The Deadwood Dick Library: Denver Doll's Device — page 16: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Denver Doll’s Sait a Device. CHAPTER VII. man that struck the blow, She was wander- THE CONSPIRACY—DENVER DOLL ON TRAIL— | ing, half-demented, through the mountains, I THE REPORTER IN A BAD BOX, Hap a thunderbolt fallen at the feet of Crys- tal aud her lover, neither could have been more surprised than at the sudden appearance of: . Yankee, the Sport; who made his introductory bow upon that dramatic scene, coatiless, hatless, and bootless. ‘ ““You lie?’ Yankee cried again, leveling his revolvers upon the masked man, ‘* You aid not murder me, my fine fellow, as you supposed; but, instead, you stabbed a dummy I had pre- pared for you in bedt” aoe screamed. “*Did this man try to murder you?” she de- manded, shrinking toward Yankee, ‘** As you have heard. He entered my room, but got his work in on my coat and some bed- clothes, while I was under the bed. Who are ag py noble desperado? What is your name, ys The man stood in grim silence. He wouldnot answer, but was evidently looking for a chance to escape. Yankee comprehended his motive, and nodded his head with a grim smile. ‘Just youxtry it!” he said, ‘Dil fix you over into a perforated plaster if you do, iss Car- rol, who is this man?” “* Oh, please do not harm him!” “That is not answering my question.” ** No—but—but please do not hurt bim. His name is Sir Ralph Raphael, a gentleman from rope. 5 “Bah! Str Ralph fiddle-sticks!. Has he been stuffing your head up with this? I can tell you who he.is, without seeing his face. He is John mee etiaed, the heen ick rystal gasped. Her ver gave vent to a fearful oath, “Tis false!” he gritted, trying to sneak his hand toward his belt. “Tis true!” Yankee cried, ‘‘ Remember my caution. I have met you at last, and before we part we shall have a settlement, Where is my wife and child, John McParland? Speak before I murder you!” Fiercely spoke the handsome Sport, and it was evident that he meant, with intense earnest- ness, every word he said. McParland evidently saw that there was no use for him to resist—just at present, anyhow— for he removed his mask with a growl, and his darkly-handsome face was exposed to view in the moonlight, 4 . “ How should I know about your wife?” he growled, twisting his -nustache. ‘I am not a stock-jobber in other men’s wives.” “You know where you murdered her, you accursed hound! Tell me, then, where she is buried?” ‘“‘T know not where you will find her, if so be it oat she isdead, I did not kill her.” CK? ¥ One of Yankee’s weapons came to full cock in an instant. \ “‘ Chaw back that lie! One—two—” “Tet up!” MeParland interrupted. ‘' Rather than get sue on a bullet Pll acknowledge any- thing. I did not kill your wife, but know the knew this person was on ber trail, and I set out to baffle his purpose, I failed, L cam? upon her body, but the child was gone, i bora the body to.a cavern, and then laid it away, wbere no wild beasts could get at it. Some time after- ward I recovered the child, and have it still in my possession, [ama bad man, Yankee Eisler, but I never killed the woman you won from me for your wife—nor any other woman, I amnot ‘a woman-slayer,” The Sport listened with unvarying expres- sion of countenance, “*Tf you did not kill her, who did?” he de- manded, sa “Valentine Verner! McParland replied, with a strange chuckle. “But did you capture the child from Verner?” “Certainly; and he has since offered to give me his daughter in exchange for the child.” “You are a chronic liar!” Yankee retorted, mareeely, “* Whoever secured the child, secured it from the camp of Denver Doll and her detectives. That shows conclusively that Verner did not have her, which he likely would, if he had mur- dered my wife. So, further denial of the crime - is See useless, You swore to break up my happy home, and you succeeded. You swore a would berevenged upon me through those beld dearest, and you did so. John McPar- land, I have made up my mind to kill you. So say your peares if you desire, as you shall have but five minutes’ respite!” McParland laughed recklessly, “ Any harin that comes to me effectuall settles the fate of Ethel Eisler!” he chuckled, | villainously. ‘* When I die, those who hold the child in their power have pledged themselves to kill the child!’ “Say what you like, I have sworn to have revenge, and I will not be balked. You have | two more minutes, On your knees and pray, youdog. Ong!” McParland stood immovable, defiance ex- pressed upon his face, and in his gleaming eyes, Near to Yankee stood Crystal Carrol, white with terror, and trembling at what seemed im- pending death to the mountain road-rider, “Two !” Yankee said, sternly. There was no pity in his tone—he was as relentless as ever. fate could be, Still with bulldog defiance stood the road- agent, not a tremor of fear seeming to affect him, although death stared him in the face, Yankee’s keen eye noticed this, and a feeling of admiration struggled into bis heart. The Sports pistol-hand raised a trifle higher, and his lips were about to move to speak the fatal ‘* three,” , With a ery Crystal Carrol sprung forward and threw her arms about, Yankee, thus knock- ing aside his aim. “ Oh! don’t burt him, Yankee Eisler—for my sake don’t fire—for the sake of me, who loves you! Oh! pray don’t shoot!” she screamed, frantically, and she clung to him go persistently that he could not use his pistol-arm. McParland was not the man to stand on cere- mony, when he saw an advantage to improve, ~"