing he might find in his own strong arm and care- fully sighted revolvers. Some such reflections as these were lazily flitting across the brain of a certain gentleman who comfortably filled a chair tilted back against a.small, unpainted plank build- ing on one of Hardscrabble’s streets on the day following that which brought to light the killing of Harold Cather- wood and Asa King on the Camptown trail. That little building was the “office” where City Marshal Hagle generally held fort, and this comfortably-disposed — gentleman was a very good friend to that same official, as events; which were even then shaping themselves was fated to,prove. “A one-horse town, give it all .credit,” Alonzo Fuller was reflecting, his sleepy- seeming eyes doing full duty. from under the slouched brim of his felt hat. “But ’Race isn’t a one horse marshal, and I’m shooting wilder than I usually do, if this is a one-horse circus just getting ready for the erand parade.” He closed the jackknife with which he had been whit- tling a bit of wood, casting one away, slipping the other into his pocket. And with the same motivn he hitched his revolver an inch or two farther forward, much as though he anticipated an occasion for using it ere long. Hardscrabble was unusually qujet, even for her, and though a single person had come into view down the street, it was only to pause for a single breath, then turn abruptly back, as though for something for gotten until that-instant. Sheriff Fuller failed to recognze this person, for he was what might be called a stranger within the gates, but he did recognize one thing else—the expected crisis was al- most certainly at hand. Then the trampling of horses’ hoofs broke the silence, and around that same corner came a number of persons, those in the lead on horseback, but*the majority being afoot. } A resident:of Hardscrabble might have been excused for © feeling uneasy, or even for taking to his heels in open flight from those leaders just then; but.’Lon Fuller never altered his position, placidly gazing up at those pale, des- perate faces, as the charge came to an ares ending only a few feet away. “Where’s ’Race Eagle?” sharply demanded Tom King, | pistol drawn, a though he fully expected it to be called : upon. his sleepy eyes roved over the figure of Queen Hsther. “Yes; where is he, I ask you?” *iaia, ‘hurry, too, seems like. What d’ye want of him, stranger ?” } “We want—just him,” viciously snapped King, chang- ing his words as Queen Esther gave him a warning stroke with her: whip. “And when we want anything that bad, we pretty generally get it, too.” The tilted chair came down to a level, and a deft toss of his head sent back that obliging hat- brim, leaving his face exposed and his eyes unobscured. Then Mr. Fuller quietly made reply : “Your luck is considerably above the average, then, my dear sir, but Im afraid it’s beginning to go back on you just now.’ “What do you mean ve that, sir?” sharply demande the Amazon. “Your servant, ma’am,” with a suave bow.’ “ Sori V can’t do better, but"the very best I can offer you right no is a substitute.” “Where’s Horace Eagle, Iask you?) We want him, and neither man nor. devil shall cheat us out of our rights Where is he for the last time?” s ; . Right before ee chars: eyes, Ina’am, » be going only - * Looking for him, are you?” lazily drawled the sitting man, giving a little ‘nod in recognition of the fair sex, as * ~  ‘ 6 NO. 800. : 2 TES LOG CABIN LIBRARY. 0 7X — Fuller. “The best I can do, remember, though I’1] admit _ I’m a mighty poor substitute for Mr. Eagle, when it comes to solid screaming, or to——” _ “His substitute ? tute, then?” harshly demanded Tom King. The stranger gave a start of real or admirably affected surprise at those vicious words, but quickly rallying, he said : “Well, scarcely. And yet, maybe I can tell better when I know just what you’re trying to get at. Why hang?” Tom King glanced toward his sister-in-law, plainly taken aback. He had made no calculations on “meeting with an obstacle of this precise nature, and smoothly though this | stranger spoke, the desperado was keen enough to suspect : he might turn out to be a very serious factor in the dan- gerous game they were playing to an end. If Queen Esther felt any such doubts, she made no sign, _breaking forth with bitter words: “Why not hang, rather? ’Race Eagle has dipped his hands in innocent blood to the very elbows. A double assassination lies at his door, and that of Gentleman Joe Gentry. I charge them with brutally butchering my hus- *pand, and I want vengeance ! Blood for blood, life for ~, life. Shall such foul deeds go unavenged, my ‘tr iends ?” + An ugly roar came from the score of people who had fol- lowed at the heels of the two riders, and growing excite- ment made itself perceptible among others who had been attracted toward that spot, though as yet they hung aloof, seemingly undecided just what was in the wind. Those brown eyes lost their sleepy expression as that dangerous sound broke forth, and the broad shoulders squared as their owner cast a single glance over the little i mob. No man living knew better than did Alonzo Fuller what-adittle spark it takes to explode such a magazine, | but his voice showed no:signs of uneasiness as he spoke, | in even, grave tones: “This is a serious charge you’re putting forth, madam ; of course, you believe all you say, but—can you prove it? Q” Wee “Tf I can encounter the demons—yes.” ae ‘Prove it with bullet and rope,” fiercely added King. a. “No one man can bar the way when—who are you, any- a way, sit?” i. 6“ My name is Fuller, ’Lon Fuller for short, and my reg- We ular stamping- -grounds are down nearer Silver Gulch, © ee Very quietly and smoothly came the words, but Tom King’s face turned perceptibly paler,as he caught the name which more than one deed of honest daring had made familiar to his ears, even though the man who bore that name was a personal stranger to him and his. Even Queen Esther gave a little start at that name, not too entirely taken up by her wrongs and her grief, to miss a point on which so much might depend. “Are you Sheriff Fuller, then?” she asked, abruptly. a: “That’s my name and title, yes, ma’am,” bowed the bry, sturdy fellow, with hand rising to his hat in rude courtesy. x “You see, I just happened to hear there was something going on in these parts, and as I hadn’t anything particu- lar on hand, down my own way, I reckoned maybe I’d as well take a bit of aramble through this range. And so— well, since it’s gained me the pleasure and honor of meet- eae ~ A ¥: a eS ee eS ie ¥ MR ta pease Nesey ho : ae ready.’ C be a little lack of polish from amore easterly point of view, mountain politeness could hardly go further, more completely cover the ground. - Yet Queen Esther flushed hotly, more in anger than in ce pleasure, and certainly showed no inclination to thank the sheriff for his gallant little speech. : _ “By what authority dg you interfere, sir 2” she sharply emanded, one hand nervously fumbling at the polished tof a revolver at her hip the while. tex pardon, ma’am. Did T understand—am I interfer- en?” h, come off,” ehinped in Tom Kine with an ugly “Too much chin-chin, Tsay. We’re after ’Race on why.” But if you. can’t get him, my dear, noe - Who savs we can’t get him? Who EANe you the right p Pd tok ow sir?” Are you willing to hang as his substi- | { | | | Je, and we’ re. going to- get him too or know the full | “Do you deny me that right Tom King?” ° For the first time since that interview opened Sheriff Fuller spoke sharply, sternly.- His right hand closed upon a pistol-butt and without drawing the weapon from its 'scabbard, that touch elevated its muzzle, until the merest fraction of an instant would suffice to bring it in line with the blustering desperado. Tom King saw as much, and, despite his brute courage, his face paled and his form flinched perceptibly. Once again Queen Esther interfered, an empty hand fly- ing up and to the front, as she exclaimed : “Hold, sir! Dare to harm my brother, and salt can’t save you.” “T’ll not be the first to break the peace, be sure, ma’am,” coolly came the answer. tions my right—do you, ma’am 2?” “Tf you stand up for foul assassins against just venge- ance, yes!” fiercely cried the woman, once more giving way to her hot passions. “Ten thousand times over— yes. ‘Prove that assassins are at hand, ma’am, and I’ll be the first to lift hand to arrest them, and frendship ’ll.cut no fure, then. But, as I ask for proof—proof must be shown before killing is talked of.” “Proof? Is it proof you ask for, sir? Go the trail we’ve just come over, and proof ye shall see, in plenty to.damn a thousand such vile butchers as Horace Hagle and Joseph Gentry. “They murdered my husband—riddled him with bullets, fired so near at hand that his clothes were set afire. Never giving him a show for. his dear life. Butchering him like a sheep-killing cur. And you still ask for proofs?” “Not that killing has been done, but proofs as to who did the deed.” “Who could have done it, save those who lied my dar- ling into false security ? Who else could have come so near on evil bent? Who else——” Queen Esther tore at her throat as though suffocating, her fierce words dying away in a choking feats brought an uneasy, dangerous sound from those who had followed her to this spot. Tom King reached a supporting arm, but the woman, rallying, passionately struck it aside, once more confront- ing the sheriff, to add: ‘Tf those demons are innocent, why are they in hiding? Why don’t they come forth as honest men should, to meet and deny? Why do they skulk hehind your author itv—a, ‘lie,” with another vicious outburst. ‘‘You have no authority that can shield the foul assas- sins of honest men, whose only crime lies in doing their bounden duty, sir. Andif you dare attempt to exercise that flimsy pretense, I?ll call down the same. vengeance upon your head as upon theirs.” “You’re letting wild passion and grief carry you away, Mrs. King,” gravely answered Sheriff Fuller. ‘‘As for my authority, I’°1] show good cause when the right time comes. And now, as proof, let me add this much: ae have already placed Horace Eagle under arrest to answer for all or any regular charges brought against him. ing you, ma’am, I’m more than paid for my trouble al- I'll arrest Joseph Gentry, if just cause is given, but—and | what I say now, Ill back up as long as my life lasts—I1l Pleasant words enough, surely. And, while there might have no lvnch- law brought into play.” Queen Esther’seemed staggered for the moment by that or stern speech, but she quickly rallied, facing her followers ‘and viciously crying: . “Tt’s all part of the same foul trick, men. if ye be men! Down the lying knave who thinks he can cheat outraged justice, for——” The door behind Sheriff Fuller swung open to reveal tthe shapely figure of Gentleman Joe, Winchester rifle in hands, and at a level. é care CHAPTER X. IN HONOR BOUND. ‘Hands up, or go down in death !” Sternly the Gilt-Edged Sport spoke, and the nee of his gun swung smoothly back and forth, one instant cov- oo Tom King, the next bearing full upon Queen Esther. ‘ hoe es ae oe ane backward, bringing his Vengeance, © * “I’m here to help pre- | serve that same peace, by the way, azd if Mr. King ques- © that: : oe you, sir. 16 ae to the front of the y pullding, a brace of guns swiftly coming to a level, menacing the little crowd which had started forward in answer to that fierce Apes? from the Amazon's lips. “TI didn’t figure on it just so, gentlemen, all, bat since the game has opened, I'll play my cards for all they’re worth. Keep back, or pay the initiation fee in full.” Both riders flinched from those menacing muzzles, their - animals backing away, yet facing the enemy. To wheel} in flight would be hardly less dangerous than making a bold onset just then. “Steady, I tell you!” added Gentleman Joe, making the drop do double service the while. “Youve had your inn- ings, now comes mine.’ He paused for a single breath, Bae a brief glance over the group beyond, then coldly adding: “Men of Hardscrabble, I’m talking to you just now, and, if you are still white, you’ll hear me through, even as you've lent ear to these two false witnesses. “I’ve heard all they had to say, and I denounce them as liars, from start to finish. More: I charge Tom King with murdering the detective, whose corpse was found beside the carcass of Ace King, the fugitive from: justiceywkom he, as a sworn officer of the law, had placed under arrest. “And I charge Esther King, widow of Ace King, with being an accessory both before and after the aoe iy “You lie, Joe Gentry.” a dare you put me to the test before a fecal court, Mrs. King.” “Tl put you to the test before the only fair court—that of public opinion, sir,” retorted the woman, rallying from that surprise. ‘‘The blood of my darling is still wet upon your foul hands. Men of Hardscrabble, I appeal to you. Justice! Vengeance, for——” r And I say, men of Hardscrabble, wait yet a little longer,” sternly interposed the sheriff, taking a step in advance. “T’m here to see that law or justice has her full dues, and I’l] kill the first one who dares lift hand to cheaé either one or the other. .“ You, madam, ask for justice. I’ll promise you all that, if you'll agree on your part to abide by its decision.” “He butchered my darling, and I’ll never give over until I’ve had full vengeance for that, far as his miserable life can pay the debt.” Fiercely though those words came, it was clear that Queen Esther was hardly willing to sacrifice her own life in an attempt. to execute that vengeance. It would only be an attempt, so far as she was concerned, for Gentleman Joe held the drop, and, woman though she might be, he would hardly let that fact influence him so far as to yield up his own life rather than actually endanger hers. And Tom King was still less eager to press against the pricks just then. He had not even that partial protection, and he knew the first death would come to him, sure as fate. He muttered a few words of warning, but without wait- ing to see what effect, if any, those would have upon Mrs. King, Sheriff Fuller once more lifted his voice for peace: “Try and bring calm reason to your aid, Mrs. King, and Don’t lose everything, by trying to grab too much all at once. Ill pledge my word as man and officer to see that fair justice is measured out to every one con- cerned in this ugly mix, but—as the first step, you must give up your guns.” 8 own weapons were surely covering the couple, and Queen Esther shrank back a little, even as she fiercely cried out: “What! Disarm, so yonder devil can add another brace of murders to his blood-stained record? Never, sir!” “No harm shall come'to you or to Mr. King, ma’am, on} my honor,” the sheriff earnestly declared. ‘“ And now, having repeated that pledge, Pve got to say just this much more: “T’m in duty bound ‘to see fair ae all round, but since the charge of murder has been distinctly made against _ you two, I’ve got to place you both under arrest. : “You can’t do——” “Tf not living, then otherwise, ” eurtfy interrupted Fuller, his Ee soft brown: eyes” pole oe 2 a reddish THE Log CABIN LIBRARY. ‘come to you, if you’re sensible. |may be brought against him, No. 305. He gave a sharp, shrill whistle, which cee was a signal for which allies had been waiting, since the next moment a force of armed men came fr rom the rear of the little office, théir rifles turned toward the astonished enemy beyond. ‘‘A trap, by——” exploded Tom King, flinching from this unlooked for force, yet kept from Peete away in flight by those leveled guns. “No trap at all, unless you’re dead bent on having it. just that way, sir,” hastily assured the sheriff. “ Merely a prudent precaution against unnecessary. trouble, and fullv as much on your account as my own. No harm shall But— I said I’d arrest you, and I’m going to do just that. Unless——” He paused, leaving a hiatus, but neither of the two principal opponents offered to fill it just then. But Queen Esther, flinging a hand toward Gentleman Joe, who still maintained his station in the open door-way, sharply ¢ ex- claimed : “Surrender to that foul assassin ? dered just as my poor husband was murdered.” : “Oblige me, Mr. Gentry?” smoothly asked Fuller, but without turning either gaze or pistols from those still ah gerous adversaries. ‘With pleasure, sheriff,” said the Gilt-Edged Spare” stepping back, inside the little office, closing the door with a deftly managed foot. “He'll only leave this buildi ing to face the charge w hich — still in that ominously mild voice. now, and you—take your choice between actual ae and an honorable parole.” “Just what do you mean by parole, sir?” quickly asked King, before his sister-in-law could answer for herself. - “You say that either or both Horace Eagle and Joseph Gentry killed your brother, don’t you?” “Who else—yes.” “All right. They bring counter-charges, but: winile men. would do pretty much the same thing, so that fact cuts no particular figure in the point we’re talking over. The main thing, I take it, is to fetch the criminals to law, and I’in more than willing to do my part toward that ending, if you’ll only help in place of hindering. “Will you pledge me your word of honor toa ppear in court——” ® \ ‘“ What court is there here, save that of Judge Lynch?” asked Queen Esther. “Court enough to bind a man,over for trial, I reckon, ma’am,” said the sheriff, coolly. “IU promise full satis- faction on that point, if you'll only let us get that far. Just now the question is, whether 1’m to arrest you in blunt fact, or take your pledge to appear at the time and — place appointed, to press this charge of murder against the men I’ve already taken in charge ?” Brother and sister. interchanged glances, by no means, happy ones, but Sheriff Fuller gave no sign, simply add-_ ing: “TI hate to hurry you, friends, but time’s passing by, and there’s a heap sight 0’ work to be done up before night comes. Which is it parole or arrest ?” ‘Parole, then,” quickly said Tom King, one hand cateb- ing Queen Est her by an arm, as though to check any ob- jection she might feel like making. “That's hearty!” cordially declared Fuller, his pistols coming down and returning to their scabbards. “ Where’ll I be most apt to find you, when wanted to Co those charges in due form?” ~° we Tom King hesitated, but the woman spoke for both : “When and where will’ the examination take ee rather ?” “Lacking a regular court-room, I reckon we’d bette; up the eating-room at the Occidental. That's the bi room I can think of, off-hand, like. How does t suit you, ma’am {” : “ And the hour ?” 3 “Well, two o’clock, say. That'll give us full tir explaining. all “points, and yet get through before comes. Of course, you’ll be on hand, friends?” S “And you?” “Dll be ther with Horace Fag! I'd rather die, mur-; : Mrs. King,” said Fuller, “He’s under arrest = - it 1 of the case. rae RR cs the office. No. 305. may “my prisoners, ready to answer such charges as may be brought against them.” 2 _ Once again those dark eyes sought each other, and though no words passed, the two members of the Royal Flush evidently came to a perfect understanding, for Queen Esther spoke again in calmer tones than any she badused up to that moment: . “Very well, sir. Pledge for pledge. .We’ll be there at the* hour named, and we'll expect to meet both you and the persons you’ve just mentioned. Now, eanything further ?” Tom King flashed a sullen, doubtful glance toward the officer, who had so unexpected#y to him taken full charge Possibly he anticipated a demand for his _ weapons, but if so, he was agreeably disappointed. “ Nothing more on my side, ma’am, unless itis a gentle hint that any unusual disturbance will be met. by my Sworn posse here, and nipped in the bud before it can flower out in red.” Without deigning answer to this thinly vailed hint, Queen Esther wheeled her horse and rode away in the direction of her house, closely followed by Tom King. And simply giving his armed posse anod by way of orders, Sheritf Fuller turned the knob and stepped inside . The light was dim, thanks to the ‘one curtained window, but it was quite sufficient to show him the gravity which _ each of those two faces wore, as Gentleman Joe and Hor- ace Eagleggazed upon him. The city marshal was tall and gaunt of frame. His thin face seemed lengthened by the tuft of grizzled hair which covered his chin, leaving thin lips and sunken cheeks bare. His jaws were working rapidly on a section of plug- tobacco, and sending forth a stream of yellowish liquid, he _gurlily growled : oe “Waal, you jest hev done it, hain’t ye, Lon Fuller?” “How so, old kicker?” lightly asked the sheriff. “I’ve done more than you could have done in my place under existing cireumstances.” “Bet yer sweet life ye jest hev, now! Turned them pizen critters loose, to go fer—oh, you’re a honey-cooleér, you be!” “Keep your linen on, pardner,” coolly retorted the offi- cer, in no wise disconcerted by that fierce raillery. acted all for the best, and you’ll be first to acknowledge as much, after you've taken a fair, square look at both of, nie er. _. before the town. sides of the shield.” “Yes, I will! Lettin’ ’em go free, to—git out, you.” “Simply because I just had to do that, or do worse, | Hagle,” argued , Fuller, casting aside his balf-mocking de- meanor, hand on Hagle’s arm as he explained. ‘ Maybe I saw more than you did, for I came into the case a mighty sight cooler. — “Those two did the talking, but their gang was close be- hind, ready and willing to wade in, clear up to their necks, if need be. If1 hadn’t pretended to humor ’em a bit, Hardscrabble would have taken a red bath, this day.” “Waal, reckon Hardscrabble, ’d’a’ got over that, er the good it’d ’a’ done the honest part o’ town.” “Hardst¢rabble might, but others wouldn’t. You're hot under the collar, pardner, and i’m‘not blaming you so mighty much, either. Still, | hold that I acted all for the best. [f I'd stuck to arresting that woman outright—well, Y’d have taken her body, perhaps, if my own life had held |. out long enough. | “And so as the next best thing, I put them upon honor I took their parole, and I fully believe _they’ll keep it, so far as coming to the hotel at the hour - mamed is concerned. , ‘Still, suppose they do take leg-bail? Won’t that clear gou two, by convicting them in all honest eyes? If they mM away——” I’ll follow and capture them, dead or alive,” sternly in the Gilt-Edged Sport, with clenched hand uplifted moe took the oath. Me Z ‘- _THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. “TDve} aq ‘the marshal’s office under their guidance, silently divided, falling to either side, giving them a free and unobstructed passage. i mf Not a voice was lifted in question or objection, but plenty of eyes were aglow wiith inquiry as Queen Esther and King passed their owners by; and to one pair came an answer. Only aslight gesture from the woman’s hand, but Big Casino read its language as readily as though couched in. the plainest, most simple of all words. > “Better luck than I dared hope for,” said Tom King, when fairly out of ear-range of all save his sister-in-law. “It’s not so mighty often I grow shaky about the knees, but this time—well, the saddle held me, and ’Lon Fuller let me go.” _ A Spanish oath came gratingly through those snapping white teeth, and Queen Esther gave a vicious gesture with clenched right hand. If those fingers had held a dagger, 'and an enemy had been within arm’s length! | She turnea a burning glance upon her companion, which caused him to flush hotly, his own eyes drooping ‘the while. But he half-sulkily answered that silent re- proach ;: “Tm fully as hot.as you, Queen, to play even for Ace, but where’s the sense in throwing our lives after his, with- out even the ghost of ashow for our side? That devil meant shoot, and Gentry had a string of blue pills ready —ugh !” i Queen Esther made no reply, but spurred her tired horse viciously, looking neither to the right nor the left until the gate in front of her house was reached. There she sprang to the ground, a gesture bidding King care for her ‘horse with his own, after which she hastened to the build- ing itself. This was rather Jarger and better looking than is often found in a purely mining town, consisting of two stories, built of wood, neatly painted. Along the front extended a ‘roofed veranda, and wooden shutters were at each window. It did not take Tom King very long to put up the horses, but when he entered the house, his sister-in-law had pretty well subdued that fit of fierce sulks, and both looked and acted more like her natural self. | He found her in a chamber above stairs, from which a clear call summoned him immediately on his crossing the threshold—a chamber which contained a single bed upon which lay a pale, haggard-faced man, plainly suffering from some serious hurt or long illness. This patient was Lucky Jackson, the gambler mentioned _by Gentleman Joe in his hurried explanation to John De- ment and his silent mate the day before. In that duel his right arm had been shattered at the elbow, and although he had stubbornly fought against further mutilation, Jackson yielded at length, when con- vinced that only by an amputation could his life be saved. Thanks to a naturally strong constitution, he had borne the ordeal well, and rallied marvelously after it. His face showed something of the tortures he had suffered, but his spirit was still strong, and a touch of characteristic fierce- ,ness was in his tone, ashe greeted the coming of Thomas King. ‘Another fizzle, or all eyes lie. Oh, if if I could only be up and doing. If this cursed arm of mine——” “Or which was once yours?” brutally interrupted the ruffian. : “ Drop that, both of you!” sharply cried Queen Esther, her hands clenching as they came more prominently into sight. ‘‘Haven’t we enough work on hand as it is, with- out clapper-clawing ’twixt ourselves?” oe “That’s all right,” sulkily growled King, dropping heavily into a chair, flinging his hat to the floor, then pulling at his jetty beard. “But Lucky needn’t chin, after his own slips.” “Are you so sure . Pom 2” : , Tom gave a sonorous oath, for that quiet question — touched a raw spot, yet one which both knew must be _ ; ; : we haven’t made yet another one, probed tothe bottom. a oS “That’s what’s making me sweat under the collar,” he . gruff candor, s owling un “OWS. said, witl  @ i 8 for the time being. ‘“Ionly wish I could feel different, but—isn’t it all a devilish trap? Isn’t ’Lon Fuller playing in cahoots with Eagle and Gentry ?” “Tf he is, you certainly acted as though you wanted to help him make a sure thing of it, Tom,” retorted, Queen Esther. . “Whatelse could I,do? He held the drop, and back of him was Gentleman Joe, and that infernal posse. What else could I do, I ask you?” His head and shoulders propped up with pillows, Lucky Jackson turned an anxious gaze from face to face as the others spoke in turn. He knew something of what had transpired, and could guess at more, but he knew there - was still something of importance lying back, and this was what he hoped to learn. But now, aS woman and man seemed to lose sight of more important points in their angry or sullen sparring, he thought it time to interfere, after a friendly fashion. “TI gay, friends,” he began, only to have his words cut short by an outburst from Tom King. “You can sneer, Esther, but that don’t help us out of the mix, and you’re plenty old enough to know it. I say it’s a cursed trap, and that I took the only way of cheat- ing it, even for a short time.” “By showing the white feat scrabble.” : “That’s a—difference of judgment,” with a brief flash of his strong teeth in contrast with his black mustache. ‘‘And so I keep on with my saying, and right here you have it; skin out while we can.” “Run away, you mean?” , ‘Skin out, I say, while we’ve got a chance. Run away, if you like the words better. But get out of Hardscrabble, and watch for a better show.” Then the woman’s fierce temper fairly flamed forth. Her face was hotly flushed. Her black eyes turned fiery as those of an infuriated wild beast. Her shapely hands flew up in savage gestures, then clenched tightly as they seemed to menace Tom King. “JT never thought you acur until right now, Tom King. -I never once thought I’d live to hear such craven advice from your lips—lips tinged with the same blood that flowed so grandly through his veins.” : “Tt’s that, or worse,” doggedly muttered the man. “What ean be worse than to—look at me, Tom King,” with forced calmness that was even more impressive than her undisguised rage: “Look me in the eye, if you dare! Now. isn’t your twin brother dead? murdered by one who yet lives, just as surely as though his hand had sped those eruel shots?” She paused as if for areply, but none came in words. Tom King turned pale in place of flushing; that was the only change perceptible. “Murdered, I repeat, and his death lies at the door of Gentleman Joe Gentry. Now, didn’t you take solemn oath to never turn back until that death was fully avenged? Didn’t you, Task?” “You know I did, so why keep on asking, girl?” ‘To bring forth the naked truth, you coward, of course.” “Qoward? Didn’t I lay out—did I flinch when it came to the pinch over yonder?” hoarsely demanded King, his face flushing angrily. “Flag of truce, pardners,” interposed Lucky Jackson, fearing still worse must come, unless~he could effect~a) diversion. ‘Can we afford to break up in a row betwixt ourselves, while there’s others waiting for their chips to be cashed ?” “Talk to her, Lucky, her in the face of all Hard: { ” growlingly said King, letting his muscles relax, plainly welcoming that interference. “I’ve | played my cards the very best I knew how, and, if we haven’t swept the board, I’m notto blame. At least, I can’t see it in that light.” / “You took the same oath that crossed my lips, Tom King; you swore to never know rest until Ace was avenged.” “Well, isn’t the devil who killed him, cold meat?” “Yes, but not the devil who put up the whole job, and if you take water now by the soul of my murdered hus- band, I’l] kill you with my own hand, sir.” a Queen Esther sprang to her feet, right hand clenched THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. and uplifted, her face white as that of a corpse, yet seem- ; 'and stern: _ trapped my darling to his death are food for worms. . } / ing to fairly glow with heat and fury. Strong, reckless man though he was, Thomas King act- ually shrank from the woman, who néver looked prouder, fiercer, than right then and there. : Lucky Jackson uttered a sharp, yet almost wailing cry, and, as he saw Queen Esther turn his way, his lids closed © and a shivering fit apparently took possession of his frame. - It was a cunning trick, but one that worked to adinira- tion. Aéter all, Esther King was a woman, and witha share of woman’s virtues. She sprang to aid the crippled gambler, and Lucky Jack- son revived only when he €elt tolerably sure his point had been carried, and that dangerous outbreak quelled for the time being, if not altogether. Then he-asked a further explanation, which Queen Es- ther gave him, boiling the matter down into as few.sen- tences as possible. hes As she came to anend, Jackson gave a fierce groan, striking the bed with his bandaged left hand; the same No. 308 3 8 ® through which Gentleman Joe had driven his dagger as ~ a i: the first act in exposing foul play at cards. © x ‘All this, and I bed-fast! Oh, curse my crooked luck! If Iwas but half aman now! If I had only strength. enough to stand alone, even!” ‘During that nursing and. narrative, Tom King had kept silence, sullenly watching the woman and the gambler, even while it was plain his thoughts went far beyond them. But at this impotent outburst on the art of the patient, he sneeringly, asked : “Well, what wonders could -you work, if you w crippled, Lucky ?” “Do? I’d find some means of killing Gentry, if I couldn’t.raise a mob to lynch him. That hadn’t ought to be so mighty hard, either, unless the Flush has clean lost its grip since I caught my last dose.” eren’t a ‘‘Bah!” retorted King, stung by that inference, though ~ “Talk's > Jackson had no intention of flinging forth a slur. easy, but when it comes to acting—well, you tried two whacks at Gentleman Joe, and each time he downed you, too easy for any sort of use.” ‘‘At least he made a trial, Tom,” crisply interjected Mrs. King, the words pointed by a curling lip. “ And who says I’m not willing to try it on?” “You did, or I’ve forgotten how to read actions, sir.” “Because I didn’t see fit to buck my head againsta | stone wall? Because I didn’t throw away the only chance we had for playing even? You’re turning foolish, Esther, and if you can’t get down to sober reason, the quicker you take to your bed, the sooner poor Ace will be paid for. And right there you have it, too.” c “While you—over the hills and far away 2” “While I down Gentry, if I.can only find backing alga /: ee enough to give me one chance out of fifty,” coldly retorted . — ~< her brother-in-law. There was a brief silence, during which the twain gazed into each other’s eyes, while Lucky Jackson glanced anx- , iously from face to face, then back again, mentally curs- ing the weakness which held him bed-fast even though a cripple. Then Queen Esther spoke, her tones even, h er/voice cold “Tf I’ve wronged you, Tom, I ask your pardon. I really thought you wanted to run away, to save your own self from worse. take.” “Granted, sister, of course, but——” os ““ Wait,” with an imperious gesture. “You heard me take oath to never give over until my husband was fully . |avenged. I ask you to hear me take that oath again, ang all the more because of the words you just now let fall; | “T’llavenge Asa King, or die while trying. I’ll ng show mercy, never let pass a chance for striking a never count my own life as aught, until the devils Wf “There you have my a little more. ae z ae ‘Gentleman Joe is my game. He must perish under - ‘hand. If Isaw even you, my murdered husband’s t 4 oath, my vow, and now I’ll say y" ah Now—well, I’ve asked pardon for my mis- |  é No. 305. THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. 19 — brother, on the point of ee his life, I'd kill you with- out a gleam of pity, a ray of mercy. “We'll goto the meeting, as promised. If we fail to convict them both, I'll kill Joseph Gentry then and there, though he had a million guards.” CHAPTER XII. SHERIFF FULLER ON GUARD. Word having gone forth concerning the examination which was on the docket, Hardscrabble hurried up the noonday meala bit, and long before the hour set, or two -o’clock, the Occidental Hotel was the center of interest for nearly two-thirds of the town’s population. Yet, strong as’ was the general excitement, this was kept well within bounds, thanks to the cool precautions taken by Sheriff Alonzo Fuller. By virtue of powers which he exhibited only to a select few, that gentleman took possession of the hotel for the time being, placing his armed deputies as guards, and _ publicly giving notice that any unauthorized attempt to ~~ enter the building would be worse than useless. Among the precautions taken, were closing the heavy wooden shutters with which each one of the windows on the ground floor were provided, and stationing armed men at each door, front, side, and rear. “As for what arrangements were going on inside, the gen- eral public could only surmise as yet. Outside, despite the surface calm, matters could hardly be.said to indicate the coming of the millennium. Although ..~ the crowd appeared to mingle freely, one who had lived for any length of time in Hardscrabble could easily have divided that moving mass into two almost equal portions ; those, who favored the rule of the Royal Flush, and those who favor ed the return of law and order, as represented ‘by Horace Hagle, and, less loudly, Gentleman Joe Gentry. Among the former partisans, pr obably the most con- -&picuous was Big Casino, who kept in almost constant mo- tion, pausing here and there to drop a whisper where he thought it would do the most good for the side he was ad-_ -voeating. - noisy in his efforts to create or direct public sentiment against Eagle and Gentry, and after quietly taking notes for a few minuteés, Sheriff Fuller left: his station at the _ front entrance, gently tapping Diamend on anarm, as he smoothly spoke : ‘Don’t you reckon you’ve blown off nouel steam for once, my dear fellow ? Suppose you take a back-seat now, and give others 4 chance.” Big Casino wheeled with an oath, but it hardly passed his Jips. And the huge fist turned to a hand once more, as he caught that steady gaze, and read what lay back of those keen brown eyes. | . “LT reckona critter has aright to his own ’pinions, hain’t “he? 9)? “. “Yes, so.long-as they remain his own, and he don’t use _ them to start a fire big enough to sweep half the town. ‘You catch on, pardner ?” 1 bain’t done nothin’ which——” “Don’t try so loud, then,” with a touch of sternness entering both voice and face. “Dm running this circus, remember, and if you insist on playing clown without my permission—well, I’ll make short settlement with you, understand 2” ‘Only that, but it proved quite sufficient to quiet the big 7 bully. In those eyes he read danger. In that face he saw cold resolution. Inthe man himself he recognized a master, and while he did not entirely give over his efforts, he went Meout his dirty work with a subdued, half,sheepish de- gor that robbed his words of much of their poison. King appeared on the’ scene some little time be- ie hour set for the investigation, and. having at- ml the notice of Sheriff Fuller, fell back as though st. point was gained. : ly a few of those present spoke to him, and those who remained in his company but briefly, leaving as though buffed by the pale, stern desperado. riff Fuller smiled slightly as his watchful eyes took f nN this, but. he made no comments, seemingly con- At first the big fellow was inclined to be a little too) bent to let matters take their course, now that he had fairly set them in motion. As his watch notified him the appointed hour was at hand, the sheriff gave his body-guard a few whispered in- structions, then stepped to the edge of the veranda, lift- ing his hat with one hand, raising the other, as he spoke in elear, distinct tones: « Gentlemen, all! A word ér two with you before you enter this building, please.” Instantly all became still, every eye turning toward the official. “Tl not keep you long, partly because I’m a man of very few words as arule, but mainly because I reckon there’ll be wind enough spent inside before the whole truth is brought to light. “That truth has got to show up, though, if honest en- deavor can bring that about. Still, one hot-headed fool can spoil more than a dozen wise men can mend, so—play white, all of you, unless you’re really anxious to be painted red.” Sheriff Fuller broke off abruptly, bowing low, but it was not wholly’ because he had reached the end, or because he had mad@ his point. The tall, black-garbed figure of a woman was coming up the: street, and, recognizing in her the widowed Queen Esther of the "Royal oe he saluted her with off-hand courtesy, then quickly added : “To make sure no further killing is done before the law can lay grip on the criminals, we’ve made this rule—each person, man or woman, who enters this court-room, must give up all weapons by. which life can be taken.” . Queen Esther stopped short as these words .came to her ears, for she clearly had not calculated on such a move | Tom King moved toward her quickly, and tke harsh voice of Big Casino broke forth: ‘Git readv, ye pore mice critters, fer the trap is baited.” “ Button up, you overgrown loa fer, ” sternly cried the sheriff. “Chip again after that fa shion, and I'll put you where even mice would be ashamed. to go. As fcr the white portion of this crowd, I hardly reckon any objec tion | | will be raised. Every person shall receive the same treat- ment. Every dangerous weapon shall be removed by my deputies, or those” who are unwilling to submit to that evidence of fheir honesty and good faith, will be refused admittance while the investigation lasts.” “ Hivery one, you say, sir”? asked Queen Esther, leaving Tom King, and slowly drawing nearer where the sheriff stood. “So I said, and so I’m pledging my word of honor, ma’am,” bowed he. = And the murderers of my husband, too ?”” “Tf you can produce those murderers, Mrs. King, you'll confer a mighty blessing on the entire community, and spare us all a great deal of talking and buther in general,” blandly declared Fuller. “You said you had arrested them, and how —i mean Joséph Gentry and Horace Eagle, sir.” “Still, you said murderers, not those you Wha charged with being the guilty persons, ma’am. Yes, they have been searched and disarmed.” “Where are they now ?” . ‘‘Inside, waiting for business to begin. Will you——” “Enter? Of course,” coldly said the woman, passing up the steps to be chécked at the door by the men on guard. Sheriff Fuller hastened to her side, bowing low as he relieved “her of the belt of arms which she wore without disguise. Then he said, half-apologetically : “Shall I call the landlady to search you, Mrs. King, or will you pledge me your word of honor that you’re wholly ~ without artificial weapons?” “Will you take my word, sir?” “Tf you give your honor with it, certainly, ma’am.’ “Very well. I have no weapons, save those nature gave meat birth.” ‘IT know which sort I’d fear the most, if I had to vote, ma’am,” with another bow and bland smile ; then adding briskly : “Conley, escort the lady inside toa ‘seat, please.” As Mrs. King entered the dining-room, Sheriff Fuller ‘turned back to the veranda, where his guards were hold- : ing a number of eager men atbay, allof whom seemed —_— oi willing to surr render such Weapons as i mi at a  THE LOG oe LIBR ARY. No. 305. bear, oe jae privilege of witnessing what was to occur be yond that guarded portal. Quick work was made of it, since only men were to be handled, and the spacious dining- room was quite rapidly filling up, when Tom King changed his lounging attitude, drawing to the front, and bowing stiffly to the man in charge. © “Wall back, ge-*lemen!” said Fuller, briskly, at this coming. ‘Mr. King is an important. witness, and, as such, it’s no par tiality to give him an earlier chance. Your guns, please, sir. But. King recoiled a bit, his face turning perceptibly paler. “You surely can’t expect that, sheriff, when there’s men inside who have openly threatened my life?” “ And who have been threatened by you quite as openly, gir,” came the ready retort. “They’ve been disarmed, and———” : ‘ ee “T’va only your word for that.” “My word is my bond, Mr. King, and when this bit of sober business is at an end, if you are in condition to argue the value of either word or bond, I’ll be most happy to ac- commodate you. But just now—you must do the same as , all the rest have done ; give ae your guns and knife, or stay on the outside.” “Then I'll stay out, be sure, » growlingly declared the » desperado, turning to descend the low flight of steps. “Glory to the boss, ary how,” howled Big Casino, now rather more than half- -way drunken. “Ketch him in sech @ pizen trap, will ye a “Stick to it, King.” “It’s a put-up job to ‘down what’s left of the Flush.” Other fierce or derisive cries broke from the outsiders, and matters began to wear a dubious aspect to one at all nervous. Sheriff Fuller could hardly be numbered in that cate- gory, however, and, without paying any attention to the howlers, he checked King with the rather stern question : “Of course, you know what remaining outside means, gir 2 yy “What do you mean, sir?” “ Business, Mr. King, as you’d ought to know by this time. You are under parole, freely given. Don’t break it without carefully counting the cost in advance, or you may be sorry for your hasty action.” “Ts that meant for a threat?” ‘Not unless you really insist on taking it that way, but. J’ can use different words, if you prefer. charged with murdering one Harold Catherwood, just as positively as you charge others with being guilty of that. game crime.’ -“Curse Catherwood, I’m thinking of my brother.” “Why don’t you show your good faith, then? Yor, if those whom you have accused of this double killing, are gleared through lack of the evidence you can bring.for- ed. your turn will surely come next.” Coolly, even quietly Sheriff. Puller pioboanesd Hage wotds, but had he given them at the top of his strong voice, the effect could hardly have been greater. Tom King turned paler than ever, but the fierce out- burst which might hav. ve. been expected failed to come. Nodding his head, he sai “IT understand, ‘put I’ll_have to consider it a bis longer.” Passing down the steps, he moved away, disappearing around the corner of the hotel. Apparently Sheriff Fuller paid him no further notice, yet very little escaped his eyes, and among other items he mentally recordea the fact that Big Casino shortly after vanished in that same direction. ‘This refusal of Tom King to enter, served as a check to the rest, and very few persons were passed through the guard before the return of that member of the Royal Flush. A little buzz of expectation greeted that coming, but King made no sign to friend or foe, quietly ascending to the veranda, where he gave and received a polite bow. “Thought better of it, Mr. Eine: I trust? 2” ee asked the sheriff. - So—you are} “Which, I assure you, sir, 13 one without een: of favor.’ “Kagle and Gentry are in yonder, then?” x Yes, sir. And Judge Porter is only waiting for your coming to begin the investigation. Shall I?” Sheriff Fuller reached forth a hand, and Tom King just as quietly resigned his belt of arms, which was passed over to one of the guards. But that was not all. Too much was ‘at stake for long. . chances, and it was, not until a careful search proved King was wholly disarmed that he was permitted to enter, a. Sheriff Fuller bearing him company. i a ~a . @ : " CHAPTER XIII. /AN + There had been some few alterations made in the Occi- dental dining-room, since it had been taken possession of. by the present representatives of law and order. The closing of all shutters, with the laudable iteation | of barring out curious or dangerous persons, fully as mveli _ as keeping within any or all of those charged with capital crime, so greatly darkened the room that lamps had:to be lit, and these, from their brackets attached to the walls, — were shedding an uncertain, half-ghastly glow over all, as kerosene lamps are pretty apt to do when called upon at > an unnatural hour of the day. a The long tables had been taken from line, and sodis- posed as to lend the impression—vague, yet readily FECOR: 7 nized—of a regular court of justice. At one smaller table sat a tall, portly personage, hace recognizable in his black suit and gold-bowed glasses, even by those who had so recently been on terms of closest i in- timacy with the gentleman. Le Like the apartment itself, “Judge” Porter might be the same, but he certainly did his level best to “look differ= ent.” ‘A goodly number of spectators were there, hat they ob- | served the best of order, and merely kept within the bounds assigned them, leaving clear a passage to thé door, . and aspace devoted to the different persons who had a still deeper interest in the affair than that of mere curi- — osity. ae Both Gentleman Joe Gentry and Horace Hagle, the lat- = ter having , resigned his official badge pending investiga- — tion, were in this last-named reservation, quietly seated, | calmly waiting the coming of the end. a Neither man showed signs of uneasiness or fear asto | the outcome, but, as one of the eager spectators very justly said, they were both lads of pure grit, and wouldn't turn a hair even in the face of grim death, whether that personage came ona white horse, or with a hangman’ s- noose in his bony hand. Both gentlemen rose to their feet, as Queen Esther was escorted in by Deputy Conley, and both gravely bowed as, the woman passed them by, to take a chair a little nearer the judge’s position, where he sat facing the accused, rather than that portly official. Mrs. King did not deign to acknowledge that salutation, and having performed their duty as such, the gentlemen resumed their seats, patiently waiting for the end. Another buzz of interest marked the arrival of Thomas King, under escort of Sheriff Fuller, but nothing tore- = ward that evident interest took place. Quietly as though merely an outsider, King passed over to the wall, seating himself on a window- shelf, knees crossed, and hat held upon the lap thus formed. Sheriff Fuller paused in front of the table at ohick: the judge sat, bending across it to whisper a few words ings’ that official's ear, then drawing aside, his head res fully uncovered as he glanced leisurely over the con tion. Judge Porter r6m to his feet, cleared his throat’ his glasses, ran one fat finger around between his and the stiff collar, which possibly added to his dig§ but which certainly failed to make him feel any the: comfortable, chen spoke :. fe “Friends _ ae fellow-citizens : Semen Batson fe Nee CN INFORMAL AFFAIR. Batons going ‘furthe  _ right to preside over this ere investigating committee. “I wish to state, first, that I did not seek this position. It was, in a manner, thrust upon me. If I didn’t refuse to accept, twas simply because, as a lover of law and order, I deemed it my bounden duty to contribute my mite for that very purpose—to help bring forth order from chaos, rescue law from revolution, and confound the guilty by uplifting the innocent.” : Judge Porter paused, both to catch his breath and to leave a convenient opening for applause, and he bowed lowly, hand over heart, as that applause came promptly on time. we “Thanks, gentlemen. With your aid and approval, I ’ hope to hold my end level, although I hardly need tell you that, strictly speaking, I have no legal right to act as judge, But, then, neither ‘has any other citizen of Hard- . scrabble. We have no right, viewed purely from a legal _. standpoint, to even investigate this sad affair, much less try the case as a court.” , “Then what ’re we all hyar fer?” bluntly, yet respect- fully, asked one of the spectators. ~ An honest ‘question, honestly put, yet malice could hardly have sent in a more destructive shot than this. Judge Porter flushed, stammered, in vain sought _ strength in his silk handkerchief, then feebly turned to- ward the sheriff with : _ “Will you please make a—a‘few remarks, Mr. Sheriff?” “Fuller stepped forward, pausing where he could lean one hand upon an edge of the table, giving an easy, yet perfectly respectful, bow to the company in general. “Tm not so sure it’s necessary for metodo any talk- ‘Ing, gentlemen, and you, ma’am,” with another bow, this time for the especial benefit of Mrs. King. ‘The judge, your honored and honorable fellow-citizen, has pretty thoroughly covered the ground. Still, since he has made the request, I'll just say how I look at the matter. “This, as you all know, is a purely informal affair, so far as legal usages go; Hardscrabble has no judge, no - court, no actual right to try, or even arrest, ma&n or - woman on a State charge. ; “Still, I hold that we have full power to investigate a grave matter like this, provided we don’t attempt to earry it too far: we can decide whether or no it’s worth while to carry the case up higher, or if such explanations as are given here don’t clear it all away. \ “As for my having authority vo arrest persons goes,. Ill take particular pleasure in producing my papers, when the right time comes. And letting that point drop, too. I get at the milk in the cocoanut. “You are all aware that bloody work has been going on in this vicinity. Two men have been done to death, and charges of foul murder have been openly made against two entirely different parties. “Of course both sides can’t be in the right, while one of them almost certainly isin the wrong. Which one that is I’m honestly hoping to discover through this informal investigation. — ; “Tf we can bring this about, as I believe we can, if all do their level best, it will save a vast deal. of bother, not fo mention expense. There’ll be but the guilty ones to are for, and it hardly needs saying that it costs a heap sight less to guard, try, convict, and legally hang one man ' than it does two, or half a dozen.” Queen Esther gave an impatient stir, lifting a clenched hand, but as Sheriff Fuller turned that way, respectfully _ breaking off, in order to give her freedom of speech, she let her hand sink, remaining silent. “TY beg pardon, everybody, if I’m tiring out your pa- _ tience,” gravely resumed the sheriff. “This is the first _ time I ever tried my hand at running one end of a court, and [ reckon it’ll be my last. Still, since I’ve chipped, I'l] have my money’s worth. . “As I started to say, there’s been foul murder done by some person or persons. If the guilt can be fixe] beyond a doubt, all right; I’ll have so much the easier job on my ds. & ill arrest every one charged with the crime, and yem to a regular court for a regular trial. ake this statement in advance, so that you can each F you realize precisely how much I mean by my THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. kick—because some person may see fit to question our| words. Those I may arrest, 7’ll hold against all their But if the whole truth can’t be got at now and| a of lynch law, while my head is hot and my guns in work ing order.” Pausing for a few moments, as though to let his words have due effect, Sheriff Fuller turned toward Queen Hsther, with a bow, saying : “ Ladies come first, of course. Mrs. King, have you any objection to opening the ball 2” All eyes were turned in that dir.ztion, for interest plainly centered upon the Queen of the Royal Flush. Mrs. King made no reply in words, and for a brief space even. Sheriff Fuller doubted if his’ question had been heard, or understood. But then, before he could fairly decide to repeat iit, Queen Esther rose from her seat. tall and commanding, one white hand casting back the heavy vail which had until that moment concealed her face. Although pale as marble, never before had the woman looked more tragiéally beautiful, and an involuntary mur- mur broke from the witnesses .round the room. Her glorious black eyes followed that sound, but then came to a pause upon the two men who sat almost directly in front of the position she had.chosen, her white hand flying out to point her words, hot and fierce, yet tinged with bitter grief the while: “Vengeance! Justice for the widow! My darling has been foully assassinated, and there sits his murderers.” A hot flush swept over the gaunt face of Horace Bagie at those fierce words, but Gentleman Joe showed no change. If he felt emotion of any sort, his mask was too perfect for its betrayal. Si Sheriff Fuller gravely interposed, on. hand uplifted to check the murmur which might otherwise grow to danger- ous proportions. “Silence in court! And you, Mrs. King, pray calm your- self. Of course, you believe all you assert, but still it’s only assertions as yet. Pray tell your story, then call your witnesses, if you have any.” “You are their friend, and——” “T am the friend of the law, and as such I have no favorites, ma’am, as I hope to prove to you. Oncé more, will you please make your charge in regular form?” Queen Esther submitted. If such had.been her purpose, her hope, the prompt action taken by Sheriff Fuller had put to flight all thoughts of alynch-law rush. The audi- ence was eager, but eager to hear, not to act. “I have made my charge, sir, but since you ask for more, I will try to satisfy even you,” she said, in cold, hard tones. sa “A man who gave his name as William Thompson, but whom I have since heard called Harold Catherwood, came to my husband and appealed for aid in arresting a notori- ous criminal, whom he named. “He showed us papers authorizing that arrest, detailing the particular crime for which the villain was wanted. So far as we could tell, those papers were genuine, his author- ity regular, the proof perfectly clear as to the person whose arrest was demanded. “That fugitive from justice was the person best known in Hardscrabble as Gentleman Joe Gentry. He was wanted for killing a passenger on the Falcon City stage in June of last year. “TI hardly need tell you, gentlemen, why the detective chose my poor husband as the person in town best suited for helping him out, nor yet why Mr. Thompson required such assistance. You -all know of the bitter feud which had grown up between us. “Mr. King was loth to take a hand, knowing what would be said by his enemies, the friends of Mr. Gentry; but when formally summoned as one of a posse, in due form, he was too sincere a lover of law to refuse through merely personal distate. ‘‘That arrest would have been openly made, only for my pleadings. I knew how gladly the other side would wel- come any chance to kill my husband, and so I begged them to useall possible secrecv. I even helped in that arrest, by luring Gentry out of town, thinking—Heaven pity me !—that Horace Eagle was 2lso working to save life lin place of plotting with devilish art to take it. oS ' “T can’t dwell longer, friends,” with a piteous quaver Im or Iga or their enemies. I'll have nothing in the shape od aS THE LOG CARIN LIBRARY. her voice, as she glanced around the room. — myself to look back, Ican’t help seeing what a devilish | use was being made of my love for my husband. “ Horace Eagle swore that no harm should be done, and though he had long been our enemy, I trusted in his hon- esty, as an officer of the law. “Only for that assurance, I never would have consented to my darling taking part in the affair. On that assurance, 1 helped send my brave man to—what? “To his death! To his assassination! Before high - Heaven he was murdered by those whom he was trusting. Vengeance, I ask, men of Hardscrabble. Vengeance upon my darling’s assassins, who sit right there.” CHAPTER XIV. GENTLEMAN JOE’S STATEMENT. With one hand pressed tightly over her madly throb- bing heart, Queen Esther pointed with the other direct at Gentleman Joe and the city marshal. It was really superb acting, and might easily have brought on the death-rush of lynch-law justas she hoped it would, only for the prompt action of Sheriff Fuller. “As you are,” he cried, sternly, pistols in hand, ready for use in case the rush should be attempted. “ Keep your places, or fare worse. Iam running this show, and I’ll keep on running it, if I have to start.a new grave-yard of -myown. On guard, men !” That final order was hardly necessary. The chosen posse had at once taken the cue, and with ‘magazine rifies cocked, were ready to meet violence with lead, if nothing less would suffice. ~ . The audienee saw as much, and that first involuntary movement was instantly checked. Strongly though their emotions were touched, they were not wrought up toa suicidal pitch as yet. Thanks to his precautions in disarming all before per- mitting them to enter the room, Sheriff Fuller held com- mand of the situation, and all were prompt to recognize that fact. Realizing her failure, Queen Esther sank back into her chair, her head bowed, her face hidden by vail and by hands, her figure shaken by strong emotion, either real or admirably counterfeited. N Having restored order after this fashion, Sheriff Fuller once more became the quiet, grave officia@, and, after wait- ing for nearly a minute in respect for the witness’ emo- tion, he ently) asked : ‘“‘Do you wish to.say anything fur ther, Mrs. King? would you prefer waiting a little longer Q” “To what end?” cried the woman, lifting her head, her dark eyes all aglow, her white hand going out in a passion- _ate gesture. “My husband has been most foully done to death, while performing ‘his sworn duty as a servant of the law to which his widow appeals in vain.’ “That same law will avenge you, madam, if you. can fasten the guilt upon any one or more persons.’ “Yet you are a servant of that law, and you are shield- ing them with all your power, sir.” ‘“T am only giving the accused their rights—a fair trial, just as I pledge my word of honor to give you and yours, . when the same charges are investigated as against you.” He’ flushed a bit as the woman broke into a hard, fierce laugh. oe ‘ “Against me? Would I bathe my hands in the heart’s blood of the only man this wide world ever held for me? Only one demon enough to perform such a deed of vile treachery as this would dare even hint at such an atro- eious action, sir.” Sheriff Fuller turned toward the judge, who promptly spoke up: i “T really must call you to order, Mrs. King. If you have any further evidence to offer, we will cheerfully listen, but, really, you must confine yourself to facts; not to as- sertions which, no matter how firmly you may believe . them based on truth, you cannot prove.” “What better could you expect, Queen, from a packed outfit like this?” upon the window-seat. “Order in the court!” sternly commanded the sheriff. Or “You must hold your peace, Mr. King,” said the judge. j ‘““When I force , ealled out Tom King, from his perch, “When you are called to ‘the witness-stand will be time. enough for your offering.” “Submit, brother,”.coldly added Oneen Esther. ‘‘If we < are denied common justice here, we can demand it else- ce more quiet reteeds Then, : where.” Tom King subsided, and :. in obedience to another look from the sheriff, Judge-Porter. addressed one of the two men who stood charged with such | a deadly sin “Mr. Gentry, are you ready ip present your side of this se case ?” ; Gentleman Joe promptly rose to his feet, a grave smile yee passing over his handsome face, then leaving it calm and — respectful. “Shall I make a statement, sir, or do you prefer ques- tioning me?” * Just tell your story, after vane own fashion, sir. "This is not a regularly organized court, and we can afford to ignore the set forms, since our one and only wish is to bring the whole truth to light as quickly as possible.” “Very well, sir. I will throw all the light I can upon — the matter, but, in doing so, I can hardly avoid touching upon points which may more or less deeply wound the lady who has just given in her testimony.” “The mere thought of which causes your noble heart to ) weep tears of blood through pity,” sneered Queen Esther. “Since you are a woman, yes, madam,” gravely an- ae swered Gentry, with a slight bow. ‘“T was a woman before you br utally butchered my ie band. Now, Fam an avenger.’ ‘Where so much is at stake, Mr. Gentry; you can havé no choice,” interposed the judge, gravely. ‘“‘Tell the truth, as you see it, and never mind the rest.” “T consider myself on oath, your honor, and shall say nothing which I am not ready to swear to, ” gravely re-_ sponded the Gilt- Edged Sport. He paused for -a brief space, as though to pick up the right thread, then clearly, plainly told his side of the storys, : “One of -the men whom Iam charged with killing, or helping to kill, first made himself known to meas William | Thompson. I gained his confidence in the first place by helping him out of a foul game ai cards, where I saw a stranger being mercilessly’ cheated by Frederick, or ‘Lucky’ Jackson, and Thomas King. “Until he had thoroughly tested me, Mr. Thompson, as I knew him, pretended to be an injured husband, seeking — for the man who had. ruined his home-life, claiming that he had cause to believe one of the King twin brothers was — the guilty person. “Before long, however, he concluded he might trust me,.having learned that a feud existed between the party locally known as the Royal Flush, and myself?) And then he showed me papers which plainly identified him as one Harold Catherwood, a detective from Kansas City, who was in quest of a man who murdered and robbed a wealthy cattleman in that: city. “He told me why he felt confident one of the two broth: ers must be his man, but as both wore full beards, woe the murderer had been clean shaven at the time the kill, ing took place, he wished to win a chance to find a secr mark by which the real assassin rete be known bee all doubt. “Together we hatched up a ooveei which promised suc- ~ cess, and, without entering too fully into details, I a say that in the end it was fully carried out. ‘‘After considerable by-play, with which all Hard- scrabble is fairly well acquainted, this Catherwood or Thompson, asijhe preferred to be called, succeeded in find= ing that scar, and declared Asa King was his game. cee “The next thing was to decide how best his arrest night be made. To doso openly, almost surely meant a fight, in which more or less innocent blood would surel be shed; for his friends would never permit their ehi to be taken away in irons.” “And hence he must be vilely assassinated,” cried Qi Esther, with fierce bitterness. Gentleman Joe paid her no attention, quietly re his statement as soon as her tones died away. “In order to spare the friends of both parties,! > ey  THE LOG CABIN LIBRAR Y. _ cided to play a doubt part, in one half of which Asa King and his closest friends were only too eager to join. ___ “Thompson proposed to them yet another attempt to _, down me, and his ideas were promptly adopted. as “ Asa King’ provided the necessary legal blanks from a _ friend of his, whose’ name I will not mention, since he knew nothing: whatever of the affair. The papers were _ stolen, as I said, and Thompson filled them out in strict __ accordance with the plans he and I had shaped. __ “it was charged with having held up a stage on the Falcon City line on June 17th of last year. The date was chosen for an especial purpose, since I had no particular desire to figure as a genuine criminal in case an accident should happen to upset our plans. = “The charge was explicit: I had stopped and robbed the stage on that particular line and date, and, while doing BC had killed a passenger by shooting him through the brain. “Armed with these papers, which he declared would be more than sufficient, Thompson agreed to enlist Horacé Eagle, marshal of Hardscrabble, both to give a much- _ needed touch of law to the arrest, and to hinder his kick- ing against my arrest. Then, too, Thompson argued, I would be far less apt to offer armed resistance, if I saw the face of a friend back of that warrant. “Now, judge, I am compelled to touch upon a point, which must be more than unpleasant to some of those present. Before doing that, I wish to say that I am actu- ated solely by a wish to have full justice done on those at Whose door this double killing surely lies.” - ~“Surely lies,” echoed Queen Esther, with mocking em- => phasis. ‘ : Judge Porter struck a hand sharply against the table, then sternly spoke: “Sheriff Fuller, you will please see that due order is maintained in court) If words will not suffice, call upon your deputies to lend you their physical services, sir.” “Why not read the riot act, judge?” scornfully cried _ the angry woman, who had more than a shrewd suspicion _asto the nature of: that point on which Gentleman Joe was reluctant to speak. “Surely there are strong men _ enough within these four walls to overpower one poor, — weak woman ?” oe “Tf that woman forgets her sex, she can’t expect us to remember it any the better, ma’am,” coldly spoke up the sheriff, now beside her chair, one hand lightly touching her shoulder. “You were permitted to tell your story without interruptidn, and after this gentleman has had his innings, you can disprove his statements, if you see fit. Until he has finished, however, pray oblige the court by keeping the peace.” “The court? I deny its right of jurisdiction, sir.” “Then you ought never to have accepted it, ma’am. Since matters have gone this far, they must go still farther. [f you persist on interrupting the proceedings, well, really——” Sheriff Fuller left the rest to be imagined, but his shrug was by far too significant for. mistaking, and, fearing still worse, Tom King once more chipped in with: '_ “Submit, sister. We'll play even when the deal comes “round to us again, never fear.” Sheriff Fuller did not’ rebuke his interruption, for he was only too well content with the effect it produced. Mrs. King sunk back in her seat, sullenly shaking off that light touch, but making no further. resistance. Quiet being restored, Judge Porter signed the witness to resume his statement, and in cold, even tones, Gentleman Joe spoke again: . “Knowing, as they all surely did that any such charge could not be made to hold against mein any regular court, of course, Asa King had _no notion of making my pretended s arrest an actual one. e hated me, and knew that either ~-... the Royal Flushor Gentleman Jée must go down. te “Thompson claimed that I had been the cause of: his _ brother’s death down at Silver Gulch, and that he had a yn to kill me for that reason. was to be arrested, taken across lots to a stage which swaiting. I was to be putin irons as well as dis- ) prevent any kicking when it came time for my ro out. nas: held up by a gang, disguised as regular road-agents, and I | was to be killed on pretext of an old grudge of some sort. “If Eagle tried to make trouble, he, too, was to be mur- dered, but if not, he was to be let go, as the very best of witnesses for their side. Since he had been so easily de- ceived, as they thought, he would hardly smoke the real ‘truth afterward. “The death-trap was placed right enough, but long be. fore the trap was reached, we sprang another, shifting irons from my wrists to those of Asa King, to whom the whole trick was explained. mise “We escorted Catherwood and his game around the trap, and would have seen him safely into, Camptown, where his deputies were waiting. but he was too proud for that. He sent us off, then rode on—to meet his death at the i bands of Thomas King, yonder.” “You lie!” fiercely cried the man thus denounced. “I say true, you vile assassin !” sternly cried Gentleman Joe. “And I swear T’ll prove you guilty out of your own lips.” CHAPTER . XV. PROVING AN ALIBI. Although having every reason to believe that he who figured as king in the Royal Flush was provided with but the arm§ nature gave him at birth, Sheriff Fuller turned quickly that way when Tom King burst forth with hig savage challenge. He knew that all the materials for a first-class explosion were gathered there in that room, and he knew, too, what a seeming trifle it sometimes took to bring about such an eruption. Only for that knowledge he might have felt ashamed to draw upon an unarmed man, but now—thought itself could. hardly have equaled the rapidity of his movement just then. “Steady, King,” he cried, sternly, as he covered the des- perado with one of his guns, holding the other in waiting for any rash advocate of the Royal Flush. “Lift so much as a finger, and I’ll drop you cold.” At the same time the armed deputies called attention to themselves by bringing rifles to a ready, and once more the quick wit and iron nerve of a single man brought forth order from what promised to be chaos. _ Qucen Esther had sprung to her feet, and taken a single stride toward Gentleman Joe, but that was all. The chance, if chance it might be called, was ended before even she could improve it further. Tom King sat in his window-seat, pale-faced, grimly de- fiant, but, in a measure, cowed by those ready pistols, into the ugly bore of which he could gaze on trial. It is by no méans certain that his fiercest efforts could avail to bring on a lynching rush under the circumstances, but he knew that the first actual effort to do that, would surely bring death to himself. Sheriff Fuller would shoot to kill, when forced to shoot at all. A brief silence followed the stern speech, then Queen Esther gave a low, bitter, mocking laugh, as she sank back into her chair. Neither curses nor threats would have moved the sheriff - in the slightest, so long as he felt himself in the right, but this sound from a woman’s lips brought the blood hotly to his bronzed face, and banished what little of sympathy he might have‘elt for the widow as a widow. He turned that way, speaking with cold emphasis, whieh none could mistake: ~ “For the last time, everybody; I’m here to preserve order, and I’lldomy dgty from start to finish without fear or favor. The next person to break that order will be placed under arrest, and guarded until his or her case can be regularly tried. Now, judge, it’s your chip.” While meaning well, Judge Porter was hardly the right man to fill such a position over such tough material, and by this time he began tc realize as much. He gave a start, at this hint, and as his eyes chanced to rest first upon the still standing figure of the Gilt-Edged Sport, he naturally caught at that hint. : “Mr. Gentry, you were about to say—what more have a certain point along the road, our hearse was to be you to offer concerning this truly lamentable affair, wit- ness ?” : . : - THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. No. 305. : “Only this, your honor,” came the grave response. “Harold Catherwood showed us the genuine warrant he cartied for the arrest of the person Hardscrabble has known as Asa King. That warrant read dead or alive. And when we parted from him, he said that no mortal power could rob him of that prisoner while life lay i in his own body. ‘““He was waylaid by the assassins whom we helped foil the day before, and made his word good—Harold Cather- wood killed Asa King, even as the rest of the Royal Flush murdered Harold Catherwood.” “Ts this merely a deduction on your part, witness, or Gan you prove it as a sworn fact?” ‘“‘T will prove every word of it, your honor, unless I am killed by the partisans of those I publicly accuse,” quickly replied Gentleman Joe, then drawing back astep, he}|i added: “Now, if you please, I would like Horace Eagle to take the stand.” ‘“Oblige us, marshal,” snake up the sheriff, so quickly that it gave the impression he feared another sneer or out-: .. burst from Queen Esther. «But-none such came. Proudly erect the widow sat, her 2 beats vail flung back, her face stern-set yet still rarely beautiful, now that..twin spots of scarlet marked each cheek, in keeping ie the Bready eee in her large dark eyes. ace was biding hee time, Tike one who feels vengeance is only delayed, not wholly denied, Horace Eagle promptly rose to his feet, and made his bow to the judge, every line of his strong, homely coun- tenance proclaiming him a devout believer in the majesty of the law, if not the infallibility of all its representatives. “May it please the hon’able court, I’d a heap sight ruther be swore in jew form to tell the truth, thé hull truth, an’ nothin’ but the truth, afore I begin to testify, sir, your honor.” Sheriff Fuller stepped briskly forward, glibly adminis- tering the oath according to the statutes so made and pro- vided, and. then the witness audibly kissed the little leather-bound copy of.the Bible which he had himself pro- duced. “Not but that I reckon I could stick to the plain trail 0’ '_ (ee honest truth,” he gravely spoke, as Fuller fell back to his 79U4 oes former position. ‘‘Them as knows me, knows I hain’ta liar fer the pure fun of it, let alone gwine outside 0’ the truth when thar’s mebbe more’n one life hangin’ onto the everdunce which I’m so fixed as to offer. But now I’ve tuck the oath o’ law, an’. ef my testimony was to hang my own son, I'd give it straight as a string. “So much as a starter, now—on my solemn oath, tuck hyar in full view o’ both sides o’ this nasty mix, I want to say that every word spoke by the last witness, Gentleman Joe, is gospel truth, so fur’s it come under my eyes, or into my good ears. “The trap to: ketch the man Thompson said, was wanted at Kansas City fer killin’ onlawfully, was sot jest ’cordin’ to Gentry’s say-so. It was fooled, the same way. An’ Thompson ‘turned us off, when he felt he could manage the rest ’cordin’ to his own tastes without our help. “But thar’s ’nother p’int which I reckon was left pritty much fer me to explain, an’ thatis jest why the seven- teenth 0’ last June was picked out fer the date to stick in them thar forged dockimints. “*Cordin’ to the evidence already spoken, your honor, on that day Gentleman Joe Gentry held up the Falcon City stage, and made cold meat out 0’ one o’ the pilgrims which chainced by bad luck to rize his ebenezer. ‘*Please take good an’ hard notice o’ the time an’ place ; the stage line out of Faleon City, an’ the seventeenth o’ last year June.’ “The. place and date is responded Judge Porter, paper. “ You may explain on this point, if you please.’ “To show that Gentry never done no sech job, ferone thing, your honor, an’ so he couldn’t——” Horace Hagle broke off, as Queen Esther rose from her chair. She lifted a hand, facing the judge, who politely asked : : “ What is it, Mrs. King?” on record, Mr. Eagle,” gravely pencil in hand and hand on just why you are so emphatic a “May I speak a word or two, with@ut ie oe to” Sheriff Fuller’s coarse insults, sir?” “Do those few words touch | upon the present case, ma’am ?” ae “Yes, if you are honestly trying to get at the whole © truth. [f the arrest of Joseph Gentry was based upon false papers, my husband knew nothing aboutit. Since their sole object was to murder a man whom they feared to — meet in honest fight, would they hesitate about one lie, more or less?” ea “Possibly not, ma’am, but please confine yourremarks — to the particular point which you wish noted.” oF “I think ’tis already made, your honor, but I'll put it ao more clearly since you desire. Whatif Gentleman Joe ee does prove an alibi, so far as the Falcon City stage affair #§ @ is concerned, does that clear him from the sin of foully as- — sassinating my poor husband ?” From here and there came a subdued murmur, which told Queen Esther she had scored at least one point, and rather than turn the risk of weakening its effect by ven- turning more, she quietly resumed her seat. | Neither Gentry nor the city marshal seemed affected by this counter-hit, and Horace Eagle gravely continued his statement under oath : “What I set out to say your honor, runs like this: Thompson claimed he wanted to down Gentry, beca’se Gentry killed, or fetched to be killed, a brother to him, which was then gwine under the name o’ Dick Turner. | “That killin’ tuck place jest outside o’ Silver Gulch, an’ Dick Turnér passed in his checks on the seventeenth oO” June last year. .The very day on, ee Gentry was oy x to hev killed a pilgrim on the Falcon City road, mind ye, everybody. “On the sixteenth o’ that same June, Gentleman Joe was held by Dick Turner an’ his pals, a pris’;er fer ran- som. On the seventeenth, he was bein’ tortured to fetch him to time, an’ he was trussed up han’ an’ foot when Henry Tyson sot him free, after shootin’ Dick Turner. An’ onthe eighteenth o’ that same month, Gentry was sick in his bed, through the torture he’d hed piled onte him. ioe tT reckon that settles his bein’ a run- -off fon, Janes “So far as your unsupported word can settle it,” date said Queen Hsther from her position. + ‘““Which is one reason why I sent word to ’Lon Fuller, mebbe it’d be jest as well fer him to take a ramble up Hardscrabble way, your honor,” calmly continued the Ciby 2-3 foe marshal. “Fer he hed keer o’ that little mix atSilver @ Gulch, an’ he kin say ef I’ve made ary mistake in layin? the facts afore ye all. How is it, sheriff ?” i | “Straight as a string, so far as the Silver Gulch affairigs concerned. As for the rest of it, Pll be happy bo bear wit- aed ness, after you have told your story.” | nt “All right, and Ill finish my testimony the best way I em ¢ know how. “This is why that pertickler date was fixed on fer the false papers, your honor, an’ hevin’ tuck time when my head was cl’arest to look over the ginewine dockimints which Thompson showed as backin’ fer his word, I ‘greed | to go into the job. Of course, I knowed it called fer a-™ good bit 0” lyin’ on my side, but I knowed, too, ef I didn’t help ’em out that way, worse’d shorely come on top. s Cs “The gang wouldn’t let thar boss be tuck, openly. Thompson swore he’d hev his man, by hook or by crook. — ee In a fight sech as that would ’a’ brought on, it’s ginerally _ the innocent ones as ketches the most hurt, an’ so—I said’ I’d help trap the trapper. ee “T sent word at once to Silver Gulch fer Sheriff Fuller 3 to come to Hardscrabble, meanin’ to hev him sorto’? boss __ the hull job, but he was held back, an’ couldn’t eit hyar od ontel after the trick was turned. ae “We couldn’t put it off no longer, fer the gang was be- ginnin’ to git scarey, like, an’ so—waal, Gentleman Joe — was tuck, ’cordin’ to the way them as hes gone afore me bore witness. : “When Thompson, or Catherwood, bluffed u Gentleman Joe struck out fer Jim Dandy, both to, bit o’ ’portant business which he hed on a string th an’ to keep outo’ sight ontel Sheriff Fuller cou hold o’ the ribbons fer the re 0’ the trip.  oN “THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. 95 aay null of it. “TT met Fuller, pritty nigh the fust man, an’ he tuck me - to whar the stage-driver, Sam Frisbie, was in hidin’, pritty _ nigh skeered out 0’ the few wits he ever hed, ‘long of Mrs. pone: yender, skeerin’ him onthe road I sent him home atter——” - “I object,” sharply cried Queen Esther, springing tother feet, backing toward the witness-stand as though the bet- _ ter to’ catch the notice of Judge Porter. “Eagle has lied enough on his own account, without lying for half a dozen other so-called witnesses.” “What is it you wish, Mrs. King?” asked the judge. “To say just this: It’s alla put-up job to make Gentle- too much for any sane brain to believe; his alibiis en- tirely too elaborate. ots “I swear that my story is gospel truth, and that they Bee _ foully murdered my poor husband. In the name of the “law, of truth, of humanity, I cry aloud for justice! Venge- ~ ance on the—the——” _ Flinging up her hands, Queen Esther staggered back _ like one smitten with sudden blindness or death. She fell to the floor, and, as the instinctive rush came her way, she drew a keen blade from its hiding-place in her garter, siving an almost. maniacal shriek as she sprang upon the atounded Sport, striking at his throat as she came. CHAPTER XVI. HOT TIMES IN HARDSCRABBLE. , Although doubtless conceived on the instant, Queen Esther carried out her reckless trick with admirable art, and even Gentleman Joe was thoroughly deceived by her staggering fall, and wasin the very act of stooping to lend a suffering woman aid, when he caught the brief flash of polished steel in the red lamp-light. Others. had surged forward at that shriek and _ fall, and intense confusion reigned all in an instant. The nearest of the audience barred the way as Geniry rose erect to spring back, and he could not evade that sav- _@ sage onset by dodging or springing aside. t At the same moment another cause for alarm broke forth, coming in the shape of a wild yell of agonized ter- ror, followed in the same breath by the cry of fire. As if by magic, pungent smoke began coming into the dining-room, through the poorly matched flooring, adding ene more element to that wild confusion. Queen Esther struck viciously at the throat of her enemy, shrilly crying out: _“ Die, you devil—die.” mes But her wrist was met by the strong hand of the Gilt- - Hdged Sport, and the weapon was checked just as its keen _ point touched his bare throat. With a stern effort Gentry forced the woman’s hand and arm back, but before he could fairly disarm the fury, or man Joe’s lies seem like truth. But he is trying to prove} ‘ miter another could lift hand to lend either man or woman aid, | - “T come back to Hardscrabble through the hills, think- friend drop like’one death-stricken, and it was his strong in’ it’d be the wisest plan not to make any bigger show form, his desperate efforts which saved the Gilt-Edged _ then I jest hed to, afore I could let the sheriff into the Sport from being crushed by those fear-stampeded men. | ! And Sheriff Fuller, thanks to his more than suspicions concerning the sudden yielding of Tom King, was tne only other man inthe room who saw that treacherous shot fired. Grasping his own weapons, Fuller turned toward the window in which King had taken his seat and he saw the dull flash which followed so closely upon the mad rush of Queen Esther. He sprang forward, but his foot slipped, and he fell headlong before he could recover himself. And then came . the awful confusion born of that alarm, and intensified by the clouds of smoke which poured into the room through every crack and crevice in floor or walls. What followed during the next two or three minutes, no one could describe with anything like distinctness. Each one penned up in that fire-trap knew what a desperate. struggle hs made for his own life when the excitement had subsided sufficiently to permit any thinking or reflec- tion at all; but what others did, who could say ? _ Fortunately thought was taken of the windows along one side of the room, and men dashed out both glass and sash, and burst open the heavy shutters, thus opening avenues to escape far more readily than by way of the nar- row door which led into the hall. There was a terrible crush at the door, and many a death must have come to the terrified people, but for the windows being used to slacken that horrible press. Sheriff\Fuller scrambled to his feet only after a dozen or more terrified fellows had trampled over him, but his first glance was for Tom King, who. had fired the shot which sent Gentleman Joe to the floor like one death-stricken. The desperado was gone, end the shutter of the window which he had selected as his seat was flung open. Men were plunging through the aperture, and Fuller was about’ to join in, when a hoarse, fierce shout came to his ears above the mad tumult: “Help, Fuller! Help me with—back, ye devils!” It was the voice of honest Horace Eagle, fighting to save the body of his friend from being trampled to pulp under those reckless boots. That one appeal was sufficient to take Fuller that way, with a rush which overturned more than one of those ter- rified wretches. He struck out without mercy, and wherever his hard fists alighted, they left their sign manual. He gained the side of Eagle, and making himself known by voice—-the room was already so full of smoke that eye- sight was of little avail—the two pards were lifting Gen- tleman Joe from the floor, when he gave them a most joy- ous surprise by helping himself. “Who hit—off, ye devils!” the Gilt-Edged Sport gasped, striking out with faint fury, fortunately for his friends. A word told him different, however, thanks to his rapidly rallying wits, and, with a stout friend on either side of him, Gentry was borne along to the nearest win- idow with a rush. In this manner they escaped from the building, which, there came the spiteful crack of a revolver from the other; even so soon, all could see was certainly doomed to utter Le side of the room, and, with a choking cry, Gentleman Joe — @ fell in his tracks. : f All this took place with bewildering rapidity, yet before destruction. Vuk The flames were pouring forth from the cellar windows, and before all were fairly clear of the dining-room, red the dastardly shot was fired, the large room was almost tongues were beginning to light up the smoky gloom, eat- filled with smoke, and the roaring of flames became dis- tinctly audible, even above that other uproar. “Fire, the house is all afire!” screamed one frightened -agely with clenched fists in his endeavor to clear a pass- age for himself. His example was contagious, and amid the most fright- ful uproar, a mad, insane fight for the outer air was begun. _. Of all present, the only two men who showed anything fo their usual coolness were the city marshal and the iff. ace Hagle, as Queen Esther made her daring attempt renge, sprang after her, his bony fingers closing on man just as that pistol-shot came to strike down aman Joe. — i le hurled the infuriated woman aside, as he saw his man, making a desperate break for the door, striking sav- ing through the dry flooring. ‘‘Look to Gentry,” Fuller hastily said, as soon as the trio were fairly outside the doomed hotel. “I want Tom King, curse him !” All about was wild tumult and blind confusion, men yelling and cursing, women screaming and wailing, all hurrying to and fro without the ghost of an idea what to do, or what they were trying to do. Even thus soon, horrible rumors of great loss of life were afioat, and while half the surging crowd yelled for aid to rescue those unable to help themselves, not one was bold or cool-headed enough to begin the work they urged upon others. ee ee And, indeed, it was almost too late for any such attempt to be made, for the side of the building, in which the im- provised court-room lay, was already a sea of flames, the ed THE LOG CABIN LIBR ARY. the strong fumes of kerosene ought to have given at least a partial explanation of that particular point. | Sheriff Fuller pushed here and there through the crowd, | looking “for Tom. King and Queen Esther, guided in his. tarily spreading and chasing back the gloom of early | twilight. | He knew that King must have been the one to burst. open that shutter, and thus make his escape so quickly. | Of course, he could not be positive just how, or just when | the woman escaped, but he felt fairly certain she, too, had | cheated the flames. | ‘‘Neither fire nor water can cheat the rope,” was one of his grim reflections as he pressed his search with all the | eagerness of a blood-hound on a breast-high scent. “And if I can sight them—if? JI’ll have them, or kick my own brains out.” Sheriff Fuller certainly meant just that, but he quickly | learned how much easier it is to vow than to perform, for | | no matter where he searched, he failed to find either Tom | or Esther King. | He made a far different discovery, however, which was. important enough in his judgment to devote a few min-. utes over, and that was a man who almost certainly ought | to know just how and why that terrible fire had been started. Words ‘let fall by one of the people gave him the first clew, and turning upon her—it was a middle-aged woman —he asked : ‘‘What was it? Who was all on fire, madam ?” “Oh, sir, I can’t tell you that, but—ugh !” with a nery- ous shiver, and sudden catch in her voice as she cast a frightened glance around. “Where is he, then?” ‘‘Over there—all burnt to a crisp, sir.” | Without wasting time in trying to gather further in- formation from one who was hardly in condition to tell: even what she really knew, the sheriff temporarily aban-. doned his hunt for the Kings, and followed that fresh clew , to its source. | In passing, he took note how certainly the hotel was | doomed, and wasted breath enough to sternly suggest an | organized effort to save the near buildings from sharing the fate of the Occidental; but he did not offer to lead, or to do more than make the suggestion. With very little difficulty Sheriff Fuller found what he was looking for just then: a terribly burned wretch, who had been carried into a saloon ata safe distance from the burning hotel. And, despite the awful disfigurement which had come to the man, it took but a single glance to reveal his identity to those keen eyes. “Big Casino !” he ejaculated, with a touch of pity lght- ening his stern tones, ashe saw how terribly that miser- able wretch had been punished by the very element he had called into action—for what? A doctor was already doing what little lay in his power for Dan Diamond, and his face was very grave as it turned toward the ‘speaker. “Big Casino, or what’s left of him, rather,” he muttered, with along breath, as a_ hoarse, panting cry came from those blistered lips. “How did it happen? Any of you know?” asked Fuller, glancing around at each of the half-dozen men present. “Jest that he come out o’ the sullar-door, jest a-whoop in’,” one of the citizens volunteered. “I was on the out- side, sort 0° waitin’ fer the ’vestigation to git over with, ye see, sir, an’ then—thar was Danny, piled all over “ith | fire, yelpin’ an’ runnin’ like a crazy critter which—sech | a sight I never did see.’ It’s one that I'll see a dug’gun times too many sleep,” another fellow chipped in. Sheriff Fuller asked no further questions of these wit- ea nesses, tor he had heard enough to give hima boleraty | accurate idea.as to how Big Casino had met his punish- ment. striving to give the oe wretch relief from his torments ae hurriedly whispered : ‘Save his life, if you can, doctor, but if he’s booked for him what had become of Gentleman Joe and Horace Eagle, the cry instantly went up that they surely were among urgent signs. 'and fall of the officer, both men were spared a shot. All was intense confusion, even so quickly, and thrust- ing open the shutters, which he had taken care to see And bending closer to the doctor, who was busily | op spread Of EE had been marvelously rapid, alouen over the range, send me wordin time to catch ae con- fession, please.” 66 A De And you are—— ‘Sheriff Fuller. pend upon my getting word in time. | there.” Without pausing for a reply, the sheriff left the room, seeing that his whispering was drawing curious, if not ‘suspicious looks, his way from the men in the saloon. He had no wish to explain, for or against, and he had — far too much on hand for wasting time unnecessarily. By this time the Occidental Hotel was a nrass of flames, and men were fighting hard to keep the fire from spread- irg farther. ural stupefaction, and-were now doing good work. Sheriff Fuller looked about for his friends, but they had : a | disappear ed while he was looking for the Kings, and he — did not care to ask any pointed questions just yet. For a short time, he, too, vanished from general view, _and when he once more put in an appearance, the fire was _ : pretty well under subjection, only two minor structures having suffered the fate which had overtaken the Occi- ae dental Hotel. Given a respite from fire- fighting, the citizens were a as to talk it all over, and many gloomy predictions were made as to the number of lives which surely had been lost in the flames. And when Sheriff Fuller, his smoke-grimed face bearing an anxious expression, asked who could tel ' the lost ones. CHAPTER XVII. A TLITTING BY NIGHT. Although circumstances combined to prevent his profit- ting greatly thereby, Sheriff Fuller made a very shrewd — oe guess as to just how Tom King had been enabled to fire that treacherous shot, and the manner in which he after- x o 'ward made his escape from the burning building. When the king of the Royal Flush passed out of sight around the corner of the hotel, as noted at the proper place, it was to learn just why Big Casino made him those And having taken note of one particular — window, with its broken shutter, Tom King returned, to quietly submit to the general disarming process. Shortly after he took his seat at that particular window, s and only Mr. King was in possession of a “forty-four,” biding his time for a favorable opening. How that came has already been explained. Tom King had perfect confidence in his own skill, whether as'a snap-shot or a deliberate aim, and he never for an instant doubted that Gentleman Joe, in falling, | was going down for good and all. He saw Sheriff Fuller turning his way, and knowing what he might expect from that worthy, he tried to catch the same drop-shot on him; but thanks to the sudden trip were unlocked, Tom King neatly turned a back somersault through the opening, alighting safely upon his feet, his pistol gripped in his right hand. But his abrupt emergence attracted no attention from the many outside. They were wholly absorbed in watch- ing or following that miserable wretch whoran screaming, —_—~ howling, cursing, a pillar of fire, until he fell to the ground, a blackened, blistered mass of quivering flesh. It was already growing twilight, and Tom King sprang away toa comparatively safe distance before any others |followed his lead through that window. in my | And he gavea low ejaculation of fierce delight, as he saw Queen Esther oe “No. 808. Don’t forget, for a vast Oe may ae. . Send it to the Oasis search by the ruddy glow of the fire, which was momen-| }in my name. I'll look son up, if word don’t come to me They had begun to rally from the first nat- among the first to issue therefrom. ee -Amid such wild confusion, it was no very diffic matter for brother and sister to get together after and knowing what surely must follow when quiey once more restored, they hurried away in the direc their own home. “You killed the tev ee !” were , Queen Est first words. ™ al oth  2 a No. 305. THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. even attempt to forestall her vengeance. “Tf I hadn’t ce Pets where’d you be now 2” inthe forehead. I saw the blood come, and—if my hand | _had only drawn it.” Tom King was glancing back over a shoulder, his face. pale and his eyes taking on a hunted expressicn, as he. caught the confused sounds from near the burning hotel. a. ©~——C * Yow’ have chance enough to draw gore by the bucket- Ys ful, girl, if we don’t skin out of Hardscrabble in a holy oo hurry. Hark! You’d ought to know what it means when _ the band begins to strike up that tune.” | Queen Esther gave a sound, half-laugh, half-sneer, for she, too, was listening, and woman though she was, she | ado at her side. ~“Rack out it’s got to be, of course, Tommy, but don’t “take to shying at your own shadow this early. They’re | | raat yelping on general principles, and never aone of, _them’s wasting thought on us. You’re sure no mistake | was made about the animals?” “They’re in waiting, all right. What’s worrying me most | _is the ever getting to then, though.” “Tf we can get tools—here’s the house. Ready with | Sur gunif Fuller has thought to set a guard on—make | every shot count, if you have to pick trigger, Tom.” But no such necessity arose, and they were speedily | within doors, Tom King devoting his care to securing | weapons and such valuables as they did not care to aban- don, while Queen Esther hastily related to Lucky Jack- _ gon what had occurred. The crippled gambler gave acry of vicious joy as he heard that their worst, most dangerous enemy was dead, - shot through the brain. - “I'd give my other arm, almost, for the privilege, ” he said, with an oath to lend emphasis to his words. “But you—there’ll be an afterclap, of course, Queen?” “Sure! We’ve got to rack out, and I.only came to give you the cue, Lucky. Stick it out that you haven’t seen | pe ing of ussince before two o’clock, and don’t know which way we’ve skipped. As for your own self, I hardly think they’ll do you hurt, since all can see how——” ? “A cripple? Never worry over me, Queen,” with a grim laugh. “Since Gentleman Joe’s downed, good luck will come back to all of us, sure.” ‘Tom King came into the room just then, eyes glowing, _ face pale, with mingled fear and excitement as he spoke: - “Come, girl! If we don’t skip now, we'll go up a tree, too mighty sudden. So-long, Lucky! Wish you could go “long, too.” “Good-by, Jackson. You'll. be cared for, as arranged. Button lips, remeniber, and wait until you hear from us | oe. eriith that the two leading miombers of the Royal Flush | | hastily left the room and house, crouching warily in the. "dark veranda, with revolvers in hand, until fairly well) assured the coast was still clear for their flight. | The tumult in town seemed wilder than ever as the. couple stole away from the grounds, keeping where the, _ shadows } iay deepest, forced to pursue a circuitous course’ in ogder to avoid observation, as well as to finally head | direct for the point they had in view. , Several times the fugitives were obliged to seek cover __and lie low for a space, to. avoid being discovered by some of the excited citizensin their running to and fro; but each time the peril passed them by, and in the end they - got clear of the town without having to burn powder or | _ strike a blow. Not until then did Tom King draw a fairly free breath, | - bu now, as he turned for a look at that ruddy glow, he! ull the bundle which he had brought with him from puse,-muttering quickly : i e safe enough here, Queen, and I reckon you ‘dj ange before taking to the hills. If that infernal | ot out alive, he’d ought to be making a show by. re, and Id rather hear his yelp here than back at bes.’ yd ought | to have dosed him, too, Tom, for tha Hal | ; ster, ; woman, who had come with him to that spot, now that _ showed far less perturbation than the pr ofessional desper- | | ae Dwab- either his life or yours, Gueea” hastily said | woulda’ be any the heavier,” said Mrs. King, nicking up King, remembering her vow to slay the one who dared|the bundle and stepping over to a little clump of shrub- bery, which she utilized as a dressing-room. - The change was made in a marvelously br ief space of ““T know, and I’m more grateful than angry, brother. | time, considering her sex ; but this was not Queen Hsther’s - Only—I saw where your lead struck the demon—squarely | first appearance in masculine garments, and it is said that. | practice makes perfect. Her feminine garments were quickly rolled up in a bundle and tied securely, then Tom King once more took the lead, followed by a remarkably trim-looking young- who bore smail resemblance to the black-robed night had fairly fallen, and prevented a facial examination. “Of course, there is no chance for a slip-up, Tom?” . /Queen Esther asked, after the town was fairly lost sight of, and a stranger to ‘the lay of the ground could only have located Hardscrabble by the lurid glow against the heavens. ‘Just how do you mean ?” ‘About the horses. Big Casino told you?” “Yes. Said they were at the spot named, and all ready for work.” “Was he drunk, then? I know he was full to the neck 'when I came to the Occidental. Diamond sober is good as his name, but Daniel drunk is a mighty unreliable ‘quantity, as none ought to know better than yourself, brother Tom.” King did know that, but he gavean irritable grunt. Be this a time for fetching such ugly thoughts to the ront? ‘Dan was sober enough when he did.the work assigned him, Queen, and I reckon you’ll have to look for some- toing else to croak about. What has caught hold of you, girl? Usually you’re the one to cheer, rather than to ~ croak.” ‘‘Changed, am I?” with a bitter laugh. twin brother—can ask why?” Tom King made no reply in words, but his hand sought hers in the gloom, and their fingers closed in a firm pres- sure. After that, the fugitives pressed onward in silence, picking their way through that really difficult tract with an ease and skill which told how thoroughly familiar they were with their present surroundings, end how clearly they had their destination in view. Then Tom King paused, a warning hand touching Queen Esther’s arm. as though bidding her listen. For nearly a minute they remained . thus, motionless, their heads slightly inclined, their sense of hearing called to do its best, surest work. Then Queen Esther spoke, in low, guarded whispers: “T hear nothing crooked, Tom; what’s gone wrong ?” ‘Nothing, that I know. of,” came the reply, in like guarded tones. ‘‘The horses ought to be right over yon- der, and—ha!” There came a sneeze, but one that lent reassurance, rather than called for alarm, since it clearly came from equine, not human, nostrils. “Only one of the nags, brother, so we’re all right,” said | Mrs. King, in louder tones, plainly relieved from a grow- “And you—his | ing dread. *That’s pie enough, but—nothing like being dead sure, my girl. If you’ll just wait here——” “Oh, what’s the use, man?’ ‘“‘Maybe none, maybe much,” half-doggedly came the ‘retort. “It’s a life-game we’re playing now, and that against mighty slippery customers. I really believe it’s all right, but, if it is, a minute or two spent will hardly be lost, while if such a thing as a trap——” ‘“Who could seta trap here? Only Big Casino knew of ‘our plans, and he’s true as steel.” “Yet you yourself gave me the first hint, Esther.” “Not against Diamond, but to ’ware of whisky.” “That's all right. put I want my own way this time. You wait right here until I take a bit of a er eep forward to make dead sure.’ “Have it your way, then, though I can’t think it’s ‘bet- ter than Wasting precious minutes,” a little sourly re- torted the Queen of the Royal Flush, seating herself upon . a convenient bowlder. “We'll more than make it up in the end, never fear, THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. No. 305. Essie, u nbcable rejoined King, as he crouched iower, to steal silently forward in the direction from whence that sound had issued. Although he hardly anticipated the trap of which he had spoken, Tom King held his thumb on the hammer of his drawn revolver, ready to shoot at sight or sound, and made as good use of his eyes as the gloom would permit, looking for what might be, yet which he hardly thought could exist. . He caught sight of two horses hitched at the edge ofa little patch of trees, but failed to discover aught else. And as one of the waiting animals gave vent toa gentle whimper at his coming, all his vague doubts fled, and he lifted his voice to call out: “ All’s clear, Queen, and you can come forward.” As he gave that assurance, King stepped carelessly. for- ward, putting up his pistol, reaching forth a hand to stroke the nearest horse, which seemed pleased with his coming, as though waiting had grown tiresome. Queen Esther hurried forward to join her brother-in- law, coming up just in time to catch an indistinct glimpse | ofa dark shape leaping upon the desperado, striking as it came. A single sharp ejaculation broke from her lips, but ere she could touch a weapon, another man caught her in his arms, and foiled any desperate effort. Tom King, only partially stunned by that blow, aimed jn the dark as it was, staggered back with a savage cry, but then went down beneath his assailant, who first tore away the belt of arms which the desperado wore, then djextrously snapped handcuffs upon his wrists. Blow and fall had pretty effectually stunned Tom King, and, seeing as much, his captor sprang to the assistance of his companion, who was still struggling with the woman, handicapped by her sex even more than she was; but then, as she recognized the new-comer, Mrs. King gave an hysterical scream, her tense muscles relaxing, her senses Heeting. / CHAPTER XVIII. GENTLEMAN JOE’S CAPTIVES. ““T reckon you can manage her now, ’Race,” spoke the man whose face, indistinctly seen though it must have been in that dim light, bad produced such a startling re- sult. ‘Pl finish caring for King.” None too soon, as he instantly saw, for the desperado | was even then trying to get at arevolver with his ham- pered hands, as yet too greatly shocked to at once discover the loss of his belt with its appendages. “Hasy, Tom King,” sternly spoke his captor, pushing the ironed villain ‘back with his foot. “You’ve reached the end of your rope, and you’d better spend your re- maining minutes in begging forgiveness for your count- less crimes.” “Gentleman Joe! Alive!” hoarsely gasped the desper- ndo, his eyes wildly protuberant, as they recognized one whom he felt sure had gone down in death, with a bullet| through his brain. ‘“Well, that’s a bit of truth to set against your many jies, Thomas,” laughingly retorted the Gilt-Hdged Sport, not ashamed to betray something of his fierce joy at hay- ing taken such a long step toward keeping the vendetta he had so recently, vowed. “Gentleman Joe, and still liv- img; very much any I reckon you'll find him, too, my beauty.” Tom King made no reply. He seemed stupefied by this wonderful resurrection, and lay like alog while Gentle- man Joe completed his capture by applying strong thongs to his ankles. Meantime Horace Eagle was similarly engaged, and jong before Queen Esther railied from hes swoon, she also was most effectually bound. “What comes next, pardner?” asked ine city inarsad eoming up, but cutting his words short at a sign from Gentleman Joe, who led him far enough to one side to be eut of King’s hearing. » “No need to let that fellow hear too much,” said Goa by way of explanation. “What were you about‘ to ask, eee ee hes : . J est what you reckoned we’d better do with ’em, fust 2 Oo ‘ “ Well, Y haven't had time to decide as yet. Icouldn’t | make plans before knowing I’d have subjects to work © upon. Still—I oe think we'd better risk ae them to town to- night! Q” “Nur me} nuther,” came the instant response. “We'd hev the gang tryin’ to git ’em_ off, an’ we’d hev to fight mighty hard, even ef we manidged to hold our grip at all.” “Then you think,we’d best lie out to-night ?” ‘ “T do, fer a fact, but you’ re the boss, Gentry.» Only fer you, [’ d never thought o’ this trick, an’ so—it’s all your. say-so.’ “Then we'll shift quarters a_ bit, to guard again covery in case any of the gang should take a scout: way,” decided Gentry. This was done, the prisoners being placed upon: horses, their ankle- fasts being temporarily removed that purpose. Thus they were conveged to an ever secluded retreat, where there was little risk of. their bei g discovered, even should others of the enemy come to the spot where the horses had been placed in waiting by Big Casino. ° , Then, too, such a spot was so selected that the partn t dis- ‘ he 4 : dor could defend their prizes, even though a. strong force should diseover and attempt their rescue. , With their captives securely bound, and the he placed in hiding, the two friends prepared to spend remainder of the night on guard, and while neithe them were particularly malicious individuals, it ¢ot hardly be expected they should conceal their fierce g1 at fication over their success. “'You’ve had your last chance to down me, Tom King, said Gentleman Joe, squatting near his captives, only thi moon affording them light for seeing each other. ; all the others, it was a dirty trick, and like them it faile “Curses on the gun that didn’t do its work better, then.” “The gun was allright. The,master was lacking,” can the cool ret rt. “Although I wasn’t looking at you, face was. turned that way. If it had been my back, might have plucked up nerve enough to make a fair shot in place of a graze. Maybe it'll leave a bit of a scar, bu you’ll never live long enough to recognize it as your work Tom King.” a That means another dastardly assassination, you de- mon,” fiercely panted the woman, her eyes fairly blazing with hatred the while. “T’ll attend to you later, Mrs. King,” coldly spok Gentleman Joe, then adding to his male captive: “A for you, fellow, you’ve run your length.. I swore I'd bring you to justice ‘for killing Harold’ Catherwood, and; befor another sun shall set, I'l] have made that oath good. “IT mean to hold you here until aylight, then take y back to Hardscrabble, there to’ prove your crime, as swore I would, out of your own’ mouth, After—well, promised to hunt you to the gallows, and though the Royal Flush coud boast ten thousand backers, I’ll foil ’ em al Tom King made no Here Despite his boasted nerve) he was shivering like a leaf. Abject terror had claimed him and, seeing this, Gentleman Joe turned toward Quee Esther, speaking i in colder, graver tones: ‘As for you, Mrs. King, I’m trying to hope a better ending is in store. In spite of all you’ve done, I’m sor for——” hatred, the Amazon broke forth : : “How dare you offer your pity to me, sir? You dered my husband, without giving him a show fo: life, and now—oh, you devil! If I could only: nays th use of my hands for but a single minute.” “That would avail just as little asit has in Mrs. King,” gravely said the Sport. “Like al the Royal Flush, you’ve done your worst, and it recoiled upon your own head. in that, else Catherwood never would have s same fate.” ee “You lured him to his death, ns St a eae “ He fell into the pit your own fair hands help pees Gentleman Joe, eee a ee  THE LOG a CABIN LIBRARY. malice. “ButI’m not going to bandy words with you, madam. If you’lllet me, I wish to save your life, but——” “Id rather diea thousand deaths than accept my life from your bloody hands, you villain.” “ Words are easily spoken, Mrs. King, but when it comes _ to the test, that’s quite another matter. Yet even you must _ know that going back to Hardscrubble means certain death to Tom King; and if you are taken there, a prisoner, in his company—vwell, I’d really like to spare you that much, for, all told, you are a woman, after all.” “Though a woman, I swear to have your life, Joe : Gentry. Wee _ “Will you listen, Mrs. King? I’m trying to offer you a “lease of life, and if you’ll only promise to try to repent for” _ “Kill me, even as you killed my husband! Kill me, or Tl have your life, you devil!” raged the woman, fairly beside herslf. Realizing how worse than vain it was to try further, Géntleman Joe drew back to where Horace Eagle was seated. The two men were almost out of their captives’ sight, though still near enough to take note of their slight- est movement, ready to foil any endeavor to slip their bonds and thus cheat justice. For a short space of time the prisoners remained silent, possibly musing over their unexpected capture, and won- ring just how it had come to pass. But then, as though Pee-common consent, both lifted their voices in a shrill cry for nelp. , All that came of this outbreak, however, was a gag for each pair of jaws. Some little trouble was experienced in applying this remedy for noise to Queen Esther, but in the end her mouth was securely covered, and any further out- break effectually guarded against. Neither man closed alid in slumber that long night. They valued their prisoners far too highly for running -even the semblance of a risk, and when dawn came at last, it was greeted most cordially by the Gilt-Edged Sport and his partner. _ First taking a look to be sure the prisoners had not suc- o ceeded in even partially weakening their bonds, Gentle- man Joe drew Horace Hagle to one side, speaking gravely : _ “It’s time we were getting a move on, pardner. Now, just which do you reckon is the wisest trail to follow ?” ' *T reckon, ef ’twas all my pie, I’d hit the nighest route - fer town, Gentry,” came the prompt response. “ And risk having their heelers try for a rescue?” “T hardly reckon they’d dast do that, but even ef they was to take a notion, reckon we kin fool ’em. Fuller ’ll ev his men ready, sure, an’, ef I was you, I’d jest run ’em down yender, turn ’em over to the sheriff, an’ let him take the rest o ’the ’sponsibility. See?” Their eyes metin along, keen gaze, then Gentleman _ Joe nodded his full comprehension. And, without another word, he turned away to bring up the horses for the re- turn trip. _ Despite their efforts to foil the move, both Queen Esther ‘and Tom King were lifted into the saddles, there to be “firmly secured. Strong bonds connected their feet beneath he belly of the horse assigned to each, and other thongs tied them to pommel and cantle. Then, with one man at the head of each horse, the march was begun. Both Gentleman Joe and Horace Eagle fully realized the ne which almost certainiy lay in the path they had decided to follow, but having once made up their minds, neither man showed sign of fear or of faltering. Their eyes were constantly on the alert, and while one "hand sripped bridle- reins, the other held a cocked revolver, ready to shoot at sight. Only once did they call a halt by the way, and that was when reaching a point which granted them their first view of Hardscrabble. mo. cold, hard tones, Gentleman J oe warned them both . leath would certainly come to them, in case a really sous attempt was made to effect their rescue. ags had not been removed, of course no answer ne in words, but Queen Esther flashed a venomous face to face, and thus proved ouy too plainly ing was her hatred. artners bee SO ee their course as to leave the ‘broken ground, where their movements were fairly well covered atthe point nearest town, and when once strik- ing the clear level, they hurried forward at a brisk pace, deeming it only wisdom to grant the friends of the Royat Flush as scant time for rallying as might be. But, after the stirring events of the past few hours, the town was all alive, and before they could fairly reach its outskirts, the little. group was caught sight of, and almost instantly recognized. “There it comes!” grimly muttered Gentleman Joe, ax a loud shout broke forth. ‘“They’ve spotted us, but—re- member. Kill what we can’t hold alive, Eagle.” “Bet your sweet life, pardner.” They hurried forward, heading for the ruins of the Occi- dental Hotel, but before they could gain this spot, the crowd was eathering with excited yells, and halting, with pistols touching their captives, Genteman Joe sounded 4 warning note: % “Keep back, all of you! Lift hand or weapon, and we'll blow their brains out—by the heavens above us, I swear Lie CHAPTER XIX. BIG CASINO’S CONFESSION. Sheriff Fuller did not make very strenuous endeavors tv crush down the rumor he had heard, for, if the excited citizens fancied all that remained of Gentleman Joe and - Horace Eagie were buried under the glowing ruins of the Occidental Hotel, they would hardly be likely to look for those individuals elsewhere, either for good or for evil purposes. | Just before returning to catch that rumor, the sheriff had heard a very different report, however, given him by “Sleepy Sam” Frisbie, and while that report was hardly as complete as he, could have wished, it went far toward allaying his growing uneasiness. “He jest said fer metodrap yea word, sir, as how’ they was all right, an’ hoped fer to fetch pack big pay *long o’ thar doin’s,” the stage-driver said, with half-timid glances around them the while. “But I wasn’t to let on jest which way they did go, nur yit jest why fer.” Fortunately for Samuel, perhaps, Eagle had previously assured the sheriff that, barring a love for whisky and a constitutional timidity, Frisbie could be depended upon: and so Fuller let the fellow down far more easily than he would otherwise have done. He had ashrewd idea just what lay back of this mess- age, since he had paid a visit to the residence of the Kings without finding the two members of the Royal Flush in whom he now felt the deepest interest. “Reckon they know what they’re doing, but I’ d really like to have a chance to chip in. my own self.” _ Failing that chance, Sheriff Fuller did the next best thing; made it pretty generally understood that he con- sidered himself still in charge of affairs at Hardscrabble, and gave his posse orders to promptly quell any disturb- ance which might, through neglect, grow into- arow of riot. Having taken these precautions, the sheriff dropped in at. the Oasis, but found no word had heen left.there for him by the physician in charge of the burned. desperado, who had been removed from the saloon to which he had. been taken for a first examination. It was a trail easily picked up, however, and Sheriff Fuller came to his game just as the doctor concluded his ministrations, and was onthe point of leaving word, as promised. “ Will it hurt him much to talk, think ? “Not in the sense you mean, sir,” came the grave re- sponse. ‘“He’s past that point, and, if you have anything important to gather from his lips, ’'d advise you to learn all you can to night.” “Has he Jet anything of importance drop; while--—” “Tf he did, I couldn’t tell you, sir,” came the hasty in- terruption. “In that respect, a physician is like a Bue or should be.” Sheriff Fuller begged pardon, and dropped thie point, as- suming charge of the patient and letting the doctor de- part, on his Poe to drop in with the coming of 3 da we 00. It was hardly a position which a weak-ner ved man would have chosen, for Big Casino, despite all that had been done for him, was still in torment, and raved wildly at times. ‘But Alonzo Fuller was by no means a “weak sister,” and having acertain point to gain, he devoted his atten- tion wholly to that end. It was by no means difficult for him to pick up a fairly accurate idea as to just how that fierce fire had started, through listening to the mutterings or the ravings of this poor wretch, and long before the night was spent, Fuller had it all registered in his retentive brain. Pieced out, the facts were about like this: Big Casino, who had frequently availed himself of that eheap method of getting gloriously drunk, had learned how to enter the cellar beneath the Occidental Hotel, “where the stores of eatables and other necessaries were - stowed away against the hour of need. He had stolen into the cellar on this occasion, while al- ready more than two-thirds drunk, and while groping around in the darkness had, by accident or through foolish purpose, turned the faucet of a kerosene barrel, quickly flooding the cellar, and getting the oil pr ebty. well all over himself. -- Then, again by accident or through a Beinlcon desire to aid his superiors of the Royal Flush, he had lit a match, setting fire to the kerosene; and then, his garments ablaze from crown to sole, he plunged out of the cellar, to run madly until he fell exhausted, a burned and blistered mass of agony. As the night wore on, Big Casino gradually quieted down, but Sheriff Fuller was not deceived. He knew that this was but the beginning of the end, and when fully con- vyinced of that fact, he sent for Judge Porter and the doc- tor to come without delay. The physician confirmed his belief that the giant’s hours were numbered, and then Fuller told him exactly how the ease stood. “Since he can’t live, talking surely can’t injure his ehances. He knows secrets which must come out before he dies. Brace him up, if you possibly can, and make him understand that keeping a still tongue can’t either save or lengthen his life.” This was done. Big Casino was restored td conscious- ness, and the doctor plainly told him how short was his mortal span. Then Sheriff Fuller took his turn, gravely yet bluntly arguing his side of the question, until Diamond agreed to make aclean breast of the whole affair, so far as he him- self was concerned. With a nod toward Judge Porter, who had pen and paper in readiness. Sheriff Fuller began questioning the injured man, touching on the most vital points first, lest death should pay a visit before all could be told if the ~witness was left to his own will. In this manner the whole truth came out before the end, but it canbe much more briefly stated than by copying that black record, both for the reason stated above, and because much of the truth has already been placed before the reader Big Casino told how the death- -trap had been prepared for Gentleman Joe, as the members of the Royal Flush fully considered it. The arrest had been planned just’ as gtated in court, and had all gone as the evil schemers ex- pected, Joseph Gentry and possibly Horace Eagle, would. have been butchered without the slightest show for their hives. Tom King had been in charge of the gang which was to play road-agents, and Big Casino formed one of that com- pany. They waited in ambush until the coming of Queen Esther told them how terribly they had been duped, and how surely their chief; Asa King, had fallen into the pit he had dug for his bitterest enemy. Less than two hours after seeing her husband depart in company with the self-styled William Thompson to join Horace Eagle and Joseph Gentry at the stage driven by. Sam Frisbie, Mrs. King made a discovery which showed her how thoroughly the Royal Flush had been befooled. Catherwood, the detective, had spent the last two nights at the residence of the Kings, and in the chamber which he |. occupied, Queen Esther found a tiny note-book which he THe LOG CABIN LIBRARY. had lost. From it, she learned the truth—that William Thompson was Harold Catherwood, a detective from Kan sas City, following a clew which surely implicated he husband. Hastily taking horse, she rode away from town, hoping against hope to over take the stage in time to expose the. double deal, and thus save her loved one, or, if that was — impossible, to share his fate. . Meeting Sleepy Sam returning with the empty stage, : gave her the clew, which was finally acted upon, and an ef- fort was made to rescue Asa King before he could render the task still more difficult by reaching Camptown, where © an item in that fatal note-book warned them a force of dep- uties were in waiting for their employer. Thanks to the over-confidence of Oatherwood in himself, ce the Royal Flush had but a single man to deal with, and bidding his men rope the two horses, Tom King took it upon himself to dispose of the detective. This he did, pouring shot after shot into his body from a Winchester at close range, but even in death Cather- wood kept his vow; he killed Asa King, even as he him- self died, both men being corpses before they could touch the ground in falling off their horses. Then came the attempt to “play even” with Gentleman Joe and Horace Eagle, the first move in which was taken at Camptown, with Queen Esther as the star actress, The handcuffs were taken from Asa King’s wrists, a clean, loaded pair of revolvers were secured to his lL Those worn by Catherwood were carefully cleaned, t#® replaced in his belt. If critically examined, ali must be in such condition as to leave the impression ‘of a brutal as- sassination without word or warning. Then, coming down to later hours, Big Casino told how he had taken two horses out into the hills, leaving ther at a spot particularly described by ‘Tom King ‘ This done, he had proceeded to fill up with bad whisk r, knowing how much greater license is granted a drunken man than one sober. His -cue was to excite the partisans of the Royal Flush, and, if possible, insure the death of Gentleman Je oe by lyneh- -law, if nothing better offered. He told how he had discovered a broken shutter on the side of the hotel in which the dining-room was located, — and first assuring himself that the trick could be turned, called Tom King away from the veranda for the purpose 2 of making this discovery known. Ee A hasty examination proved his words correct, and only then-did the present chief of the Royal Flush submit to being disarmed by Sheriff Fuller, and escorted into the improvised court-room. ; Watching his chance, Big Paaino utilized that broken shutter by passing a loaded revolver through it to his mas- ter, then moved away unseen, or, if seen, unnoticed. He told how he entered the cellar at a later hour in h drunkenness fancyng he could best help his friends b creating an outside disturbance, under cover of which they could kill Gentleman Joe. He purposely flooded the cellar from the nearly full be rel of oil, and in his drunken folly touched it off with” match. “Hell ketched me, I reckon,” the miserable wre h gasped, with a shiver of agony. Big Casino gradually vielded to the influence of the op ates administered to relieve his horrible tor ments, anc his physical powers began to fail him just so his pa grew less acute. a The watchers knew that he was surely dying, but n ing more than had been tried could be done for him, an they were thankful that the end was coming so easily. . Big Casino was still alive. when, not long after sunri a sudden uproar burst forth, out of which Fuller cau ht the excited words: “Looky thar ! ling? They’ve got ’em both, or I’m a-k wit CHAPTER XX. LAST OF THE ROYAL FLUSH. As that rush came near, Gentleman a G ge his pistol US until its muzzle was touch "After that —— Be  “THE LOG CABIN LIBRARY. 31 irectly over his rapidly beating heart, while Horace Eagle served Queen Esther after the same fashion. “Keep your distance, all!” the Gilt-Edged Sport sternly commanded. “I’ve taken oath that Tom King should hang for murdering Catherwood, and if I’m forced to shoot him instead, those who make me break my vendetta, must settle with me later.” ae ‘In the name o’ the law% citizens,” shouted Eagle, as his ~ quota. The eager citizens halted, then recoiled a bit, for their _ tush had been born of curiosity rather than with any _ thought of rescue, to do them simple justice. _ A few vicious words and cries came, but it would not _ be easy to decide which they were directed against—cap- _ tors or captives. And then, guns in hand, the powerful figure of the Silver ~ Gulch sheriff came, plowing a passage through the ranks, : epecune about as he gained that little opening, to coldly shout : “Back, and make way, all honest citizens. IT clear off the evil scum that remains behind, and don’t you for- “~ get it.” » More graceful speeches have been made, but never one _ that said more in the same length of time. And realizing as much, the crowd gave way, and, without having to fire _ asingle shot, the law triumphed. _ Horace Eagle gave Gentleman Joe a warning glance, and recalling the words spoken back in the hills before _ striking for Hardscrabble, Gentleman Joe promptly took _ the wise hint. He publicly surrendered the two captives to Sheriff Fuller, as the one highest in authority just then and there. The charge was gravely accepted, and the sheriff made a little speech to that effect. Then he summoned his _ posse, and, with them as escort, the two criminals were at once taken to the rude structure which served Hard- scrabble as jail. Placing armed men about the building, and giving them instructions to permit no one to reach the “jug” with- - out bringing a written permit over his signature, Sheriff Fuller hastened away to rejoin Gentleman Joe and the marshal ot Hardscrabble. _ They were found near the ruins of the Occidental Hotel, : standing together, the center of a curious gathering, yet with an’ample space left clear all around them, possibly because both men had their pistols drawn and ready for use in case of need. Fuller smiled grimly as he noticed this, but entered the ring with a sign of peace, after which he quickly set their minds at rest, by assuring them Big Casino had made full and tree confession, clearing them from even the sus- picion of having a hand in that double killing. ~ Both gentlemen expressed themselves as greatly de- : lighted with this speedy clearance, but then Horace Eagle bluntly spoke out: «That's all right, fur’s we go, Fuller, but hyar’s any quahiwy of other good people who want to know jest Phich color to call us—white, or dirty black. S’pose you up an’ tell ’ém?” “171 do even better than that, Horace. I’m little more. . than a stranger within the gates, and since my coming, I _ do reckon I’ve trod on more toes than one boot can cover. _ So—what’s the:matter with having Judge Porter read the whole confession to the citizens?” ' This seemed an improvement, and the two most deeply -eoncerned at once accepted it. Then, in a voice which car- ried word to the outermost man in that gathering, Sheriff Fuller made the announcement. x ’ Without stating just what that confession consisted of, he gaid enough to let all know the entire truth had been ~ revealed to a select few, which would be sharéd with all whocared to gather near the Oasis, from the front door of Judge Porter, their honored and respected fellow- svould read the confession. nan Joe, Horace Eagle, and Sheriff Fuller, stood s Porter when that worthy, standing on an up- sky barrel, in his most sonorous voice read the made by Daniel Diamond, alias Big Casino. ord, and hardly a sound, interrupted that read- a, burst of hearty cheers greeted its ending. And, if they had. permitted it, Gentleman Joe and Horacce Eagle would have received a glorious ovation. . But they were more than content with feeling their credit cleared, and beginning to feel both the, lack of food and of sleep, they left Sheriff Fuller to entertain the crowd, while they stole away by a year door, proceeding at once to another hotel, where they ate a hearty meal, then locked themselves into chambers where they sought the sleep they had lost during the last twe nights. . Those slumbers, however, were not permitted to come to a natural ending, though they did last until the sun was sinking to its rest. A vigorous thumping at their doors roused them both, and they hurried into their clothes in answer to that start- ling call: “Devil to pay, you! They’re lynchin’ Tom King, an’ I do reckon they won’t spar’ the Queén, nuther, onless you hurry to back up Fuller.” : It was the excited voice of Sleepy Sam Frisbie, now most thoroughly awakened, and as quickly as possible the two men were armed and outof doors, rushing swiftly toward the rude jail. They were too late to save.Tom King from the rope... He was already giving his final kick under a sign-board, and, taking this in at a single glance, they hurried over to where Fuller and his,posse held guard over Mrs. King. The worst peril was over before their arrival, and their coming only helped tip the scale farther to that side, though Sheriff Fuller gave them a cordial welcome. And then, with their force rapidly growing, the advo- cates of law and order escorted Queen Esther out of im- mediate peril. She seemed completely cowed by the danger she had so narrowly escaped, and tearfully listened to the assurances of even Gentleman Joe, without betraying a sign of her recent deadly hatred for him. She was placed ina stage, with Sleepy Sam as driver, and the armed posse as escort, strengthened by John De- ment and his two brother deputies. The word was given by Sheriff Fuller to conduct her without delay to Camp- town, from which place she was to be permitted to turn which ever way she might elect. But before that departure took place, Fuller gave the Queen of the once Royal Flush some very good advice, which she appeared to accept at its full value. “T’ll go—I’ll leave the country, sir, as you advise,” Mrs. King said, in low, broken tones. “I’ve nothing more to live for, now. Only—lI can’t die like—like poor Tom.’ With a few words further, this leaf of Gentleman Joe’s eventful life-history may be closed. | Lucky Jackson recovered from his hurts, and, as soon 'as possible, took his: departure from Hardscrabble, never again to return. Rig Casino never knew what fate overtook his master, ‘Tom King. He was dead long before that lynching took place. Horace Eagle was elected Mayor of Hardscrabble, and long filled that office, with honor to himself and profit to 'the town. Sheriff Fuller returned to Silver Gulch, feeling little remorse over his part in the death of Thomas King. Queen Esther left Camptown by stage for the East, and Hardscrabble knew her no more. She was the last of the Royal Flush, and never another such dangerous aggrega- tion was permitted to exist in town under the honest, if stern, rule of Horace Eagle. Gentleman Joe, however, felt ill at ease in the place, and greatly to the regret of the many friends he had nade there, resumed his eventful wanderings. Though he showed no outward signs, his heart was still sore over the loss of his first and only love, the belle of Silver Gulch. (THE END.) “ GenTLEMAN Jon’s DeaTH SHOT: or, THE RoaD AGENTS’ Nemisis,” by Joseph E. Badger, Jr., will be published lin the next number (306) of the Loa CABIN IIBRARY. fee  PRICE, ‘No, oe ; 185—The Dalton Boys; and, The M. K. and Tt. Robbery. By W. B. Lawson. 186—Crazy Bob, the Terror of Creede; Or, Cool Dan the Sport Again to the Front; By Capt. Lew James. 187— Gentleman Joe’s Pard; Or, The Benetit at Purgatory Point. By the author of ‘ Gentleman Joe. a 188—Pool. Ticket 025; Or, A Mystery Explained. -By Col. Baker, Ex-Chief of Detectives. 189—Dave Kenshaw, Detective; Or. How He Played His Trump Card. By Robert J. Bangs, Detec tive. 190—Cool Dan the Sport’s Wonderful Nerve; Or, The Madman’s. Matchless Mine. By Capt. Lew James. ‘The Dalton Boys’ Smooth Trick; Or, The Robbery of the Bankof E Reno. By W. B. Lawson. 192—Detective Acainst Detective; Or, Solving a Street Car Puzzle. By Don- ald J. McKenzie. 193—'The Collis Express Robbers; Or, Hunting Down wo Desperate Crimi- nals. By Harry Dixey. 194—The Safe Breakers’ Gang; Or, The Three H: v'Great Skill. By Capt. Clinch. 195—A Louisiana Jesse James ;. Or, Kinted inthe Swamp. By W. B. pa eee 196—Just Like the James Boys; Or, Wiped Out by Vigilantes. By W. B Lawson. 197—The Cooley Gang; Or; A Plucky Sheriff's Fight to the End. By Jim Kearney. ; ; 198—Gentleman Joe Ensng@d; Or, A Mighty Bad Man to Beat. author of “Gentleman Joe. % 199—Manton Mayne, tlie San Francisco Detective; Or, The Coleraine Traze- dy. By Ihugene TI. Sawyer. The Dalton Boys in California; Or. A Bold Holdup at Ceres. By W. B. By Walter 1g1— By the 200— Lawson. g0I--The Alabama. Strangler; Or, Diek Hawes’ Terrible Crime. L. Hawley. ere Dan the Sport’s Lew James. SiEMeky Pard; Or, The Mascot of Creede. By Capt. 203—O'Brien’s Daring Escape; Or, The Bunco,Man Who Paid His Way. By Jack Talbot. 904—Gentleman Joe’s Vengeance ; Or, The Gilt-Edged Sport’s Wind Up. By the author of ‘Gentleman Joe.”’ 205—Howard the Burglar; Or, Run Down by Hunt, Hall and Hyde. By Capt. Clinch. 906--Fhe Tolbert Fend; Or, The Outlaws of Mississippi. By Jack Talbot. 907— Faro Tom’s Hot Fight; Or, The Grader’s Riot at Wenatchee. By W.B Lawson. 908—Shot After Midnight; Or, The Powell Street Mystery. By Capt. Clinch. 909—The Hawkins’ Gang’s Last Exploit; Or, The Terrors of Indiana. By W. B. Lawson. 210—Cool Dan the Sport’s Contest; Or, Fighting the Creede Combination. By Capt. Lew James. git ony Jack, tne Go It Lively Sport;.Or, A Winner from the Start By Capt. Lew James, 212—The Facienits Five; Or, The Beldest Robbery on Record. By W. B Lawson, 213—Two Old Sports; Or, Pards in Hvery Deal. “By Capt. Lew James. 914—The Outlaws of the Sierra Madre; Or, The Loot of the Treasure Train. By W. By Lawson. 915—Capt. Crash, the Man of Sand; Or, The Robbers of the Cherokee Strip. By W. B. Lawson. 916—KElectric Pete; Or, The Gold Hill Bank Bnurelary. By Jack Talbot. 217— Straight Flush Lou, tlfe Man from Denver; Or, Playing for a Triple Stake. By Cant. James. 918—The Tramp Detective in Kentucky; press. By Capt. Clinch. 919—The Lake Front Stranglers; Or, Talbot. 920—The Eversole Feud; .Or. Talbot. 221 —Hank Starr, the Dalton Gang’s Dead-Shot: Or, Marshal Ruggles’ First Round-Up... By Jim Kearney. 939--Frank and Jesse James in Mexico; Or, Raiders of the Rio Grande. By | WwW: Lawson. —The © hosaneniee and Ohio Hold-Up; By W.B: Lawson. OF, A Raid on the Midnight Ex- The World’s Fair Horror. By Jack The Ambush at Troublesome Creek. 203 Or, The Train Robbery Rehearsal. 224— Land. By Jim. Kearney. 92: 5—Jesse svames’ Lezacy: Or, The Border Cycione. By W. B. Lawson. 226—Ehe Dalton Boys; or, The Tragedy of Coffeyville. By W. B. Lawson. g27--Old Pap Grimes ’ Or, The King of the Bored Moonshiners. By Wal- ! ter_.L, Halen, , ‘ 5 928—The James Boy 8 Acainst, the a Week.= BY W. B. Lawson, ae Missouri River Hold-Up; . Lawson. any ie James’ New Deal. By W. B. Lawson. © s, 931—Hank Starr at Pryor Creek; Or, Old Jack Drew Heard Krom. Kearney. Bol) Dalton’s ‘Tie-Up; Or, A Bold Dash for Liberty. By W. ~The Dalton Boys on the Rio Grande, and the Mexican Bandits. W. Be Lawson. 284~ Bob Daltron’s Close Call; or, The Secret of Rider’s Camp. Lawson, DRE Se Bess of Bar-20; Or. The Dalton GanginaNew Role. wawson, --236—The vans and Sontag’ Battle; Or, Hunters. By Harry Dixey. he James Brothers’ Big’ Prize; Or, Robber: Against Robber. B. Lawson. 938—Hank Starr in Colorado; Or, Baily Bancroft’s Big Scheme, Kearney. 2392 The Dalton B, hawson aes i he eee Boys Electric Plant; Or, The Tragedy in the Black Coulee. V. B. lawson. World’s: Reeord; Or, Seven Hold-Ups in 229 Or, The Dalton Gang in Dakota. By W. 232— B. Lawson 233 By W. B. By W. A Desperate .Affray With. Man- 837— Boys in Texas; Or, The Big Four on Their Metal. By W. pan Sif the ee wmes Dees Priven to the Wall; Or, The Three Lives of Wild ° f Decatur. By W. 942—Coal Creek Larry : Walter’ DL, Hale: 243—In League With St. Louis Counter faforas witted the Sleuths. By W. B. Lawson. 244—Rill Balton’s Great Fight; Or, The Round-t Jp at Ingalls. Lawson. a Ae James’ Dare-Devil Dance; or, ‘Betrayed by sue of His Gang. By W. 2B. Lay ae be Lawson: r, The Crack Shot of the ‘Tennessee Miners. Or, How the Daltons Out By Jack | —The Rustlers of the Missouri; Or, The poy Visilantes of the Bad | By Jim, By ‘By W. | By Jim | By By W.B: Wo. es 246—Tracked in thes . Lawson, 247—Rattlesnake Ralph's Lightning Pards; Or. An Indian Territory: Cowl Trailing tlie’ Paltons. ‘By W: B. Lawson. ; 248— res Starr’s ‘Rival; Or; The Dashing Belle of Oklahowa. By. a earney. i 949—Hank Starr in: Wy B Jim Kearney, ce 250—Hank Starr im ee Kearney. = ee Rival Moonshiners; Or, The Dalton Gang in Kentucky, By.N i dawson. 252—Jesse James’ Black Agents; Or, The Wild Raid at Bullion City. W. B. Lawson. 2583—The Dalton Boysin Pennsylvania; Or, Linen Duster Dan’ 8 Hot Trai By W. B. Lawson. 954—The fron Mountain Train Robbery; Or, A New York Detective After the Dalton’s. By W. B. Lawson. 955—Lightning Lon, the ’Cajun Detective; or, The Dalton Gang in Louisiana ‘By W..B. Law son, 256—Hank Starr in New England; Or, The Hard Fate of Nervy Nancy Neary. By i Kearney. 257— oa With the Apache Kid; Or, The Dalton Gang on the Border. »B . B. Lawson. es Lee, the Dashing Deputy ; By AV. B. Lawson. 259—Hank Starr in Nebraska; Or, Looting the Treasure on the Diemer River. By Jim Kearney. 260—Bob Dalton’s. Double} Or, The Outlaws and the Counterfeit Ticket- Makers. By W. B. "Lawson. 261—Tom King. the Woman Bandit; Or, The Dalton Gang and the Three: Star Ranchers. By W. B: Lawson. 262—The Hold-Upin the Snow; Or, Hank Starr's Bird’s Guleh. By Jim Kearney. —The Dalton Gang in Mississippi; Bayou. By W. B. Lawson. 2964—Hank Starr in Idaho; Or, Chris Evans and Morrell to the Resene., Jim Kearney. Pree by Cal, the Quaker; Or, The Dalton Gang in the Bad” Land B . Bu Lawson, 266—The Aone Weceee of Mt. Welcome; Or, Hank Starr and Outlaws: By Jim Kearney. a eee ‘Tracking a Pay-Train; Or, The Daltons’ Raid for Big Booty, V.B. Lawson. oss Hank Starr’s Tall. Hustle; Or, Hide and Seek in City and Hills, Jim Kearney. 269—Jesse' James, the Outlaw... A Narrative of the James Boys. By Capt Jake Shackelford, the Western Detective. 270-A Hold-Up at the Blue Devil Mine; Or, The Dalton Gang in the Cripple Creek Country. By W.. B. La wson. 271—Hank Starr’s Closest Call; Or, Outwitting Toner, the Western Prailer, By Jim Kearney. 272 Jesse James’ Oath; or, Tracked to Death. By W, B. Lawsen. x 273— ae Behe of Poverty Gulch; Or, The Dalton Gang on a Rough Trail. By W. B. Lawson. 974—F rank James in St. Louis; Or, The Mysteries of a Great City. By W B. Lawson. 275—A Game of Bluff; Or, The Dalton Boys in a Wild-West Show. By W, : B. Lawson. Jesse James at Long Branch; Or, Playing For a Million. By. W. 5, Lawson: 277—Jesse James at Coney Island; Or,The Wall Street Banker’s séerek. By W. B. Lawson. > 978—Jesse James in New York; Or, A Plot Against a4 Millionaire. B. Lawson. 979—Jesse James, Rube Burrows & Co W. B. Lawson. —. 280—Jesse James’ Double; Or, | 981—Jesse James’ Successor; ‘Or, W. B. Lawson. —Jesse James Among the Moonshiners; Or, The Tr, ain- -Robber's Trail in Kentucky. By Ww. Lawson. 83—Jesse James in C ‘hicago. By W. B. Lawson. — Jesse James in New Orleans. By W. B. Lawson. 85—Jesse James on the Mississippi; Or, The Duel at Midnight. Lawson. , 286—Jesse James’ Cave; Or, The Secret of the Read. By W. B. Lawson. © 287—Jesse James at Bay; Or, The Train Robbei’s Trail. By W. ByLawson. | 268-—J esse James in Diseuise ; Or, The Missouri Outlaw as a Showman. By . B. Law son. ns "289-—Jesse James In Tennessee; Or, StandWBAW, E Lawson. 290—The Kewanee Bank’ Robbery ; Or, The Mysterious Banditti. “By 1 Musick. 291—The California se teres Or, The eee of S8t.. Appas Bridge. (By Eugene T. Sawye as a 292. The Hatfield- MeCoy. Vendetta; Or, Shadowing a Bards Gepwa. By Ww ‘ Or, Hunted Down in 4 depts. By Jac mp; Or, The Dalton Gang in iiiiana: By Or, The Clean Out at Whoop-Up Canip: Or, The Outlaws’ Deadly Feud, Or, The Dalton Gang in a New Deal Startling Ride at White’ 263 Or, The Head-Hunters of Death BR the Kentucky Ey BY 276— A Thrilling Story of Missouri. The Man From Missouri. By W. B. Lawson. The Raid on the South Chicago Een By | 982 | 2 : 284 ‘ : 2 By W. Ba. = The Outlaw’s Bold B. Lawson. 298—The Younger Brothers’ Vow ; Sharp. '294—Red Rube Burrows; ‘Or, The hie of the Ontlas 295—Ruhbe Burrows’ Last Shot. By W. B. Lawson. 296--The Last of the Burrows Gang; Or, Joe Jackson's Last Leap. Walter L. Hagley. 297—Razzle-Dazzle Dick; Or, Donald J. McKenzie. 294—The Black Hand; Or, The League of Gold. By Euvene T, Sawye : 299—The Murder in the Mail- Car; Or, Phe Icxposure of thie Baud OL. \ By Eugene T. Sawyer. i | 800 —Cattle Kate; Or, A Woiman’s Wild Life. By Lieutenant. Cation ; 301—Old_ Man: Howe; Or, The Regulators of Grand Prairie, By ny. Stoddard. 302—The Lights 0’ Gotham; Or, The Gilded Villain. By Ralph Ro 303—Gentleinan Joe, the Bonanza King; Or, The iselle of Silver G Jos. TE. Ca dee 304—Gentleman Joe, the Gilt-Edged Sport: Or, Beating a Royg Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 305—Gentleinan Joe’s Vendetta; Or, The Hustlers of Hay Joseph E. Bad ger, Jr: 306—Gentleman Joe's Death Shot; Or, The Road. eens N .seph BE. Badger, Jr. Edwin 8. Deana The Fellow Who Lived by His. Wit STREET & ‘SMITH ‘Publishers, .29 ROSE pi NEW | By W. Ee . By fe