Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 657) (1890 02 25)
The text was read from the page scans by machine (OCR), so it has mistakes and its columns may run together. See the pages · About this title · At the Internet Archive
Page 1
ee ee pmo W 4 Er] Pir —_ \y SPR 0/Z | f S KY . = — ; ° VAN ml if tS Scan ia al mr! VD il iT! VT VV! VD iV Vl VSS pS a =TT\N ' Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. (L' Copyright 1890, by BEADLE AND ADAMS, February 25, 1890, $2.50 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, No. 6577. Vol. XX VI a Year. No, 98 WILLIAM STREET. NEW YORK. 5 Cents. ' ’ — SE SRE PHA FS MOTI EE —— isn — = = OR, The Singing Detective and His Boy Second. BY LIEUT, A. K. SIMS, AUTHOR OF ‘“‘TOM-CAT AND PARD,.” “ TOM- CAT’S TERRIBLE TASK,” “THE SILVER y SPORT,” ‘‘CAPTAIN CACTUS,” * BIL~ DAD BARNACLE,” ETC,, ETO, CHAPTER IL. A KICKER CRUSHED, THe droning of voices and the incessant shuffling of feet ceased as the twang of a guitar swept across the room, The citizens of Rocket Range, or at least a large number of them, were gathered to witness a performance which “ Warbling HANDER UNDER THE JAW BOWLED THE BIG RUFFIAN OVER SENSELESS, bad been vauntingly advertised.
Page 2
)e William, the Mountain Mocking-bird and Won- der- Worker, in his Enchanting Songs and Acts of Prestidigitation and Necromancy ” was to ap- pear before them and make them forget the sor- rows that crush and the cares that vex. The ** Wonder-Worker” was to be ably assisted, so the bills stated, by ‘‘ Master Harry, the Boy Acrobat, in his Feats of Vaulting and Tum- bling,” The excitements and attractions of Rocket Range were mainly confined to high betting in the gaming rooms and the street fights which too nina followed thereupon, Hence the advent of Warbling William had been hailed witb delight, and the long hall above the princi- pal saloon fitted up to accommodate the patrons of his exhibition. The twang of the guitar was followed- by the appearance of a dapper little man, dressed in the regulation swallow-tail cutaway and white cravat of the professional conjurer. He held his guitar daintily, and, on reaching the center of the contracted stage, made a smilingly ob- 138 nam bow to the audience. t required but a glance, bowever, to show that, in spite of his cheery blandness, the world had not conferred wealth upon him in return for the heart-ease which it was his professed mission to disseminate. The once jaunty cut- away had faded to a lusterless brown, and ex- hibited here and tkere threadbare patches; the white cravat was soiled and dingy; and the shining polish of his shoes could not conceal the rents which disfigured them, The song, one of the popular ballads of the day, was rendered in a clear, tenor voice of great compass and sweetness, It was encored, and he sung another, which was equally well received, This was followed by some very clumsy jug- glery, interspersed with awkward tumbling tricks by a boy.. There were a number of men in the room who could have done as well or bet- ter; and the crowd speedily began to manifest its impatience by grumbling remarks and de- risive hisses. The climax was reached when the *‘ Wonder-Worker” made such a botch of the fire-eating trick that he set his frilled shirt- front ablaze. Scarcely had the sounds of merriment ceased when a tall miner, with a week’s growth of red stubble half-concealing his features, pulled bis legs from under the bench in front of him and drew bis form erect. J ‘““Gentlemen!” he said, bracing one hand against the wall and fhrusting the other deep into his trowser’s pocket, ‘‘ this byer’s jist too much fer even the good-humored and charitable people of Rocket Range. We've been induced by false promises to payin our good dollars, an’ w’ot hev we been give to show fer it? Noth- in’, gentlemen! Acchully nothin’. It’s a swin- dle, an’ I, fer one, want my money back!” Warbling William recoiled slightly while the miner was making this x pete The action, was not indicative of fear. It evinced rather a sort of mental shock, anf showed that his pride was hurt by what he considered a rude and unwar- ranted criticism, He rallied, however, even before the miner resumed his seat, The bland smile became blander and oilier than ever. He coolly pinned his vest across his scorched shirt-front, and im- pressively waved his hands for silence, “Tf there is anything I admire, citizens of Rocket Range, it is the kicker—the man who kicks upon all occasions and under all circum- stances. Without him life would be too much like sliding down a greased rainbow. There would be none of those little jars and jolts which serve to break the monotony and give it charac- ter.” He descended from the stage while speaking combed a silver half-dollar out of the grizzled and unkempt locks of a man on the front row, and tossed it to the loud-voiced miner, ‘“*1f we haven’t brushed away your sorrows to the extent of a half-dollar’s worth, say so; and I'll comb the Philadelpbia mint out of this gen- tleman’s frosty tresses and settle the deficit. ‘* But, as I was saying,” and he stepped back- ward to the stage, ‘‘I do admirea kicker. The kicker is the life of the world; and, whether he is kickipg his mother-in-law into the middle of the next week or simply exercising his powers on a performance like this, he is an interesting creature, It has been my good fortune to meet him frequently, and to celebrate his many vir- tues I once composed a little ditty.” He picked up the guitar and strummed it re- flectively. As for the miner who had caused this sudden change in the programme, be was reddening so that it was hard to tell where his stubby beard Warbling William. ended and his facial epidermis commenced; while the crowd roared and haw-hawed in a way that was simply maddening. Then, with a premonitory twang of the in- strument and an affected clearing of his throat, Warbling William began to sing. The words were evidently impromptu, and the tune was the then favorite one of ‘‘The Little Old Log Cabin in the Lane:” “In the lively town of Rocket Range the Warbler gave a show, And the Kicker paid his silver at the door; And he listened to the ringing of the guitar, and the singing; Watched the acting;—but he said ’twas all a bore. Then he got upon his nether limbs and kicked a mighty kick;— For, on feeling in his purse, he chanced to think That the remnant of his wealth was locked within his burglar-proof, And his empty pockets could not buy a drink, “Oh, the Kicker! Oh, the Kicker! Triumphant may he wave Till time and life and hope shall all be o’er. Without him earth would stagnate from the cradle to the grave, And the cup of joy be lifted nevermore. “lve met him in the cities, and I’ve seen him in the camps, And my smiling he has greeted with a frown; And he always makes things lively, and gives the world a jog— For his bread is ever falling, butter down, His org bucking broncho, I’ve oft ridden on the trail, While the cowboys flocked to patch up my remains. But whate’er the shape you find him in, he’s kick- ing all the time, From the Rockies to New Mexic’s sandy plains, “Oh, the Kicker! Oh, the Kicker] Triumphant may he wave, Till time and life and hope shall all be o’er. Without him earth would stagnate from the cradle to the grave, And the cup of joy be lifted nevermore.” The song was greeted witha series of yells, whistles and cheers; and the hilarity became so general and infectious that even the kicker, whatever may have been his real feelings, was forced to join in the merriment, Through it all the Warbler maintained his air of unfailing and smiling serenity, No footlight favorite, conscious of his hold on the public, ever met a storm of applause with such unshaken as- surance and equanimity. Again and again, as the cheers rung out, be beld his guitar daintily before him and bowed himself almost to the floor. “Tt pleases me, gentlemen,” and he laid his hand upon his heart as the uproar subsided, ‘‘ to know that those choice bits of sentiment meet your approval, Similar philosophic thoughts have at various times filtered through the gray- ish matter of my cerebrum; and, with your kind permission, I will venture to put them into shape,” Again he strummed reflectively on the guitar, tapping his foot in time with the music, and then launched into a versified and ironical eulogy of the various foibles and eccentricities of life in the mining-camps. The hits were so palpable and taking that the good-will of the motley as- semblage was irresistibly gained. The performance ended, as it had commenced, with the rendition of a popular ballad. Then the crowd surged about bim with good-humored congratulations. Smilingly making his way siti the throng, the Warbler blandly a proached the man whom he had_ held up to ridi- cule as the Kicker. A momentary scowl flitted across the latter’s face, but the eyes of his friends were upon bim and he chased it away,with an uneasy smile. ‘Permit me to present my pard,” said the Warbler, as the boy came forward. ‘‘ We wish to thank you for getting us out of an unpleasant predicament, The show was on the point of be- ing a flat failure when you furnished an oppor- tunity for the exhibition of my rhyming pro- pensities, Otherwise, I am much afraid the disgusted crowd would have hooted us out of the camp—which, you know, we couldn’t very well afford,” The showman’s presumptuous self-confidence and air of easy familiarity drove the slumbering anger from the miner’s heart, ** Wal, if you’re a mind to put it that way, I don’t know as I’ve any call to hold that song ag’in’ you. It was cute, an’Is’pose I'll be called the Kicker to the eend o? my days, My name’s Brown, Sam Brown,”—he extended his hand as he said it—‘an’ I don’t giner’ly "low any small rooster to crow over me, But, you're a good un, an’ too much of a banty, anyway, fer me to whup!” The statemevt tickled the bystanders so im- —ooOona=wao0XWwWWHTV#>2?””'?— — — —eETEeEeEeeeeeeeeeeoeoeoeoeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeETEyT xuumSEe—s S O—ememeoemeoeoeeeeeeeeeeeE mensely that Brown seemed to feel he had at last got the better of the Warbler in the even- ing’s verbal dual. As the. crowd thinned out, the proprietor of the saloon approached the showman and his Boy Second. “1m s’prised at Brown!” he chuckled, “TI thought he’d jest nacher’ly chaw ye up when the show was over. You'd be a fu’st-class card fer my bizness. IfI c’u’d git ye to sing that way in the saloon, it’d draw a bouseful ever’ night, I s’pose, though, there ain’t no show fer that?” Warbling William cocked bis head sidewise, like a veritable mocking-bird, and for a moment -. appeared to be lost in thought. ** Well, now,” and he counted the words out asif weighing them, ‘‘I don’t knoW but that would strike me favorably. You see, we haven't been getting rich at this business, although Mas- ter Harry and I made a comfortable haul this evening.” He gave a comprehensive glance at his dingy coat and worn foot-gear. “T think I kin make it to your interest,” said the proprietor, eagerly. ‘‘How would thirty dollars a week and good chuck for two strike ye? “ And sing nightly?” ** Yes; that’s all!” **Done!” and the Warbler extended his hand to seal the contract, CHAPTER II, SOME DEVELOPMENTS, “Tr was well done; or, as the Mountain Mocking-bird would say, the affair was a superb success,” Warbling William laughed lightly, tipped back his chair in an easy attitude, and looked at the youth who had assisted him in the evening’s performance, The latter was a keen-eyed, bright-faced lad of about fourteen. Their room was in the ‘‘ hotel” above the saloon. To it they had repaired at a late hour, and were discussing the turn of events before retiring. ‘* There can’t be a possibility, I suppose, that we've started on a wrong scent? You fully re- cognized the man?” “Pd know him if I should meet him in China!” the boy asserted, earnestly. ‘‘ We're on the right track, Mr. Ware; I’m willing to take the responsibility of that.” ‘*T was just thinking what a joke it would be, if you happen to be wrong.” fr. Ware, as the boy had addressed him, un- oo the concealed vest and serenely surveyed is scorched shirt-front. ‘We did botch things terribly, We're no great shakes as performers at any time, but our acting to-night was certainly bad enough to justify a lynching bee. I knew it would wake up the Kicker, should there chance to be one in the room.” A smile played over his expressive face, and he pulled thoughtfully at his tawny mustache, ‘*“When you tip spotted our man, I began to scheme for an ex- cuse to remain here, I had already sized up Mr. Saloon-keeper, and knew that an exhibition of sublime cheek, together with a lot of apt and taking doggerel, would catch him if he was to be caught. “For a minute or two, though, I thought I would surely have to fight the Kicker, after the show was out. To avoid such a contingency re- ures a deal of pretty talking, I can tell you, he fellow came around easier than I thought he would; and altogether we’ve gained a host of admirers and felon And we may need them, every one, before we get through.” He removed his cravat, as if thinking of re- tiring. “Youll want to mind your eye, Harry, m boy, to-morrow and to-morrow night, and all the time. You'll not be called on to assist the Mocking-bird in his nightly performances, and can, therefore, give your whole time to the work in hand. Don’t forget that you're to shadow our man night and day, and find out if possible all he does and says.” “Pll not forget it,” was the confident re- sponse. : The next morning the Warbler introduced himself to the saloon-keeper as Mr. William Ware, and throughout the day took especial. pains to make himself agreeable to that indi- vidual. The latter, whose name was Shelby Tanner, was much flattered by these attentions. He evidently considered the showman a man of i me word that you had ~
Page 3
note, and presented him to all who visited the place—and their name was legion, The Warbler was at all times the suave gen- tleman of the song and guitar, and his melli- finous sentences and rounded periods flowed in a never-ending stream. His scorched shirt had been replaced by another with a gorgeously frilled front, but his outer garments were as dingy and his shoes as full of rents as ever, During the heated part of the day, when the crowd had somewhat thinned out, a shapely little man, dressed in elegant and neat-fitting garments, approached the bar, and was intro- duced to Warbling William by the saloon- keeper with an elahorate flourish: “This is John Leonard, the tip-toppest gentle- man in Rocket Range, You ought to make a good team, an’I hope you'll git along han’some together. ay friend, Mr. Ware, kin give a Philadelphy lawyer p’ints in talkin’, an’ then beat him at his own game. [I tell him he’s missed his callin’. If fed only start out asa temp’rance lecterer, he could rake in the green- backs by the trunkful.” Leonard’s keen eyes took in every detail of the Warbler’s person, as he returned the latter’s effusive greeting. ‘*Glad to know you, Mr. Ware,” he asserted, **T understand that Tanner bas retained you to sing for the entertainment of his customers of evenings,” and with a shapely white hand he smoothed back the brown mustache that shaded his mouth, “ Leonard,—Leonard,—seems to me I’ve heard that name!” the Warbler mused aloud, when that gentleman had departed. ** Not much to bes’prised at if ye had,” Tanner observed. “?Tain’t such an oncommon name but what ye might ’a’ run acrostit in your travels,” ** Your surmise is correct, of course. I almost forget how extensive my perambulations have been. No doubt Mr. Leonard is well known throughout the mountain country? He's wealthy, too, I should say, judging from his attire and manner, The stamp of wealth is un- tmistakable, Mr, Tanner.” The saloon-keeper was pleased by the com- pliments bestowed upon his friend and patron. “Right ye air, Mr. Ware! John Leonard’s about as well heeled as men git to be in this section. He owns the Jim Crow coal mine, and’s got stock in several vallyble silver and gold mines. He holds bis head high an’ lives purty tol’able fast, but he’s got the coin to jestify it.” . : A number of times during the afternoon, when a favorable COPE presented, did Warbling William recur to Leonard and his doings, and by deft and guarded questions suceeded in extracting from Tanner a goodly quantity of miscellaneous information, f The Warbler’s singing that night drew an im- mense crowd. Heseemed in excellent voice and spirits, and his wit and ready repartee, together with the local flings and hits he indulged in, created much atnusement and good humor, To his surprise, for the tumbling on the previous evening had been execrably bad, ‘‘ Master Harry ” was called for, again and again. The Warbler sent for him, and the best of their usual programme was repeated, The singing and acting brought such a flood of custom that Tanner and his assistants had, for the first time in months, more than they could attend to, “I’ve struck it rich,” he mattered, rubbing his hands and chuckling. ‘If I can keep Ware and his boy kyer through the summer Ill make a small fortune.” One of Tanner’s assistants was an over-dressed oung woman who answered to the name of Genny Fulton. Sbe was only in thesaloon when there was an extraordinary run of business; “Saeed Ware had not seen her during the ay. y Ata late hour, when “.e singing bad ended, he approached the b@ , and, in his easy, self- possessed manner, dr’ y her into conversation, Her every word and act showed that she imag- ined herself a gushing and attractive young creature. She posed and fidgeted, minced her words, and was evidently flattered by the at- tentions of the affable showman. Why he was attracted toward her he would have found difficulty in explaining, Whatever beauty of feature she may have possessed was hidden or spoiled by a lavish use of cosmetics, Her plump figure was adorned with flashy colors, and her abundant masses of dark hair were combed high on her head and banged and frizzed in a most bewildering way. Some unerr- ing instinct, however, led him to single her ou —. Warbling William. “Mr, Ware, your singing is just too deli- cious!” she purred. ‘‘I was so charmed by it I could hardly waif on the customers. Such a thirsty crowd, too! 1t seemed they were thickest just when I most wanted to hear,” The little man ‘almost swept the floor in the bow with which he he acknowledged the com- pliment. “The great bard has told us, Miss Fulton, that he who hath not music in his soul is fit for treason, stratagem and spoil. I sing a little, a very little! I have a brother, though, who war- bles like an angel.” She giggled as if she considered it doubtful whether any one could sing better than the Warbler himself. ‘Mr. Leonard, who was here earlier in the evening, paid you quite a compliment!” glanc- ing at him Toa ** Leonard!” and Ware started in spite of bim- self, ‘‘Oh, yes; I[remember, Our friend Tan- ner gave me an introduction to-day. And what did Mr, Leonard say?” “That you’re so sharp nothing but a knife can cope with you,” The words seemed idle chatter, but when she had gone, Ware mused over them long and thoughtfully, “Can it’ be that Leonard already suspects me?” he soliloquized. ‘*I must find out if the two are intimate. There was surely a threat back of those words, ‘Nothing but a knife can cope with me!’ I don’t suppose he would hesi- tate to use a knife to rid himself of an enemy. I must be extra cautious, or I’ll tumble into some unexpected trouble,” CHAPTER III, STRIKING THE TRAIL, In their room that night the Warbler im- pressed upon his boy pard the necessity of shadowing the barmaid as well as Mr. Leon- ard, The boy attempted it the next day, but found the task an exceedingly difficult one. She re- mained in her room much of the time, only de- scending to assist at the bar or pay burried and surreptitious visits to various parts of the town. But ‘‘ Master Harry” was a youth of much pertinacity, and his patience and watchfulness were finally rewarded, The barmaid’s room adjoined the apartments of Mr. Leonard, and certain acts tended to show she was his confidante and ally, One evening, as she tripped down the stair- way to assist Mr. Shelby Tanner in his arduous duties, a letter fluttered from her pocket and fell, unheeded by her, upon the lower landing. The quick eyes of the boy deseried it and noted its resting-place; and when she had passed on into the saloon be crept from his concealment and secured it, A look of triumph strangely mingled with pain came into his face as he glanced at the superscription, Thename was unknown to bim, but the handwriting was perfectly familiar! Stowing the letter securely in an inner pocket he went at once in search of Mr, Ware. That gentleman was entertaining Shelby Tan- ner with a dissertation on the peculiar qualities of mountain air in the development of brain power as attested by the intellectual citizens of Rocket Range. An almost imperceptible nod from the boy, however, caused him to drop the subject and wend bis way to their room, ‘* Now, what is it?’ he asked, when he bad locked the door behind them, ‘TI take it you have run against something of importance,” ‘Look at that!” he exclaimed, with quiver- ing voice, ‘‘ Miss Fulton dropped it as she went down the stairway, a liftle while ago,” The Warbler took the letter and stared curi- ously at the handwriting. “You don’t understand, I see! Of course, bow should you? Youcan see that the letter is addressed to some young lady of this town, and the handwriting is my brother's /” Ware now looked at the letter with real inter- est. 1t was addressed to Miss Maud Malcolm, and bore a date of some two months previous, Then he opened and read it, the boy looking over his shoulder and devouring the contents at the same time. It was simply a love missive, and revealed nothing but tbe fact that this Miss Maud Malcolm, whoever she was, was the writer’s sweetheart, It was signed Lewis Cay- endish, “It don’t tell much, but it tells a good deal that we didn’t know or were uncertain of before. It proves that your brother was in this town some two months ago, and that while here he formed the acquaintance of this young lady. Who she is and whether she still remains in the town we must proceed to find out. It also . re that we have not been wrong in suspect- ng the barmaid, I am beginning to think that, whatever John Leonard knows about this affair, she knows. ‘* How she came into possession of the letter, though, puzzles me. f may be that sbe or Leonard intercepted your brother’s mail, Hither that or she has stolen the letter from this Miss Malcolm. At any rate the post-mark shows that it had passed out of Lewis’s hands.” After the night’s performance he sounded Shelby Tanner on the subject now uppermost in his mind, “* This Miss: Fulton is quite a jewel of a young lady and a great help to you!” he assured the barkeeper, at the same time seeming to give more attention to the building and ea Re A. of a agit of glasses than to the words spoken. ‘It’s a pity there aren’t more such young ladies in the town. I don’t suppose there are really a half-dozen young women in the entire camp,” Tanner’s pride was touched, for the tones of the Warbler indicated an opinion that it wasa great pity there were no more; and on a slight wager he ventured to name the unmarried wo- men of the place; ‘* Well, there’s Miss Fulton to start with. Then there’s Miss Trueblood, what teaches the night school for miners; and Miss Jenks, an’ Miss Stockton, an’ the Holmes gals, three of ’em; an’ Miss Malcolm, what lives on the hill over there, an’ whose dad died last year, wu’th quite a snug little fortune; an’ Miss Brown, the clerk in the post: office,” “That will do,” laughed the Warbler, pushing the wagered cointoward Tanner. ‘ You've won the bet. I’m glad to know that Rocket Range is even a better place than I thought it.” Then he drifted carelessly into a discussion of various commonplaces, and a half-hour later took his departure, The next evening, when the shades of dusk were sufficiently heavy to screen his movements, be cautiously made his way to the house where Miss Malcolm was residing with an aged fe- male relative. He had, in the interval, picked up some fur- ther bits of information, and ke trusted that an interview with the young lady would make clear many matters which were now locked in ob-' scurity. His dingy coat wag brushed until it almost shone, and his worn shoes were polisbed till they gleamed Jike mirrors. He rung the bell, and spent the time of waiting in fluffing the frills of his sbirt-front. The ring was answered by the young lady, who,on bearing bis request, led the way to the little parlor and stated that Miss Malcolm would be pleased to see him in a few moments, “A snug cage,” he thought, as be surveyed the room. ‘‘It must be a pretty bird that occu- pies it. It would be a go, now, if I should dis- cover that she’s the real cause of the young fel- low’s disappearance, There may have been a murderously inclined rival who put his bloody finger into the pie, I’ve heard of stranger things.” His cogitations were interrupted by the en- trance of Miss Malcolm, a pretty young lady, Aah a face that wasrather pale and trou- bled. The Warbler was on his feet instantly and greeted her with a bow of Chesterfieldian poiite- ness. “* Pardon the intrusion, please,” he apologized, feeling in his pocket for the letter, “This svill serve to ex] fain in part my mission, It) was found by my protege Harry Cavendish.” A flush supplanted the pallor, and she sunk tremblingly into a chair, as she clutched the let-~ ter. ‘Pray be seated,” she said. ‘*Did I under- stand you say Cavendish?” He bowed affirmatively and resumed his seat, ** The letter is, of course, your property, Miss Malcolm. I called to return it, to explain how it came into my possession, and to ask some questions.” ; He had been watching her narrowly without seeming to do so, **T presume it was stolen from you. You may not know me, although I sent in my name, am a sort of traveling showman, and for the present am singing nightly for the edification of the guests at Mr, Tanner's palatial establish- ment, I bave some further credentials which I may present by and by. The letter was picked up by Master Harry Cavendish, on the lower landing of Tanner’s stairway, where it had been dropped by a certain young woman named Fanny Fulton.” The later statement much astonished the yeung lady, as was evidenced by her loeka
Page 4
Warbling William. : . SS ?00—0—0>—0@$@($SOuM99S eee —T—T To “Surely, Mr. Ware, you must be mistaken. No, that isn’t what I want tosay. The circum- stances appear to indicate that Miss Fulton pil- fered the letter. I can hardly believe that. She has been here a number of times to obtain work and I never had occasion to suspect her. She must have carried it off accidentally in some clothing or dress material.” The Warbler had bis owr opinion as to that, but his facial expression showed only the great- op deference to the young lady’s expressed be- ef, ** The presumption is great, Miss Malcolm,” hesi- tating slightly and pulling at his tawny mustache, “that the boy, Harry Cavendish, is a brother of the young gentleman who wrote that letter, Following that presumption brought me here. [ confess that a feeling stronger than curiosity led me to read the letter—a desire, in fact, to learn something concerning what we believe to be a great wrong.” While he was speaking, the young woman looked at him as if she would read his very thought, ** And you are seeking Lewis Cavendish? Try- ing to find what has become of him? Oh, Mr, are, can I trust you?” **As you would trust yourself!” he assured her, earnestly, ‘‘ Lewis Cavendish has mysteri- ously disappeared, and under circumstances in- dicating foul play. To find him if living, or to punish his murderers, if he is dead, is my sole purpose in visiting this country.” er ~~ lighted with hope, ** And you are a—a—?” “Yes, Miss Malcolm; I am a detective !” CHAPTER IV. MUTUAL CONFIDENCES, ** As you have so kindly told me all you know about the mysterious affair, and as our inter- ests seem to be identical, I cannot be less frank, Three or four months ago Lewis Cavendish left his home in Chicago with a man wuom I now know to be John Leonard, of this place, For several weeks letters were received regularly by Cavendish’s relatives, whose names are Upton. Then they suddenly and strangely ceased, “The young man had but recently reached his majority and come into the inheritance of a considerable fortune. About that time he made the acquaintance of Leonard, who, from what I can learn, represented himself as a Western ete engaged largely in mining and specu- ating. = Cavendish did not reside with his relatives, but had taken rooms down town; and here Leonard frequently visited him, Hence it hap- pened that none of the relatives ever saw Leon- ard, except Cavendish’s younger brother, Harry, who was in the habit of calling at his brother’s rooms on his way from school. Even he did not know Leonard’s name. For some reason, however, he did not like the looks of the stranger, and so was drawn to observe him more closely than he otherwise might have done, “One evening Lewis Cavendish told his bro- ther toinform the folks, meaning the Uptons, that he was going West to look at some mining roperty which he thought of purchasing. eonard was in the room when he made the statement; and Harry now remembers, though he thought little of it at the time, that he made somes remurk which suddenly changed the drift of the conversation, But for that Lewis might have revealed his point of destination, and thus saved us much worry and work,” He ceased for a moment and looked earnestly In admitting this the Warbler knew he risked / at Miss Malcolm; then questioned: much, He could not expect confessions from the young lady, however, without himself first making advances in that line. A study of her character, as revealed in her appearance and actions, had convinced him that in her keeping the secret would be safe. Her face was frank and open, and her clear blue eyes showed a pure and ingenuous mind. He felt that she was & woman who could be trusted; and who, if her confidence could be gained, would make a valu- able ally. : “I suppose you know something of Lewis Cavendish’s history?” he questioned, in a tone of growing familiarity. ‘*T know a little,” she conceded. *“ But, it is only a little, If Lhad known mora it might have been better, for then I could have formed some intelligent plan to work upon, when he dis- appeared.” **So, you have been making an attempt in the detective line?” with an encouraging smile, ** What I have done hardly deserves the name, I became acquainted with Mr, Cavendish through John Leonard, with whom my father had busi- ness dealings. The acquaintance ripened into warm friendship.” The blush which accompanied this confessed more than the words. : ** Mr. Cavendish was thinking of buying some mining stock of Leonard, Suddenly he was miss- ing from the town, After a week hal gone by, without any letter or explanation, I went to Leonard, and was told that Lewis—I mean Mr. Cavendish—had returned East, without purchas- ing tbe property or stating the cause of his sud- den departure, “Mr. Leonard was very uneasy during the whole of the interview. I knew he was not tell- ing the truth, and at once suspected foul play, But, I had no evidence on which to basea charge. Mr, Cavendish bad told me his home was in Chicago, and I directed a letter to him there, but received no reply. I didn’t know the num- ber or the street. I wrote a second letter, using areturn envelope, and itcame back to me in about thirty days. “Failing to obtain any trace of Mr. Caven- * dish in this way, I commenced to watch Leonard. It was about this time that I was thrown in con- tact with Miss Fulton. As her room was near Leonard’s, I told her something of my story, and she promised to inform me of anything suspi- cious in his aetions. That is all I have been able to do, and that has amounted to nothing.” The detective on dropping his disguise had dis- carded his air of oily affability. For a time af- ter the story was finished he sat with brows contracted and an expression of deep thought- fulness on his mobile face, “There can be no doubt,” he said at last, **that some crime has been committed by Leon- ard or his agents. It may not be murder. In fact, I hardly think it is; ubough I must admit circumstanees point that way. ‘Has Leonard been in the habit of wearing a full beard?” The query was evidently a surprising one, ** Never, since I have known him,” ‘** And that has been how long?” ‘“T wo years at the least!” **T suspected as much, While in Chicago, ac- cording to Harry’s statement, he wore a full beard, I taka it he wasn’t away from here long enough to have grown it?” She replied in the negative, “Tam getting ahead of my story, however,” and hesmiled faintly, ‘‘ The suspicion suddenly recurred to me and I could not forbear putting it into words, I will return to itin a little while, Now, with your permission, we will go back to Chicago. , ** When the long silence of young Cavendish began to create suspicion, I was consulted. I talked with Harry, and was convinced there was something seriously wrong, The letters received by the Uptons were all postmarked ‘ Cheyenne,’ and appeared to have been written from that place, showed that the name of the town had been re- moved with acids from the headings of the letters and Cheyenne substituted. : ‘*The Cheyenne postmark was of course genu- ine, and it was the only clew we had. It was evident to my mind that Cavendish bad fallen into the haads of a sharper, who was taking every means to conceal his steps; and that he had, in some way, induced the young man to allow him to mail the letters, and that instead of mailing them at the place where they were written he had conveyed or forwarded them to Cheyenne, “There were other circumstances tending to show foul play. Young Cavendish started West with a considerable sum of money and a draft for fifty thousand dollars. It was easy to discover that the draft had been cashed in Cheyenne by Cavendish himself. His was the ovly indorse- ment on it, and it had been left with the Chey- enne Bank until they could assure themselves of the genuineness of his signature. ‘* With these few clews I started from Chica- go for the West, taking the boy, Harry, with me, This was necessary, for he was the only member of the family who had seen the man with whom his brother had departed. “On reaching Cheyenne I visited the bank where the draft had been cashed. The large amount called for by the draft had fixed in the minds of the bank officials the circumstances under which it had been paid. Their books, of course, showed the record of the transaction, but that would have been of little benefit to me if their memories had failed them. “Their statements made it certain that Lewis Cavendish had come to the bank with a stranger; that he had deposited the draft, in lieu of identi- fication, and had returned for the money within a week or ten days, A close examination of them, Lowever,- “* Here the trail ended. I quickly ascertained he was not in the town, and then began plan- iting a way to discover his whereabouts. If we could only find the stranger with whom he had left Chicago we would then have a point from which to work, “ After.much thought I hit upona plan. It . was extremely simple, but the best we could do. I am considered a fair singer, and can perform afew ordinary tricks of sleight-of-hand, The boy had attained some little dexterity at a gymnasium; so we started out as itinerant showmen. “By strolling in this guise from town to town, aud from camp to camp, we hoped to dis- cover the mysterious stranger, or come upon some trace of the missing young man. Show- men do not often visit these out-of-the-way, mountain places; hence we were reasonably sure our efforts in that line, feeble though they’ were, would draw together all classes and con- ditions of men. ‘*For nearly a month we wandered about ip this vagrant way. Then we struck Rocket Range and Harry discovered our man in the audience, You know the rest, cr most of it, *‘The man proved to be John,Leonard, He did not wholly answer to Harry’s description of the stranger he had seen in Chicago, That man had a full beard, while Leonard wears only a mustache, The boy insists, however, that Leon- ard is the man. ‘**The beard worn in Chicago was doubtless a false one. My theory is that before he reached this place he removed it; and explained the change to young Cavendish by saying he had visited a barber-shop and had been shaved,” Miss Malcolm had listened with deep interest. to the detective’s story. ‘* Have you any further plans?” she asked. Rae f undeveloped ones, and liable to be changed at any moment, In-a case of this kind itis difficult to form plans ahead. We have to be guided by circumstances, ‘*There is one thing, though,” and he looked at her closely, ‘‘Miss Fulton is no friend of yours, whatever she _ professes, have seem enough to convince me that she is leagued with Leonard, and is altogether a wicked and dan- gerous woman,” Miss Malcolm seemed pained by this frank statement, ‘* Understanding my connection with the case you will pardon me, I know, for what may ap- pear to you a harsh judgment, We, Harry and I, have been shadowing Miss Fulton, and our discoveries prove my assertions.” ** And you would advise me to have nothing more to do with her?” . “Hardly that, She would suspect something. I only want to put you on your guard against her, { am sure her visits here have been in Leonara’s interest.” ‘“*And I told her almost everything!” Miss Malcolm interjected, ‘‘ Surely she cannot be so base as you think!” ‘““We will let time determine that; but, as you value the life and well-being of Lewis Cay- endish, do not breathe a word to her of what we have discussed this evening. I am certain Leonard would know it within an hour, and my best efforts would thus be thwarted. “A little while ago you spoke of plans, A art of them, at least, will be the shadowing of iss Fulton. In this you can assist. Watch her words and actions when she calls on you, and try to ascertain her real motive in makin the calls, You can speak to her in a genera way of John Leonard and Mr, Cavendish, By so doing you may lead her into some slip of the tongue that will reveal matters of import- ance. ‘Above all, however, be watchful of your own statements and admissions. Remember that while you are trying to sound ber sha is probably attempting the same thing with you,” He looked at the little clock that ticked en- ergetically on the mantel, ; **T see | must be going. It is about time for the commencement of my performance at Tan- ner’s. I must keep my engagements, for the good of our cause, if not for the sake of the salary. I will try to call on you or advise you of the progress of affairs. If you learn any- thing of importance send for me at once.” He bow slipping by obscure by-paths back to the royster- fee one the garish lights at Tanner’s. CHAPTER V. _A WOULD-BE SUITOR. ON hing the saloon he found that Harry bad a valuable bit of information to impart. the boy “T have been watching Miss Fulton himself out, and, a little later, was — See
Page 5
whispered, drawing the Warbler into the dark ‘recesses of the side street. ‘‘ She is acquainted with the old chap, as sure asyou live, I saw her in his room awhile ago while he was away. Just then a servant came along with a pitcher of water, and saw her, tco. Miss Fulton seemed took back a little by this. “© ¢ Where is Mr, Leonard? she asked. You know what a high, squeaky voice she has, Mr. Ware!” and the boy gave a ludicrous imitation of it. * Well, she said it just that way: ‘ ‘Where is Mr. Leonard? “ ¢T don’t know,’ said the servant, kind of surprised like. ‘Did you want to see him per- ticklar, ma’am? ‘* ¢ No—er, that is, not especially. You may tell him, though, 1f you see him, that I called to borrow one Of his books,’ “That’s just what she said, Mr. Ware, when I don’t believe Mr, Leonard bas a book in his apartments, I’m sure she didn’t have any in her hands, nor she didn’t go back to get any.” “* And what do you make of it?’ the Warbler questioned. . ‘That she was there to get orders about some- thing, or to tell him something.” ‘* And where is she now?” “JT don’t know,” the boy reluctantly con- fessed. ‘‘She skipped down-stairs, and when I followed I couldn’t find her, You see the ser- vant hung around in the hall there for five minutes or more, and I didn’t dare to creep out.” ** And you haven’t seen anything of Leonard?” “Notasign. Iam beginning to think he sus- icions us. I can see him once in awhile, but e has kept awful shady, for some reason.” ‘*“You must be extra careful,” the detective cautioned, ‘It won’t do to let bim find out who we are at this stage of the game, I can tell from his looks that he’s as quick as a steel- trap, The least carelessness on our part may ruin everything. “The reason I speak of this is that I noticed your wig awry when we turned in here a little while ago. If he had seen that he would have had cause to suspect us, With your darkened complexion and that wig he will never guess that you are the boy he saw in Chicago, unless you heedlessly betray yourself.” “Well, the thing is so plaguey hard to keep on!” the boy grumbled, twisting the wig into place. . Then he crept from the shadows of the side street by a rear route, and the detective went on into the saloon, When the singing commenced, a half-hour later, the barmaid was in her usual place. At the end of the performance the Warbler again sought anu interview with her. : “As bright and sprightly as ever!” be flatter- ingly asserted, giving her a cajoling glance. ** Methinks the very birds would become en- vious, only that the said birds don’t chirp around after nightfall.” **Some of them do, Mr. Ware. There’s the owl and the night-hawk, for instance.” “To neither of which class can you be com- pared. I have heard you sing; and if the recol- lections of the old boyhood days on the farm are not misleading, the creatures you mention are not gifted in that line.” In muking this assertion he drew largely on his fancy. He had never heard Miss Fulton ging, though be had heard her make some squeaking attempts thereat, She looked him squarely in the eyes, “Mr. Ware, do you want to know what I think of you?” ; ; * Certainly!” with a deferential sniile. “That if a contest of sweet-talking frauds was got eyson'd be sure to win the blue ribbon.” He laughed, apparently regarding the thrust as a compliment. “You wouldu’t say that to John Leonard,” he averred, “Wouldn’t 1? Well, then, it’s because he isn’t such a palaverer, But why do you mention him in that connection?” He saw that she was intently studying his face. ‘Faint rumor has whispered into my shell- _ like ear that he is somewhat sweet on you!” he ~~ ventured, striking out boldly. “IT hope you won’t go and sing that to the ublic!” gasping the words as if the assertion ad startled her. ‘‘ Yes, John Leonard and I are very good friends, but not in the way you ‘seem to think.” ss ‘‘Hit ’er ag’in!” Tanner laughed; for, now _ , that the crowd was thinning out, he found time hanging rather idly on his bands and strained an ear to catch a sentence now and then, ‘' [f John Warbling William. Leonard ain’t sweet on her Idon’t know whoair. She was chattin’ to him fer nighabout an hour, this evenin’.” ‘T hope Mr. Tanner isa humorous falsifier,” the Warbler declared serenely. ‘‘ If heisn’t, my cake is stillin the flour-barrel. I suppose, though, the field is open, and ’m at liberty to cut him out, if I can.” ‘Tf you kin? That’s good!” guffawed Tanner. “Pll bet this gold mine ag’in’ a wu’thless hole in the ground, hows’ever, that you can’t do any- thing of the kind.” Miss Fulton attempted a blush, but the paint was too thick to reveal any heightening of color. ‘* You men are all alike,” she simpered. ‘If a girl speaks toa gentleman, a wedding is an- nounced forthwith, As Itold you, Mr. Leonard and I are very good friends, that is all.” ‘Then I'll not have to go out and shoot my- self because of a broken heart!” the Warbler ex- claimed, airily, ‘‘I was afraid such might be my awful fate. If the field is open, I hurl my lance into the arena and give notice to John Leonard and the rest of mankind that I shall en- ter the lists.” Few young women of the caliber of Fanny Fulton but would be flattered and pleased by the manner in which he said this. It told in language plainer than words that his heart had been touched by her beauty and wit. ‘‘ By the way, what has become of Leonard?” he questioned, pulling, as was his reflective habit, at his mustache, : Miss Fulton started, and again eyed him close- Nh Evidently this frequent recurrence to eonard began to arouse her suspicions, ‘*—In his room oron the streets, I suppose!” with a noticeablesharpnessin the words, ‘‘ You seem very much interested in Mr. Leonard.” ‘‘ Naturally!” and he oilily rubbed his bands. ‘“T didn’t know but he might suddenly come gunning for a canary of about my build, That would be awkward, you know, and unpleasant.” Then dropping his bantering tone for one more serious: ‘I’m really more than half in earnest in what I’ve said, Miss Fulton. Ifancy we migbt think more of each other onacloser acquaintance, I must admit I haven’t much wealth; but wealth isn’t everytbing, even in the Wild West. With your consent, I’d like to cultivate your friend- sbip. Who knows butit might result in some- thing warmer?” She smiled a consent; and the Warbler, lifting her hand to his lips, politely bowed himself away. CHAPTER VI. ANOTHER LETTER, Two days later, Warbling William received a message from Miss Maud Malcolm, stating that she urgently wished to see him, The message which was written, was borng by a miner who had been hired by Miss Malcolm to deliver it. It gave no explanation of the cause of the sudden summons, The pseudo-showman waited only until the darkness would conceal his movements and then set out for Miss Malcolm’s residence, which was too conspicuously situated ona hill to suit his crafty purposes, He found her pacing restlessly up and down the narrow limits of the little parlor, She had po gee of been waiting; and his coming seem- ed a great relief. The Warbler’s mind was cast in almost too suspicious a mold, or it may be that this con- stant shadowing of questionable characters had given a twist tohis imagination. At any rate the unwelcome and unbidden thought came that he had seen actresses tread the boards of the mimic stage in much the same way. look at her face, however, banished the unpleas- ant suggestion. ‘“Ob, [amso glad you have come!” she ex- claimed, in an agitated voice, ‘It seems ages since I sent for you. KE have received a letter which has set me half wild.” **More letters!” thought the Warbler, that odd suspicion again coming to him. ‘‘It looks like this is to be a letter case all through.” ‘* It’s from him /” she said, placing the closelv- written page in the detective’s bands, ‘‘ We must do something to relieve bim, Do you think it would be advisable to call in the aid of the officers?” She checked herself, as if realizing that he did not yet know the letter’s purport. - The Warbler deftly smoothed the page and spread it on his knee. The handwriting corre- sponded with that in the love note found by the boy, and the contents were as follows: aa 7s , ee oooooooeoeeeeeeaeeaaeaeaeaeaeaesaeseseesesa—=—_—0—>$—>—00OS———s>sssSsa\a>> “In THE Jim Crow Ming, date unknown, “My Dear Mavup:—I have succeeded in tribin; the miner who waits on me, to furnish me wit writing material and deliver into your hands what I may write. [am held a close prisoner in an aban- doned chamber of the Jim Crow Mine. How long I bave been held here I don’t know, for I have lost ali track of time. I feel that if I remain here much longer I shall go crazy. The darkness and loneli- ness and the torture of mind I have suffered are killing me. No doubt Leonard has explained to you my absence in some way not greatly to my credit. I was assaulted and robbed bya man whom I now suspect to have been one of his tools. I was ren- dered unconscious by a blow on the head, and when I recovered I foutd myself here. Send some one to my rescue, Iam in the abandoned chamber lead- ing north from the shaft. I haven’t time nor space to write more. “Faithfully and lovingly yours. “Lewis CAVENDISH.” ‘¢-You are certain the letter was written by Mr. Cavendish?” he asked, looking up from the page. “TI know it!”she assured him, ‘‘ There can be no doubt that Lewis wrote it, And to think he kas been beld all these weeks in tbat terrible place! I can’t rest nor sleep until something is done to relieve him.” She again paced nervously up and down the room as she had been doing when he entered. ‘*T don’t think it would be advisable to call in the officers,” be said, ‘‘ Leonard is no doubt hand in glove with them, and warning would be given before we could do anything.” ‘““You intend to go alone, then?’ stopping in her walk and looking at bim with big, wet eyes. He nodded assent. ‘*Oh, Mr. Ware, would it be possible for me to go with you? It don’t seem to me that I can stand it to remain inactive while Lewis is in such need of aid. If I could just, go along to see and hear, even if I could be of no assistance!” ‘fT am sorry, Miss Malcolm,” with a pitying glance. ‘But I fear I wouldn’t be justified in granting your request. A worn-out chamber of the Jim Crow Mine is doubtless a dark and dis- mal hole, with many dangers to be overcome in reaching it. Then, there is another reason for the refusal: than to get out; and if I gosome one may have to come after me. ‘So, you see, it is important that I leave a friend behind, Harry is smart, but he is only a boy. Ishall tell him to call on you if I do not return within a certain period, and together you: must put into effect some plan to rescue me, ‘Should you hear nothing from either of us within two days, call on the mayor and insist on having the mine searched.” ‘* Why not do that now?” ‘“ AsIsaid, Iam afraid we should flush the game by doing so, I want to fasten my grip on John Leonard, if possible. If I ao not come back, though, there is nothing else you can do but seek the assistance of the officers,” He refolded the letter and placed it in his pocket, “With your permission I should like to retain this;’ apalogetically. ‘‘ It may come bandy, b and by, for we never know what may bappen. ‘*When will you start?” she queried, anx- iously. ‘Just as soon as I can. To-night, at all events. Don’t agitate yourself, Miss Malcolm, more than you camhelp. I will report at once on my return; and I trust I may be able to bring Mr, Caveridish with me.” She followed him, weeping, to the door, as be quitted the house. ““Of course I was foolish in suspecting her,” he thought, as he slipped, fox-like, back to Tan- ner’s. ‘*I have been led into traps so often, though, that I reckon my wariness is excusable, If young Cavendish is held in the mine—and there can be no doubt of it, I think—I ought to be able to release bim by a little stratagem.” So busy with bis thoughts was he that he al- most ran over the boy, who was waiting for him » at the street corner. ‘¢The cops will pull you in if you go to falling over people that way!” Harry warned, with a grin, ‘I’ve been watching the old man like a hawk, as you told ine to. But he’s always too much for me, some way, Just when I think I’m looking at bim, I find him gone! The Irishman’s flea could’t bold a candle to him.” ‘*Come up to the room!” Ware whispered. “‘T have something we'll want to talk over.” When they were safe in their own apartment and screened from all observers he banded the boy the letter, ** What do you make of it?’ he asked, watch- - ing the play of surprise, wonder and anger om the boy’s expressive features, It may be easier to get in there’
Page 6
le the emphatic declaration, at once, lace, ike that!” But, what do you make of the handwriting?” “Oh, that? to it anywhere,” “Then Ill go!” and the detective breathed a sigh of relief. “And Pil go!” with eyes flashing, brother was in a fix like that, you wouldn’t stay back for anybody, would you?” **No, perhaps not. said to alter ca‘es,” **Oh, you must let me go, Mr. Ware, —I can’t stay behind!” The Warbler found it impossible to resist the boy’s pleading, **Be ready then when the show is over. We will start as soon as the bulk of the crowd is gone, Now, leave me alone, while I try to figure outa plan for getting into the mine,” And the boy tripped down-stairs, his mind so whirling that it is doubtful if he would have recognized John Leonard or Fanny Fulton had they passed him, CHAPTER VII. ** DOWN IN A COAL-MINE,” Harry had been gone but a few moments, when Ware proceeded to disguise himself by changing his clothing and donning a bushy, tawny beard tbat well matched the color of his mustache, The articles were obtained from a rusty-looking grip-sack which he had brought with him to Rocket Range. The change thus effected was so great that his most intimate acquaintances would scarcely have recognized him. When he had locked his dingy cutaway and other ordinary apparel in the receptacle from which the others had been taken, he surveyed himself in the oblong mirror that hung against the wall. “Not a bad get-up,” was his muttered com- ment, ‘Methinks if the fair Fanny should clap her peepers on me at this instant she would tumble head over heels in love with yours truly. That girl has a fund of information that would be invaluable tome. Whether I can succeed in extracting it is another thing, She’s as shrewd and wary as aprofessional. What a pard she would make in the detective line!” After a few further disguising touches he ex- tinguished the dimly burning lamp, vpened the door slightly and peered into the hall to see that the coast was clear. No one was in sight; and he crept softly into the street, His usual evening performance did not begin till nearly ten o’clock, He had visited Miss Malcolm immediately after nightfall, and had spent about halfan hour in talking with Harry and inchanging his garments. Hence he had abundant time for the work in hand, which was the securing of miners’ suits for himself and Harry. The thronged streets were fairly well lighted; but, with a soft hat pulled far over his eyes, he boldly made his way along them, On reaching an obscure part of the town he entered a little store where miners’ supplies and outfits were sold. The proprietor bustled briskly forward, scent- ing a sale; and the Warbler was soon in posses- sion of the needed articles, lanterns included, On his return to Tanner's, he regained his room in the same cautious way, divested himself of his disguises, and was once more the smiling and affable gentleman of the song und guitar, rg after midnight, when he was again at liberty, he once more ascended to his room, this time taking Harry with him, “Now, slip into that suit,” he said, when he had screened the light and turned it so low that the place was filled with somber shadows, “ It may be a little large for you, but it is the smallest I could find. Work lively, too, for we've got to get into that mine in some way be- fore daylight.” Just then a step was heard in in the hall and operations were for a time suspended. Ware had taken his usual precaution of leaving the key in the lock, however, and he had little fear that prying eyes could see them. But the foot- steps halted only temporarily, and the changing of clothing was resumed, Within ten minutes what seemed to be two miners emerged from the lower hallway and strode down the street, There was nothing in this to create suspicion had they been seen, for . er of miners roomed together in the ote When they had traversed some distance they “That old Leonard ought to be lynched!” was ‘*We must find Lew I know where the shaft of the Jim Crow Mineis, It ain’t a mile from this very The scoundrel, to keep any one in a hole "hat’s Lew’s, sure! I could swear “Tf your But, circumstances are I can’t Warbling William. took .to dark side streets and alleys, and after niuch winding and turning left the town behind them. *T don’t hard] work this,” the before them, detection,” A lantern gleamed here and there about the dump-pile and the mouth of the shaft; and as they drew near they could hear the voices of men, “TI don’t suppose it would be worth while to reveal ourselves and try to deceive them in any They know about who has business in the way. mine at this time of night and who hasn’t,” Just then a little car containing coal was hoist- ed from the shaft and run out upon a small tramway leading to an elevator from which the coal was to be loaded into railway cars for ship- ment, The incident gave the detective an idea which held some promise, “Come!” he whispered, giving the boy’s coat a tug, and sinking notseleashy to the earth. ‘* We'll try the weasel game, If we can sneak into one of those little cars we'll go down the shaft a-rolling.” With movements as silent as those of the ani- mal he had mentioned they approached the tim- bers about the mouth of the shaft. While crouching expectantly another car came up and was run upon the tramway. It was filled with coal, and on top of the heap was a numbered paddle showing to what miner’s account the delving should be credited. These cars were ascending and descending al- most constantly, and, after an hour’s watching, an opportunity presented for slipping into one that was going down, The attention of the workmen was drawn elsewhere for a few minutes, and when the car was lowered it bore the singing detective and his boy pard into the depths of the mine, ere detection seemed inevitable. When the door of the cage opened the lamp of the work- man below pierced the gloom and revealed their presence, ““Seems to me you fellows air’ thunderin’ late in gittin’ down!” he growled, ‘ You won't make enough to-night to pay ye fer yer trouble 0’ comin’,” Ware was quick to comprebend the situation. The miner took them for belated workmen who had probably been delayed by some drunken carousal, ‘“‘ Better late’n never,” he answered, with dis- guised and thickened utterance. ‘ Couldn't git hyer no quicker, High ole time with some f the boys, you bet!” ‘“'You’re ope of the new men, I reckon, an’ I'd advise ye to bustle to yer work quick’s ye kin, Ef the foreman gits wind of it, he’ll be mighty likely to lay ye off.” Ware and Harry stumbled past him before he had finished speaking, and hurried on into the gloom, They could see lights twinkling here and there, and hear the tread of mules om rum- ble of wheels where the little trains of coal cars were being brought in from the converging tun- nels and chambers, ‘In the abandoned chamber north is where ‘igwee brother is held, if there is any truth in that etter!” said the detective, stopping and trying to locate himself. “I’m half turned round already. If we only knew the outs and ins of this place we’d have plainer sailing. Before we go any further, though, we’d better light these lamps. There may be danger from damp away from the mouth of the shaft.” The fact that tke miner had not commented on their unlighted lanterns convinced him it would be perfectly safe to strike a match there, When they were aguin ready to advance, they turned sharply toward the north, and soon found themselves among cobwebbed and dusty debris, showing that that portion of the mine had been worked out and abandoned, Then they came to a tunnel-like opening, braced with rotting timbers, which seemed to be the passage leading to the chamber mentioned in the letter, Harry, by this time, was becoming so excited he could hardly contain himself. fe believed they were now within a few feet of his brother’s terrible prison. : pa G can’t imagine what kind of a place he is held in,” said the detective, as they picked their way forward, ‘‘The chamber must be fitted up with a door, or something to turn it into a prison, The more I think of it the more in- know how we're going to arbler whispered, when the black dump-pile of the Jim Crow Mine loomed “‘ There is a day and a night shift of workmen, and if we had been here when the shifts were changed the thing would have been easy enough, Wecould have entered the mine with the night shift without much danger of definite seem the statements made in that let- ter. They had advanced but a few yards when they came upon indications of the recent use of pick and drill, “* That looks a little like we may be approach- ing a part of the mine that is still worked. It may be we have taken the wrong passage, [° didn’t see any other, though, and we'll go on till we find out where this leads to.” He paid small heed to the drill-marks, not considering them of much significance. He had cause to think of this afterward, however, and to regret bis inattention, The passage widened as they progressed, and the walls began to stretch away on either hand, inclosing an area of unknown extent. There were timber jbraces here and there; and in ad- dition to these, columns of rock and solid coal bad been left by the workmen to support the heavy mass of earth and stone above, In the dim and uncertain light of their lanterns these pillars seemed to divide the vast space into wind- ing and colonnaded aisles, “‘There’s just about two ehances to one that we'll get lost in here!” Ware observed, as he en- deavored to pierce the murky darkness, ‘T] can fancy 1t wouldn’t be pleasant if I should. There hasn’t been any work done in here for a long time, and we might wander around for days without being able to find our way out or make ourselves heard,” “Don’t you think we ought to be close to where Lew is, now?” Harry anxiously ques- tioned, ‘* Yes, my boy, I have been thinking that we ought, if he’s inhere. It looks a little like we've been sent on a wild-goose chase.” ‘Maybe we could find out where he is by calling to him!” * And rh we'd bring the miners down on us! Let us look a little further first,” They were on the point of again advancing when a rumbling and muffled report came from the passage they had recently quitted. The stout pillars abovt them shook as if disturbed by an earthquake and a blinding cloud of dust was driven in upon them, This was accom- panied by a crash as if the walls behind them had fallen in. ‘**My God!” the detective exclaimed, a per- ceptible tremor in his voice. ‘ A blast has been fired in the passage, and we are blocked in!” CHAPTER VIII. IMPRISONED. ENTOMBED alive! The thought is sufficient to appall the stoutest heart. The detective sunk tremblingly upon his knees as the dreadful sus- picion flashed through his mind, and Harry dropped beside him, half-sobbing with fright, ‘It may not be as bad as we think it is, Harry!” straightening up as he noticed the boy’s terror, “The passage may not be blocked ‘at all, though it did sound like’ the walls had tum- bled in, There is no need to give up till we know the worst,” He shuddered, even while forcing these hope- ful words through his lips, The rush of dust-laden air had not extin- guished their lanterns; and they quickly made their way back to the sarrow assage, Here Ware found his gravest suspicions confirmed, The end of the passage nearest the shaft had been blotted out, and only a wall of crushed rock and pulverized coal showed where it bad been, “We're trapped!” the detective gasped, when their lamps revealed the desperateness of their situation, ‘‘Unless there’s another passage we'll never get out of here alive.” In this monient of extreme terror the heroism of the boy’s soul was brought out. The flash of his eyes was undaunted, and though his pallid a quivered, they only opened to speak words of encouragement; ‘*T’ve heard you say, Mr. Ware, that as long as there’s life there is hope. We didn’t go into the chamber but a little way. There may be plenty of other tunnels by which we can get out, We'll not give up until we have tried every plan, I don’t suppose there could bea hope of blasting a way through with the powder in your cartridges?” The cheering tones acted like a tonic on the detective’s dazed faculties, ‘‘'You are right!” he asserted, ‘1t’s foolish to give way to desvair, The whole black scheme flashed over me in a minute, though, and I acknowledge that for a little while I was com- pletely unnerved,” He had. lifted himself and was now looking the boy earnestly in the face, ‘What scheme?” Harry questioned, not com- | prehending the drift of the statement,
Page 7
“Sit down here and I will tel! you,” said Ware, drawing him to a seat athisside. “TI don’t feel strong enough to go on, yet, and it will do me good to talk to you. Besides, you might as well know what I think, first as last. You're a boy of sense and courage, and_ to- gether we can perhaps determine whether [am right or wrong.” Vith wonder-filled eyes the boy knelt by him. ‘* Tt came upon me like an inspiration, Harry! And for a cunningly devised scheme it goes ahead of anything ever dreamed of. hile we have been planning and working we have al- lowed ourselves to be made the tools and play- things of John Leonard and bis pals! ‘You remember when you found the letter in the ballway! That letter led me to visit Miss Malcolm; and out of it grew the chain of events which has placed us here. Miss Malcolm, like the bar-maid, is only one of Leonard’s decoys! That letter, seemingly in your brother’s hand- writing, led me to reveal everything to her, Like the poor fool I was I told her what had brought us here and what we hoped to accom- lish. F “T am now satisfied that every word I ut- tered was rehearsed to John Leonard within the hour. Then he began to plan to get us into his wer. “But the handwriting!” Harry objected. “That was Lew’s—I know it was Lew’s!” ‘You thought it was, and so did I. But, we were deceived, Harry! Basely deceived! The letters, both of them, were forgeries. Leonard doubtless intercepted your brother’s mail and obtained specimens of his handwriting. The rest would be an easy matter toa skilled pen- man.” Harry shook his head; but the detective did not heed him and went on: ‘*Then the alleged message from this mine was constructed, with hellish ends in view. I shall never forgive myself for not looking more closely into Miss Malcolm’s antecedents. I be- lieve, too, since this happened, that Shelby Tan- ner is another one of Leonard’s tools, All I knew of Miss Malcolm I gathered from bim. It may be that Leonard suspected us from the very first. If so, it shows how shrewd he really is; for the engagement of our services by Tanner would assist in putting us in Leonard’s power. ‘“‘The entire plan: the allurement of your brother from Chicago, and his robbery in this wild region; the masterly way in which we have been led on into self-entanglement; and eur imprisonment here, all show that we have been contending with as cunning a knave as ever went unhung. “You see, Harry, if we should meet our death here, no‘one could be legally charged with having conspired against us. We sneaked in here like thieves in the night and entered this chamber. No one knew we were in here, and a blast was fired—a very common thing in a coal mine. And so we were unwittingly shut in, and became victims of our own heedlessness, It’s a masterly plan, Harry; conceived by the very king of schemers.” Ware was so absorbed in working out this conception of the case that be almost forgot the og he effect it might have on the boy’s mind. e forgot, too, that he had set out to talk the matter over and gain the boy’s opinion. He was recalled to a consideration of what he was doing by Harry’s startled exclamation: “Oh, Mr. Ware, it surely can’t be so bad as that! I can’t think that we’re not to get out of here?” “Did I say that?’ and the detective started. “Tf I did, I wish to recall it. We will get out of here! We must ! There’s too much depending on us, to think of surrendering at this point.” He grasped the wall with one hand, and drew himself from his recumbent position, ‘Tf we'd shout together, as loud as we can, maybe we'd be heard,” Harry suggested. eThe plan seemed worth trying; and with united voices they made the low arches ring, But, not a sound came from the direction of the shaft, and only reverberating echoes from the gloomy aisles of the chamber. Then Ware fired shot after shot from bis revolver, with the same discouraging effect. “Tt’s no use trying further!” he declared. “We're only wasting time here. We must en- deayor to explore every cranny of this place while the lamps hold out, He started off in the direction they had gone before, Harry following close by at his heels. echamber was not nearly so large as they had supposed, and they soon came upon @ wall ef solid rock blocking further progress in that way. At this they turned about and fora long time wandered aimlessly under the low arches. si a en Warbling William. “T thought I heard water!” Harry asserted, stopping and clutching the detective’s arm. “There it is again. It sounds like a running stream!” Plainly now to their ears came the low gurg- ling of a flowing current chafing over a rocky bed; and they hurried forward with excited cries. Ina little while the earth beneath them became moist and slippery, and the gleam of their lanterns revealed a rapid stream. It was ten or twelve feet wide, and flowed with a strong motion that indicated considerable depth. « Where this comes in we may be able to get out,” said Ware, looking earnestly at the water. “There must bearift in the wall, We'll go back and see,” The suggestion was full of hope; and with quickened steps and throbbing bearts they hurried up the little stream. But their hopes were dashed in pieces when they reacned the point whence it emerged into the chamber, With a sullen and subdued roar it rushed with great speed out of a circular opening in the rock, which it almost completely filled. ‘“Looks like an aqueduct?” Harry averred, striving to conceal his disappointment. ‘ That would be a great thing for some cities I know of,” ‘“-Yes, it would!” giving him an approving glance. ‘‘ We'll try the other end of the chamber. Perhaps we'll have better luck there. There’s surely another opening into this place besides the one by which we entered.” Yet, though his words were somewhat buoyant his heart was far otherwise. He could not think that Leonard would entrap them in a place frém which there was the slightest chance of escape. They had now been a number of hours in the chamber, and had explored a large portion of it. Almost hopelessly he began to retrace his way down the stream. Their gait was a slippery scramble and their progress .slow, but they reached the other end in a comparatively short time. Here they were again doomed to disappoint- ment. Witha hollow roar the stream flowed under the wall and disappeared, fretted and chafed by the rocks until its surface at the point of contact was a swirling mass of foam. Evi- dently the volurne of water was so great at times that it could not escape fast enough through the orifice, This was attested by the deposit of drift and silt high on the walls, and the extensive sur- face covered by glutinous slime. ‘*We can’t get out here!” Ware observed, dubiously. ‘‘ We'll have to cross the stream and see if there is anything beyond.” ‘* Sounds like the water is going straight down into the earth!” asserted Harry, who was climb- ing over the muddy rocks to get a better view of the opening. Just then he gave asharp cry. He had lost his balance, The next moment he fell headlong into the yeasty current and was swept from sight, CHAPTER IX. FREEDOM REGAINED. THE detective shouted warningly as he saw Harry ry 5c but the warning was given too late, and he could only stare blankly and despair- ingly at the spot where he had last seen his boy pard. ‘* He is gone!” he whispered, hoarsely. ‘‘ Gone! Gone |” For the moment it seemed he contemplated a mad leap into the stream, He took one quick aoe forward; then restrained himself with an ef- ort. ‘ ‘* Perhaps it’s better sol Better a quick death by drowning than hours of torture and starva- tion, The end would have been the same, We could never have escaped from here,” He sunk dejectedly upon a stone, heedless of the slime which coated it, and stared moodily into the somber current. Suddenly he was aroused by a tapping on the wall, and a muffled shout. He looked at the place from whence the sounds came, feeling almost that his brain was turning and his irresponsible fancy had com- menced to play bim tricks, But the sounds came again. A sbarp tapping as if with a stone or some other bard substance, and then apparently far-away calls: ““Oh, Mr. Ware! Ob, Mr. Ware!” The detective started to his feet and bent eagerly forward. “Surely, surely, that was Harry’s voice! Can it be he escaped in some strange way?” The calls continued; and he answered them with a shont that thrilled and rung like a trum- pet blast. : ‘‘T’m in here!” came the response,’ ‘‘ There’s er 7 another chamber here. The water carried me under the wall, and then I crawled eut. [ am sound asatop. The wallisn’t very thick, and the water rises again on this side of it.” This certain knowledge that Harry had es- caped death so inspirited Ware that he laughed and shouted by turns, and seemed as enthusias- tic as if all their troubles had found an easy so- lution. Without a moment's hesitation he leaped blindly into the stream, feeling sure that as it had borne Harry safely into the chamber be- yond he could trust himself within tbe grasp of its whirling waters. The plunge carried him to the rocky bottom; but he wasa strong, buoy- ant swimmer and came again to the surface without much difficulty. As he did se he heard a cheery shout and the words: “Got through all right, eh? I was ’most afraid you wouldn’t try it.” It was so pitchy dark he could see nothing, for of course they now had no lights. But he turned energetically toward the voice, and by a few sturdy strokes reached the bank. Harry’s hand. was on his shoulder as he landed. *“T can’t see you very well, but lheard you snort like a sea-horse when you came up, and knew you shad made it. [am getting a little used to the dark, though, and can distinguish objects better than at first. This is a pok place in here, but finding it makes me thin there isa way out. Anything is better than wandering around the way we've been doing.” He was chattering like a magpie, though his teeth were knocking together like castanets. ‘*Cool asthe rivers that flow ‘from Green- land’s icy mountains!” Ware shivered, scram- bling to his feet and giving himself a dog-like shake. ‘We'll have to squeeze the water out of these wet clothes or we'll freeze,” Harry grasped him by the band and led the way to where the floor was comparatively dry and warm. Here they managed to wring most of the water out of their garments and felt much better therefor. **Tt seems almost a miracle, the way you were preserved!” Ware said, reverently. ‘‘ When you tumbled into that stream I thought I had seen the last ofyou.” ‘*T wasn’t feeling extra good about that time, myself!” and the boy attempted a laugh. ‘‘ But we're both of us sound as new dollars, yet. I fancy we are at least as well off as we were in the otherchamber. If wecan’t doanything else we can follow on down the stream and take an- otber header, The water’s bound to come out somewhere.” He had no such reckless intentions, but cheery talk made him feel more hopeful. ‘* Now, we'll see what we can do!” and Ware laid bis band against the wall. ‘* We'll follow this wall until we can go no further. Like you, I feel that your little misadventure is te prove our salvation, lll go first; and be careful how you maar He then advanced atas brisk a pace as was possible under the circumstances. When they had gone a few hundred yards he halted and bent forward in a listening attitude. ‘* Did you hear anything?” he questioned. For a moment they stood breathless and with ears strained to catch the slightest sound. Then there came a subdued and metallic ‘‘ chink, chink!” like the noise made by a miner’s pick striking against stone. ‘‘ Hurrah!” Harry shouted, ‘‘ We're saved! We're saved! 1do believe we're saved!” and he ran forward almost dragging the detective from his feet. “Be careful!” the latter cautioned. ‘‘ You may stumble into a hole.” otwithstanding this warning he hurried after with a haste that was as feverishly eager as the 9, Ss. This reckless dash brought the sounds nearer, and they continued on until it seemed that only a thin partition must separate them from the miner who was wielding the pick, Then they shouted together with all the power of their vig- orous lungs. The clinking of the pick stopped. ‘* He hears us!” the detective exclaimed. ‘If these cartridges aren’t too wet I'll give hima serenade with the revolver.” : The weapon was whipped out and a succession of shots quickly fired. ; ‘** What ye doin’? drawled the miner, his voice sounding feeble and indistinct. ‘‘ Firin’ blasts ina new tunnel? You want to be keerful er ou’ll tumble this hull bizness down onto me, . bereair ye, anyway?” “Here!” shouted Ware, ‘We're not firing blasts. That was my revolver. We're lost in here and can’t get out. Can’t you get tous
Page 8
N st ol ; 5 <i f ; th. Pee + Warbling William. ‘. h ED ee ng ee , | - Se eeeeeeaaaaaeaE=Eeaeaeaaa=q=aeaeaeaeae_eeeeeS—SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS999SSSSSSS A SE ET TS TS A TS NS RAITT a some way, or blow a hole through this wall? I don’t think it is very thick.” The miner uttered an inarticulate ery, and they heard the pick strike as it fell from his bands, “Stay there!” he yelled, and his resounding footsteps showed that he was racing away. “Ob, do you think he will come back?? Harry anxiously questioned, ‘*] judge he is gone after help,” was the reas- suring answer. ‘* There’s no reason to fear he will abandon us. These miners are not likely to be in Leonard’s secret.” For fully ten minutes they waited in intense sus- pense. hen they were cheered by the sounds of approaching voices, “Holler ag’in, so we'll know where ye air!” the miner shouted, coming close up to the wall. With this they eagerly complied: and soon had the satisfaction of hearing drills eating their way into the rock before them. ‘¢ Now, git as far back as ye kin!” the voice again commanded. ‘“ We're’ a-goin’ to shoot er, Both understood the full significance of this, and ran back along the wall until they reached a point where they felt safe. Here they had not long to wait. A muffled boom and # jar an- nounced the explosion, On again reaching the place they found a ragged rent in the wall and beheld the dancing lights of the returning miners, The riven rocks were piled in a confused heap, and when the lights were near enough to make the venture safe, they scrambled wildly through the opening, shouting and laughing like school- boys released for a vacation. To their surprise the miners greeted them coldly and even sus- piciously. ‘‘ What were ye doin’ in there?’ growled the spokesman of the party. ‘‘ Never knowed they was such a hole back thar before. Ye ain’t winers, I ‘low?’ flashing his light over their dress. ‘Ah, gentlemen, what do you take us to be? Badgers?” and the oily showman gleamed from beneath the rough exterior, ‘‘Send for your foreman and we will explain matters to him.” ‘“Roreman ain’t around,” the questioner snarl- ed. ‘* We'll do jist as well, I reckon.” ‘Certainly! certainly!” with airy briskness, “‘T only wanted to explain how we came to be in there, You belong to the day shift, I take it? We came down last night, with the foreman’s permission, We are strangers in your growing young city, and took a sudden fancy to look in- to the bowels of the earth, hereaway.” He stopped and felt for his watch, which was still running in spite of its recent bath. “T thought I couldn’t be far from right!” glancing at the dial. ‘‘It’s almost sunset up above, where the sun shines. One’s stomach is as good as a watch, on occasions, As I wassay- ing, we came down to look over the mine; and fearing to soil our silken attire, we arrayed our- selves in garments proper for such a ramble.” The miners were staring at him distrustfully, but there was no sign of recognition in their faces, If they bad ever seen him before, his strange garb and coal-blackened face would bave served to screen bis identity. “ Good thing ye did, too, jedgin’ by the looks of ’em.” The showman glanced at his soaked and muddy garments, and smiled. ‘I see you’re bound to think us road-agents, hiding from the grim grip of the law, I don’t know that I can blame you, though, for the whole thing has a queer look. After coming down as I explained, we wandered off into the old north chamber, and when that blast was fired last night we were shut in,” The miner’s jaw dropped. ‘‘ Thunder!’ he ejaculated, “No, it wasn’t thunder, though it sounded like it,” and his face became irradiated with a sort of ghastly humor, “It was the explosion of giant powder and the tumbling of rocks, That explosion will make plain, no doubt, the why and the wherefore of the curdling of the milk in the cocoanut, We couldn't get back the way we went in, and so we wandered on, found the stream, dived into this cave, heard the clink- ing of the pick—and you know the rest.” It was so remarkable a story the miners could do nothing, for a moment, but stare, * It sounds straight enough,” ventured one of them, hitching up bis trowsers like a sailor, “though it seems ’most beyond believin’. An’ .the most sing’lar part of it is, that it’s the fu’st time a blast has been fired in there sence I’ve been hyer.” “Yes,” said the spokesman, ‘Ole Leonard tuck a sudden notion into his head that thar was Wes i VERE LATS chin YAS yet ye S = A dy! {es rie Vis A REAL » hia t sew « aur + f DAF ge ul i Mig neu) Fe Deny jes’ heaps an’ gobs 0’ val’able coal in that tun- nel, an’ had a blast got ready, though the fore- man tol him ther’ warn’t nothin’ but rock; an’ las’ night hit-war fired.” ‘* Well, gentlemen,” and the Warbler fidgeted uneasily, ‘‘ if the confession and catechism have been gone through with satisfactorily, I'd like to go above, for the pangs of hnnger are becom- ing somewhat distressing!” At this the miners withdrew and conferred for a time in low whispers, When they re- turned, the spokesman led the way to the shaft, and Warbling William and his boy second were soon in the fresh, outer air. CHAPTER X. AN UNFOUNDED SUSPICION, It was growi.g dark as they hastened from the mine toward the town, When they reached it the street lamps were being lighted. “We got out of that place justin time,” Ware chuckled, ‘‘The night shift will go on in a few minutes, and they might have given us trouble, I’m hungry as a starved coyote.” They ascended to their-room in the hotel with- out being observed. Here they changed their clothing and removed all traces of their recent adventures. Miss Fulton was not in the dining- room—Leonard usually had his meals served in his apartments—and no one appeared to remem- ber that they bad been absent; though the waiters must have noticed that they consumed an enormous amount of food, When they had satisfied their hunger they again retreated to their room and remained there until time for the evening performance, ‘“‘T want to give the plotters a surprise,” the Warbler asserted, ‘I hope they have given out that there will be no show to-night, They’ll be somewhat taken aback, if they’ve informed the crowi that we've left the city.” He rubbed his hands and laughed lightly at the thought. Then he began humming some- thiug to the effect that bis name was Captain Kidd, as he sailed; and constructing the sen- tences of a song he proposed to sing that night. Never were men so thunderstruck as_were Jobn Leonard and Shelby Tanner when Warb- ling William and Master Harry appeared in the crowd at the customary hour and mounted the little stage. Tanner nervously dropped the bottle from which he was pouring liquor, and Leonard’s face took on an ashy pallor, After the opening ballad, the Warbler thrummed reflectively on his guitar and then began to sing of a youth who was decoyed away by scheming villains and robbed, The whole story of Lewis Cavendish’s mysterious disappearance and of the efforts to find him was rehearsed in doggerel verse. Then: be plunged into the future, heeame prophetic, showed the triumph of right and the close of the chief Villain: “ At a rope’s end he was whirled, And from life was quickly hurled; And no more he’ll vex the world— As it sails,”’ 2 This sort of retributive justice exactly suited the ideas of the citizens of Rocket Range, and they howled their delighted appreciation. Through it all John Leonard bad stood statue- like, one hand grasping the bar for support, and his eyes dilated with fascinated horror, As for Shelby Tanner, be spijled so many glasses of liquor and talked altogether so incoherently that the customers began to think he had been drink- ing some of his own vile decoctions, hen the song ended, Leonard abruptly quitted the room, ‘¢ The old scamp’s gone to talk with the miners!” Ware whispered to the boy, who was coming upon the stage to execute his tumbling tricks. “They'll have a mighty fishy story to tell him. The chances are about ten to one he'll think we've thrown money around like autumn leaves, and bribed the whole caboodle,” He then passed on into the wing, to reappear later with otber songs and ballads, When the performance ended he approached the bar. Tanner had regained his equanimity, but he could not repress a curious stare, and the question: ‘“Where have you fellers been? Ye could have knocked me down with a feather, this eve- nin’. Ye didn’t sbow up fer breakfast ner din- ner, and somebody reported that you’d skipped the town, Glad ye didn’t, fer that would ’a’ knocked my fat plum into the fire.” “Only out on a pleasure jaunt!” said the Warbler, serenely. ‘* We were led to believe there might be diamonds other than black in the depths of the Jim Crow Mine, and thought to astonish the natives by bringing one up. I suppose you never heard there was we bom down there but a very ordinary quality o coal?” Tanner looked confused, and declared he never bad. ‘*] think I outlined the case just right while we were shut in the north chamber!” the detec- tive said to the boy, an bour later, ‘‘ There can’t be a doubt thac Tanner is in Leonard’s secret, He showed his guilt in every word and action, It begins to look as if we were sur- rounded by spies here, We'll have to keep our eyes and ears wide open or we'll get into a worse trap than the one we just escaped from.” The next morning, feeling that further dis- guise in that direction was useless, Ware openly and boldly called on Miss Malcolm, She seemed to have been hourly and anxiously expecting him, and showed none of the agitation he had anticipated. Her first questions related to the success of his venture. ‘Calm as a May morning,” he muttered, “* As good an actress as I ever had to cope with, She’d make her fortune in tragedy.” Her eager inquiries irritated him. ‘* No doubt you are entirely ignorant of what has occurred?” with a sarcastic and ominous glance, She recoiled as if the blunt words were scor- pion whips, ‘«T don’t understand,” she stammerod, ‘‘ Why do;you speak that way? Something has hap- pened. What wasit? Surely Lewis isn’t dead?” He looked at her coldly and almost scornfully, ‘* Do you mean to say, Miss Malcolm, that you . didn’t have a hand in the trick that was played on me?” Her tear-wet eyes burned indignantly, and she straightened up in a way to show that, without knowing the meaning of the question, she yet resented it, ‘*‘T mean to say you are ‘talking Greek, Mr. Ware! I am not ‘an expert at solving riddles, If you know anything about Lewis Cavendish, tell me, for the suspense is killing me!” Then, woman-like, she broke down and began to sob in a touching way. The detective was evidently puzzled and dis- tressed. “Come!” hesaid, ‘I thought to make certain accusations, Perhaps [have judged you wrong- fully. Let’s talk ‘it over calmly, and I think I ean get at the truth of the matter. To answer your question: Ihave neither seen nor heard anything of Lewis Cavendish.” mt. he lifted her pale face and looked frankly at im. ‘*T don’t know what it is you want to discuss or what peste ghee Fr meant to bring. I had so hoped you would have some news of Lewis. I have been even joyfully fancying he might come with you. And you spoke so—so—” * Lewis wasn’tin the mine, There was no prison in thenorth chamber—thovgh it was turned into one almost as soon as we entered it, We were trapped, the boy and and I, and I’m free to say I thought you had a hand in the dastardly scheme, to entomb us alive in that dreadful place.” Her glance was one of pain and reproach, **You are either a very clever actress, Miss Malcolm, or I was wholly wrong in my conclu- sions concerning you. You received that letter in the manner you stated?” She inclined ber kead in assent. “Itis a forgery!” and he drew it from his pocket, ‘A very good one, for-Harry was sure the handwriting was his brother’s. Followiag the directions in that, we went into the north chamber of the mine, night before last, and were imprisoned by a blast fired for that pur- pose and at Leonard’s own orders.” Then, narrowly watching her as he talked, he told the story of their imprisoment and escape, as it is know to the reader. ‘*T can’t blame you for your suspicions,” she said, sympathetically, ‘‘ But, you must believe me when I say, I thought the letter genuine, Leonard’s effort to remove you from his path shows, pose , that Lewis is alive. That assur- ance is worth everything.” She arose and took a packet of letters froma desk, See!” she exclaimed, exhibiting the en— velopes, ‘These are from Lewis. Since yon were here I discovered that ovhers of them had been stolen. I believe, now, Miss Fulton carried them away to give to Leonard. Witbout such copies the forgery could not have been done,” he spread one beside the forged letter, for comparsion, Close scrutiny revealed many minor differences, plain enough to an expert but not likely to attract the attention of others, ‘And you have revealed to no one my agi Biante i, ry cai een Py, Nid NO fal , Ps *, Ke ee i, rT = 2 ie ee =a Ee ess ee sity
Page 9
ERT He ON) RETA OS 6 Me Hipp) SFP RENTS UT CEN , Warbling William. identity or intentions?’ he asked, when the examination was concluded, “No one!” she protested, ‘That is, with the exception of aunt.” “ And you are sure the secret is safe with her?” ‘Perfectly safe. She has had no opportunity to tell any one, even were she so inclined.” ‘¢Tt baffles me!” Ware admitted, ‘‘ Leonard has penetrated my disguise and found out my secret. The perplexing question is, how did he accomplish it?” It was a problem not to be solved by ingenious theorizing; and when he left the house the whole matter was still wrapped in mystery. Of one thing, however, he had assured him- self: That was the perfect innocence and sin- cerity of Mand Malcolm. CHAPTER XI. THE KICKER AROUSED, To solve the mystery, to get at the real facts in the case, was the task now presented. How this was to be accomplished, though, taxed the detective’s ingenuity to the utmost. The plan they bad been pursuing, that of shadowing and watching, seemed as good as anything that could be devised; and they bent every effort to secure the best results it offered. Yet the days passed without positive develop- ments, No amorous swain ever haunted sweetheart more ee, than Warbling William haunted the painted barmaid, He was at her side almost constantly, in season and out of season whispering sweet words into her evident- ly willing ears. But his efforts in that line brought no new facts to light. And though he became more and more convinced that sbe was in Leonard’s confidence and pay, yet he could entrap her into no betrayal of her employer's secrets. In these efforts the Warbler was constantly distressed by the feeling that he was playing with an edge tool whose keenness and cutting capacity was unknown and unknowable. He knew the barmaid was watching his every tone and action as narrowly as he was watching hers, and the knowledge did not tend to com- placency and serenity of mind, It was a singu- lar game of suavity and skill matched against cunning and wit, Neither was deceived in the least by the lavish protestations of the other; and aside from furnishing a little amusement, their verbal fencing amounted to nothing. It achieved results, however, in a line differ- ent from anything he bad contemplated. Sam Brown, the Kicker, had taken it into bis bushy head to fall desperately in love with Miss Fanny Fulton, and the consequence was that a ragged and somber War-clout quickly loomed above the social horizon of Rocket Range, ‘*T’ll bave to look out for Brown,” the detec- tive asserted, when discussing this new phase of affairs with his boy second. ‘‘He’s apt to be reckless and bull-headed, I don’t think he has ever quite forgiven me for publicly labeling him asa kicker; and now that I have crossed his love trail he may try to do me up,” Brown’s first open declaration of war was the hissing of a ballad which the Warbler rendered in the course of a performance on the saloon stage, The Warbler paid no heed to this, but when it was repeated in a peculiarly aggravat- ing way he was forced to take notice of it. **T see that the Kicker is still alive,” he smil- ingly averred, beaming genially over the mixsd audience, ‘‘I am glad to know he is determined to maintain his hard-earned reputation, The gem just rendered is one of the tin my ex- tensive repertoire. If the gentleman thinks he can render a better I will yield up the stage to him and let him try bis ’prentice band. I have sung that ballad from the Black Hills to the Rio Grande, and it was never hissed before,” **Durn yer ballids!” Brown growled, ‘‘ Ye’r’ a pesky fake, anyhow, and can’t sing ekal to a gzuinea-hen.” In this exhibition of humor, Brown verbally “‘put his foot into it.” Few men could handle the lash of the satirist as could the dapper little showman; and in the word-duel that ensued, Brown was routed, horse, foot and dragoon. After the performance he, bung around the outer entrance ‘as if thinking of administering bodily chastisement to the man who had thus overthrown him; but he evidently thought bet- ter of it as his temper cooled, for he departed after a time with a select group of cronies. | The detective, while not in the least afraid of Brown, was extremely willing that the matter should pass in that way. He felt that he would be compelled to shoot the Kicker should the lat- ter draw a weapon, and he was averse to blood- The next evening, while walking with the bar- maid in the shadow of the trees near the little stream which flowed by the town, a man rushed at him from behind a leafy screen, A glance sufficed to reveal the reddened and drink-swollen face of the Kicker. The latter held a murder- ous-looking knife in his right hand, and began to swear furiously as he made a dash, The would-be assassin apparently had no allies near, and as he came on, the Warbler squared himself to meet him. But, when thé Kicker was almost within striking distance, the barmaid began to scream hysterically, and clung to the detective in a way to render him partially helpless. “Oh! oh!” she shrieked. ‘‘Save me, Mr. Ware! Save me! He means to kill me, I know! He said he would if I didn’t quit going witb you, Ob, dear me! Oh, dear me!” ‘* Let loose!” the detective shouted, angrily. “Don’t hold to my arms that way. Don’t you see he’s got a knife?” In spite of his command she clung to him with the pertinacious grip of a drowning person. ‘‘ Words ain’t trumps this evenin’!” the Kicker snarled, ripping the detective’s coat with a vi- cious stroke, ‘*You kin han’le thet tongue 0’ -yourn purty tol’able slick, but tongues ain’t knives, as you'll find out in jes’ about a second, While saying this he was maneuvering for a better stroke, rushing ’round and ’round the almost helpless detective, like a dog harrying some hapless animal. Again and again Ware tried to shake off the screaming barmaid. ‘*Can’t you see that he’s trying to kill me?” he cried, gripping her by the shoulder with his left hand and holding her at arm’s length, ‘* Let loose, I say! You’re a woman, but [ll nat. be responsible for the consequences if you don’t. The more he commanded the tighter she clung, and for a little while it seemed that nothing could save him from the murderous knife of the Kicker. But the detective tightened his clutch on her shoulder, and a stunning right-hander — the jaw bowled the big ruffian over sense- ess ‘© Now, will you let loose of me?” the exasper- ated detective demanded, shifting his hand to the barmaid’s throat. ‘‘ Or will you compel me to choke some little sense into you? This non- sense of your’s came near proving my death!” “Oh, am I really safe?’ she panted, ‘Oh, dear me, Mr. Ware, I surely thought he would kill me! He’s such a terrible fellow when he’s angry. There, he’s getting up!” She gave another scream, and again attempted to clasp the detective. “Enough of that!” he snarled, giving hera headlong push which sent ber spinning away from him. ‘One at a time is quite sufficient for comfort, Now, stand back, or suffer the conse- quences!” Brown was staggering to his feet, one hand caressing bis bruised jaw and the other holding the keen knife. His red eyes flamed with drunk- en and vindictive rage. ‘‘Look out!” he yelled. ‘*I’m comin’ fer ye! Blast, yer tarnal hide, I'll rip ye into ribbons fer thet?’ The barmaid was giving vent to premonitory screams, and symptoms of another rush, ‘* Stand back!” Ware commanded. ‘ Both of you, stand back, [’ve had enough of this for one bout.” ; As he said it he drew a pair of revolvers from the pockets of his coat and leveled them, one at the Kicker and the other at the barmaid. Brown wavered when he saw the deadly tube pointed at his head, but the hysterical Miss Ful- ton came straight on. The Kicker took fresh courage from this and recommenced his advance, “You will have it, I see!” Ware shouted, pull- ing the trigger of the weapon he had leveled at Brown. , Only an ominous click followed, showing that the revolver was empty. ‘* What cursed plot is this?” he cried, dropping useless thing and as quickly leveling the other, The same result followed when he pulled the trigger. “On, Pve got ye!” the ruffian yelled, when he saw the detective’s discomfiture and understood the cause, ‘I'll carve ye into sassiges an’ feed ye to the kyotes, that’s what I'll do! You'll think I’m a Kicker, shore ’nough, when I set my huffs onte ye!” : Ware hurled the revolver at his head, and turned to confront the screeching maid, who was endeavoring to again wind her arms about him in a way to render him completely helpless, ‘* Curse you!” he gasped, clutching her by the throat. ‘*‘You don’t get hold of meu second time, I see through your little trick.” But the barmaid was as active as a cat, and ex- ceedingly strong for a woman; and as he turned to parry Browns vicious thrust, she writhed out of his grasp and again came at him with arms outspread. Had the Kicker not been too drunk to secure the advantages she thus afforded him, it would have gone extremely hard with the detective; who, notwithstanding the fact that he was a trained athlete and boxer, found his hands more than full. Brown was too tipsy, however, te stand steadily on his legs; and when Ware again managed to clutch the barmaid by the throat, his terrible right-handers knocked the ruffian down as fast as he could get up. At last, when Brown refused to rise, he loos- ened his grip on the throat of the half-insensible maid, darted forward and secured the wicked- looking knife. With this in his hands he felt he could cope with a dozen such foes, ‘Now, come on!” he cried, his face flaming with rage. ‘* You will find me ready for you.” The Kicker had had a sufficient taste of the detective’s prowess, however. For a time he lay where he had fallen, to all semblance dead, Then, with a cringing and humiliated air, he crawled to his feet and disappeared in the thickening gloom. CHAPTER XII. DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND, ‘‘ On, that was just too terrible for anything!” the barmaid panted, feeling of her bruised throat, where tbe lines made by Ware’s fingers shone as redly as her painted cheeks, ‘‘ He in- tended to kill me, I know! How can I ever thank you, Mr. Ware, for saving me from him?” The detective gave her a look of unutterable scorn, which was partially lost on her, however, owing to the increasing darkness, ‘*Tt’s useless to keep up that play-acting!” he asserted, ‘‘ You werea party to his dastardly attempt on my life, and denials only make your act more despicable. She resented the charge with a_ scornful laugh, ‘** And this to me, after all your love-making! I really gave you credit for more gallantry. You must think me an ogre, or some such ter- rible creature, Mr. Ware!” ‘*T know you for a demon!” the words rush- ing hotly from his lips. ‘‘ You wanted Brown to kill me, and tried to hold me so he would bave no’ trouble in committing the deed.” She covered her ears with ber hands: “Tf positively refuse to listen to anything so dreadful! If you propose to talk to me that way, I shall go straight home, and leave you to eat your heart out, here in the darkness,” ‘* Which would bea terrible calamity!” with a mirthless chuckle. ‘ You will greatly oblige me by doing that same.” “Then Pll not doit. It isn’t good policy for a lady to oblige her lover.” He could not resist the feeling that she was ridiculing him, “No doubt I was a poor fool for ever cul- tivating your acquaintance,” picking the revol- vers up from where he had hurledthem, ‘ You are not what I thought.” * And what was that?” “You are so very shrewd, you can guess, no doubt!” “That you thought me a poor, simple creature whom you could use asa tool. I’m right, am 1 not? Ware smiled as he pocketed the weapons, ‘* Think what you like, Miss Fulton. Whether right or wrong, I fancy that neither of us will have use for the other after the peculiar happen- ings of this evening. I don’t know that it does any good to quarrel. It only serves to heat one’s blood without effecting anything. I have m opinion as to the motives which guided you th evening. Probably you have an equally good opinion of some of the causes which bave led me on. I will be gallant enough to waive all preju- dicial memories, for the time being, and escort you home, if you will permit.” ‘Many thanks!” she exciaimed, with a pecu- set and irritating emphasis, ‘* You are very <ind. Then she extended her arm, and the two walk- ed slowly and thoughtfully back to Tanner's, where they bade each other good-evéning, as i =o breath of suspicion had ever come between em. *“She’s a desperate creature,” he muttered, when he had gained his room, ‘I wonder who and what she really is? I see plainly that in
Page 10
ga 2 yy pres 10 tampering with her I’ve been playing with fire. She isn’t simply the affected, paint-bedaubed being I hadimagined. She is Leonard’s strongest ally, and fully as shrewd and unscrupulous as her chief. I would give more than a pretty penny to penetrate her secret, No doubt the re- sult would startle me.” Harry came in, after a time, and together they discussed the events of the evening. “ve seen her out walking with Brown sev- eral times lately!” the boy declared. ‘Only yesteaday evening they were strolling up and down under those very trees,” **She knew Brown had no very kindly feelings toward me, and I suppose she’s been leading him on to make this attempt, Leonard’s blow at us in the mines wasn’t better planned. You see, if Brown had killed me, she could have been in no way held responsible for the deed. Her natural fright would have seemed a sufficient cause for her clinging to me in a hysterical way and ured rob my movements; and besides there was little likelihood that any one would see the affair and be able to refute any stories they might tell about it. m‘‘ Yes, it was a shrewd plot; and if the Kicker hadn’t hoisted too much poison on board before tackling me, the chances are great that it would have succeeded. I suppose his courage was a little shaky, and he thought to brace it up with a heavy jag of liquid lightning, and inadvert- ently took more than he could easily carry. I’ve heard it said there is only one case known where whisky ever benefited anybody; and that was when an Irish well-digger got so full he couldn’t go into a well, which caved in, a few minutes after he otherwise would have descended. This adds the second case to the brilliant record,” He was regaining his equanimity, and his cheery joviality began again to bubble to the surface, ** As Ive before remarked: If I could convert the barmaid from the evil of her ways I'd like to add her to my detective staff. She would make @ splendid acquisition. It couldn’t be done, though, Her honesty isn’t equal to the strain,” He looked questioningly at his revolvers, as he drew them out and began to refill the chambers, ** How that was done rather gets me, I’ve al- ways boasted that there wasn’t a pickpocket alive who could go through my clothing without my knowledge. Yet it’s as evident as can be that Miss Fulton extracted these weapons, re- moved the charges, and then returned them, and I know nothing of when or how she did it.” ‘““Which also goes to show that she knew cy would attack you this evening,” the boy ed, ‘*No doubt, my boy, she’s had some sort of understanding with Brown, or has said some- thing to induce him to attack me when he did, { only wish I knew the whole secret of it.” There seemed no way of laying this secret bare, however, and after some further talk they descended to the bar-room, where the usual crowd was already gathering. Ware kept aclose watch for the Kicker, be- lieving that that individual would not tamely submit to the ignominious drubbing he had re- eeived, but would attempt, in some way, to get even, Healso feared the barmaid might hatch some other plot to retrieve the failure of the evening. Up to the hour for the commencement of the performance, however, nothing occurred to arouse his suspicions, The singing of the first ballad had scarcely ended, when a boisterous commotion was heard at the street door, and a moment later Sam Brown strode into the saloon at the head of a procession of intoxicated cronies, “There he is!” he bawled, pointing a dirty forefinger at the Warbler, who was bowing bis acknowledgment of the applause with which the song had been received. ‘‘Down the dog! That’s the chap what tried to kill me this even- in’! ~ Don’t let ’im git away frum ye!” CHAPTER XIII. THE TROUBLE IN THE SALOON. ** Down ’im! down ’im!” the Kicker continued to roar, as the startled crowd commenced to surge and rise from the benches, ‘‘ Lay ’im out stiffer’n a salted mackerel.” The confusion and panic produced by the en- trance of the yelling horde of intoxicated ruf- fians can scarcely be described, As they whipped eut their weapons in responses to the commands of the Kicker, a wild scramble for the doors and windows took place, in which benches were over- turned, and men sprawled and rolled in howling and cursing heaps, The coolest man in the room, apparently, was the Warbler, Not amuscle of his face seemed Warbling William. to change, yet a hot light glowed in his eyes which boded ill to whoever pressed him too closely. Amid it all Brown and his men pressed steadi- ly forward, spreading out as much as possible, for the evident purpose of hemming the detective in and effectually preventing his escape. ‘What is it you want, gentlemen?’ the Warbler asked, serenely, bowing politely as he placed his hands on his weapons in the pockets of his coat. ‘*There is no necessity for kicking up sucharow. You will always find me at the old stand. I suppose, though, the Kicker feels called on to maintain his reputation!” ‘* You'll feel the Kicker’s heels purty tol’able quick, now, I kin tell ye!” Brown snarled, level- ing and discharging his heavy pistol. itis intense rage caused his hand to tremble, and the ball flew wide of the mark. Then, with a lightning-like movement, the Warbler hurled one of his weapons at Brown’s head, the aim being so true that the burly scoundrel dropped in his tracks like a slain ox. This was replied to by a chorus of yells and a volley of shots. But Warbling William was not there to receive the leaden compliment, Af- ter hurling the revolver he vaulted like an athlete into the wing of the stage, and the pistol balls swept harmlessly over the place he had just va- cated, : Harry Cavendish was in the little wing, hav- ing gone there to be ready for his part in the performance, When the detective noticed him, he shouted: “Quick! Follow me! Don’t let the drunken fools see you!” Then he smashed a rear window with a heavy kick, and leaped into the alley that ran along the rear of the building. When the detective disappeared from the stage with such astonishing celerity, the reckless mob scrambled forward, apparently certain he could not now escape them. The boy was about to rush through the window after the detective, but their sudden appearance disconcerted him, and he crouched in an angle of the wall, draw- ing over himself a piece of cloth which chanced to be lying near, Fortunately the smashed window drew the attention of the men, and through, it they streamed, without casting a glance at the point where the boy lay concealed, The detective had been waiting near the build- ing for his boy pard, but he now drew further back into the shadows, and narrowly watched the men as they ran here and there in a blind and aimless search, On several occasions they came within a few feet of his hiding-place, but the shadows were so dense they could scarcely have discovered him without stumbling bodily against him. In the course of a few minutes the Kicker himself appeared, having partially recovered from the effects of the blow, This was the sig- nal for a recommencement of the search, which the Kicker now led in person. But the result was the same as before. The Warbler could be nowhere discovered. After an hour of useless beating and thrash- ing among the black shadows they retired to the saloon to soothe their ruffled feelings with copi- ous libations, When the sounds emanating from their re- treat began to assumea jovial character, Ware left his place of concealment and crept up to the walls of the building. “Strange what has become of Harry!” he muttered, as he strained his ears to catch the drift of the talk, ‘lt can’t be they have mur- dered the boy. If they have, Brown will pay dearly for this night’s frolic!” His anxiety finally became so great that he crept back into the wing through the broken window; and creeping on his hands and knees thoroughly explored the gloomy place. He found the cloth beneath which Harry bad con- cealed himself, but not a trace did he find of the boy. Failing in this he worked a hole in the wing with the blade of his pocket-knife, and for a long time watched and listened to the carousings of the drunken wretches, Shelby Tanner, smiling and affable as usual, was pouring out the fiery liquor with a lavish hand, apparently receiving no money therefor from any one, *Teonard is at the bottom of this outrage,” Ware gritted, as he noted this fact. ‘* Tanner, as his tool and agent, is standing all the expense to-night. I wonder how much Brown has re- ceived for this attempt to domeup? These ef- forts to put me out of the way prove one thing, anyhow; and that is that ’m worrying Leonard a great deal, even if ’'m not accomplishing ee much, They show, too, that Lewis Cavendish is alive. Hither that, or I’m close on proof that he was murdered by Leonard.” He fidgeted uneasily as the talk failed to re- veal anything of Harry. ‘*T wonder where the boy can be?” he ques- tioned again and again. ‘ I’m positive he didn’t follow me out of the window, as I told him to!” Not knowing what to do, and determined not to leave the place until he had gained some de- finite information, he hitched slowly and cau- tiously backward and again descended into the alley. Here he called softly, and receiving ne reply, made his way to the street in front of the saloon. Some of the Kicker’s men, hilarious from fre- quent potations, were beginning to leave, and to avoid these he retreated to the shadows of the buildings opposite, From this point he watched for another hour; and was Fast thinking of leaving, when he saw Leonard enter the saloon. At this he again crossed the street, and peered into the room. The last of the revelers had de- parted, and Leonard was leaning over the bar, whispering confidentially to Tanner. The detective was trying to devise some plan by which he could bear what was said, when Tanner advanced and locked the door. At this, Ware hastened to the broken window in the rear, but on arriving there he found Tan- ner blocking itin such a way that he knew he could never get in, ‘*Shut out,” he growled, ‘‘and I would have given a hundred dollars to hear what those ras- cals are going to talk about.” CHAPTER XIV. HARRY’S ADVENTURES, As the howling mob rushed by in pursuit of the detective, Harry Cavendish crouched tremb- lingly beneath the concealing cloth, fearing to breathe lest he should betray bis whereabouts to the bloodthirsty wretches. He had a sublime confidence in the ability of his friend to take care of himself, and thought only of his own safety. When the last of the mob had streamed into the alley, he cast back the cloth and was about to rise; but he drew back in an affrighted way as he heard the tramp of heavy feet and the loud voice of Sam Brown, The latter stumbled through the wing, swear- ing horribly and endeavoring to wipe away the blood which half-covered his face. He was fol- lowed by Shelby Tanner; who seemed equally indignant and excited. When they had passed, and no further sounds were heard in the saloon, the boy again cast off the cloth which bad so well served him, and crept to the end of the wing looking out upon the stage. The saloon was deserted; and fearing he could not make his way from the place by the rear alley, he darted into the big room with the intention of going out at the front door. He ran quickly forward to this, and was hor- ror-stricken to find it locked, Even the windows, which had been hoisted by the frightened habitues of the place in their efforts to escape, were closed and barred. ‘Tanner, half-believing that the Warbler had not left the building, had taken this precaution oa his escape should be yet within the walls, The lighted chandeliers made the room almost as light as day, and Harry realized that should any of the crowd chance to return all hope of getting away unseen would be at an end, For an instant he hesitated, not knowing which way to turn. Then he darted bebind and under the bar. The place was filled with a strange assort- ment of old bottles, rags, paper, and all the odds and ends that collect in a drinking den, * Just the thing!” he whispered, as he drew some of the bottles about him and tucked the mass of rags and paper around and over his erson, ‘* They'll never think of looking for me ere. How I’m ever to get out, though, I don’t know,” He had concealed himself none too soon, for just then he heard Tanner re-enter the room talking to some cronies, Their words showed that Ware had effected bis escape, ** Look the buildin’ over,” Tanner commanded. “Tf he ain’t in hyer, he’s got clean away. Sing’lar how he broke loose frum you fellers, after you had him cinched so tight. It was about as slick a trick as I ever see, ‘We didn’t think of him turnin’ circus actor!” one of them growled, as they began the search, This order to examine the room seemed franght with new peril to the boy, who had been so prematurely congratulating himself on the security of his position, But the explorers did !
Page 11
# 1 it =o E> Ses * Sy eS ren — eeseni E — ee 5 en =: ie a notapproachthebar, Tanner, however, glanced beneath it in a perfunctory way, and then perched himself on a stool in his customary place, One by one the others strolled in from the un- successful quest outside; and when the majority had gathered, Tanner commenced to deal out generous quantities of the fiery beverage for which his house was noted, ** Help yerselves, gentlemen,” he urged. “ It’s as free as water, to-night. Mr, Brown thinks you done the fair thing by him, even ef he didn’t git the man he was gunnin’ fer; an’ has give or- ders to set ’em up liberal, an’ that he'll settle the bill. This ain’t my funeral, ye know, but it does me good to sec a man treat his frien’s han’- some.” No second invitation was required; and if the Kicker really had the bill to pay, it took several moaths of hard work in the mines to liquidate it. Brown was almost the last man to enter the saloon; and in his boisterous fashion he repeated the barkeeper’s request to ‘ h’ist p'ison ;”—a re- quest which every man was already doing his best to comply with. While this saturnalia was in progress, Harry Cavendish, with nerves strained and pulses throb- bing, was crouching in his cramped and con- fined quarters, a prey to the keenest fear. At almost every movement made by Tanner he felt himself on the verge of being discovered ; and what it might mean to fall into the hands of these bibulous wretches he scarcely dared think, But the minutes dragged by, and when he heard first one and then another leave the room bis courage began to return, Finally the last of the laggards bade Tanner good-night, and stumbled into the darkness of the street. Tanner walked about for a time, in arestless, uneasy way. Then all became still, and Harry hoped he had also quitted the place, though there was little ground for the hope, for the lights were still burning. The silence was maintained for so long a time, however, that Harry was on the point of venturing out to as- certain the cause, when some one entered the room. At this Tanner arose from a box near the end of the bar,on which he had been sitting, and Harry realized how very close he had come to betraying himself, The new-comer was John Leonard, as was made evident by Tanner when greeting him, ‘All gone are they?” Leonard whispered, bending over the bar. ““‘ Egad! I’m glad of it! Such a noisy set I never saw. I could bear them in my room, and they almost ran me wild, You must have nerves of iron, Tanner, to stand it!” “Tm purty well case-hardened,” Tanner averred, with a comprehensive grin. * “I kin giner’ly stand a good deal of racket, when I’m well?paid fer it; an’ you're a good paymaster, Leonard, if I can’tsay anything else fer you, As good a one as I ever worked fer,” “Don’t tell that to: anyone else, please!” Leonard hastily commanded. ‘ I pay you for keeping still, as much as for some other things, By ca Ivs a pity that fellow got away to- nigh ¢ took a hurried turn up and down the room, then came back and ordered Tanner to close the door and arrange the room so that no one could possibly get in to eavesdrop them, “ve got something very important to talk about, Tanner, and I don't want any one to hear what we maysay. Bar everything, win- dows and all. Then turn out the lights and see if you can advise mea little, I hope you haven't been muddling — head with the foul stuff you dealt out to-night.” “ Nary time!” Tanner asserted. ‘It’s a wise -barkeeper that knows enough to let his own pison alone, an’ in tbat respec’ I cale’late I’m one 0’ the wisest. I never tech the stuff, myself, though [ve ladled out bar’ls to them that’s fools enough to drink it,” Harry, squeezed in among the bottles beneath the bar, almost imagined he could hear his own teeth chatter. He knew that if discovered, now he would meet with little favor at the hands of these men. Nevertheless, he was glad that an opportunity for learning something of import- ance was about to be presented, even if it did seemingly increase his peril. When Tanner had complied with Leenard’s request he came back and again seated himself on the box at the end of the bar, “This thing is worrying me a good deal,” Leonard observed, as he took a seat at the bar- keeper's side. ‘It seems impossible to put that fellow out of the way, without at the same time running my own head into a noose, I don’t care to do that, fer it’s already far enough into one, Warbling William. 11 La I thought that jealousy business would nerve Brown up to the deed, but he made a botch of it, in his usual manner. I don’t know that I ought to blame the fellow, though, for I didn’t do any better when I tried my own hand at the bellows,” “‘Hain’t diskivered anything new, have ye?” Tanner questioned, with some nervousness. ‘© No; but I’ve come to the conclusion that the only way to throw this bloodhound off the trail is to end the trail. I thought I'd ask your advice about it.” “*T don’t adzactly ketch on.” “ Well, we’ve been holding the young fellow in jail at Silverton a long while. hy continue it? Why not organize a mob, storm the jail, and have him hung?” Harry gave such a gasp that he felt sure his retreat would be found. ‘We tried somethin’ like that one’t, ye know !” Tanner reminded, “Yes, and failed, But we needn’t fail again, if we work the thing right. If we don’t do something, this cursed detective will yet drop onto our secret,” “Your secret, ye mean,” Tanner chuckled. ‘Remember that [ hain’t handled the cards any furder than [ve had to,” “Have it yourown way. An accomplice is as guilty as the principal. We'll not quarrel about that, though. f you can think of a better plan, tell it.” ‘“* Who'll ye git to put the thing through!” “ll take the responsibility of that myself, I can rely on the jailer, and I’ve friends and allies in that town.’ “Then, I say it’s a good plan,” declared the barkeeper, breathing freer when he found he was not expected to manipulate the scheme, “A bu’stin’ good plan. If I’d stood in your shoes I'd ’a’ done it long ago,” ‘*T don’t like to,” Leonard averred, ‘and yet I suppose I must.” For a long time he sat with head bowed and brows contracted. “It can be worked better than that,” be de- clared at last. ‘The young chap was put in there under an assumed name, and a week or more ago I had the jailer give out the word that he had escaped, So, you'll see the people of the town don’t know he’s in there now? What’s to prevent him from shuffling off this mortal coil ae dark night, and no one being the wiser for i ** Jes’ the thing!” Tanner exclaimed, slapping his thigh, enthusiastically. ‘ Ye couldn’t hit it better if ye’d think a week, Now, if ye on’y had the man to do it!” ‘* Money will find the man!” Leonard assured. “* Let’s see! Yes, I'll go over there day after to- morrow. I want to find this fellow here, if he om be found, or discover what has become of im, ‘*T don’t "low he'll show upon the stage ag’in!” with a short, hard laugh, “It’s not likely that he will, Ill have the men keep a lookout for him and the boy to-mor- row, They can surely find some trace of them, or at least learn where they have gone. Then the day after I'll go to Silverton, and see that our young friend over there gets as short a shrift as possible,” CHAPTER XV. A CHANGE OF PLANS, THE ‘cold-blooded manner in which Leonard made the statement caused the boy’s heart to sink and his blood to chill, A man who could speak of a contemplated murder in that calm and collected way was a dangerous man, in- deed. After much further talk on the same subject, and a discussion of the troublesome affair in all its bearings, Leonard took bis departure. The lamps, which had been turned very low, were now extinguished; and Tanner followed his chief, locking the front door after him. When certain that Tanner was gone, Harry crept from his hiding-place. His limbs were so stiffened by the long confinement, that for a time he could scarcely move. “Pm afraid I’m cooped up here for all night,” he whispered, going to one of the windows and feeling of the barred fastenings. ‘It would ier, a regular burglar to get in or out of this place. The thought brought with it a refreshing recollection, A burglar had madt his way into the place only a few nights before, coming in =! the way of the cellar, and cutting a hole throug the floor of the stage. The hole had been tem- porarily closed until new flooring could be laid, and tke chauces of escape by that way looked promising. ‘ Hurrying to that point the boy found that a square of heavy planking had been let into the aperture and fastened so it could not be removed from beneath. The fastenings above, bowever, could be slipped out of place without muck effort, A gloomy hole was revealed by the dis- placement. “I'll have to leave the hole open,” with a dubious shake of the head. ‘1 don’t like to do that; but I can’t see that there’s any help for it —so here goes!” He swung himself through the hole, and after hanging in mid-air for a moment, dropped inte the gloomy cellar. The fall was about ten feet, but he landed without mishap. ‘“*My, I hope that open hole won’t give the snap away!” he exclaimed, pulling himself to- gether and staring at the yawuing cavity. “‘ There’s one consolation, they can’t know who did it, whatever they think, and if [ can only find Mr. Ware we'll fix things so that their guessing won’t do them much good.” To get out, now, by the coal-hole, was an easy matter, and, five minutes later, Harry stood in the deserted street. He was puzzling over the direction he ought to take when a low whistle reached him from the shadows of the buildings opposite, He recognized it as Ware's signal. ‘* Where did you drop from?’ Ware asked, when bis boy pard had guined his side. “I didn’t drop; 1 ascended!” and Harry a hrk| explained how he had escaped from the saloon, **And you heard the talk? That's fine. I tried every imaginable way to accomplish that. Harry, you’re a jewel! Come! Let’s hunt up a place where we can talk without danger of ing disturbed. 1 do believe fate is at last going to play them into our hands,” He spoke in a quick and nervous way, and, grasping the boy’s arm, fairly dragged him from the spot. When they had gained a safe distance he halted. ** Now, tell me all about it, and as quick as you can,” The boy complied, compressing the story inte as few words as possible, “Silverton! That’s the town across the di- vide, I understand Leonard has an interest in the silver mine there. And they’ve got Lewis in jail at that place? Well, we'll see if we can’t get him out in mighty short order,” “It must be Lewis,” Harry exclaimed. “* They didn’t mention any name, but I felt sure they meant Lewis.” “Certainly; they couldn’t have referred te any one else! He’s the only pte we have an interest in or that they would be likely to spea of in connection with us, “That will cause a change in our plans, We'll have to drop the show business here and journey to Silverton. I can’t say I’m sorry on that ac- count, however, for now that the Kicker has started in to do me up, he’d be apt to cause us a good deal of trouble here, I’m surprised that he could gain so many followers, I don’t know that it ought to be thought stramge though, when it’s understood that pard and Tanner are backing him.” He was silent for a time, and them centinued: “No one will expect us to reappear on the stage to-morrow night, anyway. Brown’s mur- derous attempt on my life is al) the excuse that’s needed to explain our sudden disappearance from the town, I never like to run from dan- ger, or even seemingly run; but we'll do it in this case, and be glad of the cpportunity.” He took out his watch and looked at it by the faint sta: light. “Not more than three hours tillday. We'll want to be a good distance on our way before the sun rises, It won't do to let Leonard’s cut- throats get ahead of us. We can get there by evening, but we'll bave to go without food, pro- bably, There's little chance, now,. ef getting anything of the kind to take with us,” “There’s a little restaurant down-town that keeps open all night,” Harry reminded, “T remember it, but we'll have to go there disguised. And I must bavemy guitar, too. I skall need to carry out the plan I’ve thought of. Stay here; I'll see if I can’t get into our room at Tanner’s,” He was off like a shot, without further ex- planation, Within fifteen minutes he had returned bringing with him the guitar, and a change of old and worn garments for each. ‘““No trouble at all,” he cried, gleefully. ‘Leonard had a man on guard in the ball, but he was a sleepy chuckle-head, and I passed him without him once suspecting any ene was near.” /
Page 12
==. ee 12 Soa [[—eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee He commenced to change his clothing, while speaking; and Harry immediately imitated his exanple, . “Now we'll try the restaurant,” he said, when the cast-off garments had been secreted, ‘In these rigs, { don’t think any one will recognize us, Such a thing seemed very unlikely, for they now resembled tramps more than anything else, Ware left his guitar with Harry, and visited the restaurant alone; and the keeper of the es- tablishment never once suspected the identity of his customer. ‘* Now, we're fixed!” the detective ejaculated, as he rejoined the boy. ‘Ho, for Silverton! Leonard will have tu be awfully spry, if. he heads us off this time,” CHAPTER XVI. AT THE SILVERTON JAIL. ‘* HELLO! Some fine singin’ down there!” The keeper of the Silverton jail poked his head out of thé window of his apartment on the second floor, and stared into the street, 1t wasn’t often that he had an opportunity of hear- ing good singing, or in fact good mnsic of any kind; and the concord of well-attuned voices, with excellent guitar accompaniment, was a treat not to be missed. He was.a burly, thick-set man, called ‘* Buck” Hazelrig, by his acquaintances, and lived alone in the jailer’s quarters, rarely seeing any one except the prisoners and the officials with whom he had business. His place”had been gained for bim by John Leonard, who was apparently as well known and influential here as at Rocket Range; and Leonard was not a man to use as tools men who were inclined to joviality or glib- ness of speech, “By George! Makes me think of the ole times, back East, when the Eyetalians used to g0’round fiddlin’ an’ harpin’,” The brisk ballad had ended; and now on the quiet, evening air rose the soulful words of that sweetly pathetic song: * Backward! flight! Make me a child again, just for to-night! Mother, come back from the echoless shore; Take me again to your arms, as of yore, Smooth from my forehead the furrows of care; srush the fow silver threads out of my hair; Over my slumbers your lovinz watch keep;— Rock me to sleep, mother! Rock me to sleep!” The strains carried the jailer back to the old, old days of his lost and misspent youth; and a look that was thoughtful, and even sorrowful, came into his eyes, “Strike up sometbin’ a little livelier!” he shouted, leaning from the window. ‘ Too much like follerin’ a hearse, that is! Give us ‘Sam Bass,’ er ‘ The ’Forty-niner!’” Each of these was of interminable length; but without a moment’s hesitation the disguised de- tective swung into the story of the ‘’Forty- niner’s Daughter:” Turn backward! Oh, Time, in your “Tn a cavern in a canyon— Excavating for a mine;— Dwelt a miner, ’forty-niner, And his daughter, Clementine, Light she was, and like a fairy, And her shoes were number nine;—~ Herring boxes, without topses, SandaJs were for Clementine, “Oh, my darling! Oh, my darling! Oh, my darling Clementine! You are lost and gon.) forever;— Dreadful sorry, Clementine!” This style of words and music exactly suited Buck Hazelrig; and the first verse was scarcely finished before the attraction of the singing became so strong that he hastily left his com- fortable seat and descended into the street, Here a number of others, similarly drawn, were gathering. When the history of the miner’s daughter had been satisfactorily rehearsed, and the exploits of **Sam Bass,” the cowboy, recounted, a collection was taken for the benefit of the singers. A gentle hint from Ware also caused the jailer to invite them into his room, where a supper was vga and the singing continued until a late our, It had been the detective’s intention to gain access to the jail in some such way, but the ease with which it had been accomplished almost sur- rised him, It was evident the jailer had never eard of the singing at Rocket Range; or, if he had, it never occurred to him to associate the two in a suspicious way. **T suppose about the only music you ever have is the howling of some half-crazy prisoner?” ‘Ware queried, when the crowd they had collect- Warbling William, ed had gone. ‘‘ You must havea lot of ’em in here! I saw quite a number looking out of the cells when we came in,” ‘*D’ye mean crazy un’s?? “Oh, all kinds! I referred to the number. Silverton must be a famous place for jail-birds.” ‘“* Tt’d be famouser, if all was in that ought to be in.” ; Ware glanced at Hazelrig’s evil face, and mentally agreed with the statement. “T reckon you wouldn’t object to a fellow looking over the place? I was never in a jail before, and am curious to take a peep at the in- stitution.” ‘* Most men’d ruther have as little to do with the thing as possible!” and the jailer gave him a keen scrutiny. ‘*No doubt, Perbaps I'd feel that way if my knowledge wasn’t so limited. What are most of the prisoners in for?” ** Hoss-stealin’ an’ shootin’, giner’ly. Some few on ’em fer stage-robbin’ an’ sich like. One feller fer whippin’ the life nigh ’bout out o’ the county jedge what tried him; an’a long-tongued lawyer fer lyin’ an’ gineral cussedness,” ‘** An interesting lot!” Hazelrig laughed, in bis dry, peculiar man- ner, “That lawyer’s an amoosin’cub. He talked at fu’st 0’ appealin’ to the constertution, er some sech thing; an’ made speeches four hours long, *bout his rights an’ juties as an Amerikin citi- zen, I tol’ bim he’d haf’ to shet off on that, fer he was a-fillin’ the hall with so much wind that there was consider’ble danger the ole jail would b’ist ’erself some day an’ sail away like a balloon. I don’t think the ole jedge would ’a’ sent ’im up if he hadn’t called hisself D, Webster McCartney, an’ parted his hair in the middle. That was jes’ too much, that was, an’ he had to take the con- sequences,” ‘Served bim right, no doubt; He’s a chap I'd like to see.” “Well, come erlong, if you like, I don’t do sich, asareg’lar thing. If ye git away, though, *thout that lawyer killin’ ye off with a speech, it'll s’prise me,” Jobn Leonard would have wondered much at seeing his trusty henchman become so supple in the hands of the urbane Warbler. His own marvelous craft would have been scarcely equal to so great a task. Harry, in accordance with previous instruc- tions, had become to all appearances absorbed in the columns of an old paper and was, therefore, not included in this invitation, The detective had not deemed it judicious, evenif the chance should offer, to allow Lewis to see and recognize his brother, fearing an exposure would result. Harry’s quiet, however, concealed a torrent of seething emotions, The hour for which he had long hoped and toiled and strived seemed to be approaching. Only a thin partition of walls, as he believed, separated him from the brother he loved and had so long sought; and now that the time for verifying that belief had come he felt that any further delay would surely crush him. Nevertheless, he maintained an attitude of stoical indifference, when the jailer took up the lamp and led the way into the dark corridor. But when the room he occupied had been plung- ed in darkness, he left his seat; and, crouching by the door, listened with bated breath to the echoing footsteps and to every sound that broke the midnight stillness, ‘“* Hyer he is,” said Hazelrig, stopping before a grated door, and shaking it as he might shake the bars of a lion’s cage, He’s asleep, prob’ly. Made so many speeches to-day that I ‘low he’s wore plum out, ‘** Hey, in there, D. Webster! Hyer’s a gen’le+ man wants ter bear you talk,” At this a dudish-looking young man half-lifted himself from his low cot, popped an eye-glass into one of his este ius eyes, and stared curi- ously at these disturbers of his dreams ‘*T never converse with specimes cf the genus tramp!” he asserted, regarding the detective’s greasy garments disdainfully, Then he collapsed, and was buried from sight by the bed-coverings. Hazelrig laughed loudly, and led the way to the other cells, the occupants of which he aroused in turn, None of them were Lewis Cavendish. ** And these are all?” Ware questioned, glanc- ing at some cells which were apparently empty. ‘* All that you’d keer to see, There’s a crazy young feller in cne o’ them, an’ he’ll never let up, if I rouse bim.” Just then the voice of the ‘‘ crazy young fel- ler” broke the stillness, and the jailer hurried the detective away; but not before the lutter bad decided that that was the particular cell he most wished to investigate. For beds, that night, Ware and his boy pard were given shake-downs in the jailer’s own room. This suited the detective, for the keys to the cells were kept in that room: and he had determined to use them before the dawning of another day, even if force were necessary to accomplish his purpose, Hazelrig seemed unusually wakeful, talking until a very late hour, But he retired at last; and when his snoring announced bis unconscious- ness, Ware was ready for his perilous under- taking. ieee CHAPTER XVII. CAVENDISH’S STORY, RISING softly, the detective crept on tip-toe to the little desk, where, unknown to the jailer, he had seen the keys carefully deposited, The room was plunged in darkness, but he had close- ly noted the position of the chairsand movable furniture before retiring, and therefore knew just where and how to step, Once the jailer turned heavily in his sleep, and, with revolver drawn, Ware halted midway between the shake-down and the desk, thinking discovery inevitable. The heaviness of the breathing, however, reassured him, and he went on. The desk was locked, but he quickly slipped ‘back the bolt with a bent wire, and secured the coveted keys, Then he made his way from the room in the same cautious manner, closing the door after him. ‘**Cavendish!” he whispered, on reaching the cel] which the ‘‘ crazy young feller” was said to occupy. ‘ Are you in there, Cavendish?” There was a stir within, a cautious footstep, and a pale, yet handsome face looked out from between the bars, ‘*“ Who is it?’ was the anxious question, ‘* Are you Lewis Cavendish?” ** Yes! yes!” as he heard the suggestive jing- ling of the keys, His flood of hurried queries was interrupted by the turning of a key in the lock and the open- ing of the door, “Come! We haven’t any time for taik. Take it for granted that I am your friend, and follow me. he jailer may awaken at any moment, and then we might have trouble in get- ting out of here,” In spite of his iron nerves, his voice betrayed his anxiety. The jail was situated at one end of the main street of the town, and a jangling of the bell which hung above it would be sufficient to arouse the citizens, and make .escape perilous and difficult, Had he been handling an ordinary case Ware would never have taken such risks, He would have placed Leonard under arrest and secured the release of young Cavendish by writ of habeas corpus; But he knew full well how often justice goes awry in the almost lawless mining camps, and realized that such a miscar- riage was almost certain to take place in.a com- munity owning the sway of John Leonard. ‘*Don’ts make any more more noise than a falling feather,” he cautioned. ‘‘Carry your shoes, and I will show you the way out.” He then led the way through the corridor, down the stairway and into the street, “Stay here! Your brother Harry is in the building, and I must get him out,” And before the astounded young man could ame a single query, he disappeared in the oom. ° When he returned Harry accompanied him. ‘No time for that now,” he whispered, inter- rupting the effusive greeting betwen the long- . separated brothers, ‘‘ When we get a little fur- ther off will do as well, Then, we'll all talk, for I'm as anxious to understand certain things as you are to explain them.” He led the way from the place at a brisk gait, halting when they bad gained the edge of tim- ber-fringed bills, a quarter of a mile from the town. Lewis was bubbling over with the very ex- uberance of his spirits, and wildly anxious to have the vail lifted from what seemed so mys- terious an affair, When the main facts had been rapidly sketched by Harry, he took Ware by the hand, and in a choking, incoherent way thanked him for the hardships he had under gone and the perils he bad braved in his behalf. “It ismy calling!” the detective said, humbly, ‘“Whatever I did, I did no more than my duty, Less than thatI couldn’t do. But time is fly- ing, and you haven’t told us your story. C) will have to move on, soon.” Thus reminded, Lewis told how Leonard formed his acquaintance in Chicago, and by artful wiles led him to the West, “After I had drawn the money from the
Page 13
Cheyenne bank I came to Rocket Range to meet onard and arrange for the transfer of the mine. He said there was no bank out here; that he keptall his own money in a private safe, and preferred that I should bring the cash, as he wished to use itin paying off certain in- debtedness. Like the dupe I was, I believed him, and complied with his request. “On arriving at Rocket ‘Range, he engaged horses for both of us, saying the mine was at Silverton, and that we would go out there to look at it. He had already shown me the state- ments of the business of the mina for the past ear, but I had insisted on seeing the property efore turning over the money and accepting the deed. Inquiries made at Rocket Range had given me the idea that Leonard was the per- sonification of an honorable gentleman; and, in my inexperience, I no more thought of suspect- ing him’ than I would think of suspecting Harry. ** Just before we reached Silverton we stopped at a spring to get a drink, for the day was hot and we bad been riding hard. We had no drinking vessel; and, as I stooped over the spring, Leonard struck mea blow on the head with a club, ‘All I recollect of the assault is a blinding flash of light, and a sensation as if the heavens had fallen and crushed me. When I recovered consciousness I was lying on my back, partly in the water, and my clothing soaked in my own blood, My money was gone, together with my horse, and I was so Weak I could scarcely stag- ger to my feet. ‘* Leonard had left me for dead, no doubt, It was then mid-afternoon, and the town still some three miles distant. Weak as I was, I resolved to make my way into the town, denounce Leon- ; ard to the authorities, andif he was there se- aei" cure his arrest. ** Little I knew of the honesty of the officials of Rocket Range!” with a harsh and bitter em- phasis. ‘If I had known more, I should have fled from the place as from a pestilence. ie * But as it turned out, I was the one to be de- ty nounced, A miner had disappeared from Sil- verton that morning, murdered, no doubt; and as I staggered toward the place, weak and Wy feverish, I met a posse of citizens. Leonard ie | was at their head, and at once denounced me as having slain the missing man. What kind of a Ai story he told to make them believe so foul a lie : I am at a loss to imagine. | “They believed it, however, or pretended to | Risa’ believe it; and my blood-stained garments were taken as evidence of my guilt. “Urged on by Ah. Leonard, the posse became transformed into a y howling mob; and about as much ceremony ! hs i i me as if I had been a confessed horse- ief. ‘In vain I pleaded my innocence and told the f story of how I came to be in that condition. Leonard stated that he had started from Rocket Range with me, but suspecting me of an evil in- tent on his pocketbook, he had left me and gal- loped on alone. ‘*T think my statements were more then half- ae believed by a few of the men: for when the mob | was on the point of hanging me they interfered ats to prevent it. Then I was thrust into the jail, j under a false name as I afterward learned. ‘** Time after time I pleaded for a bearing, but my pleadings were mocked at. The jailer would not allow me to communicate with any ts one, nor send out any letters or messages, That I could never quite understand, for I supposed that even the worst criminal had a right toa ‘ trial at the earliest and most convenient sea- son.” ‘** f can explain it, I think,” Ware interrupted, ** You hadn’t been in there long until the report was circulated that you had effected your es- } cape. There was no necessity or law for trying ie | een @ man who was non-come-atable,” Lewis Cavendish gave a gasp of surprise, ‘‘Harry learned that, among other things, while concealed in the saloon. Leonard is a long-headed chap, and that was just another of his shrewd games. How many more we may run onto before we’re through with the gentle- man only the future can determine. Quite i ny “f enough to surprise us, no doubt.” “He couldn’t have meant to hold me there forever, I suppose?” Lewis questioned, after a moment of thought. ‘No; he intended to have you put out of the i way. It was all planned; and as the public yo knew nothing of any such prisoner, I doubt ry not the matter would have been easy of accom- plishment.” he Then the detective told of the scheme which Pt Bias Co wt ena had confided to Tanner only a few hours ‘3 ‘ ore, \ Warbling William. ‘A thorough villain?’ and Cavendish shud- dered involuntarily, as he reflected on the fate which was to have beenhis, ‘* What does Maud think of that?’ He had already been informed of the part Maud had taken in attempting to discover and rescue him out of Leona”d’s clutches; and had told the story of his acquaintance and corre- spondence with her, ‘She doesn’t know anything about it yet,” Ware replied. ‘‘ We were too greatly pressed for time to see her before starting for this point.” ‘* Won't she be pleased, though, when she knows it all!” and Harry clapped his hands jubilantly at the thought. The detective laughed. ‘“‘ And think of my inamorata, Harry! The beautiful and dashing Miss Fulton! She will be tickled out of her seven senses.” ‘‘There’s one who won't be pleased,” said Cavendish. ‘That’s Buck Hazelrig. In ney I can see him gnashing bis teeth and pulling his abundant hair out by the handful.” ‘‘We ought to go down and give him a serenade,” the happy boy suggested. “‘I’m a little croaky from last night’s work; but I reckon if we’d join in under his window with that guitar, it would create a sensation.” ** And a sensation, probably, we shouldn’t like. He would have the entire town after us inside of twenty minutes, and we’d have to hump ourselves lively to get away from here with whole skins.” ‘“Pshaw! He wouldn't dare. Why, he couldn’t claim that Lew had escaped; for the very good reason, as you said awhile ago, that the people of the town don’t know there is such a person as Lew,” ‘True! Strange that view of the case didn’t strike me. Maybe it won’t strike him, and he'll arouse the town, anyway, and have a gay old time in explaining why he did it,” He was interrupted by the wild clanging of the jail bell. ‘** Prophetic words!” the detective cried, start- ing to his feet. He’s discovered that we’re gone and you're likewise missing. We'll have to make tracks for tall timber, Perhaps he has concluded to catch us first and explain after- ward, It would be entirely safe, I venture to say, especially if he had John Leonard to assist him in making the explanation, That scamp can come as near to twisting men to suit himself as any fellow I ever saw.” He had picked up his guitar, and now stood listening to !he quick strokes of the bell, “See! There’s a light!” he cried, ‘ The people are, arousing. We must make ourselves scarce, hereaways, or we'll be in great danger of being taken, The releasing of a prisoner from jail is no light offense in this country. Come!” And with the command he burried into the ee the Cavendishes following close at bis eels, CHAPTER XVIII. A HASTY FLIGHT, BucK HAZELRIG was shrewder than he had been given credit for being. Awakening from sleep, in the early hours of the morning, he dis- eoverod that the persons he had mistaken for strolling musicians were missing, and leaped at once to a correct solution of the situation. Hurrying into his clothing he took the keys from the drawer where they were kept—they had been replaced by Ware—and rushed into the corridor, to find that the cell of the ‘‘ crazy young feller” was empty. He greeted the discovery with a string of lurid oaths, then hastened to one of the adjoin- ing cells, and spoke to the half-awakened occu- ant: *“*Do you want to git out o’ hyer, Skinny? O’ course you do; you'd be a pesky fool if ye didn’t. Well, I’ve got special reasons for want- in’ to let ye loose; an’ if-you’ll cut sticks lively, Ill do it.” He had dropped his voice to a whisper in making this astonishing statement, but the prisoner was quick of ear and comprehension. Try me, one’t!” he cried, sitting bolt upright on his cot. ‘‘ Ef any one ketches me, after I’m safe outen hyer, they'll hev to hustle.” ‘Of course [ll have to rouse the town an’ try to ketch you, Skinny. “Twouldn’t never do fer me not to. But Pl not try a mite harder’n I’m actilly boun’ to; fer, as I said, I want ye to git away. ‘They ain’t no games ’bout this?” the prisoner demanded, not understanding why Hazelrig should thus want to favor him. “None at all! An’ if ye’re goin’ ye must go, lsveik xs oF alee os . ( Me ay au : , a rm dais Fah stint a ind dab aiaed iwc ! 13 I can’t stand hyer shilly-shallyin’ all night, neither. If you ain’t ready in jes’ one minute, yer chance is gone.” ** Tl be ready!’ And the horse-thief—for such he was—began to wriggle into his clothing. Five minutes later, the jail bell was beginning to ring out its brazen warning and arouse the slumbering inhabitants of Silverton to the fact that another prisoner had escaped. ** You see, it war jes’ this way,” the jailer ex- plained, as the people began to gather, ‘‘ Them } rotted singers were jes’ the worst kind o’ fakes. — They puljed the wool over our eyes most beauti- ful. After you fellers went away las’ night, there come another feller, and blamed fool hike, I let him in. “The three on ’em siep’ right in my room, where I thought I could watch ‘em easy, though I never s’picioned anything wrong. Well, may I be bung, if I didn’t wake up a while ago an’ find the hull b’ilin’ of °em gone—an’ Skinny, the hoss-thief, gone along of ’em!” He had added the third man to the number of the rescuers, so that the presence of Lewis Cav- ree could be accounted for, should the trio be taken. ‘*They played a master cute game to git Skinty out; an’ they got him. J never knowed of acuter. I’m much afeard it’s goin’ to trouble us to overhaul ’em an’ git ’em back.” Many others seemed to think thesame, Never- theless a hunt, was commenced as soon as @ suffi- cient number had gathered to make a respectable: arty. ‘ Hazelrig bad instructed Skinny to start west- ward, a direction opposite to the one in which he proposed to lead the search party; for, by a series of shrewd guesses, he had formed a fair idea of the route Cavendish and his rescuers. would pursue. ; By the time the jailer’s party got under way, the detective and his friends had placed more than three miles of the rugged path behind them, They had scarcely gone three miles fur- ther, however, before they discovered they were being pursued—and by men on _ horseback, Hazelrig’s forces, after considerable beating, had struck their trail near the point where it entered the timber; and, as there were several skilled trailers among them, they were enabled to proceed at a rapid rate in spite of the obstruc- tions. “That’s bad,” Ware observed, when, from a considerable elevation, he ascertained that they were being closely followed. ‘ They will over- take us, soon, at that rate. Wemusttry tocon- ceal our traii, before going further,” This they did by walking backward for some distance, then swinging from tree to tree until they bad covered several hundred feet. When they again dropped to the earth, they changed their course, and sought to conceal their foot- steps by traversing the rockiest and flintiest ridges. This maneuver was repeated several times, and with such apparent success, that, when more than hour had passed without sight or sound of the jailer’s party, they began to feel so secure that they again became incautious, They were made startlingly awareof the folly of'this by the neighing of a horse, only a few hundred yards behind them! Hazelrig, with a squad of his men, had gone on in the general direction which he believed the fugitives would follow, leaving the others to puzzle out the intricate trail. By rare good luck he had stumbled on a succession of foot- steps in a mucky place, and was now hurrying forward, hoping to take the fleeing men un- awares. But for the neigh of the horse he might have accomplished his purpose. The detective'’s little party again scrambled to- the tree-boughs, There were no flinty ridges near, but a mountain stream with worn and rocky banks, flowed not far away, and toward this they bastened. On reaching it. they ran upward along its course for a considerable distance, and then con- cealed themselves in a hollow beneath the shely- ing banks. i “Cuddle down, and keep perfectly still!” Ware cautioned. ‘If they find us here it will be apt to go hard with us,” No words were needed to cause them to main~ tain strict silence. The dreadful fear of dis- covery glued their lips and almost stilled their breathing. The danger was greatly lessened, however, by the character of the place they had secreted themselves in. It was a cavity in the rocks, so thoroughly screened by bus! and undergrowth that its existence would mot be ig ene ; ey bad stumbled on it by the merest acci-
Page 14
Pinney ft Seenanhdcieeea ue ame SAGE ent ty, c 14 Warbling William. dent, and unless Hazelrig’s men should do like- wise, the chances were great that it would be overlooked, ‘*T don’t like this business, at all!” the detec- tive whispered, when several minutes bad passed and they had not been disturbed. ‘*‘ Weseem to be criminals instead of the men who are chasing us. I’m sometimes tempted to go out and bold- ly face the dogs. I would, if there were any men of bonor among them.” ‘* Tt would be suicidal!” Cavendish exclaimed. ** They would shoot us down in our tracks, if the jailer should command them to, I’ve had quite enough of the honorable gentlemen of Silverton to Jast me several days. Hazelrig is a sample of the most of them; I saw that when they were trying to adjusé a noose about my neck some weeks ago.” The sound of footsteps coming steadily nearer put a stop to the conversation. Ware drew his weapons, to be prepared for tbe worst, but the oe pas by, and they again breathed reely. When almost an hour had passed without any indications that the searching party was still in the vicinity, they crawled from their place of concealment and recommenced their journey, ‘“*They’re looking for us in the direction of Rocket Range, I’ve no doubt,” the detective ob- served. ‘‘ With one party in our rear and an- other ahead of us, we'll be compelled to keep our eyes open. » What worries me most, though, isthe fear that they will goon into the town and give warning to Leonard, and thus allow him toslip through my clutches. I wouldn’t have that happen for anything, for I’ve a heavy account laid up against the rascal.” When within about four miles of Rocket Range they received another scare. It wasa little past noon, and they had halted to eat something and secure a much-needed rest, A considerable elevation lifted itself near them; and this Ware ascended to ascertain, if possible, if any of Hazelrig’s party were close at hand. “ Hazelrig and his men are in camp not over a hundred yards away!” was his startling an- nouncement on his return. ‘It’s a wonder they haven’t seen us, They are in our rear, and will move this way just as soon as they get ready toadvance. We'll have to change our ji and as quickly and quietly as possi- ble. ‘* Where shall we go?” Cavendish asked. “To the top of the hill. It’s thesafest. There we can see and not be seen. They haven’t enough force to surround it, should we be dis- covered; and while they are coming up one side we can skip down the other.” With great celerity, but very little noise, they hastened to the foot of the eminence; and keep- ing well within the timber, slowly and cautious- ly ascended its side. Near the top they halted, and screened by bushes and bowlders, looked down, with a sense of security, on the jailer and his little posse, ‘*They’re waiting for the others to come up, I take it,” said Cavendish, after studying their movements for awhile, ““T only hope they won’t take it into their heads to go into the town!” Ware declared. “Tf they do, Leonard won’t fly, as you seem to think. He’s too old a dog for that, and has too many friends there, He’ll turn the entire af- fair some way so that it will serve to strengthen him and weaken us.” 7 ‘*Perbaps! I’m trusting, though, to the good sense of the honest element, and to the fact that most of his seeming friends are only paid tools or accomplices who can be frightened off by a show of legal authority. The first thing I shall do, you understand, will be to place him under arrest.” After nearly an hour’s waiting, Hazelrig’s men moved off in the direction of Rocket Range; and, when they were well out of sight, the trio descended from the erest of the hilland followed in their wake. “This won’t do,” Ware averred, after they had proceeded a short distance. ‘‘ I don’t want them to beat us into town, which they’ll do, of course, if we simply follow them. I propose that we strike for thetrail. They’re traveling slow, and once on that we can make such progress that our chances of getting in first will be excellent.” Accordingly they took a nigh cut to the well- beaten trail which ran from Rocket Range to Silverton, and pushed on with all possible speed. They had proceeded along this new route but a little way, when they saw a horseman coming toward them. ‘Get into the bushes!” the detective cried, recognizing the rider. ‘‘ It’s John Leonard!” CHAPTER XIX, ‘“SRANNY FULTON.”’ JOHN LEONARD had not been able to start for Silverton that day as early as he had expected; but when he did start he jogged along at a rapid gait, in the endeavor to reach the place at as early an hour as possible. His mind was filled with the details of the wicked scheme he had concocted against the life of the prisoner in the Silverton jail, and be gave little heed to the route he was pursuing. Hence he failed to see the forms that flitted, shadow-like to the cover of the bushes, and recked not of danger until it was too late to escape, He was aroused by the detective’s sharp com- mand; ‘*Climb down from there; and be quick about it, if you care to keep a whole skin, John Leonard. Leonard reined in, with a gasp of surprise, be- ing so startled by the suddenness and unexpect- edness of the order that he threw the horse almost upon its haunches, Then, out of the covert came the three, the detective with revolver held in readiness, As soon as the astonished man recognized them, he attempted to spur forward, but Cavendish seized the animal by the hit, ‘*No you don’t!” Ware grated, thrusting the revolver into the face of the frightened wretch, ‘* We've a little account to settle with you first. We're in no mood for trifling, and if you don’t want a bullet, you'll get out of that saddle with as little ceremony as you know how.” There was something in the tones that quite unnerved Leonard, ‘Yes! yes!” he assented. “I'll get down! What is it you want with me, gentlemen? I haven’t enough money with me to pay for the plucking.” “Tt isn’t money we’re after, Leonard,” the de- tective declared, as the trembling man scram- bled out of the saddle, ‘‘and no one knows that better than you do. What we’re after, I should think you might guess, unless your judgment has suddenly failed you. It is usually pretty good, as I have had reason to know.” ‘“‘For mercy sake, gentlemen, what do you want with me, then?’ Leonard faltered. ‘‘Sure- ly you’re not going to murder me!” “ We'll talk that over after we get into the bushes, Here we’rein danger of interruption. Lead the horse, Harry; Lew and I willendeavor to see that our good friend does not escape.” With this, he dropped in behind his prisoner, and inexorably urged him forward, ‘** You recognize this young gentleman, no doubt?’ dropping to a seat on a stone when they had reached a safe distance, and pointing a fin- ger at Lewis, ‘‘ If not, allow me make you ac- quainted with Mr, Lewis Cavendish, recently of Chicago; more recently of Silverton Jail,” As he said it, his eyes burned with a light which showed he was in no trifling bumor, With a hard, bitter tone he ran quickly over the points be most wished to impress on Leonard’s mind, adding, at the conclusion: *“You’re in the net, Leonard, and wriggling won’t do you any good. A clean breast of the whole affair inigbt ease your conscience, though, and make your punishment lighter. That fifty thousand, too, must be repaid as a preliminary.” Leonard’s face had taken on a corpse-like pallor and his whole form shook, ‘*T can’t repay it!” he moaned, wiping away the sweat which stood in great drops on his fore- head. ‘‘ Do what you will with me I can’t repay it. [ was urged to the deed by threatened bank- ruptcy, and the bankruptcy has come notwith- standing.” ‘* But the Jim Crow Mine, and your silver mining stocks!” ‘* All plastered over with debts which I now see are unpayable. My God, gentlemen! You don’t know how I’ve suffered. I thought that fifty thousand would tide me over, and enable me to get on my feet again. I week ago lI saw that the crash must come, and have been pre- paring for it. I acknowledge I had designs against the life of Mr. Cavendish, I knew that when I could no longer pay, my tools would fall away from me,. I thought to put him out of the way, so that when I left this place, he would not hound me over the world’ for the crime I com- mitted against him,” He groaned, as he made the confession. ‘*T am guilty and I must suffer. I see it now. How my creditors will come down on me, as soon as they discover I baven’t the wherewith y” ** And no doubt Miss Fulton and Shelby Tan- ner are equally guilty!” the detective asserted. “Tanner, yes. Perhaps I oughtn’t say that. He was only one of my paid tools. He has been running the saloon and hotel under bis own name, but the property is really mine. It's mortgaged, too, for more than it’s worth. Mortgaged by Tanager, for me, as if it were his own property.” He stopped, and his face relaxed into the sem- blance of a smile. ‘* Strange you never guessed Miss Fulton’s secret. Tl reveal it now, as it can be kept a secret no longer. Lam Miss Fanny Fulton!” The detective recoiled in utter astonishment, ** Tmpossible!” “* Not at all!” with a lightchuckle. ‘I played the part well, you must admit. I am Miss Ful-. ton, minus the female apparel, the false hair, the rouge and powder, and ali the little acces- sories which went to make up the gushing crea- ture. Ware seemed crushed by the confession. With all bis natural shrewdness and his long ex- perience in dealing with criminals of every grade he had never suspected the deceit that had been so boldly practiced on him. “That goes ahead of anything I ever heard of!” be gasped. ‘*No wonder the dear creature gave me so much trouble. No wonder I couldn’t begin to fathom her motives or determine what line of action she was likely to pursue, “‘It explains a good many things, too, that have been almost unexplainable.” ‘*No doubt!” Leonard exclaimed, bubbling over with the momentary pleasure which the ex- pose afforded him, and striving, apparently, to temporarily forget the terrors of his situation, *T got a good deal of fnn out of the little comedy as I went along. I didn’t begin it, though, merely for the fun of the thing, I had a purpose in view. “* That purpose, at first, was to gain the confi- dence and thwart the efforts of Miss Malcolm. It succeeded, and when you appeared on the scene I continued the disguise in an effort to dis- close your intentions and plans, **T dropped the stolen letter when and where I did, knowing the boy would find it, and that you would be led to visit and confer with Miss Malcolm, if my suspicions regarding your true character were correct. You made that visit; and when you told her who you were and what bad brought you there, I was crouching just out- side the window and heard it all.” “You devil!” Ware cried, a feeling of terror taking momentary possession of him, “Don’t be too hard on me,” Leonard whim- pered, all the life suddenly taken out of him, **T’ll confess everything, and do just what you say. Only don’t be too hard on me!” The innate cowardice of the man’s soul shone forth in that moment of terror. Regardless of other men’s lives, he yet clung with blind in- stinct to hisown. It is the trait which charac- terizes all cowards, and Leonard seemed to com- bine in his own person the cruelty, cunning and craven fear of his class. Not knowing that Buck Hazelrig’s men were standing in readiness to aid him, Leonard re- peated the confession to the officials, on his ar- rival in Rocket Range, and, in due course of time, was imprisoned for his crimes, as he justly deserved to be, Tanner and Hazelrig sharing in his punishment. The trial, one of the most memorable in the an- nals of Rocket Range, had scarcely closed before Lewis Cavendish and Maud Malcolm were united for life. The money taken by Leonard was never re- covered, but young Cavendish’s inheritance was large enough to permit its loss without seriously crippling his financial condition, Since that foolish trip westward he has gained business judgment and the discretion which comes with years, and is now a prosperous merchant of his native city. Harry, now grown to manhood, is his partner, and Warbling William, who still follows his olde time calling, is numbered with their dearest friends, THE END,
Page 15
BEADLE’S« H ALF- DIME* LIBRARY. Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 67 Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 175 Captatn Arizona; or, Petent-Leather Joe's Big Game. 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat. 219 Despard, the Duelist; or, The Mountain Vempires. 888 A Tough Boy; or, The Dwarf’s Revenge. B68 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. 878 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. BSS Little Oh-my 3 or, Caught in His Own Trap, 401 Little Shoo-F ly: or, A Race for a Ranch. 408 Little Leather-Breeches ; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Sin; or, The Curse of Blood, 451 Colorado Kate. A Tale of the olines. 480 Three Jolly Parda. 517 Jim Gladden’s Deputy. 527 The Jolly Pards to the Rescue, 647 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 574 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs, 598 Keen Olem, the Ranch Imp. 599 Jim Dandy the No-Name Sport. 618 Billy Blazes; or, The Skeleton’s Legacy. 685 Oklahoma Hi, the Blue-Coat Scout. 648 Happy Harry’s Big Find. BY CAPTAIN FRED. WHITTAKER. 15 The Sea-Cat; or, The Witch of Darien. 29 The Dumb Page: or, The Doge’s Daughter. 48 Dick Darling, Se Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 154 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The Lost Captain; or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the Open Polar Sea. 200 The Boy Bedoutins; or, The Brothers of the Plumed Lance, 214 Wolfzang, the Robber of the Rhine. 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World Wanderer. 265 The Tiger Tamer; or, The League of the Jungle. $81 Black Sick. the Demon Rider. 395 California Joe’s War Trall. BY BUCKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 ow Rocky's **Boyeess; or, Benito, the Young Horse reaker. 246 Giant Georges or, The Ang’! of the Range. 275 Arizona Jack ¢ or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of Taos; or, Giant George’s Revenge, 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 ol ts Ker-whoo; or, The Tarantula of Taos. S27 ay pad Jat, the Caddo}; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. #44 The Fighting Trio}; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front, 857 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. 875 Chiota, the Creek} or, The Three Thunderbolts. 881 Bandera Bill; or. Frio Frank to the Front. 892 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. 404 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalsy from Denver. 427 The Three Trallers; or, Old Rocky on the Rampage, 442 Bluff Bill; or, The Lynx of the Leona. ' 455 Little Lone Star: or, The Belle of the Cibolo, —- —. 684 Cache Carl, the Chico Giant BY EDWARD WILLETT. 167 Asa Scott, the Steamboat Boy. 199 Featherweight the Boy Champion of the Muskingum, 225 Ozark Alf’; or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws, 282 The Typo Detective; or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzville. 811 The Rovi Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, $22 Nemo, the Detective; or, Kit Kenyon'’s Vendetta, $40 Clip the Contortionist: or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY J. ©. COWDRICK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King; or, For Seven Years Dead. 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta John; or, Red-Hot Times at Ante Bar. 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo. 606 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the Road. 614 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective, 586 Broadway Billy’s *DiMkilty.” 144 pert. ve ; Rite Detective. 5 roadway y’s Peath Rack ey atone Luke the Young MR sping "he Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy's -Party. 592 The Boy Pinkerton. *:plpabsaegmmteinted 605 William 0’ Broadway; or, The Boy Detective’s Big Innine, 615 Fighting Harry | the Chief of Chained Cyclone. ; 628 Broadway Billy’s Dead Act. 640 Bareback Beth, the Centaur of the Circle, 647 Typewriter Tilly, the Merchant’s Ward, BY JO PIERCE. 897 Bob o’ the Bowery; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hot«epur Bob, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The Lawyer’s Shadow; or, Luke’s Legaey, 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 494 Surly Sim, the Young Ferryman Detective, 504 Five Points Phil. 509 Jack Jaggers, the Butcher Boy Detective, 516 Tartar Tim; or, Five Points Phil’s Menagerie, 526 North River Nat, the Pier Detective. 588 Wreatling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Ward, 641 Jeff Flicker. the Stable Boy Detective, 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 559 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective. 569 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detective, 577 Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, “OR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer. 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer. 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret. 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping Slippery Set. BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout, 846 Rapter Rapheel ; or, The Swordsmen of Zacatecas. BY1 Ki -Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, $98 Kid-Gloeve Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter; or, The Mystery of Gelden Guleb. 505 Powell's Pard} or, The One-Armed Giant. ® ‘ BY WM. G, PATTEN. 89 The Diamond Sport; or, The Double Face of Bed Rock. 9 Captain ! yatery § or, Five in One. 1 Da 4 Dare the Sport from Denver. SST Old Bombshell, the Ranger Detective. - Cag tl) the —— of Fire. Grip Wi ec Bey Tram tee The Doubdi tuess 29 Violet Vane, the Volver Me, bine —_ Dismal Dave’s Dandy Parad ———C sts BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fortunes ofa Bowery Girl. 76 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. 79 Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 288 Joe Buck of Angels and His Boy Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps in Gotham. 458 New England Nick; or, The Fortunes of a Foundling, 464 Nimble Nick, the Circus Prince. 498 Taoa Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hall-Breed Detective. 518 Cool Colorado in New York. BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 90 The Dread Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Taos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel. 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom, 181 The Golden Mand; or, Dandy Rock to the Reseus, 164 Dandy Keck’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death. 178 Dandy Rock’s Rival; or, The tiaunted Maid of Taos. BY CAP’. J. F. ©, ADAMB, 84 Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of thé West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick Whilffles’s Pet; or, Ir The Valley of Death. 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yellowstone, 70 Old — Cabin; or, The Greenhorn in the Wooda, 81 Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram ; or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and His Peta; or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-house Lige; or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp, 288 The Scalp King; or, The Human Thunderbolt. BY ROGER STARBUCK. 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Junk, the Old Tar, 259 The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Floes. 848 Fire-Ieels; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Ill Tramp}; or, The Odd Pards. 861 The Phantom Licht-house. 870 Breaker Ben, the Reef-Runner. BY WILLIAM ':. EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank; or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Pards BY COLONEL DELLE SARA, 108 The Lion of the Sea; or, The Vailed Lady. 186 Cool Desmond; or, The Gambler’s Big Game, BY JAMES L. BOWEN 107 One-Eyed Sim; or, The Abandoned Forest Home. 110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A Story of Texas, BY ©. DUNNING CLARE, 185 Captain Panl; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains. 280 The Vankee Rajah; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. BY GEORGE C. JENKS, 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owney’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective. sibided Flute, the Singer Detective, 608 he Fitcher Detective’s Foils; or, Double Curve Dan’s ouble Play, 616 The Ocean Detective; or, The Last Cruise of the Black Bear. BY CAPT. ALFRED B. TAYLOR UW. 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker, 194 Buffalo Bill's Bet; or, ‘The Gambler Guide. BY CHARLES E. LASALLE. 50 Burt Bunker, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo. A Tale of the Northwest BY JOHN J. MARSITALL. 40 Roving Ben. A Story of a Young American. 97 The Outlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpes. BY HARRY 8ST. GEORGE. 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 44 Rattling Rube; or, The Nighthawks o Kentucky. 59 Old Hickory 3 or, Pandy Ellis’s Scalp. 108 Daring Davy ; or, The Trail of the Border Wolf, 166 Hickory Harry; or, The Trapper-Brigade’s Spy. 172 Thunderbolt Tom; or, the Wolf-Herder. BY MAJOR E. L, 8ST. VRAIN, 292 Sancho Pedro, the Boy Bandit. 801 Leadville Nick, the Boy Sport. 812 Redtop Rube, the Vigilante Prince. 888 Brimstgne Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartette. 852 Tombsatene Tom, the Arizona Boy of “ Sand.” 859 Duranro Dave, the Youny Cham)jion Wrestler, 871 Kingbolt Chris, the Young Hard-Shell Detective, 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide, 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountuin Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, 6 Bill Biddon, Trapper. 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 310 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive, ‘rne Frontier Angel. 98 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. 182 The Hunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horsemaa. 254 The Half-Bloed; or, The Panther of the Plains. 271 The Huge liunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, 278 The Three Drapperes or, The Mountain Monster, 238 Indian Joe; or, The White Spirit of the Hills. BY FRANK DUMONT. 120 The Branded Hand: or, The Man of Mystery. 127 Wild-Fire, the Boss of the Rond. 140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rosky Bar. 71 Ebony Dan; or, The Rival Leagues. 185 Evil ve: or, The Vultures of the Rio Grande. BY CAPT. MARK WILTON. 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso. 270 Blizzard Bens? or, The Riot at Keno Camp. 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG, . 89 Taland Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. 91 The Captain of the Club; or. The Rival A 101 Jack Horkaway in New York. em BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick: or, The Yellow Chief's V fee. 87 The Land Pirates; or, The League of Devil's Island. 187 The Helpless Hiand; 6r, Backwoods Retribution. 289 The Gold-seeker Guide: or, The Lest Mountain. BY JOSEPH E, BADGER, JR. 2 Yellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat 65 Hurrileane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Part, 119 Mustang tg age Eo The King of the Plains. 186 Night-Mawk Kit; or, The Daughter ef the Ramch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 151 Panther Paul; or, Dainty Lance to the Reseue. 160 The Biuck Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy. 168 Deadly Dash; or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trailers ; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmasks. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranca W olf; or, The Beautiful Decoy. 819 The Black Rider; or, The Horse-Thieves’ League 885 Old Double Fist; or, The Strange Guide 855 The King of the Woods: or Daniel Koone’s Last Trall, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; or, The Twelve Avengers 66 Single Hand; or, A Life for a Life. 72 Mad Tom Western, the Texan Ranger. 887 Ben Bird, the Cave King; or, Big Pete’s Scoop. BY JACK FARRAGUT, 815 Ned, the Cabin Boy. 820 The Sea Sorceress; or, The Boy Skipper. BY LIEUT. H, D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bays 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Mentauk Point. BY HARRY HAZARD. 828 Arkansaw Jack; or, The Scourge of the Mines. 829 Red-Skin some or, The Demon's Trail. 842 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellew Jack, the Outlaw, BY COL. A. F. HOLT. 899 Black Buckskin; or, The Masked Men of Death Canyom. 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woeds. BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man from Hard Luek. 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the Veteran Detective. 620 Little Li Seaing’s League; or, The Mystery of the Ieland. 688 Plucky Baul, the Boy Prospector. BY FREDERICK DEWEY, 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shots. 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective. 542 The Canyon Parda. BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM. 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowie Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Parda. 621 Truthful James, the “ Pecooliar” Man. BY LIEUT. A. K. SIMS, 546 Captain Cactus, the Chaparral Cock. 568 The Dandy of Dodge. 576 The Silver Sport. 588 Saffron Sol, the Man With a Shadow 589 Tom-Cat and Pard; or, The Dead Set at Silver 601 Happy Hans, the Dutch Vidocq. 611 Bildnd Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’s Triad 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; or, Black Ivan’s Great Combing, 646 Cowboy Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORA, 4 The Wild-Horse Hunters, By Capt. Mayne Reid and Frederick Whittaker. 9 Adventures of Baron Munchausen, 12 Gulliver’s Travels. By Dean Swift. 14 Aladdin; or, The Wonderful Lamp. 16 Robinson Crusoe, (27 Illustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Satlor. His Seven Voyages. 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy Robinsex Crusoe. By Juan wis. 88 The Ocean Bloodhound; or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By 8S, W. Pierce. 86 4 Boy Clown; or, The Queen ofthe Arena. By Frank >. Finn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scout. By Texas Jack. 61 The Boy Rifles; or, The Underground Camp. By Archie >. Irons. 95 The Rival Rovers; or, The Freebooters of the Mississippi. By Lieut.-Col, Hazeltine. 98 Robin ood, the Uutlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve, 105 Old Rube, the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive. By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, Ihe Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe. 124 Tippy, the Texan; or, The Young Champion. By George 128 The Youn By J. Alexander Patten. Glerson. Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish. 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy. 227 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone, By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y srk Bey. By G. L. Alken. 266 Killb’ar, the Guides >, Davy Crockett’s Crooked Trail. By Ensign C. D. Warren, 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff. By Captain Comstock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad frem Leadville. By Lien- tenant Alfred Thorne. 828 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Hono, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Red Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother’s Re venge. By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ben the Bootblack Detective. By A. P. Morris, 874 Gold-Dust Tomy or, Ben’s Double Match. By George He Morre, 876 Cailfornia Joe’s First Trail, By Colonel Thomas Hoyer Monstery. 418 Biily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F.S. Winthrop. 475 The Black A a By John 8 Warner. 484 Comanche Dick and His Three Invincibles By Henrv J. Thomas. S28 Wizard-Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthur F. Holt, 582 The Cowbey Duke. By Edwin Brooke Ferrest. 552 Artel the Athlete. By David Druid. 585 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H. Enton. 682 The Dead Detective’s Double. By Gerald Carlton, A New Issue Every Tuesday. The Half-Dime Library is fer sale by all newsdealers, five cents per copy, or ser.t by mat! on recerpt of six cents each, BEADLE AND APAMR, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York
Page 16
/ EADLE’S*H ALF- [IM b rh aes Rp, Mi i FN ane, + E+LIBRARY. we Published Every Tuesday. Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER. Deadwood Dick Novels. 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers; or, Deadwood Dick’s Defiance, | 28 Buffalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise, 85 Wilda Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 49 Omaha OLL; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 57 Deadwood Dick's Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar. | 78 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine, = Corduroy Charlie; or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act. 100 Deadwood Dick in Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign. 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Boadweod Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 188 Blonde Bill; or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base. 149 A Game of Gold; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream; or, The Rivuls of the Road. 201 The Black Hills Jezebel; or, Deadwood 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-Dust 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 regon, 821 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen}; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flats, 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- ings. 851 Bacdweek Diek Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta, 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim, 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonda. 421 Deadwood Dick in New Yorky or, A “Cute Case,” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand. 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Ned; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance, 458 vaatower Sam, of Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full and, 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- De 465 Philo Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at aim 10, 471 Bozeman Bill; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Harry the Hurricane;. or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Dog Detective. 481 Moll Myatery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. in Deadwood. 491 Prince Pistol, the King of the West; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Compact. 496 Monte Cristo, Jr.: or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Inheritance. 5600 Deadwood Dick’s Mapings s or, Dr. Death-Grip’s Swoop, 508 Deadwood Dick’s Deliverance. 515 Deadwood Dick’s Protegee. 522 Deadwood Dick’s Three, 529 Deadwood Dick’s Danger Daucka, 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt, 589 Deadwood Dick Jr, in Texas. 544 Deadwood Dick, Jr. the Wild West Vidoeq. 549 Deadwood Dick on IMis Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick In Boston, 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Philadetphia, 572 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Chicago. 578 Deadwood Dick, Jr. Afloat. 5S4 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Denver, 590 Deadwood Dick, Jr's, Decree. 595 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Beelzebub’s Basin, 600 Deadwood Dick Jr. at Coney Island. 606 Deadwood Dick Jr’s Leadville Lay, 612 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Detroit. 618 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Cincinnatt, 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr, in Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr. No Man’s Land, 686 Deadwood Dick, Jr. After the Queer. 642 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Buffalo, 648 Deadwood Dick, Jr’s. Chase Across the Continent. 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, 58 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Pharpshooter; or, The Boy Detective, 80 Rosebud ers or, Nugget Ned, the Knight. 84 Idyl, the Girl Miner; or, Rosebud Rob on Hand. 88 Phetograph Phil; or, Rosebud Rob’s Reappearance, 92 Canada Chet 3 or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 96 Watch-Eye ; or, Arabs und Angels of a Great City. 18 Jack Hoyle the Young Speculator. Gilt-Edged Dick, the Sport Detective Cinnamon Chip, the Girl Sport. Bonanza Bill, Miner. Boas Bob the King of Bootblacks, Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent. > Captain Ferret, the New York Detective. New York Nell, thé Boy-Girl Detective. Nobby Nick of Nev ada} or, The Sierras Scamps, Wild Frank, the Buckskin Bravo, »9 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 Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator. 244 Sierra Sam, the Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 258 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra 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. ; 2S Denver Doll's Recor 3 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. 808 ’Liza Jane, the Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport, 825 Kelley, Hickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia. 880 Little Qu!ck-Shot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville; 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, 9 Kangaroo Kit’« Racket. 48 Manhattan Mike, tle Bowery Blood, ; 858 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 8658 A naga Jim, the Gold-Gatherer; or, The Lottery ef i le. Yreka Jim’s Prize, rth Nabob Neds or, The Secret of Slab City, B82 Cool Kit, the King of Kids; or, A Villain’s Vengeance. 885 Yreka Jim’s Joker}; or, The Rivals of Red Nose. 889 Bicycle Ben; or. The Lion of Lightning Lode, 894 Yreka Jim of Yuba Dam, 0 Wrinkles, the Night-Watch Detective. 6 High Hat Harry, the Base Ball Detective, Kou es DNA PRAww ~~ Jim and Pal, Private ves, 8 Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. 6 Sealskin Sam, the Sparkler. Th ¥ - : stg EE ee emery '} LS ie Oar ERENT SIS ose apenas ae 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, Tle Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants. %5 The Boy Dnelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea- Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smuggier. 111 The Sea-Devil; or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Mussar Captain ; or, Phe Hermit of Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, B ssie, 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 Crimson Kate}; or, The Cowboy’s Triumph, 287 Lone Star, the Cowboy Captain. 245 Merle, the Middy Weds he Freelance Heir, 250 The Midshipman Mutineer 3 or, Brandt, the Bueeaneer, 264 Ede Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland, 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Merje Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold Ship.’? 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate’s Bride, 284 The Sea Marauders or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy; or, Benito, the Boy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 Ear Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long rail. 877 Bonodel, the Buoy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner, 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island, 887 Warpath WILL, the Boy Phantom. $98 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-Cloua’s Cruise. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Luck; or, The Corsair. 487 The Sea Ralder. 441 The Ocean Firefly; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Maphazard plerry $ or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard WII: or, The Boy Ferret of New York, 454 Wizard WIILI’s Street Scouta. 462 The Born Gulde; or, The Sailor Boy Wanderer, 468 Neptune Ned, the Boy Coaster. 474 Flora; or, Wizard Will’s Vagabond Pard. 488 Ferrets Afloat; or, Wizard Will's Last Case, 487 Nevada Ned, the Revolver Ranger. 495 Arizona Joe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack, 497 Buck Taylor, King of the Cowboys. 508 The Royal Middy: or, The Shark and the Sea Cat. 507 The Hunted Midshipman. 511 The Outlawed Middy. 520 Buckskin Bill, the Comanche Shadow, 525 Brothers in Buckskin. 530 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Bue «kin Rovers. 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rie, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte, 550 Lafitte’s Legacy: or. The Avenging Son, 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BULL, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King. 570 Camille, the Card Queen, 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective, 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, the Young Sea Rover. 597 The Voung Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Championa. 617 Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scout; or, The Raiders and the Red Riders of the Rio. 644 The Hercules Highwayman, BY BUFFALO BILL (len. Wm. F. Cody), 8 Kaneas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy? or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 55 lreadly-Eye, the Unknown Scout, 68 Border Robin Hoods; or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’o Truat, BY CHARLES MORRIS, 8 Will Somers, the Boy Detective. 2 Phil Hardy, the Boss ey. 6 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detective, Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rags, Handsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred. Black Besa, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. Will Wildfire in the Wooda, Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy. A Trump Card or, Wil! Wildfire Wins and Loses, Bob Rockett; or, Mysteries of New York. Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, The Hidden Fiend § or, Will Wildfire’s Revenge. 187 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 189 Bob Rockett; or, Driven to the Wall. 196 Shadowed ; or, Bob Kockett’s Fight for Life. 206 Dark Paul, the Tiger King. 212 Dashing Dave, the Dandy Detective. 220 Tom Tanner; or, The Black Sheep of the Flock, 25 Sam Charcoal the Premium Darky. 235 Shadow Sam, the Messenger Boy. 242 The Two ** Bloods”; or, Shenandoah Bill and His Gang. 252 Dick Dashaway ; or, A Dakota Boy in Chicago. 262 The Young Sharps: or, Rollicking Mike’s Hot Trail. 274 Jolly Jim, the Detective Apprentice. 289 Jolly Jim’s Job; or, The Young Detective. 298 The Water-Hound; or, The Young Thoronghored. 805 Deshaway, of Dakotas or, A Western Lad in the Quaker ity. 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; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard, 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 428 The Lost Finger; or, The Entrapped Cashier, 428 Fred Flyer, the Reporter Detective. 482 Invinelble Logan, the Pinkerton Ferret. 456 Billy Brick, the Jolly Vagavond. 466 Wide-Awake Jerry, Detective; or, Entombed Alive, 479 Detective Dodge; or, The Mystery of Frank Hearty, 488 Wild Dick Racket, 501 Boots, the Boy Fireman: or, Too Sharp for the Sharper, 566 The Seeret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansas; or, The Wolf in the Fold. = J as PANAIDR IN ee Ow Roeonwywerie BY OLL COOMES, 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 Keen-Knife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 8 The Border King; or, The Secret Fee. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. v4 paghere Harry the Young Trapper Ranger. 88 Rollo, the Roy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot Seth, the Boy Rifleman, 148 Scar-Favce Saul, the Silent Hunter, 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger, 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Tra oper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ; or, The Young Outlaw Heaters. 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps, 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dick; or, Trapper Tom’s Castle, 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. 288 The Parson Detectives or, The Little Ranger, 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranges. 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ranger, 272 Minkeskin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter, 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon 3 or, Rainbolt, the Ranger, 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. 417 Webfoot Mone, the Tramp Detective, 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstene, 444 Little Buckskin, toe Young Prairie Centasn 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Sau), 68 Tamarac _Tom, the Big Trapper Boy. 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemée, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan, 562 Blundering Baall, the Hermit Boy Trapper, BY T. ©. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Nights or, The Boy Spy of ’76, 87 The Hidden Lodge}; or. The Little Hunter. 47 Nightingale Nat; or, Tne Forest Captains... 64 Dandy Jacks or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Train 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack ; or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Freaty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, drut or, The Boy Vigiante, 155 Gold Tr ger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger, 169 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core, 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ; or, The Queen of Fate’s Revenge. 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter, 215 Captain Bullet 3 or, Little Tovknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Rei Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, The Roughs of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apolir, me King-Pin of Bowle, 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winch; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes, 294 Dynamite Dany; or, The Bowie Blade of Gochetopa, 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Bully. 816 Old Eelipae, Trump Card of Arizona, 826 The Ten Parday? or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso, 845 Pitilesas Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret. 856 Cool -am and Par“: ov The Terrible Six, 866 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. 886 Captain Cutlass; or, 1 he Brecaneer’s Girl Foe. 896 Rough Rob: or, The Twin Champions of Blue Blazes, 411 The Silken Lasso; or, The Rose of Ranch Robin, 418 Felix Fox, the Boy Spotter. 425 Texas Trump. the Border Rattler, 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. } 445 The City Vampires; or, Red Rolfe 'e Pigeon. 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Felix Fox’s Hnnt, 477 The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washingtom Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Ey ed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night Ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 521 Dodger Dick’« Best Dodge. 528 Fox and Falcon, the Bowery Shadows, 588 Dodger Dick, the Dock Ferret. 548 Dodger Dick’s Double; or, The Rival Boy Detectives, 558 Dodger Dick’s Desperate Case. 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. 578 The Two Shadows. 582 Dodger Dick’s Drop. 594 Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective. 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sherp on Guard. 626 The Champion Pards, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective. 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES, 650 Butterfly Billy, the Pony Rider Detective; or, Byffale Bill’s Boy Pard. By Col. Prentiss Ingtaham. 651 Bound Boy Frank, the Young Amateur Detective, By Wm. G. Patten. 652 Don Barr, the Plains Freelance, By Oll Coomes. 658 Billy Bantam, the Boy Beagle. By T. C. Harbaugh. 654 Deadwood Dick, Jr., Among the Smugglers, By Edward L. Wheeler 655 Plucky Paul, the Boy Speculator. By Charles Morris, 656 Butterfly Billy’s Man Hunt. By Col. P. Ingraham. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. By Lieut. A. K, Sims, 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver; or, The Storm-Waif ot Giant’s Boot, By Jo Pierce. 659 Moonlight Morgan, the * Pizenest ? Man of Ante Bar; or Cibuta John’s Champion Chase. By J. C. Cowdrick. 660 Dendwood Dick Jr's. Insurance Case. By Edward L Wheeler. 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance; or, Banner Ben, the Wildfin.of the Prairies. By Oll Cooma. Ready March 95. 662 Butterfly Billy’s Bonanza; or, The Specter Soldier of the Overland, By Col. F. Ingraham,’ Ready pril 1, A New Issue Every Tuesday- The Half- Dime Library ‘« for sale by all nowsdealers, fire eants per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of six comts ench, y rf BEADLE AND ADAMS, Publishers, 98 William Street, Now Y: