Beadle's Half Dime Library (no. 672) (1890 06 10)
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- -—— ry og ae oF —t ke SS be 2X a MW. ORR =“Fo He oe ——— fnedll lpn! Ved) Tinea! [teal] | al la! Vaal ot Toca Pencdll Excal cad Ice bn . Ee ee ae Sr rss | a | Entered at the Post Office at New York, N. Y., at Second Class Mail Rates. Copyright 1890, by BEADLE AND ADAMS June 10, 1890, $2.60 PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS. Price, PE ae Ss nee ste elsaee No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. Vol. XXV ‘ titi: wy Uj? Yy sii MW © “GATHERED [X.” BY ED. L. WHEELER, AUTHOR oF ‘‘ DEADWOOD DICK” NOVELS, ‘‘ ROSE- BUD ROB” NOVELS, “SIERRA SAM” NOVELS, ETC.,- ETC., ETC, CHAPTER I. DURANGO, DvurRaNnGOo! Who has not heard of it? Blest with the lovely climate of Southern Colo- rado, it yet bears the reputation of being the toughest of tough towns. : Tt numbers, at this writing, about six hundred : residents, to which is to be added a floating pop- = _SSSSSS>S== ulation of a couple of hundred more. = ————— — It has schools, a theater, and churches, yet it is DICK, ELATED, SEIZED THE BAR, WENT BACK TO THE DOOR, AND UNDER HIS SAVAGE the abode of about the hardest lot of citizens of ATTACK THE LOCKS YIELDED.
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Sa } 2 the West, for the true ‘‘ border ruffian,” and gamblers, thieves and bummers abound here in profusion. The adjacent mines yield well, while a big revenue comes from the cattle-ranches of the near valleys and foot-hills. For six months antedating this record of events, the ranchmen had been losing horses and cattle, until it became, for them, an alarming state of affairs. No te to the thieves could be secured, although strenuous efforts were made to run them down. That it was a well-organized gang no one doubted, but where they dis- posed of their plunder was a mystery. A Vigilance Committee finally was formed; private detectives were brought from Denver and the East, but all to no use; nothing could be discovered of the depredators. Suspicion, however, at lehgth fastened on a& woman, or rather, a girl, whose real name was Bella Brennan, but who was known as Calamity Jane, Junior, as she possessed many of the personal characteristics of that once wonderful woman of the West. She dressed like her original, and looked like her. She could ride like a Comanche, could play the sport, and was reckless and fearless at all times, and dangerous when her anger or hate was aroused. This remarkable young woman lived with her aged father, on the outskirts of the town, in a shanty that once had been partially de- stroyed by fire. When the two first came to Durango they were poverty poor; they had no visible means of mpvart, except the few dollars Calamity picked up at the gaming-table. The father was an invalid, yet, after a few months’ residence there, the girl wore dia- monds, and carried a big roll of money, which she took pride in diptarhia at every opportunity. _ ‘Where did she get it?” was the general inquiry. he spent it freely, yet she was never { ** broke. 5 She had been known to sit at a faro table, and come off five hundred dollars loser, yet treated the loss as nothing. When questioned as to where she got her money, she would reply: * None o your business, I got it, and that is enough.’ Suspicion, therefore, against her grew stronger and stronger. Jim Jackson, the sheriff, finally informed her of these suspicions, adding: “Calamity, I’d advise you to own up to the truth, and trust to the leniency of the eople for mercy,” advice at which she aughed. “What care I for the people, or their opinions,” she said. ‘‘ Let them mind their own business, and I will mine.” The bubble began to boil harder. A number of citizens congregated in the White Elephant Saloon, to discuss the situa- tion. **I b’lieve her to be guilty,” declared Mayor Mike Murphy. ** So do 1,” assented Wesley Wyndham, a ranch-owner. **Some action must be taken.” **But, what?” ‘** String her up!” ; ‘* But, we have no positive proof against er.” ‘* What of that? We’ve got our opinions to back us. She’s a sport, anyhow, and the community would be better without her, I eet This man Wyndham was one of the richest dwellers around Durango. Besides his ex- tensive cattle-range, he owned stock in sev- eral mines, and other enterprises, and. had a handsome stone residence in the town. He was haughty and conceited, and was not generally ular, The confab in the White Elephant did not Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. result in the formation of any definite plan of action. It was resolved to let the matter simmer awhile, and see how things would shape. Calamity was not to be molested, but a sur- veillance was to be kept on her every move- ment, A week passed by, with no further cepre- dations by the cattle-thieves, Nor was Calamity detected in any suspi- cious circumstances or act. She roamed about as freely as ever, and spent her money liberally or recklessly. Bella Brennan was a handsome girl, with a faultless form, and eyes dark and flashing. She had suitors by the score, but showed no preference to any of them until Ned Brandon struck the town. It was even reported that she could have made such an eligible match as Wesley Wyndham had she wished; but she decidedly gave him the ‘‘cold shoulder,” and incurred nis enmity thereby. Ned Brandon was a tramp printer, and when he struck Durango, was in pretty bad shape. His boots were worn out, his clothes were ragged, and his hat was a wreck. But, he was a stalwart, handsome young fellow of twenty-four, with a round, smooth, intelligent face, blue eyes, and sunny hair. He had come to Durango, he announced, hoping to get a job on the local newspaper. Calamity at once took a notion to him, and made his acquaintance. **My name is Ned Brandon, and I am last from Leadville. Nearly all of the distance between here and there I have done on foot,” ‘*‘ Have you no money?” ‘No. I have been unfortunatein not get- ting work.” “Do you expect to get any here?” **T hope to.’ ‘* But not in such togs?” Brandon smiled. ‘* They’re the best I've got,” he said. “ That may be, but you won't be able to strike a jobin such duds. Come with me. You're square, and I’ll fix you out.” Brandon always had been proud of his personal appearance, and it was humiliating now in the extreme, to be found clad like a beggar. “You are very kind!” he said, ‘‘ but I should feel much humbled to accept such a favor, even from a friend!” ‘* Have no fears. Iam as much your friend as any one in Durango will be. Come with me,’ He acquiesced and they repaired to a cloth- ing-store, where, at the expense of the girl sport, Ned Brandon was fitted out in a good business suit, together with proper furnish- ing goods. ed's gratitude knew no bounds, and he and Calamity became fast friends, He secured a good job, and, in a short time, was given an interest in the paper he was connected with, and, ere long, became one of the most popular young men in the town. During this time the cattle depredations developed into startling losses, and public opinion, with no apparent good reason therefor, more and more turned against ‘‘ the Brennan girl,” as she was generally termed. CHAPTER II. A CALL UPON BRENNAN. A GENERAL meeting was at length held, to determine what was to be done. The committee agreed that no time was to be lost. Action must be taken at once, Jim Jackson, the sheriff, volunteered to lead a gang to old Brennan’s shanty, and a posse was, accordingly, made up; that com- prised the worst element of the town. The party was formed very quietly, how- ever, and as quietly made for the objective point of their journey, at about the midnight hour. It was a beautiful night, the moon at its full, and all the stars alight with their torches; yet these lawless men, half-crazed with drink, were marching forward to com- mit a revolting crime, the avowed purpose being to hang a young and beautiful woman upon the mere suspicion of her being in wa with the steer buccaneers. he home of the Brennans had once been a large shanty with two ‘‘L’s,” or wings. Both of these had been so injured by fire as to be no longer habitable. The main portion of the building remained intact, with a veranda and a little yard in front. The place was once owned by an old miser named Spicer, who had been murdered for his money, and whose wraith was said to still haunt the premises. After his death, the place stood idle until the Brennans came along and appropriated it to their own use. The night being so pleasant, old Brennan still oceupied his easy-chair upon the veran- da, when the lynching-party approached, He was & man C.ose upon sixty years of age, with long hair and beard that was sil- very white. He had once been of superb strength and stature, but, unfortunately, now was a para- lytic and therefore utterly helpless. Who he was, or where he came from, more than that he claimed his name was Brennan, no one could ascertain. He was cold and repellent in manner, and yet polite in address, using ‘good language, and to all intents, had once been a man of means and influence. When the Vigilantes reached the shanty, Jim Jackson opened the gate and advanced up the little graveled walk. *‘ Hello, Brennan!” he saluted. “‘Good-evening, sir,” returned Brennan. ‘A nice evening.” ** Be-utiful!” replied Jackson. ‘‘ Just & lovely night for a picnic. Couldn’t wish for, a better. You're lookin’ well.” ‘* Perhaps; but appearances are very decep- tive. Iam anything but that.” ** Paralysis no better, eh?” ‘No, and never will be. than you can guess.” *‘No doubt of it. I suppose you some- times wish that you were dead.” “(I have often thought 1 would be better off.” ‘Have you any special preference for the method in which you take your earthly de- parture?” Brennan looked startled. ** What do you mean?” he demanded, A new light began to dawn upon his mind. ‘“In God's name, what do you mean?” he repeated, excitedly. *€ Well,” said Jackson with a brutal laugh, ‘*we knew of your desire to shuffle off into the bright future, and concluded that, as fellow-citizens, it was our duty to lend you any assistance in our power. Our appli- ances are not numerous, but we have a re- liable Taos lariat, and can give you a choice between that and a 86-caliber Smith and Wesson! Now, which do you prefer.” ‘Good God! You do not mean to murder me?” gasped Brennan. “Not if you come to our terms.” ‘* What are they?” ‘That you produce that gal of yours, or inform me where to find her. ‘‘T cannot answer either question. She went off on horseback, early in the evening, as I sat dozing here. Where she went, ex- cept into Durango, I do not know.” ‘€You lie, you old fossil! You know where she is this very moment!” “As God is my judgeI donot, I[never can keep track of her.” ‘That will do to tell the marines, but it don’t go down with us. That gal is a horse and cattle-thief, and we are goin’ to lynch her same as we're goin’ ter lynch you if ye don’t give her up.’ I suffer more
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Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. 3 “Tt is false!’ Brennan cried, furiously. ““My daughter is the soul of honor and honesty.” ‘‘That will have to be proved in the next world,” returned Jackson, brutally. ‘It won’t stand wash here, however. Hevess half of ye attend to gittin’ the rope ready. Yonder is a very good Hak.” “The Lord have mercy on your soulsd” groaned poor, harmless Brennan. ‘‘ Would you attack an innocent and helpless man in this way? Do you call yourselves men?” ‘* Well, I reckon we come pretty near it,” retorted Jackson. ‘‘ Get the. rope ready, boys The other half of you search the house from top to bottom, for Calamity.” The order was obeyed, while Jim Jackson sat down on a stump, lit his pipe, and calmly supervised the proceedings. art of the gang disappeared within the house; the others produced a lariat, and flung it over the limb of a convenient tree, forming a nouse at one end, ‘There, that will do,” said Jackson, re- moving the pipe from his mouth. ‘‘ We will give the old man a few minutes’ respite, while they are looking for the gal. In the mean time you'd better pray, Daddy.” The searchers soon reappeared. Calamity Jane, Jr. was not to be found about the premises. Bill Van Aistine, champion fighter of the gang, reported the result. «*Nary hide nor hair of her. We've been thr’u’ the old tub from top to bottom, but the gal is not to befound, She has got wind of this, and taken a skip—now take my word for it. So ye can do what ye want about the old man.” ‘**Fetch him out here!” commanded Jack- son, removing the pipe from his mouth, ‘‘I want to look at the critter.” Accordingly, Brennan was hauled out of his invalid chair, and literally dragged be- fore Jackson, who quietly rn him over, between whiffs at his pipe, felt of his limbs, and then said: ‘*Played out. If we keep him here after the girls swings, he will be a burden on this glorious community. I am in favor, at all times, of abating public nuisances, as you all know. There’s no more moral city in the United States, since I was made sheriff, and as Durango is, to-day, let her always be. String him: up boys, and may ye all hereby learn a lesson.” CHAPTER III. THE LYNCHING OF BRENNAN, A RUsH was then made toward the tail end of the ng which was seized by many will- ing hands. rennan spoke not a word. His pain- stricken face was nearly as white as his hair. He did not even manible any longer. ‘*Ready!” cried Jackson. old cadaver!” “* Op with the Just then a shot was heard and a bullet’ came whizzing along, passing unpleasantly near to Van Alstine’s ear. The gang hesitated. **Go on!” roared Jackson. ‘‘Up with him! Fasten him and then, scatter!” The order was quickly obeyed, and then, like cayotes of the prairies, the ruffians turn- ed and fled. At this juncture a party of three—two men and Calamity—on horseback, dashed out of the timber, direct for the tree, and poor Brennan was soon relieved of the rope and laid upon the ground. He was not dead, nor, indeed, seriously auiired, but there were slight hopes of his rallying from the shock, owing to his para- lytic condition and feebleness. , He looked up at the rescuers, whom he recognized. “You should have let them finished the job and have done with it!” he said. ‘I’m not going to survive this, and have a few words to say to you two men. Brandon, you first,” Brandon knelt and heard the whispered confession, if such it was. The dying man then motioned to the stran- ger of the party, who was none other than our old-time friend, Deadwood Dick, Junior, To him he confided his dying message, and, in a few minutes, ceased to breathe. Calamity stood over her father, too deeply affected for awhile for speech; then she spoke. ‘You may say that this is the end, but it is not. I’ll make Durango howl for this brutal act!” “Good for you!” cried Ned. ‘‘And I can’t blame you,” added Dick. ‘Take the body into the house aad lay it upon the sofa,” the girl ordered. This was done. The dead body was laid upon the sofa and covered up with a sheet. Then Calamity continued: **You can go now. I shall remain here a while. But before you go, I want to know one thing.” ‘What is it?” both Brandon and Dick asked, in a breath. ‘* What secret did papa whisper in your ears before he died?” ‘*That we are bound not to reveal for the resent,” replied Brandon, ‘‘ but you shall now allin good time. Just now it must re- main a mystery to you.” ‘Very strange,” replied Calamity, ‘‘that you should withhold my father’s dying words from me,” ‘* Weare very sorry,” said Deadwood Dick, ‘but it is essential that we should do so for the present,” ‘* Why so?” ‘We cannot tell you, more than thata certain matter has to be looked into,” ‘When will I know?” ‘*In a few days, possibly.” ‘‘Very well. You can go.” “But are you not afraid to remain all alone in this house?” Ne Certainly not. The dead are past harm- ing any one.” ‘ But the Vigilantes may return,” **Let them! They won't find me, if they do. Now, go!” Dick and Brandon passed from the shanty, leaving the girl sport alone with her dead. She was heard to close and bar the door after them, so the two mounted their horses and rode back into Durango. ‘*She’s a queer character,” Dick observed on the way. ‘*Somewhat out of the ordinary run, but withal, a lady,” declared Branion. ‘* What do you think about what old man Brennan told us—for I suppose it was the same?” ‘*T don’t know what to think,” Dick re- plied. “I wish he had confided the secret to me, alone,” declared Brandon, grimly. ** Why so?” **Because I am afraid— Well, I would rather you had not known it,” and the young man relapsed into a gloomy silence. In the short time in which he had known him, Deadwood Dick had formed two im- pressions of Edward Brandon. The first impression was favorable, but the second was not. And, as to Calamity Jane, Junior, the de- tective was not satisfied in regard to her, by any means. Sometimes he believed her to be the horse and cattie-thief; then, again, he could hardly bring himself to think that one so lovely would engage in such & lawless pursuit, CHAPTER IV. DICK MAKES SOME INQUIRIES, It was approaching morning, when’ Dick and Brandon reached the Durango House, which adjoins the White Elephant Saloon, on Hill street. Here Brandon bade the detective good-by, and set forth for his own lodgings, further up the street. Dick had his horse put away, got @ luncheon at a restaurant, and then entered the hotel, and went to bed. He had _ been in the saddle for nearly twenty-four hours, and naturally felt the need of what one doesn’t often get in Du- rango—rest., ‘** It is a town that never sleeps,” said a re- cent visitor, and he was correct. About one-half of the population appear to be up, night and day. ‘The saloons, the gaming palaces, the dives and dance-hal's never close. Dick slept into the next day—it must have been high noon ere he arose, and went down- stairs. Durango in daylight is not so lively as at night, but witbal is full of life and activity. Herders were driving in stock for ship- ment, on the railway—merchants were bus plying their trades and the whistle’s dlsrick and hissing noise of the steam exhaust from many engines made a sure sign of activity and prosperity. After a hearty dinner, Dick left the Du- rango House, and sauntered into the White Elephant, which, with its big floor surface, its well equipped bar, gaming tables, and gilded ornamentations, ranks equal to any in the West. A big fat German was hammering some Strauss out of a piano that had done enough service to deserve a pension. The detective sat down at one of the tables and ordered a cigar, and picking up a local paper, glanced it over, here was a full account of the lynching of Brennan, and the article ended by stating that, although a second attack had been made on the shanty, Calamity could not be found. The paper also had this: ‘* While public opinion is against her very strong, there is not the slightest proof that she is in league with the thieves. Therefore our citizens should have a little more eare and discretion in dealing with a case like this. It is a matter of life or death, ne if captured, the girl deserves at least a fair **So she does,” muttered Dick, ‘‘ and she sha’n’t get her neck stretched if I can help it, I only intended to stay here a day, but, I’m blamed if I don’t see this thing out if it takes me a year.” Dick had been seated but a few minutes, when an old miner came along, and sat down at the same table. He was white-haired, and roughly but cleanly dressed.” The most disreputable thing about him was the stub of an old clay-pipe which he was smoking. He took a few whiffs at this, and then looked at Dick. ‘* Stranger in town?” he inquired, Tae. ‘* Hear about the lynchin’ of old Brennan last night?” ‘Yes, I witnessed it, at a distance.” ““Thet were an alfired dirty shame, by gosh! Brennan was a good man, and a cripple to boot. Jim Jackson and thet gang o’ cut-throats orter be burned at the stake, and I’d like to witness the ceremony.” ‘“You knew Brennan, then?” ‘* Well, Ireckon. I used to work for him on Sandy Creek sixteen years ago, when times were booming.” a 1. ‘Had he his daughter with him then?” ‘‘No. I never know’d as how he had one, until he all of a sudden turned up here.” “What do you think bout the girl’s being’ a horse-thief?”’ ‘It’s outrageous! Why, she wouldn’t steal a pin, Calamity wouldn’t.” ‘‘Some people who would despise to steal a pin would not hesitate to rob a bank, how- ever, if a favorable opportunity offered.” ‘*Mebbe so, But the girl is honest,”
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| man is about as close-fisted as a Jew. By the way, do you remember of a girl coming “work 10 a _Dick changed the subject. ‘‘Do you reside here?” he asked. “es Yes. »” “Do you know a man named Wesley Wyndham?” * Waal, I reckon.” ** Who and what is he?” ** As to who he is, more’n that he sails une der the name of Wyndham, nobody knows. He’s got a big cattle-ranch down Bear Creek, OWDS an interest in several mines hereabouts, and a town house here in Durango.” “‘Quite a gun, eh?” ** A son-of-a-gun.” ‘He is not popular, then?” “Not much he ain’t!” **Has he any childrén?” ** One.” “Girl or boy?” ‘‘Boy—or ruther,a young man, There he is now,” and the miner pointed to a dark- faced young man, who stood leaning against the bar, engaged in picking his pearly teeth. Walt Wyndam was of about Dick’s own age, and of his build, and but for his raven- black eyes, hair and mustache, and dusky complexion, he would have been a handsome man. The old man added: “When you see ther son you see the father. Walt and his dad are as alike as two peas, ’cept that ther’ is a difference in their ages, of course. The qu’arest thing about the Wyndhams is that they never speak to each other.” “oe No » da “No. Walt has a room in his father’s house, and eats at the same table, but they do not speak.” ‘‘That is singular.” “Mighty singular, Walt makes his living at the faro and poker-tables, and is often brought in contact with his dad. Butno one has ever known them to exchange so much as a word.” “Very strange, indeed.” ‘* Waal, yes; I should say so.” The miner arose to go. “Sit down,” said Dick. have something to drink?” ** Waal, I don’t know but what I will,” the miner replied, returning to his seat. ‘I don’t often drink, but when I do, it’s about this time 0’ day. I'll have a little whisky for mine.” The drinks were ordered and dispatched. Then, Deadwood Dick observed: **I should like to know more concerning these Wyndhams, I presume you can give me some points.” ‘* Waal, I dunno, I know precious little about ’em more’n I’ve told you. What do you want to know?” «‘ Wyndham has no wife, I take it?” “None that I know of. He hasn’t any here in Durango, at any rate.” *“No daughter you say?” “ec ” - ‘Won't you «Who does the housework?” *‘A servant, when they have one. Some- times they have one and sometimes they haven’t. When they haven't, I opine the housework does itself.” ‘Servants don’t stay very long,eh?” ** No, they don’t appear to.” ** Have they got one, now?” ** Yes,” ** A man or woman?” “A man—a pig-tail, named Lung Sing. |He used to keep a laundry, but gave that up, |to go to work for Wyndham.” ‘Humph! he must get pretty good wages, **T shouldn’t wonder, for his laundry was ‘doing a rattling business. He wouldn't be | EA to give it up unless he is getting a good ‘thing of Wyndham.” No, it don’t look that way. A China- pee of veal ‘i r Wyndham, about two months Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. ago—a pretty-faced, but poorly-clad girl, of seventeen or eighteen years?” “Right well. Her name was Ethel Bly.” ‘*That’s the one.” ‘* Yes, I remember her. I was workin’ for Wyndham at the time, fixin’ up his garden, and one day she brought me out a bowl of milk to drink. She was a darnation fine lit- tle lady, you bet—dratted sight too much so to work for old Wyndham,”’ ‘* What became of her?” “T dunno. I’ve been sort of curious about it myself.” ‘Why so?” ‘“’Cause I didn’t see her go. I was workin’ about the premises from daylight till dark, and I didn’t see her leave. Then, there’s an- other coincidence that set me to thinking,” “‘What was that?” ‘* Well, Ill tell you. Just h’ist some more old whisky this way, bartender, My machinery needs more ile.” Drinks were produced, and the miner, who gave his name as Scott, proceeded with his story. CHAPTER Y. A SHOT IN THE BACK. “You see,” began Scott, ‘‘ the Wyndhams were seldom home, except at mealtime, and there wasn’t much for a housekeeper to do, So when she got her chores done, Ethel used to come out, and watch me work. “‘She was a cheery young creature, inno- cent of guile or affectation, and she told me of her humble home in Denver, and of her invalid mother, and lots else besides. ‘‘One day she said: ‘To-morrow is the drawing, I hope I’m lucky.’” pai What drawing?’ I asked her. ‘«* The Louisiana lottery. I have a ticket!’ she replied. ‘*T laughed at her, as a matter of course. I had known so many to sink their money in that concern, that I could not do otherwise than laugh. ‘*** Your ticket ain’t worth a blade of grass, my child,’ I said. ‘You've simply thrown your money away.’ ‘“*Mr, Wyndham says I may draw some- thing,’ she said, ‘and if do he will help me to collect it. Oh! if I only could draw a fortune, jus: for mamma’s sake.’ . . “That is the last 1 had a chance to speak to her, for several days, although [ could see her flitting about the kitchen. Every even- ing at sunset, she used to steal out, and hurry down fo the post-office, to see if there was any mail for her. “T used to pity her, when J’d see her re- turning with a look of disappointment on her face, and I felt for her as much as if she were my own child.” . Here the old man paused, to wipe a tear from his eye. ‘* Scott, you have got a good heart in you,” Dick observed, ‘‘and I am glad to have met you. But go on with your story.” ‘* Well,” pursued Scott, ‘‘ one evening I saw her come hurrying toward the house, her face lit up as glorious as the sunset, and her eyes sparkling like diamonds. “*T’ve got it! I’ve got it!’ she cried, flourishing a slip of paper, or rather a sheet of paper in the air, as she approached where I was working. ***Got what?’ I demanded, although I knew there must be something up, to make her so excited. ‘ “**My fortune!’ she cried. ‘My ticket, number 10240, has won ten thousand dollars. See! here is the list of winners, and my number is among them!’ “I took the list and examined it. True enough the number i0240 was down as hav- ing drawn ten thousand dollars. “You are in luck,’ I said, ‘and I am glad of it. But, where is your ticket?” ‘**Oh! that is put away in a safe place,’ andshedanced aways aoe raed kt p es is ‘ thick sb “A oe a Re ite iy ; ‘ patie wading? ‘tg ne aa ’ wf .* if A ) als ® i mu Here the old man stopped, to refill his pipe. ‘¢ Well, what came of. it?” Dick asked, a trifle impatiently. ; ‘‘That’s what I do not know, I never saw Ethel Bly after she entered the house that evening.” ‘*Ah! foul play, I'll wager,” declared Dick. : ‘‘l’ye had my suspicions that way,” re- plied Scott, with a sage nod of the head. ‘*] worked in the front grounds for Wynd- ham, for a week after that, but no Ethel left them during daylight hours, and I'll swear to it.” ‘‘Who was the successor of Ethel as Wyndham’s housekeeper?” ‘*A big fat nigger wench, named Hannah. She came the next morning after Ethel’s dis- appearance,” ‘* How long did she stay?” ** Only a week.” ‘‘ Who came next?” ‘*A Frenchwoman, but she didn’t stay long. A German woman tried it next, but she didn't stand it any longer than the rest. Finally, Wyndham caught onto the Chinaman, and he appears to stick.” ‘‘Do you kuow where either the wench, or the other two women live?” ‘‘Neither the French or German woman belonged in Durango, and have gone away. Old Hannah, the wench, lives over on the back side of the town in an old hut. ‘‘Could you guide me to the place?” “ Well, I reckon. I’m not doing anythin at present, and am open/for’most any sort 0 a job.” UV eby well. I am not ready to go yet, but you be around here and | will find you when I want you. I must have time for reflection. I have got hold of an important case, or, more properly vat two of them, and I reckon l’ve got a full hand, on a pair,” “You are a detective, I allow?” queried Scott. “6 Yes.” Dick relapsed sauntered away. Walt Wyndham had keenly watched the two men during their conversation, although he could not overhear a word that was ut- tered. When Scott had gone, Wyndham walked over to where Dick was seated. : ‘*Can | have a few words of conversation with you?” he asked. His voice did not have the most agreeable ring. FYou will have to excuse me for the pres- ent,” Dick returned, ‘‘as I am preoccupied with plans of a business nature, Some other time will do as well, I dar? say.” - Wyndham made no reply, but turned haughtily away, evidently not liking the re- fusal. “T wonder what he could have wanted of me?’ Dick mused, gazing after the youn man. ‘‘Can he be concerned in the plot, i a plot there is? More than likely. There is something wicked in that dark face, if I am not mistaken. Well, Mr. Walt Wyndham, it won’t do any harm to be on my guard against you, anyhow.” It was now mid-afternoon, the sun was into silence, and Scott shining warmly and the sky was of an azure ~ biue. The air was mild but oly gy ‘It is one of Nature’s happy days,” Dick said to himself. ‘‘1 think I'll take a gallop, and see if I can’t get my wits about me.” So he ordered his horse, and mounting, set forth. He attracted considerable attention as he rode through the town. Few men had his cool and fearless grace in the saddle. He seemed born to it. ; Taking the Leadville trail to the north, he rode along abacus some of the most pic- turesque scenery the eye of an artist could crave for. — + lire: cakes “A hel oA re Sah Wg rs ait ate, A ten ha A es Ait Baek 2 OaLA VS Ge
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' was the reply. portion of my side!” Deadwood, Dick Jr., in Durango, grassy slopes to the left; over all, the golden sunlight was gently streaming. There was a dreamy haze upon the eastern horizon; a breath of perfumed air drifted’ down the mountain-side; an eagle soared out from its aerial nest, and seemed to make straight for a white-capped cloud that was sailing across the heavens. Far away down the slope herds of cattle were grazing—Wyndham’s, Dick presumed, since he was the biggest cattle-raiser in the region. n vain did the detective endeavor to get his thoughts concentrated on the work before him, so when less than two miles from town he dismounted, turned his horse loose to graze, and threw himself upon the grass, and Jay there, pondering, for several hours. “One Ethel Bly, of Denver,’’ he mused, *‘invested five dollars in a lottery. Circum- stances forced her to come here to work for old Wyndham. The ticket'10240 drew ten thousand dollars, Ethel disappeared imme- diately after the news of her luck arrived. **So far so good. Wyndham was’to assist her in cashing the prize. If Iam not mis- taken, he has assisted in her disappearance, but pocketed the whole boodle, for the ticket was cashed to his order in New Orleans.” “Then you can bet he’s got the boodle, sure as fate.” Dick looked around with a start. Just behind him stood no less a personage than Calamity Jane, Junior. © ~ ‘** You here!” Dick ejaculated. “Well, yes, I sorter appear to be,” was the reply. ‘‘I heard you mumbling to your- self, so I thought I’d float down and. see What you was up toanyhow. Are you re- hearsing a Shakespearian drama, or practic- ing for the grand opera, may I ask?” ‘‘Well, neither,” replied Dick, ‘I am not particularly theatrically inclined. But, what are you doing here?” ‘‘ Skylarking, as usual, and laying fora corpse!” ‘A corpse?” echoed Dick. *‘ Yes, or rather for a chance to make one,” **Ah! I see. You are on the war-path, eh 9? ° . ad “Yes, I am/” exclaimed Calamity, grim- ly, as she seated herself on the grass near the sport detective. ‘I’ve taken my oath to kill every man who had anytning to do with the lynching of my father.. I know them all, and have got them marked, It may take me some little time to fetch them all, but, one by oneI shall gather them in.” ‘Look out that you do not get gathered in first,” warned Richard. “If. you fall into the power of the Vigilantes now, they will make short work of you.” Calamity laughed. ‘They haven’t got me yet, nor are they likely to. Be I cattle queen or cattle-thief? ‘Um ten per cent. too fly for any of the cum- mon herd that hangs out around Durango, and don’t you forget it!” ‘T believe you there,” Dick had to admit. “How is the feeling toward me in the town?” Dick was about to reply, when the report of a rifle rung out sharp and clear. Dick immediately put his hand to his back. “I’m shot!” he exclaimed in a low voice. CHAPTER VI. BRANDON SHOWS HIS TEETH. Drox’s announcement that he was shot, . caused Calamity to spring to her feet. The shot evidently came from the belt of woodland, directly back of where they were sitting. Dick was on his feet nearly as quick as she was, “It’s nothing serious, I think,” he. de- clared. ‘*The bullet only grazed the fleshy “‘T’d like to know who fired that shot!” a ‘boot, with large round-headed nails in the ‘and the soil was damp. Huge mountains to the right, rugged but said Calamity. “I'd very quick fix him, so that he wouldn’t fire another.” “‘T reckon I can guess!” ** Who?” ** Your lover.” + .- Calamity laughed heartily. ‘* My lover!”’ she echoed. own such anarticle.” “Oh yes you do, and his name is Ned Brandon.” x “Well, if eis my lover, it’s the first I knew of it. What put such an idea into your head?” ‘* Because he has so told me, and has like- wise warned me to keep away from you.” “‘Well, I must say he has got lots of as- surance. Because I picked him up, a tramp, and gave him a lift,in the world, I suppose. | he thinks he owis me.” ‘‘He has given me piainly to understand that he is going to marry you, and he don’t propose to permit. any outside interference!” replied Dick, with a laugh. “*Tt takes two to make a bargain like that,” remarked Calamity. ‘‘ Wait ’til I see my gentle chappie, and I will endeavor to convince him that he has made a mistake. Let’s make a search in the timber.” Which they did, and a thorough search it was, but they failed to discover the person who.fired the shot. Just as they were leaving the wood, Ca- lamity stopped short, and gazed down at the ground—at a spot where there was no grass, “Why, I don’t Here was a footprint—that of a man’s bottom of it. ‘“Humph!’ she said, ‘‘I reckon I recog- nize that track!” “Whose is it?” ‘‘Ned Brandon’s. It was indeed he who shot at you, as you suspected.” ‘*] was right, then?” ‘Yes. I bought the boots for Brandon, and saw him drive the tacks into the soles and heels.. He has been here, and that, too, recently, for that footprint is newly made.” “It looks so. Failing to kill me with the first shot, he probably took to his heels and skipped.” ‘‘ That’s about the size of it. The coward- ly scoundrel! I never suspected him of be- ing such a villain as this, or I never would have done what I have for him. Just wait, till I get hold of him, and I'll make him think the Fourth of July is Christmas.” “Yes, and wait till J get hold of him,” Dick added, grimly. ‘‘I’ll make him think worse than that. I reckon I'll meander back to Durango now, where I[ have some business to attend to.” ‘‘Well, so long. Good luck to you. If any of the Durango devils try to impose on you, why, knock ’em on the head—and [ reckon you’re the sport whocan doit, And if any one inquires after the state of my health, tell’em I’m lovely, and flourishing like a sunflower.” ‘All right; I will. you again?” ** Yes, and probably when least expected.” They separated, Dick mounting his horse, and riding away toward Durango. Calamity, however, did not immediately leave the vicinity, but threw herself on the grate, in a half-reclining position, and gazed own into the valley, where the herds were peacefully grazing. ‘* What strange fatality has thrown me in contact with this stranger?” she murmured, “‘and what will be the result? He is a de- tective andlaman outlaw. Before he came, | Ned Brandon looked fair to my gaze, but he neces oe I suppose I will see | pales into insignificance compared with this dashing stranger. “‘Then, too, Brandon’s ‘cowardly act for- ever sets me against him!” “It does, hey?” And lo and behold, Ned Brandon stepped before her! In one hand he carried a rifle. “Yes, it does,” cried Calamity, not mov- ing. ‘‘ You have forfeited all respect I ever had for you, by your cowardly act!” «What act?’ - “Attempting to shoot Deadwood Dick, when his back was turned to you.” ‘* You surprise me!” **Oh, do 1?” “Yes; I have not shot at him, or at any one or at anything, to-day.” ‘You lie!” cried Calamity. ‘It was vou who shot at Deadwood Dick. You need not deny it, for 1 know it. You need not be jealous of him, either, for you are nothing to me! Nor more is he, Don’t think be- | cause when you came here, a tramp, and I helped you out, that I’m in love with you for Lam not / ‘You had. the nerve to tell Deadwood Dick that you were going to marry me. Before you do, I reckon I will have something to say about that!” ; “Calamity, you do me great injustice. You know [ love you truly, and would be your very siave, to possess you. Ihave come here to lay my heart at your feet—” ‘*Don’t!” replied ‘the strange woman, ‘for my feet are sore now!” “Ah! you ridicule my affections, do you? Well, so be it! You will regret it when too late. You have enemies enough now. I shouldn’t think you would want to make any more.” | ‘A fig for my enemies!” replied the girl. ‘Who are they? Nothing but a lot of ruf- fians. I'll clean the whole of them out be- fore i'm through with them, and don’t you forget it.” And rising, she walked away, Brandon made no attempt to follow her. CHAPTER VII. UNCOILING THE ROPE THAT WAS TO HANG 2 WYNDHAM. Tue residence of Wesley Wyndham was one of the handsomest in Durango. It was built of stone, in modern style, and had several ‘‘ L’s ” and wings. It backed square up against a towerin bluff, which overlooked it, and it command- ed an uninterrupted view of the town, . A spacious lawn sloped down in front, and there were garden patches on either side. Within, the hand of good workmanship was visible everywhere. The woodwork, the painting and the paper- bes, Ce reflected good taste, he carpets were of the best quality, and the furniture of the newest designs. In fact, it was like the home of a man of liberal means. Rare pictures, costly brie-a-brae, elegant rugs—everything that a person could wish for was here. . f It was night. ‘Wyndham sat in his easy- chair before the fire in the parlor. A roar- ing fire blazed in the fireplace, so no lamp had been lit. Walt Wyndham his son lay upon the sofa stretched out at full length reading a novel.. Not a word passed between father and son, A strange pair were they, surely. The door opened, and the Chinaman brought in a glass of wine to the elder Wyndham. “You can bring mein a drink, too, John,” said Walt Wyndham, ‘‘only make mine @ bottle. I’m out of sorts, to-night.” For the first time, maybe, in a year or years, the elder Wyndham spoke up. “Were you ever in sorts?” he demanded, he ‘growlingly. ‘Well, I don’t distinctly remember,” the young man replied, with a yawn, ‘‘ Possibly not, as it does not run in the breed.” ? ‘How is it you are hometo-night?” _—_- “That's a silly question for you to ask!” ‘“Why so?” - ‘Because you know I never trouble you with my presence when I’ve got money a ww a Seat ape %
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6 enough to buy a stack of chips. _ I’m waiting for you to produce.” **Got roped in again, eh?” “You bet—cleaned out slick as a whistle, and a good deal slicker!” **Serves you right.” _ _ “Now, that is consoling of you, hy Jove! But, I say, governor, ain’t it about time for . you to produce? It’s about time the games “' Were opening up, and I don’t want to lose Beas, | my chair.” “To the devil with your chair,” growled 4 : the elder. ‘‘I’m getting tired of this constant ; demand for money!” ‘I know it is rather hard,” replied Walt, “* but everything considered, I think you are getting off mighty cheap!” “*Oh! you do, eh?” ‘Certainly. It’s lucky for you you have so lenient a persou as your son to deal with, Ph An old reprobate, like you, can well afford to disgorge a dollar or two, now and then, in order to havo his secrets kept, and a son’s protection.” Wesley Wyndham made no reply, just then, for Lung Sing entered with Walter’s ‘wine, and placed is upon a stand beside him. The young gambler disdained the use of a glass, for, it mene only a pint bottle of sherry, he gulped down the contents, without stopping. hen he had finished, and sunk back upon the couch, the elder Windham demanded: ‘“‘How much money do you want? I would be alone, to-night, for I have a great dea) to think of.” “Yes, I should think you would have,” replied the dutiful son, witha yawn. ‘* Well, Iam going to break the bank to-night and it will take about two hundred dollars to do it with. Give me say, two-fifty.” “T'll give you a hundred, and not a penn more,” declared the elder Wyndham, and, he | going to his safe, he opened it, took out some pes? money, and returned. p ** Here’s your money,” he said, ‘‘ Take it, and begone!” ‘‘ All right, my noble sire! 1 am deeply indebted to jy I'll go and buy a stack of chips, put them on the king, and if I win, I'll come home and curl your hair, while you dream over the sad, sad past, and your bad, bad deeds. See you later, when I’m broke, ‘Ta! ta!” al And Walter left the room. he “Curse that boy!” the father hissed. Peed)" S **Now that he has got the bulge on me, he is ‘dey ushing me to the Bk are not refuse him, for if I did, he would tae give me dead away. I could well wish him Reo six feet under the ground. My only hold is to fee him, until I can see an opportunity to shake him off my hands. Then I’!l do it!” Just then Lung Sing came like a shadow into the room. **’Melican man want to see you!” he said with a . *’"Melican gentleman, you idiot! Do you Jf a niggers or you heathen come to visit 7 me Mid , Chinee man much better "Melican man,” Tetorted the servant. ** Well, go show the man ia,” Lung Sing vanished, to return soon, escorting into the presence of Wesley Wynd- ham Deadwood Dick, Junior. “Mr. Wyndham, I presume,” Dick queried, helping himself to a seat. | “Iam,” was the reply. ‘‘ Who are you, may I ask?” _ “*My name is Bristol.” **T do not know you!” # Very likely, as I have only lately arrived ae * «What is your business with me?” _/T came ‘to inquire about a friend of ay e. -. “Yest Well, what have I to do with it?” “She was employed by you as a do- | \tmnestic.” * 4 “Hernamet” =| Seed ay round. He knows I} ay we Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango, gree a RE TT LE ERS ESC AIS TES OE TE a IT LS Ate NN ARATE Fone vem se YN ** Ethel Bly!” Wyndham started. **What are you to her?” Wyndham de- manded. ‘‘That is my business,” was the retort. “The girl came here to work, and has not I would like been seen or heard from since. to know where she is,” ‘You will have to ask some one who knows!” replied Wyndham, haughtily. ** She didn’t suit me, and I discharged immediately afterward. Where di to, with all this big sum of real money?” *‘Don’t ask me. she disappeared.” ‘* She never left this house!” ‘** You lie, you hound!” ‘* You are the hound who lies!” replied Dick. ‘Now, look here, Wyndham: give me that girland her money, or I am goin to make you trouble. I am an officer, an fully qualified to carry out all I promise. Your record here is not an unblemished one, so you had better let Joose of bull’s horns, and say, ‘I give in.’ Don’t you think so?” ‘‘I give in to nothing!” snarled: Wynd- ham, ‘‘The last I saw of Ethel Bly was when she left my house, with her fortune in her pocket. she at once returned to Denver.” ‘That will do to tell those who will be- lieve it! which Ido not.” ‘* What difference is it to you, whether she went to Denver or to Halifax?” “A difference of ten thousand dollars. I am going to find that girl, or lock you up.” Wyndham laughed, and a disagreeable laugh it was, tco. ‘‘Lock me up!” he ejaculated. ‘* Why, my son, I own half of this town! You're ou think to intimidate me. About the likeliest thing barking up the wrong tree when you can do is to make tracks toward the rising sun.” «' Not yet!” demurred Dick. ‘“Ireckon I’m good here, for a short time longer—at least until I find Ethel Bly and her fortune. You had better own up, Wyndham, and make a clean breast of it. There’s no use of your trying to dodge around the bush! But, have your way to-night. Ill see you later. Ta- ta!” and the detective,_now satisfied in his own mind, that Ethel Bly had either been ut out of the way or was a prisoner in yhdham’s house, returned to his room and went to bed. He arose at an early hour, and went down to the office, where he met Scott. ** Just the man I’ve been lookin’ for,” the miner announced. “Why 60?” Dick asked. ‘* Well, I ruther took a fancy to you yes- terday, and sez I: ‘If I can do him a good turn, I will.’ SoI dropped around and paid old Hannah a call.” “‘Yes? Well, what did you learn?” ‘‘Not much, but she knows something about Ethel.” f A **Think so?” ‘‘I know it. But she is a sly old fox, and it takes money to loosen hertongue. She would tell me nothing, but intimated that if you were to come around with some boodle, she would talk.” “Then she won’t talk without money, eh?’ ; ‘‘No. She has a pretty hard row to hoe to make a living, and one can’t blame her if she does want to make a dollar.” ‘*Well, there is something in that, to be sure,” Dick admitted. ‘‘1 will go and see her after awhile. I doubt if she can give me much information.” — “‘T am sure she can.” ‘Well, ali right, We will try her after awhile.” “ Have you heard of the new sensation?” asked Scott, ‘ { her.” **Yet, yoa drew ten thousand dollars for her, from New Orleans, ard she disappeared she go It was paid to her and nowing the ticket to be good, I advanced her the money on it, and ‘ham’s house.” ‘*No. Iam just out of bed.” ‘* Why, Calamity has placarded the town, announcing that she will be the death of every man who had anything to do with the lynching of her father. She’s a tigress when she’s off, and I reckon some of the boys will bite the dust shortly.” ‘‘No doubt of it. She is a plucky girl, and what she says goes. She told me she would lay for vengeance, and I reckon she will ae her word. By the way, have you seen Ned Brandon around this morning?” ‘*No, I haven’t seen him since yesterday.” The two had breakfast together, and then fae started for Hannah’s hut, which was on the a northern outskirts of the town. } It was a rickety old shanty, which might Ay have been the first built in Durango. . Hannah sat in front of the door, peeling some potatoes, when Dick and Scott ar- rived. ‘*Hello, Han! I see you still eat!” Scott cried. “Deed, I does, when there’s anne eat. When there ain’t I goes without like odder folks.” ‘‘ Well, Hannah, here’s the gent I was telling you about. You open your mouth now, and tell what you know, and he will. make it worth your while.” | Hannah surveyed Dick critically. She was big and fat, black as the ace of spades, She had a sharp eye, however, and a thor- re oughly business look. A ~ © Well, what d’ye want?” she demanded. = ‘*T want to know what you know about Wyndham’s house, and Ethel Bly,” respond- ed Dick. ‘‘ Here’s a ten-dollar note to un- loosen your tongue.” The negress seized the note greedily. ‘‘Dat’s de fu’st ten dollars I've seen in a i} dog’s age,” she confessed. ‘‘ When my old man was alive, we used to scrape up one occasionally, but that am a good while ago.” ‘‘ Never mind your old man,” replied Dick. ‘‘He’s nothing to do with the case what- ever.” ; «« What case, sah?” , ‘* That of Ethel Bly.” ‘Dat was de young woman who worked for Wyndham ahead of me?” “The same. What did you learn con- cerning her, while you were in Wyndham’s employ?” ‘* Nothing.” ‘Don’t lie to me!” I nebber tells nuffin’ but de ‘Sure, not, truth.” “Did you have access to all of the rooms of the house?” . “No, sab, 1 didn’t, The only partob de house dat dey would let me in was Mr. Wal- ter's room, and old Wyndham’s—dat is ’cept- in’ de lower floor where I had full sway.” - “Why did you leave Wyndham’s?” ae “Cause I got de sack. He said I was ( nosin’ around too much, So I packed up my kit and left.” % **Did you observe anything that struck — you as being singular, while you were — there?” : fy “Well, yes, I reckons I did.” Ne ** What?” ; Ba Gre: ‘* Well, de only ones in de house toserve meals for, was old Wyndham and his son, ‘ceptin’ me, yet I had to cook meals for three. De third meal old Wyndham took _ charge of!” ; ee “That settles it,” Dick said, turning to Scott. ‘‘Ethel Bly isa prisoner in Wynd- “IT reckon you are right!” **T am sure of it.” ' *« Well, what’s to be done?” - ‘s ‘We must gain access to the house an@ search it.” \ ee * Rather rae te “Why so? The Wyndbams home inthe daytime.” ef ot are n Rete
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Ye ” — iat - pried ih oes “‘There is no certainty about that. They are liable to be home at any time,” said Scott. *‘T don’t think there is much fear of their being home, now,” opined Dick. ‘‘Do you know the Chinese servant?” “‘T’ve seen him. I’m not fond of the galoots, so I never made his acquaintance.” ‘‘ Well, come along. I’M go through that ee if it costs me a fight. am well satis- ed that Ethel Bly never left that house after she received the report from the lottery. I am furthermore satisfied that Wyndham ap- Pe her fortune, and if-he has not illed her, outright, that he has shut her up until he can get rid of her secretly.” ‘‘ Well, I am with you,” declared Scott. “‘T rather kitten to you, for you seem to be a purty square sort of a feller. I'd like to find out what’s become of the gal, as well as ou. But, it is purty early yet. Wyndham is not an early riser, Hadn't we better go back into town, and wait till a little later?” ‘*Maybe you are right,” Dick assented, ‘** We will go back and wait awhile,” CHAPTER VIII. THE VAIN SEARCH. So they left old Hannah's, and walked back into town—Dick proceeding to his room, where he sat and pondered, for some time. Then he was aroused by a rap at the door. Dick arose and opened it. ‘Mr. Walter Wyndham wants to know if he can see you, sir,” said a servant, ‘Show him up!” replied Dick. “T wonder what the scalawag wants of me,” he mused. ‘‘If he wants a fuss I will ive him all the chance he can wish—with a fittle to spare!” Young Wyndham entered. The dark, sullen look was on his face, and he had the same haughty bearing as when the detective first saw him. ‘‘T presume you are somewhat puzzled, at my call?” he remarked, ‘considering that we are strangers.” ‘Tt would be but natural that I should be,” Dick replied. Wyndham helped himself to a seat. «‘7’m an abrupt sort of a fellow,” he went on—‘‘ perhaps too much so. I would like to know what brought you to Durango?” ‘* A horse,” replied Dick. “‘T mean what was your object in coming here?” } ‘I came here in search of a young lady, who was in your father’s employ, as a do- mestic.” “‘ Have you found her?” * No." ‘* Well, you find her, and I will give you a hundred dollars.” “You will?” eae eo Pa ** Are you interested in the girl, so particu- larly?” ‘Yes. It was a case of love at first sight. The affection was mutual, and honorable.” ‘‘ Well,” assumed the detective, ‘‘it seems to me you ought to know something about what became of her.” , “But I don’t, She disappeared immedi- ately after she got the news of her luck in the lottery.” _ “ Your father had the ticket?” “Yes, he got it cashed, I reckon, and put the money in his own pocket.” _. ** That’s ny idea.” “The old man is a rascal, if I do have to Bay. it, and is liable to do almost then ea) one you think he has got Ethel locked Not in the house, for I have searched that high and low. It beats me where she can be. You are a detective?” Pee a Ste _ “T thought so. Now, you go to work and find Ethel, and I will be your friend for Seed ee ee eee a a SN it Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. life. I will give you any assistance in my power, and pay you well besides.” “To find the girl is what I’m here for,” Dick admitted. ‘‘I shall try to find her. I take it for granted that you and your father are not on the best of terms.” “‘Well, no!” Walt replied, with a shrug of the shoulders. ‘** Where is the old man now?” **T don’t know. If he has left the house, I reckon he is around the town some- wheres.” ‘*Go and take a little skirmish,” suggested Dick, ‘‘ and see if you can locate him. If he is not at home, want to examine the house.” **You will find nothing.” ‘That may be, but, again, it may not be. I may find a clew where you would least ex- pect one.” ‘‘ Allright. I will go and see!” and Walt left the room. ‘‘I was somewhat mistaken in that fel- low,” muttered Dick. ‘‘ He pans out better than 1 had any idea he would, Maybe he will prove a useful accessory after all.” It was nearly an hour ere Walter returned. “It is all right!” he announced. ‘The old man has gone out to the mines, and won't be back for a number of hours, as he has to pay off the men to-day; so now is your chance to go through the house.” “Then let us go,” urged Dick, ‘There will be no trouble with the Chinese servant?” ‘Not the least. He and I stand on pretty good terms.” ; They at once set forth for the Wyndham residence, ‘TI don’t think you will find much out of this,” said Walt. L “If Ethel Bly is about the premises I am going to find her.” ‘But, man, I know she is not in the house!” — ** Maybe not. lar?” ‘‘No she ain’tin the cellar. I’ve given the whole premises a good search, and found not the slightest trace of her. She has van- ished completely.” Walter had a pass-key and was therefore able to gain admission without ringing up the servant. They entered, and Walter guided the detective all through it, from top to bot-. tom, but, no clew to the whereabouts of Ethel Bly was obtained. The room she had occupied was vacant, the bed neatly made. “Did she have any luggage, when she came here?” Dick asked. “I think no trunk,” replied Walt. ‘‘ She was evidently pretty hard up. The old man wouldn’t have taken her only that he got her cheap.” ** You seem to have no high opinion of his good qualities.” “‘Just so. Wehave been enemies, strange to say, since I was a youth, for he has not one lovable quality.” ‘‘Enemies? That is singular. How did that break occur?” ‘‘T was my mother’s boy and for that he seemed to dislike and mistrust me, so I re- sented his usage and always shall.” ‘«Let’s take a look into the cellar,” Dick now further suggested. “You won't find anything there,” Walter assured; but to the cellar they went, and Lung Sing, now on hand, followed with a lamp. The cellar was a large one, covering the space of the whole floor area. There was nothing in it in particular, ex- cept a few barrels and boxes that had been Perhaps she is in the cel- there for some time. ‘Well, Idon’t see that there is anything to be gained here,” Dick conceded. “I told you so,” replied Walt. ‘‘ What- ever has become of Ethel, she certainly is not around these premises.” , **T don’t and won’t believe it!” replied Dick. ‘‘She must be here somewhere, be- cause she was never seen to leave the place.” ** Who told you this?” ‘Scott, the old miner.” * Well, he ought to know, for ke was here at the time of her disappearance.” Nothing came of the search, so they went back into town, and dropped in at the White Elephant. here was great excitement. A man named Morgan had just been brought in from the street, dead—stabbed through the heart. He was one of those who had assisted in the lynching of old Brennan. When found, a paper was fastened to his coat, containing the following manifesto: ** NoticE:—This is Case Number One. The others who had a handin the iynching of my father will follow, one by one, until they are all gathered in, Such will be the vengeance of Belle Brennan, a/tas, * CaLAMITY JANE, JR.”’ As may be imagined, this set every one in a fever of excitement. Morgan had been one of the deputies of Jim Jackson, the sheriff, and was quite, popu- lar among the rougher element, being a clever pugilist and a successful gambler. hen in luck, he was free with his money, and all the bummers who frequented the White Elephant, were welcome to drink at his expense, *“Vll give five hundred dollars reward, out of my own pocket, for the capture of that girl!” announced Mayor Mike Murphy. ** She’s been a curse to our blooming com- munity long enough.” “So say I!” cried Jim Jackson. ‘Here lies one of our worthy citizens, cut down in the prime of his life, with a family de- endent on him for their daily bread. Now, y that power vested in me as sheriff of this county, | offer a reward of five hundred dol- lars more, for the capture of this bold and audacious girl,” i “TI reckon you had better kee your five hundred!” spoke up Deadwood hex, “ for you won’t catch her, She’s altogether too fly for you. I have seen her and had a talk with her, and she means business!” ‘* How, business?” “Every man who had anything to do with the lynching of old Brennan, is doomed.” ‘Bah! Who are you, that you know so much?” demanded Jackson. “It don’t matter whol am. I am simply apprisiag you of the fact that, if you had any- thing to do with the lynching of Brennan, you had better make your will Every man is marked.” ** You'll get marked if you don’t look out,” Jackson thundered. ‘I allow it is my duty as a guardian of the peace, to demand to know what brings you to this town, any- how?” ‘*That is none of your business, in the least, sir. If you have any objections to my staying here, make them manifest and will hold therm under consideration. You are a county officer, and a fine specimen, You might take a prize, providing it was not a good year for the boss pumpkin. I am a United States officer, and t propose to stay in Durango as long as 1 have reason to. If you'd like, examine my badge, and satisfy recep that it is not always advisable to uck your head against a hard rock. You are liable to hurt your head.” Jackson examined the badge. ‘‘ Well, I guess that is all right,” he said, ‘But, you were so fresh that I didn’t know what to make of you. Some hard characters wander into this town, and, as a guardian of the watch for them.” F “You are a healthy old guardian of the peace!” retorted Dick. ‘ie ‘“ Why not—what d’ye mean?” — ‘It’s a nice guardian of the peace that will lynch a helpless old cripple!” i } F rs Ses rol Mei as ie alee. oa i. ONS Ta rg ae , 2 , I have to be constantly on the Me Br, % J y un 4 z .
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pce Soci ae ie ase **That’s nore of your cursed business, me ‘ Jarky,” snaried Jackson. ‘‘The old cuss “needed all he got.” **And you will get the same dose, take my word for it,” replied Dick, ‘‘ You've got a girl’ after you now, that ain’t no angel, and you can. bet on it,” * You seem to take a mighty sight of in- “terest in her!” growled Jackson. “Soldo. [think she has been outrage- ously imposed upon.” ‘You do?” *T certainly do. You murdered her father, and-I wouldn’t blame her if she slaughtered every mother’s son of you, and if needs be, P’'d just as lieve take a hand in it, myself)” This created a sensation. Few men would bave dared venture such a remark in the White Elephant, the scene of many a shocking tragedy; but Dick Bristol did, to the surprise of every man present. ~ Jim Jackson, blusterer that he was, like “all such was an arrant coward, and not to _ Dick's surprise, the blusterer walked away “as if to recuperate at some other bar. Mayor Mike Murphy was not noted for ~yalliant deeds, and he followed. ~ Without a leader, a crowd is nowhere, and 80 the whole gang dispersed; whereat. Dick ‘‘smoled a smile” that ended in a hearty laugh. . ' “{ wouldn’t have believed it, had I not seen it!” said Walt Wyndham. man never came to Durango before, who could bluff down a crowd like that.” ; “No? Why, there was no bluff about it. “I meant business, and { reckon they were “aware of that fact.” ‘‘Blame me if you haven't got pluck, I thought I had some, but you knock me all to pieces,” Just then Ned Brandon came rushing into the saloon, evidently in great excitement. ‘* Who offered.a reward for Belle Bren- nan?” he cried, ‘I can lead a party to the rendezvous of herself, and her gang. Let the man with the reward step forward.” CHAPTER IX. - ANOTHER QUEST. Tur idea of giving up the girl wad shock- ing—one, at any rate, that Dick could not stand. - You accursed wretch!” he cried, ‘‘ would ~ you give up the girl you profess to love?” — ._ * Yes! Because of you she has refused ~me. Now she can pay the penalty!” . You are a cowardly cur, and a liar!” returned Dick. ‘ You had no idea of mar- “rying ber, urftil you found there was some wate} coming to her.” ; “You are a liar, and a thief,” retorted » Brandon. The detective’s answer was one sledge-ham- _mer blow, which dropped Brandon to the _ftoor, from which he did not attempt to rise. He was not knocked senseless but had got _ enough, - Dick turned away, and went into the dining-room, where he indulged in a hearty “meal; and then proceeded to the White Ele- “phant, where he was greeted by anything but friendly glances, but that did not appear to affect him in the least. Brandon was not present; neither was ! Walt Wyndham; but he found Scott there. ‘“‘Have you been to Wyndham’s?” he at once asked. r All through his house from top to bot- "a “ And found not a clew?” _ * Not one.” Scott scratched his head, and looked at the or. . She’s there!” he declared. ‘I wouldn’t be afraid to bet my life on it.” ~ “ Well, Lam of the same opinion, but we were not. able to find her, If she is there, “phe is well secreted.” ; ‘, Why, a, ‘* I'd like to have a look about that place myself,” : ‘* Do you think you could improve on my search?” |- ‘| might. Two heads are better than one if one is asheep’s head, as the saying goes.” ‘* Well, there may be something in that. | But, so far as the house is concerned I will take my oath she was not in it while I was | there.” **T’ve got an idea that maybe has not oc- curred to you,” hinted Scott. “* What is it?” “The house backs against the bluff. May there not be a place in this bluff, where a person could be stowed away. in case of emergency?” **Good thought!” assented the detective; *“You may have struck the key-note, We must pay another visit to the house,” “'Take Walter with you?” ‘*No. Tl dispense with him, this time. He is all right, no doubt, but we. will work the Chinaman this time. Maybe we will be able to make something out of the Celestial.” ‘Rather doubtful, I. guess, for old Wynd- ham probably pays bim as much for his silence as for his service!” “Well, we will try, anyhow. You drop around to a drug store, and get a quarter's worth of morphine, and I'll get a flask of whisky. He won’t refuse a drink IT reckon, and that will fix him.” “Dunno about that,” demurred the miner. “The durned critters are so used to opium, that.a, drug like morphine won’t have a deal of effect on him.” ** Well we can but try the racket, and see how it turns out.” “All right. You’re. the doctor. your funeral, not mine.” _ Beott set off after the morphine and Dick procured a flask of whisky at the bur, and when Stott returned with the drug, it was put into the liquor, and well shaken. “There! If I can get a couple of swigs of that down the heathen, I reckon he will repose until we have time to. give the prem- ises a thorough search. I feel sure that we shall have success this time.” So they started for Wyndham’s house. As they neared the residence, Scott said: “The old man may be home. I reckon I'd better go ahead and prospect.” ‘Not a bad idea. You know the China- rit and perhaps you can pave the way a it.’ So Dick waited under the shade of a tree while Scott went on his mission. | Having been in the employ of Wyndham the miner had no hesitation about entering the premises. It is door, which opened out of the kitchen. There he found Lung Sing engaged in some laundry work. ** Hello, John, how you was!” said Scott. ** Still at the washee?” “Allee time washee,” replied Lung. ‘* Have to have clean shirt evly day.” ‘** Who does—old Wyndham?” oe Yes.” _ “Ts he home? I want to see him.” ‘““Not home. No-one home ’cept me,” ‘Well, that’s too bad!” 2 ** Anythiag you want?” “Well, yes. There’s goin’ to be an in- surance put on this house, and the agent is here to inspect it. We want to have a look over the premises.” ‘*Can’t let in house, till boss comes.” “* But, he may not be here until night, and we must attend to this business at once.” ‘“‘No help. Boss say lettee no one in house.” ‘* Now, look here, John, that’s all bosh! Tell you what I'll do. Let us have a look over the house, and the insurance man will treat you to a bottle of whisky!” The prospect of a flask of the amber- colored juice, looked tempting to him, ‘*Have a big dlunk,” thought he, ‘ Boss He went around to the side | away. No one around. Me go on spree, allee samee ’Melican chief!” So turning to Scott he said: ** Allee right. _Where’s whisky?” “Wait and I'll fetch it,” replied the miner. , He then went back and joined Dick. ‘Tt ig all right,” he announced, ‘‘ All you have got to do is to give the heathen the whisky, and we can gain access to the house.” So they went to the side door and Dick made Lung Sing a present of the filled flask. ** Bully, whisk’,” was the Celestial’s wel- come, “Well, get outside of some of it, and the let’s into the house,” Dick ordered. Removing the cork, Lung raised the bot- tle to his lips, and allowed full half the con- tents to run down his throat. ‘* Muchee good,” he said. ‘‘ Make Chinee feel belly happy.” ‘Well, then, let us into the house,” said Oe ‘I don’t purpose to wait here all ay.” ‘* Allee right. Come.’ And extracting a key from under his frock, Lung Sing led the way by unlocking the kitchen door, He had barely got inside the house, how- ever, when he reeled and in a few minutes was flat on his face insensible, e ‘‘Jemimy! but that took effect on him durned quick!’ said Scott. — Radar tee “Yes, He took a pretty big swig.” “ Hain’t killed him, have you?” “No fear. He will be all right in an hour’s time. It requires a powerful drug to kill one of them chaps. We will bind, and leave him here while we make the search. See if you can find some rope.” ; Scott made a search, and finally raked up~ a piece of clothes line, which answered all requirements. ung Sing was then-securely bound, to provide against the possibility of his imter- ference in the search. ‘‘Now, then, we will give this house a 4» thorough searching,” Dick decided. ‘« There is more than one thing I want to , look up while lam now again here. You knew old Brennan?” i fe pats 5 Teas ‘Did you know he was wealthy?” ‘‘Well, no. But I’ve often had an idea that his pretended poverty was partly a sham, for they always seemed to get alon as well as other folks, and without working.” ‘* Well, Brennan left a million of oat to. his daughter, in care of this man, Wynd- ham, to be invested in good securities. His last words to me were to get the contract papers away from Wyndham, and make him pay over the cash. It appears that he has been holding the papers and. refused to give them up unless Belle Brennan would marry — him,” ‘* Well, this is news to me.” ve ‘It was to me until the lynching affair.” ‘Then, let’s sail ahead. If the papers are in the house we will find them, for Calamit is a good gal. I'd vote for her every day in | a week, and twice on a Sunday.” | “Here, too,” replied Piee pens): “She is one of a hundred, bad as she seems to be,” The search then began in earnest. Every room in the house was explored! Not a nook or corner was left unexamined; but, no trace of Ethel Bly was to be found— — not even any of her clothes. — * thea ‘Well, I guess there ain’t no use of look- ing for her here,” Dick decided. Rees “Tt don’t seem so,” replied Scott. “I _ reckon. maybe the girl got her money and ~ slid out.” ~ Oa ‘Nonsense! She wouldn’t run away. Why should she? As I have said, I feel — sure Ethel Bly never left this house after she heard of her good fortune. So we must pro- | ceed on that hypothesis. I suggest that we try the cellar once more.”")- =" © a
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“See €- Gay ae a = me | t iy ra ie isc — peaawood, wick JT., in Vurango. ; To the cellar they went. iy There was nothing particularly strange about it, except that the walls were built of square blocks of brown stone.. ‘They don’t quarry such stone hereabouts, do they?” the detective asked of Scott. “‘T wasn’t here-when. the house was built, but I reckon they came from some other part of the State. There’s no brown-stone quarry around here.” : ‘‘Rather a queer idea that Wyndham should go to the, expense of importing the stone for a cellar wall, ain’t it?” ‘* Well, I should say so. Them stone are pretty costly, eh?” ‘You bet they are! The fact that these walls are brown stone increases my suspicion ten-fold.” ; **TIn what respect?” “*T believe there’s a hole in the bluff back of this rear wall.” ‘* But the wall appears to be solid.” ‘‘Yes, it looks so, But, some of. these blocks may be movable.” “We can try them, at any rate.” _. They proceeded at once with the examina- tion of the walls, : “‘T'll bet my shirt there ain’t a loose stone in this wall,” protested Scott, after they had examined nearly all of the rear wall stones. ‘*Take my advice, and hang on to your shirt, for it will be winter after awhile, and you will need one. Behold!” and Dick pointed to a pair of hinges discovered in one of the crevices between two of the stones. But there was no appearance of a door, no keyhole, no apparent way of getting into the place beyond. “Well, this looks as if we were in as much of a muddle as ever,” said Dick. ‘“‘There’s a place beyond, dead sure,” in- sisted the old miner. “No doubt about it. The question is how are we going to get into it.” ‘I reckon you won't get into it, not if I know myself!” said a gruff voice. And turning, Dick and Scott beheld no less a per- sonagé than Wesley Wyndham. ; CHAPTER X. UNDEB THE DROP, BUT NOT INTIMIDATED. “WELL, gentlemen,” Wyndham said, ** what are you coing here?” “‘Trying to find Ethel Bly,” was Dick’s response, | . ‘‘ Haven’t found her, have you?” “No, not yet.” “* Nor are you likely to, around my house, for she is not here.” ‘I don’t believe it. .You have got her penned up here somewhere, and I’m going to’ find her if it takes me a year.” ‘Well, you will have a good time doing it. The gul is not here I tell you.” “She left your employ after she got her money, did she?” ‘* She did.” ‘She was not seen to leave your house. Scott, here, was at work for yuu; and he would have seen her,” ** She left at night.” “That is not likely, There is no night trains for Denver.” : ‘‘ Maybe she did not go there,” said Wynd- ham, ‘She may have eloped.” ‘*Pah! Whom would she elope with?” ‘*Oh, there are lots of young men looking out for just the chance to run away with a girl who has got more money than brains.” ‘*Maybe so, but Ethel Bly would not be liable to run away, and leave her poor old mother dependent on her for support, in. Denver.” “1 don’t know about that. She was a flighty creature at the best, and mighty un- . , certain.’ ‘* What is beyond this wall?” “*The bluff.” **There’s more than that.” ** Not that I know of.” “What are those hinges for, if there is nothing beyond?” ry ‘**They were put there when the house was built, as I contemplated building a wine- cellar back into the bluff, but finally gave up the idea.” ‘*Tf you please, just open that secret door, and let’s have a look ts a It will satisfy us more than your word.” ‘*There’s no door there yet.” **T know better.” ** Well, if you know more than I about it, suppose you get out of my house. I can’t parley with you any longer. I'd be justified in blowing your brains out, as it is. VI! give you two minutes to get out, and no more, and if I ever catch you around here again, 1 will shoot you at sight. So take warning.” ‘* Correct,” said Dick. ‘‘ You happen to have the drop now, but you will give up Ethel Bly before I leave Durango, or you will give up your life. Just put that in your pipe and smoke it, at your leisure.” “Tm not smoking that kind of tobacco,” replied Wyndham. At the muzzle of his revolver he marched Dick and Scott up-stairs, and to the front door. ‘Now, you get!” he ordered, ‘‘and don’t let _me cateh you around my premises again.” wee Oh, I dare say I'll pay you another call in the course of time,” Dick retorted. ‘‘ I’ve a great curiosity to make some further ex- plorations in that cellar of yours,” ‘**Well, you try it, and [ll guarantee the undertaker a job,” **It will be for yourself, if any one.” **Come now, get.” “‘ By-by,” said Dick, ‘ ‘‘ I'll see you later.” With that he and Scott took their de- parture. “Well, we got out of that scrape cheaper than I expected,”’ said the latter. ‘* Well, yes. It’s a wonder the old cuss didn’t shoot.”” ** A big wonder.” ** Well, what’s to be done?” “For one thing, that house must be kept under constant surveillance. If Wyndham has got the girl shut up there, he will now take alarm, most likely, and find another place for her.” ‘*I shouldn’t wonder if there is some- thing in that. Having got himself into the muss, he is bound to keep himself in it,” said Scott. ; “Just so, He wiil try and get rid of- the girl, as soon as he can. Therefore, I will eave you here to keep an eye on the house, and will bring you a relief for the night.” ** All right; and when you come with the relief, don’t forget something to brace a fel- low up. I'll keep a good watch on the house. If I see a carriage go there and leave, then what shall I do?” ** Follow it,” **But, I couldn’t keep up with it on foot, not very well.” “*T will send a boy here with my horse.” “Allright. I can follow, if there is any occasion to,” Scott said. So Dick walked on back into the town. a event adventures have not panned out as well as expected,” he mused, ‘* Now that Wyndham found us in his house, it will be hard work to get into it again. But into it I mean to go before many hours. The mystery surrounding those hinges in the cellar wall must be investigated, and I’m the investigator that is going to do it!” CHAPTER’ XI. GIVING BRANDON SOMETHING TO REMEM- BER, RETURNING to the busy part of the town Dick met Ned Brandon Jounging in front of the White Elephant Saloon, ‘*Just the chap I want to see,” the detec- tive said, walking up to him, ‘‘ You made | assentéd Jackson. was turned, with the intention of taki life.” ‘*] did nothing of the sort.” ‘You lie, you hound. And, now, we’ve got to have it out.” “‘How do you mean?” “You have got to fight me with pistols.” “‘T won't fight.” > ‘* But, you will, though.” This altercation of course attracted a crowd, among whom were Mayor Mike Murphy and Jim Jackson, the sheriff. ‘Hello, here! What's the difficulty?” de- manded Murphy. ‘This scoundrel made an attempt on my life, and’ now that I want to meet him the coward won't fight!” “Ts this so, Brandon?” asked Murphy. ‘Yes, it is so,” replied Brandon, dogged- ly. .‘‘I was not brought up for fighting duels, and I don’t intend to begin now.” ‘* Yet you shot me, like an assassin.” **As I had a perfect right todo. You and the girl outlaw, Belle Brennan, were to- gether.” ; ‘‘And jealousy caused you to attempt to take my life.” : “There was no jealousy about it. You are both of you outlaws, and I should have been doing the, public a favor if the shot I fired had been fatal.” **You are both a liar and a would-be mur- derer, and are’in duty bound to have a settle- ment with me, here and now. I'll leave it to the mayor if this aint a fair and square deal!” ‘‘Well, I should cough!” returned the mayor, who, being a blue grass? Kentuckian was an authority on matters of honor. ‘* Yas,” he continued. ‘* Brandon must toe the mark, or forever forfeit the respect of his fellow-men, Don’t you say so Jackson?” ‘* Well, I reckon it’s no more than fair,” “* However, as a guardian of the peace, and with ther moral interests of the community in view, I cannot consent to the use of revolvers. If the men will go to work with their fists, I can look on with a clear conscience.” This caused a general laugh, for those who were intimately acquainted with Jackson never knew he had a conscience. ‘‘Well, if I must be forced into a fight so be it,” said Brandon. of this infernal interloper. Asa pal of Bella Brennan, it stands to reason he is one of her sort, and nothing will please me more than to give him the worst licking he ever had.” ‘“Easier said than done, -I reckon,” ob- served Mayor Mike Murphy. ‘*] reckon it’ so,” said Dick. in the street and square yourself!” ‘‘Ten to five on Brandon!” cried one of the assemblage. “Taken,” Murphy responded. to all such bets as that.” For the next few seconds the betting was lively, Dick being the favorite. News of the impending battle had spread like wildfire. Nearly the whole town seemed to have turned out, in an incredibly short space of time to witness the ‘‘sport,” for such it was regarded in Durango. ' Men came, women assembled, some of them, bringing their babies, Young America was well represeuted. The ring formed, Mayor Mike Murphy mounted a box, which had been provided for a grand stand, and with a revolver in either hand delivered an address: “Ladies and galoots!” he called out. “B the power vested in me as mayor of this town, I propese to conduct this circus, and will salivate the first son of-a-sea-cook who_ attempts to interfere. that these men, who are enemies, sball bam- mer away at each other, until one or the other gets done-up so bad that he won’t be a cowardly attack on me, when my ie ng my “Step out **T’m open able to speak United States for a month. © ‘Now then, lads, sail in, and may the best ‘‘I’l] break the head ~ The programme is —
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10 Deadweod Dick, Jr., in Durango. man win. No hittin’ below the helt, nor punchin’ a man when he’s down. Stand up tothe rack and let it go forth to the world that Durango has got a Sullivan as well as Boston.” This speech was greeted with tremendous applause. Durango, in its own estimation, ‘was much superior to Boston. By this time Dick and Brandon had strip- ped to the waist. Both were about of a size, and of equal muscular development. At a signal from Murphy, the fight began, amid the most intense excitement. Although Brandon had no repute as a pugilist, he handled himself cleverly, and it was soon evident that the two men were pretty evenly matched. Brandon drew the first blood, on Dick’s nose, amid terrific applause. **My man, for a thousand!” yelled Wes- ley Wyndham, who had joined the throng. ‘“‘Taken!” shouted Murphy, who was Dick’s ready backer. This first blood seemed to suddenly arouse the redoubtable Richard, and with one crash- ing blow, he caught Brandon in under the jaw and toppled him over. Brandon was not knocked out, however, and was quickly on foot again. Then for the next ten minutes there was some fearful oe Wesley Wyndham was in his element. He was flourishing his money around, and offering to give odds on Brandon. Murphy had taken him up, to the extent of several hundred dollars, and Jim Jackson covered as much more of the mine-owner’s money. The excitement grew momentarily more and more intense. Brandon was gradually becoming the favorite. Deadwood Dick, in his adventurous career, had been in many contests; but, had never yet met a man who could stand befure him as long as Brandon. But, Dick finished him at last, when with one awful blow, he leveled his adversary, and Brandon lay where he dropped. He was completely knocked out, ‘I reckon that settles it,” cried Murphy, in high spirits, ‘‘So now gents, gents, walk up,,and pay up. The circus is over, the clown is down in the ring and the only one to be paid off is the ringmaster. hat’s oe So walk up, boys, and pay your ebts,” CHAPTER XII. A JOLLY LAY-OUT. Tue battle over, Dick was naturally the hero of the hour, that is with a proportion of the population—those who had made a nice little roll of money on bets, Mayor Murphy’s wallet fairly overflowed, and Jackson’s face was like a sunbeam over the cash he had captured. Dick of course had made nothing but sore knuckles out of the racket, but he had won ‘general public approval, that at once took the shape of an ovation. At the suggestion, Murphy cried: ** Yes, by jingo! That’s the proper caper. The feller stood up and pounded for our amusement, and it did not bring him a red. As representative citizens of Durango, we are honorably in duty bound to give him a grand old blow-out.” ‘So say I! Let’s see if we can take up a ‘collection.” _ A canvass was made among the crowd, and much to the surprise of the projector of ithe affair, a considerable sum was collected. ‘The proprietor of the White Elephant ten- ‘dered the use of his big bar-room wherein to yhave the ‘‘lay-out,” and the news spread all jthrou h the camp that Deadwood Dick was ito be feasted in honor of his victory. Eph Sands, who was the Delmonico of ‘Durango, was ordered to get up the biggest supper he knew how to prepare. Long before the hour set for the fete, the town began to assume a holiday appearance. The young women had on their best clothes, and some of the miners surprised their necks with a white collar. Of all this Dick was ignorant, until after @ thorough cleaning up and a general repair of damages, he left his room and descended to the street. Then he learned the cause of the commotion. A crowd was assembled in front of the White Elephant. What was termed a Silver Cornet Band— the remnant of a stranded theatrical com- pany, were endeavoring to murder the music of Strauss, but if poor Strauss had been there, he could have saved them much breath, and all the trouble by dropping dead on the spot. ae Well, what is all this racket about?” Dick asked of a bystander. ‘* Why, it’s in your honor?” ** Mine?” ‘Yes, The citizens are goin’ to feast you, for doin’ up Brandon. Mayor Mike Murphy has charge of all the arrangements, and he don't do things by halves, We're goin’ to have a gay old blow-out and all in your honor.” ‘* Well, I don’t know about that.” “Don’t know about what?” ‘‘Having anything to do with such a fan- dango. “Why not?” ‘‘Because I am not a professional prize- fighter. I did not fight Brandon for either notoriety or money.” ‘* We all know that, but you made money for your backers, and they are going to do the square old biz by you, and no mistake.” Just then Murphy came rushing up with extended hands. ~ **Ah! my beloved fellow-countryman, it gives me infinite pleasure to see you looking so bright and blooming, I don’t see as you got burt very bad.” “Well, no; only a few bruises.” ** And have you heard the news?” ‘* What news?” ‘Why, we are going to banquet you, my boy—we're going to banquet you. We are going to give ye one of the biggest blow-outs there ever was in Durango.” ‘* You are foolish!” ** How so?” ** Because I do not care for so much fuss over a trifle.” ‘‘Over a trifle, hey? And d’ye call the lickin’ of Ned Brandon a trifle?” “IT do. He is plucky, but heis no fighter.” The guests were now beginning to assem- ble; so taking Dick by the arm, the mayor pulled him into the White Elephant. The card-tables had been transformed into dining-tables, and fairly groaned beneath the mass of meats and delicacies. It was about the biggest feed Dick had ever run across in the wild West, and it was near midnight when the roystering party broke up. Dick wanted to get away, knowing that Scott would be impatient, awaiting his com- ing. fie found his aide in anything but an ami- able mood, ‘Bout time you put in an appearance. I’m getting well tired of this job.” : ‘Sorry, but I was kept against my will; what have you seen or heard?” “‘ Nothing.” “‘Did you see Wyndham leave the house?” ‘‘Yes. He went toward town.” ‘Did you see him when he returned?” “*T did.” ‘‘There’s no use of hanging around here, any longer, to-night, then, you think?” ** Not a bit.” ‘Well, we will go back to the hotel.” They were por setting forth, when the sharp report of a rifle sounded close at hand, and Scott dropped like a log. **T’m shot,” he moaned. At the same instant a voice cried out: ** Gathered in!” CHAPTER XIII, IN THE DRIFT. In the darkness Dick could not tell from whence the shot had come, not having seen the flash. He presumed, however, that it came from the rear, as the voice sounded in that direction. He noticed another thing, too. : The voice was not that of Calamity Jane, Junior, but rather was that of a man. Leaving Scott where he had fallen he rushed off to the rear and—into trouble. He had not gone twenty paces when he received a stunning blow on the head, and’ with a groan, fell insensible. When he awoke he was in a strange place. lt evidently was a room or chamber in a mine, which had been fitted up for a mine- boss, for there were odd pieces of furniture here and there, showing that it had been tenanted. Dick sat propped up against the wall, securely bound. He was not alone, for three men sat in the firelight of an immense fireplace. These three were Wesley Wyndham, Ned Brandon, with his swollen face all patched up with court- plaster, and an ex-convict, named O’Leary, who had a big reputation in Durango, for having killed his half-dozen men. They were conversing between drinks, and their backs being turned, it was several minutes before they noticed Dick’s return to consciousness, 80 he heard a part of their conversation. Wyndham was speaking. a Well, we were in luck to capture the cuss 80 easy.” ‘* You're right we were!” assented O'Leary. ** He is a tough b’aste.” ‘* We will take some of the toughness out of him,” Wyndham declared. **So we will, bedad!” ‘You can thank me for his capture,” put in Brandon. ‘‘If I had not put a hole through old Scott’s head, we would have had @ harder job.” ‘True. But I am sorry you killed the old man.” ‘Good riddance. He was never any use to himself or to any one else,” replied Bran- don, heartlessly. ‘It will create a big stir in Durango, for he was well liked.” “What do I care? No one will know who killed him.” ‘‘T wouldn’t like to be in your boots if this Deadwood Dick ever gets free, me lad,” remarked O’Leary. ‘‘ He won’t stop forany sluggin’ business now, You will get popped over at first sight.” “‘ You bet he will!” It was Dick who spoke. The three villains gazed around with a start, as if some departed spirit had addressed them. “‘Ah!” called Wyndham. awake, are you?” . “* As you see,” : ‘* How do you like the situation?” ** Bully!” “You won't like it so well, directly.” “This seems to be a pretty comfortable sort of a prison.” ‘You are ‘Not for you. ‘You are entirely too fresh to be running loose.” ‘Is that so?” ‘‘It was an unlucky day for you when you came to Durango, We shall make an example of you, as a warning to others of your kind. In what manner or fashion would you prefer tc pass in your checks? You have your choice of a number of popu- lar and effective methods.” ‘* Well,” replied Dick, ‘‘I shall go to New York, take an ocean steamer, ride to mid-
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ocean, and jump overboard, How’s that for an original suggestion?” ines *! Oh, ou'll never see the ocean. If you had said you were going to visit Satan, you would have hit the nail on the head.” ‘‘Thanks for the intimation. Satan and I are on the outs, He’s been offering me the job of head boss over the furnace-stokers for years, but my wages were too high, and he got mad and took another man. It would cost me too much for ice to work in a hot place like the Inferno.” ‘Blame me, if you ain’t a cool one!” Wyndham said, grimly. **Well, I always try to keep cool in the ' gummer time. I was once-known to freeze a can of cream for a candy man by my own frigidity.” W ndham turned to his companions. I want to be fl ‘*Let’s come to business. away from here by daybreak.” ‘*T suggest the rope, as the quickest and the easiest,” spoke up the ex-convict. “T’ve a better plan than that!” said Ned Brandon. «« What is it?” “That we each take a revolver, and fill him so full of holes that you could firea - stone through him anywhere.” een Wyndham and O’Leary both opposed this Be ches proposition. They had no taste for such assassination. “Til tell you what we had better do,” said O’Leary. ‘‘ This place is strong, and no a tse one ever comes nearit. Let’s lock the cuss in, and come back to-morrow night all pre- pared. He will be safe.” **Good idea!” assented Wyndham. ‘‘In the mean time we can conclude over a bottle of wine just what to do with him.” And so they retired. After the trio had gone and the door safely -.| . fastened on the other side, Dick had plenty She of time for reflection. ‘* Well,” he soliloquized, ‘‘ here I amin a hole again—in the soup, as they say out East. I wonder how I shall get out of this dilemma? I’ve got out ot many another one and Ido not think my luck will de-ert me now.” As for the bonds that bound him Dick cared not a whit. He could scorch and then easily burst them asunder, The real diffi- : culty was the escape. é Three sides of the room were solid rock, as also was the ceiling, but this had crevices _. §n it through which the smoke escaped. The fourth wall was of tough oaken plank, two inches thick and bolted to heavy lateral beams. : The door was heavy like the plank, and the hinges and lock were on the other side, ‘This practically shut off all means of es- cape, unless the person had the proper tools to work with. The first move was to roll over until the ze) - fire was reached. Then it was short work to free his hands and feet. ; The fire was burning low, but there was rey lenty of wood and he soon had a cheery Brits laze, that lit the room up brightly, tis" This done he lit a cigar and sat down in . the firelight to ruminate. Examining his pockets he found that none of their contents had been molested; he even still possessed ‘his revolvers. _ ** That’s one streak of good fortune, any- how!” he said. ‘It will give me a chance to defend my life, and I shall not hesitate to doit. When they come back they will ex- pect to find me bound, as they left me, and _*_-will walk right into my trap. If there ain’t is seems be, I can pick ’em off in a jiffy. ant ‘to be all there is left for me to do! ' “TY wish I had a keg of powder, and I’d blow myself out,” he aided, But ne now had only one round of cart- ridges. If he had had more, he could have tap- ed them as he had done on several previous casions, and withdrawn the powder. pe too many of them, and; I reckon there won't | Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. a a Finally an idea occurred to him. There was no flooring to his room, and at the front, along the upright slabs, was real earth of a clayey nature, and quite free from stone. Might he not be able to burrow his way out from under the wooden wall? The idea was not a bad one, particularly as he had a good, strong, broad-bladed hunt- ing-knife, which he could use in lieu of a spade, , His decision made, he pulled off his coat and then began the attack. The spot he selected was to burrow out under the door, The compacted clay cut nicely, and lifted out in chunks. ‘* By jingo, if there’s any place beyond here, 1 am bound to find it,” he thought, greatly encouraged. The cavity rapidly enlarged, as he quarried out block after block. “‘T allow there will be some tall cussin’, when they come back, and find me gone!” Dick chuckled. ‘‘Old Wyndham will tear his hair, and so will Brandon.” The sapper and miner was soon under the door. Then, he burrowed upward, and ina little while steod in a winding subterranean passage. ‘*Well, I’m out of one dungeon, but, the question before the investigating committee of one is—haven’t I got myself into another? This passage leads to somewhere, and I'll be be blamed if I don’t find out where.” He crept back into the chamber, secured his coat and returned to the drift. A big lantern hung outside the door. He took this in one hand, and, with a re- volver in the other, he crept along the pas- The walls were damp and slimy, and the floor very uneven. As he advanced, the drift gradually as- cended. It was evidently an abandoned search drift which had never panned out well. - Transverse shutes branched off it at in- tervals, but Dick did not bother his head about ther. He kept on, and presently uttered a cry. Far ahead, he saw a ray of light! ‘‘T’m on the right track!” he ejaculated. ‘* Now, for liberty and vengeance!’ He hurried on, but suddenly paused, What was this he heard? : He listened. It was a cry of distress, And a woman’s voice, too! CHAPTER XIV. THE LOST GIRL FOUND, Ir was a woman’s voice! He listened for a repetition of the cry, but there was none. Bi a that was Ethel Bly’s voice? What is more likely, since this is without doubt old Wyndham’s property?” Dick went on a few paces further, when he came to the mouth of another transverse passage. Raising his voice, he called loudly, ‘* Hello, there} Where are you?’ ‘*Here!” came the response. ‘‘ Help! help!’ i : The voice came from down the transverse passage Upit Dick rushed, flaring his lantern from side to side. i He soon reached to,a sheet-iron door in the wall of rock. : ‘* Are you in there?” he cried. ‘Yes, Oh! help me out!” ‘‘Have courage! Who are you?” “T am a prisoner here. My name is Ethel Bly.” “All right! You are the very person I am looking for, Miss Bly. Be of good cheer!” . A cry of joy escaped the prisoner, \ : + ey i } , 5 BN OTR ve, mh te we’ “*Can you open the dour?” she asked. ‘‘ Well, I reckon I can, if any one can,” replied Dick. ‘It is heavily padlocked, but, if I can find anything to work with, I will make short work of the locks. Have patience, and I will see what I can find.” © So, lantern in hand, he began a lively skir- mish through different passages. After ten minutes of search, he stumbled over an old rusty crow-bar. This proved conclusively that the mine had not been worked for some time. Dick, elated, seized the bar, and went back to the door. Under his savage attacks the locks yielded and in a little while the door was open! ‘*Come forth!’ Dick commanded of the girl prisoner. Ethel obeyed, but with hands over her eyes. ok Please shade your lantern,” she_ said, ‘until my eyes get accustomed toit. Ihave been in utter darkness for weeks!” Dick immediately lowered the light. ‘Your eyes will gradually get accustomed to it,” he said. “* Yes, I suppose so. Is there any way to get out of this horrible place?” “If there is a way to get into it, there must be one to get out.” ‘‘ Why, how did you come here?” ** As a prisoner, and insensibie at that.” ‘*A prisoner of whom?” ‘Wesley Wyndham. I am a detective, and was sent here to find you.” ‘* And Wyndham found this out and made you a prisoner, eh?” ** Yes.” ‘The villain!” “You are right; he is a villain. But the seal of doom is on his head, as sure as fate. But before he dies, he shall disgorge every cent of your money.” iat | ners to get my money, but I fear I t) acy w was mother, when you left er?” ‘*In ber usual health, I guess, but fretting about you.” ‘*Poor soul! How soon shall I be able to see her?” “Shortly. Come, now, let’s try and get. out of this mine.” The way out was toward the glimmer of light. A brief walk up the ascending pas- e brought them out into a vacant lot. hey were further up the mountain-side than Dick had anticipated. ; Below them Durango lay. She was not. just then basking in the sunshine, but was getting a drenching from a terrific rain- storm, It could hardly be pronounced rain, for the clouds seemed to have parted to let down a perfect deluge of water. “Oh, let’s get back into the passage!” cried Ethel. 5 “That would be fatal, for some of Wynd- ham’s spies might come. Besides, now is the time to smuggle you into one of the hotels, for the streets are deserted.” ‘But I shall get soaking wet.” “*T will see that you get dry clothes. come along.” By taking a circuitous route, Dick con ducted his fair companion to a little board- th gee kept by a widow named Jones. So and had no difficulty in making arrange- ments for the care of Ethel, tellin rs, Jones just what had happened. He then — went to the hotel where he was stopping, and sought his room, not wishing to e had dropped in there several times, ! off into a deep sleep. It was dusk when he awoke. ’ Arising, he took a bath. important discovery. 4 } r Neatly tucked under the door was a letter _ addressed to Dick. 2 be seen. ie 4 bs . ; on the street before night. Wearyenough . ~ for rest he laid down, and at once dropped — Ae It was while doing this that he made an * ied
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\ ‘ : , wings—you whom I loved on first sight. cue?” ‘I wilt.” fatherly act to me, and he abused my mo- ‘It’s from Ethel,” thought. Dick, as he tore it open. ‘She must be in tronble ” It proved not to be from Ethel. It read as follows: “T see you have taken another bird under your ery well. I am sure you will be happier with her than with me. alone, or you will be gathered in with the rest. still gather ’em in ‘* BELLA BRENNAN.” ‘** Well, by blazes! that does take the cake,” muttered Dick. © ' , ‘*She is jealous of the rescued girl, but ‘how does she happen to know of the res- ‘Dick finished his toilet, donned a clever disguise, and went down-stairs. P om scgetes®. VA FOU . It was in a woman’s handwriting, too—a | decidedly neat hand. He found that the girl avenger had been true to her oath; she had in truth been gath- ering them in. Sheriff Jackson and his deputy were dead! Mayor Mike Murphy had also been shot, but his wound was not serious. Dick was standing on a corner, listening to the passing comments, when he felt a slap on his shoulder, and turning he bebeld Walt Wyndham. **Oh! [know you,” the latter said. what do you think of this business?” ** What business?” ‘This Brennan girl’s case!” *‘T have no opinion to express,” Deadwood Dick replied. ‘‘ It is none of my affair, any- “But, how!” ‘*True. Ireckon my old man will be the next?” ‘So do I.” ** And why so?” ‘* Because, if the girl don’t gather him in, ** What have you against him?” . * ** Enough to warrant me in killing him at sight—both him and Brandon.” - “Walt shrugged his shoulders. ° ‘* No loss in Brandon’s case, and very little about the old gent’s.” **You are a winner, in the latter instance, I reckon?” : , ‘*No! He wouldn’t leave me a red if I was dying for it. Have you any news of Ethel?” ‘*T have.”: “*Good! What is it?” ‘*T have found ber!” *‘Indeed? That is good news, she?” ‘* At present, Mr. Wyndham, she is in my care. I have her where she is safe, and I propose to keep her there, until matters are settled. There is more depending than the girl, herself.” . , ‘** You refer to her money?” ‘ec Yes. 1, ‘Well, I wish you all success, but I am afraid the old man has got it penned up where you nor she can ever'get it.” ** Well, my opinion of your dad is that he’s ascamp of the first water, and 1am bound to fetch him to justice.” ‘‘Hope you do. He’s never done any Where is ther, who is dead. I have hated him, from infancy—I hate him now.” __ ; Just then there was heard the report of a rifle, and a man named Raymond fell dead in the street not far away. _ Things were beginning to get really alarm- ing. People who were in the habit of being out at night went home. The wealthy ones went to the Argyle Hotel, and advised with each other how much reward to offer. » On the following morning, circulars were floating about town, bearing this notice: «$1,000 REWARD! “The above sum will be paid for Bella Brennan dead or alive. © Two more men had been found killed. the capture of CoMMITTEE,”’ o ‘ wae Se ee Ree ood Dick 5 On the last.one found, was this notice; “Two more yet to gather in. , err ‘*CaLaMIty JANE, JE.” CHAPTER XV. INTO TROUBLE AND OUT AGAIN. THE reward was now big. It was worth But, mind you, jot iny marked people | trying for anyhow, so many of the citizens of the town argued. But to earn the reward was altogether an- other matter. Men in plenty were to be found who would gladly do the work if they could, but to tackle Calamity Jane was a se- rious matter. That she meant business needed no prov- ing, for the proof was shown in the slaying for vengeance of those under her ban, and there was good cause for the other murderers of her father to tremble, Deadwood Dick shared some of the anxi- ety, too, and not without cause, The note he had received from the woman avenger gave him something to think about. He was hunting down Wesley Wyndham in order to make him restore the money he had stolen from Ethel Bly, but to press him further, at preseut, evidently, would be to mess the enmity of the desperate Brennan irl. 2. She had warned him to keep away from her ‘‘ marked” ones, under penalty of being ‘* gathered in” himself if he disregarded the warning. ‘*She’s a Tartar,” he said to himself, ‘‘ and |. would as heve pop me over asnot. I'll have to be wary of her, but she can’t scare me off. I must get that other girl’s money for her be- fore the Fury gets in her fine work on Wynd- ham.”. The storm had cleared and the day was a cloudless one. ‘*«T believe I will take’another ride,” Dick decided, when he- had thought the matter over carefully. ‘‘I’ll go out where I had the interview with the girl outlaw upon the other occasion and perhaps I'll see her again. If I do, I can arrange a truce with her, Pages I have neither desire nor inclination to be ‘ gathered in’ with the rest of her flock.” Getting. his horse, he mounted and rode out of town. Many curious glances followed him. The citizens were wondering, no doubi, where he was going, when the town was so beside it- self with excitement, but, little the brave de- tective cared for their thoughts. ; When about two miles from town, as on the other occasion, he stopped as near the same place as he could locate the spot, and dismounting, took a seat on a log and al- lowed his horse to nip the grass near by. | He had been thére barely a mioute, when he heard some one stir in the bushes on his right, and a voice demanded; ‘* What brings you here?” pated It was a woman's voice,.and as Dick look- ed up the bushes parted and Belle Brennan stepped out into sight. ’ ‘*T came here with the hope of seeing you again,” Dick made reply. ‘‘I could not have done better if we had had a time ap- pointed, it seems,” he added. ** Why, did you expect to find me here?” ‘* Bless vou, I didn't, but 1 hoped I could if I remained tong enough. It was near here that isaw you before, and I concluded that this is the trail leading to your place of hid- ing. cs You guessed aright, sir; it is, And I was going there, too, when I heard your horse coming, and stepped into the bushes to let you pass.”’ ‘‘Had no desire to meet any one, then, eh?” ' No, not yet. My work is not done,” ‘How many have you gathered in?” ** All but one, now.” “And who is that one?” “‘ Wesley Wyndham.” ‘You do not mean to allow one to escape, h ” ‘Why should I? Did they not. commit a horrible crime, murdering my helpless father as they did? They shall all die, I have sworn it.” : = ‘And you have threatened to gather me in, too, along with the rest,” Dick remarked carelessly, “No, [have not. I warned you, that I would do so, however, if you interfered with my work. Do not do that if you value your life. I hate to spare you, even as it is, but I will, because—” ** What is your reason?” ‘‘ Because I love you. It is for that ‘rea- son, too, that I hate to spare you. 1 know your secret, as my note told you.” ‘* You think I love Ethel Bly?” . ' «Why, of course you do! Have you not risked your life for her? What more do I want in the way of proof?” Dick laughed. ‘“You reason just like a woman,” he de- clared.. ‘‘I1 do not love the girl. Of that I assure you. I have rescued her because that is the business that brought me here to this town. Iam a detective by profession. I am simply working out a case.” : ‘* Are you telling me the truth?” ‘*Of course 1 am.” “And you do not love her, then?” “I do no«, nor has she any regard for me. Truth to tell, she has made a conquest in another direction.” ‘‘ I wish I could believe you. Who is her lover?” ““ Walt Wyndham.” ** How do you know it?” “Why, he told me himself. at first sight.” ‘‘Well do I know what that means. I told you in my note that 1 love you. If you will make me your wife, Deadwood Dick, I wil! make yoa rich.” vis “‘Tam sorry, miss, but I can’t do it,” an- swered Dick, gently. ‘‘I might doa great deal worse, but Iam not on the market. I am too much of a wanderer, and my heart is too hardened. A wife for me is not to be thought of for years to come.” ‘Then Yet us say no more about it, From this moment my course is determined. Re- member this when you see me in death.” ‘* Which I hope will not be my misfortune, You are too. young and pretty to talk of death.” : ‘Life has nothing for me. But, enough. What did you want to see me about?” “‘] want to make a deal with you.” ** What is it?” , “You have threatened to kill me if I It was love | interfere with any of your marked men.” ‘*‘And I meant it. There is only one left now, however.” ‘‘And that one is the very man I must | bring to account.” ‘What have you to settle with Wynd- «« He has robbed an innocent girl. I must force him to disgorge the money he has taken from Ethel Bly.” A “Well, you can do that, and still leave him to me,” ; ‘‘That is just the point. Knowing you meant business, 1 thought it best to see you before Isought another interview with the man.” ‘‘T will come to terms with you on one condition.” ‘* Name it.” “That you will not arrest Wyndham, but leave him to me, after you have made him 4 give up the money,” “Tt is a bargain. T’ll doit. That is just. odin what I wanted of you.” ‘Then our interview is ended. Good-by, x Deadwood Dick, When next you see my face it will be in 4 ” and good-by forever. sy eath. aia hae te With that she turned and walked rapidly i oi v { it 1!
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ie #8 i. * = A \ ' ngyom, ME: aa “hated to kill, but Brandon was making ready away, and although Dick called to her to stop, she gave him no attention. **Poor girl!” he mused, as he watched her till she disappeared, ‘‘I can hardly blame her for the revenge she is seeking. There is danger that she will be caught, however, and if she is they will make short work of her in the town. She had better stop now and get away while she can.” e stood silent and thoughtful for some time, but finally mounted again and set out on his return to town. Only a little distance, however, had he gone, when he met a surprise. ‘Hands up, thar!” Such was the startling order, and two men sprung out into the road in front of him. Deadwood Dick was in their hands neatly. The men were Brandon and O’Leary. “Up with your hands,” Brandon repeated, ‘for we'll tumble you out of that saddle without any nonsense about it.” “‘Dhat’s dhe chune, b’gobs!” echoed O'Leary. ‘‘Up wid ’em, or down comes yer kerkiss, an’ yez hear phwat Oi say?” There was no way out of it, so Dick had to comply. “Anything to be obliging,” he quickly assented, “You will oblige us further still, before we are done with you,” declared Ned Bran- don, ‘‘ You did acute thing in getting out of our hands, but we have doubled on you and your game is up.” és : ‘ Yez kin bet yer loife it is!” chimed in the elt, “Well, in what way can I oblige you?” Dick asked. ** By turning your horse into this by-path,” _ returned Brandon, and following my partner, while I cover you from behind with my rifle.” ** And what will come next?” “You will learn all in good time, and you'll find that you didn’t make anything by your escape and rescue of that girl.” **And if I decline to go with you, what then?” ‘* We'll leave you here in the road, dead, _ just as sure as you’re born.” \ Dick saw that they meant it—that he was ina dilemma, and the way to get out of it did not appear. But, there was nothing for him to do ex- on to follow directions, so he allowed O'Leary to take the horse by the head and lead it, while Brandon followed after. Dick hoped that something would occur to give him a chance to draw his revolvers, when he would make music in the air for the fellows in about as short a time as they could think about. In another moment, however, another startling thing happened. There came the report of arifle; then Dick heard a groan and fall behind him. The Irishman looked quickly around, as also did Dick, and they beheld Brandon ly- ing in the dust. n almost the same second the rifle spoke again, and down went O'Leary. Dick was amazed. **T seem to have a friend around here,” he reflected. ‘‘ Who can it be, unless it’s young _ Wyndham?” e was looking in the direction from which the shots had come, and presently a person came in sight, rifle in hand. That person was none other than Calamity ye) sane, Ir, __ “You see me again in life, after all,” she observed, / | “And you have done me a big favor,” re- _, turned lows?” Dick. ‘‘Have you killed the fel- _ * “That's what I fired to do. It was their life or yours, as I well knew. 1 happened __ to see them, as I looked back from the hill, and well knowing they meant mischief to , I came back this way on therun. I \ i 1 AY pd. uy r - $ } lise a vy Oy uF eee Deadwood Dick, Jr., in Durango. to kill you. He had stopped, and was in the act of raising his rifle, when I fired. But, once more, farewell, I have business else- where.” + CHAPTER XVI. DEADWOOD DICK’S CLOSE CALL, Dick looked after the girl as before. “She is a daring one,” he mused, ‘‘and has good faith in me, knowing the reward that is offered for her, and how easily I could assure her capture.” The girl did not look back, but went stead- ily up the trail, her rifle upon her shoulder. She showed no fear of any one. “She will be taken yet, before she is ready,” Dick reflected. ‘‘She had better have a care how she keeps to the main roads. Let her be taken, and she will be hanged as surely as 1 see her now. The roughs and toughs of Durango are now fierce for her life.” At that moment a shout broke upon his ears, and he turned in the direction from which it came. There, just coming into sight over a ledge, were half a dozen horsemen, who had caught sight of the girl outlaw. ‘«Thar she be!” he heard their leader yell. ‘‘Come on, boyees, and we’ll have her, and then we'll finger that prize money!” All urged on their horses, and came down the slope at full gallop. Dick looked in the direction of the hunted young woman just in time to see her give a wave of defiance as she disappeared into the bushes. Dick could not forget the service she had so recently rendered him, and felt in duty bound to return the favor. There was little time to debate the question, had he felt inclined to do so, so he acted immediate- Y wrhiselthig his horse, he dashed down to the main trail, and, stopping right in front of the on-coming horsemen, leveled his re- volvers fat them and commanded them to come to a halt—which the astonished pur- suers proceeded to do in all haste. ‘*Hold up here, men, and give an account of yourselves,” Dick ordered. ** What be bp stoppin’ us fer?” the leader hotly demanded. ‘* We’re after that mur- derer, and we almost had her, too.” «So I observe,” Dick returned. “And what d’ye mean by it?” “I’m going to give her ten minutes in which to escape from you.” ““No yer won't, nuther! Ride ther cuss down!" ** Move a step at your peril!” warned Dick, Forward, men! grimly. ‘‘Keep up your hands, every one of gy too. I’m in command, here, just now!” They did not disobey, though they stormed furiously. ‘*Ther cuss is in league with ther gal!” one accused, ‘Yas, and he’d orter swing with her, too,” echoed another. “‘Tarnation! Jest look a thar!” cried a third, pointing up the by-path, where tke two bodies lay. ‘‘More murder, eh?” roared the leader. ** You'll swing with ther gal fer this, me fine feller,” “It does not look like it. at present,” re- sponded Dick, carclessly. ‘‘I seem to hold the best hand at present. Keep up your hands, there, or taste lead.” The party fretted and fumed, and swore viciously, but all to no purpose, for’the re- doubtable Richard held them covered and did not let his ores wander for a second. “‘Did you kill these men?” the leader de- res en i ; ae ; “‘Tam happy to say I did not,” was the answer Dick made. “I had a close call | from them, however, and only for the girl, 4 - r « . he a. aN 7s a Mis an sidan ote Pe Att aay sae Pays Cae eee bile ance Ninek! 5 ce ~ én 7 ah: Ac ag oS a = TS ey ee > S. “¢ pb “sf eee] Ne, J ‘Rape fee bast POV te ie eee won os aae “ . “eh gf A watt 4 Pa aad os & ra a4 Bh oe ol eee Pr een Bathe . ee 3 eee = re . Hi ae Qe i would now be where they are. She saved me.” ‘«Ther deuce, yer say!” ‘It’s a fact. They were about to do for me for balking a little game of theirs, when the girl took a hand in it and dropped them. You see, I owe her my life, and I am return- ing the favor by holding you here at bay for a time.” ‘*But you'll git inter wuss trouble by it, see if yer don’t.” ‘‘T’ll take the chances of that. Keep your hands well up there, or there is danger that ? you'll get hurt,” So he held them until the ten minutes were about up, and he was sure that Belle Brennan had placed herself well beyond their reach. “Now,” he said, finally, drawing his horse to one side, ‘‘ride on and if you can find the girl you will be smarter than I take you to be. Be off or the trail will be so cold you'll never pick it up.” There was no more delay. The pursuers urged their horses on, and soon passed out of range, while the detective went on in the di- rection of the town. “‘They’ll never find her,” he mused, ‘‘ She is too smart for fellows of their stamp, and she must be well out of danger by this time. Well, now that 1 have made a treaty with the avenger, I will pay a visit to Wyndham’s den again, and force him to terms. First, though, I must make sure that Ethel is safe. Ido not feel satisfied on that point since Brandon halted me.” He put his horse to good speed, and soon swung into Durango, to make his way imme- diately to the house where he had left Ethel. As he drew near he saw her coming out, and called to her. She looked at him in surprise. «* Where are you going to?” he asked, ** Why,” was the answer, ‘‘I was just go- ing to meet you, as your note directed.” **] have sent you no note,” Dick declared. ‘* You have been imposed upon, and would have walked into a trap had I not been just. in time.” ‘*Is it possible! What an escape I have had! Who was it that sent the note?” ‘*T cannot say, but it is certain that it was Wyndham or his tools. Two of them will bother you no more, however.” : ‘“Why, what has become of them? Have: re put them urder arrest? I hope you save, That is what-they all deserve, and I’d like to see them get their dues.” “It is worse than that,” Dick returned. ‘* They are dead. But, I must go on. Re- turn into the house, and keep yourself close. I will send you no such notes as the: one you have received, so do not be deceived. again,” ; The girl went back into the house, and Dick rode away. Some time later he was at the Wyndham mansion. The Chinaman answered his ring. **Is your employer in?” Dick asked. ‘No, him not in,” the Celestial replied. ** Where is he?” ** Gone out.” . ‘*Fool! I mean, where has he gore to?” ** Allee samee don’t know,” the Chinaman returned, sleepily. - Dick pushed past him into the hall, ‘*T’ll take a look around, while he is out, ~ then,” he observed. ‘‘Have you any objec- tions? If you have it don’t make any differ- ; se ence, so you needn’t take the trouble to say is 4 anything.” : mu The Chinaman looked as if at loss whatto | hae do. ‘Shut the door,” Dick directed; ‘‘and then lead the way to the room where the safe Neen : ‘il The ‘‘ pig-tail” obeyed the first order, and = = J set about obeying the second, . He led the way to the door of the middle room, and threw it boon sian ibaa k further directed. “Go right in, 4 ? Nera Kt fs ae vate
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Se Seo WRT ST rae RN ae ag 8? oe eee eth cme ae oo SLOMW, : wat 566 The Dauntless Detective: or, The Daughter Pavenger. By Tom W. King. eT fi ; A new issue every Wednesday, lope Beadle’s Dime Library is for sale by all -Newsdealers, ten cents per Copy: or sent by | " receipt of twelve cents each, EADLE & ADAMS, — Publishers, 98 William Street, New ia ea ae
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— BEADLE’S+ H ALF-DIMEe [, Each Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Published Every Tuesday. BY PHILIP 8. WARNE, 6T Patent-Leather Joe; or, Old Rattlesnake, the Charmer. 275 Captain Arizona; or, Patent-Leather Joe's Big Game, 198 Captain Mask; or, Patent-Leather Joe’s Defeat, 19 Despard, the Duelist ; or, The Mountain Vempires, 688 A Tough Boy; or, Tse Dwarf’s Revenge. 868 Little Tornado; or, The Outcasts of the Glen. B78 Little Jingo; or, the Queer Pard. L38 Little Oh-my 3 or, Caug! t in His Own Trap, 401 Little Sheo-Fly or, Trace for a Ranch. 408 Little Eootleh teat hea; or, Old Jumbo’s Curse, 481 Little Ah Sin; or, T Curse of Blood. 451 Colorado Kate. / ale of the alines. 480 Three Jolly Par S17 Jim Gladden’s BD ity. S27 The Jolly Pards w the Rescue. S47 Sandy Andy; or, A Good Man Down, 556 Lariat Lil; or, The Cast for a Life. 4 Old Weasel-top, the Man with the Dogs, 698 Keen Clem, 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 P. ae The Doge’s Daughter, 48 Dick Darling, the Pony Express Rider. 150 Lance and Lasso; or, The Children of the Chaco. 354 The Sword Munters; or, The Land of the Elephant Riders, 159 The an o Samtains or, Skipper Jabez Coffin’s Cruise to the mn Foliar Ae 200 e Boy Bedoultns; or, The Brothers of the Plamed Lance, 214 Wolfgang, the Robber of the Rhine, 249 Milo Romer, the Animal King; or, The Round the World 265 The Tiger T Th of e er Pamer; or, The League of the Jungle. 881 Black Nick, the Demon Rider. = 895 California Joe’s War Trail. BY BUOKSKIN SAM (Major Sam. 8, Hall.) 284 O14 mooky's **Boyees; or, Benito, the Young Horse reaker. 246 Giant Georges or, The Ang’! of the Rarge. 275 Arizona Jack ¢ or, Giant George’s Pard. 297 The Tarantula of ‘pest | or, Giant George’s Revenge. 807 The Strange Pard; or, Little Ben’s Death Hunt. 818 poEw hose, a Sy 003 or, The Tarantula of Taos, 827 Creeping Cat, the Caddo; or, The Red and White Pards, 882 Frio Fred; or, The Tonkaway’s Trust. 644 The Fighting Trio; or, Rattlesnake, the Tonkaway. 849 Wild Wolf; or, Big-Foot Wallace to the Front. S57 The Ranch Raiders; or, The Siege of Fort Pargatory. 864 Snap-Shot, the Boy Ranger. 875 Chiota, the Oreek3 or, The Three Thunderbolts, 681 Bandera BIIl; or. Frio frank to the Front, 892 Romeo and the Reds; or, The Beleaguered Ranch. £04 Little Lariat; or, Pecan Pete’s Big Rampage. 414 The Dalay from Denver. 427 The Three Trailers; 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 Moskingam, 228 Ozark Alf: or, Featherweight Among the Outlaws. R252 The Typo betoctives or, Weasel, the Boy Tramp. 295 Fearless Phil; or, The King of Quartzyille. S11 The Roving Sport; or, The Pride of Chuckaluck Camp, B22 Nemo, the electives or, Kit Kenyon's Vendetta. 840 Clip the Contortionist; or, The Montana Vigilantes. BY J, C. COWDRIOK, 860 Silver-Mask, the Man of Mystery. 869 Shasta, the Gold King} or, For Seven Yours Dead, 420 The Detective’s Apprentice; or, A Boy Without a Name, 424 Cibuta John; or, Re-Hot Times at Ante Bar, 489 Sandy Sam, the Street Scout. 467 Disco Dan, the Daisy Dude. 490 Broadway Billy, the Bootblack Bravo, 506 Redlight Ralph, the Prince of the 514 Broadway Billy’s Boodle. 524 The Engineer Detective. 6 Broadway Billy’s ‘Diftikilty.” 548 Mart, the ot Express Detective. SBr Broadwa illy’s Death Racket. 571 Air-Line Luke _ the Young Engineer. S579 The Chimney Spy; or, Broadway Billy’s Sarprise-Party, 592 The Boy Pinkerton, 605 William 0” ecateag aS or, The Boy Detective’s Big Incing, 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 PIEROR. 897 Bob o’ the Bowery ; or, The Prince of Mulberry Street 415 The Vagabond Detective; or, Bowery Bob’s Boom, 452 Hotspur Bow, the Street-Boy Detective, 460 The Vawye 's Shadow; or, Luke’s Legacy. 472 Jaunty Joe, the Young Horse-King. 4 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. S88 Wrestling Rex, the Pride ofthe Sixth Want, 641 Jeff Flicker, the Stable Boy Detective, 551 Nick Nettle, the Boy Shadow. 9 Harlem Jack, the Office Boy Detective, 69 Brooklyn Ben, the On-His-Own-Hook Detectiva, Pavement Pete, the Secret Sifter, 588 Jack-o’-Lantern, the Under-Sea Prospector, ROR Wide-Awake Bert, the Street-Steerer, 614 Whistling Jacob, the Detective’s Aid. 628 Buck Bumblebee, the Harlem Hummer, 689 Sunrise Saul, the Express-Train Ferret, 649 Gamin Bob, the Bowery Badger; or, Scooping Sitppery Set, BY MAJOR HENRY B. STODDARD, Ex-Scout, 806 Neck-Tie Ned The Dug-Out Pards. 646 papier ne Seehe’on The Swordamen of Zacatecas, 891 Kid-Glove Kit, the Dandy of the Rockies, $98 Kid-Glove Kit and Pard; or, The Gold King. 406 The Mad Man-Hunter}; or, The Mystery of Golden Guleh. 605 Powells Pard 3 or, The One-Armed Giant. | BY WM. G. PATTEN, 489 The Mamond Sport: or, The Double Pace of Bed Rock. &19 Captain Mystery; or Five in One, 681 Da Dare the Sport from Denver. ombshell, the Ranger Detective, 604 Iron Fern, the Man of Fire. 619 The Bo creme Detectives or, The Doaklo @rip Witness smal Dave's Dandy ard, BY ALBERT W. AIKEN, 11 The Two Detectives; or, The Fertuncs ofa Beery Girl. %6 Abe Colt, the Crow-Killer. ZY Sol Ginger, the Giant Trapper. 258 Joe Buck of Angels and His Bey Pard. 447 New York Nat. A Tale of Tricks and Traps im Gotham, 458 New England Nick ; or, The Fortunes of a Feumdéling, 464 Nimble Rick, the Circus Prince. 498 T'nos Ted, toe Arizona Sport. 510 Cool Colorado, the Hal!-Breed Detective, 518 Cool Colorado in New York, BY GEORGE WALDO BROWNE. 86 Dandy Rock the Man from Texas. 0 The Drend Rider; or, The Texan Duelist. 99 The Tiger of Tuos; or, Dandy Rock’s Angel. 115 The Mad Miner; or, Dandy Rock’s Doom. 181 The Golden Mand; or, Dandy Rock to the Reseue, 164 Dandy Reock’s Pledge; or, Hunted to Death, 178 Dandy Rock’s Rivals or, The Haunted Maid of Taos, BY CAPT. J. F. C. ADAMS, 84 Oregon Sol; er, Nick Whiffles’s Boy Spy. 46 Glass-Eye, the Great Shot of the West. 54 Ned Hazel, the Boy Trapper. 56 Nick W hiffies’s Pet; or, In The Valley of Death, 60 The White Indian; or, The Scovt of the Yellowstone, 70 Old Zip’s Cabiny vr, The Greenhorn in the Woods, 81 lightning Jo, the Terror of the Prairie. 85 Buck Buckram ; or, Bess, the Female Trapper, 247 Old Grizzly and His Pets; or, The Wild Huntress, 251 Light-house Lige; or, Osceola, the Firebrand. 257 The Lost Hunters; or, The Underground Camp. 288 The Scalp King: or, The Human Thundervolt, BY ROGER STARBUCK, 25 The Boy Captain; or, The Pirate’s Daughter. 114 The Black Schooner; or, Jib Jumk, the Old Tar. 259 The Golden Harpoon; or, Lost Among the Floes, 848 Fire-Meela; or, Old Skinflint, the Death-Shadow. 854 Big Horn Ike, the Hill Tramp; or, The Odd Pards, B61 The Phantom Light-house, 870 Breaker Len, the Reef-Runner. BY WILLIAM Rk, EYSTER, 190 Dandy Darke; or, The Tigers of High Pine. 210 Faro Frank} or, Dandy Darke’s Go-Down Parde 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 ofthe Prairies. A Story of Texas. BY C, DUNNING CLARK. Captain Paul; or, The Boy Spy of the Mountains, The Yankee Rajah}; or, The Fate of the Black Shereef. BY GEORGE C, JENKS. 485 Git Thar Owney the Unknown. 492 Git Thar Owncy’s Pledge. 518 The Demon Doctor. 581 Double-Curve Dan, the Pitcher Detective, 59S Flute, the Singer Detective, 608 Fb Ag ee Detective’s Foll; or, Double Curve Dan’s iouble Play. 616 The Ocean Detective; or, The Last Cruise of the Black Bear. BY CAPT, ALFRED B. TAYLOR UT, 8. A. 191 Buffalo Billy, the Boy Bullwhacker. 194 Buffalo Bill’s Bet; or, The Gambler Guide. BY CHARLES E. LASALLE, 50 Kurt Bunker, the Trapper. 52 The White Buffalo. A Tale of the Northwest, BY JOHN J. MARSHALL, 40 Roving Ben, A Story of a Young American, 87 The Outlaw Brothers; or, The Captive of the Harpes, BY HARRY S&T. GEORGE. 80 Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Ranger. 44 Rattlin Rube; or, The Nighthawks of Kentucky, 59 Old Hickory ; or, Pandy Ellie’s Scalp. 108 Daring Davy 3 or, The Trail of the Decker 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 Brimstone Bob, and His Lightning Horse Quartetta. 852 Tombstone Tom, the Arizona Boy of “Sand,” 859 Durango Dave, the Yeung Champion Wrestler. 87 pingnels Chris, the Y»ung Hard-Shell Detective, 880 Avalanche Alf, the Foothills Guide. 890 Jaguar Joe, of the Mountain Mail-Line, BY EDWARD 8. ELLIS, 6 Bill Biddon, syappers 8 Seth Jones; or, The Captives of the Frontier, 10 Nat Todd; or, The Fate of the Sioux Captive, 21 'rne Frontier Angel. 8 The Boy Miners; or, The Enchanted Island. The Nunted Hunter; or, The Strange Horseman, 254 The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains, 271 The Huge Hunter; or, The Steam Prairie Man, BY MAJOR LEWIS W. CARSON, The Three Trapperes or, The Mountain Monster, 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 Road. 140 Blue Blazes; or, The Break o’ Day Boys of Rotky Bar, 171 Ebony Dany; or, The Rival Leagues. 185 Evil Eye: oc The Vultures of the Rlo Grande, BY OAPT. MARK WILTON, 256 Young Kentuck; or, The Red Lasso, 270 Blizzard Ben} or, The Riot at Keno Camp, 286 Josh, the Boy Tenderfoot. . BY BRACEBRIDGE HEMYNG 89 Taland Jim: or, The Pet of the Family. 1 The Captain of the Club; or, The Rival Athletes, 101 Jack Markaway in New York, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID. 78 Blue Dick: or, The Yellow Chiefs Vengeance. 87 The Land Pirates: or, The League o i’s Inland, 187 The Bostece Hand; or, Backwoods Retribution. -seeker Guide ; or, The Lost Mountain, 185 280 ~ os « 278 288 Price of Fi BY JOSEPH E. BADGER, JR. 2 Vellowstone Jack; or, The Trapper. 48 Black John, the Road-Agent; or, The Outlaw’s Retreat, 65 Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and His Pard. 119 Mustang Saw }; or, The King of the Plains. 186 Night-llawk Kit; or, The Daughter of the Ranch. 144 Dainty Lance the Boy Sport. 141 Panther Paul: or, Dainty Lance to the Rescue, 160 The Black Glant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy, 168 Deadly ged or, Fighting Fire with Fire. 184 The Boy Trallers ; or, Dainty Lance on the War-Path, 208 The Boy Pards; or, Dainty Lance Unmaske. 211 Crooked Cale, the Caliban of Celestial City. 810 The Barranea 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. Danie Boone’s Last Trail, 449 Kit Fox, the Border Boy Detective. 625 Chincapin Dan, the Boy Trailer. BY W. J. HAMILTON, 68 The Red Brotherhood; er, The Twelve Avengers, 66 Single Hand}; or, A Life for a Life, 72 Mad Tom W estern, 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 Shipper. BY LIEUT. H. D. PERRY, U. 8. N. 176 The Boy Runaway; or, The Buccaneer of the Bay. 180 The Sea Trailer; or, A Vow Well Kept. 192 Captain Kit; or, The Mystery of Montauk Point. BY HARRY HAZARD. 828 Arkansaw Jack; or, The Scourge of the Mines. 829 Red-Skin Tomy; or, The Demon’s Trail, 842 The Mountain Devil; or, Yellow Jack, the Outlaw. BY COL, A. F. HOLT, 899 Black Buckakin; or, The Masked Men of Death Cangea 419 Kenneth, the Knife-King. 485 Little Lightfoot, the Pilot of the Woods, BY J. W. OSBON. 469 The Rival Giants of Nowhar’. 498 Cactus Burr, the Man trom Hard Luck, 587 Old Buckeye, the Sierra Shadow. 564 Powder Phil, the Boy Miner. 609 Bolly Dorrit, the \ eteran Detective. 620 Little Li Btning’s Lengue; or, The Mystery of tne Iamad, 688 Plucky Paul, the Boy Prospector, BY, FREDERICK DEWEY, 818 Cimarron Jack, the King-Pin of Rifle-Shote, 478 Tangemund, the Desert Detective, 5642 The Canyon Pards. BY ARTHUR C. GRISSOM, 440 Little Foxfoot, the Gold Bowle Kid. 558 The Sure-Shot Pards. 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 City. 601 Happy Hana, the Dutch Vidocg. 611 Bildnd Barnacle, the Detective Hercules. 622 Texas Tom-Cat’« Triad. 681 Tom Cat’s Terrible Task. 688 Tom-Cat’s Triumph; ¢r, Black Ivan’s Great Combine, 646 Cowbey Gid, the Cattle-Range Detective, MISCELLANEOUS AUTHORS, 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 Llustrations.) 18 Sindbad the Sailor. His Seven Voyages, 22 The Sea Serpent; or, The Boy hebinee Crusoe, By Juan wis, 88 The Ocean Bloodhoundys or, The Red Pirates of the Carribees. By 8S, W. Pierce. 86 Th Boy Clowns or, The Queen of the Arena. By Frank nn. 88 Ned Wylde, the Boy Scont. By Texas Jack. 51 qhe 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 Hood, the Vutlawed Earl; or, The Merry Men of Green- wood. By Prof. Gildersleeve. 105 Old Ru the Hunter; or, The Crow Captive, By Captain Hamilton Holmes. 112 The Mad Hunter; or, The Cave of Death. By Burton Saxe, 124 Tippy, the Texan} or, The Young Champion. By George eeson. 128 The woane Privateer; or, The Pirate’s Stronghold. By Harry Cavendish, 148 Sharp Sam; or, The Adventures of a Friendless Boy, By 44 Alexander Patten. @27 Dusky Darrell, Trapper: or, The Green Ranger of the Yel- lowstone. By Edward Emerson. 261 Fergus Fearnaught the New Y rk Boy. By G, L. Alken, 266 Killb’ar, the Guide; or, Davy Crocketi’s Crooked Trail, By Ensign C. D. Warren. 298 Red Claw, the One-Eyed Trapper; or, The Maid of the Cliff. By Captain Comatock. 817 Peacock Pete, the Lively Lad from Leadville. By Liew- tenant Alfred Thorne. ? 828 The Sky Detective; or, A Boy’s Fight for Life and Honos, By Maior Mickey Free. 850 Hed Ralph, the River Rovers or, The Brother's Re- venge. By Ned Buntline. 865 Baltimore Ren the Bootblack Detective. By A. P, 4 Gold-Dust Tom} or, Ben’s Double Match, By George More. 876 Qelifernta Joe's First Trail, By Colone) Thomas oyer Monstery. 418 Biily Bombshell, the Cliff Climber. By F.S. Winthrop, 4% The Black ane By John S Warner, 4 Comanche Dick and His Three Invinclblea, By 528 Wisarad-Arm, the Dandy Sport. By Arthar F. Hols zard-Arm, the nay S . ur F. 582 The Cowboy Duke. By Edwin rooke Forrest. BS2 Artel the Athlete. By David Druid, 5S5 Will Waters, the Bov Ferret. By H. Enton. 682 The Dead Detective’s Double, By Gerald Cariton, % A New Issue Every Tuesday, The Half-Dime Library is for sale by all newsdealerc, five eents per copy, or sent by mai! on recerpt ot six cente each, BEADLE AND ADAMRB, Publishers, 98 William Street, New York \
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Me BEADi£’S* H ALF-DIME* LIBRARY. ¢ Published Every Tuesday. Hach Issue Complete and Sold at the Uniform Price of Five Cents. No Double Numbers. BY EDWARD L. WHEELER, Deadwood Dick Novels. lr 1 Deadwood Dick, the Prince of the Road. 20 Double Daggers 5 or, Deadwood Dick’s Defian | 28 Buffalo Ben; or, Deadwood Dick in Disguise. $5 Wilda Ivan, the Boy Claude Duval. 42 Phantom Miner; or, Deadwood Dick’s Bonanza, 4Y Omaha OL; or, Deadwood Dick in Danger. 57 Deadwood Dick's Eagles; or, The Pards of Flood Bar, 8 Deadweod Dick on Deck; or, Calamity Jane, the Heroine. 7 Corduroy Charlie + or, Deadwood Dick’s Last Act, 100 Deadwood Dick In Leadville. 104 Deadwood Dick's Device; or, The Double Cross Sign, 109 Deadwood Dick as Detective. 129 Posepecd Dick’s Double; or, The Ghost of Gorgon’s Gulch. 188 Blonde Bill: or, Deadwood Dick’s Home Base, 149 A Game of Goldy; or, Deadwood Dick’s Big Strike. 156 Deadwood Dick of Deadwood; or, The Picked Party. 195 Deadwood Dick’s Dreamy; or, The Rivids 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 Rougha and Toughs, 268 Deadwood Dick’s Divides or, The Spirit of Swamp Lake. 268 Deadwood Dick’s Death Pratl. 809 Deadweod Dick’s Big Deal; or, The Gold Brick of regon. $21 Deadwood Dick’s Dozen; or, The Fakir of Phantom Flata, 847 Deadwood Dick’s Ducats; or, Rainy Days in the Dig- gings. 851 Deadwood Dick Sentenced; or, The Terrible Vendetta. 862 Deadwood Dick’s Claim. 405 Deadwood Dick in Dead City. 410 Deadwood Dick’s Diamonds, 421 Deadwood Dick In New York; or, A “Cute Care.” 480 Deadwood Dick’s Dust; or, The Chained Hand, 448 Deadwood Dick, Jr. 448 Nickel-Plate Neds or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Defiance. 458 Sannower Sam, of Shasta; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Full and. 459 Flush Fan, the Ferret; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Big Ronnd- Up. 465 Plitto Fly, of Phenix; or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Racket at laim 10, 471 Bozeman Bills or, Deadwood Dick Jr’s Corral. 476 Humboldt Marry the Hurricane; or, Deadwood Dick Jr's Dog Detective. 481 Moll Mystery; or, Deadwood Dick Jr. 1 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. 500 Deadwood Dick’s Mepings 3 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 Ducks, 584 Deadwood Dick’s Death Hunt, 589 Deadwood Dick Jr. in Texas, 544 Deadwood Dick, dr. the Wild West Vidoog, 549 Deadwood Dick on Mis Mettle. 554 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Gotham, 561 Deadwood Dick in Boston. 567 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in Philadeitphia, 44 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’« 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 Cincinnati. 624 Deadwood Dick, Jr, in Nevada. 680 Deadwood Dick, Jr. in No Man’« Land, 6386 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 Avptenehes or, Wild Edna, the Girl Brigand, 58 Jim Bludsoes Jr., the Boy Phenix. 61 Buckhorn Bill; or, The Red Rifle Team, 69 Gold Rifle, the Dhprpalooter, or, The Boy Detective, SO Rosebud Rob Lo 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 ; or, Old Anaconda in Sitting Bull’s Camp, 141 Solid Sam, the Boy Road-Agent, 145 Captain Perret, the New York Detective. 161 New York Nell, the Boy-Girl Detective. 177 Nobby Nick of Nevada} or, The Sierras Scamps, 181 Wild pone the Buckskin Bravo. 209 Fritz, the Bound-Boy Detective. — 218 Fritz te the Front; or, The Ventriloquist Hunter, 226 Snoozer, thé Boy Sharp; or, The Arab Detective, 286 Apolle Bill, the Trail Tornado. 240 Cyclone Kit, the Young Gladiator, 244 Sierra Sam, tho Frontier Ferret. 248 Sierra Sam’s Secret; or, The Bloody Footprints, 255 Sierra Sam’s Pard; or, The Angel of Big Vista. 258 Sierra Sain’s Seven; or, The Stolen Bride. 278 Jumbo Joe; the Boy Patrol: or, The Rival Heirs, 277 Denver Doll, the Detective Queen. 2Si Denver Doll’« Victory. 255 Denver Doll's Decoy ; or. Little Bill’s Bonanza, 29& Turk, the Boy Ferret. 296 Denver Doll’s Drift; or, The Road Queen, 299 A No. 1, the Dashing Toll-Taker. £08 ’Liza Jane, tbe Girl Miner; or, the Iron-Nerved Sport. 825 Kelley, Mickey & Co., the Detectives of Philadelphia, B80 Little Qulck-8 ot; or, The Dead Face of Daggersville, 884 Kangaroo Kit; or, The Mysterious Miner, $89 Kangaroo Kit’s Racket. 848° Manhattan Mike, the Bowery Blood. B58 First-Class Fred, the Gent trom Gopher. 868 Vreka Jim, the Gold-Gatherer}; or, The Lottery of Jim Beak and Pal, Private Detectives. Santa Fe Sal, the Slasher. Sam, the Spar kler, BY COLONEL PRENTISS INGRAHAM, 7 The Fiving Vankee} or, The Ocean Outcast, 17 Ralph Roy, the Boy Buccancer; or. The Fugitive Yacht, 24 Diamond Dirk — The Mystery of the Yellowstone, 62 The Shadow Ship; or, The Rival Lieutenants, 75 The Boy Duelist; or, The Cruise of the Sea-Wolf, 102 Dick Dead-Eye, the Boy Smugzgier. 111 The Sen-Devil 3 or, The Midshipman’s Legacy. 116 The Hussar Daptain 3 or, The Hermit o! Hell Gate, 197 Little Grit; or, Bessie, the Stock-Tender’s Daughter. 204 Gold Plume; or, The Kid-Glove Sport, 216 Bison BIL, the Prince of the Reina. 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 ; or, The Freelance Heir. 250 The Midshipman igutincer’ or, Brandt, the Buccaneer, 264 fee Floating Feather; or, Merle Monte’s Treasure sland, 269 The Gold Ship; or, Merle, the Condemned. 276 Bests Monte’s Cruise; or, The Chase of “The Gold Ship.”’ 280 Merle Monte’s Fate; or, Pearl, the Pirate's Bride, 284 The Sea Marauder; or, Merle Monte’s Pledge. 287 Billy Blue-Eyes, the Boy Rover of the Rio Grande. 804 The Dead Shot Dandy ; or, Benito, the Buy Bugler. 808 Keno Kit; or, Dead Shot Dandy’s Double. 814 7a Mysterious Marauder; or, The Boy Bugler’s Long Tail, 877 Bonodel, the Boy Rover; or, The Flagless Schooner. 888 The Indian Pilot; or, The Search for Pirate Island. 887 Warpath WIII, the Boy Phantom. 898 Seawalf, the Boy @ieutenant, 402 Isodor, the Young Conspirators or, The Fatal League, 407 The Boy Insurgent; or, The Cuban Vendetta. 412 The Wild Yachtsaman; or, The War-Cloua’s Cruise. 429 Duncan Dare, the Boy Refugee. 488 A Cabin Boy’s Lucky or, Tie Corsair. 487 The Sea Ralder. 441 The Ocean Firefly; or, A Middy’s Vengeance. 446 Haphazard Marry 3 or, The Scapegrace of the Sea, 450 Wizard Will: or, The Boy Ferret of New York. 454 Wizard Will’s Street Scouts, 462 The Born Guide; or, The Saiior 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 doe the Boy Pard of Texas Jack. 497 Back Taylor, Ring ot 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, 580 The Buckskin Bowers, 585 The Bue skin Rovers, 540 Captain Ku-Klux, the Marauder of the Rio, 545 Lieutenant Leo, the Son of Lafitte. 550 Lafitte’s Legacy; or. The Avenging Son, 555 The Creole Corsair. 560 Pawnee BILL, the Prairie Shadower, 565 Kent Kingdon, the Card King, 570 Camille, the Card Queen, 575 The Surgeon-Scout Detective. 580 The Outcast Cadet; or, The False Detective. 586 The Buckskin Avenger. 591 Delmonte, tie Young Sea Rover, 597 The Young Texan Detective. 602 The Vagabond of the Mines. 607 The Rover Detective; or, Keno Kit’s Champions. 617. Ralph, the Dead-Shot Scouts or, The Raiders and the Red Riders of the Rio, 644 The Hercules Highwayman,. 650 putterfy Billy, the Pony Kider Detective; or, Buffalo Bill’s Boy Para. BY BUFFALO BILL (Hon. Wm, F. Cody). 8 Kansas King; or, The Red Right Hand. 19 The Phantom Spy: or, The Pilot of the Prairie, 55 Deadly-Eye. the Unknown Scout. 68 Border Robin Hood, or, The Prairie Rover. 158 Fancy Frank of Colorado; or, The Trapper’s Trust. BY CHARLES MORRIS, 18 Will Somers, the Boy Detective, 22 Phil Hardy, the Boss Boy. 26 Picayune Pete; or, Nicodemus, the Dog Detertive, 80 Detective Dick; or, The Hero in Rage. 42 Mandsome Harry, the Bootblack Detective, 47 Will Wildfire, the Thoroughbred, 52 Black Ress, Will Wildfire’s Racer. Bb? Mike Merry, the Harbor Police Boy. 2 Will Wildfire in the Woods. 5 Billy Baggage, the Railroad Boy 0 A Trump Card; or, Will Wildfire Wins and Loses, 4 Bob Rockett or, Mysteries of New York. 9 Bob Rockett, the Bank Runner, 8 The Hidden Handy; or, Wii) Wildfire’s Revenge. 7 Fred Halyard, the Life Boat Boy; or, The Smugglers, 89 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 Binck Sheep of the Flock, 225 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-Hounds or, The Young Thoroughored. 805 Wenkaw Sys of Dakota; or, A Western Lad in the Quaker Yity. $24 Ralph Ready, the Hotel Boy Detective. 841 Tony Thorne, the Vagabond Detective, 858 The Reporter-Detective ; or, Fred Flyer’s Blizzard. 867 Wide-Awake Joe; or, A Boy of the Times. 879 Larry, the Leveler; or, The Bloods of the Boulevard. 408 Firefly Jack, the River-Rat Detective. 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 Vagapond. 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 Secret Service Boy Detective. 596 Jimmy the Kid; or, A Lamb Among Wolves. 627 Tom Bruce of Arkansass or, The Wolfin the Fold. ¥ 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 16 16 17 17% 17 18 18 1 BY OLL COOMES. 5 Vagabond Joe, the Young Wandering Jew. 18 The Dumb Spy. 27 Antelope Abe, the Boy Guide. 81 keen-Rnife, the Prince of the Prairies. 41 Lasso Jack, the Young Mustanger. 58 The Border King; or, The Secret Foe. 71 Delaware Dick, the Young Ranger Spy. 74 Hawk-eye Marry the Young Trapper Runger, 88 Rollo, the Boy Ranger. 184 Sure Shot eth, the Boy Rifleman. 148 Scar-Fave Saul, the Silent Hunter 146 Silver Star, the Boy Knight. 158 Eagle Kit, the Boy Demon. 168 Little Texas, the Young Mustanger. 178 Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper. 182 Little Hurricane, the Boy Captain. 202 Prospect Pete ;_or, The Poke Outlaw Hunters, 208 The Boy Hercules: or, The Prairie Tramps. 218 Tiger Tom, the Texas Terror, 224 Dashing Dicks or, Trapper Tom’s Castle. 228 Little Wildfire, the Young Prairie Nomad. The Parson Detectives or, The Little Ranger. 248 The Disguised Guide; or, Wild Raven, the Ranger, 260 Dare-Devil Dan, the Young Prairie Ratger, 272 Minkakin Mike, the Boy Sharpshooter. 290 Little Foxfire, the Boy Spy. 800 The Sky Demon ; or, Rainbolt, the Ranger. 884 Whip-King Joe, the Boy Ranchero. 409 Hercules; or, Dick, the Boy Ranger. A1T Webfoot Mose, the Tramp Detective. 422 Baby Sam, the Boy Giant of the Yellowstone. al Little Buckakin, tne Young Prairie Centaur, 457 Wingedfoot Fred; or, Old Polar Saul. 468 Tamarac Tom, the Big Trapper Boy, 478 Old Tom Rattler, the Red River Epidemie, 482 Stonewall Bob, the Boy Trojan. 562 Blundering Basil, the Hermit Boy Trapper, BY T. ©. HARBAUGH, 28 Nick o’ the Night}; or, The Boy Spy of 76. 87 The Hidden Lodge; or The Little Hunter, 47 Nightingale Wet} or, Tne Forest Septeinns 64 Dand Tack ¢ or, The Outlaws of the Oregon Trali, 82 Kit Harefoot the Wood-Hawk. 94 Midnight Jack 3 or, The Boy Trapper. 106 Old Frosty, the Guide; or, The White Queen, 128 Kiowa Charley the White Mustanger. 189 Judge Lynch, Jr: or, The Boy Vigilante. 155 Gold Trigger, the Sport; or, The Girl Avenger, 169 Tornado Tom; or, Injun Jack From Red Core. 188 Ned Temple, the Border Boy. 198 Arkansaw ; or, The Quven of Fate’s Revenge, 207 Navajo Nick, the Boy Gold Hunter, 215 Captain Bullet 3 or, Little Topknot’s Crusade, 281 Plucky Phil; or, Rosa, the Red Jezebel. 241 Bill Bravo; or, The Roughe of the Rockies, 255 Captain Apoliv, tne King-Pin of Bowle. 267 The Buckskin Detective. 279 Old Winehs; or, The Buckskin Desperadoes. 294 Dynamite bant or, The Bowle Blade of Gochetopa. 802 The Mountain Detective; or, The Trigger Bar Buily, 816 Old Eclipse, Trump Card of Arizone, 826 The Ten Pards; or, The Terror of Take-Notice. 886 Big Benson; or, The Queen of the Lasso. 845 Pitileas Matt; or, Red Thunderbolt’s Secret, B56 Cool sam und Pard; or The Terrible Six. BE6 Velvet Foot, the Indian Detective. B86 Captain Cutlass; or, Ihe Brccaneer’s Girl Foe, 896 Rough Robs 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 cramp. the Border Rattler. 486 Phil Flash, the New York Fox. , 445 The City Vampiress or, Red Rolfe’s Pigeon, 461 One Against Fifty; or, The Last Man of Keno Bar, 470 The Boy Shadow; or, Fellx Fox's Hunt. A’? The Exceisior Sport: or, The Washington Spotter, 499 Single Sight, the One-Eyed Sport. 502 Branded Ben, the Night ferret. 512 Dodger Dick, the Wharf-Spy Detective, 521 Dodger Dick’s 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 Dodeer Dick’« Desperate Case, 568 Dodger Dick, the Boy Vidocq. 578 The Twe Shadows. 5S2 Dodger Dick’s Drop. BOA Little Lon, the Street-Singer Detective, 610 Old Skinner, the Gold Shark; or, Tony Sharp on Guard. 626 The Champton Pards, 687 Dick Doan, the Dock Boy Detective, 645 Kit, the Pavement Sharp. LATEST AND NEW ISSUES. 651 Bound sted 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. ©. Harbaugh. 654 paar eee mek Jr., Among the Smugglers. By caw ar 4. Wheeler : ess yrnck Pig Fi Boy s eculator:, By alee pte, 65 uttertly «a Man unt. y Col, ©. Ingraham. 657 Warbling William, the Mountain Mountebank. By uieut. A, K. Sims. i 658 Sky-Rocket Rob, the Life-Saver. By Jo Pierce, 659 Moonlight Morgon, the “ oa aan Be Ante Bar; or, ‘ibuta John’s Champion Chase. y J. ©, Cowe k. " 660 Derdwood Dick, Jr's, Inesurance Case, By Edward 1 Wheeler. 661 Old Kit Bandy’s Deliverance. By Ol) Coomes. 662 Buttcrily Billy's Bonsnse. a yee ng Ingraham, 668 Violet Ye Vietory. By Wm. G, Patten. 664 Gheek : Charlene the Special, By P. S. Warne, ; 665 Jolly Jeremfahy the ors ‘7 a or, Warbling Wil- liam’s Home Run, y Lieut. A. K. Sims. 666 Deadweed Dick Jr., Back in the Mines; or, The Mountain Ainazon’s Double Game. By Edward L. Wheeler. 667 Bob and Sam, the Daisy Detectives, By Charles Morris, 668 The Buccanesr pee man. Pg aaa P, Tngrabair. y road. By J.C. Cowdrick, +4 Broadwa ela, the Big Boy Mountaineer By (1) Coomes. 670 Norway 671 Jersey Jed, xed Boy Hustler; or, Shadowing the Shadower. By T. C. Harbaugh. 672 Deadwood ptick, Jey in Durango; or, “ Gathered In.” war i. jeeler 678 Ralph Renwood, the Lightning Express Detective, By A t « Be ole. a 674 The Wizard Salflor; or, Red Ralph, the Rover. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham. Ready June 24, 675 Broadway BItly’s Bests or, Beating San Francisco's Finest. By J. C. Cowdrick. Ready July 1. A New Issue Every Tuacasday. The Half- Dime Library !s for sale by all newsdealers, five eente per copy, or sent by mall on receipt of mx cents each, ADAMS, Publishers, William Street, New York. BEADLE