Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 1048) (1897 08 24)
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Entered as Second Class Matter at the New York, N. Y., Post Office. DLE AND ADAMS. August 24, 1897, Five Cents a Copy. LE AND ADAMS, Publish Published E er No.1048, “yo. ss iy Bee ni. apaahgees o NOO en $2.50 a Year. 92 Wr11AM Street, New York. Tuesday. Swllts Wei Hunt ” - — = ~ - " . - a . - " — T ———— ere JF THE TWO GAVE A SUDDEN START AND LOOKED OFF OVER THE WATER IN AN EXCITED WAY, " as “ee te ; Pir an’ 8 vid: } § j ; R : is r ¢ 5 . 5 i :
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ma 2 The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. Tho Stra Spotters’ Weird Hunt; THE ANGEL OF THE DOCKS, A Mystery of the Dead and Living Riddle. BY MARCUS H. WARING, (“SERGEANT MARK,”) AUTHOR OF ‘‘ THE THREE SPOTTERS,” ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. THE TRAGEDY ON THE WATER. ALARM often followsa feeling of careless ease, and it was to be so with the occupants of the little harbor sail-boat that was crossing New York Bay. Their minds were on common-place matters, but in their track; buoyed up and drifted about by the waters, there was a mys- tery and tho trail of a tragedy. One of the two gave a sudden start and looked cff over the water in an excited way. ‘: What now, Jamos, asked his companion of at the tiller. ** Look yonder, Stumps!” “‘T see nothin’. W’ot is it!” ** Look again!” Stumps obeyed, rising from his seat, and this time, not in vain. The kara distinguishable burden borne by the water had turned under its touch, and the white face of a young woman seemed to return their startled gaz-, One mo- ment it was visible; then it disappeared, ** Drownded!” murmured Stumps, in a sympa- thetic voice, ‘¢Or can she be alive? Look!” A hand was raised from the water, and it seemed for a moment that the unfortunate was beckoning to them, but that thought soon van- ished. The tide was running rapidly out, and its precious burden could not float placidly, but it was clear that the unknown was done with this life. ‘ Here’s a tragedy or a mystery, Jim Royal,” the startled Stumps added, ‘‘ It’s our duty to pick up that remnant o’ bumanity.” “Right, and we are going to do it, Quick! | let’s get the boat about before we lose sight of her.” There was no danger of the water-waif being lost. It kept on the surface, and when the boat had been brought up beside it, there was nothing to do but lift the body into the craft. Then they sat, staring in silence at the dead, The drowned woman was young; evidently not more than twenty; and Jim felt sure she had beem very pretty before the water had claimed its burden, ‘“*No common person,” Stumps declared mournfully. ‘‘ Her clothes are fine and costly, an’ I reckon they are right in the pink o’ style, though I ain*t posted on that line.” **She mever has done hard work, Her hands are soft, well shaped and well cared for.” ‘““A right charmin’ yous female, once, an’ mighty unfortunate. ow d’ye s’pose she come ter this end#?’ , “ Who kno-w?” , “‘There’s a city up there,” observed Stumps, pointing to New York, ‘‘ that is the grandest in the New World; yet, James, there is things done there that makes the blood chill wher we think of it. It’s many along mile from the Battery ter High Bridge, an’ crime goes on there silently but surely like the waters of North River. Some on the evil done never is found out; some comes ter hight when a poor soul is found drownded, 80. Stumps was not usually sentimental, but sight of the fair yee. woman had.moved him toa marked degree, e was interrupted by an ex- clamation from Jim, *€ Look, Stumps! See the marks on her neck! Fingers have been there—fingers contracted antil the nails bave left their cruél, tell-tale sear. This was no suicide, no accidental death by drowning. Stumps, it was murder! cool, de- liberate, devilish murder!” ~ The speaker had grown excited, and he pointed to the evidence mentioned, while dismay and indignation were depicted in his strong young face. There was silence for several moments, but the mind of each was busy. Both read a good deal in the visible sign of violence offered, and imagined sew the unfortunate had been thrown into the Bast River from a pier or a vessel, These two were eld acquaintances with the streets and watersof New York. One had been bern ia the eity, and always had lived there. | The other was not in the habit of telling his | history, but he lived in New York and knew the | great city thoroughly. Jim Royal was twenty years old—a stont, manly youth, whose plain, resolute face was in- dicative of honor, alertness and good bumor, Stumps had left the. best half of his life be- hind him, and gray hairs were beginning to ap- | pear in his shaggy locks. He was dressed even | more plainly and coarsely than his companion, ; The most noticeable thing about him was a wooden leg. A part of the member provided by Nature had been lost in some accident, and the substitute was one which suggested a lack of cash, it being of the most humble pattern, ‘* Have you noticed in the papers an’ account of any missing woman?” Jim asked, breaking the silence, ** Non't reck’lect ez I have,” ‘This girl must have lost her life several days ago.” «Yes, that is evident.” ‘* Here ia a ring on her finger which may lead to ber identification. It is a peculiar one. It represents two crossed arrows, with a diamond at ‘each corner and one where they cross, A very delicate and ingenious piece of work.” ‘* Two crossed arrows?” Stumps cried, as if in astonishment, iy Yes,” ia Le t me see,” He knelt down and looked at the ring, and ng a singular expression appeared on his rough ace, ‘* Great heavens!” he exclaimed, excitedly. ** What now?” ‘* I’ve seen that ring afore!” ‘You have? Where? When?” Stumps was’regarding the ring intently, and did not heed the question. He was startled and deeply troubled, as his manner indicated, Fi- nally he turned his gaze upon the etill face of the wearer of the ring. ** Can it be?’ he murmured, Jim Royal was eager to know the facts of the new discovery, but be remained silent until, finally, bis companion turned his gaze from the dead to the living. ‘¢ James,” he remarked, seriously, ‘‘ I seen that ring a good twenty year ago. Iwas younger then than I be now, an’I had two good legs. I was a sailor on a West Injy vessel, under old Cap'n Block. He had a daughter, the cap’n did, who always sailed with him. Her name was Elnora. Many’s the time [ve seen that ring on her hand, an’ as we all loved her, an’ she w#’u’t noways proud, she was a great favorite. Once, she took the ring off an’ showed it ter me, an’ she said it was her dead mother’s gift to her, an’ how she never would part from it,” ¢ ‘¢ Where is she now “That's wot I don’t know, I left my ship ter go as mate on another, an’ never seen her or Cap’n Block ag’in. I heerd, soon after, that he died, but w'ot become o’ her I don’t know.” ‘* Where did they live?” ‘* On the vessel. I hev a vague idee that the old cap’n owned a house som’ers over by the Sound, but where, I don’t know. The ship was their home. What’s worse, I don’t know of a relative they had,” ‘* But the owners of the vessel: can’t they be found? Perhaps they would know about Elnora Block.” ‘‘“Mebbe, I don’t know ef they’re still in busi- ness, but we kin see.” ‘* But this cannot be Elnora.” “No; ob! no; she would be forty years old now. it ain’t that, but, bow came this poor gal by thermg? Elngra said she never would art with it, an’ she would keep her word, ’ot I’m afeerd of is—” * What?” ‘That this is her daughter!” * Whom did she marry?” “That’s wot I don’t know. She wa’n’t mar- ried w’en I seen her last, an’ I’ve never heerd from her sence, But, J eems, she wouldn’t let that ring go inter nobody else’s hands but one o’ the family, an’ i’m afeerd this is her child, The hair an’ eyes are a good bit like Miss Elnora’s an’ you see she could hev a daughter o’ this age.’ ‘* Tt would be strange if that was the fact. ‘°Twould be awful! Think o’ this poor thing meetin’ with voylence from some enemy in the city, an’ then bein’ throwed inter the river like a dead cat! It was an awful thing ter do, An’ mebbe Elnora’s blood run in this girl’s veins, Think of it!” “ Why not take the trail ourselves? You and 1, and Bobby Blossom, have done detective work | before as the Spotter Trio. Now, if you think this was Elnora Block’s daughter—” ‘‘f see! Yes, I'd be willin’ ter do my best— ter work fer years, ef I could help one o’ her kin. We'll do it, Jeems; we'll doit! Of course the myst’ry may be settled up, first off, but I can’t get red o’ the feelin’ that a good deal lays back o’ this. An’ ef it was her child—what then?” ‘Then, for the mother’s sake, gyou want te down the guilty and bring them to punish- ment.” ‘*T do, I do!” Stumps declared, vehemently, ‘‘ Dm with you; we'll go into the work witha will, Now, let us get under way again, and re- |.turn to New York,” The position of the boat at that moment was below Governor’s Island, and nearer to Brooklyn than New York, but they did not think of tak- ing the water-waif any where except to the latter city. They had been on their way to visit a friend on the Long Islend shore when the dis- covery was made, and it was not a sacrifice of — moment to change their plans, ‘hey were soon on their way to the metropolis, but it occurred to Jim Royal that they ougbt te have all possible evidence before letting the waif go out of their bands. They searched her pockets, but failed to find a scrap of paper, or anything else, therein, he ring was the one means of identification further than the body and clothing. ‘I'm afraid it won’t be no easy job ter get at the mystery, ef some friend don’t show up, first off,” remarked Stumps, ‘‘ From w’ot I know ¢? the natural course of events I kinder believe the body cone down the East River, Now, nobody lives nigh it who would be likely ter dress like this, an’ wear diamonds, an’ there may hev beem a long journey afore the murderers got to the river, Looks dubious, but I’m goin’ ter know whether this was Elnora Block’s child.” “Good! I’m with you, and so will Bobby Blossom be.” ‘‘That ain’t no mean crowd in a fight, we ain’t. Yes; we'll hunt the evil-doers down. There’s too much of it in New York, an’ ev’ry honist person ought ter be ready ter do his share ter block them.” : “And we agree to follow this case to the end?” “ce Yes.” ‘‘Our pledge is given; our werd shall ‘be kept.” iy all CHAPTER II. < THE STRANGE VISITOR TO THE PIER, Tr was four bours later, Darkness had fallen, and the rush of business bours had ceased. A boy of about fifteen years of age approached a house which stood near the East River, but, find- ing no one visible, strolled down on one of the piers. The scene was one always cf interest, and ‘though He had been there many times be- fore, he felt tbat the maritime picture vouch- safed him was worth surveying again. He went to the extreme end of the pier. The river flowing calmly past, the many lights glit- tered, and he nodded his satisfaction. ‘‘ New York is good enough fer me! This one, an’ that one, has ter run off ter Europe, an’ Cali- forny, an’ Boston, an’ other foreign places, but old Gotham jest erbout fills the apple o’ Bobby Blossom’s eye,” Thus he spoke aloud. If anybody had asked who Bobby Blossom was he would have answer- ed that it was himself, but no one spoke. To all appearance he was alone. Several minutes uy and then he heard a sound behind him. He turned quickly, but care- lessly, thinking a friend had put in an appear- ance, and then stood mute with surprise, ; He was no longer sole occupant of the pier, but the latest comer was not the man he bad ex- ted, It was no man; it was a woman, Ip the dim light he could see but little more, but he believed she was young. . Certainly, she had a slender, *rim-looking figure. “Say, wot in time is she doin’? Bobby mut- tered. Sure enough, her movements Avere unusual and eccentric, She stood close to the southers side of the pier, bending over and gazing inte the ‘black expanse where the river rolled ite waters along the water-front. “Bet yer a dollar she’s goin’ ter commit suicide!” added Bobby, as though challenging contradiction; and he was about to start for- ward and prevent an act so rash, when she, straightened up. She pongt her position by a few feet, and then repeated her act of bending over the water. A queer sensation came pver the watcher, She moved with the lightness ef a feather; sie
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Th seemed to fldat, rather than walk; and her attire waved and fluttered in the breeze like cobwebs blown about, Dark was her-costume, yet a superstitious fear came over Bobby Blossom. ‘Great ’skeeters! w’ot ef it’s a ghost?” he thought. Many and strange stories had he heard of dis- embodied spirits, and though he never had seen one himself, he began to think such things might be. Why should any live woman be on the pier at that hour, staring at the black waters? And how could any woman in the flesh move so airily? It was something of a shock to believe he was in such company, but he was of an investigating bent 6f mind, and a new idea came to bim. “ B’mighty! Pll interview the spook, an’ ef I git any interestin’ pint on Ghostland, Pll write it up fer one o’ the newspapers. It’d be an aw- ful ‘beat’ on the other fellers, an’ it’d make my repertation. Here goes fer Miss G-o-a-s-t, Ghost!” He advanced with all the confidence he could summon, and broke the silence with the off- hand remark: ‘¢ Wine evenin’, mum!” The supposed ghost turned slowly, showing no surprise, but said nothing. “Out fer a promenade?” Bobby added, dlandly, Still she was silent, but, undiscouraged, he went on: ‘“*How’s Mr. Ghost, an’ Mrs. Ghost, an’ the little Ghosteses?” Then the unknown broke the silence, and ex- plained in a low and plaintive voice: “T was looking to see where I was drowned!” ** ib?” cried Bobby, startled. ‘“T was drowned somewhere near here!” ‘Great ’skeeters! you don’t say so, mum!” ** Have you seen my body?” ““Me? No, I ain’t; an’ I don’t want ter. Drownded folks are awful uncomfor’dle things ter hey ‘round, But,” young Mr. Blossom added, in an awe-struck voice, “‘ do you really mean ter say you are dead?” ‘*T must be, for I looked down and saw my face floating in the water. I was frightened, and I fainted; and when I came to, I had drifted away, I have hunted since, but I can’t find my body.’ Mad as an insane asylum!” thought the boy. ‘¢T wish you’d look in the water and seeif you can seeanything, Youreyes may be better than mine,” ** Pil do it,” $ Bobby’s faint attack of belief in ghosts had vanished, but, nevertheless, the plaintive man- net of this wanderer of the night gave him an uncomfortable, ‘‘ creepy” feeling. He wished to humor her, and he imitated her example and louked long and earnestly into the water. He saw nothing unusual, and finally told her so. ‘‘Ttis strange,” she murmured. *t How did it all happen, mum?” “7 don’t know. There has been trouble, and things are dreadfully mixed up. I can’t ex- plain what I don’t know, but I hope to know all some time, and I am going to watch here until i do. “So yon’ve come before?” ‘* Every night!” ‘** A-lookin’ fer a body?” “Yes. I would not care so much about it, but [ had on a ring, at the time, which is valua- ble. It had five diamonds, but I don’t care so much for that; it is because the ring was my mother’s. It was made in imitation of two crossed arrows, with the diamonds set in.” The directness of this explanation puzzled Bobby more than ever, If this person was de- ranged, she was not like any other person of the kind be ever had seen. Her manner was very gentle and touching, and, having gained partial view of her face, he saw that it was very refined and intelligent. She did not seem to be more than a. girl in years. He doubted if she was twenty-one. ‘Perhaps a perleeceman could help ye,” he ie oy pp ‘No, no, I don’t want to see one,” “Why not?’ “ [’'m afraid of them,” she replied, shivering. ‘* Wot hev ye done out 0’ the way?” “‘Nothing. Do you think I have?” ‘Ter tell the truth, I don’t. I ain’t known you long. but you don’t strike me as one o’ that ind. her’bouts do you live?” “ Over there, somewhere,” and she made a gesture which took in one-third of the city. * What street?” “TJ don’t remember.” Whe sighed and added: a e Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. 3 “T forget things that I used to remember. There is some trouble, and I can’t tell what it is, I know I ought to find that ring, though, and must keep on searching untill do. It is weary work, and sometimes uy courage fails, I have come here so often! But, there is no use of looking to-night, and. I will go home, I am very much obliged to you fur looking, and help- ing me, and I hope I can pay you for it some time. But, now, Pil go home.” ‘You jest wait a fraction, mum. I know a man that is as wise as sixteen like me, an’ ef anybody kin give you a straight tip, he can. He’s honist, too, an’ never throwed anybody down, You come this way, an’ Pil see him.” Bobby spoke coaxingly, but be had an object in view. Feeling that some one ought to care for a young woman so helpless, he inteaded to summon his friend, Pete Tiernan, a *longshore- man who lived in the house he had looked at when he came down to the pier, and have that person take charge of affairs, She did not object, and they went toward the house, but just before they reached it Tiernan, bimslf, came out and moved toward them, ‘¢That’s him,” Bobby explained. “Oh! I know that gentleman.” “Sure?” the “longshoreman readily agreed, “So it’s yersilf is out the noight, leddy?” His manner was kind and consoling, but Bob- by Blossom did not fail tosee there was some- thing more; something almost like reverence. ‘¢T have been as unfortunate as ever.” “Tm rigbt sorry for yez, leddy.” She looked away at vacancy, and Bobby sidled up to the longshoreman. ** Say, she ain’t fit ter care fer herself, What be we goin’ ter do?” “* Hush!” returned Tiernan, quickly. ‘‘ Don’t be after sayin’ a worrud; let her have her own way. The boy yielded. If Tiernan knew her, it was quite another matter. The ‘longshoreman waited with a subdued air, but the young woman suddenly aroused, **T will go now,” She ‘observed, ‘* but I shall come again. I hope you will keep watch, and help me if you can.” ‘** Sure, an’ I will, leddy.” She said good-night in her peculiarly gentle and attractive voice, and then turned and walk- ed quickly away. Again her lightness of foot was noticeable; she seemed to float, rather than walk. When she had disappeared in a cross- street Bobby impulsively broke the silences ‘* Soy, Peter, who is she?” “The Angel of the Docks!” “ Eh ” ‘* We call her the Angel of the Docks, an’ that’s the only name we know fer her. Who she is, an’ where she lives, we niver knew. I m’ane, me an’ the wife, an’ Tim Brogan,” ‘* How long hev you known her?” ‘* Less than a w’ake.” ‘*Great ’skeeters! I s’posed she wes an old ’quaintance, or I wouldn’t’a’ been so ready ter vote she should go off. Peter, it ain’t safe; she’llcome ter harm. Le’s chase her an’—” ‘“No; I think she’s safe. Annyhow, not a finger would I be after layin’ on her, ter upset her plans. It ain’t all a figger avespeech whin we call her the Angel of the Docks. We do be thinkin’ she’s not loike other folks!” Botby’s curiosity was thoroughly aroused. ‘* How’d ye make her ’quaintance?” ‘Well, Bobby, it was loike this: Friday noight ave last week, at about half-past ten ave the clock, me wife an’I was a-settin’ in the house whin we heard a woman scream out on the pier, an’ a terrible creepy scream it was. Now, the wife is always under the imprission that there are demons, an’ banshees, an’ war- locks, an’ ghosts, an’ Providence only knows what, waitin’ ter gobble up woman-koind, so she hustled me out ave the house lively, ter save the woman that screamed, “I towld her since that she gave no thought ter the fact that the demons an’ banshees moight gee me, but she said I was that. homely that 'd scare all the banshees and evil spirits till they’d run loike ter break their necks, rather than face me, ‘Well, out on, the pier, close to the edge, I found a girl in a dead faint, an’ I called the wife, an’ we give her whisky within, an’ water without, till she came around. ‘“The poor cr’ature was that scared that she didn’t sense things at first, an’ she kept a-mut- terin’: ‘The face in the water—the face in the water!’ But, when we would have carried her ch the house she started up, an’ she said ° ‘** That’s the way we met her, an’ though she was so frightened at first, she straightway be- ese ig ee eee 5 gan to talk in the same quiet, gentle way you hev heard ber. But niver a word would she ex- plain, an’ she soon hurried away. ‘* Begorra, I didn’t know what ter make ave her, an’ I said so, but the wife spoke out an’ says: *** Sure, it was an angel!’ “*Now, I didn’t take ter this idea, at first, for I thought an angel would not swoon’d an’ take on as she did at first, but whin I towld Tim Brogan about it, he said such things bad been seen before, an’ mebbe she would be after comin’ again. ** So that next noight we all watched, an’ the young woman came. This toime she talked about fallin’ inter the water, an’ said she was drownded an’ floatin’ there still, an’ the wife an’ Tim just shook until their knees rattled togither loike bones in a minstrel show, ‘*To make a long story short she comes ivery noight, an’ talks about the face in the water, an’ the loike ave that—mebbe you beard her— an’ we call her the Angel of the Docks, “Pm not that wise to tell yez just what she is, The wife an’ Tim stick ter the old oidea, but I fancy she’s a poor cr’ature who bas met with sore trouble an’ isu’t just roight up aloft. ‘¢ But she deserves to be called an angel, fer a woman more gentle, an’ kind, an’ gracious, an’ sweet, I niver saw!” ; Mr. Tiernan spoke with.considerable enthu- siasm, but it was tempered with the old trace of reverence. ‘‘ Wal, what d’ye make o’ her, anyhow?” Bobby asked. “Sure, the wife an’ Tim may be right,” “ But spirits—angels—don’t faint.” ‘* T towld the wife that, an’ she asked me how I knew. ‘Sure,’ says she, ‘you niver saw an angel before an’ I do be thinkin’ you'll never go where you'll see wan ag’in!’” And the “longshoreman shook his head soberly at the recollection, CHAPTER III. A GRAPPLE FOR LIFE, Bossy saw that, in spite of the dictates of his own reason, Tiernan was not far from agreeing with his wife and Tim Brogan on the point that the Angel of the Docks was of more than natural being. Unknown to Bobby, however, there was a great struggle in Peter’s mind; he constantly was dwelling upon the conundrum: Wasa real angel subject to fainting-spells, and was it sub- stantial enough to be like buman beings to the touch of a human being’s hand? This was contrary to Peter’s understanding of angels, but Mrs, Tiernan’s positive statement on tbat point sreyencd him. All things were pos- sible with angels, she said. Bobby Blossom_asked more questions, but, seeing he was not likely to get anything of im~ portance, he left the pier and hastened away. Regarding his late experience as remarkable, he was eager to communicate it to certain inti- mate friends of bhis—friends who had been his associates in solving mysteries before, and who, he thought possible, might be willing to grapple with this new complication, , These: friends he found in a house on West Twelfth street, where one of them bad a room, He used due diligence in getting there, and final- ly burst in i ie them. They were no strangers in this revelation, being, in brief, Jim Royal, and one-legged Stumps, Bobby dashed his cap down on the floor. ‘‘ Hi! fellers, w’ot d’ye guess I’ve run onter?” he cried, “ A lamp-post,” Jim gravely suggested. **Come off! I’ve got on track of a full-blown mystery, an’ I bev a sneakin’ idee we kin do some detective work on it, I ain‘t sure it would pan out over ninety cents ter the dollar, but we and let New York sce that Jim Royal & Co. are still in harness as the Spotter Trio!” “Take breath, Bobby, and then state what has happened,” Jim advised, The boy obeyed, and gave the history of the Angel of the Docks, as far as he knew it. In his haste he omitted some particulars, and, though he spoke of the ring referred to by the Angel, he did not describe it. When he made it evident, if the strange girl’s word was believed, that some one had n drowned by the pier, Jim and Stumps exchanged glances and manifested an interest very pleasant to the narrator. ‘* Now; then, w’ot d’ye think o’ that?’ he asked in conclusion. ‘We could tell better if we knew the gir¥s ame, ** That’s w'ot we must find ews,” want ter keep our hands in, in the detective line, -
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. 4 : ' 4 The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. oO .O_—TETeEeee——~VWV-~B_WX>OV””-—-—...—-—--—-—-—-—-00—@El@lq@aoOOaawVX—X—X—"—“—~—o——————5565568 He was soon in his room, and, unstrapping his | way, and summoned all his strength for a last *T wish,” observea Stumps, “ that you had thought ter ask her fer a description o’ that ring she spoke of.” “JT didn’t need ter. She told me all about it, She said it was made in imitation o’ two crossed arrows, with five diamonds set in.” ss Oh id Stumps uttered the exclamation in a deep key, while again Jim regarded him in wonder, Bob- by had accurately .iescribed the ring found on the drowned girl’s finger, ‘This is strange!” Jim commented. ** That's w’ot I thought,” Bobby returned. “ But you don’t know all.” “JT don’t? Doyou? Ef youdo, leta feller in.” Jim told how he and Stumps had found the body of the girl in the bay, brought it to New York and turned it over to the police. It was in the custody of the latter when the finders left, and the score of persons who had been ee it, had failed to recognize the drowned r. 7 othe notion of the Angel of the Docks that some one had been drowned might have been passed over as a delusion, or, if a fact, as in no way relating tothe tragedy of the bay, had it not been for her description of the ring. That was not to be overlooked, and it at once established the fact that she had knowledge of the ornament found on the dead girl’s finger. The rings were one and the same, but what was the history of that ring? The Angel of the Docks might not be pe: right, mentally, but she was not talking all at random, ** But I don’t b’lieve it’s her who is drownded, ef she does say so,” persisted Bobby. ‘“*You can maintain that position safely, my friend. When a person is dead she goes abroad on the earth no more, If she is worried about her body she don’t let human beings know it, There are two girls in this mystery, and we haven’t the key to the riddle yet. e will try to get it, though.” * An’ we'll succeed,” Bobby affirmed, | ‘‘ They call you ‘ Lucky’ Jim Royal, an’ you’ro sure ter ‘get there,’ every time. We'll see the Angel, ef we hev ter hunt a month, an’ then we'll grapple with the case, git the facts, win glory an’ wade fetlock deep in fame, Whoop er up, Hannah Maria!” Robert Blossom was of a nature somewhat frivolous, and his thoughts at this stage of af- fairs were not outside his usual enthusiastic vein, but it was different with Jim and Stumps. They had been deeply affected by the discov- ery in the bay, and the possibility that the drowned girl might be the daughter of Elnora Block troubled and saddened Stum The matter was discussed in all its bearings, and the three friends agreed to do all they could to solve the mystery, unless this was at once done by the police. Probably the daily papers would have the story of the finding of the body, and some friend might come forward and iden- tify her at once, “ An’ then, ag’in, they may not,” added Stumps. ‘‘ We read almost év’ry week of some poor unfortinit, dead by violence, accident or suiside, who is buried witbout bein’ identified, an’ who shall say how many are kept in the grasp of the two great rivers that wash the ront of our city, an’ carried out ter sea? The world never knows one-half o’ the secrets, the sufferin’s Jan’ the tragedies o’ Gotham, I’m thinkin’.” The hour was growing late, and Mr. Stum soon left his frisits and started homeward. C) lived on a humble street down below Jefferson Market, and in that direction be went, his wood- en leg thumping on the sidewalk in regular beats, When he came out of Jim’s house he noticed a man standing on the opposite side of the street. The manner of this person was careless and un- concerned, and Stumps had no reason to suppose he need be interested. But he had gone only a couple of blocks when he noticed that some one was following behind him. Even at a late hour such a thing wes not un- common in New York, for when two persons travel the same course one must be in advance and the other in the rear, and he of the wooden Jeg would have given the fact only passing notice had he not discovered that the rear guard was the same man who had been standing still a little before. “Ef he’s a highwayman,” thought Stumps. /-with a grim smile, ‘he wouw’t git enough out ° me ter pay fer usin’ slung-shot or sand-bag. Guess he will see that, an’ let the old wooden- . legged tramper alone.” \ The pursuer, if such he was, did not try to close up, and Stumps reached bis boarding-house and en without adventure. false leg, he went to bed. Sleep came as a guest shortly after, The little clock on the mantel ticked on for an hour, but Stumps heard it not. Its voice was low and modest, too, and it was not that which finally aroused him, Something else did, s He awoke with that vague. feeling, by no means uncommon to sleepers, that something was wrong. He lay without stirring, and without real alarm, but wondered absently what made the feeling. Wasit a dream, now forgotten? Hark! What was that sound? The movement of something, surely, and, moreover, something that seemed to be in the room, Was it acat? He did not understand how any feline could have entered. Again the sound! Some living thing was moving about, and, manifestly, it was heavier than any cat, *¢ Who’s there?” Stumps called, There was a quick spring, and a man stood by the bed. Astrong hand grasped the questioner’s throat. ‘* Be still, or you die!” hissed a voice. Stumps’s courage did not desert him. * Mister, you’ve got the advantage 0’ me,” he remarked, with surprising coolness, ‘*T mean ter keep it.” ‘* Who be you?” ** None o’ yer business!” ‘*What d’ye want?” “*T want you!” *¢ You seem ter hey got me,” ‘‘Mark whatI say: Ef youutter aloud word, Tl drive this knife inter ye!” ‘*‘T hear ye. But, say, ef you’re a robber, you'll not git any great haul here, I ain’t got ten dollars ter my name,” “Ter blazes with yer money! That ain’t w’ot I’m after. It’s you!” “Oh! is it? ‘ot d’ye want o’ me?” “You thought you di@ a smart thing when you fished a certain hf out o’ the waters o’ the bay, didn’t you? al, it’s goin’ter cost you dear!” “Why?” Stumps asked, quickly. *¢ Because you was too fresh. You thought you did a big act when you croaked about that ring, an’ give the theory that the dead girl was Elnora Block’s daughter, didn’t you?” ** What of it?” ‘What business had you ter meddle, you stump-legged old idiot?” + Ah! so | hit near the truth, did I?” *¢ Your hit will cost you dear, You interfered with men who won't stand no nonsense; you poked * bag 9 nose into a dangerous secret.” ““ Why does it concern you?” ‘‘ Never mind! I’m talkin’ abont you! I tell ou that you made the biggest bull of yer life. Bo yer know what yer meddlin’ will cost you?” “What?” “Yer life!” **So! Do you mean—” The grasp on Stumps’s throat was tight- ened. **T mean thet you’ve got ter die!” hissed the intruder. CHAPTER IV. HUNTED OR HAUNTED? Srumps realized his peril fully. A night in- truder is always an object of dread, but thé directness of this man’s words, his demeanor, and his actions, left no doubtas to his intentions, He had tightened his hold until the crippled object of hig revenge could not cry out, and all things seemed to be going his way. ‘Youll squeal on us, an’ git the perleece on our track, will you?” added the would-be assas- sin, ‘* You'll identify the body an’ the ring, will ye? Wal, you’ve done harm hogy 3 already, but you'll never -do any more, y good: by to the world, an’ go to join Elnora’s aughter |” Tighter gripped the cruel fingers, and Stumps knew he would die, unaided and alone, unless his individual efforts could save him. He began to struggle desperately. His crippled leg was very much against bim, but he was young enough to retain his old strength, otherwise, and his enemy found this was no trifle, While the one was busy the other was, and Stumps dealt the unknown several se in the facc which must have done execu- tion. But Stumps could not guide all of his strokes, and the other held grimly to his throat. It seemed an age to Stumps that they strug- gled there, and the bed creaked and groaned under their evolutions, He felt his senses going under the strangulation that was well under cen a accent nanan la ——————————eeee—eeee—_eeee effort. He gave a blow with such force and accuracy that his assailant staggered back and released his hold, and then Stumps sounded a long, loud cry for help. ‘You will, will ye?” hissed the unknown, ‘“ Then we'll see, wot a knife kin do!” He sprung to the attack, again; there was a. heavy blow not made with his hand, alone, and Stumps felt a knife glide along his side, so close that its cold surface was apparent to his flesh, and the wielder’s hand struck Stumps’s body as the blade was buried in the bed, Recollection of his crippled leg was, vivid, then, and, realizing how helpless he would be in a chase around the room, he determined to try strategy. He groaned loudly and, though fear- ful as to the result, lay still. The artifice would not have saved him had not the unknown been confused by the blows he had received, and by soundsin the next room which told that others in the house were astir,,. alarmed by the cry for help. Twice more he struck, one blow, only, touch- ing the mark, and then desire for his own safety overcome all other feelings. Believing his work was done, he turned ard A few moments later two men, lodgers in the house, hurriedly entered the room. They saw the crippled man lying motionless on the bed the sheets of which were stained with blood, an they rushed to a conclusion. ‘“Dead, and murdered!” exclaimed one of the new-comers. ‘‘ Quick, Dan!—run for a police- man! The assassin can’t be far away, and he may be caught, yet. Poor Stumps!” The ampli | morning one of the daily papers- had this article, prefaced by gory head-lines in big letters: ‘*A man whose real name is unknown, but was familiarly called ‘ Stumps,’ was murdered last night» at No. 17 —— street. The perpetrator of the crime was a negro girl, who had become enraged by of- fensive remarks from Stumps, concerning her color. At the hour of going to press no arrests had been: made. As is usual with this paper we had a reporter eafly on the scene. Where the reporters of our esteemed contemporarics were we know n: t, unless: they were in bed. Our readers know what paper to buy to get the correct and latest news.” This announcement sent Jim Royal in haste to Mr. Stumps’s quarters, and he was there sur- prised to find that gentleman calmly disposing of his break?ast. , ‘¢ What! aren’t you dead?” be asked. ‘No, Did ye see it in the paper Jeems?” “Yes; that is what brought me here,” ‘‘ That’s the best evidence that it ain’tso, I had some doubts on the subjick, myself, this mornin’, fer I was 4 good ’eal broke up, but when I read in the paper that I was dead I felt relieved; it was sure proof that I was alive.” “But was there no ground for the report?” ‘There was a heap of it, though imagination an’ brag entered mostly inter the Daily Liar’s note, ain’t dead, an’ the colored girl is a myth. An ambitious reporter beard there was a murder, an’ he give his fancy full play an’ furnished a niurderer off-hand, Very likely the colored girl will be arrested in the evenin’ edition, but the police won’t know of it, But, hear my story!” He told of the assault, leaving out the conver- sation at the bedside, and explaining that bis wound had been a mere scratch, so that when he recovered from his swoon he was all right, bar- ring a nervous shock, ‘But, Jeems, the attack was all fer the best, We are on the right track as ter the drownded girl. She was Elnora Block’s daughter!” ** How do you know?” ‘+ My assailant give it away.” Stumps then told what the would-be strangler had said at his bedside, f * Among them who viewed the girl’s body after we brought it ter New York was some one who was concerned in making way with her. He heard me speak o’ the ring, an’ of Elnora Block, an’ knew I had put the police on the right track. Ter prevent me doin’ more ter direct suspicion ag’in’ them, he, or a hired agent, come ter kill me last night, an’ it wan’t no ault o’ his that he failed. Ain’t my guess right?” “T believe it is, Mr, Stumps.” “Then we're on the track, Spotter Jim.” “So are the enemy, it seems.” ‘* We kin defy them.” “We can’t defy attacks like this.” : “We must either defy or avoid them, Jeems, fer they are likely ter keep up, or try to, As fer me, my obituary has been writ up, an’ I’m dead, I’m goin’ ter remain so, fer the present. A de i, ‘ ho Pa hee Se) maa NPAT r ee
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the whole perleece department should retire inter secrecy, an’say no more about me. I’mdead! It’s hard fer a one-legged man ter disguise him- self, but these respectable clothes o’ mine are ter be laid on the shelf ter-day, an’ I blossom out in rags, ter masquerade ez an old beggar, but still oue o’ the Spotter Trio.” ‘*T catch your idea,” “T wish, Jeems, you an’ me an’ Bobby could catch them diabolical rascals.” “ We'll try.” ““The first thing is ter find out who Elnora Block married, an’ ter do that we must hunt up the owners of old Cap’n Block’s vessel,” ae Yes.” ‘*1’m afeered they’re out o’ business.” ** What about the Angel o’ the Docks?” *T can’t grasp that myst’ry. The girl can’t be alive and dead, both, at once, The Angel puz- gies me, Lallow, But ef she goes often ter the pier, we kin lay in wait fer her there, an’ fol- ler hor home, There may, or may not, be hope from her.” ‘* Bobby is sanguine, and I believe he is right.” ‘Well, we willsift all the evidence. Ef that poor girl was Miss Elsora’s child, ll avenge her death ef it takes ten years to do it.” The matter was discussed further, and then Jim went out and ordered a cab, In this Stumps was taken to another house, and in a few hours he had developed into a very ragged man who wore blve-glass goggles, As he said, it was not a ver Poaow disguise, but he did not believe any of the enemy had been able to fix his face in memory, and he might do some good work against them, Jim had promised to take Bobby Blossom with him, and he was on his way to join his young ally when he chanced to observe a man who was standing in a doorway and peering out fur- tively. The frightened expression on this man’s face attracted Jim’s notice still further, but he would have passed in silence had not the man run out and stopped him. Seizing Jim’s arm he eagerly asked: ‘** Did you see any one ’round the corner?” “*T saw a good many folks,” ** But [ fnean a—a girl!” ** T saw several girls,” ‘* But tais one was slight an’ pale,” The stranger was pale, himself, though not slight, and his wild, frightened expression was like that of a hunted animal. Jim Royal saw all this with vague curiosity, ' “if L saw her, I did not notice ber in particu- ar. ‘** Mebbe she’s gone.” ‘* bs she after you?” **T’'m afraid so,” ‘What have you been doing to her?” ** Nothin’, nothin’!” was the hasty reply. “Then why aro you afraid of her?” ‘**T ain't afraid of anybody,” the man asserted, but his manner belied his words, ‘I ain’t done anything out o’ the way, but that don’t mean but [’'m persecuted. When a woman sets out ter sorry 4 min she does it in a little, low, mean mae no man ever could imitate.” bis explanation was made without any spirit, and the speaker looked steadfastly at the pave- ment. Not once was his gaze raised to meet Jim’s, When he had made his so-called explan- ation he added an abrupt ‘‘ Good-day!” and has- tened off. Jim went his way, too, but was soon accosted again, this time by an intelligent-looking me- chanic, ‘* What’s Ira Ricketts been giving you, sir?” he asked. ** Who is Ira Ricketts?” ‘“The nan you were just talking with.” ‘Ob! Well, Ira said something about the weather, if I recollect aright. What's the mat- ter with bim?” **T don’t know; he’s all broke up,ethe last few days, over something. Ira is a good fellow, and I hate to see him so off. I don’t know whether an enemy is chasing him, or he has got a crazy fit coming on, Anyhow, he is haggard and wild-eyed, wad goes skulking about the streets like a huoted man. If you are a personal friend of his, stranger, I wish you’d keep an eye on bim, when near. I’m worried about bim,” CHAPTER V. SFOTTING A SPORT. Jim did not see that Ira Ricketts’s case need interest him to any great extent, and he made a suitable reply to the last speaker and then went ou, Finding Bobby Blossom, he webt with him to visit the police and learn if there were The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. tective was here this mornin’, an’ he agreed that | any new developments in regard to the drowned irl, ir J The papers of the day had a full account of the finding of the body, together with Stumps’s alleged identification of the ring, his reference to Elnora Block, and a call for information as to the present whereabouts of the sometime own- ers of the vessel of which Block had been cap- tain, On their arrival the amateur detectives were intormed that there was nothimg new. While they were hesitating what to do next a young man made his appearance, He probably fancied that he was faultlessly attired, and money bad certainly been put out generously on his outfit, but with such taste that his rank in life was to be determined by an expert at one glance. ‘*A sport,” Jim thought. “Is he a gambler, a bunco-steerer, or does he keep within the pale of the law? After a careless glance around the room he nodded affably to the officer in charge, and then observed: ‘* My name is Delno Wainbridge.” ‘* Have you business, sir?” ‘Yes, have read the account of the drowned girl, and have called in regard to the matter.” ‘** Did you know her?” **Ob, no! Lam unable to give any light, but have dropped around to prevent the police from wasting any timeon a false clew, If the one- legged man was sincere in his statements, he was on the wrong track.” “Tn what respect?” ‘““The drowned girl cannot have been Elnora Block’s child, for Miss Block died unmarried.” ** Are you sure?” ‘Perfectly. Although only about eleven ears Old when she died, I remember her distinct- y, as well as Captain Block, who died a few years after her. My father was half-owner in the vessel, and retired from business when their vessel became unseaworthy. He and his part- ner are both dead. Elnora was lost at sea.’ ‘‘ How, then, do you account for the ring being found?” ‘*] bave not gone so far as to speculate on that point. I am too busy a man to delve in outside problems, and only called here, now, to set you right. As to tbe ring, peculiar as it is said to be, there may have been others like it, or it may not have been on Miss Biock’s hand when she was washed overboard,” ‘*Do you remember the ring she had?” Tr ING, #0," ‘* Yet, it issaid she always wore it.” “T was a boy, and not interested in women’s jewelry. As well as 1 knew old Captain Block’s daughter, I could not now describe a thing she wore,” “You say she died—when?” ‘* About twenty years ago.” ** Lost at sea?” ‘Yes, sir. She was as bold as she was amiable, and insisted upon standing on deck during a storm. A great wave broke over the deck, and she was carried away, I know she was not married. What became of the ring I can’t say, for, as before stated, I remember nothing about it.” ‘* Did Captain Block have other children?” ** No, sir.” ** What relatives?” ‘“‘T don’t know. I never knew of any.” ‘These I tig are only formal, for, if Miss Block died single, that settles the question of marriage. Where did the captain die?” ** Possibly in New York; more likely, in Cuba, where he had some land, or mercantile interests. I was at school at Albany, at the time.” “© That is all, Mr. Wainbridge,” * The son of the sometime ship-owner took his departure. Now, not being a mind-reader, Jim was not able to say whether the police sergeant took all this statement to be a fact open to no doubt, but, for himself, Jim was not inclined to swal- low it all, readily. He did not like Delno Wain- bridge. , The latter’s manner was _ plausible enough, but, in the amateur detective’s estima- tion, the fact that he was a sport was not in his favor, Jim was impressed with the belief that it would do no barm to know more about a man who knew so much, Making a secret motion to Bobby Blossom, while Wainbridge talked, he caused his ally to leave, and be ready for action outside, but it was Spotter Jim’s wish to do the work himself, unless he was prevented by accident. This did not occur, and when Delno left the office, without another glance at the smooth- 5 £ — faced youth whom he had not recognized as Stumps’s fellow-sailor, and bad deemed unwor- thy of attention, Jim quietly slipped out after him, Bobby’s face lengthened when he saw that the work of following Wainbridge was to be taken from bim, but he acquiesced cheerfully in the plan, and Jim went on alone. Mr. Wainbridge’s manner had been mild and modest in the office, and it continued so for some time, but when fairly beyond sight of that place, it changed. He began to swing his cane jauntily, and look at passing girls more atten- tively than seemed necessary. “Regular man-about-town,” the pursuer thought. ‘‘ Maybe I am foolisb to take all this trouble, but such an airy butterfly as Mr. Wain- bridge is not always easily located when wanted. Nothing like placing him now.” This was done, but not without difficulty, By accident or design Delno took many a crook and turn, and entered large buildings by ove door and left throngh another. All this may have been accident, but no power could have made James believe it then. ** He’s bound to throw possible followers off the scent, but he’s got to hustle toleave me, I don’t think be has seen or suspected me yet, and he must not.” Skillful work on the pursuer’s part enabled him to accomplish his ends, and he finally saw Wainbridge water a building on one of the streets contiguous to Wall street. For a moment Jim hesitated at the door, but he was determined to make a bold push. En- tering promptly, be followed until Wainbridge entered an office, When the door closed Jim read the lettering thereon. It was as follows: ‘OKLAHOMA JRON-CLAD LAND CO., Of Wewebagos, Ok., and New York. LLEWELLYN R Benton. JOHN C. Puax. Reliable Investments,” The investigator turned slowly away. Wain- bridge had entered with the air of one perfectly at home. Was he in a land investment com- pany? Jim was anxious to see some one and Jearn more about the matter, if he could, but, while he was considering whether it@would be safe, he haa a better idea. He knew a very honorable Wall street man, whose experience-and depth of*information held second place to no man’s, and as the bariker*was under obligations toJim, the latter felt that he might apply safely. He went, and, after a little preliminary talk, came to the point bluntly: ‘*Do you know anything about the Oklahoma Iron-Clad Land Company?” “What! has old Bellaire roped you into his snap? “Who, sir?” “Cheney Bellaire,” **T never heard of him.” ‘‘ iver hear of Llewellyn R. Benton and Jobn ©, Pugh?” : ‘“‘Their names are on the door of the land company’s office.” ‘* They are myths.” * And this Bellaire runs the thing?” “ Heis one of the conspirators; a certair Delno Wainbridge is theother. But the visible persons are clerks. Benton aud Pugh are always ‘ out,’ or in Oklahoma, See?” “ The thing is a swindle, then?” “T think it is,” ‘Who, and what, is Wainbridge?” **He is the brains of the concern. Bellaire is old and slow, but quick enough to turn a dol- Jar, honestly or dishonestly. Wainbridge has had a varied and erratic career, with bucket- shop keeping as a specialty. As a figurer in wildcat securities he stands with the leaders, yet he never has had‘ much to work with, Bunco and blackmail would notshock Delno. Heought to be in State Prison, but is one of those infer- nally slippery fellows who always keep out of trouble. of New York, don’t neglect to label MA cen e ge ‘The Man with the Peerless Sbarp Tooth!’ He would be hard to eclipse.” ** Bellaire is just as bad?” ‘* He is in with Delno, now, and from the wa he dodges those who have invested with them, it is chy he is not a Jonah but a shark.” “You don’t like then, I see.” ‘‘ Bellaire I never knew to be a rascal until he went into the land company. He was an old sea-captain—retired only a few years ago.” Jim grew fresh]v interested. ‘*Is ho married?” But when you put tags on the sharks” £ @
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6 The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. ‘*No; and never was. He had a brother, Harper Bellaire, who married, He was a clerk at some foreign port. People used tosay Harper had all the brains of the family, but Captain Cheney Bellaire got there with both feet, gener- ally, if his wits did seem to work slowly.” “ What bas become of the brother?” ** Dead |” * And his family?’ *“T don’t know anything of them.” “Whom did Harper marry?” “That I don’t know. I never saw him after he was twenty-five, or such a matter. He went away in Captain Bellaire’s vessel, but stopped off at some foreign port, settled and married there, That was my last look at bim. I have a vague impression, however, that he married the daughter of some seafaring man. I think I heard 80.” CHAPTER VI. A HIGHLY IMPORTANT PAPER, Just as Jim was about to abandon the inter- view, bis interest was freshly aroused by the last statement, ‘* Would you know the name of his wife if you heard it?’ he asked, quickly. * No. I think not.” ** it wasn’t EJnora Block?” Evidently the banker had not read the account of the drowned girl, for he shook his bead. *T don’t know. I didn’t lay it up, if I ever heard it, and it’s twenty-five years since I saw Harper Bellaire. Memories of passing associ- ates die out in that time, you know.” The banker had told all he could, and Spotter Jim left the office. As he walked away he struggled with the question: Had he wasted all his time in making these inquiries? He could not see much light in it all, but was not sorry that he had learned so much about Wainbridge and Bellaire. If it did no good, it could do no harm, He was pursuing his way when a very ragged man appeared in his path. ** Hello, Stumps!” he exclaimed. ‘* You here?” **You bet! I’ve been working on an idea,” replied the wooden-legged man. **On our case?” ** Yes, an’ I’ve got news, Jeems. Do you know, after I see you last I thought of a man who ought ter know more about Elnora Biock, I went ter see bim, an’ I’ve got a p'inter, though wot it will amount ter, I don’t know. I’ve found out that Elnora married.” . ** Did she really marry ?”’ “*Sare! His name I didn’t learn, though, He , never was known ter the man who told me. One thing more: Old Cap’n Block died in New York. ‘Now, what is the next step we're ter take?” ““[ve been thinking. Did Captain Block leave any money, or real estate?” **T hev a notion he left both, He once had a house, an’ his total ought ter hev riz up in the smal] thousands,” “Pen, my friend, there is still bope for us, Unless he sold his property before he died, and presented the cash to his daughter, or some one else, there should be a record of his will, or the settlement of his estate.” “ Right, right!” Stumps cried, quickly. ‘‘ I’m in rags, but you ain’t. Go you an’ look, The old cap'n was very systematic, an’ it would be jest like him ter make a will, even ef he give all ter bis daughter; an’ ef he did make one, her name is sure ter appear in it, Go an’ see ef sech a will was probated,” It was new work for Jim, but he bearded the guardians of the department in their den, and, after a little delay, learned two things, First, there was a will of Jonathan Block, mariner; secondly, he could see it, With growing eagerness he unfolded the paper and was svon perusing it, The will began with an expression of the tes- tator’s belief in a Divine Father and His mer- cies; then directed that all the testator’s ‘* just debts” be paid; then proceeded to business in these words: “ Imprimis; I give and bequeath to my beloved and dutiful daughter, Elnora, wife of Harper Bellaire, now residing at Calcutta, India, as a token of my love to her, my only direct heir, all and sundry the moneys, bonds, notes, deeds real estate, or whatso- ever other article, or articles, | may die seized of, after the payment, or bestowal, of the sums, or articles, mentioned in the Items Lereafter named.”’ Then followed several ‘‘ Items,” in which two hundred dollars in small legacies, and several articles of nominal value,. were disposed of. peor one bequest proved of value to the investi- awator, It was as follows: / ‘Item; I give aud bequeath to Capt. Cheney Bel- | laire, brother of Harper Bellaire, my gold-mounted walking-stick; the same he once presented to me, as I wish it to return to its proper owner, as a memento of a fellow-sailor.” Only one thing more held Jim’s attention; the name of the executor was there, and he copied it carefully. He left the office'in a very different frame of mind than when he entered. The case was moving on. Elnora Block had married Harper Bellaire, and Cheney Bellaire’s partner, Wainbridge, had gone to the police with a story which, beyond doubt, he knew to be false. Why did he want it believed? Was it he who wished it believed, or—did the hand of another man show through the gauze? Did Cheney Bellaire wish to stifle investiga- tion as to the end of the drowned girl? “Tf so, why? Returning to a he made a full report, to which that person listened with close, atten- tion. At the conclusion he shook hands gravely with his ally. . ‘*Perhaps ef the police knew all this they would want ter know ef I was sure that was Elnora’s ring,” he observed, “ an’ then, ag’in, -rhaps they wouldn’t. Elnora married Harper ellaire, Very likely they had a daughter. Now, after eighteen or twenty years a girl is found in the waters o’ the bay, wearing that ring. Found drownded? Who knows! The marks o’ human fingers are on her neck, but the coroner ain’t said, yet, whether she was alive when she went into the water or not.” ‘* Anyhow, I don’t believe she went in will- ingly.” “Nor me. Wal, that girl was Eljnora’s child; I’m just sure of it. What's ter be done? Nat- urally, we sbould rush ter Captain Bellaire, ter ask fer information an’ ter give it, but he has ut a block in the way, bappily ferus, With investigation started in the right channel, Bel- laire’s partner appears ter stopit. Why was his lie told?” ** For Bellaire’s sake.” te Why 9” ‘¢ Why,” Jim repeated, “ if he is not afraid to have the truth known?” ** Ay; but why should the man want ter shut off investigation when his niece has met with atragicend? There are times, Jeems, when the wicked over-reach themselves, an’ this is asample. When Bellaire sent his partner ter tell that lie, be furnished the first item o’ proof against himself. But fer that he might never have been suspected. Now, we areon the track,” ‘* Shall we go to the police?” ‘** Jeems, you hev done some detective work in a quiet way, before this, when the Three Spot- ters gathered in the rogues who kidnapped the actress, Why not keep it up? Why not look around a bit, yourself, before goin’ ter others with a story they may not believe?” * You put my own thoughts in words,” ‘*Do you see your way clear?” ‘* Bellaire must be shadowed, for one thing.” ‘* What else?” ‘* We cannot ignore the Angel of the Docks. Her talk about {the face in the water, and her claim that she was drowned, herself, would not be worthy of notice, but she described the ring to the letter. Recollect that the newspapers had not told the story, and Bobby had not heard it from us, when she talked on the pier and he brought the news to us. The Angel of the Docks knows something about it.” ‘* But I o1n’t see where she comes in,” SNen 1.” * Anyhow, she must _be watched for, an’ fol- lered home. You or Bobby must do this ter- night.” “Right! My first move will be to see the executor of Captain Block’s will, and I will go there at once. You bad better go back to Bobby.” “T will.” Stumps went to find young Mr. Blossom, but did not succeed. There was gocd reason for this; Bobby had secured a job, After Jim left bim he loitered on Broadway, waiting for his friend to return, and indulging in a few games with a newsboy to the time, but Time beat him out. Jim did not return, and Bobby grew impatient! He was in this mood when he saw @ man approaching whom he quickly recognized as Delno Wainbridge., Bobby thrust his hands into his pockets, as- sumed a * tough” look, and gazed bard at va- boa He indulged tbe fond belief that, being small and young, he would escape all notice, but it was not to be, Delno moderated his pace and looked steadily at the boy. Bobby did not take bis own gaze away from vacancy, but was fully conscious of the regard. ** His Nibs knows me!” was his reluctawt con- clusion, Then the sport came up quickly. ** Hallo, young fellow!” he exclaimed. “Hullo!” Bobby returned, but in a surly manner that wenc well with his “ teugh” ex- pression. ‘* How is business with you” ** Rushin’—by the door!” ** Do you want a job?” ** Does a hoss want grass?’ “T see,” Delno laughed. ‘‘ You are out of cash, and out of love with the world, and in- clined to be an Anarchist. Well, other men feel as you when hard pressed. What’s your name?” “ Blos Roberts,” Bobby replied, promptly. * Just as gooda handle as George Washington Rothschild. Boy, are you built right so that good pay would make you know just as much ag. your employer wishes, and no more?” ‘‘ That’s about my caliber, boss,” : “Did you ever figure as a messenger boy?” “cs Naw.” “‘Suppose I fitted you out in a messenger’s uniform, and sent you on an errand, could you, and would you, do it well?” Bobby’s wits were working. ‘““Et would all depend on how de ‘stuff’ was put up, boss, See?” Wainbridge laughed. “You are all rigbt; just the kind of Young America that is bound to succeed in the world. Come with me to yonder cab, which I will en- gage; and we will go where the uniform is,” The janior member of the Spotter Trio obeyed, and they were soon ‘bounding up Broadway in the vehicle, What was before him young Mr. Blossom knew not, but his was an adventuresome nature, and he was bold enough to test the matter. He hung grimly to his assumption of ‘‘ toughness,” and took care to deepen the impression on the sport, without showing undue eagerness. Instead, he held to his surly mavner, but injected a dry joke now and then, as if by accident, with good effect. Meanwhile, he was thinking! “Great guns! but wouldn’t I ketch it from R. Blossom’s partners and relatives, ef this venture was known? Jim suspects.the sport, an’ here I’ve gone an’ put my prize-package anatomy right in hisgrip. Wonder what will come of it?” Northward rolled the cab until Clinton place was reached, There, at the corner of Broadway, the vehicle was dismissed, and the late passengers. went on afoot, Their journey was almost end- ed, however, and Delno used a latch-key and en- tered one of the houses. Clinton place does not abound in fine-looking residences, and this house was no exception, externally, bnt when the sport’s room was reached, it proved to be so luxuriously fur- nished that Bobby looked around in astonish- ment, Jeho-hoss-fly !” he ejaculated. “ What is it?” “Say, be you the Prince o’ Turkey?” “No, Why” “Cause this room isa perfect gem. Bet the Czar of England ain’tgot nothin’ like it. Why, it’s jest like a dream, b’jinks!” **Glad you like it. Suits my taste, too, Sit down, Blos!” ‘“ What! in them chairs?” “Of course. Why not?” ‘ “'Yowlin’ cats! Ill mash the red fuz all off um!’ Despite this prediction Bobby settled down in one of the chairs, but did it very gingerly. There had been no exaggeration in bis com- ments, The room would have aroused admira- tion in one evéh older and more experienced, But the young corner of the Spotted Trio soon turned his mind to more serious subjects, CHAPTER VII. ' A YOUNG WOMAN CAUSES PERPLEXITY, WAINBRIDGE brought out a suit of clothes from a closet, ‘* This,” he explained, “is a genuine messen- ger’s outfit. It belonged to an ex-member of the messenger corps, and when he got through with it, I fell heir to it.” ‘‘ Where's be now?” Bobby Blossom asked. ** In Sing Sing.” “¢ Got another sort 0’ uniform, eh?’ “Tt was all his own fault,” Deluo explained, hastily. ‘‘ 1f be had obeyed me, he would have been all right. When I take up with a boy I
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advise him for his good, and if he obeys me, and serves me well, I make a man of him,’ “Ty gee. Bobby believed he did see, but his belief and Mr. Waiabridge’s intimation did not run in the game channel. The sport brushed the suit very carefully, and then told Bobby to put it on. This was done, and it proved to be an excellent fit, Then he was brushed some more, and gazed at criti- cally. ‘*Tt’s a great go,” commented the sport, ‘‘ but I wish you would abangon that sullen expres- sion that rests on your face, now and then. You look like a genuine Bowery tough, and would scare a Fifthavenue dame into eleven different kinds of fits—bless her blue blood and heart of ! ““Tll try ter look meek,” Bobby promised, dutifully. ‘* Well, you are to deliver a note at a certain house on Delancey street, and 1 want it done in a skillful and scientific way. Do you think you are equal to the demands of the occasion?” ‘* What salary do I git?” * Five dollars for the job,” ‘* Fer that royal sum I kin be skillfuly dis- ereet, deep, cunnin’, an’ as perlite an enticin’ as a who holds a straight flush in a game 0’ er, **Good! The note is to a young woman named Hilga Ermstroff. The namesounds very Norwegian, but the old blood has petered out in her; you'll find her English enough, You are not to know much when you get there, but what you do know you'll be sure of, and what you sone know you won’t even guess at, See?” Tes,” ** You will know this, and no more: If ques- tioned, say that a young lady called at the tele- graph office where you are employed and asked for a messenger to carry a letter, As you were first on the list, you got the job. Tuwuat’s all you know, except that, if requested, you can de- scribe the lady who sent the note,” ‘* W’ot’s her inveatory?” ** About twenty years old, well dressed, pleas- ant looking; with brown hair and an aristocratic manner. Know this; know nothing more.” “Tm on.” ** Are you ready to go?” * Ready an’ waitin’,” ** OfF you go, then.” The sport handed over the letter, and called Bobby’s attention to the street and number on the envelope, so there need be no mistake; and then be was started off on his errand. He went in a state of uncertainty. Was he on the trail of something important, or not? If he had known of Jim’s discoveries since their first view of Delno Waiubridge, the question would not have been so much of a puzzle. As it was, Bobby was proceeding wholly in the dark, feeling that he might be engaged in some non-important service, but too careful to let any chance slip to learn more about the sport. He read the name on the envelope, “Hilga Ermstroff! Don’t know her, Some Swedish nightingale—or did Delno say she wasa Norwegian! Is don’t matter; the point is, be I interested in the case? There is mischief afoot, fer the sport bas ordered me ter tell lies, R, Blossom, E-quire, them lies ain’t told yet, an’ whether they ever be, or not, depends on w’ot you find on Delancey street,” The latter pimps was reached in dué time, and the specifie! house proved to be one of fair out- ward appearance, He rung the bell and briskly addressed the lady who appeared—a thin, angu- lar person of middle age, ** Miss Hilga Ermstroff in?” MY ORs ** Got a dockyment fer her,” **Tll take it in.” ** 1's ter d’liver it in person? * Very well; Ill see ber about it,” The speaker’s manner was hesitating, and she tooked at the envelope in such a curious, uncer- tain way that Bobby was puzzled to know what a desea he had siruck at this end of the ne, ** You can wait here while | go up,” she added, ** W’ot’s the matter with covgotl uti too?” **T’m not sure she will see you.” “But I's ter d’liver this letter inter her own hands.” “Tam perfectly willing, All will depend npon her. Let me go and tell her, and we will be governed by her decision.” The woman was as honest-looking and straight- forward as she was homely, and Bobby decided that she was not trying to play any game on him. He yielded to her wishes, and waited while she went up-stairs. ,She was gone a long The § time, and returned, finally, with a serious expres- sion. ‘* Hilda declines to see you!” iii Why?” ‘* She says she don’t want to.” ““Did ye tell her my orders about handin’ the letter to her personally?” “ce Yes, ”n ‘* An’ she won’t see me?” “a No.” ‘“Then I'll hang on ter the letter.” ‘‘ Wait a little, She was very firm, but I thought you would want to talk with her in person, so she has agreed to converse through the speaking- tube. One end is on the upper floor; the other, in this ball, yonder.” She indicated the place, “Great yowlin’ cats! be I ter talk through that thingumjig?’ Bobby demanded, aghast, *° ain’t never had no experience, an’ don’t b’lieve I shall cover myself with glory. How d’ye make the critter work, anyhow?” Due directions were given to him, and then he tried his band, or, rather his lungs, for, with his mouth close to the orifice, he loudly shouted: | ** Hello, Central!” Whu is there?” came a faint reply, down the tube. * Hello! bello! Gimme Hilga Ermstroff, an’ don’t be all day about it, Central! Hello, bello!” **Don’t be absurd,” the woman directed, “This is not a telephone, Talk in a natural way.” But Bobby eould hear nothing from above, and he'repeated: ‘* Hello! hello!” “ Are you the boy?’ came the faint reply! * ’'m him,” “Go away!” “Hh? Hello! hello! go away? Hello! hello! fer you. Leave it bere? Can’t do it; orders ter give it ter you im person, What's thai? You won’t see me? But, say—hello! bello!— w’ot be I goin’ ter do with tbe leiter? You don’t care fer it? But iv’s important, off, or you'll call the perleece? Bay, don’t be tough on a feller. Why not see me? Um only a boy. Why don’t you answer? Heil»! bello!” These comments and calls were broken by waits of long or short periods, according as the other party to the conversation answered, or would not answer. Much of the time she would say nothing, and Bobby saw that bis mission was threatened with complete failure. Now, all was perfectly still above. ** Hello! hello!” be called again. There was no euswer, ‘** Hello! hello!” “IT think she has gone away,” remarked the woman, treet Spotters’ Weird Hu | : | nt, | one could desire, 7 his work had been done as faithfully as any Evidently, the result trou- bled the employer, for after asking many ques- tions, he paced the room in silence tor several minutes, Once, he muttered a comment on the luck which was far from amiable, but that was all. Finally he turned toward Bobby. “You have done very well in this matter, and though, owing to causes beyond your con- trol, it has been a signal faiJure, you have well earned your money. Now, you can resume your own clothes, but leave your address here, I may have other work for you to do; [ often have jobs for a sharp, faithful boy.” CHAPTER VIII. MYSTERIOUS EVENTS ON THE PIER. Boppy left Mr. Wainbridge and went in search of bis own allies, He found Jim and Stumps at the former’s‘room, and a general comparison of notes followed. In the light of what Jim knew, and suspect- ed, in regard to the sport, the Jatter’s latest movements became interesting. There was nothing to show that he was pursuing the same | scheme developed "by his visit to the police and accompanying lies in regard to Elnora Bl ck, and the Three Spotters did not know who Hilga Ermstroff was but their curiosity was aroused, | and they pondered over the matter some time, I mean, w’ot’s that? I | 3ut Dve got a Jettr | Me go} Matters that seemed more important demand- their attention, however. Jim had called at the house where lived the administrator of old Captain Block’s will, but that gentleman was out. He bad been told to return at eight o'clock, that night. “This L shall do, of course,” he explained, “ but there is other work to be done, Of all our niysteries none is more interesting, or intricate, than that which surrounds the Angel of the Docks. You, Bobby, will be just tae person for this work, I think.” **Me, too! ? Bobby agreed, ‘But don’t let her see you. My idea is that you had better hide on the pier, watch for ber ' coming, and, if she does come, let ter move about unspoken to, and without gaining view of you, Then, when she leaves, you must follow her home silently, carefully av« surely.” “Right you be, James the Ten-times!” Bobby agreed. *‘ This woman who goes to the dccksand peers down for a drowned girl who wore such a fa- mous ring must be investigated.” “Pm the hucklelerry fer the job!” Night was at hand, and, after a thorough dis- cussion of the subject, the Spotter Trio had sup- per and prepared for the work, Stumps was not to go out, but be agreed to smoke and wish *¢ Guess the circuit is shut off, Can’t we ring | them well, aud started his pipe ear ly. up Central again?” ‘‘Tf you want to act the clown, go elsewhere to doit; this is not a telephone, I tell you. It is a speaking-tube with no branches, and no ‘ Cen- tral.’ wh am not surprised that Hilga won’t see ou— ‘Why won’t she?” **T don’t know,” “* Who is ste?” ‘©A new lodger of ours. For further particu- lars I must refer you to the lady, herself—when you see her. As for the letter, she undoubtedly will consent toreceive it if you wish to send it up Further than that I have nothing to say. This is your business, and, having see that you can’t manage it in the way you selected, you must decide what you will do now.” Bobby meditated. Clearly, he could not finish the undertaking as directed, This would be no greater disappointment to Deluo Wainbridge than it was to Delno’s messenger, The latter had been very eager to see Hilga Ermstroff, and was signally baffled. “ Wal,” be remarked, with a sigh, ‘“‘ you kin take the letter up, I s’pose, but afore you Go it, I'd like ter inquire why Miss Hilga is so obsti- nate. Why won’t she see me?” * T don’t know,’ * But can’t you guess?” ‘* Knowing her but little, I cannot.” Bobby felt sure this answer meant, “I will not,” in plain English, but he accepted the situa- tion as philosophically as possible, The woman took the letter up, was gone ten minutes, and then returned with the report: “* No answer!” The messenger stood in silence for several minutes, and then turned and went_out slowly without another word. Back to Delno Wain- bridge he went and poured out his story, and his disappointment was so keen that it entered into his voice aud manner, and the sport knew | | a Bobby Blossom went off in bis usual sanguine mood. He felt that be was destined for a great detective, and hoped to prove the fact in a burry. He made his way to tile pier at once, He hesi- tated in regard to calling on his friends, the Tiernans, and ended by keeping away. He was afraid Tiernan would insist upon belp- ing him, which would detract from bis own laurels. . After looking the deserted pier over he selected bis biding-place, This was a battered old box which lay on its side, and he crawled inside like a dog to its kennel, and waited. He could see clear to the street. in sight. Ten minutes passed, and then dark shapes »p- peared at the street-end of the pier, They drew nearer, and resolved themselves into the fom of two men. One began to hesitate, but his ic /low seized his arm and roughly dragged him for- ward. * Drunks!” muttered Bobby, in disgust. ** Ef they knock my scheme out I’ll bev them arrested fer hevin’ a jag on.” But the men were not intoxicated, as he soon perceived. He who hesitated was actuated by some other motive, but it was not considered by his companion, He dragged his fellow forward to the edge of the pier. “There, you fool!” he exclaimed, “*do you see anything that is goin’ ter bite you!” “ No,” was the low reply. “Wal, ye won't, an’ I wish you'd git over yer childish fears. Why, you're tremblin’, now! “Im frightened, Barvey.” “What at? Ghosts?” “T don’t believe in sech things—at least, I never used to, But, surely, ef there be ghosts, we shall see them!” “Stuff! Rubbish!” “‘ What ef one should rise out o’ that black ex- panse o’ water?” No one was
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& **QOh! you make me tired, Ira Ricketts!” Bobby was listening with interest, but men- tion of the last name made him all the more so. Jim Royal had told of the man thus named whom he bad seen on, the street corner, and it was plain that the same person now stood on the pier. ‘Your conscience may be seared, but mine ain’t,” replied Ira, with more spirit. ‘‘ We were strong men who ought ter been in better busi- ness, lettin’ alone the wickedness of it; but we went right on. I never would ’a’ been in it, though, ef I'd known what was ter be done.” ‘* Did we do it on purpose?” “ No.” ‘Then w’ot be you howlin’ erbout?” “It’s w’ot we did, not w’ot we mennt ter.” : . Mebbe you want ter turn informer? Meb- e— Barney bent until his mouth was near Ira’s ear and added several words in a lower tone which the eager listener did not hear, Ira sturted, ** No, no!” he cried; ‘‘ I never shall tell. Tell? Me: ciful Providence! my great concern is that it will leak out, without anybody tellin’. Iam all unnerved, an’ fancy davger ip the most trif- lin’ sound. Why, only ter-day I see agirl on the street so much like her that I thought she had come back ter life, an’ I hid in a doorway an’ was scared out 0’ my wits.” se You never had any wits ter be scared out 0’ ‘you. “That's all right, McCurdy, but I’d never joined you ef I’d known as much o’ your purpose ez I do now.” ** You knew it then; you don’t, now. I tell you we meant no harm. That’s straight, But we wander from the subjick. Here we be, an’i want you ter see that there’s nothin’ here ter,sharm ou. * ‘* T ain’t so sure o’ that.” **Expect a ghost ter rise up, do ye?” “*T think that girl must haunt the place, even ef she ain’t visible to us,” ‘* Rubbish! The dead don’t come back.” ** Some claim they do, an’ the girl may be look- in’ at us,even now. She may be watchin’ in spirit from over her poor body, She may hear every word we say. She may be near enough, in spirit form, ter touch us—” ‘* Are you looking for my body ?” In a low, plaintive voice came the question just behind the men, Both turned suddenly, startled to an extreme. Before them stood a fe- male form, and the night was not so dark but that they could see by its slight, graceful forma- tion that she was young, “Do you see my face floating in the water?” she added, in the same, plaintive, far-away voice, Barney McCurdy uttered a yell of terror, and throwing all restraint to the winds, ran madly down the pier. His companion was dazed, but as the new-comer lifted her band the spell broke, and with a gasp of terror, he sprung away in Barney’s wake, Their feet pounded on the pier for a few seconds, but terror gave unusual speed to their headlong flight, and they were soon gone from sight and hearing. Then the object of their fright turned and put her hand to her head in a puzzled way, **T don’t understand it,” she murmured, Bobby Blossom was still in the box, but he did not fully share the alarm of the men, Ths new- comer was no stranger to him; it was the Angel of the Docks. She appeared precisely aa she had before, and was, no doubt, of the same sub- stance, human or spirit, as it might be, But at that moment Spotter Robert’s faith was shaken. Example is contagious, and he was led to ask himself: Was the ngel really hu- man? There was a rapid throbbing under his jacket on the left side, and he would not bave quarreled with any one who accused him of being afraid. He gazed with rapt attention at the girl wan- derer of the night, Human, or spirit? He could not tell, and all his natural common sense failed tocalm him at once. He felt more like keeping quiet than acting the bold detective. The Angel of the Docks advanced to where the men had becn standing, and, as on the previous night, stood gazing down at the water. She moved from point to point, presently, and kept up the scrutiny—a work which seemed very weird and unwholesome to Bobby, though he a to recover his courage. oreover, he began to fear that McCurdy and Ricketts would come back, but she had the scene to herself, Nearly half an hour passed before she showed any signs of leaving. Then, with a sigh, she The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. abandoned her vain search and began to walk away. Bobby quietly crawled out of the box. “‘Ghost, goblin or woman, I’m bound ter foller her,” he decided. ‘‘I guess ’m as safe from her as she is from Barney an’ Ira.” It was a natural supposition. The boundless terror the Angel of the Docks had inspired in the men’s minds was proof enough that she had recalled thoughts of some crime, and it seemed natural that they should seek to solve the ques- tion—human, or spirit? : rigs thought she would be lucky togetaway safely. She left the pier with the singular simple con- dence which marked all her movements, and was not boldness; no one would be attracted by her coming and going unless previously interest- ed, Bobby looked to the right and left. Were the men hiding by Tiernan’s house, or elsewhere, to intercept her? She passed the most critical point, and reached the street. Without the least hesitation she went on her way, and as one corner after an- other was passed, the pursuer was forced to the belief’ that McCurdy and Ricketts had been so thoroughly frightened that they had no desire to return, or to see her again. Bobby’s feelings toward them were not of this nature. They had suddenly assumed impor- tance in his estimation, Tae chief points of their conversation on the pier remained vivid in his mind, and their own words, together with their fears, later, led him to a conclusion. Ricketts was dismayed because of some crime they had committed, and if it was not the slay- ing of a girl on the pier, their speech had been very deceptive. Moreover, they had thought tha Angel of the Docks to be the ghost of the slain girl. What was all this mystery? Certain theories were in Bobby’s mind, but he was still at a loss for the main thread; suspicions were common, but proof was lacking. On went the Angel in her quiet way, and her lightness of foot amazed the pursuer. At times what was practical in his mind wavered. Was she really a spirit? At last she reached a vicinity he had seen before that day, and, turning, she paused at the door of a certain house, fitted a key to the lock, opened the door, entered and disappeared froia view. Bobby Blossom stopped short and stood look- ing blankly at the house, t was the same Delancey street residence to which he had been sent by Delno Wainbridge; the place where be had tried in vain to deliver a letter to Hilga Ermstroff! ““Great yowliv’ cats!” he ejaculated, “‘ wot. does this mean? Is that house an orfin asylum fer young women? Is it full o’ ghosts an’ queer live-gals? Ef not, wot is it? Here is the Angel hived, an’ here lives Hilga. Sport Wainbridge is interested in Hilga; the pier toughs think the Angel is the ghost of a gal they made way witb; a drowned gal was found in the bay. What does it mean? R. Blossom, you are on the track o’ the biggest myst’ry you ever heerd tell of. You be, b’ migbty!” He lingered, watching the house. Would the Angel remain there? ‘Was it possible that Hilga might appear? Would it be prudent to ring the bell and ask for particulars? He considered this point for some time, but, in the end, decided negatively. ‘‘Not fer Ephraim!” he declared. ‘‘T’d be liable ter put my foot inter it, an’ Dll jest sail back ter port an’ let Cap’n Jim grapple with the case, That’s my best holt.” And he hastened away. CHAPTER IX. THE HERMIT OF DELANCEY STREET. In the mean while Jim was attending to his part of the work, Anxious to question the ex- ecutor of Captain Block’s will he presented him- self at that gentleman’s house at the hour it was said he would be in. There was no trouble in getting audience with him, and one look at his patriarchal, honest face was enough to show that he was not one to be concerned in lawless plots and crimes, Jim explained that he was seeking for infor- mation in regard to Captain Block’s family, and was not bothered with any cross-ques- tioning. “ ‘Al gone now!” sighed the executor. ‘ The captain left but one child, and she is déad.” ‘¢ Her name was—” ‘* Rlnora.” ‘* Did she ever marry?” 7 Lie ‘““Oh! yes; married Harper Bellaire, brother of Captain Cheney Bellaire who, as far as I know, is still a resident of New York.” ‘Did you know the two families well, Mr. Aymer?” ‘<T knew the Blocks intimately; the Bellaires, dlightly. Cheney Bellaire was a sea-captain; Harper, a clerk in Calcutta, India, Harper was a good fellow, I can’t say as much for Cheney; I never liked him. I have an idea that the cap- tain swindled his brother, or the latter’s heirs, whoever they were. While Harper was still in New York the brothers purcbased a tract of Western land together, for almost nothing. A town finally sprung up there, grew to be a city, and has made Cheney rich. It must have been very valuable in the last part of Harper’s life, but I don’t think he ever knew of it, Remote from the United States he left Cheney to care for their interests. Letters I then received from Harper speak of bis poverty. Then, I did not know of the land’s rise in value; now, read- ing them, I believe Harper was wronged.” “You speak of Harper Bellaire’s heirs. Who were they?” ‘7 don’t know. Perhaps Captain Cheney was sole heir; anyhow, I believe he scooped in every- thing.” ‘‘ Did Harper leave no children?” No,” ‘‘ Didn’t he ever have any?’ “Yes; a daughter, Lenore.” ‘‘ What became of her?” ‘“‘T supposed you knew. Harper Bellaire, his wife and child were lost at sea.” Jim’s expression became grave, ‘* Are you sure?” “Yes, The family made a voyage in Captain Bellaire’s vessel, the ‘ Glideaway,’ I believe; and all were lost in a storm.” ‘‘ Do you know this to be true?” ‘Well, I can hardly say I know it. No; I don’t know it. I was not there, and never have seen any one who was, but the report came to New York and was circulated among those who once knew Harper Bellaire. It was never ques- tioned to my knowledge, But why do you ask? Do you doubt it?” This was a question which Jim did not care to answer in full. While bis companion seemed to be a man of perfect honor it would do no good to pour out all the secrets of the Spotter Trio in such a happy-go-lucky style. He answered Mr, Aymer in a diplomatic way, and, when satisfied that he had learned all that was to be told, left the house and returned to Stumps. While no great discovery had been made, one important point had been arrived at: Elnora Block had not only married, but been the mother of a daughter. “Tt is curious,” Jim remarked, to Stumps, “how this statement agrees and disagrees with that made by Delno Wainbridge when he visited the police and told his story—a story which we believe was inspired by Captain Bellaire.” Sure!” ‘“‘ Both accounts affirm that Elnora Block was lost at sea, but while her old friend, Mr. Aymer, avows that she was a wife and a mother, Wain- bridge positively declared she never was mar- ried,” “« An’ that’s jest where the cloven hoof shows,” declared Stunrps. ‘‘ Cheney Bellaire sent him there with a lie, If caught in it, Wainbridge, who seems ter have no interest, has only ter say he was mistaken—so they think. But why need the lie be told?” ‘‘ Beeause there is a guilty secret to hide.” ‘‘ An’ they don’t want the drownded girl iden- tified,” ‘““ Why not, if Elnora’s child was lost at sea?” “That's it; why not? My friend, there’s an awful black ‘nigger in the wood-pile,’ an’ it’s fer us ter find out the shape o’ the African gentle- man,” ‘“‘T am eager to hear Bobby’s report.” And Bobby was eager to make it, as was shown when he arrived. He entered with his eyes: looking preternaturally large, and, as was his custom when excited, dashed bis cap down on the floor. ‘Great yowlin’ cats!” he ejaculated, ‘What now?” f “ Beloved feller-citizens, you’ve missed more fun ter-night than the boy who went ter the circus instead o’ tyin’ a tin-can onter the dog’s tail, Takes me ter git at things. I’ve seen ghosts, goblins, spooks, assassins, robbers, out- laws and pirates!” Robert kicked his inoffensive cap with such vigor that it flew across the room, almost hitting Mr. Stumps’s nose in the passage. ‘Yes: an’ I’ve hived the Angel o’ the Docks with Hilga Ermstroff, Esquire!” be added, as he \ ‘ Lat Mad * s,s es yy) Tht hn : Mit, te" ew)
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tried to enter the room, his\ companions severa] moments to en f down to facts, but the story of his adventures | finally was told. Fresh surprise, perplexity, doubts and ques- | tions followed, but out of the muddle one fact presented itself vividly: ‘ The Angel of the Docks ought to be seen per- i sonally. = ‘Pil go early in the morning,” Jim declared. The three detectives discussed the matter in all its bearings before retiring, and that meant Ce that they were not early in bed. When they re- ine tired it was not easy to go to sleep, The solu- on tion of the mystery seemed almost in their grasp, ty yet it eluded them most vexationsly. % Jim rung the bell of No. —— Delancey street. iy The forenoon sun was shining on the house-tops of Gotham, but the detective had called as early a as he thought ‘prudent. Gothamites are not Ay early risers, and gs particular members of the : great city’s family would not like to be called up out of bed. | The door was opened by a lady whom the | caller easily recugnized as the same Bobby had e seen when, as the bogus messenger-boy, he had tried to deliver the note sent by Wainbridge. Jim bowed politely. “Ts Hilga Ermstroff in?” iy **T think so,” was the reply. , bee] **T would like to see her, if you please.” “T doubt if'she will see you, or allow you to , see her, but I will take your name, if you wish.” ‘* Why should she refuse to see me? ‘She has declared that she would see no one, and has kept her word on the sole occasion when a caller has come.” ‘Why is that?” ‘*T don’t know; she is peculiar.” : “* Well, please take my name, and I'll try my | luck ;” and Jim presented a card which, however, } did not bear his own name, : te The landlady went to deliver it. . ¥ Jim waited impatiently, but his frame of mind Me. was not improved when he caught sight of Wer , face on her return, The answer was there, as well as in the words which followed, Ws ‘* She declines to see you.” Wh ” ““She gives no reason, but aeclines, as she re ptr has done in the past when any one / ca é ae 4 ' >, “Ts there any other young lady who stops if here?” —* ae No.” : e { During this interview the landlady’s face had borne a doubtful, uncertain expression which Jim saw and tried to analyze. He did not believé she understood Hilga and grew hopeful of getting some account of . that mysterious person, Grea ‘* Madam, will you allow me to ask you some- thing about Miss Ermstroff?” “ What do you want to know?” _ Whea she came here, who she is, and, in ‘brief, what you know about her.” , rmstroff, herself “* Emphatically, I am.” “Then come into the parlor and you shall hear the story. Iam greatly puzzled over her, and would like the advice of one of her friends, I don’t know what my duty is in the case, “This — seven or eight days,” the speaker went on, when seated in the parlor, “since a carriage dreve up here and two ladies alighted. A young girl who sometimes works here for me admitted them, a was called to see them in this very room, , “As an introduction they presented a note, dated at Calcutta, India, and written by a gentleman who had a furnished room here, when in New York. He went to India only a few months ago. : “The note was an introduction of the two \ ladies, and a recommendation of them; ‘and it _ wound up by saying that the writer thought I - would find them very desirable tenants, unless I had filled my room. I had not, and 1 let it to them at once,” ‘You speak of two ladies,” imterrupted Jim, ~ “ Who was the second?” Her name was Lenore Bellaire!” ny _ Little did the ker suspect how forcibly that ere, simple statement fell on Jim’s ears. It was no more than he expected, but, nevertheless, it was a striking revelation. He - had moved on another step. ~ “She was the mistress, and Hilga Ermstroff was the maid,” pursued the narrator, “ but their relations as mistress and maid were only nomi- ae seems they were warm friends, and ie ae Young Mr. Blossom was excited, and it took get him | “ Are you her friend?” a a The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. flung oné of his shoes at a lone cat which had | Hilga received a salary only because she was poor. Miss Bellaire was anxious to keep her friend with her, and it was done in that way. “Miss Bellaire was a person who skOwed in- timate acquaintance with the world,” Her man- ner was modest, but there was a quiet decision in all she said and did which told that she had battled with the world until she felt fully capable of caring for herself. Hilga hardly spoke at all. “The only condition they made which was not to my liking was that their meals should be served in their room, but as that was not going to make so very much trouble, I took them in. This was late in the afternoon of the day they arrived, and their baggage was was not brought until the next morning. On that. day they did not go out, but, in the afternoon, Miss Bellaire came down and asked if I had any camphor. Hilga was ill, being very nervous, and afflicted witb a painful head- ache, I did not see her, ‘‘Supper was carried to them as usual, and then I went out to make a call, It was late when I returned. The next morning, when I saw my young servant, she informed me that they had had a caller the previous evening. ‘* The servant took up tueir breakfast, but all her knocking at the door failed to bring any an- swer, After waiting awhile I went up per- sonally, but did not get any notice until J left off rapping, and called out to know if they were “Then, after a pause, the door was unlocked, Hilga Ermstroff was standing there, but she only looked at me in a blank way. I asked her some pr mews aga: question, and she arswered directly enough, but in a machine-like way that showed me something was wrong. Vet, she said she was not ill, : ‘“‘T asked where her friend was, and she said she was not there. Having good opportunity I pushed: back the door, and saw that she had spoken the truth. ** Lenore Beliaire was not in the room!” CHAPTER X. THE WRONG MAN. EAGERLY Jim Royal asked: ‘* Where was she?” * That is just. what I don’t know,” the land- lady replied. ‘‘ Lenore Bellaire was not in the room, and the fact that one of the pillows was unrumpled indicated that the bed had only one occupant during the night. ** Again I asked: here is your friend? “*Ob! she went away, last night,’ Hilga re- plied, carelessly. / ‘¢¢ Where? [ asked. * | Docks, but this statement did not help his theory on. ‘* Does she receive any young lady visitor?” ‘““No, She will see no one, and has not been | out of her room in a week.” 5 You have no other young lady here?” ‘* No.” ‘You don’t have any such person visit here ' at night?” ‘**Oh! no. Why do you ask?” ** You don’t know of a young woman who is fond of prowling around the water-front at | night’ so much so that she is called the Angel of the Docks?” | ‘* Most certainly not.” ‘* Madam, I am anxious to see Hilga, and if it will not be too much trouble to you, Ya like to have you take a message to her in these words: A friend of Lenore Bellaire is here and wishes | to see her,” “Ti try it, but doubt if it will do any good.” Tke landlady went up-stairs, but soon re- turned. “ Hilga says she will not see you, andif you try to force your way in, she will shoot you!” ‘The lady can keep her revolver where it be- longs; Iam not going to resort to such an ex- treme measure,” Jim answered, quietly. The landlady, like the executor, was anxious to know the meaning of the inquiry, but Jim managed to avoid revelations and, at the same time, avoid giving offense. He soon left the house, and went, too, in a greatly puzzled frame of mind. What was the mystery surrounding Hilga? Jt seemed plain enough that the unknown per- son, or persons, who had called the night when the landlady was out were the same who had lured one of the girls away, but why did the other remain under such mysterious circum- stances? If friendly to the missing girl, why did she not give an alarm? If hostile, why did she remain at the place from which her late companion was lured, daring arrest? Returning to Stumps and Bobby he made his renee: and the these grappled with the new rid- es, Long and earnest was the discussion, though all were agreed on the point that it was Lenore Bellaire’s body that had been found in the bay; that she had been foully dealt with by her ene- mies; and that, in all probability, these enemies were Captain Cheney Bellaire, Delno Wain- bridge, and the active agents they bad hired, Stumps advised that all these facts be put in the bands of the police, but Bobby Blossom. pope the plan strenuously, and Jim more mildly. Both wanted the full credit af exposing the evil-doers, ; ; “Our next step is clear,” added Jim. “We cannot afford to ignore the conduct of Barney McCurdy and Ira Ricketts. While these actions and words may be no more than coincidents in the drama, they fit in well enough to be worthy of investigation.” 7 “You'd bev thought so ef you’d heerd them on the pier,” Bobby exclaimed. ‘Ira was scared an’ remorseful, an’ he talked in husky __ whispers of a crime they’d done there, an’ said ! he wondered the gal didn’t rise up out o’ the water an’ accuse them; an’ then when the Angel o’ the Docks appeared, they jest run as ef a ghost was yankin’ the tails off from their "7 1 — doubt they have done harm to some girl, The question is, are we too sanguine in believing it was Lenore?” ‘* Not a bit!” Bobby declared “7 think it was th mitted. ‘Then we must find Ira Ricketts. He is the man to work on, for his conscience and fears are. active.” “But do te know where to find them?” site asked, i “That is where the trouble comes in. The only clew is that, when I was on the street ata ‘— certain point, Ricketts was there and ad me. Of course he may have been any number of miles from home, but the fact that the — ‘second man, who told me Ricketts’s name, knew him, indicates that both lived near at ‘hand, Ricketts’s name is not in the Directory, but I hope by inquiring in the vicinity to learn where he holds forth.” i “T think your plan °ll work.” “ Can’t I doit?” Bobby asked, quickly. ater “Robert, you want all the work, seems to me, — In this case it won’t do; you know you are Del- -no’s hired man.” ; ; “T cave!” the junior Spotter replied, with a tee grimace, % ' The day was well advanced before Jim got. : . f nan ~ ) oo ey, t poor child,” Stumps ad- 1 :
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a ee 10 2 remem er tee ere The Street Spotters’ Woird Hunt. ee ee away on his errand, and he saw that he would have to do some hustling to finish before dark. He went to where Ira had accostei him, but, on this occasion, he saw no wiid-eyed man skulking in a doorway. For awhile he watcbed the peo- ple, pedestrains and corner-loafers, and then ap- preached one of the latter. “Sport, do you live around here?” he asked, The rough-looking youth favored Jim witha long stare. ‘““Mebby! Why?” he asked. * I'm. looking for a man vamed Ira Ricketts,” “Et ain’t me.” *Do you know of bim?” “ Naw y “Or Barney McCurdy?” “ N aw !? **f thought perhaps you did.” “Say, cully, w’ot d’ye tak: me fer, a Direc- tory?” deinanded the “tough” youth. “I don’t keep no hotel register fer blokes ter write their mamesin, See? De biggest part o’ my job is ter mind me own business, an’ dat’s w’ot I like ter see any mando. Dat’s de way ter get along in dis world. See? No offense, old man; I'd like ter tell you’s where de duffer lives, but I doa’t know. -Mebbe he’s over ter de Island, See? Well, so-long!” The tough youth sauntered away, but left no especially unpleasant impression bebind. He had talked like the class he represented, but not effensively, if he bad been blunt. Jim was not to be discouraged, and he asked ether persons, men and women, ab ut Ira Rick- etts, but found no one who could tell of him; at least, so they said. Time passed in this way until the detective began to feel like giving it up, but be was final- ly approached by a boy of about ten years who asked: ‘Say, boss, is you de chap w’ot is lookin’ fer Ira Ricketts?” “Yes,” Jim answered, ““ Me big brudder says he’s de chap asis known as Old Jerks, ’cause he’s so nervous,” ‘* Who’s your brother, anyhow?” ‘Ob! you asked him, abit ago, but he didn’t know Old Jerks’s reel name, first off, but sore- body told him w’en he had went away, an’ be sent me ter tel] you’s, boss; an’ [ will tell you’s - you'll give me ten cents, Say, will you’s do t? Jim had no disposition to refuse. The money was paid over, and the boy became guide, Two blocks away tae latter turned into an alley. “Old Jerks lives in yere wid Mother Meg,” he explained. ‘‘He’s an old bacheldoor an’ ain’t got no wife, Old Jerks is.” Tbe young citizen seemed to be well upin local family history, and he marched along rapidly. The alley was narrow and dark, but they soon reached a court that was even worse to look at. Poverty and decay had a place there, and brooms and water had evilently been crowded to the rear. ‘¢ We'll go right in, fer Mother Meg never ob- jecks, Then Pil call her, au’ she can take you's ob charge an’ run you’s up, ter see Old Jerks. q Jim saw, or thought be did, and sat down in the front room, to which the boy conducted him. Then the latter went out, but there was only a brief delay. A man entered, and, looking up, the caller saw with surprise that it was Delno Wainbridge. The sport was very calm, and he carelessly brushed a spot of dust off from his coat. “T am told that you want to see Ira Ricketts,” he remarked, calmly. ‘‘Won’t I do just as well?” “Don’t know that I have business with you,” Jim returned, as quietly as possible. “No? Well, I bave business with you /” The sport’s lips parted in a smile ominous and menacing. CHAPTER XI. THE DRAWN REVOLVER, Jmt was by no means pleased to see Wain- bridge, and he would have been duil not to fore- see danger, but he met the sport’s gaze calmly and asked: ** Are you Ira’s friend?” ‘Never mind. You and I are running this affair. I think [saw you when I called on the police?” *¢ When, and where, was that?” * Don’t play the innocent. I know you well, my man, You are called Jim, avd aspire to work as a private detective. That means that you start out in life early as a blackmailer, Youare not twenty-one, I judge. Too young to get your galt by squeezing money out of others.” There was something suggestive in Delno’s manner, as well as in his words, and Jim sus- pected that it was a covert invitation to bim to act the blackmailer; in other words, that Bell- aire and Wainbridge had got trace of the move- ment against them, and were ready to pay the Spotter Trio for keeping their mouths shut. ‘‘ How have you got such an opinion of me?” he asked, ‘¢ Isn’t it correct?” “ No,” ‘‘ Then why are you prowling around, inquir- ing into other men’s business?” ** Have [ done this?” st Yea,” ‘*T dou’t admit it, We are now talking at random, sir. If you have avything of import- ance to say to me, be so good as to come to the point, at once.” ‘‘T will, Iam aware that you are acting the spy on myself and certain of my friends, our latest move, in hunting for Ricketts, is only one of a series of movements made by you and a cer- tain Stumps, which have come to my attention.” ‘¢ What is there between you and Ricketts?” The sport waved his band, asif thus to an- swer the question, and calmly proceeded: ‘*T don’t like to have any one hounding me, A fellow may be as innocent asa Moses or an Aaron, but it don’t look well to be dogged. Out- siders are liable to notice it and comment. My record is clear, but my friends would badger the life out of me if they knew of it; why, it might do me harm in business!” Mr. Wainbridge looked the picture of an inno- cent and wronged man as he spoke. What do you want?” Jim asked, quietly. » _ “Protection! Of course life here in New York is all a game of see-saw, in which the police al- ways get the best of it. You are only an ama- teur, but your pocket hasa vacuum. In brief, what will you require to make a tour of Europe and—keep your mouth shut?” “On what subject?” Again the sport smiled blandly, ‘* Everything.” ‘*My good sir, [am all at sea; 1 don’t know what youare talking about, Will you enlighten me? ‘* No more than I have.” ‘* Then I don’t see how we can trade. know what you are driving at.” Jim was shrewd enough to suspect that the rt wes trying to make bim betray the ex- act extent of his information, but be was not foolish enough to fall into the trap. He did not believe, either, that Wainbridge was sincere in offering himself as a victim of blackmail, It appeared very foolish for him to propose it, and thereby admit that be bad a guilty secret to conces!, and as he was not by any means a fool, the situation gave rise to the suspicion that the detective had been trapped, and that Delno thought escape so nearly impossible that he could afford to taJk plainly. The sport leaned forward and smiled. ‘* But vou want to see Ricketts?” “ Yes,” “Why? ‘*T will explain when '[ see him,” ‘You want to pump him,” “Why should 17” “ Thai’s it: why Qn ‘“My errand is of the simplest kind. If you know where he is, I should be glad to see him.” ‘No doubt. Perhaps { can help you out. You want to see bim, but he is not receiving vis- itors to-day, I'll attend to you, instead, Boy, you are a spy and a sneak, ‘You are meddlin with what don’t concern you, and with the usua result; you’ve got into trouble!” “Tn what way?’ ‘ira Ricketts don’t live here, but by inquir- ing for him you advertised yourself just where I heard of you. 1t was I who sent, the boy; he fured you here, and heretyou are, Where Ricketts is I don’t know, 1t don’t matter; you and I are running this business.” Calmly the speaker drew a revolver from his pocket and laid it on his knee, ‘Yes, we are doing this business!” he added. “Itis time for youto go further with your explanation,” declared Jim, sharply, ‘‘ You say you decoyed me here, and now you draw a re- volver. What next?” ‘‘ Briefly, this: You are my prisoner!” “‘T bave not surrendered yet, and don’t intend to. A course of intimidation will not work with me. Not having any business with you, I will retire. 1 warn you not to molest me.” The detective rose, and met with another un- pleasant surprise. Between him and the door stood a burly ruffian; a man who, in fact, was Barney McCurdy. The rough was grinning in I don’t that style peculiar to one of his class who feels that he has a dead sure ming “Take it easy,” advised Wainbridge, “ You see you can’t go, and may as well make the best of it. Ina fight I will turn my assistant in against any man I know; you would bea ebild in his hands, As to guns, you may have one, but before you could draw it I would shoot you down. Accept your fate and yield tamcly; your spying days are over. Weare not going to do you bodily barm, but our prisoner you are and shall remain, See?” There was no use of making more words, and Jim realized it fully, His work in the Bellaire case was known in whole or part, and the fight was on, He decidéd to make the fight warm, To pass McCurdy was simply out of the ques- tion, and he took the only other course open to bim. Wainbridge’s revolver was not bearing a him, and then, if ever, was his chance. Vith long, quick steps he made for the second door of the room, one which led to the interior of the bouse. ‘* Stop!” Delno shouted. Tbe order was not heeded. Jim reached and passed the door, but found himself in a dark, narrow hall, or passage. First of all he fell over a chair, This article broke audibly, and Jim was not sure but he was in the same fix; certainly, he was very much jarred and shaken up. ‘ He rose and tried to go on, but it was running the gantlet under difficulties. There was an abundance of rubbish in the way, and he had no light to show which was the proper way to go. ainbridge and McCurdy were hastening after him, the former threatening to shoot. The fugitive found a door and opened it, He ssed the threshold and would have hurried*on, but found a wall of wood onevery side. He had entered a closet. : Alarmed at this state of affairs he turned back as soon as was possible, but stopped short at the door. ‘be pursuers were at hand, and he could go no further, Qaickly he pushed the door nearly to, and then awaited the next turn of events, ‘“‘ Whar is he?’ McCurdy asked, ‘‘I don’t see him.” ‘Do you expect to see in the dark, you fool?” Delno retorted, ‘Stop ard listen! He must be near: he can’t get out of here, Listen!” There was a short silence, but Jim did not help them to solve the mystery of bis hiding-place, ‘The reptyle may bit us a smash in the jaw, first we know,” finally growled McCurdy, ‘You idiot! do you think he would dare this revolver? I would ask nothing more favorable than a chance to shoot bim, Let bim furnish the excuse, and I'll do it ina twinkling, But he won't. To hide is his game. Come out, you!” Tbe last words were in an elevated tone, but Jim did not “ come out.” : “ You areonly deferring your capture,” Wain- bridge pursued, ‘You can’t escape, and it’s folly to act like this, We are bound to have you, Will you surrender?” He received no reply. “ Bah! this is childish sweat for it, presently. while I go for a light.” ‘No, no; Vill help you git it.” * You're afraid,” “ Rieht, I be! I won’t stay in the dark an’ let him smash me in the head with a club, Not much!” . The prudent rough retreated with bis leader, but Jim’s position was not improved. The con- fidence of the men confirmed the opinion he bad himself formed, that there was no out! t from the passage; and as Barney paused by the decor, he could not retreat as he had come in. Jt was a most annoying and dangerous predicament, but he proceeded to make the best of it. Tbe closet was of medium size, but one-half was somewhat littered up by short boards that were leaned against the wall, Evidently, they had once formed a dry-goods case, and had been knocked to pieces, Jim took two of these and used them to secure the door as well as possible, By putting one end against the door and the other against the opposite wall be had & barrier not easily overcome, Anothar board he found about the right size and shape for a club, and for that pur- pose he retained it. It might yet be useful, and he was determined not to surrender tamely. _ ‘The men returned, and it did not take Wain- bridge long to decide where the fugitives was. He tried and shook the door, and them ealled but we'll make him McCurdy, remain here out; ‘« Hallo, in there!” Jim remained silent, ~ .
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} ‘but they were a little too late, ** Come outi” Still no answer. “Say, you, perhaps you think all this is fun for us, but it isn’t. Why will you be such a fool? You've got to surrender, anyhow; why mot do it at once, and get the benefit of our good will? You'll have to suffer, if you worry 2 Not a word came in reply. * Confouud you!” the sport cried, ‘* come out of there, or I'll put a bullet through the panel of the door!” CHAPTER XII. THE TROUBLE IN THE CLOSET, THE threat was alarming. it did not come back. Had it been lost in the storm, after putting out to sea asa precaution- ary measure to keep it from driving on the land, a wreck? ‘Harper Bellaire tried to believe this, but never succeeded. He was loth to do possible injustice, but died under the impression that it was a deliberate desertion, : ‘*The helpless castaways did not starve. Fruit grew im abundance on the island, and, after all, it was not uninbabited land. A race of natives dwelt there, and they proved to be not only peaceful, but gentle and _ simple. Among thein the Bellaires lived for years. “finally the father and mother died, and Lenore, aged about vine, if I remember rightly, was alone. But, fortunately, for only a few days. Another vessel touched there, and she was taken to Calcutta. ‘*She had no one to urge her rights, and, hav- ing no wish to look up the uncle who was either dead or a villain, she remained in Calcutta. ‘But, as I have before said, when she heard that the captain was alive, and rich, she made what proved to be a rash move, I fear. She wrote to him and inquired about her father’s share of the Western land, ‘* When the proper time ceme she looked for a letter. Instead,a man made bis appearance who said he bad come from New York at Cap- tain Bellaire’s bidding. ‘He gave verbal messages to Lenore, from her uncle, to this effect: “The ex-captain was astonished and delighted to hear that the niece he bad for many years su dead was alive, and, though the West- ern land had been closed out at cost, only, she was heir to all be—Captain Bellaire—bad other~ wise accumulated; and he urged her to come to ew York and gladden his home, ‘* Lenore decided to answer the call;
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12 ‘* The messenger was to accompany her back as a protector, but when the steamer left port he failed to show up, and was left betiind. *T found Miss Bellaire on shipboard, a charm- ing young lady, but in a mood of doubt and dis- trust. ot over-confident at the first,the failure of the messenger to set out with her raised fears in her mind—though I fully believe it was a genuine case of a man having missed his vessel by accidert, ‘* All this Lenore told me, a little at a time, as we came on the long voyage, until I had the whole story; and her doubts grew so that, hav- ing the address of the Delancey street house, which was given her by a friend in Calcutta, she decided to go there first, rather than venture recklessly to Captain Belluaire’s residence. **T offered her the shelter of my mother’s home, at Binghamton, but she naturally thought it too far away to be considered. “Tf, as I fear from your manner, harm has come to her, I deeply regret that I did not insist upon acting as her protector, here, but business of urgent nature required my presence in Bing- hamton, ‘Tell me,do you thing anything is wrong ‘with ber?” Jim listened with deep interest to this recital] of the past, and when it was done he believed there were but few mysteries not explained. To him it seemed clear that Cheney Bellaire, a villain at the start, had sold his soul for worldly gain; that he had lured Lenore to New York and made way with her. What need, in the light of such evidence, to ask if the body found in the bay was that of an unknown? Meredith Raynor was anxiously waiting a re- ply, and Spotter Jim slowly returned: ‘ I do think there is!” ‘* What do you think has happened?’ Raynor demanded. “The worst, I’m afraid.” ‘* Surely, you don’t mean—” **Tell me one thing: Did you ever notice, when coming from Calcutta here, a pecutiar ring on her hand?” ‘*Sbe wore a ring which had been her mother’s; a ring with an odd device, representing two tiny crossed swords, with five diamonds set therein.” ‘* That settles it!” “ And what of her?” “‘T guess you haven’t read the New York papers closely.” ‘*T have not; I have been too busy.” “* Her story is told there; the last chapter of her life.” Raynor looked startled. ‘*Do you mean all that your words seem to indicate?” ** Yes. Lenore Bellaire has lost ber life, and I believe it was at the hands of her uncle,” Jim then told as much of the story as he thought necessary, and a full discussion fol- lowed, “You are undoubtedly right in all your con- clusious,” Raynor agreed. ‘‘ Lenore has fallen victim to a great conspiracy. I have an idea that it was not intended she should reach New York, at the first. Contracted asa ship is, it is not the worst place to commit crime. Suppose a person is lost overboard, that’s the last of her. Or if a would-be murderer failed to get that chance, he poisons his victim early in the voy- age. She must be buried at sea, and an elab- orate gee ae dmc examination is generally im- possible, I believe this was the plot in the present case, but when the agent missed the ves- sel at Calcutta the battle-ground was transferred to New York, Then the work was done quickly and effectually.” ** But Hilga? What of her?” ‘**T don’t know.” ** Why is she a hermit?” ““T can’t imagine,” ‘*T see only one theory.” ** And that?” “Is that she has gone insane. Lenore’s ‘troubles have had more or less effect on her; I have a vague idea that she may have been wit- mess to the violent end of her mistress, Friendly as the two girls were, such a thing naturally would be a great shock. Ivis not strange she lost her reason,” ** And the Angel of the Docks?” “ Hilga, of course,” ‘* But her landlady says she never goes out.” *‘That’s where she is in error. Hilga does go out, and goes to the docks; to that one pier where Lenore met her fate, Circumstances go 2 show that, acting under orders from Captain ellaire and Wainbridge, McUurdy and Rick- etts decoyed Lenore there, and that Hilga was along and saw the deed done. Since then Hilga The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. has been eccentric, simply because the shock was too much for her reason.” **' Your reasoning is clear. Well, shall I go and identify the body, formally?” ‘*Wait until.to-morrow. A little delay can do no harm, and {I want to make one more effort on the Angel of the Docks, to-night. If possi- ble, I desire to make a clear case of it before di- vulging to the police what I know already.” ““That’s natural, and I will co-operate with you fully.” Jim soon left the house, but had gone only a few yards when a tall young man approached. Nodding affably he inquired: “Isn't your name Jim?” ce Yes,” ** Thought so; I’ve seen you before, I know Stumps well. e wanted me to tell you he’s around at Painter’s saloon, No, 299 street, and wantsto see you. Know where it is?” ‘No; but the number will direct me.” “ All right; that’s enough. Say, couldn’t we friends of Stumps make up a subscription to get him a better false leg than he uses? That Would you sub- wholly upon the his detective case, walked me- chanically toward No, 299. Suddenly, however- he stopped short. He was approaching the ob- jective point, and his thoughts returned. to the present enough to raise the inquiry, If Stumps wanted tosee him ,and knew where he was, wh didn’t he come there in, person, instead of send- a messenger who, it seemed, had run upon the wanted person only by chance? ** Another trap, or lm no judge!” Jim ex- claimed. ‘‘ It bas been started in an airy, off- hand way, but the cloven hoof shows, Stumps never sent the message, and is not in the saloon. The opposition is up and working, and if I went into that saloon I never should see Stumps in the land of the living, perhaps. Ill have a look at the place, how*ver,.” He went nearer and saw the saloon, and all of his doubts received confirmation. It was on the first floor of an old building, and the whole place and its surroundings smacked of the typical ** dive.” Jim decided most emphatically that he would not keep*the appointment, but while he was con- sidering the matter he saw a man approaching who was no stranger to him, Jt was a police- man in citizen’s clothes; a man he had known for years, He accosted him at once. “O'Rourke, [ want you todo me a favor, I have been invited to call at yonder saloon, and believe that the apparently harmless invitation hides a trap. Will you go in, instead, and see who is there?” “With pleasure, me boy; but as for the sa- loon, I know it of old. Itis a den of crime. Who is trying to lure you?” Jim told enough to satisfy his friend, and the latter went in. He returned in a short time puffing a cigar, which he threw away as soon as he reached Jim. ** Well?” the latter questioned, P ‘Curtain lowered next to the rear room; sufe sigr of mischief afoot. I sauntered close to it, and gota secret, brief look inside. Two men were there. One of them I know; he is a.sport and bucket-shop keeper. The name be sails un- der is Delno Wainbridge!” More direct evidence could not be asked for, and when Jim left his friend and walked home- ward, he had cause to congratulate himself on his caution. The incident, too, showed how ac- tive the enemy were; they were determined to silence him at all hazards, Constant danger would menace him until they were caged. When he reached home he found, as he had sree that Stumps was there, calm and com- posed. CHAPTER XIV, THE NIGHT OF THE TRAGEDY, Wait Jim Royal was making discoveries, Stumps had not been idle. He had beengout,on a general expedition, which included a look” at Captain Bellaire’s house. He found that, while the ex-sailor was not in an aristocratic neighbor- hood, he had a good home, and seeme to be taking life easy. Stumps wondered, ashe looked at the build- ing, whence came the money that bad pur- chased it, He was on bis way home when he saw a man on the street whose movements were so peculiar Se ee a ae se ee = ee as to attract his attention. The man was not hurrying, but he bad a secret, skulking air, and seemed to be afraid of some one or something. With attention thus directed to him, Stumps was impressed with another fact. The man’s appearance exactly agreed with the descriptions given of Ira Ricketts, Making a sudden decision, Stumps accosted him: “ Hallo, Mr. Ricketts!” The other pedestrian started and looked fright- ened, but calmed down at sight of the speaker’s mild and dignified face. ‘*‘ Come over on a bench in the Park,” Stumps added. ‘' Le’s hev a talk over old times.” ‘“T don’t know you,” was the uncertain reply. ‘““No? I think I can recall myself ter yer mind, Le’s try it, anyhow; no great amount 0” time will be wasted.” As his manner continued mild the second man made no objection, and they were soon on the bench. ‘You ain’t lookin’ well, Ira,” Stumps pur- sued, **T ain’t wal.” ‘“*Wot’s the matter? You seem neryous, an all broke up.” te I be.” ce Why 9? “€ Insomnia,” **Can’t sleep, eh? Somethin’ on yer mind, is there? I hope you ain’t got into trouble by con- sortin’ with Barney McCurdy an’ Delno Wain- bridge?” It was a bold move, but Stumps felt that he could get at the facts only by frightening his companion; the latter would hardly be coaxed into telling criminal secrets toastranger. That he had succeeded in causing the fright was at once apparent, for Ricketts gazed at him in the utmost dismay, ‘‘ Tra,” the spéaker pursued, ‘‘ the best thing you kin do is ter own right up in this case, McCurdy is placin’ you in a dangerous position. You are the least guilty of the whole lot, but ef you hang off an’ wait fer the wholesale arrest, the law will hold you jest as bad ast/others, On the other hand, ef you tell the facts an’ save the perleece trouble, I ain’t sure you'll be prosecuted atall. Now, you aim’t so bad as them—” “7 didn’t know anybody was to be harmed!” Ira broke in, excitedly. ‘¢ Jes’ my idee,” ‘* | never was in a scheme like it afore, an’ ef I’d ’a’ known how it was ter end, I weuldn’t,’a’ been in that.” ‘* Jes’ as I suspected. Wal, Ira, you're foolish ter let yerself be sacrificed. You\ ought ter move while there’s time, tell yer story an’ git the perleece ter let ye off easy.” ‘Would they do it?” Sore!” ** Pll tell you all about it, an’ let you advise me!” For several days Ira had been in a most un- happy frame of mind, and terribly frightened, Ae had felt, too, that it would be a blessed relief to pour out bis guilty secret to some one’s ears; to relieve his mind of the awful burden, and hear the voice of sympathy. Now, as before, the im- pulse was strong within bim, and he forgot that Stumps was an entirestranger. He remembered only that the latter had spoken encouragingly and kindly to him, and words were figuratively tumbling over each other in his mind, in their eagerness to find exit at the gate—his mouth, ‘*Pm mixed up in an awful affair,” be de- clared, ‘The Bellaire case, you mean?” ce Yes ” ‘Tell me all about it, Ira,” Stumps persuasive- ly requested. “T will. It was like this: I was out o’ work, ragged, hungry an’ desperate; Barney McCurdy come ter me an’ said there was a chance ter make money; that a rich man would pay well ef he could git a certain person out o’ sight. The Jan was fer her ter be lured ter a pier, an’ then arney, an’ me, an’ Delno Wainbridge, was ter take her in a boat an’ carry her to a prison they had fixed up over in Williamsburg. “ At first I said I wouldn’t do it, but a man ain’t sure w’ot he will, an’ won’t, until he gits dead-hungry. £ “* Barney said Cap’n Cheney Bellaire, who was back of it all, was rich an’ would see us safe through. The gal ter be one ge was Lenore Bellaire, his niece, who was with a friend, Hilga Ermstroff, on Delancey street. “Wal, I yielded an’ agreed ter help. I made out from their talk that Lenore had Jately come ter town, and advantage was ter be took o’ the fact that she knew nothin’ about the city. The pretense was ter be ter hev her yo ter her uncle’s
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house, ter meet the family lawyer, who was ter draw up papers; but, really, we was ter lure her ter the river, an’ take her away. ‘One night McCurdy an’ if was at a certain pier, an’ there we waited nigh the boat, “de Wainbridge was ter be the decoy, an’ bring her in a cab. “They come, at last, an’ she got out, but when she see the low, mean street, an’ the docks, an’ the river beyond, she was scared; an’ she re- belled right off. “Then Wainbridge put on the screws. He told her blunt an’ plain that she was a pris’ner, but that no harm was ter be done her, only she was ter be shut up a while. “She made a big remonstrance, but it didn’t do no good. Wainbridge was cool asice, but his voice had a ring that scared her all the more when he cautioned her that ef she called fer help or resisted, no pity would be showed her. ‘“‘ Finally, she yielded an’ was led out on the pier, but when she got there an’ see the water flowin’ so black, all her nerve went back on her. Scared more than ever, she tried ter call fer help, but McCurdy gripped her throat an’ shut off the cry. ““’T was a cruel thing ter do, fer he was a big, strong man, an’she as delicate as gal could ‘¢ When she see her life was in danger she said she would yield, an’ we prepared ter lower her inter the boat, but she wa’n’t ready ter give up. Just when we wa’n’t lookin’ she made a dive for liberty, an’ she’d got away, too, only she struck her foot ag’in’ somethin’ au’ tripped. ‘* She fell headlong inter the water! ‘The awfulness o’ the situation paralyzed me, an’ when Wainbridge ordered me an’ McCurdy ter git down inter the boat an’ save her, I couldn’t stir. Wainbridge went, instead, ‘‘Lenore was not found; we looked long an’ aa but it wa’n’t no use. She was drown- “We give it up an’ made haste ter git away. I was almost wild with horror an’ fear, an’ Wainbridge an’ McCurdy argued an’ threatened me both, ter git up my nerve an’ make me say I’d never give them away. “T said it, but what d’ye s’pose the first thing I did when they left me was? ‘Lenore had a latch-key which she dropped after gettin’ out o’ the cab, an’I had picked it up. The hour was late, but I was bound her friend should know what had happened. I went ter the house, see a light up-stairs an’ decided it was her room, an’ there she was waitin’ fer Lenore ter come back. I didn’t ring, but used the latch-key, opened the street-door, went up- stairs an’ knocked, ‘* The door was opened by a slender gal, “‘T asked her ef she was Hilga Ermstroff, an’ she said she was. Then I poured out my story, Do you know, she listened with a manner /4s calm as mine was excited. I thought then, an’ do now, that she wasn’t sorry Lenore was drownded. She wascoolan’ quiet as you please, but ef she hadn’t betrayed her heartless nature, I’d hey liked her—she was polite an’ meek as could be, “Tn a business-like way—I never see so odd a woman, before—sae remarked that she’d like ter see the spot where all this took place, an’ asked me ter guide her there. I agreed, an’ we went out. ‘Of course I s’posed she’d take a cab, but she said no, an’ I’ll be shot ef we didn’t walk all the way, “She tripped along by my side, light ez a fairy, never sayin’ much, an’ then in a quiet, easy way which made a sharp contrast ter me, with the blood rushin’ like fire through my veins. “When we got ter the pier she looked the whole place over, an’ I ex ialneil until she knew as much about it as I did, She listened to all closely, but didn’t show no grief ’cause Lenore was drownded, an’ no feelin’ at all. “Even then, when I was so wrought up, lL wondered amazin’ at it; sence, l’ye wondered more than ever, “‘ When she had seen enough I walked home with her, She bid me ay ay at the door as easy an’ gentle as possible jest as ef we had been ona common errand, an’ then went in. ~ But I wa'n’t so cool as her. [ went home, an’ my fancy riz up an’ enemy in ev’ry shadder. Fear an’ remorse pounced on me like vultures, an’ gnawed at my vitals; fear o’ the law, an’ horror that I should be concerned in such a crime, ‘One might I got an awful scare. I had dreamed that the dead gal was floatin’ in the dock, an’ told McCurdy about it, an’ said I’s afraid it was true. He declared I was a fool, an’ insisted on us goin’ there ter see it was not so, I The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. shruvk from goin’, but he was bound it should so, an’ we went, «We had an awful time. As we stood there Lenore’s ghost riz up out 0’ thé water and‘spoke tous, McCurdy was as scared as I was, an’ we run fer our lives, an’ never hev been back, Think of it!—we see the drownded gal’s ghost!” Ira looked at Stumps with terror and dismay expressed ih his face, ‘Did McCurdy say it was a ghost?” Stumps asked, “* He thought so, then, but when he had calmed down, he said it was some other livin’ gal.” ‘* Did you see her face?” ‘t No; the night was too dark.” * Ain’t it possible it was not Lenore, but Hilga? You showed Hilga the way there—mightn’t she hev gone ag’in, alone?” Ira meditated, and then faint hope appeared in his face. “Tt is jest possible, The ghost was like Hilga, slight an’ slender, while Lenore was a bit stouter. But 1 don’t think it; J think twas a ghost!” Ira persisted. ‘«Mr, Ricketts, you’ve spoke up like a man an’ let an awful secret off yer mind. Now, instead 0’ goin’ back ter McCurdy an’ reskin’ voylence at his bands, why not go with me ter them who'll stand by you in this case?” “Tl do it!” Ira agreed. CHAPTER XV. WHAT HER FACE DID. IN consequence of the interview between Stumps and Ricketts, Spotter Jim did not find the former alone on his return. Ira was there, and the story he had told to Stumps was repeat- + Phe the more active member of the Spotter rio. ‘ Jim fully comprehended the value of the state- ment, The missing link was found, and it only remained to order the arrest of Bellaire, Wain- bridge and McCurdy. © This they decided to do the following morning, It was.somewhat late, then, to get a warrant, and, besides, Jim had something be wished to do that evening. If, as seemed to be the case, the Angel of the Docks was in the habit of going to he pier every night, he wished to see her. be might refuse to see him in the Delancey street house, but would hardly have so much authority on the pier. Moreover, she had al- ways been talkative enough when in that section. bby Blossom put in an appearance, and, on learning of the intended expedition, declared that he was going along, “Tt wouldn’t be proper fer you ter speak ter a gal you don’t know,” he explained, “but I kin introduce you, an’ be yer chaperon. See?” The request was not refused, and Jim and Bobby journeyed to the pier, First of all they called upon Pete Tiernan and borrowed a lantern, and Mr. Tiernan agreed, too, to be on the watch so thatif he was wanted he could give his aid. The Angel might be contrary, unless she was a genuine angel, and the good will she felt toward him would bridge that gulf, they thought. Bobby concealed the lantern under his jacket, and they took position where they would not be discovered readily. ‘T hope, Jeems,” observed Robert, with a mis- chievous turn of fancy, “‘ you will behave wal on this occasion. Kinder watch me fer tips, an’ ef you git stuck, take me off ter one side an’ ask fer pinters, You know I hev been associatin’ with this Angel for some time, while you don’t know no more about angels than you doabout the folks oki Jive in the moon. Angels don’t take ter you ‘Your success with this one is all owing to the fact she never has seen you except in the dark.” “ My classic phiz goes in all weather, mister.” ‘« Repecially, that part of it called tongue.” “Yes, Jeems, but it don’t wag between sech cast-iron cheeks as some I’ve seen.” ‘* The exception should bein a museum.” “Pll try ter get ye a job.” This good-humored war of words ended as Jim suddenly touched the boy’s arm, ‘< Look!” ke directed. From the street came two men who, after looking around, deliberately concealed them- selves only a few yards from the two detectives, ‘“‘ W’ot's up?” Bobby asked, in a low voice. ‘* T believe it’s lucky we are here.” “Why?” “‘Upless I am greatly in error, those men are Delno Wainbridge and Barney McCurdy.” ““Yowlin’ cats!” ““Their presence here does not mean any good,” Jim continued, rapidly, ‘‘and I think I see just the evil it foretells, They are here to see the’ Angel of the Docks! Wainbridge’s hard 13 / head has taken no stock in the ghost theory, and he is here, I suspect, to see her. Very like- ly he mistrusts it is Hilga, and means to get her out of the way, so she can’t testify against them in regard to lost Lenore.” ‘‘ The p’izon skunks don’t count on us, b’gosh!” “Bobby, is it possible for you to get to Tiernan’s house, so as to be sure of his instan- taneous aid?” The junior Spotter meditated for a moment. “You bet!’ he then returned. ‘Ill jest climb down off the pier, swim down the river a bit, and then come ’round ter Peter’s from the other side,” ‘* Do you want to risk it?” “Resk it?” retorted Bobby, indignantly. “Great singin’ parrots! w’ot d’ye take me fer? I’m three quarters fisk, an’ the rest walrus.” * Go on, Robert; go on!” Bobby lowered himself to the water, and did it with such skill that no sound followed. Jim saw him swim away in the darkness, and then awaited the critical moment. Nearly half an hour passed, aud then he saw @ female figure leave the street and advance along the pier. He at once noticed the slender form and light, airy movement mentioned _by others as characteristic of the Angel of the Docks, and , felt sure she was on the scene. He noticed, too, a stir on the part of the ambushed men, and rightly conjectured they were not less observ- ing. They gathered themselves up, and, as she came nearer, moved quietly out of ambush and ap- proached her, Jim also moved; he quickly changed to their late hiding-place, thus getting within a few feet df the group. Much to bis re- lief, moreover, he saw the dark forms closing in: from the direction of Tiernan’s house, and knew bis allies would be at hand to support him. “ Good-eveving!” began Wainbridge, blandly.. The Angel of the Docks looked at him calmly. ““ Good-evening,” she returned, in a matter-of- fact way. “ Are you looking for any one?” ‘“‘ Perhaps,” she replied, showing some reserve. ‘“May I ask whom?” “T don’t care to say, sir.” “ Did you just come from Delancey street?” Yes, sir.” “Well, I think we know the party you want to fing. We will take you to her, if you wish.” ‘* But she was drowned,” “Oh! no; that was a false report. She decid- ed not to come here, and went tothe Fifth Ave- nue Hotel, instead. She is now stopping with friends in a private house, and wishes to see you. It is only a few steps from here.” ‘“‘T know that is false, for she did come here. A man brought me here, the same night, and ex~ plained how she was drowned,” the Angel de- clared, with sudden spirit. Wainbridge did not have an answer rears He and McCurdy had never known of Ira Ric etts’s act after the tragedy, but the things which had puzzlea them began to assume shape, The sport was shrewd enough to ask the question, mentally, Had Ira really brought Hilga there He exchanged glances with his confederate. It was their intention to abduct her, and the neces- sity became more imperative. “My dear lady,” he continued, “* what T ask is for your good, but I must insist upon it. FE am an Officer of the law, a detective, and must do my duty. You will bave to go with me!” He reached out and grasped her arm, but at that moment there wasa sudden and startling diversion. Darkness abruptly gave place to light, and the faces of the trio were distinctly made visible, one to the other, For the first time,the Angel of the Docks was plainly seen. To Wainbridge this was the least important part of the interruption; the blaze of light so close at hand revealed the fact that they were interrupted; and this made plain the further fact that he might have a fight to attend to. His hand sought a concealed revolver, ‘but it was not drawn. At that juncture Barney McCurdy gave a yell of terror and fell prostrate, and there he lay in convulsions, foaming at the mouth and writhing like an animal in its death-throes. The fresh interruption was unexpected, and to. Delnolit was startling. He saw himself deprived of his ally, and other men were about, and Mc- Curdy’s appearance was such that the last rem- nant of the sport’s courage vanished. Turning, he ran away at full “Tet him go!” exclaimed Jim Royal, em and with this cue to his associates, he made haste to quiet the Angel, soothingly saying: ‘‘ Lady, do not be alarmed; you are with those who are your friends, and will protect you.” “ But | am alarmed; terribly alarmed.”
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14 She pressed her hands to her fast-throbbing heart, and gazed only at the writhing rough. ‘¢CGome to the house, and good Mrs, Tiernan shall care for you. Believe me, we are your friends.” “ Sure, leddy, we're yours till death,” declared Peter Tiernan, fervently. : The hold he had gained upon her confidence in previous visits to the pier was of great benefit now. Quickly she put her hand in his, with child-like trust ‘¢ Take me away!” she implored. ‘¢ We will follow presently,” Jim added. on, Peter!” The ‘longshoreman went with the Angel, while Jim and Bobby looked again at the now quiet roug4. ‘* He fell in a fit,” Jim muttered. understand it,” ““f sneaked over an’ got the lantern,” added Bobby, ‘an’ it. was when I uncovered it, and turned the light on, that he yelped out an’ went down, The Angel did it!” “Sight of her face!” the senior detective amended, ‘Right! James, kin it be she is a real angel. an’ that twas that scared him so when he got a good look at her?” ~ *T don’t know. There is more here than I ear grasp. Iam puzzled, uncertain, Only one ae is certain; at sight of ber faco he fell in‘ a t!” : * Go **T don’t Bobby Blossom looked in wonder at his com- panion. He was not quite old enough to realize how deep a mystery it was to more-thoughtful Jim Royal. The latter aroused, He did not intend to let McCurdy go free, and was not prepared to tell enough about him to request his arrest, then, They lifted and carried him into Tiernan’s house, and there he was securely bound and stowed away. Then they joined the others. Mrs, Tiernan fhad quieted anu composed the Angel in a measure, but the latter’s mind still dwelt upon the rough. Spotter Jim would gladly have left her alone, but he felt the need of immediate action, and he questioned her in the most delicate and gentle way imaginable, She answered everything, buf not once an- swered satisfactorily. The information that sbe did not know was given to almost every effort to learn anything of value, while her manuer continued as mild and docile as ever, Jim could arrive at but one conclusion. Some- thing was wrong with her mind; the past had beer. so nearly obliterated that it was only a vague recollection, and what was recalled was of no value. ‘‘ She needs help more than we do,” he finally said, impressively. ‘‘She must have a ‘rst- class doctor, and have bim at once, I think, my good friends, you will be willing to let her stay here?” “Sure, an’ it will be a blessed privilege!” cried Mrs, Tiernan, And Peter echoed the reply. While the older members of the party were giving all their attention to the Angel, Bobby Blossom had an idea and accosted the senior member of the Spotter Trio. “ Stumpsey,” he observed, ‘I s’ we'll hev nothin’ but sleepin’ ter do, the rest o’ the night.” ‘Tt wouldn’% be much use ter pursue Wain- bridge,” Stumps decided. ‘* We don’t know where he will go, an’ ef he kept his legs a-flyin’ as he set eut ter do, he’s over in Hoboken afore now, It won’t pay ter hunt,” ‘What ef there’s no need of it?” “Eb?” ‘* S’pose D. Wainbridge should come here?” Stumps eaughkt the idea and looked thought- ul, “‘ Delno sees his little game in danger,” Bobby added, ‘‘ an’ ef he’s got pluck an’ curiosity like most folks, J think he will perambulate back. An’ ef he gits the notion that his little game, aforesaid, is in a bad way, w’ot ef he puts on war-paint?’ ** Bobby, fer a head of its size, yours is a good one,” he of the wooden leg replied, approvingly. “Et would be resky fer us all ter go ter sleep like clams I guess twoon us had better keep watch, an’ them two must be us.” “Stumpsey, you’re a brick. Put it there! Now, le’s waltz ont an’ take position fer work. We want ter be mighty sly.” They left the house and secured position where they could wateh all that occurred in the vicin- ity. The more they meditated on the point the more corvinced were they that some demon- was to be expected, The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. ee EeeEeFEeEeEeFeFpFEh FS e—FE—FE—Ee—e——— ee aeaeaeaeaeeG_GQaansSs=«=~=~So I oe aac OO Bobby’s eyes were of the sharpést kind, and he suddenly touched Stumps’s arm, ‘* Look at the skniker!” he directed. Stumps looked where the boy’s finger pointed, and he distinctly saw a man who certainly was not a patrolman. He was moving along the street in a furtive manner, and his face was | turned toward Tiernan’s house. “The pot is Dilin’!” Bobby commented, “Great pipin’ parrots! but ain’t there a prospect o’ fun? I used ter think when Jim Royal was an actor he was away up in G, but he did wal ter quit the stage; et ain’t a marker ter this detec- tive biz. Git-onter his jags!” The person thus flippantly referred to now dodged into a doorway, and there was.a lull of several minutes, “Pipin’ the house,” Stumps murmured, ‘’ Wal, it’s quiet enough so they will be en- couraged ter go ahead with their plot. Let ’em do it; the sooner the better. He’s goin’!” The spy lefc bis covert and skulked away on the back-track, Stumps and Bobby only waited to let him get out of sight. Then weg Seo i re entered the house and notified Jim Royal of the latest de- velopments, It was no surprise to the leader of the Trio, and arrangements were at once made for receiving the enemy, if they came, in what | Bobby termed ‘‘a warm and sociable way. Tiernan was added to the defense, and all armed themselves with clubs, They bad not long to wait. Theskulker came back, and with him were two other men, They concealed themselves near the house while the patrolman passed, and then came stealthily for- ward. One was recognized as Waiubridge; the others were doubtless toughs he had picked up somewhere for the occasion. After a little investigation they selected a rear window as a suitable place for operations, and the work began. They had an ax, and the blade of this was inserted under the lower sash, They began an effort to raise the sash. When the window began to show signs of ielding, the door was quickly unlocked, and im and Tiernan stood ready to rush out, Stumps was posted by the window, and it was his part to use a club, there. Finally the weak fastening gave away, and one of the housebreakers raised the sash. ‘*Now, go slow!” came tho caution, in Wain- bridge’s voice. ‘‘We don’t want any distur- bance, Light the dark-lantern, skulk through the rooms, see wat is there, and ,then act ac- corse. Now, Mr. What’s-your-name, go in One of the strangers grasped the window-sill, raised himself, and began to crawl through, Then something happened! Down came Stumps’s club, and the intruder gave a gasp and dropped back outside. This was the signal for the others to act, and Jim and Tiernan dashed out. They went at the remaing marauders like a cyclone, and the clubs began to rise and fall, Every blow told, At first Wainbridge and his follower, surprised and dismayed as they were, made an effort to meet the storm, but the onslanght was too fierce, Bruised, bewildered and disheartened they turned and fled. The victory was won! CHAPTER XVI. SEEKING TO IDENTIFY HER. Tue day was still young, when, the next fore- noon, Jim called on Meredith Raynor, The lat- ter ers him cordially. “Tam glad you baye come. I want to see the drowned girl, and definitely settle the P ccigy of whether she was Lenore Bellaire—if can, So much time has elapsed that identifi- cation may not be easy. The many mistakes made in other cases which the newspapers have recorded from time to time show how easy it is to be mistaken. But in this case I think there is one mesns that will not fail.” ‘What is that?’ ‘“‘Lenore one day showed me a scar on the side of the fore-finger of her left hand, between that finger and the next, where no one would be likely to ses it by chance. I rely much on that scar. Is there eo a new?” “ Hilga Ermstroff is in our hands.” ‘* As a prisoner?” ‘Ob! no; asa ward and patient. We have had a doctor to her, He was conf ly much are over the case, but said there was a shock the nervons system, To meet the troubles of such a case he last night es her a powerful sedative, This morning she is much improved, orp for the first time, reason is at work in her nd, ‘¢ What did she say?” “That she does not know where Lenore is.” ‘‘ But what of her visits to the pier where you believe Lenore was drowned?” “We cannot unswer the question, yet. I | think we shall get more from Hilga, soon, for the doctor gives the opinion that a few hours more under quieting drugs, and due nourishment, will work wonders. I have visitea the girl’s room at Delancey street, but discovered noth- ing.’ By this time Raynor was ready to gc out, and they left the house. During tie journey Jim found confirmation of what he had suspected before—that his companion felt more than or- dinary interest in Lenore. Raynor grew nervous and troubled. This condition of affairs increased when they entered the house of death, and the strong young man was singularly palo when they stood by the drowned girl. Jim watched him closely. The covering was raised from the still face, , which was revealed to the would-be identifier, He started, made as if to turn away, then looked intently. Surprise, doubt and uncertainty were pictured in his face, Then came a sudden change, and he turned quickly to the detective and exclaimed: ‘* It is not Lenore !” ‘Not Lenore?” Jim echoed. “ec No,” ** Are you sure?” ‘‘Perfectly! This girl bad darker hair, a face wider between the cheek-bones, and more of masculine-like strength and vitality. I know it is not Lenore!” ‘Then who is it?” *T don’t know. So much time has ela that it would be very hard to identify the face, but the signs I have mentioned are not to be disputed.” ‘* The band?—look for the scar!” Raynor ap dry and then his face grew: brighter even than before, “The sear is not there!” he declared. Jim stood in silence, Had all bis work bees done for nothing? Had he worked on a clew i wholly false? Perhaps; but—he did not believe it. While Raynor still stood in puzzled atten- | tion, the Spotter aroused and took hisarm, A} vague idea had been in Jim’s mind, Before, it: had beep too wild to be entertained ; now, it was t well worth consideration, 2 ‘¢Come!” he directed, ‘‘ We want this matter | settled as soon as possible, By this time it may‘ be possible, If Lenore is not dead, Hilga knowsv where she is, We will go to Hilga,” d ‘*¢ But is her mental condition such as to rendern information possible?” “The doctor confesses that he does not know" what bas been the matter with her, but says ber ailment bad reached a point where sedatives: were of vast, value, When sedatives were givemi she improved with singular rapidity. She may be more improved now. Let us go to her!” }) They went. 8 Mrs, Tiernan was watching the patient witlx the care of a mother, and when the visitors ar- rived she carried the message toher. Very soom she returned with the answer: “Sure, she says she'll be roight glad ter seey Mr, Raynor,” the good woman explained, D “Por once,” murmured Meredith, ‘1 feel amb interest in Hilga, I never liked her, but if shey can tell me of Miss Belleire she will make md her best friend.” e They entered. Upon the humble bed lay the Angel of thé Docks, and any one who bad not seen her sincas she went under medical treatment would hav been surprised to see how much brighter shi looked, and how intelligence had made gain i her expression. | But it was not this which caused Mereditl Raynor to stop short and look in amazement * nor yet this which made his face light up wit! } joy as he exclaimed: ‘ Lenore |” Dy The Angel of the Docks put out her hand amc smiled, te ‘“T am glad to see you, Mr, Raynor,” she ren plied, ov ‘“ But I thought—I thought—” _ of “J find I am addressed as Hilga Ermstrofi‘‘ and perbaps you expected tosee her. I am ne‘ she, as you see, and I do not know where she it | As near as I can learn she has disappeared-e where, [ know not,” & pr Jim could not doubt that Lenore Bellaire we** found. Her own mind was clear, and there wai no hesitation in Raynor’s recognition, ‘ib The young detective did not hurry matterid and, when the reunited friends had eonverse:t
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} , for awhile, it was Raynor who asked her to ex- there. Wal, we didn’t find nothin’, an’ I give plain what had happened since he saw her, ‘*¢ There is much which I cannot explain,” she returned, thoughtfully. ‘* I have been ill, both hysically and mentally, but chiefly the latter. No one 1s SO much at loss to understand as I, but I will explain all I can, ‘* When | Jeft you, after our ship reached New York, Hilga and I went at once to Delancey street, We entered upon life there with a de- ception on our part, “‘Thad felt distrust of my uncle, though it was offset by a feeling that, even if he were so disposed, be could not harm me in New York. Hilga always had reassured me, and given the opinion that Captain Bellaire would be found honest, buf while on shipboard she proposed a stratagem to me, “It was this:- That when we landed we sould exchange identities; that, fora few days, I should become Hilga, and she become Lenore Beliaire. My one fear was that, if my*uncle meant me harm, he would seize the first chance to imprison me somewhere. Hilga argued that if he tried this she would be imprisoned, while 1, the real Lenore, would be at liberty to see the officers of law and baffle him, ‘* This plan did not suit me, for I would rather meet danger, myself, than have Hilga put her- self in peril for me, but she insisted that the plan be tried, reiterating that neither of us would be troubled; that my uncle would receive us kindly. * At last I yielded, and: when we went to De- lancey street we played our false parts, Hilga introduced herself to the landlady as Lenore Bellaire, and introduced me as Hilga Ermstroff. “That night I was taken ill, so ill that I de- sired a doctor; but Hilga insisted that she could relieve me. We had words on the subject, and, e indignant that she should let me suffer, I tried to rise from the bed, but she pushed me back forcibly, and gave me another dose of what she said was medicine furnished by the landlady. ‘Then sleep stole over me, and I knew no more,” oe 1¢ narrator put her hand to her head and ww frowned thoughtfully. ve ‘All after this is vague,” she went on. “I m- bave reason to believe I was no longer in my Avight mind. In fact, I know it, for what little [ it remember of the intervening events is only like ag the dim shape of detached dreams. Ihave vague recollections of callers whom I refused to see, I ter know not why; of night visits to the water-front ay which I made for some reason I fail to grasp, I ws wonder at my own obliviousness to the danger I dared. But all this period and its events eludes Jerme when I try to think of it clearly.” 4 “And Hilga Ermstroff?”? Jim questioned, ow’ How do you account for her disappearance?” ber ‘I don’t know.” ves » Lanore raised her hand and looked at it atten- ogee nay ‘I had a ring, one [ wore always and deepl therished, because it had been my miofher’s. It s gone, How? Where? Did I lose it in my vithmental aberration, or did Hilga—” ar- She paused, and Jim finished for ber, bluntly: oom ‘ Rob you?” ay Hilga left me when I was ill, weak and beset geevith trouble, I wish to think well of her, but I ask nyself: Were ber motives really friendly when 1 ashe suggested that we exchange identities? And I sheyould like to know if Captain Bellaire has seen »mdilga, or—or any one claiming to be Lenore Sellaire!” Jim and Raynor exchanged glances, but at ' that moment Peter Tiernan appeared, to say that sincaen were outside who wanted to see the detective, Pa. eo se have * she in i CHAPTER XVIL edit! SELF-CONDEMNED, nent ‘Grear yowlin’ cats! ef I ain’t struck a streak wit! pay-dirt, I’m a pestiferous Ananias|” Phis was the exclamation which greeted Spot- xr Jimas he went out. It came from Bobby j amlossom, The latter was there, alert and ex- ted, while by his side stood Stumps. The ye renior member of the Spotter Trio was calm, 2wever. ‘Have you a elew, Foye Jim asked. ** Bet yer silk stockin'’s scott We lave somethin’ that ought ter be looked he i¢ immejiate,” Stumps added. ‘‘ Bobby is the iredse who found it, an’ it’s fer him ter tell the ’ ory. Proceed, Robert!” ss ere ee ge Bemreets ancy ea, j +“ H r¢) je werined. 5 Kinder & there might be tricks an’ two gals be r. Stumps went ‘ite of alt you bad said, at Delancey street de’ one; some and atterid cape versecie ims up the two-gal theory; it’s wrong, But when the landlady let us search the room, we did strike ile wonderful. This here is Hilga’s diary, an’ Ive picked out a few daily recofds fer you ter peroose. Goin, Jeems, This fitst one is writ on the third day out of Calcutta, as Hilga an’ Lenore came this way. Read!” Jim read: “Calm and beautiful weather. Our good ehip cuts down the distance rapidty, and we shall so. n be in New York, And then? pried heiress, while } shall be—what? *ve always been; a beggar, beaut ful, indolent, am- bitious. I envy Lenore, never kind to some. the voyag-? Ishould land in New York what I have jnst claimed to be, a beggar. And without her I should be friendless. Should 1? Why need it be ao? Captain BHellaire’s agent missed the vessel at Cal- cutta; be will be several days, at the least, behind us. In the mean while what could-I not do? Old Bellaire does not know how Lenore looks. Could I not go to him, say / was Lenore, get a few thou- sands in my fair white hands, and skip the town be- fore my deceit was known? Would 1 were Lenore! Not being Lenore, would that [ could step into her shoes!” ‘* Now, read this!” Bobby directed. Again Jim Royal read. ‘Another beautiful day. Nearer yet to New York. On we go—Lenore, the heiress-elect; Rilga, the beggar! Lenore! How [hate her! Why can’t Ibe rich? But, itis impossible! She, poor fool! be- lieves in me fully. She is shallow; I am deep. Have my wits become so dull that I cannot finda way to supplant her?’’ ‘Try ag’in,” Bobby advised, The next extract was brief, but to the point: **My plan takes shape. Having given her a plau- sible reason, Lenore bas agreed that, for her safety (?), she. and I will exchange identities for a few days after landing. I have the mind-destroying drug given me by the old East Indian at Hydera- bad, before lever saw Lenore. Whrn I givea dose to Lenore, will it affect her as Myrpoo Hassa said: One dose, wt akness of mind; two, imbecihty; three, pope Let me remember that. Ah! I may yet be rich!” “This one will close it up,” pursued Bobby. “Some good things come in between, but you kin read them when you hev more time. This, you'll see, is the very last writin’ in the book, an’ was traced by Hilga at the Delancey street house, Read, J. Royal, read!” And James read the last entry: “The work is done, and well done. Old Myrpoo Hassa’s drug is all he has claimed for it; Lenore is helpless. It made her ill bodily ere it affected her mind, and between her and the landlady I have been busy. I’ve given her only one dose. She will fully recover from it, if left alone. Whether I give her a rennet or third, dose, will depend on what happens - t “To-night! means to me! ““T have sent word to Captain Bellaire (signing myself Lenore B+ llaire), and have his answer. This evening he will send his friend, Mr. Delno Wain- bridge, to convey me in a carriage to his house. Shall I go? Verily, Ishall—as Lenore! Once there how soon can I gobble a few thousands from the old captain? It must be done quickly, for when the agent arrives from India it will become known that I am not Lenore, For « while I am safe; I even have on Lenore’s dress and her ring. “Victory! I will get all the cash L can, and then skip. As for Lenore, her future is not decided. If I can work the ropes properly, Ill let her live to en- for what I can’t purloin, but—how I’ve always hated 1er!—why couldn’t I have had money, too?—but it my interests demand it, she will have to take the second, or third, dose of the East Indian's drug. “A carriage stops at the door; it is my escort. Lo! I become Lenore, and go to grasp the Bellaire thousands! Sleep on. my mistress; you msy, per- haps, take what I can’t get. Yes; the man of the ie hie ya has asked for Miss Bellaire. I go, to vic- tory ty It was the last entry in the book, and when it was read no questions were necessary, The diary told its own story, Hilga Ermstroff, destitute of honor, and desti- tute of gratitude toward the mistress whose kindness of heart had made her a friend instead of a servant, had gone to pass herself off as Lenore, and had met, not with riches, but with her fate! ! Lured to the East River pier, she had died there, and it was her body that had been found in the bay. Again Peter Tiernan came to the Spotter Trioj this time from Barney McCurdy, ; ‘** Sure, the varmint says be’s a-goin’ ter, die an’ that he see’d the ghest ave the drownded girl on the pier. I asked him how he knew, an’ he tells me he was along on the vessel from Cal- cutta to New York, an’ see Lenore well enough to be after knowin’ her weil by sight, an’ that it How much, how very much that The Street Spotters’ Weird Hunt. Then Lenore will be a ! Just what | Fate is seldom just; it is | What if Lenore should die cn | 15 ar her ghost he see whin Bobby, turned on the ight!’ The sta#ement was true as far as Barney’s knowledge went. He had made the trip to Cal- cutta, with the ‘‘agent,” but when the latter missed the craft on the return, Barney had re- lapsed into a harmless passenger. When Hilga, in trying to escape the gang | after being lured to the pier, met her death, Barney bad not seen ber face, and supposed the real Lenore had been drowned. Hence, wher he saw Lenore as the Angel of the Docks, all his superstitious fears had come to the front, and thus it was that he fell in the fit. But Barney was not dying. A future was be- fore him, Meredith Raynor was talking with “Lenore, but there was other work to be done by thoss who bad ferreted out the mystery. Jim hired a cab, and, with Bobby for a companion, was soon on his way to Police Headquarters. Once there his story was soon told, and measures taken to get warrants for the arrest of Wainbridge snd Captain Bellaire, That night they slept, if sleep they did, under lock and key, guarded by the police, ——— Lenore’s recovery was rapid. The exact nature of the drug which Hilga had given her was not discovered, but Myrpoo Hassa, the old East Indian, bad gauged its effects well. While its temporary power was strong it left no permanent harm, and its influence was fast passing away when the doctor took her in charge, Memory never brought back the events of those days of mental darkness, but, as regarded her visits to the water-front, it was clear that, having once been guided there by Ira Ricketts, instinct bad led her to goaccurately on ber later journey. Doubtless she took the very same route each time. It was on her first visit, alone, that ber cry had alarmed the Tiernans, and they had found her in a swoon. The face in the water she claimed to have seen that night was doubtless wholly imaginary, while her erratic talk, in which she asserted she had, been drowned, her- self, was only a mental vagary, As for tke motive of her visits to the pier, no realizing sense of the tragedy descri by Ricketts had ever c:me to her, but enough of an impression bad been made to send her there each night. That the landlady did not know she went out was not strange, for she left at a somewhat late hour, and very quietly, according to her custom. “She was able to recognize the body of the drowned girl fully as Hilga, but the shock of the tragic end of her once-supposed friend was softened by the latter’s own words in the diary, where she so plainly, relentlessly announced her purpose to rob, perhaps to murder Lenore. The foiled schemer was respectably buried, and there her history ended. Captain Bellaire, Wainbridge and McCurd were duly tried asd convicted. As no premedi- tation to commit the crime of the pier could be proven, they escaped the death-penalty, but each received a long sentence, When Stumps saw McCurdy he recognized him as the man who had followed him home the night he was assaulted in his room, and Barney finally confessed that attempted crime, Sra Ricketts was used as a witness for the peo- ple and allowed to go free, He is leading an honest life. The Tiernans are prosperous and happy, and when Lenore visits them, as she often does, can- not quite get rid of the impression that she whe was once the Angel of the Docks is a little more thah human. Jim Royal had surmised correctly on one point, and the fact was established when Lenore came Mrs, Meredith Raynor, It was found that the Western land, pur. chased a score of years before by Harper Bellaire really had become very valuable; that it was because of this her uncle had plotted against her, as be unjustly held her share; that he had deliberately left his brother and family or the ocean island to get the property; and Lenore now received her own and was wealthy. And the Spotter Trio? j They are still in harness. Resolate Jim, sober Stumps and volatile Bobby received great glory from their work, and good pay, too, ot strange, them, that they sought fresh fields for the exercise ef their peculiar gifts as spotter- detectives, i TRE ERD.
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Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sc BEADLE'S« H ALF- DIME«[_IBRARY. ler. $$ rent BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadvwrood Dick Novels. Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. Deadwood Dick’s Detiance; or, Double Daggers. Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffalo Ben 1 20 5 Deadwood Dick in Hi« Castle. 42 Deadwood Dick’sa Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omaha Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Dendwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity 4 ine, the Heroine 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Acti or, Corduroy Charlie. 100 Deadwood Dick In Leadville. Dick’sa Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. Dick as Detective. Dick’« Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. Dick of beadwood: or, The Picked Party. Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. Dick’s Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel. Dick’s Doom or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure, Dick’s Dead Decal. Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Pend wood Deadwood Deadwood Déadwood Deadwood & Deadwood ? Deadwood 221 Deadwood Dick’s De&th-Plant. 282 Gold-Duat Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, ane mopewees Drekie pivide pes oe Spirit of Swamp Lake. $ Deadwoo ck’* Death Trall. 809 Deadwood Dick’« Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon. B21 Deadwood Dick’a Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 847 Deadwood Diek’sa Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. p44 eer veed nie earceeent or, The Terrible Vendetta, end woor ck’a Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick In Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York: or, A “ Cute Case.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Duat; or, The Chained Hand, rts ene wend peek, ae gee Crimson Crescent Sign. end woot ek, Jr.’s, Defiance, 458% Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Full Hand. 459 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Big Round-Up. 465 Deadwood Dick Jr.’a Racket at Claim 10, 4h mead weed 1m oo be tan a Bill. rs endwoo ¢ r.’@ og Detective, 4»1 Deadwood Dick. ores in Dead ood, Jr.’a, Compact. Jr.’a, Inheritance, dros Diggings. dr.’a, Deliverance, dra Protegee. dr.’s, Three. dr.’s, Danger Ducks, Jr.’«, Death Hunt. Jr. in Texas. dr., the Wild West Vidocg Jdr., on Hi« Mettle. Jr., In Gotham, Jr., in Boston. Jr., in Philadelphia, dr., in Chicago. Jr.. Afloat. or.» in Denver. Jr.a, Decree. Jr., in Beelzebub’s Basin, Jdr., at Coney Island. Jr.’s, Leadville Lay Jr., in Detrolt. Jr. in Cincinnati. Jr., in Nevada. dr., in No Man’a Land, Dick, Jr., After the Queer. Dick Jr.. In Buffalo, Diek, Jra, Chase Acroasa the Continent Dick, Jr... Among the Smugglers. Diek, Jr.’«, Insurance Case. Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines. Dick, Jr., In Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” en! aes Seaver sy} Found a Fortune, ek, Jr.’a. Dazzle, Dick, Jr.’s. Dollara. 5 Deadwood Dick. Jr., at Danger Divide, ! Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Drop. Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. Dendwood Dick Jr., in San Francisco. Deadwood Diek, Jr« Still Hunt. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Dominoes, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a Diagulac, Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double Deal, Deadwood Dick Jr.’a, Deathwatch, Deadwood Dick dr.’s, Doublet. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Deathblow. Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s Desperate Strait, Deadwood Bick, Jr.’a, Lone Hand. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’« Defeat. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Reaurrection, Deadwooa Dick. Jr’s Dark Days. Deadwood Dick Jr., Defled. Pendwood Dick, Jr.’a, Double Device. Deadwood Dick, Jr’.a, Desperate Venture, 9 pe add picks Ls Diamons. oh mye endwood Dick Jr.’« oyal Flus Deadwood Dick, gr.’ Hoad-offe + Dendwood Dick, Jr.’a, Rival. Dendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Boom. DPeadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Scoop. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Proxy. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Clutch. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, High Morae. Deadwood Diek Jr., at Devil’s Gulch. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Beath-Hole Hustle, poadwesd preee ge Aa end wok ck, Jr., in Mexico. Deadwood Dick, Jr’a Decoy Duck. Pendwood Dick, Jr. tn Silver Pocket. Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dead-Sure Game Dendwood Dick, Jr’a, Double Drive. Peadwood Dick, Jr”a, Trade-Mark. Dendwood Dick, Jr., at_Tip-Top. Dendwood Dick, Jr.’s Double-Decker.? Deadwood Dick, Jr. at Dollarville. Deadwood Dick, Jr.. at Flush Flats Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Shake-up. DPendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Double rope Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Right Bower. 7 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Ten-Strike. Pendwood Dick, Jr.’s, Gold-Duast. Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Oath, T Deadwood Dick, Ir.’s, Death-Doom. Dendwood Dick, Jr.’a, Best Card, Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Gold Dust, 998 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Big Play. 1005 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Branded, 1011 Pexdword Deck, Jv.’a. Dutch Pard, 1018 Deadwood Diet, J».’*, Big Four. BY T. J. FLANAGAN, 909 Midshipman Pare, the Pirate Catcher, 925 The Young Cowboy Captain. 988 The Two Midshipmen; or, The Corsair-Chaser’s First ruise. 7 949 The Three Licutenants 959 The Maxcot Middy ; or, The 966 Fighting Jack Shubrick, 972 Fighting Jack’s Middites; or, Dandy Dick’s Dash, 999 Jack Lang, the Privateer Rover. 1014 Middy Ned, tke Runaway, Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Veadwooa Deadwood DPeadwooa Deadwood 5649 Deadwooa 5654 Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwooe Deadwood 5 Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Deadwood Deadwood Dendwood Dend wood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Deadwood Diek, Dick Dick, Dick, Dick Dick, Dick, Diek, Dick, Dick, Thiek, Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick. Dick. Dick, Diek Dick, Diek, Dick, Dick. Dick. Dick, our Commanders. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. Rosebud Rob on Hand; or, Idy), the Girl Miner. 88 Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance; or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob's Challenges or, Cinnamon Chip. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen; or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll’s Victory: or, Skul! and Crossbones, 255 Denver Doll’« Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza. 296 Denver Doll's Drift; or. The Road Queen. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherery; or, The Life Lottery, 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up, . 885 Yreka Jim’s Jokers or, The Rivals of Red Nese. 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Léeetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter. 244 Alerra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion. 248 Sierra Sam Secret; or, The Bloody Footprinta, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pardy; or, The Ange! of Big Vista. A258 Sierra Sain’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Lifein New York. — 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Arabs and Angels, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 145 Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Gir) Detective. 226 The Arab Detective ; or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 291 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 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon: or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf’; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand. 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jacek Hoyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Bossa Kob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent; or, The Branded Brows. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps. 181 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or, Lady Lily’s Love. 286 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator; or, The Locked Valley. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patro}; or, The Rival Heirs. 880 Little Qu!ck-Shot3; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent from Gopher. 878 Nabob Ned; or, The Secret of Slab City. B82 Cool Kit, the King cf Kids; or, A Villain” Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son’s Vengeance, 486 Sealakin Sam, the Sparkler; or The Tribunal of Ten, 918 Kit Keith, t e Revenue Spotter. 922 Bol Sharpe, the New_York Night-Hawk, 948 Old Hayseed Among Bunco Men, 1001 Banty, the Denver Bootblack. BY J. Cc. COWDRICK, gee Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 4 Broadway Billy’s Boodle; or, Clearing a Strange Case, 586 Broadway Billy’sa ‘ Diffiktity.” 557 Broadway 5 Peath Racket. Broadway Billy’« Surprise Party. Broadway Billy; 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’« Bests or, Beating San Francisco's Finest, Broadway Billy tn Clover. * Broadway Billy in Texas; or, The River Rustlers, 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. 711 Broadway Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. Broadway Billy’s F'ull Wands or, The Gamin Detective, Broadway Billy’s Business. Broadway Billy’s Curtous Case. Brondway Billy in Denver. Broadway BUTy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detective. Broadway Billy, the Retriever Detective. Broadway Rilly’« Shadow Chase. Broadway Billy’ Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest. Broadway Billy’s Team; or, The Combine’s Big Pall. Broadway Billy’s Brigade; or, The Dead Alive. Broadway Billy’« Queer Bequest, Broadway Billy Baffled, Broadway Billy’s Signal Scoop. Broadway Billy’ Wipe Out. Broadway Billy’s Bank Racket. Broadway Billy’« Blof. Broadway Billy Among Jersey Thugs. Broadway Billy’s Raid, Broadway Billy’« Big Boom, Broadway Billy’* Big Bulge. Broadway Bllly’s #100,000 Snap. Rroadway Billy’s Blind; or, The Bootblack Stowaway. Broadway Billy tn London. Rroadway Billy Shadows London Slams, Broadway Rilly’s French Game. _ roadway Billy and the Bomb-Tnrowers. Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys. 9 Shaata, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Dead, The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without » Name, Cibuta John; or, Rea Hot Times at Ante Bar. Randy Sam, the Street Scout. Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. Redl ‘ngineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve Mart, the Night Express Detective. Alr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Donble Case The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Marry the Chief of Chained Cyclone, 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Tyrewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan the ‘‘ Pizenest ’’? Man of Ante Bar, S87 Battery Bob. the Dock Detective. 894 Arizona Dick’s W ipe-Out. 900 Jumping dack’s Jubilee. 906 Safety Mam, the Cyrle Sport. 912 Train Boy Trist’s Mot Mustle, 918 The Trump Dock-Boy. 924 Big Boota Bob, the Fire-Laddfe. Kuatler Ralph, the Boy Spotter. The Ex-Newshboy Detective’s Cham. The Rowling Green Detective’s Drop. 944 Cowboy Charlie’s Double. 947 The Bowery W restler; or, The Butcher-Boy’s Backer, 958 Paddv’s Trump Card; or, Silver Sallie, the Girl Sport, 960 The Broadway Sport: or, Fiver Fred’s Clear Case. 967 81000 Reward: or, The Rival Reporters’ Sleek Scoop. 978 Rantam Billy, the Corker-Ferret. 978 Plucky Pat. the Street-Boy Detective, 989 Bicycle Bob's Hot Scorch, 997 Reorcker Sam, the Detective on Wheels. 1004 Scorcher Sam's Sweep-Stake s. 1009 Tae Giri OC) cliss’s Winning Hand, BY WILLIAM PERRY BROWNE. 956 Brooklyn Rob’« Rule; or, Dodger Dot’s Diamond Snap. 968 The Fast-Side Spotter: or, Turning Down the Big Three 974 Old Sant’s Dark Deal; or, Miner Mat’s Iron Grip, 1015 The Keporter-Detec(tve’s Big Pull. ‘ ht Ralph the Prince of the Road. . Ad at the Uniform Price of Five Cents, by all Newsdea $e BUFFALO BILL NOVELS, BY COL, PRENTISS INGRAHAM, | 1018 Buffale Bil’« Texas Team. | 1007 Buffalo Bill’« Sure-Shota. ooo | 958 Buffalo 948 Buffalo 1006 Buffalo 11's Decoy Boya. 995 Buffalo Bill’« Drop; or, Dead-Shot Ned , the Kansas Kid 988 Buffalo Bill’s Lasso Throwers. 981 Buffalo Bill's Fighting Five. 975 Buffalo Bill's Kifle Shots. 968 Buffalo Bill’« Rush Rides or, Sure-Shot, the High-Flyer, 964 Buffalo Bill's Decoy ; or, The Arizona Crack Shot, Bills Mazeppa-Chare. Lill’s Snap-Shot 3 or, Wild Kid’s Texan Tally Bills Tough Tussle, 936 Buffalo Bills Boy Mascot; or, Joe Jarvis’ Hold-ep, 929 Buffalo Bill’s Crack-shot Pard. 650 Buffalo BUDs Boy Pard; or, Butterfly Billy. 216 Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Bison Bill’« Clue; or. Grit, the Bravo Sport, 942 Buffalo BY BUFFALO BILL. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout; or, The Banded Brotherhood 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Faney Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, 1029 The Phantem Spy. BY CAPT. ALFRED B, TAYLOR, U. 8. A, 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo BUl's Bet: or, The Gambler Guide. BY COL. PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 1081 The Texan Huatlers tn Cuba. 1027 The Cowboy Raiders in Cuba . 1025°The Flying Yankee or, The Ocean Outcast, 1028 The Cowboy Clan in Cuba. 1016 The Boy Bugler in Cuba. ' New York Nat’s Prop: 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’s Double. New York Nat’s in Colorado, New York Nat In Gold Nugget Camp. New York Nat’s Deadly Deal. New York Nat’s Crook-Chase. New York Nat’s Trump Card. New York Nat and the Grave Ghouls. New York Nat's Masked Mascot. New York Nat, the Gamin Detective. Dick Doom’« Kidnapper Knock-Out. Dick Doom’s Ten Strike, Dick Deom’s Flush Hand. Dick Doomwn’sa Peath-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny, Dick Doom’s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror. Dick Doom; or, The Sharps and Sharks of New Yorks Dick Doom tn Boston; or, A Man of Many Masks, Dick Doom tn Chicago. __ Dick Doom in the Wild Weat, Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep} or, Five Links in a Clue, Dick Doom’s Death Clue. Dick Doom’s Piamond Deal. Dick Doom’« Girl Mascot. Dick Doom’s Shadow Hunt. & Dick Doom’s Big Heul. 7 Dashing Charlie: or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trai, Dashing Charlie's Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. Dashing Charlie’s Pawnee Pard. Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. Buck Wovlar, King of the Cowboys. Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s re Buck Taylor’« Boys; or, The Red Riders of the Rio Grande, Ana Firty Others. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City, Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affair at Tombstone, Tom Cat's Terrible Task; or, The Cowboy Detective 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Dan’s Great Combine, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Josh’s Ten Strike, 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling for Millions. 576 The Silver Sport: or, Josh Peypermint’s Jubilee. 688) Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidocg; or, Hot Times at Round-Up 611 Bilan Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 7 Warbling William the Mountain Mountebank, 665 Jolly Jeremiah, the Plains Detective. 676 Signal Sam, the Lookout Scout. : 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy:_o The Mystery of Two Lives," 699 Birnple Sim, the FProncho Buster: or, For Big Stakes, 712 The Meameriat Sports or, The Mystified Detective. 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector. 745 Kanaas Jim the Cross-Cut Detective. Marmaduke, the Mustanger Detective. The Ruatler ot Rolling Stonc, the Committee of One. 85 L u J Sor Kant Kinky, fhe High-Kicker from Killbuck. in Texaa. in Colorado, Billy’s Snap.Shots The Doctor Detective Two Showmen Ictectives 987 The Texan Firebrand: or, Brazos 961 The Tramp’s Trump-Trick. NEW ISSUES. 1044 The New York Sharp. By Ben D. Halliday. By Maj, Sam. S, Scott, 1045 Mustang Merle’s Mine. 1046 Goid Plume, the Boy Bandit,; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider. By Col, Prentiss Ingraham. 1047 Flyer Fred, the Cyclist Ferret. By Roy Rockwood, 1048 The Street Spotters’ Welrd Hunt. By Waring, 1049 Queen Edna of the Panthers. By Wm. R, Eysater, 1050 The One-Armed Sport. By T.© Harbaugh. The Boy Hercules. By 0ll Coomes.} JUST ISSUED. 1088 You Ret Bob's Cireus. _ By Arizona Cy, The Gold Witch's Shadower. By Col. P. Ingraham. 1084 me Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, By Oll Coomes, 3 Dandy Dick’s Double. By Rebert R. Inman. 7, Yetective. By Cel. P. Ingraham, pie ee eee The Red Right Hand. By Buffalo Bit. . tang Merle, the Boy Rancher. By Maj S'S. Scotte Tua e ills pony Patrol. By Col P. Ingraham, Cowboy Chris to the Fore By Wm. W. Wilder. YAttle Grit, the Pony Express Rider, By Col. Ingraham 1048 You Ret Bob from Cross Crick, By Arizona Uy« A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdeslers, five, tonta per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six comps each, ‘ BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 92 William Street, New York, ° 1051