Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 521) (1887 07 19)
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N f CE a aw % [ | mo a i at (a i ot — Trek : ONAN - TT IML ak ___Entered at the Post Office at. New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail aE ay Copyright. 1887, by BEADLE 4 AND ik J ___ July 19, 1887. $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price, Vol. XXI, a Year. No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. No. 521. Tia th tt) | HV mr Hi ay Hi immer | ui H , %e AN) Up y "z I e 4 Ny \ Hau ii ( Hit \ Mi | ty oe ta nil Te ye i | | | WN Mt Bi Ap ay 4 4 = Coie \) “AN \\ ry \ \ ii | in ut \ ‘ i] li 4 | if | i i M/ i/ AH a Pe \ a0 ee i “i aan 4 ui Mili i , Hr) ~ i fi = a Sah et) i {i \ = i‘ NG MO M i i OE CA. Wil, The Gold Gang of Gotham. BY T. C. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘ BUCKSKIN DETECTIVE,” “ TRxas TRUMP,” ‘FELIX FOX,” ‘* PHIL FLASH, ie ** CITY SLEUTHS,” ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. A BROKEN MATCH. GREAT 3rops of rain were pattering down through the treesin Battery Park and roused oe, ae from their slumbers on the INSSSs bench S anion’ those thus disturbed was a young man who appeared to be a stranger in the ci “The rain even refuses to let me alone!” he (S=SSSSSSSSS . SSS : NY ce mart —— bitterness, ‘* I guess there’s only “THAT IS THE MAN WHO WATCHED 5, WHISPERED THE GIRL 10 DICK, one thing left. LOSING SOME COLOR, .
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a i “T say, mister, could you give a fellow a match?” rung out a cheery voice at this moment and the young man was confronted by a boy who held a delicate cigar between his weather- browned fingers. **A match is it? I guess you might as well have asked me for a thousand dollars.” ** Bu’sted, eh?’ The lounger was going through his pockets for the match, and the boy who was rather good- looking and sharp eyed, was watching him with a good deal of curiosity. At last, from one corner of the last pocket searched, a broken match was produced. “ Js that the lay-out?” asked the urchin witha surprised grin. ‘That is the last of a fortune,” was the sad rejoinder. ** Jewhillikens! you don’t remark that, do you?” — ‘* Gospel was never truer.” The boy came closer, and the humor, until then. visible in his eyes, gradually faded out. He was interested. A. summer day.bad just ‘gone, and a night, threatful with storm, was closing around New York. The lamps on the Battery had been lighted, and the rain which had increased could be seen on their glasses, “*T guess you wouldn't like to tell me anything about how the fortune dwindled away to a broken, match?” resumed the Loy. ‘‘I am Dick Sly, sometimes called Dodger Dick, and one name suits me as well as the other.” “What do you do?” asked the young man. ‘Oh, Pm a wharf Jack-o’-all-trades. Some- times I help the cops when they want work of a particular nature done, and sometimes I do lit- tle jobs for Mother Sturgeon who took me when my real mother died, ou don’t seem to b’long to New York?” ‘*T do not and I wish I had never seen the city,” answered the young man, and then he looked through the. pattering rain toward the waters of the bay, and the boy saw his hands shut as if impalled by some powerful resolution. **T don’t see why I should tell you my story,” he went on, returning to Dodger Dick. ‘But I need not keep it back, for the telling cannot harm me.” ‘* Just as you like,” the boy remarked “Oh, well, it won’t take Jong, and the rain won't hurt us under this tree. My name is An- gus Brandon. I came to this city three months ago to enter a business house owned, in part, by an uncle, I hada fortune, not very large, but still a fortune, coming to me, but [ -wanted to lead a business life. 1 was not here long when I became acquainted with a young man who called himself Elroy Surface, He had a friend considerably older, named Daniel Despard, I met them accidentally in this very Park, one day after business hours, I can see now that, on their part, the encounter was not so acci- dental, I rather liked young Surface, but Des- pard never obtained my confidence. [ was thrown much into the young man’s company; we took in the city together, meeting here and there his friends. Step by step, although I knew it not, [ was drawn deeper into the net, “One night I went back tothe store, how I know not. Lentered the private office, opened the safe, and showed Elroy Surface its contents, The next morning the firm discovered that ten thousand dollars had been taken. They put de- tectives on the trail, and I was suddenly con- fronted by my uncle and charged with burglary. What could I say? The safe held certain papers of mine worth the amount taken from the drawers, I threw them at my relative’s feet, and they were accepted. I was driven from the house. Shelter was refused me under his roof from that hour, and I went forth to be watched by sleepless eyes, and to know no peace of soul. After my disgrace Elroy Surface and Daniel Despard disappeared. My uncle dismissed his detectives, but some-how-or-other I have been bled ever since,” ‘* By whom?” asked Dodger Dick. ** Sometimes by a woman, at other times by a man. I found employment further up town, but the leeches found me, and [ had to buy their silence, What is the use of fighting a fate like this, Dodger Dick?’ cried Brandon. ‘1 would rise and retrieve the past, but the accursed toils the two villains threw about me render it im- possible, The black-mailers have let me alone for a few days, for I have been penniless, and some of thess benches have been my bed. Don’t you wish I had not told my story detective “No,” exclaimed the wharf sp romptly. ‘‘1 wouldn’t have miaaed hearing it ‘or a good deal. You haven’t thought of any- thing desperate, I hope?” See ee e ss + pt 2 os | . Yi? ad ’ 4 Dick, interpreting the glance. ‘Let us get away from here.” The young man gave the boy a look of curi- osity. “I’ve faced rain before,” he remarked with a smile, ‘*So have I. but, that is neither ere nor there, and get our supper.” ‘* ‘fo Mother Sturgeon’s, as you call her?” asked Brandon. ‘*No, at Nell’s boarding house.” ** Who is Nell?” ‘* You shall see.” Angus Brandon put in no remonstrance, but signified his willingness to follow the boy. ‘*T might as well have another square meal,” he murmured. ‘‘I don’t intend to throw myself on the charity of this boy. I’m at the end of the string, and the world has no further use for Angus Brandon.” Dodger Dick led the young man rapidly through the Park and into the net-work of gas- lit streets beyond. Brandon more than once had occasion to men- tally praise his nimbleness, and he wondered whither he was being Jed. When Dick halted, it was before an old and plain frame, five stories high, with old-fashioned windows with many broken panes, Loud and boisterous laughter, mingled with the rattle of dishes came from the interior. ‘* Nell boards here,” smiled the boy, casting a glance into Brandon’s face. ‘* We'll be likely to find her in at this moment, too. Ah! here we are, Nobody will know you, sir, so come with me. Dodger Dick led the way into the house, and ushered Brandon into a large room occupied by several tables, at which people were disposing of se he scene was animating, and the boarders were not choice in attire nor language. Without stopping, Dick continued to the end of the room, where he found a stand just large enough for two, He and Brandon took posses- sion of the chairs which were unoccupied. Presently a young girl of eighteen came out of the kitchen beyond with a tray, and nodded to Dick as she passed. haa is Nell,” whispered Dick across the table, Brandon fixed his eyes on the girl, who had a willowy figure, a graceful step, and a sweetly winning face. : When she came back Dodger Dick motioned to her and introduced Brandon, adding with a smile that they would like to have two of the best sup- pers the house could afford, ** She'll do a little extra for us,” laughed the Dodger, ‘‘ Newspaper Nell is worth her weight in gold, and my figures run her up to about twenty-five thousand dollars, Whew! think of that, Mr. Brandon!” “Wh ewspaper Nell you call her?” observed the young man. ‘Yes. She sells the early afternoon papers, and turns many an honest penny in that way. After her stock is sold she gets her supper bere for waiting on the table. Ah! here she comes with a booming supper, just what we want, eb, Mr. Brandon?” The next moment the girl set her tray ona round stool'’near by and began to place the various Cishes before the waiting pair. While engaged at this she leaned toward Dodger Dick, and said in low tones: “*T was watched again to-day and by the same man.” : “T wish I had seen him,” exclaimed the Dodger, flushing indignantly. ‘‘ Did he follow you, Nelli?” ** Not far,” replied the girl with a smile, ‘I pave him the slip, as I know how, and he was eft in the lurch, ha, ha!” “Pll be around to-morrow. Maybe he'll show up again,” spoke Dick, ‘‘I want to see this fel- low, Nelly.” At this moment the door down the room open- ed, and a man came in. ““Great Jove!” cried Brandon. Dan Despard at last!” Dodger Dick looked at the new-comer, and so did Newspaper Nell. ‘That is the man who watched me,” whis- pered the girl to Dick, losing some color. ‘* He is the villain to whom I owe my ruin!” added Brandon, with eyes in a blaze, 3 eran his chair back. ‘‘I always said that I would pay him back on sight, and now—” “Not bere, Mr. Brandon. J I’ve slept in it on the wharves; We'll go ‘* Yonder is won’t have it!” 7 and Dodger Dick caught the young man’s wrist before he could leave his seat. *‘' Let that fellow have all the rope he wants while he re- mains bere, person who has been watching Nell, I will say that I have been tracking him for ten days, and for a crime that will rid New York of his pres- ence. Hecame here for a purpose; let us wait and see what it is. Eat your supper, Mr. Rran- don. Lam going to enjoy mine if the man I’ve — been looking for is within twenty icet of me, Daniel Despard, eh? I wonder ki.w many names he has had in his lifetime?” By this time the man who had come bad found a seat at the table, and Newspaper Nell, immediately took his order, How his keen black eyes watched the girl as she moved off, and with what impatience they regarded the door till she reappeared with his supper. A nrOe Brandon threw furtive glances at the man. ‘‘] wonder what’s become of bis rtner Elroy Surface? [ want to live now! intend to get even with those two city tigers, and this boy detective, Dodger Dick will help me.” At that very moment, strange’ to say, the thoughts of the Dodger were following in the same channel. ei eae CHAPTER IT. OLD FOES MEET, Tar Dodger appeared to enjoy his supper, but Brandon did not. He was continually sending furtive glances at the man called Dan Despard, and those glances were full of hate and threatened retribution. Despard never took, his eyes'from Newspaper Neli when the girl was in sight, He watched her as a fox watches a hare from the mouth of his den; but at the same time he paid some attention to the meal which had been set before him. Nell was fully aware of the espionage of the cool black eyes; but she did not choose to let the watcher know that she suspected him, Despard was in no hurry to finish his sup- per. “The Dodger and Brandon beat him though, but kept their seats, for in passing out they would have to brush the city sharp and invite recognition. ‘‘Tet him finish,” whispered Dodger Dick. “He has not seen us. Nell is the only person he looks at, and that is fora purpose. He is finishing now. No! another cup of coffee, from Nell’s hands of course!” ¢ Despard seemed to linger in the place, but, when he had emptied his second cuj:, no excuse for a longer stay could be found, and he re- luctantly left his chair. Tie Dodger and his friend saw him leave the room. “Now!” cried the wharf spy. ‘‘ Let us see what becomes of this fellow.” Despard led the two a hasty chase to the side- | walk where he was | pomp by a woman who occupied a carriage a few feet away. _ “Aha! look at that!” exclaimed the Dodger. ‘“My old friend is not alone to-night. Itisa chance which I cannot afford to miss, kk here, Mr. Brandon. Meet me under the tree, you know which «n°, in [attery Park in two hours. It has quit raining, and you won’t get wet.” The carriage which Dan Despard had entered | was moving off, and, before Brandon could answer, the Dodger bounded away and almost immediately vanished. “T have two hours on my hands,” muttered the young man. ‘‘ What shall I do? I believe I will go back and drink another cup of coffee,” The following moment he re-entered the dining room, now not very much rushed, and proceeded to the little table at one end. Newspaper Nell saw him re-enter and when he sat down she was at his side. tones, “He struck a trail,” replied Brandon, ‘““The trail of the man who got supper kere! What will you have, sir?” , ** A cup of coffee.” Angus Brandon did not care so much for the coffee as he did for a chance to enter into conversation with Newspaper Nell. The name and something about the girl, he » could not tell what, attracted him.. He-won- dered how the Dodger first picked up acquain- tance with her, and whether they had been friends very long. Then his thoughts would advert to Dan — d, the man whom he had not seen since. - Despar the fatal night when bis fortune and good name... If he is Dan Despard, and the “Where is Dick?” asked the girl in low
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hf were wrecked, He had cause to hate that man, and Elroy Surface who had assisted in his ruin. f He wanted to tell N ll how he had been driven from pillar to post by the black-mailers, but per- haps the girl wouid not sympathize with him. She might be pronuer than ter station indicated, and Braadou resolved to keep silent for the time, When Nell came back wit his order she had nothing to do for the moment. | ** Dick and you are friends?” began Brandon, | looking up in her face, “ Indeed we are!” smiled Nell. “I have known | Dodger some time, and he isone of my patrons.” “Where is your stand or ‘* beat?” ! ‘ ‘*Near the corner of Wall and Broadway.” “T have noticed you there,” observed Bran- don, and then he thought of Dodger Dick and his quarry. “The man whom I called Despard has been watching et ‘*Yes. Sometimes he is not alone.” ‘“What sort of companion has he?” ‘““ A young man about your age.” ‘ ** And my size, too?’ asked Brandon eagerly. -“T think so,” “Tt must bs Elroy Surface, another person who can never claim my friendship.” “I do not like to be watched. Itis annoying,” said Nell. ‘All [ ask is to make a living undis- turbed. Those men have never offered any in- dignity, but their spy on me is very obtrusive. I wish I were rid of it. Dick has promised to sift the matter to the bottom.” “Did you know until to-night that he had been watching Dan Despard—tor ten days, he said?” “TI knew he was working up a case, as he calls it, but I had no idea that he suspected the man who has been annoying me.” ‘* What kind of a case was it?” The question, was most natural, and News- paper Nell met it with a smile, “He never told me much about it,” she re- plied. ‘I think, though, that the house of a rich man up-town was burglarized, and a lot of important papers and some money taken. I cannot tell you how Dodger Dick got drawn into the affair, but he is into it, and is doing all he can to find the papers and the thief.” “T thought he lived on the wharves,” ** So he does when he is not with Mother Stur- eon, as he calls the woman who raised him. ou will have to excuse me now. It is my time to finish up my duties here. We will meet again, perhaps. Good-night, sir!” ,And Angus Brandon was lett alone, beforehe could detain Nell another moment. “She is pretty and clever,” he exclaimed to himself. ‘Sho is fitted to occupy a higher sta- tion than the one she fills. Butif Dan Despard and his young partner, Elroy Surface, have got their eyes on her she is gone.” ; A minute later the Cege man completed his second supper, and left the louse. Instinctively he turned his face toward the Battery, where be was to meet the Dodger at the end of two hours. He had nowhere else to go, for he did not wish to run any chances of meeting eitner of the men who had brought about his downfall. As he turned the nearest corner two wagons came together with a crash, One was com- letely overturned and badly wrecked, and the ‘iver was thrown under the wheels, It was a common city occurrence, and not the first of the kind Brandon had witnessed. The young man was the first person on the scene, but by the time he had dragged the un- fortunate driver from the ruins of his vehicle, a considerable crowd had collected Brandon lent his assistance until it was no longer needed; then he resumed bis walk. As he stepped upon the pavement, he caught sight of a face that attracted him, and when its on moved away, he recognized Newspaper ell. lp an instant Brandon resolved to follow the girlat a safe distance for the purpose of pro- tecting her should she need protection, and also with a view of obtaining a little information about her home. A The girl kept on at a good pace, as if eager to reach her destination in a short time, and Bran- dor. saw her look back several times, as though she feared she was being followed. ‘Nell’s suspicions are well grounded!” sud- denly exclaimed Brandon, ‘‘I see now that she some one on her track.” — Not far behind the girl walked aman who timed his. movements to her, and who was watching her closely. He was about Brandon’s size, his clothes were | acr good and fitted him nicely, and he carried a small cane like a gentleman on promenade. A soft bat with ample brim was pulled over his forehead and concealed a part of his face. ‘*T want a look at him,” muttered Brandon, quickening bis gait, He took good care not to excite the suspicions of the person so stealthily following the girl, and in a moment he had seen a face which drew to his lips, ** It is the other rascal!” burst from the young man. ‘It is Dan Despard’s partner in villainy, Elroy Surface!” Brandon could hardly restrain himself at sight of the man he had discovered. He seemed to gasp for breath. show him that Iam here by pitching him into the street!” he cried. ‘*The two devils are working together yet, as when they plotted against me. Ten chances to one that the woman whom Despard joined in the cab was the one who has black-mailed me, Give me an oppor- tunity, Roy Surface. Ah! what are you going to do?—stop, Nell?” At this moment the girl’s tracker was within reach of her. He had covered the distance be- tween them by two quick bounds, and Brandon guessed his intention, The next instant the young man darted for- ward, and landed behind ’Roy Surface as he raised his hand to detain the girl, * None of that, Mr, Surtace!” burst from Brandon’s throat as he caught the young ras- eal’s shoulder, and whirled bim about without ceremony. ‘'Can’t a lady walk the streets of New York by gaslight without being contami- nated by your vile touch?” A light ery came from Newspaper Nell as she turned and took in the scene at a glance, ** Whoare you?” demanded Surface, coloring, as his eyes flashed. “You ought to know me!” was the prompt response, ‘I have a debt to pay, Roy Surface. : want to settle with you for a ruined charac- er— “ ay Brandon, the safe-robber!” inter- rupted Surface, ‘‘ You had better go and settle with your uncle!” These words drew a mad exclamation from Brandon as he clinched his hands, He sprung straight at’Roy Surface and forced the young man to throw up his hand in self-de- fense, ; But Brandon’s assault was simply resistiless. A sight of his secret enemy, coupled with the insult just offered, goaded him to madness, and he landed a blow between the eyes which sent Surface headlong toward the gutter. ‘That for the past!” cried Brandon as he waited for Surface to rise. Nell stood spellbound on the scene. A little crowd was already on hand, and Brandon felt a grip at his arm, “That is the man, sir! I was brutally struck without provocation!” cried Surface, “lla pear against him, and give him all he wants.” ‘‘Come with me,” said the policeman, and Brandon was marched off. “Tought to CHAPTER III. THE DODGER ON THE TRAIL, ‘* UNLESS something unexpected operates in my fayor, I will not get to meet the Dodger in Batter, Park,” thought Brandon while he walked from the scene of the encounter with Elroy Surface, ‘‘I know something about the yi of New York, and this one is not likely to take my protestations against the charge of a well-dressed fellow like the rascal I first pun- ished. Dve got to grin and bear it. As for *Roy Surface med icp against me—I am not afraid of that. He doesn’t play an open game with an enemy.” Not long after the fight and the arrest, Bran- don was behind the bars of 1 station-house cell with the charge of assault opposite his name on the blotter. The young man’s anger bad not cooled, and if "Roy Surface had called to urge prosecution, he would have had to keep clear of his victim. _ Meantime, Dodger Dick was far away, totally ignorant of the hostile meeting on the side- walk, We have seen the hoy spy spring after the cab which carried Sas eapadt” from the vicinity of the boarding-house, and, with Bran- don shut up for the night ina place where he had never been before, we are at liberty to fol- low him, : The Dodger was not near enough when the cab started off to bear the greeting Desparc: re- it, ceived from the woman who occupied a part of. e : Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. off. ‘Ts she there?” asked this woman who was still young and beautiful. ** Yes,” answered Despard, ‘We know where to find her when she is wanted. * Are they alike?” “* Strikingly so.” ‘That is superb!” cried the woman. ‘I would like to have seen ber myseli, but 1 am willing to take your word for it, What kind of place is it?” ‘The supper isn’t as fine as we get at Del- monico’s, but it satisfies a wares’ nan,” re- sponded Despard with a laugh. ‘‘ Nell is active, attentive and always good-humored, The woman sanant to shrug her shoulders { over this compliment, ** You were not watched?” she went on, ‘4 atched by whom?” ‘* By the boy who has become his ferret.” ‘“‘That old fear again, Thalia!” exclaimed Despard, ‘‘I have told you before now that I don’t believe he has anything to do with the wharf rat. If I thought he had employed him, I’d turn aside just long enough to choke him ” “Roy thinks so,” ‘* Roy runs at a shadow sometimes!” Thalia settled back into her corner ard looked at her companion, whose face she saw for a mo- ment when the cab rattled past a lamp. If she had looked out of the little window in the back of the vehicle, she would have caught a glimpse of something human in shape between the hind wheels. But, Despard had hooted at the suggestion that he may have been watched, and caution on Thalia’s part was not needed, The noise made by the cab and by the passing trains of the Elevated roads, drowned for Dedger the conversation just given. If he had heard it, his eyes would have gota brighter. gleam, and Despard’s words might have called a laugh into existence, The cab kept on up-town until it turned into Tenth street. The Dodger kept his uncomfortable position with much pluck. When the horses drew suddenly to the side- walk, he pushed his lithe body still further un- der the cab, and waited for the next move, A moment afterward the door of the vehicle opened and Despard got out. Then he assisted the woman to the sidewalk, and the two turned to the house at hand. Dodger Dick moved his head just enough to enable him to note the building, and to see Despard and Thalia mount the steps, Then the driver touched the horses with the whip and the Dodger was whisked away, and out of sight. At the first crossing the wharf spy disengaged himself from the uncomfortable perch, and dropped to the ground. ‘“Thanks, most noble duke!” laughed Dick, waving his hand at the driver who drove on, uncons¢ious of the extra passenger he had just lost. ‘‘ When I come into possession of my for- tune [ll settle the score; and I owe a lot of cab- bies for little accommodations like this, I did find Dan Despard’s retreat at last. Now, Ill go back and see if anything of importance can be discovered, Plenty of time yet to meet my new friend, Brandon, in the Park, Jehu! I think Newspaper Nell made an impression on him} He must be a poor snipe who can’t see that Nell is the boss girl of Gotham.” The Dodger walked back toward the house to which he had tracked the occupants of the cab, It was a well-to-do three story building, with a genteel outward appearance, and looked not ublike thousands of respectable boarding: houses of the city. It stood behind a couple of maple trees that fringed the sidewalk, and threw a heavy shade as high as the caps of the third-story windows, Dodger Dick sauntered slowly up to the house and read the name of ‘t Findlay” on the door- plate. . “By Jupiter! that recalls an aunt of mine Mother Sturgeon sometimes talks about!” mut- tered the Dodger. ‘ Her name was Findlay after she married a man who came to New York, and surprised everybody by getting rich. But, that was. long ago, betore 1 concluded to board on this, planet. Findlay, eh? That’s the way her busband spelled the name; but of course this isn’t my worthy relative.” While Dick communed thus the door of the house opened and two young men came out. The. boy darted behind. one of the trees and», stood like a statue there. ' ; ‘* Hang it all, Chawley, I say, that’s a chawm- ing young cweature on the floor under us!” drawled one of the couple.
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{et ra an A ‘* Entirely too exclusive for us, old boy,” was the answer. ‘*Dudes!” exclaimed Dick in tones of lofty contempt. ‘‘ There be better looking members of their family in the zoo at Central shy ou | saw one of those dear creatures fall overboard at the ferry the other day, and he almost froze me with a look when I pulled him out witha barge hook. That is a boarding-house, and the dudes have left for a night Jark. But Despard does not come out. Nov, not he!” If the boy couid have entered the house at that moment and been allowed the freedom of the place, he would have seen Dan Despard in a room with Thalia and a young girl who, despite - “aes clothes she wore, resembled Newspaper e “Tt won’t be long, Ione,” said Thalia, turning to the girl whose face had just been clouded by a pout. ‘Make it soon!” was the quick answer. ‘I want to be somebody. I want to be able to show + bot in the parks in a carriage. This is torture here. Why don’t you bring the game to an issue?” She leaned to Despard as she finished, and looked him in the eye. ‘* Tt takes a little time,” he replied. ‘You have the papers—all of them—for you have said so. You said some days ago that I was the ne he ea of the girl you call Newspaper Nell. I’d like tosee her, If she is like me, she is pretty, ha, ha! But, I'll wager a world that her blood is not as blue as mine, What doyousay?’ And sheturned upon Thalia, laughing till her deep black eyes sparkled like gems. “Tm proud of your blood, Ione,” responded Thalia, who was the girl’s senior by some years, ‘* You ought to be,” smiled Dan Despard. There was a light laugh all around. ‘Where did you leave ’Roy?” suddenly asked Thalia, and at mention of the name the girl, 1 ne, gave a slight start. * Down-town.” ‘* He was here to-day,” put in Ione, “Tn this house?” exclaimed Thalia, ‘Yes, Why not?” ‘* When was it?” , ‘* This afternoon,” ‘* He did not a ba ‘*Not long. He believes that the game is being watched.” “*By whom?” asked Despard.” ‘* By a boy who is said to be in the pay of the police.” Des sent a quick look toward the woman. ‘*She means the PP arin wharf rat whose shadow has frightened you,” he smiled. ** Don’t you believe it?” exclaimed the girl. ‘* Not a word of it!” ‘Roy says he has good grounds for thinking 80. “To perdition with his grounds! ’Roy is | sometimes a coward who—” Tone sprung from her chair and was at Des- pard’s side in an instant. “You don’t want to apply that epithet to *Roy in my presence!” she cried, looking down into Despard’s face, and her hand at the same time closed on his arm. ‘‘A coward, is he? You don't know what we will have to call you before the play is out.” She drop his arm, gave him a lofty look, and went to the window, Opening the slats just a little she looked down into the street, her bosom still heaving with ex- citement, and her eyes full of fire. All at once she wheeled upon Despard, who. had studied her in silence, “You are watched now, at this very mo- ment!” she said in low tones Dan Despard left his chair like a bolt. ‘*Where? By whom, Ione?” ‘* The spy is on the sidewalk, against the tree. I have just seen him. It is the boy ’Roy talked about. Look for yourself.” CHAPTER IV. DESPARD’S TARTAR, Dopcrr DICK was about to desert his station when Ione, glancing downward through the slats of the inside shutters, saw him at the tree. The boy had at last located Despard, whom he had been seassow ing for some days, and he was anxious to get back and rejoin Angus Brandon in the Park. If he had left a moment sooner Ione would not have discovered him, nor would a started toward the door with a muffled “ Pie . — a ee oes — pra ta SR A ge eT : = s —— 7 bY Se" a 3 ; A o Pie , at *o { Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. ' “What are you going to do?” exclaimed the | apology which was received with very bad girl, seeing the flashes of rage that lit up the city tiger’s eyes, “Tl show that young ferret that I can’t be tracked with impunity!” was the quick retort. ‘* He may not be a spy?” **Then, why is he down there? No, Ione, you can’t save the young imp. We want no such obstacles in our path.” The door opened and shut, and Despard was one. He went down the stair with a tread not likely to alarm any one, ‘*Now Vi show him!” he said through his teeth when he reached the front door. ‘‘ By Jove! Roy may be right, after all.” The succeeding moment Despard opened the door and stepped out. He had already marked the Dodger’s position, and his first glance was toward the tree. ‘*Gone, by Jupiter!” ejaculated Despard. ‘I wonder if the street fox heard me?’ And the men stood on the lower step perplexed and de- cidedly out of humor. If he had looked up at that momeut he might have discovered Ione at the window, for the girl could not curb her curiosity, and was eager to witness the expected collision. Despard cast mad looks up and down the street Not far away he caught sight of a moving fig- ure, not large enough to be a man’s, ‘That is the young spy,” he exclaimed, and then he started off, seeing no one but the per- son whom his eyes had singled out. Despard thought he would know the wharf spy detective, and he had no doubts of the iden- tity of the boy upon whom he was stealing with eager and noiseless strides. Suddenly, in the shadow of a tree, the hand of Dan Despard fell like an eagle’s claw upon his victim’s shoulder. ‘* Caught at last!” he hissed, leaning forward. ‘**You don’t want toopen your talk-trap, my young shadow. If you makea noise, I’ll make it decidedly uncomfortable for you. I guess you know me!” and he gave the startled youtha look fierce enough to frighten the bravest. It never entered Despard’s head that he had caught the wrong person. He did not think that the Dodger had van- ished, and that fate had substituted another. The boy clutched by Despard had a cry on his lips when he saw the glittering eyes, and heard the threat emphasized by their ferocious glare. ‘You're a pretty night cat, ain’t you?” con- tinued the New York sharp, holding the boy firmly. ‘‘Don’t you know that you’re not at home when you leave the wharves? In Merle Mallot’s pay, eh? Well, you're liable to quit his employ, quite liable to, T should say.” “Tm not the boy you’re looking for!” stam- mered the lad at a venture. ‘‘ Indeed—’pon my honor—I’m Jerry Jack, an’I live on the next street.” ‘A lie for the occasion!” laughed Despard. ‘¢-You needn’t think I’m going to let you out of the trap for it.” “Mother ll make it hot for you!” cried the boy, gettin courage. ‘If I’m not Jerry Jack there’s no New York. Who ao you think I am, captain?” Despard began to doubt the identity of his catch. There was something in the boy’s voice and face, as he could see the latter in the shadows, that gave his declarations the impress of truth, But he was not willing to give up. “Maybe you think I’m the boy who skipped past me just before you nailed me?” continued the sharp’s prisoner, ‘‘ I've not been doing any- thing that I should be clutched in this manner, Do you think Jerry Jack ’d steal?” Just then a woman, bare-headed and a per- fect Amazon.in figure, came around the corner and looked up the street, and toward Despard and the boy. ‘* Here I am, mother!” vociferated the youth. ‘This gentleman has caught me for somebody else, and he doesn’t want to let me go.” In an instant the woman bounded forward, and Dan Despard felt a hand at bis wrist, and saw two mad eyes before him, ** Drop this boy !—drop him right away!” cried the woman. “I'll show you what it means to stop Jerry Jack on the street when he is running errands for his mother, Ill toss you into the eve if you hold him a second! Wanted to idnap him, did you? Where’s the big cop who stands at the corner?” Despard was now convinced that he had made a mistake, and as he did not want a personal encounter with the bare-headed Amazon, he gave up the prisoner, and growled out an i nig ART” grace. ‘*Which way did the boy go that passed you?” Despard asked Jerry Jack. ‘*T guess not, captain!” replied the boy re-- treating behind his mother. ‘‘Since you’ve aco so fresh, you can find the kid for your- self, been within reach at that_ moment, he might have felt the sharp’s boot, But Mrs, Jack stood B barrel between, and Despard had to waste is ire. ‘**Come home, Jerry,” said the woman, ‘Tf came just in time to rescue you from the hands of arascal,and if he doesn’t quit these parts, we'll see what the cops can do with him.” And with a hot and havghty look at Despard, the giantess walked her boy off in triumph. ‘**Curse the blunder!” muttered the New York sckemer when he found himself empty-handed on the street. ‘That boy I caught was not the one Ione saw from. the window. That spy was Dodger Dick, and it was he who passed my catch just before I came up. This being the case, he isn’t far off. I'd give a good deal to pounce upon him as I did upon Mrs, Jack’s opeful.” Despard walked to the corner, on the lookout for boys. His failure to catch the Dodger net- tled him, and no wonder, forif Dick had track- ed Thalia to her headquarters, he had scored an important point in the game. Mrs. Jack and Jerry had promptly vanished, and the woman was already narrating to some horrified neighbors her thrilling rescue of her Re from the clutches of a kidnapper. he man did not like to give the Dodger up. Five minutes had not passed since Ione’s dis- covery from the window, and in that time young Jack had been captured and released. ‘* Must I go back with no fish in the net?’ ex- claimed Despard, forced to swallow his disap- pointment. ‘‘Ione will laugh at me and bot of the women will say that the spy was Merle Mallot’s young ferret. Confound it! there’s: nothing else for me to do, I wish Ione had spied the boy a little sooner,” Despard took one last look up and down the street, His eyes seemed to see every object. within a certain distance, but, keen as they were, they could not single out the young spy of the wharf. At length Despard turned reluctantly back. “Hello! cap’n, didn’t you drop somethin’?” rung out in clear tones the voice of a boy, and when Despard wheeled be saw a veritable street. gamin stooping almost at his very feet. ’ ‘*T guess not, Johnny,” he replied. ‘* What is: it?” and he leaned toward the little fellow who was holding up something like a well-worn buckskin purse. “T found it right hyer, an’ you’ve just left the spot,” resumed the boy. ‘If it’s yours, cap’n, hyer it is, It doesn’t feel like a Govern- ment treasury, but thar’s something in it all the same. Despard looked searchingly at the boy fora moment, for he had grown very suspicious with- in the last few minutes, and then he held his. hand out for the purse which was delivered up. ; “Jerry Jack didn’t va tl for he don’t have such things,” grinned the boy, | ‘“‘Neither do I—not such affairs like that,” an- swered Despard handing the purse back. ‘* Mebbe Ill get to keep the find. Whew! ice cream at Fuseli’s an’ acigarette on the cellar. door! If Dick Sly had seen it, I wouldn’t be on the edge of a fortune.” Dan Despard started. ‘““Who is Dick Sly? he asked with eagerness that more than half betrayed him. “Don’t you know? Why, he’s Mother Stur- geon’s boy! Iam Burt Bluster an’ Dick an’ I ar’ old acquaintances, but not Siamese twins in friendship, bet ver head, cap’n.” ‘*-You don’t like the Dodger?” ‘¢ Not with a love that lingers!” laughed the oungster. ‘‘He’s a wharf rat, cap’n, an’ the lusters ar’ above that, miles above it!” “Where does Mother Sturgeon live?” ‘‘She’s moved lately an’ I don’t know where she is just now.” ‘Could you find her?” T might.” “Would you doit if I could make it worth your while?” ‘*T don’t know why I should not,” was the an- swer. Despard ran his hand into one of his pockets. ‘I'd like to know where Mother Bt resides,” he continued, withdrawing his and dexterously showing the boy the ef two Despard grew furious, and if the boy had.
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silver dollars. ‘‘ Dick comes home occasionally, I presume?” “Oh, yes. He doesn’t frequent the wharves like he used to. I know ’im a sight, you see, an’ then, cap’n, I’m willin’ to help you because I don’t like him any too well.” The next. moment the dollars changed hands, and Burt Bluster’s browned fingers closed on them like the lid of a trap, ‘Where shall I report, cap’n?” he inquired, looking up into Despard’s face. The city sharp thought for a moment. ** At Number ——, Bleecker street, up-stairs, second floor, first door to the right,” ** Pll hit the bull’s-eye the first time!” exclaim- ed the boy. ‘* Tf you come when [ am not in, drop Mother Sturgeon’s address into the letter-box on the door. You can write?’ ‘Not like a perfesser, cap’n, but I can make letters.” Two minutes later Despard walked back, con- gratulating himself on his good fortune, while the boy stepped into a doorway and put ona coat which he had left there. ‘* All’s fair in war, Dan Despard!” he laughed. **T guess I scored a point to-night!” The boy was Dodger Dick! CHAPTER V. THE NEXT MOVE. By the time the young shadow reached Bat- tery place it was almost the hour appointed for the rendezvous with Angus Brandon. The Dodger knew nothing about the young man’s encounter with ’Roy Surface, and going straight to the place of meeting reviously agreed upon, he began to wait for Brandon’s coming. Some time before this the rain had ceased to fall, and the Park was resuming its wonted ap- pearance. Tho old benchers who frequented it during a great part of the day, and long after nightfall, had come back to their places, and Dick for a time amused himself watching them. At length the hour went by, but Brandon did not come. ‘*Mebbe he thinks I ain’t the kind 0’ company he ought to keep,” muttered the Dodger. “* Well, I don’t belong to the aristocracy of New York, but I guess I’m high-toned enough tv be the acquaintance of a— ‘No! I won't say thai! Angus Brandon has been shamefully wronged by “Dan Despard and his pals; an’ while my name is Dick Sly, I'll stand by him till he gets even. If he doesn’t come within the next ten minutes I'll go up-town an’see how things are ruaning at the Mallot mansion.” The brief period mentioned by Dodger Dick ssed without a sight of the face of young randon, and after taking a final turn through the Park, the boy went back. If he had known about Brandon’s bad luck, a certain station-house would have received a visit from a boy woll known to the officer in charge. The Dodger had a few cents in his purse—thoe same one he had pretended to force upon Dan Despard, and five of these took him up-town on the Elevated road, He rode to within a square of an elegant house above Twentieth street, and in response to his ring, he was ushered into a hall, where he hung his somewhat dilapidated hat next door to an oval mirror, and ite a very glossy tile. ‘¢-You will find Mr. Mallot in there,” contin- ued the woman who had admitted him, and the Dodger was shown into a room elegantly fur- nished and expressive of wealth and refinement. At that moment the room had but one tenant, a middle-aged, robust, but stern-looking man. He reclined in a luxurious easy-chair, with his slippered feet on a cushion before him. ‘Aha! Pve just been thinking about you!” exclaimed the man, ‘“‘ Think about an imp and he turns up, or something that way, you know.” Dick hat dropped into a chair which seemed to fit him exactly, and he laughed a little at the speaker’s words. The man was Merle Mallot, and he was a mer- chant whose retirement from business the pa- pers had announced within the last few weeks, It was said that he had retired on account of an obscure disease that was slowly sapping his strength. This was one opinion. There was another that Merle Mallot had been black-mailed to a fearful extent, and other opinions still, which we need not ventilate here. Dodger Dick had made the merchant’s ac- quaintance by an accident which succeeded a mysterious burglary that had thrown a cloud over t’s life. It was true, as "Roy Surface pretended to have * Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. discovered, that the Dodger was in Mallot’s em- ploy. Mallot had ideas of his own, and one of these was that the polic were not to be trusted. He wanted the burglar of his private room hunted down and his papers recovered, but he did not want to have it done by the force, Hence his employment of Dick Sly. He believed that the boy was shrewd and faithful, in which belief he was correct; but he took good care not to tell Dick too much. ‘* Well, have you any report to make?” asked Mallot, after his observation. ‘*Not much,” replied the Dodger. ‘‘I would like to ask you one thing, Mr. Mallot.” “Well, go ahead.” **'You have told me that you suspect a man whom you call Angus,” ““That is all right. memory.” “May I askif his other name is not Brandon —Angus Brandon in full?” Merle Mallot appeared to gasp, and his hands closed Eoasmomically on the arms of his chair. ‘“Where did you get the other part of the name?” he asked. The Dodger smiled. “You forget that I ama city ferret,” he ob- served. ‘‘I am liable to make several discover- ies as I proceed in this affair. Yes, Angus Brandon is the name.” ‘““And a name I have cause to hate!” said Mallot, through his teeth. ‘*Tfe was in your employ once,” ** And he robbed me without scruples! ” flash- ed Merle Mallot. ‘‘I tell you, Dodger Dick that you will find the burglar when you find this young scapegrace. Listen to me. I took him into my store ashort time ago because he was my sister’s child, and I wanted to do some- thing for him. Whatdid he do? He hastened to get into bad company; he went from bad to worse under my very eyes, and at last, to keep himself going. 6 robbed me.” ** What did you do!” asked the Dodger, quick- I see you have a good ** What would any man in my situation have done?” exclaimed Mallot. ‘‘ I turned him adrift, I want no thieves about me. I could have sent him to Sing Sing, where he belonged, but I was his uncle, and the disgrace which the sentence would have heaped upon me, stayed my hand. He knew I had important papers in my library yonder, He wasaware that some money was near them. Nobody else knew it; that is, no regular thief, Yes, sir, I say plainly, since you have made the discovery you speak of, that Angus Brandon is the man for whom you must look. I want the papers. They are worth more than money. He can never realize on them; they are not what he expected to take.” Merle Mallot spoke with bitterness anger. The veins in his forehead swelled and the ef- fort flushed his face, “Did you ever think that Angus Brandon may have been lured to his ruin by some of the city chaps, and that the money taken from the safe at the store may not have benefited him?’ ‘““Not for a moment!” cried the merchant. “* He is the thief! Wby, when I confronted him and with certain evidence which my detectives had obtained, he did not deny it. He went away muttering something about gettin even one of these days. If f ha clapped him into prison then I would not be needing your services now. I did not want to have to tell you this, I had hoped I had given you a clew of another kind. Now I shall not stop until my ors are back in my hands and the rascal, blood of my blood, is behind the bars! You want to make sure of the papers, Mr. Dick. If he can, he will destroy them be- fore they shall become evidence against him. Why, to tell the truth, 1 could almost see bim hanged!” The Dodger made no reply, but studied Merle Mallot while he leaned back in his chair almost exhausted by his display of passion. ‘*T’'ve heard both stories,” he mentally ex- claimed. ‘‘ This man isn’t willing to think that Dan Despard or anybody but Angus Brandon committed thecrime. I don’t believe the young man guilty, and, unless Despard and the league about him trips me very soon, I’ll open Merle Mallot’s eyes.” ‘Ts that all you want to know?” suddenly asked the merchant with a peculiar smile, * About all,” answered Dick. ‘‘Could any- a Se a on the documents which you have os Merle Mallot started visibly. “The right parties might,” he said. ‘‘ But,” he added, quickly, ‘‘I tell you that they'll never RA A wir ————————$—$$$ $C S do Angus Brandon a particle of ae Tl fight them +0 the bitter end, and I’ve money enough to buy the best jury in New York. Vd like to see that young safe-breaker come to me for compromise, I don’t pay him a dollar!” Dodger Dick did not like to have Merle Mallot goon inthis manner, When he was excited, he spoke in loud tones, and the boy did not know who might be in the house. He had succeeded in his mission to the Mallot mansion, and was ready to take his depar- ture. ‘‘Hunt the young rascal down,” exclaimed the merchant. ‘‘ You know who he is, and you ought to be able to find him, I presume he would like to make another raid on my premises, but I am prepared for him now, well prepared!” and Mallot laughed in a manner which left no doubts as to the full meaning of his words. The Dodger promised to report as soon as he had anvthing important to communicate, and he told Merle Mallot that he hoped to have news before long. Then he walked out of the room, leaving the ae nae alone, Vhbile he was taking his hat from the rack in the hall he heard a soft, almost cat-like, tread. behind him, and wheeling, he found himself face to face with a young girl of sixteen. “You are the boy we have put on the bur- glar’s trail, ain’t you?” asked the girl. **T am Dodger Dick.” **Yes, Some of us suspect Cousin Angus who used to be in the store, but I do not. The man who came that night and drugged papa in the library was taller than Angus. I saw him fora moment, for he raised his mask on the stairs; but I dare not say so in this house. I want you to find the right person, Dodger Dick.” ‘*T will find him!” cried the boy, leaning to- ward the sparkling black eyes, ‘‘ And he won’t be Angus Brandon, either.’ CHAPTER VI. DESPARD PICKS UP A LINK. ‘* HAVE you been through a wind-mill?” ‘“No; I was struck by a cyclone.” ** You’ve had a fight, Roy.” The reply to this last observation was a sickly smile which did not enhance the speaker’s looks. *Roy Surface and Despard had met again, and the former’s face, still showed marks of young Brandon’s punishment, As the reader can imagine, Surface was notin good-humor, but while he told Despard about Brandon’s arrest by the policeman, his eyes got a vengeful sparkle and he laughed in triumph. ** You don’t intend to appear against him, do you?” asked Despard. ‘*Not [! I have no desire to show up in a po- lice court just now. He will get to the Island anyhow, for Iam convinced that he has not a dollar to his name, and the cop who effected the arrest knows me.” ‘That will settle Brandon,” said D rd with asmile, ‘I had not seen the young fellow for some time. Thalia, you know, quit bleeding him because he had no more blood to yield, He won’t hurt anybody. But what became of the girl—Newspaper Nell?” . ‘*She vanished like a sprite after I got my lick,” answered ’Roy. ** Didn’t you find her again?” ‘*She was not to escape me so easily!” ex- claimed the young man. ‘‘I started after her when Brandon had been marched off by the cop, and overtook her nearly two squares oral; You can bet your head, Dan Despard, that I not let her get away again.” ‘Whither cid she go?” “To the lodgings she occupies in a quiet side street. I marked the house, took down the number and all, so we're perfectly safe on that score, The girlisa beauty, sure ts Dan, and I never noticed the striking resemblance be- tween her and Jone so much before,” ‘Tt is remarkable, isn’t it?’ laughed Des- pard. ‘Now, ’Roy, I want to put you on your guard. You were right about that wharf rat being after us.” “Dodger Dick? I thought sol!” cried the young man. “T caught him at work to-night.” : sae Of course you made short work of im. ‘Curse it all! he slipped through my fingers,” growled Despard, ‘bv got penne 4 show of nabbing him soon, however. I was lucky enough to find a boy who knew him, and who holds a grudge against him, too. He is to get me the resent address of Mother Sturgeon, the young erret’s second mother. After that, we easily trap him, for he often visits the. can old lady. =e.
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~~ Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge, The boy is to report at the house on Bleecker Street; he is to drop the address into the letter- ‘box if he does not find either of us in when he calls. We want to be around the place a good deal within the next two days, for Burt Bluster, my_ spy, looks like a shrewd lark, and is likely to discover something within that time. Would you mind giving me ‘Nell’s address, Roy?” **Certainly not,” was the prompt reply, and the young sport took from a memorandum- cone a bit of paper, which he handed to Des- pard,. The New York sharp uttered an exclamation of surprise when he glanced at the directions. ‘* She is in a quiet neighborhood, sure enougb,” he cried. ‘I thought so,” smiled "Roy. ** What is the house like?” “It isa plain, two-story brick, with shutters. The girl lodges there merely, no more, I am satisfied. She works for her meals at the old ee eating-house, as we have already discov- er Despard took acopy of the address and handed the original back to his companion. A few minutes later-the couple separated on the street, and "Roy received instructions to be at the Bleecker street house a good deal during the coming day for the purpose of receiving ' Burt Bluster’s report. If the two rascals had suspected that Burt was the Dodger who had played a neat trick on Despard, they would not have taken so much stock in his expected work. Despard looked at his watch as he turned from his younger pard. The hour was not late, for he had been lucky enough to find "Roy soon after the collision on the sidewalk, “ll take a look at the premises for a visit to- morrow before Nell goes to her post,” he said to himself, turning into a street at his right. ‘‘ The neighborhood is almost too quiet to operate suc- cessfully in, but we must not stop on that ac- count. Ione is impatient, and Thalia is not un- like her, though she does not sayso much, I confess that I’m eager to see the game atan end, and [ know that ’Roy wants to change his clothes.” Not long afterward, the figure of Dan Despard a into one of the quietest streets of middle ew York, and his eyes singled out an unpre- tending brick house with shutters tightly closed, and not a sign of light visible. It was the building briefly described in a sen- tence by ’Roy, as the one into which he had tracked Newspaper Nell. oe te inspected it from roof to foundation with the caution of a a Bats views a fort in- tended to be assaulted. He had a keen eye, and on this occasion nothing was permitted to es- cape him, e tried to speculate the particular room oc- cupied by the girl, but of course he had to give over the attempt. Suddenly the front door of the house was med just a little, as if some one inside was ewing the land without. The next moment a female came foi th. Despard started at sight of her. **Tt is the girl herself!” exclaimed the Gotham rt, as be drew back so as not to be seen by eli. ‘‘I wonder what draws her into the street at this hour?” At that moment the figure of the Dodger’s friend flitted by, and then Despard followed. It was not the first time the cool, calculating villain had followed people through the tortuous streets of New York after dark. He was as good as any human ferret for keep- ing them in sight, and he had a knack of doing it without being seen himself. There was a gleam of victory in Despard’s eyes. The girl had changed her dress since supper, and the change was calculated to deceive many who were accustomed to seeing her selling pa- pers at her old stand. Nell did not seem to think that she was fol- low She walked ranidly, but not like a person chased, and Despard had no little difficulty in keeping her in sight among the night pedestri- ans, - She led him toward the river, a strange place for a young girl to visit alone after sundown. ** She isn’t going to throw herself into the wa- ter!” cried Des * By Jove! I don’t know whether I would attempt to rescue her or not. If she wants to be “* One more unfortunate, Rashly importunate,’ why, let hergo ahead! It would make the field ee ov clearer for us, and get us rid of a peck of trouble.” But Newspaper Nell had no intentions of add- ing a new name to the river’s victims, for, instead of pushing to the edge of the wharf, she turned suddenly aside, and disappeared in a airy when Despard looked for no move of the kind. ‘* What can her errand be?” muttered the city tiger, while he looked at the building and won- dered who mightinhabitit. ‘*‘Shedid not come down here for nothing; that is certain. She wants to see some one. This is the spot said to be Dodger Dick’s ground, for this is Pier Num- ber —. It can’t be possible that Newspaper Nell knows the wharf rat who has hired to Merle Mallot in the capacity of ferret? Her beat is somewhat up town; his is down here by the river.” Despard was puzzled. There were not many people to be seen about the place, and the few were those who were seldom visible during the day. The New York sport selected a convenient post and began to watch the house, for he did not deem it advisible to follow Nell beyond the threshold. Five, ten, twenty minutes passed away. They were hours to Dan Despard. At length a boy came gliding past his post. ‘Hi, there!” called the tiger, leaning for- ward. The wharf rat started like a person caugh’$ in an evil act. ‘“‘T want to see you, Johnny. continued Despard. The little fellow came up emboldened by the assurance and waited for the man to proceed. ‘“What kind of a house is that?” resumed ag designating the building just entered by e I’m no cop,” ** That’s Baldy’s place,” ** Ah! who lives there?” ** A good many people. much for his rooms, and you can get a ten-cent bed in the upper stories. Why, bless you, cap’n, some 0’ us wharfers geta little high-toned some- times, an’ we sleep at Baldy’s instead o’ among the bales an’ boxes along the river.” a a Dodger Dick ever get above his sta- tion The boy laughed and threw back his head haughtily. ‘* Now you’re comin’ at it!” he cried. ‘‘ The Dodger has felt his oats ever since he helped to find the lost heir o’ the uptown nabob, He don’t sleep on the wharf much any more, for he’s got a bed at Baldy’s,.” A look of triumph lit up Despard’s eyes. “The puzzle isn’t hard now,” he murmured. ‘* Newspaper Nell has come down here to see the water rat of Gotham.” ‘““What do you want ter know about the Dodger?” asked the boy. ‘* Nothing now,” was the reply. Baldy’s just now I presume?” ‘He might be.” **Do you ever go inside?” ‘No siree! I b’long to the wharfers who boy- cott Baldy’s. We don’t allow anybody to think us aristocrats, The Dodger an’ his ilk kin spend their money for pillows; but we don’t patronize the institution!” Despard had no further use for the gamin whose appearance was by no means aristocratic, and a quarter sent him off rejoicing. “My tramp has not been for nothirg,” ex- claimed the city sport with a look at the house designated as Baldy’s,. ‘If Dodger Dick is Nell’s friend, and knows anything, he is doubly dangerous!” Baldy doesn’t charge ** He isn’t in CHAPTER VII. A THIN DISGUISE. Tuer next day "Roy Surface was on guard at the Bleecker street house waiting for the boy known to Despard as Burt Bluster. As a mat- ter of course, the spy did not put in an appear- ance, for Dodger Dick was a little afraid to trust his make-up tothe keen eyes of either of the city sharps in daylight. Despard had made up his mind that News- paper Nell had called on the Dodger at Baldy’s the night before, and he resolved to entrap the young wharf ferret as soon as possible, His first move after breakfast was to the quiet neighborhood where Nell lodged. He knew that the girl would not be found at her street stand until in the afternoon, and he was reasonably certain of finding her at the house. The Gotham tiger dressed himself for the oc- casion, and when he knocked at the door of the plain brick domicile, he Jocked like a well-to-do SS -| another, gentleman with a good deal of leisure on his ands. He was met at the door by an elderly woman, et looked over her spectacies in surprise at im. As Despard did not know the girl’s name, or pretended not to, he asked for ‘ Miss Nelly.” The woman said she was up-stairs, and if Despard would step inside, she would come down and receive him. It was evident that Nell bad not told her landlady about the collision between Brandon and ’Roy, else Despard would not have met with such a cordial rece; tion. In a little while there were light footsteps on the stair, and Newspaper Nell stood before the villain. An instant later the girl seemed to recognize her visitor, or, at least, to guess at his mis- ion. **T believe you are the young lady who sells papers at the corner of Walland Broadway?” egan Despard, politely. ‘**T am,” answered the girl. ‘*T have come to ask if you don’t want cosier quarters, I have noticed that where you are you often find yourself exposed to inclement weather. Nell smiled. ‘** It isonly for a short time,” she said. ‘* You may know that my stock never lasts long, and that T miss the morning showers and the evening gusts. Her manner was gentle, but firm, and her well-chosen words were a rebuff which pierced the thick cuticle of the New York sharp. “‘T can relieve you of much inconvenience if you will let me,” he went on. “Thank you. Your kindness is very flatter- ing, but I shall have to decline it, because I am content where I am.” pepatd was not repulsed. ‘‘-Your mother lives a long distance from your stand,” he continued. i ‘“*T have no mother,” she remarked, witha smile. ‘The lady who let you in is Mrs. Hol- lystone, my landlady. Iam quite alone in New ork, but,” with a sparkle in her eyes, ‘‘one does not want for friends on that account.” “The very reason why I feel like repeating my offer,” said Despard. ‘‘I did not think you would refuse a little assistance prompted by the best of motives. I am very sorry. Can’t I be of some service to you?” “T am afraid not,” returned Nell, well know- ing that this man, with a younger friend, had watched her covertly for some time. ‘* My re- fusal is final, I do not need assistance.” ‘“‘Confound her! she is as troublesome to attack as a hedgehog!” growled Despard under his breath. ‘‘l am not going to give up the battle yet. There’s too much at stake, and this girl shall not spoil the game by a display of coolness,” He threw a rapid glance toward the door be- fore he resumed, and when he spoke again, he was standing before Neli, his dark eyes fixed on her face. “You don’t want to run about after night,” he said in low tones. Nell flushed to the temples, ‘* What is that, sir?’ she exclaimed, stepping back and meeting his look with one full of indignation. ‘‘ Did you come here to insult me at home?” ‘Insult, is it? ha, ha!” Jaughed Despard. **T am seldom abroad after dark.” “Why, you were out last night.” “That is true. It was dark before I returned from the place where I board.” “Ts that all, Nelly?” grinned the city sharp. ‘““ Were you nowhere else?” All at once the girl thought that this man may have followed her to the wharf. She did not look for spies on the journey, but his words and mien indicated that he knew something about the trip. “Tf I were out Jast night, and you knew it, I was watched!” she exclaimed. ‘I did not think I had a spy at my heels! After thisI shall look out for you.” ‘“T said nothing about myself,” replied Des- pard, ‘-T can draw my own conclusions, I presume,” retorted the girl. ‘‘ Let us fully understand one A man who will watch a young woman during the day, will not hesitate to play spy at night. This interview need not be pro- longed. I have some business with my news- paper people, and I wish to be punctual.” Nell intended that her reply should be final, and with the last word on her lips, she made a movement which emphasized her desire. **You will hear me a moment,” cried Despard, shutting his lips hard. “I am not used to
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_ villain last night,” she murmured, _been watching me. being treated thus, and by ‘a newspaper girl. I am in a position to | lowed her home, if be had not subjected her to Look here, Miss Nell. Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. . He was fearful that the young rascal had fol- make things almighty uncomfortable for you | insult; and te promised himself to find out at unless you tell me why you went down to Baldy’s | thetirst opportunity, and toshow Dan Despard’s last night, and what business you had with that | companion that the girl had a champion able to young wharftrat who is gnawing holes into other people’s granaries,” The eyes of the New York girl instantly got a look that surprised Despard. ‘You threaten me, do you?’she exclaimed. “You we're “playing spy last night! Your friend got knocked into the gutter just as he deserved, and as usua, the police took the wrong Person, but he is at liberty ere this, and ready Lo settla signe more old debts, one against you, Dauiel wespardc.” News aper Nell had not forgotten the name she hau Keard Brandon pronounce at the board- ing-house, sand sle was forced to smile at the effect produced on Despard when she spoke it. ‘““What is the name you just applied to mo?” he asked, ‘* Daniel Despard!” repeated the girl. ‘f You have a dozen names no doubt, but you see that one at least is known to me, I think it fits you well, sir.” “Ob well, call me what you will!” he ejacu- lated with a cutting suecr, ‘‘ It does not break the force of my words, nor rob me of an iota of my power. You can league yourself with the vermin of the docks, but I will hold the winning cards at the end of the game!” “* Very well, Mr. Despard. have come here to tell me this.” ‘Oh, you can show your blood, but blood doesn’t win now,” he laughed, ‘* When you.see the Dodger, will you tell him that the hand he slipped through last night will hold him in the end?” ‘* T will tell him!” cried Newspaper Nell. ‘‘ Is that the only message, sir?” Despard bit his lip at her coolness. ** Pell the safe-robber, Brandon, that he wants to keep away from his old friends Dan and’ Roy. We know too much, and he doesn’t want to go up tbe Hudson for a long term where men have little freedom and no enjoyment, by Jove, no! ha! ha!” ‘Look out for yourself while you warn others, Dan Despard,” cried Nell, “ What do you mean?” He took u mad stride toward the girl who straightened before him, and met him calmly, look for look. 4 “Play the game out and discover what I mean, ‘‘ she went on.” “You don’t know anything?” he said, There was no answer. “Tell all you know! I don’t care!” he hissed. ** A newspaper witch isn’t going to wreck any- body’s fortunes. But, mind you, Nelly, look out for number one as you go along. Goand settle with your newspaper people. You will not try to play against me when you come back to sober second thought. You can’t afford to do it, girl! By Jupiter, you cannot!” His face, flushed with rage, almost touched hers while he gave vent to the last sentences, The next moment he was at tie door, and as the girl still made no answer but gave him a look of defiance, he ground a curse between his teeth, opened the portal, and rushed out. A smile passed over Newspaper Nell’s face when she heard the front door bang behind him, and then she walked to a little mirror and sur- veyed herself for a moment. “ Dodger Dick plaved a fair estimate on that ‘*T have yet to learn why he and the man called Roy have : There is a deep, dark scheme of some kind uppermost in their minds, and [ am to be one of the victims if they do not fail,” The newspaper girl left the house, but did not come back after dinn¢ér as was her wont, The afternoon came, but no young girl sold papers at Wall and Broadway. er regular customers wondered what had become of her, and bought their afternoon read- ing of some one else. Night came, A boy rung the bell of the plain brick house in the side street, and Mrs, Hollystone said that Nell bad not been home since murning. ** In the trap, for a thousand!” cried the boy, who was Dodger Dick. CHAPTER VIII. THE DODGER STEPS BETWEEN. AnGus BRANDON passed an uncomfortable night in the station-house, He did not regret the blow which had sent Elroy Surface into the tter; but he was much concerned about Nell, ‘whom he had taken considerable interest. You need not protect her, , What was Brandon’s surprise when he was summoned into the office of the station, and there confronted with Dodger Dick? The wharf ferret and the ofticers about the ace seemed on the best of terms, and when raudon told the story of the street encounter, and the Dodger showed ’Roy up in his true light, the prisoner of the night was discharged. ** Now,” said Dick to his friend, ‘‘’Roy Sur- face and his friend Despard know that you are stili on hand, and they won’t stop at anything. Those two larks have a deep scheme afoot, and Nell isto be dragged into it. I followed Des- pard last night, as you know, and picked up some important information, I want to-day for work in another direction, You are to keep shady, but at eight to-night I will join you at the old bench in Battery place.” ‘* Tl be there,” assured Brandon, eagerly. ‘If you happen torun across either of the pards, don’t give yourself away. Let. them think, if they will, that you have been sent to the | Island. We'll give them a surprise later on. “It was almost eight o’clock when Dodger Dick learned at Mrs., Hollystone’s door that Newspaper Nell had been missing all day: The thought that followed the startling infor- mation through his mind was a natural one. If the girl had fallen into the clutches of Des- pard and ’Roy Surface, woe to them, thought the young detective! The Dodger had his engagement to keep with Brandon, and not long aiter his discovery of Neli’s absence, he appeared in the Park, on the lookout for his friend, He walked straight to the bench near which he had first encountered the young man, and when near it be halted suddenly, and then stepped into the shadow of a tree. The bench bad occupants, a man and a woman, and the former was Angus Brandon himself. ‘**One of his old acquaintances,” muttered Dick. ‘‘He must have had a time with ’Roy Surface before they got him down to their level. Ah! the woman is going to leave, She isn’tin a happy frame of mind, and Brandon seems to be talking through his teeth,” The Dodger could see the couple with distinct- ness, for they were quite near, and the trees did not interfere. ‘“Great heavens! it is the woman whom I tracked to Tenth street with Despard lastnight!” su denly continued the boy. ‘‘Issbe the per- son who has been blackmailing Brandon?” And then, as the couple had moved toward him, he heard the young man say: ‘No more blood from me, I tell you.” “Very well. You will have to put up with the consequences, be they what they may,” was the answer. Brandon laughed bitterly. ‘You may think that my hands have been for- ever tied by the crime of the store,” he said, looking straightinto Thalia’s eyes. ‘Iam not afraid to face all the information you threaten to impart to the public. What am I, anyhow? —A. person who bas been sleeping in the paris, a man whose life has been rendered desperate by the shadow of a crime which was not all his! I will not disguise any thing, You come from the brace of rascals who pulled me down step by step until I was ready to do their work, on have hounded me like a sleuth ever since that night. You bled me when I had obtained a re- spectable position; you put your hands again into my pockets until, to escape you, i flew to the streeis—I became a beggar! Now, 1 say, do your worst. [laugh in your face. But Ladd, while I tell you this, that the victim may turn on the hunter one of these days, You can carry your infamous scheme a little too far, I have no position to lose now. You can’t whisper into an employer’s ear. Ha! ha! my queen of black- mailers, it does me good to tell you this. Go back to your companions and tell them that the golden well is dry. You don’t like it, I see. Well, I can’t help it. Good-night, madam. The treasury is empty—Good-night!” The Dodger saw the eyes of the woman glitter like a serpent’s. He noticed her draw back, throw a quick look around, and then lean sud- denly toward Brandon, ‘You dare not turn on me!” she hissed. “Try me and see!” smiled the young man. ‘* You shall not!” was the quick retort, Brandon turned coolly and walked away. For a moment Thalia eyed him with tigerish glare, then all at once her hand dropped to her pocket, but instantly came up again, " Dodger Dick who saw all this sprung from his tree, and with an agile bound, placed himself between Thalia and the young clerk. Brandon happened to look back at that mo- ment, saw the wharf spy, and turned, Thalia stopped. “That is the spy Ione saw at_the house last night,” she thought. ‘*Dodger Dick is Angus Brandon’s friend.” There was a smile of victory on the boy’s countenance when he encountered Thalia’s look, and as Brandon came forward, the woman slip- ped away and vanished. ‘* You've had company,” exclaimed Dick. ‘* The leech that used to bleed me!” was the reply and Brandon looked after Thalia, but saw her not. ‘I told her awhile ago,” he went on, ‘that the jig was up, and she now knows that my purse will open no mvure when she pulls the strings.” ‘She can show her teeth, Brandon.” ‘That she can!” laughed the young man, “TIT did not want to attract attention, and when fT saw that she was going to have a scene, I walked uway. She is Dan Despard’s friend, and got all her cues from him.” Although Thalia had disappeared, she was not very far away, and at that moment her sparkling black eyes saw Brandon and Dick. ‘*Despard has got to crush that boy!” came from between her teeth. ‘‘ We can’t succeed till it has been done. He must execute no: partial play, either. The snake must be killed, not scotched.” She continued to watch the pair until they moved away, “Pll find him now,” started off, The following second she was touched by a human hand; and turning half-way around with a start, she looked into the smiling face of the very man she wanted, Despard. ‘* A little too late in one sense, but justin the nick of time, for all!” exclaimed Thalia. ‘* Let us walk this way. I want to show you some- body. He has not left the Battery. What! won't See go?” “T think I know whom you have seen,” re- plied the city sharp. “I do not want him to see me just now nor here,” “Are you afraid of a boy?” Thalia. ‘*Don’t go off in an explosion of passien,” smiled Despard. ‘* When | fear a boy, I'll turn parson. Isay I don't want the young imp to see me just now, and that is true, | want you to play a big hand up-town to-night. I have just come from the house, where I told Tone that I'd find you here, trying to get a dollar out of the man you have bled so well.” “T did try it, but the purse was empty!” laughed Thalia, ‘I made a discovery though.” “Well?” “Dodger Dick and Angus Brandon are friends.” “That is nothing very new. The young wharf rat got him out of the station this mcrn- ing. Did the pair go off together?’ “Yes; they are barely out of sight now.” ‘Let them go. ‘Roy and I have held a coun- ciland decided that we must make the first move to-night.” ‘* Must I play the hand?” ‘*' Yes.” “Come, then!” cried Thalia, in an outburst of eagerness, ‘‘I bave always told you that I could manage this affair, and | will show you that I can do more than bleed a young clerk. Is the girl, the fly the web caught to-day, per- fectly safe?” “« Safe as a real fly in a trep of steel!” was the response, : “Then Iam willing to let Brandon and the Dodger go; but we must not forget to catch the wharf Norway.” “In time—in good time, Thalia!” laughed Despard, The city tiger and his friend walked from the spot, and passed from the Park, Not far behind them glided a figure that kept in the shadows, and which did not let them for o moment get beyond sight. Despard and Thalia took a cab fer the house on Tenth street. Both alighted in front of it and went in, and the cab waited at the curb, A few minutes later the pair came out and were driven away. rs ‘* Don’t forget anything,” whispered Despard. to the woman, who Jeaned back in the vehicle, a gleam of intense eagerness in the depths of her eyes. ‘Not a mite!” came the answer. “I am she went on, as she exclaimcd
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~ to make the first play. I won't fall a He shali know that unless he pays our price, he will be strip of his wealth, if he does not enter the Bastile on the Hudson. You did your work to-day, Dan Despard; I will do mine to-night!” The cab rattled on, out of one street and into burni allan - anotuer. It was moving up-town and toward a district inhabited by the wealthy. It pulled up at last in front of one of a num- ber of fine houses, and Thalia got out. “Remember! Not a cent less than one hun- dred thousand, cash in hand,” said Despard, in a low voice, his fingers at the woman’s wrist. “Pll not forget!’ The succeeding moment Thalia tripped lightly up the stone steps and rung the bell. Despard watched her from the darkness of the cab that waited. In a little while the door of the mansion open- e7 and shut. balia was inside! ‘- 'd like to see her play,” exclaimed Despard. ‘* Sut I have no fears. Thalia is the coolest and shrewdest woman in New York. Merle Mallot will soon find this out!” CHAPTER IX. IN THE TRAP, EXPEOTING no visitor at that hour, much less one like the person who had just rung his bell, Merle Mallot was at bis desk in the library. When Hetty, the housemaid who replied to the ring, told him that a woman desired to see him, he gave orders for his visitor to be admit- ted. A’ moment later Merle Mallot stood face to face with Thalia, whom he now saw for the first time. ‘Well, madam,” began the ex-merchant in a business-like voice, ‘‘ what can [ do for you?” Thalia threw a rapid glance around the room, as if to make sure that they were alone. ““You need not fear to talk,” continued Mal- lot, interpreting the look ashe caught it. ‘‘ We are quite alone here, and will not be disturbed.” ‘Thanks! 1 have called on private business, and you will appreciate my desire that we have no eavesdroppers,” and Thalia smiled. ‘“* Private business! What can this woman want?” thought the merchant. “Some time ago, Mr. Mallot, you lost some papers, which, I believe, you consider impor- tant,” resumed the woman, Merle Mallot started. ‘¢ What do you know about them?” he cried. “ Nothing, perhaps; a good deal if necessary,” was the reply. ‘You know that I lost some papers. This tells me that you also know something about them,” “That depends,” answered Thalia, in the mysterious manner she had assumed. ‘* When people lose anything of value to them, they ardently desire its return, As I have said, Mr. Mallot, { a. here on business. What are you willing to pay for the return of those papers?” Merle Mallot looked into Thalia’s face till his look became a stare. He had, seen enough of humanity to know that his visitor was as cool and calculating as she was beautiful. Her intensely black eyes betrayed her character, which he could read far enough to show that he was dealing with no or- dinary person. “This woman comes direct from the man who robbed me,” passed thrcugh the merchant’s brain. ‘She is the go-between through whom Angus Brandon hopes to rake the golden chest- nuts from the fire. Ive said [ would listen to w® compromise from him; but I umust have those papers. I must get them back!” “* Are you authorized to negotiate with me?” he asked Thalia. “Tam. I came hither for that purpose.” ‘The papers are not so very important ” said Mallot, assuming an air of indifference. ‘I can get along very well without them.” *¢ Tt all lies with you,” was the quick response. **-You are the purchaser. Do as you think best. The papers will not be destroyed, however.” The last remark, spoken for a certain purpose, seemed to bring the New York nabob to terms, “ What do you think they are worth to me?” he asked. “A right nice little figure. Ishould say about one hundred thousand dollars.” Thalia named the amount in an off-hand man- ner, as though sbe were familiar with large sums. “ My God, woman! Do you want to bank- pupt me?” cried Merle Mallot. Dodger Dick’s i Best Dodge. ‘On the contrary, [ wish to keep you from bankruptcy,” was the calm reply. ‘* The sum I have named is not large compared with your well-known resources, You are worth a million at least, and can afford to buy the papers men- tioned a while ago,” **T don’t want them at that figure,” said the merchant. ‘I can’t rob my child to purchase a few old papers which really amount to noth- ing.” Ouick as thought almost a smile appeared at Thalia’s lips, and her eyes seemed to get a new light as she leaned toward Merle Mallot, ‘** A few old papers which amount to nothing, eh?’ she repeated, while she looked him in the face. ‘* You know better than that, Merle Mal- lot. You wouldn’t have the history of those re brought to light for ten times the sum I ave named. If you say you will not purchase at the price mentioned, our business is conclud- ed, and the next move will follow.” ““ What will the next move be?” ‘*The production of the person mentioned most prominently in those papers.” Merle Mallot moved uneasily in his chair. **{ do not understand you,” said he. “Need I make it plainer? Then, let me say that the child, Florette, is alive.” ““Tmpossible!” cried Mallot, losing color de- rae his secret resolve to do nothing of the ind, ‘* Wait and see,” smiled Thalia. ‘‘ You are likely to have served on you within a short time a legal paper which will drag you into the courts, and then the reporters will get to sharpen their pencils over a romance in real life. I did not think you wanted the past opened, Merle Mallot. Florette is ready to step forward and claim her own, and you know how much that is to-day. I thought you would be in a purchasable mood, but you want litigation, I see. It shall be yours since you seek it. I have no choice,” ‘* Have you the papers with you?” “Ob, no,” laughed Thalia. ‘They are too valuable to bring to you before a bargain has been struck.” The merchant bit his lip. The woman was too much for him, “¢ You won’t buy, so I will go,” she went on, leaving her chair. *‘I won’t come again, Mr. Mal- lot. You have been givenachance. Florette will appear on the scene now.” ferle Mallot saw Thalia standing before him with the dignity of a queen. ‘“*T don’t want to be robbed,” he exclaimed. You ask too much, entirely too mucb, for the apers. Not a dollar less will be taken.” ‘* He sent you to me, did he not?” ** Of whom do you speak?” ‘*} mean the young thief who violated my confidence before he had been six months in my employ!’ said Mallot, bitterly. ‘*T, came from no such person,” repeated Thalia. | ** 1s it possible?” ‘*T came from the papers—from Florette,” she went on, ‘Tf | buy the former at your price, will the latter never appear?” ‘* She will never bother you.” ‘* Tf we can’t agree to-night, she will push her claim, will she?” “To the end!” came sternly over Thalia’s lips. ‘This is no child’s play, Merle Mallot. The girl will be recognized by those who often saw her mother, and the papers, which I am surprised you never destroyed, will complete her cause. It all liesin your bands, Listen to compromise and live unmolested; refuse, and have the past aired in the New York courts.” “T call this black-mail,” exclaimed Mallot. ‘€T think I need not let myself be frightened out of one hundred thousand dollars.” Thalia did not lose her temper. “Very well; if you want exposure, it shall come,” she said calmly. daughter, has*more than trebled itself. You have used it as the stepping stone to immense wealth. Do you want this in the curts, Merle Mallot? Do you want several otzer dark tricks exposed to the ssarching light of justice? I ask you whether you want an old man, once called Jerry Dunn, to mount the stand?” Merle Mallot started up with acry he could not suppress. it was Thalia’s last shot, and she had kept it in the locker until it was needed. There was now not a vestige of color on the merchant’s face, and the woman, standing off, watched him with triumphant eyes. ‘You see we are not unprepared for the at- tack,” the continued, “The money which ' vour first partner left to you in trust for his | oe Se have all of you sent:up for burg- ‘* With the papers and Florette in our hands?” laughed Thalia, ‘Now, you would not try that, Mr. Mallot! I think we hold a hand equal to any you can obtain. The girl is very eager to get her own, and she wants to see the doors of Sing Sing open for a certain person. So she says, Merle Mallot. There will be enough left for your own child,” ** Fnough till you come again.” “We sell you the papers. We give the game over to you, for one hundred thousand, cash in hand.” ‘*'To be paid where and when?” .- ‘* Within twenty four hours and at a place that will be designated hereafter.” “Give me a little time for reflection,” begged Mallot. ** How much do you want?” ‘* Several hours at least.” ‘Take them. Insert your decision in one of the morning pres in a ‘ personal’ addressed to ‘ Business.’ If you accept the proposition, say, ‘ Accepted,’ and sign anything you wish to the personal. If you decline, insert nothing in the paper. We will then know that you throw out a challenge. You will do this?” Mallot made a faint reply in a voice entirely ema his natural tones, and Thalia drew back. A minute later she said good-night to the pale merchant, and he fell back in his chair, while she went down to the eager and impatient man, waiting for her in the carriage at the curb. ‘*In God’s name, has it come to this?” groaned Maliot, as he staggered across the room to the window while the vehicle moved into the street. ‘‘ Is the girl alive, and have they found Jerry Dunn whom 1 have not seen for seventeen years? ITamin their power unless I can over- throw the gang. What can my boy spotter do against this infamous league? I dare not tell him about the past, Gods, no! I must have the papers! Give me them, and [ll laugh at the foe. Where is my young fox?” At that moment the bell rung, and Mallot looked breathless toward the door while he waited for the visitor. It opened and revealed Dodger Dick. ‘* Look here,” cried the merchant, seizing the boy instantly. ‘‘I must have my papers with- in twenty-four-hours.” CHAPTER X. NIGHT WORK. “ ‘“‘WirHIN twenty-four hours?” echoed the wharf detective, looking into Merle Mallot’s face still without color. ‘* Something has happened.” ‘*'Yes, something has happened,” responded the ex-merchant through his teeth. He did not choose to give the Dedger the par- ticulars of Thalia’s visit, though the boy waited several minutes for him to say something about it. “Yon’ve had a visitor, Mr. Mallot,” finally said Dick. ‘* Ah, do you know?” / **T guess I can see some things when my eyes are open,” grinned the dock shadow, “ Did she know very much?” “She knows a good deal. Didn't a carriage wait for her below?” “ Yes.” ‘‘ Was it occupied?” ‘¢ Tt was.” ‘By whom?’ The merchant’s voice as well as his looks be~ trayed his eagerness. “A man waited for her in the vebicle,” con- tinued the Dodger. ‘*Was it Argus Brandon, my thief nephew?” ‘- It was not!” exclaimed the boy. ‘‘The man was the woman’s companion in the scheme. When she entered the cab sbe whispered several words of congratulation, and away they went, Look here! did you let that New York serpent carry her point?” ‘‘T did not and she never shall! I wish you had followed them, They will go back to my papers, and to a certain person they claim to have in their possession. want tbose papers within twenty-four hours. Put them in m hands, and I can defy the league apainst me. y was hasely threatened to-night and in my own house, too. Do you think you can win the bat- tle within that time?” Dodger Dick was shrewd enough to see that Merle Mallot was keeping something back. “T can’t tell you till I know something about the woman’s visit. You must have given her some encouragement, for why did she ry to the man in the cab: ‘To-morrow’s paper the victory,’ What does that mean?” * : \ prove . %,
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Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. The merchant did not reply for a moment. “*Pshaw! a few dollars will buy this boy,” he said to himself. ‘‘I need not tell him all, but he ought to know what I promised about the ‘ personal’ in the papers. is advice might be worth something.’ Then he proceeded and told the Dodger some- thing about Thalia’s visit, The boy detective listened intently from the depths of the chair in which he had seated himself. Merle Mallot chose his words as he proceeded, for he was on important ground. When he finished he saw the Dodger’s counte- nance brighten. ** You want to send the ‘ personal’ to the pa- rs,” he said, ‘‘ Write it out, and I will take it down-town.” The merchant gave Dodger Dick a look of surprise. ‘*Do you mean that?” he asked. ** Certainly I do.” ‘But I am uot to pay them one hundred thousand for my papers?” ‘* Aren’t they cheap at that?” inquired Dick, with a smile. ‘“Yes—no! no! I don’t want to compromise with the gang. If1 give them a chance—if I yield now—I will be forever black-mailed. That woman is @ professional.” “And the man, too,” observed the young otter. ‘‘ Write out the personal. I'll take it own to the counting-room,” ** Ts this policy?’, “T think it is,” Merle Mallot went over to his desk and wrote for a minute, watched the while by tho Dodger. ‘““'The game is fairly on,” the boy murmured. *“Those papers held over Merle Mallot’s head would finally drive him mad. It is not hard to see that Dan Despard and his pals wanted the en for a certain purpose, and he and ’Roy urface have not been watching Newspaper Nell for nothing. Somehow or other the girl is mixed up in their big schemes to rake in a for- tune; Nell’s mysterious disappearance is proof of that. [ don’t care so much about Merle Mal- lot since I’ve heard how he treated Brandon after he had made his losses good. He hasn’t been exactly straight all his life, and I’m likely to find something out before I get to the end of this string.” By this time Mallot had finished his work, and a moment later he placed the following “ per- sonal” in the Dodger’s hands: * Bustiness—Accepted. Name time and _ place. 40th St.”’ os “That will do,” remarked Dodger Dick, glancing up at Mallot. ‘I will see that it ap- pears in to-morrow’s issues. It tells just enough, and wil put them in high spirits.” ‘But you aro to get the papers, understand. Iam not to be bled by the gang.” The boy nodded. Once more Merle Mallot was alone in his oc ener rooms, but the old color did not come ck. ‘if I knew whether Jerry Dunn was alive to appear against me, or whether he is really dead, as I had believed, for years—I say if I could be- come satisfied on this point, I would know how to proceed. Let me see. I used to have the record.” He went back to his desk in the library and hunted through its papers a long time. At last he found a slip 2ut from a newspaper, and holding it near the light, he read it with a good deal of interest. “That is it!” he exclaimed. ‘It says that Jerry Dunn was run over by a butcher’s wagon five years ago, and that he died from his inju- ries. I'll admit that these sap. ks reporters don’t know everything, but, as [ never saw old Jerry after the accident, I had a right to con- clude that he was dead. Now, the woman who was here to-night asks me how I'd like to have him mount the witness-stand. I don’t believe it! It was a scheme to scare me into the trap, Jerry Dunn is as dead as a herring!” Merle Mallot put the cutting back into the desk, and glanced at his watch. Already Dodger Dick was hurrying down- town. : “T know where Jerry used to live,” mur- mured Mallot. ‘*He had a friend who lives there yet, for I saw him in the basement door not three weeks ago. If Jerry is alive he will know it.” The following minute Merle Mallot picked up his hat, and stole on tip-toe into the hall. _ It was not common for him to leave the house atnight. Since hisretirement from business, he 5 a — 0 IN ee seldom went out at any time, and his secretive- ness gave rise to some strange rumors about m. He walked rapidly to a corner not far from his home and took the Elevated cars. During the ride down-town he was uneasy, as if he counted the minutes. When he alighted, he was in a certain quarter of the city where wealthy men do not transact business after dark. erle Mallot had come thither for a purpose, and in a little while he was gliding along in the shadows of the build- ings as much as possible. e was unconscious of the fact that he had a SPY at his beels. f he had looked back he might have seen the well-dressed young man who had seen him come down the stairs of the ‘ L’ depot. Merle Mallot kept on until he reached a cer- tain basement where there was a light in the window. ‘*This is the place,” he said to himself, and a the steps he went, and knocked at the door, A youngish man opened it, evidently not the person Mallot had come to see. The merchant was taken aback, ‘What has become of the old man who lived here several weeks ago?” asked Mallot, politely declining the invitation to enter. ‘* He is dead, sir.” “Dead? Wasn’t it sudden?” ** Somewhat, sir. He was run down by a horse-cart and had bis neck broken. Did you want to see him?’ **T did, but never mind.” ‘““T moved in here from next door,” volun- teered the young man. ‘¢ Then you may have known Jerry Dunn.” ‘That's just what I did. He’s been dead— let me see—” ** About five years?” helped the merchant. *“You’re right! Hit by a butcher’s wagon, wasn’t he?” Mallot nodded. “*T helped to lay old Jerry out,” continued the garrulous young fellow, much to Mallot’s satis- faction. ‘* He didn’t die for some time after the accident. I recollect that he was several times called on by a fine-looking stranger, a city sport, I always thought.” ‘* What was his name?” inquired the merchant, with a slight start, “*T don’t know, but I heard old Jerry call him Dan several times before he died, After Jerry was dead, the man looked the house over as if he had a right to.” Merle Mallot made no reply, and seeing that the young man had told all he knew, he pressed a dollar upon him and withdrew. Again ho had the spy at his heels, and when he entered the cars to return home, he was watched until the train moved. ‘Tf he wants to find old Jerry Dunn, he won’t find him above’ ground!” laughed the spy, going back to the street, ‘‘ Merle Maillot is full of curi- osity to-night. But we've got a firm grip on his urse-strings; and he shall never know what it is tobea freeman. I always told Dan there was a million in tho scheme, and I believe it.” Not far from where the spy had lest Merle Mallot, a man suddenly touched his shoulder and drew from him a ery of recognition. ‘* We've made a ten-strike to-night, "Roy!" exclaimed one of the men whose handsome face proclaimed him Dan Despard, the city tiger. “What was it?” “Tecan answer you best by showing you some- thing,” was the reply. ep was in big luck a few minutes ago, ‘This time the river eel did not slip through my fingers.” *Roy Surface, who was the spy at Mallot’s heels, followed Despard around a corner and up a flight of stairs into the second-story of a build- ing. Despard unlocked a door, and turning on the gas, pointed to a cot in one corner of the room, ‘* Look for yourself, Roy,” he said. The young sport went forward and bent over the bed. “It is Dodger Dick!” he cried, and Despard laughed with the sarcastic glee of a fiend. CHAPTER XT, DICK IN THE SNARE. *Roy, the young sport, knew the occupant of the cot at a glance, ‘* How did this happen?” he exclaimed, wheel- ing upon Despard. “T caught him when I wasn’t looking for a prize of the kind,” was the answer. ‘‘Do you ee slip through my fingers any more, OY *Roy Surface thought not, He knew Dan sss. sss SSE nn Despard, for much of his life had been passed in the city tiger’s company, and he was aware that he had no mercy, and pursued a foe to the bitter end. Dodger Dick had met with misfortune in a singular and unexpected manner, and we can retrace our steps from this point to witness it, When the young wharf spy left Merle Mallot’s house, he carried, as we already know, the ‘* personal” which the merchant intended should be inserted in several mettre papers that it might meet the eyes of Dan Despard and his confederate Thalia. The Dodger went straight down town intent on the business in hand. Despard and Thalia in the cab were some dis- tance ahead of him, and he had no thought of encountering either very soon. Dick intended to deliver the ‘‘ personal” at several sind sd offices, and then began an active search for Newspaper Nell, taking up a certain incident which he thought might be worked into a clew, The illuminated dial that stands high above the trees of City Hall Park told that the hour was getting late when the Dodger finished his errand, He did not know that a man had seen him emerge from the counting room of the last news- paper building, nor did be dream that Dan Des- pard the New York sport was on the watch. Dodger Dick walked away with certain plans creas in his brain. he streets that throng with busy thousands during the day, had fewer pedestrians now, but one of these was stealing upon the young detect- ive with the stealth of a jungle cat. Suddenly Dick felt a hand on his shoulder; it tightened before he could turn his head, and the grip became like the merciless grasp of a steel vise. ‘“You don’t want to squeal!” whispered a voice at the boy’s ear, ‘‘ You’ve been fairly caught and I don’t intend to bave any trouble with you.” One look into the face of the speaker was enough for the dock shadow, for it showed him the features of Despard, the city tiger. ‘*You’ve no right to hold me!” exclaimed Dick, drawing back just enough to test the sport’s grip. “No right, eh?’ grinned Despard, ‘Come, my young ferret. You’re sharp enough to know that I wouldn’t bag you for nothing. Walk right along with me, and make no noise.” And he started off, his look and grasp admon- ishing the Dodger that it would be policy to keep a with bim, and with a silent tongue in his ead, At length Despard boarded an almost empty car going up town. . Dick was forced to accompany bim. The sport’s hand had been transferred from the boy’s shoulder to his wrist where the fingers seemed to burn their way to the bones. He sat between the Dodger and the rear door of the car, and all the time watched him with the eye of a hawk. The few passengers who got on and off did not suspect the relations existing between the pair, though good eyes would have noticed the manacle of flesh and bone, r The car kept on till Dick’s journey to prison seemed interminable. ‘ Despard said nothing, but his keen dark eyes were on the watch, and the Dodger’s chances of escape dwindled away. The city sport left the car on Bleecker street, “Hal” thought Dick. ‘*He is going to the room to which, as Burt Bluster, promised to bring Mother Sturgeon’s address.’ In alittle while vies gt dragged his little prisoner into a darkened hallway and then upa flight of steps. othing was said until a door on the first landing had been unlocked, and the Dodger found himself in a small but tolerably well fur- nished room. Despard locked the door behind him, ‘You weren’t looking for me? he exclaimed as Dick recovered his breath. ‘“Why should I?” was the reply. “Come away from that dodge! You need not play ignorance when I am onto the whole lay,” laughed Despard. ‘‘ They give you credit for a good deal of cunning, Dodger Dick; but I didn’t think you'd let a non-professional pick you up in the street as I have done. Don’t ee know that some trails are dangerous for you!” The boy said nothing for a moment, but — looked into the Gotham tiger’s face as if he were collecting his own thoughts while he tried to read it, “Pil admit that I was caught napping,” he said at last.
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- —s 10 **T should say so!” chuckled Despard. , “c You have interested yourself in a matter which does not concern you. What does Merle Mallot pay for your services?” ‘* Merle Mallot?” ** Yes—the up-town nabob who hires a wharf ferret to find a lot of papers which he is very anxious to get his hands on! MHe’s afraid to trust the Mulberry street shadows, eh, Dodger Dick?” ‘That is not my concern,” answered the boy boldly, for he saw that denial of his identity a useless in the presence of a man who knew im. ‘Of course not. can’t get into small holes. pects, my boy?” Dick said nothing. “Keep still if you want to,” continued Des- pard with a smile. ‘‘Merle Mallot’s boy shadow is not likely to deliver a very promising report. Because ho has fallen into the hands of the enemy, you see.” ‘Yes, you are the enemy!” was the reply. *You are the man who entered Merle Mallot’s residence and drugged him. I have not been on a false trail, Daniel Despard.” The man gave Dick a fierce look and leaned toward him. ‘** How did you first strike it? know,” he said. The boy seemed to draw back. ‘** Won’é tell me, eh?” exclaimed the city sport, and his face instantly darkened. ‘‘ Don’t you see that you are in a trap which I control? Have a care, my young Norway of the docks. You are in tho hands of Despard, who knows how to deal with spies and paid shadows.” The man left his chair and came toward the Dodger, who saw the inward flashes that illu- mined his eyes. ‘“I guess I know you pretty well,” the boy cried. ‘‘ You’ve gained a reputation under sev- eral names, and ’Roy, your young pard, isn’t far bebind you in that respect.’ ‘*You know us all, by Jove!” and Despard bounded at the boy detective and caught him with both hands, ‘‘ You slipped through my fingers when I thought I had you on Tent street, but now the game is mine! You had better reigned king of the docks, my young trailer. This caso is the last one you are to un- dertake, and Merle Mallot, who seems to have so much confidence in you, will never get to pay you the last wages.” ** Maybe he will pay some one else to your det- riment,” came through the boy’s teeth, while he looked up into the fiery eyes that hovered over him, ‘* You need not think, Dan Despard, that I am alone on this trail.” ‘You have help, have you?” cried the city tiger. ‘‘ Have you taken a partner in the per- son of the young safe-breaker who robbed his uncle before he was three months in his em- pluy? He’s a fit companion to watch people, sure enough. Why we could have sent him up the river, but out of pity for the poor wretch we let him go.” “Tt was all your work, but let that pass,” re- lied the Dodger. ‘‘It was the beginning of the ig scheme which, I presume, originated in your brain. The woman called Thalia helped the cause along. Forge ahead till the end comes, It isn’t far away.” “Which means that the scheme futile!” broke out Despard, grip tightening on the Dodger till ‘the fin- gers seemed to sink into the flesh, ‘As far .as you’re concerned, the hunt ends here, and - the victory dreamed of never comes! I have never failed, Dodger Dick, and in my time I’ve had some pretty big schemes on my hands, When I catch a rat I never take him into the street to kill him, and thus give him halfadozen chances to get away. 1 finisa the animal in secret, and to my satisfaction, So now, we’ll begin the play.” ‘he next moment, and with a movement which could not be anticipated, Despard’s hands darted at the boy’s throat, and the younz detec- tive was jerked from the floor without cere- mony. Resistance was useless though Dick tried to ' tear the hands away. He felt a horrid sensation of choking taking pean of him, myriads of stars in wild con- usion danced before his eyes, and the close of a frantic, but useless effort to free himself, ray- less darkness came, and he knew no more! For several momepts Despard held the boy in the light and looked at his work. “*T guess the rat’ is done for!” he exclaimed. “T was lucky to-night. When I told Thalia that I would go down-town and look up ’Roy, I He knows that a big rat What are the pros- I’m curious to you expect to render his SED Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge, had no thought of catching the troublesome dock shadow. Merle Mallot is without a trail- dog now, and the whole game is in cur hands, What shall I do with this young night cat? He’s fixed for all time, for my hands knew just what to do when they touched his throat. Ill leave him here for a spell. come back.” Dodger Dick was borne across the room toa cot in one corner and tossed thereon with an expression of brutal triumph. Then Despard stole from the place locking the | door carefully behind him, and went out into the street. Not long afterward he came back accompanied by ’Roy Surface whose discovery of tiie Dodger on the cot we have seen. ‘*There’s nothing between us and the fortune now,” exclaimed the young sport. “Nothing that frightens me,” was the an- swer, ‘‘ Angus Brandon is no barrier at all, and Newspaper Nell, who might have baffled us, is safe enough. The trouble lies yonder, Roy, but I guess I have fixed it. With Dodger Dick out of the game, as he certainly is, I can almost feel my share of the million in my hands.” CHAPTER XII. AN ASTONISHED FLASHER, In the little room which Dodger Dick some- times occupied at Baldy’s, near the wharf, Angus Brandon, the young clerk, was waiting for the boy shadow. It was the day that had followed the night of events, the night so disastrous to the Dodger. Brandon knew nothing of these things, and while be waited for the wharf spy he thought of Newspaper Nell, whose disappearance was known to him. The morning was well advanced, and as the sun crept higher, Brandon grew impatient. What kept the Dodger? : ‘By Jupiter! if anything has happened to Dick, I should know it!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ The woman who discovered in the water park that Dick and I were friends, is Dan Despard’s con- federate, and she may have put that rascal on the boy’s track.” He resolved to wait no longer, and run a risk of doing the Dodger harm, by keeping indoors for his return to Baldy’s. He left the boarding-house, and plunged into the hurry of life and business that awaited him in the open air, Thalia, the beautiful black-mailer, was not now on his trail, and when Brandon thought of her he shut his hands madly, and vowed that she had bled him for the last time. An hour later the banished clerk stood on a corner watching the movements of a young man, the first sight of whom had sent hot blood rush- ing to his temples. ‘*'Yowre not up to anything legitimate, "Roy Surface,” said Brandon to himself. ‘‘ You never waste time walking back and forth past a certain house unless your interests are at stake in some way. That house is not your home, either,” Young Mr, Surface, the city flasher, did not see the sharp eyes that watched him, ‘Brandon had chosen an excellent point of observation, one from which he could watch without great danger of being seen. Not very far away ’Roy was walking up and down the sidewalk in a seemingly careless man- ner, but Brandon was shrewd enough to see that it meant more than mere pastime. For some minutes walk and espionage were kept up, and in the end a man came out of the building that was guarded by ’Roy and walked away. The young sport did not follow this person, as Brandon thought he would, but darted into the house, which was a cigar-store in front, and vanished. Brandon wanted to follow ’Roy’s example, but policy forbade, and he had to content him- self where he was. a ** Tt seems to me,” he murmured, ‘‘ that when I was in the clutches of Despard and ’Roy Sur- face, I used to visit a cigar store along here. The dealer and ‘Roy were on the best of terms, but he was a fellow whose looks I never liked, If he owns the store in which ’Roy has disap- peared, something crooked is in the air.” After a while, as the young sport did not come out, Brandon left his post and walked rapidly past the establishment. The front room was empty, but in a second apartment beyond it, his searching eyes caught a glimpse of two figures; no doubt ’Roy and the cigar-dealer. He’ll not be gone when [ ! NN ee eee ee eee For some reason Surface had refused to enter the store while the man who had just left was there. This indicated to Brandon that his errand was not an honest one. The young clerk did not desert the place. On the contrary he remained in the vicinity keeping | an eye on it, and eagerly waiting for the city flasher. *Roy came out at last and rather suddenly. There was a look of triumph on his face, and Brandon could see that he bad accomplished sume object in which he was deeply interested. ‘* Now for a race, [ presume,” chuckled Bran- don, as he started off after the sport, who walk- ed rapidly off without looking around to see whether he was followed. ‘If he doesn’t force me to take a car, L shall be satisfied, but, at all events, I am not going to lose sight of my quarry.” Brandon was right when he concluded that he was to have a chase after his old companion. *Roy seemed to bo in search of a goalsome dis- tance away, and was not willing to trust bimself on the street cars that particular morning. The tracker kept him in sight despite his rapid walk and the crowds of people already astir. When ’Roy turned into Bleecker street an ex- clamation of wonder escaped Brandon’s lips. ‘* Can he be going to the house to which Des- pard told Dodger Dick to carry Mother Stur- geon’s address when the boy palmed_ himself on him as Burt Bluster?” exclaimed the young clerk. ‘‘ Dick told me the whole story and the number, so I will know it if "Roy enters the place.” Sure enough, in a little while, the New York flasher darted into a hallway and Brandon at the same moment saw that the house was Num- ber ——, the same mentioned by Dick, of the dock, As the chase had ended for the present at least, Brandon had nothing to do but to watch the premises and to wait for ’Roy’s reappear- ance. He did not wait long. All at once the young sport rushed out of the lace, his face considerably flushed, and his eyes Billed with excitement. ‘‘Something has gone wrong!” thought Bran- don, while he watched Roy, who had halted un- decided on the sidewalk. “‘The chappy looks like he did not find things to suit him in the place. He is bewildered.” Mr. Elroy Surface was more than bewildered ; he was thunderstruck,. ““Confound it all! I wonder if the @aptain came back!” exclaimed "Roy. ‘' That wasn’t tne understanding—not by a long shot! I could- n’t have missed the room, for I’ve been there fifty times.” He looked up at the house, then up and down the street, bewildered still as much as & man could be. ‘*T’ve got to find Despard!” he cried, starting off like an arrow lanched from a bow. ‘If he doesn’t know anytbing about this, the wheel «f fortune has stopped at the wrong notch fcr us, condemn me if it hasn’t!” a Brandon could not help smiling at *’Roy’s seeming eagerness to make time, and plunged after him with zest acded to the mystery that surrounded the new pursuit. Since the personal encounter between the two young men, Brandon, at Dick’s suggestion, had divested his face of the set of whiskers he usu- ally wore, and the change had considerably altered his appearance, *Roy went straight to the nearest Elevated station, and Brandon, with hat-brim pulled down over his brows, bravely followed. ‘*To the end, Mr. Surface!” ejaculated the young clerk, ‘* 1am in for the war, as you sce! The Dodger would give me credit for this chase if he could witness it.” - The ears took both ’Roy. and bis follower to the station nearest the house occupied by Thalia and Ione, The young man’s excitement had not much abated, and Brandon, seeming absorbed in a paper, saw that he was eager t reach his desti- nation. The second chase ended exactly where Bran- don expected it to end. Roy, the flasher, entered a fine-looking house on Tenth street, and the young clerk was brought to a halt. ~ He could not follow his prey beyond the door, and the spot was not one easily watched without danger of being seen. If Brandon could have entered the house at *Roy’s heels, he would have seen him sudden! confront a beautiful girl who greeted him wit an exclamation of joy.
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7 - Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. “Where is Captain Despard?” cried ‘Roy, repulsing the girl’s demonstrations of delight. ** He is not here.” * And Thalia?” “Absent also. But whatis the matter, Roy?” Ione had noticed the excitement the young man could not keep down. There was no answer. ‘* Something has happened!” she cried, ‘‘ Has fortune taken a turn against us just when we almost feel the fortune in our palms? I don’t want to be beaten now with all the work done, Think of the training I have gone through. I am fitted to play the heiress to perfection. Why, Thalia even declares that I am News- aper Nell, without the rough edges that girl as.’ *Roy had been thrown into bad humor by not finding Despard or Thalia in the house. He did not seem to hear the girl. ** When will they be back?” he asked. “Before long. If you will wait here—” ‘* Ali day, perhaps? I can’t afford to!” snapped "Roy. ‘* Yes, Ione, something has happened.” The girl instantly lost color. ‘*T've feared it would! To-morrow we are to rake in the fortune. To-morrow we are to get Merle Mallot’s money, for Newspaper Nell is safe, and that boy spy, Dodger Dick, as they call him—” “Well, what about him?” grinned ’Roy lean- ing toward the girl, ‘Why, be is out of the way forever!” The city flasher fell back and laughed. ‘* Who told you this?” he suddenly asked, “*Despard,” answered Ione, ’ ** When?” ** Karly this morning.” ‘** Ah! he was here since last night?” “ Yes.” “Well, fone, there’s many a slip *twixt cup and lip, and I fear this is one of them.” The beautiful girl uttered a long cry and stag- gered from ’Roy like a person in agony. CHAPTER XIII. THE LOST NEWSGIRL. ““THERE’s nothing for me here,” thought Roy Surface. ‘I don’t want this girl to go on in my presence, and probably give the scheme away to some one else in the house. I'll get away,” and he moved toward the door. But Ione, who had dropped into a chair, was up and at him hke a beautiful leopard. **'You’ve got to tell me alli—everything, and that before you get away from here!” she ex- claimed, springing between him and the door, “You have confessed that something has huap- pened, a slip ’twixt cup andlip, youcallit. Now, sir, what is it? Is the fortune in danger?” "Roy could not help admiring the beauty of the girl who confronted him in such excitement. He knew that without her the deep-laid scheme for one hundred thousand and more would prop- ably fail. “Tt may not be much after all, Ione,” he an- swered, with a smile, intended to be reassuring. “You can’t deceive me. You let out a little too much awhile ago.” ‘You are easily frightened, a shadow makes you tremble. Have courage, Ione,” The girl seemed to take hope. ‘*Tt is not much, then?” she asked, “Tt is nothing.” ‘“T am to be rich after all?” rkled. re A queen of gold.” “Good! I won’t have to play the missing heiress long. But, Roy if the girl should get away, if Newspaper Nell should discover who she is, and place her cause in the hands of the right parties—” , ‘Don’t conjure up something that cannot hap- pen,” interrupted the young flasher. ‘‘ You are the child cf Merle Mallot’s first partner, the child supposed by the up-town nabob to be dead, And her eyes for a trump card, Now that we've got every- thing in our hands, a few little things are not going to balk us,” ‘“* How sanguine you are!” exclaimed the girl. “Why should I not be? You will let me go now, won’t you, Ione?” The girl drew back and let Roy to the door, and a minute later he was on the sidewalk. ‘*T had to paint things in their rosiest colors to eee just now, but we'll put them in that condition again before long. espard must pay more at- tention to his grip hereafter.” Brandon who was still on the alert saw Roy, walk away from the house. He believed that by keeping track of the young man he would find Despard or Dodger Dick, and giving ’Roy a little start, he took his trail once more, In the mean time, Dan Despard had made a discovery which astonished him as much as one of a similar nature had amazed ’Roy. It was not long after the young man’s visit to Bleecker street. Despard went there himself, and ascended to the room on the second floor. He unlocked the door and found the place empty. The Dodger was gone! The boy he had caught in Newspaper Square and conducted to Bleecker street where he had choked him into insensibility, had vanished like an autumn snowflake, and Despard was staring at an empty cot. There was something startling in Dick’s dis- appearance. It meant more than mere escape, and nobody knew this better than Despard. ‘*Yhunderand guns! we've got to push things!” cried the villain, turning from the scene that maddened him, ‘‘ The next time I'll know what my hands are doing. Merle Mallot has kept his agreement with Thalia, for the ‘ personal’ is in the papers. We've got the nabob fairly in the trap. He is willing to buy the papers back for one hundred thousand, but that is only a be- ginning. Here, I have lost the wharf Norway, but it won’t be for long. By Jupiter! it shall not be!” Out he went, locking the door behind him, and going down-stairs like one mad. ‘I think you’ve lost something, Mr. Despard,” laughed a boy who saw the Gotham sport emerge from the house. The next time you'll clip the wings of the birds you catch. I thought mine were effectually clipped, but the transom was just wide enongh to let me through. I like transoms o’ that sort, for ve tried ’em before; but no thanks to you, Cap’n Dan.” When Despard walked off he was seen by the speaker who was our young detective, Dodger ick, once more on deck and eager for action. Despard led the boy some distance when he dodged into the cigar store in front of which Brandon had previously watched ’Roy, as we have seet. ‘* Headquarters, eh?’ exclaimed the dock spy. “Youre a cunning fox, Dan Despard, but if you don’t watch, you'll lead me to the papers which Merle Mallot says must be back in his hands within twenty-four hours.” Let us follow the New York tiger. The proprietor of the cigar store greeted him with a smile as he passed through and intoa Sarkend room furnished with chairs and several tables. Despard did not pause until he had passed up a flight of steps, and found himself on the third floor of the building, A large and rather good-looking woman of forty met him, but not with any demonstrations of pleasure. ‘**T wish you’d let me out of this job,” she said, “*T don’t like it.” ‘* Getting squeamish?” laughed the city sport. **T don’t like it, I say,” was the answer, “T have never kept jail betore. Besides, I believe the police suspect something.” ‘* Nonsense! They suspect nothing,” exclaim- ed Despard. ‘‘ You surround yourself with fears. You don’t sleep of nights,” ‘* That is true, and all on account of the per- son in there!” And the woman pointed toward a door near by. ‘ I wish I had never agreed to take your prisoner, Take her somewhere else, Mr. Despard. Make some other person jailer; only relieve me!” * You won’t have to keep guard much lon- ger,” answered the sport, ‘Ah! yowro going to remove her, are you?” said the woman, her face brightening for a mo- ment, ‘‘ Before Jong Fanny.” “She is as bright as a button,” continued the woman, ‘She takes her imprisonment good- naturedly sometimes, and talks a good deal. She’s got a neat little sum laid up in one of the savings banks, all made out of her papers,” ‘Does she look for rescue?” asked Despard, eagerly, “I think not very soon, though she says she has friends who will not desert her.” “Did she name them?” to the door, but stopped and turned to the wo- man ‘* Perhaps she has retired,” he said. ‘* Bless you, no!” was the exclamation. ‘‘She sits up late reading. Walk in.” And Fanny opened the door, Despard crossed the threshold of a medium- sized room, and at once saw its occupant in the soft light that pervaded it. The next instant he was face to face with Newspaper Nell, the girl about whom a great many people were wondering, for she had been missed from her accustomed corner on the street. ‘ Nell was seated near a little table engaged with a book; but when she saw the Gotham sport advancing from the entrance, she flushed and left ber chair. Fanny the jailer had shut the door, and the newspaper girl was alone with the chief of the golden league, “You don’t come often to see your prisoner, Mr. Despard,” said Nell, with a sarcastic smile. “Tam very comfortably situated here, though this is not Mrs. Hollystone’s,” Despard was surprised at the girl’s cheerful- ness. He did not expect to find her in this mood, ‘*T am glad you take things so cleverly,” he answered, hardly knowing how to meet her sally. Nellie was silent for a moment, , ‘* How goes the game?” she suddenly asked, “What game, Nelly?” “Oho! When did you become obtuse, Daniel Despard?” was the laughing rejoinder, ** What game, is it? When did you last see your young partner, Roy Surface, aud what does Merle Mallot offer for his lost documents?” Despard was astonished at the girl’s fund of information, and he did not at that moment think that she could have obtained it all during one visit to Dodger Dick. ‘* Why keep on the mask that hides nothing?” cried Newspaper Nell. ‘* You play a very poor hand, Captain Despard. One of these days all your birds will be at large, and the game for gold willrun out with you in the dregs.” A fierce light flashed upin the city tiger’s eyes. ** You think yourself one of the birds destined. for freedom, eh?” he cried, drawing close to the irl. . Her dark orbs laughed at him. “By Jupiter! I take pleasure in telling you that my cages always hold!” he exclaimed. ‘** Since you like your present quarters, you will retain them. The game is progressing favor- ably, Nelly. Ha, ha! I thought Vd drop in to see how you were getting along. Fanny is a good jailer, but you don’t want to cross her girl. ou can’t afford to do it,” and Despard drew back and looked sternly at Nell. CHAPTER XIV, THE DODGER IN A BAD BOX, DESPARD soon afterward withdrew and left the newsgirl to herself. He had but one thing to worry him now, and that was the disappear- ance of the Dodger. If he could find the boy and throw a new net over him, he would be in a position to com- mand success, and be resolved to devote his time and energies to this purpose, When he left the building through the cigar store he did not see Dodger Dick who was on the watch, and when he started off, he had the young ferret once more at bis hee's. Dick had hopes of tracking Desnard to his permanent lodgings which he thought were either in, or not far from, the Bowery. Tne chief of the gold Jeague headed straight for the latter place, and the young spy soon saw bim strike the the well-known sti eet, After a short chase Dick lecated Despard in a well-to-do building which he believed contained the man’s rooms. If the villain lodged there, would not Merle Mallot’s stolen documents be on the premises? The Dodger did not quit the vicinity until Des: ard came out. The man was permitted to go away without being followed. Dick had another object in view. / ‘* Now for a little spying out of the land!” ex- claimed the wharf spv, hastening up to the house. ‘‘Pve had something to do with these Bowery houses in my time, and T know how to get at them. We'll see what this thing amounts The first floor of the house from which Des- pard had just emerged was a notion store kept } Pay? 22 get away from her,” he said to himself. “I| “No.” ; tor the time by a florid woman of ample_avoir- "ies ‘ at must own that affairs don’t carry a roseate hue! ‘I believe [ will go.” And Despard walked ' dupois. When she saw the well-clad Dodger ag REDS ig. | : :
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ee a : OE Net Re a aes NS if rf a tm } y _had thrust one hand into his pockets. he ny ee ¢ 12 cross the threshold, she came forward with agility for one so large, and waited for his order, The Dodger was not very flush and there was nothing which he particularly needed, but he conciliated the Amazon by purchasing a r of needles which be thought would suit Mother Sturgeon. Then he began operations. ‘Can you tell me anything about a gentle- anan who boards about here?” asked Dick, ‘* What’s he like? We have nobody but gen- tlemen hereabouts.” ‘* Of course not; that’s why I called ’im one,” Then Dick proceeded to describe Despard. The woman’s eyes twinkled near the close. “The gent has rooms over us,” she said. ‘‘T’m sure he has. He never has any dealings with us, but I see him once in awhile come and go. He isn’t in now, for if I’m not mistaken, he went out just now.” “‘T wish I had seen him,” exclaimed the boy, with an innocent air. ‘I’m always missing somebody. Who runs the house?” “Tt’s owned by a crippled man who never ets out. His wife, Mrs. Uphold, tends to the usiness, They’re in the back-room on the second floor, but they’re not likely to ,know much aboat the man you're looking after.” It was all the information Dodger*Dick could get from the Amazon of the notion store, and he was compelled to withdraw. One point had been gained, He knew where Despard had regular lodgings, and that was something. Dick hovered about the place the rest of the day, and when night came without bringing Despard back, he moved upon the house again. This time he boldly but with stealth entered the hall. It was partly lighted. ‘* What is it, my young rat?” sung out a voice, and an angular woman of fifty, with sharp eyes and a peaked nose pounced upon him like a field hawk. ‘You're Mrs. Uphold, eh?’ answered Dick, recoiling from the clutch. “That’s just who I am, and Pll show you what itis to enter arespectable house where you don’t board. Say, who are you, and what do you want?” “Give a fellar time to get his breath, won't you?” replied the boy. ‘‘ You’ve already fright- ened me out o’ a year’s growth,” ““Then, come in as you ought to come.” Dodger Dick had dealt with all kinds of city characters, but he knew he needed all his wits to get ahead of the one he had encountered. **Mebbe you'd like to lose your best boarder,” he said boldly. The woman seemed to lose what little color she had. ‘You don’t board here,” she exclaimed. “Right you are, madam, but my friend Des- rd does, and he doesn’t allow his boys to be insulted by no landlady,” a Despard?” echoed Mrs, Uphold. ‘I don’t know—” “Don’t know the gentleman with the keen eye and the black mustache?” “Oh, Poynter!” ejaculated the woman. “Yes, Poynter Despard,” put in the boy quickly. ‘‘ Well, I came here for him; he wants something that’s in bis room. Shall I go back and tell him that you stood like a lion between me andthe door? I can if you say so.” ** Why didn’t Poynter come himself?” ‘Business of importance,” whispered the boy. “T guess [ll go back. You want to lose a er, I see.” ““Tdo not, especially not one who pays like Poynter.” “Then let me get what be wants.” Mrs. Uphold drew back mollified. **You know where he rooms,” she went on. **Second door to the right on ths next floor, If T had known you were his friend and here for him, of course I would not have stopped you. I will tell him so when he comes back.” “By Jove! Ill have to go back without car- rying out his orders,” suddenly cried Dick, who “ He forgot to give me the key.; Of course he keeps hisroom locked. Confound it all! after the Jong trip, too, and on important business!” The landlady of the house seemed to see a good chance to undo the evil she had wrought, and the next_moment she produced a key and handed it to Dick, telling him to lock the door when he was through, Dodger Dick bounded up-stairs, and disap- “The second door to the right, wasn’t it?” murmured the boy, ‘I will see what is beyond the portals,” — SS 2, ee ER ee ery PO re ee eS EE 74 — rs ° - ‘ _ Ja n,! Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. He was promptly at the door which he un- — with the key furnished by Mrs, Up- old. A moment later be was in the tiger’s den, . Locking the door behind him so as to keep out went to work, He was anxious to find the missing docu- ments, for Merle Mallot_ had declared that they must be back in his hands within a few hours, If the room held them Dick was resolved that they should be delivered up. Despard was not very fasbionable at home although he often appeared in dandy garb on the streets, His room was not as clean as it might have been, and as the search proceeded, Dick dis- covered that the city tiger’s den was likea great many others. “He went from place to place, searching each one carefully, now a closet, now a stand. The papers did not turn up. It was;possible that Despard had transferred them to Thalia, but the Dodger did not believe that he would trust the woman that far. Theflast object to be searched was the single bed which occupied the darkest corner of the room. ‘Dodger Dick approached it with fading hopes. He,ran his hands under the covers. “ Nothing! he cried. ‘‘ By Jericho! I guess I’ve struck an empty nest. Well, Captain Despard, you cannot say that you have not been searched.” Just as the boy was withdrawing his hand he was thrilled by a touch. “Hello! ,what is this?” he exclaimed. “A package of papers, by all that’s good!” The next moment he held up before his dilat- ed eyes a flat packet which looked like the arti- cle he was after. Dick went to the light, breaking-the wrapping tape as he did so, rawing one of the documents from the pack, he opened it and glanced over the writing. ‘it looks valuable, but I’m no lawyer,” he said to himself. ‘‘It appears to be what they call a legal document. Ah! here is Merle Mal- lot’s name signed at the bottom, This is what I want!” the prying eyes of the landlady, the : | A second later a noise beyond the door star- tled the boy. ‘Then he hieod a key fumbling about the lock on the door! Dodger crept over the sill and lowered his body along the building. All at once, crash! crash! and Dick loosened his hold and dropped. Despard had thrown his body against the door, and it hai yielded. The city tiger was in the room, but one second too late. For a minute the sport stood bewildered in the middle of the apartment, and he did not at once see the open window. Meanwhile, Dodger Dick had alighted on the roof of a low, back building, from whence he lowered himself to the ground without injury. It was better luck than he had expected. **T wasn’t a second too soon!” exclaimed the Dodger, looking up at the open window. ‘“‘If Despard bad charged the door when he first reached it, I might not be here to laugh at his folly.” Dick ceased suddenly, for a face had appeared at the window, and the boy was forced to hug the dark wall which he touched. Despard knew that his young foe had escaped him, but he did not believe it too late to effect a recapture, “Tf the rat is in the yard I will get him,” thought the Gotham sport, and he drew back from the window and vanished. Now, if ever, was the Dodger’s time. He knew that the ground-room of the build- ing was occupied by a notion-store, and he in- stantly resolved to gain the street through it. He found a door which was unlocked, opened it and rushed into the place it revealed. It proved to be a small storage-room, with light enough in it to show the little spotter an- other door leading into the main store, Dick sprung forward. - All at once he appeared to a woman, who ut- tered a wild cry at sight of him. He knew her to be the proprietress of the establishment. Dodger Dick did not wait to prove that he was no thief, but bounding down the rcom be- tween the counters, he disappeared from the woman’s gaze before she could catch her breath. Once in the street, Dick considered himself safe. He did not know what had become of Des- pard, and now, for the present, he did not care. His only desire was to elude the New York tiger, and to reach a place where he could de- termine the value of the document he had re- covered from the league against Merle Mallot. Dick had several places where he could safely The Dodger started back, and thrust the packet | examine the papers, and he chuse his occasional into his bosom, bi What if Despard, the city tiger, was at the door!’ Dick knew that the portal could not be opened in the usual way, for he had left the key in the lock on the izside. It was fortunate that he had | thought of this. ‘*Hey, there! Mrs. Uphold!” called a man’s voice, which the Dodger with a thrill recognized as Despard’s. ‘*‘ Who’s been tinkering with my door?’ A moment’s silence followed the words. ‘* Mebbe the boy you sent didn’t, lock itright,” answered a voice, which Dick imagined came from the landing above. ‘“What boy? By heavens! I sent no boy here!” growled the New York sport. ‘* Why—indeed, Mr. Poynter, he said he came from you.” ‘¢ When was he here?” ‘ About twenty minutes ago,” ** And you let him into the room?” ce Yes, ” Despard swore like a mad hussar. ** Maybe he’s on the inside now!” he exclaim- ed. ‘Il won't pa your door, Mrs, Uptold.” The woman uttered a cry of horror, and as heard the man step back. said _ don’t want to meet the tiger just now,” he The following minute he sprung to the back prec slipped the catch, and threw up the sas A glance into the night showed him nothing but darkness, He could not see what was be- ow. ‘** Tt must be a drop,” he sent through bis teeth. ‘* There’s no other help for it now.” CHAPTER XV. A NEW TURN IN THE GAME, As the reader may suppose, the young detec- tive of the docks did not wait long before he carried his hastily-formed plan into execution. Indeed, he could not wait long. Trusting himself to an unknown fortune, the a cent for the damage I do | quarters under Mother Sturgeon’s roof. It was some time after his adventure when he reached the place, and in a small room, the door of which he had carefully locked, he began his task. ‘Merle Mallot wouldn’t like me to look at these papers,” said the Dodger, to himself. ‘‘ He wants them brought back without having been inspected. But since Newspaper Nell is some- how mixed up in Despard’s game against the merchant, I feel that I have a right to see what is here,” ‘ The wharf spy was cunning, with no large amount of education. : He could read writing readily when it was not too bad, and could write a big blundering hand himself, He found the papers, there were several, written in chirography rather hard to decipher, but in a little while he mastered it enough to be able to read it slowly. ‘By Jericho! I must let Brandon see these!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ There is something here that sets me a-thinking. What is all this about giving somebddy’s property to a little girl, and appointing Merle Mallot executor and such? Hare is the name of Mallot signed in a different hand from the other writing, and here is that of Nelson in still another hand. The girl mention- ed all through these papers is Florette. Florette who? Ah! that is it! Great Cesar! I recall something just now. Nell once told me that she believed she was somebody else than Newspaper Nell. She once received a‘visit from an old man who asked her if she ever remembered Jerry Dunn, and when she ‘aid she did not, he laughed and said he could get a fortune for her if he dared. Nell did not take any stock in the old fellow, but he wrote pega on, a a paper, which he told her to look at when he was gone. Nell did so, and found on the paper the three words— You are Florette.? She threw the pa- per away, for she did not believe the old fellow, who seemed to be partly out of his head from the way he carried on. But now these papers ap- pear to confirm the story. If Merle'Mallot car- ried out his trust, why does he want these papers so badly? Ican see some things with an
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Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. eye, and when they are not as big as a caddy on the wharf. Despard and Thalia want a pile of money for these documents. They hold them over Merle Mallot’s head, knowing that he will give half his fortune for them. into this thing a little, [ll see what has become of Nell, and then we'll look up Florette, and Jerry Dunn, too, if the old man is living.” The Dodger tied u» the papers and was look- ing for a place of concealment when a knock sounded at the door. Mother Sturgeon was there. ** Dicky, there’s a man in the hall asking after you,” remarked the boy’s foster-mother. ** What is he like?” ‘* He's a likel appearing young fellow.” ‘Tt is Brandon!” exclaimed the Dodger, and confident that he had hit upon the identity of his caller, he went to greet him in person. Sure enough, the young man was Angus Brandon, and Dick’s eyes gota glow of delight when he saw him. Brandon was eager and excited. “ve found you at last, and just when I was afraid I would have to give you up!” exclaimed Brandon. ‘I think I have made an important discovery.” ‘*T know I have!” laughed Dick. ‘‘ Come to my room, Mr, Brandon, and*let me show you something.” Wondering what could be in store for him, the ex-clerk followed the Dodger, and had the pa- pers placed in his hands. ‘You have recovered them!” cried Brandon, his gaze alternating from the lost documents to the boy detective. “ Tt looks that way,” smiled Dick. During the next few minutes Branion was absorbed in the papers. Dodger Dick watched him closely, and saw by his countenance that he was surprised. When the young man raised his eyes at last, they encountered the gaze of the wharf spy. “This is a secret which my uncle has scrupu- lously kept,” he exclaimed. ‘*I never heard of the existence of papers of this kind. J wonder how Despard and Thalia discovered them?” ‘* That, too, is a mystery,” said the Dodger. ‘* We can afford to pass it for the present, how- ever. Who is Florette?” Brandon shook his head. ‘*Can’t you guess, Brandon?” exclaimed the boy. ‘‘ Why is Nell missing? She fell into the hands of the league against Merle Mallot!” Angus Brandon gave utterance to a startling eX There! I see you have something new in your head,” laughed Dick leaning forward with arich sparkle in his eyes. ‘‘ There is more in this hunt for Merle Mallot’s burglar than you think. Now, what is the discovery you profess to have male?” Brandon went on and detailed his espionage of ’Roy from the cigar store to the house on Tenth street, which Dick knew was the same lace to which he had tracked Despard and ia. “Tsaw atthe window of that house after I lost ’Roy,” contimued Brandon, ‘the face of a young girl. It was wonderfully like Nell’s,”’ “Can it be?’ cried the Dodger. ‘Did you notice her particularly?” . ** As closely as I could,” was the reply. ‘€Do you think it was Nell?” ; ‘*T can only say that the resemblance was almost perfect. The person at the window was ers | ssed.” ‘‘Nell in new plumage, may be!” exclaimed Dick. ‘Did she see you?” “T cannot say. She drew back suddenly as if she thought she had been observed, and I saw her no more.” “You may have found a clew,” said the Dodger after a little thought, “It is worth looking after anyhow, I am anxious to know what Despard will do now that he has lost the club he has been holding over Merle Mallot’s head. The gang will not give up the fight. They have too much at stake, There will bea bold. lay. The woman, Thalia, the queen of New York black-mailers, will urge immediate action. Weare at the most dangerous part of the game—dangerous for Nell, for all of us.” Brandon thought so, too. Dodger Dick resolved on a visit forthwith to Merle Mallot, ana not long after his conference with Brandon he found himself in the vicinity of the merchant’s residence, Two hours had elapsed since his adventure at pape lodging: bouse, hat had the tiger done? How had he taken his loss? The Dodger could not repress a smile when he tought of Despard’s discomfiture, I guess Pll pry | “Merle Mallot does not expect me at this time,” murmured the boy, ‘He will be as- tounded at some of the inquiries I shall make. But the game has taken a new turn, and some entirely new hends must be played,” A moment later Dodger Dick reached the steps of the Mellot mansion. The house in the daytime was shaded by trees, and at night the lamps near by darkened the place still more, The Dodger mounted the steps with alacrity. He was on the second one. when a figure Merle Mallot’s house to lose it; there was toe much at stake. ‘You don’t take me in earnest,” resumed Mallot. ‘* You think I am bluffing, but I was’ never more in earnest in my life. Shall I re- peat my words, or did you comprehend them in full? Not a dollar for anything now in your’ hands!” Coolly spoken as these words were, it cost. Merle Mallot an effort to utter them. It was the turn of the tide; his resistance to: the city bleeders, and a sign of his trust im sprung from one of the trees, and straight at | Dodger Dick. him. It made no noise, When it landed behind the boy, there was no sound. All at ‘once, something like a shawl hovered over the Dodger’s head, and then descended like a net of doom, Dodger Dick uttered a muffled cry and tried to fight the horrid thing loose, but all in vain, The sack, for sack it was, was drawn tighter, until the boy seemed to suffocate, He was caught suddenly by a pair of arms and lifted from the step. The tiger had recaptured his prey! ’ CHAPTER XVI. DEATH COMES BETWEEN. Not a word was uttered as Dick was borne away toward the nearest corner, where a closed cab stood as if waiting for some one. A man leaning against the vehicle started up as the captor appeared with his prey, and the door flew open. The Dodger was thrust inside and the man sprung in after him; then the driver mounted to his seat, caught the lines with firm grip, and the vehicle rattled off. All this occupied a very small space of time, and so adroitly was the deed perpetrated, that no person seemed the wiser for it, About the same time, when the wharf spy was taking an involuntary ride through the streets of New York, a woman, whose face was ele? mounted the steps of Merle Mallot’s ouse. She was alone at the time; but she had been accompanied to within a short distance of the mansion by a man. Merle Mallot was up in his library. Ho had received no response 10 the ‘* personal ” he had caused to be inserted in the papers, but was momentarily expecting one. When the bell rung, he list-ned for the servant's footsteps in the hall. A short silence ensued, then the door opened. The house servant had received full instruc- tions from the merchant, and knew who to ad- mit and who to exclude, In a little while a light footstep greeted the waiting nabob, and Thalia stood before him, ‘‘Have we kept you waiting for a reply?” asked the woman with a smile, as she came to- ward the merchant. ‘* Not long,” was the response, ‘‘ You saw the personal?” “We saw it. here.” She had taken a seat near the New Yorker, and her swift glance around the room was one of precaution, ‘*There are no eavesdroppers in my house,” exclaimed Merle Mallot. ‘*Tt is a model house,” smiled Thalia, and then she leaned forward, her deep dark eyes fixed on Mallot, and continued. ‘“*Wecan’t carry out our part of the trade i now on the terms proposed when I was here It was full enough, and I am Mallot gave a quick, nervous start. “We want two hundred thousand dollars for the documents, one hundred thousand down to-night,” she continued. ; ‘The balance when?” ‘* When we deliver them in your hands,” The New York nabob took a long breath, x a rabies raised — a gl he went on, ; e know exactly what the worth.” . tec etter ‘‘ What would you say were I to tell you that I utterly refuse to give you a dollar?” Thalia laughed. ‘**T would call you the fool of New York)” she gic we . ‘Very well,” said Mallot, as if through his teeth as he leaned back in’ his chair, ‘Not a dollar it is!” The woman gave him a look of amazement. Was he joking? If he was trying to bluff her, he would discover that he bad opened the game on the wrong or Thalia kept her temper. She had not come to \ Thalia looked at him several moments in silence. She saw that he was in terrible earnest. ** Just as you please, Merle Mallot,” she replied,. utting forch a daintily gloved hand and resting it on the arm of her chair, ‘““You are the doctor in the case; we accept your decision. Shall we call the compromise at an end?” She rose as she finished and stood in front of the merchant, her eyes guzing down upon him, ‘Forge ahead!” he cried. ‘*I expect you will open the ball now.” ‘We will explode a bomb that will shake the society in which you move,” was the answer, ‘* We will produce Florette!” “Ts that all you can do?” laughed Mallot, ‘No; let the second bomb co for itself.” The city nabob was seen to lcse color, ‘Well blanch your cheeks before assembled hundreds!” Thalia went on with the coolness of the practiced schemer. ‘‘ We'll produce evi- dence stronger than Florette. We throw upon the tables where Justice sits evidences of a crime of which even suspicious and watchful New York knows nothing. Do you want me to inti- mate what we have in store for you, Merle Mal- lot? Do you want the fumes of a subtle poison to pervade the court-room? Sball we paint the death-struggles of a man who made you his ex- ecutor to be mur—” Merle Mallot threw up his hands with a cry of terrible agony. Thalia came toward him with the leer of &. beautiful demoness in her eyes. ‘* We can do this!” her voice sunk to a whis- per which the merchant heard as plainly as if she had spoken in full voice, ‘Shall we do it, Merle Mallot? You have just dared us to our: worst. We accept the challenge. We will listen to no compromise from this moment. Take the stroke of the thunderbolt when it falls. I wish. you good-nigbt.” Mallot did not appear to hear the parting words, nor did he seem to see the woman who: walked from the room with triumph and threat imprinted on her countenance, he door closed with a bang behind Thalia, and sho left the house like a person in a storm. ‘*My God! they know everything! The bo cannot save me from this cyclone of vengeance came over Merle Mallot’s lips as he left the chair and walked to the desk in the library. He unlocked the lid and began to search the ey for a certain paper which was hard to nd. All at once he settled back in his chair with a bit of paper in his hand. The burner was within his reach, and he held the pene in the flame until it was consumed. ‘That is one secret the world never gets!” he exclaimed; then he went to the desk again. One hour later when the bouse was still a door opened near Mallot’s side and a beautiful young girl glided forward, It was the merchant’s daughter. With her lustrous blue eyes fixed on the man. in the chair she came forward. The light of the burner fell full on Merle Mal- lot's face, The girl noticed how ghastly it was and ago All color dese her own soft skin, r awhile, with an effort which summoned courage to her aid, she touched her father’s arm. He did not turn his head, though his eyes were wide open, staring at the open desk as it were, Suddenly a wild cry rung through the house, © man in the chair, and the girl tottered from t and dropped, a dead weight, on the floor! The next moment doors opened on every side. One person rushed to Merle Mallot, another | picked the girl up, and bore her to the light. The truth, the startling truth, was discovered then. The girl had fainted, but Merle Mallot was. Dead in his chair, with a few ashes on the floor at his feet, and forever safe from the . threats and schemes of the gold gang!
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OE RT ee aye TE Rie OTR RT SOL CES hy PSL FT ES It was some time before the daughter recov- ered sufficiently to speak. She could oaly say that she found her father | dead in the chair. She knew nothing else. The servant who admitted Thalia remarked | that she heard Merle Maliot moving about in | the house after the woman’s departure, so it was | not murder. There were no evidences of suicide, the family physician said, and intimated that a sudden at- ag of heart disease had broken the cord of ite, While the household was talking of the sud- den death in whispers a man well dressed mounted the steps and was admitted. In the parlor es suddenly found himself face to face with the physician, a lot of friends ard the young daughter. The scene astonished him. He stopped short, and then fell back. “* Merciful God! that is the man!” screamed Merle Mallot’s child, springing up and confront- ing the visitor with quivering finger. ‘He is the one, I say.” Tn an instant all was excitement. The men left their seats, and the doctor ap- peared ready to throw himself upon the person in the doorway. ‘Excuse me, gentlemen,” said the stranger. ‘“‘T have made a queer mistake. I am inthe wrong house.” The next moment he was gone, and the shutting of the front door broke the silence that followed his departure. ‘‘Something has happened to Merle Mallot,” he muttered. ‘The girl claimed to recognize me. When did she ever see me in that house?” “Was it heart disease, sir?” asked an excited young man who at that moment almost ran against the stranger on the lowest step, ‘Whe is dead?” ** Merle Mallot.” A strange, half muffled ejaculation burst f-om the caller’s throat, and he sprung away like a startled deer, “Do you know what has happened?” he ex- claimed, bursting in upon two women in a handsome parlor some distance from the mer- chant’s house, *“No!” they cried in the same breath, ‘‘In heaven’s name out with it!” “Well, Merle Mallot has gone to his account, and we’ve got to fight the girl now!” Thalia’s look became an ashen stare. gasped for breath, **T will never be rich!” the young girl cried. **'Youshall!” exclaimed theman. ‘‘The battle will be easily won now. Merle Mallot’s child iy beggared, and we will place you where she is. ** Do yousay so, Captain Despard?” and Ione’s face lit up with sudden joy. ‘‘Make me a queen of gold. I don’t care how you effect i “Tt shall be done. Give me a little time,” was the reply. CHAPTER XVII. FOUND AT LAST. DopexrR Dick had fallen into a trap when he pea not think himself near anything of the ind. Despard reasoned, and adroitly, too, that with the valuable documents in his possession, he would soon throw himself at the Mallot mansion, and he thought that the prize would be found on the boy’s person, When Dick found himself in the closed cab with the sack drawn tightly over his head, and the grip of Despard on his arm, he nearly gave up the game, But it was for a moment only. The vehicle made, to the boy, a long journey, and when it came to a halt he was lifted out and carried up two flights of steps. Blindfolded by the bag, and continually gasp- ing for breath he had no knowledge as to where he was, and when he was released, and the covering jerked from his head, a bright light for a moment dazed him, “Till take ’em, my young rat,” explained Despard, advancing upon the young detective with a gleam of victory in his evil eyes. ‘‘ You don’t often catch me asleep, aud I don’t -think you have to-night.” “You'll take what?” asked Dick, though he very well knew what the city tiger meant. Ss The papers you robbed. from me awhile ca) * Oh!” ‘““Hand them over! Can’t you see that the \ rig? our last?” Dodger did not reply. “Do you want to be searched?” roared Des- Tone as a sr Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. es pan clinching his teeth. You got out of the | leecker street house, heaven knows how: but | { want the | there is no escape from this one, Hand documents. They are on your person. them over.” ‘* What a fellow does not have he can’t deliver up,” said Dick with a provoking smile. Despard seemed to turn pale. ‘‘ Do you mean to say you haven’t them?” he cried. “ I do.” The next moment the Dodger was seized by the New York sport, and forced into a chair. ** You can’t bluff Despard with a lie!” he went | on, ‘The papers are in this room, and they shall become minej” With no gentle hands the wharf spy was sub- jected to a search which, to Despard’s great chagrin, revealed nothing. The man looked amazed, ‘What did I tell you?” said Dick, with the semblance of a smile at his lips, ‘** You took them!” grated the sport. ** Prove it.” This was something which Despard could not positively do. His landlady on the Bowery had admitted a boy to his rooms, and her description tallied ex- actly with the Dodger’s appearance, but the evidence was circumstantial. Nobody had wit- nessed the act. “You've put them away!” suddenly flashed Despard, drawing back a pace and looking fiercely at Dick. ‘*‘If you don’t give them up, by Jericho! you may never see the docks again.” ** Proceed,” smiled the Dodger. ‘‘ If you think I’m the only person to overcome, Dan Despard, you’re liable to find yourself mistaken. You want the papers, eh? Merle Mallot’s documents, I believe.’ ** The ones you stole from my room!” was the response, ‘‘ Do I understand you to mean that you won’t reveal their hiding-place?” ‘* Suit yourself as to that,” answered the boy. **Confound you! I ought to pitch you through the window.” ‘**T don’t think you will do it, though, do you, Captain Despard.” The Dodger knew he was too important a risoner to be treated in this manner, and when e saw Despard walk toward the only door the room contained, he felt that the scene at the Bleecker street house was not to be re-enacted, Despard unlocked the door, and turned madly on his little prisoner, ‘*When I come again, you want to be docile,” he exclaimed. ‘‘ We are not going to be beaten by cunning and silence. I give you alittle time for reflection, Make the most of it, Dodger Dick, for more than one life is at stake in this game,” The boy detective made no answer, but saw the door shut bebind the figure of the city sharp. A ask grated in the lock, and Despard’s foot- steps receded until they had died away. odger Dick sprung from his chair, and went to one of the two windows of the room, A single look told him that he was a prisoner in a third story, for below he could see the lighted street and the buildings that lined it. ‘* Despard’s cage isa lofty one this time,” ex- claimed Dick, while he looked, ‘‘I wonder where I am, and who my jailer is?) The spider was waiting forme. Hethought I would take the papers straight to Merle Mallot, but he was never more mistaken in his life. The strangest thing about this whole game is that I have been unable to obtain a definite clew to Newspaper Nell, The girl fellinto Despard’s hands—there is no doubt of that; but what has he done with her? Brandon will wonder what has befaJlen me if I don’t join him soon. I must get out of here!” Like a tiger ina cage the Dodger began to search diligently for a loop-hole of escape. He inspected the transom over the door, but it was very narrow, end moreover could not be moved. ‘* Mebbe a fellow can pick the lock!” flashed across his brain, but he had no tools. Already Despard had descended to the street. “The rat won't get away this time!” he ex- claimed. ‘He'll be willing to give up the papers when I draw the cords on him. Dodger Dick loves life like everybody else, and he will cling to it to the last. I guess I hold the best hand, Now, all [have to do is to keep it.” The young wharf spy had discovered that the one chairin the room had at some time been broken, but that it had been mended with a piece of heavy but pliable wire. Here was a chance. Bending all his energies to the task, he took off the wire and fashioned a part of it into a pe- euliar looking instrument with which he ap- proached the door, For the next five minutes he was engaged on the lock. Again’ and again he changed the shape of the wire, and did not lose hope for a moment. ‘ “T can afford to wear my key out on this lock,” mentaily exclaimed the boy. ‘If I can only get beyond this door, rll make Despard and the gold gang wish they had never em- barked in tbis play for a fortune.” Thirty minutes passed, and then Dodger Dick opened the door and looked into a darkened hall! The task had been accomplished, and the rat of the docks had gnawed out of the oy 4 The Dodger did net immediately leave the room. He shut the door carefully and stepped baek to collect his thoughts. The house was strange to him. He would have to find his way through unknown corri- dors, and perhaps guarded ones, to the street. When he moved forward it was with every sense on the alert, for he was yet in a bad box. The boy closed the door behind him ard locked it with the wire that had accomplished his hb- eration. He stole on tip-toe down the corridor, but halted suddenly a few feet from his late prison. A door had opened a few feet away, anda woman stood revealed to Dick. ‘*Now for it,” murmured the boy, hugging the wall while he watched the woman like a hawk. ‘*Good-night!” said the person still at the door. ‘‘I won’t mistreat, youif I can’t help you. I don’t care what he says.” ‘* Good-night,” was the response, in a voice that thrilled the Dodger, and the door was shut and locked. Fortunately for Dick, the woman did not in- spect the corridor minutely as she came for- ward, and when he let slip a breath of relief she vanished. “Tf Pm not mistaken, Captain Despard brought me to the right place!” he cried, wait- ing for the house to become quiet. ‘' 1 would know the voice that replied to the woman if I heard it among a thousand. Nellis in there. I will bet my head on it, anyhow.” The following moment he was at the door he had just seen shut, and the improvised lock- icker was soon at work. , “ What is that?” cried a young girl, turning toward the door from a stand in the center of the room beyond. ‘' Fanny has not come back, Her key opens the door without difficulty,” She crossed the room and halted near the door where she listened almost breathless to the wire being manipulated in the lock. All at once the noise ceased, and then the door opened in her face revealing the face of the Dodger. ‘* Not a word!” cried the boy leaping into the room, and clutching the girl’s arm before she could frame an exclamation of astonishment. ‘We will outwit the Gotham gang, and win the game for others, Nelly. By Jupiter! I thought I’d strike the trail some time; but I never thought Despard himself would give me the clew.” How the eyes of Newspaper Nell scintillated in the light while the delighted Dodger spoke! “Do you know the way down?” asked the boy. if No. I was brought here blindfolded. I was caught and thrustintoa carriage by Des- pard, who played his part of the game well.” “We'll get down,” assured the wharf spy, firmly. ‘ve played against city —a before this, and if Dan Despard or ’Roy Surface trip me any more, l’ll throw up the sponge. Come, Nell,” The young couple left the room ard found their way to a dark back stair which promised to afford them an avenue tofreedom. — Not a word was spoken, and the flight was conducted with all the silence possible. Fortune seemed anxious tofavor Dick and Nell. f The second floor was reached in safety, and then the first. ot ‘“We must get to the street through the cigar store,” whispered Dick. ‘Ah! there is»some commotion out there. A building is-on fire across the way. Jupiter! this is pot-luck, Nelly!” : The friends stood in the room in rear of cigar shon, and waited a few moments. Already the pavement outside was crowded with people, and the proprietor of the shop, 6 tool, had left his station to see the
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_ night the papers went.” “ **Come!” cried the Dodger, catching the girl’s wrist. ‘‘ We’il make the dash for freedom now.” The next minute the pair stole through the room, sprung rimbly across the step and were lost in the crowd on the pavement. CHAPTER XVIII. THE DODGER’S TWO BIRDS. THe reporters of the morning papers had written up their account of Merle Mallot’s sud- den death, aud all had voiced the popular opin- ion that the ex-merchant had succumbed to an attack of heart-disease, Nobody sougat to find any clew to his death in the asnes of paper which lay at the foot of his chair, and no one knew the woman who was his last visitor. The next day, and while the body of Merle Mallot lay in the darkened library, a nimble boy sprung up the steps and rung the bell. The Dodger knew nothing of the sudden death, but when he saw the piece of crape flut- tering from the knob, a strange thrill went to his heart. ** What has happened here?” asked the boy of the ger who auswered his ring. ** Mr. Mallot is dead.” Dodger Dick started. ** Dead?’ he echoed. **Dead,” said the servant, solemnly. ** When—when did it happen?” “* Last night,” violence?” eart disease.” At this juncture a f-otstep was heard in the hall, and a man came forward, ** Are you the boy who has been helping Mr. Mallot in a certain matter?’ asked the man. “*T am Dick Sly.” ‘Then Miss Floss wants to see you.” Floss was the name of the merchant’s only child, and the Dodger was led into her pres- ence, ‘They hounded him to the end,” cried the young girl, coming toward Dick, with a white face, showing traces of recent tears, ‘‘ Ah! if you had but come a little sooner!” ‘*T was here last night,” and then the Dodger thought of his capture by Despard. ‘* I mean ed I thought of coming,” he corrected him- self, The girl laid her hand tenderly: on. his arm. ‘*‘A woman went away just before he died. She must have excited him terribly,” Floss went on. ‘Father has been troubled much of late, I have heard him at midnight talking in his sleep, and only since he was robbed of his precious papers. He talked sometimes about one Florette, who cannot be the woman who came here last night. I don’t like to take re- venge, but somebody ought to suffer for the crime which» bas left me fatherless. The man who took the papers and the woman who was with him last are deep in some diabolical scheme,” “They are,” cried Dick, unable to control himself. ‘The man is Despard, the woman Thalia. There is a third party, and a stool- pigeon for the three. You n not ask me to outwit them. I intend to doit. But, when all is settled and everybody have obtained their rights, you will not be as rich as your father’s wil has left you.” **T care not for that!” exclaimed the girl. ‘‘I never want to own that which is not mine. Those papers must be damaging things, for the gang wanted one hundred thousand for them.” ‘‘ They don’t get a cent for the lot!” answered Dick. ‘ They will try to compromise with you. Remember, not a dollar for all they know or hold, Miss: Floss!” “If you say so, not a dollar!” replied the girl, firmly: ‘You saw the man who was here the a“ Wes, He lifted his mask in the hall. I was at the top of the stairs. I have not dared to mention this till now. Last night he came back and I denounced bim. He said he had entered the wrong house, aud was gone before anybody could detain him. Stand me before this man and | will accuse him of the crime.” “Tt shall be done!” exclaimed Dick, ‘* And the papers/—what of them?” - ‘Let them speak for themselves after awhile,” If Dodger’Dick had used his eyes, as perhaps he should have done when he left the mansion, he might have seen a man on the watch. When the spy saw the Dodger, a cry of as- tonishment escaped him. “By Jovel ir cannot be, yet there he goes!” he cried. “Is this Fanny’s work? She told me a short ‘time that she was tired of playing , but I did not think she would serve me trick. Tho fox is out again.” Ys sss‘ ‘ggg ng es A few minutes later the man, who was our old acquaintance Despard, appeared suddenly to a woman in a hallway above a certain cigar store near the Bowery. ‘*Traitress!” he hissed, ready to spring at her. ‘You've let the rat out of the trap!’ ‘“What rat?’ asked the woman, in the most innocent manner possible. Despard was amazed. ‘*Thunder and guns! the one I brought in last night. Why do you try to play innocence, Fanny?” ‘* By my soul, I know nothing!” Despard said nothing more, but sprung away and left the woman alone. He rattled at the door of Nell’s old cage; it was locked! Fanny, coming up behind him, took her key and opened it. The room was empty! Then he went to Roa Dick’s prison, and, as a matter of course, found it in the same condi- tion. Fanny, the jailer, was a statue of astonish- nt . ‘“ We'll have the police here next,” she began. ** The cops be hanged!” roared Despard. ‘“‘ Pl have the birds back here or somewhere else be- fore to-morrow night!” ‘*Not here!” spoke the woman, firmly, ‘I won’t be that girl’s jailer any more. [ve had enough of it, Captain Despard.” The city crook drew back and looked at her with a fierce mien. ‘‘You’d better turn saint!” he cned. ‘Tl send you a pair of wings!” And turning madly on his heel, out he went, leaving the woman to wish herself rid of him forever. CHAPTER XIX. FINISHED. ‘* ARE you ready, Brandon?” “Ready and eager! This is my night of victory.” ‘It is if we succeed,” and the Dodger smiled at his friend who had just walked with him from the house occupied by Mother Sturgeon. Newspaper Nell bad found a temporary home under the same roof, for it was not thought safe for her to go back to Mrs. Hollystone’s where she could be found by Despard and his compan- ions in the gold game. The two, man and boy, proceeded to Police Headquarters on Mulberry street where Dodger Dick was attentively listened to by several offi- cers, and when the boy had finished three men were detailed to make any arrests he thought proper. The whole party took a cab for up-town; an- other vehicle of the same kind followed a short distance in the rear, Arrived near the well-known house on Tenth street, the cabs stopped, the passengers got out. Thalia’s house was cautiously approached, and the bell rung. When the coor opened the police filed in with Dodger Dick at their head. The wharf detective led them. straight to the consplirator’s room whose location he had cor- rectly guessed from observations made on the street. ‘* Merciful heavens! the police!” rung out the voice ofa youus girl who fell back from the door she had just opened. ** Nonsense, Ione,” cried another voice. ‘‘ We don’t let the cops in here—” ‘*No- you don’t, Thalia!” vociferated the Dodger, showing himself on the threshold. ‘*That woman yonder is Thalia, the queen of black-mailers. Mr, Brandon bere fully identi- fiesher. Thatis Ione, the girl who was to play a prominent part in the swoop upon Merle Mallot’s riches. The « thers are not here.” Thaha and her beautiful young protegee stood spell-bound, Tn the hands of the police! “IT always thought the scheme would fail!” suddenly exclaimed Ione. ‘ This is the end of the whole business, and, instead of the carriage and the money I was to have, I shall go to orison.” ‘* Hush! Wait till you hear the iron doors shut on you. Don’t be a child!” And Thalia’s eyes flashed as she looked ready to fly at her dupe and rend her to pieces, ‘* These men can’t hold us long.” But [one was not reassured. She walked toward Dodger Dick and stopped within a few feet of him while she looked him in the eye. “I thought Captain Despard was going to fix you!” she cried, “ His traps would not hold the rat!” laughed the boy. Jone walked back with a smile for Thalia, ** You see!” she said. ‘The vermin of the docks is the winner of the game.” The two prisoners were taken to the station where a charge of black-mail and conspiracy was placed against them. Two of the police and the Dodger waited in the room for Despard. An hour passed away, then another, and an- other, Had the city tiger scented danger? At last a footstep approached the door; it opened and in walked Despard! The next instant he was covered by two re- volvers, and found himself in the grip of the enemy. ‘*So you did it?’ he cried, when he saw the smiling and triumphant face of Dodger Dick. ‘By Jove! I guess I deserve itall. 1 had two chances to wring your neck, and let ’em both slip. But, never mind. Another day, my dock Norway!” The day mentioned never came for Don Des- pard. *Roy was picked up by the police bef-re sundown, and the whole league was sately caged, t the trial that followed, Despard was con- victed of burglary, on Floss Mallot’s testimony, and got the full extent of the law. Thalia was helped to prison by Brandon, whom she had repeatedly black-mailed, and "Roy and Ione—the courts spared none—went up for having a hand in the big scheme. Then it was that Merle Mallot’s papers came home through the Dodger'’s hands, and the young girl saw that the Florette mentioned in them was Newspaper Nell, whom Mallot had defrauded out of her rights. Floss was ready to make aes restitution, even to the house she inhabited, but Nell took only a modest share, and left her newspaper- stand to become the wife of Angus Brandon, Dodger Dick’s luck and pluck had followed bim through the whole game, and when he was offered a handsome sum for his services, he took enough to make Mother Sturgeon comfortable, and remarked that he would go back to the wharf and wait for “ another job.” ‘It’s bound to come!” be cried, ‘I know it!—bound to come!” THE END. Beatlle’s Half-Dime Library. BY MAJOR ITENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Seeut. 806 Neck-Tle Ned}; or, The Dog-Out Pards, 846 Rapler Raphael; or, The Swordamen of Zacatecas. 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, 898 Kid-Glove K‘t and Pardy; or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter; or, The Mystery ef @olden wulch, BY HARRY S&T. GEORGE. 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger.” 44 Rattling Rube; or, The Nighthawks of Kentucky. 59 Old Hickory ; or, Pandy Ellis’s Scalp. 108 Daring Davy 3; or, The Trail of the Border Wolf, 166 Hickory Harry ¢ or, The Trapper-Brigade’s Spy, 172 Thunderbolt Tomy; or, the Wolf-Herder, BY JAMES L. BOWEN 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, The Abandoned Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A Story ef Texas, BY C. DUNNING CLARK, 185 Captain Pauls or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains, 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereof, BY GEORGE C, JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney, the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. BY FRANK DUMONT, 120 The Branded Hand; or, The Man of Mystery, 127 Wild-F ire, the Boss of the Road. 140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Resky Bar 171 Ebony Dans; o1, The Rival Leagues. 185 Evil Eye; or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande, BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, U. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Deomed Thirteen. 194 Buffalo BIW’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is for sale by a1! newsdealers, five eents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each. BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York.
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BEADLE'S*HA ete cre . a . = * ; -* LF-DIME*[IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. ° BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers + or, Deadwood Diti’s Defiance. 28 Buifalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. BS Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza. 49 Omaha on or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. &? Deadwood Nek's Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine, 7? Corduroy Charlie; or, Deadwood Dick's Last Act. 100 Deadwood Dick In Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device: or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 owawoed Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s ulch. 188 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; er, The Riv Is of the Road. 201 The Black Hilla Jezebel; or, Dexdwood D ck’s Ward. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom or, Calamity Jane's Last Ad- ventare. 217 Captain Orack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Sugar-Ooated Sam; or, The Black Gown. 282 Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Rough. and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spir.t of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. B09 Deadweod Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of Jregon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- sings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 ee Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ‘ats. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick's Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan ‘orter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “Cute Care.” 480 Beadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 418 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 Sunflower Sam, o! Shusta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Ful! Hand, 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket a¢ aE . 471 Bozeman BIII; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry, tue Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Dog Detective, 481 Moll Myatery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr, in Dendwood, 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.3 or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritagce, 500 Deadwood Pick’s Digglngs 3 or, Dr, Death-Grip's Swoop. 608 Déiadwood Dick’s Deliverance. 515 Deadwood Dick's Protegee, S22 Deadwood Dick’s Three, r vA Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; or, The Girl Drad-Shot. 89 Death-Fuace, Detective; or, Life in Now York, AS Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, B38 Jim Bludsve, Ir., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Billy or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The boy Detective, $0 Rosebud Koby or, Nugget Ned, thy Knight. 84 Idy}, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetogra h Phil; or, Rosebud Rob's Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eyes or, Arabs and Angels of a Great City, 8 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 7 Gilt-Liged Dick, the Sport Detective. 21 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Bonanza Lil, Miner. rt Boss Bob the King of Boothiacks, lid Sam, the Boy Rond-Agont. 45 F aptain Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob's Nick of Nevada} or, The Sierras Scamps, rank, the Buckskin Bravo, 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective, 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 86 Apollo Riv, the Trail Tornado. 40 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Alerra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam's Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam's Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra Saim’s Seven}; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Koy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. ' 281 Denver Doll’« Victory. aoe Denver Doll's Decoy ; or, Little Bill’s Bonanza, 91 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Vaiss Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. _ B08 ’Liza Jane, the Sir! Miner; or, the Lron-Nerved Brest. B25 Kelley, Hickey & Compon , the Sleuths of Philadelphia. B80 Little dutek-8 not; or, Tlie Dead Face of Daggeraville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 889 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. | B58 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 868 Yreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, Life. '2 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City. BA2 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, 885 Yreka Jim's Joker}; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, B89 Bicycle Benz ov. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 eines the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabalides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 438 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 486 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkier. Job. New York ot Nev Boy-Girl Detective, The Lottery of BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, the Hall. Breed Detective, New Yerk. f BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, ? The Flying Yankee; or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buecan er; or. The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone 62 The Shadow Ship 3 or, The Rival Lieutenants, 25 The Boy Dnelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Sinuggier. 111 The Sea-Devils; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captains or, ‘The Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter, 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, Bison BUUL, 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 Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy i or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buceaneer, 262 } no Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sinnd, 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Marts Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold . ape 280 Merle Monte’s« Fate; or, Pear), the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, 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 eno Kits or, Den Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauders or, The Boy Bugler’s Long Vrail. 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover}; or, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilots; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. io ; bg peng! Ra Lieutenant. svdor, the Young Oonspirator}; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or the Cuban Vendetta. at 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Clouu’s Cruise, 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refagee. 488 A Oabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Ralder. 441 The Ocean Firefly 3 or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 IHaphazard Harry 3 or, The Seapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will; or, The Boy Ferre. of New York. 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts, 462 The Born Guide} or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Conster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 4838 Ferrets Afloats or, Wizard Will’s Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger, 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 5608 The Royal Midd y; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 5607 The Hunted Midshipman, 611 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin BIL, the Comanche Shadow, 625 Brothers in Buckskin, -_ ~ = BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Mardy, the Boss Boy. 26 Phenyune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective. 180 Detective Dick}; or, The Hero in Rags, 2 Handsome Harry, tbe Bootblack Detective, 47 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 52 Black Beas, Will Wildtire’s Racer. 67 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 62 Wil Wildfire in the Woods, 65 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Bc Zz © Zz 7 8 - - “7 ‘'v. A Trum ards or, Will Wilitive Wine and Loses, 4 Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, 9 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 8 The Hidden itand; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; cr, The Smaggiers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 ‘Yom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 225 Sam Charcoal the Prenium Darky, 285 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. The Two “ Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang, 252 Dick Dashaway 3 or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sleuths; or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Jobs or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. 805 Dawvhaway, of Dakota; or, A Weatern Lad in the Quaker City. 824 Rulph Rendy, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective ; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, B67 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Laren the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, y I el a 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 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 Detectlye Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Racket. 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman ; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, BY JOSEPH E, BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack}; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bills or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam 3 or, The King of the Plains, 186 Night-liawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Resene. 160 The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly enh or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmaske. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Rarranca Wolf; or, The Beautiful Deeoy, 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide. 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Boone’s Last Trail, 4419 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, 6 Bill Bidion, Trapper, 8 Seth Jonesy; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 10 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sloax Captive. 21 The Frontler Angel. 4 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 254 The Half-Blood; or, 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm, F. Cody), 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 65 Deadly-Kye, the Taknova Seout, 68 Border Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rever. 168 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, BY OLL COOMES, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. ! 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. ; 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. | 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mupsianger. { 68 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. , o. ole ere woe the care Ranger SPY: : 4 awk-eye Harry, the Young Trapper Ringer. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, — 148 Sear-Favce Saul, the Silent Hunter, y 146 ilver Star, the Loy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, th- Boy Captain, 202 Prospect Pete; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Trampa, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dicks or, ‘rapper Tom’s Castle, 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger, 243 The Dixzulaed Guides or, Wild Raven, the Rangety 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. a 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon; or, Ruinbolt, the Ranger, 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero, 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webtoot Mone, the Trump Detective, 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giunt of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur. 457 Wingedtfoot Fred or. Old Polar Saul, 468 Tamarac ‘Vom, the Big Trapper Boy. 78 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic. 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, BY T. ©. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Nights or, The Spy of 16. 87 The Hidden Lodge}; or The Littl: Hunter, AZ Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jnek 3 or, Phe Outlaws of the Oregon Tr 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight ack 5 er, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, dr.t or, The Boy Viviante. a trig er, the Spork or, The Gir] Avenger. njun Jack From Red Core, 279 Old Winch 294 Dynamite Dang or, The Bowle Blade of Cochetepa, 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pardsy or, The Terror of Take-Netiee, 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the La-so. 845 Pitiless Matt; o7, Red Thunderhol:’s Seeret. B56 Mool sam ind Par ‘3 .@ The Terrible Siz, "elvet Foot, the Indian Detective. ret} Saptata Cutlass; or, | be B ccuneer’s Girl Fee. 896 Rough Robs or, The ! win Champions ef Bine hanes, 411 The Silken j.anno' or, The Rose of Rane!) Robi, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. . 425 Texas Trump, the Border Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 44h The City Sleuths; or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeos. pod ine Against Fatty | or, The Last Mas of Kene Bar. 4 e Roy Shadow; or, Felix Fox's innit. 477 The Excelsior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter, A99 FKingle Sight, the One-Eved Sport. 502 Rranded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, G21 Dodger Dick’s Beat Dodge. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. B27 The Jolly Pards to the Resene. By P. B, Ware. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, By T. C. Harbaugh,. 529 Dendwood Dick’s Danger Ducka. By E. L. Wheeler. 530 The Buckskin Bowers. By Cel, P. Ingraham. —, 681 Daisy Dare, the Sport from Denver. By William @, Patten. bS2 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Breoke Ferrest. B88 Wrestling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward, By Se Pierce.- 534 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hiunt. By E. L. Wheeler, &b85 The Bue skin Rovers, By Col. Prentios Ingrabam. 586 Broadway Billy’s ‘ DimMkilty.” By J. C. Cowdrick.. B87 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Sleuth. By J. W. @sbon. 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. By T. C. Harbaugh. 589 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texns. By Edward L. Wheeler,. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rie, By Colonel: Prentiss Ingraham. ‘ BAI Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detestive. By Je Pierce, S42 The Canyon Pards, By Frederick Dewey. Ready December 13. : BAB Dodger Dick’s Double. By T. C. Harbaugh. Ready December 20. . Pick, Jr., the Wild West Viderq. By Fdward nae Petre Ready December 27. Towenty 3. A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library i» for sale by a! newadealars, five cents per copy, or sent by mali on receipt of six comts cach, BEADLE AND ADAMA, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yerk. BAS Trent ant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, By Col. P. Ingentam. — y