Chapter 40

TEARING OFF THE MASK.

When Buffalo Bill rode into the camp where Surgeon Powell and the gold-hunter sat, it was seen that he was leading two horses, one carrying a pack-saddle, the other a heavy load.

The surgeon-scout at once arose and greeted him, and said:

"Ho, Bill, what game is that?"

"A dead outlaw, the lieutenant of the band, whom I killed. But you are not alone, Frank?"

"No, it is your old rescuer, who was on his way to the fort to see you, when he met me. He was going to tell you that the outlaws have their retreat in the Grand Cañon."

"I have been to it; but how are you, Pard Seldon, and let me say that I have good news for you, as your daughter has come West to meet you and is now at Last Chance."

"Thank you, Mr. Cody, but I am aware of that fact, as Surgeon Powell can tell you; but come, look me squarely in the face, and see if you know who I am."

Buffalo Bill gave a fixed look, and then cried excitedly:

"By the gods of war, _you are Wallace Weston or his ghost_."

"I am a very healthy ghost, sir; but I am Wallace Weston, and I leave it to Surgeon Powell to tell my story to you."

The scout seized the gold-hunter's hand and wrung it hard, while he said:

"Thank God you are not dead, Weston, for only this night have I heard the truth of your story from the lips of the dying outlaw, Alvin Wolf."

"Ha! once my friend, then my foe, for he sided with the Mayhews against me."

"He did, and I have his diary, which tells the whole story; but now let me tell mine, and then we can compare notes and decide what is best to be done."

They first had supper, after staking out their horses, and afterward buried the body of the outlaw, Alvin Wolf.

Then, until after midnight, they sat talking together, the surgeon, the scout, and the gold-hunter, about all that had happened, after which they retired to their blankets.

It was just dawn the next morning when Wallace Weston rode away from the old camp to make all speed to Last Chance. His mission there was to take a letter to Driver Harding, which was as follows:

"Trust the bearer with your life. Pick out eight of the best men in the camp, whom you can trust, and have them pretend to start for W---- on business, going in your coach.

"See that no one else goes. Have two leaders that are good saddle-horses, and smuggle into the coach seven saddles.

"I will meet you at Dead Line with horses, and prepare to lose your leaders then, for four horses can readily pull your empty coach on to W----.

"Your men must be the best, and fully armed.

"The bearer will bring your answer to me."

"Yours, B. B."

Pushing rapidly on, Wallace Weston arrived in Last Chance that night and at once sought out Harding. Giving him his letter, he received his answer, after the two had had a talk together, and then, mounted upon a fresh horse furnished him by the driver, he started upon his return, having attracted no particular attention.

It was the next day that the coach rolled out for W---- and it carried eight miners as passengers. Arriving at Dead Line, it was met there by Buffalo Bill, Surgeon Powell, and Wallace Weston, and the eight miners joined them and went up to the scout's basin camp.

Then, with the two leaders taken from Harding's coach, they had, with Wolf's horses and the pack-animals, enough to mount the party.

The next morning the start was made for the Grand Cañon, and the descent was made on foot in the darkness of night, the horses having been left on the rim.

The party were led by Wallace Weston, who knew the trail perfectly, and at midnight they rushed in upon the outlaw camp, giving them a complete surprise.

Revolvers rattled, cries of alarm and pain were heard, cheers were given, and then silence reigned supreme, for the battle was won and four outlaws had been made prisoners--the rest were killed.

One miner had been killed, and others wounded, though slightly, and these were cared for by Doctor Powell.

In the camp the prisoner, Bernard Brandon, was found safe, but still unconscious of all about him, apparently.

Wallace Weston had asked Buffalo Bill and Surgeon Powell to go on with him to his camp, and there they found Lucas Langley on guard, he having heard the echoes of the firing far down the cañon, and supposed that it meant an attack planned by his pard.

Without letting the secret be known, that there was gold in the cañon, Buffalo Bill ordered an early start for Last Chance, and it was made by all except Lucas Langley, who remained at his cabin to await Weston's return.

Upon nearing Last Chance Buffalo Bill halted the party, to follow on a few hours later, while he rode on with Surgeon Powell and Wallace Weston.

The scout was recognized by the miners and warmly greeted, and, as he dismounted at the hotel and was welcomed by Landlord Larry and Harding, who had returned, Doctor Dick came forward and said:

"Delighted to see you, Mr. Cody, again in Last Chance."

"Yes, Doctor Dick, I am here to find Richard Mayhew, alias Doctor Dick, and, more still, the masked chief of the road-agents--hold! you are covered!"

But Doctor Dick saw that all was lost, saw that the rope would be his end, and, in spite of the warning of the scout, he drew his revolver.

But ere his finger touched the trigger he fell, a dead man, at the feet of Buffalo Bill, Celeste Seldon having come forward just in time to see him fall his length upon the earth.

To the excited miners Buffalo Bill turned and made a speech, for he had killed their hero, the idol of Last Chance.

He told them how the mask of the gambler had been torn off, by the confession of the outlaw Lieutenant Alvin Wolf, and how he had had his suspicions aroused, as had also Landlord Larry and Harding, by several things that had occurred.

The whole story was made known, and, as the rest of the party came in, bearing the booty of the outlaws and the prisoners, and in Doctor Dick's cabin was found the very bag of gold that had been given for Celeste Seldon's ransom, and the money before taken from the coach, there was no doubting his guilt, and a howl of rage arose against him and his followers.

Later, while Buffalo Bill, Surgeon Powell, Wallace Weston, and Landlord Larry were at Celeste Seldon's cabin, telling her the true story regarding her father, the storm broke in fury, and Harding rushed in to say that the miners had seized the outlaw prisoners and were hanging them.

An attempted rescue was made by Surgeon Powell and Buffalo Bill, but in vain; that mob would not, could not, be stayed in its madness, and the work of revenge was accomplished.

The next day, as Surgeon Powell had said that the reason of Bernard Brandon could be restored by an operation, Celeste begged him to make the attempt, and, to the joy of all, it was crowned with perfect success.

With his reason once on its throne, and learning all that had taken place, Bernard Brandon told how he had been the young partner of Lawyer Edgar Stone, who had kept his friend, Andrew Seldon, away from home by false letters, had written him that Celeste was dead, intending in the end to marry her and get the large fortune for himself, for the estate had greatly increased in value since the departure of its owner.

He had at last decided to go to Celeste and confess all, and, learning that he had done so, Edgar Stone had fled to save imprisonment.

In atonement Bernard Brandon had come West to find Andrew Seldon, and, not hearing from him, Celeste had followed him.

Bernard Brandon hoped that his atonement might win the heart of Celeste, but instead she dismissed him with liberal payment and placed herself under the guardianship of Wallace Weston, who had taken her father's name.

Bidding adieu to their pards at Last Chance, after sending Harding to the Grand Cañon to join Lucas Langley at the mine, Wallace Weston went East with Celeste, and going to his old home, he told the whole story of his life, and submitted letters from Doctor Powell, Buffalo Bill, and the diary of the outlaw officer as proof of his innocence, so that the charges against him were at once ended by legal process.

Armed with proper papers, he presented himself before the President and received his pardon, after which, with Celeste Seldon as Mrs. Wallace Weston, he went to Fort Faraway and received a welcome from all his old officers and comrades that made his heart glad.

As the mines in the Grand Cañon had ceased panning out as expected, Wallace Weston gave up his interest there to Lucas Langley and Harding, and returned East with his beautiful wife.

THE END.

"Buffalo Bill's Death Call" is the title of a weirdly thrilling series of adventures of the famous scout and his band in No. 42 of the BUFFALO BILL BORDER STORIES. No admirer of Colonel Cody and his exploits can afford to miss a volume of this series.

History of the World War

_By Thomas R. Best_

The most portentous crisis in the history of the human family has just passed. The World War was conceived in greed and will be consummated in justice. It will prove a blessing to mankind, because it spells emancipation to countless unborn generations from enslaving political and social evils. It is a big subject and one that will be discussed in every household for many years to come. Questions will arise that only a clear, concise account of the war in handy form can settle.

Therefore, we ask you to consider =History of the World War= by Thomas R. Best which has been written from the American standpoint. It is purely history--not vituperation. This volume has a chronology of important events that will prove of inestimable reference value.

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If you think the problem worth while, why not try to solve it by reading Albert Payson Terhune's great book, SUPERWOMEN? From Cleopatra to Lady Hamilton--they are mighty interesting characters. Some of them smashed thrones, some of them were content with wholesale heart smashing. You will know their secret, or rather their secrets, for seldom did two of them follow the same plan of campaign.

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More Machinery

That's what we needed to fill the demand for the S. & S. novels. You see, we were somewhat restricted in our output by the War Industries Board, with whose ruling we gladly complied for patriotic reasons. While the restrictions were on we used up pretty nearly all of our surplus stock so that when we were no longer under orders from the Government, we found ourselves with a lot of orders and very little stock.

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That boy you know will be mighty glad to have you make him a present of one or two of the Alger books. Ask your dealer for a list of the titles.

Here are some good ones that we published within the past two months:

=The Backwoods Boy= =No. 77= =Tom Temple's Career= =No. 78= =Ben Bruce= =No. 79= =The Young Musician= =No. 80= =The Telegraph Boy= =No. 81=

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=For Life and Love= =No. 93= =How Will It End?= =No. 94= =Love's Warfare= =No. 95= =The Burden of a Secret= =No. 96= =Griselda= =No. 97= =A Woman's Witchery= =No. 98= =An Ideal Love= =No. 99= =Lady Marchmont's Widowhood= =No. 100= =The Romance of a Young Girl= =No. 101= =The Price of a Bride= =No. 102=

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if you could see how we print and bind the S. & S. novels. They start as rolls of blank paper, and are turned out by the thousands, without a hand touching them.

You have heard wonderful stories about machines that turn out loaves of bread and crackers by the ton, all crisp and brown and ready to eat, but you have not heard anything about the machines that turn out paper-covered books all ready to read. We have them, however, and that is why we can sell such books as those in the NEW ROMANCE LIBRARY.

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Buffalo Bill Border Stories

This line will be devoted exclusively to stories written by Colonel Prentiss Ingraham about his lifelong friend Buffalo Bill. These two men were inseparable companions, and Colonel Ingraham is therefore well qualified to write stories of the adventures of the old-time scout and plainsman. These stories are destined to be immensely popular, because they are drawn true to life. They bring the open plains right to the reader's front door, as it were.

The fact that these stories are historically correct gives them a very secure place in American literature. Manifestly, no history was ever written that could give space in such detail to the adventures of a single man, no matter how important his life's work may have been; it really takes a line of so-called fiction to do it, and we can honestly say that the stories in this line do justice to the interesting character of Buffalo Bill.

BUFFALO BILL BORDER STORIES are not for boys; they were written expressly for adults.

1--Buffalo Bill, the Border King By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 2--Buffalo Bill's Raid By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 3--Buffalo Bill's Bravery By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 4--Buffalo Bill's Trump Card By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 5--Buffalo Bill's Pledge By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 6--Buffalo Bill's Vengeance By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 7--Buffalo Bill's Iron Grip By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 8--Buffalo Bill's Capture By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 9--Buffalo Bill's Danger Line By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 10--Buffalo Bill's Comrades By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 11--Buffalo Bill's Reckoning By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 12--Buffalo Bill's Warning By Col. Prentiss Ingraham 13--Buffalo Bill at Bay By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 14--Buffalo Bill's Buckskin Pards. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 15--Buffalo Bill's Brand By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 16--Buffalo Bill's Honor By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 17--Buffalo Bill's Phantom Hunt By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 18--Buffalo Bill's Fight With Fire By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 19--Buffalo Bill's Danite Trail By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 20--Buffalo Bill's Ranch Riders By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 21--Buffalo Bill's Death Trail By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 22--Buffalo Bill's Trackers By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 23--Buffalo Bill's Mid-air Flight By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 24--Buffalo Bill, Ambassador By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 25--Buffalo Bill's Air Voyage By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 26--Buffalo Bill's Secret Mission By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 27--Buffalo Bill's Long Trail By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 28--Buffalo Bill Against Odds By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 29--Buffalo Bill's Hot Chase By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 30--Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ally By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 31--Buffalo Bill's Treasure Trove By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 32--Buffalo Bill's Hidden Foes By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 33--Buffalo Bill's Crack Shot By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 34--Buffalo Bill's Close Call By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 35--Buffalo Bill's Double Surprise By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 36--Buffalo Bill's Ambush By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 37--Buffalo Bill's Outlaw Hunt By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 38--Buffalo Bill's Border Duel By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 39--Buffalo Bill's Bid for Fame By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 40--Buffalo Bill's Triumph By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 41--Buffalo Bill's Spy Trailer By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 42--Buffalo Bill's Death Call By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 43--Buffalo Bill's Body Guard By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 44--Buffalo Bill's Still Hunt By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 45--Buffalo Bill and the Doomed Dozen By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 46--Buffalo Bill's Prairie Scout By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 47--Buffalo Bill's Traitor Guide By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham 48--Buffalo Bill's Bonanza By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham

Transcriber's Note: Obvious typographical errors have been corrected. The advertisement for Buffalo Bill's Border Stories has been moved from the front of the book to the back.