Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 610) (1889 04 02)
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ep Dm I , Per iD 3 \y \ 4 X / \ AY i AY K \ \ \ W\ \\: NY at \ \ \' A\ \\ | \ \ \ \ \\ \ \Y \; —. W \\ _®. OAA=- Co /iiin, Oy N N SS | | i" | SY Mh. % Copyright 1889, by BEADLS AND ADAMS, April 2, 1889. No 610. e $2.50 repr PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, | Price, Vol XXIV ° ° a Year. : , No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. i! tik (it Z . e— 2 A NK oe \\ \ \ \ \\e \ \ GZ) i\ i hit} TONY SHARPon GUARD. BY T. C. HARBAUGH, AUTHOR OF “FELIX FOX,” “PHIT, FLASH,” ““FOX AND FALCON,” ‘BRANDED BEN,” “TWO SHADOWS,” ‘MUTE MERLE,” “LITTLE LON,” THE ‘ DODGER DICK” NOVELS, ETC., ETC. CHAPTER I. OLD SKINNER, It was high noon in New York, and the Gold Exchange was discharging its crowd of well- = =S= = —_ dressed and excited men. They came out of the ““TAKE THAT BOY OUT!” SHOUTED THE GOLD SHARK, LEVELING A VINDICTIVE building without much regard for order, and . FINGER AT TONY, theirs was the usual conversation of tbe hour,
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Be Tae ets ae od a aR a ee x As they hurried away, some to their places of business and others to a hasty lunch, not one noticed a boy who seemed to be somewhat in- terested in the scene they were making. ‘They come away like bees out of a hive,” muttered the boy, who was about sixteen, and poorly dressed. ‘I’ve seen ’em so day after day, and.all they know is money, money, money! Hell be along presently. Sometimes he’s a lit- tle slow, staying back to take a last look at the ticker, I guess. Ah! here he is, the old duffer! ' Looks like he could lunch on gold dollars, does- n’t he?” The individual whom the boy was now eying was a large person with a coarse, miser-like face. He had heavy eyebrows of grizzly gray, and side-whiskers of the same color. Any one would have taken him for a man with a close- gripping conscience, just the one to grind his fellow-man into the dust at his feet for a few ** points,” e edged his way through the crowd of brokers, speaking to none of them, but watched closely by the-boy on guard. As the old fellow moved off, the youth started after him, and, in a little while, was within reaching distance. Just as be was about to pluck the miser- broker’s sleeve, a man brushed past him and whispered something in the old fellow’s ears, ‘“‘ When?” cried the broker, glancing at the other with a quick start. “Right away,” was the answer, ‘‘ She is waiting for you now. You'll come, eh?’ ‘**] will come.” Already the cheeks of the broker had grown almost colorless. He looked after the man who was vanishing in the crowd, and the boy saw that his bands were clinched. “‘ [ won’t stop you now, Old Stephen, but ll we whore you go and who is waiting for you—if I can. For a moment Stephen Skinner, or ‘‘ Old Skin- ner” as he was sometimes called, stood stock still on the sidewalk and let the crowd surge past him. “fd like to know how long this is to go on?” he growled, while the keen-eyed boy watched them. ‘ They draw the net tighter and tighter all the time and I’m thoroughly enmeshed now. Tl make a break to-day. Hang me, if I don’t set the dogs of vengeance on the gang! [’llshow %em that Old Skinner won’t be bled all the time, and when I do turn on ’em, I’ll twist their necks in a way that’ll be beautiful.” With this he moved off, followed by his little watcher at a respectful distance. The old man—he was sixty if a day—was quick on foot, and his long and busy life had made him familiar with the streets of New York. He knew the short cuts to various quarters and the boy, therefore, was not surprised to see him dart into the narrowest streets—until, final- ly he entered a large building designed, as it ap- red, for numerous families—a tenement- ouse, - ** So she is there!” exclaimed the young shadow. “‘ Old Skinner would rather have stayed away but somebody who has a grip on him gave the screw another twist and here he is!” If he could have followed the broker he would have seen him mount a dingy stair to the third floor where he turned to the right and walked straight to a door cn which he knocked. ** Gome in!” called out a voice inside, Old Skinner opened the door ard found him- self face to face with a woman of thirty. She was dressed better than her surroundings warranted, and the moment she saw the broker her black eyes emitted a flash of triumph, and a smile wreathed ber lips. ‘What is it now?” demanded the old man crustily and out of humor, “Don’t go off like a pound of powder,” an- swered the woman, her smile broadening while she spoke. ‘‘So Jack found you?” ““T wouldn’t be here if he had not.” ‘‘ Just so. Well, Jack is a good one.” There. was no reply to this, ‘¢T’m in a little strait,” continued the woman looking at the broker again. ‘I was robbed last night—” ** You robbed?” broke forth the old man, con- temptuously. ‘Yes. 1 see you don’t want to believe it; but it is true, and i come to you for a little assist- ance, Jack is trying to track the rascal, He is good on the trail, and would make a first-class etective with a little practice but,” with an- other smile that puzzled. the broker, ‘Jack will never join the professionals,” Old Stephen grew impatient. He evidently wanted the interview over a3 soon as ble. He twisted uneasily in the chair he had taken, Old Skinner, the Gold Shar and consulted the watck which he jerked sav- agely from his pocket. ‘“*T want a thousand,” continued the woman, at the same time putting up a shapely hand, on which glittered a fine ring, whose crest was a serpent’s head, with two precious stones for eyes. Old Skinner fell back and stared at her. Now was the time for him to carry out the spirit he had manifested while talking to him- self. He now had an excellent opporvunity for resisting the cool scheme of blackmail! which the woman was playing, with all the cunning of the accomplished adventuress, “T am going away,” resumed she, ‘‘I have been called out of the city, and it is very im- portant that I should have one thousand dolla right now.” . ‘* When are you coming back?” Under the circumstances Old Skinner’s ques- tion was the most natural one in the world, but he put it with such mingled anxiety and eager- ness that twinkled the woman’s eyes with merri- ment. ‘*T may never return,” she answered. “You need not say that,” put in the miser, “‘ In less than a week you’ll be back here bleed- ing me as usual,” She smiled again, not angrily, but in a pleas- ant manner. ¢ ‘You've got a good deal of blood left for a rson who has been bled,” she responded, look- ing Old Skinner over from head to foot. “I won’t have it long if you keep on applying your suckers, I believe [ll quit submitting now.” “Just as you like,” was the reply, uttered with an apparent indifference that galled the old man, ‘* You have the whole say in this matter. If you want to cut loose from us I'll even lend you the knife, But you must take the conse- quences.” She watched him as the color came and went on his face, and waited for him to speak, “How much did you say you wanted?” he asked. “One thousand.” Old Skinner bit his lips almost through as he moved his chair to a small table and dived one hand into an inner pocket. , Bringing up a check-book, he next produced a fountain-pen and bent over the table. As a matter of course he was attentively eyed by the person at his elbow while he filled the check for one thousand dollars, making it paya- ble to Mesa Marx. — When he bad dashed his name across the bot- tom of the check, he held it between thumb and finger and looked at the woman. “This is the last one, madam,” said he. ‘ By the Eternal, I have writtem your name on a a of this sort for the last time!” “here was no reply, but the woman took the check from the broker’s fingers. “I'm going to fight all of you from this time on,” he continued, with increasing spirit. ‘* You have bled me long enough. I sball call to my aid the powers that suit me best, I tell you to your face that you are the queen of black- mailers, but you and your gang have bled me for the last time, All future demands will be resisted. Not only tbat, but I will open the doors of Sing Sing for you and the rest. I am tired of this work. von hold inf your hand the last hush-money you will ever rake from my coffers, I don’t believe a word about your being robbed. Who would rob you I should like to know! You've heard me, woman!” and Old Skinner left bis chair and looked down into the calm, upturned face at the table, ‘‘From this hour I keep m money. If you make another demand, or if Na on’t, Pll break your power and make you ook at the world through prison bars!” The old broker’s eyes fairly flashed, “ All right, Stephen Skinner. If you can af- ford to wear a noose for the pleasure of seeing me behind the bars, play the biggest band you can. It’s all one to me, you see. I'm perfectly indifferent,” and a wave of the speaker’s band dismissed the broker. ‘ ; He went down the steps in a dazed condition. His feet did not seem to touch the planks be- neath them. He went out into the sunshine = the whitest face among the hundreds ere, All at once he was touched by a hand that made him fall back with a startled cry. He looked down into the face of the boy who had followed him from the door of the Gold Exchange. “Go away!” cried Old Skinner. “I told you yesterday that I wouldn’t help you. I won't! I won’t !” : The boy flushed and drew off. ‘Pll make you pay for that answer some day!” cried he. ‘ CHAPTER II, THE BOY AND HIS MISSION. “Yes, I saw Old Closefist. I tackled him, too,” was the response. ** At bis house?” “No, on the street, not a very good place for business, I’ll admit, Helen, but 1 bad no other chance.” The countenance of the girl was beautiful, but pale and anxious, She occupied a rocking-chair, with big, old- fasbioned arms, on which reposed ber fair white hands. She seemed to bave read failure in the boy’s face, for, after his communication she looked at him, but did not speak. ‘‘ [ haven’t got good news, continued the boy. “He said just what he got off the other day— that he wouldn’t help mother. And he said it in a snarling way, too, just asa wolf shows his teeth when he growls.” ‘¢ And what did you say, Tony?” ““T told him that he would pay for his answer some day, and he shall! ~ Yes, Helen, I’m going to the bottom of this business. Mother knows just enough to give mea start, and I’ve been with the detectives enough to know how to run a trail.” The girl leaned back in the chair and looked at her companion witb feelings of rising ong They were about the same age, probably the irl was the elder, but there was not the resem- Fianes of brother and sister between them. ‘* The old Gold Shark is in trouble,” Tony went n. “In trouble, Tony?” “Yes. He went toa place where I know he didn’t make a dollar. hen he came out of a certain house be looked like he had _ been fleeced of his last nickel. He was mad. man who told him on the street that some woman wanted to see him got bim in the trap.” ‘* Who was the man?” ‘““Why, the fellow J told you about the other day—the one I saw in rob the little Italian.” ‘* Does he know Stephen Skinner?” “Tt seems so. It isno chance acquaintance, either, Helen, for the old shark knew him the moment he set eyes on him, and he went straight to the unknown woman in the big tenement- house. r Helen said nothing, but fell into adee study. “Say, Helen!” he urged when the girl looked up again. Ri at is it, now, Tony?” j ‘Mother won’t come back from nursing the sick gentleman on the avenue before dark, will she? .** Not before ten to-night.” “Then ’’m going to work.” “ What will you aa, back to Old Skinner and make another appeal?” . “No!” exclaimed the lad, his eyes lighting up indignantly. ‘I’ve made my last appeal to the Wall street shark for the present. I don’t in-. tend to give him another chance to snuff me out as he seems to like todo. The woman in the tenement hasa hold of some kind on him, want to see her.” ‘* But maybe she won't see you, Tony?” “ We'll find out,” laughed the boy, “Stephen — Skinner must surrender that which is not legally his own. He reached the position he now occu~ pies over other people’s money, and there isn’t a meaner rascal in New York, and that’s saying a good deal, Helen, for this is a paradise of rogues. I know that mother deems bim ning, merciless, and cruel old man. rents! stoop to anything to hold his own, and if what ste knows about his past is true, he knows some > slick tricks, and . en ta ‘Mother has felt the old villain’s hand,” re- plied the gic’? with rising spirit that brought a quick flush to ber cheeks. “I don’t see why — are permitted to go unpunished so ong. “His day is coming!” broke out the boy. ‘¢ Old Skinner is nearly at the end of his skein, ws Battery Park trying to | as I “A re acun- — ee fi pe f fs tk ie f >: Mae i's lots of mean ones.” Oe) tat
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al f H raat ‘ier : ae ee he: mite **Tt doesn’t look like it, Tony. He owns fifty houses in this city; be makes money hand over fist, day after day, and nobody gets any of it.” ‘*Nobody? You forget what I saw to-day. I tell you that the old vulture came out of the big house on J—— street poorer than he went in, If Lionel comes, say nothing.” “* Lionel won’t come to-day,” responded Helen. ** So much the better, for you might tell him something,” laughed the boy. ‘‘Now, I am yd to take a look at the woman who sent for 1d Skinner.” ‘* Be careful!” admonished the girl, * Just as if I would run my head into danger on purpose!” he afternoon was on the wane when Tony Sharp reappeared on the street. He immediately started off and soon reached the neighborhood in whivh he had left Old Skin- ner some time before. He was well awaré that the large, old-fash- ioned house was a tenement, though of a re- spectable kind as compared with some structures like it on other streets. Its occupants were not of that promiscuous sort found too often in the towering human hives of Gotham, and Tony expec to encounter a woman of somewhat stylish appearance on the inside, He found the hall door open with the last rays of afternoon sunshine on the step, and, just as he was about to enter, was suddenly confronted by a woman in the act of quitting the house. Something seemed to tell Tony that fortune had brought him face to face with the very per- son he was seeking. She was well-dressed, eer. for a walk somewhere, and, as the boy drew back to give her free passage to the sidewalk, he caught sight of her vivacious eyes. *“*T don’t go further into this house!” decided the boy. “Fortune is doing a good turn for far Sharp, and I’m going to follow the woman out. He remained in the hall long enough to.give the suspected person a start and then followed her, at a respectful distance, “Just as I thought!”he cried at a certain corner several blocks from the tenement. ‘‘ She has already found the man who wanted to rob the Italian boy and he is the same fellow who whispered to Old Skinner on the street. Now off they go, both in good humor as if they had acne all the chestnuts from the fire without urning their fingers.” He dared not go too near the couple thus spot- ted for it was he who had saved the little Italian’s pennies for him and thereby incurred the hatred of the big bluffer who really had at- tempted to steal them. Every now and then the silvery laugh of the | woman came back to his ears, and he could see that her companion was in like good spirits. All at once a figure turned a corner between Tony and his prey and stopped within a few feet of him. It was Old Skinner. The eyes of the miser broker had suddenly en- ve oa and a thunder-cloud of rage darkened his row, He fixed his gaze on the pair walking leisurely vp and the boy saw him shake his fist at em. ‘** A race for Sing Sing is it, eh?’ grated Old Skinner, ‘Tl show you for whom the doors of that rogue’s rookery open! Since I left you, my lady, I’ve baited the trap and sharpened the hooks that will catch you and your ally. You bled Old Skinner once too often. The last drop of blood, did the business, I’m going to shut ne band and when I do somebody will squirm,” Tony Sharp, unperceived by the irate old money-bug, heard every word as the clearly muttered sentences were spoken. Away he went, and before Tony could decide whom to follow, Old Skinner or the woman and her companion, all three had disappeared. But,he was not to be outwitted in this manner, and a resumption of the chase he had inatigurat- ed soon brought the twain in sight again. They led him into one of the numerous little parks of the city, where they spent some time, after which the woman went back to the big house, and Tony returned to Helen to report. Bright and early the next morning Tony Sharp heard a newsboy’s voice on the street: * All about the murder of ‘ Old Skinner!” The words sent a wild thrill through the young listener’s brain, and, in a moment, he _ Was devouring the most exciting item of news he had ever seen. Sure enough, the miser-broker’s time had come, | -_ Some time in the night bis house had been en- tered and plundered! Old Skinner, th And the Gold Shark of Wall street murdered besides? So the yr’ said, ** Now I have a job!” exclaimed Tony. CHAPTER IIT. A QUEER CASE. Tne Wall street Gold Shark occupied a well- to-do house on a quiet street. It was an old- fashioned structure, which had never been re- modeled to keep pace with the times, and suited Old Skinner perfectly, The broker being a bachelor or widower—no one knew which, for much of his life was a blank to those who knew him—lived alone, with the exception of a deaf servant whom he sel- dom saw, as he dined at a cheap restaurant in the vicinity. It was this old woman, as deaf as a post, who had made the discovery of the tragedy which had so startled Tony Sharp, the boy trailer. When Tony reached the house he found it surrounded by a crowd of eager people. His coming was not noticed, and he elbowed his way to the old steps before he was discovered. He had heard, time and again, that Old Skin- ner was murdered, that the coroner was inside trying to extract testimony from the servant, and that the affair was the most mysterious one of the kind known to the oldest inhabitant. At this juncture the crowd made way for a man who had the appearance of an officer. Tony knew him on sight, and, as the gentle- man reached the step, the boy did not hesitate | to pluck his sleeve, ““Here’s a go if somebody hasn’t twisted the truth,” laughed the man who was a detective,’ as be looked down into the boy’s face. ‘‘ Come right along with me. We'll go in and look at the matter.” Nothing better than this could have suited the lad, and the next moment he entered Old Skin- ner’s house for the first time. In the hall the two encountered a policeman, who had been some time on the scene, and in response toa query by the detective, the sergeant smiled. “It’s not so bad for Old Skinner, after all. He’ll be about in a few days fleecing people as usual, Walk right in and jook at him.” bet and the detective passed into a room at one side of the hall and found themselves among . number of people, all of whom the city ferret new. Old Skinner sat in an arm-chair with a band- age about his forehead and one arm in a sling. He did not look very much like a dead man, certainly not like the one described by the news- prpee account, he old servaut had told her story several times and without the slightest variation. She had simply found the old broker on his face, on the floor of his little library, unconscious, and apparently dead. Hehad been attacked by some one, had been beaten about the head and arms, and had, in all probability, been left for dead. The young doctor who had been summoned had told the reporter that Skinner had but a few moments to live, heuce the account which had excited Tony. _. The old sinner was in bad humor. like to be questioned, and when he discovered that the man who accompanied the boy was a detective, he grew positively “ ugly.” He did not know who had attempted his life. He was asleep in his chair when the attack was made and the first blow which bad thrown him into unconsciousness had prevented him from de- fending himself or recognizing his assailants. thie A watched the old fellow narrowly, and when he thought himself screened from observa- tion a strong voice rung through the room, “Take that boy out!” shouted the Gold Shark, leveling a vindictive finger at Tony. ‘I'd like to know what right he has‘in this house? I told him that 1 wouldn’t help her, and I won’t ! Take him out!” All eyes were turned upon the boy, but no one made a move to obey, whereupon Skinner’s rage increased and he would have darted from his chair at Tony if the doctor and the detective had not held him. By and by the Wall street shark was persuad- ed to drink part of the contents of a glass, and, in a little while, the house was quite, so far as his tongue was concerned, This gave Tony and his detective friend, who was known as Burt Boffin, to give some atten- “tion to the premises. The detective made poor headway with the deaf servant, who, owing to her infirmity, was averse to being questioned. Her ear-trumpet was not in working order, and all attempts to ‘converse with her without it were certain to end in failure. e Gold Shark. He did not “Don’t you think, sir, that Old Skinner is keeping something back?” asked Tony of the de- tective when the two had partly searched a room adjoining the library. **IT do, indeed,” was the reply. ‘“‘That is my opinion, exactly,” asserted the boy. ‘‘The old fellow knows more about bis hurts than he wants to tell. In short, he knows who inflicted them, but, for some reason, he is bent on keeping the information back.” It might have been that Tony then thought of Jack and the woman in the old apartment- house. At any rate, he appeared to have good ground fer his suspicions. “He wanted you fired?” smiled the detec- tive, a Yes.” ‘* He was emphatic, too, I noticed. He doesn’t seem to like you, Tony.” The boy colored and a quick flash lit up his eyes. Me And I don’t like a hair of Old Skinner’s head!” he exclaimed. ‘‘ He hasn’t treated my mother right and the old shark knows it. That’s why he wanted to fire me, Mr. Boffin; but, I made up my mind that I would hold my own, even in his own house.” “* But, Tony, what do you think?” Burt Boffin had taken a seat and crossed his legs. He was an experienced detective, who | took things coolly, but who sometimes asked other people for their opinion, as he was now a the boy. ; ‘“What is my opinion of this affair, Mr. Boffin?” repeated the boy. ‘Yes, that’s it.” ‘Well, I’ve already expressed some of it. The rest of it is that Old Skinner hasn’t lost a dollar!” The detective broke into a laugh and smote his knee with his palm—a fashion he had, He gave Ban Aa a singular look. “He makes a great ado abou‘ nothing, then,” said he, “ ‘*That is true, Mr. Boffin, but, did you notice that he failed to fix the cmount of his loss?” did.” ** And we have not discovered any losses?” ‘* Everything seems in its place.” ‘* What then?” “Why, simply what you have said—the Wall street shark bas not been robbed. But,” con- tinued the detective, quickly, ‘‘there is some- thing back of this—something behind this queer ease, Old Skinner did not inflict his injuries on himself.” ‘““No. The old servant says that the door was ajar when she came down stairs.” Burt Boffin sat silent for a moment; then he drew an ivory tablet from his pocket and seemed to make a few notes on it. “T think we have a starting point, Tony,” he remarked, ‘* Let's be off.” As they reached the door leading into Old Skinner’s chamber the detective opened it a second and leaned forward. ‘** Well, this beats me!” he whispered with a glance over bis shoulder at the watchful boy. Tony Sharp sprung forward and put bis head beyond the door. o his own surprise as well as that of the de- tective’s he saw Old Skinner kneeling in one ga of the room with a lamp at his el- w,. It was impossible for the two to see what he was after, for the lamp cast his operations in shadow, but they could conjecture that the old man was up to some devilment. ** A dying man don’t go through such antics,” muttered the detective. ‘‘The skinflint is play- ing a prey rer game. Ha! he is through now. By Jove! there’s a trap in the floor!” By this time the old broker had left the cor- ner and was bearing the lamp back to the table. He looked ghastly as the light fell upon his band- aged face, and he walked as one who was very weak, Detective Burt pulled Tony tack and Skinner did not see them ere they closed the door. “Tt is just this and nothing else,” remarked Boffin to the boy. ‘‘ The old curmudgeon had one or more callers. We will say two. They gave him the wounds he carries, but be will noth- ing. He did not lose a certof his wealth though he says he was robbed. Now what doés it all mean?” Before the detective had finished, he had Tony’s gaze riveted upon him. “I think we had better watch Jack and the be in the big house a spell!” he suddenly cried, ‘Mesa Marx, boy, do you mean?” ‘Yes, Masa Mars, or whatever her name ” ° 18,
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** Just what we will do, Master Sharp, but she will play ber game just the same,” and Burt Boffin looked wise as if he knew the woman. CHAPTER IV. TONY AND THE DUDE. AxpovutT the time of the transpiring of these scenes a liitle ten-by-twelve room on a promi- nent street that lost itself in Broadway had for an occupant a young man who was well-known by sight to thousands of New Yorkers. He could not have passed his twenty-second ear, though certain wrinkles which told of a ife not entirely correct made him look older. His clothes were expensive and elegant, and from collar to boots there was not a blemish in his apparel. Mr, Richard Dido, or Dick Dido, as he was commonly called, was a sidewalk ornament on warm days and a theater butterfly at night. He always had plenty of money et his command, though he had never been known to accumulate a dollar by hari work, for, like t'.e lilies of the fields be was the reverse of a toiler. He dwelt in the little room in which we have just found him, and was to be found there when e was not posing as ab Adonis on the street, or getting his bread by the sweat of other people’s rows, On this particular occasion Mr. Dido was blowing cigarette rings toward the ceiling while he was tipped back in his chair with his polished heels higher than his head. He looked wise in acertain way,as if the world was using him very well just then, and he had vo reason to 5 ore All at. once a light rapping caused him to turn his head and glance across the room. “Come in,” said Dick, without taking down his heels, and the.door promptly opened. Before him stood a woman, still young and handsome, with the blackest eyes one would wish to see in a day’s journey, The Broadway masher greeted her with a smile which grew quickly into a light laugh. * His visitor came forward and tapped him on the shoulder with her slender fingers, ““Have you seen the morning papers?” she asked. ‘“Pve just tossed ’em into the waste-basket,” answered Dick. ‘What do you think?” ‘“‘T haven’t been doing much thinking since, but I have been trying to enjoy this cigarette. It’s the first of a new brand, and the dealer gave me a package on trial, with the understanding that 1 am to have six dozen for my recommen- dation.” The semblance of a frown gathered at the cor- ners of the woman’s mouth, “But you haven’t heard the latest,” she re- marked. ‘I’m sure you haven't.” Dick looked up into her face in a questioning manner,” ‘* What is the latest?” he inquired. ‘* The old fellow is able to be about.” Dick started and removed his ci tte. ** He is, eh?” he exclaimed. ‘‘ Where did you \ get this? On the street?” The street isn’t my intelligence office,” was the response clothed in some spirit. ‘I bappen to know what I’m talking about. The Vulture of Wall street is able to fleece the first man he catches,” ‘* Well, it won’t be me!” exclaimed Dick, His companion gave him a singular Jook, “‘T shall goon as usual,” he proceeded. ‘* What do you think I care about the Wall street Valture, eh, Mesa?” and he smiled in the wo- man’s face. ‘I’m glad td see you so contented,” she re- ities “T thought you would like to hear the ** Thanks, of coarse, for your information, but really since Old Skinner is not as dead as re- ported I’ve lost all interest in him,” The woman drew off a little and looked anette at the Broadway beau, It was ap- parent that he was a puzzle to her and his cool manners perturbed her not a little. At one time she seemed on the eve of breaking forth ina passicnate display of pique, but she controlled herself in an admirable way. ‘They can’t get anything out of the old fel- low,” resumed Mesa, ‘**There’s where he shows his sense,” put in Dick, ‘* He persists that he was robbed, but he will give no particulars, The police are at fault and the best detectives uzzled.” That is better still. Old Skinner will be the lion of the hour when he reappears on the street. I think [ shall have to congratulate him. Won't you help me, Mesa?” ‘ Old Skinner, the | Hi. Se :/:7:777700°OoeoooOoooooooOoOooOoOoOoOOoOoOoOoOoOoOoooOoOooOooOOOOoOoeoeoeoeq?=3 00S re He sauntered down the street into Broadway a - —s - Gold ) “ Certainly,” laughed the woman showing her white teeth in a way which told that she did not mean it. ‘‘ He will be at his old post with- in three days if I have not been wrongly in- formed.” ‘* And everybody will want to see the old cus- tomer who was pronounced dead by the re- porters. By George! that’s the way to get no- toriety, Mesa.” The young man’s companion did not smile this time but on the contrary her face grew sober, ‘I’m going away,” said she with an abrupt- | ness that startled Dick Dido, ‘* When, Mesa?” * Right off.” ‘“* They haven’t prighiened you, eh?” ‘No, not that. But you knowI talked of going last week.” ‘* T remember that.” ‘** Well, Iam going to-day.” Dick seemed to study her face a few moments, as if there was a covert design behind her dec- laration. * While ’m gone you don’t want to shadow the young girl,” she suddenly went on. “* What girl?” ‘*The one you’ve discovered last—the boy’s sister,” Dick Dido let slip a sharp whistle. ** Jealous, eh?” he exclaimed, while Mesa flushed. ‘* 1 don’t mean that, and you know it,” ‘“*Come!” cried Dick, touching her arm softly. ‘¢ Don’t try to cross the river tiil you come to it. I haven’t made love to the girl, Realy I don’t so much as know her whole name. They call her Helen, I believe.” ‘‘ Helen Sharp,” exclaimed Mesa. ‘' Her mother is a professional nurse, and the boy, her brother, little more than a gutter-snipe, He hangs round Police Headquarters, and—” ‘* You seem to know the family,” “‘T know something about a good many fam- ilies,” returned the woman. ‘* T believe it.” Well, eg continued Mesa, holding out a hand which Dick Dido took cordially. ‘¢ When willI gaze on your beautiful coun- tenance again?” he asked. ‘** Before long.” “That’s, very indefinite, but never mind. Shall I hear from you? “That depends, Remember: no love-making to the nurse’s daughter!” The young man laughed, and their hands fell apart. Mesa crossed the room to the door, where she eopbems and looked at him with a glance full of jealous rage. “Tf you rpeanoens & I'll make it warm for you!” she said, throu her teeth. ‘‘{ reckon you know enough of me, Richard Dido, to suspect that I carry claws under the velvet. I’m not going so far that I will not be within striking distance.” Then she pulled the door open, passed out,and drew it shut with a bang. The young man left in the room heard the atter of feet on an unseen stair, and when it had ceased a smile overspread his face. ‘*] guess 1 do know that she carries claws under the velvet, and they’re said to be sharp ones, too,” he chuckled to himself while he lighted another cigarette, ‘‘I’m not to look at pretty. Helen Starp because she is jealous, ell, Mesa, if you were to remain in the city you'd probably open your) black eyes, I’m of age and my own master, and I know that some good, shrewd playing just at this time will re- sult in a well-filled purse and something else, Don’t I know that Helen’s brother Tony wants to be a young sleuth? That’s why he is in with the police and several professiona! detectives especially Burt Boffin, the best of them all. I sha’n’t be surprised to hear that the two are al- ready working up the Old Skinner case. Well, let ’em. No matter how sharp they are, they will find nothing in it fortbem, The Vulture of Wall street is keeping bis mouth shut for a pur- ose, and he won’t pay Boffin and the boy foxa volar to go to the bottom of this matter, 1 ae I’m in luck, Mesa gone away and Helen harp and the big purse to play for! What more could Task for?” Five minutes later Dick Dido emerged from the house in all the glory of his faultless attire an the warm sunshine caught his. pleasan eS, | bo Shark. | and was soon lost in the surging crowds there.. This time he did not pose as a street orna- ment, but kept rapidly on till he brought up in, a street where he attracted a good deal of at- tention. In alittle while he was observed by a boy who bounded into a house and seized a young girl by the arm. ‘* Helen, the band-box rascal is coming again!” he exclaimed. The girl instantly flushed. ‘* He sha’n’t come in!” she cried indignantly, ‘* Yes, he sball, and, what is more, you must. receive him cordially. Don't say ‘no,’ Helen.. No matter how much it goes against the grain to be courteous to Dick Dido, the Broadway statue, you must do it. He may not come in this time, but he will before long. Mr. Boffin and [ are working up a.big case together, and you must smile on Dido to help us along.” Helen Sharp took her brotber’s hand, . “* Pll play with the serpent, Tony,” said she, - ** Let him come on,” CHAPTER V. A LINK IN THE CHAIN. Mr. RicHARD Drpo did not see fit to invade: the house which he eyed with a good deal of curiosity. His manner told that he would bave: liked to know what was going on beyond its. door at that moment, but his passing by showed that he had postponed his call. Helen Sharp waited for him with her brother Tony in the background, More than once the Broadway statue had per- secuted her with his attentions which were not at all relished by ber. Her fair face had at- tractions for him, and besides there. was some- thing of more moment than it back of his woo- ng. 3 I guess he was only reconnoitering the ground, Helen,” smiled Tony, when the well- dressed figure of the masher had passed out of sight. ‘*He’ll make a general charge before long, and you will be expected to surrender at. discretion.” ‘* Not to that fellow!” exclaimed Helen. ‘¢ Then to a better one, eh?” “Never mind to whom!” was the response. ‘* As I have said, I want nothing to do with Dick Dido, He is only a schemer who is always. laying to keep his pockets well-lined. Don’t I oon that he has some covert object behind the little persecutions he has inflicted upon me? Mother knew his father, and Dick is but a chip of the old block.” ‘“‘ Nothing else, Helen,” remarked the boy. “Tf you have no objections, I'll just follow the walking bandbox in bopes of picking up some- thing for Burt Boffin to digest. But Tony found that following aman in his mind was one thing, and the actual tracking — quite another, Dick Dido had vanisbed, and the boy gave up looking for him. ix f ** Here we are!” suddenly exclaimed a voice at soom Tony’s elbow, and at the same time a hand | closed on bis arm. ‘‘ Just the man I am looking for!” returned —_ Tony Sharp, looking up into Burt Boffin’s face. *Tve pom trying to find Dick Dido, but the statue has given me the slip after passing our heuse without the courtesy of a call on Helen, We th ught he was certain to drop in, and L was in a position to see and hear the whole in- terview. But it didn’t come off.” Boffin, the detective, laughed at the boy’s story and the two passed on to a little room where, without warning, an old-fashioned pocket- k was placed in Tony’s band, _ ‘“ Where did you get this old relic?” asked the astonished boy. . “Tt was one of re lucky finds,” came the reply. ‘*It was lost by Old Skinner, who per- sists in refusing to say of what he was robbed.” Tony turned the leather pocketbook almost inside out. It was truly an antiquated affair, large enough to hold bills without folding, and had from all appearances seen a good deal of service in its time. ‘S Was it sen 4 when you found it?” the boy, glancing up at the detective, watching bim with an amused look, ‘* Not quite.” As he spoke, Burt Boffin dived into his waist- ueried who was coat pocket, and brought up a bit of paper, — closely folded and yellow from age. * This memorandum wus stowed away in one of the stalls of the pocketbook,” continued Bof- fin. ‘If you look close you will see that it was made 6 good many years ago, before you were rn, boy.
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Old Skinner, the Gold Shark. ~ 5 i A on Ae Ua ae Ga ALT *¥ pean ire EL rite reps oY ib ic: Ree Tony was already examining the discolored | _ paper with an pir eye. “This is one of the missing links!” he cried. ). “Mother always said that it was in the month 4 of March, 1849. What does this writing say? It mentions that on a certain day in a certain year, Stephen Skinner weut to Philadelphia, and there paid ‘J. B. F.’a certain sum of money— mentioned here—‘ for services rendered,’” * Well?” asked the detective quietly, as if desirous of drawing the boy out. “That ‘J. B. F.” was a cunning lawyer, of the Quaker City. The services which he ren- | dered Old Skinner then took from my mother ‘the little all she had, as well as that which would have enriched her in time, This is the battle ve been fighting ever since I was old enough to understand her story. Old Skinner is { one of the greatest rascals in existence. He has rebuffed me more than once. Mother bas no legal hold on him, because at this day sbe can prove nothing against him. ‘J, B, F,’ is dead. The last time motber called om the Vulture of Wall street, he denied that he ‘ever knew the Philadelphia lawyer, and finally ordered her out ‘of bis house in a passion, Now, I have a link, Mr. Boffin, Here is evidence that on a certain day Old Skinner paid ‘J. B. F.’ six bundred dollars ‘for services rendered.’ Now, let the old scamp refuse to make restitution if he dare,” ‘He will do nothing else,” rejoined the de- tective. ‘‘He will simply deny the ownership of the memorandum, Then where are you?” f Tony colored and then as suddenly grew pale. ._ “But I’m going to back this paper up with a ‘proof!” he exclaimed, as his eyes brightened. ’ i! ** Oh, that will do,” was thé response. ‘ But you have a big job on hand, my boy.” ~ “T know it. It is a fight for my mother’s | 800d name as well us fora fortune rightfully | yours, Old Skinner knows me and what [ want, ' “He knows, too, that I am going to stand for my { —_— Tights, and I expect him to fight me in a mean, ‘underhand manner, just like the old scamp he is. Can I keep this paper, Mr. Boffin?” 4 It is yours, subject to my call,” the detective said, whereupon Tony put the yellow bit away, <i per is the old shark getting along?” he in- quired. ‘“‘Famously, the doctur says. He ejected a ‘reporter from the house at'noon, and will be on *Change te-morrow with his head bandaged.” “Then I shall see him, but not for an inter- view. I want to look after Mesa Marx first,” ** She is not in the city.” _. “Not in New York?” cried Tony. __ “T have just seen her on the train, ticketed for Philadelphia.” ** Alone?” ** Alone,” { wish I could be at ber heels,” ‘ f don’t think she will be gone long.” “Did she take any luggage?” ~ “None but a small grip. “Mesa has gone over to the old stamping- ground, I know the Quaker City like a book.” ‘. o Then perhaps you know where Blank streat acne 2 A ; “Ido! If there’s a house on that street not known to me, I'd like to see it, But we left there years ago. Mother came over here to be near Old Skinner in hopes of getting even. . aut made you mention Blank street, Mr. 0 Saeee !! Because I think it is Mesa Marx’s destina- ~, ‘tion, | _ _Tony’s eyes seemed to dilate with expectation. oy ‘Of course you cannot give the number,” said ‘Tam not so sure that I cannot,” was the re- Inder, accompanied by a smile, Mesa Marx «pened her grip in the depot fi and lost out of it two little cards, one of which ian was blank, and the other with an address in pencil on it. If I am not mistaken, the num- ber mentioned on the card was 404 Blank street.” ae \* And the name? - ee ** Fallowhill.” | py, tale shook, tie head. “I never heard the name before,” remark he. ‘But I am sure that No. 404 is next ace i to where we lived. Mr, Boffin, I am going to - Philadelphia!” : 2 _ * When?” ; _ ** When the next train departs,” “Then you will baya to race to the depot.” _The boy sprung up and covered the distance ‘between ‘the detective and himself by a single ide, _‘*Mesa Marx who, with ber friend Jack, is playing a deep game against Old Skinner, has gone tothe Quaker City fora purpose. What fakes her back to the street cn which we lived | ‘you mean.” ashes told t “Thave faithfully committed the directions to memory, and in a case of this kind I would not be apt to forget anything.” In another moment she was trying to remove a certain brick from the chimney, It resisted her efforts with a good deal of stub- when Old Skinner cheated us out of what we had and secured to himself that which we ex- pected? It tells me that she has not quite the hold on the Vulture of Wall street that she wants. The old man is disposed to fight her game just as he has been fighting me. This much is plain to me, Mr. Boffin. Itis a big fight | bornness, but after several trials she succeeded and an up-hill one, but I intend to make it, Old | in pulling it out, Then the woman leaned for- Skinner must pay back or suffer for the past, | ward until ber face almost touched the chimney, and Mesa Marx and her companion sball not | and all at once her slender hand darted into the succeed in robbing the old vulture of some other | opening made by the missing brick. people’s money.” : An expression of disappointment overspread Tony had his hand on the door-knob by this | Mesa's face when she found the niche empty. time, and the following moment, with a sudden |’ She was not satisfied to believe the evidence of ** Good-by, Mr, Boffin,” he disappeared. touch for her fingers searched every corner un- That boy will win!” ite oy ¢ exclaimed the | til the white nails were torn on the rough sides detective, thus left alone, ‘* He’s gct the snap | of the bricks, * ; of an old fighter and the perseverance of one. | ‘As I live! there's nothing bere!” cried Mesa, But the odds are against him. If he falls into | ‘‘ Can it be that, after all, 1 have taken out the the hands of Mesa Marks and her friend Jack— | wrong brick? Surely I did not make a mistake who has two names--or gets tripped up by Old | in counting,” and she drew off and Jooked sor- Skinner, he may wish he had never undertaken | rowfully at the hole in the chimney. this task. But luck go with you, Tony Sharp, To her sharp eyes there was’ plenty of evidence You have Burt Boffin for a friend, and he’ll | that the brick had been removed before. It bad stand by you through thick and thin.” concealed something in the past, but Mesa was Meantime Tony was far from the detective's | certain that it was not there now. lodgings hastening eagerly to the ferry in hopes She replaced the brick and turned away. of catching the next train for the Quaker City. ‘*T cant. afford to go beck without a new hold —— on old moneybags,” she murmured, ‘ The chim- CHAPTER VI. ney was expected to give mea weapon, but it HOW MESA TRACKED. has disappointed me.” THE boy was successful in his desires and She stood undecided in the middle of the room, when tbe Philadelphia Express pulled out of the | her hands clinched and ber eyes fairly aflame. - depot he had a comfortable seat all to himself *T forgot to ask Mrs, Fallowbill who occupied and was chuckling over his good luck. the bouse last!” she suddenly exclaimed. ‘‘ There Tp the meantime Mesa Marx was far ahead of | might be something in that. I am almost posi- him and when the cars put her down in the ! tive that the brick bas been taken out and -put Quaker City she burried at once to 404 Blank | back within a certain time altbough it seemed to street, resist my efforts to remove it.” There was a flush of eagerness on the womau’s Mrs. Fallowhill was startled when she beard face and when the door was opened iu response Mesa’s voice at ber side and caught sight of the to her knocks she asked if Mrs. Fallowbill could | female detective’s face. seen, “Who left the house last?’ eagerly inquired There was an affirmative reply to her query and | Mesa. ; Mesa soon stood face to face witha large woman ‘*A family named Copeland.” of fifty, dark of skm and with few traces of ‘** What did the man do?” ‘ former good looks left. ~ Mrs, Fallowbill smiled, : _ “IT thought you would come back some day,” ‘* There’s where I’m at sea,” she replied. ‘He exclaimed Mrs, Fallowbill, a queer smile over- | didn’t seem to do anything, but he always had spreading but not illumining her countenance. lenty of money, paying his rent in advance You did?” ike a gentleman,” “Yes. You went off the last time with a “Did they go off without warning?’ j proviso, and your coming back leads me to. be- “Very suddenly. They took their goods lieve that things haven’t gone to suit you.” away at night, and I lost ’em altogether. I Mesa said nothing for a moment. e | didn’t complain, however, though when I went ‘You are partially. right,” she answered at over to lcok at the house I found a brick ont of length, ‘ Every thing basn’t gone my way, but | the chimney in the upper front room—” I'm not discouraged. Who is your next door “You did, Mrs, Fallowhill?” interrupted neighbor now?” esa. P ‘*T have none on the left if that’s the house ** Nothing else had been disturbed. A brick out of a cbimney is nothing when the rent bas been squared up. Asa Copeland could have taken out a dozen bricks, and there would have Mesa gave a slight start. She could not help it for the news seemed too good to Le true. “T would have written and told you only I | been no growling.” lost your address,” continued Mrs, Fallowhill. Mesa’s brain was in a strange whirl of excite- “As I said I thought you would come back; | ment. that’s why I waited. The house has been empty ““Has Asa Copeland left the city? she in- three months, and I have the renting of it,” quired. , “That is good news, Have you looked through ‘**He was here three weeks ago, for I ran it, Mrs Fallowhbill?” across him in market, He didn’t care to recog- “Not much, I did not know where to look.” | nize me from some cause or other, and I refused “* Of course not,” put in Mesa with rising im- | to force myself upon bis attention,” patience, ‘Tf you don't object, T’ll take a run ‘* You don’t know where he lives now?” through the place.” | Mrs, Fallowhill sbook her head. It did not take Mrs. Fallowhill long to ‘*T tell you, Miss Marx,” cried Mrs. Fallow- duce several keys which she handed to bill on second thought, *‘ there is a chance to without hesitation, find the Copelands.” “Take your time to it,” said she. “ You won't |‘ Let me bave it!” exclaimed Mesa. be disturbed, for nobody is likely to come to see ‘Mrs. Copeland bas a fancy for oriole feeth- the property.” ers. She had the fivest collection of such you Five minutes later Mesa stood in a carpetless | ever saw. I believe she would spend her last room through the shutters of which a few strag- | penny and go to bed bungry to gratify her gling beams of dying daylight came. whim, Se told me ence that a certain mil- It was a lonely and ghostly place, and her | liner down-town was conmissioned to supply footsteps sent out a weird ae wherever she | her with the choicest oriole feathers the vgs ad afforded. If Nina Copeland is still in the cit she has lost none of her taste for orioles, rat warrant that much, Miss Marx.” Asa matter of conrse Mesa was not long in- quiring after Mrs, Copeland’s milliner, and as Mrs, Fallowbill had not forgotten the address she soon had the uesired information. ‘Tm going to run the Copelands down,” she Tro- esa went. The house had been bnilt in the days of wide fireplaces, and was old-fashioned in every par- ticular. There were cobwebs in the corners of the lofty room as if the last occupants were very lazy or the spiders very industrious, Mesa went up-stairs to a large apartment with the cleverness of a person acquainted with the | murmured. ‘The brick on the floor tells me plan of the house, There was a fire-place at one | that they discovered the secret of the cbinmey, side of the room but not so large a one as that | What it concealed must become mine! I will below, ; not stop short of the prize.” Many of the bricks were bare, the. whitewash Mesa Marx went down-town through the having fallen from them years before, A few gathering dusk of a warm day. She seemed to story of the last fire on the hearth. | know the streets of Philadelphia as she did Mesa Marx went up to the fire-place and count- | those of New York.’ Ni aaAiled (his ed the bricks from the left side upward by touch- | Half an hour after quitting, Mrs. Fallowbill’s ing each one with her finger. < house, she entered the open door of a fashion- ‘This is the side,” she said to herself aloud. ! able millinery store and was about to address a — ine i= he, SF 5 hee Stal & _ ¢ 4 et os er Ho. AJ « » rage 3 ‘ ae < eaten: “ovite
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x es young lady who rose to wait on her when a well-dressed woman came toward her from the end of the room. “The oriole is gaining in color!” said this person to the young girl who had waited on her. *‘* See that I get a chance at your next lot, before it is picked over. I’m your best oriole customer, you know.” These words ran through Mesa Marx with a thrill. Unexpectedly she had found the very woman she was looking for—Mrs, Copeland! There could be no mistake! at least, she would think of none. Nina Copeland carrying a small package of her favorite feathers passed out, and Mesa in her eagerness followed without ceremony, Not to lose the feather-fancier for a moment was her burning desire. It was woman on the trail of woman under the early lamps of the Quaker City. Mesa Marx had the cunning and perseverance of a tigress on the trail of a foe and the guiding figure ahead did not seem to have the slightest suspicion of what was taking place. Nina Copeland dropped into several places and made little purchases on her way home. Mesa saw her all the time and followed with her spirits up. When Nina ran up the steps of a certain building Mesa was at her very heels. All at once the hunted woman turned, and the next moment she bounded down the steps and halted in front of her persistent trailer. ** Pye seen you all the time!” she hissed, in Mesa’s face. “If you follow me another step, Tll make my bands meet in your throat!” The New York woman lost breath and color. ' CHAPTER VII. TONY FINDS A TRAP. ““ WELL,” thought Mesa, ‘‘I tracked her home anyhow. Mrs. Copeland is a keener creature than [ imagined her to be, but I guess there’s a way of getting ahead of her. She is very suspi- cious, thought I was a spy, and then expected to get rid of me by a threat. I’m not so easily dis- missed. I did not come to the Quaker City to be thrown off the trail by a few words.” The New York woman had marked the house before she turned away. It was not her inten- tion to give up the chase so soon; in point of fact, the finding of Mrs, Copeland only stimu- lated ber to renewed efforts, and she was now convinced that the secret niche in the chimney had been discovered by Nina and her husband. When Mesa went back to Mrs. Fallowbill’s she found that lady awaiting her in the parlor. “Tam almost certain that I saw the Sharp boy on the street awhile ago! exclaimed Mrs. Fallowhill whose countenance showed that she had something of importance to communicate. ‘‘What Sharp boy?” asked Mesa, trying to keep her curiosity below the excitable point, “The son of the woman who was my neigh- bor a good many years ago,” was the reply. “To be sure, he was small then, but he had his mother’s looks, and they have not left the urchin whom I saw awhile ago.” ‘¢ What was he doing?” ‘‘He was looking at the number over my door,” “Did he attempt to come in?” “No. I watched him from the window until he went away.” ** How was he dressed?” ‘‘He wore a common gray blouse, brown pants, and a straw hat.” aoe om you reasonably sure he was the Sharp y “T must say that I am.” ‘* What became of the family when they left the house next day?” “They went to New York.” ‘* Was Mrs, Sharp a widow then?” “No, Her husband always a sickly, dispirited man died some years later. Mrs. Sharp was a woman who kept her own secrets pretty well but she had a time with an old fellow who seemed bent on getting the best of her according to her story.” “Did he succeed?” ‘“‘{ think he did, He lived for a while in the house you searched awhile ago.” “What was his pame?” “« Stephen Skinner.” “* What became of him?” Mrs. Fallowhill shook her head. “Tye lost him entirely. He was sometimes visited by a lawyer named Fleecer, and he was Fleecer in more than name, too.” ; ‘* Where is he now?” ‘The lawyer?” ‘ es,” ah “He got killed by the carsa year after Ste- phen Skinner went off. Mrs. Sharp had no chil- dren when she was having her great trouble with Skinner and the lawyer. They came afterward, a boy and a girl, and both were growing finely when the family went away. f saw ’em so much that that is why I say the boy was back here a while ago.” Mrs. Fallowhill’s statement possessed great interest for Mesa.” “Which direction did the boy take when he went away?” she queried. ““ He went down street, But you might as well look fora pin in Fairmount Prak, and at night, too, as to look for him.” he New York woman permitted a smile to appear at the corners of her lips. ‘“‘T am going out,” she said to Mrs, Fallowhill. “‘T wish you would keep a sharp lookout for the boy; he may come back.” “Tf he is Tony Sharp he'll be bere,” was the answer. ‘‘ What shall [ do if he comes?” “ Hold him, if possible, till I come back.” There was a bright flash in the depths of Mesa’s eyes and her voice was full of power while she spoke. ** Tl] keep him if I can,” rejoined Mrs Fallow- hill. ‘* Little Tony Sharp used to like ‘Manima Fallowbill’ as be called me.” Mesa Marx went out Sgain- The coming of Tony Sharp to Philadelphia seemed to have altered her plans, She did not godown to the house to which she had tracked Mina Copeland. Another scheme appeared to inspire her. ‘‘T want the young spy!” she mentally ex- claimed. ‘‘Hecame over for a purpose and think I can see through it. The young imp is dogging me. He is playing the independent track-hound in order to baffle the little game I have under way. Let meseeif I can’t put an end to his schemes. I know how he shadowed Old Skinner and how the Vulture of Wall street has rebuffed him time and again. I don’t want any young foxes on my trail. I won’t have them there. This one must go!” And Mesa shut her hands hard, splitting a seam in her her glove. ‘If Mrs. Fallowhill did see the boy at the house, won’t he be looking for me?” suddenly thought the New York schemer. ‘‘It seems to me that I’m watched now by some one.” Mesa began to scrutinize the neighborhood in a cautious manner. She had halted at a corner, across the street from which was one of those little parks that dot the Quaker City in every direction. The night was warm, and the benches and walks were well patronized by people of all ages. esa’s wandering eyes gave every boy whom they ferreted out more than.a passing glance. Tl get closer to the boy against yon tree,” thought Dick Dido’s friend. ‘* He’s been there five minutes with no apparent end in view. If he turns out to be the young spy who is at my heels he will never get entertained by Fanny Fallowbill.” Mesa crossed the street without any seeming show of watchfulness, and reached the sidewalk along the park. In a flash, as it were, the figure at the tree turned out to be Tony Sharp. She could not be mistaken. She had seen the boy more than once of late in New York, and her eye: were not going to deceive ber now. A marking glance was all that Mesa cast up- on Tony, the b»y spy. It had satisfied her, and that was enough, She passed on, with a sly look over her shoul- _der when she bad gone a few steps. ~ The post by the tree was vacant, and a boyish figure was between her and the spot. “ Fortune is putting some lucky cards into my hands,” murmured the woman, ‘I take this as a good omen. Now I will lead the boy ferret into as neat a trap as he ever dreamed of. think I’m not altogether a stranger in the Quaker City.” . For some distance Mesa kept straight down Ln street with the sly figure of Tony at her eels, She did not seem to pay the slightest attention im. ‘She wasn’t so hard to pick upafter all,” said the boy to himself. ‘‘ Boflin was right when he said she had come to Philadelphia. He seldom makes a mistake, and I won’t make any either this time.” On went Mesa, up one street other, as if her pedestrian journ morony oh followed with th in f ‘on arp followed wi e pertinacity of a Gets hound. Bs uA nd down an- was to have Old Skinner, the Gold Shark. ES Lama SEE eee es oe 0 ge At last Mesa dodged suddenly into an alley, which was paved with brick, Here and there along the narrow way burned a light which did not go far toward dispelling the gloom, _ Tony soon reached the mouth of the alley and just in time to see his quarry knocking at a door a few yards away. _He bad run Mesa down on a mysterious mis- sion, - A few moments the figure of the fair Gotham schemer was visible at the door, and then it dis- appeared, of course inside. he shutting of the portal carried Tony for- ward. _He went down the alley as noiseless as pos- sible and close to the silent houses on one side. The door beyond which Mesa had disappeared was a common affair, It bad no panels at all, and instead of a knob, possessed a latch. _. The boy ferret wondered how Mesa bad found it so readily, since, in his belief, she knew so much about New York and so little concerning Philadelphia, but he had no time to speculate in. The house, as he could make it out, was an old story-and-a-half brick, with a small window above the door. It did not promise a very nice interior to any one who wished to investi- ate, “Tf I could but get inside,” muttered the boy. ‘* Mesa Marx came here, to this old house, for @ purpose connected with the game she is playing, and I dov’t want to missanact. May be they left the door unlocked. They did, by Jove!” Tony’s hand pressed the latch and opened the oor, - He stood for a moment on the discovered threshold with a thousand thoughts surging through bis brain and his heart in bis throat. “Pshaw! if Igo back now, I may lose every- thing!” he suddenly cried. ‘I think ’'m equal to Mesa Marx, so here goes!” He stepped forward into a dark hall beyond - the door, which he shut behind him. The next momenta pair of arms were flung around him, and a piece of cloth was thrown over his face and drawn tight. At tbe same time he was lifted from the floor, and while he gasped for breath, he felt himself borne swiftly away, whither and by whom he knew not. beam CHAPTER VIII. A LEAP FOR LIBERTY. ‘“‘ PRETTY cleverly caught, and about what I deserved!” said Tony Sharp to himself, before he was placed on his feet again, with the cover- ing as tight as ever about his head, “I have discovered—no doubt to my sorrow—that Mesa Marx knows bow to take care of herself. She'll look after her own interests, and mine, too, for that matter. ters as they turn up, and make the best fight in my power.” Scarcely had the boy been set down, when the: hands that had clutched him dropped away, and he was untouched. : He stood bev ildered fora moment, and then tore at the suffocating vail. It did not take him long to remove it, and. when he had done so, he found that he could see ‘but little better than before. He was in an unknown apartment, whose di- mensions he could not make out for the darkness that prevailed. Whether it was large or small, circular or square, he did not know, could tell if he was the orly tenant of the dark hole, and he waited some time for the voices of his captors, ya After awhile he went forward with outstretch- ~ ed arms, and brought up against a wall, which ~ was smooth and without a crack, ; Groping bis way to the left by means of this’ barrier, he founda door, probably the one by which he bad entered the place. it as i movable as the wall itself. * The New York boy was dumfounded fer a short time. ‘«T would like to get_a clew to where I am,” i y he cried, ‘This is torture, and I would sooner _ be shut up with a lot of hyenas, so I had a ittle light on the subject, than be cooped in — ere. His words came back from several directions, in dismal echoes. “Tecan try the ejaculated Tony. ves me a chance,” He stepped back, and gathered strength fora _ en launched himself with all bis might _ second, t against the portal. ough he fell heavily against the planks, a There was nothing about bim by which ho was as im- , The best I can do is to take mat- __ 4 door, at any rate,” suddenly — ae “Tt opens from me, and that =
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es ne & = - =i Bet "seemingly with force enough to achieve a vic- , he was unsuccessful, The door remained < rm as before, and Tony was compelled to withdraw. “ You can butt yourself to death against that - door,” came a voice from beyond the lock, and apparently in the adjoining room. “Who are you?” demanded Tony, springing forward and applying his ear to the keyhole. ‘‘Ho! that’s another question,” Jaughed the unseen. ‘* Well, Iam not talking to Mesa,” remarked the boy to himself. ‘“ The person beyond the door is a man, her partner no doubt. I can’t expect any favors from him if he stands in with her, as he undoubtedly does, Neitherdo | think he is one who can be frightened.” Then Tony raised his voice. A “‘You had no right to bring me‘fitre,” said he. “ What right had you to enter a strange house without knocking?” came the quick response. The New York youth made no answer, and he thought he heard a low chuckle supplement his silence, ‘Tell the woman for me that the person who holds the lost cards may hold the best ones!” be exclaimed, when he spoke again. “What woman?” ‘*-You need not try to deceive me, You are her friend, and I need not mention a name well known to you.” ‘*Come, boy. Don’t waste any time thinking that what you call ‘the best cards’ are liable to fall to you, seeing who is against you,” said the voice, after a brief pause. ‘In the first place, you walked into a trap of your own ac- eld and secondly, it is apt to hold you a long ime.” ‘‘ Well, tell her what I’ve said, anyhow.” “ She'll only laugh.” “‘T don’t care what she does, They laugh best who laugh last.” “Go away with your proverbs! They are *no good’ in this house. sides, you had bet- ter take things coolly, for you're tight. The trap fits the mouse and the mouse should not squeak,” Then certain footste door, and Tony hear beyond. he voice, which was surely that of a ars was gre strange tohim, It was Big 0 om Sy , like the e: ue of a person in the lower walks of life, and the imprisoned boy pictured to himself an uncouth jailer with a hard face pd merciless eyes. He could not be expected to take his confine- ment with any degree of patience. He was -quick-witted and impulsive, and wanted to be at work and on the trail which had brought him from New York. An actual minute in the dungeon was to him an hour of torture. He tried the walls again and again as the eagle tries its bars, but always with the same result. The room was‘without the most common article of furniture. He had to stand up or lie down, there was no half-way resting-post, and he preferred the former, ow and then certain sounds came to his ears. He could not tell whether they originated in the house or came from the street. _ New York Tony had brought up against an unexpected obstacle, and just when he was on the eve of an important discovery. Mesa Marx could now play her Philadelphia hand at her leisure, and then return to New York and finish her game for Old Skinner's “money, It is ery wonder that this thought galled the bea dow. f he could have broken through the door which had successfully resisted him, Tong might have seen the person with whom he had conve! He would have discovered that his mind pic- ture had not been overdrawn, for the strange man was a large, villainous-looking fellow with an evil face covered with a reddish beard. He occupied a small room whose carpet was a medley of patches, The dirty lamp on a greasy bracket revealed the interior of the place, _ veritable den of filth whose every pest matched well its pressing, genius, Every now and then the man consulted an old-fashioned gold watch which he fished from a tattered waist-coat, ‘Tf she doesn’t come back at the end of an hour, Pm to—yes, I am!” he grinned. “A plum sometimes falls into one’s lap when one isn’t looking for it. And it’s generally the big- moved away from the them die in the space ? - gist plum on the tree, too. That’s the fix I find Rs en sa As <= f : BA Yara myself in just now, and the plum couldn’t have fallen at a more opportune time, either. She’s got ten minutes yet. I'll deal squarely with her and give her the benefit of the last second.” The speaker, who might have sat for a por- trait’ of Daniel Quilp, held the watch in bis hand, dial uppermost, and watched the band reel off the seconds. At the end of the time he had mentioned, he took a long breath and put up the timepiece. ‘* Time up and she isn’t here,” said he, ad- dressing his own hideous self. ‘*The job is easily done, and nobody in particular will be the wiser for it.” He went to the door and looked out. The gloom of the brick-paved alley was be- fore him, and the street beyond it seemed for the moment to be sound asleep. ‘‘T don’t hear her, and it’s past the time,” he muttered, drawing back and bolting the door as he shut it. Then he took the lamp from its perch and left the room, In a chamber beyond he opened a closet in the wall, and reaching into it, found a coil of cord, which he examined in the ‘light. His eyes had a strange, greenish glitter which was absolutely dangerous, and he seemed to laugh within bimself while he inspected the cord. “ ft’s all O. K.” said he, shutting the closet door with a kick, and the next moment he crowed the rvom, and paused at a portal secure- ly fastened. He did not know that in the intense darkness that lay beyond this door, a boy was listening to the slight noises he had made. He could not see Tony Sbarp, the Gotham ferret, leaning forward with bis bands half- clinched, and his breath nearly gone. The mouse of the trap had heard bim, and in a second had prepared for what was coming. The man placed the lamp on the floor, and strung the coil of cord on his arm, Next he pie one hand and touched the bolt along the oor ‘‘He is coming in!” passed through Tony’s mind. “And his entrance can have but one meaning!” Burt Boffin’s little companion felt that a crisis in bis life bad arrived. In another moment the bolt shot back, send- ing a thrill through his frame, and then the door was jerked open. Tony Sharp caught sight of a great figure be- tween him and a certain light, but it did not dismay him, ‘* Now or never!” he mentally exclaimed, and the bound he made carried him past the man, and into the room beyond, He heard an oath and a cry as he alighted on his feet, and then a laugh that sounded like doom. “Tt’s no use, boy!” cried the man as he turned. ‘‘ The doors are locked!” CHAPTER IX. OLD SKINNER’S VISITOR. WHILE these somewhat exciting events were transpiring in the Quaker City, others not with- out interest were taking place in its great rival between the two rivers, Old Skinner had pluck and a good constitu- tion, and these mies combined promised to bring him through all right in a short time. He had not been burt as badly as was at first supposed, and the day after his bout with the unknown robbers (unknown to the police, for the old vulture refused to talk,) he appeared at his old haunts bandaged, but, as he said with a grin, ‘‘ still in the ring.” It ‘happened that. a certain investment made a short time before turned out unusually well that day and the old fellow went home in good humor at night. He was alone in the house with the exception of the deaf servant, whom he never took into consideration. | She occupied a garret-like room in a distant wing of the old-fashioned structure and never saw him save at meals, Old Skinner was figuring up the gains of the day when the bell twinkled in the ha e If I thought it was a detective or a reporter, T’d let °em wear the wire out,” grumbled the old shark. ‘‘They’d bother a person to death if they’d get a chance, and I’m not ready to go that way.” The bell seemed to ring in a manner which told that the person at tbe door did not belong to either of the classes mentioned by Old Skin- ner, and the broker out of patience’ at last shuf- fled into the hall. When he opened the door he found a female figure on the step. Old Skinner, the Gold Shark Skinner, the Gold Shark. eee ea A shadow of aversion crossed Old Skinner’s ace. “ Good-night, Mr. Skinner,” said a voice as the caller walked in and turned on the old man in the light of the gas. He looked at the woman, who had passed fifty, was rather good-looking and plainly clad. ‘*] did not send for you!” he began, gettin white at the lips, ‘* Don’t you recollect what said the last time J saw yout Well, I’m still of the same opinion and I—” “One moment, Stephen Skinner,” interrupted the woman who eyed the old vulture sternly. ‘“T am not here on my own account. My own interests veigh nothing against the welfare of those I love, Don’t say that you will not listen to me. You shall, I won’t be your unwel- come guest long—a few minutes at the furthest. But you must hear me. There is no getting out of it now.” “Very well, then, come along,” responded Old Skinner, tur ning on bis hee ‘and leading the way to the library. ‘‘I guess the quickest way to get rid of you is to give you string.” He waved his visitor sulkily to a chair, while he took his accustomed seat at the table and looked at ber with the mien of a hawk. ‘‘T want to know for the last time what you are going to do,” began the woman ‘For the last time, eh? I thought it was the last time when I dismissed you # year ago.” “You thought so, of course. My children are growing up and are in need. , Helen is seventeen, and ‘Tony a year younger ‘Never mind their ages,” broke in ‘Old Skin- ner, “‘T'll take all that for granted,” The woman’s eyes seemed td get an indignant look, but she beat her anger down. “You know very well how much you made by the game which yo 8 Ss mm years ago with the assistance of the Philadelpbia lawyer,” she continued, ‘“* What game?” “Don’t ask me, Stephen Skinner. -A mere reference toit pains me. You took from me and mine that which to-day, if possessed by us, would lift us out of poverty and make life pleasant. You made our propeity a stepping- stone to the fortune you enjoy, but so far you refuse to refund a cent.” “Don’t I, though?” heartlessly laughed the old wretch. ‘*I’d lke to see you or anybody else get abead of me in e business transaction.” The woman’s cheeks appeared to tingle under his rasping words, “Tt was a business transaction, though you call it slg exclaimed she. ‘‘ It was down- right robbery That’s o pretty serious char uy jnege a entleman, and-in his own ho too,” cried 1d Skinner, rubbing his hands. “| have nothing to take back!” Tony Sharp’s mother went on, ‘ As I have said, I don’t care for myself. I want my children to have some- Fr with which to begin the battle of life.” our boy has enough now,” growled the Wall street Vulture. ‘‘He has impudence enough to take him around the world without a dollar in bis pockets. Why, about the first — I saw in my own house after I had been was that boy of yours. 1 ordered_ him out, x bes he didn’t go till he gotready. More than this: he has stopped me on the street, he has dogged my footsteps, — spy times without number, and all for the purpose of put- ting forth that old chestnut about what I took from you long ago. I’ve made up my mind to be bothered no longer by the boy. I'll put him where the dogs won’t bark at him. I’m goin to be free to come and go without being molest by any of your family, Mrs. Sharp.” “Then you refuse to pay any of it back?” The question seemed tocome from between the woman's wedded lips. “*( won’t be bled,” ‘answered Old Skinner. “You mean you won't do justice to those whom you have wronged?” “ Just as you like, madame,” he laughed. “‘If you —— to bleed me you'll find yourself mis- taken, I’m a turnip, and there’s no blood in me!” The miser-broker settled back in his cbair and looked at Mrs, Sharp with tbe air of a map who has everything in bis own hands, There was a provoking grin at his thin lips and a cunning glitter m the depths of bis eyes. “You call this final?’ queried Mrs. Sharp. ‘Final? I should say so! My word is like the laws of the Medes and Persians.” Tony's mother left her cbair and looked down into the a ee face of the rom ig per “Then I will see what ” said she, coolly, and in a manner that startled Old Skin- aer. “What will you dof”
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Skinner,” was the reply. ‘I have suffered in si- lence a g many years, but they have passed. You know that I am a professional nurse, I pre- sume.” ‘**T don’t know what you are.” ‘Well, | nurse people who are dangerously sick. 1 go to their homes and give them all my time for their money.” ** For all their money, eh?” sneered Old Skin- ner. Mrs. Sharp colored. ‘*T have a patient now who is very low,” she resuined. ‘‘He knew you when you were not known as the Vulture of Wall street, a name which fits you very well.” ‘** What’s his name?” Tony’s mother merely smiled. “Ho! you want it to appear that you are the possessor of a secret,” cried the old fellow. ‘ Your patient is as imaginary as the man in the moon. I’m an old bird, Becky Sharp, and [ grew my full plumage a long time ago.” “This gentleman knew you then?” the wo- man proceeded quietly. ‘' By the way, he knew Jabez Fleecer, the lawyer, too. e has been very sick but he will get well.” “* And you propose to scare me by threatening to make known certain knowledge he claims to possess?” cried Old Skinner, “I propose to strike for my rights—to make you disgorge the wealth you took from me when you played your mean game with the Quaker City lawyer to help you,” In an instant Old Skinner was on his feet and his face was crimson, ‘* By Jupiter! this is too much!” he roared, “Yonder is the door, Becky Sharp. If you bother me any more, [ll have you arrested for blackmail. And if I do, you'll discover that Old Skinner, as they call me, has power enough to shut you up from the barking dogs, He pointed toward the door with quivering finger and appeared on the eve of springing at the woman and hustling her from the room. ** Don’t come back here!” he wenton. ‘And tell that little spy of yours:to keep his distance, besides. The lion hasn’t lost his claws because he’s cld. This is the last interview, Becky Sharp. I guess that is plain English,” ‘*T am satisfied,” answered re Sharp un- abashed by the the old shark’s rage. ‘ We will never beg for oar rights again. When next we meet I will be ina position to demand them.” ‘**Get out!” *“My boy knows more thangyou think he does, and if he has played spy: you assert, it has not been for nuthing.” “ ‘This is enough!” cried Old Skinner, ‘Give me trouble and I'll make you envy Lazarus for his wealth!” Becky Sharp gave the Wall street Vulture a parting look and went to the door. “Come back, and feel my mailed hand!” at hey Old Skinner while his mad eyes spar- ““Tll come back!” was the reply, and then the door shut and the figure of Tony's mother vanished, “Let her make a move—just one—against me and I'll crush her like an eggshell!” and the hand of the miser broker struck the tabie a heavy blow. ers CHAPTER X, THE TRACK OF A CYCLONE, Mrs. SHARP did not seem to breathe again until she was orce more on the street with the lights of New York visible everywhere, he showed on her countenance the results of her unprofitable interview with Old Skinner for some time or until she had left the miser’s house several blocks behind, ** Yes, I will come back,” murmured the per- secuted woman, shutting her hands as if to em- hasize her words. ‘If I am not mistaken, we ave at last a hold on the scoundrel who robbed us and sent my husband to his grave. He pre- tended to laugh away my story about my pa- tient, but I could see that it troubled him. Go on in your meanness, Stephen Skinner, The hounds of justice are at your heels, and it will take all your cunning to keep them off. If you can do this, you have more power than I credit you with,” Becky Sharp’s figure was soon swallowed up in a throng o: Ung es and she hastened to the humble tenement she called home, Her first inquiry when she had entered was concerning Tony. Helen said that her brother had not returned, and then added, quickly: ‘* Mother, I haye just dismissed a visitor.” ‘** A visitor, Helen?” a “You have driven me to the wall, Stephen 8 fOld Skinner, the Gold Shark. “ Yes,” Mrs. Sharp’s look was an eager query, which the daughter understood. “My visitor is known as the Broadway Statue.” continued Helen, smiling. ‘*“ Not Dick Dido?” ‘** No one else.” ‘““And pray what did that young scamp want?” ‘“* Vll wager almost anything that you cannot guess,” Helen’s pretty face was quite red while she spoke, ‘**T promised Tony to receive the fellow with a show of cordiality,” she resumed. ‘' You know { hold him in utter contempt, His very make- up is abhorrent, to say nothing of his character. ell, mother, he came here with the most brazen proposition I ever listened to—for listen to it I did, with my agreement with Tony in mind, He asked me to become his wife!” ** Dick Dido, Helen?” exclaimed Mrs, Sharp, as if she could not credit her daughter's astound- ing statement. ‘‘Of course you immediately showed him the door.” **No, mother; I told bim that I would think the matter over—” ‘* In sober earnest, child?” ‘In as good earnest as I could assume under she circumstances, I listened to the Broadway Statue because he coupled his proposal to some queer words,” ‘* What were they?” ‘* He pretended to be in possession of a secret which will better our circumstances, He threw out a hint here and there, and claimed that he can lift us to wealth and right the wrongs we have suffered at the hands of Old Skinner, the Wall street Vulture.” ‘** And he proposes to do this—when?” ‘* When I am his wife,” smiled Helen, Mrs, Sbarp was silent for a moment, and the young girl saw her face settle down to sober thoughtfulness. ‘“‘When are you to answer him?” she asked, looking at Helen. ‘He gave me twenty-four hours, and I silent- ly accepted.” ‘*A great deal can be accomplished in that time if no mistakes are made,” said the widow. ‘*T wish we had Tony here to counsel with. We don’t want to draw Livnel into the muddle—not at present, Helen.” “Not at all if we can help it!” exclaimed Helen, blushing at thought of the lover so far above Dick Didoin every way. ** We will help it, child,” was the assuring re- sponse, “The Broadway Statue knows some- thing, or he would not play the hand he does, The police have not yet discovered who dealt with Old Skinner the other night, and the money shark still refuses to invoice his losses. Mr. Boffin, Tony’s detective friend, is doing something in the case, and a visit to him might ss us along.” ust then, and almost before Mrs, Sharp had ceased talking, a knocking was heard, and Helen, with ap exclamation of delightful sur- prise, admitted Burt Boffin himself. There was a cheery look in the detective’s face and one which was not dissipated by en narration of Dick Dido’s visit and pro- al. “ The Feats Seige a3 the friend and compan- ion of Mesa Marx, ought to know something,” saidhe. ‘“ He isn’t the Broadway Statue all the time, and when he is not, he masquerades as ‘Jack,’ the cunning woman’s right bower in more than one kind of villainy. ow long has he been gone, Helen?” ‘* About an bour,” was the reply. 3 ‘* Did you really send him off in good spirits?” “I did not think it just the thing to discour- age him.” ** That was right, to feather his nest.” Helen’s face grew scarlet, “He is apt to see his feathers take wing!” she cried. pA ee does not think ~ mn ‘I suppose not. at is bis game : Beffin?” ae . ; The detective laughed a little mysteriously, at which Helen held up one of her dainty bands, ‘*T forgot for a moment that you are a detec- tive and on a trail,” she lagged irs reply to his own good humor. ‘‘I don’t press the question, mind you,” As Helen did not insist, Burt Boffin kept his Own counsels and as he was bidding mother and daughter good-night, he said; “If Lam not mistaken, Mrs, Sharp, you will get to keep your last promise to Old Skinner. You will meet him again and on equal terms,” Mr, Dick Dido is trying SE **T want to do so!” “The word of Burt Boffin for it that you shall!” 5 Five minutes afterward Tony’s friend vas on the street hurrying along with a complacent smile lingering at his lips, ‘Tf Tony has good luck in Philadelphia and I here, what’s to prevent us from making the Vulture of the Gold Exchange apey in full the debt be owes to vengeance. rs, Sharp’s _visit to him has roused the lion in bis nature and he will not stop short of the meanest and deep- est schemes to come out of this fight with flying colors, He knows who robbed him, yet he has not tried to recover the spoil. Now lam going tosee wiht I can do toward finding it. I did not integ#to make this move previous to Tony’s return,@yt late events have altered my plans,” Burt Mffin was soon on a street which lost it- self in Broadway. ; He did not take particular care to screen him- self from observation though he did not try to keep in the light all the time. 4.t last he came opposite a house whose num- ber appeared to gratify him and another mo- ment he bad passed into one of those open hall- ways so common in boarding-houses in the cities, ’ The Gotham detective knew that Dick Dido the dude and rascal had rooms on the second floor. In fact, a good many people besides him knew this for Dick bad never made any secret of his habitation, To mount the carpeted steps just abead was the result of a little effort, and the detective stood on the first landing in the dim light of a wall jet that burned all night. There was a strange stillness in the house, as if it was deserted, but Burt Boflin evidently thought otherwise. . 4 He walked past the gas-jet and listened ata oor. After awhile he knocked, gently at first, then a little louder, ‘* Not at home, eh?” muttered Burt. ‘‘ Pleased with the results of his wooing, Dick is making merry at his favorite chop-house. So much the better for my purpose.” The door was locked, but the detective took from ae Poke a bit of steel wire, with which he pushed back the bolt. nother minute bad not elapsed when he stepped forward into an extravagantly-furnished room, into which fell some distance from the step the light of the jet in the hall. ‘*Somebody’s been here!” exclaimed the de- tective, halting suddenly as he saw evidences of an unlawful visit everywhere. ‘‘ Probably while Dick Dido was trying to capture Helen, his room had a caller bent on mischief,” On every side was to be seen the work of the plunderer, Drawers stood open with their con- tents half-way out or wholly on the floor, the bed had been tumbled as if invading hands had searched it without mercy, and. pictures hung awry on the walls, But this was not all the detective saw, though he did not take in everything at a glance. All at once he caught sight of a figure strange- ly human on the floor, In a second he was stooping over it, and when he had dragged it half-way to the door, be saw that he bad found Dick Dido, the Broadway Statue. “The cyclone touched you, eb, Dick?” said the detective. In response, a singular noise issued from the young rascal’s throat, his eyes opened in a wild stare and became fixed on Boffin. * Ts—he—gone?” gasped Dick. «Is who gone?” asked the detective. Old Skinner, the Vulture!” and the Broad-~ way Statue fell back again unconscious, CHAPTER XI. JEALOUSY. THE next day a good-looking woman in a close-fitting traveling suit alighted from the cars in Jersey City and crossed to the New York side by the first boat. It was Mesa Marx, If she had successfully completed her Phila- delphia business her face did not betray her, but her movements told that sbe was anxious to reach a certain place as soon as possible, She went straight from the ferry to the houso occupied by Dick Dido the Broadway Statue. Springing mmbly up-stairs Mesa knocked at the dude’s door but got no answer, She next caught the latch and rattled it, This noise bronght a sallow-faced woman from another part of the house. : tre fi - Sh ina i ae RYE a hh OF ie F Mohs ze > Yale ame pet ig chor thtity - “ie ae ve ’ " » 7 - = = BAC? 2 wn A Pi rN
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Oldie tc nr iy Be oe ; ‘ . “What! don’t staring at Mesa. “4 a I know what?” Sa ‘Why, what happened last night? Sow should ip ‘** Haven’t you seen the papers? It’s in them.” By this time Mesa was excited and breathless. “Don’t beat the bush any more but go to the center of it, What has happened to Mr. Dido?” } ‘** He met with a misfortune.” “Of what nature?” ‘“He was robbed. Not only that but he re- ceived such treatment that his life is despaired of this minute. They took him to the hospital where he’s been going out o’ one fit into another ever since. I’m very sorry, for-he gave this house a great notoriety and he never was behind in his rent either.” ‘* Who robbed him?” queried Mesa. “Ah! that’s what they can’t find out while the victim’s in his present condition. It’s doubtful whether ke knows, himself.” “ Did you find him in the room?” ‘*No,. A man what wanted to see him on busi- ness happened to drop in while he was uncon- scious. The room was all tore up and looked like a cyclone had passed through it.” **Do they know what was taken?” “Not exactly. Haven’t you been here be- - fore?” ' * Mr, Dido and “Quite often,” smiled Mesa. I are old friends,” “‘T thought so. Then I have no objections to showing you the room. I’ve fixed it up since the affair so as to have it presentable to him if he ever comes back.” The landlady tock a key from her pocket and opened the door. aa you’d like to be alone here?” she said you know?” cried this person esa. ‘* Tf you please, a little while.” When the young woman found herself alone she sbut the door and turned on the gas. The next instant she sprung across the room and bent over the carpet in one corner. Her rapid fingers turned up the end they found and then forced themselves beneath the carpet. “Tf Dick did not create a new treasure since my goint away it has been robbed!” she exclaim- ed, losing some color as she looked up to meet the stare of the bare wall. “I think I could give the police a clew, but, I’m going to work it my- self. _The absence of certain things which Dick was wont to conceal under the carpet tells me ‘pretty plainly who came here last night. The old rascal has taken the offensive, I told Dick he was apt to do so, but Dick laughed and thought not. 1 wish I had been here when he ‘came, There would have been a scene not bargained for.” esa searcbed more places than the one under the carpet, but they did not produce any good results, . When she got through she left the room and got away from the house without again en- countering the landlady. On the street below she paused for a moment and then started off, Another summer day was closing, but the heat remained intense. Hardly a breath of air was astir in the nar- | th row street, and as Mesa passed along she jostled _ scores of people flocking to an open quarter ‘where they could get a puff of wind from the bay. ‘I'd just like to go in there and show the old Purlock that I’m still on deck!” she exclaimed, ‘halting in front of a certain house which she eyed with a good deal of spirit, ‘* No doubt he’s ‘chuckling over his swoop which may cost a _ human life. I could tell him what I found in Philadelphia and open his eyes. I could show _ him something and make his heart stand still.” _. Mesa had stopped in front of Old Skinner's house, the shutters of which were drawn, bpt i ag the slats she could see several bars of ; 4 qi ; : Ouce she seemed about to ring the bell for she ' went suddenly toward the step, but she drew off and continued to eye the premises, “Tl go and took after Dick,” she ejaculated. My “T want to be present when he comes to him- self if he ever does. He might give something 3 away if not checked and I don’t wan’t a detec- tive to havea hand in this affair, I had enough rience with a boy ferret in Philadelphia.” ta t ‘his allusion to Tony Sharp was the first one _, of the sort that had passed Mesa’s lips since her Teturn to New York. ‘ _Not long afterward she was admitted to a cer- ' tain ward in one of the city hospitals where she found &@ young man asleep on a patient’s cot. ~The attendant had airendy told her that Dick es rag ra rerio rs ‘ eet pee, iM BE er; if : $ “ r) t 4 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark. ienitiiaceeaias — ih Wail cn ores Ss 4 Oe a vt Pe ey eat , Dido was considerably improved, at which Mesa asked anxiously if he had made any statement. ‘* He is strangely silent,” was the response, “Thank Heaven!” said the woman, under her breath. ‘We are still safe, and no detective can keep us from playing our hand out.” At this moment Dick tossed restlessly on the ot. ‘“‘ Won't I have the dandiest child wife in New York?” he exclaimed. ‘‘ She promised to decide within twenty-four hours, and I know enough to capture the prize. Then for a merry time, Mg plenty of cash and a young bride, ha, ha, a Mesa blanched and looked at the nurse, **He goes on that way frequently,” said the man. ‘ He never taiks about any person but the girl who is going to answer a proposal of marriage, His mind seems to run on that alto- gether.” ‘*Does he ever mention her name?’ asked Mesa. ‘* Frequently.” ‘* What is it?” ‘* He calls her Helen,” Tn an instant the woman crimsoned. ‘* Are you sure he called her Helen?” she ex- claimed. ““T can’t be mistaken. I’ve heard it pretty often since they brought him here, and it’s al- ways Helen,” Mesa seemed to be suddenly transformed into a statue alongside Dick Dido’s cot. Her over- heated temples throbbed,. **T gave him his orders before I left and he’s disobeyed them!” she thought. ‘‘ I told him that I would stand no love-making, especially none with the beauty of Blank street.” She turned and looked out of the little hospital window, “Tf I had the girl here I’d show her that I’m not in a very good humor!” she continued to herself. ‘She is the boy’s sister, and if not pi now will give us as much trouble as he id. : Here she heard Dick’s voice again, and looked at the patient. The Broadway Statue was Seine on in the same strain she had just listened to, and it made her flush as before. “Don’t tell him I’ve been here,” she cried, touching the attendant’s arm. ‘“ He will find it out by and by, and can afford to wait until then.” Mesa went from the hospital to her old quar- ters—the big frame house in which we intro- duced her to the reader, She was watched part of the way by a man who did not lose sight of her until she was fairly in the building, ‘*So she is back from Philadelphia,” chuckled the watcher. ‘She made a short stay, and her uick return indicates that she was successful. ow when Tony turns up we will have some news. The boy should have come back with her. He knows where to report,” But Boffin, who was Mesa's watcher, left the woman to herself, and hastened to a neat little Yn on the second floor of a quiet lodging- ouse, The brief city twilight had disappeared, and e streets were sown with shadows, Boffin amused himself over the evening paper while he waited for the boy ferret. An hour passed and Tony did not come, **T won’t beheve that he did not strike Mesa’s trail in the Quaker City,” he suddenly cried. “Tony knew her destination, for the card that fell out of her sachel at the depot Bh it away. Mesa has been back some time. The boy should be here also.” Burt Boffin waited another half-hour and then lost his patience. _ “Something’s gone wrong,” he cried, bound- ing from his chair, ‘Mesa is a cunning years who carries claws under the velvet. told Tony to follow her with eyes wide open. She is capable of doing anything to the person caught on her trail. If she found the boy there—” He did. not complete the sentence, but sprung at the gas, turned it down, and darted from the room, t ; He acted like a man who did not know just Aid he was going, and it is likely that he did not. He went back to the house to which he had tracked Mesa Marx. The hall door was open and without a mo- ment’s hesitation he was on the stairs, Not until then did he seem to reflect. ““Pshaw! what am I up to?” exclaimed the detective, halting midway on the flight. ‘‘ She would call me a fool for asking her about Tony, ’ the boy detective, and I would deserve the name. This is a bad break for me, and I’ve got to cool off.” And he went down and into the street again. CHAPTER XII. QUITTING THE MOUSE-TRAP. Mersa Marx had come back to Gotham self- assured that she had left Tony Sharp behind and finally out of the way. Was she right? Let us see, The young shadow, who had pibebrgenss SSA walked into the house in the alley, there to f into hands which he could not see, was in des- perate peril when we saw him last. When he leaped from the dungeon-like room into the lighted one he expected to continue his flight through the nearest door and thence into the street; but when his red-bearded jailer turned on him and shouted that the door was locked, he felt for a moment that he would sink to the floor. ‘ Having spoken thus the man folded his arms and leaned against the wall with a Satanic grin on his ogreish countenance. Tony’s helpless situation gave him unbounded delight. The boy prisoner stood erect in the middle of the room and looked at the man at the wall with courage in bis mien. He saw-the coil of cord that dangled from his arm, and at once divined the use to which it was to have been put. “The trap still holds the mouse,” suddenly laughed Tony’s jailer. ‘‘ If he will cast bis eyes about be will see no hole. Ha, ha! what did he expect to gain by leaping into this room?” For a moment the boy made no reply. “You won’t get to play spy any more,” con- tinned the man, taking a step toward Tony. ‘* How do you know I played it?” “You enterec this house. You had no right to do that.” “No right when the happiness of mother and sister is at stake?” cried Tony. ‘** Not even then.” “Very well. Then nobody has a right to fight for bis own.” “You have nothing to fight for. You are nothing but a street mouse that squeaks because other people are better off than you are. But,” the man showed his yellow teeth again, “‘ you have squeaked for the last time.” ? Another step on the jailer’s part brought the two very close together. ; ** Don’t go me, sir!” cried the boy, throw- ing up one hand ip an attitude of self-defense. ‘Just as if that would make me keep my hands off!” was the reply. ‘See here! I’m going to wring your neck. A spy’s a spy until the cord fixes him. Ha, ha! I’ve got orders and I’m going to carry them out to the letter.” ‘* Orders from Mesa Marx. I know it.” ; Tony’s enemy bent suddenly forward and the boy saw his greenish eyes snap. ** What did you call her?” he asked. ‘* Mesa—Mesa Marx.” The map shook bis head. j **I don’t know her,” he said with another grin. Tony looked at him like a person astounded, but be saw that the man was trifling with bim, nothing less. ‘Who is Mesa?” resumed the red-beard, “Never mind,” answered the boy. ‘“ You know her as well as I do.” ‘*Tell me about her. Where does she live?” “Not in this city.” ** Where, then?’ “In New York.” * Among the big-bugs there?” “ No. ” “With the poor?” ** She’s not far from some very poor and some very wicked people.” ** Does she live alone?” oon? ‘* Who is her best friend?” ‘A man named Jack.” ‘* What ie his other name” Tony now saw that a sinister motive prompt- ed these rapid inquiries, } A change had come over the man’s counten- ance. The murderous flash had left bis eyes and eagerness of another kind was in its place. “You haven’t told me Jack’sother name,” said the the jailer after a mement of silence, “Do you really want to know it?” ‘Tl dos’ : ** Well, by some he is called Dick Dido,” — ““ What is he like?” ‘* He plays dudein the sunshine on Broadway. If you have seen dudes you can draw a mental portrait of Mr. Dido.” “Ts he young?”. =
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‘* About twenty one.” “Tall?” © yet He has a good figure and can talk well.” ‘‘ What sort o’ eyes has he?” ‘* Blue,” ‘“« A blue-eyed dude!” and the man laughed. Tony did not know what to make of this out- burst of merriment. Was the red-beard losing his senses? “So,” gaid he, “‘so her lover isa dude who poses in the sunshine, eh?” oS he 18,1, ‘¢ Where does he live?” Tony unhesitatingly gave the name of Dick Dido’s street. ‘Look here, I don’t feel like fixing you so much as I did,” was the response. ‘I toss this bit of cord away, thus!” and the coil was thrown into a corner. ‘If l’d do my duty, I would make this the dearest trap you ever entered, lt- tle mouse. In short, I would put an end to your running about o’ nights. But you’vedone me afavor. You have helped Ponchin to a piece of important information.” onchin! So that was the man’s name. It sounded Russian to Tony, but he did not think the second time about Ponchin’s nationality. ‘*’m glad I’ve helped you,” remarked Tony, “So am I.” The man’s look showed that he spoke the truth. ‘‘’m going to unlock the door for you,” con- tinued Ponchin. ‘‘ But you must give a certain promise?” ‘* What is that?” “Tf ever you run across her, and are ques- tioned, you must say that you escaped from this house without collusion.” ‘*T can do that.” ‘“‘Next—I will exact another promise—you must deliver a sealed letter to Dick Dido, the sun-lizard of New York.” ** Tl] do that, too.” Ponchin led Tony into an adjoining room, and seated himself at a rickety desk. A short search of the well-stuffed pigecn-holes brought to light several scraps of paper and a piece of een wax. Then the man bent himself to the task of com- posing a letter, watched by Tony Sharp with i oiargy and curiosity. fter ten minutes Ponchin folded the sheet, and sealed it with the wax in which, while still warm, he left the imprint of his thumb-nail. Then he made a scrawl across the document, and delivered it to Tony with a show of cere- mony. Don't let it get into the wrong hands,” he admonished, ‘Deliver it to Mr, Dido as soon as ible, and in secret. By Jupiter! one strikes a bonanza nowadays when he does not look for such a thing. You are a free mouse now.” A thrill of pleasure ran through Tony’s frame, He did not know how long he had been in the old trap, but he thought that some hours had sed since his capture. He held out his hand to Ponchin, who took it with another of his peculiar grins, and held it for a moment. Though the man’s hand was dirty, it was as soft as silk, and Tony looked up into his face, wondering for a moment if the red beard and greenish eyes were not a mask hiding the real person. Eager to quit the house which a short time be- fore he bad regarded as a death-trap, the boy ferret started toward the door, Ponchin sprung up aud threw himself in front of him. “T said I'd “open the trap and let the mouse out, and I will!” he smiled, at the same time turning a brass key in its lock. The following moment Tony felt the fresh air of the summer night on his face, and_with a hasty though fervent ‘‘Good-by” to Ponchin and a final glance at the interior of the room he was quitting, he vanished amid the spadows of the alley. Tony found his heart in bis throat again, but this time for joy, and he felt like sending up a whoop of victory as he struck the street and caught the gleam of its myriad lamps. It did not,take him long toreappear in the neighborhood of Mrs, Fallowhill’s house, but though he watched it fora while bedid not catch sight of Mesa Marx, He wondered if the woman, having disposed of him as.she thought, had not completed her errand to the Quaker City _and gone back to New York. He had not seen enough of her to fathom the full meaning of her trip, though he knew it was closely connected with the game she was play- Old Skinner, the Gold Shark. ing for Old Skinner’s money, He had not seen her remove the brick from the chimney nor fol- low Nina Copeland like a shadow of fate through the streets. Tony lingered near the house some time in hopes that Mesa would appear, but he was dis- appointed. At that very moment the schemer of Gotham wasa quiet and triumphant passenger on the Night Expreas flying over the iron rails between the two great clties. ‘‘ There seems to be nothing bere for me,” said Tony, to himself, at last. ‘* Mesa won’t oblige me with a glimpse of her face and the folks in Gotham may need me there. I wonder how Old | Skinner is coming on, and whether Dick Dido has called on Helen?” The boy walked toward the depot and soon entered the large waiting-room, “T know who did it,” suddenly exclaimed a voice behind him where the seats were. ** you had choked her when you found her at your heels we wouldn’t have lost the prize. ’ ‘‘ Never mind,” was the response in a woman’s | voice. “I would know her face among ten thousand. But how did she know we took the document from the chimney?” ** You'll have to ask her.” ‘Tl not do that, but, as true as I am, Nina Copeland, Ill get them back, or know w hy not! Tony glanced at the speaker. Sbe was young and handsome, and there was a dangerous look in her black eyes. CHAPTER XIII. MESA FAILS. OLD SKINNER in his room in New York was taking his ease. He bad had an unusually good foe on ’change and his private ledger showed a balance on the right side. He had no notion of going out any more that day, but the prospect of a lucky investment would have tempted him into the streets, The Vulture of Wall street was quite alone. The deaf servant bad retired and the loudest thunder would not had broken her dreams. Allat once the old man started to his feet and stood for.a moment at the table with a cold perspiration breaking out on bis brow. His front door had opened. He was conscious of baving locked it and he knew that buman agency was the only thing that could open 1t at that time. Several private papers lay on his table. He hastily snatched these up and thrust them into an inner pocket. At the same time he heard footsteps in the all. Before the old man could prepare to receive the unknown, the library door swung on its hinges and he fell back a step when he found himself confronted by—Mesa Marx. Her visit to the Quaker City was oneof the events which Old Skinner knew uothing about. If he bad known of it he might have become a trifle paler, though as bis face was, just then, that did not seem possible. Mesa met the old shark’s stare with a provok- ing smile which did not reassure him. he came forward treading like a cat over the soft carpet and with her eyes fixed upon him. “What do you want?” ventured Old Skinner though he could have compressed the object 0: her visit into one word—money! ‘What do you think I want?’ answered esa. The miser-broker did not reply. “| never call unless on business,” continued the fair plotter. ‘“‘It would not do_for me to come to your house for nothing. You know that, This is my last call if you play fair with me, Stepben Skinner.” ** What do you mean?” “This,” said Mesa, leaning toward him with her hand on the edge of the table. ‘I want twenty thousand dollars, Not your check, Stephen, but clean cold cash. I don’t care how large the bills are so the amount is right. Now I don’t intend to frighten you out of your wits,’ she laughed at the end of this’ sentence. “Neither shall I go off without the sum I’ve named,” “Dm no fountain of gold!” exclaimed Old Skinner. ‘1 don’t run my greenbacks like a Government mint.” “No, but you’ve got enough of them to make a mint.” ‘* Pl keep them, too,” The sinister face of Mesa Marx seemed to closer to the sallow features of the old Shylock. * Tye been away,” said she, He looked at her without a word. “Pye been off on a litfle errand,” she went on. “Indeed? You don’t go very often,” grinned Old Skinner. “No,” resumed Mesa. the twenty thousand?” : The Wall street Vulture pressed his lips to- gether in a firm resolution. “T see. You will refuse again.” ‘Yes, woman. I’ve got the police on your traék.” ** Do you mean that?” ‘Play your little game and see,” Mesa glanced toward the door which she had left slightly ajar. “Since you invite me I will pla Skinner, Let me see; where shall ‘* Where you will.” : The cunning woman seemed to reflect for @ moment. rae “Oh, yes!” she exclaimed. “There is in Philadelphia a certain house-—Number 402, In one of the upper front rooms 1s an old-fashioned chimney, such as was in vogue when you were & boy, if such people as you ever have any boy- hood. In this antique pile of brick is a loose stone and in a niche behind it once lay some Im- rtant documents. Ho! what is the matter, Old Skinner?” Tbe New York money shark had started for- ward and his lower jaw had dropped. ‘Shall I have the twenty thousand?” asked Mesa. ‘* Ror what?” ‘For what I know.” “ What do you know?” She drew off and looked at him, smiling again in her old way. nd . Old Skinner caught a new breatb. * You know what I said a while ago?” he said ‘““Now, what about it, Stephen begin?” . her. “ About having set tbe police on me?” “ Yes,” “Well, I don’t care for the police!” blurted Mesa. ‘‘I passed that point long ago. I go ahead with my plans just asif there were no such people nearer than London. Let me come to business. l’ve got the papers that were in the chimney, and more than that, too!” ‘JT don’t want them.” It was Mesa’s turn to look startled. “Come, you can’t hoodwink me, Stephen Skinner,” she cried. ‘* With those papers 1 can strip you of every dollar of your wealth and send you up the river, old as you are, ‘Don’t shake your head and say Tcan’t. I know that you played cyclone when I was away.” Mi Mer innocently asked the old man. ‘‘ Stepben Skinner, the man who sits before me! Lhad not been in the room five minutes before I knew who had been there.” ‘‘ Now, what do you mean?” ‘‘How innocent you want to he,” smiled Mesa. ‘You pounced upon Dick Dido like a hawk pounces upen a mouse, and having fin- ished him, as you thought, vou took everything that suited your fancy, even to a few papers under the carpet.” « Well, hasn’t a man a right to recover his own?’ snapped Old Skinner. ‘* His own, ea?” “Yes,” and the old man pushed his body for- ward. “I got even with the band that gave me my hurts. Wasn’t that fair? No, Mesa Marx, I baven’t got twenty thousand dollars for you or any one else!” “ Ts this final, Stephen Skinner?” ‘It is final.” ‘Then you will pay more than twenty thou- sand to Becky Sharp The Vulture of Wall street started as ifa knife bad pierced bim. et “ What do you care for Becky Sharp?” he cried, looking at Mesa, who had stepped clear of the table. ‘* That’s only a threat to clinch your scheme, I’m not the first man you have black- mailed. Because a men has money must he be- come the prey of the harpies of New York? That is the way you look at thematter anyway. I don’t owe Becky Sharp a dollar, and what I don’t owe I won’t pay!” : , * All right,” rejoined the woman, going to- ward the door. “Jil strip you of more than twenty thousand dollars before I’m done with you! I'll make you earn a bread by the sweat of your brow, and Pi on bread at that!” Go on!” langhed Old Skinner, ‘“‘I wavt you to go to the length of your string, and then Pll — show my hand!” The two looked at one another like tigers — standing face to face. = op It wae doubtful which heart thought itself the UE most triumphant. Suddenly Mesa raised her hand and covered — fi §
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pod old man in his chair with a finger that quiv- ered. ‘“*You’ll hear from me before to-morrow night!” she exclaimed. ‘‘ We will see whom the ca of New York will the most readily obey. ustice didn’t get old Fleecer, your Philadelphia lawyer friend, a moment tuo soon, She reaches out her band for Stepben Skinner, and a few hours will fiud that hand at his throat. Then laugh at Mesa Marx if you will. Then say that you are glad you did not pay ber twenty thou- sand dollars for the chimney papers, if you dare! With manacles on your wrists and iron dia- monds before your eyes, you will bave plenty of time for reflection. Set the police on me, will you? Take care that [don’t tarow them upon you before you can call one to your assistance!” She put one band behind her and opened the door, then, as the other oue dropped at her side, she stepped into the ball and vanished, For a moment Old Skinner seemed to struggle for bis breath. He grew red and white by turns, but all at once he left the chair and bounded across the room. ‘Where is the witch?’ he cried. ‘If she drives me to the wall, Vi—Tl—” He was confronted by Mesa so suddenly that the sentence died on his tongue. ‘©You will do what?” she queried. ‘‘ Why don’t you finish your sentence, which was a threat?” — The miser-broker sprung at her, but found two hands at his wrists. _ “Dm not a child, Stephen Skinner!” she said in his face, and at the same time she pushed him back over the carpet to his chair. ‘* You won’t \ pay me what I ask, eh? You prefer to fight for what you stole years ago, do you? Ah! you want to keep your grip on other people’s rnoney ! You sha’n’t do it! You must pay me twenty thousand dollars, or [ll rob Wall street of its money vulture. I want it now! Count out the cash and go on fleecing your fellow-men; refuse, and take the consequences!” At this moment Old Skinner sunk into his chair with a half-stifled cry that made Mesa’s heart stand still, A most ghastly hue fastened itself on the banker’s cheeks, The plotter of Gotham re- coiled and stared at him a second, then, with an exclamation of horror, she fled from the room and left its stricken tenant to himself. CHAPTER XIV. THE EFFECTS OF A LETTER. Tony SHarp, mindful of his promise to Ponchin, the keeper of the trap that had caught him in the Quaker City, went straight to Dick Dido’s lodgings upon bis arrival in New York. * He carried Ponchin’s letter sealed with green wax in an inner pocket and was anxious to get shut of it as soon as possible, But when he reached the house he was in- formed of Dick’s misfortune and told that he would find the Broadway Statue at the hospital. ‘*S0 somebody came down on the dude did he?” exclaimed the boy shadow, departing with the landlady’s story running through bis head. **T think I could guess without mucb trouble, but I won’t express my opinion of the affair.” He soon presented himself at the threshold of the accident ward and was told that Mr. Dido had just departed, baving recovered from his severe choking. A singular tbrill swept over the boy’s frame. ‘A few minutes too late, but never mind, Pll find him!” he murmured, retracing bis steps. ‘‘ I will go home now and see how aiaie are there. _ Then for Burt Boffin and an exchange of views,” He was not so sure that he would not find the city detective at bis home in consultation with his mother and Helen, but when he entered the hallway he was surprised to bear a voice which he thought he recognized, band went forward another step and was sure that he had not guessed wrongly. The very man he had sought at the hospital was then in the house! _ “TI had a peatiy ood shaking-up, but I’m over it now,” laug the voice. ‘* You see I | _-was looking for nothing of the kind, though I Ms f thought something startling might happen.” MMs! Did you lose much?” asked Helen’s voice, ae nena oa . 7) i “Not a great deal. I might have lost m life, you heen . “, ot ee ee, yee.” 7 e “If I had I would not be here now reminding ul ror your promise,” Ya Tony could have looked into the room at Fle that moment he would have seen a deep and in- +e dignant flush on his sister’s face. : > He f y het “i ee i =" Net be Fe ee mereryigr ae ee * | . ‘Of course you have made up your mind,” continued Dick Dido. **T have.” ‘‘ Well, let me have the decision. I'm a fel- low who don’t believe in much ceremony.” A second’s silence ensued. “Il cannot become your wife, Mr. Dido,” re- plied Helen in firm tones. ** You can’t, eh?” broke forth the dude, raising his voice. ‘‘Surely, you haven’t forgotten what I said when [ was bere last?” “T have forgotten nothing.” “* You don’t know what you’re missing. You are poor enough now, and it isin my power to keep you where you are, or to make you shine out like a queen.” ‘*T can’t help that. and [ have given it,” ‘Then you want to be poor!” cried the Broad- way Statue. ‘‘ You want to see your mother nurse sick people for a mere pittance; you desire to keep your brother on the street following like a cur at the heels of the police. If you don’t re- consider your decision you shall get lower still. I can bring you down another notch!” The last word was still on Dick Dido’s tongue when the door at his back opened suddenly, and he found himself confronted by the young detec- tive. ‘*The cur is at some one else’s heels just now!” cried Tony, his figure drawn proudly upand fire in his eyes. ‘* You need not put yourself to any trouble to fetch us down conther notch, If Helen should choose for a husband the man in your clothes she would find herself disowned by the only brother she has in the world, You don’t need to flash in the pan asI see you’re getting ready to do. WhenI have delivered a certain, message that I carry you can get outof this house and remain away. To know you thorough- ly is to despise you. We don’t want dudes around here.” Dick Dido who had colored to the temples saw Tony thrust his hand into bis bosom and draw forth a letter. He started a little at sight of it, though he did not suspect its authorship, and took it quickly when it was extended. “Who gave you this?” he inquired. ‘*] guess the signature will tell you.” Dick broke the waxen seal and opened the let- ter. Tony and his sister watched him intently. All at once the dude’s face grew pale and he was seen to recoil a step. Ponchin’s letter seemed to be of more than passing importance. It was not long, though its composition had oc- cupied the red-bearded rascal considerable time, but be had evidently chosen the right words and said not one amiss. Dick’s hands trembled as he folded the letter. ** Did he give you this bimself?’ he asked. ** He did.’ “* How did he come to find you?” ‘* Never mind that.” ** Does he live alone?” “T think he does,” The Broadway Statue put the letter away in his Rake 4 , ‘* You know the rules now,” continued Tony. This house wants nothing more to do with you. Mn age sharply at the boy, but did not md. he startling effects of Ponchin’s letter had not dd off. ‘* There are some things to be discussed in the future,” he said to Helen from the door where he halted a moment before going out. That’s enough, sir!” eried Tony, stepping forward. “ Yes, some things will be discussed a“ ~ caeere and you are wot likely to ony out e discussion in ver shape, either.’ i: wore sd ian mean se ‘* Wait and see,” replied ith a wav of bis hand, sh aie la 3 Dick Dido jerked the door open and left 80 burriedly that he did not bid Helen good-night. if Who looked for two thunderbolts in one night?” he exclaimed, when he struck the side- walk. ‘‘ The last person from whom I expected to hear sends me a letter by the very boy I did not want tomeet, The boy has been in Phila- delphia, Did be follow Mesa off? I wonder how he knew Ponchin was there?” Talking thus to himself Dick Dido went back to his room which he had not visited since he had his encounter with Old Skinner who bad choked and robbed him, 4 He found the apartment restored to its origi- nal condition by bis landlady who insisted on congratulating him and explaining everything in ber garrulous way. Dick was in hasty humor and cut her off with- out any apology. You asked for my answer, oo Old Skinner, the Gold Shark. - EY eee 2 greens 11 He bad something important on bis mind. “Dye got to see this wretch, Ponchbin,” he cried. “Just when I want to do something else, I have to go to Philadelphia and listen to him. I thought be was out of the way. I never dreamed that he would find me. It was through that boy—the cur who follows at the heels of the police!” Dick took a small valise from his wardrvhe and threw a few articles into it. Then he donned some garments that broke his dudish appearance. He pulled a soft bat over his eyes and gave his mustache a fresher black tint. “Tf I can get to the cars without being seen I'm all right,” te thought, _‘“ I’ll come back vic- torious. I will het my head on that.” He went down upon the street and hailed the first cab he saw. “To the Jersey City Ferry,” he said getting inside and away he went. Arrived at the landing, he jumped out, paid bis fare and went aboard the boat. With his hat still over his eyes, he passed through tbe men’s cabin and sought the crowd on the planks beyond. Dick was impatient. He thought he never knew a ferry-boat to be so long in start- ing. Ke last the wheels began to move and they were off. “Going away, eh?” suddenly whispered a voice at bis elbow, If a pistol bad been fired over bis shoulder Dick would not have given a quicker start. He whirled and looked wildly around. ‘““Ab! I see! you are going off and no mis- take,” continued the same voice and at the same time the speaker glanced at the grip in the dude’s hand. A cold horror seemed to settle over Dick’s bopes, e was confronted by a seers forty or so and the observation bad left on bis face, “Don’t let me excite you, sir,” the stranger weot on laying one of bis bands softly on Dick’s shoulder, ‘* You are going to Philadelphia. So am I. We will travel together and make a double call on Ponchin,” Dick’s eyes flashed up suddenly and he drew back, but did not escape the hand on his shoul- der. ‘I guess I’ll travel alone!” cried he. “T think not, Mr. Dido,” was the quick and firm response. ** You will consider yourself en- tirely in my charge. Of course you know me, therefore it is quite unnecessary for me to an- nounce that I am Burt Boffin, a detective!” It was ‘‘ quite unnecessary ” for the speaker to say anything of the kind. Dick Dido’s countenance was proof enough of this. He looked out upon the river through which the boat was plowing its way, and all at once a strange light lit up his eyes. Was he about to leap over the chain and throw himself into the water? Asif be thougbt so, Burt Boffin allowed his hand to close gently on Dick’s arm. CHAPTER XV. MESA’S BOLD HAND, Ir Mesa Marx had been asked in what condi- tion sbe had left Old Skinner, she would bave been compelled to say dead! The ghastliness of the old man's face, his posi- tion in the cbair, in short, everything strength- ened this belief. The sudden shock of her excited action, the forcing of him across the room, seemed to have snapped the brittle chord of life, and left the Vulture of Wall street powerless to fleece man of a smile any one. ton went directly to the big tenement, and thence to ber own quarters therein. “Nobody saw me enter Old Skinner’s house,” said she to herself, when she bad taken sober second breath, ‘' I am sure no one was around when I came out, so why should I let my heart get up into my throat at a little thing like this? If he is dead, ny J I can sell my secret to the rson who gets his pile, If he recovers, I will ave apother chance at him. Dead, the police won’t bother me; alive, he won’t set them on me as he threatened. I’m safe!” wae was a satisfactory conclusion for Mesa to reach. She wanted to bear from the man she had lately left, As long as she remained where she was she would hear nothing. She dressed and went out. As a matter of course, her feet wandered back to Old Skinner’s neighborhood, She saw the house as grits and quiet as ever, with not the shadow of excitement about it. x! Gates =. tage oi = - 2 ce — re a ee
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12 The miser-broker was not dead, and she would have another chance at his purse. by Of course Mesa did not investigate beyond the oor. She contented herself with an outward in- spection, which was the least she could do, All this time she was watched by a boy, who kept himself as secluded as possible, Tony Sharp had, by the merest luck, caught sight of Mesa’s flitting figure, and had followed her like a true street fox. He knew nothing concerning her interview with Old Skinner, ’ He had just finished a bout with Dick Dido in his (Tony’s) own home, and had sent Burt Bof- fin, whom he encountered on the street, after the young man. As the detectiva was after Dick, he could look after Mesa, Tony watched the young woman, until she turned from Old Skinner’s house, coming toward him, as if she had ‘suddenly caught sight of him, and was determined to run him down, The boy managed to elude her, and ‘when she had passed, he followed as before. ‘*1 would like to know what Mesa took from the Philadelphian «whom [ heard talk so plainly in the depot,” murmured Tony. ‘‘She came over in the same car that carried me and when she thought I wasn’t looking Isaw her eyes flash several times, Mesa got the best of her somehow, and if they happen to collide, there will be ascene. Mrs, Copeland is a determined looking young woman, quite equal to the task of taking care of herself, So is Mesa, and that’s why Id like to see ’em meet,” Tony had scarcely finished ere he saw a figure dart from a doorway and take after esa, “Tt is she now!” he exclaimed quickening his speed. ‘* Think about a certain person and he’s sure to turn up.” Though the boy shadow could not see the face of Mesa’s pursuer, her figure was enough to identify her in his mind. Sbe was swift of foot and almost noiseless and while Tony gazed she came down upon Mesa like an angel of doom, Mesa moved along totally unconscious of the approach. They were many feet bebind her. Wby should she have a pursuing enemy among them? ' Suddenly Nina was seen to reach Mesa’s side, ** Now for a collision!” cried Tony. ‘'I want to be near enough to hear what they say.” The plotter of Gotham was seen to look “round the moment Nina came up, She started violently and then fell back. ‘ “Tye found you!” said the Quaker City _'woman, and at the same time her hand closed on Mesa’s wrist. ‘Don’t try to get away or deny that I have caught the right person. If you do either I will call the aes and hand ou over on a charge that will finish you for a ong time, You’ve robbed me.” ‘Me? When?” ‘* A few hours ago in Philadelpbia.” Mesa affected to laugh derisively, “You can’t laugh it down,” Nina went on. **T know what I’m talking about, and I’ve been hot on your track ever since, ou know what you took. Hand back the property.” ; og twe women gave each other look for ook, “Do you want to attract a crowd?’ resumed Nina. ‘‘We are seen already. Give me the papers?” ‘* What papers?” “* The ones you took from me,” ** What right had you to them?” a = right of discovery. We found them,” e **My husband and I. We found them in the chimney. You came a little too late.” Mesa did not reply. ‘* What are you going to do?” asked Nina. **T can’t surrender that which I have not got.” ** Yon mean not here?” “ Yes.” ‘* Where are they?” ** At my room,” Nina doubted; her looks told Mesa this, ** Where do you live?” she inquired. “Perhaps you know; you say you've been hot on my trail.” ‘*T don’t know. Is it far from here?” ** Not very far.” “Then take me to your room, Remember, no double game. You shall not cheat me out of what I’ve won. At the first sign of treach- ery I’ll make this affair cost you more than you care to pay. Which way?” * The two women started off, followed by Tony, who wanted to see the end ef the play. Old Skinner, the Gold Shark. Mesa’s errand to the Quaker City had ended successfully, though she had to perpetrate a theft to bring it about. She had intended to extract certain valuable documents from a chimney, but Nina Copeland had forestalled ber. But a later move had obtained the prize. She had robbed Nina. All this was plain to Tony Sharp. The over- heard conversation of the two women had made it so, He kept after them, not losing them for a mo- ment, Mesa was guiding Nina to the street where she occupied quarters in the big frame house, She seemed eager to reach ber destination, as if she expected to turn the tables there, ‘“Is this tue house?” asked Nina, looking up at the structure when Mesa halted before it. ‘I live here.” “On which floor?” ** The third.” Nina Copeland appeared to hesitate, but for a moment only. ‘Go on!” she ordered, firmly. as high as you lead.” The two entered the building. “The tug of war will come in Mesa’s room!” exclaimed Tony. ‘‘She no more intends to surrender her prize than she hopes to fail at the end of her game.” The two women vanished beyond the threshold. Becky Sharp's boy slipped into the same place and stopped in the shadow of the door. He waited until he no longer heard footsteps on the stairs, then he began to climb the steps. ‘*On the third floor, Mesa said,” he thougbt. ‘* Tt won’t be hard to find them there.” Several minutes afterward the young shadow stood in a dim hall on the third landing. He looked ahead and saw a light flash sudden- ly beyond a transom, and in a jiffy he was there, ‘* Now, let me have them,” he heard a voice “T can climb say. if was Nina’s, He could see nothing by means of the keyhole, so be threw up bis hands and caught the top frame of the door. He drew his body up and ventured to look in- to tne room beyond. Mesa and Nina stood face to face. “ What are you going to do with the chimney papers?” demanded Miss Marx. “ That's my secret.” ‘You can’t bleed Old Skinner with them. He'll set the police on you.” ‘** Maybe I don’t intend to bleed bim.” ** What, then?’ **T guess those papers will do delayed justice to a needy family. They are the documents which, if in Old Skinner’s possession, would per- petuate the old shark's grip on otber people’s money. I don’t know how they got in the chim- ney. I know we found them there and that is enough, Old Skinner can turn the police on me if he wants to, but he would better not.” Mesa stepped toward a small bureau in one corner of the room. Nina’s eyes followed ber as ~ opened a drawer and dropped her band into i ' The very movement told that she was making a bold play. The next instant a cry parted Tony’s: lips, As quick as a flash ol Marx had wheeled with a revolver in her white hand. ‘**Get out of this house!” she exclaimed, cov- ering Nina with the weapon. ‘‘I’!l count three for you, If you are bere then, I'll kill you in your tracks! Give up the chimney papers? I'd as soon think of surrendering my lite ” It was the most thrilling tableau Tony Sharp had ever seen. His bands slipped from tbe cross-bar overhead and he dropped ‘to the floor like a cat. CHAPTER XVI. TONY SCORES A POINT. It was the boy shadow’s intention to rush into the room and prevent a tragedy, for there was desperation in Mesa’s eves, On the other band, Nina did not exhibit any signs of fear, but stood erect before the fair plotter and looked her squarely in the face. For a moment after Mesa’s last words silence reigned beyond the door, then Tony, with bis hand on the latch ready to rush forward, heard her voice again. ‘* What are you going to do?” asked Mesa. “This is no child’s play. I don’t intend to be followed by you nor any one else, I shall count three as I said moment ago. One— two—” The second number brought a footstep toward the door where Tony listened. “You can drive me off, but you can’t Beer me there,” said Niva Copeland, ‘If you thin you are to retain possession of the chimney pa- pers, as you call them, you may find yourself mistaken,” ** You cannot get them!” ‘*T have made uosuch boast.” ‘*Tt would be a foolish one if you did.” The footsteps came nearer and Tony Sbarp drew back. : A second later and Ninva stepped into the hall, not seeing the sbarp-eyed boy who hugged the shadows at her right and adroitly kept his body from view. He saw her send a parting look full of re- sentment into the room she had just left, and then she hurried toward the staircase baffled by a pistol in the hauds of Mesa Marx, Tony was about to vacate his position. when Mesa’s figure darkened the doorway. She looked madly after Nina with the deadly weapon clutched tightly in her band, but ber baffled rival had already disappeared, , ‘‘She played and lost!” laughed Mesa, in au- dible tones. “I'd like tosee her rob me. Some people can turn the tables, buf she is not one of that kind, Will she come back at me? I want to see ber try!” Tbe woman vanished and the door shut with a bang. Tony Sharp did not lose a second after this in a vigorous pursuit of Nina.. He sprung down the steps to the street and caught sight of her moving away in the gaslight. It did not take him long, agile as he was, to overtake her, and bis touch made her start and change color, : “She frightened you off, eh?” exclaimed the boy, looking up with asmile into Niva’s face, ‘‘Well, | can’t say that I blame you, for there was ‘shoot’ in Nina’s eye.” His words seemed to render Nina speechless. ‘‘ Who frightened me off?” .stammered the Quaker City woman though she had just heard Mesa’s name mentioned. : “Come, come. I saw about all of the fight,” smiled Tony in return. ‘*I wish you would tell me something, and I think you will when I tell you wbo | em.” ‘* Well, who are you?” * Tony Sharp.” Nina’s eyes cilated with amazement. ‘** Becky Sharp’s boy?” she cried. ce Yes,” ; The face into which the young detective looked seemed to soften, ' At any rate, it lost some of its reserve, ‘““What do you want to know?” continued Nina. ‘* Something about the chimney papers,” The Philadelpbia woman started slightly, “You don't want Mesa Marx to keep them and win the game do you?” exclaimed Tony. **'No, no!” : : “She got abead of you awhile ago, and she may do it again if you have nobody to help ” ‘ ‘*She had a pistol. I had none.” “And if you hadn’t taken sober second thought you would not be here talking to me, The woman—Mesa Marx—is desperate. It is'a fortune or a prison with her, and she knows it, too,” Nina eyed the boy closely while he spoke and almost before he had finished ber band encircled his arm. “Tf I could believe that you are Becky Sharp’s boy—” she began when Tony interrupted her: “Let me tate you bome and sbow you mother and sister Helen!” he cried. ‘“No, not now,” was the response. believe you,” “And you will tell me what the chimney papers say, won’t you?” : Nina seemed a long time answering the boy. “T don’t know but what I should,” said she. Tony’s eyes brightened. ‘* Where can we go?” continued Nina. The boy shadow looked about them and espied just ahead the benches and trees of an open square, a We can take one of the benches over there,” he suggested, and Nina nodded approval. ; A brief time sufficed toseat them in a secluded part of the little park, and Tony was all atten- tion, waiting for the young woman to speak. “‘T am obliged to tell you from memory,” she began. ‘In the first place, my husband, Asa Copeland, isa gambler. He now and then gets “*T will | possession of some odd secrets which he uses to his own advantage when he can, I don’t know how he discovered that there was a secret con- nected with a certain old house on Blank stree Philadelphia, but discover it be did, >
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~ a by the cars years ago, it several times,” ‘Was it Old Skinner?” cried Tony. ' Nina smiled and proceeded. “This old fellow searched the house with all the shrewdness he cotld employ, but he found " many evidences of his hunt and they kept our ae courage up. At last my husband began on the | old-style chimney in one of the upper rooms, It was like looking in a desert for water, but he was not discouraged. We found where some- body before us had been tampering with the L : bricks, and we did the same. “* At length Asa pulled out one of them. There seemed to bea hole behind it, He thrust his i ? hand in and, with an exclamation of victory, ae outa package of old papers, tied witha eathern string. Of course we regarded the secret solved, and in a little while were devour- ing’ the contents of the documents, They dated is far back beyond my time and yours, boy,, They be were title deeds to certain property, and among them we found an old will which left to one which was quite large.” same!” cried Tony. this and that together and ascertained that Old Skinner was once Jabez Fleecer’s client, that they worked together a good many years ago, that from that time the old broker prospered. He _ got a good deal of money from somewhere and _ somehow, but all the time something troubled him, Why, we even discovered that he took ession of certain property by showing some itle deeds that puzzled the courts.” ““Of course he did!” exclaimed Tony. _ ** Mother’has told me how she disputed bis claim _ atthe time. She always said that the title deeds were forgeries—the clever work of Jabez Fleecer —but she could not prove it. ButI think the _ chimney’s secret has made it clear.” _ **S$o do I,” exclaimed: Nina, with a smile, ‘I _ believe that the genuine deeds and the will ret into our hands, to be adroitly stolen by _ Mesa Marx. They were the documents she _ guarded so well to-night, and it is no wonder _ that she would as soon surrender her life as _ them, With them don’t you see how she can _ bleed Old Skinner, and eventually strip him of his wealth?” - ‘* What did you intend to do with the papers?” _ asked Tony. __ Nina Copeland recoiled from the boy. It was _ a shot direct, and one that went home. “Never mind that,” said she. ‘‘ What I de- _ sire now is to get ahead of Mesa Marx. I want nothing better. She is bound to win, but she _ shall not.” . “No, she shall not!” echoed Tony Sharp. ‘“ As it is, she has‘final possession of the missing pa- pers. She holds the fatal club over Old Skin- ner’s head, He ion not know that she has the true title deeds, He evidently believes that. the old house in Philadelphia still contains its secret. esa won't hesitate to use her new power, She as the cardsin her hands to-night, but as true Tam Tony Sharp, she shall fail,” I would go through fire to baffle her now,” ied Nina. ‘I confess that my husband and’'I were going to play a different game with the japers, but all that is past. I intend to help Bee e rf Sharp and her children.” _, “If you do you won't regret it,” answered Tony. “ But we must not make one bad move, raat eed will not let us succeed if she cay help it,” Of course not,” : . I fshe destroys the chimney papers,all is lost,” __ Nina Copeland’s cheeks got pale. _ __* Boffin is chasing Dick Dido, the dude, and ' Mesa’s friend,” continued the boy. ‘‘ What we do now must be done without his help. I see ang the difficulties and dangers that beset us, - om going to push things from this mo- ent. . a CHAPTER XVII. ete A HARD BARGAIN, _ Tony, the boy shadow, had scored a good point in his own judgment, and Mesa had scored one in hers, __ * Well, one ng A we took up our abode in the house. It had had many tenants in its time, among them a certain lawyer, who was killed his lawyer, whose name was Fleecer, had no good reputation for honesty, and a good many of bis clients were no better than he was. My husband and I searched _ the old house from cellar to garret for its secret. _ Hesaid he knew it was there, because he once _ saw a well-known old miser of New York visit : nothing, While we did the same we came across ; Rebecca Joyce and her heirsasum of money ‘“* My grandmother’s name was Rebecca J. oyce and my mother’s before her marriage was the “That is what we found out afterward,” re- _ sumed Nina. “ We—my husband and I—put “the street at a brisk eyes seemed about to pop from his head, ra — — — , eee _ ~ - ~"*" Qld Skinner, the Gold Shark,” 13 The latter had driven Nina off at the muzzle of her revolver, and the prize she had obtained in the Quaker City she still held. Her first move after her success was to pre- pare for the final play which would end the game and feather her nest, as the saying gues, in a substantial manner. : She did not know that Burt Boffin, the de- tective, was forcing Dick Dido on to Philadel- phia, and to the abode of the strange man Pon- chin, who had sent to him a startling message by Tony. “*T think she will not follow me any more. She knows by experience that I kuow how to turn the tables on her, The next time she might not get offso easily. Re careful, Nina Copeland. Go back to Quakerdom and let me alone!” Thus Mesa communed with herself while she walked away from her house with the papers she had defended with the revolver in ber bosom, At the same time Tony was talking with Sr a aaa was telling the story we have just eard. The chimney papers had fallen into her bands with all their value. She had now the key to ture—the man who had robbed people for years —would have to give her ai enormous sum for her secret. ‘“*T guess I didn’t leave the old man dead, after all,” she went on, ‘I will now show him what I have, and he shall pay a good price for ‘it, or VJ] drive a bargain: with the other side,” Did Mesa mean that she would try to sell her secret to Becky Sbarpin case she failed with Old Skinner? We will see. She kept on toward the old man’s house until she once more stood before it, Tbe next moment the front door opened and Stephen himself came out, esa could hardly believe her eyes when she saw the Vulture of Wall street walking down ce with his hat drawn over his brows. He didnot seem to notice any one, though he might have seen the sharp-eyed woman if he had glanced around, In aninstant Mesa was after him stepping tgbhly and gliding away like a pursuing phan- m To her astonishment he led her to her own neighborhood, and her wonder increased when she saw the old man dodge into tke: big frame building. ) ‘Aha! the old rat has taken sober second breath!” exclaimed the woman as she followed Old Skinner into the hall and thence u stairs, ‘‘ Maybe he is wiliing to pay me the twenty thousand’now; but heisapt to learn that I have raised iny figures.” gu |. The old Shylock mounted to the third floor and went straight to Mesa’s door. Of course it Pea base 1 times, but got ] @ rap several times, but got no reply. Mesa standing in the shadows a few feet away watched him with a great deal of interest, Just as Old Skinner was turning away with disappointment visible on his countenance, Mesa tripped forward and touched his arm. The miser-broker fell back with a sharp cry. “You want to see ie don’t you?” remarked Mesa, and before Old Skinner could reply she rattled on: ‘I’ve been out, and it is luck that I find you here,” She unlocked her door and passed into the lit- tle room with the cld man, the door locking it- self with a catch lock as it swung to. . There was anxiety and eagerness on Old Skin- ner’s face when the fair schemer of Gotham turned on him in the light, : : “‘T want to see your proof,” began the miser- broker. ‘** My proof of what?” “What! have you forgotten so soon?” ejacu- lated Stephen. / “No, no, Iwas only a bit thick-headed, noth- ing more,” and Mesa laughed. ‘‘ Well, I have the proof,” ‘* Let me see it.” She went to a bureau at one side of the room and pretended to take something out of one of the drawers when, in reality, she drew a paper from her bosom. “The proof is it?” she continued, coming back to the nervous old fellow whose a immediate- 4 sought the package in her band. ‘‘I haif be- lieve that you have thought that I could not make good my words,” At the same time she partly unfolded the ocument which she extended. Old Skinner’s ees ———— ““My God!” he cried turning pale. ‘I did not: think you had that!” ‘“‘Ha! I thought you did not,” responded Mesa. ‘* How many have you?” ** All!” answered the woman boldly, ** Does your answer include the—” “Yes, the will, too,” was the interruption which took an important word from Old Skin- ner’s tongue, The Wall street Shylock looked at Mesa in blank amazement, ‘Do you still hold them at the figures you | have mentioned?” he queried. ‘“No. I have raised.” Her reply took the old man’s breath, ‘** How much?” he ventured. ‘*T won't sell a single document for less than fifty thousand.” In a second Stephen Skinner was on his feet. He quivered from head to foot. | “You want to send a man to the Poor-house!” he exclaimed. ‘‘l’ve dealt with unreasonable esa said nothing, but laughed quietly, look- ing at the old man at the same time as if she en- joyed his fright. Nina inthe Park, and the young woman from people before, but you take the prize.” * You don another market for them.” ‘* Another market?” echoed Old Skinner, ‘* That’s what I said.” “T’d like to know where it is,” ‘Think a moment,” **Oh!” he cried. ‘‘ The other marketisn’t able to pay you a tithe of the robber-sum you have demanded. Besides, Becky Sharp has no claim _ on anything I bave—” “Who said anything about Becky Sbarp?” put in Mesa, The old fellow recciled, as if he had caught himself in a trap of his own setting. ‘“* Well, since you have mentioned her, I’Jl be plain and say that she would like to have these apers,” the woman continued, ‘‘ Let me see. hey call for some very valuable property here and in Philadelphia, all of which is now con- trolled by one Stenben Skinner, who holds fraudulent deeds for the same.” Old Skinner winced, ‘‘And yet you refuse to pay out of your im- mense wealth the sum of fifty thousand for papers which can send you up the river for the remainder of your days, Stephen Skinner, do you want to wear a convict’s garb?” ‘The miser shook his head and glanced again at the paper still in Mesa’s hand, *Won’t you take less?” he asked, “No! I'll add a thousand every ten minutes,” replied the woman, ‘‘I know the worth of m rig and the purse of the man I’m dealing th Old Skinner remained silent for a moment. “You didn’t get much when you robbed Dick Dido,” said Mesa. “T got all he had,” grinned the old man, ‘Well, that wasn’t much!” laughed the Gothamite. ‘* You simply recovered that which had been taken from you. If you bad found. the deeds there you would have achieved a vic- nant You will find writing materials on the table if you want to pay part of the bargain in a check,” Stephen Skinner seemed to shrink from the table, though he looked at it, watched closely alk the time by Mesa Marx. “Tf I purchase whati” he suddenly asked. ‘‘ Why the documents are yours,” = Every one?” “ Yes,’ ‘* There are no copies?” tar tly gi ppea esa’s answers, promptly given, a red to pe him. Shutting his tooth hard like one forced to a very unpleasant duty, Old Skinner went to the table and laid upon it a large pocket- book well-stuffed with bills, Then he took from another pocket a check- book which he opened before bim and took up a pen. ‘* ’'m going to have no half-way business about: this affair,” he said, poising the pen above the blank check while be looked up into Mesa’s face. “*T want to see the documents,” ; In anotber minute the woman laid before him half a dozen legal-looking papers. The old man pourced upon them like an eagle, and his deep- set eyes got a triumphant glitter. Mesa Jet him look at the papers a few mo- ments and then addressed bim. ‘* Are you satisfied?” she inquired. “‘ They seem to be all here.” As he aooke he gathered up the papers and was about to transfer them to an inner pocket: t have to buy,” she said at length, . the gaine and Old Skinner, the Wall street Vul- ““ You know what I ask for the papers, There’s
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14 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark. when Mesa’s hand darted forward and closed on his wrist. ** Not so fast, old man!” she exclaimed. ‘* Ill see my way clear to the fifty thousand before you claim the prize.” He dropped the papers and studied her glit- tering eyes a moment then began to fill up the check before bim. Mesa, watching the pen in its every move, rag that the check was for thirty thousand dol- ars. “There must be twenty thousand in the pocketbook,” thought she, and there was. Three minutes later Olu Skinner had the chimney papers next his heart and with a deep chuckle of satisfaction he went down the stairs, feeling that he had wen the battle and could now defy Becky Sharp and the world. But justice was at his heels. CHAPTER XVIII. HOW TONY PUSHED THINGS, LONGING to make the play he had in mind, Tony Sharp did not go home to acquaint his mother and Helen with the narrative he had heard from Nina Copeland’s lips. He dismissed Nina when she had finished her story, and went straight to Mesa’s domicile. Some time had elapsed since he last saw the fair plotter of Gotham, after she had driven Nina off at the muzzle of ber revolver, and dur- ing that period she had transacted some very important business with Old Skinner, his business we have just witnessed. Tovy knew nothing of the affair which had been concluded some time when he reached Mesa’s house. Not finding her at home, he was nonplused for a few moments, He seemed to have lost an important link in the chain. He did not know where to look for Mesa, but his promise to Nina that he would ‘push things,” stirred him to action. Boffin the detective had followed Dick Dido, and Tony could look for no assistance in that direction. After a short deliberation under the gaslight, _ the young ferret started off up-town. ~ ne ee Tee ‘Tf I cannot find Mesa I may block her game in another direction,” thought he. ‘She will try to sell the papers to Old Skinner, and the moment the old shark gets them he will give them to the fire.” A few moments later Tony turned up in front of the miser-broker’s house. He saw by the window that a light was in the library. Was Old Skinner there? Approaching the shutters with the noiseless tread of a spy, Tony looked into the room, and saw the object of his solicitude at the table, looking over a lot of papers, a glimpse of which made his (Tony’s) eyes glisten. ** As I live, the trade has been made!” he ex- claimed, almost falling from his perch. ‘Mesa did not let — grow under her feet after her bout with Nina. She has sold the documents to the old fellow, and skipped with the proceeds, And there is a fire in the grate, A fireona warm bight like this!” The boy mounted the front steps and turned the knob. As he had expected, the door was locked. Old Skinner was not going to take chances with an unlocked door with the prize, lost so tong, but his at last, in his hands, urning from the door, the boy made his wa to the cramped backyard of the property. It looked very much like playing Ted lar, but Tony was not to be turned aside b the resem- blance, There was too much at stake. As if to baffle him, he found the rear doors of the old house as immovable as the front one, “The old servant can’t hear me,” murmured Tony, ‘‘‘and Stephen Skinner is very busy where I saw him last. I can afford to take the chances.” He managed to get into the house bya win- dow whose lower sash yielded to his hands, and in a short time he found himself under Old Skin- ner’s roof. Tony reached the dimly lighted hall, and crept up the staircase to a spot from whence he could see the bent figure of the miser of Gotham still gloating over the papers for which he had just paid so much, It was a sight that made Tony Sharp’s heart beat faster than it had ever beat before. He knew that the documents which would give his mother her stolen fortune—stolen by Old Skinner—were within a few feet of him, that Mesa had placed them in the Wall street Vul- ture’s hands for-a certain sum, and that without Bree mat ta tegen ge oy et pt t: Pre FE at Phadeat them he could not hope to convict the guilty and make all things even. For some time he watched the old man through the transom, nor did he go down the stairs until he was calm and ready for the work before him. Halting at the door as he laid his hand on the knob, Tony listened a few seconds, but all was quiet beyond the threshold. When he turned the bronzed knob gently he found that the door would open. A moment afterward he stood in the library. Old Skinner sat at the table with the door al- most entirely at his back. He could not have seen the boy shadow with- turning bis head and he did not seem inclined to =e his eyes from the papers long enough to do this. Tony watched him a few seconds with an eager smile on his face. Just beyond the old fellow a fire leaped up above the irons of the grate rendering the room uncomfortably close. It told Tony why it had been built, for ever and anon the broker glanced toward it as if to see whether it still burned, When the boy went forward it was straight toward Old Skinner, but behind his back. He made no noise on the thick carpet that covered the floor, and his eyes did not for a moment lose sight of his prey. tep by step he neared the Wall street Shy- lock and at last, rising on tip-toe, he looked down over his shoulder. The yellowish hands of Old Skinner held the last paper of the lot, The others lay on the table at his right and the leather string with which they had been tied was coiled beside them. ‘* They’re worth it—every dollar of the sum!” said the old man in audible tones, ‘I guess they’re all here, too! She said so and I looked ’em over before I paid her a dollar. But I’ve done another fine thing. By Jupiter! she’ll open her eyes when she goes to the bank to-morrow to cash the big check, Julius, the cashier, will refuse to payit. Ill have the papers and be thirty thousand ahead, besides. No, I won't have the papers, either. They’ll be ashes! Then Becky Sharp and her spawn can talk all they please. They won’t frighten me any more, As for the boy—if he badgers me [ll close on him in a way he won't like! Mesa Marx, I beat you after all. Old Skinner grows keener as the years roll on. I don’t care what they call me now. Vulture of Wall street? Ha, ha! that’s all right!” He folded the last paper and picked up those on the table, Bunching the whole lot, he turned to the fire with a gleam of victory in his eyes. The next moment the hand of Tony Sharp came down over his shoulder like a young jaguar. It closed on the papers and with a vigorous jerk tore them from Old Skinner’s clutch, A startling cry parted the broker’s lips, He was on his feet in an instant and as Tony fell back with the prize gained, he saw the flash- ing eyes and the quavering form of the man who had lost. **You? you, is it?’ cried Old Skinner, stam- mering in his rage. ‘*‘ What do you expect to make by this piece of thievery? Here! give me back those papers, or [’ll make you wish you had never seen the Jight of day!” But the boy ferret stood off between the old man and the door with the papers held in a way which told that what he had won he intended to hold. Allat once Stephen Skinner darted toward Tony, but the boy threw up his hand and waved him off. **Sing Sing if you advance another step!” he cried. ‘‘I have been on the trail a long time and there have been many turns in it, but the last one has been reached. The person who sold = these papers had no right to them, and you new it when you bought. She stole them— took them from the person who found them in the Quaker City chimney. I know their value. They will give my mother ber own, besides vindicating her good name, for years ago you held her up to ridicule by saying that no such papers existed. No, Stephen Skinner, oF dain can’t compromise with me. I am not Mesa Marx. I don’t find papers to sell them to you. I will let the law give us all we are entitled to, Try to stop me—attempt to keep me in this house, and I will sound an alarm that will baffle you,” The Vulture of Wall street faced the boy shadow white with rage and fear. “What are you going to do?” he finally asked. **T shall take nothing that is not ours.” AR eras —— ———— ee ee The old man fell back and dropped into the chair, “Pll give you half I’m worth for the papers in your hand,” said he. “No! As I have told you, I am not Mesa Marx.” ‘Then, go!” When Tony reached the street he looked back at the house fully expecting to see the figure of its evil genius rushing down upon him, Instead he saw the light in the library sud- denly disappear, and then he hastened away with a fortune 1n his bosom, CHAPTER XIX, THE BOY SHADOW WINS, THE next morning, a few minutes after nine, a neatly dressed woman with a quick og trip- ped into one of the prosperous banks of Broad- way. A good many people knew that Old | Skinner could draw on the institution to nearly an unlimited amount, and perhaps it was the possession of knowledge of this sort that lent a sparkle of satisfaction to the lady’seyes. At any rate she walked to the cashier's win- dow and threw down’ an indorsed check with an air of confidence, The cashier picked it up, glanced at it a mo- ment and then fixed bis gaze on his customer, ‘* We can’t pay this, miss,” said he. The young woman started. ‘‘Tsn’t it regular?” she asked a quaver of fear in her voice. ‘* We have our orders; we can’t pay it.” The face before the bank window flushed. ‘* Stephen Skinner filled it out and signed it,” cried she. ‘ ‘* Correct.” ‘He has funds here?” sé Yes,” “ce Tben—” “Your pardon, miss,” said a strange voice at the woman’s elbow at this moment. ‘ Aren’t you Miss Mesa Marx?” ‘What if I am?’ demanded the perturbed customer who was our old friend of the big frame tenement, ‘‘ Then, I have orders to arrest you.” Mesa fell back, clutching O!d Skinner's check, and stared at the speaker, “What am I to be arrested for?’ she ex- claimed. ‘‘For theft for one thing,” was the reply, ‘* Who brings the charge?” *“ Nina Copeland,” All color left Mesa’s face. The Philadelphia woman had dealt a return blow. Beating down her anger and fear as best she could she turned to the bank cashier. “Tell me why you refused to pay the check L presented awhile ago,” said she. There was still demand in her tones, The man behind the strong wirework at the little window smiled blandly. ‘Every dollar of Stephen Skinner’s money in this bank stands attached,” ** Attached by whom?” ‘By Mrs. Rebecca Sharp and her heirs. papers were served on us yesterday.” Mesa ptt the check in her pocket and was seen to smile. ‘‘T am ready,” she went on, addressing the officer who had waited for her coming, in citi- zen’s clothes, ‘‘I am wanted for theft, am [? Arrested on the oath of a woman who is a thief herself!” “*T know nothing about that, miss.” Twenty minutes afterward a boy walked into The a small room where the fair schemer sat, at _ sight of whom Mesa sprung up. “IT suppose you’re satisfied now!” she cried, as sbe seemed on the eve of darting upon the youth, whose face wore a triumphant smile, ‘*I thought I left you in Ponchin’s care, but here you are,” ‘Tn at the death,” laughed Tony. long lane, but it turned at last.” ‘** How did you escape from Ponchin?” ‘Never mind. I prefer to keep that as a se- cret.” “ Keep it, then,” growled Mesa, going back to her chair, ‘If I thought for a moment that Ponchin Jet. you out I’d go over and throttle bim,” ‘Tf the law would let you off,” was the re- sponse, ‘By the way, I have a telegram that may interest you.” The boy shadow dived into one of his pockets and brought up a telegraph envelope which he éxtend to Mesa. “Tt wasa In another moment her eyes were devouring | ‘its contents, which ran as follows: i} ( iit leah ol
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Old Skinner, the Gold Shark. 15 “Tony SHARP:—I have just forced Dick Dido to BY FRANK DUMONT. BY COL, A. F. HOLT. meet Ponchin. He would have escaped, but I held him to it, Heturns out to be Ponctin'’s. son by his yae FP ey ay oor Pe age of Mystery. itd Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyon. first wife, but the Russian is willing to turn him | 140 Blue Blazes} or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rosky Bar, 485 Latic tiehitoot, the Pilot of the Woous. over to be tried with Mesa for theft and conspiracy. | 171 Ebony Dan; or, The Rival Leagues, : The game for Old Skinner’s money, and against | 185 Evil Eyes or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande, BY J. W. OSBON. your mother, has ended in victory—for us. iN “ Burt Borrin.” BY W. J. HAMILTON, 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. R j 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers, a3r old ie nh “oO Bie ra Sh ioe ea Having read the dispatch, Mesa threw it at | 66 Single Mand; or, A Life for a Lile. 864 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner, the boy. ont oo Ker Z aateen, the Texan Ranger, ‘bc : ; en Bird, the Cave King; or, Bi te’s Scoop. eS Iam in the trap,” she admitted. -‘‘ Well, I a ee eee Oe BY MAJOR E. L. ST. VRAIN, id the best I could, The bait was alluring and BY HARRY 8ST. GEORGE. 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. I thought I could get away with it. Do you | 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. or, The Nighthawks of Kentucky, 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. know, young m i ido isin ‘ 44 Rattling Rube; ry g man, that Dick Dido isin love with 59 Old Hickory ; or, Pandy Ellis’s Sca 8838 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette, that pretty sister of yours y” 108 Daring Davy ; or, The Trail of the Border Wolf. 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand.” Tony, the young shadow, burst into a laugh. 166 Hickory Marry ; or, The Trapper-Brigade’s Spy, B59 Duranyrye ave, the Younes: oon « n Wrestler a i ‘¢ He is not so deep in love as he was,” he re- | 2°) -umderbolt Toms or, the Woll-Herder. ore eeegeelt Cerio ire Mon. ting rca as oowat ? . valanche the Foothills Guide. all turned. ‘Do you dod Mesa, that Old Skin- BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountsin Mail-Line. ca) oe Bever sign another check?” 78 Blue Dick; or, The Yellow Chief's Vengeance. BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS. “Th e won't if M oe ~~ him,” answered Mesa. set ae Land Pirates 4 oF The Leagroe of Devil’s Island, a-anl ainbtie. © @ papers whic ear you r ‘he Helpless Hand ; or, Backwoods Retribution. i don, Trapper. night sapeeeua enough to ari ve gh 7 Pr een eee eee eae aoe rT, 10 Nat ‘Toda; Porth Paid ot tas Slows Capave. : > ptive. into the streets a beggar. They are the true BY GEORGE ©. JENKS. a. ape prentey ape OE A . ¢ or, chai 8 2 buen deeds of the property he holds. He got bis rise | 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown, 182 The Rental Wunber = The Strange Retahen. a by false papers which were drawn up by Jabez | 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains. 5 leecer, the Philadelphia lawyer, and himself. 518 The Demon Doctor. 271 The Muge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, woe \ Dont erecdistinete iit no je ia pa braigr me BY WM. G. PATTEN. BY ROGER STARBUCK. . oe a source of anxiety to Skinner ‘but Wik > Ris é. woah oer erie O a a 114 The in a feel F orate dunk xn sola Tt - Be ; Japtain Myatery 3 or, Five in One, } ack Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar. | See tore bed ceeeet, isaoas hajraging-aeinn | Pet Sots Bove ieee oe B55 Zhe Golem Merron Lea Abang tea Fes . e ig e ecame satis that the would re-lleels; or, nflint, the Death- ow. x > . . er Vy ‘ never appear to strip him. But, what Bik the Be ee ee ae Ser Tie tab ey nen lle gy pena y aps old fellow say?” 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 870 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner. ; “ 7 P ” 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum, ei! Ps He don’t say anything. 228 Ozark Alf; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. oo) Mesa looked surprised. B82 The Typo Detective; or, Wessel, the Boy Tramp. 2 : enrless 3 or, The King of Quart | an ee hands a decision which righted a gi- 284 + af gnesky's **Boyees; or, Benito, the Young Horse- 12 Gulliver's Travels. By Dean >wift. . Oe c wrong, and not only gave her her long- | 246 G 6 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. * -— 5 b lant Geor, , The Ang’ he Range. i 2 od ost inheritance, but also cleared the good name | 275 Arizona gpd a Giant pale sg Now aa ss Fe Te eet et nts Tonce. “ae oF. Skinner had tried so hard to smirch. pd ae Peat ig Soe Mr ag $ ot, Giant George's Bereta. 22 The Sea Serpent} or, The Boy Robinson Crusoe. By Juan ; ee * - - a e Ben’s Dea’ . " ; ee ; 4 elen, in time, became the wife of her lover, 818 Ker-whoop, Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos, 88 awe Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the = , me . a Creeping Cat, the Cad 05 or The Red and White Pards, Carribees. By S, W. Pierce. ; v : * r red, or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. wh Chiota, ‘ne Creek} or, The Three Thunderbolts. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippt. x, ea Tony. He had kept his promise to the Wall 35 centers BAll; or, Frio Frank to the Front. By Lient.-Col, Hazeltine. / . oe street Shark, making him pay in the end for | 494 Little Levtatp or Pend Ticitetenae sd gh wy t= Hy im gala ba rnc aa tee oe his villainy, 414 The Daisy from Denver. i 105 Old Rube. th “y< = * . (tae , '. the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain BE oie 427 The Three Traflera; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage. 5 Old Rube, ; THE END, 442 Bluff B v cky on the . Hamilton Holmes. r le u A113; or, The Lynx of the Leona. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death, By Burton Saxe. oe 455 Little Lone Star; or, The Belle of the Cibolo 424 Tip: reed ion ; ote ' , le ppy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George er eon. 4 i ; « BY JO PIERCE. 128 The Young Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By <ael Beadle $ Half-Dime Librar 897 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street. 148 pa Gane a The dations of a Friendleas Boy. By J \ e as ee Vee eecuyes mi Bowery Bob’s Boom, ‘ Alonsode Patten.” : : ‘ otapur Bo @ Street-Boy Y . BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, gr, 460 The Lawyer's Shadow Lake's Leese. 90 Pee, tired men ee an ieesbayes * Se ou OTse- A - ee a Yellowstone jack $, 0%, The Trapper. ae Rurly Bim. the Young Perryman Seiaitee! 261 avenue Fearnaught the New York Boy. By George L. a < ohn, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Ret ve Joints ° 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. o 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sai a Hi reat, 509 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective. c. D. W 4 j. 119 Mustang Sam ; or, The King ofthe Plaine. — 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil's Menseaile. 298 Hoa Olay, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff. : 186 Right-lawk it; or, The Daughter of the Ranch 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. By Captain Comstock. ; ; ey tence the ch Spor 2 aes Preion Rex, baathiy ok ete Sixth Ward. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Lieu- . , i or ty ekKer. the Sta * ae, 160 The Bluck Glant{ or, Dainty Lance in Jeet Pet Aik Nettiae hs Dg Se dine The nke wonsctives, ‘cr, 8 Boy's ies oe tineadiaale % 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. Ly 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective, By Maior Mickey Free. : ; ‘ a 184 The Hoy Trallers § or, Dainty Lancgon the War-Path, 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 850 Ked Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Re r, Dainty Lance Uimasks, venge. y Ned Bun tline. | 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. BY PHILIP 8S. WARNE, 865 altinnces on the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris, T 810 The Rerrance Wolf; or, The Beautiful Decoy, 874 Gold-Dust Toms; or, Ben’s Double Match. By George H. 819 T not ack eer or, The Horse-Thieves’ League, 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer Morse. 85 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 175 Capratn Arizona ; or, Pstent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 876 California Joe’s First Trail. By Colonel Thomas t +44 The King of the Woods: or Dshiel Boone’s Last Trail, 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Lerther Joe’s Defeat. oyer Monstery. 4 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 219 Peapard, the Dueliat; or, The Mountain Vempires. 418 Billy Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F.S. Winthrop. Dh: BOS Tiate Formed’ br, The Outeaste of the Gl 453 Comanche Dick’ and His Three Invinetbl , Little ’ of the 4 5 : pray draw BSS Littie Ohenay't of, Canght in His Own T i 528 terres omen, ears : heh FF <" ss xe 8 1 = or, Can: n His Own % 4 - t d rt. ur F. Ho’ x IL The Two Reteetiven sor The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. | 401 Tittle Shoo-Fly { or, A Race for » Ranc “s BSL The Cowbor Duke. By Edwin. Brooke Forrest. : 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Tra per. 408 Little Leather- Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, GE Ariel the Athlete. By David Druid. ae Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 481 Little Ah Sin} or, The Curse of Blood. | AAT New York Nat. 4 Tale of Tricks tnd Traps in Gotham, Say eee, Heat A Talo Sheuatinnn- See ene it rar i i DE amg ool vy Alia haat Biz Jinr Gisdaey's Deraty. -| ‘The Half. Dime Library ‘s for sule by all newsdealers, five 4 ‘aos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. Bar a td olly paras | hee Prep aene e conte per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, r, jo! - ’ PY wn. ca 4" CL CKIA pte py oye et mena 556 Lariat Lily or. The Cast for a Life, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, rant 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs. 98 William Street, New York
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oer iN BEADLE'’S«H ALF- JJIME*[_ JBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at tne Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers, BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance. 28 Buffalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise, 85 Wild Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval, 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha O11; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 5? Deadwoud Dicks Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. 7B Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine. @7 Corduroy Charlie 3 or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act, 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, the Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Peaeweve Dick’s Double 4 or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 188 Blonde BIL; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base, 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike, 1566 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood}; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy; or, The Rivuls of the Road. 201 The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Desdwood Dick’s Ward. 205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom; or, Calamity Jane’s Last Ad- venture. 217 Captain Crack-Shot, the Girl Brigand. 221 Sugar-Coated Sam; or, The Black Gown. 282 Gold-Duat Dick. A Romance of Roughs and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divide; or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Trail. 809 Deadwood Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of | Oregon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats. 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- gings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 ae Dick’s Claim; or, The Fairy Face of Faro ats. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Bondweed Dick’s Diamonds; or, The Mystery of Joan orter. 421 Deadwood Dick in New York} or, A “ Cute Case.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Neds or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance, 458 Sunilower Sam, of Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full and, 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at alin . 471 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry, the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Dog Detective. 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr, in Dendwood. 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.t or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Inheritance. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Digzinss s or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop. 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance, 5615 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. 522 Deadwood Dick’s Three. 529 Deadwood Dick's Danger Ducka. 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt, 539 Deadwood Dick Jr., in Texas, 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr., the Wild West Vidoog. 549 Deadwood Dick on Mis Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston. ~ 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Philadefphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Chicago. Other Novels by E. L. Wheeler, 26 Cloven Hoof, the Buffalo Demon. 82 Bob Woolf or, The Girl Dead-Shot, 89 Death-Face, Detective; or, Life in New York, 45 Old Avalanche; or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 5S Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team. 69 Gold Rifle, the Sharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud Rob gain, Nuzet Ned the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand, 21 Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport, 25 Bonanza Bill, Miner. Boss Bob the King of Bootblacks, 1 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. & Paruie Ferret, the New York Detective; or, Boss Bob's Boss Job. 1 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective, 7 Nobby Nick of Nevada; or, The Sierras Scampa, 1 Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, 09 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. 218 Fritz to the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, the Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apollo Bill, the Trai) Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sicrra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Slerra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Ange! of Big Vista, 258 Sierra Sam’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe, the Boy Patrol; or, The Rival Heirs. 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 281 Denver Doll's Victory. 255 Denver Doll’s Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 291 Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen. 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. #08 ’Liza Jane, the irl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport, 825 Kelley, Mickey & Oo., the Detectives of Philadelphia, B80 Little Qufck-Shot; or, The Dend Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miuer, 889 Eaugance Kit’« Racket. 848 Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 865 + uae Jim, the Gold-Gatherers or, The Lottery of le 872 Yreka Jim’s Prize. 878 Nabob Ned} or, The Secret of Slab City. B82 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance, B85 Yreka Jim's Joker; or, The Rivals of Red Nose, 889 Bieyele Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 400 Wiinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 416 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, 426 Sam Slabaides, the Beggar-Boy Detective. Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. 8 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. Sealakin Sam, the Sparkler. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm. F. Cody) Kan King or, The Red Right Hand. feud hantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie, ly-Eye, the (Aone Scout. | ree Robin Hood; or, The Prairie Rover. ‘ancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust, pth fe hh kt hl jh eh BY CHARLES MORRIS, 118 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 122 Phil Mardy, 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 Wildtire, the Thoroughbred. 152 Black Reas, Will Wildfire’s Racer. 157 Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 162 Will Wildtire in the Wooda, 165 Billy Bagguge, the Railroad Boy, 170 A ‘Crump Cardy; or, Will Wildtire Wins and Loses, 174 Rob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. 179 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 188 The Hidden Hand}; or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Malyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers. 189 Bob Rockett}; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Rockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 ‘Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock. 25 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky, 255 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two * Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway : or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice, 289 Jolly Jim’s Joby or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-lMound; or, The Young Thoroughbred. 805 Dashaway, of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker City. 824 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; vr, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firelly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective, 482 Invineible Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagabond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive. 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Daeket 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman; or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Secret service Boy Detective, BY OLL COOMES, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew, 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide, 81 Keen-Kuilfe, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King}; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Ranger, \ 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman. Scear-Face Saul, tie Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Koy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit ‘Trapper, 182 Little Murricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ¢ or, The Young Outlaw Hunters, * 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dick; er, Irapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad, 288 The Parson Detective; or, The Little Ranger, 248 The Diasguised Guide ; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Pan, the Young Prairie Ranger. 272 Minkskin Mike, tle Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon ¢ or, Rvinbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Moxe, the Trunp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone, 444 Litthe Buckakin, the Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedtoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac ‘Yom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemle, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper, BY T. ©. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night; or, Th Boe Spy of ’76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Litth: Hunter, 47 Nightingale Nat; o1, Tne Forest Captains, 64 Dand ack} or, The Ontlaws of the gon Trals, 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Howk. 94 Midnight J ack 5 or, The Boy Trapper. 06 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 8 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 9 Judge Lynch, Jr.i or, The Boy Vigihante. 5 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger, ¥ Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, Ned Temple, the Border Boy. Arkansaw ¢ or, The Queen ot Fate’s Revenge. Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter. Captain Bullet; or, Little Topvknot’s Crusade, Plucky Phil or, Rosa, the Re! Jezebe). Bill Bravo; or, The Ronghs of the Rockies, 55 Captain Apoli., the King-Pin of Bowie, 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winchy3 or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite Dan; or, The Bowle Blade of Cochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Pards: or, The Terror of Take-Notice, 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lavso, 845 Pitileas Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret, B56 Ooot sam sand Part, ov The Terrible Six. 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 856 Captain Cutlas«; or, | he B-ccaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Robs: or, The !'win Chainpions of Blue Blazes. 411 The ‘Stiken | oatlioke 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, Ke Rolfe’s Pizeon. 461 One Vor eh Fitty 3 or, he Last Man of Keno Bar, RODD ak kk ph pk et eee Seesaw lent ihe Bode 470 The Boy Shadow ; or, Felix Fox’s Hunt. 477 The Excelsior Sport; or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Whurf-Spy Detective. 521 Dodger Dick’s Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the howery Shadows. ‘BSS Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’« Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’« Desperate Case. 568 prodrer Dick, the Boy Vidoeq. 578 The Two Shadows. BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Flying Yankee} or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or, The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk; or, The Mystery of the Yellowstone. 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. 75 The Boy Dneliat; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier, 111 The Sen-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Captain; or, ‘Ihe Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, 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; or, The Woman Trailer, 229 Orimson Kate; or, The Cowboy's Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle the Middy 3; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman Mutineer; or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 cue Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland, 269 The Gold Ship ; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merle Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold . dip. 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Lilly Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler, 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 The Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail. 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover} or, The Flagless Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WIL, the Boy Phantom, 898 Seawalf, the Boy Lieutenant, 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirator; or, The Fatal League. 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtaman; or, The War-Clouu’s Cruise, 429 Puncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, Tne Corsair. 487 The Sea Raider. 441 The Ocean Firefly ; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Harry; or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard. WIII: or, The Boy Ferre: of New York, 454 Wizard Will's Street Scouts. 462 The Born Guide; or, The SailurBoy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Floras or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Wi!!’s Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revoiver Kanger. 495 Arizona doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy ; or, The Shark and the Sea Cat, 5607 The Hunted Midshipman, 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow 525 Brothers in Buckskin, 530 The Buckskin Bowers. 585 The Bue «skin Rovers. 5640 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder ot the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son. 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BIIl, the Prairie Shadower. 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen. 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective, LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 577 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, By Jo Pierce, 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Afloat. By Edward L. Wheeler. 579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Surprise-Party. By J. ©. Cowdrick. 580 The Outenst Cadet; or, The False Detective. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. By George C, enks. ~ 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. By T. C. Harbaugh. 88 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow. By Lieut. A. K, Sims. 84 Deadwood Dick, Jr., In Denver. By Ed, L, Wheeler 585 Will Waters, the Boy Ferret. By 1. Enton. B86 The Buckskin Avenger. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. BST Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. By Wm. G, Patten. BSS Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector. By Jo Pierce. 589 Tom-Cat and Purds or, The Dead Set at Silver City. By Lieut. A. K, Sims 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s., Decree, By E. 1. Wheeler. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sexn-Rover. By Col. P Ingraham. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. By J.C. Cowdrick. 598 Keen Clem, the Ranch Imp. _ By P, S. Warne. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. By T, C. Harbaugh. 595 peadweed Dick Jr. in Beelzebub’s Basin. By E. eeler. : 596 dimmy the Kids or, A Lamb Among Wolves. By Chas.. orris. 597 The Foung Texan Detective, By Col. P. Ingraham. 5YS Flute, the Singer Detective, By Geo. O. Jenks. 599 Jim Dandy, the No-Name Sport. By P. S. Warne. 600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island. By Edward L. Y heeler, 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Vidocg; or, Red-Hot Times at Round-Up: By Lieut. A. K. Sims. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines, By Col. P. Ingraham. 608 Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. By Jo. Pieree, 604 Iron Fern, the Mun of Fire. By Wm. G. Patten. 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big In- ving. By J. C. Cowdriek. 606 Deadwood Dick Jr’s Leadville Lay; or, Bristol anw Bncket’s . oom. By E, L. Wheeler. 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. By Col, P. Ingraham. 608 The Pitcher Detective’s Foil; or, Double Curve Dan's Double Play. By — Cc. —_ Bolly Dorrit, the | etervn Detective; or, Little Lightning's C00 BeridiMee, By John W. Osbon. ‘ ere 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard, By T. C. Harbaugh. Ready April 2. 611 Bildad Barnacle, the Detective Hercules; or, The Tussle at T ble Mountain. By Lient. A. K. Sims. Ready April 9. 612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroit; or, Turning the Tables on Satan, By Edward L, Wheeler. Ready April 16. 618 mi y Blaser or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. By P.S, Warne. wady April 23. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Ald; or, The Queer Com- 615 Fighti: 5 Jo Picron Rent of Chalned Cyclones or, The ighting Harry, the Chief o ain: ye Heathen Chinee’s Mission, By J. C, Cowdrick, Ready May 1, A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Walf-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealera, five cents per copy, or sent by mail on receipt of six cents each, BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, New Yerk,