Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 589) (1888 11 06)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
* Pe No. 589. — oo skated i LOT ie, $2.50 a Year. ASTM es li HN = it | | eal ¢. Ss ‘ fi, ‘ Ht i CIRCLE GANG WAS oo SECOND SDITIVN Mell Le etelelel PED (ldap. Ga | ep ASME NS CS No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. TERROR, WHILE ABOVE ALL RUNG “spy! sP'T! MEKOW-OW-OW! MARIAR!” THE CRY: ee ee aed pared aero + hips ry - 5 7 aay a BAL, | \Ps\ | : Y Tew ve | 7 FE ) \) — n \Y ‘ — ' x S Soa Geek yy a iN 4 eee ee, ‘ EO te ial a 4 Any. “ors —] s 1 Aa li DB) Ve Ve lest et tH Ll tLe! i i i! Cap at Ua HANS November 6, 1888. Price, 5 Cents. — See THE DEAD.SEP AT SILTER cI BY LIEUT. A, K. SIMS, AUTHOR OF ‘ THE SILVER SPORT,” “ CAPTAMY CACTUS, THE CHAPARRAL COCK,” ‘THR DANDY OF DODGE,” ETC. CHAPTER I. EDGERTON, THE GOLD KING, Mr. Partie EnGerton, known as the Gold King, twisted about in his easy-chair, drummed slowly on the table with the fingers of his right hand, and looked at his daughter, It was an icy, freezing look. Indeed, Mr. Edgerton’s presence, that morning, strongly suggested the close proximity of the north % Lily Edgerton was wholly umlike her father im looks and actions, She was blue-eyed, fair- Pen, EE rt ey do ae Bat
Page 2
= 2 haired, warm-hearted and impulsive—the living image of her mother, who had died years be- fore. She was not hedged in by fierce hauteur and exclusive pride, Power and the lust of riches bad narrowed ‘and contracted Philip Edgerton’s affections and withered his once generous impulses. He had made a fortune in the palmy days of the Golden State, and was now striving to double it, in this wild corner of Silverland. As his wealth in- creased he had drawn more and more away from the communion and society of his fellow- men, until now he was pride-imprisoned—sur- rounded only by retainers, like a feudal chief- tain in an old Rhine castle. “T have summoned you, Lily, on a matter that concerns the honor of this house, It is a matter that touches my pride—my pride in the Edgerton name. That name has never yet been linked with infamy; nor has any one bearing it ever done aught to dishonor it.” There was a severe sternness on his bronzed and bearded face, and his daughter shrunk from him, as if his words were cruel whips. ‘*T suppose you know what I refer to!” calm- ly noting her perturbed manner, ‘‘T had no thought that my daughter—one of the Edger- ton’s—would countenance the attentions of such a man as Clifford Curtis.” ‘“Why, father!” flutteringly. ‘* Neither did I think that she would welcome any one as a lover, without my consent!” ** [—] couldn’t tell you, father. You are so— so—” “ Proud of the Edgerton name, eh? Yes, I am ;roud of the Edgerton name! It is worthy of pride!” ‘* So. bard to approach on a subject of that kind!” she persisted. ‘‘ Father, you are so hard to approach on any subject. f don't know why itis, but you do not seem to invite confi- dences, even from me. I always felt that you are above such things. That you are—” “*T think I know why you didn’t wish to ap- proach me on this subject, Lily!” be broke in. ** Clifford Curtis is not a man whose love an Edgerton could feel pride in possessing. Why, what is he?” ** An honest man, father! You know that he is. And intelligent, too, else you would not have placed him in charge of your mining works.” ‘Pooh! The fellow’s smart enough, in his way. But, that isn’t the point. bat bas he got with which to support a wife? And what is his ancestry? Whoever heard of the Curtis name before he chanced to drift into Silver City? Who knows what his father was? A blackleg, perhaps, or worse! ‘¢*T was amazed at the fellow’s impudence, He came in here this morning as boldly as if he owned the Comstock Lode. Actually’spoke as if he thought himself my equal! Great hea- vens! The equal of an erton! I felt like kicking the puppy out of the house. ‘* Stated, as coolly as if he expected me to relish it,that he loved you and that you returned his love !” **T do!” was the calm and unexpected state- ment, The Gold King’s icy manner almost forsook him, so great was his wrath and astonishment. * ‘You—you an Edgerton, and make such an avowal!” he cried. ‘* Would you have me tell an untruth?” she asked, looking at him through wide, tear-filled eyes. ‘‘I do love Clifford Curtis; and_he is worthy of any woman’s love—even an Edger- ton’s!’ Edgerton ran his fingers tremblingly through his silver-streaked hair. This outburstsurprised and annoyed him. * Lily!” he continued, coldly, when he had calmed himself sufficiently to trust his voice. ‘“*‘T am surprised and pained at your statement, I will say, frankly, I did not expect it. I en- tertained a higher opinion of you. You have been trained and educated to fill the highest cir- cles. Can it be that you would throw yourself away on a nobody, who has nota dollar between himself and actual want? ‘*T have known for some time that you were approaching the age when women instinctively look for a lover, and marriage. That is right and proper; God designed them for the marriage relation and they are happier there than any- where else, But you are only a girl yet. Your tastes are unformed. The man you fancy to- day in all probability is not the man you would love five years hence, ‘* 1 intended to send you out into the world next year, to flutter your butterfly wings awhile before zettling down in the prosaic duties of married Tom-cat and Pard. life. In that big world that lies beyond the small circle of these hills you will find many men a thousand times more worthy of your af- fections than is Clifford Curtis.” She simply bowed her head, as he went on, and he could not tell what impression his words were making. ‘‘ Believing that you were not yet capable of of forming warm attachments, I turned Cliff Curtis away, this morning. More, I told him that you would never marry him. That, in fact, you were already pledged in marriage to an- other,” **Oh, father!” “Tt is true, Lily!” with stern severity. “I have never told you of if; but there is a man on the Pacific Coast, an old friend of mine,who has a son that would be to you a model busband. My friend is worth a round million dolJars, and his son will inherit every cent of it. Besides, the young man is handsome, honest and strictly moral—the qualities you so highly prize in Cliff Curtis. ‘* Years ago this old friend and I agreed to unite our fortunes by bringing abouf the mar- riage of our children. ‘* So, you understand why I could not counte- nance Cliff Curtis, this morning. I told Curtis of this. He declared that he would marry you in spite of my injunction to the contrary; and I ordered him out of the house. **T also discharged him from his position, and warned him that if he persisted in his attentions to you I would shoot him on sight!” he Gold King said this as coolly as if speak- ing only of shooting some worthless dog. Lily Edgerton sprung to her feet, wild-eyed and panting. ** Oh, father, you did not say that?” “T did! And I repeat it!” He smote the table with savage energy. “Tf Cliff Curtis has any regard for bis worth- less skin he must keep clear of this house. I in- tend to run him out of Silver City. He cannot stay here withont having some kind of employ- ment to support bim, will see all the men who employ labor in this vicinity and I will pay each of them double what Cliff Curtis could earn, if they will refuse him work.” Lily sunk back into her chair and gave way to a flood of tears. ‘There is no use in crying, Lily! Cliff Curtis is not worth a single tear from the eyes of an Edgerton, He will be forced to leaye here; and you will forget him before he has been gone a month.” ‘* Never!” she cried springing to her feet, like a young tigress at bay. ‘*Youcan break me, father, but I will not bend. The Edgerton blood, of which you are so proud, flows in my veins also, you must remember, I will meet Cliff Cur- tis, and J will marry him, if you disown me the next minute.” “olf you do I will kill him as I would a rattle- snake!” thundered the Gold King, his calmness deserting him, ‘t What, my daughter wed such acoyote? Never!” ‘You have heard my statement, father!” she asserted, backing toward the door, as if she an- ticipated physical violence, ‘‘ I intend to marry Cliff Curtis! With your consent, if your con- sent can be gained; if not, then without it!” With this parting shot she slipped through the doorway; and the Gold King sunk back into his chair, breathless and fuming. CHAPTER II, A DASTARDLY SHOT. THE vagrant wind whispered among the branches of the stunted cedars that fringed the little mountain stream flowing by Silver City. A full moon rode high in the sky, plainly reveal- ing the gloomy buildings of the Edgerton Mine; and dimming the twinkling lights of the town. A footstep sounded on the gravelly bank of the stream; and, in response, a woman hastened from the concealment of the shrubbery and hur- ried forward, with a glad cry. “Oh, Cliff, I thought you would never come!” she exclaimed, as the man caught her in his arms, ‘‘ What kept youso late? It is almost midnight!” “Tet us walk ona little further,” he said, ‘‘where we will not be observed by any chance asser. I am late, but I feared to come earlier. thought I saw some men shadowing me.” ‘*Surely father would not employ ruffians to dog cet foot ” m only fancy. I can hardly bring myself to think he would do such a thing. But I didn’t want to take any chances, ‘* Of course you got my note, or you wouldn’t be here!” He led her to a fallen log, well within the shadows, and took a seat by her side. He was a handsome, manly-looking fellow, as the moonlight bad clearly revealed. “Yes; I got ycur note, Cliff. And I have been crying my eyes out ever since.” Lily fidaerton looked into her lover’s face in a trusting, loving way that revealed the depth of her womanly affection, ‘Ts it really so bad as you stated? Will you be compelled to leave Silver City?” “‘IT can see no other way!” he replied, rather gloomily. ‘This is an expensive place in which to live; and, as you know my purse is rather slender, I visited all the mines this afternoon, trying to secure a position, I found that your father had sent word to every manager in the vicinity, and their works were barred against me.” “Surely father will relent!” she exclaimed, making no effort to check her falling tears, *¢ He cannot be so cruel and hard-hearted.” He drew her to his breast and smoothed the sunny hair back from her fair forehead. “T fear not, my dear! Not for some time, at least. If I could obtain employment I would stay and trust in the soundness of bis sober second judgment. As for bis threats against my life, I do not fear them. Whatever he might do he is too honorable a man to stoop to deliberate assassination, He was mad with rage when he made the threats, and now, no doubt, sincerely regrets his language. ‘“But no matter where I may go I can toil with an ever-renewing and inspiring hope when I feel and know, as I do, that you love me!” ‘You know that I love you, Cliff, better than my own life, or I would not meet you here!” He kissed the radiant, upturned face, out of which the blue eyes shone lke stars through rifted rain-clouds. ‘“‘T believe you, Lily!” he said, fervently. ‘« And loving you as 1 doI cannot bring myself to leave you, ‘Will. you not fly with me, now, this very night? Before morning we can be far from here!, I can secure employment in almost any mining-town. How I would toil and slave for you, Lily! Under such circumstances the severest drudgery would be a delight. “‘T know that you have been carefully nur- tured, and I almost tremble at my audacity. But, my dear, other lovers have started. up the slope of life with only their brave hearts and true hands to support them. *¢T would slave for you, as many a man slaves for the woman he loves. Wecould be in inde- endent circumstances in a few years, witha ee of ourown. It might be humble, but it would be ours. “T care nothing for your father’s gold, Lily. It is you—and you alone. I have nothing to offer you but a loving heart and a pair of strong and willing hands!” He paused in his torrent of words and covered her face with burning kisses. “ Oh, Cliff!” struggling feebly to release her- self. ‘‘Donot tempt me! Please, do not tempt me! I am weak, oh, so weak, and all because I love you, Cliff. Do not take advantage of my weakness. f ““T have no fear but that you could support me, Itisnot that. Andlcan cook and sew, although you may not think it. But I could not disobey my father in that way. Not now, Cliff. Let us wait a little while. He will relent, I am sure he will; for father loves me. ‘¢Tf father’s consent could be gained I would ladly go to the encs of the earth with you, dear Clift, nd I am certain he will when he sees how he is distressing me, Let us not be hasty. We are both young. If our love is true it will stand the test of time and separation.” In his distress he had averted his face. ‘“‘ Say that you are not angry with me, Cliff! Let us not part in anger. That would kill me.” “Tam not angry, Lily!” he said, again draw- ing her to him, ‘But I amsoheart-sore. I know that I did wrong in trying to urge you to fly with me. But I cannot bear the thought of separation.” “Tt will not be for long, Cliff, believe me.” “T hope you are right, Lily, but 1 cannot shake off my gloomy fears. 1 ca not drive from my mind the memory of the men, who, I believe, were/watching me to-night. “That shows me that your father is deter- mined in this matter. I am afraid he suspected we would arrange a meeting. I threw the men off the scent and came here unseen, but the .ac- tion of your father in the matter shows how bitter he is against me. * But I am causing you unnecessary pain!” as eo
Page 3
; | : eee ‘Molly. —— she gave way toa fresh burst of weeping. “I oughtn’t to have referred to that again. Let us valk of something else. My plans; how will that do? Though, to be sure, they are rather in- definite, ‘* Well, then, my plans! Red Rock in the morning. I know the superin- tendent of the Eureka Mine, at that point. He will give me work if he can; if he can’t, he will recommend me to some place where I can get work, “Tf I can obtain a situation similar to the one I held here I will be able to lay by enough in two years’ time to purchase us a small but comfortable home. At common labor in the mines I can do the same thing in something less than five years. ‘* Tt is a long time to look forward to; but, as you said awhile ago, we are young and can wait, So, whaetver 1 may find to do—and [I will find something—I will bend all my energies and thoughts to that one object—a home for you and me, ‘If, in the mean time, your father relents and consents to our marriage, the time spent will not be lost, It will be in the nature of an edu- Tintend to start to -cation that shall better fit us for possible trials and sorrows to come, ‘Tf he does not relent I shall insist on our marriage anyway, when I have provided a proper home for you, You will be twenty-one jong before the expiration of the two years; and he cannot rightly control your actions in so important a matter after that. * Will you promise me, Lily, that you will be- come my wife when the proper time arrives, even without his consent? I will leave you to be the judge of the time! Only I want some definite promise to cheer me through the long months to come.” ‘*You have my promise!” she whispered, *T cannot feel that it is wrong to give watched.” ‘“*T have thought of that!” she replied, balf smiling. ‘*You know Molly Mitchell! She is just the best-hearted, truest girl in this town!” ‘* Always excepting Lily Edgerton!” with an attempted laugh. ‘““Now, you are joking me, after your old, naughty fashion! But, I am mm earnest about She is a good, true girl; there isn’t a better anywhere, as you know. She is not as highly educated as some I could name, but it doesn’s take the polish of an education to de- velop a true woman. ** Molly shall be our post-mistress, You di- rect your letters to her, and I will get her to mail mine to you!” ‘“*Capital!” he exclaimed, ‘You couldn’t have hit on a better plan, and as that’s settled, let’s walk up toward the mine buildin Tt is almost twelve o’clock. If yeur father discovers your absence he will arouse the town in bis ef- forts to find you.” Now that the hour of separation had come, he tried to speak in a cheery and hopeful way. | He assisted her to her feet; and, clinging trustingly and lovingly to him, Lily Edgerton walked with him from beneath the sheltering shadows of the cedars. As she did so she started back with a wild cry of affright. A familiar form and figure stepped into the moonlight and leveled a cocked revolver full at the breast of Clifford Curtis. **Oh, father!” screamed the startled girl, striving to interpose her own body between her lover and that deadly weapon. A flash and a report was the ag answer. Clifford Curtis threw up his hands, reeled -and fell to the earth; and Lily Edgerton, witha heart-rending cry, sunk down in a deadly swoon beside him, CHAPTER III. THE GOLD KING IN JAIL. WHEN Lily Edgerton returned to conscious- ness, it was late in the afternoon of the next day. She was lying in bed in herownroom, Her friend, Molly Mitchell, was keeping watch by ‘her side. ' ; ‘“‘ Where am I?” she cried, staring about ina ‘bewildered way. ‘‘I feel like something dread- ful has happened.” Then she started, shrunk back in a terrified ‘way and drew the bed-clothes about her face as if to shut out some horrible sight. Tom-cat and Pard. “Oh, father! Cliff!” ‘* Don’t take on so, dear!” urged Molly, lay- ing ber hand softly on the head of the tremb- ling girl. Lily looked up into the face of her friend, threw her arms about her and said, convul- sively: “Tell me all, Molly! Tell me the worst! I am strong, now! Oh, so strong!” Her eyes were hot and dry; and her face was flushed and feverish, ‘It?s only bad news that I could tell you, dear!” said kind-hearted Molly. ‘If you can go tosleep ag’in for awhile, it will do you a heap of good. You will be stronger then; and I will tell you all I know. Here, drink this! It’s somethin’ left by the doctor.” Lily pushed the potion away with a firm hand and sat up in the bed. “T am not a child, Molly, to be put off in that way. I will know everything. If you will aot tell me, I will go out in town and learn the truth, Where is father?—and—and Cliff?” Her eyes took on a fierce and determined ex- pression. ** Don’t, Lily, dear! Don’t take on so! You flustrate me. J1’m that nervous, now, I can hardly stand.” The fierce light died away, to be supplanted by a look of tenderness, “Forgive me, Molly. I don’t know what I am saying, scarcely. I am almost wild. Tell me what you know, please. The suspense will surely drive me mad,” ‘Tf you think you can stand bad news, dear. Maybe Id better not say anything much yet. This stuff will make you sleep, and you'll feel more like yourself after it.” ‘*T can stand anything, Molly!” with a terri- ble calmness and composure. ‘ Anything! I am iron, steel! Nothing can be worse than my fears, Cliff is dead; I kuowit. 1 can see it in your eyes,” Molly retreated to her chair and buried her face in her apron. “Tell me all about it, Molly!” Lily insisted, with a shade of impatience. ‘I can bear any- thing now. Was be instantly killed? Why did they not revive me and take me to him?) Where ishe now? I must go there if I have to crawl, Oh, Cliff! Cliff! To think that you should have been slain by the hand of my own father!” ‘* He was dead, dear, when they took him up!” said Molly, in an awe-struck voice, ‘Oh, it’s awful to think about!” ‘““Where is his body?’ Lily demanded, her feverish fierceness returning! “They buried him this morning!” ** Buried him?’ ‘Yes, dear; they buried him early this morn- ing. Ididn’t get to see him, for 1 had to stay here with you. You was that bad for awhile, the servants bad to hold you in hed.” Lily shook convulsively, as Molly made the statement, but not a tear came to relieve her overcharged heart and brain. *‘Oh, Cliff! Cliff! Can it be that you are dead?” Then, looking up with a suddenness that startled Molly: ‘* Where is father?” ‘*They arrested him,dear. He is in jail now. I thought maybe you’d want to see him, but didn’t know, and so couldn’t tell whether I best tell you or not. But you asked me so straight and in that way.” “That's right, Molly! Don’t keep anything from me. It is best that I should know every- thing. Nothing can hurt me worse than the knowledge that Cliff is dead!” **Maybe you'll want to go to see him?” Molly ventured in an inquiring tone. ‘‘ Father went over there this morning, but the pee wouldn’t let him in. They couldn’t well refuse you, pera seeing that you’re his daughter.” “They say Mr. Edgerton—your father, I should say—is as cold and hard as ice about it. He won't talk on the subject, that’s what the jailer says.” Lily scarcely heard this last, Her thorghts were with the lover who had been so suddenly torn from her. ** No, I couldn’t go, Molly!” she said, at last, as if she had been turning the subject over in her mind. ‘It would kill me, to stand face to face with father, knowing what I do. “Ob, how could hé be so cruel? It doesn’t seem like my father, todosuch a deed. And yet, [saw him, Molly! He came out into the wide bar of moonlight, and brutally shot Cliff down at my side, : ‘“*T wonder if I am not dreaming? Oh, it can- not be true! Cliff dead; and my father his mur- 3 derer! ‘Tell me, Molly, that it’s only a hideous dream!” ‘‘T wish I could, dear heart!” said Molly, soothingly. ‘““Why did they bury him so quickly?” Lily ean after another passionate and tearless out- urst, ‘That I can’t tell you,” Molly replied, with a puzzled air. ‘I’ve been wondering about that ever since I heard they’d buried him, Irun over home a little while, at noon, and spcke to father aboutit. But be don’t know no more’n Ido. He didn’t see it done, ‘*There’s the queerest-looking chap at our house, though, you ever saw; and he’s as sharp asa steel-trap, He’s got an idee that Cliff Cur- tis isn’t dead, at all, That there’s something crooked at the bottom of it.” “What!” exclaimed Lily, straightening up and staring fixedly at her friend. ** Yes!” replied Molly, smiling at the new light that shone in Lily’s eyes, ‘“*He thinks there is some kind of a game being played. He couldn’t give any particular reason, he only thing I hang any hope on is that the chap’s smart; and wouldn’t talk that way if he didn’t have some idees. **He’s queer-looking, as I said, but you can tell that he’s got sense. And his name is queerer than his looks, Of course it ain’t his real name, It’s just his ‘ handle,’ as the Western folks some- times say. ‘“* He stated that he had a pard following him who could get at the tap-root of the thing, i anybody could. This pard will be here this evening. The man over at the house 18 expect- ing him, now, every minute. ‘When he comes I’m going to lay this case before him, Maybe he can find out something.” ‘** Oh, do you really think there is a possibility that Cliff is alive?” Molly had no very strong hopes, but she could not blot’ the new light from the eyes of her stricken friend by saying so. ‘““T’m sure I don’t know what to think, dear, There is always hope, you know. This queer- looking stranger seemed very positive in his opinions, He said he knowed, by the locks of things, that there had been crooked work, And it does look like it, judging from the hurry they were in at the burying.” ‘They can disinter: the—the remains!” said Lily, chokingly. ‘ That will reveal all!” ‘Yes; that’s what [ was going to say, but I hated to. Dig him up. If they didn’t really bury him, there won’t be nothing to dig up, you know. That’s what I’m going to say to this stranger when he comes,” *¢Oh, can’t I go with you to see this man?” Lily asked, excitedly. “Tt wouldn’t do, dear!” protested Molly. ‘* You're that weak you couldn’t get out of the house, You think you're strong, because you're so worked up; but you're as weak as a baby. The doctor said you mustn’t leave that bed ‘tor a week. I expect he'll give me ‘bankins’ too, when he finds out how I've been talking to y But, oe would have me tell you everythihig you know; and you were so wild-like when I didn’t speak as quick as you thought I ought to Molly’s plump and rosy face showed that she was suffering acute mental distress, “T won't insist,” said Lily, noticing the ex- pression. “But your words, Molly, have put new hope into my heart, I will try to think that Cliff may be alive, until I can no longer entertain even that. hope. Time will tell; but, oh, it seems like I cannot wait. **T ought to send some kind of word or mes- sage to father, but I can’t. Has he inquired about me, Molly?’ “IT don’t know, dear. No word bas come to the house since I have been here.” The new hope which bad entered the heart of Lily Edgerton now unsealed the fountain of tears, and she gave way to a wild burst of wee ing, which quite startled kind-hearted Molly Mitchell. When it was over she expressed a desire to be left alone for a time; and Molly hurried home, to see if the expected stranger had yet put in an appearance, CHAPTER IV. A LOVE-SICK TOM-OAT. Tue stranger who had ‘ dropped in” at the residence of John Mitchell, the miner, was, as Molly stated, ‘‘ a queer-looking chap.” He was a genuine cowboy, as could be seen ata glance. Instead of wearing the regulation wide-rimmed cowboy hat, however, his head was covered by a catskin cap—the partially mounted head of the animal serving as the
Page 4
s] 4 4A Tom-cat and Pard. visor, and the banded tail curling around the cap like a plume. He was uunlettered, but he was naturally shrewd and keen-witted, and had gathered a vast store of information in the years he had spent on the Western trails and ranges. In ad- dition, he was quick in action, and daring to the verge of recklessness. 6 had given bis name as the Texas Tom-cat, and seemed uncommonly proud of the appella- tion. “Thar’s a oP more things than you'll find writ in books,” he remarked to honest John Mitchell, as the twain sat with chairs tipped back against the wall, in the shade of the cabin that hot afternoon. ‘‘ The letterson a Chinee tea-chist air powerful plain to them ’as kin read ’em, but they ain’t no plainer than the tracks a villain’s boun’ to make when he’s at his vil- lainy. The tracks air like the letters on the tea- chist. "Tain’t everybody kin read ’em. ‘*Now thar’s somethin’ crooked about this hyer shootin’ scrape. What it isI can’t jist make out, but thar’s a mam comin’ acrost yon- der who kin read it easier’n a heathen kin jab- ber Chinee.” A horseman had mounted a swell in the wind- ing trail, and was limned clearly against the sky-line as the Tom-cat pointed toward him, ‘Tl jest step out that way an’ give him the number of my hotel.” Ten minutes later the horseman, in turning a spur, was assailed by a series of screeches and caterwauls: ‘*Mariar! Mariar! Mee-ow-ow!” ‘Oh, dry up, Tom-cat!” he cried, reining in. ‘*Come out from behind that rock. You can’t startle me with your howling; I’m used to it.” Yhus adjured, the Tom-cat stepped into the trail, a broad smile lighting bis homely face. The horseman was none other than Bruce Brentwood, the famous detective, on the pres- ent occasion the partner of the Texas Tom-cat. On this trip he was trailing an embezzler, who had fled to the wilds of Silverland to escape ar- rest, and had persuaded the Tom-cat to leave the Texas ranges long enough to accompany him on this man-bunt. **Seen anything of our game?” he asked, as the Tom-cat advanced, ‘‘ Neither ha’r ner claws!” was the character- istic reply. ‘‘ But, ole man, thar’s bigger game afoot, or I ain’t a Tom-cat. I jest stepped out hyer to kind o’ warn ye, I’ve hung up acrost yender at that cabin, an’ if you'll jest go over there I'll talk—er git some one to talk fer me, An’ as fer chuck, thar’s a gal thar ’at kin set out sich vittles that adead man ‘u’d have to eat! Bruce Brentwood smiled at the cowboy’s en- thusiasm, and jogged along leisurely in his rear. Molly Mitchell came in just as they reached the cabin, and there was a general introduction and hand-shaking. It could be seeu by any one that the cowboy was desperately enamored of the fair Molly. He blushed and coughed, and bit off a ‘‘ meow,” which, as he hesitated for words, his lips uncon- sciously formed, **So the wind lies in that direction!” thought the detective, as he noted the Tom-cat’s evident confusion, ‘‘I don’t suppose, though, that that can be the game he spoke of.” ‘Now you go righton an’ tell Mr. Brent- wood what you know about this ’ere case!” said Mitchell, in his bluut way, speaking to his daughter. ‘“‘If rightly ketched on to what the Tom-cat said, he’s the man tocl’ar up the pint we war talkin’ *bout!” ““Yes! Miss—hem, Miss Molly! Go right ahead!” urged the Tom-cat, who delighted in listening to the music of her voice, ‘ We'll kind o’ berd around the aiges an’ see that you don’t get lost from the trail,” Molly blushed slightly, as all eyes turned to her, and plunged at once into her narrative, “Straight as a string!” declared the cowboy, enthusiastically slapping his knee, as she con- cluded. ‘ Now, I put it to you: Ain’t that as bad as hoss-stealin’?”’ In the eyes of the Tom-cat, horse-stealing was the test crime that could be committed. “Which?” asked the detective, as soberly as a udge, ‘The fact that the girl had a liver? ere are several parts to the story, you must remember !” The cowboy gave him a reproachful look, as he answered: “The killin’, 0’ course! You know well enough what I mnean. It’s a sin, I reckon, ’cause I can’t sling words quite as straight as some other folks. ' “Tf words were ropes, now!” with a sly Sp’t, sp’t, sp’t! Meow! glance at Molly, intimating, perhaps, that if they only were, there would be a rosy-cheeked girl in that vicinity with a matrimonial noose around her neck almost before she knew it. ‘““You could handle them as well as any- body!” said Molly, putting in an oar, to relieve the growing embarrassment, ‘* Ay, that he could, I'll warrant ye!” declar- ed honest Johu Mitchell. ‘‘ These ’ere cowboys air master-bands with a rope,” ‘*Thankee! Thankee, most kindly!” said the Tom-cat, wiping his flaming face with a big red handkerchief. ‘I do b’leeve it’s the hottest day Iever see! Lizzards war jest a-cookin’ out on the rocks, when I come along awhile ago!” “There may be something in this case!” said the detective, thoughtfully, ‘‘ The only suspi- cious circumstance, so far asI can see, is the sudden burial of this young man. I would like to look into it; but, really, friends, I have other fish to fry just now.” ‘* Let ’°em simmer awhile!” shouted the Tom- eat. "Twon’t hurt ’em! Jest think of a youn lady actilly a-dyin’ over this hyer—h bate Yes of her lovyer, and mebbe he ain’t dead at all, Mebbe he’s jest a-waitin’ som’eres, with open arms to—to—” He glanced toward Molly and again colored to the roots of his hair. “To lead her with the bridle!” he spluttered, trying to extricate himself from the deep water into which he had floundered. “To the bridal!” corrected Molly, again coming to the rescue. “Well L knowed it had somethin’ to do with a hoss!” snorted the cowboy, once more mopping his face with his flaming handkerchief. ‘¢ Tf Clifford Curtis is not dead,” continued the detective, smilingly, ‘‘ then Edgerton has some reason for trying to make the world think bim dead—that is if Edgerton really had a hand in the burial. “You say that the Gold King was in jail when the burial took place?” “Yes!” replied Mitchell. “Were the men who had charge of the re- mains—supposing them to be such—in the pay or confidence of Edgerton?” “T don’t know as they were! The Gold King bad no dealin’s with any of ’em, that I ever knowed on, ’cept Hank Hammond, the gambler. He used to play cards with him a good deal. As fer frien’s, I don’t think that Edgerton had more’n a fistful in the hull town. He warn’t a man to make frien’s,” ‘Tt may be that this Hank Hammond maneu- vered the thing for Edgerton!” Brentwood re- plied, after a moment’s thought. ‘*The young man may not have been killed by the pistol- shot; and Edgerton may have wished the world to think him dead and so spirited him away, fearing to finish the job he had begun. ** And, yet, that don’t look at all reasonable, If the young man is not forthcoming, alive, Edgerton will be bung, I suppose!” ** You bet he will?” ‘* Then if he must suffer for the crime of mur- der, why would he try to make the world think he had committed such a crime, if, in truth, he had not?” “It’s too deep fer me!” confessed Mitchell, shaking his grizzled head. ‘‘I never war good at guessin’ riddles; an’ ef that ain’t one then I’m an owl!” Molly had withdrawn from the little company, and now announced that supper was in readi- ness, “7 ain’t the least mite hungry!” declared the Tom-cat, who had not yet ceased to mop his heated face, ‘Why what’s the matter?” asked Brentwood, laughing. ‘‘ You were bragging, only a little while ago, about what excellent food this house afforded, That was your principal argument in inducing me to come here.” ‘* That ere feller didn’t eata mouthful, at din- ner!” avowed John Mitchell, solemnly. ‘‘ Nota mouthful, though I scolded at him the hull me.” ‘** Ain’t a-feelin’ so extra good aroun’ my giz- zard!” protested the Tom-cat, ‘‘ The vittles is ood, Pil take my affydavy on that;—ain’t no tter to be found nowhar! But, gentlemen, I ain’t a-feelin’ jest right fer eatin’!” and seeing that furtber eigen was intended, he pick- ed up his catskin cap and bolted through the pyivike ** Couldn’t stand it, no way it c’u’d fixed!” he asseverated, as he reached the trail. ‘‘Some men kin eat with wimmin-folks aroun’, but I jest can’t! An’ sich wimmin-folks!” He broke into a run which soon carried him into the — street of Silver City. «..** Ain’t had anything to eat sence mornin’!” ‘‘1'll jest step into a eatin’-shop an™ fill up fer a week, I'll board at Miss Molly’s but: I'll do my eatin’ in town, even ef they do put. brother tom-cats into their measly sassiges!” CHAPTER V. BRENTWOOD ON DECK. ** Heuio! who’s that high-toned galoot comin” acrost yender? Looks like he mowt own the hull camp an’ the mountains throwed in! Some blasted spec’lator, ll be boun’. Ef [ war loose: frum this job I'd try to round ‘im up fer a game o keards. Them critters is allus got more money ’n they know what to do with; an’ so they oes aroun’ contin’ally a-saltin’ it down in wu’th- oe holes inthe ground. Tharfore, I think it’sa man’s reeligious duty to relieve em of the dust that worrits ’emso much, Money’s tbe root 0’ all evil; an’ they ought to divvy up fer the’r own good!” ‘Blinky ” Smith, the jailer, peered through the little window of the Silver City jail, that: looked out on the street, and snapped, more. rapidly than ever, the convulsive lids that shield- ed his ratlike eyes. Bruce Brentwood, the detective, in the garb: of a well-to-do business man, was picking his: way carefully across the stony street in the di- rection of the jail. He had at last consented to take in hand the case that seemed so full of mystery. So far as: he could see there was no money to be gained by it; and the case temporarily abandoned pro- mised big pay. But he was not in the habit of looking wholly at the money side of the a ques- tion, when there were cruel wrongs that de- manded righting. He had Visited Liiy Edgerton and her heart- broken condition had appealed so pipe to his: sensibilities that he determined to go to the bot- tom of the affair. “Ef the bipestepese galoot ain’t a-comin” hyer!” declared Blinky, half-blinding his eyes. with another flutter of winks. He drew back from the window and advanced) to the door as Brentwood rapped upon it witb his gold-headed cane. j ‘* Brentwood is my name!” said the detective, thrusting a card into the jailer’s hands, ‘‘ Bruce: Brentwood, broker, and dealer in rea] estate and mining property. T came to see Mr, Philip Ed- gerton on business. I learn that he has—ah, ahem—been guilty of a little indiscretion that may make it necessary for him to negotiate uite a loan. He can offer gilt-edged security,. understand, for any sum he may wish to raise, If he wishes to sell the Edgerton Mine I could: also accommodate him in that way, perhaps.” Blinky Smith winked at the bit of pasteboard,, turned it over in his hands, and then replied: ‘‘Tt’s rayther ag’in’ orders to let any one in, boss, Ill bave to s’arch ye, to see that ye don’t: kerry any tools in yer clo’es, Not that I don’t: think you’re squar’—fer I do; but orders is- orders, “The Gold King mou’t pay some one to fetch: ‘im somethin’ er nuther to cut out with; fer I don’t mind tellin’ you that this shootin’ bizness: is likely to go hard with him.” “You think he is guilty, then!” said Brent- wood, coolly helping himself to a chair, The detective was not in so great a hurry to: visit the Gold King but that he could stop to- pick i any stray crumbs of information that might lie in his way. ‘¢ Ain’t a bit o’ doubt of it!” the jailer replied positively. ‘‘ Thar’s been thousan’s 0’ men hung on less ev’dence,” ‘“What is the evidence, if I am allowed to- ask?” demanded Brentwood, handing Blinky a fragrant cigar and lighting one himself. ‘Waal, it’s "bout as straight as you ever git sich things. “ Tt’s gin’ral knowlidge in the town that Ed- erton war down on the young feller, desp’rit, er snugglin’ up to his darter. Curtis war his sup’rintendent, an’ he discharged him that. mornin’ an’ sent word to all the mine-owners not to hire the chap, as he war boun’ an’ determined to run ‘im out o’ the country. They do say, too, that the Gold King threatened to shoot ’im on sight. ‘‘That night Edgerton caught ’im out in the- ove makiw’ love to his darter; an’ he downed im.” ** Did you witness the shooting?” ‘No; but i war on han’s as soon as the larm- war raised, and helped to ’rest the old gent, He- war jest ravin’, frothin’ wild, I tell you. Had to clip him over the head with a shooter afore we could put the irons on ’im|” “Was this young man—Curtis I believe you said—was he instantly killed?” “Dead as a door-nail! I don’t reckon he he growled. oe Srl a — aap ee: Ae ipah anh, Oe ae ee har a G Feo RENTERS es f
Page 5
} ‘breathed twic’t after the bullethit him. He war the turriblest lookin’ sight I ever see. The bul- let must 'a’ been a big one, for it act’illy smash- ed his face all to pieces, He looked so orful that we put ?im into the ground’s quick’s we c’v'd the next morning.” ‘* No relatives, I suppose, to carry on the pro- secution? It may be that Edgerton will not need ony money after all—that is, no great sum,” rentwood flipped the ashes from his cigar, and asked the question as coolly asif he really * had no interest in the affair beyond loaning the prisoner a sum of money for the defense, ‘* Waal, he jest will, ef he ever pulls through this scrape alive, J don’t think money kin save him; though they do say it kin ’most raise a «lead man!” The detective threw his half-smoked cigar through the open door and got up from his chair, ‘*‘ Might ’a’ guv me that, boss!” exclaimed the jailer, Flinking at the cast-off cigar, as it rolled ulong the gravel. ‘* You rich chaps air so thun- derin’ extravagant!” *‘ Perhaps this will please you better,” said the ‘detective, handing him a five-dollar bill. ‘* That’s for your gentlemaniy treatment of me, on the present occasion. ow, if you will show me the way to the prisoner’s cell, I will consider the debt more than paid!” ‘¢ Thankee, boss! Thankee!” grinned the jailer, working his eyelids horribly. ‘‘It does my old eyes good to look ata piece of green paper like that. This way, please! Cell number four air the identical place you air lookin’ fer,” He had evidently forgotten to make the pre- liminary search which he had said was necessary. ‘* Hyer you air!” he cried, jingling a handful of keys and applying one to the lock of the cell- door. ‘Tll have to lock Ag in. When you want to get out, pound on the door er holler.” The door clanged heavily behind the detective, the bolts creaked as they shot into place; and he found himself face to face with the prisoner. ‘* What do you want?” growled the Gold King, through the semi-gloom of the cell. Brentwood handed bim his card. ‘‘Perhaps you cannot see to read it!” he re- markei, ‘It’s rather dark in this cubby-hole.” Then, lowering his voice so that it could not reach the jailer, should that individual be lis- ittening: ‘My name is Brentwood, Iam a detective, and have come here at your daughter’s request to see if I can assist you in any way.” he prisoner retreated to the wall, stared hard at the detective, and asked: ‘6 Well, what can you do?” ** That’s what I came to ascertain.” Edgerton gave a snort of disgust, ‘“‘Tt's ungentlemanly to say so, perhaps, Mr. Brentwood, but I’ve never been in love with the members of your profession. It’s a sneak- ing, prying trade!” The detective flushed slightly as these harsh words came from the lips of the prisoner. , ‘* We will not stop to discuss that point!” he replied, somewhat coldly, ‘‘It’s a question about which men are free to differ. I came to learn what you can tell me of the trouble into which you have fallen.” He had unconsciously raised his voice to a louder pitch than prudence would have dictated, ‘‘T do not care to diseuss it!” was the curt rejoinder. , *“Have you no word you desire to send to your daughter?” ‘None! She is an ungrateful girl, Mr, Brent- ~wood,” ‘*She is lying in bed now at home, heart- broken,” observed the detective, his voice soft- ening at the remembrance, ** Such wounds heal easily!” was the sneering, reply. ‘‘ Believe me, she will not die from the effects,” Brentwood could scarcely refrain from flying at the prisoner’s throat. Before he had regained control of himself, the Gold King continued: ‘*T warned her to give up that dirty dog, and she refused. Let her suffer the consequences, If a man cannot rule in his own household, Mr. Brentwood, where can he hope to rule?” The detective was thoroughly disgusted by ‘this exhibition of heartlessness. ‘*Then you have no word to send?” ‘* None whatever.” . : The prisoner rudely turned bis back on him, and walked to the other end of the little cell. * Here, let me out!” cried Brentwood to the jailer, giving the door an angry kick. A jingle of keys was heard in the hall, the door swung open, and the face of the jailer ap- peared in the opening. Tom-cat and Pard. ‘*Do business right up to the handle, eb?” as he allowed Brentwood to slip through into the hall, ‘*‘Didn’t expect to hear yer yawp fera half an hour yit.” ‘*Couldn’t loan him anything,” Brentwood replied, dryly. ‘* Got dust 0’ his own, I reckon!” He led the way briskly to the front entrance, ‘* So long!” he cried, as the detective stepped into the street. ‘Bring another V when you come ag’in an’ Pe kin board with me as long as you like. That war the best cigar I’ve smoked sence the year one.” ** The scoundrel!” muttered Brentwood, as he walked down the street, thinking of the prisoner and not of the jailer. ‘‘If it wasn’t for his daughter I’d say that he ought to be hung!” CHAPTER VI. PELION ON OSSA. THE next morning, Silver City was treated to a genuine surprise. he town supported quite a number of men of the black-leg and sporting variety—conscience- less scoundrels, who would rob a man or cut a throat without the slightest compunction. The king of these gentry was Hank Ham- mond, the notorious gambler. He had been in Silver City long enough to gain a controlling influence over the class he represented; and, as he was as shrewd and capa- ble as he was conscienceless, other villains of high and low degree served bim bbe As has been intimated, Philip Hdgerton, the Gold King, was also something of a gambler, He played for mere love of the play, however, and not with any expectation of gain. In fact, it was one of his expensive luxuries, for his losses generally exceeded his winnings ten-fold. It was his misfortune to fall into Hammond’s clutches, The Gold King was deficient in many respects, and in none more so than character- reading. He had little of the discernment of the physiognomist. Hammond was gay, reckless and dashing, and exceedingly clever as a conversationalist; and the Gold King soon came to regard him as an exceptionally bright and gifted young man. Hammond knew ‘*‘ which side of his bread was buttered” and assiduously cultivated Ed- gerton’s acquaintance; and not many weeks rolled by until it became tacitly understood that the Gold King was his especial ‘‘ chum” and quarry. No one thought, however, that Edgerton was becoming financially involved, for it bad never been his custom to play for high stakes. Therefore, when Hammond went before the mayor, that morning, and produced a sale-bill giving him possession of the Edgerton Mine, after a certain date, if the amount named there- in was not then paid, Silver City was aghast with surprise. The time of payment had expired more than a week before, and Hammond asserted that the money was not yet forthcoming. The payment of the amount named would seriously cripple the resources of a richer man than the Gold ae ; . **You will notice that the instrument gives me the right to enter into instant possession of the property!” observed Hammond, addressing the mayor in his smooth, oily voice, ‘Tt is duly signed and witnessed, as you can see. The witnesses are Bonanza Bill and Fight- ing Fred, both well-known in the town, so I think there will be no question as to the genu- ineness of the document. The witnesses named were well-known as worthless vagabonds, but the signatures were undoubtedly theirs, and there seemed little doubt that Edgerton’s signature was also genu- ine. “Tf there is any doubt as to whether Edger- ton really appended his name to this or not, the matter can be quickly settled by sending the jailer to question him. He will not deny the execution of the instrument,” . et) in reply to the surprised look of the of- cia ‘* What is it you want me todo with it?” questioned the mayor. ** Nothing!” was the rejoinder, ‘ I know you have no authority in such cases and there is no court anywhere near that has, I simply wanted to present the matter to you, as you represent about all the law we have in this country. By so doing the legality of the instrument can be tested, if necessary, and the news of the trans- fer e the property will be more quickly read. ‘*T would not have made the matter public, only for one thing. I thibk if Edgerton pulls through his present difficulty he can pay the amount named herein with very little trouble, but I am told that a money-loaner visited him esterday. I don’t know whether Edgerton rrowed anything from himor not, He will probably attempt to get money somewhere to $y for his defense, as I uuderstand that his ank-account is at a rather low ebb. Doubtless the money-loaner who visited him knew of that pra nig and hoped to take advantage of it. “Now, I intend to enter into immediate pos- session of the Edgerton Mine and give warning in this court to money-lenders the world over that that piece of property cannot be incnmi. bered by any debts which Edgerton may cor tract.” VOY yews Hank Hammond withdrew from the pra of the mayor as anaes as he had ep leaving tbat officer and the spectatoust tate over the affair at their leisure. “\=ay He was as good as his word, With he gathered a large following of allies and mirers and advanced toward the Edgerton Mine, the most valuable piece of mining pro erty near Silver City. Reke Tanner, one of the employees, was acting as superintendent since the sudden dismissai of; Clifford Curtis, Tanner was a grizzled miner from the Golden State—hence his title, Eureka, shortened into Reke. He had been in Edgerton’s employ longer than any other man in the works, and had a not unnatural feeling of loyalty for the harsh and stern Gold ae ‘* What air ye wantin’ byer, any ney, Ham- mond, that you bring a reg’mint along o’ you?” he beg coming out from among the mine “Some dirt er nuther, Ill be “* Nothing that is not lawful, Eureka,” replied Hammond, suavely. ‘‘The mine bas been sold to me and I have simply come to take ion of it. No barm in that, I bope—though you are showing your teeth over it like a bull-dog.” ‘“*That’s a lie!” shouted the miner, dancing u and down in frantic rage. ‘It’s some tric you're tryin’ to play, ’cause you think the old man’s in jail and can’t help hisself.” A dangerous glare came into Hammond’s eyes. fr If you were not an old man, Eureka, I'd wing you for that. But we have to look over the chattering of old men and fools!” His voice was as calm and sweet as a summer morning. In reply, Tanner whipped out a brace of six- shooters and flashed them in the faces of the crowd. “You can’t soft-soap me that-a-way, Hank Hammond. You've got a mighty slick tongue, but I know a thing er two as well’s some other people; and I know you ain’t got a shadder o’ right to this property. “The Gold Ring may go under fer his fool- ishness tother night. Likely he will; but he’s gota darter an’ l intend to look after her in- t’rest same’s ef she war my own, An’ ye don’t git into this mine ’ceptin’ it’s over my dead body. Help, boys! Rally fer the Gold King’s darter !”’ The call rung through the buildings and sum- moned to his side three or four determined men. ‘* Why, you old fool, what’s got into your crazy head?’ Hammond demanded, angrily, en- deavoring to brush aside the weapon that was leveled at him, ‘*Mebbe Iam an old fool!” Tanner retorted. ‘But I know two er three things and I know ’em right well. The fu’st of ’em is, that Pll down ye like I would a wolf ef ye tempt to pass me,” There was a dangerous fire in the old man’s eyes that checked Hammond in bis effort to ad- vance. He decided that he must use caution if he did not want to be the recipient of a bullet, “Come, come, Reke! This is all child’s play; you are at liberty to look at the instrument giving me possession of this piece of property, if ou have any doubts on the subject. Meantime t must ask you to stand aside and let me in,” “+ Bluff’s a good dog but Hold-fast is a better. We've got possession 0’ the premises an’ ye don’t git in ithout a fight; now you hear me!” At this assertion Hank Hammond gave a tiger-like spring that carried him past the muz- zle of the threatening weapon. Reke Tanner was borne backward and the two rolled over and over on the ground, in a desperate struggle. At the same time the revolver was discharged harmlessly into the air. Hammond’s followers leaped to the assistance of their chief; and by the mere weight of over- wering numbers scattered the mine employees | ike chaff. “There, you old fool!” the gambler gritted, JNA lee
Page 6
as he struggled uppermost and planted a knee on Tanner’s broad breast. ‘‘I ought to knife you for this; but I won’t. If you give me any more talk, though, I'll beat out of your head what little sense there is in it, ** Here, some one bring me a rope!” The command was instantly obeyed; and the old man’s arms were pinioned behind his back; and a gag was forced into his mouth. Then he was set upon his feet and his face turned toward Silver City. “ Now go!” ordered Hammond, giving him a utalkick, ‘‘And let this be a warning to 1 d your friends not to meddle with my af- ereafter. The next time I'll serve you in “you won’t forget ir a hurry!” gover with impotent rage, the old man Minfully up the street, soon encoun- om-cat, who had been hanging in ~ the Hammongé crowd, Ey eRoep!” yelled the Tom-cat, wict “” curiosity—same’s Ill be ef quit snoopin’ around this unhealthy place. “‘ Yanked you, did they, pardner?” advancing to Tanner and unloosening his bonds. ‘‘’T'was a pesky crowd went along awhile ago. ‘* Now, ef you'll step over to my hotel I'll in- terduce you to a gen’leman that’!l be glad to ax you some questions. Friend o’ mine, gen‘leman is, an’ he’s a-gettin’ his brain-pan wuss wound up than any kickin’ broncho that ever twisted itself on a picket rope!” CHAPTER VII. A CREEPING TOM-CAT. THE action of Hammond in taking forcible ossession of the Edgerton property, cleared Brentwood’s brain of the fogs that had clouded ‘* Hyer’s a don’t it. It led him conclusively to the inference that the Gold King was being made the victim of _ some gigantic plot, having for its object the securing of the Edgerton Mine, and the sullen hauteur and intractability of the prisoner pro- mised the success of the effort. ‘“*Tf it wasn’t for the girl,” averred Brent- wood, addressing John Mitchell, ‘‘I would leave the fellow to his fate. He iscertainly deserving of no kindly treatment.” The thought of hopeless and helpless Lily Edgerton, whose fate and fortune were bound up in that of her father, spurred the detective bo renewed exertions. He had ascertained that the prevailing ele- ment in Silver City was an honest one. It was also stern and obstinate. It believed that the Gold King deserved death for the murder of Ciifford Curtis, and proposed to see that he was properly tried, condemned and executed. If the law would not secure this, then it intended to appeal to Judge Lynch. This element had little sympathy for Hank Hammond, regarding him as a reckless man and a pestiferous agitator, whose influence over the Jawless and dangerous class was likely, some day, to threaten the business and mining inter- ests of Silver City. At the same time they were divided on the question of his right to the property claimed, and held aloof from the affair. The task Brentwood set himself was the con- verting of these men into defenders of the rights and interests of Lily Edgerton. And he set about it in the boldest way. He publicly pro- claimed his belief in the streets, and personally visited every man of influence, In the mean time he had instructed the Tom- cat to keep a close watch on the movements of Hank Hammond, This the Tom-cat found difficult, for Ham- mond was a regular night-hawk. But the cow- boy stuck to the trail with sleepless pertinacity. ““They call this biz’ness shadderin’,” he owled, ‘‘an’ ef I keep it up much longer I’) a shadder sure nuff! Seems like I ain’t had any sleepin’ fer a week; and as fer chuck, I jest have to graba hank o’ sassige an’ run. This chap I’m follerin’ don’t take any more rest than a steam-ingine, Thar’s dirt hyer, gen’lemen, thar’s dirt! Men don’t k eep a-bouncin’ roun’ that-a-way when thev’re honest. Ef he’d on’y stop awhile, so’s I could kinder spit on my han’s an’ git a fresh holt!” This muttered protest came from the cow- boy’s lips as he lay, stretched out in a dark alley, one moonlit night, watching, with hawk- like eyes, the saloon opposite. Into this saloon Hank Hammond had disap- peared, more than two hours before. “Stays in thar longer’n he’s stayed any place sence I’ve been a-trailin’ ’im. ckon, now, he ain’t smelt a mouse an’ puckacheed by the back mer, That would be a ornery trick.’ is apprehensions were soon relieved, for Tom-cat and Pard., —363<qaewwwoOoQoQQooooeeeeeeee et Hammond came out of the saloon and strolled down the street, arm in arm with a brother sport. “Hyer goes fer anuther race!” grumbied the Tom-cat, straightening his cap upcn his head, ‘The boss said I mus’n’t wear this cap while doin’ the shadder trick; but confound it, I can’t git one o’ the reg’lar kind to fit me. They’re allus too big, er too little er too somethin’! *Sides its dark now an’ no one c’u’d tell much about it ef I wore a coal-scuttle. “‘They’re a-breakin’ fer the Edgerton Mine. It’s a reg’lar hornets’ nest down thar, now, ‘sence he’s filled it full o’ men with shooters; but I ain’t afraid o’ hornets, I ain’t!” He crept along in the shadows of the houses, and succeeded in keeping the sports well in view. The mine and mine buildings were just be- yond the suburbs. hen he reached the last house the cowboy halted, and from its shelter narrowly watched the retreating men, A broad belt of moonlight made it perilous to continue on. With a sigh of relief he saw Hammond and his companion enter one of the mine buildings, and then concluded to remain where he was until they again came into view. While lying there a form glided stealthily by him. Then another, and others emerged from the adjacent streets. All were evidently cen- tering at the building into which the sports had disappeared. ‘*Some kind o’ meetin’ er nuther goin’ to be held over thar! Sh’u’d think mebbe ’twas a fandango, on’y I don’t see any wimmin-folks; an’ a fandango without wimmin-folks would be *bout as int’restin’ as a hoss race ’thout hosses. Guess I'll have to snoop up some way an’ find out what’s a-goin’ on,” Then the iaea came to him that he could safely approach the buildings by walking bold- ly out into the moonlight and advancing as if he were one of the expected men. They were all dodging and sneaking more or less, and their faces and clothing could not be distinguished. He acted upon the idea instantly. When near the buildings he was almost start- led into an exposure. “The boys air comin’in purty lively, ain’t they?” said a rough-looking fellow, stepping frora out the shadows. The Tom-cat’s hand was on his cocked revol- ver, and his fore-finger fluttered nervously over the trigger. Detection seemed unavoidable, “You bet!” he answered, giving a disguising twist to the words. Then he hurried on, expecting every instant to hear the command to halt, It did not come, and he Lreathed easier when the shadows received him into their embrace. ‘“‘A narrer escape!” he soliloquized, as he slowly circled the building in which the men were gathering. “‘Thort I’d shorely have to plug ’im. Gittin’ into a muss don’t ginerally skeer me, but fightin’ ain’t my best holt now. I’m a shadder, I am; jest the creepin’, crawlin’ shadder o’ the Texas Tom-cat, an’ not the Tom- cat hisself. Ef I war*you’d ’a’ heerd me howl a good while ago!” There seemed no place of ingress. He could hear the low hum of voices within, but could distinguish nothing. Finally, in his desperate eagerness to learn what was going on, he forced a rear window, The room into which this window admitted him adjoined the one in which the conference— if such it was—was being held. He drew the sash into place, after passing through, so that no prying eyes could detect anything unusual in its appearance. Then he crouched low in a dark corner of the room and applied an ear to the wooden parti- tion. This proved unsatisfactory. Some one was speaking; and, although he could distin- guish the words, he had a yearning desire to see the speaker's face. To accomplish this he felt carefully along the purtition, moving as softly as a veritable cat, until he came to a door which connected the two rooms. The door was light and would have yielded easily to a heavy blow. The Tom- cat had no thought of forcing it, however, and en himself with peeping through the key- 0. eC. His range of vision was necessarily limited. The room was also very imperfectly lighted, the one lamp being turned unusually Jow. But he could see enough to determine that the apart- ment contained about a dozen men—sports, toughs and miners—and that they were, all in all, a villainous set. The man ceased speaking, and Hank Ham- mond arose to address the assembly. ‘* Members of the Silver Circle!” he said, in a low but penetrating voice. ‘‘We have met again to report progress and discuss the work in: which we are engaged. It is a work that re- quires the three Cs—the motto of our organiza- tion—Coolness, Caution and Courage; and I again enjoin their observance. ‘*So far they have led us right on in the path- way of success. For my part I am glad to re- port that, with one or two exceptions, every- thing is working satisfactorily and smoothly. We are in possession of the Edgerton property; and if we can hold it, as I believe we can, our fortunes are made, We can hold it at least until we can turn it into enough money to enable us to Jeave this country with light hearts and heavy pocket-books. “ Fighting Fred is in from tbe mountains, and reports that everything is working all right. there. Cliff Curtis is improving rupidly—” The Tom-cat heard no more of that sentence. The words, ‘‘ Cliff Curtis is improving rapidly |” burned themselves upon his brain, as if written with a pencil of fire. Then it was true that Cliff Curtis was still alive! And he was in the hands of Hank Ham- mond’s men. What did that mean? Over all swam the thought that there was still a chance to restore to Lily Edgerton her lover. The Tom-cat could scarcely contain himself, so great was his joy at this discovery. His own overpowering love for Molly Mitchell rendered him especially susceptible on that subject. He stuffed his catskin cap into his mouth to keep back the chorus of joyful howls that were struggling upward. This was not sufficient; and to keep from exploding, he found it neces-- sary to give vent to his pent rapture in a series of whispered ‘‘ meows.” When he again applied a watchful eye and a listening ear, Hammond had pe from that subject; but to one equally thrilling and inter- esting. He was giving a running account of Brent- wood’s efforts to arouse the better elements of the town against them. “Tf he succeeds in this we will be likely to have a handsome fight on our hands!” Ham- mond concluded. ‘ And, if it comes to a fight, we're the boys that can do the fighting. The issue might blast our hopes, however, and so I prefer scheming to open combat, ‘*T believe that, in order to prevent a possi- bility of this kind, we will have to see that this: detective—for I am satisfied that that is what he is—is placed safely under ground, I have instructed some of the boys to lay for the sneak,,. and if he does fall into our hands, I promise you it will go bard with him.” There was a trampling of feet, followed by a lumbering knock at the front entrance. A few moments later two men marched into the room, driving before them a bound and: helpless prisoner. it was Brentwood, the detective ! CHAPTER VIII. AN EXCITED TOM-CAT. “Tay low, my good Pedro! Eat your way into the ground as if you were a badger, The moon shines rather bright to-night for a venture like ours. But, it’s the daring that win, they say. If that’s true, we deserve success, “Fighting Fred’s the bruiser of the outfit. 2 refer cunning to slugging skill every time. t’s brains that win in this world, not muscle! “* Maybe you’ve heard something like that be- fore, though! ‘You’ve got your rope ready?” ‘*Ay, senor! If a flock of fool-hens were: perched in the tree over us, I could pull one: down without in the least disturbing the others.. You see that limb out there? Shall I makea cast at it, just to test the thing?” ‘*P]l take your word for it, Pedro! Hark! is that some one coming?” Bonanza Bill, the sport and gambler, lifted his head from the ground and peered along the trail leading into Silver City. ‘‘Tt was a coyote skurrying across the path, I guess! Any way, I see nothing, and the sound’ has died away. I thought probably it was cur detective friend on his way to his lodgings.” The sallow faceof the Mexican curled ina grim smile. i ‘*He’ll not reach it to-nigbt, senor, if he- comes the usual way. I couldn’t miss 4 bird, in this moonlight; and I'll be sure not to miss a man.’ ‘* So you don’t string your harness across the shoulders of the wrong chap! It might make trouble, you know. But I take it you’ve got. eyes, Pedro! ‘Hammond said to put the fellow out of the 1 | | if
Page 7
\ Tom-cat and Pard. v4 way. But that’s too cold-blooded a suggestion for gentlemen like us to entertain, Pedro! No; we'll not dip our hands in the sanguinary fluid, etc., this round, We ape to play a finer game than that. We'll simply wrap up his hands so he can’t injure himself in any way; clap a stopper in his mouth to keep him from unduly straining bis voice; and march him be- fore the Great Mogul and his cohort in session assembled. “Tt’s a great scheme, Pedro; and when the yellow boys are divvied, don’t forget to say that I suggested it. In fact, that it wholly originated beneath the massive and corrugated brow of yours truly! Ih, Pedro?’ The sport turned a laughing and sarcastic face toward the flashily-dressed Mexican at his side. He was Hammond’s lieutenant; and one of the shrewdest and most daring of the men be- longing to the villainous organization calling itself the Silver Circle. His mocking words were arrested by the sounds of approaching footsteps. ‘*So, the long-awaited comes at last, like a tardy lover to the arms of his sweetheart. I feared, Pedro, that he might be tarrying too long at the wine cup—as you do sometimes, Unkink your lariat and get ready to gather him in,” The detective came steadily forward through the silvery moonlight, all unaware of the snare that awaited him. His mind was filled with thoughts of the work | in hand. He had made considerable progress during the day, and had succeeded in winning | over some of the leading men of the town. He had expected to be dogged and followed, and kept a wary watch in hisrear. But he did not anticipate an assault so near the residence of honest Jobn Mitchell; for the trees under which the plotting pair lay stood almost at the corner of the house, b Suddenly a dark line, like a leaping serpent, shot across the moonlight, and the noose of a ie riata settled firmly about Brentwood’s neck, There was a quick and powerful jerk; and, before the detective could raise a hand to release himself, or shout for assistance, he was thrown so heavily to the earth that his neck was almost eae and the breath quite knocked out of im, At the same instant a lithe form bounded lizhtly forward, a keen knife glittered in wavy circles before his eyes, and a firm knee was planted remorselessly on bis breast, “Stow your fancy flourishes, Pedro, and tie him!” hissed the low voice of the sport. ‘' We haven’t any time for theatricals. We may wake up a hornets’ nest if that fall was heard in the house. I’ve got hold of the lariat, and if he tries to get up T’'ll scientifically yank bis head off.” Pedro dropped the knife and quickly tied the hands of the prostrate man, Then, before he had fairly regained his scattered wits, a merci- less gag was thrust into his mouth, ‘*Good boy!” cried the sport, approvingly. “*Pedro, youre wasting your talents. on might become a great light among the bow- string gentry of the far Orient.” Pedro showed his appreciation of the compli- oo by a marvelous display of milk- white teeth, ‘* He’s coming to, and may ki¢k up some kind of a rumpus, even if he is tied. If you'll get that stretcher, Pedro!” The Mexican darted beneath the tree and quickly returned with the desired article. “Now we'll place bim on that and lash his feet so he can’t fallout. There! That’s good. He weighs a hundred and eighty, Pedro, if he weighs a pound! I heard my back creak when I lifted him. A man of that weight, built as he is, tr make a nasty fight if pushed to the wall. ‘* Now, we'll travel!” A suppressed groan came from the gagged aws of the detective, as the forward movement an, ‘* He has regained his senses, my good Pedro,” said the sport, peering mockingly into the wide- open eyes below him, ‘He can’t call out, but he can groan, you see! If he should draw the attention of any one by that music we'll say that we're carrying ina pard of ours who has been thrown from a broncho. “If their curiosity prompts them to be dan- gerously inquisitive, we’ll put a knife into our esteemed friend here and slide!” The detective could scarcely repress a shud- der, so much mocking fiendishness was com- pressed into the words, | But no one was encountered; and in due time | the litter, with its burden, reached the shadows of the Edgerton Mine buildings. The cowboy could scarcely repress a roar of astonishment when he saw Brentwood, bound, gagged and helpless, in the hands of his ene- mies, ‘* Whoop!” he cried, with difficulty toning the exclamation down to a whisper. ‘‘ This hyar gits me! Never knowed the boss to git tangled up like that afore.” His first impulse was to burst through the door with mad precipitation, and fight his way to the side of his friend, “"’Twon’t do!” he concluded, when he had given bimself time to consider the thing. ‘ Bet- ter be one o’ us loose to kinder skirmish around on the range. Dll wait an’ see what turns up. I mustn’t fergit that I’m a shadder, now, an’ not a screechin’, fightin’ Tom-cat, An’ then, thar’s Molly! No; I can’t afford to be laid out jest yit awhile,” t og again stooped and peered through the key- ole, “You got him, I see!” said Hammond, with a short, hard laugh, addressing Bonanza Bill. ““Yea, verily! We gathered him in,” was the characteristic reply. ‘‘ Thanks to a little brain- racking of mine, assisted by Pedro and his rope. | Don’t forget to remember us, Hank, when you make your will.” Hammond strode forward and removed the | Sag from Brentwood’s mouth. ‘** You sneaking coyote, do you know what we intend to do with you?” he demanded, fiercely. ‘*You’ve been cutting a pretty wide swath lately, but we'll throw your running-gear out of plum in pretty short order, now that we’ve got you.” *The detective made no reply. Perhaps his jaws were yet too stiff. Perhaps he did not coasider the threat worthy of an answer. His eyes were roving restlessly around the room, and, as his feet were now free, he may have been considering the chances of an escape, In this survey, his gaze rested for an instant upon the partition door. ‘* He’s a-lookin’ at me!” whispered the Tom- cat, Siena ‘*Ef I c’u’d jest give one teenty meow, he’d know ’at they war a friend near that he kin bank on every time. But I dassent! Some o’ them fellers hev heerd my gentle voice, an’ they’d be likely to recognize it.” ** You needn’t beso sullen, Bruce Brentwood,” continued Hammond, ‘‘ We know you, and we know that you’ve been trying to arouse the town against us. We have no quarrel with you personally, but when you stretcb your length across our path, we'll step on your head as we would on the head of a rattlesnake. ‘You might as well understand first as last that you'll never leave this building alive. So if you have any mementoes that you wish to transmit to your friends, you might as well rake them together,” Brentwood made no reply, but there was a slumbering firein his dark eyes which showed that he did not intend to die without a struggle. ** We don’t care to shoot you. A shot can be heard too far on a night like this. And then, doubtless you would prefer shooting, when you know you have to go. No; we'll simply stretch 8 rope over that beam and weight an end of it with your worthless carcass.” Written words cannot indicate the terrible and fierce fiendishness with which this threat was conveyed. Pedro seemed to understand it as a command, for he cast his riata over the beam indicated and allowed the noose to dangle suggestively near the prisoner’s head. ‘Now, up with bim!” shouted Hammond, striding forward. CHAPTER IX, A FIGHTING TOM-CAT. “Woop! Mariar! Mee-ow-ow!” The Tom-cat fairly screamed his war-cry, as he cast himself precipitately against the light oor. It yielded to the powerful assault, and amid a shower of flying splinters he bounded into the room. The members of the Silver Circle shrunk back at this unexpected rush. Their first thought, evidently, was that it was an attempt at rescue in force. None could imagine that any one, hoWever rash, would: thus cast himself singly into the lions’ den. ing some such emotions depicted on the faces of the recoiling men, the Tam-cat drew his revolver and shouted, as he rushed to the wc of the room where stood his prisoned pard: ——— no a oC ‘¢ Down with ’em, boys! Down with ’em! Whoop! Mariar!” And seizing the suspended coal-oil lamp he hurled it into the midst of the excited crowd. An explosion followed; the air seemed filled with flame; the Silver Circle gang was aghast with terror, while above all rung the cry: *“Sp’t! Sp’t! Meeow-ow-ow! Mariar!” Grasping Brentwood by the shoulder—for the detective was rooted to the spot by the very audacity of the cowboy’s charge—he pushed him toward the broken door. “Git!” he shouted, ‘‘ Git, er you'll be burnt to death!” A roar of fright arose from the retreating men as the blazing coal-oil lamp descended into their midst. The explosion that instantly followed changed this into a succession of shrieks and curses, The volatile and burning fluid seemed to con- vert the very airinto a sea of flame. Haixy® beard ,and clothing crisped and crackled; and, as the blistering fire ate its way to theirflesh a common rush was made for the doors and win- dows, The Silver Circle became converted into a mass of fighting, screaming men, each intent on his own safety and careless of the lives and limbs of bis fellows, Within two minutes the building was emp- tied. As the blistered and excited rascals were tumbling pell-mell over each other in their frantic haste, the Tom-cat leaped through the broken door by which he had entered, almost dragging the partially-bound detective with im. *Git’s the word!” he continued to shout, ‘*Git! afore the flame shrivels ye up like’s ef you war a horned frog in a prairie fire!” With one blow of his heavy boot he smashed the window into a thousand fragments; then he stopped for an instant to sever the detective’s bonds, ‘* Now leap through, and I'll follow,” ordered the detective. ‘' Look out that some one don’t shoot you from the outside.” As soon as Hammond could collect: his scat- tered wits and take stock of the injuries suffered by his men, he found the condition of affairs much better than he anticipated. There was a great array of shriveled hair and beard and enough damaged wearing apparel to start a second-hand clothing-store. Some severe burns had also been received; and the clothing of a few was still scorching and smoking. No one was fatally or even horribly burned; and as soon as this was known the air again flamed, this time with sulpburous maledictions. Not that the members of the Silver Circle were angry because they had not been cooked outright! They were mad, fighting, ferociously mad, because they had been whipped by one man. As they gathered at the side of the building, taking an inventory of the damages sustained, they could hear the flames leaping and crackling as they ate into the floor and walls of the va- cated room. ‘*Surround the house and shoot the first man that appears!” shouted Hammond, drawing his revolver with his left hand, for his right was so burned that the skin seemed ready to slip from the fingers. ‘‘ They’re in there yet, I think, and we'll down them, if it’s the last act of our lives, Curse that cowboy! That coal-oil has just about eaten my hand off!” ‘*Hyer they go!” shouted a man, rushing to the nearest corner, Brentwood and the Tom-cat were out of the house, and attempting to gain the open ground beyond the buildings. Unfortunately, the mem- bers of the Silver Circle were between them and the open road to liberty. A retreat in the op- posite direction would bring them to the swift and arrowy river, which the strongest swim- mer could scarcely hope to breast. Then there was the additional danger of a fatal shot should they attempt the almost impossible feat of cross- ng it. Resin their advantage, Hammond’s men spread out in the shape of a fan and commenced a hurried advance upon the retreating men, fir- ing their weapons as they came on. “We must find shelter somewhere!” Brent- wood said, anxiously. ‘‘ A few volleys like that will be likely to lay one or both of us out.” ‘**-You bet!” stopping the cat-screeches, which he had again commenced, long enough to make a reply. \ A ball bad cut through! his precious catskin cap, and another had scraped a strip of skin from his left shoulder. ‘*Let’s hustle fer that stone buildin’! They { ” a 7 fen
Page 8
% ee ~~ = 2 eam * can’t butn it easy, an’ if the walls air as Strong as they look we kin hold back a rig’ment.” They broke at ounce into a rapid zigzag flight. Another volley shrieked and whistled about them; and they could plainly hear Hammond’s commands as he led his men forward witha rush, “Hyer we air!” shouted the Tom-cat, hurling a bar of iron at a window-sash with such accu- racy that the sash fell inward, a jingling wreck of glass and wood. ‘** Now, shin through thar lively!” The window was almost eight feet from the ground, but both were active men, and it was the work of but a minute to climb, by the aid of the projecting stones, to the window, and drop down upon the inside, ‘* Whoop!” yelled the Tom-cat, as he realized that heavy stone walls interposed between them and their enemies. ‘‘ Come on, ye Diggers!” **T suppose they’ll try to break in the dours!” remarked Brentwood, looking carefully about, “Let em!” cried the cow boy. ‘* Thar’s on’y two doors, an’ we've got a pair o’ weepons apiece. Ef ary man gits through my door while the ca’tridges hold out, then ye may call me a granger!” Hammond saw that his foes had taken refuge in the building, and he halted his men for the purpose of consultation. The interior of the house which they had just left was rapidly becoming a mass of flames, and the fire was leaping out of the windows in cir- cling sweeps, Already the town fire-bell was beginning to jangle an alarm; and crowds of boys and men were streaming down the streets, **We must put ona bold front!” said Ham- mond calming his scorched and excited followers by the coolness of his voice, ‘‘I am the owner of this mining property. These men have been attempting the championship of the alleged rights of the Gold King’sdaughter. Seeing they were about to fail in their nefarious efforts, they endeavored, in a spirit of revenge, to burn the works, Fortunately we were near to discover the first fire and forced them to seek shelter in the stone building before they could do worse injur or even escape. ou, my brave boys, under my gallant lead- ership,” ‘with a short and bitter lau h, ‘‘ cast yourselves boldly into yonder burning house and fought the fire desperately. To that fact your singed beards and scorched and blistered bodies bear ample evidence, ‘*The house could not be saved; but the fire- bugs are behind those stone walls, and we pro- pose to drag them out and see that justice is done them,” The shrewdly concocted story pleased the members of the Silver Circle; and with wild cries and shouts of rage they rushed toward the stone building. ‘*Hyer they come!” shouted the Tom-cat. ** Ha’r on eend an’ eyes a-shinin’! Whoop, Ma- riar! Git yer shooters ready, fer they mean ole bizness every time. That Hammond’s a fighter frum ’Way-back, an’ I glory in spunk, ef ’tis on other side.” The flames curled upward from the windows of the doomed structure, lapped the shingles of the roof, and then, breaking out in many places at) once, swirled and hissed as if filled with a fiendish joy at the havoc wrought. The crowds of men and boys on the streets thickened, the bell coutinued its jangling alarm, and a hastily-impr ovised company of firemen hurried, with hooks and ladders, to the scene of the disaster. Hammond’s men had collected a number of heavy poles. These they poised as battering- rams and rushed with them against the doors, A shot from the cowboy’s revolver answered the thunderous crasb, and, as the bullet plowed its way through the heavy door, one of the as- sailants dropped the log, gave a roar of pain, held up a shattered hand, ,and staggered back- ward, “Down with them!” yelled Hammond placing himself at the head of bis force, ‘‘Smash the doors into kindling wood and drag the scoun- drels out! Hanging is too good for such incen- diaries. They ought to be thrown bodily into the fire they kindled.” His men echoed the cries, and another des- perate rush was made at the door which the cowboy was defending. Again a ball plowed its way through the door, this time imbedding itself in the thumping log, and doing no barm, But it was quickly followed by another, that shattered the shoulder of one of the chief howl- ers; and the crowd fell back as if by a common impulse, 45 vf rive ¥ f tae ar ee | i ie) bf Fiat ; ‘a a “h ‘ ane 1 Ie . , <A 44 : ae f ‘ 7 Fe als | LS a5 : **-You can’t batter in that door,” growled one of the men. ‘It’s braced with iron, They’ll kill every man of us before we can make a breach.” ‘“*Then climb to the windows,” shouted the irate chief, furiously. ‘‘ We will drag those fellows out of there, let it cost what it may. This is our golden opportunity. We must take advantage of it.” CHAPTER X, HEROIC MOLLY. THE jangle of the fire-bell, and the shouts and calls of excited men awoke Molly Mitchell at the *‘ lone and dead hour of midnight.” She glanced through the window, and, seeing one of the Edgerton Mine buildings on fire, called to her father, and then began hurriedly to dress, ** Hello! out into the sitting-room, from her own apartment. He had also hastily arrayed bimself, and now proceeded to take down a revolver and belt of cartridges from the wall. ‘* Looks like somebody’d been tryin’ to burn up the Edgerton property, don’t it?” ‘* Yes; that’s what I thought as soon as I saw the fire. Now, if you'll get my horse out of the stable, father, Tllrun into the street and ask some questions. Be as quick’s youcan. Some- way, something tells me we have friends in danger down there. It can’t be that Mr. Brentwood or—or the Tom-cat is connected with it. “*T hear firing! There goes a whole volley of shots. It’s more than a fire, father; it’s a fight! Here, I will help you with the horses, You will want one, too.’ She sprung past him and ran nimbly to the stable, where their riding-ponies were kept. She had hers saddled and bridled almost be- fore her father reached the stable. “Here is yours,” she said, tossing a bridle over its head and handing him the rein, * Slap a saddle on it as quick as ever you can; or ride bare-back.” In her hurry and excitement Molly had not time to pick and choose her words. She leaped nimbly to the back of the pony and clattered away, without waiting to see whether or not her father was lumbering along after her, When half-way to the mine she met Reke Tanner, who was racing up the street, bare- headed and almost exhausted, ‘Rally a crowd, Miss Molly! Rally a crowd!” shouted Tanner, when he saw who it was, ‘*They’ve got Brentwood any’ the cowboy cooped up in the stun house, an’ they swar’ mer i hang ’em ef they kin on’y git ’em out 0’ thar.’ The girl’s heart almost ceased its beating. ‘“* They who, Eureka?” she asked, leaning for- ward until her face almost touched the pony’s mane, ‘‘Why, Hammond an’ his sneakin’ crowd! Who else sh’u’d it be? Who’s been at all the sneakin’ dirt in this country doorin’ the las’ six months?” ‘* But how did they get them cooped up in the stone house?” ** Don’t know, miss; an’ ,we ain’t time to find out by argyfyin’ an’ axin’ questions. Beggin’ yer pardin fer bein’ so all-fired bluut! Ham- mond says thet the Tom-cat and Brentwood sot the frame afire. ‘* Tt’s a lie, o’ course, fer thet gambler couldn’t tell the truth if he wanted to, But, they’s one thing, shore! They'll hang ’em ef they git holt o’ em one’t, ef we don’t do somethin’ to prevent it. Rally yer frien’ s, miss! Rally yer frien’s, an’ I’ll do likewise,” He ran on up the street pantingly, leaving Molly dazed and bewildered. Fortunately Jobn Mitchell came up at that moment, His presence served to strengthen and stimulate her. She hurriedly repeated the information re- ceived from-Reke Tanner. ‘Get together our friends, father!” she con- cluded, ber face white and her voice quavering. I will visit some of the prominent men Mr. Brentwood has won to our side in the past few days. Send every man you can find straight to the mine.” She wheeled ber horse and galloped rapidly away, and Jobn Mitchell began a series of hur- ried whispers and consultations with many of the men flocking together in the main street. While these two, with Eureka Tanner, are rallying a rescuing furce, let us return to Brent- wood and the Tom-cat and the lively scenes be- ing there enacted. What’s up?” asked Mitchell, coming as Molly emerged ON SS When Hammond gave that order to climb to the windows, he was the first to grasp the pro- jecting stones and attempt to swing himself up. nstead of accomplishing it be fell back with a how] of pain. He bad forgotten his burned hand. The rough stones recalled him to a sense of his injuries, and as the loosened cuticle began to slip beneath his far grasp, he tumbled back, baffled and bleed- f ‘Up there, some of you!” he cried, with a snarl of rage. Above his command and the thunder of the tumult came the calm, clear voice of Brent- wood. ‘*The man who attempts to enter by one of those windows might as well leave hope bebind him, We give you fair warning, We will put a bullet through the first head that appears! We know what you are after and we do not in- tend to be taken alive.” **Cool as January!” said Bonanza Bill, who stood by Hammond’s side. ‘**I think myself that we might as well order wooden overcoats for the men who try to climb in at those aper- tures!” One darvaw and reckless fellow, who had started with Hammond and bad continued on when his chief slipped down, now grasped the sash and tried to hoist it to make an opening. His head was not yet visible to those witbin the structure, but the hand with which he was endeavoring to lift the sash could be plainly seen. “*T don’t want to kill the fool!” declared Brentwood, raising bis revolver. The ‘“‘spang” of the weapon followed, and the sash was splintered and broken just at the side of the fellow’s expanded fingers, The concussion of the blow numbed and deadened the arm to the shoulder; and with a startled cry the foolhardy climber lurched back- ward and fell sprawling to the ground, “It won’t do, you see!” repeated Bonanza, ‘Courage is a good thing, but it leads a man to his death sometimes. If it hadn’t been for your burnt fingers you’d have been a pleasant subject for a funeral by this time.” **Sometbing must be done!” shouted Ham- mond, his wits almost deserting him, so great was his desire to exterminate the men sheltered behind those walls of sclid masonry. ‘The town is gathering and there will be too many inquisitive eyes and ears around us directly. clatter of hoofs drew his attention. Molly Mitchell followed by Lily Edgerton and a score of mounted horsemen, among them Jobn Mitch- ell and Eureka Tanner, thundered into the midst of the crowd, which gave way before them. ‘* We demand to know what these men have done?” cried Molly, heroically, her glowing face and flashing eyes lighted by the crackling flames of the burning house. **Done!” roared Hammond. ‘ Haven’t they fired the building youder with the intention of destroying all this property?” ‘‘That’s a lie!” cried Reke Tanner, “A ornery sneakin’ lie, an’ we'll cram it down yer throat yit!” ‘* Whoop! Mariar!” yelled’ the Tom-cat from within the building. ‘‘The wimmin forever! Jest lissen at ’em, will ye, a-chatterin’ at that rattlesnake as gfssy as any spestineciy, owl!” This cowboy must have drawn slightly on his imagination, for only one woman had spoken, Ss iends!” cried Brentwood, raising his voice so that it could be heard above the uproar, ‘“ Hammond and his men captured me to-night in a skulking and cowardly manner and took me to the building which is now burning. They were preparing to hang me for the part I cane taken against them, when the Tom-cat came to my rescue. “In the melee that followed the coal-oil lamp was exploded, which accounts for the flames and the scorched condition of some of the men you see out there, ‘We tried to get away from them, but they pressed us so closely we were forced to take refuge in this building. ‘* That’s the truth, sv’ry word of it!” howled the Tom-cat. ‘ An’ the man that says ’tain’t is a no-count sheep-herder! You hear me!” “ Tt’s a lie!” vociferated Hammond, glancing defiantly at the angry faces of the horsemen, ‘* Whether a lie or the truth, Mr Hammond,” returned Moliy, ‘‘we do not intend that you shall hang these men without judge or jury. If ae fired the building purposely no doubt you rove it. So we mustask you to step out of a“ @ way, and allow them to come out of ere. That's the ticket!” shouted Tanner, “A ee
Page 9
Tom-cat and Pard. ’ fa’r trial. We'll go bail thet they won’t leave town afore mornin’,” He fingered his revolver in a nervous, excited way, as he spoke, ard Hammond saw that several of the horsemen seemed equally anxious for a fight, “‘T appeal to you, citizens of Silver City,” said Hammond, addressing the crowd that hoy- ered expectantly on the outskirts, ready to run the instant that bullets began to fly, ‘‘is thisa fair deal? We caught these men, red-handed, as you may say. They had just fired the kouse over there, hey deserve death. Is Silver City to be placed at the mercy of such fire- bugs?” An angry muttering came from the crowd, insti ator by Hammond’s adherents. ‘* What!” shouted Reke Tanner, wheeling his horse so that it faced the grumbling men, “* Stand up fer a scoundrel like thet, do ye?” The angry mutterings ceased, and the men a back as if they expected him to fire on them. ‘* It’s no use, Mr. Hammond!” said Molly, her voice firm, but her cheeks as white as ashes. ** Your friends may be willing, but they’re not ee enough,” *“You’ve got the upper hand of us!” replied Hammond, with sullen anger. ‘‘We must do as you say. But, I warn those scoundrels in there that from now on it will be war to the knife, and they need expect no mercy from us,” They were ill advis words, for they served to show the real depths of his animosity; and he instantly regretted their utterance, ** Whoop!” shouted the Tom-cat, appearing at the window and throwing a kiss to Molly Mitchell. ‘*The wimmin forever!” He was followed by Brentwood, ‘*T wash my hands of the affair!” growled Hammond, walking sulkily away, an example followed by his associates, ‘‘If the people of Silver City want to be burned up in their beds by such ruffians, it’s their own lookout,” The detective and the cowboy leaped to the ground, and were instantly surrounded and shel- tered by the protecting horsemen. CHAPTTER XI, THE TOM CAT AS A NARRATOR. THE firemen had contented themselves with protecting the adjacent buildings; and when the little cavalcade, led by Molly Mitchell and the Tom-cat, started toward the town the fire had almost burned itself out. The red glare on the sky mingled with the light of the coming dawn. The Tom-cat was evidently overcoming his diffidence, for he rode boldly by Molly’s side, sitting bis horse with the ease and grace of the genuine cowboy and the pride of a prince, and careless of the curious glances given him. Only the recollections of the recent excite- ment enabled him to maintain that proud bear- ing and erect carriage. He was literally worn- out. For three days and nights he had scarcely had an hour’s rest or sleep, On reaching his room he cast himself heed- lessly on the Sed and at once sought the slumber so strongly demanded by overwrought brain and nerves, When he awoke it was nearly sunset, * Great horns!” he cried, starting up. ‘I've been jest a-layin’ back hyer and snoozin’ like a buffler in bunch-grass, the bull day! An’ thar’s that gal a-weepin’ ber eyes out fer a lovyer she thinks isdead. Plum fergot all about it this mornin’; hanged ef I didn’t!” Molly was singing away like a lark, as she moved about the living room, busy with her household duties, “Now thar’s a gal fer you!” said the Tom- cat, addressing his boot, ‘ Lord love ye, didn’t she come down on them fellers like a perairie fire! Never seen sech grit in a female.” Then a brilliant idea came to him. He would make Molly the medium by which to transmit the joyful tidings to Lily. « Byenin’, Miss Molly!” he said, stepping into the room where she was at work. “ Why, Tom-cat, is that you?” she asked, giv- ing him a bewitching look, that went straight to the poor fellow’s heart. ‘‘I thought you were asleep.” : ** Ho, ho, Miss Molly!” he chuckled, awk ward- ly fumbling his catskin cap, ‘‘ Didn’t think I’d snooze forever, did ye?” He seated himself in a chair and stared at her for a moment, wondering how he ought to pro- ceed to break the glad news, ** Won’t do to blurt it out too suddint! Wim- min air skeery critters sometimes. Lando’ love! ar would I do ef she sh’u’d faint when I told er **T suppose you will be ready for supper, | cowboy scrambled back into the chair with such after your long fast?” she asked, at length, with a sly glance, remembering his cowardice on that point, To the Tom-cat’s credit be it said, however, that on two or three recent occasions, when he could see no way of avoiding it, he had taken his meals there, ***Most anybody could eat your cookin’, Molly,” was theratber equivocal compliment with which he parried the thrust, ‘* But I didn’t come fer feedin’, though I’m hungry enough, I come to ax you some questions, ‘* Now, le’s s’posin’a case er two. Le’s s’posin’, frinstance, thet you had a lovyer!” He stared hard at her to see if the plan he had outlined as the proper one to pursue promised to work well. ‘*Why—why, what can you mean, Tom-cat?” asked Molly, stammering and slightly coloring, “Thar, drat it! she’s a-goin’ to faint! That’s what I was afeard on.” As he made this mental comment, he squared himself to spring at her should she show signs of keeling over, Seeing that she still maintained her erect sition, he gave his mental machinery another itch, and proceeded: ** An’ s’posin’ at you loved him, loved him powerful! kick!” Molly stared at the cowboy as if she could scarcely credit her ears, while the color ex- ae until it reddened her entire face and neck, From the first, Molly had been well aware of the cowboy’s attachment; and she had, too, a rather warm feeling for this bashful and eccen- tric lover, She had sufficient discernment to discover the genuine diamond which lay be- neath the rough exterior and to properly appre- ciate it. ‘“*He is smart, if he hasn’t got much educa- tion; and he wouldn’t be ugly if he’d throw away that outlandish cap. But [ wouldn’t marry him. I wouldn’t marry anybody—that is, not while father lives,” Over and over she had said this to herself when thinking of the Tom-cat, always adding the qualifying clause with a queer little thrill of regret which she could not quite understand and half-feared was wicked. “Why, Tom-cat! What can you mean?” she asked again, giving her broom a vigorous swish to hide her agitation. ** An’ s’posin’,” continued the cowboy, watch- ing her as a cat watchesa mouse, “that yer father had told this hyer lovyer’at he couldn’t have ye. That in fact he had, all unbeknownst to you, promised you to another feller?” **T should promptly tell bim that my father had no right to bargain me away in that kind of style!” Molly replied, wondering what was coming next. ‘* Land o’ love, ain’t she han’some!” thought the Tom-cat, as the color receded and then came again to her round, plump cheeks. The thought of his own absorbing passion al- most drove from his mind the story he was try- ing to tell. ‘* Ef I on’y dar’d to!” he whispered, half-star- tled out of his wits at the bare suggestion, **T—T sca’cly know how to tell ye what I’m tryin’ ta!” he exclaimed, pantingly, endeavor- ing to go on, but thinking much more of himself and Molly than of Lily Edgerton and her lover, ‘*Seems as ef I’m teetotally tongue-tied this evenin’, My brain-pan rattles like a dried-up buffler-punkin.” Molly cast him a symphathizing look that brought him at once to the verge of the preci- That you Harder nor a mule kin ice, “*Oh, Lordy!” he cried, clapping a band to his mouth, as if to hold back the words that were surging for utterance. ‘‘ Hang it, I e’ena’most let ’em slip that time!” * Let eat slip?” Molly inquired innocently, for the cowboy had inadvertently spoken his thoughts aloud, He colored to the roots of his raven hair and trembled like a leaf. Then he castan imploring mintice aroufhd, and endeavored to rise from his chair. imploringly at her feet. ‘*I didn’t intend you should know it, Miss Molly!” he cried, with a helpless wail of sub- mission, ‘* But I’m into the water,now,an’ | can’t get out. No! drat it, an’ I don’t want to! fer ef I don’t tell ye now Vl go an’ drown’d myself fer bein’ the biggest fool in America. But his knees gave way and he sunk | SS SS. | ludicrous haste that vie could not keep from breaking into a loud laugh, ‘Ts supper ’bout ready?” asked Mitchell, com- ing into the room, followed by Brentwood. ** Yes!” Molly replied, hiding her merriment and confusion in the depths of the cupboard. ‘*T think it well to have the parties in author- ity open the graves and see if Curtis is really dead, before we proceed further!” said Brent- wood to Mitchell, evidently continuing a conver- sation begun along the way. The cowboy leaped to his feet as if shot. ** That-er-er—reminds me!” he said, flushin and stammering. ‘“‘T was a-er—tryin’ to te Molly somethin’ ’bout it jest a little while ago,” ** About what?” Brentwood stared as if he thought the Tom- cat bereft of his senses. ‘““Why, they ain’t no use o’ openin’ any graves. Curtis is alive!” ‘* What makes you think so?” with a surprised look, that brought the Tom-cat at once to the oint. Po I heerd Hammond say so las’ night. In the buildin’, ye know, afore you come, He said, an’ these air his identical words: ‘ Fightin Fred is in from the mount’ins, an’ he reports that Clifford Curtis is a-improvin’ rapidly!’” ‘* Why didn’t you tell of this some time ago?” ‘‘ Hang it! I was so sleepy I fergot it. I was a-tryin’ to tell Miss Molly, awhile ago—when, er—when you come in,” ‘This is important!” said Brentwood, paying no apparent heed to the cowboy’s evident con- fusion. ‘‘ Hammond had no idea the Tom-cat was listening, and he doubtless told the truth in addressing his men. Now, where is he and what are they holding him for? Those are the things we must proceed to find out.” ‘“* Where air ye goin’, Molly? Hain’t had sup- per yit, ye know.” Molly had tossed a shawl over her head, and bad a hand on the knob of the door as her father spoke, ‘* Supper will keep better than such a piece of news as that!” she exclaimed. ‘I’m going to tell Lily Edgerton.” ‘* Whoop! that’s the ticket!” the Tom-cat shouted after her. ‘‘ A knowlidge that her lov- -yer’s still a-kickin’ will jest chirk her up power- full” CHAPTER XII, A CONSULTATION, ‘‘Yrs; that’s the most important piece of news we’ve had yet!” continued Brentwood, staring thoughtfully after Molly, as she ran lightly down the trail, ‘* What other informa- tion, Tom-cat, dropped into your long ears while you were concealed behind that door?” Thus questioned, the cowboy gave a succinct account of all he had heard and seen while shadowing Hank Hammond and the members - of the Silver Circle. “That only confirms what I have thought for several days!” mused the detective, speaking aloud. ‘*This Hammond is at the head of some scoundrelly crganization, having for its main urpose the getting and holding of the Edgerton Tine, Iwas convinced of it as soon as Ham- mond produced those papers and tock forcible possession of the property. ‘*There are several things about the affair, however, that puzzle me, It seems clear, to my mind at least, that Hammond intends and expects the early execution of the Gold King, Probably he has been watching for an oppor- tunity to grasp the property, and when Edger- ton shot Curtis he took advantage of his arrest and imprisonment to put his scheme into effect. ; ‘Tt may be, however, that he acted simply on the spur of the moment, thinking it too good a chance to be lost. ‘* Now, my idea is, that he or some of his men were not far hed when the shooting occurred. Curtis was not killed, as we now know, though Edgerton no doubt believed and still believes him dead. ‘Tf Curtis is not dead then the Gold King cannot be hanged for murder. So they bore the wounded man away to enable them to carry out the theory that he had been slain, The re- port of his murder was spread, and to make the play more realistic they had a mock funeral in the early hours of the morning, at which only Hammond’s frierds and supporters were pre- sent. ‘That is why the alleged funeral was held at “ T’'m a-lovin’ you, Miss Molly, wuss’n a bum- | so unseemly an bour. ble-bee loves red clover! Thar, it’s out! And { don’t keer who knows it!” ‘* Why they didn’t kill the young man out- right and use his body as conclusive evidence A heavy step was heard inthe yard, and the against Edgerton, I can’t say. The wickedest
Page 10
10 men have, at times, a horror of deliberate mur- der. Should they slay him in cold blood and their plot become in some way revealed it might go hard with them. In the present case, supposing my theory to be correct, they could produce the young man alive, if pressed to the wall, and probably escape with comparatively light sentences. ** When they had disposed of Curtis and se- cured the incarceration of Edgerton on the charge of murder, then they were ready to pre- sent the second act in the drama. ‘* Forged papers were prepared and published to the world and the Edgerton Mine was seized by the strong arm of might. When the Gold King is dead nothing will stand in the way of their complete triumph, except the life of a young woman who is now bowed and bruised ike a crushed flower.” Brentwood rested his head in his hands and for a long time stared at the floor in silence. * Edgerton is an old fool!” he said, at last, bitterly. ‘* His obstinacy and pig-headedness is laying him right into the hands of these fel- Ows. ‘* And then the idea of a man attempting to soerce his daughter in that kind of style! And then shooting her lover because of a secret meet: ing which he in reality forced upon them. His high mightness disgusted me when I called on him; and the more [ think of it the worse I am disgusted. No wonder that Lily does not care to visit him. What daughter could honor and respect such a father?” ** Now ye’r’ a-talkin’!” said the Tom-cat, break- ing silence for the first time since Molly’s de- parture. Paice looked up, as if recalled by the words, ‘* We will have our hands full of work for the next few days. IL suppose, Tom-cat, you are sufficiently rested to take the trail again?” ‘* Some more o’ the sbadder bizness, eh?’ with an impatient shrug. “Why I thought you rather liked it.” Brentwood laughed at sight of the cowboy’s gruesome face. ‘*Not when it’s chasin’ a steam engine like that air Hammond. That feller don’t give his- self any rest, sca’cely. An’ as fer sleep, I don’t believe he takes two good winks in a week.” “Well, (ll not ask you to follow Hammond this time. We must find out where Clifford Curtis is concealed. Somewhere in the moun- tains, I believe you said.” “*Them war the identical words,” ‘**The mountains cover a good deal of terri- tory in this corner of the planet, so the trail is not a very plain one up to that point. ‘The only instructions [ can give you will be eneral, If Clifford Curtis is held somewhere in the mountains there is some sort of commu- nication kept up between the gang that is de- taining him and the members of the Silver Cir- cle here, “That is proven by Hammond’s statement that Fighting Fred was in from the mountains with a report.” ‘“*Them war the identical words!” the Tom- cat again asserted, solemnly. ‘Then I think your first movement should be to hunt up this Fighting Fred, as they call him. When you have once found him, don’t lose sight of him a minute until you have trailed him to this lair in the mountains,” “*T kin do it!” asserted the cowboy. ‘ He'll have to be a cross atween a weasel an’ a bird ef he slips away from me after I onc’t clap my peepers onto him.” **T can trust you to do the work correctly!” said Brentwood, with an approving smile. ‘** Now, of course, you can’t be in every place at once!” ‘* He kin come as nigh it as the next ’un!” de- clared Mitchell, who had until now, been a silent listener. ‘““Yes; but noone can do that! Our friend, Mitchell here, can assist you in keeping a look- out for Fighting Fred. And Reke Tanner could also give you valuable aid.” **Thet we kin!” cried Mitchell, emphasizing the statement by a stamp of his heavy boot. ‘*Then we will consider that part of the pro- gramme settled. I will give all the help I can, and may even find time to assist iu trailing the wi’ ' into the mountains. ** My especial work, however, must be to add fuel to the fire that Iam trying to kindle here in Silver City. “*T already have some of the best men in the town on my side. Not one of them will lift a finger to aid the Gold King, but they are all willing to stand by the Gold King’s daughter in a fight for her own. Tom-cat and Pard. “Tam adding converts to my theory every day; and like a rolling snowball the movement gathers bulk and force at each revolution, ‘““T want to organize a company of deter- mined men, men of fighting caliber, that I can pit successfully against any force Hammond may bring into the field. ‘*T want to do this, and doit quickly for two reasons. “The first is that Edgerton’s trial for murder will not occur for more than two months; and 1 believe that Hammond will grow desperate before that time and storm the jail with a mob. If he does I must be ready to meet force with force. ‘““The second reason is that if it becomes known that I am gaining strong and influential backers, it will have a tendency to awe and hold in check the turbulent scamps who would otherwise flock to Hammond’s stand- ard for the sake of the plunder to be gained thereby. “In my rounds to-day I discovered that Ham- mond rather lost his grip last night by his ac- tions at the mine buildings.” ‘* How’s that?” Mitchell questioned, ‘* He showed his hand too plainly! Peopleare not all fools, by a good deal, and his pretenses were altogether too transparent. There are not many skulls so thick, but that an inkling of the truth worked its way through them. ‘**The town is like a tinder-box, now. The least spark is liable to start a conflagration that could only be quenched in blood. There are rumors and counter rumors; and nothing is too marvelous to be believed. ““So, you see, I have to work carefully. I don’t want to precipitate a conflict, for 1 find that Hammond has hosts of adherents, And they are generally desperate men. All I want to do is to keep his men cowed into a semblance of submission, until Clifford Curtis can be pro- duced. ‘‘ That will relieve Edgerton of the charge of murder; and when that is done, I believe Ham- mond will acknowledge himself whipped and give up the fight.” ‘*T hope so!” said the old man with a sigh, for the troubles of his friends pressed him sorely. ‘“*Hyer comes Miss Molly!” announced the Tom-cat. His eyes had scarcely left the trail a moment during the entire time of her absence. ** Hookey, I’m glad of it, fer I’m holler plum down to the heels o’ my boots. I reckon, too, that that little angel over yender’s a-feelin’ some’at better by reason o’ the good news Molly brung her,” Molly came in, flushed and heated by her rapid walk. ‘** Oh, father!” she exclaimed, as she began to clatter among the dishes. ‘It would have done our heart good to have seen Lily when I told er that Cliff was certainly alive!’ ‘* No doubt! no doubt!” said the simple-hearted miner, slowly knocking tie ashes from his pipe into the palm of his hand. ‘‘Sech news is enough to make anybody feel ruther spry and chipper!” CHAPTER XIII. A MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE, y Ox, Miss Molly! Oh, my dear missus! Oh! i] 0 A fat negress waddled hastily up the path leading to the Mitchell residence. She was frightened and excited, and sbe alternately clasped her pudgy hands and rolled her eyes heavenward, while from her lips issued a series of moans, broken sentences and ejaculations, It was the morning of the second day after the conversation detailed in the last chapter. Molly Mitchell, good-natured and rosy as pegs was beginning preparations for break- ast. When she saw the hysterical negress rolling up the path, she dropped the tea-kettle with a thud that shook the house and threatened the destruction of that useful utensil. Then, heed- less of the flood of boiling water that gushed out onto the carpet, she rushed to the door to meet the panting woman. The negress was one of the Edgerton servants, and Molly divined at once that something start- ling had occurred. ““What’s the matter, Deely?” she asked, as the negress puffed and panted up the path, ‘Oh, Miss Molly! Oh, my missus! Oh! Oh! Dis am a drefful country! was nebber done to’ up so in my life afo’! May de Good Master sabe us!” She sunk down in the doorway, wringing her hands and moaning piteously. ‘*Can’t you tell what’s the matter?” Molly de- manded, giving her a half-angry shake. “ Has mes Ny ned to Lily?” “Oh, Miss Molly, she’s done gone!” ** Gone?” ‘6- Yes, Miss Molly. W'enI done clambed up to ’er sleepin’-room ’w’ile ergo she was done gone! Oh, oh! May de Lawd presarb us!” The negress commenced to rock herself to and fro, in the desolation of her distress, and Molly saw that it would be a waste of precious time te attempt to extract further information from her. No other person was in the house except John Mitchell, who was snoring soundly, utterly oblivious of all earthly trials and tribulations. The thud of the falling tea-kettle and the ex- cited conversation had not in the least disturbed im, ‘Tt would take an earthquake to wake father up,” Molly exclaimed, as she ran to the door of his sleeping-room and commenced to pound on it, at the same time shouting at the top of her voice. “Eh, eh? Whatis it? Another fire?” John Mitchell sat up so quickly that he al- most rolled out of bed; and then began hur- riedly to dress before he fairly comprehended who it was that was calling to him. When he came out of the room Molly was. again laboring with the fat negress, vainly try- ing to extract some further bits of information, ‘Lily was not in her room this morning when Deely went to call ber!” said Molly, turn- ing to her father. ‘‘ I’m afraid something awful has happened. ‘“T’m going over there now, and will you hunt up Mr. Brentwood and the Tom-cat and send them there just as quick’s you ever can? They were out all night last night.” She threw a shawl about her shoulders, clapped a sun-hat on her head, and darted away without waiting to see that her requests were carried out. ‘‘ Better hustle over there,” said Mitchell, to the moaning negress, ‘‘Mebbe Molly’ll want ye fer somethin’. “Sides, I’m goin’ to lock up the house now and go over into town.” ‘“*Oh, oh! Marse Mitchell, do you reckon Miss Lily’s dead, er been toted away?” ‘‘Carried off, I cale’late,” replied Mitchell, buckling on his cartridge-belt. Then he locked the door, and the negress wad- dled slowly homeward, moaning and wringing her hands. When Molly reached the home of the Edger- tons she found the greatest confusion prevail- ing. The servants were doing little save rush- ing from room to room in a wiid and distracted search, They had covered the same territory a half.dozen times already, and were now egain peering into every little nook and cranny where a cat could searcely find concealment. One of them bad tried to convey the startling news to the Gold King, but had been refused admittance to the jail; hence, now, they scarce- ly knew what to do, “Oh, Miss Molly,” one of them exclaimed, coming quickly forward. ‘I’m so glad ycu’ve come, We're jist that tore up that we’re a’most crazy.” Without stopping to ask many questions, Molly requested to be led to Lily’s room. The snowy bed was undisturbed, showing that it had not been occupied the preceding night. Nothing indicated that any violent struggle had taken place. The window was open, and the cool air from the mountains toyed with the cur- tains. Everything bore the sign of peace and quietude. ‘““Was the window open that way?’ Molly asked, of the huddling group of servarts that had followed her. “ Jist that way when we first come to the room this mornin’!” was the answer. ‘‘ Miss Lily was seen a-settin’ there, with the winder open and her head ries forrard on the win- der-sill, on’y a little while afore we went to bed las’ night. An’ that’s the last we ever seen of her.” A knock at the front door was followed by the entrance of Mitchell, Brentwood and the Tom-cat. Without ceremony they came up to Lily Edgerton’s sleeping apartment, ““Rether startling news!” was Brentwood’s greeting, a serious look on his earnest face. Then he proceeded to question the servants; eliciting at first only the information detailed. Then a question accidentally developed the fact that Lily bad had a caller the previous day, and that the caller was none other than Ham- mond. ‘You are sure the fellow was Hank Ham- mond, the gambler?” “It’s the feller that’s took possession of the —————_-—— ee
Page 11
mine, anyway!” was the reply. ‘I mightn’t ’a’? knowed himif I hadn’t ’a’ seen him down there the other day.” ‘**Then we need not look further to find the author of this mysterious disappearance!” said the detective, his active mind leaping at once to a theory. * Does any one know why he visited the young lady?” None of the servants could even hazard a guess, ‘* Of course I cannot be positive, but I believe I can see through the scoundrel’s little game!” said Brentwood, taking our friends to one side for the purpose of discussing the situation. ‘“‘The death of the Gold King will leave no one between Hammond and the fortune he cov- ets except Lily Edgerton. Now the probabili- ties are that he came here yesterday to see how her misfortunes had affected her, and to ascer- tain whether or not she is likely to sink under the weight of misery he has been assisting to heap upon her. ‘* Finding her bearing up more buoyantly than he expected, he determined to abduct her and hold her a prisoner until after her father’s death, and probably for an indefinite time. Possibly a letter will be sent back from some Eastern city, stating that she has left the coun- try of her own accord. ‘*When the Gold King is hanged, as he will be if Clifford Curtis is not produced, Hammond will dispose of bis alleged rights in the Edgerton Mine, or at least manage in some way to enrich himself and his followers out of it. Then they will release Lily Edgerton and permit her to re- turn to a broken home and a shattered inher- itance. It is one of the moat diabolical plots I have ever run across in all my detective experi- ence!’ ‘*They went out this way!” the Tom-cat an- nounced. He had his head thrust out of the window, and had been closely examining the ground be- low and the outside of the building, **Thar’s a ravelin’ 0’ rope a-stickin’ onto that stun; and thar’s footprints below as plain as ef a steer bad bten trompin’ around.” Brentwood came at once to the window and ran his eyes over the tell-tale signs, “You are right, Tom-cat! I thought they had gone out that way.” A few threads of grass-rope clung to a shar projection just below the window-ledge. ‘A rope had evidently passed over that projection; and the friction had worn the threads loose and detached them, “They came in and went out of this window by means of a rope!” said the detective. ‘‘ Let’s go below. Perhaps we may learn soinething from the foot-marks.” He hurried down with the Tom-cat, and they soon stood in the yard beneath the window. The imprints of feet were not very plain; al- though the cowboy had asserted that it looked as if a steer had been “‘ trompin’” around. But then the Tom-cat was used to deciphering such indications, and his eyes were trained to detect and understand the slightest depressions in the surface of the soil. Many a time had he followed a herd of stampeding cattle through the inky blackness of a stormy night by occa- sionally dismounting and feeling about on the prairie with his fingers. ‘“¢Thar was two o’ the skunks mixed up in this thing!” he said, kneeling and closely scrutiniz- ing the tell-tale signs. ** Hyer’s where they tromped around. Hyer’s where they come in toward the house; and hyer’s where they went back. Now, ef you'll look ruther.clost, you kin see that when they come in they wasn’t carryin’ nothin’ hefty, Their boot-heels didn’t sink into the s’ile, sca’ce- ly. When they went back one on’em had a load; fer his boot-heels cut into the grass nearly ahalfaninch. That load c’u’dn’t’a’ been any- body ’cept Miss Edgerton!” Brentwood could see the marks clearly, and the differences in the depressions, now that they were pointed out by the cowboy, and he knew that the reasoning was correct. “Do you think you can follow them?’ he asked. “Depends!” said the Tom-cat.. “Ef they tuck to the street where it’s beat down an’ pack- ed, and where grass jest can’t grow, then I couldn’t foller. Ef they tuck to a traveled trail, I mou’t do somethin’ by watchin’ the p’int at which they left it; that is, s’\posin’ they sh’u’d leave it at all. Ef they tuck to the mesa er the mountain I’d have as easy a thing as ’d want, barrin’ water and rocky places.” “Then follow that trail!” said Brentwood, earnestly. ‘Take a horse if you needit. If it a nn eee aE nnn Tan nnn SIE ESE ESER Un ne Tom-cat and Pard. leads to the open country, come back, and we will join you in force. “They have carried Lily Edgerton to their mountain lair, probably—wherever it is. sighted Fighting Fred awhile ago, and I’ll put a shadow after him. I will proceed to get things in readiness for a prompt movement, should you find the trail an open one.” Without further words, the Tom-cat glided away through the shrubbery; and Brentwood turned back into the house to inform Jobn and Molly Mitchell of the extent of their discoveries ae the movements which would probably fol- ow. CHAPTER XIV. A VILLAINOUS DEED, “'Wr'p better take to the river here, my good Pedro! Our excellent friend, the detec- tive, and that delightfully original fellow, the Texas Tom-cat, will be after us, hot-footed, in a few hours, ‘“* We're the boys, Pedro clever work to be done. T think we managed this little trick to perfection. Now we must see that we cover our tracks with equal skill. ‘¢ When her ladyship revives—which she will not do for some time, however, thanks to the potency of that drugged handkerchief—we must be a good many miles away. Then if she wants to wail ber woes to the rocky wilderness, why, let her wail!” Bonanza Bill laughed a short, hard leugh, that had in it very httle merriment, but a great deal of malicious triumph. Pedro, the Mexican, bore the senseless form of Lily Edgerton in his strong and sinewy arms. They had halted on the banks of the little mountain stream, a short distance below the Edgerton Mine buildings. From beneath a collection of drift, Bonanza Bill drew a broad, flat-bottomed boat; and in it Pedro deposited his burden, “Take the steering paddle, Pedro!” drawled the scoffing villain, seating himself lazily in the prow. ‘‘ The current will carry us as fastas we will care to go, and you're better with a blade of any kind than I am.” Pedro showed his teeth in acknowledgment of the compliment and took the place assigned him. The boat swung out into the stream, was caught by the arrowy current aud tossed onward with feathery fleetness. The gray dawn had not yet touched the leaden Eastern skies when they concealed the boat at a point some ten miles below Silver City, and struck off into the mountains, When Pedro again lifted Lily Edgerton in his sinewy arms, she showed signs of returning consciousness. She sighed lightly, her eyelids fluttered, and a little later she opened her eyes. ‘So, her ladyship is coming back from the land of bright visions and sweet dreams! The land ruled over by the ‘Sand Man’ of our youthful story-books, you know. I hope she'll enjoy the change from fancy to reality; but I doubt it.” : That mocking, cruel voice fell on Lily Edger- ton’s waking ears like the knell of doom, she lifted her head, with a startled cry, and attempted to struggle from Pedro’s grasp. ‘‘ No use, my dear,” said Bonanza Bill, bow- ing low, as her gaze fell upon bim. ‘‘ We rev- erence women as we reverence angels; but we couldn’t let even an angel go, under the present circumstances. Eh, Pedro?” His big, black eyes burned with an evil light, and that cruel sneer seemed to transform him into the semblance of a mocking fiend. ‘‘ Tt’s bitter as medicine, no doubt; but medi- cine must be taken sometimes. We have our orders, and our account at the banker’s would be seriously curtailed if we failed to carry them out. So, you see, my dear, how it is yourself,” Lily shuddered with fear and disgust, but she was determined to know their designs and des- tination. ‘* Where are you taking me?” she asked, ceas- ing her ineffectual struggles. “Just on a little pleasure jaunt into the mountains, where we can keep you safely until we mutually tire of each other’s society. We feared you might not come willingly, so we were sufficiently ungallant to bring you, with- out sO much as saying, ‘By your leave.’ But our intentions are good; and we know your kind heart will not allow you to entertain ill- feeling toward any one.” Pedro had grown tired of bis burden; and thinking he migbt safely rest until his superior got through talking, he placed the girl upon her feet in front of a large rock, and coolly sat when there’s any st ¢ As might have been expected, Lily, freed from. the restraining arms, made a heedless dash for liberty. Bonanza Bill caught her and jerked her backward with a force and harshness that con- trasted sharply with the general smoothness of his words and manner. ‘ *¢ Move on with her, Pedro!” he commanded, Then, dropping back into his customary ban- ‘“‘We shall have to insist on the pleasure of your company for the remainder of our jour- ney, my dear Miss Edgerton. Sorry to disap- point you, but you would have found the way quite rough and stony: much rougher and stonier than the trail we are now following.” Pedro staggered on with his burden for an- other half-mile. Then they reached a sort of’ cul de sac, thickly set and screened with bushes. Into this the trail vanished. ‘Now, you can walk!” said Pedro, again: placing her upon her feet. ‘‘ You can’t get out. of this pocket unless you fly!” ‘‘ Which, with all her angelic graces and ac- complishments, she can’t do, Pedro! Vil wager my interest in the estate hack yonder on that!””’ “What do you intend todo with me?” cried Lily, driven, frantic by the terrors of her situa- tion. ‘‘ Help! Help! Ob, won’t some one come to help me!” The cries were answered by an evil-faced man, who poked his head through the fringe of bushes and then advanced, greeting Bonanza Bill servilely. ‘¢ What's up, boss? Bringin’ another bird fer the cage?” Lily caught at’ the suggestion conveyed by the last question. Was it possible that Cliff was in the gloomy cavern to which she was being led? The thought gave her renewed hope; and. when she was left alone in a dark and solitary wing of the cave, she beat pay hem against the strong walls and shouted her lover’s name again and again, until she sunk down in utter ex- haustion, j For two days she was left there, without other companionship than thet of the squeaking and fluttering bats. So great was her fright and terror that she feared her brain was giving way. Each morning, the heavy door that barred her from the outer world grated upon its hinges and a hand conveying water and food was: thrust through the opening. Day and night were very much alike to her. The grayish gloom of the one changed into the inky blackness of the other, and the ghoul-like bats squeaked and fluttered their leathery wings more horribly; that was all, On the evening of the second day, the heavy door was flung open and Hammond strode in. His face was flushed and angry; and he seemed. to be consuming his strength with impotent rage. ‘Of course you know that I had you brought here, Miss Edgerton!” he said abruptly. ‘* And no doubt, you have surmised that it was not done without a purpose. I intend you no harm, and pledge youmy honor that no Laven shall be done you!” There was a suggestive emphasis on the last word that Lily could not fail to note. “Tf you had signed that paper I presented to you the other day there would have been none of this, I would also have secured your father’s. release.” : “T could not sign away my claims to the Edgerton Mine on the bare promise of any man!” she said, retreating slowly before his angry gaze, “Wery well! We will see if there is not a way to make you. Bring him in here, Pedro!” The Mexican instantly obeyed by driving into the half-lighted apartment, Lily’s lover, Clifford Curtis. One arm was suspended in a sling; the other was bound to his back; and the noose of Pedro’s lariat was about his neck, With a wild, convulsive cry, Lily sprung for- ward and fell upon bis neck, embracing him and sobbing as if her heart would break. Curtis could only stoop forward and press his lips to her cheeks and endeavor to murmur some words of hope and consolation. ‘*Oh, Cliff!” she cried, ‘‘and are you really alive and before me?” ‘Yes; but he will not be long, unless ron do what I say!” Hammond exclaimed harshly. ‘“‘T suppose I may witness this little drama” said Bonanza Bill, slipping through the door, which had been left wide open. “Yes; and you may tell the rest of the boys: to come in!” replied the chief. ‘Curtis is a. down before her. little heavy.” \ : sss iG } > yall a. ¢ DS “y % ; my . aad oe ‘ 4 we : Hh amt Sain, ? ie ind ’ we Poin vo 5 h 20) Py My es } ie aaa ea lt a 3 Nea 4
Page 12
12 **Now, Miss Edgerton!” turning again to the “trembling girl, as the men filedin, ‘‘On your own action depends the life of Clifford Curtis, If you will sign this paper, I will release both youand him. If not, I will hang him to the brace you see ahove you.” ‘**Oh, no, no!” cried the unhappy girl, striving to slip the noose from her lover’s neck. “Here is the paper!” producing it and at the ‘same time stamping the ground angrily. ‘‘ And here are pen andink, Sign and you can both go.” ‘He is lying!” whispered Curtis. ‘‘ I can see it in his eyes, He will not dare to hang me,” ‘Will you sign it or not?” shouted the en- raged chief, ‘“‘Tcau answer for her!” said Curtis, hotly. “*She will not!” ‘* Up with the dog!” screamed Hammond, his veyes blazing, ‘‘ We'll choke that black tongue out of him,” “Tt’s to beacase of suspended animation I see!” said Bonanza, coolly, as Pedro tossed the nd of the rope over the beam, Lily gave a scream of fright and clung con- ~vulsively to her lover, as the rope tightened and the was drawn slowly upward. CHAPTER XV. BETRAYED BY A DOG. WueEn Brentwood walked into Silver City, ‘that morning, after starting the Tom-cat on the trail of y Edgerton’s abductors, almost the first men he saw were Hank Hammond and Fighting Fred. The sight of the former quite upset his cal- culations; for he had felt certain Hammond was cne of the men who had carried Lily Edger- ‘ton away. They were passing into a saloon; and the de- ‘tectives stepped into a building opposite for the purpose of watching their movements, ‘“*Tf Hammond had any hand in the affair, “then Miss Edgerton is concealed somewhere in or near Silver City. Probably the abauction was the work of subordinate acting under his instructions. ‘““Any way, Fighting Fred has not yet re- turned to their mountain lair; and I don’t think time will be lost by shadowing them. The task will be easy, if they stick together. 1f they separate!” 1s eyes roved up and down the street, as if in quast of some one. ** Hello, there’s Reke Tanner!” The miner was strolling leisurely along and soon came in front of the window behind which the detective had ensconced himself, An almost imperceptible tap on the glass “caused Tanner to look around. He could see no one; but was shrewd enough ‘to conceal his surprise and walk carelessly into the store. “Oh, it’s you, is it?’ as he caught sight of Brentwood. ‘‘I knowed in reason somebody wanted me to come in hyer, fer that tap didn’t sound like ’twas made by acks’dent!” ‘*Get in behind here!” ordered Brentwood, motioning bim toa seat. ‘‘ We want to see and not be seen, just now. Could you do a little piece of work in the interest of the Gold King’s -daughter?” “You may jest bet I c’u’d!” Tanner replied, earnestly, Then the detective told him of Lily Edgerton’s abducticon—at which news bis astonishment and anger were unbounded, ‘Hammond and Fighting Fred went into “that saloon a little while ago, and I stepped in here to watch them; they must be followed. ‘One man can’t do the work, for the chances are that they will separate. Now I want you to keep the fighting gentleman in sight all day, and all night, if necessary. I? be holes per- manently, report at once to Molly Mitchell. ‘* { will shadow the king-pin of these gentry, cand if he throws me off the scent he will be shrewder than I think he is,” The pair came out of the saloon at that mo- ment, and separated, as the detective had feared ‘they would. Hammond walked rapidly up the ‘street, and Fighting Fred strolled leisurely away in the other direction, ‘* Remember -my instructions!” whispered ‘Brentwood. ‘ Don’t let him escape you!” Tben he stepped into the street and com- menced his silent and relentless chase after the «chief of the Silver Circle. Hammond seemed to have a great deal of “business to transact that day. He visited every ‘saloon and gambling resort in the town; and “tramped about as tireless as an antomaton. Tom-cat and Pard. But he could not exhaust the earnest and de- ae iat man who hung so persistently at his eels, ‘“* He is evidently rallying his men for some movement!” mused Brentwoed, as he pretended toexamine an array of articles hanging ina show-window, while covertly watching Ham- mond, who was conversing with some cronies a block away. ‘I don’t seem to be making much progress toward the discovery of Lily Edgerton; ut I will have to trust to Tom-cat for that. He is a regular bloodhound, on the trail. This Hammond evidently needs watching, and I must stay with him.” Along in the afternoon Hammond went to his rooms, doubtless to obtain needed rest and sleep. He did not emerge until after dark; when Brent- wood again commenced his persistent dogging, Just before midnight, the chief of the Silver Circle left the town and started for the Edger- ton Mine buildings. One of these he entered; and Brentwood, who was not far in his reur, crept up to the wall, in a listening attitude. he low hum of voices and subdued shuffling of feet showed that the night-hawks owning Hammond’s sway, had gathered in force, They were in a dimly-lighted inner room, which Brentwood found it impossible to reach without imminent danger of discovery. Profit- ing by their previous experience they had senti- nels posted in every room and hall in anyway connected with, or leading to this inner apart- ment. Evidently they did not intend to be caught napping a second time. Twice Brentwood circled the house, with cat- like steps, seeking an unguarded opening. Then he stooped down and began an examination of the foundation. This promised better results, Near the front steps he found a hole which a dog had evident] burrowed in chase of arabbit. By alittle ork he enlarged this, and crept under the house. The hum of voices and shuffling of feet direct- ed him; and he was soon beneath the room occu- pied by Hammond and his followers, He had scarcely settled himself comfortably when the humming and shuffling ceased. Ham- mond was rising to speak. ‘“‘Our good friend, Brentwood, endeavors to stick closer to us than a brother!” said the sil- ver chief, with an attempt at grim pleasantry. **T discovered that he was following me this afternoon. I gave him the shake to-night, how- ever, and he is now, no doubt, stumbling around the alleys of Silver City and improving his tem- per by barking his sbins.” A hearty laugh followed the statement. ‘**’m glad you think so,” Brentwood smilingly mused, ‘*T was shaddered, too, boss!” said a rough and heavy voice. ** Fighting Fred!” gasped the detective. ‘* Then Tanner must be not far off,” ‘Ole Reke Tanner ’tempted the spotter biz- ness with me—to his sorrer!” “You didn’t kill him?’ Hammond eagerly sked. ‘““N6!” with a grating laugh. “I wouldn't be idjit enough to go fer todo that. But I jest laid fer the ole fool, anc when he come up I give’im a love-tap that keeled ’im over. Fe ain’t hurt, he ain’t, Tanner’s got a head like a billy-goat. He’ll have a lump onto it, though, *bout the size o”a goose-egg, er my name ain’t Fred’rick!” ‘So Tanner’s out of the chase!” Brentwood muttered. ‘“*’m afraid we're making progress backward, like a crawfish,” autiaion Hammond. ‘ I’ve commenced a game, though, that I think will pull us through, “You know we’ve got this property, and only Lily Edgerton stands in the way of our holding it. I’m negotiating now with a fellow who is willing to come in as an ‘innocent purchaser? and take it off our hands. That will at least throw the matter into the courts, for our ‘inno- cent purchaser ’ will of course make a big battle for his own, ‘* The Gold King’s trial will be postponed for another two months, I understand. Probably it will be put off longer. ‘*Now, I am afraid this detective will have some kind of action instituted in favor of the daughter. That might reveal everything. “To prevent that, I visited Miss Edgerton and tried to get her to transfer her rights to me, under threats. The threats didn’t work, and I had her carried away. ‘*T intend to circulate the report that she bas left the country, and will also, if possible, secure papers and letters from her, confirming my statements and claims, “She is now at the cave, andI propose to wring these from her by threatening the life of Cliff Curtis. “That will head off this bloodhound, I’m thinking. With Miss Edgerton absent and papers in my hands, the genuineness of which none can deny, showing a voluntary release and transfer to me for a valuable corsideration of all her rights and interests, Brentwood will find himself powerless.” ‘*But what ef she won’t sign ’em, boss?” queried Fighting Fred. **Then we'll remove her from our path!” The cold-blooded heartlessness with which this was uttered caused even Brentwood’s iron nerves to quiver, ‘““We must hold this property by hook or crook for at least six months. Then it will not be worth possessing. I am increasing the work- ing force. In that time we will skin the cream from the ore-bed. Run on credit, as far as we can. Increase the force to enable us to take out and dispose of two hundred thousand in bullion, Fight off suits for possession in the way I have indicated; and in six months’ time we can leave here with well-lined pockets.” Fighting Fred now got on his feet and backed up his chief with a speech ina similar strain, Then every man in the room, almost, had to un- burden himself of his ideas and opinions; and it was long past midnight when an adjournment was proposed, One of the men was accompanied by a litte dog, which had for some time been sniffing sus- piciously about the room, When they filed out of the building this do darted to the hole by the side of the steps an set up a furious barking. ‘Hello! exclaimed Hammond. ‘There seems to be something under there.” Then with a flash of suspicion: “We'll have to investigate it. Maybe it’s Brentwood, or one of his infernal spies!” “Well, now, ef I don’t jest etarnally crack his neck, ef it is!” declared Fighting Fred, kneeling down and applying an eye to the aper- ture, “ CHAPTER XVI. A DIFFICULT TRAIL. THE Tom-cat experienced very little trouble in trailing Lily’s abductors as far as the river, They had made several twists and some at- tempts at concealment, but these did not worry or baffle the cowboy. When the river was reached, however, the trail abruptly ended. ‘“‘They’ve tuck to a boat!” said the Tom-cat, looking up and down and across the stream. ‘“*Might as well try to follera bird as a boat. But (Pll try it. A bird’s got to light some time, and a boat can’t go on allus ’thout touchin’ the shore,” Evidently his disgust was great. For some time he searched around in hopes of finding another skiff; for he ceuld see by the marks on the sand that a skiff had been used. There were a few boats stowed away in one of the mine buildings, as he knew from previous inspection. But the day shift of workmen were gathering, and he dared not attempt to pur- Join one, ‘*They’re jest a-layin’ there a-crackin’ their jints open in the sun!” he exclaimed pathetic- ally. ‘‘I don’t low, though, that the gen’leman what’s now a-runnin’ that instertution would loan me one, considerin’! ‘* Now the fellers that rustled this young heifer either went down the crick er acrost it. It’s tough pullin’? up-stream, an’ they could make faster time that way afoot.” He rolled a ee i log into the river, tied his re- volvers and cartridge-belt about his neck, seat- ed himself astride the log, and picked up a piece of plank to use as a paddle, ‘* Ef this craft turns under me, them weepins 11 be apt to hold my head down an’ my heels up!” he muttered, grimly. ‘‘ But, hang it, ve got to resk somethin’, Can’t snoop aroun’ hyer all day.” He pushed his ungainly craft into the stream and commenced to work it slowly across. Then the swift current caught it, and be had all he could do to keep his position and prevent the log from rolling, More than once he thought he would be com- pelled to abandon it, together with his weapons, and swim for the nearest shore, By almost superbuman exertions he at last freed it from the suction of the arrowy center and drove it into the calmer waters near the further shore. But the torrent had carried him a long distance below the point at which he wished to land. On reaching the rocky bank be turned the log e — Se ny
Page 13
% ii \ ; —— —— adrift and scrambled out, carefully holding his weapons and cartridges high above his head. “Now lve got to walk back to the p’int I aimed fer!” he growled, ‘‘ They may have come straight acrost. Like enough they didn’t; but in this kind o’ bizness it won’t do to depend on guess-work,” It was a toilsome scramble back along the rocky and precipitous banks, He had drifted at least a half-mile down-stream, and every inch of the shore had to be closely scrutinized. The search revealed that the abductors had not landed anywhere along there, and he hur- ried back to his starting-point, ‘oTwar wimmin as fu’st fotched trouble into the world and they’re boun’ not to break the record!” he exclaimed, as he continued on down the stream. Then a reproachful pang shot through him as he recalled the fact that Molly was a woman. **Some wimmin!” he corrected. ‘‘ An’ come to think on’t I don’t know as it’s the wimmin’s fault, The Lord made’em han’some an’ purty an’ smart an’ put ’em iu the way o’ temptation an’ sich; an’ I don’t ‘low they kin rightly be held a’countable fer it, ‘* An’ chen there’s so many all-fired p’izen crit- ters goin’ around in the shape o’ men a-gittin’ the wimmen into trouble, an’ a-abductin’ of ’em an’ a-carryin’ ’em off, that it’s etarnally makin’ trouble fer the men as admires’em an’ tries to love ’em honest,” He pulled his catskin cap over his eyes, as if to shut out these disagreeable thoughts, and picked his way slowly »n down the stream, nar- rowly watching ever wave-washed pebble and every bit of shifting and, The way was so coughand difficult that it took him until mid-ufternoon to cover a distance of six miles. “*Tt may be that they jest took to the crick to throw me off the trail,” he mused, as he eorpwed at a rocky bend to rest and think over the situa- tion. ‘‘P’raps they paddled aroun’ a little, then landed at the startin’-p’int and back-tracked it to town. "Twould be a ruther ’cute trick, an’ li’ble to fool the best o’ em, “*T don’t know asI need to worry ‘bout that, though, long’s Brentwood’s foreman o’ that eend o’ the round-up, Ef they’re a-roostin’ some’eres in the town an’ he can’t diskiver ’em, ’twouldn’t be much use fer me to try. ‘He said to come back an’ report when I found anything; but I ain’t found nothin’ yit.” A little further down-stream he discovered an abandoned and leaky boat. ** Jest the thing,” he cried, freeing it from the drift in which it had lodged. ‘‘ I’ve been fig- erin’ on gittin’ back acrost this dratted branch or some sime, Mebbe them abducticators landed on the same side they come inat. Ef they did, I want to know it afore goin’ any fur- der down this-a-way.” The boat was so rotten and leaky that it seemed tempting fate to trust one’s self in it. But the Tom-cat was a ong ed reckless character, when it Sipeared that anything might be gained by recklessness. So he pushed the boat into the rapid river, using a piece of drift for a paddle, and turned the prow boldly toward the cevter of the cur- rent. Tho water poured in through the crevices in threatening torrents, but he worked heroi- cally at the paddle, and succeeded in landing the leaky craft, when it seemed just on the point of sinking. ‘“°Twar better than a log, anyhow,” he ex- claimed, leaping out and dragging the nose of the boat up on the sand, ‘Tl throw a stun in it to ep it from floatin’ away, an’ let it lay there tell it soaksits sides together. Nobody kin see it in this bend, onless they come huntin’ fur it on purpose.” Having thus anchored the boat to his satisfac- tion, he proceeded up the river, closely scan- ning every little nook and bend where a boat could by any possibility have been landed. Night found him thus engaged, and forced him to forego the completion of the task until morning. The next day he finished his search up the river, without discovering anything; and then traced his way to the boat, As he had anticipated the soaking had closed its joints and seams and it was now, in spite of its Speite timbers, quite a safe and navigable cra Crossing init to the other side, he weighted it again with a stone and continued on down the river. So much time had been lost in the futile search up the stream that it was now, past noon, While thus plodding on, he was_startled by seeing a light boat shoot past him. It contained Tom-cat and Pard. Hank Hammond, and he was using a pair of oars to assist the rapid current. The Tom-cat could scarcely repress an ex- clamation of surprise. Hammond had not seen him; and he sunk noiselessly out of sight behind a rock, The silver chief seemed only intent on urging his light craft down the stream at as rapid a rate as possible; and looted neither to the right nor to the left. ‘* Whoop! Mariar!” The Tom-cat could not restrain these subdued notes of exultation, ‘*Tt’s the ole king-pin hisself. He’s a-goin’ to that ’air hole in the mountains, wharever it is; an’ I’m goin’ along er bu’st!” He hurried after the boat at a surprising rate of speed, considering the difficulties of the way. Of course he could not keep up with the flying skiff; but he managed to hold it in view by making an occasional survey of its position from some rocky prominence. esse cago esaw Hammond head in toward snore, Knowing that he intended to land, the cow- boy broke into x wild run that hrought him again in sight of Hammond, just as the latter was lifting the boat from the water for the pur- pose of concealing it. When he struck off into the hills the cowboy was hanging to his trail with the persistency of a bloodbound. A forty minutes’ scramble brought them to the cavern, hid away in the busy and lonely cul de sac, Into this pocket the cowboy dared not venture until the kindly twilight brought its protection and shelter, Then he crept forward, penetrated the fringe of bushes and crawled slowly through the mouth of the cave. The cave seemed a net-work of passages branching off from one central chamber; and the Tom-cat was af’a loss how to proceed until the sound of voices guided him, Crawling into the from which the voices came, the light of the declining sun as it sifted in grayly and faintly through some far- away rifts, revealed a startling ‘tacle. Hammond and his band of miscreants were gathered about Lily Edgerton and her lover; and the latter was being drawn slowly upward by the tightening lariat. Flesh and blood could not stand it,. At least not such flesh and blood as the Tom-cat boasted. His revolver was in his hand instantly, A bullet cut the rope above the head of the gasp- ing man; and, with a series of screeches that would have done credit to a tribe of wildcats, he bounded into the chamber. CHAPTER XVII. TIMELY AID, WHEN Fighting Fred peered under the build- ing, Brentwood s ielded his eyes so that their shining might not betray him. ‘*Don’t see nothin’!” said the burly rascal. ‘* Must be a badger er a rabbit.” As the ig Fsiclams tn its anxious whining and scratching, Hammond urged his subbordinate to crawl under the building and investigate the matter, This v ighting Fred readily agreed to, for he really believed that some animal had sought refuge under the house. Bold and reckless as he always was, he would not have risked his life by crawling thus upon a concealed enemy. Brentwood almost held his breath when he saw the man place a gleaming knife in his teeth and crawl slowly into the opening. His only safety lay in inducing a continuance of the belief; so he wriggled softly behind the protecting foundation of the chimney, poked his head around the corner and glared at the in- truder, “T see it!” shouted Fighting Fred, catching the luminous skine of the detective’s eyes in the gloom, “It’s some kind o’ a varmint.” Nevertheless, to make sure, he continued his advance toward the chimney, shifting the knife from his teeth to his right hand. When the creeping man reached the base of the. chimney, Brentwood, fearing be would be discovered if he allowed the fellow to come fur- ther, gave utterance to the deep and threatening growl of a badger. ‘“‘Nothin’ but a durned badger, jest as I thought!” Fighting Fred cried in disgust, back- ing away from the dangerous locality. ‘I don’t keer about havin’ my eyes scratched out by. A il any furder.” mmond and the men outside had also heard the threatening growl, and were fully convinced of its genuineness. ee - - 13: “ We're after bigger game than that!” averred! Hammond, laughing. ‘‘ Come on out.” Brentwood breathed freer as the investigator~ began a retrograde movement that soon carried him from beneath the building. Nevertheless, he did not move until long after the sounds of’ retreating footsteps had died away. Then he ventured to the opening. After con- vincing himself that the place was deserted, he crept forth. ‘Matters are shaping so that no further de- lay is allowable!” he argued, as he slipped away in the darkness. ‘I must strike at once!” He went direct to John Mitchell's and aroused the family by a series of vigorous raps. “Get ready to go with me, Mitchell!” he or- dered, as the old miner came to the door. Then he hastily explained the situation, and: told of the discoveries of the night. ““We must find this mountain retreat without: further loss of time. Murder may result if the matter is delayed too long. The Tom-cat hasn’t. returned, and we will be forced to act without: him, Molly plied him with questions and sugges- tions; and considerable time elapsed before the» detective and the miner left the house, “Those scamps of the Silver Circle went om into town,” explained Brentwood, as they pro- ceeded up the trail, ‘‘and the chances are that we will find some of them hanging around the saloons and gambling-house. My plan is to cap- ture one of them, and compel him to lead us to this mountain stronghold.” ‘‘ The very idee!” assented Mitchell, enthusi- astically. As anticipated, Hammond’s men were found, pretty well distributed among the drinking and gambling dens. Concealing themselves in a dark alley near one of these, they patiently waited for some member of the Silver Circle to make his ap- pearance, Many men passed in and out, but not the ones: they wanted, For more than an hour they stood there, silent and almost motionless. Then. a low-browed individual, with rascal and thief marked all over his repulsive features, came out upon the pavement and turned up the street toward them. All unsuspecting he advanced, passed into the bar of gloom that marked the mouth of the alley, then sunk down in a senseless heap as. suddenly as if stricken by a thunderbolt. The detective had leaped forward and dealt: the fellow a blow on the head that had stunned him into immediate insensibility. “Rather rough ‘treatment!” he said, half-: regretfully, as he bent over the prostrate form. ut, I[had to doit. It was the only way to keep him from giving analarm. He’s not hurt: seriously, and will be as lively asever in the course of a few minutes. Bear a hand, Mitch- ell, and let’s carry him back. Some of his pals may follow him and discover us,” Lifting him between them they bore hin» poy up the alley. **Hello! He’s comin’ to!” cried Mitchell almost dropping the man, as a groan escaped: the fellows lips, ‘“*T knew he would come around pre soon |” Brentwood replied, laughing at the old miner’s. startled cry. ‘‘I gave bim quite a little tap, but these gentry generally have heads like iron, Tie his hands and feet, and we'll wait till he revives,” They had lowered the man to the ground while the detective was speaking; and as soom as the cords were ig al secured and knotted, the detective seated himself in front of their prisoner. At the same time he produced a revolver and held it menacingly at his head, After a few twists and groans, the rascal opened his eyes and tried tositup, The light in the alley was sufficient to reveal the man be- fore him and the threatening revolver. “Arrah, now! Phat do yees be meanin’ by this outhrage?” he spluttered. “Go slow, Mulligan!” warned the detective, thrusting the cold muzzle of the revolver almost into the fellow’s face, ‘‘If you raise that musi- cal voice above a whisper, I’)] pull trigger.” He recognized Brentwood, and cowered and whimpered like a whipped hound. “Tf you'll go along with us quietly, you'll not be hurt! You can walk, but if you try to run or make any outcry I’ll not be responsible for the con ences, ntie his legs, John!” Mitchell cast off the rope; and the Irishman ea to his feet when Brentwood gave the com— mand. “Now move on! Get out your revolver,. Mitchell, If he attempte a break we can’t both miss him,” ~
Page 14
14 These threats, and the fierce tone in which they were uttered, completely brcke the Irish- man’s spirit—which was exactly the thing the captor intended. *Oill go along as aisy as a kitten, av ye’ll on’y take them goons away from me h’id!” he pleaded, ‘¢ We'll not keep them pointed at your head, Mulligan, if you show that you’re disposed to act fair, but we'll hold them in our hands, cocked and ready. * Now, walk along! You know the way to John Mitchell’s house? When we get out of the alley turn into the trail that leads to it.” Mulligan waited for no further instruction, but shuffled along at a lively rate. He cast an appealing glance around, when the end of the alley was reached, but no aiding hand was near, and he turned quietly into the trail lead- ing to Mitchell’s, “Only a temporary guest!” assured Brent- wood, smiling, as Molly came to open the door “* We'll hustle him out of here before daylight.” ‘*Now, Mulligan,” he said, sternly, seating himself and motioning the Irishman to a chair opposite, ““I am going to ask you some ques- tions, and I warn you that I want only straight answers, *¢- You belong to Hammond’s band of thieves and cut-throats! Plain words, eh? But they're the trath!” ‘Dade, Misther Brentwood, an’ I—” ** You are one of Hammond’s men and I know ait. I heard all that was said and done at your meeting to-night.” Mulligan gave a start of surprise. ‘*T was the badger that Fighting Fred found under the house. So you see it’s no use to lie to me, Mulligan, for I know all about you and “your gang.” The detective saw that this blow wasa crusher for the Irishman sunk back m a limp heap and stared from face to face in helpless and bewil- dered amazement. “What I want you todois to lead me to Hammond’s secret retreat in the hills.” “ He would kill me for doin’ av that!” pro- tested the Irishman. ‘© And I'll kill you if you don’t. Come, where is the place? I haven’t much time to waste in asking questions, for it’s creeping along toward morning. If you don’t answer willingly, Pll “3 measures to force you to answer unwill- ingly. here was no mistaking the determined ring in the detective’s voice. ‘*Tt?s across the river, some ten or twelve moiles down, an’ out in the mount’ins!” Mulli- gan replied, doggedly ** Well, you'll have to lead usthere. If you take us astray—!” tapping his revolver signifi- cantly ‘Yo kin trust me!” declared Mulligan, fawn- ingly. ‘‘ Oi suppose yees’ll let me go, thin?” “ That depends altogether on how you act. If “you treat us fair, yes!” Then, turning to Mitchell: Tl] belp you with the fellow into the grove below the mine buildings, You'll not be dis- turbed there; and we'll tie him up, so that he ean play no tricks on you. I must get a dozen or two good men together as soon as I can,” Mulligan protested that he would not budge an inch, even if he was vot tied at all; but Brentwood did not care to trust him too far. Just as day was breaking, the detective hur- wied from the grove and set about his task of collecting a force of resolute and reliable en. When this was accomplished, the morning was far advanced. On returning to the grove he was surprised to find Molly there, mounted on her pony and ar- rayed for battle. ‘You are not thinking of going?” he asked, i re ape “Why certainly I am!” she replied, laughing at his amazement, ‘But the way will be so rough you cannot ride, and the distance is too great for you to walk it,” *“*Molly’s got that all fixed!” said Mitchell, nodding his head sagely. ‘* That hoss can climb like a goat, an’ swim likea duck. I’m to swim 7im acrost the branch yender, an’ Molly ‘ll fol- ler in the boat.” Brentwood began a protest, but finding it of no avail, turned his attention to the men who were now arriving singly and in groups of twos and threes, ‘* Molly allus would have her way!” mused the old man, noting the action. ‘‘ Ef she gits the Tom-cat he’ll quit wearin’ thet cap er there'll be a row in the fambly!” Tom-cat and Pard. There was but one boat available; and the party was transported across the stream two at a time concealed by the sheltering belt of the timber, Then John Mitchell swam the pony across, and the march upon the cavern was commenced. It was a toilsome and laborious journey, and occupied almost the entire day Just before sunset Mulligan halted. ‘It’s roight acrass the ridge, now!” he whis- pered, pointing out the way witha very dirty forefinger. ‘It’s in a litthle cubby-hole wid rocks an’ threes around it,” The fellow was as pale as a corpse and fairly trembled, so great was his fear of the man he was betraying. Brentwood sent ascout ahead, and led the advance in person, All was quiet when they reached the fringe of trees which concealed the mouth of the cave, Then a shot rung out, followed by a series of cat-howls and screeches. “That’s the Tom-cat!” shouted Brentwood, excitedly. “ Forward !” CHAPTER XVIII. A SURPRISE. BRENTWOOD Grew his revolver and bounded into the dimly-lighted cavern, his followers close at his heels, The Tom-cat, heedless of consequences, seemed rushing to certain destruction, but the fire in his eyes boded death to some, at least, of the das- tardly crew who had so remorselessly strung up poor Clifford Curtis. Curtis was now upon the ground, apparently dead, and Lily was bending over him in blind agony. Twice the Tom-cat’s deadly revolver spoke, and each time it found a victim. Hammond and Bonanza Bill went down, before they had time to grasp the meaning of the sudden charge. ‘ Then, as Brentwood’s ringing cheer smote the echoing walls and galleries, the rest of the mis- area broke into a disorderly and panicky ight. wo men fell before they succeeded in effect- ing an escape by way of the winding galleries— one of them being Pedro, the Mexican. The chase was short, sharp and furious, When Brentwood and the cowboy returned from it, they found that Curtis bad regained consciousness, A purple mark around his neck alone showed the results of the severe choking he*had received. Possibly Hammond did not intead his death, and only took that means of frightening Lily into a compliance with his wishes. Whatever the intentions of the Silver Chief, in that respect, no one could say that his death had not n merited by bis villainy, While congratulations were yet being show- ered upon Curtis, a bound and gagged figure rolled slowly and painfully into the chamter from one of the side galleries, At sight of this figure Lily gave a startled shriek, while exclamations of astonishment and wonder broke from the lips of many present. ‘“‘Oh, father!” Lily screamed, rushing for- ward and throwing herself prostrate upon the form of the helpless man. It was Edgerton, the Gold King, whom all pres had pr agi confined at that moment n the Silver City ‘hs The Tom-cat quickly cut his bonds and assist- ed him to an upright ure, So tightly had the cords been knotted, and so painful the chok- ing gag. that it was some moments before he could walk, or speak distinctly. ‘That is not the man I saw in Silver Ci jail!” asserted Brentwood, regarding him wit an intense earnestness, ‘* There is a general re- semblance, but that is not the man.” ** Jail? jail?’ stammered the Gold King, star- ing at the detective, who was wholly unknown to im, “The man is mad! I have been in no jail! **- You are puzzling us, father!” said Lily, sob- bingly, looking from her parent to her lover. ‘* Nothing puzzling about it!” the Gold King protested, beginning to find the use of his tongue, ‘T have been in the hands of a set of scoundrels who have been torturing me to make me sign ties my rights in the Edgerton Mine, But I wouldn’t doit. No! fire couldn’t make me do it! So they trussed me up just as you saw mea little while ago and left mein the cayern over there to die. ‘¢ When I heard the shots and the shouting I knew that a rescue was being attempted, and so T rolled out here. Took me a quarter of an hour to do it, though. Nothing vuzzling about that, that I can see!” “‘Then you didn’t shoot Clifford, as I thought you did?” ‘“*Shoot fiddlesticks! I was rather wrathy against the young man at first, [ll admit; and no doubt I said some things I oughtn’t to have said; but I didn’t really intend to shoot him, or to barm him in any way but get rid of him as your suitor—that is all.” ‘*T was a good deal excited, and was harsh and unjust in what I said to you, my child, I admit it now, and am sorry for it. But I have had ample time to think all of that over while lying here, tied up by these villains, and I say frank~ ly that a little cool reflection’ generally works a mighty change in a man’s hastily-formed opin- ions or too selfish ambitions. ‘‘When I married your mother, my dear, I married the woman r loved because I loved, and I shall have no objection if Clifford Curtis does likewise.” ‘“ Whoop! Mariar!” shouted the Tom-cat, quite overcome by the turn of affairs, Then in a low voice to Molly, who was stand- ing near: “An’I calec’late that John Mitchell is a- thinkin’ just like that air Gold King, this bless- ed minnit!” Molly dashed the tears from her eyes, and gave him a sound box on the ear, for his impu- dence, Then Brentwood took a hand in the running fire of comment and question and explanation, and by the time night had set in our little cirole of friends grew quite jovial. It was impossible to climb the rocky, home- ward trail in the night and darkness, So Mul- ligan was set at liberty and the bodies of the slain desperadoes were: borne away and given burial. ousing fires were built in the outer cayern chamber and the jubilant party pre- pared to pass the night, When they reached Silver City the next day it was found that “ Blinky ” Smith, the jailer, was gone and with him the prisoner he had been so sedulously guarding! Then Hank Hammond’s plot became revealed in its entirety, Profiting by the tirade of abuse and threats which the Gold King had been publicly heaping upon Curtis, he at once set on foot a scheme which promised to make him master of the Edgerton mining property. e selected one of his men who most nearly resembled Edgerton in general appearance. This man was instructed to so disguise and dress himself as to increase the resemblance, and then seek an dL ng to kill Clifford Curtis—the object isa to make the world be- lieve that the Gold King was the actual mur- derer. Hammond was in waiting when the cowardly shot was fired. Then, as Curtis was onl wounded and stunned into insensibility, bis heart failed him, and brought about a change in his plans. He had Curtis carried away to the mountain cave, abducted the sleeping Gold King, and had had the unconscious daughter placed in care of tho family servants—all done through no spirit of tenderness or mercy, but in the hope that if his plans miscarried, the inevitable punishment would not be so great, Deliberate murder, as he well knew, was a quick hanging offense, even in Silver City. This change of plan necessitated a mock funeral, and the incarceration of the Gold King’s personator in the Silver City jail. As “Blinky” Smith, the jailer, was in Ham- mond’s pay and confidence, the accomplishment of the latter presented no especial difficulties, It was now remembered that the pretended prisoner had been carefully excluded from the view of the general public. In fact, no one not in the secret bad seen him except Brentwood; and 1o the detective the Gold King was unknown. The delay of the rescuers at the cavern had given the jailer and ‘‘ prisoner” ample time te receive warning and effect their pon And now that the tangled web of mysteries has been swept away, what remains to be said? Only this: Lily Edgerton and Clifford Curtis were soon after happily married. Bruce Brentwood, the tireless and inde- fatigable, is still a terror to the scoundrels of the border. y And the brave, the reckless, the irrepressible Tom-cat has discarded his beloved cap! He 1s now the life partner of rosy Molly Mitchell, the miner’s daughter, and a more do- cile, tractable, but ‘‘ rantankerously happy Tom- cat "—as he avers—does not exist. THE END.
Page 15
BY PHILIP 8S. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. & Captain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Deapard, the Duelist; or, The Mountain Vempires. 888 A Tough Boy}; or, The Dwart’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. S78 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard, BSS Little Oh-my } or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly ; or, A Race for a Ranch, 4085 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Sing or, The Curse of Blood, : 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the alines. 450 Three Jolly Parda. 517 Jim Gladden’s ag a & 627 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue, 547 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs \ 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy, the No-Name Sport. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WIITTAKER. | 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb P e bon The Doge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154, The Sword Hunters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the Open Polar Sea. 200 The Boy Bedoutns; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World Wanderer. 265 The ciger Tamer; or, Tho League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider, $95 California Joe’s War Trall. BY BUOKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Mall.)) 284 Ord Reeky's **Boyees; or, Benito, the Young Horse reaker. 246 Giant George; or, The Ang’l of the Range. 27S Arizona Jack; or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge. BO? The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. B18 Ker-whoop, Ker-w oo! or, The Tarantula of Taos, B27 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, B82 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. B44 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. B49 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. B57 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Purgatory. B64 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. 875 Chiota, the Creek} or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. BYZ Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch, . 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Daisy from Denver. 427 The Three Trallers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, ; 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 455 Little Lone Star; or, The Belle of the Cibolo, BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum. 228 Ozark Alf’; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. 2S2 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. B11 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, $3? Nemo, the hetectives or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta. B40 Clip the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY J, C. COWDRICK. 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. B69 Shasta, the Gold Kings or, For Seven Years Dead. A420 qe Delective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a 2. am) 424 Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, tho Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. &06 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Roads 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 536 Breadwey. Billy’s ‘Dimtkilty.” 548 Mart, the Night Express Detective. 557 Broadwa Billy’s Peath Racket. miko She ny oe ep ar py3 or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Inning, BY JO PIERCE. B9T Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hotspur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective. 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy. A472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horee-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective. 504 Five Points Phil 509 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River N at, the Pier Detective. B88 Wreatling Rex, the Pride of the Sixth Ward. 541 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective. 551 Nick Nettle. the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Javk, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, . 577 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospecton 608 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. BY CAPTAIN MAYNE RED, 78 Blue Dick: or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance, 87 The Land pirates or, The League of Devil’s Island. * 187 The Helpless Hand}; or, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gelt-cocker Guide; or, The Lost Mountain. BY MAJOR WENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout. B06 Neck-Tie Ned; or, The Dug-Out Pards. 846 Rapier Raphael; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas, ri mia gieve Hit, the Deady of the Rockies a K > r, The ng. 406 The Mad. Mareliunters cr, The Dlystery’ of Golden Gulch, 505 Powell’s Pard3 or, The One-Armed Giant. BY HARRY ST. 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 Jlavy ; or, The Trail of the Horder Wolf. 6 Hick “Ha 3 or, The T r-Brigade’s Spy. Th lt Tomy or, the Wolf-Herder. Uy . BEADLE'’S« H ALF- DIME*[_ IBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. %Y Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Qotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foumuuug, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!l-Breed Detective, 515 Cool Colorado in New York, BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. . 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Tuos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel, 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 181 The Golden Hand; or, Dandy Rock to the Rescue, 164 Dandy Rock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Kock’s Rival; or, The Haunted Maid of Tacs, BY CAPT. J. F. ©. ADAMS. 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffies’s Boy Spy. 46 Glasa-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whilfies’s Pet; or, In The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scout of the Yellowstone, ZO Old Zip’s Cabin; or, The Greenborn in the Woods. 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram} or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and His Pets; or, The Wild Huntress. 251 Light-house Lige; or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scalp King; or, The Human Thunderbolt. BY ROGER STARBUCK, 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar, 259 The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Floes, 848 Fire-Heelas or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp}; or, The Odd Pards, 861 The Phantom Light-house. 870 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner, BY WILLIAM R, EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke} or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pard¢ BY COLONEL DELLE SARA. 108 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Desmond ; or, The Gambler’s Big Game. BY JAMES L. BOWEN 107 One-Eyed Sim: or, The Abandoned Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of' the Prairies, A Story of Texas, BY ©. DUNNING CLARK, 185 Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains, 280 The Yankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef, BY GEORGE C, JENKS, 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. . 598 Flute, the Singer Detective, BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR, TU. 8. A, 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker; or, The Doomed irteen. 194 Buffalo Bill's Bets or, The Gambler Guide. BY CHARLES E. LASALLE, 50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo. A Tale of the Northwedt, BY JONN J. MARSHALL. 40 Roving Ben, A Story of a Young American. 97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpea, BY WM. G. PATTEN. 489 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock 519 Captain Myatery ; or, Five in One. 581 Da Dare the Sport from Denver. 587 Old Bembshell, the Ranger Detective. 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. BY MAJOR E. L. 8T. VRAIN, | 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, 852 Tombatone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “ Sand,”’; 859 Durango Dave, the Young Cham) ion Wrestler, 871 Kingbolt Chria, the Yeung Hard-Shell Detective, Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8, ELLIS, 6 Bill Biddon, Ba 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 10 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sloux Captive, 21 The Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island, 82 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horsemag, 54 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 71 The Muge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 278 The Three Tra raz or, The Mountain Monster 988 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills. BY FRANK DUMONT. 120 The Branded Wand; or, The Man of Mystery, 187 Wild-Firey the Hous of the Road, Sr tatre s ue azes; or, The Break o’ Day Bo f Bas 171 Ebony Dan} or, The Rival Lengua ee 185 Evil Eye; or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso. 270 Blizzard Ben; or, The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG. Be The a et Ao e Oaptain o y . A 101 Jack Harkatvay tn New York. 7 saa aS) ar ‘ ee Bg ‘tek 4 wit ? e - — baal 4" Pa ee Bae ~~ BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowstone Jack; or, The i, er. 48 Black John, the Road/Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard, 119 Mustang Sam 3 or, The King of the Plains, 186 Night-Mawk Kit; or, The Dauglter of the Ranch, 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue. 160 The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire, 184 The Boy Trailers ; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Patit. 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks, 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 819 The Black Rider 5 or, The Horse-Thieves’ Leagoe, 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods; or. Daniel Boone’s Last Teal, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengem 66 Single Hand; or, A Life for a Life. 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT, 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper, BY LIEUT. Ht. D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay, 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point BY WARRY WAZARD. 828 Arkanaaw Jack; or, The Scourge of the Mines, 829 Red-Skin pom or, The Demon’s Trail, 842 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw, BY COL. A. F. NOLT. 899 Black Buckakin; or, The Masked Men of Death Caayea, | 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King, 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Glants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luck. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, BY FREDERICK DEWFY. 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shote, ATS Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Pards. BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM, 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowle Kid. 5658 The Sure-Shot Pards. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock, 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow, 5689 Tom-Cat_ and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Sliver City, 601 Happy. Hans, the Dutch Vidocg; or, Red-Hot Times a6 “Up Roun ys MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters. By Capt. Mayne Reid eat Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdiny or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Orusoe. (27 Llustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sallor. His Seven Voyages, 22 The Sen Serpent; or, The Boy Rotineon Crusoe. By Juan Lewis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribevs, By 8, W. Pierce. 86 The Boy Clown; or, Tho Queen ofthe Arena. By Frank le nn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Toxas Jack. 51 the Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By Archie » rons. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi, By Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine. 98 Robin Hood, the Outlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old ‘Subs. the Hunter; or, The Grow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxq, 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion, By George eraon. 128 The Youn Privateers or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By r rendish, 148 Sharp Gass or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By J, Alexander Patten. 827 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward erson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Yirk Boy, By George L. i Aiken. 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail By Ensign C, D, Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Ci® By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville, By Liew tenant Alfred Thorne. B28 The Sky Petectives or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and H By Maior Mickey Free. ODO8: 850 Red Ralph, the River Rover; or, The Brother's Re venge. By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ben the Bootblack Detective. By A. P, Mork 874 Gold-Dust Tom; or, Ben’s Double Match, By George Hy Morre. 876 California Joe’s First Trail. By Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 418 Billy Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By FS. Winthrep, 475 The Black Ship. By John 8S. Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles. By Henry J. Thomas. $28 Wizard-Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthur 8, Holt, 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin Brooke Forrest. BSL Ariel the Athlete. By D. vid Droid. 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By H. Enton. A New Yasue Every Tuesdays The Walf-Dime Library {s for sale by all newsdealers, Ges eonts per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of alx cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Vests
Page 16
Published Every Tuesday. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novela. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, 28 Buffalo Ken; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. 85 Wilda Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha O11; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 57 Deadwoed Dick's Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine, 77 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 Readweea Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s suicn. 188 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivals of the Road. The Black Hilla Jezebel; or, Deadwood Dick’s Ward. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane's Last Ad- venture, Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. GagerLeated Sam; or, The Black Gown. Gold-Dust Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Tonghs, Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Briek of regon. Deadwood Dick’s Dozen} or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- ings. Peadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. Doadweer Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ate. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Beadweed Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan orter. Deadwood Dick in New York; or, A “ Cute Caco,” Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. 448 Nickel-Plate Ned; er, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 Sunflower Sam, of Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Fall 459 naa Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Diek Jr's 481 Moll Mystery; er, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood. Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 0 Deadwood Dick's Mepings 5 or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. e Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. Deadwood Dick’s Three. 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt. 589 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Texas. 549 Deadwood Dick on His Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Gotham, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Philadelphia, 572 Deadwoed Dick, Jr. in Chicago. 584 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Denver. 590 VDeadwoed Dick, Jr’s. Decree. 600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Diek Jr’s Leadville Lay; or, Bristol and Deadwood Dick, Jr. Hand, Claim 10. 471 Dog Detective, 491 Jr’s Compact. Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance. 529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Ducka, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr. the Wild West Vidoeq. 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr. Afloat. 595 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Beelzebub’s Basin, Bucket’s toom. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler. 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf; er, The Girl Dead-Shot. | 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York. 45 @ld Avalanehe; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, | 68 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. | 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. | 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Koy Detective, S80 Rosebud Rob or, Nugget Ned, the Knight, | 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, | 88 Pketegraph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, ' 92 Canada Chet ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp. 96 Watch-Eye; or, Arabs snd Angels of a Great City, 118 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. 117 Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective, 121 Clunamon Chip, the Girl Sport. 125 Benanza Bill, Miner. 188 Boas Hob the King of Bootblacks, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. 145 Coreaia Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Bows Bob’s oss JOD. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild Frask, 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, Apollo BAll, the Traii Tornado. Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, Sierra Sam’s Pards or, The Angel of Big Vista, Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs, Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. Denver Doll's Victory. Denver Doll’« Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. Denver Doll's Drift; or, The Road Queen. A Na. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. ‘Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. Kelley, Hiekey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, Little Qu!ck-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 9 Kangaroo Kit’ Racket. Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. Firat-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. ¥ reke dim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lottery of a Yreka Jim’s Prize, Nabob Ned or, The Secret of Slab City, Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, BSS Vreka Jim’s Jokers or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam. 400 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Wat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, Sam Slabsaidea, the r-Boy Detective, 484 Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives, 8 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. BEADLE’S« H ALF- [)IME*[_IBRARY. Each Issue Complete and Sold at tne Uniform Price of Five Cents. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 WIIl Somers, the Boy Detective, | 122 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 126 Picayune Pete}; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, 180 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags, 142 Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 147 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. 2 Black Besa, Will Wildtire’s Racer. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the W ooda, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wine and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York, Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Mand; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 7 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smuggiers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadewed 5 or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life, 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 2iz Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 25 8am Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway : or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps; or, Rollieking Mike’s Hot Trafl, 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; er, The Youn Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoreughbred, 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker rity. $24 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective. 858 The Reporter-Detective; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard, 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry. the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 4285 The Lost Finger}; or, The Entrapped Cashier. 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invincible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret, 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty. Sol i ~ ike thes ae Too Sharp for the Sharper. oota, the Boy Fireman ¢{ or, Too Sha r) ’ 566 The Secret service Boy Detective. 7 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves, BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew, 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 658 The Bordcr King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Yeung Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 134 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Sear-Face Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight, 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demen. 168 Little Texaa, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain, 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror. 224 Dashing Dicks or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Yeung Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkekin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon ; or, Rain bolt, the Ranger, 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Wercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Moxe, the Tramp Detective. 4%2 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Little Buckskin, tne Young Prairie Centaur. 457 Winugedfoot Fred er, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarae ‘Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 78 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemic, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper. BY T. C. HARBAUGH. 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, The Boy Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter. 47 Nightingale Naty or, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dandy Jacks or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trah. 82 Kit Harefeot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr.: or, The Boy Vigilante. Ser RBBNININISBS YS ate [oieetieetiantinationtion taeda 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger, 169 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ¢ or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. 215 Captain Bullet; or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or. Rosa, the Rei Jezebel, 241 Bill Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockies. 255 Captain Apoli«, the King-Pin of Bowie. 267 The Buckskin Detective, 279 Old Winch} or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Cochetopa, 802 The Meuntain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Tem Pards: or. The Terror of Take-Notice, 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso, 845 Pitilesas Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. 856 Cool Sam and Pard¢ or The Terrible Six. 886 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective, 886 Captain Cutlass; er, Ihe Brccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob; or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso: or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. 445 The City Vampires; or, Ked Rolfe’s Pigeon. 461 One Againat Fifty $ or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt, A477 The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter. 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Spert. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wiretteg Detective, 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’« Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Deaperate Case. 568 Dodger Diek, the Boy Vidoeq. 578 The Two Shadows. 582 ¥ Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. ee eee eee No Double Numbers. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAMAM, 7? The Flying Yankee}; or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccaneer; or. The Fugitive Yacht. 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants, 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 02 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 11 The Bea-IDevil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 16 The Hussar Captain 3 or, ‘he Hermit of Hell Gate, 97 Little Grit; or, Ratales the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport. 216 Bison BIll, the Prince of the Reins. 222 Grit, the bravo Sport 3 or, The Woman Trailer. 229 Crimson Kate; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 2387 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy ; er, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer ; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 Ed a Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland. 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 morte Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold Ship.’ 280 Merle Monte’a Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. ZS7Z Hille Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Bandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot I andy’s Deuble. 814 5 Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long ‘rail, 877 Bonodel, the Rey Rover} or, The Flagless Schooner, B88 The Indian Pilet; or, The Search for Pirate leland. 887 Warpath Will, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Koy Lieutenant. 402 Inodor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Inaurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta, 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Clona’s Cruise, 9 Duncan Bare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider, 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance, 446 HMaphazard Harry ; or, The Seapegrace of the Sea, 4650 Wizard WII: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 464 Wizard Will’s Street Seouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Wil)’s Last Case, AS7 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Kanger. 495 Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Mfiidy; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat 507 The Hunted Midshipman. 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow. 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 580 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Buc skin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rio, 545 Licutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son, 555 The Creele Corsair. 560 Pawnee Btil, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 58@ The Outcast Cadets or, The False Detective. 586 The Buckekim Avenger. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea- Rover. 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’e Champion BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody) 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy t or, The Pilot of the Prairie. 55 Deadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout. 68 Border Robin Hood; er, The Prairie Rover. 168 Faney Fromk of Colorade ; or, The Trapper’s Trost, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 608 The Pitcher Deteetive’s Foil; or, Double Curve Dan's Double Play. By Geo, C, Jenks. 669 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective; er, Little Lightning’s Invineibles. By John W. Osbon, 610 Old Skinner, the @old Shark; or, Teny Sharp on Guard. By T. C. Harbaugh. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules; er, The Tusshe at Table Mountain. By Lieut. A. K, Sims. 612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan. By Edward L, Wheeler. 618 Billy Blages; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. By P.S. Warne. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Ald; or, The Queer Com- bination. By Jo Pierce. 615 Fighting Warry, the Chief of Chained Cyclone; or, The Heathers Chinee’s Mission. By J. C. Cowdrick. 616 The Ocean Detective; or, The Last Cruise of the Black Bear By Geo. C. Jenks. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scouts or, The Raiders and the Red Riders of the Rio. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 618 Deadweod Dick, Jr. in Cincinnatl; or, The Clincher Campaign. By Ed. L. Wheeler. 619 The Boy Tramp Detective; or, The Double Grip Witness. By Wm. G. Patten 620 Little Lightning’s League; or, The Mystery urthe Island. By John W, Osbon. 621 Truthful James, the “Pecooliar” Man; or, The Spoiler Dispoiled. By A. C. Grissom. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triads or, The Queer Affair at Tomb- stone. _ Bv Lieut, A. K. Sima. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Wummer; or, The Old Captain’s Moving Miracle, By Jo Pierce. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Nevada; or, The Preacher of Pokerville. Bv E. L. Wheeler. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer; or, The Hero of the Crater, By Jos, E. Badger, Jr. 626 The Champton Pards; or, The Lucifer of Silver Bar, By T. C. Harbangh. Keady July 23, ‘ 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas} or, The Wolfin the Fold. By Charles Morris. Ready July 30, 628 Broadway RBilly’s Dead Act; or, The League of the Sworn Seven. By J.C, Cowdrick. Ready Angust 6. 629 Violet Vane, the Velvet Sport; or, The Jubilee of Jacktown. By Wm. G. Patten. Ready Auguat 13. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in No Man’s Land; or, Goleonda, the Gladiator, By Ed. L, Wheeler, Ready August 20, A New Iesue Every Tuesday. The Half- Dime Library 's for sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six conte cach. BEADLE AND ADAME, Publishers, 98 William Street New York.