Wanted! Belle Starr!

by J. T. Edson

  “You were counting on him having drawn three cards to a pair,” the lady outlaw suggested, the young man having paused and glanced her way as if wondering whether she was able to follow the description of the events. “Which, even if he had caught the other two, they wouldn’t be able to beat your four jacks as they couldn’t be queens, kings, or aces.”

  “That’s how anybody would have seen it!” the New Englander claimed, with justification. “Particularly after the right and cagey game he’d been playing.”

  “But he still topped your four jacks with a straight flush on the showdown,” the lady outlaw stated rather than guessed.

  “You’re right,” Bullstrode conceded, surprised at finding his confession was being accepted without any sign of derision or condemnation on the part of the beautiful if over made up woman and the very young seeming Texan (whom he now suspected was somewhat older and far more worldly than appearances suggested). Feeling slightly better now that he had admitted what he had come to realize had been very foolish behavior, he elaborated, “I did think he was drawing to improve a pair, the same way he had several times before. Nobody but the rankest ‘lamb’ or ‘rabbit’ would have stayed in a pot that steep and drawn three cards in the hope of filling a straight flush and, although I wouldn’t have rated him as any kind of poker playing ‘wolf”, he’d played a whole lot smarter than that up until then.” ix

  “All of which was intended to get you thinking you couldn’t lose the pot,” Belle went on, as the New Englander stopped speaking. “So you saw what you took to be your chance to get back all the money you and dear Emily if that’s the name she gave you and her poor ‘brother’ had lost, perhaps with some more on top of it. The trouble was, the only way you could stay in the pot was by putting up that ten thousand dollars you were supposed to deliver to Dusty Fog for General Hardin.”

  “Yes, that h—!” Bullstrode began, before the full import of what had just been said struck him. Swinging his startled gaze to the lady outlaw, he demanded not without a noticeable trace of suspicion, “How do you know it was ten thousand dollars!”

  “I heard all about it and you just after I arrived in town,” Belle replied, but refrained from mentioning that when she had discovered for whom the money was intended it had caused her to rule out the young New Englander as one of her own possible victims. A friendship of long standing with Ole Devil Hardin’s floating outfit, and not a fear

  of the consequences, which would have deterred most Western criminals, had led her to reach her decision. This, in addition to considering herself under an obligation to him for his attempt in helping her against the three drunken cousins, made her go on, The thing is, how do we go about getting it and your money back from them?”

  “Well now,” the Kid drawled and, regardless of the seemingly gentle way in which he was speaking, something in his manner caused Bullstrode to eye him uneasily. “Happen they’re still around town, I could maybe drift along and ask them real friendly-like to give it back to you.”

  “They’re still in town,” the New Englander claimed, in response to the interrogative glances directed his way by his companions. “At least, they were this morning. The Duke of Haute-Savoie was with Reverend Huckfield when he came to collect his winnings. I haven’t seen either of them, or the girl, since then. But two of the other men who were playing went out of the hotel earlier this evening.”

  “That means they’re still around,” the lady outlaw estimated, not without satisfaction. “They’ll have been keeping watch on you all day to find out whether you had got suspicious and meant to tell the marshal what had happened.”

  “I thought of doing just that,” Bullstrode stated grimly. “But the game took place in one of the big mansions on the edge of town and, with the quality of the people who were playing, I kept telling myself I must be wrong and hadn’t been cheated. At least, I couldn’t have told the marshal I’d seen anything to make me believe I’d been other than outsmarted fairly.”

  “You’re lucky you didn’t try to go and tell about them, they’d have stopped you cold,” Belle asserted. “As it is, you were their first “mark” here and, after the expense they’ll have gone to hiring that house, they’re likely to be staying a few more days to pick up another couple or so.”

  “Which being,” the black dressed Texan said, in the same apparently mild tone and looking almost angelically innocent. “Should you just tell me where they’re at, I’ll drift on over and say, “Howdy, you-all”.”

  “And, seeing they’re trampling on my range and have already wide-looped one mark I was fixing to slap my brand on not you, Mr. Bullstrode, but back along the railroad a piece I’d say go to it, Lon,” the lady outlaw declared, having no illusions regarding the true nature of the Ysabel Kid. x “Doing it your Pehnane Comanche way could get back the money, I’ll admit—!”

  “But?” the Texan prompted.

  “But not without you winding up having to explain to the marshal why you took to the warpath,” Belle elaborated. “Which, unless I’m mistaken, is the last thing Mr. Bullstrode wants when it means that the story of how he let himself be taken will be spread around. It won’t just stay hereabouts, should that happen.”

  “You’re right about that, ‘Miss Beauregard’!” the New Englander affirmed vehemently. In a quieter tone, he continued, “I know I haven’t shown in any too good a light by what I’ve done, but to have word of it get back home will ruin whatever chances I have of making a career for myself.”

  “That’s what I thought,” Belle admitted, with genuine sympathy and understanding.

  “I still can’t believe the girl was in it!” Bullstrode said. “She looked so young and innocent—!”

  “And isn’t either,” the lady outlaw interrupted. She was all too aware although she tended to select quarry less likely to seek revenge by informing the law enforcement agencies, because they’d be hard put to explain their own motives in seeking a big gambling game of how easily a lonely and susceptible young man could be taken in by a woman with the looks and histrionic abilities of the blonde she had described. Then her gaze swung to the Texan and she went on, “Your way is out, Lon.”

  “Do you have something better in mind?” the Kid inquired, although his attitude suggested he felt sure this was the case.

  “Not so much better as less direct,” Belle replied. “In fact, it’s going to need to be a real sneaky way to get the money back.”

  Chapter Five – A Subject Less Gruesome

  “Sacre bleu, how absolutely horrible!” gasped Emily Chauvelin, who was currently using as an alias the title, ‘the Duchess of Haute-Savoie’. Fitting the description given to Andrew Bullstrode by Belle Starr, tastefully and expensively dressed and bejeweled, her English had a French accent which was somewhat less pronounced than the Spanish timbre employed by her intended victim. Darting a glance close to revulsion at the long haired and Indian dark young man credited with very deadly knowledge, she gave a shiver and went on, “Can’t we talk of something less frightful please?”

  “Perhaps you will cut the cards for me, please, Donna Maria?” requested Armond, ‘Duke of Haute-Savoie’, whose English was of much the same quality as the woman who was his wife in real life, although she occasionally posed in other capacities. Of medium height, stocky in build, black haired and swarthily handsome, with a sharp pointed moustache and tiny chin beard in the Gallic fashion, he too was immaculately dressed. Having completed the shuffling of the deck during the description of how fatally effective a ‘blowing pipe’ and its darts tipped with curare could be, he held it towards Belle Starr. “Like mon cher Emily, I too feel a change to a subject less gruesome would be welcome.”

  “Yeah, verily,” intoned ‘Reverend’ Leslie Huckfield, as somberly as if delivering a sermon for the wealthy and influential local congregation he had claimed to represent. “Though the ways of the ungodly are indeed mysterious, I agree they do not make a pleasant topic of conversation.”

  “But of course,” t
he lady outlaw assented, in the manner of one conferring a favor. “I was only explaining for Señor Driberg.”

  After Belle had left to start making her preparations for the attempt to retrieve Andrew Bullstrode’s money on the night of their meeting, the young man had expressed doubts over whether she would be able to accomplish anything. Neither she nor the Ysabel Kid had told him of her true identity.

  But, being far better informed, the Indian-dark young Texan had not suffered from any such lack of confidence!

  Subsequent events had proved the faith shown by the Kid to be fully justified!

  Having put to good use her specialized knowledge, facilities and talent, the lady outlaw had been able to supply everything she considered would be needed for the scheme she had concocted.

  The first thing arranged by Belle was for the young New Englander to make it appear he had left Newton, rather than stay around admitting he had allowed himself to be cheated out of the money put in his care. Although he had not been under observation on the evening when they had become acquainted, the surveillance was resumed the following morning. He had been followed to the railroad depot by Driberg and another member of the gang, then watched while boarding an east-bound train. Ostensibly returning home, his misgivings having to some extent been dispelled by the confidence in her expressed by the Kid after they had separated the previous night still, however, without having learned who she was he had carried out her instructions by going only as far as the next town along the tracks.

  Nor had Bullstrode travelled alone, Belle and the Kid having joined him on the train when satisfied none of the gang were travelling in it to ensure he did not change his mind. Shortly after their arrival at the point of disembarkation, a telegraph from one of the lady outlaw’s associates had confirmed in a simple code that the ploy was successful. Obviously satisfied their latest dupe had refrained from lodging a complaint with the local peace officers, and also would not be around to warn others, everything indicated the gang were remaining in Newton to acquire further victims. They would be kept under observation, nevertheless, in case they should leave before she returned. If this had happened, steps would have been taken to find out their next destination.

  Staining her skin the olive brown of a Latin, and equipping herself with appropriate wig and clothing, Belle had transformed herself into ‘Señora Donna Maria Constanza del Santa Rosa’. Her pose was that of an extremely wealthy and headstrong South American who was visiting the Kansas’ trail end towns with her ‘husband’, prior to going further west on a hunting trip, and to meet ranchers from Texas and arrange to purchase cattle for her estancia in Brazil. It was a character she had played in the past and, although unable to speak Portuguese—the main language of that country—she could tell a sufficiently convincing story to explain how a person of ‘Spanish’ birthright came to be living there. She also knew enough to be able to satisfy the curiosity of anyone who had not been to or made an extensive study of Brazil and its customs.

  On learning how the lady outlaw was planning to handle the retrieval, being aware that it would not be achieved without considerable risk, the Kid had insisted upon posing as her ‘husband’. Although he was not trained as a confidence trickster, knowing his capabilities in other fields, she had concluded he was better suited to play the role she envisaged than any member of her ‘crew’. He was also less likely to be recognized, as the rest of her gang were all well known to other ‘bunco steerers’. She had therefore given her concurrence.

  Despite the Texan having his black hair cut short after the fashion of cowhands, amongst whom the possession of long locks and bushy beards were an abomination, he had only needed an easily provided suitable wig and clothing to complete his disguise. He was already sufficiently dark skinned and his Spanish was fluent enough for Belle to pass him as her part Indian gaucho husband, brought from another property her family owned in Argentina. He had been helped in the portrayal by ostensibly being unable to speak or understand English as well as if necessary Portuguese. Having been less certain of his ability as an actor than a fighting man, she had considered it was advisable to restrict the amount he had to do and had taken the main burden of creating the desired effect upon herself. Nor, having conceded his limitations, had he raised any objections to the arrangements.

  Leaving Bullstrode behind, the lady outlaw and the Texan had returned by train to Newton in their disguises. They had been followed from the depot to the best hotel by Thomas Driberg. Having established themselves in the finest suite, demanding it with the imperious and impressive attitude of one used to having her own way in everything, Belle had set about giving the impression that she liked to gamble. They had not had a long wait before the bait was taken.

  Earlier that evening, introducing themselves as the “Duchess and Duke of Haute-Savoie, from Paris, France,” the couple responsible for fleecing the young New Englander had insisted upon taking the ‘other foreign visitors’ to dinner in the hotel’s dining room. During the meal, they had expressed sympathy with ‘Donna Maria’ when she complained that ladies like herself were not allowed into the bar-room to join a game of poker. Saying they had arranged for a few acquaintances to play at the house they were renting, as Emily was subject to the same annoying restriction in the town’s places of entertainment, Armond Chauvelin had offered to let their ‘newfound friends’ go with them and participate.

  Visiting the ladies’ restroom before leaving the hotel, Belle had given Emily an ‘explanation’ of the Kid’s status and presence. Admitting that he was ‘far below her class’ and hoping he would never learn what she had said, she had attributed him with sexual prowess of a high order. The impression she created was that his position was less that of an equal partner in a matrimonial alliance than a combined travelling companion, bed mate and bodyguard. With regards to the latter, she had claimed he was most effective. However, sharing a general belief which she ascribed to all gauchos, that the harder one pulled the trigger, the faster the bullet flew, she said he was no gunfighter. Instead, he relied upon the big bowie knife and other, even more deadly, methods—which she did not elaborate upon at that time—if there should be the need to protect her. When ‘the Duchess’ had suggested she left him behind, clearly having felt concerned over having such a potentially dangerous person along, she had declared this was unwise as his weakness for hard liquor and sexual proclivities made it necessary for her to keep him under constant observation. Finding ‘Donna Maria’ was adamant upon the matter, Emily had given grudging consent to ‘Manuel’ accompanying them.

  Taken to the luxuriously furnished mansion in the most wealthy section of Newton, rented from the butler and housekeeper while the owners were away on vacation, the lady outlaw and the Texan had found everything pretty much as described by Bullstrode. One problem the Kid had anticipated had not arisen. Although she was known to the dishonest employees, as she had admitted, she had also been aware that neither would be on the premises. One of the conditions the servants had imposed when engaging in their transaction was that they would be absent at all times the property was in use. This offered them an excuse to plead ignorance if their ‘guests’ should be caught.

  The only major difference in the set-up was that, having no need to act as lure for a susceptible young man, Emily was serving in her true capacity as Armond Chauvelin’s wife. All the ‘acquaintances’ were the same and using the supposed occupations they had given to their previous victim.

  What was more, the pattern of the play had followed a similar course!

  With the Kid seated by her side, but not playing due to the supposed language difficulty, Belle had quickly established that she had no liking for losing. Then, although she had played with far less skill than she actually possessed, she had been allowed to win steadily. However, the attempts made by Emily to ply her and the Texan with hard liquor had met with no success. Claiming almost total abstinence for herself, she had asserted that as she had heard was also the case with Indians and half breeds in
North America it was most unwise to let ‘Manuel’ drink intoxicating beverages.

  Commenting upon the proposed ‘hunting trip’, apparently because she was in high spirits over having taken another sizeable pot which she had felt sure was presented to her, despite Driberg having held a hand of higher value than the one she displayed the lady outlaw had been offered the opening she needed to introduce a subject essential to the culmination of her scheme.

  “As you wish, Armond, Reverend,” Belle continued, with the good-humored acquiescence of a person who found everything was going as she desired. Which was true, although not in the way the majority of her audience believed to be the case. She was most gratified by the way in which all the members of the gang were studying the Kid in a speculative, even perturbed fashion. “Let us by all means play on, so I can make the most of my good fortune!”

  “You’re real lucky and that’s a fact!” Driberg admitted, with the sourness of a disgruntled loser. “There’s none of us can do a thing right against you!”

  Chapter Six – All Things Are Possible

  “Madre de dios!” Belle Starr gasped, the game having been resumed and two more pots coming her way without any suggestion the trap had begun to be sprung. Glancing at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room, while the deck was being shuffled in what she knew to be a legitimate fashion, she continued, “Is that the hour?”

  “It is,” Armond Chauvelin confirmed, a trace of suspicion in his otherwise blandly polite voice. “Why?”

  “Much as I hate to do so while enjoying such a lucky streak, I’m afraid I must leave after your next deal, my dear Armond,” the lady outlaw explained. “I have the so early meeting in the morning with a Captain Dusty Fog what strange names these Americanos del Norte have, don’t you think?”