A mountain mystery

Front matter

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Chapter II. Duke Selwyn

Billy Piper, the stage manager and general comedian of the ^^Varieties^^, arrived at that temple of amusement breathless and flushed with excitement. A dozen men were lounging about the saloon, and, through a double door at one side, twice as many more might have been seen sitting and standing about the gaming tables, for Mack’s attractions were various indeed, and his Varieties^^ meant not only theatre, concert-hall and beer graden, combined, but gambling, fisticuffs, and cock fighting, each in its season.

Piper’s entrance interrupted an uproarious burst of hilarity;

MOUNTAIN MYSTERY.'.

for ]Mack liimself, the deity of the place, had relieved the sleepy and more than half tipsy barkeeeper, and, being in one of his genial moods, was putting new. life into things.

He had just uttered one of those coarse sallies for whicli he was famous, at the expense of some one too weak or too unpopular to dare venture a retort, and was standing behind his bar, with a glass in either hand, the one elevated, the other lowered, in an attitude familiar to all his customers, when Billy made his entrance; and he saw at a glance that something had happened. .

‘^What’s up, Billy he called sharply.

Murder!’’ panted the messenger. Some one has killed Duke Selwyn I”

Murder ! ” Killed Duke Selwyn !”

^^Look here. Piper,” said Mack, his brow darkening, ^^nonc of your nigger tricks on that subject. I saw Duke twenty minutes ago.”

^^Well, I saw a man lying in one of the new cellars down there fifteen seconds ago, and Mountain Mag says it’s Duke Selwyn. You’d better come along, some of you — Mag’s out there with the body, alone.”

His manner expressed his sincerity, and a hush fell upon them. Glasses went down, and some one in the inner room j)assed on the word that Duke Selwyn had met with foul play. In a moment the gaming tables were deserted, the glasses and bottles stood untouched upon the bar, and a band of men, with Mack marching grimly at their head, was hurrying towards the common, lighted by half a dozen -lanterns.

Mountain Mag lifted her bull’s-eye high as they approached, but she did not speak, nor move from her place at the edge of the cellar. And very quietly, one after another, the men.

“It is Selwynl" exclaimed Mack.

“Shot in the backl” — Page 20

A

A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY.

Mack still foremost, dropped down and gathered about the body.

^^It is Selwyn!^’ exclaimed Mack, after one glance. And then he bent nearer and lifted the fallen head. ^^Shot!’’ he added hoarsely ; in the hacUr

They were very quiet as they crowded about him, almost filling the half-dug cellar; they were waiting to hear Mack speak again, which he did in a moment, rising and standing erect among them.

Fellows, is there a man among us that objects to coming back to the Theatre as escort to this dead man? I’m going to take him there, and I’ve something to say to you all.”

They were more than willing to go back, and they signified as much by word and action. There was no one among them who cared to gainsay Mack; and, obedient to his orders, two men rushed to the Theatre, Avhere they wrenched oft‘ one of the double doors that separated the gambling room from the saloon proper, and carried it hurriedly back to the cellar. They were a rough body of men — profane, reckless, some of them more than half intoxicated — but they were very silent and orderly as they moved slowly back to the Theatre, walking before, behind, and on either side of the extemporized bier. Every man among them who had known Duke Selwyn had either feared or respected him, and they were now filled with awe and startled expectation.

Take him through and put the boards on the long table,” Mack commanded, as he turned, upon the threshold of thq saloon, and moved aside to let the men who boro the body enter, noting with quick, keen glances every man as he passed. The last to come were Mountain Mag and Billy Piper, side by side.

I’m glad you're \yith usj Mag j you'ro worth all th^sQ

DUKE SELWYK.

fellows/’ said Mack, his voice relaxing its sharp tone as he addressed her. Then advancing toward the inner room he called : Don’t touch him, men ; leave him just as he lies ; it’s a bullet in the back of the neck that did for him. II(^s past help, but %ve\e got something to do before we die.”

Mountain Mag, standing white-faced and seemingly dazed in the doorway, made a sudden movement, and Billy Piper touched her upon the arm.

‘^Give me the glim, Mag/’ he whispered/^and I’ll go look after Nick. You’d better take a drop at the bar.”

Scarcely heeding him, Mag let him take the lantern from her hand. Her eyes were fixed upon the men about the long table; she was straining her ears to catch every word, but she did not leave her place near the entrance.

For some moments the men stood close about the table, looking down upon the dead, those in the outer circle lifting themselves on tiptoe, peering under arms, pressing against the foremost ones, in their efi:orts to see the still face, and long, moveless figure.

It was a fine figure as it lay there ; contrasting strangely I Avith many of those active ones around it — tall, lithe, muscui lar, clad in garments of fashionable cut and faultless taste.

I He wore a long, loose outer coat of some fine, light material, I but the head was bare. The face was that of a man of thirty, lie might even be a little older; no one in Caledonia Avas suf- I ficiently familiar with Duke Selwyn to know his age. It was I ail aristocratic face, a refined face, a strong face, but not I strictly correct in its outline. He had often been called a line-looking man, seldom a handsome one. Perfect regularity of feature rarely accompanies a nature so strong, original, an4 gs bati been that of Hiike Welwyn?

A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY.

. A mass of fine, fair hair was brushed lightly back from a forehead high, broad and white ; eyes that had been keenly blue were dimly seen through half closed lids; the nose was large, slightly Roman, and as clear cut as a cameo; the mouth was thin-lipped and fine ; the chin firm to obstinacy. The large, white hands betokened the strength of the man; the broad, high brow told of courage and intelligence. An hour ago, he stood in the throng that had gathered to admire and applaud the beauty of Aileen Lome, the star of the Theatre, a man among men, himself almost as popular, as much the target of admiring glances as she. Half an hour later, he had emerged from the Cqfej — another attachment of Mack’s wonderful Theatre — with the queen of the evening upon his arm, and had exchanged a word and a jest with Mack himself as he passed on with his fair companion, and now — .

Boys,” said Mack, taking off his hat, and almost to a man the others followed his example; boys, listen to me! Half an hour ago I saw Duke Selwyn alive and hearty. He passed me with Miss Lome. They had been taking supper in the restaurant there, and he was escorting her home. He had to go from this door,” pointing to the chief entrance, ^^past the new block and across the common to the boarding-house — a bee line almost, and a distance of say sixty rod. And between this door and tlie dooi\of the boarding-house, he was shot down by some fiend, some coward — shot in the back 1 Every man that was here when Billy Piper came in with the news is here now, and I’m glad to see it. Do you know tvh^ I ask you to stay ?”

They were all silent for a moment, seemingly puzzled by this unexpected question. Then a fed' shirted fellow spoke. I’m blamei} if \ye, (jo, Mack, hit Regulatorf^ j^oq waot f >

DUKE SELV\^N.

YouVe said it, Blowey. Listen : When Selwyn passed me at the door of the restaurant, I came straight into the saloon and' took a look at things. You know I make it my business to notice who is in my place at all times.^^

should remark/^ interpolated some one who evidently had good reason for confirming Mackes statement. ^^Yehe shoutin’ now, Mack.”

Well, I’m not done shouting; so don’t interrupt me. I was saying that you were all here, at the table or around the bar ; you were here when Duke Selwyn went past my door alive; you have been here every moment since; until we all went out together. Consequently, wherever else suspicion may fall, it cannot fall upon one of you — of ns. And so we are the men, above all others, to join hands and try to hit upon the one who did it.”

There was a murmur among his auditors, and through it he heard some one say :

^AVho was he, any how?”

^AVho’s that?” asked Mack, sharply.

There was a little stir at the opi)Osite end of the table, and then the men fell back, and a roughly-dressed, bearded fellow stood out from among them.

^M’m the feller that piped,” he said, giving a careless hitch to a belt from which two long pistols protruded. ‘M’ve just strudv the settlement, and am askin’ fur infurmation.”

Well, I’ll give it to you. I see some others here that may not have known Duke Selwyn and perhaps none of you knew him as well as I did. Duke Selwyn was a square man; he never went back on his friends, nor turned a shoulder to his enemies. He was a gentleman, and spent his money like one. His pockets were never empty, and he always had a dollar for

A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY.

a friend. He wasn^t so tough and rough as some of us; he passed half of his time in the States, and he always brought back with him a bit of the breath of God’s country! He was a heavy owner in the mining lands, and you may bet that no man in his employ ever got left or grumbled. He was square with everybody; he played fair, he drank fair. I didn’t think he had an enemy in the country. You’ll see more men swarming here before sundown to-morrow, eager to lend a hand and hunt down his murderer, than would ever turn out if all of us went under. But, just the same, there’s some one, not a mile away this minute, who put that bullet in his back,”

It was a long speech for Mack, for he was a man of deeds rather than of words, and it seemed to have made an impress sion.

Mountain Mag had advanced, and she now stood midway between Billy Piper and the stranger who had asked for information, the latter having drawn back a little from the circle about the table.

^^Yow, men,” pursued Mack, ‘‘1 want to know’ how^ you stand. * If there’s one among yon that ain’t walling to hunt down this assassin, in the best way he can, wath money, or time, or brains, I want him to w’alk out o’ that door quick, and he needn’t come back ; I shan’t want his patronage. Duke Selwyn wais my friend; he’s laid dowai many a dollar on this very table, and he’s carried as many moreawny from it. I’m going to see justice done him, and I w^ant my friends to stand by me.”

We will. Mack ! MY wall,” they said; Count us in — call the roll — organize — showusa trail ; wm’ll pull the i-ope!”

Mack’s eyes were traveling swiftly from face to face. No man made a movement to leave the place, although eacli knew s n

“I’m the feller that pipedl”— Page 23,

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A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY.

that Mack meant what he said, and at last his glance rested upon the rough-looking, bearded stranger.

. “ I say,’’ he called across the table, ^^step up here. Mister.'’ The stranger gave no sign that he lieard ; lie seemed to be deeply interested in the woman standing near him. Billy; Piper touched him upon the arm.

Go around there,” he said. Mack wants to take your measure, stranger.”

Does he ?” said the new-comer, withdrawing his eyes from the face of Mountain Mag. ‘‘ Well, let him slide around here and take it ; I’ve no objections.” He spoke with good-natured fearlessness, and made no movement.

To the surprise of all, Mack did not resent this rather un-; usual disrespect. Instead he left his ])lace and approached the stranger.

Who are you, pardener?” he asked.

shouldn’t mind being called Podunk,” said the strangeij coolly, ^Gdthough tain’t my name.”

One name’s as good as another,” replied Mack graciously. The point is to know something about wJuit you are. You’re the only out an’ out stranger amongst us.”

Wal,” casting a quizzical look about him, guess I ain’t none the worse for that.”

You heard what I said just now,” said Mack, ignoring this retort, ^Oind you didn't make a move. If you mean to make one of us, you ought to show your hand.” *

That’s so,” said a burly fellow near them. That’s square talk.” I

^M’m willin’ to show both hands,” said the self-styled Podunk> composedly, ‘^only it strikes me as you’re wastin’ time. Ye kin call me Podunk and imagine I’m party near sech a fel-

DUKE SELWYK.

ler as the rest of ye — I guess I’m purty square — and for the rest, ye’ll have plenty of time to find out, fer I’ve looked things over here and I’ve concluded to stay. There’s one thing I may as well tell ye, though, fer ye’ll find it out the first row that comes up : I can’t bear to fight, and I’m a constitooshunal coward. But I’m some on pollyticks, diploomaticks, an’ lawin’. I’m full of ability in tliem directions, an’ my judgment tells me ye’d better get down to business. That dead feller there ain’t goin’ to git up an’ tell Avho killed him, an’ I’d try some kind o’ trick purty soon as ’ud lead to sumthin’, if I was running this ere. Fd begin to investergate, I would.”

The fellow’s harangue had tickled the fancy of the rough men about him, and they now greeted it with characteristic signs of approval.

Bully for Podunk !” Give us your flipper !” Come out and take somethin’,” came from one and another. But Podunk drew himself up with much dignity.

This yer gentleman’s the boss here, my friends,” he said, bowing toward Mack, ‘‘het liim perceed. We kin drink an’ scrape acquaintance later. The point now’s to organize, an’ find out how this thing begun. Jsli’d say — but of course I’m only suggestin’, — send for the Coroner, perviden he’s got any head on him.”

The wisdom of Podunk’s suggestion wasevident. Caledonia was declared to possess a Coroner witii a liead, and a very good one, on liim, and a messenger was sent to rouse him. Meanwhile the crowd gatherc'd about tlie bar in the outer room, and listened to BlUv Piper’s story of the discovery of the dead or dying man.

When it was told there was a buz:z of comment, and then

the voiw of Podunk was heard addressing Mack.

A MOUNTAIN MYSTERY.

It ’pears to me/’ he said, ^^that tlie next tiling to do is to send for his nigliest friends, if he’s got any, and see what they’ve got ter say. May ’be it’ill turn out that he had some secret enemy.”

Phil Dalton’s the one to go for,” said one of the men.

You’re right, Joe,” cried Mack. Billy, go to the St. Charles and rout up Dalton.”

As Billy Piper turned to comply with this request, he paused beside Mountain Mag, who had seated herself a little aloof from the men.

I left your horse at the side door,” he said, and as she nodded, he passed on and out of the saloon.

‘‘Mag,” said Mack, beckoning her forward, “Billy says you went into the cellar first. Was he quite dead ?”

Mag nodded, but did not rise. “He was quite dead,” she said calmly. “He had just breathed his last.”

“You were passing, Billy says, — did you see or hear anything?”

“Not a soifiid. As for seeing, even my lantern could scarcely show me the road. I’ve waited to learn what you were going to do. Mack. I s’pose you’ll want me when the Coroner begins?”

“ Of course.”

“Well, that can’t be until morning; so I guess I’ll get Nick off the street. I was riding the town looking for — ”

“Cool Hank?” suggested Mack, with a knowing smile.

“No; I wanted Monckton. He’s been away from the ranch for three days.”

“Well, you don’t think of riding out to the ranch now, I liope, Mag?”

110 ! ru steWo Nick, .'wkJ gtey in town long ns I’m

MOUNTAIN MAG.

wanted. 1 wish youM fix me some brandy and water Mack. I feel very queer.

Yes, indeed/^ said Mack, ‘^and no wonder; such a shock as this V’