Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 157) (1880 07 27)
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rt GR 8 ye es | [SA = T68 s Hig : | oe! 4 a . ~=S oo \/ £ oy: —S= = G ~ - —4 2 Ua {a i ‘em ioe $2.50 a year. QAA=Se WN Vol. VII. ‘Single : BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR OF ‘‘ WILL SOMERS,” ‘‘ PHIL HARDY,” ‘‘ PICAYUNE PETE,” ‘‘ DETECTIVE DICK,” ‘“‘HANDSOME HARRY,” ETC., ETC. : Ny) aes —— Ss 4 - eZ AZE = J og Z a di — ae « YY Vy UB | Dy le Yj . ‘ - J ‘ an Cal MT al Ait — <= ~~ base Ye! S hk * ae “ i et HERE KX S oe 4 : S SS ~ SS S KSAT ET NES, as Fy PATI i ——we eB Sa B, AND GIVING VENT TO A HALLO OF DELIGHT IN THE PROSPECT OF CAPTURING OLD LEVI THE FOX.
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Mike Merry, THE HARBOR POLICE BOY; The Night-Hawke of Philadelphia. BY CHARLES MORRIS, AUTHOR OF “PHIL HARDY,” “PICAYUNE PETE,” “DE- TEOTIVE DICK,”’ ‘HANDSOME HARRY,” “WILL WILDFIRE,”’ ‘‘ BLACK BESS,”’ ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. A MIDNIGHT CRUISE. Nicart had long since fallen over the streets and homes of the ing with rapid tread, and the proceim wee of slumber were drooping lower and lower, lull into rest all the eyes and brains of the late busy com- munity. But in the well-lighted central parts of the city many persons were yet abroad. The theaters had but lately poured out their thousands of auditors ‘into the streets; while late revelers wandered, like unquiet birds of the ni ht, seeking refuge in drink- ing or in gambling oons, or mourning, in maud- lin tones, over their last penny “‘ gone to the dogs.” And there was life and wakefulness in far differ- vent quarters of the town. But we cannot undertake to trace these night-hawks in all their varying forms, and prefer to devote our attention to a single party of them, with whom alone we have any immediate In the bar-room of a low-fronted tavern on Beach street, in the district of Kensington, are seated five men, closely grou around a table in a corner of the apartment. Other customers are occasionally woming and going in the tap-room, but these five have been seated there for the last two hours, with — of foaming ale frequently renewed before They are not an attractive looking party, with their rough net jackets, and their faces, not alone ‘weather-beaten, but marked deeply with the stam of the disreputable class. Yet, one of them, thoug. dressed like his comrades, differs from them essen- tially in face, his clear complexion and _well-cut features indicating a man of different type from his Jow-lived associates. This man has scarcely touched his ale, and seems “to exercise a restraining power over his more thirsty -sompanions, his every look and gesture apparently holding them in control. “ Hist!’ he said, in a low, warning tone, as one of the others raised his voice,’ “There's a fellow there ‘at the bar with his ears open. Drop business. That’s not what we are here for.” ** And what the blue blazes is we here for?” asked the reproved man, on whom his libations were be- ginning to tell. “Not as a mug of ripe old ale ain’t suthin’ wuth a chap’s while; but—” “ There is not a but in the case,” interrupted the other. “Drink your ale in quiet, and thank your stars . are not put ona penauce of cold water.”’ “ Ob Lud, that’s good!’ laughed another. ‘“* Put Jake on cold water, eh? y his bones ‘d turn green afore a month, like so much moldy cheese.” “Tt is getting near bedtime, lads,’”’ remarked the first speaker, casting a peculiar look at his compan- ions. ‘ We must be tracking up town.” “Guess we mought set ‘em up agin, fust,”’ re- sponded Jake, in a grumbling tone. ‘Here you are, landlord. Fetch us a taste of suthin’ good fora a * g my hearty.” e barkeeper cut short the conversation which he was holding with a roughly-dressed customer, and hastened to furnish the thirsty party with a new supp! of the favorite beverage. ere’s a bumper to a merry night's sleep,” spoke nother of the five. ‘“‘ And here’s a hope it'll carry pleasant dreams on its track. Good old ale ought :o untwist the wrinkles in any man’s heart, and make ‘him as happy asa king. Drown all care thenina bumper, and let’s be off, lads.” With cheerful assent their glasses were drained, and they walked in a ge from the room, after settling their score at the bar. “ Ain’t they terrible anxious to get home early?” ried the customer of the barkeeper. “ Jist dreadful,” responded the latter. “But if bed sees them soon I’m considerable off my reckon- EThink ny Hs on a an. fi and he pointed his thumb over shoulder, while his face assumed a “curiously significant expression. “I think they're g customers to my ale barrel. “That’s all a man in my business is called on to posed city. Midnight was approach- | c | ] ag was the cautious rejoinder. “ Oh, blastitall. I ain’t here on a pump,” replied | customer. ‘But I haven't seen one of them fellows before— What’ll I take, did you say?” Well, a drop of old rye, seeing it’s landlord's treat,” Meanwhile the five men were making their way along the not very clean pavement of Beach street, “directing their course southward. “Won't you flats ever learn that killing time is one thing, and business is another?” asked their leader, ima vexed tone. ‘“ Your tongue is too loose, Jake. And it’s worse when it’s lubricated with ale.” “And if fat old ale won't d te a chap’s tongue, what the thunder’s the good o’ drinkin’ it, I’d like to know?” queried Jake, in an injured tone, “ How- somdever, I’ve a notion Lallers know when ter pull | up. “Tf you have your way you'll pull up ag’in’ a rope _ the first speaker. } “Hist! came again from thin lips of the leader. Giving the others a sign to move on he drew silent- ly within a deep doorway, and remained there glan- cing keenly around its edge until his comrades were nearly a square distant. “Tt must have been a false alarm,’’ he muttered, as he at length stepped from his place of shelter, and gazed intently up the deeply-shadowed street, with its few lights dimly dispelling the darkness. **T could have sworn [heard a cautious step just behind us,’ he continued, “but it’s plain enough that the coast’s clear.”’ He walked away as if fully satisfied. He had not ot far, however, before he halted and turned sharp- vs around, searching the street behind him with keen nces, a All rosy,” he mutter xd, turning a corner, and hurrying ata rapid pace. own a side street. Yet it was not so rosy as he fancied. Sharply cautious as he had been, there was another person- age quite as ee as himself. When they left the tavern and proceeded down the street, a dwarfish form, which had stood leaning in a weary aspect against the shadowing trunk of a neighboring tree, suddenly straightened itself, and turned into the street in their rear. This figure moved along in the gloom of the houses, at a short distance behind them. Coming near a gas lamp, however, it halted a moment, in the dark mouth of an alley, making a slight involun- tary noise in doing so, which attracted the watchful attention of the leader of the party in advance. The sharp bo of the Spy did not fail to advise him of the ambush of this leader, and he remained in his retreat, until the latter had again started on- w And now the movements of the spy were peculiar. Leaving his place of refuge he ran forward witha uick, Aight step, until he had »eached the doorway ormerly occupied by the man ‘n advance. Into the opening the diminutive form eezed itself, while his eyes gazed cautiously out. He was just in time, too, for at the same instant the man stopped for his second look back. e spy now waited until bis quarry had turned the corner of the adjoining street. He then ran quickly forward as before. “Forge ahead, old Levi, ie fox!” he muttered, between his set teeth. ‘* You’re sharp, you are. You’re just a double-action razor; but if it’s me you're goin’ to shave, I'll bet you a monkey to a cow you'll cut your fingers afore you: cut this coon’s face. Look out I don’t hole you. Levi had now joined his comrades, a full square in advance. Thesmall figure of the spy ned after them as before; now running, and now con- cealing himself. In ashort time they emerged upon the wharves, and looked out upon the broad Delaware, with its living array cf tall masts running southward as far as the eye couid reach, The five men here stopped and entered into an oo conference, their tones low, their eyes on the ert. Yet the unseen spy was now hidden within twenty paces of them, straining to catch the low words that rellfrom their lips. But for this he was too far distant. A single word only, of all their conference, reached his ears. Yet this word seemed significant to him, by the change which came upon his face when Jake spoke, with incautious loudness, the word “ Fleetwing.”’ “* All sublime, my hosses,” muttered the spy. “A wink’s as good as a nod, toa blind mule, any day.”’ He continued to watch them, until he saw them one by one, leave the shadow of the houses, an cross the street to the long wharf op te. This was well covered with piles of lumber, through which the five men threaded their way. or was the spy tar behind them. Not many minutes had elapsed ere he heard the sound of oars. Stealing to the edge of the pier he locked heedfully over. lt was very dark here, on the surface of the water, and in the deep shadows of the lumber, but he coul just make out the form of a long, narrow boat, as it seemed to him, creeping outward, with almost noiseless strokes of the oars. “So much for the foxes; now for the hounds,” he ejaculated, as he quickly 1:an back through the lum- ber, and down the deserted street, Midnight sounded from a neighboring clock, just as the boat of the party in question stole out from the shadow of the wharf, and turned its prow down- stream. The night was densely overcast. Not a star beam broke through the canopy of clouds. A thick gloom seemed to creep along the surface of the water, rendering all objects invisible except at a very short distance. Yet this was not the only boat afloat on the shadowy surface of the stream. A quarter of a mile further down the river lay a long barge, its oars resting idly in the rowlocks, except that one ae moved just sufficiently to overcome the drifting nfluence of tke tide, As nearly as could be made out in the darkness the phantom-like figures which manned this boat numbered seven—stalwart-looking ghosts, apparent- ly afloat upon the midnight waters as a penance for some former misdeed Yet they were more alive than they seemed. One of the drooping heads suddenly uplifted itself, in an attitude of attention. “Did “Ha!” came in a low tone from the lips. you hear that?’ “T heard vothing,” was the equally cautions re- ply. *I could swear it was the dip of an oar,” returned “Keep quiet. Let us hear if it yet,” rejoined another. “ And with nothin’ to dance , souncs aguin.” ~on stouter nor air.” Deep eest fell upon the floating crew. Every ear Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. was intent to. catch a repetition of the suspicious sound. But nothing but the low wash of the waters could be heard, as the tide eh past their prow. “There it is again!’ at length exclaimed the first speaker. p “No,” returned the coxswain. “That’s only a swash against the wharves.” “T hardly think so,’ was the dubious ys “Ship your oars there. Let her drift with the tide. T'll bet there are night-hawks abroad.” He had hardly spoken when the sound of a faint whistle met their ears. It came from the direction of the wharves, and was four times repeated. They all stirred on hearing this sound, and re- mained silent and intent. After a minute it sounded again, four faint but clear notes, ; i sr it is the boy’s signal,” said the first speaker. ‘ Answer it, Flynn.” In response to this order one of the men whistled three notes, in a low but clear tone. Again came the call from the wharves; this time twice repeated. “Head her ashore,” ordered the spokesman of the party. ‘Somewhere about Race street whari, I should judge. — It’s Mike’s pipe, that’s plain.” The oars were cautiously handled, so as to avoid noise, and the boat headed inward toward the long, dark line of the piers, which were rendered dimly’ ~~ by the row of gas lights on the street fronting em. One or two repetitions of the signal guided the boat to a pier oe north of Race street, where, as they got close in, the outlines of a diminutive figure were visible, parched upon the outer whart-log. ** Here, my hearties,’’ he cautiously hailed. “ Head her in so as I can ey aboard.” e?’ . “There! That's the ticket? Look out fer your underpinning, Pat Flynn, for I’m a-comin’,”’ And with an agile leap he mie | from the wharf to the boat, his heel just grazing the shin of the man he had warned, and eliciting a low growl from that individual. “ Now, give way, down-stream,” he directed, coil- ing him away in the bottom of the boat. “But what's the row?” asked the coxswain, as the oarsmen quietly obeyed this order. ‘‘ Night-hawks,” was the sententious reply. “Have zou tracked them? Who are they?” * Levi the fox; and his cubs.” **The deuce you say!’’ ejaculated the questioner. “But are we to go it blind? Did you catch any sign of their game?” Ms apd little. But I’ve a notion it’s the Fleet- wing.’ “ The’ Fleetwing!”’ “Yes. She made at Catharine street on ‘change to-day.”’ ‘From some of your friends among the brokers, I suppose,” laughed the other. ‘‘ But, give way, ; we will have to search this lay.” e remained silent. But his sh ng shoulders told that he felt the shadow of distrust in these words. Meanwhile the crew of the other boat had been rowing with muffled oars, rapi: ly shooting down- stream. They kept a considerable (‘stance from the wharf line, and closely skirted the shore of Smith's ia after they had reached that well-known Finely the head of the boat was turned opi shoreward. She shot inward with a gor flight, toward where the dark, low range of piers, the raking lines of thickly crowded masts, and the dim glimmer of street lamps, told of the city’s border. “Easy! Easy!’ came in cautioning tones, as the prow of the boat grazed the timbers of a tall ue, which lay side on to the pier. “Hold her at that,” hissed the voice of the leader. “Wait till I come.” ; In a moment more he had scaled the lofty sides of the vessel, by the aid of a grapnel rope which had been flung into her shrouds. One cautious glance over ‘the deck. It was clear. No sign f life marked its broad ¢ e. quieny the interloper darted across it, with f gare yesterday. She’s moored wharf. Or leastways so I heered ee at made no sound, and disappeared down the companionway leading to the cabin; its doors open- ing readily to touc one of the state rooms adjoining this cabin slept a handsome, thickly-bearded man, his face, t h all oe bapa ~ of os showing evidence of great force and energy urpose. Yet all his vigor Gas, to avail him little now for over him bent that white, cruel face, full o unextinguishable hate, and over bis breast hovered a knife, keen as a stiletto, and clasped in a merci- less hand. “It is my turn now,” hissed the murderous intru- der. “if he but knew what awaited him he would : have ventured within my reach.” And still the victim slumbered on, unmindful of the glistening blade that shone in deadly gleam above his heart. CHAPTER I. SUPPER FOR TWO. Tye reader must now accompany us to the inte- rior of a small house, in a narrow street, in one of the poorer districts of the city of Philadelphia. Here we wish to introduce him to certain person- s who are destined to play an active part in our They oricanely Ae classed in the Jong roll of the poor, judging from the locality in which we find them, and the meager -fpd well-worn furniture of their abode. Yet in ing, tone and manner they seem to hold strong affinity with the polished aud
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Mike M seatihg himself at the table. “ Bread and butter, gS The household consists of two ladies. One of these is a well-preserved, plump little woman of thirty- five, or thereabouts. Hers is one of those round pretty faces, which seem made for the mnie A merriment, and to whom the shadow of care, which rests upon this face, ey an unnatural adjunct. Not that she can keep back a smile that seems na- tive to her lips, but it is evident enough that her life is not a happy one. Her companion is a girl of some seventeen. A tall, biges fi figure, and a face whose features are almost perfect, mark one des.‘ned to ripen into the richest womanly beauty. And with delicacy of feature she has all the beauty of color. A rich, warm complexion—amber-tirged with rose—crim- son lips in fine contrast with the polished ivory of her teeth, and dark-brown, glistening hair which droops in heavy braids over her forehead, complete the ; details of a beauty to which no mere description can do justice. tt 3 et, strongly as sue differs in general appearance from the elder lady, there is an intangible resem- blance between them; something not to be describ- ed, a hinting at a near relationship. “Not much for supper to-night, Kate,” said the elder lady, as she pointed to the thinly-spread table. a5 meg but good appetites and a clear con- science.” “* And bread and butter,” laughed the girl. ‘‘For my part, I think it is a generous spread, for we don’t alwa; att the nie fo tT “Well, ) ou will enjo . suppose we ought to be has ul, if we consider how many there are to-night with but an empty table before them. And yet, somehow, I can never satisfy my appetite with that stale reflection.” “Because, dear mamma,” replied the girl, throw- ing her arms lovingly around her companion, “‘be- cause you have not been accustomed to poverty and privation; because you have been used to affluence, and it is no light matter for you to be reduced to want, As for me—” “Tt is you I think of, child.” “ Asfor me,” continued Kate, “‘I am young and strong. Iam used to living on a scant allowance. I beg, dear mamma, that you will not worry concern- ing me. I have no time to be unhappy.” ye the beautiful girl kissed her mecther with a warmth of affection which showed how intimately their two souls were linked in the bonds of love. “Well, we have tea; that’s one comfort,” said the mother, as she seated herself, and poured out the wteerane beverage. “So all comfort has not left us,’ rejoined Kate, with affected merriment. “I will take sugar in mine, mamma, Not much. I don’t like much sugar, and I can’t bear milk.” “Tt is remarkable how strangely your tastes 2 | with the. state of our larder,” and the mother laughed in spite of herself, as she handed Kate the steaming cup. “Tf you would only use that private fund, my dear mother,’ remarked Kate, with a concealed feeling of discontent, ‘* which I fear you are too conscien- tious about, we might have—’ “T hope you will not speak of it, Kate,’’ was the firm response. ‘‘My mind is ame made up on that point. You know how shamefully I have been .treat- ed. Thank Heaven, I retain some pride yet. Itis os h to be abused, without tamely submitting to nsult,”’ There were tears in her eyes as she spoke, Kate remained silent, Yet she could not keep a look from her face which showed that she did not agree with her mother on this mooted point. 3 “It don’t matter, at any rate,” rejoined the girl, her beautiful face lighting up. with a quick revulsion of feeling. ‘‘I have been promised better work to- day. We will have milk in our tea then. And we wilt live as happily as two birds on a bough. What was that, mamma? Is somebody at the door?” “T think so,” rejoined the mother, as she rose and passed through the short entry to’the front door. Kate listened, with youthful curiosity, eager to discover who was there. She heard a familiar voice accosting her mother. “It’s only me, Mrs. Northeote. Thought I’d drop in an’ help you git rid o’ your supper. ‘CosI were too far from our princely mansion to streak home in time for the supper-bell.”” ‘Come in, come in, Mike,” cried Mrs. Northcote, pan mp “We can give you a crust and a wel- come, and that is better than a feast with fen “T ain't a bit partikler,”’ responded the youthful voice. “ My fo never sp’iled me with too high livin’; so I ain’t proud or sassy.” A smile came upon Kate's fine face as she listened. “Tt is someti besides his supper has brought the boy here,’’ she thought, her eyes full of interest. The lad who entered the room with Mrs. North- cote was n_ ordinary-looking boy. He was of a short, stout, square-built figure, with evidence of ter tee i than his stature and age Appear: demand. His face was dark in complexion, and bore an unusual expression of en and resolu- tion. A broad, firm chin, close-set lips, and keen eyes, gave indications of much force of character. et underlying this general expression were visible an independence, and. a ready sense of humor, which charges & and softened the otherwise too rigid lines ne een hit cree tabl rson for n dress he was av presentable A ot <1 x careless, any high-toned society, while attire seemed made for somebody two sizes than himself, But he wore it with an ease, which hinder- graceful unconsciousness, ed any oe of awkwardness in the set of his garb es, “ ‘Tdon’t care if I do partake,” he remarked: | } | | | | of | i ma’am, if you please. Inever eat nothing for sup- ber but bread and butter.” “That is not so, Mike,” langhed Kate. “You ate bread without butter the last time you were here,” “Oh Aaa he quickly responded, “That was one of my fast days.’ “Won't you have tea, Mike?”’ ** Well, yes, half a cup, being’s you speak of it.”’ Kate was sitting at one side, regarding the boy with a look that was half anxiety and half amuse- ment. “Oh, now that I think of it,’ exclaimed Mike half choking himself with a huse mouthful of brea and butter, “‘I’ve got somethin’ hefty in my pocket I'd best unload.” As he spoke he pulled out a ‘aper parcel, of no giver size, and deposited it upon the table. munch- hg away at his bread while doing so. * What is it?’ asked Mrs. Northcote, a fro vn upon her face. Nothin’ for you, ma’am. It’s for my darlin’ Katy here. And I know che won't go back -n it.” “But, Mike,” demurred Kate, with flushe cheeks and trembling voice, ‘who sent this pack .ge? Is he—is the—but you know whatI mean. Why do you not tell us?” “ This sp, asked Mike, as if in s irprise. “*Oh,that was give me by a sea-goin’ chap th s arter- noon. I was taking a stroll along the whar es, you see; and run acrossa vessel justin port. It was the —now what was that queer name?” “The Fleetwing, maybe,” suggested Kate, with a cunning smile. “Well, if you ain’t the premium guesser,’’ cried Mike, with a show of marveling wonder. ‘‘ You have hit on that there lofty bark the very fust trial, and not half tried.”’ Mrs. Northcote, who had stood quiet but deeply disturbed, during these few words, now suddenly exclaimed: “Take it back, sir! Irefuse to receive anything from him! Take it back, and tell George Claxton that. I—that Emily Northeote—will starve rather than be dependent upon his bounty. Tell him that, though he may, I cannot forget the past.” “Yes, ma’am,’’ responded Mike, still unconcern- edly munching away. ** You shall take all! I have touched nothing of his former gifts! You shall take them all—” “Mamma,” interrupted Kate, in a warning aside, “do be calm. It is unwise to reveal all of our Lc to this boy. Can we trust him? Will he not—’ “Yes, yes, Kate. I had forgotten myself in my indignation. We will let the matter stand as it is— but I shall receive no more gifts.at his hand.” “But this is tome,” rejoined Kate. “Was not that what you said?” appealing to the boy. “Just to a hair's breadth,” rising and pushing aside his empty plato, “*T dunno what it is, ’cos oe axton wasn’t perlite enough to explain. But s’pose it’s some little keepsake; like a couple of Indiar_ shawls, or a set of diamonds, or some sich trifle that he’s picked up in furin parts. Howsom- dever, I guess T'll be cavortin’, now. I've had my supper, and that’s half what I come fur. Good-by, fo . I'll drop round fur them things some other time, when bizness ain’t so pressing.” With an airy wave of his hand, the Vi boy made his way to the door, leaving his entertainers divided between merriment and surprise. “Well, if he is not an odd one!” exclaimed Kate. “ and what an amazing appetite the little rogue has. I fear we will have to make our suppers on a cup of ’“Thave no desire even for that,” responded the mother, gloomily,. ‘‘Oh! that he would cease tor- menting me with his unwelcome gifts! If he but knew how I felt toward him!” “T wish he did,” said Kate, to herself, with a sly look at her mother, “But this gift is to me, mam- ma, and you don’t know how anxious I am to find out what itis. Mayn’t I just take a peep—one little as “Oh! I don’t care, you tease.” In faet, if the truth were kno’ she was not quite from curiosity herself as to the contents of the package. She stood leaning on the back of a chair. er foot Lx a et floor, and her eyes turned away in affected indifference. Yet as Kate purposely fumbled at the fastenings of the package, and delayed in opening, the cunning girl was aware of a growis impatience on the part of her mother. This feeling broke out at last ina quick exclamation: “Are you going to be all night about that, child? And our tea growing cold.” “But it is tied so tight—so ridiculously tight,” re- turned Kate, bending over it so as to conceal a smile which she could not keep from her face. ‘This knot is enough to pull my er nails off.” “Why don’t you cut it then?” and Mrs. Northcote, ste: quickly forward, no longer able to repress her curiosity, as to the contents of the mysterious package. But we must leave them for the present, and re- turn to the cabin of the Fleetwing, where we have seen the unconscious sleeper under the glittering knife of a seeming assassin. Yet it soon appeared that murder was not the ob- ject of the midnight prowler. After stan for a moment, with the keen blade quivering in his hand, he suddenly turned aside; taking, as be did so,a folded pee from his pocket. “Not yet, George on,” he muttered. “You cannot € e me so easily as that. When I am done torturing you, then I will be kind enough to give you a quick escape to the next world.” erry, the Harbor Police Boy. 3 Thrusting the needle-like point of the blade through the paper, he. drove it deep into the wood of a table which stood by the bedside, where the eyes of the sleeper could not fail to see it upon awakening. intis i~ is my first oracle of revenge,” he said te mself. The same instant he gavea quick start of surprise, for there was a sharp rap outside, as if something had struck the side of the vessel. The sound of voices followed, in stern accents Instantly the intruder darted into the cabin. As he did so, however, he turned and looked again through the state-room door. It was no longer the form of a sleeper he saw there. The recumbent man was lifted upon one ony his eyes questioningly fixed upon the fugi ive. “Aha!” he cried. ‘Levi Rostrou! So, you are the demon I dreamed of!” CHAPTER OL A NAVAL COMBAT. InpEED there was promise of lively times outside the barque. The sound heard by Levi Rostrou had been made by the sharp contact of a boat against her sloping sides. This was the craft containing the boy, Mike Merry, and his companions, which had been somewhat distanced in the chase. “Here they are!” cried Mike, springing to his feet. “The ras river-pirates! Go for them, my hearties! Give ‘em a touch of Ballynoogin.” te) pcconne boat still lay by the side of the vessel, kept — off by an oar. Mike's exclama- tion was followed by the hasty descent of two of her crew from the deck of the barque. The men grasped their oars, as she floated clear from the vessel’s side. At the same instant oue of them gt vent to a sharp whistle, which rung through the whole surrounding space. “On them, lads!’ yelled the coxswain of the police boat. “Toyour oars! Run down the bloody pirate! Make her spin!” These orders were given in expectation of the others seeking safety in flight. But such was evi dently not their intention. On the contrary they sprung to their feet, grasping their oars as weapons, and ready to bring them down with terrible effect on the heads of their unwary pur- suers. Mike was the first to perceive this threatening peril. * Back water!” he yelled. “Starn all! The hounds will brain you! Go for ’em, lads! Go for’em! It’s nip and tuck atween the pair 0’ ye.” S warning cry was followed by an immediate arrest of the movement of the boat, just as her prow lapped the stern of that of the river thieves. The next instant they were all on their feet, armed like their opponents, and a fierce battle had commenced between the hostile crews. “ Thunderation!’’ screamed Mike, as his quick eyes Janced along the line of combatants. “ Levi the ox ain’t aboard! He’s on the vessel yet, and that’s what the pirates fs waitin’ for. There’s somethin* wuss than plunder a-keepin’ him, and I’m goin’ to vith, hibar ha a he gri dang} th an e leap he a dangling ro that hung over the vase I's side. Hand over hand be went up it, with the quickness of a monkey. * Drop that rooster with a bullet!” yelled one of the pirate crew. But Mike rolled over the bulwarksof the Fleetwing to her deck, as a spiteful report was followed by a leaden ball, which grazed the spot where he just been. ““A miss is as good as a mile, any day,” he cried back, his s head peering over the side. The fight, by this time, was changing in character. The quick rattle of oar-blades against each other, varied by an occasional duller sound, as some un- lucky head felt the weight of one of these danger- ous weapons, was too fierce and exhausting a mode of warfare to be long continued. One after another of the fighters dropped the oar, and sped the more dangerous weapons with whic Feng Babee armed, and the ‘eat crack of pis- ak gan to succeed the dull sound of oar- rokes Already several of the fighters in each boat were placed hors-de-combat. Such a fierce fight could not continue without some one becoming the worse for wear, and it was evident that the superior numbers in the police-boat would give them the victory. Only two of the pirates, in fact, remained unharm- ed. ese now suddenly turned to their oars, and ina moment had their keen-prowed boat moving Shattaee water; leaving their partly disabled com- rades to keep up the fight. But their assailants had fared even worse. Of the seven only three remained in condition to use the oars; while of the other four one or two were stretched insensible in the bottom of the boat. kegs: toch phate eos en rived Sir a to & e eS orously plying their oars, While ‘those ae =e ast rowin pong hype ves at each other with their pisto This euarden iowever, was a sheer waste of pow- der and lead. e boats were moving too unsteadi for any sure aim to be taken, nor were the men any condition for steady shooting. : “ Drop that fun!’’ cried the coxswain of the police- boat. “It’s doing no good, and is only a b r to us, The hounds are gaining water on us, as it is,” This was evident enough. The heavily-built police- boat was no match in for the sharp-prowed craft in advance, which slowly widened the nce between them. While this fight and flight were in progress, Mike a
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q q 5 ‘ a: Mercy wos otherwise occupied on board the Fleet- wing. . A single glance around the deck told him that it was unoccupied. The companionway had been thovchiessly left open on account of the warmth of he summer night, the care of the deck being given to one of the sailors. But o night-watch on deck at and a night- watch in harbor, are under very different circum- stances. With buta step from bulwark to wharf- fog, and but a deck’s length from wharf-log to grog- shop, ii was trusting too much to the weakness of human nature to depend on the most steady Jack ‘Tar in such a case. The watchman had but stepped across the street ‘to wet his whistle at a well-known ale-house cn the opposite side, But his whistle was a wide and deep one, and took some time to become thoroughly wet. And meanwhile the vessel under his charge was being seriously imperiled, Mike, taking in the state of affairs with his hai itual — hastened to the companionway. Before eacending, however, he took a preliminary glinipse flown the open hatch. All this, which has occupied some time in the tell- jag, was scarce a minute in the doing. Notaminute had elapsed from the time that the warning whistle ruse frum the pirate boat, to that in which the alert lad had gained this point of view. His cautious glance was rewarded by the sight of a form running quickly through the cabin, and dash- ing up the stairs to the deck with fierce haste. A sick eerie come to the Hy ’s mind. He stond at the side of t gopenn and it was an easy matter to extend his foot, and trip the flying villain. Restrou, in his blind haste, struck this unlooked- for obstruction, and pitched headlong forward on te deck, a fierce curse coming from his lips as he a) SO, His curse wes echoed by a taunting laugh. Quick- ly serambling to his feet he caught sight of the boy, who was dancing with delight, and giving vent screams of laughter. “Satan take you for a meddling little ape!’’ yelled the furious villain, darting toward his mocking foe. But it was no child’s play to overtake Mike Merry inarace. Inand ont ran the boy, around masts, over cordage, across hatches, laughing and taunting still, with mocking cries of derision. “Can't fricassee me, old Levi, till I’m basted fust,”’ cried Mike, catehing ata ratline, and quickly ramming up the main shroud. “Oome up here, and we'll crack a hickory-nut to- gether, like two squirrels ona limb. Come ahead poate and Iet’s see how a fox and a monkey get on aloit.”” A deep oath broke from the lips of the baffled vil- jain, But he had other work in hand besides that of proms 7 an ed Pg boy. During this it the sounds of conflict had come to his ears, unheeded im his rage. Now pistol-shots succeeded the duller ie ett th b ith rting d quickl 6 le © boy with a curse, an ly ee gh Ny Gey to the cppoeiee side, with intent to in his boat. 00 late—both boats had left the vessel’s side, and igures. Que of these was that of the captain of the Fleet- wing emerging from the cabin. second was that of the missing watchman, who had just regained the deck, A third was that of Mike Merry, who had de- ascended from the shrouds, and grasped a short iron bar as a weapon of defense, Captain Claxton had just caught sight of his foe, whose sharp glances were running over every point ef the situation. “ Down with him!” cried the captain, rushing for- ward, ‘ Don't let the villain escape, on your lives!" CHAPTER IV. THE CONTENTS OF THE PACKAGE. “T don’t wish to cutit, mamma,’ said Kate Clax- ton, as she fumbled over the fastenings of her pack- ‘This is such a nice piece of string, and it will wome so handy to tie up some of my bundles of work. —There, I have got that knot open.” And the beautiful face of the girl was turned away %o hide a roguish look that came upon it. She evi- dently enjoyed her mother’s ill-concealed im- patience. “One might think a pages of st was of importance,” replied the mother. ‘‘ Not that it mat- ters much. I am sure I can have no interest in the contents of the package.” “Of course not. I know that,” responded Kate, with a covert smile. ‘‘It is lucky it is addressed to me, ov you would not open it at all. Now I confess 4 being curious. There, that’s it, You can turn your head away now, mamma; for I’ve got it open, and I know ae don’t want to see what's “You're the same little tease as ever, Kate,” ex- elaimed her mother, running toward her and clasp- ing her round the waist. ‘You’ve made such an #utrageous mystery of it, that I must admit a little curiosity. Now let us see what is in it, my dear.” “Oh, certainly, amg ao oe long as you are s0 anxious,” and Kate’s laughing lips were pressed in a kiss on the round cheek so near her, ‘I wonder if it’s an India shawl, as Mike said.” The folds of paper were 0 out, and their con- tents revealed upon the table. They did contain a shaw], but not one of so costly a nature. It was, in- stead, a light lace wrap, suitable only for summer vear, and in Wetter keeping with the plain dress of en OS Be eS : = ee the girl then any costly article of apparel would have been. “Oh, mamma, isn’t it pretty, exquisite, charm- ing!” exclaimed Kate, flinging it open with a quick ‘ierry, the Harbor Police Boy. movement, and throwing it over her rounded shoul- | ders. ‘Just the thing for these summer evenings.” “You are too impulsive, Kate. Look what you have done.” In fact she had unfolded the shawl so suddenl as to toss from it a small, leather-bound book whic it contained, and which, fell on the other side of the room. ‘“‘T hope there’s no harm done,’’ cried the pleased girl, darting like a bird after this object. It proved to be a small blank book, containing a singe entry on its first page. ‘“ What is it, Kat :?’’ asked her mother. “Here is a let‘ sr for you,” responded the girl, avoiding a direct reply. ‘‘And one for me, too. | companionway It was hardly necessary to send this book to contain two letters. Here is yours, mamma.” Mrs. ‘orthcote hesitated a moment before tak- ing the etter offered her. A look of pride and dis- dain ca, 1e upon her face. Buta softer expression followe this, and she held out her hand for the mis- sive. Kate juickly glanced over her epistle, a look of ningle. meaning play: upon her face. Doubt was fu lowed by a quick resolution. She hastily crowde i the book and letter into her pocket, look- ing slyi r toward her mother as she did so. ‘It vill never do to let her know this. 1 must pe the cunning h rite with her,” thought Kate, 00. The cyes of the ng at the she read. Yet they did not seem altogether tears of Ben A flush mounted slowly to her cheeks. The e eeply absorbed face of her mother. | tter slowly filled with tears as | s+ On board the Fleetwing, at the same moment events of some interest were occurring. In our las chapter we left Levi Rostrou backed up against the bulwarks of the vessel, glaring from side to side, as ea — himself partly inclosed in a net-work of as- sailants. The sudden appearance of Captain Claxton on the stairs is not to be wondered at. For, as we have already seen, he had wakened and recognized his assailant, just as the latter was leav- ing the cabin. Fully awake in an instant oboe 8 tain sprung from his cot, and would have immedi- ately pursued, but that his quick eye caught sight oe the dagger-like knife quivering in the table beside im. Hastily possessing himself of this, he discovered the missive dirough which it was thrust, and which was evidently intended for his perusal. In a minute more he had turned up the light of a lamp that hung in the center of the cabin. An intense curiosity overcame his desire to pursue ' the flying villain, until he had made himself ac- tter dropped from before her gaze as her hand fell | nervelessly into her Jap. Kate’s eyes watched the quick flow of expression which passed over her mother’s speaking face. ‘* What is it, mamma?” asked the mrondering. fol as her white arm slid around her mother’s shoulders **Good news, lhope. Oh! if my father only—” ‘No, no!” cried the mother, sudden} sing, and crushing the letter fiercely in her hand, ‘He shall not deceive me thus, : poverty, my darling? At least itis an honest pov- cannot forgive and forget so easily.” } What if we are reduced to | erty. / The tears were now flowing from her eyes. She hastened to the door of the room, leaving Kate lost in surprise. “Tt is not a question of want, mamma,” exclaim- ed the affectionate girl. ‘‘We ean live, I hope. With my new work, and better wages—” a rscgeaad had left the room, not heeding what she said. ‘Tf she but knew ’—continued Kate, drawing the book from her pocket. “I must conceal this from her, or she would never let me keep it. I cannot think that I am doing wrong to use it. But with her peculiar ideas I dare not let mamma see it.” And Kate thrust it again into her pocket. But we must return to the barque Fleetwing, and to the situation of affairs on and about that newly- arrived vessel. We left the boat of the river pirates darting swift- ly away, under the impulse of her single pair of available oars. The police boat followed, better manned. But the latter was more heavily laden, and not so well built for s ; and it was soon evi- dent that the distance between the two boats was slowly widening. 3 “ By Jupiter, she is creeping away from us!” ex- claimed the coxswain of the pursuing boat. ‘‘Is there no way to put on some more steam? Can any of you fellows handle an oar?” “Not me,” replied one. “I have a bullet-hole through my right hand.”’ ** And the devils nearly broke my arm with an oar-stroke,”’ exclaimed a second, as a groan of pain came from his lips. “How are you fixed, Flynn?” “They knocked me clean out of time,” replied Flynn. “But I’m getting my wits back, Guess I mought fling an oar ny om fs . ieee struggled to his feet, and seated himself amid- 8 ‘We'll see if there’s any backbone left in Pat Flynn,” he cried, as his bladed oar cut the waves. twas apparent that he had not lost his strength and skill. e boat felt the effect of this reinforce- ment, and quickly darted onward under their long, rapid strokes. et the light craft in advance still continued to gain upen them. Her rowers were vigorous and quainted with the contents of this mysterious docu- ment. Quickly opening it, he held it to the lamp-light, reading it almost at a glance. The unfolded paper, indeed, held but few words, but they were significant and alarming enough to the eyes that now perused them. They ran as follows: “GEORGE CLAXTON: ** You think, no doubt, that the walls of a prison still inclose your enemy, and save you from his revenge. This serve to prove that youare mistaken. To- night my blade has quivered above your heart. One thrust, and death would have been os But death is not revenge. I suffer youto live that I may torture you further. Day and night peril shall envi- ron you. At no moment shall you be in safety. Only when I have fully revenged myself, shall I deal the fatal thrust, and end your miserable life. ‘* Your DEADLY For.” “ Out upon such child's play!’ exclaimed the cap- tain, in a tone of scorn, as he thrust the threatenin missive into his pocket. ‘Does Levi Rostrou think to frighten a man like me with such a threat as that? Let him look out that my turn comes not first.” _ As he spoke he darted toward the cabin stairs, giv- ing vent to the cry we have already recorded, on see- ing his foe almost within his grasp. “Go for him, my hearties!’’ roared Mike Merry, rushing forward with the weapon he had seized. * He’s been a-chasin’ me as if he was a ’coon and I was a partridge. Let's show him that we know somettiin’ *bout Fie a From three quarters his foes were advancing upon him. Rostrou stood for another moment glaring from side to side. From the cabin Captain Claxton was quickly pavancing. The returned watchman Hurried forward from the bow of the barque, eager, by a penley of zeal, to hide his late misdemeanor. Immediately in his front came the boy Mike, brandishing his iron club, and giving vent to a hallo of delight in the prospect of capturing old Levi the fox. But, the latter was not so readily to be cornered, He had, so far, stood motionless, his eyes alone ac- tive. Now, with a quick start into activity, he drew a pistol from his pocket, and fired at point-blank range at the boy, who was not ten paces distant from him. Rapid as his aim had been it seemed effective. Mike fell with a heavy thud to the deck, a yell es- caping his lips as if wrung from him by intense pain. Lesning over. his prostrate body the villain made for the wharf. His two remaining pursuers were now but a few ee distant, and the chase became intensely ex- citing. But Rostrou had the advan of a direct line across the deck, while the others to run at an angle. It is not strange, then, that in his cat-like flight he reached the vessel’s side in advance of his pursuers. Captain Claxton was immediately behind him as he made a quick spring to the wharf-log. Despair- ing of capturing him his pursuer struck a hasty blow with the razor-like knife which had been thrust through the threatening missive, and which he still rake ae, Nee al peat see ive, bu stru e ng § 0 coat. The knife, however, would probably have had little effect upon this, only that it was grasped at the skillful, and she shot onward with marvelous | same instant by the other pursuer. 1, rounding the heads of the piers, and d Drawn taut in this manner the og tee sheared like a et pe a ip oor the dar diy chatti tting th , 8 Psat et neatly as though it had n cut by a The gloom of the night was rapy u em or’s scissors. ‘ out from their Seti Rostrou ran on, unaware that he had left his ‘* By Jove, we'll lose them yet!’ came in angry | skirt in the hands of his foes. tones from the coxswain. ‘Drop your oars, you “ Heavens! if I only had a pistol now, to wing thieving villains, or we'll give you a volley!” that fying buzzard!’ cried the captain, “TI am “Fire and be hung!” was yelled back in taunting ro be as were for the boy—but there is no use accents. our chasing him.” This challenge was instantly accepted. The pur- “We have Romnethings here, anyhow, that may be boat lost speed as her entire Soap pe J to | better than the fellow himself,” exclaimed the their feet. The same moment a fierce rattle of pis- | sailor, holding up a long, folded document, which he tol-shots rung upon the air, and a storm of bullets ust Gxtracted from the pocket of Rostrou's swept over and by the rg bee it coat, said pocket being a portion of the cut skirt, But the volley was too hastily given, and the dis- ‘ae at tance too great 2 that dense shadow. A roar of satiric langhter came back to their ears, mingled with the echoes of their ineffective shots. Before bo Seon seize their and gain head- way on their t again, the flying had vanish- ed in the darkness, only the rattle of oars in the rowlocks telling of its existence, : THE CAT AND THE MOUSE. Ir was now more than an hour midnight, and the streets of the southern district of Phila- delphia ap deserted. At long intervals, it is true, a policeman came into view, wandering along with an absent air, as if anxious to convince people -
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that he had no business abroad, and soon cisappear- ing, swallowed up in some other portion of the great city. Occasionally, too, some homeless wretch would skulk along, avoiding the lamps, as if. ashamed to let the light shine upon his misery, seeking perhaps for some retired nook, in which he might sleep be- yond the vision of the guardians of the night. One form alone was visible which seemed to have a more definite object than that of killing time. This figure moved with a rapid step, following the dim length of Water street, but turning into Shippen street, when that classic locality was reached. Pausing and looking heedfully back at every cor- ner, and moving in-a walk that was almost a run, it seemed evident that he dreaded pursuit. Yet con- fidence came to him as he failed to discover any | peg of a pursuer, and he walked on less cautious- Vie They are off the track, sure enough,” he said. “But it was a narrow strait to pull through. I hope I winged that infernal boy. It is not the first time he has been inmy way.” Levi Rostrou, for he was the speaker, was not so safe from pursuit as he fancied. There were feet upon his trail that would follow him with the perti- nacity of the sleuth-hound. To learn who this my ae! was it will be necessary to go back a step or two in our story. e left Captam Claxton and the ship’s watchman disconcerted by the successful flight of their foe from whom, however, they had captured what might prove to be an important document, There was no use to follow the fugitive. Neither of them was armed, and their sea-legs were ill- adapted to a foot-race upon dry land. “Tl am afraid he has done for the boy,” remarked the captain, turning witha serious aspect to where Mike lay stretched upon the deck. What was his pee to see the seeming corpse spring to his feet like an India-rubber ball, as if he had received a sudden galvanic shock. ‘““What! that rantankerous galoot!” cried Mike, in atone of scorn. ‘‘ Him salivate me? I guess not. *Tain’t in his creaky boots to do it.” “But are you not hurt? What made you fall?” “What fool wouldn’t tumble when he see’d a pis- tol-bullet a-coming?”’ asked Mike, satirically. “§S’pose I were goin’ to stand up and be bored? I ain’t that sort of rooster, not me! I’m allers on the dodge when a feller’s on the shoot, Why ain't you after the fox?” “There was no use,” responded the captain. “ He would outrun us.” “That comes of goin’ to ” said the boy dis- dainfully. ‘A feller spiles his for a spurt on land, wonder if you watched which way he n, ‘‘He turned into Water street,” rejoined the or. “Up or down?” “Up,” was the reply, and the sailor indicated the direction with bis hand, “All serene. I’m after him, like a cat after a sparrow. If he me I'll sell my boots.”” He was not unlike a cat, indeed, in the quick spring he gave from the deck to the wharf, and his rapid flight in the track of the escaping villain. He a policeman, who had heard the firing, and was hastening to the scene, as usual after the trouble was all over. This guardian of the night would have stop the flying boy, but Mike like an arrow under his ere, ig out: “Tm on bizness, Croppy-. on't you be meddlin’. Jist ask Captain Claxton there if I ain’t his lightnin’ oes ” 3 ile the seam ip oe stood in momentary irresolu- tion, Mike plunged forward into the darkness of the night, and was soon lost to view. “Up Water street,” he muttered. ‘He's got the start; but if he goes fur up that stately avenue I'll overhaul him sure as shootin’.”” Quite unaware of this rapid pursuit, Levi Rostrou continued on up Shippen street, no longer meer * ~ was fully satisfied that he had distanced is foes. For two or three squares he continued to follow this street. He then turned into some smaller, alley- like avenues, and at may emer; into a wider, but short street. Here in front of a respectable looking house, which stood apart from the other houses in the street. He ap irresolute, standing for several minutes, as if in e tation of some one coming. “They cannot long now,” he soliloqu “There is no doubt they out-rowed that clumsy police boat. I suppose I msy as well leave the door on the latch, for they must turn up soon.” He opened the door with his key and entered the house. He had hardly done so ere there emerged into view, around a neighboring corner, the diminu- tive form of Mike Merry. “Tracked the fox to hole, if I hain’t you kin shoot me!” cried Mike, with a burst of laughter. ‘* Had a notion I could pat him if he went fur on a straight street, and so 1 did, at the corner of Water and Shippen. Andso he’sgoin’ to leave the door open fur his cronies? That's nuts fur this chicken. i don’t investigate that there mansion then there ain’t sich a thing as a muskeeter in the Jersey swamps! A feller oughtn't to gab so loud when he’s talkin bizness out 0’ doors; fur if some folks has tongues, other folks has ears. And that’s me. Here goes. One would have thought that Mike was a resident of the house in peaien, by the bold manner with which he walked to the door, opened it, and drew it carefully to behind him, The house was well—in some even luxurious- ly—furnished, The room in which Levi Rostrou sat, impatiently awaiting the return of his confederates, Mike Merry, the Harbor Poli ce Boy. 5 was along, rather narrow apartment, with a hand- some Brussels carpet on the floor, well-chosen_ pic- tures on the walls,‘and a table, with a top of Tenn- essee marble, occupying its center. On this books and papers were negligently scattered. At the end of the,room opposite the door was a small, well- filled bookcase, and between it and the wall the begeropened door of a deep closet. x ang it, I hope there has no harm come to them!” he growled, rising, and uneasily pacing the floor. ‘There was a good deal of Somes going on. The poor devils may have been hurt. DOW there is no craft on the river could catch them if they were sound.” Seating himself, and picking up a paper, he tried to interest himself in its contents. But he flung it impatiently down after a minute, *That’s not the sort of news I want,’’ he mutter- ed, ‘If Ionly had the latest advices from the river! Ha! what’s that? There is some sound from the street.” In his eagerness he could not rest quiet, but left the room, and hastened down toward the street door. But the a ment was not left long without an occupant. Hardly had he stepped from it ere the dour was pushed silently open, and Mike Merry cau- tiously entered, his keen glance rapidly taking in the details of the room. os By Jina but the fox lives high in his hole,” ejaculated Mike. ‘ Why, he’s areg’lar nabob ’mong the foxes. He slashes into books, he does; and goes ir Peper’ and sich. What've we got here? ‘The Pub-like Ledger, ‘The Daylie Try-bune.’ Them’s good readin’. ‘The Star Jur-nal.’ Well, he’s got taste, he has! Guess the old fox is as fond of good Sa onte: he is of good game. That Star Journal’s cute.”’ And Mike smacked his lips as if he had tasted a very savory morsel. “Hallo!” he now ejaculated. ‘By the hoke they’re a-comin’, the whole ginavy of them, It wo be blazin’ tough if I was pinned. onder where that door leads to?” He hurried across the room and opened the door at its extremity. ‘Jiminy | it’s only a closet!’ he continued, in a low tone. ‘Anyhow, it’s too late now to take another deal, for they’re half up the stairs. I've got to make myself scarce, so here goes.’? na moment he had plunged into the deep closet, and drawn the door partly to after him, And none too soon. For the next instant the door of the room was thrown wide open, and several men entered, loudly talking together. “You haven't got no ghosts round here, Cap, have you?’’ asked one. “Not that leversaw. Why?’’ “Td a notion I heard somebody talking, that was “Tt must have been the echo of our own voices, then, for there’s not another soul in the house.” ine Well, here we is, safe as trivets,”’ ke the voice of Jake, not quite recovered from his tipsiness. ‘“‘It were arushin’ narrar old squeak, you bet. It’sa wonder we weren’t all salted. Here’s Long Tom and Tony Drake, both nipped with bullets. If me or Phil had been bored they’d nabbed the hull cur- moodgin of us. Had to row like sin, as it was.” ‘*Get those two men to bed, Jake. Have you look- ed at their wounds?” Yes, and tied them up. It’s only a bit of blood letting. They'll be all right in a jiffy.” The spy_in the closet heard a momentary con- fusion, as Jake left the room in pursuance of this order. Only the man called Phil remained, in compan with favi Rostrou. et, stata The closet door slightly opened, and the boy’s eyes ap “eg at the crack. He was too eager to remain quiet. “Twas afeard we were Jeaving you ina scrape,”’ said Phil. ‘“ But there was no help for it. Things were growin’ too blamed hot. We had to git.” *“You needn’t be afraid for me,” returned sort, oly “Tam not going to be nabbed so easily. had to run for ft, though.” He turned tow the table as he spoke. “By the blazing stars, I think you had!’ ejaculat- ed Phil. ‘“ Run so fast that you left half your coat behind. Me Cap, don’t you know that you've lost your coat-tail?” A bitter curse fell from Levi's lips, as he put his hand behind him and discovered that this was the ease. One skirt of his coat was yey “They jabbed at me as I went over the side,’’ he said. ‘‘I felt a sort of jerk. Could it have been cut el * Yes, it’s cut as clean as a whistle,’ responded il ng the stuff. * Guess you mought find it, if you call on Cap Claxton,’ muttered Mike, from his refuge. ‘ Least- ways, afore he puts it up at auction.” A sudden and disturbing thought seemed to have come upon the villain. He trembled and gerd a chair for support, while his face grew deathly white. He felt his remaining pockets with the eagerness of intense eg “Tt is gone!” cried, with a deep curse. “It was in that et. They have possession of it.” “ Of what?” asked Phil. “Of that paper we drew up yesterday. Our articles of agreement, r names—our hidinug- Pp “Fire and brimstone!” yelled Phil. ‘ Why, it’s half a hanging matter. It must be got back, or our cake’s all dough.” ¢ “That's the talk. We must getit back. And in- stantly—this very night. To lose that is to lose our whole game.” His voice was fierce and threatening. Yet the pal- lor had not left his face. “Td give a five-dollar gold-piece to be outen here now,” thought the spy. “‘there mought be hot times for Cap Claxton yet, to-night.” “Call Jake, and see that your pistols are all right,” said Rostrou, in a tone of decision. ‘“ We'll wake up the leetwing again. And if George Claxton crosses me, let him beware!” r His tones had a deep, deadly ring. “But you are not going with that coat? You might lose the other skirt.”’ “And so make a jacket of it,” replied Levi, with a bitter laugh. ‘But you are right. I have other pers in this inside ket, which Claxton would rive his head to get. Ihave put a hornet’s sting in Kis heart, my lad, and these are the copies of the documents which didit. It is through me, if he but knew it, that his wife no longer will even bear his name. He = the pocket with a proud smile of tri- umph, as he took off the tora coat and approached the closet where Mike was hid. ae judge it safest to leave my papers at home. I have lost enough of them to-night,’ he remarked, as he flung open the closet door. “Here comes Jake down the stairs,’ remarked Phil. “I will tell him what has happened.” “Very well,” returned Levi, veering half round to answer him. And there lay the boy, with much the feeling of the mouse in the clutch of the cat. There seemed no possible escape. He thought first of creeping around the legs of his foe, and making a dash for the door. But there were the other pair of villains! There was no esca pe He crouched like a hedge- hog in the bottom of the open closet, only his face distinct in the ball which he made, his eyes burning like two diamonds in the shadow. Levi Rostrou turned again to the closet. CHAPTER VI. MIKE IN THE ROBBERS’ DEN. “He will not capture these papers, anyhow,” said Levi Rostrou, as he turned to the ‘closet, with the torn coat in his hand. Mike crouched still lower, feeling cautiously with his hand for some weapon to use in the expected struggle. But his glittering eyes were not, for an in- stant, taken off the face of the man whose feet al- most touched him. In fact this very closeness was in the boy’s favor. Rostrou’s eyes were on level with the upper wall, where hung the coat he was seeking, and he was not in ition to see the floor of the closet. “*T will wear this y sack, I think,’ he remarked, taking a coat from the wall, and essaying to the torn one on the same hook. But it slipped from his hand, and fell in a heap to the floor, covering the head and nearly all the body of the boy in ite folds. “Hang my awkwardness!"’ he muttered, stoop to pick up the fallen coat. fd ike could not see, but he felt this movement, and his heart beat like a trip-hammer, with the sense that discovery was now inevitable. “What will they do with me?” was the tho that ran through his brain. ‘“ Murder me, at and worse than that if they can.” But to his inexpr.ssible relief and surprise he heard his enemy asf “Oh! letit lay. Ihave no time now to ee Flinging his coat on with a hasty movement, he ran to the door of the room, callisg out loud to his confederates: “ Are you ready there?” me 8 Ay!” came back in hoarse tones. * t n let us be off. There is not a minute to lose. The sound of steps rapidly descending the stairs— the opening and loud closing of a door—and then utter silence; such were the records of the succeed- ing minutes. ot until then did Mike lift his head, slowly ing it through the folds of the covering ¢ his shaggy hair and bright eyes emerging, and then his squat, orous form. “You kin talk “bout a weasel goin’ through a mt- hole,” he muttered. “But it ain’t no circumstance. Why you couldn't pull a hoss-hair through the hole I’ve come through without scratchin’ it. L’ ted to be salted and b’iled, lil:e a kettle full of taters— and here I’m safe! y if Levi the fox, knowed what a blind mole he’d been he'd go drown hisself, epee wouldn't stop him.” e had advanced to the center of the room, where the gas was still burning. He turned it up, and went back to the closet for the coat, “Of course it ain't safe {o take your papers out where Cap Claxton mought snatch ‘em,’* he re- marked, with a satirical smile. “It’s allers best to leave *°em home, hangin’ in a closet, where nobody "d ever think of goin’ fur’em. Sartinly not.” While giving vent to these words, with a low la of triumph @ was rapidly investigating the pockets 0} the coat. From one of them he extracted a handful of papers, which he laid upon the table. He carefully examined the other pockets, but noth- ing further appeared. “Guess I'll confiscercate the papers,’ be said. “And then I'll hang up the coat on the same nail where I found it, so as he won't suspect. I wish I had a chance to get to the Fleetwing afore em; but that’s no go. Cap Claxton ‘ll have to hoe his own row; fer I ain’t a-goin’ out of this house till I know nah mb bie of.” b ropp' e coat in a loose heap on the floor made as it had been before, Mike took possession of his spoils, and left the room on a tour of investiga- tion of the robbers’ den.
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— _— Se CE Re ‘ ‘such yells of warn 6 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. Meanwhile the three villains were rapidly approach- the Fleetwing, t they were destined to belate. After the dis- po heer of the thieves, and of Mike in their pur- suit, Captain Claxton and the sailor remained alone on the vessel's deck, **Let me see that document,” he said to the sailor, taking from his hand the captured paper. “* Pshaw! it’s too dark here to make it out. Ihave no doubt it is some confounded villainy, but I shall have to wait for a better light. Who's that?” “It is your Custom House inspector, I calculate,” replied the sailor, laughing. ‘* He’s a fine smugglers’ policeman, if we'd wanted, while he’s snoozing.”’ The man in question came up the cabin stairs, where he had been taking a nap in a state-room opposite that lately a ge by the captain. He was ee his eyes, as if not yet more than half awake. ** What's wrong?” he asked, with a show of great vigilance. ‘‘ Didn’t I hear some noises?” “Well, yes,” returned the captain, dryly. ‘‘We have had something of a naval battle. You're not a bad sleeper, Mr. Edwards. We've been attacked by a gang of river pirates. They are driven off now, though, and the ship is safe.” “T suppose I look like a sleepy-head,” remarked the other, still rubbing his eyes. ‘‘ But I have not had a wink of sleep for three nights. And I know Captain Claxton too well not to trust him. There is no fear of smuggling out of the Fleetwing.” The captain bowed in acknowledgment of this compliment; and a conversation of some length ensued. “T have had all the slesp shaken out of me,’’ re- marked the captain, at length. a walk up town. It is a confounded dark night down here; but I fancy there’s some life afloat yet in the heart of the city.” “And I will take a turn up to Spruce street,” replied the inspector. ‘‘I have a matter to keep an eye on there.” The watchman walked the deck for some time after they had gone, with only the echoes of his own footsteps for company. “ Devil take it all!’’ he growled. ‘This is slow fun. i wish morning was here. It’s all well enough afloat, but I don’t like a night-watch in harbor.” He seated himself on a coil of rope, and began biting his nails for lack of better amusement. In ten minutes more his head was nodding. There seemed a sleepy influence hovering over the Fileet- wing. Frist, there! Quiet! quiet!’ came in low accents from the wharf. ‘“ Be careful how you lift those clumsy feet of yours, Jake! It’s all still as death aboard the barque.”’ One by one three phantom-like figures glided over her side, barely visible in the dense gloom of the night. A lantern hung in the rigging, near the ves- sel’s stern, but it threw only a faint light upon the deck. Making their way toward the cabin, one of them descended, while the other two stood on guard. Five—ten minutes elapsed. At the end of that time the figure reappeared. There was a fierce dis- appointment in the words that followed. “Fire and brimstone! if the fellow hasn’t given us the slip! The cabin’s empty, and not a trace of the paper to be found high or low. I’ve got some little keepsakes, however, which may be useful.” “ Then let’s be sloping, for I'll be hanged if Llike such dangerous quarters,”’ spoke one of the men. “ Oh, you be fiddled!” exclaimed Jake, ‘‘ There’s not a soul but us aboard the hull craft. I wish to kingdom we had the skiff here now. But we mought unship the main hatch, and see if we kin pick up suthin’ fur our trouble.” As he turned his foot slipped, and he fell with a thud to the deck. His fall wakened the sleeping watchman. The latter sprung hastily to his feet, seized an iron be- laying-pin, and rushed forward with a cry of: “Thieves! Robbers! Murder! Watch!” and other Jake struggled to his feet again, and a momentary fight ensued, But three to one were too t odds. After a moment a hard blow upon the head stretched the watchman insensible upon the deck. The three villains instantly made off, fearful of the effect of these cries. Night and silence once more hovered alone over the good ship Fleetwing. Had the trio of villains known all that was goin on in their den, which they had lately left in suc complete confidence, they might have hastened still more rapidly. For Mike Merry was meahing a thorough investi- pee of the establishment, from cellar to garret, etermined not to lose an opportunity which he would not be likely to have soon again. Particularly did he search out the modes of in- gress and egress,and made some interesting dis- coveries, which might be yet of value to him. ““ Any fool could see that this stately mansion ain't rigged up fur no honest bizness,”’ remarked Mike, after concluding his researches. ‘‘ And if I don’t circumnavigate ‘em yet, there’s no snakes. There’s only one p’int missin’, TI haven’t found out where they keep their plunder. Howsomdever, code | two rooms yet which want ter be invester- gated. A faint light, from gas turned bat Regt burned in the room which he now entered. e door silently opened, on his pushing hand, and he w in as silently. In the cim shadows enveloping the doorway the We might have got half the cargo out, | “T think 1 will take | | bey 7 Jusctt Ieohed like a denser shadow. As he | stood there, doubled in size by the faint light, and striving to get his eyes accustomed to the gloom, what was his surprise to hear a loud yell, that seem- ed full of a sense of terror. “What's that? Oh Lord! Look there, John! ae) there! there! In the door! It’s little Joe’s ghost!” It was one of the wounded thieves, on whom Mike had intruded. He had risen on his elbow in bed, his face full of terror, while his pointing finger quivered with dread. ; ‘* Heaven save us!” screamed Tom, jumping from his bed, and rushing to the opposite wall, against which he flattened himself in blind terror. “TI knowed it would come! I knowed it would come!’ cried the terrified Ty as he shudderingly hid his face in the pillow. “ h go "way! go way! We never hurt you! It was Jake and Cap Rostrou.” Mike had not been this long without taking the cue. Had they murdered the boy, whose ghost they feared? “T have come for you,” he said, in a low, sepul- chraltone. “The other’s time will soon come, but I want you to-night.” “No! no! it wasn’t us! You're mistakez, good little devil, it wasn't us!’ screamed Tom, grindin, against the wall asif he fancied it would open anc let him through. As for Tony he was too badly scared to speak. He buried himself deeper under the bed-covers, and clung to the bed with a wild determination not to be torn away. “Can you swear it was Jake and Levi Rostrou that killed little Joe?” asked Mike, in the same hol- low tone. “Yes, yes, good ghost? They killed little Joe Tod! They flung you overboard from the boat, because you threatened to blow on them. Oh, go’way! It wasn’t us!”’ “Twill leave you then. But not for good. I will be after you again—before long—before long—be- fore long.” As he spoke these last wordsin slowly-diminishing tones, Mike withdrew from the room step by step, the door, which he had held open with his foot, ponte 3 closing after him. A moment more, and the rightful phantom was removed from before the Ary of the cowering villains in the room he had just é A low laugh broke from the boy’s lips. It was heard within the room, but it sounded to the terror- stricken men like the hollow cachinnation of a re- tiring demon, They remained moveless and cower- ing while Mike made his way down-stairs. It’s too good a joke to wy * Jaughed the de- lighted boy. _“‘ Sich a saltin’ no eller never got as I give them galoots. Little Joe Tod, eh? I think I’ve heered of that chapee afore. Wonder if there ain’t nuts in this?’ He was approaching the front door, with intent to make his way to the street, when he heard the sound of steps and voices outside. Mike hastily retreated into the house,making for the rear rooms. He heard the door open, and the tread of entering feet. He,heard, also, loud tones, and ee curses as the men stamped forward into the all. ‘Sold, by Jiminy!’ said Mike to himself, “ or they wouldn't be cussing at that rate. Cap Claxton has countermarched ’em, sure.” As they advanced Mike continued to retreat. He was now inthe rear room of the first floor. The door was fastened with a bolt, which he carefully drew, and stepped out into the yard that stretched a short distance back behind the house. Cautiously closing the door after him, in a minute more the agile lad had climbed the fence, and found himself safely out of that perilous habitation. CHAPTER VI, IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE. Ir was a rich, bright, warm-hearted summer day. The t city had puton its most cheerful smile, and its streets were full of the active and throbbing life, which had been so hushed and silent at the midnight hour of our opening chapter. Noon rung from the neighboring clocks and steeples. A host of working people streamed out from work-room and factory, quick to make the most of their short interval of rest, and fully ready for dinner. Among these we may include our fair friend Kate Claxton. She was engaged in some of those mystic trades, in which the smallest amount of pay for the test amount of work is the rule. The poor girl ooked tired enough, as she sought a small restau- rant in the vicinity to obtain her ey A dinner. Yet, despite her humble garb, and the weariness of her step, there was something so attractive and beautiful in her face, that all who passed lifted their nb in involuntary admiration, as if a sunbeam had shot across their path. Her dinner eaten she took a seat ina neighboring public square, drinking in the influences of the fresh green grass, and the rustling leaves of the trees, and gladdened at heart by the exhilarating chirp of the ae sparrows who hopped so fearlessly about her ee They were not afraid of her—not they. They were wide awake enough to know whom they could trust. If it had been a boy now—like the urchin ia approaching—the birds would scarcely have nso confiding. In fact, they rose and flew away as he came up, with his loud whistle and his sturdy tréad. aha Toung girl looked up, vexed to find her pets thus frighten “Well, I'll swan!’ eried the boy, with ‘a loud | whistle. ‘If it ain’t my Katy, settin’ here, jist as if she was one of the sparrows herself.”’ : ‘““Why, Mike, is it you?” exclaimed the girl. ‘I certainly did not expect to see you here.” ; “Oh! I’m out fur a constitutional,” rejoined Mike, seating himself beside her. ‘‘ Ye see I were up most all night, on bizness; and I’ve been takin’ a mern- ing snooze. Jist got through breakfast and come out fur a settler.” 7 “Twas not aware that you were in that line of business; turning — into day.” “That’s jist my line,” said Mike mysteriously. “T don’t never talk *bout it much; ’cos why, it’s secret service, Rascal-catchin’ is my bizness; and them birds isa sort of owls—they fly by night, and snooze by day.” ‘ ** And owl-catchers have to follow their example,”’ rejoined Kate. . ‘Exactly. You've got it as pat as if you was in the line yourself. It ain’t no slouch of a bizness, Miss Kate. But I ain’t no slouch of a feller, I ain’t.” Kate looked at him with a smile lurking about her retty mouth. There was something so sturdily in- dependent and roguish about the boy that the smile broadened into a laugh. “Oh! I'm a whole team, and there’s no scratchin’ that out,” continued Mike, a little displeased at her merriment. : “Thave no doubt of that,’ she replied. “Anda ain't no touch to me,” exclaimed fast team too.” rew himself nearer to his young lady “Two-fort Mike, as he friend. “Say, Katy,” he continued, dropping his voice to a mysterious whisper. “I struck ile last night heavy—a reg’lar forty-barrel well. And it’s your provender, too.” r ‘“What is?” she asked, in surprise. * Ain’t got itin shape to tell yet. But I’ve got the dockyments, all locked up at home. There’s some ‘ints in ’em, howsomdever, I want you to help me © straighten out.” t i “Thelp you? Why certainly, Mike, ifIcan. But I don’t see what I can have to do with your docu- ments.” “Sartain you don’t. You ain’t a-goin’to know neither till ’m pecan Br open your eyes. And then if I don’t make you think the world’s made of cream cheese, don’t talk! They're reg’lar eye-openers, them papers is.” And Mike got up and danced an incipient jig on his half of the bench, as if he was too full to contain himself. “And what do you want me to do?’’ asked Kate, in wondering surprise. : “TI s’pose it’s suthin of a delicate question, and none of my confounded bizness, and all that,” re- joined Mike, settling himself again, and putting on a look of intense sobriety, “but if you think I’ma meddlin’ little busybody, and a stunted Paul Pry. and an Ww gor? imp, why you kin oe say SO, and then it’s settled. But I ain’t, though, for all that,” “Then I will promise in advance, not to think per! ga of the kind,’ said Kate, with a merry laugh. “T’'ve knowed you folks fur a good spell,” pro- ceeded the boy, with the same serious look, *‘ but I hain’t poked my nose into none of your bizness, All I know is that there’s a big screw loose somewhere. Now what I want to find out is, what’s the whole mess of | trouble atwixt your mother and Captain The smile suddenly fled from Kate’s face, and was succeeded by a look of surprise and anger. Her lips became compressed, her eyes flashed. “See here,” continued Mike, ‘‘I ain’t a-goin’ to pe no thumb-screws on you. It’s bizn Miss ate. It ain’t imperdence. I’ve got a cake in the —— that I want you to help me bake, that’s ‘But what is the need of all this mystery?” she asked, ving rg him BS heer! in the face. “That’s jist the kind of a mysterious coon I am,” responded Mike, with a very resolute look. ‘We'll drop it right here, if you say so.” “No, no!” she replied. “‘I prefer not to talk about it. Yet it is no great secret. The world knows too much of it.” Mike settled himself down for the coming story, his keen eyes fixed upon the disturbed face of h fair friend. ; “My father and mother are divorced from each other,” she continued. ‘I think my mother has been greatly wronged. She was accused of dreadful things; but there was nothing but letters to prove them; and the court wouldn’t accept them. But she was very indignant, and she got a divorce from my father. She took her old name, too, and that is why she is called Mrs. Northcote.” “She is awful down on Cap Claxton, I know,” reves. She. had t reason for indignati * Yes. e great reason for on. And yet he was deceived by those letters. I pre- sume he still thinks her guilty.” “T ain’t quite so sure of that,” replied Mike, shak- ing his head. ‘‘Why does he keep sending you things?”’ mt Sy The are sent for my sake, 1 imagine,” said Kate. ‘Poor papa, he seems to love me yet, though he has not seen me for several years.” Mike continued to shake his head. “J don’t b’lieve they’re jist ready to tear each other’s eyes out,” he declared. ‘ There’s a , hankering atween ’em yet. A feller that only had half an eye could see that.—But I’ve got another apa ,, What had Levi Rostrou to do with this business?" **Levi Rostrou?’’ she asked, with a start of sur- rise. Pre Yes, that identereal Levi.”
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fe - , evidently had not known this before. ““Why, he nad nothing to do with it,”’ was her firm rejoinder. ‘“ He was an oldfriend of mamma’s. An old lover, in facet. But he did not appear in the di- vorce case.”’ ** Ain’t her friend yet, is he?” “Oh yes! He visits us occasionally. Poor fellow, he was thrown into prison on a false charge, and has just been released, after six years’ confinement.” * It’s my 44 eer how our courts put folks inter prison on false charges, ain’t it?” asked Mike inno- cently. ‘Do you know who brung this charge?” ** No,” she responded. unter your own respected father, Cap Claxton Kate looked at him in doubt and surprise. She She was about to question him further, with new-born eager- , hess, when her attention was distracted by feeling | rather than seeing that a passer-by had his eyes fixed eecre | upon her. She looked around: The gentleman had passed. She only caught the profile of his face as he looked back over his shoulder. He was a tall, strongly-built man, with something of the rolling gait of the saalor. Mike looked: toward him, and then at the face of his companion, She was pale and trembling, her hands clasped, her eyes fixed on the man with in- tense eagerness. “That man! He!” she gasped. him? Oh! tellme his name!’’ “That is Cap Claxton,” announced Mike, with an assumption of coolness. Kate sprung to her feet, her whole form full of the instinct of flight. She seemed like a bird about to take wing. Thus she stood for a moment, irresolute, doubting, the color coming and going in her face. At that instant a neighboring clock struck the hour of one, with a loud clang. A look of deep disappointment flushing her face, she hurriedly turned, and sought the workshop from which she had emerged an hour before. Mike, his hands in his pockets, his eyes at an eleva- tion of sixty degrees, walked whistling away. An hour later Captain Claxton made bis appear- ance on Delaware avenue. He wason his way to his vessel, which he had. not visited since leaving it the night before. e had walked several squares down this avenue, with its row of old houses and maritime shops on ene side, and the restless river, at its wharves a succession of vessels of all shapes, sizes, and purposes on the other, when his attention was arrested by finding that a young man was looking him closely in the face. os man stepped closer up on being observed, and asked: “Are not you Captain Clarton, of the barque Fleetwing?” q “Yes,” replied the captain, examining his ques- tioner more closely. “T have been down there to look for you. I am glad to have met you on my return.” “Indeed! And why?’’ asked the captain, noticing ere’ hurried in the young man’s manner. ** One of the sailors just discharged from your ves- sel has been badly hurt. A broken leg, Lfear. He isin a bad strait, and wanted you to be sent for.” “You don’t tell me that!” cried the kind-hearted captain, ‘ Certainly I'll go see him. What's his name?”’ “ Jack Brace, I believe he calls himself.” “Jack, eh? Aroyal good sailor. He’s been tip- jling I’m ‘afraid... Why to be sure Ill go see Jack. Where is be, did you say?” . ** At No. 764 Division street. He fell near there, and was taken in.” “That was certainly very kind of the folks—Divi- sion street? I don't know it.” ; “Tt is not far. I will lead you there if you wish.” “Of course. And I shall much obliged to you for your trouble.” They walked on, side by side, the young man con- cealing a covert smile that would come into his face. He was a tall, rather stout young fellow, with a somewhat sinister aspect of countenance. But Cap- tain Claxton was too much absorbed in the accident to Jack Brace to be very observant of his guide. They walked on for some distance, the captain asking a great many questions as to how Jack had met with the accident, They at length turned from the main street they pea been following into a labyrinth of smaller streets. “This isn’t the sweetest-smelling locality in the world,” said the captain, with a sniff of disgust. ‘No, the folks hereaway live like so many pigs, that’s a fact,” replied the conductor. ‘Now this is a more presentable street,” he continued, as they emerged into a wider avenue. “ Are we near the place?” “Yes. Very near. We are in Division street. And here is the house.” He stopped before a mansion that stood alone, an open lot of some width dividing it from the build- ings on either side, Opening the door, with the freedom of a resident, he asked the captain to en- ter. “This way,” he said. ‘The r fellow is in one of our second-story rooms. e doctor hi been here, and I judge leg is set by this time. “All right, sir. You need not speak so loud; my hearing is sharp enough, on, if you please. The guide went up the stairs, followed by the kind- hea: captain, Ina minute more he was ushered into a room on the second floor, where on a bed lay a man, with his face to the wall. Ms a Jack,” said the captain, stepping up to the bedside, “Do you know Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. a He failed to notice certain cabalistic signs behind | him, or to hear certain soft steps upon the floor. He was not aware that his guide had been joined by an- other person. “How do you feel, my boy?” asked the captain, bending over the seeming invalid. The next moment he straightened himself “There is some mistake here!’’ he cried. is not Jack Brace.” “Nota bit of a mistake,” came a quick voice be- hind him. Ere he could turn, a heavy blow, from some blunt instrument, fell upon his head. He dropped to the floor as if he had been shot, in dead insensibility. And over him bent the cruel, triumphant face of Levi Rostrou, his white teeth glittering like those of a savage wolf. up. Prhat CHAPTER VIM. LEVI ROSTROU PAYS A VISIT. Two days had passed since the occurrences nar- rated in our last chapter. Levi Rostrou walked up Spruce street, of a sunny afternoon, lost in a dee reverie. He was evidently not entirely pleased with the way the world was moving, his lips being com- pressed, his eyes flashing. “Hang his obstinacy!’ he muttered. ‘Does he have any fancy that he can wear me out by Contra- riness? Iwill have that paper, or George Claxton shall find that he is playing with fire. I would not wait long on his delays; but that I have an object in view. Ihave a rod in pickle for my good friend, the captain, that will make him squirm worse than to be locked up in my private cabinet. If I only knew what he has done with thatagreement! However, I shall bring him to his senses yet. Meanwhile I must work out my other.game.” He turned his steps southward, and gradually drew near that part of the city where dwelt Mrs. Northcote and her daughter Kate. The latter was absent at her daily employment and her mother was working about the house, am singing to herself in a low voice, asif something had | occurred to please her. She took a letter from her pocket, and seated her- self to read it. **T hardly know what to think of this,”’ she said to herself. ‘After the way I have been treated, I feel half ashamed of myself even at the thought of for- giving him.” A quick rap at the door startled her, and she sprang, quickly to her feet, dropping the letter on the table ““Who in the world can that be?’ she exclaimed. “ At this time of day? Oh! I suppose it’s a beggar; or somebody with cabbage to sell. They come at all — Heigh-ho! I fancy the best way to find out is see.’ Smoothing her ruffled hair with her hands she started for the door, just as a louder knock stirred the echoes of the house. Hastily opening the portal she was surprised to behold, instead of the expected street merchant, a well-dressed personage, with finely-cut, rather hand- some features. She appeared to recognize him at once, a flush coming into her cheeks as she warmly cried: “Is it you, Mr. Rostrou? I am so sorry to have kept you waiting. I did not expect a visitor to-day. Do come in!”’ “You are looking remarkably well, Mrs. North- cote,” said he, witha glance of admiration at her pretty, round face. ‘‘I suppose you have been won- dering what had become of me.’ ot y, yes; you have made yourself a stranger. But come in, do!”’ “Business, That’s a man’s excuse, you know,” he smilingly remarked, as he carefully wiped his feet and — into the narrow eutry. **And couldn’t you contrive some business with me, and come oftener?’’ she naively asked, as she bustled about, woes} hima chair, and taking his hat. ‘‘ Not like the old business though. I have had enough of that.” She shrugged her shoulders with an air of great distaste. “You have had eyoues then, of divorce?” “Don’t speak of it. [am always hurt and sorrow- ful whenever I think of it. But I can never cease to thank you for coming to my aid as you did, in those dark ays, and helping me to tide over my bitter Ohi that is ” he said depreca ra a my way. e d de tingly. “And perhaps I had an ob: ect in it, too.’ ot! ‘Yes, the object of helping the unfortunate,” she replied, with a feeling of titude. “I have not — your kindness, Mr. Rostrou, and never ‘Tam sorry to see you living in so ra wa: here,”’ he remarked, looking round the PP xy - You must have had ahard struggle. And my little Kate, does she not have to work very hard?” * Yes, sir,’’ replied the little woman, tears startin to her eyes. I feel bitterly for the r child. et there is no help for it. We meat tive, you ow.” “To one who has been used to affluence,” he said with a look of apveress py his hand f care- lessly upon the letter which lay upon the table. “I do not know bow you can endure this want and as 7 ah : ‘ ‘Ido not know how I can help it,’’ she impatient- ly answered. “I wish you w change the sub- ect, Mr. Rostro What can’t be cured must be en- uu. His fingers were tapping on the letter, which slow- ly unfolded under his hand. He drew it with appar- ent thoughtlessness toward him as he again spoke. Ph It may be cured, perhaps.” me red “T wish you would tell me how, then. Iam sure I nn | hand from his am not fond of a fast for dinner and dry bread for supper. ; Pmnere are ways and means,” he smilingly an- swered, his eyes falling upon the open letter. ‘“ Excuse me,” he exclaimed, with a quick start. ‘“‘ Here am I thoughtlessly reading your letter. But how dare he—how dare Captain Claxton— He paused, as if choked with indignation. “Tt is too bad,” she crivd, seizing the letter has-~ tily, and crushing it in her hand. “So careless of me to leave it lying on the table.” “ But do you mean to say that you can forgive— can accept—after all that has passed—” “No, no! Do not call it up to my memory !”’ “To think of his impudence!” cried Rostrou, with a great show of anger. ‘To dare write to you! Te make penitential offers to you! To seek to bring you again under his odious influence! Are you jetting an impertinent effort like this make you for- et the wrongs you have suffered; the in ities inflicted upon you?” “* You are right, Mr. Rostrou,”’ she exclaimed, her face suffused with indignation. “‘Iam ashamed of my soft yielding disposition. His sophistry was be- ginning to make a child of me again.’ Turning she flung the letter with a hasty move- ment into the open stove. : “So goes his efforts to draw me under his specious wiles,’’ she cried. : Rostrou, who had risen, took her hand, his face full of admiration. “That is right. I quite approve of that,” he de- clared. ‘ You asked me just now to make business for the purpose of calling upon you, It is business has brought me here to-day.” “JT shall be pleased to learn its nature,’’ she an- swered, slightly blushing, and making a faint effort to withdraw her hand. “It is to withdraw you from this poverty. To re- lace you in that affluence to which you were orn.” “Oh, Mr. Rostrou!” she exclaimed, her eyes filling with tears. ‘“ But how? How shall you succeed? I cannot accept charity, sir.”’ ** But you can be charitable.” “IT charitable? I have nothing to give.” ; She laughed, with a repressed sense of merriment at the thought. ; ‘* You have yourself to give! You have this dear hand to give! And to me, who will regard it as the richest gift in the world.” He spoke quickly and mir hg, his keen eyes fixed with a magnetic look upon her blushing counte~ nance. ‘Oh, Mr. Rostrou!” she answered, snatching her rasp, and covering her face with both palms. ‘“ This is so sudden—so unexpected! Why I never dreamed that you were thinking—” She could not go on, but broke into a laugh that was half hysterical, while her face was crimson with blushes. “Yet cried, with well dissembled eagerness. love you, who have always loved you.” He caught both her hands now in his, and looked into her flushed face. “Oh, release me, Mr. Rostrou!” she appealed. “TI cannot—indeed I cannot answer you now. I must have time to think—to reflect.” - c “Certainly you shall have time,” he said, with his most winning smile. ‘‘ But remember, np Ni I was your lover even before you married e Claxton, whose name you have now justly discard- ed. Remember that it is not only love I bring you, but ease, plenty, affluence.” : “Am T toseil myseif?” she asked, struggling to release her hands, “* My love for yourself then. My wealth for Kate, your dear, sweet, beautiful Kate.’ 5 “Ah! that would make me happy indeed, to with- draw Kate from this black shadow of want, which is eating away her young existence.” : She sunk back into her chair, eee | yet still leaving her hands in the p of the villain, who hovered over her like an evil demon. But we must pass on to other scenes, and toa later hour of this same day. Day, indeed, has pass- ed away, and night descended upon the earth. Thieves are once more abroad, and thief-catchers are on the alert, while honest citizens are supposed to be safely in their beds. The nights are still moonless, and deep shadows rest upon the surface of the river, as the police patrol boat. moves slowly along the front of the wharves. It is drifting with the tide, instead of being rowed, and ears and eyes are alert for suspi- cious sights and sounds. Mike Merry is crouched in the bow, doubled up into asort of ball, his rs trailing in the rippling waters as he holds his han overboard. “It is mighty queer,” he said, “bout that little Joe Tod, He was one of the sha little rascals *bout the State House square. But he jist sunk out o’ sight three months ago, and nobody knows what *eome of him.” . ‘“* And the thieves confessed to killing him?” asked the coxswain. “ Jist so. Maybe it ain’t so, but it looks queer. I've been huntin’ little Joe up these two 8, —_ ou will not—you cannot refuse me!” he “T, who ler gr knows hair nor hide of him. rs) rat, though, badn’t no folks nor home, so there weren’t nobody to look arter him.” od “T hope Captain Claxton hasn’t f ed in the =e th,” said one of the rowers. “* ; ‘s among e mis: 0o.”* ts td eee “What's that?” cried Mike, starting sud up. “He has ae a There has been : heard nor seen of him for two days. . nd the cus . tom-house folks have been wanting him,
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a ee et ne ie 9 SS aes RE AI mo nA RG a A Sa it pa sa pe es — at ie ~ ———- + ————1 = SS nda ES SBE ESE ————— a a 1 i ‘weasel,’ answer with an involuntary tremble. * heered : “Then I'll bet 2 brass monkey I know where_he ” cuclaimed Mike, with great energy. ‘‘And I’m i soi’ fur bisa, too, as soon as we get through with 14s trip.” “Hush!” came in a warning tone from thestern of ts boat. Siience fellupon them. The boat drifted on, while their senses were keenly on the alert. “I thought so,’ was the next remark. ‘‘ Turnher headin. There are odd noises about this wharf.” Silently the boat was rowed in, alongside of a age ship that lay moored in the darkness. vy. y i hve side lay a long, slender boat, quite unoc- a minute more the police had climbed the sides of the ship, only one man being left in the Loat. An instant uproar ensued. Cries, blows, shots, ‘the fall of heavy bodies. The next moment, two or three men came hastily over the sides, leaping down into the narrow boat below. “Hello!” we've got these anyhow!’ screamed Wi throwing himself across two of the thieves who lay prostrate. ‘Shoot the devils who are mak- off. It’s Levi’s gang. Don't let them slip you.” me ineffectual pistol-shots followed, answered by defiant yells from the escaping boat. The lice turned to seeure the two prisoners whom they had floored, and whom Mike still held captive. ds cu CHAPTER IX. CAPTAIN CLAXTON YIELDS. Tue flying villains were safe from pursuit, The skots sent after them had proved ineffective, and #re the police could descend their own boat and start in pursuit, the fugitive craft was buried in the shadows of the night. But two of them were captured. That was some- thing for the police to congratulate themselves pon. Ere the stunned men could recover their senses they were safely secured against any effort ‘at sg mee ““T know ’em, like a book,” announced Mike, as he ‘reluctantly oN his close grasp of the uprewiaate men, ‘It’s Wao of Levi, the fox’s gang. This chap ds the one they call Jake, and he’s the thunderin’est sound in the hull crew. This ‘unis Tony Drake.” “Are you sure of that, Mike?"’ “Sure of it? Ain't I sure of every thing? Did you “ever hear me put my oar in afore I was sure? Guess aga very well posted in the constertution of Merry. Don't you be a-squirmin’ now!” he ex- dlaimed, grasping Jake, who showed signs of return- ing consciousness, “ Hadn't some of you best freeze wnto him, ‘long with me? He's a reg’lar eel.” “ You can let him alone, Mike,’ was the laughing wesponse, “There is no danger of his getting a By] Hanged if I’d trust him half as fur asI’d trust a ed Mike, doubtfully. ‘ Howsom- Mever, if you're satisfied, I am. Can’t squat here ‘holdin’ him all night.” “Let him slide, Mike. We'll answer for him,” ‘There was a burst of laughter at Mike’s verdancy. But the boy was not yet at rest in his mind. He “stood discontentedly eying the re men, as a hawk amuight eye a chicken, ready to pluhge upon them at a, nt e, Mike, we will have to christen you our rat-terrier,”’ said Harry Bland, the coxswain. ‘* Don’t ‘worry the poor devils any more.” The boy showed his teeth very much like a terrier, sand his hair stood out with all the shagginess of a genuine rat-dog, as he watched the returning con- sciousness of the prisoners. In afew minutes more they had fully recovered ‘their senses, and lay looking up in sullen conscious- mess of their unlucky situation. “Get up there,” cried Harry Bland. ‘‘ We have wo more time to spend here waiting on you. You've -@ome to the end of your rope, hang you, for a brace of thieving villains. Slide off with them, boys, to the station-house. Tim and I will look after the oat.” The captives rose sullenly to their feet, looking ‘about them with savage, surly glances, but making ao answer. Safely handcuffed, and in the midst of our or five stalwart men, escape seemed impossible, and they sullenly submitted to their fate. But Mike had managed to bring himself up close 4seside the prisoner nimed Tony Drake, and now a ey in his ear, in a loud 2. op egy whisper: 3%, at have you done with little Joe Tod?” A loud cry of terror came from the lips of the | man, on hearing this unexpected question. He turn- ed e as death, and quivered in every limb. his sturdy comrade started violently, while a low curse escaped his lips. “Who killed Joe Tod?" again asked the boy in his thrilling ra y ta <a “Jt wasn’t me! I had no hand in it!’ was the ter- vified response. “It was only—’’ “Hold your infernal tongue, you blarsted jackass!" yelled Jake, with a savage oath. ‘“Can’t you see, ‘shoot you, that they’re playin’ on you? Yer a emmed sight too short in the brains and too oo in thetongue. Who's Joe Tod? I never heered tell on him »” “Nor me, neither,” said Tony, with a weak effort at 3 ; “We know all about it,” returned Mike; “so there’s no use tryin’ your stale tricks on old qeunes jike us. The whole set of you will swing fur the maurder if you don’t pony up the truth.” “That's all blow, ed Jake, defiantly, though ye never seen nor tell of no Joe Tod. So dry up, my game wehicken.”’ Tony, apparently reassured by the defiance of his | write her letters— Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. comrade, made no further answer, but stood in sul- len but pallid silence. “Take them off!’ said Harry Bland. ‘We will look into this business hereafter.” The manacled prisoners were helped out of the vessel, and taken away over the wharf, and up into the streets of the city. Yet in the event it proved that Mike was right in his distrust. For, as they were turning a dark cor- ner, the sturdy prisoner Jake gave a quick, forcible surge against the man to his left, flinging him pros- trate into the street. The next instant he was off, at a wonderful speed fora man of his weight. Though vigorously pur- sued, he quite outran all his pursuers, and managed to escape, leaving only Tony Drake in their hands. The two men who had chased him came back sul- len and furious. “Tl swear if I ever thought a handcuffed man could run like that,” exclaimed one of them. “ And dodge—you never saw such dodging. It was no use to fire at him.” ‘* You used to be a good runner, Trim,’’ said one of the others. “Oh, the hound turned a corner and dodged into some hole—some thieves’ den. He flung us, that’s sure. You'd best put the nippers on this other one, or he might pay us in the same coin.”’ While these events were transpiring, occurrences of equal interest to us were in action in another quar.er of the ~~, The situation of Captain Claxton calls for our at- tention. For two days now he had been confined in a dungeon-like room, in the underground region of the house to which he had been entrapped. The document, so perilous to the villains, which was the main object of his capture, had not been found upon him. He had concealed or de ted it somewhere, and all the promises and threats of his captors had failed to make him reveal the locality in which he had left it. Captain Claxton could be determined enough, when his obstinacy was aroused, ard he had made up his mind not to be coerced by violence into the yielding of this paper. He had only hastily exam- ined it, and did not understand its full significance; but the efforts made to recover it gave him a new conception of its importance. The threats of his first day’s imprisonment had been partly put into effect during this second day. The food which they had at first given him was now totally cut off. Evidently theintention was to starve him into submission. lt was midnight of this second day when he was aroused from a titful and uneasy sleep by the open- ing of the cell door, and the entrancerof a person bearing a lamp. The captive s eee his cot, and stood look- ing with eyes that glared with anger upon this in- truder. ‘*Levi Rostrou!” he exclaimed. ‘Do you dare show your villainous face in my presence?’ “Sit down, and keep cool, captain,” replied the villain. ‘‘ Don’t try the violence that is in your eyes. Iam armed and you are not. You might get hurt.” He drew a pistol as he spoke, and held it in his lap, while his piercing eyes were fixed on the pris- oner. “What brings so here I am. an end of it.” “Don’t bein such haste, my dear sir,” rejoined Levi, with a fiendish laugh. “The time will come; but 1 am not read yet. y revenge does not begin _ "mg It with torture, and ends with eath.”’ “And so you are intending to starve me?” asked the captain. ““Oh, no! you are at liberty to have your freedom. Iam only reducing your diet a little to bring you to yoursenses. That paper I must and will have, or we will see how long you can live on air.” ‘‘Tbhat paper you shall not have, if I die for it!” was the defiant answer. Captain Claxton flung himself sullenly upon his bed, and turned his face away from his persecutor. The latter continued to talk, but the captive made no sign to indicate that he even heard him. “Very well,”’ Rostrou at So, said. “I will leave you for another day. Perhaps by that time starvation may have brought you into a more rea- sonablé mood. But it mig! t be best for you to be at liberty just now, for another reason.” ‘* What is that?’ asked the captive, without turn- ing. ** Only I think that Fier might like to attend the wedding of your old friend Levi Rostrou, with another old friend of yours, one Emily North- cote.” ‘What! Devil!’ yelled the captain, sprin from the cot with one furious bound, and standing like a tiger, ready to or his persecutor. “There, there, captain!’’ said the latter, raising his pistol with a warning gesture, ‘‘ Consider your aaa a It may not be agreeable to run upon a u e 2 “Lying hound! She would not look a second time at a man like you!” hissed the captain. * Perhaps she might not, if you were only free to e the last one you sent her,” was the reply. ‘‘ You see I am fully in her confi- dence, She showed me your precious epistle, and we had a long confab together over your impudence in sending it. I think that made her the more ready to have a pecans, like Levi Rostrou, to save her from further insult.”’ ‘* False wretch!” screamed the captain, his face working with the violence of his emotions. “IfI was but out of this—”’ ou here? Is it to murder me? If mpty your pistol in me, and make “Why of course I want you out of this,” inter- rupted Levi, in a calm tone. ‘I want to give you a chance to attend the wedding. Your presence would give such tone to it. Return me that paper, and you are free.” ‘Return it?” cried the captain. ‘ Will you swear to set me free if I put it again in your hands?” * Certainly I will. It is the paperI want. Not you. Itis not my game to hurt you physically, | only intend to repay you some of the mental tor- ment which you have made me suffer in my long years in prison. You have had your day. It is my turn now, George Claxton.” “It will be your turn yet,” replied the captain, eying his foe with lowering fury. ‘* You have the upper hand now. We shallsee— But a truce to this. Bring me pen, ink, and paper, and | will write you an order for the document—after you have sworn to release me.” It now appeared that the villain had not come alone to the dungeon of his captive. For he turned and spoke to a man who stood just outside the door, directing him to bring writing materials. Levi Rostrou had no hesitation in taking an oath, as demanded by his prisoner, to release the latter as soon as he should receive the desired document. Yet on this oath Captain Claxton placed very little reliance. He was now doubly eager for liber’ , and felt obliged to trust that self-interest would induce his captor to keep his word with him. “The paper is in my room at the Lafayette hotel,’’said the captain, as he wrote the promised order. ‘Here is the key of my trunk, and direc- tions to the hotel clerk to open it, and procure you the paper. I have told him just where to find it.— My word is kept in this paper, Levi Rostrou, Can I depend on you keeping yours?” “You can. After the paper is safely in my hands you shall be released.” ‘Very well,” continued the captain, handing him the order. “And now leave me to myself. I have seen quite enough of you for one night.” Captain Claxton made no effort to conceal his ps? and detestation of his foe. His eyes blazed with anger, even as he forced himself to comply with the villain’s demand. “Very well. You will not see me again soon,”’ re- turned trou. “But I will keep my word. You shall be set free—after I have the paper.” There was a satiric meaning in these last words, and a triumphant laugh as the captor locked the cell door upon his captive, which grated horribly upon the ears of the latter. A narrow slide in the door opened, and the voice of the villain spoke, in a tone of calm malignity. “IT think lhad best invite you tomy wedding re- ception, Captain Claxton. It may not be safe to set you free till after I have secured your wife.” The priscner flung nimself back on his bed with a roan of dismay. He had been deceived; and lhe ad played his best card into the hands of his cap- tor. Sleep was impossible. He lay for an hour, his mind full of bitter reflections and of angry passion. If he could but have had Levi Rostrou again within his reach, no fear of the pistol would have hindered him from an effort at revenge and escape. But what was that sound without the door—that faint scratching noise? The captive raised his head in an attitude of at- tention. The sound came again, followed by a slight rap. ** Who is there?” he asked. * Hush!” came the warning reply. Cap Claxton?” . Yes.”” “That's allhokey! My name's Mike Merry. Keep. quiet as a mouse now. There’s fun afoot.’ CHAPTER X, CAPTAIN CLAXTON IN PRISON, Ir was with no light impulse of joy that the im- risoned man hi this familiar voice at his cell- oor. The last words of his jailer showed that the latter intended to play false him. And it might be that this boast of an intention to marry his dis- carded wife was based on truth. No one can hope but that another may find the treasure which he has idly thrown away, and Cap- tain Claxton’s heart was turning to his divorced wife with a new impulse of affection which made this threat be a painful to him. In fact the fear had been gro ng in his mind that he had thrown her aside on too ight evidence, and a conviction of her innocence was forcing him to bitterly regret his past action. Her continued refusal of his advances only strengthened this feeling in his mind, and made hiny at once more eayer to overcome her fixed indigna- tion, and more timid at the thought of approaching her. He was satisfied that any hasty action on his pee would only deepen her distrust and anger, ai.d hat he could regain her only by slow and impercep- tible advances. With this thought in his mind, it was naturally an excessively painfal knowledge to him to learn thet another was seeking the jewel which he had flune from him and this other his deadliest foe. And here he lay, in the power of this base wretch! He saw plainly now in what Rostrou’s plan of tortu:e consisted. He already felt the torment to which 1 is foe had doomed him. : Naturally, then, he gave a cry of joy on hearir« the voice at the door, and the name of his irrepre: -i- ble young friend “Is it you. “ Drop that noise,” exclaimed Mike, in a loud whis- per. ‘’Tain’t no place and no time here for c)i:- music. Why, — this concarn of a house is jirt an alive with ears, I'd catch particular old Jaco}, ir any on ’em heered you.” =
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Mike Merry, the Harbor Polic e Boy. ; 9 ———— ooo “But how did you get in here, my boy?’ whis- pered the captive, in reply. “That’s my secret. I’ve been <beougs these dig- | gin’s on a committee of investergation afore. There ain’t a turn nor a hole in ’°em I don’t know. If Levi, | the fox, knowed he had sich a weasel as me "bout him wouldn’t he squirm? Well, I rayther guess so, But how’s this thunderin’ old door hooked together?” | “It ig bolted and locked, or at least I judge so.” ““Locked!” cried Mike, ‘Burn it all. [da no- tion there weren’t nothin’ but bolts.” He felt the doorin the darkness, and convinced himself of the truth of what he had heard. ‘“You are not able to open it then?” asked the cap- tive in a tone of disappointment. “Hang it all fura blasted piece of imperdence, no!” cried Mike. ‘‘ Why the Jerusalem couldn’t they | been satisfied with bolts? Guess they must have smelt this child a-comin’. And I dunno where the lkey is no more nor thunder and lightnin’.”’ lt was with supreme a tay nese that the cap- tive heard these words. He had entertained sucha | sudden and eager hope of escape, that the reversal wes hard to bear. | *You’re an old ’coon, Cap,” Mike again remarked, | with his usual slight show of respect. ‘ You ought- cr knowa thing ortwe. Ain’t there no way to get a lock open without a key?” ** What sort of lock is it?” **Tt’s a heavy padlock.”’ “Tf you could only cut it, now; if you hada fine steel saw,” mused the captain. “What's that?’ asked Mike eagerly. ‘Could a feller cut iron with a saw?” * Just as easy as they could cut cheese with a | knife,’ was the answer. ‘So they had the right sort of saw.”’ “And where kin you git sich saws?’’ asked Mike eagerly. ‘At any watchmaker’s, I enpposs. | “That's all sublime,” returned the boy in a joyful whisper. “I'll git now. But jist you keep a stiff | upper lip till to-morrer night, and if you don’t see me back here with that sort of a cheese-knife, you kin say I’m a blower.” “Are yousure, Mike?’’ anxiously asked the cap- tain. “Can you get into this place in safety again?” ““ Don’t you be a-worritin’ *bout that. I kin go through it like a rat kin go through an Sepere. Good-by, Cap. And don’t you be too soun asleep at this time to-morrer night.” pa The whispered colloquy ceased, For a moment the faint patter of footsteps was evident, as the boy retreated earerully feeling his way in the dark. Then all was silence. The whole house seemed lost in slumber. The senses of the captive were painfully on the alert, for the first sound of that uproar which would attend the discovery of the in- truding boy. : But as minute after minute passed, and silence still reigned, he became reassured, and sunk back on his couch, vielding himself to a slumber which anxiety had hitherto prevented. : It was ata late hour of the next morning when the sleeping captive returned to consciousness. Night and day were almost the same in that under- ground cell, only a faint light making its way from the outer day to his eyes. The lamp which his captor had borne had been taken away again, as if with the intention to subdue him by the combined force of darkness and hunger. It was with surprise, then, that he now opened his eyes to perceive a lamp burning on the small table, which formed part of the scanty furniture of his cell. And ranged beside the lamp were the mate- rial of an ample breakfast. “Good!” cried the captain, gladdened at this welcome sight: ‘The starvation policy is aban- doned, then? That’s some comfort, for 1am a poor tool without my regular meals. He must have the paper, or I wouldn't be faring so well this morn- ing.”’ But the captain did not trouble himself, now about such ulterior considerations. The question of satisfying his biting hunger was of more moment to him than all the papers in the world. It was not many minutes before the table looked as if a small army hed made breakfast upon it; for the plates were as compl tely empty as plates could very conveniently be. y “There,” said the captain, leaning back in his chair, ‘I’ve laid in rations for a good two days more, if they want to try the starving policy again. Infernal rasca! as Levi Rostrou is he has one ood point; he knows how to get up a good breakfast. The worthy fa did not realize how much an | eager ss added to his enjoyment of his morn- | ing meal. / “So he has some virtue left, then,’ came a mock- | ing voice from the door. The captive turned, with a start. There, at the | opening in the door, was the hated face of Levi Ros- trou, looking in upon him with his most satirical expression. “Yes, I would say you were a gentleman now, if you would do one thing more,” replied the captain, with a forced appearance of coolness. oh } ews soe itt en send me a notice * Just go wn yourself; a of your faneral, I Yon't know what would be better news.” = ,” exclaimed Levi, with a mocking lau h. | “T am glad to see you in so merry a humor. By the way, I forgot to tell you that your order worked | | like a charm, I have got the paper back.” “That is no news,” coolly replied the prisoner. “Tt is not, eh?” in a tone of surprise. . “No; you have notified me of that already, in sending me a light and a breakfast.” “Ha! You are quick in coming to a conclusion.” ** And now I expect you to keep your word by re- leasing me.”’ “Oh, certainly,’’ rejoined the villain. ‘‘Itook my oath to that, and I am much too conscientious to break my oath.” Captain Claxton said to himself that he was not too sure of that; but he made no audible answer. ‘“*T promised to release you after regaining the pa- per,” continued Levi. “So I will. But you must re- rember that I did not say how soon after. I hardly think it would suit your health or my plans to let you out just yet.” “T thought so,” returned the captain. ‘That’s what comes of trusting a convicted thief. be kind enough, then, to take your ugly face from that door? Itis not agreeable to have to sit here with the devil grinning in on me.” “Look out now!’’ warned Levi, with a flush of an- ger. ‘You have had your breakfast; but you might cut short your dinner.” ** Will you go, or shail I spoil your countenance with this lamp?” cried the captain, seizing the dan- erous missile. ‘‘ Thief and hell-hound that you are! 0 you suppose I will bridle my tongue to cringe to | you for food? Why I would die a dozen deaths of starvation first.” Levi partly closed the aperture before replying. He did not quite like the gleam in his captive’s eye, nor the aspect of the raised lamp. “J wish further to announce to you,” he now re- marked, ‘‘ that I have paid a very pleasant visit this morning to Mrs. Northcote. I found the pretty little woman charmingly agreeable. And you should have seen how eager she was to have tlhe man take place soon. Wehad quite a lively talk over the efforts of her old husband to coax her back i | Fortunately she despises him too much to yield to any of his sophistry.” e closed the aperture suddenly, just in time to save his face from being cut by a plate which his captive had flung with great force, and which shiv- ered into fragments against the strong oaken door. A mocking laugh followed as Rostrou walked away, leaving his victim with set teeth and glaring eyes, ready to fling himself on the door, and seek to tear it from its hinges. “Oh, but that I was out there for two minutes! for two minutes only!” he cried. ‘But the villain lies! She would not look at, or listen to him. He is but seek- ing to torment me, as he threatened. I will let him see in future that Iam proof against his schemes.” He flung himself violently upon the bed, by no means as satisfied with this conclusion as he tried to persuade himself that he was. The day moved on, with no further events than that another meal was passed in to the captive. Rostrou failed to return again. The prisoner’s mind was now fixed upon one thought only, that of the possible return of Mike, with the requisite means of effecting his escape from that dungeon-like cell. Liberty, liberty, was the one hope which thrill- ed through his brain. Freedom first, and afterward revenge. Butit was with many a misgiving that he awaited the coming of the set hour. ould the boy succeed in obtaining the needed saw? Could he again enter the house without discovery? Could they escape the vi nee of Levi Rostrou in their flight? d now a new feeling of vexation came into the worthy captain’s thoughts. What real occasion was there for this lurking action? By what stran thoughtlessness had he forgotten to advise Mike inform the police, and have a descent made upon the house in force? He gritted his teeth with anger as he thought of his stupidity, and growled inwardly at the romantic fancy of the bo , which made him seek this adven- turous mode of action, rather than the plain process of Hegrern A the authorities. The captain became anything but pleased with himself, or with Mike lf Hour after hour passed by. Time moved with dreary monotony in that close cell, and despite the anxiety, and the need of wakefulness in the captive, sleep came upon him. Ere the night was very old he was slumbe: away, with dreams having no close connection with the features of his situation. Yet finally a vision came upon him in which he found himself chained fast in a drear underground apartment, in utter darkness, and with the continu- ous gnawing of a rat’s teeth in the wall near his head. There was no means of escape. Every in- stant the animal came nearer. He was helplessly exposed to this ravenous brute. ere was indeed a sound—a low, scratching noise —which probably induced this unpleasant dream. The captain's nightmare was broken by the cautious pushing back ofthe rusty bolts of bis dungeon, which grated ery 4 in spite of the utmost care. “Why the thunder didn’t I fetch a spoonful of ile!”’ came in iow, vexed tones, as the grinding sound continued. The captive’s lamp was no longer burning, and he was unable to see, in the dense gloom, that the door was very slowly opening. But he could not fail to hear the low creak of its hinges, and he leaped from his bed in joy. “Ts it you, Mike?” he asked, in a whisper. “T don’t believe it’s anybody else,”’ answered the boy. ‘I hain’t had my skin up to auction for an other feller to buy out; and I’ve only got to pin it to know that it’s myself inside it.” “You cut the lock?” “Tf I didn’t, there’s no use talkin’. I’ve the saw here— Oh, blazes! there it goes; outer my clumsy fingers. An?’ there ain’t no light to find it with 4 ‘“No matter, Mike. We are done with it. It may Will you | i serve for some other poor prisoner who is lucky enough to find it.” “That's so,” said the boy. ‘ And now, let’s be gettin’, for every minute’s an hour, now. You've got to tread on feathers, Cap. Any noise may bring the hull caboodle down on us. Give me your hand. I know the way out.” * It was with throbbing hearts and intent senses that they felt their way slowly onward to the stairs; every foot being placed with the utmost caution ere another step was ventured. ““Why didn’t 1 tell you to bring a pistol?’ ‘whis- pered the captain. ‘“‘We may have to fight our way yet.” ‘“Hush!” warned Mike. “Nota word. Here are the stairs. Look out for creaks.” Step as carefully as he could, the stairs creaked somewhat beneath the captain’s heavy tread. Several anxious minutes were occupied in reaching the landing above. Here an excess of caution produced a sudden catastrophe. Supposing that there was still another step, the captain lifted his foot for the purpose of placing ituponit. But they had already reached the level, and the unlucky foot came suddenly down with an alarming crash. Nor was this the greatest of their misfortunes. For the captain was thrown partly forward by his mnisstep, striking the door, which stood ajar, and flinging it “i oe with a noisy clatter. Captain Claxton stood dismayed by his awkward stumble, but Mike had his senses more about him. “Come on!” he cried, dragging him forward. “The jig’s up! There is nothing but to run for it! The front door is the easiest!" As they hurried through the darkness, the noise - voices and quick steps sounded throughout the ouse, They were at a disadvantage in having to grope their way in the darkness. The loud voices and uick steps came hurriedly on. The flash of a light shone through the dark passage. “Hallo! here’s the door!” cried Mike. Cap, be on your stumps to dig and git.” , or a moment the boy fumbled about the lock, It yielded to his hand. The door was flung open. “Git’s the word!” yelled Mike, making one leap into the street. The captain came staggering after him, having stumbled again in his hasty movement outward. ‘*Hold your level!’ exclaimed the boy, assisting him with his hand. And now, with a quick spring, an agile form fol- lowed them into the street, grappling with Captain Claxton. A quick, fierce, violent struggle ensued. ‘“*Smash him, Cap! Flatten his nose! Break in his knowledge-box, or they'll all be on us!” yelled Mike, ‘‘ Let me help you.” The strong arins of the boy grasped their foe, dragging him backward, so that the captain was en-‘ abled to tear himself from his grasp. ** All clear, Cap?’’ asked Mike. 77 A ! ay hd ‘e Then git, like lightnin’.” Captain Claxton needed not a second wecniog. ie started off at the top of his speed, not looking x ee. expecting that Mike was immediately be- It was not until he was six or eight ares dis- pea from the scene that he discovered that he was one. “T must have taken a different route from the = he said, reducing his e to a walk. e had indeed taken a different route, for Mike, overpowered by numbers, was at that moment a egy in the hands of his foes, and being dragged Ne Licked anil sraegled lik h bu e and s' e a you ena, but all his efforts onl ienaied:'tn telnetne ieee odene fierce blows from incensed captors. It ar discovered that the lock of the cell had eu’ Mike was searched for the saw, but nothing was found upon him. ““He must have got rid of it,” said Levi, who was one of his captors. ‘No matter, I fancy the bolts will hold our young rat. Let us see if he can gnaw his way out.” There was a loud laugh as they fastened the door upon their new prisoner. : * All right, coveys,” muttered Mike. “I bet youa team of oxen you find Mike Merry’s teeth sharper than you think.” “ Now, CHAPTER XI. KATE CLAXTON HAS A DOUBLE SURPRISE, “Witt you have another cup. of coffee, Kate?” asked Mrs. Northcote, as they sat at their humble breakfast table. “It is going to be a damp day; and it will do you gs is “Yes, mamma,” answered Kate, passing up her empty cup. ‘ But not so much sugar, pl + ‘It is not often that we indulge in too much of 7 my child,” said the mother, smilingly. “Itisa sign of prosperity to be able to oversweeten our coffee.” “ Since a Bet va have been increased,” rejoined Kate, “ we have lived extravagantly.” ; “T shall never get over my surprise at that in- crease,” said the mother. ‘‘They were always so very close and mean with you. Ido not understand their sudden Pn ha GR change, you know,”’ answered Kate. with a mysterious sanile. “Let me help you to an- Kate was evidently seeki flere the subject. There was some Sipcteny Scomneey with her in- creased wages which she did not care to have her mother discover.
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10 | The latter fell into a reverie, her head resting on her hand, as she looked absentily across the table. “Do waken up, mamma dear,’ spoke Kate. ‘‘ You are off in a regular day must be away in five or ten minutes, andthen you will have all day to dream in.”’ Mrs. Northcote fixed her eyes on her daughter, a peculiar expression coming into her face. She ap- parently wished yet dreaded to speak. “T have something strange to tell you,’’ she at length said. “Something strange?” repeated the surprised girl. “T had a visit, day before yesterday, from Mr. Rostrou.”’ “Ah!” exclaimed Kate, looking up in quick in- terest. ‘Kate, my child, don’t be surprised at what I am about to say,’’ continued the mother, with a deep flush. ‘‘ Mr. Rostrou Lg metiionn d offers to remove us from this poverty, and to place us in the affluence to which we have been accustomed. He wishes—” “But what is his price for this generosity?” in- terrupted the girl, hastily, .‘‘Men don’t usually so overflow with kindness. What does he want in re- . turn?” ee x SoS ag en I ao Ot ee ee ee — — ‘He wishes to marry me,” replied Mrs. North- cote, in a faint, wavering tone, as if afraid of the ef- fect of this announcement. ; Kate started to her feet, and walked hastily back- ward and forward across the room. 2 a you did not accept him?’’ she asked, turn- ing suddenly upon her mother. “No, my dear,” doubtfully. “Tam glad of that.” “But why? Mr. Rostrouisa gentleman. He has been our friend. In the great strait of my life he was more than a friend. He aided and consoled me so that I cannot but feel grateful to him, He—” “Do you love him?’ was Kate’s quick query. “ My child—you are so sudden. 1 hardly know—”’ “T know—don’t marry him, mamma.”’ “But, Kate, it will not do to be so hasty in our conclusions. Consider—” “Where has this generous man been during the bel years of our want and poverty?’ interrupted ‘“Why, you know, child, that he was in prison, on . pa and false charge. He has been but lately re- eased.” ‘We have only hisown word that it was a false charge,” replied Kate vandaag 2 * And as for his yreeene wealth, what have we but his own word for a ” ‘“* But, my dear ons don’t doubt—” “Yes, I odoubt. Did he ever tell you, mamm how he came to be in prison? Who put him there?’ **T never asked him that.” Kate was prenesng for the street as she spoke. = on her hand on the door-knob, as she turned reply. ‘*T have learned who did it!”’ “* Ah! who was it?” “Tt was my father—Captain Claxton.”’ The door opened and shut. Kate was gone. But she had left her mother stupefied with aston- ishment. It was decidedly a dramatic situation, and the little woman stood as if thunderstruck, her eaes upraised, her eyes fixed immovably upon the ‘doo’ r. Captain Claxton!—George!’’ broke from her ‘Can it. be? Where has Kate learned this? And what am I to understand by it?” At that very moment Captain Claxton was walk- ing = a somewhat irresolute way through the s 8. He had gained a few hours’ sleep after his escape, but was restless and uneasy to continue in slumber after daybreak, ‘It is confounded curious,” he said to himself. “T can navigate the Atlantic, but I'll be keel-hauled if I can navigate one of these bee-hives they call cities. Such a confounded twistification of streets, and no plain sailing anywhere. Here I’ve been hunting an hour for that thieves’ den, and blame me if I can find it.” He walked on, in a desultory way, quite bewilder- ed, and sancy 6 that every new alley might lead to the — sought. ‘*T wonder which way Mike steered?’ he asked himself. ‘“ The little rat knows the streets as well as I know the seas, and I su streak for a harbor. But I'd like abominably to salt Levi Rostrou.” He walked up to a policeman, who stood leaning negligently against a tree, “Can you tell me where Division street is?’ he ‘“Not exactly. It is somewhere up-town.” bo Isn’t it down in these latitudes?” . oO. , “Then I’ve been sold cheap, that’s all.” He tried to deseribe to the policeman the street he was seeking, but he had gone there first so heedless- ly, and left there at last so hurriedly, that he had a very cloudy idea of its appearance and situation. The city guardian could make nothing of the indefi- nite description. *T suppose I'll have to give it up,’’ muttered the captain, as he walkedon. “Tho I would have liked to settledown on my friend Levi, at home; and squash him there. It’s lucky, anyhow, that Mike and I got off.” ; He would not have felt so easy in his mind if he had known that Mike was, at that moment, a ten- ant of the dungeon from which he had escaped. Nor was he aware of the fact that a man was Senpualy preaching his every + § This man had followed him from his hotel; had kept him in sight through all his devious course; and had approached he’s made a straight Mike Merry, near enough to overhear his questions to the police- man. A look of satisfaction came upon the fellow’s face, as he saw how thoroughly the worthy captain was at sea. - “No fear of his bringing the cops on us,” the man soliloquized. ‘‘He knows no more than a blind cat where to find our head-quarters. Guess I'll let him slide, and go report to the boss.” Captain Claxton continued his walk, utterly un- aware of this pursuit, The eyes now fixed themselves in an_ uncertain way upon the face of a very pretty girl who was ap- roaching him. A faint flush came into his weather- yeaten cheeks, Some unwonted emotion was busy at his heart. ‘“What the thunder and Mars ails me?”’ he asked himself. ‘‘ Who is that tripping little beauty?” The girl at this moment first observed him. Her emotion was much greater than his. She turned red, then pale. Her step flagged for an instant. Then she came quickly forward, with hands ex- tended. ** Don’t you know me?” she cried. strangely. You must know me!” ‘“* By all that’s good!’ exclaimed the captain, in a voice like a hurricane. ‘‘ What! this tall, pretty, bouncing young lady—it can’t be my little Kate!” “It is your little Kate then,” and the young lady flung her arms around him, and kissed him with the warmth of a long-repressed affection. ** You don’t tell me that? Well, who’d ever have believed that my baby Kate—’’ and he hugged her with foree enough to make ber bones yield. ‘‘ But is it you in real earnest?” “You look so the Harbor Police Boy. He held her off, while his eyes perused her glowing | face. ‘* Indeed, it is me. Your own Kate!’ she laughed with hysterical joy. ‘‘ 1am just going to work, and I've only got a minute to spare. But 1 don't care if Iam late.” ** You might be late all the rest of your life if your mother would only— Say, Kate, is she as bitter on me as ever?”’ The beautiful girl clasped his hands, and looked with warm affection into his face as she answered: ““T think she is weakening, papa. But there is— | but—”’ she hesitated. ‘*T know what you mean,” he exclaimed. ‘‘ There is somebody else, some smooth-tongued and foul- hearted rascal—’ ‘* Why [hardly think Mr. Rostrou is that,’’ she in- terru fb “Ha! Then it is he? It is Levi Rostrou? And she has promised tomarry him?” ** Nob yet. papa,” she looked up into his face with smile, “She don’t know him, Kate. There ain’t many such silver-plated tongues. He could make you be- lieve it was blue sky when it was raining bullets. But, for all that, he’s the infernallest hound out.” “Ts it true that you put him in prison?” “So you've heard that?’ he spoke in_surprise. “Come, Kate, Pll walk along with you and tell you all about it. But 1 want first to know, Did you use the little bank deposit I made for you?” “Yes. And mamma thinks itis only an advance in my wages.” * You little witch!’ kissing her I'll tell you all about Levi Rostrou,”’ They walked along, side by side, the middle- aged, handsome, Ls, dba captain, and the slender, beau- tiful girlin whose pure young face only a distant image of his could be seen. And as they went he told her a story new and strange to her. Meanwhile poor Mike Merry remained the occu- pant of a dungeon. Nor did there seem any early chance of his escape, in the captain’s ignorance of his detention, and of the locality of the den. “T ain’t a-goin’ to put up in this hotel none too lomg; you kin bet your bottom dollar on that,”’ solil- oquized the boy, who had never before been confined in such close quarters. ‘I don’t like the rooms; and there ain't no billiard-table handy. Jist fetch alo ae bill, waiter, for I want to catch the next train.” ut no waiter came, aud Mike was left alone with his thoughts. “There never was sich a lucky bit of awkwardness as when I dropped my saw file down here,’’ he re- marked. ‘Guess I’d best be investergatin’ fur it. It’s a-goin’ to be a weg bog useful bit of steel.” Getting down on ands and knees he com- menced a close groping over the earth floor. At the same time Levi Rostrou had just received the report of the spy whom he had placed to dog the footsteps of Captain Claxton. ‘*Good,” he replied. “I was fearful we would have to make a quick move. But if he is so much lost as that we need be in no hurry.” “Had I best watch him further?’ ** Yes,” said Levi, throwing off the dressing-gown he had been wearing, and walking to the closet for his coat. ‘I am going out, but you can tell the lads that I will be back in an hour or so.” He opened the closet door and took down his coat from the hook. ‘By the way,’’ he continued, ‘‘ there lies my torn coat, just where el, it the other day. Very careless in me, considering that it contains those tell-tale letters. I guess I had best shift them to a safer place.” He picked up the coat, and plunged his hand into the pocket for the letters, The next moment there burst from his lips a cry of alarm, mingled with an oath. Quickly he thrust his hand into the other pockets. ‘* By the eternal blazes!’’ he yelled. me! Did George Claxton get them too? No, no! ey were here when I*threw down the coat! It has in, “* But come. “They are | ed in your escape. eee ee ‘ been one of my men, and I'll be shot if I don’t make him sorry— Or was it that boy?” This thought seemed to strike him strongly. With a loud ery for “ Jake,” he burst from the room and rushed down toward the cellar. Mike had just laid his hand on the missing saw when he heard the loud sound of voices and the tramp of coming feet. He raised himself in an attitude of attention, and awaited their approach. CHAPTER XII. THE THIEVES’ DEN RAIDED. It was a busy day with Captain Claxton. It was very important that he should give immediate at- tention to his duties as master of the Fleet j The operation of unloading was to be looked after. and it is not surprising that, in his multiplicity of egg little thought of Mike Merry came into his ead. A sort of undefined expectation of seeing the boy ran through his mind all day. He thought that Mike would certainly seek the vessel, if only to learn the particulars of his escape. Therefore a shadow of disappointment rested upon the captain’s mind, when night came without bringing the boy. His own strange absence had also to be explained, and he could pot sufficiently blame his stupidity in not being able to rediscover the locality of his im- prisonment. The story spread among the police authorities, and the succeeding morning Captain Claxton re- ceived a visit from Harry Bland, a sergeant of the harbor police, ‘“‘Thave heard of your adventures, captain,’’ said the latter, “and also that the boy, Mike Merry, aid- But the question is, what has become of the lad? He is always with us, but he has not turned up these two days.” You don’t tell me that?” answered the captain, in some alarm. ‘“‘ Why, the spry little fellow took to his heels behind me, that Iam sure of.” ‘But he may have been captured by the gang?”’ “That’s true enough,’’ rejoined the captain, musingly. ‘If he has a free foot it is queer he don’t turn up.” “They say you have lost sight of the locality of your adventure,” continued Harry Bland. “ Will “tes describe it to me as well as you can remember t? Iknow something of that part of the town.” Captain Claxton, in response, gave a long and confused account of the route he had taken, in which the only distinctive feature was, that it was a Cageteabory brick house, with an open space on each side. ** Not very definite,’ said org with a shake of his head, “But I think that I know where it is. Mike gave me some points about it. Now my idea is that the boy is locked up there, and that we had best make a descent upon it. Do you think you would recognize the house if you could see its front?” “ Yes.”’ “Then come withus. We will make a raid upon ” “Tn an hour. I cannot leave here just now.” “Very well. I will get my men together.” It was in the neighborhood of noon that a half- dozen men, accompanied by Captain Claxton, made their appearance in the street containing the head- quarters of the gang of river thieves, The worthy captain’s doubt vanished when he found himself before the house to which he had pre- viously been lured. “That is the precs for a three-master!"’ he ejacu- lated. “I may be all at sea in your streets; but I don't go back on my eyes. Vl wager @ cargo of diamonds that’s the se locality . At this assurance the police quietly laid their plans for the intended raid. Part of the force was sent round to the rear, to prevent the escape of the inmates in that direction. . Giving them time to get into position, the three men who remained with Captain Claxton in front approached the sleepy-looking house. Although it was noontide the windows were tightly closed, and the whole face of the mansion bore a quiet and innocent expression, as if it had gone to sleep the ht before, and had not yet wakened up. loud ~ at ve oe Age, ved no seepceee was repeated, and followed by noisy raps upon door. But no a Lorde aap err the establishment remained in its slumbering state, “There must be some way of wakening them up,” cried Harry Bland, varying his knocks with fierce kicks upon the closed door. ‘* Why, they must have had a set-out of opium last night, the way they are snoozing it off to-day.” 45 “Perhaps they suspect our purpose, suggested the captain. . ** We've got to get into the house, anyway. We'll make them sure, then, of what we are after. Do ou run around, Tim, and see if you can get in from he rear.” One of the men started in response to this com- mand, while the others impatiently awaited the re- sults of his action. But quiet and deserted as the street w: the peo- ple in some of the neighboring houses ea. sharper, as it seemed, than those in the assail mansion, Curious eyes appeared at the windows. They were followed by the opening ofa door, from which an old man emerged. ‘* Want to get in there?” he asked, with a nudge of finger toward the house. ne, it does look a little that way,” rejoined Harry d, sarcastically “Something queer about that house. Our folks have had a a deal of talk on it,”’ ‘You have, eh?” nn 1
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atte : Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. er 11 “Yes. There don't seem to be no women about he had no difficulty in dropping off into a dreamless me Peg sl jaculated H. i eepy men,” e arry, with another kick at the door.” eon “Spry enough, I guess,”’ said the old man. 5 The blazes they are! It don’t look much like it.” - Why, my friend,” continued the garrulous old fellow, “ hs might kick there till doomsday, and you'd only wear out your boot-toes. There’s nota soul in the place. They moved out, bag and bag- gage, before eight o’clock this morning.” At the same moment the front door was flung open from within, and the man who had been sent to investigate appeared. f “They've given us the slip,’’he cried. “The place is as empty as a powder horn after a day’s gunning. Not a living soul in it bigger than a rat.” Curses,” not loud bu ae lle from the lips of the police, as they rush into the empty man- sion. But we must go back a little in our story and re- turn to the adventures of Mike Merry. He stood, concealing in the palm of his hand the slender, watch-spring saw he had just found, as he awaited with surprise the coming steps. “What in Moses has broke loose now?” he mut- tered. “It can’t be this they're after, or they wouldn't come like a set of wild bulls.” He was answered by the flash of a light through | | | | the cracks of the door, and by a hasty flinging back | of the bolts. In a moment more Levi Rostrou had entered the cell, with flushed and angry face. He was followed by the haa form and harsh face of Jake. ** By thunder!” cried the latter, ‘‘it is the same lit- tle water-rat that’s in the harbor perlice gang. He were there the night I giv’ ’em the slip. I'd not stop long to choke him,” “ Like you choked—"? Mike defiantly La Sp 9 he prudently stopped. It might not be safe to to Joe Tod here. ‘“* Choked who, hey, you wharf snipe?" asked Jake, threateningly. ‘‘ Do yer mean to say—”’ “Stop that!” cried Levi, authoritatively. “‘ We are not here to bandy words with the boy, but to search him for those letters.” “Oh ho!”’ said Mike to himself. “So that’s the dodge? Lucky I left them home,” He backed as he spoke until his hand rested upon the stone wall of the cellar. “T ain't got much convenience here for letter- writin’, he said, standing in an easy, careless atti- tude. “If you kin shake any such stuff outer me, all right. I don’t b’lieve it.” “ Search him, Jake,’’ was Levi’s brief command, * Sail in,” returned Mike, deflantly. ‘“* Won't take long to go through me. I ain't got more nor half a dozen pockets, and I’ve a notion you'll find holes in the bottom of some of them. roe A they don’t hold marbles and shoe-strings worth a cent.’ There was a feeling of triumph in the boy’s mind as he spoke, While leaning against the wall he had managed to slip his slender saw into a crack between the stones. That safe, they were welcome to find what they could upon him, Jake’s search was rough and thorough. Not only the boy’s person, but. the bed, the floor, every spot where a package of letters could be hidden, was vainly examined. But | muttered slumber. Several hours passed before he woke up. He was roused then by a knock upon the door of his cell. Springing quickly to his feet Mike found that there pb a light shining in at the open grating in his cell oor. “Wide awake there, my hearty, if you want any poe ig came a hoarse voice. ‘Here’s your ra- ons.”’ “Want my supper? You kin bet your eye-tooth on that,’’ responded Mike, cheerily, ‘Pass her in here. And if you want to see victuals fly jist stand and look on.” “ Haven't time,” was the laughing reply. ‘Lend me your lamp then. So as n see the way to my mouth.”’ “Feel for it. Then you'll know the way better, next time.”’ “All right. It’s jist as I said though. I won't perernige this reife, Som fur another night. You olks dunno how to keep a hotel.” The man laughed again, as he closed the grating and left the cell in darkness. Not entirely in darkness, as yet, however. For a gleam of the departing light shone through the cracks of the door. .Mike’s sharp eyes were fixed upon the middle of the vertical crack between the door and its frame, and he gained some important information. “Two pieces of half-inch iron to go through,” he . “And the door *bout two inches thick. That's clever. My saw is a good four inches long. So I've got plenty of play.” A good appetite supplied the lack of varie supper, which consisted of dry bread, an in his a few | slices of bacon. last him, | “*Tain’t first chop,” said Mike, “ but I guess I kin ' eradicate it.” refer ° His supper ended the next duty on hand was the recovery of bis saw. This proved not quite so easy a task as he had anticipated. He had felt sure he could go directly ; tothe spot where it was hidden, but he soon found that he was slightly mistaken in this idea. It is no easy matter to end your finger on an exact spot in pitch darkness. ike found abundance of cracks between the stones; but no saw. Fortunately he was sure of the hight of the spot where he had hidden it, and he now commenced ! a cautious circuit of the cell, carefully feeling every | slip it, sure enough. Here's the little , at length, wide awake and cautious as a commenced the operations necessary to “ Don’t pan out mighty well, does it?” asked Mike, in sarcasm, writer. Nary time. If you'll send me down some of the ingrejents, though, I'll try my hand.” “The boy hasn't them,” growled Levi, turning with a lowering look to Jake. “It rests among you men.” “ Among us men, hey!” ejaculated Jake, “I'll be fiddled if it rests among me. And what the thun- deration you're raisin’ sich_a row about some old letters for, I jist can’t see. What's in a. letter?”’ “T ain't never set up for a letter- - ! ' ! / “ Ruin, sometimes,” returned Levi. “ Come, there is nothing here.” . “But see here, Mr. Levi, I’m dead tired of these diggin’s,” cried Mike, ‘I don't like your hotel, and | - e to know when you're goin’ to kick me out fur not payin’ my bill. If you don’t give me my walkin’ papers I'll take ‘em myself. I ain’ goin to rnize this here establishment, that’s flat.” * All right, boy. You may go as soon as B hie feel in the humor,” came in a mocking laugh from the door, as the bolts were shoved in with a loud clang. “You've been so at opening locks, from the gan ee Sag us see what you can do with bolts from the e.”” “Good enough,” Mike coolly responded. “ Cal- culate I'll leave "bout two or three to-morrer_morn- ing. Want to catchanearly train, yousee. Needu’t send anybody to wake me up; but you’d best leave my bill on the office desk, so as I kin settle it afore I go. I’m oneof them chaps as like to go as they ' please, and pay, as they 0. “Very well,” came the mocking voice from the door, ‘Don't oversleep yourself.” Mike listened, as the steps moved away, and silence again succeeded. ’ “T’ve a notion the old fox don’t more nor half b’lieve me,” soliloquized Mike. look-out. A feller ain’t bound to make hisself a liar ‘cause somebody else don’t b’lieve him. We'll see, afore mornin’, i? Mike Merry is the chap to go back on his word. But I’ve got to get along snooze now if I want to be wide awake when the time comes for sliding.” : Mike threw himself upon the bed, and in’ ten minutes was as sound asleep as if he was in a palace instead of in a damp underground cell. He was never very particular about and his connection with the harbor police had fore ! “But that’s his | | crack at that hight, and on the look-out not to knock the slender instrument onto the floor. “Lucky I’ve got time enough to be careful,”’ mut- tered Mike, after an hour had been fruitlessly con- sumed, ‘The thing isso blamed thin that I might have passed over it *thout feelin’ it.” He went slowly back again, over the same ground he had already passed. “Good for our side!” he at 1 heried. “I did and sound. I hope th rR pcete On ey ce sound. ope they won't forge ou — bill; for I ain’t in fun. I'm gotixg $0 take this rs) Rig Mike lay down and took another snooze. He did not care to begin work till after midnight. Tt was, indeed, one o’clock in the morning when ox, he his release. The slender saw easily passed through the narrow crack in the door, and its edge was soon upon the iron of the upper bolt. Yet the boy at once found an unthought-of dan- er. The bolt lay loosely in its socket and yielded the motion of the saw, This had the double dis- advantage of decreasing the effect and increasing the grinding noise of the instrument. But a remedy soon suggested itself. This was simply to set his shoulder against the door, pushing it out so that the bolt was rigidly bound in its socket. Now the saw cut much more i a while the noise was reduced. The latter could not be entirely hindered, though he constautly wet the blade in his mouth, in lieu of oil. * That’s the hominy for our soup!" cried Mike, at length, as the extremity of the e fell downward. Tek bis severed. e captive lost no time in beginning operations upon the remaining bolt. Constantly on Mhe alert against detection he worked on, cers Bae cautious- ly, soon biting through the iron with instrument. . keen-edged e door, pressed upon by his should flew open. F reedom A Bo him. er, suddenly He waited, however, for several minutes, to dis- cover if the slight noise of the opening given the alarm. epi No sound came from the upper house. Mike be- fen a slow movement outward from his cell, chuck- ng at the thought of the rise of his captors in the morning, when they would learn that he was a a did be tas) dge th or e misjudge their surprise and alarm, on discovering the cage door open and the bird flown. It was no light uproar that took place in that house the next morning, and the whole establish- ment rung with the curses of the infuriated villains. “ We must git outer here quicker’n greased light- nin’!’’ exclaimed Jake. ‘‘ That boy ain't no sea-cap- ting, an’ he knows these diggin’s like a mouse knows cheese, Git’s the word.” That the others fully geen with him was shown by some of them being immediately set on guard st an apprehended descent of the police, while others procured wagons. The result was that by eight o'clock in the micenitg the house was entirely unfurnished, and the birds flown. is aGeommodasions, ) It was this that the harber police found on their e ntry into the deserted house. They were not long, him to do great part of his sleeping by daylight, so / under Captain Claxton’s guidance, in reaching the | | i | : : { ' cell in which he had been confined. But it was open and meres There was no Mike to be found. 5 see here!’’ cried Harry Bland. “Ifthe bolts aren’t cut I’m asinner! The boy has slid, and that’s what's the matter with Hannah!” “You kin bet your everlastin’ bobberlation on that,’’ came a youthful voice behind them. ‘“ You see, fellers, there weren’t room enough fur gymnas: tics in that ’stablishment; and I never f good *thout my gymnastics.” “Blame meif it ain’t Mike himself!” ejaculated Harry. ‘“ Where have you been, boy?” ‘Tryin’ to stir up the perlice to investergate this *‘rangement,”’ said Mike. ‘‘ But I didn’t wear patent- leather boots and a high hat, and I hadn’t no influ- ence with the perlice. I then went fur the harbors, but hang a harbor was to be found. Then I jist walked up here, ‘thout ’specting to find company. So the fox has slid?” “‘Slid’s the word, Mike. There ain’t a hair nora toe-nail left in the edifice.” CHAPTER XII A TRAP TO CATCH A FOX. SEVERAL days have passed since the date of our last chapter. Bu oe have not been quiet days with our characters. Captain Claxton has been busily en- zaged with the unlading of his vessel, though he has found time to attend to some other matters of im- portance. The police authorities, fully satisfied now of the character of Levi Rostrou’s gang of river thieves, have been peadscaey’ occupied in endeavor- ing to trace them, but without success. The chief effort has been to discover the parties who moved their furniture; but this has, so far, failed. Even Mike, who had some knowledge of their haunts, has failed to. discover their present place of conceal- ment. There is another purpose in this search besides that of seeking to capture them as river thieves. Tony Drake, the imprisoned member of the gang, had turned State’s evidence, and given his testi- mony as to the death of little Joe Tod. Levi and his gang are wanted on a charge of murder as well as of robbery. “Tg Captain Claxton aboard?” asked Mike, as_ he rung to the deck of the Fleetwing, afew days after e incidents described. ** Yes, you will find him in the cabin.” ** All serene, my hearty,” returned the boy, walking aft with his independent air. ‘‘Guess I'll make a call on the captain.” ** Hallo, Mike, is that you?” cried Captain Claxton, looking upfrom the paper he was ntly perus- ing. oR Well, I think it’s a bit of me,” responded Mike. “That’s my hat, and them’s my boots; and this feels like me inside ’em.”’ *“*And what news have you, boy? Has anything turned up?” “Not of much count. The cute fox keeps close to his hole. Nobody has nosed him out yet. I seen your Katy this morning.” “You don’t tell me that!” exclaimed the captain, starting up with a delichted face. ‘How is she, Mike? What did she say?” ** She's jist as pretty as a picture, and as lively as a cricket. And she ks that her papa is jist ice- cream and watermelon mixed. That’s the kind of a gal she is.” “She spoke of me then, Mike?” he asked, his em- browned face flushing. ‘Spoke of you? y, she was running over with you. I'd think she’d swallowed you alive some ime if you weren't here now all together.” “Dear Kate! She does love me then! Did she say anything more!” ‘Yes. Mrs. Northcote has had a letter from | Levi.” | | “The deuce you say!” cried the captain, with ar anger and surprise. “It's gospel fact,”’ returned Mike, with a very sol- emn look. “He ain't done fishin’ for her yit. shouldn't wonder if he'd git her too; for she’s down on you, Cap Claxton, the wust a “T know it,” rejoined the captain, with a subdued roan. ‘‘I believe now that I was deceived. I be- eve she was belied by some villain. If it is so I ean- not blame her for her indignation.”’ “Think it was Levi Rostrou, ay 6% “T didn't think so at the time. But Iam now to imagine that it was he who separa me from my wife for some purpose of his own. He had been a lover of hers before she married me, and may have never forgiven me for wi her.” j “ss os what was the job that put in the stone u 9 f It was a business something like the present one. He was caught in the act of stealing goods from the old Statesman, of which I was mate at the time. It was my oath that convicted him, and I hardly think that has softened his feelings toward me.” “TI don’t s’pose he is b'iling over with love for you,” answered Mike, with a comical . .* Bat does Mrs. Northcote know any of this?” “T fancy not. She thinks he is her friend, and that he has been falsely imprisoned.” “That’s what I judged. And now the next ques- tion is, how are we goin’ to show her what sort of a sour-apple he is.” “That is just it, Mike,’’ answered the captain, re- aa ie rs | you what it is, in replied Mike. ‘‘I’ve got a few letters here which goa bit past my eddi- cation. I want you to jist spell em out forme. I'll take aturn on deck so’s not to disturb you while you're at it.” It was with some astonishment at this unexpected request that the captain saw Mike take a smal! pack-
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Mik 12 e Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. . age of letters from his pocket, lay them before him on the table, and turn toward the stairs, saying: “Take your time, Cap. Be sure you git at the pith of °em. I ain’t in no sort of hurry.” Captain Claxton sat for a minute looking after the vanished boy, and wondering what he was up to now, “I suppose the best way to find out is to try,’’ he said, drawing toward him the i Sagse, Ne A few minutes afterward, while Mike was walking leisurely about, chaffing with the sailors, and watch- ing the busy labors of the unlading, he was startled by a loud call from the cabin. There stocd Captain Claxton, hls hat flung back, bis face flushed crimson, his hands gesticulating violently. “Here, boy!’ he cried in a loud tone, ‘‘Come here, quick! ‘ell ine where, in the blue blazes, you got those letters!” “Found ’em interestin’, did you, Cap?” Mike cool- ly inquired, as he walked aft. “I'd a sneakin’ notion you might pick up somethin’ out of ’em wuth readin’,”’ c He descended into the cabin after the excited captain. Where did you get them?” was the fierce reply. Captain Claxton was in no mood for joking. “Do you remember adokyment you got out of the fox’s coat-tail pocket?” asked Mike, “* Yes, certainly I do.” “Then all I’ve ‘n to say is that you ought to took the hull coat while you was at it; fur them there letters come out of the breast pocket of that identer- cal coat; and I’m the chap that confistercated ’em.” “By heavens, boy, you're a diamond of the first water!’ exclaimed the captain, springing up and grasping td hand. ‘But when and how did you get them?” “When I had that free blow in the pirates’ den, *bout which I’ve told you the hull story. Didn’t ve no chaff then "bout these letters, ’coz I hadn’t d time to interview ’em.” “The black-hearted hound!” hissed the captain. “He has sold me his whole game, And to think that he kept these, and carried them about loose in his pocket!” * Oh, the smartest chaps have got a bit of the fool in em, somewhere. I s’pose you might find a weak oe in Mike Merry, if you’d go ever him with Pp Likely Levi had some other game to play with them papers.” ** Did he intend to marry my wife, and then let me know what an infernal gull he had made of me?” asked the captain, in a musing tone. “Like enough. I can’t post youaltogether though, as long as I don’t know what’s in the wind.” “ Why, boy, these are copies of the letters which drove me to sue for a divorce from my wife. I have the letters yet, every one of them, Nobody could have had a chance to copy them. But that ain’t all. These are in the same handwriting; and it’s plain to see that they’re the first copies that the others were made up from.” “They ain’t all the same writin’,” said Mike. “I made that out.” “No. It is — that Levi Rostrou wrote them all; and that the witnesses who ri Lee on the al were some of his gang. Oh! what an egregious fool I have been!”’ “It’s allers a good sign when a chap finds that out,’’ rejoined e, coolly. “I s’pose, some day, I'll be findin’ out the same thing ‘bout myself. But what's the next move, Cap?”’ “To show my wife what a horrible game has been ee apts us. She must forgive me after I show er how I have been deceived, and what a consum- mate scoundrel her new lover is.” “That's the tack!’’ cried Mike, delightedly. you mus'‘n’t go near her, Cap.” “Why?” ina surprised tone. “'Coz I’ve been talkin’ to Harry Bland ’bout it. He wants to use your wife as a bait to catch our foe. Now Levi’s too sharp to show his nose if he finds you about. He'll have spies out—that’s what Harry Bland thinks. You must keep shady, and let me do the bizness through Kate,” Captain Claxton remained, for several minutes, in a musing attitude. se en it is a good idea,” he at length said, “though Iam not much given to these roundabout ways. You say that she got a letter from Levi?” “Yes. And he shows his hand plain. He’s af- ter marrying her yet. Hallo, here’s Harry Bland now.” The handsome sergeant of the harbor lice walked down the companion-stairs as Mike spoke. A long conference ensued between the two men assisted by an occasional shrewd remark from their boyish confederate. arry was made fully acquainted with the state of aff: and a plan was concocted, by which the * But concealed villain would probably be caught just at the apparent summit of his success. It was that Mike should act as their mes- senger and spy, and that he should communicate ved with Kate, away from the house, so that no hint should be given the villain of the plan laid to capture him. e was by no means loth to undertake the task thus laid out for him. He had been for some time acting for the harbor police, and it was a sort of duty very much to his taste. “T'll bet three shillin’s and a brass button the don’t countermarch on me!" he cried, “If I don’t sail into their affections there ain’t no use talkin’.”’ “T hope you will, Mike,” said Harry. ‘These fellows are river thieves, and are our game, Let us show the shore folks that the harbor boys are wide awake when their time comes,” The next day, at noon, Mike might have been seen seated on one of the uncomfortable seats in one of | if they were moving the oars only to keep them the public squares of the city, with a huge sandwich | from falling asleep. in one hand, and a large cut of cheese in the other. Munching away as contentedly as if that was all the world was made for, ***Tain’t a bad idee, nohow,” ;he said to himself, | taking a mighty bite from his sandwich. “Bread and ham is better fodder than kings used to get, so I guess I oughtn’t to kick ag’in’ it. If I only hed a cracker now, to give tone to the cheese, wouldn't I be happy? Andif I had a doughnut to top off with! My eyes! Queen Victory weuldn’t be nowhere.”’ ut as nosuch queenly viands hopped ne from the earth or dropped down from the air, Mike con- tentedly munched on, satisfied with the foretaste of yerfect luxury which he derived from cheese and am sandwich. ‘“‘Tt’s queer what’s come of Katy,’’ he muttered. **Tt’s "bout her time.” He looked intently up one of the approaching paths. Some distant form had attracted him. “Tt’s her, sure ay all he said, with great satis- faci OR “Thought she wouldn't go back on her word,” In a minute or two more he was joined by Kate Claxton, her bright face full of pleasure, as she re- turned his hearty greeting. “I’m mighty glad to see you,’’ he remarked, mak- ing way for her on his bench, ‘‘ Hungry?” “Oh, no! not at all.” ‘Best take a bite o’ sandwich. {t’s prime, I tell you.” “Thank you,” replied Kate, laughing. “But I don’t feel like sandwich.”’ “Try a nip of cheese then, It’s jist tiptop, except that it ain’t got no crackers to go with it.” “T never eat cheese on Tuesday,” rejoined Kate, still laughing. “You dunno what you've lost then; that’s all I’ve got to say,” replied the Soy, with the utmost gravity, as he took another vast bite. “IT wanted to see you to-day,’’ remarked Kate. “*T have some news.” “That's prime,” answered Mike, as soon as he could speak, “I was jist wantin’ doughnuts for to top off with. I reckon good news ‘Il do as well.” ‘Those letters had the most wonderful effect on mamma,” said Kate. “I believe she was softening toward papa, as it was. But they have opened her eyes in regard to Mr. Rostrou. Poor mamma, she felt dreadfully bad about it.” " ““Shouldn’t wonder,” returned Mike, nibbling at his cheese. ‘To think what a danger she wasin. If she had married that man—”’ “But she isn’t goin’ back on it!” cried Mike in alarm. “She ain’t a calculatin’ to fly the game?” “No. She will it through,” “That’s clever. Has she wrote her answer to his letter yet.” ; . And delivered it.” “*D'livered it!’ exclaimed the boy, in Ke sur- prise. ‘‘ Why, how the sour buttermilk— o did she d'liver it to?” “Tt was called for, by a well-dressed young man.” “Well, that’s rich papers! That'll be nuts fur Cap Claxton and Harry d. Is’pose she drawed it up ’cordin’ to Gunter. All O. K., weren’t it?” “She followed the directions, exactly,’’ replied Kate, rising. “You ain't goin’?” “Yes. My time is up.” “You haven’t had a bit of dinner. Won't you try some sandwich? There’s more here than I eat,” asked Mike, persuasively. ‘Tam ever so much obliged. But you must ex- cuse me. I am not hungry for sandwich to-day,” auswered Kate, as she walked off. “T wonder now if she was too stuck-up to eat after me?” queried Mike. ‘“‘ Howsomdever, goad victuals can’t be wasted. I’ve got to go eae as long as she won't. Some folks don't know what’s good. CHAPTER XIV. A RIVER CHASE. Tue crew of harbor police to which Mike Merry had attached himself, did their work by night, very seldom appearing on the river during the day. Yet their boat was out upon an afternoon a few days after the events last recorded. Mike formed one of the party on this occasion, sitting crouched in a heap, on the bottom of the boat, near Harry Bland, who held the tiller. “There don’t seem to be a bit of fun afloat, now - a-days,”’ he grumbled. “Since the night we caught Tony Drake we've been only playin’ Sunday, A feller might as well bein bed, fast asleep, as diegin’ fur fun round here.” “Tt is our business to put down thieving,” an- swered Harry. “If we frighten it down, so much the better.” i ay it’s so sinful monoternous,” rejoined Mike. “*Tt’s like goin’ a-fishin’ and never gettin’ a nibble.” ‘I think we had a decided bite that night on the Fleetwing,”’ observed Harry. ‘‘ And we caught our fish when we grabbed Tony Drake. It wasn’t no credit to us, though, that the other chap got off.” “Oh! he’s ahigh old coon. He’s first luff of the gang. But is it so that Tony has ched? Let the cat out of the bag "bout little Joe Tod?” “Yes. He accuses them of enya ne boy. He was knocked overboard with an oar, use he would not mount a vessel at their orders.” “ That’s murder, anyhow,” said Mike. ‘‘ Old Levi ag to swing fur that if he gits what’s owing to im,’ They rowed hago: 4 on in silence for some minutes, the men pulling with a lazy, half-drowsy motion, as “T have not got the hang of this business between Captain Claxton and Levi Rostrou,’’ remarked Har- ry. ‘Have you picked it up Mike?” “Yes, a bit at a time; and pieced it out the best I knowed how.” “Tet us hear it, then. I would like to understand it better.” “Want me to begin at the beginnin’?”’ asked Mike. “Or shall I take a nip at the tail fust, and then take a bite out of the middle,and so git round to the head, jist as it come to me?” “No. You’d best start at the head end, and slide off at the tail,’’ rejoined Harry, laughing. “Well, then,” said Mike, adjusting himself more comfortably, “it runs “bout this way: It seems that once, years and years ago, Levi hadn’t bu’st loose from*hovesty; and he courted the same wo- man with Cap Claxton. But Cap held a trum hand, and won the game. Now there ain’t mmaen forgive *bout old Levi. He jist sot hisself to git even with Cap and waited. There’s fox enough ‘bout him to wait, "you know. And somehow his honesty weren’t true grit. It oe way and he come out river pirate. But “bout this time i Claxton fell out with his wife. Got all sorts of letters making out that she was a bad woman; and heard of men— some of Levi's gang, mind you—ready to swear to the same thing.’ “A thundering rascally game,” interrupted one of the men. “ Jist that,’’ resumed Mike. ‘‘ Well, there was a divorce come of it all. And there was that Levi, who was cenpten | the strings all the time, why he jist froze to the little woman as if he were the only friend she had left. I dunno all he was up to, fur he got a spoke in his wheel that blocked his game.” ‘“ What was that?” “He was nabbed robbin’ a vessel. Cap Claxton was mate then, and he swore the fox into Cherry Hill prison. A good six years’go. Youkin bet that didn’t make him love rap any more. He ain’t been out long, but I needn’t tell you that he’s got his gang —— and that he’s goin’ for Cap like a *possom r persimmons.” **But I don’t quite see what he wants to marry oe woman for,” said Harry Bland, in a questioning ne. “*Cause the chap always had a fancy fur her,”’ re- joined Mike. ‘“ And more then that cause he knows that Cap Claxton is gettin’ sweet on her ag’in. You see, Cap’s come to the notion that he treated her bad. He’s tryin to transmogrify her back, but she don’t transmogrify wuth a cent. She’s down on him like a bootjack on a cat. And she don’t know but what Levi's all ice-cream and pound-cake.” “She didn’t know, you mean. I presume she knows it now.”’ “That’sso. But if we don’t catch old Levi with her fur a bait, we might as well guv up the ghost, and go to huckstering oysters." “T hardly think that the fox will run the risk,’ re- marked bei “Maybe not. But he's got iton the brain. He wauts to marry the woman, and then let Cap Clax- ton know what a fool he made of him. That’s what he kept them letters for.” “That must be it,”’ returned Harry, musingly. “It is a long-winded sort of revenge, but is just the kind to suit a deep devil like this Levi. If Cap Claxton still loves his old wife, it would be a sore cut to him to find that she was innocent, and had got married to the rascal who made her out guilty. It’s what I call mighty far-fetched!” “But stinging,” rejcined Mike, The boat floated on down the stream, yielding slowly to the indolent strokes of the oars, whose movement had become even lazier during Mike’s narration. The men were too much interested in the story of Levi Rostrou’s deep-laid scheme to be in the mood for any vigorous exercise. They now moved on more rapidly, the boat's head turned slightly toward the wharf line, as if to make land at some distance below. Another boat, moving up-stream, had been for some time Buptoedhing them. It was rowed by two men, and 4 ee to be a fishing skiff, a net being coiled up on its stern. “What luck, boys?” asked Harry Bland, as the two boats came near each other. ‘‘Have you had your net out this morning?” “No. We are going up the river to take the tide,” replied one of the two men. ‘Have just started out.” “How are the fish running?” “Slim enough, you kin bet yer bottom dollar cn it,” spoke the other man. ‘The river's fished cut, ther ain’t no goin’ back on that. Why, ‘tain’t wuth shucks o be a shader now-a-days; and the herrin’ run mighty poor, too.’ Mike had on hearing the last speaker, and looked keenly up into his face. It was but a glance, though, and he then fell back into his former listless attitude. “That's a very narrow-beamed boat for a fisher- man,” said one of the men, after the boats had sep- “Tt don’t look fit to a heavy haul.”’ “Tt has Cae | more than one heavy haul,” Mike uietly remarked. we Ha !’ exclaimed Harry, ‘‘you know the boat, then?” “Don’t you?” asked Mike. “Tve a notion.” “J wish you’d jist make fur the piers, and set me ashore,” continued Mike. “I'd like to take a stretch ‘long the wharves.” Fou are sure it’s the boat?” asked H 1 ‘Could swear to it. i Jake, or there ain’t no Jake a-goin’. I reckernized roused himself from his careless position: That last feller that spoke is
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too. Icould swear to him on ps of turnips.” “Hadn't we best give them chase?” asked one of the men, pines ag the motion of his oar. ““No,”’ rejoined Harry. ‘‘There’s something in the wind in this move. It is not our game to let them see that we suspect them. Do you think you can run them down, Mike?” “TI can try,” Mike replied. ‘No feller can't say fur certain. © But I've a sneakin’ notion that they’re my game.” , he boat was now headed more directly for the wharves. “You can try Mike prepared to land. of yourself.” hey grazed the wharf-log. The boy caught at a short length of chain that hung over, and ran up like a cat. ‘“‘T’ve got my eye on ’em,”’ he cried back. ‘They ain’t further than Market street wharf. I bet a cow I fetch em. Here's for the go.” He ran quickly back over the wharf, while the boat put out again into the stream. The boat in advance was now some four squares ahead, and was being pulled, with a steady stroke, up-stream. But it was out in the center of the up- flowing current, and the boy had little difficulty in keeping it in sight, é ran rapidly up Delaware Avenue, now jostling with a sturdy sailor, now gliding round a portly fruit merchant, now stumbling over a pile of chain, or colliding with an astonished sea captain. For the narrow pavement of this riverside avenue was crowded with persons more or less interested in navigation, and it was no easy matter to thread the crowd at a rapid pace. “Tf you are in such a royal hurry, why don’t you slide into the street!’ growled a lusty stevedore. “ Ain’t much room for racing on this track.” Mike took the advice and struck for the middle of the street, though wagons here were almost as plen- tiful as men on the foot-payement. Ac this speed he quickly overhauled the boat bringing it directly under his eye by the time it had reached Vine street wharf. He now moved more slowly, close to the line of the houses, keeping a keen look-out upon the ubject of his pursuit. The two rowers pulled steadily on, utterly unaware that they were under surveillance of so keen a pair of eyes as those which twinkled under Mike's brows. Reaching one of the up-town wharves, they pulled inward, and drew close up, mooring the boat to the wharf-logs. The boy stood at a distance, closel observing their operations, but keeping himself we out of sight. But their movements seemed brief and decided. for in a very few minutes they left the boat and proceeded up the wharf. Mike held back, and was very intently engaged in another direction, as they passed close by him. ‘Guess I'd best foller them lads,’’ he muttered, after giving them time to get a little in advance. But our young friend soon found that following them was not so easy as he had anticipated. He turned the corner of the street to discover that they were quite out of sight. Fancying that they had turned into Water street, he hastened upward, and gazed down this narrow avenue. But in vain, the men were no longer visible. “Tl be shot if they haven't flung me ag’in!” growled Mike. ‘‘ They’ve shot into some den ‘bout these diggings; for there ain’t no trap-doors in the street hereaways. Howsomdever, it’s somethin’ to know where the boat is. There’s some game in this move, sure, and I’m a-goin’ to watch that boat like a cat watches mackerel. CHAPTER XV. A BROKEN MATCH, Bout Mike had other duties to perform besides that of watching the boat of the pretended fishermen. For the correspondence between Levi Rostrou and Mrs, Northcote had been continued, during the few days past, and so anxious was he to haf® the marriage ceremony performed that he imsisted on its being completed immediately. “He has important interests calling him to the South,” said Kate, with a meaning laugh. ‘“ And he cannot bring himself to the point of leaving Phila- delphia until he has married mamma.” “But what has she got to say "bout it?’ asked our luck, boy,” said Harry, as “Bring back a good report Mike. ‘‘ You know there's two sides to everything, even to a cat’s tail; and I s’pose there must toa courting.” “Qh! she is willing. She is fully satisfled now what a villain he is, and anxious to have him punish- ed as he deserves.” F ‘**But don’t he make no excuse fur his ridiculous queer way of doin’? Courtin’ a widder by letter isn’t right up to Gunter.”’ ‘Ihardly think I would like to be courted that way,” replied Kate laughing. ‘ But when a gentle- man slips and sprains his ankle, so that he is not able to walk, what is to be done?” “Oho! he’s oo ig on ast pe him look out sharp he don’t sprain nec ore he’s through with it, That’s a mighty good dodge. But I was sent up here, Katey, by Cap Olaxton, to find out what's the last news on the bulletin-board. Things was comin’ to a p’int at the last report; and he wants to know if they've got to the p’int yit. “There is important news,” said Fate gravely. “He wants the marriage to come off to-night, as he ought to go South to-morrow. He will send a car- riage for mamma and me, since he is not able to come himself.’ “Well, if that ain't rich papers!’ cried Mike ; Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy- 13 throwing up his hat in ecstasy. ‘“‘Why, does he take your mother to be an out-and-out ninny? He ae -* she wants him and his money as as git out.” “Tt certainly looks that way.” ‘But what did she say?” **She agrees.” “That's square up to the notch,"’ exclaimed Mike. “He's playin’ a keen game to fling us frora the track, and not let anybody know where it’s to come off. But if he does then you kin sell me out cheap. T'll bet a hoss ag’in’ a pertater-bug that we circum- went him. I’ve jist got his whole game down fine.” “IT must go now,” rejoined Kate. ‘‘We might be seen together.” “See here,’ said Mike, “jist post her not to let the bizness be rushed through. She'd best be very delicate, and faint two or three times; or else have to brush her hair and put on a clean collar. Or some of them cute ways that women have to kill time, and make the men mad. We got to have an hour good to git things in shape.” “Don’t fear but that we are up to all those little tricks,” replied Kate, with her merry laugh. would be a very poor specimen of a woman who could not spend an hour over the tying of a shoe- string.” A Tce more words, and the two friends separated, Kate going toward her home, with a fear ir her heart that the scheme might fail, and she and her mother be put in a very unpleasant situation. But no such misgivings troubled Mike’s young heart. He leaped with joy as he hurried along the streets, eager to report progress to Captain Claxton and Harry Bland. The long summer evenin sun set, and the slow twilight spread its rosy gleam upon the western sky. Darkness was gradually set- tling down, though it was partly dispelled by the faint light of a young moon. A carriage drew up at the door of a small house in which dwelt Mrs. Northcote and her daughter Kate. A few minutes pees: and then the two ladies came — ge the humble habitation attired for the reet. Kate looked anxiously around. There was no one in sight. Yes; yonder was a boy, lolling indolently on a neighboring door-step, apparently concerned in nothing nearer than the stars. Yet, heedless as he seemed, a liar movement of his hand satisfied the young girl that he was more aware than he appeared to be of what was going on. slowly drew on. The mother into the carr 3 It rolled off, its pair of sturdy horses drawing it rapidly down the narrow street, and into the wider avenues adjoining. And the boy on the door-step? He had disap- peared. No life remained in the street but a melan- choly dog, dole baying at the distant moon. Through street after street the carriage rolled on. For almost an hour its progress continued. Finally it drew up in front of a house in the north-western section of the city. e door of the house opened at the same time, and fie caines appeared, who assisted the ladies from e. “* Where are we?” asked Mrs. Northcote, in a faint, frightened voice. “This is the house of the Rev. Mr. Norton, ladies,” spoke the gt eee in a reassuring tone. ‘ Please walk in. Mr, Rostrou is awaiting you.” Kate, only less frightened and trembling than her mother, stood looking anxiously around her. But the street seemed deserted.—No; not quite deserted. There was surely a boy lolling on yonder doorstep, with his eyes turned upward to the moon. A smile of relief, hidden under the folds of her vail, came upon Kate’s face as she perceived this form, But for their change of locality one could have sworn that it was the same boy, in the same attitude, whom she had seen in a distant street, an hour before, The door closed upon the entering ladies. The coachman mounted nto the perch of his car- riage, and sat there in a listless, waiting attitude. The boy again disappeared. Kate was not mistaken. It was the same boy. He had reached that spot asa rear-passenger of the carriage. He was now leaving that le ly as a pair of very active heels could carry him. “T hope them women ‘ll play the Seen me long enough fur us to git our little trap set,” fs the thought that runs through his mind. “ The bait’s all right, but it ain’t much *thout the trap.” Meanwhile the vailed ladies had entered the resi- dence of the Rev, Mr. Norton. They were conducted at once to the parlor, where a neatly attired gentle- man rose to greet them. He came forward with a painfully hesitating movement. “Please keep seated, Mr. Rostrou,” said the cl man, a benevolent looking individual. ‘It must be dreadful to you with your sprain- ed ankle. ons indeed,” he replied, sinking again into his He held out his hand to Mrs. Northcote, who had approached a “This is the lady, Mr. Norton,” he announced. “I presume we may go on at once,” Mrs. Northcote held not apombost back, seeming to see the to greet you on this occasion, ma- politely remarked. ‘i will cote, ima f. vering voice, “ I feel so overcom For 8 few moments only, please.” 43 oe The coachman sprung from his | eect and hastened to open the door of the vehicle. | locality as rapid- | | | hurriedly. | dress she has on.” “She | | Kate. With less anxiety than before she followed her | “Cannot my mamma be shown to a private room for a little while?” asked Kate. ‘“‘Ifear she will faint with emotion unless she has a few minutes’ rest.”’ “Oh! there can be no need of that!” cried the would-be bridegroom, rising and stepping hastily forward, apparently forgetting his lame foot. “Be firm, my dear Emily. Do not yield to this weakness, Let me sustain you.” He grasped her reluctant hand. “But your ankle, Mr. Rostrou?” spoke Kate, with much display of feeling. A sudden a came upon his face at these aevesaas a look of deep pain. e sunk again into his chair. “TI forgot it in the excitement of my feelings,” he answered. ‘I hope I have not injured it.” “That would be too bad,” rejoined Kate. ‘“ But mamma must really have some time. There are | some changes of dress that—”’ ** But that is of no importance at all!’’ cried Rostrou, “T am well satisfied, indeed, with the “Tt may be of no importance to you,” answered Kate with offended dignity. ‘‘ But it is important to us, I imagine our wishes have some right to be con- “Certainly. Of course,’ rejoined Levi, with an effort to restrain himself. ‘‘ But—”’ “Tam in Kate’s hands,’ said Mrs. Northcote, in the same feeble voice as before. ‘““Why certainly, ladies,” exclaimed the clergy- man. ‘‘Come with me, please. Of course your scruples are only natural. . Rostrou must learn to wait on the ladies.” With a facetious smile the benevolent gentleman led them from the room, leaving Rostrou in a state of excited impatience. “Hang it all!” he ejaculated. ‘A fellow might as well be tied to a shail as have anything to do witha nervous woman. “I’ve got to stand it, though, I suppose. It will be my turn soon.” But in the second story front rocm to which the ladies had been conducted there was no application of smelling salts, or any evident change of go- ing on. Not that Mrs, Northcote did not show signs of agi- tation meg to faintness. * Oh, if I had not undertaken this, Kate! I fear I can never go through with it. And pr “as they should not come! What would we ever do?” **But you can say no, instead of yes,” ested “They cannot force you into a imarriage, w “Yet think how ne ey aed a duty itis. Oh, if I was only safely out of this!’’ “Keep up your spirits, mamma,” rejoined Kate. “T will peg hea what you please. I will have you in a dead faint, and send for a doctor if you wish.” “Look out the window, Kate. ight.” Seanwhite; down-stairs, the impatience of the waiting bridegroom grew greater and greater. He fumed and fretted, as a half-hour passed without a reappearance of the ladies. ‘““Was there ever the like of it?’ he exelaimed. = What in the world can be keeping them? I will “But your ankle, my dear sir,” cried the clergy- man Myron FAS as Levi started up. The invalid sunk again into his chair, with a groan which sounded suspiciously like a suppressed oath. The minutes passed on. Mr. Norton, at the earnest request of Mr. Rostrou, ggg at the docr of the room containing the aqdies. “Mr. Rostrou is growing very anxious,” he an- nounced. “Please give us five minutes more,” pleaded Kate. “My mamma is recovering from her faint- ness, but she is hardly fit for the ceremony yet. mn minutes, sir.’ “Very well,” he replied. _ five minutes, Kate?’’ her mother anxiously asked. “Trust me, mamma, I will stretch five minutes in- to an hour, if necessary.”’ “But do look froin the window again. Why do they not come?” “T am like the anxious sister in Bluebeard,” re- turned Kate, laughingly. ““Ab, mamma!” she cried from the open window, ‘*some one has entered the street! One, two, three men. They are coming this way! It is they! They make the al!” “Thank Heaven!’ exclaimed Mrs. Northcote fer- vently. ‘“‘ Let us go down.” A very few minutes afterward the wedding party was grouped before the Rev. Mr. Norton, and be had opened the services. Word after word of the m ceremony fell from his lips. Mrs. Northcote’s anxiety returned as torre haat front do uietly and ate e front door quietly open clos.” Only Kate heard subdued steps in the hall. “If any one knows reason why this man and this woman should not be united in the holy bonds of matrimony, let him now s or forever hold his peace,” fell insolemn accents from the lips of the clergyman. A most startling answer came, The door of the room flew ore pevesting the forms of three stal- wart men, while behind them stood a st bey. “I know abundant cause,” cried the ost. “First that the woman is my wife and I don’t in- tend to give her up to this hound.—Second that Levi Rostrou is a thief, a pirate, and a murderer, and there are some gentlemen here that went him bad.” towasd tne startled Gridccroare be a bore tans e mM, Vv eretofore remained in his chair, as unfit to si and. See if any one is in
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i ee re > Ft al a ite . ° # . Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. But now a remarkable change came upon him. His weak ankle healed with astounding suddenness, as he leaped to his feet and sprung forward, with a bitter curse. The foremost man attempted to seize him, but went down like a log under a fierce blow from the villain’s fist. The next instant he had turned, and, with a quick movement, had leaped through an open window in the rear of the parlor. The man started to pursue him. *“Tain’t no use!” cried Mike, warningly. ‘‘ You might as well chase a weasel. There’s the cab at the door, and I know jist where he’s bound. We must go fur the boys and strike hot and heavy.” ‘*One moment,’’ said Captain Claxton, as the men returned. ‘How long will it take to get through a wedding, at the shortest meter?” “Say five minutes,” replied the astonished clergy- man, **s “Then I want you to splice me and this woman to- gether. We have been joined once, but I calculate enother knot won't hurt, after a divorce.” Mrs. Northcote sprung up, her face irradiated with joy, while Kate threw her arms warmly about her father, and kissed his weather-beaten face. It did not take long to convince the astounded clergyman that they were in good earnest in this re- quest, and in a very short time Captain Claxton and his divorced wife were reunited in the holy bonds of matrimony. ‘*Now you must excuse me, Emily,” he cried, with a sounding kiss on her pouting lips, ‘I’ve got other business on hand. Levi Rostrou’s got to be nabbed.” In a minute more the cab was rapidly rolling away. CHAPTER XVI. LAST SCENE OF ALL. ' Te boat of the harbor police lay moored at Vine street wharf, its half-dozen oarsmen in their seats, ene idly, as if for some project in contempla- ion, “Well, this is lazy work,” said one of them, impa- tiently. ‘‘If there’s to be any fun in the wind I wish they’d soon show themselves.” is appeal was almost immediately answered by the quick roll of a carriage along the river avenue. Tt turned on the wharf, and halted, several men springing fr<m its interior. “The game’s afcot, boys!” cried out one of these, “He gave us the slip. on the river.” ** Are you sure he is taking to the stream?” “Mike here says so,” was the reply, as the three men and the boy hastily descended to the boat. “We will have to try the chance of it. Give way!” The boat shot out from the wharf and turned up- stream, the men pulling with a long, steady stroke, which sent their cratt rapidly through the water. ** Are you sure of the spot, Mike?” “Sure of it?” rejoined Mike. “I s'pose you'll be asking me next if I’m sure these are my finger- nails. But, anyhow, that ain’t no sort of ‘count, If the fox made for ’em they're on the river by this time, and it’s got to be a chase and a fight.”’ The moon was now rapidly descending to the west; but its beams yet shone over the tops of the river-wall of houses, and struck the water near the center of the channel. The police boat was moving along in the shadow of the wharves, scarcely discernible from a dis- tance. *“ Hist!’’ warned Harry Bland. ‘Is not that the roll of oars?” “ Yes,”’ returned br gree Claxton, who was look- ing outwardly. ‘“‘And there she lifts.—See! Her nose has just struck the line of moonlight.” . “What say you, Mike? You ought to know their 9° That's them,’’ was the boy’s brief but confident er. “Then lay to your oars, lads, with a will!” ex- claimed Harry, as he swept the boat’s head outward, toward the chase. The long, strong, steady strokes sent the heavy but sharply-built boat shooting like an arrow through the seething waters. The fugitives seemed not yet aware of this pursuit and rowed on leisurely. But they suddenly aroused themselves as the police boat shot into the moonlight. They bent to their oars with a will, and quickly darted ahead, their boat's row turned toward the distant wharf line of Cam- en, The chase soon became cutting: Though the po- ice boat was much heavier than the other, yet eight oars to!d against four, and it was soon evident that the distance between the two craft was diminish- ing. Lay to it, boys! Lay to it, my hearties!’ en- couraged Harry Bland, as he steered for the chase. “We are going two feet to their one. Lay to it like beavers !”” Mike was the only unoccupied person in the boat. He had coiled himself up in the bow, grasping a boat hook in his hands, while his eyes were intently fixed on the flying boat. ‘** We are lapping her, hand over hand!’ he cried. “Them ag must be skeered. I never saw ’em row wus?. tout! Let out, cronies!” Minute after minute passed. The distance slowly ecreased, The fugiiive was heading in an inclined course for the shore lme of Camden. But they now turned and struck directly for the shore. H quickly followed, heading to cut them eff from this ref: yl Bony. lessened. Not twenty em. e must try to cut him off Still the di feet now separated “Drop your oars!” he shouted. ‘‘ Surrender! or self an unbounded Ve 9s to have let himself be so Fa) it will be worse for you!” A cry of defiance was the only answer from the fleeing boat. “Give her a spurt,” said Mike, in a low tone. **Limber your elbows, and let her slide!”’ The men obeyed, redoubling their exertions. The — shot forward with greater rapidity than be- ore. Suddenly Mike, who had been critically measuring the distance between the two boats, sprung to his feet, the long boat-hook in his hand. Bending forward, he flung out the hook end, cling- ing vigorously to the other extremity. A slight shock ran through the two boats. “T’'ve got them!’’ screamed Mike, hauling back strongly upon the hook. ‘I’ve nabbed them! Give us a hand here, Cap!” The dexterously-thrown hook had caught the stern of the fleeing craft, In a momentmore strong hands were pulling her back within reach of her pursuer. The oars were at rest. Every man in both boats was on his feet. A momentary confusion ensued, broken by oaths and cries of triumph. Then the sweep of oar-blades opened the fight be- tween the contesting crews. Mike’s position, upright in the bow of his boat, made him an easy mark for the clubbed oars. Un- heeded by allhe went headlong overboard under the force of a sweeping blow. The river resounded with cries, groans, the rattle of meeting oars, the grinding of the two boats, which ae side by side. ut the pursuers were much too numerous. In a very few minutes the fugitives were overcome, be- ing drawn vigorously into the larger boat and hand- cuffed, one by one. ‘But where is Levi Rostrou’” the captain sudden- ly cried. ‘‘ He was there a minute ago. Where is 1e?” In vain they looked around. There was no sign of the leader of the thieves. “And Mike, too, is gone!" ‘“*The boy is gone!” ‘Don’t you worry "bout the boy,” cried a youth- ful voice from a distance. ‘‘ This way, lads, quick as lightnin’. I’m on the trail of the fox. Here he swims! Let out, or he'll strike shore ahead of you!” Ina minute Captain Claxton, Harry Bland, and two others had flung themselves into the boat of the river pirates, and were rowing swiftly in the direc- tion of the voice, ‘* That's the provender, my hearties!” yelled Mike. “ He’s here, jist ahead!”’ With a violent oath the fugitive turned suddenly on Mike, who was following him with the pertinacity of a terrier after a mastitf. He struck a furious blow at the shaggy head, which rose from the water just in his rear. But Mike was too old a water~log to be caught nap- ping. Inan instant he disappeared below the sur- ace, and the blow was inetfectually expended upon the eddying waters. The next moment the strong grasp of the pur- suers was upon the bafiled fugitive. Captain Clax- ton’s vigorous gripe closed upon him like a vise, and despite his struggles he was di ed over the thwarts of the boat, and lay helpless in her bottom. “Tt’s my turn now, Levi Rostrou,” cried the cap- tain. ‘‘ You've had your day, but you've got to the end of your rope.”’ ““No he ain't,” screamed Mike, as he popped up from the water, and scrambled in‘o the boat, almost pe it in his effort. ‘‘ He won't get to the end of his rope till he gits it round his neck, and t’other end tied to a tree. For there’s little Joe Tod a-wait- in’ for him.”’ And here we may as well briefly close our story. Poor little Joe Tod, whom eign 3 knew, was not Svenged by the hangman, The only evidence of his murder lay in the oath of Tony Drake, one of the parties concerned, and even he did not render it cer- tain that murder had been intended. But that he had been in the employ of the gang of river-thieves was certain, And it was equally cer- tain that he had disappeared. There was evidence of manslaughter, if not of premeditated murder. And as for the other charge against the gang, that of robbing from various vessels, the testimony was so direct and strong, that no time was needed in coming to a verdict. The trial ended in committal of the gon for va- rious terms of imprisonment, Levi Rostrou and Jake, as being principally concerned in the death of the boy, receiving sentences of fifteen years each in the penitentiary. The others received milder sen- tences, as being convicted only of robbery. As for our other friends we no longer find Mrs. Northcote and her ees ah dragging out a half- yy existence in their little down-town resi- ence. They may be found now, as Mrs. Claxton and Miss Kate Claxton, dwelling in an elegant residence in one of the main streets of the city, and enjoying all those comforts of existence of which they had been so long deprived. The somewhat querulous look which long priva- tion had brought on the elderly lady’s round face, is utterly gone, and she is as rosy ont: beaming as the full moon. And as for Kate, her tall form and beautiful face, now set off by tasteful and elegant attire, mark her as one of the belles of the Quaker city; while hcr gentle, merry, and c ng manners are even more attractive than her appearance. And there is no happier soul in the world than Ca tain Claxton. In his new home, with his loving wife and charming daughter, he cannot help calling him- exclaimed Harry. long robbed of all this piness. The only thing he deplores is the frequent breaks in his domestic life caused by the necessity of his voyages, * But I could not live without breathing the sea air,” hesays. ‘And if it is sad to part, the sweet- ness is only doubled at every return. So I think I shall have to stick to the water.” ‘““Now don’t you worry, Cap Claxton,” answers Mike Merry, one of the most frequent visitors of the rejoined family. I'll take keer of the ladies while you're gone. And if any other chap of the size and shape of Levi the fox comes howlin’ round here, see if I don’t go fur him like an Irish emigrant for a pot of b’iled taters! I’m a-goin’ to be sure death on all sich critters—that’s me, Mike Merry!” , Mike is still a friend of the harbor police, spendin; as much time aboard their boat as onshore, An he has given ahalf promise to go tosea with Cap Claxton on his next voyage—though he is not quite satisfied in his mind if it will be the right thing to leave the ladies alone to fight their battles with the wicked world. And so we leave them, in that world which is alla battle. THE END, THE Half-Dime Singer's Library 1 Waoa, Emma! and 59 other Songs, 2 Caprain Curr and 57 other Songs. 8 Tae Gatnssoro’ Hart and 62 other Songs. 4 Jonnny Morean and 60 other Songs. 5 ti Srrixe You Wire A FreaTHer and 62 other Songs. 6 GErorGE Yo CHARMER and 56 other Songs. 7 Tue Bette or Rockaway and 52 other Songs. 8 gee * Feiuan, You're Too Fresxu and 60 other ngs. 9 Say Youne Grr and 65 other Epes 10 I’w THE GoVERNOR's ONLY Son and 58 other Songs. 11 My Fan and 65 other Songs. 12 Comm’ THRO’ THE Rye and 55 other Songs. 13 THe Roiiickine IrtsHMan and 59 other Songs. 14 Op Do@ Tray and 62 other Songs. 15 WHoA, CHARLIE and 59 other Fone 16 IN THIs WHEAT By AnD By and 62 other Songs. 17 Nancy Lee and 58 other Songs. 18 I'm wHe Boy THAT’s Bounp To Buaze and 57 other Songs. 19 THe Two OrpHANS and 59 other Songs. 20 WHat ARE THE Witp Waves SayIneG, SISTER? and 59 other Songs. 21 INDIGNANT Portiy Woe and 59 other Songs. 22 THe O_p Arm-CHAIR and 58 other Songs. 23 On Conry IsLAnD Breacu and 58 other Songs. 24 OLD Simon, THe Hot-Corn MAN and 60 others. 25 I’m In Love and 56 other Songs. 25 PARADE OF THE GuaRDs and 56 other Songs. 27 Yo, Heave, Ho! and 60 other Songs. 28 — NEVER bdo To Gipit up So and 60 other . ongs, 29 Bice Bonners Over tHe Rorper and others, 30 Tue Merry Lavanine Man and 56 other Songs. 31 Sweer Foreer-mx-Nor and 55 other Songs. 382 LeeTtLe Bany Mine and 53 other Songs. 33 De BanJo AM DE INSTRUMENT FoR ME and 53 other Songs. 84 Tarry and 50 other Songs. 85 Just To PLEASE THE Boys and 52 other Songs. 36 SKATING ON ONE IN THE GuTTER and 52 other Songs. 37 Kotorep Kranxs and 59 other Songs. 38 Nit DesPpERANDUM and 53 other Songs. 39 Tne Grew I Lerr Benrnp ME and 50 other Songs. 40 °T1s But A Litrte FapED FLOWER and 50 others. 41 Prerry WHILHELMTNA and 60 other Songs. 42 DANCING IN THE BaRn and 63 other ee. 43 H, M.S. Prvarorr, compLete, and 17 other Songs, Sold everywhere by Newsdealers, at five cents per copy, or sent post-paid, to any address, on re- ceipt of Sia cents per number. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Pus.isuers, 98 Wii11AM Street, New Yorx. The Sunnyside Library. 1 Latta Rooks. By Thomas Moore........... 10e. 2 Don Juan. By Lord Byron... ............. . 2c. 8 Parapise Lost. By John Milton ........ Sebi dee 4 Tue Lavy or true Lake. Sir Walter Scott... 10c. 5 Lucie. By Ower Meredith... .............. 10e. 6 Unpine or, THE WatTer-Sprrir, From the German of Iriederich De La Motte Fouque,,. 10¢, For sale by all newsdealers, or sent, postage paid, on receipt of twelve cents for single numbers, double numbers twenty-four cents. ADAMS, VICTOR & CO., Publishers, 98 William street, N, Y.
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$2 Large ‘Three-Column Pages. 1.A Hard Crowd ; on, GENTLEMAN | Sam’s Sister. By Philip S. Warne. 2. The Dare-Devil; or, THe WincED Witca or THE Sea. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 3. Kit Carson, Jr., THE Crack SuHor or | THE West. By Buckskin Sam. / 4. The Kidnapper; or, THe Great Smanowar or tHE NorTHwest. By Philip 8. Warne. 5. The Fire-Fiends; or, HeRcuLEs, THE Huncuspack, By A. P. Morris, 6. Wildeat Bob, THe Boss BRUISER; or, THE BoRDER BLOopHOUNDS. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 7. Death-Notch, Taz DxesTRoyYER; OR, Tue Sprerr LAKE AvENGERS, By Oll Coomes. 8. The Headless Horseman, A strange story of Texas. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 9. Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover. 10. Vidocg, THz Frencn Pouice spy. Written by himself. ae Midshipman Easy. By Capt. Mar- 12. The Death-Shot; or, TRACKED TO Dears. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 13. Pathaway; or, Nick WHIFr.es, THE TRAPPER OF THE NORTHWEST. By Robinson. 14, Thayendanegea, THE ScourcE; on, Tae WAr-KAGLE or THE Monawks. Ned Buntline. 15. The Tiger-Slayer; or, Eacur- Heap To THe Resour. By Gustave Aimard. 16. The White Wizard; or, Toe Great PHET OF THE SEMINOLES. By Ned Buntline. 17. Nightshade, Tre Rosser PRINCE or HounsLow Hearn. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 18. The Sea Bandit; or, THe QUEEN | OF THE Isix, By Ned Buntline. 19. Red Cedar, Tur Pram Qut.Law. By Gustave Aimard. 20. The Bandit at Bay; or, Tax Pi- RATES OF THE PRAIRIES. By Gustave Aimard, 21. The Trapper’s Daughter; o Tae OvrLaw’s hie By Gustave Atmaart, 22. Whitelaw ; or, NATTIE of THE LAKE Shore. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 23. The Red Warrior; or, STELLA Devorme’s ComancHEe Lover. By Ned Buntline, 24, Prairie Flower. By Gustave Ai- mard, author of “ Tiger-Slayer,” etc. 25. The Gold-Guide; or, Steer Arm, THE Reautator. By Francis Johnson. 26. The Death-Track; on, THE Ovt- LAWs oF THE Mountain. By Francis Johnson, 27. The Spotter-Detectives or, THE Grets or New York. By Albert W. Aiken. 28. Three-Fingered Jack, Tue Roap- AGENT OF THE Rockigs.. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 29. Tiger Dick, Tue Faro Kine; or Tue i Crime. By Philip 8. Warne. es mL, Gospel George; or, Frery FRep, OuTLaw. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 31. The New York ‘Sharp?’ or, Taz FLase or Licurnive, By Albert W. gy 32. B’hoys of Yale; on, Taz ScraPes op A Harp Set or Coiueeians, By John D. Vose. 33. Overland Kit. By A. W. Aiken. 34. Rocky Mountain Rob. By Aiken. 35. Kentuck, the Sport. By Aiken. 36, Injun Dick. By Albert W. Aiken. 37. Hirl, the Hunchback; or, Tue OF THE Santex. By Dr. J, H. Robinson. 38. Velvet Hand; on, Taz [kon Grip or Inson Diox. By Albert W. Atken. | 39. The Russi-zn Spy i or, THE BrotTH- Bks oF THE Starry Crees. By Frederick Whittaker. | 40. The Long Haired ‘Pards;’ or, Tue TARTARS OF THE PLatns. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 41. Gold Dan; or, THe Wuitr SavacEe OF THE GREAT SALT LAKE. 42. The California Detective; or, Tuer Witcues or New York. By Albert W. Aiken. 43. Dakota Dan, Tur RECKLESS RANGER; or, THe Bez-Hunters’ Excursion. By Oll Coomes. BEADLE LIBRARY. | Each Number Complete. Price 10 cts, 65, The Red Rajah; or, THE ScourGE OF THE INDIES. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. 66. The Specter Barque. A TALE By Albert W. Aiken. | OF THE Paciric. By Captain Mayne Reid. 67. The Boy Jockey; or, Honesty VERSUS CROOKEDNESS. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 68. The Fighting Trapper; or, Kir CARSON TO THE Rescue. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 69. The Irish Captain; A TALE or 44. Old Dan Rackback, THE GREAT | Fonrenoy. By Captain Frederick Whittaker. EXTARMINATOR. By Oll Coomes. 45. Old Bull’s Eye, Tse Licnuryine Sort or THE Piams. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 46. Bowie-Knife Ben, THe LITTLE Hunrer oF THE Nor’-west. By Oll Coomes. 47. Pacific Pete, THE PRINCE OF THE Revotver. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 48. Idaho Tom, THE Youne OvuTLaw OF SILVERLAND. By Oll Coomes, 49. The Wolf Demon; or, THE QUEEN or THE KANAWHA. By Albert W. Aiken. 50. Jack Rabbit, THe Pramm Sport; By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 51. Red Rob, THe Boy Roap-AGEnrt. By Oll Coomes. KIT CARSON, JR.—No. 3, 52. Death Trailer, THE CHIEF OF Scours. By Hon. Wm. F. Cody, (Buffalo Bill.) 58. Silver Sam; or, THE MystTERy oF Deaidwoop Crry. By Col. Delle Sara. 54. Always on Hand; or, Tue Sportive Sport or THE Foor Huis. By Philip S. Warne. 55. The Scalp Hunters. A Romance or THE Piarns. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 56. The Indian Mazeppa; or, Tun Map MAN OF THE Prarns. By rt W. Aiken. 57. The Silent Hunter; or, Taz Scow. HA. Mystery. By Percy B. St. John. 58. Silver Knife; or, WIcKLIFFE, THE Rocky Mountain Ranger. By Dr. J. H. Robinson. 59. The Man From Texas; or, THE OvuTLAW oF ARKANSAS. By Albert W. Aiken. 60. Wide Awake; or, Tae Ipior or THe Buack Hitts. By Frank Dumont. 61, Captain Seawaif, THE PRIVATEER. By Ned Buntline. 62. Loyal Heart; or, Toe TRAPPERS OF Arkansas. By Gustave Aimard. 63. The Winged Whale. By Aiken. 64. Double Hight. the Death Shot. By Joseph E. Badger, Je. | i | 70. Hydrabad, THE STRANGLER; or, ALETHE, THE CHILD OF THE CORD. By Robinson. 71. Captain Cool-Blade, or, THz Man SHARE OF THE Mississippr. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 72. The Phantom Hand. A Srory or New York HeArTHS AND Homes. By A. W. Aiken. 73. The Knight of the Red Cross; or, Tot Magician or Granapa. Dr. J. H. Robinson. 74. Captain ofthe Rifles. A Romance OF THE MExIcAN VALLEY. By Captain Mayne Reid. 75. Gentleman George, or, PARLOR, PRISON, STAGE AND SrrEEeT. By Albert W. Aiken. 76. The Queen’s Musketeer, or, Tuissr, THE Princess PaLmist. By George Albony. 77. The Fresh of Frisco, or, Tuz Hetress of BuENAVENTURA. By Albert W. Aiken. 78. The Mysterious Spy; or, GoLprEn FEATHER, THE BUCCANEER’S DAUGHTER. By Grainger. 79. Joe Phenix, tur Potice Spy. By Albert W. Aiken. 80. A Man of Nerve; TRE DwarF. By Philip S. Warne, 81. The Human Tiger; or, A Heart or Fire. By Albert W. Aiken. 82. Iron Wrist, the Swordmaster. By Col. Thomas H. Monstery. 83. Gold Bullet Sport; or, raz Knicuts OF THE OVERLAND. By Buffalo Bill 84. Hunted Down; or, tHe Warre Wrren. By Albert W. Aiken. 85. The Cretan Rover; or, ZuLEIKAH, THE BeavutiruL. By Col. Prentice Ingraham. 86. The Big Hunter; or, Taz QurEN oF THE Woops. By the author of “Silent Hunter.”’ 87. The Scarlet Ceptain; or, Taz PRISONER OF THE TowER. By Col. Delle Sara. 88. Big George, THE GIANT OF THE Gutcu; or, Tue Five OvrLAw Brotuers. By Badger. 89. The Pirate Prince; or, Pretry NELLY, THE QUEEN OF THEIstEx. By Col. Ingraham. 90. Wild Will, THz Map RancuEro; or, THe TERRIBLE TEXAN. By Buckskin Sam, 91. The Winning Oar; or, Tue Iyn- KEEPER’s DAUGHTER. By Albert W. Aiken. 92. Buffalo Bill, Taz Buckskin Kine; By Major Dangerfield Burr. 93. Captain Dick Talbot, Kive or THE Roap. By Albert W. Aiken. 94. Freelance, THE Buccaneer; or, The Wair or tHE Wave. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 95. Azhort, THE AXMAN; or, THE SECRETS or THE Ducat Pauace. By Anthony P. Morris. 96. Double-Death, or, Toe SPY QUEEN or Wyoming. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 97. Bronze Jack, THE CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED. By A. W, Aiken. 98. The Rock Rider; or, THE Srinir OF THE Srerra. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker. 99. The Giant Rifleman; or, Wimp Lire IN THE LumMBER Reaions. By Oll Coomes. 100. The French Spy; or, THE BRIDE or Paris. A Story of the mmune. By A. P. Morris. Ready August 11th. 101. The Man from New York; or, Tue RoMANCE OF A Rich Youna Woman. By Albert W. Aiken. Ready August 25th. or, CALIBAN, A new issue every two weeks. Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all Newsdealers, ten cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of twelve cents each. BEADLE & ADAMS Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.
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Every one of them ‘** Live” Stories by ** Live®? Authors, Each number a Complete Novel, at the extraordinary price of a HALF-DLIME. | 1 Deadwood Dick. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 2 Yellowstone Jack. Jos. E. Badger. 3 Kansas King. By Buffalo Bill. 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid and Capt. Fred, Whittaker. 5 Vagab@vd Joe. By Oll Coomes. 6 Bill Biation, Trapper. By E.S. Bilis. 7 The Flying Yankee. Col. Ingraham. | | 8 Seth Jones. By Edward §. Ellis. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen. 10 Nat Todd. By Ed. 8. Ellis. 11 The Two Detectives. A. W. Aiken. 42 Gaulliver’s Travels. 13 The Dumb Spy. By Oll Coomes. 14 Aladdin. 15 The Sea-Cat. By Capt. F. Whittaker. 16 Robinson Crusoe. 17 Ralph Roy. Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 18 Sindbad, the Sailor. 19 The Phantom Spy. By Buffalo Bill. 20 The Double Daggers. E. L. Wheeler 21 Frontier Angel. By Ed. 8S. Ellis. 22 The Sea f£erpent. Col. Juan Lewis. 23 Nick o’ the Night. T. C. Harbaugh. 24 Diamond Dirk. By Col. P. Ingraham. 25 The Boy Captain. By Roger Starbuck. 26 Cloven Hoof. By Edward L. Wheeler. 27 Antelope Abe. By Oll Coomes. 28 Buffalo Ben. Edward L. Wheeler, 29 The Dumb Page. Capt. F. Whittaker. 30 Roaring Ralph Rockwood. By Harry St. George. 31 Keen-Knife. By Ol Coomes. 32 Bob Woolf. Edward L. Wheeler. 33 The Ocean Bloodhound. 8. W. Pierce 34 Oregon Sol. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 35 WildIvan; By Edward L. Wheeler. 36 The Boy Clewn. By Frank 8. Finn. 37 The Hidden Lodge. T. C. Harbaugh. 38 Ned Wylde. By Texas Jack. 39 Death-Face. By Edward L. Wheeler. 40 Roving Ben. John J. Marshall. 41 Lasso Jack. By Oll Coomes. 42 The Phantom Miner, E. L. Wheeler 43 Diek Darling. By Capt. F. Whittaker 44 Rattling Rube. By Harry St. George. 45 Old Avalanche. Hdward L. Wheeler. 46 Class Eye. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 47 Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Harbaugh. 48 Black John. By Joseph E. Badger, Jr. 49 Omaha Oll. By Edward L. Wheeler, 50 Burt Bunker. By C. E. Lasalle. 561 The Boy Rifles. By Archie C. Iren. 52 The White Buffalo. Chas. E. Lasalle. 53 Jim Bludsoe,dr. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 54 Ked Hazel. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams. 55 Deadly-Eye. By Buffalo Bill. 56 Nick Whiffles’ Pet. J. F. C. Adams. 1.57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles. Wheeler. iss The Border King. By Oll Coomes. 59 ©ld Hiekery. By Harry St. George. 60 The White Indian. By J. F. C. Adams. 61 Buckhorn Bill. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 62 The Shadow Ship. Col. P Ingraham. 63 The Red Brotherhood, Hamilton. 84 Dandy Jack. By T. C. Harbaugh. 65 Hurricane Bill. Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 66 Single Hand. By W. J. Hamilton, | 69 Gold Riile. 67 Patent-Leather Joe. Philip S. Warne. 68 The Border Robin Hood. Buffalo Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler. | 70 Old Zip’s Cabin. By J. F. C. Adams, | 71 Delaware Dick. By Oll Coomes. 72 Mad Tom Western. W. J. Hamilton. 73 Deadwood Dick on Deck. Wheeler. 74 Hawk-eye Harry. By Oll Coomes, 75 The Boy Duelist. Col. P. Ingraham. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. Aiken. 77 Corduroy Charlie. Ed. L. Wheeler. 78 Blue Dick. By Capt. Mayne Reid. 79 Sol Ginger. By Albert W. Aiken. 80 Rosebud Rob. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 81 Lightnng Jo. By Capt. J. F.C. Adams. 82 Kit Harefoot, By T. C. Harbatgh. 83 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. Oll Coomes. | 84 Idyl, the Girl Iiner. E. L. Wheeler. 85 Buck Buckram. Capt. J. F. C. Adams. | 86 Dandy Rock. By G. Waldo Browne. 87 The Land Pirates. Capt. Mayne Reid. 88 Photograph Phil. Ed. L. Wheeler. No. 28.—Burra.o Ben. 89 Island Jim. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 90 The Dread Rider. George W. Browne 91 The Captain of the Club. Hemyng. 92 Canada Chet. Edward L. Wheeler. 93 The Boy Miners. By Edward 8. Ellis. 94 Midnight Jack. By T. ©. Harbaugh. 95 The Rival Revers. Hazeltine. 96 Watch-Eye. By Edward L. Wheeler. 97 The Outlaw Brethers. Marshall. 98 Robin Hood, Gildersleeve. 99 The Tiger of Taos. G. W. Browne. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. By Buiward L. Wheeler. 101 Jack Harkaway in New York. By Bracebridge Hemyng. 102 Dick Dead-Eye. Col. Ingraham. 103 The Lion of the Sea. Delle Sara. 104 Deadwood Dick’s Device. Wheeler 105 Old Rube. By Capt. H. Holmes. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide. Harbaugh. 107 One-Eyed Sim. By 8. L. Bowen. 108 Daring Davy. By Harry St. George. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. By Edward L. Wheeler. |! 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies, By James L, Bowen. 111 The Sea-Devil. By Col. P. Ingraham, * 112 The Mad Hunter. By Burton Saxe 113 Jack Hoyle. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 114 The Black Schooner. R. Starbuck. 115 The Mad Miner. G. W. Browne. { 116 The Hussar Captain. By Ingraham, 117 Gilt-Edged Dick. By E. L. Wheeler. 118 Will Somers. By Charles Morris. 119 Mustang Sam. Jos. E. Badger. Jr. 120 The Branded Hand. Frank Dumont. 121 Cinnamon Chip. Edward L. Wheeler. 122 Phil Hardy. By Charles Morris, 123 Kiowa Charley. T. C. Harbaugh, 124 Tippy,the Texan. Geo. Gleason. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. E. L. Wheeler 126 Picayune Pete.. By C. Morris. 12 Wild-Fire. By Frank Dumont. 128 The Young Privateer. Cavendish, 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double. By Edward L. Wheeler. 130 Detective Dick. By Chas. Morris, 131 The Golden Hand. Geo. W. Browne, 132 The Hunted Hunter. Ed. 8. Ellis. 133 Boss Bob. By Edward L, Wheeler, 134 Sure Shot Seth. By Oll Coomes, 135 Captain Paul. By C. D. Clark. 136 Night-Hawk Kit. Jos. E. Badger, Jr, 137 The Helpless Hand. Mayne Reid. ; 138 Blonde Bill. By Edward L. Wheeler, ‘ 139 Judge Lynch, dr. T. C. Harbaugh. , 140 Blue Blazes. By Frank Dumont. | 141 Selid Sam. By Ed. L. Wheeler. : 142 Handsome Harry. By Chas. Morris, 143 Scar-Face Saul. By Oll Coomes, 144 Dainty Lance. Jos. E. Badger, Jr, 145 Captain Ferret... Ed. L. Wheeler. 146 Silver Star. By Oll Coomes. 147 Will Wildfire. By Charls Morris, 148 Sharp Sam. By J. A. Patten. 149 A Game of Gold. Ed. L. Wheeler. 150 Lance and Lasso. Fred. Whittaker. 151 Panther Paul. Jos. E. Badger, Jr. 152 Black Bess. By Charles Merris. 153 Eagle Kit. By Oll Coomes. 154 The Sword Hunters. F. Whittaker. 155 Gold Trigger. By T. C. Harbaugh. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, Tee PickeD Party. By Edward L. Wheeler. 157 Mike Merry, THE Harsor Porice Boy; or, THe Nicgut-Hawks or PuHira- DELPHIA. By Charles Morris, July 27, 158 Fancy Frank of Colbrado; or, Tne TRAPPER’s TRUST. By Buffalo Bill. Ready August 3d. 159 The Lost Captain; or, Sarr JABEZ COFFIN’S UISE TO TRH OPEN PouaR Sea. By Captain F. Whittaker. Ready August 10th. 160 Black Giant; or, Damry LANcE IN JEOPARDY. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr. Ready August 17th, A new issue every week, The Half-Dime library is fer sale by al Newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents ea... BEADLE & ADAMS, Publishers, 6 William S >t, New York.