Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 453) (1886 03 30)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
q NN - lallHalallialallalialalsl alae //' a, \ w Ss AN : 4 tal | J I\S \ . \ . “ Raa | Pees. utr RUN WAAL MNF” QE ARINC UIE, AY SAR Go Ka : - nn * a = jl rar rage 7 rin a ‘i Tm fa nh | Vaal ius ree vet ait BRD el Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. PA. Pe Sl SDAA Go / a a ‘ {ust tt i nl i fg as __Copyright, 1886, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, P __ March 96,1896; ’ VT1 $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS Price, | Vol. XVUL a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. /” 5 Cents. *~ No. 453. Re a a nt bil Loerie PTS oat NS ———————SSSSSaa____— Sst eer SATIRE sO raaee ne a — = —. — | : ANTTTATICALT | | mn ; = | || (|) ——— HEI | HT ||| Hil | WAT ————S es HN TTT TT ii oft) HMA: — | mh |) 1) Y | Ht oe , - --4 oO _/ f. s AO OFFI PPP CEES HIF oe EZZ Zy Z Z Z Zp ZZ Z Z —_ a \ 2ALLLZLEA DEADWOOD DICK JR’S FULL HAND | A TALE oF You BET. ' BY EDWARD LI. WHEELER, (AUTHOR OF ‘‘ DEADWOOD pIcK” NOVELS, ETC. iy Yi hy U/L) bhi] : { ila ht 7) A: yf CHAPTER I. === o he THE MORA MURDER, SSF®GF “YOu are a liar and a thief!” This charge was uttered by one of two excited ay, who stood before the bar of the Lone Deer 1p ES ET oon, in the mining-camp of You Bet, Arizona, = : As a town, you may not be able to find You Baits 0° Shea's IM THIS GAM OAM mae a 4/ ry —_— 2
Page 2
_ gide of his ae © & Bet indicated on the map, for the place rejoiced in another namg, which the fastidious were wont to use instead of the original rough-and-ready title. But of the camp itself, more anon. The two men referred to as standing before the bar of the Lone Deer, were aged respectively about forty-four and forty-five years, and look- ed somewhat alike, inasmuch as both were about of the same stature, dressed in similar garb, and each possessed a well-kept brown beard, It was the younger man who had uttered the insulting charge, and his face was flushed red from the combined effects of anger and strong @arink. ‘ The other man appeared to be somewhat an- gered, too, and his eyes flashed resentfully at the accusation. “ Augustin Andre, [’ll make you retract those words, if I die for it!” he cried, hotly, ** so take them back at once, if you would save yourself trouble.” “‘T take nothing back, Joe Mora, nor do I fear ou, as I will prove, by repeating the charge hat you are both a liar and a thief!” Andre sneered. With a cry of rage, Mora ieaped forward and clutched Andre by the throat, and essayed to strangle him, which he undoubtedly could have done, had not Andre quickly wrested a knife from its sheath upon his hip, and with one quick stroke drove it to the hilt in Mora’s breast. With a groan the ‘stricken man relinquished his hold upon his enemy’s throat, and fell to the floor, where he expired almost instantly. Then, with a heartless laugh, Andre turned upon his heel, and walked from the saloon. The circumstances of this cold-blooded act were somewhat peculiar, inasmuch as no one had been present in the room besides the two men, to witness the crime—the bartender having been engaged in the cellar in tapping a barrel of liquor, and both Andre and Mora having entered during his temporary absence. Therefore, when the bartender heard the fall, and rushed up-stairs, he found Joseph Mora weltering in a pool of blood, and his murderer one, Quickly the bartender, whose name was Nich- olas Nye, rushed to the door and threw it open. Tt was late at night, and a dark night, too, so that Nye could not see a dozen yards away. Nor could he hear any sounds of retreating footsteps. There was only here and there a twinkle of a light about the camp, and no one was apparently abroad, ' | Nye returned to the bar-room, and stood for a moment, gazing in horror, at the corpse and the sickening pool of blood. ‘*Good gracious! This beats the Dutch!” he soliloquized. ‘‘Here’s Joe Mora been knifed, and no one knows who did it. It can’t be he knifed himself, for I know I heard two persons enter the saloon, while I was in the cellar, and I heard ’em talk, though I was too busy a any attention to what they were saying. Who- ever did the job took care to get out mighty quick; and, more than that, the men were onl tn the room a few minutes ere I heard the fall. They must have been quarreling when they en- tered. Whocan have did the deed—that’s the question? I do not know a man in You Bet who held a grudge against Joe Mora,” Thus soliloquized konest Nick Nye, as he stared at the rigid figure upon the floor. Finally, however, he awoke to the fact that something must be done, and so rushed once more from the Lone Deer to the nearest cabin, _ and gave an alarm—then to other dwellings. You Bet was not so extensive a place but what, in the course of ten minutes, the whole camp was aroused, and collected at the saloon, And naturally, as Joseph Mora was one of the foremost citizens of the place, the excitement over the murder ran high. ; Not only did he own some valuable mining- claims in the vicinity, but was possessed of a Jarge sum of money, on which he was wont to speculate. In other words, he was known in You Bet, and-adjacent mining-districts, as a money- lender, and a man who never lost the best of a ‘bargain, It a person needed money, he could always get it, subject to a big ‘‘shave,” providing he could give undoubted security. It was principally in this way Mora made his wealth, ~ , _ Despite the fact_ that money-shavers, as a | rule, secure the dislike of a community, h oseph Mora was thought well of in You Bet, for, out- } business, he was liberal and unselfish, Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. and mingled freely with all classes, and had a pleasant word fon everybody. Hence the surprise at his being stricken down by the hand of an unknown assassin. He had a family, consisting of his wife, an adopted daughter named Bly Barron, and a nep ew named Max Mora. he adopted daughter was one of the sweetest and prettiest maidens in all Arizona’s sunny clime—just seventeen, and ripening into a glo- rious young woma ? She was a sunny-haired creature, with pleas- ant features, hazel eyes, and a prettily-rounded petite figure; her manners were refined and charming, and her conversational powers born of keen intellect, and a fine education. Max Mora was rather a dashing* and hand- some young man, but, unfortunately, was both lazy and dissolute in his habits, and there seem- ed no likelihood that he would ever ‘set the world on fire.” ; Despite these facts he had always appeared to be a favorite with his uncle, who, while not ex- actly taking him into his business, kept him supplied with money, the money always going for drink or games. The excitement became intense, as the people crowded into and about the Lone Deer, to get a view of the dead man, and Nick Nye was more than once called upon to relate what he knew of the murder, = The deputy-sheriff of the camp, Peleg Gray, was about the last one, excepting Max Mora, to arrive upon the scene, and he reviewed the re- mains with moisture in his eyes, for he and the dead speculator had been warm. personal friends, ‘*Boyees, this hyer’s a durned shame!” he cried, taking off his hat, and wiping the perspi- ration from his forehead. ‘‘Some mesn cuss hes knifed Joe Mora, who war as squar’ a man as ever tuk his whisky straight, an’ now, I want ter know who did it? Ef ther galoot is present, let him step for’a’d, an’ acknowledge ther corn, as there will be no use 0’ his tryin’ ter screen his- self o’ ther crime, fer et’s an old sayin’, an’ truer than gunpowder, that ‘ murder will out!’ ‘‘Ther man as stuck a knife inter Joe Mora hev got ter swing, and I’m goin’ ter hey a hand on ther rope thet yanks him!” This declaration was greeted with a murmur of applaussa from the bystanders. ** It’s mighty queer who did the job,” said a miner. Queer! why on course it’s queer!” snorted Gray. ‘Ther’ wasn’t a man in ther camp but what were on good terms wi’ Mora. Ain’t I right, boys?—did ye ever hear a galoot say as he had anything ag’in’ him? Ef ye did, jest name ther galoot, and we’ll investigate ther matter, at once, an’ don’t ye fergit it!” But, no one made answer, except by negative shakes of their heads. If any one in the crowd ever had expressed enmity toward Joseph Mora, now was the time he would be the least inclined to admit the fact, for Peleg Gray was a sort of terror-to evil doers, in and around You Bet, as he was a firm advo- cate of lynch law, ‘was a dead shot, and the chief of the local Vigilance Committee, whose record showed that they had visited vengeance upon a score or more of lawbreakers, Word had already been sent to the Mora dwelling, to warn the family, and shortly after the deputy’s arrival, Max Mora put in an ap- pearance. He was tall, dark-complexioned,. and quite Hid praeinn of appearance, with his graceful lack mustache and curling hair, and his jetty _| eyes, whose magnetic gaze seemed to have the power to pierce’a person through and through. **Good Heaven! who committed this crime?” he demanded, as he rushed into the saloon, and knelt beside the dead uncle. ‘Speak, quick! some one, tell me who struck down poor uncle oe! “'That’s what no one knows, young man!” de- clared Peleg, ‘Nick, thar, war down cellar, an’ when he heerd a fall, and rushed up-stairs, | he found yer uncle layin’ thar, dead, an no one else in the saloon, or to be seen or heerd, in ther neighborhood, “yt suthin’ mighty queer about ther job. I don’t allow yer uncle killed hisself, fer Nick allows he heerd two voices in ther bar-room, afore he heerd ther fall!” “No! Uncle was not a man that would take his own life, for he had no trouble to drive him to such a rash act,” Max replied, thoughtfully. ‘* Nor do I think he had an.enemy, in the wide world. He was always of a disposition to make friends, rather than enemies, as I presume you are all aware!” , ‘“Yas, ye’r’ right, thar,” several voices re- sponded ina chorus, - \ Fn ee ee er a EE eee ——_——__—$—$—$—$—$—$—$——— eee" ‘*Maybe some cuss knifed him, ter git his wallybles!” suggested a miner. ‘If so, they didn’t take’ his diamond pin,” Max replied, as ne proceeded .to search the pockets of the dead man, ‘‘ No, his wallet is here, and contains money. Let me see”-—and he counted over the contents—‘ here is a thou- - sand dolars, even. That's more than he usu- ally carried about his person. , ** No, boys, this foul murder was not commit ted for money. It was done for a revengeful ~ and vicious purpose, and I will take the respon- sibility upon myself of offering this thousand dollars as a reward to the man or men, who hunt down the murderer of my uncle!” “Then, stranger, providing there ain’t any exorbitant entrance fee, I allow you can count me in for the race—me ther sunny-natured Sun- flower Samuel, from soaring Shasta!” cried a sportive-looking individual as he elbowed his way into the crowded bar-room. , CHAPTER II. THE SHASTA DETECTIVE, STRANGERS were won’t to arrive in ‘You Bet, at all hours of the day and night, and by vari- ous ways of transportation; but few came who would be apt to attract more attention than the man who pushed his way into the Lone Deer Saloon. He was a young man of good figure, evident- ly lithe and strong as a mountain lion. He had a round, healthful, handsome face, with brown, penetrating eyes, a pleasant mouth that yet was capable of great firmness of expres- sion. A curling black mustache graced his lip, and hair of the same color fell in a wavy mass upon his shoulders, from beneath the rim of his sombrero! : His attire consisted of a pair of patent-leather knee boots, met by a pair of brown-velvet pants; a gold band encircled his waist, in which was thrust a single revolver; then came a finely pleated white shirt, and a jacket of spotless white, bound with gold fringe. 42 Instead of wearing jewelry upon his shirt front, as would have been in keeping with his make-up, he wore three sunflowers, the size of a silver half-dollar in the plaee of bosom-studs. Such was the person who pushed his way in- to the Lone Deer Saloon, with the announce mént that he was on hand, and ready to under- take the job of hunting down the murderer of Joseph Mora. As he had paused within the little circle sur- rounding the corpse, he took off his hat and bowed respectfully, more particularly to Max Mora than to any one else. ‘* Excuse my abrupt intrusion,” he said; ‘ buty I just bappanes to hear of the murder, and concJuded I might te of some service.” ‘‘Who are you?’ Max Mora demanded, sur- veying him rather cri Laine “ As I announced before, am Sunflower Sam, from Shasta.” ’ ‘“Humph! One would judge by your appear- ance that you were some crank just broke loose from an. asylum !” Mora retorted, betraying his disgust. ‘* What is your real name?” “As Sunflower Sam you see me; as Sunflower Sam I eat, drink, sleep and fight.’ Therefore, if you’re desirous of engaging my services, I am at your command,” “T shall engage no one, sir. My offer is open to all, but with a hope that some fellow-towns: man may win the reward, Now, deputy, if you and some of the boys will lend a hand, we will carry my dead uncle home.” There were plenty of volunteers, and the body of the dead speculator was raised and borne from the saloon. \ Although You Bet was mostly made up of’ rough shanties and cabins, there were a couple of large and attractive dwellings, one of which was occupied by the Moras, while the other was the residence of Augustin Andre. To the residence that had only a few hours before known him as a live man the body of Joseph Mora was taken by a half-dozen miners, while others who had congregated at the saloon brought up the rear in double file; Sunflower ay Sam walking in the rear of all. When the residence was reached the bearers were admitted with the body, but the door was immediately closed, so that none of the crowd — could get in. They, however, hovered around on the out- — side, seeming loth to leave the vicinity, / The curtains on the windows, however, had — been drawn, and there seemed little prospect of anything being seen or learned by remaining out- side; so Sunflower Sam turned and walked back toward the business part of the camp, where ~ alled the ig were the Lone Deer Saloon, the hotel ¢
Page 3
‘White Bear, and various stores, shops and ‘she- bangs.’ “Yes, ve arrived just in time to take a hand in investigating this murder case,” he solilo- quized, as he strode along through the darkness of the starless night, ‘‘and at the same time quietly work up the other matter that brought me here. Altogether, I am likely to be kept ; employed, and that is what I want. If I can i run down ft/is murderer, whoever he may be, I fancy I can find use for that thousand dollars’ reward, without any inconvenience.” He had not yet reached the Lone Deer, when he felt a light tap upon the shoulder, and was tT surprised to find a man walking along by his of side—a tall, finely proportioned fellow, clad in | ed miner’s habiliments, and the possessor of a hand- ot some face, adorned by a sweeping blonde mus- aye ‘ttache, and lit up by as handsome a pair of eyes as one would care to gaze into, ‘¢ Excuse me, pard,” he said, ‘‘ but I wished to "TD a learn if you got any news at the house, yonder el | —if the boss was really dead. My name is Joe oor |b Colby, an’ I am his mine boss, and Mora was as y i dear as a father, to me.” : , He spoke earnestly, and there was a slight tremor in his voice, which indicated that he spoke his true feelings. “No, I didn’t learn anything at the house, «4 sO,” Sam replied, ‘‘but you can bet your last trump that your bosses spirit has gone to an- | ae other sphere, by this time.” “And youre going to try to find out who committed the murder?” ‘‘ Well, I rather allow I am!” > ‘¢ God bless you for that!” Colby said, heartily. “<Tf you succeed in doing that you will confer a Jife-long obligation upon Mrs, Mora, Bly, and anyself,” ‘Who is Bly?” “The adopted daughter of the Moras. She’s ealled Beautiful Bly Barron, more often, how- ever—Barron having been her own mother’s mame. Bly and I are lovers, you know, only I don’t. get a chance to court her much, because Mrs. Mora don’t like me. Bly loves me, just the aame, and so I am satisfied.” ; “You ought to be happy. A woman’s faith- ful love is a jewel without price. Did Mr. Mora approve of your love for his adopted child?” ‘ Yes—that is, he never gave me cause to sup- ypose that he disapproved of my attention to ly; for, had he, he would have said so, with- out hesitation. He has given me employment, at a good salary, and I believe he liked me full as well as I did him.” Sunflower Sam made no answer for several seconds, appearing to be in deep thought. . ‘Have you any idea who committed this crime?” he finally asked. : ‘*‘No, indeed! If I had, I would tell you with- out waiting for you to ask.” ; ‘Nor any knowledge that Mr. Mora had any enemies?” “‘None, whatever. He allus got along first- rate with everybody, and I don’t know the first erson who had anything against him, or owed ae agrudge. That’s somethin’ can’t be said of every man.” , “You are quite correct, in that. Was Mr. Mora wealthy?” ' *“You bet! Thar’s none in this camp any richer. He owned the Beauty mine, an’ besides that, he had a pile of money.” ' ‘¢ Where did he keep it?” ' *T don’t know, ’cept it is in the big safe in his / office.” ; a ‘*Ts his office in his residence?” ‘No. It’s a shanty he built over yonder near the mouth of the mine. But, there’s no danger of anyone's robbing it, for Clem, the little nigger servant, sits up in the office all night, and if any one tries to get in he teches a knob, an’ an electric current follows an underground wire, and com- oR municates wi’ a bell in the boss’s bedroom,” a * Ah! Isee, By the way, has Bly any other suitors, besides yourself?” ‘“‘ Not that she cares a cent for.” ‘* Has she got any she don’t care a cent for?” aah ‘Well, I guess so. There’s nigh every man in ; the camp as likes her. But I reckon the onl cA ones you could exactly call suitors for her hand, ; are Augustin Andre, an’ Max.” os ' “Max? Who's he?” ty ‘‘Oh! he’s the nephew o’ the boss.” ‘* What sort of a chap is he?” ‘ “Well, I haven’t got nothing in particular .against him, though he is rather jealous of me, ‘because he knows, as does every one else, that - Blyisfondof me. But, Max won’t make the -.. ‘man like his uncle was, unless he steadies up in _»., this habits.” . Bo ee is unsteady, then?” Sey, cay “Well, yes, rather. He don’t work, but plays Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. faro and ag and frequently gets more liquor aboard, than is g@od for him. * And this Andre?” **Oh! he’s the next richest man in You Bet to Joe Mora. He isa sort of a man of leisure, and don’t do nothing in particular, tho’ it’s said he has got piles of money.” After a brief silence, Sunflower Sam went on: * Who will be the one most likely to profit by Joseph Mora’s death?” “Well, that’s pretty hard to tell. There's Max, an’ Bly, cue the wife, and I don’t know which will get the biggest hck. I suppose Mrs. Mora will get something, an’ then I wouldn’t be surprised if the balance were equally divided up between Bly and Max.”. ‘That is, in case a will has been made?” ‘* Yes,” **Do you know if a will has been made?” **No, I do not.” By this time they reached the only hotel in the camp, known as the White Bear, and shook hands, as Colby announced that he had some lit- tle distance turther to go. **T hope you'll find the murderer,” he said, earnestly. “*T’ve nothing in my hands now, but you may bet your life Sunflower Sam will have a full hand in this game.” ‘And Joe Colby is with you, pard, through. thick and thin—don’t fergit it!” added the miner solemnly. “Thanks. You may perhaps be of some use to me, later,” Sam replied, and then entered the hotel and went to his room, from which he had been summoned by the alarm of murder, CHAPTER III. AN INVITATION TO CALL. WHEN another day had dawned, the denizens of You Bet were astir and the excitement of the tragedy of the previous night was revived and intensified. _ At the Mora residence the grief-stricken fam- ily were gathered about the corpse of the mur- dered speculator, who had been laid out upon a hastily-improvised bier, and both Mrs, Mora and Bly were weeping bitterly, while Max Mora, with tearless eyes, paced the floor, his face ex- pressing no little sorrow. The trio alone kept a vigil with the dead. Mrs. Mora was a good-sized, middle-aged wo- man, with rather a hard, cold cast of features, iercing gray eyes, and hair that was silver- hreaded. One’s first impression on meeting her would be that she was a woman of strong will, and not of the most amiable temperament; yet her grief seemed to be genuine, as she sat beside her late partner in life and wept. ‘ If anything, Bly seemed the most affected at her foster-father’s untimely death; for Mr, Mora had ever been kind and indulgent to her, and she had been his pet and pride. \ F Early in the morning the neighbors began to drop in, but were not permitted to view the re- mains—Mrs. Mora and Bly receiving them in another room, while Max left the house to make necessary arrangements for the funeral. By his orders no miners went to work at the Beauty mine, and many of the employees of the other mining industries of the camp laid off, out of respect for the dead citizen. ' During the morning Max and Sunflower Sam met on the steps of the White Bear Hotel, but the’former barely noticed the sport with a nod, and passed_on, ‘““The murdered man’s nephew is not inclined to be friendly with me, I take it,” Sam mutter- ed, as he sauntered into the hotel, having just returned from a before-breakfast stroll. ‘ Just why, I don’t pretend to know. Perhaps time will develop the why it is a eM The proprietor of the White Bear was a port- ly, bald-headed and good-natured fellow known as General Garabaldi Gout, or ‘‘ The General ;” but just whether the man had ever won such a prominent military title, or had adopted it to satisfy a whim, no one in You Bet pretended to know or say. The General was fond of his “bitters,” and was usually more sociable than the average hotel proprietor, always having a jovial greet- sy those who patronized his bar. hen Sam entered the hotel he stepped to the bar, ordered some wine, and invited the General to have an eye-opener with him, an invitation that_was not refused. When the drinks had been partaken of, the Sunflower Sport called the General to one side | and they were engaged for some time in conver- sation, after which Sam sought his breakfast, his face wearing an expression of satisfaction. ar ¥t “That's one point gained, if I can trust the proprietor of this shebang to work mum,” he Ma muttered, ‘‘and I think I can. The old chap seems honest enough, if he has got a red nose!” For, the end of the General’s proboscis was notably like the tinge of the blooming peony. ** And, there’s my acquaintance of last night, Joe Colby,” the sport mused on. ‘He appears to be an honest, every-day sort of fellow, with a big heart that has a weak spot in it for’ Miss Bly Barron. I must see this young lady, and also her foster-mother, but not until—” He finished his breakfast, and once more saun- tered forth upon the street. The month was November, but as ever, in sunny Southern Arizona, the weather was warm and delightful, and it was one of the most enjoy- able seasons of the year. You Bet was located in a wide gulch, through which a small silvery stream wound its way, and there were many bits of adjacent landscape pleasing to the eye of a lover of nature, as was this sport from Shasta. The better. part of the forenoon he spent in wandering about the camp, observing what was roing on with his keen, intelligent eyes, and istening to snatches of conversation that passed between citizens, who gathered here and there ; in groups, to discuss the murder, which all seemed to regard as a profound mystery. So far as the young stranger could ascertain, no one had any theory as to whom the murderer might be. [ ‘ ‘; -Considerable conjecture also seemed to be Mt afloat as to who would get the major share if of Joseph Mora’s wealth, Said one individual: ** Ef Mora left a will, thar’s no doubt but what Max an’ Bly will share alike, an’ ther old woman will get a slice, too. But, ef thar’s no will, ther ig gal won't stand a smell of a show, fer she ain’t blood relation. In that case, the old woman wil git a equal share wi’ Max, I opine,” “*Tt?s my opine,” observed an old miner, ‘‘ that Max’ll git ther mine, anyhow, an’ et?ll be left in sech a way that he can’t sell it. Dunno that it’s any 0’ my dorg-meat, but I’d prefer some one | else w’u'd git ther Beauty than Max,” Rev “Why?” queried the first speaker. d “Fer a good reason. Mebbe ae hev fergot that it was Max who sed, one night in ther Lone Deer, when Mike Berry were a-cussin’ at Boss Harkley of Carterville, fer employin’ Chinese ter work in his mines—et were Max who allowed thet ef he war the owner of a mine he should consider et his tahini ter git his hands as ? cheap as he could, no matter vho or what they ee were. a “Yas. But yer don’t allow he’d hey ther vee iat ter fetch any Chinese cusses heer ter You ae et? . *’Twouldn’t s’prise me a bit,” ‘An’ why? He surely wouidn’t go beckon ther boys as has allus treated him white?” RE Oe At an ‘*Ther’s no tellin’. Yer can’t allers tell by . ae ther ears of a muel how hard et ken kick. Now, | fas yer know Boss Harkley 0’ Carterville, can 3) neither read ner write!” nt ‘* What’s that got ter do wi’ You Bet?” Mates “Waal, mebbe nuthin’, but, ag’in, mebbe a “) hi right peart smart heap.” ‘Bah! Yer don’t know what ye’r’ talkin” | ¥ ai about.” ) ‘““YasIdo. I’ve hearn et hinted, tho’ I never 7 said nothin’ *bout it, thet Max kinder figgened in, an’ helped Harkley ter git them Cbinermen ter Carterville. Mebbe ’tain’t so, but I'd jest as lief see some one else git ther Beauty, as Max, an’ don’t yer fergit it.’ ‘‘ Waal, ther’s one thing sart’?in—ther’ would be ructions raised ef er be et gerloot war ever j ter oi foot inter You Bet!” the other assumed BA: 3. grimly. ee Sunflower Sam had listened to this dialogue aN with interest. eo “Tt would make matters lively if Chinamen were to come,” he mused as he moved away. — During the forenoon he had chats with differ- ee ent parties, but was unable ‘to elicit any opinion et as to the identity of the assassin. — ; Nick Nye, of the Lone Deer, was forced te tell over and over again what little he knew about the tragedy, until he gt so tired of it, © 734 that he threatened to shoot the next man who eit | bothered him with an soa i ‘ From all the Man from Shasta could learn, eae) the murderer had withdrawn the knife from the sy bosom of his victim, and probably had taken it with him. } mF Several times cota the forenoon, Sam was — a a at the Mora residen eae ‘concluded to give to assuage their first grief over the loss of him —
Page 4
you will succeed in running down the dastardly “wate unj to set any mere suspicion afloat, let y 4 [i oeeetenamementated SL ESS nature’s noblemen, and very dear to them. Where he was to begin at, in order to ferret out the author of the crime, was a poser to the detective, for there was apparently not the slightest clew to wor's on. sually, after tae commission of a crime, some person, be he even the most insignificant, has some theory or suspicion to advance that a shrewd detective can grasp at, and work out to either afsuccessful or unsuccessful climax; but these people of You Bet were apparently as deeply in the dark, and non-theoretical, as was Sunflower Sr.m himself. Just before noon, a small boy approached him as he stood in front of the hotel, and after star- ing wondevingly at him fora moment, tendered him a crumpled slip of paper. Sam took it, and saw it contained writing in a scrawling hand, which he finally made out to read ag follows: “Mr. Bunrrower SAm:— “T would respectfully request that you grant me an interview at my residence at your earlie# con- ven¥ince. Nearly any one can direct you to where Il‘, Respectfully, * AuGusTIN ANDRE.”’ who, from all accounts, riust have been one of CHAPTER IV. A MOTHER’S FEARS. As may be supposed, the Flower from Shasta felt no little surprise at the message, comin as it did from a person he had never seen, an had heard of but once. ‘*Tt must. be I am getting suddenly popular,” he mused, as he put the note in his ape and looked for the boy, who had already skurried away. ‘‘I sup I shall have to accommo- date this Mr. Augustin Andre with a call, or he will feel slighted.” So after a few minutes he inquired his way to the Andre residence, which was very much like that occupied by the Moras, and was admitted and shown into the parlor by a servant. Here were seated two persons—Augustin portly and rather haughty looking, well dreésed, and with his hair and beard care- fully brushed out; and a young woman of two- or-three-and-twenty. . She was cpan ty cops piexicaae, of good figure, with a pleasant mouth, sparkling blue eyes and a wealth of sunny hair, and her personal beauty combined with her elaborate toilet, made her an object most charming to gaze upon. Andre immediately arose upon the entrance “es sna Sam, and advanced with extended and, ‘¢ You are Sunflower Sam, the detective, I be- lieve,” he said; cordially, ‘I am Augustin Andre, and this is my sister, Queenie. Pray be seated, sir.” Sam acknowledged the introduction, grace- fully, and then accepted the proffered seat, near to which Andre drew his own chair. * Yes, I amgind you came,” Andre repeated, “‘for I wanted to see you about this shocking murder affair, and having a little twinge of the gout this morning, I did not feel like getting rae from the house. Distressing affair, isn’t *T suppose it is, although I never had it!” Sam replied, comp y: ‘““No,no! I donot mean the gout—I mean this mysterious murder,” “Oh! Yes, it is a very sad affair.” ‘¢‘ Have you formed any opinion as to who may have committed the murder?” “Not as yet. I have had no time, in particu- lar, to devote to investigation.” ‘* You propose to give the case your earnest attention, I suppose?” “Very likely, if T get any clew.to work on.” ““T am glad to hear it, and sincerely ho wretch, If you do, I’ll add another thousand dollars to the offer of Max Mera. Joe Mora was a dear friend of mine, and my grief at bis assassination is little less than that of those who are related to him.” “‘Tndeed? Well, I shall do what: I can to un- ravel the mystery certainly; I suppose you have no idea as to the identity of the criminal?” “J would not want to say just now until I matters a little, for you see it one i wi ‘figure at the case awhile, before I vent my theory, as I may be entirely off the track. 'There’s one thitfg, however: the death of Joseph Mora is going to create a sensation that will startle and astound everybody—not just, yet, maybe, but as soon as his last will is produced and read,” ‘(In what way?” x ee : “T cannot tell you, just now, but you will find out, in due time. It’s a profound secret, and when the exposure is made, You Bet will be shaken to its center, and disgrace will fall upon one whose name should never have borne it.’ ‘* Do you refer to Bly Barron?” ‘*T mention no names, You go on with your work and do the best you can, and, rest as- sured, I will lend you any assistance in my power, pecuniary, or otherwise.” ‘““Thanks, I presume I shall catch on to some clew, before long. Do you think Mr. Mora left a will behind him?” ‘‘ Without a doubt, He was too shrewd a business man, not to provide for such things as accidents and the uncertainties of life. In- deed, it was only about a month since that he as good as intimated to me that he had made provision for the future.” “The will, then, would most naturally be in his safe?” “ee Yes.” “Did any one have access to the safe but himself?” ‘“‘T am not prepared to say for a certainty, but presume not,” ‘Has he no blood relatives here, except his wife and nephew?” “* None living, but them, I understand.” “Then his wealth will probably be divided up between Mrs, Mora, Bly and Max?” ‘* Possibly. As I observed before, the chances are large that the reading of. the will will create a sensation full greater than the murder, However, the matter of the tragedy and _ that of the will are two different things, and have no connection. It is the murderer we want to find first, and the will can attend to itself.” After a further short conversation, Sunflower Sam took his departure. Before leaving, he was invited to call again and as often as convenient, both by Andre, and his charming sister, Queenie, He went back to the hotel, and spent an hour or two in reflection; then, ordered bis horse, and took a gallop up the gulch, attracting no little attention, as he dashed through the camp, Max Mora and Bly Barron stood by a front window, looking out upon the street, as he dashed by, and he raised his hat, gallantly, and inclined his head. ‘““Who was that fellow, Max?’ Bly asked, raising her tear-reddened eyes to the face of her cousin-by-adoption. ‘‘ Whata singular and yet handsome looking young man. hy does he so oddly decorate himself with sunflowers?” ‘¢ Because he’s a crank—to the best.of my no- tion—and calls himself Sunflower Sam, from Shasta. He evidently came here to make a splurge, and arriving shortly after poor uncle’s eath, offered me his services as a detective. I gave him no encouragement, and I trust you will uot, should he seek to make himself known | to you. There’s no telling who or what he is, and it’s best to be on the safe side, and give him a wide berth.” ‘*He.did not look like a bad person, Max, but those sunflowers gave him such an odd appear- ance. It might be well to try hin,. There is no telling but what he might find out who killed poor papa,” Ee : : ‘¢ Nonsense!” Max said, impatiently. ‘‘ He is some adventurer who intends to fish for the re- ward I offered, and would be just as apt to charge some reputable citizen with the crime as the real party. say to him, as you know I would not want to see you compromise yourself, my little Bly.” And he attempted to put his arm about her waist—an act she prevented by drawing away. ‘*Don’t, Max. You know you ought not. Ex- cuse me, now. I must go and see if mamma wants anything. She takes poor papa’s death very hard.” And she flitted away, leaving Max to stare out of the window and bite his lip with vexation, ‘“‘ Confound it,” he muttered; ‘it seems as if I never can make any headway with her, and it’s all on account of that Joe Colby, too. If he were out of the way the coast would be clear to me, for Bly despises Gus Andre, despite his suave ways and reputed riches, ** And, on the other hawid, there’s the queenly So take care to have nothing to | She was not weeping some unwelcome thoug I 1t or association, .as she went and knelt before her, und pulled t hands from her face. ‘* We have all gct to die, some time, and we know papa was such a good. man that death to him had no terrors.” “True, my child, true, but I shall miss him very much, and you will, too, for he was always even kinder to you than I, But, though 1 deeply mourn his loss, it is not altogether that—that troubles me.” ‘““Why, what do you mean, mamma? What else is there that troubles you?” “T don’t know! I can’t tell you, but it is something—something. Iam impressed with a foreboding that something dreadful is going to- happen to us, or to me at least. I cannot tell in what way, shape or form it will come, but I am deeply impressed with the idea that we are ap- aeaec ty Me crisis in our lives, when, mayhap, we shall be separated, or even worse, turned out of house and home!” , ‘“Why, mamma, how strangely you do talk! T am sure I cannot understand you!” ‘*Nor can I scarcely understand myself, more- than that I cannot shake off this terrible fore- boding of coming trouble. We do not even know what disposition Joseph has made of his. roperty—whether he Jeft a will or not. If he did. eave a will, I am afraid he willed his all to Max, for he never considered 1t a woman’s place tor meddle in business matters, and—and—’ ‘* But, mamma, surely Max would not turm us out of doors, were he the sole heir!” ‘*There’s no telling, my dear. He ain’t like lana ober he ain’t like Joseph. Mebbe he wouldn’t exactly turn us out of doors, after alk we have done for him, but if he didn’t, he would& most likely make terms by which we could not stay.” ey Why, how do youmean? Max surely would. not den with us as he would with utter stran- ers! ‘““Trat’s where you don’t know him, my dear —that’s where you are yet childish, and unac- customed to the world and its worldliness Max. may be all right now, but, were he to come into Joseph’s fortune, I fear there would bea change, and we would be the ones to suffer by it—you, most especially.” , Bly turned pale, as a thought flashed across her mind, ‘“ Mamma—mamma, you do not mean that—” ‘¢-Yes, I mean that were Max Mora to come into power, you would have to marry him, or we would be turned out upon the world, the same as beggars!” ‘*No, no, no, mamma! never will it come te that, for you know Joe—Mr. Colby—is youn | and strong, and has some money laid aside, rain, | he would never see us,come to want!” Bl | cried, her eyes radiant with hope and the joy of love. ‘‘ Joe will not go back on us, even though all the world turns against us.” 02 CHAPTER V. DICK BAGS A LIVE YANKBE. “Say, hello, there! Hold up!” ‘* Hello, yourself! Who aire ye, where aire ye, an’ what in darnation do yer want?” The query was uttered by a lone pedestrian, who had been crude along the gulch-bottom in the direction of You Bet, but was yet several miles from that flourishing camp. He paused at the invitation to hold up, and gazed around bim inguiringly. At first he could.see no signs of his accoster, but be finally felt a tap in the small of the back, and wheeling with a startled exclamation, be- The pedestrian was a tall, Jank and lean indi- vidual, with a lantern-jawed, cadaverous coun- tenance, and looked as if he had not had enough to eat for several months. - His eyes were light and almost expressionless, his mouth large and puckered in at the corners, his cheeks hollow, and his hair long, frowsy,, and of a tow color, while a few straggling hairs: grew at the top of his chin, He was rigged out in stogy boots, a pair of, pants, both short-waisted and short-legged, a vest that had once been white, but was now | held a masked man at his side. haere who would cut off her little finger ifshe ;| stained and unsightly, and a_ swallow-tailed t hought it would please me. But, somehow, she is not to my taste, She’s affected, andI fancy a | his grandfather. broadcloth that no doubt bad done service for little deceitful, and we wouldn’t agree for any | the vest, and it appeared as if he was not the length of time. is the one I'll have!” | In the meantime, Bly bad gone up-stairs to the room of Mrs, Mora, where she found that lady a te in an easy 8. Bly is the one I want, and Bly | possessor of that essential commodity, a shirt. Surmounting his tow-colored locks, was a bat- tered-up plug hat, two sizes too small for him. If ever there was a ‘‘ Reuben,” this chap was _ -chair, with her face buried in | the original, or else an electrotype. 1m j The masked man whom he confronted was & but appeared to shut out: ‘Don’t grieve so, mamma,” bly said, ently, he His neck was bare down to | ~ 2 ee «ae ap (aR UO OF A: a tl he tO ee CT ¥ ; st aes ay ee ay “ - eel roma eee AR: = a =3
Page 5
a fellow of good ssuit of somber same color, A wealth of brown hair fell upon his shoul- cers, and the black mask that covered the upper portion of his face, left a graceful mustache ex- posed to view.’ Although his dark attire and: mask gave him a somber and ogreish appearance, there was something dashing and graceful about him. His right grasped a handsome revolver, which was the only visible weapon he carried. Great Jemima!” ejaculated the lank man, as be behéld this real apparition. ‘*‘Who be you, an’ what d’ye want? “Tama knight of the trail, placed here to in- ttercept lone voyageurs, and guide them on the right route to You Bet.” ‘Oh! ye be, eh? Waal, neow, that’s kinder mice, too. What's yer name?” ' “My name# Why, my name’s Deadwood Dick, Junior, and I’m a daisy!” “You don’t say! Yer can’t be much gud, then, for ’ll swow my old dad has had more ‘trouble than,a little ter keep the daisies off’m his farm, down in Connecticut. Guess you don’t know me, hey?—soI shall introduce my- self. I’m Uriaher Opedyke, son of Mehetible an Absalom Opedyke, who live at Grubville, not fur from West Haven, Connecticut, you see. Don’t s’pose yer ever see’d dad an’ mam?” ‘No! I believe t never had that honor.” ‘* Waal, ye see, dad used ter farm et, but he’s ot sorter ’bove that now’days, an’ hey moved inter Grubville, an’ I do tell you, the old folks do put on the style! ‘*T should suppose so, from the way the dress their child!” Deadwood Dick observed, dryly. x Oia yer needn’t cast no ’sinywations ag’in’ my togs,” Uriah spoke up, quickly, “‘for I’ve ot better uns to hum. I’m travelin’ incogner- ‘toe neow, yer know.” “Oh! is that it?” ‘“You bet! Yer see, the case was like this: I’ve bin sorter sparkin’ up toa New Haven gal, named Peggy Prim, fer the last ten year or “more, an’ et were ’bout as good as agreed thet ‘we were to git hitched, as soon as.I war thirty, "cause dad an’mam allowed I wasn’t fit fer mar- ried life till I begun ter mature. ‘Peggy she war sum six year older than me, an’ she war a strong-willed gal, an’ she finally ssed she wasn’t goin’ ter wait no longer, an’ [’'d got ter marry her tew once. This kinder skeart me, an’ when I come ter luk around me an’ see how many other younger an’ purtier gals thar war for the askin’, an’ how sailow an’ wrinkled Peggy war gettin’, I made up not ter marry her at ail an’ I told her so.” “Well? I suppose she got mad then?” “Mad? Waal. I should flip-flop! She got as ‘mad an’ sassy as a gander what’s guardin’ a set- tin’ goose, an’ swore by a stack o’ Bibles higher’n Deacon Overhiser’s church, that she’d sue me fer britches of promise. Jest think o’ that, will ye? Wasn’t.et the durnednationest scrape ye ever heerd tellon?? a Very bad, indeed, for a man of your posi- ‘tion. “Wal, dad an’mam got skeart,:an’ so they give me some money, an’ I skinned out o’ Grub- ‘ville an’ come West. ’Tain’t no use, tho’—no sorter use. Peggy has got money, an’ she is searchin’ high *un’ low for me. Gosh-all-fish- hooks! Ifshe ever ketches me there'll be fun, though, an’ my hair will ketch it! Hain’t seen anything of her round these parts, hev ye?” “Not that I know of. Ishould not recognize the estimable lady if I were to meet her, very likely.” ‘‘Mebbe not. But ef ye ever war ter see her, ‘you'd never fergit her! Heer’s her picture!” He drew a_ photograph from his pocket, and handed it to Deadwood Dick, Jr. It was decidedly the picture of an old maid, although by no means a bad-looking one, It was a bust photo, and the way in which the original wore her hair was the principal cause of her old-maidish appearance, for in face she Jooked younger than the recreant Uriah. Deadwood Dick, Junior, studied the face for several minutes, as if trying to recall some one of whom it reminded him. “‘T have seen some one this picture_resem- bles,” he said, returning the card to the Eastern- zr, * but do not rerpember jnst now.” **Oh! mebbe you've met Peggy’s cousin. He saire somewhere up in this region.” “* What 1s his name?” “ Augustin Andre.” : ‘* The dence you say! So your inamorata is ‘the Sea of Augustin Andre?” ~ ae hysique, clad in top-boots, a lack, and a slouch hat of the ‘aire—you bet! D’ye know him?” by @ Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. “*T have seen him.” “Whar does he live?” “In You Bet!” ‘“‘ Jest the very place I was aimin’ fer, by gosh! I dunno now whether I better go thar or not, for Peggy might be thar.” ““Guess you better not go!” Dick said, dryly, as he cocked his revolver. “You had better come right along with me.” “With you F What fer?” And Uriah began to look alarmed. “Just for fun. I am desirous of getting some ee about Augustin Andre, and as luck would ave it, you are the very man to give them to me. So come along to my cabin and give me the information, or Pll blow the whole top of your tow head off—do you hear?” ‘*Gosh all fish-hooks! don’t shoot! Til tell you all I know!” Uriah replied, nervously. ‘“ Then come along. Don’t attempt to escape, or you are a dead man!” With this order, Dick Jed the boy back up the gulch, turning at length and entering a trans- verse ravine, which they followed until they came to a cavern, which they entered. The only furniture was a couple of rudely constructed stools, and when Dick and his pris- oner were seated upon these, the former said: ‘*Now, then, ’m going to put you some questions, and I want direct and correct an- swers to them. By thus accommodating me, you will save your life, for Pll drop you if you don’t do as I require.” ‘Ye wouldn’t really shoot a feller, w’w’d ye? Why, that would be murder.” ‘* Bah! what of that? We knights of the road think nothiw’ of killing three or four men every day, just to keep our handin. Now, first, have you ever seen this Augustin Andre?” ‘*Laws, yes! He used to live in New Haven, an’ drive a milk wagon.” ‘* How long ago was this?” “Oh! "bout five years. He had a fuss wi’ the Prims, who he lived with, an’ he an’ Sis left fer the West. Last I heerd of ’em, they were up in this very region.” ‘““ What was the nature of the fuss Augustin | a had with the Prim family, and who is is? ‘* Sis is the sister of Gus, an’ the row betwixt Gus and the Prims was because old man Prim wanted Gus ter marry Peggy, an’ Gus wouldn’t ' do et onless the old man would give him a thou- san’. So they had a fuss, an’ Gus skinned out on his own hook. I allow that was w’ot made Peggy kinder freeze on to me so hard, after- | ward.” ‘** This happened five years ago?” “c es,” “Has Peggy changed since then?” ‘Considerable. She were a right peart lookin’ gal, them times.” ‘How many were there of the Prims?” ** Only the dad, mam, an’ Peg.” ‘* Who were Andre’s other relatives?” ** He hadn’t any, as I know of.” Dick hesitated a few minutes, before plying any other questions; he seemed to be turning some matter carefully over in his mind. , ‘** Did Andre know you?” he finally asked. “Yas. I uster throw rotten apples at him, when he'd drive by our house, in his fancy car- riage, “He was wealthy, then, I take it?” ‘* Well, yes, sorter, He used to make a heap bettin’ on hoss-races,” ‘“What was his character when he left the East? Was there any criminal charges against bim?” “Well, yes. Afore he skinned out, ho forged ole Prim’s name tew a note aw’ sold the note, Then, he skipped.” ‘What was the amount the note was drawn for?” ‘* Wive hundred dollars!” ‘‘ Drawn payable to Andre?” te Yes. ” “‘ What was Prim’s front name?” Jake.” ** And his wife’s?” rT Lucy.” ** And Andre’s sister’s?” ‘Jane Ann.” Dick made a memorandum of these replies on a slip of paper. Then he asked for, and received Peggy Prim’s photograph, and rising quickly left the cabin, closing the heavy door after him. t Suspicioning that all was not right, Uriah arose and tried to open the door, but found him. self unable to do so, It was fastened on the outside. There was no window in the cabin. He was a prisoner! | y . oi ee “4 WM . « 4 aS he iy ae ee i r a ee bs yy [ES SSE SUR SS RSE RE SETS LE TL AS Ran ee os OY a aren: cere SEA Sat Ss ea CHAPTER VI. A SURPRISE ALL AROUND. THE nex! morning but one after the murder, the remair4 of Joseph Mora were laid away to rest, and it being the only real funeral the camp had ever known, it was attended nearly by every man woman and child in the camp. The services were conducted at the house, and afterward, the people were allowed te ates in single file past the coffin to view the 90d y. A pretty spot had been selected, ‘near the house, for the burial-place. The excitement over the murder was una- bated, and was a subject of discussion on every hand. Nobody appeared to have formed any opinion, as to who the assassin was. Sunflower Sam, in his movements about the place, was regarded with much interest and curiosity, for a large share of the people appar- ently looked to him for a solution of the mys- tery. But, Sam had not made this solution, yet, and did not seem in any particular burry to do so, for he spent his time in leisurely walking about the camp, or now and then playing a friendly game of cards, at the ‘‘ Colchester,” the only gaming parlor in the camp. : If he had made any discoveries he did not tell of them to others, and his apparent indif- gp rather puzzled and disappointed the peo- 10, ; The afternoon after the funeral, the denizens of the camp were very curious, for it was sup- posed that, if Joseph Mora had made a will it would be produced at once; hence, the little office near the mouth of the Beauty mine, was closely watched by a crowd of people. Sunflower Sam was somewhat curious, him- | self, about the matter, and kept an eye on the office, determined to be among the first to know how Mora’s wealth was to be disposed of, Toward mid-afternoon, three persons left the Mora dwelling and approached the office, The three, of course, were Mrs. Mora, Bly and Max. , When the office was reached, Max addressed those who crowded around, ‘Ladies and gentlemen,” he said, ‘we pro- pose to make an effort to open my uncle’s safe, in order to ascertain if he left a will, or not, When the will is found, if there is any, it shall be read to you. Therefore, I trust you will forbear from intruding on our privacy.’ This was a polite hint for every one to keep out of the cffice, except those immediately concerned, and it was so accepted, only Max and his two companions entering. The safe was a large affair, which Joseph Mora had had shipped from the East, of course at heavy expense, and much trouble in its trans- ort. : : It was over six feet high, fire and burglar- proof, and equipped with a combination lock, Drawing a stool near to the safe, young Mora sat down, and began to experiment with the sil- ver-plated knob. He had often watched his uncle unlock the safe, and he flattered himself that it would not take him long to unravel the mysteries of the combination. { But, after vain attempts lasting fully a quar- ter of an hour, his patience gave out, and he let something drop, suspiciously like an oath, ‘Tt can’t be done!” he cried. ‘* The only way to get into the safe, is to blow it pes for m uncle never gave any one the key of the combi- nation. Some use a drill, and some use giant powder in such circumstances.” “ That’s hardly worth while!” spdke up Sun- flower Sam, who stood near the yestign’ b “S36 you will permit me, I think I can open the safe, without resorting to powder.” “e How 9”? ‘Simply by manipulating the knob.” ‘¢ Bosh! but you’d better not set yourself up too high, or some one may pull you down a peg!” sneered — ax. “Tf they do try it they'll always find me at home, and the latch-string out!” Sam replied, decisively. , “ Why, Max, let the gentleman try to unlock the safe. Perhaps he can do it!” spoke up Bly, eagerly. ‘'There’s no telling.” ‘*“Oh! he can try if he wants to, but I know he can’t do it!” Max growled, doggedly, as he | arose from the stool. **So come ahead, Mr. Sunflower Dude, if you can accomplish suck wonders!” fh AE Sam paid no attention to the insult, but enters pad ame office, took the seat Max had jigt wt cated, No owre wonderfully smart, no doubt, + a ¥ ei oe
Page 6
? “Tam not sure I can unravel the combina- tion,” he said, ‘t but I will try.” He experimented several minutes, but with no success. ( “My, oh! Why don’t aes open it?” cried Max, with a sarcastic laugh. ‘It always does me good to see asmarty get stuck.” “Oh! does it?” retorted Sam. ‘‘ Well, sonny, { am not stuck yet. See?” And as he uttered the interrogatory, heswung »pen the ponderous outer door of the safe, after which it was but the work of a second to open the inner door. A cry of astonishment escaped those who could crowd near enough to the door to note the detective’s success. Sam smilingly arose, and turned to Mrs. ‘Mora. ‘‘ The safe is open, madam,” he said, ‘‘and I suppose to you belongs the right to examine its contents.” Max Mora had been on the point of stepping forward to do this, but Sam’s words caused him to hold aloof, and bite his nether lip with vexa- tion, Mrs. Mora and Bly went to the safe, and pro- ceeded to examine the contents. ‘¢ Here it is!” Mrs. Mora said, a few minutes later, holding up a legal looking document. “Tt says upon it, ‘Last Will and Testament of Joseph Mora,’ and is dated November Ist. Here, sir, will you kindly read it aloud, out of doors, so that all can hear it?’ and she tendered the document to Sam. ‘*T shall be happy to accommodate you,” the Man from Shasta replied. ‘Please step out- side.” In a couple of minutes Sam was mounted upon a bowl)der, just outside the shanty, while Mrs. Mora, Bly, Max and the crowd gathered around. Among the crowd stood Augustin Andre, look- ing as sérene and stately as though he were not the perpetrator of a single crime. When the crowd had become quiet and atten- tive, Sam opened the document, and proceeded to peruse it, before announcing its contents, s he read what was written, his face betray- ed the keen surprise he felt, and he gazed at Mrs, Mora both in astonishment and pity. Their gaze met, and she turned pale, for she evidently apprehended that the will contained no good news for her. ‘ “Mrs. More,” Sam said, ‘I have to inform you that this document makes a most remark- able disclosure, which I presume you would not care to have made public. If you wish, there- fore, I will not read the will in public.” “T demand that the will be read in public!” cried Max, ‘‘Iam a natural heir, and have a word to say about the matter!” ‘‘T am sure I do net know of any reason why the will should not be read in public!” Mrs, Mora said, faintly. ‘There should be nothing in it I would not care to have known.” “The disclosure made in the Will personally concerns you, ma’am, and I cannot believe it true, little as I know of you. However, if you say 60, I will read the will, in public, for it’s your matter, and not mine,” “Go on!” Mrs. Mora faltered. ‘‘God knows I have always led a Christian life, and if Iam wrongfully accused of anything, I am not to blame.” the contents of that document be made public!” Augustin Andre said, stepping forward. ‘1 have long known the secret that will discloses, but have kept silent, and now, I judge, Joseph Mora has acted honorably, as he promised to do, although I did not know that he had left a will.” Sunflower Sam gave the man a keen glance, and then referred to the codicil. .“ Well,” he began, ‘‘although it is an un- leasant thing to do, I will read the paper now S my hands, Here is what is written: “*¢ Being in good general health, and of sound mind’ but not knowing what moment I may be called away from this life, [, Joseph C. Mora, do hereby will. be- queath and devise the sum of my earthly possessions ip the following manner, to wit: *“*To my nephew, Maximilian Mora, I have left the property known as the Beauty mine, situate in the town of You Bet, Arizona, together with all the plant and appurtenances for woiking the same, said mine not to be sold, but to be donated for charitable foe in event of said Maximilian Mora’s death, y a commi tee of business citizens selected as trus- tees and executors by the law. _ “*Ali the balance and residue of my personal property, save and excepting all bonds, mortgages, notes and moneys on hand and due to me, I bequeath to my adopted dauzhter, Bly Barron, to be used or disposed of by her. as she ey. see fit. *To my lawfully wedded wife, Queenie Mora, at present residing with her brother, Augustin An- dre J bequeath all such moneys, bonds, mortgages, ——————— SC fat fre AD a oa Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. notes, and so forth, as may be found in my safe at the time of my death. ** Po the woman, Maraares, who has always been supposed to ba my wife, but in reality has been only my servant, | bequeath my kindest regards for the services she has for a long time rendered me, and direct that my heirs, in event of her death, provice for her a fitting burial. ***In witness whereof, I do hereby and hereunto affix my hand and seal, this the first day of Novem- ber, in the year of our Lord, 18—. ‘*** JosePH C. Mora, TYLER GREEN, “ * Witnesses Martin Gurr,’ ”’ As Sunflower Sam finished reading the will, Mrs. Mora uttered an agonized scream and fell prostrate in a swoon. The excitement of the next few minutes beg- gars description. The disclosure made by the will was certainly startling, for no one had ever suspected that Mrs. Mora was not Mrs, Mora, as this document now openly asserted. By Max Mora’s direction she was carried to the Mora residence, while, in all the town, men and women discussed the matter in excited tonss,’ > Some believed that the disclosure was correct, and others denounced it as a fraud and an at- tempt to ruin an honorable woman. “ Gentlemen!” cried Sunflower Sam, when approached on the matter—‘ gentlemen, I be- lieve there’s something wrong about this matter, Sai i going to try to find out the truth, you et! ‘**There’s nothing wrong about it!” retorted Augustin Andre, haughtily. ‘‘ Joseph Mora was married to my sister, in Tucson, two years ago, but they never lived together, as my sister re- fused to go to Mora’s home because he would not discharge his housekeeper. So the matter has always been kept hushed up, and my sister has received regular sums of money not to let the circumstances of the marriage be known.” ‘* Has your sister a marriage-certificate?” ‘* She has,” “Well, Pll look into the matter, all the same,” You will?” Wea I will; and don’t fail to make a note of it! “And pray, what business have you got to meddle in other people’s affairs? Youre mak- ing yourself almost too fresh around here, it strikes me!” “Am I? Well, it don’t strike me so. I be- lieve there’s something crooked about this whole case, and, as a detective, it becomes my duty to investigate. And investigate it I will, as sure as I am the sportive spotter from soarin’ Shasta!” ‘* Hurrah! for Sunflower Sam, boys!” cried Joe Colby, enthusiastically, ‘‘It does look as if there was su’thin’ crooked about this business, and I don’t believe there is one of you as honest- ly believes different than that ther woman we've been known as Mrs. Morais Joe Mora’s lawfully- wedded wife! Ain’t I right?’ There was almost a unanimous murmur of as- sent from those who were near enough to hear the words of the sturdy young mine boss, ' ‘Yas, ye’r’ talkin’ sense, Joe!” cried a num- ber. ‘‘ Ther’ ain’t no doubt in our minds but what Margaret war Joe Mora’s wife, an’ thar’s some skin game afoot to cheat her, or I'm a sucker.” “You'd better have a care how you fling around such insinuations as that!” cried Andre, furiously. ‘‘1’ll have you know I’m a gentie- man, and I'll have no reflection cast upon my veracity or panied T say the woman Mar- garet never was Mora’s wife, and can prove that my sister is his wife, or rather his widow. And I demand the money and papers, in her name.” ** The safe is locked, and_your demand cannot be satisfied at present!” Sam declared, coolly. ‘* Gents, do you not agree that this matter ought to be more fully inquired into?” ‘Ay! ay!” cried a chorus of voices. ‘Bt must be investigated! Ther true widder shall have her rights!” “That’s what ‘I say!” declared Joe Colby, ‘fand I make a motion we appoint Sunflower Sam wi’ ther full power ter act as executor, ad- ministrator, an’ attorney for Joe Mora’s estate!” The shout of approval that went up showed that the motion was carried unanimously. ' CHAPTER JSII. WHEN ROGUES FALL OUT. — THE cheering of at least two-thirds of the eee of You Bet, in response to Joe ‘olby’s motion to make Sunflower Sam the ad-. minisirator of the Mora estate, aggravated _— Eee SS Ge SOD Augustin Andre not a little, and he cursed roundly. ‘Youre a pack of devilish fools!’ he roared. ‘The idea of puttin’ a nameless adventurer up to ’minister the affairs of an estate like that of Joe Mora!_ Why, you are all crazy!” ‘* Well, I guess not, Mr. Andre!” Joe Colby replied, with almost. fierce decision, ‘‘ Sence ora is dead, we hain’t got no particular ruler of this camp, and the people has got to take matters in their own hands. We are the people, and are that same by a large majority, an’ I allow we're ’bout as squar’ and honest as. ther mill o’ time grinds out. So if we are the people, an’ by a majority nominate a pilgrim te ill some particular position, that’s our bizness and none of yours. ‘*A foul murder has been committed in this camp, an’ no one knows who did it. Along comes this fellow, Sunflower Sam, and offers to try and unravel the mystery, which we allow war quite liberal an’ accommodatin’ of him. ‘* Next comes this will business, which tries. ter ruin the name and good character of a wo- man we have always known as the wife of our murdered citizen, and as such respected. Sun- flower Sam don’t believe but what thar’s some: crookedness about the matter, and again offers his services, to investigate the business. We, ther people agree ther same way he does, and hey offered to stand by and back him!” Another cheer from the crowd, with whom Colby evidently was quite popular. At this juncture, Max Mora came running up. ** What's the matter? What's the cause of al? this cheering?” he demanded breathlessly. ‘Matter enough, as you'll agree!” gyowled Andre, ‘‘ This crazy set of fools have taken it. into their heads that the will ain’t on the square, and that Margaret is really your dead uncle’s wife. So they have appointed this aesthetic chap to investigate the matter, and made him admin- istrator of the estate, and so forth. What do. you think of it now?” ‘Why, thisisutternonsense. The idea of it— a nameless tramp as administrator of my uncle’s estate! Why, men, have you all lost your senses?” , ‘* No, we have not!” answered Colby. ‘ All we want is fair play, and we’re goin’ to haye it, We've appointed Sunflower Sam to straighten the kinks out of this case, and we're goin’ to back him, you bet! Weain’t kickin’ about how the mine was left, cause we kinder reckoned you'd git that. But, when it comes to hevin’ all the money 4 to some gal as hain’t no right to it, an’ shet Mrs. Mora out in the cold, we allow it’s time to kick, and have the matter investi- gated. So it’s fer thet purpose we’ve nominated. Sunflower Sam, and them as don’t like it cam lump it!” ; ** Another thing, my gentle young man!” re- marked the Man from Shasta, as he folded hie: arms across his breast, and surveyed Max Mora. sternly, ‘‘let me impress upon your’mind one thing—be kind 0’ careless about your references: to me—both you and Augustin Andre. I’m neither a scalawag, nor a tramp, I'll have you. know, and ee is own good I’d advise you to be more careful when addressing me.” “Bah! Who's afraid of you?” Max growled. ‘Because you’re decorated with sunflowers, no one fears you, I allow.” “Of course!” agreed Augustin Andre. “If you came here thinking you can run the town,, yeu will be sadly mistaken. I demand the money and bonds that belong to my sister!” You'll not get it—not now, at any rate. If, after I've made an investigation I conclude te. surrender the money to your sister, I will pay it: . to her hngxe tk As for you,” turning to Max, ‘*T shall not interfere with your setting the men to work in the mine whenever you please, until I find the mine is not lawfully yours.” “Thank you!” Max said, sarcastically. “TI am under many obligations to you for your magnanimous kindness! By the way, you will confer a favor upon me by handing over my uncle’s will.” , ‘Sorry I can’t accommodate you, sir, but I - shall retain possession of that document for the present, while I am investigating the case.” ‘* Curse it! there’s nothing to investigate, ex- — cept the mystery of the murder. My uncle’s only lawfully wedded wife is Augustin Andre's’ sister. I have known of this for some time.” “Sorry to doubt you, sir, but I certainly do. — However, there is no use of disputing matters until I have a chance to investigate. The safe in the office is relocked, and so, if you like, you : can use the office for business purposes.” And with this Sam walked away toward the hotel as coolly as though he were insised the ruler of the town, | ey) (a RU aA: | “ = SS ee ee ee
Page 7
S aaEE RAE een . ees we 4 won't discompose me. Many of the crowd followed him, while Max Mora and Augustin Andre entered the office, and the door was closed and locked after them, They became seated, with a small writing- table between them, and surveyed each other, inquiringly. ; “ Well, now that we are alone for a few min- utes, I presume it would be better that we un- derstand one another,” Max said, rather signifi- cantly. “Perhaps you are right!” Andre replied, with ashrug. “If there isanything you don’t under- neh am ready to enlighten you, so far as lies in my power.” “Well, there is considerably more that I do not understand, than that which I do under- stand. murder business,’ ‘* Humph!”? and Andre did not look pleased at the way in which the remark was put, “TI guess everybody is as much in the dark about the matter, as yourself.” ** Do you think so?” i “Why, to be sure! One would infer from your speech, that you have an idea I could throw some light on the matter.” te. . “Oh! no. You misconstrue my meaning. I didn’t know but you might have an opinion.” ‘Maybe I have. that.” ; ‘* Well, who do you think murdered my un- cle, and what was the object of the crime?” Andre stroked his glossy beard. “Well, if I were to express my candid views on the matter,” he said, finally, ‘‘ I should say the matter of guilt rests between one of two per- sons.” ‘* Who are they?” “ Joe Colby, and Sunflower Sam.” “Pshaw! What object could Colby have in committing such a crime? Not that I wouldn’t just as lief ign ig him as any other person, but fail to see the object, and as for Sunflower Sam you have not the slightest proof.” **Perhaps not, but the fact that after the murder, Colby and Sunflower Sam walked to- gether as far as the hotel, and appeared to hold amore interested consultation than two utter strangers could be expected to do, gives a good clew to follow, I should say.” “Ah! did you see them?” "oT did? 4 “Did you overhear what they said?” ‘No. They talked too low. You see, I don’t directly charge that they did the job, but it looks to me as if they are more to be suspected any one else.” | ; “Perhaps you are right. But, in case they killed my uncle, how about their getting the re- ward until they produce the guilty man?” Andre laughed. “You are not much of a reasoner!” he al- lowed. ‘‘ Why, they will no doubt try to fasten the crime on some innocent man, and scare up enough bogus evidence to make a case. No tellmg but what either you or I might be selected as their victim, for a man who will take one life will not scruple to take another.” “Then, both of these men are dangerous?” **T regard them so, To be sure, I don’t rate Colby as being shrewd enough to make a first class villain, but, what he lacks, the sport will make up for. Tye set him down for a sharp, and he will improve the graft he has already got, and endeavor to rule the town, if he ain’t checked.” “Curse him, yes! I don’t like him!” “Nor I. But, he’s in solid with the boys, and unless you and I can work together, and get him in some way implicated, so that he will lose his prestige, this camp will be too small to hold him, inside of a month,” of quite agree with you there. I dislike Col- by equally as much as I do the sport, and if both were three feet under the ground I should not mourn their loss. Now, how about. this will?” , ** How do you mean?” “Ts it genuine?” , ‘* Why, of course! There can be no doubt of that. Green and Guff were witnesses.” “Humph! Two of the biggest liars in the camp. Between you and me, I believe the wie is a forgery, and that you know all about it Andre scowled. : ““ You’¢ better not let anything of that sort drop, again!” he growled, ‘In not over fond of that peculiar kind of flattery, P11 have you wrathy, because it TORR bah hand’ ah “Oh! you n et : : iM ; ‘Tm satistied of one thing —that Queenie is not uncle’s wife.” hie Of course she ist, now? She’s his widow.” I am not so sure about’ One thing T am inthe dark about, is this | © Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. *“T doubt even that. In fact, Andre, you're playing a bold game—-you and Queenie, and I now, it!” ‘*You know nothing of the sort. What the Are you devil is the matter with you, anyhow! not satisfied? Wath a fifty-thousand-dollar gold mine, you have no cause to kick,” ‘Maybe not. I prefer the cash, however.” **So much the bigger fool you. You’d have the whole boodle blowed in, in two weeks. If you know how to play your cards, you can have | an interest in the money, as well as the mine.” ** You mean by marrying Queenie?” ee Yes!” ‘*Thank you. You are a liberal man, ain’t you, now? Get me married off to Queenie, and then you would have almost a clear path to ap- proach Bly Barron, Oh no! my dear Andre— not any of that. Bly shall belong to me!” ** She shall not /” Andre exclaimed decisively ; ‘“*T have sworn to possess that girl, and no power on earth shall prevent me from having her.” ‘* We will see!” Max retorted, hotly. “TI too have sworn to have her, and both of us cannot do so, so one or the other of us must drop out of the race!” ‘*Do you mean fight?” “That's: precisely what I mean; to-night at twelve will suit me exactly.” CHAPTER VIII. SAM AS THE GOOD SAMARITAN. WHEN Sunflower Sam reached the hotel, he went to his room, and was busied there for a couple of hours, in reflection, and planning. e then came down-stairs, and took a stroll about the camp. ; The excitement had in a measure abated, and the men of the camp were more scattered than at any time since the murder. In the course of his stroll Sam passed quite near to the Mora dwelling, and as he did so, the front door opened and Bly Barron appeared up- on the threshold. As soon as she caught the detective’s eye, she motioned to him, whereupon he turned back and approached her. “I trust you will excuse me,” she said, ‘ but, mamma would like to speak with you, if youare not too busy.” “Certainly. I shall be glad to talk with her, and yourself,” Sam replied, and followed her in- to the house, Bly conducted him into a rear parlor, where Mrs. Mora lay upon a sofa, bolstered up with pillows, She was very pale, and traces of tears upon her face showed that she had been weeping. Sam drew a chair near at hand, and sat down, while Bly stood near his side. ‘T hope you are not ill, dear Mrs, Mora,” hs said, solicitously. “No! but the shock has made me very weak,” ae replied. ‘*T am so glad you came, Mr.— Mr,— ‘“You may call me Bristol, although I am known in the camp as Sunflower Sam. Is there anything I can do for you Mrs. Mora?” ‘*f do not know—oh! I do not know. This has been such a terrible blow that it has driven me nearly crazy. I knew something dreadful was going to happen, for I had a premonition of it, but, Heaven only knows, I never expected it would be this foul lie, Ob! sir, you surely can- not believe it true, what that will says, for, as sure as there isan All-Wise ruling Power, it is not true! Iam the wife of Joseph Mora, and have been, for twenty years, nor do I believe that he ever married the Andre girl!” *‘Thaven’t a doubt but what you speak the truth ma’am!” * Then, tell me, why is this in my husband’s will? I cannot understand it. Our life has been one continuous ray of sunshine, and we never knew an unhappy hour together.” ‘* Well, in the first place, one of you evidently had an enemy—your husband, most likely, as he suffered death, In the second place— well, I don’t believe we have your husband’s true will!” ** You don’t?” *‘T donot. The will I read to-day no doubt is a base cheat and forgery!” ‘* But it was witnessed?” “True, but witnesses can be bought readily enough,” “* But, what could be the are attack upon me ?” “That remains to be found out, Have you your marriage-certificate, Mrs. Mora?” “Alas! no. It was destroyed by a fire, years ago, and we were negligent, and never got another,” Sam scratched his head. object of this cow- i rs **That’s bad,” he said, slowly. ‘* Not possessing the certificate, you cannot, i resume, positively prove that you ever were awfully married to Fouant Mora,” “JT fear not. We were married ina city in the East, that was not our home, and dear knows what has ever become of the minister who married us, or his wife who witnessed the ceremony. I can prove that I have always lived with Mr. Mora as his wife, and have been known as his wife. Would that not be sufficient in the eyes of the law?” “Tt would, no doubt, in most States and Ter- ritories, but I cannot speak for Arizona, as I do not know its laws in relation to such matters,” “Oh! it is terrible that such disgrace should fall on me, at my age in life. You said you be- lieved the will to be a forgery.” se Yes,” ‘Who do you think did it?” ** That is uncertain, although, if I were to sus- pect any one, I should look toward Augustin Andre,” ‘*Ah! yes; I believe he’sa bad man. He has for some time been trying to ingratiate himself into Bly’s: favor, but she has repulsed his ad- vances, and given him to understand she did not care for his society. It may be this has caused him to seek such a cowardly revenge.” ** Not at all improbable, though I should pre- sume his main object was to get possession of your late husband’s money.” “ But how about his claim that Queenie was married to my husband? He said he could prove it, and—oh! sir, I cannot believe that my husband would have been so false to me as to marry another woman.” ‘*‘Nor do I believe anything of the sort, Mrs, Mora,” Sam declared, ‘‘Tbhe matter is plain enough tome that a diabolical scheme has been set on foot to defraud you ot your rights, aud if I can prove this, and that Andre is the nsti- gator of it, I shall have but little difficulty in fastening the murder upon him.” “Oh! sir, if you can only help us out of this trouble, we shall be so grateful to you,” Bly said, earnestly. ‘You can bet I willtry,” Sam assured. ‘Has Andre ever had any business connection with your hushand, Mrs, Mora?” , : ‘*No, Joseph has frequently told me that he had a none tco exalted opinion of Andre, and » the two were barely speaking acquaintances.” “One thing rather puzzles me,” the Shasta detective said, after a pause, “What's that?” read? about the will being in the safe, It this will was not your hushand’s, then what was it doing where it was found?” ‘That is more than I can explain, I am sure. No one knew how to open the safe except Jo- seph, for he has often told me that he had not much fear of being robbed, since no one knew how to open tke safe tut himself.” “Strange. Did ycur Lustand ever say any- thing akout making a will?” ‘** A couple of mcnths ago he jokingly remark- ed that, if the Beauty mine continued to pan out so well, he should Lave to be thinking of making a will kefore he got so rich that he would no know how to dispose of all his money. Thatis— all, Sunflower Sam, took the will from his pocket, and glanced it over, then gave it to Mrs. Mora, “Do you recognize that as your huskand’s sig- nature?” he asked, ‘Tt is his signature, or else a perfect fac-simile of it,” was the unhesitating reply; ‘‘ the writing of the will is not his, however.” ‘““Ah! That is one point, Is the chirography — of the will similar to that employed by any one else you know?” ‘* Not that I can remember now,” { ‘“Have you ever seen these witnesses, Tyler Green and Guff?” ‘No, sir.” man ‘“T have,” said Bly. “They work at the Hickory mine, when they are not drunk. That ain’t often,” “They are what can be classed as hard cus- tomers, eh?” “Yes, sir, notoriously so.” ' “Then it is not very likely that Mr. Mora would have had them as witnesses to his will?’ “Tam pretty sure he wouldn't, for he never. would give them employment because they were _ d such disreputable men?” wie. so much, ‘an ‘Well, that’s another point. quainted with Andre’s sister, Miss Barron?” **No, sir, She only came to of months ago; and, I took no pains to get acquainted with ber.” Sam wrote a few minutes on his memorane — dum-book, and then glanced at his watch, ’ tae LU Sesh iam Are you ac-— : You Bet a couple as I did not like her:brother, _ x
Page 8
- came near having a fight. “you. Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. “Well, Pl do what I can for you,” he said, | ‘Oh! I ain’t so sure whether I want Max “and that is liable to be not a little. despair, for the darkest hour is before the dawn, yyou know. Keep up your spirits, and do not let this matter worry you, and if Augustin Andre comes around trying to bother you, don’t give him any satisfaction, but refer him tome. Tl ' attend to his case.” “*You are very kind, sir, and we are already under deep obligations to you. There is one thing more I wish to ask you: If this will is a forgery, how is it that the gold mine is bequeath- ed to Max?” Sam smiled. ‘* Well, if the will is a forgery, and Augustin Andre is the forger,” he said, “ the mine was left to Max as a blind, Andre being contented with the money.” “That’s so! It wouldn’t have been policy to have had the will leave everything to the woman, )ueenie.” “ Certainly not.” Just then a footstep was heard coming near the door. “That is Max!” Bly said, excitedly. “The dickens! I’d rather not be seer. here, just at this time,” Sam said. **Then step into this bedroom. You will be safe there until he goes out again,” Bly answer- ed, and she ushered Sam into a small room off the parlor, and shut the door, Not a moment too soon, for the detective heard poune Mora enter the house and.slam the door ehind him, as if he were not in a very agreeable humor. He entered the room where Mrs. Mora lay, and his voice was heard soon after speaking. CHAPTER IX. FIVE HUNDRED FOR SAM! THE words of Max Mora indicated a duel, but the two villains talked matters over a while longer, and as a result when they left the shanty office and separated, they shook hands and were evidently upon the best of terms. Andre went direct to his home and found Queenie lounging in the parlor reading a novel. ‘* Well, what’s the outlook?~ she asked, looking up listlessly. ‘‘Is the game a failure or a suc- cess?” ‘** Partly both,” he tae throwing himself into achair, ‘‘The will has been read, and of course an exposure followed. That shocked the natives.” Queenie laughed. ‘*T presume so. I have been too interested in this novel, really to get up and look out of the window. It is of a wicked scheming woman, ‘who when about to commit a terrible sin sud- denly yielded to the persuasion of her conscience, reformed her ways and married a nice man, who reminds me of that gentleman, Sunflower Sam.” “Gentleman ? Devil, you mean!” ‘‘ Why, how do you make that out? He didn’t have any horns. But, did Mrs. Mora faint?” **She let on to. Don’t know whether it was genuine or not.” j “Did you get the money?” “No. It is locked up in the safe, and that in- fernal sunflower dude is the only one in the camp ‘who knows how to open thé safe. He opened it for then to get the will out, and then closed it again.” ‘* Won't he open it?” ““No! The crowd don’t take to the racket of ‘the will for a cent, and they’ve decided to inves- tigate the matter. So they’ve >. paces this Sunflower Sam as chief investigator’, and also as administrator and so forth of the Mipra estate. So, until he is through with this investigation there’s no likelihood of our getting the money, unless—” ‘You blow open the safe?” Yes.” P “*Can’t you do that?” y ‘Tm afraid not. It’s too risky while that Shasta sharp is running loose around the camp. _ He must be got rid of somehow,” ‘Set Green and Guff on him.” ‘*T can’t’ hardly trust them with such a job. if they didn’t fetch their man the first clip, he’d clean ’em out in short order,” **How about Max Mora?” “Oh! I’ve just had an interview with him. He is suspicious about the will, and he and I I gave him a good talking to, however, and he promised to marry ‘So that's settled!” ‘* | don’t know whether it is or not!” *“ What do you mean? What new caprice has struck you now?” Do not ; Mora now or not. I’m kind of mashed on Sun- flower Sam!" : ‘*Tl ‘mash’ you if you give me such nonsense as that!” Andre cried, angrily. ‘‘ Dare to go back on me at this stage of the game and your life will answer for it!” ‘*Don’t get bloodthirsty, now, brother dear,” Queenie retorted, with tantalizing serenity. ‘I don’t see how my preference for some one bos Mora will affect our fortunes.” “You don’t, eh? Well, then, it’s time you did, If you marry Mora you wed the gold mine!” 4 Perhaps! The gold mine ain’t his, yet, how- ‘** Tt will be, fast enough. I'll seetothat. Af- ter you are married, if Max should happen to get killed, by some casualty, you’d be his heiress,” “Td like the heiress part well enough, and suppose I shall have to marry Max to please you. But, after I am made a widow, you can bet I shall set my cap for Sunflower Sam!” “Tf you do, you will need to plant your cap several feet under ground!” Andre replied, sig- nificantly. ‘‘ Mind you, if the fellow comes pry- ing around here, as he no doubt will, 1 have al- ready posted you how to act!” ‘‘ Never ‘fear, dear brother, I will be sure to play my part as well as you do yours.” ‘*Tf you do, we will have no cause to fear fail- ure,” Andre said, his face lighting up with pleasure. ; Soon after, he left the house and, taking a drink at the Lone Deer saloon, and gazing with a per- ceptible shudder at the dark blood-stain on the floor, he took his way to a rude cabin on the outskirts of the camp. Here he rapped loudly upon the door, and upon being bade to enter, he did so, and closed the door behind him, He was in a large apartment, furnished simply with table, a few stools, and a couple of rude cot eds. At the table were seated two men, engaged in playing cards—two as ill-favored looking indi- viduals as could be found in all the camp, with the burning brand of Bacchus indelibly stamped upon their countenances~such a brace of pards as one would not care to meet in a lonely place of a dark night. Both were well armed, with knives and pistcls and a bottle of whisky was placed upon the table between them. Andre’s entrance was greeted with a grunt of recognition, “Sit down!” one of the men said, pointing to astool. ‘* How's the lay?” ‘All right, I guess,” was the reply. ‘ All that is needed is for you to swear up and down, when called Boy that you saw the will drawn Ep ere signed, and the game will work, cap- itally. ‘* ‘When do we get our pay, then?” ‘Just as soon as I get mine, which will be only a few days at the furthest. By the way, I have another job for you which is cash down, as soon as you do it.” ‘“ What is it?” ‘*'You have seen the Sunflower Sport?” ““T have!” Green said. ‘‘I don’t like him, nuther. He puts on too many blossoms.” ** Well, I want him put out of the way as soon as possible, and so effectually that he never will bother me again. Do you understand? You and Guff must do the job.” m aan poured out a glass of liquor, and tossed it off, ‘Must is a big word, boss,” he observed, grimly. ‘‘When any one comes any of their must business on us, they’ve got to be bigger than we are.” ‘*Pshaw! You know what I mean. I want Me to do the job and I will ay you well for rt ‘Oh! well, that’s a horse of a different color. What'll you pay?” “Tf you wil! put the confounded meddler three Heer under ground I'll give you a hundred dol- ars. ** 4 hundred doflars?’ ‘““That’s what I said.” ‘Yas, an’ we heerd’you say et. Now, then, take.a good look at: us.- Do we luk like men as could be hired to commit murder, for a hun- dred dollars? Ef we do, we’re deceived in our looks.” “Bah! Youw’re buta pair of cut-throats, at the best!” sr bios no better than we are!” Green declared, doggedly. B What do you mean, you hound?” exclaimed Andre furiously.’ ‘‘ What do you m2an, I say?” “‘T mean as how a chap as will cheat a widder des’| ki o’ a cut throat.” ‘* Bah!” and the villain looked relieved. ‘‘ You will have enough to tend to if you mind your own business. If you don’t want the job, at a hundred dollars, say so, and I’ll get some one else to do it.” “That's what you better be doin’, then. Our figgers knock a hundred dollars higher than a ite ” ** Curse it, how much do you want?” “Tf you want Sunflower Sam planted so deep that he can’t be found on resurrection day, our terms are five hundred dollars, half cash down, in advance!” Andre uttered an oath, He did not want to ie He with so much money, ~ and yet he did not know any one else in the camp whom he could get to do his evil work. There were other tough characters, to be sure, but he had his doubts about trusting them. These men, Green and Guff, he felt more con fidence in. **-You are a pair of infernal skins!” he growl. ed. ‘I'll make it two hundred and fifty, and half down.” : * Oh! no. Not any! valuable engagements,” “Nonsense. I know better than that. How- ever, I'll come to your terms if you will promise me one thing.” ‘* Name it, and we aire your huckleberries!” ‘You must promise to put Sunflower Sam out of the way before another morning dawns,” “ All right. We kin do that same without any trouble at all. So doe over yer dudads an’ we're yers truly.” Andre produced -his wallet from an inner pocket and counted out two hundred and dollars upon the table. This Green divided equally between himself and partner. i Then, after giving a few precautionary in- structions, Augustin Andre took his departure, feeling satisfied that bis most dangerous enemy would soon be out of his way. je TERY, 0's CHAPTER X, MAX SHOWS HIS TEETH AND HIS HEELS. WHEN Max Mora entered the little back par- lor, where Mrs. Mora lay, his face was flushed, and the scow upon bis forehead detracted much from his otherwise good looks, ; His breath, too, smelt strongly of liquor. Bly was seated ty Mrs. Mora’s side as-he ene tered, and he paused in the middle of the room, gazing at the two women in a strange way. “ An artist might make something of the pic- ture,” he observed, “ providing he was not ac- quainted with the subiects.” “What do you,mean, sir?’ Bly demanded, with flashing eyes. We have other more ‘“T mean, perhaps, that I am surprised at your devotion to Margaret!” he retorted. ‘One would naturally suppose you would not have so- deep an interest in the one who has all along tried to break up your interviews with a certain laborer called Colby.” ‘“*My affection for mamma has not lessened, sir, on that account!” Bly said, coldly, ‘In- deed, it has rather increased, since this cowardly effort has been made to ruin her.” “Indeed! Mamma is a very Sweet-sounding name, Miss Bly, but do you not think it is a little out of place, under the present circum- stances?” ‘No, sir, I do not! For shame, Max Mora, that you should insinuate she was not your uncle’s wife!” ; “T do not insinuate anything of the sort,” Max declared, seating himself; ** for 1t has been conclusively proven that she was not my uncle’s wife, by his own will!” Me . “Tt has not been conclusively proven, sit. That will is a forgery—a base, lying instrument of evil intent. "Your uncle never drew up that will, and you know it, Max Mora!” “You are wrong, my dear Bly. T was not even positive that a will existed at all until we found it in the safe. My uncle may not have drawn up the will, but he signed it, in the pres- ence of witnesses; Queenie Andre also has @ certificate of marriage with him. Have you one, Margaret?” ; Mrs. Mora had listened, her face flushed with indignation, but she could no longer hold in. ‘‘ No, I have not, and well you know it, you young villain, or else you would not ask me.- Our marriage-certificate was destroyed by fire years ago, before my husband took you in, ow of charity, and I became the same as a mother | to you.” ati Max winced a trifle, but finally went on: — ‘Oh! of course you have been kind to me, and out of her weeds an’ her money, isthe wu’st kind — ‘ ; r < ¥
Page 9
worth. That’s nothing to do with your being ; my uncle’s wife, however. My uncle, in his tt will, distinctly states that you were never mar- vied to him, but washisservant. Had you been tt his wife, he would most likely have left you the bulk of his fortune, as he did to Queenie, whom he acknowledged as his wife. * As matters stand, I cannot see but what the most advisable thing for you to do will be to * ck up your things and seek other quarters. ou are hardly the proper person for Bly to associate with, owing to the atmosphere of un- certainty that hangs about you, and—” “Stop!” cried Bly, springing up, and stamp- ing her foot upon the floor, indignation flashing from her eyes. ‘‘ Stop! Max Mora, before you go too far! I'll have you know youare insulting me, when you insult mamma!” “* Indeed!” “Yes, indeed! If you have nothing else to do than come here to make an exhibition of your disagreeable nature, you had better go!” Max laughed sarcastically. “* Well, [ don’t know about that. 4 sha’n’t hurry myself, in particular. I came here on business,” ‘*On business, sir? Then you had better defer ‘it until another time, as neither mamma nor I have any disposition to transact business so soon -after papa’s funeral,” ‘‘ The business I have on hand does not par- ticularly concern mamma, or at least, it is not with her I have to deal, you understand. Yow ‘are the one [have to deal with, and if you will listen, you will find it to your advantage.” “T will not listen to you. I know what you would say, and I will tell you no, to start with!” ‘Bly cried, impetuously. ‘Are you not a little premature, Miss Bar- won? True, you have evidently divined the im- port of what I was about to say, but you might at least have given me the opportunity of say- ing it before sealing your verdict. ‘It is true, Bly, that I love you honestly, sin- eerely ani candidly, and want you for my wife. Tm not a bad fellow, if I had some gentle wo- I presume I The fact is, and help me to seek a higher sphere in life. ee could do that, Bly, and I want you for my wife! ‘Tt is simply useless for you to make any such plea, Mr. Mora,” Bly promptly returned, *‘ for I do not love you, nor have I ever given you an reason to suppose that I did. The only one care enough for to marry is Joe Colby—the daborer, as you term him—and, as we are en- gaged, you will at once see that that settles the matter.” ‘*T don’t see it in that light. Engagements are as easily broken as they are made, and I cannot see what you can want of a poor man dike Colby. You surely do not want to live a life of poverty and privation. Marry me, and I can give you riches, Marry me, and Queene Andre shall never touch a penny of my uncle’s wealth, but all the money shall go to you as your wedding-gift. More, I will, by fair-means or foul, establish the fact that Queenie never ' was my uncle’s wife, but that Margaret here was his wife, and is his widow. Not, of course, that I believe it, for my uncle’s will proves to the contrary. But to win you, Bly Barron, I will do anything that lies in my power.” He spoke earnestly, eloquently, and appeared m to mean just what he said. Bly gazed at Mrs, Mora inquiringly, as much as {0 say: ; '«*Shall I do it for your sake?” But the poor woman shook her head sadly. To save her own name from disgrace she could ' not bring unhappiness to one so young and good J as Pits , ‘‘ No—no!” she said, slowly; ‘make no such sacrifice on my account. Better always be poor and happy with the one you love, than rich and unhappy. I can bear the dishonor that has been heaped upon me until our friend clears matters up.” “Your friend, eh?” sneered Max. ‘So that seoundrel, Sunflower Sam, has been here stuf- ‘fing you up, has he?” **That’s none of your business, sir!” retorted Bly, quickly. ‘‘ My answer to you, Max Mora, is no! So the quicker you go the better.” “ But, as it happens, my dear, I am not go- ; zs * ing so quick as you may imagine. You are a b>) bit too hasty in your decision. You do not eee seem to realize that I am not a man to be trifled with. “ Nor do I want you to think’ for an instant ee, lam afraid of you!” and Bly’s eyes flashed. bia. “Tf not afraid, I'll make you feel my power. 1 will discharge that numskull, Joe Colby, and man as a guide—one who would encourage me | eee Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. if you persist in refusing to marry me!” ‘You cannot turn us out!” cried Py. ‘at defy you to, you coward! Unless Joseph Mora’s will is a forgery, I own this house, and all that’s in it, “You do, eh?” ‘*Yes, I do, and yow’re nothing but a low, mean wretch, to try to make us any more trouble!” ““T am, eh? Well, I don’t care a cent for that, my dear. Do you refuse—for the last time—to marry me?” ¥ ne I refuse, for the last time, to marry ou ‘*Then let me tell you that, henceforth, I am your enemy, and you shall suffer the conse- quences of my revenge, in order that you may know that Iam no fool! Tl give you just five minutes to pack your duds and get out of this house. If you are not gone in that length of time, Pll pitch you out, head-foremost. You hear me?” “ But we don’t heed you!” Bly cried, un- dauntedly. ‘‘ We hate, loathe and despise you, you contemptible wretch!” Max sprung to his feet with a fearful oath, “Take back them words, or P’ll murder you!” he gritted, at the same time clutching Bly by the throat—‘‘ take ’em back, I say!” ‘‘No, she don’t—not while this here bloomin’ Sunflower is around!” cried the Man from Shas- ta, as he leaped from the bed-room and with a tremendous blow knocked young Mora clean off his feet. Then, the sport detective threw open the door, jerked the young villain to his feet, and cried: ** Now, you get!” and applying the toe of his boot to Mora’s rear, Sam Picked him into the street, each application of the boot causing the victim to yell with pain. As soon as he was out of doors, Max ran for | dear life, and close at his heels followed the Shasta Shadow, CHAPTER XI. MISS PEGGY PRIM’S ADVENT. Tue sight of Max Mora running at full speed, and Sunflower Sam following in close pursuit, soon attracted the attention of what people there were on the street, and, as may be sup- posed, instantly created a sensation. Max aimed direct for the Lone Deer Saloon, and when he reached it, dodged inside with an agility that made the spectators laugh, Sunflower Sam came to a halt, outside the sa- loon, however, a broad smile playing over his handsome face, while a crowd gathered around im, ‘* What's the matter? What was ye chasin’ Mora fer?” were the questions put by a chorus of voices, ‘Oh! we were having a little foot-race, just for fun!” Sam replied—‘‘ anyhow, it was for fun, as far asI was concerned. I guess by the way Mora ran, he thought every minute was his last. You see I caught him trying to choke Bly Barron, and I booted him out of the house, and gave him chase, The next time I catch him at any such beastly game I'll do him in dif- ferent shape!” And with tiis declaration, the Man from Shasta pushed his way through the crowd, and made his way to the hotel. Nothing more occurred until evening, worthy of mention, As usual, however, in every mining-camp, when the lights were lit for the evening, the “ citizens” began to congregate at the saloons and at the gaming parlor, of which we have be- fore made mention, It was a well-fitted up place, with ample space for tables and chairs, and a good bar. There were some good card-players in the camp, and, as a consequence the gaming-room was always well filled. After supper, Sunflower Sam wandered into the place, bent on seeing who was present, and, if convenient, to drop into a game of cards. Luck favored him, and he soon struck up a rame for a small limit, with a man from the “ast, who, like the detective, wanted to pass away a few hours, Every table was occupied, and every one seemed in good spirits, especially those thirsty see who were ranged along the bar coun- er. The evening was only partly advanced, when the door opened, and Augustin Andre and Max Mora entered the place together. They took a drink at the bar, and then saun- tered along to the further end or the long room. and took seats at a table, As they passed the table where Sunflower Sam -all that, and I appreciate the fact for what it is | I'l turn you out of house and home, curse you! | was seated, both glanced at him, and exchanged glances, and smiled, significantly. X Sam, without appearing to notice them, did see them however, and that smile also, ‘“*They’ve joined issues,” was his comment, ‘and if they don’t mean me mischief, ’m oft my reckoning. I'll be alert, however, and my name ain’t Dead— Sunflower Sam, if I don’t beat ’em!” About half an hour afterward, the door opened, and a woman came sweeping into the gaming-room, with the air of a queen. And such a woman, too! Not a man was’ there who did not stop play- ing, to gaze at her, in astonishment, She was an old maid, that was evident, al- though her face would have been rather good- looking and much younger in appearance, if her ‘‘make-up” had been less ancient. Of medium hight, she was attired in a large figured dress, with a sweeping trail, and wore an imitation Paisley shaw] about her shoulders. Upon her head was a bonnet such as was worn a score of years ago, gayly decorated with ro- settes and ribbons, Her hairy was worn in long curls, two of which were allowed to occupy conspicuous po- sitions in front .f either ear. Her eyes were sharp and penetrating, and her mouth had a firm, half-defiant expression, which coupled with the fact that she carried a whip o rawhide in one hand, suggested the idea that she was on the war-path, When fairly in the saloon, she stopped and gazed first at the bar and then at the rows of tables at which dozens of men were engaged in shuffling or dealing the pasteboards, “Well! well!” she ejaculated, in a voice of high pitch. ‘Did you ever! As I live, these wicked men aire playin’ cards! What would Deacon Plum say ef he was to see this sinful sight!” ‘**Hillo! mum, what’s bitin’ ye?” sung out Skin Platt, the bartender, whom it was kard to find in a bad bumor. . ‘ What’s bitin’ me?’ echoed the strange fe- male, ‘* Why, sir, nothin’s bitin’ me! Ye orter be ashamed o’ yoursel’s, a-settin’ here an’ a- playin’ cards. I weuldn’t be afraid to bet a co there ain’t a solitary meetin’-house ner preacher in this town.” ‘*Nary a cne, Mehetible Sarah Ann!” remark- ed Skin. ‘This aire ther only place where the boys do congregate, an’ there ain’t no preachin’, but every one is free to cuss as much as he pleases. Occasionally there’s a funeral heer, when some galoot dies wi’ his boots on!” ‘Dies with his boots on!” “ Cert’,” “The onchristian brute! An’ so this is the sort of a hot-bed of vice, sin and corruption that Gus Andre is livin’ in, For shame! for shame! What ever would Deacen Plum say!” “Say, old hoopskixts, who aire you, anyhow, an’ where’d you come from?” “Me? lam Miss Peggy Prim, from Grubville Corners, Connettycut, an’ I am the schoolma’an there for the last five successive summers and winters, ahem!” was the lofty reply. “Peggy Prim, eh? Waal, yer look prim enough, thet’s mighty sartain. So you've teach+ ed skewl fer five years, hey, an’ learnt ther young idea. how ter shoot?” aus ‘““T have, and a smarter schcol there ain’t, out~ side of Yale College, if I do say it.” | “Ye don’t say? What ye bin doin’ the other forty year ye wasn’t teachin’ school!” “Forty years?’ and Peggy gave the whip a vicious crack; ‘‘forty years? You good-for- nothin’, insultin’? vagabond! Why, I’m only twenty-thiee years old, last February! The idea! Forty years!” ; “Oh! well, old gal, that’s all right!” allowed Skin, keeping an eye on the whip. “TI ain’t much good at guessin’, an’ when [ come to look square at you you don’t look much more than sixteen. Come up and have some benzine!” “Benzine! Goodness gracious! AmI to be } insulted in this manner? J drink liquor—J a member of Deacon Plum’s congregation, in good standing? NotI! You ought to be ashamed of homcen you horrid sinner, to propose such a thing to a decent, respectable girl. I’ve a great notion to give you a sound whipping for your impertinence.” ‘** You'd better not try it on!” Skin declared, “ef ye don’t want me to shoot thet pagoda off’m eo Mpa What dye want heer, any- | ow? ’ mes “Tcame to hunt up Augustin Andre. D’ye know him? His stuck-up sister sed I would find him here. He’s my cousin, an’ 1 know he'll be awful glad to see me, once more, it’s so long ~ sence me and he last met!” Po sae. CS Oe ETS a ee d ‘ > ~ = 7 a — pI ~~ any a rea eres FET
Page 10
_ s’pected a different So? gre than this tho’, I _ skerry about thet matter that happened afore -umphantly ;—‘ didn’t I tell ye he knowed me? _ ghall be the laughing stock of the camp. _ in the name of Sa Nn here, and at such a time, too? I dare notkick her out, or she might go and blow all about that 10 Skin Platt was something of a wag, and fore- saw a pile of fun ahead, and so said: ‘Why, yes, Peggy. Andre is here, to-night; so come along, and [ll show him to yer.” And he led the way down the room, to where Andre and Max Mora sat, Peggy following close behind him, and by her odd appearance, elicit- ing many a Jaugh from the crowd. ‘You're a pack of onmannerly blockheads!” she cried, glaring at them, with snapping eyes. ** Ye ain’t got so much decency an’ respect for a lady, as a horse.” When they reached Andre’s table, Skin pushed Peggy in front of him, saying: ‘Andre, old boy, here’s your cousin, Peggy Prim, all ther way from Grubville, to see you. Peggy, me daisy, this man wi’ ther whiskers, is Augustin Andre.” ‘““ For land’s sakes! Is that you, Gus Andre?” cried Peggy, putting out her hand. ‘‘ Why, how you hev grown, sence you an’ I used ter go berryin’, down at Grubville! Laws goodness! I should scarcely of known ye, with all that hair on your face!” The crowd snickered, while Andre drew back, with an oath. “Get out, you infernal lunatic!” he cried. “T don’t knew you!” “Don’t know me, Peggy Prim, when you an’ Sis used ter live right in dad’s house? Why, Gus Andre, what a whopper! You ought to be ashamed of yourself. But, then, I suppose you can’t help tellin’ fibs, ’cause you live in sech a wicked town. Just to think! Whatever would Deacon Plum say, ef he was here?” ‘‘To the devil with Deacon Plum, and you, too!” cried Andre. ‘I tell you I don’t know you, and never saw you, you scare-crow, so make yourself scarce, or I'll have you kicked out 0 doors.” “ Well, above all things!” and Peggy’s hands went up, and she looked the picture of genuine astonishment. ‘* You are the worst story-teller Lever heard. But, ’cause I’m a country relation from down East, ye needn’t be so stuck up, an’ retend ye don’t know me. Not a bit of it. Fon do know me, and, what’s more, ’ve come to spend the winter with ye. I suppose ye think because 'm Peggy Prim, an’ come from Grubville, and am a little old-fashioned, that I ain't jest as good as you are, an’ yer stuck- up sister in the bargain—Queenie you call her, now, eh? When ye used ter live at dads, Sis an’ Jane were good-enough names for her! Oh! ye needn’t try to craw] around the stump, Gus, for ye know me, an’ might as well own up. Ye needn't think I’ve come heer to sponge on you, fer T ain't. Dad an’ mam is dead, now, an’ I’ve got more money than I know what to do with, an’ so I thought I’d come out West an’ get you to invest it in gold mines, an’ cattle pasters, an’ sech. But, laws! tho’t you’d be half tickled to death to see me, and I brought along a jar of elderberry jam for you, what mam put up, just a week be- fore she died. Lands alive! ye needn’t be ye came West, Gus, ’cause dad is dead and—” How much Jonger Peggy would have talked on, is hard\to say, had not Andre at this junc- ture sprung to his feet. He was white with anger and mortification, and-so agitated that he fairly trembled. He knew that every one was looking at him, and that nothing could be gained by denial, as every one no doubt believed that the woman was what she claimed to be; so he summoned up courage, and said: ‘‘ Gentlemen, this woman, I am free to say, is my country relative from the East. Miss Prim, if you will allow me, I will conduct you to my residence!” See!” cried Peggy, snapping the whip, tri- He didn’t want to let on he did, though, ’cause I come from Grubville, where, goodness knows, there’s more pious people than there is in this outlandish place. Lead on, Gus. I’m powerful lad to see you, and we'll have a good old- fashion visit, and Tll get you to invest my mone minin’ stocks, an’ sech!” With his teeth set tightly together, and his eyes emitting a dangerous gleam, Andre strode toward the door, closely followed by Peggy, and as the two quitted the place, the crowd inside gave a rousing cheer. | ‘ “Ten thousand curses seize this woman!” Andre muttered under his breath. ‘'I wouldn’t have had this happen for a thousand dallery. ‘ 2 a ever possessed her to come = a a aN ER PS os Fe eS ee ee ee ee eee eS ee ee ee eee ee ee SD Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. for, ed note, which she came near doing, to- night. As they walked toward the Andre house, Peggy chattered away, volubly, but Andre kept his mouth shut for fear he should say something to offend the ‘‘ girl” from Grubville, which he did not wish to do, now that he had acknowl- edged the relationship—not, at least, until he had sounded her and ascertained how much money she possessed. If enough to make it any object, Augustin Andre was prepared to make Peggy’s stay in You Bet exceptionally interesting. When they arrived at the dwelling, Peggy was ushered into the parlor, where Miss Queenie sat, engaged in some fancy crochet work. “For Heaven’s sake, Gus, you have not brought that—that—?”” she began, with a dis- gusted glance at Peggy’s raiment. But Andre checked her by a warning shake of the head; then, his face became radiant with smiles as he said: ‘Softly! softly! my dear. You evidently do not recognize this lady. Do you remember your cousin, Peggy Prim, of Grubville?” “‘Certainly, brother, but really, this isn’t Peggy, is it?’ Queenie said, condescendingly Oe ‘Yes, this is Peggy, sure enough!” Andre re- plied, ‘‘and she has come West to pay us a visit and invest in mining matters. I trust you will try to make everything pleasant for her.” ‘‘Why, Jane Ann, I should have thought you'd ’a’ knowed me!” Peggy said, advancing and putting out her hand, on which was worn a cotton glove. ‘‘ How d’ye do, anyhow?” ‘* Pm quite well, thank you!” Queenie replied, shaking hands, with an expression of disgust upon her face. ‘* Take off your shawl and bon- net, and sit down. Shall I order the servant to make you a cup of tea?” . **T don’t keer if you do, Jane Ann. I’m power- ful tired a-joltin’ over the mountain roads in the stage, an’ a cup 0’ tea allus does me good,” So Peggy took off her things and sat down, while Queenie hastened into another apartment. Andre sat down and surveyed his country cousin sharply. “Well, Peggy, what brought you away out here?” he finally asked, as Peggy put on a pair of spectacles, and then drew some knitting ma- terial from her pocket. ‘* Well, yousee,” she answered, ‘ after the old folks died, I sorter got the fever to cum West an’ invest my money so et would draw more than simple interest. I heerd you was out heer, an’ so I thought I’'d come and see you, and kill two birds with one stone, Married yet, Gus?” *’' Oh} no..? ‘“‘Tawsme! Yedon’t tell me! Well, I ain’t, neither. I often snicker when I think o’ dad’s wantin’ to marry you an’ me, an’ we both cousins. Dad had some queer notions, I s’pose you remember Uriah Opedyke?” Yes,” “Well, Uriah an’ me has been keepin’ com- pany for a long time, an’ I’spected to marry him, as much as could be, but, first I know’d, he scooted off, and that’s the last I’ve seen or heard of him.” ‘*T suppose you are pretty rich, Peggy?” ‘Yes, purty tolerable. I’ve got seven thousan’ dollars in clean cash, besides Isaac Parker’s note for a brindle cow, what fetched forty dollars at the auction.” ‘*T should think you’d be a little skittish about carrying so much money about your person?” ‘* Land o’ goodness! ‘You don’t suppose I car- ry it around in my clothes? Not much! I ain’t so green as that. Guess you remember the red chest, don’t you, what dad used to keep tools in? No.” ‘* Well, anyhow, I fetched that along, with a lot of beddin’, carpet-rags and one thing and an- other in it, an’ the money’s in the chest. I ar- gued no one would look in that for money, and, besides, them padlocks on the chest are purty et : ‘Where is the chest?” ‘Tt won’t be here for a couple o’ days. It’s comin’? on a mule-wagon from the railroad station.” Having found out this much, Andre did not uestion her further, but left her in Queenie’s charge, cnd left the house. “Pll have her money when it comes!” he mut- tered, as he betook himself toward the gambling room. : ‘¢ Seven thousand dollars ain’t a fortune!” he argued, “ but it will do to light cigars with, pro- viding it’s in greenbacks. Ha! ha! Queenie don’t like her country cousin, for a cent. I was at first tempted to believe that the woman wasn’t — ee Peggy, but it can’t be otherwise, for she knows all about Grubville and other matters.” Thus musing, Andre reached and entered the gaming saloon, where Max Mora was evidently waiting for the elder villain’s return. ‘* Ts all ready?” Andre asked. **Yes,” * What of the nigger?” ‘Sent him away.” “Then come. Our time to work is when no one is liable to miss us!” And they left the place together. What did it mean? CHAPTER XII. ~ THE ANIMATED SKELETON’S CALLER. SHORTLY after Augustin Andre had left the aming-room to conduct Peggy Prim to his resi- ence, Sunflower Sam finished playing cards, coming out the winner by a few dollars, He loitered about the tables watching the ames, after which he bad a chat with Skin Jatt, the bartender, who was full of glee, as usual, ‘Wasn't et rich?” he cried, ‘‘ ter see his royal nibs a-escortin’ thet old vinegar-blossom out 0? heer? By beeswax! I thought I should bu’st my- self a-laffin’, fer I see’d jest how et was, ye know. ’Gustus he hey allus kinder held his nose higher than ther rest o’ us—war sorter dignified, yer know, an’ considered himself above common trash, as the darkies say. I bet yecould tech his pride, now, with a two-inch tooth-pick, whar it would ’a’ taken’ a ten-foot pole before. Haw! haw! haw!” And Skin went off into a spasm of laughter. ‘Tf his pride has suffered it may be a good thing for him,” Sam observed. “ By the way,. sir, do you know the two men, Green and Guff, who were witnesses to the Mora will?” “¢T know all I.want to about ’em!” was the re- ply. ‘Ef I'd give ’em tick, they’d be my best customers, but sez I, nary more tick!” ‘Have you seen’ them around to-night?” “ce No.” i ‘* Where do they generally hang out?” “They’ve fcr the last cabin, at the lower end of camp. They’re generally there, when no- wheres else,” ye : “Dangerous chaps, eh?” * Waal, Idunno. J guess ef a feller was ter face em they’d weaken, but,they’ve got the reputation 0’ bein’ tough.” After a few other inquiries, Sam left the room. He had got on track of alawyer named Seth oe and he propesed to pay Seth an evening call, Sligo’s office was a room over a grocery store, _ reached by a rickety pair of stairs, that threat- ened to give way beneath one’s weight. This evening saw the legal light of You Bet seated before his desk, upon which shone the’ sickly light of a candle, and before the disciple of Blackstone were spread out a number of docu ments of legal appearance. The room’s only furniture was the desk, & broken-backed chair, and the stool upon which Sligo was seated. ve The scarcity of the furniture was in keeping’ with the meagerness of the man who used it. He was some forty years old, of medium hight. of men, and as slim, literally, as a bean-pole. There was seemingly nothing of him but the or- iginal framework, with the skin drawn over it, and his face was so thin and haggard as to be al- most hideous in appearance, “= } He wore no beard, and his hair seemed to grow upright like bristles, and was liberally mixed with gray. } Mr. Sligo was dressed in a seedy broadcloth: suit, and with a little more flesh, would have looked more like a minister than a lawyer. He was engaged in poring over the cccu ments before him when there came a peremp tory knock upon the door, that caused his at torneyship to give a violent start, ‘Come in!” he cried, his heart beating tu- multuously in hope that he was about to receiv call from some one whom he could bleed for In answer to his invitation, the door ie and a man entered, the sight of whom caused chill of terror to run down Sligo’s thinly cov- ered spine. : hk ee oa I The visitor was attired from top to toe i somber black, wore a black mask over the uppel portion of his face, and was armed with a a of handsome revolvers, one of which he carrie¢ in his grasp. . , bling with terror. do you want?” ‘Good heavings!” gasped Sligo, fairly tr : r eho. ayer you and wha’ . is anaes chap pur ursi He
Page 11
a el in S ad chaps ain’t Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. “Tam thy father’s spirit!” cried the visitor, in mock tragic tones. “Oh, Lordy! gracious!” chattered Sligo. “Don’t shoot—mister, don’t shoot, I beg! I beg la pardon a thousand times!” ‘Ye do, eh?” retorted the visitor, as he came forward and helped himself to a seat on the chair. ‘‘ Well, sir, if you don’t want me to bal- last you with lead, you’d better beg my pardon. If the old court knows herself, I’m a bad man, and I wear socks made out 0’ rattlesnake-skins! Who are you, anyhow, rackabones?” “My name is John Sligo, sir, tho’ I have got a middle name of Seth, by which I am more frequently called.” * ‘You are a liar—I mean a lawyer—are you not?’ **T am an attorney, sir.” “You look as if business had not been brisk lately—as if the free lunches of You Bet had been few and far between.” ‘ Business has been rather dull in my line for some time,” Sligo assented, ‘‘and money corre- spendingly scarce. Is there any legal matter I can adjust for you, sir?” ‘Well, I don’t know. I may give you the job of settling up my ducal estate in England, if you serve me right. If you don’t, Pll take your head for a bull’s-eye, and indulge in a lit- tle pistol-practice. D’ye know who I am?” “No, no! nor I don’t want to. If you will ont please to leave my office, I shall be very ad.” “Oh, don’t getin so much of a hurry. Tl tell you who I am. [I’m Deadwood Dick, Ju- nior, the death-dealing defender of the defense- less women and down-trodden children,” ‘*What’s that to me? I ain’t no wuman, nor never had any children!” declared Sligo, keep- ing a nervous watch of /Dick’s pistol-hand. ‘No, but you are a guilty wretch!” thundered Dick. ‘‘ You drew up the will of Joseph Mora, did you not?” ‘*No, no! I have never drawn up a will since I have been in this camp.” ** Look out now. None of your lying to me.” “T am not lying, sir—I am not lying!” “Thelieve you are, you superannuated slim, and if I find out such to be the case, you look out, for T’ll come back here and break every bone in your skeleton framework!” “Believe me, sir, I did not draw Joseph Mora’s will!” protested Sligo, vehemently, ‘I never did any work at all for that gentleman.” **Who did draw up the will, then?” . “That I do not know.” ** Mind you, now! You'd better tell the truth for if I catch you in a lie off goes your head! i -amabad man. You must have heard of Dead- wood Dick, the road-agent and avenger?’ _ “Yes, [have heard of him.” “Well, I'm the second edition of that same and I’m making things jingle. Thar’s a scheme up to ruin Mrs. Mora’s reputation and get pos- session of Mora’s money. hm going to balk that little scheme, and so if you know anything about 3 it ‘will psy you well to come over to my , tS) “T tell yon I know nothing about such a scheme, noth*ng about the will you mention, nor nothing abovt Mora’s affairs.” “ Very weil!” Dick said, riging to depart. ‘‘ I'll take your word for it for th find out diferent woe be unto you!” There'll be one less shyster in this camp.” And with this admonition he took his depar- ture much to Sligo’s relief no doubt, for he began to hastily bundle his papers together, destroy- ing such ones as were of no special importance. _ “Tf that villain catches me in You Bet an hour from now, he’ll be smarter than I am!” the dis- eiple of Blackstone grimly chuckled. CHAPTER XIII. : ‘ A CELESTIAL DESCENT, _As the reader has no doubt. surmised, Dead- wood Dick, Junior, and Sunflower Sam were one and the same persons, the latter make-up ‘having been adopted for a purpose to be here- _inafter explained. c Leaving the lawyer's office, Sam made his way to a lonely spot beyond the outskirts of the town, and inside of a few minutes once,more transformed himself into his guise of the sport from Shasta, / Z He then sauntered back toward the gaming oom, just to see Andre and Max Mora leave the place uC d walk off in the direction of the mouth of the Beanty mine. **Mischief,” Sam muttered. ‘‘Them two stickin’ so close together for any good reer st they ain’t going to try to rst open the safe : He followed cautiously after them, but, to his a4 ‘x ; , TY Sphag \ 7 ot ; . ry ¢ , On 5 Ms Sy Mann oe FA - f t he ' bi i) by Pics my ‘ 4 x i; a, : ee . \ * wig te { 7 ‘ a! % 4 ; . a y Pie He 4 F m cabal oma CAMINNRNNEE CEU awe % sire k> e present, but if I surprise, however, they kept on past the office of the Mora mine. “What the dickens does this mean!” the de- tective mused, not a little puzzled. ‘ Evidently they’re not after the money. Tl know what their racket is if I have to follow ’em clear to Alaska.” Andre and Mora continued straight on until they came to the mouth of the Beauty mine drift, where they halted. By extreme caution, Sunflower Sam managed to gain a position behind a bowlder, within a few feet of where they had halted. The Beauty mine was located just beyond the built-up limits of the camp, and was one of the richest quartz lodes in that section of the terri- se There was but one other mine in You Bet, end that was owned by a gambler named Jim Cole, and it was not nearly so productive as the Beauty, nor did it give employ to half so many men. The mouth of this mine, which was known as the Agnes, was about two hundred yards above the Beauty. The ore taken from these two mines was haul- ed by carts to the crusher at Globe City. On coming to a halt, near the mouth of the Beauty mine, neither Andre nor Mora spoke for several minutes, but appeared to be listening. “Strange that Harkley has not come by this time,” Max said, at last, ‘‘He is generally punctual to a minute.” ‘¢ Perhaps he has had some difficulty in his ar- rangements with Cole,” suggested Andre, “Oh! there’s no fear of that. The Agnes is sold to Harkley safe enough, and he got it ata bargain. He and I have had the matter work- ing for a month past, and now the two mines are under our control, We will make some of these high-minded miners of You Bet pull up stakes and vamoose for other parts, or else they will have to come down to Chinese wages. In fact, we prefer the Chinamen, anyhow.” **Perhaps the matter will be a go!” Andre said, doubtingly; ‘“‘ but I’m afraid there will be bloodshed.” ‘Bah! If there is it will be white blood that is spilled. The Chinamen outnumber the present population of You Bet two to one; and, more than that, they’re all armed and know how to fight. If the,whites don’t come down to our terms, they can starve. We are not supposed to be forced to pay high wages when we can get all the help we need for a mere song.” “True, The present hands won't bear you much good will, though.” ‘*A fig for that! They've got their choice of working for low wages or not working at all. Then, too, T owe ’em a grudge for meddling in the affairs of the Mora estate, and appointing that scoundrel, Sunflower Sam, as adminis- trator.” ‘** Well, you needn’t have any fear that that chap will interfere much with your schemes after to-night. DPve taken it upon myself to arrange to have his goose cooked!” **Good, Iam glad of that, for I can well wish him out of my way. Ha! some one approaches, No doubt it is Boss Harkley!” Heavy footsteps came nearer and nearer, and then a tall, brawny man loomed up before the two arch schemers. very giant he was, roughly dressed, and armed to the teeth; the possessor of a coarse, brutal and bloated face, midnight eyes, and long es and sweeping mustache, that was coal black, All in all, he was as ruffianly a looking chap as one would care to meet, “Hello! Is that you, boss?” Max Mora sa- luted, as the giant approached. j ‘Yas, it’s me,” was the gruff response, ‘* Been waitin’ long?” ‘Only a few minutes, How is everything” * All ready. ‘ Who’s that with ye? “This is Mr. Augustin Andre, a friend of mine, who will work in co-operation with me. Mr, Andre, this is Boss Harkley, from Carter- ville, agent for the Frisco firm that’s introducin’ cheap help into the different mining sections. Boss can furnish a small army of Chinamen at very short notice, and generally has a force in reserve, so as to fill orders in quick time.” Navigl of a slave trade, as it were?” suggested ndre, “Oh! yes. But, that’s no one’s business but!’ ‘Well! here’s a go!” he muttered, “ our own,” Max replied. “If we can double our Income by employing rat-eaters, it’s to our interest to do so.” . At this juncture Boss Harkley took a silver whistle from his pocket, and blew a sharp blast upon it. page show you our beauties!” he said, grim- Whee, i to!” 12 LEE ES ARES NTS SS NS SN IT a APOE ALITT It was but a couple of minutes ere the sound! of horses’ feet was heard, and then a band of" horsemen came into view, or rather mule-men for the party were mounted upon burros, and: mules. As they drew near, it was to be seen that all) were Chinamen, with the exception of four ruf- aay Re white men, who acted as escorts;, for the party, numbering two hundred, was sep-- arated into four divisions, and each division had its captain in the person of one of the white men, before mentioned. Each Chinaman, besides a rifle and revolver, was equipped with mining tools, a small tent, and cooking utensils; so they were all ready to: camp down at any time and place, By a signal from Harkley, the cavalcade drew up in lines of fifty abreast, and then he: and Andre and Mora passed up and down the lines, and made a careful inspection of the men, “Splendid!” Max cried, excitedly. “I am more than pleased. We will show the fools who: stood by Sunflower Sam, that we can do quite well, without them,” ‘Of course. I’d give more for a Chinaman,, as far as work is concerned, than I would for: two white miners!” Boss Harkley declared. He then ordered the new-comers to camp in: the vicinity, and in such a manner that ap- proach of the white miners of You Bet, to either of the mines, would be cut off, This was done, and precautions were taken to» make as little noise as possible, The Chinamen went to work with a will, and: pitched their diminutive tents, while the live stock of the party, was tethered out to graze up- the gulch, where the braying of the burros: would not be likely to be heard by the people of’ You Bet. Sunflower Sam had retained his position be-- hind the bowlder, to watch the progress of af-. fairs, and learn what was to be learned; but- he finally saw that it behooved him to get out of the new camp before he was hemmed in, as he had no particular desire to be discovered; so he flitted about, and at last got beyond the lines. The circle of tents had been so formed as to» take in the office of the Beauty mine. This is a very fine piece of diplomatic work,” the detective muttered, ‘‘and there's going to be trouble. Harkley, Mora and Co., intend to run: matters pretty much as they please, it seems, but I’ve a notion they won’t succeed, got the office within their lines, and protection ° enough to give them a chance to blow open the safe. Whether they will attempt to do it or not is a question! Hello! what the blazes is this? He paused stock-still, and gazed in astonish ment at the spectacle which caused his exclama- tion. ; | Coming directly toward him, and but a few» Lb away, he beheld a ghostly figure, clad im white. : The’ darkness was so intense that he could not make out whether it was animate or otherwise, but it certainly had a most uncanny and spook~ ish appearance. It apparently had come from You Bet camp,. and was making in a direct line toward the poor where Joseph Mora had been buried that ay! CHAPTER XIV. AN ALL NIGHT RUCTION, ' SUNFLOWER SAM was not naturally of a superstitious nature, but the sight of the figure in white, gave him a start, » If he did not move there would be a collision witn the ghostly rambler, so he stepped quick- ly to one side, behind a clump of scrub bushes, that lined the path. Nearer and nearer came the white clad figure, until Sam became satisfied that it. was some per- son clad in a flowing robe, and a night-cap whose wide border almost completely concealed the face from view—so much so, at any rate, that the detective could not distinguish enough. of the features to recognize them, He concluded, by the slow movement of the — nocturnal perambulator, that it was a woman. As she went straight on past the place where — | Sam had stood, without either looking to the right or to the left, he concluded that he had not. 1 been seen, ee : i Some person is evidently trying to play ghost! I wonder if they calculate to represent Joseph Mora’s departed spirit? seph wouldn’t, feel flattered, I fancy, to see his ghost cavortin’ about You Bet,’ so soom after his burial. I believe Pl alot abate man in white, and see what racke } Up They've . Ha! ha! Poor Jo- | wor Wh up
Page 12
— ~~ ~~ 0 being made; for the noisy demonstration of ‘““T do not ask for or expect pay!” Sam re- , the populace of You Bet, warned Max Moraand | plied. ‘‘ 1 took an interest in hag case owing Augustin Andre that they had best remain | to the mystery surrounding Mr. Mora’s death, where they were, as it would not be healthy for | and anything I can do for you I do of my own 4} them, if they were caught. free will, with no expectation of reward.” ‘2 4 i night long a crowd of excited and revenge- ‘You shall not go unpaid, if you succeed,” He ful miners surged to and fro, on the main street | Mrs. Mora said, decidedly. ais of the town, uttering maledictions and threats ‘““And 1 do so hope you will succeed,” Bly | against their Celestial foes! murmured, ve fy —— ‘‘T am almost positive I will!” Sam declared. : CHAPTER XV. “The stand Max Mora and Augustin Andre A KEEN DISAPPOINTMENT. have taken, in bringing the Chinamen here, will ‘ ‘ As soon as he could slip away from the crowd | kill their prestige so far as the peagie of You ae ae unnoticed, Sunflower Sam sought his room in | Bet are concerned; and then, too, if your hus-- _ he the hotel. band left a will, I may possibly get possession of ~ er: Here he opened his trunk, and began to haul | it, yet, as [have another working with me in 2 out a motley assortmentof wigs, false beards and | the matter, from whom I expect much. I must clothing—a complete store of varied disguises. be going now.” pee: All had been prepared for his special use be- ‘*T will be ready to accompany you when you fore coming to You Bet. ; call,” Bly said. a, : Si Among thid assortment were several varieties ‘Very well. Do not venture away from. of female ‘ toggery.’ here, however, until you see me again, as some iF ~
Page 13
Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. ‘‘As for the murderer of Joseph Mora—well, T’ve my eye upon him, methin ks, although it as be difficult.for me to prove my suspicions.” @ soon reached the outer edge of the camp, where it encircled the office, Two tents were near the little shanty, one of which was but a step from its door. ' As stated, no fires had been lighted in tho camp, but Sam knew by the gibbering voices, not far away, that the invaders were still astir. He crouched close to the ground, and occa- sionally crept on his hands and knees, a little nearer to the nearest tent, expecting every min- ute to see or hear a, guard, but his expectations were not realized. That afternoon, after the reading of the will, he had locked the office-door and taken the key, so now would have no difficulty in gaining en- ee providing no one had tampered with the ock, At last he was so close to the tent that he could lift the canvas and look inside, when he discovered that it was unoccupied. This did not surprise him, for by the Babel of voices near the mouth of the mine he knew that most of the Mopeglians were congregated there, What struck him as being rather odd, how- ever, was the fact that no guard had been placed in the vicinity of the cabin, Becoming bolder on finding no one in the vicinity, he made a thorough reconnoissance, and found no guard nor any one else within a dozen yards of the office, ** Now is my chance, if ever!” he muttered, as he hastened back toward the Mora residence, Bly was waiting for him, and they lost no time in returning to the vicinity of the office, Here Sam made another reconnoissance; then he unlocked the door, and they entered. Sam barred the door cn the inside, and they were secure from unwelcome intrusion, for a time at least, ; Sam vext drew from beneath his Chinese own a small dark-lantern, and opened the slide Boeate sufficient to let out a tiny ray that lit the way to the safe, where they knelt down, *“ Now you take the lantern,” Sam said, ‘‘ and hold it so the light falls upon this lock. That’s right. Now, Pil see if I can open the safe again.” ‘ ; “Oh, if we can only get the money, it will help mamma so much,” said Bly gleefully. » “ And we shall have so much to thank you for, Mr. Bristol.” ‘Don’t go to thankin said, working away at the lock. ‘The money may not be in here after. we get the door open.” After some ten minutes’ work, he succeeded in swinging open the two ponderous doors. And then— It took but,a moment to make the disappoint- ing discovery that the safe had been ransacked, and every cent of money was gone! Some one had been there ahead of them! And to add to their vexation, simultaneous with this discovery heavy footsteps were heard near the door, and the hoarse voice of Boss Harkley was heard speaking. me too much,” Sam CHAPTER XVI. THE GENUINE WILL, Peaey Prim, after drinking her cup of tea, in the parlor of the Andre residence, chatted away for a while to Queenie, but succeeded in eliciting - only such answers as *‘ yes” and ‘* no,” This did not seem to bother her much, how- ever, and she talked away until at last she gave a@ yawn and said: “Well, I guess I'll have to be gettin’ tew bed, Jane Ann, for I’m powerful tired and want to get a good night’s rest, ’cause I s’pect I'll have - ter trot around town with ’Gustus, to-morrer, a- lookin’ up stocks tu’ sech. An’ so, if you'll show me where I am to sleep, I’ll be much obliged to _. you, my dear,” me ; we are not very well supplied with sleeping conveniences,” Queenie said, ‘‘ but for to-night, you can occupy my brother’s room, ~ and we will make other arrangements to-mor- "OW, ’ S ‘* But where will ’Gustus sleep?” ; **Oh! he will not be in until toward morning, is Jikely, and can lie down here on the lounge. it : Bige He often does it of his own accord.” ry “For land’s sake! You don’t tell me that _ ?Gustus stays out all. night at that wicked gam- bling den?” “Oh! cert!—that is, if he gets to bucking the i tiger very hard!” Queenie replied, with a laugh. om 3 M “ B Buckim the tiger!” echoed Peggy. ‘‘ Well! well! well/ Did you ever! Jane Ann, I want | why, that will be glorious!” he soliloquized. . you to show me straight to my room. I don't | want to hear another word about such sinful- ness—sech,outrageous sinfulness, It’s shockin’— awful. Oh! what would Deacon Plum say if he were here?” : And Peggy looked utterly shocked. Queenie lit a hand-lamp and conducted the ec- centric old maid up-stairs to the room usually oceupied by Augustin Andre, where she left her, and returned to the parlor. Heigh-ho! I wish Gus would make a raise of the money and we could go back to the city!” she said, throwing herself on thesofa. ‘I don’t like it here, and I won’t marry Max Mora, nor any one else, unless he’s a millionaire. And now that that stupid old fool, Peggy Prim, has come, it will be simply unendurable. “Somehow, I don’t believe sheis Peggy Prim. She knows all about Connecticut, it is true, but I can’t dismiss from my mind the impression that she is an impostor, and has come here to pry around for some cause or other, I won't go to sleep, anyhow, till Gus comes in, for there is no telling what mischief she may be up to ” But, as a rule, resolutions are easier uttered than kept, and so it-was in Queenie’s case, She had no intention of going to sleep, but her eyes finally closed, almost in spite of her effort to keep them open, and before she was aware of it, she was sound asleep. Up-stairs, Peggy Prim had not yet retired to rest, nor were there any indications that she intended to. Augustin Andre’s room was large and com- fortably furnished, both asa bed-chamber and as an office, ‘ Among other things was a modern secretary desk, remarkable for its numerous drawers and pigeon-holes, ‘o Peggy this desk seemed to have a special attraction. Not only did she give it a thorough examination, but she also proceeded to examine everything in it. One drawer was locked, but this did not seem to bother her, in the least, for, drawing a stout- bladed knife from her pocket, she soon had the drawer pried open, It contained but one thing—a roll of legal- ruled paper, tied with a pink ribbon. Peggy lost no time in possessing herself of this document, and when she had untied it, and spread it out upon the leaf of the desk, a cry of exultation escaped her, Upon the top of the document she read: ‘* Last Will and Testament of “ JosepH Mora.” All eagerness, she perused the will, her face expressing great satisfaction. ‘What a joy will this be to Dick,” she mut- tered, as she stored the will away, about her per- son. ‘It will also be a godsend to poor Mrs, Mora.” ; She went on with her search, without finding anything more of importance. **Pve got all I want here, and now the next thing for me to do is to a“ If I could make Queenie a prisoner, before I go, it might not be a bad idea. But, on the whole, I guess Ill leave that job for Dick, for he hes the warrant,” She stole softly down-stairs, and without even looking into the parlor, made her exit from the house, with Joseph Mora’s genuine will, in her possession. A One point had Augustin Andre lost, Sunflower Sam had marveled somewhat be- cause there was no guard stationed at the office of the Beauty mine. : Tt will perhaps be well to explain why there was not. P When Sam brought the news to You Bet camp of the invasion of the Chinese, the two men were in the crowd, who had bargained to kill him. t These of course, were the two ruffians, Green and Guff, After Sam had made his speech, they held a consultation, and still lingered around the hotel, hen Sam came down-stairs, in his make. up as a Chinaman, they were present, and heard him express his intention of entering the camp. When Sam held the conversation with Bly and Mrs. Mora, in front of the Mora residence, Green and Guff were within earshot, and heard what ws said, Then, they consulted, again. ‘ It’s mutton fat fer us!” declared Green, ‘An’ beef fat throwed in,” agreed Guff, ‘Of course. Then, let’s get!” | “Kerect. There's ho tine to be lost.” / into the doorwa -perately and with terrible °C ae They made their way to the camp, and were challenged by a man doing picket duty. ‘“ Who comes there?” ** Two friends of Max Mora, and Gus Andre!” replied Green, , ‘What do ye want?” **To see Andre and Mora, portant news for ’em !” ** Pass along, ‘You'll find ’em at the mouth of the mine.” Sure enough, Mora, Andre and Boss Harkley were found, ‘* What the deuce brings you here?” Andre de- manded savagely. ‘* We bring you news worth five hundred dol- lars,” Green replied, coming to the point. ‘ If you want the news, fork over the filthy.” “Bab! get out! What do you take us for? We ain’t puttin’ out money to ‘a couple of bums like you.” ‘All right. Then you don’t get the news.” * What is the news about?” Andre asked. **Oh! about how you can capture a couple of pe just as easy as by turning over your- and, ‘* What persons!” ‘Sunflower Sam and Bly Barron.” ‘Spit it out, then. Tl give you yer price!” growled Boss Harkley. ‘The money first!” demanded Green, ‘*No*'money, no information.” The surly Chinese trader paid over the re- quired sum, then Green said: ‘Sunflower Sam and Bly Barron are going to try and gain entrance to the office and steal the money from the safe, Take everybody away from there, and give ’em a chance to get into. the room. Once in it, you’ve got ’em dead to. rights!” arkley, Mora and Andre were highly pleased at this information, The guard was removed as: suggested without delay, and a spy set on the: lookout. 4 And, Sam and Bly had no sooner entered the: office and closed the door, than the fact was: communicated to the villains at the mouth of" the mine.. a ‘* We've got ’em, now!” Andre cried, jubilant- ly, “The girl belongs to me, and you can do what you please with the sport.” No objection was made to Andre’s claim, but there was a peculiar, deadly gleam in the eyes, of Max Mora, which said plainly enough: ** We'll see whom she 38 to!” The office was at once surrounded by the whites present, as well as by a cordon of armed Chinamen. Then, Boss Harkley advanced to the door and cried out: ‘‘Come! Open up this door, and be about it, too, or we'll bu’st it down. We got ye in our trap now, and you might as well surrender!’ “Surrender?” cried Sam from the inside: - “ Never! If you break that door down, there’! be some dead men to plant before you take me!”* — Those who knew him, would have known by his tone that he meant ‘ business,” but the men. now pitted against him did not know the mas-_ querading Deadwood Dick, Junior, We've got im- coolly. uick, ave ye can’t get out, so CHAPTER XVII. THE TABLES TWICE TURNED, HARKLFY was a man of. fierce temper, and evidently used to being obeyed, for upon receiv- ing Sunflower Sam's refusal to open the door. he threw himself against it with all his might and main. There could be but one result. The door was but a frail affair, while the inside bar amounted to comparatively nothing, for the force now brought to hear against it caused it to snap likea pipe-stem, and the door flew open so sudden] that Harkley lost his balance and pitched head- long into the room. At the same time, having thrust Bly out of the way of bullets behind the shelter of the safe, Sunflower Sem opened a deadly fire with his right and Jeft hand revolvers. The first shot prevented Boss Harkley from ever rising from the floor and participating in any more assaults, while the second and suc- ceeding shots were fired into the swarm of jab- bering Chinamen who poured ‘in, Bang! bang! bang! rung out report after re- ort, and one after another the sons of Confucius opped in their tracks, until the doorway be- came literally choked up with their bodies, As soon as his revolvers were emptied, Sam — threw them aside, and rm his knife, leaped and rouge ietag his foes, yg oa Tee Yon * we
Page 14
t “> “es, a. Se oe = eje7 a ——s = - et For a time it seemed that he was invulnerable against attack, and that he was not destined to ibe conquered; but the odds were too great. Urged on by the villainous whites, who took wood care to keep out of the way of any stray bullets, the Chinamen crowded faster and faster into the doorway, and several succeeded in get- ting into the room. This was a fatal event for Sam, for while he tried to keep back the enemy in front, those in his rear leaped upon him and bore him to the floor and disarmed him, ‘* Bind him, securely!” cried Augustin Andre, mow making his appearance. ‘t Where’s the girl? Ah! here she is! Seize and bind her, too! Both Max Mora and Boss Harkley have been shot, and I will act in their places.” His orders were obeyed; both Sunflower Sam sand Bly Barron were made prisoners, and placed under a strong guard of Chinamen near the mouth of the Beauty mine. The matter of looking after the dead and “wounded then began under Andre’s supervision, He and the roughs who captained the China- ‘men were now the only four uninjured white men in the camp, Green and Guff having quite suddenly turned up missing. Boss Harkley and seven Chinamen had been ‘killed outright. Among the wounded was Max Mora, who was fatally shot, and could not live very long at the furthest. The wounded were fixed up as comfortably as ‘possible in the office, while the dead were re- “moved to one of the shanties. When Andre found time toexamine the opened safe, and found the contents gone, his rage knew no bounds, He went to Sunflower Sam and demanded to know where the money was, but got no satisfac- tion whatever. “TI know nothing about the money,” Sam said. ‘‘Itis true that Bly and I went to the office to get possession of the money, but. on “opening the safe, we too found the money miss- ing!” *“You lie, curse you! “You have hidden it somewhere!” Andre cried furiously. ‘‘ Youshall tell me where tolay hands on that money or die ‘by inches!” He subjected hoth the prisoners to a rigid search, but all to no purpose. The money was concealed nowhere upon their persons, ‘*Curse you! curse you!” he fairly shrieked in his rage and disappointment. ‘ Will ye tell me where that money is? If you don’t off goes this girl’s ears, then her nose, then her hands and an) By that time, I guess you'll be ready to tell! He was evidently in dead earnest, for he was the picture of a demon incarnate as he drew a ife and stepped closer to Bly. **T tell you that neither of us has any knowl- edge of what has become of the money!” Sam protested. “‘Bah! You lie! you lie! And youshall both pay the penalty of your folly!” He seized Bly’s right ear, and no doubt would have carried out his inhuman revenge had not his hand been seized while a stern voice cried ‘the single word— 4“ Sto {” It was Peggy Prim who uttered the command, and she repeated it. “Stop! What would you do, ’Gustus? For heaven’s sake, are ye a human butcher? These two people don’t know about the money!” ““What do you know about it?’ the villain ice savagely. F ‘“*More’n you: s’pect, cousin. Yer stuck-up sister, Jane Ann, what yer call Queenie, hev packed up her duds and skipped, an’ when ye 0 back tew yer domicile, you'll find a letter on the table tellin’ you as how she hev got Joe ' Mora’s boodle, and is goin’ off to become a city: belle!” : “Ten thousand devils!” gasped Andre. “Speak! are you telling me the truth, woman?” ‘Sure pop!” declared Peggy. ‘You'll find dockyments to prove it right on ther parlor There’s another Maan I’ve got ter tell ye: e a body, Wye (a) preparations already, an’ intend ter attack this camp before another ten minutes goesby. They mean bizness, I tell ye! An’ if you ain’t all table. ye better git yer men toget er e as ye can, for them fellers in You Bet hev ready to give ’em a warm reception, why, you'll get left—that’s all.” Not a little alarmed at this news, Andre held a consultation with his white allies, and the work of marshaling the Chinamen into defensive posi- tions began. ‘ Sunflower Sam and Bly were both tied toa ‘tree, so that they could not escape, aud the Ce 4 Sunflower Sam, of Shasta. lestials who had stood guard over them were mustered into the main band. . Drawn up in battle array facing toward You Bet, the Chinese company made rather an im- posing appearance, and Andre viewed them with a grim smile of satisfaction, well satisfied that victory was in store for him. But, although the body of men waited with Andre at their head, no attack was made nor were there any signs of one being made, The yelling continued and the bonfires still burned brightly in You Bet camp, but no sounds of human approach gave token of a nocturnal charge, Andre finally grew hunt up Peggy, hon Barron, ‘**Confound the old fool, it can’t be she has been deceiving me?” he muttered. When he arrived at the spot where he had left the prisoners, bound to the tree, he saw that he had indeed been deceived, for not only was Posey Prim missing, but Sunflower Sam and Bly had also been released and had taken their departure, urious with rage, Andre returned to the head of his band, resolved to fight as long as there was hope of winning. S ielios CHAPTER XVIII. ' cConcLysIon, WHat remains to be told, may briefly. At daybreak, led by Sunflower Sam, the men of You Bet swept down upon the Chinese way and a desperate encounter took place. ell-nerved by liquor, the miners fought with unflinching determination, and after a fierce combat, lasting fully ten minutes, the Chinamen became demoralized, and broke and fled. But, though many of them fled, many were left behind, numbered with the dead or wounded, To Sunflower Sam belonged the honor of capturing Augustin Andre, who was made a prisoner, by the plucky young detective. As soon as the battle was over, a vote of the citizens was taken, and it was decided to give the wretch, Andre, an informal trial, at once, and lynch him. As there were “ nays,” the trial took place, and Andre was sentenced, after evidence had been token. Seeing that all was Loe wie Green swore that he saw Andre and Joseph Mora enter the Lone Deer Saloon, and they appeared to be quar- reling. Shortly afterward the alarm of murder had teen given, but Green kept mum, hoping to eventually work big hush-money out of Andre, A confession was produced, that had been found in Seth Sligo’s office, signed by him, say- ing he had drawn up a will for Joseph Mora, buthad made a different one, and given it to the speculator to put away in his safe, while the genuine document was given to Andre. Peggy Prim at this juncture produced the original will, and Guff and Green, who had been witnesses to it, testified to its genuineness. Before Andre was executed, he made a full confession of the murder, and of his scheme to get the Mora fortune, which he had long been planning. The murder, he declared, had been provoked by Joseph Mora’s meeting him and accusing him of insulting Bly. impatient and went to he had left talking to Bly be summed up Immediately after the execution Deadwood Dick, Junior (our Sunflower Sam) and his wife, California Kit (our Peggy Prim) made their identity known. They also arrested Queenie Andre for a dia- mond-robbery in Denver, and sent her there to be tried. It really was in search of her that they had come to You Bet, she having been traced to Tucson. Andre had schooled her well in villainy. Max Mora died the next day. : The will of Joseph Mora divided everything between h's wife and adopted daughter, and of course no taint of dishonor longer rested upon Mrs. Mora. Soon afterward Dick and Kit left You Bet, but on their way they released Uriah Opedyke, and advised him to return Eastward, lest he run across Peggy Prim. In due time there will be a wedding in You Bet, and Joe Colby will be happier for possess- ing Bly Barron as his wife. — The missing money has not yet been found. Tf young Mora succeeded in opening the safe, as is supposed, and in abstracting the coin and funds, he made no confession, so the mystery bids fair to be unsolved, ‘THE END, } 4 i ~~ a we ah ; j Ms Vt - “3 x aa t i * = | | Edward L. Wheeler’s Deadwood Dick Novels Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. 1. Deadwood Dick; or, The Black Rider of the Black Hills. . The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance. 28. Buffalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise, . Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval; or, The Brotherhood of Death. . The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, . Omaha OIl; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 5, Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 73, Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine of Whoop-Up. 7 v7. Corduroy Charlie; or, The Last Act of Dead- 2 wood Dick. 2 100. Deadwood Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange 4 Stroke for Liberty. 2 104, Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of 2 the Double Cross, 2: 109. Deadwood Dick as Detective. die rt 121. Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport; or, The at Golden Idol of Mount Rosa. 2 129, Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghostof $3 Gorgon’s Gulch. 37 138: Blonde Bill;:or, Deadwood Dick’s Home. . Base ; 87 149, A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big 4: Strike, ny 156. Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The ass Picked Party. 4 38 “J 195. Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of ae the Road. \ : 1 98 201. The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood 315 Dick’s Ward. . aan 205. Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity sor Jane’s Last Adventure. 379 217, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand; or, Pe) ' Gypsy Jack from Jimtown. B26 221. Sugar Coated Sam; or, The Black Gownsof 845 Grim Gulch, | B56 232, Gold-Dust Dick. | B06 263. Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of | 418} Swamp Lake. | ane 3 268. Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail; or, From 349; Ocean to Ocean. 470 : 809. Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Bes Brick of Oregon. 51g 1 821. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of 528 ¥ Phantom Flats. , raed 347, Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days $33 2 in the Diggings, red z 851. Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible $94 Fe Vendetta. $26 i 362, Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face $25 . of Faro Flats. our £ 405, Deadwood Dick in Dead City. zor i 410, Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mys- ine Ds tery of Joan Porter. $a% 8 421, Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A Cute #89 7 Case. { aa 430. Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained 394 01 and, ek 448. Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the — sor Th ‘Crimson Crescent. Fi) ge 2 Ker 448, Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jrs #44 rh Defiance. see we The above are for sale by all newsdealers, . $64 ae five cents a copy, or sent by mail on receipt of — six cents each. 4 rs BEADLE AND ADAMS, PuszisHeERrs, ‘BRI B92 Ken 40 414 The 98 William street, New York, _ # Goa ; uk ravers he ; ue ae ‘ ; Mae ; ea vs ‘ haps A ; me =e ‘ : * s : ahs Rh vs ; wae eens anuiemennene-“"*
Page 15
, j* fi ‘hi Y \ } he : Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Co BY OLL COOMERS. Old Kit Bandy, Detective. 146 Kit Bandy, Detective; or, Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 168 Kit Bandy in Texas; or, The Young Mustanger, 208 Kic Kandy’s Catch; or, The Boy Hercules, 422 Kit Bandy’s Right Bower; or, Buby Sam,the Boy Giant 444 Kit Bandy’s Swoop; or, Little Buckskin, tne Centaur, 478 Kit Bandy’s Slick Scheme; or, Old Tom Rattler, 661 Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Bsn. 680 Kit Bandy’s Pardy or, Dauntless Dan, the Freelance. 791 Kit Bandy Rattled; or, The Intant Giant. 795 Kit Bandy in Red Ruin; or, The Young Whirlwind. 799 Kit Bandy’s Big Ruatle; or, Saddle King Sam, 304 Kit Bandy’s Brigade; or, Dan, the Mountain Guide. Jack Drew, Detective. 158 Jack Drew, the Nemesis, or, Eagle Kit the Boy Demon, 182 Jack Drew’s Drop; or, Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Jack Drew in Deadwood; or, Prospect Pete. Keen-Knife. 27 Keen Knife on Guard; or, Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. ' B1 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. Other Novels by O11 Coomes, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 5S The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. %4 Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Bo han er; or, The Heiress, 4184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 448 Sear-F ace Saul, the Silent Hunter 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. , 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger, 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy; or, Old Culeb Arbuckle. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. B84 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 hercules; vr, Dick, the Boy Ranger. _ , 417 Webtoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 457 Wingedfoot Fred 3 or, Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarne ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. A482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. $62 Blundering Baasll, the Hermit Boy Trapper. 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, 670 Norway Nels, the Big Boy Mountaineer. TTS Highland Harry, the Wizard Rifleman, BY T. ©. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jack; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Tra!s. 82 Kit Warefoot, the Wood-Hawk; or, Old Powder-face, 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen. 928 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. W899 Judge Lynch Jr.: or, The Boy Vigiante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy; or, The Mad Hunter. 198 Arkansaw ¢ or. The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Topknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Ret Jezebel, 241 Bill Bravo; or, Tie Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apolic, tne King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Buckskin Detectlye; or, The King of Road-agenta, 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamiie Dan; or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eclipse, Tromp Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pardes; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Ble Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitilesas Matt; or, Ked Thunderholt’s Secret, B56 Oool sam and Pardy or The Terrible Six. 66 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 86 Captain Cutlass; or, |! he Beccaneer’s Girl Foe. Bve Rough Rob}; or, The !win Champions of Blue Blazes, All The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter; or, The Gold Gang of New York. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox; or, The Mystery of Room 21. 445 The City Vampiress or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon, f att One Against Fifty; or, 'Uhe Last Man of Keno Bar, 70 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox's Hunt. A477 The Exceisior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport, 502 Branded Ben, the Night ferret. $12 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. $21 Dodger Pick’s Best Dodge; or, The Gotham Gold Gang. oe +884 Oncke Carl, the Chico Glart 528 Fox and Faicon, the Bowery Shadows, B88 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret, 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick. the Boy Vidocq; or, The Gang of Three, 678 The Two Shadows; or, Dodger Dick’s Stop Game. 582 Dodger Dick’« Drop; or, The Man from Jersey. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, 626 The Champion Pards; or, The Lucifer of Silver Bar, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. | Jersey Jed, the Boy Hastler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. 685 Happy Hugh, the Boy Musician Detective. 701 Photograph Fred, the Camera Sharp. 15 Wide ane Len, the Quaker City Ferret, 82 Dalsy Dell. the Pavement Detective; or, Trapping Big Game, 742 Billy Winka, the Bell Boy Detective. T54 Lhe 4 Winks, the Boss Boy Shadow. 768 Eagle Ned, the Boy on Guard; or, The Camp Spiders, 780 Tonkaway Tom, the Red Wizard. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 Old Rocky s ** Boyees; or, Benito, the Horse-Breaker 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’! of the Range. 75 Arizona Jack 3 or, Giant George’s Pard. 9% The Tarantula of Taos 3 or, Giant George’s Revenge, 07 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 8 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo i or, The Tarantula of Taos, 7 Creeping Vat, the OCaddo; or, The Red and White Pards, Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust, The Fi witnee Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway, Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. ' The Ranch Ralders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory, 4 Snap-Shot, the Boy itanger, Chiota, the Creek 3 or, The Three Thunderbolts. Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front, 9: pomecane the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 40 ittle Larlat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage, The Three Trallere} of; Old Rocky on the Rem e ee Ts} OF, on the Bluff Bill; or The Lvnx of the Leo Lap Little Lone 8 Sow ss) ike ko Coco ce meete BNA na. tart or, The Belle of the Cibolo, / eee - Ss BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 7Y Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 268 Joe Buck of Angela and His Buy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling. 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Half-Breed Detective 518 Cool Colorado in New York; or, The Cowboy’s Fight. BL GEORGE OC, JENKS, 455 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 402 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 5618 The Demon Doctor; or, Deadhold, the Kid Detective, 5S1 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective, HS Flute, the Singer Detective; or, Owney in a New Role, 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Folls or, Dan’s Double Play, 616 The Ocean Detective: or. The Last Cruise ofthe Black Bear, 681 The Pitcher Detective’s Toughest Tussle. 7836 Larry the Thoroughbred; or, Beaten on Every Side. 779 Lron Hand, the Charmed Detective BY CHARLES MORRIS, 18 WILI Somers, the Boy Detective. 22 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. » 8 pied 6 Pleayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 0 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags. 42 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 47 Will Wildiire, the Thoroughbred, 52 Black Bess, Wil! Wildfire’s Racer. 57 Mike Merry the Harbor Police Boy. 62 Will Wildfire In the Wooda, 65 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. 70 A Trump Cardy or, Will Wildfire Wine and Loses 74 Bob Rockett}; or, Mysteries of New York. 79 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, S8 The Hidden Tiana or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 87 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 89 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner}; or, The Biuck Sheep of the Flock. 225 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two ** Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago, 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice, 289 Jolly Jim’s Jobs or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Heund; or, The ae Thoroughored. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in Quaker City, 824 Ralph Ready, the Hote!) Boy Detective. 841 ‘Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detectives or, Fred Flyers Blizsard. 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firetly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Rejlorter Detective. 482 Invinelble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagavond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket; or, How He Fought for Honor, 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kids or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkanansay or, The Wolf in the Fold, 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives. 709 The Curbstone Detective; or, Harry Hale’s Big Boat. 757 Detective Frank’s Sweep-stakea, BY J. W. VSBON, 469 The Rival Glants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. Bb8S7 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner; or, The Man Withouta Past. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. 620 Little acgecning’s League; or, The Mystery of the Island 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector, 751 Gold-Dust Dan, tho Trail Patrol. 755 Gold Dust Dan’s Oath; or, Reckless Roy, the Regulator. BY JO PLEROE, B97 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street, 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Pointa Phil, the Pavement Prince. 509 Jack Jaggera, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 538 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, 541 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective. 5651 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow; or, The Old Well Mystery. 559 Marlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 7 Pavement Pete the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. ROR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer, $9 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping a Slippery Set, 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Lite-Saver. 688 Saltpeter Sol, the New York Navigator 694 Spicy Jim, the Only One of Hie Kind. 706 Tom Thistle, the Road-House Detective. Z1T Mosquito Jack, the Hustler Gamin. 726 Dennis Duff the Brown Sport’s Kid. 744 Dick of the Docks, the Night-W atch. ees puprer panne Street dont e — oxy Fred’s Odd Pardy or, The Keener’s Huge Hustle, 781 Cast-Off Cale, the Sen pegoat Detective. , RY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer, re o 175 Captain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat, 219 Deapard, the Dueliat; cr, The Mountain Vompires. 888 A cong Boy ; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen, 878 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. 888 Little Ghemys or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo- ly or, A Race fora Ranch, 408 Little Leather-Breeches } or, Old Jumbo’s Carne. 481 Little Ah Sin; or, The Curse of Blood, Colorado Kate. A Tale of the liner. Ferd Three Jolly Parda; or, The Pets of Paddy’s Flat. eit Jim Gladden’s Deputy; or, The Jolly Pard’s Campaign. The Jolly Pards to the Rescue; or, The Jack of Heurts. S47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 556 Larlat Lil; ‘or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 598 Keen Olem, the Ranch Imp, are zi auay the No-Name Sport. y, Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. G85 Oklahoma HL the Blos-Cont Scout. x ang ppy Harry’s indy or, The Beautiful Jezebel. 664 Cheeky Charley the petit y BEADLE’S«H ALF- JDIME*[IBRARY. mplete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY JOSEPH KE. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Wurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam}; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-lLinwk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance In Jeopardy. 168 Dendly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trallers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path. 208 The Boy Parda; or, Dainty Lance Unmaska, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca, W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider}; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trall, 419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective 625 Chincaptn Dan, the Boy Trailer, 677 Chineapin Dan's Second Trall, 688 Chincapin Dan’s Home Stretch, 698 Old Crazy, the Man Without a Head. TOS Light-Heart Lute’s Legacy. 718 Light-Heart Lute’« Last Trall, 728 Silverblade, the Shoshone. 729 Silverblade, the Half-Blood; or, The Border Beagle at Bay, 789 Silverblade, the Hostile; or, The Border Beag'e’s Trall. 7A8 Silverblade the Friendly; or, The Border Beagle’s Boy Par& BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy; or, The Mississipp! Pirates. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champlon of the Muskingum, 223 Ozark Alf’; or, Featherweight Among the Outlawa, 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quarteville. 811 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camps 822 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta, 840 Clip the Contortioniat: or, The Montana Vigilantes, BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Roy; or, The Witch of the Fort. 820 The Sea Sorceress} or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIFUT, i. D. PERRY, U. 8 N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Tratler; or, A Vow Well Kept, 192 Oaptain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point, RY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, 7&8 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island, 187 The Helpless Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-secker Guide? or, The Lost Mountain. BY OAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR WU. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker, 194 Buffalo Lill’s Bets or, The Gambler Guide, BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, 4 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso, 270 Blizzard Beng or, The Riot at Keno Camp. © 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot, BY MAJOR E. L, ST. VRAIN, 292 Sanche Pedro, the boy Bandit. B01 Lendville Nick, the Boy Sport. B12 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince, 8388 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombatone Tom, the Arizona Boy of Sand,” ee rae Bare ik ue shen aa <ingbo ria, the Youn ard-Shell Detective. 80 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide, 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, : BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, 6 Bill Bilddon, Arena I § Seth Jones; or, The Captives of tne Frontler, 310 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive. 21 rne Frontier Angel, 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The Hunted Hunters or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The huge Ihunter 3 or, The Steam Prairle Man, MISOELLANEOUS AUTHORA, 4 The Wild-Horse Munters. B 9 Tee eter te Y Conk Hava Reena ventures of Baron Munch 12 Gulliver’s Travels, By Dean Swit. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Orusoe, (27 [llustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Ballor, His Seven Voyages. 22 phe Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan wis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound, or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees, By S, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clowns or, The Arena Queen, By F 8, Finn, B84 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout, By Texas Jac 51 The Boy Rives; or, The Underground Camp. By A. C. Irons, 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Misslasippt. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin Ilood, the Outlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Greene wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, !heCave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texans or, The Young Champion, By George epson. 128 The Young Privateers or, The Pirate’s Stronghold, By Harry Caven 148 Bharp 8am; or, Alexander Patten. The Adventures ot a Friendless Boy. By J, 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yol- merson. ht the New Y srk Boy. Davy Crockett’s lowstone, By Edward 261 Fergus Fearnau By G, L, Aiken. 266 Kilib’ar, the Guide; »%r, rooked Trail, By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ot the Cliff, By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Lieu- tenant Alfred Thorne. : 828 the Sky, Detectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honos, By Maior Mickey ° the River Rover; or, The Brother’s Re- yeh Relene4 Buntline. 9 OF venge. Ren the Bootblack Detective, By A, P. Morris Bra GatdDaee Tome or, Ben’s Double Match, By@ H, M 876 California Joe’s First Trail, By Colonel Siemens Hoyer Monstery. , j 18 Billy Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F.S, Winthrop, 75 The Black Ship, By John arner. 484 Comanqhe Pick and His Three Invinclbles, By enry J. Thomas. , B82 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. 552 Ariel the Athlete, By David Druid. ; 685 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By 11. Enton. : 682 The Dead Wetective’s Double, By Gerald Carlton, %21 Maverick Mose, the Arizona Detective; or, The Wizard of Urko» Pass. By Will Lisenbee. 809 Don Danton, the Gent from Denver. By King Keene, of the U, S. Seeret Serviee Corps. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all ry ents per eopy, id aont by mail oo receipt ot alx Cents neredealen, ig ZADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York y bey 4 . ‘ : te f ‘ ‘ v. eet hae t 8 Phe) o r INS , vs vi my } b& 4 ¢ yy “ = re % ‘i i ‘i # 4
Page 16
rs 5 BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels, 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road, {20 Deadwood Dick’s Defiance; or, Double Daggers. 28 Deadwood Dick in Disguise; or, Buffal, Ben 85 Deadwood Dick in His Castle. A2 Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza; or, The Phantom Miner. 49 Deadwood Dick in Danger; or, Omana Oll. 57 Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity é ne, the Heroine 77 Deadwood Dick’s Last Act: or, Corduroy Charlie, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Pick’s Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’« Double; or, The Gorgon’s Gulch Ghost. 188 Deadwood Dick’s Home Base; or, Blonde Bill. 149 Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike; or, A Game of Gold. 166 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood: or, The Picked Party, 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 Deadwoed Dick’sa Ward; or, The Black Hill’s Jezebel, 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Adventure. 217 Deadwood Dick’s Dead Deal. 221 Deadwood Dick’s Death-Plant. 282 Gold-Duat Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divides or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail 809 Deadwood Dick’s Deals or, The Gold Brick of Oregon, B21 Dendwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats 84%. Deadwood Dick’a Ducats; or, Days in the Diggings. 851 Deadw ‘od Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 Deadwood Dick’« Claim. 405 Dendwood Dick in Bead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’« Dinmonda, 421 Deadwood Dick in New Yorks or, A “ Cute Case.” 480 Deadwood Dick’a Duat; or, The Chained Hand. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.3 or, The Crimson Crescent Sign, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deflance, 458 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s Full Hand, Ab9 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Bie Round-Up, 465 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Racket at Claim 10. 471 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Corral; or, Bozeman Bill. 476 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Dog Detective, 451 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Deadwood. 491 Deadwood Dick, Jr.%«s, Compact. 496 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’a, Inheritance, £00 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Diggwings. 508 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deliverance. 615 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Protegec. 622 Deadwood Dick. Jr.’a, Three. 529 Deadwood Dick, Jdr.’s, Danger Ducka, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Death Hunt, 5839 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Texas. 514 Dendwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidocg 649 Deadwood Dick, Jr., on Ifis Mettle. 654 Dendwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Boston, 67 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadelphia, 5672 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn_ Chicago, 578 Deadwood Diek. Jr., Afloat. HS4 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Denver. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Decree, 5695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Beelzebub’s Baain. 600 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Coney Island, 606 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Leadville Lay. 612 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Detrolt. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Cincinuatl, 624 Deadwood Dicky Jr., in Nevada, 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in No Man’s Land. 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr., After the Queer, 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr., tn Buffalo. 648 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Chase Across the Continent 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers. 660 Dendwood Dick, Jr.’ Tosuronce Case, 666 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Back in the Mines, 672 Deadwood Dick, J 678 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Discovery; or, Found s Fortune, 684 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s. Dazzle. 690 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s. Dollars, 695 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Danger Divide. 700 Deadwood Dick, dr.’s, Drop. 704 Deadwood Dick, Jr., at Jack-Pot. 710 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in San Franclaco. 716 Deadwood Bick, Jr.’s, Still Hunt, 722 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Dominoes, 728 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Diasgulac, 784 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Double Deal. 740 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Deathwatch, TAT Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Doublet. 752 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’«, Deathblow. 758 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Deaperate Stralt, 764 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Lone Hand, 770 Dendwood Dick, Jr.'s, Deteat, 776 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’4, Resurrection, 782 Deadwood Dick, Jr.'s, Dark Daya. TST Deadwood Dick, Jr., Defied. 792 Vendwood Dick, Jr.’«, Double Device, 797 Deadwood Dick, Jr’.«, Deaperate Venture. 802 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s, Diamond Dice. 807 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’*, Royal Flush. BY WM, G. PATTEN, 629 Violet Vane; the Velvet Sport: or, The Jubliee of Jacktown. 668 Violet Vane’s Victory; or, The Jasper City Cleaa Out. 698 Violet and Datay, the Posy Parda. 705 Violet Vane’s Vow; or, The Cratty Detective’a Craft. R24 Violet Vane’« Vengeance; or, The Wipe-Out. 780 Violet Vane’« Verdiet; or, The Game at Coffin City. ZAL Violet Vane, the Ventriloquist Vidocg, or, Sport vs. Sport. 7250 Violet Vane, the Vanquished; or, The Lite Strueg'e. 768 Violet Vane’s Vision; or, The Fiery Hand of Fate. 489 The Dinmond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock, . S19 Captain Mystery ; or, Five in One. Daley Ware the Sport from Denver. BST Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire; or, Among the Vultures, 619 The Boy Tramp Detective: or, The Double Grip Witness 641 Diamal Dave’sa Dandy Pard; or, The Clue to Capt. Claw 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective 682 Wild Vulean, the Lone-Range Rider, 714 Old Misery the Man from Missourtl. 774 Clear-Grit Cal, the Never Say-Die Detective. 7589 Sam Sheridan, the Secret Service Special, 806 Cowboy Steve, the Ranch Mascot, BY COL, A, F. NOLT. 678 Headlight Warry’s Wazardj or, The Lightning Express etective. 691 Weadlirht HWarry’s Haul or, The Railroad Pards, 727 Weadlight Harry’s Siren; or, Mad Madge. 759 Headlight Harry’s Heritage. z Headlight Harry’s Hunt; or, The Cache of Gold. 8 Black Buckskin: or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon. 4 Kenneth, the Knife-King; or, The Doomed Six. Tittie Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woore. B28 The Dandy Sport; or, The King Pin Conspirator, BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F, Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 65 Dendly-Eye. the Onitowe Sccut; or, The Banded Brotherhood oe Voce 68 Border Robtu Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. 458 Fancy Frank of Colorado, or, The Trapper’s Trust. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Con BEADLE'’S+# HALF-[)IME*[_ IBRARY. BY EDWARD L. WHEELFR. Rosebud Rob, the Sport. 80 Rosebud Rob; or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Rosebud Rob on Hand; or, Idyl, the Girl Miner 88 Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance; or, Photograph Phil. 121 Rosebud Rob’s Challenge; or, Cinnamon Chip. ee?) hell. ti Denver Doll, enver Doll, the Detective Queen, or, The Yankee’s Surround 281 Denver Doll's Victory; or, Skull and Crossbones, 285 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little BilP’s Bonanza, 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. J Yreka Jim, 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-@uatherer or, The Life Lottery, BTR Yreka Jim’s Prize; or, The Wolves of Wake-Up, BS5S Yreka Jima nc fara or, The Rivals of Red Nose, BS9 Yreka Jim’s New Kole; or, Bicycle Ben, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, Detective Fritz. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective; or, Dot Leetle Game, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter. Sierra Sam. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret; or, A Sister’s Devotion, 248 Slerra Sams Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sterra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel ot Big Vista, 268 Sicrra Sain’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride, _. Kangaroo Kit. 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner. 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket; or, The Pride of Played-Out, Detective Storles. 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 69 The Boy Detective; or, Gold Rifle, the Sharpehooter, 96 Watch-Eye, the Detective; or, Aribs and Angels, 17 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective 45 Cuptauin Ferret, the New York Detective. 61 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Det ctive, 26 The Arab Detective 3 or, Snoozer, the Boy Sharp. 91 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co,, the Detectives of Philadelphia, 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Detective. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective, 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. Other Novela by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon; or, The Border Vultures, 82 Bob Woolf’; or, The Girl Dead-Shot. 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix, 61 Buckhorn Bills or, The Red Rifle Team. . 92 Canada Chet; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 118 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner; or, Madam Mystery, the Forger. 188 Boas Bob the King of Bootblacks. 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, or, The Branded Brows, 177 181 25 eee Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamp. 81 Wild Frank the Buckskin Bravo; or. Lady Lily’s Love, 6 Apollo Bill, the Trail Tornado; or, Rowdy Kate. ( wwe - 299 A No. I, the et Toll-Taker. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 880 Little oak ba ey or, The Dead Face of Daggeraville. 858 Firat-Clnasa Fred, the Gent from Gopher, 878 Nabob Neds; or, The Secret of Sinb City. 882 Cool Kit, the Kirg of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 488 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher; or, A Son's Vengeance. 486 Sealakin Sam, the Sparkler; 07, The Tribunal of Ten, BY J. ©. COWDRIOCK,. Broadway Billy Novela. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 34 ete alt ye ype SA Clem ing a Stranze Case. rondway y’s ty.” 44 Broadway mi Peath Racket. 679 Broadway Billy’s Surprise Party. 605 Broadway Billy; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Innine. 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act: or, The League of Seven. 669 Broadway Billy Abroad; or, The Bootblack in Frisco. ore grsaeway 5 aa or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. be roadway y in Clover. 696 Broadway Billy in Texas; or, The River Rustlers. 708 Broadway Billy’s Brand. Billy at Santa Fe; or, The Clever Deal. +4 Broadway wri ‘a Hall Mand; or, The Gamin Detective. y’s Rusinesa, 788 Broadway Billy’s Curfous Case, 758 Broadway Billy in Denver, 762 Broadway Billy’s Bargain; or, The Three Detectives, aes prema way Billy, me Reaeaarer Deverayes é rondway y's adow Chase. 788 Broadway Billy’s Beagles; or, The Trio’s Quest, 786 Broadway Billy’a Team; or, The Combine’s Big Pull, +4 proagway sie Brigades or, The Dead Alive. f roadway y’s er 800 Broadway Billy Baffled. 805 Broadway Billy’s SN aby Scoop. 810 Broadway Billy’s Wipe Out. Other Novels by J. C. Cowdrick. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery; or, The Golden Keys, B6Y Shasta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Years Deaa, 420 The Detective’s Apprentions or, A Boy Without a Name. 424 Cibuia Jonny or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 506 Redlight Ralph. the Prince of the Road. 5624 The Engineer Detective; or, Redlight Ralph’s Resolve, 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 571 Atr-Line Luke the Young Engineer; or, The Double Case. 592 The Boy Pinkerton; or, Running the Rascals Out. 615 Fighting Harry the Chief of Chained Cyclone. 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Cirele, 647 Typewrlter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the * Pizenest’’ Man of Ante Bas. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS. 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver City. 822 Tom-Cat’s Triad; or, The Affuir at Tombstone. 681 Tom Cat's Terrible Task; or, The Cowhoy Detective, 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Dan’s Great Combine. 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock; or, Joah’s Ten Strike, 568 The Dandy of Dodge; or, Rustling tor Millions, 576 The Silver Sports or, Josh Peppe mint’s Jubilee. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Vidocq; or, Hot Times at Round-Up 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. 665 Jolly Jeremiahs the Plains Detective. 676 Stenal Sam, the Lookout Scout. 689 Billy, the Gypsy Spy: or, The Mystery of Two Lives, 699 Rimple Sim, the Broncho Buster; or, For Big Stakes. 712 The Mesmeriat Sport; or, The Mystified Detective. 788 Toltec Tom, the Mad Prospector, 745 \Kansaa Jim, the Cross-Cut Detective., 761 Marmaduke, the Muatanger Detective. %8 The Ruatler of Rolling Stone, 85 Lone Hand Joe, the Committee of One, 801 Kent Kirby, the High-Kicker from Killbuck. Bequest, No Double Numbers. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAMAM, Detective Dick Doom, Z72 Dick Dooth’s Denth-Grip; or, The Detective by Destiny. W7TT Dick Do ‘s Destiny; or, The River Blackleg’s Terror, TsR4 3 or, The Sharps and Sharks of New York, TSS8 1 in Boxtony or, A Man of Many Musks, 798 Dick Doom in Chicago, 798 Dick Doom in the Wild Weat. 808 Dick Doom’s Clean Sweep}; or, Five Links in a Clue. 808 Dick Doom’s Death Clue. Dashing Charlie. 49 Dashtng Charlie; or, The Kentucky Tenderfoot’s First Trail, >6 Dashing Charlie’s Destiny; or, The Renegade’s Captive. ‘0 Dashing Charlle’s Pawnee Pard, 6 Dashing Charlie, the Rescuer. Buek Taylor, (Buffalo BUls Cowboy Chief.) tT Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys 7 Buck Taylor, the Comanche’s Captive. 8 Buck Taylor’s Boys; or, The Red Rivera of the Rio Grandes. 0 SIR Releted 5 ¢ 6 9 8% a Pawnee Bill. 60 Pawnee Bil, the Prairie Snadower. 18 Pawnee Bill; or, Carl, the Mad Cowboy. 19 Pawnee Bill’s Pledge; or, The Cowloy's Doom. 25 Pawnee Bill; or, Daring Dick, Detective Redfern, 92 Redfern’s Curious Case; o, The Rival Sharps. 97 Redfern at Devil’s Ranch; or, The Sharp from Texas. O2 Redfern’s High Handy or, Blue Jucket. O07 Redfern’s Last’ Trail; or, The Red Sombrero Ranges. Red Ralph. 668 Red Ralph's Ruse; or, The Buccaneer Midshipman, 674 Red Ralph’s Bold Game; or, The Wizard Sailr. 679 Red Ralph, the Shadgwer, or, The Freedooter’s Legacy. Butterfly Billy, (Buffalo Bill’s Pard.) 644 Butterfly Billy’s Disguise. 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony xpress Rider, 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt, 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza, Kent, the Card King. 565 Kent Kingdong or, The Ow!s of the Overland, 570 Kent Kingdon’s Shadower} or. the Card Queen, 575 Kent Kingdon’s Duels or, Tne Surgeon Scout, 6S6 Kent Kingdon’s Doom; or, The Buckskin Avenger, Z Lafitte, the Pirate. 545 Lafitte Run Down; or, The Buccaneers of Barrataria,. 560 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 Latitte’s Confession; or, The Creole Corsair. The Buckskin Brothers. 5620 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow. 625 The Buckskin Brothers In Texas, 5680 The Buckski: Bowers} or. The Cowboy Pirates, 5685 The Buckskin Rovers; or, The Prairie Fugitive. 5640 The Buckskin Pards’ Quest; or, Captain Ku-Klux, The Royal Middy,. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The Royal Middy’s Lucks or, The Huntea Midshipman, 611 The Royal Middy’s Foe. Wizard Wilh. 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret ot New York, 454 Wizard WIIl’s Street Scouts, 474 Wizard Wills Pard; or, Flora, the Flower Girl. 488 Wizard Will's Last Case; or, The Ferrets Afloat. Duncan Dare. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 Duncan Dare’s Plots or, A Cabin Boy’s Luck. 487 Dnnean Dare’s Prize; or, The Sea Raider 441 Dunean Dare’s Secret; or, The Ocean Firefly. The Young Conspirater. 402 Isodor, the Young Cons«pirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 Inodor’« Double Chase; or, The Boy Insurgent. 412 Isodor’s War-Cloud Cruise; or, The Wild Yachtsman. Buffalo Bill. 216 Bison Bll. the Prince ot the Reins. 222 Bison Bill's Claeys or, Grit, the Bravo Sport, Dead Shot Dandy. . 804 Dead Shot Dandy’s Dilemma, BO8 Dead Shot Dandy'’« Double; or, Keno Kit. 814 Dead Shot Dandy’s Defiance; or, The Boy Bugler. 607 Dead Shot Dandy’s Chicfy or, The River Detective. Merle Monte. 5 Merle Monte’s Leap for Lite. 250 Merle Monte’s Mutiny ¢ or, Brandt, the Buccaneer. 264 Merle Monte’s Treasure Island. 26% Merle Monte the Condemned, 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, "The Gold Ship” Chase, 280 Merle Monte’« Fate: or, The Pirate's Pride. 284 Merle Monte’s Pledge} or, The Sea Marander. The Kid Glove Sport. 197 The Kid Glove Sport}; or, Little Grit, the Wild Rider, 204 The Kid Glove Sport’s Doom; or, Buffalo Bill, the Pony Express Rider, Other Novels by Colonel Ingraham, 781 Ruth Redmond, the Girl Shadower, 686 Orlando, the Ocean Free Flag. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, BVT The Texan Detective; or, The Black Bravos. B91 Delmontes tie Young Sea Rover; or, Tue Avenging Sallors./ 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective. A495 Arizona Joe; or, The Boy Pard of Texas Jack. AS? Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger 468 Neptune Ned, tlhe Boy Coaster; or, Pirate in Spite. A62 The Sailor Boy Wanderer: or, The Born Guide. 446 Waphazard Marry} or, The Sea Scapegrace 898 The Red Clasped Hands; or, The Boy Lieutenant, BR? Warpath WiLL, the Traitor Guide. 888 The Indian Pilot or, The Search for Pirate Island. 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rovers or, The Flagless Schooner. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, of the Rio Grande. 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 229 Crimson Kate, the Girl Trailer; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph. 116 The Hussar Captain: or, The Hermit of Hell Gate, 111 The Sen-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 102 Dick Déad-Eye, the Smuggier; or, The Cruise of the Vixen. 25 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Woll. 62 The Shadow Ship}; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 24 Dinwond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 17 Ralph Roysy the Boy Buccanver; or, The Fugitive Yacht. 7 The Flying Yankee} or, The Ocean Outcast. ‘ LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 811 Duke Derby, the Trump Card; or, Headlight Harry’s Flyer. By Cul. A. F. Holt. 812 Deadwood Dick, Jr.’s, Hend-off; or, The Round-up at Roundabout. By Edward L. Wheeler. 818 Dick Doom’s Diamond Deal. By Col. P. Ingraham. Ready February 21, The Half- Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents cach, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yorks . _