Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 500) (1887 02 22)
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Sik i EDITION, bs Nt it rT \ — 4 (es inal ANS February 22, 183%. : ais aie 4 it Dili ms tas 22S Ts — ‘i -——_ = a 3 dé | ___ Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyright, 1887, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS Price, Vol. XX, a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 7 5 Cents. No. 500. eetseren- me RE i §=—. iil Mie | | 0 |) ilanepess rote kd oe ee sF5 tH , Pst ae) Hy ih l HW X DOCTOR DEATH-GRI'S SWOOP BUD ROB” NOVELS, ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK, JR.,” NOVELS, ETC, CHAPTER I. DEADWOOD DICK’S DIGGINGS. * Loox, fellers; a habitation!” Such was the exclamation of a powerful, raw- boned individual, who, field-glass in hand, stood at the summit of a hillock, which overlooked a mountain valley, or more properly a depression the ru landscape known to the Western man as a “ pocket”—surrounded on all sides by |= — towering walls of pine-dotted acclivities. ———— ty At the brow of this hillock, a wacon-train had “DOOMED!” IT APPEARED THERE AS PLAINLY AS WHEN FIRST IT WAS STAMPED come to a halt, and, surrounded by several other ON HIS WHITE FLESH BY THAT TERRIBLE DEATH-GRIP.
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~~ 2 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings, men, it was the guide who had made the obser- vation above mentioned. The train in question was a ‘‘ stampede” —or, in other words, a body of starved-out miners, male and female, who had “lifted” their last camp, and struck out for fairer fields and pas- tures more enticing. There were a score of vehicles, of various patterns, drawn by ill-fed equines; there were a dozen women, and thrice that many men; and then, again, there was a distressed conglomera- tion of household furniture, portable mining implements, and provisions—the latter decidedly in the smallest features quantity. In fact,the hard-lined features of the males,and the thin, pinched faces of the females, betokened that prosperity must have been for ‘a consider- able time a stranger to them—the strong-limbed men, 2 particular, having a fierce, desperate ct, nly one in the lot had a cheerful, smiling and sanguine expression; she the youngest, and by far the prettiest—a maiden of some eighteen ears, with a form of rare perfectness and a ace of exceeding beauty and purity. The conductor of the train was one of the oldest of Arizona guides—a man who, for two decades, had spent his life in the same calling— Dan Morgan, more populariy known as Dixie Dan, from his Southern parentage, . It was he who, wandering into the starvation camp of Tribale, had volunteered to head a stampede to a place where he thought the ‘ out- croppings” showed unmistakable signs of a fat *‘jead,” and it was upon arriving at the bruw of the hill, as before mentioned, that he made the exclamation: » “Look! fellers; ther.’s a habitation!” . For several days the caravan had been trying work out of a mountainous region of almost endless solitude. It was a tramp of disheartened men and of more dispirited women. Indeed the only aipere spirit in the crowd was Myra Warring, the afflanced of Cal Clinton—he young, intelligent and handsome, and yet voted the “‘sourest ” man in the company. Those who had known him for any length of time, and they were not many, believed that his past was overhung by a cloud that made such a thing as pleasantry a grim mockery, Still, in his way, he was all devotion to Myra, and his life seemed beige ee up in her, Myra, the daughter o: baw Old Mark War- ring, was a streak of sunshine to the stampeders and when, from Pangs of actual distress, they rew vengeful and fierce among themselves, she it was who, by persuasion, gave them hope and encouragement, and urged them on through that dreamless solitude. Watchful and alert as a haunting spirit, Cal Clinton was ever near her, as if fearing she would escape his vigilance, or that some bne would endeavor to snatch away the prize he valued more than life. Myra _ stood beside Dixie Dan when he an- nounced the discovery of the habitation, as he termed it, and took his glass to conteniplate the place and its surroundings, Pretty was the pocket, resplendent with flora, and golden-kued in sunshine, with one soli log cabin near its center, past which fiercely rushed a turbulent mountain stream, which, leaving the pocket, disappeared through an om- inous-looking chasm, “Yes, it isa cabin, but I see no signs of life about it,” Myrasaid, scanning the solitary home, ‘I presume it is as fruitless a hope as our last claim. Some one has come and gone again.” ’ Dixie Dan shook his head. “T reckon not,” he said, “I war through hyar a year ago; when ther weren’t any cabin thar, an’ the croppin’s were great, but I had hold of a better lead then, and couldn’t afford to stop. Like 'nuff some — have dropped in, sized the slope, an’ sayin’ nothin’ to nobody, started inter biz fer his own self. In that case—” tlre tell him to go, If he refuses, we'll send bim! The man who uttered this was Myra’s father —a gaunt, hard-visaged person, whose every ex- pression seemed to indicate that the world had indeed ‘‘ soured on him.” Virtually, he was commander of the caravan, and few but feared to cross him. Even Dixie Dan, stalwart and a very a in a fight, seem- ed in no wise inclined to pick a fight with bluff old Mark Warring. ‘* Supposing, father. that some poor fellow has _ staked out this claim.” remarked Myra; “ surely you would not drive him from it?” ‘* Necessity of a people will drive them to do anything,” was the grim reply. “We are a people, and T’ll be—” “Sha father! Didn’t you promise me?” “True, child; but even promises must be bro- ken in face of starvation. we'll see what we've got before us, silver, we'll tarry!” So the caravan moved on. Silent, sober-faced, and to one of pleasant temperament, strangely grim Calvin Clinton rode beside Myra Warring. Light-hearted, vivacious and high-s irited, Myra drank in the glorious vision as they de- scened the slope. “Isn’t 1t glorious,—the view, Mr. Clinton?” she asked. Everybody in the stampede called him ‘ Mr. Clinton,” because there seemed to be an air of mystery clinging to him, and because it was a private belief that he carried a considerable sum of money about his person. Without cause, perhaps, every one seemed to think that he had wealth even beyond this, In answer to Myra’s interrogative, Clinton replied: ** Well, perhaps it will satisfy the others, but as for me, I wish they had struck the other trail, and never come near this place; I have a feel- ing, @ premonition, perhaps, that the glorious vista before us, has no luck for you or me,” ‘* Why not, Calvin?” “I cannot explain, more than to say that I believe when we reach that bottom-land, and before we leave it, figuratively speaking one of us will be dead.” ] hg tn glanced at him, in surprise, “Why, how strangely you talk, Calvin!” she said, ‘I don’t understand you.” ‘* You never did, since first we met,” he re- plied, a trifle bitterly. “‘ What you have known of me, was as a man of grim, morose and un- communicative nature—tender and loving and true to you, but reticent, unobtrusive to others, and at the same time—well, in fact, you know nothing of miy past, never did, never will. Still, swearing I am guiltless of crime, I declare if we enter this valley together, we will never leave it together—unless for another world.” * Does that imply a threat?’ and Myra’s eyes flashed with evident anger. ‘Only a coward threatens a lady, without provocation or reason.” : Her reply seemed to stir up thought in Cal Clinton’s mind, for he made no reply, but rode on in dogged silence, Slowly the caravan descended into the pocket, picking its way by a route most tortuous. When the foot of the decline was reached and a considerable expanse of flower-bedecked ‘‘bottom,” surrounded the travelers, Cal Clin- ton turned abruptly to Myra, the two being slightly advance at the time. ‘I trust, dear Myra,” he said, ‘that you will forgive what you construed as an implied threat. You know I love you, and rather than see you pledge to another the affection and hand you have pledged to me, I don’t know what 1 might not be tempted to do—commit suicide, perhaps. But, we won't think of such things. I know eg will be true to me, Myra.” be Calvin, I will!” : Two hands warmly clasped, as they rode side by side; two hearts beat as one. The caravan moved on. Ruthlessly horses’ feet and heavy wagon- wheels crushed down the mountain flowers, and at last the lone cabin was reached—a plain but substantial structure, not uninviting to the trail- a traveler, yet no sign of life existed about The door was closed; the latch-string in. Two windows near the eaves admitted light to ‘the intericr of which no view, however, could readily be gained from the outside. _ a narrow, fierce, the mountain stream rushed past, within a few yards of the cabin door, splashing and surging against the banks, as if angry at its confinement. _Unpretentious though the cabin was, an up- right post near its door supported a sign-board, bearing the following: DEADWOOD DICK’S DIGGINGS, NO TRESPASSERS ALLOWED HERE. PRIVATE PROPERTY! Which the stampeders read with expressions of interest, while Mark Warring gave a grunt of beri Boge: roval, Se see about that!” he growled. CHAPTER II. A CASE OF SMALL-POX, MaRK WARRING was a man, who, in ie of prosperity, would have cut bis right hand off, rather than stoop toa deed of meanness; but, If gold, or But, move on, guide; | ae | | drifting West, adversity had haunted his foet- steps so persistently that driven ofttimes to desperation, his fine sense of honor had been so dulled that he at times seemed a very ruftlian. With naturaliy a good heart he loved his charm- ing daughter devotedly, and often yielded a tri- fling point to her entreaties; but, once his mind was made up, his purpose was as firm as ada- mant, and no argument could change it, “We'll dismount, boys,” he said, *‘and see what the place looks like, and if there’s a ghost of a show of striking a lead, hereabouts, we’re the ones that need it most. Here we are, nigh on to starvation, and it don’t stand to reason we orter starve, jest for sake of one or a half-dozen- chaps, whoever they may be. Hyer’s the hull of us as hey clung together, fought together and whacked up equal, for over’n two years; shall we split an’ starve, just fer sake o’ lettin’ some one else makin’ a monopoly ov the good things righ hemisphere?” 0! Like a roar of thunder, alinost, came this reply from that hungry-eyed, gaunt gang of stam- peders. ‘ Never!” With that, Mark Warring slid from his sad- dle, which was a signal for others to do the same, Then, Warring advanced to the door of the cabin, ‘*Be a leetle careful!” Dixie Dan advised. ‘“*'Ye can’t allus sumtimes tell how fur a frog can jump by ther size-up of his shinbones. Goa leetle keertul—fer ther gal’s sake, ef not fer ours! *‘Dunno as you've anything to fear if you've got out of as many scrapes as you claim,” was Warring’s ill-natured retort. “‘ As fer the roa Peer: allow they orter be able to take em keer of themselves, now an’ then!” Warring heeding not the guide’s advice, rapped loudly on the door. All listened, with ears intent, but no sound came from within, Then the knock was repeated, this time with the force of his powerful fist. An answer came from within, spoken by @ voice that was evidently weak. ‘‘What’s wanted, out there?” ‘Open the door!” Warring replied, gruffly, “we want to see you.” “T can’t leave my bed. I’m very sick. Break in the door, if you are friends,” Warring uttered a grunt of bap ah Se and threw his whole weight against the door. It was not a strong affair, and the lock on the interior gave, and the door flew open. Warring then stepped within the cabin. The others of the stampeders, were not so bold, for they remained on the outside, craning their necks forward to peer into lone abode. From the interior, when the door was opened floated out upon the air, the peculiar odor of the sick-room. What Mark Warring saw, on entering the room, was as follows: The habitation consisted of one large room, the furnishing of which was of a meager char- acter, being simply a bed, a lounge, a table, @ few chairs, and some cooking utensils, Upon the bed lay a man, pale and wan, who evidently had been a sufferer for some time—a young man, in years, who, when in good health, must be strong, ane. and good-loo ne Now, however, bolstered up by the pillows, he looked strangely gaunt and wild eyed. while his face and hands were covered with the deep spots that always indicate that terrible malady small-pox. Upon the couch, partly covered with blankets, lay the corpse of a woman. The rigid features, the bloated condition, and numerous other signs seemed to show that she had been dead for several days, : The wide-open eyes, beautiful in life, but ghastly, in death, were directed toward the bed on which lay the man, not yet dead! a Rugged and rough by nature’s rebuffs, cynical and unforgiving, Mark Warring stopped short, and gazed at the spectacle, aghast. Doubtful whether be bad ventured into a charnel house, or otherwise, he hesitated what to oy ‘* Well, what is it?” a was the voice of the man on thy vsd who e at Well, that’s just about what Ff? like to know!” the chief of the stampeders aeclared, “Is this a hospital, 9 charnel-house, or what?” “ A little of both, I reckon,” was the sad reply of the bed-ridden invalid. ‘ Yonder lies my wife, Nola, cold in death—dead these two days. Both of us were taken dow about at the sams
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Deadwood Dick’s Diggings. time. She died; I have lived, thus,far. Would | Myra Fencing, After her death, I | expression upon to God I had died with her, managed to drag her from this bed to where she lies now. Since then I have been too weak to leave my couch, even to get a mouthful of food.” The eyes of the sick man feasted upon the face of the stranger inquiringly, as if eager to know whether he were a friend or an enemy. The face of Mark Warring, however, re~- mained perfectly impassive. 4 ‘* What’s yer name?” he demanded, “ Richard Bristol.” “ And you’re the chap whose handle is painted on the sign outside?” “The same.” ‘* How long you been here?” ** But a short time.” ** S’pose you reckon to claim these parts around heer, eh?” “t do. The land comprising five hundred acres, surrounding me, are mine by right of purchase from the Government.” ** And there’s gold hyer?” “T don’t know. I have never found any, but before I was taken sick, I was in hopes of find- ing some pay-dirt.” ‘Then why’d ye put up ‘Deadwood Dick’s Diggings,’ and warn tr rs to keep off? Oh! ye can’t fool me, me boyee! There's gold hyer, an’ I know it!” The sick man braced up a trifle on the pillows, and an angry light entered his eyes. ‘Well, what if there is?’ he demanded, his tone growin jie of ** A good deal!” Old Mark replied, ‘ Thar’sa party of us, outside, what hev been starved out of camp, up Nor’, an’ ef thar’s any show fer pay- dirt beer, an’ you’re agreeable, we'll squat.’ “I'm not agreeable,” Deadwood Dick, Junior. replied decisively. ‘‘ What gold, or other ore, there may be in this Pocket belongs to me, and I will not tolerate trespass. I think I have d the crisis of my disease, and though I’ve ost my wife, and in other ways swfered the most, terrible tor tures, I think I shall recover to make this place my home. So if you are hu- mane, you will pass on, and leave me to myself and my sorrows,” *“ Humph! not much!” Old Mark grunted. ** Ef yer ain’t willin’, why, that’s all right, any- how. We're goin’ to squat right in this Pocket, an’ see what it’s good fer. An’, ef ye don’t like et, ye kin lump et. Ye don’t luk as ef ye were long fer this life, anyhow, an’ ef you croak, no one’s got a better right here than I an’ my gang. What’s yer sickness, anyhow?” And Old Mark stepped a little nearer the bed, for his eyesight was not of the best, Mi Biiallone !’ came the answer, and in a sepulchral-like tone that was chilling in its hor- rible suggestiveness, | , Mark Warring leaped back, with an oath, “*Small-pox!” he ‘ ; ** Just so!” and the light in the invalid’s eyes became a trifle brighter and more triumphant. “My wife died of the disease, and I have just pen death. ‘I havea strong constitution, and have confidence that I will eventually re- cover!” ‘* Maybe!” Warring assented; then turned ab- ruptly, and left the cabin, closing the door after Dick’s bed betes in the rear of the room, the conversation could not be readily heard by those on the outside, if indeed, they caught any of the words spoken. Old Mark’s face was grim, and troubled, when he confronted his associates, but he said: é “Et’s all right, boyees. Feller sick in there, but don’t reckon he'll last long, and he’s no ob- nacre hae our pitchin’ our camp here in this ocket., So, drive across the way, over the lace yonder, an’ fix ereek—thar’s a fordin’ things comfortable fer_ the t. To-morrow, we'll look for signs. You'd all better fight shy of the cabin, lest ye don’t want to ketch the small- pox. As fer me, U’ve hed et, and ain't afeard. So I'll look out fer the chap, "til he kicks, Then, I’ll plant him_burn the cabin, an’ the disease won’t spread, Light out, now, and don’t get too cluss to me, until I’ve hada chance to disinfect my clothes, Smoky Sam, you kin stay along with me, and lend a hand. You've no fear, cause you’ve had the disease. Smoky Sam, one of the hardest characters in the half-starved crowd, nodded assent, and dis- mounted, giving his horse to one of the stam- peders to take into camp. With considerable alacrity the caravan began to move away toward the ford, for the words hl gall many ef teem with —————L a a Se Se ee Se ee ee a eee lingered behind, a solicitous er pretty face. ** Papa, let me remain and help to nurse the sick man,” she pleaded. ‘* You know I nursed you, when you had the small-pox, and never caught it. Perhaps I could fix him something Meh would give him strength and he would get tter “No! You go on with the train, and, mind you, stay with ’em and don’t show yourself this side the creek, The cabin, hyer, is no place for such as you. Go, I say! We'll tend,to the fel- lar—me an’ Smoky.” So Myra rode away, but there were tears in her eyes as she went, ? Hers was a tender heart, easily touched by a rude remark, When she was gone, Mark Warring glanced at the sky, which was becoming overcast with ominous clouds, and then turned to Smoky Sam, “‘Tt's lucky et’s goin to rain!” he observed. ow hy au ' ‘** Because there’s work for you and me to do to-night, me boyee; and if I mistake not, there’s money in it, too.” , ; CHAPTER III. AN. INHUMAN ACT. The two men stood ouside the isolated cabin, and watched the wagon-train wind away, pass the creek, and at length come to a halt where all could camp without danger of being struck by a breeze coming from im the direction of the small-pox abode. The wagons were corraled in a semicircle, the animals turned loose to graze, and soon, here and there, little white tents dotted the green- sward, and other evidences of camp-life were to seen, ‘* What ye goin’ to do to-night, boss?” Smoky Sam demanded, looking back over his shoulder at the cabin, erly Warring shrugged his shoulders signifi- can ° “Waal, I’m goin’ to dosuthin’ I never did afore, an’ yet an act o’ charity. You know how the stampede is fixed—no money, no luck, no prospects, no chuck, Somethin’s got ter be did, an’ that right soon, too. Ther’ ain’t a day’s ra- tions in the crowd, an’ when et comes to starva- tion, 1t aire natteral for any man to get desprit. A: person’s conscience kin stand it longer with- a than his stomach. Ain’t that so ‘I should smile!” Smoky assented, a grim, greedy glitter entering his eyes, “Waal, heer we aire, in a purty Pocket, whar game is likely to be plenty in the neigh- borhood, and whar Dixie Dan says we're likel to strike rich pay-dirt, even ef we don’t touc up a fat ‘lead’ or two. In that cabin is a dead woman, and a man whosays he owns all the ter- ritory around heer. He’s on his last bed with small-pox, too, and he’s got the cheek to order as off his claim! What d’yer think of it? Shall We pull stakes an’ go, igst use he says so? ‘““Nary’s the time!” Smoky Sam decided promptly. ‘Ef thar’s gold heer, no one’s got so good a right to et as we, who hev families to support. ‘Just so!” Jest so! Old Mark acquiesced; “‘ an’ bein’s the feller aire got the small-pox,an’ can’t git well, and aire a nuisance in danger o’ spreadin’ the disease to our families, I opine we’re in duty bound to take some measure o’ getting rid 0’ im, “That’s just my think, too, but some o’ the party might kick on et!” “Let ’em kick! It’s none o’ their business, anyhow! We're a-stayin’ heer to nuss the sick man. If he bas Soererrtes. in the mornin’, we can ‘say he kicked the bucket, an’ we buried him. ell throw up some dirt, somewheres in the vicinity, to make a showin’ fer a grave, an’ that'll be the end of it. You kin have the cabin, as you won't be afeard to live in it.” ““Nary! I wouldn’t be afeard to live in a small-pox hospital!” the ruffian replied. ‘“ But, what a goin’ to do wi’ the feller—knife him!” _““ Oh! no,” Warring replied, with a shake of his head. “I don’t want his life on my hands.” Pn he looked once more inquiringly toward e sky. It was close to sunset, and the overcasting clouds were already causing shadows to creep down into the Pocket. There was every indication thas the night would be dark and stormy. .- “* It will be pitch-dark to-night,” Old Mark con- tinued, ‘‘ an’ no one in the camp can see what’s on over heer, “You see the boat 3 “Waal, we'll just chuck the galoot and his dead wife inter that, and send’em down stream, The current is swift enuff to carry them away a-kitin’, an’ there’s little danger o’ the feller’s ever livin’ to get back.here, if he does, we can easy doctor his case.” ‘* Better give him the knife!” Smoky Sam said, advisingly, ‘‘It’s safest, an’ then we're sure we're rid of him!” “No! there must be no blood shed!” replied Old Mark, ‘I am averse to that, But we can get rid of the fellow by setting hin, adrift in the boat, an’ ef he ever should come back, there’s no chance fer to say we tried to murder him. We found him a nuisance, and dangerous to our families, and deemed best to send him away from here. See?” . ‘* Well, you’re doin’ it, not I!” was the reply. “*T know blamed well what J’d do if it was me. But, sail ahead. Et’s none o’ my pie. Mebbe the chap’s got some boodle in the shebang? If he has, it’s mine, or part of it.” “* Not the hull of it, ner more’n half!” was the reply ** Come, let’s go inside.” _ his they did, and reclosed the door, but th found it so dark that a lamp had to be lit to af- ford them light. “Well, what do you want?” Deadwood Dick, Jr., asked, as soon as they had lit the lamp, “Oh! we just drop in to keep you com- pany,” Old Mark replied. ‘* Didn’t know but you'd be lonesome,” ‘“‘T prefer to be alone,” Dick said, wearily. ‘*T do not regard you as friends, and do not feel like having company, anyhow.” ‘Why do you not regard us as friends?” Old Mark demanded, eruffly as he and Smoky Sam seated themselves, and lit their pipes. ** Because I see you intend to usurp my rights by remaining in the valley.” * Pshaw! ye mustn’t let that sweat you. Ye'r’ goin’ ter kick the bucket, anyhow, an’ arter you- re gone up ther flume, no one’s gota better right er lay-out than we hev!” to “I’m not dead, nor do I expect to die, yet awhile, so you are reckoning without your host!” Dick replied, raising himself a little higher on the pillows, ‘‘ This property, known as Dead- wood Dick’s Diggings, is personally my own, and I mean to hold it.” ** Waal, I reckon you'll get left on that,” Old Mark returned, “ fer we've come to locate in this hyer gulch, and we’ve come to stay, at that!” “What do you mean?” ‘We mean that we're goin’ to build upa town here, and as we've most of us got families, it won’t be safe for us to have any small-pox around, So, to-night, arter dark, we're goin’ to pack you off down-stream, in yer boat, and if you ever show up around here again, it will be worth your life. We don’t want ter do ye no outright harm, you see, but we’ve decided you've ‘0, an’ as ye ain’t able to foot it, we'll place the t at yer service.” . “You inbuman devils, would you place aman too ill to help himself, at the mercy of that wild stream? Why,I will be drowned before I’ve gone a mile!” “ That’s ha lookout, not ours. Mightas well drown as die of small-pox, anyhow!” was the heartless response, Dick’s eyes flashed with bitter indignation. “You are an infernal pair of wretches,” he declared, “and if you subject me, helpless as I am, to this inhuman treatment, my curse rest upon you!” “Humph! You needn't put yourself out of breath, for we don’t keer a fer yer curses, You've ot ter go, an’ that’s all there is of it, so ye might as well settle yer mind ter take th as they come. ye say so, we'll bury yer wi afore we send you off, or, if you like still better, we'll send her along with ye. ** By all means, let her remains accompany m if you intend to carry out your inhuman pur —_ but, mind you, if you do commit this in gnit » you pronounce your own doom, for, by the God in heaven! I swear I will come es and wreak vengeance on you and yours, I make you wish you’d never lived to see the da roe and * gang came to Deadwood Dick's H ” . Stern and clear the invalid uttered these words; then, faint and exhausted from the effort, he sunk back upon the pillows, ’ Mark Warring glanced at Smoky Sam, and gave vent to a sarcastic laugh. peachy did not laugh, but seemed inclined te regard Dick’s threat in a different light than did is companion, for he looked rather grim, and remained silent, “T allow there ain’t much danger 0’ re ever comin’ back to do any one any harm!” Old Mark added. ‘And since a dead man has no use for _
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4 Deadwood Dick’s Digging’. — money, if you'll be kind cnough to tell us where ee keep your valuables, we will take charge of hem for you, so that in case you ever do come back, they will be in safe ‘oe for you.” ‘Oh! no doubt but what they’d be safe, if you got bold of them, you human wolf!” Dick re- plied, bitterly. “If you would add robbery to our other plans, however, you'll get handsome- y left. If I have any valuables, they’re put where you'll never get at them!” “Well see about that!” Old Mark retorted. “‘Come ahead, Smoky, and we’ll s’arch the prem- ises. If the cuss is worth vit he at all, we'll find it, if we turn the hull shebang upside down!” Both men accordingly arose, and began the search. First they examined Dick’s clothing, which hung upon a chair, near the bed, and not ing but a gold watch and a few dollars in silver was ob- ed, ‘“‘There’s more’n this somewhere!” the stam- peder chief declared. ‘‘ Look sha ie F Qeber: places were searched, but nothing was ‘ound. , Dead wood Dick watched the proceedings, too full of indignation for utterance. As for Warring, he appeared to grow enraged at not finding a large sum of eee 6 * Guss the luck!” he growled. “ Thar’s money somewheres, an’ I'll sw’ar to et! Fellers what sports around gold watches and sech, ginerally have money. t’s s’arch the corpse!” “You infernal demons! Dare to defile that lifeless body by the slightest touch, and Pll tear your hearts out, and grind them under foot!” fairly shrieked Dick, now beside himself with rage. Hie made a desperate effort to get out of bed, but was so weak that it was too much, and he fell back again, half-unconscious. Without eeding him in the least, the two men proceeded to search the person of the beautiful corpse, which was attired in a flowing wrap- per, and were rewarded by pay a large roll of bills of large denomination, there probabl being some ten or twelve thousand dollars, a told—a find that cansed the robbers to utter a simultaneous cry of exultation. Their cries once more aroused Deadwood Dick, and approaching him, they flourished the money in his face. “Qho! So you thought to baffle us, did you?” Old Mark chuckled. ‘* Ye thought we wouldn’t find the money, but yer see we did, and ye kin just bet we're goin’ ter hang onter it, too!” “Oh, you wait!” returned Dick, his eyes flash- with a deadly light. “It is your turn to triumph now; it will be minenext, So, beware! E no quarter, no mercy from me, for you will not get it!” “Bah! Dry up! What do we care for what ou say?” snarled Smoky Sam. ‘* Come, Mark, et’s divide up the swag, and git thr’u’ with this business.” Accordingly the men seated themselves, and counted the money out into two piles; then each took possession of his portion, an, stowed it away in his pocket. By this time it had wn quite dark, and the sound of rain-dreps. n to patter on the roof, © Turning the lamp low, Mark Warring went to the door and looked out, A thick, fog-like mist had settled over the Pocket, which, together with the intense dark- ness, rendered it im ible for him to see the lights of the mpeders’ camp. _ ‘It’s all right,” Old Mark said. “‘We can finish the job now as well as at any time. Come, let’s stow away the stiff in the boat first, an then we'll look after the feller.” Accordingty the lifeless remains of poor Nola Bristol were lifted between the two rutfians, and carried from the cabin to the edge of the rush- ings roaring creek. ; ere was a fair-sized skiff, beached upon the shore, and into this the body was placer. The ruffians then returned to the cabin, and closed the door, Smoky Sam then cut several pieces from his lariat, and with these the hands and feet of Deadwood Dick were securely bound. Nerved to d ration, he endeavored to fight off his enemies, but it was useless. He was'so weak that they easily overpowered him and rendered him helpless, — ' A handkerchief was then stuffed in his mouth to prevent any loud outcry. : “Thar, ye are ready fer shipment!” Old Mark ckled. ‘* When ye arrive at the we iik 8 aug st let us know how ye are, Snatch him, ! "Phey lifted Dick from the bed, carried him wy, j from the cabin, and placed him in the boat beside his dead wife, and by their united efforts, pushed the boat off into the rapid stream, and game after it with grim expressions, as it was rne swittly away in the deep darkness, “That settles that!” old Mark said, hoarsely. ‘‘That chap will never show up again around here, and [ll swear to it. This Pocket, and all ther gold what’s in it, belongs to us, Now, for the bogus grave, and all is settled!” ‘For the present, mebbe!” Smoky Sam said, grimly; ‘‘ but, ef I ain’t off my base, thar'll be more to ther matter o’ this night’s work!” CHAPTER IV. QUEEN CLARIBEL’S ENTERTAINMENT. NEARLY two months have passed, and we once more look down into Deadwood Dick’s Diggings—then a flower-bedecked mountain pocket, now a bustling young mining-camp, com- of two-score or more of cabins and tented bitations. Everywhere is bustle and activity. Here men are busied in_ building, there are diggers’ at work, prospecting, or blasting into the mountain side; yonder comes a long wagon train, winding its way down the slope into the new EJ Dorado. For gold bas been found in paying quantities, and the inevitable rush has set in, There are already several stores, saloons and gaming-rooms in flourishing operation, and a great barn-like hotel, the Cinnamon Bear, which is incapable of holding all the applicants for accommodations; preparations are bein; made for the erection of a stamp-mill, an everywhere is excitement, and everybody ex- cited. A stage line has already been started to the nearest town of any importance, and daily brings in crowds of people of various descrip- tions, while others come by horseback, wagon trains, and even on foot, Already the camp has a large floating popula- tion, considering the yet brief period of its ex- istence. The cabin formerly occupied by Deadwood Dick, Junior, has been enlarged, and is known as the “ Cocktail Casino,” and bas already achieved the greatest notoriety of any place in the camp, from the fact that three men had already died with in its classic precincts ‘‘ with their boots on. It was'a saloon and gambling den combined and generally was regarded as a “hard hole,” while its proprietor, Smoky Sam, was consider- ed a thoroughbred tough. The “‘ Casino” was nightly the scene of some exciting event, and was. most particularly pat- ronized by the rougher element that swarmed to the camp, which still retained its name of “ Deadw Dick’s Diggings.” Smoky Sam was making money rapidly, for, though a ruffian, he possessed considerable busi- ness tact, and once he secured custom was quick to throw out inducements to retain it, A week before the events occurred, which we’ are about to relate, a German opened a saloon and, dance-hall, across the way, known as the ‘Happy Hour,” and, in doing so, detracted somewhat from Smoky’s profits, by drawing away some of his customers. This angered Smoky exceedingly, and he “ cussed ” the “ sauerkraut” Dutchman in round terms; but, finding this availed nothing, he cast about for some means by which to win back the customers he had lost, As a result, he one day hung upon the outer wall of the ‘‘ Cocktail Casino,” a banner con-— taining the picture of a pretty girl, and the fol- lowing announcement: “To-NieHT! To-Nieut! The Charming and Only QUEEN CLARIBEL! Champion Lady Magician, Will appear here, ‘to-night, in her wonderful entertainment of magical tricks and illusions. Admission Free!” That virtually settled it. Anything that was free, in Deadwood Dick’s Diggings, “‘ hit the people in the right ee li day long the banner was an object of scrutiny by the crowds that passed, or entered the rummery, and it was voted that “if Queen Claribel was as pretty as her picture she was & sy. ‘ ) Long before dusk, a crowd began to congre- gate at the Casino. With the enlargement that had been made, the former one room of the cabin had now been transformed into a very large, long apartment, with a bar near the front entrance. In the rear a small curtained platform had been constructed, for the use of the lady magi- cian, and this caught the eye of everybody. A bona fide entertainment had, of course, not yet: struck the Diggings, and every ome was on tie qui vive t6 see the pretty illusionist. She arrived on the evening stage, and a crowd was gathered at the Cinnamon Bear Hotel to get a glimpse of her. But, they were in some respects disappointed, They saw a petite, dark-clad figure, whose face was heavily vailed, and that was all, It had been announced that Queen Claribe} would appear at nine o’clock, and by that time,, the Casino was packed so full of people that there was hardly breathing room. Smoky Sam, who was to act as master of ceremonies, occupied a position at the front of the stage, and in honor of the occasion, had had his hair and beard trimmed, and wore a span new suit of store clothes. Since Smoky had started the Casino, he had improved his personal appearance, and now wore a ‘‘ b*iled shirt,” a watch and chain, anda large pin, which he averred was a solitaire but. which of course, was paste. Next. to Smok also arrived in the Diggings, by that night's: stage, and who, but for the attention centered upon the stage, would have commanded more than ordinary notice. Although not particularly a large person, he: was of straight and erect figure, and evidently possessed of fair muscular strength. He wore a. bandsomel nent brown beard and mustache, had keen dark brown eyes and hair, and, alto- gether, was a man of imposing and handsome yes is attire was alg nega neat and well- fitting. consisting of a black cloth suit, patent- leather shoes, white shirt, stand-up collar and tie, and the glossiest of silk hats, which became him, immensely. His hands were incased in lavender kids, and pe pported an ebony cane with a massive gold ead. A diamond stud, large and of great brilliancy, also glittered upon his immaculate shirt-front. Just such another high-toned, imposing ap- pearing gent, was not to be found in all that particular portion of Arizona. Owing to the eagerness of the audience, how- ever, to see Queen Claribel, little attention was paid to the stranger. At last, the hour of nine arrived; there was: the tinkle of a little bell, and the curtain went up. Upon the stage were two chairs, the inevita- ble magician’s table, and some other apparatus used in performing tricks, There was also a lamp, a small anvil, and an old flower-pot. Directly after the curtain went up Queen Claribel made her appearance, Instantly there was a tumult of applause which made the building tremble. The girl magician acknowledged this reception with a bow and a winning smile that immediately captivated her audience. When the people, on seeing Queen Claribel’s picture, had voted her “a daisy,” they bad not come far from the mark, for she certainly was a charming little beauty, with a pretty figure, of graceful carriage, and a pretty face, lit up with smiles, and a pair of dancing brown eyes: hair soft, sunny, and becomingly arranged. She was attired in a rich costume of silk, satin and lace, and upon her tiny feet wore a pair of gold-bronze opera slippers. The sleeves of her dress were cut in the flowing style, and exposed to view a pair of prettily rounded arms, of alabaster whiteness. She wore diamonds at her throat, in her hair, and circlets studded with the same rare gems gleamed upon her fingers. Not over seventeen or eighteen years of age, at the most, she was a young lady whose charm- ing presence was sure to win the admiration of young and old alike. After the tumult of applause had in a measure subsided, she advanced to the front of the stage, and said: “ Tadies and gentlemen!”—for there were a number of the female sex among the audience— Ht gives me pleasure to appear before you, to- night, and if you will kindly lend me your atten- tion, I will endeavor to exhibit a number of my tricks and illusions, in modern magic. As is usual, in my performances, I will begin the en- tertainment with the well-worn but always y Sam, stood a man who had -
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Deadwood Dick’s Diggings. 5 amusing hat trick, producing from a gentle- man’s stiff hat various articles that the owner | carries around with him day by day! Will any * one in the audience lend me his silk tile for a few minutes?” ; This caused a titter, for it was afact that only | three ‘‘ plug” hats were in the camp. One belonged to the nabob stranger; the second, an out-of-style affair, worn by Smoky Sam, had been purchased of a Jew merchant who had recently set up business in the camp, and the third belonged to the Reverend Obadiah Long, who had but recently struck the camp for the purpose of saving sinners. __ In answer to the solicitation of pretty Queen Claribel, neither of the three gentlemen referred to offered the loan of their head-coverings, ‘*Come, gentlemen, don’t be backward,” the Queen said, smilingly. ‘‘ I will guarantee to re- turn your hats in as good condition as when I borrowed them, after I have performed the trick. Please look into your hat before I borrow it, and make sure there’s nothing in it, and then I will “ I “*T prefer to keep my hat out of the show busi- ness!” ‘Indeed! You are quite particular!” the Queen retorted, a trifle sarcastically, ‘* Perhaps, sir, your bat contains something you would not like brought to light? I’ve known of instances of men carrying bricks around in their hats!” The crowd yelled at this, while Broadcloth, instead of getting mad, laughed good-naturedly. meen Claribel then turned to the Rev. Oba- diah,‘a lank, lean, thin-faced man, with faded eyes, and a melancholy and decidedly hungry expression, and whose attenuated figure was clad in a suit of broadcloth which had seen many ears of service and looked ‘‘ sick,” compared os that worn by the dashing stranger. “Sir, will you kindly loan me your hat?” the pretty magician asked of the reverend, with one of her most entrancing smiles. , “No, ma’am !” was the prompt and emphatic reply. ‘No hat of mine shall be made to serve the black arts of the devil. Iam a servant of the Lord!” , The crowd hooted at this, and some shied a juicy quid at Obadial’s hat, but it was rly aimed, and hit the ‘‘ servant” plum on the end of the nose. It was some minutes ere quiet could be restor- ed, and then Smoky Sam stepped forward. ‘Te my plug will answer, miss, ye’r’ welcome ‘to it!” he said. “Thank you,” the Queen replied, ‘‘ Yours will do quite as well as any. k in the hat, first, and make sure it is empty.” ' On course it’s empty!” Smoky asseverated, first looking into the hat, and then ramming his hand down into it. ‘* All ther stuff ye take out o’ that hat won’t be much, onless you hev got it hid up yer sleeve!” 305 ¥ Re acawinpe you that I have not, I will shove up my sleeves,” Claribel replied, suiting the action to the word, and shoving her sleeves up to the elbows, thereby exposing her exceedingly pretty pair of arms. ‘Now, watch me closely, gentlemen, and see that I do not deceive you.” She gazed down into the hat a moment, aad then, an exclamation of ‘‘ ah!” escaped her lips, and reaching down into the hat, she drew forth several yards of ribbon, followed by a handker- chief, and then a tany suit ot baby’s under cloth- ing. a Must be you are going to housekeeping,” she observed, giving the dumfounded saloon-keeper a phi a look, at which the crowd roared. *“TLet me see what else you’re carrying around in your head-house. Ah! here’s worse, and more of it!” She next drew forth a pair of women’s stock- | ings, and then a china doll baby, black as the ace of spades. y “Well! well! well!” quoth the princess of magic, ‘ Fie! for shame! To think you should pity, around such things, in your head-gear | » Pa m ” . . The audience was fairly shrieking with laugh- ter by this time, while Smoky Sam’s astonish- ment was turning to mortification and rage. “Give me back that hat!” he cried. “Til stand no more of that monkey bizness. Gimme my hat, I say!” . j “One moment!” the Queen placidly replied. “*See, I have founda picture of the pickaninny’s mother!” ; __ With this, she held up in plain view, a cabinet photograph of a tremendously fat negress, whose ioned him back against the wall of the Cecktail ‘not, he had best bespeak the services of an un- dertaker,” and waving his revolver, the singuia1 individual moved toward the door. This was too much for Smoky! involuntarily the crowd fell back, forming # A torrent of oaths burst from his lips, and he | lane through which Doctor Death-Grip pa strode forward to leap upon the stage, when, | looking neither right nor left—cool, fearless and with a merry laugh, the Queen tossed him his hat. | hatless / Such a pandemonium of hoots and yells, and | His shiny tile still lay upon the stage, where it clapping of hands and stamping of feet, was | had been hurled by the venturesome proprietor never before or afterward heard in the Cocktail | of the Cocktail Casino. Casino. é Only long enough at the bar did the daring It was several moments ere order could be re- | Doctor pause to light a cigar; then, witha pleas- stored, then some festive galoot, who was chock | ant ‘* Good-night, gentlemen,” he quitted the full of fun, snatched the hat from the bald head | saioon. of the Reverend Obadiah Long, and tossed it on Not an effort was made to —— his depar the stage. ture. The crowd simply stared each other in the ‘* Dissect that crow-cage!” he yelled. face. Such a singular, sucha mysterious occur- Claribel immediately improved the oppor- ; rence it was, that no one seemed to know exact- tunity to have some fun at the itinerant’s ex- | ly what to make of it. nse. After Doctor Death-Grip’s departure, how- She seized the hat and gazed into it intently. | ever, the Casino habitues entered into a buzz of mouth was stretched from ear to ear, in a ludi- crous grin. ‘‘ Ah!” she said. ‘* What doIsee? Even the | conversation, and the opinions exchanged would clergy have their faults. See here!” and she | fill a chapter. Smoky Sam soon recovered his senses, and as drew forth a full pack of art ees we wre and sent them scattering over the heads of the au- dience, much to Obadiah’s unspeakable conster- — ‘ : ext she produced three hen’s eggs, and pass- ed them to the audience, that they might see that they were genuine fruit. One of these fell into the hands of a cs nea dapenee re bull- whacker, and the next instant the egg had spent its force against Obadiah’s cheek. And the soon as he did so, bis first words were: ‘* Where is he?” When informed, he made no remark, but went to the bar, and chaneing to glance in a mirror, discovered the singular mark upon his throat. He turned excitedly to the crowd, and demanded to know what it meant. When informed, and of the words of Doctor Death-Grip, all the color left his ruby face, and crowd howled again. he ered away to a chair, and sat down. From the roateite hat the Queen of’ Magic With his chin resting on the palms of his next drew forth a ruffled nightcap, and then | hands, and his elbows upon his knees, with his tossed the hat to its owner. “That's all of that /” she said. ‘No! no!” cried Smoky Sam. ‘ Look in this chap’s hat.” And seizing the nabob’s hat he hurled it on the stage. The next instant the gloved right hand of the stranger had seized him by the t t, and pin- eyes fixed upon the floor, he sat there as motion- less as a statue, noticing no one, speaking to no one. Queen Claribel gave no more acts of magic, but dropped the curtain, and the show was over. In the rear of the stage was a vacant os where was a large trunk. Into this she pack her paraphernalia, and locked the receptacle se- curely; then, puteing on a ‘air of rubbers, and her hat, and throwing a cloak about ber, she left the Casino by a rear door. . The way to the Cinnamon Bear Hotel lay across a considerable vacant space—for there were no streets in Deadwood Dick’s Diggings as yet, and the habitations were con y scattered with- out regard to regularity; but the moon was at its full and lit up the Pocket brilliantly, so she | had no fears. A single isolated cabin intervened between her and the Cinnamon Bear, but it was dark, and | she paid no attention to it, In leaving the Casino, she had brought Doctor Death-Grip’s hat with ber. Just why she could hardly have answered, beyond the fact that she had seen the mysterious Doctor in the hotel, and supposed, by leaving it at the office, he would Casino! CHAPTER V. DOCTOR DEATH-GRIP. IN an instant all was excitement. The laughter ceased, and all eyes were turned upon the handsome stranger, who, clutching | Sinony. Sam by the throat, pinioned him to the | w The action had been so sudden that few fully realized what had happened. | Suddenly grown deatkly white, Queen Clari- bel stood upon the stage, in an attitude of ter- ror. The clutch of the unknown, as at arm’s length he held the saloon-keeper against the wall, was not a light one, for it shut off Smoky Sam’s breath, and caused his eyes to bulge from their Folding is man firmly, the stranger turned pe, = d busied thought, she looked . ’ ’ er mind busied in thought, she loo! nei- coolly facing the astonished spectators, at the | ther right nor left, as she i irae along. same time with his disengaged hand drawing a self-cocking six shooter from an inner pocket of his cee Albert coat. ‘**Gentlemen,” be said, paying no attention te | 5, hj i the frantic efforts of Smoky to tear away his a a grasp, nove pei kindness to see to me, ; ring’s lover. am Doctor Death-Grip. ave been injured by + si ‘i ibel shrunk back this man and others, Tamanavenger! Wher- ae bes a so OR og r ever this mark appears upon the throat of a| « You /” sha uttered. Just as she was passing the isolated cabin, however, a man stepped forth from its pg se and confronted her, the moonlight shining This man was Calvin Clinton, Myra War- man, consider that at some time in the past I “ pi : “ seein sur have been wronged by him, and that his days in a he replied, ‘coolly. ** You 0 * ! this land are numbered! ; **Solam, LIexpected never—ay, hoped never He immediately removed his hand from the saloon-keeper’s throat, and faint from the loss of breath, Smoky Sam fell to the floor, face up- ward, his burly neck fully exposed to view. The curious peered forward, and the stranger, pointing to the stangled man, said quietly: ** Behold!” They did behold, and what they saw caused a murmur of astonishment to escape the lips of those who could gain a view. Marked upon the throat of the saloon-keeper, in glaring crimson, and as plain as though print- to look upon your face again.” “Oh! I presume so. Quite a masquerade you’re doing these days—performing magic in a ow whisky shop!” ** Which is none of your business,” **Oh! 1 don’t know about that. I don’t think I’ve lost all ho yet—at least, not all power,” Queen Claribel’s eyes flashed like diamonds. ** Have a care how you speak tome, sir! Iam my own master, now, independent and honor- ably earning my own living. I dc not know you. Stand aside, sir, lam going to the hotel.” ed there by type, was the word— “Not just yet, dear, Let’s make up.” : ~ “* Never ! * DOOMED!” “« Claribel !” While the crowd were staring in_open- ‘‘ NEVER!” **Oh! well, as you like. You know what's against you, Queen Claribel.” “TI care not. Stand aside!” os Wait! The colonel will here to-morrow.” “Let him come. I defy him, and you, too.” ‘* You are foolish, Claribel—Queen Claribel, mouthed amazement at the sight, Doctor Death- grip revolver in hand, spoke again: “Stand aside, gentlemen. I am going to the hotel, and I pro to anchor here for awhile. If any man in the camp desires my enmity, let him call around between meal hours and notif me, I can accommodate one or all. As for that | I want those Ts!” wolf,” pointing to Smoky Sam, ‘‘ if he sees fit to ‘“You cannot have them, Stand aside, I say return me my hat in person it may serve to | again!” lengthen his earthly existence somewhat. If ** Oh, no! will you give me the papers?” “No! never! gh
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6 Deadwood Dick’s Digging’s. ** Then, by Heaven! I'll take them by force!” He sprung forward to seize her, but ere he could do so, a hand grasped him by the throat— a gloved hand, at that, but yet whose gripe seemed most terrible! CHAPTER VI. IN THE MOONLIGHT. It was Doctor Death-Grip, who had appeared 80 epee and ‘seized Cal Clinton by the throat with a grip that was relentless as steel— so merciless, indeed, that Clinton - ming for breath, and his eyes seemed bursting from their sockets. Seeing this, Queen Claribel stepped uickly forward, and caught Doctor Death- rip by the arm. “Oh, do not kill him, sir!” she"pleaded. °“ I want no harm to come to him on my account. Let him go.” Death-Grip immediately released his clutch upon Clinton’s throat. “As you say, lady!” he observed, turning to the Queen; ‘‘ but I opine it would be better for aed hoae would let me shut off his wind en- e A No, no! Although he is my deadly enemy, I de not wish to see him harmed.” ** You know him, then?” “*T once did, but do not any longer, having cut him. off my list of acquaintances or friends. Here is your hat, sir, which I brought from the ino. : ‘Thank you!” and the Doctor received his tile, and placed it upon his head. By this time Cal Clinton had recovered his breath, and stood glaring at the couple say- ly. “i seemed to be trying to find words to ex- press his eras rage, but failed utterly. “Curse you! I'll have your life for this in- sult!” he cried, hoarsely, at the same time shaking his fist at Deatb-Grip. ‘ You'll find your impudence won’t be tolerated in this camp, you rufflan! I’ve a mind to puta bullet through you, as it is!” “Td try it, if I were you!” the Doctor retort- ed, coolly. ‘“ Bah! You haven’t got the pluck to killa rat! And, look ye, my festive galoot, if you ever offer to molest this Jady again, I’ll take you in hand and give you a thrashing you'll not forget to the longest day of your life. Now, you dust!” **T won’t go till I get what belongs to me!” Clinton declared, doggedly. ‘That girl is a thief, and has stolen papers in her possession that concern me, and I want them!” “A thief, eh?’ and the Doctor took a couple of quick strides toward the man, his eyes flash- ee: linton did not wait for the man of broadcloth to approach any closer, but turned quickly, and aeole away, muttering imprecations as he went. ‘That chap is bad medicine!” the Doctor said, as he turned to Claribel. “No need to tell me that,” she replied. ‘TI know by bitter experience what sort of a wretch he is, But you will excuse me for not thankin: you before for your kindly interference, must be going now.” ** Will you not accept my escort as far as the hotel piazza?” MIA “Thank you, but it is best we should not be seen together. It might create a talk, you know.” ‘Perhaps you are right. Will you remain here for any length of time?” **T have a week’s engagement at the Casino.” **Then we may meet again.” “Possibly. Good-night!” * Good-night!” ré The Queen of Magic tripped away toward the Cirmamon Bear, and a few minutes later Death- ’ Grip followed. The news of the singular racket at the Cock: tail Casino had already spread throughout the camp, and when the Doctor entered the hotel office, which was crowded with people, he in- stantly became the center of attraction; but he paid little attention to the crowd, or the fact that every one was gazing at him inquiringly. Entering the bar-room, which was also well filled, he ordered the bartender to mix him a “ night-cap.” While waiting for it, he was approached by two of the most pronounced bummers it had ever been ais fortune to set eyes upon. Both were rum-faced wretches, short of stature, fat and slouchy of appearance. while their attire was ragged, ill-fitting and filthy. It was hard to say which was the worse look- ing, for both were the personification of disgust- vagabonds. : y had been in the Diggings a week, and during that time had managed to ring in their ub and drinks without expending a cent. ndeed, it was doubtful if either seed suc a thing as a stray copper—this pair of ‘‘ beats” who traveled about as partners, As they approached Doctor Death-Grip, the portlier bummer touched the man of broadcloth on the shoulder. ** Youll excuse me, sir,” the loafer said, as the Doctor looked around, ‘‘ but your handle is Death-Grip, is it not?” “Well, what if it is?’ the Doctor demanded, surveying the pair with a frown. ‘** Considerable, my dear sir,” Bummer No. 1 answered, rubbing his hands patronizingly. ‘ If you will allow me, I will introduce myself. I am the sheriff of this district, by name Horatio Hornblower, This gentleman here is my deputy, i Bungstarter, and we both represent the aw ‘** Well, what do I care who you are?” growled the disgusted Doctor. ‘* Judging by your looks, I should decide that you represented a gin- foundry. Be off with you, and don’t bother me!” “But, my dear Mr. Death-Grip, you don’t understand. As officers of the law, we have re- ceived instructions to arrest you and cast you into durance vile.” “You arrest me—you two dirty bloats?” and the Doctor gazed at the bummers in amused contempt. ‘* Well, admire cheek, but you’ve got an over-supply, it strikes me!” ‘* Nevertheless, we’ve orders to arrest you,” Hornblower persisted. ‘Of course it’s an un- pleasant thing to do, but duty is duty.” ‘“ What is the charge against me?’ the Doctor demanded, a twinkle of mischief in his keen brown eyes. ‘** You are charged with attempting the life of one of our law-abiding citizens, Smoky Sam, by choking him, sir!’ Hornblower announced pom- pously. The Doctor laughed. “So I did; and if you two disgusting speci- mens of humanity don’t clear out and mind your own business, I'll choke you, too!” Horatio Hornblower and Ben Bungstarter exchanged glances, ° Had they after all tackled the wrong man? “Now, see here, my dear Death-Grip, you must not feel sore toward us ause we are officers of the law, and we allus try to do right,” asseverated Hornblower, ‘‘ We allus try to be as lenient as possible, don’t we Benny?” “‘Indade we do,” assented Bungstarter, who evidently had the blood of Erin in his veins, ‘“Of course we do, every time,” went on Horatio, ‘“ And now, my dear Mr, Death-Grip, we have no personal spite against you, and no doubt we can mutually arrange so there will be no trouble. If you see fit to slip us a fiver apiece, we'll let the matter drop, and Smoky Sam can prosecute his own case.’ “Nary a fiver!” Doc replied, leisurely sipping his night-cap, ‘ Two-and-a-half, then?” ‘* Nary two-and-a-half.” “ One dollar!” ‘* Not one cent!” , Hornblower looked disgusted, and once more exchanged glances with his pard. ‘Well, that’s tough!” Hornblower asserted, “When we offer to do the right bse by you, you won't accept. Will you put out the drinks, providing we jet up on ye an’ don’t execute the mandate of the law of this great and glorious Territory?” “No!” replied Death-Grip, placing his glass upon the bar, ‘‘ but I’ll do still better than that. Instead of putting out the drinks, as you term it, Pl put you out!” and suiting action to the word, he seized the bummer by the nape of the neck and the seat of the trowsers, and run him out of the room in a jiffy, giving him a boost off the hotel piazza that landed the unfortunate Hornblower headforemost into a mud-puddle. Turning quickly, Death-Grip re-entered the bar-room to serve Benny Bungstarter in a simi- lar manner; but, after witnessing the unfortu- nate accident to his comrade, Ben had clambered out of a window in ridiculous haste; seeing which, the Doctor betook himself to bed, leaving behind the impression that he was, as one by- stander observed, ‘‘ a cuss on wheels,” CHAPTER VII. “ PROPHETIC WORDS!” Since Deadwood Dick’s Diggings had sprung into reality as a mining-camp, a change had come over at least one of our characters, and that particular one was Mark Warring. Formerly we knew him as a rough, ill-natured by no means scrupulous miner, who had h | find fi had his life, in a measure, soured by a most un- successful struggle with the world; but now we him a well-dressed, smoothly-shaven busi- ness man, and regarded as the wealthiest citizen ° in the Diggings. When the miners began to make the first overtures toward establishing a settlement in the Pocket, the question of allotting <laimscame in for consideration. Most of the miners had no means at all, and even after the claims were de- ned, they were too poor to work them. They had no means of subsistence, except what game they could capture, and the struggle of provid- as Sate was a tough one, f the twelve thousand dollars Old Mark and Smoky Sam had taken from Deadwood Dick’s cabin, each had appropriated half. Smeky Sam had a passion for gambling, and one night he and Mark got together and played poker. The result was that Mark captured all of Smoky’s cash, except a couple of hundred dollars, By this time the stampeders had got their habitations up, and had gone to housekeeping, but were on the point of starvation. Within a day’s drive of the Diggings was a trading-post, where provender and like necessa- ries could be got for cash; but where was the cash to come from? No gold had yet been mined, and game was becoming very scarce, so the situation really was desperate. At this int Mark arring came to the fore, in conjunction with Calvin Clinton, and the two showed the good Samaritan (?) of their natures, They had built themselves a roomy cabin, and over the door hung a sign: ‘ “WARRING AND CLINTON, Rea Estate AGeEnts, Money Loaned.” Inquiry elicited the announcement that they were quite ready to loan money, or to purchase claims for cash, Their terms were simple but emphatic: If — of the distressed claim-holders wanted to sell outright, the agents would pay them a nom- inal sum for their claims, rent them the cabins, and allow them to work the claims on percent- age. In this way the better portion of the Pocket. was secured the two real estate men. Several of the stampeders sold out wholly, and left f-r other diggings. When the rush set in, after the Diggings was ** boomed” as a new and rich placer, real estate went up tremendously, and the two operators literally coined money, , Claims were divided and subdivided, and rent- ed or sold at enormous figures. If rented, it was on » rey by which W. & C, could not help but profit. ; If a man came along and wanted to buy a . claim and had no money, he was of no use, He must have a part cash, at least, and be willing to submit to mortgage and percentage of realized profits; or if a new-comer wanted to start in some business, he was helped with the agreement that half the profits were to go to the two capi- talists, The Cinnamon Bear Hotel was put up for a Down-East Yankee, and half the profits went to Warring and Clinton. The Cocktail Casino was started in a like manner, and so were several other Cn =e in ashe the two real —— men soon controled nearly every money-making source in the Pocket. iin! : Cal Clinton had a secret, and at times he was grim, sullen and tncommunicative. He had money, having held his own in investment, with his partner. But money did not seem to ease his conscience. He was a firm believer in spiritual- ism, dreams, forewarnings, and the like, and this malady, if such it could be called, seemed to grow upon him. One morning, pale as a ghost, he joined his partner at their office, ana offered to sell out his interest for the sum of his original investment, Mark Warring, the wily schemer, at once ac- cepted, without asking any quesiions, and the matter was settled there and then, and Clinton received his money. The next day he came back, and wanted to re- enter partnership at the same figure he sold out, but Old Mark refused to readmit bim on any terms, He had secured the whole of the firm's interests, and intended to hold them, This left Clinton virtually out of business and income, but he took the refusal good-naturedly, and if he cherished any ill-feelings toward War- ring, he was careful not to betray them, He continued to pay his respects to his affi- anced, pretty Myra, and to all appearances, did not e foolish transaction seriously te heart. 5
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—— It was thus that Old Mark had suddenly, as it were, become the richest man in Deadwood Dick’s Diggings, and was daily adding to his wealth, for the revenues he derived from claims, rents and business enterprises were now some- thing very handsome, He had built and furnished a substantial little office, opposite the Cinnamon Bear Hotel, and here he transacted his business, and in a strong safe stored away his money. It was mid-forenoon of the day pte, the events chronicled in our last chapter, and War- ring was seated in an easy-chair in his office, lei- surely smoking his cigar, while he idly watched the people who passed the open door, Long Jim, of the Cinnamon Bear, had just been over and paid him a goodly sum of percent- age money, and this fact placed the speculator ia a pleasant frame of mind. “It’s an ill wind that blows no one good,” he mused, ‘‘and it wasa lucky day when I struck this locate—a lucky day, indeed! Then I was poorer than a circuit preacher, but now I’m get- ting rich, day by day. With ten thousand dol- lars in my safe, and ten times that value in property, I don’t know why my future is not as- sured, I may yet be one of the men of might in the West. ‘‘ Ha! ba! the poor devil we sent down the stream, left me arich legacy—a rich legacy!” he repeated delightedly, as if enjoying the con- templation of the fruits of his base act, on that terrible night.” ‘Ha! hal!” and he laughed again; ‘no one even suspects the secret of that 1 nD ght except Smoky. The grave back of the cabin satisfied every one, and no one has ever believed otherwise than that the small-pox chap died and was buried, as we represented. As for Smoky, he is all right. He dare not give any- thing away. But the mystery of this Doctor i ba beg and the choking affair, I don’t understand. Kinder strange Smoky don’t show up!” This last sentence was uttered in an audible voice, and was immediately answered by Smoky Sam, in person, who made his appearance in the doorway. é “Smoky is here. What d’ye want of him?” ‘*Simply a look at you,” Old Mark replied. “Tve heard this talk that’s afloat, and I want to learn the truth of it!” k “T's true enough, so far as that is concerned, an’ report hain’t overrated it,” Smoky replied, grimly. ‘‘ Ye kin see fer yourself.” - He removed a handkerchief from about his neck, and exposed his singularly marked neck to view. ** Doomed !” It appeared there as plainly as when first it was stamped on.his white flesh by that terrible Death-Grip. ; . . Warring regarded it with astonishment. “Why don’t you wash it off?’ he demanded, At which the proprietor of the Casino sneered. “Youre a fool!” he growled, ‘‘The cursed mark won’t wash off. I’ve scrubbed, with strong soap, ’til I've nigh scrubbed the hide off, but et’s no use. The more I scrub the plainer et gits!” Old Mark began to look more serious, and fell back to his old vernacular. “This feller grabbed ye by the throat an’ choked ye?” ‘* Waal, I reckon he did!” * He had a glove on his hand?” “Yes, he jist had.” “ And when he took his hand away—” “The mark war thar.” ‘“*He told the crowd you had injured him, an’ yen. war doomed, an’ you weren't the only one?” “Yas, that’s what the boyees say, I wasn’t awake at the time, ‘cause he hed nigh choked the life out o’ me.” , ‘* Lid ye ever see him before?’ “No, never!” “Sure? Think, and perhaps you can remem- ber him.” wy y “No, sir; I’ve been sizin’ him up, this half- hour, but don’t know him—never did know him.” “He knows you?” “Ruther seems so!” ‘ And Smoky felt vf his throat dubiously, Then, he added: : “ This cussed thing ain’t a pleasant pitt, but there’s one satisfaction—ZJ ain’t ther only one as earries the mark!” Old Mark started, nervously. “Who else has got it?” he demanded. ‘Cal Clinton! He's got a silk handkerchief ‘round his gullet, an’ sez he’s got sore throat, Ly a n says he carries the same mark ! Deadwood Dick’s Diggings. ‘The devil ye say! How'd he git it?” -**Go ask him, e won’t knuckle in to any- thing of the kind, but everybody believes he kerries the mark all the same.” The speculator’s brows knitted in a scowl. “This thing must be looked into!” he de- clared, savagely, ‘‘ We ain’t goin’ ter hev no such a chap around this camp, not ef I know myself. hy don’t ther gang go fer him, an’ clean him out?” ‘* Every one’s afeard of him!” **'You, too, I suppose!” with a sneer of dis- ust. on Well, I’ve had plenty, for the present,” Smoky honestly acknowledged. ‘** You’re a coward!” “Tf yowre any braver, go tackle him, your- self. If you don’t git a red throat, I’m a liar!” ‘* What sort of a lookin’ chap is he?” ** Just step to ther door, and gaze across onter the piazzer of the Cinnamon Bar if you wants ter know,” With considerable curiosity, Mark arose, and went to the door, The hotel piazza was just opposite his office, Several men were lounging there, some smok- ing, some chatting, and among them Doctor Death-Grip, who was engaged in perusmg what was evidently a pamphlet novel. Warring, scanning the loungers keenly, turned to Smoky Sam, ** D’ye mean the fellow with the high hat?” he queried. “Yas. Did ye ever sec him before?” Mark took another survey, then returned to his seat. ‘No, [ don’t think I ever did,” he answered, thoughtfully, ‘* unless he is disguised. He looks like a nabob, but I’ve noticed one thing!” ‘* What?” “He wears gloves on his hands, even when thar’s no need of it.” ‘Yas, I noticed that. Kinder curious, eh?” ‘Decidedly so. What I’d like to know, is, how, with a gloved hand, he could make that in- delible mark on your neck!” “That’s what sticks me,” ** Which hand did he grab you with?” Smoky thought a moment. “* If I remember kerect, et was the right,” he said. ‘‘He snatched me so suddint, an’ begun to shet off my wind, that I can’t swear which hand he used. S’posin’ you go over and ask him to let you examine his dukes!” The leading citizen shook his head. “You are kind,” he admitted, “but I'll let out thet job to some one else. I hear he bounced Hornblower out of the hotel, last night?” “Yes, he did, an’ he’d ’a’ throw’d Bungstarter out next, ef Bung hadn’t tuk to the window. ag two bums ain’t no good. They orter r ‘Not so fast They may work in to advan- tage Wet ? *‘How?” “That, cuss has got ter be got rid of, He is dangerous to have around—especially to you and me!” ** What d’ye mean?” he Smoky Sam started. demanded. “Tm beginning to feel uneasy!” Mark de- clared. ‘ Do you remember a night, now not two months ago?” Smoky Sam nodded, and a strange expression sbi over his rugged features, “Yas! an’ I ain’t likely to fergit et soon, neither,” he replied. ‘I’ve not a straight night’s sleep since that devil’s own job.” Mark laughed as if in ridicule, but the laugh fee a dismal failure, for it fairly stuck in his throat, ‘*Pshaw!” he said. ‘‘ Don’t get weak-kneed, I'll admit I have regretted the act. But what's the odds, Let bygones be bygones,” ‘But you've got a s’picion?” “Yes, I don’t believe this Death-Grip is the man we sent afloat, for the two no more look alike than er pe an’ a pumpkin. But that don’t signify everything. This Deadwood Dick we sent off, hadn’t no more show o’ livin’ out that storm, in the condition he war, than a cat under water wi’ a bowlder tied to et’s ueck. But, Somehow, he may have got ashore, met some chap, and sent him on to fix us. In sech a case, et looks like this ‘ere Death-Grip, as he calls him- self, is the man sent!” Smoky nodded again. “ Et looks so,” he confessed. ‘TI tell ye, boss, © may laugh at my weak-knees, as ye call et, y' but I tell ye, Pve been expectin’ suthin’ like this ever since that night. Thet poor sufferin’ cuss bas come before my mind’s eye, more’n a thou- sand times since then, an’ tho’ I'll allow I hain’t been no shakes of a squar’ man for many year, |e ee = I’ve allus regretted thatact. Et warn’tnc of a chap we were foolin’ with then, an’ [ b'lieve et he could hev hed the stuff left to keep him on his feet, he’d’a’ given us a tussle we’d found enough of. No, boss! The work o’ that night will never do either of us any good. You're rich, et’s true, an’ I’m scoopin’ in a few myself. But fer what? I ain’t tough as I am devoid of all human Dok ig gs and as sure as believe there is a God, I believe the oath of Deadwood Dick will be kept!” ‘* PROPHETIC WORDS!” The words fell upon the ears of the two men, and caused them to leap to their feet, each with a face grown ashy white. CHAPTER VIII. THE CONSPIRATORS. + AxBovrT the same time of the interview between Smoky Sam and Old Mark, Calvin Clinton sat in one of the rooms of the Cinnamon Bear. In front of him was a table, and on the opposite we of the table sat the Reverend Obadiah ong. Clinton was paler than usual, and, although neatly attired, a handkerchief tied about his neck, gave him rather an unfinished appearance, “Well, you met the girl?’ Obadiah observed, ‘‘and were frustrated?” ‘** Curses, yes! And, not only that, but mark- ed for life!” *“*Pshaw! What nonsense!” ‘‘ Nothing of the sort. The chap that runs the Casino has tried all plans to obliterate the word, and failed, and I have done the same, - Ink, or whatever the stuff is, it won’t wash out. It may wear out, but there is no telling how long it will take!” ’ ‘Who is this fellow, anyhow? He must be possessed of the devil.” ‘“‘[ll take the devil out of him before he is many days older!” Clinton gritted, “Do you think “he ever met Claribel before last night, Calvin?” “No. Lam sure he did not,” ‘* And you never saw him before yesterday” ‘Never! I could swear to it!” ‘Strange! strange!” the old man said. “T don’t like the way matters Jay. As well as we have laid our plans, I fear we shall yet lose!” ‘‘ Never!” Clinton asseverated, fiercely, “ ‘* Where is Claribel?” ** In her room, I presu:me.” The Reverend Obadiah meditated. ‘‘ The colonel will arrive to-night!” he finally . said, reflectively. ‘Calvin, we must work} There are no two ways about it—we must work. ‘There is much to be one ina few hours! What time does the stage arrive to-night?” |“ That is uncertain. It is due at seven, in the evening. Sometimes it arrives earlier: but itis just as liable not to reach here before midnight, ng gee if*there’s a big load, as there is apt to ie. “So much the better. Now, listen to me. Let_me manage, and [ll work it through all O. K. You think the colonel suspects that Claribel is here, eb?” “ Haven’t a doubt of it, Else why should he come here? He’s not seeking for investments and business,” “Very true. But he may have found out that So-and-So is here!” ‘“‘Pshaw! no, I covered up the trail, so to speak, when we left Tribale., Warring and Myra are as dead as if the two were buried.” ‘* But if the colonel and Mark should meet?” “Then there would be blood on the face of the moon,” Clinton declared, with a shrug of the shoulders, p ‘* And we would be the losers?” ‘Tt wouldn’t benefit us any, I fancy.” «Well, then this is what is to be done. Listen, Seentively and do as I bid, and all will be well, You and avr must he wed, vefore to-morrow midnight. I! will leave it to your own ingenuity to arrange it. This man, Death-Grip, as he styles himself, must be gt rid of, at once, and the papers must be got away from Claribel, All this, except clause first, must transpire before the arrival of the colonel. Understand?” “Yes, I’ve a notion this Death-Grip must be gotten rid of first!” ‘‘You are right. The sooner, the better!” “TI think it can be fixed. Smoky Sam owes the fellow no good will; I don’t, that is certain; and the two bummers, Hornblower and Bnng- starter, have also got it in for him. As the general thing, the crowd have a fear of bim, but if they had a leader, they’d go for him in a jiffy, you bet! After he’s done up, we cun work the rest easier,” “Well, go ahead, and when I get a chance te. show my hand, I’ll be there!”
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—— Deadwood Dick’s Diggings. The two arose and left the room. The room in question had a window looking out on the piazza. The sash and curtain were both down, and the two conspirators, sitting close to the window on the inside, hud no sus- picion that, tipped back in his chair against the window-sill, on the outside, was the very man, of all men in Deadwood Dick’s Diggings, they had most to fear—Doctor Death-Grip. Apparently deeply engrossed in reading, his sense of hearing was on the alert, and he had everheard every word that had passed between the two plotters. ‘‘ Aha!” he mused, when he heard the two leave tho room. ‘So this is a game, ch? It seems that Cal Clinton and Obadiah Long have met before, and there’s a conspiracy afoot, to cheat or béat somebody or something. Let me gee: I’m in the way, am I? and steps will be taken to put me in a state of everlasting repose, eh? I shall hav> to take a hand in this little game myself,” and rising, he left the piazza, and sauntered away toward the cabin home of Myra Warring. : ‘As he approached the cabin, Myra came out, attired for a walk, and looking as pretty as ever. Sho would have passed the gentleman of breadcloth with merely a glance, only that he paused, and raised his hat, politely. “T bey you will excuse me!” he said, “* but are you not Miss Myra Warring” “T am, sir,” Myra replied, not a little sur- prised. ¥ ; “ Ah! I thought I was not mistaken. Miss Warring, I am a total stranger to you, but I have just overheard an interview between two rsous that gives me reason to believe you are b be made, directly, or indirectly, the victim of a conspiracy. Now, f[ am something of a de- tective, in my way, and my curiosity having been aroused, I wovld like to ferret the matter out, and if possible prevent a crime, for I have every reason to believe the two persons whose eonfab I overheard are a pair of villains. In fact, I know they are. Now, would it be asking too much of you to grant me an interview, which | am positive will be of interest to you?” “ T do not know you, sir. Who are you?” “A comparative stranger in town, miss. Those who know me at all, know me as Doctor Death-Grip. The name, however, need not frighten you, nor prevent an interview.” Myra looked at the stranger scrutinizingly, but his appearance and demeanor were so 1 te tlemanly that she was favorably impressed, so she answered: “Very well. If what you have to say con- cerns me, | will listen to you,” and she led the way toward the cabin. When they were seated Doctor Death-Grip remarked: “No doubt you are surprised at my presump- tion in accosting you, but I considered it in the line of duty. I will tell you beforehand, that I have no real idea of what this conspiracy is, but with what information I can pick up, I mean to find out. I wish to put a few questions to you, and without doubt ¢you will consult your own interests by answering them. How long can you remember back into the past, Miss Warring?” “ Oh! back to the age of six, 1 think.” “Was your mother living, then?’ “No, sir. She died when Twas a baby.” * Have you always known Mark Warring as a father?” “Why, yes, sir!” and she looked her astonish- ment. * Are you sure he is your father?” Death-Grip went on. “| have never had any reason to suppose he was not, sir!” * How long have you known Calvin Clinton” “Some three months. He came to Tribale, and I first made his acquaintance there.” “You are betrothed to him?” “Yes, sir!” and Myra blushed. “Ts your wedding day named?” #S Wyo, ein.” “Tf he were to ask would you do so?” ““Why—why, I don’t know. What a strange question to ask a lady!” “ Nevertheless, it is important that youshould ye me an answer.” “ Well, if he were to insist, I do not know but what I should acquiesce.” “Miss Warring, don’t vou do it, under any consideration! Calvin Clinton is not worthy of u. He is one of the conspirators of whom 1 ke, The other is a man who calls himself iah Long. The two have somesecret reason for wishing this marriage to take drys at once. If you were to consent, you would become a you to wed him at once, own benefit. like. yond a detective’s curiosity, for no matter what comes of it, it will not make me any the richer, as you no doubt will acknowledge. These two interestin up Salt River, however, and [ feel in'duty,bound to keep an eye on them, I must be goin and having warned you I consider that f done my duty, and you will not come to any trouble, ‘if you act wisely and warily ’.” feel inclined to believe you. give the matter my earnest consideration.” the alert, my dear lady, and if siderably mistaken, [ upturn a plot that will surprise you even more than the substance of this interview.” party to the conspiracy, whatever it is, Calvin Clinton is a scheming villain, and is backed up by the old reprobate, Long!” “ Sir! I will not listen to such charges against Mr. Clinton. He hes always proven himself a gentleman to me!” ‘‘T haven't a doubt of that, dear lady; never- theless, lam going to prove to you that he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Have you heard of the girl magician, called Queen Claribel?” Myra nodded, her lip curling with contempt. “Yes, P've heard of her,” she said. *“* Some wandering adventuress!” ‘‘No, I think she is a respectable and nice young woman. However, if she is an adven- turess, she knows your affianced—is, or has been, something to him. And she, too, is also mixed up in this conspiracy case.” ‘‘Pray explain your reason for supposing that this woman is, or ever has been anything to Mr. Hinton,” Myra said, a trifle haughtily. “Very well,” Death-Grip replied, ‘ I will do so. He then related concerning the meeting in the moonlight; how, by chance, he had overheard the conversation between Clinton and Claribel and now he had interposed, when the former had attempted to assault the girl magician. Myra listened, attentively, her pretty face oceasionally changing expression. Death-Grip also narrated, nearly word for word, the conversation that had passed between Clinton and Obadiah Long: ‘‘Now, are you convinced?” he demanded, when he had finished. ** Really, I don’t know. Perhaps I should be, if I knew whether to believe you or not, Of course I have only your word for it.” “Well, I have told you the truth, for your You can believe it or not, as you I’ve no more interest in the matter be- individuals have a desire to sehd me now, have ‘Thank you, sir. I am sure I am ever so much obliged for what you have told me, and I At any ‘ate I shall ‘‘T hope you will. And, above all, should you have any conversation with Clinton, be kind enough to leave me out!” ‘« T will do so, sir, And if you learn anything else of interest to me I presume you will let. me know.” * With pleasure, if you wish. I shall be on I am not con- Doctor Death-Grip bade the fair Myra adieu, and took his departure. “One stroke!” he muttered, with darkening brow, as he walked leisurely toward the office of Mark Warring. ‘‘ What a fool lam to weaken! I should have shaken her by the band in leaving, but—but, no! Too fair, too beautiful, too innocent is she, to become the victim of a promised vengeance! I will spare her—ay ! protect her!” And the man of broadcloth heaved a sigh as he strode onward, CHAPTER IX. THE VOICE FROM THE DEAD, PROBABLY there were never two more fright- ened men, in the history of Deadwood Dick’s Diggings than were Mark Warring and Smoky Sam when through the broker’s office rung the suggestive sentence—- “PROPHETIC WORDS!” Both sprung to their feet and gazed around them in astonishment, the face of each turning ashy white, Whence had come the voice? There was but one window and one door to the office, both of which were in front, and both were open, but no face was visible at either open- ing. The two villains exchanged glances, “Dye hear?’ Smokv gasped, “Of course I did,” replied Mark, trembling violently. ‘It was his voice!” “ Whose?” Bae Hal feller we sent down-stream—Deadwood Cc. Smoky turned another shade whiter. ud of the place. Over on the piazza of the Cinnamon Bear were still several loungers, but Doctor Death- Grip was not among them—a_ fact which the two alarmed villains both noted, and at which old Mark uttered an oath. “Twas that cuss, Death-Grip!” he gritted. ‘See, he’s not on the piazza.” “T notis,? Smoky responded. ‘ But whar is he? Thar’s no one near this shebang.” _ “True enough. But a sport who can put an indelible mark on a man’s gullet without any tools except a gloved band, is possessed of the devil and can doanything. Come inside, Smoky. Something bas got to be did /” “Waal, yes, | should presume to allow ther’ has,” Smoky assented, as he followedjthe moneyed mav of the Diggings into the office. _When the two were seated, Warring repeated his former declaration: ‘*Something’s got to be did.” “Well, what?” demanded Smoky, dubiously, “This accursed Death-Grip must be got rid of, and that, too, at once. Do you know what I believe?” vd - “No. What?” ‘““That he’s the same chap we sent down the stream— Deadwood Dick.” “Git out! The two ain’t no more alike thana cow and a chicken.” “That don’t matter, Nowadays a man can disguise himself so his own mother wouldn’t know him. If the man ain’t Deadwood Dick ’'ll eat my head. Ifit is Dick he’s here for a pur- pose, and that purpose concerns you and me most particularly.” ‘“* Well, maybe ye’r’ right. Kinder looks like it, the way he went fer my throttle,” Smoky ad- mitted, with a ge vd smile, ‘As ye say, the feller’s got to done up. But who’s goin’ to do it? T allow ther’ ain’t no single man in the camp as wants to take chances of tackling him!” “Pshaw! One shot from your revolver would do the job!” “Maybe! But if I missed—what then? Why there’d be a dead Samuel in town in less than a holy second. No! no! I ain’t on ther funeral list to-day, by a long shot!” “« Well, then, if one is afraid to do the job, a dozen needn’t be. Go get a dozen of the tough- est men in camp, and appoint a meeting to-night, at eight, at the tall elm at the lower end of the Pocket. By that time I will have arranged some plan to entrap Mister Death-Grip and give him the death-grip.” “ Allright. I reckon et won’t take me long to et gang enough together to lay him out!” mo y said, grimly. “I know one thing: ye don’t ketch me asleep, as long as the cussed ga- loot is alive and kickin’!” He took his departure, and soon Cal Clinton entered the office without ceremony, his face dark with passion, — Evidently something had happened not pleas- ing to him, for he threw himself into a chair, and bit off the end of a cigar so viciously as to cause the broker to givo him an inquiring glance. ‘“‘ Well, Calvin, what’s gone wrong now?” was the query. “The devil’s to pay!” was the savage reply. ‘Not satisfied with getting all my_ interests 6 the Pocket away from me, you’ve been setting Myra up against me!” ‘Nothing of the sort. What the blazes ever put that idea into your head?” “Then, you deny that you have influenced ie? Contain er Why, YP eed ertainly I do. y, I've never oO pes Sead in the slightest. What's the di cul- ty ‘‘Diffieulty enough. You see I expect to have to take a business trip to Denver inside of a few days, and before going I wanted to have the knot tied that would make Myra my wife. So I went to her a bit ago, and proposed that we be mar- ried to-morrow.” “Well, what did she say?” “ What did she say? Why, she said ‘no,’ most emphatically. Not only that, but she said that she had wholly ch-nged her mind, and could not marry me at all, and begged that I discontinue my visits. I demanded an explanation, but she refused to give one, and settled matters by or- dering me to leave the house. Now I want to know what it all means?” '
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ie Deadwood Dick’s Diggings. SS oooooeeeooeoeoeoeoeaeoaeaeeeeeeeeS SO eeeeeaeaewowwers Old Mark scratched his head as if perplexed. “Dash me if I know. What have you been doing to rile the girl?” he demanded. ‘Nothing! nothing whatever. We have been on the best of terms until my visit to-day, and I have been confident of her love for me; but now T see no other explanation than tbat some one has poisoned her mind against me!” ‘*Pshaw! who could do that? No one pays her attention except you. You haven’t an enemy in all the camp unless it is—” ** Who?” Clinton demanded eagerly. ‘The man who left the mark on your throat!” and the broker laughed heartily, while Clinton fiushed to the temples. “T have no mark on my neck. I’ve got a sore throat!” he stammered. ‘Bah! don’t fib, Calvin!” returned the other, ‘“‘for it is of nouse. You’ve got the same mark on your throat that Smoky Sam has—the word * Doomed /’—and what’s more, you cannot wash it off. Take off yer handkerchief and let’s have a look at the thing!” Thus cornered, Clinton reluctantly removed the bandage, and, sure enough, there, in plain sight upon his neck, was the crimson word, Doomed ! almost in the same spot as on the throat of Smoky Sam. 1 “That beats anything I ever saw!” Warring — very seriously. ‘‘ How did it happen, Ja ““T was coming from the Casino across the vacant lot twixt here and there, when this in- fernal interloper, who calls himself Death-Grip —a proper name for him, it is, too—leaped upor me, and grabbed me by the throat. 1 thought he was going to kill me at first, but finally suc- ceeded in breaking away from him, and made my escape. Mark, that fellow isa very emissary of the devil, I do believe!” “Tve a notion of the sort myself,” Warring replied, with a grim shake of the head. ‘‘ He is a dangerous character at the best, and it is not safe to have him running around loose. He's. got to be squelched!” “Just my idea. But how? He takes things so cool and easy, and apparently is so perfectly fearless, that nigh every one is afraid of him.” “So it seems. But wait. Weil fix him. There’s to be a oe at the tall elm to-night, and arrangements will then be made to dis of him. ill you be there at eight o'clock?” Clinton meditated a moment. “Tl see,” he said. ‘* Most likely I'll be pres- ent. But, do you really think it’s this Death- Grip’s influence that has poisoned Myra’s mind against me?” ‘*No doubt. No one else would or could do ” ‘‘T don’t know. But there’s only one of two things about the matter. To-morrow night I leave for Denver to claim a fortune that was left to me by an uncle a year ago. Myra must marry me between now and to-morrow night, or not at all, for if she refuses, I shall not return here!” “Fortune, eh? Why, you never told me you had a fortune coming to you!” ‘*T wanted to win Myra as a poor man, and rise her afterward.” ‘How much of a fortune is coming to you?” “‘ Something over two hundred thousand!” An announcement that nearly took Mark Warring’s breath away. ‘You don’t mean it,” he ejaculated, incredu- lously. “ But I do, though,” the other returned. “Well, you're lucky. 1’m sorry enough about this falling out betwixt you an’ Myra; but, rest easy. I'll fix it all right. She knows better than to disobey me, and when I tell her to mar- ry you, she'll do it.” “T doubt it!” | “Doubt nothing of the sort. If I don’t fix it so she marries you, you shall have back your half-interest in my business at what you sold out for.” ? ~ ain,” Clinton cried, springing to “ It’s a b his feet.“ Shake on that!” “ But hold on!” said Old Mark, “If TI do in- fluence her to marry you within the specified time, what am T to get?” Clinton reflected a moment. — > “Pl give you five thousand in cash, as soon as the ceremony is performed,” he said, finally. “Tt’s a bargain. Shake on that.” And shake they did, and the compact was sealed, providing both should adhere to their promises—which was a matter of question. Clinton took his departure, and the schem- ing old operator leaned back in his easy-chair, a peculiar gleam in his eyes. dred thousand dollars,” he mutter- ed. su TAR! my bo lyin’ to me.” y, you are lyin’ to me, CHAPTER X. THE BRAND OF VENGEANCE AGAIN. DvuRING the forenoon it was generally dull at Warring’s office, and equally that way until mid-afternoon; so, after dinner, he usually took an afternoon nap. It chanced, however, that the scheming ex- miner did not go home to dinner to-day, but, about an hour before noon, feeling drowsy, he closed and locked the office door, and pulled down the curtain, as was his wont, and settling back in his chair, he went to sleep. How long he slept he could not realize, when he awakened with a violent start. For a moment he glared around him. Beads of perspiration stood upon his forehead, “What an infernal ugly dream,” he gasped. ‘*T thought the ghost of Deadwood Dick stood be- side me, and that then he went to the safe and took all my money. Heavens, how dark it is!” And so it was. Scarcely a ray of light penetrated the office, although outside it was, of course, broad day- light. ee several minutes the guilty man seemed afraid to move from his chair, but finally struck a match and lit a small hand-lamp that stood upon the table at his right hand. Then he arose, and stared about the place, to make sure there were really no ghosts here in the room, ‘Tt must have been a nightmare,” he mutter- ed, ‘‘Curse that Smoky Sam! Somehow, he’s got my nerves unstrung with his superstitious fol-de-rol. Ha! what's this?” His eyes fell upon a sealed envelope that lay upon the table. Right well he knew that no "Ae envelope was on the table when he went to sleep. For a moment, he seemed loth to touch the letter, then he seized the envelope and tore it open. Inside was a sli single word, trac in blood: of al on which was a evidently by a finger, dip- ** Doomed !” With an ejaculation of horror, Old Mark drop- ped the paper, as though it had been a scorpion. ‘“T was wrong!” he . “It was not a dream. Some one has been here!” He rushed to the door, and tried it, but it was locked. The window, however, was up. He had neg- lected to shut it down, when he had pulled down the curtain. Involuntarily, he glanced toward the safe, which stood in one corner of the office. ‘“‘T wonder if the money is all right?” he muttered. ‘‘ There were twenty-thousand dol- lars in it before I fell asleep!” Nervous, and filled with apprehension, he seized the lamp, approached the safe, threw open its door, and drew out the principal money drawer—the receptacle that, a few hours before, had contained $20,000 in bank notes, mostly of large denomination. The drawer was empty! No! not entirely, for in the bottom lay an or- dinary sheet of writing paper, containing the following message, written, with ink, ina grace- ful style of chirography: ‘‘ You have done well for the time you have been here. I could not have done better, mysclf. Part of this you know, you stolefrom me. The remainder I Speers as revenue for the use of my real es- te. “Yours Until (your) Death, ““DeApwoop Dick, JR.” As he read this daring and uncomforting note, he seemed dazed and frightened, then he grew wild with fury. **Ten thousand demons!” he gasped. ‘‘ I have been robbed—robbed of all my money, and that, too, by the very man I believed dead. Oh! God! this is the fruit of my accursed toolish- oan Blind idiot I was ever to leave the money here!” And burying his face in his hands, the de- feated wretch shook with emotion. ‘¢ Don’t take it so hard, old man!” said a half- mocking voice. ‘‘ You’ll soon pick up again. Really, if I know anything, you ought to con- sider yourself lucky that you're alive!” Warring started up, and glared around him, an expression of utter horror depicted upon his pallid countenance, for he was utterly alone; not a soul was in the room besides himself! He rushed to the window, tore aside the cur- tain, and thrust forth his head, into the open air, but saw no one within a dozen yards of the office. A few people were lounging upon the Cinna- mon Bear piazza, but that was Doctor Death-Grip was not among the num« os Mechanically, Old Ma: k staggered to his chair, and sat down. He was now wild with despair, and tremulous with angry passion. ‘**Gone! all gone!” he mused, bitterly, ‘‘and I am now no richer than when I first came here, except for what I own, in the valley. True, my revenues thus derived, are Jarge, but it will take —pshaw! I am a driveling idiot! What good will all the claims and other sources of income do me, if this Deadwood Dick is still alive, as there now seems to be no reason to doubt? Even as he stole away my money while I slept he'll do», it again. Furies seize the fellow! hy did I not take Smoky’s advice, and end him with a knife, instead of sendin’ him off in a boat? I was a natural born idiot, not to have done so; but it is not too late yet—no! it’s not too late et!” and the villain’s hands were clinched tight- y together. ‘Deadwood Dick and this Doctor Death-Grip are one and the same person. There’s no doubt in my mind about that any longer. It was Death-Grip who robbed me, and whose voice I have twice heard. He has come here with but one motive—revenge! Curse him! curse him! He must, he shall die, before he does any further mischief! “There will be a meeting at the tall elm, to- night; then Death-Grip’s doom must be sealed. Lots must be drawn to see who kills the devil, and be who gets the prize must do the job at once, under penalty of death!” When he left the office, that afternoon, he re- locked the safe, and went out about the camp, but made no mention of the robbery. Indeed, by his cheerful appearance, no one would have suspected that he had recently parted with the large sum of twenty thousand dollars. ‘or was he aware that he was regarded with the greatest curiosity by every one he chanced to meet, and people even turned around to look at him, with strange nods of the head. Finally, however, he was brought to a realiza- tion that something was the matter, when, on meeting Smoky Sam face to face, that individual stopped and stared at his partner in crime, with an ejaculation of astonishment. ‘‘ Well! what are ye gaping at?” Old Mark de- manded, irritated by the other’s manner. ‘‘ D’ye ut I see something red,” Smoky ‘“* Where'd you get it ?” Old Mark turned white in an instant. ‘What do you mean?” he gasped. “T mean thet you’re marked just the same like me an’ Cal Clinton,” replied Smoky. ‘‘ Yedon’t mean to say ye didn’t know et?” The old intriguer made no reply, but rushed into a saloon near at hand, and took a look at himself in the glass. F Then a low cry of horror came from his lips. Sure enough, there, in bold relief upon his neck, was the fatal word, in crimson letters: ‘* Doomed !” He indeed was now as much of a marked man as either Cal Clinton or the proprietor of the Cocktail Casino. And worse—he had both been robbed and branded. The shock of this last discovery was too much for his nervous system, and, with a groan of anguish, he fell to the floor in a fit. CHAPTER XI. DEATH-GRIP AND QUEEN CLARIBEL, Doctor DEATH-GRIP was lounging about the office of the Cinnamon Bear Hotel, late that af- ternoon, enjoying a cigar, and equally enjoying the distrustful curiosity with which every one seemed to regard him, when an office boy hand- ed him a sealed envelope, on which was simply written, ‘‘ Dr. Death-Grip,” in a lady’s hand. Not without considera je surprise, the Doctor opened the envelope, and drew forth a daintily perfumed sheet of paper, when his eyes fell upon the following: “Dr. DeaTH-GRIP, :— “Dear Str:—The lady magician respeetfully re- quests an interview with you, in the patter up-stairs, ‘* QUEEN 4 Doctor Death-Grip smiled as he put the note away in his pocket. ‘The very opportunity I most desire!” he mut- tered. ‘' Ma belle Queen, you shall be accommo- dated. Of course you shall. I would not disap- point so charming a creature for worlds!” He immediately arose, and went up-stairs to the ladies’ parlor, and found theQueen awaiting m. She arose and greeted him with a pleasant smile, and bade bim be seated near her. She was attired in a plain but tasty brown
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10 silk dress, and with becomingly arranged hair, was certainly, as Death-Grip had privately ob- served, during the perusal of her letter, a most charming creature. : When they were seated, the lady magician said: “T presume, sir, you were considerably sur- prised at the reception of my note requesting an interview?” ** More o_o than surprised, by all odds!” Death-Grip pleasantly assured. ‘‘1 have been watching for an opportunity to speak with you for several hours.’ » “Indeed? Wherefore? : ‘On a matter concerning you personally, But first, tell me of what service [ can be?” ‘* Well, really I—I don’t know. I—I wanted to know if you intend to remain in this place for a week or two?” ‘*T shall be here for a considerable length of time, most likely.” j ‘* Well, you see, sir, I have in my possession some important papers, relating to a valuable fortune that rightfull belongs tome. Should these papers fall into the hands of a certain per- son, I would lose the inheritance.” ‘*T see,” Death-Grip replied. ‘‘ You fear you will lose them?” “Yes. The man, Calvin Clinton, whom you so kindly rescued me from last night, would give much to possess the papers, and he is such an abominable wretch that, now that he has found out I am here, I fear he will make another attempt to get them from me,” “You are quite right in believing that, dear lady. Clinton does intend to try to obtain the papers by fair means or foul.” ’ “How do you know?” and Queen Claribel locked eagerly at her caller. “T will tell you. By chance, this afternoon, I overheard a conversation that interested me, for it not only concerned you but also concerned another party. The conversation took place between Calvin Clinton and a clerical-looking individual who is known in the camp as the Reverend Obadiah Long.” “Go on!” Claribel said, betraying her deep interest. ‘“* Well, among other things, I found that these two men a conspiracy on foot, in which you were concerned. Just its exact nature I could not learn, but I formed the idea that it related to a property matter, which they were trying to cheat you out of.” : ; ‘* Your idea, in the main, was correct, sir. I do not know who Obadiah Long is, but I do know that Cal Clinton is a despicable villain.” ‘I do not doubt it, miss, and [ am, therefore, the more interested in you. The cuss—pardon the expression—had better not seek to molest you while I’m about, or he will get a worse choking than he got last night. Is it your de- sire, miss, to Pat your papers in my hands for safe-keeping during your stay here?’ ** Yes, sir—that is, I was going to ask you if you would just as lief take charge of them for me, You appear like an honorable man, and I think I can trust you.” 2 ‘You can, implicitly, my dear lady; and if you would go still further, and tell me your ‘story, I think I could be of good service to ou.” ** My story, sir?” se Yos, for t am convinced that you have an interesting history.” ueen Claribel hesitated a moment. | “TI have a history,” she finally said; ‘‘ but, just how interesting it would be to you, I donot now. However, I don’t mind telling you of myself, providing you treat what I tell you confidentially.” ** You can depend upon that. I would be the last person in the world to betray a confidence,” * Welly I will trust you, for you are the only one in this place I feel I can trust. ‘Some twenty years ago there were married, in an Eastern State,a couple named Anthony Harding and Lucille Lavelle. Harding was a paca: young farmer of good family, while the girl he married, belonged to a true Gypsy family, who had settled down to domestic life in the neighborhood, **The match was not a happy ore, for where the farmer was ambitious and industrious, his wife was right the opposite, and of an irritable ) and exacting nature. They lived toge#her—a wrangling sort of life—for five goat and then Lucille disappeared, and Anthony Harding | secured a‘divorce for abandonment, “Soon after, he sold his farm, and moved toa Western State, where he invested in a tract of land, on which a town eventually sprung up, and his fortune was made, “Two children had been born to him, of his Deadwood Dick’s Diggings. union with Lucille, they being twin girls, Soon after prosperity began to smile upon him in the West, Anthony Harding died, leaving his for- tune to his daughters, and appointing his brother, Hurlburt Harding, guardian over the children, and administrator of the estate. ‘“‘ The will was a remarkably singular one. It instructed the guardian to educate, clothe and feed the children out of the revenues derived from the estate, and to see that both were well married, ere they reached the age of nineteen— the guardian to use discretion in choosing hus- bands, “In case either girl should refuse to marry the object of the rdian’s choice before her nineteenth birthday, she was to be cut off with a dollar, and the fortune was to go to the girl who had accepted of a husband. ‘*The guardian was authorized to convert the estate into money, and on the nineteenth birth- day of the twins, they wére to receive the for- tune, one, or severally, as the case might be. ‘*In case neither were married, the fortune was to be invested in Government bonds, and of the income from them, two-thirds was to go toa charitable institution and one-third to be divided between the girls.” “A very strange will, I should say!” Doctor Death-Grip observed. “Yes, it was. But our father was a strange man. “Well, about a year after father’s death, Luke Lavelle, my mother’s brother, came to my guardian, and, in the interest of his sister, de- manded the custody of her children. Of course our guardian refused to give us up, and a quar- rel ensued, during which our guardian was shot, but not fatally injured, while Luke Lavelle made his escape, and could nowhere be found. “About a week later, however, my sister, Helen, was Aen re stolen away, and the crime was most naturally laid to Luke Lavelle. The matter was placed’ in the hands of the a iar’ authorities, and detectives set to work; ut, though my guardian spent a large sum of money, and several years of active search pass- ed, no trace of Helen or Luke Lavelle could be found, nor has there even been, since, ‘A Mississippi River s‘eamer was burned, a few days after the abduction, and the detectives finally decided that Helen and Lavelle had lost their lives on that boat. “‘T was brought up under Hurlburt Harding’s watchful eye, and given a fine education, I never wanted for anything, and it was only when I arrived at the age of seventeen that my troubles began. Then it was that my uncle in- formed me that I was old enough to marry, and that he had selected a husband for me. “The person he had selected was a flashy, good-looking individual, Calvin Clinton b name, who was said to be financially well fixed, and who was quite a society favorite; but I didn’t like him, from the first, and so told un- cle, but_ he wouldn’t listen to me, and said I must like bim, and marry him. it declared I wouldn’t, and then, as you may suppose, there was war in the houneholA. ‘* Chnton persisted in thrusting his attentions upon me until they became obnoxious, and un- cle, began a nee of alternate coaxjng and threatening, until affairs became unbearable. I stood it for a year, with the best grace I could; but, finally, I made up my mind I would stand it no longer, not if I never got a penny of my father’s fortune!” ‘““Tadmire your grit,” interposed her much interested listener. ‘“* Well, while finishing my education, I had learned to bea clever sleight-of-hand performer, and doubted not but what I could earn my own living. So, suddenly, and without warning, I took French leave. And when I left, I took my father’s will, and a few papers of minor im- portance, “Since then, I have traveled through the various mining districty, giving entertainments with uniform success, and feeling quite secure, until I met Calvin Clinton here last night!” ‘““What was your object in bringing your father’s will with you, Miss—Miss Harting, J presume?” “Yes. My truenameis Edith Harding. The reason I have brought the will with me, in m travels, I should think would be obvious. If should get married, before to-morrow night, six o’clock, to Cal Clinton, of course 1 woul naturally come into the whole fortune. But of course I shall not do anything of the kind. If it goes over my nineteenth birthday, I shali de- Doctor Death-Grip whistled, softly. * But, why?” he rote pment “ Because, then no can be found when | stroy this will!” Iam of legal age. In the absence of any will or testament, Iam of course the legal heiress to half of my father’s estate in case my sister should come forward, If she should not come forward, then, of course the whole fortune comes to me!” “But, haven’t you overlooked ene little point?” queried the listener, ‘* What is it?” “This will of your father’s—was it ever re- corded? It must have been, or Hurlburt Hard- ing could not have legally assumed your guar- dianship, and administration of your estate!” “The will was duly recorded.’ ** Then, the records would show the truth, the same as though you did not destroy the will.” Edith laughed. “Oh! no!” she replied, ‘‘ I’ve looked into all that, long ago. The court house at S —-, was burned to the ground, and ail the records de- stroyed, and the recorder and his clerks, have all died. No will of my father’s can ever be proven now, without my consent!” ** Well, you’reas good as a Chicago lawyer, and have got everything your own way. But what does Ear Clinton want of the will?” “T have only one theory, and that is that Clinton has found my sister, got into her good graces, and if he can secure the will, he will marry her before the hour she is nineteen, Thus, beirg a favorite with Hurlburt Harding, he will have married into the fortune,” _ ‘**Clinton knows the contents of the will?” ‘‘Yes, perfectly; otherwise the scoundrel would not bother me.” ‘** In case it was Luke Lavelle who rings! your sister, did he know what was in the will?” “I think not; I presume, Gypsy-like, he worked for revenge.” ‘*T don't suppose you would know this Lavelle, if you were to see him?” ‘Ob! no. You know I was only a toddling child then.”’ . Doctor Death-Grip reflected a moment, ‘* Who is the colonel?” he asked, “Why, that is Hurlburt Harding, What of him?’ ‘*T heard his name mentioned, in the conver- sation between Clinton and Obadiah Long.” ‘* What did they say about him?’ “Clinton observed that he would arrive in cone most probably, to-night.” Edith sprung to her feet, consternation de- picted upon her pretty face. “He coming here?” she gasped. ‘Then, I must not lose a moment; I must leave the place at once!” ‘* Nothing of the sort,” Doctor Death-Grip de- cided for her. ‘Sit down, Miss Harding, and listen to me. You have made me, nearly a stranger to you, your confidant; you have trusted me, and you have won my heartiest friendship, You knew not who I was; I might. have been your worst enemy. I am your friend however, and when I say I am a person’s friend, that person need never wish to have a truer one. You do not see me as myself. These whiskers, and this hair are all false. Once re- moved, you would see an altogether aifferent looking man, I did not come here without a purpose, I came for vengeance! And before I depart, those who did me a bitter—terrible wrong—they shall know the unrelenting Death- Grip. You say you have traveled thrceugh the mining districts, Miss Harding, Were you ever up Bozeman way?” ‘Yes, indeed! I spent a full month there.” ‘Did you ever hear of a wild sort of fellow, a detective, a friend to friends, and foe to foes, and yet, withal, a man of honor, who rambled around under the nom de plume of Deadwood Dick, Junior?” Edith’s pretty face plainly showed her surprise. “Why, yes,” she said. “I’ve often heard of the person—not only at Bozeman, but in various other camps in different territories.” ; Whe never heard any good of him, I'll ager **On the contrary I have always beard that he was more sinned against than sinning!” Edith replied, ‘* that he did good rather than evil.” ‘* Well, that’s queer! But, be that as it may, Miss Harding, you haye made a_ wise move in offering to place your father’s will in my hands, By your confidence I have been able to see clear through a diabolical conspiracy. You are in an unenviable position, and in serious need of a friend. To ss that will between now and to-morrow night Cal Clinton would raise heaven and earth, if he could. He will tax the ingenuity of Satan himsef to get possession of The take it and keep it f ” Raith ** Then e or me shall. T dot Tan here cried. “Oh! dear, what
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alone, among strangers, and my enemies are one in around me! Oh! I shall lose, after all!’ : ‘*No! Miss Harding, you shall not!” the man of broadcloth declared, rising and: folding his arms across his chest. ‘‘ You have one friend, and one that will stand by you to the last—a man who neither fears death nor Satan and all his imps. And that friend 1s before you!” ‘*Oh! Doctor Death-Grip, I believe you. You will really—” ‘‘Nay! no longer Doctor Death-Grip to you, but Richard Bristol, otherwise Deadwood Dick, Junior.’ ‘*Deadwood Dick, Junior! Can it be possi- ble?” “Quite so. But I trust you will keep the fact secret. Now, Miss Harding, you have given me the will, and it is safe. Nevertheless I will not disguise the fact that you are in need of a friend with a strong arm to back you. You’ve got a pair of wolves to fight, and without a man of nerve to defend pe you certainly will lose. From what you have told me, and from what have learned from other sources, I have fathomed the case in its entirety; have evena better understanding of it than you yourself. Now, I will carry you through the storm, which I am sure is impending, and bring you out into smooth waters, triumphant. Ihave nocharge to make for doing this—no fees toexact. I only want you to do one thing!” “Name it! name it! I will do almost any- thing reasonable and honorable. To defeat the scheming of that wretch, Cal Clinton—why, I would even marry some—” ‘Nay! speak not the words!” Death-Grip quickly interrupted. ‘‘ They are uncalled for. [ know what you would say—can read your thoughts clearly. Although the prize would be worth the earnest wooing of any honorable man, jewels bright were designed to belong where Jewels will shine the prettiest and purest, !” Edith flushed to the temples at this and seemed almost ready to burst into tears, when Death- Grip came quick to her relief again. “Tut! tut,” Miss Harding. Don’t for an instant infer that I thought you would demean yourself by some rash act. But, listen! I have only a few more minutes to tarry here, if I am going to defend your interests. Now, what I want you to do, is this. Give everything into my charge, and let me manage matters, and if you will, I'll give you my word as a gentleman, that I will pull you through, defeat your en- emies, and you will get what is justly yours,” “Oh! yes! yes! You shall have the paces of doing whatever you think best, and I will be entirely governed by your judgment and wishes. But, oh! sir, how shall I ever be able to repay you for all this kindness?” “Tm not on the hire!” Death-Grip replied, with a faint smile. ‘‘ When I takea hand ina game like this, I play for the honor of defeating ainy,” . bis Shall I appear at the Casino to-night!” “The man of broadcloth reflected a moment. “Yes,” he said, finally, ‘‘ providing you don’t see or hear from me again in the mean time, You go on, at, nine?” _ Yes, that is as I have arranged.” ‘* Well, probably I shall know more, soon, and will keep you posted. You had better not go down-stairs until it is time for you to go to the Casino, I willleave you now. Be brave, and let nothing alarm you, for I will be near you, when, perhaps, you least expect it!” They shook hands,cordially,and Doctor Death- Grip went to his own room, Edith soon follow- ing to hers, which adjoined that of the man of broadcloth. CHAPTER XTi, SISTER VS. SISTER, EVERYTHING was plain enough to Death-Grip now. Where, before, he had known nothing for certain in regard to the conspiracy, he now saw it all as plainly as though it had already tran- spired. . : In the first’ place, no doubt, Calvin Clinton, adventurer that he was, had heard of the sin- lar will of Anthony Harding, and set to work > ae one of the heiresses of the big fortune; by careful research he had found out that one eiress was missing, and_had, therefore, first laid siege for the hand of Edith. : Failing here, he had cast about him, and by some lucky chance had discovered that Myra was the missing twin sister, and if he could marry her and secure and destroy the Harding will, he was accomplishing his purposes. That Mvra Warring was in reality Helen Harding, Deadwood Dick now ha not a doubt, and if she was, it stood to reason that Mark Digging. Deadwood Dick’s Warring really was Luke Lavelle, the uncle of the Harding children. Death-Grip sat in his room, silent and thought- ful for nearly an hour. “Here is a grand chance for revenge,” he mused. “If I were inclined to take advantage of it by playing my cards right, I could keep Myra, otherwise Helen, out of any portion of the fortune. But that would be dishonorable— ay, dirty, mean. She has never, personally, done me any harm, and {I would in reality be revenging myself upon her instead of the old de- mon, Warring. **To be So I don’t believe the old scoundrel knows anything about the peculiar construction of the will. That a will exists he no doubt is aware, but sup s that the sisters will share eqeny and alike, and is holding Myra baek un- til she is of age, when he will push her forward. If he knew of the terms of the will as it now ex- ists, he’d have made _a noise, and a big one, too, long ere this. Cal Clinton is the chap who is playing the bluff hand in the game. Wonder who the old curmudgeon is who is standing in with him in the guise of Obadiah Long? His father, maybe. I hardly know where to begin at to go to work on this matter. I'd like to see Colonel Hurlburt Harding before I make any positive move.” In this strain it was the detective’s thoughts ran, Finally, he arose and put on his hat, prepara- tory to going down-stairs, when he heard a rap on the door of the adjoining room, which was, although unknown to him, Edith’s, Curiosity impelled him to wait a moment, for the partitions between the two rooms were thin, and he could easily hear anything that was said in the next room, Not that he had any predisposition for eaves- dropping, but intuition seemed to stay his foot- steps. ; The knock upon the door was speedily an- swered; then the voice of the party in the hall interrogated: ‘* Are you the one who does the tricks at the Casino?” Death-Grip recognized the voice at once, and drew nearer tothe partition, It was the voice of Myra Warring. ‘I am Queen Claribel, if that is who’you have reference to!” Edith Harding answered. ‘You're the one!” Miss Warring assented. **Can I have a few minutes talk with you?” **Certainly. Step inside.” Then, the door closed, and the man of many disguises heard the two ladies become seated. Myra Warring was the first to speak: “You are engaged at the Casino place, in the capacity of a variety girl, I believe?” Miss Warring said. 3 “Tam performing at the Casino, madam, as a lady magician!” Edith returned, haughtily, “Ob! as a lady magician. You will excuse me, I am sure, for I am not very well posted, on such matters, and was not aware that ladies were admissible to the sanctity of rum-shops. Do you intend remaining long, here?” “One week is the time I am engaged for, but Tecan not say how much longer I shall remain, madam!” ‘* Miss, if you please!” Miss Warring cor- rected. ‘‘I presume you don’t get much pay in such a small town as this, do you?” ‘A hundred dollars a week, and hotel ex- penses, I never work for less,” ‘* Indeed!” This surprised Myra. It had never been her good fortune to have a hundred dollars in her pocket, at one time, in her life. ‘Why, that is wonderful money, for a pup- pet show. Young lady, how much will you ask, to cancel your engagement, here, and leave for some other place?” Edith’s spirit of resentment flashed in her eyes, “T would not cancel my engagement under any consideration,” she retorted. ‘I have all the money I need, but have no cause or desire to cancel m, engagement or to permit any per- son to interfere in any way with my affairs.” This reply caused Myra Warring to flush with anger. ‘You are very sbarp-tongued, for one of your sort!” she sneered, “* Just as sharp-tongued as you, and of orwty as good a sort, if not better!” Edith returned. “If you came here to show the disagreeable side of your nature you are unwelcome. By turning the knob of the door yonder you can easily find a mode of egress!” nh the next room, Doctor Death-Grip felt like firing a war-whoop of approval, am not ready to go yet,” Myra responded 12 decidedly. ‘I have come here to talk business with you, and genuine business, too. You are an imposter, Your name is not Queen Claribel!” ‘“* My professional name is Queen Claribel!” “Oh! your professional name! A fine pro- fession you have, for one of your sex!” ““As long as it suits me, I don’t know’ that it is any of your business!” was the prompt re- tort. 3 ““Oh! of course, it’s none of my business,” Myra acquiesced. ‘I don’t want it to be; but, you see, [ know who youare. I chanced to Le awaiting the arrival of a friend, in a room ad- joining the parlor, when you had an interview with that interesting individual who seeks to create a terrific impression by styling bimself Doctor Death-Grip. I heard all that passed be- tween you, and now know you both, in your true colors,” : ““Yes? Well, were you interested, parti-u- larly?” queried Edith, maintaining the utmost composure. ‘*T was, indeed.” “Then, I should infer, you being so much in- terested, that you are the affianced of Calvin Clinton?” pid Oe a ** Accordingly, I presume you will allege that you are my twin sister, whom Luke T.avelle kid- napped, many years ago?” i ixactly, If there is any proof in the stery ou told that distinguished ruffian, Doctor eath-Grip, I am _ undoubtedly your sister Helen—unfortunately your sister. Only to- day 1 refused to marry Clinton on account of the affair of last night, in which this death- gripper gave him a specimen of his ruffian ac- complishments, but now that I see through it all I shall marry Clinton at the earliest moment, I do not care fot him, particularly, but I do care for the fortune—not half, but the whole. You, by your own admission, have been scheming to possess this fortune. The man you refused, my high-toned sister, J will take. And you, well, you can go on giving your bar-room entertain- ments forever, for all I care!” Miss Mike then arose, a And Edith Harding arose also, and, with deep eo spoke: “Madam, I beg you will not callagain. Had you come to me as a sister you should have found a sister’s affection awaiting you. But, you came as anenemy to your kith and kin; you came for a mercenary purpose and have dared to insult me, needlessly and wickedly. You are the Gypsy Lavelle. Jam the Harding. Go your way and marry that knave Clinton. [ only hope you will. But, rest assured, I will win, now—after all that has passed between us. I will win, if only to thwart you and your most detestable ally !” “Ha, ha! What a queen you are!” and Myra laughed derisively. ‘What are your sncers to me? I do net know ou. Noone knows you! Who are you? You hove no proof of who you are. You cannot even prove you are Helen Harding. Go! Do your worst. The door is at your disposal. Go!” ‘Yes! I will go. But, remember, bar-roonx beauty, you have not heard the last of me. You thin ro newly acquired friend, the de- tested Death-Grip, will help you out, but it is a vain hope. When it becomes known that Death- Grip is the notorious desperado, Deadwood Dick, he will be seized by a grip that will never re- lent, until the last breath is out of his body. Farewell, fair sister! Magic will never save younow. The fortune of our father is mine, for I shall marry Calvin, and all your sleight-of- hand tricks and subtle scheming will never reach it!” Myra swept haughtily from the room, banging the door after her, While Eaith, brave to the last, but now over- come by the intense excitement grew sick and faint, and fell unconscious on the floor. It was several minutes ere she recovered con- sciousness; then she awoke to the fact that she was lying upon her bed, and that the detective, Doctor ee Lf was bathing her forehead with a dampened handkerchief. She started up, to a sitting position, in an in- stant. ia ere am I?” shegasped. ‘* What has hap- pened!” Then, the interview with Myra rushed upon her mind, and she turned piteously to Death Grip. “Was it true? Oh! tell me was it true?” she faintly asked, “‘ or have I been dreaming?” “It was only too true, Miss Harding,” was the quiet answer, ‘“‘One whom I wonld have thought an angel, at such a crisis, proved her- But you held, self unworthy of your respect.
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( 12 —_—. a own so bravely that I admire you more han words can express. Though enemies sur- round you, be of brave heart, for the end is not one you need to dread.” ‘**Qh! God! what have I ever done, to merit all this persecution? All my friends and rela- tives are leagued against me, even my own sis- ter; not a friend in all the world have I.” ‘* Edith!” and his voice was one of reproof. ‘* Pardon me, Mr. Bristol! You are the only friend I have left!” and the disheartened girl burst into tears, and wept bitterly—as only those can weep who know what utter loneliness means, ‘There, dear lady, donot grieve so. Lassured you I was your friend, and I repeat the assur- ance that you cannot have a truer one. I will fight you through the battle, Edith—Miss Hard-. ing—if I have to clean out every enemy you have—man or woman. So, now cheer up.” - Oh! youare sokind! But you don’t know what she threatened. In defending me, you are porting yourself in deadly personal peril. She nows who you are, and she will set every one agaipst you, and—and—’” “* And every one that runs against me will get hurt,” was the grim reply. “Fear not, Miss—” ** Call me Edith, please.” ‘Fear not, Edith. I heard every word that assed between you, and laughed to myself at ie threat against me. Don’t let the least thought.of that disturb you. You don’t half know me yet. I fear none of them, and well they know it. Ere now, I’ve defied a whole town. All will turn out right, and even should we fail, no harm shall come to you, certainly not so long as [ live to defend you. “But 1 am unnecessarily disturbing you. Keep quietly to your room, have your meals sent up, or 1 will; admit no one, and if inquiry is made from the Casino, announce that you are illand unable to appear to-night. In the mean time I won’t be far away.” “Will you carry my ather’s will with you?” “Oh! no, Don’t fear about that, I will fix it so that should I get jerked up to a tree-limb, the will will be returned safely to you.” “Oh! Mr, Bristol, don’t—please dow’t imperil your life now. I full wellknow you are brave, fearless, noble, honorable and. self-sacrificing. God forbid you should ever come to harm on my account, But you are not going?” ; “Yes. There is work ahead for me, and I had best be looking after it.” ‘*Oh! Iam afraid to have you go. I do not fear for myself, for I have a pistol and know how to use it. But you--” ‘*There, don’t worry about me, Miss Edith, ‘for though we are fairly in the storm now, there’s clear weather ahead, as sure as my name is Deadwood Dick, the younger! So good-by! and be of brave heart and shoot the t one who dares to enter your room!” ‘*Goed-by! my best friend—my brother!” She flung her arms about his neck and kissed him; then, he gently released himself, and turned and left the room. His thoughts were confused, almost agonizing —were of poor Nola, pure and true as an angel, and lying beneath the sod kissed by a semi-tropic , sun—of Edith, pure and persecuted and alone in the world, and he the only man in the world ‘upon whom she leaned! P CHAPTER XIII. THE CONSPIRATORS AGAIN. Ir was sunset, and work for the day was done, No longer were picks, shovels and pans in use; no longer, for that day, would the earth-jarring, rock-disturbing blasts of giant powder send their dull roars through the Pocket that only a few short weeks before had been almost an eternal solitude. The miners came flccking into camp, heartily glad that their labors for the day were over, and soon, after a general ‘‘ wash-up and a bite of rub,” the only thoroughfare of ‘‘ Deadwood ick’s Diggings,” which was the stage trail pass- ing the Cinuamon Bear Hotel, presented a lively appearance. About a hundred yards to the south of where the original Deadwood Dick, Jr., cabin stood— now altered into the Cocktail Casino—was a small but densely matted motte of trees and un- dergrowth, in whose center was a little clearing, which Dick had specially fixed for an emergency retreat and where his and poor Nola’s noonday after-dinner hour was often spent, Many a happy moment they had passed there together, until a scourge-stricken stranger had wandered into the Pocket, died, and infected them with that dread ase, small-pox, To night, when the main street of the Diggings Deadwood Dick’s Diggings. began to ‘* blossom,” and assume a festal appear- | will reach the Diggings half an hour later, On ance, two men sat in the clearing, upon a rude | the stage comes Colonel Hurlburt Harding, He but comfortable settee, which Dick’s own hands | must not strike this camp until you and Myra had constructed for his ‘‘ bower.” are married.” “ They were Calvin Clinton and his superannu- ‘‘Bah! She'll not marry me. She told me ated acquaintance, the Rev. Obadiah Long. so, flat!” “IT think everything will be right in the morn- ‘** And she told me, flatter, that she had re- ing,” Clinton was saying. ‘‘Old Mark promised | considered the case, and was ready to wed you me again, an hour ago, that he would exert his | the first thing in the mornin’!” utmost influence to force matters. Oh! she'll get ‘Dad, you're lying—as usual.” f over her miff, will Myra, when she thinks I’m ‘Not a bit of it! Isaw her not ten minutes going away! She’s dead stuck on me, that I | before I came here.” know,” ‘* Why didn’t you tell me that .n the first ‘Don’t you be too sure about that, my son, | place? What about the stage?” These young women are rantankerous things to “We must stop it at the pines and secure deal with, sometimes,” Haruiey. Of course, we'll be in disguise, I ‘No need to preach that to me; I reckon I | know of a cave near by, where he can be kept a ought to know that. But, I'll tell you one thing, | prisoner for a few days, until you and Myra are dad, if I could have got Edith, you’d seen a dif- | married. If he comes to-night and ascertains ferent man made out of me from what I am | who Warring is, the jig is up. So, be at the now.” three blasted pines by nine o’clock, and your ‘* Humph!” poor old father will make your fortune for you, ‘No humph! about it. I loved that girl, hon- my Poe ‘Tl be there!” estly and honorably, and if she had taken me on I “Come disguised, mind you, and well armed, the risk—” ‘* What then?” for we may have to fight.” “I'd have made her a good, faithful, loving ‘Oh, I understand that. Now I must be husband, and—” going.” ‘** And so must I.” ‘*Thrown your poor old father aside, eh? He The two arose and left the hidden glade. who has schemed so long to make you a man : ; among men—you would have thrown him While a person who had overheard their con- versation chuckled softly to himself. aside?” There was a brief silence. Then the answer eta Death-Grip had been their. unseen guest, came: “ Yes! ITwould! She was as pure as an angel, and, had you not been constantly hounding at my heels, making me morose, sullen and :rrita- ble—not by any means like my natural self—I think I could have won her. But you—why, you have made a devil out of me. ou, a father, the devil;—I, the son, a chip from the block!” Obadiah Long laughed harshly. ‘*You’re a fool!” he growled. “I predicted you would be an emissary of evil from your in- fancy. You never was like me, but always like your mother—weak, peevish, lacking of nerve and ambition, and in fact worthless—good-for- nothing. Would that I stood in your shoes to- night; = bet I'd not let a fat fortune slip out of my ands because of a lack of nerve to grab it ‘Very true, you are the older rogue of the two of us,” retorted the son, ‘‘ but if I haven’t more stamina on the tip end of my toe-nails than you have in the whole of your body, P’ll sell out, and you can bargain with a doctor for my cada- r CHAPTER XIV, SISTER VS. SISTER! At eight o’clock that evening a of twelve men stood close in the vicinity of the tall elm. This meeting-place, as once before stated, was at the extreme southern end of the Pocket, the tree in question, a tall, gaunt growth, being the orly one in the immediate vicinity, and some distance from the mining-camp. The moon shed its effulgent light down upon the scene. ; Eleven men were formed in a semicircle, and before them, and facing them, stood the speaker of the occasion, Calvin Clinton. The other people of the crowd were Mark Warring, Smoky Sam, Horatio Hornblower, Ben Bungstarter, and seven other as tough-look- ing characters as could be found in any settle- ment or mining-camp in the West. Clinton was speaking: ** Boys!” he said, “‘ we have congregated here, as a representative delegation of the people, to discuss a subject concerning our persona] wel- ‘Tf I’m not mistaken, a certain doctor has got a license on your carcass already,” the elder re- turned, with cutting irony. Which elicited an oath from Clinton. “Tf you want to get off any of your facetious biz, you’d better go over to the Casino, and hitch up with the charming Ma’m’selle Queen Claribel,” he sneered. ‘‘ What do you want of me here, anyhow? I’ve got an engagement for to-night.” ‘‘ Will your engagement pay you, Calvin?” ‘* Pay ? For God’s sake, will you ever let u on the pay ? The whole consuming desire of your life seems to be money. Bah! I’m tired and sick of it. I’ve néver heard anytbing else since I was a boy. You make me sometimes forget that Iam a human being. Why, to have done with ‘your everlasting harping, ’'d marry the ugliest old hag, and all my life hoe potatoes alongside a railroad track. Now I shali act for myself; so don’t hound me anv more; it will do no good. I’m going. And he arose from the bench, ; ‘‘Not yet, Calvin; don’t go. I am_ speaking for your own benefit. LPll acknowledge I ain’t as much of a church member as I used to be, but if I’ve ever committed a sin—and I don’t think I ever have—it was for your sake. You aremy son, and although I don’t expect to hung out long here below, I wan’t to leave you in tol- erable good circumstances. Now, Calvin, did you ever know me to tell a lie?” - ‘“* Never, but once, dad,” Calvin replied, with mock solemnity, ‘‘ and that was all the time.” “Which isn’t so bad as a joke. But, Calvin, all jokin’ an’ sparrin’ aside, there’s work to be done this night, an’ that’s what we’re here for to arrange,” the old sinner said, with a show of ugly decision. “What work?’ Clinton growled. “ That’s what I’ve been waiting to find out.” “1 will tell you.” was Obadiah’s answer. ‘“* You know where the three blasted pines are, that a called your attention to one day?” es, “Well, the stage passes there to-night, as near as I can find out, about ten o’clock, and fare. “You all know me, and that I have been here since the cam — into existence, and Tl allow you wi all admit that I’ve conducted myself as a fair, square man! y on “Within the scope of my remembrance, I have never done an uncivil or unlawful act; nor have Tever harmed anybody. Nevertheless, a maa has made his appearance in the Diggings, who has not only insulted me without cause, but has marked me for life. . “The same a to our friend, Warring, and also to Smoky Sam. This man, who styles him Doctor Death-Grip, which of course is ap assumed name, has come here with the evident intention of bullving the whole town, and I think I have solved who he is, without a doubt. ‘‘ With one or two exceptions, you men are of the originals of our party who first came to this Pocket. You will remember we found only a solitary patient, in a sohtary cabin, sufferin from small-pox. While the main body of us went into camp, Warring and Smoky volun- teered to care for the sick man. When they re- turned tocamp they stated that he had died, and they had buried him, afterwards pointing to a mound. “T doubted this, and always have, and only recently have learned that instead of dying, he was sent down-stream in an open boat. He did not perish, but has come back to the Diggings in the guise of a sport, to visit vengeance upon us. This Death-Giip is the man, and our lives are in deadl ril. ‘Now, ths Tyestion is, shall we stand idle and become marked for life, and mayhap murdered by this devil, or shall we join ‘together and put him forever out of the way?” “Kill him!” came the answer. in chorus, and in savage tones. ‘* Kill the cuss!” ‘Just so! But that’s likely to be easier said
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| : i earth, she found hersel Deadwood Dick’s Dig-gings. a — —- | ' sh sas than done. There’s not a man in camp but | of what is justly mine? Then defend yourself \ tus with her now than at the former exhibition, what stands in fear of him, Ill admit, that while I’m no coward, I’d hesitate to tackle him, single-handed, and it would do the same, with weapons. The grip of his hand is some- | thing awful. For one man to try to master him, would be the hight of foolhardiness. Who wants to tackle him, single-handed?” ‘* Not me, lll swear,” cried Mark Warring. ‘“‘Nor me!” grunted Horatio Hornblower. “ve got enough!” ** And I should beg to say that divila bit do I I want wid the job!” declared Ben Bungstarter, while Smoky Sam uttered an oath, and the others of the party remained silent. . ‘Well, what’s to be done?” demanded Clinton. ‘‘ The fellow has got to be killed, or he'll kill us, and the job has got to be attended to to-night. Who’s got any plan to suggest?” “Most likely ther cuss will be at the Casino to-night,\\ to see the magic gall” remarkec Smoky, ‘fan’ when no one ain’t looking, some one could give him a digin the back. Ther crowd wouldn’t interfere, you bet!” ‘But, who’s going to take the responsibility of doing it?” “Tve an idea,” ke Warring. ‘“‘ We'll draw lot’s to see who’s elected to do the job, and to the one who draws the prize, I’ll personally give five hundred dollars when the job’s done.” ‘Yes, and I'll increase the amount to a thou- sand,” added Cal. Clinton. “ What say you, gents? The man who kills Doctor Death-Grip, to-night, gets a thousand dollars.” “*T’m agreeable!” assented Smoky Sam. ‘‘A thousand dollars is a snug Pile, an’ with it I can start in on some new lay. 1’m agreeable to uy oe emi ile the others expressed their approval by grunts of assent. “Very well. So itshall be then,” assented Warring. ‘1 will cut eleven stalks of grass of an even length, and one shorter. The man who ts the short spear is elected to kill Doctor eath-Grip, at the Casino, to-night. And death be to him if he fails! Are you agreeable, boyees?” ‘We are!” came the rep. “Go ahead!” Accordingly, Mark Warring pulled several stalks of wire grass, and cut them, with one ex- ception, into even lengths. hen, there in the vivid moonlight, the men drew the lots that were to make one of them a murderer. The lot fell to Smoky San. ‘You're elected!” cried Warring, jubilantly. ‘* You've got to salivate Death-Grip!’ “Yas, an’ I ain’tafeard ter do it, nuther. An’ ef I don’t get my thousan’ dollars, some one else will get salivated, too!” “ You'll get your money ef I have to take it out of my own pocket!” declared Clinton. ‘So, now, go ahead, and do the work, The meeting is adjourned, and we'll all be present at the Castine, to see that ie job’s done up oral i ‘But, su me One shutes me?” queri Smoky." Wherell Tbe then? 4 ‘“Where you ought to have heen, long ago— in perdition!” t was a strange—a sepulchral voice, that ut- tered the words, and caused the conspirators to stars in terror—then, break and run for dear ife, Guilty wretches that they were, they paused not to look behind, even to see who had given the words utterance. Had they, they would have seen emerge from behind the very tree hear which they had been grouped, a girlish figure, attired in black—no one else than Queen Claribel. “So théy will attempt to murder Doctor Death-Grip, will they? ske spoke aloud. ‘‘ We shall see. Kind as he has been to me, I will ive up my own life to save him—ay! a hun- Siok times, Tmoky it was I followed those base wiphcoen oe = ‘ Now, what!" Queen’ Claribel started back with with a cry surprise. : As suddenly as thong risen from out the confronted by one of her own sex, and that one, Myra Warring—her Tihit tend Myra held a glittering 4 er yra he ering er and in her gleaming eyes, was the fire rg corous & aon was ptoonacy she was not there without a xed—an awful purpose. peak ! what?” oe gemander. again. ‘Oh! ou you treacherous hussy ou would take the of a desperado, would out You would defend one who would see me robbed ow— reckon the rest of you ' against me, for | mean to kill you, to be rid of my worst enemy.” She advanced, with uplifted dagger, her eyes | fairly scintillating in her rage. He’s quick, strong, and no doubt an expert | i —————————“— (0... eee ee nnn a a —_ Queen Claribel retreated quickly. “Back!” she cried. ‘* You come at your But, Myra heeded her not. She rushed for- ward, with the fury of a tigress, and with dag- ger uplifted. Even within striking distance of the Magic Queen, had she got, ere a crisis took place. Then, Claribel suddenly drew a revolver, and, at instant aim, fired. With a wild cry of anguish, Myra threw up her arms, staggered backward, and fell to the ground, Without waiting to ascertain the result of the shot, Claribel turned, and hurried toward the mining-camp. “T shot ‘heed ! she murmured, ‘ but. God knows, it was in defense of my own life, Now, I must away, to protect Deadwood Dick, for he indeed is in deadly peril. Ah me! I havea pre- monition that this night will see more than one life sacrificed, Oh, why was it decreed for me to come to this dreadful place?” | peril!” The stage arrived at the Diggings that night, earlier than usual, and unloaded its motley crowd of passengers. Among them was a tall, handsome man, full bearded, and with a rather noble expression of countenance, All flocked into the hotel, as soon as the stage stopped, and made application for accommoda- tions, and among the first to register was this full-bearded man. He signed his name, in a round graceful hand: ‘*CoLONEL Harpine,” without affixing the place from whence he came. Standing near, at the time, was Doctor Death- Grip, who, noticing the signature, presently called the colonel aside, and engaged him in con- versation, For nearly an hour the two conversed, earn- estly, and when the colonel arose to go in to sup- per, he grasped Dick cordially by the hand. ‘*My friend, I thank you!” he said. ‘*You have opened up to me the fact of my own foolish blindness, Inasmuch as Helen was always my child, and my pet, in one sense, she shall have her rights, in defiance of the mandate of my brother’s will, And, now, I want to see this devil, Luke Lavelle, and his associate Calvin Clinton. There will be trouble in this camp to- night, or I miss my guess. Yes I will be at the Casino, to-night!” _ “And so will I!” mused Death-Grip, ‘but in another disguise, maybe!” CHAPTER XV, CONCLUSION, AN unusually large crowd gathered at the Cocktail Casino, that night, for the exciting events of the previous night, coupled with the wide-spread rumor of Queen Claribel’s powers of magic, had created an unexampled interest for the place. Long before the hour for Claribel to appear, the saloon was packed, and, as usual, the bar did a rattling business, while the thirsty throats of the motley assemblage swallowed the bad medicine in large quantities, Among the foremost customers was Smoky Sam, who poured down glass after glass of the stomach-destroying stuff, as if it had been so much water, and then, between times, paced to and fro, sullen, dark-browed, and uncommuni- cative. ’ Evidently, despite the prospect of a thousand dollars for Deadwood Dick’s death, he was shaky and nervous lest he should fail, and be killed himself. Not that he had any conscientious scruples about committing the heinous crime, but at heart he was an arrant coward, Mark Warring and Cal Clinton were on hand at the hour when Claribel was to make her ap- rance, and eagerly they looked for the ar- rival of Death-Grip. But, for some reason, Death-Grip did not materialize as promptly as they had hoped and Peete: hat was the matter? Were they to be disappointed, after so care- fully laying their plans? Promptly at nine o’clock the little curtain on the stage rung up, and Queen Claribel was seen, attired as on the previous night. ‘She had considerable more illusionary appara- -a frenzy of fury and trying to k including two tables, instead of one. Her appearance was greeted with a roar of applause, for, to the majority of the audience, she was ‘* just pretty and sweet enough to eat.” But instead of beginning the performance at once, as was expected, she advanced to the een front, carrying in her grasp a pair of - cocking six-shooters, _At the front she paused, and looked over the audience, her face Si Sw ped cool resolution. The crowd ceased their applause, and immedi- ately a breathless silence reigned; then the Queen spoke: ‘*Gentlemen—that is, I am addressing such of you as are gentlemen—I have something to say, and beg your attention. ‘I was engaged to come to your camp, to ive you a pleasing entertainment of sleight-of- Feioat tricks, andI came. Last night I i, ed to give my performance, but was finally forced to abandon it, owing to trouble in the lace. ac To-night, it is doubtful if there will be any performance, because there is likely to Le more trouble. The cause I will try to briefly explain. ‘* Last evening, a respectable gentleman's hat. was snatched from his head, by the disreput- able character in whose place I was employed to give these performances, namely Smoky Sam, and a row ensued, through which Smoky Sam nearly got the life choked out of him—which, I have since learned, would have served him right, if he had, 5 ‘The gentleman thus insulted is expected to drop in here, at any moment. He is called Doctor Death-Grip!” Here she paused, and gave another searching look over the assemblage. ‘‘To-night,” sbe resumed, ‘‘I chanced to overhear a consultation between a parcel of ruffians, by which I learned of a cold-blooded conspiracy to murder this Doctor Death-Grip here, to-night, without any chance beirg given him for self-defense. ‘““There were twelve men in the conference [ overheard, and lots were drawn to see who should commit the assassination. There was of course cne man to whom the lot fell to commit. the murder, ‘“The principals in this atrocious scheme are men who have neither heart or soul—are ve beasts of prey. I know their names, but wi not mention them, until I detect a movement to carry out this murder—then, by high Heaven, irl though I am, blood shall be spilled in this en. “This is not bluff, but business! So beware! I have given fair warning! Death to the man who attempts to raise a disturbance here to- night! I shall now proceed with my perform- ance!’ And, thrusting her weapons into a belt she wore about her waist, the intrepid girl turned coolly to her apparatus, and began to arrange it. For several seconds the most intense quiet prevailed in the room, while a hundred pair of staring eyes were riveted in astonishment upon the magician, Such nerve as this, on al gt of a prover- bially weak woman surpas the comprehen- sion of all present. Even Smoky Sam gaped at her, speec with rage and astonishment. But, Queen Claribel went on with her little feats of legerdemain as coolly as if nothing bed happened. Ser when her back was partly turned, there was a flash, a skarp report, and death leaped forth from the pistol of Smoky—death for Queen Claribel, for, with a groan, she sunk to the floor! The next instant the report was answered by another from the pistol of Deadwoed Dick, Junior, who had, in disguise, been present all the time, and Smoky Sam i a to the floor. Then a scene akin to pandemonium ensued, for, surrounded by all that desperate dozen of enemies, Deadwood Dick, Junior, was struggling to reach the stage, to rescue Claribel, if she were not indeed dead. Warring and Clinten were both upon him, backed by the two bummers and the Reverend Long—all i inspired with the man they had so dreaded. But, as each one raised his arm to shoot or strike, a shot from behind them saved Death-Grip, and when he finally reached the form of poor Claribel, Colonel Harding stood be- side him, and his empty pistol told who it was that saved Deadwood Dick, Junior, from de- struction, ising Claribel’s inanimate form im his arm». Ra ! Dick made his escape at the rear of the
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14 Deadwood Dick’s Diggings, followed ry Colonel Harding, who had kept close | 121. Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport; or, The at hand, as a rear guard to secure Death-Grip’s safe retreat. Even the lights had been extinguished, one | 129. after another; then a lamp exploded, and set fire to the dry frame-work, which blazed up rapidly, communicating with the roof, and ina short time the structure was a mass of flames, Of course an immediate exodus took place among those who could escape. A vortex of wind had suddenly swept down into the valley, coming seemingly from all directions and carry- ing the sparks from roof to roof, and igniting them. A dozen cabins were soon in flames, and soon all Deadwood Dick’s Diggings was a scene of seething conflagration. ¢ Verily, Deadwood Dick, Junior, had filled his measure of vengeance, or at least it had been filled for bim! The next morn dawned cold and gloomy, with a drizzling, dripping rain, and a raw, penetrat- ing. wind. : wo men stood upon a high eminence over: looking the valley Pocket. ear by was some object covered over with a blanket. Its shape was that of a human form, and so it was. It was the lifeless remains of poor Helen mel, 3 alias Claribel. The men were Colonel Harding and Deadwood Dick, Jr.—otherwise, Doctor Death-Grip. The colonel was in tears, ‘*T have learned the saddest lesson of my life, sir,” he said. ‘‘ How bitterly do I repent I ever tried to induce poor Edith to wed the miscreant, Clinton. But for that, she would now be alive, I can never forgive myself.” “I truly sympathize with you, colonel, for I know she was a treasure; but, treasures here be- low we all must part with, and perhaps it were better she died in her virgin youth. Below you, ve see a town in ruins, with houseless people uddling together this chill morning with no roofs to cover their heads. They stole what be- longed to me, and this is their recompense! The town may rise again, Phenix-like, from its ashes, but if so, it sha fall. Not through my agency, but @ curse is on the place that neither you nor I can eradicate. **Come! let’s bury our dead, and go our way, perhaps never to meet again.” They raised the body of poor Claribel and laid it away in a little cave near by: then, after wall- ing up the opening with heavy bowlders to pre- vent wild animals from gaining entrance, they mounted horses which had been obtained, and rode sadly away. The last act in the drama, so far as they were concerned, was finished—the finale to a tragedy of which it is a relief to write THE END, Edward L. Wheeler’s Deadwood Dick Novels Beadle’s Half-Dime Library. ‘1. Deadwood Dick; or, The Black Rider of the Black Hills. ¥ 20. The Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s ce. 28. Buffalo Ben; or. Deadwood Dick in Disguise, 85. Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval; or, The Brotherhood of Death. #2. The Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. 49. Omaha Oll; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 57. Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. ¥3. Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, , the Heroine of Whoop-Up. %, Cord Charlie; or, The Last Act of Dead- wood Dick. 100. Deadweod Dick in Leadville; or, A Strange Stroke for Liberty. 104, Deadwood Dick’s Device; or, The Sign of ° the Double Cross, 109. Deadwood Dick as Detective. Golden Idol of Mount Rosa. Gorgon’s Gulch. 138, Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base 149. A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 156. Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195. Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. 201. The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205. Deadwood Dick’s Doom; Jane’s Last Adventure. 217. Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand; or, Gypsy Jack from Jimtown. 221. Sugar Coated Sam; or, The Black Gowns of Grim Gulch. 232. Gold-Dust Dick. 263. Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. : 268. Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail; or, From Ocean to Ocean. 809. Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold 821 or Calamity Brick of Oregon. . Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847, Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Diggings. 851. Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 362. Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro Flats. 405. Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410. Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mys- tery of Joan Porter. 421. Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A Cute Case 480. Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained | Hand. 443, Deadwood Dick, Jr.; or, The Sign of the Crimson Crescent. ; 448, Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458, Sunflower Sam, of Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full Hand. 459. Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Round-up. 465, Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at Claim No. 10. 471. Bozeman Bill of Big Brace; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476. Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Dead- wood Dick Jr’s Dog Detective. 481. Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr in Deadwood. 491, Prince Pistol; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Compact. 496, Monte Cristo, Jr.; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. The above are for sale by all newsdealers, five cents a copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, PuBiisners, 98 William Street, New York, BEADLE AND ADAMS’ Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of STANDARD DIME PUBLICATIONS Speakers. Each volume contains 100 large pages. printed from clear, open type, comprising the best collec. tion of Dialogues, Dramas and Recitations. The Dime Speakers embrace twenty-four volumes V1Z.: 1, American Speaker. 15, Komikal Speaker. 2, National Speaker. 16, Youth’s Speaker. 3. Patriotic Speaker. 17. Eloquent ker. 4, Comic Speaker. 18. Hail Columbia Speak- 5. Elocutionist. er. 6. Humorous Speaker. | 19. Serio-Comic Speaker, 7, Standard Speaker. 20. Select Speaker. 8. Stump Speaker. 21, Funny Speaker. 9, Juvenile Speaker. 22, Jolly Speaker. 10. Spread- le Speaker | 23. Dialect Speaker. 11. Dime Delete ~ 24, Recitations and Read- 12, Exhibition Speaker. | i 13, School Speaker. 25. 14, Ludicrous Speaker. | These books are si med with choice pieces for the School-room, the Exhibition, for Homes, etc. 75 to 100 Declamations and Recitations in each book. ings. Burlesque Speaker. Dialogues. The Dime Dialogues, each volume 100 pages, em- brace thirty-two books, viz.: Dialogues No, One. Dialogues No. Eighteen. Dialogues No, Two. Dialogues No. Nineteen. Dialogues No. Three. [Dialogues No. Twenty. Dialogues No, Four. Dialogues No. Twenty-one. Dialogues No. Five, Dialogues No. Twenty-two. Dialogues No, Six. Dialogues No. Twenty-three. Dialogues No, Seven. |Dialogues No. Twenty-four. Dialogues No. Eight. Dialogues No. Twenty-five. Dialogues No. Nine. Dialogues No. Twenty-six. Dialogues No. Ten. Dialogues No. Twenty-seven, Dialogues No, Eleven, |Dialogues No, Twenty-eight, Dialogues No, Twelve. |Dialogues No. Twenty-nine, Dialogues No. Thirteen. | Dialogues No. Thirty. Dialogues No, Fourteen. | Dialogues No. Thirty-one, Dialogues No. Fifteen. |Dialogues No. Thirty-two. Dialogues No, Sixteen. |Dialogues No. Thirty-three, Dialogues No.Seventeen 15 to 25 Dialogues and Dramas in each book. Dramas and Readings. 164 12m Pages. 20 Cents. For Schools, Parlors, Entertainments and the Am- ateur Stage, comprising Original Minor Dramas, Comedy, Farce, Dress Pieces, Humorous Dialogue and Burlesque, by |) oted writers; and Recitations and Readings, new nd standard, of the greatest celebrity and interest. Edited by Prof. A. M. Russell, DIME HAND-BOOKS. ‘Young People’s Series. Breapie’s Dive HaNp-Booxs ror Youna Pror.y cover a wide range of subjects, and are specially adaptea to their end. Ladies’ Letter-Writer. Gents’ Letter-Writér Book of Games, Fortune-Teller, Bonk of eecneare. st pl rere. ids of Verses. -room Com Book of Dreams. Book of Beauty. Hand-Books of Games. Handbook ef Summer Sports. Book of Crequet. Yachting and Rowing. Chess Instructor. Riding and Driving. Cricket and Football Book of Pedestrianism. Guide to Swimming. Handbook of Winter Sports—Skating, etc, Lives of Great Americans. I,—George Washington. | VITI.—Israel Putnam, II.--John Paul Jones, .—Tecumseh, TI.—MadAnthonyWayne | _XI,—Abraham Lincoln, TV.—Ethan Allen, XII,—Pontiac. V.—Marquis de Lafayette | XIII.—Ulysses 8. Grant, Manuals for Housewives. 1, Cook Book, 4, Family Ph = Senscceoons Guide. |: Dream aking and 1 Joke Books. Pocket Joke Book. ee svig Crow Joke Book Song Books. Brapie’s Dime Sone Boors, Nos. 1 to 34, con the only popular collection cf copyright songs, 2 The above books are sold by newsdealere everywhere, or will be sent, post-paid, to any ad- dress, on receipt of price, ten cents each, anp Apaxs, Publishers, 98 William st,, N. ¥, - —
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BEADLE'S*H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. No Double Numbers. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE. 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. Caprain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Dexpard, the Duelfat; or, The Mountain Vempirea, { 888 A Tough Boy} or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. 368 Little Tornado; or, The Outeasts of the Glen, 378 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. S85 Little Oh-my 3 or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly ; or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather- Breeches; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse. 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the olines. 480 Three Jolly Parda. 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue. | 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down. : 556 Lariat Lil; ‘or. The Cast for a Life. ‘ ; 574 Old Weusel-top, the Man with the Dogs. ? BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER. 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. i" 29 The Dumb Page; or, The Doge’s Daughter. ; 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider, Si 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the Open Polar Sea. 200 The Boy Bedoutns; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 wne Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World . anderer. 265 The Tiger Tamer ; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. 895 California Jee’s War Trall. ) ; BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) / 284 Old Rocky’s ‘* Boyees;” or, Benito, the Young Horse- 1 Breaker. o Tonkaway. : ront. i} B57 The Ranch Raiders 1% The Siege of Fort Purgatory. BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champlon of the Muskingum, 223 Ozark Alf or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws, 282 The Typo eelnetive i; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp, ’ 295 Feurlesa Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. . 8LL The Rovin Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, B22 Nemo, the , ie ce lng or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta, 840 Olip the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes, BY J, ©. COWDRIOK. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King: dr, For Seven Years Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a ame. 1 424 Olbuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. I} 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout, pra nee Dam pan , Dude. rondway Y. the Bootblack Bravo. 606 Redlight Ral h, the Prince of the Road. 514 Broadway Bill ‘a Boodle, } 524 The Engineer Detective 536 Broadway Billy’ « Dimiktlty.” 548 feats the > eae Ny oo k roadwa y’* Peath Racket. | 571 Alr-Line Luke, the Young Engineer. BY JO PIERCE. ang Ree Yarnt Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 2 Hotspur 460 The : Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. | 516 Tartar ‘Tims or, Five Points Phil's Menagerie, 4 526 North River N at, the Pier Detective. 538 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, 541 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective, 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective, 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON, Kentucky; or, The Red Lasso, STO Hilseard Hon}. cr, The Riot st Kene Camp, 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID, r, The Yellow Chief's Ven oe es aed Wickes or, The League of Devil's Island, BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-8cout, % 806 or, The Dug-Out Pards, 846 Kee ine Po seit or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, 398 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King, 406 The Mad Man-Hunter; or, The Mystery of Golden 505 Powell's Pard; or, The One-Armed Giant. BY BRACEBRIDGE NEMYNG, faland Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. he Captain of the Club; or. The Rival Athletes, ack Harkaway in New York. BY MARRY 8T. GEORGE. ' 89 18 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 44 hind ute; Ge, The Nighthawks o Kentucky. 59 Old Hickory 3 or, Pandy Ellis’s Senlp, ‘rail of the Border Wolf. 108 Daring Davy ; or, The 1 kory Harry ; ‘or, The Tra r-Brigade’s Spy. belt Tom; or, the WolfHorder. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 268 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy 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 Arizonn Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective, 515 Cool Colorado in New York. ofa Bowery Girl. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Drend Rider}; or, The ‘lexan Duelist. 9 The Tiger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel, The Mad Miner: or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 1 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, Dandy Rock’s Pledge ; or, Hunted to Death, 9 1 é 78 Dandy. Rock’s Rival; or, The |iaunted Maid of Taos 115 1 164 178 BY CAP1. J. F. ©. ADAMS. 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot ef the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whiftilews Pet; or, In The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabin; er, The Greenhorn in the Woods. 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram; or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and Mia Pets; or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-house Lige; or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Hunters: or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scalp King ; or, The Human Thunderbolt. BY ROGER STARBUCK. 25 The Boy Captain: or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Sukconnes or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. 259 The Golden Har oon: or, Lost Among the Floes. 848 Fire-Meela; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow, 854 Big Horn Ike, the HII Tramp}; or, The Odd Pards, B61 The Phantom Light-house. 870 Brenker Ben, the Reef-Runner. [ BY WILLIAM EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke} or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank} or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards, BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 108 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Desmond ; or, The Gambler's Big Game, BY JAMES L. BOWEN 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, The Abondoned Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A Story of Texas. BY ©. DUNNING CLARK. 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. BY GEORGE ©. JENKS, 468 Sit Eek Swans E the Mor pom * ‘har Owney’s P " 518 The Demon Doctor. ines BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, U. 8. A. 191 Raffale Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed rteen. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. BY CHARLES E. LASALLE, 50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo. ae Tale of the Northwest BY JOHN J. MARSHALL, 40 Roving Ben, A Story of a Young American. 97 The Vutlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpes, BY WM. G. PATTEN. 489 519 Captain Myatery ; or, Five in One, 681 Boley Dare the Sport from Denver. BY MAJOR E. L, 8T. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801, Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. . 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince, 838 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombstone ‘Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” B59 Duraaroe Dave, the Young Shan ion V reatiers 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide, 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, tive, BY EDWARD 8, ELLIS. 6 Bill Stddon, Trane, 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of tne Frontier, 10 Nat Todd} or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive, 21 The Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners: or, The Enchanted Island, 182 The HNunted Hunter} or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Muge Munter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 278 The Three Trappers; or, The Monntvin Monster. 288 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills, BY FRANK DUMONT, Man of Mystery. -Fire, the Boon of a Road. sees azen; or, The Break o’ Da: : : Dan; or, The Rival Sunstea.” ys of Rorky Bar “ " 185 Evil Eve; or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande, ane Diamond Sere’ ct) The Double Face of Bod Rock | 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, —= BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR, 2 Yellowstone Jack ; or, The Trapper. 8 Black John, the Road-Agent: or. The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Horricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Sam 3; or, The King of the Pluins. | 186 Night-lhawk Kits or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue, 160 The Bluek Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jcopardy. 168 Dendly Dash}; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 18 Phe Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 203 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 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. B55 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone's Last Trail, 4419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood ; or, The Twelve Avengers, 66 ee Mand; or, A Life for a Life. 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT. 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIFUT. Hi. D. PERRY, U. 8 N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Bucraneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Trailer: or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY HARRY HAZARD. 828 Arkansaw Jack; or, The Scourge of the Mines, 829 Red-Skin Tom one The Demon’s Trail. $42 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw, BY COL, A, F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon. 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods. BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Glant« of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Bey Miner, BY FREDERICK DEWEY. 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots. 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Parda. a BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM. Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bewie Kid. The Sure-Shot Parda, BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock, 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 440 558 MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Munters. By Capt. Frederick Whittaker, . We. Mayne. Sele end ® Adventures ef Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean swift, 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp, 16 Robinson Orusoe. (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Vo ages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates Carribers. By 8S, W. Pierce, Ses wt: the 86 bi Boy Clown; or, The Queen of the Arena, By Frank » nn. 88% Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rives; or, The Underground Camp. By Archie . Irons. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Kobin Hood, the Outlawed Ear); or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George ereaon. 128 The \oune Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. By J. Alexander Patten. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone, By Edward erson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New York Boy. By George L. en, 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Ked Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid ef the Clif, By Captain Cometock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Liew tenant Alired Thorne. for Life and Honos, 828 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother's Re 5 aod By | Bun the Bootblack De . 865 Baltimore Ben the tective. A. P. Morris, 874 Gold-Duss Tom} or, Ben’s Double Match, "by I Ren HH Morse. 876 California Joe’s First Trail. By Colone) Thomas Hover Monstery, 418 Biily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F, 8. Winthrop. r. +5 The Black A By John S. Warner. 4 Comanche Dick and His Three Invinctbles By 28 Wiss iro he Dri Holt zard-Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthur F. 2 The Cowbo Duke. By Eawin rooke Forrest. 552 Ariel, the Athlete. By David Druid, A New Isane Every Tuesday The Walf-Dime Library is for sale by att newsdealers, five @ents per copy, or sent by mail on cottid af ol pars each. ; BEADLE AND \n\ M4. Paoblishers, #3 Wiillam st cet, New York
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BEADLE'’S« H ALF- JIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Dendwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance. 28 Buffalo Ken; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. 85 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha me or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. Bi Deadwood Dick’s Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine, » 7 Corduroy Charlie 3_or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, ‘The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick aa Detective. 129 Deadwood Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. . 188 Blonde rg or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 166 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood}; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. 201 The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 meagngee Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Ad- venture. 217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand, 221 Sugar-Coated Sam} or, The Black Gown. 282 Gold-Duat Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughe, 268 Deadwood Dick’s less or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 265% Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail, B09 Boadweet Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of regon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- gings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ats. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 pendwond Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan ‘orter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York ; or, A “ Cute Caco.” 480 Deadwoed Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Defiance, 458 Sunflower Sam, 0! Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full Hand, 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- 465 Phitto Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Racket at Claim 10. A771 Bozeman Pill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humbeldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's g Detective, 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood, 491 Printe Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadweod Dick Jr’s Compact. 496 Monte Criato, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Inheritance, 500 Deadwood Dick’s Digelnge 3 or, Dr, Death-Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance, 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. 522 Deadwoed Dick’s Three. 529 Deadwood Dick's Danger Ducks, 584 Deadwood Dick's Death Hunt. 5839 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texas, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoeq. 549 Deadwood Dick on iis Mettle. 554 Deudwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadetphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. _ 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf’; or, The Girl Dead-Shot, BY Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 Old Avelgeeain) or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigaud, 568 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, 6Y Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective. 80 Rosebud Itob or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idy}, the Girl Miner3; or, Rosebud Reb on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappoarance. 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull's Camp, 96 Watch-Eye or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 118 Jack Moyle the Young Speculator. : 117 Gilt-Kdged Dick, the Sp rt Detective 121 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Spors. 125 Bonanza Bill, Miner. 188 Bows Hob the King of Boothlacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Ronad-Agent. 145 Capipia erret, the New York Detective; er, Beos Bob’s Boss OD. 161 New York Nell, the Soy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada} or, The Siorras Scam 181 rank, the Buckskin Bravo, Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective: - ; Fritz to the Front; or, The bpd we Hunter, oozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arals Detective, — Bill, the Trail Tornado. ps. 248 Slerra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprinte, Th iste, 25 Denver Doll's 291 Turk, the Boy Ferre enver Doll’s« Drift; or, The Road Queen. Life. "a Prize. ti ress vat or, The Sreret of Slab City. BS2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengenace, 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker; er, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lede, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkics, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Marry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabslides, the Beggar-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 488 Santa Me ‘ial, the Slasher. 436 Sealakin Sam, the Sparkler. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon, Wm. F. Cody). 3 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand, 19 The Phantom | or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 6a ended Robin Hoods « “The Prairie Re n or, e a ver. 185 Fane Tyrank of Gelorado}; er, The Tropper’s Trast BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Bov Detective. 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Vete 3 or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 0 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags 2 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 7 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 2 Black Beas, Will Wildfires Racer. 7 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 62 Will Wildfire in the Woods, 65 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. TO A ‘Lrump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, ‘3 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, 8 TO & oe Y Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 8 The Hidden Mand 3 or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, Bob Roekett; or, Driven to the Wall. Shadowed ; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, Dark Paul, the Tiger King. Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. Tom ‘Tanner; or, The Black Sheep ot the Flock. 5 Sam Chareoal the Premium Darky. 5 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 2 The Two Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang, Dick Dashaway ¢ or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 2 The Young Sharps; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail, Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective, 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. 805 Rashaway, of Dakotas or, A Western Lad in the Quaker rity. Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 1 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, W ide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times, B79 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective, 4283 The Lost Finger}; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge ; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. 488 Wild Dick Racket. y 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper 566 The Secret *ervice Boy Detective. BY OLL COOMES. 5 Varabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Kuilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. Al Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. BS The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 HMawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper R nger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 784 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 148 Scar-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter. 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon, 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit ‘Trapper. 182 Little Murricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Tite Outlaw Hunters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 ‘Viger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dicks or, Vrxpper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Dixquided Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Bey Spy. 00 The Sky Demon ; or. Rainbolt, the Ranger, 84 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 ean or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sams, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedtoot Fred or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac ‘Vom, the Big Trapper Boy. 78 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Bov Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. BY T. C. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Nights er, Th: Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Littl Hunter. AZ Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captuins, 64 Dandy Jacek; or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trail, 82 Kit Hurefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight sages or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. . 189 Judge Lynch, dry: or, The Boy Vivilante. 155 Gol Trig er, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger. 169 Tornado Tomy or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw 3 or, The Quen of Fate's Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade, P 281 Plueky Phil; or, Rosn, the Re! Jezebel, 241 Bib Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoli , we Kive-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winehs or, The Buckskin Desperadees. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowie Blade of Cochetepa. $02 The Mountain Detectives or, The Trigger Bar Buily. 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pardss or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the La-so. 845 Pitiless Matt; ov, Red Thunderhol:’s Secret. B56 Coot sam ane Parts o The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 846 Captain Cutinsa; or, | he B ecuneer’s Girl Foo. B96 La) Robs or, The Uwin Champiens of Blue Blazes, All The Silken Lassoy or, The Rose of Ranch Rebin. . 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vamplren; er, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Kene Bar. 470 The Boy Shadow ; or, Fellx Fox's Hunt. ATT The Exceisior Sport: ¢r, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Lyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Beat Dodge. 528 Fox and Faleon, the bowery Shadows, B88 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dedager Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, B58 Dodger Dick’« Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Diek, the Boy Vidocq. 5783 The Two Shadows. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ? The Flying Yankee} or, The Ocean Outcast. 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccan-er; or. The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Dinmond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Rhip3 or, The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Dnellat; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wollf. 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smugygier. 111 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 16 The Hussar Captain; or, The Hermit of Hell Gate. 97 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Teuder’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison BILL, the Prince of the Reins. : 222 Grit, the Bravo Sport; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Crimson Kate 3 or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Captey Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy 3 or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman i utineer ; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 tS a Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure slind, 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 mor Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chuse of “The Gold Snip. 2RO Merle Monte’« Fate ; or. Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride. 284 The Sea Marauder; Soni Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy} or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. B08 keno Kits or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 xhe Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail, , 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilots or, The Seareh for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WILL, the Bey Phantom. 444 ee eg ee ed ensign 0 xodor, the Young Cons«ptrator ; or, The Fatal League. A407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cutan Vendetta. 412 The Wild YVachtaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Bey Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy's binek’ or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Oceun Firefly 5 or, A Middy’s Vergeance. 446 Haphazard NMarry; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea. 450 Wizard Will; or, Tie Boy Ferre. of New York, 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Saiior Boy Wanderer. 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. AT4 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Aflont; or, Wizard Wih’s Last Case, AS? Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 607 The Nunted Midshipman, 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BIll, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers tn Buckskin. 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Bue skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marander of the Ris, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BIll, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. B70 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. B77 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter. By Jo Pieree. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. By Edward L, Wheeler. 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party. By J. C. Cowdrick. : 580 The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective. By Col. Prentiss Lugraham. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. By George C.. enks. bS2 Dodger Dick’s Drop. By T. C. Harbaugh. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow. By Lient. A. K. Sims, 584 Dendwood Dick, Jr., in Denver, | By Ed, L, Wheeler. 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H. Enten. B86 The Buckskin Avenger. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. BST Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. By Wm, G. Patten. 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Proapecter. By Jo Pierce. 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; cr, The Dend Set at Silver City, By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 590 Dendwood Dick, Jr’s., Decree. By E. L. Wheeler. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. By Col. P- Ingraham. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. By J. C, Cewdrick. 598 Keen Clem, the Raneh Imp. By P. 8S. Warne. > } 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. By T. C. Harbangh. 595 Deadwodd Dick Jr. in Beelzebub’s Basin. By E- heeler. 596 zaeny the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Welves. By Chas. orris. bY? The Young Texan Detective. By Cel. P. Ingraham. 598. Flute, the Singer Detective. By Gee, C. Jenks, 599 Jim Dandy, the Ne-Name Sport. By P. S. Warne. 600 Dendwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island. By Edward 1. Wheeler, Ready January 22 Te » Duteh. Vidoeq; er, Red-Het Times at ro Hep Tey Lieut. KK: Sims. 4 ady Jonaary 29. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. By Cel. P. Ingraham. Ready February 6. : 608 Wide-Awnke Bert, the Street-Steerer. By Je. Pieree. Ready February 13. 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. By Lieut, Reyal A. Swift, U.S. A. Ready February 0. A New Isaue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, oF sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE ANP ADAMS, Publishers 98 William Street, New York.