Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1009) (1896 11 24)
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st Ft Ut! tnt! Lt i! Copyrighted 1896, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, November 24, 18y6, No 1009 $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, Vol XXXIX : a Year. No, 92 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 cents. 8 j cf ra) & a @ | | | aes ipa: t 7 Ha | n ‘ i ' \ itl Mi — ss Wy TE ed, wl cult a WH yh) ———— GORCHER SAW DEATH-HOLE DROP. BY J. C. COWDRICK. AUTHOR OF “‘SCORCHER SAM’S” STORIES, ETC. CHAPTER I. A RESCUR AND A TRICK, Wirn a few strides, Sam Buckley—Scorch- er Sam—was upon the scene. ““What are you doing?” he demanded ed sternly. ‘* Release this lady instantly, or SAM 8TRUCK TIME FELLOW SQUARELY BETWEEN THE EYES, AND OVE the worse for you! LIKE A NINEPIN. fat a z mS ———— 3 = R HE WENT
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} H Sr _ The Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. “Ch! Sir! Save me, save me from them! ” cried the well-dressed young wo- man whom two men were forcibly detain- ing. ‘I do not know them!” “ Who are you?” the elder of the men demanded. ‘‘ You had better go on about your business—” “ This is my business, ” said Sam, short- Jy. “ What are—” “Tt is none of your business! This ‘young woman is my daughter, and I mean to—” ; “That is false—false!” cried the lady. iI never saw him before in my life, sir! ” | “And she is my wife,” claimed the other, “Oh, sir! He lies! ” “Remove your hands, instantly, botk of you,” Scorcher Sam ordered in per- emptive tone, and as he spoke he laid a hand upon a shoulder of each of the men with a grip that meant business. | The younger man did let go his hold, but only to aim a blow at Sam’s face, and the Scorcher was forced to act promptly. His left fist shot out straight from the shoulder, taking the fellow squarely between the eyes, and over he went like a ninepin. In the same moment the elder of the pair struck Sam a blow on the shoulder, and, wheeling half around, Sam gave him a dose with his right, and down he went, like the other. The young lady, thus released, ran swiftly away. It was early evening. Sam was on his way, without his wheel, to keep an ap- pointment, when turning the corner into a quiet street, a muffled scream caught his ear, and looking around he saw the scene described. With a few strides he was on the spot, “and proceeded to take a hand in the un- sist then at ea : — equal contest. “You shall smart for this! ” cried the younger of the two men, as he essayed _to rise. “You shall die for it!” grated the other. ‘ “You brought it all upon yourselves,” yetorted Sam, in his cool fashion. “If you had obeyed me I would have lis- tened to both sides, You forced me to defend myself.” “And we'll do it again,” hissed the ‘younger man, furiously. “See! She has escaped us, now, and all your fault!” “Steady! ” commanded Sam, putting up his hands for business. “ If you try it I will knock your two eyes into one the next crack. Here comes an officer; you car tell yor-+troubles to him.” Soveral persons had now been drawn to the scene, and a policeman was run- ning up. “We'll fix you out all right for your smartness,” threatened the older man. _“What’s the matter here?” demanded the officer, as he ran up. “ This fellow has tried to rob us, that’s what!” cried one of the pair, “ We de- mand his arrest!”’ “That’s so! Arrest him!” supported the other. The policeman laid a hand on Sam’s: collar and drew his club. “What have you got to say about it?” from the officer. “T ain’t goin’ to resist, so don’t hit _ me, They’s two ag’inst one, so what’s the use?” Both men looked at Sam in surprise, h other. | What did this mean? ies ‘ou don’t look like a footpad, ” said he | ae, het Es him sharply. have ca ine bitrad for. “But is it so?” “IT am goin’ to plead not guilty.”, ‘“He doesn’t look like a footpad, that is true,’ spoke the elder of the two. “Is it possible that we were mistaken?” turning to his companion. “Don’t see how we could be, when he tackled us the way he did,’ the other averred. “Did he strike you?” asked the offi- cer. “Did he? Of course he did!” “Then you have got a good case against him. Come on to the station with “No, no; we haven’t time for that,” the elder of the pair hastened to inter- rupt. “We can afford to let him go, so long as we have come off whole—” “That won’t do,” assumed the officer. “You will have to come and make a charge, or I’ll have to take all of you prisoners.” “But we have no time,” urged the younger, “ We have got to catch a boat, and—” “Then it would be too bad to detain the gents, officer, don’t ye think it would?” asked Sam. “As long as they don’t want to press the charge, you needn’t be kickin’.” “See here! You have got to come with me, the lot of you,’ declared the officer, The two men were in a quandary. They could not understand Sam’s sud- den change of tactics, and evidently had no desire to make the close acquaintance of the police. “No, no; we can’t do it,” they both urged. ‘It means a big loss of money to us, if we miss that boat. We don’t want to resist you, officer,” the older of the two added, “ but we have got to be going.” “We will not make any charge, any- how,’ avowed the younger. “Let ’em go; that will suit me just as well,” said Sam. “If they won’t make any charge, what’s the use luggin’ them to the station?” “That’s right, young fellow,” asserted the older man, “ We would like to shove you for this, but time is money, so you ean thank your lucky stars that we can’t appear against you for it.” “Well, if you don’t mean to make any charge, of course there is no use my tak- ing ye in,” the officer said. ‘‘ Don’t let me see any more of it, though,” he added, turning to Sam. “Not likely that ye will, this evenin’.” The two men were edging away now. The Scorcher Detective was satisfied of one thing, that they were up to some sort of rascality. Now, however, he had reason to think otherwise. “Come along with me,” ordered the officer, pulling Sam by the arm. “I want to know more about you, my young gen- tleman.” “Oh, certainly officer, certainly. “Tam Sam Buckley, of the Bike Squad —Scorcher Sam, as they call me.” “The deuce!” “T had an object in letting those fel- lows go. I want to shadow them a little, and this was about the only way I could get a chance to do it. See, here is my badge; you don’t have to take my bare word for it. Let them get a start, and then I’ll go for them.” Briefly Sam explained what had hap- pened, and, satisfied as to who he was, the officer let him go. The two men were by that time far | enough away for Sam’s purpose, and he set out after: them, having made a hasty | s change in his appearance while talking |» ‘| with the policeman, CHAPTER II, THE SCHEMER SHARPS, The Scorcher had been oh! his way to keep an appointment with Bessie Blake, or sistant. They had made an arrangement to at- tend a popular roof garden that evening, but now it looked as if that plan would be spoiled. “Too bad,” said Sam to himself, as he walked along, “‘ and I will have to send word to Bess, somehow, if I find that I cannot keep the appointment. She will understand, when I tell her it is business, but that don’t make the disappointment any the less,” The two men were walking at a brisk pace, and talking earnestly. Feeling reasonably certain that his dias guise would not be penetrated, Sam gained upon them. If going to take a boat, they certainly were not going in a direction to lead to it. Sam got up reasonably close to them, but, while he could hear their voices plainly, he was not able to distinguish what they said. They were leading him in the very di- rection he had intended going. “Tf they will only go on and pass the garden, and if Bess is waiting for me at the entrance, and I can catch her eye— they turn the right way, anyhow.” The elder of the shadowed pair was a man well on in years, with rusty-gray hair and whiskers and a nose remarkable for its length and the hook it had. He was clad like a countryman, and though well enough dressed there was an air of the country clinging to him. The other was mutch younger, maybe thirty years of age, and the style and cut of his garments proclaimed him to be city bred. They continued on toward the roof garden, What was Sam’s surprise and gratifi- cation when, on reaching there, the pair turned in at the entrance and bought tickets. Here was a bit of luck, indeed! Sam looked eagerly around for Bessie, but she was not there, so he stepped aside and waited for her. While he waited he removed his dis- guise, so that she would readily recognize him. In a few minutes she came tripping along as chipper and sprightly as usual, and at sight of Sam a smile lighted her face. “Right on time, I see,” she said. “Yes, by good luck; would disappoint you.” _ “That would not have been well for — you, now I tell you.” ; “T am mighty well aware of that, and that was what troubled me. I would not have missed meeting you for a good deal.” — “ What was going to upset our plans?” “A case,” “Oh-ho! you, in that event—that is to say, I would if you had invited me into it with you.” | “Well, the case is still on, and I do invite you into it with me. I have got my men cornered on the roof, and we must manage to get seats near | them somehow.” “Good enough! Maybe we can com- bine business with pleasure.” Sam purchased tickets, “and, they as cended to the roof. On the way up Sam managed. to put on a ena mustache that fitted to his lip with pring They: found the garden » well filled, but ] not crowded, a Sew ‘Bicycle Bess,” his girl ally and as-. Was afraid I Well, I could have eseariaae if “oO TUE oF ; er ir Re ere 7 a fe RS tie es I
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eat. ' » Wee ’ more than that. “Sam swept the place with his keen eyes looking for his suspects and quickly discovered them. Leading the way, he and Bess managed to secure seats Gnadaaiately behind then. Some vaudeville business was going on at the time on the stage, calling forth applause, so the two men did not notice the newcomers. Both men were watching the stage, and the elder seemed to be much interested. As the performers retired, the younger man turned to his companion, saying: “Well, Whitledge, made up your mind?” “T told you what I would do.” They spoke in low tones, but keen and attentive ears caught their words. * And I told you you would have to do You have got to put the girl into my hands again.” “T tell you I can’t do it.” “You have got to.” “Be reasonable, Parmer. I have got myself in trouble, as it is, for she will know that I had a hand in it.” “Tnat is just it; now that you are in the puddle with one leg you might just as well jump in and go the whole thing. It can be done if you will aid me.” ‘‘Haven’t I done all I agreed to do?” “Well, yes, but no one thought it would turn out like this. Confound that fellow who interfered!” “That’s what I say, too; confound him! Only for him you would have had the girl and I would have had my papers. While, as it is—”’ “ As it is, I still hold the papers, Albert Whitledge, and unless you come to my terms I will push you to the wall. I give you fair warning. I mean what I say.” “You mean to ruin me?” “No, you seem more inclined to ruin yourself. Do my bidding and you will come out of it whole.” “What is your plan?” “Well, as you have now played the girl false of course she will take no fur- ther stock in any tale you tell her.” “That’s just it; I can’t exert a cent’s worth of influence over her now. What™% more, it will be strange if she don’t make it hot for me when she gets home.” “T don’t believe she can do it.” “Why not?” “Because of your high and honor- able standing there. You can turn the tables upon her and say that she is will- ful and that you were only exercising your authority as ser guardian.” “ All that is easy to say, but—’” “No but about it. You can run things to suit yourself up there at Podunk- ville. You are a veritable Poo-bah in your town.” “Well, well; no. matter about that. What is your scheme?” “Tt is this: Since we cannot use your good name again, with effect, we must use the name of that lover of hers, John Lineman, hang him!” “Ha! That is a thought.” “And a good one, too. If she gets a eall from him she will obey it, not a doubt of it.” - “Not a doubt at all. Now that is some thin’ worth considering, my boy. Maybe it is not all up in smoke, after all. If -Ican bring it about I’ll do it.” “T thought you would, for considera- tion,” “Yes, for consideration. The hour that to hand over those papers to me.” “That is the bargain! I thought you urher reconsider your refusal to aid me r, under the Sieeneanen: Here, you marry Estelle Whitledge you are. The Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. CHAPTER Iil. AN ARREST. The Scorcher and his aide gave each other a significant glance. It had been Sam’s idea from the first that the young woman he had rescued was the victim of some scheme of no small magnitude. Touching Bess on the arm, they rose and walked to another part of the gar- den, where there were tables for re- freshments. Here they sat down, and Sam called for soda-ices. “Now, he asked. “ You have started game, sure enough.” “And now I will tell you the first act, which you missed.” Briefly he related what had transpired. “Sam, we must balk their plans,” said Bessie, with determination. “Of course we must, but just now we have got hold of the thing in the middle, you see.” “Which is a good place for a strong grip, usually. What is the programme, think you?” “JT think I will follow these gentle- men further, and make the acquaint- ance of one or both of them.” “Which leaves me out in the cold.” “Tf you could find the young woman and warn her of her danger, or get on to her side of the case—that would be a att,” “Just so. They mentioned Podunk- ville. Do you suppose that she will re- turn there at once?” “Wasn’t that the drift of what we heard? ” ““T guess you are right. What say you, Sam, to my going out there to-night?” “ Not to-night; to-morrow will be time enough. Then I will know where to reach you.” “Hist! Look there, Sam! Bogle.” “The mischief! ” Scorcher Sam looked, and his hand went to his pocket. Here was a man for whom he had been looking for days, a badly wanted man, and now was his opportunity. “Take eare of yourself, little one!” he said to Bess. “ This is a chance that mus* not be missed. Look out for your- -ean if there is a scrimmage in landing im.” Sam arose and took a pair of hand- cuffs from his pocket, using care not to draw attention. With these in hand, partly concealed by his sleeve, he sauntered over to where stood the wanted man. Bogle was a big fellow, of powerful build, and it looked as if Sam would have the scrimmage he anticipated. But the detective was sure of his game. He had never yet seen the crook he hesi- tated to arrest, and did not hesitate now. Approaching the fellow he laid a hand on his shoulder. “T want you!” in low tone. Sam was willing to give the man a chance of go- ing quietly if he would take it. “You want me? What do you want with me?” “A word with you in private.” “ But I don’t know you, sir.” “TI know you; so come with me.” “ Who are you—whom do you take me to be? Remove your hand from my shoul- what do you think of that?” It is Phil der instantly! ” “ You are Phil Bogle—” “You are a liar!’ The latter was loud enough to draw general attention, and men leaped to their feet in every direction. The suspect had thrown ‘Sam’ 8 hand from his shoulder, and now stood on the defensive, but Sam did not desist. “T say you are Phil Bogle, and you are my prisoner! ” and again he clapped his hand on the man’s shoulder, and put it there to stay. Bogle instantly aimed a blow at the de- tective’s face, but with his left arm Sam parried it, at the same time jerking the man half around with his right; then dropping his hold of the shoulder he caught one of Bogle’s wrists with a quick motion and snapped one ring of the handcuffs to it, the other being fast around his own. In his other hand was a pistol. “Tam a police officer!’ he announced. “This man is my prisoner! ” “You shall not take me!- This is alla mistake—an outrage! I call on any one here who happens to know me to speak up and say who I am.” He had started to struggle, but the steel on his bare wrist did not feel pleas- ant, and the proximity of the pistol was evidently less so, so he for the moment subsided. : “What is your name?” was asked. “My name is Howard Newman.” “TI know that man! ” The Scorcher looked, and to his prise he saw the fellow Parmer, one of the two with whom he had had the melee on the street, pushing his way to the front. “Am [I not Howard Newman?” de- manded the prisoner. It was a clever way of making known the name he had already mentioned. “Of course you are Howard Newman, a respectable merchant. What infernal blockhead business is this? Officer, you are mistaken! ” “No mistake about it,’ from Sam. “Gentlemen, make room, if you please.” “But I know the man,” insisted Par- mer. “Yes, and I know you, Mr. Parmer, rejoined Sam, “and you had better say little or you may get into trouble your- self.” At mention of his name the fellow paled. The managers of the place now made their appearance. One of these demanded to see Sam’s badge, and it being shown he was given assistance in removing his prisoner from the place and quiet was speedily re- stored. Bicycle Bess had been close at hand, and her face flushed proudly as she saw Sam carry off his burly prisoner. “When he had gone she gave her at- tention to the man who had attempted to interfere. ; Whitledge had now joined him. “What is it all about, Elbridge?” he inquired. “A big mistake, that’s what it §6:"° stormed Parmer. “If that fellow don’t lose his position for this night’s work, I miss my guess.” “Then you know him?” “Know him? Of course I know him. One of the most reputable merchants in town.” Nevertheless, after what the officer had said in the hearing of all Mr. Parmer _ showed an inclination to cut short his | stay and Mr. Whitledge followed him. Bicycle Bess had put down her veil end — followed them out, being able tu get in A the same elevator car with them. They three were the only ones in the 1 car. “ Where do you stop to-night? = ’-Parmer asked of his companion. eS a “Well, gen’ly at the ‘Astor, when in town; ’bout the only os I ape
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te, “The GirL-Cyolist's Winning Hand. “Then I will put you on your car and take leave of you, for I have 12n important matter of business to attend to--some- thing that had nearly slipped my mind.” - SQ have I,” thought Bicyzle Bess, now - well assured that Parmer and Bogle were well known to each other. She believed that the “ business” Par- mer had on hand was something in con- nection with the arrest, and so she meant to keep him in sight awhile, “Well, if that’s the case, of course I won’t trouble you with my company any longer,” said Whitledge. “When do you go home?” “To-morrow morning, of course.” “Well, remember our agreement. I wil send the telegram so that it will reach there before the train leaves—-say about 10 o’clock—and the party will no doubt come right out.” “Not a doubt of it, I guess. I will fol- low along on the next train and we'll finish up our little business.” “Yes, that’s right.” CHAPTER TV. A PRISONER NOT A PRISONER. Meantime the Scoreher was hurrying his, prisoner away to the nearest station, cui@etaced over his success, for Bogle was known as 2 desperarce character. There was a big price on his head, and there was a good prospect of twenty years’ imprisonment ahead of him. “You will regret this before you are much older, ny fine fellow,” growled the prisoner. “Don’t know why I should,” answered Sam. “ You are wanted, and it was my business to take you if I could.” ‘All the same you will regret it. You may think you have done a big thing, but you'll see.” “Well, that remains to be seen.” The prisoner muttered something under his breath. Sam was taking a risk in conducting his man. to the- stati yn alone and singie- handed. As he was ar maa, however, and had the man ironed to his wrist, he had never a thought but that ne woull accomplish it all right. He was just turning the corner nearesi the station, when three men sprang upcn him. The Scorcher’s pistol came out like a - flash, but he was not soon enough, for strong hands seized his arm and rendered him powerless to use it. At the same time, hie received a blow en the side of his head that made him reel, ~ even before he had a ciance to cry cut -, for help, and a hand was clasped over his mouth. While this was being accomplished hy two of the men, che third was pdusy gt the handcurfs. He had a tool of some kind in hand, the end of whica he was inserting imto the link that aeld the -wo parts of the - darbies ” together. That was quickly done; he gave two or = Abres turns with the instrument, «here was a sharp snap, and Phil Bogle was d. me-half of the handcuffs was’ left on ist of each. © Have ye got him, Turk?” asked one he two who were holding Sam. . ‘Bet, your. sweet life I have! Lay that ler out now, Wood, and we'll git out z on’t ‘kill him! ” interposed Bogle. “Maybe one of you may get nabbed he- you all get away. I told him he regret putting his rae: into “And you bet he will, too.” One of the rascals now dealt Sam an- other blow on the head, and the detective reeled and fell to the sidewalk. Then the men all ran away, each in a differ- ent direction, just as the attention of passersby was being attracted. No “cop” was in sight. A man stopped where Sam lay and bent over him. Others were soon on the scene, among them two policemen, by whom rae was taken up and borne to the sta- ion. The scoundrels had made good their escape, there was not a witness to be found—witnesses are hard to secure where the law is such that the witness fares worse than the culprit—and the whole matter was a mystery to the police at the station. In a little while, however, the Scorcher came to his senses. At first he was a little dazed, but all s00n came back to him and he inquired: “Did he get away?” “Who get away?” asked the sergeant. “Phil Bogle. I had him dead to rights, and almost here.” “Whew! You don’t mean to say you had Bogle, the forger? ” “That’s what I do mean to say.” “Too bad you couldn’t have landed him. then. But who took him away from you? ” 3 “That’s what I don’t know. There were three of them, and they went for me before I had a chance to get in a shot.” “Must have seen you make the arrest, no doubt.” “Yes, or else were near at hand and some pal of Bogle’s got the word to them.” “And you them?” “T heard one called Reddy, and as he was a big fellow, I took him to be Reddy the “ Turk.” “Ha! We'll look him up immediateiy, and if we get hold of him we will make him tell who the others were or know the reason. But here! You. must have that head bandaged.” Sam was bleeding freely, and a surgeon wag summoned. It was an hour before Sam left the sta- tion, and he wore a plaster on his scalp just over his right eye. He went home at once, where he re- moved his blood-stained clothes and took a bath, and by that time he was about recovered from the effects of his rough usage, * He was running the matter over in his mind, while thus employed. He recalled the fact that Elbridge Parmer had been didn’t recognize one of quick to speak up for Bogle at the time of the arrest. That the two men were known to each other was apparent. Then, if it was Red- dy the “ Turk” who had rescued the pris- oner, perhaps Parmer was the one who had posted him. If so, Parmer must be one of a clique of the worst raseals in all New York. Bogle had been wanted for a long time, Reddy the “Turk” likewise, and both had been in hiding until just now. After this adventure they would no doubt be doubly wary about showing themselves. Scorcher Sam’s mind went baek to the young woman he had rescued that even- ing. There was his clew! The Scorcher quickly donned hts wheel- ing attire, lighted the lamp of his bicycle, and left the house and rode quickly to the house ‘whew erele, Bess abogiit up the steps and rang the bell. The door was quickly opened, for the servant knew him. It was not the first time by many that he had called there. “Is Miss Blake in?” he asked her. ““T will see, sir.” She was gone but a minute. “No, sir; she is not in her room.” “ Has she been in since eight o’clock? ” “No, sir; not that I know of.” Then she had not been home since he had seen her, and Sam paused a moment to think. She had spoken about going out to Podunkville that night and perhaps she had started for there straight from the roof garden. But she had intended taking her wheel. * Will you see if her bicycle is in the house?” Sam requested. “Yes, it is, sir; I saw it in her room just now, sir.” “Ah! then she will return home. Can you give her a verbal message for me, my ; girl? ” “Yes, sir; certainly.” ; “Tell her that I start for Podunkyille at once. Tell her I desire nothing to be put in Miss Whitledge’s way—remember the name. She will understand what I mean.” “All right, sir.” Sam mounted and rode in the direction of the ferry. There he learned that the last train out for Podunkville would leave. in about an hour. Securing his ticket and a time table, he crossed the ferry, and was studying the time table when a light hand was laid on his shoulder. Looking around quickly, he exclaimed: “ Bess!” ° She smiled as she answered: “Always on hand, you see, Sam. Thought I would go out with you and see you through.” She was in her nobby bicycle attire and had her wheel, proof that she had been home and had thus received his message. “And glad to have you. In fact, if L could have found you I believe I would have asked you to go out alone and get onto the game for me. You could tele-— graph.” ; “You want me to do that?” “T gee it would disappoint you. No, we will go together, and enjoy the run in in the morning, if time and circum- stances permit.” “That is better—a good deal. We will get out there in time to get rooms at the hotel, no doubt. But, what’s the reason you don’t want Miss Whitledge warned?” “T have got to use her as a decoy +o get on track of Bozgle—” “ Bogle!” “He got away from me.” “ce Oh, Sam! ” a “That is to say, he was taken away from me. See that neat plaster there on _ my head?” He told her all the circumstances, and her chagrin was almost as great as his own had been, to think that their man had escaped. x They talked on, while they waited for the train, and while they were thus en~ — gaged one of two men pointed them out es slyly to his companion, who gave er ae Sp thing of a start on seeing Scorcher Sai there. sae oe ae These men got. quickly out ¢ ot until the train was about Bans ‘start, Halt 9 ‘aboard, ‘iat as the pls, was startin Bh maa Witieaget q pray Tete
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SS, CHAPTER V. BESS. PLAYS A LONE _HAND. Wh2n Bess and Sem parted at the roof garden, Sam to take his prisoner to the station, Bess set out to “ pipe” Elbridge Parmer, as shown. On leaving the elevator when it reached the ground, Parmer hurried Mr. Whit- , ledge to a car, and taking hasty leave of i him, hastened off in another direction. nine USE ' Bess found no difficulty in keeping pace es with him. ra oes He did not turn around, having no sus- rs eee picion that he was shadowed. ro Continuing for several blocks, he was ye! ere long in a part of the town none too ef ae reputable. ioe Here he entered a saloon. He Bess, of course, did not care to follow ; into such a place. #4. She waited a considerable time on the FO - opposite side of the street, but Parmer re- Span mained so long that she at last grew ete Ne tNs weary of waiting and decided to give it up. She was about turning away to retrace her steps and go home, when two men blocked her way. ry “Don’t be in a hurry,” them. “Tt won’t take you awhile,” leered the other. Bess drew herself up with dignity, and her hand sought her pocket for her little protector. “Step aside and let me pass-at once!” she calmly ordered. Instead of doing that, they laughed in her face. “Come off!’’ sneered the one who had spoken first. ‘‘Mebby ye think we don’t know ye?” “You certainly do not know me. I bid you get out of my way, you ruffians! ” “Ha, ha! How is that for names, Ben?” os “ Ruther rough on us, Wood, that’s the er ' fact, but we don’t keer fer that, do we?” “You bet!” ““ Are you going to let me pass?” Bess now spoke loudly, and in a way that meant business. “She had cast a quick glance in both di- rections, and seeing no one, knew that she would have to defend herself. “Hang it, but you are spunky!” cried the one called Wood. “Give ws a kiss apiece, and we’ll call it even and let ye - go on; hey, Ben?” . “That's what we will.” “TJ will give you this if you don’t get out of my way instantly!” She flashed her pistol from her dress pocket, and taking a step backward as she did so, leveled it at them. “Ginger fizz!’ cried the one called Wood. “ Loaded!” Mf * Mind Jour eye!” exclaimed Ben, dodging. “ Put that thing up, gal!” “Get out of the way and let me pass, E or I will use it and use it to a purpose.” a They saw that she meant it, and both _._ leaped back. Bess darted between them, and was quickly out of their reach. _ he had not neglected to look back over her shoulder, however, to see if Gree pursued, and finding they did not, said one of long to stop - The two fellows gtood gazing after her ~ Pr: a moment, and then with shakes of ‘the head went on, crossed the street, and ing this, Bess stopped. cae had popped into her head on p her steps, and approached ep place. : eet fe ae between the. swinging The Girl- -Cyclist’s Winning Hand. swinging doors likewise shut off the view in that direction. There was nothing for her to do but push the doors ajar and peer in between them, if she wanted t6 see. Slipping quickly through the first doors, she pressed the second pair slight- ly open and looked in. Fortune favored her. Almost the first man she caught sight of was Elbridge Parmer, and at the same table with him were the two men who had just given her such an unpleasant encounter. nat was all she wanted, and she turned quickly to slip out again, when the doors were pushed suddenly open, one of them striking her. “Ha! Beg pardon!” quickly. Bess bowed and would have hastened away, out the man stepped out as quick- ly and was at her side. “What were you doing there?” ashéc her. “I—I was looking for my husband, sir,’ she fibbed to him, In order to get rid of him as quickly as possible. She glanced at him as she spoke, and found that he was a young man, mayhap thirty years of age, certainly no more, and that he was of rather prepossessing appearance. Bess had her veil over her face. “Shall I inquire for him for you?” the young man asked, stopping and at the same time lifting his hat. This act of courtesy somewhat took Bess by surprise, for she had not ex- pected it. She hated to cheat the young fellow, but here was a chance to get rid of his company easily. “Would you be so kind?” she asked. “T will do it with pleasure,” he as- sured her. “ What is your husband’s name? ” A name had to be invented instantly, but Bicycle Bess was equal to such an emergency as that. “Ask for George Barret,” she said. *“T will do so.” The stranger hastened away, and the moment he disappeared Bess ran off and was around the corner in a moment. She made no stop, but went straight home, where she received the message left for her by Sam. All of which she had explained as they waited for the starting of the train. When they had taken their seats in the car, two men in the seat just ahead of them opened a conversation. “So you are going out home, John?” one queried. “Yes, my mother is not very well, and I thought I would run out and see her.” “Don’t see how the city editor could let you off. I have heard it is one of the hardest things in the world for one of you fellows to get away for a night.” “So it is, but somehow I have got a cinch with the old man, and can pull his said a voice he leg a little if I don’t pull too hard or too often.” “JT suppose you had to do an assign- ment before he would let you go.” “Yes, but it was a dead easy one. There was a knifing affray in a saloon on —— Street, and he sent me to do that. Had my story done and time to prepare before the train left.” “TI thought it funny if he would let | that evening! “T had a rather strange experience to-- night in conection with that saloon af- you off without a story first.” fair.” “ So? ” » : ; t “ Yes. Just as I was ‘hurrying out, I ran plump into a woman who had been | slackened speed and drew to a stop | and a north-pole cut to a meddling quid- posite the station platform. ES RT 6 ERE ESS ETE TTA ENE SESS a doors. Thinking possibly I had at the same time run into another item for my story, I spoke to her. She tried to avoid me, but I stepped out with her and asked her what she had been doing there. She said she was looking for her husband, ~* and I offered to go back and inquire for him for her. You see, I knew by her voice and manner she was no common person. pa She gave me his name; I went back, no such man was ever heard of in the saloon; returned for the woman and a found her gone! What do you think of —— that?” 4 “Why, I think she found an easy way of giving you an ice-cold shake.” Bess had glanced at Sam during the re- cital, giving him a smile and a nod in the direction of the two men. 7 “Well, I am inclined to think so my- lates self; but do you know that little inci- : ad dent has been in my mind ever since. I can’t seem to get away from it.” a “Maybe the woman was young and eee good-looking? ”’ : “ As to that I can’t say, for she wore a “et veil.” an “ Big thing for a romance, Lineman; mysterious woman, mysterious mission, nunc. Go in and do it.” At mention of the name Lineman, Sess eo and Sam glanced at each other. oe Could it be that this was the nian >. whose name had been mentioned between Albert Whitledge and Elbridge Parmer as the lover of Miss Whitledge? Be that as it might, Bess had to smile at the remarks of the young man’s com- : panion, and she and Scorcher Sam en- if tered into conversation in lower tones, still giving some attention to what was being said. Further back in the same car, were the two men we have mentioned as having kept out of sight of Scorcher Sam, after sighting him. They had their hats pulled well down, and were sitting low in their seats. They were none other than two of the trio who had set upon Bicycle Sam at the time his prisoner was taken away from him, and who had lated accosted Bicycle Bess. CHAPTER VI. THE CRY IN THE DARK. : Meanwhile the train went speeding on its way through the night, past ham- lets, and through towns, but, at last Po- dunkville was called out, and a number — of passengers rose to their feet to get off the train, but not the two men we - 2 have just mentioned. a They kept their seats until the traim — was starting on, when they ran out and dropped off on the side of the track op- When the last car of the train had passed, they were not to be seen. The Scorcher and Bicycle Bess had risen to their feet at the mention of the ; station and advanced to the door. * Sam wanted to get out as quickly as _ possible ,in order to look after their wheels, and while they stood there at the —__ door waiting for the train to stop Sim got something of a surprise. | A young woman appeared at the door of the other car, facing him—the young woman whom he had betriended early She gave a start of recognition at once. It was Miss Whitledge, and as the train they ventured out upon the car pla she said: ° hE “T believe that Iam not mista and. that you are ee ‘ho op
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The Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. dered me a great service early this even- ing. If so, I want to thank you for it.” “Pray do not mention it, Miss Whit- ledge,” said Sam. “ No one would fail to respond to a lady’s cry for help, I hope.” “ But, how did you know my name?” she asked, bewildered. “Through the two gentlemen—’”’ ‘Gentlemen, indeed! But, of course! How stupid of me.” The train had now stopped, and the young woman noticed that Sam lent aid to Bicycle Bess in alighting. As Sam ran immediately forward to the baggage car, Miss Whitledge spoke to her. “Your husband, I presume?” she re- marked. “Well, not yet,” said Bess naively. They both smiled. “He is very brave,” said Miss Whit- ledge. “I am sure you have good rea- son to feel proud of him.” “And I do, as Iam sure you must of Mr. Lineman.” The young woman started and stared. “ Why—what—how,” she tried to say something. ‘“ You must be acquainted, here, surely.” “No, I am not, but the fact is I have come out here on purpose to cee you—” “On purpose to see me? You surprise me! What for?” Z “To warn you of a danger that threat- ens you, and at the same time to aid you in trapping those who would entrap you. ” The train was now going on, the other passengers had left the platform, and Sam was approaching with the wheels. He stooped to light the lamps while the young women were talking. “JT am more than amazed,” said Miss Whitledge. “I am dumfounded, and can- not understand how you have come by so much knowledge.” “Tt is my intention to tell you that I was going to inquire for you at once, on reaching here, and go immediately to your house to see you.” “Then you did not know I was on the train?” 2s iaoINGe, " rae Wa did you have to tell sie? ¢: “As I said, to warn you of a danger that threatens you, and to ask the priv- ilege of impersonating you to-morrow for the purpose of entrapping your foes.” “Gracious! I cannot comprehend—”’ “Pardon me,” said Scorcher Sam, now rising and touching his cap, ‘‘ but we both belong to the New York Police Bicycle Squad, and having learned something of this piot against you we are determined to sift it out and balk the rascally schemes that are being laid.” The young woman could only look from one to the other in her great astonish- ment. “My first idea,’ Sam continued, “ was to let you go to the city unsuspecting to- morrow, and by following you, rescue you and at the same time learn what I desire to know of your enemies.” “But I have no intention of going to the city to-morrow, sir.” “Not now, of course, but you will re- ceive a telegram to-morrow purporting to be from John Lineman, summoning you to. the city in haste.” - “And I would go, of course, for he Is “very. dear to me.” “That seems to be well known, and that is the string your enemies intend ‘play upon to entrap you.” id you would impersonate me and : the risk?” iurning to ,Dftycle tat ‘is sae whet IT wont to eo.” | ren awey from her eompanion, _peagerness 10 jot. Scorcher Sara. “But what if it should be no decoy message, but a real one, and really from John—” “ By the way,” Bess interrupted, “ John Lineman is not in the city; he came out here to-night in the same car we were iti;” “What! John home?” ‘Yes, he must have gone away imme- diately.” “But tell me, pray, how you came by so much knowledge concerning me and all these matters?” “That will take a little time. If you will permit Miss Blake to accompany you home she will tell you all about it. 1 will escort you to your. residence, and then seek the hotel for myself.” “No, no; do not do that; both of you come with me, for we have room and to spare.” “And shall we not leave our wheels here?” Bess asked, turning to Sam. “‘ Nothing of the kind,” Miss Whitledge hastened to say. ‘‘My own is here in the station, if you will wait a few min- utes while I change my skirt and get it out.” Miss Whitledge hastened into the sta- tion and spoke to the night man on duty, who immediately ran a fine ladies’ wheel out of his office and proceeded to light its lamp while Miss Whitledge absented herself to make the change she had men- tioned. “How far is it out to Miss Whitledge’s home?” inquired Scorcher Sam. “ About a mile, sir.” “Good road?” “ Fine, sir; right on the main pike.” Just then the young lady herself re- appeared. She had on a short skirt and leggings, and a bag held by a strap from her shoul- der spoke for the changed garments. The trio led their wheels from the plat- form to the road, where they mounted and were away at once. They had just entered a piece of woods, when a cry was heard ahead. They listened. It was immediately repeated. “Tf that is not a ery for help I am greatly mistaken,” said Scorcher Sam. “TIT must spin ahead and see what is the matter.” “Yes, go, by all means,” urged Bicycle Bess. “And we will try to keep pace with him,” said Miss Whitledge. “As to keeping up with Scorcher Sam, you can -no more do it than you can fly. See where he ts already, in proof.” The reflection of Sam’s lamp was danc- ing along on the ground several rods in advance of them, and was speedily dis- tancing them. “ You do not mean to say sea is Scorcher Sam, the detective?” “There is only one Scorcher Sam,” as- sured Bess. “Then you must be Bicycle Bess? ” “So I am called.” “T have seen your name once or twice in connection with his. Really, I never dreamed of this honor—but I wonder what is the matter, and who it was screamed?” The ery had been heard once more. “Sam will soon find out.” “Yer, for he must be nearly there, I should think. Good heavens!” Two quick, sharp flashes were seen, immediately followed by the report of two pistol shots. “Come!” cried Bess, quickly. ‘“ We mey be needed there!” and Ress fairly in her CHAPTER VII. COWARDLY ASSAULT. The Scorcher had gone forward with =a tsi the speed of an arrow from the Ow. He had an excellent lamp on his wheel,, and having been over that road once be- fore, he remembered this portion of it. He knew that everything was clear be- fore him, so far as the wheeling was con- cerned, so he let out his speed, eager to reach the scene of the struggle as quickly as possible. In the distant rays of his lamp he soon caught his first glimpse of what was going on. One man lay on the ground, half-cross-- wise of the road, and two more were run- ning away from him with all the speed of which their legs were capable. “Stop!” So Sam called out to them. They heeded him not, however, but rar the faster. He was gaining upon them at every second and soon must overtake them. “Stop, or I fire!” And he did not tarry about firing, either, but blazed away, the two shots seen and heard by the young women. Just then he came to the spot where the man lay in the road and had to veer out to pass around him, and when he had done so the two men ahead were in the act of taking to the woods. They did not go together, but parted, and one disappeared on one side of the road and the other on the opposite. Sam sent a couple more shots zipping after them and stopped. It would be useless for him to try to follow either of them in the dark in an unknown wood. Besides, he was afraid his rompanion:# would run upon the man lying in the road and perhaps receive injury. Turning quickly, he ran back, at the same time shouting: “ Look out there in the road!” It was lucky, perhaps, that he did so, for Bicycle Bess was at that moment al- most upon the man. She applied the brake and stopped at > short notice, and immediately called out a warning to Miss Whitledge. Scorcher Sam ran up to where the man lay and stopped short with his brake. By the time he dismounted Miss Whit- ledge came up. The light from Sam’s lamp was upor the man as he lay there unconscious. “The man I told you about,” cried — Begs. “My God!” exclaimed Miss Whitledge. “Tt is John Lineman!” Leaning her wheel against that of Bess, she knelt down beside her lover and lifted his head. P “Oh, is he dead?” she eried. “ Telf me he is not dead, sir!” Sam had now disposed of his wheel, o ind he, too, stopped beside the unfor- tunate man. “No, he is not dead. Let me see how badly he is hurt, if I can.” Sam proceeded to do so, by the light of the bicycle lamps, and found that the young mar had received some telling blows on the head. He could not discover that he was in any other way injured. “I think he will come to all right, = though this is likely es lay him up for & time,” he said. “Thank God!” “Where does he live?” “The first house ahead, about a ‘dinsux . of a mile away.” - “ Any ricn avout the. place? *.
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- said Scorcher Sam, ‘The 6 Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. “ His father” = “T will spin on down there and get . him, and if he has got a wagon—” “Yes, yes, he has, sir. Oh, pray hasten. How can I[ ever repay—”’ “By. not mentioning it. But, you are not afraid to remain here? You are armed, Bess?” “Yes, I am armed. be all right.” Scorcher Sam mounted his wheel and Was off at once, and the two ladies put their wheels by the side of the road and lifted the unconscious man up and laid You go on; we'll _him on the grassy bank. “What if those two scoundrels should ‘ return?” suggested Miss Whitledge, “Don’t give yourself any uneasiness about them,” answered Bess. “I am looking out for them, and it will not be healthy for them if they do.” And thus, while Bicycle Bess stood guard Miss Whitledge rubbed her lover’s hands and tried to bring him back to con- sciousness. In about a quarter of an hour a light was seen afar down the road. “They are coming,” said Bess. — The light flickered and danced and gradually drew nearer, and after awhile the sound of a horse and wagon reached their ears. The vehicle was coming at speed, and at length it arrived and came to a stop. Scorcher Sam was just ahead with his bicycle. “How is my boy?” asked Mr. Line- man, “ He is just the same, sir,” said Bess. “Then it looks serious indeed,” said Sam. “We had better have a doctor here as soon as possible.” “ And the nearest one is in the village.” ate Very well, I will help you place your son in the wagon and then ride to the village with haste and bring him out.” “Tf you only will.” He had now alighted and he advanced to where his son lay: “Poor boy, poor boy,” he said. “God grant that you may live, for it would kill your poor mother.” Tenderly they laid him in the wagon, and Mr. Lineman turned and set out for home, Bicycle Bess and Miss Whitledge following on their wheels, while Scorcher Sam went spinning away in the opposite direction. When Sam returned with the doctor~ also a wheelman—John Lineman had re- gained consciousness. He had no recol- lection further than that he had been at- tacked and that he had called for help. He could not tell who his assailants were. The doctor made an examination, as soon as the injured young man had been put into bed, and found that there was no fracture ‘of the skull. His hat had probably saved his life. The hour was very late when Miss Whitledge and her two guests reached the-former’s home. _ The house was closed and dark, of course. Miss Whitledge roused the servants and _ she and her guests were soon admitted, ts Now, what is to be done?” Miss a Whitledge asked, as they sat down for a _ few minutes in the sitting room before Zs retiring. “T have been studying the situation,” “and I will wheel ack to the city at once, I believe.” _ a Goodness! ” cried Bess. “ What will Because I ‘want to be there in the ‘ing Cae be on hand for whatever may “need rest. “T have been thinking that maybe the fellows who laid John Lineman out fol- lowed him here from the city. And in that case I may overtake them on my way in, for they will avoid the railroad and yet will want to get back as soon as possihle.” “And what about him?” “There is another point. If these fel- lows came here from the city and came on purpose to do John Lineman up, it may be possible that no message will come for Miss Whitledge to-morrow.” “That would imply that Elbridge Par- mer has had a hand in the matter,” said Miss Whitledge quickly. “Yes, that is what I mean.” “And there was. opportunity,” said Bess. “ You know, Sam, he went back to the saloon for me, as I told you, and Parmer and those other two were there at that time.” Miss Whitledge was looking at Bess wonderingly. “T will tell you all about it presently,” Bess said to her. “That is my suspicion,” said Sam. “And if he was the author of it, per- haps those two men were his tools, and if I can run across them before they get back to the city i will know that my sus- picion is correct.” “That’s so, that’s so. But, I ought to return with you, Sam. They will be two to one.” “You could not stand’ it, Bess. You Besides, if that is a wrong guess, you will be needed here to play your role as Miss Whitledge to-morrow, you know.” “Yes, that is true.” “Tt will take me about three hours to run in to the city,” said Sam. “ If I meet with no misadventure, I will go home and go to bed, and will wait there to hear from you by telegraph in the morn- ing. Telegraph anyhow, and if the scheme is carried on, give me the place of meeting.” There was some further talk, and then Sam took leave and set forth upon his long ride, while Bicycle Bess and Miss Whitledge entered upon a confidential chat. CHAPTER VIII. A CLOSE SHAVE AND A HOT FIGHT. Any road that Scorcher Sam had been over once he knew pretty well. Hence, he was not uncertain of his way when he set out from the Whitledge homestead for his night spin of thirty miles. The night was clear and bright, al- though there was no moon, and the lamp on his wheel was all sufficient for his guidance as he speeded swiftly along over the smooth macadam. For the first hour of his journey noth- ing happened at all worthy of mention. But soon after something did. Sam was going down a gentle slope, and as the surface was excellent he was going at a good speed, when of a sud- den he caught sight of something that looked like a string stretched across the road. Of course, he was almost upon it when the discovery was made, Constantly peering ahead through the gloom as he rode along, smaller objects than even that did not escape his notice. If ever he had need of a brake it was then. No sooner the obstruction seen, than the brake was applied and his speed checked. He was almost stopped when the cord, for such it was, caught him across the breast ‘and brought him to a dead stop. At the same instant two men leaped out at him. : One of these came from each side of the road, and they were almost upon him before Sam was safely on his feet. “Hand out yer money!” cried one of them, Sam’s fist came in contact with his | mouth about as soon as the words had} been uttered, and down he went. | The other was upon Sam in the same instant, and grappled witu him. “Ye had better give in,” the fellow snarled. “You think I had, eh?” Before he hardly knew what had hap-~ pened Sam had whirled him over his shoulder and he came down on the hard road with a thud. The other man was up again, though, and had a pistol in his grasp, as Sam saw by the starlight that glinted on its polished barrel. The bicycle lamp was out, The machine, by the way, had fallen and that had extinguished the light. “Put up yer hands!” that fellow sav- agely ordered. ‘‘It is yer money or yer life, an’ ye kin take yer choice! ” “Don’t shoot!” gasped Sam, as if alarmed at the prospect. ‘I'll shell out the little I’ve got.” “You better had, I tell you.” “ Kill him!” grated the man who was on his back, as he tried to get up again, “Let him have it! ” Sam had shoved his hands into his pockets as he spoke, as if to get out his money, but that was not by any means his intention. With a leap aside, his right arm shot up and out, and there was a revolver in his grip. Not only so, but there was a flash and a report. This was followed instantly by a howl of pain, and the fellow’s pistol arm dropped helpless to his side and the weapon to the ground. “Do you want some of the same?” cried Sam, turning his weapon upon the man on the ground, who was just in the act of rising. Sam moved while speaking, and nak, perhaps, that he did so. There was. another flash and report, and a bullet came so close to his face that he felt its wind as it passed. Sam fired again, like a flash, but this Lime missed his mark. He had fired at the hand that held the pistol. The shot had a good effect all the same, for with a howl of fright the fel- low dropped his pistol and took to his heels, “Stop! ” shouted Sam, will stop you! ” He stooped and picked up the pistol the other fellow had dropped, to make sure it would not be used against. him again. +9 Better cave, Ben!” called out 7- man fam had winged. “Nary stop!” cried the” other, as he ran faster. “ Don’t you split who we are, “Stop! Or I and I'll fetch help to you ’fore you git — et in the neck.” “ You will, eh?” cried Scorcher Sam. He stopped and aimed deliberately at the figure that was rapidly disappearing — = in the gloom. There was a flash and a report, and. a howl of pain immediately followed as the man went down all in a heap in the mids dle of. the road. “Your own fault,” Sam called out.
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8 crn EE - - Winning Hand. —ll him another dose of the same medicine. “And now give me your well arm,” said Sam. “ What yer goin’ to do?” ““Tll show you. I’m going to make sure of you.” He approached the fellow, his pistol ready for still further service if neces- sary. The man was thoroughly cowed now, and held out his arm as ordered, when Sam snapped a handcuff on his wrist. At the touch and the click the man gave a great start. * You!” he exclaimed. “Yes, 1. You know me, then?” “Know all I want to about ye, and more.” “Come along, then, and we'll see how your pal is faring.” Sam led the prisoner down the road to where the other fellow was lying. They found him moaning dismally. “Your own fault,” said Sam again. “I warned you, and I warn you now that if you resist further I will finish the job for you,” “Who the mischief are you, anyhow?” “ Well, they call me Scorcher Sam, on | the force.” “Great Scott!” * Get up here, now,” Sam ordered. “T can’t; you have wounded me in the leg.” “Ts the bone broken?” “ Yes, I guess it is, it feels so, anyhow. I can’t go with ye a step, so ye will have to leave me here.”’ “Oh, no; I am not leaving you. If you can’t walk I will find some means of get- ting you down to the town there, where I am going to hand you over to the au- thorities.”’ “Then you won't give us no show?” “Yes, a good deal more than you were giving me with this string here across the road for me to run into.” “ But we didn’t know it was you, honor bright.” - “Well, you will not play the same trick again in a hurry.” “ But can’t ye let us off with what we have got?” asked the one called Ben. No, and won’t Besides, you are wanted for that affair back there at Po- dunkville.” “We didn’t kill nobody there, we only laid him out—’” “Hold your tongue, Wood, you fool!” cried Ben. “We don’t know nothing about no other matter; let him prove et ef he kin.” “J want to know all about that affair,” said Sam. ‘“ Was it Elbridge Parmer put you up to it?” “Blazes! Is there anything you don’t know?” That answered the enough for all purposes. “J thought so. Now the best thiag you can do is to make a clean breast of the whole business.” “Do ye take us fer fools altogether?” demanded the one called Ben. “If ye do, you will get left. Don’t say another word to him, pal, about nothin’.” “ All right, ’m mum.” “Well, let’s see about that leg,” said Sam. “Get up here and let’s find out how much you are hurt. You have got to hobble down there to that town in the vaiiey.” “T can’t never do it.” “ Wait, and I’ll see. Hold up your right hand here.” ‘The fellow obeyed, at the touch of Sam’s weapon to his head, and the other half of the handcuff was quickly secured to it. question well to, but you will not go far. Meanwhile I will get my wheel and light the lamp and then I'll see about your case.” Knowing well enough that they could not get away from him now, Sam re- traced his steps to where his wheel lay, and the first thing he did was to cut the cord the villains had stretched across the road at that point. Having done that, he lighted the lan- tern and pushed the wheel to the place where he had left them. They were still there. “Well, that is pretty good proof. that you are lame sure enough,” Scorcher Sam remarked, “or you would have tried run- ning away. Let’s see that game leg.” The fellow had a bullet in his thigh, but the bone did not appear to be broken. Sam made him get up, and finding that he could stand, compelled the luckless pair to precede him down the hill in the direction of the village, both complaining bitterly of their hard luck. On the way down Sam tried to induce them to tell him all they knew of the schemes that were on foot, but they would not do so unless he would promise to release them and let them go, and of course he would not do that.~ “ Well, no matter,” he gaid finally. ‘It will take a little longer, but I’ll get there just the same.” Arriving in the village, which was about a mile from where the fracas had taker place, every house was found to be dark and closed. It was then 2 o’clock in the morning. Sam remembered the place and knew where the hotel was located, and going there he made a din at the door that soon brought the night-capped head of the landlord into view. “ Hello!’ the landlord shouted. “ What’s the matter down there?” * Just come down here,” said Sam. want your help.” “Who are you? What do you want?” “T am a New York detective and I have got a brace of wounded prisoners on my hands.” “ All right, I'll be down there in a min- ute,” And he was as good as his word. The door was soon thrown open to Sam, who briefly told what had taken place, “And now I want your Justice of the Peace and a Constable,” Scorcher Sam concluded. “And not only that, but I think a doctor had better be had for them, for they are both wounded, as 1 told you.” The landlord called others to his aid and there was some lively hustling around there. In a short time the village doctor was on hand, and a little later the Constable and the Justice of the Peace made their appearance. The Justice heard Sam’s story and as soon as the doctor had seen to the pris- oners’ wounds as well as he could, the Justice heard what they had to say and committed them. A team was gotten ready and they were bundled into a wagon and sent off to the county jail, while Scorcher Sam, feel- ing by that time the need of some rest, took a room and retired to bed, with or- ders that he should: be called in time for breakfast and a certain train to the city. Le | CHAPTER IX. PLAYING THR SCHEMES. When Sam was called, and it seemed to him only a minute or two after retiring, he felt refreshed. A good wash, a hot breakfast,.and he was almost as good as new, and when he to anything the day might bring forth. Reaching the city he went straight home. There-he took his customary hot bath, after which he spent the time with his morning paper while he waited. According to his arrangement with Bicycle Bess, he would receive a telegram anyhow, whether it would be important or not. That remained to be seen when it came. He hardly hoped for the carrying on of the scheme now. The fact that John Lineman had been waylaid near his home at Podunkville made it look reasonable that the plans of the villains would have to be altered to suit that circumstance. Meanwhile, Bicyele Bess and Estelle Whitledge were enjoying each other’s company. Rooming together that night they had chatted till a late hour, and Bess had learned all about the heroine of our story. Estelle’s parents were dead. At the death of her father, following her moth- er’s death, her uncle, Albert Whitiedge, had been appointed her guardian, Estelle knew that she was wealthy in her own right, but as she was not quite of legal age her uncle had not yet made a settlement with her respecting her es- tates, As her unele bore an excellent name and had always been considered a man of strictest integrity, she had never given. a thought to her property. Now, how- ever, after what had taken place, and af- ter what Bessie Blake was able to reveal to her, her eyes were opened. She told Bess that her uncle had gone to the city two days before, and from there had te'egraphed to her to come and join him. Not knowing what he desired, but trusting him fully, she had responded by going. There she found Elbridge Parmer in company with her uncle, and her uncle urged an immediate marriage between them. 3 Naturally, Estelle rebelled. At first her uncle had used only argu- ment, telling her that he had only her best good at heart. Then he went a step further and urged it as a matter not only of sentiment, but as a matter of busi- ness. Finding that she would not hear to his proposal, he threatened. It went so far, at last, that she feared force, and ran away from them. They followed her and had just overtaken her when Scorcher Sam appeared upon the scene and took a hand in the affair in her behalf. The young woman could not express gratitude enough to Sam for his timely interference. Estelle and Bess were up betimes. “There is one thing that we have not figured on,’’ remarked Bess as they ate breakfast. “What is that?” asked Estelle. “Your uncle.” “What about him?” “He is coming home this morning, as I happen to know. Will his train get here before the 10 o’clock train leaves?” “No, it is not likely that he will take the very earliest train out. He usually comes out on the one getting here at 11 o’clock, when he has remained over night in the city.” “ Well, he will find you here.” ae Yes.’’ “And what if he telegraphs right away to the rascals in the city that you are here,*that will put a spoke in my wheel—pardon my slang.” : * We must prevent that, somehow.” took the train at the station he felt equal es / , } } |
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“Sure. But you are not likely to be sent for, as it looks to me now that Mr. ~ Lineman has been disposed of, as they “will believe, until they learn that he is alive.”’ “'That’s so.” “And yet you may, for they may not learn of that in time.” oe ee “TI must leave it all with you, Miss ef al Blake. Whatever you advise, that I will peo -do, no matter what.” patel “Have you any idea who it was way- laid your lover?” “No. Had it been in New York—” “What if it had been there? ” “Then I would say it had been the work of Elbridge Parmer. “Ha! That is the very thought. Is ‘there anything that would make you par- ticularly suspicious of him?” “Yes, there is.” "What? ” ‘““Why, when they were trying to force me to wed him, as I told you, I informed them that I was already engaged to Mr. Lineman, and. Parmer swore a mighty oath that I should never wed him.” “T see. And then he went to that sa- “Joon where I saw him, and there talked with those two rascals who spoke to me on the street, Wood and Ben, as they were called. Maybe he engaged them to follow Mr. Lineman, when he left the place the second time.” “That is it—that must be it!” claimed Estelle, “Of course, Parmer had no idea that he was coming out here, but as he did : ' come out here the two men followed ign ieee him. They must have been on the same =e, train we came out on.” “That is it; I can see it plainly now. | What a head you have for thinking things out, my dear.” “You wrong me there, or I would have seen through it a good deal sooner. Now, supposing that guess to be correct, there is just a chance that you may be sent for this morning.” “What is that chance?” “That the two men do not get back to” ithe city in time to report before Line- _ man sends the telegram.” “That’s so. Do you know, I am really excited over it. I really must go to the city with you, if I am sent for and you carry out your intention,” ~ “No, no; that would not do. I must go alone, for that would arouse sus- -picion.” “ But, think of the danger.” . “Sam is there. But, if you are done ‘your breakfast, we must act.” They repaired soon after to the sitting room, where they put their heads to- - gether. “TI see you have two servants here,” said Bess. ‘‘Are they to be trusted? Dare you trust them not to tell your uncle if we take them into our confi- dence?” — “Yes, yes, I can trust them.” “Then call them here.” They were called. Bess took it upon herself to tell them enough of what was in the wind to en- list their sympathy in the behalf of their _ mistress, “Now,” said she, “it will depend large- ly upon you whether we can carry out the plan successfully or not. I am going ee prepare for the city, and if your mis- ws ious is sent for I am going in her tead.” : “ Yes, ma’am. ” Be a remain in her room, and must let her uncle think that she y gon asd oer vr 8 Do you un- ex- The Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. “And the cheat must not be discov- ered.” ; “You can trust us for that, ma’am. We love her too well to betray her to that old bear.” “Then there is no doubt of the success of the scheme,” said Bess to Estelle. “Your bicycle I will use, and mine must be put out of sight here where it will not be discovered.” “But how can you ever change at the station? ”’ asked the puzzled young lady. “Oh! You trust me for that. We are about of a size, and all I want are your clothes and wheel. I will take care of the rest.” “Well, I leave it all to you.” “Then let us be about it instantly, for there is no time to lose. The telegram may come any moment, and then if that uncle of yours should come out on the early train—” “My goodness! What if he should?” “T must be prepared to face him, that is all.” “Oh! You would not dare.” *“Wouldn’t I? You let him come and see if I wouldn’t. I have faced worse old dragons than he, and I am still alive.” So, while the servants put Bess’s wheel away, the two young women went up to Estelle’s private room, where Bess proceeded to don Estelle’s garments and take on her identity. “There, what do you think of me?” So Bess asked at last, when the last touch had been added and she stood be- fore Estelle with her veil down. “I would not believe it!” eried the girl, ‘““had I not seen it with my own eyes! It makes me think that I am out of the body and am viewing myself at a distance.” Bess laughed. At that moment heavy steps and a gruff voice were heard in the hall below. “Good heavens! ” cried Hstelle, clasp- ing her hands together in dismay, “there’s my uncle! ” “Don’t be alarmed,” said Bess coolly. “T will take care of him. All I ask of yeu is to keep out of sight.” “Yes, yes, I will do that; but I am so alarmed for you.” “You need not be, I assure you.” Hasty steps came running up the stairs, and there came a tap at the door. Bess opened it, and there stood one of the servants, her face as pale as death with fright, for she did not see any way out of the dilemma. She came in and closed the door, and there was a hastily whispered conversa- tion for a moment, in which Bess gave final directions, and then Bicycle Bess opened the door and went boldly out and down to the hall. The servant fol- lowed her timidly. CHAPTER X. BESS IN A NEW ROLE. Albert Whitledge was pacing the hall like some furious beast of prey as Bess descended the stairs. “Well, where to now?” he snarled. “TI am going to leave this house, sir,” she boldly answered, imitating as well -as she could the voice of Estelle. “ You have no need to ask me the reason why.” “Oh! Haven't I?” “No, you have not, and I warn you not to try to detain me.” “ Have you heard the news this morn- ing? “What news?” “About that precious lover of yours, John Lineman?” a ergs ghar about him? Has pied as hap- ; | ing the house, but I suppose your mind is at me!” wheel and was off oe the ealinection of pened to him? “Do not keep it from mS, if so.” Albert Whitledge had heard about the attack upon Lineman immediately upon his arrival home, at the station, and he supposed, of course, that his niece knew all about it. He now felt assured that she had not heard anything about it. A grim smile played on his lips. “Well, I suppose you were going to him, anyhow, so it will be all right to tell you. Here is a telegram for you, which had just been received at the sta- tion as my train got in, and I carried it over for you. The operator told me <2 about it.” : a Bess took the Saveians and tore it open eagerly, playing her role to perfec- tion. Her veil was down, of course. She took out the sheet with a nervous ale haste, and, for the benefit of Bstelle, wa: who she knew was listening, she read ‘ the message aloud: It was as follows: “ Estelle Whitledge, 4 “ Podunkville, N. J. 2 ** Please come to me at once. Have met . with serious accident. Do not tell father oe or mother yet. Come at once, by next i train, and take cab straight to No. —— —- street. JOHN LINEMAN.” Mercy! ” cried Bess, still closely imi-~ tating Estelle, “what can have hap- a pened, I wonder? ” hit “T don’t know, and under any other a% circumstances I would forbid your leay- set upon him, and there will be no turn- ing you. Go to him if you want to.” “Yes, to be sure that I am going,” said Bess, spiritedly, “and I would like nt to see you detain me against my will, — We will meet again, Albert Whitledge.” “ Hussy! What do you mean now?” He seized her by the arm with a fierce clutch. “T will show you what I mean, it is eS needless to tell you.” “ You threaten me?” he cried, shaking : her roughly. “ You dare to threaten me? A I warn you here and now to keep a still tongue, girl!” ” “ And I order you to remove your hand, and that at once,” ‘cried Bess, as she drew her pistol from her pocket and. thrust it under his nose. “ You will find that Estelle Whitledge is not afraid of : you, sir!” £4 He had let go his hold in a hurry at ‘ the first sight of the pistol and leaped back, his face white and scared, ee Don’ t!” he cried. “ Don’t point that “Then you just don’t, too,” said Bess, and then turning to the servant: | : “ Mary, is my wheel by the front steps, as I told you?” ‘Yes, Miss Estelle.” “Then I am going. Good-by, and say good-by. to Susan for me. I will see you again perhaps before very long.” “Good-by,” responded the servant, — and Bess started to go, nor did Whit- — ledge offer to detain her further, though 2h he did call after her: oot “And mind the word of warning I a = have given you, for I mean what I pies ae and you know what I mean. No need to — go on particulars before a gaping rene an “I have no time to talk to you, or f< . shall miss my train.” erie “ And so miss that precious lover! ”. Bess did not respond, but moun tao at once.
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The Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. i = See eA Z her, with no look of love on his hard, cruel face. “Tf she can only Lineman’s get by place without being stopped,’ he mut- | tered to himself. “Ha! She is going at good speed, and that will lessen the chances. I’ll just watch. She hasn’t got ‘ any more time ’n she wants to get that “ somethin’ train.” He did watch, and as Bess went wheel- ing past the Lineman place he saw Mr. Lineman come out just after she had passed and swing his hat after her. He had evidently hailed her, but she did not stop. “Ha!” cried Whitledge, “ that is good. She knew she hadn’t time to stop, and if he has merely said John is hurt, or like that, she has no doubt answered that she knew it. Ha,ha, ha! It works all right so far, Parmer, and now it is for you to do the rest. Once she is your wife she will not be apt to kick over the traces, I guess.” He went into the house rubbing his gands. Meantime, Bess was speeding straight jor the station. Mr. Lineman had hailed her, but with the shout that she would stop coming back Bess had skimmed right along without turning her head. She believed. that Wkhitledge was watching. At the station she leaned the wheel against the ticket office within the wait- ing-room, and made haste to change her skirt in the ladies’ private room. When she made her appearance the agent greeted her, doffing his hat as he did so, “There is something Miss Whitledge,”’ he said. “ Your tele- gram summons you to New York, but the fact of the business is John was hurt here last night and is now at home. I can’t understand it.” ‘‘T understand how it is, Mr. Willis,” she said—Estelle had posted her as to his name. ‘Can I trust you?” “You know you can do that,” he as- sured. “Well, the fact is, very strange, there is a game _ afoot, the particulars of which I can’t is an elopement on hand— stop to tell you now, and I must go to New York. If my uncle should come and ask you if I heard anything about John before I started, just fib a little and tell him no.” “Ah! I begin to see. Maybe the re- port at this end is the fiction, and there No., don’t deny it, don’t say anything; I am as dumb as an oyster, Miss Whitledge, and they won’t get a peep out of me.” “Don’t breathe a word,” said Bess, giv- ing him her hand. “ Here is the train.” She ran out, and the agent returned ~ to his office, smiling broadly at his own cleverness and at the confidence that had been reposed in him, never aware of the wool that had been cleverly pulled over his eyes. Bess had Miss Whitedge’s mileage book, too, and so passed for her even on the train. No sooner had she taken her seat in the car than she took paper and pencil from her pocket and wrote the telegram intended for Scorcher Sam, For good reasons she had not at- tempted to send it from the station at Podunkville. It was soon written, and when the conductor passed through the car she gave it to him, with money, and asked him to be sure and have it sent from the next station. Bicycle Bess was clever, and was sel- dom at loss. What she had writien was this: | ledge’s |} message. “Samuel Buckley, (with address) “ New York. “On train eleven-thirty city. direct to No. — —— _ street. thing working as planned. * ESTELLE WHITLEDGE.” It had been arranged that Miss Whit- name should be signed to the Sam. would know who sent it, and he would be on hand to play his part in the game. The address given, Every- by the way, was | the real address of John Lineman’s city | lodging. This, however, Bicycle Bess did not know. Estelle Whitledge, on hearing the mes- sage read, could hardly prevent herself from making this known to the young woman who was so boldly working in her behalf. She knew not what to make of it, knowing that her lover was lying at his own home not more than a quarter of a mile away. But she readily saw through it. She would have been suspicious had any address other than the real one been given. The bold rascals were working their scheme well, and she knew that Bessie Blake was running great risks. She wished that she might be able to share them with her. Now that it was too late she regretted that she had not:taken an earlier train to the city herself, there to remain on hand awaiting Bessie’s coming, and yet she did not clearly see what she could have accomplished. No, Bessie would have to take her chances, now. Bicycle Bess was ever ready to do that, and felt confidence in her ability to take care of herself. Reaching the city, she took a cab and ordered the driver to take her to the address given, and in due time was set down at the number. It was a respectable house on a re- spectable street, and not at all what she had anticipated. In fact, the address had puzzled her from the start. Getting out when the cab stopped, she paid the fare that had been agreed upon, and as the cabbie pocketed his silver and drove off she mounted the steps and rang the bell. CHAPTER XI. PLOTS VERSUS PLOTS. Scorcher Sam was uietly smokin q y g when there came a tap at his door. - He had heard the bell and was antici- pating the knock, so he had the door open in about two seconds’ time. There was a telegram, and as he was prepared for its reception; he had no sooner read it than he grabbed his hat and left the house. He was in his bicycle suit and took his wheel. He went to the house and rang the bell. * Does Mr. John Lineman live here?” he inquired. “Yes, sir,”’ was the prompt answer. “Ts he in?” “No, sir. He has been hurt; he is in the hospital.” “Hurt? In the hospital? What hos- pital is he in, do you know?” The girl promptly named the one, and there being nothing else to do, Sam took leave. Here was something that puzzled him not a little, and his mind was busy as he rode slowly away on his wheel, It would be out of the question for him to go to the hospital and get back in time to meet Bicycle Bess, no use think- ing about that. Cab» had } Not that he believed John Lineman So | was there, for he knew he was not; but | it was possible that some one was there , in his name, that something had hap- | pened— He cut speculation short. Knowing where there was a telephone, he rode there, and called up the hos- pital. No, no one of that name was there; no one had been brought in that morning. And Scorcher Sam then began to see | light shining in the dark place. It was a scheme. By the time he could get back to the | house he might look for the coming of Bess at any moment. He rode back and waited. Standing at a corner, half a block away, he appeared to be resting or wait- ing the coming of some one who had promised to meet him there, While he waited he saw an empty cab drive down the street, but he gave it no particular thought or attention until presently he saw it going slowly in the opposite direction. He now watched it, and when it had gone a distance down the street it turned and came slowly back again. “Ah! I begin to see,’’ said Sam to himself, Presently another cab came along, turned the corner, and as it passed Sam a hand slyly signaled to him. This cab rolled up to the door of the number desired, and we have seen what immediately took place there, The door was quickly opened to Bess. She stood there for a few moments, and Scorcher Sam knew as well as if he had been on the spot just about what was being said. The girl was tclling what she honestly believed to be true, that John Lineman had been injured and was in the hospital. Bess presently turned away and de- scended the steps. She was in a very troubled frame of mind, because she could not for the life of her understand the situation. Pausing at the bottom of the steps, she looked up and down the street, and a cab was at the moment passing slightly drew up and she called the attention of the driver. “Want a cab?” the driver asked, “Yes, I want to go to the —— Hos- | pital.” “All right, ma’am, get right in and we're off at once.” : Climbing in, the cab rattled away with er. “Now, then, for the game,” said Scorcher Sam, as he mounted his wheal and started after the cab. “ This is one of the cleverest tricks that I ever saw played, and I thought I knew them all.” As they went along, Sam saw Bess look out once, and he gave her a signal to reassure her. Now Bicycle Bess knew the location of the hospital well enough, well acquainted with New York as she was, and when the cabman went out of the direct route there she “ caught on.” She saw that she had entered a decoy cab, one that had been waiting around ~ there on purpose to pick her up. She was glad it was she and not the real victim of their schemes. The cab rolled and jolted along, and at last it drew to a stop before what had the appearance of being a huge public building. It was a building that had been recent- ly vacated by a large concern that had moved jnto new and even more commo- dious quarters, and it wus awaiting new tenants. ra
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A Singer stopping before its entrance « might have readily mistaken it for a hos- \ pital, expecting to arrive at such a desti- “nation. The Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. Bicycle Bess alighted from the cab, taking note that Scorcher Sam was not far away. She paid her fare and turned toward the entrance of the builaing. It looked dark and sombre. As she approached the door, however, it opened and a man in a sort of blue livery bowed her entrance. She had delayed a little in paying the driver, in order to give Sam time to run up, and he was now at hand, and just as Bess entered the door he ran up the steps and sprang in immediately behind her. He was none too soon, for the man in the blue coat was in the very act of clos- ing and securing the dooy. Already another man had attempted to seize Bicycle Bess, but she had him held up at the point of her revolver, and as Sam sprang in he grappled with the man who had opened the door. This fellow was no match for an ath- __ “fete like Sam, and Sam had him down in about ten seconds and the handcuffs on his wrists. But the end was'not yet. Just as Sam was getting up there came a scream of warning from Bess, but it was too late, for at the same instant two other men threw themselves upon the intrepid detective. “Let up on him!” cried Bess, instant- ly. “If*you-don’t, I shoot this fellow! ” “Shoot and be hanged to him!” was the retort. “Then, suppose I shoot you instead? ” She had turned her eyes in that di- rection, and the instant.she made a move to turn her weapon she was seized. For once Bess had let slip an advant- age gained, and the man she had held helpless now had her in his strong grasp, and her struggles were soon useless. The pistol had been wrested out of her hand almost immediately. “There, plague on you!” cried the man, as he held her by the wrists. ‘“ May- be you will try that wildcat game again! ” * Yes, at the first chance, ” cried Bess, almost ready to cry, indeed so great was her disappointment, to say nothing of her alarm for her noble and fearless de- tective lover. - Scorcher Sam was struggling his hard- est, and for a time it looked as if he would overcome his adversaries, even though they were two to one against him. In the struggle, however, he stumbled over the man he had already secured, and that worthy grabbed him by a leg with his manacled hands: That decided the contest quickly, and ‘Sam was thrown down and a pistol was pressed to his head. - It was then the detective was enabled to recognize two of his assailants, These were one Reddy Keen, known as Reddy, the “ Turk,” and the prisoner of the previous night, Pail, Bogle, the _ forger! The other two were men ies, did not know. Sam knew the building they were in, and recognized the fact that he was in a esperate strait, as the building was un- occupied. ‘But he did not feel so much alarm for iself as for his bonny Bess, as he was to call her on occasion, Harry!” cried Bogle, “but this r us Tuck! We never thought yoo | Maybe I won’t get square with you for last night! ” “Tt is your inning,” said Sam, dog- gedly. “And you bet we will make the most of it. Reddy here has got an iron in the fire for you.” “Yer kin bet yer head I have. it is good ’n hot, too. See?” “Well, whatever you intend doing to me, you can have nothing against this lady,” said Sam. “T admit that, but she has come here to keep an appointment with a friend of mine.” “ And where is he?” “Oh, he will be here all in good time, don’t worry your head about him. You have got troubles enough of your own just now without shouldering any- body else’s.” It was useless to argue or debate the matter, so Sam said no more. Bess had not yet lifted her veil, and he believed that she would be safer as Miss Whit- ledge than as Bicycle Bess the police decoy, as he was powerless to lift his hand in her defense. There was a momentary pause, and while it lasted there came a signal at the door, and Bogle ordered it opened, and the handcuffed man stepped forward and obeyed. The man admitted was El- bridge Parmer, who, at sight of Scorch- er Sam, gave a start of surprise. And CHAPTER XII. BRAVO, BESSIE! “ Hello! ” cried the newcomer. “ What have we here?” “We have got a big fish in the net this time, you bet,’’ responded Bogle, with a laugh. ‘“ This is the chap that put the wristlets on me last night and thought he had me.” “The deuce you say! And he is the same fellow who interfered with my pud- ding last night, too.” “Then we have a good chance to get square with him.” “T should say so.” * And we must put him where the dogs will not bite him, too. It will never do for him to get out of here with what he knows now.” “No, you are right.” = But first see to your young woman there. We want no witnesses that we can’t trust fully.” “ That’s right; you hold this fellow and I'll soon take her off out of the way. But, you needn’t wait for me; go ahead and do what you please with him.” “All right, if that suits you.” Parmer advanced toward Bicycle Bess. “Oh, sir, what does all this mean?” she cried. “‘ There must be some terrible mistake somewhere.” “There is no mistake about the fact that you are in my power, anyhow, my charming Estelle. You came to see one ardent lover, but you have found an- other.” “Sir! What do you mean?” The voice was certainly not that of Hs- telle Whitledge. Palmer looked the surprise he felt, and ‘for a moment acted as if he did not know what move to make. “Do you mean to say you are not Es- telle Whitledge? ” he demanded. “Certainly I am not,’ cried Bess. “This is a gross outrage, and I demand my liberty instantly.” “Then who in blazes are you?” He stepped forward and snatched the 1 veil away from her face. “ Great Scott! ” he cried, as a perfectly strange face greeted his sight, yet one 00 | made, and you have gotten yourself into 11 whit less beautiful than that of Miss. Whitledge. “T hope you are satisfied,” cried Bess, with great indignation. ““Who are you, how came you here? ” cried the baffled villain and arch schemer. “Tt need not matter who I am, I de- mand my liberty.” i “But it does matter. You can’t go till I know more about you. How came you here? ”’ “Well, if you are determined, I came here to find Mr. John Lineman, who IL heard had met with an accident and had been sent to —— Hospital. I hired a cabman to take me there, and he brought me here.” Elbridge Parmer tore around the great empty entrance-way, of the big building like a madman. He saw that his well- laid scheme had miscarried, but he was. far from guessing the truth. “Where did you hire that cabman?” he demanded fiercely. “In front of the house where Mr. Line- man lodges. Why he did not take me to my destination is more than I can un- derstand.” Scorcher Sam was more than delighted to see what a clever little game his aide was playing. Not that he dared hope she could win her object, or save his life, for, in the hands of Forger Bogle and his tools, he believed that he was doomed; but he: did hope that her own life would be spared. “Great blazes! ”’ almost screamed Par- mer. ‘“ Did you come there in a cab?” “Yes, sir,” said Bess. “ Where from?” “From down town, sir.” “Then what did you want of another cab?” “Why, I dismissed mine, sir. I thought. to find Mr. Lineman at home.” “Furies! And how did you come to know anything about it, anyhow? I de- mand the whole story, or you are not likely to leave here in a hurry.” “Why, by calling at his lodging to see him, and there being told. But why all this questioning? Why are you de- taining me here? Why am I not allowed to go on to the hospital to see him?” “Prince of furies!” cried Parmer, al- most tearing at his hair in his great pas-. sion. “To think that it should have- turned out like this, and all by a mere chance! But, was it chance?” He wheeled and confronted Scorcher™ Sam. “By heavens, I believe you had a hand in this! sure of it.” “Yes, I had something to do with it <I. admit. I was passing and saw this lady enter here, and knowing that the build- ing was unoccupied, I leaped off my wheel and ran in to see what was going on, and I have found out.” “To your satisfaction?” sneered Bo-. - gle. ““Won’t you please let me go?” cried Bess. Parmer paced up and down, pulling at . his mustache, and it was plain that he. was ina dilemma and knew not what to do. And in that situation Bogle took a. hand, and growled: ¥ No, you can’t let her go. There ig. too much at stake just now.” “Yes, that’s so,” agreed Parmer. “Oh! please let me go!” cried Bess... “Do not detain me here, I beg of you, don’t do it!” “Shut up and listen to me,” orasree ss Parmer. “There has been a mistake If I was sure of it-- But, I am .
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at each other. off so sudden. 12 The Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. this fix by an awkward turn of the wheel of fortune. We dare not let you go, for you would tell what you have seen here and—”’ * But would you not believe told you that I would not tell? go. I must!” “But we wouldn’t dare to trust you. I promise you that no harm shall come to you, though, if you do just as we tell you to do.” “Tell me; I will do anything, if you will only let me go.” She was wringing her hands, having been released, though her captor was standing near her so that she could not get away. “You will have to remain here till evening,’ said Parmer. “ Then we will let you go on condition that you tell no one where you have been. There room on the next floor you can occupy.” Bess covered her face with her hands and her form shook as if with sobbing, and she did not act much like the girl who had so spunkily handled a revolver so short a time before. “That is the best you can do, I guess,” said Bogle. “Yes, I see no other way.” “Mighty curious how such a mistake ‘was made,” added Bogle. “There was no mistake,” declared Par- mer. ‘“ That is, so far aS our man was concerned. Chance made this young woman fill the bill, that is all.” “ And where can the other be?” “May have come to the house five minutes after the cab left, and is now hustling around to find the fellow at the hospital. A confounded piece of rotten luck!” “ Well, better say no more about it.” “That’s so. Take her up to that room, Bob, and lock the door on her.” Bess had given Sam a look to reassure him that she would try to make her so- journ in that room as short as possible, and now she was led sobbing away. “And now for: this fellow,” said Bogle. “Yes, now for him, and he won’t fare so well, he can bet.” “Bet yer iife on that,” cried Reddy the “Turk.” ‘ What is goin’ to be done with him, boss?” “He has got to be done for, no other way.” “T guess you are right.” “He has got only himself to blame for it. He did his best to land me, and now Iam going io land him.’ “What is the plan?” “Any way you please, so long as it is a sure one.” “What if we let Reddy fling him down the death-trap?”’ “What good would that do? would not kill him—” The “Turk” nodded his head em- phatically, and Parmer and Bogle looked As for Scorcher Sam, he saw that it was a chance for his life, ‘even though only one in a thousand. me if 1 I must ” ” The fall CHAPTER XIII. HERE IS A HEROINE. “T guess that will do all right,’ said Parmer, ‘and no one of us will be alone responsible then.” “And no use wasting any time about it, eitner,” said Bogle. “Get him ready, Turk, while we hold him for you.” “So you don’t mean to give me a chance for my life?” said Scorcher Sam. “Nary a chance, confound you!” * But it is hardly fair to take a fellow I would at least like to drop a fair farewell line to my old mother,” is a | | “Yes, no doubt you would, but you can’t. Gag him, Turk, while you are about it, for we don’t want him making “Ye lie!” they shouted. ‘“ You ain’t | s the gent what left it there, you ain’t!” “Tf I had hold of you I would wring any noise, in case the drop don’t break | your necks for you,’ Parmer grated be- his neck.” “That’s right.” * How much of a fall is it?” “Twenty feet or more, from this floor to the sub-cellar bottom.” right. us any more.” “And he will be bones before he is | found.” No time was lost. The “ Turk” performed well his work. In a few minutes Scorcher Sam been securely bound and gagged, and all Was ready. The shaft of a freight elevator was not far away, and to that Sam was carried by the “ Turk” and Bogle, and was laid on the floor while they looked down into the death-trap. They could not see the bottom, for it was as dark as midnight down there. “That will do all right,” said tS Parks the “Yes, it will do. Lend a hand, Reddy.” | The “Turk” caught hold, and to- gether they held Scorcher Sam over the dark pit, head downward. Sam made a brief mental prayer, and the next instant he shot downward into the dismal depths. There was a thud below, and no other sound came to the ears of the murderers, though they listened for some moments, and at last Bogle offered the remark: “Well, that is off our hands, and we have one detective the less to watch out for.” “Yes,” said Parmer, “and now I have got to go and see what has become of that girl.” “She is all right,” said the fellow Bob, who had taken Bess away at Parmer’s order. “No, I mean the other, the one I didn’t get.” Obie? “You locked the door on this one?” “You. bet.” “Then she is safe and all right. We'll have you let her go about an hour after dark, and then we will be out of here and away.” “No way of her getting out, is there?” asked Bogle. “Oh, no, she is all right. Well, I am going, and if you hear a yaup out of her, go up and make her keep still.” So saying Parmer opened the door and passed out. It was immediately fastened after him, and he ran down the steps to the street. Scorcher Sam’s wheel was standing there, and a policeman was looking at it. He looked up as Parmer came down the steps. “Know anything about this wheel?” he inquired. “| Know that it is mine,” replied Parmer. Mounting Scorcher Sam’s wheel, he rode off, while the policeman went on his way swinging his club in blissful ignor- ance of the situation. But the man had not ridden far when there was a shout. * Hi! there! come back with that bike!” It was raised by two boys whom the policeman had driven away from the machine a little while before. Parmer looked at them, and gnashed his teeth in rage as he did so. He in- creased his speed, at the same time call- ing out of them. “T guess not, when it happens to be my own wheel,” he answered. had | | : tween shut teeth. ‘‘ Out of my way!” The boys had run along after him, but now he was speeding so that they were soon distanced, and they turned and be- | gan to yell to the policeman. “That will do the business for him all | Never a fear that he will trouble | ; Same “Hi! cop! there goes a feller what’s snivvied a bike!” They ran back toward the policeman while shouting, but before they met him the thief had turned a corner and was out of sight. “What’s that ye say?” the policeman demanded. “Tnat feller’s stole a bike.” ‘No, I guess not; he said it was his.” “We guess nit! He ain’t the chap what left it there.” : “Is that so?” “ Course it’s so; think we'd lie about it? 3ut it ain’t a bit of use chasin’ him now.” “Then whose wheel was it?” de- manded the policeman, interested. “ Don’t know, but et was a feller wot had on a reg’lar bike suit, and he was.a nobby looker, too.” “Well, where is he?” “ Don’t know. We seen him ride along, and the next time we looked his wheel was standin’ there.” “Then it’s plain that it can’t be the wheel,” said the policeman, de- cisively. But the two boys were sure of their point and shook their heads knowingly as they sauntered back to the spot where they had been playing before it hap- pened, at the end of an alley that ran between the large building and a ware- house. Leaving them, let us return to Bicycle Bess. She played well her role until the door had been closed and locked upon her. Then she was upon her feet instantly, and, with clinched fists, she looked around her prison to find a speedy means of escape, for escape she must. There were the windows, and she ran to them. They were of heavy glass, and were securely fastened down. Besides, they opened upon a darksome alley, and promised no means of escape. Nevertheless, the man had no sooner gone below than she picked up a leg of a broken table the room contained and broke one of the huge panes at a single blow, taking the chances of being heard, knowing that the door of the room was thick and heavy. Out went the glass with a crash and jingled down into the alley, and Bess leaned out and looked down. It was not a great height from the ground, but too far to think of dropping. Under the window was a ledge, per- haps ten inches wide, running from one end of the building to the other. Could she walk it to the street? Would she daré try it? With the table leg she battered out the ; remaining splinters of the glass, using her skirt on the end of the weapon to deaden the sound, and in a little time the worst of them had been removed. There was ample room for her to step out, It was a dangerous proceeding, but she did not hesitate, knowing what was at stake. ; Keeping a tight hold on the sash of the window, she got safely out, and that done, she turned and placed her back to the outer wall, her hands at her sides, and palms against the wall. FS She could stand there all right, and —
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ss she had become a iittle accus- to the strangeness of it, she began sidewise toward the street end of the alley, slowly but surely, inch by inch, her eyes fixed upon the opposite wall. It was nerve-trying, but Bessie Blake had plenty of nerve, and it had been well tested on other occasions. Finally, after what had seemed to her an age, she came to the end gf the cop- ing. She could look down into the street, _but there was no way by which she could possibly get down, that she could see. Where the coping ended was an abrupt rise of about eighteen inches, where the front ornamental work joined it, and leaning her hand on that, Bess s¥owly bent her body and looked over and down. ‘wo boys were playing just beneath on the sidewalk. “ Boys!” she called. They instantly stopped their pastime and looked up, and what they saw gave them a start. “Gee whiz!” one exclaimed. will fall if you don’t look out!” es “No, I won’t, but I want help to get é own from here just as quickly as possi- .ble.- Can you bring it?” : - “Shall we call out the hook and ladder brigade? Don’t know of no other way?” “Ts there an engine house near by?” “Bout a block away.” _ *“fThen run there in all haste and tell them of the fix I am in.” “All right. But here comes a cop; - mebby he can do somethin’ to get ye down, ma’am.’ ~ “Tell him I am here, but don’t you stop to talk to him. Go to the engine house as fast as your legs can carry you.” “All right, you bet.” “ And I will reward you when I do get down.” . They were off like a shot, and in an- other minute a policeman came hurrying - along. - He was looking up as he came, the _ boys having told him, and when he saw _ the young woman standing in that dan- _ gerous position he fairly gasped. __ “ How on earth came you there?” he demanded. “T was imprisoned in the building and have just got out,’ said Bess. With an oa Phil Bogle turned, his hand ying to his hip vee at the same time. “and. she did detect 4 sii ting hold of it, she tried it to £ee, 13 “Don’t you try it!” warned the ser-— geant. “If you do, your light will go out so quick you will never know what struck you!” ‘Bogle hesitated, and by that time the other officers had his pal safely captured. But they had yet to hear from Reddy the “ Turk.” Bicycle Bess had not been idle, though, for no sooner had the one fellow been captured than she went for his pistol and secured it, and not only his, but her Own as well. About that time heavy steps were heard, and the “Turk” came _ tearing down the stairs three at a time, shout- ing: “Deuce is to pay! The gal is gone, and the police and firemen are up there layin’ for us—” And then he came to a dead stop as he saw what was taking place. An oath escaped him, and he reached for a weapon. “Tf you do it you are a dead man!” The voice was that of Bicycle Bess, and she confronted him with the big pis- tol of the captured man in her right hand and her own smaller one in her left Her veil had now been thrown back out of the way, and with flushed face and flashing eyes she made a pretty but ter- rible picture for the “Turk” to gaze upon. . He took her hint and did not draw the pistol, as he had intended. And in another moment one of the po- licemen had a revolver at his head, and he succumbed to the inevitable. While this was going on, the sergeant was advancing upon Bogle the forger with his revolver pointed straight at his head, and the forger was watching him with sharp interest: Ife was watching for half a chance to: dodge, draw his own weapon and shoot. And presently he tried it. Dropping suddenly, he whipped out his pistol and fired a snap-shot. It missed, and the sergeant had already fired his own revolver as The man had dodged, he, too, missing. Bogie was on the point of shooting again, when there came a shot from further back in the hall, and his arm. dropped to his side and he rolled over with a howl of pain. The shot had been fired by Bess. “And the man was no sconer down than she ran forward to him and clapped both her weapons to his head. ; “Tell me where he is!” she cried. “What have you done with him? If you do not answer in five seconds I will blow out your wicked brains!” There was no mistaking that threat! “ Quick!” she cried, pressing hard with: her weapons. ; “ Down—down the shaft—there—” So the man made haste to gasp, for- now the knee of the sergeant was upon ~ his chest. “You wretch!” cried Bess. “If he ts” dead, you will never live to see the inside of a station, I warn you! Quick, officers? we must rescue Scorcher Sam!” The prisoners having been overcome; they were speedily disarmed and hand-- cuffed, and one man stood guard over them. : Bess had run to the shaft and” was” peering down, but eould see nothing. © —~_ “Sam!” she ealled in anguish. “ Sam!” ae = <e There was no vespoate, but she thought. noan. 3 A rope was within her reach, and get F if. vate Sa was secure, ert _ See ae Se was, abe ta oe ee as s per i
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< ’ nN 5 —— a - ike — - 14 lightly over the black pit and let herself | down han under hand, fearlessly, and in a few moments was at the bottom. There was something soft under her feet, and she soon found that the sweep- ings of the building had been cast down | there and that there was a great bed of paper and packing. She had matches, and struck one, tak- ing care not to let it drop into the papers, and there on the heap lay Sam! His head was half buried and he was partly on his knees. Grabbing him by the back of his collar, She pulled with all her might and suc: ceeded in rolling him over. His hands tied behind his back, he had been in such a position’ as to be entirely unable to help himself, and he was nearly | suffocated when she rescued him. Putting Sut the match, Bess got her knife and carefully cut the cords that bound him and removed the gag from his mouth. “My darling! my brave, bonny Bess!” “Thank God, Sam!” She embraced him, there in the dari, and a voice called down from above to know if he had been found. “Yes, he is alive, sergeant!” Bess an- swered, ‘and I guess he has no broken bones. He will be able to speak for him- self as soon as he gets his breath and gets the kink out of his back.” “Tll be all right in a couple of min- utes, Bess,” Sam now assured. ‘“ But I thought in that death-trap my time had surely come. How did you get out of heir hands so promptly? But, no, not “ow; that will keep, and it will be all tho Sweeter when we can talk it over at leisure.” CHAPTER XV. CONCLUSION. Bess and Sam were speedily helped out of the shaft, and when once they. stepped upon the solid floor above they were heartily congratulated. The Scorcher advanced to where Phil Bogle stood, and said: “Well, you see the tables have been turned again, and this time it looks as if you are in it to stay.” No thanks to you,” growled Bogle. “No, you are right,” agreed Sam, “ but all thanks and praise to my brave little ally here, who was too keen for even such a sharper as you. She did you up brown.” *“And look out that I don’t do both of you up brown one of these days,” was the fierce retort. “We'll have to take chances of that.” As there was still further work to be done, Sam left the prisoners in charge of the sergeant and his men, and he and Bess paused to consult and brush them- selves un a little, While they were doing this a policeman came up to Sam, “You had a wheel, hadn’t you?” he asked, “Sure,” said Sam. anything of it?” The officer told what he knew, and Sam ‘new who had taken his “ bike.” “Now, Bess, we must capture him,” he ecided. ‘‘ And I believe that he will be jund at that place where you saw him Jast night.” * You think so?” “Yes, there can be no doubt but he is the man who sent Wood Collier and Ben Hess to dispose of John Lineman, but he had no idea that John Was going out to Podunkville.” “That must be it, and that’s how he is so puzzled all around,” “Have you seen “T’ll go there and see about his case.” * And where you go, there I’ll go, too,” answered Bess, playfully. In less than an hour, disguised as a Pole and wife—or daughter—Sam and Bess entered the saloon. Sam’s wheel was there. Sam pretended that he could not talk Ienglish, but he handed over some money and motioned that they wanted some- thing to eat, and they sat down at a table. At an adjoining table was Parmer, eat- ing, for the saloon was also a cheap res- taurant—one of the recently popular “hotels,” and with him another man, to whom he was talking. “No, and it beats the mischief,” Par- mer was saying. “I have not heard a word from Wood or Ben, and now I am waiting for an answer to a message Il sent to the old codger out at Podunk- ville an hour ago. When that comes, 1 may have more light.” At that moment a messenger came in and inquired for Elbridge Parmer, and the message was delivered. As soon as he read it Parmer leaped to his feet. “Blazes!” he cried. ‘“ The girl is safe at home, but some one else came in her stead. Lineman was assaulted there last night, and is at home in a critical con- dition. I am defied, and the old fool con- templates suicide, if I understand the hint he gives. By Harry, but he shall not uo that if I can prevent; I will have that girl—” “And right here she is!” So said the pretending Polish woman, as she rose from her table and confronted the rascal. It was not Estelle, but it was Her im- personator, and as she spoke she leveled her revolver at Parmer and bade him throw his hands up over his head, which he did. At the same time Sam had seized his companion and had snapped a handcuff upon one of his wrists, and with deftness he put the other half of it on a wrist of Elbridge Parmer, and so the remainder of the miserable clique was in limbo at last. Sam and Bess saw them safe behind bars, and then donning wheel attire, they took a run out to Podunkville, arriving at the Whitledge residence late in the day. There was excitement about the place, and they soon learned that Whit- ledge had indeed taken his life! He had discovered somehow that Es- telle was at home, and a stormy inter- view had followed. Then had come a telegram, which he answered, and shortly after that a pistol shot was heard in his room. As Bstelle’s guardian, he had dipped heavily into her fortune and had put himself in the power of: Parmer. The latter, eager to cheat Lineman of Estelle, and win her for himself, had promised to put the old man on his feet if he would aid him to attain that end. It was Shown that Parmer was a con- federate of Bogle’s, and that they were, at the time of their arrest, getting ready for a most daring piece of forgery; but it had been nipped in the bud, thanks to the efforts of Scorcher Sam and nervy Bicycle Bess. Needless to say, in conclusion, all of the rascals in this case got their just deserts. THE END. Next Hatr-Druz Lrerary, No. 1010, KIT BANDY’S BIG SIX. BY OLL COOIES. The Girl-Cyclist’s Winning Hand. i “839 The Ranch King Dead-Shot. Beadle’s Dime Library. BUFFALO BILL NOVELS. By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, 86 Buffalo Bill's Black Parad, 927 Buffalo Bill’s Bluff; or, Dusky Dick the Sport, 921 Buffalo Bill's Quandary: or, Velvet Bill’s Vow, 915 Buffalo Bill and the Surgeon-Scout. 909 Buffalo Bill’s League; or, Red Butterfly. 904 Buffalo he, Tangled ‘Trail. 900 Buffalo Bill’s Rough Riders. 895 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Ally. 890 Buffalo Bill’s Life-Stake, 882 The Three Bills Buffalo Bill Wild Billand Band- box Bill; or, The Bravo in Broadcloth, 74 Buffalo till’s Buckskiv Braves. 869 Buffalo Bill’s Road-Agent Round-up, 863 Buffalo Bill’s Death Charm, 857 Buffalo Bill’s Royal Flush. 851 Buffalo Bill's TI’oub!e Dilemma, 845 Buffalo Bill's Redskin Ruse, 830 Buffalo Bill’s Bovs in Blue. 826 Buffalo Bill’s Sharp Shooters, 822 Buffalo Bill’s Best Bower. 816 Buffalo Bi'l’s Red Trail. 812 Buffalo Bill’s Death-Knuell, 794 Buffalo Bill’s Winning Hand, 787 Buffalo Bill’s Dead Shot, 781 Buffalo Bill's Brand. 777 Buffalo Bill’s Spy Shadower, 769 Buffalo Bills Sweepstake. 765 Baffalo Bill’s Dozen; or, Silk Ribbon Sam, 761 Buftalo Bill’s Mascot. 757 Buffalo Bill’s Double. 750 Buffalo Bill’s Big Four; or, Custer’s Shadow, 743 Buffalo Bill’s Flush Hand. 739 Buffalo Bill's Blind: or, The Masked Driver, 735 Buffalo Bill and His Merry Men, 731 Buffalo Bill's Beagles: or, Silk Lasso Sam, 727 Buffalo Bill’s Bodv Guard. 722 Buffalo Bill on the War-path. 716 Buffalo Bill’s Scout Shadowers. 710 Buffalo Bill Baffled; or. The Deserter Desperado, 697 Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin Brotherhood. 691 Buffalo Bill’s }:lind Trail; or, Mustang Madge. 667 Buffalo Bill’s Swoop; or. The King of the Mined, 658 The Cowboy Clan; or, The Tigress of Texas, 653 Lasso King’s League; or, Buck Taylor in Texas. 649 Buffalo Bill’s Chief of Cowboys; or, Buck Taylor 644 Buffalo Bill’s Nonanza; or, Siiver Circle Knights, 362 Buffalo Bilt’s Grip; or, Catn Bound to Custer. 829 Buffalo Bill’s Pledge; or, The League of Three. 189 Wild Bill's Gold Trail; or, The Desperate Dozen, 75 Wild Bill’s Trump Card; or, The Indian Heiress, 168 Wild Bill, the Pistol Dead Shot, By Buffalo Bill. au 820 White Beaver’s Still Hunt. 807 Wild Bill, the Wild West Duelist. 800 Wild Bil, the Dead-Center Shot. 639 Buffalo Bill's Gold King. 599 The Dead Shot Nine; or, My Pards of the Plains, 414 Red Renard, the Indian Detective. 401 One-Armed Parad; or, Borderland Retribution, 397 The Wizard Brothers: or, White Beaver’s Trail, 394 White Beaver, the Exile of the Platte, 319 Wild Bill, the Whirlwind of the West, 304 Texas Jack, the Prairie Rattler. 243 The Pilgrim Sharp; or, The Soldier's Sweetheart, 88 Gold Bullet Svort; or, Knights of the Overland, {52 Death-Traiier, the Chief of Scouts. ee et Bg nee f chi eee: et ep 0 ey ee By Leon Lewis, Ned Buntline, etc. 773 Buffalo Bill’s Ban; or, Cody to the Rescue, 682 Buffalo Bill’s Secret Service Trail. 629 Buffalo Bill’s Daring Role; or, Daredeath Dick. 517 Buffalo Bill's First Trail; or, The Express Rider, 158 Buffalo Bill, Chief of Scouts. 117 Buffalo Bills Strange Pard; or, Dashing Dandy, 92 Buffalo Bill, the Buckskin King, BY J. W. OSBON. 922 Gilbert Goldspur, the Dandy Sport. 905 Shasta Sam, the Sparktier, 877 Cool Creede, the Dead-Shot. i, 759 The Sport from St. Louis, : 518 Royal Richard, the Thoroughbred. BY LIEUT. A, K. SIMS, 914 Snowflake Sam’s Double. 5} dl 897 The Six-Shot Spotter. 887 The Stranger Sport from Spokane. 873 The Sport Detective’s Colorado Clew, 860 The Spangled Sport Shadower. 843 The Crescent City Sport. 832 Gid Gale’s Block Game. 804 Tne King Pin of the Leadville Lions. 786 Chicago Charlie’s Diamond Haul. i 776 Chicago Charlie, the Columbian Detective, Lp 758 The Wizar1 King Detective. i 7 Teamster Tom, the Boomer Detective, . ‘ Lodestone Lem, the Shoe see of Chestnut Burr, ee; 695 Singer Sam, the Pilgrim Detective. HD) {Sts 688 River Rustlers; or, the Detective from *Way Back ( fe 673 Stuttering Sam, the Whitest Sport of Santa Fe, a 666 Old Adamant, the Man of Roc es = 618 Kansas Karl, the Detective King, We 552 Prince Primrose, the Flower of the Flock, he 628 Huckleberry, the Foot-Hills Detective. A new issue every Wednesday. yseadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per Copy, or sent by malt on cape of twelve cents each. BEADLE & AD. Publishers, 92 William street, New York, ;
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Pudlished Every Tuesday. —— BY OLL COOMES, Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. U68 Kit Bandy in Texas; or, The Young Mustanger, 208 Kic Bandy’s Catch; or, The Boy Hercules. 422 Kit Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Baby Sam,the Boy Giant 444 Kit Bandy’s Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur, 4 B46 Kit “4T8 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler. 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Bsn. 680 Kit Bandy’s Pard; or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. 791 Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Intant Giant. 795 Kit Bandy in Red Ruin; or, The Young Whirlwind. T99 Kit Bandy’s Big Rustle; or, Saddle King Sam. SO4 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide. 27 Kid Bandy’s Brigade in Arizona. Bs’ 458 Jack Drew, the Nemesis. or, Eagle Kit the Boy Demon. 82 Jack Drew’s Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete. 2? Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide Bi Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. & Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Juw, 18 The Bumb Spy. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. .58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy, ‘4 Hawk-eye ptarey the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Kollo, the Boy Ranger; or, The Heiress. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter, ATS Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 2218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 packing Dicks or, Trapper Tom’s Castie, “228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkekin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Caleb Arbuckle, B00 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. a BS 4 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, " -409 hhereules; »r, Dick, the Boy Ranger. -41%7 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 457 Wingedfoot Fred 3; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Sig Trapper Boy. 482 Stonewull Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trappat. $52 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. 77S Highland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman. 2828 Poker Jacks the Detective Sport. ‘ BY T. J. FLANAGAN, D093 Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. 25 The Young Cowbey Captain. w8s {hens Twe ‘Midshipmen; or, The. Corsair-Chaser’s First Tulse. hit Bandy’s Star Engagement. j BY DAN DUNNING, W46 Quiet Jack, the Secret Service Spy. T67 Mae and Teck, the Invincibles; or, The Diabolical Three. STS Detective Dave's Close Call. 884 Farrel Fox and His Girl Ferret. 898 Farrel. Fox’s Sweep-Stakes. BY GEORGE ©, JENKS, “455 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid Detective. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. 98 Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role, G08 The Pitcher Detective’s Foll; or, Dan’s Double Play. 416 The Ocean Detective; or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, “681 The Pitcher Detective’s Seaphent Tussle. “386 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, ten on Every Side. 779 Llren Hand, the Charmed Detective *851 Uncle Sam’s Detective in Chicago. BY WM. G. PATTEN. 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee ot Jacktown 66% Violet Vane’s Victory; or, The Jasper City Clean Out. ‘698 Violet and PD alsy, the Posy Pards. TOS Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Craity Detective’s Craft. °T24 Violet Vane’s Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Out. 59° Violet Vane’s Vv erdiets or, The Game at Coffin City. “41 Violet Vane, the Veniriloquist Videcq; or, Sport vs. Sport. "F350 Violet Vane, the Vaxquished, or, The Life Strugg'e. 768 Violet Vane’s Vision; or; The Fiery Hand of Fate. 489 The Miamond mevearat or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, 519 Captain Myster 75 or, Five in One. -$81 Daisy ware the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. @04 Iron paeg the Man of Fire; or, Among the Vultures. 619 The Bey ramp Detective; or, The Doubie Grip Witness 37) pet Boy Fr ms age Fares or, The Clue-to Capt. Claw ank, the Young Amat 682 Wild Vulcan, the Lone-Range Rider, = corm 714 Old Misery the Man from Missourt. %74 Clear-Grit Oal, the Never-Say-Die Detective, “789 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, 806 Cowboy Steve the Ranch Mascot. 820 Nobby Nat, the Tenderfoot Detective, $86 Sharper Stoke’s Double Deal. S57 Spotter Bobin New York. 366 Spotter Bob’s Bowery Racket. BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, b8 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vatled Lady. 186 Ceol Desmond; or, The Gambler’s Big Game, BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER, 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Pa © f OF, The Doge’s Deughter, : 48 Diek Darling, the Pony Express Rider. ' are Lance and Lasso}; or, The Children of the Chaco. a a oe om pin waa: ee The Brothers of the Plumed Lance Rhine. fek, the Demon ‘B95 California Joo’s War Trail. BY CAPT. J. F. ©. ADAMS, \ has 184 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffies’s Boy Spy. a 46 Teey the wat of the Waste r azel, the ° HS 56 Nick Whithee's Pots or fe The Val of Death. “ . 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout of the Yeilowstone, ‘ oF 5 © Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Woods, ‘ ; Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. iy, ek Buckram ¢ or, Bess, the Female he he ; Grizzly tH Peta; or, The Wi p heuse $ or, Osceola, the Firebrand. . i He 3 or) The Un Camp. - \ King} of, The Human Thandervolt, j : a a BY T. C. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodges or The Little Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trall. 82 Kit Harefoot, the Wood-Hawk; or, Old Powder-face 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Boy Trapper, 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch Jr.: or, The Boy Vigilante. 55 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tomy; or, Injun Jack From Red Core. -_ 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. 198 Arkansaw }; or. The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade. 231 Plucky Phil; or, Rom, the Re: Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, Toe Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoli, tne King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Kuckskin Detective; or, The King of Road-agents. 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parda; or, The Terror of Take-Notice 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Plitiless Matt; ov, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret, B56 Cool Sam and Pardy; ov The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, | he Brceaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes. 411 The Silken Laut or, The Rose c Ranch Robin. 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gang of New York. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room 21, 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon, 461 One Againat Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick. the Whart-Spy Detective. 621 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang, 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows. 588 Vodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’« Double: or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodcer Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq; or, The Gang of Three. 578 The Two Sha dows; or, Dodger Dick’s Stop Game. 582 Dodger Dick’s Brop: or, The Man from Jersey. 694 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sherp on Guard. 626 The Champion Pards; or, The Luciler of Silver Bar, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. 671 Jersey Jed, the Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 715 Wide Awake Len, the Quaker City Ferret. 782 Dalsy Dell, the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game. 742 Billy Winka, the Bell Boy Detective. 754 Billy Winka, the Poss Boy Shadow. 768 Fanle Ned, the Boy on Guard; or, Tue Camp Spiders, 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard 827 The Bantam Sport. 848 Clip, the Battery Ferret; o:, sack seutrs Foul Play S9YT Davy Doon’s Big Bounce. 905 Dandy Nugget, the Bo~ Shadow. 921 The Boy from Denver, BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 122 Phil swe 1) the Boss Boy. 126 Pieayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildiire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Besa, Will Wildfire’s Kacer. 157 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 2 Will Wildfire in the Wooda. Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses Bob Reckett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Hand i or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 7 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 89 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. © Tem Tanner}; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Chareoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloeds”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ;: or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps; o:. Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughored, 805 Dashaway, of Dakota: or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Keady, the Hotel Boy Detective. Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Bliszard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry. the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Fliyer, the Reporter Detective. Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. a ae pam rk pe ph ph 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Rackess or, How He Fought for Honor, 501 Roots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 586 The Secret Service Boy Detective. &59@ Jimmy the Kid; or, A b Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas: or, The Wolfin the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Beb and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Beat. 757 Detective Frank’s Sweep-atakes. 869 Ned Norman, the Gamin Broker, 881 Turkey Billy, the Shine-’em-up Detective. P1T Flash Lightning, the Mountain Mascot. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The T Detectives; or, The Fort fa Bowery 36 Abe tet tetera ole = BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR U, S, A. 191 Baffalo Billy, the Roy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bille Ret: or, The Gambler Guide, rT Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdeavers. BY J. W. OSBON, 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, or, The Man Without a Past, 609 Bolly Dorrit, the ‘ eteran Detective. 620 Little Lightnuing’s League; or, The Mystery o: the Islan@ 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector, 751 Gold-Dust Dan, the Trail Patrol. - 755 Gold Dust Dan’s Cath; or, Reckless Roy, the Regulatoz 928 Gold-Dust Dan’s Snap-Shot. BY JOSEPH £. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Juck; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Liawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League. 885 Old Double Fist or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or. Dame) Boone’s Last Trail. 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trafler. 677 Chineapin Dan’s Second Trail. 688 Chineapin Dan’s Home Stretch. 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head, 708 Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. 718 Light-Neart Lute’« Last Trail. 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay, 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beagle’s Trail. 748 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Pard BY C, DUNNING CLARE. 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 280 Tho Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef, BY LIFUT. il. D. PERRY, U. 8, N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point, BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy; or, The Witch of the Fort, , 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. a BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil’s Island, 87 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. 89 Ialand Jim: or, The Pet of the ny * 191 The Captain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes, = 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. © MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Munters. By Capt. Mayne Reid ané Frederick Whittaker. ® Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe. (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages. 22 tS Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan wis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By S, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown; or, The Arena Queen. By F 8, Finn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 51 The Boy Riffes; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Uutiawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green* wood. By Pref. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, TheCave of Death. By Burton Saxe, reste venge. 865 Baltimere 874 Gold-Dust Tom: or, Ben’s Double 876 California Joc’s First Trail. 418 Billy Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F. 8. Winthrop. 475 The Black Ship. By John S Warner. Comanche Pick and His Three Invinelbles. By Henry J. Thomas. 583 The Cowboy Duke. 124 Tippy, the Texans or, The Young Champion. By George 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- im. Fergue Fearnaught the New Y xk Boy. ByG. L. Aiken, Killb’ar, the Guide; »r, Davy Crocketi’s 298 Red Claw. the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff, By Captain Comstock. tenant Alfred Thorne. B28 The Sky Detective ; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honor. Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Ree By Ned Buntline. By A. P. Morris. atch. By Colonel Gleeson. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendiess Boy. By J. ! lowstone. By Edward 261 266 ed Trail By Ensign C. D. Warren. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- By Maior Mickey Free. B50 Rea Ren the Bootblack Detective. ‘St @ Hi, Morse, Thomas 861 Billy Brine, the Swamp Fox. By Chas. F. 79 Blue-ligh £port; or, The 8 Fine leht Bi my poh port; or, Lem A New Isene Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by #1] Newsdeal"™ PR act Fred ip oedirahn Noe Berane, “ve BEADLE ANP ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York,
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: H —_—- BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince ot the Road. 20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffas, Ben 85 Deadwood Dick tn His Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 19 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. 5&7 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Beck; or, Calamity 4 ine, the Heroine 77 Deudwood Dick’s Last Act: or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. Dick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. Dick as Detective. Dick’« Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s tome Hase; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Hig Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Diek ot Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, Dick’a Drenmy or, The Rivals of the Road, Deadwood Deadwood Deudwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood 5 Deadwood ROL Deadwood Dick’s Ward; or, The Brack Hill’s Jezebel. OS Deadwood Dick’s Doom: or, Calamity Jane's Adventure, ? Deadwood Dick’« Dead Decal. Dick's Dick, Deadwood Gold-Duat Deadwood Peadwood Peath-Plant. A Romance of Roughe and Tougha, Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’« Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. B2L Deadwood Dick's Pozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats B47 Deadwood Dick’a Ducata; or, Days in the Diggings. es cre bday hn Page mareey or, The Terrible Vendetta, 0 » ’ ok aim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Venda City. 410 Deadwood Dick’« Diamonds, 421 Dendwood Dick in New Yorks or, A “Cute Case, 480 Deadwood Dick’s Duat; or, The Chained Hand. oan Renewed ita 3F4 opt he Crimson Crescent Sign, eadwood Dick r.’a, Deflance. 458 Deadwood Dick, Jra Full and. 459 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick Jr.’« Racket at Clalm 10, ATZ1 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Corral); or, Boseman Bill. 476 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dog Detective, 451 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Deadwood, 491 Deadwood Diek, dr.’«, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick dr.’s, Inheritance, 500 Deadwood Bick, Jr.'s Diggings. 508 Deadwood Dick, dr.’a, bell verance, &15 Deadwood Dick Jr.'s Protegee. 622 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Three. 529 VDendwooa Dick, Jr.’s, Danger Ducks, 584 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’ Death Hunt, 539 Deadwood Dick, dr., in Texas. 514 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocg 5649 Deadwooa Dick, Jr., on Ilsa Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Philadetphia, 5T2 Deadwood Dick, dr., tn Chicago. &78 Deadwood Dick, Jr.,- Afloat. &8a Deadwood Dick. vr.. in Denver, 500 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick dr., In Beelzehub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick, dr., at Coney Island, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’», Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Petrolt. 618 Deadwood Dick. Jr. tn Cincinnatl. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Nevada. 680 Deadwood in No Man’s Land, Dick, Jr., Dick, Jr., After the Queer, Wiek Jr.. tn Buffalo. Dick, Jr.’a, Chase Across the Continent Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. Diek, Jr.’«, luaurance Case, Dick, Jr., Rack in the Minea, Dick, ¥r., to Purangos or, “ Gathered In.” Dick, Jr.’ Discovery; or, Found a Fortune, Dick, Jr.’a. Dazzle. Bick, Jr.’«. Dollars, Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide, Dick, Jr.’«, Drop, IMek, Jr., at Jack-Pot. Dick Jr., In San Franciseo. IMek, Jr.’s Sifll Want. Dick, Jr2a Dominoes, ek, Jr.’«, Disgulac, Diek, Jr.%, Double Deal Dick Jr.’*, Deathwatch, Dick, dr.’*, Poublet. Dick, Jr.’a, Deathblow, Dick, Jr.’ Deaperate Stralt, la Uke boar ene P ek, dr« Deteat. Dick, Jr.’a, Resurrection, Dick. Jr’a Dark Daya. Dick Jr., Defied. Dick, Jr.’s, Double Device, Dick, Jr’.a, Deaperate Venture, Dosawoed Dek’ Sree, Revel Flue.” ead woo ek Jr.’s, Roya . Deadwood Dick, drs Head-off. Deadwoed Dick, Jr.’s, Rival. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Boom. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Scoop. Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Proxy. Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Clutch, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, High Horse. Deadwood Dick Jr., at Devil’s Guleh, Dead wood Dick, Jr.’«, Reath-Hole Mustic. ona weed Picks Da Pe par pa eadw ek, Jdr., in Mexico, Deadwood Dick, Jr’a Decoy Duck. easwees reeke Phe | nee ag ead wo ek. Jr. bead-Sure Gumo. Deadwood Dick, Sree Double Drive. Deadwood Pick, Jr’a, Trade-Mark. Deadwood Pick, Jr., at Zip Tepe Readwoos oe oa ip ef a la endwood Dick, Jr. at Dollarville, Deadwood Pick, Jr., at Flush Flata. Deadwood Dick, P. 916 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Drop, $51 Deadwood Pick, Jr.’s, Right Bower. 957 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Ten-Rtrike. 965 Deadwood Diek, Jr.’«, Gold-Dust. PT1 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Oath. 977 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Death-Doom, 986 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Best Card, 992 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at_ Gold Dust. 998 Deadweod Dick, Jr.'s, Big Play. BY WM. R. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down P 818 The Hustler Rogue-Catcher. 888 Poker Pete’s Double Dodge, 851 The Tle-To Sport ; or, High Hustling at Stunore’ Fist, 888 Monte Saul, the Sport. 901 Diamond Pa ve, the Gilt-Edge Sheoter, Bat The weort a fre? a. Bart's Bal e § nm Vebvers er, Big Burn’s Blatt. Billy Bird's Bonanan: er, ‘the Rook-Ravons’ Reet-Ont, P45 h 962 Flip Flap Fred at Hard Pan 9 he Get Sport-& Deadwood Dead wood Deadwood Deadwood Dead wood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood & Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dead wood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood DPeadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dead wooa ead wood Peadwood Deadwood Deadwood Jr.'s, Bhake-u adower}; er, Clark’s Close Shave. liy’s Beuanza ; or, The Bear-Tamer’s Disguise, Six-Foet Rel, the Sharp-Shoeter. Dick’s Divides or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. | Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. Rosebud Rob on Mand: or, Idy), the Girl Miner, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearances or, Photograph Phil Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround Denver Doll's Victory? or, Skull and Crossbones, Denver Doll’« Decoy 3 or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gutherers: or, The Life Lottery. Yreka dim’a Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake Up. 885 Yreka J3m’s Joker} or, The Rivals of Red Nise. 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret: or, A Sister’s Devotion, 248 Silerra Sam Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Slerra Sam’s Pardys or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sam’a Sevens or, The Stolen Bride. Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. Kangaroo Kit’a Racket; or, The Pride of Played«O Death-Face, Detective; or, in New York, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective: or, Ar. bs and Angels, 11% Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the Kev York Detective. 61 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 226 The Arab Detective ¢ or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp, 201 Turk the Boy Ferret. 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective, 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 Wigh Mat Marry, the Base Ball Detective. 426 Sam Slabsaldea, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Denon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Dead-Shot 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 53S Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Billy; or, The Red Rifle Team 92 Canada Chet ¢ or, Oli Anaconda In Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Specalator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Boss Bob the King of Bootblacka. 141 Solid Sam, the Bov Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows, 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Slerras Scamps. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or. Lady Lily’s Love. 286 Apollo Bll, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, B80 Little Q@uick-Shot3 or, Vhe Dead Face of Daggeraville, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 87S Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City, B82 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance. 486 Sealakin Sam, the Sparkier; or The Tribunal of Ten, 918 Kit Kelth, t e Revenue Spotter, 922 Sol Sharpe, the New_York Night-Hawk» 948 Old Hayseed Among Bunco Men, 1001 Banty, the Denver Bootblack. -— COWDRICK Bilky, the Bootblack Bravo. Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing a Strange Case Billy’s ‘ DLinkilty.” Broadway Billy’s Peath Racket. Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. Broadway Bly; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning. Broadway Billy’s Dead Act; or, The League of Seven. Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. Broadway Billy’s Beat; or, Beating San Francisco's Finest, Broadway Billy tn Clover. Broadway Billy tn Texse; or, The River Rustlers. Broadway Billy’s Brand. Broadway BUly at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal, Rroadway Billy’s Biull Hands or, The Gamin Detective, 5 Broadway Billy’s Business. 4 Broadway Billy’« Curfons Case, 2 BY. J.’ C. Broadway Broadway Breadway Broadway Hilly tn Denver. Rrondway Willy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detective, 9 Brondway Biily, the Retriever Detective, > Broadway Billy’« Shadow Chase. Billy’s Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. Billy's Teamy or, The Combine’s Big Pull. Hilty’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. Ri ‘v's Queer Bequest. Bill, Batled, Bill ‘« Signal Scoop. lilily’» Wipe Out, Billy’s Rank Racket. Billy’s Bluff. Khinly Among Jersey Thuga Billy’s Rald, Billy's Big Boom, Billy’s Big Bulge. Billy's 100,000 Snap. Billy’s Blind; or, The Bootblack Stowaway. Billy in London. Billy Shadows London Slums. Biliy’s French Game. Billy and the Bomb-Throwers. &ilver-Maek, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, Shasta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead, The Detective’s Apereavice! or, A Boy Without a Name, Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. Dlaco Dan, the Maisy Dude Redlight Kalph. the Prince of the Road, 4 The Enginesr Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve Mart, the Night Express Detective. Alr-Lime Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. Fighting Marry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. HRareback Reth, the Centaur of the Circle. Tyrewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. Moonlight Morgan the “ Pizenest’’ Man of Ante Bar, Battery Reb. the Dock Detective. Arlaona Dick's Wipe-Out, Jumping dack’s Jubilee. Satety pa the Cyele Sport. 1 &§ Broadway 6 Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Brondway Kroadway Broadway Broadway Breadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Broadway Train Boy Trist’s Hot Hustle, Tre Trump Dock-Boy. Big Boots Bob, the Fire-Laddle. Kuatler Ralph, the Boy Spetter. The Ex-Newshoy Detcetive’s Cham, The Rowline Green Detcetive’s Drop. Cowbey Charlies Double. The Bowery W reatler; or, The Butcher-Bey’s Backer, Paddy’s Trump Card; or, Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport, The Broadway Sport? or, Fiver Fred's Clear Case, 81000 Reward; or, The Rival Reporters’ Sleek Scoop. Bantam Billy, the Corker-Ferret. Plucky Pat, the Street-Bey Detective, Bieyele Bob’s Hot Seereh, Rooreker Sam, the Detective on Wheels BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWNE, 956 Broeklyn Reb’s Rulee; or, Dodrer Dot's Diamond Kuap. PAR The Fast-Side Spotter: or, Toning Down the Big Three 974 Old Sant’s Dark Deal: or, Miner Mat’s Iron Grip. BEADLE’S* HALF-DIME*|IBRARYr Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdealers.. BUFFALO BILL NOVELS, BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1000 Buffalo Bill's Decoy Boys. 995 Buffalo BUs Drop; or, Dead-Shot Ned , the Kansas Kid. SS Buffalo Bill’s Lasso Throwers, 981 Buffalo Bill’s Fighting Five. 975 Buffalo Bill's Rifle Shots. 968 Buffalo Bill's Kush Ride; or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer. 964 Butfalo BiUls« Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Shot. 955 Buffalo Bill’« Mazeppa-Chase. 948 Buffalo Bill's Snap-Shot ¢ or, Wild Kid’s Texan Tally 942 Buffalo Bis Teugh Tussle. 936 Buffalo Bills Boy Mascots or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-up. 929 Buffalo Bill's Crack-shot Pard, 650 Buffalo BUDPs Boy Pard: or, Butterfly Billy. 216 Kiaon Bill, the Prince of the Reims, 222 Bison Bili’s Cluey or. Grit, the Biavo Sport, BY BUFFALO BILL. 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout, or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hoods or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY CAPT, ALFRED B, TAYLOR, U. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet: or, The Gambler Guide. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM. New York Nat’s Drop: or, Ex-Ferret Sykes’ Bold Game New York Nat and the Traitor Ferret. , New York Nat Trapped. New York Nat's ‘Three of a Kind, New York Nat’* Double. New York Nat’s in Colorado, New York Nat in Gold Nugget Camp. New York Nat’s Deadly Heal, York Nat’« Crook-Chase. y York Nat’« Trump Card, York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. y York Nat’« Masked Mascot. » York Nat. the Gamin Detective. ¢ Doon’s Kidnapper Knock-Out. c Doom’s Ten Strike. Doom’s Flush Hand. ; < Doom’a Veuth-Grtp; or, The Detective by Destiny, Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. / < Doomy or, the Sharps and Sharks of New York, <; Doom In Reston: or, A Man of Many Masks, in Chicago. in the Wild Weat. “ ae Rweeps or, Five Links ina Clue Dick Doom’« Diamond Deal Dick Doom’s Girl Mascot, Dick Doom’s Shadow Iunt. Dick Doom’« Big Hoeul. Dashing Charlies or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trali.. Dashing Charlic’s Destiny: or, The Renegade’s Captive, Dashing (harlie’« Pawnee Pard. Dashing Charlie, the Rescner. Buek Taylor, King of the Cowboys. - Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. Ruck Taylor’* Boyst or, The Red Riders ot the Rio Grande, Pawnee Bll, the Prairie Shadower. Pawnee Bill; or, Curl, the Mad Cowboy. Pawnee BUVa Pledge; or, The Cowboy's Doom, 5 Pawnee BIL or, Daring Dick. Redfern’a Curtous Case? or, The Rival Sharps. Kedtern at De vil’« Ranch or, The Sharp from Texas, Redtern’s High Mand; or, Blue Jnecket. Redfern’s Last Trail: or, The Red Sombrero Rangers. And Fifty Othera. BY T. J. FLANAGAN. Midshipman Dare, the Pirate Catcher. The Young Cowboy Captain. ‘ The Two Midshipmen or, ‘The Corsair-Chaser’s First Cruiee. The Three Lieutenants The Maseot Middy ; or, The Four Commanders, Fiehting Jack Shubrick & Kighting Jack’s Midadies 3 or, Dandy Dick's Dash, Suck Langs tho Privateer iwy-r. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City.. Tow-Cat’a Triad; or, The Affair at Tonbstone. Tom Cat’s Terrible Task; or, The Cowhoy Detective, Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Dan’s Great Combine Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rurtiing for Millions, The Silver Sport; or, Josh Peypermint’s Jubilee, Saffron Rel, the Man With a Shadow Happy Hana, the Dutch Videcg: or, Hot Times at Round-Up Bildaa Barnaele, the Detective Hereules. Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. Warbliig William the Mountain Mountebank, Solly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective. Sienal Sama, the Lookout Scout. Rilly, the Gypay Spy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives. Biaple Sint, the Broncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes. The Meamertat Kportt or, The Mystified Detective, Toltee Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 Kansaa Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective. 761 Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. 778 The Ruatler_of Rolling ®tone, 7S Lone Naud Joe, the Committee of One. 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killback. 882 The Doctor Dete etive in Texas. 872 Two Showmen Jetectives in Colorado. 987 The Texan Firebrand: or, Braaot Billy’s Suap.She, 961 The Tramp’s Trump-Triek. NEW ISSUES. 1009 Vike Gtr) Oyeclia’s Winning Hands ¢r, Scorcher Sam’s Deatli-Hole Drop. By J. C. Cowdrie f 1010 Kit Bandy’s Big Six; or, The Kustlers of Inokson Basin. By Ol] Coomes, 1011 Ps dso d Deck. See, Dutch Pard; et, Rosting Out th» Rascals of Skeleton Gorge, By &.L, Wheeler. P 1012 Th Ro, Crippl’« Big Bulges or, The Old Frand’s ._ Freeze-Out. By Charles Morris, JUST ISSUED. : 1004 Seorcher fam’s Sweep-Atakes + er, Bileyeis Bess, The Boulevard Belle Detective. By 7..C. Cowdrlek. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr.» Bramded; er, Red Rover at Powder Pocket. By E L. Wheeler. 1006 Flipper Frank’s Flush; or, Traeking the Dedxer from Yew York to New Orleans | By Charles Morrie. ‘ 1007 Enffalo Bilve, ure-Rhetes @., Busk Dawsen’s Big raw. By Col. P. Ingraham. 1008 The Renver Detective In New York. By How- ard M, Boynton, A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Dime is for sale by all newadealers, five. ene Malt-Wime fibro, reecteh of aix conte soak. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 92 William Street, New Yerk. 909 925 988 949 959 966 HITZ 909 B89 622 681