Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845

1893 · 16 pages

Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s High Horse This serial by Edward L. Wheeler, author of the Deadwood Dick novels, opens in the mining camp of Hard Knocks with the discovery of a mysterious tightrope strung between two inaccessible peaks. A Devil-costumed acrobat performs a spectacular wire-walking feat, dropping a red banner reading "Sons of Belial, Tremble! I have come to claim my own. Satan." The town officials—Mayor Bob Smith, saloon owner Hank Hornblower, and mine manager Major John King—offer increasing rewards to retrieve the banner and capture the performer, though the peaks prove unreachable. Separately, two rival miners, gambler Everett Wilson and Palmer Connor (superintendent of the Sparkler Mine), have been found stabbed to death in identical positions, suggesting a mysterious third killer rather than mutual combat or suicide. Both men had competed for the attention of "Dashing Diantha," a female sport and gamester. The twin mysteries perplex the camp's citizens.

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 1 of 16 — 1 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 2 of 16 — 2 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 3 of 16 — 3 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 4 of 16 — 4 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 5 of 16 — 5 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 6 of 16 — 6 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 7 of 16 — 7 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 8 of 16 — 8 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 9 of 16 — 9 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 10 of 16 — 10 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 11 of 16 — 11 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 12 of 16 — 12 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 13 of 16 — 13 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 14 of 16 — 14 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 15 of 16 — 15 / 16

Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 845 — page 16 of 16 — 16 / 16